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Laman Ismayilova

Jam SS Theater Studio has opened its new theater season with a grand premiere.

The musical "The Greatest Showman" has been presented to the wide audience at the Rashid Behbudov State Song Theater.

This stunning musical left an unforgettable impression on the audience with its exciting dance numbers, designer costumes, unusual scenery and vocal numbers.

Head of Jam Group Aziz Azizov told AZERNEWS that the preparation for this musical premiere took more than three months. He recalled the last year, when the musical was demonstrated at a private screening. In 2023, "The Greatest Showman" was presented to all musical fans in Baku.

"Initially, The Greatest Showman was demonstrated at a private screening in English with the support of the U.S. State Department. In 2023, this musical was presented to the general public in Russian and Azerbaijani, marking the opening of the Jam Group's theater new season. The Greatest Showman stands out for its vibrancy and sound. The biographical musical is based on the story and life of Phineas Taylor Barnum, a famous showman and entertainer, and his creation of the Barnum & Bailey Circus," said Aziz Azizov.

Speaking about how the idea came up to show the musical in Baku, head of the Jam Group first of all mentioned such iconic musicals as "Cats" and "Chicago".

"First of all, I would like to mention such classic musicals as Cats and Chicago. The first one requires a huge variety of sets and costumes. As for the musical Chicago, it was presented to the Baku public many times. This time we decided to surprise the audience with the bright and unusual theater work-The Greatest Showman, which was staged according to all the canons of a musical.

In his remarks, Aziz Azizov touched upon Jam SS Theater Studio's upcoming projects:

"Jam SS Theater Studio's program is scheduled for a year in advance. The musical Donna's Story will be once again presented to the public on October 7. The Great Gatsby will be shown for the first time in Baku on December 9. Chicago will be presented to the audience on February 3-4. Moulin Rouge will be demonstrated on February 10-11. Jam Group will also delight its little spectators with two premieres-The Beauty and the Beast on November 12 and Barbie: Princess Charm School on November 25," Azizov said.

He added that the program also includes family musicals like "The Grinch" to be shown on December 2-3, and Frozen to be staged on December 16-17.

"Furthermore, we are going to delight the Baku audience with musicals dedicated to Halloween, including "Monsters in Baku" on October 15 , "Coco" on October 22 , as well as the family musical "Corpse Bride" on October 29," he concluded.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, Milli.Az.
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman told the WSJ he would be interested in a deal with Elon Musk's X.

However, he caveated that by saying he doesn't know if X is interested, or if the deal is doable.

Ackman's Pershing Square obtained approval for an investment vehicle on Friday, targeting companies looking to raise at least $1.5 billion.

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman said he would be interested in a deal with Elon Musk's X Corp, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.

The hedge fund manager's comments came after his firm Pershing Square received US regulatory approval for a new variation of special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs. The new investment vehicle would target companies looking to raise at least $1.5 billion, according to a filing on Friday.

While Ackman said he would "absolutely" be interested in a deal with X  the platform previously known as Twitter  he doesn't know if X is interested, or if the deal is doable, per the Journal. Ackman, who is worth $3.6 billion as of Sunday, was responding to a question from the Journal on whether he would consider a deal with X.

Still, Ackman  an avid X user  posted the announcement of his new investment vehicle on the social media platform.

"If your large private growth company wants to go public without the risks and expenses of a typical IPO, with Pershing Square as your anchor shareholder, please call me," Ackman wrote in a post. "We promise a quick yes or no."

Ackman's foundation invested a small amount in X when Musk bought the platform last year, but the hedge fund manager seemingly doesn't know Musk well, per the Journal. It is not immediately clear how much Ackman invested in X.

However, Ackman appears to be a big believer in Musk, telling the Journal he has "enormous respect" for the Tesla CEO. Early in September, Ackman touted Musk's X, saying he thinks Musk will "do quite well ultimately with Twitter."

Musk took Twitter private last year in a $44 billion acquisition. But, Musk had told investors he was planning to take the company public again after three years, the Journal reported in May last year.

X responded to Insider's request for comment with an auto-reply that read: "Busy now, please check back later." X told the Journal it had no comment.

Pershing Square did not immediately respond to requests from Insider for comment sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Rita Hay hopes change is in the air, but her memories are long.

Years ago, her eldest children were special needs students in Sacramento City Unified School District schools. She was so distressed at the lack of instruction and care they received, Hay said, that she ultimately took matters into her own hands, packing up home and kids for better care in another district.

I had to physically move to get them out of Sacramento City Unified School District, she said last week.

Now, with son Israel, a bespectacled 8-year-old, who connects with the world through the book-sized communication tablet he clutches close, she expressed her hesitance: I dont want to have to do that again.

The disappointment has spanned years for her. Hay has lived the experience of so many Black parents of children with special needs in the school district: inconsistent instruction, uneven discipline, roadblocks to services and poor communication between teachers and parents

Gregory Peters, the Bay Area schools reform leader and executive director of education equity advocacy San Francisco Coalition of Essential Small Schools seeks to change that.

Peters steps into the position after decades of Black parents frustration and tearful listening sessions, a four-year long court fight, and, finally, a landmark agreement in May between Sacramento education equity advocates Black Parallel School Board and Sacramento City Unified. It equates to a five-year plan of action unveiled last week that will work to undo a legacy of mistreatment.

A crucial piece: the independent monitor selected by Black Parallel School Board and Sacramento City Unified School Board. Peters was approved by district board members at a special session last week to craft and oversee the plan.

About 6,000 students with identified disabilities are enrolled in Sacramento City Unified schools. One-fifth of those, about 1,200, are Black.

The plan will focus on substantially reducing the numbers of Black students with disabilities who are suspended and expelled from district schools and the placement of Black students with disabilities in segregated settings.

It will also target the bullying and harassment of Black students with disabilities, all while shrinking the numbers of Black students who are over- or under-identified for special education.

Other goals include narrowing the ratio of mental health professionals to students and both increasing and improving training for district teachers.

The work begins anew, so we have an opportunity. The system is broken, severely broken, and weve got to find a way to make sure the kids with needs  special needs  get the services they need, said Darryl White, Black Parallel School Board chair and a former school administrator in San Diego and Sacramento.

The community organization provides support, assistance and advocacy for Black children in Sacramento City Unified schools and acts as a watchdog of the districts activities and programs to ensure they match the needs of its Black students.

When our special ed kids become seniors, its our expectation that they graduate with the skill base that other kids have, and thats not the case, White added. The system has failed them by the time they get to graduation. We do well with some, but not all. Thats where disproportionality comes in.

120 days to draft and begin change

The work to change that trajectory is on a fast track. Peters has 60 days to draft the five-year plan and present it to the board and district. Thatll be followed by another 60 days to finalize the document.

The plan must substantially reduce disciplinary referrals of Black students with disabilities, including undocumented informal suspensions, or soft suspensions. The plan will address the overall and disproportionate use of restraints and seclusion of students with disabilities.

Black students with disabilities were nearly three times more likely to be suspended from district classrooms than all other students with disabilities, an independent 2017 audit of the districts services to disabled students revealed. The data didnt account for the undocumented soft suspensions that deprive students of valuable classroom time.

The 2017 audit laid valuable groundwork for the Black Parallel School Boards lawsuit that led to the plan.

How do we change these policies and practices? Yvonne Wright, the districts chief academic officer, said at a town hall last Tuesday. With the undocumented suspensions, students are being excluded from classes, but theyre also being excluded from learning. If I do that three or four times a month, theres a layering effect. Hes losing instruction.

The independent monitor will also see that district instructors appropriately identify Black students with disabilities without over- or under-identifying students for special education, and ensure those students are assessed in a timely manner.

Inclusion for students with disabilities

Roughly half of district students with disabilities learn in segregated settings, the report showed, separating students with mental health conditions, autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities at rates far exceeding state and nationwide averages. Black students saw the highest rates of segregated placements.

The plan will boost the numbers of students with disabilities, particularly Black students, in inclusive, integrated classrooms, schools and school settings.

Its not just a special education issue, Wright, the districts chief academic officer said Tuesday. We need to focus on who is not succeeding and what we do about it. When do we start addressing the problem?

The question is long overdue and now may at last find answers. Parents like Hay say an independent monitor can help assure that.

The district will have other eyes on them, Hay said. Maybe theyll step up and do what they need to do.

The independent monitor will be around long enough to get some of this stuff done, White said later. If they dont get it done in five years, theyre going to be here a little longer.

Parents seek answers, information and accountability

At the painful 2018 listening sessions that led to the lawsuit against the district, parents voiced their frustration.

There were no dry eyes. Parents were so frustrated at what had happened to them, White said during a virtual town hall in mid-September. What do you do for a student you know as special? Parents who are African-American werent steered in the right direction. Black parents werent at the table.

That must change, White told The Bee.

Our special education parents have got to know what it is they need to do. Theyve got to know how to participate in processes and programs that help their kids, White said.
Signs annoucing eCourts coming soon are displayed throughtout the Mecklenburg County Courthouse on Sept. 21, 2023. Software from Tyler Technologies, eCourts, will launch in Mecklenburg County in October. It was piloted in Wake, Harnett, Johnston and Lee Counties.

Seeking to get claims against it dismissed, the vendor that designed North Carolinas new, digital court records system says its not to blame for allegedly unlawful arrests or jail time.

Look elsewhere, Tyler Technologies lawyers said in a recent court filing, responding to a federal lawsuit.

Tyler is a software vendor, not a state or local authority with the power to arrest or detain, and there is no allegation that it exercised any such authority here, a Sept. 20 memorandum filed by the vendor said.

Tyler and two sheriffs, also named as defendants, have filed motions to dismiss in the federal lawsuit that alleges negligence.

Already in place in four pilot counties, including Wake County, eCourts is scheduled to launch at the Mecklenburg County courthouse on Oct. 9.

Not responsible for day-to-day use, Tyler says

Two plaintiffs were named in the original complaint filed in May.

Triangle resident Timia Chaplin was arrested on a dismissed warrant, and Lee County resident Paulino Castellanos spent extra time in jail because of the system, the complaint says.

More plaintiffs, including Triangle area residents Rotesha McNeil and Kevin Spruill, will be added in the coming weeks, The News & Observer has reported.

But Tylers only responsibilities were to create the system, implement it and support it, the vendor said in its memorandum.

When it comes to day-to-day use of the software, those responsibilities are the purview of end users, such as law enforcement and court officials who put records into the system and update those records with real-time information, the memorandum says..

A Texas-based company specialized in providing software to public agencies, Tyler took issue with particulars alleged in the complaint, too.

Castellanos was kept in jail because there was no monitoring device for him  something out of Tylers control  and Chaplin was arrested at an unnamed law enforcement agencys discretion, the vendor said.

In an email to an N&O reporter in early September, an AOC spokesperson noted that the four-county pilot has spared the public from courthouse trips and has saved more than 1.5 million pieces of paper by processing an average of 10,000 remote records searches per day and nearly 300,000 total electronic filings over six months.

The AOC has investigated and found no instance where a software defect led to a wrongful arrest or incarceration, a spokesperson said.

In their own memorandum and brief, Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe and Lee County Sheriff Brian Estes have also asked that claims against them be dismissed.

Plaintiffs allegations that two of North Carolinas one hundred Sheriffs would have responsibility for customs, policies or practices related to the adoption of eCourts has stretched plausibility to the breaking point, Rowes memorandum says.

If every sheriff in the state had the power to implement their own policies for eWarrants and eCourts, there could never be a consistent working plan for a statewide rollout, it says.

And the complaint fell short on facts, Estes attorney wrote.

The complaint contains no factual allegations regarding any alleged wrongful or illegal action taken by Sheriff Estes or the Lee County Sheriffs Office, his brief said.

Tyer, Rowe and Estes all asked for dismissals for failure to state a claim.

Class action would devolve into mini-trials, lawyers argue

The first sentence of the May complaint says that hundreds have been unlawfully detained with eCourts rollout.

Only Castellanos and Chaplin were named in the original complaint, though, Tylers memorandum notes.

Zack Ezor, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, told The Observer that he and his colleagues have spoken with dozens of potential clients.

Castellanos and Chaplins cases dont have enough in common to justify a class action, Tylers lawyers argued in their memorandum.

Even assuming injury, calculating damages for an arrest versus a two-week stay in jail would require different considerations and would not be amenable to a one-size-fits-all class award, they said.

If a class action is approved, it will devolve into a series of mini-trials to determine, among other things, whether a hypothetical class members arrest or detention was justified under the circumstances, or whether the arrest or detention was in any way related to the eCourts system, they said.

U.S. District Judge William Osteen will determine whether the claims should be dismissed, and whether a class action is appropriate, lawyers involved told The Observer.

Whats next?

Plaintiffs plan to respond by Oct. 27, Zack Ezor, one of their attorneys, told The Observer.

Charlotte-based attorney Greg Skidmore, who is representing Tyler, said the vendor would decline to comment on pending litigation.

Since its launch in February in four pilot counties  Wake, Harnett, Johnston and Lee  eCourts has drawn criticism. Some defense lawyers and prosecutors still report that its slow, glitchy and unintuitive.

In Mecklenburg County, many are anxious about a planned Oct. 9 rollout.

At least two district attorneys have asked for an independent review to compare what Tyler promised the state and what it delivered.
In 1930, when Erie's Frank Dawson Bliley founded what would become Bliley Technologies, he was in the business of manufacturing quartz crystals for the amateur radio market.

These days, the company's crystal oscillators are used on military jets, battleships and on NASA satellites.

More than 90 years after Bliley got its start in Erie, a new buyer, Japan-based Kyocera, sees a bright future for the company. And Kyocera sees that future taking shape in Erie.

Matthew Rhodes, CEO and managing director of 1855 Capital, near a clean room inside Bliley Technologies.

The company, which has about 82,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of nearly $15 billion, announced Monday that it has purchased Bliley from a group of Erie investors, including the venture capital firm 1855 Capital.

The sale price was not disclosed.

Kyocera, which operates four U.S. divisions under the banner of Kyocera AVX, will create a fifth division with the acquisition of Bliley. The deal, which was in the works for more than a year, was awaiting regulatory approval for much of that time.

Kyocera AVX will operate for now from leased space in the Bliley building at 2545 W. Grandview Blvd. That building is owned by Erie lawyer and businessman Roger Richards, who owned Bliley from 1998 until 2019 when he sold it to 1855 Capital and a group of other investors.

Bliley Technologies in Millcreek Township.

Ralph Ford, who is the chancellor of Penn State Behrend and was among a number of local investors with a small stake in Bliley, said Kyocera has ambitious plans for the company, which generates annual revenues of between $7 million to $8 million.

Investing in Erie

Ford said Kyocera plans to begin work soon on a new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Knowledge Park, a business technology park located on the Behrend campus in Harborcreek Township.

Kyocera AVX will build and equip its own building on leased space on Knowledge Parkway, Ford said.

"They want to be close to the university," Ford said. "Bliley has a strong connection and they hire a lot of our students in engineering and business."

Kyocera, the new owner of Bliley Technologies, plans to build a new facility in Knowledge Park.

Kyocera is buying Bliley with the expectation that it will grow, Ford said.

"Kyocera is estimating at some point that it will grow to be a $50 million to $100 million a year operation," with double or more the current number of employees, Ford said.

Amy Bridger, assistant dean for innovation and corporate strategy for Penn State Behrend, said in a statement that Bliley "is a perfect fit for Knowledge Park. Its exactly the type of business that benefits from being close to a university.

Penn State Behrend Chancellor Ralph Ford.

Ford said he's not concerned that Erie will lose something in this transaction.

"This is a great story in that we are not losing the company," Ford said. "They are building this manufacturing site that is quite significant. They want to create a substantial business in the United States."

The business of Bliley

Kyocera is already a major player in the worldwide production of crystal oscillators, which can be found in mobile phones and a long list of other electronic devices.

Those oscillators are produced by the millions, with most selling for a dollar or less, said Matthew Rhodes, CEO of 1855 Capital.

Keith Szewczyk. CEO of Bliley Technologies in Millcreek Township, shows off the type of glass-covered crystal used in Bliley oscillators in 2018. The company, founded in 1930, has been sold to a division of the Japanese firm Kyocera.

Bliley has laid claim to the higher end of the crystal oscillator market, supplying components, many of which sell for thousands of dollars, to the government and for use in outer space, especially on low earth orbit satellites.

It's a big market that's expected to grow as more of these satellites are launched and eventually need to be replaced.

"Space is a nasty place," Rhodes said, where oscillators and other components must withstand a harsh environment.

In a 2018 interview with the Erie Times-News, Keith Szewczyk, the company's CEO, explained that Bliley was among a handful of U.S.-based companies that manufactured crystals and oscillators within the same facility.

2018: Pieces of Erie are out of this world

Access to the market

Up until now, Kyocera hasn't had access to the sort of high-end customers that Bliley served, Rhodes said.

Bliley Technologies CEO Keith Szewczyk shows off two types of oscillators the company manufactures in this 2018 file photo.

"They never had access to that U.S. market. You have to have a domestic presence to get contracts with the government," he said.

Rhodes said a scenario like this one was what he envisioned when 1855 Capital was formed in 2018 with a number of investments coming from the Erie area.

"This is a home run," Rhodes said. "Kyocera is a very good company and a very people-oriented company. I think they have every intention of growing employment here."

In an announcement from Behrend, Rhodes said, "Our goal from the start of this process was to grow the business and position it for a long-term investment that could expand it even further. In every discussion with Kyocera AVX, there was a consistent message of the need for Blileys products to be manufactured here in Erie, using the skilled workforce that has always been one of the companys strengths.

The sale includes the transfer of more than 20 patents, Kio Ariumi, a senior vice president with Kyocera, said in an announcement from the company.

"We are very pleased to welcome members from the Bliley Technologies team to KYOCERA AVX and are very excited to further expand our crystal devices portfolio with the disruptive technologies they've developed," he said.

Along with 1855 Capital and Gulfshore Capital, Ben Franklin Technology Partners led the investment in Bliley in 2019.

The acquisition of Bliley Technologies by KAVX demonstrates the value of having early-stage, risk-tolerant capital operating in our region," Steve Brawley, CEO of Ben Franklin Technology Partners, said in a statement. Local capital can attract investment that gives our start-ups the opportunity to make global impact and bring job growth to our region.

More: Owner's relationship-building fuels success of Erie's Industrial Sales & Manufacturing

More: Will $5 million for Project Resolve stop brain drain and jump-start Erie's advanced manufacturing?

Contact Jim Martin at jmartin@timesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Bliley Technologies has new owner with plans to grow company in Erie
FILE PHOTO: Guatemalan President-elect Arevalo attends a protest outside the Supreme Court of Justice, in Guatemala City

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a virtual meeting with Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arevalo on Monday, following Washington concerns that Guatemalan authorities have been trying to undermine the transfer of power to Arevalo.

THE TAKE

The United States has expressed "grave concern" over what it regards as "continued efforts to undermine Guatemala's peaceful transition of power" and has imposed visa restrictions on those who it sees as undermining democracy.

Arevalo, a 64-year-old anti-graft crusader, recorded a landslide win in August and is due to take office in January. He has repeatedly complained of a "coup d'etat" and persecution by prosecutors against him and his party, Movimiento Semilla.

KEY QUOTES

"The Secretary (Blinken) expressed support for Guatemala's peaceful political transition to President-elect Arevalo," the State Department said in a statement after the Monday virtual meeting.

"He also expressed solidarity with the Guatemalan people as they face continued efforts to impede a democratic transfer of power."

CONTEXT

Guatemala's Public Ministry raided the Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Friday for at least 20 hours to seize boxes holding tabulations from election voting. It has alleged party registration flaws that Semilla denies.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva has said the events raise concerns about the electoral process and rule of law, while the Organization of American States has warned of constitutional violations.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
BMW Group is watching the United Auto Workers strike to see what impact it may have on non-union operations at its Spartanburg plant and its suppliers, a spokeswoman said.

"It is too early to discuss the impact on our business of the current UAW labor strike with the Detroit 3," said Nathalie Bauters, BMW's head of corporate communications.

Bauters said the company is monitoring the situation in Detroit closely.

UAW workers on strike.

Thousands of auto workers walked off the job Sept. 15 at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis plants after union leaders failed to reach a new contract.

The union is asking for 36% pay raises over four years, a 32-hour work week with 40 hours of pay, and the restoration of traditional defined-benefit pensions for new hires, among other demands.

The automakers have said they need to invest in designing electric vehicles and building battery assembly plants and can't afford significantly higher labor costs. Automakers added higher labor costs would drive up the cost of new cars for consumers.

UAW strike impact on non-union car markers

UAW workers on strike.

Alisa Priddle, Detroit editor of MotorTrend magazine, said non-unionized plants like BMW watch Detroit negotiations carefully because higher wages and more benefits open the door to possible union organizing.

"New union packages usually force the rest of the industry to raise wages and benefits as well  non-union workers will still be paid less but the gap cannot get larger," Priddle said. "Companies like BMW are also watching to see if wages go up significantly at battery manufacturing plants which tend to pay workers at the lower, supplier scale."

She said workers are concerned about job protection as the industry moves from combustible engines to electric vehicles that require fewer workers.

Also, the strike could impact suppliers making parts for both unionized and non-union car markers, she said."The supply base has many fragile links," Priddle said. "If a supplier is in trouble because of lost business with striking companies and goes under, other companies relying on its parts are left scrambling."

BMW offers competitive wage, benefit packages

Bauters said BMW Manufacturing is in a strong position with its labor force  which now numbers 11,000 at the Spartanburg plant  because it has long offered "a competitive wage and benefit compensation package within the automotive industry and has consistently attracted a highly skilled and motivated workforce.

BMW spokeswoman Nathalie Bauters.

"This has resulted in spectacular growth for Plant Spartanburg and has positioned BMW top to meet the future challenge of a rapidly evolving industry."

BMW is at the forefront of transitioning to electric vehicles. In October 2022, BMW Group announced a $1.7 billion capital investment to begin building all-electric vehicles for the U.S. and world markets at its Spartanburg plant.

The investment includes $1 billion to prepare the Spartanburg plant for the production of electric vehicles, and $700 million to build a 1 million-square-foot high-voltage battery assembly plant with 300 new jobs in Woodruff.

South Carolina a right-to-work state

Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt, who helped to recruit BMW in 1992, said one reason the German automaker selected Spartanburg County and South Carolina for its North American manufacturing plant was because of "the lowest number of union membership in the United States, 1.7%.

"We are a right-to-work state, and I believe this is a strong reason for our economic success over the past 30 years," he said. "It takes work to make this happen, and the results also speak loudly."

Bob Montgomery covers Spartanburg County politics and growth & development. Reach him via email at bob.montgomery@shj.com.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: BMW Spartanburg watching UAW strike on local auto suppliersrs, workers
Boise mayoral candidate Mike Masterson spoke out against political advertisements supporting him that he called an attack on our LGBTQ community.

The Building Industry Group Treasure Valleys Building Industry Group PAC paid for advertisements on social media supporting Masterson. A portion of two Facebook ads showed a photo of Mayor Lauren McLean participating in a Boise Pride parade. One said Masterson would stop McLeans radical far left agenda and the other her extremist social agenda.

The most recent ad, published Friday, has been marked as inactive on Facebook.

Masterson, a former Boise police chief who is running agains McLean in the November election, said he disavowed the ads.

I became aware of these ads today, and I want to make it clear to every Boisean that I had nothing to do with their creation and that I do not condone them, Masterson said Saturday in an emailed statement.

Masterson said the ads dont reflect my values and I strongly disavow them.

My candidacy is about restoring independent, transparent, and collaborative leadership to City Hall and bringing people together not condemning our LGBTQ community, he said. Im proud of decades of working alongside LGBTQ police officers and with LGBTQ individuals and groups.

Its the second time Masterson has spoken out against supporters who express anti-LGBT sentiments. He returned a $100 donation on Sept. 10 to to a former local college-trustee candidate Ryan Spoon, who made an anti-gay post online, the Idaho Statesman previously reported.

Spoon posted a photo of a message he said had flown over the Boise Pride Festival, which read: Rainbow is Gods (sic) not yours.

Flying over the Filth Fest (aka, Pride Fest), Spoon captioned his post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

I can tolerate differences of opinion, but cant accept support that violates my personal values, Masterson said in an emailed statement to the Statesman after he returned Spoons donation. I have spoken out against discrimination throughout my career wherever, and whenever, I have found it.

A screenshot of the Building Industry Group Treasure Valley ad shows Boise Mayor Lauren McLean at a local Pride parade. YouTube

Group has funded conservative ads in past

The Building Industry Group Treasure Valley is a nonprofit whose stated intention is to inform people about the home-building industry, find housing solutions and publicly advocate for initiatives and candidates that support free-market principles embedded into a commitment for responsible growth.

It is run by Tradewinds General Contracting owner Steve Martinez and Avimor General Manager Dan Richter.

Martinez told the Statesman that he believed there was some confusion about the ads message. He said the ad was intended to show why the group believes McLean has failed the city when it comes to housing and the city budget.

The fact is, McLean has failed to address affordable housing and homelessness that continues to plague the city and get even worse under her administration, Martinez said by email.

Martinez did not respond to the Statesmans follow-up questions about the groups stance on LBGT issues.

Over the summer, the group settled with the Idaho Secretary of States Office for not disclosing all campaign fund spending. The group had to pay the state $2,500 and backdate its political contributions for the duration of 2021, totaling nearly $60,000, BoiseDev reported.

The group has launched a number of political ads since 2020 that touched on conservative talking points. A November ad about Rep. Steve Berch, D-Boise, called him a woke progressive who backs high-density overdevelopment and state-funded critical race theory, mask and vaccine mandates and even sex-change operations on minors. In another, Ada County Highway District Commissioner Miranda Gold was said to have a radical far left agenda. Eagle mayoral candidate Stan Ridgeway was called a woke liberal who wants to spend all your money in the caption of a third.

The groups Building Industry Group PAC has received $209,600 since October 2021.

James Auld, a former Idaho legislator and Auld Investment Properties owner, donated $50,000 to the PAC. Billionaire Harry Bettis, founder of Clearwater Analytics, has donated $60,000 to it.
A Cedarville University student had the opportunity to illustrate a newly released childrens book, according to a spokesperson from the university.

>>Ohio AG: Former UD administrator among over 100 arrested in statewide human trafficking sting

Alease Brier is a senior professional writing and information design major and she always thought she would be writing books.

When the opportunity to illustrate Kids Cant Drink Coffee by Emma Townsend came about, she jumped on it and landed her name on the front cover.

The book was made available for purchase in July.

She didnt have plans to enter the illustrating world until her mother, who is a well-known artist in Indiana, asked her if she was interested in the project as he own workload was packed, the spokesperson said.

Brier was onboard and was the new illustrator for the book.

I didnt want to say yes because I really didnt feel qualified at first. But God had really just plopped this into my lap and kept the door open, so I decided to take the next step and give it a whirl, Brier said.

She was given mostly free rein on her illustrations, and she knew she wanted to use watercolors to give the book a cozy feeling, the spokesperson said.

>>Trumps civil trial begins Monday in New York

The book focuses on a coffee shop and all the colorful characters that would frequent it.

The shop is based on a real place and real people from both Townsend and Briers hometown.

The community in our town has really come around us, which has been super sweet. We did a book reading in the coffee shop that was the inspiration for the book, and we had so many kids attend that the whole floor was taken up by kids who wanted to listen. Its really sweet to see how the book has brought people together, Brier said.




The EU's support for Ukraine is "structured and permanent" and not dependent on the battlefield developments "in the following days or weeks," the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said at the Ukraine Media Center press conference, Ukrinform reported on Oct. 2.

"Our support does not depend on the advances of one day. It's permanent, structured support because we are facing an existential threat for Europe," Borrell said.

According to Ukrinform, the official stressed that Ukrainian forces are faced with robust Russian defenses during the counteroffensive, complicating their progress.

"The Ukrainian soldiers are fighting with a lot of courage in front of impressive Russian defense fortifications," he said.

"The satellite images show that in some cases, these fortifications are 25 kilometers deep."

Borrell urged Kyiv's partners to provide better arms and at a faster pace to ensure Ukraine's victory on the battlefield, Ukrinform reported.

The EU's chief diplomat visited Ukraine's southern city of Odesa on Sept. 30. Speaking at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, Borrell affirmed that "the EU stands with Ukraine for as long as it takes."

The official then traveled to Kyiv on Oct. 1, where he met Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to discuss Ukraine's urgent military needs, such as ammunition and training of Ukrainian soldiers.

Read also: Borrell in Kyiv: EU support for Ukraine has reached 85 billion euros

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A Boston man was sentenced Monday for his role in defrauding 30 victims of more than $1.3 million through online scams, including romance and advance fee scams.

Kelechi Collins Umeh, 40, of Boston and formerly of Quincy, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Judge William G. Young to 40 months in prison and two years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Josh Levy said in a statement. Umeh was also ordered to pay restitution of $878,652.

In January 2023, Umeh pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud conspiracy.

Umeh participated in a series of online scams  including romance and advance fee schemes  designed to defraud victims into sending money to accounts controlled by him and his co-conspirators, Levy said.

Romance scams occur when a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victims affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim.

Advance fee scams occur when a criminal asks a victim to pay a fee up front  usually described as a fee, tax, or commission  in order to obtain a bigger payout later, but that payout never occurs.

Umeh used fake passports in the names of numerous aliases to open bank accounts in and around Boston to collect and launder the proceeds of the online scams, Levy said. Umeh and co-conspirators then rapidly made large cash withdrawals from those accounts, often within days of the deposit and generally structured in amounts less than $10,000, in an effort to evade detection and currency transaction reporting requirements.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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A 15-year-old boy was being treated at Thorek Memorial Hospital after he was shot in the leg Monday morning in Uptown, according to Chicago police.

Police said the boy and a 44-year-old man were in the 1000 block of West Argyle Street around 11:15 a.m. when an unknown man approached them, produced a gun and fired at both, striking the teen in the left lower leg. The man was shot in the foot and was being treated at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, police said. Both victims were in stable condition, police said.

Police did not specify a relationship between the two victims.

No one was in custody, and detectives are investigating, police said.
Tom Hanks has issued a striking declaration after being left unsettled by his own appearance in a new advert.

The actors fans might have been surprised to see the Forrest Gump and Saving Private Ryan star show up in a video promoting a new dental plan  but no one was more shocked than Hanks himself, considering he had no involvement with its creation.

On Saturday (1 October), Hanks, 67, warned that the promotional clip currently doing the rounds was created using artifical intelligence, telling his fans that he had nothing to do with it.

Sharing a photo of the AI version of himself on Instagram, Hanks captioned the post: BEWARE!! Theres a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it.

While the Elvis actor did not give his permission for his likeness to be used in the video, he will get the AI treatment in a new project from his Polar Express and Cast Away director Robert Zemeckis.

In January, it was announced that Hanks had been cast alongside Robin Wright in the directors new project Here, which takes place entirely within the confines of a single room, and follows its occupants over many years.

It was reported by The Hollywood Reporter at the time that artificial intelligence company Metaphysic, known for its work on deepfakes, would be used extensively to de-age both Hanks and Wright. Zemeckis said in a statament: Ive always been attracted to technology that helps me to tell a story.

With Here, the film simply wouldnt work without our actors seamlessly transforming into younger versions of themselves. Metaphysics AI tools do exactly that, in ways that were previously impossible.

However, the usgae of AI in Hollywood productions is one of the reasons actors are currently on strike, with many concerned they will lose jobs to AI-created versions of themselves used without their permission.

Robin Williamss daughter Zelda has criticised the use of artificial intelligence to recreate the sound of her late fathers voice.

AI Tom Hanks in a new promotional video (Instagram)

She stated: This isnt theoretical, it is very very real. Ive already heard AI used to get his voice to say whatever people want and while I find it personally disturbing, the ramifications go far beyond my own feelings.

Writers were also participating in a simultaneous strike with the actors, but at the end of September, the Writers Guild of America announced that they had reached a major development and struck a deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers  the group that represents studios, streaming services and producers in negotiations.

However, the actors strike is contuining, with SAG-AFTRA set to resume talks with the studios this week.
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - British defence minister Grant Shapps said he believed that the United States and Poland would maintain their strong support for Ukraine despite domestic pressures related to their upcoming elections.

Britain would continue to back Kyiv regardless of what happened elsewhere as it had since Russia invaded Ukraine last year, he said.

A weekend U.S. budget deal to avert imminent government shutdown did not include aid for Ukraine, while Poland, which elects a new parliament on Oct. 15, has said it would no longer agree to new arms deliveries to Kyiv but rebuild its own stocks.

Shapps, who on Sunday announced Britain was sending 4 Typhoon jets to Poland, said it was understandable that any tensions over backing for Ukraine would surface during an election but Poland's support had been "magnificent" so far.

"I very much hope and believe that when the elections happen there and things are more settled, a sensible, common sense approach will be taken," he said at an event at the Conservative party conference.

His comments echoed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who said last week he was confident that Poland would continue to support Ukraine after its elections despite recent harsh rhetoric towards Kyiv.

There is also uncertainty over U.S. support for Ukraine, given budget wrangling and a presidential election in November next year. President Joe Biden has urged Republican lawmakers to back a bill to give Ukraine more aid.

"I think we're a long way from the U.S. withdrawing its support," Shapps said, citing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's comments that he expects U.S. support to continue regardless of the outcome of the presidential election.

Shapps added that people shouldn't "over-read" into the machinations of U.S. budget process and that people were assuming a "worst case scenario" from the election that might not happen.

Asked if the worst case scenario was the election of former President Donald Trump, seen as a likely Republican presidential candidate, Shapps said: "No, I don't think the worst case scenario is Trump because what then happens will be the real question".

"Britain will, regardless of what happens elsewhere, take a leadership role."

(Reporting by Alistair Smout; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
LONDON  The British Government has committed nearly 4 billion, or $4.9 billion, to the next phase in the development of nuclear-powered submarines as part of the tri-national AUKUS program with Australia and the United States.

BAE Systems, Babcock Marine and Rolls-Royce received contracts with that combined total sum, with work aimed at developing a nuclear attack submarine for Britain and Australia.

Design, prototyping and purchase of key long-lead items for the first U.K. submarines set for delivery in the late 2030s are covered by the investment, new British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced in a speech to the governing Conservative party conference, which opened in Manchester on Oct. 1.

BAE said in a statement that the funding will cover development work up to 2028, enabling the company to begin detailed design and start to procure long-lead items.

Australia announced in March it would partner with the British in designing and building a submarine known as SSN-AUKUS.

The boat will incorporate Australian, British and US technologies.

Primarily, the AUKUS deal, agreed in 2021, covers submarine construction, basing and operation, but a second element of the deal also includes a range of separate high-tech weapons.

The first SSN-AUKUS boats will be built at BAEs Barrow-in-Furniss, northwest England, yard as a replacement for the Royal Navys Astute class attack submarines starting in the late 2030s.

Barrow is currently building the final two of seven Astute boats and has also begun construction on three of what will be a fleet of four Dreadnought-class nuclear missile-equipped submarines.

BAE said that the new contract with the MoD also includes significant infrastructure investment in its Barrow shipyard, investment in the supply chain and recruitment of more than 5,000 people.

The company has been looking at design options to replace the Astute since at least 2018.

Australian-built boats will follow first deliveries to the British, with the first platforms from a site near Adelaide scheduled for handover in the 2040s.

The conventionally armed British and Australian boats will both use nuclear power plants built in the U.K. by Rolls-Royce, although elements of the propulsion system will come from the United States.

Speaking to Conservative Party members, Shapps said: This multi-billion-pound investment in the AUKUS submarine program will help deliver the long-term, hunter-killer submarine capabilities the U.K. needs to maintain our strategic advantage and secure our leading place in a contested global order.

Up to five Virginia-class boats are slated for purchase from the U.S., with deliveries in the 2030s allowing the Australians to get to grips with the operation of its first nuclear-powered submarines ahead of delivery of the SSN-AUKUS.
The Elmbrook School District has been in the spotlight after a teacher at Wisconsin Hills Middle School made an antisemitic gesture and remark during class Sept. 21.

A Brookfield middle school teacher is back in the classroom after making an antisemitic gesture and remark during class Sept. 21, district officials said Monday, noting "corrective measures" had been taken.

Elmbrook School District leaders have not explained what exactly the Wisconsin Hills Middle School teacher did or said. They did not answer questions from the Journal Sentinel about the teacher's actions.

In a letter to parents last week, Principal Matt Schroeder said the teacher made an "antisemitic gesture and remark during class that is highly offensive to both Jewish and non-Jewish individuals."

A local blog alleged that the teacher had given a "Nazi salute" and told the class to respond with "Heil Hitler" or "Heil" and the teacher's last name, and the allegations were spread nationally by Fox News. An email to the blog administrator was not immediately returned Monday.

The school district's chief strategy officer, Chris Thompson, said a media report about "what remarks were said in the classroom" were incorrect. He did not answer questions from the Journal Sentinel about whether the teacher made the "Nazi salute" gesture or used the word "Heil."

"We will not share any details of what occurred in the classroom other than what was in our message to families," Thompson said in an email.

In his letter to families, Schroeder said the teacher's actions were "something we would not tolerate from any student or staff member at Wisconsin Hills." He thanked students for bringing the incident to his attention.

"I am grateful to the students who brought this to our attention and when speaking with them today, I reiterated our commitment to providing all students at Wisconsin Hills a safe and supportive learning environment," Schroeder said in the letter. "I encouraged them to continue to speak up whenever they do not feel safe, regardless of the circumstances."

Schroeder said the district had completed an investigation and determined that the teacher "did not intend to cause harm," though there was a "clear violation of our staff professional responsibilities."

The district responded with "disciplinary action and corrective measures," Shroeder said, including "antisemitism education." Thompson did not answer questions about whether the teacher had been suspended, or what kind of antisemitism education the teacher received.

"We will not provide further detail on the corrective measures, of which there were several," Thompson said. He confirmed Monday that the teacher had returned to the classroom.

The state Department of Public Instruction said Monday that it had not been notified of any possible educator misconduct in the Elmbrook School District since the incident. The department can conduct investigations and revoke teaching licenses based on "immoral conduct," which is defined as conduct or behavior that is contrary to commonly accepted moral or ethical standards and that endangers the health, safety, welfare or education of any pupil."

Contact Rory Linnane at rory.linnane@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @RoryLinnane.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: In Brookfield, Elmbrook middle school teacher makes antisemitic remark
The capital murder trial of Bryan Kohberger would have started this week, on Oct. 2, if everything had gone as planned.

Instead, those invested in the trial have an indefinite wait on their hands after Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial in late August.

Kohberger was arrested in December in Pennsylvania in connection with the fatal stabbings of University of Idaho students Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, and Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20.

He is facing four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary after a plea of not guilty was filed on his behalf by Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial District in Latah County. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson is seeking the death penalty.

Pretrial hearings scheduled for Sept. 22 were also postponed because of an unspecified illness until Oct. 26, further adding to the delayed proceedings.

With no end  or start  in sight, heres whats transpired in recent months as the prosecution and defense work toward the eventual start of Kohbergers trial.

Why did the trial date get delayed?

Under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, every resident has the right to a fair and speedy trial; this means that the accused must be brought to trial within a reasonable amount of time from their arraignment. Under Idaho state law, criminal defendants must receive a trial within six months if they dont waive their right.

Waiving the right to a speedy trial extends the legal processes and gives the defense more planning time. Thats what occurred with Kohberger. Anne Taylor, Kohbergers lead public defender, told the court that the scheduled start date of Oct. 2 did not give the defenses legal counsel adequate time to prepare.

Taylor said the defense wishes to postpone the trial date just once, while Thompson called it a smart move.

Anne Taylor, lead public defender for Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, arrives at a hearing Sept. 13 in Latah County District Court in Moscow.

Boise-based criminal defense attorney Edwina Elcox previously told the Idaho Statesman that the amount of evidence and complexities involved in Kohbergers case made it virtually impossible for the trial to start on time.

A date has not been set for the start of the trial, but it could be in 2024.

Can the defense challenge the indictment?

Kohberger was indicted by a grand jury in May on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.

A grand jury is a group of 16-23 jurors whose job is to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that an individual committed a crime. A grand jury can hear evidence, compel witnesses and request documents in making their decision.

But now, Kohbergers attorneys plan to argue that the indictment should be thrown out on several legal grounds. That argument was supposed to be presented at the postponed hearing last week, which has been rescheduled for Oct. 26.

Kohbergers defense raised concerns of bias among the grand jury in August. The defense also said there was a lack of sufficient evidence and use of improper evidence in the indictment and that the prosecution withheld evidence from the grand jury that would disprove Kohbergers guilt.

The defense also argued that the Idaho Constitution demands a grand jury to use the same level of certainty as the trial: beyond a reasonable doubt. The grand jury operated on the lower legal threshold of probable cause, for which only 12 of the 16 selected grand jurors must support indicting the defendant.

The prosecutions objection to the defenses challenges is filed under a court-approved seal, which keeps the arguments hidden from the public.

What was Kohbergers alibi?

The defense filed Kohbergers alibi in early August, stating that Kohberger had a habit of going for drives alone and that often he would go for drives at night.

The defense claims that Kohberger was on one of these late-night drives on the night of the killings last year  late Nov. 12 into Nov. 13  and that there are no specific witnesses to say where Kohberger was at the moment of the killings.

Bryan Kohberger, right, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, is escorted into a courtroom for a hearing Sept. 13 in Latah County Court in Moscow.

Kohberger previously declined to provide a pretrial alibi after the state requested one, with his defense saying that the motion to provide an alibi was an attempt by the state to force the defense to open its work product files and let the state peek inside.

Kohbergers defense said that the alibi filed regarding Kohbergers driving habits is the only one that can be firmly stated for now.

Cameras in the courtroom

Kohbergers defense earlier this month argued against the use of still and video cameras in the courtroom, asserting that their product has been misused so far. Defense attorney Jay Logsdon said cameras in the courtroom risked dehumanizing Kohberger and denying him the right to a fair trial, according to the Associated Press.

Logsdon also said the use of video could expose private notes and records on the defense table.

Wendy Olson, who represents a media coalition including the Idaho Statesman and Associated Press, said that cameras in the courtroom would help increase the publics access and understanding of the case. Judge said that pool camera operators in the courtroom are not a problem, but how other individuals use images could be troubling.

Wendy Olson, center, an attorney representing a coalition of media outlets, including the Idaho Statesman, wraps up arguments at a hearing Sept. 13 in Latah County District Court in Moscow. She asked that Judge John Judge continue to allow cameras in the courtroom in the trial of Bryan Kohberger, second from left, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022.

Judge said he is considering an approach often used by the satellite television network C-SPAN, where a camera is staged at the back of the courtroom. He has not issued his decision.

DNA evidence dominates hearings

A six-hour-plus hearing on Aug. 18 was primarily dominated by arguments about whether the state should hand over all of the DNA records that led to Kohbergers identification, through discovery. The arguments revolve around investigative genetic genealogy (IGG), which is the use of DNA on public genealogy websites in an investigation.

IGG was used in identifying Kohberger, although the prosecution said that police did not rely on IGG to issue and perform any search warrants.

Kohbergers defense, which wants the DNA records released, argued that the forensic sciences used to identify Kohberger are less than five years old and should give everyone pause when considering such a new science.

Four witnesses testified on behalf of the defenses effort to obtain the records, with one attorney, Stephen Mercer, saying that the release of IGG records is the minimum practice standard.

But Idaho discovery rules mean that the state isnt required to hand over the IGG documents, according to Jeff Nye, chief of the Idaho attorney generals criminal law division. Nye added that the IGG does not represent scientific facts or provide evidence proving Kohbergers innocence.

Judge has yet to issue a ruling on if the state has to turn over the DNA records to Kohbergers defense.

Reporters Sally Krutzig and Kevin Fixler contributed to this report.
FILE - Laphonza Butler, President of EMILY's List, speaks during an event in Washington, Friday, June 23, 2023. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has named Butler to fill the U.S. Senate seat made vacant by Sen. Dianne Feinstein's death. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  California Gov. Gavin Newsom has selected Laphonza Butler , a Democratic strategist and adviser to Kamala Harris 2020 presidential campaign, to fill the U.S. Senate seat made vacant by the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

In choosing Butler on Sunday, Newsom fulfilled his pledge to appoint a Black woman if Feinsteins seat became open. However, he had been facing pressure from some Black politicians and advocacy groups to select Barbara Lee, a prominent Black congresswoman who is already running for the seat.

Butler will be the only Black woman serving in the U.S. Senate and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent California in the chamber.

Newsom said in a statement that the priorities Feinstein fought for in Congress  reproductive freedom, equal protection and safety from gun violence  were under assault in the nation. "Laphonza will carry the baton left by Sen. Feinstein (and) continue to break glass ceilings and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C., he said.

Butler leads Emilys List, a political organization that supports Democratic women candidates who favor abortion rights. She also is a former labor leader with SEIU 2015, a powerful force in California politics.

Her appointment sets up a potentially tricky political calculus in the crowded 2024 contest to succeed Feinstein, which has been underway since the beginning of the year.

Newsom spokesman Anthony York said the governor did not ask Butler to commit to staying out of the race. The deadline for candidates to submit paperwork to seek the office is Dec. 8. Should Butler enter the contest, she could set up a competition for the relatively small but influential group of Black voters in California and possibly undercut Lee's chances.

Emily's List is known as a fundraising powerhouse, and raising huge sums of campaign cash is a must in any statewide California race. Newsom's statement said she will step down from the organization.

The decision carried the threat of political fallout for Newsom, who is seen as a potential future national candidate. The candidate favored by Black voters has won the Democratic Partys presidential nomination every cycle since 1992. The Congressional Black Caucus was among the groups and Black politicians that had urged Newsom to appoint Lee, calling her the best-qualified choice for the post.

Lee congratulated Butler in a statement but said she remains singularly focused on winning her Senate campaign.

California deserves an experienced Senator who will deliver on progressive priorities. Thats exactly what Im running to do, she said.

The long-serving Feinstein died Thursday at age 90 after a series of illnesses.

Butler currently lives in Maryland, according to her Emily's List biography. Izzy Gardon, a spokesman for Newsom, said Butler owns a home in California. She is expected to reregister to vote in California before being sworn in. That could happen as early as Tuesday evening when the Senate returns to session.

Butler said Monday she had accepted Newsom's nomination to serve a state I have made my home."

No one will ever measure up to the legacy of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, but I will do my best to honor her legacy and leadership by committing to work for women and girls, workers and unions, struggling parents, and all of California. I am ready to serve, she said.

Democrats control the Senate 51-49, though Feinsteins seat is vacant. A quick appointment by Newsom will give the Democratic caucus more wiggle room on close votes, including nominations that Republicans uniformly oppose.

Feinstein, the oldest member of Congress and the longest-serving woman in the Senate, said in February she would not seek reelection in 2024. Lee is one of several prominent Democrats competing for the seat, including Democratic U.S. Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff. Newsom said he did not want to appoint any of the candidates because it would give them an unfair advantage in the race.

Butler has never held elected office but has a long track record in California politics. She served as a senior adviser to Harris's 2020 presidential campaign while working at a political firm filled with strategists who have worked for Newsom and many other prominent state Democrats. She also briefly worked in the private sector for Airbnb.

She called Feinstein a legendary figure for women in politics and around the country, in a statement posted after Feinstein's death.

Emily's List, the group Butler leads, focuses on electing Democratic women who support abortion rights. With the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn women's constitutional right to abortion, the issue has become a galvanizing one for many Democrats.

Equality California, the nations largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, said the appointment will give our ... community another voice in Congress at a time when our rights and freedoms are under attack across the country.

Its not Newsoms first time selecting a U.S. senator, after being tasked with choosing a replacement for Kamala Harris when she was elected vice president; at that time he selected California Secretary of State Alex Padilla for the post. It was one of a string of appointments Newsom made in late 2020 and early 2021, a power that gave him kingmaker status among the states ambitious Democrats.

The seat is expected to stay in Democratic hands in the 2024 election. Democrats in the liberal-leaning state have not lost a statewide election since 2006, and the party holds a nearly 2-to-1 voter registration advantage over Republicans.
(Reuters) -California Governor Gavin Newsom said he had picked Laphonza Butler to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy left by Dianne Feinstein , who died on Thursday at age 90, preserving the Democrats' majority in the chamber.

Butler had been serving as president of EMILY's List, an organization that works to elect to office Democratic female candidates who support abortion rights.

The appointment would make her the first Black lesbian to openly serve in the Senate, according to Newsom. Butler - who would also become the only Black woman in the Senate and only the third in U.S. history - will serve through the end of Feinstein's six-year term in January 2025.

Her appointment comes as her fellow Democrats hold a narrow 51-49 majority in the Senate, including three independents who vote with them, and amid uncertainty about the future of Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, who has been indicted on corruption charges.

Butler has also worked as a senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, and was the president of the largest labor union in California, representing more than 325,000 nursing home and home-care workers throughout the state.

"Laphonza has spent her entire career fighting for women and girls and has been a fierce advocate for working people," Newsom, a leading Democrat, said in a social media post on Sunday.

Newsom had said he would name a Black woman to Feinstein's seat if the post became vacant.

Feinstein, who became the longest-serving woman senator ever, advocated gun control and spearheaded the first federal assault weapons ban. She also documented the CIA's torture of foreign terrorism suspects.

Feinstein in February said she would not seek reelection, and contenders began lining up for her seat. Liberal U.S. Representative Barbara Lee is running for the seat in 2024, as are other prominent Democrats, including U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff and Katie Porter.

Newsom had said he would not pick one of the candidates running for the seat in 2024, disappointing supporters of Lee.

(Reporting by Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru; Editing by Edwina Gibbs and Jonathan Oatis)
Greg Gandrud and Randall Jordan are both Central Coast Republicans  but they could not disagree more on a vision for the future of their party.

Jordan, the California GOP Central Coast vice chair, told a regional meeting at the state convention Saturday he does not believe the party should embrace LGBTQ members while Republicans are fighting for parental rights and forced outing in schools.

Moments later, Gandrud, the openly gay California GOP treasurer, had a different message for those packed into the Anaheim hotel meeting room. He said the party needs to be more inclusive and welcome people like him to win elections.

Jordan and Gandruds disagreement is one that is dividing the California GOP as it figures out how to regain influence in a state where Democrats reign.

Some reject the big tent approach as a compromise of values and want to double down on the status quo or shift even more to the right. Others argue Republicans need to adapt to a modern California and work to attract a broader swath of voters.

The fight played out this weekend over the California GOP platform, a document few voters likely care about. But it is the place where conflicts over a partys values and policies are resolved, or not.

We just should be welcoming and make sure everybody knows theyre welcome in the Republican Party, Gandrud said. We have solutions to the things that people really care most about.

A sign urging California Republicans to re-adopt the partys existing platform was placed over a directional marker at the state GOP convention at the Anaheim Marriott. Conservative members carried the signs ahead of a fight over efforts to modernize and streamline the California GOP policy document.

Conservatives win platform fight

Hard-right California GOP members won during the convention weekend by killing a four-page draft version of the party platform that would have eliminated the one man and one woman definition of marriage. It also would have revised the platforms right to life section to say GOP members want to see the number of abortions reduced, rather than ending them entirely.

More conservative Republicans wanted the party to re-adopt a version of the 2019 platform, a 14-page document with a decades-old framework that maintains same-sex marriage opposition and stronger language against abortion.

Members opposed to the draft actively lobbied against it on Saturday, wearing stickers and carrying red signs that said, RE-ADOPT. STAY UNITED.

Log Cabin Republicans, a conservative LGTBQ organization, supported the draft. Other Republicans also welcomed the opportunity to change the platform and include new provisions around recent GOP concerns.

Nicholas Francois, a Log Cabin Republican and UC Davis student, holds a Gadsden flag combined with the gay pride flag in 2017. The conservative LGBTQ organization supported a push to revise the GOPs platform positions on same-sex marriage and abortion.

Betsy Mahan, chair of the Sacramento County Republican Party, wanted to add language supporting election integrity, and opposing gender-affirming care for minors.

She said misinformation about whether the draft could include old language or be amended helped tank that version.

There were a number of issues that these people were here for that could have been resolved, she said of the opposition. But the people who led the effort, theyre just trying to make a point that they had some power  thats really all it was about. And its a shame, because our party hurts as a result.

Jordan, who also serves as chair of the San Luis Obispo County Republican Party, was strongly against the draft and moved to help quash it.

When the California GOP recognized the Log Cabin Republicans as a chartered group in 2015, Jordan said, those who pushed for the organizations acceptance agreed not to attempt any change to the definition of marriage. He was not happy to see that altered in the draft.

I think we have lost so many people in our party that were true Republicans, he said. As soon as we started losing our values, and we started being the big tent, I think they left us. They either left the state or they left our party, and now theyre no party preference.

State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, R-San Diego, stands next to Sen. Brian Dahle, R-Bieber, to chat in the Senate chamber at the state Capitol in September. Jones opposed an attempt to modernize the California GOP platform.

A less competitive GOP?

Those who drafted the newer platform say the partys rejection will force candidates to campaign on an older set of principles that will not be popular in certain areas.

What I worry about is our Assembly and our state Senate candidates who now have to take this flawed, outdated platform thats 20 years old and have to sell that to the voters in places like South Central or Watts or Hillcrest or the Castro, said Charles Moran, president of Log Cabin Republicans, who lobbied for the draft platform.

Theyre going to be woefully ill-equipped because this group of people decided to make choices about what conservatism means in the state of California, he added. And it takes away the ability of candidates to do that.

But state Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, R-San Diego, opposed the draft, saying he thinks the platform needs updates, but right now is not the right time.

Weve got a very important primary coming up in March, he said. We need all of our candidates concentrating on that.

Jones downplayed the significance of the party platform for candidates, saying most voters are not familiar with it.

Were trying to recruit candidates that match their district, he said. That candidate is responsible for the message that theyre going to carry. The statewide organization isnt going to carry that message for each individual candidate.

Moran disagreed, saying the old platform keeps the party stuck in the past.

What happened today makes us wholly less competitive in California for a small vocal minority who wants to continue to fight battles that are already been fought, he said.
On October 2, when the Supreme Court hosts its first oral argument of the 202324 term, members of its right-wing 63 supermajority will be in the spotlight and on the spot. One question in particular will rivet attention on all sides: During the previous term, the court registered something of an unexpected turn toward the centera move that was partial and inconsistent but still startling to foes and fans alike. We look to this term to see whether this presages an enduring shift in direction or merely a one-off feintstaged to mute surging criticism, shrinking public approval ratings, and widespread demands for an enforceable Supreme Court code of ethical conduct.

To rehash last terms surprises: In significant cases, between two and four justices among the right-wing bloc broke ranks. This led to some outcomes that eluded prognostications. Over the course of that term, the justices rebuffed right-wing activists invitations to emasculate long-standing voting safeguards, refusing to gut fundamental provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and to embrace an anti-democratic doctrinal theory that could have empowered state legislatures, not voters, to dictate election results. The justices similarly rejected a radical concept that would have materially furthered a reactionary project touted by all six of the justices on the rightdismantling the federal administrative stateby dismissing a suit aimed at eliminating Congresss authority to tie regulatory strings to federal funding grants.

Elsewhere, they also substantially cut back on widely criticized abuse of the courts emergency procedures, known now as its shadow docket, to engineer stealth but far-reaching, nakedly partisan changes in substantive law. They slapped down instances of forum-shopping for notoriously partisan, right-wing lower court judges, by rejecting four of six appeals from the right-leaning Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

And even certain high-profile victories for the right ended up being substantially tamed, the most notable example being the courts decision on barring affirmative action in university admissions, which came with a proviso that could retain or even expand opportunities for Black, brown, and other disadvantaged college applicants.

Importantly, however, Justices Brett Kavanaugh , Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, and Samuel Alito, and Chief Justice John Roberts hedged their support for some of these surprisingly liberal results, in ways that could foster a return to their pre-2022 hard-right form. To bar against this possibility, liberal leaders, especially liberal political leaders, need to stick with whats been working and keep up the lines of attacktransparent partisanship, blatant disregard for precedent, legal text, and infidelity to Framers original designthat seem to have dented the right-wing majoritys lockstep cohesion.

Already, on September 25, one week before the new terms formal start date, the court actedfavorablyon a preliminary test of whether conservative about-facers will stick to their guns this time around. On September 11, Alabamas attorney general filed an emergency application, in effect asking the court to renege on its emphatic 54 affirmance of a district courts order commanding the Alabama legislature to rewrite its congressional districting map, and create two districts likely to elect African American representatives, rather than just one, as the legislature had originally prescribed. The legislature defied the Supreme Courts instruction and went back for another bite at the apple.

Alabama had hoped to flip Justice Kavanaughs vote, evidently based on a cryptic line at the end of his concurring opinion, that the authority to conduct race-based redistricting cannot extend indefinitely into the future. Alabama did not raise that temporal argument in this Court, and I therefore would not consider it at this time. But on September 26, Kavanaugh did not take the bait, as the court, without comment, denied Alabamas application to reverse the district courts two majority-minority districts diktat. Two other Southern states, Georgia and Louisiana, were watching Alabamas effort at foot-dragging, to see if they might keep their own illegal districting maps in place through the 2024 election. Hence the Supreme Courts reaffirmance could help turn at least three red seats blue.

Naturally, reaffirmance of a recent decision in the same case is typically a routine outcome. But this particular instance is a goodor at least a not badomen, however small. It reinforces the courts last-term surprise decision, Allen v. Milligan, as a solid Roberts court precedent. That precedent includes Robertss remarkable affirmation of the VRAs stringent new remedies attempting to forever banish the blight of racial discrimination in voting  involv[ing] a quintessentially race-conscious calculus. And as a matter of process, the reaffirmance marks rejection of a red-state activist attorney generals bid to redeploy the high courts once-favored stratagem of manipulating its shadow docket to advance partisan Republican interests.

In the new term, the formal merits docket will provide an early further test of that epochal ruling. On Wednesday, October 11, the court will host oral argument in a case, Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, in which Republican South Carolina state legislators seek to overturn decades-old Supreme Court precedent establishing that state legislators commit racial gerrymandering, outlawed by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, when their predominant criterion for drawing a districting map is race, even if their overall aims are political, not racial. Until the courts Milligan shocker, South Carolinas Republican legislators had good reason to expect a Supreme Court majority to walk that standard back. Now the question is whether the justices will walk back their own four-month-old ruling. The courts September 25 rebuff of Alabamas attempted second bite probably augurs disappointment for South Carolinas hopes.

Even sooner, next Tuesday, October 3, a widely anticipated oral argument will preview the rights willingness to continue pursuit of grandiose theories to dismantle doctrinal foundations of the administrative stateto logical endpoints catastrophic for traditionally Democrat-leaning middle- and working-class constituencies and the entire economy. This case, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau v. Community Financial Services Association, will air a claim that recent rightward doctrinal shifts require holding that the entire structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, is unconstitutional, because it gets its revenue from a specified chunk of the Federal Reserve systems funds rather than annual congressional appropriations.

Granting that claim would precipitate legal and real-world earthquakes: It would invalidate literally thousands of agency decisions involving many billions of dollars or benefits to both consumers and financial providers, provoke legal challenges to the many federal agencies not funded by congressional appropriations, and potentially spark finance-sector upheavals capable of pushing the economy into recession, as The New Republics Matt Ford has elaborated.

Such cataclysmic outcomes cannot be dismissed as entirely implausible. The gutting of regulatory protections for workers, consumers, and the environment has long been a priority of the interests financing the conservative legal movementmuch more so than the higher-profile issues that motivate culturally conservative voters. Most of the cases from last term in which some conservative justices proved willing to give ground were in the latter category. Such priorities were on full display in the courts recent radically atextual decisions slashing the Environmental Protection Agencys Clean Air Act authority to combat global warming, in June 2022, and its Clean Water Act authority to regulate wetlands, in May 2023.

This term could reveal how far the right-wing justices fidelity to these funders priorities will reach. To keep the justices feet to the fire, liberal leaders should keep busy messaging, before and after Mondays oral argument, about those potentially catastrophic consequences; the baldly atextual, anti-originalist basis for their legal claims; the moneyed interests supporting them; and the self-indulgent cozying up to those interests flaunted by Justices Thomas and Alito.

Given such unhelpful fallout, and the unsavory repute of the payday-lender claimants, enough conservative justices may well break ranks to dismiss this bid to incinerate the CFPB, or at least sidestep it.

There is a second, much-ballyhooed assault against the administrative state on the docket that is likely to be argued early next year. This case, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimando, was accepted in May of this year solely to address one question: whether the court should overrule a 1984 decision widely known simply as Chevron. Chevron established a rule that federal judges and justices should defer towhich is lawyer-speak for leave undisturbedreasonable agency interpretations of statutory provisions assigned to them in statutes, rather than craft the judges own interpretations.

As noted in an amicus curiae brief filed by Columbia Law administrative law guru Thomas Merrill, Chevron is one of the most cited decisions in American public law, 244 times by the Supreme Court itself and thousands of times by the lower federal courts and even state courts. The case, and the doctrine of deference to agency determinations for which it stands, have come to be reviled by anti-regulatory interests, activists, and academics. Texas firebrand Senator Ted Cruz, who filed an amicus brief in the case, denounced Chevron for play[ing] an enormous role in the expansion of the administrative state  resulting in the American people being subject to the tyranny of the bureaucracy.

No fewer than 53 conservative and libertarian think tanks, corporations, trade associations, and individuals filed amicus briefs calling for overrule of Chevron, sprinkled with similarly strident flourishes. On the left, the stakes in Loper were likewise histrionically cast in existential terms. In a brief on behalf of Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Mazie Hirono, the late Dianne Feinstein, and Elizabeth Warren, University of California at Berkeley law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky urged the justices to reject a decades-long effort by pro-corporate interests to eviscerate the federal governments regulatory apparatus. The senators accompanying press release warned that, by overruling Chevron, the court would open the floodgates to corporate and judicial supremacy in our political system.

Chemerinsky and his clients are certainly correct about their adversaries radically reactionary goals. But in truth, both sides overstate the impact this case is likely to have on the law or on the ground. The main reason for this forecast is that the court has already scaled back the applicability of Chevron, about as much as it is practically feasible to do. This retrenchment occurred principally in a 2015 decision, King v. Burwell.

In that case, Chief Justice Roberts ruled, for a 63 majority, that judges and justices should decide for themselves the meaning of federal statutory provisions, not defer to agency officials, in extraordinary cases, posing major questions, which he defined as questions of deep economic and political significance that is central to this statutory schemethat is to say, the cases that really matter. This sharp rightward swerve was then and has remained generally overlooked, presumably because, elaborating his take on the Affordable Care Act provisions at issue, Roberts went on to agree with the Obama administrations favorable interpretation. Only a small cadre of administrative law experts, among them Ohio State law professor Chris Walker, recognized that King v. Burwellwhile a critical win for the Obama Administrationis a judicial power grab [for the judiciary] over the Executive.

The new case asks the court to expand the post-2015 Chevron-free zone to all challenges to federal administrative actions in all federal courts. There is little reason to expect that to happen. The basic reason is the adverse impact of any such decision on the judicial system itself. For litigants, it would result in huge delays, chaos, and gridlock.

More persuasive to the court, perhaps, for judges (and justices), overruling Chevron in toto would yield insufferable headaches. As Professor Merrill noted, Lower federal courts have caseloads many times greater than this Court. [They] do not have the decisional capacity to engage in an exhaustive review of every statutory interpretation question arising on judicial review. Instead, he said, they need some means of cutting to the heart of a dispute, quoting Boston University law professor Gary Lawson, out of a sheer instinct for self-preservation.

Lawson has great credibility on the legal right; he is among the most influential conservative academic critics of postNew Deal federal regulatory authority. Among other exploits, he fashioned the underpinnings of the legal theory invoked in 2012 by the then five conservative justices to rule the ACAs individual mandate outside the scope of the Constitutions interstate commerce clause (though Roberts joined the four liberals to uphold the mandate as a tax).

Some right-wing justices appear to get thiseven those, such as Roberts, who have indulged in rhetorical thrusts at the administrative state with its reams of regulations [that] would leave [the framers] rubbing their eyes, and at Chevron deference in particular, which Kavanaugh has referred to as an atextual invention by courts that goads executive administrations to squeeze [their] policy goals into ill-fitting statutory authorizations and restraints. In recent cases, all six justices on the right have not only shoved aside Chevron deference but overridden textually solid, exhaustively substantiated determinations of which they and their allies disapprovemost egregiously, the EPA smackdowns noted above.

Still, when expounding what general principles they would favor for reviewing agency judgments, at least three have indicated that they would not junk Chevron deference altogether. Chief Justice Roberts has shown no disposition to drop the line he elaborated in King v. Burwell, that Chevrons deference to reasonable agency decisions is required in all but extraordinary major question matters, where Congress had not, in the relevant statute, delegated discretionary authority to the agency.

As for Justice Kavanaugh, in a 2016 Harvard Law Review article titled Fixing Statutory Interpretation, he argued that Chevron should be modified but retained. His point was that the doctrine should be applied with more attention given to a footnote in the original decision prescribing employment of all the tools of statutory construction, to resolve any statutory ambiguity before we defer to an agency. Justice Barrett, in a long concurring opinion in last terms 63 decision axing President Bidens executive order forgiving repayment of certain pandemic student loans, spelled out her insistence that the major questions exemption from Chevron is not a stealth excuse for courts to ignore statutory text of which they disapprove, nor to discourag[e] Congress from empowering agencies, but a common-sense, contextual approach to interpreting delegations of broad, high-impact decisional authority.

However these justices decide to use this case to tinker with existing boundaries of Chevron deference, it is most likely to be no more than thatjust tinkering. That will not grant the Loper complainants demand to junk Chevron deference altogether; nor could the agency rule they seek to overturna Commerce Department units requirement that herring fishermen pay the salaries of federally mandated at-sea monitorscome close to qualifying as a major regulation, no matter how that concept might be redefined, were the court to choose to do so. Indeed, this case is a perfect example of the sort of squabble federal judgesand justiceswould never want to wade into (pardon the pun), hence, why they would come to regret eliminating Chevron deference altogether.

The judicial right is not about to jettison its hostility to regulations inimical to its business, financial, and political allies. If anything, liberals need to greatly heighten and sharpen their pushbackas, indeed, Senator Dick Durbin and others have done by linking Justice Clarence Thomass 2016 flip from supporting to opposing Chevron to the most recent revelations of his attendance at Koch-network political fundraising extravaganzas. But it seems unlikely that the pending Supreme Court case will prove a successful battlefront for those anti-regulatory forces. More likely, bipartisan Supreme Court majorities will follow the counsel of their late comrade, Justice Antonin Scalia, who, as Professor Merrill noted, was Chevrons foremost proponent.

The sheer volume of modern dockets, Scalia wrote in a 1989 Duke Law Journal article, made it less and less possible for the Supreme Court to police [review of agency actions]. Chevron is unquestionably better than what preceded it. That this supreme icon of the jurisprudential right championed Chevron (and other legal pillars of modern federal governance) underscores how far from that model current blather on the current right about demolishing the administrative state has gone. Taking that onboard may also persuade Scalias professed heirs to take a deep breath and seek constitutional solutions that, in his words, accurately reflect the reality of government, and thus more adequately serve its needs.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A Texas man was reunited with his pet cat, Tux, early Monday morning after the two were separated during a rideshare trip and his search for the feline went viral.

Palash Pandey had posted updates on social media throughout his search for Tux.

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He told Nexstars KXAN that investigators hired by Lyft found Tux about a mile away from where the driver dropped Pandey off, and he was alerted around 1:30 a.m. Monday. He said Tux is back home, ate food and drank water, and will be taken to a vet later Monday.

Palash Pandeys cat, Tux (Palash Pandey)

According to Pandey, he took the trip Saturday to bring his cat in for medical care at a Banfield Pet Hospital location on Research Boulevard in Austin, Texas. When they arrived, he exited the vehicle and went around to the other side in order to retrieve Tuxs carrier.

But before he could, the Lyft driver began to drive away.

I, like, ran behind him, screaming like wait, wait, wait, I banged on his windows hoping that he would notice me and just stop. But instead of that he just like, peeled off, he drove away, Pandey said. I dont know how else you would perceive somebody who you just dropped off running behind you and banging on your windows and doors. I dont know if theres a charitable explanation for that.

Pandey then attempted to contact the driver through the Lyft app, but did not receive a reply before using up the apps message limit. He attempted to use Lyfts live support but said it was unresponsive.

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We are aware of the situation and were currently in touch with the rider and driver, said a Lyft spokesperson in a Sunday afternoon statement to KXAN.

In a statement to KXAN Sunday night, a Lyft spokesperson said they were in touch with Pandey within minutes of his initial outreach.

Note: the above video is from coverage on Sunday, Oct. 1.

In addition to communicating with Palesh, we have been directly in touch with the driver and other passengers that rode with him following the ride with Palesh, the spokesperson said. We realize we could have done better in communicating regular updates to Palesh and the community. We all want the same outcome  for Tux to get home safely  and will keep the community posted.

Lyfts CEO, David Risher, also took to social media to post about the missing cat.

Many have asked about @palashp40616755s cat Tux. Weve now alerted

@lyft drivers and riders in Austin to be on the lookout for her, Risher said in a post.

Lyft sent out notifications about Tux Sunday night.

Screenshot of Lyft notification sent at 10:02 p.m. Oct. 1, 2023, about missing cat, Tux. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones)

Risher continued the post by asking people not to vilify the driver. He said the driver has received unwarranted threats and is just as distraught as we all are. Risher did say in a follow-up that the driver was deactivated for now, and that after speaking with him it was clear things are somewhat more complicated than they first appear.

Pandey contacted the Austin Police Department about the incident and filed a report, as well as posted about it on social media.

Around three hours after filing the police report, the driver called Pandey.

He called me back saying that he doesnt know where my cat is. He said that he had riders right out after my drop off, said that he went to pick up people right after he dropped me off, Pandey said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
A parking garage at St. David's Medical Center reopened on Aug. 10, 2023, after a vehicle exploded the previous day. No one was injured, and the hospital was not damaged.

A Jonestown man pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Austin to possessing a pipe bomb that detonated in a hospital parking garage in August.

Court documents show that on Aug. 9 Raymond Luke Garner, 38, parked his pickup truck in a parking garage at St. Davids Hospital at 919 E. 32nd St. in Austin. A short time later, there was an explosion in the back of Garners truck, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Western District of Texas.

Security camera footage showed Garner arriving at the parking garage in a white Tacoma, taking items out of the truck and walking away, shortly before the explosion, according to court documents. Debris could be seen being thrown from the vehicle at the time of the explosion. Video showed that there were several vehicles turning onto that level of the garage at the time, and people were seen walking on foot across the driving lane from the explosion.

No one was injured, and the hospital was not damaged.

Previously: Austin cops arrest man connected to explosion at St. David's Medical Center garage

Investigators found the remains of a pipe bomb near Garners truck, the release said, as well as a homemade high explosive, circuit boards/timers, electric matches and other items.

While he was detained by police, Garner contacted another individual to move a box out of Garners home, prosecutors said. That box was later found to contain, among other things, a quantity of the high explosive, precursor chemicals and electric matches. Searches at other locations revealed a recipe for the high explosive, remote control devices and other components for destructive devices.

Garner admitted that he was in possession of an unregistered destructive device on Aug. 9, and was arrested.

Garner pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The case was heard in U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman's court. Court records did not show a date for Garner's sentencing as of Monday.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force were the lead federal agencies investigating the case. The Travis County sheriffs office, Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department and Cedar Park Police Department assisted with the investigation.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Man pleads guilty in connection to explosion at St. David's Hospital
The former president is facing a slew of legal challenges that could post a threat to his 2024 White House bid

Donald Trump has been found by a New York judge to have committed fraud  the latest in an intimidating list of legal issues to beset the former president.

The former president repeatedly over-inflated his wealth by as much as $3.6 billion (3 billion), Judge Arthur Engoron as he ordered some of Mr Trumps business licences in the state to be rescinded.

The states attorney general is seeking a $250 million judgment and a ban on Mr Trump doing business in New York.

Since leaving office, Mr Trump has been embroiled in a number of cases, both criminal and civil. Several of them will reach the courts next year as he campaigns to return to the White House in 2024.

In addition to claims that he tried to alter the election result, he faces criminal charges for allegedly paying hush money to a porn star, and mishandling White House documents.

Here are the key cases, whats going on, and where this could all finish.

Georgia election

In the latest criminal charges against the president, Mr Trump has been charged with 13 counts relating to his alleged bid to overturn the election result in Georgia in 2020.

He has been charged with racketeering, violating an oath of office, and other crimes. Also indicted were Trump associates Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor, and John Eastman.

The charges Donald Trump faces in Georgia

Mr Trump has always denied he acted improperly in Georgia in the aftermath of the election, as he sought to overturn the result in the state after narrowly losing the vote to Mr Biden.

In a leaked call with Brad Raffensperger, the Republican secretary of state, Mr Trump pleaded with him to find thousands of votes that would allow him to win the crucial state.

Theres nothing wrong with saying, you know, um, that youve recalculated, Mr Trump is reported to have said. All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state.

The former president also had a historic booking photo taken

Mr Trumps legal team has unsuccessfully argued that Fani Willis, a Georgia district attorney, should be barred from bringing charges against him and that a grand jurys report should be thrown out.

The grand jury spent eight months interrogating some 75 witnesses and filed a lengthy report on Mr Trumps conduct earlier this year.

Mr Trump surrendered at a Georgia jail on Thursday to be arrested in connection with the charges, after his bail was set at $200,000. Strict conditions have been attached to Mr Trumps bail.

Now that he has been released from custody, Mr Trump will need to be arraigned at a later date. It is possible that it could be conducted virtually.

Ms Willis has proposed an October 23 trial date, although it is highly unlikely such a speedy trial would be granted.

Other 2020 election and Jan 6 charges

Aside from Georgia, Mr Trump has been charged with four criminal counts over the events that led to the riot at the US Capitol on Jan 6 2021.

In a 45-page indictment brought by special counsel Jack Smith, he was accused of trying to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election.

He allegedly did so by pushing officials in swing states he had lost to use fake electors to ignore the popular vote, and pressuring the Justice Department to open sham election inquiries.

Six co-conspirators are referred to in the indictment but have not been named. However Mr Giuliani appears to be the individual named as co-conspirator number one.

Prosecutors say the former president also tried to convince Mike Pence, the then vice-president, to reject legitimate Electoral College votes.

Mr Trump faces two counts relating to trying to obstruct an official proceeding having allegedly tried to block Congress confirming Joe Bidens victory.

Mr Trump has been charged with four criminal counts over the events that led to the riot at the US Capitol on Jan 6 2021 - Jose Luis Magana/AP

The felony charge was used against numerous rioters who stormed the Capitol.

The charge for conspiracy against rights criminalises any joint effort to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate people to stop them from enjoying their constitutional or federal rights.

Mr Trumps campaign said the persecutions were reminiscent of Nazi Germany in the 1930s. It added: These un-American witch-hunts will fail and President Trump will be re-elected to the White House.

Mr Trump pleaded not guilty in a federal courthouse in Washington DC at the start of August.

Mr Smith, who the former president has labelled as deranged, said he would seek a speedy trial over the four criminal counts.

Even if Mr Trump is convicted, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination has insisted he will continue to run for the presidency.

There are no mandatory minimum sentences for any of the crimes Mr Trump is accused of.

Conspiracy to defraud the government is the least punitive of the four charges and is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Conspiracy against rights carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, while conspiracy to obstruct and obstructing an official proceeding both mean up to 20 years in prison.

Classified documents

Mr Trump faces 40 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

The indictment accused him of endangering national security by removing US secrets from the White House and storing them in a ballroom, a bathroom and shower at his Florida club.

Some were said to contain information about nuclear programmes, along with the defence and weapons capabilities of the US and foreign powers.

Boxes of classified documents in a bathroom at Mar-a-Lago - US Justice Department/AFP via Getty Images

In July, three further charges were added after it was claimed that Mr Trump and two employees tried to delete Mar-a-Lago security footage before it could be handed over to the FBI.

A Trump spokesman has dismissed the case as a continued desperate and flailing attempt by the Biden administration to harass President Trump and those around him.

Mr Trump will go on trial on May 20 in the middle of the 2024 election campaign.

While lawyers had called for the case to be postponed indefinitely, citing the challenges of juggling a criminal trial and election, the date has been set for May 20 2024 in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Although a majority of state primaries will be finished by mid-May, a handful of votes will take place on May 14 and beyond.

Only two of the charges that Mr Trump faces carry a possible prison sentence of fewer than 10 years  the charges for scheming to conceal and making false statements and representations.

The 31 charges under the Espionage Act  the wilful retention of documents  carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Prosecutors will have to prove that Mr Trump or his team  he is being tried alongside two co-defendants  knowingly mishandled materials to impede, obstruct or influence the investigation.

Charges for obstruction of justice, withholding a document or record, corruptly concealing a document or record and concealing a document in a federal investigation all could mean a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

All charges are listed with a maximum fine of up to $250,000 (198,000).

Stormy Daniels hush money

In April, Mr Trump was charged in New York with 34 counts of fraud in relation to hush money paid to the porn star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair.

The former president is said to have falsified business records to conceal a $130,000 payment.

According to the 16-page indictment, the payments aimed to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election.

Mr Trump is accused of paying Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair - Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Michael Cohen, Mr Trumps former lawyer, was sentenced to three years in prison in 2018 after admitting tax evasion and campaign finance violations in relation to paying off Ms Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

Mr Trump pleaded not guilty to the 34-count indictment, which he called a political witch-hunt, trying to take down the leading candidate, by far, in the Republican Party.

Mr Trump will go on trial in New York on March 25 next year, in the middle of the Republican primaries.

The presidential candidate would normally expect to be travelling around the country on the campaign trail, but a judge warned him not to make any commitments for March 2024.

The multiple counts of falsifying business records carry a maximum four-year jail sentence if Mr Trump is found guilty.

Ms Daniels has downplayed the charges, however, arguing the former president does not deserve to be imprisoned.

I dont think that his crimes against me are worthy of incarceration, she said on a TalkTV interview earlier this year.

Civil cases

New York fraud case

Mr Trump has been found to have exaggerated his net worth and the value of his properties, including Trump Tower and his Mar-a-Lago resort.

In a civil fraud lawsuit in New York, Mr Trump was accused by the states attorney general of deliberately inflating the value of his assets by as much as $2.2 billion in an attempt to gain favourable terms from banks and insurance companies.

A trial overseen by Arthur Engoron, a New York judge, will decide what penalties Mr Trump and his family members and business associates must pay.

The case could result in the sale of several major Trump properties, including Trump Tower and 40 Wall Street.

It may also give an indication of his true net worth, following decades of speculation.

Letitia James, the attorney general, is seeking damages of $250 million and a ban on Mr Trump operating businesses in the state.

Mr Engorons judgment said Mr Trumps estimates of the value of his assets were based in a fantasy world, not the real world.

He ordered some of the property tycoons business licences in the city to be rescinded, though this ban was temporarily suspended on appeal on Friday.

The former president claims the case against him is politically motivated and the valuations the case is based on were worthless.

He has called Mr Engoron unhinged, deranged and a political hack.

E Jean Carroll

E Jean Carroll, a former magazine columnist, is seeking additional damages from Mr Trump after he called her a whack job a day after he was found to have sexually abused her in a civil lawsuit.

Ms Carroll claimed that Mr Trump raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in Manhattan in the mid-1990s.

The civil jury rejected the rape claim but ordered the former president to pay $2 million in damages for sexual abuse.

In a televised town hall hosted by CNN the following day, Mr Trump accused her of telling a made-up story.

He told the audience at the event: What kind of a woman meets somebody and brings them up and, within minutes, youre playing hanky-panky in a dressing room, OK?

Ms Carrolls lawyers claim he persisted in maliciously defaming Carroll yet again and are seeking an eight-figure sum.

Ms Carroll can proceed with her defamation claim against Mr Trump after the Justice Department ruled his presidency did not shield him from liability.

In a U-turn last month, it said it no longer believes Trump could claim his comments about the right were carried out as part of his presidential duties.

Ms Carroll is seeking another $10 million from the former president over his CNN comments, which her lawyers labelled malicious and defamatory.

On Wednesday, a US judge ruled that Mr Trump was liable for making defamatory statements against Ms Carroll and her second lawsuit would be for damages only, in a defeat for the former president.

The former magazine columnist had already won $5 million from Mr Trump after he was found in May to have sexually abused and defamed her.

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The ominously named "dead zones" in the Chesapeake Bay are more than hyperbole and represent potentially millions of dollars lost on industries tied to the Bay, so a report citing improvements is welcome news.

The annual Chesapeake Bay Hypoxia Report for August, released by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, noted "dissolved oxygen conditions in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia continued to be much better than average."

The department worked in collaboration with Old Dominion University and looked at results collections during regular, twice-monthly monitoring cruises conducted by research vessels. Throughout the summer, the cruises recorded hypoxic areas of the Bay  water with low enough dissolved oxygen to harm marine life  that have been smaller than those recorded in previous years.

"The better-than-average August dissolved oxygen conditions we are experiencing is not surprising considering the reduced river flows from January through May, as well as less nitrogen carried to the Bay because of nutrient management efforts. Continuing these efforts to reduce nutrient pollution throughout the entire watershed will improve water quality conditions, helping to support all of our aquatic resources," said Tom Parham, director of the Tidewater Ecosystem Assessment at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

According to Chesapeake Bay Program statistics, the saltwater recreational fishery in the Bay creates over $1.6 billion in revenue for the region. The commercial seafood fishery in Maryland and Virginia adds another $1.4 billion in sales. That translates to an estimated 30,000 jobs in the industry.

More on restoration efforts Oyster restoration efforts at new heights on Chesapeake Bay, with these groups leading way

Maintaining a diverse ecosystem around Chesapeake Bay

The Oyster Restoration Partnership conducts a slate of programs to create and manage healthy oyster beds to both create a cleaner Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and help sustain a vital component to the watermen economy in the state.

"Fish, crabs, and all other species in the Bay breathe oxygen that is dissolved in the water, so most species prefer five milligrams per liter of water," said Doug Meyers, Maryland Senior Scientist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. "Hypoxia is when it gets to below two milligrams per liter, and you can have no oxygen at less than 0.2 milligrams per liter of water. This report is great because the lower the level of dissolved oxygen, the more of the Bay is (healthy)."

Positive trends in the overall health of the Bay are often precarious as they rely on long-term strategies.

The hypoxic water volume  waters with less than 2 mg/l oxygen  was 0.31 and 0.72 cubic miles respectively during the early and late August monitoring cruises, compared to early and late August averages of 1.37 and 1.076 cubic miles since 1985.

This years data from early August ranks as the smallest volume of hypoxic water volume on record and late August was the eighth smallest volume for their respective time periods.

"We're doing a great deal to reduce the nitrogen phosphates in the watershed. These are the pollutants that are fueling the algae blooms that reduce the oxygen. We got lucky this year in the fact that the rains that deliver those pollutants didn't come until the fall," Meyers said.

More on storms in the region Tropical storm: Ocean City braces for winds, rain; Smith Island urged to evacuate

Chesapeake Bay health: Weather circumstance or policy success?

The sun sets over a tidal pond bordering the Chesapeake Bay in Terrapin Nature Park on Thursday, Jan 10, 2019.

Warming waters could create more difficult circumstances for the Bay along with a more active storm and hurricane season in the Delmarva Peninsula.

In late June, this forecast expected Chesapeake Bay mainstem hypoxic volume to be 33% lower than the 38-year average, due to reduced river flows from January through May 2023, as well as less nitrogen carried to the Bay because of nutrient management efforts.

"It's not time to declare victory over Bay pollution just because we had a low rainfall year," said Tom Pelton, a spokesperson for the Enviornmental Integrity Project. "That has always meant a healthier Bay because that's less pollution running off into our waters. With climate change, we're likely to see higher rainfall totals in the future, so this won't be a permanent situation."

According to Pelton, the positive data is more likely a weather circumstance rather than a policy success.

"The Bay defines the economy, culture, and geography of Maryland. So if we care about our state, we all need to be committed long-term to its improvement. We need to do more to control suburban sprawl and farm runoff," Pelton said.

Maryland and Virginias monitoring results thus far have matched the forecast of better-than-average conditions.

More on Gov. Moore and conservation Maryland Gov. Wes Moore doubles down on Chesapeake Bay conservation efforts

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: 'Dead zones' decline in Chesapeake Bay: By weather or policy success?
At 104 years old, Dorothy Hoffner fell.

Then she kept falling, and falling, and falling. And when the lifelong Chicagoan finally touched the ground Sunday, she landed in the history books and became the oldest person to ever sky-dive.

Age is just a number, Hoffner told a cheering crowd moments after touching the ground at the Skydive Chicago Airport in Ottawa.

As the centenarian prepped to board the white Skyvan plane, she slowly pushed her red walker out into the skydiving resorts hangar. She took off her light blue cardigan and lifted her black loafers a few inches off the ground one at a time to work her way into a harness. She declined a jumpsuit but accepted an altimeter.

She left the walker just short of the plane, where two expert instructors helped her up the steps into the hold.

Lets go, lets go, Geronimo! she said, finally seated.

The plane quickly rose, Hoffner all the while looking calm and confident. She was the only passenger not wearing ear plugs as the propellers loudly buzzed.

When the aft door opened to reveal tan crop fields far below, she and the U.S. Parachute Association-certified instructor she was tethered to stood. Hoffner insisted on leading the jump. When she first sky-dived at 100 years old, she was pushed out, she said. This time, she wanted to take charge.

She shuffled toward the edge and leaped into the air.

The plane beat her to the ground. Seven minutes after her jump, she drifted in for her historic landing. The wind pushed back her white hair. She clung to the harness draped over her narrow shoulders, a look of excitement and wonder spread across her face.

She picked up her legs as the ground approached. And finally, she plopped onto the ground.

The crowd gathered along the skydiving resorts landing strip roared. Friends rushed to share congratulations. Someone brought over Hoffners red walker. She rose fast, and a reporter asked how it felt to be back on the ground.

Wonderful, Hoffner said. But it was wonderful up there.

The whole thing was delightful, wonderful, couldnt have been better, she said.

Her mind quickly turned to the future. She might ride in a hot-air balloon next, she said.

Ive never been in one of those, Hoffner said.

The Guinness World Record for oldest skydiver was set in May 2022 by 103-year-old Linnea Ingegard Larsson from Sweden. Hoffners record has yet to be certified. The Chicago senior is set to turn 105 in December.

She answered quickly when asked what it feels like to hold the age-based record.

Like Im old, she said.

But the record didnt seem to interest Hoffner ahead of her attempt to break it. Before her jump  originally scheduled for early September and delayed three times because of bad weather  her mind was focused instead on the peaceful descent through the sky, she told the Tribune last month.

She first tried skydiving at 100, when her dear friend Joe Conant of Andersonville told her he was planning to sky-dive. She wanted to join, she told him, because it sounded interesting. It became one of her favorite experiences.

Floating down, its so smooth, she said.

She encouraged everyone to try skydiving and has advice for those who want to give it a try.

When youre coming down, make sure youve got someone with you. Thats the important thing, she said.

I often thought, if I were to do this alone, I would pray when I pulled the parachute cord, she continued. If you pulled it too soon and got caught on the plane, then what would you do when you got caught on the plane? How could they land that plane with you hanging on it?

The 104-year-old has spent her whole life in Chicago. She was raised in Garfield Park, where she lived for 50 years before moving to Jefferson Park. She has spent the last decade at the Brookdale Lake View senior living community. She raves about the facilitys three daily meals.

She worked for Illinois Bell throughout her working years, beginning in 1938 as an operator, she said. She never had any husbands or children  an essential ingredient she in part credits for her long life.

Hoffner, who describes herself as an unclaimed treasure, never had to deal with the responsibility of kids, she said.

Or the pettiness and the mess of a husband, she said. I never had to take care of anyone but me.

The biggest secret to her old age and health is her God, who has been very good to her, she said.

He kept me really going. I cant say that Ive ever had any real terrible pain, she said. My life has been very dull.

She wasnt much of an adventure-seeker for most of her life. For fun, shed go out for a weekly lunch with two girlfriends. Sometimes, theyd visit the Garfield Park Conservatory. She traveled too  to England, Panama, Italy twice and France.

Shes filled her life with chosen grandkids, including Conant. The two met when Conant worked as a caretaker for one of Hoffners friends. Though the friend has since died, Conant and Hoffner still talk daily and share dinner every week.

It was Hoffners idea to jump again this year, said Conant, who jumped right after Hoffner and landed before her. She clutched his hand as their plane rose. The wind caught their feet when they leaped from around 13,500 feet and pushed them into a backflip, he said.

Shes just a great friend, Conant said on the ground. Im incredibly proud of her.

Hoffner strongly encourages others to sky-dive like her. Its surprisingly affordable, she said, and so peaceful.

But she isnt sure shell do it again. She doesnt know what the future holds, she said.

jsheridan@chicagotribune.com
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing Chipotle on behalf of a Muslim teenager who says her assistant manager ripped off her hijab at one of the chain's Kansas locations.

Areej Saifan's supervisor asked her to show him her hair more than a dozen times during the summer of 2021 in Lenexa, Kansas, sometimes in front of co-workers, according to the lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY on Monday.

Saifan, who was 19 at the time, refused to remove her hijab, an Islamic head covering, and asked the assistant manager to leave her alone. She told him that she covered her hair for religious reasons and that his request was inappropriate, according to the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Kansas.

Their conflict culminated when the supervisor grabbed Saifan's hijab and partially removed it, and Chipotle retaliated by not scheduling her to work afterward, lawsuit said.

Those actions amount to a violation of federal law, the EEOC said in a news release.

"Individuals should not have to choose between their sincerely held religious beliefs and their jobs," David Davis, director of the EEOCs St. Louis District Office, said in a statement. "Federal law protects the rights of all workers to observe their religious practices free from harassment and retaliation.

More: Massachusetts school says it 'mishandled' student receiving uniform infraction for wearing hijab

What does Chipotle say?

A Chipotle in Eatontown, New Jersey, is pictured.

Saifan told another supervisor about the unwelcome behavior, and that supervisor spoke to the assistant manager and asked him to stop on at least one occasion, according to the lawsuit. But that supervisor did not report the harassment to higher management, a violation of Chipotle's policies, according to the lawsuit

In a statement to USA TODAY, Chipotle spokesperson Laurie Schalow said the chain encourages employees to report concerns immediately.

We have a zero tolerance policy for discrimination of any kind and we have terminated the employee in question, she said in an emailed statement.

Schalow did not comment directly about Saifan's lawsuit.

More: Massachusetts school says it 'mishandled' student receiving uniform infraction for wearing hijab

'Hostile' work environment

According to Saifan's complaint, the assistant manager's behavior was unwelcome, intentional, severe, based on religion, and created a hostile working environment based on religion."

The EEOC said the alleged behavior was a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination and harassment based on several protected classes including religion.

People of faith have a right to work free from harassment based on their religious beliefs and practices, Andrea Baran, regional attorney for the EEOCs St. Louis District office, said in a statement. Harassment of women and teen girls who choose to express their religious beliefs by wearing modest clothing or head coverings is never acceptable."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chipotle sued after Kansas teen says manager ripped off her hijab
Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, right, speaks with Rick Larsen, Sutherland Institute CEO, during Sutherland Institutes 2023 Congressional Series at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Aug. 3, 2023. Stewart, now retired from Congress, will serve as chairman of the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association, it was announced Monday. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Former Rep. Chris Stewart has taken on another new role: chairman of the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association, or UADA, replacing previous chairman Robert OBrien, the association announced Monday.

The Utah Aerospace and Defense Association, which was created less than a year ago, serves as the first-ever convening body for aerospace and defense companies in the state of Utah. It also promotes and advocates for Utah companies that are developing the next generation of technology.

The organization works as a partner to the Governors Office of Economic Opportunity, World Trade Center Utah, the Legislature and other organizations in promoting and advocating for the aerospace and defense industry.

The aerospace and defense industry is booming in Utah. From well-known, large companies, down to small startups, there are more than 1,000 companies and half a dozen military installations across the state. Together, they make up almost 20% of the states economic activity.

It is already having international impact. On Sept. 21, Aaron Starks, Utah Aerospace and Defense Association president and CEO, signed a memorandum of understanding with Oleksandr Kamyshin, the minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine, with the support and presence of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The memorandum of understanding creates a framework for critical industries in Ukraine and Utah-based companies to cooperate on armored vehicle manufacturing; artillery and air defense systems; aerospace equipment; autonomous systems; and more. A press release about the signing indicates that the memorandum will open up pathways for Utah companies to explore manufacturing opportunities in Ukraine, and for the Ukrainian government and private sector to source strategic goods and services from Utahs robust industry.

Stewarts experience

Stewart was first elected to Congress in 2013 and served on the prestigious U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the U.S. House Appropriations Committee.

During his decade in Washington, D.C., Stewart was immersed in the intelligence community. A former pilot in the U.S. Air Force, Stewart said that when he went to Congress, he knew he could contribute to critical decisions related to aerospace and defense because it was a continuation of what Id always done.

Now, joining the UADA is a further continuation of that work. Leading the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association will allow me to leverage my expertise and continue serving Utahns in a critical way, Stewart said. This is my greatest passion and where I feel I can make a difference.

Related

Referring to his time on the Intelligence Committee, Stewart said that in the next five to 10 years, quantum computing, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies will change the nature of the defense industry. He said he is confident he can contribute to these efforts to keep the nation safe and allow Utah to compete on a global stage.

Artificial intelligence, radars, deterrence systems, cybersecurity, machine learning, drones and more are critical technology areas for the future of our country that can be developed here in Utah, said Stewart.

Congressman Stewart has a unique and incredible perspective on the nations defense strategy which will accelerate growth for companies in Utah looking to scale worldwide, Starks said. At his core, Chris is an innovator who will help the organization in its efforts to recruit talent, source capital, and create an ecosystem that enables entrepreneurs to succeed.

Adam Gardiner, vice president of government affairs for the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association, added, Im grateful for the foresight of the Utah aerospace and defense associations Board of Directors in choosing former congressman Chris Stewart to chair the organization. His knowledge of the workings of Congress, the Executive Branch, and especially the department of defense will be invaluable in representing aerospace, defense, cyber, and intelligence companies in Utah. And since we represent 20% of Utahs economy, thats no small task.

Shortly after resigning from Congress on Sept. 15, Stewart announced that he is partnering with former national security adviser Robert OBrien in a new government affairs firm, in addition to Mondays announcement that he will chair the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association.

Holly Richardson is the editor of Utah Policy
WASHINGTON  Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas for the first time recused himself from a case involving the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by then-President Donald Trump's supporters as the Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal brought by former Trump legal adviser John Eastman.

Thomas, under fire over claims of ethical lapses, had participated last year when the court rejected Trump's bid to prevent White House documents from being handed over to the House committee investigating Jan. 6.

Then, Thomas was the only justice to signal support for Trump's legal arguments.

This time, Thomas stepped aside in the case involving Eastman, who was one of his law clerks.

The case also involved the now-defunct Jan. 6 committee, centering on the efforts by Eastman, a former law professor, to prevent his former employer, Chapman University of Orange, California, from handing over archived emails sent from or to Eastman's account.

As is typical for justices, Thomas did not explain why he recused himself. In addition to Thomas' professional history with Eastman, another reason he might have stepped aside is that some of the released emails reportedly mentioned Thomas as being the justice likely to be most receptive to Trump's arguments.

The case was effectively moot even before the Supreme Court's action Monday, as the committee obtained relevant emails and has concluded its investigation.

Eastman had pushed the discredited argument that then-Vice President Mike Pence had the power to refuse to certify the 2020 presidential election results.

He has also been indicted in connection with efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.

Eastman recently vouched for Thomas after various news reports alleged that the justices had fallen short of ethical standards. Separately, he faces disbarment proceedings in California over his role in the election.

Thomas had faced criticism for failing to recuse himself from Trump's Jan. 6 case because his wife, the conservative political activist Virginia Ginni Thomas, had been a vocal supporter of Trumps efforts to overturn the election.

John Eastman in Los Angeles (Jae C. Hong / AP file)

Anthony Caso, Eastmans lawyer, said in an email Monday he was disappointed that the Supreme Court did not throw out the district court ruling that allowed the emails to be disclosed now that the case is moot.

Caso previously wrote in a court filing for the appeal that the lower court decision "cast aspersions not just on Dr. Eastman but also on his former client, the former president of the United States."

Court rejects 14th Amendment case

In another Trump-related case, the court rejected a long-shot legal challenge Monday seeking to block Trump from being elected president again.

The justices turned away an appeal filed by John Castro, a write-in Republican candidate for president, who represented himself in the case and has filed similar lawsuits.

Castro argued in his appeal that Trump is ineligible to be on the ballot under the Constitution's 14th Amendment because of his "aid and comfort to the convicted criminals and insurrectionists that violently attacked our United States Capitol on January 6, 2021."

It is just one of several cases around the country seeking to block Trump from being on the ballot by invoking the 14th Amendment, which says no one shall hold any office who engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the [U.S.], or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

Although some legal scholars have backed the argument, others have dismissed it, pointing out the difficulty of enforcing the constitutional provision and questioning whether Trump's actions rose to the level of "insurrection or rebellion."

Trump faces criminal charges for his role in events leading up to Jan. 6, and he was also impeached by the House of Representatives, then controlled by the Democrats, in the days after the episode. The Senate acquitted Trump when it fell short of the 67 votes needed to convict him.

Although the Supreme Court could end up weighing in on the issue before the 2024 election, Castro's case seemed like an unlikely contender, in part because after he lost in a federal district court in Florida, he filed his appeal directly at the high court instead of going through the normal appeals process.

The judge who handled the case was Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who attracted scrutiny for her role overseeing another criminal case involving the former president, in which he has been accused of unlawfully retaining government documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida after he left office.

Even before the Supreme Court rejected Castro's appeal, it had signaled a lack of interest in the case by not even asking Trump's legal team to file a response.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Clay County Sheriffs Office is looking for victims of a Florida pigeon drop scammer by the name of William Coleman.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

According to CCSO, Coleman, 50, was arrested for his connection with two pigeon drop scam investigations in Maryland. Coleman is from Orange Park and was arrested by the Orange County Sheriffs Office in Orlando on Tuesday.

A pigeon drop scam involves convincing a victim to give the suspect a large amount of cash as collateral with the hope of sharing a larger sum of money. There have been nine pigeon drop scams reported in Clay County in 2023.

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Coleman is charged in connection with two cases. In one case, he and his accomplice or accomplices successfully stole thousands of dollars from their victim. In the second case, the victim did not lose any money. In both incidents, the victims were women and senior citizens.

The successful scam occurred on June 8, in the 6300 block of Marlboro Pike in District Heights. The attempted theft occurred on June 1, 2023, in the 12000 block of Central Avenue in Mitchellville.

Following an extensive investigation, Prince George Police Department detectives identified Coleman as a suspect.

At the time of his arrest on Tuesday and through subsequent search warrants, PGPD Financial Crimes detectives recovered multiple pieces of evidence, including more than $100,000 in counterfeit cash at his Florida home. CCSO assisted with the search of his home in Orange Park.

Read: Taylor Swift attends Jets-Chiefs game

Pigeon drop scammers often carry notes or fake letters from non-existent law firms confirming the receipt of a large amount of money from either a settlement or inheritance. A letter of this nature was recovered inside of Colemans car.

A newspaper wrapped in a bandana was also recovered. In many pigeon drop scams, scammers use bandanas to wrap the money a victim withdraws from his or her bank. Scammers then swap out the money for bundled newspapers unbeknownst to the victims.

Read: Detours in place as FDOT enters Phase III of King Street drainage project

These crimes target some of the most vulnerable in our community. I want residents in Prince Georges County to know our detectives work relentlessly to identify and arrest suspects in these scams. Regarding Coleman, we do not believe he acted alone and that he worked with accomplices. Detectives are looking into whether he is linked to similar crimes along the East Coast. We sincerely thank our law enforcement partners in Florida for assisting us with this significant arrest, said Chief Malik Aziz, Prince Georges County Police Department.

I commend the coordinated efforts of Financial Crimes Investigators from the Clay County Sheriffs Office and Investigators from the Prince Georges County Police Department. The team worked seamlessly to execute a warrant, demonstrating exceptional teamwork. Such crimes occur all too frequently and are predatory in nature, making this arrest a significant success. Thanks to the arrest, law enforcement has prevented further losses to potential victims and put another scammer behind bars. Through the collective efforts of law enforcement, we have effectively put an end to this scammers ability to target innocent people, whether in Clay County or elsewhere, said Sheriff Michelle Cook, Clay County Sheriffs Office.

Read: Federal student loan payments resume after pause due to pandemic

Coleman remains in custody in Florida pending extradition to Prince Georges County.

The PGPD wants to remind residents to never give money or financial information to anyone whom they just met in person, online or on the phone. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Read: Kirsten Bridegan delivers Bexley Box to Palatka Police Department

Anyone with information on this suspect or who could be a potential victim and would like to speak to a PGPD Financial Crimes Unit detective may call 301-516-1464.

Anyone with information who wants to contact Crime Solvers may call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the P3 Tips mobile app (search P3 Tips in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device.) You can remain anonymous.

More information about the cases can be found HERE.

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Former Secretary of State and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton (D) on Monday penned a tribute to her late colleague, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), describing her as a champion of democracy who was brave, honorable, honest and unafraid to do what was right for her constituents and her country.

In an opinion piece in The Washington Post, Clinton recalled arriving in Washington as first lady in 1993, when Feinstein first arrived to the Senate. Clinton said when she heard Feinstein use her first floor speech to advocate for the Family and Medical Leave Act, I knew I had found a kindred spirit.

When I joined Dianne in the small sisterhood of Senate women eight years later, I gained an appreciation for her blend of principle and pragmatism. In an institution known for show horses, she was a workhorse. Perhaps because she had been a mayor, she believed in delivering results not rhetoric  and thats what she did, Clinton wrote.

In the piece, she reflected on some of Feinsteins most memorable and consequential moments as a public figure, like her role in passing the assault weapons ban in the 1990s, her advocacy for LGBTQ rights and people who had HIV and AIDS, and her role as Senate Intelligence chairwoman in exposing CIA torture practices after 9/11.

Clinton also recalled Feinsteins role in facilitating her peacemaking with former President Obama after losing the 2008 primary. Feinstein hosted Obama and Clinton for a secret meeting at her home.

For all of us who loved Dianne, her passing is a deep personal loss. It is also a loss for our country when we are in desperate need of leaders willing to show half the backbone she displayed throughout her storied career, Clinton wrote.

Clinton tied in Feinsteins embrace of democratic institutions to the rising threats of political violence. She referenced former President Trumps recent comments about former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, who Trump said committed a treasonous act that would at one point be punishable by death.

We could have used Diannes voice in the fights ahead. Democracy needs champions. So do our institutions, creaky and frustrating as they might be. The United States needs leaders willing to respond to attacks on the rule of law with the same fearlessness that Dianne showed when she exposed unlawful enhanced interrogation techniques, she wrote.

Clinton continued her attack on Trump.

Trump and his supporters have also suggested that if he regains the presidency, he will seek to gut checks on executive power, weaponize the Justice Department to pursue political opponents, eviscerate the civil service and attempt to put himself above the law, she said. This is a man who has been indicted on a charge of a conspiracy to overturn an election and called for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Cobb County high school is mourning the death of a band director who suddenly passed away last week.

Madison Argo, band director at Wheeler High School in Cobb County, died on Wednesday, according to Cobb County Schools Instrumental Director Christopher Ferrell announced.

The Wheeler Band Booster Club started a GoFundMe has raised nearly $15,000 for Argos family. The GoFundMe was started by the Wheeler Band Booster Club.

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Mr. Argo, Thank you for your dedication to our students. We miss you and hope to make you proud this marching band competition season,

After he graduated from Auburn University, Argo served as Associate Director of Bands at Whitewater High School in Fayetteville, Ga. before getting his masters degree from Ball State University.

He later served as band director at Rowlett High School in Dallas, Texas before coming back to Wheeler High School.

There is no word on how Argo passed away.

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New details about the requirements for the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone program show an emphasis on range and speed, as well as being able to take off from shorter runways. The service is now looking at jet engines in the 3,000-to-8,000-pound thrust class to help the highly autonomous uncrewed aircraft achieve the desired performance and meet other capability demands.

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio recently put out an unclassified Request for Information (RFI) relating to the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which contained information about the engine and other requirements.

Concept art depicting an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter flying together with various tiers of drones. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works

"For the purpose of this response, the engine characteristics of interest include 3000-8000 lbf thrust class engines," the RFI explains. The notice says the Air Force is interested in details about any "off-the-shelf, modified off-the-shelf, derivative, and new engine designs" that might meet its needs.

Popular existing jet engines in the desired thrust range include the Williams FJ44 , Honeywell TFE731 , and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW500-series . They are most typically utilized in light military jets like the Aermacchi M-345 and business jets like the Cessna Citation Family .

The FJ44 is also notably the engine that the multi-purpose Fury drone, now part of defense contractor Anduril's portfolio, has been explicitly designed around. Fury, which The War Zone recently profiled in great depth , could be positioned to meet some of the Air Force's CCA demands. Although, it will have a lot of competition as major and smaller players alike wrangle for a piece of what will likely be a hugely lucrative and disruptive future CCA market.

A rendering of the Fury drone, which is expected to be powered by a single Williams FJ44 turbofan engine, at least initially. Anduril

"For the purpose of this response, the desired aircraft characteristics of interest for evaluating

the enabling capabilities of the engine's options are as follows: increased range, reduced runway take-off distance, increased Mach capability, increased power and thermal capacity, and increased payload," the contracting document adds.

The RFI does not provide any specific information about the baseline performance and capabilities the Air Force is looking for an "increase" over when it comes to its CCAs. It also stresses that the responses the service receives will be used for "informational and planning purposes" only.

The full executive summary from the recently released CCA engine RFI. USAF

Still, the focus areas outlined in the RFI offer useful insight into the Air Force's still-evolving CCA requirements. They also line up with public statements about the service's current vision for these drones, especially in the context of a potential future high-end fight in the Pacific region against China .

The Air Force has said previously that it wants to acquire a fleet of at least 1,000 CCAs , if not many more . It expects these drones will be primarily tasked, at least initially, with acting as "weapons trucks," electronic warfare platforms, and sensor nodes, in cooperation with crewed tactical jets.

The 1,000 CCA figure was based on a notional concept of operations that paired two of the drones with each of 200 new sixth-generation crewed stealth combat jets  a design being developed under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program  and 300 F-35A Joint Strike Fighters. The service is already eying additional roles and missions for these uncrewed aircraft in cooperation with other platforms, and they could also be employed on their own.

A notional sixth-generation crewed stealth combat jet flies together with a trio of advanced drones. Collins Aerospace

"Let's make sure we step back, and in the unclass[ified] realm, where we can, explain to people what problems are trying to solve. So, some of the narrative that we've given is ' affordable mass .'  there's obviously two key points there," Air Force Gen. Mark Kelly said at a media roundtable that The War Zone and other outlets attended on the sidelines of the Air & Space Forces Association's main annual conference last month. "One, it's affordable. Two, there's lots of them. ... that's kind of a blinding flash of the obvious."

"The other one is, if you look at the Pacific Theater, there's some challenges we're trying to solve besides the affordable mass. And one is it's a big chunk of water space, airspace, real estate. So range is an issue ," the general, who is head of Air Combat Command, continued. "So when range is an issue, and I can send a fighter or bomber, whatever platform, to the lengths of its range, as soon as it gets to where the gas gauge says half, it's got to turn around and come back. ... if I can instead send a platform, we'll just say, two-thirds that distance or three-fourths that distance, and then... send the CCAs forward, that solves a lot of my range problem."

Though Kelly did not specifically mention speed in this context, CCAs will need to be sufficiently fast to keep pace with the crewed platforms they're operating together with. Being as fast as possible will also simply help them cover longer distances faster, which is obviously desirable in various operational contexts. High-subsonic performance will likely be important in order to keep up with their manned counterparts during some tactical portions of a mission. It's possible that careful mission planning can help overcome the speed differential for slower collaborative drones, though.

When it comes to range, basing the drones at forward locations closer to the fighting would give them more on-station time, during which time different crewed aircraft entering and exiting that portion of the battlespace could also exchange control of them. This has all come up specifically in discussions about how CCAs might work together with the B-21 Raider stealth bomber down the line, though it would apply to other platforms, as well.

The first pre-production B-21 Raider stealth bomber. USAF

"The kind of scenario  just described, is a possibility, where, basically, the B-21 'picks up' CCAs as it gets closer to the operating area," Secretary of the Air Force Kendall said at another media roundtable at the Air & Space Forces Association's conference in September. "The CCAs could be managed forward, if you penetrate, as augmentation to the B-21. They could provide defensive capability around the B-21. They could provide better situational awareness, potentially, for the B-21."

With all this in mind, being able to at least take off from shorter runways, or even be entirely runway-independent , would expand the number of potential locations CCAs could be launched from, increasing their overall flexibility. It could make it easier to disperse them in the lead-up to a major conflict, or in the opening phases of one, to help reduce their vulnerability to enemy strikes, as well.

The Kratos XQ-58 Valkryie, one of which is seen here at the moment of launch, is a runway-independent design that the US Air Force has already used to support research and development and test and evaluation efforts that are feeding into the CCA program. USAF

"I would expect that we would have them [CCAs] in our main operating bases to start [at the beginning of] any competition/conflict," ACC head Gen. Kelly said, speaking hypothetically, at his roundtable last month. "Then the theater commanders would say 'we're now going to nest them forward or elsewhere around the theater.'"

The other points in the RFI about the engine used on the CCAs helping to provide an "increase" with regard to both "power and thermal capacity" and "payload" also speak to comments the Air Force has made about the expected tradeoffs that will be required when designing these drones.

"There's got to be affordable mass. So they [Air Force requirements planners] work up and down that graduated scale," Gen. Kelly explained back in September. "What that graduated scale looks like is all those bits and pieces I talked about, range, managing risks, which will be signature and payload and defensive systems, etc, etc, etc. Up and down that scale, obviously, is where the same thing that goes up that scale in terms of capability goes up that scale in terms of price. And so we are trying to ... find the sweet spot."

Kelly also said he expected this to lead to multiple types of CCAs optimized for different mission sets and threat environments.

The video below shows Lockheed Martin Skunk Works' vision for a future "distribute team" that includes multiple tiers of drones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWYY6KHIrK4

"We've constructed the [CCA] program in such a way that we're able to balance price versus... requirements and understanding where those trades exist," Air Force Brig. Gen. Dale White, the Air Force's Program Executive Officer for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft, said at a panel discussion at the Air & Space Forces Association's conference in September. "And then building that affordability piece into the foundation of how requirements get built."

"Anytime you're doing something technical, from an engineering perspective, you pull on one thing, you typically lose something else. And so you end up turning dials to find out where that sweet spot is," Brig. Gen. White added. "This is an area where we spend a lot of time, because this is important and it is so challenging.

"We're letting the operational analysis tell us, kind of lead us down that path, not just [go] 'hey, I'm gonna go write a requirements document,'" he continued. "What is the analysis, the intelligence, and the threat environment telling us we need to do to be able to get that [right mix of] capability?"

All this makes clear that the Air Force is still very much in the process of refining its understanding of what it wants its future CCAs to do, at least initially. The recently released RFI only underscores this reality, but getting information about the available engine options for these drones can only help further solidify the requirements.

Boeing artwork depicting a pair of MQ-28 Ghost Bat drones, or variants or derivatives thereof. The MQ-28, originally developed for the Royal Australian Air Force, is another design that could compete in the Air Force's CCA competition. Boeing

In addition, the Air Force is engaging on a routine basis with the U.S. Navy, which has its own separate advanced drone efforts in the works. The two services are actively collaborating on relevant technologies, including command and control architectures , as well. At his roundtable at the Air & Space Forces Association's conference last month, Gen. Kelly noted that this also means Air Force and Navy officials are also regularly meeting to discuss requirements issues.

For the Air Force, the baseline CCA requirements are likely to firm up relatively soon if the service intends to keep to its schedule for the program, which it views as critical success in a future high-end conflict. The stated goal in the past has been for a formal CCA competition to kick off sometime in the next year or so. The engine RFI includes a notional "program initiation" timeframe starting in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2025, which begins next October.

Between now and then, the Air Force will need to hone in more on the requirements "sweet spot" for its future collaborative drones.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
What should we make of Donald Trumps surprising recent decision not to try moving Fulton County Dist. Atty. Fani Willis case against him to federal court?

Most observers, including me, had anticipated that Trump would attempt to get the case out of the Georgia court, and not simply because its a standard move for a former federal official.

The federal venue would have given Trump a more favorable jury pool drawn from more rural areas. It also arguably would have been more sympathetic to a claim of immunity from state charges based on the constitutional supremacy of federal law. Unlike the state court, it would not have allowed cameras, keeping the trial less visible. And seeking removal would have served Trumps broader strategy of delay because the motion would be entitled to automatic appeal and potential Supreme Court review.

Read more: Litman: Trump's Chief of Staff Mark Meadows seems to think he can avoid prosecution. Here's how

Indeed, Trumps lawyers had suggested to Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee that he would be seeking to remove the case. But on Thursday, the last possible day, they filed an updated notice that he intends to remain in the state forum. His team gratuitously added that the decision was based on Trumps well-founded confidence that this Honorable Court intends to fully and completely protect his constitutional right to a fair trial and guarantee him due process of law.

So what changed? A number of observers pointed out that two of Trumps co-defendants in the racketeering prosecution, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and former Assistant Atty. Gen. Jeffrey Clark, have had a rough ride pursuing their own removal bids. Trump may have calculated that his odds were similarly long and not worth the risk.

The problem with this theory is that Trump has not hesitated to pursue other legal long shots. Even if he loses, the attempts provide more opportunities for delay and more talking points for his refrain that the system is aligned against him. And even though his alleged criminal conduct represented an outrageous dereliction of duty, there would be some chance that the Supreme Court would rule that the president of the United States cant be made to answer virtually any state criminal charge.

Read more: Litman: Trump's aide Mark Meadows faces a huge legal setback. It should worry both of them

Other commentators posited that Trump decided he could ride the coattails of Meadows, who may have the strongest removal case among the 19 defendants. Although U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones denied Meadows motion last month, he could yet prevail on appeal, and there is a possibility that most of the other defendants would then follow him to federal court.

But if Trumps true preference were to be in federal court, there would be no reason for him not to press his own claim. Its true that arguing for removal would require Trump to reveal some of his strategy, but no more than he already has. His lawyers have made it clear that his federal defense, like Meadows, will turn on an immunity claim.

What Trumps latest filing does suggest is that he has determined that the state court is better for him than the federal court. That means that all the factors that might have favored removal came to be outweighed in his mind.

Read more: Litman: What makes the Georgia indictment of Donald Trump so different from all the others

Could it be, as some have suggested, that Trump wants the proceedings televised to serve his insatiable need to make a spectacle?

Not likely: The TV factor was already on the table when Trump inclined in the other direction. And a defendants job at trial is to sit impassively all day every day, which is not among the former presidents talents. Trump couldnt help but display an occasional grimace or flash of anger that would be featured on all the evening news shows. And the damning evidence against him will be more dramatic on television, especially after Trump inevitably decides to stop attending the trial.

That leaves one most likely explanation for Trumps decision: the judges involved.

Jones, the judge who has heard the removal motions, would preside over a trial in federal court. He is a seasoned African American jurist appointed to the Georgia bench by a former Democratic governor before President Obama nominated him to federal court in 2011. And he has ruled firmly and consistently against the removal motions in this case.

The Georgia trial judge, McAfee, is a white former member of the conservative Federalist Society. A recent appointee of Georgias current Republican governor, Brian Kemp, he is up for reelection in 2024.

In Trumps Manichaean way of dividing the world between his perceived friends and enemies, his prospects for charming and cajoling McAfee are far greater than with Jones, whose biography calls out his loathed predecessor in the White House.

Its important to note that McAfee has been an exemplary judge in this case to date  well-prepared, evenhanded and decisive. Nevertheless, his profile is bound to reflexively appeal to Trump given the former president's cynical view of the justice system and the world.

We should hope that Trumps crass read on the judge  along with his general view that every court ruling can be predicted by party affiliation  is wrong. I suspect that it is.

Harry Litman is the host of the Talking Feds podcast. @harrylitman

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A couple in the 1970s at a concession stand. (ClassicStock / Photo Media)

For years, I split the bill on dates. As a Latina from a lineage of women whose lives had been micro-managed by family patriarchs, I thought I was breaking bad generational patterns by interacting with men as equals rather than as providers.

But recently, I started getting pushback from some of my friends. They argued that because of the persisting gender pay gap , its actually now properly feminist to expect men to pay on first dates and contribute more financially in relationships.

One friend instructed me: Dont even think about reaching for your purse. The thought of possibly coercing a man into paying for my dinner, however, just seemed wrong.

Still, this discussion did make me wonder: Should I expect men to pay on dates as a form of reparations for generational harm?

The problem with framing being taken out to dinner by a man as a form of reparations is that its privately consumed, Juliet Williams, a UCLA gender studies professor, told me. Its not an accounting for injustice in any way thats visible or acknowledged. We have to be careful not to just label anything thats personally advantageous as somehow politically justified.

Read more: Guerrero: The 'Barbie' movie's radical message: We all need more 'Kenpathy'

But many women believe that in our unequal times, its only fair for men to pay, and not just because men still out-earn women . Women also tend to spend more on date prep, such as makeup and manicures to meet female beauty standards. Some women believe men should cover the costs of not only dates, but transportation to and from. In a viral TikTok video , L.A. resident Gabby Fe, 27, says: I expect a man to pay for the date. Yes, the whole entire date. That includes my Uber to the date and my Uber back to my house.

She told me she sees this as compensation for womens sacrifices in relationships. Its also proof of serious interest. I want to feel wanted, she said.

But many straight men perceive such expectations as evidence of womens low empathy for their struggles . In the U.S., men are now behind women in educational attainment and workforce participation . Amid these problems, womens expectations of free dates can seem entitled or vindictive.

Read more: Guerrero: I was a teenage tanning addict. Now I worry about people fooled by anti-sunscreen TikTokers

More choices for women  like bearing and raising children without men , using sperm donors and IVF or platonic co-parenting  also mean that straight men with fewer financial resources can face an uphill battle. Its hard for them to compete with younger men who may be more willing to pay for their dates.

Zach Gottlieb, 17, an L.A. high school student who advocates for better mental health among Gen Z'ers with a focus on boys , told me he pays on every single first date. For him and many other straight young men, paying on first dates is less about valuing traditional gender roles than about delighting in the ritual.

Its masculine affirming for me, but thats not really why I do it, he told me. I really do it because its romantic for both of us.

Interestingly, Gen Z women are more likely to believe in a 50-50 approach to dating expenses than Gen Z men. One study found that men ages 18 to 25 are more likely than older generations to feel guilty if they dont pay the bill, even though their female peers are less likely to mind contributing than older women.

Read more: Guerrero: Have fun with strangers. Democracy and our mental health may depend on it

This embrace of retro early courting among straight young men doesnt appear to be rooted in ideology but rather in style and etiquette. Gen Z'ers are more likely than older daters to reject traditional gender roles and identify as LGBTQ+.

Among young people, the question of who pays often depends on who proposed the date. C.C., a 21-year-old trans man in L.A., told me that he and his girlfriend take turns paying. There is a part of me that wants to treat her like a princess, but its also nice to be a guy and be treated like a princess, he told me.

But for many cis-gender heterosexual men, masculinity is still tied up with providing for women  even if its not romantic. I learned this while dining with my sister and her close friend J.G., 39, who insisted on paying for us and often buys meals for his female friends. I feel like less of a man if I go 50-50, he says.

In many cases, what appears as a gift comes with expectations of romantic interest, which isnt verifiable in the world of dating apps until after the first date. For that reason, many women refuse to let men pay.

In her book  For the Love of Men , the feminist writer Liz Plank, 36, describes going on a chivalry cleanse, freeing herself of a power imbalance that can arise from accepting mens money. But since then, shes reconsidered. Now, she says, My rule of thumb is that the way that money is spent in the relationship should reflect the financial reality of each person in the relationship.

Should socioeconomic status instead of gender determine who pays? Many young people told me that taking personal financial situations into account in dating is just common sense.

Overall men are paid more than women, but that is not a universal, and thats not a reason the journeyman carpenter has to pay for lunch with the corporate lawyer, the feminist writer Rebecca Solnit told me. In other words, there is no right answer that applies to everybody. Personal financial situations and preferences matter.

Of course, a good way to reduce the stress of all of this is by making dates less expensive. Sometimes a sunset stroll can be just as romantic as five-star dining  and theres no question about who should pick up the tab.

@jeanguerre





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San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein holds up a newspaper in her office after her sweeping victory in a recall election in April 1983. (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)

In her "Introduction to Gerontology" class, USC professor Caroline Cicero shows her students a CNN profile of Sen. Dianne Feinstein that first aired in 2017.

Its what Im meant to do, Feinstein said of her many years of public service, which included stints as San Francisco supervisor and mayor.

Feinstein then pointed to her head and completed the thought:

As long as the old bean holds up, she added.

I admired her resolve. But Feinstein, who died last week at the age of 90, was still on the job despite concerns among many that the old bean hadnt held up.

Cicero uses that video  which reviews the 1978 assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk and the role that tragedy played in Feinsteins rise to power and her embrace of gun control legislation  to spark conversations about longevity.

In the case of Sen. Feinstein and so many, Cicero said, their identity is wrapped up in the work they do, and yes, I believe that many people dont retire because they dont know what else they would do."

Cicero repeated a comment she first made to me a few months ago, when I wrote that it was time for Feinstein  whose physical and cognitive condition had obviously faded  to let go.

I think we need to give people a chance to retire, Cicero said, adding that as people approach the twilight of their careers, they need to consider who theyll be after retirement.

I struggled with those very considerations a couple of years ago while researching my book Independence Day: What I Learned About Retirement, From Some Whove Done It and Some Who Never Will. The research was part of my own process of deciding whether I was ready to retire, and in the end, I wanted to keep going.

Read more: Column: 50 years as a Jesuit priest on a mission of redemption, and the homies say thanks to Father Greg

In reality, as the global population of older adults grows in what some have referred to as the silver tsunami, millions of people dont have the luxury of such a choice. They work because they can't afford not to. But others keep working because they cant figure out what else to do with their time, or simply because they love what they do.

Father Gregory Boyle, who helps young men and women redirect their lives after gangs and prison, made a big impression on me when I asked if he ever considered retirement.

You wanna stay anchored in loving and tethered to a sustaining God and  be mindful of the goodness in people. For me, thats eternally replenishing, and you have to do what replenishes you, Boyle told me, adding one last thought:

Jesuits retire in the graveyard.

Boyle and I are roughly the same age (Im almost 70), and so is California winemaker Randall Grahm, who has been called the Rhone Ranger. When I met with Grahm on his land in San Juan Bautista, where hes trying to develop a climate change-resistant grape, he had the same outlook as Boyle, and wondered why Id retire from a job in which I was getting paid to drink wine with him in the middle of a lovely day.

Read more: Fire, smoke, heat, drought  how climate change could spoil your next glass of California Cabernet

Im going to die in the vineyard, Grahm said.

Because of the book and my Golden State column, I frequently hear from people in the midst of making the big decisions about when and how to create second chapters for themselves. Paul Silverman, a Ventura County urologist, has emailed me and weve talked on the phone about his struggle in weighing the benefits of work against the advantages and uncertainties of retirement.

Silverman, 68, has finally made his decision.

I've had a terrific career, but I have come to grips with the changing times in medicine, my health, my limitations, and some classic 'burnout' that I'm sure you have heard about, Silverman said. I'm still working part time and plan to wind down completely by the end of the year now that I know my patients will be left in better hands than my own.

Feinstein had said the current term would be her last. But you have to wonder whether, as her health deteriorated before and during her last term, she was able to think clearly about those kinds of considerations. Or whether loved ones, friends and staffers were able to help her confront those issues.

Even when youre of sound mind, it can be difficult to know when to let go. For my book, I profiled an Orange County paralegal named Jane, who believed at 66 that it was time to close out her career. Her workmates threw her a going-away party on a Friday. On the following Monday, I realized it was 8 a.m. and I was all dressed up with no place to go, Jane said.

By the end of the week, Jane asked if she could have her job back, and she worked another three years before hanging it up for good.

When work and identity are one and the same, it can be hard to walk away. As a kid in the Bay Area, I was a big fan of San Francisco Giants Hall of Famer Willie Mays. But hes a classic example of someone who stayed on the job long after his skills had waned, and it was sad to see.

Same with Feinstein.

I have to say it broke my heart, because I saw her diminishing in the eyes of the public  and that would be their last memory of her, said Helen Dennis, a Los Angeles-based public speaker, columnist and advocate for aging well in work and beyond.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) speaks to reporters as she departs the Senate chamber in the U.S. Capitol in February 2021. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

Dennis is co-founder of Project Renewment, which brings professional women together to talk about work and what comes next, and shes co-author of Project Renewment: The First Retirement Model for Career Women. I asked her what advice she would have given Feinstein before her declining health got in the way of her work.

I think I would have asked her what she thought would be the risks  the gains and losses  of continuing in her role, Dennis said. What would she be sacrificing if she left, and what would she be gaining if she stayed?

Thats good advice for all of us, including Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell and President Biden. Its not a question of age, for them or anyone else; its about health and ability.

And its worth remembering that as difficult as it might be for some people to cut the cord, rich experiences await many who make more time for family and friends, find purpose and gratification in volunteering, take on new adventures or even second careers, or simply take time to relax and reflect.

Work is not life, Cicero said, and life is not work.

steve.lopez@latimes.com





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
When she is sworn in Tuesday, Laphonza Butler will make history as the first out gay person of color to serve in the Senate and the first LGBTQ+ senator from California. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Gavin Newsom was in his element, hand-feeding dishy commentary to an eager political press corps.

As a marquee surrogate for the Biden campaign, California's governor was gleefully taking down Republicans at last week's caterwauling presidential debate in Simi Valley. He took particular aim at a longtime nemesis, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The two have agreed to go mano-a-mano next month on Fox News, and Newsom was taking full credit. "If you can goad someone this easy, can you imagine what Kim Jong Un or Putin could do with this guy?" Newsom taunted.

Good question.

Newsom should ask himself: If he can be goaded that easily  caving to pressure and flip-flopping on a pledge to name a Senate caretaker to replace the late Dianne Feinstein  how would he ever stand up to a foreign potentate?

Newsom's selection of Laphonza Butler, a Democrat with years of deep experience strategizing in campaigns and the labor movement, came as a surprise, mostly because her name was not among those widely bandied about.

When she is sworn in Tuesday by Vice President Kamala Harris  a friend and former client  Butler will make history as the first out gay person of color to serve in the Senate and the first LGBTQ+ senator from California.

Read more: Newsom taps Laphonza Butler for Feinstein's Senate seat

Beyond that, Butler brings a fresh and welcome perspective to a Senate heavily populated with geriatrics and the well-to-do.

She grew up in small-town Magnolia, Miss., where her widowed mother worked multiple jobs to support three children. She attended Jackson State University, a historically Black college, where veterans of the civil rights movement imbued Butler with a passion for social justice.

As a labor organizer, Butler worked to better the lives of nurses in Baltimore and Milwaukee, janitors in Philadelphia and hospital workers in New Haven, Conn. No hedge funds or silver spoon in her background.

At age 44, Butler is young enough to potentially have a long and impactful Senate career.

Read more: Who is Laphonza Butler? What to know about Newsom's pick for Feinstein's Senate seat

But Newsom never should have appointed her  or anyone else  to fill Feinstein's seat without a promise to serve the balance of the late senator's term, then stand aside once voters made their selection. Just last month, the governor had said he would see to that.

Interim appointment," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press," noting that a fiercely competitive Senate primary was already well underway and he wished to steer clear.

It would be completely unfair to the Democrats that have worked their tail off," Newsom said, and he was absolutely right. "That primary is just a matter of months away. I dont want to tip the balance of that.

Um. Never mind.

Newsom went ahead and showed he was just fine upending that balance, assuming Butler decides to seek a full term. She has yet to publicly state her plans.

But if Butler chooses to run, she'll get no opposition from the governor.

"If that person decides she wants to seek a full term in 2024, then she is free to do so," spokesman Anthony York said hours before Newsom announced his pick Sunday night. "There is absolutely no litmus test, no promise."

And no consistency from the governor.

Give credit where due: the flipping and flopping, the wilting under political heat, is all a product of his own ham-fisted making.

In March 2021, Newsom was facing a threatened recall. There was antagonism from some Black voters because the governor failed to appoint a Black woman to replace Harris when she became vice president. Instead, he chose Alex Padilla, who made history as California's first Latino senator.

Seeking to make amends  and shore up his political base  Newsom rashly promised to appoint a Black woman if Feinstein's seat came open. He amended that pledge to say his appointee would be a placeholder, which drew umbrage from Rep. Barbara Lee and her supporters.

Lee is one of those vying for the Senate seat, along with the front-running Reps. Adam B. Schiff and Katie Porter, and the only prominent Black woman in the contest. She and others suggested Newsom's caretaker pledge was an insult to Black women.

They mounted an aggressive campaign urging Newsom to change his mind and appoint the Oakland lawmaker, giving Lee a substantial advantage in the March 5 primary. Among those weighing in was Nevada Rep. Steven Horsford, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, who lobbied Newsom in person and by phone.

Then came Newsom's Sunday night pirouette, a reflection of one of his worst traits: a reactive, short-sighted impulse to act in the moment with little heed for longer-term consequences. It's something voters should consider when, and if, he ever seeks the White House.

Read more: Column: Feinstein's stubbornness kept her in office too long. But it also defined her success

After Harris was elected vice president, Newsom spent weeks pondering his choice of a successor. He publicly wrung his hands, lamenting the quandary he faced. Inevitably, he knew, he'd end up antagonizing someone, regardless of who was chosen.

This is not something that I wish even on my worst enemy, Newsom said of the dilemma he faced.

The lamentation was cringey, in a small-violin way. After all, governors are called upon to make tough decisions all the time. Filling a Senate vacancy is one of them.

With any luck, Newsom will never have to do so again.

Because he sure made a hash out of this one.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Dianne Feinstein was the kind of dedicated, workaholic, straight-talking public servant wed like all our elected officials to be.

She put the publics interest first, far ahead of her own political self-interest.

To crib from a tired cliche, Feinstein was a workhorse, not a show horse. But for most of her career she was powerful and articulate enough to also exhibit charisma and possess cachet.

She was tough in her determination to solve problems, but willing to bend in compromise to accomplish something. She was principled but pragmatic, combative but civil  traits that have lost favor in todays polarized politics.

Not everyone liked Feinsteins politics, although she was elected to the U.S. Senate six times and was the longest-serving senator in California history when she died Friday at 90. She also was a senator longer than any other woman  30 years plus.

Some liberals considered her too conservative, and conservatives thought she was too liberal. She was pretty much a centrist, an endangered species in todays extremist, gridlocked governing.

Politics now is tribal, says Jerry Roberts, a Feinstein biographer. She was in nobodys tribe. She was a moderate, pragmatic problem solver.

Regardless of Feinsteins politics, her legislating talent and commitment to problem solving made her a role model for voters of all political hues  or should have, if some werent blinded by ideological purity.

Read more: Dianne Feinstein, the first woman to represent California in the Senate, dies at 90

One brief chat with Feinstein told me a lot about her. We both were standing at a book rack in the Sacramento airport after a 1990 gubernatorial campaign trip. She was looking for a book to read and relax.

I said Larry McMurtrys Lonesome Dove was a page turner and a fascinating story about the Old West. That sounds good, she said and grabbed the thick paperback. I was instantly impressed that this sophisticated, cosmopolitan woman wanted to read about cowboys.

The former Democratic mayor from San Francisco lost that race for governor to Republican Sen. Pete Wilson. But two years later, Feinstein and Democratic Rep. Barbara Boxer became the first California women to be elected to the U.S. Senate.

Trailblazer has been the noun most often used to characterize Feinstein  a trailblazer for women. She was the first female mayor of San Francisco.

Feinstein inspired women to shoot for high career goals in politics and is credited with mentoring many. They include former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, Boxer from adjacent Marin County, Vice President Kamala Harris  former San Francisco district attorney  and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis .

She showed that women could play in the big leagues, Kounalakis says.

Read more: Whom will Newsom pick to replace Dianne Feinstein? Here are some possibilities

She embodied the power of women in the political arena, says Susan Kennedy, former communications director for Feinstein and a top aide to Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

She cut a path for women to be equal to men even if they were wearing high heels. She was more powerful than most men. She encouraged women to not just be tokens.

Feinstein was the best California senator in history, in my view. Thats not solely because of her longevity. Its because of the power she accumulated, her legislative effectiveness and overall body of work.

Feinstein was gutsy.

She battled the CIA and the intelligence community for years to expose the un-American torture of terrorist suspects.

She took on the gun lobby in 1994 and maneuvered through Congress a 10-year ban on the sale of assault weapons. That was during a very competitive reelection campaign. And the gun ban probably cost her votes in rural California.

One nasty event in Chico is etched in my memory. Gun rights advocates were protesting the senators bill. A man in jeans and a little girl were on the sidewalk. As Feinstein stepped out of a car, the man took the child by her hand, knelt and pointed his finger at the senator from about an arms reach.

Look, he told the girl. Thats what you dont want to grow up to be like. In the warped mind of this father, a female United States senator was not a fitting role model for his daughter.

Many years later, Feinstein was hooted in her hometown for the sin of hoping that the no-class President Trump would get his act together. Wed become so polarized that it was taboo to wish an American president well. But that was Feinsteins civil nature.

I just hope he has the ability to learn and change. And if he does, he can be a good president. And that is my hope, she told San Franciscos high-tone Commonwealth Club in 2017.

People booed.

I have to be able to get things done, she replied. You have to work with people. And a punch in the nose isnt going to do it.

Read more: How Dianne Feinstein helped preserve the California desert

Collaborative politics worked for Feinstein and for California. Proof is in her legislation creating the Mojave Desert and Death Valley national parks. And its in the years-long struggle to obtain more water for San Joaquin Valley farms, which irked environmentalists.

She was remarkable in her ability to look at problems and find needed solutions, says Bill Carrick, her longtime political consultant. Whether those solutions were good or bad for her politically didnt really matter to her.

In fact, she didnt really get much [politically] out of the water and desert protection.

Toward the end, Feinstein became physically fragile. So what? So was FDR. But her cognitive ability also noticeably slipped.

There was a chorus  especially from libs  for her to resign. The senator refused, wanting to serve out her term. No one was hurt by her hanging on, except probably Feinstein. Her dignity and reputation suffered. She deserved better.

Looking ahead, political journalist and former Feinstein press secretary Gil Duran says: Were going to need a lot more leaders with this kind of perseverance, grit and dedication.

But its unlikely well see another Feinstein for a very long time, if ever. She was unique.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Denis Mukwege speaks at the United Nations Security Council during a meeting about sexual violence in conflict in New York

By Sonia Rolley and Ange Kasongo

KINSHASA (Reuters) -Democratic Republic of Congo's Nobel Peace Prize-winning gynaecologist Denis Mukwege , renowned for helping rape victims, said on Monday that he would run for president in December.

Mukwege, who won the award in 2018 for his nearly two-decade campaign against sexual violence, made the announcement to a jubilant crowd of supporters at a conference centre in Congo's capital Kinshasa.

"My only motivation is to save and develop our country," he said in a speech that was heavy on criticism of the current regime but offered little in the way of specific policy proposals. He said he would give details on his programme later.

"What I am going to do is the continuation of my action and my commitment over the last 40 years in the service of my people," said Mukwege, adding that peace and security would be a priority.

Nicknamed the "man who repairs women", the 68-year-old doctor has treated hundreds of war rape victims at the Panzi Hospital he founded in 1999.

The hospital is located in eastern Congo where militia groups left over from two civil wars between 1996 and 2003 continue to fight and attack civilians despite military interventions.

Mukwege has previously denounced Congo's culture of impunity toward war crimes and crimes against humanity recorded by the United Nations. He survived an assassination attempt in 2012.

There had been growing calls for him to stand in the Dec. 20 election.

"You have healed many women and today we are asking you to heal this country too," said supporter Justine Mafu as she awaited Mukwege's announcement.

Mukwege will be running against President Felix Tshisekedi, whose first term was mired by economic hardship, epidemics and worsening insecurity in the east.

Opposition leader Martin Fayulu, who came second to Tshisekedi in 2018, also confirmed he would be running over the weekend.

The lead-up to the polls has been tense, with several opposition candidates complaining of delays and issues with electoral process which they say disadvantage them.

Mukwege said it would be important to protect the vote.

"We have the right to contest the results of a rigged election before, during and after the poll," he said.

(Additional reporting by Crispin KyalaWriting by Sofia ChristensenEditing by Nellie Peyton, Andrew Heavens and Christina Fincher)
WASHINGTON  Congress successfully averted a government shutdown on Saturday in a shocking twist, after lawmakers made no progress on keeping the government's doors open for weeks on end.

Their temporary deal, referred to as a continuing resolution, keeps government funding at current levels until Nov. 17. The legislation kicks the can down the road while lawmakers try to negotiate a longer-term solution.

But in the meantime, Americans can be relieved for the moment without a potential shutdown looming over the country, which could have furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal employees, delayed food assistance programs and more.

But while the continuing resolution received overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, it didnt leave everyone happy.

Here are the winners and losers from a chaotic weekend in Washington:

The last-ditch deal: Dodging a government shutdown was a stunner. Could it also be an omen?

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks with members of the media in the U.S. Capitol on Saturday in Washington.

Winners

Millions of Americans

As the country barreled toward Sept. 30  the expiration date for government funding  a shutdown looked all but certain as House Republicans were engulfed in a bitter intraparty conflict.

Conservative hardliners demanded spending cuts that had zero chance of passing in the Democratic-controlled Senate and werent palatable for some moderate GOP lawmakers.

But with government funding extended, millions of Americans, including federal workers and families who rely on government benefits, can breathe a sigh of relief.

If a shutdown did occur, federal workers deemed nonessential would be furloughed. Those deemed essential would have to work without pay, receiving backpay after the shutdown ended.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children  known as WIC  would have paused in the event of a shutdown, endangering access to healthy food and baby formula for low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women and children under the age of 5. With a shutdown averted for now, those families who rely on the program will continue receiving support from the major social safety net.

The in-betweens

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., took a victory lap following the stopgaps passage in the House and went after the critics who doubted whether he could avoid a government shutdown.

The California Republican has made it a habit to chide reporters for doubting him through multiple crises and tough votes, such as intense negotiations to raise the debt ceiling and pass the annual defense policy bill earlier this year.

But the deal to keep the government open still has its negatives for McCarthy, who now faces an immediate threat from conservative hard-liner Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and other hard-right allies to oust him from the speakership.

Gaetz, leading up to the temporary deal, warned he would file what is known as a "motion to vacate" to attempt to remove McCarthy from his post if the speaker worked with Democrats to avoid a shutdown. After the stopgap deal, which received more Democratic support than Republican support in the House, passed, Gaetz announced his plans to challenge McCarthy Sunday morning.

"That's nothing new. He's tried to do that from the moment I ran for office," McCarthy said on CBS' "Face the Nation" after Gaetz vowed to try to remove him from his leadership position. "This is personal with Matt."

Leading up to the Saturday funding deadline, McCarthy also insisted on trying to pass a party-line package solely supported by GOP lawmakers and hesitated to work with Democrats to avert a shutdown. But as a shutdown inched closer and closer, the speaker relented and made a significant shift in strategy that Democrats have spun as their victory.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif, celebrates after meeting with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York, on Capitol Hill in Washington on Saturday.

House Democrats

As House Republicans made no progress toward averting a shutdown for weeks, House Democrats repeatedly urged McCarthy to put forth a clean continuing resolution with no spending cuts to avert a shutdown.

After the House passed that clean, but temporary, deal on Saturday, Democratic lawmakers claimed victory for avoiding the shutdown and suggested they forced McCarthys hand.

I think we won, Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., told reporters before voting for the continuing resolution.

House Minority Whip, Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., said McCarthy admitted defeat, when he put the measure on the floor.

McCarthy "asked Democrats to put out the fire that he and his party had started, Clark said at a press conference Saturday.

But House Democrats didn't get everything they wanted. They were also insistent on including additional U.S. aid to Ukraine in the deal, and when McCarthy put the clean stopgap on the floor hours away from a shutdown, Democratic lawmakers ultimately ended up supporting the bill to keep the government open, even if it meant punting Ukraine aid to a separate vote.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol Building following passage in the House of a 45-day continuing resolution on Saturday in Washington. Jeffries was joined by U.S. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif.

Losers

Matt Gaetz and the hard right

Hard-line conservatives have impeded McCarthys attempts to avert a shutdown every step of the way. They tanked traditionally procedural votes for long-term spending bills and sank a short-term deal to keep the government open in an open rebellion against McCarthy's leadership.

That short-term deal, which included a slate of conservative spending cuts, was not amicable enough to ultraconservatives, who voted against the bill in what was a temporary blow to McCarthys efforts to dodge a shutdown.

Some of those hard-right lawmakers, such as Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont, refused to support essentially any continuing resolution.

Rosendale, along with some of his conservative colleagues, said they were okay with a government shutdown if it meant Congress would focus on passing the long-term spending bills. The Montana conservative in particular has downplayed a shutdown as a government slowdown.

But after passing on the opportunity to approve a conservative funding deal, the hard-liners caused McCarthy to push through a stopgap with no spending cuts at all and work with Democrats, sidestepping the ultraconservatives.

In the face of Gaetzs threats to oust McCarthy, the speaker welcomed the challenge and effectively called his bluff.

Ill survive, McCarthy said on CBS Face the Nation. Bring it on. Let's get over with it and let's start governing.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks to the press outside the Capitol in Washington on Saturday.

Ukraine aid

The "clean" continuing resolution noticeably omits President Joe Bidens request for additional U.S. aid to Ukraine, which has bipartisan support.

McCarthy, who has had to placate all corners of his conference, left Ukraine funding out of the continuing resolution in a win for some opponents to funding the Ukraine war effort.

Enmity toward U.S. aid to Ukraine among House Republicans has appeared to grow as the war drags on. Nearly half of House Republicans voted to strip $300 million in Ukraine aid from an annual defense spending bill last week.

The funding deal hit a slight snag in the Senate when Sen. Michael Bennet., D-Colo., held up the chambers vote due to the lack of Ukraine funding. Bennet sought a commitment from leaders to continue backing the war effort, to which they eventually agreed and released a bipartisan joint statement supporting Ukraine.

In the coming weeks, we expect the Senate will work to ensure the U.S. government continues to provide critical and sustained security and economic support for Ukraine, the statement read.

While Congress will likely hold a separate vote on Bidens supplemental request, the lack of aid in the continuing resolution is a sign of wavering support for the war effort.

The funding deal hit a slight snag in the Senate when Sen. Michael Bennet., D-Colo., held up the chambers vote due to the lack of Ukraine funding.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: McCarthy, Gaetz: Winners and losers from government shutdown fight
By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Conservative Catholics have launched a barrage of challenges to Pope Francis before a big Vatican meeting, with five cardinals demanding clarifications on same-sex couples and other issues, and a women's group saying only men should vote at the event.

The cardinals from Asia, Europe, Africa, the United States and Latin America said on Monday they had sent the pope a set of formal questions, known as "dubia" ("doubts" in Latin), about the gathering.

In an open letter to Catholics, they said they had announced their challenges "so that you may not be subject to confusion, error, and discouragement but rather may pray for the universal Church".

The action was the latest latest clash between the pope and minority conservatives, who have accused him of undermining a number of traditional precepts.

Church leaders have been preparing for this week's closed-door meeting - known as a bishops synod - for the past two years, asking Catholics around the world to share their vision for the future of the Church.

Topics will include the role of women, greater acceptance of LGBT Catholics, social justice and the effects of climate change on the poor.

At the meeting, around 365 "members", including cardinals, bishops, lay people and, for the first time, women will vote on proposals.

Discussions will run through this month and resume in October 2024. A papal document will follow, most likely in 2025, meaning changes in Church teaching, if any, would be a long way off.

The five cardinals - all well-known critics of the pope who range in age from 75 to 90 and no longer hold any major office - are Raymond Burke of the United States, Walter Brandmueller of Germany, Joseph Zen of Hong Kong, Robert Sarah of Guinea and Juan Sandoval Iniquez of Mexico.

The are 242 cardinals in the Church and it was not clear if the five had asked any others to join. One well-known critic of Francis, German Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, was not among the signatories.

'CONFUSION, ERROR AND DIVISION'

Burke told the National Catholic Register, a conservative publication, the cardinals had sent the pope an earlier set of questions and he had responded a day after receiving them in July.

Not satisfied, they reformulated and resubmitted them to elicit a simple yes or no answer. The Register said the pope has not yet responded.

The Vatican later published the pope's seven pages of responses to the first set of questions in July. One Vatican source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was to show that the pope had taken them seriously and the source criticised the cardinals for behaving "as if this was a game show" of 'yes' or 'no' responses.

One question asked if same-sex couples could receive blessings, which some priests have done in a number of countries, notably Germany, even though the Vatican ruled against such blessings in 2021.

The cardinals said they wanted a clear reaffirmation of the Church's teaching that homosexual acts are sinful.

They also sought more clarity on the Church's ban on women priests, even though Francis, citing a 1994 ruling by Saint Pope John Paul II, has already said the "door is closed" on that issue.

Proponents of the synod, including many cardinals and bishops, have welcomed the consultations as an opportunity to change the Church's power dynamics and give a greater voice to lay Catholics, including women, the LGBT community and people on the margins of society.

Conservatives have taken issue with the fact that many lay people will have voting rights in a what is formally a Synod of Bishops. They say the Church should remain a male-dominated hierarchal structure where authority, particularly on doctrine, should flow from the top.

Last week, the conservative U.S.-based Catholic women's group Restore Tradition decried the fact that women were given a vote at the meeting equal to that of a cardinal or bishop, saying some of the women had advocated "heretical doctrines" against tradition.

"We wish to be represented only by bishops," the group said, citing "divine law" that only men could receive sacramental ordination.

The international conservative group, "Tradition, Family and Property," sent participants a 100-page booklet calling the gathering a dangerous "Pandora's Box". In the forward, Burke says he fears the synod will sow "confusion and error and division".

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Democrats who created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau a decade ago thought they could shield the agency from political pressure by funding it through the Federal Reserve instead of Congress.

That decision, which drew condemnation from GOP lawmakers and has helped make the regulator a lightning rod for attacks ever since, is facing its biggest test Tuesday when the Supreme Court hears arguments on its constitutionality.

The case is highly anticipated since it could not only result in curbing the agencys power and throwing its rules into question but potentially affect other regulators throughout the government  including the Fed and the FDIC  that are also not funded by annual congressional spending bills.

The CFPB has returned $17 billion directly to Americans cheated by financial institutions, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) told POLITICO. If the Supreme Court disregards over a century of legal precedent, it risks undermining banking regulators safeguarding our economy, as well as Social Security and Medicare.

Warren, who is credited with conceiving the agency that was created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis before she became a senator, said the CFPBs political independence was critical to its formation. Republicans and financial industry critics, many of whom have opposed the bureau since its inception, argue that the funding scheme allows the agency to escape accountability.

Many Democrats see the case as part of a broad-based attack on the regulatory state by Republicans eager to bring challenges before the Supreme Court, whose conservative majority has proved willing to curtail the power of agencies.

In a 2022 ruling limiting the Environmental Protection Agencys authority to regulate greenhouse gases, the high courts six GOP-appointed justices invoked the so-called major questions doctrine, saying that agencies like the EPA need congressional approval before asserting highly consequential power. The court has also taken up a case this term challenging the constitutionality of the Securities and Exchange Commissions in-house enforcement proceedings.

The CFPB was created by the Dodd-Frank Act, the landmark 2010 law that rewrote the rules of finance. The funding mechanism set up by Obama-era Democrats allows the bureau to request the amount of money it needs each year from the Fed, which, in turn, is funded by fees it levies on financial institutions and interest on the securities it holds. The CFPB automatically receives the requested amount, subject to a cap set by Congress.

Among the options the Supreme Court has when it makes its ruling, probably next year, is kicking the matter back to Congress to overhaul the way the bureau is financed  a move that would open the door for other reforms to the agency in an election year.



The case was brought by small-dollar lenders challenging a 2017 CFPB rule restricting their activity. An appellate court ruled last year that the current funding system violates the Constitutions separation of powers doctrine.

The court scrapped the 2017 rule on the grounds that the CFPB was unconstitutionally funded when it adopted the regulation. The ruling held that the agencys self-determined budget drawn from an agency that is itself not funded by appropriations marked a double insulation from Congress purse strings, a unique setup even among financial regulators.

The government maintains that Congresss decision to authorize the Fed to fund the agency up to a fixed level amounts to a standing, capped lump-sum appropriation, as Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar wrote in an August brief.

Counsel for the payday lender groups, meanwhile, argued that Congress does not possess unfettered discretion to authorize executive spending, let alone the power to cede virtually unfettered discretion to an agency to determine the size of its own purse in perpetuity, in their brief to the high court.

If the Supreme Court does decide the funding stream is unconstitutional, the government is urging the justices to sever the funding provision from the rest of the law that created the agency.

A decision invalidating the CFPBs past actions would be deeply destabilizing and threaten profound disruption for consumers, regulated businesses, and the nations financial markets, Prelogar said in the brief.

Housing industry representatives have also called on the high court to preserve existing CFPB regulations. They warned of potentially catastrophic consequences that a decision drawing those rules into doubt could have on the mortgage and real-estate markets, in an amicus brief submitted by three of the industrys most powerful trade groups.

The Chamber of Commerce and nine other industry groups, meanwhile, urged the court to avoid disruptions in consumer financial markets in their own amicus brief. But the groups, which include the major banking trades, also stated that they believe they are entitled to the invalidation of CFPB actions they have challenged in pending lawsuits related to the agencys funding mechanism. They also said CFPB enforcement actions should be paused until Congress resolves its funding.

Court watchers say wholesale invalidation of past CFPB actions is a remote possibility.

Nobody wants a remedy where they throw every regulation out the window, and I doubt very much if they would do that, said Alan Kaplinsky, former chair of the consumer financial services group at Ballard Spahr. If they get to the point where theyve got to decide the remedy, I think the conservatives and the liberals on that court would prefer to kick the ball over to Congress and let them try to deal with that.

The Supreme Court has already ruled that the Dodd-Frank Act contains an express severability clause in a 2020 decision holding that another part of the CFPBs structure, a single director who could only be fired for cause, violated the separation of powers. While that decision eroded some of the bureaus political insulation, separating out the removal clause from the rest of the law preserved the agency.

Both bureau backers and critics say a key question is whether a ruling against the agency could apply only to the CFPB and not to other regulators with independent funding.

I think philosophically there are going to be five to six votes that probably would like to decide against the CFPB, Kaplinsky said. What theyre not going to want to do is decide the case and in doing that put a big cloud over the constitutionality of the Fed, FDIC and [the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency]  that would be a horrendous result. I dont think any of them would want that, it would create economic chaos.
The case against a police officer who shot a fleeing but unarmed driver is cleared to go to trial more than five years after the shooting in a Charlotte airport parking deck.

The lawyer for the man who was shot argues the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer was wrong in firing two rounds at a driver who refused to stop but otherwise posed no danger. The car was moving as the officer fired into the drivers side but the mans lawyer contends video from the incident shows the officer wasnt in harms way.

A federal judge last week refused summary judgment  by request of the officer and the city of Charlotte  on much of the mans lawsuit, which includes a claim of excessive force by law enforcement.

The man  Xyavier Calliste, who was 20 at the time  was injured in the shooting and drove himself to the hospital.

The officer  Xeng Lor, a CMPD patrol officer assigned to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport division  has said he fired two shots at Calliste because he believed he might run him over. Hed been an officer for 18 years and this was the first time Lor had fired his gun on duty, court records show.

In an interview, transcribed in court records, the officer says he tried to back-pedal from the suspect cars direction and he heard the engine rev just before it jumped a curb.

Lor was initially responding to a trespassing call after a driver entered an employee parking area without permission.

At the time Calliste was shot, he had a warrant for his arrest on a domestic violence charge in South Carolina but Lor didnt know that, court records show. Calliste, in an interview later with detectives, said hed gone to the airport parking area to let stuff die down after the fight with his girlfriend and Rock Hill Police looking for him.

CMPD had been called to an employee parking deck at the airport on the night of July 31, 2018 after a car reportedly driven by Calliste was seen piggybacking an authorized vehicle through the gated entry point. A parking garage worker saw a suspicious vehicle quickly following another vehicle into the restricted area. Thats referred to as piggybacking.

In the garage, Lor spotted the vehicle reported by the worker. He tried to stop the car by using sirens and blue lights, court records show. Calliste didnt stop. Instead of chasing him, Lor posted up near the garage exit and waited, both sides agree.

At the exit, Lor got out of his car to stop another vehicle that was about to leave the garage.

Calliste, in his car, was approaching from behind.

While his lawyer acknowledges he was attempting to leave the scene, Calliste never posed a direct threat to the officer, his lawsuit claims.

To get around Lor and the stopped car in front of him, Calliste drove his car off the side of the pavement and into a grassy area to get out of the parking area.

The police officer  shouting for Calliste to get out of the car  began firing within seconds.

Lor and his lawyer argue he acted quickly in response to a potential threat. He couldnt outrun the car, Lor said in a deposition. It was coming too close  still coming straight at me, the transcript shows. But Calliste maintains he didnt know the officer was standing nearby.

Police officers often are granted qualified immunity in use of force cases, like shootings. But the legal defense wont apply if the officer is judged to have acted outside the bounds of what is reasonable.

In Callistes case, his lawyer says it was unreasonable to shoot at a fleeing car in a trespassing investigation once the vehicle was moving away from potentially hitting anyone.

Lor has argued he believed he was still in danger at the time he fired shots.

Even as the front bumper of (Callistes) car passed Officer Lor, Defendant Lor believed he was in immediate danger of death or serious bodily injury, reads part of the court record, citing the officers deposition interview.

Body-camera and other video footage have not been publicly released and were sealed by the court in February, public records show.

In ruling on the summary judgment motion, U.S. District Court Judge Max Cogburn said Callistes lawyer had provided enough of an argument to warrant trial.

Taking the facts in the light most favorable to Plaintiff, the Court finds a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether Defendants use of deadly force violated Plaintiffs Fourth Amendment rights, he wrote.

In the same order, Cogburn agreed to dismiss part of the case against another CMPD officer accused of false arrest in Callistes case. Cogburn wrote there was no evidence that that officer  a detective  aimed to fabricate a justification for Officer Lors use of force by arresting Calliste.

Charges against Calliste, including a charge of assault against a government officer, were dismissed soon after he was shot, court documents show. But, Cogburn ruled, Calliste had no grounds to sue the city or CMPD officers for malicious prosecution or obstruction of justice, which were dismissed by last weeks order.

Callistes lawyer says the shooting arose simply over a minor offense of trespassing and Calliste was not suspected of committing any crime inside the parking area when Lor encountered him.

Lawyers for the police officers involved submitted records showing Calliste told detectives later he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the shooting. He had warrants connected to a police chase in Rock Hill from earlier in the night, court records show. That chase, according to public records, took place after his girlfriend reported Calliste had assaulted her.
It's October, which means it is time for alarmist cops and credulous reporters to start warning parents about the purported menace of cannabis edibles in trick-or-treat bags. KSNT, the NBC affiliate in Topeka, Kansas, got a jump on that annual rite last month, when it amplified a "community advisory" from the St. Mary's Police Department about "THC-infused gummies and snacks marketed to children ahead of the holidays."

That framing is misleading in at least two ways. First, it assumes that producers of marijuana edibles that resemble popular candy brands are targeting children, who cannot legally buy such products even in states where adults can, as opposed to nostalgic grownups with a sweet tooth. Second, it implies that nefarious adults are apt to distribute THC treats on Halloween, requiring extra vigilance by parents who already worry about the danger allegedly posed by needles, glass shards, or poison that might be lurking in their kids' candy hauls.

The KSNT story features a photograph of cannabis candy made in California, where medical marijuana was legalized in 1996, followed by recreational marijuana in 2016. At a glance, the package looks a lot like cherry-flavored Airheads Xtremes, a blatant trademark violation that surely is cause for concern at Perfetti Van Melle, which makes the genuine article. But the package carries several clues that the product is not intended for children. The front includes a "medicated candy" descriptor, along with a state-mandated cannabis label and a statement of THC content. A label on the back warns: "Contains Cannabis, A Schedule I Controlled Substance. Keep out of Reach of Children."

KSNT nevertheless describes the product as "disguised THC candies." Citing police, it says "the THC edibles are very dangerous in the hands of children and are disguised as popular brands such as Air Heads, Fruit Gushers, Sour Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, Buzzy Peaches and Cherry Blasters." The implication is that the manufacturers want to trick kids into getting high, although it's not clear why that would be a sensible business strategy. And while the reference to "the holidays" implies that the risk of dangerous confusion is especially acute around Halloween, the article cites no evidence to support that premise.

That's par for the course with Halloween-related warnings about cannabis edibles, which police departments and news outlets have been issuing for many years despite a dearth of actual incidents involving malicious distribution of such products to children. "Doctors are warning about the risks of dangerous drugs being mistaken for candy," WLS, the ABC affiliate in Chicago, reported last year. "Those incidents increase around Halloween, especially now with some drugs looking more and more like colorful treats."

In addition to "marijuana edibles," that article mentioned "rainbow fentanyl," colorful opioid tablets that, like "medicated" Airheads, are frequently portrayed, even less plausibly, as deliberately designed to entice children. "Rainbow fentanyl, pot gummies or other colorful pills could all be mistaken for normal candy by children or people unfamiliar with them," WLS warned. "If children get their hands on them during the trick or treat season they can be deadly, so parents should be on guard."

WLS was vague about exactly how children might "get their hands on them." Although it alluded to perennial fears of sadistic pranks by adults who surreptitiously pass off drugs as candy on Halloween, the expert it quotedSteven Aks, a toxicologist and emergency physicianseemed to be more worried about accidental confusion.

"People can buy gummies or chocolate products," Aks said. "I think good labeling and then good storage of something like cannabis is key. If there are pills in the home or anything like that, they should be in locked medicine cabinets and away from toddlers. You know Halloween, there's a lot of candy. Make sure that all the medications locked up so that there's no confusion."

But Aks also implicitly lent credence to the idea that people might deliberately give drugs to children on Halloween. "It's key that people don't confuse these things with candy at all," he said. "I think good common sense would be get your candy from a well-recognized manufacturer that's sealed." Although WLS asserted that "incidents" of such confusion "increase around Halloween," it cited no numbers to back up that claim.

Generally speaking, reports that supposedly reinforce the fear of inadvertent juvenile drug consumption do not withstand close scrutiny. "Should parents worry about drug-infused Halloween candy?" the Akron Beacon Journal wondered in October 2022. Suggesting that the answer might be yes, the paper cited "news that some Akron middle schoolers last month were sickened after ingesting cannabis-infused gummies." But it turns out those kids knew what they were eating.

"We investigated and disciplined multiple students according to the [Akron Public Schools] Code of Conduct," Litchfield Community Learning Center Principal Jessica Sax reported. "We were not able to determine where the gummies came from. They were in possession of student A, and student statements from others involved all indicate that student A was the one distributing them. Student A and guardian of student A deny that they actually belonged to student A."

Middle-schoolers who deliberately consume cannabis gummies, of course, are a far cry from trick-or-treaters who inadvertently eat them based on the assumption that they are ordinary candy. Regarding the latter risk, Heather Trnka, injury prevention supervisor at Akron Children's Hospital, was appropriately skeptical, telling the Beacon Journal "people typically aren't going to be handing out any cannabis-infused candy or other drugs to trick or treaters," in the paper's paraphrase.

"That is a low-risk item," Trnka said. "We know that those folks who get their hands on fentanyl or other drugs are going to be using it for themselves. It shouldn't be a concern that we're going to be worried that we're going to get it from our neighbors or passed out as candy on Halloween night."

Getting closer to that scenario, WLS reported in November 2022 that "Halloween candy possibly contaminated with cannabis" had been "handed out in South Chicago Heights." In that case, a man allegedly handed out gummy bears in bags that had formerly contained marijuana: "Police said Jarod Feilen, 25, has been charged with child endangerment and has acknowledged handing out at least 20 of the packages. Police said he told investigators he ran out of Halloween candy and so he filled empty marijuana packets with gummy bears.Police said they are not aware of any children ingesting the potentially drug-laced candy and are working to recover any that was distributed."

Did those gummy bears contain THC? WLS said the candy was "in the process of being tested by a crime lab to see if the candy itself [had] been tampered with." When I called the South Chicago Heights Police Department to ask about the results of that testing, I was told I could get the answer only by filing a Freedom of Information Act request.

Finally, after many years of searching in vain, we have an actual case of cannabis candy distributed to children on Halloweenin Canada rather than the United States. In February, CTV News reported that a Winnipeg couple, 63-year-old Sheldon Chochinov and 52-year-old Tammy Sigurdur, were "facing 13 counts of causing bodily harm by criminal negligence, 13 counts of administering a noxious thing with intent to endanger life or cause bodily harm, 13 counts of distributing cannabis to a young person and 13 counts of distributing illicit cannabis." Chochinov and Sigurdur allegedly handed out marijuana edibles such as "THC infused Nerds candy" to trick-or-treaters in 2022.

According to a search warrant application, CTV News said, Chochinov told Richard Wolson, a criminal defense lawyer, "the entire incident was a 'mistake' made when 'under the influence.'" He said "the two had run out of candy and decided to hand out their own personal 'stash' of THC candy, adding he and his wife regretted their actions." But police said "there was an ample supply of normal non-THC infused candy at the ready and therefore the THC infused Nerds candy was not distributed as a result of a rushed last minute mistake but [was] instead [due to] criminal negligence."

Last week, CBC News reported that Sigurdur had pleaded guilty to "inadvertently" handing out cannabis candy. Consistent with her claim that she and her husband did not execute a deliberate prank, photographs of the incriminating evidence taken by the Winnipeg Police Service show bags of cannabis candy clearly labeled as such. The Winnipeg Free Press, which noted that "none of the children who received the THC edibles ate them," reported that the couple's neighbors, who described them as "friendly," did not believe they would have intentionally given kids pot candy.

For decades, police and the press have been warning parents that strangers with candy are bent on tricking their kids into getting high on Halloween. Yet in all that time, this Canadian case of what looks like a stoned mistake is the closest thing to a documented example that I have seen.

The same contrast between public fears and actual incidents is apparent when you look at the broader class of purported Halloween hazards. "My research stretches back to 1958," University of Delaware sociologist Joel Best, who specializes in debunking such claims, recently told Fox News. "I have been unable to find any evidence that any child has been killed or seriously injured by a contaminated treat picked up in the course of trick-or-treating."

Still, you can never be too safe, right? Although "there are no records of a child being seriously harmed by razor-filled or drug-laced candies during Halloween," Fox News notes, "law enforcement and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration strongly urge that all candy be inspected as a preventative measure."

Then again, parents obsessed with the possibility of contaminated candy may be taking their eyes off the ball. Although "Halloween is the most dangerous night for kids," Trnka told the Beacon Journal, that's not because of booby-trapped treats: "We see more kids who get hit by cars on Halloween night than any other night of the year."

The post Cops and Reporters Are Still Hyping the Halloween Threat Posed by Strangers With Cannabis Candy appeared first on Reason.com.
Former President Donald Trump has attacked a judge and prosecutor in a day of courtroom drama as he attended the opening of a fraud trial that could threaten his business empire.

On entering the room on Monday dressed in a blue suit, Mr Trump - who turned up voluntarily - looked ahead as he walked past the prosecutor who brought the case.

State's attorney general Letitia James , sitting in the front row, averted her gaze.

Their paths did not cross for the rest of opening statements as both sides laid out their case.

Mr Trump, the Trump Organization, several executives and two of his children - Donald Jr and Eric - are the defendants in the civil trial in New York Superior Court.

They are accused of fraud, falsification of business records, issuing false financial statements and conspiracy.

As the trial got under way, the former president occasionally glanced in the direction of Judge Arthur Engoron as he addressed the court.

Moments beforehand, in a tirade outside court that echoed across the chamber, Mr Trump had called the judge a "rogue adjudicator".

Trump with legal team in court

Ms James was not spared either in his remarks to reporters at the top of the courtroom steps.

"It's a scam, it's a sham. Just so you know, my financial statements are phenomenal," Mr Trump added. "There was no crime - the crime was against me."

Given the former president's personal attacks, observers expected a tense atmosphere in the cramped confines of the court. But the three key figures in the legal drama had minimal direct interactions.

While prosecutors set out their case, Mr Trump for the most part sat still, occasionally whispering to his legal team.

Ms James kept her eyes on the lawyer unveiling a visual presentation that accompanied her team's opening statements.

Former US President Donald Trump at a Manhattan court on 2 October 2023

Proceedings began with her team accusing Mr Trump and his co-defendants of intentionally and persistently committing fraud, which reaped Mr Trump over $100m (83m).

Last week Judge Engoron ruled against Mr Trump in a central claim of the lawsuit, finding that he had overvalued his properties by hundreds of millions of dollars in order to get favourable bank loans.

Mr Trump's lawyers addressed the court shortly afterwards, attacking the New York attorney general's arguments. Alina Habba said Ms James' goal as attorney general was to "go to work, get Trump and go home".

She claimed that Mr Trump did not inflate the value of his assets - including his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Real estate was malleable, she said, and his properties were "Mona Lisas" - Mar-a-Lago would sell for at least a billion dollars, she argued.

But before lunch, proceedings turned increasingly fractious.

Mr Trump's attorney, Chris Kise, argued with Judge Engoron about issues including whether expert opinion counted as testimony.

And Ms Habba's attacks on Ms James drew Judge Engoron's ire. The judge said he had already dismissed claims that the suit was politically motivated.

The afternoon in court proved calmer, with former Trump accountant Donald Bender testifying as the first witness called by the attorney general's office.

Mr Bender said he had worked on Trump's tax returns and completed accounting work for Mr Trump's corporate entities.

He testified in a criminal trial against the Trump Organization in Manhattan last year, claiming the company sought to evade taxes on bonuses and other luxury benefits.

His two-hour testimony on Monday - largely focused on technical questions about his work for the Trump Organization - capped off the first day of the three-month long trial.

The case will be decided by Judge Engoron, not a jury.

None of the defendants will face jail time if convicted, because this is a civil case not a criminal one.

Ms James is seeking $250m (207m) and sanctions that could prevent the Trumps from doing business in the state of New York.

There is even the possibility that Mr Trump could lose some of the properties that have become a signature part of his brand.

The stakes could not be higher.
The recent death of a woman in Kennewick following a pit bull attack is one of several pit bull incidents in the Tri-Cities since the Washington Legislature restricted local governments ability to uphold breed-specific regulations.

In 2019, the legislature passed the code update, to be enforced beginning in 2020. It placed strict guidelines on municipalities enacting any breed-specific regulations. Immediately deeming a dog as potentially dangerous solely because of its breed would have to be paired with exemptions  as would any policy that treats certain breeds differently than others.

While the legislature recognizes that local jurisdictions have a valid public safety interest in protecting citizens from dog attacks, the legislature finds that a dogs breed is not inherently indicative of whether or not a dog is dangerous and that the criteria for determining whether or not a dog is dangerous or potentially dangerous should be focused on the dogs behavior, states the Washington Legislatures 2019 findings and intent for the updated policy.

This led to numerous cities and counties to reevaluate their policies. Kennewick was one of these, and ultimately repealed its pit bull-specific policies.

Volunteer Russell Nakamatsu of Olympia rewards Kona, a female labrador/pit bull mix, after taking her for a walk at Joint Animal Services building in Olympia on Friday.

Three years later, a Kennewick woman who was a well-known business owner would die in a pit bull attack in an unincorporated part of Kennewick, making the attack in Benton Countys jurisdiction.

So what policies are in place throughout the greater Tri-Cities area regarding pit bulls since the legislation was updated in 2019?

Pit bull policies in Tri-Cities

The majority of Tri-Cities operates with regulations for owners of dangerous and potentially dangerous animals, which is determined by individual animal. Definitions of each can be found in the city and county codes linked below.

In Kennewick and Richland, permits are only required for those who have dangerous or potentially dangerous animals, not for any other pets. This is also the case in unincorporated Benton County, but dogs cannot remain at large. Richland also limits housing units to five pets each, requiring kennel permits for any more. West Richland limits pets per housing unit based on the kind of home, and Prosser limits households to three pets.

Permits to own a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog are more expensive than general pet ownership permits and come with more requirements. Many include surety bonds and home inspections, plus input from neighbors.

In some places, like Pasco, Prosser and West Richland, all pet owners are required to be licensed with the city or county they reside in. In these areas, owners of dangerous and potentially dangerous animals need a different permit from the generic one. Before the state added more guidelines, Pasco would not grant licenses to pit bull terrier owners.

However, in unincorporated Franklin County, permits are again only needed for potentially dangerous and dangerous dogs.

Pit bulls in Tri-Cities

There have been few severe dog attacks in the area since the legislation went into effect in 2020. The recorded major injuries and deaths involve pit bulls and a bulldog, of which there have been less than five instances, according to available records.

While each of these attacks made headlines, pit bulls were also in the news for positive stories, supporting the idea that the breed can be loving and non-threatening when trained and cared for properly. That idea was a driving factor in the Washington State Legislature decision in 2019 and is commonly referenced by animal rights organizations against breed-specific policy.

Chatty the cat and Lucky the pit bull touching toes.

The legislature further finds that breed-specific ordinances fail to address the factors that cause dogs to become aggressive and place an undue hardship on responsible dog owners who provide proper socialization and training, the Washington Legislature findings and intent states. The legislature intends to encourage local jurisdictions to more effectively and fairly control dangerous dogs and enhance public safety by focusing on dogs behavior rather than their breeds.

One prime example of this was when a Pasco pit bull made national headlines after being named an honorary police dog as part of his bucket list. Eddie had been found abandoned in Benton City by animal control, who took him to the vet. They found out Eddie had an inoperable brain tumor and was given a year to live.

A local became Eddies foster parent, creating a bucket list for him and setting out to achieve as much of the list as possible before he died.

Pasco police helped Eddie, a terminally ill pit bull, by naming him a honorary police officer for the day. Officers brought him on a tour of the Tri-Cities.

Other pit bulls and pit-mixes have been with the Go Team Therapy Dogs of the Tri-Cities, even being utilized to help victims through the Franklin County Prosecutors Office.

Staying safe around aggressive animals

Even the best, most well-behaved animals have bad days. If you find yourself in a situation where a dog is coming at you and appears to be aggressive, heres what you should do.

Dogs can become aggressive for a plethora of reasons, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Each individual canine will have certain behaviors associated with different causes of aggression. While it can seem like their mood changed quickly, there are almost always warning signs before an aggressive dog begins to attack.

Watch for these warning signs for a dog that has become aggressive:

Becoming very still, rigid

Guttural bark

Lunging forward or charging without making contact

Using mouth/nose to move, control or hit the target

Growling, snarling

Showing teeth

Quick nips

These behaviors indicate the dog is aggressive and likely to attack further. If you observe them, there are certain responses recommended to protect your safety. If you cant determine whether or not a strange dog appears aggressive, act on the side of caution and use these responses as well.

Stay calm, avoid sudden movements

Do not run, instead back away slowly

Distract with stimuli (water bottle, whistle, toy, treat)

Use clear commands like No

Avoid prolonged eye contact and showing your teeth, which dogs see as signs of aggression

Instinctual actions like yelling and hitting the dog will only further antagonize an aggressive animal

If necessary, protect your head and play dead

If the dog is trying to bite, put something between you and them, like a piece of clothing
BEIJING, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The China National Space Administration (CNSA) is offering opportunities for international cooperation on payloads that will piggyback on the country's Chang'e-8 lunar exploration mission, slated for launch around 2028.

The Chang'e-8 mission is open to all countries and international organizations for collaboration at either mission, system or single-machine levels in order to encourage more major original discoveries, according to a CNSA release on Monday.

The CNSA also announced the bid invitation at the ongoing International Astronautical Congress held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Chang'e-8 mission, a key task in the fourth stage of China's lunar probe, will carry out more lunar geological detection and research, lunar-based observations of Earth, lunar in-situ sampling analysis and resource use, as well as a small, closed terrestrial ecosystem experiment on the moon's surface, according to the CNSA.

Preference will be given to international cooperation bids at mission level involving a collaborative probe and interaction between two spacecraft.

Also, the joint development of lunar robots capable of basic operations on the moon's surface, and other complementary science payloads and highly innovative science projects are preferred.

The lander of the Chang'e-8 probe will provide a 200-kg payload resource, but any standalone module for collaboration on system and single-machine levels must be less than 100 kg.

The deadline for submission of Chang'e-8 proposals for international cooperation is Dec. 31, 2023. The preliminary and final selections will be completed by April and September next year, respectively, as planned.

The Chang'e-8 will constitute, together with Chang'e-7, the basic model of a lunar research station. The Chang'e-7 probe is expected to be sent into space around 2026 to implement resource exploration of the lunar south pole.

China will, meanwhile, send the Chang'e-6 to the moon around 2024 to collect samples from its far side as planned, carrying payloads from France, Italy, Pakistan and the European Space Agency, which include a negative ion detector and a radon gas detector.

The Chang'e-5, launched in 2020, was the country's most recent mission to the moon. Its probe retrieved a total of 1,731 grams of lunar soil from the near side.

During its current congress in Baku, the International Academy of Astronautics awarded the 2023 Laurels for Team Achievement to the Chang'e-5 team. The team's chief designer Hu Hao announced there that the lunar soil samples will also soon be open for international applications in investigations. 
Ukraine and Russia have used fake tanks and weapons to deter or draw fire.

The tactic isn't new, but emerging technologies have made it easier to spot fakes.

There's a "decoy arms race" underway, an expert told Insider.

Both Ukraine and Russia are fielding decoys on the battlefield, hoping to draw fire, waste enemy ammunition, and possibly expose enemy positions, but it's getting tougher. A "decoy arms race" is underway, a war expert told Insider, as technology pushes both sides to make their fakes appear as real as possible to fool the enemy.

Given the long history of fake tanks and weapons in war, "it's very consistent for Ukraine to sort of be having a decoy arms race of its own as the war progresses," George Barros, the geospatial-intelligence team lead and a Russia analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, told Insider.

Last month, a video filmed by a drone surfaced online, apparently showing inflatable Russian T-72 tanks in a field. Prior to making the rounds on open-source information accounts on social media, the video was first posted on Telegram by a group identifying as part of Ukraine's 116th Mechanized Brigade. The group warned Ukrainian forces should "be careful" to "not spend the ammunition" unnecessarily firing at the decoys.

While the unit was able to distinguish between real tanks and the decoys, the Telegram warning suggests it may not have been immediately clear to all that the tanks weren't real.

After all, that's part of function of these decoys  to confuse and deceive the enemy, possibly prompting them to target and destroy the fake. That eats away at weapons stockpiles, burning ammunition or wasting one-way attack drones in a war that's already stressing the world's reserves and forcing allies to work double-time to meet demands. Ukrainian troops aren't the only ones possibly falling for decoys though.

DJI Matrice 300 reconnaissance drones, bought in the frame of program 'The Army of Drones' are seen during test flights in the Kyiv region on August 2, 2022, prior to being sent to the front line. SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine has also deceived Russian forces with fake targets. Late last year, for instance, they began placing fake High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) made of wood on the battlefield, drawing Russian fire. A senior Ukrainian official told The Washington Post that Russia had wasted valuable Kalibr cruise missiles on the decoys as they attempted to destroy the US-provided rocket artillery systems. Decoy Ukrainian radar reflectors made from cut-up oil barrels, too, have drawn Russian fire.

And beyond the inflatable T-72 tanks seen in the video, Russia has made other fakes to trick Ukraine into wasting ammunition and potentially giving away their position. It's an element of a tactic known as maskirovka, or masking. Earlier this year, Ukraine reported sightings of Russian inflatable tanks deployed near Zaporizhzhia, but it noted some seemed deflated. Russian forces have also developed almost fake MiG-31 fighter jets, decoy S-300 missile systems, and even entire pop-up radar stations. It's something Russia has been doing for a long time, even before the war in Ukraine.

In general though, these tactics are nothing new. The use of decoys in war dates back thousands of years over plenty of conflicts. More modern examples, including crude wooden tanks used in World War I and World War II or dummy mobile Soviet-made Scud missile launchers in the Gulf War, speak to its enduring presence.

But evolutions in technology are making it harder to make convincing fakes.

Modern technology  such as surveillance drones with infrared and thermal imaging  means one side can more easily identify an ill-made decoy. An exposed tank without a heat signature is going to be a dead giveaway. A lack of tank tracks in the dirt is unusual, and it doesn't matter how convincing a decoy howitzer is if it's oddly sitting alone in a field rather than in a realistic firing position with at least basic defenses.

Ukrainian soldiers fire with D-30 artillery at Russian positions in the direction of Klishchiivka as the Russia-Ukraine war continues in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on August 12, 2023. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Both Ukraine and Russia have demonstrated the ability to build credible fake systems, but as they get better at recognizing each other's dummies, the new challenge is making smarter, more sophisticated decoys, treating them as if they're the real thing.

There are already examples of both sides attempting to do that. In the video of the fake T-72s, it looks like two of the inflatables are positioned near shrubbery and wrapped in camouflage materials, suggesting an extra level of preparation to make the decoys look a little more real, though experts have noted the Russian fakes were still inadequate.

One Ukrainian company producing high-quality fake howitzers, radar stations, and mortars told The Wall Street Journal passable replicas were no longer sufficient, and that decoy tanks, for example, needed to covered in nets and surrounded by dug-out trenches to give away an impression that it was real.

"This concept of increasingly sophisticated decoys being used to offset enemies' weapons systems," the so-called "decoy arms race," has a long history as well, Barros said. Throughout the Kosovo War in the late 1990s, Serbian forces placed sand cans and set fuel alight inside tanks to mimic heat signatures, tricking thermal scans.

With the increasingly prolific use of drone and sensor technology, Ukraine and Russia will both need to get smarter about how they deploy their decoys while taking a closer look at their enemies.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A video grab shows Tanner Cook, in the white cap, approaching delivery driver Alan Colie, who then shot the YouTuber prankster in the chest from close range - YouTube/FOX 5 Washington DC

A delivery driver who shot a YouTube prankster in the chest from close range after a failed stunt was acting in self-defence, a United States jury has ruled.

Alan Colie, 31, was acquitted by a Virginia court of aggravated malicious wounding in the shooting of 21-year-old Tanner Cook, who runs the Classified Goons YouTube channel.

Colie pleaded not guilty and said he was acting in self-defence during the incident at the Dulles Town Centre shopping centre earlier this year.

The jury was split on two lesser firearms counts, however, opting last week to convict him on one and acquit him on the other.

Colie opened fire on Cook in the Dulles Town Centres food court on April 2, causing panic as shoppers fled what they feared to be a mass shooting.

Alan Colie, 31, opened fire on 21-year-old Tanner Cook in the Dulles Town Centre shopping centre on April 2 - Loudoun County Sheriff's Office

Jurors were shown a video of the pairs confrontation, which lasted less than 30 seconds.

In the footage, Cook is seen approaching Colie as he picks up a food order. The prankster then looms over Colie while holding a cellphone about 6in from his face.

The phone broadcasts the phrase: Hey dips---, quit thinking about my twinkle several times via a Google Translate app.

In the video, Colie is heard saying stop three times while trying to back away from Cook, who continues to advance.

Colie then tries to knock the phone away from his face before pulling out a gun and shooting Cook in the chest.

There is no pause between the moment he draws the weapon and fires the shot.

Defence lawyers said Mr Colie felt threatened by Mr Cook, who is 6ft 5in - YouTube / FOX 5 Washington DC

Colie, who has been jailed since his April arrest, told the court the prank had frightened him while testifying in his own defence.

Adam Pouilliard, his defence attorney, said during closing arguments that his client felt threatened by Mr Cook, who is 6ft 5in.

Hes not worried that hes scaring people. He keeps doing this, Mr Pouilliard said of Cook, whose channel has more than 50,000 subscribers, generating him between $2,000 to $3,000 (1,650 to 2,475) a month in earnings.

Mr Pouilliard said the conviction on the firearms charge was inconsistent with the law, given Colies acquittal on self-defence grounds, and asked the judge to set it aside.

The issue will be considered at a hearing scheduled for next month.

Self-defence argument

But Eden Homes, prosecuting, said the facts of the case did not support a self-defence argument.

They were playing a silly phrase on a phone, she said. How could the defendant have found that he was reasonably in fear of imminent bodily harm?

Cook has said he will continue to make videos for his channel, which features footage showing him pretending to vomit on Uber drivers and following people through shops without their knowledge, in the wake of the incident.

Local authorities said during the court proceedings that they were aware of Cooks behaviour and had received calls about his previous stunts.

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Lawyers representing voting-rights organizations presented their final witnesses Monday in a federal redistricting trial accusing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis of intentionally discriminating against Black voters during the once-a-decade map-making process.

House Democratic Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, echoed what other witnesses had already testified: The Legislature knew DeSantis redrawn map would reduce Black voting power, infringing upon state law.

The governors and the Legislatures lawyers already conceded as much in a separate state lawsuit that struck down the North Florida congressional districts. The state is appealing that decision, arguing those state-level voting protections violate the U.S. Constitution by inappropriately requiring the Legislature to consider voters race.

The judges presiding over this caseU.S. District Judges M. Casey Rogers and Alan C. Winsor, along with 11th U.S. Circuit Judge Adalberto Jordanhave yet to indicate how they might rule. Their decision could have far-reaching implications, not just for Florida, but for the ongoing national conversation about voting rights and racial discrimination.

Common Cause Florida, FairDistricts Now, the NAACP Florida State Conference and a number of individual voters filed the lawsuit last year against DeSantis secretary of state. The trial should conclude late Tuesday or early Wednesday. The state expects to present two experts and the governors chief of staff, and then both sides will get a chance to summarize their arguments. Any appeal of the courts ultimate decision would go straight to the U.S. Supreme Court.

READ MORE: Redistricting testimony focuses on parameters that favor Black voters in elections

In her testimony Monday, Driskell argued the Legislature had initially tried to comply with redistricting laws, even if she disagreed with some of its decisions. However, she claimed that after DeSantis veto, the Legislature abdicated its duty, knowingly approving a map that weakened the voting strength of Black communities.

She contrasted the state legislative maps, which she said were likely constitutional and werent opposed in court by anyone, with the congressional map, which has faced two legal challenges so far.

This was done by the Legislature with eyes wide open, Driskell testified. I want the people of Florida to know that they deserve better.

The Legislature, she said, was keenly aware of what Floridas Fair Districts Amendments required, including a non-diminishment standard that banned any map that reduces the ability of Black voters to elect candidates of their choice. Before the governors intervention, she said, there was a concerted effort to avoid litigation, a lesson learned from previous redistricting cycles.

After the governor complained that a North Florida district drawn by the Legislature wasnt compact enough because it stretched from Jacksonville to Gadsden County, the Legislature drew a Duval-only seat that Republican leaders said would still allow Black voters to elect their preferred candidates.

Driskell said she opposed the district on policy grounds  she said she wanted Black-majority Gadsden County to be included in the district  but she also conceded that the new district still complied with the Fair Districts standards.

The Duval-only district, she said, seemed tailored to please the governor, offering what Driskell described as a nod to the governors map.

It felt like legislative leadership was starting to yield to the governor, Driskell remarked. She also highlighted the strategic considerations at play, given the governors veto power. He can veto any bill or appropriation, she said, depicting the tension between legislative autonomy and an increasingly powerful governor.

That district wasnt enough for DeSantis. He vetoed a bill that included that district.

Lawyers for Secretary of State Cord Byrd pressed Driskell and other plaintiffs witnesses on their partisanship.

As a Democrat, you want to see other Democrats elected to office, attorney Michael Beato said. At the time of the redistricting, Democratic leaders, Beato pointed out, had worked with partisan groups like the National Democratic Redistricting Committee.

UCLA professor Matt Barreto also took aim at the inconsistency between the governor vetoing the congressional map while accepting race-based districts elsewhere.

In fact, the Florida Supreme Court was required to review districts for the state House and Senate, but DeSantis didnt ask the court to consider his constitutional objections to race-based redistricting.

There are extreme inconsistencies, he said, when the governor accepts state legislative districts with lower Black populations that used race as the primary reason for their shape. Barreto also pointed to line drawing done in South Florida congressional districts that packed more Black or Hispanic voters that DeSantis accepted.

It appears they were singling out the 5th Congressional District, Barreto said.

The governor had argued that a Duval-only version of the 5th District was not only unconstitutional for taking race into consideration but also that it would have violated the non-diminishment provision by reducing the Black population. This, Barreto said, was wrong.

We should not overly fixate on the Black voting-age population, he said. Instead, the state should look at how a district would perform, and he concluded a Duval-only district would have still protected Black voters.

In his expert report, he wrote, The state of Florida is picking and choosing different and inconsistent standards when deciding which district boundaries to oppose or support.

Contact Andrew Pantazi of The Tributary at Andrew.Pantazi@jaxtrib.org and @APantazi. This story is published in partnership with The Tributary, a Florida-based nonprofit newsroom.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthys allies are scrambling to head off a right-wing revolt to oust the California Republican from his job and turning to the constituency that now suddenly holds the cards: House Democrats.

One idea moderate Republicans are proposing to get Democrats on board with saving McCarthy, according to multiple lawmakers familiar with the discussions, is to revise the rules package that governs how the House operates  including making it harder for any single member to force a vote to remove the speaker, a tool known as the motion to vacate. Theyre also discussing making changes to the powerful House Rules Committee, which is responsible for how bills are brought to the floor, sources said.

The sales pitch to Democrats is less about protecting McCarthy and more about putting an end to the dysfunction that has gripped the House  and allowing them to get back to the business of governing.

If the (motion to vacate) becomes a regular occurrence, we will need to revisit the rules package in a bipartisan manner, Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, told CNN.

But moderate Republicans may have a tough time convincing the majority of Democrats, whose distrust for McCarthy runs deep and who were turned off by his last-minute decision to pass a 45-day funding bill that punts on Ukraine aid, narrowly averting a shutdown after refusing for weeks to look at bipartisan solutions. All but one Democrat ended up supporting the legislation.

The Democrats are going to stick together and be a showcase of unity and teamwork compared to the chaos and division on the GOP side, Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, told CNN. Fundamentally, pro-Trump Republicans have got to solve the problems that pro-Trump Republicans create. We cant be their babysitters.

Added another Democrat: As Kevin faces this vote, he is still doing things that piss off Democrats.

Some Democrats have warned colleagues that entering into a rules-changing agreement could have unintended consequences.

Do we want to purchase ownership in the outcome of Congress actions in the next several months when wed have responsibility but not control? one member said.

GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, who has warned for weeks he would move to boot McCarthy if the speaker worked with Democrats to fund the government, announced on CNNs State of the Union he will try to oust the California Republican as speaker this week. He can call for the vote himself, but its a high bar to succeed, as he needs the majority of the House to back the effort. That means Democrats  still reeling from the last 24 hours of Republican whiplash  have another key decision to make: let McCarthy get booted from his job or cut a deal to save him.

Asked by CNN whether he would need Democratic votes to stay in power, McCarthy didnt answer directly and instead defended his handling of the stopgap bill. There has to be an adult in the room, he said, saying anyone who wants to oust him should bring it.

All eyes are on House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries , the new top Democrat in the House who is expected to lead the charge in making the consequential play call. Right now, there is no consensus among House Democrats on what to do or what to potentially extract from McCarthy in return for their vote, with Democratic leadership telling members in a Dear Colleague letter theyll discuss the issue as a caucus this week. Jeffries has been privately counseling members to keep their powder dry and avoid cutting any side deals, sources say.

But the majority of Democrats  particularly in the Congressional Progressive Caucus  are loath to bail out McCarthy, and dont believe they could trust him even if he offered them major concessions, according to multiple Democratic lawmakers and aides.

Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan said in a statement to CNN that McCarthy needs to be held accountable for pushing an extreme agenda and enabling extremists in his party and therefore by refusing to support a motion to vacate, we are endorsing this extremism, and that is something that the residents in my district will not stand for. The American people are tired of the fact that the GOP is incapable of governing.

Still, sources say it would take only a handful of moderate Democrats to vote present  and there could be enough  which would make it harder for McCarthy critics to succeed, or to vote to table the effort, essentially killing it and siding with McCarthy. Several have already indicated thats the route they would take.

In the end, though, the decision to throw McCarthy a lifeline might not come down to the perfect deal; it may simply come down to not wanting to throw the House into chaos and not knowing who might be waiting on the other side to ascend to the speakership.

What Democrats are weighing

For Gaetz to succeed, he will need the majority of the chamber on his side. So far, just one Republican  Rep. Eli Crane of Arizona  has publicly backed the motion to vacate. But sources say there are between one and two dozen other Republicans considering supporting the move.

Still, that means Gaetz  who has been gauging Democratic support in recent days  would need nearly every Democrat in his corner. And there are differing viewpoints among Democrats about how to proceed.

One Democratic lawmaker who supports ousting McCarthy told CNN, I have no trust in, nor respect for, McCarthy. He isnt a trustworthy partner. He makes promises he doesnt keep and is never true to his word. Negotiations with him are meaningless.

The trust has eroded over time, beginning when McCarthy first cast blame on Trump for the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol only to then meet with him in Florida weeks later. Democrats also have watched hard-fought bipartisan agreements, including the debt ceiling and the National Defense Authorization Act, be thrown aside by McCarthy in pursuit of winning over hardliners.

But House Democrats also acknowledge that they dont know another Republican who can get the 218 votes needed to clinch the speakership. And Democrats argue they could use this as an opportunity to extract key concessions, including a power-sharing agreement or policy promises  such as a vote on Ukraine aid, ending the impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden, or sticking to the bipartisan debt ceiling deal that could take showdowns over government funding off the negotiating table.

House Democratic leaders released a statement after they voted for the stopgap spending measure saying they expect McCarthy to put a bill on the floor to provide money to Ukraine; Biden suggested to reporters Sunday there was a deal with McCarthy.

But McCarthys office would not say whether he gave any assurances to the White House or Democrats on Ukraine aid, saying in a statement that the speaker believes any Ukraine funding would need to be paired with border security provisions  which he has been saying for weeks.

Speaker McCarthy has been clear and consistent: we have an obligation to fix the crisis at the border and to ensure any request for further aid to Ukraine is matched with a sound strategy and accountability, a McCarthy spokesperson said in a statement to CNN. The House will continue to discuss these challenges in the weeks to come.

And in a sign of how challenging that would be, GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia warned McCarthy against such a move, writing on social media: The majority of the majority does not support haphazardly funding war in Ukraine  We elected our Speaker, not the Democrats, and our Speaker should not violate the Hastert Rule.

The chaos that could ensue if McCarthy is ousted would be partially beneficial to Democrats who want to highlight Republicans inability to govern.

We want their dysfunction to be on full display for the American people, one Democratic aide told CNN. This is about proving that they cannot govern and winning back the House.

For now, House Democratic leadership is telling members not to make any decisions publicly and to wait for further guidance, according to a source familiar.

My advice to my fellow Democrats is simple: Follow the leader, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union with Jake Tapper.

But while Jeffries has maintained a more cordial relationship with McCarthy than his predecessor, there have been recent signs of strain.

Twelve hours before the government was set to shut down, with still no clear plan from McCarthy, Jeffries and the speaker were slated to have a conversation about how the rest of the day would play out.

But their talk never happened, a source familiar with the plan told CNN. Instead, McCarthy surprised Democrats with his sudden decision to quickly move a stopgap bill, leaving them scrambling to read the legislation  and forcing Jeffries to give a lengthy floor speech to buy themselves more time.

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Denmark's Defense Ministry has announced allocating 100 million Danish kroner ($14 million) to jointly purchase ammunition for Ukraine with EU member states.

"The Ukrainians are still in a situation where they are acutely short of artillery ammunition Denmark will contribute to more joint purchases of ammunition and remains prepared to support Ukraine in the long run," Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.

The funds will contribute to the second phase of the European Union's plan to provide Ukraine with one million 155-mm-caliber artillery rounds.

Read also: Overcoming setbacks, NATO-trained brigade breaches Surovikin line in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

The EU agreed to provide Ukraine with one million artillery shells on March 20. In the first phase, the bloc dedicated one billion euros to reimburse countries that could send their stockpiles right away. Another billion will be used for the joint purchase of new rounds.

The joint procurement program is run under the auspices of the European Defense Agency, which expects the ammunition to be delivered in 2024.

The European Union has committed a total of 85 billion euros in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, according to Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign policy and security.

Read also: Deadly drone arms race intensifies as Ukraine, Russia embrace the future of war

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Denmark supports the creation of the Ukraine military support fund in the amount of 20 billion euros ($21 billion) for the next four years within the framework of the European Peace Facility, Ukrinform reported on Oct. 2, citing Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen.

Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat, suggested in July to create a fund to reimburse member states' expenses on military support for Ukraine. The money is meant to partially cover both lethal and non-lethal equipment, allowing countries that adhere to the neutrality principle to contribute as well.

The European Peace Facility is a tool used to provide military aid to Ukraine and other partners of the EU.

Rasmussen noted Denmark's past contributions to Ukraine's defense, namely its pledge to provide F-16 fighter jets to bolster Kyiv's air force capabilities.

Denmark's foreign minister also said that Copenhagen wants to open a new diplomatic office in Mykolaiv.

"At the request of President (Volodymyr) Zelensky, we are taking separate responsibility for the restoration of Mykolaiv and the entire oblast," Rasmussen said in Kyiv ahead of the meeting of the EU foreign ministers.

"On Thursday, the office in Mykolaiv will become operational."

The EU's foreign ministers are convening in Kyiv on Oct. 2 for the first Foreign Affairs Council meeting held outside the bloc's borders. Borrell said that the meeting will address the present and future support by Europe for Ukraine's struggle against Russian aggression.

Read also: EU foreign ministers convene in Kyiv

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It was a desperately needed moment of grandeur for Ron DeSantis : the Florida governors strongman act over China briefly lifting his stuttering presidential campaign during last weeks Republican primary debate in California.

But what DeSantis left unsaid as he railed against Chinas growing global influence, while promising a hard power approach to Beijing should he win the White House, was how his posturing was hurting students and families back in his home state.

Related: No enemies to the right: DeSantis ally hosts debate hedging white nationalism

While their governor was speaking thousands of miles away, hundreds of distressed and bewildered parents in Florida were trying to figure out their next move after DeSantis stripped four private schools of state scholarship money, alleging without evidence they had direct ties to the Chinese Communist party.

Without state funding, many families face having to withdraw their children and find alternative educational arrangements barely a month into the school year.

Critics point to what they see as hypocrisy in DeSantiss move, given it was his Republican-dominated legislature that controversially widened the availability of school vouchers earlier this year, sapping billions of dollars from an already underfunded public school system and funding private education for any family that wanted it with taxpayers money.

Theyre attacking schools that are predominantly very Republican, well-established private schools that are among our best, so I just dont understand it, said Anna Eskamani, a Democratic state representative whose central Florida district covers three of the four affected campuses.

She said the states linking of the schools to Chinas ruling communist party was garbage, and based on DeSantiss political ambitions and desire to stoke anti-Chinese sentiment rather than any evidence the schools were influencing students with communist ideology, as the governor asserts.

Theyre not going to be teaching anything but capitalism, in fact the schools are entirely based on capitalism, Eskamani said. Parents are outraged, theyre frustrated and scared, and just really surprised at what the governor is doing. The irony is hes attacking his base of voters.

The Florida department of education refused to provide details of the thorough investigation it said it had undertaken to determine that the purported connections with communism posed an imminent threat to the health, safety, and welfare of these schools [sic] students and the public.

Instead, it provided a hyperlink to one schools website that states its parent company, the California-based Spring Education Group, is controlled by the Hong Kong investment firm Primavera Holdings Ltd.

Primavera was founded by the Harvard-educated entrepreneur and economist Fred Hu, a former partner of Goldman Sachs who grew the US investment banks footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.

Neither Spring nor Primavera responded to the Guardians request for comment.

In a statement, Park Maitland school of Winter Park denied it was beholden to China. Our schools are locally run, abide by local, state and federal laws, and do not have ties to any government or political party, either foreign or domestic, it said.

Analysts share Eskamanis belief that DeSantiss targeting of China is self-serving.

Victor Shih, associate director of the 21st Century China Center at the University of California at San Diegos school of global strategy and policy, said: For the Republican side, also to some extent on the Democratic side, China has become this sort of boogeyman, a catch-all opponent of the US in a way that does not take into account a lot of economic and social realities.

Primavera is not the Chinese communist party. They do manage money for Chinas sovereign wealth fund, thats well documented, but so does BlackRock and Goldman Sachs, and I dont see Ron DeSantis going after others who have managed money for China. You cannot say that anyone who does business with the investment arm of the Chinese government is acting on its behalf.

[But] thats how the Republican party operates these days, right? They take these issues that they think will easily galvanize the emotions of their base voters.

Sheena Greitens, director of the University of Texas at Austins Asia policy program, also sees DeSantis, and other rivals for the 2024 Republican nomination who seek to revoke Chinas trade status, attempting to capture growing global resentment of Beijing.

Its fairly common for tough-on-China rhetoric to rise during campaign seasons, [but] in this case the candidates comments reflect a more fundamental shift in American views of China. That shift is bipartisan in nature, and stems from changes in Chinese domestic and foreign policy in the past decade, as well as deeper, structural transformations in the basis of the US-China relationship, she said.

Their comments reflect a broad-based downturn in views of China, not just in the US but a significant number of other countries, and that seems unlikely to reverse without changes in Beijings policies and behavior. That new geopolitical reality will be a major challenge for whoever occupies the presidency after the next election.

In Florida, opponents have little doubt about what is fueling DeSantiss renewed anti-China rhetoric. It follows a wave of recent new laws including a discriminatory ban on most Chinese citizens owning land or property; outlawing state colleges and universities from entering into partnerships with institutions in China; and prohibiting investments by nationals from countries of concern.

The law is wreaking havoc on the lives and plans of Chinese people who reside in Florida, and some lenders are refusing to deal with Chinese nationals, said Ashley Gorski, a senior staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union that is appealing the land ownership law in federal court.

More broadly, it is stigmatizing, and casts suspicion over any prospective purchaser of Asian descent.

Eskamani, meanwhile, said the school suspensions were further proof of DeSantiss bullying of minorities.

People have been targeted in Florida for a long time for being different, and no one is safe. This just feeds into anti-Asian fear mongering, she said.

He uses his position to bully people and make life harder for folks already struggling to fit in or be themselves. Hes always been someone who has centered his own political ambition over that of everyone else. I just think its much more transparent now.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis brags about how many people are pouring into Florida. But all that growth isnt necessarily a good thing.

Thats the conclusion of a report by a major global re-insurance company that draws links between the states soaring home insurance costs and the explosion of new residents, especially along the coast.

Do we even need a report to tell us that? Its just common sense.

The more we build along coastlines, the more homes (and people) we put in harms way during a hurricane. Climate change isnt helping, either: Warmer ocean waters, which are linked to stronger and wetter hurricanes, may increase the problem even more, the report by Swiss Re notes in a recent story by the Miami Herald. Plus, rebuilding older homes after a hurricane so they conform to new storm-resistant standards can be extremely costly, especially when that includes elevating a home several feet.

Gains slipping away

Those stronger building codes, imposed since 2002, have made homes better able to withstand storms, but the gains made in handling the wind and rain are being undermined by more people living in Florida, the report said.

And that, the report said, is a problem: Reducing vulnerability by strengthening building codes . . . has been insufficient since the 1970s to compensate for expected losses from accompanying population-driven property value growth.

There are some who say its incorrect to blame the ridiculously high home insurance premiums in Florida on population growth, saying that old housing is more to blame. Much of Floridas housing stock is older. In the area that sustained a lot of damage during Hurricane Ian last year, about 69% of properties were built before 2000. Ian was the states most expensive storm so far, with a price tag of about $109 billion in damage.

Politicians, meanwhile, have long been pointing the finger at fraudulent insurance lawsuits. They say bad-faith lawsuits are a significant driver of premium increases amid an unstable insurance market that relies heavily on state-backed Citizens Property Insurance  the so-called insurer of last resort. It now has more than 1.3 million policies.

But regular people still havent gotten any relief in the costs of premiums. Florida lawmakers have met repeatedly in Tallahassee to address the insurance crisis but, afterward, they keep saying we have wait  a year? two?  to see the laws that they passed curb the problem.

Downside of free

Maybe the laws will, help  eventually. Old housing stock no doubt does contribute to the problem, as well. But were pretty sure the population growth in Florida is a factor, too. Its just one that our leaders dont want to confront, because that leads to a discussion of where to draw the line on growth. And that runs counter to the DeSantis narrative of Florida as the free state.

Insurance costs may force the issue.

As Vivian Young, communications director for the smart-growth group 1,000 Friends of Florida, told the Herald: I think the state is reaching a tipping point and theres going to have to be a really serious conversation about where its appropriate to develop, where we should be redeveloping and whether we should live in certain areas at all. . . . Just because you can doesnt mean you should.

Companies base their rates on risk in an area. Building codes are one way to reduce risk  and costs. But Young is right: Re-thinking whether to allow re-building in exceedingly high risk areas could help. It might even help a lot.

At the very least, we need to be talking about that.







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The Washington Supreme Court is being asked to decide if a Pasco mans constitutional rights were violated after he spent months in jail waiting to be given an attorney.

Its the first challenge in a higher court of how Franklin County has handled a five-month shortage of public defense attorneys, leaving dozens of poor suspects in limbo, sometimes for months in jail, to get a lawyer to help them.

Just last week, prosecutors were forced to drop charges against a bookkeeper accused of embezzling $522,000 from a farming operating.

Prosecutors dropped the theft charge against Brittany Rayann Adams the day before her attorney planned to argue that the case should be thrown out because a shortage of public defenders left her without a lawyer for three months.

Deputy Prosecutor Dave Corkrum said in court he wasnt ready to respond to the motion. The charges could be refiled at a later date against Adams, who is not in jail.

On the same day, another attorney, Kathryn Russell Selk of Seattle, filed a request directly to the state Supreme Court to weigh in on the delays for her client.

Defense attorneys have argued those delays resulted in their clients constitutional right to a speedy trial being violated. Washington courts set a deadline for trials to begin with 60 days of arraignment if someone is jailed, or 90 days for suspects out of custody.

The problem in Franklin County started in March after officials had trouble replacing two public defense lawyers after their contracts ended. That left the countys Office of Public Defense unable to provide attorneys immediately to some suspects.

Public Defense Manager Larry Zeigler focused on providing attorneys for people in jail and for suspects charged with violent crimes. At the time, Franklin County was averaging about 80 defendants who needed an attorney.

Adams was one of the defendants who lingered on the waiting list.

She was initially charged in late March and arraigned in May. She was finally appointed an attorney in mid-August after two new attorneys were hired as public defenders in Franklin County.

Before her charges were dropped, her new attorney, Joseph White, planned to argue last week that the delay was too long and violated her right to a speedy trial.

Defense attorney shortage

During the shortage, the Superior Court judges told the Herald in a joint statement that they were looking at every options to help with the problem.

They had the option to force the county to hire attorneys and pay them out of the countys general fund.

County officials said the amount of money necessary would have been too much.

The judges also could have dismissed the cases or release suspects from jail to give the county more time to find defense attorneys before they had to hold a trial.

Judges declared the shortage an unforeseen emergency that warranted justification for delaying the cases.

It was a move the drew criticism from an attorney at a nonprofit which helps other attorneys.

Sheri Oertel, with the Washington Defender Association, said the move violated rights.

Precedent is clear once the ... speedy trial right is violated, anything occurring beyond that doesnt matter, the case must be dismissed, Oertel told the Herald at the time.

Russell Selk will be the first attorney to bring one of the delayed cases to a higher court, and she is petitioning the Washington Supreme Court for a direct review.

Her client, Jose Manuel Flores Ramirez, sat in jail for months waiting for an attorney, and, finally became so fed up with waiting that he said he just wanted to plead guilty so he could get out of custody.

Assault guilty plea

Flores Ramirezs case may be one of the most dramatic cases of suspects waiting for an attorney.

The 35-year-old was charged in connection with a May 2021 Pasco assault. He told detectives he hit a man with a metal pipe after his mother was insulted.

Prosecutors initially charged him in July 2021 with second-degree assault, but the charge was dismissed in January 2022. According to court documents, they were planning to file the case in District Court.

Prosecutors attempted to put Flores Ramirez into a diversion program, but he failed to complete the community service.

Then, prosecutors filed the charge again in February 2023. While an attorney stepped in to help him with entering a not guilty plea, one was never appointed to help him with his case.

When he failed to show up for his next hearing in March, a warrant was issued, and he was arrested. He remained in jail until early August without an attorney.

He finally pleaded guilty to third-degree assault in Franklin County Superior Court, and was sentenced to a month in jail. By then, hed already served much longer and was released.

Russell Selk is challenging whether after the lengthy period without an attorney, the plea should have been accepted at all.

He entered that plea only after being promised and deprived of appointed counsel for months despite his indigency, while speedy trial time came and went and while being brought to court several times in chains without any proof of necessity, she wrote in her brief to the court.

Washington Supreme Court

Rather than taking the case through the Court of Appeals, Russell Selk is asking the Supreme Court to review it directly. She said this is a case of a fundamental and urgent issue with a broad impact.

The issues presented involved the wholesale, systemic violation of the constitutional and rule-based pretrial rights of not just Mr. Flores Ramirez, but all the financially indigent accused in Franklin County, she said in the petition to have states highest court accept the case.

She is looking for the Supreme Court to weigh in to send a message statewide. She noted that these shortages affect people without money and members of marginalized groups.

Even though Franklin Countys problems have gotten better, Russell Selk said the problems are likely to happen again.

This courts prompt and ultimate determination is needed to clearly and firmly set guardrails around the pretrial rights of the financially indigent criminally accused, she said.

The Supreme Court gave the Franklin County Prosecutors Office 14 days to respond.

The next step will be for the court to decide whether to accept the case or send it down to the Court of Appeals.

Those decisions are usually made during monthly department conferences, said Wendy Ferrell, an associate director with the administrative office of the courts. No date has been set for the court to make that decision.
VIENTIANE, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese Minister of Public Security To Lam met with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and Lao Prime Minister (PM) Sonexay Siphandone in Lao capital Vientiane last Thursday, as part of an official visit to Laos by a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese ministry.

Thongloun and Sonexay spoke highly of the fruitful cooperation results between the public security ministries of both countries, Lao Public Security TV reported on Monday.

Thongloun expressed his hope that the two countries' public security forces will keep promoting comprehensive cooperation in the time ahead to meet requirements and fulfil tasks in the new context for the sake of the two peoples, regional and global peace, stability and development.

Meanwhile, Sonexay asked the two forces to further enhance cooperation in combating transnational crimes, drug crimes, human trafficking, and hi-tech crimes, as well as coordinate closely to ensure absolute security and safety in 2024, when Laos will hold the chairmanship of the ASEAN (Association of the Southeast Asian Nations).

In his speech, To Lam noted the two ministries will stay determined and persistent to guarantee peace, stability and development along the Vietnam-Laos border. 
Editors note: Do you want to commemorate the finale of Beyonces Renaissance Tour in Kansas City? Sign up to get a free digital download of The Stars front page sent to your email after the concert.

Kansas City did it.

The loudest stadium in the country slayed Beyonces mute challenge Sunday night. The queen crowned Kansas City the champion.

Within the shows first hour, as she has throughout her tour during the song Energy, she sang the musical cue: Look around, everybody on mute.

The crowd hushed. And when a few screams broke out, people could be heard loudly hushing one another.

On stage, with her arms outstretched, Beyonce stood still and silent, and waited. And waited. And waited. And waited.

More than 20 seconds, more than twice as long as in other cities.

Then she slowly blessed the crowd with a huge, electric smile as the stadium erupted in cheers.

You all won. You killed it, she told fans.

Some had spent hours preparing to win the very last mute challenge of the tour.

They practiced on Zoom. They posted videos of themselves practicing it on planes as they traveled to Kansas City. They even jokingly threatened violence against anyone who broke the silence and ruined the fun.

Facebook user Christa Baughman had instruction cards to hand out when she got to Arrowhead for the concert.

If you are attending the show tonight, a reminder that the Mute Challenge is still on and it is IMPORTANT to be completely silent, during Energy when Beyonce says, Look around everybody on mute, she wrote on Facebook before the show.

Very few cities have successfully completed this challenge. So, with that, KC  dont embarrass yourselves. That is all. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

Those fleeting seconds of silence became a viral phenomenon during the tour, hailed by some as iconic audience participation.

Some cities nailed it  Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta and her hometown of Houston notable among them. (Seattle and Miami reportedly didnt do so well.)

Kansas City fans rushed to social media to congratulate each other.

KC did us proud!!!!! The @Beyonce mute challenge was FLAWLESSSSSSSS, KSHB anchor Dia Wall posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Sitting here crying cuz Im really gonna miss this, all the fist fights, the SHUT THE FU*K UP., the dirty looks when anyone would breathe, posted another fan at Arrowhead.

Mute Challenge at Arrowhead! pic.twitter.com/ZYkIrVFJ4d  Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) October 2, 2023

KC did us PROUD!!!!!



The @Beyonce mute challenge was FLAWLESSSSSSSS pic.twitter.com/Qhw3M1qHne  Dia Wall (@DiaWall) October 2, 2023

Destiny Willis, 29, who had flown in from Atlanta with her sister Dasani Walker, 22, practiced the mute challenge on the drive to the stadium.

Atlanta won it, Dasai said before the show, which was true for only a few more hours.

Or was it?

As quick as Kansas City fans were to claim the crown, fans in New Orleans and other cities chimed in on social media to claim they won the challenge. It got loud.

Look around, nobody on mute.

Beyonce concert recap: Kansas City show packed with spectacles and sparkles
With just hours to spare, Congress this weekend passed a temporary funding bill that will at least delay a government shutdown until mid-November.

The bill passed the U.S. House with broad bipartisan support, particularly in the Senate, but Tennessee Republicans were among the few lawmakers to vote against the measure.

Lawmakers will need to pass a dozen long-term funding bills within 45 days, or approve another temporary measure, to avert a government shutdown that would disrupt services ranging from veteran benefits to national parks.

How did Tennessee's U.S. senators vote on the bill?

In the Senate, the stopgap funding bill was approved on an 88-9 vote.

Tennessee U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty were among the nine Republicans who voted against the bill.

More from Capitol Hill: The House averted a government shutdown. Knoxville Rep. Tim Burchett isn't happy about it

How did Tennessee's U.S. House members vote on the bill?

In the House, lawmakers voted 335 to 91 in favor of the funding measure.

Tennessee U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, voted in favor of the bill.

U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, R-Germantown, and U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah, also voted in favor of the bill.

"Today, I voted YES on a Republican bill to fund the government and pay our troops and border patrol agents," Kustoff said on social media after the vote. "It is critical that we keep our government open so we can continue to work on bills that cut wasteful spending and get our country back on track."

The remainder of Tennessee's Republican delegation voted against the bill, including:

U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville;

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia;

U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville;

U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Kingsport;

U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-South Pittsburg;

U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville.

Reach Melissa Brown at mabrown@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How Tennessee's delegation voted on bill to stop government shutdown
A 36-year-old woman was charged in connection to the killing of an older Black man.

Christina Howell was arrested and charged with murder for the incident which occurred in Bristol, England, according to the Bristol Post. Police responded to a report of a stabbing on a city street Friday afternoon.

The victim, 61-year-old Hubert Issac Brown, died at the hospital due to his injuries.

Christina Howell, 36, was charged with murder for the fatal stabbing of Hubert Issac Brown. (Avon and Somerset Police)

The victim was well-known in his community. Avon and Somerset Police said their crime investigation unit is looking into the incident as a race-related hate crime.

Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the deceased, who was a familiar and popular figure to many people in St Pauls, Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Deepak Kenth said, per the outlets. We remain very grateful to the community for their prompt action to help the injured man and support for our investigation immediately after this tragedy.

Trending Today:

The family has been getting support from a local organization, Stand Against Racism & Inequality (SARI). Brown, who is of Jamaican descent, was described as a kind-hearted and harmless man.

Accepting that he is no longer with us is incredibly challenging, and we are struggling to comprehend and come to terms with the circumstances surrounding his passing. Hubert was a beloved member of our community, and we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to those who went above and beyond to help him during that time, as well as to the police for their ongoing investigation, his family said in a statement. As a family, we are supporting one another through this trying period, finding solace in each others presence and shared memories.

According to the reports, Howell appeared before a Bristol Magistrates court judge on Monday. A video posted on social media is said to show the arrest of Howell by local enforcement at the scene of the attack, making people point out how she is calmly being taken into custody versus when the suspect is a Black person.

Watch the video here.

White woman charged with murder following stabbing in St Paul's, Elderly black man stabbed to death on street in what police say was a race hate crime



pic.twitter.com/TcaUzxUYDl  SHiiKANE (@Shiikane) October 2, 2023

Notice the gentle way shes being handled after murdering an elderly black man, while a black woman falsely accused of evading bus fare was roughed up in front of her distraught child, one user wrote. Racism is one hell of a drug.
A man from Lima was indicted Monday in a killing from over 20 years ago, according to the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office.

Robert Stewart, now 64, is charged with murder and felonious assault in the death of Herman Brown.

Brown was found dead with an extension cord wrapped around his neck and multiple stab wounds in February 2003, the prosecutor said. He was 46.

Matching DNA samples were found on Brown's body, blood in the bathroom sink and cigarette butts at the crime scene inside a Sarvis Court apartment in South Fairmount, investigators said.

Prosecutors said no match was found initially, but the DNA was recently reentered into a forensic genetic genealogy search, which led Cincinnati police to Stewart.

Stewart is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center on a $500,000 bond awaiting trial.

The Cincinnati Police Homicide Unit should be commended," Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers said. "These dedicated detectives never give up on their cases. They never give up on their victims."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: DNA samples lead to indictment in 20-year-old Ohio homicide case
When Dr. Jamila Perritt, president and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health, was completing her medical training to become a doctor in the 2000s, she delayed becoming pregnant and having kidslike many other medical students and residentsamid her strenuous workload. In the final year of her residency, Perritt became pregnant with her first child, and this development was a crucial factor in her decision on where to live after her residency. I had to know where I moved that I could get the care I needed during my pregnancy, that I would be safe, she told Jezebel.



Per a new report published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, the official journal of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the spread of state abortion bans since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade is impacting where new OBGYNs are choosing to work. The report, which surveyed 350 graduating OBGYNs, found residents who previously planned to practice in abortion-restrictive states were eight times more likely to change their plans to practice in states that currently protect abortion rights. Thats a critical factor for a lot of folks, Perritt said, noting the vast majority of U.S. OBGYNs (about 85%) are women, many of whom can become pregnant and may find themselves needing pregnancy-related care.

Read more

Abortion bans can also dissuade healthcare providers from returning home to their own communities to provide care, Perritt says. Its a shift that could worsen the ongoing issue of racial bias and lacking cultural competency in the medical system, where the maternal mortality rate for Black people sharply outpaces the rate for white people. A study published in December showed that, even before Roe fell, in 2020, maternal morbidity rates were 62% higher in abortion-restrictive states. Obviously, the end of Roe can only continue to exacerbate this crisis, especially in states that reproductive health care providers are avoiding, leading to maternal care deserts.

In the months since Bonner General closed its labor and delivery department, NBC spoke to Bonner County residents who have since been forced to drive to Spokane, Washington, for maternal care, including one mom who previously delivered her twins at Bonner Generalonly to deliver her third child in Spokane in August. To go into labor at home and arrive at the hospital five minutes later was a blessing that I didnt know was a blessing, she said. Pregnant residents in Bonner County can drive to Spokane, drive 40 miles away to Kootenai Health in Coeur dAlenehe (the closest in-state hospital with OB-GYNs), or deliver at home with a midwife.

Idaho state Rep. John Vander Woude, chair of the House Health and Welfare Committee and a co-sponsor of the states ban, told NBC he and his colleagues didnt predict the varying ripple effects of their law. He admitted that Its really hard, I think, right now, under the current language to recruit or try to keep them [OBGYNS] and said, there needs to be clearer guidelines on what becomes criminalized. Of course, with or without clearer guidelines regarding criminalization, abortion bans will always threaten patients safety and impede physicians ability to provide care.

At the end of the day, providers are people and members of the community, Perritt says, meaning fears for their own health and safety as well as their families will shape their personal choices. But shes afraid for those who arent in a position to make these decisions: The idea that you can just simply move away is not reasonable or realistic for many folks, for people who want to be around family, to be grounded in the community that they grew up in, Perritt said. [Abortion bans] just are not sustainable.

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No, its not something in the water that pushes some school test scores to the head of the class. But being close to water doesnt seem to hurt.

Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Indian Land and Lake Wylie are in different school districts. And theyre not all in the same county. Yet that commuter corridor, east of the Catawba River to the western shores of Lake Wylie, shares more than dense traffic, explosive growth and ever-increasing new subdivisions.

Schools in that corridor perform at or among the best in South Carolina.

Herald reporter John Marks examined and combined recent state data on English, math and science scores for elementary and middle school students. The Fort Mill School District ranked highest in the state in 13 of 14 areas by grade and subject. But schools in contiguous districts also had some strong performing schools.

Test score data shows York County has the states No. 1 performing school district.

Lake Wylie schools are part of the Clover School District. Indian Land schools are part of the Lancaster County School District. Both districts fared well on their own.

Clover was close behind Fort Mill across the board, and Lancaster County was routinely top third, and sometimes a top 10 district statewide. Schools in Lake Wylie and Indian Land, however, were even better than their districts as a whole. Those schools were contiguous to the Fort Mill District and sometimes outperformed the Fort Mill district as a whole.

Which schools compare well?

In the Clover district Bethel, Crowders Creek and Oakridge elementary schools attendance boundaries touch Lake Wylie. So does Oakridge Middle. Schools in the Lancaster County panhandle include Harrisburg, Indian Land and Van Wyck elementary schools, Indian Land Intermediate and Indian Land Middle schools.

Comparing those individual commuter region schools to overall districts in South Carolina, they each would routinely rank in the top five for student performance. Lake Wylie and Indian Land schools fit in just behind Fort Mill and would be ahead of the second best districts in fourth, fifth and sixth grade English. Harrisburg and Bethel scored better than Fort Mill or any other district in third grade English, with Oakridge and Indian Land elementary schools behind Fort Mill but above the second best district.

Oakridge Middle performed better than any district statewide in sixth and eighth grade math. Oakridge and Crowders Creek elementary schools bested all districts in third, fourth and fifth grade math.

All six Lake Wylie and Indian Land elementary schools performed better than the Fort Mill district in third grade math, the only grade-subject combination that Fort Mill didnt score best in the state (it was No. 2). Five of the six schools performed better than any district in the state.

Lake Wylie and Indian Land students fell between the top two districts, Fort Mill and Clover, in sixth grade science. Crowders Creek and Oakridge elementary schools fared better than any district in fourth grade science.

Of note, Fort Mill has 11 elementary schools and six middle schools that individually performed better or worse than its district averages. Across grades and subjects tested, individual Fort Mill schools performed better and worse than other commuter region schools in Lake Wylie and Indian Land.

High school scores

Soon after the state released elementary and middle school test scores, high school scores followed.

A commuter region breakdown there isnt as easy.

Again all Fort Mill schools  three high schools and six middle schools offering high school level courses  fall on the east side side of the Catawba River. Indian Land High School covers most of the Lancaster County panhandle. But until a second high school opens in 2026 in the Clover district, all high school scores there cover that entire district.

Clover officials got creative to build new school in Lake Wylie. What itll cost you

Fort Mill and Clover were the top two performing districts, among 520 middle and high school districts in the state, in Algebra 1. Lake Wylie and Indian Land middle schools ranked behind four Fort Mill middle schools. All three Fort Mill high schools topped the region but Clover was only two spots behind Fort Mill high. Indian Land was almost 40 spots behind them.

Fort Mill and Clover again were among the top districts in Biology 1. Fort Mill (No. 8), Catawba Ridge (No. 11) and Nation Ford (No. 14) high schools led Clover at No. 28 and Indian Land at No. 50 statewide.

U.S. History and English 1 told similar tales. Fort Mill schools sat atop the region and at or near the top of the state, with Clover and Indian Land schools not far behind them.

This is where Rock Hill region high schools rank in most recent end of course testing

Geographic, demographic similarities

School scores arent the only similarities that stretch through the commuter region. Everything from population growth trends to traffic, demographics, home sale prices and need for new schools runs similar throughout the area.

Fort Mill, Tega Cay and the space between them have long driven York Countys population growth. But so has Lake Wylie. The area considered Lake Wylie by the U.S. Census Bureau is a good bit smaller than what locals would consider it to be (it doesnt run west of the Three Points or Five Points intersections), yet it still registered 13,655 residents in the 2020 Census.

That number is up almost 55% in a decade. If it were incorporated, Lake Wylie would rank right alongside Tega Cay, which is the third largest city or town in York, Lancaster or Chester counties.

New census data shows Fort Mill area is among fastest growing in the Carolinas

From 2000 to 2010 Lancaster County grew about 57%. Indian Land led that surge. As of the 2020 Census, the panhandle had 40,680 residents, or roughly 42% of the entire county population. The 70-square-mile panhandle covers only 13% of the total Lancaster County.

Affluence is another common theme.

The Lancaster County panhandle has nine census tracts. In the southernmost seven, residents range from $78,000 to $117,000 in median household income. The 6,600 residents just north of them make more than $127,000. The more than 3,400 residents on the northernmost tip of the panhandle bring in almost $196,000.

The median household income for all of Lancaster County is about $68,000. The statewide figure is about $58,000.

In Lake Wylie, the median household income is almost $108,000. Even with areas like Fort Mill (almost $121,000) and Tega Cay (almost $131,000) included, York County has a median household income of about $72,000.

Growth, traffic and future challenges

All the schools are in what can be identified as a commuter corridor. Interstate 77 connects Rock Hill to Charlotte and Columbia. Tens of thousands of people drive daily back and forth between the two cities, using S.C. 49 and U.S. 521 also as key feeder routes.

The areas with the best schools lie in this network of roads.

Fort Mill has the most driven stretch of road in South Carolina -- I-77 north of Carowinds Boulevard. Fort Mill interstate stops are the busiest areas by traffic volume in the region.

Lake Wylie outpunches its size with several busy spots on S.C. 49, and the most traffic Lancaster County sees comes along U.S. 521 in Indian Land just below Ballantyne and Charlotte.

SCDOT data shows Rock Hill region has states most heavily traveled stretch of road.

York County is in the midst of creating its next Pennies for Progress list to see if voters will approve another one-cent sales tax to fix and improve roads. Lancaster County is mulling a new, similar program.

Should Lancaster County charge a sales tax to fix roads? Voters may get to decide

Fort Mill is now up to 20 schools. Bonds have become routine in recent decades as a way to keep up with growth. Impact fees are collected. Indian Land and Lake Wylie are similar. The Clover district has a Lake Wylie area high school on the way after its most recent bond. Lancaster County is working now to create a new referendum list, likely to feature Indian Land needs.

Will Indian Land get new schools as population soars? Heres what has to happen first

When the Fort Mill school board met for its September meeting, superintendent Chuck Epps spoke about the recent data on test scores. He updated enrollment numbers, for what is the largest district in York County despite being the smallest geographic district in the state.

The board also talked about enrollment freezes and challenges to maintaining high scores.

One reason weve enjoyed such academic success is the lower teacher-pupil ratios, Epps said.

The state funding model for education isnt advantageous for high-growth districts, Epps said. Maintaining lower student-teacher ratios will continue to be a stresser each year unless something changes, he said. Within five years Epps projects major decisions will be needed.

This is where were going to make some big decisions about increasing loads, Epps said.
How will Laphonza Butler s appointment affect the 2024 U.S. Senate election?

Make that elections.

Even though California Gov. Gavin Newsom made an appointment to succeed Sen. Dianne Feinstein , there must be a special election to finish the late Democratic icons term. Primaries for the remainder of her term and the next one are in March, with the general election in November.

Whoever wins Novembers special election will serve the final weeks before the new session starts in January 2025.

Butler, 44, the president of EMILYs List who has never held public office, will be sworn in this week. She had to re-register as a voter in California, having moved to Maryland to lead the organization that helps get Democratic women elected.

She will be the only Black woman currently in the U.S. Senate and the first Black lesbian to serve openly in Congress. She could take office immediately, allowing Democrats to control 51 of the Senates 100 seats.

For women and girls, for workers and unions, for struggling parents waiting for our leaders to bring opportunity back to their homes, for all of California, Im ready to serve, Butler said in a statement.

Its unclear if Butler will run in either the special election or for a full term of her own. She has until Dec. 8 to file for the March primary if she chooses to.

Matt Wing, a spokesman, said in response to a query about her political future that Butler was focusing on honoring Sen. Feinsteins legacy and getting ready to serve the people of California in the Senate. Politics can wait.

California, which has not elected a Republican senator in over 30 years, is seen as solidly blue for the 2024 Senate election.

Newsom appointed Sen. Alex Padilla in 2021 after Vice President Kamala Harris took her White House role. Padilla, 50, won both the special election and one for a six-year term in 2022. Democrats fell in line behind him after Newsoms appointment, with no federal legislators challenging him in either election.

This time, multiple members of Congress already announced their intent to run in 2024: Reps. Adam Schiff , D-Burbank, and Katie Porter, D-Irvine, and Barbara Lee , D-Oakland. Feinstein, who died Friday after a long-period of failing health, announced earlier this year that she would retire when her term ended in 2025.

Now all the candidates must weigh running in the special election too, doubling their name count on the ballot.

Barbara Lee

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-California, speaks during a press conference unveiling the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act outside of the U.S. Capitol building on March 23, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Lee, one of the most progressive Democrats in Congress, trails her colleagues significantly. Porter and Schiff are both fundraising machines with higher name recognition, per a September Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll.

Being appointed historically gives a candidate an advantage, which could have boosted Lee.

Speculation initially focused on Lee, 77, after Punchbowl reported that Newsom would pick a Senate appointee who could run in 2024.

In early September, Newsom said that if Feinstein did not finish her term, hed want to appoint someone who would not run in 2024. That primary is just a matter of months away, Newsom told NBCs Chuck Todd. I dont want to tip the balance of that.

He affirmed at the time that hed choose a Black woman but essentially boxed out Lee, the only Black woman in the race, by saying hed appoint a caretaker.

The idea that a Black woman should be appointed only as a caretaker to simply check a box is insulting to countless Black women across this country who have carried the Democratic Party to victory election after election, Lee said in a statement at the time.

On social media Sunday, Lee congratulated Butler: I wish [Butler] well and look forward to working closely with her to deliver for the Golden State. I am singularly focused on winning my campaign for Senate. CA deserves an experienced Senator who will deliver on progressive priorities. Thats exactly what Im running to do.

The weekend after Feinstein, a stalwart San Francisco Democrat who was the longest-serving woman in the U.S. Senate, died, Lee supporters pushed for Newsom to choose her.

Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford wrote to the California governor in support of Lee: She is the only person with the courage, the vision, and the record to eradicate poverty, face down the fossil fuel industry, defend our democracy, and tirelessly advance the progressive agenda, he wrote.

The Congressional Black Caucus and Lees campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Congratulations to [Butler] on her historic appointment to the Senate as a trailblazer in the LGBTQ & African American community, Rep. Ro Khanna wrote on social media. I appreciate her work on reproductive rights & with Emilys List & look forward to working with her to better the lives of all Californians.

Khanna, D-Fremont, co-chair of Lees campaign, earlier on social media Sunday thanked Horsford and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Progressive Caucus, for advocating for the Oakland Democrat. Lee headed both caucuses at points since she joined the House of Representatives in 1998.

Adam Schiff, Katie Porter leading

The frontrunner as of last month was Schiff, who led Porter slightly. Seen as more moderate than the congresswomen, his national name recognition skyrocketed when he led the first impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.

The September Berkeley IGS poll had Schiff leading the Democratic candidates with 20% support of likely voters. Porter had 17%. Lee had 7% and tech executive Lexi Reese had 1%.

Schiff, 63, scored former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis endorsement to succeed Feinstein. He was elected to Congress in 2000.

Porter, 49, made a name for herself going after corporations. The three-term congresswoman is often praised for her pointed questions in congressional hearings, and for her whiteboards. She flipped a historically-red congressional district in 2018.

Nearly a third of California voters were undecided, according to the survey, which was conducted at the end of August.
A dog that attacked three people Sunday has been euthanized due to its aggressiveness and the injuries it sustained when someone tried to stop the attack, according to a news release from Haltom City police.

Police responded to an aggressive animal call Sunday at the Mosaic Apartments in the 5600 block of North Beach Street to find three people, including a 6-year-old child, had been injured, according to the news release. Two adults were taken to the hospital and the child was treated at the scene.

Another adult who tried to subdue the dog was also injured and treated at the scene.

Police said the dogs owner surrendered it to the custody of Haltom City Animal Services and it was euthanized.

No criminal charges have been filed in the incident as of Monday.
Former state Senate President Don Gaetz is seeking a return to the Legislature as his son makes waves in Washington, D.C.

Gaetz, a Niceville Republican who served in the Senate from 2006 to 2016, including as president during the 2013 and 2014 legislative sessions, said Monday he was filing paperwork to run next year in the Panhandles Senate District 1.

I can tell you that there is no sideline in the Senate, said Gaetz, a former hospice executive and Okaloosa County schools superintendent. There are 40 members, and the way the Senate operates any one of those 40 members can make a significant contribution. And any one of those 40 members can stand in the way of bad legislation. So, I want to be the best freshman senator I can be.

Former state Rep. Frank White, R-Pensacola, planned to run for the seat and, as of June 30, had raised $161,000 and put $200,000 of his own money into the campaign. But White agreed to step aside for Gaetz.

Don Gaetz is a living legend for good reason, White said. His record speaks for itself. He has my full support, and I will do what I can to secure his victory next November.

Gaetz, 75 of Niceville, said he hadnt contemplated a legislative run until a few weeks ago, when a Pensacola radio host asked him about rumors of a 2024 candidacy. Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, cant run again in the district because of term limits.

I said, Ill listen, but Im not trying to run,  Gaetz said.

He said he quickly received support from people in the district, a Republican stronghold made up of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and part of Okaloosa County.

Since leaving the Senate, Gaetz has had roles such as serving on the state Commission on Ethics and chairing Triumph Gulf Coast, which distributes BP settlement money from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster.

The Gaetz name has drawn heavy attention nationally as Gaetzs son, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Fla., has battled with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Matt Gaetz was highly critical of McCarthy this weekend for working with Democrats to pass a stopgap bill to avoid a federal-government shutdown.

Matt Gaetz, a former state House member, also is widely rumored to be considering a run for Florida governor in 2026. Don Gaetz said his son is focused on budget issues and getting a vote on term limits in Congress, not a run for Florida governor.

He and I talk almost every day, and he has assured me that thats what hes focused on, Don Gaetz said.

No other candidates have emerged for the state Senate seat, but Don Gaetz said he anticipates he will face competition. Don Gaetz faced only one opponent, an unaffiliated candidate, in his earlier Senate runs.

The good thing is, I love to campaign. My family loves to campaign. We like to go door-to-door. Were almost sick in our love for campaigning, Gaetz said. Matt has to run for reelection to the Congress in 2024. And so once again, we may have father and son knocking on doors together, just like we did when Matt was in the state House and I was in the state Senate.

Gaetz father, Jerry, was mayor of the prairie town of Rugby, N.D., near the Canadian border. Don Gaetz watched on television as his father, a candidate for lieutenant governor, died of a heart attack during the 1964 North Dakota Republican Party state convention.
This page will be updated throughout the campaign as necessary when false or misleading information is circulated.

Sept. 29 - At least two Americans for Prosperity mailers sent on behalf of mayoral challenger Lily Wu overstate Brandon Whipple s role in awarding a federal contract that raised ethical questions and benefited several consultants with ties to City Hall.

As mayor, Whipple and his team steered a $4 million federal COVID grant to a political insider, the Libertarian advocacy groups campaign materials state. Wichita doesnt need policies that encourage special interests and waste taxpayer money.

Whipple and all six other members of the City Council voted to award the Facts Not Fear ICT contract to Community Connections Consulting Services in August 2021 but there is no publicly available evidence to indicate Whipple played a bigger role in the process than any other council member.

In the mailers, Americans for Prosperity cites an Eagle investigation that found the Wichita city managers office used outdated data to secure the grant aimed at improving health literacy in Wichitas racial and ethnic minority populations.

The employee who wrote the initial grant application was later hired by Community Connections to serve as a project assistant, and another woman who is close friends with council member Brandon Johnson was also paid for her services under the contract.

In a release, Whipples campaign characterized the accusations levied against him in the AFP mailer as false and outlandish.

The City Council voted in March to terminate its contract with Community Connections, which spent $1.6 million on its outreach campaign, entrusting the remaining $2.4 million of federal funds to the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita.
TEHRAN, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Three Iranian fishermen imprisoned in Seychelles have been released and returned to their home country, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Monday.

Two other Iranian fishermen, the last remaining Iranians imprisoned in Seychelles, were still awaiting the completion of necessary processes before returning to their country by Oct. 9, said Tasnim.

Iran's Ambassador to Madagascar Hassan Ali-Bakhshi thanked Seychelles' government for its cooperation in the citizens' repatriation. He also called on Iranian fishermen to obtain permits and documents, as well as required safety equipment before fishing in international waters.

In remarks in April last year, Ali-Bakhshi said over the past few years, several Iranians, without necessary safety equipment and identity documents, have been arrested by the maritime patrols of Seychelles and Mauritius after being taken as pirates. 
Former President Donald Trump sits in the courtroom at New York Supreme Court - Seth Wenig/AP

Donald Trump gained more than $100 million (82 million) by lying about the value of his property empire, the judge in his fraud trial was told on Monday.

Kevin Wallace, a lawyer in state Attorney General Letitia James  office, said in his opening statement in a downtown Manhattan courtroom that Mr Trump described his finances to banks and insurers in a materially inaccurate way for a decade.

Wallace said Mr Trump did this to get better loan terms and lower insurance premiums, illegally generating more than $100 million of financial benefits.

This isnt business as usual, and this isnt how sophisticated parties deal with each other, Wallace said. These are not victimless crimes.

Wallace showed a video deposition of Michael Cohen, Mr Trumps former attorney, claiming that Mr Trumps staff had been instructed to inflate the value of individual assets to boost his ranking on the Forbes billionaire list.

The goal was to use each of the assets and increase its value in order to reach the end result number the result Mr Trump wanted. Mr Trump wanted to be higher on the Forbes list.

The trial is scheduled to run through to early December. While more than 150 people could testify, much of the trial may be a battle of experts opining on financial documents.

Mr Trump unexpectedly attended the first day of the New York trial on Monday in person.

He condemned both the horror show lawyer bringing the case against him, and the trials Democrat operative judge.

He derided the single greatest witch hunt of all time and claimed the judge has already made up his mind on fraud claims that could lose him Trump Tower and other properties.

Crowds of protesters

Mr Trumps arrival for the first day of the trial saw much of the area surrounding the courthouse closed off to the public on Monday morning, as crowds of protesters, police officers and reporters formed from 4am.

Outside, protesters gathered across the road from the courts famous columns used by Hollywood in The Godfather, Goodfellas and 12 Angry Men.

Inside court 300, an ornate room adorned with murals depicting the citys first law courts, established by 17th century Dutch settlers, Mr Trump sat between his lawyers Christopher Kise, the former Florida solicitor general, and Alina Habba.

Dressed in a navy blue suit and tie, he moved slowly through the room when leaving for regular breaks, only once locking eyes with Ms James, and did not speak except to confer occasionally with his lawyers.

Officers from the New York Police Department flanked the doors and Mr Trumps secret service agents stayed close to him at all times.

Television cameras are not permitted in New York courts, but Mr Engoron, the judge, allowed five cameras to take a photograph of Mr Trump with his lawyers before proceedings began.

Letitia James, the New York attorney general, claims Mr Trump and his allies falsely exaggerated the value of several of his flagship properties, including a Trump Tower penthouse and the Mar-a-Lago resort, in an attempt to secure favourable loans and insurance deals.

Arthur Engoron, the cases judge, ruled last week that the defendants had engaged in up to $2.2 billion of fraud and will now preside over a trial without a jury to determine whether they took part in a conspiracy and what penalties they should face.

Ms James is seeking a $250 million fine and a ban on Mr Trump operating as a businessman in the city  putting his beloved Trump Tower at risk of sale or closure.

Mr Trump and his son Eric appeared in court shortly after 10am to hear the case against them.

Speaking outside the court, the former president and property tycoon said the sham case was the single greatest witch hunt of all time and accused his legal opponents of election interference.

Just so you know, my financial statements are phenomenal, he said. They are less, in terms of the numbers used, than the actual net worth. The actual net worth is substantially more.

Mr Engorons ruling last week has already established that the reported value of the Trump empire was inflated by between $812 million and $2.2 billion over that period.

The properties include Mr Trumps own penthouse suite in Trump Tower on New Yorks Fifth Avenue, which prosecutors claim was reported to be three times larger than it actually is.

The former presidents defence lawyers claim the numbers were later audited by Deutsche Bank, which provided loans, and that the financial reports provided by the Trump Organisation had a clause stating they may not be correct.

They also said Mr Cohen was a serial liar who could not be considered a reliable witness by the court.

Mr Kise, opening the defence case, showed a slideshow of points he said would be established by the evidence during the trial.

They included President Trump has many many billions of dollars being right about real estate investment and President Trump has built one of the most successful and highly recognised brands in the world.

Dangerous precedent

Ms Habba said a ruling against Mr Trump and his family would create a dangerous precedent that would see property owners who list their homes online at an inflated price sued by the state.

She also claimed Trumps assets were Mona Lisa properties and that the Mar-a-Lago estate was worth more than $1 billion.

An independent appraiser has said it is worth between $18 million and $28 million.

The former president has used the case in campaign rallies, where he argues that the various criminal and civil actions against him are the result of political interference in the courts and Left-wing prosecutors.

At 12.50am on Monday morning of the trial, Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social page that Mr Engoron should be sanctioned by the courts for his abuse of power, describing both he and Ms James as Democrat operatives.

Speaking outside the court, Ms James said she had a simple message that no matter how powerful you are, no matter how much money you may think you may have, no one is above the law.

The law is both powerful and fragile and today in court we will prove our case... justice will prevail, she added.

Asked why he chose to appear in person in New York, Mr Trump said: Because I want to watch this witch hunt myself.

The trial continues.

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As hardline House Republicans prepare to force a vote on the removal of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) this week, theres one man they hope will stay out of the GOP drama: Donald Trump.

While never quite predictable, Trump likely has the power to save McCarthy, should the California Republicanas expectedface a motion to vacate vote. (Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) told CNNs Jake Tapper on Sunday that he intended to offer the motion this week.)

But McCarthys detractors dont seem to think Trump will speak up for McCarthy.

Honestly, I dont think the president is going to weigh into that at all, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) told The Daily Beast.

Inside the Push to Make an Obscure Congressman Trumps VP Pick

Donalds said he spoke with Trump late last week, and he believed Trump was just going to let, you know, House business be House business.

Other Freedom Caucus members and allies also projected confidence that Trump would stay out of the fray.

I dont see him messing with leadership right now, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) said. Burchett seemed to mean that Trump wouldnt speak out against McCarthy, but he also predicted that Trump wouldnt say anything.

While Trumps been preoccupied with the campaign trail and a mountain of legal trouble, one Republican lawmaker who spoke with Trump about the shutdown said the ex-presidents been paying attention to the House chaos, but gave no mention of supporting McCarthys ouster during their conversation.

A Trump confidant told The Daily Beast it was unlikely the former president would abandon his relationship with McCarthy, but this source noted that Trump and the speaker have always had a love-hate relationship.

This is not going to be the issue that Trump comes out to destroy McCarthy with. He still needs him, the source said.

A Trump spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

At a campaign stop in Iowa on Sunday, Trump avoided committing either way on the impending motion to vacate.

I dont want to comment on it yet. I think its too early, Trump said, though he noted that he appreciated the very nice things McCarthy said had about him earlier in the day.

He said very great things about me today, Trump said.

The situation with McCarthy is far from theoretical. House conservatives told Politico on Sunday that they believe there are at least a dozen votes already against McCarthy. One member apparently told the publication they knew of at least seven votes against the speaker, meaning McCarthys fate could be in the hands of Democrats.

Even if Trump did wade into the drama, some Republicans dont think it would matter.

Didnt change any minds the first time he weighed in, one member said, referring to McCarthys contested 15-round speakership vote at the beginning of the Congress. But members were careful to sayincluding this onethat they have no indication Trump has turned on McCarthy.

Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) noted that Trump has strongly backed McCarthy up to this point.

If you think back even to the very beginning of the year, when it took us 15 votes to make him Speaker of the House, President Trump was very supportive of Kevin McCarthy at that time, Hunt said.

House GOP Members Look to Expel Gaetz as He Schemes to Oust McCarthy: Report

And Donalds suggested the lesson of Trump supporting McCarthy during the speaker election was that something substantial would have to happen for the former president to turn his back on McCarthy.

Still, Trumps position on McCarthyand what kind of impact him speaking up would haveare matters of intense interest among the House GOP. Thats especially true for the conservatives who may hold McCarthys fate in their hands.

For some Republicans, crossing Trump on any issue is anathema. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), who served as Trumps personal physician while he was in office, was clear that what Trump said on McCarthy would matter.

It matters every time he weighs in on anything, he said. Hes influential!

But Trumps influence on GOP leadership elections hasnt exactly held the sway that he or his allies may present. For one, Trump has been a constant critic of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and even though the Senate is decidedly not the same as the House, McConnells position as the GOP leader has never really been in doubt.

For another, even in Trumps most fraught moments with Paul Ryan when he was speaker, Ryan never had a problem retaining the speakers gavel.

But with McCarthy already facing a mutinyand with his majority so slimTrump turning on McCarthy could be the nail in his coffin. Unfortunately for McCarthys detractors, theres no indication Trump is turning, even as they try to present otherwise.

Gaetz has tried his best to highlight Trumps differences with McCarthyand use the spending battle to claim his own unity with the former president.

When Trump argued for not playing ball on appropriations in late SeptemberSHUT IT DOWN! Trump blared in one recent post on Truth SocialGaetz tried to sow discord between Trump and McCarthy.

Trump agrees with me. Not Speaker McCarthy. No Continuing Resolution. Break the Fever, Gaetz tweeted.

Matt Gaetz and Kevin McCarthys Infighting Reaches New Levels of Stupid

When The Daily Beast asked Gaetz last week if he thought Trump would abandon McCarthy, Gaetz dodged.

Oh, thats between them, Gaetz said. Im going to let them define their own relationship.

But after McCarthy put a clean 47-day extension of government funding on the floor Saturdayand got the legislation passed 331-91, with 209 Democrats voting yes and 90 Republicans voting noGaetz was escalating his attacks against McCarthy on Sunday.

I do intend to file a motion to vacate against Speaker McCarthy this week, Gaetz said on CNN. I think we need to rip off the band-aid. I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy. The one thing everybody has in common is no one trusts McCarthy.

In response to Gaetzs announcement that hed bring the motion, McCarthy fired back, projecting confidence that hed survive.

You know, this is personal with Matt, McCarthy said on CBS Face the Nation.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Florida Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson on Sunday afternoon announced the expansion of her in-school mentoring program to the Bahamas aboard a cruise ship anchored at PortMiami as guests celebrated the countrys 50th anniversary.

Among those in attendance were Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Public School Board Chairwoman Mari Tere Rojas and Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis.

Founded by Wilson in 1993, the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project matches male mentors with male high school students to provide them with alternatives that could lead them on the track of success. Wilson, a former Miami-Dade County School Board member, teacher and principal, said the program is active in Miami-Dade, Broward, Pinellas and Duval Counties  as well as Detroit, Michigan.

Bahamas declared its independence from the United Kingdom in July 10, 1973, ending 325 years of British rule. Wilson, like thousands of others in South Florida, is a descendant of Bahamians. The states 24th Congressional District representative, who represents parts of Miami-Dade and south Broward counties, is also the first and only Bahamian-American to serve in Congress.

Wilson told the crowd at Carnival Celebrations dining hall that there was no better time to announce the programs expansion that during Bahamas anniversary celebration. The mentorship program is expected to start in Nassau, the nations capital, in September of 2024 with over 50 students.

The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project continues to grow and now we are international! Wilson said.

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson, FL-24, announced the opening of the Role Models programs first international chapter in the Bahamas during a celebration of the countrys 50th anniversary at the dining hall of Carnival Celebration, anchored at PortMiami, on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.

The congresswoman told the Miami Herald that the Bahamas has many of the same social problems affecting teens in Florida.

They have the same problems we have in the United States, with boys, specifically Black boys, dropping out and not completing their education, Wilson said. In our Historically Black Colleges and Universities here, in America, the population is 70% girls.

Wilson said that Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis first approached her with the idea of going international following his own experience as a mentor in the program. In a previous conversation with Wilson, he referenced a quote attributed to U.S. orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass: It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.

We want this in the Bahamas, Davis told Wilson at the time.

Levine-Cava told the Herald she was elated with the announcement, noting that many county workers have been mentors or have graduated from the program. She said Wilson has been working hard for decades to take the mentorship project to the next level.

Its dream come true, Wilson said.

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Russian forces attacked warehouses of Ukraine's largest private energy company DTEK in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on Oct. 2, causing damage to cables, transformers, and other electrical equipment, the company said on the Telegram messaging app.

The company did not specify the extent of the damage, nor the time and resources it would require to repair it.

"No matter how hard the enemy tries," DTEK wrote, "they will not be able to disrupt our preparations for the winter season."

Russia has repeatedly attacked critical infrastructure across Ukraine since early October 2022, killing dozens of people and causing mass power outages across the country.

Moscow has admitted that Ukraine's energy system is one of its primary targets. According to the Geneva Convention, attacking vital public infrastructure constitutes a war crime.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 9 that there were plans in place to protect Ukraine's energy and critical infrastructure from Russian missile and drone strikes through the winter.

Earlier on Oct. 2, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized the need for Ukraine's allies to increase the strength of a "winter protection umbrella" in order to alleviate the disruptions associated with the Russian military's attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure.

Read also: 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.
People arrive at a voting centre for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum in Melbourne, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. Early voting began in some parts of Australia for a referendum to ask if the voice should be enshrined in Australia's constitution as a mechanism for Indigenous people to advise Parliament on policies that affect their lives. (Joel Carrett/AAP Image via AP)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  Early voting began on Monday in New Zealand for the nation's Oct. 14 general election, with conservative contender Christopher Luxon casting his ballot.

Early voting also began in some parts of Australia in a referendum that would enshrine in Australias constitution a mechanism for Indigenous people to advise Parliament on policies that affect their lives.

In New Zealand, the campaign of Prime Minister Chris Hipkins faced a setback on Sunday when he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he would isolate for five days or until he returned a negative test, but planned to continue with some engagements over Zoom.

Hipkins and his liberal Labour Party have been lagging behind the opposition National Party, led by Luxon, in opinion polls.

After a rough night I woke up this morning feeling pretty unwell and just got this test result, Hipkins wrote on Instagram, and said he'd work twice as hard when he got back out on the campaign trail.

Luxon on Sunday released a 100-day action plan he said would deliver tax relief, rebuild the economy and restore law and order. New Zealanders have waited six long years for a government that focuses on what matters to them, and gets things done," Luxon said.

In Australia, where voting is compulsory, some 98% of eligible Australians have signed up to vote in the referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Early voting began in four states or territories Monday, and the remaining four will begin voting on Tuesday after observing a public holiday Monday.

The Yes campaign is lagging behind in opinion polls but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese , who supports the potential change, said he remains hopeful.

I know a lot of people have not made up their mind, and what I know is that the feedback, when people talk through these issues, they arrive at a Yes vote pretty comfortably, Albanese told reporters in Melbourne. I sincerely think the key to the next fortnight is those one-on-one conversations with people to accept this request of the overwhelming majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Political opponents say the referendum effort should have been bipartisan and that many unanswered questions remain on the details of how the Voice would work in practice.

In a coincidence, the election and referendum are both taking place on Oct. 14.
Indonesian Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua that the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) is a good learning opportunity for Indonesia, expecting more cooperation with China in the transportation sector in the future.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
(Bloomberg) -- Ecuador presidential candidate Daniel Noboa backtracked on a plan to spend $1.5 billion of the countrys foreign reserves, saying hed only take such action in dire circumstances.

Most Read from Bloomberg

During a presidential debate ahead of an Oct. 15 runoff hes favored to win, Noboa, 35, called tapping the nations $6.4 billion in foreign reserves a plan z, a last resort in case of an economic emergency. Ecuador is bracing for losses from a predicted severe El Nino climate phenomenon in the coming months.

The scion of the Noboa banana empire softened his tone after saying earlier on the campaign trail that he planned to tap the funds. His comments had led Ecuadors bond prices to give back some of the gains they had made after polls gave him a solid lead over leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez.

For her part, Gonzalez, 45, repeated her pledge to deploy $2.5 billion from the reserves to accelerate economic growth. In a rare public rebuke, Central Bank General Manager Guillermo Avellan last week warned both candidates of the risk of depleting the nations reserve buffer. Gonzalezs mentor, former President Rafael Correa , had already tried such measures starting in 2014 to offset the fall in the price of crude oil, Ecuadors main export.

Read more: Central Bank Chief Issues a Rare Rebuke of Ecuador Candidates

During the two-hour debate, Noboa also said he would call a referendum within 100 days of taking office to make it easier to enlist the military in the fight against terrorism. He also said hed seek national votes on judicial and labor reform. The candidate said he plans to use fast-track economic legislation to accelerate reforms to boost Ecuadors competitiveness.

Gonzalez sought to distinguish herself from Correa, noting it was her name on the ballot. She called for national unity in the face of problems including a spike in homicides and political polarization. She has said she would seek to repeal legislation from 2021 that barred the government from borrowing from the central bank.

Polls have consistently reported Noboa leading Gonzalez by about 10 percentage points.

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By Alexandra Valencia

QUITO (Reuters) - Candidates vying for Ecuador's presidency agreed in a debate on Sunday on the need to beef up security in the Andean country but differed on how to improve the economy.

Leftist Luisa Gonzalez, a lawyer and protege of former president Rafael Correa and young businessman Daniel Noboa will compete in a run-off vote on Oct. 15. Gonzalez won the first round with almost 34% of the votes while Noboa took a surprise second place.

Outgoing President Guillermo Lasso called early elections in May when he dissolved the legislature to avoid an impeachment process. Whoever wins will only hold the presidency until 2025, when regularly scheduled elections will resume.

Both candidates promised in Sunday's debate to get tough on organized crime gangs, to strengthen the security forces and to seek international help to tackle spiraling insecurity.

"I am going to regain control of the country that has been taken from us," Gonzalez said.

Noboa, who led Gonzalez in polls last month, plans to classify gangs as "narco-terrorists" and proposed floating prisons at sea for the most dangerous inmates.

The candidates disagreed, however, on where to focus investment to spur Ecuador's ailing economy, which is forecast to grow 1.5% this year and 0.8% in 2024.

Gonzalez pledged to boost oil production and reiterated plans to inject $2.5 billion of international reserves into the economy. He also said he would eliminate certain tax benefits.

Noboa proposed benefits for companies that hire young people and said he will promote private investment in electricity transmission and oil refining operations.

However, he also clarified that a previous proposal to use $1.5 billion of international reserves was for worst-case scenarios only.

"Using the reserves was plan Z," he said. "If we see that people are facing serious problems, with people affected by the El Nino weather phenomenon, we would use that sum as a last resort."

(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Writing by Oliver Griffin)
A diesel locomotive hauls cargo from the Port of Long Beach in March 2020. Local air quality officials may scrap long-delayed plans to regulate railyards and instead pursue a voluntary pollution-reduction agreement with BNSF Railway and Union Pacific. Will the ports be next? (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

In 2018, Southern California air quality officials made the hard-fought decision to finally crack down on freight industry pollution and began developing rules to force warehouses and railyards to reduce health-damaging emissions from trains, trucks and other vehicles and equipment that are concentrated at cargo hubs.

But now the South Coast Air Quality Management District has signaled it may back down on adopting some of those rules. Officials announced recently that they are considering cutting a deal with BNSF Railway and Union Pacific to abandon mandatory regulations in favor of a voluntary agreement in which the companies would promise to reduce their emissions.

Read more: Editorial: California's lawsuit against Big Oil could help end decades of climate lies

The agency's pivot from rule-making to deal-making is troubling, and it raises questions about the commitment to another big piece of unfinished business: similar rules for the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The sprawling complex is the single biggest pollution source in the nations smoggiest region, but the publicly owned ports have for years successfully fought off regulators' attempts to force them to cut emissions. The air district wasted years trying to negotiate a voluntary agreement with the ports, only to decide last year that imposing rules was the best option after all.

There's reason to be concerned about backsliding. Air quality officials say the rules they are now developing will not be completed by the end of this year as planned, and that the ports have launched an aggressive campaign to stop them, with support from organized labor. Port officials said they haven't made new requests for a voluntary deal.

Read more: Editorial: Humanity almost killed off California's sea otters. It's time to help them again

Whether the air district regulates ports and railyards is ultimately up to its 13-member governing board, made up of elected and appointed officials who have shown reluctance to regulate pollution from the goods-movement industry that is vital to the Southern California economy. It's not clear whether Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, who control the ports and appoint their leaders, favor a rule-based approach. A spokesperson for Bass said she would keep working with the ports and AQMD "in developing robust sustainability commitments."

Slow progress in curbing the hazardous diesel pollution that spews from semi trucks, container ships, cargo-handling equipment and locomotives is a big reason why Southern Californians still breathe the nations dirtiest air, and why so many suffer higher rates of asthma, cancer and early death from heart and lung disease.

The air district has floated a few concepts for what might be in an agreement with the railroads. But the details remain nebulous, and negotiations are happening behind closed doors.

Read more: Editorial: No more half measures on climate change. The next generation is right to demand an end to fossil fuels

Air quality officials argue that working with the railroads, rather than imposing rules that the industry is likely to challenge in court, could bring faster air quality improvements, without the threat that rules could be thrown out.

But industry commitments are no sure bet either. California regulators have a 25-year history of signing voluntary agreements with the railroads with little improvement to show for it. And the ports have treated their pollution-reduction pledges more like aspirations than hard-and-fast commitments .

Community groups from Wilmington to Colton have good reason to be distrustful of the railroads and the ports, where insufficient progress in reducing emissions is doing ongoing health damage to nearby residents.

To understand the value of regulation over voluntary commitments, consider the groundbreaking rules imposed on warehouse distribution centers two years ago. Pollution has already been reduced, millions of dollars in fees have been raised for smog-cutting projects and regulators have launched a major enforcement crackdown .

An agency whose entire mission is to protect the public from air pollution should not allow itself to be bullied into abandoning rules to force polluters to clean up. If dry cleaners, gas stations, auto body shops and other small businesses can be held to emissions rules, so can the multibillion-dollar railroad companies and the massive ports they serve.

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.
Ma speaks to guests as he attends an event at Asia Society in New York

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said on Monday he would boycott official celebrations for the island's national day this year after accusing the government of turning it into an overt attempt at pushing independence ahead of an election.

Taiwan's identity, including how it relates to China, which claims the island as its own territory and has in recent years threatened to take control of it with force, is a major issue for Taiwanese voters. A general election is set for January.

Taiwan celebrates Oct. 10 as its national day, marking an uprising in 1911 that ended China's last imperial dynasty and ushered in the Republic of China.

The republican government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's Communists, who set up the People's Republic of China. The Republic of China remains Taiwan's formal name.

In an angry post on Facebook, Ma, who was president from 2008-2016 and is a senior member of Taiwan's main opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT), said the government was laying a path to Taiwan's independence by calling the celebration in its official English translation "Taiwan National Day", which it has done since 2021.

"I cannot sit idly by while the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government jeopardises Taiwan's security and harms the Republic of China," he wrote. "Use your votes in the presidential elections next January to remove this government that violates the constitution of the Republic of China and disregards the safety of the Taiwanese people."

The KMT's presidential candidate, Hou Yu-ih, offered his support for Ma, saying: "I believe that what Taiwan and the people of Taiwan need is peace, not war."

The Kuomintang, which traditionally favours close ties with China, is trailing in opinion polls for the elections, with the DPP's William Lai the favourite to win.

The DPP champions an identity for Taiwan that is separate from China.

Taiwan Premier Chen Chien-jen, a DPP member himself, dismissed Ma's criticism, saying Ma had attended festivities previously when the English translation was Taiwan National Day.

"Let us come together to defend the sovereignty, freedom and democracy of our Republic of China, Taiwan," Chen told reporters, using the formulation the government favours for Taiwan's formal name.

Taiwan's president, Tsai Ing-wen, will give a major speech on national day, and there will also be a military parade in front of the presidential office.

Both Tsai and Lai have repeatedly offered talks with Beijing but have been rebuffed, as China believes both of them to be separatists.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Eloit Neal (courtesy photo)

Eliot Neal has been named as the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Person Assistant United States Attorney for the Southwest Regions (MMIP AUSA) encompassing New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Arizona.

Neal is currently the United States Attorney's Office District New Mexico Tribal Liaison to the Mescalero Apache Tribe. He is one of five MMIP AUSAs who will support the U.S. Attorneys offices in combatting the ongoing MMIP crisis. That support includes assisting in the investigation of unresolved MMIP cases and related crimes, and promoting communication, coordination, and collaboration among federal, Tribal, local, and state law enforcement and non-governmental partners on MMIP issues, according to a statement from the United States Attorneys Office District of New Mexico.

Neal hails from Wilson, Wyoming, at the foot of the Teton mountain range, a historical crossroads for the Crow, Gros Ventre, Blackfeet, Nez Perce, Bannock, Eastern Shoshone, and Sheep Eaters tribes.

He attended Middlebury College for his undergraduate degree and law school at Emory University. In 2022 Neal became an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico in the Las Cruces Branch Office in 2022. He has worked on a variety of cases, including child exploitation, gun crimes, and Indian Country crimes during his time at the District.

Eliot serves as the Districts Tribal Liaison to the Mescalero Apache Tribe. In that capacity, Eliot reestablished the Districts relationship with Mescalero after a fifteen-year lapse.

I am excited to be joining the Department of Justices response to the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous persons, Neal said in a statement. After losing my own brother, I know how devastating it is to have a loved one taken from you. In my new role, I will do everything I can to help bring about closure and justice to those impacted by the MMIP crisis.

Native American and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities face high rates of violence, with four in five AI/AN women experiencing violence in their lifetime, according to a report by the National Institute of Justice.

There is no comprehensive, nationwide data on MMIP. The Bureau of Indigenous Affairs estimates there 4,200 unsolved MMIP cases. However, due to poor data collection, advocates estimate there are many more. A report by the Urban Indian Health Institute showed New Mexico, Arizona and Utah among the states with the most MMIP in the nation.

About the Author: "Elyse Wild is senior editor for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. "

Contact: ewild@indiancountrymedia.com
Tech mogul Elon Musk was blasted on Sunday after he posted a meme that mocked the requests that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made for aid to help his country continue its fight against Russia.

The head of X, formerly known as Twitter, posted an edited picture of Zelenskyy that made it look as if his veins were popping out of his head.

The caption said: When its been 5 minutes and you havent asked for a billion dollars.

Although the X-man probably thought the post was comedy, many people werent laughing, especially since as many as 40,000 Ukranian civilians have died since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, according to Le Monde.

As a result, Musk was blasted for the post, and many people noted that hes not the guy who should be accusing others of freeloading.

bitch, your own companies have received more subsidies than Ukraine ever has go ahead & take many seats https://t.co/lJ1qLXYn3Q  LeGate  (@williamlegate) October 2, 2023

Very brave to post this when your company receives billions in government subsidies to exist, I actually gotta admire it. https://t.co/ptlfRVDWmj  iSorrowproductions (@ISPuuuv) October 2, 2023

Others noted that Musk seemed to be promoting propaganda that Russian President Vladimir Putin would admire.

I dont think there can be any doubt now that Musk is against democratic Ukraine and for fascist Russia, as hes using his own account to post Kremlin propaganda now. https://t.co/IlEGXBZhYT  Euan MacDonald (@Euan_MacDonald) October 2, 2023

Cancel all Department of Defence contracts with Musk organisations.



Cancel the commercial crew programme with Space X.



Traitors should not be given multi-billion dollar contracts.



If anyone is robbing the American tax-payer, it is tax dodging billionaires like this. https://t.co/hMsaEn6Nrq  Fellaraktar (@fellaraktar) October 1, 2023

Richest man on earth, and the owner of the number one global communication platform, is trying to undermine Ukraine's struggle to survive (which depends on Western military support), effectively campaigning for Russia and Putin. https://t.co/l6BueX8Fmh  Ulrich Speck (@ulrichspeck) October 2, 2023

Elon Musk and those within his immediate milieu should be stripped of their U.S. security clearances as soon as possible. https://t.co/uzYDSlgfDf  Jackie Singh  (@HackingButLegal) October 2, 2023

Zelenskyy came to Washington, D.C., last month and thanked the U.S. for the money and aid provided so far.

There is not a single soul here today who would not care what happens to freedom. And there is not a soul in Ukraine that does not feel gratitude to you, America, to you, the people who help us, not because you have to but because your heart cannot let you do otherwise, Zelenskyy said.

That is humanity. This is what makes us Ukraine. That is what makes you America.

Related...
FILE - Twitter, now X. Corp., and Tesla CEO Elon Musk poses before his talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, May 15, 2023, at the Elysee Palace in Paris. A California man who says he was harassed after Musk amplified posts on his platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that falsely placed the man at a confrontation involving far-right protesters sued the billionaire for defamation in a lawsuit filed Monday, Oct. 2. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  A California man who says he was harassed after Elon Musk amplified posts on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that falsely placed the man at a confrontation involving far-right protesters sued the billionaire for defamation in a lawsuit filed Monday.

Benjamin Brody, 22, is represented by Mark Bankston, a Texas attorney who won a defamation case last year against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones in a lawsuit brought by families of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. Brody is seeking a jury trial in Austin, Texas, and unspecified damages of at least $1 million.

Attorneys for Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment left through a spokesperson.

In June, video posted to X showed a confrontation involving protesters near a Pride festival in Oregon. Some of those involved wore the same colors of the Proud Boys extremist group, according to The Oregonian. On X, some users falsely identified one of the participants as Brody, highlighting his post-college plans to work for the government to spread baseless assertions that federal agents were involved.

The lawsuit includes screenshots of Musk engaging with users spreading the posts involving Brody, including one in which Musk described it as a probable false flag situation. Brody, a recent college graduate who said he was in California when the event happened, came under harassment because of Musk's reach, according to the lawsuit.

The posts by Musk were still on X as of Monday.

It is not the first time Musk has been sued for defamation. He defeated a lawsuit in 2019 from a British cave explorer who claimed he was branded a pedophile when the Tesla CEO called him pedo guy on what was then called Twitter.

Musk's tech company has also taken others to court over what is posted on the site. In August, X sued a group of researchers over accusations that their work highlighting an increase in hate speech on the platform cost the company millions of dollars of advertising revenue.
Elon Musk is being sued for defamation after falsely accusing a recent college graduate of being a neo-Nazi (featured on the left) that was unmasked at a hate rally.

Elon Musk is being sued for defamation after falsely accusing a recent college graduate of being a neo-Nazi (featured on the left) that was unmasked at a hate rally.

Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and far-right sympathizer, has been hit with a defamation lawsuit after he falsely accused a recent college graduate of being a federal agent involved with a neo-Nazi group.

Ben Brody, a 22-year-old Jewish man from California, filed the lawsuit against Musk on Mondayafter he said he and his family were forced to flee their home after continued harassment and threats after Musk promoted a dangerous conspiracy against Brody.

In yet another example of Elon Musks serial pattern of slander, he falsely told the world that Ben Brody participated in a violent street brawl on behalf of a neo-Nazi extremist group, the lawsuit, obtained by HuffPost, alleges.

The lawsuit centers around a fight between neo-Nazi group Rose City Nationalists (RCN) and neo-fascist group the Proud Boys that took place in Oregon earlier this year. In video footage that went viral, a member of RCN had his face mask pulled off, and internet sleuths went to work hoping to identify him.

But others dismissed the reality of far-right violence by falsely claiming members of the neo-Nazi group were actually federal agents. That included Musk, who amplified the false conspiracy that Brody was the man in the mask, then later suggested Brody was part of a false flag situation, in a post on X  previously called Twitter  that remains up today.

Musk made these ridiculously false and damaging accusations based on a tweet he had seen from an anonymous far-right extremist Twitter account, the lawsuit alleges. After amplifying the claim for two days, Musk personally leveled these accusations against Ben Brody, and it has led to severe personal harassment and permanent damage to his reputation.

Brody is being represented by attorney Mark Bankston of the Texas law firm Farrar & Ball. Bankston previously represented two Sandy Hook parents whowon $45 million in damages against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones after Jones spent years falsely claiming the 2012 school shooting that left 20 kids and six adults dead never happened. Jones currently owes more than $1 billion to several Sandy Hook families for his lies.

Brody is seeking more than $1 million in damages against Musk. You can read the full lawsuit here.

Musks defamatory statements have and will continue to cause harm to Ben Brody, the lawsuit says. Due to Musks conduct, Ben Brody has suffered and continues to suffer substantial damages in an amount to be proven at trial.

An attorney for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement to HuffPost, Bankston said his client plans to hold Musk accountable.

Im not going to let this young man be known for this neo-Nazi smear, Bankston said. Instead, Im going to make sure hes known as the person who stood up to Elon Musk.

From A Shitposting Account To Elon Musk

On June 24, members of the Portland Proud Boys went to Oregon Citys first-ever Pride Night Fest to disrupt the event and spew anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.

Along for the homophobic protest were members of RCN, a neo-Nazi group that had recently been involved in an online dispute with members of the local Proud Boys chapter, Vice News reported at the time.

The protest quickly devolved into violence, with members of the Proud Boys striking RCN members with American flagpoles and telling them to be gone, bitch!

Onestill-unidentified member of RCN is seen on video being propped up by his fellow neo-Nazis after he had been bowled over by the Proud Boys. Moments later, his mask is ripped off, revealing his face. The black-haired man, bleeding from his head, looks bewildered in the video as he goes to cover his face with his hands.

A screenshot of the still-unidentified neo-Nazi member with RCN moments after he has his mask ripped off.

A screenshot of the still-unidentified neo-Nazi member with RCN moments after he has his mask ripped off.

After video of the incident was posted the next day on what was then called Twitter, right-wing accounts, along with politicians, amplified the conspiracy that the white supremacist group were actually federal agents bent on making the right look bad.

One of those accounts went by the name Dr Frensor and was the first to falsely link the neo-Nazi to Brody.

Dr Frensor is an extreme rightwing shitposting account affiliated with the bizarre Groyper subculture, the lawsuit explains.

Dr Frensor posted a photo of Brody with his personal information that was found on his college fraternitys social media page. The caption on the photo read, After graduation he plans to work for the government, which Dr Frensor used as supposed proof that Brody was a federal agent.

As the lawsuit states, the account features extreme rightwing memes, neo-Nazi apologia/nostalgia, juvenile and cringe-worthy attempts at bigoted humor, low effort bait tweets, delusional panics over lazy hoaxes, and a cavalcade of absurdly false information. The account is the social media equivalent of gutter sludge.

Within a matter of hours, that gutter sludge had made its way to Musk, who responded to the post with very odd.

Brodys image and personal details soon spread across the internet. Matt Wallace, described in the lawsuit as a notoriously unreliable cryptocurrency YouTube influencer who frequently vies for Musks attention, also posted Brodys image alongside screenshots from the Oregon video to X, which remains up.

This prompted another response from Musk: Always remove their masks.

Elon Musk promoted the false conspiracy that 22-year-old Ben Brody was a federal agent pretending to be a neo-Nazi.

Elon Musk promoted the false conspiracy that 22-year-old Ben Brody was a federal agent pretending to be a neo-Nazi.

Dr Frensor, meanwhile, appeared to revel in the attention theyd gotten from the billionaire.

Me famous, the account posted. My memes best memes.

My Life Is Over

On June 26, Brody woke up still at the center of a dangerous right-wing conspiracy. At the urging of his friends, he made a video and posted it to Instagram attempting to clear his name. He also posted debit card receipts that showed he was in California the day of the Oregon fight.

My family and I are just being harassed completely, and I would be more than happy to clear up any confusion if necessary, Brody says in the video. This is just so ridiculous and I just really cant believe this is happening to me right now.

As Brodys image and personal details spread on Musks website, other users responded directly to the Tesla CEO urging him to stop amplifying disinformation.

It is not Benjamin Brody! an account responded to Musk. This is defamation!

Cannot overstate how much this isnt the same guy and how evil this whole fascist denial is, another account said.

ELONG STOP BEING AN IDIOT PLEASE an all-caps post read.

Dozens of users on X replied to Elon Musk urging him to stop spreading disinformation.

Dozens of users on X replied to Elon Musk urging him to stop spreading disinformation.

Brian Krassenstein, an influencer and Musk reply guy, posted Brodys video on his page with the caption: This needs to stop before things get out of hand...Please share before this guys life is ruined.

On June 27, conspiracy website Zero Hedge published a blog that was posted on X titled Patriot Front White Supremacist Unmasked As Suspected Fed.

Zero Hedge is perhaps best known for helping Alex Jones spread the lie that the Sandy Hook school shooting never happened, and that the parents of dead children were actors. U.S. intelligence officials have also accused Zero Hedge of publishing Kremlin propaganda.

Musk wasted no time replying to the account.

Looks like one is a college student (who wants to join the govt) and another is maybe an Antifa member, but nonetheless a probable false flag situation, Musk wrote that morning. He then tagged Community Notes, a section of the website dedicated to correcting misinformation.

Elon Musk on X suggested 22-year-old Ben Brody was a federal agent in a

Elon Musk on X suggested 22-year-old Ben Brody was a federal agent in a "probable false flag situation."

Though the Zero Hedge post was later deleted, Musks response remains up, and has been viewed more than 1 million times by logged-in users, according to Xs metrics.

Again, a wave of accounts rushed to defend Brody and inform Musk that he was wrong.

i hope you and zerohedge get sued like infowars and alex jones did. you spread lies and disinformation that affects real people. you are a monster, one user posted in response to Musk.

Incoming defamation suit in 3, 2 another user posted.

you are going to super hell for this, another said.

Users on X reached out to Elon Musk to urge him to stop falsely accusing a 22-year-old recent college graduate of being a federal agent posing as a neo-Nazi. Musk's posts remains up.

Users on X reached out to Elon Musk to urge him to stop falsely accusing a 22-year-old recent college graduate of being a federal agent posing as a neo-Nazi. Musk's posts remains up.

The lawsuit lists 91 accounts that all responded to Musk telling him he was wrong. All were apparently ignored by the billionaire, who is described in the lawsuit as having an ever-growing addiction to posting on Twitter.

In a July interview with Vice News, Brody described how he and his family had to leave their home after his phone number and familys address had been posted online.

In the car, I was freaking out and very nervous, very anxious, like, Oh my God, I cant believe this happened. You know, my life is over, Brody told the publication. Everything that I tried to work for and all this is just completely gone. And I genuinely felt very anxious, very nervous.

In August, Musk was informed through his attorneys about Brodys claim for defamation, according to the lawsuit.

In response, Musk has refused to retract his accusation or even delete his tweets, the lawsuit reads. In fact, Musks attorney indicated that Musk would seek fee shifting if Ben attempts to hold Musk accountable in court. In other words, if this 22-year-old victim tries to seek redress in court for what happened to him, he must risk having the richest man on the planet seek to collect fees against him.

A Pattern Of Reckless False Statements

Of the 60-page lawsuit, 17 pages are devoted to what the lawsuit describes as reckless false statements, promotion of disinformation, and denial of neo-Nazi violence by Musk.

In 2018, for instance, Musk accused a British diver who helped rescue children trapped in a cave in Thailand of being a pedophile after the man criticized Musks idea to rescue the boys via a kid-sized submarine.

Never saw this British expat guy who lives in Thailand (sus) at any point when we were in the caves, Musk tweeted at the time, later adding: Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it.

After buying Twitter for $44 billion in 2022, Musk used the platform to engage with far-right accounts and boost harmful conspiracy theories. In October, after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis (D-Calif.) husband, Paul Pelosi, was brutally assaulted at their San Francisco home, Musk promoted the false conspiracy that the attacker was Paul Pelosis lover.

There is a tiny possibility there might be more to this story than meets the eye, Musk tweeted, attaching a link to an article with the false claim.

There was no tiny possibility and Musk eventually deleted the tweet.

Musks falsities have also negatively impacted his businesses. In 2018, the Securities Exchange Commission brought charges against Musk after he tweeted that he was considering taking his electric car company, Tesla, private at $420 and had secured funding. Musk and Tesla paid up $20 million each to financial regulators in the ensuing settlement.

Its difficult to say the stock price is linked to [a] tweet, Musk told jurors during his testimony at the time. Just because I tweet about something doesnt mean people believe it or will act accordingly.

The lawsuit also makes mention of Musks continued relationship with far-right extremists. As Media Matters points out, Musk has cozied up to accounts that spread disinformation, attack the LGBTQ+ community, believe in QAnon and spread anti-immigration rhetoric.

As Musk battles what he calls the woke mind virus, he has blamed the Anti-Defamation League for his loss of advertisers on X, and in May claimed that aneo-Nazi gunman who killed eight people at a shopping mall in Allen, Texas may have been a psyop.

Im saying that I thought ascribing it to white supremacy was bullshit, Musksaid during a CNBC interview at the time.

It wasnt bullshit. The shooter had neo-Nazi tattoos including a swastika and the SS lightning bolt logo of Adolf Hitlers paramilitary forces.

The resurgence of neo-Nazism, which Musk has been so eager to deny in his public statements, has all the while been incubating on his own platform, along with every other form of political extremism, not to mention every flavor of apolitical opportunism and paranoid delusion, the lawsuit alleges.

Later this week, Linda Yaccarino, the new CEO of X, will meet with seven banks that all lent the social media company money. It will be a chance for Yaccarino to convince the lenders that X is on solid ground, despite bleeding advertisers and users. She may also have to defend her boss, who has consistently shown he has no plans to stop spreading falsehoods.

Musk said so himself in a May interview with CNBCs David Faber.

Ill say what I want to say, he said. And if the consequence of that is losing money, so be it.

Related...
A recent college graduate who became the target of a bizarre Twitter-based conspiracy theory this summer is suing Elon Musk for defamation, after Musk appeared to endorse the hoax.

Ben Brody, 22, claims his life was upended in June when right-wing accounts falsely identified him as a participant in a neo-Nazi brawl in Oregon. Musk amplified those false allegations, repeating them days after people told him that Brody was uninvolved with the group. Brodys lawsuit, first reported by HuffPost, is being argued by Mark Bankston, an attorney who successfully sued InfoWars founder Alex Jones on behalf of parents of Sandy Hook victims.

Elon Musk Pledged $100,000 to This PAC and Never Delivered

Jones had wrongly claimed the Sandy Hook massacre was a false flag: a hoax staged to trick Americans into supporting gun laws. Musk, who has downplayed far-right extremism on Twitter and elsewhere, wrongly suggested that Brodys alleged involvement in the neo-Nazi brawl meant that the event was also a probable false flag situation.

The fight was not a false flag but a real slap-fight between two feuding far-right groups, The Daily Beast reported in June.

While protesting outside an Oregon City Pride event, members of the extremist groups the Proud Boys and the Rose City Nationalists put their ideological similarities aside to sling slurs and punches at each other. During the spat, Proud Boys pulled off the ski masks that two RCN members were wearing, revealing their faces.

Handout

When footage of the fight hit the internet, observers were quick to call for the unmasked RCN members names. Almost immediately, according to Brodys lawsuit, a far-right Twitter account shared Brodys picture, falsely identifying him as one of the brawlers.

The Twitter user claimed Brody was proof that the neo-Nazi group was actually composed of federal agents in disguise. A member of patriot front is ACTUALLY a political science student at a liberal school on a career path towards the feds, the Twitter user wrote.

That identification was obviously incorrect. The Twitter user had lifted Brodys picture from an Instagram post by Brodys Jewish fraternityan unlikely affiliation for a neo-Nazi.

Nevertheless, Musk was quick to reply to the post. Very odd, the worlds richest person wrote.

People who knew Brody were quick to push back on the allegations. Its not Ben Brody, I spoke with him and a friend earlier, he was not there, a Twitter user replied several hours after Musks post.

Brody also took to social media to defend himself. On Instagram, he shared time-stamped receipts showing him buying a drink in California on the day of the Oregon fight. He also contacted a store hed visited at the time of the fight, requesting security footage that would have proved he was in California, according to the lawsuit. And he posted a video denouncing the rumors as just crazy.

Screenshot/X

My family and I are being harassed completely, Brody said in the clip.

Twitter users sent Brodys denials to Musk, along with warnings that Musk was risking a defamation lawsuit. It is not Benjamin Brody! reads one tweet quoted in the lawsuit. This is defamation!

Nevertheless, Musk continued to tweet about the fight, replying always remove their masks to another tweet that falsely identified Brody.

Two days after his initial tweet about Brody, Musk replied to a conspiracy-promoting account, which had tweeted an article about Brody. Looks like one is a college student (who wants to join the govt) and another is maybe an Antifa member, but nonetheless a probable false flag situation, Musk wrote.

Brodys attorneys claim the posts are yet another example of Elon Musks serial pattern of slander.

Musk has been personally using the platform to spread false statements on a consistent basis while propping up and amplifying the most reprehensible elements of conspiracy-addled Twitter, the lawsuit alleges.

The suit points to other instances in which Musk has promoted conspiracy theories, like one that falsely claimed a brutal attack on Rep. Nancy Pelosis husband was part of a gay lovers quarrel. The attack was actually carried out by a conspiracy blogger.

One of those conspiracy claims has previously resulted in a defamation case against Musk. In 2018, Musk became embroiled in a war of words with a cave diver who had helped rescue 12 boys trapped in a Thailand cave. After the diver criticized Musks cave-rescue plan, Musk baselessly called the diver a pedo guy. The diver (represented by soon-to-be-infamous conspiracy lawyer Lin Wood) sued Musk for defamation but lost.

Handout

Brody still lives with the effects of Musks allegations, the lawsuit claims.

When Musk fully endorsed the accusation on June 27th, Ben felt like his life was over, the suit reads, adding that Brody is worried his dreams for a public-facing government career might be in jeopardy.

Ben worries that future employers may decide that its simply not worth it to hire an employee in a public-facing position who is connected to a bizarre controversy involving a neo-Nazi group, his lawsuit claims.

The suit also likens Brodys case to that of Sandy Hook parents, whom Brodys lawyer previously represented.

Ben is also aware that fringe members of conspiracy-obsessed communities often fixate years later on individuals who were alleged to have participated in a false flag such as the parents of children murdered at Sandy Hook, his suit notes.

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Your electronic devices may have alarmed you on Wednesday  and there's a reason for that.

A nationwide test of the federal emergency alert system started broadcasting just before 2:20 p.m. EDT to cellphones, televisions and radios across the United States. The test occurred simultaneously in every time zone coast to coast.

Most Americans with wireless cellular devices should have received an emergency alert message on their phones. Those whose televisions or radios were turned on when the test occurred should have seen or heard an alert message, too.

Russia tested its own emergency public warning system on Wednesday, sounding sirens across the country and interrupting some television and radio broadcasts, Reuters reported.

Here's what to know about the U.S. test:

What is an emergency alert?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency conducted Wednesday's test in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission. Emergency alert messages that made up the test were divided into two groups  the Emergency Alert System for radios and televisions, and the Wireless Emergency Alerts for wireless phones  although both happened at once.

Wednesday marked the seventh nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. Six previous tests were conducted over the years between November 2011 and August 2021. This was the third nationwide test of wireless alerts, and the second nationwide test transmitted to all cellphones, FEMA said in a statement.

As the Wireless Emergency Alert test was sent out to phones, the Emergency Alert System test was sent to televisions and radios.

"With the combination, you're going to catch a wide swath of people," said Joseph Trainor, a core faculty member at the University of Delaware's Disaster Research Center, who studies the design of disaster warning systems and how they operate, with a particular focus on mobile warning systems and smart warning systems. Trainor has worked with government agencies before, in the U.S. and abroad, to develop their emergency warning systems and procedures.

"We know that they are effective systems," Trainor told CBS News. "Like any system, there are strengths and weaknesses. How many characters you can use, how much you can transmit, how fast you can get it out. Every system has limits, and that's why we tell people, when we are giving advice about building warning systems, you don't ever want to rely on just one thing."

Why was the alert system being tested?

Since 2015, FEMA has been required under federal law to test the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System at least once every three years, and those tests can involve the Emergency Alert System, wireless alert system, and other alerts and warnings.

Wednesday's test was conducted to evaluate the technological capabilities of the national alert system to reach and inform as many people as possible in case of a widespread emergency. A backup date of Wednesday, Oct. 11, was scheduled in case other emergencies, like extreme weather, prevented it from going forward as planned on Oct. 4.

"If at some point the time comes that we need to put a wireless emergency alert to the entire nation, for some really serious, catastrophic event, the ability to send out messages in little places, smaller counties, smaller geographic areas, is not the same as having the capacity to distribute those messages across the entire system," Trainor explained. "So, one of the reasons that you might do something like this is to test the technological limits of the system, to make sure that it's available in that way."

Spokespeople from FEMA and the FCC said both agencies are confident the emergency alert system works as intended for television and radio broadcasts as well as mobile phones. But conducting Wednesday's test still allowed them to gather valuable information from the companies that participated.

"When it comes to evaluating the results of the alerting tests, the FCC is collecting information both from EAS participants and participants in WEA," a spokesperson for the FCC said Tuesday. "So for all EAS participants, and that includes broadcasters, cable companies, satellite TVs, and so forth, they're required to file information with the FCC about how the test went for them."

"They're required to report to the commission whether they received the alerts, whether they were able to transmit it back out to the public, whether they encountered any technical issues in the course of sending those alerts out, and the FCC then analyzes that information to determine any opportunities of improvement of the system as a whole," the spokesperson continued, noting that a similar evaluation process will happen between the FCC and the nine largest U.S. wireless providers that participated in the test.

Providers will essentially answer a set of survey questions, asking for the exact time each provider received the test from the integrated public system and the time they transmitted out to cell towers, and whether they encountered any technical issues along the way.

"When we receive those responses, we can take a look at that and identify any weaknesses in the system and any opportunities for improvement," the spokesperson said.

The test could also help raise public awareness about what to do in a national emergency, similar to the ways in which running a fire drill inside an office building or a school helps familiarize people with the process of an evacuation.

"When an alert comes in like this, it makes people ask, 'What is this? What am I doing here?'" Trainor said. "And there's a natural process for people when it comes to warnings, we sometimes call it milling, where they have to kind of process it, and make sense of what's going on, and decide if they're going to do something. You know, 'What is this thing? Is it real?'"

Exposure to emergency alert tests may prepare people to act quickly in the event of a real emergency, he said.

"Warning systems and alert systems, they get you started," Trainor said. "But there's a human decision process and, if it's the first time you've ever seen one in a real event, it's going to take you longer to make sense of what it is, and get the information you need, and process it to be able to make decisions."

How does the wireless test work?

The wireless portion of the test was launched through FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, a platform that unifies national alert systems for a range of mediums and allows officials to send authenticated emergency messages quickly to the public through multiple communications networks, including television, phone and radio. Wednesday's test was administered using a code sent to cellphones, according to FEMA.

Wireless alerts are created by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies, and sent to participating wireless providers through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, or IPAWS.

Wireless providers that participate in the integrated public system then dispatch alerts from cell towers to compatible phones in geo-targeted areas.

"The idea is that all of these systems are trying to work together to get information out, in as many ways as possible, to the right people," Trainor told CBS News. "So that folks have the information to make good choices about the risks around them."

Trainor noted that research into wireless alerts, like texts, show they tend to be "very good at getting people's attention."

"When your cellphone makes a noise, you look," he said.

FEMA said no personal data was collected from anyone's devices in the process.

How long was the wireless emergency alert test?

Cell towers are broadcasting the emergency alert test for 30 minutes, which started at approximately 2:20 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, but each phone should only receive it once.

During that half-hour, wireless phones that were turned on, not in "airplane mode" and compatible with the alerts should have received a test message, as long as they were located within a certain range of an active cell tower and their wireless provider participates in FEMA's wireless alert system, the agency said. All major wireless providers participate in the system. Some older devices may not be compatible with wireless alerts.

FEMA noted that, for people who were in the middle of a phone call at the time of the alert, the message and tone would be delayed until they hung up.

People who received the test alert on their phones should have seen a message that read: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."

The alert was translated automatically when it appeared on cellphones where the language settings were set to Spanish. That message read: "ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita accion."

Alerts were "accompanied by a unique tone and vibration," to make the wireless test more accessible for people with disabilities, according to FEMA.

After the sound was heard on Wednesday, the phrase "Two Minutes Early" began trending on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, as some wondered why the alert came earlier than expected. According to FEMA's news release, "Beginning at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes."

Was it possible to opt out of the wireless test?

People can elect not to receive certain emergency alert messages to their cellphones from local authorities, or in some instances, simply decide whether to subscribe or not to a specific set of emergency alerts put out by a particular agency. On the other hand, it was not possible to opt out of Wednesday's test of the national wireless alert system.

"Part of the reason why the system works the way it does, is that a cellphone has the ability to pick up broadcast signals," Trainor said. He noted that the integrated public alert system relies on broadcast technology that transfers information about emergencies to cellphone towers, and each of those towers then beams the information out to whichever wireless devices are geographically within its reach.

Before Wednesday, news of FEMA's test recently sparked a wave of conspiracy theories online, which were not based on reality and misrepresented how the technology works.

How does the test work for TVs and radios?

The Emergency Alert System test was scheduled to launch at the same time as the wireless portion, but only lasted for one minute.

When it launched, the test interrupted regular television and radio programming, regardless of which channel you'd been watching or which station you were tuned into, to broadcast a message that said: "This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public."

FEMA said ahead of the Emergency Alert System test that it would be "similar to the regular, monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar."

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Rena Murshud

In accordance with the request voiced by representatives of the Armenian residents of the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan on September 29 in the city of Yevlakh during a regular meeting regarding the organization of radio and television broadcasting, the situation with broadcasting in the region was studied, Azernews reports with reference to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Digital Development and Transport.

It was noted that as a result of radio monitoring, seven radio and nine television programs of Azerbaijan were broadcast through the Shusha TV and Radio Broadcasting Station in many territories of the Garabagh region, including Khankendi. Education of the Armenian residents living in the Garabagh region and communication of the calls of the Azerbaijani state to them is carried out using FM radio at frequencies 101.1, 103.5, and 97.7 MHz, as well as digital television at a frequency of 674 MHz, broadcast in Armenian and Russian languages,

However, additional measures will be taken to further expand the quality and coverage of radio and television broadcasts in the Garabagh region, the message says.

Communication network starts operating in Khankendi

Further to the report, the State Service for Special Communication and Information Security (SSIS) has created and put into operation a TETRA radio communication network in the city of Khankendi, as well as in Agdera and Khojaly districts for reliable management and organization of information exchange in operational mode.

It was reported that currently, preparations for the construction of "AzStateNet" network are underway in this region.

It was noted that the State Service of Special Communication and Information Security, guided by the decrees and orders of the President of Azerbaijan, continues to provide state bodies with uninterrupted and secure special-purpose communication.

It should be remembered that during the last period of the current year, 15 state institutions operating in the territories of Garabagh and East Zangezur economic regions were provided with data and internet channels through "AzStateNet" network.
RAMALLAH, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian government on Monday established a ministerial committee to confront Israeli settlement expansion in Area C of the West Bank.

Following a weekly cabinet meeting held in Ramallah, the Palestinian government said in a statement that the new committee will focus on the development of infrastructure in Area C, including the construction of roads, land reclamation, and the extension of electricity lines as well as water and communications networks.

"The committee aims to support the existence of the Palestinian residents in area C by imposing our sovereignty over the area and improving urban life in the territories," the statement said.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye was quoted as saying in the statement that the incumbent Israeli government attempted to annex Area C, noting that the area are "an integral part of the entire territory of the State of Palestine."

Being the largest and most strategically important part of the West Bank, Area C spans 3,456 square kilometers, or about 60 percent of the territory.

According to the Oslo Accords signed between Israel and the Palestinians in 1993, the West Bank was divided into three areas, with Area A under full security and administrative control of the Palestinian Authority (PA), and Area C under full Israeli control. The PA exercises administrative control over Area B but shares security control with Israeli authorities.

Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967 and has since established settlements there, which are considered as violations of international law.

The Israeli settlement issue is the most prominent aspect of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and one of the main reasons for the breakdown of the U.S.-sponsored peace talks in March 2014. 
The mother of a Black man who was left with a bloodied and swollen face after a police traffic stop in Florida says she did not recognize her own son in viral images of the incident.

Video footage went viral over the weekend showing LeKeian Woods, 24, being forcefully restrained by officers with the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office in Florida on Friday. At one point, one of the officers appears to slam Woods head into the ground as he lay chest-down by the side of a road.

Woods family hired civil rights lawyer Harry Daniels, who in turn told USA Today that Woods had been pulled over for a seatbelt violation before he was beaten by multiple officers. The video of the incident, which was filmed by a bystander, later shows Woods eyes swollen and face bloodied as hes propped up against the legs of one of the officers.

When I look at that picture of my son, I felt like Emmett Tills mother when she seen her son, Woods mother, Natassia Woods, told WJXT. He was unrecognizable.

She also expressed her shock at the officers actions depicted in the footage. I saw them kick my son and slam his face on the ground, she said. I could not believe they would do that to a person because if you kick a dog or do something to an animal, youre going down. So its OK to beat a human down like that?

In a statement Saturday, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said his agency is now conducting a review into the incident. On Friday, he said, JSO officers were involved in an incident in which force was used taking a subject into custody.

The agency takes all allegations of inappropriate use of force by JSO officers seriously, he added.

Daniels told the Associated Press on Sunday that following Woods arrest, he was taken to hospital where he was treated for a severe concussion. In a statement the day before, Daniels said Woods was lucky to still be alive.

If this video of the officers repeatedly assaulting LeKeian, slamming his head in the ground and tossing him around like a rag doll while hes handcuffed and defenseless isnt enough to convince you that these officers need to be off the street, just look at LeKeians face, Daniels said. He looks like he just went 12 rounds with a professional boxer.

Woods was being held in custody on Sunday night on a range of charges including armed traffic of cocaine, armed traffic of methamphetamine, resisting an officer with violence, and other offenses. Earlier, on Sunday afternoon, protesters gathered outside the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office headquarters calling for justice.

It hurt me so bad because I cant touch him, Woods mother said. I cant nurture him. I cant protect him. Im a mother. So I wont be able to hold my son. I cant see him. This is really bothering me at this time. I just want justice for my son.

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As I previously wrote Black women across the world are under attack, the same can also go for Black men. Its not just an American problem, Black people internationally can be murdered simply for the color of their skin.

On Friday, 61-year-old Hubert Brown was murdered after being stabbed to death in Bristol, England. According to the Independent, authorities are treating the incident as a race-hate crime.

Read more

This news comes just days after a teenage Black girl was stabbed to death in London, England. Although its not being treated as a hate crime, 15-year-old Elianne Andam was allegedly killed after she attempted to protect her friend who was being approached by her ex-boyfriend. When her friend declined a romantic gesture, her ex allegedly chased the two girls and attacked Andam with a long black knife.

Also in London, an unarmed Black man was fatally shot by a police officer after he was followed by local authorities. After he turned into a nearby neighborhood, his vehicle was blocked by an unmarked vehicle in a London alley and he was shot multiple times.

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An invasive algae species has been washing up on beaches on the western coast of Central America and the Caribbean  and its been happening more and more since 2011.

Sargassum, a floating seaweed, arrives on the shore in huge quantities, bringing with it an awful smell and sand fleas.

In 2015, the Guardian reported that the presence of sargassum in the Caribbean was so prominent that tourists began canceling vacations to avoid the algal blooms. Lawmakers in Tobago even went as far as to describe it as a natural disaster.

The invasive plants arent just spoiling peoples holidays. As the Guardian noted, the sargassum was piling up to nearly 10 feet high on beaches, cutting off boat access, and the abundance of the algae in the water was posing a threat to fish species. It can cost millions of dollars to clean up, too.

But Omar Vasquez told Business Insider that when he first saw sargassum, it was love at first sight.

Ive been saying we need to do something useful with all the Sargassum pic.twitter.com/7arqHpoRPZ  Brina (@Love_BrinaRose) July 28, 2023

Vasquez and his team collect the sargassum that has washed up on the shoreline and take it to his workshop, where he begins the process of turning it into bricks. The sargassum is ground down to make a powder, mixed with dirt, combined with water to make a paste, and then put through a machine to create Sargablocks.

Business Insider revealed that Vasquez has sold 20 homes made from Sargablocks so far, and he has built an additional 15 that he has given away to people in need.

Not only does Vasquez make money from hotels for the sargassum cleanup on local beaches, he also earns money from selling the bricks and the resulting homes. He is now looking to license and franchise the Sargablock recipe to other countries.

Sargablocks, while being cheap and sustainable to create, are also strong. Vasquez noted that one of the houses he built with the bricks has been standing for four years despite tropical storms and hurricanes battering it.

Residents also seem pleased with the Sargablock homes, with the Lopez family telling Business Insider that they feel safe and happy in a house that keeps cool in the heat and warm in the cold.

While its an innovative and positive use of an invasive plant species that would otherwise be left to rot, the presence of sargassum is still troubling and possibly made worse by global heating.

Algal blooms thrive in warmer waters, as a 2022 study from the Unidad Academica de Sistemas Arrecifales has shown, so a warming planet is likely driving the growth and spread.

According to the BBC, sargassum also traps plastic debris that encourages the presence and spread of Vibrio bacteria, causing harm to fish and crustacean populations and a potential risk to humans.

But with Vasquez finding an incredibly helpful use for sargassum, what has been an increasingly negative natural trend in the last decade has been turned into a significant positive, which could help change the construction industry for the better and benefit low-income families.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
Tanel Krieggul, an Estonian citizen who fought with the International Legion in Ukraine, was killed in a Russian drone strike on Lyman in Donetsk Oblast, Estonian news outlet Postimees reported on Oct. 1.

Krieggul, call sign "Stinger," fought with the International Legion, a unit for foreigners dedicated to Ukraine's defense. The house he shared with fellow servicemembers was reportedly hit by a Russian kamikaze drone, reducing the home to rubble.

Earlier on Oct. 1, Donetsk Oblast Governor Ihor Moroz reported that a drone struck a house in Lyman, causing casualties.

According to Postimees, Kreiggul joined the International Legion last year. He is the second Estonian citizen killed in action in Ukraine.

In March 2023, Postimees reported the death of Ivo Jurak, an Estonian soldier who joined the Ukrainian army after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

In April, two French International Legion volunteers, Kevin David and a soldier identified as "T," were killed in action.

Ukraine established the International Legion in February 2022.

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.
By Lunga Masuku

MBABANE (Reuters) - Fifty one men and eight women were elected to Eswatini's parliament in last week's election, with a strong showing for pro-royalist candidates in results expected to make little difference to the politics of Africa's last absolute monarchy.

The southern Africa nation has been ruled by King Mswati III since 1986, when he inherited the crown from his father, Sobhuza II. It went to the polls on Friday to elect politicians who effectively function as the king's advisers with no executive power. The electoral commission published the results on Monday.

Political parties are banned in the country of about 1.2 million people, but individual candidates are allowed to run for seats in the House of Assembly every five years.

Of the parliamentarians elected in Eswatini, which changed its name from Swaziland in 2018, most were seen as being loyal to the king and also included former journalists and teachers.

In addition to the 59 elected members of parliament, the king will appoint 10 more to the House of Assembly at his discretion, which will include five women.

An African Union-led election observation mission said women continued to be underrepresented in parliament.

Many Swazis are reluctant to criticise the 55-year-old king despite rising anger that fuelled violent pro-democracy protests in 2021.

Mswati has also been accused by pro-democracy campaigners of consistently evading calls for meaningful reforms that would push the country towards democracy.

(Reporting by Lunga Masuku, Writing by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Tim Cocks and Alison Williams)
Foreign ministers of the European Union countries are convening in Kyiv for the first-ever meeting of all 27 member states outside the EU, the bloc's chief diplomat Josep Borrell announced on Oct. 2.

"We are convening a historic meeting of EU Foreign Ministers here in Ukraine, candidate country and future member of the EU," Borrell wrote on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

"We are here to express our solidarity and support to the Ukrainian people."

The visit was not publicly announced in advance for security reasons, Euronews said.

In a joint press conference with Borrell, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba welcomed the EU officials convening for the Foreign Affairs Council session.

Kuleba told reporters that the fact that the EU foreign ministers are meeting in Kyiv "is a message of the unfettered support that the European Union is extending for Ukraine."

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Borrell explained that the meetings in Ukraine's capital would not seek to reach concrete conclusions but would take the form of an informal "brainstorming" between the EU and Kyiv to discuss Europe's present and future support.

The EU chief diplomats will also study President Volodymyr Zelensky's peace formula for ending the ongoing war, Borrell added.

The Foreign Affairs Council convenes at least once per month to define and implement the EU's foreign and security policy.

The Italian news agency ANSA reported on Sept. 18, citing three unnamed sources, that the bloc's foreign ministers would convene in Kyiv in early October for the next Foreign Affairs Council meeting.

The officials would reportedly address Ukraine's accession to the EU, military support for Kyiv's fight against Russian aggression, and tightening sanctions against Moscow, the news agency said.

Borrell visited Ukraine's southern city of Odesa on Sept. 30. Speaking at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, Borrell affirmed that "the EU stands with Ukraine for as long as it takes."

The official then traveled to Kyiv, where he met Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to discuss Europe's military support for Ukraine.

Read also: Borrell in Kyiv: EU support for Ukraine has reached 85 billion euros

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Olena Harmash

KYIV (Reuters) -EU foreign ministers expressed support for Ukraine during a meeting in Kyiv on Monday, their first in a non-member country, after a pro-Russian candidate won an election in Slovakia and the U.S. Congress left Ukraine war aid out of its spending bill.

Kyiv brushed off concerns that support for its war effort was fading on both sides of the Atlantic, especially in the United States where Congress excluded aid to Ukraine from an emergency bill to prevent a government shutdown.

"We don't feel that the U.S. support has been shattered ... because the United States understands that what is at stake in Ukraine is much bigger than just Ukraine," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told reporters as he greeted the EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell.

The omission of Ukraine from the U.S. spending bill sent pro-Kyiv officials scrambling to find the best way to secure approval for further assistance on top of the $113 billion in security, economic and humanitarian aid the U.S. has provided since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Leaders in the Senate, narrowly controlled by President Joe Biden's fellow Democrats, promised to take up legislation in the coming weeks on continued support. But in the Republican-led House of Representatives, Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he wanted more information from the Biden administration.

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre urged Congress to act quickly.

As for the election victory of pro-Russian Slovak former Prime Minister Robert Fico, Kuleba said a new leader would still have to form a coalition and it was "too early to judge" the impact on politics there.

Monday's meeting in Kyiv was touted by Borrell as an historic first for the EU but it comes at an awkward time for the Western countries backing Kyiv.

With summer drawing to a close, Ukraine's counteroffensive has failed to produce the victories that Kyiv's allies had hoped to see before mud clogs the treads of donated tanks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, quoted by his website, said he was sure "Ukraine and the entire free world are capable of winning this confrontation. But our victory depends directly on our cooperation with you."

Borrell told a news briefing with Kuleba the EU remained united in its support for Ukraine. He had proposed an EU spending package for Kyiv of up to 5 billion euros ($5.25 billion) for 2024 which he hoped to have agreed by then.

Kuleba said it would help Ukraine and the EU to have clarity on the judicial aspects of transferring Russian assets frozen in the West to help fund Ukraine's reconstruction.

PREPARING FOR WINTER

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock sought help to prepare Ukraine for winter, including air defence and energy supplies, after Russia bombed energy installations last year.

"Last winter, we saw the brutal way in which the Russian president is waging this war," Baerbock said. "We must prevent this together with everything we have, as far as possible."

Moscow touted the congressional vote in the United States as a sign of increasing division in the West, although the Kremlin said it expected Washington to continue its support for Kyiv.

The omission of aid for Ukraine was "temporary", Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

"But we have repeatedly said before that according to our forecasts fatigue from this conflict, fatigue from the completely absurd sponsorship of the Kyiv regime, will grow in various countries, including the United States," he said.

Support for Kyiv has been mixed in the "Global South", prompting Kuleba to make visits to different countries, particularly in Africa.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador criticised as "irrational" U.S. military aid to Ukraine and urged Washington to devote more resources to helping Latin American countries.

"...How much have they destined for the Ukraine war? 30 to 50 billion dollars for the war," he told reporters. "Which is the most irrational thing you can have. And damaging."

In Western countries, elections are looming, above all next year in the United States where former President Donald Trump is leading the Republican field in his bid to return to the White House. Several right-wing Trump supporters in Congress have called for a halt to Ukraine aid.

Although most Republican lawmakers still support Kyiv, House speaker McCarthy was forced to rely on Democrats to pass the measure to keep the government open and might need them again to support any bill to fund Ukraine. Right wingers have threatened to try to remove him.

Kuleba said Ukraine had "a very in-depth discussion with both parts of the Congress - Republicans and Democrats", and expected aid to continue.

In Europe, pro-Russian former prime minister Fico won the most votes in the Slovak election and will get a chance to form a government. His campaign had called for "not a single round" of ammunition from Slovakia's reserves to be sent to Ukraine.

"We are not changing that we are prepared to help Ukraine in a humanitarian way," Fico told a news conference. "We are prepared to help with the reconstruction of the state but you know our opinion on arming Ukraine."

Fico was given two weeks to form a government. To do so, he would have to establish a coalition with at least one other party that does not publicly share his position on Ukraine.

Slovakia, a NATO state bordering Ukraine, has taken in refugees. Its outgoing government, has provided a major supply of weapons, notably being among the first to send fighter jets.

($1 = 0.9530 euros)

(Additional reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Jan Lopatka, Jason Hovet and Reuters bureaux; Writing by Peter Graff and Ron Popeski; Editing by Jon Boyle and Stephen Coates)
Following an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that there is a consensus within the European Union on Ukraine's future membership.

Source: Kuleba at the final press conference, as reported by European Pravdas correspondent

Details: Kuleba said there was a "consensus at the ministers negotiating table; the only issue is time".

"Everyone is determined to move forward at maximum speed, taking into account all the reforms that Ukraine has been and is implementing and will continue to implement," the foreign minister said.

"Our key message was that we will fulfil all seven key recommendations of the European Commission to open membership negotiations. We expect them to be assessed fairly, transparently, and without additional conditions. And the atmosphere shows that we have a consensus on this issue," Kuleba added.

Background:

Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, said that there is a general consensus in the EU on the opening of accession talks between Ukraine and the EU, but that the final decision will be preceded by work with the EU member states.

In a conversation with the new EU Ambassador Katarina Mathernova, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised that work on the seven European Commission criteria for Ukraines EU accession would be completed within a month.

Read more about the seven European Commission criteria: Mission Not Accomplished: Start of EU Accession Negotiations Still at Risk

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!
BEIRUT, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Minister of the Displaced Issam Charafeddine on Monday called on Syrian authorities to appoint observers on the Lebanese-Syrian borders to stop the smuggling of displaced Syrians, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.

While urging Syria to dismantle the networks involved in smuggling displaced people, Charafeddine stressed "the need to stop the displacement of Syrians, which requires a political decision and repeated meetings between Lebanese and Syrian authorities."

The Syrian refugee crisis was further aggravated as thousands of Syrians attempted to enter Lebanese territories through illegal crossings over the past weeks.

Syrians' recent attempts to illegally enter Lebanon prompted Lebanese security agencies to increase border measures to stop Syrians' smuggling attempts into Lebanon.

Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with an estimated 1.5-2 million Syrian refugees living in the country.

Lebanese officials have repeatedly insisted on returning Syrian refugees to their homeland, saying the large number of Syrian refugees weighed heavily on Lebanon's economy and infrastructure. 
During her visit to Kyiv to participate in an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the European Union will soon stretch from Lisbon to Luhansk.

Source: Baerbock talking to journalists, as reported by a correspondent of European Pravda

Quote: "Ukraine's future lies in the European Union, our community of freedom, and it will soon stretch from Lisbon to Luhansk. It [Ukraine] also broadens its path to the EU with every village, every metre that it liberates, and every metre where it saves its people," the minister said.

Details: Baerbock stressed that European friends and partners will support Ukraine on this path. In this regard, the minister also emphasised that Ukraine stands ready to implement impressive reforms amidst the terrifying Russian aggression.

"These are things like changing legislation in the legal field, in the media field, but also in terms of fighting corruption, and we are openly discussing the issue that we can expand this path together with our partners here in Ukraine," Baerbock said.

The German Foreign Minister arrived in Ukraine for the second time this autumn.

Background: Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, stated that there is a general consensus in the EU to open accession talks between Ukraine and the EU, albeit that work with the capitals will precede the final decision.

In a conversation with the new EU Ambassador, Katarina Mathernova, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to fulfil the seven criteria of the European Commission in a month.

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!
Former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham guessed Sunday at Donald Trumps frame of mind as he heads to trial in New York.

Im thinking that this latest case has really got him pretty nervous and scared, Grisham, who served as the former presidents press secretary for nine months, said on MSNBC.

Trump announced that he would attend court Monday for the start of the civil fraud trial brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The judge overseeing that case ruled last week that Trump committed fraud for years and ordered that some of his companies be dissolved as punishment. The 2024 front-runner could face further penalties as the case continues.

In previous cases, Trump opted not to show up to court. He didnt attend when the Trump Organization and one of its top executives were convicted of tax fraud last year, nor did he appear earlier this year when a jury found him liable for sexually assaulting writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s.

According to Grisham, Trump cares about this case because of what he has to lose.

In his mind, Trump Tower in Manhattan is the most recognizable building, you know, beyond the Chrysler Building or anything else, she said. So you know, that kind of thing being taken from him [has] got to be a huge blow to his ego.

Ive gotta say, I feel bad for any staffer who is around that man right now, she added.

Other former Trump insiders have also suggested the stakes are particularly high for the former president in this case. Michael Cohen, his onetime fixer and former personal attorney, told MSNBC that Trump is facing his biggest fear and described the loss of his companies as a deathblow.

Watch Grishams analysis below on MSNBC.
Hunter Biden , son of President Joe Biden , is scheduled to appear Tuesday in a federal court in Wilmington where he is expected to plead not guilty to firearms charges.

He was indicted last month on felony gun charges following years of investigation by federal prosecutors in Delaware and months of legal wrangling over a prior agreement with prosecutors to see the firearms offenses dismissed.

In September, prosecutors charged Hunter Biden with three weapons charges, claiming he purposefully deceived a firearms dealer in New Castle County when he purchased a .38-caliber revolver in 2018. Specifically, prosecutors claim that Biden, in purchasing the gun, lied on federal forms by denying that he was addicted to any narcotics. The presidents son has acknowledged he was addicted to drugs at the time.

Hunter Biden and his legal team arrive for a hearing regarding his criminal tax case at the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

The charges carry the potential for 25 years in prison, though a first-time offender like Hunter Biden would likely not receive such a sentence if convicted.

In court filings and public statements, an attorney for Hunter Biden criticized the charges as illegitimate and said his client will plead not guilty Tuesday, setting up the potential for a criminal trial in Delaware sometime in the future.

Whats happening Tuesday?

Hunter Biden's arraignment and initial appearance in the gun case is scheduled for Tuesday. The purpose of the hearing is essentially for the judge to ensure that Hunter Biden understands his rights and the charges against him, allow him to enter a plea, and for the court to set the terms of his pretrial release.

The hearing will occur in the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on King Street in downtown Wilmington where dozens of national reporters will stage before and after the hearing. Attorneys on both sides expect the hearing to go quickly, according to their submissions to the court.

In recent weeks, Hunter Bidens attorneys asked the court to allow him to attend via video conference.

In a letter written to the judge, attorney Abbe Lowell said his client understands his rights and the charges against him, intends to plead not guilty and so traveling from his home in California to Wilmington would be unnecessary for what should be a rather short proceeding.

RECENT: Hunter Biden indicted on federal gun charges for allegedly lying about drug addiction

Prosecutors under Davis Weiss, the U.S. Attorney for Delaware, argued that Hunter Bidens appearance in person was important to promote the publics confidence that the defendant is being treated consistently with others.

They also argued that Hunter Bidens in-person attendance will be more conducive to sorting out any issues that may arise, citing contradictory statements he made at a July hearing where a deal to stave off the charges he now faces fell apart.

Presiding Judge Christopher J. Burke ultimately ruled that Hunter Biden must attend the hearing, which was originally scheduled to occur last week.

Whats changed since July hearing?

This will be Hunter Bidens second federal court appearance in Delaware in recent months.

In July, his attorneys had struck a deal with federal prosecutors. The plan for both sides going into that hearing was that Hunter Biden would plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and enter a separate diversion agreement to stave off prosecution on the gun charges.

That diversion agreement gave him immunity from potential future prosecutions involving his finances as long as he abided by the terms of that agreement.

However, the parties accord unraveled under questioning from presiding District Judge Maryellen Noreika.

Hunter Biden leaves the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington after the hearing regarding his criminal tax case, Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Noreikas questioning exposed differing positions between defense attorneys and prosecutors over the scope of immunity the diversion agreement allowed. She also questioned what role she would have in potentially enforcing the agreement, accused both parties of seeking a rubber stamp and said she could not accept the plea deal without further information.

She ordered the parties to amend the wording of the agreement and submit further briefings, but the divide between the attorneys exposed in the hearing only grew after the court adjourned.

LOCAL COVERAGE: How Hunter Biden's plea agreement fell apart in federal court, leading to not guilty plea

Since then, federal prosecutors filed paperwork dismissing the tax charges and indicating they will refile the charges in either California or Washington D.C. They also told the court they regard the gun-diversion agreement as dead. Hunter Bidens attorneys have told the court the agreement is still in place.

It is unclear if Tuesdays hearing will address the disputed diversion agreement.

What could come next?

The situation puts the presidents son on track for a potential criminal trial in Delaware as his father campaigns for reelection. But its likely defense attorneys will seek to have the charges thrown out ahead of that potential trial.

In a written statement published by USA Today, Lowell, one of Hunter Bidens lawyers, labeled the new firearms charges as a product of political pressure. He said nothing changed in the weeks since prosecutors were willing to not pursue the charges with the diversion agreement.

He added that the previous agreement Hunter Biden had with prosecutors and recent court rulings elsewhere invalidate the charges.

IMPEACHMENT HEARING RECAP: Here's what witnesses said about Joe Biden, Hunter Biden

Meanwhile, Hunter Bidens finances are also part of a congressional inquiry by Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives seeking to tie the president to his sons business dealings overseas. Additionally, a handful of lawsuits over Hunter Bidens laptop continue to move through the courts.

Most recently, Hunter Biden sued Rudy Giuliani, claiming the then-campaign attorney for former President Donald Trump illegally copied, manipulated and distributed his private records.

HUNTER BIDEN CASE: Lead prosecutor cut a contentious path during his time in Baltimore

Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Hunter Biden to appear in Delaware federal court Tuesday to enter plea
Donald Trump and his three adult children are listed as witnesses in New York Attorney General Letitia James' $250 million civil fraud trial against the former president and his companies  a case that could have extensive ramifications for his business empire.

Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr. are among the 28 names on James' list of witnesses to be called in the case alongside former Trump attorney Michael Cohen and former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg, who pleaded guilty last year to running a 15-year tax fraud scheme at the company.

James' lawsuit accuses the ex-president and his two sons of committing massive fraud in New York for years by repeatedly misrepresenting his wealth by hundreds of millions of dollars while building Trump's real estate empire.

Judge Arthur Engoron ruled last week that Trump committed fraud in his business dealings and some of his business licenses be rescinded as punishment. The judge also ordered that an outside "receiver" must be appointed to supervise the management of those Trump properties within 30 days.

The trial started on Monday and is expected to last for weeks, possibly even months as Engoron decides on the remaining claims in James' lawsuit, including allegations of falsifying business records, issuing false financial statements, insurance fraud and conspiracy.

Trump's defense lawyers submitted their list of 127 witnesses, including Trump and his two oldest sons.

The decision may force Trump and his sons into a corner, Temidayo Aganga-Williams, white-collar partner at Selendy Gay Elsberg and former senior investigative counsel for the House Jan. 6 committee, told Salon.

"Trump and his sons can choose to answer the attorney general's questions truthfully on the stand and under oath," Aganga-Williams said. "In a case where many gross misstatements are already documented on paper, this route may prove to be a treacherous one. It will be difficult for Trump to credibly explain away the allegations against him and his companies."

The Trumps can also choose to plead their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, he added, pointing to the example of the ex-president pleading the Fifth last year when answering James' questions during a court-ordered deposition in the same case.

While the second option is what Trump may likely do, it is "equally problematic," Aganga-Williams said. "Trump has the right to remain silent but exercising that right in this case is not without risk."

In his 35-page ruling last week, Engoron said that James "has demonstrated that there remain, at the very least, disputed issues of fact as to whether defendants violated these statutes, intentionally and materially."

Trump's fixer-turned-critic Cohen's 2019 congressional testimony initially brought to public attention what the trial judge has already determined as widespread fraud in Trump's annual financial statements to banks and insurers.

Cohen told MSNBC's Jen Psaki that the former president's "biggest fear" is losing money and not being considered a "mega-billionaire."

"It is the death blow to Donald," he said. "And I'll tell you, during my tenure at the Trump Organization, I can tell you this has always been his biggest fear that he would lose money, that he would lose all of his money and that he would no longer be considered the mega-billionaire that he tried to portray himself as."

James has credited Cohen's testimony as the catalyst for the three-year investigation that ultimately led to her filing the fraud lawsuit.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Cohen and Weisselberg's testimony could be "explosive," since they both come from Trump's inner circle and have admitted to "extensive financial wrongdoing" committed while working for Trump, Aganga-Williams said

"Both men would be able to recount any alleged wrongdoing from a firsthand perspective, which bolsters their credibility and could be incredibly damaging to any defense Trump puts forward," he added.

The "best" witnesses for the plaintiffs will be those who can prove Trump's knowledge that the finances were fraudulent, specifically, anyone who can testify to what Trump said and what was said to him, former federal prosecutor and president of West Coast Trial Lawyers Neama Rahmani told Salon.

"The same applies to other executives in the Trump Organization because their knowledge can be imputed to the entity," Rahmani said. "The other helpful witnesses will be experts who will opine on the inflated values of the properties used to secure the loans."

The former president has blasted Engoron as a "deranged, Trump hating" judge who has violated his civil rights, calling him a "political hack" on his social media site Truth Social. He also sued Engoron himself, seeking to delay the trial and ultimately dismiss numerous allegations brought against Trump, according to The New York Times.

"I'm going to Court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation against a corrupt and racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who campaigned on 'getting Trump,' and a Trump Hating Judge who is unfair, unhinged, and vicious in his PURSUIT of me," Trump wrote in a post Sunday night.
A worker in a protective suit pokes a metal rod to tap slag from a smelting furnace at PT Vale Indonesia's nickel processing plant in Sorowako, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. As demand for materials needed for batteries, solar panels and other components vital for cutting global emissions rises, carbon emissions by miners and refiners will likewise rise unless companies actively work to decarbonize. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

SOROWAKO, Indonesia (AP)  Red hot sparks fly through the air as a worker in a heat-resistant suit pokes a long metal rod into a nickel smelter, coaxing the molten metal from a crucible at a processing facility on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

The smelter run by global mining firm Vale and powered by electricity from three dams churns out 75,000 tons of nickel a year for use in batteries, electric vehicles, appliances and many other products.

While the smelting creates heavy emissions of greenhouse gases, the power used is relatively clean. Such possible reductions in emissions come as demand for critical minerals like nickel and cobalt is surging as climate change hastens a transition to renewable energy.

Mining operations account for some 4%-7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to global consulting firm McKinsey & Company. But some miners are moving to reduce use of fossil fuels in extracting and refining, partly due to pressure from downstream customers that want more sustainable supply chains.

Located beside a crystal-blue lake in the lush jungle of Sorowako, South Sulawesi, Vale Indonesia  a subsidiary of Vale international  runs its smelters entirely from hydroelectricity. Vale says that can reduce its emissions by over 1.115 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year, compared to using diesel. Vale claims it has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions nearly a fifth since 2017.

As demand for materials needed for batteries, solar panels and other components vital for cutting global emissions rises, carbon emissions by miners and refiners will likewise rise unless companies actively work to decarbonize.

Experts say improved technology, pressure from customers and enforcement of clean energy policies all are needed to keep moving toward more sustainable mining and refining practices while raising output to keep pace with global needs for pivoting away from reliance on polluting fossil fuels.

Other companies and countries around the world also are reducing use of fossil fuels in their mining operations. Solar plants in Chile help power the mining sector, which consumes much of the countrys electricity demand to produce copper, lithium and other materials. In recent years, wind power has helped electrify the Raglan Mine in Canada.

Companies are learning from past mistakes of the industrial revolution, where reliance on fossil fuels was paramount for development, said Michael Goodsite, a pro vice chancellor and professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

I think as you see the future of certain operations, youll see them transitioning," he said. "The way that they transition and how they move from fossil fuel operations to other energy sources can and should be learned from by others.

Indonesia is the worlds largest nickel producer and Indonesian President Joko Widodo has promoted the country developing its own industries.

The push to cut emissions and use cleaner energy has been helped by investment and interest from governments and multinational companies. Volvo, Mercedes, Hyundai, Apple and other manufacturers need materials made in a more sustainable way to meet their own environmental, social and governance, or ESG, commitments.

Widodo visited Vale Indonesias Sorowako facilities in March, the same month a deal was signed for a $4.5 billion nickel procession plant to be built by Vale Indonesia with investment by Ford Motor Co.

Ford can help ensure that the nickel that we use in electric vehicle batteries is mined, produced within the same ESG standards as ... our business around the world, Christopher Smith, Fords chief government affairs officer, said at a signing ceremony for a new $4.5 billion nickel processing plant in Indonesia with Vale Indonesia in March this year.

Even companies already taking steps to decarbonize are still reliant on at least some fossil fuels.

At Vale Indonesia in Sorowako, coal is still used to power drying and reduction kilns. The company's CEO, Febriany Eddy, said she plans to switch such operations to liquefied natural gas  cleaner but still another fossil fuel.

It's the best option available given current technology, she said in an interview with The Associated Press.

I have two options in front of me: I continue to say that there is no viable option, that we will wait until that perfect solution is to come, which (could take) 15 or 20 years to come. Or I work with LNG first, knowing it is not a perfect solution, knowing it is a transition only," Eddy said. But with conversion to LNG, I can reduce 40% of my emissions.

The use as LNG as a bridge fuel has been contested by climate experts, as the fuel releases climate-warming methane and carbon dioxide when its produced, transported and burned.

Initial costs for switching to, expanding and building new renewable infrastructure are another steep barrier.

It took decades to recoup costs from building the three hydropower dams in the remote, sparsely populated area, that are used to power Vale's Sorowako facilities. But now, having that infrastructure means big savings at a time when global energy prices are high.

Hydropower isn't just reducing our carbon emissions, but also reducing our costs today because we are no longer that (vulnerable) to fuel and coal costs because we have hydropower, Eddy said.

Having mining operations powered by renewable sources instead of fossil fuels could also help unlock green financing and attract future investors, said Aimee Boulanger, executive director of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance.

The finance and investment sector is more tuned in than it ever has before to the environmental and social responsibility of supply chains and their investments in them. And theyre looking at greenhouse gas emissions, she said. When the world is recovering from a global pandemic and facing the global crisis of climate change, theres never been a time when theyve been more interested in these issues."

While many companies are stepping up efforts to decarbonize their supply chains, others  such as many of those making green energy materials in China, have less stringent requirements for their materials.

We can find jurisdictions around the world that  if theyre able to do things cheaply because they have access to fossil fuels and they already have the capital assets and the capital expenditures theyre going to continue doing that, Goodsite said when asked about Chinese businesses.

Ultimately, investors and consumers play a vital role in getting companies to clean up their operations, he said.

But phasing out the mining industry's reliance on fossil fuels will be costly, especially as the United States and other countries build up the capacity to bring production of critical materials onshore.

"If the end users care about them coming from ...a green energy based process... then we all need to be prepared to pay a significant premium for that, Goodsite said.

___

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.
Claim:

In early October 2023, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers surrendered to Russia.

Rating:

Rating: Unfounded

Context:

Based on reports from Russian state-owned news sources, social media users claimed as many as 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers opted to surrender to Russia in early October 2023 via a "special radio frequency." There is no evidence that is true.

In early October 2023, a rumor was circulated online that Ukraine was surrendering to Russia. "Special radio frequency being used so that Ukrainian soldiers can safely surrender to Russian forces," one X (formerly Twitter) user claimed. "Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are opting to surrender to the Russian Army. These surrenders were seen even through a newly established Russian radio frequency," the comment continued. Moreover, the in-question post on X had a photograph attached, allegedly depicting Ukrainian soldiers in an act of surrender.

(X user @JimFergusonUK)

"Ukrainian forces are laying down their Western-supplied arms and surrendering en masse," another post on X read, "Using emergency radio frequencies, they're receiving food & medical care and even sharing critical intel with Russian forces." In the video by X user @TheRedactedInc, which at the time of this writing had accumulated over 360,000 views, the hosts of the Redacted show claimed that "the Western media is not gonna show you this story."

First of all, we investigated the source of the photo visible in the viral post. TinEye's reverse-image search results showed that it had circulated online since at least April 2022. For instance, Reuters reported that on April 13, 2022, "Russian state TV released what it said was footage of Ukrainian soldiers surrendering in the city of Mariupol." However, Reuters was not able to verify the authenticity of the video.

What's more, we checked if any media outlets confirmed any of the above-mentioned claims about Ukraine surrendering to Russia and thousands of Ukrainian soldiers laying down arms. We found an article published on Sept. 27, 2023, by RT, a Russian state-controlled international news television network, which read:

More than 10,000 of Kiev's forces have reportedly laid down arms in recent weeks, using a special radio channel to contact the Russian military Large numbers of Ukrainian troops have surrendered to the Russian military in recent weeks, using a special radio frequency designed for fighters willing to lay down arms, TASS reported on Wednesday. The frequency, 149.200 call sign 'Volga', was set up by the Russian military during the summer. Thus far, it has been used by more than 10,000 Ukrainian servicemen who were subsequently taken into Russian custody, according to a source with knowledge of the situation cited by TASS. The person added that the radio frequency is active along the entire front line.

It continued, underscoring that allegedly more and more Ukrainian soldiers were surrendering in groups:

"More than 10,0000 Ukrainian soldiers have chosen life and used the 149.200 'Volga' frequency to surrender. The prisoners are well-fed and are provided with all the necessary medical care," the source stated. The process has seemingly accelerated recently as Ukrainian troops have surrendered in groups rather than individually, particularly around Rabotino, according to the TASS source. The village in Zaporozhye Region has become the scene of intense fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces in recent weeks.

The RT article stemmed from another article published by The Russian News Agency TASS, that claimed to have obtained all the above information from "operational services":

The 149.200 frequency, which can be accessed on any digital radio, is specially designated to be used by Ukrainian servicemen as a channel for communicating their intention to surrender to the Russian military, which can then locate them and take them captive safely, thus saving the Ukrainian servicemen from risking their lives crossing minefields to reach the Russian lines. The project has been operational since mid-summer.

Mostly Russian-owned websites (that consider the war in Ukraine "a special operation") such as Sputnik, copy-pasted the in-question information online and spread pro-Russian propaganda to the effect that, for instance, Russia is aiming "to prevent pointless bloodshed among by Ukrainian soldiers." Given that, it is highly possible that the rumor about Ukraine surrendering to Russia in 2023 was deliberately spread by Russian officials and is yet another example of Russian disinformation efforts.

No evidence has come to light, nor have reputable news sources or Ukrainian officials issued statements, confirming the claim spread by Russian propaganda outlets that thousands of Ukrainian soldiers surrendered. Therefore, we rate this claim as Unfounded. Since the beginning of the Russian aggression on Ukraine in February 2022, we have fact-checked multiple rumors on the topic, which you can read in our archive.

Sources:

Editorial, Reuters. Russia Releases Video Purporting to Show Ukrainian Marines Surrendering | Reuters Video. https://reut.rs/3M2i4ov. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.

Over 10,000 Ukrainian Fighters Surrender since Summer Using Special Radio Frequency - Russian Politics & Diplomacy - TASS. 1 Oct. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20231001204615/https://tass.com/politics/1681055.

Russian Forces Push Ukrainian Troops out of Village Northwest of Artyomovsk, Official Says - Russian Politics & Diplomacy - TASS. 28 Sept. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230928165829/https://tass.com/politics/1679881.

Ukrainian Soldiers Massively Surrender via Russian Radio Freq  Reports. 2 Oct. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20231002141634/https://sputnikglobe.com/20230930/thousands-of-ukrainian-troops-surrender-via-russian-radio-hotline-1113816561.html.

Ukrainian Troops Surrendering En Masse  TASS  RT Russia & Former Soviet Union. 2 Oct. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20231002130537/https://www.rt.com/russia/583643-ukrainian-troops-surrender-figures/.
Claim:

A YouTube video accurately reported that violent protesters in support of former U.S. President Donald Trump stormed a New York City courtroom during his fraud trial on Oct. 2, 2023.

Rating:

Rating: False

On Oct. 2, 2023, a YouTube video was uploaded to a channel named Christo Aivalis. The title read, "Trump VIOLENT THUGS STORM New York COURTROOM, Many INJURED." At least one reader emailed us to ask if this rumor was "bogus."

This thumbnail image was included with the video.

Hours before the video was posted, former U.S. President Donald Trump and his attorneys had arrived in a Manhattan courtroom for the opening of a no-jury fraud trial. The $250 million civil lawsuit against Trump could potentially "cost him control of Trump Tower and other prized properties," The Associated Press reported.

The YouTube video's title presented a purported shocking development  one that claimed violent protesters in support of Trump had somehow made their way past security personnel and into the very courtroom where the former president was seated across from the prosecution.

However, we found no evidence of reports of violence in the courtroom.

In fact, Gothamist.com reported that even the crowds outside "remained small and orderly."

We emailed the New York State Unified Court System to ask if there was any truth to the claim there had been violence and reported injuries in the courtroom where Trump was seated.

"In a word  no," replied Lucian Chalfen, the director of public information for the NYS Office of Court Administration.

Other recent videos uploaded on Aivalis' YouTube channel also appeared to contain false titles. Three recent examples included, "Trump KICKED OUT OF COURT by FURIOUS JUDGE Seconds Ago!!," "Kevin McCarthy PUNCHES Matt Gaetz IN THE FACE On Camera, BLOOD EVERYWHERE" and " Ivanka Trump ARRESTED in SURPRISE MIDNIGHT RAID."

Sources:

Hayes, Mike, et al. "Live Updates: Trump Civil Fraud Trial in New York Begins." CNN, 2 Oct. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-fraud-trial-new-york-10-02-23/index.html.

"Highlights from Day 1 of the Trump Fraud Trial." NBC News, 2 Oct. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/live-blog/live-updates-trumps-new-york-fraud-trial-begins-rcna118320.

Kriegstein, Brittany. "Crowds, Traffic Remain Orderly as Trump NYC Civil Fraud Case Begins." Gothamist, 2 Oct. 2023, https://gothamist.com/news/trump-will-be-in-nyc-today-but-nypd-expects-little-impact-on-commuters.

Sisak, Michael R. "Trump Seethes through the Start of Trial in New York Lawsuit Accusing Him of Lying about His Wealth." The Associated Press, 2 Oct. 2023, https://apnews.com/article/trump-letitia-james-fraud-lawsuit-new-york-eb98c99fe918da139b0d8b6347211afe.
A bomb disposal expert works at the scene after a bomb attack in Ankara

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group claimed responsibility for a bomb attack in the Turkish capital Ankara, the first such attack there in years, which prompted Turkey to hit back in Iraq and at home.

Here are details on the group:

WHAT IS THE PKK?

* The PKK is a militant group founded by Abdullah Ocalan in southeast Turkey in 1978 with an ideology based on Marxist-Leninist ideas.

WHAT DOES THE GROUP WANT?

* It launched its insurgency against the Turkish state in 1984 with the initial aim of creating an independent Kurdish state. It subsequently moderated its goals to seeking greater Kurdish rights and limited autonomy in southeast Turkey.

* More than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict, most of them militants. Much of the fighting in the past was focused in rural areas of mainly Kurdish southeast Turkey, but it has also conducted attacks in urban areas.

* The PKK is listed as a terrorist organisation by Ankara, the United States and the European Union.

WHAT IS THE 'IMMORTALS BATTALION' GROUP?

* The PKK said the Ankara attack was staged by one of its teams in a unit called the "Immortals Battalion". A PKK commander has in the past described the unit as a group of suicide bombers in sleeper cells.

WHAT IS THE GROUP'S HISTORY?

* The PKK operated in Syria until 1998 when Ocalan had to flee amid growing Turkish pressure. He was captured by Turkish special forces several months later in Kenya and sentenced to death by a Turkish court in 1999. The sentence was reduced to life imprisonment in October 2002 after Turkey abolished the death penalty and he is still imprisoned on an island near Istanbul. Fighting dwindled after Ocalan's capture, which also led to many PKK unilateral ceasefires and to the withdrawal of rebel fighters from Turkey.

* After a later flare-up in violence, Turkey and the PKK became involved in peace talks from late 2012. But that process and ceasefire collapsed in July 2015, unleashing the bloodiest period in the conflict and resulting in extensive destruction in some urban areas of southeast Turkey.

WHERE IS THE CONFLICT FOCUSED NOW?

* In recent years the conflict has moved from southeast Turkey to be focused mainly in northern Iraq, where the PKK has bases in the mountains. Turkey has dozens of outposts in Iraq territory and has launched operations against the militants there. It frequently carries out air strikes with warplanes and combat drones.

* Iraqi President Abdul-Latif Rashid said in comments aired on Monday that Iraq rejects repeated Turkish air strikes or the presence of Turkish bases in its Kurdistan region, and hopes to come to an agreement with Ankara to solve this problem.

* Turkey also targets the YPG militia in Syria, regarding it as a PKK affiliate, and has carried out cross-border operations to push the group back from its border. However the YPG is also the spearhead of the primary ally of the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State. Washington's support for the SDF has been a source of U.S.-Turkey tension for years.

(Reporting by Daren Butler; Editing by Jonathan Spicer and Angus MacSwan)
Falls Township appears to be exploiting a loophole in the law to make government hires before discussing and voting on them in public, according to an attorney and former Pennsylvania Open Records Office appeals officer.

The township appears to be relying on court decisions that have found an earlier private vote on official business can be corrected, or cured, with a second public vote, according to Joy Ramsingh, a private attorney with a Harrisburg practice and focuses on transparent government issues and appellate litigation.

Falls Township contends its actions are not a violation of the Sunshine Act, but Ramsingh disagrees.

At a minimum it appears the township is taking advantage of case law meant to fix honest mistakes, not deliberately circumventing public transparency, she said.

Falls Township solicitor Michael Clark denies the township violated the Sunshine Act when it let a new employee start work before holding a vote on it at a public meeting.

Ex-Tullytown police chief new HR chief Ex-Tullytown police chief working for Falls now, but did township violate Sunshine law

Theres a limit to that loophole, Ramsingh said. Pennsylvania courts have held that the Sunshine Acts purpose is to discourage private meetings on agency business followed by rubber-stamp public hearings.

Falls officials have come under scrutiny after it was revealed they have been making personnel decisions in private sessions, then later voting on them at public meetings.

The latest example occurred at its Sept. 25 meeting, when supervisors voted unanimously to ratify the hiring of former Tullytown Police Chief Daniel Doyle as its director of employment operations and chief human resources officer.

But records show the township offered Doyle the newly created $130,000 a year job on Sept. 11, and he started working for the township on Sept. 18, a week before the board meeting.

That did not sit well with resident Toni Battiste.

"This decision was apparently made without public knowledge is that correct? she said.

Battiste also grilled officials over the hiring of Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran as a $325-an-hour police department consultant. The township signed its agreement with Harran five days before taking a vote to hire his company at a public meeting.

If you are going to think about positions, it would be nice if the public knew because were the ones who are going to have to pay for those positions, she said. I think somewhere along the line this is definitely not under the Sunshine laws.

Falls Township Supervisors (left to right) Jeffrey Boraski, Jeffry Dence, Erin Mullen, Brian Galloway, John Palmer

Another potential Sunshine Law violation Did Falls supervisors violate Sunshine law when they privately fired police officer?

What does the Sunshine Act say about private and public board discussions?

Under the state's Sunshine Act, official actions  including hiring decisions  must be made in an advertised meeting where the public has the chance to participate.

Public officials can discuss hiring options in a closed session  one of three exceptions for private meetings  but can not take official action then, under the law.

Discussing someones potential employment and actually taking a vote to hire them are not the same thing, Ramsingh said. According to the statute, the vote and the deliberation before the vote must always happen in public.

Falls Township Solicitor Michael Clarke

Why does Falls Townships solicitor contend that no Sunshine Act violations occurred?

At the September meeting, Falls Solicitor Michael Clarke denied Doyle's hiring violated the Sunshine Act.

This is a personnel matter so everything was permitted to be discussed in executive session to make the decision because the hiring needed to occur prior to a board meeting, Clarke said. The hiring was made last week. The start date was made last week and the board is going to vote on it tonight and ratify the hiring. Everything that is being done here is proper.

Clarke declined to answer follow-up questions about his statement, including why the hiring needed to occur before the board meeting and how it was allowed without violating the Sunshine Act.

Ramsingh agrees Clarke's view is technically correct, but argued it intentionally circumvents the law.

Allowing the employee to start working prior to the proper public vote is degrading the public meeting to nothing more than a rubber-stamping process, she said. Regardless of whether they need the employee to start working, the fact remains that the law requires a public vote before that official action goes into effect.

Are there penalties for Sunshine Act violations?

Sunshine Law violations carry potential civil and criminal penalties.

But that first requires a resident file a complaint with the courts or the county district attorney after becoming aware a violation may have occurred.

The window for filing a complaint is also extremely short, according to Ramsingh.

The statute of limitations is 30 days from the day the person learns about an alleged violation that occurred in a closed meeting up to one year prior. If the alleged violation happened at a public meeting, the 30-day clock starts immediately.

Complaints can be filed in either county civil court, where the decision rests with a Common Pleas judge or a county District Attorney's Office, which determines if a violation occurred and if criminal charges are warranted.

Bucks sheriff working as consultant Why is Bucks County's sheriff working as a consultant for Falls Township? What we know

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Falls has made new hires in private, holding public votes later
The claim: Bill Clinton , Pope Francis called for 'human depopulation' to save the planet

A Sept. 25 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows a screenshot of what appears to be a news story about a conversation between a former president and a religious leader.

"Bill Clinton and Pope Francis Call for 'Urgent Depopulation' To Save the Planet," reads the article's headline.

It received more than 1,000 likes in six days.

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Our rating: False

While the two leaders had a public conversation in September, the discussion contained no mention of population control. The claim originated on a website known to spread misinformation.

No mention of population control when pontiff, Bill Clinton talked

Pope Francis was one of the guests at the Clinton Foundations Clinton Global Initiative 2023. His online conversation with former President Bill Clinton on Sept. 18 covered topics including climate change and Francis work with the Bambino Gesu Childrens Hospital in Rome, according to a report by Vatican News.

But the solutions to the climate crisis they discussed did not include depopulating the planet, as the post claimed.

Fact check: Popes death confirmed with traditional means, not hammer

The screenshot in the post is from a Sept. 24 story by The Peoples Voice, a website known for publishing misinformation. It claims the two men teamed up to advocate for cutting the population of the planet to save it from global boiling."

But at no point during their 11-minute conversation did either of them bring up anything about population control or refer to a "global boiling," according to video of the event posted by C-SPAN and transcripts of the event shared by the Clinton Foundation and the Vatican. There are no credible news reports about such a development.

The People's Voice, previously known as NewsPunch, has repeatedly published fabricated stories, many of which USA TODAY has debunked.

USA TODAY reached out to The Peoples Voice and to the user who shared the post but did not immediately receive responses.

Lead Stories also debunked the post.

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: No, Pope Francis and Clinton not calling for depopulation | Fact check
ALGIERS, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Algeria on Sunday reaffirmed its "full solidarity" with Turkiye following the bombing attack in front of the building of Turkiye's interior ministry on Sunday morning.

A statement from the Algerian Presidency voiced strong condemnation of the attack in Ankara, noting "Algeria, as a brotherly country, assures Turkiye of its full solidarity."

Algeria "calls for the necessary coordination of regional and international efforts to confront terrorism in all its forms and put an end to its practices aimed at destabilizing nations," the statement added.

Two attackers carried out a bombing attack in front of the interior ministry's building in the Turkish capital Ankara on Sunday, slightly injuring two police officers. One attacker died after he set off the suicide bomb, while the other bomber was shot dead by the police. 
A missing 9-year-old girl was found alive Monday after a frantic two-day search that ensued amid reports that she was abducted from a campground in Upstate New York.

Police said they've detained a suspect. Charlotte Sena had been last seen on her bicycle Saturday at 6:15 p.m. in Moreau Lake State Park, about 35 miles north of Albany, New York where she was camping with her family.

"Charlotte Sena has been located and in good health," New York State Police authorities said. "A suspect is in custody. This is still an active investigation."

During their investigation, police "identified an individual as being in the area of the Moreau Lake State Park around the time Charlotte went missing," they wrote in an update on the case on their website.

"Further investigation led to the search of multiple residences where the individual is known to reside," they said. Authorities found Charlotte during the search of the homes at about 6:30 p.m. on Monday.

"This investigation is a culmination of multiple agencies working together for the common goal of bringing this child home to her loving family," police wrote. "We cannot emphasize enough how appreciative we are for the support we received from Charlottes community, friends and family.

Charlotte Sena

What happened?

Sena was riding her bike around a loop in the bucolic park with her friends when she decided to ride around one more time by herself. Thirty minutes later, Charlotte's mother, Trisha Sena, found the bicycle but not her daughter. She called 911, leading to a massive search that includes state police, forest rangers, divers, dogs, drones and helicopters.

New York State Police: 'The extensive search for Charlotte Sena"

Authorities issued an Amber Alert for Charlotte on Sunday morning.

"The child was taken under circumstances that lead police to believe that they are in imminent danger of serious harm and/or death," the Amber Alert said.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers led the search, which expanded over 46 linear miles, according to New York State Police.

"At this time, approximately 400 certified search and rescue personnel are actively searching," state police wrote in a Facebook post Monday afternoon. "The searchers originate from law enforcement agencies, 34 volunteer Fire Departments, along with private search and rescue groups."

The FBI also joined the search, CBS New York reported on Monday.

Moreau Lake State Park, where Charlotte was last seen before she was found, remains closed "until further notice," according to its website. The 4,600 acres state park in Saratoga County is mostly wild and includes dense forests, pine stands and rocky ridges, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The wooded campsites are quiet and secluded.

Charlotte Sena, 9

Charlotte Sena's disappearance has been a 'nightmare' for the family

Jene Sena, an aunt of Charlotte, told USA TODAY the last few days have been a "nightmare" for her family.

Charlotte's mother and father stayed at the campsite since Saturday to help police in their search. They were surrounded by friends and over 30 family members, Jene Sena said.

Her husband, Patrick Sena, a firefighter with the Schenectady Fire Department, had searched for their niece since Saturday night, along with other family members. He was out in the state park all through Saturday night and well into Sunday evening after a 24-hour work shift.

"My husband couldn't walk this morning," Jene Sena said.

Charlotte is the middle child of three girls. Her father, David Sena, is a union pipe fitter, and her mother, Trisha, is a food service inspector for Stewart's Shops convenience stores. The family lives in Greenfield, a town of about 8,200 residents in Saratoga County, New York.

Jene Sena described Charlotte as a kind, funny girl who's known for her dry humor and contagious smile.

"She is such a sweet girl," Jene Sena said. "A real sweetheart."

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: Law enforcement was 'putting the puzzle pieces together' before Charlotte was found

The early days of a case involving a missing child are crucial for law enforcement as they "put the puzzle pieces together" of what happened and build a timeline, said John Bischoff, the vice president of the Missing Children Division at the nonprofit organization National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Those "puzzle pieces" can vary depending on the type of missing child case. Bischoff said the case in Upstate New York was believed to be a "non-familial abduction."

Because the disappearance happened in a state park, authorities in the search for Charlotte looked at "who these people are, who was in the area in the park, who was in the park at the time of the disappearance and what's transpired beforehand and whats transpired up until today," Bischoff said. His organization assisted New York State Police, he said.

"Charlottes case is a parent's worst nightmare  to see your child ride off on a bicycle and never see them again, or a few days at least," he said.

The case shines a light on nearly on the more than 7,000 missing children listed on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website. Bischoff is asking Americans to "stop for a second" at the nonprofit's "partner locations like Walmart and really look for those images behind every one of those images child in danger," he said.

"We've seen time and time again that all it takes is one set of eyes to be a hero," said Bischoff.

Contributing: Vanessa Arredondo, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Charlotte Sena, missing girl in New York found safe, police say
Editors Note: Read the latest details in the Moreau Lake State Park abduction case here.

Charlotte Sena, the 9-year-old girl who went missing while on a camping trip at a New York state park two days ago, has been found safe and a suspect has been detained, authorities said Monday evening.

Before she was found, Charlottes parents received a ransom note at their home, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told CNNs Anderson Cooper on Monday evening.

At a late-night news conference, the governor outlined the meticulous work by authorities after they found the note  and the crucial piece of evidence that led to a break in the case.

Hochul said the break in the case came around 4:20 a.m. ET Monday when the suspect drove to Charlottes parents home and put a ransom note in the mailbox.

He literally drove up to the familys mailbox assuming they were not home, Hochul said, adding Charlottes parents were still at the campground searching for their daughter.

The familys home was being monitored by state police, but the officers had been sent to another call in the area when the suspect dropped off the note. Police tested the document for fingerprints and searched law enforcement databases to see if they could find a match.

On their second try, they got back results identifying fingerprints left on the note belonged to 47-year-old Craig Nelson Ross, Jr., the governor said.

Investigators were able to determine Ross was living in a camper behind his mothers residence and used two SWAT teams to make entry. They had what they call a dynamic entry tactical maneuver, and within the camper they located the suspect, said Hochul.

Police say he resisted being taken into custody and sustained minor injuries. They found Charlotte hidden in a cabinet in the camper, Hochul said. She knew she was being rescued, the governor said. She knew she was in safe hands.

Charlotte appeared to be in good health, but taken to a hospital, which is customary, the governor said.

Ross was still being questioned Monday night. At this moment, charges have not been brought, but they are fully expected, Hochul said.

Earlier the governor told CNN that cell phone pings from people in the area where Charlotte was last spotted also helped the authorities find her, the governor said.

They were checking all the different cell phones that have been in the vicinity of this park, she said. Authorities also had information from those who came to the park as campers because they had to register and people there for the day paid an entrance fee.

So, you could start circling around possible suspects based on the cell phone data, who is in the park and also then ultimately, the ransom note, she said.

The combination of those factors led authorities to a suspect  and to Charlotte, she told CNN.

It was extraordinary to see how they traced it down to an individuals home, Hochul added. The home was surrounded by law enforcement and helicopters, and they were able to bring her to safety. And not long after, she was in the arms of her parents at a hospital.

Charlotte was riding alone when she vanished

Charlotte, who was camping in Moreau Lake State Park with her family, went on a bike ride with close friends around dinner time and never returned, officials said.

Charlotte had last been seen around 6:15 p.m. Saturday, riding her bike in one of the parks loops. She had done a few loops with friends and wanted to do one more by herself, Hochul said at a Sunday news conference. The loop takes about five minutes, police said.

Her mother reported her missing around 6:45 p.m., after Charlottes bike was found in the loop without her, Lt. Colonel Richard Mazzone of the New York State Police said.

Mazzone said authorities feared, after not being able to find her close by, that Charlotte may have been abducted.

Once they found her bike during that search, they realized shes not on it, she hasnt gone too far, she didnt get lost. Somethings really wrong, CNN Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller said earlier.

Charlotte Sena was riding her bike in a state park when she disappared. - Spectrum News Albany

Police on Monday canceled an Amber Alert that had been issued Sunday morning.

Extremely grateful to @nyspolice @NYStateParks police, and all of our partners who worked tirelessly to locate Charlotte and ensure she could return home safely to her family, Hochul said on social media after Charlotte was found.

The number of people searching for Charlotte had grown to 400 people by Monday morning, state police said earlier. Those helping were from 34 volunteer fire departments and private groups as well as federal, state and local law enforcement.

Before she was found, the search area had also expanded more than 46 linear miles, authorities said.

The very popular state park, roughly 45 miles north of Albany, is more than 6,200 acres and lies amid hardwood forests, pine stands and rocky ridges, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Charlotte Sena went on a bike ride with her friends around dinnertime Saturday evening and never returned, police said. - National Center For Missing and Endangered

Moreau Lake State Park said in a Facebook post it is closed until further notice.

CNNs Raja Razek, Lauren Mascarenhas, Polo Sandoval, Jared Formanek and Christina Maxouris contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A family member called rescuers after getting a message from a satellite communicator about their loved one who was injured in the Idaho wilderness, deputies said.

The woman had fallen and broken her leg while bowhunting Sept. 30 in the Glade Creek area, the Idaho County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post.

Her brother-in-law got a message through an inReach device saying she had been injured and needed help, deputies said. Then he called authorities requesting help.

The inReach device uses a satellite network to communicate with others when there isnt a cell service. An SOS message can also be activated on the device.

Rescuers found the injured woman about 200 yards off-trail in the wilderness and about 2.5 miles from the highway during a heavy rainstorm, deputies said.

Other hunters helped authorities carry the woman to the trail, where she was then wheeled to an ambulance, deputies said.

Idaho County Sheriff Doug Ulmer wishes to thank everyone for their swift and excellent response to helping a citizen in need. We wish her a speedy recovery! the sheriffs department said in the post.

The Glade Creek area is about 270 miles north of Boise.

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The city of Apopka is now facing a lawsuit for the death of one of its firefighters.

A trailer full of sand crushed Austin Duran last year.

He died about two weeks later.

Watch: We still miss Austin: Family pays tribute to Apopka firefighter on Camping World Stadium

Durans family filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Friday.

His loved ones claim that the trailer doesnt comply with safety standards.

Watch: Apopka fire union pushes for new chief after death of firefighter Austin Duran

The lawsuit also claims firefighters, at the time, did not undergo training on how to use it.

Channel 9 will continue to monitor the lawsuit as it moves through the courts and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

Watch: Safety review after death of firefighter says Apopka Fire Department is dysfunctional

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The family of an Alabama man who died after being shot by police outside his home early Friday morning is asking for clarity as to what happened, his brother told CNN in a phone call on Monday.

Police shot Stephen Perkins, 39, outside his home in the northern Alabama city of Decatur early Friday morning after he allegedly brandished a handgun equipped with a light towards an officer with the Decatur Police Department, causing the officer to fire at Perkins, according to a statement sent to CNN from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Perkins later died at a nearby hospital, according to a statement from the Decatur Police Department.

Stephen Perkins - Courtesy Nicholas Perkins

The incident unfolded around 1:30 a.m. Friday when Decatur officers were called to Perkins home by a local towing company that alleged hed pulled out a handgun on the tow truck driver as the driver was attempting to repossess a car in Perkins driveway, according to an initial statement from the Decatur Police Department.

Officers returned to the scene with the tow truck driver, at which point Perkins exited the residence armed with a handgun and began to threaten the tow truck driver, police said.

Officers on scene ordered the homeowner to drop his weapon, which he refused to do. It was at this time the homeowner turned the gun towards one of the Officers on scene. The Officer discharged his duty weapon, striking the subject, the statement added.

Police said they rendered first aid after the shooting.

Perkins brother told CNN the family needs more answers because they really dont know what happened.

This has always been his biggest fear, being shot and killed by police. Just being a Black man in America, it was his fear, Nicholas Perkins, his eldest brother, told CNN. This is a very hard loss; he was such a likeable guy. He had no enemies.

He was a great guy, a family man. He was married with two kids, one of them is only 7, his brother continued. His favorite hobby was going to the gym. Thats all he did. Work, home and gym. He was always smiling, laughing and joking. He was levelheaded. Just an all-around cool demeanor. This doesnt add up.

In a statement, Perkins family disputed the claim that he owed money on his car, saying they have found financial receipts proving he was not at risk of being in an active status of repossession and that monthly payments were processed through his financing company.

The Towing Company and City of Decatur Police Department wrongfully appeared at (his) home, the family said.

The family told CNN they still have not received an autopsy report and were not allowed to see Perkins at the hospital.

The Morgan County Coroners Office told CNN, A preliminary report found that he died from multiple gunshots wounds, according to Jeffrey Chunn, the county coroner.

Chunn added there has not been a full autopsy report and did not elaborate on specifics.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
After three years of a pandemic-related pause on federal student loan payments and interest, borrowers will start making payments on their student loans beginning this month.

The end to the pause comes nearly three months after the Supreme Court rejected President Bidens plan to forgive millions of student loans, ruling that the nations chief executive does not have the legal authority to waive more than $400 billion owed to the government.

Interest on student loans already started to accrue last month. Here's what you need to know to check your account and the amount you owe.

Wondering when your bill is due and how much you owe?

The Education Department will be sending borrowers a billing statement at least 21 days in advance of the due date, which will provide information on your debt.

To ensure that the statement is sent to you, confirm your contact information at the Federal Student Aid website, studentaid.gov.

You should also confirm your contact on your servicer's website. Also check to see if the servicer on your loan has changed. If you need a reminder on which company is servicing your federal loan or loans go to your account at studentaid.gov and select the "my loan Servicers" list, or call the Federal Student Aid Information center at (800) 433-3243.

Once you log into your account, make sure the record shows all the payments you've made so far. If it doesn't, call your servicer and point out which payments are missing. And if that doesn't fix the problem, file a complaint with the Education Department.

What if I'm struggling to make my payments?

If you're unable to make a payment, the Education Department is instituting a 12-month "on-ramp" to repayment program from now until Sept. 30, 2024. With this program, borrowers who miss a monthly payment will not be immediately considered delinquent, reported to credit bureaus, placed in default, or referred to debt collection agencies.

During this time, the department said it won't add the unpaid interest payments to the loan principal until the end of the 12 months.

You will, however, still have to pay the missed payments eventually.

What are other repayment options?

The Federal Student Aid website has a loan simulator that helps you explore options on different income-driven repayment plans. The simulator will compare what your monthly payment will be under each available plan.

Read more: Biden's income-driven student loan repayment plan starts taking applications

One repayment plan option is the Saving on a Valuable Education plan, or SAVE, an income-driven plan that bases monthly payments on what borrowers earn, not how much they owe.

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 man defrauded FedEx of over $400,000 over the course of several years, claiming he had lost 67 packages, federal officials say.

The Texas man was indicted on nine counts of mail fraud in Tennessee, where FedEx is based, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Tennessee said in a Sept. 29 news release. Each count carries up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

His lawyer declined to comment on the case when reached by McClatchy News.

The 58-year-old from the Austin area filed reimbursement claims on 67 packages he claimed were lost, according to the indictment. From September 2019 to October 2022, the man deposited packages at FedEx drop boxes in Texas with fake information, officials said.

Using the physical address of the mail forwarding service and a fictional name for the sender, (the defendant) created the appearance of sending packages from Arizona, California, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Washington state, federal officials said.

Then, he would claim the packages had never been delivered.

The packages contained little or no value, according to the indictment, but the man said the value of the contents exceeded $8,000 when he filed reimbursement claims.

If FedEx accepted the claim, which it did on 44 out of 67 attempts, a check would be sent to the mail service address and forwarded to the man, officials said.

The nine packages listed in the indictment were processed at FedExs Memphis hub, according to the release.

FedEx paid the man $402,460, the indictment says, which comes out to an average of $9,147 per package.

The defendant was arrested in Texas and appeared in Tennessee court Sept. 25, according to the release.

Men posing as homeowners stole $3.3M from over 3,500 people in rental scheme, feds say

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Fake house flipper scams two people in their 80s out of $236,000, Alabama officials say
TechCrunch

Apple has warned over a half dozen Indian lawmakers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's main opposition of their iPhones being targets of state-sponsored attacks, these people said Tuesday, in a serious digital espionage charge just months ahead of next year's general elections. Rahul Gandhi, Indian opposition leader, said in a media briefing Tuesday that his team had received the said alert from Apple. Shashi Tharoor, a key figure from the Congress party; Akhilesh Yadav, the head of the Samajwadi Party; Mahua Moitra, a national representative from the All India Trinamool Congress; and Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena, a party with notable influence in Maharashtra reported that they too had been notified by Apple regarding a potential security attack on their iPhones.
Americans in a new survey said they believe college campuses are more likely to be open to liberals than conservatives when it comes to free speech.

Forty-seven percent of adults questioned said liberals on college campuses have a lot of freedom to express their opinion, while only 20 percent said conservatives do, according to the poll from the University of Chicago and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs. While Republicans are more likely to report a bias against conservatives on college campuses, the poll found Democrats do as well.

Only 9 percent of Republicans said conservatives can speak freely on campus, while 58 percent said liberals can speak their minds. The poll found that about 4 in 10 Democrats said liberals can express their views freely, while about 3 in 10 Democrats said conservatives can.

The poll comes after a handful of students at U.S. colleges held protests against conservative guests at their schools over the past year.

After the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade last year, thousands of students at George Washington University signed a petition in an effort to remove Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas from his teaching position, which he stepped down from shortly afterward. At nearby Georgetown University, dozens of students walked out of a speech given by former Vice President Mike Pence last year to protest.

The new poll also found that the majority of Americans said students and teachers should not be allowed to express racist, sexist or anti-LGBTQ views on campus, and 55 percent percent of respondents said students should not be allowed to invite academic speakers accused of using offensive speech.

The poll was conducted among 1,095 adults Sept. 7-11 and has a margin of sampling error of 4 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NAIROBI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization, envisioned by Chinese President Xi Jinping, holds the key to advancing the continent's inclusive growth, a Kenyan scholar has said.

Once fully implemented, the plan will bring vitality to Africa's food systems through joint research, technology transfer and the development of high-yielding crops, Richard Mulwa, deputy vice-chancellor of Egerton University, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"The whole plan is good. For long, Africa has lagged behind in innovation, but with cooperation with China in research and development, value addition and cooperation on agro-ecological parks, there are so many benefits to be realized," Mulwa said.

During the BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa on Aug. 22-24, Xi unveiled the plan for modernizing agriculture in Africa, alongside an initiative to support industrialization on the continent and China-Africa cooperation on talent development.

Terming the agriculture modernization plan a game changer, Mulwa said it holds the key to securing a future free from hunger, malnutrition and poverty for the rural population.

Mulwa said that by cooperating with China, African nations will enjoy enhanced access to technologies, innovations and research required to develop new crop varieties that can withstand climate shocks, pests and diseases.

He noted that the exchange of germplasm between China and African countries will thrive under the plan to ensure local smallholder farmers' access to high-yielding crops.

China's plan for modernizing Africa's agriculture differs from the ones proposed by the West since it seeks tangible and mutually beneficial outcomes as opposed to abstract theories, Mulwa said.

"The benefits will trickle down to farmers," Mulwa said, adding that he foresees a robust China-Africa cooperation.

African governments should rally behind China's proposed plan for agriculture modernization in order to make it succeed and transform the livelihoods of rural smallholder farmers, Mulwa stressed, adding that the plan will also help realize sustainable development on the continent.

A trained horticulturalist, Mulwa singled out the decades-old partnership between China's Nanjing Agricultural University and Egerton University as a model of China-Africa cooperation to revitalize farming at the smallholder level.

Through the research partnership forged between the two universities in the 1990s, new disease-, pest- and drought-resistant beans, cassava and groundnuts have been bred and released to farmers, Mulwa said.

In addition, the China-Kenya Belt and Road Joint Laboratory for Crop Molecular Biology based in Egerton University is expected to act as a hub for research, training and technology transfer to boost the selection, breeding and release of new crop varieties across the East African region, according to Mulwa.

Describing China-Africa agricultural cooperation as solid and mutually beneficial, Mulwa said it has motivated local farmers to embrace crops that are commercially viable and resilient to climatic stresses.

"We know where we are going with the Chinese, and as we keep on cooperating with them, we also see ripple benefits to our farmers," Mulwa said. 
Authorities responded to a school in Bostons Jamaica Plain neighborhood for a reported fight between students Monday morning.

Greater Egleston High Schools Principal Kevin Brill says a physical altercation between a few students broke out just before noon.

Staff immediately responded to de-escalate the situation and BPS Safety Services as well as Boston Police provided assistance, according to school officials.

The extent of injuries to the involved parties is unclear, but school authorities say they will face disciplinary action in accordance with the BPS Code of Conduct.

Safety services will remain at the school for dismissal this afternoon.

As you know, Greater Egleston High School, like all schools in the Boston Public Schools, focuses on fostering a safe environment for every member of our community, Brill wrote in a letter that was sent home to parents. Please know that the safety and well-being of all students and staff is one of our top priorities.

No further information was immediately available.

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A boat sails on Musi River as thick haze from forest fires shroud the city of Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. Officials on Indonesias Sumatra island on Monday asked residents to work from home as more than 300 forest and peatland fires were causing widespread haze in the region. (AP Photo/Muhammad Hatta)

PALEMBANG, Indonesia (AP)  More than 300 forest and peatland fires on Indonesia's Sumatra island caused hazy skies across the region on Monday, prompting government officials to ask people to work from home.

The military, police and local government were working together to extinguish the fires, which were burning in 316 places across South Sumatra province, but their work was complicated by the extreme dry weather, said Iriansyah, the head of the South Sumatra Disaster Management Agency.

The smoky haze drifted from the fires toward Palembang, the capital of South Palembang province, causing unhealthy air conditions for the area's 1.7 million people.

There is a high potential for people to suffer from respiratory tract infections, coughing, shortness of breath and eye irritation, said Iriansyah, who like many Indonesians uses only one name.

The government in South Sumatra last week called on schools to delay their opening time, as the haze tends to decrease during the day. But on Monday, the schools asked students to attend classes online, as the air quality had worsened and was categorized as dangerous."

We are worried as the haze is getting worse in Palembang. ... Many children are sick and we can only pray that this disaster will pass quickly, Umi Kalsum, a private sector worker and mother, told The Associated Press on Monday.

Forest and peat fires are an annual problem in Indonesia that strains relations with neighboring countries. Smoke from the fires has blanketed parts of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and southern Thailand. Some parts of Malaysia said they experienced smoke from the Indonesian fires since last week.

Malaysia's Environment Department chief Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar last week said the return of smog in some parts of the country was due to hundreds of forest fires in Indonesia.

Overall, air quality in the country has deteriorated, he said in a statement. Forest fires that occur in the southern part of Sumatra and the central and southern parts of Kalimantan, Indonesia have caused haze to cross borders.

But Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Indonesia's Environment and Forestry Minister, said in a statement on Monday there has been no transboundary haze from Indonesia to Malaysia.

Satellite data from Indonesias Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency shows that the haze in Indonesia was in several areas in Sumatra and Borneo islands. Wind direction in Indonesia is generally from southeast to northwest-northeast.

We continue to follow developments and there is no transboundary haze to Malaysia, she said.

She added that authorities are working on the ground and in the air to put out the fires in South Sumatra, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan provinces, including some areas in Java.

Indonesias National Disaster Management Agency in September said that there are six provinces in Indonesia where forest and peatland fires are most common, including South Sumatra province, where a big peatland fire burned for days in August.

___

Tarigan reported from Jakarta, Indonesia. Associated Press journalist Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report.
The Fulton County district attorneys office has issued a subpoena to former New York Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik to testify in the first trial later this month in the case stemming from election subversion plots in Georgia, according to his lawyer.

But Keriks lawyer, Tim Parlatore, is demanding that his client be granted immunity in exchange for testifying, pointing out that prosecutors indicated in the indictment that Kerik was a co-conspirator in the case. While not named in the indictment, CNN previously reported that Kerik is co-conspirator No. 5.

With the Kerik subpoena, the Fulton County district attorneys office is trying to secure potentially crucial trial testimony from a witness who can shed light on various efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to upend the 2020 election results in Georgia. Two of the 19 defendants  pro-Trump lawyer Kenneth Chesebro and former Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell  are set to go on trial on October 23.

The pushback from Kerik underscores the difficulties prosecutors face in a complex case where Trump and his allies face possible legal jeopardy in multiple jurisdictions, as prosecutions alleging election interference are being brought in the Peach State and against Trump in Washington, DC.

In a fiery letter to the Fulton County DAs office Monday, Parlatore wrote: [N]o competent criminal attorney would allow Mr. Kerik to testify absent a grant of immunity. Parlatore says Kerik will invoke his Fifth Amendment rights and refuse to answer questions unless he receives written assurance that he will not be prosecuted.

In his letter, Parlatore claims that when he previously expressed this demand to the district attorneys office, they told him: If we wanted to indict Mr. Kerik, we would have already done so, but refused to put assurances in writing.

To be clear, Mr. Kerik has done nothing wrong and rejects your claim that he is a co-conspirator in any alleged criminal conduct, Parlatore wrote in his letter. You made the public accusation, so now you must live with the consequences of Mr. Kerik (and presumably all other alleged unindicted co-conspirators) invoking their 5th Amendment rights and refusing to testify.

The Fulton County DAs office declined to comment.

Fulton County prosecutors allege Kerik took part in several meetings with lawmakers in Pennsylvania and Arizona, states Trump was contesting after the 2020 election.

That included the meeting Kerik attended at the White House on November 25, 2020, with a group of Pennsylvania legislators, along with Trump, then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis.

Kerik previously sat for an interview with special counsel Jack Smiths office to answer questions related to the 2020 election aftermath and the January 6, 2021, insurrection. According to Parlatore, Kerik received a standard proffer letter before agreeing to that interview.

Kerik is not among the unnamed, unindicted co-conspirators described in Smiths indictment of Trump in the federal 2020 election probe, according to CNNs review of the charging document. Nonetheless, Parlatore also suggested that Fulton County prosecutors coordinate with the Special Counsels Office to obtain co-extensive grants of immunity.

This story has been updated with additional reaction.

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The first defendant has pleaded guilty in connection with the 4-Nation gang case in U.S. District Court in Erie, and court records show that several other defendants in the sprawling prosecution are exploring negotiations or have negotiated with the government in the four months since they were indicted.

The Erie resident who pleaded guilty is one of the lesser defendants in 4-Nation case. The indictment lists the resident, 36-year-old Anthony J. Stufflebeam as 48th of the 58 defendants indicted, and he is not listed as one of the 22 defendants accused of being part of the 4-Nation gang, which the government said operated in the area of East 24th and Wallace streets in Erie.

But the indictment, issued in late May, alleges that Stufflebeam and an accused 4-Nation gang member, Darian Beasley, 31, also known as Terry Hasberry, Chewy and ChewDollaz, trafficked in methamphetamine in Erie in November 2022.

Stufflebeam was also indicted on a meth charge in a 2020 case in U.S. District Court in Erie. He is listed as the third of 16 defendants charged with being part of a meth-trafficking ring in Warren and Crawford counties from June 2018 to February 2020.

Stufflebeam pleaded guilty in both cases on Sept. 18 before U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter, who set sentencing for Feb. 27. He pleaded guilty in the 2020 case to a charge of conspiracy to traffic in meth, and he pleaded guilty in the 4-Nation case to trafficking in meth. Stufflebeam pleaded guilty to trafficking in a total of 2,407 grams of meth, which amounts to 5.3 pounds, according to the plea letter filed in his case

The case against accused members of the 4-Nation gang is being prosecuted at the federal courthouse in Erie.

Baxter ordered Stufflebeam to undergo a presentencing report, but he will get a stiff sentence when he goes before the judge again. Stufflebeam is incarcerated as he awaits sentencing.

The amount of drugs involved means he is looking at a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in the 2020 case and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in the 4-Nation case, according to the plea letter. The maximum sentence in the 2020 case is life, and the maximum sentence in the 4-Nation case is 40 years.

The other defendants in the 4-Nation case also face lengthy sentences if convicted. The 22 defendants accused of being part of the gang face maximum sentences of life.

Plea negotiations have started and ended for some

Though Stufflebeam is the only defendant to have pleaded guilty, five other defendants are considering negotiating with the U.S. Attorney's Office or have already reached tentative plea deals, according to court records. Those five defendants have received permission from Baxter to undergo what are known as pre-plea presentencing reports.

The reports are designed to let defendants know what type of sentences they would face based on the nature of the offenses, their prior criminal records and other factors. One of the defendants who asked for such a report is Darian Beasley, according to court records. He is the highest-ranking of the defendants to ask for a report, and he is the only accused gang member to ask for a report.

"Counsel and the government are likely to engage in preliminary plea negotiations in this matter," Beasley's lawyer said in a motion requesting a pre-plea presentencing report. "The preparation of a pre-sentence report prior to entry of a plea or verdict would provide valuable assistance to Mr. Beasley, his counsel and to the Government in evaluation of this case."

The lawyer filed the motion on Sept. 15. Baxter granted the request the same day.

Two sets of defendants in largest-ever Erie case

The 4-Nation case is the largest-ever criminal prosecution in U.S. District Court in Erie. The case encompasses two sets of defendants.

The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges that 22 of the defendants were members of 4-Nation. The 22 were indicted on a count of conspiring to operate a criminal enterprise since around 2012 by dealing drugs and participating in acts of violence and other illegal activity in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO  the federal law used to dismantle organized crime, including the mob.

The 22 4-Nation defendants are also all accused of conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, cocaine or other drugs in Erie from August 2021 until the date of the indictment.

That same count also applies to the other 36 defendants, including Stufflebeam, but those 36 were not charged with the RICO count. Several defendants were indicted on other charges, including drug and weapons offenses. The government withdrew the conspiracy charge against Stufflebeam in the plea deal.

The FBI and other law enforcement agent used wiretaps to gather evidence in the 4-Nation case, according to court records. The investigators listened in on conversations on at least 17 of the cellphones of the 22 accused gang members.

The lead defendant in the entire 4-Nation case is Davante Q. Jones, 30, also known as Smoov. He was arrested in Tampa, Florida, on June 8, the date the indictment was unsealed. He had been living in Tampa, and was returned to Erie to face the federal charges. He is incarcerated.

Jones and the other defendants  except for Stufflebeam  have pleaded not guilty.

Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNpalattella.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: First defendant pleads guilty in Erie 4-Nation gang case. Who is next?
Flags across the U.S. are flying at half-staff this week in honor of Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

While several states from Virginia to California have issued their own proclamations about flying the flag at half-staff, nothing has been posted so far on Florida's flag memorandum website.

Feinstein, a trailblazer for women in politics in California and Washington who spent more than 30 years in the U.S. Senate, died Sept. 28 at the age of 90.

She was the longest-serving female senator in U.S. history.

Why is the flag flying at half-staff today?

President Joe Biden ordered flags to be flown at half-staff "as a mark of respect for the memory of Senator Dianne Feinstein."

Where should flags be flown at half-staff?

The U.S. flag should be flown at half-staff at the White House and at all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all federal naval vessels.

Biden also directed the flag be flown at half-staff at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

How long will the flag be at half-staff?

Flags will be flown until sunset on the day of Feinstein's interment, scheduled for Oct. 5.

Are flags flying at half-staff in Florida?

Flags were flying at half-staff at the Florida Capitol Oct. 2, 2023.

Depends on where you look.

As of 12:30 p.m. Oct. 2, Florida's flag memorandum website has not posted anything about flying the U.S. flag or the Florida flag at half-staff at state public buildings.

However, a copy of an email to Brian Fienemann, director of real estate development, was sent out to followers by flags@eog.myflorida.

Dated Sept. 29, the email from DeSantis' office directed "flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the State of Florida from midnight (on the 29th) until sunset on the day of interment."

A memorandum from the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

At the Leon County library and courthouse, flags were flying at half-staff, but flags were flying normally at the federal courthouse in Tallahassee Monday morning. Flags were also flying at half-staff at the state Capitol and at Tallahassee City Hall.

The last time an order was given for both U.S. and state flags to fly at half-staff in Florida was for Patriot Day Sept. 11.

On Sept. 23, DeSantis directed the Florida flag to be flown at half-staff at the Pasco County Courthouse, City Hall in Dade County and the State Capitol in Tallahassee in honor of former Rep. Dale Patchett.

What was Feinstein known for?

"Senator Dianne Feinstein was a pioneering American and a true trailblazer," Biden said in a proclamation issued after Feinstein's death.

"In San Francisco, she showed enormous poise and courage in the wake of tragedy, and became a powerful voice for American values. In the United States Senate, she turned passion into purpose, and led the fight to ban assault weapons, also making her mark on everything from national security to the environment to protecting civil liberties."

She was known as an ally and longtime champion for LGBTQ rights.

She also was instrumental in fighting for an assault weapons ban in 1994 and enshrining marriage equality into law in 2022. She ushered in Amber Alerts and the Violence Against Women Act.

Her positions run counter to DeSantis' reputation. Earlier this year, new state laws enacted by DeSantis and the GOP-led Legislature banned the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms, along with proposals to roll back the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans.

Is it half-mast or half-staff?

On ships and at naval stations ashore, flags are flown at half-mast.

On shore, flags are flown at half-staff.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: DeSantis email orders flags across Florida to fly at half-staff
If you take a visit to the Chase State Fishing Lake anytime soon, you might be surprised to see an unusual sight.

Hanging out in the shallow water of the lake, located in Cottonwood Falls, is a flamingo, catching the eye of photographers and people just walking by.

Brent Konen, Chase State Fishing Lake property manager, said he first heard reports of the rare bird Wednesday.

Ive been monitoring to see if it continues to be reported by visitors, and at least as of this morning, there were new reports that it was still there, Konen said.

The visit from the flamingo has led to a steady number of visitors.

Theres been a fairly consistent interest [and] traffic, Konen said Monday. Folks stopping by for an hour or two maybe, or even less in some cases, and just watching and taking pictures ... visitation has definitely increased.

Wildlife photographer Bob Gress, who is also a former director of the Great Plains Nature Center, said the bird hanging out in the same area since Wednesday is a rare occurrence.

Whats also somewhat rare is that its still there, he said. I mean, it showed up first on Wednesday and now here it is on Monday, and its still there.

Mike Rader, wildlife education supervisor for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, said that the Chase State Fishing Lake is actually a good habitat for the flamingo.

A flamingo stands in shallow water at the Chase County State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area near Cottonwood Falls on Sunday. Sightings of the tropical bird in Kansas first began circulating last Wednesday and not bird watchers have descended on the lake to catch a glimpse of a bird not normally seen in the Great Plains.

The water is shallow and the flamingo has been successfully able to feed there, Rader said. They feed on a lot of different things, like algae and crustaceans and things like that. So its finding something to eat for now.

Rader said if you go out to view the flamingo, its important to watch from a distance and give the flamingo space. However, you should probably head out before temperatures in the area get cooler toward the end of the week, Gress said.

I would be a little surprised if it stuck around, Gress said. I would imagine we get some cold wind from the north and its blowing to the south, my guess is that bird will take off.

Whats a flamingo doing in Kansas?

American Flamingos are usually found in the Caribbean and Central and South America. While they used to breed occasionally in Florida, Rader said now even a Florida sighting is considered uncommon.

So this all begs the question  why is a flamingo in the Sunflower State?

While its not confirmed, experts are speculating the flamingo ended up in Kansas due to Hurricane Idalia.

This particular [occurrence] is a little unusual ... just because theres quite a few of them, Gress said. I mean it was into the hundreds of them that made it up here. But most of them never got out of Florida, but a few of them did move north, and theyve really scattered around.

The particular sightings in states across the US, including Maryland, Wisconsin and Missouri, are believed to have come from the Yucatan Peninsula.

Apparently theres been at least one or maybe two birds in Florida that have been observed to have bands from that breeding colony, Rader said. So thats where they think a lot of birds may have came from.

Rader said while it does happen, flamingos arent usually one of the species that get displaced due to a hurricane. As for this specific flamingo, there has been some evidence it was also spotted in Ohio last month.

Comparing photographs of one of the birds in Ohio and this bird, and theres pretty good evidence that this may be one of the birds that was in Ohio in the first part of September, so it may have flown from Ohio to here, Rader said.

How to keep track of bird sightings in Kansas

If youre interested in keeping up with Kansas newest bird visitor or any other rare bird sightings in the area, you can do so through the Kansas Rare Bird Alert on ebird.org.

The website shows confirmed and unconfirmed reports of rare birds in the state over the last seven days. The most recent sighting of the American Flamingo is from Monday a little after 7:30 a.m.

The last confirmed report of a flamingo in Kansas was in 1972, while the first report of one in the state was in the fall of 1928, according to Rader.
Unruly passengers aboard a September 29 easyJet flight caused the plane to be diverted.

Police intervened after the flight to Spain's Canary Islands made the diversion, the airline said.

Four passengers on the flight were removed before the plane went to its final destination.

A group of unruly passengers on an easyJet flight from England to Spain's Canary Islands forced the plane to make a diversion and prompted police to intervene, causing an hours-long delay, the airline told Insider.

EasyJet said in a statement that flight 2011 from the United Kingdom's Manchester to Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, was diverted to the Canary Island of Lanzarote on September 29 "due to passengers behaving disruptively onboard."

The nature of the passengers' behavior was not immediately clear.

When the aircraft touched down in Lanzarote  which is just a roughly 50-minute plane ride from Tenerife  it was met by local police, according to easyJet.

EasyJet spokesperson Lottie Phillips told Insider that as a result of the incident, four passengers on the flight were removed and "offloaded" in Lanzarote before the plane continued to its final destination in Tenerife.

"As this is a matter for the local police now we aren't able to comment further," Phillips said.

It was not immediately clear what consequences the passengers faced.

Meanwhile, easyJet said in its statement that its "cabin crew are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time."

"Whilst such incidents are rare we take them very seriously and do not tolerate abusive or threatening behavior towards our crew or other passengers," the airline said.

EasyJet offered its apologies to other travelers on board the flight "for any inconvenience caused."

"The safety and well-being of our passengers, crew, and ground agents is always easyJet's priority," the airline said.

According to data from the flight tracking website FlightAware, the easyJet plane landed in Lanzarote at 11:17 a.m. local time and took off for Tenerife just over an hour later. It landed at 1:20 p.m. local time, the data showed.

Read the original article on Insider
Laws in Florida and Texas aimed at preventing censorship by social media companies are headed to the US Supreme Court.

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After the de-throttling of the Hunter Biden laptop story, the removal of certain opinions related to the pandemic and the removal of former President Donald Trump from social media platforms following the January 6th Capitol Riot, Florida and Texas enacted laws seeking to prevent social media companies from banning certain users and content.

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If youre claiming that you are the public square then you need to behave like the public square, State Representative Randy Fine (R-Palm Bay) said.

Fine supported the bill in the Florida Legislature, which prohibited social media companies from banning political candidates and journalists.

It also allowed regular users to sue the platforms if they believed they were wrongly banned.

The law was blocked before ever taking effect, but with the case now heading to the US Supreme Court, Fine is hopeful it will be upheld in full.

Read: US Rep. Matt Gaetzs father Don seeks return to Florida Senate chamber he once led as its president

I know what I hope they do and thats stand up for the people of Florida and the people of the United States who have a right to free and unfettered discussion, Fine said.

But NetChoice Vice President Carl Szabo argued its Florida and Texas that are the ones aiming to prohibit free speech.

What we are seeing out of the states of Florida and Texas is a push to force social media platforms to host lawful but awful content. Stuff like animal abuse videos, Szabo said.

NetChoice is one of the groups representing tech companies in the suit.

Szabo argued the lower courts got it right when they found the law violated social media companies free speech rights by forcing them to host speech they disagree with, and he said hes confident the US Supreme Court will uphold those rulings.

Read: Trumps civil trial begins in New York

It is social media platforms right to host only what they want to host and its your right as a consumer to be able to go to whatever website that you want. And thats where NetChoice stands, thats where this case stands and thats ultimately what its all about, said Szabo.

The case is slated to be heard in February.

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A ruling is expected sometime next summer.

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Nearly 30 years after a Florida woman was found strangled to death on the side of the road, her cold case murder has finally been solved.

Roslin Kruse, 23, was last seen alive in Tampa on 1 November 1993. Her slain body was found later that same day, but her brutal murder has remained a mystery until now.

The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office announced the significant breakthrough on Friday, and said they are confident that Michael Rizzo was responsible for Kruses death.

At the time, Rizzo was questioned and even underwent a polygraph test, which indicated deception in his responses, but conflicting accounts from his wife and girlfriend at the time further complicated the investigation, the sheriffs office said.

In their initial investigation, detectives believed Kruse had gotten into a car with an unknown person and that the car was traced back to a home on Mike Drive where Kruse and this person had gone inside.

While this observation raised suspicions, the sheriffs office said "no immediate proof of a crime was found.

As their investigation continued, it was believed that Rizzo, who lived less than half a mile from where Kruses body was found, had picked her up on the day of her murder. But he reportedly claimed to have dropped her off alive and denied any involvement in her death.

Kruses body was found on the east shoulder of East Bay Road in Gibsonton, Florida, south of Symmes Road. An autopsy revealed that her cause of death was strangulation.

Forensic evidence, including an unknown DNA sample on Kruses body, was collected and stored in a database. But despite exhaustive searches, no matches were found until November 2021.

Detectives approached Rizzos biological daughter for a DNA swab, which ultimately matched a DNA profile recovered from Kruses body, in what the sheriffs office said provided a pivotal lead in the case.

In the realm of law enforcement, there are few challenges as daunting as solving a cold case that has lingered for nearly three decades, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said after his team solved the mystery.

Rizzo died on 1 March 2011, in Orange County, Florida. The sheriffs office officially closed Kruses case.

This investigation demonstrates the commitment of our cold case investigators to bring justice to victims and their families, no matter how much time has passed, Sheriff Chronister said.

We extend our deepest condolences to Ms. Kruses family, and we hope the resolution of this case can provide them with some closure.
TRIPOLI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Libya Abdoulaye Bathily has voiced his concern about the unilateral and competing initiatives from various Libyan actors and institutions on the reconstruction of the flood-hit areas in the North African country.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said in a statement on Monday that Bathily expressed his concern after his Sept. 16 visit to Derna, the city that was hit hardest by the deadly floods.

The UNSMIL warned that such unilateral efforts would deepen the existing divisions and impede reconstruction efforts in the country, and are at odds with the Libyan people's solidarity and national unity in response to the disaster.

The statement underlined the importance of having a unified national mechanism to effectively and efficiently move forward the reconstruction.

The statement also raised the Libyan people's concerns about arbitrary cost estimates and unilateral reconstruction initiatives announced without transparency.

On Sept. 10, Mediterranean storm Daniel triggered the largest and worst floods in Libya for decades. Thousands of people were killed and went missing, while the infrastructure in the flood-hit region was severely damaged.

Shortly after the floods, the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity announced the allocation of 2.5 billion Libya dinars (approximately 510 million U.S. dollars) to rebuild the flood-hit areas, while the eastern-based House of Representatives announced the allocation of 10 billion dinars for the same purpose. 
The CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch during the brand's heyday in the 1990s and early 2000s, Mike Jeffries, is facing allegations of exploitation by men recruited for sex events he hosted around the world, according to a BBC News investigation.

Two former U.S. prosecutors who reviewed the documents and first-hand accounts gathered by the British network for its report called for prosecutors to investigate whether Jeffries should face sex trafficking charges.

Mike Jeffries, ex-CEO of clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch, leaves the store on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris on October 27, 2012. / Credit: BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images

Who is Mike Jeffries?

Mike Jeffries took over Abercrombie in the 1990s and transformed it from a failing company into a successful brand built around preppy sex appeal. Even then, he was a controversial figure.

Jeffries faced claims of racial discrimination and that his boyfriend, Matthew Smith, had undue influence in the company's operations.

Abercrombie & Fitch learns some hard retail lessons

In 2014, Jeffries stepped down as CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch with a retirement package of over $25 million, from which he is still receiving annual payments, the BBC reports.

"He was selling fame, and the price was compliance."

The BBC spoke to 12 men who described attending or organizing events run for Jeffries and Smith that involved sex acts.

Eight men who attended the events told the BBC they had been recruited by a middleman who was missing part of his nose, identified by the BBC as James Jacobson. All said they were paid to attend and signed non-disclosure agreements. Some had knowledge sex would be involved. All but one of these men said they felt harmed by the experience, the BBC reported.

Aspiring model David Bradberry was 23 in 2010, when he said he was introduced to Jacobson by an agent who described him as the gatekeeper to Abercrombie's executives.

David Bradberry is shown in this undated photo provided by BBC News. / Credit: BBC News

Bradberry said Jacobson suggested he could meet with Abercrombie's official photographer, but Jacobson "made it clear to me that unless I let him perform oral sex on me, that I would not be meeting with Abercrombie & Fitch or Mike Jeffries," Bradberry told the BBC.

"I was paralyzed. It was like he was selling fame, and the price was compliance," Bradberry said, adding that he had been made to believe "this is where everybody gets their start." After the meeting, Bradberry said Jacobson gave him $500.

Bradberry said he was then invited to an event at Jeffries' house in the Hamptons, and Jacobson directed him to use a gift card to purchase an Abercrombie & Fitch outfit for the occasion.

When he arrived, he said he spoke to Jeffries and Smith about his aspirations to be a model for the brand. Then, Bradberry said Jeffries held "poppers" under his nose, a muscle relaxing drug that can cause disorientation and a head rush, after which Jeffries had sex with him.

Bradberry said the secluded location and the presence of other staff in Abercrombie & Fitch uniforms meant he "didn't feel safe to say 'no' or 'I don't feel comfortable with this.'"

"This was not my choice. This was me being carefully manipulated."

Barrett Pall, a former model, told the BBC he was recruited to attend one of Jeffries' events when he was 22 by an older model. He said he was being financially supported by the older model at the time, so felt indebted to him.

When he arrived at the event, where he was one of a number of men, he said he felt under pressure to "perform." One of the other men performed oral sex on him while Jeffries and Smith watched, he said.

"This was not my choice," Pall said, reflecting on the event. "This was me being carefully manipulated by a group of older men who knew exactly what they were doing because they had done it before."

Barret Pall is shown in this undated photo from BBC News. / Credit: BBC News

All the men who spoke to the BBC described receiving envelopes filled with thousands of dollars in cash from Jefferies' staff after attending events.

Another man called Alex, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, said he was recruited to attend an event involving dozens of men who were flown to a five-star hotel in Morocco. He said he was a struggling model with a family to support at the time, and was recruited as a dancer, so expected he would have to strip.

While being recruited by Jacobson, he said he was told to perform oral sex on him.

"I had debt, I wanted to support my family," Alex, who identifies as straight, said. "I performed the job and I was, like, disgusted."

"There is a very good possibility I was drugged and raped."

When he arrived at the event in Marrakesh, he said he was given champagne, which he believes was spiked with drugs. He said he fell asleep and woke up with a condom inside him.

"I believe there is a very good possibility I was drugged and raped. I'll probably never, never know for sure the answer of what happened," Alex told the BBC.

He said he was too nervous to get tested for sexually transmitted infections after the event, but a few years later, became very ill. When he went to the doctor, he was diagnosed with HIV, which he believes he contracted at the event.

Two former U.S. prosecutors who independently reviewed documents and first-hand accounts provided by BBC News said they believed an investigation should be conducted to determine whether charges for sex trafficking should be brought against Jeffries and Smith.

7 Missteps That Led to Abercrombie's Shareholder Revolt

Jeffries and Smith did not reply to the BBC's multiple requests for comment on its investigation.

CBS News has sought comment from Jeffries and Smith on the BBC's investigation and is awaiting a reply.

Jacobson, the alleged middle-man, said in a statement through his lawyer that he was offended by the allegation of "any coercive, deceptive or forceful behavior on my part" which he denied, and said that he had "no knowledge of any such conduct by others."

He said he didn't remember making any promises of modeling opportunities, and "any encounter I had was fully consensual, not coercive. Everyone I came into contact with who attended these events went in with their eyes wide open."

Abercrombie & Fitch told the BBC it was "appalled and disgusted" by Jeffries' alleged behavior. It said new leadership had transformed the company into "the valued driven organization we are today, and that it has "zero tolerance for abuse, harassment or discrimination of any kind."

In a statement on Monday, Abercrombie & Fitch said it had "engaged an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation into the issues raised" by the investigation. "The company's current executive leadership team and board of directors were not aware of the allegations of sexual misconduct by Mr. Jeffries."

Pall, the former model who was recruited to one of the events, said the experience "stole any ounce of innocence that I had left. It mentally messed me up."

He now says he has the language to describe what happened to him.

"I can sit here and tell you that I was taken advantage of. And I've chosen to speak out, because I hope to achieve change. To encourage others to speak out and share their stories."

"The Abercrombie Guys: The Dark Side of Cool" will be released in the U.S. on October 6 on BBC Select, available to audiences via Amazon Prime Video Channels, the Apple TV app and The Roku Channel.

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Joan Baez, revealing secrets

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Laphonza Butler , a former adviser to Vice President Harris and president of EMILYs List, was named to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat in California that was held by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who died Friday at the age of 90.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) made the announcement late Sunday evening, after a weekend full of anticipation ahead of the decision. Newsom had pledged previously to select a Black woman to fill Feinsteins seat, should it ever become open, and Butlers appointment fills that pledge.

In his announcement, Newsom noted Butler also would make history as the first Black lesbian to openly serve as a U.S. senator.

Im proud to announce Californias new United States Senator  Laphonza Butler, Newsom said. As we mourn the enormous loss of Sen. Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for  reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence  have never been under greater assault. Laphonza has spent her entire career fighting for women and girls and has been a fierce advocate for working people.

Butler has been a labor leader as well as the leader of EMILYS List, a powerful group that works to elect women. Newsom said she will step down as president.

Earlier this year, as some Democrats started calling for Feinstein to resign as she faced mounting health problems, several high-profile Democrats entered the competitive race in California to win the coveted seat in the Senate  notably, Reps. Barbara Lee, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff.

Newsom reiterated his pledge last month to select a Black woman if Feinstein were unable to fill her term, but he said he would not select anyone currently running for the seat, saying at the time that it would be completely unfair to the Democrats that have worked their tail off.

Newsom spokesman Anthony York told The Associated Press that the governor did not ask Butler to commit to staying out of the race. The deadline to submit the necessary paperwork to enter the 2024 race is Dec. 8, the AP noted.

From her time as President of EMILYs List to leading the states largest labor union, she has always stood up for what is right and has led with her heart and her values, Newsom said in his statement. I have no doubt she will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington.

Butler currently lives in Maryland, according to her EMILYs List biography, but a spokesperson for Newsom told the AP that she owns a home in California and plans to reregister to vote in California before she is sworn in. The Senate returns to session Tuesday evening.

In a statement shortly after Newsoms announcement Sunday night, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said he was honored to welcome Butler to the Senate.

Throughout her career, Laphonza Butler has been a strong voice for working families, LGBTQ rights, and a champion for increasing womens representation in politics. Im honored to welcome her to the United States Senate, Padilla wrote.

Governor Newsoms swift action ensures that Californians maintain full representation in the Senate as we navigate a narrow Democratic majority. I look forward to working together to deliver for the people of California, he added.

Lee said in a statement that she wished Butler well in the Senate but said she was singularly focused on winning the race in 2024.

I wish @LaphonzaB well and look forward to working closely with her to deliver for the Golden State. I am singularly focused on winning my campaign for Senate. CA deserves an experienced Senator who will deliver on progressive priorities. Thats exactly what Im running to do, Lee said in a statement.

Schiff, who is also running for the Senate seat, reminded prospective voters of his strong fundraising. In a subsequent post from his official House account, Schiff congratulated Butler on the appointment.

When I say were building the largest grassroots campaign in California history  I mean it. Last quarter we brought in $6.4 million from over 102,000 donors. Our average contribution was just $32. And were just getting started! he wrote in a statement Monday morning.

With the passing of Senator Feinstein  a giant of the Senate and a trailblazer  Im glad the Governor acted quickly. I want to offer my congratulations to Laphonza Butler on her appointment. I look forward to working closely with her to get things done for California, Schiff wrote from his official account on X, formerly Twitter.

Porter also issued a statement of support, through her campaign.

As a labor leader, Laphonza Butler has spent her career standing up for women and working families. She will be the third Black woman to serve in the Senate and will also be Californias first lesbian Senator at a time when LGBTQ+ Americans are increasingly under attack. I look forward to fighting for California with her, Porter said.

Updated at 1:36 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A recent statewide crackdown on human trafficking has led to the arrest of over 100 people, including a former employee of a local university and members of the United States Air Force.

Operation Buyers Remorse was a weeklong crackdown that sought to arrest those trying to buy sex and to identify survivors of human trafficking, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost .

>>PHOTOS: UD faculty member, WPAFB Airman among 160 arrested in large Ohio human trafficking sting

The weeklong operation led to the arrest of nearly 150 johns seeking to buy sex. They were charged with engaging in prostitution, according to Yosts office. Two others were arrested for seeking sex with minors, while six were arrested for promoting prostitution. Others were arrested for illegally possessing narcotics and/or firearms.

In total 160 people, ranging from 17 to 84 years old, were arrested, including Michael Masterson, of Dayton; Shawn Rykken, of Dayton; Ramesh Karki, of Richmond, Indiana; and Anil Wagle, of Richmond, Indiana.

Yost told News Center 7s John Bedell Monday morning that Masterson was an administrator at the University of Dayton (UD).

The Director of Excellence at the University of Dayton was one of the johns charged. And candidly, I am shocked by the number of educated, disciplined, successful people that turned up in these stings like him. They know better, Yost told Bedell.

>> Former Fairborn teacher, varsity football coach passes away

News Center 7 reached out to the university and was told Masterson is a former faculty member.

The University does not comment on individual personnel matters or ongoing investigations. The University considers this a law enforcement issue and defers to their handling of it, University of Dayton officials said.

Bedell asked both the university and Masterson himself Monday when his last day at UD was. He didnt get an answer from either but did obtain an email sent to some students this morning saying that Masterson would no longer be teaching their class.

Masterson was booked into jail last Wednesday and posted bail just hours later. Two sources told News Center 7 that he was teaching at UD as recently as the day after his arrest.

As seen on News Center 7 at 5 p.m., Bedell approached Masterson Monday outside of Dayton Municipal Court and asked about his arrest, the charges, and if he resigned from UD. He responded to each question with, No comment.

Rykken was identified by Yosts office as a staff sergeant with the U.S. Air Force and Karki was identified as a professor at Indiana University.

>> Thats a lot of money; Local mother excited to hear about tax-exemption for baby, child products

The Montgomery County Human Trafficking Task Force also arrested Jason Goins, of Washington, D.C. Goins was identified as a major from the U.S. Air Force.

A Wright-Patterson Air Force Base spokesperson told News Center 7 Monday that Rykken was stationed at WPAFB. Goins was not stationed there, but the spokesperson couldnt confirm where he was stationed.

Nearly 100 law enforcement agencies from across the state worked together from Sept. 25-30 to stem the demand that fuels human trafficking.

The success of this operation is measured not only by the number of arrests but also by the resources offered to survivors of human trafficking and the intelligence gathered that will propel long-term investigations forward, Yost said Monday.

Michael Masterson, identified as a University of Dayton faculty member. (Contributed Photo Montgomery County Sheriff's Office)

Jason Goins, identified as a Major in the Air Force. (Contributed Photo/Montgomery County Sheriff's Office)

Shawn Rykken, identified as a staff sergeant in the Air Force stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. (Contributed Photo/Montgomery County Sheriff's Office)

Ramesh Karki, identified as a professor at Indiana University. (Contributed Photo/Montgomery County Sheriff's Office)

Brian Hubbard (Contributed Photo/Montgomery County Sheriff's Office)

John Cirulli (Contributed Photo/Montgomery County Sheriff's Office)

Anil Wagle (Contributed Photo/Montgomery County Sheriff's Office)

News Center 7's John Bedell approached former University of Dayton faculty member Michael Masterson at Dayton Municipal Court. Masterson was arrested as part of a large human trafficking sting in Ohio, according to the Ohio Attorney General. (AJ Ewry/Staff)

News Center 7's John Bedell approached former University of Dayton faculty member Michael Masterson at Dayton Municipal Court. Masterson was arrested as part of a large human trafficking sting in Ohio, according to the Ohio Attorney General. (AJ Ewry/Staff)

News Center 7's John Bedell approached former University of Dayton faculty member Michael Masterson at Dayton Municipal Court. Masterson was arrested as part of a large human trafficking sting in Ohio, according to the Ohio Attorney General. (AJ Ewry/Staff)




The Supreme Court heard a case involving a Catholic foster-care agency in 2020 and ruled in the agencys favor in June 2021. | Mark Tenally, Associated Press

A federal court on Friday cleared the way for state officials in South Carolina to continue partnering with faith-based foster care agencies to place foster kids in new homes.

These church-state partnerships had been challenged due to the fact that religious agencies often only work with foster parents who share their beliefs. In two separate lawsuits, the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State argued that agencies that discriminate based on religion should not have access to public funds.

On Friday, a federal district court rejected that claim, noting that prospective foster parents who cant or dont want to work with faith-based agencies can access the same services through other, nonreligious agencies that take part in South Carolinas foster care system.

Plaintiffs could get the same services at 26 other private agencies in the state, including 18 in the upstate, or with the state itself, the district court said in one of its two rulings.

Related

The two South Carolina lawsuits

The first of the two cases in front of the District Court involved a lesbian couple who had been turned away from Miracle Hill Ministries, a large faith-based agency in upstate South Carolina.

Miracle Hill said Eden Rogers and Brandy Welch needed to find another agency to work with since Miracle Hill requires its foster parents to share the agencys Christian beliefs. (Rogers and Welch belong to a Unitarian Universalist church.)

With the help of the ACLU, the couple filed a lawsuit in May 2019, arguing that South Carolina officials, in partnering with Miracle Hill, violated the Constitutions establishment and equal protection clauses.

The second lawsuit, filed in December 2019, involves the same agency (Miracle Hill) and the same constitutional claims.

Aimee Madonna, who is represented by Americans United, argued that South Carolina should not partner with an agency that rejects prospective parents based on their religion. (She was turned away for being Catholic.)

The Supreme Courts faith-based foster care case

The two South Carolina cases were part of a surge of legal battles over whether faith-based foster care and adoption agencies should have access to public funds that emerged about five years ago.

One such fight out of Philadelphia made it all the way to the Supreme Court. In June 2021, a unanimous court said that the city could not bar a Catholic agency from receiving public funding due to its beliefs on same-sex marriage. Catholic Social Services filed the lawsuit in 2018 after losing its contract with the city.

Catholic Social Services seeks only an accommodation that will allow it to continue serving the children of Philadelphia in a manner consistent with its religious beliefs; it does not seek to impose those beliefs on anyone else, wrote Chief Justice John Roberts in the majority opinion.

Reactions to the rulings

The district court overseeing the South Carolina cases cited that 2021 Supreme Court ruling to justify parts of its recent decisions.

It said South Carolina officials could accommodate Miracle Hills faith-based approach to its work, since the Supreme Court has said that, in some cases, such accommodations are actually required.

These two rulings from the U.S. District Court represent significant wins for religious liberty and South Carolinas faith-based organizations like Miracle Hill, which will be able to continue their crucial mission of connecting children in foster care with loving homes, said South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster in a statement about Fridays rulings.

He continued, These victories will directly benefit countless children by further ensuring that faith-based organizations will not be forced to abandon their beliefs to help provide critical services to our states youth.

In her own statement, Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, criticized Fridays ruling in the Madonna case and argued that the Supreme Courts 2021 decision has caused confusion in lower courts nationwide.

Foster care agencies working on behalf of the government should not be allowed to discriminate against prospective foster parents because they dont live according to one narrow set of conservative religious beliefs. Religious freedom can never be a license to discriminate, she said.

Laser added that her organization, along with Madonna, is currently considering whether or not to appeal to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
(Bloomberg) -- France has emerged as the main roadblock for those seeking to delay post-Brexit tariffs that are set to hit electric vehicles shipped between the UK and European Union in a move that could cost carmakers billions of euros in revenue.

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The French government doesnt want to delay the levy, which it worries may have the appearance of giving in to UK requests, potentially deterring battery investments in the EU, according to people familiar with the deliberations and documents outlining nations positions. This is in spite of damage the tariffs may cause Renault SA, which is partly owned by the French state, as well as Peugeot and Opel owner Stellantis NV.

Most of the EUs 27 member states  led by Germany  are open to delaying the deadline as a one-off, said the people, who asked not to be identified because discussions on the matter are ongoing.

At stake is whether EVs traded between the UK and the EU will attract a 10% tariff from next year if less than 45% of their value comes from the region, as stipulated under post-Brexit agreements. European carmakers want to extend the planned phase-in period by three years, allowing more time for the regions battery supply chain to develop. The industry has said the move could cost the sector 4.3 billion ($4.5 billion) over the next three years and would benefit Chinese competitors.

A spokesperson from the French finance ministry declined to comment.

France is concerned that allowing a delay would send a political signal that a country can get the domestic political gains of leaving the EUs single market without the costs, according to one French official.

Some of the people involved in the talks said they are still confident that an agreement can be reached before the deadline at the end of the year.

The UK accounts for almost a quarter of EU EV exports and arent subject to tariffs, according to another document seen by Bloomberg. It notes that UK imports from China have surged and accounted for about a third of sales last year, despite a 10% tariff. Should European vehicles pay the same tariff, they will lose out.

The issue has also split the opinion within the European Commission, the EUs executive arm. The blocs internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton, who is French, told the Guardian last month that the EU couldnt change the Brexit agreements to appease the car industry.

The EUs trade chief, Valdis Dombrovskis, told the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung the hope was to avoid tariffs and that could be done without re-opening the Brexit agreement. If the EU and Britain impose tariffs on each other, it will not help our industry, but only China, he said.

In recent weeks, the biggest lobby group for European car manufacturers dialed up pressure to delay the electric-vehicle tariffs, saying they could reduce production in the region by 480,000 cars over three years. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association and other local groups have been tapping other stakeholders, including German labor unions and even European battery makers, to drum up support for the delay, one of the people said.

Brussels has been looking to boost production in the EU especially in the wake of massive subsidies in the US that are pulling away investments from Europe and a strategic focus on becoming less dependent on Beijing. But critics say that changing supply chains takes time.

Manufacturers currently source most EV batteries  which typically make up around 40% of the value of a car  from Asia. Companies like Chinas Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. so far have no meaningful competition from elsewhere and that is unlikely to change in weeks.

--With assistance from Alex Wickham and William Horobin.

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For years, Frasier fans have wondered how the shows title character became so wealthy. Now, a writer on the show is setting the record straight.

The hit sitcom, which starred Kelsey Grammar as Frasier Crane, aired for 11 seasons from 1993 to 2004.

Later this month, a 10-episode revival will see Grammar reprise his role as the titular therapist as he returns to Boston, where his son Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott) has just started college.

Ahead of the forthcoming reboot, writer and executive producer Joe Keenan has shed some light on the original shows enduring mysteries.

Across the programmes original run, viewers grew accustomed to seeing Frasiers lavish lifestyle, which included incredibly expensive bottles of sherry and endless designer suits, prompting raised eyebrows from fans questioning how the character could afford these luxuries.

Frasier works for a radio station, KACL, as the host of his own psychotherapeutic radio show titled The Dr Frasier Crane Snow.

In an interview with Metro.co.uk to commemorate the shows 30-year anniversary, writer and executive producer Keenan addressed the debate, stating: The question has come up.

Keenan explained: We think Frasier made a lot of money in private practice in Boston, and he has investments.

Kelsey Grammer in Frasier (Pamela Littky/Paramount+)

The writer did, however, admit that they perhaps overestimated how much a radio presenter would be paid for his work.

What we imagined to be the salary of a local radio personality was perhaps a little bit inflated, he told the publication.

Keenan went on to compare Frasiers apartment to that of his brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce).

When you looked at Niles and his house with Maris, this baronial mansion that Niles lived in, Frasiers apartment didnt seem all that, he said.

Keenan went on to defend the size of Frasiers apartment, stating: In addition to it, weve lived on that set, and it wasnt that big when you actually stepped onto [it]. You were surprised at how much smaller it was to navigate than it looked on camera, and how narrow some of the passages were.

Grammer interpreto al fusty psiquiatra Frasier Crane durante dos decadas, en Cheers y su spin-off, Frasier. (Nbc-Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock)

His dining room only seated four people. That apartment, without that view [of the Seattle Space Needle], would not seem that astonishing. It was the view that made it seem fabulous.

Elsewhere in the interview, Keenan addressed the characters famous charm with women, explaining that his insane flirtiness was used as a shortcut for storytelling so that he would meet new people quicker.

Youve got 20-22 minutes to tell the stories so you find yourself cutting a lot of corners with meet cutes, and people seeing somebody at a party and immediately going up [to them], he said.

Keenan continued: If theres something that we always laughed at in the room, its how rapidly women are charmed by Frasier, who wouldnt be charmed in real life by the corny, flirtatious things hell say and the compliments hell say.

That whole highfalutin, chivalrous thing hell play when hes trying to get a woman interested, I dont know if people would be offended by that as much as they find it ham fisted.

The reboot of Frasier is scheduled to premiere its first two episodes on Paramount+ on 12 October, followed by a weekly release of new episodes every Thursday  international releases will drop the following day.

CBS will later broadcast the first two episodes on 17 October.

Speaking about the reboot in a June interview with The Independent, Grammer opined that it may be funnier than the original.

Frasiers going to explore a true friendship, which we never had him do before, Grammar explained. David Hyde Pierce as Niles was his go-to  that is not available now. So the idea of a great friend became really appealing and new to Frasier. Thats a brand new world for him.
[Source]

Fresno, California, has become the second U.S. city to prohibit caste discrimination, adding caste and indigeneity as protected categories in its municipal code.

Historic move: In a unanimous vote on Sept. 28, Fresno's city council moved to ban caste discrimination, marking a significant milestone in the fight against the deeply ingrained form of social stratification. The move comes months after Seattle set a precedent by becoming the first U.S. city to outlaw caste discrimination through a similar city council vote in February.

About the ancient system: The caste system, originating in India over 3,000 years ago, divides Hindu society into rigid hierarchical groups based on birth and ancestry. It allows privileges for upper castes while repressing lower castes, with the Dalit community, historically labeled as "untouchables," at the lowest rung.

A divisive issue: Caste discrimination has been a contentious issue within the South Asian community in California, particularly in Silicon Valley, where a substantial South Asian workforce resides. The debate has intensified in recent years, with caste discrimination gaining national attention in 2020 when California's Civil Rights Department sued Cisco Systems over alleged caste discrimination.

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SB 403 debate: California stands on the cusp of becoming the first U.S. state to ban caste discrimination, with the pending bill known as Senate Bill 403 now awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom's signature. Newsom has until Oct. 14 to sign or veto the proposed bill.

Advocates for a statewide ban in California argue that explicitly defining caste discrimination in state law will empower individuals who have experienced wage theft, housing discrimination, workplace mistreatment or social exclusion due to their caste. They emphasize that caste discrimination is akin to other forms of discrimination and should be prohibited to protect marginalized communities.

Some South Asian Americans have expressed opposition, arguing that it unfairly targets Hindus, as the caste system is predominantly associated with Hinduism. They also contend that existing laws against discrimination based on religion and ancestry should suffice and highlight that India outlawed caste discrimination over seven decades ago.

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A Fresno man who disappeared more than a week ago on a fishing trip at a Merced County reservoir has been found dead, according to authorities.

About 7:30 a.m. Sunday, deputies responded to a report of a man lying near the edge of the water on the northwest bank of the San Luis Reservoir near the Romero Visitor Center, according to Merced County Sheriffs Deputy Michael Domingue.

The sheriffs Search, Rescue and Recovery team responded and recovered the body of 57-year-old Chang Cheng. Authorities said Chengs body was in more of a remote rocky area along the waters edge near the dam.

The cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy, with the investigation ongoing, Domingue said.

According to Domingue, Chengs body was on the opposite side of the reservoir from where he was last seen. Domingue said authorities had conducted a large and thorough search for Cheng and the Sheriffs Office was thankful for the assistance it received from other agencies.

This is not the outcome we were looking for  we were hopeful we would locate him and bring some peace to the family, Domingue said. Authorities said it is unknown how long Cheng had been in the water and how he ended up at the location where he was found.

Cheng had gone missing about 7 p.m. on Sept. 21 at the end of a family fishing trip. At one time during the search, roughly 70 personnel were looking for Cheng, with multiple outside agencies assisting in the effort. Multiple resources were used, including horse and K-9 teams and four aircraft, according to authorities.

Domingue said that Chengs family was helpful and forthcoming with information while remaining in communication with detectives throughout the search.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriffs Office at 209-385-7445 or its tip line at 209-385-7472.
Funeral services have been announced for a St. Jacob man who died Friday, nearly a year after he was injured in a crash with a man allegedly fleeing police.

Devyn Alan Trampe died after suffering severe brain injuries in the crash last year in Madison County. He was 32.

A celebration of life will be on Saturday at Bethel Church at 7774 Collinsville Road in Troy. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with services from 11 a.m. to noon.

Burial will be at a later date in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis County, according to an announcement on Monday by Trampes mother, Kelly Trampe.

On Friday, Kelly Trampe posted a message on Caring Bridge about her sons death.

Devyns greatest super power was making people smile, she wrote. He could arrive at any party, see someone not smiling, and with the flash of his pearly whites, change that in an instant.

Devyn Trampes survivors include his wife and two children.

The crash occurred on Nov. 14 when Devyn Trampes Dodge Ram pickup truck collided with a Chevrolet Silverado driven by Ronnell L. Welch, 39.

Welch was allegedly driving a stolen Siverado pickup truck up to 85 mph and while fleeing from a Granite City police officer, crashed into Trampes Dodge Ram pickup truck on Illinois 3 at the intersection with Rock Road in Madison County on Nov. 14, according to federal and state court records.

Just before the crash, Trampe had left an oil terminal where he expected to get a new job. He and his family had moved into a new home on Halloween last year.

Welch was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer; aggravated reckless driving; offenses relating to motor vehicles for allegedly possessing the Silverado when not entitled to it; and residential burglary.

Illinois State Police investigated the crash.

In August, Welch filed a motion for a speedy trial. Welch said in the motion that he was being held in a federal prison in Pekin.

Following Devyn Trampes death, the Madison County States Attorneys Office said it will review Welchs case in the coming days and see if additional reports are forthcoming.
HANOI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam welcomed 8.9 million foreign tourists in the first nine months of this year, exceeding the target of 8 million for the whole year, according to the latest statistic of the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The number of foreign tourists to Vietnam from January to September witnessed a 4.7-fold increase compared to the figure of the same period last year, the office said.

The figure was less than half the number of international arrivals to the Southeast Asian country before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, which was 18 million.

Of the 8.9 million tourists, 87.5 percent chose to travel by air, 11.8 percent by road, and the remainder by sea.

Majority of the arrivals were from Asia (6.85 million), followed by Europe (1.015 million), Americas (682,800), Oceania (311,100), and Africa (20,400).

Vietnam looks to raise the foreign arrival target in 2023 to about 10-12 million tourists, Vietnam News reported on Monday, citing Vu The Binh, chairman of Vietnam Tourism Association.

Vietnam has seen positive figures in the number of foreign arrivals thanks to the government's new visa policy which took effect on Aug. 15.

Tourists to Vietnam have the e-visa validity period extended to 90 days from 30 days. Within 90 days after the e-visa is granted, foreigners can enter and exit Vietnam for unlimited times and without having to apply for new visas. 
An award-winning educator was killed in a car crash over the weekend.

Georgia State Patrol officials told Channel 2 Action News on Friday troopers received reports of a crash on Ga. 1 at Scott Hill Road in Chattooga County.

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According to the investigation, the driver of a 2006 Jeep Wrangler was driving south on GA 1 when the driver lost control of the vehicle and traveled onto the grass median.

The Jeep driver re-entered the northbound lanes and hit a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe that was traveling north on GA 1. GSP confirmed that both drivers died in the crash.

The driver of the Santa Fe was identified as Lori McWhorter. The identity of the other victim in the crash has not been released.

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McWhorter taught at LaFayette High School in Walker County.

Mrs. McWhorter was a revered teacher, a devoted mother and a loving wife whose sudden and tragic loss leaves an irreplaceable void in our community, district officials said. Mrs. McWhorters unwavering passion for education and her dedication to nurturing the potential in every student made her an embodiment of inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

McWhorter was named the Teacher of the Year for LHS this year in recognition of her significant contributions to the school district and the impact she has had on the lives of her students.

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Mrs. McWhorters passing is not only a loss to LaFayette High School but also to the entire educational community of Walker County, district officials said. Her memories, teachings, and the invaluable lessons she imparted will continue to live on in the hearts of her students, colleagues, friends, and family.

The school district plans to hold a memorial service to honor McWhorter and intends to provide details later.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Florida congressman Matt Gaetz told members of the House of Representatives that he intends to call for what would amount to a vote of no-confidence in House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during remarks on the House floor on Monday.

Mr Gaetz took to the House floor, during a period when members are permitted to give general speeches on any topic, to rail against the Californian for allowing the House to pass a stopgap spending bill to prevent a government shutdown late Saturday, just hours before the expiration of the fiscal year.

The Florida Republican and a small group of fellow right-wingers had opposed the measure, known as a continuing resolution, because it did not include draconian cuts to most government departments.

In his remarks, he accused Mr McCarthy of acting in favour of extending  Joe Biden s spending and Joe Biden's policy priorities and having gave away ... money for Ukraine that Joe Biden wanted, citing statements from Senate leaders who expressed confidence that the Congress will soon take up legislation to extend US financial support for Kyivs defence against Russias invasion, as well as Mr McCarthys own words about his desire to fund defence assistance for Ukraine and a set of GOP-authored border security and immigration priorities.

It is going to be difficult for my Republican friends to keep calling President Biden feeble. While he continues to take Speaker McCarthy's lunch money in every negotiation, he said.

Mr Gaetz also argued that the House is no longer able to take up legislation to fund Ukraines defence because, in his telling, Mr McCarthy agreed to enforce the so-called Hastert Rule on all legislation.

Named for an admitted child molester who served as a Republican Speaker of the House from 1999 to 2007, the Hastert Rule is not an actual rule of the House.

Instead, it refers to a practice that Hastert, a convicted felon and sex offender, pioneered by refusing to let the chamber vote on legislation that did not have support from a majority of Republicans.

In practice, it is a way for the GOP to cut Democrats out of the governing process and limit bipartisanship.

According to Republican sources who have spoken to The Independent in the months since Mr McCarthy was elected Speaker after a record 15 separate ballots, enforcing the Hastert Rule was a condition the Californian agreed to before receiving enough votes from a small group of extremist holdouts to claim the gavel.

The last time there's a free-standing Ukraine vote on this floor, it was last week  101 Republicans voted for it, 117 Republicans voted against it. According to the Hastert Rule, which Speaker McCarthy agreed to in January, you cannot use Democrats to roll a majority of the majority, certainly on something as consequential as Ukraine, he said.

Continuing, Mr Gaetz conceded that the House might agree to take up a bill to fund assistance to Kyiv, but pivoted to arguing that such funding shouldnt be paired with any border funds.

I get that a lot of folks might disagree with my perspectives on the border or on Ukraine. But can we at least agree that no matter how you feel about Ukraine or the southern border, they each deserve the dignity of their own consideration and should not be rolled together where they might pass where each individually wouldn't, he said.

This is what we're trying to get away from. This is the spirit of the January agreement we made with the Speaker  no more lashing these disparate issues together so that the American people's interests are subjugated here on the floor of the house.

He also claimed that Mr McCarthy is acting at the behest of Mr Biden and not the GOP conference, and again demanded to know what agreement he made with the president.

Mr Speaker, just tell us just tell us what was in the secret Ukraine side deal ... I would ask that these questions be answered soon, because there may be other votes coming today or later this week that could be implicated by the answers to these questions. Members of the Republican Party might vote differently on a motion to vacate if they heard what the Speaker had to share with us about his secret side deal with Joe Biden on Ukraine, he said. I'll be listening  stay tuned.

Because of the narrow margins by which Republicans control the House, Mr McCarthy could only lose a small number of votes from his own conference if every Democrat voted in favour of a motion to vacate the chair.

But Democrats could come to his rescue by voting against or by voting present and reducing the number of votes required for him to keep his job.

Representative Katherine Clark, the Democratic whip, said on Monday that her caucus would consider how to handle a no-confidence vote when a motion to vacate is formally made.

Ms Clark told MSNBC that House Democrats would come together as a family in the Democratic caucus to talk about whatever is presented to us at that time.

But the Massachusetts Democrat suggested that Mr McCarthys problems were of his own making and said they stemmed from his inability to keep his word to members of either party.

The bad thing for Kevin McCarthy is that he is untrustworthy, she said, citing Mr McCarthys decision to renege on an agreement he struck with Mr Biden to raise the governments statutory debt limit in exchange for some spending cuts.

They made a deal, Kevin McCarthy signed that deal, 314 of us voted to approve it in a bipartisan way. The ink wasnt dry before Kevin McCarthy was back to catering to the extremists, she said. That is what he does. Because his focus is about keeping his speakership and not about making progress for Americans at home.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) announced over the weekend that he will force a vote on ousting Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from his post this week, following through on threats Gaetz has levied in recent weeks and answering a dare McCarthy himself made recently.

Gaetz announced his plans to bring a motion to vacate against McCarthy one day after the Speaker worked with Democrats to pass a continuing resolution and keep the government open, a reality the Florida Republican had been warning against for weeks.

Following the vote, McCarthy dared his detractors to make the motion  If somebody wants to make a motion against me, bring it   putting the ball in Gaetzs court and prompting the Florida lawmaker to put his money where his mouth is after weeks of repeated threats and heightened rhetoric. Gaetz can bring the motion as early as Monday.

Gaetzs threat against McCarthy is the big headline of what will be a busy week.

After averting a shutdown, the House will continue consideration of full-year appropriations bills as Congress stares down the next funding deadline, Nov. 17.

Much of the focus will be on funding for Ukraine after the stopgap bill over the weekend excluded money for the embattled nation. McCarthy on Sunday made it clear that he will link securing the border to any funding bill, arguing that is his priority.

In the Senate, all eyes are on EMILYs List President Laphonza Butler , after California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed her to fill the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein s (D-Calif.) seat.

Gaetz to bring motion to vacate against McCarthy

Gaetz over the weekend announced plans to bring a motion to vacate against McCarthy this week, following through on his threats after McCarthy teamed up with Democrats to fund the government and avert a shutdown.

The vow marked a significant moment in the acrimonious relationship between McCarthy and Gaetz, which came into sharp focus during the January Speakers race and grew more bitter amid the September spending fight.

I do intend to file a motion to vacate against Speaker McCarthy this week, Gaetz said on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday.

I think we need to rip off the Band-Aid. I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy, he added.

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McCarthy, for his part, said he is confident he will make it through the effort against him, telling CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday, Ill survive.

Thats nothing new, he added of Gaetzs threat to bring the motion. Hes tried to do that. From the moment I ran for the office.

Gaetz warned in recent weeks that he would force a vote on ousting McCarthy as Speaker if the Californian put a continuing resolution on the floor or worked with Democrats to pass a stopgap funding measure  both of which occurred Saturday. Asked about those threats after the vote, McCarthy dared his detractors to take him on.

If somebody wants to make a motion against me, bring it, McCarthy said Saturday. There has to be an adult in the room.

Gaetz can bring a motion to vacate against McCarthy as soon as Monday, when the House reconvenes. Leadership would then have to set a vote on the matter within two legislative days. The House could, however, vote to table the measure or refer it to a committee, both procedural votes that would prevent the chamber from having to weigh in directly.

At least one Republican, Rep. Eli Crane (Ariz.), appears to be backing the effort to oust McCarthy. He wrote Lets roll! on X, formerly known as Twitter, in response to Gaetzs announcement. Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) told All INdiana Politics that she is open-minded about the motion to vacate threat.

McCarthys fate will largely rest in the hands of Democrats. If Democrats vote to table the resolution, or vote against the motion, McCarthy could keep his job. But if Democrats decide to oust McCarthy, and enough Republicans follow suit, the California Republican could lose the Speakers gavel.

Democratic leadership has not indicated how the caucus would act if a motion to vacate were brought against McCarthy, brushing questions aside as hypotheticals. But Sunday, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) told colleagues in a letter that the caucus would discuss how to proceed if the motion is brought to the floor.

If this occurs, we will have a Caucus wide discussion on how to address the motion to best meet the needs of the American people, Clark wrote in the letter.

At least one Democrat, however, would be willing to boot McCarthy from the top job. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said Sunday that she would absolutely vote for a motion to vacate, but also said it is up to Republican leadership to work through their own issues and suggested that a negotiation could take place to save him.

She said Democrats should and would require some kind of price for their support.

House moves ahead with full-year spending bills

The House this week is slated to consider two more full-year spending bills as the chamber looks to complete its part of the appropriations process  a key demand of hard-line Republicans.

Lawmakers will take up a bill funding Energy and water development and related agencies in addition to a measure for the legislative branch.

Consideration of the legislation comes after Congress passed a short-term continuing resolution over the weekend that averted a shutdown and will keep the government funding at current levels until Nov. 17. A total of 90 Republicans opposed the measure, a number of whom said they would prefer to see Congress pass individual appropriations bills and fund the government through regular order.

During a closed-door meeting hours before the House voted on the stopgap Saturday, GOP leadership presented the conference with a schedule to consider the rest of the 12 appropriations bills throughout October. The House has passed four full-year spending bills thus far, while the Senate has cleared none.

Focus on Ukraine aid

The question of whether Congress will approve more aid to Ukraine will be top of mind this week, after a last-minute move to fund the government over the weekend excluded funding for Kyiv.

The top four Democrats in the House said they expect McCarthy to bring a bill that supports Ukraine to the floor when the chamber returns, but did not specify when exactly that would happen.

When the House returns, we expect Speaker McCarthy to advance a bill to the House Floor for an up-or-down vote that supports Ukraine, consistent with his commitment to making sure that Vladimir Putin, Russia and authoritarianism are defeated. We must stand with the Ukrainian people until victory is won, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (Calif.) and Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Ted Lieu (Calif.) wrote in a statement Saturday night.

Both chambers cleared a short-term continuing resolution Saturday to fund the government at current levels through Nov. 17 and provide $16 billion in disaster relief. Notably, however, the legislation  which McCarthy rolled out Saturday morning  did not include Ukraine aid, even though the Senates stopgap bill included roughly $6 billion for Kyiv, and the White House asked for more money for the embattled ally in its supplemental request.

Support for Kyiv has become a hot-button issue within the House GOP conference since Russia invaded Ukraine, with some Republican lawmakers calling for curtailing assistance to the besieged country. Support for Ukraine, nonetheless, remains strong in the House  the chamber voted 311-117 to approve $300 million in new aid for Kyiv.

McCarthys decision to leave Ukraine aid on the cutting room floor was criticized by members in both parties and chambers. Following the Senate vote, leaders in the chamber said they expect to continue to work toward support for Ukraine in the coming weeks.

This agreement leaves a number of urgent priorities outstanding. In the coming weeks, we expect the Senate will work to ensure the U.S. government continues to provide critical and sustained security and economic support for Ukraine, Senate leaders wrote.

Newsom announces Feinstein replacement

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced overnight that he has chosen EMILYs List President Laphonza Butler to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in the Senate.

An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and shell represent us proudly in the United States Senate, Newsom wrote in a statement.

As we mourn the enormous loss of Senator Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for  reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence  have never been under greater assault. Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C., he added.

Newsoms pick fulfills the vow he made in 2021 to name a Black woman to the Senate if Feinstein were to retire. Butler will also become the first out gay person to represent California in the U.S. Capitols upper chamber.

News outlets also reported that Newsoms pick will be able to run for a full term in 2024, a notable development after the governor in September said he would not appoint anyone to the seat who was running to succeed Feinstein in 2024. He said at the time that his pick would be an interim appointment because he did not want to get involved in the primary currently underway for Feinsteins seat.

Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Katie Porter (D-Calif.) are all running for Feinsteins seat, vying for the Democratic nomination to be on the ballot in 2024.

If that person decides she wants to seek a full term in 2024, then she is free to do so. There is absolutely no litmus test, no promise, Newsom spokesman Anthony York told the Los Angeles Times on Sunday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) teased his upcoming move to force a vote on ousting Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in a floor speech Monday shortly after the House gaveled into session  but he reiterated that the effort will kick off this week.

Stay tuned, he said in a speech on the House floor.

Gaetz said over the weekend that he will move to force a vote on booting McCarthy from the Speakership this week after the GOP leader worked with Democrats to pass a continuing resolution (CR) and avert a government shutdown over the weekend  a course of action that Gaetz had opposed for weeks.

Gaetz focused his speech on what he alleged was a secret side deal between McCarthy and President Biden about approving Ukraine funding in the future. The clean stopgap funding bill Congress approved just hours before a Saturday shutdown deadline did not include the White Houses requested boost to Ukraine aid by billions.

For all the crocodile tears about what may happen later this week about a motion to vacate, working with the Democrats is a yellow brick road that has been paved by Speaker McCarthy, whether it was the debt limit deal, the CR or now the secret deal on Ukraine, Gaetz said on the House floor. This is swampy log-rolling.

Biden alluded Sunday to the existence of a deal to bring up Ukraine funding. When asked by a reporter if he will be able to trust McCarthy when the next deal comes around, Biden responded we just made one about Ukraine, so well find out.

I fully expect the Speaker to keep his commitment for the secure passage and support needed to help Ukraine as they defend themselves against aggression and brutality, Biden also said in remarks Sunday.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday pointed to comments McCarthy made over the weekend that he supports getting Ukraine the weapons it needs, adding that is a commitment that he has made. She also said what we know is theres bipartisan support for this deal.

But McCarthy said otherwise.

I dont think the president implied that at all, McCarthy told reporters Monday morning.

He said that he supports Ukraine and he supports arming Ukraine, but he has asked the White House to send people to the Capitol to talk about the southern border.

The American border takes priority, McCarthy said.

But Gaetz still laid out a series of questions for McCarthy to answer regarding the supposed deal on Ukraine funding.

So Mr. Speaker, just tell us, just tell us. What was in the secret Ukraine side deal? What commitments were made to President Biden to continue the spending of President Biden in exchange for doing things for President Biden? Gaetz said. It is becoming increasingly clear who the Speaker of the House already works for, and its not the Republican conference.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that these questions be answered sooner, because there may be other votes coming today or later this week that could be implicated by the answers to these questions, he continued. Members of the Republican Party might vote differently on a motion to vacate if they heard what the Speaker had to share with us about his secret side deal with Joe Biden on Ukraine.

Gaetz added, Ill be listening.

Gaetz also criticized McCarthy for comments over the weekend suggesting that Ukraine aid and border security would be considered together.

Could we at least agree that no matter how you feel about Ukraine or the southern border, they each deserve the dignity of their own consideration and should not be rolled together.

Gaetz did not say Monday when he will make an official move against McCarthy  just saying it would be this week  but he signaled that if the first effort fails, he will force more votes on the question of whether or not the Californian should remain the top Republican in the chamber.

It took Speaker McCarthy 15 votes to become the Speaker. So until I get to 14 or 15, I dont think Im being any more dilatory than he was, Gaetz told reporters on the steps of the Capitol following his floor speech.

Gaetz also said that he had spoken to former President Trump about his plans to move against McCarthy, but declined to elaborate further.

Asked about who he would like to see replace McCarthy, Gaetz did not push a specific name  but he did bring up House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), who has been undergoing treatment for blood cancer.

It is awkward to talk about names until we understand how Mr. Scalise comes out of his treatment for blood cancer, Gaetz said. I am not the type of person that just says you blow by somebody because theyre getting a medical treatment.

Brett Samuels contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed a replacement to fill Dianne Feinstein 's Senate seat.

Laphonza Butler, president of EMILY's List, will be the third Black woman to ever serve in the Senate.

Butler will also become the first openly gay U.S. senator from California.

California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed EMILY's List president Laphonza Butler to fill the Senate seat left vacant after the death of Dianne Feinstein.

Butler will be the third Black woman to ever serve in the Senate, per the San Francisco Chronicle, and the first openly gay U.S. senator from California, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Who is Laphonza Butler?

Butler is currently the president of EMILYs List, an organization working to get Democratic, pro-choice women elected to state and nationwide offices.

Previously, Butler worked as a policy director for Airbnb and political consulting firm SCRB Strategies, according to her EMILY's List biography. At SCRB, she worked alongside Newsom's most prominent strategists, per the LA Times. She was a senior advisor for current US Vice President Kamala Harris's 2020 presidential campaign and in Hillary Clinton's 2008 and 2016 presidential campaigns.

She also has extensive experience in labor activism, and served as president of SEIU Local 2015, which represents long-term caregivers in California, for nearly a decade. During her time there, she advocated to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour, per her EMILYs List bio.

Butler shares a significant history with Harris, per the Times. The two met in 2010 when Harris was campaigning for CA attorney general. In the primary for that election, Butler helped Harris get a triple endorsement from her union. When Harris won, she said Butler was a supporter from the start of her campaign, per the LA Times.

From 2018 to 2021, Butler served as a Regent for the University of California, per the Board of Regents website. She received her Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Jackson State University in 2001, per her LinkedIn.

Butler has previous connections to Newsom outside of SCRB  at one point, she was being considered for the position of his chief of staff, per Politico.

The late Sen. Dianne Feinstein on April 4, 2022. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File

A tough race developing for Dianne Feinstein's seat

The move adheres to Newsom's 2021 promise to fill an open seat by appointing a Black woman. It also comes after the Governor promised in early September to appoint a caretaker to a Senate seat left empty by Feinstein, saying it would be "completely unfair" to tap a candidate so close to the 2024 primary. That pledge has since been walked back.

"That primary is just a matter of months away," Newsom had said, speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I don't want to tip the balance of that."

A spokesperson for Newsom previously confirmed to Insider that the new appointee to replace Dianne Feinstein in the Senate will be eligible to run for a full term in 2024, a reversal of his original pledge to appoint a caretaker.

Progressives had been pressuring the Governor to tap Rep. Barbara Lee for the seat.

Representatives from Newsom's office confirmed Butler's appointment to Insider but did not offer any additional statement regarding the Governor's choice.

Newsom praised Butler in a post on X announcing her appointment. He wrote that Butler's appointment to fill Feinstein's seat comes at a time when freedoms like reproductive rights and safety from gun violence "have never been under greater assault."

"Laphonza has spent her entire career fighting for women and girls and has been a fierce advocate for working people. She will make history -- becoming the first Black lesbian to openly serve in the U.S. Senate," Newsom wrote.

"I have no doubt she will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington," he added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has tapped out Democratic strategist Laphonza Butler to fill the Senate seat held by Dianne Feinstein , who died on Friday.

Butler will now be the first LGBTQ+ person of color to serve in the U.S Senate. She will serve the remainder of Feinsteins term, which ends next year.

Newsoms office confirmed the news of Butlers selection to the Los Angeles Times. The Democratic governor fulfilled a promise to appoint a Black woman to the seat.

"I'm honored to accept Gov. [Gavin Newsom's] nomination to be U.S. Senator for a state I have made my home and honored by his trust in me to serve the people of California and this great nation," Butler wrote in tweet on Monday. She added: "No one will ever measure up to the legacy of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, but I will do my best to honor her legacy and leadership by committing to work for women and girls, workers and unions, struggling parents, and all of California. I am ready to serve."

 (@)

Butler leads EMILYs List, a political group that works to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights. Before becoming president of EMILYS List, Butler ran a labor union and served as an advisor for Vice President Kamala Harriss 2020 presidential campaign.

Related: Dianne Feinstein: An LGBTQ+ Rights Champion

The Times notes that Butlers selection is not only historic but it may cause even more complexity in the lead-up to the 2024 election. The outlet reports that Butler has deep connections across the Democratic political sphere in California and could very well fundraise enough to make her another top candidate to succeed Feinstein.

Democratic U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee of Oakland, Katie Porter of Irvine, and Adam B. Schiff of Burbank are all running for Feinsteins Senate seat. Newsom had previously said he would not name one of the candidates to fill Feinsteins seat  this was before her death and she was experiencing health problems that caused her to be absent from the Senate.

Butler could be sworn in as early as Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.

Equality Californias executive director Tony Hoang praised Newsoms choice in selecting Butler.

"Laphonza Butler is eminently qualified to represent California well in the United States Senate and we are thrilled to congratulate her, Hoang said in a statement. This historic appointment by Governor Newsom will give our LGBTQ+ community another voice in Congress at a time when our rights and freedoms are under attack across the country.

Other LGBTQ+ groups also lauded Newsom's choice.

"Butler's appointment is so important for LGBTQ people, Black people, & women not only in California, but throughout the country," GLAAD's CEO and president Sarah Kate Ellis wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Our freedoms are under attack to be ourselves, make our own health care decisions, & have our votes and voices secured."

The Human Rights campaign also celebrated the selection.

"The appointment of Laphonza Butler to the Senate is a landmark moment in the fight for social, racial, and economic justice. As the first Black lesbian to represent California in the United States Senate, Laphonza brings a compelling voice for abortion rights, the labor movement, and civil rights into Congress. Her leadership is a testament to the legacy of Senator Dianne Feinsteins strong record of pro-LGBTQ+ support, said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. The threats to reproductive freedoms and LGBTQ+ families emanating from the Supreme Court and anti-equality politicians are twin crises that require immediate attention, and Laphonza Butler is an exceptional advocate on both of these issues."
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) slammed Fox News as quite literally bulls**t and misinformation in a new interview.

Nevertheless, Newsom explained to Semafors Max Tani why he still thinks Democrats should appear on the 24/7 doom loop.

Newsom has appeared on Sean Hannitys prime-time show twice this year. Hannity is also hosting a televised debate between Newsom and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in November.

There are a lot of good folks that are watching, honestly, a lot of persuadable folks, I really believe that, not just the core base, Newsom told Semafor for an article published Monday.

There are a lot of independents still watching Fox. And there are plenty of Democrats still watching Fox, he added. I talk to them all the time, or they bring up as if Im like, Wow, youre watching Fox?

Newsom said in July that he watches Fox News in order to spot talking points in conservative media.

My staff has quite literally tried to have interventions with me about it. They say Im too obsessed with it, but I need to understand it, he told MSNBCs Jen Psaki at the time. I dont want to know what they think  I want to see the patterns, and what you see are patterns that emerge.

Read the full Semafor profile here.

Related...
Gavin Newsom's replacement for Dianne Feinstein will be eligible to run for a full Senate term in 2024.

The news is a departure from Newsom's previous promise to appoint a caretaker to the seat.

Progressives are pressuring Newsom to appoint Rep. Barbara Lee to the empty Senate seat.

California Governor Gavin Newsom's appointee to replace Dianne Feinstein in the Senate will be eligible to run for a full term in 2024, a spokesperson for Newsom confirmed to Insider.

"There will be no precondition that this is a temporary replacement," Andrew Desiderio, a congressional reporter for Punchbowl News, wrote in a post on X, breaking the news. "Senate Dem leadership expects swearing-in by midweek."

A spokesperson for Newsom's office told Insider no update regarding the timeline for announcing Feinstein's replacement was available as of Sunday afternoon.

The news is a departure from Newsom's promise in early September to appoint a caretaker to a Senate seat left empty by Feinstein should she retire, saying it would be "completely unfair" to tap a candidate so close to the 2024 primary.

"That primary is just a matter of months away," Newsom said, speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I don't want to tip the balance of that."

Feinstein died weeks later, at age 90, after months of declining health.

While Newsom has not yet announced who will succeed Feinstein in office, progressives are pressuring the Governor to reverse his vow to appoint a caretaker and instead tap Rep. Barbara Lee for the seat, Insider previously reported.

In 2021, Newsom indicated that he'd appoint a Black woman to a vacancy if Feinstein's became open, and earlier this year floated Oprah Winfrey's name as a possibility to succeed the late senator.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2)  The Department of Finances (DOF) proposed measure seeking to impose a tax on junk food has yet to gain support from any lawmaker, according to its chief.

Wala pang sponsor Both chamber walang sponsor, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno told media members late Friday.

[Translation: Theres no sponsor yet In both chambers, theres no sponsor.]

This was echoed by Finance Undersecretary Karlo Adriano, saying a bill has yet to be filed either in the House of Representatives or the Senate.

In June, Diokno said his department would pursue the measure that would impose a 10 per 100 grams or 10 per 100 milliliters tax on pre-packaged foods lacking nutritional value.

These include confectioneries, snacks, desserts, and frozen confectioneries, that exceed the DOH's specified thresholds for fat, salt, and sugar content.

READ: Tulfo slams 'anti-poor' plan to hike tax on junk food, sweetened drinks

Diokno said the proposal would be put on hold.

We will just rely on those bills that are likely to be passed. I think there are some four of them, right? Like for example, single-use plastic, tuloy yun (that will be pursued). Yung digital payment, lulusot yun (that will be passed), he said.

Diokno added that the DOF would be pushing for the tax on mining as he sees it as another source of growth.

The new companies are not willing to come in. They're waiting for that, clarity on the direction with the mining tax, he said.
The News

There hasnt been a single vote cast yet in the Republican primary, but for Donald Trump and President Joe Biden , the general election is starting early.

Consider just the last week: Trump jetted over to Michigan on Wednesday to continue his efforts to siphon off autoworkers from the coalition that helped elect Joe Biden in 2020; Biden visited striking UAW members there the same week while his campaign took out an ad targeting the former presidents record on labor. Then on Thursday, Biden gave an impassioned warning at the McCain Institute that Trump poses an ongoing threat to democracy.

All of it fits a pattern in which the two sides are directly engaging each other more and more. Pro-Trump Super PAC MAGA Inc. has already been running ads sizing up the two presidents in a possible rematch, while the president delivered speeches attacking the last guys economic record. And after Trump started criticizing 6-week abortion bans  a general election move, if ever there was one  Democrats rushed to counter with messaging tying him to his prior anti-abortion record and rhetoric.

Its important to realize that Republican primary voters have made a decision overwhelmingly that they feel that Donald Trump is the best positioned and the best candidate to take and beat Joe Biden, senior Trump advisor Chris LaCivita told Semafor after the second GOP debate, which the former president once again skipped.

For the two frontrunners, its looking more inevitable that theyll meet again in a bid to win the White House. LaCivita noted that team Trump is still focused on the primary  nothing is ever a done deal  but suggested those efforts will continue less because theyre nervous about losing a heavy lead and more because of what lies again.

Quite frankly, its great practice for the general election, he declared.

Bidens team is in a similar situation: Theyre keeping an eye on the various Republicans fighting for a far-off second place, but seem to view Trump as the real threat and are increasingly treating him like a presumptive nominee.

The campaign is obviously ready for anyone, but theyre clearly prepared to take on Trump and remind America of his deep failures and make the case to voters between now and November, one person close to Bidens campaign told Semafor. Its going to be a long 13 months.

Shelbys view

Trump has been running an inevitability campaign since the beginning and its obviously in his interest to portray the primary as a settled matter, whether its true or not. Last week, he argued future GOP debates should be canceled so the party can unite behind him.

But while the first votes are still months away and things could always change, its getting harder to view Trumps opponents as credible threats to win the nomination with national polls showing him up 30, 40, and even 50 points ahead and the debates failing to produce any obvious threats to his position.

Its also notable that Biden and his Democratic allies, who might benefit from a long and ugly Republican primary, seem to be giving up on that possibility. Theyre launching high-profile attacks on Trump knowing that it helps him in the GOP race and diminishes his opponents.

I think it will be clear that Trump comes out the dominant force after this debate, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who attended the event as a Biden surrogate, told reporters. Honestly, I mean, this is maybe  maybe  a vice-presidential debate.

To some Trump critics, this focus is unsurprising: Theyve long predicted Democrats would try to elevate the former president because they view him as the weakest nominee. Thats a harder case to make right now, however, as allies fret over poll after poll showing Trump tied or ahead in a general election.

Room for Disagreement

Talk to any of Trumps opponents, and theyll argue that theres still plenty of time to go in the primary  and that theres a serious opportunity to become the last man (or woman) standing, and therefore, the viable Trump alternative. At the second debate, candidates began taking aim at the former president at least a little more. And while their attacks have so far proved ineffective, several campaigns are betting that Iowa is a winnable state that could change the trajectory of the race. If Trump loses his footing, he wont be the first inevitable candidate to go down.

Notable

America doesnt seem especially enthusiastic about a rematch. Despite being the frontrunners, both Biden and Trump have low favorability ratings, according to recent polls.
The passing of veteran California Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein Friday has led to an unexpected social media storm surrounding out embattled Republican U.S. Rep. George Santos of New York, who casually mentioned his husband Matt in a tribute tweet to the late senator.

The disclosure caught the internet off guard, spawning a flurry of humorous and bemused reactions since many had no idea the lawmaker was married.

My husband Matt and I are heartbroken by the news of the passing of Senator Feinstein, Santos posted on X, formerly Twitter. Sen. Feinstein was a trailblazer who dedicated over 30 years of service to her country. Our condolences to the Feinstein family as they grieve this grave loss.

My husband Matt and I are heart broken by the news of the passing of Senator Feinstein.



Sen. Feinstein was a trail blazer who dedicated over 30 years of service to her country.



Our condolences to the Feinstein family as they grief this grave loss.  Rep. George Santos (@Rep. George Santos) 1695993011

The unexpected mention of a husband, amid a tribute to a revered political figure, sparked a slew of skeptical online remarks, and many users joked that it was a hard launch of the marriage.

Democratic strategist Tim Hogan joined the online banter with a post on X. Did george santos just hard launch his husband  with the passing of senator feinstein? he wrote.

Related: Lawmakers Pay Tribute to Dianne Feinsteins Life



Another X user humorously noted the coincidental marriage reveal amid the solemn occasion.

Im at the Dianne Feinstein memorial service. Im at the George Santos husband reveal. Im at the combination Dianne Feinstein memorial and George Santos husband reveal, they wrote.

I\u2019m at the Dianne Feinstein memorial service. I\u2019m at the George santos husband reveal. I\u2019m at the combination Dianne Feinstein memorial and George santos husband reveal  Brendan (@Brendan) 1696009334

Using a US Senators death to hard launch your secret husband is somehow the gayest thing George Santos has ever done, Kendall Brown tweeted. 10/10, incredible work.

The confusion escalated as social media users and news outlets scoured for any prior mention of Santoss spouse, with many coming up short. The Wrap couldn't find previous comments, the site reports, but notes The Messenger did find references to his husband. The intrigue surrounding Santos marital status was further amplified given his past entanglements with truthfulness on personal and professional fronts.

The online chatter prompted Santos to engage in the early hours of Monday, posting a photograph with Matheus Gerard, identified as his husband, Matt.

In November 2020, Brazilian news outlet piaui reported that Gerard, then 24, was born in Brazil, and they lived together in a Queens home.

At just before 2:30 a.m., alongside the image, Santos wrote, For those wondering and going nuts, this is Matt, my husband since Nov 2021 Im not sure where all the hard launch comments came from.

For those wondering and going nuts, this is Matt my husband since Nov 2021\u2026 I\u2019m not sure where all the \u201chard launch\u201d comments came from.



Or maybe it\u2019s just that people are starting to understand they got played by the media with all the nonsense they wrote about me?\u2026  George Santos (@George Santos) 1696228112

Santos continued, Or maybe its just that people are starting to understand they got played by the media with all the nonsense they wrote about me? Nonetheless, have a fantastic time pretending the media depiction of me is correct. The photograph was taken during a new member orientation at Statuary Hall in November 2022.

Santos previously referred to his then-fiance in a tweet in January 2021, claiming that Gerard had been fired from his job as a pharmacist. The piaui piece also identified Gerard as a pharmacist.

My fianc\u00e9 & I had to leave our home this evening with our 4 dogs thanks to the @nytimes publishing of my Instagram showing me attending the #MarALago New Year\u2019s Eve party. My fianc\u00e9 a pharmacist who worked 12h/7days shifts for 9 months was fired! The violence against us is real.  George Santos (@George Santos) 1609640417

However, that piece also falsely reported several elements of Santoss education and work history, which the Republican acknowledged later were lies.

A review of New York and New Jersey pharmacy licenses by The Advocate showed no pharmacists or pharmacy technicians licensed under that name.

Santos is currently facing a number of criminal charges. He's been charged with three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of materially false statements to Congress.

Santos was previously married to a woman while he was apparently engaged to his husband  a marriage he denies was a sham.





GEORGE SANTOS' HUSBAND REVEAL ANTICS

GEORGE SANTOS' HUSBAND REVEAL ANTICS

LaPorsche is joined by Christopher Wiggins to discuss Santos' latest antics.P.S He 
A Georgia jail employee was arrested earlier this month after officials say he was caught having an improper relationship with three different female inmates.

The Polk County Sheriffs Office said 18-year-old Jacob Lee Franklin was caught passing notes to a female inmate on Sept. 5 and was immediately fired for violating policy.

Franklin allegedly kissed and groped three different female inmates, according to the arrest warrant.

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist with the investigation.

Franklin was charged with three counts of improper sexual contact by an employee in the second degree.

Deputies thanked the GBI for their assistance in the investigation.

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In comments at the beginning of the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv on Oct. 2, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that she envisions the EU will soon extend from "Lisbon to Luhansk."

Luhansk is the easternmost regional capital of Ukraine, occupied by Russia since 2014.

Reiterating earlier promises from the EU officials to admit Ukraine to the bloc, Baerbock said that "with every village, with every meter that Ukraine liberates, with every meter in which it rescues its people, it is also paving its way to the European Union.

European leaders granted Ukraine candidate status on June 23, 2022, in a historic step on the long and difficult path to EU membership. There is no timeline set for the accession process, and it may take years to complete. Entry into to the EU is not a foregone conclusion once a country receives candidate status.

Baerbock also emphasized the need for Ukraine's allies to increase the strength of a "winter protection umbrella" in order to alleviate the disruptions associated with the Russian military's attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure.

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.

Baerbock was in Kyiv as part of a meeting of E.U. foreign ministers. It's the first occasion in which such a joint meeting is held outside of the EU.

Read also: EU foreign ministers convene in Kyiv

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Germany has transferred over 32,000 rounds of 40-mm ammunition, dozens of all-terrain and border protection vehicles, and other military equipment to Ukraine as part of its latest aid package, the German government reported on Oct. 2.

The delivery also includes, but is not limited to, radio equipment for Leopard battle tanks, almost 100 Satcom terminals, over 1,000 infusion kits, a bridge-laying tank Beaver, and two mine-clearing tanks Wisent 1.

The German government's website noted that some of the deliveries from the industry stocks require further upgrades or training.

On Sept. 28, Germany's regulatory agency approved the plans of the arms manufacturer Rheinmetall to set up a joint venture in Kyiv together with the Ukrainian Defense Industry, Ukraine's state-owned defense company.

This new enterprise will provide "maintenance, assembly, production, and development of military vehicles" and initially operate exclusively on the territory of Ukraine, the German Federal Cartel Office said.

Germany is the world's largest provider of military aid to Ukraine after the United States.

Read also: German MPs urge Scholz to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(Bloomberg) -- Germany is set to outline its proposals to break a deadlock with France over the design of the European Unions electricity market, the latest crunch point between the nations over the regions climate transition.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The paper lays out three options for resolving how governments can support existing power plants, such as Frances aging nuclear generators, without unduly subsidizing operators, according to a draft seen by Bloomberg News.

The issue has resulted in a political stalemate between Paris and Berlin. France is pushing for rules that would allow it to ensure more stability for state-controlled Electricite de France SA and to tap new financing sources for extending the life of its reactors. Germany has been blocking the initiative over concerns that its own energy prices may be undercut if EDF can sell power at uneconomical costs.

The overhaul of the electricity market design is one of the last elements of the EUs Green Deal still to be negotiated, and time is running out ahead of regional elections next year. Germany and France have sparred on other elements of the EUs climate plans, like an effective ban on new combustion engine vehicles from 2035 and the role of nuclear power in the blocs energy mix.

Germany proposes ensuring that revenue from so-called contracts for difference, a key tool to spur investments in renewable energies, are proportionate to the amount invested, or that the guaranteed prices set under the mechanism can be adjusted. Another option would be to redistribute revenue only to households or to apply strict limits on the amount that can be redistributed.

The draft paper is still subject to change.

Germany is looking to bring other countries on board with its push, according to people familiar with the matter. Its not clear if the document would mark a clear step forward in talks with France.

Spain, which holds the rotating Presidency of the bloc, submitted a new compromise proposal on Friday that also laid out options for a breakthrough at a meeting of energy ministers scheduled for Oct. 17. One of those possibilities involves completely removing the section that governs subsidies for lifetime extensions, according to the paper seen by Bloomberg News.

--With assistance from Ewa Krukowska.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
On Monday 2 October, the German government updated the list of military assistance sent to Ukraine.

Source: The updated list was published on the website of the German government, reports European Pravda

Details: According to the report, the new military aid package includes:

equipment for Leopard tanks;

14 tracked all-terrain vehicles Bandvagn 206 (BV206);

1 bridge-laying tank BEAVER;

2 mine clearing tanks WISENT 1;

99 SatCom terminals;

21 border protection vehicles;

239 Crypto Phones;

11 truck tractors HX81;

12 semi-trailers;

almost 33,000 rounds of 40-mm ammunition;

20,000 safety glasses;

1 set of spare part packages for VECTOR drones;

1,202 Infusion kits (medical equipment).

According to the country's Ministry of Economy, in the first three quarters of this year, the federal government approved the export of military equipment to Ukraine worth 3.3 billion euros, making Kyiv the largest recipient of German weapons.

Earlier, Boris Pistorius, Minister of Defence of Germany, announced a new 400 million military aid package for 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!






Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann has been in jail since July on charges of killing three women.

The New York Times reported Heuermann receives visit requests from true-crime fans and journalists.

Investigators have also been interviewing jailed women on their encounters with him, NYT reported.

The man suspected of killing at least four women whose remains were later found buried on a Long Island beach has spent much of his time behind bars reading about his case and refusing visit requests from journalists and true-crime fans, according to the Suffolk County sheriff.

Rex Heuermann, 59, has been in the Suffolk County jail since July. He is charged with the murders of three women who went missing in 2009 and 2010 and has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Sheriff Errol Toulon gave The New York Times insight into Heuermann's daily routine in jail. Toulon said Heuermann is often brought to a secluded section of the exercise yard for an hour at a time, where he walks laps alone. The Times also reported that Heuermann reads books from the jail's library and watches a TV controlled by jail guards outside his cell.

According to the Times, Heuermann has not received any visits from his wife and children.

Authorities are far from finished with their investigation into the Gilgo Beach homicides  in total, 11 victims' remains have been found at or near the Gilgo Beach area. Just in August, investigators identified one of the victims as Karen Vergata, who disappeared in 1996, though authorities have not said whether Heuermann is suspected in her death.

The Times reported that investigators have been interviewing female jail inmates in Long Island who have previously worked as escorts. All three Gilgo Beach victims Heuermann has been charged with killing were escorts, and authorities suspect that Heuermann may have frequented many sex workers in Suffolk County.

The county's district attorney, Ray Tierney, even said during a July press conference that authorities moved quickly to arrest Heuermann once they realized he was seeing escorts and potentially endangering them.

"We learned the defendant was using these alternate identities and alternate instruments to continue to patronize sex workers, which, of course, made us very nervous," Tierney said.

In the months since Heuermann's arrest, jail officials have interviewed about 120 female inmates so far  10 of whom have said they encountered Heuermann in various ways, the Times reported. According to the newspaper, some received online date requests from Heuermann, and others met up with him in person.

Toulon told the Times that two of those 10 women reported having frightening intimate encounters with Heuermann, though neither were injured.

Heuermann's defense attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

Read the original article on Insider
ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN)  Authorities are continuing to search for a 9-year-old girl they say may have been abducted at a New York state park on Saturday.

New York State Police issued an Amber Alert for Charlotte Sena shortly after 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday morning. The young girl had been camping at Moreau State Park with her parents.

On a picture-perfect fall day here in Upstate New York, Charlotte Senas family and friends gathered for a weekend of friendship and food and enjoying one of the last few days of good weather, Governor Kathy Hochul said during a Sunday press conference. But instead, the day turned into every parents nightmare.

Multiple agencies searching for missing 9-year-old in New York

Charlotte was riding her bike around the park with friends and decided to take one more loop by herself, Hochul said. After about 15 minutes, the fourth-grader had not yet returned. She was last seen at around 6:15 p.m. ET on Saturday.

An Amber Alert has been issued for Charlotte Sena, 9, who was last seen riding her bike in an Upstate New York state park on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (Photo released by New York State Police)

Charlottes parents and other campers in the area began searching for the girl but were unable to find her. Thats when her mother called authorities around 6:47 p.m. ET, Hochul said.

New York State Police joined the search for Charlotte by 7 p.m. ET and have continued that search on Sunday. Hochul noted that more than 100 personnel  including aerial technology, underwater rescue teams, K-9s, and bloodhounds  have since joined the efforts.

Technology experts have also been called in to analyze other forms of communications in the park at that time.

After their exhaustive search of the park, New York State Police issued an Amber Alert because they believed it was quite possible that an abduction had taken place, Lt. Colonel Richard Mazzone explained during Sundays press conference. No additional details as to why the alert was issued were shared.

Well keep the members of the public updated. I promised her parents well find their daughter, Hochul said. Shes all of our daughters. Their family needs love. They need prayers. And if you know anything, if youve seen anything, you hear anything, please contact 911 to tell us what you know and what you may contribute to the search for this little girl.

Charlotte was last seen wearing an orange tie-dye Pokemon shirt, dark blue pants, black Crocs, and a gray bike helmet. She is white, has long blonde hair and blue eyes, and is about 4 6 tall.

Moreau Lake State Park is closed until further notice, a post to the parks Facebook page said Sunday afternoon.

Be respectful of our current situation, the post read. Please do not come to the park.

Anyone with information should call (518)457-6811 or email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Africa at a crossroads as more democracies fall to military coups, experts say

In the wee hours of the morning, a group of men dressed in military uniform appear on state television and claim to have seized power from a president whose family has controlled the country for decades.

It's a scene that played out most recently in Gabon in August but has become all too familiar in this part of Africa, a vast region known as the "coup belt" with a continuous chain of military rulers stretching from coast to coast.

There have been at least a dozen coup d'etats in West and Central Africa since 2020, with eight proving successful while the others either failed or spiraled into conflict. The driving factors are complex and varied, but experts seemed to agree that Africa is at a crossroads of sorts. Will more democracies on the world's second-largest continent fall victim to military takeovers, or will they heed the deafening calls for better governance?

MORE: Gabon's coup leaders say ousted president is 'freed' and can travel on a medical trip

PHOTO: General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema greets the people of Gabon who came to cheer him after his inauguration as President of the Transition in Gabon, on Aug. 4, 2023 at the Presidential Palace in Libreville. (Desirey Minkoh/Afrikimages Agency/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The coup in Gabon happened just hours after President Ali Bongo Ondimba won reelection for a third term in a vote that was criticized by international observers. The coup leaders immediately placed Bongo under house arrest for a week. He had become president of the oil-rich Central African nation in 2009 following the death of his father, who had ruled since 1967.

About a month earlier, a military junta in Niger ousted the West African country's democratically elected government. Before that, there were two successful coups in Burkina Faso, one in Guinea, one in Chad and two in Mali -- and those are just within the last three years. Gabon's marks the 100th successful coup in post-colonial Africa, according to Issaka K. Souare, the author of a book on coups in West Africa and a lecturer at General Lansana Conte University at Sonfonia in Conakry, Guinea.

"This surely renders vulnerable most other governments to military coups, including military regimes born out of coups, as seen in Burkina Faso," Souare told ABC News. "It could also lead some to improve their governance practices and where they thought of manipulating constitutions to stay in power, perhaps renounce such plans."

Just this week, Burkina Faso's military junta announced it had thwarted "a proven coup attempt."

MORE: Burkina Faso's junta says it thwarted military coup attempt

PHOTO: Supporters of Niger's National Council of Safeguard of the Homeland hold the placard 'Youth united for a prosperous Niger' as they protest outside the Niger and French airbase in Niamey on Sept. 16, 2023 to demand the departure of the French army. (AFP via Getty Images)

In 2021 after a military takeover in Sudan, which has since erupted into an ongoing power struggle between the two main factions of the military regime, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres assailed what he called "an epidemic of coup d'etats." There is now growing concern of a "domino effect" as coups spread across West and Central Africa, according to Bamidele Olajide, a lecturer in political science at the University of Lagos in Lagos, Nigeria.

"Coups are generally contagious as a successful coup in a country emboldens would-be coup plotters in neighboring countries, especially where the social, economic and political situations are similar," Olajide told ABC News. "This has proven to be the case over history on the continent and the new spate of coups are not in any way different."

Military juntas often cite a number of reasons for intervening and overthrowing a regime, including political corruption and economic hardship. But the most relevant factor behind coups in sub-Saharan Africa historically is poor institutional performance, while the failure of elected governments to tackle jihadist violence in the Sahel region has been a key trigger for the takeovers in West and Central Africa since 2020, according to Carlos Garcia-Rivero, an associate professor in politics at the University of Valencia in Valencia, Spain, and a research fellow at Stellenbosch University's Centre for International and Comparative Politics in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

"When governments do not run countries as expected, citizens will welcome the military to intervene," Garcia-Rivero told ABC News. "The citizenry's response was to go on the street and welcome the military coup, which has spread the idea that it is legitimate to overcome a government when they do not perform as expected."

MORE: US orders partial departure of US embassy in Niger as political unrest escalates

PHOTO: A joyful Gabonese embracing a Republican Guard soldier in front of the presidency in Port-Gentil (economic capital), on Aug. 30, 2023 after the announcement of the Coup d'Etat perpetrated by the Gabonese Defense and Security Forces. (Desirey Minkoh/Afrikimages Agency/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

That was seen most recently in Gabon and Niger, where throngs of people took to the streets of the respective capital cities to celebrate the coups. Pro-junta demonstrators also gathered outside the French embassies in Libreville and Niamey. Both Niger and Gabon have close ties to France, their former colonizer, as do Burkina Faso and Mali. Niger has also been a key ally to the United States and other Western nations in the fight against Islamist militants in the Sahel.

"Some developed nations have aided inept and corrupt leaders to stay in power, which is why recent coups have enjoyed the popular support," Olajide said. "For the United States and its allies, the stance of Africans against neocolonial tendencies and pressures is palpable."

"Future coups are likely to dwell more on anti-imperialist rhetoric and stance," he added. "The U.S. and its allies need to change their exploitative mode of engagement with Africa, because the renegade military personnel are using it to upend the democratic process on the continent."

In recent years, military juntas in West and Central Africa have "latched onto resentment against France ... as a tool for the justification of their coups and legitimation in power," according to Olajide.

"The people now see the military as a messiah," he said, "and only time will tell if they are indeed."

MORE: US expresses 'growing concern' for safety of Niger's president amid apparent coup

PHOTO: Supporters of Niger's National Council of Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) holds a placard as people protest ouside the Niger and French airbase to demand the departure of the French army from Niger, in Niamey on Sept. 16, 2023. (AFP via Getty Images)

However, as Souare noted, a report released this year by the United Nations Development Programme found that the apparent popular support for recent coups in Africa has been "transient" and does not mean a rejection of democracy, but rather a call for better democratic governance.

"People have taken to the streets to cheer for change in a context of deeply felt, expanding and yet frustrated democratic yearning," the UNDP report stated.

The African Union, ECOWAS and other regional blocs currently lack a "clear legal instrument" to deal with leaders on the continent who seek to change the constitution in order to stay in power for longer. This, in turn, has led these organizations to lose credibility and trust in the eyes of the public, according to Souare.

"As a consequence, where their threats helped to deter would-be coup-makers in the 2000s, which saw dwindling trends of coups until 2020, this is no longer the case," he said.

Nevertheless, Garcia-Rivero warned that "Gabon will not be the last" African country to fall into the hands of a military junta.

"I would keep an eye on Togo or Chad," he said. "And If I were [Zimbabwe's President Emmerson] Dambudzo Mnangagwa, I would keep an eye on my back."

Africa at a crossroads as more democracies fall to military coups, experts say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 3)  Filipino rock band Kamikazee was booted out of their performance at the Kasanggayahan Festival in Casiguran, Sorsogon due to their "attitude problem," according to the governor.

"Hihingi ako ng paumanhin, hindi [na] matutuloy ang Kamikazee. Wala tayong magagawa, bayad 'yun kaso may mga attitude," Sorsogon Gov. Boboy Hamor announced a few moments before the band's scheduled performance on Sunday night.

[Translation: I'm sorry, Kamikazee will no longer continue. There's nothing we can do, they are already paid for their performance, but they have attitude.]

Hamor said he didn't allow the band to stay at their hotel in Recidencia Del Hamor and sent them to the airport instantly after the incident. He added that Kamikazee is now banned from entering the province.

"Hindi na yun makakabalik sa Sorsogon Hindi tayo puwedeng bastusin na mga taga Sorsogon," the governor said.

[Translation: They can't come back to Sorsogon The people of Sorsogon should not be disrespected.]

Hamor did not give specific details of the band's action, but reports have said Kamikazee refused to take a photo with Sorsogon's tourist attraction Thousands Light Roses, which they earlier agreed to do so.

Kamikazee was supposed to perform along with other local bands Imago and I Belong To The Zoo.

They are known for their hit songs "Narda," "Huling Sayaw," "Doo Bi Doo," and "Halik."

The band has yet to issue a statement on the matter.
A former federal prosecutor involved in the early prosecution of a January 6 defendant was arrested in the stabbing of a driver on a Florida highway after a crash last week, authorities say, and new video shows a confrontation with a Good Samaritan who tried to intervene.

Tampa resident Ahmed Gahaf said the incident unfolded after he stopped to help an incapacitated driver who appeared to be experiencing a medical episode on the I-275 southbound on September 26.

When the driver woke up, he accelerated forward, hit Gahafs car and while attempting to drive around Gahafs car, he collided with a second car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Patrick Scruggs, a 39-year-old former federal prosecutor, was inside the second car that was hit, according to highway patrol. Gahaf told CNN that Scruggs stopped, got out of his car and went up to the vehicle that had hit him.

Scruggs then shattered the drivers side window and attacked the driver inside with a folding knife, leaving multiple stabs and cuts in the arm, according to a Florida Highway Patrol arrest report.

Video taken by a witness and released by highway patrol shows Gahaf on the phone with a 911 operator and trying to stop Scruggs. The video appears to show Scruggs making a swipe at Gahaf with his knife, which nearly hit him in the chest, Gahaf said.

Im thinking hes coming to help, you know, hes coming to help, but he comes in like he already has plans, Gahaf told CNN Sunday. I came in close to him to try to tell him stop and he came in close to me, like one foot away from me, from my chest with the knife. And he said you too? You want to kill me? I backed from him and was still with 911 and he kept going to stab him (the driver).

Scruggs is now facing felony charges of armed burglary, aggravated assault and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to an arrest affidavit.

Patrick Scruggs seen in a booking photo released by the Pinellas County sheriff's office. - Pinellas County Sheriff's Office

John Nohlgren, Scruggs attorney, noted his clients career as a federal prosecutor in an email to CNN. He urges the public to keep an open mind saying his client has no prior criminal history.

This was a chaotic situation involving multiple crashes caused by only one person on one of our areas busiest bridges. That person was not Mr. Scruggs. There is much more to this incident than what is being reported and we are diligently working to bring to light the full facts of what occurred, wrote Nohlgren.

Gahaf said he was shocked when he learned the knife-wielding man he confronted was a former federal prosecutor.

I cannot believe it, you know, thats what drive(s) me crazy. He knows the law, he said.

Jail records show Scruggs was released 10 hours after he was first booked at the Pinellas County Jail on a $65,000 bond.

Scruggs spent a decade at the Middle District of Floridas US attorneys office in Tampa as senior litigation counsel, according to his LinkedIn profile. This summer he joined a private law firm in Atlanta.

He was involved in the early prosecution of January 6 defendant Adam Johnson, known as lectern guy, for making off with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosis lectern.

Barnes & Thornburg told CNN in an email that Scruggs is no longer employed at its law firm.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
WASHINGTON  Facing a challenge to his leadership from conservative Republicans, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Sunday warned President Joe Biden that more needs to be done to secure the southern border for Republicans to back some big package for Ukraine.

I support being able to make sure Ukraine has the weapons that they need. But I firmly support the border first, the California Republican said on CBSs Face the Nation, just hours after Congress reached a compromise to temporarily avoid a catastrophic government shutdown. So weve got to find a way that we can do this together.

But Biden remained focused on the war-torn nation on Sunday, saying McCarthy needs to keep his commitment to helping Ukraine defend itself against Russias invasion.

Lets vote on it, Biden said in hastily announced public remarks, aimed in part at reassuring Ukraine and Americas allies that the funding will be there, after lawmakers approved a stopgap spending measure without additional aid for Ukraine. Stop playing games. Get this done.

Ukraine is trying to drive Russia out of its country in a slow-going counter offensive launched this summer. Biden said theres still time  but not much time  for the U.S. to provide critical assistance.

That goal might be easier if McCarthy wasn't dealing with an uprising from his right flank.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., announced Sunday he will attempt to eject McCarthy from his post this week. The conservative hardliner accused McCarthy of making a secret deal on Ukraine as he was baiting Republicans to vote for the temporary spending measure known as a continuing resolution.

Kevin McCarthy, at one point or another, has lied to all of us, Gaetz said on CNN's "State of the Union.

McCarthy, during a Fox News appearance on Sunday, accused Gaetz of grandstanding.

I want to secure the border, McCarthy said. He wants to secure interviews.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks to the press on Capitol Hill on Sept. 30, 2023.

Theres a growing divide among Republicans  both in Congress and among presidential hopefuls  about whether the U.S. should continue to support Ukraine. Nearly half of House Republicans voted to strip $300 million in aid from a defense spending bill last week.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., has long said the U.S. needs to get its priorities straight.

Were not stopping the invasion at the southern border but were gonna make sure were gonna stop the invasion in Ukraine, the firebrand conservative sarcastically said in a 30-minute speech on the Capitol steps. This is America last.

As McCarthy struggled last week to get a bill through Congress to prevent a government shutdown, he demanded that Biden meet with him to discuss the border. But without a unified caucus, he lacked leverage. Biden lashed out at the speaker, saying he abandoned the deal they struck earlier this year to raise the debt ceiling.

Unable to pass a GOP short-term funding bill that included border security provisions, McCarthy ultimately had to accept Democratic support to get a temporary funding measure through the House to avert a government shutdown.

Democrats, however, had to accept that the bill did not include funding for Ukraine, which caused a last-minute headache as lawmakers raced to reach a compromise.

What is most concerning about yesterday is that McCarthy folded on all his demands except one: no funding for Ukraine, despite majorities in both chambers supporting it, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Ct., said on social media Sunday. Maybe Ukraine can go a few weeks without new funding, but not the rest of the year. A crisis is coming.

President Joe Biden speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Saturday hes confident the Senate will pass more assistance later this year.

But Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who has been a vocal supporter of funding for Ukraine, said the key to Ukraine funding is to deal with a broken border.

Sen. McConnell has been great in Ukraine, but he picked a formula to lose votes for Ukraine, Graham said Sunday on Face the Nation. To expect people like me and others to vote for Ukraine aid without border security is unreasonable.

And Sen. Tom Carper, the Delaware Democrat and longtime friend of Bidens, said its not just up to Congress to find a path forward.

Its also, Carper said in a statement, up to the Biden administration to find other ways to avoid interruption of the aid to the Ukrainian people.

How much the White House has to accede to GOP's border demands depends on how secure McCarthy is in his leadership position, said Todd Belt, director of the political management program at George Washington University.

As long as McCarthy remains speaker, they will probably have to, Belt said. McCarthy obviously is trying to still placate the hardliners in his party.

But Shalanda Young, Bidens budget director, said shes confident theres a willing coalition in Congress to pass Ukraine assistance.

Pressed on ABCs This Week" how McCarthy can both keep his commitment to the White House on Ukraine and his promise to House Republicans that he wont bring up a bill they oppose, Young acknowledged, Its a tough job.

Contributing: Ken Tran

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kevin McCarthy ties border security to Ukraine funding Joe Biden wants
FILE - A Union Pacific train travels through Union, Neb., July 31, 2018. The federal government has joined a number of former workers in suing Union Pacific over the way it used its own vision test to disqualify workers the railroad believed were color blind and might have trouble reading signals telling them to stop a train. The new lawsuit was announced Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  The federal government has joined more than a dozen former workers in suing Union Pacific over the way it used a vision test to disqualify workers the railroad believed were color blind and might have trouble reading signals telling them to stop a train.

The lawsuit announced Monday by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of 21 former workers is the first the government filed in what could eventually be hundreds  if not thousands  of lawsuits over the way Union Pacific disqualified people with a variety of health issues.

These cases were once going to be part of a class-action lawsuit that the railroad estimated might include as many as 7,700 people who had to undergo what is called a fitness-for-duty review between 2014 and 2018.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs estimate nearly 2,000 of those people faced restrictions that kept them off the job for at least two years if not indefinitely. But the railroad hasn't significantly changed its policies since making that estimate in an earlier legal filing, meaning the number has likely grown in the past five years. More than three dozen lawsuits have been filed so far with many more cases still being reviewed by the EEOC.

Union Pacific has vigorously defended itself in court and refused to enter into settlement talks with the EEOC. The railroad has said it believes it was necessary to disqualify workers to ensure safety because it believed they had trouble seeing colors or developed health conditions such as seizures, heart problems or diabetes that could lead to them becoming incapacitated. They also noted federal rules require color vision testing.

It is critical for the safety of our employees and communities where we operate that conductors and locomotive engineers correctly see and interpret the various signals that direct train movement, railroad spokeswoman Kristen South said.

Often the railroad made its decisions after reviewing medical records and disqualified many even if their own doctors recommended they be allowed to return to work.

Railroad safety has been a key concern nationwide this year ever since a Norfolk Southern train derailed in eastern Ohio near the Pennsylvania line in February and spilled hazardous chemicals that caught fire, prompting evacuations in East Palestine. That wreck inspired a number of proposed reforms from Congress and regulators that have yet to be approved.

Everyone wants railroads to be safe, said Gregory Gochanour, regional attorney for the EEOCs Chicago District. However, firing qualified, experienced employees for failing an invalid test of color vision does nothing to promote safety, and violates the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

This lawsuit focuses on a vision test that Union Pacific developed called the light cannon test that involves asking workers to identify the color of a light on a device placed a quarter of a mile (.4 kilometers) away from the test taker. The EEOC said in its lawsuit that the test doesn't replicate real world conditions or show whether workers can accurately identify railroad signals.

Some of the workers who sued had failed Union Pacific's light cannon test but passed another vision test that has the approval of the Federal Railroad Administration. The other workers who sued had failed both tests but presented medical evidence to the railroad that they didn't have a color vision problem that would keep them from identifying signals.

The workers involved in the lawsuit were doing their jobs successfully for Union Pacific for between two and 30 years without any safety problems. The workers represented in the EEOC lawsuit worked for the company in Minnesota, Illinois, Arizona, Idaho, California, Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington, and Texas.

Attorney Anthony Petru, who represents a number of the former UP workers, said the light cannon test is so unreliable that the railroad's own experts have testified that it would disqualify a quarter of the workers with perfect vision.

The last thing we would do is take any steps to try to put anybody in charge of a freight train who is unsafe because of their physical characteristics, Petru said. What we dont want is employees who are safe, who could do the job safely, who could do the job competently to be precluded from working because the railroad perceives them as having a disability when they dont.

Petru said Union Pacific disqualified all these workers over these vision tests without making the railroad safer in any way, shape or form because there's no history of UP workers causing derailments or collisions when they couldn't discern between red and green.

The Omaha, Nebraska-based railroad is one of the nation's largest with tracks in 23 Western states.
Ten years after Edward Snowden sparked a debate over domestic (and international) spying by the U.S. government and its allies, arguments continue and so does the snooping. This year, one key component of the surveillance stateSection 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Actis up for congressional reauthorization. Now, the executive branch's own civil liberties watchdog says that, while Section 702 plays an important role, it's also dangerous to our freedom and needs reform.

Surveillance, American-Style

To hear America's professional spooks, Section 702 is made up of equal servings of mom, apple pie, and a trench coat.

"In 2008, Congress enacted Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a critical intelligence collection authority that enables the Intelligence Community (IC) to collect, analyze, and appropriately share foreign intelligence information about national security threats," insists the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. "Section 702 only permits the targeting of non-United States persons who are reasonably believed to be located outside the United States. United States persons and anyone in the United States may not be targeted under Section 702."

The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB), established in 2007 in an effort to limit the excesses of the burgeoning post-9/11domestic intelligence apparatus, sees things a little differently.

"The Board finds that Section 702 poses significant privacy and civil liberties risks, most notably from U.S. person queries and batch queries" in which multiple query terms are run as part of a single action, according to the PCLOB's Report on the Surveillance Program Operated Pursuant to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, published September 28 and following up on a 2014 report on the same topic. "Significant privacy and civil liberties risks also include the scope of permissible targeting, NSA's new approach to upstream collection, a new sensitive collection technique that presented novel and significant legal issues approved by the FISC in 2022, how data is initially ingested into government repositories, incidental collection, and inadvertent collection."

The report points out that the definition of "foreign intelligence information" is very broad and that 246,073 non-U.S. persons were targeted for surveillance in 2022, up 276 percent from 2013. While Section 702 surveillance isn't "bulk" surveillance of the sort that hoovers up mass quantities of information, it "lacks individualized and particularized judicial review of targeting decisions" with the result that "targeting can be overbroad or unjustified."

Foreign Intelligence Isn't Always So Foreign

The result of broad and somewhat indiscriminate data collection is that "the government acquires a substantial amount of U.S. persons' communications as well." This interception of Americans' communications "should not be understood as occurring infrequently or as an inconsequential part of the Section 702 program." In particular, "FBI's querying procedures and practices pose the most significant threats to Americans' privacy."

Why is the FBI of such particular concern? Because the FBI focuses on domestic law enforcement and "one of the most serious risks to individual civil liberties associated with the incidental collection of U.S. person information is that this classified information collected for intelligence purposes could be used in a criminal prosecution," notes the board. The government is required to disclose when it uses Section 702 intelligence in criminal cases, but it has done so only nine timeswhich is not the same as saying that it rarely uses such information. "In multiple cases, rather than providing notice to criminal defendants of Section 702-derived information, the government has instead sought to develop evidence through other sources" so prosecutors can avoid admitting they used foreign intelligence tools.

The Real Targets Are Often Americans

Often, federal agents seem to explicitly use Section 702 to bypass safeguards. "The large amounts of incidental collection may include communications between attorneys and their clients," adds the report. It also notes that "the government has identified a significant number of noncompliant queries where government personnel have conducted queries related to instances of civil unrest and protests."

How often does this happen?

"In the Annual Statistical Transparency Report for calendar year 2021, FBI reported that it ran 3.4 million [later revised downward to 2.97 million] U.S. person queries of Section 702-acquired information in all its systems," according to a report footnote.

The Debate Over Reform

The divided five-member PCLOB recommends multiple reforms, including a specific prohibition on "about" interceptions that are neither to or from targets, but merely mention them, and a requirement for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court approval of U.S. person query terms. Even so, the report concludes "the United States is safer with the Section 702 program than without it." Despite that call for reauthorization, two of the five board members voted against the report for being excessively critical and demanded that it not be attributed to them.

Civil liberties groups quickly noted the report's contribution to the debate over Section 702.

"Congress has the power to safeguard the constitutional rights of Americans by fundamentally reforming this invasive and unconstitutional mass surveillance program," Kia Hamadanchy, senior policy counsel at the ACLU, commented in an emailed statement. "As the Board rightly points out, requiring the government to obtain individualized judicial approval is critical to ensuring that Section 702 cannot be used by the FBI, NSA, and CIA to quietly circumvent Americans' constitutional rights."

"The PCLOB report is damning, in terms of both the frequency with which government agencies conduct warrantless searches of data collected under Section 702 and the purposes for which those searches are conducted, yet the report's recommendations don't go nearly far enough to ensure Americans' privacy from this overreaching, oft-abused digital dragnet," agreed Electronic Frontier Foundation Senior Policy Analyst Matthew Guariglia.

Damning it may be, but the White House National Security Council has already rejected part of the report's call for modest reform as "operationally unworkable."

Given the current debate over Section 702, it's easy to forget about other legal authorizations for domestic surveillance. These include other parts of FISA, Executive Order 12333, and national security letters, which often are subject to looser safeguards. But, the PLCOB adds, "Section 702 enables the government to target a broader array of persons," including those who aren't suspected of violating American laws or acting against the United States, "which also increases the risks of privacy and civil liberties harms."

Section 702 expires in December with its fate, and that of proposed reforms, in the hands of Congress.

The post Government Watchdog Calls Out Dangers in Section 702 Surveillance appeared first on Reason.com.
Graham Linehan has claimed he was dropped by his agent after criticising David Tennant for supporting transgender rights in the latest row involving the writer.

On Sunday (1 October), Linehan appeared on a fringe panel event at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, where he declared himself the most cancelled person in this room.

The Father Ted creator, who was represented by Independent Talent, has faced significant backlash in recent years for comments he has made in opposition to trans rights. He was permanently banned from Twitter/X in 2020, but reintroduced late last year following Elon Musks takeover.

Speaking during the talk, which was titled Is the UK a safe space for free speech?, Linehan said that he found it very hard to find places to speak these days due to criticism over his views on gender.

I guess the other interesting thing that happened to me is I just lost my TV agent because I criticised David Tennant, Linehan told the crowd.

In July, the Irish writer branded Tennant disgusting, ignorant, reckless after the Doctor Who star wore a t-shirt emblazoned with the words: Leave trans kids alone you absolute freaks.

Tennant did not respond to Linehans comments at the time, but has previously spoken about the importance of fighting the fight for LGBT+ rights.

Linehan was reinstated on Twitter late last year after he was banned in 2020 (PA)

Expanding on the claims he was dropped by Independent Talent, Black Books writer Linehan told the audience at the panel: I only found this out later because I looked at the list of people Independent Talent represented.

David Tennant was at the top, and hes making slightly more money than me at the moment, so I had to go.

The Independent has contacted Independent Talent and Tennants representatives for comment.

Last October, it was revealed that the number of transphobic hate crimes in the UK had risen by 56 per cent compared to the previous year, with a Home Office report linking the increase to discussion on social media.

During Pride month in June, Tennant spoke about the importance of supporting LGBT+ causes at a time when the world seems to be getting, in some corners, worryingly intolerant and weirdly backward.

We cant take our foot off the gas, he said, while appearing on Ed Milibands Reasons to be Cheerful podcast. We cant expect that we will always travel in the right direction towards acceptance. Weve all got to be fighting that fight every day.

Tennant has repeatedly shown support for the LGBT+ community (PA)

The event Linehan was speaking at on Sunday was hosted by the Institute of Economic Affairs and the TaxPayers Alliance, with the comedy writer joined by four other panellists on stage.

Last month, Linehan had claimed that he was initially denied a pass to the Tory party conference, before the party chairman stepped in and allowed him to attend.

Linehan will later this month release his memoir Tough Crowd: How I Made and Lost a Career in Comedy about his fall from grace from an industry where there was no one to stand by his side when he needed help.

The book has already sparked debate online after Richard Ayoade, who starred in Linehans comedy The IT Crowd, provided an endorsement used in the online marketing of Tough Crowd.

Ayoades quote reads: Graham Linehan has long been one of my favourite writers  and this book shows that his brilliance in prose is equal to his brilliance as a screenwriter.

It unfolds with the urgency of a Sam Fuller film: that of a man who has been through something that few have experienced but has managed to return, undaunted, to tell us the tale.
Illustration of Hector and Ajax from the 1911 The story of the Iliad. | Wikimedia Commons

Though Homers The Iliad has become nearly synonymous with elite scholars, bards performed it in public and private, cementing its presence in ancient Greek culture.

Passing through oral tradition and having its life extended by translation, The Iliad has enchanted modern and ancient readers and scholars for thousands of years. And now Emily Wilson has produced a new translation of Homers epic poem.

Wilson is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and the first woman to publish a translation of The Odyssey. Shes a Yale-educated scholar whose work has won prestigious awards such as the Rome prize. Her translation of The Iliad was published on Tuesday and it is making waves.

Before you throw up your hands and say its all Greek to me, its worthwhile to think about why The Iliad has remained a seminal text.

Heres a look at what The Iliad is, who Homer is, what you should know about Wilsons new translation and a look at the relevancy of The Iliad today.

Related

What is The Iliad?

The Iliad is an epic poem (think long narrative poem) attributed to Homer (more on Homer later). Its one of two poems attributed to him, the other is the Odyssey. Written in dactylic hexameter (the epic meter), the poem spans over 15,000 lines.

A precise date of The Iliad is unknown, but its usually dated to somewhere during the seventh or eighth century B.C.E.

Divided into 24 books, The Iliad chronicles the end of the mythological Trojan War. An alliance of Greek city states bandied together to launch a siege on Troy because King Menelauss wife Helen trekked off to Troy with her lover Paris.

Menelaus enlisted his brother King Agamemnon and others to help. The Iliad depicts an ongoing quarrel between Agamemnon and famed warrior Achilles in addition to the relationship Olympian gods like Zeus, Hera, Athena, Diomedes and others have with the mortals.

While the quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilles takes center stage, there are plenty of other plot lines with the other main and secondary characters: Hector, Patroclus, Briseis, Helen, Paris, Priam, Andromache, Nestor, Ajax, Chryseis, Hecuba, Aphrodite, Aeneas and dozens more (it is an epic after all).

With themes like fate, undying honor, pride and anger as well as customs like hospitality and funeral practices, the poem offers a glimpse into ancient Hellenic mythology, religion, history, life and perceptions of war, morals and ethics.

Its generally accepted that The Iliad was composed for performance, according to an article published on the University of Michigan website.

In general, the number of Homeric papyri is staggering, confirming the overwhelming presence of the poems in the education and literary culture of the ancient world, the article said. Moreover, Homer would often transgress the boundaries of conventional education to enter the realm of everyday life.

In other words, Homers The Iliad was everywhere in the ancient world. As Greek city states like Athens, Thebes, Rhodes, Sparta and other developed, The Iliad endured as a Panhellenic national epic (though its important to note city states ruled themselves).

Who is Homer?

So, who is Homer? Is he some sort of ancient Greek equivalent to F. Scott Fitzgerald or J.D. Salinger? The question of who wrote The Iliad is still debated.

That there was an epic poet called Homer and that he played the primary part in shaping The Iliad and The Odyssey  so much may be said to be probable, Geoffrey S. Kirk wrote for Britannica. If this assumption is accepted, then Homer must assuredly be one of the greatest of the worlds literary artists.

There are different schools of thought on how much Homer was involved and how exactly The Iliad came to be.

Some scholars see The Iliad as a collection of poems that several different poets contributed to and it consolidated into one narrative poem under Homers name, according to Peter T. Struck of University of Pennsylvania.

As scholar Gregory Nagy theorized, the name Homer can be be understood to not refer to an individual at all but instead it could show the composition of the poems as a collective effort. Others have floated different theories for who wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey.

If this sounds murky, thats because it is. While scholars generally see The Iliad as having a primary author with contributions from different poets weaved in throughout, theres still ongoing debate about the Homeric question and the dating of The Iliad.

What to know about Emily Wilsons new translation of The Iliad

Wilson released her translation of The Iliad after she translated The Odyssey.

For her translation of The Odyssey, she received praise for doing a line to line translation and producing an accessible translation. For every line of Greek, Wilson rendered it into one line of English. Doing a one-to-one translation like this is difficult because one word of Greek doesnt always translate into one word in English.

Since The Odyssey is a metered poem (dactylic hexameter), Wilson had to make a decision about how to render that into English: she chose iambic pentameter and simple language for her translation.

Her poem has the stamp of a clear and consistent vision, and brings Odysseus home to us again  cunning, eloquent, murderous; in sum, complicated, Classics expert Richard H. Armstrong wrote for Los Angeles Review of Books.

She brought that same kind of energy to The Iliad.

Goddess, sing of the cataclysmic wrath / of great Achilles, son of Peleus, / which caused the Greeks immeasurable pain / and sent so many noble souls of heroes / to Hades, and made men the spoils of dogs, / a banquet for the birds, and so the plan / of Zeus unfolded  starting with the conflict / between great Agamemnon, lord of men, / and glorious Achilles, read the opening lines of her poem.

With the exclusion of cataclysmic, Wilson sticks to accessible language and maintains her use of iambic pentameter. She changes the word order from the start  its necessary to change the word order when translation from Greek to English, but some translators have historically decided to have wrath as the first word of the translation since its the first word of the Greek.

Especially if a person is unfamiliar with the complicated narrative(s) of The Iliad, Wilson translates the Greek into an accessible read.

Wilson offers an Iliad that a modern reader can consume without excessive mental interruption  perhaps like an Ionian peasant would have, as part of the poems original listening rather than reading audience, Graeme Wood wrote for The Atlantic.

Its a novice-friendly book, as Wood pointed out, but the contemporary sound to the text makes them sound less like the wild selves preserved in the Greek.

Woods analysis of The Iliad gets at one of the central issues with translation: whenever someone translates a text, something is lost in translation: even the meaning of a specific word can change ones understanding of a character or event.

Moreover, its difficult to encapsulate the soul of a text in a translation.

As Edith Hall observed in The Guardian, Although absolutely true to his emotional pungency, sometimes Wilson does not rise to the sheer grandeur and sublimity of Homers evocations of cosmic scale, meteorological chaos and battlefield pandemonium for which he was so admired in antiquity.

Still, Wilsons The Iliad reveals something bigger than the text itself: it shows the poems outsized presence in literature.

Related

Why The Iliad is still relevant today

Though The Iliad has experienced some obstacles in recent decades, it remains a relevant and well-read text.

A barrier of entry to The Iliad is the language of the text itself. While translations are a way to access the text without knowing ancient Greek, the language barrier still exists. While ancient Greek used to be taught in some classrooms, as Pulitzer Prize winner Daniel Walker Howe observed, teaching of ancient Greek has vanished from most American classrooms.

That said, The Iliad still appears on syllabi, albeit in a translated form. Its also been rendered into more contemporary forms, like rap.

Professor Brandon Bourgeois used GarageBand to make The Iliad into a rap lecture in staccato bursts to share with his students.

Beyond reading lists and rap lecture, The Iliad remains relevant because of what it shows about the ancient world and how it has been received.

The poem gives a glimpse into a record of one of the oldest civilizations. Sure, it has mythological and fictional elements, but those mythological elements provide perspective on the way ancient Hellenes worshiped. The poem also supplies readers with an understanding of how social classes may have worked, attitudes toward war and what sorts of forces ancient Hellenes believed in.

The Iliad was also genre-defining in that it shaped the definition of an epic.

By force of its prestige, The Iliad sets the standard for the definition of the word epic: an expansive poem of enormous scope, composed in an archaic and superbly elevated style of language, concerning the wondrous deeds of heroes, Nagy wrote. That these deeds were meant to arouse a sense of wonder or marvel is difficult for the modern mind to comprehend, especially in a time when even such words as wonderful or marvelous have lost much of their evocative power.

Beyond what can be learned from The Iliad itself, the poem has inspired other artists, which contributes to its longevity.

Writers, artists, musicians, shows and movies and inspired by The Iliad are too numerous to list comprehensively, but heres a few: Andy Warhol, Peter Paul Reubens, Led Zeppelin, Christopher Marlowe, Star Trek, The Simpsons, Pat Barker, Bob Dylan and more.

So, while Wilsons translation of The Iliad may just seem like a rehashing of a thousands-year-old poem, it shows theres still serious reckoning that people can do with the text.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) warned that a move to expel Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) from the House will not be tolerated by GOP voters.

And a Republican led effort to expel Matt Gaetz absolutely will not be tolerated by Republicans across the country. I can guarantee you that. Remember when 11 Rs voted against me and 10 Rs voted to impeach Pres Trump? Both the [motion to vacate] and expulsion plans are wrong, Greene wrote in a lengthy thread on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Gaetz revealed Sunday that he is planning to bring a motion to vacate against Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) this week after the Speaker worked with Democrats to pass a continuing resolution that would keep the government open. This comes after weeks of threats from the Florida Republican, who is also now reportedly facing some calls for his own expulsion.

I do intend to file a motion to vacate against Speaker McCarthy this week, Gaetz said on CNNs State of the Union Sunday.

I think we need to rip off the Band-Aid. I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy, he added.

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McCarthy brushed off the threat from Gaetz on Sunday, saying that he will survive and that this is personal with Matt.

Fox News reported that some House Republicans are seeking to expel Gaetz if the Ethics Committee reports wrongdoing by Gaetz. It would take a two-thirds majority to expel a member from the House, but the Republicans are only holding onto a slim majority.

CNN also reported that one Republican lawmaker said that Gaetz could be expelled depending on the Ethics Committee findings, telling the outlet that We want him out.

Greene said that while she agrees with Gaetz that things must change, she opposes a motion to vacate, saying that it would give the upper hand to the Democrats.

I dont agree that a motion to vacate will effectively create the changes needed to solve the intentional systemic failure that create the annual never ending CRs and Christmas omnibus mega spending packages, she wrote on X.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FILE PHOTO: Denmark says sorry for taking Greenland children in 1950s social experiment

By Johannes Birkebaek

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - A group of women in Greenland are seeking compensation from Denmark over an involuntary birth control campaign launched in the 1960s, their lawyer said on Monday.

With an official investigation by the governments of Greenland and its former colonial ruler Denmark not due to report until May 2025, the group are seeking compensation now, given some of the women are in their 70s and 80s.

"What do we need it for when we clearly know that there have been violations of the law and human rights," Naja Lyberth, one of the women seeking compensation, told Reuters.

The scandal came to light when Danish broadcaster DR reported last year that records showed that, between 1966 and 1970, 4,500 intrauterine devices were fitted into women and girls as young as 13, without their knowledge or consent.

The Danish and Greenland governments commissioned a team of researchers to uncover the extent of the cases and the decision-making process that led to the campaign in the years between 1960 and 1991, when Greenland gained authority over its healthcare system.

The women are seeking 300,000 Danish crowns ($42,380) each, the women's lawyer Mads Pramming told Reuters.

He sent the claim to Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's, office on behalf of the women on Monday. The prime minister's office did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953 but is now a semi-sovereign territory of Denmark, with a population of just 57,000.

Allegations of misconduct by Danish authorities against the people of its former colony have emerged in recent years.

Last year, Denmark publicly apologised to the victims of a 1950s experiment in which children from Greenland were taken to Denmark.

($1 = 7.0790 Danish crowns)

(Reporting by Johannes Birkebaek; Editing by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Alison Williams)
As Ben Fink and Rob Forman approached their chuppah wedding canopy, in the very front row sat an empty chair, the shoes Fink's mom, Sally, wouldve worn, and a beautiful Gerber daisy  her favorite. Sally had died just 11 days earlier.

As he recalled their wedding day, Fink, 37, began to cry. Walking down the aisle without her there, my father was holding my arm and we were both crying, and I remember him saying, This is happy, this is happy, were happy Finks voice broke as he observed, I was smiling because I was really happy, and I was crying because I was really sad.

For a moment, the couple laughed. It looked great in the photos, joked Forman. I looked dewy, agreed Fink.

Just weeks earlier, Sally Fink had told her son, Im dying. With few words, Ben Fink acknowledged this truth. It was October, and after a few blissful months of remission, Sallys uterine cancer had returned. Despite best efforts from her doctors and endless hopes and prayers from her family, growing weaker and weaker, Sally lay dying in a Miami hospital. Ben Fink was weeks away from his big, colorful, joyous, gay, Jewish wedding with Forman, his partner of 5 years.

Tears fell from the Tarzana-based couples eyes as they reflected on the story of Sallys death in the days leading up to their wedding.

I had flown out just to kind of cheer her up, said Ben Fink, thinking maybe if I cheer her up, shell feel better and shell miraculously get better. What if she dies? was never part of the conversation.

Few people plan for a tragedy while scheduling a joyful occasion. As Sallys health deteriorated, the couples uncertainty about their wedding plans went unspoken. Finks dad, a rabbi, was to officiate at the wedding. While Fink was with his family in Florida, Forman spoke privately with friends about the situation.

I did not know where we were going to be emotionally or who was physically going to be in Los Angeles, said Forman, 39. I did not think we were going to proceed, because we were in that awful, nebulous, waiting-for-news period. The ambiguity added to the grief, sadness and stress for the couple.

Read more: How to throw a wedding for less than the cost of an iPhone  the minimony craze

A great sense of uncertainty looms when families must decide how  and if  to host a planned celebration like a wedding after someone dies. Grief, sadness and stress over the loss of a beloved family member are often compounded by religious or cultural expectations.

However, couples have planned their ceremonies and celebrations, many take special care to incorporate the memories of their loved ones into their celebration.

Some set up memorial tables full of family photos, wear heirlooms sewn into dresses, on lapels or in bouquets, or adorn empty chairs with a deceased loved ones favorite flower to highlight their absence. Thoughtful wedding officiants and experienced wedding industry professionals will find ways to articulate the sorrow while celebrating joy.

But if a tragic loss is quite recent, should you cancel? I've dealt with this question before as a rabbi and spoke to religious leaders and couples I know to hear their perspectives. The Rev. Matt Oprendek, of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, said that while there is no set Episcopal tradition, any time there is an unimaginable loss, it is handled according to whatever a minister thinks is most appropriate.

While Muslim practice varies, Imam Shady Alshorman of Clermont, Fla., said that while Islam does not obligate a couple to postpone a wedding, some might delay it if holding a celebration could result in severing ties of kinship.

For Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Muslim chaplain Jaye Star, her extended family was planning a wedding in Turkey in May. The catastrophic earthquake that killed tens of thousands in the region in February, however, led them to dramatically downsize a massive wedding celebration to include only immediate family; it was considered inappropriate to celebrate amid the grief others were feeling.

Jewish tradition, however, is quite clear. A teaching in the Talmud, an ancient collection of Jewish law and practice, explores a scenario where a funeral procession and a wedding procession meet in the center of town. While those in the funeral procession are wailing in grief, the members of the wedding procession are jubilant. The Talmud queries: Who gets the right of way? Ultimately, rabbinic sages teach that the honor of the living takes precedence over the deceased and the wedding procession proceeds first .

Joy may lead the way, but whether [a loss is] recent or not, said the Rev. Sharon Dickinson, director of spiritual care at Salem Hospital in Massachusetts, the veil is very thin on days like that.

Seminary, chaplaincy and social work students are taught to weave joy and sorrow together, recalling deceased loved ones and making space for grief and tears, in lieu of hampering critical emotions.

Read more: It's common to dream about dead loved ones. How do these dreams help us through our grief?

Dan Fuller married Leah Goldstein in Austin, Texas, in December 2021. Dans mother, Karen Donahue, a practicing Buddhist, had been deceased for many years but her absence was palpable. As the rabbi at their wedding on the seventh night of Hanukkah, I wove together teachings from Zen and Hasidic masters, all of whom understood the power of grief and suffering and also the potential for light and love. In that moment, even those who never knew Donahue needed to remember her and feel grief over her death so that we could all experience a night of joy.

When Julie Sullivan of Framingham, Mass., got married last fall, she remembered her brother John by pinning a photo charm of him to her bouquet. She also adapted her Jewish wedding contract, known as a Ketubah, with her husband, Jeff Green, to remember her brother. While Ketubah language typically denotes only a couple's parentage, their text reads: Julie, daughter of John and Sheila, sister of John, of blessed memory.

For their wedding, Forman and Fink incorporated Sally Fink's favorite flowers, a suggestion from their L.A. wedding planner, Holly Gray of Anything But Gray Events . Getting to help honor [Sally] on their wedding day, while keeping the moment as light and positive as possible, was my pleasure to help ease an impossible situation for any couple to face," Gray said.

Early Oct. 4, Sally Fink died. Adding further stress for the family, it was only hours before the start of Yom Kippur; the typical urgency of Jewish burial within 24 to 48 hours was delayed amid a full season of Jewish holy days. Fink was buried five days later in Simi Valley. The family sat shiva  a weeklong period of mourning in Jewish tradition  at Fink and Formans home. Because Sally loved a party, loved their backyard and also loved Jameson, at shiva they served drinks, swam in the pool, shared memories and recited the Kaddish memorial prayer together. The final night of shiva was attended by the guests who had come into town for the wedding. Bens dad told them that the timing of Sallys death was a terrible gift. If she had died any closer to their wedding date, it would have been too difficult. Recalled Ben Fink, The whole experience was a delirious daze.

Read more: L.A. Affairs: I finally met a good guy but then I was diagnosed with cancer. What now?

Fink reflects back on their wedding day on Oct. 15 at the Ebell of Los Angeles, a popular venue. With the makeup and the hair and then the tuxedos, that whole experience you get swept up in it. There was a lot of energy, and that was really exciting. And then once my family arrived and we had to do the family photos, thats when it really hit me. Oh, s, shes not here. Thats when the absence of her was most felt. And I remember my dad walking into the ceremony hall and seeing the chuppah, and we broke down in tears because we knew she wouldve loved it.

The whole experience was surreal, there's no other word to describe it, Forman said. It was all the things  emotional, powerful, unforgettable, and a blur, and impossible  but we did it.

You know how they say with drag queens, the glitter is just a mask and it sometimes hides the sorrow underneath? It was kind of like that, Fink added. We looked fabulous. We were beautiful, we were happy, and yet, there was still sadness, and it was ever present.

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.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2)  Operations at the Bicol International Airport (BIA) resumed on Monday afternoon, hours after a Cebu Pacific flight requested security assistance after receiving a bomb joke.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 326 bound for Manila from Daraga, Legazpi received information that a crumpled piece of paper with the word "BOMB" was found inside the plane comfort room.

At around 11 a.m., CAAP said the 130 regular passengers and three infants were deplaned and airport operations were temporarily suspended for authorities to conduct inspection.

Landing and takeoff at the BIA were suspended at around 12 p.m. due to the presence of the Cebu Pacific aircraft on the runway.

Flight 5J 326 was able to safely depart the BIA at 2:39 p.m. after undergoing security screening by the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group.

Making bomb jokes or threats is punishable by up to five years in prison, a 40,000 fine, or both under Presidential Decree 1727.

The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (Republic Act 11479) also makes bomb threats illegal and punishable by a 12-year prison sentence.

CAAP said normal airport operations have resumed at BIA but investigations are still ongoing.
Fictional murderous barbers and real life serial killers are woven into London's spooky history with legendary tales of their dastardly deeds. However, Sweeney Todd or Jack the Ripper may have paled in comparison to students from Oxford in the 14th century. A project mapping medieval Englands known murder cases found that Oxfords student population was the most lethal of all social or professional groups, committing about 75 percent of all homicides.

[Related: How DNA evidence could help put the Long Island serial killer behind bars .]

First launched in 2018, Cambridges Medieval Murder Maps plots crime scenes based on translated investigations from 700-year-old coroners reports. These documents were recorded in Latinand are catalogs of sudden or suspicious deaths that were deduced by a jury of local residents. They also included names, events, locations, and even the value of murder weapons. The project recently added the cities of York and Oxford to its street plan of slayings during the 14th century.

The team used these rolls and maps to construct the street atlas of 354 homicides across the three cities. It has also been updated to include accidents, sudden deaths, deaths in prison, and sanctuary church cases.

They estimate that the per capita homicide rate in Oxford was potentially 4 to 5 times higher than late medieval London or York. It also put the homicide rate at about 60 to 75 per 100,000about 50 times higher than the murder rates in todays English cities. The maps, however, dont factor in the major advances in medicine, policing, and emergency response in the centuries since.

Yorks murderous mayhem was likely driven by inter- knife fights among tannery workers (Tanners) to fatal violence between glove makers (Glovers) during the rare 14th century period of prosperity driven by trade and textile manufacturing as the Black Death subsided. But Oxfords rambunctious youth made for a dangerous scene.

By the early 14th century, Oxford had a population of roughly 7,000 inhabitants, with about 1,500 students. Among perpetrators from Oxford, coroners referred to 75 percent of them as "clericus. The term most likely refers to a student or a member of the early university. Additionally, 72 percent of all Oxfords homicide victims also have the designation clericus in the coroner inquests.

An example of the coroners' rolls, this one recounting the 'Death of Hervey de Playford. It comes from a roll from London documenting 1315 and 1316. CREDIT: University of Cambridge/Violence Research Centre



"A medieval university city such as Oxford had a deadly mix of conditions," lead murder map investigator and University of Cambridge criminologist Manuel Eisner said in a statement . "Oxford students were all male and typically aged between fourteen and twenty-one, the peak for violence and risk-taking. These were young men freed from tight controls of family, parish or guild, and thrust into an environment full of weapons, with ample access to alehouses and sex workers."

Many of the students also belonged to regional fraternities known as nations, which could have added more tension within the student body.

One Thursday night in 1298, an argument among students in an Oxford High Street tavern resulted in a mass street fight complete with battle-axes and swords . According to the coroners report, a student named John Burel had, "a mortal wound on the crown of his head, six inches long and in depth reaching to the brain."

Interactions with sex workers also could end tragically. One unknown scholar got away with murdering Margery de Hereford in the parish of St. Aldate in 1299 . He fled the scene after stabbing her to death instead of paying what he owed.

[Related: A lost bawdy bard act reveals roots of naughty British comedy .]

Many of the cases in all three cities also involved intervention of bystanders, who were obligated to announce if a crime was being committed, or raise a hue and cry. Some of the bystanders summoned by hue ended up as victims or perpetrators.

"Before modern policing, victims or witnesses had a legal responsibility to alert the community to a crime by shouting and making noise. This was known as raising a hue and cry," co-researchers and Cambridge crime historian Stephanie Brown said in a statement . "It was mostly women who raised hue and cry, usually reporting conflicts between men in order to keep the peace."

Medieval street justice was also coupled with plentiful weapons in everyday life, which could make even minor infractions lethal. London's cases include altercations that started over littering and urination that led to homicide.

"Knives were omnipresent in medieval society," said Brown. "A thwytel was a small knife, often valued at one penny, and used as cutlery or for everyday tasks. Axes were commonplace in homes for cutting wood, and many men carried a staff.

The team told The Guardian that they hope this project encourages people to reflect on the possible notices behind historic homicide and explore the parallels between these incidents and the altercations in the present.
Two people were killed over the weekend after being attacked by a grizzly bear in Canada's Banff National, park authorities said.

Parks Canada Dispatch received an alert around 8 p.m. Friday from a GPS device indicating a bear attack in the Red Deer River Valley, west of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, according to a statement shared on Banff National Park's Facebook page.

The bear was euthanized for its aggressive behavior, officials said.

It was hours before a response team specializing in responding to wildlife attacks could reach the remote location. Unfavorable weather conditions ruled out using a helicopter, leaving the crew to travel to the area on foot overnight, officials said.

The team arrived at around 1 a.m. to find two people dead and "a grizzly bear that displayed aggressive behavior," the park's agency said.

Crew members euthanized the bear "on-site to ensure public safety."

The area where the attack occurred has been closed until further notice, park officials said. Police arrived at around 5 a.m. and transported the victims to Sundre, town in central Alberta.

"This is a tragic incident, and Parks Canada wishes to express its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims," Banff National Park said on its Facebook page.

Authorities have not publicly identified the victims. Kim Titchener, founder of Bear Safety & More in Alberta and a close friend of a relative of the victims, said the couple's dog was also killed in the attack.

Parks Canada did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

According to Parks Canada, there are 691 grizzly bears in Alberta, where they are considered a threatened species. About 65 grizzlies are believed to inhabit Banff National Park, which is also home to black bears.

Titchener, who works as a human-bear conflict specialist, said in an email that fatal bear attacks are "extremely rare in Banff National Park."

"That being said bear attack rates are increasing in North America as the human population is increasing and more people are recreating, working and moving to areas where bears live," Titchener said.

While attacks are rare, they are preventable, experts say. Parks Canada advises visitors to familiarize themselves with bear behavior, to travel in groups and to always carry bear spray.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A man is accused of booking a room on Airbnb only to rob the host at gunpoint, police in Georgia say.

Khalil Hamilton, 26, is wanted on multiple charges including armed robbery and aggravated assault, according to the Gwinnett County Police Department.

Officers were called to a home in Buford on Sept. 26 and learned Hamilton had reserved a room in the basement through the home-sharing company before fleeing with the homeowners wallet and other valuables, per a police report obtained by McClatchy News.

The Airbnb host told police that Hamilton arrived at about 10 p.m. Less than an hour later, Hamilton texted the host to complain about a leaking toilet, the report said.

The homeowner said he went down to the basement to check on the issue and turned around to see the renter pointing a gun at him, he told police. Thats when he said Hamilton ordered him to get on the ground, where he zip-tied the homeowners hands and feet.

The hosts mom and son were upstairs at the time and didnt see the attack, according to the report.

FILE - This Feb. 22, 2018, file photo shows an Airbnb logo during an event in San Francisco. Home-sharing site Airbnb posted a $3.9 billion loss in the fourth quarter of 2020 as it suffered from the pandemic downturn in travel and recorded one-time costs for becoming a public company. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

Hamilton then demanded the homeowners wallet, cash and cards, which were in a backpack upstairs, the homeowner told police. Hamilton retrieved the bag then fled the home in a car that was parked outside.

The host managed to wiggle free from the zip ties and ran upstairs to call 911, according to the report.

Investigators said Hamilton was last seen driving an older model, dark-colored Honda Accord with Texas tag SSF5628. He has ties to Texas and Philadelphia, police said, and is considered armed and dangerous.

The reported behavior is abhorrent, and our specialized Safety team is supporting our Host, an Airbnb spokesperson told McClatchy News in a statement. We have removed the user from the platform, and we are in touch with the Gwinnett County Police Department to provide our assistance as they investigate.

On its website, the company said negative incidents involving guests are extremely rare.

We screen all hosts and guests against regulatory, terrorist, and sanctions watch lists, the website says, adding that U.S. residents are subject to background checks for prior felony convictions, sex offender registrations, or significant misdemeanors.

Hosts are also provided up to $1,000,000 in property damage protection, according to Airbnb.

Buford is about 40 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta.

Woman stole from nail supply store then came back to retrieve her phone, CA cops say

Suspected peeping Tom returns to same home nine times in a month, Georgia police say

Intoxicated homeowner opens fire on imaginary burglars, California police say
Gwyneth Paltrow has reflected on her high-profile ski crash trail and how shes still processing what happened during and after it.

The actor, 51, spoke candidly about the publicity surrounding the court case, which took place in March of this year, during an interview with The New York Times, published on 30 September. In the verdict, jurors found Terry Sanderson was at fault for the collision with Paltrow on the slopes at the luxury Deer Valley Resort near Park City, Utah, back in February 2016.

Speaking to The New York Times, Paltrow recalled her candid reaction to people praising the outfits she wore while going to court in March. I was just getting dressed and going to a pretty intense experience every day, she said. And the sartorial outcome was so weird to me.

The Goop founder then opened up about still feeling strange after winning the court case, during which she was awarded a $1 countersuit and the cost of her legal fees. She also added that it often takes her time to process the experiences shes encountered throughout her life.

That whole thing was pretty weird. I dont know that Ive even processed it, Paltrow said. It was something I felt like I survived. Sometimes in my life it takes me a long time to look back and process something and understand something.

Over the two-week proceeding, jurors heard the complex testimony by neurology and brain injury experts for both sides, after Sanderson first sued Paltrow in 2019 over claims that she crashed into him during the 2016 incident, leaving him with a permanent traumatic brain injury. Eyewitnesses, Deer Valley employees, Paltrows children Apple and Moses, and Sandersons daughters also testified under oath.

On 30 March, jurors returned a verdict in favour of Paltrow, finding that Sanderson, 76, was 100 per cent at fault for the crash.

Aside from her outfits in the courtroom, Paltrow was also praised for her gracious response to her lawsuit accuser when she was found not responsible for their ski collision. As she exited the courtroom after the verdict was reached in March, she was seen bending down to whisper something in Sandersons ear.

According to Sanderson, who spoke with reporters following the verdict, the actress told him: I wish you well, to which hed responded: Thank you, dear. At the time, the retired optometrist also told Extra that he thought Paltrows parting sentiment was very kind of her.

Following the verdict, the Oscar-winning actress issued a statement on Instagram to express that she was pleased with the outcome of the court case.

I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity, she wrote at the time. I am pleased with the outcome and I appreciate all of the hard work of Judge (Kent) Holmberg and the jury, and thank them for their thoughtfulness in handling this case.
A Central Florida man was arrested after continuously calling 911 over two days for non-emergency reasons, authorities say.

According to the Marion County Sheriffs Office, last Monday deputies responded to a home in Summerfield, about an hour northwest of Orlando, to investigate a dispute between two neighbors.

READ MORE: Florida cops responded to a 911 call, then they looked in the closet

They made contact with the 56-year-old suspect, who tried ordering them to conduct the investigation as he demanded, according to a sheriffs post on Facebook.

While law enforcement was still on the scene, the man called 911.

The deputies warned the suspect that if he did so again, he could be arrested. They also told him that if he had concerns he wanted to address with a supervisor, he should call the sheriffs non-emergency number, which they offered to write down, but he said he knew already.

READ MORE: Florida woman called 911 because she wanted a ride, police say

About an hour after they left, the deputies said the man ignored them, and kept phoning 911 multiple times over the next two days.

During one of the exchanges, the man reportedly told the operator, You want to charge me with abuse of 911? Go for it!

On yet another conversation with dispatch, he said, Im gonna keep calling 911 back! You can charge me all you want!

Deputies did indeed charge him  with eight counts of misuse of 911.

He was taken into custody at his residence, transported to the Marion County Jail and held on $8,000 bond.

These calls had the effect of potentially taking emergency call-takers away from answering calls from persons who were in actual need of emergency services, the Marion County Sheriffs Office reported.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Are you excited for Halloween this year? We found several events happening in the Memphis area this month that you are sure to enjoy!

Friday, October 6, is Trick-Of-Treat on Broad Avenue. Participating shops will be handing out treats from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Costumes are recommended.

Zoo Boo at the Memphis Zoo starts Friday, October 13, and runs through the end of the month on select nights from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Its $18 dollars for non-members and $13 for members. You are encouraged to wear your Halloween best and bring your trick-or-treat bags.

The Overton Scare Halloween Party is on Saturday, October 21. There will be a Halloween photo booth, balloon animals, a treats table, Halloween crafts and trick or treating. This will be from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

There will also be a Halloween Scavenger Hunt at the Memphis Fire Museum on October 28 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. After looking for scary objects throughout the museum, you will get a sweet treat. Admission is $5.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Vice President Harris will travel to San Francisco this week to attend the funeral service for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).

Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff will attend the services for Feinstein Thursday. Feinstein died last week at the age of 90.

Harris and Feinstein served together as Californias two senators from 2017, when Harris first took office, until 2021, when she became vice president. Both women worked at different points in San Francisco politics as well, with Harris serving as district attorney and Feinstein as mayor.

The vice president will hold a swearing-in ceremony Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol for Feinsteins replacement, Laphonza Butler.

Butler is a former political adviser to Harris who has led EMILYs List, which supports women running for office, since 2021.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed Butler to serve the remainder of Feinsteins term, which will end in early 2025. Several Democrats are running in a primary for the chance to replace Feinstein. Butler had not launched a campaign for the seat, and its unclear if she will seek to serve beyond the end of her appointment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2)  The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said it may file up to 1,000 disqualification cases as the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections approach.

The Task Force (Anti-Epal) has been reviewing, assessing whether indeed there is reasonable ground to believe that a disqualification case can be filed Im predicting that more or less 1,000 disqualification cases may be filed even before the election of October 30, Comelec chairman George Garcia told CNN Philippines The Source.

So far, the task force has filed 35 disqualification cases over alleged premature campaigning. Garcia said up to 40 more will be filed on Monday.

He said this will be done every day as authorities review the statements of respondents issued with a show cause order. The poll body said its task force has issued almost 4,000 show cause orders nationwide, with around 700 of the involved individuals having submitted a response.

Garcia said 30% of the possible election violations were committed in Metro Manila, as well as in certain areas in the Visayas and Mindanao. While thousands of show cause orders were issued, he noted this is still a small number compared to the 1.414 million certificates of candidacies filed across the country.

Just the same, we would like to be serious on the filing of these disqualification cases, we would like to prove to them that we will not go easy on these violations, he warned.

Garcia said the move is also in preparation for the filing of disqualification cases against those who will engage in vote buying during the campaign period.

He explained that if the Comelec en banc would be able to decide on the cases before the elections and the decision becomes final and executory, the names of the erring candidates will be removed from the list.

However, if for whatever reason, a decision was not, or is not released before the October 30 elections, we can still disqualify these candidates even if they will win, even after the election, at the same time we can still file election offense cases with an imprisonment of one to six years, he pointed out.

Garcia also said that the Comelec is still reviewing the list of 246 areas of concern, or those in red category for possible election-related violence, which was submitted by the Philippine National Police. A final version is expected to be released this week, he added.
Whether you call it school choice, education savings accounts or vouchers, Texas legislators are expected to resume their battle this month over using state education money to help parents pay for private-school tuition and other learning expenses.

But what do the terms mean? What are the best arguments for and against such a plan? And how would Fort Worth-area schools be affected?

To answer these questions, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, in conjunction with the Texas A&M University School of Law, is kicking off a new event series, Beyond The Headline. Our goal is to get away from the political heat and offer perspectives on the issues at hand  and you, as a Star-Telegram subscriber, are invited to be in the audience.

Scott Milder (left) and Corey DeAgnelis

The discussion will feature two passionate advocates on either side. Corey DeAngelis of San Antonio is executive director at the Educational Freedom Institute and is widely known as a school choice evangelist. Scott Milder of Rockwall is the co-founder of Friends of Texas Public Schools, which aims to highlight strengths and achievements in public education. For one hour, theyll tee up the best arguments for and against school choice in a policy-focused way, moderated by Star-Telegram Opinion Editor Ryan J. Rusak.

Beyond The Headline will kick off at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Texas A&Ms campus downtown. Its in the Amon Carter Lecture Hall at 1515 Commerce St.

Admission is free, but youll need to RSVP by email to rrusak@star-telegram.com. Dont wait; space is limited.
The man accused of firing a gun that critically wounded a Dinwiddie teen last week at an Outer Banks hotel will have his next day in court in about a week.

Ashton Mills, 22, of Midlothian, is set to appear at a hearing Oct. 10 in Dare County (North Carolina) Superior Court, according to court records. He already was arraigned on the charges in District Court.

Mills is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, inflicting serious injury and felony obstruction of justice. He is being held at the Dare County Detention Center in Manteo on a $230,000 bond.

Police in Nags Head responded to an early morning shooting Sept. 28 at the Surf Side Hotel. There, they found a 17-year-old Dinwiddie girl with a gunshot wound to her head.

After she was stabilized at the Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head, she was airlifted to a hospital in Virginia in critical condition. A spokesperson for Nags Head police chief Perry Hale said police have not been advised of any changes in her condition.

The girls name has been withheld from the public because of her age.

A police investigation found the girl was shot after Mills allegedly played with a gun that was brought by a member of the group in which she and Mills were part.

A second man from Midlothian, identified as 23-year-old Joshua Smith, is the apparent owner of the gun. Police charged him with failure to properly store a firearm to protect minors. He was released on a $2,500 bond, but court information for him was not immediately available.

Because the investigation is ongoing, police said further charges are possible.

The Surf Side Hotel is located in Nags Head in the southern portion of the Outer Banks. According to its website, it opened in 1984.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Hearing set in N.C. for man accused of shooting Dinwiddie teen
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Henderson Fire Department is hosting an informational forum in November for women interested in fire service.

Henderson Fire Department personnel will answer questions and provide information about the testing and hiring processes, the academy commitment, fire station life, and more.

The forum will take place at the Henderson Fire Department Training Center on Nov. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The session is limited to the first 100 women ages 18 and older who register. Registration will close when its full or on Oct. 26. A multi-day Women in the Fire Service workshop will be offered in the spring.

To register, visit the City of Henderson website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Here's a look at how area members of Congress voted Sept. 22 through Sept. 28:

House

House Vote 1:FUNDING SCHOOL OUTDOOR TRAINING PROGRAMS: The House has passed the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act (H.R. 5110), sponsored by Rep. Mark E. Green, R-Tenn., to authorize the use of federal government funds for buying weapons to train students in hunting, archery and other shooting sports. The vote, on Sept. 26, was 424 yeas to 1 nay.YEAS: Jim Jordan R-OH (4th), Bob Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 2:AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT WORKPLACE TRAINING: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., to the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4368). The amendment would bar funding for the Agriculture Department to do workplace training programs related to non-heterosexuals. The vote, on Sept. 27, was 217 yeas to 214 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 3:RACE AND FOOD SUPPLIES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., to the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4368). The amendment would bar funding for the Farm to School Network Racial Equity Learning Lab. The vote, on Sept. 27, was 217 yeas to 216 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 4:CLIMATE CORPS FUNDING: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., to the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4368), that would bar funding for the Agriculture Department's Civilian Climate Corps. The vote, on Sept. 27, was 217 yeas to 216 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 5:MILITARY INDUSTRIAL BASE: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 4365). The amendment would move $50 million from a general military spending account to the Defense Production Act Purchases account, to fund a pilot program for developing advanced capabilities in the military industrial base. The vote, on Sept. 27, was 240 yeas to 191 nays.NAYS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, R-OH (5th)

House Vote 6:CLIMATE CHANGE TREATY: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., to the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (H.R. 4665) that would bar funding for implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change, in which the Biden administration re-enlisted the United States in 2021. The vote, on Sept. 28, was 219 yeas to 213 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 7:FUNDING STATE DEPARTMENT: The House has passed the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (H.R. 4665), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla. The bill would provide $51.5 billion for the State Department in fiscal 2024, as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development, Export-Import Bank, and other international trade and finance agencies. The vote, on Sept. 28, was 216 yeas to 212 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 8:MILITARY SPENDING: The House has passed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 4365), sponsored by Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., to provide $826.45 billion of fiscal 2024 funding for military programs. The vote, on Sept. 28, was 218 yeas to 210 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 9:OVERSIGHT OF UKRAINE AID: The House has passed the Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 5692), sponsored by Rep. Thomas H. Kean, R-N.J. The bill would establish an inspector general office to audit spending to aid Ukraine in its war with Russia, and provide funding for the military's Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The vote, on Sept. 28, was 311 yeas to 117 nays.NAYS: Jordan R-OH (4th)YEAS: Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 10:HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING: The House has passed the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act (H.R. 4367), sponsored by Rep. David P. Joyce, R-Ohio, to provide $63 billion of fiscal 2024 funding for Homeland Security, as well as $20 billion for disaster recovery efforts in Maui, Florida, and elsewhere. The vote, on Sept. 28, was 220 yeas to 208 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 11:AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROGRAMS: The House has rejected the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4368), sponsored by Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md. The vote, on Sept. 28, was 191 yeas to 237 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

Senate

Senate Vote 1:CONTINUED GOVERNMENT FUNDING: The Senate has passed a motion to invoke cloture and proceed to consideration of a bill (H.R. 3935), sponsored by Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., that would serve as the vehicle for a continuing resolution to maintain funding for government programs until mid-November. The vote to invoke cloture, on Sept. 26, was 77 yeas to 19 nays.YEAS: Sherrod Brown D-OHNAYS: J.D. Vance R-OH

Senate Vote 2:PRAIRIE CHICKEN ENDANGERED SPECIES LISTING: The Senate has failed to override President Biden's veto of a resolution (S.J. Res. 9), sponsored by Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., that would have disapproved of and voided a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule putting populations of the lesser prairie-chicken on threatened and endangered species lists, with accompanying environmental regulations for chicken habitat. The vote to override, on Sept. 28, was 47 yeas to 46 nays, with a two-thirds majority required.NOT VOTING: Brown D-OHYEAS: Vance R-OH

Senate Vote 3:LONG-EARED BAT ENDANGERED SPECIES LISTING: The Senate has failed to override President Biden's veto of a resolution (S.J. Res. 24), sponsored by Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., that would have disapproved of and voided a Fish and Wildlife Service rule listing the northern long-eared bat as an endangered species. The vote to override, on Sept. 28, was 47 yeas to 45 nays, with a two-thirds majority required.NOT VOTING: Brown D-OH, Vance R-OH

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Here's how area members of Congress voted Sept. 22-28
Former President Donald Trump sits in the courtroom at New York Supreme Court, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in New York. Trump is making a rare, voluntary trip to court in New York for the start of a civil trial in a lawsuit that already has resulted in a judge ruling that he committed fraud in his business dealings. (Brendan McDermid/Pool Photo via AP)

The civil fraud trial that kicked off against Donald Trump this week in a New York courtroom is just one of many legal problems facing the former president as he campaigns for a return to the White House.

The judge overseeing the case, Arthur Engoron, resolved the lawsuits top claim before the trial even began, ruling that Trump routinely deceived banks, insurers and others by exaggerating the value of assets on paperwork used in making deals and securing loans. Engoron will decide on six remaining claims in New York Attorney General Letitia James lawsuit, including allegations of conspiracy, falsifying business records and insurance fraud.

Trump is also facing 91 felony counts in four criminal cases in Washington, New York, Florida and Georgia and could potentially be looking at years in prison if convicted.

Heres a look at some of the other top probes against Trump:

CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS CASE

Special counsel Jack Smith has been leading two federal probes related to Trump, both of which have resulted in charges against the former president.

The first charges to result from those investigations came in June when Trump was indicted on charges he mishandled top secret documents at his Florida estate. The indictment alleged that Trump repeatedly enlisted aides and lawyers to help him hide records demanded by investigators and cavalierly showed off a Pentagon plan of attack and classified map.

A superseding indictment issued in July added charges accusing Trump of asking for surveillance footage at his Mar-a-Lago estate to be deleted after FBI and Justice Department investigators visited in June 2022 to collect classified documents he took with him after leaving the White House. The new indictment also charged him with illegally holding onto a document hes alleged to have shown off to visitors in New Jersey.

In all, Trump faces 40 felony charges in the classified documents case. The most serious charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Walt Nauta, a valet for Trump, and Carlos De Oliveira, the property manager at Trumps Florida estate, have been charged in the case with scheming to conceal surveillance footage from federal investigators and lying about it.

Trump, Nauta and De Oliveira have pleaded not guilty.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon set a trial date of May 20, 2024. If that date holds, it will mean a possible trial will not start until deep into the presidential nominating calendar and probably well after the Republican nominee is clear  though before that person is officially nominated at the Republican National Convention.

ELECTION INTERFERENCE

Smith's second case against Trump was unveiled in August when the former president was indicted on felony charges for working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The four-count indictment includes charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States government and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding: the congressional certification of Joe Bidens victory. It describes how Trump repeatedly told supporters and others that he had won the election, despite knowing that was false, and how he tried to persuade state officials, then-Vice President Mike Pence and finally Congress to overturn the legitimate results.

After a weekslong campaign of lies about the election results, prosecutors allege that Trump sought to exploit the violence at the Capitol by pointing to it as a reason to further delay the counting of votes that sealed his defeat.

In their charging documents, prosecutors referenced a half-dozen unindicted co-conspirators, including lawyers inside and outside of government who they said had worked with Trump to undo the election results and advanced legally dubious schemes to enlist slates of fake electors in battleground states won by Biden.

The Trump campaign called the charges fake and asked why it took 2 1/2 years to bring them. He has pleaded not guilty.

The case is set for trial March 4, 2024, in federal court in Washington.

HUSH MONEY SCHEME

Trump became the first former U.S. president in history to face criminal charges when he was indicted in New York in March on state charges stemming from hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to bury allegations of extramarital sexual encounters.

He pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Each count is punishable by up to four years in prison, though its not clear if a judge would impose any prison time if Trump were convicted.

The counts are linked to a series of checks that were written to his lawyer Michael Cohen to reimburse him for his role in paying off porn actor Stormy Daniels, who alleged a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, not long after Melania Trump gave birth to their son, Barron. Those payments were recorded in various internal company documents as being for a legal retainer that prosecutors say didnt exist.

The former president is next set to appear in state court on Jan. 4, before Republicans begin their nominating process in earnest.

GEORGIA

Trump is charged alongside 18 other people  including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows  with violating the states anti-racketeering law by scheming to illegally overturn his 2020 election loss.

The indictment, handed up in August, accuses Trump or his allies of suggesting Georgias Republican secretary of state could find enough votes for him to win the battleground state; harassing an election worker who faced false claims of fraud; and attempting to persuade Georgia lawmakers to ignore the will of voters and appoint a new slate of Electoral College electors favorable to Trump.

One defendant, bail bondsman Scott Graham Hall, pleaded guilty last Friday in a plea deal with prosecutors and agreed to testify in further proceedings. The other 18 defendants, including Trump, have pleaded not guilty.

Two of them, lawyers Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, are scheduled to go on trial later this month. A trial date for Trump and the others has not yet been set.
Ukraine's High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) announced on Oct. 2 that it had ruled to pay Hr 13.3 million (about $360,000) to a whistleblower in the case of a $6 million bribe attempted by a former first deputy of the Kyiv State Fiscal Service back in 2020.

The case against the former deputy, Mykola Iliashenko, is the first example of a corruption-related whistleblower receiving a monetary award for their role in prosecuting a crime.

Iliashenko was one of three individuals involved in a plan in 2020 to bribe Ukraine's top anti-corruption officials Nazar Kholodnitskiy, head of the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO), and Artem Sytnyk , head of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU).

The $6 million dollar payment was supposed to put an end to a state investigation into one of Viktor Yanukovych-era ecology minister Mykola Zlochevsky allegedly illegal enrichment schemes.

The scheme was the biggest reported bribe attempt in Ukrainian history.

The officials went along with the bribe, faking the case's termination in order to lure the corrupt officials into handing over the $6 million. Kholodnitskiy and Sytnyk then ordered the arrest of Iliashenko and two of Zlochevsky's aides.

According to a law that came into effect in 2020, whistleblowers are entitled to 10% of the associated total figure in a corruption case.

Although the court's announcement did not identify the individual, the whistleblower himself described his involvement in the case and the monetary award he received.

Yevhen Shevchenko, the whistleblower, wrote on Facebook that Hr 50 million ($1.3 million) that the defendant was forced to pay as part of the settlement was donated to Ukraine's military and that he had received Hr 13.3 million (about $360,000) as a reward.

The HACC was created in 2018 to prosecute high-profile corruption cases.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the court has prosecuted a number of high-profile corruption cases, including the confiscation of assets of collaborator Volodymyr Saldo, a Ukrainian politician who defected to Russia and was placed in charge of the occupied part of southern Kherson Oblast.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Biden says American support for Ukraine cant be allowed to be interrupted

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A high school teacher in Missouri has been placed on leave after district administrators learned that she has an OnlyFans account.

Brianna Coppage, 28, told the St Louis Post-Dispatch that she was not surprised when officials at St Clair High School in Franklin County asked to meet with her on 27 September. The English teacher said that she joined the website over the summer to help support her household.

It was kind of always like this cloud hanging over my head, like I never knew when I would be discovered, Ms Coppage told the outlet. Then, about two weeks ago, my husband and I were told that people were finding out about it. So I knew this day was coming.

Ms Coppage said she had a meeting with two school administrators and was confronted about posting inappropriate media on one or more internet sites.

Superintendent Kyle Kruse said in a statement that the school had hired legal counsel to investigate whether the content shared by Ms Coppages account impacted her employment at the high school.

Actions taken as a result of the investigation will be in accordance with board policy and with guidance from legal counsel. Ms Kruse told the Post-Dispatch.

On average, Ms Coppage said she has brought an additional $8,000 to $10,000 every month from her OnlyFans earnings, in addition to her $42,000 annual salary as a teacher.

The English teacher said that she chose OnlyFans to post her content because she thought it offered certain level of privacy, as only paying subscribers can see the material. However, she believes a recent video in which she appeared along with her husband and two popular performers in St Louis may have reached people in her community.

There is this expectation that teachers should be the moral leaders of students, and I do not disagree with that, Ms Coppage told the Post-Dispatch. I taught the curriculum. I taught students reading and writing, and I didnt guide them on my thoughts or beliefs.  And I cant control what people think of me.

Ms Coppage said she does not regret joining the platform but has come to terms with the fact that she will likely be terminated in the near future.

(The district says) they havent made a decision yet, but Im just kind of putting the pieces together that I am not coming back, Ms Coppage said. Im very aware that I am probably never going to teach again, but that was kind of the risk I knew I was taking. I am sad about that. I do miss my students.

Ms Coppage insisted that her online persona is completely separate from her work.

She said her posts were not illegal and emphasised that she does not believe sex work has to be shameful.

Ms Coppage has been teaching at St Claire High School for two years. Before that, she was an academic adviser at the Missouri University of Science & Technology.
Donald Trump is a very violent man. He is the leader of an increasingly violent political movement.

Last week, Trump threatened Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley with death. Trump's death threat is part of a much larger pattern where he has made similar threats, directly or implied, against President Biden, Hillary Clinton, Attorney General Merrick Garland, Special Counsel Jack Smith, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, and his other "enemies."

Trump's MAGA cultists have been radicalized by him. Several MAGA people have gone so far as to have attempted or publicly threatened to assassinate President Obama and President Biden, respectively. And of course, Trump's followers launched a lethal attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6 as part of the ex-president and dictator in waiting's coup attempt.

Trump and his allies and other spokespeople and influentials in the Republican fascist party and larger neofascist movement and white right are at the epicenter of a social environment in America were hate crimes and other political violence against Black and brown people, the LGBTQI community, Muslims, Jews, and other targeted groups is at historic levels.

New research by Rachel Kleinfeld, who is Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict and Governance Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, provides much-needed insight(s) into the growing danger(s) that political violence and polarization poses to American democracy and the future of the country. In this conversation, Kleinfeld provides context for the relationship between extremism, polarization and violence in America. She also explains why right-wing political violence is a much greater threat to the country than political violence by "the left". Kleinfeld highlights the news media's continued failure(s) to understand the realities of the country's democracy crisis in the Age of Trump.

At the end of this conversation, Kleinfeld warns that whatever the outcome of the 2024 Election, that America's democracy crisis is likely to get worse not better.

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

How are you feeling given the state of American politics and society and the country's democracy crisis and other great troubles?

I'm feeling sad. I want to give my daughters  and other kids  a better country than the one I grew up in. I don't feel like we are doing that, and I want all of us adults to start acting like adults and to do better.

What are you "seeing" as you survey American politics and society right now? What gives you the most concern?

Americans remain rhetorically attached to democracy, but when you ask them what they mean, large majorities are quick to give up basic rights, oversight, and even non-violence when their side holds power. And the idea of a loyal opposition is disintegrating. I'm deeply concerned by that impulse towards unchecked majoritarianism, and also worried about hypocritical alterations of those feelings when the other side is in power.

What are some of the blind spots, misconceptions, and outright ignorance that the mainstream media, the political class, and everyday Americans have about the realities of political violence in this country?

People seem to underestimate how much political violence has risen, and how lopsided it is. There are vastly more incidents on the right, and they are targeting people. That is the major political violence problem faced by the country. That said, on the left, too many partisans are loathe to acknowledge that their side's violence, though largely against property, has also doubled since 2016. It has just grown from a much lower point.

I get constant calls from reporters asking if Donald Trump is going to start another January 6 style riot  and when I speak about political violence, my mail fills with people asking why I don't speak more about the overwhelmingly (but not entirely) peaceful Black Lives Matter protests.

But Trump is not currently able to draw out large crowds  his followers are afraid of the FBI and believe people who goad them to violence on list serves are false flag operations. Instead, we are seeing people kill neighbors over politics or murder business owners who display a pride flag. In other countries, when someone runs a car into a peaceful crowd, it's almost always a rare international terrorist event. In America, that has happened over 150 times since Heather Heyer was killed at the Unite the Right rally. Political violence and credible threats have become small scale, hyperlocal, across the nation, and extremely frequent

Premeditated political violence against people has skyrocketed on the right, and premeditated political violence on the left has also grown - though from a much lower point, and more often targeting property. Hate crimes are at their highest point in the 21st century, even higher than the spike after 9/11. Local officials who were barely targeted before are now receiving significant numbers of threats  in San Diego, 75% of county officials report threats or harassment, for instance. Threats against Members of Congress rose tenfold from 2016 to 2021, though they fell slightly last year. In the 1960s and 1970s we faced high levels of political violence, but it was largely against property, or involved foreign terrorists. We haven't seen Americans targeting other Americans politically like this since Confederates reversed Reconstruction and used violence and threats to return to power after the Civil War.

The news media and the political class tend to have a crisis frame that is very immediate and focused on the now. What would the news media  and by extension the political class and public  better understand and see in terms of political polarization and violence if they had a longer view and more time to digest what is happening or not?

America has faced political violence at many points in its history. It is usually used as a method alongside elections to try to win power by intimidating people. That is how it was used by the Know Nothing Party in the early 1800s, by Confederates after Reconstruction, and by Southern Democrats under Jim Crow to maintain single party dominance in eleven Southern States.

Right now, the threat of violence is being used to destroy pro-democracy Republicans and allow a non-majority faction to take over the Republican Party. While there are more threats overall against Democratic constituencies, women, and minorities, those threats are a spill-over from attempts to build Republican base intensity through highlighting a white Christian male dominant identity. The targeted threats are occurring largely to win power and are often targeted very intentionally  against certain election officials who will matter in swing states, or against the judges and DAs involved in cases against former President Trump.

The spike in violence is helping an anti-democratic faction of the Republican Party overcome a pro-democratic faction. The media framing violence as largely about Republicans versus Democrats misses that crucial part of the story.

What does the actual data tell us about political violence and extremism in the Age of Trump and where we are potentially going as a country?

Political violence and criminal violence are highly connected.

The best study of murder in America back to our Revolution found that the strongest variables predicting a rise in the murder rate was trust in fellow Americans and trust in government  especially among young men (the demographic that commits most violence everywhere). In the 1960s when political violence rose, America also saw a doubling of the murder rate, and homicide kept rising until the 1990s. When people normalize violence and lesser forms of anti-social behavior, such as Lauren Boebert's obnoxious vaping and groping at a theater, oafishness on airplanes, or "rolling coal"  blowing car exhaust in the faces of bicyclists  it reduces the sense of social propriety and impulse control. Society and civilization are actually very fragile things  as anti-social behavior gets normalized and people "let it all hang out", as it were, all forms of violence tend to rise. We are probably on the verge of that again, and this MAGA political faction and left-wing illiberalism pushing people towards it will be to blame for the deaths and dystopian cities we are going to have for the next few decades.

When I write articles or interview experts who are trying to sound the alarm about right-wing political violence by Trump followers and other such malign actors, one of the common responses in emails and comments is that this is all so much hysterics. The MAGA movement threat is exaggerated. These right-wing extremists and others who are violent are being put in jail. The danger is also so much talk as there won't be a second civil war, etc. How would you intervene and push back?

I just provide the numbers. It's not that these levels of political violence are unprecedented  America is an unusually violent democracy compared to countries with similar levels of wealth and democratic history. The United States has seen violence at these levels before. But New York in the 1970s, or the post-Reconstruction South which had a lynching every 36 hours at its height, would not be the periods of our past I most want our country to revisit.

Is the American public "polarized" or are they "sorted"? That distinction is very important.

American politicians are highly ideologically polarized  members of Congress now hold virtually no policy beliefs in common across the aisle. Regular Americans, on the other hand, are not very ideologically polarized  they hold a lot of policy beliefs in common, although Republicans and Democrats care more intensely about different issues. But regular Americans do really dislike partisans from the other party  which is known as affective, or emotional, polarization. That level of affective polarization is likely to be caused, at least partially, because we are highly sorted as a country. When multiple identity characteristics, such as religiosity, geography, gender, and race, are the same for members of the same party, it is easier to feel that any of one's many identities are threatened by members of the other party, and when people are geographically separated so that they don't socialize, those misunderstandings get even larger. However, sorting alone just sets the kindling - politicians are lighting the flames by using that latent affective polarization to further inflame sentiment, in order to use that voter intensity to win power. So, it is unlikely to be possible to reduce Americans' polarization until we change the incentives that are allowing politicians to win seats by furthering polarization.

Most journalists and reporters assume that the public follows politics closely, is ideological, and has a real understanding of the details and facts. Decades of political science research shows that mostly to not be true. Unfortunately, the mainstream media, for a variety of reasons including intellectual laziness and careerism, is clinging desperately onto those fictions of folk democracy even when the evidence is abundant and obvious to the contrary. This translates into a news media that still does not fully appreciate  and is in willful denial about  the realities and the depths of the country's democracy crisis in this moment of ascendant neofascism and illiberalism.

Americans share a large number of policy beliefs in common. But they also, by and large, really, really don't care about politics. They don't want to think about politics, they don't want to talk about politics, they want it all to go away. That means that Americans also hold a very tenuous understanding of the basics of what it takes to maintain a democracy  such as the importance of a free press, or the role of a civil service. In America, as in many countries where democracy has slipped away in recent years, we see significant pluralities willing to support anti-democratic behavior when their party is in power. Fear of the other side doing just that is one of the main forces that empowers a party to act first to undermine democracy in order to, in their minds, prevent the other side from doing it first.

Is "consensus" and "bipartisanship" across lines of political difference just a type of fetish for the political class and news media? The public generally does not care.

I have my own strong policy beliefs  but I understand that as a country, we have about half the voting population who are conservative, and about half who are more liberal. Both sides need politicians who can represent them in a pro-democratic way, where we disagree on policy, not on whether we will allow the system of peacefully settling our disputes to disintegrate. Liberals need to give some support to pro-democracy Republicans or both will be overrun by the anti-democracy faction that is gaining control over that party. Liberals should also pay more attention to how their own illiberal wing in cultural and academic institutions is driving more conservatives, independents, and minorities to support their own anti-democratic faction. The problem in the political realm is clearly a faction of the Republican Party  but it has not grown on its own, there is a call and response with cultural forces on the left.

What are some interventions that can be made to make the country's political institutions and culture more durable and healthier in the face of the type of extreme polarization  which is asymmetrical and more on the right that we are now seeing in the Age of Trump and the decades that got us to this crisis?

America should give serious thought to voting reforms that would allow the anti-democratic faction to have representation without letting them take over one of our two major parties. Proportional representation is the best way to achieve that, though ranked choice voting and primary reform might be less radical and cause fewer governing headaches. Both would likely allow MAGA Republicans to have control in some states and localities (which, of course, they do now), while still allowing the majority of Republicans to support a pro-democracy party. Campaign finance reforms that empower small dollar donors also empower extremists, who are better at raising anger that gets those small dollar donations flowing. Big money in politics is also problematic, of course, but the problem of small dollar donors pushing our politics towards extremes has not been recognized or discussed. Finally, we need better anti-trust enforcement to break business monopolies. Part of the distrust in America since 2008 has as much to do with the way elites keep making money, and is economic as much as political in origin. There is a reason Aristotle and Jefferson both recognized the dangers to democracy of large concentrations of wealth.

As Trump's criminal trials and the 2024 Election approach, how do you think that will impact the dynamics of violence and polarization?

There is no good way out of the 2024 Election. No matter how the election turns out, it will harm faith in democracy  but the worst future damage is likely to be inflicted if Trump wins and takes power, given the signals he has already given about how he will misuse his department of justice against his enemies, attack the civil service, and otherwise damage the institutions that keep our democracy tethered to the rule of law.
The Biden administrations recent moves on immigration have earned it goodwill among Hispanic Democrats steeped in the issue, even as tensions with local jurisdictions over shelter space bubble up.

Several members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) are touting the administrations actions, such as granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to more than 400,000 Venezuelans, while publicly airing proposals to course-correct on specific issues.

CHC members are walking that tightrope for multiple reasons: because theyve gotten results from the administration, because migration and border security are politically risky issues for Democrats and because executive action is currently the only realistic avenue for relief for immigrant communities.

They have other considerations to juggle at this time. The election of course, its impossible for them not to keep that top of mind, said Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.), who in the past has butted heads with his party over immigration.

With respect to the administration, I think they are listening. I think theyre paying attention. It is important to note that were focusing on executive action, because there are barely any Republicans in Congress that are seriously interested in immigration reform at this time and, I mean, theyve been captivated by the Trump-slash-MAGA forces.

The catch-flies-with-honey approach also comes as House Republicans have boiled down their top action items to three: sharp budget cuts, legislating border policy and conditioning Ukraine aid.

Over the weekend, Republicans were able to cut Ukraine aid from a short-term budget deal to keep spending levels essentially flat, but they dropped demands to insert provisions that would upend President Bidens entire border strategy.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Sunday told Face The Nation those border provisions are his priority, and he linked them to Ukraine aid.

Now, I support being able to make sure Ukraine has the weapons that they need, but I firmly support the border first. So weve got to find a way that we can do this together, said McCarthy.

Even before the Speakers surprise moves over the weekend to keep the government open, CHC members made a point of backing the White House, touting the groups recent wins.

Most of the successes have been using the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to advocate with the administration on executive action, and theres been a lot of it lately, said Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.).

Soto defended the administrations timing on executive actions on immigration, even as in the past the White House and CHC have been at loggerheads over the speed of policy changes.

They have to be methodical. This isnt just the presidents opinion, you need to have findings through the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, so they werent going to promise anything until they conducted the findings about the status of Venezuela, which is a dictatorship in collapse, said Soto.

So I would argue they were doing their job by the book, which is to resist calls until they show the evidence. They have to review the evidence, and then once they had it, they made announcements.

Still, the White House is far from checking all the boxes in the CHCs list of demands, which are likely to keep coming, even if they are worded politely.

The demands range from the very targeted to the ground-shaking.

At the policy tweak end of the spectrum are requests such as a return to cash bonds for immigration detainees.

A group of 24 Democrats led by Garcia and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) last week led a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asking him to reverse course on a new program to post bonds electronically.

That request follows some complaints that the Department of Homeland Securitys signature border appointment app, CBP One, made it harder for the most vulnerable migrants to access the Biden administrations legal pathways to entry.

Its not realistic. It doesnt take into account the conditions that individuals in custody, their families are dealing with, said Garcia.

On the other side of the spectrum are growing concerns that longtime undocumented immigrants are being passed over as new asylum-seekers and parolees get work permits, at least temporarily.

The administration is facing increasing pressure to aggressively use its parole powers to fast-track a path to legalization for those immigrants, particularly farm workers and Dreamers  undocumented immigrants who came to the country as minors.

Still, the CHC is focusing its criticism on the GOP, which seeks to include elements of its H.R.2 bill in future spending bills, threatening to dismantle the core of Bidens border policies, including parts that Democrats and many advocates say are actually working.

I think theyre being unrealistic, and itll cause more chaos at the border  and there was a lot of pushback to have asylum-seekers and parole-seekers come to ports of entry, but it just created a more orderly process. So they could try to [kill it] but its at the peril of the nation, said Soto.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendezs indictment is making waves among Hispanic Democrats, who worry the scandal will obscure the embattled senators legacy, dealing a blow to Latino political representation.

Over his 50-year political career, Menendez has been a leading voice for Latino representation and perhaps the immigration advocacy worlds most powerful  and outspoken  ally.

But the tawdry details of the Justice Departments allegations against Menendez have drawn attention away from that record, and from Menendezs symbolic value as a Hispanic in the Senate.

There is no question that Senator Menendezs commitment and legacy as a champion for the Hispanic community is second to none. He has done more to uplift and move the community forward than any other elected leader, said Maria Cardona, a top Democratic political strategist.

It is in that vein, however, that I would encourage the senator to step down to both protect that legacy, and then also to focus 100 percent on fighting these charges in court and clearing his name. He is absolutely guaranteed the presumption of innocence, and he should be given the space to prove that, and he should give all of his energy to proving that as well.

Menendez has resisted calls to resign, which have come in droves from allies, including New Jerseys junior senator, Democrat Cory Booker.

While Bookers call for resignation came couched with praise for Menendezs record, many in the Hispanic political world see a political class eager to fight over Menendezs seat.

What I have been disappointed in is that there has not been any recognition of his tremendous service to the Latino community, his voice, and if he decides to step aside, that this seat is a Latino seat, and that needs to be a part of the discussion, said Matt Barreto, a Democratic pollster who in 2020 advised President Bidens campaign.

Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) has already launched a challenge to Menendez, and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) is seen as a potential candidate. Some Hispanic Democrats are eyeing Gottheimer cautiously because of his $13 million campaign war chest and his centrist positions on immigration.

People in Menendezs orbit are treading lightly, wary of opening the door for other Democrats rushing to fill the seat and well aware that Menendez keeps tabs.

Following a previous indictment that ended in a mistrial, but before the prosecutors dropped charges against Menendez in 2018, he proudly displayed an iron-on jacket patch with an embroidered quote: To those who were digging my political grave so they could jump into my seat, I know who you are and I wont forget you.

Menendez, who has vehemently denied the charges against him, on Thursday told his Democratic colleagues in the Senate he would not step down.

The pressure on Menendez to resign is also likely to subside, at least temporarily, following the death Friday of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), which brings the Democratic majority in the chamber down to a 50-49 split, with three independents caucusing with Democrats.

Still, the Hispanic political world is grappling with what representation will look like without its most prominent advocate in the upper chamber.

Regardless of what the senator decides to do, what is critical is that this seat remains Latino, and it has been disappointing to see how many people have been quick to push him to resign. And its hard to not see a political agenda attached to it, said a top Democratic operative who asked for anonymity to speak frankly.

Yet Democrats also face pressure to be vocal against corruption in government, with Republicans accusing the Justice Department of running a two-tiered system in its prosecution of former President Trump.

Democrats see unimpeded investigations against Menendez and Hunter Biden as a shield against those accusations.

The Department of Justice is independent, let them do their job. Thats completely separate, said Barreto.

But what has created a lot of the frustration and I think the chatter among the Latino political class is just this utter lack of recognition of how important of a senator Menendez is. And just Latino representation in general.

Barreto added that Menendez is only one of six Hispanic Senators, though 20 percent of the countrys population is Hispanic.

Were at a perilous moment here where we cant go from six to five. And its not just going from six to five  youre losing the loudest, most influential, most consistent advocate of the Latino community, he added.

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Over 1,000 global government and industry leaders, representing 30+ countries, are set to converge, highlighting the synergies between finance and sustainability in Dubai this week at the inaugural Future Sustainability Forum.

The forum is poised to elevate its stature of Dubai as a leading advocate for global climate change action and sustainable finance innovation, a statement said

Hosted by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region, the forum will take place on October 4 and 5 at the Ritz-Carlton, DIFC.

The forum is set to showcase Dubai's commitment to pioneering sustainable practices within the financial ecosystem and momentum to drive forward the global sustainability agenda, on the Path to COP28.

It will explore avenues to accelerate global transitions to sustainable economies.

The agenda features keynote addresses by Essa Kazim, Governor, DIFC, and Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer, DIFC Authority as well as fireside chats with Mariam Bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, UAE and Quincia Gumbs-Marie, Minister of Sustainability, Innovation and Environment, Government of Anguilla.

The forum will showcase the UAEs pursuit of sustainability, especially within the financial sector, offering a platform for global experts to exchange insights and foster collaborations for a low-carbon, climate-resilient future. Discussions and panels are set to focus on ESG embedding, Net-Zero pathways, and the transformation of capital to drive low-carbon transitions, among other pivotal topics.

The forums agenda is aligned with the ambitious long-term goals of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030, demonstrating the international commitment to combat climate change, and promoting sustainability. - TradeArabia News Service
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2) Senator Risa Hontiveros said the Senate should probe the P460 million reported confidential funds of Davao City in Sara Duterte's term when she held her position as Mayor from the year 2019 to 2022.

"As shown in Commission on Audit (COA) findingsNakakalula ang halos kalahating bilyong confidential funds ng Davao City kada taon, kung ikukumpara sa CIFs ng mga malaki at mayamang lungsod gaya ng Makati, Manila at Cebu na hindi man lang umabot sa P100 million," Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Monday in a statement.

[Translation: The half a billion confidential funds of Davao City every year is overwhelming, if we compare it to the CIFs of those large and well-known cities like Makati, Manila, and Cebu, which did not even pass a P100 million.]

As the lawmaker expressed her dismay, she urged the local and national government to set a clearer process and limitations on the usage of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs).

"The 1987 Constitution empowers local government units (LGUs) with fiscal autonomy, and LGUs are mandated to ensure peace and order within their jurisdictions. However, there should be a reasonable threshold on the amount that LGUs - like national agencies- may allocate as CIFs, to promote accountability and transparency," Hontiveros said.

"Ano ang meron sa Davao City at mas malaki pa ang CIF nila kumpara sa ibang national agencies gaya ng Philippine Coast Guard?" she said.

[Translation: What's with Davao City and why do they have a bigger CIF compared to other national agencies like the Philippine Coast Guard?]

"While Davao City faces existing security challenges, are these challenges really so much worse than China's incursions and abuses in our territorial waters? Inaagaw na rin ba ng Tsina ang teritoryo nila tulad sa West Philippine Sea?" she added.

[Translation: Is Davao City also facing a threat and is China also depriving them of their territories like in the West Philippine Sea?]

Hontiveros expressed hoped the body will raise the issue in the upcoming Senate plenary discussion on the national 2024 budget.

In a separate statement on Sunday, House Deputy Minority leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro urged COA to investigate the reported P2.697 billion confidential fund of Davao when Duterte was the city''s mayor from 2016 to 2022.

READ: COA probe sought on alleged confidential funds of Davao City
A Bronx man has been identified as the victim of a homicide in Englewood early Saturday morning.

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office announced Sunday night that Jason Hidalgo, 35, was shot dead inside a residence on Mevan Avenue in Englewood.

Prosecutor Mark Musella said in a release that "the shooting appears to be an isolated incident."

Police received a 911 call around 5:55 a.m. about the shooting and discovered Hidalgo dead from multiple gunshot wounds inside the residence.

The investigation by the Prosecutor's Office and the Englewood Police Department is ongoing.

Passaic County: Midday Sunday shooting in Paterson leaves 19-year-old man dead, woman injured

On Saturday, Mayor Michael Wildes said there is "no perceptible risk" to community residents.

"I've been given every assurance that the community is not at risk and that this is under control," he said.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Homicide victim found in Englewood NJ residence identified
The no 2 Democrat in the House of Representatives on Monday said her caucus will meet and consider its options before deciding how to handle an imminent attempt by insurgent Republicans to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his post.

Massachusetts Representative Katherine Clark, the House minority whip, said Democrats come together as a family in the Democratic caucus to talk about whatever is presented to us in the event that any member of the Republican conference files what is known as a motion to vacate the chair  a parliamentary manoeuvre that would trigger a vote on whether to retain Mr McCarthy as speaker of the House.

One GOP congressman, Rep Matt Gaetz of Florida, has signalled his intent to do just that, citing Mr McCarthys decision to allow the House to vote on a stopgap bill to keep the US government funded for 45 days.

Mr Gaetz and other far-right members of the GOP conference had warned that Mr McCarthy would put his job in jeopardy if he allowed any government funding bill to pass the House with support from any Democrats.

The speakers last-minute gambit to prevent a government shutdown angered far-right members who do not view Democrats as legitimate actors in the political process and want to force the Democratic-controlled Senate and White House to enact sweeping cuts to the federal budget.

Mr Gaetz told CNN on Sunday: I do intend to file a motion to vacate against Speaker McCarthy this week. I think we need to rip off the band aid. I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy.

He added that the one thing both Republicans and Democrats have in common is that nobody trusts Mr McCarthy.

He lied to Biden, he lied to House conservatives. He had appropriators marking to a different number altogether. And the reason we were backed up against the shutdown politics is not a bug of the system. Its a feature, he said.

Ms Clark, who appeared on MSNBC early Monday, echoed Mr Gaetzs sentiment about the GOP leader.

The bad thing for Kevin McCarthy is that he is untrustworthy, she said, citing Mr McCarthys decision to renege on an agreement he struck with Mr Biden to raise the governments statutory debt limit.

They made a deal, Kevin McCarthy signed that deal, 314 of us voted to approve it in a bipartisan way. The ink wasnt dry before Kevin McCarthy was back to catering to the extremists, she said. That is what he does. Because his focus is about keeping his speakership and not about making progress for Americans at home.
While Rep. Matt Gaetz pushes attempts to vacate House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Fox News reports that House GOP members may be prepared to expel Gaetz.

The Republican-controlled House Ethics Committee quietly relaunched its investigation into the Florida congressman in July, CNN reported.

Now House Republican members are prepared to expel Gaetz should the investigation find that Gaetz is guilty of the complaints filed against him, according to Fox News.

Don Gaetz returning to office? Rep. Matt Gaetz's father, former State Senator Don Gaetz, seeking a return to office

The focus of the investigation involves allegations of sexual misconduct, campaign finance violations, taking bribes, and using drugs.

Gaetz has denied the allegations.

Heres what to know about Matt Gaetzs controversies.

DOJ drops Matt Gaetz sex trafficking investigation

The House Ethics Committee originally launched the investigation in April 2021 when Democrats controlled the House and alongside a federal investigation into whether Gaetz violated sex trafficking laws.

The Department of Justice concluded its sex trafficking investigation without charging him with any crimes in February.

The Justice Departments investigation was focused primarily on allegations that Gaetz was part of a scheme that led to the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl.

Who is Matt Gaetz: Who is Matt Gaetz, Florida's 1st District Congressman trying to oust Speaker McCarthy?

The investigation ended over concerns about the credibility of two witnesses, including former Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg, who worked as a former Florida tax collector  and a lack of direct evidence tying Gaetz to the crime.

Greenberg pleaded guilty to six charges, including sex trafficking of a minor, identity theft, stalking, wire fraud and conspiracy to bribe a public official as part of a plea agreement in which he promised to cooperate with federal investigators in 2021.

It is unclear if the sexual misconduct allegations being investigated by the House are related to these claims.

Other allegations against Matt Gaetz

The House Committee on Ethics released a statement on April 9, 2021, announcing its investigation into several allegations against Gaetz.

The short brief didnt go into detail describing the allegations but listed several of them, which included:

Engaging in sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use

Sharing inappropriate images or videos on the House floor

Misusing state identification records

Converting campaign funds to personal use and/or accepting a bribe, improper gratuity or impermissible gift

Gaetz takes heat from other Republicans

Gaetz has been the center of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus threats to remove McCarthy as House speaker during negotiations to pass a bipartisan spending bill to keep the government open.

A last-minute, 45-day stopgap bill passed the House and Senate on Sept. 30, just before a government shutdown, which seemed inevitable, would have gone into effect. Now, both parties have until Nov. 17 to continue negotiations on a more permanent solution.

Many Republicans criticized Gaetz last week, claiming that Gaetz handed Democrats all of the leverage during negotiations.

Gaetz threatens to remove McCarthy: Matt Gaetz threatens to remove Kevin McCarthy as House speaker over government shutdown talks

Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., told Sunday Morning Futures host Maria Bartiromo that Gaetz is going to work with Nancy Pelosi, Hakeem Jeffries, and the rest of the Democrats in order to remove the Republican speaker If you remove a Republican speaker, that then puts the Democrats in power, these investigations will be done and stalled. That is unacceptable of Matt Gaetz.

Former elected Republican and lawyer Erick Erickson on Twitter, now called X, accused Gaetz of prioritizing his grudge against McCarthy over passing legislation.

The House Ethics Committees report on Gaetz is mostly written, according to Fox News. It isnt clear when the reports findings will be made public.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Matt Gaetz controversies could lead to expulsion by House GOP members
After Ford Motor Company announced in 2021 that West Tennessee would be home to its historic $5.6 billion Blue Oval City project, conversations and plans began for how Jackson was going to best accommodate the inherent growth, particularly in the realm of housing.

The Blue Oval mega site in Stanton is centrally located at an almost halfway point between Jackson and Memphis, both of which are expected to gain a significant influx of new residents with the nearly 6,000 jobs the site will create.

In March of 2023, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce concluded a comprehensive housing market study detailing an expected 20% growth of the Jackson-Madison County area as Blue Oval employees begin to make their way to West Tennessee.

With the unprecedented nature of economic and development potential as a result of Blue Oval, housing units are needed at a far faster rate than in decades prior.

Despite Blue Oval's expectancy to be fully staffed and operational by 2026, actions to address how Jackson will measure up to the housing market are happening now.

Setting Jackson apart

Though Jackson provides a small-town feel in a way that a metropolitan city like Memphis cannot not, smaller cities on the outskirts of East Memphis have the potential to give Jackson the most competition in the housing sphere.

For employees and their families who opt out of rural living, smaller towns are feeling the pressure to accommodate the real estate demand.

The owner of Blue Suede Realty in Jackson, Julie Holt explained that Memphis-adjacent cities like Arlington and Lakeland are "five years ahead of us."

"We have an opportunity for growth here, but if we don't get certain things right, then it's going to go to Memphis," Holt said, noting that Madison County is "one of the healthiest real estate markets in Tennessee."

Central West Tennessee Association of Realtors CEO Brent Ward explained that because the Blue Oval plant is still under construction, the majority of Ford employees currently looking for housing options are executives.

Central West Tennessee Association of Realtors CEO Brent Ward poses for a portrait inside his office on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2023.

"Now where your average, daily worker is going to live, that's another ball game but we're working on that as well too with all the apartment complexes coming up," Ward said. "Builders are building as fast as they can get materials and get them in the ground and I think that's just going to continue."

Building housing versus building affordable housing

In addition to current rent prices going up for existing residents, Holt added that the city's ability to build new housing developments will be gridlocked with the ability to make them affordable as the cost of supplies continues to rise.

"If somebody built something that was considered affordable, their cost to build it now is through the roof," Holt said.

Though affordability is subjective as the cost of living increases, she added that Jackson is still not only one of the most cost-friendly places to live in West Tennessee, but nationwide. Suggesting that for those seeking an "affordable" option, the best bet would be to look for a home that is "structurally sound, but needs love."

The Greater Jackson Chamber's housing study found that the current average price of listed homes is nearly 20% higher than the price of year-to-date home sales from 2022.

Similarly, Ward characterized the idea of affordable housing as almost being an "oxymoron."

"I think from a real estate group standpoint, mortgage people, anything that has to do with real estate period, we have got to change our minds about what we consider to be affordable housing now because affordable housing has changed," he said. "It's just changing your mindset to go along with the future that's coming."

Home median prices by county

As of August, the "median sold home price" in Madison County was $287,900, which is slightly higher than the same time last year. In August 2022, the median sold price for Madison County was $232,500, according to Central West Tennessee Association of Realtors.

In Jackson, the median sold price was $294,900 in August.

Median Sold Price in region as of August 2023:

Madison: $287,900

Gibson: $189,900

Dyer: $203,950

Henderson: $211,000

Haywood: $280,000

Decatur: $161,000

Crockett: $200,300

Weakley: $162,500

Carroll: $150,000

Note: Information compiled by Central West Tennessee Association of Realtors

Construction of Shadow Creek West underway on 203 Murray Guard Drive on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. The future BlueOval City Ford plant in Stanton, Tenn. has ushered questions about Jackson's abilities to house new workers the plant may bring.

Realtor Alan Castleman of Hickman Realty added that despite the cost of building materials, he believes that the developments currently under construction will have a "good mix of price ranges," meaning ranges that come by putting new buildings on the ground as inexpensively as possible.

"We would all love to build $150,000 homes. The builders over the last two years have been shrinking the size of the homes to a very small point and are not able to get to that number," he said. "So if somebody says 'are we building $150,000 homes' just because we know that's affordable, the answer is no. But I think the developers and builders are doing the best they can to put the most affordable solutions that are possible in this environment on the ground."

How on track is Jackson to accommodate the housing market?

Castleman estimates that there are approximately a thousand new doors across new apartment complex developments. Adding that average building permits for single-family homes total between 500 and 600 units per year, putting Jackson in the right direction for maximizing growth.

Construction of Old Humboldt Road development goes underway on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. The future BlueOval City Ford plant in Stanton, Tenn. has ushered questions about Jackson's abilities to house new workers the plant may bring.

"The city has the infrastructure in place to build what we need for this growth," he said. "A lot of communities, they don't have the infrastructure. So Jackson is one step ahead of all these other smaller communities because to be able to build apartment complexes and new neighborhoods they've got to first, build the infrastructure."

This notion is also backed by findings from the chamber's housing market study.

"The Jackson housing market is positioned to attract a large percentage of the workers at BlueOvalCity, particularly in the early years of development and start-up," according to the study. "While residential development in much of the immediate area surrounding BlueOval City is constrained by a lack of infrastructure,Jackson is better prepared for growth."

City of Jackson Planning Director Stan Pilant echoed this sentiment, explaining the extent of Jackson's building capacity allows an advantage over other rural cities that lack things like fiberoptic Internet, telecommunication and utility sources.

"The infrastructure is already present so I feel like we're in a position to meet these demands," he said.

Conversations in the Planning Department have prompted strategizing how Jackson is going to get creative with housing options. Amending zoning laws to allow for housing in commercial areas and amending provisions to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) that are commonly used for AirBnB stays are some of the concerted efforts the city is making to meet the housing demand.

"It's all hands on deck for us. We're looking at every way that we can provide housing," Pilant said. "Looking at creative ways and ways that traditionally we haven't offered housing because it's going to take all those forms to really meet the demands that are coming."

As it currently stands in September of 2023, Jackson does not have the necessary housing to accommodate the proposed demand, but because the Blue Oval mega site is still under construction and expected capacity is not scheduled to be reached until 2026, time remains for both the city and county to prepare for the influx of new residents.

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: What are housing options in Jackson for future BlueOval workers?
A group of several dozen students at Howell High School are serving as eyes and ears for struggling peers.

HOWELL  A group of several dozen students at Howell High School are serving as eyes and ears for struggling peers.

Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program that launched in Utah in 2016. The organization has chapters across the country and around the world. They can be found in more than 1,600 schools.

According to HHS Principal Jason Schrock, the Howell Hope Squad was born after former student Molly Perrin heard about the organization while participating in the Student Mental Health Summit, sponsored by the Michigan Association of Secondary Schools Principals.

"Being part of that group, interested in mental health, hearing about the Hope Squad, she brought that to the group for discussion," Schrock told The Daily.

"Unfortunately we're not a district that has escaped student suicide," he said during a recent school board meeting. "It's a heavy topic to talk about. It's not one that makes a lot of people feel comfortable, but it's one thing that we've taken head on."

It's not the high school's first suicide prevention group. Another was launched in 2013 after the school experienced its third loss in as many years  but it struggled after organizers graduated.

According to Schrock, the school's last suicide occurred in the spring of the year Hope Squad launched (2021-2022).

HHS Gym Teacher Eric Schrock and Livingston Educational Service Agency Program Consultant for Behavioral Health Michelle Hutchison serve as co-advisors for the student organization. Four other teacher leaders are involved, one per grade level.

Eric Schrock shared with The Daily that he lost his brother-in-law to suicide in Ohio in 2019.

"This is a specific one for me because I have a family member that was touched by suicide and it's a hard thing, working with his family, with my family," he said. "With the Hope Squad, they at least break that stigma because nothing like that existed in these schools. A lot of this is learning with families of how we cope and deal with it, too."

Hutchison got involved because she was passionate about having eyes on all students.

"We're really proud of our Hope Squad work and our students," she said.

All students at Howell High School have information about the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on the back of their IDs.

Students in the group, according to Jason Schrock, have been identified by their peers as trustworthy, good listeners. They go through training, which equips them with boundary and listening skills. They also learn what it means to be a leader among the student body.

"The members aren't in place to be trained therapists," Schrock said. "They're not taking the role of professional help, but they're our eyes and ears on the ground."

HHS Senior Abdullo Abdurasulov thought a male input would be a helpful addition to the group, so he brought along his friends.

Secretary Militza Algredo-Huera, who serves as one of 29 students on the Hope Squad National Council, believes the organization can make a significant difference, as someone who grew up in a household where struggles were kept inside.

"I've learned a lot. I've become more open minded," Algredo-Huera said.

According to Howell Public Schools Director of Communications Tom Gould, students traveled to Lansing three to four years ago to advocate for suicide prevention. Now, every student ID lists the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

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Students also helped secure a $25,000 grant to create a mental wellness space and pitched the idea of wellness weekends, where teachers assign less homework and give themselves and students time to rest and enjoy their families.

Last year, students presented at the Oakland County Mental Health Summit. They'll present in front of the State Board of Education on Oct. 10.

"That's how the work is moving across the state," Hutchison said. "But it was because our students spoke about what was happening."

 Contact reporter Patricia Alvord at palvord@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Howell Hope Squad supports struggling students by lending a listening ear
Bonnie Slaney was recently promoted to a new position at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

A Madison County woman was recently promoted in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation into the job of Compliance Program Manager for the Georgia Crime Information Center.

The compliance program is an essential part of the criminal justice process, GBI Director Chris Hosey said in a statement released about the promotion.

Bonnie Slaney will be an excellent leader in GCIC and, I Iook forward to seeing all she will continue to do for the agency, he said.

Slaney is originally from Hull and continues to reside there, where she is active in the Madison County Pilots Club.

Slaney has more than 19 years in law enforce that includes a job with the Western Circuit District Attorneys Office and as a communications officer for Athens-Clarke police. She is also a certified police training instructor and is certified in emergency medical dispatch.

She began her career with the GBI in the Athens office as an investigator. She graduated from Athens Technical College and has completed numerous training programs in her profession.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Hull woman promoted at GBI as manager over crime information
A grand jury has indicted a 16-year-old and a 20-year-old from Pembroke, on charges related to the summer drive-by shooting in Hyannis of an 18-year-old man, according to the office of Cape and Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois.

Chrystian Anderson and the 16-year-old, whose identity as a juvenile was not released, were indicted on charges of fire-armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with firearm, carry a firearm without a license, carry a loaded firearm without a license, and conspiracy, according to statement from Galibois' office, issued Friday.

Around 4:30 p.m. on June 25, officers responded to a shooting near the intersection of Main Street and High School Road in Hyannis. They found an 18-year-old man with gunshot wounds to his legs. He was transported to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, and later flown by MedFlight to Tufts Medical Center in Boston. The injured man was treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

During Anderson's arraignment in June, Cape and Islands Assistant District Attorney Michael Donovan said authorities believe Anderson was the driver of the car from which the 16-year-old boy fired 11 rounds.

According to Barnstable police, the teen was also arraigned on charges for his suspected role in a May 27 shooting at Craigville Beach.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Barnstable police.

Following the indictment by a grand jury, the 16-year-old juvenile defendant will now appear in Barnstable Juvenile Court and Anderson will appear in Barnstable Superior Court to be arraigned on a later date. Both the 16-year-old defendant and Anderson are being held without bail on dangerousness.

The case will be prosecuted by Donovan and Assistant District Attorney Eileen Moriarty, according to the statement.

The Cape & Islands District Attorneys Office said Monday it would make no further comment on either person charged.

Zane Razzaq writes about housing and real estate. Reach her at zrazzaq@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @zanerazz.

Gain access to premium Cape Cod Times content by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: A juvenile, and 20-year-old, indicted after June 25 Hyannis shooting
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) pressed President Biden on the untenable influx of asylum-seekers in the state, marking the latest state-level demand for more White House action on the issue.

In a letter dated Oct. 2, Pritzker said the accelerating arrival of asylum-seekers is overwhelming the states ability to provide aid to this population, arguing the aid provided by Illinois has not been matched by the federal government.

Most critically, the federal governments lack of intervention and coordination [on] the border has created an untenable situation for Illinois, he said.

More than 15,000 migrants have arrived in Illinois in the 13 months since the first bus of asylum-seekers from the border reached the state, Pritzker claimed.

Governors and mayors from border states have shipped people to our state like cargo in a dehumanizing attempt to score political points, Pritzker wrote in an apparent reference to efforts by lawmakers such as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to protest border policies by sending migrants to so-called sanctuary cities often led by Democrats.

Maintaining that the people of Illinois are kind and generous, Pritzker argued much more can be done on a federal level to address what he called a national humanitarian crisis.

The Illinois Democrat recommended one person in the White House be assigned to lead the oversight of U.S. efforts at the border, claiming there are too many federal department contacts that are uncoordinated with one another.

Pritzker also recommended the federal government waive fees for applying for temporary protected status, a designation designed to make it easier for migrants to get employment authorization to work in the U.S.

A spokesperson for the White House told The Hill Biden has repeatedly called on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Without the help of Congress, the Administration has been taking action: since May 12, we have removed or returned over a quarter million individuals, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added the White House has moved to speed up the processing of work permits and provided communities across the country with $1 billion in grant funding to support the influx of migrants.

Meanwhile, House Republicans continue to block the reform the immigration system needs and the $4 billion we requested to address the immediate needs of DHS [Department of Homeland Security] to safely and humanely manage the Southwest Border and support communities across the country, the spokesperson said.

The Biden administration has maintained a somewhat cautious approach to immigration and border security, fueling criticism from both sides of the aisle at times.

Leaders in New York and Massachusetts have called attention to the toll newly arrived migrants have taken on their states resources, particularly in New York, where the government is required to provide housing to those who need it.

Pritzkers demands echo those of New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D), who has pressed the White House for greater financial assistance while still maintaining an openness towards migrants.

Pritzkers other requests included an increase in logistical coordination and data collection; greater financial support for housing, food and social services; an accelerated timeline for employment authorization and approval of Illinoiss requests for Medicaid waivers and housing vouchers.

Updated at 11 pm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Firefighting foam used to put out petroleum fires at airports and military bases can flow into and contaminate groundwater and municipal water systems.

Military veterans who served at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City and at Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Station in Sioux Falls are part of new national lawsuits seeking damages due to exposure to toxic chemicals in firefighting foam.

The lawsuits center on cancers, hormonal problems and gastrointestinal illnesses believed to have been caused by exposure to so-called forever chemicals present in firefighting foam that was used for more than 60 years to put out petroleum fires at U.S. airports and military installations.

The chemicals are now known to have caused contamination of groundwater wells and drinking water systems across the country. Civilians who lived or worked at or near military facilities have also gotten sick and are part of the ongoing cases.

The illnesses related to service at military bases in South Dakota are the latest of a series of health problems Rushmore State veterans have suffered due to use of chemicals and exposure to toxic substances in both combat and non-combat environments.

In previous reporting, South Dakota News Watch has shown how South Dakota residents suffered serious illnesses due to toxic exposure while on duty, and how in most cases the military knew of the risks but did not act until after sicknesses began to pile up.

Air Force veteran Casey Kenrick of Rapid City, at far left, poses for a snapshot with other service members while serving in Saudi Arabia.

Air Force veteran Casey Kenrick of Rapid City  who suffers from ulcerative colitis  has signed onto the class-action lawsuit seeking damages for exposure to chemicals from firefighting foam used at Ellsworth.

The dangerous firefighting foam remains in use by the U.S. military, though a gradual reduction has been underway for several years and a full phase-out is expected by the end of 2024, according to Yahn Olson, a lawyer for the Environmental Litigation Group, P.C.

Members of our military are still being put at risk today, he said.

The firefighting foam illnesses follow a pattern of other health problems caused by use of Agent Orange defoliant in Vietnam, hazardous fumes from burn pits in the Middle East and extreme toxicity of drinking water at Camp Lejeune.

It seems like the one thing you dont have to worry about is dying in a war zone, but you do have to worry about toxic exposure to Agent Orange, asbestos, burn pits or contaminated water, said Olson.

Officials from the Air Force and National Guard said they are aware of contamination at Ellsworth and Foss, and theyre taking steps to both keep people safe and remediate the problems. As of 2023, no one is known to be exposed to further PFAS exposure at the bases, they said.

Firefighting foam used for decades by the U.S. military, and still allowed for use today, is now known to contain dangerous forever chemicals that have leached into groundwater and municipal water systems across the U.S.

Kenrick said he remains disillusioned that the military apparently knew about the dangers of the firefighting foam and other toxic exposures to veterans but did not take action to immediately protect service men and women.

Obviously they knew something was wrong, but the military doesnt seem to do anything proactive, said Kenrick, a lieutenant in the Pennington County Sheriffs Office.

They only seem to act after someone sues them, so in a sense the government is complicit in this if they knew about it and didnt take any preventive or proactive approaches to deal with these problems and then help these people.

The new multi-district litigation lawsuits center on illnesses caused by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which can be found in a wide range of products ranging from firefighting foam to clothing to household products like non-stick cookware.

PFAS have increasingly raised health concerns after being found in drinking water systems and groundwater wells across the country, including at private wells in South Dakota and in municipal wells in Sioux Falls.

The U.S. military has often burned wastes and excess military equipment at foreign bases during wartime, including at this U.S. base in Afghanistan in 2006. Some veterans exposed to toxic fumes from burn pits are worried about their health.

PFAS and related chemicals known as PFOS and PFOA are widely known as forever chemicals because their chemical composition makes them extremely difficult to break down within water, soil or the human body.

In June, the 3M Co. agreed to pay $10.3 billion to hundreds of municipal water systems across the country to settle claims that the firefighting foam produced by 3M caused runoff of PFAS chemicals that seeped into drinking water systems.

Large-scale testing programs and remediation efforts are already underway to reduce the potential health effects of PFAS contamination in water systems across the U.S., including at military bases.

The PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam are particularly worrisome due to decades-long use and the foams propensity to liquify and enter into groundwater wells and public water systems.

Firefighting foam used at Ellsworth Air Force Base east of Rapid City flowed into the groundwater and contaminated several wells around the base with PFAS chemicals that can cause cancer and other serious illnesses.

Kenrick, 43, lived both in on-base dorms and in housing outside of Ellsworth, where he used the water for drinking, cooking and bathing.

While at Ellsworth, Kenrick was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that can be debilitating for some patients.

Kenrick said he doesnt have direct evidence that exposure to toxic water or chemicals caused his medical conditions. But he has strong suspicions based on his own experiences and the pattern of illnesses that have afflicted other veterans he served with at Ellsworth.

I can say for a fact that my condition got better when I got away from there (Ellsworth), so I would say there is a connection, he said.

Air Force veteran Mathew Bergendahl of Olympia, Wash., was diagnosed with leukemia after serving at Ellsworth Air Force Base where he may have been exposed to toxic chemicals from firefighting foam. Bergendahl returned to South Dakota recently after his father died in the state.

Mathew Bergendahl of Olympia, Washington, was present during numerous training exercises at Ellsworth where the toxic firefighting foam was used.

In 2018, Bergendahl, 44, was diagnosed with leukemia, which doesn't run in his family.

Bergendahl said several of the people he served with at Ellsworth have died of cancer at relatively young ages.

At Ellsworth, training activities using the firefighting foam were halted in 2016 and systems using the foam in hangers on base were shut down in March 2023.

Millions in Department of Defense funds have already been spent to remediate PFAS contamination at Ellsworth and Foss, and investigations into the nature and extent of PFAS contamination in soil, groundwater, surface water and sediment are underway at both sites.

Resources for veterans

Here are some online resources for veterans to learn more about potential exposure to toxic PFAS chemicals.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs PFAS website: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/pfas.asp

Air Force website on PFAS exposure: https://www.afcec.af.mil/WhatWeDo/Environment/Perfluorinated-

Compounds/ Department of Defense website on PFAS exposure: https://www.acq.osd.mil/eie/eer/ecc/pfas/index.html

Defense Health Agency PFAS website: https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Health-Readiness/Public-Health/PFAS

Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1

This article was produced by South Dakota News Watch, a non-profit journalism organization located online at sdnewswatch.org.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Illnesses related to firefighting foam latest burden for SD veterans
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2)  Six police officers are facing a murder case over the Aug. 2 killing of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar in Navotas.

Named in the document filed at the Navotas Regional Trial Court on Monday are Police Executive Master Sergeant Roberto Balais, Jr., Police Staff Sergeant Gerry Maliban, Police Staff Sergeant Antonio Bugayong, Jr., Police Staff Sergeant Nikko Esquilon, Police Corporal Edmard Blanco, and Patrolman Benedict Mangada.

RELATED: Trigger-happy police: The killing of Jemboy Baltazar

The cops were looking for an alleged murder suspect and were told the suspect was on the boat Baltazar and his friend Mario were cleaning.

They then opened fire at Baltazar even though they had yet to verify the target. Police later realized it was a case of mistaken identity.

Some of the cops involved in the incident said in their affidavits that they fired shots into the water and that they did not intend to hit Baltazar.

RELATED: Navotas police chief relieved, faces admin complaint over 17-year-old killing
My husband and I are raising my son in Denmark; it's a great place to have kids.

Benefits include free prenatal care, 52 weeks of paid leave, and groups for meeting other new moms.

Thanks to a public childcare system, day care is subsidized and costs about $620 a month.

In 2018, after two years of dating long distance, I moved from Dallas to Copenhagen to be with my Danish fiance. Right after I moved, we got married, and three years later, we welcomed our son, now 2.

I knew that Denmark was a great place to have kids, thanks to a summer study-abroad program I had attended, in which I learned about the Nordic approach to early childhood. However, I didn't realize how lucky I was to raise my child here until I experienced it.

Here are the benefits of raising kids in Denmark.

Prenatal care and birth are 'free'

Denmark has a public healthcare system, so I didn't have to pay for my prenatal care because of our taxes. During my pregnancy, I had three checkups with my general practitioner, five appointments with a midwife from the hospital where I would give birth, and two ultrasounds.

One thing that surprised me was that prenatal care felt much more relaxed in Denmark than I imagined it might be in the US. This is partially because the care is led by midwives, as opposed to OB-GYNs, so it's treated less "medically" in Denmark than in the US.

Though the approach feels a little more laid back than it does in America, if there are problems, pregnant people are referred to the appropriate specialists and get the care that they need at no extra cost.

I gave birth at Denmark's largest hospital, in central Copenhagen, with wonderful midwives supporting me. When complications arose, a team of doctors and nurses stepped in. My son was born, and we stayed one night in the hospital before heading home. We also walked out of the hospital without having to pay a big bill.

I took 16 months of  mostly paid  maternity leave

In Denmark, new parents get 52 weeks of paid leave to share between themselves. I'm a teacher, and my husband and I felt it made sense for me to take the school year off. I took 50 weeks, while he took two. This entire leave was paid; about half the time, I got my full salary, and the other half I got a government stipend called " barselsdagpenge ."

My maternity leave started in April 2021, six weeks before my due date. After my 50 weeks of maternity leave, I took five weeks of paid vacation, then one month of unpaid leave to reach the end of the school year. Then it was summer break, and I returned to work in August 2022, making my leave 16 months with only one month unpaid.

If I had still been working as a teacher in the US, I would have likely had to go back to work after just 12 weeks of family leave. I'm so grateful that I could spend a long time at home with my son.

Denmark provides plenty of postnatal care

After my son was born, a home nurse regularly visited and gave him checkups. I could also text her if I had questions and take him to open houses between visits if needed.

During my maternity leave, I was assigned to two mothers groups, or mdregrupper. In Denmark, the home nurses create these groups, which consist of about six parents who live in the same area and have given birth about the same time. The groups meet regularly with their babies while on parental leave. I got assigned to two groups: a Danish group and an international group.

New motherhood can be difficult and isolating, and I was so glad to have these groups to socialize and sometimes vent with.

Getting into day care was easy and affordable

In Denmark, most babies start day care at about 1, when most parents return to work. I've heard that American parents have to tour day cares and are put on wait lists as soon as they find out they're pregnant. I was afraid I would have to go through a similarly competitive process here. Fortunately, that wasn't the case.

Denmark has a public childcare system; all you have to do to register is enter your top two day-care choices into a centralized system. The timeline for this varies by municipality, but in Copenhagen, you have to do this by the time your child is 4 months old. The wait lists can be quite long, but if parents don't get into the day cares they requested by the date they need childcare, they're guaranteed a spot at a day care within 4 kilometers of their home.

Day care isn't free, but it is subsidized, so all day cares within the same municipalities cost the same. In Copenhagen, it costs $620 a month, including lunch, until children are 3 years old, at which point the cost goes down to $400 a month. There are also discounts for siblings and low-income families.

The author and her son. Courtesy of Ilana Buhl

Overall, I feel incredibly lucky that I became a mother in Denmark and that my son will grow up here. I also have so much respect for American parents who do not have the kind of support that we do here in Denmark.

Read the original article on Insider
India's state-owned logistics portal has fixed misconfigurations and vulnerabilities that exposed sensitive personal data and various state and private trade records.

Called the National Logistics Portal-Marine, the website made the sensitive and private data public due to misconfigured Amazon S3 buckets. It also carried a JavaScript file that included login credentials into the web source code.

Security researcher Bob Diachenko found the issues with the Indian portal through the open source security tool TruffleHog. Diachenko told TechCrunch that the exposed data included full names, nationality, date of birth, gender, passport numbers, passport issuing authority and expiration date that various crew members of vessels and ships submitted for their travel. Similarly, there were invoices, shipping orders and bills of lading among the sensitive pieces of information.

"The reasons [for the exposure] are multiple in this case  all leading to various misconfiguration, starting from storing hardcoded credentials in a JavaScript file and to the public S3 buckets," he told TechCrunch.

On September 25, Diachenko posted a screenshot on X, formerly known as Twitter, showing one of the exposed files with redacted sensitive information. Subsequently, he was contacted by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and AWS's security team to understand the incident better. TechCrunch also separately informed CERT-In about the matter shortly after getting the details from the researcher. The nodal agency acknowledged the receipt of our communication on Tuesday and confirmed the fix on Friday.

"With respect to the trailing email, the concerned organization has confirmed that the vulnerability is mitigated," CERT-In said while confirming the fix.

The ports, shipping and waterways ministry and the firm responsible for the portal Portall, a subsidiary of India's business conglomerate JM Baxi, did not respond to multiple requests for comment prior to publication.

The ports, shipping and waterways ministry launched the National Logistics Portal-Marine in January. The project aims to work as a "single window" for all logistics trade processes and covers transportation modes in the waterways, roadways and airways. It also includes an online marketplace to access end-to-end logistic services.

The data exposure incident comes just over a month after India, the second-largest internet market after China, received its anticipated privacy law, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. The law outlines guidelines for private companies' use of personal data, but exempts the Indian government from legal obligations.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) has faced a wave of calls for his resignation from fellow Democratic colleagues since his indictment on bribery and corruption charges on Sept. 22. He has remained adamant, however, that he is innocent and has pledged not to yield to demands for him to step down.

As questions mount about his political future, it is worth taking a look at the fates of some of the most recent sitting members of Congress who have faced federal indictments.

Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.)

Santos was indicted on 13 federal counts in May over accusations that he misled donors and misrepresented his finances to the public and to government agencies. He pleaded not guilty to seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds and two counts of making materially false statements to the House.

Santos agreed to pause the clock for the federal criminal trial for engagement in continuing plea negotiations. A status conference was postponed from earlier this month to Oct. 27.

Santos faced calls for his resignation from members of both parties as allegations began surfacing, but he has remained defiant that he would not step down. He even launched a reelection campaign. Santos survived a vote on his expulsion, but the House voted instead to send the measure to the Ethics Committee, which had already been investigating the congressman.

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.)

Fortenberry was indicted on three charges in October 2021, and he was convicted in March 2022 on one charge of concealing information and making false statements to federal authorities who were investigating illegal contributions made by a foreign national to his 2016 reelection campaign, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who was House GOP leader at the time, asked for his resignation, and Fortenberry complied. Fortenberry avoided prison time but was sentenced to two years of probation.

Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.)

Collins was arrested for insider trading in August 2018 and charged with conspiracy, securities fraud, wire fraud and making false statements to the FBI, according to the DOJ.

He was charged with his son and his sons father-in-law. Collins resigned from Congress on Sept. 30, 2019, a day before he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and lying to federal law enforcement agents.

He was sentenced in 2020 to more than two years in federal prison. He started serving his prison sentence and was soon after granted a full pardon by then-President Trump.

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.)

Hunter was indicted in August 2018 with his wife, Margaret E. Hunter, on charges that they converted more than $250,000 in campaign funds to pay for personal expenses and filed false campaign finance records with the Federal Election Commission, according to the DOJ.

Hunter pleaded guilty to one charge in December 2019, before resigning from Congress in January 2020. He was sentenced to 11 months in March 2020, and was pardoned that year by Trump as well.

Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.)

Brown was indicted on fraud charges in July 2016 in a case related to an education charity. The next month, she lost her reelection bid in the primary. In 2017, she was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison.

Sen. Bob Menendez

Menendez, of course, went through a similar scenario in the past and survived  ultimately getting reelected to represent New Jersey in the Senate in 2018 by a comfortable margin. Menendez had been indicted in 2015 on corruption charges, but the case ended in a mistrial in November 2017, after the jury could not reach a decision.

In January 2018, the DOJ dismissed the charges and opted not to retry the case, after some of the evidence was ruled inadmissible. The Senate Ethics Committee said in early 2018 that Menendez broke the law and violated Senate rules, and the committee ordered him to pay back the gifts. Menendez won reelection that November.

Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.)

Fattah was indicted in 2015 in a case alleging that he participated in a racketeering conspiracy, which, according to the DOJ, involved several schemes intended to further his political and financial interests by misappropriating federal, charitable and campaign funds, among other things.

Fattah was convicted in June 2016 on charges of racketeering, bribery, wire fraud and money laundering, among other charges. He lost his primary and subsequently resigned from his seat. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in December 2016.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Authorities are investigating the death of an infant.

Atlanta police told Channel 2 Action News officers received reports of an unresponsive infant at an apartment complex on Center Street SW on Saturday at 1:10 p.m.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

When officers arrived, they located 6-month-old Angel Speight. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities have not provided additional information surrounding the investigation.

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It is unclear if any arrests have been made in this investigation.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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From Mitch McConnell on down, the Senates pro-Ukraine coalition is trying to reassure the U.S. ally that help will soon be on the way  even after a bruising GOP confrontation over keeping the government open snuffed out billions in immediate new aid.

But for that bipartisan group  which has served as a bulwark against growing House Republican opposition to continued aid  the past week has been a rude awakening. Not until now has the depth of division and tricky politics within the Republican Party been so apparent. And Senate leaders are now doing damage control after the omission of Ukraine aid and plotting to ensure a continued stream of military aid to Ukraine.

The next three months are critical, according to interviews with more than a dozen lawmakers and aides in both parties, and Republicans are signaling that the best shot at delivering Ukraine the weapons it needs will require a single funding bill that can last through the 2024 election, avoiding a series of protracted battles that could sap momentum.

It's obvious that there's some fatigue. And so my own view is we need to do it one time, said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). We don't want to do this again every three months. Obviously, that's open for discussion. But I'm for one and done.

Democrats anger over the episode over the past few days is palpable. Mild-mannered Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado was so upset by the lack of Ukraine funding that he delayed action on the bill until late Saturday night. The majority party is now recalibrating how to move forward.

We need a little time to go back to the drawing board, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said late Saturday. A lot of us were caught off guard by how the last 24 hours went.

In the House Republican Conference, even some of Ukraines once-strongest allies have revolted against more cash. Many Republican senators are still on board with helping the country, but they turned against their own bill on Saturday in support of a Ukraine-free House funding bill to avoid a shutdown.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, a Ukraine aid skeptic, is marching toward the partys presidential nomination.

There's going to have to be a major debate in this country, added Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the No. 3 Senate leader and one of the many Republicans who retreated from insisting on Ukraine funding when the alternative was a potential shutdown. It was an argument many made privately over the past week  but not McConnell.

At first it looked as though Congress might shelve the debate over Ukraine and disaster money until later in the fall. In fact, that was the initial plan as Democratic and Republican senators devised their government funding legislation. The Biden administration had other ideas.



McConnell, the chief GOP proponent of defending Ukraine against Russia, spoke to both national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the days before the Sept. 30 shutdown deadline, according to people familiar with the conversations in Congress and the Biden administration.

McConnell informed the administration that its three-month, $24 billion Ukraine request could never ride on a short-term stopgap bill, and argued for the legislation to instead provide flexibility and transfer authority  flexibility to move around existing money and resources  to buy time; he did not want a shutdown over Ukraine aid.

On Sept. 24, Blinken told McConnell that Ukraine needed money; McConnell ultimately agreed to support the request.

Two days later, the bill came out with $6 billion for Ukraine and was dismissed out of hand by the House GOP. Then, on Friday, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) told House Speaker Kevin McCarthy that Senate Republicans could get behind a funding bill that was silent on Ukraine but included billions in disaster relief, according to a person familiar with the conversations. McCarthy introduced it a day later; only nine Senate Republicans ended up opposing that bill.

Republicans listened and coordinated our efforts with the House, said Scott, who regularly hosts conservatives in both chambers at his Capitol Hill townhouse.

Still, McConnell kept advocating for the Senates bill and its Ukraine funding up until Saturdays party lunch, when it became clear the rest of the party simply wanted to avoid a shutdown. That sets the stage for a Ukraine fight later this year, possibly around the new Nov. 17 funding deadline or perhaps the end of the calendar year if Congress punts again.

McConnell insists his party will stick with it regardless of the political pain, declaring hes confident the Senate will pass further urgent assistance to Ukraine later this year. And theres an argument that McConnell was just sticking to his word to the White House over the past week.



Yet some took the snub of Ukraine aid in the new funding law as a sign of things to come.

Senate leadership tried to get Ukraine jammed into the CR and they just got bucked. McConnell negotiated it in the CR. And he couldnt carry the caucus, said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who opposes more Ukraine funding. Thats a big deal.

Senate Democrats are trying to jump-start a standalone Ukraine funding bill this month in the aftermath of the failed effort to send $6 billion to Ukraine. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said she believes there is bipartisan support for such a bill, though the timing and structure of the bill is part of what all needs to be worked out.

At some point Ukraine backers will have to decide whether attaching money to a must-pass spending bill is the best strategy given the pressures on McCarthy to keep his speakership. Ukraine funding opponent Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said any Senate action only puts more pressure on [McCarthy] and makes his job harder.

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs panel who attended a private meeting McCarthy arranged with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in September, said that he was present when [McCarthy] told Zelenskyy that he'd be fighting for him to get the money. Another Democrat in the room, who was granted anonymity, also said that McCarthy committed aid to Zelenskyy, even as publicly he remained noncommittal and suggested he wanted more accountability for any funds.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) hopes to add his proposal with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) for an inspector general to any Ukraine bill to ease concerns over wasteful spending  an idea also popular among some House conservatives. Even then, would the House GOP go along? There'll be a big appetite in the Senate  I dont know about the House, Kennedy said.

Perhaps an even grander bargain might be necessary. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), the No. 4 GOP leader, supports an effort to combine the Ukraine debate with a border security bill. The law that funds the government through mid-November is silent on the border despite the Biden administrations funding request for billions more and a last-minute effort in the Senate GOP to marry border security with Ukraine funding.

Sarah Ferris contributed to this report.
After more than a decade, Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District has someone new in the superintendents chair.

Robert Rocco officially started as the districts interim superintendent on Monday, taking over for Gregg Paladina, who held the position since 2013. Paladina announced his resignation in July, after accepting a superintendent position at New Castle Area School District.

Rocco was principal at Philipsburg-Osceola Area Middle School from 1999 to 2010 before serving as superintendent for Ridgeway Area and Northern Cambria School Districts.

I just retired last year and I felt I could maybe help them just bridge the gap between their first and their new person coming on to kind of keep things flowing, Rocco said on Thursday. So Im excited to do it.

The board voted at its Thursday night meeting to move Roccos start date from Sept. 25 to Oct. 2 to wait for clearance from the Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System. Rocco and Paladina worked together through the transition for several weeks prior to Roccos official start.

Rocco said his first priority as interim superintendent is to get reacquainted with the district and its staff, setting up meetings with the principals and district leaders.

I think a lot of people know me now, Rocco said. Theres a lot of new faces here and Im excited to get to know them. Ive been in the community a long time, so Im just happy to be here.

Despite Roccos excitement to return to Philipsburg-Osceola, Thursdays meeting was bittersweet for many, marking Paladinas final meeting with the district. The former superintendent fought back tears as board members thanked him for his years with the district.

Im very proud of what this board has accomplished with you and your leadership, board member Todd Jeffries said during the meeting Thursday night. And I wish you the best of luck, even though youre breaking my heart.

Paladina expressed his gratitude to the board and the community, and said hes leaving the district in good hands with Rocco.

I mean, it was time, Paladina said. But its good to be going home, Im excited.

The district is conducting a search for candidates to permanently fill the role.
This is a photo of the Iowa State Board of Regents meeting.

This article was originally published in Iowa Capital Dispatch.

Iowas Board of Regents voted Thursday to seek an extra $1 million from the state to address mental health needs across college campuses and in rural Iowa.

Regent Abby Crow made the motion Thursday to increase the fiscal 2025 state appropriations request to support efforts at Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa to expand mental health services for students. The motion and the appropriations request, totaling $620 million with the addition, were approved unanimously.

Our student leaders and our universities would be extremely grateful to be involved in further conversations going forward regarding the specific allocation of this funding and offer their insight as to what specific mental health related resources, programming or staffing might do the most good at their respective institutions, Crow said.

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Representatives from the universities spoke to regents Wednesday about efforts to make campus mental health resources more accessible to students in need, from offering telehealth options to partnering with national nonprofits.

University of Northern Iowa Vice President for Student Life Heather Harbach said in the meeting that the college has begun offering an app for students seeking immediate mental health assistance. Students have access to the app from anywhere and can use it at any time to speak with a mental health professional.

This is an option students can use an unlimited amount of times, lessening concerns among students that they only get so many sessions with a counselor on campus. The app is available in addition to in-person counseling services, groups and other mental health services.

Related

3 Things Schools Can Do to Help Ease the Student Mental Health Crisis

Over the past decade, Harbach said, mental health needs on college campuses have evolved from more traditional counseling sessions to services that provide immediacy, so students dealing with mental health issues can get help quickly. This is evidenced by usage of the app so far.

Were already seeing many of our students utilizing this service, Harbach said.

Iowa State University Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Toyia Younger said the university has partnered with the Jed Foundation to create a strategic approach to promoting mental health and suicide prevention. The Jed Foundation is a nonprofit that partners with high schools and colleges across the U.S. to aid in supporting mental health of student bodies, implement suicide and self-harm prevention programs and reduce substance misuse.

This partnership is part of the universitys 2022-2031 strategic plan, and received $47,418 in funding.

University of Iowa Vice President for Student Life Sarah Hansen said a new peer-to-peer support program will be embedded in the Office of Student Care and Assistance for students who feel more comfortable speaking with a fellow student rather than a counselor or other professional.

Research shows young people are more likely to go to a friend or peer first when having issues relating to life disruptions or mental health, rather than a professional, Hansen said

UI program addresses rural mental health

The University of Iowa is also working to address mental health needs among all Iowans with its rural health care partnership. University of Iowa President Barbara Wilson spoke during the meeting about the rural health care partnership and how it will address mental health, maternal health and primary care and substance abuse across the state.

Related

Student Voice: When Our Schools Are Broken-Down, Our Mental Health Suffers

The university is seeking $10 million a year for the program for the next five years, The largest share, $4.1 million, will go to educating and graduating more psychiatric mental health providers and clinical mental health counselors and training more non-clinician providers of mental health services. Another goal is to bring mental health services to more K-12 schools, around 80% of the states schools each year.

The university will also put $3.75 million into maternal health and primary care, and $2.15 million will go toward addressing substance abuse.

Our goal is to not get rid of local health care, it is to bolster the impact and effectiveness of it and really make a network of strong providers with Iowa City being the place that you come if its really too complex for local situations, Wilson said.

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2)  The group suing former president and incumbent Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo over an alleged misuse of the Malampaya fund almost one-and-a-half decades ago said it has built a solid case against the lawmaker.

Pete Ilagan, president of consumer group National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. (NASECORE), said in an interview on Monday that the complaint may appear like it's resurrecting old arguments from a 2013 case that was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman, but this fresh pleading involves a bigger sum  38.807 billion in royalties  that was not tackled in the 2013 graft case which covered only 900 million.

Central to the argument was whether or not that multi-billion Malampaya fund was used as mandated by the law that created it.

RELATED: New graft complaint filed vs ex-Pres. Arroyo over Malampaya Fund misuse

Ilagan argued that Arroyo, during her term as Philippine president, disbursed the Malampaya fund for projects other than those related to energy exploration and ensuring energy security.

His basis was a 2017 Commission on Audit (COA) report which found that, between 2002 and 2013, the Malampaya fund received over 173.280 billion in royalties, of which 38.807 billion was disbursed upon Arroyos order.

"When this was filed by the NBI in 2013, a month later, the Supreme Court decision came out explaining that the President cannot abuse the phrase in Presidential Decree 19 which says for any other reason as maybe directed by the President because it is too encompassing, Ilagan said.

Asked why the group is filing the charges just now using as basis a six-year-old document, Ilagan said they requested for a copy of the 2017 COA report earlier but it was made available to them just this year.

The time lag should not weaken the case, he added, pointing out that Arroyo should be held accountable.

The COA audit report came out only in 2017 and we were able to obtain a copy of that only this year. And we did a lot of research on that and based on the recommendation of our volunteer lawyers, we have a good case. We have a good case on this issue," Ilagan said.

Asked whether they also pleaded that the funds that were allegedly diverted be recovered, Ilagan said it will be the Ombudsmans call.

Its up to the Ombudsman now. The Ombudsman knows better. Ang importanteng message natin is kung ang ordinaryong tao na nagkakamali, nape-penalize, how much more for the highest executive position given to a public servant? Dapat maging model siya," he added.

[Translation: Its up to the Ombudsman now. The Ombudsman knows better. The important thing is if an ordinary person who did something wrong is penalized, how much more for the highest executive position given to a public servant? They should be the model.]

CNN Philippines reached out to the camp of Arroyo but has yet to receive a response.
A 47-year-old Bedford man died from gunshot wounds after a police chase in which three Bedford police officers fired their weapons.

Daymon A. Hubbard died Thursday evening at IU Health Bedford Hospital after officers had called for an ambulance at 10:37 p.m.

Details of why the officers discharged their weapons have not been released. Indiana State Police said in a news release that when Hubbard and his SUV arrived at 2755 Western Ave., the incident escalated.

Bedford Police Chief Terry Moore said he has reviewed body camera footage but referred questions to ISP, whose public information officer for the Bloomington post, Sgt. Kevin Getz, said he could not release more information, including the camera footage, until the investigation has been completed.

Getz said police are still investigating how the incident escalated. He said he did not know how many shots were fired, how many bullets struck Hubbard or whether Hubbard fired first or at all.

The sergeant said he could not say when the investigation would be completed, because the team was still interviewing witnesses, reviewing camera footage and analyzing the weapons that had been taken into custody. He said the same team that is investigating the shooting also is investigating the double murder in Mitchell.

Court records: Mitchell mother said voices in her head told her to kill her children

The Lawrence County Coroner could not be reached.

According to the ISP release, a woman came to the Bedford Police Department at about 9:57 p.m. Thursday to file a harassment complaint and to report she was being followed by Hubbard in his SUV.

At about 10:05 p.m., a Bedford police officer believed that he saw Hubbards vehicle near the intersection of K and 17th streets. Bedford officers followed the vehicle to the Western Avenue area, where they began the chase, during which, according to police, Hubbards SUV struck a police vehicle.

Pending the outcome of the investigation, the three officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard practice.

In 2015, Hubbard pleaded guilty to criminal confinement and domestic battery and received a one-year suspended sentence, according to court records. The sentence also included participation in alcohol/drug abuse and batterers intervention programs. The court said the sentences were to be served consecutively with a one-year jail sentence imposed that same year in Jackson County for invasion of privacy.

Hubbards other prior convictions include drug possession in 2015, for which he received a suspended sentence, and operating a vehicle as a habitual traffic violator in 2011, for which he received a sentence of six months of home detention.

Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bedford man shot, killed after chase; 3 officers fired weapons
FILE - Mexican writer Andres Roemer listens to Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova before being named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador at the Organization's Headquarters in Paris, Sept. 8, 2017. Roemer, a Mexican author, playwright and former diplomat, was arrested in Israel and will be extradited to Mexico where he is wanted for alleged sex crimes, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Oct. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

MEXICO CITY (AP)  Andres Roemer, a Mexican author, playwright and former diplomat, was arrested in Israel and will be extradited to Mexico where he is wanted for alleged sex crimes, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Monday.

Roemer has been wanted in Mexico since 2021 for allegedly abusing at least eight women.

Lopez Obrador said Roemer was arrested and will be extradited, but did not say when he is expected to arrive in Mexico.

Roemer, who has been living in Israel for several years, served as consul general to San Francisco from 2013-2016 and was also Mexico's UNESCO ambassador in 2016. He is the author of several books and used to host a television program in Mexico.

Allegations against him came to light in the midst of the #MeToo movement.

Mexico's president also said Monday that he has again requested Israel to extradite Tomas Zeron, a former public official wanted for torture and other crimes related to the disappearance of 43 students in Southern Mexico in 2014.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has pointed out that the Wagner Group Private Military Company (PMC) may pose a threat to Ukraine if it is restored to serve under the Rosgvardia (Russian National Guard) or the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Source: ISW

Details: In the report, experts note that the status of the Wagner Group remains unclear against a backdrop of reports of negotiations regarding the so-called PMC's future cooperation with the Russian government.

Wagner is spread across several countries, including Belarus, the Central African Republic, Libya and Mali, and there is no unified leader of the group.

Analysts recall that on 29 September, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly hugged Andrey Troshev, the former commander of the Wagner Group and now an employee of the Ministry of Defence, and said that they discussed how Troshev would be involved in the formation of new volunteer battalions that would perform combat tasks mainly in Ukraine.

Some members of the Wagner Group reacted negatively to Putin's hugs with Troshev and have now nominated an alternative leader.

A well-known Wagner-linked Telegram channel announced on 1 October that Pavel Prigozhin, Evgeny Prigozhin's 25-year-old son, was to take over "command" of the Wagner Group and that Pavel Prigozhin was negotiating with Rosgvardia to return the PMC to fighting in Ukraine.

A source connected to Wagner said that the mercenaries would not be required to sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence and that the Wagner Group would retain its name, symbols, ideology, commanders, management and existing standard operating principles.

At the same time, a Russian insider source claimed that Pavel Prigozhin is not an independent player and is under the influence of Mikhail Vatanin, the head of Wagners Security Service.

Another source close to Wagner said that Rosgvardia head Viktor Zolotov is considering the possibility of PMC elements joining Rosgvardia as a separate unit, although Pavel Prigozhin's camp did not comment specifically on how exactly their part of Wagner could cooperate with Rosgvardia.

"The MoD would have to provide the equipment and supplies for a large, reconstituted force under Rosgvardia in any case, since Rosgvardia does not have the logistical infrastructure to do so on its own," the review says.

Analysts also add that their assessment of the prospects for the recovery of the Wagner Group has changed. In their opinion, the PMC could pose a threat if it successfully re-established itself as a large unitary organisation under the leadership of the Rosgvardia, the Russian Ministry of Defence or similar organisations.

The experts reiterated: "ISW previously assessed that disjointed Wagner Group elements were unlikely to pose a serious military threat to Ukraine without bringing the full suite of effectiveness Wagner had as a unitary organisation under Yevgeniy Prigozhins and Dmitry Utkins consolidated leadership.."

They added: " This initial assessment will be invalidated if the Wagner Group reestablishes itself as a coherent and large formation under the Russian government with effective centralised leadership."

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!
I got zero sleep on a European overnight train ride in a shared cabin last October.

I was so exhausted when I arrived that I frantically searched for a hotel room at 7 a.m.

Next time I'm on a sleeper train, I'll have an alternative day plan in case I can't fall asleep.

I've only had one sleepless night on a train, but it sucked so much that it changed the way I'll travel on overnight trains forever.

To date, I've spent 80 hours on overnight trains in the US and Europe. On some of these rides, I've booked private cabins where I had an enclosed room to myself. For others, I booked shared sleeper cabins.

In October 2022, during a two-week trip through four European countries by rail, I booked a $40 overnight ride from Berlin, Germany, to Vienna, Austria  the cheapest accommodation on the sleeper train operated by Austrian Federal Railway's OBB Nightjet train.

The author exits a Nightjet train in October 2022. Joey Hadden/Insider

Nightjet trains have sleeper cars with bunks of three, four, or six, as well as seating carriages. The latter is what I booked; they're cabins of six regular assigned seats that deeply recline. Some routes have private cabins, but mine didn't.

A representative for OBB Nightjet told Insider that the seating carriage is not recommended for long-haul trips. And once I boarded, it was easy to see why.

I got zero sleep in a shared cabin on an overnight train

On the train, there were small enclosed cabins with two sets of three seats facing each other inside. Right away, I thought the room was cramped and lacked enough legroom for each traveler.

My seat had two cushions that could recline, but not far enough to be totally flat. When reclining it all the way, I found that the gap between the seat back and the bottom of the seat made it tough to get comfortable. There were no sheets or pillows provided for guests in the seating carriage either.

A seating carriage onboard a Nightjet train traveling from Berlin to Vienna in October 2022. Joey Hadden/Insider

I spent the entire 12-hour ride trying to fall asleep, and I failed.

I searched for hotels near the station when I arrived

My train arrived in Vienna at 7 a.m., and I was exhausted after my unintentional all-nighter. But I knew I couldn't check into my Airbnb until 3 p.m., so once I left the station, I started going into random hotels to book a room. By the third hotel, I got one. I had to pay for the whole night even though I was only taking a nap, but I thought it was worth the price for a safe, comfortable place to doze.

In Vienna, that last-minute hotel booking changed everything. When I first got to the city, I didn't even pay attention to how it looked or felt, because I was too tired and just wanted to go home. If I hadn't found a hotel, I imagine I would have spent the day trudging through the streets without being present enough to enjoy exploring them.

But after some much-needed rest, I was able to appreciate where I was and take in the unique architecture surrounding me. Walking to my Airbnb after my nap, I remembered why I was there and felt a new wave of excitement about my travels.

Next time, I'll scope the hotel scene before I board a sleeper train

After that experience, I'll never take an overnight train again without an alternative plan for the next day. I'll search for hotels near my arrival station so that if I don't sleep, I will have an idea of my options. That way, I won't find myself frantically searching Google Maps with an exhausted brain at 7 a.m.

Read the original article on Insider
News of new information about Tupac Shakurs 1996 murder shocked the internet, and as many shared their thoughts on what happened to the rapper almost three decades ago, Jada Pinkett Smith opened up about her own reaction to authorities arresting an individual for the crime.

Now I hope we can get some answers and have some closure, the 52-year-old wrote on Instagram Stories on Saturday, Sept. 30, Vibe reported.

She concluded the message by writing, R.I.P Pac, with the white dove emoji.

According to The Associated Press, Las Vegas Police arrested Duane Keefe D Davis on Sept. 29 after he was indicted by a grand jury on one count of murder with a deadly weapon. The grand jury voted in favor of adding a sentencing enhancement to the murder charge due to gang activity. That could add 20 additional years to Davis sentence, should he be convicted.

Las Vegas police homicide Lt. Jason Johansson explained that Davis is not being accused of being the gunman, but rather the mastermind behind the plot, per AP.

Davis arrest is the first made in Shakurs case.

This is no doubt a pivotal moment. The silence of the past 27 years surrounding this case has spoken loudly in our community, Sekyiwa Set Shakur, the Dear Mama emcees sister, said in a statement, AP reported.

Shakur and Pinkett Smith met in the late 1980s, while they were both students at the Baltimore School for the Arts. Earlier in September, the Girls Trip actor posted a video of her and the rapper performing Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeffs Parents Just Dont Understand during their junior year of high school.

Not in a million years would I have dreamed that the Fresh Prince and I would become, um, very acquainted, she wrote in the caption. Not in a million years did I imagine three lives, their fates, would be so intertwined. And I never would have imagined that this video would become a tangible memory, of the last time Pac and I, were simply kids together.
New York Democrat Jamaal Bowman says he made a mistake while 'rushing to make a vote'

Republicans are working to expel a US congressman accused of pulling a fire alarm to delay a crucial vote in the House of Representatives.

New York Democrat Jamaal Bowman said he activated the alarm by mistake on Saturday while rushing to a vote.

It went off as Democrats were trying to stall a vote on a stopgap funding bill keep the federal government operating and avert a shutdown.

The alarm triggered an evacuation and police investigation.

On Monday, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis formally introduced a resolution, backed by 12 other Republicans, to expel her fellow New Yorker from Congress.

"Mr Bowman's juvenile actions violated both federal and local law and he must be held accountable," she said.

Expulsion from the House requires two-thirds of the chamber in support, a high bar in a chamber that Republicans only narrowly control.

Officers said they evacuated the Cannon House Office Building, which contains the offices of several House of Representatives lawmakers, after the fire alarm went off.

"On security video, a man was seen trying to exit the door in the Cannon Building and then pulling the fire alarm that prompted the evacuation," a police statement said on Monday.

The statement added that "officers had previously placed signs with clear language that explained the door was secured and marked as an emergency exit only".

The alarm went off as the House of Representatives was set to vote on a last-minute funding measure to keep the government open and avert a shutdown.

Democrats had been seeking to buy more time ahead of the vote, complaining they had not had enough time to read the bill.

Pulling a fire alarm when there is no emergency is a criminal offence punishable by fines and prison time in Washington.

After Mr Bowman's office confirmed he had set off the alarm, Republicans launched their own investigation into his actions, with Speaker Kevin McCarthy calling it "a new low".

In a statement on Saturday, Mr Bowman wrote: "Today, as I was rushing to make a vote, I came to a door that is usually open for votes but today would not open.

"I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door. I regret this and sincerely apologize for any confusion this caused."

"I want to be very clear, this was not me, in any way trying to delay any vote," the left-wing Democrat from the Bronx added. "My hope is that no-one will make more of this than it was."

But in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Ms Malliotakis pointed out that the second-term lawmaker had been a middle school principal before he entered politics.

Republican Nicole Malliotakis slammed her fellow New Yorker's 'juvenile actions' in a resolution calling for his explusion

A handbook for the Cornerstone Academy for Social Action, the school founded and led by Mr Bowman, mandates suspension or expulsion for falsely setting off fire alarms.

On Monday, the congressman was back in damage control mode over a related controversy after Politico shared a memo his office had sent out to fellow Democrats asking them to defend him.

One of the document's suggested talking points reads: "I believe Congressman Bowman when he says this was an accident. Republicans need to instead focus their energy on the Nazi members of their party before anything else."

Mr Bowman posted on X that the term Nazi had been used "without my consent".

"I condemn the use of the term Nazi out of its precise definition," he wrote. "It is important to specify the term Nazi to refer to members of the Nazi party & neo-Nazis."
After tying the knot in 2019, Turner-Smith and Jackson call it quits three years later.

Jodie Turner-Smith reportedly filed for divorce against her husband, Joshua Jackson . After nearly four years of marriage, Us Weekly reports that the Queen & Slim actress cited irreconcilable differences in her petition for divorce. These documents also revealed that the couple separated on Sept. 13.

Jodie Turner-Smith and Joshua Jackson attend the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023, in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/FilmMagic)

Romance rumors began to swirl between Turner-Smith and Jackson in October 2018, when the two were spotted together at Ushers 40th birthday party. Since then, the pairs relationship quickly progressed, unbeknownst to the public. It was only when Turner-Smith attended the Los Angeles premiere of her film Queen & Slim in 2019 that the duo made their romantic debut. A month later, it was confirmed that the two were secretly married after Turner-Smith proposed to the actor.

Ah, I knew the moment she asked me[]on New Years Eve, said Jackson when asked if he knew the two would get married. We were in Nicaragua, it was very beautiful and incredibly romantic. We were walking down the beach and she asked me to marry her!

When I first met my husband, we had a one-night stand, said the actress in a 2021 appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers. Were in a two, three-year, one-night stand now.

She later told People magazine, I think its really beautiful to be with someone who is so supportive and so loving. Were so similar in so many ways. Were like mirrors for each other. And I just really love that human being.

In April 2020, the couple welcomed their now 3-year-old daughter, Janie. According to Us Weekly, Turner-Smith requested joint custody without spousal support in her petition for divorce.

Despite Jackson recently revealing that the couples relationship felt like love at first sight this past May and both made appearances together during September New York Fashion Week, speculations of a potential rift began when the two unfollowed and refollowed each other.

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.

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The membership of the Supreme Court has almost entirely turned over since John G. Roberts Jr. became chief justice. Only Clarence Thomas remains from the group that Roberts joined in 2005. But the transformation of the court goes well beyond its personnel. The original Roberts court was dominated by moderate Republicans (preeminently Anthony Kennedy and Sandra Day OConnor, but also John Paul Stevens and David Souter ), and the justices were, for the most part, invisible to the broader public except for their pronouncements from the bench. Today, the court reflects, with considerable precision, the stark political divides that animate the other branches of government (six conservative Republicans, three liberal Democrats), and its embroiled in an off-court ethics scandal that seems to get worse all the time.

There is reason to believe that Roberts, who is 68 years old and beginning his nineteenth term this week, is unhappy about these developments. Both politically and jurisprudentially, Roberts is a man of a different time. A lifelong Republican, he was a young lawyer in the Reagan White House and two decades later volunteered, in his private practice, to help George W. Bush in the litigation that led to Bush v. Gore. But Roberts appears reluctant to understand what his party has become. His sole public rebuke of Donald Trump displayed Robertss unfamiliarity with the contemporary world. In 2018, President Trump denounced an Obama judge in California who had ruled against one of his administrations immigration policies. Roberts decided to make a rare extrajudicial statement in response, telling the Associated Press, We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges. What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them. But Trump, not Roberts, was closer to correct. As the chief justices own court has illustrated, especially lately, the judiciary is deeply politicized, and the most important thing you can know about any federal judge these days is the party of the president who appointed her. Roberts probably wishes that it were otherwise, but Trumps cynicism was more grounded in reality than the chiefs naivete.

Roberts fancies himself a judicial minimalist, who says he advocates leaving most of societys important decisions to the peoples representatives rather than to unelected, life-tenured judges. As he wrote dissenting from Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, when the court guaranteed the right to same-sex marriage, This Court is not a legislature. Whether same-sex marriage is a good idea should be of no concern to us.... Supporters of same-sex marriage have achieved considerable success persuading their fellow citizensthrough the democratic processto adopt their view. That ends today. Five lawyers have closed the debate and enacted their own vision of marriage as a matter of constitutional law. But Roberts is a minimalist except when he isnt, as in 2013, when he gutted the Voting Rights Act, the most important civil rights law in American history, which was also passed (and repeatedly reauthorized) through the democratic process. In Shelby County v. Holder, the chief justice asserted, Our country has changed, and while any racial discrimination in voting is too much, Congress must ensure that the legislation it passes to remedy that problem speaks to current conditions. Speaking of current conditions, within days of the opinion, several Southern states passed new laws making it harder for Black people to vote, a trend that has now continued for a decade.

Still, the courts three Trump appointeesNeil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barretthave joined with Thomas and Samuel Alito to blast past Roberts in a dramatic lurch to the right. Its an understatement to say that Roberts is no liberal, but hes not like his new colleagues either, who appear determined to uproot every liberal or even moderate precedent of the last century. In the most notorious decision of recent years, 2022s Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, Roberts actually agreed with his five conservative colleagues that Mississippis restrictions on abortion should be upheld; but the chief didnt think it was necessary to do what Alitos decision did: overturn Roe v. Wade and 50 years of precedent reaffirming that landmark. Robertss plaintive separate opinion reads like an old fogeys complaint about the new kids who wont respect their elders. Surely, he wrote , we should adhere closely to principles of judicial restraint here, where the broader path the Court chooses entails repudiating a constitutional right we have not only previously recognized, but also expressly reaffirmed applying the doctrine of stare decisisthe rule of precedent. Thomas, now the senior associate justice and the leader of the combative quintet running the court, snapped back in his own separate opinion in Dobbs that he was just getting started in undoing the courts history, targeting the courts decisions protecting the right to purchase contraceptives, to engage in private consensual sex, and to same-sex marriage.

As chief justice of the United States, Roberts has a grandiose title, but his actual power over the court is modest, especially now. His only formal authority is to assign opinions but only when he is in the majority. Now that there are five justices to Robertss right, they can form a majority and control opinions without him. For example, in Dobbs, Thomas, as the senior associate justice in the majority, assigned the opinion to Alito. The chief justice also has informal authority over the administration of the Supreme Court, which never used to generate much controversy. But now, the courts processes are also demonstrating the limits of Robertss power. In a series of reports, ProPublica revealed that Thomas (and to a lesser extent Alito) have effectively been on the payroll of politically active, conservative billionaires. Whats more, Thomas has been a featured guest at events for donors to the Koch brothers political activities, which include much conservative advocacy before the Supreme Court. This blatant corruption has drawn attention to the Supreme Courts decision to exempt itself from the ethics rules binding on all other federal judges. These disclosures have prompted a cascade of bad publicity and increasing demands for the court to start policing itself or for Congress to impose ethical rules on the justices.

Roberts himself is a figure of personal rectitude, and there is no evidence he would ever consider doing the kind of seedy grasping of Thomas and Alito. But the chief is also a traditionalist at the court, where major internal changes, like ethics rules, are handled by consensus among all the justices. So, even though Roberts has acknowledged the ethical crisis at the court, hes done nothing to address it. It appears the status quo will continue, especially when Thomas and Alito can count on a loud chorus of support from Republicans in Congress and elsewhere. With no remedy for misconduct by Supreme Court justices except impeachment, Roberts knows that his colleagues can simply brazen out any controversy. He would probably prefer that the court amble to the right rather than sprint there and that his colleagues dial back the grifting and freeloading. But the chief cant force his colleagues to do anything, and he seems disinclined, in any event, to try.

The tenure of every chief justice demarks an era in the history of the Supreme Court, and Roberts must wonder how the Roberts court will be remembered. Roberts is not a radical man, but he is now leading a radical court, which is likely to accelerate its shift to the right this term. For example, the court may soon hold that the Second Amendment requires that people under protective orders for committing domestic violence be allowed to keep their guns. In a case with even broader ramifications, the court may also reconsider the Chevron doctrine, which governs how administrative agencies interpret federal law; overruling Chevron, which has been a pet project of Gorsuch and lately, Thomas would cripple the power of the federal government to address national priorities like the environment, industrial safety, and economic competition.

As a Harvard undergraduate, Roberts wrote an award-winning paper that celebrated the great nineteenth-century lawyer Daniel Webster as a man not bound by the sectional and divisive influences of party politics  a disinterested, self-sacrificing man of wisdom who continually worked with others of his sort to resolve any controversy which threatened national harmony. The man of character did not fight in the think [sic] of political battles, but rather raised himself above the conflict and stilled it through dispassionate compromise.

But the Roberts court is not about compromise, dispassionate or otherwise. Still, as a man who is only in late middle age by Supreme Court standards, Roberts is not going anywhere any time soon. As a savvy veteran in the ways of the Capitol, Roberts had to know the current court was, in a way, preordained by the Trump presidency and its Republican enablers in the Senate. Everyone else should have seen it coming, too.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2)  The family of Marjorette Garcia, the overseas Filipino worker who died in Saudi Arabia, wants her remains to be autopsied and be brought back to the Philippines as soon as possible.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, Rits Parungao, shared how they lost communication with Garcia last month.

Last ko pong nakausap kapatid ko September 14 po. Pagdating ng 15 po wala na kaming contact, said Parungao.

[Translation: I last spoke with her on September 14. We lost communication the following day, September 15]

After three days of having no communication with the OFW, the family then started asking her friends on social media even those who are working near her area.

September 24 nagpunta po kami sa agency sabi ko pakihanap ang kapatid ko kasi mag two-weeks na wala kaming balita. Pagdating ng September 27, ang sabi sa amin, tinawagan kami nasa morgue na kapatid ko, she recalled.

[Translation: We went to her agency on September 24 and reported that we've not heard from her for two weeks. We received a call on September 27 and they told us that my sister was already in the morgue]

Na-shock po ako, hindi po ako makapaniwala kasi noong nag-usap kami wala kaming problema, masaya po siya. Iyak na ko ng iyak, added Parungao.

[Translation: I was shocked and couldn't believe that she had died because during our last conversation, she seemed happy and didn't seem to have a problem. I have been crying and crying.]

The agency told the family of Garcia that she was accidentally stabbed.

Nag-ask po ako ng report sa POLO (Philippine Overseas Labour Office) sa Saudi. Ang sabi nasaksak daw pero wala na silang sinabi pang iba, she added.

[Translation: I asked the POLO in Saudi Arabia and they said my sister was stabbed but did not give other information]

CNN Philippines is reaching out to authorities to confirm if Garcia was stabbed.

The family now seeks justice and wants more answers surrounding the death of their relative.

Gusto ko po paimbestigahan ang nangyari sa kapatid ko kasi di ko masabi kung ano talagang nangyari sa kanya, gusto ko rin po ma-autopsy ang bangkay niya, she said.

[Translation: I want a thorough investigation of what happened to my sister. We want an autopsy of her remains]

Marjorie was the third among seven siblings according to Parungao. She went to Saudi Arabia in 2021 as an OFW to provide for her two children.

The OFW was supposed to go back to the Philippines by the end of October after her contract ends.

We are working in coordination with the Philippine Embassy as well as local police authorities in an ongoing investigation into the circumstances behind OFW Marjorettes death, the Department of Migrant Workers said in a statement.

The DMW confirmed Garcias death on Monday. The agency added that it is working with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in repatriating her remains.

Garcia was deployed in 2021 and worked as a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia.
Update: Lenexa police in an email just after 4 p.m. Monday said Matthew Furmanek had been found and was safe.

Johnson County law enforcement are asking for the publics help finding a man who has been missing since late September.

Matthew Furmanek, 34, was last seen leaving his Olathe home Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the Lenexa Police Department.

Furmanek is about 6-feet-tall and weighs about 185 pounds, police said. He has green eyes and brown hair.

We are seeking information on the whereabouts of Matthew Furmanek, 34 years of age. Matthew was last seen on the morning of September 27 in Olathe, Kansas.



Matthew is approximately 6'0" and 185 lbs. Matthew has brown hair and green eyes. Friends and family are concerned about pic.twitter.com/q5FgpvXhnJ  Lenexa Police (@LenexaPolice) October 2, 2023

Friends and family are concerned about Matthews welfare as it is unlike him to be out of contact and to miss work, police said.

Anyone who sees Furmanek or knows where he may be is asked to call 911 immediately.
After new unnamed persons of interest in the cold case of child pageant star JonBenet Ramsey came to light last week, her father and step-brother shared their thoughts on the revitalised case.

We are encouraged by this new leadership in our case and are now finally hopeful for progress, John Ramsey, the child stars father, told Westword.

Mr Ramsey, who found his six-year-old daughters body in the basement of the family home in Boulder, Colorado in 1996, was one of the main targets of the initial investigation.

Boulder County officials have reportedly been meeting with the family since January, officials told the outlet.

The police department, FBI, DAs Office, Colorado Department of Public Safety and Colorados Bureau of Investigation have been working extremely hard on the cold case, breathing new life into the cold case. The agencies are teaming up with private labs that specialise in different types of DNA analysis, Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty told the outlet.

We always want to ensure that every possible avenue to solving a murder case has been pursued, the Boulder DA added. The Boulder Police Department has spoken with the victims family about these efforts, which is what should happen in a case of this nature.

JonBenets father said the family have been trying to move the case along by supplying as much relevant information as possible.

To support their efforts to catalogue and digitise all the evidence/information, we have given them all of our attorneys investigation files in case there is information in those files that would help, Mr Ramsey said.

Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold said that her team has been staying in touch with the Ramseys over the past year, and keeping them updated on new developments.

These meetings are to keep clear communication on this investigation, she continued. That includes all the evidence being electronically catalogued, which is the first step for the Colorado Cold Case Review Team to review it.

Family members also weighed in on possible theories in the 27-year-long case. More information about Gary Oliva, who has long been a person of interest, was revealed over the summer after a former high school classmate told the US Sun that Oliva sent him disturbing recordings, packages containing hair, news clippings of missing girls, and letters with drawings of JonBenet. The outlet reported that Oliva is currently behind bars for child pornography charges.

Oliva has apparently admitted to killing the six-year-old in over a dozen letters sent to the former classmate, but has never been charged.

Despite the ex-classmates assertions, John Andrew Ramsey, the little girls half-brother, said he didnt think Oliva was the culprit, telling Westword: I am a numbers guy. Always looking for a way to improve the odds of catching JonBenets killer.

He added, An easy way to improve the odds is to identify and investigate any child sex offenders living in Boulder in 1996. To further narrow the field, we are looking for a very rare breed of paedophile. A sadistic paedophile. A creature so craven they gain pleasure by torturing and quite often killing young children. These guys sit at the very top of [a] large pile of s*** birds. Based on Garys past actions, it does not seem he rises to that level.

The new insights come after the states Cold Case Review Team announced in November 2022 that it planned on taking on the cold case.

Chief Herold discussed with the outlet when the agencies might probe the investigation: Were pushing to have that happen by the end of the year. She added that multiple agencies, private DNA labs and forensic experts are trying to tie together loose ends.

The renewed efforts have been praised by the little girls family, who have a history of criticising the handling of the investigation. John Andrew Ramsey posted on X on 30 September: I have had a number of meetings with BPD over the past couple of years. Major tonal shift beginning in 2023. Real forward progress. He added, Now we just need to go faster!

Her half-brother echoed his thoughts on the renewed efforts when speaking to the outlet: Conventional thinking is a 26-year-old case is cold, therefore no real rush. However, he said, For JonBenets investigation, its quite the opposite. We have lots of open avenues to pursue and a narrowing window of opportunity: High-risk criminals keep doing high-risk things and die; witnesses pass; and we are all getting older. We are at this point because of new DNA tech, new leadership and a renewed commitment to finding JonBenets killer. It is a unique opportunity that should not be wasted.

On 26 December 1996, the six-year-olds mother first reported her missing. Hours later, JonBenets father found his daughters body in the basement of the Ramseys home.

A garrote was found around her neck, and her skull had been fractured following a blow to the back of the head. Her official cause of death was asphyxia by strangulation.

The initial investigation focused on the girls father John and mother Patsy but DNA testing later cleared them of suspicion.

Boulder police have been searching for the culprit ever since. John Andrew Ramsey told the outlet that he and his family are cautiously optimistic about finally getting answers from the revisited probe.
The South Texas Pregnancy Care Center in Seguin, one of the many anti-abortion organizations that is teaching sexual education in dozens of school districts across the state. Credit: Sarah Butrymowicz/The Hechinger Report

When Sarah Anderson travels to Texas middle schools to teach sex education, she brings props: a toy baby to represent unplanned pregnancy, a snake for bacterial infections, a pregnancy test for infertility, a skeleton for AIDS and cancer.

The students are told that if they have sex before marriage, emotional risks include depression, guilt and anxiety. Theyre taught that condoms  while often labeled as a method for safe sex  do not keep them safe from pregnancy or sometimes-incurable sexually transmitted infections.

Her curriculum for high schoolers, meanwhile, says that people who go from sex partner to sex partner are causing their brains to mold and gel so that it eventually begins accepting that sexual pattern as normal. This, the curriculum says, could interfere with the development of the neurological circuits needed for a long-term relationship.

Anderson isnt a school district employee. She works for the South Texas Pregnancy Care Center in Seguin, a group founded in 2001 to counsel women against getting abortions. The organization is one of dozens of crisis pregnancy centers across the state that send employees into schools to talk to students and, in some cases, teach sex education classes.

These groups, also known as pregnancy resource centers, began to sprout around the country in the late 1960s as states passed laws legalizing abortion. Sex education has sometimes been a feature of their work. But in Texas, which has among the most crisis pregnancy centers of any state and where state health standards dictate that sex education classes emphasize abstinence, those sex ed efforts are particularly widespread. A Hechinger Report investigation identified more than 35 examples of these centers involved in dozens of school districts across Texas, and the actual number is likely higher.

[For teens in Deep East Texas, accessing sex education and contraception is next to impossible]

With the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade last summer and the near-total ban on abortion in Texas, crisis pregnancy centers are poised to play an even bigger role going forward. In April, the Texas state legislature approved $200 million over two years for the organizations through its Alternatives to Abortion program (recently rebranded as the Texas Pregnancy and Parenting Support Network), more than double the 2021 budgeted amount. The money funds the groups overall work, not just sex ed, but went to at least 14 of the centers identified by Hechinger as working in schools.

The growing school-based work of some centers comes despite scant evidence that the sex ed they provide helps reduce teen pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. According to public health experts, the approaches many of these groups take  such as emphasizing risks, inundating students with statistics and showing graphic pictures of STIs  arent effective in preventing or changing behavior. Instead, they can cause students to stop absorbing information that might help them make informed decisions about sex in the future.

Youll tend to see that kind of overload on facts [that] steer into fear, said Leslie Kantor, chair of the Department of Urban-Global Public Health at the Rutgers School of Public Health, in New Jersey. We know very very well across many many health issues this is not what changes human behavior.

Staff of crisis pregnancy centers argue that their approach works: Their students report directly to them or in internal surveys that theyve changed their minds about having sex. Staff also say that their connections with schools grew out of a desire to teach young people how to avoid unplanned pregnancies in the first place, intervening before teens need their services. They say abstinence is the best, most effective way to prevent any risks associated with having sex and that they also teach students about healthy relationships and planning for their futures.

We deal with unexpected pregnancies, said Jennifer Shelton, the executive director of Real Options, a pregnancy resource center in Allen, which has taught sex ed in more than a dozen public school districts. The best way to deal with that is at the beginning of the decision-making process.

In Texas, sex education typically takes up just a few hours of instruction a year in a handful of grades, and many school districts use outside groups and online providers rather than hiring experts in-house or training their own staff. Sex ed curricula are recommended by councils made up primarily of parents and community members. Many pregnancy center programs, which tend to follow a sexual risk avoidance approach that in addition to stressing abstinence also includes discussion of birth control and the signs and symptoms of STIs, are offered for free and align with the Texas state standards requiring that abstinence be promoted as the preferred choice.

But some health experts, legislators and students say crisis pregnancy centers, which have been accused of offering women misleading or inaccurate information about abortion risks, have no place in public schools. They view the sex ed courses as a stealth way for the organizations to develop connections to teens so the young people will turn to crisis pregnancy centers if they do become pregnant later.

State representative and former middle school teacher James Talarico has repeatedly introduced legislation to require all Texas districts to teach medically accurate sex education. Im concerned that our state is outsourcing sex education to outside groups with extreme political ideologies, said Talarico, a Democrat who serves north Austin and surrounding areas. If they are withholding information or emphasizing certain information to push an agenda on our kids, then thats inappropriate.

For three years as a student in Lewisville Independent School District, near Dallas, Nimisha Srikanth was taught by staffers of 180 Degrees, the education arm of Real Options.

When she was in eighth grade, the group gave each student a cup and had them pour water back and forth, she said. The exercise was supposed to represent how easily they could become infected with an STI. Srikanth, who graduated from high school in 2019, said the classmates treated it as a joke and purposefully tried to maximize infections.

In ninth grade, a lesson quickly derailed when the presenter started talking about how abstinence was best, and someone quipped, I guess its too late for me. The room erupted in laughter. The teacher lost everybodys attention after that, Srikanth recalled.

Each year, she said, the message was always the same: Dont have sex before marriage. If you do, bad things will happen, Srikanth said. Its so much fear-based, very opinion-based.

180 Degrees is among the states most widespread crisis pregnancy center-affiliated sex ed programs, noting on its website that it has sent presenters to 14 districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. In 2019, Real Options reached 18,329 students with education presentations about sexual purity, according to its federal tax filing.

In an emailed statement, Amanda Brim, the Lewisville districts chief communications officer, said that 180 Degrees was never adopted districtwide, but individual schools could choose to use the program. In 2022, she wrote, Lewisville adopted a new sex ed program to meet updated state standards, which went into effect that year.

Shelton, who taught for 180 Degrees for many years, said that her program avoids scare tactics, even if some of the statistics they share may be alarming, and that they are truthful with students about the risks associated with having sex. The program, she noted, covers many different topics beyond abstinence, including birth control, STIs and the emotional side to sex and relationships.

Shelton said she believes that no matter what side people are on, they should agree abstinence is the best choice to prevent pregnancy and STIs. We believe in raising the standard for young people, she said. They can and most likely will rise to that occasion.

The sex ed curriculum of 180 Degrees was one of six obtained by The Hechinger Report through public records requests and reviews of school and center websites. All of the pregnancy center curricula emphasize the potential harms of having sex and advocate waiting until marriage, suggesting that doing so will eliminate all risk.

The Source in Austin. Credit: Sarah Butrymowicz/The Hechinger Report

Seventh graders in 180 Degrees classes, according to a presentation for parents, are taught that there are 27 different STIs and that, with their various strains, the total number of sexually transmitted diseases nears 1,000. The curriculum used by South Texas Pregnancy Care Center, called SHARE, lists the potential consequences of STIs as pain and suffering, damage to organs, damage to babies, death, embarrassment and rejection.

LifeGuard, the sex ed program affiliated with the crisis pregnancy center The Source, in Austin and Houston, includes a series of graphic photos to give a medically accurate understanding of how these STIs can impact a persons health.

They just tried to scare us, said Samuel Ingram, a 2020 graduate of the Leander Independent School District, which says that it has used LifeGuard since 2005. Ingram added that he wished he had been given useful information on safe sex instead of being told heres what gonorrhea looks like, and you could have it forever.

LifeGuard, whose curriculum says that it reaches 15,000 students annually, declined to comment for this article. Staff instructed two school districts not to provide copies of the groups curriculum in response to Hechingers public records request. They also wrote to the attorney general seeking an exemption to the records law on the grounds that release of the material would cause competitive harm and that the curriculum contained trade secrets. The exemption was denied.

Alicia Westcot, Leanders senior director of math, science and humanities, wrote in an email that the district uses LifeGuard because the program follows state health standards and has created engaging content for our students at all grade levels. She added that teachers have given positive feedback about having content experts come in to teach the courses.

Four public health experts who reviewed portions of the crisis pregnancy center curricula at the request of The Hechinger Report said the programs frequently fail to provide important context for students to assess the likelihood of various risks and that some parts were biased or misleading, including messaging on contraception effectiveness.

The South Texas Pregnancy Care Centers SHARE script, for example, instructs educators to tell students that teens dont use condoms consistently because their brain is not fully developed. A copy of LifeGuards eighth grade curriculum instructs the presenter to read quickly through a list of bullet points about correct condom use to emphasize their number and then say, Are you getting the idea of how consistent and correct use could be challenging?

While research on the effectiveness of sex ed is difficult to conduct, major medical organizations recommend comprehensive sex education  which typically discusses the benefits of delaying sexual intercourse along with information on methods for preventing pregnancy and STIs, gender identity and consent. They note that studies suggest such courses are more effective than abstinence-only programs at reducing teen pregnancy rates and increasing condom use if young people do choose to have sex, and that comprehensive sex ed produces other benefits, including improved interpersonal skills.

The sexual risk-avoidance approach that many crisis pregnancy centers use covers some content beyond abstinence. But health experts say the programs focus on the negative consequences of having sex before marriage echo strict abstinence-only approaches.

They say this focus misses the chance to impart useful information and skills. Rather than presenting statistic after statistic about the ubiquitousness of STIs, for example, educators should make sure students feel equipped to talk with potential partners about protection, said Kantor.

If I have limited time with a young person, am I going to spend that time giving them a bunch of facts that are not very relevant to them in that moment, that frankly, if they were interested, they could look up on their phone? Kantor said. Instructors are making an unfortunate decision to spend precious time with a young person who really needs skills giving out what are probably going to be useless pieces of information.

In 2020, The Open Door, a crisis pregnancy center in Cisco and Breckenridge, tried something new. Its staff brought a mobile ultrasound unit and a volunteer pregnant woman to a school to perform a live ultrasound in front of students.

Today, the center works with middle and high schoolers in 15 school districts in central Texas, providing education on sexuality and relationships and in some cases incorporating live ultrasounds into the instruction.

When we are able to show them a baby moving in the womb, it becomes a lot more tangible, said Shannon Thompson, The Open Doors executive director. This baby has its own heartbeat and fingers and toes and eyes and nose and is already developing a personality. When they can see that, suddenly things are different for them. It has planted a seed of life.

The live ultrasounds are part of a larger effort led by Thompson to change the culture beyond her organizations walls, she said, rather than simply waiting for clients to come to them. Her staff tries to reach community members before they engage in risky behavior, teaching young people to feel empowered to say no and mean it, while also introducing her group as a safe place for people to turn to if they do get in trouble or become pregnant.

To that end, The Open Door acquired a curriculum and hired an education liaison to teach sex ed in schools. Staffers have built relationships with school counselors, juvenile departments and camps, and they throw an annual back-to-school bash. This year, they adopted an additional curriculum to reach more grade levels and added a second education liaison to their staff, Thompson said.

Under her leadership, Open Doors state funding is rising: In 2022, it received nearly $380,000 via the Alternatives to Abortion program, compared with approximately $102,000 in 2019.

Thompson said her group doesnt engage in scare tactics, but rather focuses on empowering students to make smart decisions and recognize their self-worth by postponing sex.

Student education has become a very, very important part of our focus, Thompson said in April during a panel on her organizations work at the annual meeting of Heartbeat International, a national network of pregnancy resource centers. Its a great way for us to begin to instill and teach and to educate these individuals on the pro-life message.

Other pregnancy center sex ed programs also use talking points associated with the anti-abortion movement and encourage students to visit their clinics.

The LifeGuard eighth grade curriculum, for instance, includes a game about fetal development in which students guess whether certain developmental milestones  such as the heart starting to beat and the brain beginning to function  occur at four, six or eight weeks.

LifeGuard programs direct students to the affiliated clinic, The Source, if they need pregnancy tests or STI testing. There are places like The Source that can provide all the information needed to make an informed decision about an unexpected pregnancy, the curriculum reads.

The Source received nearly $1.4 million in Alternatives to Abortion funding in 2022. Yet LifeGuard describes itself to parents and students as an apolitical program that doesnt take a stance on controversial issues. Indeed, none of the crisis pregnancy center school curricula reviewed by The Hechinger Report contained explicit religious or anti-abortion content.

But the groups do emphasize their religious values in other aspects of their operations, sometimes stipulating that job applicants be Christian and hold certain values. A LifeGuard job ad for a curriculum specialist noted that the new hire must have a strong commitment and dedication to the sanctity of human life and sexual abstinence. A job posting for an abstinence educator from 180 Degrees listed the top qualification as: Pro-Life, Christ follower, and believes that the Bible is the inerrant word of God.

The Source in Austin. Credit: Sarah Butrymowicz/The Hechinger Report

Shelton of 180 Degrees said that while religion is very important to us personally, staff never bring religious rhetoric to the classroom or discuss abortion pros and cons, out of respect for students and a recognition that many come from different backgrounds. Similarly, Thompson said her group shares the pro-life message as one option but doesnt take a political stance in schools.

Speaking at the Heartbeat International conference, Thompson noted that it was, in fact, important for organizations like hers to avoid alienating young people with an anti-abortion, religious message.

If young women who could be your clients see you waving the pro-life flag loud and proud, remember they could feel like they cant come to you, said Thompson. They are more likely to open up with you when they have a relationship with you, when they feel comfortable with you and feel like they can trust you.

Talarico, meanwhile, says its not enough for organizations to simply say that they are unbiased in the classroom. There is no public school district in the state of Texas that can legally screen educators based on their political beliefs, he said. The fact that these organizations are hand-picking people that align with their extreme ideology should be incredibly concerning.

The South Texas Pregnancy Care Center assures parents and educators that the religious beliefs that drive the groups work do not influence its education program, SHARE.

There is overlap between the message of abstinence from a health standpoint and the message of abstinence from a faith standpoint, Anderson, the programs lead teacher, said in a presentation to the Yorktown school districts School Health Advisory Council, or SHAC, in spring 2022. But that doesnt discredit its value as the best message to give young people when it comes to their health, she added. (Anderson declined interview requests for this story, but wrote in an email that many school districts had vetted and were happy with the SHARE curriculum and that it complied with state health standards.)

Part of Andersons job is to travel across central Texas attending SHAC meetings and pitching members, most of whom are district parents, on the advantages of choosing her sex ed program. The councils then make official recommendations to their school boards.

And shes been successful. South Texas Pregnancy Care Centers SHARE program started in three schools in 2016; by the 2021-22 school year, two years after Anderson joined, its teachers were presenting in 10 schools.

After the 2022 meeting in Yorktown, she convinced the district to use SHARE, and this year added Seguin to the programs growing list of districts.

In that school district, Anderson plays an additional role  she serves on the SHAC. In April, at the groups regular meeting, she encouraged its members to vote to endorse her SHARE curriculum, noting that it was one of just two under the councils review that aligned with the state health standards. Moments later, council members voted to winnow their choices to those two, and a month later decided to officially recommend Andersons program.

The case was one of two identified by The Hechinger Report of a pregnancy center employee who serves on a SHAC voting in favor of her own course, in what Talarico said appeared to be a clear conflict of interest. He said he plans to raise the issue with his colleagues to explore whether it needs to be addressed legislatively.

Sean Hoffman, communications officer for the Seguin district, said that there was no evidence that Anderson had undue influence on the decision.

School districts and school boards have to rely on the pulse of their communities, he said, adding that it can be difficult to find enough people to serve on SHACs and that the process of evaluating sex ed curricula took more than a year. When folks come forward and say they want to serve, were going to accept them with the knowledge that the intent is to come on and do whats best.

Like many pregnancy resource centers, the South Texas Pregnancy Care Center has been expanding its work in the wake of the fall of Roe. This spring, it started construction on a new building, supported, in part, by donations from Seguin nonprofits and agencies. A construction class at Seguin High School is building the interior walls.

Demand for its services is rising too. The center previously averaged around 20 pregnancy tests a month. In January 2023, it administered 41 tests, Janice Weaver, the groups executive director, said at a city council meeting in February. There is a big need in Seguin, and we are so excited about the possibility of a new building, she said.

Other groups, including The Open Door, are starting prenatal care units, to position themselves as a resource for more women who need medical help. Open Doors Thompson said the group is located in a medical desert, and it will help provide transportation for pregnant women to prenatal appointments and other support. Abortion basically being outlawed in the state of Texas did not change the circumstances of the women who find themselves pregnant and scared and not knowing what their future looks like, said Thompson. If anything, its increased the need.

Molly Davis is a senior at Texas A&M Corpus Christi and president of the colleges Islander Feminists club, which is leading a campaign against a crisis pregnancy center thats expanding near campus. She said shes troubled by the growing role of the groups in Texas and sees their work in schools as being of a piece with their larger efforts to persuade people, sometimes through misinformation, to carry pregnancies to term.

It makes me so angry to see that crisis pregnancy centers are leading sexual education in the state and not healthcare professionals, said Davis, who has classmates who were taught by the groups. They are taking advantage of one of the most vulnerable populations we have, which is young people.  They are teaching young people things to specifically lead them down roads they want them to walk down.

Nimisha Srikanth says that the sex ed she received from a crisis pregnancy center was "fear-based." While giving out free contraceptives at Texas A&M University, she is quick to tell people that she's not there to judge them. Credit: Sarah Butrymowicz/The Hechinger Report

Texas has the ninth-highest teen birth rate of any state, 20.3 births per 1,000 females ages 15 to 19. And while teen birthrates have been falling in the U.S. as a whole since 1991, they remain among the highest in the developed world.

Ingram, the student from Leander, recalls that several of his classmates went on to become pregnant in high school.

I feel like it was almost a disservice to us, Ingram, now a senior at Texas A&M Corpus Christi where he is also a member of the Islander Feminists, said of the sex ed he received. They might have gotten what they wanted and people to practice abstinence, but the people who didnt werent really well-equipped with super good information.

Srikanth, meanwhile, says she didnt learn useful information until she got to college at Texas A&M University and joined the campus group FREE (Feminists for Reproductive Equity And Education) Aggies.

On a Monday morning in May, Srikanth spent two hours giving out free condoms, dental dams, pregnancy tests and Plan B in the student center. She assured people stopping by the table that they were in a no judgment zone, mindful that some of them likely had also had years of messages that sex was dirty and would give them a disease.

Those middle and high school experiences helped shape her career plans: This fall, she began a masters program at Yale University and hopes to work in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and justice.

She said, I want people to have better information than I did growing up.

Disclosure: Texas A&M University has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

This story about sex education curriculum was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter.
OTTAWA COUNTY  While the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners considered approval of an early voting plan, paving the way for a coordinated effort across 23 municipalities, the attorneys who head the county's corporate legal counsel were preparing to nullify the very laws that inspired the plan in the first place.

On Thursday, Sept. 28, 11 state Republican lawmakers filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, claiming two separate voter-approved constitutional amendments in 2018 and 2022 violate legislators' civil rights.

The lawsuit argues Proposal 3 of 2018 and Proposal 2 of 2022 "are an unconstitutional usurpation of state legislators (sic) rights to participate in law-making decisions under the Elections Clause" of the U.S. Constitution.

The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment that the amendments have no legal effect on the ability of state legislators enacting laws, subject to the governors veto power, to regulate the times, places and manner of federal elections.

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The lawmakers listed in the suit include several founders and supporters of Michigan's Grand New Party, a far-right off-shoot of the traditional Grand Old Party. The plaintiffs include:

Sen. Jonathan Lindsey of Coldwater

Sen. Jim Runestad of White Lake

Rep. Steve Carra of Three Rivers

Rep. James DeSana of Carleton

Rep. Joseph Fox of Fremont

Rep. Neil Friske of Charlevoix

Rep. Matt Maddock of Milford

Rep. Brad Paquette of Niles

Rep. Angela Rigas of Caledonia

Rep. Joshua Schriver of Oxford

Rep. Rachelle Smit of Shelbyville

The lawyers leading the effort include Erick Kaardal, a Minnesota attorney who unsuccessfully challenged the results of the 2020 election in Wisconsin, and David and Stephen Kallman of Kallman Legal Group, hired by Ottawa County as corporate counsel earlier this year.

David Kallman of Kallman Legal Group leaves the courtroom Friday, March 31, 2023, in Muskegon.

Proposal 3 of 2018, which won 67 percent approval from voters, allows for no-reason absentee voting in Michigan and restored straight-party voting on ballots, a choice the previously GOP-controlled legislature took away, according to The Detroit News. Proposal 2 of 2022 allows for early in-person voting and passed with 60 percent support.

Prop 2 requires nine days of early voting be available for state and federal elections beginning in 2024. Municipalities may partner to create early voting centers for multiple regions, rather than financing their own.

More: Ottawa County approves early voting agreement with amendments

Ottawa County commissioners gave the plan an initial green light during a finance committee meeting Sept. 5. The item was set to return for final approval Sept. 12, but Ottawa Impact founder and Board Chair Joe Moss said he "had concerns" that warranted further review.

Ottawa Impact is a group of far-right fundamentalists created after school mask mandates led to controversy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commissioners Joe Moss (left) and Sylvia Rhodea (right) listen to legal council Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, in West Olive.

During the finance meeting, Moss attempted to amend the early voting plan agreement to give county commissioners final approval of where the centers would be. County Clerk Justin Roebuck said, according to state statute, only the county's election commission can approve locations. Moss withdrew the motion.

Several local clerks pleaded with the full board on Sept. 12 to approve the plan. Without it, they said, municipalities could've incurred tens of thousands of dollars in additional costs.

The plan was approved Sept. 26, with a handful of amendments added by Moss and Vice Chair Sylvia Rhodea. Two days later, the federal lawsuit was filed.

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The litigation attempts to capitalize on the so-called "independent state legislature theory," which was largely struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in June as it applies to court rulings on election law, according to The News. The theory contends state and federal constitutions give lawmakers absolute power over rules governing federal elections.

The lawsuit argues the new case differs because it challenges the encroachment of the citizen-led petition process on legislative rights, not the encroachment of the judicial branch.

Friske made local headlines earlier this summer when Ottawa County Administrator John Gibbs hired his former aide, Jordan Epperson, as county executive aide. Epperson also worked as a part-time aide for Maddock.

Maddock's wife, Meshawn, is one of 16 charged for allegedly acting as a false elector.

Epperson is also linked to Joel Studebaker, former chair of the Ottawa County GOP, who left the position weeks later to become chief of staff for MIGOP Chair Kristina Karamo . She was nominated for the role by Moss.

 Sarah Leach is executive editor for The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @SentinelLeach.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Kallman part of effort to strike down early voting plan proposal
As Kansas continues to collect more in taxes than economists predicted, politicians continue to call for tax cuts.

The Kansas Department of Revenue added $42 million more in taxes than expected to the state's burgeoning coffers in September, Gov. Laura Kelly announced in a Monday news release.

That brings the total taxes collected for the first three months of the fiscal year to $31 million above the estimate, Kansas Division of the Budget numbers show, after July was better than expected and August was worse than expected.

The state has an estimated $2.7 billion budget surplus for the current fiscal year, which ends in June, with an additional $1.7 billion in a rainy day fund. An August budget profile from the Kansas Legislative Research Department shows the budget surplus is projected to grow to $3.2 billion by June 30, 2025.

"Because of my administration's work to put our state on solid financial footing, we have been able to grow our economy and make historic investments in schools, roads, and law enforcement," Kelly said in a statement. "Now, it's time to give money back to Kansans through responsible tax cuts."

Gov. Laura Kelly is calling for "responsible" tax cuts as the state continues to collect more tax revenue than projected. Top Republicans have opposed calls for increased spending while promoting a flat income tax plan.

Despite bipartisan calls for tax cuts last legislative session, the GOP-led Legislature and the Democratic governor couldn't reach an agreement on how to do so.

Republicans bundled various tax cut proposals into two separate packages, and Kelly vetoed both  one due to a flat tax and the other due to a tax break for Genesis Health Clubs. The Republican supermajorities were unable to override the vetoes, leaving Kansans without any substantive tax relief.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Senate President Ty Masters, R-Andover, have embarked on a statewide campaign to promote tax cuts next legislative session. A top priority is replacing the state's progressive income tax brackets with a single rate, also known as a flat tax.

Kelly has opposed a flat tax while proposing other forms of tax cuts.

"Last session, I proposed a plan to cut property, grocery, and retirement taxes in a way that helps every family without robbing the state of its ability to continue growing the economy and making those key investments," she said. "Let's get it done this upcoming session."

Hawkins blames Kelly for the lack of tax cuts.

"It's very apparent how badly Kansans are in need of tax relief right now," he said in his Friday newsletter. "You've probably heard of the giant stash of state taxpayer cash Governor Kelly is hoarding after axing the tax relief earlier this year. Everybody and their brother seem to be coming out of the woodwork these days, trying to get their hands on the excess in order to expand big government programs."

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, right, and Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, left, are promoting a GOP tax plan with a single rate income tax.

He said Republicans stand opposed to using the excess revenues to expand Medicaid, to fund local property tax cuts and to fund child care programs.

"House Republicans know expanding big government programs is never the answer to issues that could all be fixed, more effectively, within the free market," Hawkins said. "Rest assured myself and others are watching closely to ensure those funds go back into taxpayer pockets, no matter how hard the Kelly/Toland Administration and their buddies scramble to get their hands in the cookie jar."

More: Kansas Republicans want an income tax cut. Can they override Laura Kelly's veto next year?

Jason Alatidd is a statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jason_Alatidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas tax revenue exceeds estimates, prompting calls for tax cuts
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  This years Holiday Mart will be the last for the Junior League of Kansas City.

The Kansas City group announced it will end the shopping fundraiser after this months event on Oct. 27-29. The Junior League did not provide a reason for sunsetting the event.

The Junior League started the Holiday Mart in 1988 as a curated shopping experience, supporting the organizations community projects and volunteer training projects.

Over 34 years, the fundraiser has raised over $12 million for many different causes.

Mariah Carey brings holiday cheer to the T-Mobile Center

Holiday Mart funding has helped launched some of Kansas Citys most well-known institutions and programs that have touched countless lives and cemented a legacy of advancing womens leadership for meaningful and lasting community impact, the Junior League said.

But the Holiday Mart plans to go out with a bang. This years event will be held in a new location  The Sheraton Hotel at Crown Center  and have multiple special events, including a VIP shopping experience and Besties Night Out.

There will also be story time with Santa Claus for children to enjoy, and the event will wrap up with what organizers call a spectacular send-off celebration.

Beyonce announces film at Kansas City Renaissance World Tour stop

General admission tickets for the final Holiday Mart are $15, according to the event page. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 28, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 29.

After the final Holiday Mart, the Junior League said it will transition to a new phase to support its mission through new initiatives and partnerships.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Republican members of the Kentucky House unveiled just last week an outline for a wide-ranging anti-crime bill they hope to pass into law next year, but their proposal has already drawn early criticism from civil liberty advocates  including a member of their own caucus.

Dubbed the Safer Kentucky Act, the 18-point omnibus bill presented by seven GOP members of the Louisville delegation includes increased penalties for several types of violent offenders, expanded use of wiretapping by law enforcement and several different measures to protect business and property owners from shoplifting, vandalism and homeless encampments.

Heading the effort, Rep. Jared Bauman, R-Louisville, said the bill is a reaction to increased violent crime in the city and is needed to protect fed-up constituents "from those who prey on fellow citizens."

There is not yet a draft of the bill publicly available, with Bauman saying lawmakers are "very early in the process" on it and plan to unveil a bill to an interim legislative committee in December, a few weeks ahead of the kickoff of the 2024 session in Frankfort.

While the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police signaled early support for the goals of the bill, criminal justice reform groups like the ACLU of Kentucky are raising red flags based on the plan's outline. So is Rep. Savannah Maddox, R-Dry Ridge, one of the biggest advocates for smaller government among the GOP caucus.

Adding the caveat that she has not been shown a draft of the bill, Maddox told The Courier Journal the outline alone is concerning.

"I cannot fathom under the bright sun that there would be language narrowly tailored enough that I would ever support something like this," Maddox said.

The most "egregious" portion of the bill to Maddox is its call to expand wiretapping powers for local and state law enforcement, with the outline saying it would allow them to "partner with the federal government to obtain wiretaps to investigate heinous crimes and gangs."

In the GOP press release for the bill, Rep. Kevin Bratcher of Louisville said Kentucky is one of only a handful of states preventing law enforcement from using wiretaps and that it could empower them to prevent crime "with oversight and careful consideration."

"I'm blown away, frankly, that in a Republican supermajority they're contemplating wiretapping legislation," Maddox said.

While saying she understands the impetus, Maddox added that she has "tremendous concerns about the risk of abuse and the potential for violating right to privacy and the constitutional protections against unlawful search and seizure. That risk to me is too great, no matter how narrowly tailored."

On the flip side, this wiretapping provision has already drawn some bipartisan support, as Democratic Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg singled it out as a method to help local police address gangs.

Maddox took issue with several other provisions in the outline, including allowing for the involuntary confinement of the mentally ill. Saying there are measures to be contemplated to get such people help and treatment, she added that this provision "just gives me great pause... I could just see that going to a very dark, deep place" that would create issues.

Rep. Jason Nemes one of the GOP members at the bill's unveiling, tweeted Wednesday that this provision is for when a judge says a dangerous person cannot stand trial because they cannot assist in their defense, yet a psychiatrist says they must be released because they arent mentally unstable enough, adding "we close that loophole and say stand trial or be held."

Maddox also raised a red flag at the "three strikes" portion of the bill, as it requires a sentence of life without probation or parole for people convicted of a third violent felony.

"I do get a little bit cautiously minded whenever it looks like we're taking something that should be the discretion of the judge and putting it into the legislature's hands, particularly given that our prisons and jails are so overcrowded," Maddox said.

She also questioned whether the portion of the proposal requiring mandatory completion of a sentence for those who commit an offense with an illegally possessed firearm would hold up in court, considering recent federal court rulings.

Maddox said it was unfortunate a draft of the bill has not yet been made public, as the release of its outline raises many questions that legislators, stakeholders and the media should be able to examine "versus speculating."

"They're doing press conferences about it, so let's find out what's in it, right?" Maddox asked.

ACLU calls bill a step backward on criminal justice reform

Also bringing up concerns with the plan and the lack of a publicly available draft is Kungu Njuguna, a policy strategist for the ACLU of Kentucky.

"Because we haven't seen the actual bill language, we are calling on members to release the actual bill so we can have an informed discussion about the legislation," Njuguna said. "Without seeing the actual bill, it is hard to discuss and have a real conversation about their proposals. They should release them now."

The ACLU is part of Kentucky Smart on Crime, a coalition of liberal and conservative organizations seeking criminal justice reform, largely through reducing prison overcrowding  which Njuguna fears much of the plan will undermine.

"We need to get out of the dichotomy of soft versus tough and work on real solutions that address the root causes of crime," Njuguna said. "The notion that locking people up and locking them up for longer times makes us safer has already been proven not to work. If Kentucky were its own country, we'd be seventh in the world in incarceration."

Njuguna noted the state legislature recently convened a jail and corrections task force to examine this issue, with jailers testifying about their overcrowding problem. "Now they want to add to that?"

He shared concerns over the bill's provision on involuntary confinement of the mentally ill, noting that court systems for years have been working to decriminalize serious mental illness.

"Are there protections for due process?" Njuguna asked. "Individuals with mental serious mental illness have constitutional rights and we need to make sure that those rights are protected, and without the actual bill language to see what is going on in that provision, that's concerning."

Njuguna also questioned a provision giving business owners civil and criminal immunity for using "reasonable force" to detain shoplifters, saying current laws are sufficient and "we should not be risking serious physical injury or death over property."

The Louisville Urban League also issued a statement Friday blasting the GOP plan, saying that while it identified real problems, it was "vengeful, reactionary, and, frankly, just bad policy."

"The legislation is a wishlist of antiquated, debunked, and problematic ideas regarding criminal justice: criminalizing poverty and addiction, deepening disparities in our judicial system, and simply seeking to throw people away," Urban League interim CEO Lyndon Pryor said. The bill is "political red meat full of dog whistles and coded language manipulatively targeting the uninformed while masquerading as substantive change."

More: Wiretaps, '3 strikes' and a state police post: Louisville lawmakers unveil crime plan

The leadership of House Democrats has not yet specifically reacted to the GOP proposal, issuing a statement saying they hope to advance "bipartisan 'smart on crime' initiatives" that preserve constitutional rights and keep incarceration costs from skyrocketing.

The GOP bill was unveiled in the heat of Kentucky's race for governor between Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron, with the general election just five weeks away. Cameron has been endorsed by the Kentucky FOP and has put fighting crime near the top of his campaign's messaging, while Beshear has touted increased pay for state troopers and record-low inmate recidivism rates.

Reach reporter Joe Sonka at jsonka@courierjournal.com and follow him on Twitter at @joesonka.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kentucky anti-crime plan met with concerns over civil liberties
(CNN)  At least one person was killed and two others were injured in a bombing attack outside Turkeys Interior Ministry building in Ankara on Sunday.

The ministry said in a Sunday statement that two attackers murdered a civilian and stole his vehicle in the countrys capital ahead of the opening of parliament. Two police officers reportedly received non-life-threatening injuries.

The attackers arrived in a light commercial vehicle in front of the buildings entrance at about 9:30 a.m. local time, Yerlikaya. One assailant blew himself up and the other was neutralized.

Investigators found four different types of guns, three hand grenades, one rocket launcher, and C-4 explosives at the scene.

The ministry confirmed at least one of the two attackers is a member of the Kurdistan Workers Party, known as the PKK. The second attacker has yet to be identified.

The PKK, a Kurdish militant group classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and Europe, issued a statement earlier claiming responsibility for the bomb, pro-PKK newsgroup Firat News Agency reported. The group said the attack was carried out according to plan and without any obstacles.

Just hours after the fatal explosion, Turkey destroyed twenty PKK targets in northern Iraq, according to a statement released by the countrys National Defense Ministry.

Turkish warplanes carried out airstrikes in the Metina, Hakurk, Kandil, and Gara regions at 9 p.m. local time, destroying caves, bunkers, shelters and warehouses used by the PKK, the defense ministry wrote.

According to Firat News Agency, a PKK unit dubbed the Brigade of Immortals explicitly targeted the opening of the parliament and the ministry building, saying it is considered a massacre and torture center.

Every person should know that the members of the Brigade of Immortals could have achieved a very different result with only a small change in their timing if they had wanted to, the statement attributed to PKK reads.

In the statement, the PKKs Peoples Defense Center Headquarters Command justified the attack due to what it called the disregard of human rights, the inhuman practice and policy of isolation in Turkish and Kurdish jails, the use of chemical weapons against KPP guerrilla forces, ecocide in Kurdistan, and the oppression of the Kurdish people.

Security footage of the incident obtained by Reuters shows a vehicle slowing down on the street near the buildings gated entrance.

The vehicle comes to a stop then the drivers side door slowly opens. One individual exits as a second emerges from the other side of the car. The second person approaches the entrance in a tactical stance, though its unclear if the attacker is holding a firearm, while the first hides behind the car. The assailant in motion hurries quickly past what appears to be a guard tower. A large explosion then strikes.

After, through the smoke, the contours of what appears to be the first attacker move toward the gate before the 40-second clip ends.

The apparent guard tower in front of the entrance to the building was slightly damaged in the blast. Police have since cordoned off the area, and video from the scene from CNN affiliate CNN Turk appeared to show a bomb squad searching the area for other suspicious package.

A bomb found on the body of the neutralized terrorist was set off after the attack in a controlled explosion, one of at least two that could be heard on television footage.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said that an investigation has been launched into the incident.

These attacks will in no way hinder Turkeys fight against terrorism, Tunc said on X. Our fight against terrorism will continue even more determinedly.

The bombing took place just hours before lawmakers were set to return to work after the summer break at 2 p.m.

In his address to lawmakers, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that Turkey would continue its fight against terrorism until the last terrorist is eliminated domestically and abroad following Sundays attack.

The vile people who took aim at the peace and security of our citizens did not reach their goal and they never will, he said.

The PKK has been waging an insurgency against Ankara for four decades.

In recent years, Turkey has carried out a steady stream of operations against the group domestically as well as cross-border operations into Syria, where a PKK-affiliated Kurdish group controls large swaths of territory.

In November 2022, Ankara blamed the PKK for a bomb attack on a central pedestrian boulevard in Istanbul which killed six and injured dozens.

Terror attacks in Turkey were tragically common in the mid to late 2010s, when the insecurity from war-torn Syria crept north above the two countries shared border.

Ankara saw two attacks by Kurdish assailants in 2016, one which targeted military personnel on a bus and another at a bus stop.

Twin bombings in 2015 that targeted a peace rally near the capitals main train station claimed the lives of nearly 100 people.

Erdogan said Sundays attack marked the final flutters of terrorism in the country in his speech to parliament.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "At least one killed in bomb attack near government building in Ankara, Turkey says."
MSNBCs Mehdi Hasan called out House Republicans for demanding that Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) face prosecution and expulsion for pulling a fire alarm during Saturdays chaotic vote on a bill to fund the government.

These are the same House Republicans who are perfectly happy to have Paul Gosar in their midst, he said, referring to the Republican lawmaker from Arizona who last week said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley should be hung.

House Republicans are also standing behind Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who Hasan noted publicly carried out a lewd act in an audience filled with kids last month.

Boebert was tossed out of a performance of the Beetlejuice musical for repeated acts of misbehavior, much of which was caught on video.

And then there is Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), who Hasan pointed out is under federal indictment, lied about his entire life.

Given those problems on the Republican side, Hasan isnt buying their outrage over Bowman.

And of course, when there was an actual armed attack on the Capitol building, that was, quote, legitimate political discourse, according to the RNC, Hasan said, referring to the Jan. 6, 2021, assault that many GOP lawmakers have downplayed. Who are they kidding here?

Fellow MSNBC host Ayman Mohyeldin called it the death of irony given the GOPs relentless support for Donald Trump, even after 91 felony charges.

Republicans would have voted to impeach and convict Trump, clearly, if he had just pulled a fire alarm, Hasan said sarcastically. Not by sending an armed mob to the Capitol to fight like hell.

See more of their conversation below:

In tonight's #handover, @MehdiRHasan and @AymanM call out GOP lawmakers looking to expel Jamaal Bowman for pulling a Capitol fire alarm after previously calling the January 6th riot "legitimate political discourse."



"Who are they kidding here?" pic.twitter.com/jHCjP7XikE  The Mehdi Hasan Show (@MehdiHasanShow) October 2, 2023

Bowman apologized for pulling the alarm and insisted he wasnt trying to delay the House vote.

Today, as I was rushing to make a vote, I came to a door that is usually open for votes but today would not open, he said in a statement. I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door.

But House Republicans dont want to let Bowman off the hook, with Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) saying his actions should not go without punishment.

McCarthy has called for an ethics investigation, while his close ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has said Bowman should be prosecuted the same way they prosecuted January 6 defendants.
The scene of the 2012 murder of Philip Strickland, of which Searles was convicted - Alan Lewis - Photopress Belfast

A High Court judge has ruled a murdering pig farmers ex-wife should win the bulk of their 1 million fortune in their divorce after she became a social pariah.

Wealthy pig farmer James Seales is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted of killing Philip Strickland with a shotgun in 2012.

Alison Seales, 55, who was with her husband for 19 years, told a High Court judge that she was terrified of her violent ex and is psychologically scarred from her many years of living in an abusive relationship with him prior to his incarceration.

Now, Judge Evan Bell has handed her a 750,000 share of their 1m fortune after ruling that Sealess conduct in the carrying out of a murder should lead to him getting a lesser share of the family money now that the divorce is being finalised.

Strickland, 36, from Comber, Co Down, Northern Ireland, was killed on the evening of January 11, 2012, when he was shot in the leg and face with a shotgun.

Philip Strickland, 36, was murdered with a shotgun in 2012 - Alan Lewis - Photopress Belfast/Alan Lewis - Photopress Belfast

Seales, 66, of Raffrey, Co Down, has always denied being at the scene of the killing and said he was at home watching Emmerdale, but the jury rejected his claim and convicted him of murder and of possessing a shotgun with intent.

Nine years after he was sentenced, Seales represented himself in a divorce hearing last month, during which his wifes KC Adele OGrady asked Judge Master Evan Bell to hand her an unusually large share of the family fortune due to the fact her husband is a killer.

Psychologically scarred

Ms OGrady asked the judge to take into account the husbands murderous conduct as well as the negative effect that Mrs Seales says living in a relationship with him has had on her.

Judge Bell, sitting in the Family Division of the Northern Irish High Court, said in his ruling that Mrs Seales suffers from symptoms linked with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Her doctors evidence was that there was no doubt that the wife had been psychologically scarred from her many years of living in an abusive relationship, he continued.

She remains terrified of her husband and of the fact that he could persuade others to physically harm her.

The judge said Seales wanted to split their wealth 50/50 given the duration of the marriage, adding: The husband considered that I ought not to take into account his criminal conviction for murder and the consequences that the wife alleged flowed from it.

Secondly, the husband also denied any domestic abuse of his wife.

The judge found as a fact that the wife had suffered domestic abuse at the hands of Seales, pointing out the judge at his murder trial had been told by his sons that he was an angry wee man, finding they both had a miserable childhood under the thumb of your bullying, domineering father.

Never right since then

Giving evidence, Mr Seales refused to accept his conviction would have had a devastating effect on his wife or that she had been made a social pariah in her area.

However, Judge Bell said: I am also satisfied that the husbands conviction and its aftermath has had a profound impact on the wifes ability to earn a living. She gave evidence that she was not able to work due to her anxiety.

At one stage she did get a job but said that she just fell to pieces. She finds it difficult even to leave the house unless she is accompanied by someone else.

After her husband was arrested she had a breakdown and regards herself as never right since then. She told the court that life had been non-existent since then.

The lack of gainful employment would obviously make it difficult for her to obtain a mortgage in the future. Unsurprisingly, she wants to move from the current matrimonial home.

This case is, in my view, the paradigm example of a conduct case where the husbands conduct is so outrageous that it would be utterly inequitable to disregard it. I am therefore compelled to take both aspects of the husbands matrimonial conduct into account in the division of the matrimonial assets.

The judge ordered that the 188,000 cash currently being held by solicitors ought to be released to the wife immediately.

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BERLIN (Reuters) - Serbia's troop deployment on Kosovo's border recalls Russia's behaviour towards Ukraine before its invasion, the Kosovar foreign minister said, urging the European Union to take action against Belgrade such as freezing its candidacy status.

The warning comes after the United States said on Friday it was monitoring a troubling Serbian military build-up along the Kosovo frontier that is destabilising the area, and NATO said it was authorizing additional peacekeeping forces for Kosovo.

"There has never been this kind of concentration of troops in recent years," Kosovar Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwarz told German broadcaster Deutschlandfunk in an interview on Monday. "The weaponry they have there, the tanks - it gives us a bad feeling because we don't know how the international community will respond."

She said it was not just the concentration of troops on the edge of its former southern province, whose independence Belgrade does not recognise, but also Serbia's rhetoric and its "methods" resembling Russian behaviour towards Ukraine.

"That's why it is all the more important to take the necessary steps," she said.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said last week he did not intend to order his forces to cross the border into Kosovo because an escalation of the conflict would harm Belgrade's aspirations to join the EU.

Tensions have run high between the two countries since a battle between police and armed ethnic Serbs holed up in a monastery turned a quiet village in northern Kosovo into a virtual war zone 10 days ago.

Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after a guerrilla uprising and 1999 NATO intervention, accuses Serbia of arming and supporting the Serb fighters.

Serbia accuses Kosovo of precipitating violence by failing to implement a decade-old, EU-brokered deal providing for local autonomy for Serbs in an area of the country's north where they form a majority.

"Vucic will not leave it at this if clear words are not spoken and he does not see consequences for his actions," Gervalla-Schwarz warned, noting that could include suspending EU funds for Serbia and the country's membership candidacy status.

(Reporting by Sarah Marsh; editing by Miranda Murray and Mark Heinrich)
The European Union has reached a consensus regarding Ukraine's membership in the bloc, which is "only a matter of time," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Oct. 2, as reported by European Pravda.

"Everyone is determined to move forward with maximum speed, considering all the reforms that Ukraine has carried out, is carrying out, and will carry out," Kuleba said at a press conference following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv.

"Our key signal was as follows: We will implement all seven key recommendations of the European Commission to launch membership negotiations," the official told the press conference.

"We expect to be evaluated honestly, transparently, without additional conditions. And the atmosphere (of the meeting) shows that we have a consensus on this issue."

Read also: German Foreign Minister: EU will soon extend from Lisbon to Luhansk

Foreign ministers of all 27 EU member states arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Oct. 2 to meet outside the union for the first time.

The officials reportedly addressed Ukraine's accession to the EU, military support for Kyiv's fight against Russian aggression, and tightening sanctions against Moscow.

On Sept. 26, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that the Ukrainian government has implemented all seven steps recommended by the European Commission for EU accession talks to begin.

European leaders granted Ukraine candidate status on June 23, 2022, in a historic step on the long and difficult path to EU membership. There is no timeline set for the accession process, and it may take years to complete.

Read also: Borrell in Kyiv: EU support for Ukraine has reached 85 billion euros

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(Reuters) - A senior Ukrainian official called on Monday for a reassessment of Western anti-aircraft systems being supplied to Ukraine, saying simpler and cheaper weapons could be more cost-efficient in countering Russia's Iranian-made Shahed drones.

The Shahed drones are deployed in Russian attacks virtually every day. Ukraine has become skilled at downing them though some still hit industrial and residential sites despite Moscow's assurances that it does not target civilians.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said the issue was not just one of securing more anti-aircraft systems "but primarily solving a mathematical problem lying in the economics of war".

While Western systems, like NASAMS and Iris-T, were used to down missiles, he said, using them to intercept Shaheds may not be cost-effective, Podolyak wrote in English on the X platform, formerly Twitter.

"Thus, it leads to depletion of allied stockpiles and long-term weakening," Podolyak wrote.

"The solution is obvious: in addition to mobile large-caliber machine guns, there are plenty of simpler and cheaper anti-aircraft systems available today that have proven themselves to be effective against Shaheds. These include Gepard and Vampire."

The Gepard is an anti-aircraft-gun tank made in Germany. The U.S.-made Vampire counter-drone system consists of a laser-guided missile launcher than can be installed on a truck bed.

Such scaling-down, Podolyak wrote, "will minimise the effect of Russian 'raids' and ensure long-term stability of Ukrainian skies and our neighbouring NATO countries".

Ukraine has relied heavily on arms supplies from Western countries in facing the 19-month-old Russian invasion and in launching a counteroffensive in June aimed at recovering the roughly 18% of its territory held by Moscow's troops.

Zelenskiy and other officials have stressed in recent weeks the importance of developing Ukraine's own arms industry and in jointly developing weapons with Western companies.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Laphonza Butler is set to make history as the first LGBTQ+ person to represent California in the Senate.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed her just two days after the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein , who was the longest-serving female senator.

I am honored to accept Gov. Newsoms nomination to be a U.S. Senator for a state I have long called home, Butler said in a statement after the appointment.

I am humbled by the Governors trust. Sen. Dianne Feinsteins leadership and legacy are immeasurable. I will do my best to honor her by devoting my time and energy to serving the people of California and the people of this great nation.

Heres what to know about Butler before shes sworn in Wednesday:

Shes making history

Butler, 44, will not only be the first LGBTQ+ person to represent California, but also the first openly Black lesbian ever to serve in the Senate.

She also becomes only the third Black woman to serve in the Senate  and the only sitting Black woman senator. She will be sworn in Wednesday by Vice President Kamala Harris, who was the second Black female senator to serve and who also represented California in the upper chamber.

Newsom had previously promised to appoint a Black woman if the opportunity presented itself. Though many wanted to see Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) appointed, including the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Butlers appointment has still generated approval from leading Black organizations.

In a statement, the CBC celebrated Butlers appointment, saying that her background and experience will bring a much-needed perspective to the Senate.

For many years, Laphonza Butler has been a champion for women and girls, students, and union workers, and we believe she will bring that same fight to the U.S. Senate on behalf of Californians and our entire nation, the CBC said.

As the first lesbian Black woman in the U.S. Senate, Laphonza will bring an important perspective to the upper house at a time when the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community are under attack. We look forward to welcoming Laphonza as the 59th member of the CBC and to continuing our work on behalf of the American people.

Higher Heights, a PAC committed to electing more progressive Black women, said Butlers appointment comes at a pivotal time when a Black womans voice is needed more than ever in this legislative body.

Voices such as Butlers are needed in the halls of Congress to advance progress on the critical issues that voters are demanding action on, the PAC said in a statement. We remain steadfast in our commitment to uplift Black women at all levels of government and look forward to seeing all that she accomplishes during her time as a Senator.

Activism and politics

Butler has straddled the world of politics and activism since she began her career.

A graduate of Jackson State University, Butler grew up in Magnolia, Miss. When she was 16, her father died from a terminal illness. That experience left a profound impact on Butler, who would eventually enter the world of public service.

In 2019, Butler told KQED public radio that watching her mother take care of her father as she worked multiple jobs to support the family is what spurred her career.

My life was really lived through the eyes of a caregiver, Butler said at the time. My mothers story really was the precursor to my professional career.

For 20 years, Butler worked in the labor movement. At just 30 years old, she was elected to serve as president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2015, one of the biggest unions in California and the countrys largest home-care workers union. She was also SEIU international vice president and president of SEIU Californias state council.

Butler also served as the director of the Board of Governors of the Los Angeles branch of the Federal Reserve System. In 2018, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) appointed her to the University of California Board of Regents.

But her work has also seen her serve as a board member for the National Childrens Defense Fund and BlackPAC. Former President Obama even named Butler a Champion for Change.

A veteran of Democratic politics

Though much of her career was spent in activism, Butler has also played an influential role in Democratic politics behind the scenes.

For the last two years, Butler has served as the president of EMILYs List, a group that works to elect Democratic pro-choice women.

Butler was the first woman of color to serve in the position.

After her appointment to the Senate, Butler said the truly bittersweet part was leaving EMILYs List, though she added she is proud of the work they have accomplished.

For women and girls, for workers and unions, for struggling parents waiting for our leaders to bring opportunity back to their homes, for all of California, Im ready to serve, she said.

But her time in politics has also seen her serve as a key adviser for political campaigns, including Hillary Clintons and Harriss.

The relationship between Butler and Harris has been a friendly one, according to USA TODAY.

I would always call her for advice. She would always call me for advice, Butler told USA TODAY in 2022.

And she and Harris worked together, too. Butler said she and Harris collaborated to make sure that background checks would be provided equitably to home-care workers, who are predominantly women and people of color. She has also praised Harriss work on the Black maternal health crisis.

Newsom touted Butlers work  and her ties with Harris  when he appointed her over the weekend.

An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and shell represent us proudly in the United States Senate, Newsom said in a statement.

As we mourn the enormous loss of Senator Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for  reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence  have never been under greater assault. Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C.

Whats next for her

Butler currently lives in Maryland with her wife and their daughter, but Newsoms office has said she re-registered to vote in California, according to CNN.

Butler will be sworn in by Harris on Wednesday, and though her position is temporary, she could run for a full term.

But she would join a crowded field of hopefuls. Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Lee have all been campaigning for Feinsteins seat since February, when Feinstein announced she would not seek another term.

All have formidable backgrounds, with Schiff also having the support of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Lee has also received support from the Congressional Black Caucus, for which she was a former chairwoman.

Lee congratulated Butler, according to The Associated Press, but said she remains singularly focused on winning her Senate campaign.

Democrat Lexi Reese, a tech executive, and Republican lawyer Eric Early have also been campaigning for the seat. Primaries will be held in March.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Laphonza Butler officially filled the seat of longtime Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Tuesday after being sworn in at the U.S. Capitol.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom , a Democrat, acted quickly in announcing his replacement for Feinstein, who died on Friday at age 90. Butler is a 44-year-old Black woman who was serving as the president of Emilys List, an organization that supports female candidates who are in favor of reproductive rights. Butler is a lesbian and will be the third openly LGBTQ senator serving in the chamber as well as the only Black woman.

Vice President Kamala Harris administered the oath of office and following the ceremony the White House said President Biden called Butler to offer his congratulations.

I'm honored to accept Gov. Newsoms nomination to be U.S. Senator for a state I have made my home and honored by his trust in me to serve the people of California and this great nation, Butler said in a statement Monday morning. No one will ever measure up to the legacy of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, but I will do my best to honor her legacy and leadership by committing to work for women and girls, workers and unions, struggling parents, and all of California. I am ready to serve.

The Democratic governor had pledged to appoint a Black woman to fill the seat if Feinstein could not finish her term, a process that was complicated by the fact that Feinstein had already announced her retirement and there is currently a three-way race between Democratic House members vying for the seat in 2024. There was a belief that Newsom may appoint a placeholder candidate because there was already one prominent Black woman in the race, Rep. Barbara Lee, but the governor said he had not asked Butler to stay out of the race. The filing deadline is Dec. 8 if she chooses to run for a full term.

With Butler seated, Democrats regained their 51-49 advantage in the chamber.

Butlers resume

Laphonza Butler (Susan Walsh/AP)

Butler previously served as the president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 2015 in California, the largest home care and nursing home workers union in the country. The SEIU lauded her as a tireless advocate for working people following the announcement.

Butler also previously served as the partner at a California consulting firm and as senior adviser to then-Sen. Kamala Harris during her 2020 presidential campaign. Harris was the last Black woman to serve in the Senate before taking on her current position. Additionally, Butler served on the University of California Board of Regents from 2018 to 2021.

In his statement announcing the choice, Newsom called Butler an advocate for women and girls and a second-generation fighter for working people who represents the best of California.

As we mourn the enormous loss of Senator Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for  reproductive freedom, equal protection and safety from gun violence  have never been under greater assault. Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings and fight for all Californians in Washington, D.C., concluded Newsom.

If Butler chooses to run for reelection to the seat, she will need to tap into the fundraising skills she honed as the head of Emilys List, since Lee and Rep. Adam Schiff and Rep. Katie Porter have already raised millions for their campaigns. California has a "jungle" primary system, meaning that all candidates of every party compete in the March 2024 contest, with the two top finishers advancing to Novembers general election. Recent polling has shown Schiff and Porter separating themselves in the race as the only candidates to reach double-digit support.

Potential issues

While Butler has a long history with the SEIU, many pro-labor voices have been critical of the appointment due to her work with Uber in the companys efforts to oppose a California workers rights law. In 2019, the rideshare company told Bloomberg that Butler brought a valuable perspective to the companys efforts to improve work for drivers.

Butler also previously served as Airbnbs head of public affairs in North America. The vacation rental company has faced scrutiny for years from critics who say it has helped contribute to the nations housing crisis.

Another potential issue with the appointment is that Butler currently resides in Maryland, according to her Emilys List biography. Newsoms office has said she still owns a home in California and will be registering to vote there before she is sworn in as the Golden States junior senator.

Over the weekend, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford wrote to Newsom urging him to select Lee for the position, writing she "has diagnosed a sickness in the country: greed. In a statement after the announcement, Lee said she wished Butler well and looked forward to working with her but is singularly focused on winning my campaign for Senate.
Laphonza Butler was sworn in Tuesday as a new U.S. senator representing California, replacing Sen. Dianne Feinstein , who died last week at the age of 90. Vice President Kamala Harris administered the oath of office at the ceremony in the U.S. Capitol.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said afterwards that Feinstein is "looking down at this moment with pride now that her seat is in good hands."

President Biden called Butler to congratulate her, the White House said.

Butler, a Democrat, was sworn in less than 48 hours after California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced her appointment.

Sen. Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., raises her right hand, with her wife Neneki Lee looking on, as Vice President Kamala Harris recites the oath during her ceremonial swearing-in in the Old Senate Chamber in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 3, 2023. / Credit: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Butler tweeted on Monday that she was "honored" to accept Newsom's appointment and said, "I am ready to serve."

She stepped down from her role as the president of EMILYs List, a Democratic group dedicated to electing women who support abortion rights, to accept the Senate appointment.

In choosing Butler, Newsom kept a 2021 promise to appoint a Black woman to the role. Feinstein's seat is up for reelection in 2024, and three prominent House Democrats  Reps. Katie Porter, Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee  have already announced they are running.

Butler will also serve as the crucial 51st vote for Senate Democrats, who have a slim majority in the upper chamber and are defending several seats in red states in 2024.

Laphonza Butler speaks onstage at an EMILYs List event on March 7, 2023, in Beverly Hills, California. / Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

Butler will only be the third Black woman to serve in the Senate. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois was the first, serving from 1993 to 1999. Harris was the second, from 2017 until becoming vice president in 2021. Butler was as a senior adviser on Harris' 2020 presidential campaign.

Butler is the second openly lesbian woman in the Senate, and the first Black lesbian woman in the Senate. She and her wife, Neneki, have a daughter named Nylah. Although Maryland voting records seen by CBS News show a Laphonza Butler of Silver Spring registered to vote in that state, Newsom's office said Monday that Butler will re-register in California, where she owns a home, when she is sworn in.

What is Laphonza Butler's professional background?

According to her biography from EMILYs List, Butler grew up in Magnolia, Mississippi, and attended Jackson State University, a historically Black university.

In an interview with Elle in 2021, Butler said that her family wasn't the kind "that talked about elections or politics at the dinner table, but we were the family that talked about what it meant to be in service to others. What do we do to help somebody?"

In that same interview, she said that while she was working with the SEIU labor union, she was able to "connect it with the jobs my mom had."

"There have been parallels in my career and what I knew my mom experienced as a worker herself," Butler said. "I always felt like the work I've done has been my opportunity to continue my mom's journey and to make those jobs better for the children of those workers."

At the age of 30, Butler was elected the president of the biggest union in California, and the nation's largest homecare workers union, SEIU Local 2015. She also served as SEIU International's vice president and president of the SEIU California State Council.

Butler's biography says she spent 20 years in the labor movement, including working on the campaign to raise the minimum hourly wage to $15 in California, the first state in the country to do so.

Butler was an adviser to Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.

In 2018, Butler and political consultants Ace Smith, Sean Clegg and Juan Rodriguez formed the political consulting firm SCRB Strategies. Rodriguez ran Harris' primary 2020 campaign, with Butler as senior adviser.

After Harris left the race, Butler served as director of public policy and campaigns in North America for Airbnb.

What did Butler do with EMILYs List?

Laphonza Butler attends an EMILYs List event on March 22, 2022 in Los Angeles. / Credit: Araya Doheny/Getty Images for EMILYs List

Until being appointed to the Senate, Butler served as the president of EMILYs List, the group that supports women in office who support abortion rights. She was the first woman of color to hold that position.

EMILYs List is fundraising juggernaut for Democrats, having raised nearly $68 million in the 2022 election cycle, according to OpenSecrets.

Butler told the news organization Capital B News in an interview in Feb. 2022 that after the 2016 election, "more than 60,000 women reached out to us from all over the country and wanted to offer themselves for public service."

"From a tactical point, we have created online communities for them to connect with each other, we have offered online training and made it accessible no matter what community that person is reaching out to us from, we have made sure that we are working to expand the state and local work of EMILYs List," she said.

EMILYs List issued a statement on Monday praising Butler as a "groundbreaking leader."

According to the statement from Newsom's office, Butler will step down from her role at EMILYs List when she joins the Senate.

Rep. Gaetz says he will file a motion this week to oust Speaker McCarthy

How could Hunter Biden's plea impact the 2024 race?

Who could replace Kevin McCarthy as House speaker?
(CNN)  At least 13 people have been killed in Spains deadliest nightclub fire in decades, with fears the toll could rise further as emergency services search for more victims.

The cause of the blaze, which broke out early on Sunday at the Teatre venue in the southeastern city of Murcia, is not yet known.

Four others were injured: two women, aged 22 and 25, and two men, aged 41 and 45, who were all taken to the hospital due to smoke inhalation, the Murcia emergency services website said.

Survivors gathered outside the nightclub described the scene to journalists as emergency services carried out their work.

I think we left (the club) 30 seconds - 1 minute before the alarms went off and all the lights went out the screams saying there was a fire. I was at place at that time where I could get out, but five family members and two friends are missing, an unidentified survivor told Reuters.

We dont know anything, we are waiting for news to see whether some of our family members have come out alive, said another man at the scene.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez sent his condolences.

My love and solidarity with the victims and families of the tragic fire that occurred this morning in a nightclub in Murcia. I have just conveyed to the president of the Murcia region all our support and collaboration, Sanchez posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

At the time of the incident, emergency services were dispatched, with local firefighters calling in helicopter help to tackle the blaze.

The General Director of Security and Emergencies, Ricardo Villalba, is on-site coordinating with the Murcia City Council the necessary means to manage this tragedy, the emergency services said.

The Vice President and Minister of the Interior, Emergencies and Territorial Planning, Jose Angel Antelo, is expected to arrive at the site, they added.

The fire in Murcia marks the deadliest nightclub fire in Spain in 33 years. A blaze in 1990 at a nightclub in northeastern Zaragoza left 43 dead.

In December 1983 81 people were killed in a nightclub blaze in Madrid, with smoke, a failure in the lighting system and a closed emergency door all contributing to the disaster.

Three days of mourning have been declared in the city of Murcia for those who died in the fire that occurred at the Teatre de Atalayas nightclub, Murcia mayor Jose Ballesta said on X.

An information area for relatives of the victims was set up in the nearby Palacio de los Deportes, where a team of psychologists will be tasked to provide assistance.

This story was first published on CNN.com. "13 dead in Spains deadliest nightclub fire in decades as rescuers search for more victims"
On Sunday, Politico first reported that Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to choose Laphonza Butler to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the Senate. Feinstein passed away on Sept. 29 at the age of 90.

In a press release, Gov. Newsom said, An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and shell represent us proudly in the United States Senate.

Butler, who would become the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the Senate, currently serves as the president of EMILYs List, an American political action committee that aims to help elect Democratic female candidates in favor of abortion rights to office.

She is the first Black woman to lead the organization.

According to her LinkedIn, Butler has also spent time serving as the director of Airbnb, president of Californias largest labor organization, and as a senior adviser to Hillary For America, which was a political organization that helped campaign for Hillary Clinton to become president.

Butlers profile says she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Jackson State University, which is a historically Black college or university (HBCU).

Laphonza Butler

Politico adds that she worked closely with former California Governor Jerry Brown, on policies like hiking the minimum wage to $15 per hour and raising taxes for wealthy Californians.

The organization adds that she also served on the University of California Board of Regents.

Her appointment serves as the fulfillment of a promise made by Gov. Newsom in 2021 to fill the seat vacated by Kamala Harris with a Black woman.

Jessica Levinson on filling Californias vacant Senate seat

Newsom earned a bit of time on Saturday when the Senate cleared a stopgap funding bill late in the day, sending it to Bidens desk for his signature. By that point, however, Newsom and aides were already well on their way to filling the seat, capping a dramatic chapter for the governor and his state and delivering to the Senate its first Black woman since Harris, Politico wrote.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Ready or not. Here they come. You cant hide.

Lauryn Hill is coming to a city near you.

The Fugees are set to reunite and embark on a multi-city tour in support of the 25th anniversary of Hills seminal album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Miamis Kaseya Center host the tours second to last stop on Dec. 10.

Released in 1998, Miseducation transformed the then-23-year-old Hill into a cultural icon. The album is a perennial member of best of lists including Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, NPRs 150 Greatest Albums Made By Women and Pitchforks 150 Best Albums of the 1990s. Miseducation earned Hill five Grammys, including Album Of the Year, becoming the first hip-hop project to do so. Hill also became the first woman to take home five or more Grammys in a single night. Marked by Hills rawness and blend of musical influences from reggae to soul to hip-hop, Miseducation is as relevant then as it is today.

I think the piece as a whole communicates my personality, it is the culmination of my experiences, the sum total of what I had gone through at a certain point in my life, Hill told The Guardian in 1999 following her Grammy wins. It might have been a little scary at first because whether I sink or swim, it was all on me. But it was liberating because it was very personal, it allowed me to talk about things that were very Lauryn, that didnt have anything to do with anyone else.

Despite the albums legendary status, Miseducation  and more accurately Hill herself  hasnt been immune to criticism. New Ark, a group of musicians who worked on Miseducation, claimed Hill used their songs and production skills but failed to properly credit them for the work in a 1998 lawsuit against the Ex-Factor artist and Columbia Records. Specifically, New Ark wanted partial writing credit on 13 of the albums 14 original songs. The lawsuit was settled out of court in 2001 for a reported $5 million, according to the Daily Beast.

After being accused of stealing music in 2018, Hill posted a lengthy response via Medium in which she addressed the 1998 lawsuit.

Miseducation was the first time I worked with musicians outside of the Fugees [whose] report and working relationship was clear. In an effort to create the same level of comfort, I may not have established the necessary boundaries and may have been more inviting than I should have been, Hill wrote, later adding I may have been inclusive, but these are my songs.

The Fugees, comprised of Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel, is widely considered one of the best 90s hip-hop groups, having released two albums  Blunted on Reality in 1994 and the critically-acclaimed The Score in 1996  before disbanding prior to the turn of the century. The group most recently reunited over the summer during Hills headlining set at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia.

Tickets for for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill anniversary tour at Miamis Kaseya Center go on sale Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. VIP, Citi cardmembers and Platinum presale begins Oct. 3 at 10 a.m.
Greene County's jail is set to become one of five in the state to offer mental health treatment to inmates who need to be restored to competency before standing trial, part of an attempt by the state to address the need for services quickly and efficiently.

When suspects arrive at jail and await trial, they may be ordered by the court to be evaluated for mental health competency. Those deemed to be incompetent to stand trial often are ordered to receive competency restoration treatment. Previously, the only option for this treatment was to go to a state hospital to receive inpatient mental health treatment. With a recent surge in people who were determined to need the services in order to proceed with their criminal cases, the limited number of available beds left many waiting in jail for months.

As of Sept. 28, there were 35 inmates at the Greene County Jail awaiting an inpatient bed to receive competency restoration services. Statewide, there were 253 individuals awaiting admission into state hospitals and 57 waiting to be added to that list as of Sept. 14. At the same time, there were 267 evaluations requested, with about 50% estimated to be found incompetent, according to a presentation to the state's Mental Health Commission.

The exterior of the new Greene County Sheriff's Office and Jail, located at 1199 N. Haseltine Road. The facility is expected to host over 1,200 inmates. A cornerstone dedication ceremony for the new facility was held Friday, May 13. Tours were open to the public from 10 a.m. to noon.

This summer, the Missouri legislature amended statute to allow mental health restoration services to be provided within county jails and out in the community. With the new law, the state allocated $2.5 million to establish jail-based restoration programs across five counties, including Greene.

Jeanette Simmons is the deputy director for the Missouri Division of Behavioral Health. She said the program was based on similar programs in other states that have faced the same problem.

"We have more individuals needing competency restoration services than we have inpatient hospital beds," Simmons said. "This is not just a Missouri issue; this is a nationwide phenomenon."

The program aims to solve this by easing the demand for inpatient beds while cutting down wait times for people to get treatment.

Sheriff's office questions use of resources but state says moving ahead

Although state authorities said work to implement the program in Greene County is moving ahead, the sheriff's office expressed doubts.

Deputy Paige Rippee, public information officer for the Greene County Sheriff's Office and the jail, said that while many inmates have been waiting for treatment for several months, the program would not be the most efficient use of the jail's resources.

Rippee said in order to create space for treatment, the jail would have to shut down one to two units. The inmates who would be housed there for treatment would not fill the units to full capacity, she said, which would mean the space is not used in the most cost-effective or efficient way.

"It is something we have looked into, but it's just not in the cards for us," she said of the jail-based model.

Debra Walker, spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Mental Health, reiterated however that the state is still moving forward with implementing the program in Greene County and currently working out the details of the contract.

Ironing out the details

The program will operate using the state's Forensic Mobile Teams, which include nurses, nurse practitioners and social workers. Two staff members from a local community mental health center also will be hired to work at the jail.

The two existing Forensic Mobile Teams were expanded with state funding in the most recent budget. One of these teams was established a couple of years ago. Currently, the teams are serving those needing restoration services in jails across the state regardless of county while they await inpatient treatment.

The jail-based program will also be implemented in Clay County, the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and Jackson County. Simmons said other counties have already requested to be included if the program expands, though currently the services are limited. She said the counties were selected based on the volume of referrals that come from each jail  no surprise considering that these are the most populated areas of the state.

While an option, the jail-based model will not become the default.

"We don't anticipate that it will be the answer for every client, but I think individually we can look at it and make those types of assessments and ensure that people are receiving those treatment services while they're there," Simmons said. "That's the intent they would receive the same types of treatment services they would receive in an inpatient setting."

Stephanie Appleby, the executive director of NAMI Southwest Missouri, said she is grateful the department is putting time, energy and effort into providing more resources, which previously have been very limited.

"I think it's fabulous and long overdue," she said of the program. "I hope it works."

Appleby said she hopes this program and any future efforts can establish a more continuous network of care providers. Creating a playbook on an individual's care that both law enforcement agencies and mental health professionals can reference to determine best ways to support those needing care is a way to ensure a more sustainable approach to address mental health in the community, she said.

Other treatment options

Outpatient treatment will also be an option for some in need of competency restoration treatment. Simmons said this program would allow people to receive the needed services at their local community mental health centers. Providing this as an option would be a court decision for those demonstrating that they would be successful while free on bond, she said. Individuals held on dangerous felony charges are not eligible.

Rippee, with the sheriff's office, said there are concerns about this model of service as well. In order for those out on bond to get to these services, they might have to rely on someone else for transportation, along with other potential obstacles.

"Homelessness often goes hand in hand with mental health issues," she said.

Those who do not have the resources to actually get to their outpatient competency restoration treatment provider or keep on top of their medication may not fully benefit from the program, she said.

More: In the year since 988 went live, here's what a Springfield mental health provider has seen

Appleby also has concerns about the outpatient portion of the effort. She said inpatient care is generally always a better option, since in order for patients to be successful in outpatient, they "have to really want to live a self-directed life." Many who find themselves within the criminal justice system are not at that point in their recovery, she said.

But Simmons said the department hopes to work on more ways to connect individuals with treatment before they are within the criminal justice system. Increasing awareness and education of current resources like the 988 suicide and crisis hotline and local behavioral health programs is a large part of this.

"We've got to look at getting more upstream to try and help individuals engage in treatment services," she said.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Contact her with tips and story ideas at mmieze@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri plans new mental health restoration program at county jails
Under new landmark legislation passed by Kenyan lawmakers, profits from clean air projects will be granted to citizens most affected by the effects of Earths rising temperatures.

Communities will receive 40% of the profits generated by land-based air pollution reduction initiatives in their local area, and 25% of the money raised by water-based investments, such as the planting of mangrove forests, will also be diverted.

This move sees Kenya doubling down on its commitment to carbon tax credits. The country currently generates more offsets than any other African nation  a quarter of the African market exists in Kenya, reported France 24.

The African Carbon Market Initiative projects that credits in Kenya could increase to a value of around $600 million annually, per the outlet (though there is some question about the likelihood of this projection).

The funds are already making some headway in communities across Kenya. According to the United Nations, Mikoko Pamoja  a blue carbon project that aims to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by planting mangroves  has invested money into clean water supplies, schools, and hospitals in the Gazi Bay village.

By formalizing this siphoning of profits into law, Kenyan authorities can ensure that the carbon tax credits market benefits individuals suffering the brunt of extreme weather events. Around 95% of families in northern Kenya rely on farming for income, an industry now reckoning with drastic drought conditions brought on by four failed rain seasons.

Worsening droughts, floods, and disease outbreaks have all been linked to our planets warming and disproportionately affect communities already living in poverty.

Kenyan President William Ruto recently asserted the economic potential of the carbon tax credit market, which could help to alleviate some of that strain while financing more sustainable infrastructure, according to France 24.

They have the potential to absorb millions of tons of CO2 annually, which should translate into billions of dollars, he said of Kenyas offsetting projects.

The private sector really remains an untapped opportunity that now must be seized, Patricia Scotland, secretary-general of the Commonwealth of 56 countries, told Reuters. If you look at what weve got on thermal energy, on solar, on wind, on hydro, this is a powerhouse just waiting to be unleashed.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
PEMBROKE PINES  A lawn care worker was killed Monday morning in a car accident that is under investigation by Pembroke Pines Police.

The victims name has not been released, but Pembroke Pines police spokeswoman Amanda Conwell said the driver remained on the scene and was cooperating with the investigation.

No other details were immediately available.

The accident was near the intersection of Southwest 14th Street and Southwest 184th Avenue, just north of Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School.

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
As thousands of ethnic Armenians swarm toward the border amid Azerbaijans attacks on the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, a lawsuit filed in D.C. federal court lays out how a leading U.S. political dynastyone that includes a sitting governorstands to profit from the humanitarian disaster.

Azerbaijan assaulted the breakaway region earlier this month, after long obstructing the main aid corridor from Armenia, in violation of a Russia-brokered 2020 ceasefire. The Daily Beast provided an exclusive eyewitness account this past week of the unfolding exodus of Nagorno-Karabakh families attempting to escape violence.

The attack marked the latest stage of a long-running Caucasus conflict that dates to the early 20th century and which erupted amid the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when the province declared independence and gained autonomy from Azerbaijan with the help of Armenia. Nonetheless, the international community regards the area as part of Azerbaijan, despite its ethnic Armenian majority.

A lawsuit filed in July describes how, in the intervening years, the Sununu familyled by patriarch John Sununu, the former New Hampshire governor and ex-White House chief-of-staffheld stakes and positions in a U.K.-based firm that secured mining rights within the province from Baku, rights only an Azerbaijani reconquest could guarantee. Public records, news reports, and corporate filings support many of the suits factual assertions.

Whats more, according to federal filings that NBC News unearthed while investigating the dynastys interests in the Amazon, a family investment vehicle has historically held some of the shares in the U.K. companya vehicle from which sitting New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu still derives income. The Granite State chief executive was the only member of the Sununu family to comment for this story.

The governor has absolutely no involvement in the operations of Anglo Asian Mining or the operations of Sununu Holdings, the present governors press team wrote to The Daily Beast in answer to questions about both the gold and copper extractor and the clans eponymous holding entity.

But the Republican, beloved to some for his criticism of ex-President Donald Trump, did not answer repeated queries about what financial benefits he might derive from Anglo Asians activities. His office also would not pledge that the governor would forfeit any potential returns from the companys prospective business in Nagorno-Karabakh, so as not to profit from Azerbaijans alleged ethnic cleansing. Meanwhile, his 84-year-old father controls almost 10 percent of the metal miner, according to the most recently available corporate reports, making him the second largest shareholder in the operation.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu. Jemal Countess

The largest is president and CEO Mohammad Reza Vaziri, the defendant in the suit, which a Nagorno-Karabakh resident brought with assistance of an Armenia-aligned U.S. foundation. Neither Vaziri nor his attorneys replied to repeated requests for comment, and Anglo Asian declined to remark other than to point The Daily Beast to the companys filings with the London Stock Exchange. Although Vaziri is the focus of the litigation, the complaint refers by name not just to John and Chris but to Michael Sununu, brother to the sitting governor and a local New Hampshire politician.

The suit dates the Sununu paterfamilias involvement in Vaziris Azerbaijani adventures to 1997, when the company first struck a deal with the authoritarian state to gain access to its metal reserves. News reports from that year listed the GOP statesman among Bakus suitors for extractive opportunities, but the earliest document that The Daily Beast could find of a direct holding in Anglo Asian dates to 2005, when he joined its board of directors. The lawsuit further asserts that Sununu has a stake in at least one of Vaziris private companies, which The Daily Beast could not independently confirm.

From the start, the lawsuit notes, Anglo Asian sought and received mining concessions within Nagorno-Karabakhconcessions it could not access due to the territorys autonomous status. Its interest intensified in January 2016 with the completion of an Armenian-owned copper and molybdenum processing plant in the provinces town of Demirli. An image from the site soon adorned the cover of Azerbaijani government report on Yerevans economic presence in the occupied territories.

The lawsuit highlights several subsequent events: on March 31 of that year, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev met with John Sununu while he was visiting Washington, D.C., and the next day, Azeri forces attacked Nagorno-Karabakh, an advance the lawsuit suggests aimed at Demirli. After four days of fighting, Aliyevs forces withdrew.

But Azerbaijan grabbed back some of the territory four and half years later, prompting Anglo Asian to applaud in a statement to stockholders what it described as the liberation of one of its mining concession zones. After a month and a half of fighting, Moscow intervened to end the bloodshed, resuming its traditional role as security guarantor in its old imperial dominions.

Weeks later, the lawsuit highlights, Anglo Asian appointed Michael Sununufounder of Sununu Holdings, the entity from which Chris Sununu draws incometo its board. This means that of the companys five directors, two today are members of the Sununu family.

Almost exactly one year after the 2020 conflict began, Anglo Asian obtained initial Azerbaijani approvals to exploit two sites within the still-autonomous portions of Nagorno-Karabakh, including the Demirli installation.

The recent cessation of hostilities with Armenia has presented an opportunity for Anglo Asian to develop its remaining contract areas, Vaziri told Mining Weekly at the time. Following extensive negotiations, we are very pleased to have secured two additional highly strategic mining properties.

In December 2022, Azerbaijan demanded access to one of the mines as a condition for restoring Nagorno-Karabakhs food, medicine, and fuel route from Armenia. The move came precisely one week after Anglo Asian penned missives to the U.S., U.K, United Nations, and the European Union complaining of illegal mining at its concession locations in the disputed region.

Despite these efforts, as of June of this year, Anglo Asian reported it was unable to access these locations, and the blockade of the corridor has persisted despite international condemnation and allegations of genocide.

However, on Sept. 26, Anglo Asian had good news for its shareholders.

There have been reports in the press that the Azerbaijan Government has taken back control of the Demirli/Kyzlbulag mine, which is located in our contract areas, an executive wrote in a London Stock Exchange report. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all Anglo Asian employees, partners and the Government of Azerbaijan for their continued support in what continue to be challenging times.

The lawsuit against the firm has yet to make headway, and Vaziris attorneys have so far not filed a response to the complaint. Michael Sununu declined to comment for this story. His father did not respond to repeated calls and emails.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A lawyer suing the city of Sacramento over its handing of the homeless crisis is demanding that the city attorney recuse herself from the case because she is a material witness, and is seeking to depose both her and Mayor Darrell Steinberg .

Ognian Gavrilov, who sued the city Sept. 19 along with Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho, sent a demand letter Friday to City Attorney Susana Alcala Wood and wrote that her plan to represent the city in both lawsuits is alarming and outrageous.

You are a material witness in both actions, Gavrilov wrote, adding that he believes her office has information on why no citations have been issued by police for homeless residents blocking sidewalks, camping illegally or violating city code sections.

The City Attorneys Office is charged with the task of prosecuting code violations related to the homeless encampments overtaking our city. Gavrilov wrote. It appears you and others within your office have personal, discoverable information concerning the source of the directive to the police not to issue citations.

Further, you and your office intentionally concealed from the public and the City Council that the police have been expressly directed not to enforce the law. You and your office are hereby on notice that you must preserve all communications concerning any directive to the Police Department regarding homeless encampments and the growing homeless crisis.

Further, you and your office are on notice that you must preserve all internal communications concerning homeless encampments in general, and any directive(s) to the police regarding the homeless and homeless encampments in particular. Govern yourself accordingly.

Gavrilov also contends that Alcala Wood cannot legally represent the city in either lawsuit.

Because you are a material witness in the actions, it is clearly inappropriate and unlawful for you or your office to represent the city moving forward, he wrote. Please confirm that you and your office will cease any form of representation on behalf of the city related to the actions, and that the city will retain outside counsel forthwith.

Further, please confirm that you have expressly informed the City Council that you are a material witness in the actions.

The letter also says Gavrilov intends to depose both Alcala Wood and Steinberg before the end of October and asks for proposed dates by Wednesday.

If we do not receive proposed deposition dates by close of business on October 4, we will personally serve you and Mayor Steinberg notices of deposition and will conduct the depositions on dates of our choosing, Gavrilov wrote.

Representatives for Steinberg and the city did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday, but city officials have accused the district attorney of politicizing the homeless crisis rather than seeking to work together to address the growing number of camps downtown and in other areas.

No local government in the Sacramento region has done more to address the crisis on our streets: 1,200 new emergency beds, ordinances to protect sidewalks, schools and other sensitive sites; a legally binding partnership with the county; thousands of new affordable housing units-to name a few, Steinberg said after Ho filed his lawsuit.

Frankly, we have no time for the district attorneys performative distraction from the hard work we all need to do together to solve this complex social problem plaguing urban centers throughout the state and nation, Steinberg added. The city needs real partnership from the regions leaders, not politics and lawsuits. Lets just do the work.

Friction between the D.A. and the city has been building since July, when Ho said he planned to investigate what he sees as a lack of action by city officials to address homeless problems and enforce its own code sections, including a prohibition against blocking sidewalks.

Ho says the city attorney informed him in an email that police have issued only one citation since the sidewalk ordinance was adopted in August 2022.

SPD is simply not issuing citations for unlawful camping, unlawful storage, sidewalk obstructions or any Sacramento city code sections related to the homeless encampments, Alcala Wood wrote in the email. Our data indicates no citations have been referred to our office for prosecution with the exception of a single general release citation.

For that reason partnering with your office to support SPD in becoming more comfortable in issuing citations is a good approach because as you know  we cant prosecute cases if no cases are sent to us.

Ho and Gavrilov sued the city for creating a public nuisance by allowing homeless camps to spread throughout various neighborhoods, and Gavrilovs suit claims there is a Steinberg Decree that prohibits police and other city officials from clearing dangerous homeless encampments that clutter the sidewalks and pollute local neighborhoods.

The Steinberg Decree has transformed this once bucolic tree-lined city into a rotting cesspool of decay and despair, the suit says.

The city has rejected such claims, saying officials have relied on voluntary enforcement of the sidewalk ordinance thousands of times rather than issuing citations.

The mayor did not direct the Police Department not to enforce the sidewalk ordinance, Steinberg Chief of Staff Mary Lynne Vellinga said in August. When they initially passed the sidewalk ordinance the entire City Council made it clear that they preferred that the city seek voluntary compliance and cite for a violation only as a last resort, particularly as unhoused people often lack the capacity to pay fines.

Last Tuesday, the council and Mayor Steinberg voted in favor of a more rapid enforcement approach in which police were specifically directed to enforce the citys ordinances, and the council authorized the city manager to use overtime to enable them to respond to the many demands around the city.

A spokesman for City Manager Howard Chan also has noted that the city has responded to thousands of calls using voluntary compliance successfully.

Over the past year, the city has been enforcing its sidewalk ordinance, responding to more than 4,500 calls for service regarding blocked sidewalks and building entrances, spokesman Tim Swanson wrote in an email. This work has been conducted in accordance with the City Council directive to avoid fining or booking people in jail who are cited and to prioritize outreach. ...

Also, please note that this time frame includes two periods when the city was ordered by the federal court to halt enforcement.

Through the ongoing work of the Department of Community Response, Code Enforcement and the Sacramento Police Department, the city largely has been able to achieve voluntary compliance when addressing these violations without issuing citations.

Hos lawsuit and Gavrilovs, which was filed on behalf of business owners who say they have been hurt by the homeless crisis, were filed separately in Sacramento Superior Court.

But both Ho and Gavrilov filed a stipulation last week agreeing to consolidate the cases, arguing that these matters are nearly identical with respect to factual and legal issues and their consolidation will result in increased efficiency and the preservation of judicial resources.

City officials have yet to file a formal answer to the lawsuits.
The lawyer of an influencer facing 6 felony charges said media criticism of her client is racist.

She describe it as an "all-out assault on black and brown people."

The influencer livestreamed herself laughing and cheering as a crowd looted stores in Philadelphia.

The lawyer of an influencer who was charged with six felonies after she livestreamed herself as a crowd looted stores in Philadelphia says criticism of her client is racist.



In an open letter, published on Instagram over the weekend, Jessica Mann, a managing attorney at Shaka Johnson, decried the "unjust portrayal" of Dayjia Blackwell.



Blackwell, who is known as "Meatball" online, was charged with six felonies and two misdemeanors, including burglary and conspiracy, after being arrested mid-livestream last Tuesday.

In her own footage of the events, Blackwell could be heard laughing, cheering, and saying: "Tell the police they either lock me up tonight or it's going to get lit  it's going to be a movie."

But Johnson said the media response was unjust.

"It sickens me to witness the media's complicity in what can only be described as an all-out assault on black and brown people, as their character and actions are mercilessly vilified," she wrote.

Mann described Blackwell as a "vibrant and charismatic" Black woman who was "catapulted into the limelight" by her social media content.



The content, she said, includes silly skits and pranks that "uplift her audience."



But Mann said that the person described above doesn't "garner clicks" on websites.



"So you post her mugshot with tears streaming down her face and her hair a mess to satisfy your need to get 'clicks' and sell a salacious story," Mann wrote.



Mann also argued that the media should have focused on how Blackwell was "doing nothing more than capturing the raw reality of public outrage when she streamed the events" on September 26.



Mann said the media had overlooked the "underlying catalyst" for her actions  the dismissal of charges against a former Philadelphia police officer who was arrested in the fatal shooting last month of Eddie Irizarry during a traffic stop. (Insider covered this in its initial reporting.)

But speaking to 6ABC Philadelphia last week , Philadelphia's interim police commissioner, John Stanford, accused Blackwell of leading a "caravan of looters" from store to store, as well as "committing burglaries and encouraging others to commit burglaries."

At a press conference, he said that people looting Apple, Lululemon, and other stores were "criminal opportunists" piggybacking on the anger surrounding the Irizarry case.



However, Mann, in the concluding remarks of the open letter, wrote: "How can we stand idly by as they continue to paint Dayjia as the perpetrator when she was merely holding up a mirror to Philadelphia so that it could see its ugly reflection?"



Mann and Blackwell did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.



Read the original article on Insider
Istanbul (CNN)  Turkeys military carried out airstrikes targeting Kurdish militants in northern Iraq on Sunday, just hours after the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing in the capital in the latest attack of its nearly four-decade long insurgency.

In a statement, the Turkish Defense Ministry said its warplanes destroyed 20 PKK targets including caves, bunkers, shelters and warehouses in the regions of Metina, Hakurk, Kandil, and Gara.

Many terrorists were neutralized by using the maximum amount of domestic and national ammunition, said the statement, which cited self-defense rights from Article 51 of the United Nations Charter to justify the strikes.

The PKK, which is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, earlier said it was behind the blast Sunday outside Turkeys Interior Ministry building that left one dead and two injured, the pro-PKK Firat News Agency reported.

The ministry said in a statement that two attackers murdered a civilian and stole his vehicle ahead of the opening of parliament in Ankara. Two police officers reportedly received non-life-threatening injuries.

One assailant blew himself up and the other was neutralized, the ministry said.

Investigators found four different types of guns, three hand grenades, one rocket launcher, and C-4 explosives at the scene.

The ministry confirmed at least one of the two attackers is a PKK member. The second attacker has yet to be identified, it said.

Kurds, who do not have an official homeland or country, are the biggest minority in Turkey, making up between 15% and 20% of the population, according to Minority Rights Group International.

Portions of Kurdistan  a non-governmental region and one of the largest stateless nations in the world  are recognized by Iran, where the province of Kordestan lies; and Iraq, site of the northern autonomous region known as Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) or Iraqi Kurdistan.

According to Ankara, the PKK trains separatist fighters and launches attacks against Turkey from its bases in northern Iraq and Syria, where a PKK-affiliated Kurdish group controls large swaths of territory.

Terror attacks in Turkey were tragically common in the mid to late 2010s, when the insecurity from war-torn Syria crept north above the two countries shared border.

And in November last year, Ankara blamed the PKK for a bomb attack on a central pedestrian boulevard in Istanbul that killed six and injured dozens.

In recent years, Turkey has carried out a steady stream of operations against the PKK domestically as well as cross-border operations into Syria.

In an address to lawmakers Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that Turkey would continue its fight against terrorism until the last terrorist is eliminated domestically and abroad.

Sundays attack marked the final flutters of terrorism in the country, he added.

This story was first published on CNN.com. "Turkey launches airstrikes against Kurdish militants following deadly Ankara blast"
Its nearing that time again, when Hoosiers trade lawn mowers for leaf blowers.

For this edition of Scrub Hub, were looking at a rather small fall chore but one that is important for keeping roads safe and protecting water quality: Preventing leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste from clogging storm drains.

Weve spoken with experts around Indy and consulted local best practices to answer: Why is it important to keep storm drains clear?

Volunteers clearing out a storm drain Thursday, Sept. 29, 2023, in the Riverside neighborhood during the Lilly Day of Service with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.

Short Answer: Prevent ponding and flooding on the streets

Storm drains are an important part of keeping Indys roadways safe and passable. Falling leaves, lawn clippings and other debris can block drains in the street. And in Indianapolis, residents are responsible for the drains adjacent to their property.

Harrison Rice, with Indys DPW, said it is important to reduce the amount of yard waste entering and clogging drains. If a drain is fully clogged, that water backs up and causes ponding and flooding, sometimes making roads impassable.

Summer Keown, with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, said how often you need to clear debris away from a drain can depend on different factors. KIBs Adopt-A-Block program suggests volunteers check regularly, but if an area is normally pretty clean they can go out every other week or once a month.

If its just starting to rain and you notice the debris and have some time, save yourself a lot of problems in the neighborhood by being proactive, Keown said.

The Indiana State Police recognize the dangers of driving through flooded streets and advise motorists to not drive through any flowing flood waters. Even standing water can affect a vehicles braking.

A storm drain cluttered with debris in the Riverside neighborhood during the Lilly Day of Service where volunteers with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful went out to clean up the streets.

Long Answer: Reducing pollution into freshwater systems.

Aside from making roads unsafe, that yard waste ends up in our freshwater systems.

Jill Hoffman, executive director of the White River Alliance, said stormwater is one of the largest sources of pollution in the White River watershed.

Between Marion County and southern Hamilton County, we have over 10,000 stormwater outfall pipes that shunt polluted urban runoff into the river without treatment, Hoffman wrote in an email to IndyStar. And, watershed-wide there are 1000s more. By sheer number, industrial and wastewater pipe discharges pale in comparison to stormwater.

Organic matter like leaves and grass clippings break down and release nutrients into the water contributing to the growth of algae, Hoffman wrote. Algal blooms can not only affect the dissolved oxygen in the water, which can harm wildlife, but contributes to poor odor and taste and increase treatment costs.

The White River Alliance has a drain steward program where interested Hoosiers can volunteer to keep a nearby storm drain clear of debris.

The citys Only Rain Down the Drain campaign is also focused on motivating Indy residents to clean leaves, litter and debris from drains. The city recommends composting yard waste, sweeping up grass clippings and running downspouts into a yard rather than hard, impervious surfaces that allow water to flow into streets.

Volunteers clearing out a storm drain Thursday, Sept. 29, 2023, in the Riverside neighborhood during the Lilly Day of Service with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.

If youre motivated to take things a step further, the StormWater Action Team through the White River Alliance is a chance for neighbors to come together on a given day to clean drains, educate the neighborhood and inspire others to help.

The alliance will provide door hangers, gloves, bags and safety vests for the cleanup day.

KIB also offers tools for Adopt-A-Block volunteers to clean out drains such as shovels, push brooms and industrial dust pans.

Its best to collect the debris in a trash bag and dispose of it in a bin with a lid. That way the debris wont blow back out onto the street.

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: Scrub Hub: Why should Hoosiers keep storm drains clear?
Biden administration officials are far more worried about corruption in Ukraine than they publicly admit, a confidential U.S. strategy document obtained by POLITICO suggests.

The sensitive but unclassified version of the long-term U.S. plan lays out numerous steps Washington is taking to help Kyiv root out malfeasance and otherwise reform an array of Ukrainian sectors. It stresses that corruption could cause Western allies to abandon Ukraines fight against Russias invasion, and that Kyiv cannot put off the anti-graft effort.

Perceptions of high-level corruption the confidential version of the document warns, could undermine the Ukrainian publics and foreign leaders confidence in the war-time government.

Thats starker than the analysis available in the little-noticed public version of the 22-page document, which the State Department appears to have posted on its website with no fanfare about a month ago.

The confidential version of the Integrated Country Strategy is about three times as long and contains many more details about U.S. objectives in Ukraine, from privatizing its banks to helping more schools teach English to encouraging its military to adopt NATO protocols. Many goals are designed to reduce the corruption that bedevils the country.

The quiet release of the strategy, and the fact that the toughest language was left in the confidential version, underscores the messaging challenge facing the Biden team.

The administration wants to press Ukraine to cut graft, not least because U.S. dollars are at stake. But being too loud about the issue could embolden opponents of U.S. aid to Ukraine, many of them Republican lawmakers who are trying to block such assistance. Any perception of weakened American support for Kyiv also could cause more European countries to think twice about their role.

When it comes to the Ukrainians, there are some honest conversations happening behind the scenes, a U.S. official familiar with Ukraine policy said. Like others, the person was granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue.

Ukrainian graft has long been a concern of U.S. officials all the way up to President Joe Biden. But the topic was deemphasized in the wake of Russias February 2022 full-scale invasion, which Biden has called a real-life battle of democracy against autocracy.

For months, Biden aides stuck to brief mentions of corruption. They wanted to show solidarity with Kyiv and avoid giving fuel to a small number of Republican lawmakers critical of U.S. military and economic aid for Ukraine.



More than a year into the full-scale war, U.S. officials are pressing the matter more in public and private. National security adviser Jake Sullivan, for instance, met in early September with a delegation from Ukrainian anti-corruption institutions.

A second U.S. official familiar with the discussions confirmed to POLITICO reports that the Biden administration is talking to Ukrainian leaders about potentially conditioning future economic aid on reforms to tackle corruption and make Ukraine a more attractive place for private investment.

Such conditions are not being considered for military aid, the official said.

A spokesperson for Ukraines foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired several top defense officials in a recent crackdown on alleged graft  a message to the United States and Europe that hes listening.

The Integrated Country Strategy is a State Department product that draws on contributions from other parts of the U.S. government, including the Defense Department. It includes lists of goals, timelines for achieving them and milestones that U.S. officials would like to see hit. (The State Department produces such strategies for many countries once every few years.)

A State Department official, speaking on behalf of the department, would not say if Washington had shared the longer version of the strategy with the Ukrainian government or whether a classified version exists.

William Taylor, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, said many ordinary Ukrainians will likely welcome the strategy because they, too, are tired of the endemic corruption in their country.

Its all fine as long as it doesnt get in the way of the assistance we provide them to win the war, he said.



The document says that fulfilling American objectives for Ukraine includes making good on U.S. promises of equipment and training to help Ukraines armed forces fend off the Kremlins attacks.

The confidential version also describes U.S. goals such as helping reform elements of Ukraines national security apparatus to allow for decentralized, risk-tolerant approach to execution of tasks and reduce opportunities for corruption.

Although the NATO military alliance is not close to allowing Ukraine to join, the American strategy often cites a desire to make Ukraines military adopt NATO standards.

One hoped-for milestone listed in the confidential version is that Ukraines Defense Ministry establishes a professionalized junior officer and non-commissioned officer corps with NATO standard doctrine and principles.

Even the format and content of Ukrainian defense documents should reflect NATO terminology, a confidential section of the strategy says.

One target includes creating a national level resistance plan. That could allude to ordinary Ukrainians fighting back if Russia gains more territory. (The State Department official would not clarify that point.)

The U.S. also wants to see Ukraine produce its own military equipment by establishing a domestic defense industry capable of supporting core needs as well as an environment that boosts defense information technology start-ups, according to one of the confidential sections.

U.S. officials appear especially concerned about the role of an elite few in Ukraines economy.

Deoligarchization, particularly of the energy and mining sectors, is a core tenet to building back a better Ukraine, the public part of the strategy declares. One indicator of success, the confidential version states, is that the Ukrainian government embraces meaningful reforms decentralizing control of the energy sector.

The United States appears eager to help Ukrainian institutions build their oversight capacities. The goals listed include everything from helping local governments assess corruption risks to reforms in human resources offices.



As one example, the strategy says the U.S. is helping the Accounting Chamber of Ukraine enhance its auditing and related work in part so it can track direct budget support from the United States.

The strategy describes ways in which the United States is helping Ukraines health sector, cyber defenses and organizations that battle disinformation. It calls for supporting Ukrainian anti-monopoly efforts and initiatives to spur increased tax revenue for the countrys coffers.

The confidential portion calls for Ukraines financial systems to increase lending to encourage business expansion and a reduction in the states role in the banking sector.

One envisioned milestone for that section is that Alfa Bank is transparently returned to private ownership. That appears to be a reference to an institution now known as Sense Bank, which was previously Russian-owned but nationalized by Ukraine.

The U.S. strategy appears intent on ensuring that Ukraine not only retains its orientation toward the West but that it develops special ties with America.

One way Washington believes that will happen is through the English language. The strategy indicates the United States is offering technical and other aid to Ukraines education ministry to improve the teaching of English and that it believes offering English lessons can help reintegrate Ukrainians freed from Russian occupation.

U.S. officials also are helping Ukraine build its capacity to prosecute war crimes in its own judicial system. The desired milestones include the selection of more than 2,000 new judges and clearing up a backlog of over 9,000 judicial misconduct complaints.

The strategy also calls for rebuilding the U.S. diplomatic presence in Ukraine, expanding beyond Kyiv to cities such as Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv and Dnipro.

Due to earlier staff drawdowns spurred by the full-scale Russian invasion, the embassy remains in crisis mode, one of the public sections states. (The State Department official would not discuss the current Embassy staffing numbers.)

As they have in past communications reported on by POLITICO, U.S. officials note inventive ways in which the United States is providing oversight of American aid to Ukraine despite facing limitations due to the war. Those efforts have included using an app called SEALR to help track the aid.
He left his job in banking to take over his father's pork-rib-soup stall in Singapore. After 3 years of Michelin's Bib Gourmand status, he has no regrets.

Joo Siah Bak Koot Teh has been selling Singapore's famed pork broth for more than 30 years. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Joo Siah Bak Koot Teh is a food stall in Singapore that's been selling pork-rib broth for three decades.

Ryan Chua quit his banking job to take over his father's business.

Chua's bak kut teh is aromatic, peppery, and refreshing  and it costs just $5.30.

Ryan Chua, 40, runs a hawker that's been selling bak kut teh  a fragrant pork rib soup  for more than 30 years.

Ryan Chua is the second-generation owner of the family-run stall. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Chua's father, Sim Huat, first started Joo Siah Bak Koot Teh in 1985. Now, some 38 years later, Chua has taken over the reins and manages the eatery.

"My dad has always been a food lover. He learned the basics of bak kut teh and made his own tweaks to it," Chua told me.

I traveled to the western side of Singapore to meet up with Chua. His stall is set up about 10 miles from the city's center in a quiet neighborhood surrounded by public-housing towers. I arrived in the late afternoon to find only a few people still eating  or perhaps catching an early dinner  on the plastic chairs and tables.

The food stall had humble beginnings. In the 1980s, a recession hit Singapore, and Chua's father lost his job as a site manager at a shipyard in northern Singapore. Determined to get back on his feet, Sim Huat started the bak kut teh stall in northern Singapore after spending three months learning how to master the dish from his brother-in-law. His father's goal at the time had been to survive the financial crisis, Chua said.

After running the stall for almost two decades and passing his 55th birthday, Sim Huat thought about retiring and closing the eatery for good. At first, none of his children could continue running the business as they each had their own careers, Chua said. That's when Chua decided to leave his job as a banker in portfolio-risk management and take over the family business full-time.

Chua has now been running the eatery for 10 years, which has since moved to a new, larger location in Jurong East, a neighborhood in western Singapore.

"My elder brother is a vegetarian, and my sister took her PhD, so neither of them were a fit," Chua said, adding that he "didn't mind" managing the family business.

Chua serves a type of bak kut teh that's unique to Singapore. For 7.20 Singapore dollars, or $5.30, you can buy a bowl of the broth and rice.

Quah's dish is made with fresh pork ribs. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Bak kut teh is associated with both Singaporean and Malaysian cuisines, although the dish originates from Fujian, China, according to the government site Singapore Infopedia. Hokkien immigrants then brought the dish to Singapore and Malaysia in the 1800s, the site says.

The name "bak kut teh" is a direct translation of the Hokkien phrase, which means "meat bone tea," referring to the fragrant broth that's made with spices such as star anise, garlic, and cloves.

KF Seetoh, a local food critic, told me on a phone call the version Chua served was unique to Singapore.

In Malaysia, bak kut teh is part of the local Hokkien fare and has a darker broth, thanks to salty ingredients such as soy sauce. But in Singapore, the dish is part of the local Teochew cuisine, and Teochew people prefer their broth light in flavor and color, using ingredients such as garlic and white pepper, Seetoh, the author of Singapore's first food guide, said.

"If you go to Malaysia, you won't find this style commonly," Seetoh added.

And for Chua, Teochew-style bak kut teh is all about the white pepper.

Chua said the flavor shouldn't be overpowering, and the tastes should be "delicately balanced."

Joo Siah Bak Koot Teh has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand for three years in a row.

The stall has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand for three years. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand is a list that rounds up the best eateries and restaurants serving food at an affordable price point. Michelin describes Bib Gourmand eateries as having "good quality, good value cooking."

In Singapore, most of the eateries on the Bib Gourmand serve casual, Singaporean cuisine from open-air food courts  or hawker centers  just like Chua's.

Chua's eatery was named in the 2021, 2022, and 2023 editions of the Bib Gourmand. He said the first time the eatery was awarded the Bib Gourmand he was surprised  he didn't even know about it until a friend sent him an article about the list.

"We feel good that the hard work that we've done has paid off, I mean, my dad has been doing this for over 30 years," Chua said, adding that he felt "proud" to be part of the esteemed list.

Despite his success, Chua is not planning to move to a restaurant setting.

The stall is located in western Singapore. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

After several decades, the family-owned eatery still operates out of an open-air food court. In Singapore, many residents eat out at coffee shops, locally known as kopitiams. These eateries are smaller and more compact than hawker centers, which are often sprawling and can have more than 100 stalls serving different types of cuisine. Kopitiams usually have a handful of specialty cooks serving up only a handful of dishes.

At that kopitiam where Joo Siah Bak Koot Teh is set up, there are only a handful of other food stalls  Chua's bak kut teh shop is the biggest  and a small beverages shop that sells local coffee and teas.

Despite the popularity of Chua's eatery, he prefers to continue operating out of a coffee shop instead of moving into a restaurant-style location.

Seetoh, the food critic, told me that serving bak kut teh out of a coffee-shop stall helped provide a more authentic experience to customers.

"The atmosphere, the layout of the kitchen, people stand there and see the pots boiling  all these are ingrained into their operational culture," Seetoh said.

Preparation for the broth starts early in the morning at 6 a.m. and it goes on to be cooked in batches.

Ryan Quah serving a bowl of his stall's bak ku teh. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Making bak kut teh from scratch is becoming a rare trade, Seetoh told me. Nowadays, it's becoming more common for people to make the dish with powder and paste that's meant to mimic the flavors of the soup.

"I think within half a generation, people wouldn't know the original method of doing this," Seetoh said.

But Chua still does all the preparation from scratch, using fresh meat and ingredients and a lot of time. The secret to great bak kut teh, he says, is to cook in small batches so customers get a freshly-cooked bowl  and not something that's stale and sitting around. The broth is cooked for about an hour to make sure the meat is soft and tender before being served, Chua says.

"Fresh meat is more expensive compared to the frozen ones," Chua said, adding that he and his parents have stringent quality control when it comes to the soup, tasting, and adjusting the taste with each batch.

Other dishes, including braised pork and pork innards, are also served at the stall.

Other dishes, such as braised pork, are also served at the stall. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

While Chua's eatery is best known for bak kut teh, other Teochew dishes are served such as braised pork  a savory pork dish that's made with pork belly and meat, soy sauce, garlic, fennel, and spices such as star anise and cloves. It's a dish that's fragrant and aromatic and is one of the eatery's signatures.

"It's even more difficult to cook the braised pork than the bak kut teh, but our customers keep coming back for it," Chua said.

Bak kut teh is often eaten with several other dishes, such as white rice and braised peanuts  another popular dish at Chua's eatery. It's made with spices such as cinnamon and cloves, fruits such as dates, and Chinese ingredients such as licorice root and five-spice powder.

"We want to prepare a complete meal for our customers to share with their family and friends. It makes our customers feel happier and more satisfied," Chua said.

I tried Chua's version of bak kut teh and the fresh pork ribs were the highlight for me.

A bowl of bak ku teh. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Seetoh told me he expected distinct flavors from a good bak kut teh, specifically a kick of white pepper and a garlicky flavor. The meat, too, needs to be fall-off-the-bone tender.

And that's exactly what I got from Chua's bak kut teh  I could taste the white pepper right off the bat, and the garlic added a delightful depth to the broth. The pork was the star of the dish  it wasn't gamey, but perfectly cooked and incredibly tender. The ribs were well-seasoned with salt and complemented the subtle flavors of the broth. After a long day at work, it was the perfect comfort dish to fill me up.

I could see why Chua's stall has been awarded the Bib Gourmand three years in a row. Chua's bak kut teh was worth venturing out of the city center for.

As for the eatery's future, Chua said he was focused on just making the best version of bak kut teh he could and his plans to expand could wait.

"I'm not sure if I'm ready," Chua said, adding that replicating the dish to the same standard at multiple stalls wasn't easy.

"I just hope I can carry on this legacy and share Singapore food with others," he said.

Read the original article on Insider
Former President Donald Trump raged on Truth Social ahead of his trial Monday in New York Attorney General Letitia James' fraud lawsuit.

Trump and James are both expected to be in court in Manhattan on Monday, where the former president will face allegations that he, his adult sons and their family business inflated his wealth by billions to secure favorable terms from banks. Trump, who has denied the allegations, is eventually expected to be called to testify, according to The New York Times.

New York Judge Arthur Engoron last week ruled that Trump had persistently committed fraud, finding that no trial was necessary to determine whether the allegation is true. The ruling is set to strip the Trumps of control over their New York properties, which "could crush much of the business known as the Trump Organization," the Times added.

"The trial is a bench trialthe case will be decided by the judge, not a jury," former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance explained. "Judge Engoron is a distinguished jurist who has spent 2 decades on the bench & whose increasing frustration with Trump's efforts to delay the proceedings was apparent last week."

James is asking Engoron to fine Trump as much as $250 million and permanently ban him from operating any businesses in New York. The trial will determine how much Trump and his sons exaggerated their wealth and what the punishment will be.

"Those details determine what Donald J. Trump and the Trump Organization will be prohibited from doing, as well as the size of any civil penalty," Fordham Law Prof. Howard Erichson told the Times.

The witness list suggests the trial could last months, according to the outlet. James' witness list includes more than 50 people, including former Trump Organization financial chief Allen Weisselberg, who is also a defendant and pleaded guilty in a separate case brought by the Manhattan district attorney's office.

Trump on Truth Social called James "corrupt and racist" over the lawsuit before lashing out at Engoron, calling him a "Trump Hating Judge who is who is unfair, unhinged, and vicious in his PURSUIT of me."

Engoron's ruling last week cited multiple examples of Trump overstating the value of his assets. In one case, Engoron wrote, Trump's financial statements valued his Mar-a-Lago club at between $427 million to $612 million even though the Palm Beach County assessor appraised the market value of the property at $18 million to $27.6 million.

"He values Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida, at 18 Million Dollars, when it is worth 50 to 100 times that amount," Trump wrote shortly before midnight. "His valuations are FRAUDULENT in pursuit of Election Interference, and worse. THIS WHOLE CASE IS A SHAM!!!"

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Trump went on to claim that Engoron "refuses to accept our big win" from an appeals court in June, which raised the prospect that some of the allegations in the lawsuit were too old to try. But the court on Thursday rejected Trump's attempt to dodge the charges and allowed the case to proceed to trial.

"Judge Engoron's Valuation of Mar-a-Lago, the most spectacular property in Palm Beach, Florida, IS FRAUDULENT!" Trump continued to fume shortly before 1 am. "He states a value of 18 Million Dollars, knowing full well that it is worth, perhaps, 50 to 100 times that amount. Engoron is working diligently to misrepresent me, and my net worth, which is substantially MORE than is shown on my fully 'disclaimed' Financial Statements. I have not even included my most valuable asset - BRAND!"

Trump demanded that Engoron "resign" and "be sanctioned by the Courts for his abuse of power, and his intentional and criminal interference with the Presidential Election of 2024, of which I am leading all candidates, both Republican & Democrat, by significant margins."

"Likewise, Letitia James should resign for purposeful and criminal Election Interference," he added. "She is fully aware that Mar-a-Lago, and other assets, are worth much more than what she is claiming. Both of these Democrat Operatives are a disgrace to New York, and to the United States of America!"
Former President Donald Trump on Monday lashed out at the judge overseeing his trial in New York Attorney General Letitia James' civil fraud lawsuit in Manhattan.

The former president referred to Judge Arthur Engoron as a "rogue judge" while speaking to reporters inside the courthouse, claiming the judge had undervalued his properties in a partial summary judgment handed down last week ruling that Trump had persistently committed fraud. "And he's a disgrace to people that call themselves judges," the ex-president told reporters. "And his clerk should not be allowed to be in his ear on every single question. You take a look at what's happening with her. She hates Trump more than he does."

Trump also slammed James, calling her lawsuit "a scam and a sham."

"We have a racist attorney general who is a horror show!" Trump added. "She ran on the basis of she was going to get Trump before she even knew anything about me!"

Trump, at an NYC courthouse, attacks the judge and prosecutors involved in his fraud case pic.twitter.com/LqjNW7x5AC  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 2, 2023

Some legal experts characterized Trump's courthouse meltdown as a sign that he knows his defense stands little chance of prevailing.

"I think that Trump has already decided he's going to lose on the law," John Yoo, a Berkeley Law professor and former Justice Department official in the George W. Bush administration, told Fox News on Monday. "Last week, the judge already made all the key findings against him. So what I think President Trump has done is turn this all into a political strategy."

"I would say it was the acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, because everything he said, whether it's true or not, is all aimed at the political sphere," he said. "Everything he said could only make sure that he's going to lose. Attacking the judge for being rogue, saying the... attorney general is racist. Now, there's no way that this judge is going to find at all in the favor of President Trump."

"And I think on appeal, he's going to lose because this is not the kind of case appeal judges don't want to get involved in and reverse factual findings by the trial judge," Yoo added. "So I think what you're seeing here is actually throwing in the towel on the law and using it instead as a platform to amplify his political message. But that political message will tube and tank his ability to prevail at all in this legal proceeding."

CNN legal analyst and former federal prosecutor Elie Honing noted on Monday that it was "a counterintuitive strategy to openly attack the person who's going to be rendering the verdict in this case, the judge."

"It seems to me Donald Trump's strategy here is essentially damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead," he said, according to Mediaite. "He understands he's not going to kiss up to this judge. He's not going to try to please this judge. I think he realizes he's going to lose... He already has lost the first count, the most important count. I think he's trying to make, A, a political appeal, B, I think his legal approach here is going to be his lawyers. They're going to be hoping to set the stage for appeal, hoping that they can find something that was procedurally incorrect, find some sort of bias in the judge that will justify an appeal. But he's leaning into this for sure."

Anchor Sara Sidner underscored the use of the word "racist" in Trump's criticism of James, observing how "every time he goes after the judge or the attorney general in saying that she's racist, they get threats like this is actually dangerous for them every time he does it."

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

"And I do think we have to call it out every time we get used to it, because he does it every single time. But there are real consequences to these statements," Honig replied, adding "They are, in my view, what we just heard is over the line."

"Look, you are allowed as a defendant in a criminal case or a civil case," he continued. "You're allowed to criticize the prosecutor, you're allowed to criticize the other party. You're allowed to criticize the judge. Again, query whether that's a smart decision, but you can do that. But there is a line. And when you get to the point of calling the attorney general a racist, when you get to the point of saying some of the things that I won't repeat about this, AG about other prosecutors, about the judge, that becomes dangerous. And the question is, will either the prosecutors in any of these cases or the judges in any of these cases do anything about it? We see that starting to happen now in one of the criminal cases, the federal case in D.C., the judge is considering a gag order as we speak."

"And by the way, these statements that we're hearing today probably aren't going to help Donald Trump in arguing against that," Honing asserted.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein , seen speaking in support of a revived assault weapons ban in 2013, died Sept. 29 at age 90. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

To the editor: Sen. Dianne Feinstein was an exemplary public servant for more than 50 years. While she may be best remembered as San Francisco's first female mayor and Californias first female U.S. senator, one of her greatest legacies was the federal assault weapons ban she wrote. ("Dianne Feinstein, the first woman to represent California in the Senate, dies at 90," Sept. 29)

Mass shootings in which six or more people were killed fell 37% from the preceding decade during the period when the assault weapons ban was in effect from 1994 to 2004. Those killings more than doubled during the decade after it expired. Clearly, Feinstein's ban saved many lives.

It is incomprehensible that, even after the massacre of 20 6- and 7-year-old children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 and countless mass shootings since then, Congress has failed to revive a similar ban.

Stephen A. Silver, San Francisco

..

To the editor: On Saturday's front page, the clash between the major parties was clear.

In one of many tributes to Feinstein, her 2017 quote jumped off the page: "Thats what we need  people who understand working together isn't a bad word and achieving together isnt a bad word. We do need to compromise and that is not a bad word."

Lower on the page, Donald Trump, precedent-setting in his own way for four indictments and two impeachments, rallied the crowd at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim. He said the following to great applause: "We will stand up to crazy Nancy Pelosi who ruined San Francisco. How's her husband doing, by the way?"

The loss of a legend breaks my heart, as does the cult that has mushroomed around a very cruel man. Where is the courage and honor in today's GOP?

Patricia Farrell Aidem, Valencia

..

To the editor: For 31 years, Feinstein strove to serve Californians from every corner of the state. Having grown up in Humboldt County, I say this with true conviction.

Californias far north often receives little attention compared with the state's largest urban centers. To Feinstein, though, we were still her constituents, despite our multiple attempts to secede and form the State of Jefferson.

Feinstein visited my hometown of Eureka several times while first campaigning for the Senate. Always engaged in local topics, she would meet with fishermen and other industry leaders.

Her efforts to federally protect the Headwaters Forest Reserve just outside Eureka were perhaps one of her greatest achievements for the far north. Originally the largest privately owned collection of old-growth redwoods, her actions ensured the forest was open for all, forever.

Feinstein was dedicated to serving all in the Golden State, even those in its far reaches.

Jack Hill, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: If fair and balanced reporting is to be respected, the encomiums for Feinstein must be accompanied by the less savory aspects of her political career.

Feinstein was an enthusiastic supporter of the U.S. government's widespread spying on its own citizens. She called Edward Snowden's revelation of the extent of this surveillance an "act of treason."

In her San Francisco office in 2019, she snarled dismissively at young climate change activists: "You come in here and say it has to be my way or the highway."

Publicly she complimented then-Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) after the Amy Coney Barrett hearings in 2020: "This has been one of the best set of hearings that I've participated in, and I want to thank you for your fairness and the opportunity of going back and forth."

In view of that performance, Feinstein was pressured by her fellow Democrats into stepping aside from chairing the Judiciary Committee should her party win control of the Senate.

By 2018, her esteem among California Democrats had so eroded that the state party declined to endorse her for reelection.

So please, in fairness, let us remember Feinstein, warts and all.

William Smithers, Santa Barbara

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
After 28 years in business, Simone's Unlimited announced Friday that the Hanover location will be closing.

The physical store will close on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, according to a Facebook post by the business. The Hanover location will be merging and relocating to the Fort Lauderdale location of Simone's that was opened in January of 2020.

Despite the closure of the Hanover store, customers will still be able to shop from Simone's from their online store, www.bridalprompageant.com, as the company transitions to online sales.

Simone's Unlimited is located at 28 Carlisle St. in Hanover.

Related: Hanover business honors military couples with 50 free wedding dresses

The post shared the following details for their existing customers:

Any current layaways or special orders will still be honored, and shipping on existing orders will be free of charge once payment is completed.

Tux orders will be shipped directly to customers, who will be provided with a return shipping label.

Existing store credits will not expire, and customers can use existing store credit by calling in their orders.

All in-stock merchandise will be on sale for as much as 70% off before the store closes in October, the post said.

"Central PA has been amazing to us over the last 28 years and we will take you with us forever in our hearts as we move on to the next phase of our journey," the business said in the post.

This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: Downtown Hanover bridal shop to close in October
(CNN)  A US State Department report that accuses the Chinese government of expanding disinformation efforts is in itself disinformation, Beijings Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed Saturday.

The ministry shot back after the State Department issued a striking report this week in which it accused the Chinese government of expanding efforts to control information and to disseminate propaganda and disinformation that promotes digital authoritarianism in China and around the world.

The US report, issued by the Global Engagement Center on Thursday, alleged that China spends billions of dollars a year on foreign information manipulation and warned that Chinese leader Xi Jinping had significantly expanded efforts to shape the global information environment.

It also underlined US concerns about China as a main military competitor and key rival in the battle over ideas and global disinformation.

Two days later, China hit back.

The relevant center of the US State Department which concocted the report is engaged in propaganda and infiltration in the name of global engagement  it is a source of disinformation and the command center of perception warfare, the ministry said on Saturday.

Referring to wars in Iraq and Syria as well as US reports alleging human rights abuses in Chinas Xinjiang as examples, the ministry claimed that the US is an empire of lies through and through.

No matter how the US tries to pin the label of disinformation on other countries, more and more people in the world have already seen through the USs ugly attempt to perpetuate its supremacy by weaving lies into emperors new clothes and smearing others, the ministry said.

This story was first published on CNN.com. "US warns of Chinese disinformation. China says thats disinformation"
A Warren County man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for charges related to fraud and theft, a spokesperson for the Warren County Prosecutors office said.

>>No injuries reported after plane crash in Clark Co.

Patrick Noel Thayer, 48, was sentenced on charges of securities fraud, aggravated theft, and identity fraud.

He also must pay a restitution balance of $1,025,235.13 to the victim, the spokesperson said.

Thayer defrauded a Warren County woman and stole over $1.31 million from her investment proceeds.

He claimed to operate a tax preparation service in downtown Lebanon, known as Broadway Financial Solutions.

He also worked as a securities salesperson for different brokerage firms and was later licensed as an investment adviser, the spokesperson said.

A decade ago in 2013, Thayer opened a bank account in the victims name without her knowledge or consent.

>>Former UD administrator, WPAFB SSG among over 100 arrested in statewide human trafficking sting

He began selling securities from the victims brokerage account and transferred the proceeds to the new bank account.

These funds were used for his own personal expenses, including a down payment on his home, mortgage payments, car loans, credit card expenses, as well as the purchase of a tiny house in Colorado for a family member, the spokesperson said.

The victim became aware of the fraud in 2022 when the IRS contacted her about the bank account that Thayer opened in her name.

The Ohio Department of Commerce and Division of Securities investigated the case and referred it to the Warren County Prosecutors Office.

Those interested in investing are encouraged to call the Securities Divisions Investor Protection Hotline at 877-683-7841 to find out if the person is properly licensed to sell securities and if there are any enforcement actions involving the person or the product being promoted.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and an organization in Greene County is hosting a community event to honor it.

>>Sales tax exemption available for baby, child products starting Sunday

Community members and leaders from Greene County will light candles and remember victims, survivors, and advocates of domestic violence Monday night, a spokesperson from the Violence Free Futures said.

This is the third-annual candlelight vigil and it will take place on Oct. 2, at 6 p.m. at The Greene Town Center Pavilion.

The vigil is hosted by Violence Free Futures (VFF) and their goal is to help raise awareness of domestic violence in Greene County, the spokesperson said.

Throughout the program, there will be messages from VFF staff members and a musical presentation from volunteers.

The VFF is also putting together a Clothesline Project display to tell stories about domestic violence through t-shirts.

For more information about this event, call VFF at 937-426-6535 or visit the Ohio Domestic Violence Networks website for a list of events taking place throughout Ohio in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
OTTUMWA, Iowa  Former President Donald Trump rallied support here Sunday afternoon, the latest in a series of campaign stops in eastern Iowa as he aims to cement his lead ahead of the first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Trump, who remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination in Iowa and nationally, again touted his relationships in the agriculture and energy sectors. He decried President Joe Biden for waging "a nonstop war on American agriculture" and called Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis , his chief GOP challenger, "the sworn enemy of the American farmer."

"I fought for ethanol like no president in history," Trump told supporters, a common line about the state's marquee agricultural export as he continues to court farmers.

"Do you think Joe Biden would have even thought to give you $28 billion?" he asked, a frequent reference to his tariff payments for farmers. "They wouldn't have gotten you 10 cents."

After his speech, he visited a farm northeast of Oskaloosa, where he shook hands with a line of farmers, greeted their wives and left a large Sharpie signature on a John Deere combine.

"We love the farmers, and we appreciate the farmers," he told them. "You wouldn't want anything else, right? I don't think you'd want to do what I do."

Trump signs a John Deere combine on a farm in southeast Iowa pic.twitter.com/WEs3yxZFfY  Galen Bacharier (@galenbacharier) October 1, 2023

In Ottumwa, Trump touted his administration's approval of year-round E-15 gasoline and changes to the federal estate tax, and he praised the Supreme Court's halting of the Waters of the United States rule.

But the subject that drew most of Trump's ire Sunday was electric vehicles.

He mused about whether a boat with electric batteries would "electrocute" him if it sank, saying if he had to choose between being eaten by a shark or being electrocuted, "I will take electrocution every time." He mocked recharging electric vehicles and dismissed efforts by the military to explore clean energy solutions.

"We want to have nice, clean engines, even though we're bombing the crap out of them," Trump said.

Trump and allies trash DeSantis, GOP challengers

The standing-room crowd  2,500, according to the campaign  was almost entirely filled with Trump loyalists, many decked in his gear.

The mere mention of "other candidates" in an opening speech by Iowa Sen. Cherielynn Westrich garnered boos  after which she criticized them as pale imitators of the former president.

"They're all running on the Trump agenda," said Westrich, who has endorsed him. "There's no Trump agenda without Donald J. Trump."

The former president, whose remarks during his last Iowa visit focused mostly on his 2020 opponent in Biden, spent several minutes criticizing his most prominent rival in DeSantis  accusing him of flip-flopping on positions and mocking his position in the polls.

"He's like a very injured, falling bird," he said.

Trump's visit Sunday is his second to Iowa in just over a week in what his campaign has described as an effort to commit supporters to caucus and further enforce his lead in the state.

Previously, he made stops in Maquoketa and Dubuque  saying he would militarize the southern border and reinstate a travel ban in his second term, and continuing to advise Republicans to adopt a palatable stance on abortion for the 2024 cycle.

2024 Iowa caucuses: Donald Trump says GOP needs to find the right abortion message to win in 2024

Since that visit, he declined to appear at the second Republican presidential debate  instead visiting an auto plant in Detroit and lobbing attacks toward challengers and political foes on social media.

Trump called the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, a traitor who might deserve the death penalty for his contacts in China (Milley, in apparent response, said the military doesn't answer to a "wannabe dictator").

He declared that DeSantis was still "dropping like a rock" in polling. And he called candidate Nikki Haley, his former U.N. ambassador and a South Carolina governor, "birdbrain" after the second debate, with his campaign allegedly sending a birdcage to Haley's hotel room to emphasize the insult.

Rick and Nancy Anderson of Ottumwa, 79 and 71 years old respectively, said before Trump's remarks they were looking forward to hearing him talk about energy policy. They were both committed to caucusing for Trump in January and despite Trump's recent criticism of Haley, liked her as a potential vice presidential pick.

"She's already dealt with all the foreign heads," Rick Anderson told the Register. "And I don't know she don't mess around."

"The VP's we've got now never does anything," Nancy Anderson added, a reference to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Rick Anderson, who said he had served in the military, said he wished Trump and his opponents within military leadership, including Miley, could be resolved.

"I don't think that's a good deal," he said. "I think they need to get it off their chest, whatever it is. I know Trump doesn't like the one  because he thinks he's in cahoots with other people. I just wish they just worked together. But that's not gonna happen."

The Register's Iowa Poll in August found Trump leading among potential Republican caucusgoers by more than 20 percentage points, remaining the faraway frontrunner even as he fights several ongoing court battles and faces resistance from wings of the party on issues like abortion.

Jeff Kaufmann, the chair of the Iowa GOP, urged attendees Sunday to participate in the caucuses  and said that after a winner is decided in January, he and the party would rally behind them.

"I have to be neutral during the caucuses," Kaufmann said. "But the moment we've got a leader, I'm 100% on board!"

Galen Bacharier covers politics for the Register. Reach him at gbacharier@registermedia.com or (573) 219-7440, and follow him on Twitter @galenbacharier.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Trump visits southeast Iowa, signs John Deere as he courts farmers
The Richland County Sheriffs Department shared the funeral arrangements for Deputy Jacob Salrin, who was killed in a crash.

The 23-year-old Salrin was on duty Friday night when the vehicle he was driving collided with a tractor trailer, according to the sheriffs department. Salrin died at the scene, the sheriffs department said.

On Wednesday, a visitation will be held at Dunbar Funeral Home, from 5-8 p.m., according to the sheriffs department.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Meeting Place Church, the sheriffs department said. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.

Richland County Sheriffs Deputy Jacob Eric Salrin, 23, died in a fatal vehicle collision on Sept. 29, 2023.

Salrin was a native of Springfield, Illinois and graduated from Washington Community High School in 2019, according to his obituary.

Salrin was hired by in Richland County in 2022, and in January 2023, he graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, according to the sheriffs department. Salrin was awarded the criminal justice academys Clifford Moyer Marksmanship Award, the sheriffs department said.

As a patrol deputy, he was assigned to southeast Richland County.

Jacobs desire to help people led him to join this profession ... he loved being a deputy and working at the Richland County Sheriffs Department; making the ultimate sacrifice doing what he loved, according to his obituary. While his time as a deputy was not very long, he made a tremendous impact on every life that he touched. He was a rising star at Richland County, never settling for just average but always seeking to excel in all he did. ... Days before the accident he was selected as the Deputy of the Quarter for his region, which he will receive posthumously later this month.

The fatal crash took place at the intersection of Bluff Road and Windy Drive around 8:30 p.m. Friday, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Salrin was driving west in a 2017 Ford sedan when he collided with a 2014 Volvo tractor trailer in the eastbound lane that was making a left turn across traffic onto Windy Drive, the Highway Patrol said.

The driver of the tractor trailer was injured and transported to Prisma Health Baptist Hospital in Columbia. Further information on the tractor trailer drivers condition was not available.

The Highway Patrol is leading the investigation.

Richland County Sheriffs Deputy Jacob Eric Salrin, 23, was awarded the Clifford Moyer Marksmanship award on his graduation from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in January, 2023.

We ask for the communitys prayers as we navigate this grief together, the sheriffs department said in a news release. As the Richland County Sheriffs Department mourns the loss of their brother, we thank the community for their support.

In addition to his parents, Salrin is survived by an older sister among other family members, according to the obituary.

Condolences can be sent to the Richland County Sheriffs Department, his family asks that any donations be made to the Richland County Sheriffs Foundation to support fellow deputies. Please designate your gift to Deputy Salrin, the obituary said.
An injured raccoon found a unique place to seek refuge on Monday, according to the Clearwater Police Department.

The agencys Facebook post reports that a local worker from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was investigating a call about the furball wandering around in the area, near the Druid Road bike trail.

When the woman tried to nab the critter, it fled and found the nearest hiding space  the engine compartment of a Hyundai Elantra. Thats when the cops were called.

Pictures on the post show the animal rescue employee on the ground by the car attempting to reach the creature. Other snaps show an officer poking around in the front of the blue car with a dog pole. After about 15 minutes, he was able to gingerly extract the raccoon with the tool, and the critter was taken for medical treatment.

The department jokes that the raccoon, whose ailment was not specified, may have been lured by the friendly alligator on the Hyundais license plate.
Congratulations are in order for former Married At First Sight Australia contestant Aleks Markovic as she announces her engagement.

The reality TV star, known for taking part in the 7th season of the Aussie dating show, which aired in 2020, took to social media to share that she's getting married to longtime partner Nik Stojan.

The couple gave the happy news to followers in a joint Instagram post, which included images of Aleks wearing her ring and of Nik getting down on one knee to pop the question.

Related: MAFS star Evelyn Ellis gets ex-boyfriend tattoo removed



"Mrs S to be," Aleks wrote in the caption, adding a wedding ring emoji.

"And in every lifetime, it will always be you!" she added.

During her time on MAFS, Aleks was paired with fellow estate agent Ivan Sarakula. The two left the experiment and later reconciled, but decided to go their separate ways in the final decision stage.



Nine

Elsewhere in the MAFS universe, another couple has celebrated an important milestone with a ring.

In August this year, Melinda Willis and Layton Mills marked their first anniversary since meeting on the show's 10th season. The couple have been together since, with Layton giving Melinda a "beautiful eternity ring" for the occasion.

Nine

Related: MAFS star Melinda Willis bids goodbye to co-star on "bittersweet day"

In a relationship update shared in September, Melinda confirmed that Layton had relocated closer to her home in Brisbane, saying their long-distance relationship would now be more manageable.

"Layton has officially moved from Sydney and is drivable distance now," Melinda shared to her Instagram Stories, revealing she'd driven three hours and a half to meet him.

Married at First Sight UK airs on E4 in the UK. Married at First Sight Australia airs on Nine Network in Australia and E4 in the UK.

Interested in talking about Married at First Sight? Visit our dedicated sub-forum



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The film, based on the 2020 novel of the same name, premieres in select theaters this November and debuts on Netflix in December.

Mahershala Ali s next memorable flick is here: The two-time Academy Award winner stars in Leave the World Behind, an upcoming psychological thriller hitting screens large and small.

Based on Rumaan Alams 2020 novel of the same name, the film comes from former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obamas Higher Ground Productions. The adaptation is written and directed by Sam Esmail, with Ali joined in the cast by fellow Oscar winner Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Kevin Bacon and Myhala.

Myhala as Ruth (left) and Mahershala Ali (right) as G.H. in a scene from Leave the World Behind. (Photo: Netflix)

Described as an apocalyptic thriller, the film centers on married couple Amanda (Roberts) and Clay (Hawke), who rent a luxury home for a weekend with their two children. Things take a major shift when two strangers, G.H. (Ali), and his daughter, Ruth (Myhala), arrive in the middle of the night seeking safety amid a mysterious cyber attack.

The two families reckon with a looming disaster that grows more terrifying by the minute, the synopsis describes, forcing everyone to come to terms with their places in a collapsing world.

Leave the World Behind will hit select movie theaters on Nov. 22 and debut on Netflix on Dec. 8.

Ali, of course, is one of Hollywoods biggest names, having won two best supporting actor Oscars for his exemplary work in Moonlight and Green Book in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Leave the World Behind marks a cinematic return for the actor, whose last project was 2021s Swan Song.

Viewers may have caught Myhala in other projects as well. The young actress stars in the HBO series Industry, and has appeared in films such as Bodies, Bodies, Bodies and Dumb Money.

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, director Esmail opened up about direct script notes he received from Barack Obama.

In the original drafts of the script, I definitely pushed things a lot farther than they were in the film, he admitted, and President Obama, having the experience he does have, was able to ground me a little bit on how things might unfold in reality.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Mahershala Ali stars in cyberattack thriller Leave the World Behind appeared first on TheGrio.
Police are investigating after a male was found shot in Bloomfield early Monday.

Just after 2 a.m., officers were called to the 4900 block of Yew Street following a ShotSpotter alert for multiple rounds.

They found a male victim in the 600 block of S. Millvale Avenue with a gunshot wound to the lower trunk area. Medics took him to a local hospital in stable condition.

Two vehicles were also struck by gunfire.

A Channel 11 photographer captured video of officers placing evidence markers outside a bar and a K9 searching the area.

The investigation is ongoing.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

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Pete Renteria is seen in photos released by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department in February 2023 (Pete Renteria / San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department )

A 29-year-old California man accused of murdering three of his family members in January of this year has been arrested after eight months on the run.

Police caught alleged suspect Pete Renteria when they responded to a separate fatal shooting at Upland Memorial Park in Southern California on Saturday.

In a statement released by the Upland Police Department, Renteria was stopped by officers after he fled the scene.

The 34-year-old victim, who was not named, was found alive with gunshot wounds but later died from his injuries.

Police alleged that Renteria had been involved in a prior altercation with the victim at the same location and that he had returned later to specifically target the victim. As such, this shooting is believed to be a targeted incident and not a random act of violence against members of the public.

The handgun that was used in the fatal shooting was retrieved at the scene, police added.

Renteria has been on the run since 31 January when police discovered the bodies of three people inside a home in Ontario, California.

Sonia Ramirez, 68; George Ramirez, 66; and 43-year-old David Ramirez, who had all been fatally shot, were all related to Renteria but its unclear how they were related.

In February, Renteria was identified as the prime suspect in their slayings, but had not been caught until this month.

A GoFundMe campaign for the Ramirez family has so far raised $21,864 for funeral expenses (Ramirez family / GoFundMe)

A GoFundMe campaign for the Ramirez family has raised $21,864 for funeral and various other expenses and remains active.

It describes George Ramirez and Sonia Ramirez as devoted, compassionate, selfless and kind; and David Ramirez as our family protector, a doting father and an incredibly supportive son.

We are relying on the Sheriffs department to investigate and apprehend the person who committed this heinous act, the campaign read.
Alleged racing on U.S. 90 in Gulfport Sunday night landed one man in jail and several victims of a crash in the hospital.

Beckham Earl III, 49, was charged with three counts of leaving the scene of an accident causing injuries, according to Gulfport Police. Bond was set at his $250,000 by Judge Nick Patano.

Police didnt immediately say whether Earl is a resident of South Mississippi or is from out of town.

Police said the crash happened around 7:27 p.m. as Earl was speeding eastbound on U.S. 90 and attempting to race another vehicle near Anniston Avenue, which is near the Armed Forces Retirement Home and several blocks west of the Gulfport-Biloxi line.

Earl struck another uninvolved vehicle, which overturned and hit a pole, police said, trapping the occupants inside.

Multiple victims were transported to the hospital for medical treatment., according to the police report.

Earl fled, failing to remain on the scene or render aid to those injured, police said.

He was captured by Biloxi Police and taken to the Harrison County jail.

Traffic in that area was diverted and was backed up while the victims were freed and the crash cleared.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gulfport Police at 228-868-5959 or Mississippi Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.
An online personality who amassed a large following for his To Catch a Predator-style content was killed in Michigan after confronting two teens.

Robert Wayne Lee, 40, who was known to his more than 50,000 Instagram followers as Boopac Shakur, died Friday after confronting an 18-year-old male, according to a statement by the Oakland County Sheriffs Office. Though authorities initially said Lee had accused the teen of being a pedophile, according to multiple media outlets, the prosecuting attorneys office later clarified that there was no evidence the meeting was planned or part of a sting operation.

According to the sheriffs offices initial report, Lee confronted the 18-year-old, who was accompanied by a 17-year-old, at a Pontiac restaurant.

In a Tuesday news release obtained by HuffPost clarifying the circumstances surrounding Lees death, the 17-year-old was identified as a 16-year-old.

The encounter rapidly escalated when the 16-year-old pulled out a pistol and fired several shots at Lee before fleeing, authorities said.

Robert Wayne Lee, who went by

Robert Wayne Lee, who went by "Boopac Shakur" online, died at an Oakland County, Michigan, hospital.

Lee was taken to a hospital, where died from his injuries, according to authorities.

Both teens were arrested the following day, and their cases have since been turned over to the Oakland County prosecuting attorneys office.

In statement to HuffPost on Monday, a spokesperson for the prosecutors office said the teens cases are currently being reviewed for consideration of homicide charges.

Lees online pursuits have led to the arrest of multiple suspects in sexual predator cases, including Jared Frederick Salisbury, an Oakland County sheriffs deputy who was charged with attempting to solicit a girl he believed was 15 years old  but who turned out to be Lee undercover. Salisbury was fired from the sheriffs office, and his case has not yet gone to trial.

In an interview with The Oakland Press in January, Lee described himself as a concerned citizen.

Theres a lot of kids out here, and a lot of pedophiles, Lee told the news outlet. They could be people sitting next to you. I want to uncover as many as I can.

Lee told The Oakland Press he had faced several difficult encounters, including one person who tried to hit him and another who pulled out pepper spray.

There are people on my Instagram account who say theyll be following me home, that they know what I look like and where I live and will kill me if I dont take the video down in six hours. It never happens, he said.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard cautioned against private citizens taking investigations into their own hands.

While we certainly understand his desire to hold child predators accountable, many times well intentioned individuals who engaged in this dont know the standard of evidence required for convictions and often underestimate the potential for violence, Bouchard said in the statement. When we have arrested predators in such circumstances, they have rammed police cars and exhibited other violent behavior in attempts to escape.

People in his community and others who followed him online described him as a hero. They showed their support on a fundraising page created after his death. Money was set to go toward funeral expenses and his daughters future.

He leaves behind a legacy of bravery and service that has forever impacted our lives, organizers wrote.

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A Dallas County man who committed a drive-by shooting in Mansfield in April 2022 has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, according to a news release Monday from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Texas.

Alexandro Mauricio Campos, 27, pleaded guilty in March to two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was sentenced Sept. 25. He was convicted in 2018 of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a felony for which he was sentenced to two years in prison.

Campos was also sentenced in 2021 for possession of an AK-47-style firearm in Mesquite, the same gun he used in the April 2022 shooting.

Campos opened fire at a home in Mansfield on April 24, 2022, shooting into a childs bedroom along with two vehicles and the garage of the home, according to the Department of Justice. His ex-girlfriend and young child were at the home when he opened fire, authorities said. Campos sent threatening texts to the ex-girlfriend before the shooting. Nobody was injured.

Police at the scene recovered shell casings from the street, and a neighbors home security cameras captured the shooting.

During the investigation, police learned that Campos was already a suspect in another crime after hed previously shot one of the vehicles ht in the April 24, 2022, shooting, according to the DOJ. The bullet holes from the previous attack were covered with black tape.

When on April 27, 2022, members of the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task force arrested Campos, officers found the gun used in the shooting along with a large box of ammunition, according to the Justice Department. Ballistic testing confirmed the firearm was the same one used in the shooting.

The DOJ said Campos has a long history of violent behavior directed at women.
The name of the victim was currently witheld as the investigation continued as of Sunday.

A man was shot and killed near the Rim Trail subdivision of the Tonto National Forest on Saturday morning, according to the Gila County Sheriff's Office.

At about 4:30 a.m. Saturday, the Gila County Sheriff's Office received reports of gunshots from a woman who said that she was heading toward Payson with another woman who was running out of the woods, police said.

Police said that the initial call reported that there could have been several people involved in the incident.

The Sheriff's Office, along with the Payson Police Department and the Tonto Apache Police Department responded to the area of the incident, police said.

When police arrived at the area, they found a man dead and took a suspect into custody, authorities said.

A search was later conducted in the surrounding area of the incident to confirm there were no other people involved, authorities said.

The name of the victim was withheld as of Sunday afternoon, and the investigation was ongoing, according to the sheriff's office.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety, U.S. Forest Service and Payson Fire Department also responded to the incident.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man killed in Tonto National Forest shooting; suspect in custody
A 25-year-old man was killed Saturday morning near Kentfield Road in Stockton, less than two weeks after law enforcement executed an anti-gang operation meant to address violence in that very neighborhood, officials said.

The man's name was Ezon Plasencia, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin County Medical Examiner confirmed Monday.

He appears to have been shot around 1 a.m., according to a police statement. At 1:02, officers rushed to the 100 block of Gateway Court  near the intersection with Kentfield  following reports of a shooting, police said.

They found Plasencia on the ground outside an apartment complex with multiple gunshot wounds, according to the police statement and Officer David Scott, a police spokesman.

Plasencia died at the scene, police said.

The 25-year-old's death marks at least the second fatal shooting in the 100 block of Gateway Court this year. Robert Velazquez Perez, 21, was shot on the same block in the early hours of Feb. 18, according to police.

Plasencia's shooting also marks the latest major public safety incident to disrupt the Kentfield area in recent months.

The uptick in police activity appears to have been triggered by the Aug. 2 shooting of a police sergeant on Kentfield by two alleged gang members.

Police say multiple people, including the two alleged gang members, opened fire on the sergeant's SUV when he attempted to stop them from fleeing in a Lexus they'd allegedly stolen from an older man shortly before.

The officer was struck in the chest and shoulder, police said.

One suspect, 20-year-old Sunthawon Savon, was arrested the same day and later charged with carjacking and attempted murder of a peace officer.

But the attack also spurred police and the California Department of Justice to undertake a broader gang takedown that ultimately resulted in the arrest of at least 30 people in Stockton, according to a Sept. 28 statement by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The sweep was also motivated by "the on-going violence in the Kentfield/Gateway area of Stockton," according to a statement by District Attorney Ron Freitas.

Amid the operation, 19-year-old Brandon Rogers was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer, according to the AG's statement as well as custody records.

Two other people were charged with accessory after the fact, according to the statement.

No arrests in Ezon Plasencia's shooting have been made public. Police shared no information about potential suspects or motives behind his killing.

Police cannot confirm if Plasencia was involved in a gang, or if his killing was connected to previous incidents in the neighborhood, Scott, the police spokesman said.

Record reporter Aaron Leathley covers public safety. She can be reached at aleathley@recordnet.com or on Twitter @LeathleyAaron. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record athttps://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Ezon Plasencia killed on Gateway Court in Stockton on Saturday
Asheville Police identified the body found in the Swannanoa River Oct. 18, 2021, as Benjamin Lee Hoffman II, of Asheville.

ASHEVILLE - A Louisiana man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Buncombe County Superior Court Oct. 2, for the death of a man found floating in the Swannanoa River in 2021.

Three days after he was reported missing, the body of Benjamin Lee Hoffman II, 40, was seen floating in the Swannanoa River by a train conductor, according to court proceedings. After law enforcement officials arrived on scene, Asheville Fire pulled Hoffmans body from the river near Azalea Road Oct. 15, 2021. Asheville Police identified Hoffmans body three days later.

APD Criminal Investigations Division detectives originally charged Roy Tyler Forbes, 32, with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. Forbes was found and arrested in Louisiana by Plaquemines Parish sheriffs deputies on charges unrelated to the Asheville incident, a former APD spokesperson said in 2021.

After Forbes was extradited to Buncombe County, he confessed to shooting Hoffman in an interview with law enforcement, according to court proceedings.

More: Asheville man pleads guilty to manslaughter for 2020 stabbing death of Navy veteran

Although Hoffmans body was found in the Swannanoa River, he died from a single gunshot wound to the head at an RV park off U.S. 70, according to court proceedings. After the shooting took place, Forbes posted a picture on social media with a handgun matching the one used to kill Hoffman, state attorney Amy Collins told the court Oct. 2.

Collins also said that Forbes was previously found guilty in Louisiana for stealing the same firearm in 2013.

Forbes pleaded guilty to shooting Hoffman on Oct. 2. Judge Jacqueline Grant consolidated his possession of a firearm charge into the second-degree murder charge, sentencing him to an active sentence of 254 to 317 months, about 21-26 years. Grant also recommended anger management services, upon the defendants request.

To the family, Im sorry for your loss, Grant said in court. I hope this gives you some of the closure you deserve.

More: Asheville man found guilty of 1st-degree murder for 2021 shooting of sister-in-law

Collins read a written statement by Hoffmans nephew, Cameron Owens, to the court.

I forgive you for taking my best friend away. I forgive you for making my uncle float in a river for two weeks, the statement read. I dont hate you; I wish the best for you. I hope you understand the hurt you put my mom and I through when I got the call.  I hope today you get what you deserve.

According to his online obituary, Hoffman loved hunting and the outdoors. Hoffman's nephew also said he could sing any song and is now dancing in heaven.

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. News tips? Email Ryley at rober@gannett.com. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Man pleads guilty to murder of Asheville man found in Swannanoa River
A 38-year-old man was arrested after being accused of setting a store clerk on fire in California, officials said.

Deputies were dispatched to a convenience store in El Sobrante on Sept. 22 after getting reports of a shoplifting, according to a statement by the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office.

The suspect, later identified as Kendall Burton, is accused of pouring lighter fluid on the store clerk before setting him on fire following a confrontation, deputies said.

He just splashed lighter fluid on my face, the store clerk told KPIX, I was so scared that moment. I tried to cover his hand, but I dont know. I dont remember. He just lit the fire on me, you know. I just rushed to the restroom, and I just splashed water on my face.

The store clerk was sent to Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco, according to a GoFundMe page.

Burton was arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on charges including assault with a deadly weapon, battery, arson causing bodily injury and robbery, officials said.

El Sobrante is about 20 miles northeast of San Francisco.

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Michael Glovers body, then unidentified, was discovered by police Saturday following reports of gunshots in the Tonto National Forest.

A man found shot to death on Saturday in the Tonto National Forest was identified by authorities on Monday as 27-year-old Michael Glover of Scottsdale.

According to the Gila County Sheriff's Office, Zachary Michael Dillabough, 27, of Scottsdale, was booked into Gila County Jail and charged with second-degree murder.

At about 4:30 a.m. Saturday, a woman reported hearing gunshots said she was heading toward Payson and told officials that she saw another woman running out of the woods, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Police said that the initial call reported that there could be several people involved in the incident.

The Sheriff's Office, along with the Payson Police Department and the Tonto Apache Police Department, responded to the incident.

While deputies interviewed the woman who reported the shooting, additional officers responded to the area north of Payson near the Rim Trail subdivision, where the shooting was believed to have occurred.

The Sheriff's Office said that when officers arrived they found one man dead, identified later as Glover, and Dillabough was taken into custody. Police conducted a search of the surrounding area and found that no one else was involved in the incident.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement also assisted in responding to the incident.

No other information was released.

Arizona shootings: Man dead after shooting in Phoenix on Sunday morning; police investigating

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Scottsdale man shot, killed in Tonto National Forest identified
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Memphis Police are looking for a man accused of stealing a gun off another mans holster while he was standing in line at a store.

Police said the victim was waiting to check out inside a gas station on Perkins Road in Parkway Village when a man wearing a Looney Tunes hoodie grabbed the gun from a holster on his hip.

The two struggled before the suspect gained control of the weapon. Detectives say the suspect is accused of pointing it at the victim before taking off in this Hyundai.

Nine days later and about fifteen minutes away in Whitehaven, police got a similar call, but a man was arrested in that case.

Suspect fires shots inside gas station, severely injures man

Memphis Police said they were called to a gas station off Neely Road Saturday after a man reported he was standing in line when another man came up behind him, grabbed his gun from his waistband, and pointed it at him.

There was a struggle over the gun then a man outside of the business started shooting at the store. One of the bullets hit the victim inside in the leg.

Ziyon Jennings was arrested and charged with firing those shots from outside the store.

Theres no word from police if the people who stole the guns in either case have been arrested yet. If you know anything that could help police call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
A man who broke into the Franchise Tax Board Sunday evening is now in custody, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office said.

Deputies responded to a call reporting a break-in at 6:30 p.m. in the 9600 block of Butterfield Way. When they arrived they learned from security guards that a man had broken a window with a tire iron, said Sgt. Amar Gandhi, spokesman for the Sheriffs Office.

The man allegedly threatened security guards with the tire iron and fled into the building, Gandhi said.

Deputies used drones to learn the mans location within the building and to try to communicate with him. The man was unable to enter any of the rooms because the building requires key card access.

Sheriffs deputies established a perimeter outside the building. At one point, the man ran outside and a K9 was deployed.

The man was bit and detained, Gandhi said. He was transported to the hospital before he was taken into custody.

(Its) as peaceful an ending as we could have possibly hoped for, Gandhi said.

The Sheriffs Office is unsure of the mans motive, he added.
Demolition crews work on clearing where the Manitowoc Visitor Center was as seen, Thursday, September 28, 2023, in Manitowoc, Wis.

MANITOWOC  A building that welcomed visitors to the city for three decades  is now a pile of rubble.

Bulldozers tore down the former Visitor Information Center, with its distinctive large A-frame glass window, at 4221 Calumet Ave. in recent days, likely to make room for a car wash.

The city sold the site to GMX Real Estate Group for $1.6 million. City leaders agreed to the offer to buy from GMX in fall 2021. GMX assigned the purchase contract to Missouri-based Club Carwash Operating LLC earlier this year.

FILE - Exterior photo of the former Manitowoc Area Visitor & Convention Bureau Visitor Center building in July 2021.

More on the sale: Manitowoc's former Visitor Bureau site on Calumet Avenue sold to Illinois developer. Here's what's coming to the site, plus more business news.

The sale of the site follows a decision by Manitowoc officials to sever ties with the Manitowoc Area Visitor & Convention Bureau and form a city tourism department.

Since then, the MAVCB, along with the Wisconsin Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus and former Manitowoc business The Hearty Olive, filed a lawsuit against the city and the Manitowoc Room Tax Commission.

The lawsuit, filed in December last year, claimed the citys 2021 decision to drop its tourism contract with MAVCB was illegal and its new city tourism department did not meet the states requirement of a tourism identity.

A sign tells visitors to the Manitowoc Visitor Center that they have moved as seen, Thursday, September 28, 2023, in Manitowoc, Wis. Crews are working on cleaning the lot up after the buildings demolition.

The cities of Manitowoc and Two Rivers worked with the MAVCB to come to a new agreement. However, the city of Manitowoc abandoned those talks after the Manitowoc Room Tax Commission decided to create a new tourism department at City Hall.

Crews work on clearing the lot where Manitowoc Visitor Center was as seen, Thursday, September 28, 2023, in Manitowoc, Wis.

At first, the city of Two Rivers continued negotiations with the MAVCB, but also eventually decided to cut ties and create its own tourism department.

In exchange for about half of the room tax dollars collected each year, the MAVCB provided a yearly visitor guide to the area, several events and the operation of the Visitor Center, among other marketing strategies.

Demolition debris is piled at the lot where the former Manitowoc Visitor Center was located as seen, Thursday, September 28, 2023, in Manitowoc, Wis. Crews are working on cleaning the lot up after the buildings demolition.

In March, Judge Mark Rohrer said Manitowocs tourism department does not meet statutory qualifications to be a tourism entity and that the city must contract with the MAVCB for tourism promotion services and share room tax revenue under state law.

More on the court ruling: Judge orders Manitowoc to enter new agreement with Visitor & Convention Bureau

Mayor Justin Nickels told the Herald Times Reporter in August hes hopeful the citys Room Tax Commission and the MAVCB Board of Directors will be able to reinvigorate those conversations (about how to work together on tourism promotion) and put an end to this once and for all.

A sign tells visitors to the Manitowoc Visitor Center that they have moved as seen, Thursday, September 28, 2023, in Manitowoc, Wis. Crews are working on cleaning the lot up after the buildings demolition.

In a guest column to the newspaper, a group of Visitor Center volunteers expressed disappointment the building was empty.

Its location at the main entrance to Manitowoc and the busiest intersection in our county is the perfect location to greet visitors, they wrote. At the beginning, it was the most significant building in that area. Over the next 30 years, development increased, and with the expansion of Harbor Town, this area has become heavily populated with big-box stores and chain restaurants."

Crews work on transforming the lot where the former Manitowoc Visitor Center was located as seen, Thursday, September 28, 2023, in Manitowoc, Wis. Crews are working on cleaning the lot up after the buildings demolition.

Got a tip, question or comment for Streetwise Manitowoc? Contact reporter Patti Zarling at pzarling@gannett.com or 920-606-2575. Follow her on Twitter @PGPattiZarling.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc Visitor Center is torn down to make room for a car wash
MANITOWOC  Manitowoc Police Department said it's investigating an organized retail theft group after three Neenah men were arrested on suspicion of stealing about $2,000 in merchandise from Walmart Supercenter in Manitowoc.

The department said officers were called to the store at 4115 Calumet Ave. Sept. 24 for the report of a retail theft in progress. The stores asset protection team had identified three people involved in a retail theft of around $2,000, police said in a news release.

While police were responding to Walmart, the suspects fled with the merchandise. They were not initially located or identified, and police said the license plate on the vehicle they were driving had been stolen.

After investigation, three Neenah men were identified as suspects. Manitowoc police said Walmarts asset protection team had been investigating this group for multiple retail thefts across the state and two of the three had multiple warrants issued for their arrest from different agencies in Wisconsin, most of them for theft-related offenses.

The three men were taken into custody Sept. 28 with help from the United States Marshals Service-Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force.

Child enticement: Manitowoc police arrest man suspected of seeking sex with 13-year-old after tip from Bikers Against Predators

All three suspects were listed as inmates at Manitowoc County Jail Sunday night. Manitowoc police said the men may also face criminal charges in a case being investigated by the Neenah Police Department.

Manitowoc police said they are working to identify other victims of the organized retail theft group and anyone with information can contact the department at 920-686-6551 or report tips anonymously by using the P3 app or calling Crime Stoppers at 920-683-4466.

The Herald Times Reporter does not publish the names of suspects until they have been charged with a crime in court.

Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @breidHTRNews.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc police arrest Walmart theft suspects, 3 Neenah men
Vials of the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 bivalent booster are pictured at a free vaccine clinic at the Sanderson Community Center in Taylorsville on Nov. 9, 2022. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

At least 1.8 million people in the United States have already received the new COVID-19 vaccine, according to Reuters.

Citing data compiled by a North Carolina-based health care analytics firm, IQVIA Holdings Inc., the news agency reported the total was for the week ending Sept. 22 and may not have included some shots given at community vaccination sites and doctors offices.

It feels like a good number, Michael Kleinrock, senior research director at the IQVIA institute told Reuters Friday, noting that previously, the public health emergency and vaccine mandates helped drive demand.

The imperative to be vaccinated was part of the public discussion to a much greater degree, Kleinrock said. The COVID-19 pandemic emergency ended in the United States last spring.

Related

There hasnt been an update to the vaccine since the fall of 2022, when a bivalant booster dose was released that targeted both the virus original strain as well as newer versions of the omicron variant that drove cases to record levels earlier that year.

Reuters pointed out that about two weeks after the bivalent booster was introduced last year, around 1.5 million shots had been administered, suggesting there may be more interest in the new vaccine.

More than 56 million people in the U.S. got the bivalent booster shot through last spring, 17% of the population, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Utah, the uptake of the bivalent booster was less than 16%.

The latest COVID-19 shots, which received final federal approval on Sept. 12, are monovalent, going after only an earlier version of the virus that, like the variants currently circulating, is also linked to omicron.

People in Utah and the rest of the country have run into problems with finding the now-commercialized vaccine and, in some cases, with insurers unprepared to cover the cost as required.

Related

The updated shots, recommended for everyone 6 months and older, follow a nationwide uptick in COVID-19 indicators that led to whats been called a dramatic climb in cases and hospitalizations.

Starting in July, weekly hospitalizations started heading up and by early September, hit more than 20,000 for the first time since March. The most recent CDC data, for the week ending Sept. 23, put that number at just over 19,000, a 3.1% decline from the previous week.

In Utah, the seven-day average number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 was up over 5% for the week ending Sept. 28, to just over 72, according to data from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.
The Marine Corps deactivated its squadron dedicated to training pilots to fly the F/A-18 Hornet, in a step toward transitioning to the F-35 Lightning II.

Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 had its sundown ceremony Friday at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, where it is based.

The Marine Corps will still train aviators to fly the F/A-18 jet, but that training will now occur in Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323, rather than in a solely training-focused squadron, according to a 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing news release Tuesday.

Thats where the SharpSHooters  as Marines from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 are called  will be moved, according to the squadrons website.

As a former commanding officer of the SharpSHooters, I can attest to the squadrons direct impact on the Marine Corps operational readiness today, Brig. Gen. Robert Brodie, assistant commander of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in the release. VMFAT-101 has shaped a critical element of naval aviation for a half-century, and the Marines and Sailors of the squadron remain pivotal in preserving that warfighting legacy and transitioning to the next generation of combat aviation.

Heres how Marine air power will shift with the Corps 2022 aviation plan

The Corps is slowly moving away from the older F/A-18 Hornets and AV-8B Harriers in favor of the higher-tech F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Marines will continue to fly the Hornet until 2030, according to the news release.

The squadron was activated in 1969 to train McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II pilots, according to its website. In the late 1980s, it transitioned from the F-4 to the F/A-18.

Before Fridays ceremony, the squadron marked its deactivation by flying the barn, launching 18 aircraft in one flight, according to a Saturday news release from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. More than 300 service members, veterans, family members and local supporters gathered for the ceremony that followed.

Thousands of aircrew have passed through the halls of VMFAT-101  fighter pilots, fighter radar intercept officers, fighter weapon systems officers, and its bigger than that, Brodie said, as quoted in the release. This squadron has trained more maintenance Marines than any other in the Marine Corps.

Retired Sgt. Maj. Dennis Downing, who was senior enlisted leader of the SharpSHooters from July 2014 to February 2016, told Marine Corps Times the squadron was distinctive in that it had students and maintainers from both the Marine Corps and the Navy at the time. So he got the chance to learn about the Navys way of doing business.

Pilots who went through Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 emerged ready to deploy, Downing said.

The retired sergeant major said the deactivation didnt come as a surprise.

The capabilities are only getting faster and stronger for the Marine Corps, Downing said. Its just time to move on to something a little more sleek and hopefully deadlier.
The following restaurant inspections with critical violations were conducted by Marion Public Health between Sept. 18 and Sept. 21:

 Shell, 587 Delaware Ave., Marion, Sept. 18. PIC not ensuring employees are properly sanitizing equipment and utensils and monitoring of sanitizer parameters (critical, corrected during inspection). Person in charge (PIC) stated that dishes are not sanitized after washing and rinsing. PIC and food employee were shown how to make sanitizer solution and explained the correct process for dishwashing and sanitizing.

Employees are not informed in a verifiable manner of their responsibility to report information about their health (critical repeat, corrected). Did not observe an employee illness policy at the time of inspection. PIC was given copies of the MPH illness policy to have employees review, sign, and keep on file at the facility. TCS foods not being cold held at the proper temperature (critical, corrected). Observed milk in walk-in cooler being cold held at 52 degrees. PIC discarded all milk. The PIC was advised to place new milk shipments in the beer cooler until the walk-in cooler is repaired.

 Pizza Hut Restaurant - Delco, 665 Delaware Ave., Marion, Sept. 18. Unapproved chemical sanitizer used on food contact surfaces (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed sanitizer dispenser dispensing quat sanitizer that was below the required concentration. PIC will have food employees make sanitizer with sanitizer tablets until the dispenser has been repaired.

 Sonic Drive In, 185 McMahan Blvd., Marion, Sept. 18. Improper bare-hand contact with RTE foods (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed food employee handling cooked ready-to-eat food with bare hands. PIC and food employee were both reminded of handwashing and glove requirements.

 Scrappy's Drive-Thru LLC, 2778 Marion-Waldo Road, Marion, Sept. 19. Presence of live insects, rodents and other pests (critical). Observed presence of live cockroaches as well as dead cockroaches in the kitchen. Per the PIC, the kitchen has not been used since the beginning of 2023 for food preparation or sales.

 Jimmy John's, 1950 Marion-Mt. Gilead Road, Marion, Sept. 19. Equipment food-contact surfaces or utensils are unclean (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed build-up of debris on ice chute. Unapproved chemical sanitizer used on food contact surfaces (critical, corrected). Observed sanitizer dispenser dispensing quat sanitizer that was below the required concentration. PIC will have food employees hand mix the sanitizer until the dispenser has been repaired.

 Rt. 95 Duchess Shoppe #1216, 1881 Marion-Mt. Gilead Road, Marion, Sept. 19. Food not properly protected from contamination by separation, packaging and segregation (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed raw eggs on a shelf above milk in the cooler. TCS foods not being hot held at the proper temperature (critical, corrected). Observed cooked TCS foods below 135 degrees in the sandwich and pizza warming units. PIC discarded the affected foods and adjusted the temperature on the warming units.

 Wendy's #21, 1165 Mt. Vernon Ave., Marion, Sept. 21. TCS foods not being hot held at the proper temperature (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed gravy in hot holding well at 104 degrees. PIC discarded the gravy during the inspection and adjusted the temperature on the hot holding unit.

 Taco Bell #38898, 1309 Mt. Vernon Ave., Marion, Sept. 21. TCS foods not being cold held at the proper temperature (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed TCS foods above 41 degrees in the prep cooler. PIC moved the food items to another cooler and was advised not to use the prep cooler until it had been repaired.

 Subway Sandwich, 1675 Marion Mount Gilead Road, Marion, Sept. 21. Equipment food-contact surfaces or utensils are unclean (critical). Observed build-up of debris on ice chute and in ice machine.

 Primrose Retirement Community of Marion, 1550 Wellness Drive, Marion, Sept. 21. Improper bare-hand contact with RTE foods (critical, corrected during inspection). Observed employee taking cake out of a pan with bare-hands. PIC discarded the batch of cake. Equipment food-contact surfaces or utensils are unclean (critical). Observed build-up of debris in ice maker.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion County restaurant inspections: Sept. 18-21 critical violations
(This Oct. 2 story has been refiled with corrected picture captions)

By Bruno Kelly

MANAUS (Reuters) -

The carcasses of 120 river dolphins have been found floating in a tributary of the Amazon River over the last week in circumstances that experts suspect were caused by severe drought and heat.

Low river levels during a severe drought have heated water in stretches to temperatures that are intolerable for the dolphins, researchers believe. Thousands of fish have died recently on Amazon rivers due to a lack of oxygen in the water.

The Amazon river dolphins, many of a striking pink color, are a unique freshwater species found only in the rivers of South America and are one of a handful of freshwater dolphin species left in the world. Slow reproductive cycles make their populations especially vulnerable to threats.

Amid the stench of decomposing dolphins, biologists and other experts in white personal protective clothing and masks continued on Monday to recover the dead mammals from a lake and conduct autopsies on the carcasses to determine the cause of death.

The scientists do not know with certainty that drought and heat are to blame for the spike in dolphin mortality. They are working to rule out other causes, such as a bacterial infection that could have killed the dolphins on a lake formed by the River Tefe before it runs into the Amazon.

At least 70 of the carcasses surfaced on Thursday when the temperature of Lake Tefe's water reached 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit), more than 10 degrees higher than the average for this time of the year.

The water temperature declined for a few days but rose again on Sunday to 37 C (99 F), worried experts said.

Environmental activists have blamed the unusual conditions on climate change, which makes droughts and heat waves more likely and severe. Global warming's role in the current Amazon drought is unclear, with other factors such as El Nino at play.

"We have documented 120 carcasses in the last week," said Miriam Marmontel, a researcher at the Mamiraua environmental institute that focuses on the mid-Solimoes river basin.

Roughly eight of every 10 carcasses are pink dolphins, called "botos" in Brazil, which could represent 10% of their estimated population in Lake Tefe, she said.

The boto and the gray river dolphin called the "tucuxi" are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list of threatened species

"Ten percent is a very high percentage of loss, and the possibility that it will increase could threaten the survival of the species in Lake Tefe," Marmontel said.

Brazil's Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation has rushed veterinarians and aquatic mammal experts to rescue dolphins that are still alive in the lake. They cannot be moved to cooler river waters until researchers rule out a bacteriological cause of the deaths.

(Reporting by Bruno Kelly; Writing by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Brad Haynes, Jonathan Oatis and Bill Berkrot)
Massachusetts residents who have been freed after a wrongful conviction are pressing lawmakers to overhaul what they describe as the states inadequate laws addressing compensation for those who have been unjustly imprisoned.

The bills would take a series of steps including lifting the states $1 million cap on compensation for those who have wrongfully experienced significant periods of incarceration and providing an immediate $5,000 in assistance upon their release from prison.

The bills would also clarify that state services can be provided in addition to financial compensation and that compensation can be provided for people who can prove their innocence, even if their convictions were vacated on other grounds.

Among those pressing for the changes is Sean Ellis, a 49-year-old Boston man who spent more than 20 years in prison for the 1993 killing of a police officer before his murder conviction was overturned.

Ellis is now director of the Exoneree Network, an initiative funded by the New England Innocence Project to support the practical, emotional, and spiritual reentry needs of exonerees.

These bills are so important because when I came home eight and a half years ago almost, I came home to nothing, he said. If it wasnt for the kindness of family and friends I would have been left with nothing.

Dennis Maher, who spent more than 19 years behind bars before being exonerated through the use of DNA, has been out of prison for 20 years.

In 2003 there was nothing. There were no bills. No help. No anything, the 63-year-old Billerica resident said. I had to go learn what to do by myself  things like walking down the street, listening to cars. I hadnt heard a car drive by in nearly 20 years.

Activists are pushing for the bills to be favorably reported out of the Legislatures Judiciary Committee so they can ultimately get to the floor of the Massachusetts House and Senate for a vote.





This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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SOUTH BURLINGTON  Beta Technologies officially opened a large-scale manufacturing plant for its Alia all-electric aircraft on Monday in a ceremony held in the facility located off Williston Road at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport.

The mood  not just the aircraft  was electric as dignitaries lauded Beta for making Vermont a leader in the aerospace and clean energy spaces, offering a solution to climate change. Hundreds of Beta employees attended in their gray flame-retardent work shirt with a unicorn emblem on the back and one of the Alia aircraft performed a flyover.

Beta Technologies opens an electric aircraft production facility at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport in South Burlington on Oct. 2, 2023. Plenty of natural light was incorporated into the design to benefit workers and geothermal and solar power were utilized.

The sleek, white-clad factory, built on a 40-acre brownfield, will be capable of producing up to 300 aircraft per year by 2027, and marks a significant milestone for Beta, one of the fastest-growing companies ever launched in Vermont. In five years, Beta has gone from a handful of employees to 600 with 400 in Vermont as of October 2023. The company raised nearly $800 million in financing as of April 2022, an unprecedented amount in Vermont, according to David Bradbury of the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies.

"Very few people dream big enough and far enough into the future to start an aerospace company from scratch," Bradbury told the Burlington Free Press last year. "I give Kyle and Katie Clark all the respect and thanks in the world for going for it."

Kyle Clark, CEO of Beta Technologies addresses the audience at a ceremony for a new facility opening. Beta Technologies opens an electric aircraft production facility at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport in South Burlington on Oct. 2, 2023.

Kyle Clark is the founder and chief executive officer of Beta. His wife, Katie, joined him in the company and is responsible for the "culture and inspiration" within the business, according to Kyle Clark.

Clark said in a statement on Monday that the team at Beta is "excited to enter the next phase of our growing electric aerospace business."

"We have worked through research, engineering, prototyping, test flying, initial phases of certifications and now we are entering our next important step of starting production, in an inspiring facility," Clark added.

Beta expects to create hundreds of jobs in its new factory

The 188,500-square-foot electric aircraft factory is expected to create hundreds of jobs, as Beta ramps up to full production for its customers in the cargo, medical, defense and passenger industries. One of the company's earliest customers was UPS, which ordered 10 of the Alia aircraft in 2021 and reserved the right to order another 140.

To date, Beta said it has flown more than 500 full-scale, piloted flights on Beta-built battery systems and conducted more than 10,000 hours of testing on electric motors produced on its pilot production lines.

An Alia performs a flyover as spectators watch. The pilot was a former Marine One operator for President Obama. Beta Technologies opens an electric aircraft production facility at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport in South Burlington on Oct. 2, 2023.

The company's newly opened production facility falls in line with its mission to "decarbonize" the aviation sector and "help turn the corner on climate change." The facility has 260 geothermal wells to provide energy for temperature control, along with nearly three acres of roof-mounted solar panels contributing to a net-zero campus.

'We're going to make manufacturing sexy again'

Clark says Betas mission is clear: to turn the corner on climate change. The new facility is an extension of that mission, he said, and in addition to utilizing geothermal and solar energy, a glass composite was used as insulation instead of pink Styrofoam.

Were gonna make manufacturing sexy again, he said.

Former Sen. Patrick Leahy said Clark has continued to push boundaries and bust through doors and believes Beta has made Vermont a recognized aerospace hub. The $9 million grant Burlington School District received to train technical school students in the work that Beta does further ensures the model can be sustainable for generations to come.

Gov. Phil Scott said he believes Beta will be as important to Vermont as IBM was for decades. It has the potential to draw skilled workers and innovators to the area and attract more students to the trades and to Vermonts universities.

An Alia aircraft sits in a new manufacturing center based in Vermont. Beta Technologies opens an electric aircraft production facility at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport in South Burlington on Oct. 2, 2023.

Sen. Bernie Sanders said it is an important day not just for Vermont but for the country and the world as young people grapple with the affects of climate change on the planets future. He said Beta has also created a collective culture where good ideas can come from anyone.

The Vermont ethic is not to deny problems exist but to face them, said Sen. Peter Welch, and Beta is doing that in a way that promotes cooperation over conflict.

With the hangar doors open, spectators watch as Alia makes several flyovers of Beta's new facility. Beta Technologies opens an electric aircraft production facility at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport in South Burlington on Oct. 2, 2023.

The cities of Burlington and South Burlington welcomed Beta to the airport and the location solidifies a natural relationship between the Vermont Air National Guard. Clark said about 20% of Betas pilots are military veterans.

Betas future includes more growth

Clark said Mondays opening was phase one and that phase two, in the same building, will double the space of the production facility.

In addition to the South Burlington factory, Beta has an R&D headquarters and a maintenance and training hangar in South Burlington; pilot manufacturing facilities in Williston; and an Advanced Battery Research Center in St. Albans. The company also has locations in Plattsburgh, New York, Washington, D.C., Montreal, Canada, Raleigh, North Carolina and Springfield, Ohio.

Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.

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: Beta Technologies opens electric aircraft plant in South Burlington
Don Gaetz , Rep. Matt Gaetz s (R-Fla.) father, announced Monday that he will be running again for the Florida Senate, where he served from 2006-16.

Don Gaetz, a Republican, said that he has no intentions of seeking higher office and that his goal is to make living in Florida affordable, The Associated Press reported.

Its apparent that while we are a low tax state, we are also a high electricity cost, high insurance if you can find it state and a high housing cost state, Don Gaetz said. High costs, these kitchen table issues, make it hard for people to live here. The state of Florida has to become an affordable state to live in.

Don Gaetz previously served as president of the Florida Senate from 2012-14.

He said his decision to run has nothing to do with rumors of his son, Matt Gaetz, weighing a bid for Florida governor in 2026.

Matts not pursuing any run for governor. Hes pushing forward tackling budget and spending problems in Washington and fighting for term limits, Don Gaetz said, according to the AP.

Don Gaetz said he would be pre-filing the paperwork to formalize his bid Monday, the Pensacola News Journal reported. He is running to succeed outgoing state Sen. Doug Broxson (R) to represent District 1. Another Republican candidate, Frank White, said he would withdraw from the race if the elder Gaetz entered.

Don Gaetz said he had not considered running for office again until a few weeks ago, when, the News Journal reported, he was on a radio show and the host asked him about a possible run. Don Gaetz said the question surprised him.

I told him, I dont have any plans to run for the Senate, but I told people I would listen. So Im listening. That spread, he said. Then three or four days ago, Frank [White] said, Don, if you run I will withdraw. That made the decision a lot easier.

Both Broxson and White expressed their support for Don Gaetz.

I think he is considered one of the best Senate presidents, Broxson said in a statement, according to the News Journal. His members thought he was so inclusive and willing to serve with them and work on projects they thought were important.

Don Gaetz is a living legend for good reason, and his record speaks for itself, White told The Hill in a statement. He has my full support.

 Updated at 4:29 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  Don Gaetz , a former Republican state Senate president and father of MAGA firebrand GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz , is seeking a return to the Florida Legislature.

Gaetz, 75, planned to file paperwork on Monday to run for the state Senate seat now held by outgoing Sen. Doug Broxson, who is leaving office next year due to term limits.

Gaetz, who has held a variety of appointed positions since leaving elected office in 2016, said that he has been approached in recent weeks by voters in the Panhandle asking him to run.

This will sound like maybe its not true, but there was a wellspring of support and encouragement and even demands that I run for office from people in Northwest Florida who I know and respect and people in Northwest Florida who I do not know, Gaetz said.

One of the voices of encouragement to run was state Sen. Ben Albritton, the Polk County Republican in line to become the next Senate president in late 2024. In the last cycle, Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed several candidates to run for the state Senate even though Senate leaders had planned to back other candidates. Gaetz return to the Senate could provide a prominent counterweight to the governor.

Gaetzs decision to enter the race prompted former state Rep. Frank White, a Pensacola Republican, to drop out of the contest even though he was the only candidate for the post.

Gaetz added that he is also concerned that, while Florida is a low-tax state, the rising costs associated with of property insurance, housing and utilities is making it expensive. He said that the Legislature can address the causes and the political pressure that are behind how costly the state is getting.

Don Gaetz began his political career as a school board member and later schools superintendent for Okaloosa County. He first ran for state Senate in 2006 and rose to Senate president after the 2012 elections.

During his time in office, Gaetz was more than willing to engage in his fair share of political brawls, including taking on then-Gov. Rick Scott. Scott, currently a U.S. senator, who lined up opposition to Gaetzs bid to become president of the University of West Florida.

In his farewell note to his constituents when left the Senate, Gaetz wrote: I cherish the smashmouth fights over matters of principle. I richly earned my opponents, giving, I hope, as good as I got. Politics can be thrilling and noble, just as it can be base and disgusting.

While he was in office, his son Matt Gaetz ran for the state House and the two served in the Legislature at the same time and even roomed together in Tallahassee. In the Legislature, Don Gaetz became known for his oratory skills  and just like his son  the ability to come up with a snappy comeback or a tartly-worded reply.

And while the younger Gaetz was once in the shadow of his successful father, he has since eclipsed him as a fervent supporter of former President Donald Trump and an enemy of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif), threatening over the weekend to oust McCarthy from his speakership.

Now, Rep. Matt Gaetz is seen as a potential candidate for Florida governor in 2026, but his father said that has nothing to do with his decision to run.

Matt has encouraged me to run for the Senate, but I know in Washington he is laser focused on the budget issues, trying to control spending, trying to pass term limits, said Gaetz, who said his son will run for another term in Congress next year. He is not focused on running for governor. He has no plans to run for governor.

After Gaetz left office, he held key appointed positions including a spot on Floridas ethics commission and as the chair of the board of a non-profit corporation responsible for handing out tens of millions of dollars given to the state in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster.

The elder Gaetz was also drawn into the federal trafficking probe of his son after a Florida businessman tried to extort $25 million from him in exchange for helping Matt Gaetz secure a presidential pardon. The DOJ later closed its investigation into Matt Gaetz without filing charges.
Summertown Interiors, the UAEs leading sustainable fit-out contractor, has surpassed its 2023 environmental and sustainable projects targets, as outlined in its 8th Annual Sustainability Report.

The report highlights Summertowns significant progress towards its zero waste goals and underscores the companys unwavering commitment towards sustainable excellence, and building a sustainable future.

Covering the financial year from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, the 2023 Sustainability Report details Summertowns impact and performance against seven material issues that matter most to its stakeholders: Sustainable Projects, Environment, Social, Human Rights, Community, and Transparency and Anti-Corruption.

Key highlights

Sustainable Projects: Summertown supported five projects in their pursuit of LEED certification, demonstrating its dedication to high sustainability standards. An impressive 88% of office procurement came from sustainable sources, reinforcing responsible sourcing practices, and the company diverted waste from landfill at 8% above its target.

Economic: Summertown experienced a 31% increase in annual turnover, building on the 63% surge from the previous year, and a 22% decrease in 2021. This financial performance exceeded the 5-year average by 40%.

Environment: Summertown continued its relentless efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, diverting 38% of project waste from landfill  an achievement that surpassed the projected 2023 target of 30%. The company secured the 1st runner-up position in the General Waste Management category of the Living Business Awards, in partnership with HSBC. It also recorded a substantial 29% reduction in energy consumption per employee.

Social: Summertown introduced the innovative 'Summertown Learning Pod', an online platform designed to elevate the organisation's education and training program. This platform empowers employees to access a diverse range of training resources and skill development courses at their convenience. The companys focus on diversity and equal opportunity continued to shine, with women comprising 28% of the workforce. Additionally, Summertowns commitment to employee welfare resulted in 99% of employees receiving pay increments.

Human Rights: The introduction of an e-learning course on Human Rights received a 100% completion rate among employees, reinforcing Summertown's commitment to human rights principles.

Community: The initiation of Employee Health & Wellbeing programs underscored Summertown's investment in employee welfare.

Transparency and Anti-corruption: Summertown maintained a pristine record with zero public legal cases related to corruption against the organisation or its employees. Additionally, 100% of employees were updated on the anti-corruption policy, promoting transparency and ethical conduct.

Monumental year

Marcos Bish, Managing Director of Summertown Interiors, commented: "As we present Summertown's eighth Sustainability Report, we recognise the pressing global challenges and the collective responsibility businesses have to address. It has been a monumental year for us, with the celebration of our 25th year anniversary, a journey we are immensely proud of. Our achievements underscore the critical role sustainability plays in business success, as we continue to adapt to a changing world. We firmly believe that by rigorously measuring, reporting, and collaborating, we can collectively achieve our net-zero goals and create a better, more sustainable future for all.

The report has been prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). GRI is the worlds most widely used standard for sustainability reporting, is an independent, international organisation that assists businesses and governments in understanding and communicating their impact on climate change.

Sustainable practices

Bish added: Our achievements this year, coupled with our year-on-year improvements, validate our dedication to sustainable practices and our ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Looking ahead, we are determined to continue delivering high-end, healthy workspaces to create a better, more sustainable future for all.

Summertown's sustainability strategy aligns with global initiatives such as the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and local ambitions, including the UAE Vision 2021, Green Agenda 2030, Happiness Charter, and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.--TradeArabia News Service
Rep. Matt Gaetz on Monday moved to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the top House leadership post, offering a motion to vacate the chair on the House floor  a rare procedural move that can be used to force a vote to remove the speaker.

Its not yet clear how the challenge to McCarthy will play out, but the effort represents the most serious threat to his speakership to date. A floor vote to oust McCarthy would require a majority to succeed.

Bring it on, the California Republican wrote on X shortly after the motion. Gaetz responded to the post with one of his own, writing, Just did.

The move marks a major escalation in tensions for a House GOP conference that has been mired in in-fighting and could be thrown into chaos if McCarthy is pushed out of the speakership. It comes as a bloc of House conservatives have continued to thwart McCarthy, voting against key priorities of GOP leadership and repeatedly throwing up roadblocks to the speakers agenda.

No House speaker has ever been ousted through the passage of a resolution to remove them, but threats over the use of whats known as a motion to vacate can be a powerful way to apply pressure to a speaker.

Gaetz, a Florida Republican and frequent critic of McCarthy, had been pushing to oust the speaker by using the congressional mechanism to vacate the chair, which allows any one member the ability to call for a new speaker election, though GOP leadership has a few options to stop or stall such an effort.

According to House precedent, a resolution to remove the speaker would be considered privileged, a designation that gives it priority over other issues.

To force a vote, a member must go to the House floor and announce their intent to offer the resolution to remove the speaker  as Gaetz did. Doing so requires the speaker to put the resolution on the legislative schedule within two legislative days, setting up a showdown on the floor over the issue.

A vote on a resolution to remove the speaker could still be preempted, however, even once it is on track to come to the floor for consideration.

For example, when the resolution is called up on the floor, a motion to table  or kill  the resolution could be offered and would be voted on first. That vote would also only require a simple majority to succeed  and if it did succeed then there would not be a vote directly on the resolution to remove the speaker because the resolution would instead be tabled.

McCarthy is expected to make a procedural move in an attempt to kill the measure to remove him as speaker, potentially as soon as Tuesday, several sources told CNN, in a vote that would be the first sign of where his support lies.

McCarthy has several procedural options at his disposal, including the motion to table, referring the resolution to committee or raising a question of consideration  all of which would essentially kill the resolution and require a majority of the chamber to succeed.

If the procedural motions fail, the House will have to vote on whether to oust him as speaker.

The last time a high-profile showdown played out on Capitol Hill over a motion to vacate was in 2015 when then-GOP Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina filed a resolution to declare the office of speaker vacant while John Boehner, an Ohio Republican, was serving as speaker. It was not brought to a floor vote, however.

Not long after the resolution was filed, Boehner downplayed its significance, calling it no big deal. But a few months later, he announced that he had decided to resign, saying that he had planned to step down at the end of the year but that turmoil within his conference prompted him to resign earlier than planned.

Gaetz on Monday told CNN he spoke to former President Donald Trump about ousting McCarthy but wouldnt disclose any details about the conversation, saying he would keep that between the two of us.

McCarthy may need Democratic support

Gaetz said Monday that he has enough Republicans to either push McCarthy from the speakership or make him cut a deal with Democrats to remain in power.

I have enough Republicans where at this point next week, one of two things will happen. Kevin McCarthy wont be the speaker of the House, or hell be the speaker of the House working at the pleasure of the Democrats. And Im at peace with either result, because the American people deserve to know who governs them, he told CNNs Manu Raju.

McCarthy is at risk of losing five or more Republicans on an expected motion to vacate the speakers chair, more defections than he can afford to lose  meaning he is certain to need Democratic votes to survive, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Gaetz and Reps. Eli Crane and Bob Good have all said they will vote yes on the motion, while Rep. Andy Biggs tells CNN hes favorably disposed to vote for it and Rep. Tim Burchett says his conscience is telling him to vote him out but hes still torn.

Earlier Monday, McCarthy refused to rule out cutting a deal with Democrats in order to survive Gaetzs push.

I think this is about the institution. I think its too important, he told CNN. The speaker added that he has not yet spoken with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries about how Democrats would handle the motion to vacate.

House Democrats are largely saying they will wait for the Democratic leadership to take a position before deciding how to vote on whether to oust McCarthy.

We need a party position, Massachusetts Rep. Richard Neal said.

Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat from Florida, said that theres lots of different considerations here. But at the end of the day Im waiting to hear from Leader Jeffries. Leader Jeffries has earned that right from every Democratic member.

Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, one of the most vulnerable House Democrats who has before voted with Republicans, told CNN she is open to negotiating to keep McCarthy in his job.

The word of the week is leverage, the Washington state congresswoman told CNN, adding: We will just see what on offer before we prioritize.

I am invested in delivering the best thing I can for my district. Kevin has never been that to date but well see what we can get, she said.

Monday afternoon, Gaetz addressed a group of hard-liners to make his case for McCarthys ouster, according to multiple lawmakers who were in attendance, who then debated whether they should back the effort.

The group was mostly made up of members of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, but included some other lawmakers as well.

Gaetz told the members he thinks its the right thing to do and listed some of his grievances with McCarthy, saying he violated his terms to become speaker. Now, he argued, is the time to pull the trigger, members said.

The group then discussed the pros and cons of supporting the motion to vacate, with one of the downsides being it could hinder their ability to finish work on spending bills ahead of the November 17 deadline.

They also discussed who would be next in line to become speaker if McCarthy was ousted, how the process would play out, and the prospect of McCarthy needing Democratic votes, which they agreed would be problematic, the lawmakers said.

South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman, who is still undecided on his vote, confirmed that there was a meeting with a good many GOP members, where they discussed their options and Gaetz addressed the room.

Asked by CNN on Monday if hes prepared to go through a speakership vote with no one getting the requisite votes, Gaetz projected confidence.

I would think if it took Kevin McCarthy 15 votes to become speaker, and after 8 months of a failed speakership, and after a successful removal vote, as your hypothesis would portend, that he could take a hint, Gaetz said.

Democratic cooperation, Ukraine aid threaten McCarthys leadership

Conservatives have threatened to oust McCarthy over relying on Democratic votes, as he did Saturday to advance legislation staving off a government shutdown. Gaetz also cited the possibility of the House holding votes on sending aid to Ukraine as another reason to oust him.

Members of the Republican Party might vote differently on a motion to vacate if they heard what the speaker had to share with us about his secret side deal with Joe Biden on Ukraine. Ill be listening, he said in closing. Stay tuned.

In Sunday remarks responding to the thwarted government shutdown, President Joe Biden called on McCarthy and other Republican leaders to follow through on a commitment to hold a standalone vote on funding for Ukraine as it attempts to fight off Russias invasion.

I hope my friends on the other side keep their word about support for Ukraine. They said theyre going to support Ukraine in a separate vote, Biden said. We cannot, under any circumstance, allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted.

When a reporter asked whether Biden on Sunday would trust McCarthy when the next deal comes around, Biden responded, We just made one about Ukraine. So, well find out.

McCarthy denied he had made any side deals on promising to put Ukraine funding on the floor, adding that all he did was tell Democrats that if there was a technical issue with the legislation to continue government funding that dealt with transferring existing funds, it could be fixed.

There is no side deal, so I dont know who is bringing that up, McCarthy told reporters in the Capitol. There is no side deal on Ukraine.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly would not specify any details beyond what Biden said publicly over the weekend.

Theres obviously bipartisan support to continue the funding to Ukraine, she said when asked whether Biden was referring to any specific agreement from McCarthy to take up new Ukraine funding.

This headline and story have been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Manu Raju, Melanie Zanona, Morgran Rimmer, Annie Grayer, Lauren Fox, Sam Fossum, MJ Lee and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Mayor Adams  whose chief adviser believes the federal government should close the borders to address the migrant crisis  is traveling to South and Central America this week to learn more about the root causes of the crisis, his office announced Monday.

According to an advisory released by City Hall, Adams will start off the trip by visiting Mexico City on Wednesday. While there, he will attend the North Capital Forum, a conference focused on challenges facing the U.S. with topics that include economic development, innovation and national security.

The next day, he will head to Puebla, east of Mexico City, before traveling to Ecuador on Friday to meet with local officials to find out about their asylee integration programs, the advisory states.

On Saturday, the mayors bound for Colombia, where hell also meet with local officials and visit the Darien Gap, a section of the border with Panama that many migrants cross before making their way to the U.S. Hell travel back to New York late Saturday, according to his office.

The advisory states that the purpose of the trip is to foster relationships, learn more about the path asylum seekers take to get to the United States, and meet with local and national leaders about the situations on the ground leading to an influx of asylum seekers arriving in the U.S.

The Latin America tour comes on the heels of the mayors budget office issuing a memo to all city agencies instructing them that taxpayer dollars cannot be used for any travel expenses outside of NYC, citing concerns about the fiscal burden of the migrant crisis.

To that end, an Adams spokeswoman said the mayor is paying his own way while in Ecuador and Colombia. Edward Mermelstein, Adams international affairs commissioner, and Emanuel Castro, his immigrant affairs commissioner, will also go out of pocket to cover their own expenses.

Costs associated with the visit to Mexico will be covered by the U.S.-Mexico Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering ties between the two nations, the spokeswoman said.

The mayors travel also comes after Ingrid Lewis-Martin, his chief City Hall adviser, said in an interview that aired Sunday that federal authorities should seal the U.S. southern border to prevent more migrants from arriving.

We need the federal government, the Congress members, the Senate and the president to do its job: Close the borders, Lewis-Martin said in the interview on PIX11.

Lewis-Martins comment drew waves of criticism from local Democratic lawmakers, who accused her of echoing Republican talking points.

Amid the backlash, Fabien Levy, Adams deputy mayor of communications, issued a statement saying that of course this nation should continue to welcome immigrants  both those seeking asylum and those who are not.

According to the latest data from City Hall, the Adams administration continues to house and provide services for more than 61,000 migrants, most of whom hail from Latin American countries. Most of the migrants are fleeing poverty and violence in their home countries and hope to claim asylum in the U.S.
The News

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy decided to keep the government open. But will he get to keep his job?

Thats the looming question as Congress returns to business following its weekend deal to evade a federal shutdown. On Sunday, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. announced that he would attempt to oust McCarthy this week by filing a motion to vacate, as he had previously promised to do if the speaker worked with Democrats to pass a clean temporary spending bill.

I think we need to rip off the Band-Aid, I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy, Gaetz told CNNs Jake Tapper.

McCarthys response? Bring it on. Lets get over with it and lets start governing, he said on CBSs Face the Nation. If [Gaetz is] upset because he tried to push us into a shutdown and I made sure government didnt have a shutdown, lets have that fight.

Kadias view

Nobody really knows how this showdown will play out, but its widely believed that McCarthys future will lay in the hands of the Democrats. GOP hardliners have told reporters that at least a dozen Republicans would currently vote the speaker out, enough to tank him.

And so far, Democrats are largely keeping their votes close to their chest. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, whose opinion could be decisive, hasnt publicly signaled his position. And theres talk that Democrats would want major concessions, such as a quick vote on Ukraine aid, in return for backing McCarthy, who has especially angered them recently by backing an impeachment inquiry. But some Democrats may also consider simply voting present, which would allow McCarthy to retain his job with a smaller number of Republican votes, in order to avoid further chaos.

At the same time, Gaetz appears to be trying to assemble an unusual bipartisan coalition to sink McCarthys speakership. He reportedly spoke to Progressive Caucus leader Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. about his efforts to fire McCarthy. I told him in our caucus, in the Progressive Caucus, were not planning to save McCarthy, Jayapal told POLITICO.

On Sunday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. told CNNs Jake Tapper that she would absolutely vote in favor of removing McCarthy as speaker and intimated the cost of any deal would be significant. She pointed to a 50/50 power-sharing agreement her colleague Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. floated as one compromise that could get Democrats on board with saving McCarthys speakership.

I think when it comes to power-sharing, well discuss that as a caucus and what we would finally accept or not, Ocasio-Cortez told CNN. But again, its going to come with a price. You dont just vote for a Republican speaker for nothing.

Some moderate, pro-McCarthy Republicans are already fuming at the possibility that Democrats would choose not to back the speaker after he bucked his right-wing members by agreeing to a bipartisan spending patch.

Lets be clear; in order for @mattgaetz to remove @SpeakerMcCarthy, he would need the support of Democrats, Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y. posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. He will never have a majority of Republicans supporting his efforts to undermine the conference and remove the Speaker. Its a clear violation of our conference rules.

The View From Thomas Massie

While its up in the air whether Democrats will bail out McCarthy, some veteran conservatives are already fretting that Gaetzs move could backfire for their wing of the GOP.

As Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., posted on X: I fear that attempting to vacate Speaker McCarthy at this juncture is a bad idea that will lead to worse outcomes for conservatives. signed, The only still-serving coauthor and cosponsor of the motion to vacate Speaker Boehner.
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - McDonald's and Wendy's have defeated a lawsuit accusing them of deceiving hungry diners by exaggerating the size of their burgers.

In a decision on Saturday, U.S. District Judge Hector Gonzalez in Brooklyn found no proof that the fast-food chains delivered smaller burgers than advertised, or that the plaintiff Justin Chimienti had even seen ads for the McDonald's Big Mac and Wendy's Bourbon Bacon Cheeseburger he bought.

Chimienti, a resident of Long Island's Suffolk County, said McDonald's and Wendy's ads depicted undercooked beef patties because meat shrinks 25% when cooked.

The complaint quoted a food stylist who said she had worked for McDonald's and Wendy's, and preferred undercooked patties because fully-cooked burgers looked "less appetizing." Chimienti said Wendy's also inflated the amount of toppings it uses.

In a 19-page decision, Gonzalez said the chains' efforts to made their burgers look appetizing was "no different than other companies' use of visually appealing images to foster positive associations with their products."

He said McDonald's and Wendy's were not legally obligated to sell burgers by advertising them, and that their websites provided "prominent, objective information" about the burgers' weight and caloric content.

Gonzalez also said it is not misleading to depict fewer toppings than the plaintiff's "personally preferred amount."

Lawyers for Chimienti did not immediately respond on Monday to requests for comment. McDonald's, Wendy's and their lawyers did not immediately respond to similar requests.

On Aug. 29, a federal judge in Miami said Burger King, a unit of Restaurant Brands International, must defend against a similar lawsuit over how it depicts Whopper sandwiches on in-store menu boards. He dismissed claims based on ads.

Taco Bell, a unit of Yum Brands, is defending against a lawsuit in the Brooklyn court claiming it sold Crunchwraps and Mexican pizzas that contained half as much filling as advertised.

The case is Chimienti v Wendy's International LLC et al, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, No. 22-02880.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by David Gregorio)
WASHINGTON  Laphonza Butler was a young organizer learning her way around California politics when she met Kamala Harris , then district attorney of San Francisco.

Butler, who was 30 at the time, had recently moved to Los Angeles from the East Coast to oversee a large union of long-term care and assisted living workers. Harris, more than a decade her senior, was running for state attorney general.

But over time, the two Black women  both of whom attended historically Black universities  would form a close relationship. They bonded over how to advance the economic security and well-being of women.

"I would always call her for advice. She would always call me for advice," 44-year-old Butler told USA TODAY in a 2022 interview.

Now, the women have something else to talk about: Butler's appointment to fill the U.S. Senate seat that Dianne Feinstein held until her death last week.

Laphonza Butler speaks onstage during EMILYs List's 2023 Pre-Oscars Breakfast on March 7, 2023 in Beverly Hills, Calif.

California Senate appointment

Before becoming vice president, Harris served alongside Feinstein for four years as California's junior senator. Butler will now join the U.S. Senate until the 2024 election is held to fill the seat that Feinstein had already announced she was retiring from.

Several sitting Democratic lawmakers are already competing. Reps. Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff and Katie Porter have been in the race, which is expected to be expensive and bruising, for more than six months.

Under the state's jungle primary system, the top two vote getters will advance to the general, regardless of political party. The seat is expected to remain in Democratic hands.

It is unclear Butler she plans to compete for the seat that California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed her to fill.

Butler is a current resident of Maryland. A spokesman said she owns a home in View Park, California and a place in LA where she will reside. She has already re-registered to vote in the state.

This week Laphonza is focused on respecting and honoring Sen. Feinsteins legacy and getting ready to serve the people of California in the Senate. Politics can wait," Matthew Wing, a spokesman for Butler, said in a statement.

A longtime organizer with union roots

Butler was in her twenties, organizing food service workers and janitors, when she left for California. The move to SEIU 2015 was a big step for Butler, who did not have experience leading a union chapter.

She consolidated membership of the local to turn it into the largest union in California and the largest union of home health workers. The changes ruffled some other union organizers, as she quickly became a powerful force within the SEIU.

She stayed with the union for nearly a decade, leaving to become a partner at the firm that advised Harris in her 2019 presidential bid. Butler served as a senior adviser on the campaign that ended with Harris quitting the race before any of the contests were held.

Work as EMILY's List abortion rights advocate

Butler left politics to advise Airbnb before becoming the first woman of color to serve as president of EMILY's List nearly two years ago in September of 2021. The organization works to elect Democratic, pro-abortion rights women.

She became a leading voice in the progressive movement against the Supreme Court's ruling in the Dobbs case and GOP-backed laws that curb abortion access in individual states.

The Republican Party "has been working to chip away at a woman's right to make decisions about her own body and the freedom to decide when she wants to have a family," Butler told USA TODAY after the Supreme Court opinion leaked.

In the position she helped organize a political rally with other abortion rights groups in support of President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris on the day that the pair announced their reelection bid in April.

First Black LGBTQ+ person to represent California in Senate

Butler will be the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent California in the Senate and the first Black lesbian to openly serve in Congress.

Butler and her partner, Neneki Lee, share a daughter, Nylah.

Newsom noted she will be only the second Black woman to represent the state in the Senate in a Monday email to supporters that said Butler "follows in the footsteps of Vice President Kamala Harris."

The work that the friends have done together in the past provides some clues as to what Butler may do as a senator. She said in a previous interivew that Harris worked with her to make sure background checks would be provided fairly and equitably to home care workers, who are predominately women and women of color.

She also praised Harris for "the impact that she has on young people who are trying to find your own pathway to leadership," saying it is an important voice that Harris brings to the administration, and talked up the vice president's focus on Black maternal health.

Relationships with women senators

In working to elect Democratic women as the head of EMILY's List, Butler has already established relationships with several of her new female colleagues.

Sen. Maggie Hassan, whose reelection she campaigned for last year in New Hampshire, said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, "I know how fierce of a champion you are for a woman's fundamental freedom in particular, and I look forward to working with you to deliver results for the American people."

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the current chair of the Appropriations Committee and the first woman to chair both the Veterans Affairs and Budget panels, said on social media that she was "thrilled to welcome such a strong champion of womens rights, labor, and reproductive freedom to the U.S. Senate" and she was looking forward to working with her on many issues "from protecting abortion rights to making child care more affordable and accessible."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Laphonza Butler? The new California senator replacing Feinstein
A federal judge Monday set a May 6 trial date for Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and his wife Nadine. The pair was indicted last month on federal bribery, fraud and extortion charges.

U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein scheduled the jury trial for May 6 to allow prosecutors time to hand over evidence to Menendez, according to Reuters.

The U.S. attorneys office for the Southern District of New York has accused Menendez and his wife Nadine of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from three businessmen in New Jersey in exchange for using the senators power and influence as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to benefit the businessmen and Egypts government.

The FBI discovered nearly $500,000 in cash stuffed in envelopes and hidden in clothing and closets, as well as more than $100,000 in gold bars, at Menendezs home in a raid last year.

Menendez previously told reporters that the cash found at his home is from his personal savings and was being kept at his home in case of emergency.

Menendez and his wife face three counts, including conspiracy to commit extortion under the color of official right, which is a charge for public officials who take bribes in return for official acts. The couple appeared in court last week, where they pleaded not guilty.

The three businessmen allegedly involved  Wael Will Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibe  also face federal charges. Hana pleaded not guilty to two counts last week and was released on bond after depositing $300,000 with the court and agreeing to surrender his passport.

Uribe and Daibe also pleaded not guilty to two counts Wednesday.

Menendez has pushed back against the charges and insists he has no plans to step down from the upper chamber, despite calls from dozens of Democratic colleagues in the Senate and in New Jersey.

The Senate powerbroker has dismissed the charges as just allegations and maintains he will be exonerated once the facts are presented.

While not resigning from the Senate entirely, Menendez has stepped down from his role as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee while fighting his legal battle.

This is the second time the lawmaker has faced a federal indictment. The first ended in a mistrial in 2017.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A messy McDonalds patron ended up in handcuffs after he littered the floor around his table with $100 bills, according to the Collier County Sheriffs Office.

It happened Sept. 27 at a McDonalds in Naples before restaurant staff called the cops, officials said in a news release. Naples is about 170 miles south of Tampa.

Around 1:35 p.m. (a man) ordered a meal ... and paid for it with a fake $100 bill. Recognizing the money was fake, workers returned it to (him) and took back the meal, officials said.

Detectives responded and ... found multiple counterfeit bills and washed dollar bills in (his) pockets and on the floor under his table in the restaurant.

An investigation revealed the 53-year-old man had been manufacturing his own money at a nearby hotel, which had evicted him from his room earlier in the day, officials said.

Detectives found the mans belongings still sitting in the hotels foyer and the pile included multiple items used to manufacture counterfeit money, officials said.

Those items included acetone, laundry detergent, press boards, a laptop computer, and a printer. (He) left behind printer paper and latex gloves in the room he had rented at the hotel, and the sink appeared to be covered in black ink, officials said.

The man was arrested and charged with uttering a false bill or promissory note and possession of 10 or more counterfeit notes. Records revealed he is currently on probation out of Idaho, officials said.

McDonalds worker with knife robs customer in diners restroom, West Virginia cops say

Accused robber under surveillance vanishes  and robs another store, Florida cops say

Amazon driver hospitalized after rattlesnake bite during delivery, Florida cops say
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday panned U.S. military aid to Ukraine, suggesting it was "irrational," and stepped up criticism of the war effort as he urged Washington to devote more resources to helping Latin American countries.

Lopez Obrador has long called on the United States to devote more funds to helping economic development in Central America and the Caribbean in order to ease migratory pressures.

During his regular daily press conference, Lopez Obrador criticized the U.S. Congress for not freeing up money for the region, before making reference to wrangling last week on a stopgap funding bill that stripped out further aid for Ukraine.

"I was just looking at how now they're not authorizing aid for the war in Ukraine," he said. "But how much have they destined for the Ukraine war? 30 to 50 billion dollars for the war. Which is the most irrational thing you can have. And damaging."

"So they do have to modify their strategy and learn respect. It's not the time for them to ignore Mexican authorities," Lopez Obrador added.

The Ukrainian embassy in Mexico declined to comment. The U.S. State Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The leftist Lopez Obrador has sought to keep Mexico neutral in the war, and criticized Western military aid for Kyiv. He has also proposed peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Two weeks ago the president defended the presence of a Russian military unit in a weekend parade marking Mexico's independence day, following sharp criticism that his country had given a platform to forces that invaded Ukraine.

Nonetheless, his government has backed some major U.N. resolutions criticizing Russia's role in the conflict.

(Reporting by Dave Graham; Editing by Deepa Babington, Jonathan Oatis and Bill Berkrot)
Belgian Malinois puppies rest at the Mexican Army and Air Force Canine Production Center in San Miguel de los Jagueyes, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. The puppies will one day become rescue dogs or drugs and explosives detectors after get basic training at the center. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

SAN MIGUEL DE LOS JAGUEYEZ, Mexico (AP)  In the middle of a military base outside Mexico City, an army colonel runs what he calls a kindergarten for dogs.

Puppies that one day will become rescue dogs, or sniffer dogs for drugs or explosives, get their basic training here, at Mexicos Army and Air Force Canine Production Center. The puppies are born and spend their first four months at the facility, before being sent to military units around the country for more specialized training.

Founded in 1998, the center has in the past produced breeds such as German Shepherds and Rottweilers.

Now, it exclusively breeds Belgian Malinois  about 300 of them a year.

Its a very intelligent dog, its a dog with a lot of hardiness, very resistant to diseases, said Col. Alejandro Camacho Ibarra, a veterinarian and the centers director. It is the Mexican militarys only such production facility, and Camacho said it may be the largest in Latin America.

The mainly green-and-white, one-story buildings look like any others at the military camp in the State of Mexico, near Mexico City. But the difference here is in the sounds that fill the air: high-pitch barking from dozens of puppies scattered through its maternities and training camps.

Precautions here are strict because of a recent canine parvovirus outbreak that sickened some of the puppies. Visitors are disinfected with a spray, and must step into a watery solution to clean shoe soles. Only military personnel can touch the puppies. If you want to get close, you need to wear scrubs, shoe protectors and a mask, but you still cannot hold or pet the animals.

The training starts early in life, about a month after birth once the weaning process finishes. And everything is taught as a game.

We start playing with the dog, Camacho said. The idea is to draw them to items that trainers call attractors  like a ball or a rag  and puppies are challenged to catch them. Every time it holds his prey, its rewarded, congratulated, and it learns to go after that prey, after that attractor, Camacho added.

Unlike in civilian life, where puppies often get food treats, in the military the only prize for a job well done is a caress and some praise.

In one section of the camp, theres a trail with obstacles including rocks, a tunnel, a section of empty plastic bottles to clamber over, a ladder and tires.

A soldier beckons the little dogs with a rag they must capture. The brown puppies with black snouts begin running through the trail, jumping over the rocks and crossing the obstacles. One takes the lead and the second struggles to cross over the plastic bottles, but also finishes. Both go to bite the rag the soldier holds.

Very, very good, sons! Very good, boys, he repeats while dragging the puppies as they maintain their grasp on the rag for several moments.

Camacho explains that the puppies are known by a number until they are three months old, when they are given a proper name. Each year, the center gives names according to a single letter of the alphabet. In 2023, that letter is F.

Febo, Frodo, Fosil, Forraje and Fido are some of this years names.

The basic training ends when the puppies are 4 months old. Then, they move to other military units to become specialists in detection of drugs or explosive, in search and rescue or in protection and security.

The current government of Mexicos President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has relied heavily on the armed forces for various initiatives, from public safety to the building of airports and a tourist train line. And K-9 units have been a key element of some of the militarys activities, like the detection of drugs.

Col. Camacho said that some dogs born at the center have been trained to detect fentanyl, a synthetic opioid trafficked by Mexican cartels that has been blamed for about 70,000 overdose deaths per year in the United States.

That kind of specialized training happens elsewhere, but the colonel says it builds on his center's basic training by using attractor objects but having them impregnated with the scent of what the dogs need to track, such as a drug.

Dogs retire from their military service after eight years, Camacho says.

Many of the dogs have become unsung heroes of missions in Mexico and abroad. Occasionally they become publicly known, like a German Shepherd named Proteo who was part of a rescue team sent in February to Turkey after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that killed more than 40,000 people.

Proteo died during the search for survivors of the quake. A statue of him now stands at the center.

Another dog that made headlines in Mexico and abroad was a yellow Labrador retriever rescue dog named Frida. The Navy dog gained fame in the days following Mexicos Sept. 19, 2017, earthquake that left more than 300 dead in the capital. She retired in 2019 and died in 2022.

Col. Camacho said that the dogs have a symbiotic relationship with their handlers during their working life in the military.

The dog uses us to survive, but we also use the dog to do a job, he said. So its a coordinated work where we both get a benefit."
Dahlia Canes didnt know pit bulls were banned in Miami-Dade County until the early 2000s, when she found Chocolate wandering the streets.

The American pit bull, in bad shape from being fought and bred, jumped into Canes car. She had planned to put her up for adoption, but after a three-day vet visit, decided to bring Chocolate to her Miami Lakes home.

A year later, Canes had to travel to New York and left Chocolate with friends in South Beach. Thats when Miami-Dade Animal Services took custody of the dog. Canes returned to Miami and rushed to the shelter.

When she arrived, she said Chocolate was set to be euthanized. A decades-old ban on the breed was approved after a pit bull attacked a 7-year-old girl in 1989.

Canes dropped on her knees, begging to spare Chocolates life. An employee let Canes take Chocolate and place her in a friends Palm Beach County house.

Thats what this ban was like, she said.

Miami-Dades decades-long pit bull ban ended Sunday. In June, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law that bars local governments and public housing authorities from banning dogs of a specific breed, weight or size. Under the new law, local governments can still adopt policies to prevent attacks as long as they dont single out a breed.

Since the incident with Chocolate, Canes, the founder of the nonprofit Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation, has been advocating for pit bulls in South Florida. The group, along with the Best Friends Animal Society and the Humane Society, helped push for the legislation, which was penned by two South Florida lawmakers: Sen. Alexis Calatayud, R-Kendall, and Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera, R-Coral Gables.

It was way, way overdue, Canes said. Its time. Its not the dogs, folks. Its the owners.

The origins of the ban

In 1989, a 7-year-old Melissa Moreira was mauled by a pit bull, leading to the ban in Miami-Dade. Melissa was helping unload groceries after a weekend getaway when a pit bull came out of nowhere, knocked her down and ripped off most of her lip, she told Miami Herald news partner CBS News Miami in 2022. Moreira underwent more than eight reconstructive surgeries on her face.

It would completely change the way I would interact outside of my home knowing that anyone could have a pit bull next door to me, she said.

After the attack, the county enacted a $500 fine for anyone who insisted on keeping one of the stocky dogs. The issue could reach the courts, and the dog could be removed, according to county law.

But the muscular breed, feared by many but defended by their owners, were a common sight in Miami-Dade. In September 2022, several county officials, including Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, expressed interest in overturning the ban.

More on the dog-ban change

Aside from reversing the ban, the new state law limits public housing from placing breed and weight restrictions on dogs. People previously faced a difficult choice: Either remain on the street with their dogs or give them up, Canes said.

What happens to those dogs? she said. The shelter is full to capacity. They end up on the street. They get used for dogfighting. They get hit by cars. They die. They starve to death. Its horrid.

Gilda M. Nunez, Miami-Dades chief of legislative affairs and communications and interim assistant director of humane law enforcement, told the Miami Herald that the state law automatically reverses the countys pit bull ban.

However, residential communities, such as homeowner associations, are still allowed to ban specific dog breeds, Nunez said.

Looking ahead

Canes and her nonprofit on Sunday celebrated the end of the ban with a Pitnic at Amelia Earheart Park in Hialeah. Pit bull lovers  as well as current and former public officials  attended in support of the change.

Through the year, pit bull attacks have reignited conversation about the breed in South Florida.

In June, a pit bull with a troubled history attacked a 7-year-old boy and his parents in Miramar. The boys mother was critically injured.

In February, a girl was mauled by a pit bull at a Hallandale Beach playground in February. A woman and a boy, in a separate incident, were attacked by a pit bull in Pompano Beach that same month.

But for Canes, these instances can be prevented with proper treatment and training.

Practice responsible ownership, now more than ever, she said. Show the world what your dog is really like, and what you can do with your dog.

Miami Herald staff writer Doug Hanks contributed to this report
Sam Bankman-Fried was ready to shell out some major cash to stop Donald Trump from running for president in 2024, according to author Michael Lewis.

The fallen crypto billionaire, who is set to stand trial over the collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange FTX, was willing to put up $5 billion to keep Trump out of the 2024 presidential race, having deemed him an existential threat to democracy, Lewis told 60 Minutes in an interview broadcast Sunday.

The journalist unpacked Bankman-Frieds logic while promoting his new book, Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon, which reportedly contains an anecdote about the proposal.

He took the view that all the big existential problems are gonna require the United States government to be involved to solve em, Lewis said on the news show. And if the democracy is undermined, all these problems are less likely to be solved. And he saw Trump trying to undermine the democracy, and he thought, Trump belongs on the list of existential risks.

Sam Bankman-Fried leaves the federal courthouse in New York City on July 26, 2023.

Sam Bankman-Fried leaves the federal courthouse in New York City on July 26, 2023.

According to Lewis, Bankman-Fried was unsure if such a transaction would be legal, and the tech executive was unclear if the 10-figure asking price came from Trump directly.

In a further effort to thwart Trump, the FTX co-founder and then-CEO tried to partner with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to fund anti-Trump Republican candidates, Lewis said.

Representatives for Trump and McConnell did not immediately respond to HuffPosts requests for comment.

As a proponent of effective altruism, Bankman-Fried purported to believe that amassing as much wealth as possible was the most efficient way to help humanity.

He openly made $40 million in political donations in 2022, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission, and though an overwhelming majority of his official donations went to Democrats, Bankman-Fried claimed he had given just as much to Republicans off the books.

Reporters freak the fuck out if you donate to a Republican, because theyre all super liberal, he said in a November 2022 interview. And I didnt want to have that fight, so I just made all the Republican ones dark.

Bankman-Frieds trial begins on Tuesday. He is accused of defrauding investors of out of billions through FTX, which was valued at $32 billion before its collapse in 2022.

Related...
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the correct valuation for Microsoft.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella testified Monday in the Department of Justices antitrust trial against Google as the governments push to prove Google maintains an illegal monopoly in online search.

In testimony before a packed courtroom, Nadella said Google has made it difficult for Microsoft  a company valued at $2.4 trillion  to compete in the search engine market, according to multiple reports.

Nadella said Googles deals to be the default search engine across web browsers was a key limiting factor to competition from other tech companies. He also argued that Google will be able to use its size to dominate the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) space, according to reports of his Monday testimony.

Microsoft and Google have been locked in an AI arms race. Microsoft has invested heavily in OpenAI and incorporated the popular ChatGPT tools into Microsoft products,

Despite my enthusiasm that there is a new angle with AI, I worry a lot that this vicious cycle that Im trapped in could get even more vicious, Nadella said, according to The New York Times.

Nadella said that as publishers and platforms become more aware of how their data is used to train AI systems, they may start to sign exclusive deals that would allow only Google to use their data, The Verge reported.

What is publicly available today, will it be publicly available tomorrow? Nadella asked, according to the Verge. Thats the issue.

Adam Severt, a lawyer for the Department of Justice, asked Nadella about Googles billion-dollar deal to be the exclusive search provider on Apple devices.

The government has focused on Googles deals with Apple and other companies to be their default search engine  especially on mobile devices  as it attempts to prove Google maintains an illegal monopoly in the search market.

Severt asked Nadella what it would mean if Microsoft were to have the same deal with Apple, The Verge reported.

It would be a game-changer, Nadella reportedly said.

Google has pushed back strongly on the governments allegations that it maintains an illegal monopoly. Google argues that those deals are not anti-competitive and that users can easily change to a different search engine.

But Nadella reportedly called that argument bogus, since users rarely change their default search engine.

You get up in the morning, you brush [your] teeth and you search on Google, Nadella testified, according to the Times.

In questioning Nadella, Googles lead counsel John Schmidtlein argued that Microsofts search engine, Bing, was not inferior because of anticompetitive behavior from Google, but rather because of mismanagement from Microsoft, The Verge reported.

Schmidtlein argued that Google out-invested and out-executed Microsoft to become the more popular search engine, according to The Verge.

After the DOJ and states attorneys general make their cases against Google, the tech giant will have a chance to present its defense. The trial is expected to last 10 weeks.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FILE PHOTO: The Microsoft logo is seen at the Microsoft store in New York City

FILE PHOTO: The Microsoft logo is seen at the Microsoft store in New York City

By Diane Bartz

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella said Monday tech giants were competing for vast troves of content needed to train artificial intelligence, and complained Google was locking up content with expensive and exclusive deals with publishers.

Testifying in a landmark U.S. trial against its rival Google, the first major antitrust case brought by the U.S. since it sued Microsoft in 1998, Nadella testified the tech giants' efforts to build content libraries to train their large language models "reminds me of the early phases of distribution deals."

Distribution agreements are at the core of the U.S. Justice Department's antitrust fight against Google. The government says that Google, with some 90% of the search market, illegally pays $10 billion annually to smartphone makers like Apple and wireless carriers like AT&T and others to be the default search engine on their devices.

The clout in search makes Google a heavy hitter in the lucrative advertising market, boosting its profits.

Nadella said building artificial intelligence took computing power, or servers, and data to train the software. On servers, he said: "No problem, we are happy to put in the dollars."

But without naming Google, he said it was "problematic" if other companies locked up exclusive deals with big content makers.

"When I am meeting with publishers now, they say Google's going to write this check and it's exclusive and you have to match it," he said.

REBUFFED BY APPLE

Nadella also testified that Microsoft had sought to make its Bing search engine the default on Apple smartphones but was rebuffed.

John Schmidtlein, Google's lead lawyer, pressed Nadella on occasions when Microsoft did win default status on computers and mobile phones but users still bypassed Bing and continued to use Google by a wide margin.

Schmidtlein argued that Microsoft had made a series of strategic errors that led to Bing's inability to grab a foothold, including a failure to invest in servers or engineers to improve Bing and a failure to see the mobile revolution.

Schmidtlein also said Microsoft's success in becoming the default - on some Verizon phones in 2008, and BlackBerry and Nokia in 2011 - ended with the same result: users bypassed Bing and did the vast majority of their searches on Google.

On laptops, most of which use Microsoft operating systems, Bing is the default search engine and has a market share below 20%, Nadella acknowledged.

"You get up in the morning and you brush your teeth and you search on Google," he added in a reference to Google's dominance in search.

QUESTION OF QUALITY

Judge Amit Mehta, who will decide the case being tried in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asked Nadella why Apple would switch to Bing given the Microsoft product's lower quality.

The question suggests Google's argument - that it is dominant because of its quality and not because of illegal activity - has caught the judge's interest.

Nadella became CEO of Microsoft in 2014, long after the tech giant faced its own federal antitrust lawsuit. That court fight, which ended in a 2001 settlement, forced Microsoft to end some business practices and opened the door to companies like Google.

As Google, which was founded in 1998, became an industry leading search engine, the two became bitter rivals. Both have browsers, search engines, email services and a host of other overlaps. They became rivals in artificial intelligence more recently, with Microsoft investing heavily in OpenAI and Google building the Bard AI chatbot among other investments.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; editing by Christina Fincher and Deepa Babington)
Mike Tellez is running for Las Cruces mayor for the second time, and he says his platform hasn't changed since he finished third in the 2019 election.

"When I ran four years ago, it's crazy because my platform hasn't changed," said Tellez, 66, during a recent interview with the Sun-News inside of the Dream Center, a faith-based community center he established in 2000. "Mental health and substance abuse. We need to get a facility to help treat that. We still don't have that. We still don't have a plan for the homeless."

Tellez is one of seven candidates vying to replace long-time Mayor Ken Miyagishima, who is not running for reelection.

Absentee and early voting opens on Oct. 10, and Nov. 7 is election day.

Background on Mike Tellez

Tellez also ran for the New Mexico House of Representatives in the 36th district as a Republican in 2012. In a three-way contest, Democrat Phillip Archuleta won.

Tellez grew up in Roswell and said he has been a Las Cruces resident for 26 years.

"We have a boxing program, youth programs, a ministry for teens, homeless and families," Tellez said. "Anything that relates to helping people, that is who I bring in here. I started this to do something for the community."

Tellez insists that he considered changing parties after a Republican Party of New Mexico lawsuit on his behalf was dismissed by two courts, most recently in June. The lawsuit alleged that Dona Ana County Clerk Amanda Lopez Askin told an election board to count about 70 absentee ballots that should not have been counted. The lawsuit also alleged that Lopez Askin relied on inaccurate information supplied by Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver. It was dismissed in the 3rd Judicial District Court for lack of standing. An appeal was dismissed in June.

"All I did was complain about the ballot harvesting," Tellez said. "That's all I said. Next thing I knew, they were suing (Lopez Askin). She has always treated me great.

"I could not believe that turned into that."

Tellez offered an apology to Lopez Askin on filing day last month.

"Mr. Tellez did approach me on filing day and did apologize," Lopez Askin said. "I told him there was no need to, but I appreciated the effort and let him know that there wasn't any animus. I don't take lawsuits personally. If I did, I could not do this job. I wish him a good campaign."

Why should Las Cruces elect you as mayor?

"I have worked in the community trying to make a difference and make something happen tirelessly for 17 years," Tellez said.

Mike Tellez poses for a photo on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at the Dream Center. Tellez is one of seven candidates running for mayor of Las Cruces.

Tellez wants to address the opioid issue and the unhoused population in Las Cruces by establishing a facility that can both house and treat those affected. Tellez singled out the use of the former armory on Brown Road, used to shelter migrants. Tellez said a community facility could offer education programs as well as treatment programs.

"That is where we start," Tellez said. "We do whatever we can to transition them back to society. The best we can do is help them as much as we can, but we have a generation of kids coming of age. Those kids we can help.

"I would ask all of the faith-based programs, like myself, to open your doors for after-school programs every day and let these kids come and do their part in the community. It is not the government's job to take care of these people. It is the community's job. We have 120 churches. If half of them opened their doors, we would have a place to send them."

Do you believe that the Las Cruces Police Department needs reform?

"No. I believe they need to increase their force. They have a plan. Let them work their plan. They don't need an oversight committee. They are on the ball now."

In 2020, then-LCPD Officer Christopher Smelser killed Tony Valenzuela using a controversial grappling technique after Valenzuela ran away during a traffic stop. Smelser was then charged with murder, but a judge nixed the murder charge mid-trial.

In 2021, Officer Jerad Cosper shot 75-year-old Amelia Baca after her family called 911 because Baca was in the throes of a mental health crisis. Cosper has not been charged with a crime and remains a police officer as the state Attorney General's Office determines if criminal charges will be filed.

The incident activated a group of citizens, including the Dona Ana County chapter of the NAACP, to call for a civilian oversight committee and a U.S. Department of Justice investigation.

Tellez wants to increase the police force to 300 officers, establish sub-stations throughout the city and incentivize officers to live in neighborhoods that are currently considered hot spots for crime. LCPD is currently budgeted for 220 officers. The current city council and mayor approved a staffing increase from about 200 to 220 in June.

"They need to learn how to talk to people," Tellez said. "They are going to think twice about the use of force. They are training them on that use of force part, but we need to get them the resources they need to get out there and patrol those areas.

"We build our force and put officers in those neighborhoods to become part of that community. That hate needs to go away, and once people see the human side of our police, we start creating that relationship."

As mayor, what would you do regarding a rise in certain types of crime?

"With more officers, we are able to do a better job patrolling, but we need a place to send these people. The facility on Brown Road that I keep talking about, the quicker we can set something like that up, the quicker we have a place to send them to."

Las Cruces saw increases in some crimes, such as aggravated assaults (non-fatal shootings), burglaries, and vehicle thefts over the last decade. Many other types of crime fell or did not increase during the same period.

In addition to establishing police substations throughout the city and a singular facility to shelter and treat the unhoused population, Tellez suggested a curfew for residents under the age of 18. LCPD operates out of two facilities, the police headquarters on Main Street and Picacho Avenue and the East Mesa Public Safety Complex on Lohman Avenue and Sonoma Ranch Boulevard.

"We need a curfew, and we need to enforce it," Tellez said. "We have a bus running. We have a place to take them to. I tell them you are staying in this area here that is protected for your safety. Once we get people off the streets, crime will start to decrease.

"All we do now is provide everyone with more reasons to be where the problems are happening. We have Casa de Peregrinos and the Community of Hope for now for people to stick to that area."

Is the city doing enough to affect the crisis in affordable housing?

"They are trying to, but they are not able to get there. I have studied affordable housing for years and seen it in cities. If you put up enough to house 500 people along in that area across Valley, what do we create? Section 8 projects. What do you find in section 8 projects? "

The city estimates that Las Cruces is roughly 5,600 units short of meeting the demand for multi-family housing. In 2022, Las Cruces voters approved a GO Bond measure to send $6 million to affordable housing projects.

Tellez suggested building smaller structures of six or eight units throughout the city.

"In Houston, you could have a $2 million house, but you will see an eight-plex of affordable housing right down the street," Tellez said.

What changes, if any, should be made to the rules in Las Cruces regarding cannabis and dispensaries?

"I think we need to limit the amount of those things that are going up. I think there are 18 of them on Solano."

Las Cruces has received excise tax revenue from 67 dispensaries in city limits since recreational sales started in April of 2022.

Tellez acknowledged the benefits of a rising industry in Las Cruces but believes the city should be more selective when approving licenses in the future.

"It's a double-edged sword. I see income, and I see destruction. Kids are vaping in school now," Tellez said. "When weed isn't enough, they start going a step higher.

"They are going to start closing. We should not issue another license to open a new one until it gets to a smaller amount. I'm starting to see them cutting the price."

Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459 or jgroves@lcsun-news.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @jpgroves.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Mike Tellez, Las Cruces candidate, on crime, police reform, housing
The Oct. 1 drone strikes on Smolensk caused significant damage to the Smolensk Aviation Plant, the press service of the Ukrainian military intelligence said on Oct. 2.

Three out of the four drones launched struck the plant, which is used to produce Kh-59 cruise missiles.

According to the military intelligence, the damage was so significant that the production capabilities at the plant had been disrupted.

The Kh-59 missiles have a range of up to 280 kilometers, and have been regularly used during strikes on Ukraine.

Drone attacks have become commonplace both in occupied Crimea and in Russia itself.

On Aug. 30, a drone strike destroyed four Il-76 aircraft in Pskov Oblast, and marine drones took part in a large-scale attack on a shipyard in occupied Sevastopol, Crimea, that damaged two Russian navy vessels.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Biden says American support for Ukraine cant be allowed to be interrupted

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A year ago, staffing conditions at the Milwaukee County Jail were called "a ticking time bomb."

The warning proved prophetic, and the conditions that prompted it appear to remain in place.

In little over a year there have been six in-custody deaths  of which two have been ruled as suicide and three natural. The spate of deaths trigger calls for an investigation into the jail's policies and procedures. In May, the county board approved legislation that would seek the review of the County Jail presented before county supervisors over the last month.

A disturbance in the jail led prosecutors to charge 27 men after they barricaded themselves inside a jail library in August.

Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball.

Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball told county supervisors Thursday she wants to improve the conditions for those housed in the jail, particularly for those with severe mental health challenges, but said she cannot due to the staggering staffing shortages that persist among her correctional officers and sworn deputies.

"Our objective is that no one  and I mean no one  dies while in our care or our custody," she told supervisors. "No one wants to see the hurt and despair of a grieving loved one or go through the aftermath of things that follow these tragedies ... We are striving towards making sure that no one dies in our custody."

In an effort to improve transparency surrounding the jail's staffing shortages, financial shortcomings and uptick in in-custody deaths, she and other commanding staff and other personnel in her office shared information and answered questions about the jail's current situation.

"I do know that no individual and no institution especially a governmental entity is above scrutiny, constructive feedback, or criticisms and reproach when warranted. That's why we understand the request for this inquiry," Ball told supervisors.

The sheriff explained she has taken measures to address ongoing concerns, which include using suicide prevention barriers in one of the housing units repurposed for suicide watch overflow, implemented a counseling program run by a licensed psychologist for those incarcerated for the first time, with plans to expand  but only "if staffing improves," Ball said.

Roughly a third of those housed in the jail have mental health challenges, according to Aaron Dobson, Inspector for the Sheriff's Office.

These issues are nothing new, having plagued her predecessors, including former Sheriffs David Clarke and Earnell Lucas, for decades.

A year ago, a Journal Sentinel investigation found severe staffing shortages at the jail, under Lucas' administration, which put the jail in violation of the court-ordered consent decree reached in 2001 after several people in the jail sued over dangerous conditions.

At that same time, there were ongoing reports of hunger strikes, lockdowns of 21 hours or more, nonexistent mental health care and lags in receiving medication. Inmates and advocates have also raised alarms about the cost of maintaining contact with those housed at the jail, after a report showed that families have paid $5.1 million per year for calls with loved ones in the jail.

During her stint as interim sheriff after Lucas suddenly stepped down in October of last year as well as her run for the top spot, Ball promised to improve the working environment and pay for correctional officers and deputies assigned at the jail and the conditions critics of the office and individuals housed at the jail report.

The Sheriff's Office is 'still sinking'

About a year ago, former president of the Milwaukee Deputy Sheriffs Association, Sgt. Fredrick Gladney, told the Journal Sentinel working conditions were so poor and morale so low for correctional officers and sworn deputies that he considered the agency like the Titanic  a sinking ship that many staff wanted to leave.

Now, the current president, Carlos Bruno, voiced his frustrations following the the release of the jail review.

"If we don't get the funding we need to satisfy the retention issues that we currently face for employees that have been here for 10 to 15 plus years, they are going to keep leaving," he said. "You can't change unless you fix the staffing. So, it's still sinking and is going to continue to sink and they're going to start seeing that after Nov. 1, depending on what happens with the with the budget."

The currently hourly range for a correctional officer is between $26.43 and $29.68. For a deputy sheriff position the hourly range is between $27.74 and $36.28.

Racine County pays its correctional officers between $29.55 and $34.10 an hour and Kenosha County's pay range for the same position is between $27 and $30.68. Both counties provide an annual step increase with the pay range.

"If you want to stop the deaths, we need the bodies. If you want to stop everything that's occurring, we need the bodies. But in order to get bodies we have to be competitive. In order to be competitive, you have to pay wages," Bruno has said.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley laid out in his 2024 budget proposal on Sept. 28., that includes funding for a 2% general wage increase, effective starting in January, for most general county employees. The budget also recommended an additional 1% wage increase for correctional officers, as well as an extra $400,000 to support correctional officer raises, advancements within the range, and/or longevity pay, according to the Office of Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.

Overall, correctional officers could see a 3% wage increase as early as January, if the proposed budget is adopted.

Crowley's budget also decreases general employee pension contributions from 6.1% to 4.3%, which would result in an added increase in take home pay for correctional officers as well as other county staff.

What does the review of the County Jail show?

As noted by Ball and her staff, the conditions at the jail have been exacerbated by the agency's critical understaffing.

Per the review, the jail has 135 correctional officers  of the 231 budgeted. There are 14 sergeants employed of the 21 budgeted. Understaffing is an issue in all three shifts at the County Jail.

Twenty to 23 deputies also work there to help relieve staffing shortages, Bruno said.

The agency relies heavily on mandated overtime to fill the shifts. For the year-to-date, there have been 41,943 mandated overtime hours  roughly 155 hours on average daily.

"Both sides, including the sworn deputies and correction officers are not coming to work anymore. They're calling in sick and they're using FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act Benefits) because they can't deal with the stress and the environment they're working (in)," Bruno said.

Approximately 75% of jail staff have utilized FMLA benefits, according to numbers from the Sheriff's Office.

The jail has a 4.9 to 1 inmate to correctional officer ratio, making it the jail with the second highest ratio in Wisconsin, according to data released by the agency. While St. Croix County Jail ranked first with 5.4 to 1 ratio, comparably the facility has 189 inmates than the Milwaukee County Jail, which has 928 inmates.

As such, lockdowns are routine at the jail, which results in inmates being kept in their cells between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.

On any given day, the number of people held at the jail in between 920 and 960, according to Joshua Briggs the director of the County Jail.

"The issue becomes that we're understaffed and we're trying to deal with the overcrowded population," Briggs told supervisors. "This leads to a situation where sometimes it becomes unsafe in the booking room or housing because we just do not have the staff to be able to operate efficiently."

The review notes that the National Commission on Correctional Health Care Resources Inc June 2023 report on the County Jail observed that its medical and mental health service provider, Wellpath LLC, was also understaffed. A plan will be proposed during the December county board cycle to deal with the short staffing.

Wellpath was contracted for two years in April 2019. In December of the following year, the contract was extended to five years, followed by three optional one-year extensions.

The jail previously worked with Miami-based Armor Correctional Health Services Inc, which was found guilty in the 2016 dehydration death of Terrill Thomas earlier this year.

"To change from Armor to Wellpath has been nothing short of phenomenal," Dobson, the sheriff's inspector, said during the Thursday meeting.

Wellpath has authority to decide when an individual in the jail can be sent to the hospital if their medical needs cannot be met, Dobson said.

For mental health issues, it is a different case.

"There is no one else to take someone with serious mental health challenges. We are it," he said. "There is not a another facility that will take an individual with suicidal ideations or serious mental health issues. We have found nowhere else to go."

The jail has a psychiatrist, psychologist and mental health director on staff and other mental health professionals to help care for these individuals.

The jail has a special needs pod, which can hold up to 19 people. It usually serves individuals with severe mental health challenges or on suicide watch, according to the sheriff officials.

Six in-custody deaths

In June of last year, 21-year-old Brieon Green strangled himself with a phone cord while in booking.

That December, 20-year-old Cilivea Thyrion choked to death on an adult diaper while housed in a special needs pod.

The investigations into their suicides did not result in any criminal charges.

Earlier this year, 37-year-old Terrance Mack, was found unresponsive in his cell during a medical check. On Sept. 29, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office ruled announced that he died by natural causes and was caused by hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The office determined that no criminal conduct was committed by Sheriffs Office in his death.

In April, jail officer Laquisha N. Cowser, who was accused of lying about performing routine cell safety checks, was charged in the January death of 49-year-old Octaviano Juarez-Corro. Cowsers plea hearing scheduled for Nov. 21.

While the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office reported that Juarez-Corros cause of death was initially unknown, with no reported no signs of injury or trauma at the time, records later showed that there were signs of him having strangled himself.

The Sheriff's Office released a statement announcing the death of 68-year-old Mohammed Afzal on June 16, who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

On Aug. 13, a 58-year-old man had been hospitalized "after experiencing heightened symptoms that appeared to be related to his chronic conditions."

Between January 2020 and April 2021, the jail reported four in-custody deaths. Three of the cases were investigated as suicides, with the cause of the death for the fourth individual determined as acute heart failure. Three guards involved in two of those incidents were fired or resigned.

The mother Thyrion, Kerrie Hirte, was present during the committee of the whole, where she provided testimony, speaking of the deaths happening in the jail.

"To me this is unlawful, because we are losing our loved ones that matter so much to some of us," she said. "For us not to be heard is not OK, because now I live a daily life where I wish I had her."

Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or vswales@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Vanessa_Swales.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County Jail remains a sinking ship amid staffing shortage
New York Judge Arthur Ergoron on Monday said that he is holding a bench trial in New York Attorney General Letitia James fraud lawsuit against former President Donald Trump because "nobody asked for" a jury trial on either side, The Messenger's Adam Klasfeld reported. "Trump isn't getting a jury trial in his $250m civil fraud suit brought against him by New York AG James because his legal team didn't request one on the paperwork," explained The Guardian's Hugo Lowell.

Legal experts were stunned by the revelation, characterizing it as a blunder by the former president's lawyers. "So Alina Habba didn't demand a jury trial?!" wrote MSNBC legal analyst Katie Phang. "I wonder how Trump feels about this screw-up by his legal team." Former U.S. Attorney Harry Litman called the decision "mind-blowing."

"For Trump to have his fate in the hands of this judge, whom he has vilified, is malpractice by his lawyers and very ominous for him," Litman wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "It's incredibly easy to ask for a jury trial. You just check a box on a form. Hard to believe that Trump understood that his lawyers hadn't done it when he's been savaging the judge who is now the factfinder in his huge fraud trial," he added. "I honestly can't believe that any lawyer hired on such an important case could make this mistake," wrote defense attorney Andrew Fleischman. "But I also can't think of any strategic reason you'd want a bench trial in front of a judge who just sanctioned your lawyers for making frivolous arguments."
Air-raid warnings were issued in some oblasts because of the threat of missiles and attack UAVs on the night of 1-2 October.

Source: Air Force; an air-raid warning map

Details: After 01:00, an air-raid warning was issued in Mykolaiv and Kherson oblasts.

The Air Force stated there was a missile threat and the detection of Russian attack drones.

Quote from the Air Force: "Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts, there is missile danger!"

"Enemy attack UAVs have been detected in Kherson Oblast again!"

Update: At 01:42, the Air Force stated there was a missile threat in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. An air-raid warning was issued in the oblast.

In addition, the Air Force reported Russian Shahed attack drones flying towards Kryvyi Rih.

At 02:15, a missile threat was reported in Kirovohrad Oblast, and the all-clear was given at 02:34.

At 02:55, the all-clear was given in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

At 03:33, the Air Force reported there was no threat anymore in the southern oblasts.

Background: A group of Russian attack drones moving towards Mykolaiv Oblast was detected in the airspace of Kherson Oblast on the evening of 1 October.

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The 9-year-old girl who vanished Saturday after going on a bike ride was discovered in a cabinet cupboard of the suspects camper home and knew she was being rescued, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday.

In a late-night press conference, Hochul detailed how the alleged abductor of Charlotte Sena was done in by his own fingerprint after dropping off a ransom note in the mailbox of the girls family home early Monday morning.

That fingerprint belonged to 46-year-old Craig Nelson Ross, Jr., who was arrested at 6:32 p.m. Mondaythe same time cops found and freed Sena from a cabinet inside a camper.

Its been a long two days but tonight our prayers have been answered, Hochul said, adding that Senas disappearance was every parents worst nightmare.

What happened was extraordinary, Hochul said, as she outlined the timeline of events that led the the suspects capture, beginning at 4:20 a.m. Monday, when he dropped off the note.

Hochul said officers spotted Ross dropping the ransom note in the mailbox, but hed gotten away by the time they realized what was dropped off.

She added that the fingerprints on the note struck a match in New Yorks database of past criminals around 2:30 p.m. Monday afternoon and that investigators found a match from the ransom note to prints recorded after Ross was arrested for driving under the influence in 1999 in Saratoga County.

Data from cell towers also helped narrow a suspect list down, she said, and law enforcement convened on a property with a double-wide house, where Ross mom lives, and a camper behind her residence where Ross lives.

After some resistance, the suspect was taken into custody, and immediately the little girl was found in a cabinet, covered, Huchul said. She was rescued. Ross sustained minor injuries in the scuffle, police confirmed, while Sena knew she was being rescued, she knew she was in safe hands.

The home was surrounded by law enforcement and helicopters, they were able to bring her to safety and not long after she was in the arms of her parents at a hospital, Hochul said on CNN earlier Monday, noting checks determined the child was in good health.

Sena is in good hands and appeared to be outwardly physically unharmed at the time, Hochul added, saying it was obviously a traumatic event for the 9-year-old and her family.

It has not been determined if the suspect was known to the family or if he targeted or surveilled Sena. At this moment, charges have not been brought, but they are fully expected, Hochul said.

***AMBER ALERT - UPDATE***

THE AMBER ALERT has been cancelled. Charlotte has been found safe and in good health. pic.twitter.com/p8HyFB7zbP  NewYorkStatePolice (@nyspolice) October 2, 2023

Senas family said that at the time of her disappearance, she was bike riding with close friends, but told them she wanted to ride one loop on her own. It was in those few minutes where she seemingly vanished without a trace.

Cops suggested Sena was snatched during her bike ride, pulled into a vehicle against her will or dragged into the woods, but loved ones said it was hard to understand how someone could have swiped the fourth grader as she rode on the short trail loop on her own.

Police said the success was a culmination of multiple agencies working together for the common goal of bringing this child home to her loving family.

We cannot emphasize enough how appreciative we are for the support we received from Charlottes community, friends and family, a statement said.

Earlier, scores of houses near the park combined to leave their front porch lights on in hopes that Sena would eventually show. An amber alert was sent to New York phones on Sunday that said the girl was in in imminent danger of serious harm and/or death.

Footage recorded by a NBC News reporter showed Senas family clapping and cheering together after theyd heard she was found.

Not including civilian volunteers, cops said 400 certified search and rescue personnel were dispatched to inside and around Moreau Lake State Park to search for Sena. Cops emphasized in a release Monday night that the abduction is still an active investigation.

A GoFundMe for Senas search efforts had raised $15,255 by the time she was found.

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MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A Merced man who was missing for over a week was found dead Sunday morning, according to the Merced County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies say Chang Cheng was initially reported missing on Sept. 21 near Highway 152 and Vista Point where he was last seen fishing.

For over a week, authorities said alongside the community they used all the necessary resources, including technology that searches for evidence in the water, to locate Cheng.

Then on Oct. 1 at 7:30 a.m., deputies say they responded to the San Luis Reservoir for a report of an unresponsive man along the Northeast bank near the Romero Visitor Center. The deceased individual was identified as Chang Cheng.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
A Georgia womans body was found days after she vanished, police said.

Now her boyfriend has been arrested.

Brandon Wineinger, 43, faces charges including kidnapping and burglary in connection with the disappearance of Aimee Lafakis, 48, according to the Brookhaven Police Department.

It comes after Lafakis remains were found Sunday, Oct. 1, in neighboring Gwinnett County. Investigators said she was last seen Sept. 28, and family members reported her missing the next day.

Aimee Lafakis, 48, was reported missing by her family Sept. 29, 2023, police said. Days later, her body was found in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Police said Lafakis cause of death is under investigation.

A tip led detectives to a wooded area in Dacula,nearly 30 miles from Brookhaven.

Investigators questioned Lafakis boyfriend, later identified as Wineinger, about her disappearance and said he made multiple statements that were proven to be false.

He was booked into jail on charges of giving false statements, tampering with evidence, kidnapping and burglary. He also faces a charge of concealing the death of another in Gwinnett County, police said.

Authorities didnt release additional details, and there may be additional charges, police said.

Dacula is 40 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta.

Trail runner vanishes on 28-mile trek through Rocky Mountain National Park, rangers say

Remains found in Florida hurricane cleanup may solve 28-year-old mystery, cops say

Man went for walk in 1991 and never returned. Now, his remains have been identified
Missouri state Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick on Monday released a scathing audit of Ray County, located east of the Kansas City area, finding that the sheriffs office lost nearly $3,000 of fees paid to the county and spent more than $5,500 of county money on unapproved purchases including beer, cigarettes, 15 TVs and 76 hams.

The regularly scheduled audit from Fitzpatrick, a Republican, gave Ray County a poor rating  the lowest possible rating from his office. It called for financial control and procedure improvements in both the Ray County Sheriffs Office and the Ray County Prosecuting Attorneys Office.

The missing money and several questionable purchases made by the previous administration in the Ray County Sheriffs Office make it clear that office needed significant improvements to its accounting procedures to ensure taxpayer dollars arent mismanaged or stolen, Fitzpatrick said in a statement.

The issues the audit revealed in Ray County emphasize problems uncovered in a recent investigation by The Star that showed how small towns and local governments often lack the safeguards needed to protect against fraud and the mismanagement of taxpayer money.

Ray County, which includes cities such as Camden and Crystal Lakes, has an estimated population of 23,107 people, according to the most recent census data.

Ray County Sheriff Scott Childers, who became sheriff in 2021, pointed out that the audit dealt with problems in the administration under former Sheriff Garry Bush. He said it proved what he campaigned on  that the county isnt operated very well.

This proves what I said is the truth. Theres money thats unaccounted for. Theres a lot of problems that it shows  its just poor management. And thats what I kept saying, it wasnt a good accountability system, he said. There was a lot of nepotism in this county, which always breeds for issues.

Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick speaks during an interview at the Missouri State Capitol on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, in Jefferson City, Mo.

Missing money and reckless purchases

The state audit found that from 2018 to 2020, personnel with the Ray County Sheriffs Office did not transmit $2,549 in concealed carry weapon permit fees and $443 in sex offender registry fees to the county treasurer. Its unclear where that money went.

Fitzpatrick called on Childers to work with the countys commission and other law enforcement to investigate the money that the office lost during the previous sheriffs tenure.

The audit also found that the previous sheriffs administration spent at least $5,543 on questionable purchases including 15 televisions on a Walmart credit card and $850 on items such as cigarettes, beer, a toy, personal grooming tools, barbeque seasoning rubs and lotion.

The agency, according to the audit, also purchased 76 hams for $1,736.

It bought these items with money from the countys commissary account, which is used to operate a jail fund where inmates can deposit money to purchase things like phone call time, hygiene items and snacks. The auditors office confirmed that the unapproved purchases did not appear to be for inmates.

The audit showed the sheriffs office also did not track how much money it needed to refund inmates from the commissary when they were released from jail.

The Ray County Sheriffs Office, the audit said, needs to make significant improvements to its financial controls and procedures including separating who is responsible for various accounting duties and keeping better track of receipts. Small local governments, The Star previously found, routinely fail to separate these kinds of duties to ensure that no single person handles all aspects of a financial transaction.

The sheriffs office did not keep many financial records in general and failed to pay bills on time, incurring fees and charges totaling $409 in 2020 from late credit card payments, the audit found.

On top of the findings within the sheriffs office, the audit also called for improved controls in the Ray County Prosecuting Attorneys Office because it found the office was not adequately separating accounting duties, keeping financial records or paying crime victims retribution in a timely fashion.

Fitzpatricks audit also highlighted broader issues within the county government, pointing out that the County Commission did not comply with state open records laws and that county officials failed to follow personnel policies.

The state last audited Ray County in 2015 under then-Auditor Nicole Galloway, a Democrat. That audit gave the county a rating of fair.
The Modesto and Empire Traction Co. has run freight trains for local industries for more than a century. It now has a $12.2 million federal grant aimed at safer and cleaner operations.

The railroad runs in and near the vast Beard Industrial District, near Modestos southeast corner. It has 35 customers, mostly food and beverage companies at the core of the Stanislaus County economy.

The grant will retrofit two locomotives with low-polluting components and upgrade 22 locations where streets cross the tracks. The railroad must provide a match equal to 30% of the award.

M&ET has a five-mile main line between downtown Modesto and Empire and an additional 49 miles of track looping through the industrial park. It passes several streets in the airport neighborhood.

Theres constant movement here, and theres constant interaction with the public at these at-grade crossings, said Jared Martin, vice president for operations. He spoke Thursday at the McClure Road headquarters for M&ET.

Jared Martin, vice president for operations at the Modesto & Empire Traction Co., examines one of the locomotives that will get a low-polluting engine as part of a $12.2 million federal grant. He discussed it at the Modesto, California, headquarters on July 28, 2023.

The grant was one of 70 announced Sept. 25 by the Federal Railroad Administration, totaling $1.4 billion. Two others were in the Central Valley, for passenger rail in the Sacramento and Bakersfield areas.

The grants are part of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package signed by President Joe Biden in 2021. The specific source is the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program.

Under President Bidens leadership, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a news release, we are making historic investments in rail, which means fewer accidents and delays, faster travel times and lower shipping costs for the American people.

M&ET will learn the timeline for the engine and crossing upgrades at a meeting with the FRA in the next two weeks, Martin said. The grant also will add about 1,000 feet of track in the transload area, where trucks pick up livestock feed shipped by rail from the Midwest.

Links to two major railroads

M&ET feeds into two of the nations largest freight systems. The Union Pacific Railroad connects in downtown Modesto. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway does so in Empire.

Rail uses far less fuel than trucks, and it is ideal for local products with long shelf lives. Del Monte Foods loads boxcars with some of its canned peaches, pears and apricots. So does Stanislaus Food Products with its canned tomatoes. E.&J. Gallo Winery is a customer, too.

Frito-Lay fries up Doritos, Cheetos and other corn snacks with grain and oil brought by rail from the Midwest. Bunge Oils does the same for its various culinary items. Another rail shipper, Nestle, makes condensed milk here.

M&ET also serves businesses that supply packaging for this array of food and drink. Silgan produces steel cans. Plastipak and Graham Packaging do plastic containers. Boxes come from Pacific Southwest Container, Georgia-Pacific and International Paper.

Passengers once road these rails

M&ET was founded in 1911, mainly as a passenger service between Modesto and Empire. It has been solely freight since 1917.

Today, the railroad employs 40 people, operating around the clock six days a week. Trains as long as 110 cars come off the UP and BNSF lines. The staff is adept at using its locomotives, known as switchers, to assemble trains bound for elsewhere.

These locomotives can go up to 20 miles per hour, vs. the 79 mph on the UP and BNSF. Were not about speed, Martin said. Were about constant back and forth.

M&ET has 11 locomotives in all. The two awaiting upgrades are Tier 0, the worst on the federal air-pollution scale. The others are either Tier IV, the cleanest, or Tier III. They will handle more loads during the retrofit, expected to take a year.

Two locomotives will get low-polluting engines as part of a $12.2 million federal grant awarded to the Modesto & Empire Traction Co. in California in late July 2023.

The two locomotives needing overhaul, both built in 1968, will travel on BNSF tracks to Western Rail Inc. in Airway Heights, Wash.

Along with aiding local air quality, the grant will help M&ET meet a California mandate on global climate change.

Its going to be hard for short-line railroads to survive without that kind of funding, said Dillon Olvera, president and CEO at M&ET and at the sister company that owns Beard.

The 22 road crossings already have the lights, bells and cross-arms typical of such locations. The upgrades will be mostly to the high-tech communications between the trains and this equipment. M&ET has four other crossings that already have the improvements.

Other rail grants in Valley

These other grants were awarded to Valley applicants in the latest FRA round:

$209.9 million went to a Kern County corridor that serves Amtrak San Joaquins and freight trains now, and possibly high-speed rail later. The money will build six grade separations, where roads go over or under the track, in and near Shafter. High-speed rail construction to date is from just north of Shafter to Madera. The planners need several billion dollars more to reach Merced and Bakersfield, allowing the first passenger service.

$42.5 million was granted to the Amtrak Capitol Corridor, which operates mainly between Sacramento and San Jose. One of the daily round trips goes east to Roseville. The grant will bring that to three.

Safer road crossings will be installed as part of a $12.2 million federal grant awarded to the Modesto & Empire Traction Co. in California in late July 2023.
The mother of a driver with a suspended license accused of being high when he fatally struck a religious leader on his way to a Bronx mosque says she had forbidden her son from getting behind the wheel.

Victor Ramos, 27, was charged with manslaughter after he allegedly plowed an Infiniti sedan into Mohammed Rahman on Castle Hill Ave. near Hermany Ave. in Castle Hill about 9 p.m. Sept. 25, cops said.

The impact sent Rahman, 67, flying through the air just around the corner from his home. He died at the scene from a massive head injury.

Ramos mother, Gloria Stuye, 57, said she learned her sons license was suspended when she found a notice from the Department of Motor Vehicles in her trash about five months ago.

She doesnt know why his license was taken away but she said she pressured him to get it fixed.

When he threw it away in the garbage I found it, Stye said. I asked him, What are you doing with your license? Do everything you have to do. Take a class. Pay whatever you have to pay. I was talking about it two weeks ago.

Stuye said she wasnt surprised that cops said Ramos was under the influence.

He does drugs, Stuye said. He used to smoke marijuana.

Meanwhile, mourners and well wishers packed the home where Rahman, a devout Muslim and respected member of the Bangladeshi community, lived with his wife and six of his seven children.

Relatives said the retired restaurant worker and delivery driver was on his way to the Castlehill Ideal Islamic Center, just a block away from his home, when he was struck.

Ramos, who remained at the scene, was charged with vehicular manslaughter, driving with a suspended license, operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs and driving while intoxicated.

Ramos was released on $45,000 bond and is due back on court Oct. 18, records show.

He doesnt even have a car, his mother said. I dont know who that car belonged to. I know he doesnt have a car.

Video shows Rahman standing in a bike lane waiting for several cars to pass when hes struck by the speeding driver.

When I saw the video, I didnt believe it, said Saidur Rahman, 33, the victims youngest son. You can see his body fly up in the air and spin.

He said people in the neighborhood stayed near the crash site for hours after Rahmans death.

Hes a community leader, the son said. Everybody knows him. There was a whole group there waiting three hours in the cold until the body left. Even then they didnt leave. They stayed there then came to my house for another few hours. It shows how much of an impact he made in the community.

He is disgusted with the driver.

You killed my dad, he said. Your actions took someone who was loved by me and my family, by the community.

The grieving son noted that devout Muslims like his father dont drink alcohol or do drugs.

Its forbidden and theres a reason why he said. Look at (the drivers) actions.

Family members said Rahman looked out for immigrants coming into the community.

He took care of the mosque, he took care of older people in the mosque, said a nephew, Nazim. He would help new people coming to this country. Hed been here over 30 years so he would help them.

Rahim Uddin, 20, Rahmans grandson, said Rahman started him on a spiritual path.

When I was younger he taught me the ways of our culture and our religion, Uddin said. He taught me how to read our holy book. Without him I wouldnt be able to read the Quran. I wouldnt be motivated. Its because of him that Im really faithful.
The state of Montana is set to appeal a landmark state court ruling that sided with youth climate activists who sued the state for contributing to climate change.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsens (R) office filed a notice of appeal Friday in the case Held v. Montana, which was decided by District Court Judge Kathy Seeley in August. A coalition of youth climate activists sued the state over a 2023 statute that exempted fossil fuel permitting from consideration of greenhouse gas output. Plaintiffs argued  and Seeley agreed  this violated their right under the Montana constitution to a clean and healthful environment.

We look forward to the argument before the Montana Supreme Court, a spokesperson for Knudsens office told The Hill in an email.

In the meantime, the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced last week that it will solicit Montanans suggestions on potential updates to the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), which still operates under decades-old administrative regulations. MEPA was the operative statute for the greenhouse gas rule that Seeley ruled against.

MEPA has been in the spotlight recently, particularly with the Held v. State decision earlier this summer, Montana DEQ Director Chris Dorrington said in a statement. We want to start a thoughtful dialogue about greenhouse gas emissions and other topics, and we are seeking input that is balanced and driven by sound science.

After a June trial, the first in the U.S. involving constitutional questions regarding the right to a healthy environment, Seeley ruled in favor of the activists. Knudsens office signaled at the time that it would appeal the decision, calling it absurd and saying the plaintiffs found an ideological judge who bent over backward to allow the case to move forward.

The state court ruling did not establish a federal precedent, but experts have said it is likely to add fuel to similar court efforts in the other states with some form of constitutional environmental protection  New York, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Nine more states had proposed environmental protection amendments as of 2023.

We anticipated that the state of Montana would appeal the historic ruling in Held v. State of Montana and are fully prepared to present the youth plaintiffs case before the Montana Supreme Court, Nate Bellinger, senior staff attorney for Our Childrens Trust, which represented the plaintiffs, told The Hill in a statement. The trial record that will be reviewed by the Supreme Court contains undisputed evidence of harms to the 16 youth Plaintiffs as a result of defendants fossil fuel policies, and we are confident that the Supreme Court will affirm the District Courts Order once it reviews the evidence in the record.

Updated at 5:45 pm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(The Hill)  The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, which represents over 85,000 health care workers in seven states and the District of Columbia, said Sunday it did not reach an agreement with the organization ahead of the contracts expiration, setting the stage for the possibility of the largest health care strike in U.S. history late this week.

KC-area federal employees brace for shutdown, delayed paychecks

Hours before workers contracts were set to expire after 11:59 p.m. PT on Saturday, the coalition said it remains far apart from nonprofit Kaiser Permanente on important issues like across-the-board pay increases, retiree medical plans and protections against subcontracting and outsourcing.

Kaiser continues to bargain in bad faith over these issues and, so far, there is no light at the end of the tunnel, the coalition said in a statement Saturday night.

In a statement to The Hill, the coalition said health care workers are ready to sit down with Kaiser Permanente executives when they are ready to bargain in good faith.

The coalitions national bargaining team submitted a 10-day notice to Kaiser Permanente executives on Sept. 22, calling for strikes to begin Wednesday at 6 a.m. if they do not come to an agreement by then.

More than 75,000 health care workers across California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Virginia and D.C. are expected to be involved in the strikes, which would make it the largest health care worker strike in U.S. history. Hundreds of leaders were recently trained on how to run picket lines ahead of the strike, which could last until 6 a.m. on Oct. 7, the coalition said.

Kaiser Permanente is the largest nonprofit health care provider in the U.S. It reported profits topping $3 billion in the first six months of 2023.

In a statement shared with The Hill, Kaiser said it continues to make progress on key issues and has reached tentative agreements with the coalition on issues including travel for continuing education, the use of temporary workers such as traveling nurses, tracking of staffing vacancies and dispute resolution.

FOX4 Politics: Stay informed on the latest election, legislation and lawmaker news

The non-profit noted contract expirations do not necessarily mean a strike will occur, and said it is optimistic they will reach an agreement ahead of Wednesday.

Kaiser and the coalition last negotiated a contract in 2019, a year before health care workers were put onto the front lines of the pandemic and forced to work through worsening conditions.

The coalition is also asking Kaiser to address staff concerns over unsafe staffing levels and unfair labor practices.

In a May survey of 33,000 health care workers by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, around two-thirds said they witnessed delays in or denial of care due to understaffing.

Kaiser told The Hill it has hired more than 50,000 front-line employees in the last two years, including more than 9,800 workers represented by the coalition. In April, the nonprofit said it agreed with the coalition to a goal of hiring 10,000 new people for coalition-represented jobs by the end of 2023. The nonprofit said it expects to reach that goal by the end of October.

Regarding wages, the nonprofit claims it leads total compensation in every market it operates in, and its proposals would ensure it keeps that status. Kaiser said its current offer to the coalition includes across-the-board wage increases and a proposed $21 minimum wage in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Maryland, D.C. and Hawaii starting in 2024 and a $23 minimum wage starting in 2024 in California.

Operations at Kaiser are expected to continue as normal Sunday regardless of the contracts status, and its hospitals and emergency rooms will remain open regardless of the strike, Kaiser said.

The nonprofit also said it has contingency plans to ensure patients can still receive care for the duration of the strike.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
More Lahaina residents will be allowed to return to the burned remains of their homes on Monday  nearly two months after wildfires tore through Maui, obliterating homes, forcing people to flee and leaving 97 dead.

Three previously closed off burn zones in the badly hit town of Lahaina will reopen to residents and property owners for the first time beginning on Monday, Maui County officials announced.

Those returning to survey the destruction of beloved homes will also have to contend with dangers left behind in their neighborhoods. Residents were told to wear protective gloves, goggles and masks, to watch out for downed power lines and trees, and to avoid moving ash or hazardous debris.

The drinking water in the burn area also isnt safe to drink, according to Maui officials.

The impacted area and its surroundings are hazardous with unstable structures, sharp metal objects and ash with potentially toxic substances. Children and pregnant people are at higher risk from the debris hazards and should not enter the impacted area or help with clean-up efforts, Maui officials said. Enter at your own risk.

The fires began spreading erratically on August 8, nearly leveling the historic town of Lahaina and displacing hundreds of residents. The death toll mounted to 97 as crews spent days digging through the rubble of what used to be homes, businesses and historic landmarks to find the remains of those lost in the fires.

Authorities are now allowing residents to return in phases. Those who come back on Monday and Tuesday will see support services in the area, including shuttles, washing stations, portable toilets, and medical and mental health care, according to the county.

Some residents were able to return to the charred remains of their homes last week, including Tawni Smith Katayama and her grandmother.

I think we need just a little bit of, not just closure, but its so unreal to see, Katayama told CNN affiliate KHNL. Weve driven past it and weve seen it on the news, but I think really you need to just see, we need to see it in person. We need to go and stand on our property and see, you know, whats left and process that.

The Maui wildfires damaged or destroyed about 3,000 homes and businesses and caused an estimated $4 billion to $6 billion worth of destruction.

We know that people will be grieving and suffering a great deal of despair when they see how little is left, Gov. Josh Green previously said.

It just feels like a bad dream

Lahaina Civic Center is seen on September 24. - Mengshin Lin/AP

Miguel and Lindsay Ceballos were able to return to their Lahaina home last week, sifting through the ash for beloved mementos, CNN affiliate KITV reported.

I did the majority of my grieving you know, and being back here is its tough, Lindsay Ceballos told the station. Its really still surreal. It just feels like a bad dream.

The pair waited seven weeks to return to their home as they searched for closure.

It is a healing process for us, Lindsay told the station. Right now searching for my grandmas wedding ring and my husbands grandpas straight razor and you know just little things that weve already come to you know, we know that theyre probably gone, but you know, its just like that last  last attempt.

Meanwhile, there are those who dont know whether their homes are still standing as they process the trauma of fleeing the fires.

Resident Michelle Vu Tran recounted the terrifying moment she and her husband were forced to jump into the ocean to escape the raging fires during a briefing with officials at the Lahaina Civic Center on Thursday, according to CNN affiliate KHNL.

I started crying, I told my husband, Were gonna die here. We die right here, she recalled.

Tran said her husband began to lose consciousness in the water and she used her jacket to tie their hands together. I wanted to make sure that if the waves take us out, then people can find our bodies together, she said.

The couple ended up making it out alive but havent been able to return home to see if its still there  an issue that has kept them from getting funds from her insurance company, she said.

I never had a chance to go back to see my house. But according to my insurance, they say according to Google Maps, they still see my house standing, she said.

Different zones in the disaster area will be gradually reopened to residents as they are inspected and deemed safe to reenter, Maui officials said.

The state then plans to reopen West Maui to visitors on October 8 and is trying to transition more than 7,400 displaced people from hotels to long-term housing, the governor has said.

CNNs Steve Almasy and Holly Yan contributed to this report.

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Andrew Jacksons The Hermitage annual gala took place Saturday night and among the silent auction items were books from the personal collection of Lamar Alexander.

Alexander served as state governor from 1979-1987 and as U.S. senator for three terms until 2021.

The books including his tome on his 1990s presidential campaign We Know What to Do were all about problem solving and making Americans lives better.

It is fitting they were in the auction at the estate of the seventh president, who while seen as a maverick and populist, also believed in governing.

That makes me wonder how Jackson and Alexander would view the actions of the majority of the Tennessee congressional delegation who voted against a continuing resolution Saturday that kept the federal government funded and avoided a shutdown that threatened the livelihoods and quality of life of millions of Americans.

Books from former Sen. Lamar Alexander's personal book collection were among the silent auction items at the annual gala of Andrew Jackson's The Hermitage on Sept. 30, 2023.

The eight of 11 Volunteer State members of Congress who voted no all had their reasons  from a desire for spending cuts to demands for more U.S.-border security  but those are things that could have been addressed through compromise and cooperation. Do they believe governing is beneath them?

Shutdown isn't a political game: Congress should follow Tim Burchett's lead and forgo pay if there's a government shutdown

Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty voted against the continuing resolution

Here is how they voted:

Senate:

Marsha Blackburn, Republican: No

Bill Hagerty, Republican: No

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn and U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty stand on the podium during the Inauguration Ceremony for Governor Bill Lee at Legislative Plaza Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.

House:

District 1: Diana Harshbarger, Republican: No

District 2: Tim Burchett, Republican: No

District 3: Chuck Fleischman, Republican: Yes

District 4: Scott DesJarlais, Republican: No

District 5: Andy Ogles, Republican: No

District 6: John Rose, Republican: No

District 7: Mark Green, Republican: No

District 8: David Kustoff, Republican: Yes

District 9: Steve Cohen, Democrat: Yes

Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.

Americans want Congress to cooperate

Americans elected an equally bipartisan Senate that is run by Democrats only because Vice President Kamala Harris provides the tie-breaking vote.

Republicans have a slim majority in the House and they were elected to be a check on the Biden administration, but also to govern.

Americans in their votes have sent the message that they want Congress to work on solutions in a bipartisan way.

Most have said risen to the challenge as indicated by the 335-91 vote in the House and 88-9 vote in the Senate.

Tennessee was the only state where both of its senators voted no.

Tennessee Senate race: Marsha Blackburn and Gloria Johnson aren't yet opponents, but they are acting the part

Tennessee (8 of 11), South Carolina (5 of 7) and Mississippi (3 of 4) were the only states where lopsided majorities of the state delegation in the House voted against funding the government.

Over the next 45 days, Congress will be working on a more sustainable measure to keep the government funded  which is its core responsibility. What will make the job harder is that the House on Tuesday ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy just for shepherding the effort to keep government funded. Burchett, R-Knoxville, and Cohen, D-Memphis, both voted against McCarthy.

While Congress sorts out this leadership vacuum and prepares for a more permanent and sustainable approach to government funding, Tennessee delegation members should each take a visit to The Hermitage and read Senator Alexanders book to reflect on what it means to govern and serve the interests of ordinary Americans.

David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. He is an editorial board member of The Tennessean. He hosts the Tennessee Voices videocast and curates the Tennessee Voices and Latino Tennessee Voices newsletters.. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or tweet to him at @davidplazas.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Shutdown vote showed Tennessee Congress members don't want to govern
A mother has been accused of playing on her phone and ignoring her toddler son as he drowned at a water park in Texas.

Jessica Weaver, 35, was arrested and charged with injury to a child by omission last week following an investigation into the death of her three-year-old son Anthony Leo Malave.

Back on 13 May, Ms Weaver had taken Anthony to Camp Cohen Water Park in Texas.

According to a criminal complaint affidavit, several witnesses told police they saw the mother ignoring her child and being inattentive to him while he was playing in a four-foot-deep area of a pool at the park.

The witnesses said they saw Ms Weaver sitting on her phone and never looking up.

While people said they saw the little boy spitting chips into the pool, they said that Ms Weaver was singing along to a song that was playing and she was laying down, looking at her phone approximately seven minutes before the child/victim was getting pulled out of the water.

Other witnesses said she was encouraging her son to leave her and go into the pool alone.

The toddler was seen going down the pool steps by himself and playing alone in the pool while she walked away, the affidavit  seen by El Paso Times  states.

At around 5.09pm, a lifeguard spotted the little boy drowning in the pool and pulled him out of the water.

The boy was spotted by several witnesses as going into the pool by himself without a life jacket (Jessica Weaver/Facebook)

Witnesses said that Ms Weaver didnt immediately react to the lifeguard blowing the whistle for everyone to leave the pool.

Instead, about five minutes passed before she ran over to her child, the documents state.

Anthony died in hospital one day later.

Following his death, Ms Weaver filed a $1m lawsuit against the city of El Paso, saying that her sons death was caused by gross negligence of the water park staff and undertrained lifeguards.

In total, 18 lifeguards had been working at the water park that day.

The park was not at its maximum capacity of 1,460 people, with around 466 people there on the day, the criminal complaint states.

Officials said that life jackets were available for the toddler to wear, but he did not have one on.

Jessica Weaver, 35, is accused of paying more attention to her phone than to her son who ended up dying (El Paso County Sheriffs Office)

Signs around the pool also stated that children aged six and under must be directly attended by a swimming adult at all times and must be supervised by an adult within arms reach.

Ms Weaver was arrested on 22 September in her home state of Indiana and was booked into El Paso County Jail.

She was released on a $100,000 surety bond.

Now, her attorney is arguing that the mother is being unfairly accused of her sons drowning in retaliation to her filing the lawsuit.

Several witnesses reported that Weaver was not paying attention to her child and didnt even realise he drowned (KFOXTV)

El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks hit back at the claims in a press conference last week.

Every single baby death is reviewed, Mr Hicks said, explaining that each case is examined by prosecutors in collaboration with police and each prosecution is treated on a case-by-case basis.

Im not gonna lure myself to a back and forth with a civil attorney, he said.

This is criminal proceedings. Its the state of Texas versus Ms Weaver. I dont have anything to say to him.

The district attorney also called the suit a political stunt and said that a lifeguard is not a babysitter.
 Read the full article on Motorious

You can win both!

As the Ford Mustang approaches its 60th anniversary on April 17, 2024, a grand celebration is underway, offering enthusiasts a chance to own a piece of automotive history. The Show & Tow Dream Giveaway, organized to mark this iconic milestone, brings more joy than a simple slice of birthday cake, promising the winner a pristine, fully restored 1966 Ford Mustang, a modern, custom 2023 Ford F-150 4x4 Truck, and the ultimate car trailer from Futura Trailers.

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In conclusion, the Show & Tow Dream Giveaway presents a unique opportunity to celebrate 60 years of the Ford Mustang. This blend of a fully restored 1966 Mustang, a custom 2023 Ford F-150 4x4 Truck, and a convenient Futura Trailer serves as a grand homage to the enduring and evolving legacy of the Mustang. Dont miss out on this chance to be a part of history, contribute to worthwhile causes, and potentially become the proud owner of these incredible automotive masterpieces!

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The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is jointly awarded to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman.

The 2023 Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman , two of the scientists whose work helped pave the way for mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. Kariko is a biochemist from Sagans University in Hungary and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Kariko was also senior vice president and head of RNA protein replacement at BioNTech until 2022 and has been an advisor for the company. Weissma n is a vaccine researcher at the University of Pennsylvanias Perelman School of Medicine and Director of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovations.

[Related: How does an mRNA vaccine work? ]

The prize is awarded by the Nobel Assembly of Sweden's Karolinska Institute medical university and comes with its signature gold medicine and about $1 million (11 million Swedish crowns).

Through their groundbreaking findings, which have fundamentally changed our understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system, the laureates contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times, the panel wrote in a press release .

A potential game changer for vaccines

Previously, growing viruses, or at least pieces of viruses, were necessary to make a vaccine. The viruses were often cultivated in giant vats of cells or in or in chicken eggs, like the majority of flu shots . The viruses are then purified before being made into a vaccine.

Using messenger RNA (mRNA) in vaccines is very different. It starts with a snippet of genetic code that brings instructions for making proteins . If the right virus protein is selected for the vaccine, then the body produces its own defenses against the virus.

Genetic information encoded in DNA is transferred to mRNA, which is used as a blueprint for protein production in our cells. During the 1980s , efficient methods for producing mRNA without cell culture began. This process, called in vitro transcription, accelerated the development of molecular biology applications to several fields, but using mRNA technologies for vaccines had several roadblocks. In vitro transcribed mRNA was considered unstable and challenging to deliver since it required scientists to develop sophisticated carrier lipid systems to enclose the mRNA and produced some early inflammatory reactions.

[Related: The FDA just green-lit Americas first COVID vaccine .]

Kariko was devoted to the idea of using mRNA for vaccines and other therapeutics during the 1990s when she became colleagues with Weissman. Weissman was interested in dendritic cells, which are important for immune surveillance and triggering vaccine-induced immune responses.

The breakthrough

The two began to focus on how different RNA types interact with the immune system and noticed that the dendritic cells recognize in vitro transcribed mRNA as a foreign substance. This leads to their activation and release of inflammatory signaling molecules.mRNA from mammalian cells did not give rise to the same reaction, the panel wrote. Different types of mRNA, therefore, must be distinguishable.

RNA contains four bases that are abbreviated A, U, G, and C. These letters correspond to the letters of genetic code in DNA A, T, G, and C. Kariko and Weissman knew that bases in RNA from mammalian cells are often chemically modified, and in vitro transcribed mRNA is not. They then wondered if the absence of altered bases in the in vitro transcribed RNA could explain unwanted inflammatory reactions.

To learn more, they created different variants of mRNA which had unique chemical alterations at their bases. They delivered these to dendritic cells and the results were huge.

The inflammatory response was almost wiped out when these base modifications were included in the mRNA. This was a seismic shift in scientific understanding of how cells recognize and respond to different forms of mRNA. . Their results were published in 2005 .

mRNA contains four different bases, abbreviated A, U, G, and C. The Nobel Laureates discovered that base-modified mRNA can be used to block activation of inflammatory reactions (secretion of signaling molecules) and increase protein production when mRNA is delivered to cells. CREDIT: Mattias Karlen/The Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine.

COVID-19 and The Future

Interest in mRNA technology began to accelerate with their discovery. In 2010 several companies were working on developing the method for viruses such as Zika virus and MERS-CoV.

[Related: White House invests $5 billion in new COVID vaccines and treatments as national emergency ends. ]

After the COVID-19 pandemic began, two base-modified mRNA vaccines encoding the SARS-CoV-2 surface protein were developed at a breakneck pace. Two highly effective vaccines were approved in December 2020 .

One of the major advantages of mRNA technology was that vaccines could be made in extremely large quantities since their main components are made in laboratories, Exeter University infectious disease expert Bharat Pankhania told the Associated Press . mRNA tech could be used to refine vaccines for diseases including Ebola, malaria, and dengue, as well as help immunize people against auto-immune diseases like lupus and even some types of cancer.

The laureates will receive their awards at ceremonies on December 10. The 2022 medicine prize was awarded to Svante Paabo for sequencing the genome of the Neanderthal. Other past winners include Karl Landsteiner in 1930 for the discovery of human blood groups and co-winner Alexander Fleming for the discovery of penicillin in 1945.
A federal investigation has led to the arrests of four Bay St. Louis residents and a Louisiana man accused of trafficking counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl.

Christopher Antonio Fricke, Kolby Zu Simms, Emma Kate Stoute and Dakari Lamont Sykes, all of Bay St. Louis, and Santana Philipe Elzy, of Covington, Louisiana, are identified as the suspects.

Federal agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and local authorities initially arrested the suspects on a federal criminal complaint accusing them of distributing drugs.

A federal grand jury has since indicted all five on charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. According to the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, as little as 2 milligrams of fentanyl is a lethal dose to one person. Two milligrams is about the same amount of powder in a packet of sweetener.

The investigation began after the Hancock County Sheriffs Department received a written tip about possible drug trafficking in two rooms at the Motel 6 on Highway 90 in Bay St. Louis.

After conducting surveillance and identifying the alleged drug suspects at the Coast motel, the records say agents later stopped the four Bay St. Louis residents in a Toyota Camry and found over 1,000 of the fetanyl-laced pills.

Fricke, the records say, had about 1,000 pills stuffed in a baggie in the waistband of his pants. Authorities did a body scan of Stoute and found 50 pills hidden in a plastic bag stuffed inside her body cavity.

During subsequent interviews, authorities determined that the Bay St. Louis residents drove to a Walmart store in Louisiana to buy the drugs from their dealer, believed to be Elzy.

The four Bay St. Louis residents allegedly sold the drugs in Mississippi.

Fricke later told authorities he had traveled back and forth to Louisiana to buy the pills since June. Authorities estimate that Fricke had bought 2,500 pills since June.

Stoute told authorities she bought the pills for herself. Dykes told authorities he and his girlfriend, identified in the records as Stoute, had driven Fricke to Louisiana multiple times to buy the pills..
People gathered in Pittsburgh to use music as a tool for creating peace.

People gathered at the First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh for the Concert for Peace on Sunday afternoon.

The event highlighted different faiths, cultures and the songs and dances that go with them.

Members of the Bethel AME church choir sang songs, drummers performed songs from African cultures and a Thai Chi demonstration was held.

People involved in the event said this type of sharing is important for the community.

If we dont get involved, and if we dont actively participate in the process of healing, and holding and lifting our community, it will not be lifted, said Reverand Deryck Tines.

Several prominent organizations were involved in the concert including the Peace is Possible Coalition and the Greater Pittsburgh Coalition Against Violence.

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MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A Naval Air Station Lemoore search and rescue helicopter experienced difficulties resulting in a hard landing during a rescue mission Saturday, according to the Madera County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies say around 10:00 a.m., the Sheriffs Office received a Garmin activation notification from a hiker who suffered a possible broken ankle in the area of Garnet Lake and Thousand Island Lake, near the Pacific Coast Trail.

The Madera County Sheriffs Office of Emergency Services says they coordinated with Naval Air Station Lemoore SAR to dispatch a helicopter crew to rescue the hiker.

The responding Search and Rescue helicopter experienced difficulties resulting in a hard landing. Search and Rescue teams from multiple agencies completed the hours-long hike to reach the injured hiker and NASL helicopter crew.

All parties were successfully transported according to officials out of the backcountry with the last members arriving at the trailhead around 2:00 a.m.

Patients were taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

The successful completion of this complex mission is a tremendous accomplishment and fine example of the caliber of SAR team members from across the region. We are extremely grateful to our allied partners who offered their assistance without hesitation, and to all of those who responded to complete the rescue. We wish each of the NASL crew members, and the hiker, a speedy recovery. Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue

NASL says the cause of the crash is currently under investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

The four service members on board the helicopter according to officials only suffered minor injuries.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.


Fearless Fund partners Arian Simone and Ayana Parsons.

On Saturday, a panel of federal appellate judges temporary blocked the private and Atlanta-based Fearless Fund from awarding $20,000 grants to Black women entrepreneurs.

They wrote that the program was racially exclusionary and substantially likely violating a federal law that forbids racial discrimination when it comes to contracting.

Read more

It is a perversion of Congressional intent to use [the law] against a remedial program whose purpose is to bridge the gap in venture capital funding for women of color founders  a gap that is the result of centuries of intentional racial discrimination, Wilson wrote.

In addition, Saturdays decision reverses U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrashs Tuesday ruling in which a request by the plantiffBlums American Alliance for Equal Rightswas denied.

Now, a separate 11th Circuit panel will be left to decide if the Fearless Fund will be blocked from awarding money through its grant contest as the case is litigated in district court. It is unknown when that decision will be made.

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Our memoir-laden era is heavy with tales of how luminaries became who they are.

No member of the Me Generation, the top editor of the Washington Post during the Donald Trump era figured he had plenty to write about without returning to his Tampa, Fla., childhood or his formative journalistic years on the Left Coast.

In Collision of Power: Trump, Bezos , and the Washington Post, Martin Baron eschews personal ruminations to show readers his years at the top of the journalistic pyramid. We see Baron laboring alongside one of the worlds wealthiest men to revive a storied news organization, locked in a struggle with the media-loathing occupant of the White House and fighting a rear-guard action against some of his employees over what it means to be a journalist.

After running the Miami Herald and the Boston Globe, Baron became the newspaper worlds most famous editor when the 2015 film Spotlight showcased how he pushed the Globe staff to expose a molestation scandal in the Catholic Church. Liev Schreiber nailed Barons quiet intensity in the film, and the actor narrates the Collision of Power audiobook  though Schreiber reads in his own voice, not the Baron monotone he made famous in the Academy Award-winning movie.

I didn't want to write a memoir. I don't think that my life is all that interesting, Baron said, in a phone interview from his home in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts. The exception is what I have done in public life. That's what I felt was important. That's what I think is consequential. I think people are entitled to know why I made the decisions I did as the executive editor.

Baron joins the L.A. Times Book Club Oct. 11 to discuss "Collision of Power," which includes revelations about Trumps unscheduled telephone rants, Post owner Jeff Bezos occasionally quirky ideas and the failure of Post journalists to inform Baron about one of the biggest stories going  revelations alleging Russia had meddled in the 2016 election. The editor tells of a previously secret (and awkward) White House dinner that brought together Bezos, the Post's top leaders and Trump and some of his family.

Baron also provides his first detailed comments on internal Post furor  over coverage of sexual misconduct during the #MeToo Era and racial bias following the 2020 murder of George Floyd.

In a rare personal disclosure, Baron writes about his long-running struggle with a genetic disorder that triggers uncontrollable bleeding. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) killed Barons father at 74. The editor, who retired from the Post in early 2021, will turn 69 in October.

The man whom co-workers know as Marty said he is enjoying a break from the rigors of a career that allowed little time away from the keyboard. He now lives in a Craftsman home on a dirt road, bordering a state forest, where he has time for hiking, kayaking and sharing a lively local arts scene with other Boston and New York expatriates. If I get tired of communing with the porcupines, bears and foxes, I go to New York to talk to people, he quipped. He keeps a small apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Baron's friend and onetime colleague, former New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet, appears in the book and sang its praises. "It's important for Americans to understand how much newspapers and news organizations are in peril," Baquet said, "and to read the thoughts of a guy struggling with the place of journalism, going forward. Plus, it's just a good read."

The following is a synopsis of my 90-minute chat with Baron, who worked from 1979 to 1996 at the Los Angeles Times as a reporter, business editor and editor of the then-daily Orange County edition. Later, he became an occasional subject of my reporting when I wrote about the media for The Times.

Our conversation touched on his career, the future of journalism and whether Stephen Colbert had a better suggestion for the Posts mission statement than Democracy Dies in Darkness."

Washington Post executive editor Martin Baron celebrates with staff after 2018 Pulitzer Prize wins. (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press)

Do you expect Donald Trump to read your book? And what would you hope he would get out of it?



I dont think he read his own books.  He had other people write them and it became evident, over time, he may not have read his own books. So I don't expect him to read this book.  What I hope other people take away from it is how one news organization actually works, how we really operate, as opposed to the conspiracy theories. There are really difficult decisions that have to be made. And a lot of care goes into those decisions.

Our job is to hold power to account. Its always been that way. What James Madison had in mind when he was the principal drafter of the 1st was a press that would be freely examining ... politicians and government officials and people with power.

You reveal that shortly after you, Bezos and Post executives met with Trump in 2017, he began to call you at unscheduled times to vent about the papers coverage. You took notes. Was any of it newsworthy?

No. It wasnt a revelation [for instance] that he blamed Bezos for what we were doing or that he considered the paper a "big fat lie." He said all that publicly.  What struck me was that he had the time to personally tell me all that. You would think that the president of the United States would have better things to do with his time.

Read more: Insiders chart the power and money struggles behind the two biggest U.S. newspapers

There were many tough stories on Trump, including his exaggerations about his charitable giving and reporting about Russia and the 2016 election. Nobody filled you in on the reporting about the so-called Steele Dossier, or the staff infighting over how to cover that series of documents. What happened?

Everybody thought somebody else had told me, that someone up the line did it. ... I wouldn't say that I was angry. But I was pretty annoyed. By then there were a lot of conflicts on the staff over the whole story. We clearly needed to coordinate better.  We had meetings and everyone attended, even the people who didn't necessarily get along with each other.

The paper later won the Pulitzer Prize for national reporting on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and its connections to the Trump campaign, the president-elects transition team and his eventual administration. Unlike BuzzFeed, the Post and other big news outlets decided not to publish the full text of the Steele Dossier, which later proved to include unproven allegations. Why not just give readers the document and let them make their own judgments?

Most news organizations, including BuzzFeed, for months held on to the same idea, that it's important to try to verify what was in [the dossier.] It was only when CNN reported that [the dossier] had been handed to Trump that BuzzFeed made the decision to publish the entire report.  This wasnt a decision of "The American public needs to know this." This was a decision that, "Well, we need to make sure that we're ahead of the competition. There is potential [internet] traffic here for us." ... I think that there were motives that weren't so high-minded at all.  At the core of what journalism and journalists should do is verify.

A major topic in your book is how many journalists, especially younger ones, believe they should not have to abide by traditional rules limiting how they express themselves on political matters. Why should journalists be careful about exercising free speech rights?

The reason we hire people is to go and report and to hear what other people are saying, to look at evidence, to look at documents. An important part of our work is that we're getting outside of ourselves, not being absorbed with ourselves. I don't think that we should be communicating that we are absorbed with ourselves. And opinions, by the way, they come cheap. Everybody has one. Reporting does not come cheap. Anything that undermines the public trust in our reporting  the primary source of our value  is, I think, a mistake.

You report that Bezos didn't get involved in story decisions. But he did pick what he called the "mission statement" of the Post: "Democracy Dies in Darkness." What was your choice?

I was leaning toward "The story must be told."

I thought Stephen Colbert had a pretty good one. He said a finalist was, "We took down Nixon. Who wants next?"

[Laughing heartily] That would have been pretty good.

You write that, following the death of George Floyd, you failed to do enough to acknowledge the deep pain felt by the Posts Black journalists. You also said it was your most serious error to not push for a high-ranking editor to help hire a more diverse staff and to strengthen coverage of race, ethnicity and identity. Even as a high school journalist you pushed for racial integration. Why do you believe you fell short on the subject?

I was just so singlemindedly focused on, how do we get this place turned around? How do we get more traffic? How do we become more competitive journalistically? We needed to do a lot to recover. So adding positions in the senior ranks was just not high on the priority list. [Bezos also made clear he wanted to hire many more content creators than managers.]

I always encouraged people to be good listeners and I dont think I was one, in that instance. I should have been an advocate for adding leadership positions that would have provided more diversity and also led to broader coverage.

I have to ask about a moment earlier in your career. You write about how the U.S. Supreme Court stopped the recount of votes in Florida in 2000, with George W. Bush leading Al Gore by 537 votes. Your Miami Herald reporters joined with an independent accounting firm to do an exhaustive review of ballots in all 67 Florida counties. Their report concluded that Bush "most likely" would have won, even with a full recount. What did that story show?

We owe it to readers to go after the facts. They deserve to know. We have to do that regardless of the pressures. But we also do it regardless of the outcome, regardless of who might gain or who might lose.

Read more: How school book bans exploded  with front lines in Southern California too

You accomplished a lot, exemplified by the 10 Pulitzer Prizes the Post won under your leadership. So will you miss it?

I was an editor at three different news organizations over the course of 20 years. It became ever more exhausting, because it's not just a 24-7 job, it's a 24-7-every-minute job. And I [increasingly] felt a chasm between how I felt journalism should be practiced and how at least a good number of people on our staff wanted to practice it. I didn't know that I could really resolve that.  Now, I dont have to deal with that every single day. I want to move on and do other things.  So, no, I don't miss it.

Do you have another book in you?

I have an idea or two. I don't know yet. I want to get through this one and maybe recover a little bit. I was just sitting at home in the middle of the woods, writing a book. It was beautiful outside. And I wanted to go outside.

For the first time in my life, I don't know what I'm going to do next. And I'm fine with that. I will figure it out, I'm sure.

Book Club: Martin Baron

What: Former Washington Post Editor Martin Baron joins the L.A. Times Book Club to discuss Collision of Power" with Times Executive Editor Kevin Merida.

When: Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. Pacific

Where: USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, 3630 Watt Way, Los Angeles. Get tickets on Eventbrite for this live, in-person conversation, also available virtually.

Join: Sign up for the free book club newsletter for the latest book, news and live journalism events.

Read more: How to support the L.A. Times Book Club and Book Prizes

Sign up for our Book Club newsletter to get the latest Los Angeles book news, events and more.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
MILAN  A recent NATO military exercise highlighted the value of weaving 5G marine testbeds into the Alliances operations for use with unmanned underwater vehicles.

On Sept. 29, the second edition of Dynamic Messenger, organized by NATOs Allied Command Transformation and Allied Maritime Command, concluded in the areas of Troia, Sado River, and offshore from the Sesimbra Peninsula, in Portugal.

The eleven-day event focused on testing the maturity of maritime unmanned systems, or MUS, and demonstrating their level of interoperability with NATO assets. It brought together 16 allies and one partner nation: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the U.K. and the U.S.

In addition, other non-NATO nations sent observers, including Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.

One of the interesting conclusions shared by a NATO official who took part in Dynamic Messenger, was concerning the fielding of MUS and 5G technology.

The utilization of unmanned underwater vehicles and 5G mesh networks for the passing of information in the underwater realm has much promise, the military official told Defense News in an email.

The concept of developing 5G sea testbeds, at least within the military sector, is fairly new. Ultimately, it would allow for the seamless integration of several 5G-ready devices, sensors, vehicles and endpoints to provide for an advanced communication capability in remote operations.

In August, Lockheed Martin delivered the final Phase 1 initial prototype of the 5G testbed variant for the Open Systems Interoperable and Reconfigurable Infrastructure to the U.S. Marine Corps program.

OSIRIS is a 5G communications network infrastructure experimentation that was awarded to the defense company in 2021. The second phase will see the integration of specific mission applications onto the network for evaluation.

In the commercial sector, Vodafone developed last year a private 5G network operated by the Plymouth Marine Laboratory in the U.K., to serve as a testing ground for sea applications. According to a company statement, the infrastructure is open for use by local and international companies to create 5G marine use cases for free.

Experts in the field of naval warfare have suggested that 5G may also offer the potential of modernizing navies undersea systems without intrusive environmental operations, such as digging trenches for underwater cables.

Other uncrewed potential

In the context of the DYNMS exercise, several warfare areas were identified to experiment with deployed maritime unmanned systems supported by other autonomous air and surface assets.

These realms included protecting critical undersea infrastructure; enabling mine warfare operations with crewed-uncrewed teaming when possible; force protection with an emphasis on convoy escort operations and counter-unmanned aerial systems; and conducting light and fast amphibious operations from ship to shore.

UAS such as Scheibels Camcopter S-100 and [Portuguese-made] Ogassa OGS42 provided outstanding persistent air surveillance capability while others such as the Spanish Kaluga DS USV allowed for covert identification of suspicious surface activity, the NATO official participating in who Dynamic Messenger said.

Autonomous underwater vehicles such as the Gavia [manufactured by Teledyne Marine] and its side scan sonar allowed for the detection of anomalies and informed decisions on how to best deal with potential threats or disruptions to critical underwater infrastructure, the military official added.

A total of 34 systems were deployed comprising three AUVs, two unmanned underwater vehicles, one autonomous surface vehicle, eight unmanned surface vehicles and thirteen drones.
The Navys Fleet Readiness Center East successfully assembled the lift fan clutch for the F-35B Lightning II aircraft for the first time.

Assembling the clutch without the parts original manufacturer is critical to accommodate F-35 maintenance and repair as more enter service, according to the Navy.

The F-35B is the variant of the fighter jet the Marine Corps employs, as well as the United Kingdom and Italy. The aircraft can conduct short take-offs and vertical landings on amphibious ships, aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields  thanks to the aircrafts lift system that includes the clutch.

The F-35Bs short take-off and vertical landing abilities offer the Fleet critical capabilities that cannot be duplicated by any other aircraft, Capt. James M. Belmont, the readiness centers commanding officer, said in a Sept. 28 Navy news release. The lift fan clutch is a vital part of the aircrafts lift system. Standing up this capability allows us to provide support for the F-35B thats not available anywhere else in DoD.

FRCE is based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542, also based out of Cherry Point, received its first F-35 aircraft in May.

Even though it seems as if the F-35 has been around for a while, its still very new, said Fred LeBrun, the readiness centers F-35 capability establishment lead, said in the release. Its still ramping up. Flight hours are increasing. More countries are buying them. This multiplication effect places increased demands on the supply system for components.

Its a key part of the lift system, so this is going to be critical for the depot to have this capability, LeBrun said.

Cherry Point receives its first F-35 jet

The part also poses challenges because of its complexity. For example, LeBrun said that a simpler part may have a 500- to 1,000=page component maintenance manual, while the clutch has a 10,000=page manual and accompanying modules for the artisan.

The complication level on this component is right up there with producing an engine on the aircraft, LeBrun said.

To learn how to assemble the part, the FRCE team underwent training at the Rolls Royce LiftWorks facility in Indianapolis. Rolls Royce is the original manufacturer for the lift fan clutch.

We could see the way that they do things, said Steven Murray, an aircraft engine mechanic at FRCE. We had our industrial engineering technicians with us so they could tailor things to fit the way we do things here at the depot. Then, it was extensive training here  evolutions of disassembly and assembly to ensure we are doing it right.

FRCE is the states largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider.
Fall temperatures are on the horizon in this week's weather forecast, but before Milwaukeeans get there, we'll see some final days of near record-breaking heat.

October kicked off with some high temperatures, reaching upward of 85 on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. That was one-degree off the record high for Oct. 1 in southeastern Wisconsin, which is 86. The record high in the area for the entire month of October is 89, which was set in 1963.

"The temperatures weve been at the last couple of days and what well have today and Tuesday are well above normal from what wed see this time of year," said Tim Halbach, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Milwaukee. "Its actually been very close to record-breaking heat. We have not broken any records yet, but we are way above what we should normally be at for late September, early October."

The reason for the early fall heat wave is because of the southerly winds bringing warmer air from Mexico, and the Gulf of Mexico, to the area. This is due to a storm system currently to the west. Those winds will shift later this week.

"A lot of times when we see these big heat waves, we also see a big cold on the back side of it because the weather pattern is so amplified like this," Halbach said. "Thats why were going to see mid-80s and then drop down."

Halbach said the hot temperatures are here to stay to start the week with temperatures hitting the 80s again on Monday and likely Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Milwaukee area should still see warmer temperatures, but a cold front should move in that evening. That's when the temperatures will start to drop to more normal fall numbers.

"If people are ready for fall, they can just wait until this weekend because thats when the cold looks like its going to come in," Halbach said. "Wednesday evening should mark the change at least. Once we get into Friday and Saturday, thatll be when a nice cold punch comes in.

"We'll get our fall back."

By the weekend, the weather will look drastically different with lows down to the 50s and possibly the 40s, according to the NWS. This is because the cold front will shift the winds and bring cooler air from Canada down into the area.

It might also mean getting your warmer gear out.

Enjoy the next few days before it gets cold  unless thats the kind of fall youre looking for, Halbach said.

More: Some Wisconsin trees are changing color early this year. Here's why.

More: Which Wisconsin trees turn what color, and when, and answers to other questions about fall colors

Drew Dawson can be reached at ddawson@jrn.com or 262-289-1324.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee weather: after mini heat wave, fall temperatures coming soon
The city of Boston could start cracking down on the encampments at Mass and Cass later this week.

Boston City Council is expected to vote this Wednesday on an ordinance that would ban makeshift structures on public property.

The citys plan would bring in additional police officers to help disperse the crowds.

The ordinance would also help define the role of police officers at Mass and Cass.

If approved by a majority of the 13-member Boston City Council, the ordinance can go into effect immediately.

If no action is taken by their October 30th deadline, the ordinance will automatically go into effect.

Where do people go once tents are cleared?, questioned South End neighbor Ethel Bullitt. Without a specific plan on where people are going to go, people are going to disperse.

Bullitt said shes particularly worried about a new 30-bed shelter that city plans to open on Mass Ave in the South End if the ordinance is passed.

Were just going to see a lot more people in need of services, she said More people wandering the neighborhood and posing safety risks to themselves and to others.

Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said the goal of the ordinance is to separate people in need of shelter and services from the criminals who are preying on the vulnerable.

The ordinance would remove the 48-hour notice that Boston Police officers are currently required to give before removing tents and tarps.

80 percent of these people dont want to be rejuvenated. They dont want it, said Ana Gajate, who recently became homeless.

Gajate said she ended up on the streets a month ago and is struggling to find a stable situation.

Shes convinced that a crackdown could make it even tougher for her to find housing.

Ive been on the street for a month, and Im not a drug addict, she said. So their housing comes first? What about me that dont got a needle in the back of my arm?

Mayor Michelle Wus plan would refer people from Mass and Cass to shelters if space is available.

It would also provide transportation to the shelters if requested.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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PORTSMOUTH  New Hampshire State Police have identified a Newmarket man as the victim of a fatal single-vehicle car crash last week on Ocean Road in Portsmouth during rush hour.

John Toussaint, 33, was named by authorities on Monday as the driver of a gray Nissan Sentra that drove off of the road last Thursday, Sept. 28 after deputies from the Rockingham County Sheriffs Office briefly followed him through Hampton. Toussaint was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital and did not survive.

New Hampshire State Police have identified the driver of a fatal single-vehicle car crash in Portsmouth that occurred on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.

State police reported previously Toussaint was traveling at a high rate of speed and his driving was erratic in the moments leading up to his crash in a wooded area off the Portsmouth residential roadway. County sheriff deputies first observed Toussaint, the sole passenger in the vehicle, on Route 101 and saw his car had front-end damage and an expired inspection sticker.

Deputies briefly followed him, as did Greenland police, before Toussaints crash, according to state police. No other vehicles or individuals were involved in the incident, which shut down Ocean Road in Portsmouth for a few hours.

At this time, the investigation remains active and ongoing, authorities stated Monday. There are no further details.

According to state police, Toussaint traveled onto Route 27 in Hampton last week after county sheriff deputies saw his vehicle on Route 101.

After attempting to stop the vehicle on Route 27, it fled from Deputies and was last seen heading northbound on Route 1 in the Town of Hampton, state police noted last week.

The sheriffs office released a be on the lookout advisory for Toussaints car, which was noticed a few minutes later by a Greenland Police Department officer, per state police.

The Greenland police officer activated his emergency lights but due to the Sentras high rate of speed and erratic driving, the Greenland Police Officer lost sight of the vehicle on Post Road, state polices news release last week shared. The vehicle took a right on Route 33 and then took a right onto Ocean Road, continuing at a high rate of speed until the driver lost control and went off of the right side of the roadway into the woods in the area of 424 Ocean Road in Portsmouth.

Investigating the incident was the New Hampshire State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit. The Portsmouth Police Department additionally responded to the crash.

State police are seeking information about the incident from members of the public. Witnesses to the crash, or anyone with information related to the incident, are asked to contact Trooper First Class Nathaniel Goodwin at (603) 545-4288 or via email at Nathaniel.D.Goodwin@dos.nh.gov.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Ocean Road crash in Portsmouth NH: Police identify driver who died
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Sunday evening that he has selected Laphonza Butler , a former labor leader and now president of a highly influential womens political group, to replace the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the Senate.

Butler, who has never held public office, will serve until Feinsteins term ends in January 2025. Her appointment, first reported by Politico, fulfills a promise by Newsom to name a Black woman to the seat without interfering with the highly-competitive race already underway.

In Butler, 44, Newsom has selected a consummate Democratic insider. She heads the national political organization EMILYs List, which raises money to elect more Democratic women who support abortion rights. Shes also a longtime political organizer and advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris as well as a former a partner at the San Francisco-based consulting firm now known as Bearstar Strategies, run by Newsoms top advisors.

An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and shell represent us proudly in the United States Senate, Newsom said in a statement Sunday night. ... Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C.

Butler will be the only Black woman in the U.S. Senate and the first Black lesbian to serve openly in Congress.

She could take office immediately, allowing Democrats to control 51 of the Senates 100 seats.

In a statement Monday morning, Butler said she was honored to accept Newsoms nomination and humbled by the governors trust.

Sen. Dianne Feinsteins leadership and legacy are immeasurable, she said. I will do my best to honor her by devoting my time and energy to serving the people of California and the people of this great nation.

The race to replace the late Senator Dianne Feinstein

Newsoms announcement caps a dramatic 72 hours in California politics that began with the death of Feinstein, a Democratic icon and the states longest-serving U.S. Senator, in the early hours of Friday. Her funeral will be held in San Francisco on Thursday.

Feinstein announced earlier this year that she would retire when her term ended in 2025. Three Democratic members of Congress quickly launched campaigns to fill her seat: Reps. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, and Katie Porter, D-Irvine, and Barabara Lee, D-Oakland.

Newsom, who took heat from Black Democrats for replacing Harris  the chambers only Black woman  with Alex Padilla, pledged that he would name a Black woman to the Senate should a vacancy occur. But last month, the governor stirred controversy when he said the replacement would be an interim appointment only, someone who would not seek a full term next year.

That excluded Lee, the only Black elected official vying for the seat.

Lee was furious that Newsom would name what he called caretaker. Newsom later backed off that standard, which means Butler could choose to run in 2024. Should she decide to enter the race, she would have some ground to make up in terms of fundraising and polls.

Lee signaled Sunday night that she was ready to move past the issue. On X, formally known as Twitter, she said:

I wish (Butler) well and look forward to working closely with her to deliver for the Golden State. I am singularly focused on winning my campaign for Senate. CA deserves an experienced Senator who will deliver on progressive priorities. Thats exactly what Im running to do.

Butler, a longtime California resident and homeowner, currently lives in Maryland. The U.S. Constitution requires those elected to the Senate to live in the state they represent. The governors office said Butler, who still owns a home in California, will switch her voter registration before she is sworn in.

While some groups cheered the governors selection, others blasted Newsom for appointing Marylands 3rd US Senator.

Out of 40 million California residents, Gavin Newsom seriously couldnt find one to serve in the Senate? California Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher said in a statement. Californians deserve real representation, not a political favor for a well-connected campaign operative who doesnt even live here.

Who is Laphonza Butler, Newsoms pick for U.S. Senate?

Over the course of her career, Butler has held several executive positions, including director for public policy and campaigns at Airbnb, and a partner in SCRB Strategies, which advises Democratic political campaigns.

Butlers political involvement includes helping lead Harris 2020 presidential campaign and as a senior advisor to Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign in California.

She has strong roots in the labor movement and sits on several prominent boards.

Shes a member of the University of California Board of Regents and the board of directors for the Childrens Defense Fund and BLACK PAC. She was also previously president of SEIU Local 2015, Californias largest union.

California democratic candidate for governor, Lt. Gov Gavin Newsom, takes a selfie with Laphonza Butler, president of SEIU local 2015, before speaking at Greater Zion Church in Compton on June 3, 2018.

Butler grew up in Magnolia, Miss., and lives with her partner Neneki Lee and their daughter Nylah, according to EMILYs List.

Tony Hoang, of Equality California, said in a statement Sunday that Butler was eminently qualified to represent California.

This historic appointment by Governor Newsom will give our LGBTQ+ community another voice in Congress at a time when our rights and freedoms are under attack across the country, Hoang said. We look forward to working with Laphonza as she steps into this new role and continues her lifelong fight for our shared values of equity, freedom and justice for all.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom will appoint EMILYs List President Laphonza Butler to fill the seat of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein , elevating the head of a fundraising juggernaut that works to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights, according to a person familiar with the decision.

Newsom is moving swiftly to name the next senator, two days after Feinsteins death and just as a perilously split Congress narrowly averted a government shutdown. Senate Democrats are in need of every vote in the closely divided chamber.

The announcement was expected to come Monday, and an adviser to the governor, Anthony York, told POLITICO that Newsom is making his appointment without putting limitations or preconditions on his pick running for the seat in 2024. That means Butler could decide to join the sprawling and competitive field of Democratic contenders seeking to succeed Feinstein, with special elections now layered on top of the March primary and November runoff.

Butler is expected to be sworn-in to the U.S. Senate on Wednesday by Vice President Kamala Harris.

Newsoms selection of Butler comes at a moment of immense change in Californias political establishment, with millions of people still mourning the death of Feinstein, the barrier-breaking Senate lioness. Meanwhile the California governor, who was mentored by Feinstein, has been grappling with his own personal grief and the political ramifications of his choice to succeed her.

The people who spoke with POLITICO ahead of the announcement were granted anonymity to disclose internal deliberations. Butler is registered to vote in Maryland but will switch her registration to California.

Newsom faced considerable pressure around the decision after first pledging to name a Black woman to the seat. Several potential nominees said publicly they were not interested. Some others privately expressed trepidation about accepting a short-term appointment and then having to immediately gear up for what would be a five-month campaign.

The swift nature of Newsoms appointment cuts politicians and their allies off from mounting more sustained efforts to lobby the governor and his inner circle over his pick. And it halts interest groups that were starting to apply pressure on him, including over the question of whether he would require them to serve only temporarily. On Sunday, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford wrote to Newsom urging him to appoint Rep. Barbara Lee, a candidate for the Senate whom the governor recently ruled out over worries about giving someone a leg up.



Newsom fulfills the promise he made to name a Black woman to the upper chamber following the departure of Harris to the vice presidency and his selection of Sen. Alex Padilla to her old seat in 2021. Newsom also avoids veering directly into next years Senate contest between rival Reps. Katie Porter, Adam Schiff and Lee, all Democrats from California. Lee had spent years angling for the possible Senate appointment, only to learn in recent weeks that Newsom was intent on not tipping the scales in her favor, prompting her to sharply rebuke his public pronouncement.

Butler is a veteran organizer and well-known in Newsoms orbit. He contemplated hiring the Southern Mississippi native to be his first chief of staff, and she was aone-time partner in the San Francisco-based consulting firm, now known as Bearstar Strategies, with his top political advisers. She has remained a confidant of Vice President Kamala Harris, after serving as a senior strategist on her 2020 presidential campaign.

Butler, who is based in Washington and maintains close ties with Los Angeles, had a stint as director for public policy and campaigns at Airbnb and spent nearly two decades as a powerful and well-respected labor leader with the Service Employees International Union. As president of SEIU California, she worked closely with then-Gov. Jerry Brown on policies like hiking the minimum wage to $15 per hour and raising taxes for wealthy Californians. She also served on the University of California Board of Regents, to which she was appointed by Brown in 2018 before stepping down in 2021.

Butler is the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the Senate.

It will be a major undertaking for her to vie for the seat. Porter and Schiff, the leaders in fundraising and polls, as well as Lee, are comparatively well-known to voters. California is prohibitively expensive to run in, with TV ads costing millions to air across major media markets. But Butler could be a formidable candidate if she chooses to be.

Newsoms appointment  regardless of whether Butler runs for the Senate and wins  will continue to dramatically reshape the states political guard by the second-term governor and brings to four the number of high-profile nominations hes made. That includes both U.S. Senate seats, Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who was rumored to be on the shortlist for Feinsteins post.

Many senators rose to power through an appointment, including Democrats Tina Smith of Minnesota and Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina. Others like Jon Kyl in Arizona, Ted Kaufman in Delaware and Jeffrey Chiesa in New Jersey declined to run.

Newsom has said he neither expected, nor wanted, to make the latest appointment. But for months, he and his top advisers had discussed the prospect of having to do so as Feinstein fell ill and reports about her condition grew dimmer. In May, she returned to the Senate after two months away and Newsom passionately supported the idea of her serving the rest of her term, contending that Senate Republicans would use her vacancy to help block judicial confirmations prioritized by President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

You think Mitch McConnell is going to seat another federal judge? Not a chance in hell. You better wish, you better pray, for her health, Newsom told a Democratic Idaho voter during a tour of red states in July.

Schumer in recent days was among those urging Newsom to move with speed given the looming shutdown in Washington and bare-bones Democratic majority in the Senate, two other people familiar with their conversations said.

Newsom earned a bit of time on Saturday when the Senate cleared a stopgap funding bill late in the day, sending it to Bidens desk for his signature. By that point, however, Newsom and aides were already well on their way to filling the seat, capping a dramatic chapter for the governor and his state and delivering to the Senate its first Black woman since Harris.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this report misspelled the last name of former Senator Ted Kaufman.
(Bloomberg) -- California Governor Gavin Newsom will appoint Emilys List President Laphonza Butler to fill the remainder of late Senator Dianne Feinstein s term, making her the only Black woman in the current US Senate and just the third in its history.

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Feinstein, 90, died last week following months of poor health. Appointing Butler will allow Newsom to fulfill his pledge to select a Black woman to represent California after Kamala Harris became vice president in 2021, vacating her seat as junior senator.

An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and shell represent us proudly in the United States Senate, Newsom said in a statement late Sunday.

Before leading Emilys List, Butler had a history as a longtime labor leader in California, including having served as president of SEIU Local 2015, the biggest union in the state. As a partner at political consulting firm SCRB Strategies, she advised and represented Uber Technologies Inc. in its dealings with organized labor.

Newsom spokesman Anthony York dismissed any controversy over Butler being based in the greater Washington, DC, area, where she moved to from Los Angeles for Emilys List, saying via text that she owns a home in California and is re-registering in the state. He cited the example of former Vice President Dick Cheney , who re-registered in Wyoming before being announced as George W. Bushs running mate.

Read More: Dianne Feinstein, Longest-Serving Female Senator, Dies at 90

At Emilys List, Butler has worked to elect Democratic, pro-choice women to office. She has previously worked for prominent female leaders, including on Harriss presidential campaign. She was also a senior adviser to Hillary Clintons presidential campaign in California.

Newsom, whose national political profile has been on the rise, is moving quickly to fill the seat. Democrats in the narrowly divided Senate were already facing turmoil with most having asked New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez to resign after his indictment on federal corruption charges. He told his colleagues at a meeting Thursday he would remain in the Senate, and has denied wrongdoing.

Senator Alex Padilla of California, who Newsom appointed to replace Harris, noted the importance of having the seat filled.

Throughout her career, Laphonza Butler has been a strong voice for working families, LGBTQ rights, and a champion for increasing womens representation in politics, Padilla said in a statement.

By appointing Butler, Newsom will avoid picking someone already in the running for Feinsteins seat. Longtime Representative Barbara Lee, who is the highest-ranking Black woman appointed to Democratic leadership, is up against fellow Democratic Representatives Adam Schiff and Katie Porter, two of the Houses top fundraisers who have already amassed millions of dollars each for their bids.

Lee had criticized Newsoms remarks that he would pick a Black woman only to serve as a caretaker to complete Feinsteins term as insulting. After Newsoms decision was announced, Lee posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying she will look forward to working closely with her to deliver for the Golden State.

Butler grew up in Magnolia, Mississippi, and attended Jackson State University. She lives in Maryland with her partner and their daughter, according to her profile on Emilys Lists website.

--With assistance from Karen Breslau, Shiyin Chen and Josh Eidelson.

(Adds statement from Representative Barbara Lee about Newsoms decision in second-to-last paragraph.)

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Laphonza Butler , then-President of EMILY's List, speaks during an event in Washington in June. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press)

Gov. Gavin Newsom has picked Laphonza Butler, a Democratic strategist who rose to prominence in the labor movement, to fill the Senate seat held by Dianne Feinstein , who died Friday at age 90.

The pick fulfills the governor's pledge to appoint a Black woman while rejecting calls for him to tap Rep. Barbara Lee, a prominent Black congresswoman from Oakland who is running for the position in the 2024 election.

Butler, 44, is the president of Emily's List, a national political organization that focuses on electing Democratic women who support abortion access. She has deep experience in Democratic politics, having previously served as president of a powerful labor union and as an advisor to Kamala Harris 2020 presidential campaign.

Butler also has ties to Newsom's longtime political operation. Before joining Emily's List, she was a partner in the political consulting firm now known as Bearstar Strategies that is run by the governor's veteran strategists Ace Smith, Sean Clegg and Juan Rodriguez.

It's a historic appointment for a governor who has prioritized appointing LGBTQ+ people to positions of power  Butler, a lesbian, will be the first out person of color to serve in the Senate and the first LGBTQ+ senator from California.

An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and shell represent us proudly in the United States Senate, Newsom said in a statement.

As we mourn the enormous loss of Senator Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for  reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence  have never been under greater assault. Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington, D.C.

Butler's appointment could scramble the 2024 race for Senate that is well underway if she decides to run. Butler has connections that could make her a formidable fundraiser, which would be necessary for any candidate jumping into a race just six months before the March primary election, when other candidates have been raising money all year.

Newsom has faced withering criticism ever since announcing plans to appoint a short-term caretaker to the coveted post, heat which his administration tried to alleviate on Sunday by offering assurances the governor's appointee would be free to launch a 2024 Senate campaign.

"If that person decides she wants to seek a full term in 2024, then she is free to do so. There is absolutely no litmus test, no promise, Newsom spokesman Anthony York said Sunday morning, several hours before the governor announced his pick.

Gavin Newsom, who was lieutenant governor at the time, taking a selfie with Laphonza Butler, then the president of SEIU local 2015, before speaking at a church in Compton, CA, in 2018. (Los Angeles Times)

It's the second time Newsom has appointed a U.S. senator for California, a rare exercise of power that last occurred in 1953 when then-Gov. Earl Warren tapped Thomas Kuchel as senator after he had appointed William Knowland several years earlier.

With the 2024 race for Feinstein's successor already underway, Newsom faced competing political pressures in making the selection. The Democrats' slim majority in the Senate created urgency for him to act fast. But he had already made public promises that limited his options, vowing both to name a Black woman and stay out of the ongoing Senate race by not tapping any of the current candidates.

Three Democratic members of Congress are running: Lee, who is Black, as well as Reps. Katie Porter of Irvine and Adam B. Schiff of Burbank, who are white. Newsom said this month  when appointing a Feinstein replacement was still a hypothetical  that he didn't want to interfere with the election by naming one of them to the post and would instead appoint a short-term caretaker.

That angered Lee and her supporters because Newsom promised to appoint a Black woman, a constituency both loyal and influential in Democratic politics. There have been no Black women in the U.S. Senate since Harris stepped down in 2021 to become vice president.

Read more: Newsom faces difficult task  and rare opportunity  when filling Feinstein's seat

Since Feinstein died on Friday, Lee's supporters have mounted an aggressive campaign calling on Newsom to tap her.

"The most qualified person on Day 1 to fill the legacy of Sen. Dianne Feinstein is none other than Congresswoman Barbara Lee," Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said Sunday in an interview with MSNBC.

"She has the foreign affairs experience. She has the budget experience, at a time when cuts to every program that helps working people and families is under assault. She has the experience when it comes to fighting for social and economic justice and women's rights. And at a time when all of our rights are under attack, we need the most prepared person to help us in the Senate."

The Caucus also sent Newsom a letter making the case for Lee, and Horsford said he had talked to Newsom about it by phone and in person.

"We're asking him to understand the moment of this appointment not only for the people of California, but for the people of the United States," Horsford said.

Newsom has faced pressure to appoint a Black woman to the Senate since late 2020, when it became clear that Harris would step down to become vice president. Instead, he appointed Alex Padilla to fill Harris' seat, making him the first Latino to represent California in the Senate, but frustrating Americans who want Black women to be represented in the upper chamber.

Butler is a former California resident but currently lives in Maryland, according to her online biography. The U.S. Constitution requires that people live in the state they seek to represent when theyre elected to the Senate. But for people who are appointed, the law is that they must reside in the state upon assuming office, said Rick Hasen, an election law expert at the UCLA School of Law.

So in theory someone could change their residency upon appointment, he told The Times on Friday.

Butler owns a house in California and will re-register to vote in the state before being sworn in, according to the Newsom administration.

Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher criticized the governor for picking what he called "Maryland's third U.S. Senator."

Out of 40 million California residents, Gavin Newsom seriously couldnt find one to serve in the Senate?" Gallagher said in a statement.

Californians deserve real representation, not a political favor for a well-connected campaign operative who doesnt even live here.

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

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Gov. Gavin Newsom , shown at an event in May, is under pressure to quickly name his pick for Dianne Feinstein 's Senate seat. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP/Getty Images)

As Gov. Gavin Newsom deliberated over the weekend over whom he will appoint to the Senate following the death Friday of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, supporters of Rep. Barbara Lee mounted a campaign on her behalf and the governor's staff worked to combat criticism that he will pick a short-term caretaker for the coveted post.

"If that person decides she wants to seek a full term in 2024, then she is free to do so. There is absolutely no litmus test, no promise, Newsom spokesman Anthony York told The Times on Sunday.

However, mounting a successful statewide campaign just six months before the March primary election, when other candidates have been fundraising all year, would be a formidable challenge. While incumbency is a powerful force in elections, there is no guarantee that Newsom's appointee will be a viable candidate.

The Democratic governor pledged in 2021 to appoint a Black woman should Feinstein's seat become vacant. But he has been under fire ever since announcing plans earlier this month to make it an "interim appointment."

Newsom said it wouldn't be fair to pick someone who's running in the 2024 race that is already under way. But Lee and her supporters said Newsom should pick her  the most prominent Black person running.

Lee, of Oakland, is one of three Democratic members of Congress in the race. The others are Reps. Katie Porter of Irvine and Adam B. Schiff of Burbank, who are white. The U.S. Senate has not included any Black women since California Sen. Kamala Harris stepped down in 2021 to become vice president.

Read more: Whom will Newsom pick to replace Dianne Feinstein? Here are some possibilities

Since Feinstein died on Friday, Lee's supporters have have mounted an aggressive campaign calling on Newsom to change his stance and tap her.

"The most qualified person on day one to fill the legacy of Sen. Dianne Feinstein is none other than Congresswoman Barbara Lee," Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Steven Horsford said Sunday in an interview with MSNBC.

The caucus also sent Newsom a letter making the case for Lee, and Horsford said he had talked to Newsom about it by phone and in person.

"We're asking him to understand the moment of this appointment not only for the people of California, but for the people of the United States," Horsford said.

With Democrats' slim majority in the Senate, Newsom is under pressure to name his pick quickly.

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.
The next meeting of the Ukraine-EU Association Council, the ninth such meeting tracking Ukraines progress on fulfilling the stipulations of the Association Agreement, will take place in December of this year.

Source: Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Telegram, following a meeting with Josep Borrell , High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Quote: "Ukraine and the EU will hold the next meeting of the Association Council in December of this year. We have agreed this during the meeting with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union."

Details: Shmyhal did not name the exact date of the Association Council meeting.

Background:

The last meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council took place on 5 September 2022 in Brussels, when the parties signed four sectoral agreements.

The EU-Ukraine Association Council operates in accordance with the Association Agreement; it oversees and monitors the implementation of the Agreement and regularly reviews the progress towards the objectives of the Agreement.

The Association Council consists of members of the Ukrainian government and members of the Council of the EU and the European Commission. The Ukrainian delegation is headed by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and the EU delegation is headed by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

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!






Niles police said the department was the recipient of several unfounded bomb threats over the weekend, and all were found not to be legitimate.

In a statement on Monday, police said they received the threats from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 through online portals and over the phone.

Niles Police Sergeant Dan Borkowski told Pioneer Press that four threats were sent through the Village of Niles online service request portal calledSeeClickFix on Sept. 29 around 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. He said on Oct. 1, the department received four phone calls to the dispatch center around 10:15 p.m.

It is believed there is no legitimate threat to the general public at this time regarding these incidents, the statement said.

The threats are under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Niles Police at (847) 588-6570.
By Eva Manez

MURCIA, Spain (Reuters) -Two nightclubs destroyed by a deadly fire in the southeastern Spanish city of Murcia over the weekend had been found a year ago to be operating without a valid permit and were ordered to shut at the time, local authorities said on Monday.

It wasn't clear why the club was allowed to continue to operate following that recommendation. At least 13 people died in the blaze early on Sunday, authorities said, Spain's deadliest fire in decades.

The fire razed through three neighbouring nightclubs in Atalayas, on the outskirts of the city, but two of them - Teatre and La Fonda Milagros - were the most affected. The cause of the blaze was still unknown.

Local officials told a news conference on Monday that Teatre, which had a licence to operate as a nightclub and kitchen since 2008, had asked for a special permit after splitting the establishment into two in 2019.

But in January 2022, the municipality ordered it to cease all business activities, as dividing the building required them to request a completely different permit. Teatre unsuccessfully appealed the decision and the closure order was issued in October 2022.

"We are going to hold anyone who might have been responsible to account," Antonio Navarro, the local councillor in charge of urban planning, told reporters.

Navarro, who said that municipal authorities were not aware of the nightclubs remaining open despite the closure order, said that they had yet to ascertain whether local inspectors had recently visited the venues to enforce the order.

All of the victims were found in La Fonda club, whose roof had collapsed due to the intensity of the flames, Diego Seral, a spokesperson for Spain's national police, said.

La Fonda's attorney, Francisco Adan, told reporters no one had ever notified the club that it did not hold a valid permit. "In fact, about a year ago, a number of modifications had to be made as a result of an inspection," he added.

The city of Murcia will join the lawsuit against the club, officials said.

Rescuers have not found any more casualties and there were no more people reported missing, the head of the central government's regional office, Francisco Jimenez, told state broadcaster TVE.

Spanish media reported that several of the dead were from one group celebrating a birthday.

Police have not yet been able to access the site due to the high temperatures and danger of further collapse in the building, Murcia's mayor, Jose Ballesta, told TVE.

Firefighters were working to stabilise the structure, he added.

The remains of just three of the 13 victims have been identified so far, according to officials.

(Reporting by Eva Manez; Writing by Emma Pinedo; Editing by David Latona, Bernadette Baum and Christina Fincher)
WASHINGTON (Nexstar)  Moments before entering a New York courtroom to begin a bench trial on business fraud, former President Donald Trump defiantly called the fraud case against him part of the single greatest witch hunt of all time.

The fraud charges could cost Trump control of some of his prized properties and as much as a $250 million fine.

Trump also lashed out at New York Attorney General Leticia James, who brought the case against him for lying about his wealth in financial statements to banks, insurers and others.

We have a racist attorney general whos a horror show, Trump said.

And he blasted Judge Arthur Engoron, who ruled on part of the case last week that Trump committed fraud for years by overvaluing or undervaluing his assets.

Hes a Democrat operative, Trump said of the judge.

This is a high stakes civil trial that could strip Trump of control of Trump Tower and other properties. In 2018 Trump valued his Mar-a-Lago estate at about $739 million. Prosecutors say that was about 20 times more than it was actually worth.

James, for her part, said the cases send a simple message.

Donald Trump and the other defendants committed persistent and repeated fraud, she said outside the court. No matter how powerful you are, no matter how much money you think you may have, no one is above the law.

Trump insists hes done nothing wrong.

What we have here, he said, is an attempt to hurt me in an election.

The trial could last through the end of the year. James is seeking a $250 million fine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
House Republicans are preparing a motion to expel Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., after the legislator doubled down on his call to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif., "this week," after McCarthy's decision to look to Democrats for help in passing a stopgap spending bill to avoid a government shutdown.

The House GOP will look to boot Gaetz if an ethics committee report determines he is culpable of anything, Fox News reported. After Gaetz stated that he would look to expel McCarthy from his seat, one House Republican told White House correspondent and Fox anchor Jacqui Heinrich, "No one can stand him at this point. A smart guy without morals."

House GOP members are seeking to quickly expel Gaetz if the ethics report comes back with findings of guilt.



Following threats to vacate McCarthy, one tells me No one can stand him at this point. A smart guy without morals.  Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) October 1, 2023

A frequent critic of McCarthy, Gaetz said during a Sunday CNN appearance that it was time to remove McCarthy. "I think we need to rip off the Band-Aid," he argued.

"I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy," the far-right lawmakers added. "Look, the one thing everybody has in common is that nobody trusts Kevin McCarthy. He lied to Biden. He lied to House conservatives. Kevin McCarthy's goal was to make multiple contradictory promises to delay everything back up against shutdown politics and at the end of the day, blow past the spending guardrails he had agreed."

.@RepMattGaetz: "I do intend to file a motion to vacate against Speaker McCarthy this week. I think we need to rip off the Band-Aid. I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy."



Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) on Sunday said he will push to unseat House pic.twitter.com/DVDlADswDH  The Hill (@thehill) October 1, 2023

McCarthy during an interview with CBS's "Face the Nation" did not seem concerned that there was enough support to remove him from the speaker job.

"I'll survive," McCarthy said. "You know this is personal with Matt," who he claimed was "more interested in securing TV interviews than doing something."

"So be it, bring it on," the speaker added. "Let's get over with it and let's start governing. If he's upset because he tried to push us into a shutdown and I made sure the government didn't shut down, then let's have that fight."

"I'll survive," House @SpeakerMcCarthy says after Rep. Matt Gaetz said Sunday that he will introduce a motion to vacate McCarthy from his seat this week.



"Bring it on. Let's get over with it." pic.twitter.com/SnCVIHTN4f  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) October 1, 2023

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said that she would be willing to vote to remove McCarthy.

"It's not up to Democrats to save Republicans. From themselves, especially," she said during an appearance on "State of the Union" over the weekend.

When asked if she would vote to expel McCarthy, she answered with a resounding, "absolutely," adding that she feels McCarthy is a "very weak speaker."

"He clearly has lost control of his caucus," she continued.

AOC on CNN says she'd "absolutely" vote to oust McCarthy as speaker pic.twitter.com/Cl2ECx99jt  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 1, 2023
Hey, everyone! Drew here. Happy Monday!

Calling all food truck fanatics!

Were on the hunt to find the best meal on wheels in the Queen City. CharlotteFives narrowed down their list to the top eight, so go vote for your favorite!

On to your news.

A flyer on a post in NoDa urges people to sign a petition in support of street vendors who sell art, clothing and more along N. Davidson Street. Mary Ramsey/The Charlotte Observer

No more street vendors in NoDa?

Charlotte city officials are considering giving the NoDa Neighborhood and Business Association more power to regulate street vendors. Its a debate vendors worry could impact their livelihoods and culture of the neighborhood.

Mary Ramsey with more on the story.

A glass greenhouse houses cannabis plants as they grow through a vegetative stage. The plants reach the vegetative stage around three weeks and continue until sixteen weeks, at which point they begin to flower. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com

The Cherokee nation has yet to issue medical marijuana cards and already some N.C. doctors wont sign the necessary paperwork.

Linda Shetters said she was shocked when her primary care doctor in Brevard refused to sign a form from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Cannabis Control Board last week.

By signing the form, a doctor acknowledges that a patient has the medical conditions they say they do to help qualify for a cannabis card.

Joe Marusak has more.

Charlotte-Douglas International Airport road to parking and terminal. Google Maps Street View

The case against a police officer who shot a fleeing but unarmed driver is cleared to go to trial more than five years after the incident.

The lawyer for the man who was shot argues the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer was wrong in firing two rounds at a driver who refused to stop but otherwise posed no danger.

Anna Douglas shares the latest.

An image of the Charlotte Hornets jersey with their new patch sponsorship. The deal marks the first partnership between a creator-led brand and an NBA franchise. Charlotte Hornets photo/Charlotte Hornets photo

The Charlotte Hornets are in business with one of the most popular YouTubers on the planet.

Feastables, a snack brand founded by the well-known YouTube creator and N.C. native Jimmy MrBeast Donaldson, was announced as the newest jersey patch sponsor for the team. The companys logo will be on each of Charlottes uniforms for the 2023-24 season.

Rod Boone details the deal between the Hornets and MrBeast.

5. Some more stories to read

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Find more updates at charlotteobserver.com, and follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok to see more from us. Enjoy your day!

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Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.
Roses rest on the Senate desk of late North Dakota Republican state Sen. Doug Larsen , at the state Capitol Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Bismarck, N.D. Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two young children died Sunday in a plane crash near Moab, Utah. Larsen was first elected to the state Senate in 2020. | Jack Dura, Associated Press

A North Dakota state senator died in a plane crash in Utah with his wife and two kids Sunday night after refueling.

Sen. Douglas Larsen, his wife Amy Larsen, and two children were all killed upon impact when the plane hit the ground shortly after taking off from the Canyonlands Airfield north of Moab, the Grand Country Sheriffs Office posted on Facebook.

The report of the crash came in about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday night, according to the sheriffs office. Just after midnight, the post was updated to say that four occupants, unfortunately, did not survive the crash, Larsen and his family were identified in a press conference on Monday.

The Associated Press verified the deaths of Larsen and his family through an email sent by Republican state Senate Majority Leader David Hogue to other senators.

Senator Doug Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two young children died in a plane crash last evening in Utah, Hogue wrote in his email obtained by the AP. They were visiting family in Scottsdale and returning home. They stopped to refuel in Utah.

The southern Utah town of Moab, where the crash occurred, is located about 475 miles northeast of Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Larsen family flew to Canyonlands Regional Airport, drove into Moab and spent a couple of hours there before returning to the airplane and taking off, air safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board Fabian Salazar said in a Monday press conference.

The view from inside a plane at the Canyonlands Field Airport in Moab on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The small single-engine Piper Cherokee plane crash is under investigation by NTSB. Officials will be gathering information over the next few days and then move the aircraft to a facility for further testing.

We look at three big areas: that is the man, the machine and the environment, said Salazar.

The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. A preliminary report will be released in 14 days, while an in-depth final report could take up to a year and a half.

Relevant information can be submitted by the public via witness@NTSB.gov.

Who is Sen. Douglas Larsen?

Larsen has served in the North Dakota Senate since 2021, according to his North Dakota Legislative biography.

He served in the North Dakota National Guard for 29 years and was a business owner with his wife, according to a statement from North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Sen. Larsen was a father, husband, coach, entrepreneur, businessman, state senator and lieutenant colonel in the North Dakota National Guard who committed himself fully to each of those roles with an unwavering sense of honor and duty, wrote Burgum.
HCA Florida Healthcare proposes to build its Parrish hospital in phases, starting with the emergency room.

The planned 13,950-square-foot facility, to be called HCA Florida North River Ranch Emergency center, would have 11 exam rooms and a laboratory to provide emergency services for adults and children.

The ER would be open 24/7 and offer X-rays, CT scanning, ultrasound and other services.

They will build the hospital around the ER, John Neal, president of Neal Land & Neighborhoods, said Monday, adding that the medical complex would represent a $300 million investment.

Neal Land is the developer of North River Ranch, where the medical complex is planned.

Planned at 9308 Fort Hamer Road is a 150-bed hospital, a 326-bed assisted living facility, and 247,000 square feet of medical office space, the Bradenton Herald first reported in February 2022.

It would be the first Manatee County hospital built north of the Manatee River.

The site plan shows where HCA Florida North River Ranch Emergency center would be located in the North River Ranch community..

North River Emergency center will come first

HCA Florida Healthcare purchased about 22 acres in the village center of Parrishs North River Ranch, the Herald reported in October 2022.

North River Ranch is the largest of the new Parrish neighborhoods and is projected to house nearly 30,000 residents by the time the buildout is completed.

The projected opening date for the emergency room facility is the spring of 2025, Cathy Edmisten, CEO of HCA Florida South Shore Hospital in Sun City Center, said Monday in a phone interview with the Bradenton Herald.

We are already serving southern Hillsborough and northern Manatee County, Edmisten said.

9/27/2020--North River Ranch in Parrish is projected to have more than 5,000 homes when completed over the next decade. It the single largest master planned community in Parrish.

The quickest way to begin offering medical care to the fast-growing Parrish area is with a free-standing emergency room, Sarah Tavenner, vice president of operations for HCA Florida South Shore Hospital, said in the same phone interview.

Edmisten had no new details to offer about HCAs ultimate plans and timetable in Parrish.

Asked for another example of where HCA had built a hospital in phases starting with a free-standing ER, Edmisten cited HCA Florida University Hospital in Davie, a city in Broward County about 24 miles north of Miami.

Parrish hospital still planned

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is the most recent hospital to be built in Manatee County. That hospital, a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, Inc., opened in 2004. Two medical office buildings were constructed on the Lakewood Ranch campus before the medical center opened.

Neal Land & Neighborhoods and HCA officials met recently to talk about hospital plans for North River Ranch. Shown above, from left, are Charles Varah, VP Investment, Neal Land, Tom Panaseny, VP Land Development, Neal Land, ,John A. Neal, President, Neal Land, Cathy Edmisten, HCA Florida South Shore Hospital CEO, Jyric Sims, HCA Healthcare West Florida Divisionresident and Sarah Tavener, HCA Florida South Shore Hospital VP of operations.

North River Ranch is designed as a sustainable community with walkable access to schools, healthcare, shopping and first-class amenities because as master-planned community developers, we are focused on the long-term vision and benefits to our residents, Neal said.

The medical facility, which Manatee County commissioners approved in May 2023, would be accessed from U.S. 301 as a part of the Village Center on the northeast corner of Moccasin Wallow Road and Fort Hamer Road.

HCA Florida North River Ranch Emergency would anchor the planned North River Ranch Village Center on the north side of Moccasin Wallow Road.

The medical campus is planned catty-corner to North River Ranchs Market Walk shopping center, where a Publix supermarket is being built on the south side of Moccasin Wallow Road.

Also planned for Moccasin Wallow Road a few miles from the HCA free-standing emergency room is a hospital planned by BayCare Health System.

In July 2022, BayCare announced that it was planning to open a hospital in northern Manatee County by the end of 2025.

The BayCare facility is proposed near the intersection of Moccasin Wallow Road and Interstate 75.

BayCare did not immediately respond to a request Monday for updated information on its northern Manatee County hospital plans.
Sorry, not sorry appeared to be the overarching message from the worlds most powerful oil and gas companies at an annual industry summit in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

The largest players in the fossil fuel industry gathered at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, just along the coast from where the Cop28 climate summit is being hosted by the UAE in a matter of months.

The oil and gas executives were buoyant, even defiant, about the industry which earned a record $4 trillion last year while countries face worsening climate disasters.

Weve got to step up and prepare for the decarbonised systems of the future, Tengku Muhammad Taufik, president and group CEO of Malaysias state energy firm, Petronas, said at a panel hosted by CNBC.

So, the debate has always been posed here, Im reminded of an old saying: If you want to keep everyone happy, sell ice cream. We are not in the business of ice cream  and Im reminded, there are people who are lactose intolerant. The indication here is we have to make some tough decisions and we have to be bounded by facts, rationality, practical steps but we will get there.

Emissions from burning fossil fuels are the primary driver of the climate crisis and countless scientific groups and non-governmental bodies, including the influential International Energy Agency, have called for a rapid transition to clean energy and no new oil and gas projects, to remain at the 1.5 degrees Celsius target of the Paris Agreement. Scientists say global emissions must be cut by nearly half in the next seven years to hold to 1.5C.

At the current 1.2C of global warming, countries are experiencing worsening storms, flooding, heatwaves, fires and drought.

But while clean energy investments are expected to hit $1.7 trillion in 2023, around $1 trillion is still being invested in coal, oil and gas putting the planet far off-course in its net zero goals. The oil and gas industrys spending on operations to redue emissions was less than 5 per cent of its upstream spending in 2022, according to the IEAs latest World Energy Investment report.

A view shows the destruction, in the aftermath of the floods in Derna, Libya on September 30, 2023, which killed more than 11,000 people (REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori)

Regardless, there was a sense of optimism from the stage. Vicki Hollub, CEO of Texas-based multinational Occidental Petroleum, described really exciting times for the oil and gas industry but conceded that they must regain societys trust.

I dont see where we are today as something that is going to end our industry although there are some out there that want it to go away. As we have done in the past, we will find ways to innovate out of this situation that were in, she said.

Patrick Pouyanne, head of French oil company TotalEnergies, said that he had been naive and admitted, we will not please the activists.

We will never make enough to please the ones which are against oil and gas, but my mission is not to please them, he added. Our mission is to deliver to the society the energy we need today and tomorrow and for that I feel comfortable.

Wael Sawan, chief executive of UK oil giant Shell, described his time at the top as a roller coaster.

Its the worst of times and its the best of times, he continued.

Demonstrators during a national protest for climate justice in Bern, Switzerland, on September 30, 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)

The worst of times I think with the recognition it seems to be a time where we continue to polarise the debate more and more rather than actually converge given that we are trying to solve arguably the worlds biggest problem right now.

Sultan al-Jaber also spoke at Mondays event in the UAE capital. Mr Al-Jaber, head of the state-run Abu Dhabi Oil Company, is president of the upcoming Cop28 climate conference, a decision that has sparked anger and suspicion among activists and prominent figures including former US vice president Al Gore.

He called on oil and gas companies to be central to the solution to fighting the climate crisis, at the event.

That is our North Star. It is in fact our only destination. It is simply acknowledging and respecting the science. We must do this while also ensuring human prosperity by meeting the energy needs of the planets growing population, Mr al-Jaber said.

Abu Dhabi Oil Co. is planning to grow its operation to pump five million barrels a day.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 2, 2023

CONTACT

Leha Byrd

ECSU Communications and Marketing

Email or 252.335.8745

Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) recently received a $200,000 grant from the United States Department of Energy.

According to department leaders, the grant helps strengthen program offerings with lab upgrades and targeted field and project-based training for students. It will also expose students to renewable energy research, support a summer enrichment program for high school students, and provide professional development and support to faculty from other institutions interested in adopting renewable energy curriculum.

The award is one of several the university has acquired recently in an effort to address energy industry shortfalls, like underrepresentation of minorities and women, with its programming and curricula.

Last year, ECSU received a five-year grant totaling $825,000 from the U.S. Department of Energys National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) as part of the agencys distribution of $38.8 million to 24 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) consortia nationwide. Additionally, ECSU joined a consortium, led by UNC Charlotte, that received $1 million in a planning grant from the National Science Foundations Regional Innovation Engines program (NSF). The NSF Phase I Engines grant backs the overarching initiative, CleanCarolinas, designed to support the economy and growth of the Carolinas through clean energy technology, including innovations in offshore wind, solar, clean hydrogen, and marine energy.

ECSU is dedicated to enhancing STEM education and training to improve and increase access to the energy workforce for students in the region. The grant will help us closely work with the industry in producing well-educated students and increasing the pipeline of qualified, diverse workers into the field, said Kuldeep Rawat, Ph.D., ECSU School of Science, Aviation, Health, and Technology dean and principal investigator on this grant.

To date, ECSU has begun offering renewable energy courses and selected students are participating in mentored, semester-long research and targeted renewable energy training. Also, student led projects involving wind turbines and solar sheds have been installed behind Dixon Hall.

ECSU offers an ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science program in Engineering Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability Studies that has courses and concentrations in renewable energy.

_____________________________________________________________

Elizabeth City State University provides students with a high-quality, affordable education as one of North Carolinas leading four-year public institutions that is part of the University of North Carolina System. ECSU develops leaders who are courageous, resilient, and empowered through excellent student-centered, experiential learning. We offer baccalaureate, professional, and masters degrees across a wide variety of interests. Excellence is the standard at Elizabeth City State University  success is our legacy. Come to Discover. Leave to Conquer. Visit www.ecsu.edu.
NEW YORK  Mayor Eric Adams  whose chief adviser believes the federal government should close the borders to address the migrant crisis  is traveling to South and Central America this week to learn more about the root causes of the crisis, his office announced Monday.

According to an advisory released by City Hall, Adams will start off the trip by visiting Mexico City on Wednesday. While there, he will attend the North Capital Forum, a conference focused on challenges facing the U.S. with topics that include economic development, innovation and national security.

The next day, he will head to Puebla, east of Mexico City, before traveling to Ecuador on Friday to meet with local officials to find out about their asylee integration programs, the advisory states.

On Saturday, the mayors bound for Colombia, where hell also meet with local officials and visit the Darien Gap, a section of the border with Panama that many migrants cross before making their way to the U.S. Hell travel back to New York late Saturday, according to his office.

The advisory states that the purpose of the trip is to foster relationships, learn more about the path asylum seekers take to get to the United States, and meet with local and national leaders about the situations on the ground leading to an influx of asylum seekers arriving in the U.S.

The Latin America tour comes on the heels of the mayors budget office issuing a memo to all city agencies instructing them that taxpayer dollars cannot be used for any travel expenses outside of NYC, citing concerns about the fiscal burden of the migrant crisis.

To that end, an Adams spokeswoman said the mayor is paying his own way while in Ecuador and Colombia. Edward Mermelstein, Adams international affairs commissioner, and Emanuel Castro, his immigrant affairs commissioner, will also go out of pocket to cover their own expenses.

Costs associated with the visit to Mexico will be covered by the U.S.-Mexico Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering ties between the two nations, the spokeswoman said.

The mayors travel also comes after Ingrid Lewis-Martin, his chief City Hall adviser, said in an interview that aired Sunday that federal authorities should seal the U.S. southern border to prevent more migrants from arriving.

We need the federal government, the Congress members, the Senate and the president to do its job: Close the borders, Lewis-Martin said in the interview on PIX11.

Lewis-Martins comment drew waves of criticism from local Democratic lawmakers, who accused her of echoing Republican talking points.

Amid the backlash, Fabien Levy, Adams deputy mayor of communications, issued a statement saying that of course this nation should continue to welcome immigrants  both those seeking asylum and those who are not.

According to the latest data from City Hall, the Adams administration continues to house and provide services for more than 61,000 migrants, most of whom hail from Latin American countries. Most of the migrants are fleeing poverty and violence in their home countries and hope to claim asylum in the U.S.
Officers shot and killed a man in Idabel following an hours-long standoff, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, which is looking into what happened.

On Thursday, officers responded to a domestic violence call at a residence in the town of about 7,000 in southeast Oklahoma.

Authorities said David Rodriguez Lopez, 30, was inside the residence was armed and refused to come out for several hours. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police SWAT team assisted local police.

Lopez eventually accessed a vehicle and attempted to flee the scene, driving toward officers, authorities said.

Officers fired at the vehicle and killed Lopez, authorities said. No officers were injured, according to authorities.

Authorities have not disclosed any information about the officers who fired their weapons, including where they are employed.

Downtown Idabel, Okla., is pictured on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Idabel is the county seat of McCurtain County. Law enforcement in the county has been under intense scrutiny in recent months.

Earlier this year, Sheriff Kevin Clardy, one of his investigators and a county commissioner were accused by a local newspaper of discussing killing a local reporter and the lynching of Black people. The alleged statements came to light in April after they were recorded and published by the McCurtain Gazette-News.

Gov. Kevin Stitt and other Oklahoma officials called on Clardy to resign. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond later announced that an investigation found no legal grounds to move forward with a process to force Clardy from office.

Clardy has refused to step down.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Fatal officer-involved shooting in Idabel leads to OSBI investigation
A woman was killed when the wing of a small airplane struck her as she was using a riding lawn mower last week in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported.

Samantha Hayes, 27, was mowing grass at Broken Bow Airport in the afternoon of Sept. 29 when she was struck by the plane.

The pilot, James Baxter, told authorities that his plane had touched down on the runway when he saw Hayes, The Associated Press reported. Baxter, 70, said that he tried to pull up and fly over Hayes, but the plane's wing ended up hitting her on her head.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. While authorities did not share further details of the victim, tributes posted by her friends on Facebook reveal that Hayes was a single mother of three children, ages unknown.

Investigation ongoing

Chief of Police Broken Bow Richard Wiggins, in an email to USA TODAY said the OHP, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the FBI are conducting a joint investigation into the incident. No charges have been filed at this time.

Earlier, OHP spokesperson Sarah Stewart told AP that authorities are trying to determine if any charges could be filed against the pilot.

Did the pilot do anything wrong or was this just unavoidable?" Stewart had said.

The spokesperson added that the FAA was also investigating any potential regulatory violations regarding the pilot and the aircraft.

Baxter, who is also listed as the owner of the 1972 Bonanza A36 on FlightAware, was not injured in the accident, said Wiggins. The pilot had taken off from McKinney National Airport in Dallas, making a 50-minute journey to Broken Bow, a small town near the Oklahoma-Arkansas border, about 200 miles south of Tulsa.

The special edition 75th anniversary option for the Beechcraft Bonanza G36 single-engine piston aircraft is distinguished by its custom interior and paint scheme inspired by Olive Ann Beechs signature blue color.

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'Heartbroken and devastated'

Broken Bow City Manager Vickie Patterson, in a statement said that the city is "heartbroken and devastated" by the passing of one of its team members. Hayes was a city employee assigned to the Parks Division, Wiggins told USA TODAY.

"This is a terribly tragic accident, and our deepest sympathies go out to the employee's family, friends and co-workers," Patterson said. "Our number one priority is always safety to the employees and public. It's critical that we determine how this accident occurred."

Contributing: Jana Hayes, The Oklahoman

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oklahoma woman riding lawn mower dies after plane wing strikes her
UPDATE: Olathe police say she has been located safe.

OLATHE, Kan.  The Olathe Police Department is searching for a missing 17-year-old girl Monday.

Police said Elizabeth Rose Seren Lewellen was last seen at 2 a.m. Monday on Pasadena Drive, just southeast of 119th Street and Ridgeview Road.

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She is described as 5-foot-3, weighing 110 pounds with black hair and blue eyes. Police said shes known to die her hair red, and officers believe she currently has her hair died half red and half blue.

Lewellen was last seen wearing a black tank top and its unknown what color pants she was wearing. She has piercings in both nostrils, her septum and her bottom lip.

Olathe police said Lewellen is believed to be in a black 2007 Chevy Impala with a Kansas license plate 437RUL. Its believe that shes currently in the St. Louis area.

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Police are concerned for the 17-year-olds mental health.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Olathe Police Department at 93-971-6363 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
One high school student was killed and another was injured Sunday in a crash on Interstate 26, South Carolina officials said.

Rysaun DMarian Foster, a 17-year-old West Columbia resident, was the driver who died, according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher.

Foster was a student at Brookland-Cayce High School, according to Lexington District 2 officials.

Another Brookland-Cayce High School was a passenger in the vehicle and was injured, Lexington 2 officials said. Further information on the surviving students condition was not available.

The single-vehicle collision happened Sunday at about 12:10 a.m., according to the coroners office.

Foster was driving west on I-26, and near the 110 mile marker the vehicle ran off the right side of the highway and crashed into a tree, Fisher said. Thats in the area between U.S. 1 and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

Both students were taken to an area hospital, where Foster was pronounced dead due to his injuries, according to Fisher.

No other injuries were reported.

We are heartbroken to have learned the news that two of our Brookland-Cayce High School students were involved in a car accident early this morning, with one passing away and the other injured, Lexington 2 officials said in a news release.

Additional district and school counselors, social workers, and psychologists will be at Brookland-Cayce High School Monday to support students, staff, and families, according to the release.

We will continue to hold the families and loved ones of these two students in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time, Lexington 2 officials said.

Information about why the vehicle veered off I-26 was not available, but the crash continues to be investigated by the coroners office and the West Columbia Police Department.

Through Sept. 27, 727 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2023, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,091 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

At least 33 people have died in Lexington County crashes in 2023, according to DPS data. Last year, 53 deaths were reported in the county, DPS reported.
A woman was killed and another person was injured Sunday in an early-morning crash, according to South Carolina officials.

Shavonna Jones, a 27-year-old Winnsboro resident, died in the accident, Fairfield County Coroner Chris Hill said Monday.

The single-vehicle collision happened at about 2 a.m. in Fairfield County, said Master Trooper Gary Miller of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

A 2015 Ford Fusion was driving west on Blair Circle, and the car ran off the road near the intersection with Fagan Road, according to Miller. Thats in the Winnsboro area, near U.S. 321.

The car crashed into a utility pole and Jones, who was a front-seat passenger died, Miller said.

The driver was taken to an area hospital, according to Miller. Further information on the drivers condition was not available.

Miller said there were no other passengers and no other injuries were reported.

There was no word if either the driver or passenger were wearing seat belts.

An autopsy is scheduled with Newberry Pathology to confirm Jones cause of death, according to Hill.

Information about what caused the car to veer off the road was not available, but the crash remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol and coroners office.

Through Sept. 27, 727 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2023, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,091 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

At least nine people have died in Fairfield County crashes in 2023, according to DPS data. Last year, nine deaths were reported in the county, DPS reported.
As students across the country return to their classrooms, parents clearly support having options for which school their children will attend. Will they attend a traditional public school? A magnet school for science? Perhaps a public charter school in their neighborhood? These choices are good for children, good for parents and good for communities.

Yet many lawmakers, particularly Republicans, are using school choice language to siphon financial support away from public schools, both traditional and charter, and funnel it to parents who want taxpayer-funded subsidies for children who are already attending private schools. A budget approved by the North Carolina legislature this month will fund the second-largest private school voucher program in the country, with the state becoming the 10th to offer taxpayer-funded universal school choice to attend private schools.

Related

North Carolina to Launch Education Savings Accounts, With Up to $7,500 Per Child

The voucher-based version of school choice that many states are pursuing sends state resources to those who need it least and ignores the type of choice Americans overwhelmingly favor.

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A recent report from the nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities states that voucher programs often benefit those students already enrolled in private school. It points to studies in states such as Arizona, New Hampshire, Louisiana and Missouri showing that most voucher recipients either already attended private school or were homeschooled. Meanwhile, the barriers to entry to private schools means they remain out of reach for most low-income and middle-income families. The National Center for Learning Disabilities found that, on average, even with a voucher or tax incentive, parents still have to spend thousands of dollars to send their child to a private school.

These voucher programs rarely help low-income families in the way magnet schools or increased funding for traditional public schools would. Were proud that Georgia rejected private school voucher legislation this year. Democrats joined with rural Republicans to protect publicly funded schools from the cuts that would have come with a voucher program.Dont misconstrue our message  there is nothing wrong with parents who have the means sending their children to private schools. Yet, lawmakers in Florida, Iowa, Arkansas and Utah, in addition to North Carolina, all recently passed choice bills focused on sending public tax dollars to private schools at the expense of public schools  even though private schools are not held to the same standards as public schools under the law. Policymakers should follow the example of Georgia, not Florida, because the latter is not the school choice most families want.

Just because the GOP-backed voucher system is unfair does not mean Democrats should abandon discussion around school choice. Rather, Democrats must recognize that no choice is not an option either. For the past several decades, the American public has debated the issue of school choice, hashing out the issue in red and blue states alike.

Related

More States Using Taxpayer Dollars to Help Families Pay For Private School

At a recent meeting of state and local elected officials organized by NewDEAL Leaders, Democrats for Education Reform presented polling showing more than 70% of Democratic and Republican voters have a favorable opinion of nonprofit public charter schools. In fact, the favorability is 72% among Democrats and 70% among Republicans, while just 18% of both groups view the schools unfavorably. The option is especially popular among communities of color. When asked whether they viewed charter schools favorably or unfavorably, 80% of Black parents and 71% of Hispanic parents responded with a favorable opinion.

After years of experimentation, it is clear parents want the option of sending their child to a magnet or charter school. These are free, accountable to taxpayers and open to every child. They provide additional options beyond traditional public schools but must adhere to state education standards.

In the same DFER poll, voters preferred public school choice over private vouchers 62% to 38% margin.

At the same time, parents dont want to abandon investment in traditional public schools. They want high-quality teachers working in well-funded public school classrooms, filled with the equipment and resources needed to prepare the next generation to reach their full potential.

At a time when the Republican education agenda consists of vouchers and efforts like extremist book bans that fan the flames of culture wars, DFER polling still shows Democrats losing ground when voters are asked which party they trust more on education. Embracing public school choice can help remind parents, and all voters, why the party should be trusted on this issue.

Education has the potential to be the great equalizer in this nation. While nothing is a silver bullet for all of societys woes, high-quality K-12 education can be the springboard to opportunity and social mobility, including access to the postsecondary degrees and certifications that are critical to success in todays economy.

Real school choice, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, language-immersion schools and magnet schools, can ensure that parents have the chance to select the best options for their kids without seeing taxpayer money diverted to private schools that are not accountable for how they prepare their students.

As they did in Georgia, leaders around the nation can come together and demand the best possible education for students.

Democrats should push for open, equitable and public school choice options. This is the best choice for lawmakers, parents and, most importantly, students.
Editors note: Dean Obeidallah, a former attorney, is the host of SiriusXM radios daily program The Dean Obeidallah Show. Follow him on Threads at www.threads.net/@deanobeidallah. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN.

House Democrats prevented a federal government shutdown this weekend, with 209 voting in favor of the proposed stopgap spending bill to keep the federal government operating until mid-November. More than 40% (90 members) of the GOP House caucus voted against the measure after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced the plan Saturday morning.

Dean Obeidallah - CNN

After the Senate also passed the resolution on a bipartisan basis, President Joe Biden signed the stopgap bill shortly before funding was set to expire at midnight Saturday.

But now McCarthys speakership is in jeopardy because he turned to Democrats to keep the government open over the demands of people such as former President Donald Trump, who recently called for his supporters in Congress to defund the two federal prosecutions of him and shut down the government.

And on Sunday morning, Trump loyalist GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida announced that he will file  as he threatened to do if McCarthy ended up passing a funding bill with primarily Democratic support  a motion to remove McCarthy as speaker. I think we need to move on with new leadership that will be trustworthy, Gaetz said on CNNs State of the Union.

Responding to Gaetzs threat, McCarthy told CBS Face the Nation on Sunday, So be it, bring it on. Lets get over with it and lets start governing. If hes upset because he tried to push us in a shutdown and I made sure government didnt shut down, then lets have that fight.

Going through 15 rounds of votes in January to secure his job, McCarthy made a deal with hardliners in his caucus to change House rules so that just one member can advance whats known as a motion to vacate. If Gaetz does file a motion to vacate, a House vote could be taken to determine if McCarthy should remain as speaker.

If a majority of members present were to vote in favor of such a motion, McCarthy would be out. Given that the GOP controls the House by a slim majority, if all Democrats were to join with a handful of Republicans, McCarthy could lose his speakership. (Keep in mind that in every one of the 15 votes it took for McCarthy finally to be elected speaker, Democrats unanimously voted against him.)

The motion to vacate is a rarely used procedural tool, and no speaker has ever been removed with the passage of such a resolution.

But Gaetzs threat raises the question of whether House Democrats should play a role in trying to save McCarthys speakership the way they saved America from a government shutdown. The answer depends on what McCarthy would offer Democrats in exchange for helping him.

Democrats havent taken an official position. Responding to how his caucus should react if Democratic votes are needed to save McCarthys speakership, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told Talking Points Memo last week, Theres been no caucus discussions on the motion to vacate issue because thats political gamesmanship. That is part of the Republican civil war. Not our business. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi voiced a similar sentiment  let Republicans deal with the drama, according to Politico.

But other Democrats have been more open to the prospect. Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts perhaps summed it up perfectly when asked about a potential deal. If people want to talk to me about it, Im all ears. But Im not a cheap date, McGovern told The Messenger news website. Im not inclined to do anything to save Kevin McCarthy for nothing. Im an expensive date.

Many in the Democratic caucus appear skeptical of trying to save the House speaker. McCarthy  after first slamming Trump both publicly and privately in the weeks after the January 6, 2021, insurrection as bearing some responsibility for the attack on the US Capitol  has since become one of Trumps most vocal defenders, helping normalize him.

As Gaetz told CNN on Sunday: Look, the one thing everybody has in common is that nobody trusts Kevin McCarthy.

But Democrats are about delivering policies to help Americans.

And some House Democrats have even floated what could be the outlines of a deal.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Washington state Democrat who is chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, on Thursday noted at the outset, Nobody should rely on us to save McCarthy. But Jayapal added a deal could be reached to keep McCarthy as speaker if certain conditions were met.

There are things we can do in codifying the rules of the House that would give Hakeem Jeffries, our leadership, real power over the floor, over committees, etc., Jayapal told Talking Points Memo.

But Jayapal added that any deal would have to be part of new House rules because that is the only way we can trust McCarthy.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat and another leading progressive in the House, shared Friday on MSNBC that she had spoken to some fellow House Democrats open to a deal to keep McCarthy as speaker if he agreed to a 50-50 power sharing deal. Omar explained that such an agreement would mean Democrats holding 50% of House committees and a shared agreement on legislation brought to a vote.

But Omar made it clear she doesnt trust McCarthy. This is a man who really doesnt care about his constituents, doesnt care about the American people, she said before Saturdays vote. The only thing he cares about is satisfying Marjorie Taylor Greene and the crazies in his caucus, and not about his constituents and the American people.

If Democrats could reach a deal with McCarthy to co-chair House committees, have subpoena power to call witnesses  and most importantly  have the ability to bring legislation to the House floor for a vote, a deal should be made. But of course, such as deal must be codified in new House rules  not based on a handshake.

If not, then let McCarthy be removed if a motion to vacate is introduced and there is a vote on the resolution. And to those worried that Republicans would then pick a more extreme speaker, let them.

But Democrats should drive a hard bargain. And if a deal could be made to empower House Democrats to do just that, it would be a big win.

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In the last two years, the Supreme Court has dramatically moved constitutional law in a conservative direction. The court has overruled Roe vs. Wade, expanded gun rights, ended affirmative action by colleges and universities, found a 1st Amendment right of teachers to pray at school events, created an obligation of the government to subsidize religious schools when it provides funds to private secular schools, imposed a major limit on the authority of federal administrative agencies, and held that people have a 1st Amendment right to refuse to comply with anti-discrimination laws when it suits them.

These decisions were rendered by the most right-wing court since the 1930s, one determined to impose its own political agenda, without regard to earlier precedent or notions of judicial restraint.

Read more: Opinion: When is it wrong to urge social media platforms to take down false information?

The justices return on Monday for October Term 2023, which will be another year of major decisions. Although only about half the cases the court will hear in this term have been set, major cases on gun rights, administrative agencies and speech on the internet already on its docket will show how far the justices are willing to go to remake constitutional law.

Gun rights. Federal law makes it a crime for a person under a restraining order in a domestic violence case to possess a firearm. Zackey Rahimi, a Texas man, assaulted his girlfriend and threatened to shoot her if she told anyone about the assault. A Texas court entered a domestic violence restraining order against Rahimi and barred him from possessing a gun. About a year later, while the order was still in effect, Rahimi was a suspect in a series of shootings. Police officers searched his home with a warrant and found a pistol, a rifle and ammunition. Rahimi was convicted of violating the federal law and sentenced to six years in prison.

But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reversed his conviction and declared the federal law unconstitutional under the 2nd Amendment. In June 2022, in New York State Rifle and Pistol Assn. vs. Bruen, the Supreme Court ruled that gun regulations are permitted only if they are consistent with the nations historical tradition of firearm regulation.

Read more: Op-Ed: Forget history. Forget safety. The Supreme Court prizes unfettered gun rights above all else

A three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit reasoned that since there were no restrictions on firearms in domestic violence cases in 1791, the current federal law had to be struck down. This case provides the Supreme Court the chance to reconsider its bizarre notion that all modern-day gun laws should be governed by 18th century standards. If it doesnt, countless gun safety laws could fall because they did not exist 200 years ago.

Administrative agencies. The conservative justices have been obsessed with curtailing the power of federal administrative agencies. In the last two years, the court has struck down a federal regulation requiring COVID vaccinations in workplaces with more than 100 employees, denied the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants, and invalidated the Biden administrations student loan relief program that benefited 43 million Americans. In each instance, it was a 6-3 decision, with the conservative justices invalidating progressive federal regulations.

Again, this term, the court seems poised to weaken federal regulatory power. In Consumer Financial Protection Bureau vs. Community Financial Services Assn. of America Ltd., which will be argued on Oct. 3, the court will review a Fifth Circuit court decision declaring an entire agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, unconstitutional because it receives funding directly from the Federal Reserve rather than from yearly appropriations from Congress.

Read more: Op-Ed: Another devastating Supreme Court decision  this time for the environment and public safety

Another case which the court will hear this term, Securities and Exchange Commission vs. Jarkesy, could pose an even greater threat to administrative agencies. The Fifth Circuit court ruled that it was unconstitutional for the Securities and Exchange Commission to use administrative law judges to adjudicate fraud cases rather than having to go to federal court for jury trials. If the Supreme Court agrees, many federal agencies that use administrative law judges and similar proceedings would be greatly hindered in enforcing laws that protect consumers, small businesses, and health and safety.

Loper Bright Enterprises vs. Raimondo also could dramatically reduce agency power. Almost 40 years ago, in Chevron vs. Natural Resources Defense Council, the court ruled that federal courts should give deference to agencies when they are carrying out their authority under federal statutes. This means that when the Environmental Protection Agency is acting to enforce the Clean Air Act or the Clean Water Act, courts should defer to the agencys view of the law and what is needed to protect the environment. Businesses have long opposed the Chevron principle and want it overruled to limit the regulatory power of agencies. If the conservative justices do so, every type of federal regulation could be challenged.

Internet speech. On Friday, the Supreme Court granted review of two cases that concern whether states can regulate content on social media platforms. NetChoice vs. Attorney General of Florida and NetChoice vs. Paxton involve laws in Florida and Texas that prevent social media companies from engaging in content moderation or excluding some types of content.

Later this term, the court is likely to take up other crucial issues, such as whether the Food and Drug Administration had authority to approve mifepristone, a drug that is used to induce abortion; whether the Biden administration can encourage social media platforms to remove false content; and whether Donald Trump is disqualified from running for president by Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. With six conservatives, the effect of the courts rightward swing is only just beginning to be felt.

Erwin Chemerinsky is a contributing writer to Opinion and the dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law. His latest book is Worse Than Nothing: The Dangerous Fallacy of Originalism.

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In early July, a vote to fund the public missions of Penn State and our fellow state-related universities ended in a stalemate, falling six votes shy of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the Pennsylvania House. Nearly three months later, this funding for our Pennsylvania students remains unresolved, despite the states main budget bill  which is separate from Penn States funding bill  reaching the governors desk in August.

I cannot overstate the importance of state funding to Penn State, our students and our mission to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. I am urging lawmakers to return to Penn States appropriation and vote to approve funding for our university and ultimately our students. I have heard the call from some lawmakers who want additional accountability and transparency from state-related universities, and I am proposing a path forward.

At Penn State, general support from the state is used exclusively to support in-state tuition for Pennsylvania students and families, which last year saved our 42,000 Pennsylvania resident undergraduates an average of $15,000 each on tuition costs compared to their out-of-state peers. This discount is especially important at our 19 undergraduate Commonwealth Campuses, where 78% of our students are Pennsylvania residents.

In the absence of these critical funds, Penn State has temporarily redirected dollars from other sources  including delaying employee salary increases  to support the in-state tuition rate for the fall semester and maintain our commitment to our Pennsylvania students and their families. However, with student tuition and state dollars comprising the primary funding sources for our education budget, we cannot afford to subsidize in-state tuition for our Pennsylvania students indefinitely. It is crucial for Pennsylvania students that our lawmakers act now, with the promise of additional statewide action on accountability to come.

Penn State is committed to accountability

I believe strongly that Penn State and all public universities must continue to be accountable for how taxpayer dollars are spent and for showing a return on investment for our citizens. That is why I am calling on the General Assembly and the governor to work together with Penn State and all of Pennsylvanias public universities to design a performance-based funding model for higher education.

I have worked in states that distribute funds to public universities in this way, and it ensures that universities and states are working together on shared goals for workforce and economic development. I know Gov. Shapiro and many state legislators agree with this approach. Under a performance-based funding model, we ideally would grow the funding pie rather than just reallocate existing resources. And we would reward institutions with additional dollars for achieving agreed-upon metrics. In other states, those metrics include educating in-state students, supporting low-income and first-generation students, fostering studies in high-need career fields, and providing opportunities for traditionally underserved students, among others.

An effective and fair performance-based funding model should be flexible, and it must consider the unique mission and structure of each university. The model also must be simple, with clarity and transparency around what it is trying to accomplish, and the metrics must be aligned with the states needs and priorities. Above all, this must be a collaborative effort between lawmakers and the universities themselves, with all stakeholders having a seat at the table.

Penn State is taking action now

I believe that implementing performance-based funding will go a long way toward addressing concerns about accountability and transparency. While we await legislative action, however, I want to address this matter now. I have made the decision to proactively release an annual accountability report that will be publicly available by the end of October at a new webpage we have created: psu.edu/accountability.

The report and webpage will focus on the information our lawmakers and the public request most often, and that demonstrate Penn States value to Pennsylvania, informed by approaches taken in other states. This includes links to financial reports, campus safety reports, and key metrics such as enrollment, student graduation and retention rates, student demographics, alumni wages and more. While much of this information is already publicly available, we have consolidated it in one location and will update it regularly for quick and easy access by all.

A partnership that endures

I believe this is a pivotal time for public higher education in Pennsylvania. Our partnership with our fellow citizens and the commonwealth has endured for nearly 170 years because weve been willing to adapt to meet Pennsylvanias needs. Penn State remains eager to partner with the state to meet the challenges of today, and remains committed to accountability, and to demonstrating outcomes.

Together with our students and their families, we are depending on the General Assembly to fund our universitys public mission, as it has done for generations of Pennsylvanians. With the states support, we can continue to align our programs with the commonwealths economic priorities and provide the highly skilled workforce that is necessary for Pennsylvania to compete nationally and globally.

Neeli Bendapudi is the Penn State president.
An introduction to the thought of George Parkin Grant, thirty-five years since his passing (Part Two) By Mark Wegierski

web posted October 2, 2023 Gad Horowitz was an old-fashioned socialist in Canada, whose ideas somewhat overlapped with those of Grant. One way of understanding George Grant's view of the political spectrum is to use some of Marx's categories for the different types of societies -- feudal, capitalist, and socialist. The conservatism of George Grant may be seen as rooted in ideas somewhat reminiscent of feudalism, which are of course at odds with capitalism. Aristocracy, priesthood, kingship, honour, virtue, and so forth, are clearly in opposition to the values of the bourgeoisie -- rationalism and functionalism -- the supremacy of the cash-nexus. (For example, an aristocrat or gentleman who believed in high culture and self-cultivation would probably find it very soul-deadening if he were forced to work as a modern corporate manager -- or computer programmer.) Individualist liberalism and capitalism are virtually identical, and are opposed to both feudalism and socialism. The argument further becomes (in the so-called Hartz-Horowitz thesis) that socialism (this word is generally used by Gad Horowitz with the meaning of "social democracy", not of a Soviet-style regime) is a kind of modern "replacement" for feudalism, Toryism, conservatism, or what could be called premodern communitarian values. (If these latter terms are employed, in an implicitly Grantian fashion, to mean largely the same thing.) Where Canada comes into the picture is in the fact that it was established as a "Tory-touched remnant" society, i.e., it was founded by the Loyalists (or Tories -- supporters of the Monarchy), who were driven out of America as a result of the American Revolution. The English-Canadian Tories effectively made common cause with the Catholic French of Quebec, who were even more deeply organic. The Hartz-Horowitz thesis is that Canada, which was founded as a more feudal society than America, has the chance of a transition to socialism, as, under the impact of industrial progress, Toryism is "translated" into socialism. America, on the other hand, was founded as a pure individualist liberal society [1], and therefore is likely to remain purely liberal. Looking at the historical evidence, there have been no successful socialist third parties (or successful third parties of any kind) in America [2], unlike in Canada. George Grant would observe that it is rather ironic that today, America is considered as a bastion of conservatism, while Canada is considered as a more liberal and socialist oriented society. For a long period of Canadian history, it was the United States that appeared as the more liberal society, while it was Canada that was seen as the more conservative one. The War of 1812, for example, could be seen as the defence of a conservative and British-centred society against a more liberal American republicanism. Gad Horowitz, taking note of the fact that both real Tories and socialists share an opposition to liberalism-capitalism, suggests an alliance between the remnants of true Toryism in Canada, and the socialists, against the liberal, pro-American, pro-capitalist, "middle" grouping. Ultimately though, only socialism will have the strength to keep capitalism at bay, Horowitz believes. To be continued. Footnotes: [1] The partial exception to American individualist liberalism was the South  an exception that eventually was expunged by a savage, fratricidal war. However, it could be argued that traditional Canada was a more genuinely conservative society that (to a very great extent) avoided entanglements with slavery and racism. [2] That is, after the emergence of the Republican and Democratic "duopoly" whose ultimate origins can be traced to the mid-nineteenth century. Although the ideological configurations of the two parties have obviously been subject to highly drastic shifts since that time, the U.S. has continuously remained a two-party system. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home
Colombian President Gustavo Petro , right, gives a thumb's up alongside other presidents at the Andean Community Summit in Lima, Peru, Monday, August 29, 2022. (Martin Mejia / Associated Press)

In this turbulent time in Latin America, when the winds of populism and authoritarianism blow strongly from north to south, it is increasingly urgent to strengthen the intrinsic values of democracy. In the current maelstrom, when both left-wing and right-wing regional governments are cracking down on media freedom, it is mandatory to ask whether we can reverse this regional trend.

A few weeks ago I traveled to Bogota, the capital of Colombia, as part of an exchange program promoted by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), based in Washington, D.C. On this study trip I visited different media outletsboth traditional and alternativewhich allowed me to learn about the work they do and the challenges they face.

In Latin America, press freedom is suffering a progressive collapse. Just look at the recent report from the Paris-based organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF). In 2023, according to RSF, only a handful of Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, Argentina, Belize, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic, rank among the top 52 nations where the press is not operating under significant restrictions and attacks.

In nations where democracy is eroding, the actors who control the state impose their self-serving narratives. And journalists who challenge these narratives, who investigate and critically scrutinize the government's actions, are considered enemies, as Donald Trump has demonized the U.S. mainstream media.

This type of hostile environment caused 93 Nicaraguan journalists to go into exile in 2022 alone, and a total of 178 since 2018. Thirteen Guatemalan journalists have followed the same path; the esteemed journalist and director of the independent newspaper El Periodico, Jose Ruben Zamora, was sentenced earlier this year to six years in prison for alleged money laundering charges that he denied and human rights groups denounced as fraudulent. Since its creation in 1996, this medium had exposed widespread corruption in Guatemala. Its last digital edition was May 15.

Journalists live in a permanent state of threats and intimidation, Guatemalan journalist Julia Corado told an international media outlet.

During the mandate of Nayib Bukele, president of El Salvador, it has been reported that more than 10 journalists have gone into exile. In 2022, 125 attacks occurred against Salvadoran reporters, while a community journalist was imprisoned for 11 months, accused of illicit associations, a detention that occurred within the framework of the "emergency" regime that Bukele implemented in March 2022. Those measures have resulted in what human rights groups say are arbitrary arrests and human rights violations. More than 70,000 Salvadorans have been detained and imprisoned, including many innocent people, allegedly for being gang members.

In 2022, 13 Mexican and 7 Haitian journalists were murdered, making them the most dangerous nations to practice journalism, according to monitoring carried out by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), based in New York.

In Colombia, I was told during my visit, the media confront opposing realities. In the nation's capital there is virtually no censorship or threats against the media.

Here, the press is strong, we have very good journalists in all media. The press imposes its agenda," Daniel Pacheco, general editor of the digital news site La Silla Vacia, bluntly told me while discussing the oppressive conditions in El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

However, Colombia's regional media outlets face many pressures, according to the Foundation for Freedom of the Press (FLIP), based in Bogota. In the last four years, FLIP has documented an annual average of 200 threats against journalists, a number that has been increasing steadily. In 2022, there were 218 threats, eight cases of journalists being forced into exile, 20 physical attacks, 84 incidents of harassment and two murders of journalists, which occurred in the provinces of Cordoba and Narino.

What is happening inside Colombian territory is alarming, amid rising tensions between the left-wing President of the Republic, Gustavo Petro, and the national media. Nicolas Petro, son of the Colombian president, was arrested on July 29 and charged with money laundering and illicit enrichment, charges that he denies. His ex-wife, Daysuris Vasquez, also was arrested. The Colombian Attorney General's Office investigated the case after Vasquez accused Nicolas, in an interview with a magazine, of receiving 1,000 million pesos ($250,000) for his father's presidential campaign that were not reported. Colombian media have reported that the funds allegedly they came from the former drug trafficker Santander Lopesierra and businessman Alfonso Hilsaca, who has allegedly financed illegal groups and has been imprisoned on two occasions.

Two weeks later, a media outlet reported that a drug trafficker organized a celebration to support Petro's candidacy. The president described this investigation, documented by journalist Ricardo Calderon, as slanderous and false information in messages that he published on the social network X, formerly called Twitter. Calderon is a seasoned investigative journalist who in the last 25 years has revealed high-profile cases such as illegal police eavesdropping under the Alvaro Uribe administration. He also reported on the privileges of the military in the Tolemaida detention center during the mandate of Juan Manuel Santos, to name a few.

At least some Colombians approve of the media's aggressive coverage. It's good what the media does, thanks to journalistic work they arrested Petro's son, a woman told me on a cool afternoon in the north of Bogota.

Before assuming power, on August 7, 2022, Petro began to use Twitter very actively to make announcements and issue positions on current issues in Colombia. But, as president he has used the social platform to question the press. In January 2023 alone he made about 34 references to nine differnt media outlets.

The frequency with which the president disputes the press suggests a strategy to position his narrative and his agenda on networks. Likewise, he intends to sow doubt before the audience about the suitability of the media to do their job, FLIP lamented.

Pedro Viveros, a political analyst and columnist for the newspaper El Espectador, said that Petro's behavior corresponds to that of a populist leader.

When a politician is populist, the first thing he does is mess with the media, that is the way they guarantee an audience. If the president fights with the media, his political group, his mass of followers, will end up following him, which is almost half of the country, Viveros said in an interview with local media.

Abelardo Gomez, a university professor and general editor of the news portal La Cola de Rata, an independent digital media website dedicated since 2011 to regional investigations, said that this clash between the president and the press is a fight that "will leave many victims." At the same time, he points out that the Colombian media that are investigating the president are those that traditionally have represented the interests of the wealthiest economic groups.

Why now and not five years ago? Because he is a left-wing president and he is openly questioning the economic powers that are the true powers in Colombia?" Gomez told me in an phone interview. Petro is opposing the traditional powers.

The dispute is both harming press freedom and diminishing the president.

Automated social media accounts also are being used to attack the Colombian media, deployig publications that appear to be coordinated with the government's coalition of political parties. During the week of August 13-21, hashtags such as #CaracolMiente, #SemanaMiente, #ElCololombianoMiente, #RCNMiente and #ElTiempoMiente were trending on X, Tik Tok, Instagram and VK (Russian Facebook). Those tags were mentioned 3.1 million times during that period, according to tracking.

Political attacks on the media dovetail with a strategy to spread false information, says Raul Hinojosa, a UCLA professor of political science. Donald Trump and other populist leaders have used that strategy to condition supporters to accept whatever narratives they are told.

Populist leaders try to break critical dialogue, Hinojosa said. We cannot forget that Trump invented the concept of fake news and he did it knowing that he is the main liar."

As misinformation spreads and the cult of leaders increases, one consequence is that citizens become less interested in democracy. In Latin America, according to the latest Latinobarometro report, only 48% of the population supports democracy, a reduction of 15% compared to 2010 when support for democracy was 63%.

It is very difficult to have a society with a healthy democracy if that society does not enjoy freedom of the press, says Carolina Jimenez, director of the Washington Office on Latin American Affairs (WOLA). I would love to see the presidents of Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela talking about the importance of the press operating in an environment free of violence and with all guarantees.

That aspiration is transcendental. In the current regional context, it is urgent that democracy be strengthened to not allow incubators to be created where populist apprentices are nurtured.

And more than ever, journalists are needed to monitor power. As Javier Dario Restrepo, who was a teacher in journalistic ethics at the Gabo Foundation, founded by the Colombian Nobel Prize-winning author and journalist Gabriel Garcia Marquez, says, It is the duty of the journalist to protect his readers or recipients from the deception of power.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SAN DIEGO  Looking for a job? The United Parcel Service (UPS) is hiring more than 200 seasonal employees in the San Diego area ahead of the winter holidays.

Full- and part-time seasonal positions available include seasonal delivery drivers, Commercial Drivers License (CDL) drivers and package handlers, Steve Nagata with UPS said in a press release last week.

The pay rate for seasonal package handlers and driver helpers starts at $21 per hour while driving jobs begin at $23 per hour, the supply chain management company said.

According to UPS, nearly 80% of the openings do not require an interview.

New San Diego MLS team announces historic first for location of training facility

The companys streamlined digital application process now takes less than 20 minutes for most people  from filling out an online application to receiving a job offer, Nagata said.

The local hirings are among more than 100,000 openings nationally to support the anticipated annual increase in package volume, per UPS.

The company says 50,000 seasonal employees have stayed on permanently over the last two years.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Millennials with homes are an overlooked group in the student loan conversation, one economist argues.

Some millennials moved to the suburbs during the pandemic to take advantage of low mortgage rates.

These higher-income borrowers will not be able to access any financial relief when repaying their loans.

One group of borrowers will face a unique set of challenges in the face of a return to student loan debt repayments, which resume Sunday, a former Fed economist told The Wall Street Journal.

"It's going to hurt a cohort we don't talk about very much. It's millennials who left the city when the pandemic hit," Danielle DiMartino Booth, a former researcher at the Dallas Fed, told the Journal's Dion Rabouin.

Booth explained that millennials making between $100,000 and $225,000 who decided to take advantage of record-breaking low mortgage rates at the pandemic's beginning, buy homes, and settle in the suburbs will now have an extra financial burden. However, they will be the group that cannot access any student loan relief.

"They bought a house, they have a mortgage payment for the first time, they have a car payment for the first time, they're Googling property tax because they want to know who the bad guy is," Booth said. "Their homeowners insurance is going up  They're the ones who surprised the country and started repaying them in August because they knew that interest was going to resume in September. The people who cannot avoid repaying them, that begins in October."

Booth continued: "You're going to see household bankruptcies go through the roof. It's going to be biblical."

Millennials, as well as their younger Gen Z counterparts, are already facing a mountain of money burdens, including inflation , healthcare costs , and ever-increasing housing and car costs . Student loans will become an additional financial headache for those balancing their housing costs.

Conversely, student loan payments will also prevent younger borrowers from being able to afford homes in the least affordable housing market in US history.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Illinois residents who already owned high-powered guns when the state ban on those weapons took effect in January can begin registering their firearms this month with the Illinois State Police.

Prohibited guns owned prior to the ban were grandfathered in but owners are required to register the weapons by Jan. 1, 2024, under the measure signed into law on Jan. 10 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Violators can be charged with a misdemeanor for a first offense and felonies for subsequent violations.

Registration began Sunday and must be completed online through a firearm owners identification card account from the state polices Firearms Services Bureau website, www.ispfsb.com. Gun owners will need an email address, drivers license or state ID, and FOID card to create an account.

A video on how to register by submitting what is called an endorsement affidavit through a FOID card account was made available on the state police website on Sunday.

Gun owners will be required to list the make, model, caliber and serial number of their firearms in the affidavit, which will contain a warning that entering false information is punishable as perjury.

State police said there are roughly 2.4 million FOID card holders in Illinois. Its not known how many people possess guns that are now banned but would be grandfathered in under the law.

The states gun ban has been the subject of several legal challenges from gun rights advocates who argue it violates equal protection rights under the Illinois Constitution and the U.S. Constitutions Second Amendment.

A federal challenge on Second Amendment grounds is pending before a federal appeals court in Chicago. The ban has withstood state lawsuits, with the Illinois Supreme Court upholding the law in August.

How the laws gun registration requirements will be enforced remains to be seen. Earlier this year, an estimated 90 of Illinois 102 county sheriffs issued letters stating they believe that (the new gun law) is a clear violation of the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and that they wouldnt enforce it.

The gun ban, spurred by a mass shooting on the Fourth of July in 2022 in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens more injured, prohibits the delivery, sale, import and purchase of more than 100 so-called assault weapons in the form of semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and handguns. Also banned are the delivery, sale and purchase of high-capacity magazines of more than 10 rounds for long guns and 15 rounds for handguns.

Also, devices that increase the firing rates of a firearm, known as switches, to convert them from semi-automatic or automatic weapons, are covered by the ban. Someone in possession could face a felony count for each device.
A still image from St. Clair County Deputy Daniel Jehl's body camera of the shooting on Sept. 12, 2023 in Algonac. Jehl said Rocko was approaching him aggressively just before he shot him twice.

The owner of a dog who was shot and killed by a St. Clair County Sheriff's Office is demanding answers about why the shooting happened.

Maggie Meldrum said her dogs Rocko and Scarlet had gotten out of her house in Algonac and ran into a neighbor's yard on Sept. 12. Deputy Daniel Jehl responded to the neighborhood and attempted to lure the dogs into his car with food.

The shooting happened in an instant when Rocko ran up to Jehl while barking. As Jehl fired Rocko fell to his side.

Meldrum is now protesting the death of her dog, arguing the deputy acted rashly by shooting Rocko.

"He could have just waited until Animal Control arrived and left the dogs alone," Meldrum said.

Body camera footage obtained by the Times Herald through a Freedom of Information Act request shows Jehl was attempting to lure the dogs to him before the shooting. According to the incident report written by Jehl, he was attempting to get them into his patrol vehicle.

The Times Herald is choosing not to publish the body camera footage due to the graphic shooting of the dog.

Jehl first calls to the dogs, who are seen in a fenced yard. A bystander approaches and offers to get some food to help lure them out, to which Jehl is heard saying, "Yeah if you want, I guess."

After several unsuccessful attempts to call the dogs, Jehl checks his radio to ask how close the animal control officer is. A dispatcher tells him the officer is responding to a call in East China Township.

Rocko and Scarlet, Maggie Meldrum's dogs, are seen approaching St. Clair County Deputy Daniel Jehl in his body camera footage on Sept. 12, 2023 in Algonac.

The bystander returns with food and Jehl takes it to the backyard. Rocko, who is heard barking throughout the video approaches after several seconds.

Jehl was not facing the dogs when the altercation occurred. Rocko's body is visible making a sudden move toward Jehl when he steps back and pulls out his gun. Rocko is seen moving toward Jehl when he fires two shots, killing Rocko.

"The Cattle Dog was distancing himself, however, (he) eventually got within arms length and then charged twice at me, at which time two rounds of 9mm were discharged from my service weapon and the dog was deceased," Jehl wrote in a report on the shooting.

Meldrum said she does not believe Jehl needed to shoot Rocko, and is planning to protest outside the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office on Oct. 7. She said she wants the sheriff's office to discipline Jehl and/or have him undergo training.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up by a friend of Meldrum asking for funds to cover Rocko's cremation, a memorial and pay for signs for the protest.

"I want to stop this from happening to anyone else's dog," Meldrum said.

Sheriff Mat King said Rocko's death was unfortunate, but that Jehl felt he was in danger of being bitten before the shooting.

"We never want this type of outcome with a dog or any other animal," he said.

Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Owner plans protest after St. Clair County deputy shoots dog
Panda Express is celebrating 40 years, and in honor of its major milestone, the Chinese fast food company is venturing into uncharted territory: dessert.

In honor of its 40th anniversary, Panda Express has unveiled its first dessert item in the companys history.

Beginning now at locations across the country, customers can get their hands on fast food staple with a Chinese-inspired twist with Panda Express new Apple Pie Roll.

The sweet treat takes the classic fall flavors found in a traditional apple pie and presents it in a new and unique way. The all-American apple pie comes wrapped in a crisply, flaky wonton wrapper that one would find when eating a Chinese egg roll.

Panda Express has introduced its first-ever dessert menu item, the Apple Pie Roll, which can be found at stores nationwide.

Andrea Cherng, Chief Brand Officer at Panda Express, said the company is hopeful that the Apple Pie Roll will catch on and become as beloved as Pandas other entrees that helped popularize American Chinese food.

To celebrate the new dessert, Panda Express will be giving Apple Pie Rolls away for free to all members of the fast food companys rewards program, while supplies last.

Those interested in trying out the new dessert and want to take advantage of the giveaway will need to sign up on the Panda Express website, or download the Panda Express app.

Panda Express was founded in Glendale, California in 1983 and has continued to experiment with the well-known flavors that Americans have come to expect from the fast food company.

In September, the company launched a new limited-time entree across the country, and Panda has also experimented with variations on its beloved orange chicken recipe, offering an orange chicken sandwich at select locations in California.

Panda Express operates a test kitchen in Pasadena, where many entrees, sides  and now desserts  get introduced to the public for evaluation before the company decided to expand the product to the rest of its nearly 2,500 locations worldwide.

The Apple Pie Roll had a soft release in some stores in Southern California before becoming part of the nationwide menu.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A Modesto man, age 20, was killed Saturday afternoon when the all-terrain vehicle in which he was a passenger overturned in west Modesto, according to the California Highway Patrol. He was identified by the Stanislaus County Coroners Office on Monday as Sael Barocio.

A 14-year-old boy was driving a 2022 Can-Am off-road vehicle west on Chicago Avenue, west of South Carpenter Road, when he tried to do a U-turn and lost control, a CHP news release says.

The vehicle overturned, killing Barocio and resulting in minor injuries to two other male passengers, all of Modesto.

The crash was about 3:45 p.m. Passenger Jordan Hill, 19, was taken to Doctors Medical Center for treatment. Passenger Jared Lomeli, 21, was treated at the scene.

The driver was not injured, according to the CHP, and his name was withheld because he is a minor.

Drugs and alcohol are not considered to be factors in the crash.

In California, this ATV with its particular configuration is legal for off-road use only, CHP Modesto office spokesman Officer Tom Olsen said.
Paul Beasley Johnson sits at the defense table during a motion hearing before his 8/12 resentencing hearing begins in Bartow Fl. Friday July 26, 2019.

A man who spent more than four decades on Florida's death row for killing three people, including a Polk County sheriff's deputy, in January 1981 has died in prison.

Paul Beasley Johnson died Saturday at age 74 while receiving medical treatment at a hospital. He was in the custody of the Union County Correctional Institution, according to a news release from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Johnson was convicted in 1981 for the murders of William Evans, Ray Beasley and Polk Deputy Theron Burnham.

Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Theron Burnham, 27, was killed in January 1981 by Paul Beasley Johnson, the same night Johnson killed two others in a drug-fueled crime binge. Johnson spend four decades on death row but died Saturday at age 74.

Three innocent people were violently and viciously murdered that night in 1981 during an all-night, meth-induced crime spree, and I personally lost a good friend in Deputy Theron Burnham," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in the news release. "Johnson was captured by SWAT during a manhunt, and I had the pleasure of being one of two deputies to take him to jail. I am glad he hasnt enjoyed a day of freedom since then, but the truth is, he should have been executed by the State a long time ago.

"Ultimately though, there is one final judgment he has to face  and based on the kind of person he was, I doubt that goes well for him.

The violent string of events began shortly after midnight on Jan. 9, 1981. Johnson first robbed and fatally shot cab driver Evans, then set his car on fire.

In the shadow of death: A look at Polk County's death row inmates

Johnson then hitched a ride with Darrell Ray Beasley and Amy Reid. When he asked them to stop along Drane Field Road so he could relieve himself, he held Beasley at gunpoint outside the car. Johnson fatally shot Beasley as Reid jumped behind the wheel to seek help, calling the Sheriff's Office from a convenience store payphone.

Burnham heard the dispatch and headed for Drane Field Road, where he spotted Johnson running. Burnham, 27, went after him, they struggled, and Johnson got Burnhams service handgun. He left the deputy not far from the roadway, bleeding from two gunshot wounds to his leg and another to his shoulder that nicked a major artery. He bled to death before paramedics could get him to the hospital.

It was later determined that Burnham was shot with his own gun, and that gun was never recovered. Johnson was arrested a day later, apparently after telling friends he had shot the deputy.

Following his conviction in September 1981, Johnson was sentenced to death for the murders. But his conviction and sentence were thrown out on appeal. A second jury in 1988 reached the same verdict, and Johnson was again sentenced to death. Another appeal led to a third sentencing in 2013, but the outcome again was the same.

Information from Ledger archives was used in this report.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Paul Beasley Johnson, Polk County triple murderer, dies in prison at 74
This article was originally published in Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order last month to create a AI governing board for Pennsylvania that will guide the commonwealths use of generative artificial intelligence, including developing training programs for state employees.

We dont want to let AI happen to us, Shapiro said. We want to be part of helping develop AI for the betterment of our citizens.

The Sept. 20 order establishes a set of core values including privacy, safety, fairness, accuracy, and employee empowerment. It will be made up of senior administration officials and experts in the field, and begin meeting next week, the governor said.

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Shapiro signed the order at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, which will work with the AI governing board to guide the states use of the technology.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming nearly every sector of our economy, CMU President Farnam Jahanian said at the event. Im grateful to have a leader in Harrisburg that recognizes the potential and the urgency of this moment.

Shapiro and other state officials at the announcement stressed that the states use of AI wont replace human workers.

If we take the course that other states and countries have taken to completely ban AI for government purposes. were going to seriously lose out on the opportunity presented to us to improve government services for Pennsylvanians, Shapiro said. At the same time, know that AI will never replace the ingenuity, the creativity, and the lived experience of our outstanding workforce in the commonwealth. A tool, no matter how sophisticated, accomplishes nothing without a hand to wield it.

Related

Shockwaves & Innovations: How Nations Worldwide Are Dealing with AI in Education

As part of the executive order, the Shapiro administration will create a two-year fellowship program for post-bachelor, masters and doctoral candidates who will work on AI issues with state agencies.

Shapiro said Pennsylvania public safety agencies are working with AI experts to address the threats AI poses, and his administration is taking a multi-agency approach in protecting Pennsylvania consumers from potential AI security threats, such as fraud.

This executive order is the product of months of careful consideration and planning around AI with a belief that we need to embrace AI, not fear it, but we need to deploy it responsibly, he said.

Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kim Lyons for questions: info@penncapital-star.com. Follow Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Facebook and Twitter.
Pennsylvania residents will soon gain an hour when they set their clocks back at 2 a.m. Nov. 5 for the end of daylight saving time, which began in March.

But havent state legislators tried to end the practice of springing forward and falling back?

Lawmakers in the commonwealth have introduced many bills aiming to end clock-changing, and U.S. senators have tried, too. Heres what to know about the state of daylight saving time in Pennsylvania.

Daylight saving time legislation in Pennsylvania

A Pennsylvania Senate committee approved a resolution in April to urge the U.S. Congress to establish permanent daylight saving time, ABC 27 reported. State governments are unable to choose permanent daylight saving time, and such a change would require approval at the federal level.

The Pennsylvania legislature tried another tactic when lawmakers introduced a bill in 2021 that would end the use of daylight saving time in the commonwealth, but it was laid on the table in January 2022 and essentially died.

At least one Pennsylvania lawmaker has recently urged the U.S. Congress to make daylight saving time permanent.

Daylight saving time for 2023 will end on Nov. 5 with most Americans having to "fall back" for the biannual time change and turn their clocks back an hour. https://t.co/VguukrHy4U  CBS News (@CBSNews) September 24, 2023

These recent bills are far from the only effort to end clock-changing, and the U.S. Senate has signed off on similar legislation for the nation. So far, Hawaii and Arizona are the only states in the country that dont observe daylight saving time, and the Navajo Nation portion of Arizona does practice daylight saving.

The history of daylight saving

Daylight saving time was made a legal requirement by the Uniform Time Act of 1966, the U.S. Department of Transportations Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports.

State governments cannot independently change time zones or the length of daylight saving time, the department reports, but they can exempt themselves from daylight saving time.

States do not have the authority to choose to be on permanent Daylight Saving Time, the U.S. Department of Transportation website reads.

Next years daylight saving time will begin March 10, 2024.

How does daylight saving affect sleep?

While Pennsylvania residents will gain an hour Nov. 5, the time change might not actually translate to more sleep.

There is little evidence of extra sleep on the fall night when daylight saving ends, according to a 2013 article from the Sleep Medicine Reviews journal, and you might actually be losing rest.

The cumulative effect of five consecutive days of earlier rise times following the autumn change again suggests a net loss of sleep across the week, the articles abstract reads.

The end of daylight saving time has also been linked to other issues, such as increased collisions with deer, a 2022 article published by Current Biology reports.

While you might be less well-rested when the time changes this November, a March article from the Mayo Clinic Health System offers tips on how to reduce your sleep loss:

If you feel tired a few days after daylight saving time ends, take a 15-to 20-minute nap in the early afternoon.

Assess whether naps are helpful to you. Napping can hurt nighttime sleep for some people, while others may benefit from short naps.

Make an effort to be well-rested before the time changes.
Good riddance, Gen. Woke Milley

By Mark Alexander

web posted October 2, 2023

I take a fair amount of ribbing over a shared name, having doled out a fair amount of well-earned criticism in the direction of Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Alexander Milley. No relation, thank you very much. That friendly agitation resurfaced three weeks ago from colleagues at the White House celebrating our friend Larry Taylor at his long-overdue Medal of Honor ceremony.

Unlike Joe Biden, who left the ceremony early to avoid any respectfully challenging questions that might pop up about his abysmally failed tenure as commander-in-chief, Milley and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stayed for the reception. I give them due credit for honoring Larry, but Biden, Austin, and Milley are the "three strategic stooges" of our nation's badly fractured frontlines of security and defense.

Milley retired at the end of last week, and not a New York second too soon.

A consummate Massachusetts blue-stater indoctrinated with unmitigated arrogance at Princeton and Columbia, Milley had previously served under the very capable leadership of former CJCS Gen. Joseph Dunford (USMC), who was appointed to that post by Donald Trump in May 2017. Trump nominated Milley to replace Dunford in 2019, despite the fact that then-Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Chairman Dunford recommended Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein  who would have been a much better choice.

In terms of bad decisions, I would rank the Milley appointment only a few notches under Trump's disastrous decision to empower Anthony Fauci with full authority over our nation's domestic response to the ChiCom Virus pandemic.

The tenuous Trump/Milley relationship ended abruptly with the disgraceful post-2020 election J6 riots, with Milley having described Trump's effort to overturn the election as "a Reichstag moment" and calling Trump's erroneous statements about electoral fraud "the gospel of the Fuhrer." ("Erroneous," I note again, only because Trump missed the point  the real election subterfuge was the Demos' massive bulk-mail ballot fraud.)

Milley is proud of the comparison between his then-commander-in-chief boss Trump and Hitler.

Milley believed himself then to be the protector of our Constitution against domestic enemy Trump, according to a glowing tribute by leftist Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg. "A plain reading of the record shows that in the chaotic period before and after the 2020 election, Milley did as much as, or more than, any other American to defend the constitutional order, to prevent the military from being deployed against the American people, and to forestall the eruption of wars with America's nuclear-armed adversaries," gushes "true believer" Goldberg. Despite that assessment, Milley recently conceded that he never received any "illegal order" from Trump.

Like Austin's military service record, prior to Biden retaining Milley as his CJCS, Milley's service record was admirable. But the true test of both Austin's and Milley's character and integrity, and their ability as military leaders, was on full display during Biden's surrender and retreat from Afghanistan. And their failure cost a lot of lives, including 13 American Patriots at Kabul Airport and 10 civilians days later in their mistaken retaliation effort.

There is no accounting for the number of men, women, and children slaughtered after Milley and Austin abandoned the country to terrorist Taliban control, leaving countless allied Afghan personnel and their families to be tortured and murdered.

Milley says he told Biden that they needed to leave troops on the ground as the U.S. retreated, which is to say basically do what Trump's plan called for if the Taliban failed to meet their obligations. He declared in Senate testimony after the fall of Kabul, "My assessment was, back in the fall of '20, and remained consistent throughout, that we should keep a steady state of 2,500  and it could bounce up to 3,500  or maybe something like that."

But when asked by Sen. Tom Cotton, who is both an Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, why he did not resign in protest instead of carrying out Biden's plan, Milley responded: "It would be an incredible act of political defiance for a commissioned officer to just resign because my advice is not taken. This country doesn't want generals figuring out what orders we're going to accept and do or not. That's not our job."

Well, no. It would have been an act of the highest integrity and honor, and that was your job.

Moreover, five weeks before Milley's deadly Afghanistan debacle, we called for his resignation.

At the time, it was because Milley had apparently found lots of orders he was pleased to carry out  including being the chief military advocate for all of Biden's woke agenda orders pertaining to diversity and social justice, which are having a devastating impact on military readiness. Milley enforced Biden's CRT agenda, executed his faux "white supremacist" military witch hunt, and instituted Biden's military vaccination mandate.

He basically converted the Department of Defense into Biden's pet Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Asked last week by CNN leftist Fareed Zakaria if our military is "too woke," he responded: "No, not at all, this military is a lot of things, but woke, it's not." He then added, "And I'm not sure what that word truly means." He is so steeped in Biden's agenda that he can't even define "woke."

We should all be concerned about government waste, but there is no waste more costly than military morale, and Milley's enforcement of Biden's military policies constitutes a dereliction of duty second to none.

As Austin and Milley blundered out of Afghanistan, notable military analyst Gen. B.B. Bell (USA, Ret.) called for their resignation, asking rhetorically, "How is it possible, even conceivable, that our nation's president and commander-in-chief could cave to the Taliban and order the removal of all U.S. military personnel from Afghanistan, while leaving American citizens and our Afghan partners at the mercy of the barbaric terrorists?" He added: "SecDef Lloyd Austin to Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley to the senior commanders at Central Command, should have long since resigned in protest. To date, not one of them has tendered their resignation  zero. Stunning."

And Afghanistan was just the warmup. Vladimir Putin knew he had nothing to fear when he marched into Ukraine six months later.

As for Milley's legacy now, it can be summed up in one word: "disgrace."

All being said, Milley's departure will not be a net plus. At least his ineptitude and capacity for using our military as a petri dish for Biden's woke agenda was known.

Predictably, Biden's puppeteers elevated and the Senate quickly confirmed Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Brown, whose record of race-based promotions is well established. He used his Air Force tenure to promote DEI.

Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post.
If Browards mindset was to find a better way to spray and defeat mosquitoes, then its marking a milestone in the skeeter battle.

After about a year of tinkering and refining plans, a team of county engineers, as well as mechanics, created a system to reduce liquid mosquito spray into particles  to reach the perfect droplet size.

The atomizer breaks the spray into the right-sized pieces to help them go farther. The droplets cant be too large or they would fall to the ground, and they cant be too small or they would travel too far once they hit the wind and take too long to reach their destination, making them less effective.

When I see something we do is beneficial to the community, thats what pushes me forward, said Adriana Toro, the assistant director of the Browards Highway & Bridge Maintenance Division, who dreamed up the invention in 2016 when there was widespread concern about the Zika virus. Toro is a materials engineer and civil engineer and used her expertise to fight the mosquito-causing calamity.

The spray now has a better chance of breezing through the air to go over fences, under trees and into rooftop gutters, all the places where the dangerous breed of mosquitoes called Aedes (a Greek word that means unpleasant) aegypti lay their eggs. Its the predominant type of mosquito in South Florida and a vector of several viruses including yellow fever virus, dengue virus, chikungunya, and Zika virus.

Securing a patent

Their invention, which sits on the back of a pickup, with a large tank of the larvae spray, was granted a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in August. It is called the System, Method and an Apparatus for Spraying Insect Control Substances.

Its not a cool name, admits Anh Ton, director of Browards Highway & Bridge Maintenance Division, a division of the countys Public Works Department, which oversees its Mosquito Control Division.

The county now has three of the machines and it hits the streets when workers identify a high concentration in an area using mosquito traps that are discreetly placed in backyards, with permission.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention call mosquitoes the worlds deadliest animal because the diseases they transmit are responsible for more than 700,000 deaths worldwide every year.

The Florida Department of Health releases a weekly report of mosquito-borne viruses. According to the most recent report, Sept. 17-23, there were eight cases of locally acquired dengue reported. Throughout the year, there were 31 cases of locally acquired dengue reported, including Broward County. Although the report doesnt blame which mosquito, it is the Aedes aegypti thats more common for urban areas, according to a spokesman.

Refining the system

The idea was the brainchild of county engineers, led by Assistant Director Toro, who hand-sketched their vision. The staff used pumps, valves and nozzles until the mosquito spray reached the ideal size, which is the diameter of a human hair.

Ton said in addition to being more effective, it will mean less cost and waste because it uses less mosquito spray to cover the same geographical area.

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Until now, the means of spraying has been by airplane, but thats not perfect because it drops on an area whether all residents want it or not, and trees could get in the way.

There also are backpack sprayers  a worker carrying the arsenal on his back who goes to one house at a time  but it takes an army of people, Ton said. We dont have an army of people.

The worker on foot would need to work a 10-hour day to cover 10 homes, but the machine could reach 100 homes in less than two hours from the back of the truck going at about 10 mph, Ton said. The magic is to get it in peoples backyards, Ton said.

The best results will be when wind conditions are just right at a range of 5 mph to 25 mph, and there is no rain, he said.

The larvicide spray, approved by the World Health Organization, is not harmful to humans, pets, or beneficial insects such as bees.

Dr. Aileen Marty, an expert in infectious disease with Florida International University, was enthusiastic about the new process. She said there are tons of different ways to spray that kill adult mosquitoes but not that target the mosquito at the larval stage.

Thats fantastic, she said, of both the greater area the spray could cover and the cost savings by both plane and by hand.

With this fine mist (they can) get to a lot of small places where these mosquitoes can breed, she said. That could include anything, like a container that has been left outside and that gather water.

And people wont see all of those hard-to-reach sites, which could also include pool toys or trees with holes where rainwater gets trapped: Its very hard for humans to find all those sources of water, she said.

Ton said it will only target Aedes aegypti larvae and not the good mosquitoes that is vital to the bat population.

Now Broward might be in a position to not only be able to get a better handle on killing mosquitoes, but making money, too, as it dreams of getting the 3,000-pound invention of the blower and the atomizer made of steel, aluminum and plastic it to counties and municipalities across this nation, said County Mayor Lamar Fisher.

We look forward to sharing, and at the same time, How can we be financially rewarded with this opportunity as well?' he said.

Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Twitter @LisaHuriash
(KRON)  A person is missing off the California coast after what witnesses say may have been a shark attack.

Rescue crews responded to the area of Wildcat Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore, roughly 40 miles north of San Francisco, on Sunday after receiving a missing person report, according to the Marin County Sheriffs Office.

Friends of the missing person reported to authorities they had seen a shark and blood in the water in the area where they last spotted their friend.

At this time, officials have not confirmed a shark attack occurred.

Point Reyes NPS first reported the active search on X at noon on Oct. 1. Personnel from the National Park Service, as well as jet skis, helicopters, and fire engines from surrounding agencies, responded to the search.

The U.S. Coast Guard reportedly called off the search early Monday morning, but no additional information has been released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Peter Pacillas was named the permanent chief of the El Paso Police Department after a six-month, nationwide search.

Pacillas, a longtime assistant chief with the EPPD, served as the interim police chief during the executive leadership search.

"It is truly humbling to be selected to work for the finest police department in the United States," Pacillas said. "To the community of El Paso, it's a very diverse community, and what I have seen in my career is that a lot (of) times what happens is we have in any human endeavor where we are all talking at each other, what we need to start doing is working together and listening to each other.

"We need to start listening and coming up with solutions to very complex problems. Our community is diverse, but El Paso sits in a very unique opportunity, where we are right now, to set the example for the rest of the nation of how we do things as a community. We proved it on Aug. 3. We proved it during the pandemic and we're proving it right now with the migrant issues that we are seeing ... We come together as a community."

City Manager Cary Westin, joined by Mayor Oscar Leeser , announced Pacillas' promotion as the city's top law enforcement leader during a news conference Oct. 2.

"As an elected official, our No. 1 priority has always been public safety," Leeser said, "and public safety, whether we are talking about the asylum-seekers, which is something we see every day within our community ... it's also continuing to making sure our community stays safe, make sure we have integrity within the police department and all departments within our city."

He called selecting a police chief one the biggest decisions a community makes. Leeser said Pacillas is replacing a police chief who was a legend within the police department and who led by example.

"Chief Pacillas will do the same thing," the mayor said, "but also lead with his own style."

The search for a new police chief kicked off earlier this year following the unexpected death of longtime El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen in January. Allen was named police chief in 2008.

Peter Pacillas, one of four finalists, was promoted to El Paso police chief. The longtime assistant chief with EPPD had served as interim chief following the unexpected death of Police Chief Greg Allen.

Allen led the department for 16 years and was considered an "officer's chief." The former chief seldom held news conferences or communicated directly with the public on policing challenges at home and in the United States.

The police department has about 1,100 sworn officers and about 270 civilian employees. It has five regional commands and operates on a $192 million annual budget.

Community advocates have called for more transparency within the police department.

Since Allen's death, the department has been plagued with controversy, including arrests for sexual harassment, DWI and misconduct related to preventing an officer's arrest. The incidents seem to signal problems with the culture within the department.

Executive recruitment firm Stategic Government Resources was brought on to head up the search, which began with what Westin called meetings with "a large cross-section of (the) community to give ... feedback on the key characteristics and attributes that this community is looking for in the next police chief."

SGR's search yielded 25 applicants across 11 states. Of the four finalists announced in late-August, three had longstanding ties to the El Paso Police Department.

The four finalists were presented to the public during a meet-and-greet last month at the El Paso Museum of Art. During the event, El Paso reporters were directed not to interview the four candidates while outside activists with Border Network for Human Rights protested the event over the lack of transparency during the selection process.

"The reason we're not inside is because we disagree with the process that is happening inside," BNHR Executive Director Fernando Garcia said during the Sept. 16 protest. "It lacks transparency and accountability  it's not something we were expecting out of this important of a decision, so we are expressing our opinion ... that this process is not complete and it's not going to work."

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Peter Pacillas named new El Paso police chief
Robert Fico s Direction  Social Democracy (Smer) has secured victory in the latest Slovak

elections with 23% of the vote.

Ex-Prime Minister Fico, who expressed dissatisfaction with his countrys support of

neighboring Ukraine, has an open road to a third stint as the countrys prime minister. Yet,

despite winning the elections on an openly anti-Ukrainian platform, little will change for Kyiv.

If Fico becomes prime minister, heading a likely euro-skeptic coalition, little will be done to

change Slovaks foreign policy, with the emphasis being placed on domestic issues and

political opponents back home.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Slovakia emerged as one of Kyivs

staunchest supporters.

A country of 5.5 million people with a less-than-average economic output may not match the financial and military contributions of global or regional powerhouses like the U.S. and the U.K., but it is still undeniable that the nation has been punching above its weight.

Slovakia has offered refuge to nearly 200,000 Ukrainians, is an unflinching supporter of

economic sanctions against Russia, and has made substantial military contributions in both

practical and symbolic terms.

During the early stages of the war, when many countries hesitated due to the fear of

escalation, Slovakia provided Ukraine with a vital S-300 air defense system. Subsequently, by donating its remaining MiG-29 supersonic fighter jets, Slovakia set a precedent for others to increase the supply of heavier weaponry to Ukraine.

However, the countrys strong pro-Ukrainian stance may soon see its end.

Read also: Fico wins Slovak election on pro-Russian, populist platform

On Sept. 30, Slovakia held a snap parliamentary election that saw the Euro-skeptic parties

take the upper hand over the previously ruling Ukraine-friendly coalition.

The snap election was called after the collapse of the previous government in mid-December

as a result of a series of external and internal troubles and political mismanagement by the

overwhelmingly unpopular government led by the populist but pro-Western Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OLaNO) party.

The governing OLaNO party received only 9% of the vote, which is set to transform into 16

seats in the 150-seated parliament.

The Euro-skeptic Smer is set to receive 42 seats, the runner-up Progressive Slovakia, a

liberal party led by Vice President of the European Parliament Michal Simecka, secured 18%

or 32 seats, while the kingmaker Hlas (Voice) party, led by former Prime Minister Peter

Pellegrini, received under 15% of the vote or 27 seats.

The pro-European conservative Christian Democratic Movement received 6.8% or 12 seats,

the liberal Freedom and Solidarity (SASKA) party received 6.3% or 11 seats, and the far-right

Slovak National Party gained 10 seats.

Michal Simecka, leader of the Progressive Slovakia (PS) political party, speaks to the media after Slovak parliamentary elections on Oct. 1, 2023 in Bratislava, Slovakia. (Zuzana Gogova/Getty Images)

The two camps that competed for the voters attention could have hardly been different.

Fico, a 60-year-old three-time former prime minister, led a socially conservative, nominally eurosocialist, but in reality populist, euro-skeptic, and pro-Russian party with far-right overtones.

Ficos governments were marked by notorious corruption, and a number of his former

officials were convicted of misusing public funds and obstructing justice. His return is thus

viewed also as an attempt to overturn court decisions and seek revenge on those who

instigated them.

In contrast, Simecka, 39, has been the face of a progressive-liberal, centrist, strongly pro-

European, pro-Western camp, pledging unwavering support for Ukraine.

Now, all attention is on Hlas, which split from Smer three years ago.

Pellegrini was once a strong contender for the prime ministers post, and while this is now a

very distant possibility, no government can be formed without his partys support.

After the election, Pellegrini didnt show support for any of the two camps despite being

ideologically closer to Ficos Smer.

The most likely coallition of Smer, Hlas and the Slovak National Party together would have a narrow majority of 77 seats.

Now, for Fico, the question is whether he will make good on his promise not only to curb certain civic liberties pertaining mostly to NGOs, return to his practice of obstructing justice,

exact revenge upon his enemies, but also to prevent any further assistance to Ukraine,

political, economic and military.

Concerns are real. It is actually safe to say that Fico personally despises Ukraine as a country, and it is no overstatement to say he hates its political leadership.

He makes no qualms about it, calling Ukrainian politicians liars, disseminating Moscow propaganda concerning Ukrainian Nazis, repeating outlandish claims about Kyivs perpetrated genocide in the Donbas, claiming that it is impossible for nuclear power to lose a conventional war and promising not to provide Ukraine a single bullet.

However, there are certain rather strong counter-arguments that Fico will be able to change

Slovak foreign alignments.

First, Slovakia has already provided Ukraine with most of its military materiel, which it could possibly spare.

Second, even if Smer leads the country, it will be either politically or

financially reliant on both domestic and foreign partners.

Third, for all the talk Fico has about ineffective sanctions and his preference to return to

business as usual, including reinstating Russia as a major gas and oil supplier, this will not be a matter of domestic decision and will be decided in Brussels, not in Bratislava.

Slovakia has diversified its sources of gas and will likely do the same for oil, and any significant changes in these areas would necessitate agreement with European partners.

Similar considerations apply to the import of grain. While Slovakia was one of the countries

to prolong the ban on the import of Ukrainian wheat without EU consent, a common solution to overcome this obstacle is already in the works.

Nine days before the election, Kyiv and Bratislava agreed on a licensing system to replace the unilateral agricultural ban.

The main question thus is: will Fico be willing to take part in these solutions, or will he disrupt them?

There is some indication from his past. He always claimed to oppose Brussels, much less Washington, however, he has shown pragmatism in the past.

In the wake of the 2006 election, he pledged to withdraw Slovak troops from Iraq, which he truly did  and deployed much more troops in Afghanistan. Needless to say, for Western allies, this was the most convenient way to fulfill promises without straining partnerships.

Throughout Ficos career, we have seen tens of such compromises, not least the one when he personally helped to reverse gas flow from Slovakia to Ukraine in 2014 after Russia occupied Ukraines coal-rich parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

Fico is a domestic political powermonger rather than a cultural campaigner like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, with whom he is often compared.

Read also: Exclusive: New insights point to Hungarys collaboration with Moscow on transfer of Ukrainian POWs

Does he wish to settle the score with his domestic opponents? Sure he does. Is he willing to stretch himself to harm Ukraine against the Western consensus? Most likely not.

All of the above means that in case Ficos Smer actually forms a government, he will have a lot to do domestically and not much political capital to spare on anti-Ukrainian affairs.

True, he will do absolutely nothing to promote the Ukrainian cause, will continue to talk about Ukraine in the most despicable terms, and call for peace, by which he means to succumb to Russian demands.

But will he have the power and will to exert himself and to make a tiny and financially dependent Slovakia a game changer for Ukraines struggle to maintain its independence and regain occupied territories?

Not so much.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Philadelphia journalist and advocate Josh Kruger was shot and killed at his home early Monday morning, according to police.

No weapons were recovered and there have been no arrests, a statement from police says.

Kruger, 39, was shot seven times in the chest and abdomen at his Point Breeze home at around 1:28 a.m., police said. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Most recently, Kruger had worked as a journalist covering issues like LGBTQ+ rights, homelessness, HIV and addiction in publications like The Philadelphia Citizen and The Philadelphia Inquirer. One of his most recent stories was a tribute to JoAnne Epps, the president of Temple University, who died in September.

We are shocked and saddened by Joshs death, said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney in a statement provided to CNN.

Josh cared deeply about our city and its residents, which was evident both in his public service and in his writing, said the mayor. His intelligence, creativity, passion, and wit shone bright in everything that he did  and his light was dimmed much too soon. We were exceedingly fortunate to call him a colleague and our prayers are with everyone who knew and loved him.

His work built on his own personal experiences living with HIV and experiencing homelessness, according to his LinkedIn profile. In his profile, he described himself as a destroyer of stigma and bureaucratic silos and a believer in the common good. He also used social media as a platform to write about his own experience surviving addiction and continuing to work with people dealing with addiction in Philadelphia.

Kruger was shot seven times at his home in Point Breeze, a neighborhood in South Philadelphia. - From Josh Kruger

Kruger also worked for the City of Philadelphia for five years, according to his website and LinkedIn. He worked with the Department of Public Health as well as the Office of Homeless Services and Office of the Mayor.

Senator John Fetterman called Krugers death a devastating loss in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Josh cared deeply about Philly and fiercely advocated for the most vulnerable communities through his journalism, the senator wrote. He will be sorely missed.

In a statement, District Attorney Larry Krasner said Kruger lifted up the most vulnerable and stigmatized people in our communities  particularly unhoused people living with addiction.

As an openly queer writer who wrote about his own journey surviving substance use disorder and homelessness, it was encouraging to see Josh join the Kenney administration as a spokesperson for the Office of Homeless Services, Krasner said.

As with all homicides, we will be in close contact with the Philadelphia Police as they work to identify the person or persons responsible so that they can be held to account in a court of law, the district attorney said.

In 2014 and 2015, Kruger won the Society of Professional Journalists award for newspaper commentary in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania state Sen. Nikil Saval wrote on X he was sick over this horrible news.

Josh Kruger fought for housing justice as a public servant and journalist, he had so much more to do, wrote Saval. Sending love to his family and everyone close to him.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A noted Philadelphia journalist was killed overnight by an intruder who entered his two-story townhouse and shot him seven times throughout the chest and abdomen, authorities confirmed to The Daily Beast.

The victim was identified as Josh Kruger, Officer Shawn Ritchie, a spokesman for the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), said in an emailed statement.

A PPD incident report says the homicide by shooting occurred Monday at 1:28 a.m. inside Krugers home on Watkins Street. Paramedics transported the 39-year-old Kruger to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 2:13 a.m., according to the report. No weapons were recovered at the scene, and police have not made any arrests, it says.

Police responded to reports of gunshots and screams, and found Kruger lying in the street outside his house, Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore told The Philadelphia Inquirer. Investigators believe Kruger was shot at the base of the interior stairs, then collapsed after running outside to seek help, according to Vanore.

Either the [front] door was open, or the offender knew how to get the door open, Vanore said. We just dont know yet.

The motive for the shooting is unknown. However, Kruger had been threatened by an unknown woman who appeared at his front door two weeks ago, calling herself Lady Diabla, the She-Devil of the Streets, the Inquirer reported. She was looking for her boyfriend, who was someone Kruger had never met, Kruger wrote in a Facebook post.

Friends and colleagues were devastated to learn of Krugers death. One journalist who recently worked with Kruger told The Daily Beast they were still trying to fully process the news.

Kruger deftly balanced sensitive reporting with a rich sense of humor, and wrote on his website that he was proud that his work had spurred government into action and shed light on communities and issues sometimes overlooked by traditional media.

Described as a radical homosexual activist and an effeminate man-child by critics, Josh Kruger is a writer and communications expert known for weaving his unique lived experience with homelessness, HIV, Philadelphias street economy, trauma, and poverty throughout his commentary and writing, Krugers bio read. ... He is a cat person and hates driving in cars, preferring to bicycle or ride trains.

Kruger spent five years working as a City Hall spokesman and returned to journalism full time in 2021. His work appeared in the Inquirer, The Philadelphia Citizen, and LGBTQ Nation, among others.

The police investigation is ongoing.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Josh Kruger, a Philadelphia journalist and activist, was shot and killed inside his home in the Point Breeze neighborhood early Monday morning, police said. The shooting happened shortly before 1:30 a.m. in the 2300 block of Watkins Street.

Kruger, 39, was shot seven times, according to police. He was taken to an area hospital, where he later died.

Police have not made any arrests and no weapons were recovered.

Jaz Brown heard the gunshots and screams of her neighbor, Kruger, outside their door early Monday morning.

"Josh was calling for help and I called the police to make sure they'd come out for them," Brown said.

Kruger overcame homelessness and addiction to work for five years in city government, handling Mayor Jim Kenney's social media and serving as the communications director for the city's Office of Homeless Services.

He left city government in 2021 to return to journalism, according to his website. He wrote for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Weekly, Philadelphia City Paper and other publications.

"He was more than just a journalist," said Kendall Stephens, who was a friend and neighbor of Kruger's. "He was more than just a community member. He was somebody that fought that great fight so many of us are not able to fight that fight because we're too busy sheltered in our own homes wondering if someone is going to knock down our doors and kill us the same way they killed him. The same way they tried to kill me. And we're tired of it."

Kenney said in a statement that he is "shocked and saddened" by Kruger's death.

"[Kruger] cared deeply about our city and its residents, which was evident in his public service and writing," Kenney said in a statement. "Our administration was fortunate to call him a colleague, and our prayers are with everyone who knew him."

On his website, Kruger described himself as a cat person who "hates driving cars, preferring to bicycle or ride trains."

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a statement that "Josh deserved to write the ending of his personal story."

"Josh Kruger lifted up the most vulnerable and stigmatized people in our communities -- particularly unhoused people living with addiction," Krasner said. "As an openly queer writer who wrote about his own journey surviving substance use disorder and homelessness, it was encouraging to see Josh join the Kenney administration as a spokesperson for the Office of Homeless Services."

The DA's LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee said Kruger never stopped fighting for Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ community.

"Many of us knew Josh Kruger as a comrade who never stopped advocating for queer Philadelphians living on the margins of society," the committee said in a statement. "His struggles mirrored so many of ours -- from community rejection to homelessness, to addiction, to living with HIV, to poverty -- and his recovery, survival, and successes showed what's possible when politicians and elected leaders reject bigotry and work affirmatively to uplift all people."

Friends and neighbors of Kruger are devastated. They said he was a force for change who lived out the words he wrote to give voice to the voiceless.

"This is a shock to the system. A shock to the community," Stephens said.

"I am so upset. I can barely think straight," Stephens added. "He was loved by so many people. He didn't deserve what happened to him. Someone in your house and someone can just barge in a kill you. And for what!?"

Kruger was there for Stephens, a trans woman, after she was attacked outside of her home just blocks away in 2020.

"When I was a victim of a hate crime, he was one of the first people to be neighborly and come over and provide support. Kind words. At that time I feared for my safety. I feared people would come back again," Stephens said.

The two shared a common bond - both activists for the LGBTQ+ community.

"We admired each other because I was an activist on the front lines with my blow horn but he used journalism as a form of activism," Stephens said. "He used journalism as a way to speak about the societal ills that affect our most vulnerable communities and he cared so deeply about the communities."

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Tropical Storm Philippe is expected to become a Category 1 hurricane later this week with top winds of 85 mph, while a weakening Rina was downgraded to a tropical depression on Sunday.

The two neighboring tropical systems had interacted last week in an uncommon phenomenon in the Atlantic. The Fujiwhara Effect is a binary interaction where two tropical cyclones within 345 miles to about 860 miles of each other start to spin around a common point, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The bigger of the two sometimes absorbs the smaller storm, or the smaller storm will satellite around the bigger, Craig Setzer, a hurricane preparedness specialist, said.

The National Hurricane Center describes the Fujiwhara Effect as an intense dance around their common center. The smaller storm, after orbiting the bigger, can eventually come crashing into its vortex and be absorbed.

Two storms closer in strength can gravitate towards each other until they reach a common point and merge, or merely spin each other around for a while before shooting off on their own paths, the National Hurricane Center said. Rarely, it can create one larger storm rather than two smaller ones.

Philippe is expected to continue strengthening in the next few days and reach Category 1 strength by Thursday, while Rina is forecast to dissipate on Monday.

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Tropical storm watches were issued Sunday for Antigua and Barbuda, which could get 4 to 6 inches of rain. The northern Leeward Islands were forecast to get 2 to 4 inches of rain.

Swells from Philippe will affect parts of the northern Leeward Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and could cause dangerous rip currents and surf, according to the NHC.

As of 5 p.m. Sunday, Philippe was located about 160 miles east of Guadeloupe, moving west-northwest at 7 mph. Its maximum sustained winds were holding steady at 50 mph, with tropical-storm-force winds extended out 175 miles.

Philippe is forecast to pass near or just northeast of the northern Leeward Islands Monday into Monday night.

So far this season in the Atlantic, there have been 16 named storms, six of which were hurricanes. Of those, three were major hurricanes, meaning Category 3 or above.

Those were Hurricane Lee, a rare Category 5; Hurricane Franklin, a Category 4; and Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall on Floridas Big Bend region at Category 3 strength on Aug. 30.

The next named storm will be Sean.

Hurricane season officially runs through Nov. 30.
If you were to analyze hundreds of studies examining what it takes to quit smoking, what do you think youd find to be the most effective tool:

1) A nicotine patch?

2) A medication that is also widely prescribed for depression?

3) A natural health product sold over the counter in Canada?

4) Nicotine-free e-cigarettes?

5) A drug created to mimic a shrub that some soldiers smoked during World War II?

If you picked 3 and 5, well done. According to a study published last month in a leading medical journal, cytisine, a compound found in some seeds, and varenicline, a synthetic compound designed to work similarly, are far more effective than most other methods for quitting smoking. Alas, for the millions of smokers in the United States who try to quit each year, neither of these medications is easy to get ones hands on. Though cytisine has long been popular in Eastern Europe and became available in Canada in 2017, its not sold in the U.S. Varenicline is technically available, but doctors often discourage smokers from trying it. Why would this be? The answer has to do in part with the economics of drug development.

One of the researchers is hoping that the finding will help revive interest in widening access to cytisine in particular. We have all this evidence that it works. Shouldnt we be throwing everything we can at this? Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, who is now a professor in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, told me.

Works in the world of addiction, of course, is never anywhere near the 100 percent we all wish it were. Hartmann-Boyces meta-analysis found that across hundreds of studies, an average of 14 percent of cytisine users quit for more than six months. But thats far higher than many other methods.

To figure out which smoking interventions were most effective, Hartmann-Boycethen at Oxfordand her colleagues sifted through hundreds of randomized control trials, dating from the 1990s to 2022. This included nicotine-free medications like Bupropion (aka Wellbutrin), nicotine-filled smoking-cessation tools like patches, and e-cigarettes with and without nicotine. After whittling the studies down to 320 that met their criteria, they had a pool of 157,000 or so smokers to analyze.

The researchers plotted the odds of quitting for at least six months while using a particular intervention versus the odds of quitting for that same period without using anything. Just three interventionsa nicotine e-cigarette, cytisine, and vareniclinehad more than twice the odds, meaning that around 14 of 100 people trying to quit smoking with these techniques were likely to succeed. (Fourth place went to nicotine patch combined with another nicotine-filled something-or-other, like lozenges or gum.)

As to whether quitting cigarettes to start using nicotine e-cigarettes truly counts as quitting, thats up to the smoker. (The same is true for replacing the pack of cigarettes with a $40 bag of nicotine mints devoured while wearing a patch.) Experts in this realm are divided about whether its wise to present e-cigs as a gentle offramp; some warn that it encourages swapping out one unhealthy addiction for another, while others insist that its the most realistic way to save smokers lives. Im going to stay out of this debate for now. The relevant takeaway from this study seems to be: There are two nicotine-free medications that help people stop smoking at comparable rates to e-cigarettes, and unlike e-cigarettes, you may not know anyone whos tried them.

Why not? Its more than the impossible-to-remember names. Lets begin with cytisine. The plant compound found in the seeds of a variety of different trees has been used in Poland and Eastern European countries for many decades. Ultimately it mimics some of nicotines effects, thereby reducing withdrawal symptoms and making smoking less enjoyable. This is particularly helpful for the first four-week period after someone vows to take their last drag. Some have reported side effects, such as nausea and abnormal dreams, but overall, the drug has performed impressively in studies.

It should be available to patients in the U.S., Dr. Maher Karam Hage, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, told me. Lisa Fucito, a professor at Yale School of Medicine who is also the director of the Tobacco Treatment Service at Smilow Cancer Hospital, agrees. The challenge in the U.S. is that you need a pharma company behind a med, she said.

Since its a naturally occurring compound, cytisine cannot be patented any more easily than oregano can. That reduces the incentive for a big drug manufacturer to try to propel it through the enormously costly FDA approval process. In recent years, several companies have attempted to develop the drug as a prescription medication and an over-the-counter treatment. But no one has made it to the goal line of pharmacy placement in the United States.

In Canada its a different story. In 2017, the countrys version of an FDA approved the compound as a natural health product, meaning its available over the counter. It was almost immediate; first day taking CRAVV I had no craving for cigarettes, one reviewer wrote. (Cravv is the brand under which cytisine is marketed.) I dont understand why they dont promote the product more, wrote another.

So should smokers start growing trees containing cytisine? Probably not. Drinking the leaves as a tea, seems to have killed at least one young man. And the seeds can be dangerous to livestock.

The story of varenicline, a synthetic compound designed to work like cytisine, is even trickier. A major pharmaceutical company already did the tough work of getting FDA approvals and turning it into a drug with a more memorable name: Chantix. But pretty quickly it became associated with serious side effects including depression and suicidal tendencies. The experts I spoke to pointed out that later studies failed to show major risks and that the FDA eventually took the unusual step of lifting a black-box warning. Vivid dreams and nausea are not uncommon, as with cytisine, but later studies showed the drug to be safe for patients who are in a mentally sound place.

I believe the earlier concerns about neuropsychiatric side effects were overblown, Jonathan Foulds, a tobacco addiction researcher at the Penn State Cancer Institute, told me. (Foulds has worked as a consultant for Pfizer. But those with no affiliation made similar comments.)

Nonetheless, the damage was doneand the drugs reputation just got worse when early in the pandemic, the FDA caught impurities in one batch, prompting a recall. The impurities did not hurt anyone and should have been insufficient to halt the drugs trajectory, several researchers told me. After all, its one of the most effective tools for ending a habit that kills hundreds of thousands of Americans a year.

Varenicline is superior to any other medication and all research to date supports that, Karam Hage told me. He pointed to one major study that gave it a 38 percent quit rate after 12 weeks, nearly three times that of a placebo.

But by the time Pfizer was no longer consumed with managing its COVID vaccine, the FDA had approved a generic version of the smoking treatment. Generics can be great for consumers, bringing down drug prices. But alternately, their existence can remove incentives for the original patent-holders to defend their drug.

Fucito, of Yale, has been alarmed to find that even many smart colleagues have misperceptions about varenicline, warning patients against it. If someone is telling you not to take that, Id want to know why and get a second opinion, she said.

Ultimately Fucito and others noted that using medication to quit is not going to be the best approach for everyone. And even those who are open to it should combine the pills with counseling to minimize the risk of relapse. If they can find a friend or family member willing to help them out, they might also consider applying a lesson from a previous study by Hartmann-Boyce. In that analysis, her team examined the effectiveness of financial incentives on quitting smoking. Participants who received compensation quit more effectively than those who did not. It didnt actually matter whether the person got paid $100 or $700; the important thing was that money was involved.

This fall, Ill be regularly writing about drugs and mental health for Slate. Got a tip, frustration, idea, or question? Let me know at heather.murphy@slate.com.
After carrying more than a million passengers on its downtown St. Petersburg-to-St. Pete Beach route in its first 11 months, the SunRunner is no longer free.

As of Sunday, the rapid bus service costs the same as any other line operated by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority: $2.25 per ride, or $1.10 per ride for those ages 9-18 or 65 or older, riders with disabilities and adult students with student IDs. Daily rates will be capped at $5 per rider, or $2.25 for those eligible for the lower cost.

Unlike other lines, though, the SunRunner doesnt take cash. Riders must pay with a debit or credit card, a smartphones digital wallet or a card or app from Flamingo Fares, the transit-pay system used around Tampa Bay. Those eligible for discounts will only get them if they use a Flamingo Fares account.

The Transit Authority had always planned to charge SunRunner riders after a free period to attract new riders, but for a time it looked as if free rides might continue into next year. The agencys board of directors voted in February to extend the free period to November, and St. Petersburgs city council was contemplating funding in its 2024 budget that would have covered riders fees beyond that date.

That timeline changed in August when the transit board, facing pressure from Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and residents and officials in St. Pete Beach, voted to implement fares starting this month. Those in the high-income beach community argued that homeless riders, some of whom took the bus to sleep on the beach during a heat wave or to panhandle at a nearby shopping plaza, posed a threat to their quality of life and tourism.

Gualtieri posted extra deputies near the St. Pete Beach SunRunner stops to stem minor crimes, such as trespassing, public urination and nudity. But he said he couldnt keep bearing the cost  $10,000 a week  and didnt believe in solving the problem through arrests. He told the board in August that he saw imposing a fare as the only way to resolve the conflict. Its too soon to tell if the fare is working, the sheriff said Monday, but hes nixed the extra deputies while the agency collects data.

Well give it 30 days and see what happens, he said.

At a board meeting last Wednesday, two members  citizen appointee Vince Cocks and St. Petersburg City Council member Deborah Figgs-Sanders  said they worried about how speeding up the fare implementation would affect riders. Both noted that the paper fare cards for one-way rides that can be bought at convenience stores, and which are handed out by some nonprofits and social service organizations, wont be available until November.

That could leave a gap for riders who dont have access to credit or debit cards or an app, Cocks said. He added that board members only recently learned that the Transit Authority will pay about $55,000 to a private security firm to act as fare inspectors on the SunRunner for the first 13 weeks of fares.

I just feel like PSTA is ill prepared, and they were pushed into it because of Sheriff Gualtieris concerns, Cocks said in an interview Monday.

Stephanie Weaver, a spokesperson for the transit authority, said staffers have been riding the SunRunner and going to terminals to show riders how to pay for the rapid bus. Theyre also handing out $5 Flamingo Fares day passes that can be reloaded at terminals in an effort to soften the effects of the paper card delays. Most riders have been aware that the fees were coming, she said, but needed information on how to pay for rides.

It can be an adjustment for people, she said, but were doing the best we can to educate everybody.
With pretrial ruling on Trump's businesses, judges continue eviscerating the law to take down conservatives By Rachel Alexander

web posted October 2, 2023 The left is systematically dismantling our justice system through lawfare against conservatives. Leftist judges who dominate the legal system are currently focused on eviscerating Donald Trump, by taking him down in politically motivated, groundless criminal and civil lawfare. They are getting away with it in part because the general populace does not understand the complexity of the legal system; meanwhile, conservative attorneys are horrified at seeing years of our once great jurisprudence destroyed. These judges are eliminating the right to a jury trial, which is so fundamental to liberty that it predates the U.S., going back to the English Magna Carta of 1215. Last week, a New York judge divested Trump of his entire company without even granting him a trial first. Judge Arthur Engoron, a Democrat, claimed in a pretrial ruling awarding partial summary judgment to prosecutors that Trump inflated his net worth between 2014 and 2021. This type of decision by a judge should be made after all the discovery and disclosure of evidence has been produced in a trial, not before. It is a very murky area. New York Democratic Attorney General Letitia James, who has targeted Trump for several years, said Trump and his associates used the valuations to obtain favorable treatment. James ran for attorney general five years ago campaigning to investigate the "con man." Rules 3.6 and 3.8 of the New York Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys make it very clear that prosecutors are prohibited from making "extrajudicial statements" that "can create the additional problem of increasing public condemnation of the accused." Yet nothing has happened to her. Engoron's order canceled the certificates of the key businesses behind Trump's empire and set up a fast timeline to dissolve the Trump Organization and its connected entities. He revoked the licenses for some of Trump's flagship properties, including Trump Tower and the Trump International Hotel. He claimed Trump had a "propensity to engage in persistent fraud." Engoron also awarded sanctions against Trump's attorneys of $7,500 each merely for including defenses in their pleadings. I've never seen or heard of that before. Engoron claimed that Trump's attorneys repeatedly brought up those defenses in pleadings, which were "frivolous." How can he rule they're frivolous when the actual trial hasn't even started yet? James is asking for $250 million and a ban on Trump running businesses in the state, including a lifetime bar on the Trumps from serving as officers or directors in any New York companies, and a five-year bar on Trump or his company from entering into any real estate acquisitions. Trump's attorney Christopher Kise said in a written statement that there was "zero evidence of any default, breach, late payment or any complaint of harm," and said the opinion disregarded the testimony of those who said there was no fraud, like nationally recognized experts from the NYU Stern School of Business. Trump intends to appeal. The civil trial begins Monday. This is consistent with the left's increasing abuse of summary judgment by leftist judges to stick it to conservatives. The Democrat-appointed judge who handled the Dominion lawsuit against Fox News did the same thing , forcing a nearly $1 billion settlement. He granted a summary judgment motion for Dominion which resulted in jury instructions stating that all of the statements made by attorneys Rudy Giulliani and Sidney Powell, as well as all negative claims made on the network about Dominion, were false. So there's no way a jury would have found for Fox News based on that. Former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas observed , "By not letting the jury decide this central question about the 2020 elections  [he] delivered a fundamental attack on the right to a trial by jury." Fox's attorneys told the media they believed they could've won on appeal, but Fox declined to pursue one. Similarly, Democrat-appointed Judge Lewis Kaplan torpedoed the defense in the sexual abuse case filed by Jean Caroll against Trump. Trump's attorneys documented the bias, which included repeated negative comments to bias the jury. I covered the first three sham indictments of Trump here . Politico has a list of the upcoming lawfare against Trump, too lengthy to list here. This evisceration of our justice system in order to destroy conservatives started in earnest several years ago. In 2017, corrupt DOJ prosecutors went after former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio for criminal contempt. The Democrat-appointed judge refused to allow him a jury trial, claiming there is no right to a jury trial since the potential sentence was only six months incarceration. The Constitution says nothing about this limitation; it was carved out by a U.S. Supreme Court decision. Nevertheless, Bolton could have granted him a jury trial and chose not to. One of Trump's first acts as president was to pardon Arpaio. It is a brilliant strategy by the left to use their now Democrat-dominated legal system to take down the right. The law has become so complicated that it takes an immense effort to try and understand and follow every proceeding targeting a conservative. Conservative attorneys who understand it don't dare risk speaking out and explaining the atrocities for fear of being disbarred. State bars adopt their professional rules for attorneys from the American Bar Association, which contains an unconstitutional rule prohibiting attorneys from criticizing judges. Since it's nearly impossible to remove corrupt judges from the bench, largely due to low information and a legal system dominated by the left, in order to push back conservatives are going to have to start working and volunteering on judicial committees, state bar governing boards and committees, and related dull legal groups. We'd rather spend our free time with our families and in church-related activities, unlike the left, but if we want to save one of our three branches of government and prevent it from being used to destroy the other two, we're going to have to step out of our comfort zones and into the trenches. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home
The rider of a pocket rocket mini motorbike suffered critical injuries when the driver of a pickup truck crashed into her on Kansas Citys East Side, a police spokesman said.

The rider was traveling in the westbound lanes of Truman Road about 7:45 p.m. Sunday when the driver in a silver Chevrolet pickup truck struck her on the bridge over Manchester Trafficway in the Blue Valley Industrial area, said Capt. Corey Carlisle with the Kansas City Police Department.

The rider, who was not wearing a helmet was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, he said.

A preliminary investigation revealed that motorbike didnt have reflectors and lights. The driver, who was traveling in the same lane, told police that he did not see the rider and hit her with the front of his truck, Carlisle said.

The driver and passenger in the truck were not injured in the collision.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukraine's Presidential Office, characterized Elon Musk 's social media posts on Oct. 2 that ridiculed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as an encouragement of Russian propaganda.

Podolyak wrote on Twitter that "any silence or irony towards Ukraine today is a direct encouragement of Russian propaganda that justifies mass violence and destruction."

Although not directly mentioning Musk, he added that "unfortunately...significant media figures thousands of kilometers away from the epicenter of the war (are unable) to realize what the daily bombardments and the cries of children losing their parents are."

Elon Musk shared an insulting doctored meme of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Twitter on Oct. 2, insinuating that Zelensky asks for too much aid for Ukraine.

The official Twitter account of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, also responded in kind with doctored meme of its own (which was later deleted) that accused Musk of spreading Russian propaganda.

It was not the first time that Musk had stoked controversy with comments about Ukraine. In Oct. 2022, he made an unsolicited suggestion that Ukraine should trade land for peace. The proposal received a derisive reaction from Zelensky.

Musk has also recently come under fire for allegedly instructing his engineers to secretly turn off Starlink satellite communications near Crimea in 2022 to prevent a Ukrainian submarine drone attack against Russian military ships. In response, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D) called for an investigation into Musk and his company, SpaceX.

In another act of misconduct relating to Ukraine, Musk also provided his confidential messages with Ukraine's Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov to the billionaire's biographer without permission, according to a report by the Financial Times on Sept. 8.

Musk's SpaceX began providing the Starlink satellite internet system to Ukraine shortly after the Russian full-scale invasion in February 2022. The system has kept many Ukrainians online despite power outages and Russia's attacks on the country's internet infrastructure.

In October 2022, Musk said he could no longer keep Starlink in Ukraine operational due to high upkeep costs and requested funding from the Pentagon. The billionaire later changed his statement and said Starlink will stay online regardless of the Pentagon's support.

According to an article by The New Yorker published on Aug. 21, Musk held conversations with Vladimir Putin  though the billionaire denied talking to the Russian president  which had an effect on Musk's change of position regarding Ukraine.

Read also: Musk says he didnt turn on Starlink near Crimea due to US sanctions on Russia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Poland was one of the first countries to receive an invitation to the Defence Industries Forum in Kyiv, but it did not attend last Friday.

Source: Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych in an interview with Polish TVN24, quoted by European Pravda

Details: The interviewer asked Zvarych why there were no Polish representatives at the meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv with representatives of the defence industry of many countries.

Quote from Zvarych: "This is a question for the Polish side, because Poland was one of the first to receive an invitation to the event.

This is a sovereign decision of each country. We send an invitation, and a country decides whether to accept it or not based on its interests. So we respect such decisions, but this is not a reason to blame Ukraine for Poland's absence."

Background:

At the historic meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv on 2 October, Poland was one of only three countries not represented at the level of foreign minister.

The Defence Industries Forum was held in Kyiv on 29 September. At the forum, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced, among other things, the creation of Defence Industries Alliance.

After the meeting, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke of a "new era" for the Ukrainian defence industry.

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!
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man found on a sidewalk was killed by a stray bullet, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

The shooting was reported on Saturday, Sept. 30 around 11:36 p.m. in the 1500 block of Las Vegas Boulevard, north of Oakey Boulevard.

Police said the victim was walking on the sidewalk when a fight occurred at a nearby business and as the victim walked by that business, he was struck by a stray bullet.

Marvin Williams, 27, was arrested and is charged with open murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied structure. He was booked in absentia into the Clark County Detention Center.

The victims identity and cause of death will be released by the Clark County coroner, police said.

Williams is due to make an initial appearance in court on Monday, Oct. 2.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Calls for justice filled Bay Street Sunday afternoon as dozens of people rallied on the steps of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office headquarters after a video went viral showing the arrest of 24-year-old Le'Keian Woods.

Woods' arrest on Friday was caught on video by a bystander showing multiple officers standing and kneeling over him. At one point, an officer picks Woods up and slams him onto the grass.

Moments later, officers lifted Woods up, revealing bruises and blood across his face. Woods' family accused the officers of punching him during the incident, causing his facial injuries, although this isn't shown in the arrest video.

The family told First Coast Newsthat Woods, his uncle and his friend were pulled over for not wearing their seatbelts as they were on their way to Woods' grandmother's house.

The Sheriff's Office says the incident is under administrative review.

USA TODAY noted the incident is the latest case of alleged police brutality, where encounters with police over traffic violations have turned violent or even fatal. Recent studies have shown racial disparities in policing and experts have said Black people are disproportionately stopped or searched by law enforcement across the country.

Le'Keian Woods is seen in this video image with a swollen face after being pulled over Friday and arrested. Family said he was hospitalized with a concussion. They joined community members at a rally outside the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office calling for justice.

During a rally Sunday afternoon, Woods' mother, Natassia Woods, spoke to the crowd describing how hard it's been to get an update on her son's condition. She told First Coast News her son's attorney, Harry Daniels, told her that Woods was going to and from the hospital to be treated for a concussion.

Im at a point now that I just want answers for my son," Woods told the crowd. "I want justice for my son. No one should be beaten like that.

Natassia Woods isnt the only calling for those things  as she was surrounded by dozens of people with signs and posters.

We were definitely outraged," said Mary Dennis, who attended the rally. "When I saw the video, I just couldnt believe that it took that many people to take one person down.

Woods' mother said she did get a chance to speak with her son, but it was a painful conversation.

"When he called me from the jail, he said, 'Mama, what happened to me?'" Natassia Woods said.

"He didn't even know he got beat like that. He didn't even know that stuff had happened to him. He did not know that he had got beaten that bad."

The Sheriff's Office shared the following statement withmedia on Saturday regarding the incident:

"The agency takes all allegations of inappropriate use of force by JSO officers seriously. As such, this incident is now under administrative review to determine if the involved officers violated any JSO policy. Because the matter is currently under investigation, the agency cannot comment further about the incident until the investigation is completed.

Community members and family of Le'Keian Woods rally outside the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on Sunday calling for justice after a video went viral of Woods arrest during a traffic stop that showed questionable use of force by officers and ended with Woods hospitalized.

The Jacksonville Community Action Committee, who organized the rally, called for three things in light of Woods' arrest going viral on social media.

One, for the officers responsible to be held accountable. Two, for the Sheriff's Office to get rid of the gang unit. Three, create a public safety committee made up of community members to review public safety policies.

Why cant the city have an institution that can hear the voices of the community in a controlled way that can affect policy in a positive way," said Michael Sampson with the Jacksonville Community Action Committee.

Woods is being held on charges of armed drug trafficking, possession of a controlled substance and resisting an officer with violence.

Police shooting: Jacksonville state attorney deems officer justified in shooting of Jamee Johnson

Attorney Dexter Van Harris represented Woods in court Sunday morning. Van Harris told First Coast News the judge found no probable cause on two of the six charges he is facing, and his bail on the other four totals about $170,000.

Woods' next court date is scheduled for Oct. 24.

Woods was previously arrested and faced a second-degree murder charge in 2018 for an attempted robbery at a Tallahassee apartment complex where his roommate was fatally shot, according to The Florida Times-Union.

Traffic stops across the United States

A number of high-profile cases of police brutality have begun with traffic violations. Traffic stops are one of the most common interactions civilians have with police and while a majority end uneventfully, experts have said people of color  particularly Black people  are disproportionately stopped by police, USA TODAY reported.

These encounters can quickly escalate into violent, and sometimes fatal, incidents. Hundreds of people, including Tyre Nichols, Patrick Lyoya, Daunte Wright, Jayland Walker, Philando Castile, Sandra Bland and Walter Scott have been killed after being stopped by law enforcement for traffic violations.

Police pull over more than 50,000 people daily and more than 20 million motorists annually, according to the Stanford Open Policing Project. Officers generally stop and search Black drivers at higher rates, the study found.

Daniels said Woods' case "bears a striking similarity" to the shooting of 22-year-old Jamee Johnson in 2019. The attorney represented Johnson's family in a federal lawsuit against the city of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

"Johnson was also pulled over for an alleged seat belt violation before being fatally shot by (Jacksonville Sheriff's Office) officer Josue Garriga," Daniels said on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday.

Garriga was one of the officers involved in Woods' arrest, according to a newly released arrest report.

USA TODAY writer N'dea Yancey-Bragg contributed to this report.

This story first appeared on First Coast News.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Le'Keian Woods arrest video prompts outcry against Jacksonville police
Plan is part of a crack down on shoplifting which is adding 6p to every store transaction - Cavan Images/Edith Drentwett

Police are to check every thief, burglar, and shoplifter caught on camera against all official databases including passports.

Chris Philp , the policing minister, announced on Monday that he will be asking for facial images to be checked against databases including 50 million passport holders, police national computers and immigration records.

Speaking at a fringe meeting at the Tory party conference in Manchester, he said such legal checks could be a gamechanger in helping to solve burglaries, thefts, shoplifting and assaults by catching not only known offenders but also perpetrators who may never have been in trouble with the police.

It will be part of a zero tolerance approach agreed by police chiefs to investigate every crime where there is a reasonable line of inquiry, including facial images from CCTV, facial recognition, mobile phone or doorbell cameras.

Mr Philp said police technology to recognise faces had become so advanced that even blurred or partially obscured images could still get a match in a database.

He aims to establish an integrated system of individual databases so police can check an image against every single one of them at the touch of a button.

Mr Philp said: I am going to be asking police forces to search all these databases. It could be a gamechanger.

The plan is part of a crackdown on shoplifting that, it was revealed, is adding 6p to every store transaction by customers. A total of 1 billion is stolen each year and an extra 700 million is being spent by retailers on security measures.

Mr Philp said he had asked police chiefs to draw up a national plan within the next three weeks to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to shoplifting, where officers will follow up and prosecute reasonable leads such as CCTV images.

He is also calling for them to provide the highest grade of emergency response when shop staff call to say they have detained a thief, or where there is evidence that requires physical collection.

Id like to see those new standards on attending the scenes of retail crime, he added.

Id also like to see proactive patrol patterns, reflecting areas where there is significant shoplifting going on to act as a deterrent.

He urged police to set up databases of the most prolific offenders using CCTV footage and facial recognition images to help prevent the country following in the footsteps of the United States, where stores have quit parts of cities like San Francisco because of the level of crime.

Mr Philp said: If we dont have a zero-tolerance approach, were going to end up escalating into what were seeing in some American cities which is completely unacceptable.

I dont want that happening on the watch of this Government. Im sure the police dont want that to happen, either.

Citizens arrest

The minister said he would also encourage the public, including shop staff and security guards, to use their powers of citizens arrest where it is safe to do so.

If you do just let people take stuff and walk out without proper challenge, including potentially a physical challenge, then again, it will just escalate, he added.

Mr Philp also disclosed that ministers had complained to Facebook over its virtual marketplace which, unlike Amazon, allowed people to sell goods without giving their identity  a security gap that could allow shoplifters to profit from their crimes.

Paul Gerrard, the Co-ops director of public affairs, revealed that retailers research had found that police are currently failing to attend in 80 per cent of cases when a shopkeeper has detained a shoplifter.

He cited one case where a manager called 999 during a raid by three masked thieves but was told to ring 101.

Thats where we are at the moment, said Mr Gerrard, who described cases of organised looting where shoplifters clear multiple shelves and walked off with goods in wheelie bins for resale.

On a standard day, there would be 1,000 crime incidents across Co-ops 2,500 stores, 150 members of staff would face verbal abuse and four or five would be victims of violence that could range from attacks with syringes, knives, iron bars, and in one case a medieval mace.

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Gideon Cody, the small-town Kansas police chief who spearheaded a raid on the Marion County Record, resigned Monday, Marion Mayor David Mayfield said.

Mayfield hired Cody in the spring and suspended him last week without explanation.

At Mondays Marion City Council meeting, Mayfield announced Cody handed in his resignation before the meeting, effective immediately. Mayfield declined to talk to reporters after the meeting and offered no explanation for Codys departure.

Mayfield appointed Marion Officer Zach Hudlin as acting chief, with the councils approval.

The mayor had previously defended Cody and said he would not take any action until the Kansas Bureau of Investigation finished its probe into the raids. Last week, he reversed that decision and suspended Cody. He would not say why.

Cody had left the Kansas City Police Department to work in Marion under suspicious circumstances. His raid of The Record newsroom followed questions from a reporter about his background.

Hudlin, who has been with the Marion Police Department since October 2017, participated in the raid of The Records newsroom. The Record reported recently that Hudlin can be seen in body-camera video rifling through documents that included information about Codys background. He directed Cody to look at the file the reporter had accumulated on Cody.

In the application for a search warrant, Cody wrote that he was investigating identity theft and unlawful acts concerning computers. The case pertained to local businesswoman Kari Newells driving records.

Searches unfolded Aug. 11 at the newsroom; the home of Joan Meyer and her son Eric Meyer, who own the paper; and City Council member Ruth Herbel.

Five days after the raid, Marion County Prosecutor Joel Ensey said that insufficient evidence exists to establish a strong connection between the alleged crime and the places searched and the items seized. The items were returned.

The newspaper said a reporter had accessed information from the Kansas Department of Revenue website that was open to the public.

A different reporter, Deb Gruver, filed a federal lawsuit in late August alleging that her cellphone was illegally seized and her finger was injured by Cody during the raid. Additional lawsuits are expected to be filed. One of them could include a wrongful death claim after Joan Meyer died from cardiac arrest the day after the raid.

Eric Meyer, who attended Mondays meeting, said hes happy Cody resigned, but he has questions about Hudlins appointment since he searched through Gruvers belongings, which he said exceeded the scope of the search warrant.

Good, Meyer said of Codys resignation. Now I guess we dont have to wait to find out if hes on paid or unpaid leave.

Herbel, who previously told The Eagle she was living in fear with Cody still on the job, said he made the right choice by stepping down.

Im glad he resigned, Herbel said after the meeting. Now we can start to move forward as a community.

Contributing: Katie Moore of The Kansas City Star
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is trying to identify the remains of a person found in the woods in Glynn County.

On Friday, September 29 at around 2:37 p.m., Glynn County police officers responded to a call for assistance from the Glynn County school police in a wooded area near Habersham Street and Faith Avenue.

The property, which is owned by the Glynn County School Board, was being checked for a report of a homeless encampment.

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While checking the area, Glynn County school police located the remains and contacted Glynn County police.

Detectives and Crime Scene Technicians searched the area and processed the scene.

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The remains were sent to the GBI laboratory for identification.

Anyone who has information about the case is urged to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 912-554-7802 or the non-emergency number at 912-554-3645.

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The University of North Carolina Police Department is investigating a sexual assault that was reported at a campus dorm in Chapel Hill Sunday evening.

The incident occurred just before 6:15 p.m. in the McClinton Residence Hall, according to reports from WTVD.

ALSO READ: Man accused of sexual assault, break-in at Belmont Abbey dorm turns himself in

Police said the suspect followed the victim into the residence hall lobby and stairwell, groped them, and left the building through the lobby stairwell.

WTVD said this incident occurred less than a week after two students were sexually assaulted in a dorm at North Carolina Central University. One person was arrested in connection with that case.

VIDEO: Man accused of sexual assault, break-in at Belmont Abbey dorm turns himself in




NEW CASTLE  Pennsylvania State Police in Lawrence County are investigating as a homicide the shooting death of a Corry woman who was found in a pickup truck over a hillside, near her wounded husband, east of Ellwood City early Saturday morning.

The woman, identified by state police as 39-year-old Julie A. Wegmiller, was found dead inside a Toyota pickup truck after troopers with state police Troop D in New Castle were called on Saturday at 3:17 a.m. to River Road at Butler Avenue in Perry Township, Lawrence County, to investigate a report of a vehicle over a hillside.

Julie Wegmiller had an apparent gunshot wound, according to troopers. Her husband, identified by state police as 40-year-old Edwin F. Wegmiller Jr., was found outside of the truck, over the embankment, with gunshot wounds, state police reported.

Edwin Wegmiller was taken to UPMC Cranberry Hospital and then flown to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh, where he was last reported to be in critical condition, state police in New Castle reported on Saturday.

Members of the state police Troop D Major Case Team responded to the scene as part of the investigation into the shooting. Additional information on the incident was not immediately available from state police Monday morning.

Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is asked to call state police in New Castle at 724-598-2211.

Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNhahn.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: State police probe fatal shooting of Corry woman in Lawrence County
Schools in the UAE will soon have more options to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) thanks to an innovative Memorandum of Understanding between Johnson Controls and Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC).

The MoU outlines a joint commitment to the research and development of IAQ assessment. As part of the project, Johnson Controls will create research methodology to improve IAQ and provide monitoring equipment, facilitate technical workshops, and compile findings into one consolidated presentation and report.

EGBC will work with educational institutes to support the project, and jointly with JCI, publish a detailed report on the findings of the assessment.

OpenBlue ecosystem

Utilising its OpenBlue ecosystem of smart Internet of Things and artificial intelligence-driven solutions, Johnson Controls will measure a range of indoor environmental parameters and provide insights on how to improve performance. The executive summary of the assessment will be announced during COP28.

Rohan Chopra, Johnson Controls head of sustainability, Middle East, said: Johnson Controls is committed to creating healthy, comfortable, and efficient indoor environments, and this initiative aligns perfectly with our mission. Together, we will leverage our expertise and advanced digital technologies to make a lasting impact in the learning experience and environmental performance of the educational sector.

Devrim Tekeli, general manager Service, Gulf Cooperation Council, added: The partnership signifies a major step forward in addressing the crucial aspect of health and wellbeing within educational institutions. With a leading IAQ portfolio, we are excited to partner with EmiratesGBC and demonstrate the potential of healthy buildings outcomes.

Long-term plan

Following an initial air quality assessment, the project will build a comprehensive, long-term plan to measure, manage, and continually improve IAQ. This includes monitoring parameters such as CO2 emissions, Particulate Matter, and Total Volatile Organic Compounds among others. This will enable educational institutions to enhance students health and wellness, and consequently performance in addition to helping reduce absenteeism.

Dr Ali Aljassim of EGBC said: The quality of indoor air has a profound impact on the health, comfort, and productivity of students and staff. Through this, we strive to raise awareness of IAQ and develop sustainable solutions that will positively influence the learning outcomes and overall wellbeing of our future generations. The study is a continuation of EGBCs efforts to make educational institutions greener.--TradeArabia News Service
(Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images)

California labor groups and fast-food companies have struck a deal to increase the minimum wage of industry workers to at least $20 per hour.

Labor groups and fast-food companies in California have struck a deal to raise the minimum salary of workers in the industry to $20 per hour.

The Service Employees International Union announced the agreement, which will result in changes to Assembly Bill 1228, on Monday. It will result in an increase in the minimum wage of industry workers in California by April.

Raising Minimum Wages

In exchange for the increase in minimum wage, labor groups and their allies in the Legislature will agree to the fast-food industry's demands. These include the removal of a provision from the bill that could have made restaurant companies liable for workplace violations that were committed by their franchises.

The deal is contingent on the withdrawal of a referendum proposal made by restaurant companies in California. It would have challenged the proposed legislation in the 2024 ballot and comes as businesses, labor groups, and others have often used the ballots in the state to block legislation or advance their causes, as per the New York Times.

The proposed legislation would also lead to the creation of a council that would be responsible for overseeing future increases to the minimum wage and enacting workplace regulations. In a statement, a fast-food worker and union member, Ingrid Vilorio, said that with the crucial changes, the bill clears the path for them to start making much-needed improvements to the policies that affect workers in California.

The executive vice president of public affairs at the National Restaurant Association, Sean Kennedy, added that the deal would also benefit restaurants. He said that the agreement protects local restaurant owners from significant threats that would have made it difficult to continue operating within the state.

Kennedy notes that the deal provides a more predictable and stable future for restaurants, workers, and consumers. The California Legislature last year passed Assembly Bill 257, which would have led to the creation of a council that had the authority to raise the minimum wage to $22 per hour. However, it met fierce opposition and it was later scrapped.

Read Also: Gun Rights Organizations Sue New Mexico Gov. Over Public Health Emergency Order

Hundreds of Thousands of Beneficiaries

The deal comes as there are roughly 500,000 fast-food workers in California who would benefit from the increased minimum salary. It also comes as a separate bill will increase the salaries of the roughly 455,000 healthcare workers, excluding doctors and nurses, up to at least $25 per hour over the next decade, according to Yahoo News.

However, both proposals must first pass the state Legislature and be signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Fortunately, they both have support from labor unions and industry groups, which clears the path for passage this week before lawmakers adjourn for the year.

The two bills are only a small portion of the impressive run of results for labor unions in the state Legislature this year alone. On Monday, the state Assembly voted to advance a proposal to give striking workers unemployment benefits. This is a policy change that could later benefit Hollywood actors and writers and Los Angeles-area hotel workers who have been on strike for the majority of this year, said ABC News.

Related Article: Senators Call on McCarthy To Discuss Bipartisan Funding Bills

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One person was injured after a man shot a co-worker inside a Beech Grove dollar store, according to investigators.

Shortly before 11:30 a.m., police were called to the Family Dollar/Dollar Tree store at 3535 S. Emerson Ave. after an argument and physical fight ended in gunfire, said Beech Grove Police Chief Michael Maurice.

The employees were working in the stockroom along with others when a fight started, according to a news release issued Monday afternoon. One employee brandished a firearm and shot his co-worker once in the legs.

The injured co-worker was listed in stable condition after being taken to a hospital, police said.

Dakota Miller, 21, was initially charged with aggravated battery, a Level 5 felony, and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, a Level 6 felony, according to a news release. The Marion County Prosecutor's Office will make the final charging decision.

More Indianapolis news: Construction worker killed near downtown identified as 38-year-old man

Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.

IndyStar reporter John Tufts contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Beech Grove dollar store shooting: One man detained, one person hurt
A former police officer has been accused of abusing his power in order to detain eight men and sexually assault them.

Marcellis Blackwell, 34, an officer who used to work for North County Police Cooperative in Missouri, was indicted on 21 federal charges on 27 September for the alleged sexual assaults between November 2022 and June 2023.

Sixteen of those counts are for deprivation of rights under the colour of law, meaning he willingly deprived a person of rights over their body.

The five other counts accuse him of altering records in a federal investigation.

The St Louis-based officer allegedly kidnapped the eight men on separate occasions and turned off his body camera before fondling their genitals - sometimes when they were handcuffed, a statement from the Eastern District of Missouri Attorneys Office read.

Alongside this sexual abuse, he also allegedly sodomised one man with his finger.

A motion seeking to keep Mr Blackwell in jail until his trial said he victimised people he thought would be less likely to report his behaviour.

US Attorney Sayler A Fleming suggested in the statement that Mr Blackwell had recorded the assaults on his phone, and the FBI is still looking into whether there are more victims on video.

The conduct alleged in the indictment is unacceptable for anyone, but infinitely more so for a police officer and when it involves handcuffed, helpless victims, said Mr Fleming.

We are not investigating the violation Blackwell cited to detain his victims, said Special Agent in Charge Jay Greenberg of the FBI St Louis Division. Our focus is on Blackwells alleged abuse of power to sexually assault his victims. Our goal is to bring justice to victims and to provide victim services.

Mr Blackwell pleaded not guilty to his initial accusation back in June, since then seven more men have stepped forward (North County Police Cooperative/Facebook)

Seven more victims came out about the sexual assault they experienced after one man spoke out about it in the press.

This was after one of the victims claimed that Mr Blackwell touched his genitals without consent while his hands were handcuffed behind his back on 3 June.

Mr Blackwell was then arrested on 7 June and was at the time charged with one count of sodomy or attempted sodomy and was held on a $500,000 bond.

He pleaded not guilty and resigned from the police department.

At the time of Mr Blackwells initial arrest, Police Major Ron Martin called the allegations set against the officer massively disheartening and vowed to open an immediate investigation.
Police say a missing 9-year-old girl they believe may have been abducted while on a solo bike ride at a campground during a family trip in upstate New York has been found alive and a suspect is in custody.

In a press conference late on Oct. 2, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and law enforcement identified the suspect in the case of missing fourth-grader Charlotte Sena as Craig Nelson Ross Jr.

Charlotte was located in a camper behind the suspect's mother's home the evening of Oct. 2. She had vanished on Sept. 30 while on a solo bike ride at Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County, about 50 miles north of Albany. She had been camping with her family and friends.

Officials said at the press conference on Oct. 2 that Charlotte had been "no more than two tenths of a mile" from her family's campsite while on the bike ride, which should have taken "about four minutes, five minutes." Her family realized she was missing about fifteen minutes later when she didn't return, police said.

Missing girl Charlotte Sena (TODAY)

Her bike was found by her family at 6:45 p.m., and her mother immediately called 911 to report her missing. Police issued an Amber Alert for her on Oct. 1, and more than a hundred searchers looked for Sena by ground, air and water.

The child was taken under circumstances that lead police to believe that they are in imminent danger of serious harm and/or death, the Amber Alert said.

By the evening of Oct. 2, Charlotte had been "located and in good heath," state police said in a statement. The statement said investigators had learned of a person who was "in the area" of Moreau Lake State Park when Charlotte went missing on Monday evening.

Hochul said late on Oct. 2 that the case breakthrough came when the suspect, Ross, allegedly left a ransom note for the girl at the home of her parents early that morning. He also left fingerprints on the mailbox.

He literally drove up to the familys mailbox ... at 4:20 in the morning, to drop off the note, the governor said.

Investigators searched multiple residences where Ross was known to stay  including one address two miles from where Charlotte's family lived. He was located in a camper behind his mother's double-wide trailer home and taken into custody.

Charlotte was found hiding in a cupboard inside the camper.

Hochul said it has not yet been determined if the suspect knew the girl or her family.

Moreau Lake State Park  which has been closed to hiking, camping, boating and other activities until further notice according to the parks Facebook page  shared a status update on Monday night.

"Great news. We are thankful to everyone who assisted with the search, and everyone who has sent their good wishes."

Park officials had urged people to stay off the trails and away from the park to leave all the searching to professionals. It was unclear as of Monday evening if the park will reopen on Tuesday.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Its been 34 years since a young Wichita woman was found sexually assaulted and murdered in her home in the Delano neighborhood.

The body of Krista Martin, 20, was found on Oct. 2, 1989, at her residence at 506 S. Osage. She had been struck in the back of the head with a blunt object, according to a Wichita Police Department cold case file.

The department, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office, announced a breakthrough in the case at a news conference Monday. Authorities said they had identified the man responsible for the crime as Paul Hart, a former resident of Wichita.

Hart was named the suspect in April 2023, but authorities discovered that he died in a traffic collision in Memphis, Tennessee, in March 1999 at the age of 33, WPD police spokesperson Kristopher Gupilan said.

Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett said the case investigation has been completed and cleared.

This was a case that I would have charged if the suspect was alive to charge him, Bennett said.

Police Capt. Christian Cory said investigators at the scene of the crime collected DNA samples from the sexual assault and stored them.

DNA testing was not prevalent in 1989. Detectives conducted interviews and gathered evidence but were not able to identify a suspect, Gupilan said.

Throughout the years the investigation continued with no success. DNA evidence from the scene was sent to the Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center in 2009 resulting in the development of a potential suspect but again did not lead to any matches, police said.

The WPD sought the help of the FBI in 2020 to look over the DNA evidence. An investigative genetic genealogy team consisting of an FBI special agent, a WPD homicide detective and private industry genealogists identified Hart as the suspect in April 2023, Gupilan said.

Martins niece, Ember Moore, said she felt a sense of relief when she was informed of who murdered her aunt.

I think I was in shock for about three days, Moore said. I didnt believe that it was real.

Moore, along with her mother, stepfather and grandfather were present at the news conference.

Im glad we can finally move forward and have peace knowing that Kristas murderer is not walking around free or among us, Moore said. She [Martin] deserved so much more out of this life than what she ended up with.
The Polish government has claimed that Poland's largest state-owned defence concern was not invited to the defence industry forum held in Kyiv last week; the Ukrainian side says otherwise.

Source: Jacek Sasin, Polish Minister for State Assets, on air of Polish Radio ZET, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In a block of interviews related to the Defence Industries Forum in Kyiv, Sasin said Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa "was not invited as a company".

"We have seen many unfriendly steps from Ukraine lately. I'm afraid this is due to the current political interests of the Ukrainian government, which believes that while the campaign is going on in Poland, it is better to establish a partnership with Germany, and it [Ukraine] plays the role of someone who demonstrates that it does not bet on this government  which has advocated for Ukraine and has done so much for Ukrainians  but rather that it would prefer to bet on a change of government in Poland... And this will have poor consequences for Ukraine," the minister said.

However, Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych told the Polish media that Poland was one of the first countries to receive an invitation to the event.

Background: The Defence Industries Forum was held in Kyiv last Friday. During this event, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced, among other things, the establishment of the Defence Industries Alliance.

Following the meeting, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke of a "new era" for the Ukrainian defence industry.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!






U.S. President Joe Biden's administration prepared a confidential strategy document that sees corruption in Ukraine as the real threat, allegedly warning that Western support may depend on Kyiv's anti-graft efforts, Politico reported on Oct. 2.

The document obtained by the media outlet outlines steps the U.S. is taking to help Ukraine tackle corruption and reform the country's military, financial, and education sectors, among others.

The confidential version of the "Integrated Country Strategy" contains tougher language on Ukraine's corruption issues than a shorter public document posted by the U.S. State Department about a month ago, according to Politico.

Read also: Zelensky: Corruption cases in Ukraine dont involve foreign funds

"Perceptions of high-level corruption" could "undermine the Ukrainian public's and foreign leaders' confidence in the war-time government," the "sensitive but unclassified" paper says.

An unnamed U.S. official confirmed to Politico that the White House was discussing with Kyiv possibly conditioning future economic assistance on "reforms to tackle corruption and make Ukraine a more attractive place for private investment."

However, such conditions are not being considered for defense aid needed to help Ukraine repel Russian military aggression, the official said.

Read also: Zelensky proposes to equate corruption with treason during wartime

The "Integrated Country Strategy" describes U.S. goals in helping Ukraine develop domestic weapons production, adopt NATO military standards, prosecute war crimes in its own judicial system, and increase the nation's English language proficiency.

The document also calls for the deoligarchization of Ukraine's energy and mining sectors, privatization of banks, and extension of the U.S. diplomatic presence in the country.

A State Department official refused to tell Politico if the U.S. government had shared the confidential version of the strategy with Ukrainian officials.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Pope Francis suggested he was open to alternate blessings for same-sex couples in a recent letter, signaling a shift from the Vaticans current position that the church cannot bless gay unions.

The Vatican on Monday released a letter from Francis, dated Sept. 25, responding to a group of five conservative cardinals who pressed the pope on affirming the churchs teachings on homosexuality, womens ordination and other hot-button topics.

In the letter, which was first reported Monday by the National Catholic Reporter (NCR), Francis suggested such blessings could be studied as long as they are not confused with sacramental marriage.

According to the NCRs translation of the letter, Francis emphasized the churchs long-standing teaching that marriage is an indissoluble union between man and woman, while arguing it is important for the church not to lose pastoral charity, which must be part of all our decisions and attitudes.

Francis defended the churchs teachings as objective truth but reportedly stressed this does not mean church leaders become judges who only deny, reject, exclude.

For this reason, pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of benediction, requested by one or more persons, that do not transmit a mistaken conception of marriage, Francis wrote in the letter, according to a translation from The Associated Press.

While noting some situations are objectively not morally acceptable, Francis said the same pastoral charity requires people be treated as sinners who might not be fully at fault for their situations, according to the AP.

The Vaticans current official position states the church is not allowed to bless gay unions because God cannot bless sin.

Francis has previously shown support for civil laws that would extend protections for same-sex couples.

The Vaticans publishing of the letter comes days ahead of the Synod of Bishops, where the Vatican is slated to address hot-topic issues including the integration of LBGTQ+ Catholics, the potential for woman deacons and access to the priesthood for married men, NCR reported.

The five cardinals, all reportedly from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, made their original questions to the pope  formally known as dubia  public earlier in the day Monday.

Apparently not satisfied with Franciss response, the cardinals said they submitted the questions again on Aug. 21, asking the pope to respond with a yes or no. When the pope did not, the cardinals made the texts public and issued a notification warning to the faithful, the AP reported.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A group of cardinals has asked Pope Francis to clarify the Catholic Churchs official position on LGBTQ+ inclusion and other issues ahead of an important meeting, or synod, taking place behind closed doors at the Vatican this month.

The cardinals submitted the five questions or dubia ahead of the Synod of Synodality, the weeks-long meeting to discuss the churchs policies, teachings, and beliefs in a culturally changing world. They seek a yes or no response to questions relating to marriage equality and same-sex unions, women in the priesthood, and who is the ultimate worldly authority of the Catholic Church.

The five cardinals who signed the dubia  German Cardinal Walter Brandmuller, 94, American Cardinal Raymond Burke, 75, Chinese Cardinal Zen Ze-Kiun, 90, and Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah, 78  explained their intent in a Notification to Christs Faithful released today. The cardinals said they had earlier asked the pope for clarification in light of the agenda for the upcoming synod, but that the responses did not provide definitive answers. The group resubmitted the questions in a yes or no format.

Given the gravity of the matter of the dubia, especially in view of the imminent session of the Synod of Bishops, we judge it our duty to inform you, the faithful, so that you may not be subject to confusion, error, and discouragement but rather may pray for the universal Church and, in particular, the Roman Pontiff, that the Gospel may be taught ever more clearly and followed ever more faithfully, the cardinals wrote in the notification.

In its second question or dubium, the dubia specifically asks whether accepting as a possible good objectively sinful situations, such as same-sex unions betrays the revealed doctrine of the church. The fourth dubium asks whether the churchs ban on women priests is still viable. The final question asks to clarify the limits of forgiveness, including for matters such as sex outside marriage and same-sex sex acts. Current doctrine teaches that both are considered grave sins.

Some have noted the cardinals' group is composed of individuals who have lost favor or no longer occupy positions of authority within the church. Burke was removed as head of the Vatican supreme courts by Pope Francis, Brandmueller is a former Vatican historian, and the others have retired from various positions.
Former New York Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik has been subpoenaed to testify in the first Georgia election interference case trial in Fulton County this month.

In a letter from Keriks lawyer, Tim Parlatore, to the Fulton County District Attorneys Office, Parlatore demands that Kerik be granted immunity in exchange for testifying. He says this is a reasonable request since prosecutors indicated in the indictment that Kerik was an unindicted co-conspirator in the case.

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Kerik was subpoenaed last week to testify in Kenneth Cheseboro and Sidney Powells trial on Oct. 23. He is accused of being involved in several meetings with lawmakers in Pennsylvania and Arizona, states Trump was contesting after the election in 2020.

Mr. Kerik has done nothing wrong and rejects your claim that he is a co-conspirator in any alleged criminal conduct. As any competent criminal practitioner knows, a valid invocation of the 5th Amendment does not require actual criminality but rather the threat of possible prosecution, Parlatore said. Given that none of the allegations in the indictment that mention Mr. Kerik appear to involve any alleged criminal activity, I suspect this false and defamatory accusation was manufactured more for publicity purposes than back by any facts or competent legal theory.

Parlatore confirmed with Channel 2 Action News that Kerik is co-conspirator No. 5, who was described in the initial indictment as an attorney who assisted in devising and attempting to implement a plan to submit fraudulent slates of presidential electors to obstruct the certification proceeding.

RELATED NEWS:

When asked about his conversation with prosecutors, Parlatore said that Fulton County should not have publicly indicated that Kerik was a co-conspirator in the case since there was no evidence to support the claim.

This was a PR stunt orchestrated by the [Fulton County] District Attorneys Office, Parlatore told Channel 2 Action News. When I first spoke with Nathan Wade, he gave me the impression that he was a junior prosecutor just out of law school.

Nathan Wade is a special prosecutor from the Fulton County District Attorneys Office who is a part of the 2020 election interference case.

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You made the public accusation, so now you must live with the consequences of Mr. Kerik (and presumably all other alleged unindicted co-conspirators) invoking their 5th Amendment rights and refusing to testify, Parlatore wrote.

Channel 2 Action News contacted the Fulton County District Attorneys Office for a comment but has not received a response.

IN OTHER NEWS:
The U.S. stopgap bill temporarily halted the alarming government shutdown. However, it comes at a price since the legislation excludes military aid for Ukraine.

Although this is the case, many congressional supporters of Ukraine claim they will not give up on the military assistance needed by the European country.

But, can U.S. President Joe Biden change this worsening situation? Here are the major details.

US Stopgap Bill Excludes Ukraine Aid

The feared federal government shutdown was halted after U.S. President Joe Biden signed the temporary funding bill on Saturday, Sept. 30.

Thanks to this, federal agencies can still continue their operation, allowing governmental employees to receive salaries without any issue.

But, the new stopgap bill excluded the needed financial assistance for Ukraine, as reported by Time Magazine. Analysts said that this shows that winning approval for Ukraine financial aid in Congress is becoming more difficult.

Experts also noticed that the Republican resistance to the Ukrainian aid has been gaining momentum in the Congress halls. Recently, almost half of House Republicans voted to remove the $300 million from defense legislation.

This proposed budget was supposed to help train Ukrainian soldiers and allow the Ukrainian military to have an additional budget so they could purchase needed warfare weapons.

Although this aid request was later approved in a separate bill, many Republicans celebrated since more and more are now opposing Ukraine's support.

On Saturday, Sept. 30, additional Ukraine aid was omitted by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the latest stopgap bill, which enables the federal government to keep running until Nov. 17.

This decision prevented the Senate Package, which was supposed to funnel $6 billion to Ukraine.

Read Also: US Government Shutdown: Millions of Federal Workers Could Have Their Pays Halted-Here's Why Americans Should Be Concerned

Joe Biden Urges for Ukraine Aid Approval

The Guardian reported that Joe Biden is now calling out Republicans to approve Ukraine military aid. On Sunday, Oct. 1, he said that the financial aid of the U.S. government for Ukraine should not be interrupted.

"We cannot under any circumstances allow America's support for Ukraine to be interrupted," said the American leader.

He expects McCarthy to secure the passage and support needed to assist the European country in its fight against the ongoing Russian invasion.

After it was confirmed that the Ukraine military aid is no longer included in the stopgap bill, many Ukranian residents shared their concerns.

One of these is Tetiana Ostapchuck, a logistician. She said that they needed the support from other countries. The resident added that they can't "do it alone."

Related Article: Biden Signs Bill To Avert Government Shutdown, Blames House GOP for 'Manufactured Crisis'

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It's no secret that President Joe Biden enjoys spending time in his home state.

He and first lady Jill Biden regularly visit their homes in Greenville and Rehoboth Beach, with the president often seen biking and going to church.

Though he's far from the first president to spend his weekends outside the White House, his regular trips to the First State raise some questions: Just how much time do the Bidens really spend in Delaware, and how much does it cost the state?

Visits to Delaware: The numbers

Biden has made 76 trips to Delaware since his inauguration, according to a tally by Delaware Online/The News Journal using the president's public calendar. Most were weekend visits to one of his homes, though some single-day visits were recorded as being for official business or attending funerals.

On average, Biden's trips lasted about three and a half days, with his longest recorded trip lasting for 11 days.

Overall, Biden has spent part or all of at least 265 days in Delaware since Jan. 20, 2021. Days in which the president arrived in Delaware at night or departed in the morning are included in the tally.

How much does it cost?

New Castle County spent more than $3.27 million on police and emergency medical services for Biden in the past three years, including for a few mid-to-late 2020 visits prior to his inauguration, according to data from the county.

The bulk of the money goes towards paying police, totaling almost $3.08 million worth of salaries and benefits. The rest of the budget goes towards paramedics, who follow the president in case of emergency.

When the president is at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, paramedics are paid for by Sussex County. A spokesperson for the county said that, in general, the county uses administrative personnel to avoid having paramedics work overtime.

There have been a few cases where additional field medics were needed, the spokesperson said, and overtime hours were logged.

In total, less than $2,500 in overtime has been paid to Sussex County EMS to cover presidential duties.

Where does the money come from?

The Criminal Justice Council applies for federal grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse local law enforcement agencies and others tasked with providing protection to the president while he's in town.

The council reviews all expenditures and related data with a "fine-toothed comb," a New Castle County spokesperson said, before submitting the grant application. Reimbursements are based on the federal fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 20, and are typically received a year after the expenses are submitted.

President Joe Biden puts his jacket on as walks to attend Mass at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church in Greenville on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

For the fiscal year ending in 2021, New Castle County received $930,859.47 in reimbursements for Biden's protection. The following year, the county was reimbursed $739,222.96, which it just received on Sept. 13.

Sussex County has not sought reimbursement for the overtime paramedic funding.

Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on Twitter at @h_edelman.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: President Joe Biden's trips to Delaware cost millions for police, EMS
Substance abuse and mishandling real estate money put two South Florida lawyers on the monthly Florida Bar report of attorneys disciplined by the state Supreme Court.

In alphabetical order:

Tarica LaBossiere, Lauderhill

After being busted in Boynton Beach in May 2018, Tarica LaBossiere (admitted to the Bar in 2018) pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving under the influence and got 12 months probation and a $1,000 fine.

Thats the criminal side. On the professional side, LaBossiere entered a contract with Florida Lawyers Assistance, which provides support to lawyers with substance abuse issues. LaBossiere didnt comply with that, so in April 2021, she got an official admonishment and a three-year probation.

LaBossiere signed a new contract with Florida Lawyers Assistance that required she totally refrain from the use of all mood-altering substances, including alcohol and any beverage, food, or non-prescribed medication containing alcohol or other mood altering substance....

When LaBossiere tested positive for cocaine in August 2022, she said she would spent the night in a house where cocaine was used, but hadnt used it herself. LaBossiere couldnt provide a reason for a positive alcohol test in November 2022.

That counted as contempt of court. LaBossieres 91-day suspension started on Aug. 3. The order from the state supremes says LaBossiere told the court shes no longer practicing law.

Wanda Rufin, Miami

Wanda Rufin (admitted in 1999) represented the husband side of a divorce, during which the couple sold their house and netted $303,703. Rufin put that into her trust account. But, a court ruled, after she distributed the money to all parties, Rufin had improperly distributed $71,897 that should have gone to the ex-wife.

When the court ordered a final equitable distribution to the former wife, Rufin failed to advise the court about the remaining balance of the marital funds held in a second escrow account, the Florida Bar explained.

Rufin paid the ex-wife the $71,897. Her one-year suspension starts Saturday.
A Russian strike against Kupiansk in Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv Oblast wounded two civilians on Oct. 2, the Prosecutor Generals Office reported.

Russian forces used a guided aerial bomb to carry out the attack, according to preliminary data cited by prosecutors.

Several residential buildings and civilian cars were damaged, adds the report.

In the morning of Oct. 2, Russia struck in the vicinity of Kharkiv at least five times, the regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram. There were no casualties, he added, without revealing what was hit in the attack.

Read also: Trained in the heat of battle: The journey of Kharkiv Oblasts Territorial Defense

Since mid-July, Kupiansk has come under increased attacks amid Russian attempts to retake the territories liberated by Ukraines surprise counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast last autumn. The city was occupied by Russian forces from Feb. 27 to Sept. 10, 2022.

Ukrainian authorities ordered the mandatory evacuation of 37 settlements in the Kupiansk district in August.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on Sept. 28 that Russian troops had reduced the tempo of their localized offensive operations on the Kupiansk-Svatove-Kreminna line.

Read also: From occupation to active war zone: Danger persists for Ukrainians in liberated territories

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Prosecutor General's office reported on Oct. 2 that 504 Ukrainian children have been officially documented as killed since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion last year.

More than 1,100 children have also sustained injuries with varying degrees of severity.

On Oct. 1, two girls, aged 12 and 13, were injured as the result of shelling in the city of Kherson.

The previous day, a 16-year-old boy was wounded after shelling in the village of Kostobobriv in Chernihiv Oblast, and a 13-old-boy received injuries result from shell-fire in the small city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast.

In Donetsk Oblast, 488 have either been injured or killed by Russia, making it the most heavily-impacted region in Ukraine in terms of child casualties.

Additionally, 300 in Kharkiv Oblast have been affected, 129 in Kyiv Oblast, 128 in Kherson Oblast, 99 in Zaporizhia Oblast, 97 in Mykolaiv Oblast, 96 in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, 72 in Chernihiv Oblast, and 67 in Luhansk Oblast.

However, the actual numbers regarding child casualties may be much higher since they do not fully account for territories still under Russian occupation, recently liberated by Ukrainian forces, or experiencing heavy fighting, the Prosecutor General's Office added.

Read also: UNICEF: 20 children killed, 69 wounded in Ukraine due to mine explosions

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
In late June, police were called to a Shawnee home to help investigate an animal control complaint. The homeowners, Clifford and Jennifer Gaskill, already had talked with city officials about their situation and believed they did nothing wrong.

The Shawnee police officers wanted to write a municipal citation related to the Gaskill's dog-sitting business, but Clifford refused to show police his ID. To cool off after the tense argument, Clifford said he walked back into his home, leaving officer, Jacob Blazer, outside with Jennifer, who had been casually standing outside looking on while her husband spoke with the officers.

Less than a minute later, Jennifer was in handcuffs. Luckily for the Gaskills, the whole interaction was caught on the their home security cameras. In reviewing that footage and comparing it to a police report from the incident, Public Eye found some deeper concerns, which we'll get to.

The problem: Detaining one person to get another to comply

After Clifford walked inside, Jennifer Gaskill told Blazer her ID was inside the house so she'd have to go back inside to get it. Instead of letting her retrieve it, Blazer blocked her from going inside.

"He said, 'You're not going inside. Your husband needs to come out and present his ID or you're going to jail,'" Jennifer recalled.

A frame grab from security footage showing police detaining a Shawnee woman before they served her husband with a municipal citation related to the couple's dog-sitting business.

She stood idly next to Blazer with her arms crossed. After about a minute, Blazer can be seen shrugging his shoulders before grabbing Jennifer's wrists, putting her in handcuffs and walking her back to his car.

The city of Shawnee had not complied with Public Eye's request for a police report and body camera footage as of publication, but the Gaskills were able to obtain them through a separate request. While there was video from one officer's perspective, the city told the Gaskills there was no video from Blazer's body camera so Public Eye could not independently verify what was said before Jennifer was detained.

As Jennifer sat in the back of a police car, Clifford finally relented and gave police his ID so they would write the citations and release his wife. After the incident, he spoke with Public Eye, complaining that police took his wife "hostage" for about 20 minutes in order to get his driver's license.

"That was me that should have been cuffed. That was me that should have been put in a patrol car, and that was me that should have gone through that experience," Clifford told Public Eye. "Not her, who was doing everything she could to cooperate with them."

The Oklahoman's Public Eye investigative reporting project

What we found: Surveillance video does not match police officer's report

As we reviewed the police report looking for that justification, we found another troubling problem.

In his narrative of the incident, Blazer wrote that he detained Jennifer after she "attempted to push past me again" to go inside the house.

But video from two surveillance cameras shows something different. Blazer's version of events never happened; she never tried to push past him. It's hard to believe any reasonable person watching the video would say she was anything but compliant and reasonable.

After reading Blazer's report, Clifford was livid. Although he'd seen the surveillance footage before, he immediately watched it again.

"I was trying to figure out how this cop had the nerve to say that she more or less assaulted him by trying to push him out of the way, when she couldn't have been any less threatening no matter what she did aside from getting on the ground and going into the fetal position," Clifford said.

When can cops detain you?

Police have broad powers to detain individuals. Under what is known as a "Terry" detention in reference to a 1968 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Terry v. Ohio, police have the authority to detain people during an investigation, which could include the use of handcuffs. Although it's different from an actual arrest, the line between detention and arrest is thin, blurred and fact-intensive, said Andrea Worden, a Norman attorney who Public Eye asked to independently analyze the situation.

More: Public Eye investigates issues that impact you. This is what we've found so far

"The fact that (Jennifer) wasnt suspected of any criminal activity makes it harder to justify any kind of detention, let alone being cuffed and put in the back of a police car," Worden said. "That kind of detention is usually reserved for persons suspected of criminal activity or those who reasonably pose a risk of harm to others."

Even if Jennifer Gaskill's brief detention didn't break any laws, the interaction raises questions about the appropriate use of police powers and the justification Blazer used to put her in handcuffs.

The fallout: Defending their honor

The Gaskills ultimately decided not to fight the animal control citations, but Jennifer filed complaints with the city, county and attorney general's office alleging she was illegally detained. Shawnee police Capt. John Goss reviewed their complaint and wrote a formal letter to the Gaskills, saying that he found no policy violations.

They also reached out to us. Public Eye inquired to Shawnee police about the incident, and specifically asked to speak with the police chief about why Blazer's statements didn't match the video record. A police spokeswoman said that because the Gaskills were considering legal action, the department would not comment.

Worden said that people sometimes perceive a situation differently or their memories get fuzzy over time, but it's still an officer's responsibility to get things right.

"Law enforcement officers arent supposed to lie on their reports," she said. "But I dont think anyone would be surprised to hear that its common to find discrepancies between written reports and the video footage of the same incident."

Although they received only a municipal code violation and neither was charged with a crime, the Gaskills have serious concerns about how the incident will affect the rest of their lives. The couple want to adopt a child, Jennifer has a good job and neither want this interaction to cause any future trouble.

"My biggest concern is now there is a record that I've been aggressive towards a police officer," Jennifer told Public Eye. "And how is that going to impact me down the line? I mean, I work for my church and I work for the state, so if the wrong person sees that, now I have a record of being aggressive."

The consequences here were relatively small compared to other high-profile examples of police behavior. No one went to jail, no one got beat up, but Clifford said he's afraid of what might happen to someone else in a similar situation.

In this case, we hope the Shawnee Police Department will investigate why the officer's report did not match the video and take appropriate action.

Have a problem? Let Public Eye help. Email us at publiceye@oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Shawnee Oklahoma woman says police illegally detained her
A Pueblo man is set for trial in connection to a June vehicular homicide after a Pueblo judge found there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed.

Danny Espinoza, 40, is charged with vehicular homicide along with driving under the influence, careless driving causing death, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident involving death.

On June 13, 2023, at approximately 4:10 p.m., Pueblo police received a call regarding a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian in the area of Broadway and Routt avenues.

Cpl. Steven Vaughn of the Pueblo Police Department testified Friday during a preliminary hearing that when he arrived to the scene, he observed a 2007 Jeep Liberty, which had come to rest in front of 221 Broadway Ave.

Vaughn said a man, later identified as Jonathan Weinell, 55, was lying dead and covered in a sheet next to the Jeep and a gold Chevy Malibu.

Vaughn wrote in an affidavit of probable cause for an arrest warrant that the Jeep had heavy damage to the driver's-side, and the front driver's-side tire was missing. The Chevy had heavy damage to the windshield and the hood of the car, consistent with something landing on the vehicle, Vaughn said.

A white Toyota Prius had side damage to the front on the driver's front quarter panel and in the driver's door. A third vehicle, a Toyota Tundra, was parked in front of the Prius and also sustained damage to the driver's side.

A video of the incident taken by a neighbor's doorbell camera was also played in court.

The video showed Espinoza driving the Jeep in the 200 block of Broadway Avenue, traveling in the eastbound lanes before crossing the broken line into westbound traffic, striking the Tundra that was parked on the street and finally striking the Prius. While hitting the Prius, the Jeep also struck Weinell, who appeared to be trying to get something from the vehicle.

Weinell was thrown into the air and landed on the hood of the Prius before landing next to it.

Vaughn testified that witnesses told him Espinoza attempted to leave the scene of the wreck but was chased down and compelled to come back to the scene.

Witnesses told Vaughn that Espinoza "realized he was outnumbered" and that "physical force was not required" to bring Espinoza back to the scene, Vaughn testified Friday.

Witnesses stated Espinoza initially told several stories; he first claimed his aunt had been driving, then stated someone had swerved in front of him, causing him to oversteer into the parked vehicles, Vaughn testified.

No evidence was found to support either story, Vaughn said.

Police outline evidence of impairment

Officer Carlos Medina later responded to the hospital to speak with Espinoza.

During the conversation, Medina observed Espinoza had small pupils, a raspy voice, and droopy eyelids, Medina testified.

Due to Espinoza's injuries, Medina could not perform most standard field sobriety tests, such as balancing on one foot or walking in a straight line, but he was able to perform a test that involved Espinoza following a light with his eyes.

During the test, Espinoza's eyes were rolling into the back of his head, Medina testified.

A blood draw conducted by hospital staff tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl, in an amount that would cause "substantial impairment to driving ability," Medina testified.

Paul Jose, a public defender representing Espinoza in the case, pointed to a head injury sustained by Espinoza in the crash, arguing that an injury to the head may also be responsible for the symptoms of impairment noted by Medina. Under questioning by Jose, Medina admitted he did not know if Espinoza may have suffered a traumatic brain injury during the crash.

Nonetheless, Judge Allison Ernst decided there was probable cause to send the case to trial, as under the standard of probable cause, a judge determines simply whether there is enough evidence that a reasonable person could suspect the defendant of the charges against them  a much lower bar than the standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt" needed for a conviction at trial.

Espinoza is scheduled for a routine hearing on Nov. 8. He remains in the Pueblo County jail on a $2,500 bond.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain atsubscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo man bound for trial in June vehicular homicide
Russia is facing personnel shortages in occupied regions of Ukraine, per independent outlet Meduza.

Meduza cited two officials who described fears of new Ukrainian attacks among Russian officials.

Russian officials have died in Ukraine's counteroffensives in the occupied regions, the outlet said.

Russian officials are reluctant to take jobs in occupied regions of Ukraine, despite promises of higher pay, out of fear of Ukrainian attacks, according to a Russian media report.

The threat of more Ukrainian counteroffensives in the annexed regions, which include Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, have made Russian officials reluctant to take jobs there, two sources close to the Kremlin told independent outlet Meduza.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree last September formally annexing the four Ukrainian regions, with plans to bring them closer to Russia and pay their employees double, per the outlet.

But higher pay does not make up for the risk of Ukrainian attacks, the two unnamed officials told Meduza.

Since late last year, Ukraine has retaken parts of eastern Ukraine. An unspecified number of Russian officials, including Alexei Katerinichev, a Russian-installed official in Kherson, have also been killed, per the outlet.

At the same time, an unnamed Russian-installed official appointed to a ministerial role in one of the occupied regions told the outlet that leaving a position there for Russia is considered "desertion," which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

To make up for the personnel shortages, the Kremlin is holding electoral contests modeled on the "Leaders of Russia" competition, which is seen as a career springboard for Russian officials, Meduza reported, without giving details on the number of participants.

Russia's Defense Ministry also announced last month that people in the four occupied regions will be included for the first time in its conscription campaign.

The draft, which started on October 1 and lasts through the end of the year, aims to call up 130,000 additional soldiers, according to Russian state media outlet TASS.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Russian experts have long predicted that its only a matter of time before U.S. aid to Ukraine is jeopardized by war fatigue and domestic issues. The MAGA branch of the Republican Party is currently delivering in spades, as a stopgap funding bill that was passed by Congress to avert a shutdown excluded much-needed funding for Ukraine.

As a special bonus for supporters of the Russian war effort, Elon Musk over the weekend mocked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on X (formerly Twitter) for seeking international support to help his country repel a genocidal aggressor.

Predictably, Musks cruelty brought joy to Putins mouthpieces. During Mondays broadcast of 60 Minutes, state TV host Olga Skabeeva noted, Its impossible not to notice that the West is getting sick not only of Zelensky but Ukraine as a whole, as a circumstance that is constantly siphoning away their money. Elon Musk is magnificent, he is wonderful and perhaps he really is our agent! He published a meme about a beggar that recently became popular, using Zelenskys face instead of that person. It says, When its been five minutes and you havent asked for a billion dollars in aid.

Skabeeva mentioned the congressional bill that specifically omitted aid to Ukraine and cheerfully noted, Only recently, it was impossible to even imagine anything like this!

She also surmised, Unless something changes in the next 45 days, the United States will certainly stop helping Ukraine! Skabeeva described Ukraine as a walking corpse and opined that the West is ready to write it off as a loss. Thrilled with Musks contribution to the Russian trove of anti-Ukrainian propaganda, Skabeeva praised his wealth, his commentary, and the exquisite hat he recently donned during a visit to the southern U.S. border.

State Duma deputy Andrey Isayev concurred, saying, The strategy of our president turned out to be quite wise. Just a short while ago, the West seemed to be a consolidated and united front that was fighting against us. This consolidation keeps on fading.

Kyiv May Be Accidentally Helping Russian Agents Penetrate Ukraine

Isayev pointed out, We remember that when Zelensky went to the United States one year ago, he received a standing ovation in their parliament. He noted that this year, the president of Ukraine wasnt even allowed to speak before Congress and later, both the Republicans and the Democrats voted for a bill that cut out funding for Ukraine. Isayev concluded, We have arrived!

Political scientist Vladimir Kornilov added that the draft law of the Lend-Lease Act, which authorized the Biden administration to lend or lease military equipment to Ukraine and other Eastern European countries, quietly expired Sep. 30 without being extended. He concluded that the program represented the faith of the West in Ukraines eventual victory and the failure to renew it signifies that U.S. faith and commitment to the war effort expired along with the law.

Dmitry Abzalov, Director of Russias Center for Strategic Communications, said that the changes Russia is observing in the United States would be unthinkable just one year earlier. He surmised that the diminishing U.S. support will bear fruit in the theater of military operations in the near future, leading to the decline in Western support overall and the corresponding deterioration of Ukraines defense capabilities.

Some of the most prominent Kremlin mouthpieces repeatedly reiterated that Putins invasion is nothing more than a land grab and a gambit to restore the Russian empire, with an unabashedly genocidal agenda towards Ukraine. Nonetheless, the moral clarity on this issue is taking the back seat to domestic power struggles in the United States.

During the evening broadcast of 60 Minutes, Skabeeva was still praising Musk for his anti-Ukrainian stance. She proudly noted that the wealthiest person in the world is now known as Elon Moskal, meaning Elon the Muscovite.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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When the Supreme Court delivered its landmark ruling prohibiting the consideration of race in college admissions, Richard Kahlenberg was the rare liberal intellectual who celebrated.

A prolific researcher at Georgetown Universitys Center on Education and the Workforce, Kahlenberg didnt just welcome the end of affirmative action as we knew it  he served as an expert witness for the suits plaintiffs, Students for Fair Admissions, in their successful efforts to strike down diversity plans at elite colleges as discriminatory and unconstitutional.

The 62 opinion represented the fulfillment of a generation of work for Kahlenberg, the author of 18 books ranging from personal memoirs to biographies to education policy tomes. For the last few decades, he has waged a long and sometimes unpopular campaign to broaden the focus of educational integration to make room for class, which he says represents the crucial divide in American life. Assembling racially heterogeneous students of identically middle- and upper-class backgrounds to learn together, while cordoning off the children of the working class and the poor, is the surest way to reinforce the advantages of the wealthy, he has argued.

Related

U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Use of Affirmative Action in College Admissions

Just months after his argument carried the day at the Supreme Court, Kahlenberg is exploring a different facet of inequality in his new book, Excluded: How Snob Zoning, NIMBYism, and Class Bias Build the Walls We Dont See.

Released in July, Excluded details how exclusionary zoning practices, such as bans on apartments or mandates for single-family homes, are used to restrict the supply of housing and further segregate neighborhoods as more hopeful buyers are priced out. Whats more, since most families choose where to live based at least partly on the quality of local schools, such tactics also push most of the top-performing public schools in the country out of reach of poor and working-class people.

Veteran researcher Richard Kahlenberg released his latest book, Excluded, in July. (Hachette Book Group)

It seems unlikely that convenings of zoning authorities will become as heated as school board meetings have in recent years. But to Kahlenberg, the NIMBY (not in my backyard) instinct is of a piece with Harvards now-banned admissions policies: a means of capturing opportunity by those with the resources and wherewithal to grab them.

In a conversation with The 74s Kevin Mahnken, Kahlenberg spoke about the failure of 70s-era busing, his abiding admiration for Sen. Robert Kennedy, and what he calls liberalisms elitism problem.

Harvard gave large preferences based on race and created a majority-minority class, which I think is a wonderful thing, he said. But it also had many, many more wealthy students than low-income students. Were beginning to see the ways in which racial preferences have propped up a much larger system that is biased against working-class and low-income people.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

The 74: How do the main themes of this book  zoning and access to housing  relate to schools?

Richard Kahlenberg: I come at housing from the perspective of education, and the architecture of educational inequality rests on two pillars. One is exclusionary zoning  bans on apartments, minimum lot sizes and the like  which keeps people apart by class and race. The other is mandatory neighborhood assignment for most students. Essentially, zoning rules determine who gets to live where, and that determines where children are allowed to go to school.

Maybe Im a slow learner, but I should have gotten into housing policy years ago. Housing policy is school policy.

There are exceptions to that in the form of public school choice programs that try to disentangle residence and school assignment. Ive long been a supporter of those programs, but you bump your head against the reality that more than 70 percent of American schoolchildren attend their neighborhood public schools.

Maybe Im a slow learner, but I should have gotten into housing policy years ago. Housing policy is school policy.

Reading the book, it made me think that education journalists should spend almost as much time following the agenda of local housing authorities as we do focusing on school boards.

You see an example of that in Montgomery County, Maryland, where there was a kind of natural experiment of what matters in improving the opportunities for low-income students. Around 2010, Heather Schwartz at the RAND Corporation examined two strategies that were pursued in this liberal, diverse county right outside of Washington, D.C.. One was to spend $2,000 extra for each pupil in high-poverty schools, for good things like extended learning time and reduced class size in early grades.

At the same time, a local inclusionary zoning law mandates that when builders develop a certain number of units, they have to set aside a portion for low-income and working-class families. In essence, there was a random assignment of low-income students to different public housing units, which are spread throughout the county. Some of those students lived in the higher-poverty areas and received the extra $2,000 at school; the other group lived in more affluent parts of Montgomery County and didnt receive the extra funding, but did attend schools with lower levels of poverty.

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District Boundaries Leave Quality Schools Out of Reach for Low-Income Families

Over time, Schwartz found that the housing intervention, which resulted in economic integration, had a far greater effect on academic achievement than the school spending intervention. In seven years, the math gap was cut in half between low-income students and middle-class students, the reading gap was cut by one-third. It shows that housing policy matters enormously to student outcomes.

Is it striking to you that land use is mostly a submerged issue in the K12 agenda? After all, neighborhood selection is the way most people exercise school choice.

Yes, people of means very often choose neighborhoods based on the strength of their schools. And everyone should look for whats best for their kids. The problem comes when government actively excludes those of lesser means by rigging zoning laws to prevent lower-income people from living in certain neighborhoods.

So I dont have any qualms with parents choosing housing in this way. I have a big problem with laws that effectively keep working-class families from exercising that same choice.

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For 50 Years, This Voluntary Busing Program Has Desegregated Schools 1 Family  and 1 District  at a Time

Do you agree that housing laws have gained this importance in part due to the Supreme Courts ruling in Milliken v. Bradley, which made it extremely hard to mandate busing between cities and their surrounding suburbs? Youve explored this fairly deeply in your writings about the socioeconomic integration of K12 schools.

Busing became deeply problematic in the North, and it mostly worked in the South. The difference was that in the South, you often see countywide school systems, so there was no place to flee. There is strong research to suggest that desegregation in the South had a much more positive effect on the achievement of African American students than it did in the North.

And that brings us right back to the power of socioeconomic status. The research always suggested that the reason African American students did better in racially integrated schools was that, on average, whites had higher socioeconomic status.

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Integrating Schools by Income, Not Race: Why Cities Are Embracing an Idea Whose Time Has Come

So in the South, there was cross-class and racial integration precisely because the districts encompassed cities and suburbs. In the North, that wasnt often the case, and after Milliken, the power of racial integration to produce class integration diminished considerably. To be clear, I think there are social benefits to racial integration, even if it doesnt increase academic achievement. Its a good thing for children, but if youre trying to raise academic achievement, its the socioeconomic mix that matters more than the racial mix.

The other piece of this is compulsion. Today, sophisticated integration plans  which, for legal and educational reasons, are built more on class than race  tend to rely on incentives and choice rather than compelling people. Its because families with means are able to rebel, either buying out of the system or moving further out.

Intriguingly, the racial demography of urban areas has changed quite a bit in recent years, with both suburbs and inner cities becoming more diverse than they were in the 70s and 80s. Is the same true of socioeconomic status?

Black-white segregation has declined by about 30 percent since 1970. While we havent made enough progress on racial segregation, and its still really prominent in many cities, were headed in the right direction. But Sean Reardons research at Stanford shows that, by contrast, income segregation has roughly doubled over the same time period.

There have been two periods in this country when exclusionary zoning has accelerated. The first arrived in 1917, when the Supreme Court struck down racial zoning in Buchanan v. Warley. Black people were explicitly prohibited from living in white neighborhoods under these plans in Baltimore, Louisville, and elsewhere, and the Court said that was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause. But very quickly, towns figured out they could achieve much the same result through economic zoning. You know, Youre welcome to live in this neighborhood so long as you can afford a detached, single-family home on half an acre of land.

The second came in the 1970s, and its timing was suspicious in that Congress had just passed the Fair Housing Act. Communities doubled down on exclusionary zoning during that time as well, though it was less effective because by that time, there was a growing African American middle class. In some cases, they were able to buy homes in neighborhoods that were more affluent. [U.S. Senator] Cory Booker, whom I interview in the book would be one case; his parents were executives, and because of the Fair Housing Act, they were able to move to a Newark suburb called Harrington Park. He was able to attend strong schools and go off to Stanford, but he also had lots of friends and cousins who werent so economically fortunate. They remained behind.

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74 Interview: Sen. Cory Booker on Teacher Quality, Celebrity Star Power, and Why His Newark School Reforms Were Actually a Success

The main point is that the two big expansions of this practice of exclusionary zoning came in response to advances for civil rights.

Weve seen some modest wins recently for the YIMBY [Yes in My Backyard] movement in places like California, but so many homeowners are really resistant to the idea of densifying their communities. Isnt it likely that flooding resources to poor schools, while apparently less effective than socioeconomic integration, would be the easier way to effect change?

I do support putting more money into high-poverty schools, and I dont think you have to choose between improving them and integrating them. You can do both.

A home for sale in California, which has seen some of the sharpest increases in real estate prices of any state. (Getty Images)

My concern is that maybe 95 percent of education reform is about trying to make separate-but-equal more workable. I dont want to abandon efforts to invest more resources in high-poverty schools, but we need this complementary strategy as well. For one thing, if your goal is raising achievement and the prospects of disadvantaged kids, a lot of evidence shows that its more effective to integrate than to provide extra resources.

Secondly, the two are connected in a reciprocal relationship. In theory, yes, you could try to invest tremendous amounts of money in under-resourced schools. But youre asking the political system to support an effort whereby families with the least political power command the greatest resources. We do see that in states like New Jersey, where a state court mandated extra funding for schools with high concentrations of poverty, and in a few other liberal communities like Montgomery County. But its not the rule.

In other words, integration is politically difficult, but so is flooding poor schools with massive resources. The other thing is that when we take housing policy off the table, we miss the importance of neighborhoods in predicting life chances. Because its not just academics and schooling, its about who you know in your neighborhood and what social connections they have that could benefit you down the line. That social aspect is another reason not to pursue a neo-Plessy [v. Ferguson, the Supreme Court decision authorizing separate, but equal public accommodations] approach of accepting segregation and trying to do the best you can with it.

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Youve already mentioned your support for public school choice policies like diverse-by-design charter schools. Do you think the rapid spread of Education Savings Accounts in red states is likely to temper or accelerate segregation along lines of race and class?

That stuff is a big step backward. My former Century Foundation colleague, Halley Potter, did an analysis of whether private school vouchers increased or decreased segregation. Her answer was that they increase it, and certainly that was the original motivation of many of the early proponents of voucher programs in the South  to create more segregation, not less.

Heres a good explanation for the necessity of public school systems. I wrote a biography of Al Shanker, the longtime leader of the American Federation of Teachers. One of the stories I learned writing it took place at a private meeting of education mucky-mucks. At a certain point, the president of Notre Dame stood up and asked, What is the rationale for public education in the first place, as opposed to people just taking their money to a system of private schools? There was a long silence, after which Shanker said, The reason we have public schools is that they teach kids what it means to be American. And its true that the charge of public schools is to instill the liberal democratic values that make our nation different from a lot of others, even if they dont do it perfectly.

In theory, yes, you could try to invest tremendous amounts of money in under-resourced schools. But youre asking the political system to support an effort whereby families with the least political power command the greatest resources.

Private schools have different purposes, which usually include deepening a particular religious faith. Thats fine, but their purpose is generally not to create better citizens. I know there are studies that claim private schools do a good job imparting the values of citizenship. Ive got some problems with some of those studies, but the point is that public educations rationale is to make possible the continuation of our experiment in self-governance. I dont want to give up on that lightly.

Robert Kennedy was a hero of yours, and you invoke his philosophy in the book as a corrective to what you call liberalisms serious problem with elitism. What do you think he would have made of the end of affirmative action in college admissions?

Bobby Kennedy is a touchstone for me. In the 1968 presidential campaign, he made the observation that we have deep racial inequalities in this country, but that underneath them are even bigger class divisions that often go ignored. We use race as a proxy for class in a lot of political conversations.

Kahlenberg sees Robert Kennedy as a model of egalitarian liberalism that could unite Americans of different races. (Getty Images)

That tendency serves the interest of my fellow highly educated liberals. If you take the example of affirmative action, Harvard gave large preferences based on race and created a majority-minority class, which I think is a wonderful thing. But it also had many, many more wealthy students than low-income students. Were beginning to see the ways in which racial preferences have propped up a much larger system that is biased against working-class and low-income people.

At Harvard, 71 percent of the African American, Hispanic, and Native American students came from the richest one-fifth of the African American, Hispanic, and Native American population nationally. White and Asian students were even wealthier. There was even a way in which racial preferences propped up legacy preferences, in that people who supported lowering admissions standards for enormously advantaged applicants could point to racial diversity and say, Look, the systems fair. There are lots of different factors we take into account. Now we see that Wesleyan recently abandoned legacy preferences, and I think a lot of other elite universities are going to give up that unfair, ancestry-based privilege.

One might expect that politically conservative areas would have more exclusionary practices  because, for instance, voters in those areas are more likely to support an exclusionary wall between the United States and Mexico. But in fact, there is substantial research to suggest that the worst forms of exclusionary zoning are in politically liberal areas along the coasts.

On elitism, Fareed Zakaria has written that the cardinal sin of the Right is racism, and the cardinal sin of the Left is elitism. One might expect that politically conservative areas would have more exclusionary practices  because, for instance, voters in those areas are more likely to support an exclusionary wall between the United States and Mexico. But in fact, there is substantial research to suggest that the worst forms of exclusionary zoning are in politically liberal areas along the coasts. Even within states, there are more acute forms of exclusionary zoning in politically liberal communities.

Why would liberals, who generally consider themselves openhearted and inclusive of people of color and LGBT individuals, be exclusionary in this way? The more benign explanation is that liberals support environmental protection, regulation, and due process, all of which tend to make it harder to build housing and other major projects. At the very least, those have been weaponized by liberals to exclude.

And theres a less charitable explanation. As Democrats became the party of the highly educated, there were both good and bad things that came with that. Some experimental research suggests that people with high levels of education have more favorable attitudes towards traditional targets of prejudice. Thats a good thing, but at the same time, highly educated people exhibit many more stereotypes and negative attitudes toward those with less education  the folks that Hillary Clinton famously described as deplorable. I think liberals like me need to take a close look in the mirror on some of these issues of class bias.

Related

Harvard Ruling Will Put Spotlight on College Elitism, Georgetown Economist Says

Do you think self-interest is playing a role as well? In my interview with Tony Carnevale, he basically said that most schools dont believe they can afford to be more class-diverse. Obviously, many people also fear that new housing will lower their own home values.

Absolutely. The reason why universities have sought racial diversity without class diversity is that its cheaper. You can devote more resources to faculty salaries, expanded administration, new buildings, and the rest of the things universities want to do.

Highly educated people exhibit many more stereotypes and negative attitudes toward those with less education  the folks that Hillary Clinton famously described as deplorable. I think liberals like me need to take a close look in the mirror on some of these issues of class bias.

But theres good news from states [such as California, Florida, and Michigan] that have previously banned affirmative action. The evidence suggests that universities wont just give up on racial diversity; those with resources will reach into their pockets and provide more money to expand socioeconomic diversity as a means of indirectly creating racial diversity.

During the recent Students for Fair Admissions litigation, the University of North Carolina said, We cant afford to expand financial aid. Its not a viable alternative to using race in admissions. Lo and behold, after the Supreme Court ruled, UNC announced that it will significantly expand their financial aid. And kudos to them for finding the money necessary to foster racial diversity!

Over time, universities will develop a number of new liberal programs to ensure that racial diversity is achieved  by giving a break to economically disadvantaged students, by expanding financial aid, by eliminating unfair preferences for the children of alumni. Then we can end up with both racial and socioeconomic diversity.

Related

After Harvard Ruling, Will Admissions Policies at Elite K-12 Schools Be Next?

Youve naturally got to be pleased to have prevailed in court in your capacity as a witness. But how is this ruling going to lead to more egalitarian colleges and universities? What needs to happen next, whether in colleges, statehouses, or Congress?

Theres a paradox in public opinion polling. On one hand, Americans are deeply opposed to counting race as a factor of who gets into college. Pew found something like 74 percent of respondents opposed to using race. At the same time, Americans want their universities to be racially and economically diverse, and they strongly support other efforts  such as giving an edge to students from low-income backgrounds  in order to create diversity.

When racial preferences were banned in states like Texas and Florida back in the 90s, Republican governors worked with state legislatures to come up with a variety of new programs. That is to say, states and universities did not simply give up on racial diversity when they couldnt use race in admissions, because the political system does not want to see segregation in elite higher education.

Activists have spent decades attempting to repeal Californias Proposition 209, which ended the states affirmative action programs in 1996. (Getty Images)

The other dynamic is that the Republican Party is increasingly the party of the white working class. White working-class people have been angry about affirmative action for a long time. But suddenly, universities are going to start saying, Were going to provide a meaningful break to working-class students of all races. I find it hard to believe that Republicans will oppose those efforts at the very moment that their political base becomes eligible for class-based affirmative action.

It seems like your emphasis on integration raises questions about the nature of what we call school quality. If the socioeconomic background of your classmates is a major factor in determining what you can learn  as the Coleman Report also found way back in the 60s  then should we order our priorities to pursue residential and school integration over more conventional school improvement efforts?

I would broadly agree. If the dual purposes of public education are to create social mobility on the one hand, and social cohesion on the other, then we want to use housing policy and public school choice to bring kids of different backgrounds together. Economically segregated schools oftentimes defeat well-intentioned education reform efforts.

Theres a paradox in public opinion polling. On one hand, Americans are deeply opposed to counting race as a factor of who gets into college. At the same time, Americans want their universities to be racially and economically diverse, and they strongly support other efforts  such as giving an edge to students from low-income backgrounds  in order to create diversity.

If you care about curriculum or teaching, as I do, having a system segregated by class makes it more difficult to provide equality. You want all students to be exposed to a good curriculum, for example, but we know that there are many fewer advanced classes offered in high-poverty schools. We also know that some teachers consider it a promotion to move from a high-poverty school to a middle-class school.

You can chip away at that. I support paying bonuses to highly qualified teachers who agree to teach in high-poverty schools, and I support the expansion of AP classes in high-poverty schools. But at the end of the day, those efforts ignore the essential reality that Coleman detected in his study, which grew out of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Separate schools for rich and poor are rarely equal. Rather than putting our heads in the sand and ignoring that central finding, which has been repeated and repeated again since Coleman, I think we need to face it head-on.
(Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have provided Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits to striking workers who were demonstrating for at least two weeks.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have provided striking workers with unemployment salaries while demonstrating.

The Democrat defended his decision by saying the state has a high Unemployment Insurance (UI) debt. He also noted that the region is not collecting enough money in taxes to fund support for the bill's financial requirements, making it "vulnerable to insolvency."

Unemployment Benefits to Striking Workers

The potential fund is supported through a tax that businesses must pay on each work, but the tax applies to the first $7,000 of workers' salaries. This is the lowest amount that is allowed under federal law. This financial structure has been in place and has remained unchanged since 1984.

In his decision, Newsom said that any expansion for UI benefits could increase the state's outstanding federal UI debt, projected to be nearly $20 billion by the end of the year. He said the proposal could also jeopardize California's Benefit Cost Ratio add-on waiver application, which would significantly increase taxes on employers, as per The Hill.

The governor also said that the state is responsible for the interest payments on the federal UI loan and, to date, has already paid $362.7 million in interest, and another $302 million is due to be paid this month. Newsom warned that now is not the time to increase costs or incur a sizable debt.

The Democratic lawmaker's veto of the bill came amid major strikes in the state and as Hollywood writers ended their strike on Sept. 26. Despite the latter, there are still ongoing strikes by Hollywood actors and Southern California hotel workers.

The new bill represented an effort by Democratic state lawmakers to show their support for striking workers. In a statement, the bill's author, Democratic State Sen. Anthony Portantino, said that only two of the 56 strikes in the state over the past decade have lasted more than two weeks.

Read Also: Biden Signs Bill To Avert Government Shutdown, Blames House GOP for 'Manufactured Crisis

Gavin Newsom's Veto

The Democratic-majority legislature passed it in September amid several high-profile strikes in the region. The proposal would have made workers on strike for at least two weeks eligible for unemployment checks. According to Reuters, most states in the country, excluding New York and New Jersey, do not provide unemployment benefits to striking workers.

The situation comes as labor unions hold more influence in California than most other states. An electorate is dominated by Democrats and a large roster of liberal officeholders who rely on union support. However, the state has a high cost of living, which makes it an expensive place to go on strike without income.

Employers can often wait out a labor action, knowing that the lost income will force unionized workers back to the bargaining table. This was evidenced in how Hollywood writers raised the issue during their demonstrations before a tentative contract agreement was announced on Sept. 24, according to the New York Times.

Related Article: Matt Gaetz Plans to Kick Kevin McCarthy from US House Speakership

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A judge sentenced rapper Blueface to probation Monday for a shooting last year outside of a Las Vegas strip club, the 8 News Now Investigators have confirmed.

Police arrested Blueface, 26, whose real name is Johnathan Porter, last November. The shooting happened around 4 a.m. on Oct. 8, 2022.

Judge Kathleen Delaney had accepted the plea deal over the summer, which stipulated a probation-only sentence. On Monday, Delaney sentenced Porter to a suspended sentence of 2-5 years in prison, meaning he will only serve probation, his attorneys Kristina Wildeveld and Lisa Rasmussen said.

The victim said he was shot in the hand outside of Euphoric Gentlemens Club on Windy Road off the Las Vegas Strip, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. He recognized Porter in the venue and had spoken with him earlier in the night. The victim said he made a joke about Porter speaking with some females in a cheap vehicle, documents said.

Prosecutors initially charged Porter with attempted murder. The plea deal lowered the charges to battery and discharging a firearm at or into an occupied structure.

Blueface faced at least two civil cases related to the alleged shooting. Porters attorneys had asked a judge to pause any civil cases as his criminal proceedings moved forward.

Police arrested Porter on a robbery charge as he was entering court in June. Detectives said he had stolen a fans phone at the Palms casino. Prosecutors agreed to dismiss the charge after Porter was sentenced in the shooting case, records showed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
People who crossed the U.S. border from Mexico are led, single-file, to a Border Patrol processing center along the banks of the Rio Grande in September. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

They waded across the Rio Grande holding hands to form a human chain as frustrated Texas National Guard members shouted warnings in Spanish from behind stacked-up coils of razor wire.

Go back! Youre breaking the law!

Hundreds of people cross the Rio Grande from Piedras Negras, Mexico, into Eagle Pass, Texas. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The current is too strong! Dont risk your lives!

A voice came from the river: We have children! Help us!

Border Patrol agents pass by a group wading to the banks of the Rio Grande. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The official admonitions were to no avail. Worried that the migrants ascending the muddy riverbank into Texas could tumble back into the swift current, U.S. Border Patrol agents used pliers to cut open a passage through the thickets of barbed wire.

Litbirhec Correa, 21, from Maracay, Venezuela, clambered through with her two young children.

Finally, we are here! she declared.

A Border Patrol agent cuts razor wire to allow migrants, who have been waiting in the sun for hours, to come to a way station under the Camino Real International Bridge. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Scenes like this unfold day and night in Eagle Pass and across much of the 2,000-mile U.S. border with Mexico.

Some 93,000 migrants traveling as families were taken into custody in August  the most ever recorded in a month  as overall Border Patrol apprehensions were up 82% compared with June.

September totals have not been released, but sources familiar with Border Patrol data said that apprehensions  including detentions of many men crossing solo  have been climbing rapidly, topping 8,000 on several recent days.

The number of Venezuelans in particular has been spiking. U.S. border officials apprehended more than 11,000 people from Venezuela in July and 22,000 in August  and the September total is expected to be even higher. With detention space limited  especially for families  many are being released while they wait for judges to consider their asylum claims.

The chaotic border scenario has become a crisis for President Biden, who is facing criticism not only from his usual Republican enemies but also from some Democrats who say their communities cannot afford the costs of absorbing the newcomers.

Read more: We want to be Americans: Migrants flow through Mexicos southern border after Title 42s end

Rolando Salinas, the Democratic mayor of Eagle Pass, recently declared a state of disaster, lamenting on Facebook that his border town, home to 28,000 people, had been abandoned by the Biden administration.

His city has become an especially popular crossing spot.

We are so thankful to be here," Correa said, clutching her daughter, Leoneli, 4, and her son, Joeli, 6. "Weve been walking for two days. All we had to eat were crackers. We must thank God.

Luis Hernandez, 21, hugs his son, Taylor, 2, after crossing the the Rio Grande from Piedras Negras, Mexico, into Eagle Pass, Texas. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Shortly after she and others passed through the razor wire, National Guard troops rolled out fresh loops to patch the hole  even though it would soon have to be reopened.

: :

The razor wire is part of Operation Lone Star, as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott dubs his controversial campaign to deter migrants.

Farther upriver, a row of shipping containers blockading entry form what Abbott calls a steel wall. The federal government is suing Texas for another impediment  a line of wrecking-ball-sized orange buoys positioned in the middle of the Rio Grande.

None of the tactics has worked. If border agents don't cut the wire, crossers deploy blankets and items of clothing to climb over the obstruction, or tunnel through it, often ending up bloodied.

Read more: How many people work for the Mexican drug cartels? Researchers have an answer

Multicolored remnants of torn fabric cling to the jagged barbs, blowing in the breeze like tattered flags along a shoreline littered with discarded shoes, backpacks, jeans and other detritus from the odysseys to the United States.

Word of mouth and online chats have led them to this juncture in Eagle Pass, across the Rio Grande from the Mexican city of Piedras Negras.

Weve heard theres no kidnappings here, no cartels, said Luis Villalobos, 33, one of a large group of exhausted Venezuelans taking a break outside a grocery store in Mexico on their way to the border crossing. They still had about 30 miles to walk beneath a blazing sun in 100-degree-plus temperatures.

Francys Lira, 42, a mother of four, was accompanied by her 14-year-old son.

They say its easier to get in with kids, said Lira, repeating what has become conventional wisdom. By court order, the U.S. government cannot detain families with children for more than 20 days.

Read more: Border crossings on pace for two-decade high as smugglers exploit high hopes for Biden

Though most of the migrants claim asylum, nearly all of those interviewed near the border cited economic opportunity, not political persecution, as their motivation for coming.

Border Patrol agents pick up young children and families who have been waiting in the blazing heat to pass through razor wire on the banks of the Rio Grande. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

We are 11 people, all from Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, said Maxina Cereno, 57, after she and the others tossed their backpacks over the barbed labyrinth and crawled through an opening. We have heard from family and friends that life is better here, so we decided to come as well. What future do we have in our country?

Like so many others, Cereno carried a small sheet of paper with a handwritten name and telephone number  of her son, who now lives in Florida. Thats where she and the others were headed.

She recounted the groups long journey: from Venezuela to Colombia and on foot into Panama through the Darien Gap, a once-treacherous strip of rainforest that has become a well-organized and relatively safe migrant corridor  with a record 80,000-plus people, the majority of them Venezuelans, traversing it in August.

Read more: This remote sliver of northwest Colombia is one of the worlds busiest migration corridors

Then Cereno and her group moved on to Central America and Mexico, eventually covering more than 3,000 miles through jungles, mountains, cities and deserts, dodging thieves, crooked cops, extortionists and kidnappers.

The river currents here present another hazard. On a recent morning, a woman from Mexico clung to her daughter mid-river, too scared to move.

A pair of Venezuelan men strung together ropes and belts collected from other men to create a safety line for the woman. They carried 1-year-old Olga to the shore.

Im very grateful, the woman, Wendy Pacheco, 24, said later as National Guard troops hoisted her and her child over a metal container barrier and handed them over to the Border Patrol.

Olga Pacheco, 1, of Mexico is carried by Yonder Urbina, 29, and Oskeivys Gonzalez, 30, of Venezuela as they struggle against the Rio Grande current while crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Pacheco's mother, Wendy, crossed just ahead with a larger group after the two men volunteered to carry her baby. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

: :

Relatively few migrants are seen on the streets of Eagle Pass, despite the mayor's public complaints. Federal officials have gone to extraordinary lengths to keep the migrants mostly out of sight.

The Border Patrol has set up a makeshift processing center in the shadow of an international bridge just a few yards from the river. Generators power strobe lights and other equipment.

A man carefully grips razor wire as he emerges from the Rio Grande. Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times A man hands a child to a Border Patrol agent after passing through barbed wire on the Rio Grande. Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Here, migrants are organized into lines and are soon put in buses or vans, headed to shelters or holding facilities.

Once allotted court dates, asylum seekers fan out throughout the United States. Abbott recently dispatched chartered buses to Eagle Pass and El Paso to ferry migrants to what he called self-declared sanctuary cities, including New York, Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles.

For the Biden administration, immigration has been a fraught issue as the president has sought to convey a more compassionate approach than his predecessor, Donald Trump, while still endeavoring to avoid televised takes of border turmoil.

There was a surge in illicit crossings in the spring in anticipation of the lifting of Title 42  a public-health rule invoked by Trump that effectively cut off the right to asylum for most migrants, subjecting millions to quick expulsion.

Then came what experts called a wait and see period, during which many appeared to hold off attempting to cross illegally.

Read more: Why border crossings have fallen since Trump-era rules expired last week

The numbers have been climbing steadily since July.

So many migrants are riding boxcars that Mexicos largest rail operator, Ferromex, temporarily suspended service on 60 northbound trains last month. The company cited a half-dozen recent injuries or deaths.

The Biden administration says that since May it has removed more than 250,000 people who were in the United States illegally.

But migrants from Venezuela, which has seen more than 7 million people flee economic collapse in recent years, cannot be easily deported, because the two countries lack formal diplomatic relations.

Venezuelans with passports and financial sponsors in the United States are eligible for entry under a humanitarian parole program. The program, which is also open to Haitians, Cubans and Nicaraguans, is capped at a total of 30,000 migrants a month  which falls short of the demand.

A man crawls through razor wire as he and hundreds of others gather and wait along the banks of the Rio Grande. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

In addition, the U.S. government recently granted "temporary protected status"  a designation for immigrants whose countries are deemed unsafe because of war, civil strife or natural disasters  to 472,000 Venezuelans in the United States as of July 31, allowing them to work legally.

In interviews, Venezuelans said that while they didn't necessarily understand the details of U.S. policy, they believed they would be allowed to enter the country if they could reach the border.

Every day, more people are setting off for the Darien, risking their lives, risking the lives of their children, said Maria Garza, 28, part of a group of young Venezuelans gathered on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande on a recent evening.

Read more: Venezuelans stranded in Mexico hold out hope Biden will shift border policy: 'I want to have faith'

Her destination was Washington, D.C., where she has relatives. She also has a sister who recently arrived in Texas.

We are fleeing because we live in a dictatorship, said Garza, 28, a college graduate. Because we dont earn enough to buy food. Because, as young people, we have no future.

: :

It had been a month since Garza and her traveling companions left Venezuela. They peered across the river into the United States.

Glints of orange-tinted light from the Border Patrol installation in Eagle Pass rippled on the water. Generators hummed. A freight train rumbled above on the rust-hued Union Pacific International Railroad Bridge. Spectral figures paced back and forth in the dark.

We want to get this over with, Garza said. To move on.

She and the others began to place backpacks and belongings in plastic trash bags to keep them dry.

A few of the men took off their jeans and stripped down to shorts. Everyone wondered about the shoe question.

Lindy Pena of Venezuela braves razor wire in bare feet after wading across the Rio Grande and crossing the U.S. border. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Better go barefoot, said a figure on the dark shore, not one of the group. Your sneakers will slip on the rocks. Its like ice.

Soon, they were off, a procession of individuals holding hands and stepping gingerly in the water. Several stragglers, including a Honduran man on crutches, picked up the rear. The group quickly reached a small island split between the two countries. The narrow stretch provided a respite before stepping into the capricious current on the U.S. side.

Read more: To folks in this Guatemalan town, success stories start with a trek to the U.S.

Read more: Mexico's peso is soaring. That's bad news for people who rely on dollars sent from the U.S.

In a few minutes, they joined a group already lining up along the shoreline, below the coils of razor wire. However tentatively, they were on U.S. soil.

Behind them were tens of thousands of Venezuelans and other migrants, trekking across the Darien Gap and into Central America, riding atop boxcars through Mexico, on their way.

McDonnell reported from Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Mexico. Aleaziz reported from Healdsburg, Calif.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Its a scene seemingly ripped out of a sci-fi cartoon: A man crawls into a massive robotic suit and begins controlling it from the inside using joysticks. However, one Tokyo-based company is showing the world that this technology is very much realand it might one day be used to explore the moon and Mars.

Japanese robotics company Tsubame Industries recently unveiled the 3.5 ton, 15-foot tall robot dubbed Archax (named after the winged dinosaur archaeopteryx) that can be piloted from the inside by a human. The suit was modeled after the battle bots from the popular anime  Mobile Suit Gundam , though its creators say that itll be used less for epic battles and more for saving lives and as a tool for space exploration.

Japan is very good at animation, games, robots, and automobiles so I thought it would be great if I could create a product that compressed all these elements into one, Ryo Yoshida, the CEO of Tsubame, told Reuters.

That said, you can use it for whatever you want so long as you can afford the $3 million price tag. The company has recently begun accepting pre-orders for five different versions of the machine.

The body of the Archax is made of steel, with a cockpit inside of the bots torso, which a pilot climbs into using a ladder. Inside is an array of four screens connected to nine cameras outside of the cockpit, allowing the pilot to see their surroundings. The entire system is operated using joysticks and two floor pedals, which control the robots arms and its four wheels, which propel it to a max speed of six miles per hour.

While that might sound impressive at first blush, the company states on its website that the current version of the robot isnt built to withstand the harsh conditions of disaster relief or space operations. Rather, its simply supposed to look cool while showcasing the potential of such a future robot, according to the company.

However, now that theyre taking pre-orders, Yoshida says he hopes that future versions of the Archax will be able to be used for both disaster relief and space exploration. Considering the TV version of Gundams were used for war, it no doubt has potential applications on the battlefield as well.

And, above all, Yoshida said the project maintains a firm sense of national pride. I wanted to create something that says, This is Japan, he explained.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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FILE PHOTO: A nurse fills a syringe with malaria vaccine before administering it to an infant at the Lumumba hospital in Kisumu

By Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber and Leroy Leo

GENEVA (Reuters) -The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended on Monday the use of a second malaria vaccine to curb the life-threatening disease spread to humans by some mosquitoes.

"Almost exactly two years ago, WHO recommended the broad use of the world's first malaria vaccine called RTS,S," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a briefing in Geneva.

"Today, it gives me great pleasure to announce that WHO is recommending a second vaccine called R21/Matrix-M to prevent malaria in children at risk of the disease."

R21/Matrix-M, developed by Britain's University of Oxford, will become available by mid-2024, Tedros said, adding that doses would cost between $2 and $4.

"WHO is now reviewing the vaccine for prequalification, which is WHO stamp of approval, and will enable GAVI (a global vaccine alliance) and UNICEF to buy the vaccine from manufacturers," Tedros said.

20 MILLION DOSES

R21/Matrix-M is mass manufactured by Serum Institute of India and uses Novavax's Matrix M adjuvant.

Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, said it had already produced more than 20 million doses in anticipation of WHO's recommendation.

"We will ramp it up as per what the demand requirements are," he said in an interview. "We hope that by the end of 2024, there will be zero mismatch of demand and supply, with our supply coming into the system."

The vaccine will compete against the RTS,S shot by GSK Plc, which was recommended by the United Nations-agency in 2021 and sold under the brand Mosquirix.

The WHO said both vaccines had shown similar efficacy in separate trials, but without a head-to-head trial there was no evidence showing whether one performed better.

The agency has left it to countries to decide which product to use based on various factors, including the affordability and supply.

"GSK has always recognised the need for a second malaria vaccine, but it is increasingly evident that RTS,S, the first ever malaria vaccine and the first ever vaccine against a human parasite, set a strong benchmark," GSK said in a statement.

The company added that over 1.7 million children in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi had received at least one dose of the shot and it would be rolled out in another nine malaria endemic countries from early next year.

Malaria kills over 600,000 each year globally, most of them children in Africa.

DENGUE VACCINE

Tedros added the agency had also recommended Takeda Pharmaceuticals' vaccine against dengue called Qdenga for children aged 6 to 16 in areas where the infection is a significant public health problem.

Dengue, common in tropical and subtropical climates, is a viral infection spread from mosquitoes to people.

Takeda's vaccine was shown in trials to be effective against all four serotypes of the virus in people who were previously infected by dengue, Hanna Nohynek, chair of WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, told journalists.

She added, however, uncertainty lingered about its performance against serotype 3 and 4 in people who have not been infected previously.

The WHO's strategic advisory group also recommended a simplified single dose regime for primary immunization for most COVID-19 vaccines to improve acceptance of the shots at a time when most people have had at least one prior infection.

Any monovalent or bivalent vaccine could be used given that monovalent vaccines that target the XBB.1.5 variant, which has been dominant in many places this year, are unavailable in many countries, the agency added.

Keep up with the latest medical breakthroughs and healthcare trends with our newsletter Reuters Health Rounds. Sign up here.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Geneva and Leroy Leo in Bengaluru; Editing by Gareth Jones, Mark Potter and Richard Chang)
Ohio's new House and Senate maps would give the GOP an advantage in 62% of House seats and nearly 70% of Senate seats.

Top Democrats at the Ohio Statehouse repeatedly said they wouldn't vote for new House and Senate maps unless Republicans gave up seats.

"Our state constitution requires and Ohioans deserve maps that give them a real pathway to political power," House Minority Leader Allison Russo , D-Upper Arlington, said at a Sept. 19 news conference. "That means that we are duty and court-order bound as a commission that closely reflects that 54% Republican, 46% Democratic partisanship of Ohio's voters in the last decade."

But the maps passed late Tuesday would favor Republicans in 62% of House seats and nearly 70% of Senate seats. Democrats voted for them anyway, likely locking them in through the 2030 elections.

The decision surprised redistricting reform advocates and some fellow Democrats.

House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, voted for the maps while criticizing the redistricting process.

It remains to be seen whether the bipartisan vote will undermine a proposed constitutional amendment in 2024 to replace the seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission with a panel of 15 Ohio residents. After all, why replace a system if it worked?

I think the process worked as it was designed and approved by the voters in 2015," Senate President Matt Huffman , R-Lima, told reporters Wednesday. The process is ugly. People are upset, but its the process that we voted on and thats how you get bipartisan buy-in."

But former GOP Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, a key voice in the redistricting reform measure, had her own bipartisan message Wednesday: Neither Republicans nor Democrats could be trusted with the mapmaking pen.

How can anybody have confidence in what the seven politicians - both Democrats and Republicans  on the Redistricting Commission have done? O'Connor asked.

What's the balance?

Under Ohio's new maps, Republicans would be favored in 61 of 99 House seats (61.6% of districts) and 23 of 33 Senate seats (69.6%), according to data from Maptitude, a mapmaking tool used by legislative mapmakers.

Dave's Redistricting, an online mapping tool, indicates Republicans would be favored in 63 of 99 House seats (63.6% of districts) and 24 of 33 Senate seats (72.7% of districts) based on election data from 2016 to 2022. Ohio is becoming redder as Republicans win in traditional Democratic strongholds, such as Lorain County and the Mahoning Valley.

Democrats on the commission, Russo and Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, say they see a path to breaking the veto-proof majority Republicans currently hold in both chambers. Republicans currently hold 67.7% of House seats and 78.8% of Senate seats, including several that favor Democrats.

"I'm pragmatic," Antonio, D-Lakewood, said Tuesday night. "We collectively produced better and fair maps for the people of Ohio and I am very hopeful that in the future, the people will help us do a better job than even we did."

Ohio Auditor Keith Faber, left, and Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, led the Ohio Redistricting Commission.

Why Democrats made a deal

Democrats were negotiating from a place of weakness from the beginning.

O'Connor's departure from the Ohio Supreme Court because of age limits on judges put Democrats in a bind. They knew O'Connor's replacement, Republican Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, would not consider Ohioans' political preferences when analyzing the maps. In her dissents, Kennedy repeatedly criticized O'Connor and Democratic justices for overstepping and operating via "judicial fiat."

Democrats were also worried about giving the mapmaking pen back to Republicans in 2025.

"My vote, quite simply, is to take this process out of the hands of this commission," Russo said Tuesday before voting for the maps. "I believe that in the future, it will be the voters who will have the final say in this and whether or not this process should remain in the hands of this commission."

Who are the winners and losers?

Mapmaking is about choices and those choices inevitably benefit some lawmakers to the detriment of others. Here are some examples:

One set of Democratic lawmakers  Reps. Phil Robinson and Richard Dell'Aquila in the Cleveland area  were drawn into the same district. They could end up facing off in a primary for that seat.

Sen. Niraj Antani, R-Miamisburg, must run for reelection in a district that favors Democrats, 54.1% to 45.8%. Antani won his 2020 race for state Senate with 53.2% of the vote, but that was under a different map that favored Republicans in that Dayton-area seat.

Democrats in the Ohio Senate have a long way to go to break the GOP's veto-proof majority. In addition to Antani's 6th District, Democrats would need to flip the 16th District in Columbus' northern suburbs (Sen. Stephanie Kunze is term-limited in 2024), 24th District in southwestern Cuyahoga County (Sen. Matt Dolan is term-limited in 2024), 13th District in Lorain and Huron counties (Sen. Nathan Manning is term-limited in 2026), 27th District in Summit, Portage and Geauga counties (Sen. Kristina Roegner is term-limited in 2026), 18th District in Lake and Cuyahoga counties (Sen. Jerry Cirino is up for reelection in 2024) and possibly the 3rd District in southern Franklin County, Pickaway and Madison counties (Sen. Michele Reynolds is up for reelection in 2026).

The safest GOP seats in the Ohio Senate are the 12th District held by term-limited Senate President Matt Huffman and the 1st District represented by his expected successor Sen. Rob McColley, R-Napoleon.

GOP Rep. Dave Dobos' 10th District, which includes Grove City and portions of Columbus, is more competitive in the final map than it was in the initial proposal.

Two Hamilton County House seats  the 27th District represented by Democratic Rep. Rachel Baker and the 28th District represented by Democratic Rep. Jessica Miranda  are among the most competitive in the state. They were slightly more Democratic in the final version than the first GOP proposal. "While I'm up for the challenge of this new map, this redistricting commission process has been a complete farce," Baker wrote on Instagram.

What comes next

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, a Republican, loomed large over redistricting negotiations.

Anyone can file a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court challenging whether these maps follow anti-gerrymandering rules in the Ohio Constitution. Several groups that challenged past maps, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, are considering their options and will make a final decision next week.

But these same groups recently dismissed a legal challenge to Ohio's congressional map  in part because of concerns that the court's new leadership would not rule in their favor.

Meanwhile, O'Connor's group trying to amend the Ohio Constitution to replace this commission with a 15-member citizen panel is waiting to see if it cleared the first hurdle to make the November 2024 ballot.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, has until Monday to approve or deny their summary language. He has rejected two previous submissions.

Reporter Haley BeMiller contributed to this article.

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio passed new legislative maps. Who won and what comes next?
The shroud of mystery has been removed on why Gov. Tate Reeves opposes expanding Medicaid.

It is not a matter of cost. The governor simply does not support expanding Medicaid to provide health care coverage for Mississippis working poor.

Reeves recent announcement of his plan to provide additional federal funds for struggling hospitals makes clear that the cost to the state is not the reason he opposes expanding Medicaid.

Reeves often has said he opposed Medicaid expansion because the state could not afford to put up 10% of the matching funds to draw down the federal fund. Under expansion, the feds would pay 90% of the health care costs for an estimated 300,000 Mississippians  mostly the working poor who would qualify.

Health care experts question whether Reeves recently announced complex plan to draw down additional federal Medicaid funds for hospitals would even work. But under his plan, the hospitals would pay an additional assessment or tax of $178 million per year as the state match to draw down the funds. If it works, the hospitals paying the assessment/tax would garner an estimated $680 million annually in federal Medicaid funds.

But theres another option at the governors disposal.

He could take a portion of that increased hospital assessment/tax (about $100 million) and draw down more than $1 billion annually in Medicaid expansion funds as 40 other states have done. Those funds would be used to provide health insurance to tens of thousands of the working poor. Medicaid expansion would allow hospitals to receive payments when they provide services to the working poor and would allow the working poor to access other medical services, such as primary care physicians, who might be able to prevent them from needing more expensive hospital care down the road.

It is important to remember that back in 2019, the Mississippi Hospital Association proposed paying an assessment/tax to provide the state match for Medicaid expansion. Reeves rejected that proposal then.

At last weeks announcement, Reeves reiterated that he has no interest in expanding Medicaid to provide health insurance for the poor.

The question is  what is the difference in changing the payment methodology and adding approximately 300,000 Mississippians to the welfare rolls? the governor said. Mississippi has the lowest unemployment rate in our states history. We need more people in the work force  So, adding 300,000 able-bodied Mississippians to the welfare rolls I would argue is a bad idea.

A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 61% of Medicaid recipients work and another 30% of recipients are students, disabled or caregivers. Medicaid expansion is designed, in part, to provide health insurance for people who work in jobs where their employers do not provide health insurance and they do not earn enough to afford private insurance.

Mississippis current Medicaid program provides health insurance coverage for the disabled, poor pregnant women and children, a certain group of caregivers living in extreme poverty and a certain group of the elderly, but not the working poor.

A study by the Mississippi University Research Center found that Medicaid expansion would generate much more in federal funds  at a lower cost to the state  than the governors recently announced plan would.

Mississippi would receive $1.61 billion in federal funds for the first year of Medicaid expansion and $1.64 billion in the second year, according to a study authored by the state economists office. The office forecasted that Mississippi would collect $1.36 billion in year three, $1.38 billion in year four, and increasing by smaller percentages going forward.

That money could be used not only to help hospitals, but to provide access to health care for working poor Mississippians.

This analysis was produced by Mississippi Today, a nonprofit news organization that covers state government, public policy, politics and culture. Bobby Harrison is Mississippi Todays senior Capitol reporter.
Illinois residents who already owned high-powered guns when the state ban on those weapons took effect in January can begin registering their firearms this month with the Illinois State Police.

Prohibited guns owned prior to the ban were grandfathered in but owners are required to register the weapons by Jan. 1, 2024, under the measure signed into law on Jan. 10 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Violators can be charged with a misdemeanor for a first offense and felonies for subsequent violations.

Registration began Sunday and must be completed online through a firearm owners identification card account from the state polices Firearms Services Bureau website, www.ispfsb.com. Gun owners will need an email address, drivers license or state ID, and FOID card to create an account.

A video on how to register by submitting what is called an endorsement affidavit through a FOID card account was made available on the state police website on Sunday.

Gun owners will be required to list the make, model, caliber and serial number of their firearms in the affidavit, which will contain a warning that entering false information is punishable as perjury.

State police said there are roughly 2.4 million FOID card holders in Illinois. Its not known how many people possess guns that are now banned but would be grandfathered in under the law.

The states gun ban has been the subject of several legal challenges from gun rights advocates who argue it violates equal protection rights under the Illinois Constitution and the U.S. Constitutions Second Amendment.

A federal challenge on Second Amendment grounds is pending before a federal appeals court in Chicago. The ban has withstood state lawsuits, with the Illinois Supreme Court upholding the law in August.

How the laws gun registration requirements will be enforced remains to be seen. Earlier this year, an estimated 90 of Illinois 102 county sheriffs issued letters stating they believe that (the new gun law) is a clear violation of the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and that they wouldnt enforce it.

The gun ban, spurred by a mass shooting on the Fourth of July in 2022 in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens more injured, prohibits the delivery, sale, import and purchase of more than 100 so-called assault weapons in the form of semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and handguns. Also banned are the delivery, sale and purchase of high-capacity magazines of more than 10 rounds for long guns and 15 rounds for handguns.

Also, devices that increase the firing rates of a firearm, known as switches, to convert them from semi-automatic or automatic weapons, are covered by the ban. Someone in possession could face a felony count for each device.

jgorner@chicagotribune.com
As the Supreme Court returns to the courtroom on Monday, some legal experts are surprised by the new terms lack of faith.

So far, the justices have not taken up a single case involving the Constitutions religion clauses, and there are only a few faith-related cases waiting in the wings.

Its not only that theres not any religion clause cases granted. Theres also not too many existing petitions in that area right now, said Marc DeGirolami, co-director of the Center for Law and Religion at St. Johns Law School in Queens, New York.

This situation is notable since the Supreme Court has heard several high-profile religion cases in recent years.

Last term, the justices ruled on whether a religious graphic designer had to design same-sex wedding websites and if a Christian postal worker must deliver packages on his Sabbath. The term before that, the court heard cases involving religious school funding, abortion rights and school prayer.

Its unusual for the Roberts Court not to have religion cases on the docket, just like it is for any Supreme Court, DeGirolami said.

Related

Of course, theres still plenty of time for a religion case to be added, although not all stakeholders think that would be a good thing.

Several faith-related advocacy groups regularly claim the court is too willing to wade into religious liberty battles. They say this approach exacerbates tensions on the ground.

But others hope the court does end up adding one or more religion cases to the docket, even if they spur heated debates. By tackling tough issues, the justices help the country find a path to social peace, said Mark Rienzi, president and CEO of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

Healing comes from the Supreme Court doing the job the right way and protecting the freedoms that were all supposed to have under the Constitution, he said.

What counts as a religion case?

When legal experts like DeGirolami and Rienzi discuss religion cases or religious liberty cases, theyre referring to a broader group of battles than just the ones involving the First Amendments free exercise or establishment clauses.

Religion cases often center, instead, on policies put in place long after the Constitution, like the 1964 Civil Rights Act or the Affordable Care Acts contraception mandate.

Sometimes, lawsuits that are thought of as religion cases only mention religion in passing or just inspire a lot of debate outside the courtroom among people of faith. Recent abortion battles fit in this third group, since religion has always been part of the conversation surrounding Roe v. Wade.

Religion cases in front of the Supreme Court

As of Monday, the Supreme Court hasnt agreed to hear a single case that fits in the first two categories, and experts on religion and the law dont agree on whether anything currently on the docket can be reasonably placed in the third.

At least one case, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, does involve a faith-focused legal brief. In the brief, Becket argues that religious organizations will benefit if the Supreme Courts eventual ruling reins in the power of the administrative state.

We wanted to flag for the Supreme Court the ways in which administrative agencies have been at the forefront, in recent years, of imposing burdens on religious liberty, Rienzi said.

As Rienzi noted, the Loper Bright case centers on the actions of administrative agencies and asks whether courts should defer to their interpretations of the law. It was filed by a group of fishing vessel operators who take issue with the way the government regulates their work.

Status: The Supreme Court will hear the case later this year.

Cases the Supreme Court could agree to hear soon

Several cases that are more obviously tied to faith-based concerns are currently waiting in the wings of the Supreme Court. This group includes two abortion-related battles, which, if taken up, would be among the most contentious cases of the current term.

Brian Tingley is a licensed marriage and family therapist who sees his professional work as an extension of his personal faith. He markets himself as a Christian provider and often works with religious clients who are seeking to address gender- or sexuality-related concerns.

In 2018, Washington state passed a ban on conversion therapy for minors, and Tingley believes the law threatens the future of his practice and limits his free speech and religious exercise rights. He sued to force changes to the law, but the district and circuit courts said state lawmakers have broad authority to regulate health care providers.

In March, Tingley and his legal team appealed to the Supreme Court.

Status: The justices discussed the case at their Sept. 26 conference. Sometime in the near future, theyll announce whether or not theyll take it up.

Jean Finney sued the Missouri Department of Corrections for employment discrimination after her relationship with a co-workers former spouse fueled conflict at work. When vetting potential jurors for the resulting trial, Finneys legal team disqualified anyone who, for religious reasons, is opposed to same-sex relationships, arguing that such a juror would not judge Finney, a lesbian, fairly.

Missouris attorney general and solicitor general, who are representing the Department of Corrections, say the jurys ultimate ruling against the department should be overturned, since it was unlawful to eliminate potential jurors on the basis of their faith. After a circuit court declined to intervene, they turned to the Supreme Court.

Status: Missouris attorney general and solicitor general have asked the Supreme Court to consider the role of religion in the jury selection process. Finneys team has until Oct. 5 to file a response to that request.

This case, as well as a closely related one involving drugmaker Danco Laboratories, centers on a pill thats used to induce abortion called mifepristone. The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine wants to restrict access to the drug by, among other things, preventing it from being provided by mail.

The Supreme Court already waded into the abortion-pill battle in April, when it ruled that mifepristone could remain available while the legal cases played out. Thats why the pill is still on the market despite the fact that the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine in August.

The FDA and Danco Laboratories have asked the Supreme Court to intervene in the case again and overturn the restrictions put in place by the lower courts.

Status: The FDA and Danco Laboratories filed their requests with the Supreme Court in early September. The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicines responses are due Oct. 12.

Related

Debra Vitagliano is motivated by her Catholic faith and life experiences to stand outside abortion clinics and speak with women making their way inside. Shes challenging a Westchester County law that interferes with her planned counseling work by establishing a protective zone around abortion clinics.

Vitagliano and her team argue that the local law  and the past Supreme Court ruling, Hill v. Colorado, that inspired it  wrongly limit First Amendment rights. They lost in the lower courts, but could soon have a chance to argue the case in front of Supreme Court justices who have previously expressed interest in revisiting Hill v. Colorado.

Status: In July, Vitagliano and her legal team asked the Supreme Court to hear her case. The countys response to this request is due Oct. 25.

What this term could teach us

While its notable that the court has not yet taken up a religious liberty case, the justices could end up hearing three or four before the term ends.

Any case added to the docket over the next four months or so will likely fit in this terms oral arguments schedule.

Its early. (The justices) are going to do a lot of granting over the next few months. I would be shocked if, by the end, they dont add a religion case, Rienzi said.

Even if they dont and the term remains relatively religion-free, it will still hold important lessons for the religious groups and individuals that will end up in front of the Supreme Court in the future.

This term will give us more evidence to try to assess what kind of court this is. Is it a 6-3 divided court or is it, as many have suggested, a 3-3-3 court, with three Democratic appointees, three extreme conservatives and three in the middle who determine results? said David Cole, the ACLUs legal director, during a Sept. 21 press briefing.
After 80 years, a Pittsburgh man killed while serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II is accounted for.

According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), 2nd Lt. Gilbert H. Myers, 27 was declared missing in action in 1943 after the B-25 he was co-piloting was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Sicily, and his remains werent found.

In 1944, researchers learned a body had been found at the crash site, and in 1947 search and recovery operations were conducted. Neither led to the discovery of anything linking back to Myers.

Then, in 2021 and 2022, DPAA and partners returned to the area, finding plane wreckage and human remains. Those remains were sent for examination, and through anthropological analysis were eventually identified as Myers.

Myers name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, an ABMC site in Nettuno, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

He will be buried on Nov 10, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

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Turkish officials confirmed that warplanes conducted aerial strikes on suspected Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq following a suicide bombing in Ankara.

The Turkish Defense Ministry confirmed that warplanes carried out airstrikes on suspected Kurdish militant targets located in northern Iraq on Sunday after a suicide bombing that targeted a government building in Ankara, the nation's capital.

Officials said roughly 20 Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) targets were "destroyed" in the latest aerial raids. The targets include caves, shelters, and depots. The ministry added that many PKK operatives were "neutralized" in the strikes.

Airstrikes on Suspected Kurdish Militant Targets

The attacks come after a suicide bomber on Sunday detonated an explosive device near an entrance of the Interior Ministry. The assault left two police officers injured before a second assailant was killed during a shootout with law enforcement personnel.

The PKK, which maintains bases in northern Iraq, claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings. Turkey's Interior Ministry also identified one of the attackers as a member of the outlawed group, adding that efforts were underway to identify the second assailant, as per ABC News.

The horrific attacks happened only a few hours before Turkey's Parliament reopened after having a three-month-long summer recess with an address by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two attackers arrived at the scene inside a light commercial vehicle they took from a veterinarian in the central province of Kayseri.

Reports noted that the suspects shot the victim in the head and threw his body into a ditch by the side of the road. The attackers then allegedly drove the car to Ankara for roughly 300 kilometers before conducting the bombing.

In a statement, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that Turkey's heroic police officers could resist the terrorists as soon as they exited the vehicle. He noted that one of the attackers blew himself up while his accomplice was shot in the head before he could detonate his explosives.

During his speech, Erdogan also addressed the issue, saying that the suicide bombing was the "last flutters of terrorism." He added that the ones who threaten the peace and security of citizens have not achieved their goals and said they never will, according to The Guardian.

Read Also: Spain: Several Killed In Murcia Nightclub Fire

Suicide Bombing in Ankara

The militant group that claimed responsibility for the attack said that the timing of the bombing was chosen to avoid larger casualty numbers and that it took place exactly as planned without any obstacles.

The Turkish president also suggested potential changes to Turkey's Constitution in the coming parliamentary term. It comes after an election earlier this year where his opponents warned against an increasing concentration of power around the presidency.

Investigators responsible for analyzing the recent suicide bombing found four different types of guns, three hand grenades, one rocket launcher, and C-4 explosives at the scene. Officials noted that a PKK unit known as the "Brigade of Immortals" deliberated targeted the opening of parliament and the ministry building.

The PKK's People's Defense Center Headquarters also released a statement saying that its attack was justified due to what it called the "disregard of human rights, the inhuman practice, and policy of isolation in Turkish and Kurdish jails, the use of chemical weapons against KPP guerilla forces, ecocide in Kurdistan, and the oppression of the Kurdish people," said CNN.

Related Article: 2 Suspects Dead After Suicide Bomb Detonates Near Turkish Government Building in Ankara

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Congressman Dean Phillips is stepping down from the House Democratic leadership after suggesting he might challenge Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential primaries, according to a new report.

Mr Phillips, co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, said his "convictions" were no longer in line with the rest of his caucus and felt the need to cede his leadership role, Axios reported.

My convictions relative to the 2024 presidential race are incongruent with the majority of my caucus, and I felt it appropriate to step aside from elected leadership, he told the outlet in a statement.

He said he would "continue to abide by my convictions, place people over politics, and support our shared mission to deliver security, opportunity, and prosperity for all Americans."

Mr Phillips began toying with the idea of a primary challenge against Mr Biden in July, and has not wavered from the idea since.

He named Mr Biden's age as one of his chief concerns, pointing to polls that show Democratic voters don't want the incumbent to represent them in the 2024 presidential race.

First of all, my call is for the president to pass the torch. I think that would be in the countrys best interests, and certainly Democrats. We have an extraordinary bench of Democrats ready to go, prepared, proximate, well-positioned, but we will never know that, he told PBS.

He said the decision was not about him or his own presidential run, but said he was afraid that the party might be repeating the mistakes it made that led to Donald Trumps election in 2016.

It is about me trying to elevate a conversation that right now is surprising that nobody wants to have. And I do not want to repeat of 2016, when we essentially anointed someone, it was her turn, he said. And, lo and behold, look what happened. I think were sleepwalking into the very same mistake again. And the time to have the conversation ... is right now.

Congressman Dean Phillips stepped down from a leadership position in the Democratic Party after he floated a primary challenge against Joe Biden in 2024 (screengrab/CBS Face the Nation)

However, the lawmaker from Minneapolis admitted that he is not "well positioned" to take on Mr Biden, and has called on other Democrats with more significant national name recognition to jump in and challenge the president.

He previously floated a dream team of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia to challenge Mr Biden in 2024, according to Vanity Fair.

Mr Phillips stepping down after floating a challenge to Mr Biden may be a sign that Democrats are circling the wagons around the incumbent ahead of the 2024 presidential election, even as concerns over his age continue to plague the party.

The congressman's critiques of Mr Biden reportedly caused some internal conflicts within the caucus.

Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California reportedly alluded to Mr Phillips last week during a closed-door caucus meeting.

There is someone in leadership who is not on message about our president, she reportedly said, leading to a round of applause from her colleagues, according to a House Democrat present at the meeting who spoke with Axios.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told the caucus they needed to stay on message as the government teetered on the edge of a shutdown.

Congressman Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts is reportedly considering running to replace Mr Phillips as co-chair of the DPCC, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to Axios.
Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota is stepping down from his House Democratic leadership position, an exit driven by his unsuccessful call for a viable party challenger in the 2024 presidential election.

Phillips, from Minnetonka, a Twin Cities suburb west of Minneapolis, acknowledged that he had little chance against President Joe Biden in a statement Sunday.

"My convictions relative to the 2024 presidential race are incongruent with the majority of my caucus, and I felt it appropriate to step aside from elected leadership to avoid unnecessary distractions during a critical time for our country," he said.

While he's leaving his position as co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Caucus, Phillips said he will remain as a member of the Democratic Caucus, and he praised the leadership of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

Axios first reported the news of his leadership departure.

Phillips has been one of a few Democrats challenging the party's otherwise lockstep support of Biden's re-election campaign, arguing that, even as the president enjoys the advantages of incumbency, he's too old at age 80.

"Considering his age, its absurd were not promoting competition but trying to extinguish it," he told Politico in February.

Phillips, 54, floated the idea of running himself, meeting with donors in the summer to test the waters. "I haven't ruled it out," he told Steve Schmidt, a longtime MSNBC political analyst, on his unaffiliated podcast, "The Warning," posted Sept. 25.

Biden still faces other challenges from within the party  from author Marianne Williamson and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Polls have had him neck and neck with former President Donald Trump in a potential rematch.

Phillips is a veteran of corporate marketing and branding whose grandmother was Pauline Esther Phillips, better known as the advice columnist Dear Abby.

He used his leadership position to call on Congress and his party to welcome younger Americans and new thinking. At the same time, his policy positions have rarely wavered from Biden's.

Last year, while he questioned the wisdom of supporting a second term, he called Biden "man of decency, of good principle, of compassion, of empathy and of strength."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
At 12:05 p.m. on Saturday, a fire alarm sounded throughout the Cannon House Office Building, part of the sprawling Capitol Hill complex that houses lawmakers offices and hearing rooms. Emergency personnel quickly arrived, the building was evacuated  and Rep. Jamaal Bowman , a young progressive legislator, found himself facing questions about whether he was guilty of an innocent accident or something more serious.

Read more on Yahoo News: New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman pulls fire alarm in House office building but says it was an accident, from CNN

Congress in crisis

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy outside his office at the U.S. Capitol on Monday. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The U.S. Capitol is usually empty on Saturday morning, but with the government on the verge of a shutdown, the House had gathered for a last-minute attempt to see if members could agree on a spending bill and avert disaster.

Embattled House Speaker Kevin McCarthy had just introduced a 71-page spending bill that would keep the federal government in operation for another 45 days. Though Democrats badly wanted to prevent a shutdown, they also wanted time to read McCarthys bill.

At the time that Bowman pulled the fire alarm, Democrats were making a motion to adjourn, meaning that a vote would have been delayed.

The bill was eventually passed by the House, with the Senate passing its own version. It was then signed by President Biden, giving legislators about six weeks to reconcile their differences  or face another shutdown.

Read more on Yahoo News: Government shutdown averted with little time to spare as Biden signs funding before midnight, from the Associated Press

Bowmans explanation

Rep. Jamaal Bowman is flanked by New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul prior to a speech by President Biden in Valhalla, N.Y., on May 10. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

The congressmans version is fairly straightforward: He was trying to exit the Cannon building and hurry back to the Capitol.

Bowman, who was previously the principal of a middle school in the Bronx, is relatively new to Congress, and the maze that is the U.S. Capitol  with an enormous network of tunnels, its own subway system and long, disorienting hallways  can be difficult to master.

Today, as I was rushing to make a vote, I came to a door that is usually open for votes but today would not open, Bowman said in a statement. I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door. I regret this and sincerely apologize for any confusion this caused. But I want to be very clear, this was not me, in any way, trying to delay any vote.

The alarm he activated was in the Cannon building, which is distinct from the Capitol, which was not evacuated. There are, it goes without saying, many fire alarms much closer to the House chamber.

Read more on Yahoo News: Trump calls for Bowman to be jailed for pulling Capitol complex fire alarm, from the Independent

Republicans are skeptical

The U.S. flag flies over the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Republicans instantly charged Bowman with pulling an irresponsible prank that deserved serious punishment.

Jamaal Bowman is a former middle school principal. He knows what a fire alarm is, Speaker McCarthy said on Fox News. Security footage does seem to show Bowman manipulating what appears to be a fire alarm, as opposed to a door release.

Others went quite a bit further, comparing Bowman to the pro-Trump rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, causing widespread destruction and several deaths.

Jamaal Bowman must be treated exactly the same as Jan 6 defendants, wrote Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Georgia Republican, on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Read more on Yahoo News: Jamaal Bowman knew exactly what he was doing: Rep. Cory Mills, from Fox News

Why it matters

Reps. Cori Bush, Ayanna Pressley and Bowman listen as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks at a news conference outside the Capitol in 2021. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

A member of the progressive Squad led informally by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents parts of the Bronx and Queens, Bowman is widely seen as a rising star in the House.

In recent months he has raised his profile with highly charged confrontations about gun control and election denialism with GOP Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Greene. He has emerged as an unapologetic defender of TikTok, the social media platform founded in China and popular with young people that some experts believe poses a national security risk because its parent company, ByteDance, ultimately answers to communist leadership in Beijing. He is also a vocal critic of Israel.

Bowman is highly unlikely to lose his seat over Saturdays incident. But Republicans will happily exact as much political pain as they can. He is being investigated by the House Administration Committee.

As of Monday afternoon, Bowman's office seemed plainly concerned that the controversy wasnt going away. A lengthy memo circulated by his office to congressional news, and obtained by Punchbowl News, contained a list of talking points Democrats could use to defend him.

Republicans need to instead focus their energy on the Nazi members of their party before anything else," one of the talking points said.

Bowman later said on X that the use of the term "Nazi" was "inappropriate" and done without his consent.

Read more on Yahoo News: The Republicans attack line on Jamaal Bowman is insane, even for them, from the New Republic
Amazon says it is getting serious about its get back to the office policy, now monitoring individual badge swipes into office buildings.

Since May, the company has mandated that employees come to the office at least three days a week. Now, Amazon is keeping a closer eye on the situation to try to get employees to comply with the policy.

According to screenshots of an internal memo obtained by the Puget Sound Business Journal, the company notified employees Thursday it can now produce employee-level badge reports.

That means the ins and outs of employee movement can now be tracked by management. The reports go back eight weeks.

This is a change in policy for Amazon. Until this week, reports were generated from an aggregated perspective and didnt break them down to individual employees.

This tool gives employees and managers visibility into the days they badged into a corporate building, Amazon spokesperson Rob Munoz said in an emailed statement to the Puget Sound Business Journal. The information will help guide conversations as needed between employees and managers about coming into the office with their colleagues.

Amazons return-to-office policy has faced pushback from employees. There have been protests and walkouts.

During a pre-recorded internal Q&A session in August, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy told employees it was past the time to disagree and commit to the policy that requires corporate employees to be in the office three days a week. Jassy added it wasnt right for some employees to be in the office three days a week while others refuse to do so.

The phrase disagree and commit is one of Amazons leadership principles and was used often by the companys founder and current executive chairman, Jeff Bezos.

As far as the move towards monitoring individual badge swiping, the company did not respond to requests for comment.

Amazon has roughly 55,000 employees based in the downtown Seattle area, according to public records obtained from the city of Seattle by the Puget Sound Business Journal.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This was originally published by MyNorthwest.




Republicans are continuing their campaign to downplay the January 6 insurrection, this time by comparing the violent riot to Representative Jamaal Bowman pulling a fire alarm.

On Saturday, while Congress was in session and moving to a vote on a bill that would prevent a government shutdown, Bowman pulled the fire alarm in Cannon House, an office building connected to the Capitol building by a tunnel. Bowman has since apologized and said it was an accident.



But still, Republicans have pouncedaccusing the New York representative of basically committing an insurrection.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called for Bowman to be punished like the January 6 insurrectionists, and remarked on the precedent of how other people were treated when they come in and wanted to change the course of what was happening in the building.

Donald Trump also called for Bowman to be jailed for his egregious act of pulling the alarm. In a post on Truth Social, the former president said that Bowman should be charged with Obstruction of an Official Proceeding, the same as used against our J-6 prisoners.



Actually, Trump wrote, his act may have been worse.



The comparison seems distinctly detached from reality. Trump faces the same charge as many of the rioters he called to the Capitol on January 6: obstruction of an official proceeding. (That doesnt include the other 90 criminal counts Trump is facing.)

Republican Representative Nicole Malliotakis also took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday afternoon to say she planned to introduce a resolution to expel Bowman. This is the United States Congress, not a New York City high school, she said in a post.

Fox News has eagerly fomented an entire news cycle about the incident, speaking to multiple Republican lawmakers about it.

Its not just the act of pulling a fire alarm, Malliotakis said on Fox. It was during an official proceeding. That is the same thing that they have gone after those individuals who walked into the Capitol on January 6th.

Republican Representative Mike Lawler told Fox News that the event was absolutely outrageous and potentially criminal. He went so far as to say that Bowman should strongly consider resigning.

But despite Republicans best efforts to push this new attack, the two cases are extremely different.

For one, Bowman has apologized and insisted that he accidentally pulled the alarm when a door that normally opened was suddenly locked.



I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door. I regret this and sincerely apologize for any confusion this caused, Bowman said.



But more importantly, a fire alarm is nowhere near the same as an armed insurrection.
U.S. District Judge David O. Carter , 79, left, and retired Judge Jay C. Gandhi, right, speak with Paula Chatman, who has been homeless in downtown L.A.'s Skid Row for 40 years. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The walking tour was part tutorial and part tryout  one federal judge passing on to another his knowledge of Skid Row while testing his colleague's tolerance for its sights and sounds and the daily struggles of its hard-pressed inhabitants.

The day after signing off on a historic settlement that requires Los Angeles County to provide 3,000 new mental-health and substance-use treatment beds and commit hundreds of millions of dollars in services for homeless housing, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter staged a hands-on test of the fellow judge nominated as monitor to ensure those terms are met.

"The monitor must be willing to take to the streets, and learn from the community, not the bureaucracy," Carter wrote in an admonishment he inserted into the agreement before signing it Thursday.

U.S. District Judge David O. Carter, 79, gives Thee Big Mama, right, a comforting hug before leading an early morning tour of Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. Thee Big Mama used to live homeless in Skid Row but now has housing. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

To put a real-life exclamation point on that demand, Carter invited the proposed monitor, retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Jay C. Gandhi, to walk those streets with him Friday morning.

As daylight broke, the two judges  Carter dressed inconspicuously in a plain sweatshirt and jeans and Gandhi a bit formal for the streets in blue blazer and slacks  led a small procession west from the rendezvous point, Catch 21 Seafood Restaurant at South Central Avenue and 5th Street.

A small procession trailed behind, consisting of two young law clerks, several of Carter's ambassadors in the community and Michele Martinez, the special master over the portion of the case settled by the city.

Wending his way down streets and sidewalks that were beginning to stir with early risers, or people who hadn't slept at all, Carter added his own commentary on the unpleasant details of life on Skid Row.

Drug dealers don't sell out of their tents, he told Gandhi, passing on an insight he said he gained from the late General Jeff Page, who was known as mayor of Skid Row.

"Watch the guy in the cardboard with urine all over it because hes got $100,000 underneath," he said. "So theres a lot of dope that passes through. You still want to do this?"

Along the way, Carter prompted Gandhi to speak with Kevin Call, a voluble man who said he assumed the mantle of mayor of Skid Row following Page's death in 2021.

Read more: For skid row residents and advocates, mural is a sign of survival

Call, who says he is on duty every day, was a font of knowledge on Skid Row's comings and goings and a particularly sharp critic of the help that government agencies provide.

"LAHSA [the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority], they drive around the streets; they dont give up much to the people," he said. "Maybe they got a bag lunch, toothpaste and a soap, but theyre not doing what is necessary for the people."

U.S. District Judge David O. Carter, 79, left, leads retired Judge Jay C. Gandhi on a tour of Skid Row in the early morning hours in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. After appointing Gandhi to monitor L.A. County's settlement of a case, Carter challenged Gandhi to prove his passion for the job by meeting him on Skid Row. Gandhi showed up at 6:30 a.m. for the tour of Skid Row with Carter. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

There were several stops, first a Homeless Health Care Los Angeles ReFresh Spot where residents can use bathrooms and showers 24 hours a day seven days a week and bring their clothes to be laundered.

Fire Station No. 9 on East 7th Street, Carter told Gandhi, was where he'd learn the real truth about Skid Row. Ringing the doorbell there, Carter summoned the commander, who filled in Gandhi on the scourge of fentanyl.

On one corner, Carter prompted Gandhi to attempt an impossible passage through a phalanx of tents that completely blocked a sidewalk.

Don Garza, a Skid Row resident who has attended hearings in the case, gave Gandhi a wrenching description of the exploitation of women.

"Theyre able to have some person trafficked in these tents 24 hours a day seven days a week servicing people and keeping them on drugs," Garza said. "They keep them high and they keep them drugged up because they take advantage of them."

Carter noticed a woman he didn't know standing on the sidewalk muttering to herself. She told him that she had recently arrived from Alaska and had no place to stay. Considering her at high risk, he asked Call and outreach pastor Donald Dermit to find her shelter. After a few calls they said Volunteers of America would take her in. After that she stuck with the group, talking to no one but herself.

On a side street, Carter struck up a conversation with a cheerful woman on a bicycle and urged Gandhi to talk to her.

In response to the judge's questions, Paula Chatman said she had a dog named Pretty and had once obtained a Section 8 voucher but nothing came of it.

"Can the first step be that we get you and your precious little Pretty into a place like a womens shelter?" he asked.

"I cant do a womens shelter," she said. "I need to be alone."

Carter said his goal was to keep coming back until Gandhi has talked to hundreds of people like Chatman.

A homeless man prepares to eat his breakfast near the Midnight Mission in Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

"In the future when its raining were going to be down here," he said. "Were going to be down here at times that nobody suspects, so you really see it."

Asked if he was ready for the job, Gandhi gave a nuanced answer.

"I think it will take a little time," he said.

After two hours, the procession made its way back to Catch 21 for breakfast. Carter took out his credit card to pay the bill.

A Volunteers of America van came to pick up the woman from Alaska, but she wouldn't get in and went her way.

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.
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Midlands in September, from roaches and flies to buffet lines without sneeze guards. The state each month releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments across Midlands counties.

Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in September.

CK Mart #8 at 2624 Broad River Road in Richland

CK Mart #8 had an inspection on Sept. 20 and got a C grade.

An inspector observed fly and roach activity in the food prep areas, along with fly strips over the food prep areas.

Also observed were raw chicken wings and chicken legs in standing water. Raw fish was seen in standing water to thaw.

Boxed food was seen stored directly on the floor in the walk-in freezer. Debris and spilled matter was seen inside cabinets. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.

CK Mart had a required followup inspection on Sept. 27 and got an A grade.

Shoneys at 7335 Garners Ferry Road in Richland

Shoneys had an inspection on Sept. 25 and got a C grade.

An inspector observed a butter wheel with excessive buildup, dirty dishes with labels and residue stored as clean and food debris on the meat slicer.

Black substance buildup was seen inside the ice bin. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.

Food at the end of the buffet line were seen not protected by sneeze guards. Pie crusts were seen stored on a pan opened and uncovered on the top rack with clean dishes. Also observed was a buildup of grime, grease, biofilm under equipment.

A required followup inspection for the restaurant has not yet been held.

Burnin 99 Korean BBQ Hotpot at 1150 Bower PKWY in Lexington

Burnin 99 had an inspection on Sept. 15 and got a C grade.

An inspector observed raw eggs stored over open produce and buffet pans only washed and rinsed, not sanitized. Also observed were fly strips over the food prep areas.

Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. An employee was seen rinsing their hands off without using soap. Other employees were seen cutting vegetables and fruits with their bare hands.

The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 18 and got an A grade.

Konnichiwa at 5086 Blvd. in Lexington

Konnichiwa had an inspection on Sept. 11 and got a C grade.

An inspector observed an employee handling raw crab meat in the sushi area with bare hands. The handwashing sink at the back door and in the sushi bar was seen with lids and utensils inside it.

Raw chicken was seen stored directly on top of a sauce bucket in the walk-in cooler. Raw beef was seen stored directly over produce in the walk-in cooler. Also, portioned ice cream was seen stored in open bowls underneath open raw products.

The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 20 and got an A grade.

Taqueria at 152 N Pine St. in Lexington

Taqueria had an inspection on Sept. 12 and got a C grade.

An inspector observed a bus tub of tongue that had been cooked the previous day and had been inadequately cooled overnight. Also observed was a large amount of raw meat thawing in standing water.

Raw chicken was seen stored above uncovered raw beef and uncovered raw onions in a reach-in cooler. An employee was seen washing hands without soap.

The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 22 and got an A grade.

A-Town Wings at 1637 Richland Avenue W in Aiken

A-Town wings had an inspection on Sept. 19 and got a C grade.

An inspector observed raw beef stored with and above ready-to-eat food and raw chicken stored with vegetables. Also observed was a tub of raw chicken wings stored next to a fryer.

Multiple chemical bottles were seen stored with single use items and food items. Food was seen stored directly on the floor. Employees were seen doing gloves without washing hands.

A required followup inspection for the restaurant has not yet been held.

Famous Toastery at 1028 Corp PKWY 104 in Lancaster

Famous Toastery had an inspection on Sept. 27 and got a C grade.

An inspector observed food stored on the floor in the walk-in freezer. Also observed was a bucket of broken glassware and rags near the soda syrup dispenser, where multiple fruit flies were observed.

Multiple food products in the cooler were seen with seen with date marks exceeding the seven-day holding period.

Pho & Sushi at 1143 Stonecrest Blvd. in York

Pho & Sushi had an inspection on Sept. 18 and got a C grade.

An inspector observed an employee pick up carrots with bare hands and place them on a plate for serving to a customer. Also observed an employee rinse calamari in a hand sink and an employee not wash hands in between touching dirty and clean dishes.

An employee was seen using a paint brush as a basting brush.

Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Fish was seen thawing in a package that states to remove the fish from the reduced oxygen package. Burnt food and debris was found behind the cook line.

The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 26 and got an A grade.
Zelda Williams , the daughter of late actor and comedian Robin Williams , is speaking out against the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to recreate her fathers voice, calling it disturbing.

Williams wrote a social media post weighing in on AI amid the ongoing actors strike. The Hollywood union, SAG-AFTRA, has voiced concerns surrounding AI usage.

I am not an impartial voice in SAGs fight against AI. Ive witnessed for YEARS how many people want to train these models to create/re-create actors who cannot consent, like Dad, Williams wrote in a story post on her Instagram page Sunday, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

This isnt theoretical, it is very very real. Ive already heard AI used to get his voice to say whatever people want and while I find it personally disturbing, the ramifications go far beyond my own feelings, she reportedly added.

The SAG-AFTRA union launched its strike earlier this year seeking better pay and working conditions. The union, which represents more than 160,000 members, has been in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). It has raised AI recreations as a top concern.

Living actors deserve a chance to create characters with their choices, to voice cartoons, to put their HUMAN effort and time into the pursuit of performance, Zelda Williams, 34, added in her post Sunday, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

These re-creations are, at their very best, a poor facsimile of greater people, but at their worst, a horrendous Frankensteinian monster, cobbled together from the worst bits of everything this industry is, instead of what it should stand for.

Williamss remarks comes as her fathers voice is set to be used in a new short film, Once Upon a Studio, produced and distributed by Disney. Robin Williamss Aladdin character, Genie, will appear in the film.

Actor Josh Gad, who voiced Olaf in Disneys Frozen, wrote on Instagram the new film will use previously unheard dialogue recorded by the actor prior to his death and the late actors estate allowed use of the dialogue.

Williams, 63, died by suicide in 2014 after battles with anxiety, severe depression and Parkinsons disease.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Canadian officials were forced to euthanize a grizzly bear showing aggressive behavior after it was suspected of killing a couple in the country's Banff National Park on Friday.

The external relations manager for Park Canada's Banff field unit, Natalie Fay, said that the agency received an alert from a GPS device originating from the Red Deer River Valley at roughly 8:00 p.m. on Friday, indicating a bear attack.

Canadian Bear Attack

Fay said in a statement that a team specially trained in wildlife attacks was mobilized immediately but was hindered in responding because of the weather. She noted that the conditions at the time did not allow for the use of a helicopter and added that the response team had to travel through the night to the location on the ground.

The official said that the response team arrived on-site at 1:00 a.m. only to discover the bodies of two deceased individuals. While in the area, the team encountered a grizzly bear displaying aggressive behavior, leading to Parks Canada staff choosing to euthanize the animal on-site for public safety, as per Yahoo News.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrived at the area at around 5:00 a.m. to transport the victims' bodies to Sundre, Alberta. A statement noted that the incident was tragic and that Parks Canada was expressing its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased individuals.

Officials implemented a closure around the attack area, which includes the Red Deer and Panther valleys, from Creek Summit east to the National Park boundary and north to Shale Pass. The order would remain in effect until further notice as a safety precaution for anyone considering going to the areas.

Kim Titchener is the founder of Bear Safety and More and also a friend of the family of the deceased couple. She provides training on bear safety and assessments and said that such encounters are now on the rise as more people head outdoors but argued that fatal attacks are still extremely rare.

Read Also: Over 100 Dolphins Die in Amazon as Water Temperatures Reach Record Highs

Unfortunate Incident

Titchener noted that the main reason that more beat attacks are being reported is that more people are going outdoors and, unfortunately, not being educated regarding the possible scenarios. According to Reuters, she added that only 14% of grizzly bear attacks worldwide lead to fatalities.

Additionally, bear sightings typically increase during autumn as the animals become more active in search for food ahead of hibernating in the cold winter months. Banff National Park attracts more than four million tourists annually and is home to grizzly and black bears.

Titchener said that there are roughly 60 grizzly bears in Banff National Park and added that they are considered a threatened population in the Alberta region. Parks Canada did not immediately respond to queries that asked to identify the victims of the grizzly attack.

She added that more often than not, when people encounter grizzly bears, the large animals typically go in one direction and humans go in the other way. She noted that this means there are rare cases where everyone involved is killed, said CBC.

Related Article: Japan Turns to Robot Wolves to Combat Bear Attacks

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Romania will continue to assist Ukraine in terms of military aid, grain transit, as well Kyiv's aspirations to join the European Union, Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu said on Oct. 2, as reported by Ukrinform.

"Romania and some of the other (EU) members with the longest borders with Ukraine understand well the consequences of the war in Ukraine," the official said in Kyiv ahead of the meeting of the EU's foreign ministers.

"Today, we will discuss the security and military situation, as well as assistance to Ukraine both bilaterally and within the EU and NATO frameworks."

Odobescu recalled that Russia's war against Ukraine directly affects Romania as well, as debris from Russian drones has been found on Romanian soil.

Read also: Romania wants to transit 60% of Ukrainian grain

Russian forces often target the Ukrainian ports of Izmail and Reni on the Danube River, only a few hundred meters from the Romanian border.

Odobescu also noted that over 25 million metric tons of Ukrainian grain shipped through the EU's solidarity corridors have been transported through Romania. Marcel Ciolacu, the country's prime minister, said earlier in August that Bucharest hopes to transit around 60% of Ukrainian grain through its territory.

"We are working closely with the government of Ukraine, the European Commission, and other partners to increase transit capacity from 2 million to 4 million (metric) tons per month by the end of this year," Odobescu said.

The solidarity corridors, instituted by the EU in May 2022 to facilitate Ukraine's agricultural exports, have allowed for more than 45 million metric tons of Ukrainian produce to reach global markets.

Odobescu also affirmed Bucharest's backing for Ukraine's accession to the EU. According to the foreign minister, Romania supports the start of the membership talks already this year.

The European Commission is expected to issue its decision regarding the start of Ukraine's membership talks later this month. According to Bloomberg, the EU's executive body is expected to back the start of the accession negotiations.

EU foreign ministers are convening in Kyiv on Oct. 2 for the first Foreign Affairs Council meeting held outside the bloc's borders. Borrell said that the meeting will address the present and future support by Europe for Ukraine's struggle against Russian aggression.

Read also: Bloomberg: EU Commission to recommend Ukraine membership talks

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies:

Man killed in fiery crash on Highway 126

A 43-year-old Sylmar man was killed in a fiery automobile crash reported late Saturday night, Sept. 30, on Highway 126, just east of Piru.

His vehicle was headed west on the highway in the fast lane shortly before 11 p.m., but traveled right into the slow lane and then the right shoulder before crashing into a tree, the California Highway Patrol said.

The 1989 Toyota coupe became fully engulfed in fire after impact, CHP spokesman Ryan Ayers.

On Oct. 6, the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office identified the driver as Eusebio Ortega of Los Angeles. Sylmar is a neighborhood in the city's San Fernando Valley. The medical examiner determined the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries, although the manner had not yet been determined.

CHP authorities had initially provided a different age for Ortega, but the medical examiner said he was 43.

Ayers said the driver was unable to get out of the vehicle after the solo-vehicle crash east of where the highway intersects with Piru's Main Street. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Ventura County Fire Department, which extinguished the fire.

The crash remains under investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call the CHP's Moorpark office at 805-553-0800.

2-county pursuit ends with arrests after vape store in Simi burglarized

Two Los Angeles men were arrested Sunday in connection with the burglary of a vape store in Simi Valley and a pursuit that ended in Los Angeles County, police said.

A neighbor reported the break-in around 3 a.m. at the store at 1869 Royal Ave., after hearing glass break and seeing burglars enter the business, police said. The suspects allegedly left in a black sedan that had been parked at the front of the business, fleeing on Highway 118 into Los Angeles before exiting on Getty Center Drive off Highway 405. The suspects then fled on foot in the area of the 1000 block of Moraga Drive, located east of the museum, according to Simi Valley police.

Los Angeles and Simi Valley police teamed up in the pursuit, which ended with the arrests of the two men, ages 21 and 23, in Los Angeles County.

They were arrested on suspicion of burglary, reckless evasion of law enforcement, conspiracy and resisting arrest. They were expected to be booked into county jail in Ventura later Sunday.

20 vehicles damaged in salvage yard fire

About 20 vehicles stored at a salvage yard in Oxnard were damaged in a fire early Sunday, the city Fire Department said.

Battalion Chief John Cecena said no buildings burned at the fire reported around 4:30 a.m. at 501 Pacific Ave., nor were there any injuries.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, he said.

These items may be updated.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Fiery crash on Hwy. 126, vape store burglars stopped, more
Russell Brand has vehemently denied all allegations made against him - Russell Brand/rumble.com

Russell Brand is being investigated by a second police force over his alleged behaviour towards women.

Thames Valley Police confirmed it was investigating allegations of stalking and harassment dating back to 2018.

It is understood the complainant had previously contacted police but recently came forward with new information.

A spokesman for the force said: Thames Valley Police in the past two weeks received new information in relation to harassment and stalking allegations dating back to 2018.

This information is being investigated; as such it would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing investigation.

Brand has lived in Oxfordshire since 2014, first in the Woodstock area and then later near Henley-on-Thames, where he moved with his wife Laura Gallacher.

He bought The Crown pub in Pishill in 2020 and is thought to be converting the building into a recording and radio studio.

Scotland Yard probe

Brand is already the subject of an investigation by Scotland Yard after a number of allegations of sexual offences were made against him.

Last month, the actor and comedian was accused of rape, sexual assault and predatory behaviour by four women who made the allegations in a joint Channel 4, Dispatches, Sunday Times and Times investigation.

He has vehemently denied the allegations in a statement broadcast on his own YouTube channel.

Scotland Yard has also launched an investigation after receiving a complaint from a woman who claimed she had been sexually assaulted by Brand in central London 20 years ago.

The incident is alleged to have taken place in Soho in 2003 before Brand, 48, was a major household name.

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.
Ukraine has battered Russia's Black Sea Fleet with cruise missile strikes and sea drone attacks.

To deal with the new sea drone threat, Russia is increasing its maritime air patrol operations.

British intelligence said a "key asset" for these missions is the decades-old Be-12 amphibious plane.

Russia is highly likely relying on a decades-old amphibious plane to seek out a dangerous Ukrainian threat to its Black Sea Fleet, according to Western intelligence.

Kyiv doesn't have a proper navy, but over the past two months it has ramped up its assaults on the Black Sea Fleet and other high-value targets around the occupied Crimean peninsula as part of its ongoing counteroffensive. This includes cruise missile strikes on a key shipyard and the fleet's headquarters and attacks with uncrewed surface vessels (USVs)  or sea drones  on Russian ships.

Sea drones, which are inexpensive and can be packed with explosives, have become a headache for Russia, which can't figure out how to consistently stop the systems. Experts say the sea drones give Ukraine an "asymmetric advantage," prompting leadership in Kyiv to prioritize developing what it hails is "the formation of the world's first naval fleet of drones."

In early August, Ukraine employed sea drones in two major attacks: the first damaged the landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak at the Russian port of Novorossiysk, and the other "disabled" the Russian merchant tanker Sig near the Kerch Strait. In September, Ukraine claimed its drones scored hits on Russian patrol ships and other vessels. Russia's defense ministry challenged these claims, saying its forces foiled these attacks, but the problem still has Moscow searching for solutions, according to Britain's defense ministry.

"In recent weeks, the Naval Aviation component of Russia's Black Sea Fleet has assumed a particularly important role in the Fleet's operations as it struggles to deal with concurrent threats on the southern flank of the Ukraine war," Britain's defense ministry wrote in a Monday intelligence update.

"Naval Aviation is emphasising maritime air patrol operations, highly likely with a primary mission of the early identification of uncrewed surface vessels," Britain's defense ministry said. "A key Russian asset in these operations is the Be-12 MAIL amphibious aircraft, designed in the 1950s, flying out of bases in occupied Crimea."

A Be-12 amphibious aircraft designed for anti-submarine and maritime patrol duties is seen in Museum of the World Ocean in Kaliningrad, Russia, on Sept. 7, 2019. Photo by Michal Fludra/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Beriev Be-12 is a Soviet-era turboprop aircraft that was designed in the 1950s and first flown in 1960. Capable of flying from both land bases and water, the Be-12 was made to conduct short-range anti-submarine and maritime patrol duties  thanks to a radar, a magnetic anomaly detector, and sonobuoys  and can be armed with torpedoes and mines.

Typically flying with a crew of four  two pilots, a navigator, and a radio and sensor operator  the Be-12 can reach speeds of nearly 330 mph and fly at a maximum altitude of around 10,000 ft. Because the aircraft is so old, Russia has started replacing it with the jet-powered Be-200ES.

Russia has long kept operational Be-12s at Kacha Air Base in Crimea, where the planes were spotted patrolling last year.

It remains to be seen if the Be-12 makes a difference in curbing the threat of Ukraine's sea drones. In addition to increasing maritime air patrol operations, Russia has also been conducting maritime strike operations with its combat jets, according to Britain's defense ministry, which noted a likely relocation of Black Sea Fleet activity from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk, a process that was already underway to a certain extent following a sea drone attack last fall.

"With more Fleet activities likely relocating to Novorossiysk in the face of threats to Sevastopol, Russia is attempting to use naval air power to project force over the north-western Black Sea," Britain's defense ministry said on Monday.

Sevastopol, which is located on the southwestern edge of Crimea and is the home of the Black Sea Fleet, fell victim to two major cruise missile strikes last month, with one targeting a key shipyard and the other hitting the fleet's headquarters. Collectively, these attacks damaged several vessels, and killed and injured scores of Russian personnel. Novorossiysk, on the other hand, is a port located across the Black Sea on Russia's internationally recognized territory, although Ukraine has demonstrated that it can still reach Novorossiysk with its sea drones and inflict damage there.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Russian forces attacked seven communities along the Sumy Oblast border on Oct. 1, injuring one civilian, the Sumy Oblast military administration reported.

MLRS (Mulitple Launch Rocket System) attacks in the settlement of Druzhba left one resident wounded.

No additional casualties were reported.

Russian forces also attacked the communities of Velyka Pysarivka, Krasnopillia, Svesa, Seredyna-Buda, Khotin, and Bilopillia.

The attacks caused a total of 86 recorded explosions. Throughout the day, the Russian military barraged the Sumy border with mortar shelling, mines, missiles, and artillery.

Shelling is daily occurrence for the communities near Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia. Residents in the region's vulnerable border settlements experience multiple attacks per day.

Read also: Abducting the future: How Ukrainian parents fight to rescue their children from Russia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Abdulmedzhyt Seitumerov, a political prisoner from Crimea detained by Russian authorities on 24 August, was transferred from a pre-trial detention facility to Simferopols psychiatric hospital.

Source: Crimean Solidarity, citing Seitumerovs lawyer, Emil Kurbedinov

Details: Kurbedinov said that this was not the first case against members of Hizb ut-Tahrir when the defendants are subjected to psychiatric examination and recognised as fully sane, and thus subject to prosecution. Kurbedinov stressed that there is no need for such examinations and they are unfounded [Hizb ut-Tahrir is an international pan-Islamist and Islamic fundamentalist political organisation whose stated aim is the re-establishment of the Islamic caliphate to unite the Muslim community  ed.].

Quote from Kurbedinov: "The law mandates such examinations in certain types of criminal cases or when there are sufficient grounds to believe that the arrested person may indeed suffer from a mental illness. Neither is the case in this instance. Detention in such hospitals is, in effect, a way of using medicine in punitive ways, and is a way of putting pressure on our clients."

Details: Kurbedinov added that Seitumerov will spend 20-25 days at the psychiatric facility.

Background:

On the morning of 24 August, Russian security forces broke into the homes of Crimean Tatars in the city of Bakhchysarai and the Bakhchysarai district to conduct searches. Ruslan Asanov, Seidamet Mustafaiev, Remzi Nimetulaiev, Abdulmedzhyt Seitumerov, Ametkhan Umerov and Eldar Yakubov were detained.

The Kyiv District Court, controlled by Russian occupying authorities in Crimea, held hearings to decide on a preventive measure for Ametkhan Umerov, Remzi Nimetulaiev and Ruslan Asanov on the evening of 24 August. The defendants would remain in Simferopols pretrial detention facility No 2 until the end of October 2023.

The next day, officers of the Center for Combating Extremism, the Russian occupation police, and masked men detained 23 Crimean Tatars near the Kyiv District Court. Those activists came to support Seidamet Mustafaiev, Eldar Yakubov and Abdulmedzhyt Seitumerov, whom the court also sent to the pretrial detention facility No 2 until the end of October.

On 27 August, Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the detention of Crimean Tatars on 24 August, Ukraines Independence Day, and called upon the international community to "keep putting pressure on Russia".

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On the Bakhmut front, Russian troops unsuccessfully tried to restore their lost position near Andriivka (Donetsk Oblast) over the course of the day.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 2 October

Details: On the same front, the Russians also carried out airstrikes near Klishchiivka and Oleksandro-Shultyne. More than 20 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire.

At the same time, Ukraines Defence Forces continue offensive operations on the Melitopol front and assault operations on the Bakhmut front, causing losses in manpower and equipment to the Russian forces and exhausting the Russians along the entire front line.

A total of 22 combat clashes took place during the day. The Russians launched 5 missile- and 39 airstrikes and carried out 20 attacks from multiple-launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas.

The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains difficult.

On the Volyn and Polissia fronts, no significant change in the operational situation was recorded. No sign of the Russian forces forming new offensive units in this area. Certain units of the Armed Forces of Belarus perform tasks in the areas bordering Ukraine.

On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, Russia maintains a military presence in the border areas. They continue the shelling of populated areas from the territory of the Russian Federation and increase the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. The Russians carried out an airstrike near Stepok in Sumy Oblast. More than 25 settlements were hit by Russian artillery and mortar attacks.

On the Kupiansk front, the Russians carried out airstrikes near Ivanivka and Cherneshchyna (Kharkiv Oblast). More than 10 settlements were hit by Russian artillery and mortar attacks.

On the Lyman front, the Defence Forces repelled Russian attacks near Makiivka in Luhansk Oblast. The Russians carried out airstrikes near Zarichne, Spirne, and Lyman (Donetsk Oblast). Makiivka, Nevske, Bilohorivka (Luhansk Oblast) and Novosadove, Torske, Verkhniokamianske, Spirne and Rozdolivka (Donetsk Oblast) were affected by artillery and mortar shelling.

On the Avdiivka front, the Russians unsuccessfully tried to restore the lost position east of Stepove, Donetsk Oblast. More than 10 settlements were hit by Russian artillery and mortar attacks.

On the Marinka front, over the past day, Ukrainian Defence Forces successfully repelled six attacks near Marinka in Donetsk Oblast. They also repelled Russian attacks near Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast. The Russians carried out airstrikes near the settlements of Marinka, Novomykhailivka and Paraskoviivka (Donetsk Oblast). About 10 settlements came under Russian fire.

On the Shakhtarsk front, Ukrainian defenders repelled Russian attacks near Staromaiorske and Rivnopil (Donetsk Oblast). The Russians carried out airstrikes near Urozhaine, Staromaiorske and Novodarivka (Donetsk Oblast). More than 10 settlements were hit by artillery and mortar attacks.

On the Zaporizhzhia front, the Defence Forces successfully repelled Russian attacks in the area west of Verbove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The Russians launched an airstrike near Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. More than 25 settlements were hit by artillery and mortar attacks.

On the Kherson front, the Russians carried out an airstrike near Mykolaivka in Kherson Oblast. More than 15 settlements were hit by Russian artillery and mortar attacks.

The General Staff reported that during the day the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine carried out 11 strikes on the areas where Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment were concentrated, and one more on a Russian anti-aircraft missile system.

Units of the Rocket Forces and Artillery hit two areas where personnel, weapons and military equipment were concentrated, a control post and two Russian artillery pieces.

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Russia carried out attacks against nine oblasts over the past day, killing at least five civilians and injuring at least 15 others, local officials reported early on Oct. 2.

Russian forces targeted Donetsk Oblast over the past day, killing three people and injuring five, the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration said.

One person was killed in Neskuchne, one in Avdiivka, and another one in Torske, according to the officials. Four people were injured in Kindrativka and one in Nove, the report said.

A man was killed in Russian shelling of Vovchansk, Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. The attacks reportedly damaged several buildings in Vovchansk, as well as elsewhere in the oblast.

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Russia carried out 71 strikes against Kherson Oblast over the past day, killing one person and injuring six others, including two children, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

The strikes also damaged buildings of educational and medical institutions, a factory, and other civilian sites in the oblast, the governor clarified.

In Luhansk Oblast, a man was hospitalized following Russian strikes against Novoliubivka and Nevske, Governor Artem Lysohor reported.

One civilian was wounded in a Russian attack against the Druzhba community of Sumy Oblast on Oct. 1, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration said.

Russian forces targeted Zaporizhzhia Oblast 144 times over the past day, injuring two men aged 64 and 55 in Orikhiv, Governor Yurii Malashko reported.

Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv oblasts also came under attack, but local officials reported no casualties.

Read also: Russia is covering Ukraine with landmines. Clearing them will be extremely difficult

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A Russian strike against a transport company in Kherson on Oct. 2 killed a police officer and injured another three people, according to Ukrainian authorities.

The Kherson Oblast Prosecutor's Office initially said the attack injured at least four people, including two police officers.

Later the same day, Oleksii Biloshytskyi, first deputy chief of Ukraine's Patrol Police, reported that one of the wounded police officers died in hospital.

According to the prosecutors, Russia carried out the attack at 10 a.m. local time, most likely using artillery.

The southern city of Kherson has been a regular target of Russian attacks since its liberation during Ukraine's counteroffensive last fall.

Russian forces targeted Kherson and the surrounding oblast 71 times over the past day, killing one person and injuring six others, including two children, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

Read also: Russia is covering Ukraine with landmines. Clearing them will be extremely difficult

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According to preliminary government data obtained by CBS News, U.S. immigration agents processed more than 200,000 illegal border crossers in September, the highest level recorded since 2023, as the Biden administration struggles to contain the mass migration gripping the region.

Border Patrol agents apprehended approximately 210,000 migrants who illegally entered the United States between official ports of entry along the Mexican border in September, up from 181,000 in August, according to internal statistics from the Department of Homeland Security.

Unlawful Migrant Crossing Hit Highest Ever Recorded

The number of migrants apprehended in September is the greatest since December 2022, when the Border Patrol apprehended 222,000, the second-highest monthly total on record. In May 2022, Border Patrol agents apprehended a record-breaking 224,000 migrants.

According to unpublished DHS data, migrant apprehensions along the U.S. southern frontier surpassed 2 million for only the second time in US history. The information pertained to the fiscal year 2023, which concluded this past weekend. The 2,2 million migrants apprehended in fiscal year 2022 represents the highest annual total ever.

In addition to those apprehended after illegally entering the United States, tens of thousands of additional migrants were assessed at ports of entry by border officials last month. The Biden administration has permitted approximately 1,500 asylum-seekers to enter the country daily at these official border crossings if they obtain an appointment through a smartphone app.

Not all those apprehended are permitted to remain in the United States. Some adult migrants are given the option to return to Mexico voluntarily or are placed in an expedited deportation process if they do not claim asylum or fail initial humanitarian evaluations.

The majority of migrants, however, have been released from US border detention in recent months and ordered to appear in immigration court. While those migrants face deportation if they lose their asylum cases, the process can take years to complete due to a 2 million (and increasing) backlog of unresolved cases.

In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said it anticipates "fluctuations" in migration patterns, citing "misinformation used by smugglers to exploit vulnerable individuals."

DHS added that the administration is working to "strengthen consequences" for those who enter the country illegally, noting that the US has returned or deported over 250,000 migrants since early May.

The significant increase in illegal border crossings over the past few weeks exemplifies the Biden administration's ongoing struggle to reduce the unprecedented levels of illegal immigration to the United States in recent years. It has also compromised President Biden's border strategy, which was lauded by administration officials when illicit border crossings reached a two-year low in June.

Some migrant groups, such as Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans, have drastically reduced their illegal border crossings as a result of this strategy, which consists of expanding legal migration opportunities while implementing stricter asylum rules for some illegal border crossers. Other Central Americans, Venezuelans, and migrants from other continents, such as Africa and Asia, have not, however, experienced a similar, lasting effect.

In fact, the increase in illegal border crossings last month was fueled in part by the arrival of Venezuelan migrants, who are traveling to the US in record numbers to escape the economic and political crisis in Venezuela or to leave other South American nations still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Midway through September, more than a quarter, or 2,000, of all daily Border Patrol apprehensions were Venezuelan migrants, according to agency statistics reviewed by CBS News. In August, the Border Patrol processed 713 Venezuelans per day on average.

Seven million Venezuelans have escaped their homeland in recent years, as part of what is now the largest displacement crisis in the world, according to the United Nations.

While the majority initially settled in Colombia and other South American countries, an increasing number of Venezuelans are heading north, risking a week-long journey across multiple countries and Panama's roadless Darien Gap in order to reach the United States.

According to the Panamanian government, more than 400,000 migrants, primarily from Venezuela, have traversed the Darien jungle this year, an unprecedented number that has nearly doubled the previous record set in 2022.

Read Also: Biden Admin Offers Legal Status, Work Permits to Nearly Half-a-Million Venezuelan Migrants by Further Expanding TPS

US Migrant Crisis

Recent influxes of illegal border crossers have highlighted the Biden administration's struggle to rein in the unprecedented unauthorized migration of the past few years. It also undermined Biden's border strategy, which was lauded by officials when the number of illegal border crossings reached a two-year low in June.

The strategy, which consists of extending legal migration opportunities while imposing stricter asylum rules for some entering illegally has seen a sharp decline of unauthorized entries among some groups such as Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans.According to the government of Panama, more than 400,000 people have traversed the treacherous Darien jungle, double the previous record set in 2022.

Images from the porous frontier depict hordes of migrants traversing treacherous terrain and wading through the Rio Grande. Families can be seen clinging to one another, with some struggling to transport drenched luggage across the water.

Eagle Pass and Brownsville and other border communities have felt the full weight of the situation. Chief Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez of the US Border Patrol's Rio Grande Valley Sector, which encompasses 277 miles of border along the Rio Grande and 316 miles along the Gulf of Mexico, published images depicting the crisis on Friday.

Not so for other Central Americans fleeing economic and political turmoil, such as Venezuelans and migrants from other continents, including Africa and Asia. According to the United Nations, seven million people have fled the country in what is being called the "largest displacement crisis in the world."

In the hopes of reaching the United States, many migrants are enduring a multi-week journey across multiple countries and Panama's unpaved Darien Gap.It follows the release of disturbing video footage showing migrants sneaking through unguarded barbed wire at Eagle Pass.

The border city has been the epicenter of the crisis, with the mayor declaring a state of emergency on September 20. In the most recent video, migrants could be seen sneaking through the border town's brambles one by one in an attempt to cross the boundary without being processed.

Dozens, including at least three children, appeared to sneak through barbed wire at a time when neither border patrol nor officers were present. According to the Washington Office of Latin America, border crossings increased to approximately 8,000 per day during the week ending September 22, in a town of only 28,000 people in Texas.

Related Article: Texas Migrant Surge: El Paso Opens New Shelter Amid Influx of Asylum Seekers

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A Russian soldier started working for Ukraine's military intelligence in July, a Ukrainian official said.

He then convinced 11 other Russians to defect with him, the official added.

He was brought to Ukrainian-held territory when Russia got suspicious, the spokesperson said.

A Russian soldier started working for Ukraine's military-intelligence service earlier this year and then convinced 11 other soldiers to defect with him, a Ukrainian official said.

Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, said the soldier, identified as Daniil Alfyorov, began working with Ukraine in July, The Kyiv Independent reported.

The outlet reported that Alfyorov initially got in touch with Ukraine through its "I want to live" hotline, which Ukraine set up in September 2022 to allow Russian soldiers to give themselves up.

It's not clear from the report what intelligence Alfyorov provided, but Yusov highlighted that he had convinced 11 other Russian soldiers to defect with him.

Ukraine's special forces then evacuated Alfyorov to Ukrainian-held territory when Russia got suspicious and there was a risk to his life, Yusov said, though he did not say when the operation took place.

In August, in another high-profile case of defection, a captain in Russia's 319th separate helicopter regiment surrendered to Ukraine, taking a Mi-8 helicopter with him.

The pilot's arrival in Ukraine was said to have marked the end of a six-month defection plot he had worked out with Ukraine that included moving his family out of Russia, as Insider previously reported.

At the time, Yusov said the pilot would be rewarded with $500,000 for bringing over the helicopter and stolen fighter-jet parts.

This followed Ukraine's parliament passing a law in April 2022 offering up to $1 million to Russian military personnel who manage to transfer equipment to Ukraine. The size of the reward depends on the type of equipment they hand over.

Yusov said that after that operation was revealed there was a 70% uptick in calls to the surrender hotline.

The Kyiv Independent wasn't able to confirm details of Alfyorov's status in Ukraine or if he's expected to receive a reward.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Russians have shelled Donetsk Oblast, injuring four civilians.

Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Details: An investigation has established that on 2 October, the occupiers shelled settlements in the Pokrovsk and Volnovakha districts, probably using artillery.

At around 07:00, the Russian army attacked an agricultural facility in the village of Novoukrainka in Vuhlehirsk district, resulting in two workers aged 36 and 55 who were outside receiving shrapnel wounds. They were taken to hospital for medical treatment.

In addition, at 11:10, the Russians fired on the village of Yelyzavetivka, Pokrovsk district, where an 83-year-old local resident was wounded. At 14:55, the occupiers struck the village of Trudove, where a 53-year-old man was injured by shells and hospitalised with massive bleeding.

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The Russian forces carried out 17 attacks on the border areas of Sumy Oblast over the past 24 hours, dropping bombs and launching missiles, with 86 strikes recorded in total.

Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration on Telegram

Details: Krasnopillia, Khotyn, Bilopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Druzhkivka, Svesa and Seredyna-Buda hromadas were attacked [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories].

A mortar attack was carried out on Velyka Pysarivka hromada, with three strikes recorded in total.

Russians dropped 40 bombs on Krasnopillia hromada. They also pummelled the area with anti-tank guided missiles (two strikes).

They also targeted Druzkhivka hromada with multiple-launch rocket systems. A local resident was injured as a result of the attack. Mortar bombardment was also recorded in the area (12 strikes).

The Russian occupying forces also fired at Svesa hromada with mortars, with seven strikes recorded in total.

Nine strikes were recorded in Seredyna-Buda hromada, which the Russians attacked with mortar fire.

Khotyn hromada was bombarded using howitzers (five strikes), artillery (five strikes) and mortars (six strikes), as well as S-13 unguided missiles (two strikes).

Seven bombs were dropped on Bilopillia hromada.

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On Monday, 2 October, the Russians attacked the city of Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast. Casualties have been reported.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office

Details: At 14:58, Syniehubov reported that the Russian army had dropped a guided aerial bomb on the city.

At least seven houses were damaged, and civilian cars were destroyed.

PHOTO: SYNIEHUBOVS TELEGRAM

Early reports say that a civilian woman was injured in the second strike. Syniehubov said she was taken to hospital.

Units of the State Emergency Service are dealing with the aftermath of the attacks, Syniehubov added.

Update: The Prosecutors Office has reported that two civilians were injured in the Russian attack.

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The Russians in temporarily occupied Crimea have opened an exhibition of finds from Kamiana Mohyla (Stone Tomb) in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. These objects belong to the Museum Fund of Ukraine and had been stored in the historical archaeological reserve of the same name in the occupied city of Melitopol. They were stolen after Melitopol was occupied by the Russians.

The House of Fish, a capsule exhibition on the sacred mountain of Kamiana Mohyla, has opened at the Tauric Chersonesos Museum-Reserve in Crimea, the Union of Archaeologists of Ukraine has reported on Facebook.

THE OCCUPIERS IN CRIMEA DEMONSTRATE WHAT THEY STOLE FROM ZAPORIZHZHIA OBLAST. PHOTO: CHERSONESUS

Reports in the Russian media confirm that the exhibition opened at the end of September until 8 October. The exhibition of stolen finds from Zaporizhzhia Oblast is reportedly located in the small hall of a Byzantine exhibition.

SCREENSHOT FROM THE RUSSIAN MEDIA

Anastasiia Cherednichenko, President of the Ukrainian branch of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), a professional network of institutions and museum specialists whose aim is to preserve and protect cultural treasures, told UP.Kultura that by transporting the valuables to Crimea, the Russians are trying to protect themselves from international lawsuits that Ukraine may bring against Russia and from "museum sanctions" that may be implemented or lobbied for by ICOM.

"There is evidence that they are trying to protect themselves by doing this, because they are apparently transporting stolen valuables not directly to the territory of Russia, but to the so-called buffer zone. Nobody can say that it is Russian territory. Ukraine cannot say this," Cherednichenko remarked.

"They [the Russians  ed.] also say this is an evacuation, but that is not true either and can be easily disproved. Because this is still a violation of the laws and customs of war, and anyway, the procedure for such an evacuation is not being correctly followed. So it cannot be said that this is an evacuation to preserve [the finds]," she added.

Cherednichenko explained that in order to be able to take back all the cultural treasures in the future, Ukraine must monitor and document the objects that Russia has stolen. She added that the Prosecutor Generals Office is currently working on documenting the crimes Russia has committed against Ukraines cultural heritage during the war.

She remarked that ICOM Ukraine is helping the Prosecutor Generals Office in this work, yet the government must also take action: "We have not confirmed the UNIDROIT convention on cultural objects [the UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects  ed.]. I realise that the legal basis does not apply in the case of the Russian Federation, but since we will be working with our allies after Ukraines victory, we must have a legal basis [for bringing back illegally removed cultural property]."

In January 2023, it was reported that Olena Morozova, the Russian-appointed "director" of the Tauric Chersonesos Museum-Reserve, had announced that a delegation had gone from Crimea to the occupied territory of Ukraine to examine the artefacts of the Kamiana Mohyla reserve.

Ukraines National Resistance Center reported in May that the Russian occupiers had moved exhibits from Kamiana Mohyla to Crimea.

In May, the Russians opened the first exhibition of artefacts from Kamiana Mohyla in Crimea, featuring 120 stolen archaeological finds. These included petroglyphs, ancient household items, ceramics and Stone Age tools.

THE FIRST EXHIBITION OF STOLEN FINDS FROM KAMIANA MOHYLA IN CRIMEA OPENED IN MAY 2023

Kateryna Chuieva, then-Deputy Minister of Culture, revealed that the ministry lost contact with the staff of the Kamiana Mohyla Museum when the territory was occupied last year.

"We lost contact with the staff and the management of Kamiana Mohyla last year. They tried to get in touch, but instead it emerged that some members of staff had participated in some events with the occupying authorities, and it became clear that the reserve was no longer under Ukraines control," she explained to Hromadske Radio.

According to local media outlet RIA Melitopol, Yaroslav Mykhailov, director of the reserve, has been collaborating with the occupiers since the early days of the occupation.

What is Kamiana Mohyla?

Kamiana Mohyla (Stone Tomb) is an ancient cultural landmark located near the city of Melitopol (in the settlement of Myrne), Zaporizhzhia Oblast, on the Molochna River.

It is a hill of natural origin which served as an altar for pagan rituals. Several thousand unique ancient rock carvings  petroglyphs  have been found there. The chronology of these carvings spans a period from the late Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages (circa 24,000-22,000 BC  10th-13th century).

KAMIANA MOHYLA. PHOTO: SHAPLYKOFF/WIKIPEDIA

Archaeologist Mykola Veslovskyi, famous for his Scythian burial excavations, was the first to explore Kamiana Mohyla in the late 19th century. In his Report for the Archaeological Commission from 1890, Veslovskyi described the cave entrances, open grottos and carvings on the caves slabs.

The research resulted in the opening of 65 grottos and caves with rare images on the ceilings. They give us insight into what the agriculture and spiritual culture of Southern Ukraines earliest inhabitants were like.

THE KAMIANA MOHYLA MUSEUM IN 2018. PHOTO: MAKSYM STOIALOV

Kamiana Mohyla has been nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2006. In 2008 it received the status of a national historical and archaeological reserve.

Kamiana Mohyla was occupied by the Russians in February 2022, and in November 2022 the Russians announced that the reserve was now subordinate to the Tauric Chersonesos Museum-Reserve in Crimea.

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Near 4 a.m. at the Harney Lane Migrant Center, Carlos Alfonso Perez and his family woke up for another day of laboring in a Lodi, California grape field.

He was careful to not wake his youngest sibling, Julian, while making the bed in their shared room. Julian, 11, is spared from joining his older brother and parents.

Carlos Alfonso Perez gets ready at the Lodi Migrant Housing Center, where he lives with his family, to go to work at a nearby vineyard in August.

In the kitchen, Alfonso Perezs father, Carlos Santiago Perez, assembled burritos made with leftovers for the days lunch. Nearby, his mother was arming herself with a long-sleeve, hat and bandana to protect from the blistering heat.

Its a routine the family has been doing for years. Alfonso Perez, 23, is a third-generation farmworker, living in the same center as his grandfather did for 26 years.

Yet, he owns something no one in the family ever has: a diploma from Sacramento State displayed proudly in the living room of their modest and seasonal home.

In 2022, Alfonso Perez graduated with a bachelors degree in Spanish. He is now midway through his two-year graduate program at Sacramento State, with goals of one day teaching at a university.

Carlos Alfonso Perez holds his college diploma from Sacramento State on in August. Perez is midway through his masters program and still wakes up early to work in the field with his farmworker family.

As the son of migrant farmworkers, Alfonso Perez has overcome long odds. The children of these farmworkers, who travel seasonally for work, have some of the nations highest dropout rates, with 45 to 60% quitting high school.

Today, Alfonso Perez is even more of a rarity by continuing to head out to fields with his family. An estimated 1% of farmworkers possess a college degree.

I have heard of students doing it during the summer, said Erik Ramirez, director of Equity and Affinity Centers at Sacramento State. But this is the first time Ive heard of a student doing it after they complete their bachelors degree.

Alfonso Perez knows his time in the fields will soon end. Until then, its a reminder of his roots and an opportunity to reflect on what its taken to reach this point.

My grandpa, my dad, thats the route they took, Alfonso Perez said. Thats where I come from. The fields were the main source of food on the table.

Carlos Alfonso Perez puts on his shoes at the Lodi Migrant Housing Center as he and his family prepare to go work in the fields in August.

Moving between two countries

Alfonso Perezs life has always centered around the fields, even before he was born.

My mom says that when she was pregnant with me, she would be dreaming that she was picking cherries and that her stomach would be the bucket where you put the cherries, Alfonso Perez said.

He was born in San Joaquin County, at a time when his father worked two jobs. The family saved up enough money to buy a home in Lodi.

But then, they were hit with the financial crisis of 2008. Santiago Perez lost his main income job, and eventually their home. They were forced to move into a small trailer for about six months.

I was pretty upset, but I didnt really understand what was happening, Alfonso Perez said.

Without many options, the family moved back to their hometown of Tacicuaro, Mexico. Alfonso Perez initially struggled to adjust to his new environment, but soon appreciated the opportunities to better understand his parents origins.

Thats where I started to gather up and reconnect with my roots, he said.

Carlos Alfonso Perez, 23, who lives at the Lodi Migrant Housing Center with his family, prunes grape vines as the sun rises in August. Perez graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Sacramento State and said he follows a credo he learned in Mexico, having our feet in the dirt, so we remember where we came from.

The family would spend the next four years primarily living in Mexico, soon growing to a family of six  three boys and one girl. Yet, Alfonso Perez, the oldest, was the only one who could speak English fluently.

Santiago Perez began worrying about the futures of his children.

My wife and I realized we were making a mistake because when they get older, theyre going to go back to the U.S. and end up in the fields, Santiago Perez said.

Farmworkers tend to have low levels of formal education. About 74% do not complete high school, and 93% have at most a high school diploma or equivalent, according to a 2022 report from the Public Policy Institute of California.

With that in mind, the family decided to move back to Lodi. Santiago Perez and his wife began working in the fields again, with the hope that their children would benefit from an American education.

Carlos Alfonso Perez, 23, right, who lives at the Lodi Migrant Housing Center with his family, takes a break with his brother Cristian, 18, father Carlos Santiago, 45, and mother Lorena, 44, in August.

Discovering the value of education

Alfonso Perez began working in the fields when he was 16, with permission from Ronald E. McNair High School. The purpose was to teach him to value education and what it could do for his future, said Santiago Perez.

(Farmwork is) one of the jobs that pay the least and is the most work, Santiago Perez said. We wanted him to realize that by studying, he would go farther than us.

That meant juggling school and work, and almost no time off. Alfonso Perez worked on the weekends and during winter, spring and summer breaks. During certain times, like cherry picking season, he would head off to work immediately after school.

Carlos Alfonso Perez, prunes a grape vines in the early morning as the sun rises in August. Perez did something not many migrant students get the chance to do., receive a higher education diploma.

Around the time he started working in the fields, Alfonso Perez began to heed his fathers advice and take school seriously. He also realized his affinity for the Spanish language and culture.

He continued the work in the fields through college, first at San Joaquin Delta College and then Sacramento State.

Ramirez and two other Sacramento State administrators interviewed by The Bee said it is common for students who are still pursuing their undergraduate degree to return to work in the fields throughout their school breaks.

Thats often where their experiences are, and sometimes they actually make more money going that route than going to work at a coffee shop, Ramirez said.

But, after earning the degree is a different story.

None of the three administrators  who all primarily work with Latino and migrant farmworker students  said they had ever heard of a student continuing to do farmwork after finishing their bachelors.

Alfonso Perez acknowledges his decision is uncommon. For now, hes fine with that. Hes hoping to inspire his younger siblings and all those children of migrant farmworker families.

We have this saying in Spanish, Alfonso Perez said. Tener los pies bajo la tierra, having our feet in the dirt, so we remember where we came from. Thats where I started. Its not going where Im going to end, but every now and then when I can, I like to work there so I can remind myself of the sacrifices my parents made for me, the sacrifices I made for myself and to appreciate the opportunities Ive had.

La Abeja, a newsletter written for and by California Latinos

Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter centered around Latino issues in California.
For Sam Bankman-Fried, losing internet access is more frightening than jail, says Michael Lewis .

Lewis told "60 Minutes" he thinks Bankman-Fried "could survive jail forever" if he had internet access.

"The Big Short" author is set to published a book on the rise and fall of FTX on Tuesday.

Disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is more afraid of losing access to the internet than getting locked up, according to the author of an upcoming book on FTX.

Michael Lewis shared his views on Bankman-Fried during an interview on "60 Minutes," which aired on Sunday. Lewis's book on the rise and fall of the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, "Going Infinite," is set to be published on Tuesday.

Lewis told "60 Minutes" that Bankman-Fried's greatest fear about going to prison would be losing his internet access.

"Now that sounds crazy, but I do think that if he had the internet, he could survive jail forever. Without having a constant stream of information to react to  I think he may go mad," said Lewis, who has penned books on finance such as "The Big Short" and "Flash Boys."

"If you gave Sam Bankman-Fried a choice, this is quite serious, of living in a $39 million penthouse in the Bahamas without the internet, or the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn with the internet, there's no question in my mind he'd take the jail," Lewis added.

A representative for Bankman-Fried declined to comment on Lewis' remarks.

Lewis enjoyed intimate access to Bankman-Fried when writing his book, and followed him around for months. Lewis ended up speaking to Bankman-Fried more than a hundred times over two years, per "60 Minutes."

Bankman-Fried was charged in December 2022 with illegally funneling millions of dollars from FTX customer funds into his trading firm, Alameda.

The embattled crypto entrepreneur is scheduled to go on trial on Tuesday, where he will face seven criminal charges ranging from securities fraud to money laundering.

Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to these charges. He could face over 100 years in prison if convicted of all the charges.

Read the original article on Business Insider
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried Ed Jones/Getty Images

Prosecutors say SBF's lawyers declined a request for a Ukraine-based FTX customer to testify remotely.

The customer lost a "large portion" of his life savings from FTX's collapse, they said.

And he can't testify in person because of a wartime law stopping men from leaving the country.

Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyers declined a request from prosecutors to allow a Ukraine-based FTX victim to testify remotely at his trial, which is due to start on Tuesday.

Prosecutors submitted a court filing to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan on Saturday to appeal the opposition and allow two-way video conferencing because most of FTX's customers and victims are based abroad.

The prosecutors wrote that Bankman-Fried's defense "does not consent to the remote testimony."

They said: "Due to FTX's international popularity, many of the FTX customers are dispersed across the world, making the coordination of international authorizations to permit testimony in the United States and international travel arrangements exceedingly complicated."

This particularly relates to one witness who is located in Ukraine and "lost a substantial portion of his life savings that he had entrusted to FTX when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022." He is referred to as "FTX Customer-1" in the filing.

FTX Customer-1 is restricted by Ukraine's wartime law that prevents men considered fit to fight from leaving the country unless the authorities grant them permission, the prosecutors said.

"Even if that permission were to be granted, FTX Customer-1 would still need to travel by a combination of train and bus for several hundred miles through Ukraine during an ongoing war, cross a border to a neighboring country that has international flights to the United States, travel an additional distance to the nearest international airport, and then travel by air to the United States, a process that the Government estimates would take at least approximately three days in each direction," they added.

Insider contacted Bankman-Fried's lawyers via email for comment but didn't immediately hear back.

Bankman-Fried faces seven criminal charges for conspiracy to commit securities fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, among other charges, after the implosion of his company last year.

His trial is scheduled to begin on Tuesday and is expected to continue through November.

Read the original article on Business Insider
FTX founder and suspected fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried considered the possibility of paying Donald Trump up to $5bn to stay out of the 2024 presidential race, a new book claims.

In an essay published in the Washington Post  developed from Michael Lewis new book Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon  Mr Lewis wrote that Mr Bankman-Fried was exploring the legality of paying Donald Trump himself not to run for president.

His team had somehow created a back channel into the Trump operation and returned with the not terribly Earth-shattering news that Donald Trump might indeed have his price: $5 billion. Or so Sam was told by his team, he wrote.

Mr Lewis expanded on this claim in an interview on 60 Minutes, saying Mr Bankman-Fried wondered how much would it take for the former president to seek re-election in 2024. There was a number that was kicking around at the time that Mr Lewis was talking to the FTX founder, he said - $5bn.

Sam was not sure that number came directly from Trump, Mr Lewis clarified. The question Sam had was  not just is $5bn enough to pay Trump not to run  but was it legal?

He said these conversations were still ongoing when FTX blew up, but the transaction didnt happen because he didnt have $5bn anymore, Mr Lewis explained.

Mr Bankman-Frieds fraud trial  in which he has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of fraud and conspiracy related to the collapse of FTX  was set to begin Monday, and is expected to last up to six weeks.

Federal prosecutors have charged the 31-year-old with stealing billions from the crypto exchange to pay debts for his hedge fund, buy lavish properties in the Bahamas, and donate millions to political campaigns.

Prosecutors said he illegally diverted millions of dollars from customers cryptocurrency accounts using his FTX exchange.

The jury selection will begin on Tuesday in Manhattan federal court. The FTX founder is currently in jail, as a federal judge revoked his bail in August over attempts to tamper with witnesses.
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors spotlighted areas of opportunity, growth, and innovation at the 2023 State of the County event at the Ontario Convention Center.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors spotlighted areas of opportunity, growth, and innovation at the 2023 State of the County.

The event was attended by more than 1,000 local and state elected officials, business owners, tribal government leaders, educators, and community leaders on Sept. 27.

Board Chair and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe moderated the program, which featured interviews with fellow board members Vice Chair Paul Cook, Jesse Armendarez, Curt Hagman , and Joe Baca , Jr.

Board members offered overviews of important initiatives and programs within each of their districts.

First District

Cook said affordable housing rates and some of the best schools in the county are attracting more families to his district.

The district includes much of the High Desert, including the Victor Valley, and a portion of Barstow north to China Lake and Fort Irwin, and east to the Nevada state line

Cook shared his excitement over the new Brightline West high-speed rail system that will provide service from Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas, with stops in Hesperia and Apple Valley.

Brightline officials said they are eyeing a groundbreaking by the end of 2023 and a ribbon cutting in the first quarter of 2027.

"This 218-mile high-speed rail project will be the first true high-speed passenger rail service in the nation," said Cook. "It will be a game changer for our region by reducing commute times, increasing job opportunities, and improving the quality of life for county residents."

In Florida, Brightlines high-speed passenger train service travels up to 79 mph in urban areas, 110 mph in less-populated regions, and 125 mph through farmland in the central state area, the Associated Press reported.

Brightline West's high-speed rail project was a topic of discussion during the recent 2023 State of the County event for San Bernardino County.

Second District

Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez reported on housing, homelessness, and mental health services.

I am inspired by a new 101-acre master-planned, mixed-use community in North Fontana being partially developed by Frontier Communities, a San Bernardino County-based builder, Armendarez said. Another inspiring new development is being delivered by Water of Life Community Church. They broke ground on a five-acre master plan to construct and operate a mixed-use project that will include wrap-around homeless services and transitional housing units. I know that San Bernardino County will continue to lead the way.

Armendarez also provided an update on the creation of the Office of Suicide Prevention, which the board approved in its Fiscal Year 2023-2024 annual budget.

Recognizing that one suicide death occurs every 11 minutes in the U.S., enhancing mental health services remains a priority for Armendarez.

Fourth District

Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman reported on innovations in technology such as the county's use of Starlink, which allows residents to connect to high-speed internet in some of the county's most geographically remote areas.

As a commissioner for the Ontario International Airport Authority, Hagman shared noteworthy achievements such as the airport serving nearly six million passengers this year, its highest rate since 2008. Also, on March 23, the airport welcomed its 30 millionth passenger since its return to local control.

"Ontario International Airport creates $3.8 billion a year in economic activity, supporting 27,800 jobs and serving as the hub for a global logistics network that generates $17.8 billion in economic output," Hagman said.

Hagman also pointed out San Bernardino International Airport was experiencing growth with new passenger services to San Francisco and Las Vegas, and the airport is now home to the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center.

Additionally, a mixed-use development project is planned near the Toyota Arena in Ontario.

Fifth District

Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. discussed park improvements, including ADA compliance updates to restrooms, splash pads, new gating, and upgraded amenities. He also announced an affordable housing project coming to Bloomington.

"One of the things we found out through the strategic homeless plan is that capacity is necessary for our investment in the county," Baca said. "On Sept. 12, the board of supervisors voted to purchase some land to add an affordable housing project. Just think about the families who are on the cusp of losing their home. This affordable housing project will put a roof over their heads, restore dignity and ultimately prevent families from becoming homeless."

Baca also touched on improving access to healthcare in his district through a partnership with Arrowhead Regional Medical Center's mobile clinics.

He is also seeking to expand Animal Care services by purchasing a mobile veterinarian clinic.

Third District

Rowe capped off the presentation with a demonstration of one of Garner Holt Production's animatronic figures.

Rowe explained that Garner Holt has partnered with county schools to create Education Through Imagination and an AniMakerspace to provide young children with opportunities to learn more about STEAM education  science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

She also spoke about growth and development occurring at Loma Linda University.

"Loma Linda University Health is a leader in education, research and clinical care," Rowe said. "The California Health Facilities Financing Authority recently awarded Loma Linda University Children's Hospital with a $135 million grant that provides funding for several major projects including construction of a new pediatric medical office building."

Following Rowe's presentation and closing remarks, attendees participated in a networking reception to foster new partnerships to continue moving the county closer to achieving its Countywide Vision of a complete county that creates ever-increasing opportunities for residents and investors.

Event attendee, Rancho Cucamonga City Councilwoman Kristine Scott, described the event as exciting.

"I always love coming to the state of the county because you can hear about the exciting things happening in your own backyard," she said. "Just seeing the opportunities and the upcoming projects makes me proud to be a resident."

San Bernardino City Councilman Damon Alexander said the event was inspirational.

"I am very encouraged and inspired by what our county board of supervisors are doing," he said. "They've played a critical role in our region's economic growth, and I look forward to continued success."

For more information, visit selectsbcounty.com or main.sbcounty.gov.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: San Bernardino County Supervisors highlight local growth, innovation
The foreign ministers of the nations belonging to the European Union, with the exception of Hungary and Poland, have sent a clear message of "unwavering" support and commitment to Ukraine in its war against Russia as they convened in its capital Kyiv Monday (October 2).

Officials familiar with the matter told Euronews that the unprecedented and unannounced meeting would review the bloc's support for Ukraine and discuss the peace formula proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, among other matters.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the meeting was the first time EU foreign ministers convened outside EU territory, sending a signal that the bloc's support for the country remained steadfast.

"We are convening a historic meeting of EU Foreign Ministers here in Ukraine, candidate country and future member of the EU," he said on X, formerly Twitter. "We are here to express our solidarity and support to the Ukrainian people."

The meeting was held in Kyiv after the SMER-SSD party, headed by pro-Russia politician Robert Fico, returned to power after winning the most seats in Slovakia's general election last week with 23.3% of the vote. The election result could potentially increase tensions within the bloc as Hungary maintained warm relations with Russia.

Read Also: Should Ukraine Be Concerned About the Tightening Russia-China Trade?

We are convening a historic meeting of EU Foreign Ministers here in Ukraine, candidate country and future member of the EU.



We are here to express our solidarity and support to the Ukrainian people.https://t.co/zcv6agCcIy  Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) October 2, 2023

Uncle Sam Backing Out?

The US, the UK, and the EU have been providing Ukraine with military and financial aid ever since the beginning of the war in February 2022, which was crucial as it enabled the country to withstand both the Kremlin's attack and a weakened economy.

However, there is now uncertainty regarding continued support to Ukraine, particularly with the US.

Washington has just averted an immediate government shutdown, and a growing number of lawmakers are questioning the White House's planned endgame for the war in Ukraine. Nevertheless, US President Joe Biden has reassured allies Sunday (October 1) of continued US financial support for the war effort.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told reporters that Ukraine held discussions with representatives of both the Republican and Democratic parties to ensure more help would arrive.

"The decision was taken as it was, but we are now working with both sides of the Congress to make sure that it does not repeat again under any circumstances," he added.

With this uncertainty in place, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said the EU must be ready to provide further help not only to support Ukraine but also "to send a strong trans-Atlantic signal" that the bloc was taking the situation on their own lands seriously.

Related Article: Slovakia Election: Pro-Russian Politician Wins Vote, Return to Power

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
State officials have awarded a $50,000 grant to the business incubator at San Juan College, an award designed to help the facility invest in new technology and provide additional training to new entrepreneurs.

The colleges Enterprise Center was one of four grant recipients across the state, according to a Sept. 18 news release from the New Mexico Economic Development Department. The Santa Fe Business Incubator, the South Valley Economic Development Center and the WESST Enterprise Center were the other recipients.

The Enterprise Center at San Juan College is part of the schools Quality Center for Business, offering business incubation and accelerator programs with office and manufacturing space, and other business resources. Its operations include the Harvest Food Hub just south of downtown Farmington, The Big Idea maker space and Studio G, an initiative started in partnership with the Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University that offers entrepreneurs business consulting services and other resources.

Lorenzo Reyes, the colleges vice president of workforce and economic development, said the college applied for the grant after conducting a business needs analysis with the Farmington Chamber of Commerce. That analysis showed a strong need not just for the technology upgrades the grant will fund  high definition video screens that are used in virtual presentations and workshops, new computers, projectors and new transmission systems  but for additional training for those who are launching a business for the first time and may not be aware of all the paperwork requirements they will face.

The Enterprise Center, a business incubator and accelerator that is part of the San Juan College Quality Center for Business, has been awarded a $50,000 grant by the state.

Reyes said the grant will allow the college to hire local lawyers, accountants and business veterans to presents workshops on such issues as understanding tax law, maintaining inventory control, how to read a financial statement and marketing.

Although the grant was only announced two weeks ago, Reyes said the college already has purchased some of that new equipment and contracted with local providers to conduct the training.

This is one of those investments the state continues to make in helping small businesses succeed, he said.

Lorenzo Reyes

The EDD news release cited national statistics indicating that businesses that are started in an incubator are twice as likely to succeed as those that are not. Such facilities typically provide entrepreneurs such services as training and mentoring, as well as office or manufacturing space at below-market rates, for a short period of time, allowing new businesses to get established.

Business incubators provide critical support to growing New Mexico companies and have a proven economic impact, Jon Clark, the deputy secretary of economic development, stated in the release. EDD is proud to support them and offer the resources to help them reach more businesses across the state.

Mike Easterling can be reached at 505-564-4610 or measterling@daily-times.com. Support local journalism with a digital subscription: http://bit.ly/2I6TU0e.

This article originally appeared on Farmington Daily Times: The Enterprise Center is San Juan College's business incubator
Oct. 1 marked the start of San Juan County moving most of its county employees to a 32-hour work week.

The move was announced in August, and includes the majority of San Juan County workers excepting the Sheriffs Office and management. All county offices will be open to the public during regular hours, although some departments might have to adjust their hours or close for a weekday.

Workers will continue to receive 100% of their regular pay for 80% of the hours. The expectation is that the output from those workers remains the same.

The decision to move to the shorter work week was driven by a few factors. One was to avoid raising taxes to pay county employees commensurate with a rising cost of living. By cutting down to a 32-hour week, worker wages remained relatively consistent without an additional tax burden on residents.

The county also pointed to ongoing staffing challenges.

The County has been operating with a chronic 10-15% job vacancy rate across many key departments, making it difficult to meet deadlines, avoid employee burnout, and retain institutional knowledge, they said in a news release.

The hope with the reduced work hours is to entice more employees to come work for the county while offering a stronger work/life balance.

The greater idea behind the 32-hour week is to achieve both a fiscally responsible and socially responsive workplace for county employees, said County Council Chair Cindy Wolf.

This change brings the opportunity to spend more concentrated time with family, volunteer locally, travel, schedule medical appointments, and do all the many things which are important to personal and community well-being without interrupting workflow, Wolf added.

Research out of the University Cambridge and Boston College released in early 2023 found that employees who had moved to a 32-hour work week were 71% less burned out, 39% less stressed, and 48% more satisfied with their job than they were before the trial.

The study also found that revenue for 23 companies actually grew 1.4% over the course of a six-month period during the trial, while another 24 saw a 34% increase over the same period the year prior.
The Sangamon County Coroner's office was expected to identify Monday afternoon the 17-year-old male killed in a confrontation with Springfield Police at the Sangamon County Juvenile Detention Center Saturday evening.

An active shooter call went out around 7:45 p.m. for the facility located at 2201 S. Dirksen Pkwy.

SPD said a subject was armed and "had possibly shot an individual and was holding another hostage."

More: South Carolina sheriff's deputy, Springfield native killed in line of duty

Officers encountered a teen at the entrance to the facility, where he was fired upon. After receiving medical assistance, he was taken by ambulance to HSHS St. Johns Hospital, where he later died.

A second person, who has not been identified, also suffered a gunshot wound and was treated and released.

SPD officers involved have been placed on restricted duty, per department policy.

Illinois State Police hasn't addressed follow-up questions including how the teen came into possession of the gun.

In a separate email, ISP spokeswoman Trooper Jayme Bufford said the ISP Division of Criminal Investigation is leading "an open and ongoing investigation into the use of force portion of this incident."

The ISP is expected to turn all reports over to the Sangamon County State's Attorney's office for "an independent review of the facts," Bufford said.

The juvenile facility operates under the county's probation and court services department and is administered by Kent Holsopple.

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said the facility was immediately placed on lockdown after the incident. Sheriff's deputies and correctional officers, including a K-9, did a sweep of the facility.

There were nine juveniles detained at the facility at the time of the incident, Campbell said.

The juvenile center shares space with Regional Office of Education #51. In January, the Springfield City Council signed off on the move of Helping Hands of Springfield, a 24/7, 365-day-a-year shelter, to the building around the New Year.

This story will be updated.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Sangamon County coroner expected to name teen who died in shooting
To foster a child in South Carolina, a persons religious beliefs can be required to mirror that of a private placement agency  at least for one agency in the Upstate  a federal court has held.

In two separate decisions Friday, the United States District Court for South Carolina found that Miracle Hill Ministries, a foster-care child placement agency in Greenville, can deny foster placements to parents who lack Christian beliefs and values. The decision comes after a set of same-sex parents and a single woman filed federal lawsuits against Gov. Henry McMaster, among other federal officials, for allowing Miracle Hill to reject their foster applications when it was discovered they were not protestant Christians.

The lawsuits claimed the foster agencys actions violated the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing any official religion or favoring any religion over others.

These two rulings from the U.S. District Court represent significant wins for religious liberty and South Carolinas faith-based organizations like Miracle Hill, which will be able to continue their crucial mission of connecting children in foster care with loving homes, McMaster said in a news release Monday. These victories will directly benefit countless children by further ensuring that faith-based organizations will not be forced to abandon their beliefs to help provide critical services to our states youth.

The cases stem from two separate applications to Miracle Hill to foster children by a same-sex female couple, Eden Rogers and Brandy Welch, and a single woman, Aimee Maddonna. All three women were told they could not foster children from the agency because they harbored religious views contrary to Miracle Hills.

In the case of Rogers and Welch, who were married in South Carolina in 2015, the couple contacted Miracle Hill in April 2019 indicating their interest in fostering children, according to the federal order.

Following a call from Miracle Hill, Welch informed the agency that she and Rogers were a same-sex couple. The agency, in turn, advised Welch to fill out an online form and to read the agencys website, according to Fridays court order.

In their submission, Rogers and Welch stated they were interested in foster parenting because they would like for more children to know what it feels like to be unconditionally loved and to be part of a loving family, the lawsuit said. Plaintiffs also identified themselves as a same-sex couple and members of the Unitarian Universalist Church.

In May 2019, Miracle Hill sent an email to Rogers and Welch rejecting them as potential foster parents because, as members of the Unitarian Universalist Church, their faith does not align with traditional Christian doctrine, according to the lawsuit.

Somewhat similarly, in the case of Maddonna, Miracle Hill denied her application after she informed the agency she was Catholic.

McMaster, had previously taken steps to defend Miracle Hills position against Rogers, Welch and Maddonna, in part, by issuing an executive order directing the states Department of Social Services to not deny licensure to faith-based child placement agencies solely on account of their religious identity or sincerely held religious beliefs and to ensure that the Department of Social Services does not directly or indirectly penalize religious identity or activity.

The South Carolina foster care system is managed by the Department of Social Services, which has legal custody of all foster children in the state. The agency, responsible for licensing foster families across the state and overseeing training and supervision of foster homes and residential foster facilities, routinely contracts foster placement services with private agencies, such as Miracle Hill.

In both federal cases, on both sides, each party filed for summary judgment  a procedural move in law that asks a judge to rule on an issue as a matter of law versus a judge or jury determining the case on matters of fact, during, for example, a trial.

The plaintiffs argued, in essence, that because Miracle Hill, although a private nonprofit, receives federal and state funding, McMaster and the federal government contributed to its religious discriminatory practices when the agency denied foster applications for Maddonna, Rogers and Welch, in violation of the First Amendment.

The court found that while discriminatory, Miracle Hills actions are private and not governmental in nature. Therefore, the agencys decision to reject the plaintiffs from fostering children does not trigger the Equal Protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The Constitution excludes from its reach merely private conduct, no matter how discriminatory or wrongful, the court cited, from a 2001 federal case.

Moreover, the court found that of the 27 child placement agencies across the state, only one  Miracle Hill  restricts partnerships based on the prospective familys faith or same-sex marriage, leaving Maddonna, Rogers and Welch with 26 other agencies  including 18 in the Upstate  to work with.

More than 93% of newly licensed foster families and 97% of foster children statewide are served by someone other than Miracle Hill, as are more than 90% of foster placements in the Upstate Region, the court cited in its ruling.

This is a major victory for the children in South Carolinas foster care system who were at risk of losing out on loving homes, said Lori Windham, one of several attorneys representing McMaster in the case, according to a news release. The attempt to shutter faith-based foster care agencies and decrease the number of foster homes for these kids violated the law and common sense. We are glad that South Carolina stood up for foster children and faith-based agencies and that the court protected them.
A suspected shoplifter set a store clerk on fire during a confrontation in the San Francisco Bay Area, police said Monday.

Deputies responded to the attack on the night of Sept. 22 at a convenience store in El Sobrante, about 20 miles northeast of San Francisco.

Contra Costa sheriff's spokesman Jimmy Lee told USA TODAY on Monday that the store clerk had confronted the attacker about shoplifting.

Surveillance video taken inside the store shows the clerk struggling with the suspect before flames erupt around the clerk's head. As they struggle, another clerk behind the counter grabs a baseball bat and dashes toward the suspect as the injured clerk runs out of frame.

The clerk suffered critical injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

A store clerk was set on fire by an alleged shoplifter in Northern California when he tried to stop the suspect from stealing, the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office reported on Sept. 21, 2023

Man pepper-sprayed by police: Colorado man says vision permanently damaged after police pepper-sprayed his face

Suspect identified as Kendall Burton

Deputies identified the suspect as 38-year-old Kendall Lavamon Burton, a transient from El Sobrante.

Burton was arrested and booked into jail, where he remained held without bond on Monday.

Contra Costa Court records show prosecutors charged him with multiple felonies including assault with a deadly weapon, battery, arson causing bodily injury, robbery, and mayhem.

It's unclear whether he had obtained an attorney on Monday.

North Carolina Taco Bell shooting: Taco Bell worker hospitalized after angry customer opens fire inside Charlotte restaurant

'He just lit the fire on me'

Suraj to recover and get back to normal life., organized by Sabeena Parajuli

The victim's wife told USA TODAY on Monday her husband was out of danger, recovering slowly and receiving treatment in a San Francisco hospital.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Suraj  who asked that his last name not be used for safety reasons  told KPIX-TV that the day of the attack, his coworker alerted him to a repeat shoplifter who would steal lighter fluid.

When Suraj tried to stop him, "he just splashed lighter fluid on my face," he said

"I was so scared that moment," he told the station. "I tried to cover his hand, but I don't know. I don't remember. He just lit the fire on me, you know. I just rushed to the restroom, and I just splashed water on my face."

He said he's in agony every time his wounds are cleaned, needs several surgeries and faces a long road to recovery.

An online fundraiser created by his wife last week to help pay for medical bills had raised more than $28,000 by midday Monday.

"We are overwhelmed by the mental trauma and the pressure of medical procedures," his wife wrote. "Your support would be invaluable and greatly appreciated."

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Suspected shoplifter sets clerk on fire in El Sobrante, California
(Bloomberg) -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his government will make sure the current refugee situation doesnt get out of control and that undocumented migrants will be sent back to their home countries more quickly in the future.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Rejected asylum seekers will have to leave again, Scholz said at a town hall meeting in Hamburg on Monday. We will always work against a loss of control, because thats not good for a state or a democracy.

The chancellor also said that common European Union immigration legislation will assure that migrants are registered in the EU country where they first enter the bloc. Between 70% and 80% of entrants into Germany have previously been in another EU state,  but werent registered there, he said.

Scholzs three-party coalition has come under growing pressure to change Germanys lax immigration policies in view of dramatically increasing numbers and a growing political threat from the right-wing Alternative for Germany Party.

More than 204,000 people requested asylum in Germany through August, a 77% increase compared with the same period last year, according to government data. Many local authorities have warned that they are no longer able to provide housing.

Conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz offered Scholz his support for revisions in the countrys asylum legislation, but the Green party, which together with the liberal FDP forms part of Scholzs SPD-led government, have until now opposed any changes.

Since political asylum is guaranteed under the German constitution, any tightening of restrictions would require a two-thirds majority in parliament.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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A social media post about a book at Gemini Middle School in Niles, Illinois, has generated a wide variety of opinions on whats appropriate for adolescents to read at what age, but a spokesperson for East Maine School District 63 said that no teacher ever assigned the book in question.

That spokesperson, Janet Spector Bishop, said a seventh-grade student chose the book from the seventh-grade classroom library for a small-group assignment. After one parent expressed concerns, the school gave the child an opportunity to select a different book, which the child did, she said.

Bishop noted that classroom libraries are a curated set from Columbia Universitys Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, and are chosen by a team of literacy teachers and childrens literacy experts.

Last week, an anonymous person posted on a private Niles-area Facebook group, These are pages from a book that was offered/ given to 7th grade students at Gemini Middle School. I have a question for the group. Is this acceptable material for middle schoolers (11-13 yr olds) to read?

The post included a cropped review of the book, Rani Patel in Full Effect, by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization that rates content on its suitability for children at various ages as well as its quality. The nonprofit recommended the book for children 14 and over. The post also included three photos of pages of the book which depict sexual violence and include references to sexual abuse of a girl. The poster did not provide context for the pages or explain that the book is about a 16-year-old girl who has been sexually abused and is trying to heal and find her strengths, helping her victimized mother in the process.

Rani Patel in Full Effect was a finalist for the William C. Morris Award, which honors the years best books written for young adults by a previously unpublished author.The author, Sonia Patel, is a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

The social media post generated 60 comments, with commenters expressing a wide range of opinions. Some said the book is inappropriate for middle school students and some thought it beneficial that middle schoolers have an option to read more challenging material. One parent suggested the school could have sent home a permission slip for parents to sign and, if they declined, to provide alternate reading material.

One commenter said, If you find it unacceptable for your seventh grader, then explain to your child why you think they should not be reading it and help them choose another book. Maybe let them know when you think they should read it. Other parents can do the same. You can expect other families to have similar and different opinions than yours.

Another said, " It says for ages 14+. I would question younger kids reading it. Yet another wrote, The written word should be available for all. However if you feel it isnt appropriate for your children, I would reach out to the educator directly.

Still another commenter said, I dont believe this is appropriate. We sent our daughter to private school because of this sort of nonsense. I encourage you to check out Awake Illinois.

Bishop sent the following statement from District 63 Superintendent Dr. Shawn Schleizer, but the district did not respond to the Chicago Tribune/Pioneer Press requests for an interview with an administrator. Here is the statement:

At our Gemini Middle School, one parent expressed concerns about a book her child chose for a small group activity.

Gemini staff responded, noting that the book was not assigned reading. While this book is recommended for ages 12-17, staff let all students know that if they felt uncomfortable after choosing a book that might have more mature content, they were free to change their selection. This particular student was offered the opportunity to select from a number of other books.

At D63, classroom libraries are a curated set from Columbia Universitys Teachers College Reading and Writing Project  chosen by a team of literacy teachers and childrens literacy experts. They do align with our curriculum, but of course there is no exact science when recommending ages or grade levels for specific books  because every student is different.

Likewise, different families have different ideas about what might be appropriate for their children and so schools typically keep a wide range of diverse reading materials on hand. We encourage parents to maintain an open dialogue with their children about their own expectations regarding reading material, and to directly contact their childs school with questions.

____
Dr. Drew Weissman , left, a physician-scientist, and biochemist Katalin Kariko won the Nobel Prize in medicine for discoveries that enabled the creation of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 and that could be used to develop other shots in the future. (Peggy Peterson Photography / Penn Medicine )

Katalin Kariko and Dr. Drew Weissman, American scientists whose long collaboration has revolutionized the making of vaccines and raised the prospect of new treatments for a range of afflictions, were awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine Monday for their work on messenger RNA.

Hungarian-born biochemist Kariko, 68, spent nearly a decade at BioNTech, the German pharmaceutical firm that collaborated with drug giant Pfizer to produce the COVID-19 pandemics first vaccine against the virus that causes COVID-19. Physician-scientist Weissman, 64, is a professor of vaccine research at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine.

Their work has armed scientists and drug companies with the means to turn the bodys cells into manufacturers of its own medicine.

"This years Nobel Prize recognizes their basic science discovery that fundamentally changed our understanding of how mRNA interacts with the immune system and had a major impact on society during the recent pandemic," said Rickard Sandberg, a member of the Nobel Assembly, noting that mRNA vaccines, together with other COVID-19 shots, "have been administered over 13 billion times."

Thomas Perlmann, the secretary-general of the Nobel Assembly, said both Kariko and Weissman were "overwhelmed" when he notified them of the award, especially Kariko, given her tumultuous professional history.

"Ten years ago, she told me that she was terminated from her current position and had to move to Germany for another position without her family and so forth," Perlmann said. "So its been a dramatic change in her circumstances.

Although mRNA rose to public prominence for its use in COVID-19 vaccines, the technology is expected to become a major basis for flu vaccines, enabling shorter lead times and more accurate matching between circulating influenza strains and yearly shots.

Beyond that, it could play a key role in treating sickle-cell disease and shows promise for the autoimmune disorder multiple sclerosis. Its potential use in treating cancers is also opening new avenues for arming the immune system against malignancy.

Read more: More COVID shots are coming. Will a weary public be more interested this year?

HIV could be the next target. Three new experimental vaccines to protect against HIV infection, all based on an mRNA design similar to that used in the COVID-19 jab, are now undergoing early human clinical trials.

The techniques pioneered by Kariko and Weissman have enabled scientists to nimbly customize the proteins targeted by vaccines, a key for thwarting shape-shifting viruses such as the coronavirus and HIV.

Such capabilities more than proved their worth during the pandemic. The mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were both designed within weeks of the release of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus genome, and were the first to come off manufacturing lines for worldwide use. Today, the two COVID-19 vaccines are in use in at least 164 countries, and roughly 270 million Americans have received at least one dose.

That "impressive success story" alone would make recognition of Kariko and Weissman by the Nobel Committee "proper and appropriate," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical advisor to President Biden. But advances the pair made in the use of mRNA have only begun to be felt in medicine, he added.

Nobel committee member Rickard Sandberg describes the mRNA research that was honored Monday during a press conference at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. (Jessica Gow / TT News Agency via AP)

Kariko was first introduced to ribonucleic acid, or RNA, in 1978 and said she's been "passionate about this fragile molecule ever since." She was exploring DNA's use of messenger RNA to deliver specific work orders to cells when she met Weissman over a photocopy machine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1997.

Antiretroviral medications were just entering wide use against HIV/AIDS at the time, and Weissman was trying to design a vaccine against a disease that was killing hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. He had been intrigued by the possibility that mRNA could induce cells to produce proteins that the body was missing or that it needed to heal itself. But he knew that efforts to repurpose this delicate nucleic acid for medical purposes had hit a host of stumbling blocks.

Read more: Scientist who decoded Neanderthal DNA wins Nobel Prize for insights on human evolution

Kariko was intimately familiar with the obstacles to mRNAs use. And she was well aware of the skepticism directed its way by the scientific community. After earning a doctorate in biochemistry at Hungarys University of Szeged and immigrating to the United States in 1985, she had been determined to find ways to harness mRNA for treatments.

By the time she met Weissman, Kariko had been an itinerant postdoctoral researcher for more than a decade. At Temple University in Philadelphia, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., and the University of Pennsylvania, she had tried to drum up support for work on mRNAs biomedical uses. She had a drawer full of rejected grant proposals to show for it.

Weissmans research pedigree was more promising. A biochemistry major at Brandeis University, Weissman earned his medical degree and a doctorate at Boston University and was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship in Fauci's lab at the National Institutes of Health. While there, he studied a key node of the mammalian immune system  dendritic cells  and their perturbation in HIV/AIDS.

Weissman knew that messenger RNA had an incidental effect on dendritic cells: Their interaction touched off an immune response that ignited dangerous inflammation across the body.

Weissman and Kariko both realized that until that problem could be fixed, mRNA would be of limited biomedical use, and no use at all in making vaccines. There was also the problem of mRNA's fragility outside of cells: Unpackaged, it was easily chewed up by enzymes, and getting it through cells' outer walls was no picnic either.

The two scientists formed a partnership of grit and grace. Over more than two decades, Karikos and Weissmans experiments shed more light on how mRNA could be repurposed to enter cells and safely order up the production of certain proteins. They watched how other nucleic acids snuck past the immune system unnoticed and devised a fix that enabled mRNA to ferry new work orders into cells without causing flares of inflammation.

Read more: Nobel Prize in medicine goes to U.S., U.K. scientists who discovered hepatitis C virus

Each spark of something interesting, whether a finding we expected  or even more exciting, the ones we didnt  motivated us to continue, Weissman said in a speech accepting the 2021 Lasker Award, one of several prestigious scientific honors the pair have won in recent years.

Together we designed and conducted experiments, often trading emails into the early hours  unable to wait until the next day to share particular findings or ideas," Weissman said. "We just kept at it.

By 2004, the two had produced a paper that detailed their success at reengineering mRNA for use in mammals. In an interview with the journal Cell, the two recalled that their first paper together was rejected by the three premier science journals  Cell, Science and Nature. One reviewer dismissed the work as a mere incremental improvement over existing research in the area.

Kariko said she had to look up incremental in the dictionary. Undeterred, the pair got their paper published in a specialty journal, Immunity, in 2005. Then they waited for the conference invitations to pour in.

We sat and stared at the phone, and nothing happened, Weissman said. After presenting the paper at one conference, Kariko said a fellow scientist came up and asked who had supervised her work  the kind of question no one would ask a man of her age.

Not until 2010, after the pair published findings that further improved the prospects for mRNAs use, did the medical establishment start to take notice. By 2012, Weismann and Kariko led a team that showed that mRNA, introduced into mice, could prompt the temporary production of red blood cells.

"They had to do some really fancy manipulation to allow it to persist long enough inside the body to ferry genetic instructions into cells, Fauci said. "They were persistent, resilient, and they stuck to it," he added. "Its a great example of the scientific process."

In 2013, Kariko left the University of Pennsylvania to join BioNTech, reasoning that pharmaceutical companies would eclipse universities in devising treatments using mRNA technology.

When the SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged in China in 2019, BioNTech had already used mRNA technology to design a vaccine against the Zika virus, which had infected hundreds of thousands of pregnant women and caused grievous birth defects across the world. Moderna, too, had been working on a Zika vaccine, as well as vaccines against cytomegalovirus infection and cancers.

Within two weeks of the publication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus genetic sequence, both companies had what they needed to build a vaccine. They used different formulations for the delivery of mRNA, but once inside a human cell, the vaccines provided the genetic specifications for producing harmless replicas of the coronavirus' spike proteins. The human immune system would take it from there.

When health officials in the U.S. and United Kingdom ordered up a new crop of COVID-19 booster shots that targeted the Omicron variant, all Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna had to do was insert a key piece of genetic code that matched the desired strains. The updated shots were ready in mere months.

Weissman has established laboratories in Thailand, South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries to devise COVID-19 vaccines that can be produced locally. His research continues to explore ways for mRNA vaccines to provide more enduring protection against COVID-19 by training the immune system to recognize pieces of the virus that are much less prone to mutation.

In addition, Weissman has joined with other scientists to counter the misinformation and disinformation about COVID-19 shots that has made many people unwilling to roll up their sleeves.

"As important as the vaccine is, if you don't take it, it doesn't work," he said in an interview Monday with nobelprize.org, adding that the endorsement from the Nobel committee might help sway some of those who have been hesitant.

Read more: 3 scientists who learned how cells react to oxygen levels win Nobel Prize in medicine

He remains at the University of Pennsylvania, and is married to Mary Ellen Weissman. They have two daughters, Rachel and Allison.

Kariko left BioNTech in 2022 but is still a consultant for the company. She is now a research professor at the University of Szeged and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

Kariko is married to Bela Francia, who she said encouraged her decision to commute to BioNTech in Germany when she lost her position at Penn. The couple and their daughter, Zsuzsanna "Susan" Francia, arrived in the United States in 1985 with their life savings  about $1,000  sewn into the stuffing of a teddy bear. (Susan Francia grew up to become a decorated rower, winning two Olympic gold medals for the United States.)

"I try to tell fellow female scientists that you dont have to choose between having a family, you can have it," she told nobelprize.org on Monday. "Your child will watch you and they will do, because thats what counts, the example that you present."

Through it all, Kariko has said she was not deterred by her lack of funding, the lack of interest from the medical establishment or the slow pace at which she and Weissman uncovered mRNAs secrets.

I am so glad it helped humanity, Kariko told a University of Pennsylvania interviewer. But for decades, the process of scientific discovery was its own reward, she added.

So many enigmatic things about RNA I find very, very exciting, Kariko said. She and Weissman would ask questions and then design experiments to answer them.

And of course, instead of the answer, we got 100 more questions," she added. "It was very enjoyable. I would like to emphasize that to be a scientist is a joy.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
[Source]

The City of Seattle and the Washington State Department of Commerce are providing $100,000 in financial assistance to the Wing Luke Museum for its recovery following an anti-Asian hate attack in early September.

Recovery funding: The city government and the states Department of Commerce announced on Friday their combined financial support to help the Wing Luke Museum recover from the damages caused by Craig Milne, 76, during an anti-Asian attack on Sept. 14.

The help reflects Washingtons Democratic Governor Jay Inslee and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrells deep commitment to creating a welcoming state and city for all people," the press release said.

What it will be used for: The money will reportedly go to repairs and upgrades in security, museum officials said. It will also be used to provide emotional and mental support for its staff.

More from NextShark: Man Wearing Face Mask Reportedly Passes Out on Street in NYC

A local treasure: In the statement, Inslee described the museum as a local treasure honoring Washingtons global diversity.

I encourage folks to visit and learn more about the history and culture of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, Inslee continued.

What happened: Milne was accused of smashing the historic museums windows with a sledgehammer during an attack on Sept. 14 while yelling racist statements that blamed Chinese people for allegedly ruining his life. Milne has since been charged for the incident.

More from NextShark: Harvard students stage walkout in front of professor accused of sexual harassment

What they are saying: Joel Barraquiel Tan, executive director of the Wing Luke Museum, expressed gratitude for Inslee and Harrells effort to help the museums recovery.

The outpouring of support in the aftermath of the Sept. 14 hate crime is not only sustaining to the Museum and our community, but that support inspires us to continue our missions work, Tan added.

Declining hate crime: Seattle police reported a steady decline of hate crime incidents in the city this year, with 80 reported cases compared to 96 incidents from the same period in 2022, according to Seattle police data.

More from NextShark: Vancouver Chinatown stabbing suspect was on day release from psychiatric facility: police

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Chinese girl, 10, sells sweet potatoes on the street to help pay for 2-year-old sisters cancer treatment
Schmidt Agricola is a significant agricultural firm based in Bahia, Brazil, which is one of the country's new frontier agricultural zones suitable for large-scale, high-tech farming. It has lately added cocoa to its crop mix.

Chocolate-making ingredient production is rising outside of the major growing region in West Africa, as farmers in Brazil, Ecuador, and Colombia see potential profit in the crop, according to Reuters.

Rising Prices of Cocoa

Prices have risen to their highest level in over 50 years, which may help to alleviate the present supply shortage in the global cocoa market. It also threatens the livelihoods of small farmers in Africa since newly planted orchards, such as those in South America, are more productive, lowering overall production costs.

As global environmental concerns grow, the fact that cocoa is a natural species of the Amazon basin makes planting it in South America a form of reforestation, but native forests in Africa are being demolished to make way for cocoa orchards.

Brazil, the world's largest exporter of soy, maize, coffee, and sugar, has seen cocoa plantations extend across degraded pastureland in the Amazon region, as well as vast farms in the highly developed grain belt.

The country was formerly second only to Ivory Coast in cocoa output, but a deadly fungus known as Witches' Broom devastated production in the 1980s. Crops are recovering nearly four decades later.

Read also: Burkina Faso Junta: Military Leaders Claim Security and Intelligence Services Foiled Coup Attempt

Cocoa Production Outside Africa

Brazil's government expects output to increase from roughly 200,000 tons to 300,000 metric tons by 2025 and 400,000 tons by 2030, transforming the country from a net importer to a regular exporter of the commodity.

According to forecasts from the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) and Ecuador's exporting group Anecacao, annual production in Ecuador will increase to between 400,000 and 430,000 tons in 2022-2023 (October-September) from 287,000 tons five years ago.

Ecuador has surpassed Ghana, which produces over 750,000 tons, to become the world's third-largest grower. Ivory Coast is the leading producer, at 2.2 million tons.

Anecacao, which had a record attendance of over 70 customers from Asia, the United States, and Europe at a trade and exhibition convention in Guayaquil last July, predicts production might reach 800,000 tons by 2030.

The Amazonian state of Para in Brazil is experiencing a renaissance in cocoa production. Because recent EU legislation bans commodities imports from areas that have been deforested for crop planting, those new orchards in the Amazon region would have an advantage in the European market.

On the other hand, organizations such as the United Nations' International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) work to protect the market share of small farmers, especially African cocoa producers.

Alvaro Lario, the head of IFAD, stated that smallholders must enhance productivity, distribution, and marketing. The agency organizes agricultural training to boost yield per hectare.

Related article: EU Deforestation Law Faces Scrutiny from Coffee, Candy Makers

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
ORLANDO, Fla.  SeaWorld Orlando has unveiled details about its next roller coaster, which will be named Penguin Trek and will open in spring 2024, the park announced Thursday morning.

The indoor-outdoor coaster will top out at 43 mph, feature a 3,020-foot track with two launches and conclude in the theme parks penguin habitat. Its story line will revolve around a penguin research mission, and the ride vehicle will be styled like a snowmobile, SeaWorld said. Its height requirement will be 42 inches.

This family launch coaster embodies the spirit of adventure and exploration, offering an immersive journey through the wonders of Antarctica while further connecting our mission and commitment to our animal care, education and research, Jon Peterson, president of SeaWorld Orlando, said in a news release.

The penguin habitat was introduced as a finale to Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, a trackless dark ride that debuted in 2013. The attraction did not reopen after the parks pandemic-related shutdown in 2020.

Penguin Trek, which has been under construction for months, was designed by Bolliger & Mabillard, the manufacturer behind SeaWorlds Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, which debuted this year. It will be the parks fifth B&M coaster, which ties SeaWorld Orlando with the Six Flags Great Adventure park in New Jersey for most B&M coasters in the same location. Kraken, Manta and Mako are also from Bolliger & Mabillard.

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Former President Donald Trump was the star of a fiery trial opening in New York on Monday morning that may shine a light on how much money the real estate mogul turn politician is really worth.

In a civil trial expected to last three months, lawyers will try to determine how much Trump and his companies will be penalized for the fraud. Last week, a New York judge ruled that he committed fraud for years while building his real estate empire.

New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $250 million in damages. Potential witnesses include Trump, his children and former business associates.

Trump unexpectedly announced that he would attend the first day of the trial ahead of his courtroom appearance, a move he's opted against in recent trials. While the former president hasn't testified in the case yet, Trump and his allies did spend the day targeting James, the judge in the case, and other officials, particularly as he seeks his second term in the White House.

Catch up on the first day of Trump's real estate fraud case here as USA TODAY's reporters answer your questions.

What is Donald Trump actually accused of? Here's what to know about the fraud case against him

Judge Arthur Engoron is deciding on six claims in this case, including conspiracy to falsify business records, issuing false financial statements and insurance fraud.

But if you're following along with statements from attorneys or testimony from witnesses in the case and it seems complicated, you're not alone. Legal experts warned on Monday that because the judge in the case will decide Trump's fate, not a jury, it could enter complicated territory. The case will likely focus on financial disclosures and other specific legal questions.

The trial is also expected to stretch on for months as prosecutors seek to prove that the former president and the Trump Organization committed fraud across Trump's real estate empire.

 Marina Pitofsky

Trump team vilifies judge

Trump and his allies have targeted the judge in the civil case, Judge Arthur Engoron, in messages on social media and in public statements. Most of the attacks have focused on Engorons surprised reaction to being filmed before the trial started. He did allow television cameras and photographers into the courtroom briefly Monday morning.

It's not the first time Trump has hit out at legal officials involved in his criminal and civil trials. He has often targeted the judges and prosecutors in his four criminal indictments handed down this year. His criticisms have ranged from calling on officials to recuse themselves to personal attacks about the individuals themselves.

 David Jackson

First witness takes the stand in Trump's fraud case

Donald Bender, the New York attorney generals first witness in the case, was Trump's accountant at Mazars USA, an accounting firm.

Bender testified that he previously compiled financial statements for the Trump Organization, a clarification meaning that he didn't necessarily analyze the information, just assembled it, CNN reported.

If I saw something that didnt make sense to me, or bothered me, I would ask (a client) about it, Bender testified.

While Trump's attorneys objected to some documents from Mazars, Judge Arthur Engoron overruled the effort as he weighs the evidence against the former president.

 Marina Pitofsky

Court is back in session: Key moments from the morning

Opening statements have concluded in the New York trial of the former president, who has been accused of pumping up his net worth to get a better deal on loans.

Trump is back in the courtroom, seated with his defense attorneys. During a lunch break, he blasted the judge, arguing that he should be disbarred.

The trial is one of several that Trump will face over the next year. Catch up below on the case's proceedings so far.

 Holly Rosenkrantz

Supporters, protesters absent from fraud case

If Donald Trump was hoping for a big crowd of supporters, or even protesters, outside his civil trial, he'll be very disappointed.

The sidewalks around the New York courthouse are nearly empty, except for the media.

Quite a contrast with his April proceedings, when hundreds gathered at Trumps arraignment to protest a New York state indictment on hush money charges.

 David Jackson

Who's the first witness in the case?

Donald Bender, who served as a tax consultant for the Trump Organization, will be the first witness, according to multiple reports.

Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and other close business advisors to the Trump organization are listed as potential witnesses. That doesn't necessarily mean they'll testify, but they could be called to answer questions before the court.

 Marina Pitofsky

Trump attorneys take aim at Michael Cohen

Multiple lawyers for the former president and his employees criticized Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former attorney, during the trial on Monday.

Clifford Robert, an attorney speaking on behalf of Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., argued that Cohen isn't a reliable source for information about the Trump Organization.

When you talk about credibility, youre going to have a guy who lies to everyone, who is a convicted felon, Robert said, according to multiple reports.

Cohen was sentenced to prison in December 2018 after pleading guilty to campaign finance charges and lying to Congress, in addition to other crimes.

 Marina Pitofsky

Trump: Rigged court wrong about Mar-a-Lago value

Waving paper in the air during a lunch break in the trial, Trump quoted a statement from Palm Beach County officials challenging the judges interpretation of the value of the Mar-a-Lago and said the fraud ruling should be overturned.

This is a rigged court, Trump said of the judge, who he argued should be disbarred and driven from office.

He said anyone who does business in New York State is crazy because of the potential for adverse rulings such as his. This guys getting away with murder, Trump said of the judge.

Asked why he attended the trial in person, Trump said, I wanted to watch this witch hunt myself.

Bart Jansen

Will Trump testify in the case?

The former president isn't expected to testify for several weeks at least.

But he has given a peek into how he might try to defend himself: Trump has argued that New York Attorney General and other officials are undervaluing some of his assets, such as Mar-a-Lago, his Florida resort.

Other people in Trump's orbit are also expected to testify, including his two oldest sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, Trump Organization employees and more. Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen, who is now a vocal critic of the former president, is also a potential witness.

 Associated Press

Who is the judge at Trumps trial, Arthur Engoron?

The New York judge presiding over Trumps civil fraud trial, Arthur Engoron, drove a taxi while in college, played in a band while working as a litigator and law clerk, and protested the Vietnam War.

His biography often plays into humorous asides in his written decisions. Engoron peppers his rulings with quotes from Bob Dylan and Shakespeare and movies like City Slickers and the Marx Brothers classic Duck Soup.

Now Engoron deciding how to penalize Trump, after ruling he committed fraud for years while building his real estate empire. Engoron is a few years younger than Trump and spent his early hears in Queens, New York, about four miles from Trumps childhood home.

Trump, who is listed as a potential witness and could end up face-to-face with Engoron in court, called the judge's fraud ruling the corporate death penalty. He referred to Engoron as a political hack" and said his would appeal.

 The Associated Press

What's at stake in Trump's fraud case?

What could happen to the former president and his company if he loses this case? New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $250 million in penalties and a ban on Trump doing business in New York.

But a ruling against Trump, if upheld in court, could force the former president to give up a slate of high-profile properties in New York, including Trump Tower, a Wall Street office building, golf courses and a suburban estate.

Trump has called the potential punishments "a corporate death penalty."

 Associated Press

What time is Trump's trial today?

Trump's trial began at 10 a.m. ET and end at 4:30 p.m.. This is the schedule every day except Fridays, when the trial adjourns at 1 p.m. so the judge can focus on other court business.

The trial is expected to last three months.

 Holly Rosenkrantz

Another New York trial is still ahead for Trump

Trump has a busy calendar ahead for potential courtroom appearances. This is not his only civil case.

Trump is scheduled to go to trial again in January in a defamation lawsuit from E. Jean Carroll. The Justice Department earlier this year said the former president is not immune from a second defamation suit from Carroll that is pending against him over comments he made about her during his presidency. A jury had found Trump liable in a civil case for sexually abusing Carroll in the 1990s and defamation.

Trump is also facing criminal charges in separate indictments in DC, Georgia, and Florida

 Holly Rosenkrantz

Trump, allies shown in videos during opening statements

The New York attorney general's office played several depositions in the courtroom on Monday, featuring Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Donald Trump speaking about financial statements, corporate accounting and more.

During Trump's deposition, he was asked whether Allen Weisselberg, his former longtime chief financial officer, was responsible for a slate of financial statements,.

"I would say yes," Trump said.

Attorneys also played a deposition from Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, about documents he said he was involved in preparing before the former president's first term in the White House. Cohen claimed Trump wanted to be ranked higher on lists created by Forbes and accused Weisselberg of inflating assets to reach that goal.

 Marina Pitofsky

Trump's lawyers say he told the truth

Defense lawyer Christopher Kise in his opening statement told the court that Donald Trump's financial statements were true, pointing to Trumps decades-long business career.

He has made a fortune, literally, being right about real estate investments, Kise said.

 Associated Press

Trump's opponents: 'Someone is rattled'

Donald Trump's opponents have a different take on his appearance in court today - he's scared and getting desperate.

"Middle of the night rant against the judge and 'Racist' AG (He only calls black people 'racist') hours before his appearance in court," the organization Republicans Against Trump said on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter. "Someone is rattled."

The Lincoln Project, another anti-Trump political organization, put out a digital ad saying Trump knows he is "broke and busted." Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, said Trumps empire of lies is collapsing" and his "organization is being taken away from him."

Wilson added: "This loser is facing the pressure now and theres no one he can look to for help.

 David Jackson

Opening arguments against Trump

This civil case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James accuses Trump and his company of tricking banks, insurers and others by repeatedly lying about his wealth.

They were lying year after year after year, Kevin Wallace, a lawyer in James office, said in an opening statement, while Trump sat at a defense table.

Wallace also placed blame squarely on Trump on Monday, saying Every estimate was determined by Mr. Trump.

 Associated Press

Trump trial live: What claims is Trump facing?

Judge Arthur Engoron will decide on six claims in this case. They include:

Conspiracy to falsify business records

Issuing false financial statements

Falsifying business records

Insurance fraud

Conspiracy to falsify false financial statements

Conspiracy to commit insurance fraud

 Marina Pitofsky

Alina Habba, Eric Trump: Who's with Donald Trump today?

The former president entered the New York courthouse on Monday with attorney Alina Habba, his son Eric Trump and Jason Miller, a strategist.

He was joined by additional attorneys and others, according to multiple reports.

 Marina Pitofsky

NY Attorney General Letitia James: We have proven that Donald Trump lied about his net worth

Before the trial began, Attorney General Letitia James reiterated her position that Trump for years falsely inflated his net worth to enrich himself and cheat the system.

James said the government won much of its case last week, when the judge ruled Trump engaged in years of fraud, so the trial will determine whether Trump is banned from doing business in New York and whether he will have to pay hundreds of millions in damages.

We have proven that Donald Trump lied about his net worth to enrich himself and cheat the system, James said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. No matter how rich or powerful you are, in America, there are consequences for breaking the law.

 Bart Jansen

What is Trump actually accused of in this case?

In this case, Trump and his company are accused of of deceiving banks, insurers and others by lying about his wealth in disclosures.

Judge Arthur Engoron has ruled that Trump repeatedly committed fraud. There's no jury in the case, so the judge will decide on six other claims against the former president and his company.

New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $250 million in penalties, as well as a ban on Trump doing business in the state. The judges ruling could force Trump to give up New York properties such as Trump Tower, a Wall Street office building, golf courses and a suburban estate.

 Associated Press

Cameras in the courtroom just before Trump's trial

The judge did allow television and photographers into the courtroom - for a little while, before the hearing began.

A television camera caught Trump at the defense table, James in the front row, and Judge Engoron on the bench before a photographer pool was escorted out of the room.

Per usual, the trial itself is not being televised.

 David Jackson

Eric Trump arrives at New York Supreme Court on Oct. 2, 2023, in New York. Former President Donald Trump is making a rare, voluntary trip to court in New York for the start of a civil trial in a lawsuit that already has resulted in a judge ruling that he committed fraud in his business dealings.

Trump's appearance in court is not required  and probably political

Donald Trump doesn't have to be in a New York City courtroom today. He chose to be, probably for political reasons.

Defendants in civil cases don't have to appear at trial in person. Indeed, Trump did not show up earlier this year for a sexual assault lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll.

This time around, however, Trump traveled to the courthouse with campaign aides as part of his entourage. At the same time, the campaign sent out fundraising emails, casting this lawsuit as part of an effort to derail his 2024 presidential campaign.

Trump himself condemned the lawsuit (again) with an 8-minute campaign-style statement to reporters at the courthouse. After days of rumors, Trump confirmed he would attend the trial in a Truth Social post late Sunday night.

"Im going to Court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation," he said.

 David Jackson

Former President Donald Trump, center, speaks to the media upon arriving at New York Supreme Court on Oct. 2, 2023, in New York. Trump is making a rare, voluntary trip to court in New York for the start of a civil trial in a lawsuit that already has resulted in a judge ruling that he committed fraud in his business dealing.

Trump claims no crime in fraud case

Donald Trump on Monday called the fraud case election interference and said no crime was committed. There is no evidence officials have targeted the former president's reelection bid.

Trump argued that his properties are more valuable than appraisers or assessors found. He accused the attorney general and judge of corruption and said no crime was committed.

Its a scam. Its a sham. My financial statements are phenomenal, Trump said. There was never a default, there was never a problem. There was no crime.

 Bart Jansen

Who is Judge Arthur Engoron? An ex cab driver ex Vietnam protestor who has has ruled on everything from free speech to zoning

The judge in Trump's trial, Arthur Engoron, has overseen hundreds of cases, ranging form free speech debates to zoning fights to custody battles.

A former taxi cab driver who protested the Vietnam War, Engoron has been on the bench for more than two decades.

Engoron is a Democrat and has ruled against Trump many times in the three years he has presided over the lawsuit by New York Attorney General Letitia James.Trump has attacked Engoron on social media -- a practice that has gotten him in trouble in some of his other legal cases. Engoron has declined to comment on Trump's critiques. Associated Press

New York Attorney General Letitia James arrives outside New York Supreme Court ahead of former President Donald Trump's civil business fraud trial on Oct. 2, 2023 in New York.

Trump blasts civil lawsuit, NY attorney general and Judge Engoron

Candidate Trump spoke briefly to reporters before the hearing, again claiming that the legal action against him is all political.

"This is a continuation of the single greatest witch hunt of all time," Trump said, an unproved claim he makes at every other 2024 campaign stop.

Claiming he has always submitted legitimate property valuations, Trump attacked the attorney general and judge in the case as politically motivated.

He called the legal proceeding "a scam" and "a sham."

 David Jackson

Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives at New York State Supreme Court to start the civil fraud trial against him on Oct. 2, 2022 in New York City. Former President Trump may be forced to sell off his properties after Justice Arthur Engoron canceled his business certificates and ruled that he committed fraud for years while building his real estate empire after being sued by Attorney General Letitia James, seeking $250 million in damages. The trial will determine how much he and his companies will be penalized for the fraud.

Trump vows to fight fraud ruling

Trumps lawyers vowed to challenge the judges ruling Tuesday that he committed fraud in valuing properties in the real estate empire in order to get better rates on loans.

Trump in particular disputed the Palm Beach County tax assessors value of Mar-a-Lago, which ranged from $18 million to $27 million, from 2011 to 2021. Trump continued to insist the property is worth 50 to 100 times more than that.

The judge is working diligently to misrepresent me, and my net worth, which is substantially MORE than is shown on my fully disclaimed Financial Statements, Trump said in a post on Truth Social. I have not even included my most valuable asset - BRAND!

 Bart Jansen

Why isnt Ivanka Trump part of the lawsuit?

The trial is the result of a $250 million lawsuit New York Attorney General Letitia James filed against Trump and several of his companies.

Other defendants named in the case were executives in the company such as his sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., Allen Weisselberg and Jeffrey McConney.

Trumps daughter, Ivanka, wasnt named as a defendant. But government lawyers have named her as a potential witness in the trial to determine what damages Trump and the companies must pay as a result of the fraud.

Government lawyers didnt have to say what they would ask her.

 Bart Jansen

Letitia James: We won the foundation of our case

Early Monday, Attorney General Letitia James reiterated her position that Trump for years falsely inflated his net worth to enrich himself and cheat the system.

We won the foundation of our case last week and proved that his purported net worth has long been rooted in incredible fraud, James said in a statement, adding that she looked forward to demonstrating the full extent of his fraud and illegality during trial.

 Bart Jansen

Is Trump's trial being televised?

An opening item of business for Trump's civil case: Whether to allow broadcast of the proceedings.

News organizations have asked Judge Arthur Engoron to allow cameras into the courtroom, at least for opening statements. No word yet on how the judge will decide, but the trial is expected to open at the top of the hour.

 David Jackson

Is Trump going to jail?

No, today the former president is facing a civil trial to determine how much he and his companies will be penalized for fraud. New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $250 million in damages.

That's different than the four sets of criminal charges that Trump faces.

He has been charged on the federal level with allegedly mishandling classified documents after he left office and attempting to steal the 2020 presidential election. In Georgia, he also faces allegations of trying to steal the 2020 race for the White House, and in New York state, he's accused of perpetrating a hush money scheme. Those cases to carry potential prison sentences.

 Marina Pitofsky

Donald Trump leaves for the courthouse, media in tow

As television cameras whirred, the former president departed Trump Tower en route to the courthouse.

Broadcast choppers tracked the motorcade as it snaked south through the streets on Manhattan, just as they all did earlier this year as Trump went to a courthouse to plead not guilty to criminal charges in New York involving hush money.

Again, an army of media awaits Trump at the courthouse for this civil trial.

 David Jackson

Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives at New York State Supreme Court to start the civil fraud trial against him on Oct. 2, 2023 in New York City. Former President Trump may be forced to sell off his properties after Justice Arthur Engoron canceled his business certificates and ruled that he committed fraud for years while building his real estate empire after being sued by Attorney General Letitia James, seeking $250 million in damages. The trial will determine how much he and his companies will be penalized for the fraud.

A game of monopoly?

Like a game of Monopoly, Trump may be forced to sell off his iconic properties under a New York judge's ruling that he committed fraud for years while building his real estate empire.

At stake is whether the former president will have to shutter or break up his namesake Trump Organization and sell off those famous properties  and whether he will have to pay millions.

Last week, New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron canceled Trump's business certificates by ruling he committed fraud for years through "pure sophistry," a "fantasy world" of real-estate valuations that "can only be considered fraud."

He ruled that Trump companies often valued properties far higher than appraisers or tax assessors. Trump testified that a disclaimer on property values given to lenders meant they knew the estimates were worthless," according to the decision.

Government and defense lawyers have 30 days to submit proposals for who should manage what happens under the judge's ruling.

Language accompanying Trump's estimated values acknowledged they are not necessarily indicative of the amount that could be realized. In a sworn deposition, Trump called it the worthless clause for stating property values are uncertain.

I think it had very little impact if any impact on the banks, Trump said. I felt it was a meaningless document.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump real estate fraud case begins in New York: recap
A 10-vehicle pileup just west of Mountain Home in Elmore County sent two people to the hospital and caused many more to be stuck in traffic for hours on Sunday.

A 36-year-old man from Auburn, Washington, was driving west on Interstate 84 in a semi pulling a commercial trailer when he failed to stop in time for slowed traffic while approaching a construction zone, according to Idaho State Police.

The semi struck nine other vehicles at about 2:12 p.m. near mile post 78, a police news release said.

Police said first responders transported a 56-year-old woman from Pingree and a 74-year-old man from Boise in an ambulance to a local hospital.

The drivers of the other struck vehicles included three people from Boise, two from Meridian, one from Nampa and one from Washington, D.C., according to police.

Police have not released the names of those involved.

The interstates lanes were blocked for more than four hours after the collision as responders treated people and cleared the area.

Idaho State Police said officers were continuing to investigate the incident.
NEW YORK -- New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez was scheduled to be back in Manhattan Federal Court for his corruption case Monday, but a judge granted Menendez's request to not appear in court.

The judge didn't say in court why he granted the request not to show up, but the assumption is it had something to do with government affairs.

Prosecutors say he and his wife Nadine accepted gold bars and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash in exchange for his political influence.

Read More: New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez pleads not guilty to federal bribery charges in Manhattan courtroom

The judge rejected Nadine Menendez's request not to appear, so she was in federal court, along with the three other defendants.

The judge set a May 6 trial date.

Nadine Menendez had nothing to say as she left Manhattan's federal court Monday. She appeared in court with three other defendants in the case: Fred Daibes, a New Jersey developer, Wael Hana, an Egyptian-American businessman, and Jose Uribe.

The feds accuse Menendez and his wife of taking bribes from all three businessmen, saying the FBI seized gold bars and close to $500,000 in case from the couples' home and safe deposit box. Some of the money, the government said, was stuffed in envelopes in the senator's jacket, and the envelopes bore Dabie's fingerprints.

Daibes is also facing another case in New Jersey.

Court documents reveal Menendez provided sensitive information to Egypt's government, and that Hana and Nadine Menendez helped facilitate meetings between the senator and Egyptian officials.

Menendez and all of the defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges, and are choosing not to comment to the media.

In court, the government said that by trial, there may not be five defendants, which raises the possibility that one of the defendants is cutting a deal with the feds.

The prosecution said it has a massive amount of evidence, including information from 50 different electronic device, and that it couldn't provide all of the evidence to the defense until early December. The judge was a little puzzled the prosecution couldn't get all of the documents more quickly.

The prosecution said some of the evidence includes classified information, and there could be a challenge under a government clause from the senator's legal team.

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An armed forces color guard carries a casket containing the body of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein at San Francisco International Airport. (D. Ross Cameron / Associated Press)

The public is invited to pay its respects to the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein this week as her body lies in state at San Francisco City Hall, where her political career began.

People will be able to visit and sign a condolences book from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., her office said.

The senator's funeral is scheduled for Thursday and will not be open to the public, though it will be livestreamed and broadcast for public viewing at City Hall. The funeral will take place at the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center in the Herbst Theatre.

Read more: Photos: San Francisco pays tribute to Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the city where she spent a decade as the citys first female mayor

Feinstein served as the mayor of San Francisco starting in 1978, after the assassination of then-Mayor George Moscone and City Councilman Harvey Milk. She served as mayor of the city for 10 years.

Feinstein became the first woman to represent California in the U.S. Senate when she was elected in 1992 and served the state longer than any other senator. She served for years on the Judiciary Committee, Select Committee on Intelligence and the Appropriations Committee.

The 90-year-old senator died Friday at her home in Washington after struggling with a number of health issues.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday criticized Rep. Matt Gaetz s (R-Fla.) threat to try to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the speakership, calling the move a disaster.

I think Kevin is the right guy at the right time, Graham told moderator Margaret Brennan on CBS Face the Nation on Sunday, after Gaetz announced he would launch a motion to oust McCarthy from his seat as Speaker of the House.

The only way he loses his job is if a handful of Republicans join up with the Democratic Party to fire him, Graham continued, pointing to the slim majority Republicans currently have over the Democrats in the House. That would be a disaster for the future of the Republican party.

On CNN earlier Sunday, Gaetz threatened to launch a motion to vacate McCarthy, saying McCarthy broke an agreement he made with ultra-conservative House Republicans by making a deal with Democrats that temporarily stopped the looming government shutdown on Saturday.

The temporary stopgap bill didnt include the Ukraine aid that Democrats sought.

If somebody wants to make a motion against me, bring it. There has to be an adult in the room, McCarthy said after the vote on Saturday.

McCarthy won the speakership in January after 15 rounds of voting, spearheaded by a group of Republicans pushing him to agree to numerous demands. One of the concessions McCarthy agreed was the addition that just one member of the House could file a motion to vacate the speaker, which the rest of the House would vote on.

We are going to have [votes] regularly, Gaetz said last week. If we have to begin every single day in Congress with the prayer, the pledge and the motion to vacate then so be it.

Graham believes many of the Republicans wouldnt vote in favor of ousting McCarthy and said the effort wouldnt benefit the GOP

Graham told CBS that he believes any attempt to oust McCarthy would likely fall through.

Thats not gonna happen. Kevin has the overwhelming confidence of his membership, he worked to avoid a shutdown, Graham told Brennan. He will fund Ukraine, but hes telling everybody in the country, including me, you better send something over for the border for me to help Ukraine, and hes right to make that demand.

Related...
(Bloomberg) -- US Senator Robert Menendez will go to trial on corruption charges May 6, a month before the states Democratic primary.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The New Jersey Democrat and his wife face charges they protected three businessmen who showered them with gifts of gold bars, hundreds of thousands in cash, mortgage payments and a Mercedes convertible.

Charges against Menendez, 69, were unsealed Sept. 22 in the culmination of a sweeping corruption probe of the senator, who was chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee before being forced to step aside because of the charges. US District Judge Sidney Stein on Monday set an ambitious schedule for a case that will include a large volume of evidence, including potentially classified information.

Lets get this case moving, US District Judge Sidney Stein urged lawyers for the prosecution and defense in a court conference in Manhattan.

The swift trial date raises an outside possibility that there could be a verdict before New Jersey voters go to the polls for the Democratic primary on June 4. Prosecutors said the trial could last six weeks. Menendez has rejected calls to step down amid the inquiry.

Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, are charged along with Wael Hana, founder of a halal meat importer; Fred Daibes, the former chairman of Mariners Bank in New Jersey; and New Jersey businessman Jose Uribe. All have pleaded not guilty.

Read more: Menendez, His Wife and the Alleged Plot to Help Their Friends

Stein told prosecutors to turn over evidence gathered by investigators to the defense by early December. A lawyer for the government said prosecutors have material gathered from hundreds of subpoenas in addition to 50 electronic devices and accounts. The investigation is ongoing.

The case is US v Menendez, 23-cr-490, US District Court, Southern District of New York.

(Adds estimated length of trial in fifth paragraph)

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Kosovo, the partially recognized Balkan country, that declared independence from Serbia in 2008, has warned that the presence of Serbian forces along their shared border may indicate that its neighbor is poised to launch an invasion , with a landgrab much like that visited upon Ukraine by Russia. The prospect of a new war breaking out in Europe may have diminished somewhat, however, after Serbia claimed to have responded to U.S. pressure over the weekend by withdrawing at least some of the troops that had been massing on the frontier.

September 30, 2023: Kosovo police officers and members of the NATO Peacekeeping Force in Kosovo (KFOR) conduct search, patrol, and control activities in the region after the violence in Banjska in the north of the country on September 24. Photo by Erkin Keci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The current tensions are the latest episode in Kosovos troubled recent history. When Yugoslavia disintegrated in the 1990s, the province of Kosovo sought independence but was met with a brutal crackdown by Serbia, targeting the ethnic Albanians that make up the vast majority of Kosovos population. This prompted NATO intervention, with 1999s Operation Allied Force , primarily an air campaign that forced Serbian troops out of the province. NATO peacekeepers remain in Kosovo, but animosity has remained between it and Serbia, which refuses to recognize its independence, as well as between Kosovos Serbian minority population and its Albanian-dominated government.

https://www.twitter.com/ItsTheEnforcer/status/1708251219360117042?s=20 https://www.twitter.com/pmillerinfo/status/1708086899712106999?s=20 https://www.twitter.com/dardanian01/status/1706826210649755662?s=20

The latest flashpoint came a week ago, when ethnic Serb gunmen equipped with armored vehicles stormed the village of Banjska in a Serb-majority region in Kosovo, barricading themselves in a Serbian Orthodox monastery. In response, Kosovan police sealed off an area around the monastery, leading to a siege and a gun battle that left one policeman and three gunmen dead.

Heavy weapons, vehicles, and ammunition are displayed, after they were seized following the day-long clashes with an armed Serb group in Banjska, Kosovo, on September 25, 2023. Photo by Erkin Keci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9inmZinBSg https://www.twitter.com/albinkurti/status/1705915322413256750?s=20 https://www.twitter.com/vulldotnet/status/1707028283257180521?s=20

That bloody incident reflects ongoing demands for autonomy from Kosovos Serbian minority, against the Kosovo governments policy to assert authority across all of the country. In April, for example, Kosovo Serbs in the north of the country boycotted local elections . Instead, ethnic Albanian mayors were elected, leading to violent clashes between armed Kosovo police and local Serbs. The following month, 30 NATO peacekeepers were left injured after unrest that pitted troops from the alliance and local police against Serbian protesters.

https://www.twitter.com/AJEnglish/status/1663726992318148609?s=20

Against this backdrop, the prospect of renewed fighting between Kosovo and Serbia has steadily escalated. The Kosovan government has blamed Serbia for fanning the flames of tensions in the country, including supporting the gunmen involved in the monastery standoff. Exactly how Serbia was involved in that incident remains murky, with official denials from Belgrade. Meanwhile, Milan Radoicic, a senior figure in Serb List, a Kosovo-Serb political party, has admitted that he was involved in organizing the armed group.

https://www.twitter.com/UnaHajdari/status/1706624778725892385?s=20 https://www.twitter.com/albinkurti/status/1708530372005273787?s=20

Serbia has said that the responsibility for the overall situation lies with Kosovan officials. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has also suggested that Kosovos unwillingness to give Serbs more autonomy in the north of the country has served to worsen the situation. A greater degree of autonomy is something that Kosovo is supposed to provide to the Serbian minority, according to an EU-brokered deal. At the same time, a recent round of EU-mediated talks between the two sides has broken down.

Clearly, however, Serbias recent military measures have raised alarm not only in Kosovo but among the international community, including the U.S. government, which recognizes Kosovo as an independent country  one of 99 out of 193 United Nations countries to do so .

A member of a Kosovo police special unit stands guard in an area around the Banjska Monastery in Banjska, north Kosovo, on September 27, 2023. Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images

The exact status of the deployment of Serbian forces on and around the border with Kosovo has been poorly documented so far, although Kosovan officials describe it as being the largest of its kind in years.

There has never been this kind of concentration of troops in recent years, Kosovar Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwarz told German broadcaster Deutschlandfunk today. The weaponry they have there, the tanks  it gives us a bad feeling because we dont know how the international community will respond.

Gervalla-Schwarz added that the deployment of Serbian troops is reminiscent of the build-up of Russian forces around Ukraines borders before the launch of the full-scale invasion of that country in February 2022. She also drew parallels between the rhetoric used by Serbian officials and by those in Russia, while saying that Serbias methods resembled Russian behavior toward Ukraine.

Thats why it is all the more important to take the necessary steps, she added.

https://www.twitter.com/gervallaschwarz/status/1708567772865630659?s=20

The Kosovar foreign minister called upon the European Union to take action against Belgrade such as freezing its candidacy status. Both Serbia and Kosovo have applied to join the European Union, but there is currently no timeline set for them to become members. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic argued last week that his forces would not cross the border into Kosovo because to do so would risk the chance of Serbia joining the EU.

Last Friday, there was another warning to Serbia from the U.S. government, stating that the Serbian military build-up along the Kosovo border was destabilizing the area. NATO also said it would authorize additional peacekeeping forces for Kosovo.

Turkish Army soldiers take security measures around Zubin Potok district in Northern Kosovo upon the request of NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) on June 15, 2023. Photo by Erkin Keci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

In response to that message from the U.S. government, Serbias President Vucic pulled back at least some of his troops and armor over the weekend . At the same time, he claimed his forces on the Kosovo border have not been put on high alert, saying : We dont even have half the troops we had two or three months ago. The United States is yet to determine whether or not the Serbian military presence really has been reduced.

https://www.twitter.com/amanpour/status/1708901836734730568?s=20 https://www.twitter.com/admirim/status/1708923482589786398?s=20

With so much attention on Ukraine and many Western resources plowed into that conflict, its clear that another war in Europe would be even more problematic as a result. For Russia, traditionally a close ally of Serbia, such a distraction could also be welcome.

Within Europe, the Balkan region has long had an unhappy reputation as being a potential tinderbox, with major conflicts here as recently as two decades ago. In that context, its not surprising that the current situation, with Serbian forces apparently still massed along the border with Kosovo, suggests another round of violence could be about to happen.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
WOBURN  The Rev. Msgr. Francis Strahan, who served more than 60 years as a priest and was pastor at St. Bridget's Parish in Framingham for 36 years, is no longer facing trial on charges he raped a young boy nearly two decades ago.

An Archdiocese of Boston investigation into the charges, which was put on hold in favor of the criminal investigation, will now resume.

Prosecutors last week filed a nolle prosqui in Middlesex Superior Court in the case against Strahan, 90, meaning they would not prosecute the case. The trial had been scheduled for Oct. 2.

Because of the motion, the case was dismissed.

Earlier: Former Saint Bridget pastor charged with raping, sexually assaulting child

In court documents, prosecutor Courtney Linnehan said the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, along with Framingham police, had "thoroughly" investigated the rape allegations and were set for trial.

Prosecutors say alleged victim declined to testify

But during a trial preparedness meeting on Sept. 19 with the alleged victim, a 29-year-old man, prosecutors said he did not want to go forward.

"The victim informed us that as the trial date approaches and trial preparation meetings have begun, his PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) symptoms have increased, including difficulty sleeping, trouble concentrating, and general functioning difficulties throughout the day," according to court documents. "He only recently began to heal and be productive. He is worried that continued involvement in the prosecution will set him back and further negatively impact his physical and mental health. The victim further informed us that he has given much thought to his decision and believes it is in his best interest not to testify."

Prosecutors said the man told them he understood the case could not be prosecuted without his testimony.

The Rev. Msgr. Francis Strahan was pastor at St. Bridget Parish in Framingham for 36 years.

'I feel he's innocent': St. Bridget parishoners shaken by abuse allegations against priest

Strahan was indicted last November and charged with one count of rape of a child by force and three counts of indecent assault and battery.

The alleged assaults occurred in the mid-2000s, when the man was 11 to 13 years old, and Strahan was a priest at St. Bridget. The boy was a student at St. Bridget School and an alter server at the 830 Worcester Road (Route 9) church.

The Archdiocese of Boston placed Strahan on administrative leave in 2019 after sexual assault allegations became known. Strahan had been pastor at the church since 1983 and marked his 60th anniversary as a priest earlier in 2019.

Archdiocese will resume its own investigation into abuse charges

In a statement, the Archdiocese said it will continue its own investigation into the allegations.

The Office of the District Attorney in Middlesex County has informed the Archdiocese it is ending the criminal proceeding against Msgr. Francis Strahan," the Archdiocese statement reads. "Acknowledging the priority of the criminal investigation and civil litigation, the canonical investigation was placed on hold. Once all those matters have concluded, the canonical investigation will resume. Msgr. Strahan will continue to remain on administrative leave and the restrictions regarding any public ministry remain in place. We continue to seek a fair and just resolution to the matter. And we ask for prayers for all impacted by this matter.

A call placed to St. Bridget Parish seeking comment was not returned.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Rape charges dismissed against Framingham Rev. Msgr. Francis Strahan
Two women are dead and two men are hurt after police say an argument over divorce ended in a family shootout.

Police have arrested Devin Kieth Grantom, 28, in connection with the shooting death of his wife, Courtney Grantom, 28, court records show.

Officers were called to the couples home around 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, about a disturbance. Shortly after, police were called again and told the situation escalated, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

Upon arrival, we discovered that several people had been shot here at the location. It appears that most of the shooting transpired inside the residence, Gonzalez said at a news conference Sunday streamed by KHOU.

Five people lived in the home, including Devin; Courtney; their 2-year-old child; Devins 65-year-old mother, Deborah Grantom; and Devins brother, James Grantom, according to KPRC.

James Grantom told KTRK while the couple was arguing, his mother was trying to calm things down.

At first, she was trying to de-escalate the situation because shes just a nice, good-hearted person and didnt want my brother to go to jail, Grantom told the outlet.

During the argument, two people showed up, also trying to help, Gonzalez said.

At some point, he said gunfire erupted and Courtney and Deborah Grantom were fatally shot.

We have at least three individuals that possibly fired shots, and were trying to determine, again, everybodys role in this, Gonzalez said.

McClatchy News reached out to Devins attorney Monday, Oct. 2, but did not immediately hear back.

Its just really hard. I lost basically my entire family today, James Grantom told KTRK.

While shots were being fired, James grabbed his two 2-year-old nephew and shielded him, Gonzalez said.

I ran away with my nephew into the back of the house when the shooting started to secure his life and to make sure he didnt get hit by a stray bullet, James Grantom told KPRC.

Gonzalez said this isnt the first time police have been called to the home. He said they were recently dispatched there twice.

Devin Grantom is charged with murder and is being held on a $500,000 bond. Hes due back in court Oct. 3, court records show.

If you are experiencing domestic violence and need someone to talk to, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

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University of Pennsylvania medical researchers Dr. Katalin Kariko and Dr. Drew Weissman were announced as the recipients of the Nobel Medicine Prize Monday (October 2) for their work involving the creation and development of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines against COVID-19, which could potentially be pivotal in the development of future shots.

The Stockholm-based panel behind the Nobel Prize has cited the researchers for contributing to an "unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times."

'Groundbreaking' Discovery

Kariko and Weissman were credited for their "groundbreaking findings" which fundamentally changed the world's understanding of how mRNA interacts with the human immune system.

Traditionally, making vaccines required growing viruses or pieces of viruses in giant vats of cells or in chicken eggs and then purifying them before the next steps in brewing shots.

The duo's approach to using mRNA was the first of its kind, as they made vaccines using a snippet of genetic code that carries instructions for making proteins. By taking this approach, future researchers could be able to identify the right virus protein and use the award-winning research to allow the human body to become a mini-vaccine factory.

Kariko and Weissman also figured out a tiny modification to the building blocks of RNA that made lab-grown mRNA stealthy enough to prevent an inflammatory reaction when injected into the body.

Read Also: FDA Advisers Skeptical of Experimental ALS Treatment as Patient Advocates Push for Approval

'Game Changer'

Meanwhile, medical experts say the breakthrough in developing vaccines was a step forward in preventing future pandemics from spreading.

University of East Anglia professor of medicine Dr. Paul Hunter told the Associated Press that the mRNA vaccines were a "game changer" in helping to shut down the COVID-19 pandemic and saving millions of lives.

"If it hadn't been for the mRNA technology, COVID would have been much worse," he said. "Vaccines generally were the turning point in slowing down COVID and the mRNA vaccines were just so much better than all the others."

On the other hand, Dr. Bharat Pankhania, an infectious diseases expert at Exeter University, said that a major advantage of mRNA technology was that vaccines could be made in extremely large quantities since their main components are made in laboratories.

He explained that the technology used in the COVID vaccines could be used to refine previously-developed ones.

"It's possible that we could vaccinate people against abnormal cancer proteins and have the immune system attack it after being given a targeted mRNA shot," he added. "It's a much more targeted technology than has been previously available and could revolutionize how we handle not only outbreaks but non-communicable diseases."

Winner's Reaction

Kariko, also a professor at Szeged University in Hungary, is the 13th woman to win the Nobel Prize in medicine, and the 62nd overall since the Nobel Prize was awarded to women. Her academic partnership with Weissman at the University of Pennsylvania began in the 1990s by chance while photocopying research papers, according to Penn Today, the university's news website.

She said her husband was the first to receive the news through an early morning phone call.

"I couldn't believe it," she said. "I was very much surprised. But I am very happy."

The Nobel Prize also has a cash award of SEK 11 million ($1 million) at the behest of the prize's creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. The laureates are invited to come to Sweden to receive their awards in person at ceremonies held every December 10th, Nobel's death anniversary.

The Nobel Medicine Prize was the first of six categories that were announced this week. The physics, chemistry, literature, peace, and economics prizes will be announced in the coming days.

Related Article: Swiss Glaciers Lose 10% of Volume in Two Catastrophic Years Equaling 30 Years of Loss

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While Chad Singleton was teaching a first responder class at Pitt Community College in North Carolina, he received an urgent message.

The message, which came from the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina, was a request for an animal trap after a local foster dog had ran off, the Pitt County Animal Services director told McClatchy News.

Normally, we wouldnt really loan out traps, per se, Singleton said in a phone interview. But given the nature of the need and our partnership with the Humane Society, ... we felt comfortable, you know, in doing that.

Hatteras, a 5-month old hound mix puppy, was missing after disappearing in a wooded area in Winterville, according to a Thursday, Sept. 28 Facebook post from the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina. The dog, who was very skittish and would most likely run from people searching for her, was nowhere to be found for more than a day.

Taken in by the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina on June 23, the floppy-eared pup was part of a larger litter from the Outer Banks, according to the shelters adoption page.

The first of multiple updates said an hourslong search led to no avail Thursday night. The shelter said in the post that Hatterass fear could be extending the search, as shes nervous even with the people she knows. A trap was also set to catch the scared puppy, the post said, which was supplied by Pitt County Animal Services.

Although the call was after hours, one of the animal control officers agreed to meet one of the shelters staff members to supply the trap, Singleton said. Its one of the better, least-invasive methods of finding a missing dog, he said, which is preferable to having to go out and paralyze it.

Chasing an animal thats kind of skittish or shy is ... rather difficult, Singleton said. Its not something we will generally commit 10 officers to, for example, to go out and just chase it around because youre really going to get nowhere except running in circles.

The trap resembles a breathable squirrel trap, Singleton said, and is about 3.5 feet wide by 3 feet tall. They typically bait the animal with their favorite foods, he said, and supply enough water in case the dog is in the trap for a longer period of time.

Traps are routinely checked, in addition to the animal services office number being provided in case someone else needs to report the caught animal first, Singleton said.

Most of the time, traps are used for catching stray dogs rather than escaped foster dogs, Singleton said, but its not completely unheard of. For the Pitt County Animal Services own fosters, an escaped dog happens about a dozen times a year, he said.

Pitt County has seen animals dumped into the area from smaller, rural counties often, Singleton said. On average, the local animal services department puts anywhere between six to 12 traps out a week, he said.

Another update was posted the morning of Sept. 29, saying Hatteras was still on the loose. The search sprawled across nearby neighborhoods as staff continued to look for the escaped dog, the post said.

We are keeping the trap out as well if you see it please do not touch it. Just call the number on the trap or the office and we will get her or let out any animal that may be in there out as we have to reset it, the post said.

Later that evening, the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina posted that Hatteras had finally been found. The shelter thanked everyone who shared the post to find the hound, in addition to the Pitt County Animal Services for providing the trap that caught her.

To say that tears were shed is an understatement, the post says.

Singleton commended the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina for doing the right thing: calling Pitt County Animal Services for assistance in finding Hatteras.

You got a dog running at large thats out in the community that we really know very little about and thankfully they took the necessary precautions to keep the community safe, he said. Thats very admirable for them to do that. They could have kept it quiet and not said anything.

Although providing animal control can be an overwhelming task with the number of animals in local shelters rising, Singleton said there are multiple ways one can prevent their animal from escaping, shorten the amount of time it takes to find them or keep other community members safe. Some of those suggestions include:

Avoid using slip-lead leashes with dogs youre unfamiliar with

Pay attention to children opening doors in the house to the outside

Microchip all pets

Spay or neuter all pets to make sure they do not produce more offspring in the wild if they are lost

Make sure all pets are up-to-date on all vaccinations to keep the local community safe

Winterville is about 85 miles southeast of Raleigh.

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By Jason Hovet and Jan Lopatka

(Reuters) -Slovakia's leftist election winner Robert Fico got a two-week window to negotiate a coalition government on Monday, after steering his party to an election victory over the weekend with promises to stop military aid to Ukraine.

Fico campaigned on rhetoric that would shift Slovakia, a European Union and NATO member state, closer to Hungary in challenging the bloc's consensual support of Ukraine against Russia.

But Fico, a three-time prime minister, will need other parties to form a coalition, which might prevent any sharp policy turn and means clinching a government is not yet guaranteed.

Fico met President Zuzana Caputova briefly on Monday to get the go-ahead to have a first try at forming a government.

"We agreed on a two-week deadline which I will have at my disposal to form a government," Fico told reporters after the meeting.

"It will not be an easy process but we will do all we can."

Caputova, a liberal who has a tense relationship with Fico, said she would also speak to other party leaders, suggesting she may try to take a role in the process.

The pro-Russian Fico and his SMER-SSD party won nearly 23% of the vote, ahead of liberal challenger Progresivne Slovensko (Progressive Slovakia, PS) with 18%.

Fico is expected to turn to HLAS (Voice), a more pro-European party which split off from SMER in 2020, and most likely the pro-Russian Slovak National Party (SNS), which won 5.6% of the vote.

But some analysts say SNS may have trouble keeping its lawmakers united, destabilising any coalition.

HLAS, led by Fico's former colleague and prime minister Peter Pellegrini, would exert a moderating influence in a SMER-led government and holds a kingmaker position after winning the third most seats in parliament.

It could try to force SMER to negotiate a coalition with the Christian Democrats instead of the nationalists, or even swing its support to a potential PS-led coalition if negotiations with SMER fail.

Pellegrini said on Sunday that with HLAS in a ruling coalition, voters did not need to worry about a significant change in Slovakia's foreign policy.

Though he turned increasingly anti-Western in opposition, analysts say Fico can be pragmatic, as shown when as premier he led Slovakia into the euro zone and avoided major political clashes.

A large policy U-turn or a collapse of support for Ukraine in central Europe is unlikely, analysts say.

Fico has said he would stop military supplies to Ukraine, which has a small border with Slovakia to the west, and that sending more weapons prolonged the war touched off by Russia's February 2022 invasion.

He backed humanitarian and reconstruction aid for Ukraine, and wants peace talks - a line similar to that of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban but rejected by Ukraine and its Western allies, who say this would only encourage Russia.

In his campaign, Fico also called for tougher action against illegal migration and reining in a surge in living costs. He said on Sunday Slovaks had bigger problems than Ukraine.

(Reporting by Jason Hovet and Jan Lopatka; editing by Mark Heinrich and Andrew Heavens)
Ukraine will likely have to give up some of the territory occupied by Russia since 2014 to achieve peace, Denisa Sakova, deputy head of Slovak Hlas (Voice) party, told Czech Television on Oct. 1.

Running on a social-democratic platform, Hlas won 14.7% of the votes in the recent Slovak parliamentary elections. This makes the party a likely "kingmaker" in the upcoming coalition negotiations and a potential coalition partner for the victorious pro-Russian Smer (Direction) party.

"We won't be, most likely, able to preserve Ukraine's territorial integrity as it was before 2014," Sakova said.

"That is why I believe peace negotiations should start on a diplomatic level to determine where the borders should be."

Sakova also told Czech Television journalist that negotiating land concessions is only a later step in potential peace talks, which must be necessarily preceded by the start of actual negotiations.

"Because of the war in Ukraine, Europe ended up in an economic recession, and this must be solved if we want to keep the high living standards that we enjoy in Europe, likely some of the highest in the world," she added.

Read also: Fico wins Slovak election on pro-Russian, populist platform

Smer, whose leader Robert Fico vocally opposes support for Ukraine, won the Sept. 30 vote with 22.9%, beating its liberal pro-Western challenger Progressive Slovakia (PS) by five percentage points.

The position of Hlas makes it a strong potential coalition partner for the two leading parties.

Peter Pellegrini, the leader of the Hlas party and Slovakia's prime minister between 2018 and 2020, did not say definitively who will receive his party's backing.

However, he pointed out that Hlas and Smer share a social democratic platform and that an alliance of three parties would be the most stable option. Without the support of Smer, Hlas would need at least three more partners to form a government.

PS's head, Michal Simecka, said shortly after the elections that his party would do everything to prevent Smer from building a government.

The liberal party's leader has previously promised to maintain support for Ukraine. Simecka stressed that a reversal of Slovakia's current position of providing support would put the nation at odds with other EU and NATO countries and could cause Slovakia to become isolated.

Read also: Peter Tkacenko: Slovakia after election  If not friend, certainly not enemy of Ukraine

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Former Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico's populist Smer (Direction) party won a plurality of seats in Slovakia's parliamentary elections on Saturday, according to results released Sunday. Smer earned about 23%, giving it 42 seats in the 150-seat Parliament. A liberal, proEuropean Union party, Progressive Slovakia, took second place, with 18% of the votes and 32 seats. In third place was the leftist Hlas (Voice) party, led by former Fico deputy Peter Pelligrini, with nearly 15% and 27 seats.

Fico, 59, ran on a pro-Russia platform that included stopping military aid to Ukraine plus a mixture of "social conservatism, nationalism, anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and promises of generous welfare handouts," The New York Times reported.



In order to return to power, Fico has to form a coalition with at least two other parties. Pelligrini, who broke from Fico after he was forced to step down following the murder of a journalist investigating ties between Fico associates and Italy's mafia, has kept his options open. But analysts said there's a good chance Fico will form a government with Hlas and the ultranationalist, pro-Russia Slovak National Party, whose 10 seats would give Fico a parliamentary majority of 79 seats.

Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka held out hope that his party could form a government if Fico fails.

Assuming Fico prevails, he could join with Hungary's Russia-friendly populist leader, Viktor Orban, to try and block the E.U.'s staunch support for Ukraine. Slovakia's caretaker government was the first to send Ukraine MiG-29 fighter jets.

But "while a Fico government would represent a shift in Ukraine policy from a neighbor that has led on deliveries of tanks and heavy weapons, analysts say the impact of his threat to cut off arms deliveries could be limited," The Washington Post added. "Fico has specified only that he will stop sending arms from Slovakia's already depleted military stocks. He has refrained from threats to halt supplies from the country's arms manufacturers that stock Ukraine with much-needed artillery shells."
Prison Time

While courts start to grapple with the dark side of generative artificial intelligence, a South Korean judge has for the first time in that country's history sent down a sentence related to AI-generated child abuse images.

As CNN reports, an unnamed man in his 40s was sentenced to two-plus years in prison after being caught with about 360 exploitative AI-generated images of children earlier this year. Those disgusting images, which were thankfully not described, were reportedly not distributed.

Prosecutors successfully argued before the Busan-region court that the country's definition of "sexually exploitative material" should, in the face of AI advancements, be expanded to include imagery or descriptions of "virtual humans" engaging in sexual acts.

Deepfakes of Yore

Though this appears to be the first time South Korea has had a ruling related to AI-generated explicit imagery, which in the past were often referred to as "deepfakes," it's not the country's first foray into controversy surrounding the rapidly-accelerating technology.

As the country's Yonhap news agency reported, the beginning of 2021 saw hundreds of thousands of people signing an anonymously-written petition begging the South Korean government to enact stricter punishment for sites that post deepfake porn featuring celebrities, including some that are minors.

The South China Morning Post added that the petition appeared online after some secretly-captured "spycam" photos of a K-pop girl group member were manipulated and published online.

"Videos featuring the victimized female celebrities are distributed on various social network services, and (they) are tortured with malicious comments of a sexually harassing and insulting nature," read the petition, per Yonhap, adding that deepfakes are "undeniably a sexual crime."

Within a day, Yonhap reported, the petition gained more than 330,000 signatures, the news wire reported, highlighting how seriously some in the country took deepfakes.

Though it's been more than two and a half years since the petition arose, South Korea appears poised to start taking threats from the tech seriously  and the rest of the world, including the US, may soon follow suit.

More on AI: Parents Furious After Deepfaked Nudes of Daughters Circulate Around Schools
In June, Colorado-based Wilson Aerospace sued aeronautics giant Boeing for allegedly stealing trade secrets and violating intellectual property rights. The case involves Boeings work on NASAs Space Launch System, or SLS, a rocket designed to eventually land astronauts and cargo on the moon. Wilson claims Boeings actions cost Wilson hundreds of millions of dollars and placed astronauts at risk.

The suit revolves primarily around Wilsons proprietary Fluid Fitting Torque Device, a tool designed for tightening and loosening fittings, especially in cramped, difficult to access areas on spacecraft. Wilson accuses Boeing of stealing, misappropriating, and infringing  intellectual property to design its own version of the device, used to attach the main engines to the SLS rocket. But Wilson also claims the problem goes much deeper. Because Boeing covertly stole Wilsons intellectual property without receiving the full instructions on how to properly build, install, and use it, Wilson alleges in its suit, several of the aerospace and aviation products built by Boeing are pockmarked with critical safety flaws that put lives at risk.

Its unclear how this particular case, the allegations of which Boeing denies, will turn out. But the suit provides a window into a larger questionwhether NASA is capable of overseeing the collage of contractors that will continue to gain power in the future of space exploration. It also presents an important lesson: As space exploration becomes increasingly crowded with private companies, and increasingly ambitious with new missions, NASA needs to rework its contracting and oversight processes. Spacefaring nations also need to overhaul the treaties and regulations that govern space.

In 2022, NASA spent over 70 percent of its more than $20 billion annual budget on contracts with private companiesincluding the largest recipients: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, and Orbital Sciences. These companies, in turn, often employ various subcontractors to fulfill procurement requests (as Boeing did with Wilson). This creates a sort of tiered waterfall of oversight responsibility for NASAand could also create troubling incentives for companies like Boeing, which face increasing pressure in the commercial space race.

The SLS helps illustrate this tension. While the Artemis I mission (the first of a series of SLS missions, and the one predominantly in question in the Wilson lawsuit) was eventually successful, the rocket and Orion spacecraft came in years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budgetnot great for NASA or the contractors involved. In fact, Boeings problems with the SLS mission are cited by Wilson Aerospace as motive: In 2015, Boeing was dangerously close to losing billions of dollars in future revenue from NASA, because it could not figure out how to install the engines on the Space Launch System, the lawsuit alleges.

This competitive pressure is real, because theres a lot on the line for private companies in space as the industry presents rapidly expanding opportunitiesboth for private operations and collaborations with NASA. In 2019, NASA revealed plans to allow private-sector experiments and cargo, as well as commercial astronauts, onto the International Space Station. The private sector has also won agreements to construct a space station to replace the aging ISS.

Increasing privatization, though, also increases NASAs responsibilities to ensure the proper use of resources and the safety of its astronauts and other staff. NASAs results as an oversight agency are mixed. Following the disastrous Columbia launch in 2003 and a scathing review of the agencys safety culture, NASA put significant effort into ensuring launch safety. And admittedly, NASA has not had a fatal spacecraft accident in the 20 years since.

Still, there are documented concerns with the effectiveness of NASAs integrated testing (where components of a mission are tested together), and the agencys own Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel has expressed concerns regarding its safety culture. Roger Handberg, a professor at the University of Central Florida who specializes in space, technology, and defense policy, told me that as mission infrastructure is increasingly outsourced to companies outside of NASA, sometimes those within the agency charged with the supervision of mission components are technically competent, but they are not familiar with exactly whats going on, because they havent built rockets before. Companies like SpaceX and Boeing have also been given more oversight over their own spacecraft for crewed missions; in the aftermath of the 2015 SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket explosion, the company was allowed to lead its own investigation without NASAs independent review.

These gaps in oversight also extend to logistical and financial issues. The U.S. Government Accountability Office has already asked for increased oversight into the Artemis missions, arguing that previous approaches by the agency place[d] billions of dollars at risk of insufficient NASA oversight. Even the agencys rollout of new spacesuits for a future moon landing was expensive and behind schedule, leading the agency to spend more money on two commercial contracts for the development of alternative options.

So, what can be done? Its useful to think about two different types of regulation in the space arena. First, we need to ensure that NASA-led missions improve their track record for keeping private contracts on time and at budget. This includes, as NASA Inspector General Paul K. Martin has noted, improving the NASA contracting system to ensure increased competition among bidders and updating project management operations. Martin also cited the need to crack down on grant fraud, including inflated labor costs and materially false statements in private companies applications. Importantly, NASA should also shift toward fixed-price contracts, which force private companies building space systems to take on unanticipated expenses. (The alternative, cost-plus contracts, often force NASA to swallow additional costs that arise for delays or overruns beyond the original contractlike the cost increases with the SLS.)

Second, the U.S. and other major spacefaring nations need to improve how they regulate private space operations. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 forms the foundation of current international space law, but this framework couldnt have predicted the regulatory needs of the present. As it stands, each individual state party to the treaty is responsible for the authorization and supervision of private commercial companies operating in their jurisdiction. This is critical because private organizations are not parties to the treaty or bound by its obligations. But while the U.S. is a leader in the space industry, even its domestic regulations for private spaceflight are woefully lacking. To ensure safe operations, delineate property rights, mitigate debris, and protect state security, the U.S. needs a new centralized regulatory framework. These tough policy decisions will also require negotiating with foreign nations that at times disagree with the United States interpretation of the Outer Space Treaty.

As space exploration expands, decentralizes, and privatizes, U.S. regulators and officials urgently need more effective methods of keeping it safe and efficient. We also need more effective transnational agreements for the ever-expanding scientific and commercial atmosphere in space. In their absence, mankind may be left with fatal missteps instead of giant leaps.
Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez applauds at the Spanish parliament's lower house in Madrid, Spain on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. The leader of Spain's conservatives on Friday failed for the second time in three days to get parliamentary support for his bid to become prime minister following his party's victory in a national election. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

MADRID (AP)  King Felipe VI on Monday began a new round of talks with Spanish political party leaders with a view to choosing the person in the best position to gather enough support in Parliament to form the country's next government.

All signs indicate that king will call on acting Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to try to do so following the failure by Alberto Nunez Feijoo, head of the conservative opposition Popular Party, to win sufficient parliamentary support last week.

The meetings take place Monday and Tuesday.

Sanchez's party finished second behind the Popular Party in July 23 elections. The elections produced a splintered parliament made up of 350 legislators from 11 parties, making the path to power difficult for any party.

If no government is in place by Nov. 27, another national election will be held on Jan. 14.

Feijoo's bid was rejected by a vote 177-172 on Friday. Sanchez, whose party holds 122 seats, hopes he can now persuade the legislators that voted against Feijoo to back him and capture at least the required 176 votes for a majority.

But to do this he needs to win the support of two small parties that want independence for the northeastern region of Catalonia. In exchange for their support, both parties have made potentially explosive demands for a self-determination referendum for the region and an amnesty for hundreds of people who participated in a failed 2017 Catalan secession push.

Sanchez, 51, has been Spains prime minister for the past five years and is the countrys acting leader until a new government is formed.

His outgoing minority coalition government delivered bold policies in such areas as womens rights and climate change. He called Julys snap election after his party had a poor showing in local and regional elections.
Some of the 11 Russian servicemen brought to Ukraine during Operation Barynia are now willing to come back to Russia as part of an exchange. Ukraine will not inform the Russian side that they have surrendered voluntarily.

Source: Andrii Yusov, representative of Ukraines Defence Intelligence (DIU), on the air during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "In contrast to the operation with the Mi-8 helicopter, where the pilot himself had contacted representatives of the Ukrainian special services, the DIU reached Lieutenant Alfyorov in this case.

... [we reached him] through social media. This contact was successful. Although he was a staff military officer, Alfyorov opposed the war against Ukraine and was forced to sign the contract. He was reluctant to be a war criminal and condemned the actions of the Putin government.

Therefore, the interaction with thorough checks had begun.

... Some of the 11 extracted Russian soldiers are considering coming back to Russia as part of an exchange. Ukraine will not indicate that they surrendered voluntarily."

Details: The intelligence officer noted that, as part of the operation, besides surrendering Russian soldiers, extremely valuable information was obtained, which resulted in saving the lives of Ukrainian servicemen and disrupting certain Russian plans.

Background:

On 30 September, DIU reported that they successfully conducted the special operation Barynia, as a result of which they managed to recruit a staff Russian military officer, Danil Alfyorov.

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 40-year-old Michigan man named Robert Wayne Lee, known in his community as the self-styled vigilante pedophile hunter "Boopac Shakur," was shot and killed over the weekend after confronting two teenagers.

According to a statement from the Oakland County sheriff's office, the altercation happened late Friday night (September 29) involving Lee and two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, at a restaurant in Pontiac. He allegedly accused the older teenager of being a pedophile and punched him. The teen who was hit pulled out a knife, while the younger one shot Lee with a pistol seven times, police further alleged.

The man was taken to hospital but later died of his injuries, while the suspects fled the scene but were arrested Saturday afternoon (September 30).

Police have not released the names of the teenagers.

Read Also: Man Allegedly Connected to Shooting Murder of Tupac Shakur Arrested

Lee Mistakenly Alleged Arrested Teens as Predators, Police Say

Police further alleged that the teenager Lee accused of being a sexual predator, while arrested for the murder, was "mistakenly identified" as such.

"While we certainly understand his desire to hold child predators accountable, many times well-intentioned individuals who engage in this don't know the standard of evidence required for convictions and often underestimate the potential for violence confronting a suspected predator," Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.

Despite some unfounded allegations, a police department spokesperson told CNN that at least one of Lee's endeavors led to a former police officer facing charges.

Lee was known for publishing videos of his exploits to over 11,000 Facebook followers and over 45,000 on Instagram. Some of the videos appear to show him engaging in violent confrontations with alleged perpetrators.

Related Article: Ex-Cardinal McCarrick Unfit to Stand Trial, Judge Says

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(Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump will face off against New York Attorney General Letitia James starting Monday in a contentious civil trial that threatens his control over his real estate empire in the state.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The former president is accused of corrupting his relationship with banks and insurers for more than a decade by giving them financial statements that inflated the value of his assets by billions of dollars a year, from Trump Tower in Manhattan to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. As penalties, James is seeking a quarter of a billion dollars and to bar Trump and his eldest sons from serving as an officer of any New York company.

State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron, who will oversee the trial and decide on the verdict, resolved the biggest claim in the case last week by holding Trump liable for fraud. The non-jury trial will now focus on the six remaining claims against Trump and his company, including issuing false financial statements and conspiring to falsify business records. That will determine the penalties.

Engoron is scheduled to hear evidence for almost three months. Trump, who is juggling five other civil and criminal trials as he campaigns to return to the White House, will attend the opening of the trial on Monday. He is also expected to testify in person at some point later in the proceeding. His two sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump , who are also defendants in the case, are due to testify, too.

The trial may also shed light on Trumps fraught relationship with his bankers. Six current and former employees of Deutsche Bank AG, one of Trumps biggest lenders before it cut ties after the January 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol, are on the states witness list.

The suit doesnt allege that the banks lost money by working with Trump, but the state does argue the institutions were put at risk because they made lending decisions based on falsified information.

The 77-year-old Republican presidential front-runner denies wrongdoing in all the cases against him and calls Jamess suit part of a political assault by Democrats to hobble his campaign.

Heres what you need to know:

The Allegations

James sued Trump in 2022, alleging he engaged in a staggering fraud by overstating the value of his properties by as much as $3.6 billion a year on his statements of financial condition and lying about his net worth. She began investigating the valuations in 2019 after Trumps former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen testified to Congress that his longtime boss manipulated asset valuations to overstate his wealth.

Trump has rejected the claims and said the Democratic attorney general targeted him. On his Truth Social platform he declared he had a great case based on phenomenal numbers that show a net worth billions of dollars more than she viciously & falsely claimed, very little debt, big cash, a powerful disclaimer clause, paid off loans, no defaults, happy banks, great assets.

The Stakes

The trial doesnt carry the threat of imprisonment as the four criminal cases against him do. But the twin threats of the huge penalty and the New York ban pose a potential blow to his businesses.

With the pretrial fraud ruling, Engoron has already ordered the dissolution of any certificates issued to Trumps limited liability companies under New York law, putting control of his biggest assets at risk.

The full impact of the ruling, which wont be part of the trial, isnt yet clear. At a hearing Wednesday, Engoron gave Trump and James 30 days to recommend the names of potential independent receivers to oversee the dissolution of the companies. The Trump Organization is made up of some 500 entities.

The Assets

The properties at the center of the case are among Trumps most valuable and iconic.

According to James, Trump falsely valued Mar-a-Lago at $347 million to $739 million over a decade based on its potential for residential development. Because it is restricted for use only as a private club, James alleges it should have been valued closer to $75 million. Trump reported the size of his triplex apartment on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan at about 30,000 square feet instead of the actual 11,000 square feet, boosting its value to $327 million from $80 million, according to James.

Engoron said of Trumps triplex that a discrepancy of this order of magnitude, by a real estate developer sizing up his own living space of decades, can only be considered fraud.

Trumps Defense

Trump argues James cant sue under New York law because the allegedly fraudulent asset valuations didnt harm the public and because the purported victims are all corporate titans fully capable of advancing their own considerable legal rights. He has said his annual statements of financial condition  the documents at the center of the case  all contained strong disclaimers that warned financial institutions against using the stated figures without double-checking them.

Engoron and appellate judges have already rejected these defenses. For example, the court ruled last year that allowing blanket disclaimers to insulate liars from liability would completely undercut the function that statements of financial condition fulfill in the real world.

Trumps Testimony

The evidence against Trump includes excerpts from a seven-hour deposition during which he was questioned under oath by Jamess office in April. At the session, Trump explained his philosophy on calculating asset values and wealth.

He claimed his name alone was worth at least $3 billion as the hottest brand in the world and defended the valuations he placed on his biggest assets by calling them the Mona Lisas of property.

He also testified that the ultimate decision-making authority at the company lay with his son Eric. But when questioned in the case in March, Eric Trump testified that he had no role in the valuation of properties.

The case is New York v. Trump, 452564/2022, New York State Supreme Court (Manhattan).

--With assistance from Phil Kuntz.

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At the age of 83, Patrick Stewart is stepping into the world of literature. The actor, renowned for his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the "Star Trek" series, recounts his life story in "Making It So: A Memoir."

In the book, out Tuesday, the actor gets personal and candidly addresses his greatest regret: his two failed marriages. He has since found happiness in his current marriage to Sunny Ozell, and in an interview with CBS News' Vladimir Duthiers, reflected on what he believes is the key to a successful relationship.

"I think it's being open and a good listener and to make connection. You don't have to be exactly the same but it's necessary that you can share  I think very important. So sharing and respecting," he said.

Stewart found fame as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," although many has doubted the series would be successful. Stewart said creator Gene Roddenberry initially turned him away.

"He was talked into employing me by the other producers," Stewart said.

Despite initial skepticism from Roddenberry and from his close friend, actor Ian McKellen, who also advised Stewart against taking the role, the show went on to achieve immense success and turned Stewart into a household name.

Stewart starred in the show until 1994 and later continued to make a name for himself in Hollywood, gaining further fame when he portrayed Professor Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" series. He returned to the Starfleet in 2020 for the spinoff series: "Star Trek: Picard" on Paramount+.

Stewart said his shift from a working class kid is due to the influence of people like his English teacher, Ceil Dormand, and Ruth Owen. He dedicated his memoir to them because they "had the biggest impact on my shifting my life from a working class boy with very little prospect to a person getting acting training with far cleverer people than I was."

Stewart said he has been an avid reader since the age of 5. He also said he had a modest upbringing and had ambition for something better  but that writing a book was never part of it.

"Perhaps because I was too familiar with great books and knew I couldn't do that, so I just tried to create a conversation. But I was the only one talking. But as if two or three us were sitting around a fireplace with perhaps a glass of wine chattering. That what I was aiming for. I'm glad it seems to have come about," he said.

The book is published by Simon and Schuster, which is a division of CBS News' parent company Paramount Global.

Rise, fall of Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX at center of Michael Lewis' new book | 60 Minutes

Joan Baez, revealing secrets

AI: The next battlefield
Credit -

Set back from a dusty highway in South India, three newly completed factory buildings rise up behind a black spiked iron fence. In their shadow, several yellow construction vehicles sit beside mounds of upturned soil and the skeleton of a half-built warehouse. On a May afternoon this year, a group of women in blue and pink uniforms hurried from one building to another over the din of traffic and construction.

This factory complex in Sriperumbudur, an industrial town in Tamil Nadu state, is one of Apples most important iPhone assembly hubs outside of China. It is operated by Foxconn, a Taiwan-based electronics manufacturing company. Three times per day, the gates to this factory open to swallow buses ferrying thousands of workersaround three-quarters of them women. These workers spend eight hours per day, six days per week, on a humming assembly line, soldering components, turning screws, or operating machinery. The factory is one of the biggest iPhone plants in India, with some 17,000 employees who churn out 6 million iPhones every year. And its fast expanding.

Most of the 232 million iPhones Apple sold in 2022 came from factories in China, with many of them originating from a single massive Foxconn facility in Zhengzhou. But shifting geopolitical tides have recently forced Apple to re-evaluate its exposure to China. First came the pandemic, when Beijings harsh lockdowns badly disrupted global supply chains. Now U.S. intelligence assessments, made public this year, say that Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed his military to be prepared to invade Taiwan by 2027, and President Biden has said the U.S. would defend Taiwan in that scenario. A hot war with China could have disastrous consequences, not only for the world, but also for Apples ability to manufacture many of the products behind its $2.7 trillion business.

Lon Tweeten for TIME

And so the company is hedging its bets on India, a country shielded from China behind the worlds highest mountain range, and home to a young population of 1.4 billion people. In September 2022, Apple announced the iPhone 14 would be assembled in India for the first time. (Until then, the Sriperumbudur factory handled only older models.) In April of this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook flew to India, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pledged to invest ever more deeply in the country, and personally opened two Apple Stores. Now, workers at the Sriperumbudur factory are reportedly assembling the new iPhone 15, which went on sale in September.

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Powering Apples pivot to India is Foxconn. By 2024, Foxconn hopes to nearly quadruple its production at this South Indian factory to 20 million iPhones per year, and reportedly plans to hire tens of thousands more workers to make that possible. Satellite images provided to TIME by Planet Labs show rapid expansion at the complex, with three new factory buildings constructed over the past two years and newly broken ground on space large enough to accommodate at least three more. Apple could manufacture 25% of all iPhones in India by 2025, up from just 5% in 2022, according to a JPMorgan analysis.

Satellite imagery courtesy of Planet Labs

This shift toward India has winners and losers. Foxconn has a history of low pay, harsh working conditions, and exacting targets in its Chinese factories. And as Foxconn rushed into India to meet Apples demand, it created comparable conditions there. In 2021, 159 factory workers were hospitalized with food poisoning, as a result of eating unhygienic food at a subcontractor-provided hostel. That incident set off a wave of protests that, for several days, drew media attention to the squalid living conditions faced by iPhone assembly workers. The hospitalizations were followed by a government inspection into the factorywhich has not previously been reportedthat described numerous safety risks and workers-rights violations. That government inspection, carried out in December 2021, prompted Foxconn to spend $1.6 million on improving health and safety in the factory with oversight from Apple and the state government of Tamil Nadu, Foxconn said in a statement to TIME.

This story is based on an unreleased government document reviewed by TIME, as well as interviews this spring with four current workers and eight community organizers in and around Foxconns Sriperumbudur factory. All workers spoke on condition of anonymity, out of fear that speaking to the media would invite retaliation. What we do in this factory is not what we studied for, one female worker told TIME. But it has become a matter of survival for our families.

Apple declined TIMEs request for a reporter to be given a tour of the Sriperumbudur factory for this story, and refused two requests to make a senior executive available for an interview. Foxconn did not respond to similar requests. In a statement, an Apple spokesperson said that the issues at the Sriperumbudur factory were addressed after the food-poisoning incident, and added that regular Apple audits have found that the conditions in the factory are continually improving. Foxconn said the health and safety of its employees is a top priority.

An inspector calls

At 9 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2021, two days after the food-poisoning incident, a health and safety inspector from the Tamil Nadu state government turned up at the gates of the iPhone factory in Sriperumbudur.

The inspection found that six workers whose job was to manually solder iPhone parts together were not provided with protective equipment including safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, or respirators, according to a letter sent by the government inspector to Foxconn, a copy of which was reviewed by TIME. In the areas of the factory where soldering was carried out, the inspection found, the ventilation system was not sufficient to prevent the escape and spread of toxic fumes into the working environment. That soldering process, the letter said, was highly hazardous to the health of workers.

In another part of the factory, the inspector found that workers were not provided with suitable goggles to protect their eyes from the excessive light and infrared radiation. He identified 77 pieces of automated machinery that were missing crucial interlock mechanisms on their doors to prevent operation under dangerous conditions, and 262 instances of missing guards on pressing machinery. The lack of these protective mechanisms, the letter said, posed a risk of bodily injury. And six large industrial ovens used to attach tiny electrical components to iPhone circuit boards, the letter said, had not been tested by a competent person before factory workers were expected to use them.

Read More: How Indias Record-Breaking Population Will Shape the World

The inspection also found several apparent employment-law violations, according to the letter. At least 11 workers in the factory, it said, had been required to work excessively high hours for the past three months. At least 17 workers had been required to work on Sundaysusually their only weekly day offwithout being given a replacement day of leave within three days. All latrines and urinals in the factory were not maintained in clean and sanitary conditions at all times, the letter said, and debris was present on the ground floor of the factory that presented a safety risk. The factory manager had failed to keep a register of workers in the factory or a register of their wages, the inspector claimed. And more than 4,500 of the 6,126 workers in the factory at the time of inspection were allegedly employed not by Foxconn, but by 11 different subcontractors that were not legally registered with the Tamil Nadu directorate of industrial safety and health.

The letter suggests that the inspector found multiple violations of state law. The same findings would also likely constitute violations of Apples 127-page supplier code of conduct whichon paperguarantees the people who build iPhones the right to dignified work in a safe environment. This code says that Apple suppliers must provide safe working conditions including by providing personal protective equipment, ensuring adequate ventilation, and maintaining proper safety mechanisms on machinery. Any overtime must be voluntary, the document says. Workers should receive at least one day off per seven days, it adds, and have access to clean toilet facilities. Apple does not prevent its contractors from using third-party labor agencies to supply workers, but says these agencies must be legally registered. Any violations of this Code may jeopardize a suppliers business relationship with Apple up to and including termination, Apples supplier code of conduct states.

Employees work on an assembly line in the mobile phone plant of Rising Stars Mobile India Pvt., a unit of Foxconn Technology Co., in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, India, on Friday, July 12, 2019. Karen DiasBloomberg/Getty Images

The Tamil Nadu inspectors letter to Foxconn warned that suitable action would be taken against it within seven days, unless the company could explain why it should not be prosecuted for the irregularities found during the inspection. TIME was not able to confirm what measures, if any, the Tamil Nadu state government took in the aftermath of the letter. The Tamil Nadu directorate of industrial safety and health, which carried out the inspection, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The day after the inspection, Foxconn closed the factory. Shortly after, Apple sent in a team of independent auditors. But in public statements at the time, neither company mentioned that a government inspector had described a litany of failings inside the massive factory complex. Instead, both Apple and Foxconn issued statements saying that they were concerned by the hygiene failures at off-site hostels, and that they would quickly work to address the conditions there. The statements gave the impression that the main risk to workers health and safety came from hostels run by subcontractorsnot from Foxconns very own factory floor. The factory remained closed for nearly a month, and a phased reopening began on Jan. 12, 2022.

In their statements to TIME for this story, Apple and Foxconn acknowledged that an inspection took place at the factory but did not comment on specific findings. We took measures and addressed every issue the government raised from its inspection, a Foxconn spokesperson said in a statement to TIME, without specifying what those issues were. The health and safety of our employees is a top priority for Foxconn.

An Apple spokesperson also declined to comment on specific findings. The issues at Foxconn Sriperumbudur were investigated and addressed a year and a half ago and we placed the facility on probation, the spokesperson said in a statement to TIME in May. During this period Foxconn invested in significant improvements and through quarterly, and at times weekly audits, Apple and independent auditors have tracked meaningful upgrades to the facility with frequent visits and employee interviews. Apple-run surveys found employee satisfaction at the factory to have increased by 27% between August and December 2022, the spokesperson said.

Life inside the Foxconn factory

Foxconn implemented some positive changes in the months after the inspection, protests, and factory closure, according to three workers who spoke with TIME. Foxconn removed a rule that workers had to live in subcontractor-provided hostels, and increased workers salaries by 5,000 rupees ($60) per month to cover the costs associated with renting accommodations independently. Both the food in the factorys canteen and the working conditions on the factory floor have improved since the protests, the workers said, while acknowledging that significant problems remain.

Since the factory shut down and reopened, four current workers told TIME in May, it is generally a safer place to work. The same workers, however, complained of high production targets, as well as a system of subcontracting that in effect creates a two-tier workplace where a comparatively small number of Foxconn employees enjoy greater benefits and job security than a legion of temporary workers, hired by third-party Indian subcontractors, who also work inside the factory. (Three of the current workers TIME spoke with were employed via subcontractors; one was a Foxconn employee.)

While the workers TIME spoke to agreed that conditions in the factory had improved since the 2021 protests and subsequent inspection, they also said that many problems persist. One problem three workers mentioned was their wages: ranging from 82 to 101 rupees per hour for slightly different roles inside the factory, equivalent to between $0.99 and $1.22 per hour. While such wages are more than double Tamil Nadus minimum wage for electronics workers, and still better than the perils of unemployment or work in Indias vast informal sector, they give workers little opportunity to move up the economic ladder, especially since many of them have children and elderly parents to support. In the Indian context, this is not a terrible wage. Its not a fair wage, but it doesnt shock me, says Ramapriya Gopalakrishnan, a labor lawyer based in the nearby city of Chennai. To rent a room in the towns surrounding the factory would cost around one-third of a workers monthly paycheck, she says. To support two kids in school on top of that, and support a mother and father, it would be very difficult.

Read More: The Workers Behind AI Rarely See Its Rewards. This Indian Startup Wants to Fix That

Before the beginning of each daily shift at Foxconns Sriperumbudur factory, Foxconn managers announce production targets. Some days, according to two assembly-line workers, the targets can require each worker to work on as many as 520 iPhones per houror one every seven seconds. At those rates, each worker on the production line could handle some $4 million worth of iPhones every day.

Every worker on this assembly line has a designated task. Some are experts at attaching a specific component to the iPhones motherboard. Others have learned the precise finger movements necessary to tighten an individual screw. At regular stages some workers perform quality checks, to make sure nothing has gone wrong as each phone barrels from one point along the assembly line to the next.

Meena, a contract worker on the factory floor, says she spends eight hours per day, six days per week, hunched over her station, fingers constantly in movement. Some days, I dont even get time to go to the restroom because I have to meet my production targets, she says. If the supervisor notices that products are piling up on the conveyor belt at my stage, he will reprimand me. Her delicate taskthe specifics of which, like her real name, TIME is not revealing in order to protect her identitycauses pain in her fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, and back, Meena says. If she changes her position to alleviate the painfor example by crossing her legsa supervisor will often hassle her to sit properly, she says. Foxconn allows workers facing health issues to take short rests and provides them with over-the-counter pain medication, Meena says. But after her rest break, Meena says she is still expected to continue at a demanding pace for the rest of the day.

Meena is not employed directly by Foxconn. Instead, like many of her colleagues in the factory, she is employed by a third-party contractor. This system is not unique to Foxconn, according to Gopalakrishnan, the labor lawyer. Its common in the Indian manufacturing sector, she says, because it helps factory owners maintain a flexible workforce to which they bear few legal obligations.

Unlike fixed-term employees, these so-called contract laborers do not know even whether they can earn their livelihood beyond tomorrowthat is the degree of uncertainty we are talking about, says Gopalakrishnan. This whole contract labor system is designed to lower labor costs and evade responsibility for compliance with labor laws.

At the Sriperumbudur factory, contract workers do not receive sick leave or vacation days, and are not given copies of their contracts, according to three who spoke with TIME. Foxconn earlier this year instituted a new policy there, the workers said, whereby if contract workers take leave on a consecutive Monday and Saturday, their monthly salary will be docked by 1,500 rupees ($18), the equivalent of several days pay. And if workers take three days of consecutive leave, their salary will be docked 5,000 rupees ($60), the workers said.

This appears to describe more violations of Apples supplier code of conduct. Apple says in the document that it holds its suppliers to the highest standard of labor. It specifically says that they must not use wage deductions as a form of discipline, must not prevent workers from taking bathroom breaks, and must take steps to mitigate ergonomic hazards including painful postures and repetitive movements.

In statements to TIME, neither Foxconn nor Apple commented on the allegations of wage deductions, poorer conditions for contract laborers, ergonomic hazards, or high production targets. We work with relevant local agencies to ensure that all recruitment efforts follow Foxconns recruitment standards and guidelines, as well as local labor regulations, a Foxconn spokesperson said. Foxconn communicates and cooperates with stakeholders, wherever we are, to continuously create an operating environment that is healthy and competitive, while protecting the rights and interest of our employees.

We have the highest standards in the industry for our suppliers and regularly assess their compliance to our code of conduct, an Apple spokesperson said. With multiple feedback channels, including employee surveys and anonymous reporting, we are constantly looking for ways to raise the bar even further.

An expanding system

Back at the perimeter of the Foxconn factory complex, past the mounds of dirt and the skeletal frame of the half-constructed warehouse, beyond a security hut manned by guards in white shirts, are two rows of what appear to be worker housing buildings. Both rows are four stories high and 100 meters long, and lined with concrete balconies.

These buildings may be a taste of what is to come. With Apple keen to ramp up iPhone production in India, Foxconn is reportedly planning to build huge hostels for as many as 60,000 workers near its Sriperumbudur factory. Construction is currently under way on a large plot of land inside the Foxconn complex. As a result, workers at the factory are concerned that Foxconn may again require its employees to live in company-run hostels, and could revoke the 5,000-rupee ($60) housing allowance that it currently pays its workers to cover the cost of their outside accommodation, according to three workers who spoke with TIME. (Foxconn declined to comment on its plans.)

Meanwhile, the most expensive iPhone 14 retails for $999. The most expensive iPhone 15 retails at $1,099. While Apple does not publicly disclose the difference between an iPhones final sale price and how much it costs to produce, the companys most recent financial results say that for every dollar of income from product sales, the company makes around 35 as profit.

The four workers at the Sriperumbudur factory who spoke to TIME said that while its unlikely they would easily find higher wages elsewhere, they still feel they deserve better. It would take the lowest-paid among them around six months to save enough to buy a single iPhone 15and thats if the worker never paid for rent, food, or to support her family. When I compare my salary to the cost of an iPhone, obviously they can pay me better, one young woman says.

With reporting by Barath Raj/Sriperumbudur and Varsha Bansal/Bengaluru

Write to Billy Perrigo at billy.perrigo@time.com.
In a crime spree worthy of Dillinger, 19 banks were robbed in Bucks, Montgomery and Lehigh counties between 2007 and 2016. The haul: more than $500,000.

As remarkable is the man jailed for those robberies, Richard Boyle who, prior to his conviction was an ordinary, middle-aged Navy veteran, married father of four who lived a quiet suburban life in Doylestown.

I just want you to hear my story, said Boyle, in a recent interview at the State Correctional Institute at Phoenix in Skippack, and in follow-up phone calls.

Now 64 and in the seventh year of a 71-year sentence, Rick Boyle is soft-spoken. His countenance is fair, his hair dark, his eyes bright and blue. Hes polite. Attentive to questions. Thoughtful when answering.

Hes not angry. Hes not happy. Hes measured.

His tone is of a mid-level manager who knows his stuff. But the gentlemanly demeanor is incongruous in the 3,800-bed maximum security pen that houses notorious crooks and killers, among them Danilo Cavalcante, a two-time murderer whose August 2023 escape launched a three-week manhunt and national headlines.

Theres one thing I want you to know, Boyle said, his voice barely audible in the chatty din of the prison visitor center. Im not the Straw Hat Bandit.

He leaned forward, fixing his eyes on his visitor.

I did the first eight (bank robberies) ... Its something Im ashamed to admit.

But not the others, he said.

Lets be clear on that first string of robberies -- they were unplanned, he said. He didnt case the joints. And he dismissed, laughing, a published statement by his lawyer, Craig Penglase, who told a reporter that Boyles motivation was that hed read a newspaper story about a botched bank robbery, and decided he could do it better.

Ridiculous, Boyle said.

His motivation was money. He was broke. His rent was past due. He had a family to support. His small businesses, which included house painting, among other gigs, wasnt cutting it.

So I did one a month to pay my bills, he said.

He snagged $102,000.

Bank video surveillance of the Straw Hat Bandit identified by law enforcement as mild-mannered suburban dad Richard Boyle. A Courier Times reporter coined the name Straw Hat Bandit. The name stuck. Boyle resents the tag. I have never worn a straw hat, he said. It wasnt me. I havent robbed a bank since Feb. 8, 2008.

He also has another explanation for robbing banks, this one medical.

I was suffering from hypothyroidal psychosis, he said.

He takes a minute to explain what that is, but the shorthand is a kind of temporary insanity. Hes on meds now, he said.

I was in a psychotic state of mind and made a terrible decision that I will regret for the rest of my life. Thats what happened, he said.

Hed randomly pick a bank, park his 86 BMW out of view of surveillance cameras, and rob the place. Just walk in, suit and tie, polite, Please and Thank you, and saunter out.

He was so polite, one bank teller told investigators she felt that if she had said, no, I wont give you any money, he would have turned and left.

The robberies went smoothly.

It was too easy, Boyle said. There was no careful planning, so I dont know why they didnt catch me right away.

Eight holdups later it came to an end in Perkasie on Feb. 8, 2008. He got sloppy.

I parked my car too close to the bank. They got my tag, and that was it, he said. I couldnt stop. I think I wanted to get caught.

He confessed, signed the confession, and was sentenced to 11 years, but was out after three-and-a-half, in November 2011.

On June 8, 2012, another string of bank robberies began through Montco and Bucks.

These bore striking similarities to the ones to which Boyle had confessed. The robber would sometimes wear a suit and tie, and casually stride in and out. But unlike the gentleman robber of 07-08, this robber was menacing.

He had a gun. He made threats. He ordered frightened bank employees to open vaults and unlock cash-laden ATMs. The robber spread bleach on the floor to cover DNA evidence. He wore some sort of communication earpiece. He wore green nitrile gloves.

A surveillance still of the Straw Hat Bandit who authorities identified as Richard Boyle of Doylestown. He blew it, said Nino Tinari, Boyle's defense lawyer at his federal trial, where he insisted on taking the stand in his own defense. I told him absolutely not, dont take the stand. But, see, hes smart, hes smarter than everyone. I mean, he is a bright guy, but he walked himself right into jail."

Prior to the robberies, 911 hoax calls were placed to divert police away from the bank that was robbed. One call claimed an active shooter was loose on Temple Universitys Ambler campus. There was a terrifying shelter in place order. A bomb threat to St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown resulted in mass evacuation of patients, and the FAA cleared airspace over the hospital.

The robber also wore a frightening scarecrow-like full-face cloth mask, eyes cut out, and various hats. Photos sent to the press for publication showed the robber, in one instance, wearing a straw hat. A Courier Times reporter coined the name Straw Hat Bandit. The name stuck. Two federal judges, Gene Pratter and Paul Matey, used the name in their written opinions about the case.

Boyle resents the tag.

I have never worn a straw hat, he said. It wasnt me. I havent robbed a bank since Feb. 8, 2008.

Investigators in Plymouth Township and the FBI knew they were dealing with a pro. But they had no suspects. Eyewitnesses gave wildly different descriptions of the robber. He was young. He was middle-aged. He was older. He was 5 8 and 200 pounds. He was 6 1 and average. He walked with a limp. He walked with a side-to-side gate. He skipped when he walked.

The robber was shrewd. The heists occurred near holidays or at the end of the week, when banks have more cash on hand.

Boyle became the suspect when he was identified at the Warminster library on June 27, 2016.

An employee said Boyle had asked if he could use the librarys computer terminals without a library card. He was logged in as guest. Shortly after, a TracFone was activated from that terminal, and used to make a phony 911 call. As police responded to the hoax call, a nearby PNC Bank was robbed.

All lies, Boyle said. Hed gone to the Warminster library after seeing a newspaper story about the value of reading to children. He was getting a book to read to his two grandsons.

A book of fairy tales, he said.

The book was unavailable, so he left.

The infamous Straw Hat Bandit with a gun during a bank heist. Richard Boyle, father of four from Doylestown, was arrested and charged, with federal prosecutors saying he robbed 19 banks.

A police sketch of him, maskless, at the library, was broadcast on local television news programs. Boyles neighbor saw it and called police.

She said, hey, thats my neighbor who was in jail for robbing banks, Boyle said. That sketch looked nothing like me.

Investigators struck circumstantial gold. When they looked into Boyles personal finances, they found he had no steady income, yet made large cash deposits that tracked the bank heists. Total haul: $459,386.

He was spending big. He bought a Nissan Sentra for one of his daughters, paid her college tuition at Temple, took a month-long vacation to Florida with one of his sons, and purchased a $4,700 Rolex for himself.

JD Mullane interviews Richard Boyle, aka the Straw Hat Bandit at the Pa. State Correctional Institute Phoenix in Skippack on Friday Sept. 22, 2023. Theres one thing I want you to know, Boyle said, his voice barely audible in the chatty din of the prison visitor center. Im not the Straw Hat Bandit.

Boyle chuckled. The cash came from his house painting, drone businesses, eBay sales of medical devices, and from gambling winnings at Parx casino in Bensalem, he said.

Charged with bank robbery and money laundering, and facing 200 years in prison, he was offered a deal: plead guilty and get 15 years. He turned it down.

Why would I plead guilty to something I didnt do? he said.

His 2017 trial in federal court in Philadelphia lasted two weeks, and included 70 witnesses, among them 22 eyewitnesses.

No physical evidence ever connected any of these crimes to me. It was a circumstantial case, he said.

He knew he was sunk, he said, when Judge Pratter allowed his confession to the previous bank robberies to be read to the jury.

You could feel the energy in the courtroom shift against me, he said.

Compilation of surveillance cam stills from banks heists by the Straw Hat Bandit. His 2017 trial in federal court in Philadelphia lasted two weeks, and included 70 witnesses, among them 22 eyewitnesses. No physical evidence ever connected any of these crimes to me. It was a circumstantial case, Boyle said in a Sept. 2023 prison interview.

His defense lawyer, Nino Tinari, said that while reading the confession to the jury was a blow, it wasnt what sunk the case. It was when Boyle insisted he take the stand in his own defense, a dicey move defense lawyers avoid. The prosecution sliced and diced Boyle on the stand.

He blew it, Tinari said. I told him absolutely not, dont take the stand. But, see, hes smart, hes smarter than everyone. I mean, he is a bright guy, but he walked himself right into jail.

He had to answer questions regarding his financials, Tinari said. That testimony was critical. Had he not said anything, if he didnt take the stand, they had nothing.

Boyles gambling explanation bombed.

They determined that the only amount of money he ever won at gambling was a couple hundred dollars, Tinari said.

He comes off as a grandfatherly-type guy, and he thinks everybodys going to believe him because hes mild-mannered and thats how he portrays himself, even to his family, he said. But the jury didnt believe him.

Richard Boyles prison mugshot, left, alongside a 2016 police sketch of a man investigators said robbed a PNC Bank after activating a burner phone at the Warminster library to call in a hoax 911 to misdirect police. One of Boyle's neighbor's saw the sketch on Action News. She said, 'hey, thats my neighbor who was in jail for robbing banks,'  Boyle said. That sketch looked nothing like me.

Boyle has unsuccessfully appealed his case, but hes not giving up.

The man branded as the Straw Hat Bandit spends his days studying in the prison law library, has filed a Right to Know request with the Plymouth police, and a Freedom of Information request with the Department of Justice.

The DOJ has 7,012 documents related to my case, including emails, he said.

Hes eager to see them.

Otherwise, he counsels other inmates on their cases, reads the Bible to a blind inmate, and keeps in touch with family who want to keep in touch with him. Hes still married, he said.

Hes upbeat about his chances of beating the rap, freeing himself from prison and the tag Straw Hat Bandit.

I have no intention of dying here, he said. I might be a very old man when Im out, but I have no doubt I will beat this. Im really excited about it, too. Im Irish, so I really enjoy the fight.

JD Mullane can be reached at 215-949-5745 or at jmullane@couriertimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bank robber "Straw Hat Bandit" fights convictions in Bucks, Montco
The Air Force of Ukraines Armed Forces have been preparing for the fact that in the near future, strike drones will prevail over missiles in Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory.

Source: Yurii Ihnat, Spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, during the national joint 24/7 newscast on 2 October and on the air of Radio Svoboda (Liberty)

Details: The interviewer noted that Ukrainian air defence systems are currently downing 70-80% of drones, and asked whether this ratio will be maintained in the future: if they down 80 out of 100 drones, then will they down 800 out of 1,000.

Quote from Ihnat: "Proportionality will be preserved when we obtain a proportionate number of air defence assets. You need to understand how many assets [we need  ed.] to down missiles, reconnaissance-type UAVs and strike drones. If the enemy increases the number of strike drones, of course we need to increase the number of assets."

Ihnat added that Ukraine can only increase the number of air defence equipment with the help of its partners, which is why work with partners in the Ramstein format is constantly ongoing.

Quote from Ihnat: "We understand that the threat of drones will grow as their number is growing, and, accordingly, we need more assets that will be used rationally against these UAVs.

There is every indication that strike drones will dominate in attacks. Therefore, we also need to draw conclusions and prepare for this."

Details: Ihnat also confirmed that September 2023 was a record month regarding the number of Russian attacks with Shahed kamikaze drones.

"We have been discussing the fact that Russia will ramp up their production and use them against Ukraine for several months now... These are obvious steps since Russia will not have many missiles  of its own production, I mean," the Ukrainian Air Force spokesman said.

Ihnat suggested that Russia would use fewer missiles this year than in the last one because a missile is a more powerful and expensive weapon than a kamikaze drone, and it takes longer to produce the former.

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!
This article was originally published in Nebraska Examiner.

Complaints about student debt relief scams are increasing as the date approaches for borrowers to restart payment on their student loans after more than a three-year pause.

Consumer protection advocates say that the Biden administrations student debt relief efforts, the subsequent halting of those policies by the courts, and the restart of student loan payments have bred confusion that allow companies to take advantage of borrowers.

There is sort of this perfect storm out there that I think is allowing these fraudsters to prey on people, said Dan Zibel, vice president, chief counsel, and co-founder of Student Defense, a nonprofit focused on student rights.

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Zibel said that there has been a lot of policy and legal news on student debt relief for borrowers to absorb in a couple years.

There is news about repayment plans, news about cancellation, different types of cancellation, whether its public service loan forgiveness or fraud-based cancellation, the COVID pause, and then the courts get involved. Debt forgiveness is happening. Debt forgiveness is not happening. Theres new debt forgiveness, he said.  I think that sows confusion for a lot of people.

And with 44 million owing more than $1.7 trillion  the third highest consumer debt in the U.S.  the appetite for relief is great and makes many easy prey for scammers.

Many of the debt relief scams often start with a telemarketing call where borrowers are promised debt relief if they pay a regular fee. The callers ask for sensitive personal information, and mislead borrowers about being affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education and student loan servicers. Some mention Biden Loan Forgiveness.

The number of complaints coming to the FTC about student debt relief scams has steadily risen in the past few months as the restart of student loan payments approaches, from 385 in June to 562 in July and 610 in August. And the FTC and Department of Justice have been cracking down on the scammers. In August, the agencies returned $9 million to people who paid up to $800 in upfront fees to Ameritech Financial, to take part in what they thought was a federal loan assistance program. The scam also led borrowers to believe that their membership fees would help pay their student loan balance. Arete Financial Group, which said it was affiliated with the Department of Education, had a similar scam that convinced people to make upfront payments. The FTC sent $3.3 million to those consumers in June.

The FTC also has started working with law enforcement agencies and attorneys general to stop illegal telemarketing calls. Some telemarketing campaigns have included scammers pretending to be the government or businesses, luring unsuspecting student loan borrowers.

How we got here

The Biden administration has undertaken a number of policy efforts in the past few years to reduce the burden of student loan debt, including a program announced in August 2022 that borrowers who qualified could have up to $20,000 of federal student loans canceled. Twenty-six million people applied or sent enough information to the U.S. Department of Education applying for the relief. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the plan in June of this year, finding that the administration did not have the authority to cancel the debt. Since then, the administration returned with the SAVE Plan, a new income-driven repayment plan that allows some lower-income borrowers to pay nothing each month and lets some receive early student loan cancellation, among other benefits. Students who have been defrauded by for-profit colleges are also continuing to receive student loan cancellation.

Zibel said that student debt relief scams tend to target borrowers who are the most vulnerable, whether theyre struggling economically or have language barriers that could make people less able to identify fraud.

But anyone could potentially be tricked by these schemes, said Kyra Taylor, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. She said scammers are getting more sophisticated.

Ive heard reports from borrowers that scammers spoofed their student loan servicers email. And the only way you could tell that it was a spoof was by rolling your mouse over the links, she said. The scammers are so sophisticated and because the student loan system is so complicated, anyone could be vulnerable, especially if youre getting an email that looks like its from your [student loan] servicer on its face. I think its getting harder and harder to tell.

How to spot a scam

Taylor offers some advice to borrowers who may find themselves wondering whether theyre being scammed. For example, she tells borrowers not to provide sensitive information such as a Social Security number to someone they believe is a student loan servicer.

Were getting closer to restarting payment and people are expecting that their servicer is going to reach out to them. The servicer could be calling you but if theyre asking for personally identifiable information, I would hang up and call them back just to make sure that youre talking to the right person, she said. The other piece is that its very unusual for the Department of Education to call folks. Any time youre getting a call from someone saying theyre from the Department of Education, I think folks should be more skeptical.

Mark Kantrowitz, an expert on financial aid and author of How to Appeal for More College Financial Aid told States Newsroom in an email that its a bad idea to share your financial student aid ID, which is your username and password, with a third party, because they can make changes you may not be aware of and will end up being responsible for. When borrowers log in, the federal student aid website makes it clear that the use of this information by a third party for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain is prohibited and subject to criminal prosecution, he added.

Taylor and Zibel said there are things the government can do to reduce the damage done by student debt relief scams. Taylor said that if the government automated relief to borrowers, scammers would have fewer opportunities to insert themselves into the process. Zibel said that the government should continue to educate people as return to payment begins on where to find legitimate sources of information on their student loans.

The FTC also offers advice on how to spot scams. The agency says its a red flag if someone tries to charge you for debt relief services before they have done anything for you as a borrower. Ari Lazarus, a consumer education specialist at the FTC, explained in an August blog,  Nobody but a scammer will ever offer you quick loan forgiveness. Experts on these scams also remind borrowers that no one has to pay for help with student loan relief and advise borrowers to look at the federal student loan website.

Janet Yuen learned too late that she did not have to pay for help. In 2019, after receiving a phone call from A Better Solution Student Loans, or ABS Student Loans, she agreed to pay the company $33 a month to lower her debt.

Yuen, a social worker in Southern California, told States Newsroom that she quit making payments on her student loans because she thought ABS Student Loans was doing so on her behalf. Yuen said she paid $33 a month from October 2019 to November 2021 to ABS Student Loans and provided the company with the username and password to her student loan website.

She has about $263,600 in student loan debt and is out almost $900 the money she paid ABS Student Loans that she said would have otherwise been spent on financial needs such as paying medical bills.

Yuen said she has contacted the FTC but the agency could not tell States Newsroom whether it is investigating the company because it does not make investigations public.

There is at least one government investigation into ABS Student Loans through Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellisons office. On Sept. 6, Ellison announced that 52 student debt relief companies are suspected of violating state law by not registering before offering debt settlement services and possibly misrepresenting fees and services, including ABS Student Loans. Deputy chief of staff for the attorney general, John Stiles, told States Newsroom that the office has asked ABS Student Loans how many customers it has in the state but the company has not yet responded.

ABS Student Loanss website includes information that it is not affiliated with a government agency and that borrowers do not have to use a third party to apply for student debt relief under a link to its privacy policy at the bottom of its website. The California-based company did not respond to States Newsrooms multiple requests for information.

Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Cate Folsom for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com. Follow Nebraska Examiner on Facebook and Twitter.
Pandemic relief for student-loan borrowers is officially over.

Borrowers are continuing to deal with issues in their accounts as they enter repayment.

State attorneys general said borrowers shouldn't have to make payments until the issues are fixed.

A group of state attorneys general doesn't think student-loan borrowers should have to pay off their loans while struggling to get issues with their balances resolved.

Last week, 19 state attorneys general sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Miguel Cardona, the education secretary, expressing "serious concerns" with the repayment process and the harm it was inflicting on borrowers in their states.

They wrote that the unprecedented transition to repayment was leaving federal student-loan companies with difficulties managing call volume and borrowers' questions. Additionally, the transfer of borrowers to new companies during the pandemic has resulted in account errors such as inaccurate payment counts.

"While many of the problems associated with the return to repayment may not be avoidable at this stage, we believe the Department can and should do more to mitigate harm to borrowers," they wrote. "Specifically, we believe the Department should instruct servicers to liberally place affected borrowers in non-interest-bearing administrative forbearances that count toward potential debt forgiveness while account issues are researched and resolved."

The attorneys general said borrowers were facing issues enrolling in Biden's new income-driven repayment plan, known as the SAVE plan, and, in one circumstance, a borrower reported that their servicer removed them from a repayment plan without any notice, causing their monthly payment to surge to $6,843 from $759.

Pandemic relief for borrowers officially ended October 1, when bills started becoming due after a pause of more than three years. Interest also started building on balances in September because of the debt-ceiling bill Biden signed into law in June that codified the end of the student-loan payment pause.

During the past few months, borrowers have increasingly been struggling with their servicers as they've begun to prepare for repayment. As the attorneys general noted, borrowers are spending hours on hold with their servicer, and limited Federal Student Aid funding is making it difficult to provide more resources to servicers to better assist borrowers.

"Student-loan programs are very, very complicated, and servicers do not have the funding that we would like to give them to better serve borrowers," James Kvaal, the undersecretary of education, previously told Insider.

In response to questions from a group of Democratic lawmakers in August, one student-loan company, Mohela, said it expected servicing delays to continue "well into 2024."

"Unfortunately, the immediacy of return-to-repayment amid ever-increasing changes to the contract administration requirements and expanded training needs, combined with the lack of sufficient funding from FSA, means extensive servicing delays are a likely outcome," Mohela said.

The Education Department has not publicly commented on the request from the attorneys general to place borrowers on administrative forbearance without accruing interest until issues with their accounts are resolved. But the attorneys general said doing so was crucial as borrowers enter uncharted repayment territory.

"In the weeks ahead, as borrowers enter repayment, many will need information and assistance," they said. "We are deeply concerned that the infrastructure to support federal student loan borrowers is not sufficiently robust to adequately respond to this need."

Are you experiencing challenges with your student-loan servicer? Share your story with this reporter at asheffey@insider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An underwater cavern revealed by drought is drawing visitors eager to explore its nooks and crannies, despite officials requesting they keep away, news outlets report.

The water level at Texas Canyon Lake has plummeted in recent weeks, according to officials. The human-made lake near San Antonio is only 65% full, data shows.

As the water recedes, Canyon Lake is giving up lesser-known secrets, including a stunning cave carved beneath a rocky shelf of rock, photos show.

Canyon Lake is roughly 62% full, according to Texas officials.

Walls and pillars of stalactites decorate the cave, moss-covered and dripping, photos show. Normally drowned by Canyon Lake, the water is little more than a puddle inside the cavern, and already grass is sprouting from the mud.

Some have found bones, photos show. What they belonged to and how they got there are a mystery.

Ive heard rumors about underwater caves in Canyon Lake for 40 years or more. It was just so cool to finally see one materialize, resident Pamela Hough Gilbert told KSAT. Canyon Lake has lots of secrets.

Likewise, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers  which manages the lake  had only heard rumors of caves within Canyon Lake, the outlet reported.

We know very little about the caves or their hazards and it is better to be cautious and look from a distance, a Corps spokesperson told the station.

Canyon Lake was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1964, largely for flood control, according to the Corps, but its history goes back much further.

In the mid-1850s, settlers established two towns in the area: Hancock and Cranes Mill. Though they survived more than 100 years, the rural towns now sit at the bottom of Canyon Lake, according to Texas historians.

Adorable spotted kitten sold in parking lot leads to Texas couples arrest, feds say

Drought reveals shipwreck graveyard in Texas river, photos show. Howd they get there?

Rarely seen predator spotted tearing up Texas beach, photos show. Look at it dig!

Iconic swimming hole is drying up in Texas. Maybe our tears will fill the well
(Bloomberg) -- Rishi Sunak unveiled a new campaign slogan at this weeks Conservative Party conference: Long-term decisions for a brighter future.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Yet the convention has been overshadowed by three choices the UK prime minister has so far been unable, or unwilling, to take. The void has led his own top team to question if Sunak is the one to lead them much longer into the future hes so keen for voters to think about.

A contentious call on whether to ditch a major section of Britains planned HS2 rail network has dominated news headlines. Sunaks refusal to commit to building the line to Manchester, where this weeks conference is taking place, had already caused huge political damage. A person familiar with the matter said Sunak could use his speech to the gathering Wednesday to announce his plans.

On Tuesday, the premier repeatedly refused to answer questions from broadcasters on whether hed decided to scrap part of the rail project. He told the BBC he would look at the facts and take my time to get the decision right for the country.

In a sign of the backlash that awaits if the cancellation is confirmed, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, who has played a key role in boosting the Conservatives fortunes in the region, said late on Monday: You will indeed be damaging our international reputation as a place to invest. The warning was repeated on BBC radio on Tuesday by Mace Group Chief Executive Officer Mark Reynolds, whose company holds HS2 contracts.

Elsewhere at the convention, Sunaks faltering progress on cutting immigration has caused pro-Brexit Cabinet ministers to publicly suggest the UK could leave the European Convention on Human Rights to enable deportation flights to go ahead. People close to the prime minister say he has yet to take a definitive view.

Tax cuts are what much of the Tory base is calling for, especially on the right of the party. Liz Truss wants the focus to be corporations, and hundreds turned up to hear the 49-day premier speak on Monday.

Again, Sunaks government is non-committal. Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt told Bloomberg there is no fiscal headroom to cut taxes now and he doesnt yet know if he can do so in time for the next general election, which is due by January 2025.

All of which has led to a subdued conference. On one level, thats likely to be a relief compared with the fireworks a year ago, when Truss left the annual gathering with her premiership looking fragile after a U-turn on a major tax cut.

But its also done nothing to ease doubts that Sunak can overturn a polling deficit of about 20 points with the Labour Party. Ministers have spent large chunks of their speeches attacking opposition leader Keir Starmer.

During so-called fringe events on the sidelines of the main conference, and at private dinners with business leaders and over drinks in Manchesters hotel bars, members of Sunaks party have unsubtly jostled for position in a future leadership contest if the Tories lose the election.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman made her ambitions clear in an interview talking up her right-wing credentials with the Mail on Sunday newspaper. Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, who is also on the right of the party, then suggested the UK could leave the ECHR to enable the governments policy to enable deportation flights to Rwanda. Her top ally, Leveling Up Secretary Michael Gove, quickly took the same view.

The Tory right, though, is a crowded space. Former Home Secretary Priti Patel hit out at what she called Bravermans attention seeking before declining to rule out running for leader in future herself.

One Cabinet minister left attendees at an off-the-record Sunday night dinner in no doubt that they saw themselves as a future party leader, as they criticized half-a-dozen current government policies. Another aide had to laugh as they toed the line that Sunak can win the election.

Sunaks aides insist they are relaxed by the positioning, arguing its par for the course at these conventions. Other loyalists are irritated, with one Cabinet minister suggesting their colleagues needed to focus on fighting the election, not dividing up the spoils of defeat.

For Tory moderates, the question is more of an existential one as Sunak and his Cabinet increasingly push more right-wing policies and talking points to rally the party base. Transport Secretary Mark Harpers proudly pro-car agenda leaned into conspiracy theories around so-called 15-minute cities.

Meanwhile, Security Minister Tom Tugendhat noted that his right-wing colleagues calls to leave the ECHR could undermine the Northern Ireland peace process, given it is written into the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Dont throw around words unless you can answer the questions, Tugendhat told Times Radio.

The danger of this core vote strategy, and sending those sorts of signals, is we dont actually know how big the Conservative core vote is, Will Jennings, politics professor at the University of Southampton, told Bloomberg. The danger of that core vote strategy is that actually the core vote is much lower than people expect.

Still, Sunaks closest aides take a more optimistic view about how the conference is going. The premier is happy and this week could be a turning point politically, one ally said. Another pointed to a recent poll which put Labours lead at a reduced 10 points. If Sunak can get through the rest of the convention unscathed, and other opinion surveys also show a tightening, pressure will build on Starmer, they said.

That would lead to pushing harder on policies aimed at pleasing the Tory base, they said. Sunak has announced a clampdown on 20 miles per hour (32 kph) speed limits, a slowdown of Britains efforts to reduce carbon emissions from petrol and diesel cars, and is considering a range of other policies that could create divides with Labour, the person said.

The events of the last few weeks have shown the election is all to play for, the aide insisted. Tory lawmakers and members remain unconvinced.

--With assistance from Ellen Milligan and Joe Mayes.

(Updates with remarks from Sunak, West Midlands Mayor, Mace CEO in fourth, fifth paragraphs.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Huawei has unveiled a $430 million investment plan named Intelligent Future for the Northern Africa region, encompassing the 28 countries located to the north of the equator within the African continent.

This grand five-year investment initiative, is allocated as follows: $200 million to establish the region's first public cloud centre, offering over 200 cloud services, and an additional $200 million to support 200 local software partners and empower 1,300 channel partners. In term of talent development, Huawei will invest $30 million to train 10,000 local developers and educate 100,000 digital professionals, creating a skilled workforce to drive intelligent transformation in the region.

Terry HE, President of Huawei Northern Africa (North, West & Central Africa), revealed the companys renewed strategy to guide Africa towards a smart and connected future at the eighth edition of Huawei Connect in Shanghai.

Comprehensive blueprint

This strategy, entitled Accelerate Intelligence for New Africa, is not just a mere roadmap, but a comprehensive blueprint for Africa's digital and technological future. Given the continents young population, with 60% aged 25 or younger, digitalisation is emerging as a major catalyst for growth in African nations.

Additionally, the continents considerable potential in green energy offers an unparalleled competitive advantage in the AI era. Recognising these strengths, Huawei's new strategy is built around the integration of smart technologies, particularly AI, into vital sectors that shape and influence the daily lives of Africans, including health, education, transportation, finance, agriculture, and mining.

The strategy is structured around three core action areas:

Accelerate intelligence to enhance inclusion, thereby improving people's lives by expanding the coverage and quality of essential services;

Accelerate intelligence to enhance governmental management and bolster the attractiveness of the business and commercial environment;

Accelerate intelligence to heighten operational efficiency and productivity across the economy, particularly in Africa's key industries.

Huge challenges

The challenges are huge, and the stakes are high. "Every technological evolution is characterised by perseverance, exploration, and investment, stated Terry.

He added: To expedite intelligent transformation in Northern Africa, Huawei will intensify its investments in technologies, ecosystems, and talent. He stressed the critical importance of close collaboration among governments, businesses, educational institutions, and communities to realise these ambitions. In conclusion, he called for united action, stating: Let's join forces to usher in a smarter world in Africa and fulfil the aspirations of its people."--TradeArabia News Service
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an inquiry into the Friday collision in Illinois that caused a cargo tank carrying 7,500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia to overturn.

The cargo tank was involved in a "multiple" vehicle accident about a half-mile east of Teutopolis, Illinois, on U.S. Highway 40 around 9:25 p.m. authorities announced in a statement.

Five people were killed, while six more were hospitalized. The victims' identities have not been revealed.

According to an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency news release, the impact of the mishap caused the cargo tank to begin leaking, prompting the evacuation of 500 individuals.

NTSB board member Tom Chapman stated at a press conference Sunday afternoon that a preliminary investigation revealed the collision was triggered when the driver of a semi-truck drove to the right of the lane in response to another vehicle, according to CBS News.

According to Chapman, the truck rolled over, compromising the cargo tank containing the ammonia. The cargo tank was punctured after colliding with a parked utility trailer, allowing approximately half of the tank's 7,500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia to spill.

The investigating team will be on the site for four to six days, and a preliminary report will be published in roughly 30 days. Final reports can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months to complete. Chapman urged witnesses or anybody with knowledge of the crash to contact the NTSB.

Read also: LAPD Says 2 Men Shot in Altercation in East Hollywood

Ammonia Spill

Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns told reporters earlier that there was a "large plume" from the ammonia spill.

An evacuation was ordered within a one-mile radius of the crash because the leak generated "terribly dangerous air conditions in the northeast area of Teutopolis," according to Kuhns. Effingham County stated that evacuation orders for several neighborhoods were removed Saturday evening.

Officials refused to comment on the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.

According to Kuhns, the air conditions required emergency responders to "wait" and "mitigate the conditions" before they could "get actual access" to the disaster site. The incident site encompassed a "fairly large area," according to Kuhns, and the roadway between Teutopolis and Montrose remains closed.

In a statement posted Saturday on X, the social networking site formerly known as Twitter, the NTSB stated that it will examine the collision in collaboration with the Illinois State Police and the Effingham County Sheriff's Department.

Toxic anhydrous ammonia inhalation can be lethal in high quantities. Ammonia can also cause skin and eye burns, as well as severe respiratory problems. One officer at the news conference described the chemical as "terrible."

Teutopolis is a town of slightly more than 1,600 people located around 92 miles southeast of Springfield, Illinois, the state capital.

Related article: Acid Rain Threatens Chemistry Of Rivers And Streams By Changing Alkalinity; 'Legacy Effect' From 5 Decades Of Pollution May Be Bad News For Aquatic Life

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The Supreme Court justices will take the bench Monday for the first argument of the new term, a year filled with battles over guns, social media and the administrative state.

The court so far has agreed to hear roughly 35 cases this term, though the justices are all but certain to add more throughout the fall. Decisions are expected by next summer.

The Supreme Court and other federal courts plan to continue operating even during a government shutdown, at least in the short term.

Here are the major cases on the Supreme Courts docket this term:

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

In the first high-profile argument of the term, the justices Tuesday will consider whether the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus (CFPB) funding mechanism is constitutional.

Created after the 2008 financial crisis to enforce consumer financial laws, the CFPB does not receive its funding through Congresss normal appropriations process. Instead, it receives transfers from the Federal Reserve.

Two associations of companies the CFPB regulates want the justices to affirm a lower court decision that found the scheme violates the Constitutions Appropriations Clause, which gives Congress the power of the purse.

They are backed by a coalition of 27 Republican state attorneys general. The Biden administration has warned that ruling in their favor would call into question virtually every action the agency has taken.

With the CFPBs future at stake, its biggest advocates, such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), have vowed to not go down without a fight.

If Republicans control Congress, they could starve the CFPB of resources to neuter its ability to go after wrongdoing, Warren said Friday during a speech at the Center for American Progress. And if the Supreme Court opens the door for them, the independence of the Fed, the [Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation] and others that use a funding model like the CFPB will evaporate.

The case is Consumer Financial Protection Bureau v. Community Financial Services Association of America, Limited.

Second Amendment

In November, the Supreme Court will hear a major gun case as the justices review the constitutionality of a federal law prohibiting gun possession for people under domestic violence restraining orders.

The dispute is the first major Second Amendment case the justices will hear since their landmark expansion of gun rights last summer, and the case could clarify the new standard set by the high courts 6-3 conservative majority.

That standard requires gun control laws to be consistent with the nations historical tradition of firearm regulation, and it has led lower courts to strike down a dizzying array of gun laws.

The justices are now set to consider the case of Zackey Rahimi, whom a federal grand jury indicted for possessing a firearm while being under a domestic violence restraining order.

Court filings indicate authorities found two guns at Rahimis home months after he was placed under the restraining order for assaulting his girlfriend in a parking lot and later threatening to shoot her.

The case is also being closely watched for how it could impact other gun laws, including one that Hunter Biden, the presidents son, is charged with breaking.

The case is United States v. Rahimi.

Chevron deference

The Supreme Court this term will consider overturning the Chevron deference, which would take a sledgehammer to executive agencies wide authority to enact regulations.

In place for nearly 40 years, the doctrine provides that when Congress is silent or ambiguous on an issue, courts must uphold agencies actions if they are based on a reasonable reading of the statute.

In some recent cases, the justices have sidestepped or enacted carve-outs to the doctrine, but their new case provides their best chance yet for overturning Chevron once and for all.

Several of the courts conservatives are known critics of the Chevron deference, particularly Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch.

The case is Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo.

Social media content moderation

The justices Friday announced they will hear a pair of landmark cases about laws restricting social media companies from removing content or users for their politics.

Florida and Texas both passed similar laws as part of Republican attempts to push back on allegations of conservative censorship.

The cases are poised to have resounding impacts for online speech. The Biden administration had urged the justices to take up the dispute.

The laws are being challenged by two tech industry groups, the Computer and Communications Industry Association and NetChoice. They contend the laws violate their First Amendment rights to decide what speech to host.

The cases are Moody v. NetChoice, LLC and NetChoice, LLC v. Paxton.

Public officials social media bans

On Oct. 31, the justices will wade into the issue of public officials banning constituents on social media on their personal accounts as they hear arguments in two separate cases.

School board members in southern California and a city manager in Michigan blocked constituents after they wrote criticizing comments, and the constituents then challenged the bans as violations of their free speech rights.

At issue is whether the bans were state action, since the First Amendment only applies to governmental bodies.

Though the accounts in question were the officials personal profiles, the constituents argue they still used the accounts to post and communicate about their job.

In each case, lower courts used different legal tests and came to opposite conclusions.

The cases are OConnor-Ratcliff v. Garnier and Lindke v. Freed.

Trump too small

In yet another First Amendment case, the justices will decide whether a man can trademark Trump too small, a joke about the former president in reference to the infamous 2016 debate moment in which Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) made fun of Trumps hand size.

Attorney Steve Elster, of California, wants to trademark the phrase for selling shirts poking fun at Trump, but a provision of federal law prohibits trademarks that mention a living person without their consent.

Without Trumps consent, Elsters trademark application was denied. But an appeals court struck down the provision as applied to Elster, ruling it violated his free speech rights because Trump was a government official.

The Justice Department is now seeking to uphold the law and prevent Elster from moving ahead with the trademark.

The case is Vidal v. Elster.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Supreme Court on Monday denied an effort by lawyer John Eastman to appeal a ruling that found he may have acted criminally with the legal advice he gave former President Trump. It spurred a rare recusal from Justice Clarence Thomas , whose wife corresponded with the California attorney in the weeks ahead of Jan. 6.

A federal judge in California found Eastman as well as Trump more likely than not engaged in criminal conduct in hatching a plan for the former president to stay in power after losing the 2020 election, including in a memo that urged then-Vice President Mike Pence to buck his ceremonial duties to certify the election results Jan. 6, 2021.

Thomass recusal comes after reporting that his wife, Ginni Thomas , emailed Eastman  as well as Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows and Arizona lawmakers wrestling with pressure from the Trump campaign  to look for ways to reverse the election.

The episode resulted in Ginni Thomas being called to speak with the House committee investigating the attack, and also triggered a renewed look at Thomass failure to recuse himself from other matters relating to Jan. 6. The justices actions have further come under the microscope following reporting he accepted a series of lavish gifts from a Republican megadonor.

The order says that Thomas took no part in the consideration of Eastmans petition.

The decision is the end of the road for Eastman, who has been fighting a ruling ordering him to release his communications surrounding Jan. 6 to the now-dissolved committee investigating the attack.

The ruling from U.S. District Judge David Carter greenlighted release of his records, allowing for the piercing of materials normally covered by attorney-client privilege  something that can be granted only when a judge determined legal advice was given in furtherance of a crime or to carry out fraud.

The illegality of the plan was obvious, wrote Carter, who was appointed by former President Clinton. Our nation was founded on the peaceful transition of power, epitomized by George Washington laying down his sword to make way for democratic elections. Ignoring this history, President Trump vigorously campaigned for the Vice President to single-handedly determine the results of the 2020 election.

Eastman has since been charged by authorities in Georgia as part of a broader racketeering case, along with several charges relating to making false statements.

Hes also listed as a co-conspirator in the Justice Departments election interference case, but he and five others have yet to face any charges in the matter.

Carter reviewed Eastmans communications as part of his review of the matter, repeatedly ordering batches of emails released to the panel, determining that neither executive privilege nor attorney-client privilege did not protect them.

This may have been the first time members of President Trumps team transformed a legal interpretation of the Electoral Count Act into a day-by-day plan of action, Carter wrote. The draft memo pushed a strategy that knowingly violated the Electoral Count Act, and Dr. Eastmans later memos closely track its analysis and proposal.

Many of Eastmans emails became a central focus in the committees hearings, including exchanges with Pence attorney Greg Jacob showing their concern over his calls for the vice president to intervene.

That included information about an exchange in which Eastman conceded he was not sure the Supreme Court would back his legal theory about Pences role.

Updated at 11:51 a.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Supreme Court refused to hear a case challenging New York's rent stabilization law.

The plaintiffs argued the law violated the Constitution's private property protections.

The case could have affected New York City's one million rent-stabilized homes and more.

The US Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a case challenging New York State's rent stabilization laws covering one million households in New York City.

The suit was brought by landlord groups and individual property owners who argued that New York's rent regulations violate the Constitution's "takings clause" by forcing landlords to cap rents and restricting their ability to evict tenants.

The plaintiffs  the Rent Stabilization Association, the Community Housing Improvement Program, and individual landlords  filed their suit in 2019 after New York reformed its 1969 law, adding new limits to how much landlords can raise rent. The law is designed to protect tenants from sharp rent increases and gives them the right to renew their lease unless they've met the legal requirements for eviction.

The case had implications not just for the one million rent-stabilized apartments in New York City, but also for rent-controlled homes across the country. The lead attorney for the plaintiffs said the lawsuit was part of an effort to challenge "a tidal wave of onerous rental housing regulation across the nation."

Both a federal district judge and an appeals court panel decided against the plaintiffs, finding that state lawmakers have the authority to regulate the relationship between landlords and tenants.

"The case law is exceptionally clear that legislatures enjoy broad authority to regulate land use without running afoul of the Fifth Amendment's bar on physical takings," the Second Circuit wrote in its decision.

But the issue isn't dead. There are two other similar cases that have also appealed to the high court and could be heard this session.

This is the second time since 2012 that the Supreme Court has refused to hear a case challenging New York's rent stabilization laws. And there's also Supreme Court precedent in support of tenants  specifically the 1992 case Yee v. City of Escondido in which the court upheld a California eviction restriction.

But tenants' rights activists and other advocates of the regulation have expressed fears about the unpredictable nature of the court's current conservative majority, which has overturned consequential precedent before.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Supreme Court opened its annual term Monday, with the justices returning to the bench for the first time since issuing a string of weighty decisions at the start of the summer.

After Chief Justice John Roberts officially opened the 2023 term in the courtroom, the justices heard oral arguments in a criminal sentencing case with implications for thousands of nonviolent drug offenders that turns on a grammatical debate over the meaning of and.

It is one of more than 30 cases the high court has already agreed to hear this term, including disputes on major issues like gun rights, social media and the administrative state. Other cases are likely to be added to the courts docket in the coming weeks.

Mondays ritual made clear the justices are continuing their post-pandemic tendency of stretching the length of oral arguments. The argument was scheduled for just one hour, yet lasted nearly double that.

At stake in Mondays case was which defendants are eligible for lesser sentences under the First Step Act, a major criminal justice reform bill signed into law by then-President Trump.

The law expanded safety valve relief, which instructs courts to disregard mandatory minimum sentences when a defendant meets certain criteria.

Mark Pulsifer, who pleaded guilty to one count of distributing at least 50 grams of methamphetamine, believes he qualifies. He appealed to the justices after a lower court disagreed.

To be eligible, a defendant cannot have (A) more than 4 criminal history points, excluding any criminal history points resulting from a 1-point offense, as determined under the sentencing guidelines; (B) a prior 3-point offense, as determined under the sentencing guidelines; and (C) a prior 2-point violent offense, as determined under the sentencing guidelines.

At issue is how to apply the word and in the provision.

The Justice Department argues that and means or, so defendants are ineligible if they fail any of the three subparts.

It joins together three independently disqualifying conditions by distributing the phrase does not have. Thats the only interpretation that avoids rendering the first subparagraph entirely redundant, Frederick Liu, arguing for the government, told the justices.

But Pulsifer, who only fails two conditions, contends that and means he must fail all three to be ineligible.

Letting the government get to or when Congress said and would encourage Congress to be sloppy with the most basic English words, leaving square corners far behind, and in the criminal context, where fairness matters most. The Court should hold Congress to what it wrote, Shay Dvoretzky, Pulsifers attorney, told the justices.

Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch and several other justices seemed sympathetic to Dvoretzkys argument, while others views were more opaque.

I think its a very hard case, so I dont mean to suggest that its clear, conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett said at one point.

Liberal Justice Elena Kagan , who at times seemed sympathetic to the governments argument, proposed a hypothetical to Dvoretzky about a doctor who advises a patient receiving a medical test to not eat, drink and smoke.

Dvoretzky conceded that and would effectively mean or in that situation, but he said it was a different context.

Kagan also made a distinction between a phrase like dont drink and drive and the one used in the First Step Act.

Theres something that connects those two things so that we know that the harm comes from the relationship between the two, whereas, in this case, we know that the harm follows from any one of the things, Kagan said.

A decision in the case, Pulsifer v. United States, is expected by next summer.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Michael Duane Zack, of Tallahassee, is scheduled to be executed on October 3, by lethal injection for the murder of an Escambia County woman in 1996.

TALLAHASSEE  The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to halt the planned execution of Michael Duane Zack, setting the stage for him to die by lethal injection at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Florida State Prison.

Justices issued two orders declining to take up appeals of decisions by the Florida Supreme Court and the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and refusing to issue stays of execution. As is common, the Supreme Court did not explain its reasons.

Zack, 54, is scheduled to be the sixth inmate put to death this year in Florida. He was sentenced to death in the 1996 Escambia County murder of Ravonne Smith during a crime spree that also included killing a woman, Laura Rosillo, in Okaloosa County.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Aug. 17 signed a death warrant for Zack, touching off attempts in state and federal courts by the inmates attorneys to block the execution.

The attorneys primary argument was that Zack should be shielded from execution because of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which they said caused him to function as being intellectually disabled. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 2002 case known as Atkins v. Virginia that executing people with intellectual disabilities violates the Eighth Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

In appealing a ruling by the Florida Supreme Court and asking the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay of execution, Zacks attorneys said the medical community now recognizes that the unique, cognitive, practical and social impairments inherent to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (are) indistinguishable from those of Intellectual Developmental Disability.

At every opportunity since his trial, Mr. Zack has presented evidence of his prenatal alcohol exposure to the full extent allowed by then-contemporaneous scientific legal and legal standards, the request said. Evolving standards of decency have finally progressed to the tipping point that allows Mr. Zack to establish that his FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) disability affords him the same protections established in Atkins. To deny review would penalize Mr. Zack for being right too soon.

Zack's deadly crime spree: Michael Zack earned the sympathy of bar patrons across the Panhandle, then he killed them

But in a filing Thursday at the U.S. Supreme Court, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moodys office disputed the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome argument.

There is no real possibility of this (U.S. Supreme) Court expanding Atkins to include a diagnosis of FAS,  the state lawyers wrote. Zack would not succeed in having this court wholesale defer to the views of the psychiatric community on the matter of whether Atkins should be expanded to include other types of diagnoses. While he asserts that the psychiatric community now views FAS as functionally identical to intellectual disability, courts determine Eighth Amendment law, not unelected and unrepresentative experts.

The Florida Supreme Court, in rejecting Zacks arguments Sept. 21, said he had raised intellectual-disability arguments over two decades of appeals. As a result, Florida justices said the latest arguments did not meet legal tests for timeliness and were procedurally barred.

A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also separately rejected arguments that were tied to the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome issue. Those arguments centered on whether Zack had received a proper state clemency process.

A jury in September 1997 convicted Zack of first-degree murder, robbery with a firearm and sexual battery in Smiths death, records show. He also is serving a life sentence for murdering Rosillo.

DeSantis signed Zacks death warrant two weeks after the state executed James Phillip Barnes, 61, in the 1988 murder of a woman in her Melbourne condominium.

That came after the June execution of Duane Owen for the 1984 murder of a Palm Beach County woman. Also, the state executed Darryl Barwick in May in the 1986 murder of a woman in her Panama City apartment; Louis Gaskin in April in the 1989 murders of a couple in Flagler County; and Donald David Dillbeck in February in the 1990 murder of a woman during a carjacking in a Tallahassee mall parking lot.

Dillbeck was the first person executed since Gary Ray Bowles was put to death by lethal injection in August 2019 for a 1994 murder in Jacksonville.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Michael Zack execution in Escambia death row case OKd by Supreme Court
Washington  The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from conservative attorney John Eastman that involved his efforts to shield his emails from investigators with the House select committee probing the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.

Notable in the unsigned order turning away Eastman's case was a note that Justice Clarence Thomas "took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition." The justice did not provide an explanation for his recusal. Eastman clerked for Thomas on the Supreme Court, and emails obtained by the House panel showed that Ginni Thomas , the justice's wife, corresponded with the conservative lawyer.

Eastman, a former law professor at Chapman University, helped craft the legal strategy in which he claimed former Vice President Mike Pence had the authority to unilaterally reject state electoral votes cast for Joe Biden or delay the certification of Electoral College votes during the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6.

In August, Eastman, former President Donald Trump and 17 others were charged in a sprawling racketeering case brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Eastman faces nine counts related to an alleged plan to send a slate of fake presidential electors in Georgia to Congress in order to change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. He pleaded not guilty.

The case before the Supreme Court stemmed from an effort by Eastman to keep his emails from the House select committee examining the Capitol attack. Eastman argued the subpoena for his records sought attorney-client privileged communications and attorney work product.

A federal district court ordered Eastman to turn over a tranche of emails to the panel, 10 of which the judge said were "closely tied" to the committee's investigation and subject to the crime-fraud exception, which applies to documents and communications that were in furtherance of illegal or fraudulent conduct.

U.S. District Judge David Carter had previously determined that Trump and Eastman "likely committed obstruction of an official proceeding" when they allegedly attempted to disrupt the joint session of Congress convened on Jan. 6.

Eastman sought review of the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, but provided the select committee with eight of the disputed documents in order to comply with the district court's order. After the emails were disclosed to the public, the 9th Circuit dismissed the case as moot and declined to wipe away the district court's finding that some of the messages were subject to the crime-fraud exception..

In urging the Supreme Court to take up his case, Eastman said the district court's conclusion"has cast aspersions not just on Dr. Eastman but also on his former client, the former President of the United States who is a candidate for the office of President in 2024."

"The ramifications, both political and legal, of such a holding are significant, and petitioner, both on his own behalf and for his former client's benefit, should not have to be subjected to those ramifications on an ongoing basis when he was deprived of his right to appeal by the unilateral actions of the government  the party that prevailed in the District Court  that mooted the appeal," he wrote in a filing.

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The Supreme Court, minus a recused Clarence Thomas , has turned down a bid by attorney John Eastman to erase court rulings that described him as a linchpin in former President Donald Trump s bid to subvert the 2020 election.

The high courts decision Monday essentially enshrines rulings by a federal district judge in California that found Eastmans emails contained evidence of a likely crime related to Trumps efforts.

Thomas did not specify a reason for stepping aside from the ruling, but several of the emails, contained in a particularly sensitive batch that was inadvertently made public during a legal fight between Eastman and congressional investigators, showed top Trump advisers describing Thomas as their likeliest ally in an effort to get the Supreme Court to legitimize Trumps efforts. Eastman also formerly clerked for Thomas and has had some contacts in recent years with his wife, conservative activist Ginni Thomas .

Eastmans effort to wipe out unfavorable court rulings took on added significance after a Georgia grand jury indicted him in August alongside Trump and 17 other co-defendants, alleging a sweeping effort to subvert the states election results in 2020. California bar authorities are also seeking to strip Eastmans law license for his efforts, and a trial on the matter has been underway since June.



In his petition to the Supreme Court, Eastman argued that the Jan. 6 select committee inadvertently made the sensitive emails public by leaving a live URL inside one of their court filings that was accessed by POLITICO. That error undermined Eastmans effort to prevent the committee from accessing the emails in the first place, and Eastman argued the district judges rulings against him should be scrapped as a result. But the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Eastmans effort, resulting in his appeal to the Supreme Court.

The high courts decision to reject Eastmans appeal sustains a set of 2022 rulings by U.S. District Court Judge David Carter, who painted a devastating portrait of Eastmans efforts to help Trump subvert the last presidential election, concluding that Eastmans actions amounted to a coup in search of a legal theory. He determined that many of Eastmans claims of attorney-client privilege over the trove were invalid and that some of the emails contained evidence of a likely crime.

Carters ruling helped arm the Jan. 6 select committee with thousands of its most crucial pieces of evidence that showed Trumps increasingly desperate effort to reverse the outcome of an election he lost.

The emails that the select committee obtained showed that Eastman and other allies like attorney Kenneth Chesebro, viewed Thomas as the likeliest Supreme Court justice to rule favorably on their efforts to cast doubt on the 2020 election results  a ruling that could create enough uncertainty to embolden Republican-led state legislatures to step in and prevent Joe Bidens victory.

We want to frame things so that Thomas could be the one to issue some sort of stay or other circuit justice opinion saying Georgia is in legitimate doubt, Chesebro wrote in a Dec. 31, 2020, email to Trumps legal team. Chesebro contended that Thomas would be our only chance to get a favorable judicial opinion by Jan. 6, which might hold up the Georgia count in Congress.

I think I agree with this, Eastman replied, arguing that a favorable move by Thomas or other justices would kick the Georgia legislature into gear to help overturn the election results.
This is part of Opening Arguments, Slates coverage of the start of the latest Supreme Court term. Were working to change the way the media covers the Supreme Court. Support our work when you join Slate Plus.

In our years covering the Supreme Court, we have both slowly grown to despise the obligatory journalistic curtain-raiser that drops at the start of each new term. Academic review of the seven or eight ostensibly big cases as a set of horse-race questions inevitably misses and occludes the bigger picture: the way in which the majority selects certain cases to further a specific agenda, and times the announcement of its decisions to minimize backlash to that agenda. At this point, the standard curtain-raiser listing out the important cases and handicapping how they may turn out next June feels somewhat analogous to fretting over the results of seven isolated chemistry experiments, without ever reckoning with the fact that the lab, the test tubes, the Bunsen burners, and six of the nine scientists doing the work have all been purchased by a clutch of billionaires in order to set the lab on fire. Or that the billionaires will be at some luxury resort sipping glacier martinis with several of those same scientists over the weekend.

This term, after all, is opening under the cloud of rolling ethics scandals that cut to the heart of the courts legitimacy. A decadeslong pay-to-play scheme that gave wealthy donors access to Justice Clarence Thomas is poised to culminate in a major victory for deregulation. A contrived attempt to kill a wealth tax before its even passedcooked up by a confidant and vociferous defender of Justice Samuel Alitocould insulate the ultrawealthy from future taxation. Meanwhile, a wholesale assault on the administrative state could enable mass financial fraud or trigger another Great Depression. Toss in a case that seeks to give people a right to possess firearms while under a restraining order for domestic violence, plus a likely showdown over medication abortion, and this term starts to look downright devastating.

So no, these are not isolated chemistry experiments that should be dispassionately observed in order to derive neutral scientific principles. They are an explosive brew of lawless fury aimed at the heart of modern American governance. The main question, or better the major question, at the outset of this term, then, is not if we should be worried, but exactly how worried we should be. And the answer to that question depends largely on how much disgust a majority of the court feels when it looks into the fun-house mirror that is the even more ultraconservative U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.

Why the 5th Circuit in particular? Because that courtwhich covers Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texashas become ground zero for unhinged MAGA jurisprudence, and a testing ground for the most dangerous and radical ideas to emerge from the conservative legal movement. Donald Trump installed six judges on the bench, including some of the most extreme jurists in the country, such as James Ho, Andrew Oldham, Kyle Duncan, and Cory Wilson. Already conservative, the 5th Circuit transformed into a farce of a court under Trump, empowering hard-right militants like Judge Edith Jones to drive the judiciary straight into the abyss. As it did last term, the Roberts Court will spend much of its upcoming term calculating how far it will let the 5th Circuit contort the Constitution to satisfy the fringe-right faction of the Republican Party.

Its a delicate dance: All of the justices on the right flank of the court support in principle the deregulatory, pro-business, vote-suppressive, pro-gun agenda of the appeals courts nuttiest fringe. But the exigent questions around how far they wish to be prodded from courts below, and how much of their precious remaining public confidence they wish to squander, means that the cases before them are analyzed not so much for neutral legal principles as for strategic, publicly acceptable gains for Leonard Leos Christmas list.

Theres no better place to start than with Zackey Rahimi, a recipient of the 5th Circuits highly selective beneficence. In 2019, Rahimi and his girlfriend were arguing in a parking lot when he threatened to take away their child. His girlfriend tried to leave, so he grabbed her, threw her to the ground, dragged her back to his car, forced her inside, and slammed her head against the dashboard. When he noticed a potential witness nearby, he grabbed his gun and fired at him. He threatened to shoot his girlfriend if she told anyone about the assault. A few months later, the girlfriend persuaded a judge to grant a restraining order against Rahimi so he could no longer terrorize her or her child. He not only violated this order, but embarked upon a crime spree that included five separate shootings. Federal prosecutors eventually charged him with possessing a firearm while subject to a restraining order for domestic violence, a felony under federal law.

The 5th Circuit threw out the charge in an opinion written by Wilson and joined by Jones and Ho. Wilson relied on the Supreme Courts 2022 Bruen opinion, which held that modern gun restrictions are unconstitutional unless they possess a sufficient number of historical analogues from the 18th and 19th centuries. Of course, brutal domestic violence was not generally treated as a crime in that period, but as a private affair and in fact a general entitlement if you were male. Because, following the logic set forth in Bruen, since our ancestors would never have accepted a law disarming a man who, say, smashed the mother of his childs head into the dashboard of a horse-drawn buggy, the nation may not enact one today.

This decision is obviously horrific; it would, if upheld, ensure the deaths of countless women and children. But on some level, Wilson has a point: The original sin here is Justice Clarence Thomas opinion in Bruen, which lashed contemporary firearm laws to an unenlightened era of misogyny and racism. Bruen really does suggest that Wilson reached the right result. Yet that outcome is surely too grotesque for the Supreme Court to affirmright?

We can only hope, and thats the point: Progressives must now fall over themselves begging the court to walk back its own atrocious decision from just last year. And if it does, much of the left will feel obligated to praise the court for not giving domestic abusers another opportunity to murder their families.

The same deranged boundary-pushing goes for every other 5th Circuit case thats landed on the Supreme Courts docket this term. In one decision, the 5th Circuit interpreted SCOTUS free-floating hostility toward the administrative state as offering up a green light to literally abolish an entire federal agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Three Trump-appointed judges concluded that, because the agency draws its budget from the Federal Reserve rather than annual congressional appropriation, it somehow violates the Constitution. This theory would set off a housing crisis likely to spark a massive recession and empower judges to gut Medicare and Social Security. It directly contradicts the text of the Constitution and has never been applied by any court at any point in the history of the republic. Neither, for that matter, has the 5th Circuits theory that the Securities and Exchange Commission is fundamentally unconstitutional because it imposes civil penalties on financial fraudsters through administrative adjudication.

Will the Supreme Court endorse these cockamamie theories and blow up dozens of federal agencies? Or will it just take the seemingly more moderate path of overturning Chevron deference, stripping expert agencies of the power to interpret statutes? If the court does take this second path, it will be counting on the mainstream media narrative to describe this as a compromise, or moderation. Lets not: Overruling decades of precedent and giving unelected judges turbocharged authority to kill off regulations would be a shattering blow to the administrative state. Thats why the Koch brothers spent years cultivating a relationship with Clarence Thomas and inculcating him into circles where Chevron is seen as the work of the devil.

The devil plays a huge if unspoken role in a final 5th Circuit case that SCOTUS will almost certainly take up this term: Far-right Christian nationalists effort to outlaw mifepristone, the first drug in the two-drug medication abortion protocol, across all 50 states. No, we do not think the devil is behind this lawsuit. But the plaintiffsa group of anti-abortion doctors whose claim to standing rests on their free-floating abhorrence of medication abortionsure do. This suit, concocted by Alliance Defending Freedom, is a brazen attempt to transform religious fundamentalism into a cudgel against safe, effective health care. (Weve been here before.) Last spring, the 5th Circuit played ball, trying to jam SCOTUS into shutting down easy access to mifepristone even in blue states. This, just a year after SCOTUS promised to leave abortion policy up to the democratic process in each individual state, or in Congress.

It seems likely that the justices are going to kill the whole case on standing, since the plaintiffs personal hatred of abortion cannot possibly give them leverage to restrict it nationwide by judicial fiat. But really who knows? Unfortunately, such common sense from this Supreme Court is no guarantee. And again: If the justices smack down the 5th Circuit, no one should dare deem this glimmer of sanity to be a moderate decision, even as many commentators gush about the courts sudden centrism.

The same goes for an upcoming showdown between red states and the social platforms they hate. Buying into the objectively false belief that these platforms censor conservatives, Republican lawmakers in Florida and Texas passed sweeping laws prohibiting them from moderating hateful speech, including terrorist recruitment and Holocaust denial. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit sensibly blocked Floridas law as an obvious infringement on the platforms own First Amendment right to decide what speech they will host. Yet the 5th Circuit, in a defiant opinion by Oldham, veered the other way, holding that platforms have no constitutional right to publish or unpublish expression as they see fit. The Supreme Court will resolve that split this term, though the writing is on the wall: A majority already froze the 5th Circuits wild decision, keeping the Texas law on ice. That same majority will now have to tell Oldham, in language suitable for a preschooler in time-out, that corporations dont lose their First Amendment rights just because the Federalist Society has turned against them.

Do not even get us started on what may happen this year as the raft of Trump criminal cases, civil cases, disqualification cases, and election cases rocket up to One First Street. Who knows how many justices are excited at the prospect of four more years under the thumb of a man who kind of wants his former Joint Chief of staff to be executed? Our moneys on at least a few.

We understand the impulse to spend the run-up to a new Supreme Court term engaged in ponderous academic deconstruction of whether the law allows for one outcome or another in these disputes. But we are on year three of a constitutional revolution, and squinting too hard at a fistful of isolated cases on the docket blurs out the tectonic shift that has already happened at the court itself. Those shifts include the jettisoning of precedent, the invention of amorphous new tests, the newfound solicitude for dummy plaintiffs with no real standing to win cases pivoting the country toward greater religious extremism, and the casual acceptance of the fact that some of the justices work for the country and others work for the oligarchs. The cases teed up for decision are grim. Where they came from and who funded them and why so many radical new ideas and doctrines and theories are suddenly being entertained by this court are more important than the grotesque case law they will someday produce.
A suspect in a quadruple shooting in Philadelphia that left three dead and one person in a critical condition has been shot dead by police.

Police were initially called to an address in the 6100 block of Shelbourne St in Lawncrest just before 5am on Monday, where they found three victims in a front room, Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford told reporters.

A fourth woman who suffered a gunshot wound to the face and hand called 911 and was conscious and able to speak with officers, Mr Stanford said. The 43-year-old was taken to hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Officers then began searching for a 42-year-old man who was related to the victims and had left the home in a blue Honda Pilot, police said.

Officers attempted to pull over the suspects car at around 7.50am on East Phil Ellena Street in East Mount Airy, the Philadelphia Police Department Officers said in a statement.

The 21-year-old suspect fired at least one round at officers who then returned fire, striking the suspect, according to police.

He was taken to Einstein Hospital by police and initially listed in a critical condition. He was pronounced dead just before 9am, police said.

A second person who was with the suspect at the time of the shooting has been taken into custody, Inspector Stanford said.

The identities of the victims and the suspect have not yet been released. Two of the victims were seniors, according to FOX29.

One police officer suffered minor injuries from broken glass during the shooting.
San Bernardino County sheriff's investigators leave a house next door to the scene of a triple homicide in Ontario in late January. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A man wanted in a triple homicide in Ontario was arrested Saturday after a 34-year-old man was fatally shot in an Upland park.

Pete Renteria, 29, had eluded police since allegedly shooting and killing his grandparents, 68-year-old Sonia Ramirez and 66-year-old George Ramirez, and his uncle, 43-year-old David Ramirez, in their Ramona Place family home in January.

Upland police arrested him Saturday afternoon after receiving reports of a shooting in the parking lot of Upland's Memorial Park.

"It was 11:55 a.m. when we started getting calls," said Sgt. Eric Divincenzo, a spokesman for the Upland Police Department.

Read more: Desperate to rid Catalina of invasive deer, officials propose bold helicopter hunt

He said that, as officers arrived, people flagged them down and pointed out the suspect, who was still at the scene and was quickly detained.

He said the suspect was initially brought into custody by Upland police but was later transferred and booked in the San Bernardino County jail.

The victim had been involved in a prior altercation with Renteria, according to ABC-7 news. The victim has not been identified.

Investigators had been searching for Renteria for months in connection with the slayings of his family members.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A federal appeals court temporarily halted a grant program for Black women-owned businesses, exemplifying the intensifying conflict over corporate diversity rules. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruled 2-1.

The Fearless Fund is temporarily barred from administering the Strivers Grant Contest, which awards $20,000 to firms that are at least 51 percent owned by Black women, among other restrictions.

The Atlanta-based Fearless Fund said in a statement Sunday that it would comply with the ruling but remained optimistic about ultimately winning the lawsuit, according to NBC News. The complaint was initiated by the American Alliance for Equal Rights, a group led by conservative activist Edward Blum, who claims that the fund violates a part of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 that bars racial discrimination in contracts.

The decree, released on Saturday, overturned a judgment issued by U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash that refused the American Alliance's motion to suspend the program. The majority of the three-judge panel wrote that the Fearless Fund's program is "racially exclusionary" and that Blum's group is likely to prevail.

Perversion of Congressional Intent?

In his dissent, Judge Charles R. Wilson stated it was a "perversion of Congressional intent" to use the 1866 legislation against the Fearless Fund's program, considering that the Reconstruction-era law was intended to protect Black people from economic marginalization. Wilson believes the lawsuit will fail.

The lawsuit has become a test case as the struggle over racial concerns transfers to the workplace in the aftermath of the U.S. The Supreme Court's June decision to eliminate affirmative action in college admissions.

The Fearless Fund has hired notable civil rights attorneys, including Ben Crump, to fight the lawsuit. The lawyers claim that the grants are not contracts, but rather donations protected by the First Amendment.

The appeal panel disagreed, noting in its majority ruling that the First Amendment "does not give the defendants the right to exclude persons from a contractual regime based on their race."

Read also: Lizzo Ended Payment Dispute With 14 Dancers Months Before Lawsuit Scandal: Report

Three Lawsuits Filed Since August

Blum's Texas-based group has filed three lawsuits since August, challenging grant and fellowship programs developed by the venture capital fund and two law firms to provide Black, Hispanic, and other underrepresented minority groups more job options, as reported by Reuters.

A different nonprofit created by Blum, who is white, was behind the litigation that resulted in the June judgment, which was backed by the Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority, finding illegal Harvard University and the University of North Carolina's race-conscious student admissions criteria.

According to the Fearless Fund, Black women-owned enterprises in 2022 will get fewer than 1 percent of the $288 billion invested by venture capital firms.

The fund, which includes JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and MasterCard as investors, intends to rectify this gap. Since its inception in 2019, it has funded almost $27 million in 40 firms managed by minority women. It also offers grants, and Blum's lawsuit targeted its Fearless Strivers Grant Contest, which pays $20,000 in grants and other resources to Black women who operate small companies.

Related article: California Hospital to Close After Black Mother's Death; Lawsuit Accuses Racist Practices

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(Bloomberg) -- General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis NV face a combined $10.5 billion in fines from 2027 to 2032 under stricter proposed average fuel economy rules that target SUV and truck manufacturers, according to an estimate from their Washington-based trade group.

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The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed a fleetwide average mandate, known as the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard, of about 58 miles (93 kilometers) per gallon by 2032. The more stringent rules are part of a Biden administration effort to cut emissions and accelerate the countrys transition to electric vehicles.

That would disproportionately impact Detroits three major automakers, the American Automotive Policy Council said in a letter to US Department of Energy, which calculates the fuel economy of vehicles for the highway safety agency as part of its separate monitoring of tailpipe pollution. Detroit automakers will pay 74% of the noncompliance penalties while they are 46% of the US market, the group said in its letter.

The penalties for GM would amount to $6.5 billion over the five-year period, $3 billion for Stellantis and $1 billion for Ford, the AAPC said, noting their reliance on sales of large pickups and SUVs.

These penalty figures are alarming given that the combined total of all civil penalties paid in the approximately 50-year history of the CAFE program is approximately $1.5 billion, American Auto Policy Council said.

NHTSA and the Department of Energy didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more: Carmaker Lobby Says Stricter Fuel Economy Would Cost Billions

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The US Coast Guard has called off a search for a missing swimmer almost 24 hours after their disappearance following reports of a shark attack.

The person was reported missing on Sunday morning near Point Reyes National Seashore, north of San Francisco, prompting a multi-agency investigation.

A spokesperson from the Coast Guard confirmed that searches by sea and air had taken place overnight, but that operations had now been halted pending further developments.

The swimmer was last seen Sunday at Wildcat Beach, part of the Point Reyes National Park.

Petty Officer Hunter Schnabel told The Independent that the Coast Guard had been contacted at around 10.40am on Sunday.

We received a report that they had witnessed someone getting attacked by a shark and that they were now missing, he said.

At this time the Coast Guard launched assets by sea and air and searches continued throughout the day yesterday and overnight.

Mr Schnabel said that the searches had been called off at around 9am local time on Monday.

He added that the next of kin process was underway and that searches would not resume unless relevant information emerged that would lead the agency to believe there was a reason to continue with efforts.

The search continues for a missing person last seen in the water at Wildcat Beach this morning. On scene are personnel from NPS, Marin County/ Stinson Beach Fire, engines and UTVs, Reach 3 medical helicopter and a US Coast Guard helicopter and Cutter.  Point Reyes NPS (@PointReyesNPS) October 1, 2023

Personnel from Point Reyes National Park Service, Marin County/ Stinson Beach Fire and four helicopters had been involved in the search.

Samantha Edell, who was present at the time of the incident, said that her son had heard screaming and that a group of people had gathered by the water.

"They told me that their friend was out swimming, and he was attacked by a shark. I said, How bad is it? They said he never came out of the water," she told the San Francisco Standard.

Ms Edell said that the group in question had been backpacking in the area after having previously attended a wedding together.
A swimmer went missing off the coast of California after an apparent shark attack on Sunday.

Three friends were swimming when one of them spotted blood in the waters, an official told Insider.

The US Coast Guard called off its search efforts for the missing man Monday morning.

A man went missing while swimming off the coast of California after an apparent shark attack that witnesses said left a pool of blood in the waters, officials told Insider on Monday.

The incident unfolded Sunday just before 11 a.m. at Marin County's remote Wildcat Beach in the southern part of the Point Reyes National Seashore nature preserve.

Three friends were swimming off the beach when one of them suddenly spotted blood in the waters around them, prompting that person to "scream" for the group to get back to the shore, witnesses told authorities, Sgt. Adam Schermerhorn of the Marin County sheriff's office told Insider.

"Only two of the three friends returned to the beach itself," Schermerhorn added.

Authorities didn't immediately release the identity of the missing man, who KPIX-TV reported is in his 50s.

A spokesman for the US Coast Guard, petty officer Hunter Schnabel, told Insider that agency was treating the incident as a missing persons case.

In the aftermath of the ordeal, members of the Coast Guard, National Park Service, Marin County Sheriff's Office, and the Marin County Fire Department launched a search and rescue operation by air, land, and sea.

But part of that search was suspended on Monday morning.

"The US Coast Guard suspended its search in the frigid waters this morning, but a ground search is being conducted by first responders from the NPS, the Marin County Sheriff's Office and the Marin County Fire Department, and the Stinson Beach Fire Department," the National Parks Service said in an advisory, according to KRON-TV.

Officials say shark attacks in the area are rare

Marin County firefighters told KPIX-TV that shark attacks are extremely rare in the area where the incident happened.

"To my knowledge, yeah, this could be the first fatal shark attack" in the Marin County area, "but we're hopeful that he'll be found," senior captain Ben Ghisletta of the Marin County Fire Department told the news outlet.

The chances of being attacked and killed by a shark are low at one in 3.75 million, Insider has previously reported.

But California has been ranked among the few shark attack hot spots around the world.

Schermerhorn told Insider that people who used to surf in the waters off Wildcat Beach years ago remembered the area as a breeding ground for seals that was "highly infested with sharks."

"I don't know that it currently is or if it's seasonal, but I know that their experience when they used to surf out there years ago was that it was what they described as being a seal breeding ground, so there was lots of sharks always in the area," Schermerhorn said.

Read the original article on Insider
The United States may have avoided a government shutdown on Saturday  but the lack of additional funding for Ukraine in the spending bill has left some residents in the war-torn nation nervous.

Though US President Joe Biden lauded the deal reached by lawmakers, he also acknowledged the lack of new funding for Ukraine, vowing Washington will not walk away from Kyiv. Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of leaders in the US Senate also promised to vote on more aid for Ukraine.

For some in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, the drama that has engulfed Congress for the past week is little more than noise as the war rages on.

These are internal American games. And Ukraine is a hostage to this discussion  this internal war, Ukrainian serviceman Volodymyr Kostiak told CNN on Sunday, a national holiday marking Defenders Day to honor the countrys veterans and war dead.

Americas strategic interests are so big that Ukraine is part of them, he added. And I think that the internal political struggle cannot affect the assistance to Ukraine that much. There will be some errors, but they will be insignificant.

Kostiak said the fight over funding Ukraine is due to the political realities of the 2024 US presidential election, but he believes the possibility that Washington would stop helping Ukraine is slim.

The US budget has been suspended 20 times in history, and never once has it led to any serious consequences, the serviceman said. So I dont see this as a big problem for Ukraine.

Natalia and Serhii Krasnoshchoks expressed optimism about US support for Ukraine. - Olga Voitovych/CNN

Natalia and Serhii Krasnoshchoks, an English teacher and an entrepreneur, were similarly optimistic.

Yes, we have seen the news, but we think that there will be aid to Ukraine anyway, they said. We hope so very much. And of course, we will be grateful for any help. The more, the better.

Mykhailo Chendei, a store administrator, told CNN he believed it would be impossible for the US to withdraw aid entirely  but now its an internal American issue.

Mykhailo Chendei said the US budget was an internal American issue. - Olga Voitovych/CNN

Others in the Ukrainian capital were less confident however  especially as American support wanes, nearly 20 months into the war.

A CNN poll in August found that most Americans oppose Congress authorizing additional funding to support Ukraine in its fight, with the public roughly split on whether the US has already done enough.

It shows a shift in public enthusiasm, with a similar poll conducted in the early days of the invasion, in February 2022, finding that 62% of people surveyed felt the US should have been doing more.

Partisan divisions have widened since that poll, too, with most Democrats and Republicans now on opposing sides of questions on the US role in Ukraine.

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a professor and senior associate dean for leadership studies at the Yale School of Management, said Russian President Vladimir Putin would be closely watching the 2024 US presidential election as his invasion of Ukraine falters.

Putin is hoping that by January 2025 that [former president Donald] Trump is back in there, and that will see a weakening of the resolve of the allies, Sonnenfeld said.

But there is no weakened resolve in Congress, he added. Its just silly politics here that carve things up into pieces, Sonnenfeld said.

Difficult consequences for everyone

The US budget currently includes about $1.6 billion for the defense industry and $1.23 billion for direct budget support, as well as funds for humanitarian and energy projects, Ukraines Foreign Ministry said.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he believed the dropping of new aid for Ukraine from the Congressional bill passed over the weekend was an incident rather than a more systemic change in the US approach.

Kuleba spoke alongside the European Unions foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, ahead of an EU foreign minister meeting in Kyiv on Monday.

We have a very in-depth discussion with both parts of the Congress, the Republicans and the Democrats, and against the background of a potential shutdown in the United States, the decision was taken as it was, Kuleba said, adding we are now working with both sides of Congress to make sure that it does not repeat again, under any circumstances.

We do not feel that US support has been shattered, because the US understands that what is at stake in Ukraine is much bigger than just Ukraine. Its about the stability and predictability of the world, and therefore I believe that we will be able to find the necessary solutions, Kuleba stated.

But Ukrainian National Security Adviser Oleksiy Danilov expressed alarm over the exclusion of aid for his country in the Congressional spending bill.

We need to see whether the United States is responsible for democracy in the world, whether it remains the country that supports democracy, or whether it is the country that will stand by and watch as authoritarian states seize more and more territory. This is quite simple, Danilov told CNN in an interview.

If the United States is a bastion of democracy in the world, then the answer should be clear to everyone. If the United States believes that it should move away from this, that chaos should reign around the world, that authoritarian states should seize more and more territory, then the United States should give that answer as well.

Referring to the debate among Republican presidential candidates on the extent of aid for Ukraine, Danilov said: We are aware that a political process, an election process, has begun in the United States. We do not interfere in this process in any way, but we would very much like it not to affect the development of democracy in the world.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who traveled to the Capitol last month to ask for more relief, has previously warned that a drop in US support could have severe consequences for the war effort.

Of course we are alarmed [by the lack in additional funding], because for us this war is literally daily reality, Ukrainian Parliament member Inna Sovsun told CNN on Sunday. She described waking up at 4 a.m. that day because of air raid alarms, and taking shelter with her son in a bathroom away from windows in case of a missile blast.

I understand that the US has its own political reality, it has common elections, and it has become part of the political process there, she added. I just want the US to remember that there is a human cost to all of that, and that all those delays  come at the cost of life.

Tetiana Ostapchuk said Ukraine alone cannot defeat Russia. - Olga Voitovych/CNN

Back on the streets of Kyiv, logistician Tetiana Ostapchuk said Sunday she hadnt heard much about the stopgap spending bill but added: I can say for sure that we really need support from other countries, because we cant do it alone.

Aid is very important. If it suddenly happens that America will no longer help us, then we will all fight to keep our land free. To the last man, she said. But it would still be easier with aid.

Yulia Mueller, a chief accountant, also offered a grim prediction. There may be a situation where the aid will stop, because a large percentage of Americans are unhappy that their money is being sent to Ukraine, that Ukraine is far away, that there is no threat to the US, she said.

Yulia Mueller warned that Russian aggression could extend beyond Ukraine. - Olga Voitovych/CNN

On the other hand, it seems to me that all sane people who see the atrocities that have been and are happening here now  how entire cities are being wiped out  understand that this can spread to other countries as well, she added.

If America stops helping us, there will be very difficult consequences for everyone.

CNNs Nada Bashir and Jessie Gretener contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A man has been arrested in North Carolina after allegedly shooting a Taco Bell employee following a dispute over being given the incorrect change for his meal.

Doll McLendon, 67, became aggressive at the restaurants drive-through window, then stormed inside and fired the weapon, according to officials.

Officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) received reports of the incident shortly before 9.30pm local time on Saturday and arrived to find an employee suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Witnesses said that McLendon had become irate after believing he had been an incorrect amount of change, according to the CMPD.

The suspect proceeded to leave the drive-thru and come inside the restaurant where he became more aggressive, produced a firearm and began shooting inside the restaurant, a statement from the force read.

McLendon then fled the scene, leaving the victim  who was later transported to hospital  with life-threatening injuries.

Witness statements indicate that after ordering food, the suspect became aggressive in the drive-thru when he believed he had been given an incorrect amount of change.  CMPD News (@CMPD) October 1, 2023

His vehicle was identified from further witness statements and CCTV footage from the restaurant, and officers were able to locate it at an apartment complex.

McLendon later walked out and surrendered without incident, and was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and discharging a weapon into occupied property.

A spokesperson for Taco Bell said: We are shocked to hear that this happened.

We understand that the franchise owner and operator of this location is working with the local authorities in their investigation and will be offering support to all team members present.
A suspect is in custody and a Taco Bell employee is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after an angry customer opened fire in the restaurant Saturday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, police said.

Officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon with injury call shortly before 9:30 p.m. Saturday night at a Taco Bell on the east side of the city. When police arrived, they found an employee suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said, according to witness statements, the suspect became aggressive after ordering food and claimed he had been given an incorrect amount of change.

The suspect then left the drive-thru and came inside the restaurant, where he became even more aggressive and began shooting, according to police.

Police located the suspect's car at an apartment complex some time later and they took him into custody without incident.

"We are shocked to hear that this happened," Taco Bell said in a statement to USA TODAY.

"We understand that the franchise owner and operator of this location is working with the local authorities in their investigation and will be offering support to all team members present," the company said.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon Investigation in the Hickory Grove Division https://t.co/27GguKjKyj  CMPD News (@CMPD) October 1, 2023

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Charlotte, NC Taco Bell shooting: Employee hurt, suspect in custody
An adored high school educator was among two people killed in a crash on a Georgia highway, state troopers say.

Lori McWhorter, 42, was named the 2022-23 Teacher of the Year for Walker County Schools, according to the district. Now, the northwest Georgia community is mourning the irreplaceable void of her loss.

The two-vehicle wreck happened at about 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29 on State Route 1 in Chattooga County, Georgia State Patrol said in a preliminary report obtained by McClatchy News.

Investigators said a Jeep Wrangler was heading south when the driver lost control. The SUV veered across the grass median and into the northbound lanes, where it struck a Hyundai Sante Fe.

Both drivers were killed, according to the report.

Troopers confirmed McWhorter was driving the Hyundai. The Jeep driver was identified as 69-year-old David Lopez of Rome.

McWhorter taught business and entrepreneurship courses at LaFayette High School, according to an online obituary. She also started Rambler Customs, a school business aimed at teaching students hands-on skills to help prepare them for the real world.

Her unwavering passion for education and her dedication to nurturing the potential in every student made her an embodiment of inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her, the district said in a statement.

This school year, Mrs. McWhorters dedication and passion were recognized as she was honored as both the Teacher of the Year for LaFayette High School and the Walker County Schools System, it continued.

Her funeral is set for Wednesday, Oct. 4, the obituary says. She is survived by her husband and two sons.

Troopers didnt release additional details but said the crash is under investigation.

Chattooga County is about 90 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.

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Kapil Jain found the switch to rose farming difficult at first

Kapil Jain's father didn't want his children to be farmers.

"My father had seen the hardship which farmers go through, so we were all educated and moved to the city to pursue a profession," he says.

But Mr Jain become tired with life in the city, and in 2018 he moved back to his family farm, near Kota in Rajasthan, north India.

"I realised that I like the touch of earth and wanted to move back to the village and start farming," he says.

He didn't want to farm the same crops as his father - wheat, rice, mustard and soya beans.

Instead, with his part of Rajasthan suffering water shortages, Mr Jain looked for a crop that would use less water.

He decided to experiment with roses, which grow well in sunny conditions and need relatively little water, compared with traditional crops.

But while the roses grew well, harvesting them and getting them to market proved a challenge. The roses had to be sold just hours after being picked, otherwise the petals begin to fall.

Once harvested roses need to be transported to market quickly

To meet peak demand the flowers had to be at the market at 05:00. While the market was only 20 miles away, the journey could take an hour. So the crop had to be picked between 02:00 and 03:00, which made finding workers difficult.

As a result of those challenges, Mr Jain lost around 70% of his first few crops.

Something had to change. So Mr Jain decided to turn his roses into rose water and rose oil.

Also, for his tomato crop he bought a solar-powered drying system.

"So now I dry my products and sell them in market at the same time as the rose water, rose oil and jams. They have a bigger market and shelf life and that will help me grow my business."

Getting harvested produce to market in good condition is a problem that farmers all over India struggle with.

According to government figures, in 2022 India lost between 6% and 15% of its fruit, between 5% and 12% of its vegetables, and between 4% and 6% of its cereals.

"Farmers throw away large amounts of fruits and vegetables because of a lack of infrastructure, limited processing capacity... natural disasters like cyclones, and floods that disrupt transportation routes and damage facilities," says Varun Raheja, founder of Raheja Solar Food Processing.

Mr Raheja points out that most Indian farms are small, without the resources to invest in storage or refrigeration.

Simple drying systems can help prevent waste for India's small farms

So Mr Raheja developed a simple air drying system, which uses sunlight and solar-powered fans to dry the produce. It's cheap and easy to assemble.

"The DIY model of our solar dryer makes it portable and affordable, it can reach even the remotest village, and can be afforded by every small and marginal farmer," he says.

His firm has sold around 3,000 of the systems, which Mr Raheja says, on average, dry about 150kg of produce a month.

Mr Raheja also operates as a middle man, buying dried produce and selling them on to larger firms.

WayCool has hundreds of modern distribution centres

In contrast to Mr Raheja's low-cost, low-tech solution there is WayCool.

The Indian agri-tech firm works with 200,000 farmers, owns 412 distribution centres and has invested in sophisticated systems that forecast demand for agricultural products.

Around 2,000 tonnes of fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, spices, dairy products flow through its network every day.

WayCool says that its data analysis combined with modern distribution systems can help rescue some of India's lost produce.

"We employ technology to predict retailer orders, optimise collection centres, and set target prices, making supply chains efficient, and bringing supply chain losses to under 2%," says Karthik Jayaraman, managing director at WayCool Foods.

WayCool has raised hundreds of millions of dollars to build its network, and plans to be profitable by 2025.

Despite such high and low-tech innovation, much work still need to be done to reach India's more remote farmers.

Sagar Lokhande is considering freezing his crop

Sagar Lokhande farms 15 acres in the village of Bhendwad in Maharashtra state. He grows sugar cane because it has a long shelf life. Meanwhile tomatoes, green beans and vegetables are grown as cash crops.

In May he had a good crop of tomatoes and beans, but by the time his crops arrived at the market, trucks had arrived from all over Maharashtra and prices had dropped.

But without any storage facilities he was forced to sell at a loss.

"I grow green vegetables but cannot send it to cites as we don't have temperature control vans, and all the produce will get spoiled," says Mr Lokhande.

Now he is investigating freezing his produce.

"I want to start selling frozen vegetables which have a longer shell life, especially beans which give a good price, so I will be able to repay all my loans and at the same time make more money."

More technology of business

Marcella D'Souza is the director of the WOTR Centre for Resilience Studies, and has spent decades working with farmers in rural regions of India.

"It [technology] can bring in a lot of efficiency and effectiveness in planning, use of resources, decision making, coordination for several processes related to farming," she says.

But she says technology alone is not enough for Indian farmers.

"A holistic approach that looks at restoring natural ecosystems along with traditional knowledge, handholding support, credit and other factors are equally important for successful farming."
(Photo: by Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Former U.S. President Donald Trump appears in the courtroom with his lawyers for the start of his civil fraud trial at New York State Supreme Court on October 02, 2023 in New York City.

The United States Supreme Court declined to hear a longshot appeal to former President Donald Trump's right to appear on New Hampshire ballots in the 2024 election on Monday.

Several weeks ago, John Anthony Castro filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, claiming that the former president should be disqualified under a reading of a section of the U.S. The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Mr. Castro, a Texas lawyer running for president, alleged President Trump participated in an insurgency against the federal government as a result of the Capitol breach on January 6, 2021.

At the same time, he said that because he is a Republican candidate, having President Trump's name on the ballot hurts his ability to raise funds. Mr. Castro has raised exactly zero dollars and appears to have given his own campaign $20 million, according to Federal Election Commission records.

His plea to the Supreme Court comes as a number of left-wing activist groups have attempted to prevent the former president from appearing on state ballots, using arguments similar to Mr. Castro's, according to The Epoch Times.

More Blocks For Trump

The left-wing group Free Speech for People, for example, wrote to the secretaries of state in Florida, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, and Wisconsin, urging them not to include President Trump on their ballots.

Six Colorado voters also filed a lawsuit earlier this month to prevent him from appearing under their interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which was drafted in the aftermath of the Civil War. In the mid-nineteenth century, there was a civil war.

However, even Democratic secretaries of state appear to be reluctant to oppose President Trump on those grounds. Some legal scholars have also claimed that the 14th Amendment's insurrection provision was aimed at persons who fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War.

According to a recent Newsweek interview, Mr. Castro has filed cases in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming. He also plans to file court filings in Massachusetts and other states.

President Trump has not responded publicly to Mr. Castro's remarks. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung asked Newsweek about Mr. Castro a few weeks ago.

Mr. Cheung has been skeptical of lawsuits and efforts to keep him off the ballot based on 14th Amendment interpretations.

Read also: Ultra Right CEO Toasts Success: 'Record-Breaking' Sales Soar as Limited-Edition Trump Mugshot Beer Can Makes Waves!

Election Interference?

In September, the former president stated on Truth Social that the 14th Amendment accusations are essentially "election interference" and "just another 'trick' being used by the Radical Left Communists, Marxists, and Fascists to steal another election."

Meanwhile, retired Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz claimed in an opinion piece during the summer that President Trump cannot be disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. It's because "the amendment provides no mechanism for determining whether a candidate falls within this disqualification, though it says that" Congress can vote to "remove such disability" with a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate.

Mr. Castro's lawsuit was heard by the justices on Oct. 2, the opening day of their new nine-month term. However, because similar litigation is ongoing in lower courts, this may not be the last time the Supreme Court is asked to consider the former president's 14th Amendment concerns.

Related article: New York Judge Rules Donald Trump, Sons Liable for Fraud in $250-Million Lawsuit

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A Rome officer was hit over the head with a snow shovel on Friday, Sept. 29 after intervening in a dispute she overheard while investigating a motor vehicle accident, Rome police said.

The officer left the scene of the accident around 12:29 p.m. and followed sounds of the dispute, finding a female victim near the intersection of Depeyster Street and Canal Street, police said. The woman told the officer that her 19-year-old son, Gabriel Edwards, was in their home at 300 Canal Street destroying property.

The officer entered the home, allegedly witnessed Edwards destroying property and tried to take him into custody, police said.

Edward then allegedly punched the officer in the head and face several times before the officer was able to escape outside to the front yard, according to police. Edwards followed, grabbed a snow shovel and then allegedly hit the officer over the head with the shovel, an attack witnessed by a second officer arriving on the scene, police said.

The second officer used his Taser to subdue Edwards and take him into custody, police said.

Officers investigating the incident learned that civilians had come to the aid of the first officer both during the assault and afterwards, police said.

The officer was taken to Rome Health, treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries and released, according to police.

More: 1 dead following shooting in Utica, suspect in custody

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Edwards has been charged with second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree harassment and third-degree menacing.

The investigation is ongoing and more charges may be filed.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Rome teen punches police officer, hits with snow shovel
A teenage girl learned she had been raped at a Florida house party after seeing a video circulating on social media, deputies said.

A group of teenagers having a house party in Plant City were drinking illegally on Sept. 23 when one of the female attendees became drunk, according to a Sept. 29 release from the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office.

The teen, whose age has not been released, lost consciousness, deputies said.

While she was unconscious, a 17-year-old boy at the party raped her, according to the sheriffs office.

An 18-year-old man recorded the sexual assault and then posted the video on social media, which spread, deputies said.

The next day, the teenage girl saw the video on social media and learned she had been sexually assaulted, deputies said.

The girl called detectives to report the assault, according to the sheriffs office.

I am disgusted at the actions of these individuals who exploited someone in such a vulnerable state, Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the release. I extend my deepest sympathies to this young woman and admire her bravery in coming forward to our deputies.

The 17-year-old boy was charged with sexual battery by a person younger than 18 years old upon a victim 12 years or older and was taken into custody on Sept. 28, deputies said.

The 18-year-old man was charged with promotion of a sexual performance by a child and unlawful use of a two-way communications device and turned himself in Sept. 29.

Plant City is about 25 miles east of Tampa.

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Editor's note: Readers responded to The Tennessean story about Tennessee General Assembly leaders creating a working group of lawmakers "to review how federal education funding is used, and recommend a strategy for how to reject the funding before the legislature returns in January." Agree or disagree? Send your letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your name, city/town and ZIP code and a phone number (which will not be published) in case we have questions for you.

Is state trying to defund public schools?

Given the recent news about a 10-member legislative panel appointed to determine if Tennessee can reject $1.8 billion in federal funding for public education, I cannot stay silent about how disastrous this could be for our public education systems.

I find it highly ironic that House Speaker Cameron Sexton , R-Crossville, and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, believe that the state could sustain the state funding loss of the federal dollars because it raises the question: Are they considering this as a way to gut public education to pave the way for private and charter schools throughout the state?

Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally listen as Gov. Bill Lee announces a new series of partnerships to fight human trafficking during a press conference at the State Capitol Thursday, May 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.

According to the Sycamore Institute's report for FY 2019 - before the COVID-19 pandemic and related federal temporary COVID relief aid - to provide a more realistic picture of federal K-12 dollars in a typical year, Wilson County Schools received $10.5 million (7% of total funding) in federal funds for Title I, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act), Nutrition, and other areas. The Lebanon Special School District (LSSD) received $3.7 million (9% of total funding) for the same programs.

So, what could this mean if the state rejects federal funds? The state could make its rules, which could mean the loss of support for low-income and special needs students, the increase of local taxes to fund the shortfalls, and the closing of schools throughout the state. In addition, it means the tax dollars we pay to the federal government will go to other states to fund their public education systems.

We cannot let this happen. Speak out and let your state legislators know this is wrong.

Joni Cochran, Lebanon 37087

Another view: Tennessee might ditch federal education dollars. Here's why the state should cut the cord.

Taxpayers will be on the hook for shortfalls

The Tennessee General Assembly is threatening to reject federal school funding of $1.8 billion dollars. Who do you think theyre going to turn to for more money? Yes, that's right, you and me. The good old Tennessee taxpayers.

The lottery system brags on what they've done for the schools, but every time there's talk of new taxes what do we hear? It's for the children/schools. Do the schools get it?

According to the Tennessean speaker Sexton said cutting ties with the federal government is a matter of philosophy. What does that mean?

Read another view: Tennessee looks like it wants to reject federal education funds to avoid accountability

Please urge the state House speaker, the 10-member working group he appointed and the governor to think long and hard about this important issue.

James Campbell, Nashville 37216

Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.

Lawmakers pursue polices that hurt low-income people

The Tennessee legislature wants to follow in the path they chose no matter how it affects the average citizen.

Currently, the state wants to turn back $ 1.8 billion in education funds that will harm the middle class and poor. The governor claims to have a better idea. This is the claim that has been used over the last several years. The plan has not arrived. Use the money provided for the intended purpose. This will provide the needed funding for schools in Nashville and others in need of help.

The last time the state did not accept federal funding occurred when billions of dollars were turned down for Medicaid expansion.

Donald Wade, Nashville 37211

Sign up for Black Tennessee Voices newsletter:Read compelling columns by Black writers from across Tennessee.

Local government budgets will bear the brunt of politics

I have to wonder about the intelligence of our state legislators. They apparently believe the voters are stupid. They want to leave over a billion dollars of federal education aid on the table because they dont like the strings attached to it.

These are Tennessee taxpayer dollars. If we dont take these dollars they will go to some other state. They tell us the state can make up this short fall, but that is a distortion of facts. That much money will have to be taken for other areas of the state budget.

Programs will have to be cut back, road work will have to be put off. As for their argument about strings being attached, they attach strings to monies they give to schools in the state. We already have schools that are under funded as it is. Shorting them even more will be a disaster.

Any shortages will have to be made up at the local level and many of the poorer counties cant afford the kind of tax increases it will take to cover the shortage. This committee that is being formed politically biased. Get the politics out of the schools and take the money.

John Bench, Clarksville 37042

Sign up for Latino Tennessee Voices newsletter:Read compelling stories for and with the Latino community in Tennessee.

If we get rid of federal money, cannabis is a solution

Solution: here is an idea, how about we refuse the federal monies and legalize Cannabis. Use the tax monies from that. Then we can rid ourselves of government overreach in our education system. We the parents then get the say for our children, their future and the future of this country.

You can even use some of those funds for the opioid addiction throughout this state. We can refuse federal monies but, that means our elected officials are going to have to do what a majority of the state wants, which is legalizing cannabis.

Rachel Gossett, Spencer 38585

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Rejecting federal education funds riles these Middle Tennesseans
Tesla is once again being sued for discrimination over alleged displays of deeply racist material and retaliation against those who complained at its California factories.

In the lawsuit filed in Northern California's district court, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claimed that Tesla was in violation of 1964's landmark Civil Rights Act by retaliating against Black employees at its Fremont factories who brought up concerns about racist graffiti and mistreatment they saw and experienced.

The EEOC said in its suit that starting in 2015, Black employees were subjected not only to gratuitous displays of racial slurs, epithets, and symbols, but also to verbal discrimination from non-Black coworkers, some of whom were in positions of power over the employees involved in the suit.

Black employees at Tesla who took part in the lawsuit "found such graffiti on a variety of surfaces, including on desks, in elevators, and on equipment, including vehicles rolling off the production lines" and "described the prevalence of racist imagery as 'frequent,' 'constant,' 'a regular thing,' and occurring 'too many times to count," the federal filing claims.

As one of the workers quoted in the suit recounted, the experience of seeing "KKK epithets, a swastika, and the N-word all over the bathroom... was so gross and racist" that they initially didn't want to talk to anyone about it.

Along with the graffiti, the former Tesla employees who took part in the lawsuit said that the verbal use of the N-word was "casual and normal" among their non-Black coworkers and supervisors, and by white men in particular.

"Non-Black workers have referred to Black employees as 'Black bitch,' 'Black ass bitch,' 'boy,' and 'monkey,' among other slurs," the lawsuit alleges. "Non-Black workers have also mocked Black employees by making 'monkey' noises."

As if seeing and hearing racial slurs everywhere wasn't enough, the lawsuit also claims that after employees reported the graffiti and harassment to their superiors, they would often be subject to retaliation "through schedule changes, less desirable duties, reassignments, unjustified write-ups, and discharge."

"Tesla has fired Black employees within weeks of them reporting or opposing racial harassment," the suit reads. "Tesla fired one Black employee who had opposed harassment right after advising her of Tesla's policy not to retaliate."

When not firing or punishing workers for reporting harassment and graffiti, other Tesla supervisors and human resources officials who witnessed or were made aware of the behavior "refused to intercede," the suit claims, and often failed to take appropriate action as well.

In the suit, the EEOC said that it invited Tesla to take part in informal mediation procedures as an "opportunity to remedy the discriminatory practices," but the company ultimately didn't agree to anything that the commission found acceptable.

This is far from the first time Tesla's been sued for racial discrimination, with its Fremont factories in particular drawing notable heat.

In spite of this incredibly bad press, however, Tesla's star  and stock value  continues to rise, making an unsettling point about how fans of the electric vehiclemaker view the racism at the locations where their cars are made.

More on Tesla: Elon Musk, Renowned for Throwing Stones, Accused of Building Glass House With Company Funds
Homeowners in the city of Des Moines frequently grumble that their taxes are high. According to a new analysis, they're right.

According to the findings, Des Moines ranks 22nd for the highest property taxes in proportion to home value among the 330 U.S. cities with populations of 100,000 or more. Smartasset, a New York-based real estate think tank, used U.S. Census Bureau data to compile the list.

How were the figures calculated?

The analysis ranked cities by the median real estate taxes homeowners paid as a proportion of median home value. In Des Moines the median home value was $171,800, the median homeowner paid $3,465 in real estate taxes, or 2.02% of the home's value.

Devin Perry, a spokesperson for the city, said that the numbers appear in line with city figures.

Which other Iowa cities are on the list?

Two other Iowa cities ranked in the top 100 for property taxes: Cedar Rapids was No. 40, with taxes at 1.79% of value, and Davenport, No. 52, at 1.69%.

More: Polk County property tax assessment appeals are getting harder to win. What are best tactics?

Why are Des Moines' taxes so high?

The analysis appeared to support the most-frequently cited reason for Des Moines' high taxes: As a state capital, it has a high proportion  40%  of its property tied up in tax-exempt uses, such as government buildings and the offices of government-oriented nonprofits. That places more of the tax burden on residential property owners. In fact, 12 or the 32 state capitals large enough to be included on the list, or almost 40%, were among the top 100 cities on the Smartasset list.

More: Polk County voters will decide whether to borrow $350M for Des Moines airport terminal

Also well represented in the top 100 were other categories of cities with large swaths of tax-exempt property, including college towns like Ann Arbor, Michigan, home of the 50,000-plus enrollment University of Michigan, and those with large military installations like No. 19 San Antonio, Texas, home of both Lackland Air Force Base and the Army's Fort Sam Houston.

The census data used in the analysis was from 2021, so it doesn't fully reflect the ballooning of home values that began after the brief COVID-19 pandemic recession in 2020, and the record 22% increase in Polk County tax valuations this year.

Philip Joens covers retail, real estate and RAGBRAI for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-284-8184, pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines' property taxes in top tier for large cities: new analysis
All eyes are on the House Freedom Caucus this week, and Rep. Dan Bishop of North Carolina by extension, after Speaker Kevin McCarthy made a successful last-minute bid Saturday afternoon to save the country from a government shutdown.

Members of the ultraconservative caucus say McCarthys actions Saturday betrayed promises he made to them in order to gain his leadership position.

On Monday night, Rep. Matt Gaetz , a Republican from Florida and a member of the caucus, filed a motion that called for McCarthys removal as House speaker.

As lawmakers stake out their positions for a vote on Gaetzs motion that could come as early as Tuesday, one of McCarthys closest allies leapt to his defense.

We have a speaker who has performed well in the major battles for the year, said Rep. Patrick McHenry, a Republican from Lincoln County. This motion doesnt conform with his performance in his record as speaker.

Until Saturday afternoon, the Freedom Caucus was using many of the 12 appropriations bills needed to fund the federal government as a bargaining chip against McCarthy in order to have him meet a list of their demands. McCarthy tried to meet them halfway by trying to pass a temporary government-funding measure with provisions to appease the most conservative members of his caucus, but that was voted down.

With just hours left before the government would be forced to shut down, McCarthy decided to run a bill that would extend government funding for 45 days and was clean enough to garner Democratic support.

The Republican speakers last-ditch effort to keep the government open passed the House 335-91 before going on to win approval from the Senate and President Joe Biden.

But in doing so McCarthy drew the ire of the House Freedom Caucus, something he anticipated.

If somebody wants to make a motion against me, bring it, McCarthy said during a news conference Saturday prior to the vote. There has to be an adult in the room. I am going to govern with whats best for this country.

North Carolinas objections

Bishop, a typically outspoken member of the Freedom Caucus, has stayed fairly quiet on the matter of who should be speaker now. But not about McCarthys bill.

I would NEVER vote for a clean CR (continuing resolution) to perpetuate the corruption of federal government spending and debt, Bishop tweeted before the vote. But this is even worse, as I will share. HARD NO. HELL NO. Catastrophic failure of leadership.

He took issue with the timing  the bill had a timestamp from the night before but wasnt presented until moments before it hit the House floor  and with the need for Democratic votes to pass the bill.

Tells you everything you need to know, Bishop tweeted.

Neither Bishop nor his staff responded to messages from McClatchy asking if he would support ousting McCarthy. He was on the House floor when Gaetz made his motion but could not be found following speeches.

The only other member of North Carolinas delegation to vote against the resolution was Rep. Greg Murphy, a Republican from Greenville. His vote was an about-face from comments he made before the caucus in a private meeting Saturday urging his colleagues to avoid a shutdown, reported Chad Pegram of Fox News.

On Twitter, he wrote that he ultimately couldnt support the bill because it contained too much spending.

The greatest, invisible threat to our country is the unsustainable growth of our debt, Murphy wrote in a statement on Twitter. It is a silent killer that has us in a death grip. I previously voted to fund the government and secure the border, but at a lower expense level.

Motion to vacate

By Sunday, Gaetz told CNNs Jake Tapper that he planned to file a motion to vacate, a rarely used procedural vote that would oust McCarthy from his speakership.

From the House floor Monday morning, Gaetz told the speaker he might be able to save his job if he could explain an alleged deal between himself and Biden over funding Ukraines defense against Russia.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that these questions be answered soon because there may be votes coming today or later this week that could be implicated by the answers to these questions, Gaetz said. Members of the Republican Party might vote differently on a motion to vacate if they heard what the speaker had to share with us about his secret side deal with Joe Biden on Ukraine.

Support for McCarthy

By 2 p.m., Republicans began releasing statements supporting McCarthy.

McHenry, whose name was among those floated as a potential replacement for McCarthy despite being one of the speakers top allies, tweeted his support.

Speaker McCarthy has delivered consistent, conservative leadership, he wrote. We need his steady hand to make good on our Commitment to America. We have more work to do to secure our border and rein in spending. Wasting time on a motion to vacate is a disservice to the American people.

Asked about whether he would accept the speakership if offered, McHenry told McClatchy Monday evening that he was focused on ensuring that McCarthy has a successful speakership.

Thats what Im completely focused on the whole time, McHenry said.

Rep. David Rouzer, a Republican from Wilmington, tweeted out that McCarthy deserved support.

Only in a perverse world of the irrational would Speaker McCarthy be removed for the leadership he has provided in guiding a razor-thin majority to major conservative wins, including $2 trillion in spending cuts, passage of the strongest border security bill in a generation, the streamlining of energy infrastructure projects, and shining a light on corruption within our government, Rouzer wrote.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican from Banner Elk, told McCarthy in a tweet that she stands by him.

With Speaker McCarthy at the helm, weve delivered historic wins for Americans since Day 1, Foxx wrote. A motion to vacate is asinine & a waste of valuable time. We have more work to do  none of which involves playing petty games while the clock ticks down.

Lawmakers have until Nov. 17 to pass another government spending bill that would need to pass both the House and Senate and receive the presidents signature.
On 2 October, the Russian occupiers took convicted Nariman Dzhelialov (Nariman Celal), First Deputy of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People and activists Asan Akhtemov and Aziz Akhtemov out of Crimea and transferred them to prisons in the Russian Federation.

Source: Leviza Dzhelialova, the wife of Nariman Dzhelialov, on Facebook

Quote: "Today, Nariman, Asan and Aziz were forcibly taken out of Crimea and transferred to prisons.

I can't even imagine how difficult it is for Nariman to leave Crimea because his love for the motherland is inexhaustible. Despite the threats, he stayed and fought for the right to live freely and honestly in Crimea."

Details: Leviza Dzhelialova stressed that the occupation authorities accused innocent people "of senseless and absurd acts" and fabricated a case against Nariman Dzhelialov and the Akhmetov brothers.

She says the pre-trial detention centre employees in the last few weeks of Nariman's stay there also prevented their meetings and communication through letters and calls. Dzhelialov could only pass the message through a lawyer and assured that he was not leaving of his own free will.

Background:

On 23 August 2021, on the Day of the Ukrainian Flag, a gas pipeline was damaged in the village of Perevalne between the cities of Simferopol and Yalta, both located in Russian-occupied Crimea. A criminal case was initiated in Russia under Article 281.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (sabotage), which envisages imprisonment for a term of 10 to 15 years.

On 3-4 September, five Crimean Tatars were detained in Crimea: Nariman Dzhelial, First Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Aziz Akhtemov, Asan Akhtemov, Shevket Useinov and Eldar Odamanov. Nariman Dzhelial (Dzhelialov is the Russian version of his surname) was kept handcuffed with a bag over his head for the whole day.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed that Ukrainian intelligence officers had orchestrated and Crimean Tatars Asan and Aziz Akhtemovs allegedly carried out the bombing of a section of the gas pipeline in the Perevalnyi area of Russian-occupied Crimea and named Nariman Dzhelial as the mediator.

On 21 September 2022, the Russian-controlled Supreme Court of Crimea announced the verdict to the defendants in the "case of sabotage on the gas pipeline" in Perevalne: Nariman Dzhelialov was sentenced to 17 years in a high-security penal colony, Asan Akhtemov  to 15 years, Aziz Akhtemov  to 13 years in a high-security penal colony; all of them were also fined.

In April 2023, human rights organisations called for the prevention of deportation to the territory of the Russian Federation, illegally convicted Crimean Tatars Nariman Dzhelialov and the Akhtemov brothers, and Russia  immediately release them as citizens of Ukraine detained for political reasons.

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!
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is inviting the community to a night of activities alongside officers around Las Vegas.

During National Night Out, police officers from across the valley host family-friendly festivals to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement.

National Night Out features exhibits and activities to allow kids and families to see the latest crime-fighting technology, meet policing teams, and educate residents about crime prevention strategies. The event will also include costume characters, giveaways, and more.

The events will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at the following locations with the following hosts:

Downtown Summerlin Northwest Area Command Summerlin Area Command Spring Valley Area Command

Hollywood Community Center Southeast Area Command

Doolittle Community Center Bolden Area Command

Bob Price Recreation Center Northeast Area Command

Town Square Las Vegas South Central Area Command Enterprise Area Command Convention Center Area Command

Clark County Government Center Ampitheater Downtown Area Command



All events are free and open to the public from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Three vessels carrying agricultural products and iron ore have left the Ukrainian Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi (South) sea ports, and five new vessels are headed to ports to be loaded.

Source: Oleksandr Kubrakov , Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure, on Facebook

Kubrakov reported that the AZARA, YING HAO 01, ENEIDA bulk carriers (under the flags of Liberia and Palau) exported more than 127,000 tonnes of Ukrainian agricultural products and iron ore.

He added that the Velyka Odesa ports are waiting for five new vessels to be loaded. "The OLGA, IDA, DANNY BOY, FORZA DORIA, NEW LEGACY bulk carriers will export more than 120,000 tonnes of Ukrainian grain to Africa and Europe," Kubrakov stated.

Background: Ukraine opened the registration for commercial ships and their owners to use temporary routes from/to Odesa ports after Russia unilaterally quit the Black Sea grain initiative.

The first vessel to use the Ukrainian Black Sea corridor after Russias unilateral decision arrived in Istanbul, Turkiye, on 18 August.

On 26 August it was reported that seven vessels had left Odesa ports in the Black Sea by the temporary humanitarian corridor.

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!






(Photo : by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 13: Tom Hanks attends the "Asteroid City" New York Premiere at Alice Tully Hall on June 13, 2023 in New York City.

Fans are not being advised to have their teeth cleaned by Tom Hanks. The Oscar-winning actor informed his fans about an online dental plan advertisement by posting a computer-generated image of himself on Instagram on Saturday, as reported by NBC News.

Hanks has previously discussed the rise of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology in the creative industries, saying on an episode of "The Adam Buxton Podcast" that it's now possible for him to continue acting after his death.

Concerns that unregulated AI could undermine the work of creatives were one of the main grounds of contention during the US writers' strike, which concluded last week. An agreement between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television that places limitations on the use of artificial intelligence in movies and television has been accepted.

Zelda Williams, a daughter of Robin Williams, recently posted on Instagram to express her disapproval of the "disturbing" use of AI to recreate the voice of other actors who are unable to give their consent, saying that these recreations are "at best a poor facsimile of greater people, but at worst a horrifying Frankenstein's monster," according to IGN.

Read also: Meta Unveils New Celebrity AI Chatbot Characters; Which Stars are Included?

AI: A Hot Topic of Discussion

During the simultaneous strikes in Hollywood this year, AI has been a hot topic of discussion in union circles representing writers and actors. Both groups have called for protections against AI technology using actors' likenesses without their permission or payment, in addition to other rules and regulations surrounding the practice.

Sag-Aftra, the union for Hollywood actors, is still on strike, thus most productions are unable to continue. A few months after the writers' strike, the actors' strike started, with wages and worries about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create unapproved likenesses of performers at the center of the conflict. There is hope that the authors' agreement will contribute to the end of the Hollywood actors' strike.

Tom Hanks will portray younger versions of his character in the Robert Zemeckis-directed movie 'Here', which is scheduled for release early the following year and features a Metaphysic tool. According to the AI firm, it is possible to add "high-resolution photorealistic faceswaps and de-aging effects on top of actors' performances live and in real time without the need for additional compositing or VFX work."

More and more people are expressing their opinions on AI as Hollywood continues to struggle with its rise. Tim Burton has criticized AI-generated art, a WandaVision background actor has expressed concern over "digital replicas," and James Cameron has warned of the potential dangers AI may bring in the future.

Related article: Writers Strike Ends as Hollywood Companies Agree to Pay Bonuses for Successful Programs

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Three Stark County men were among 160 people arrested statewide as part of a weeklong human trafficking crackdown, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said Monday.

The effort, "Operation Buyers Remorse," sought to arrest those trying to buy sex and to identify survivors of human trafficking.

Law enforcement across Ohio teamed up in a concerted effort to stem the demand that fuels human trafficking, Yost said in a prepared statement. The success of this operation is measured not only by the number of arrests but also by the resources offered to survivors of human trafficking and the intelligence gathered that will propel long-term investigations forward.

Led by Yosts Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, Operation Buyers Remorse was a collaborative effort that took place from Sept. 25 to Saturday across the state.

The operation comprised coordinated stings conducted by eight human trafficking and major crimes task forces. The task forces work was amplified by numerous local law enforcement agencies that also conducted anti-human trafficking operations.

Additionally, search warrants were conducted at 11 massage parlors suspected of human trafficking activities as part of ongoing, long-term investigations.

Over the course of the week, 149 people seeking to buy sex were arrested and charged with engaging in prostitution. Additional arrests included two individuals for seeking to have sex with minors and six for promoting prostitution. Others were arrested for illegally possessing narcotics and/or firearms, or because there were outstanding warrants against them.

Those arrested come from all backgrounds, including an EMT, nurses, educators, retirees, former law enforcement officers, self-employed individuals and delivery drivers, authorities said. The youngest suspect was 17 and the oldest was 84.

Among those arrested were men from Alliance, Canton and Lawrence Township.

Law enforcement officers interviewed 104 survivors of human trafficking, who were provided services from health care and social service organizations.

Our message is simple: Dont buy sex in Ohio, Yost said.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark men among 160 people arrested in human trafficking crackdown
DOVER  The double-murder trial of Timothy Verrill expected to begin this week has been postponed, a move by the defense that prosecutors said they did not see coming.

Verrill is charged with killing two women in Farmington in 2017. Prosecutors said Verrill believed they were informing authorities about his drug dealing. His first trial on the charges in 2019 ended in a mistrial after state police failed to provide the defense with exculpatory evidence.

According to court documents, the defense requested a continuation of the trial on Wednesday, Sept. 27. The motion was granted by the court on Thursday, Sept. 28. The proceedings had been scheduled to start Tuesday, Oct. 3 with jury selection.

Timothy Verrill, suspect in a double homicide, is seen in court last year.

"It was totally unexpected by us," said Senior Assistant Attorney General Peter Hinkley. "We were prepared to start jury selection and had about two dozen witnesses ready to go. We are disappointed and frustrated but life happens, events happen."

Hinkley said the request did not have anything to do with the fact that the defense had asked earlier to present the transcript testimony of Stephen Clough, who was killed in a motorcycle accident this summer. He said it is not the first time such a request has been made, and granted.

"There was a case in Concord about two years ago," said Hinkley.

No new court date has been scheduled for the trial.

"Several months had been set aside for this trial," said Hinkley. "The courts have a full calendar so I am not sure when this can be rescheduled. The court will reach out to both sides and we will figure out what works."

Calls to Meredith Lugo and Julia Nye, the public defenders representing Verrill, were not returned.

The second trial for Verrill is when his public defenders will get a chance to present evidence mistakenly withheld by prosecutors during his first trial.

When the case is rescheduled, Verrill's defense team will also be allowed to tell jurors the state's failure to present that evidence in 2019 caused a judge to declare a mistrial in the case against Verrill for the murders of Christine Sullivan and Jenna Pellegrini in Farmington in 2017.

"The court acknowledged that there were disclosure violations during his trial," said Hinkley. "The defense could use their newly acquired information at trial. I do not know their strategy yet."

In previous court filings, the public defender asked the court to order reimbursement for the defenses expense for additional investigation and subpoenas in Florida, to prohibit the state from using inculpatory information contained within discovery withheld in its case in chief. Also, to provide a jury instruction allowing the jury to draw an adverse inference against the state for its failure to provide significant discovery to the defense in a timely manner and to order that the state is prohibited from using transcripts of trial testimony to impeach, to refresh recollection of witness or to use in lieu of an unavailable witness.

What happened in the first Verrill murder trial?

Verrill was tried for the 2017 stabbing and beating deaths of Sullivan, 48, and Pellegrini, 32, at a home at 979 Meaderboro Road in Farmington. It was declared a mistrial in October 2019, when it was discovered New Hampshire State Police had failed to submit key evidence to the state attorney generals office. This included five witness interview recordings and various emails and text messages that investigators exchanged with witnesses. As a result, the discovery evidence was not provided to the defense until late in the trial.

Prosecutors in the state attorney generals office argued at trial that Verrill committed the crimes because he believed one of them was informing police about the drug trafficking enterprise in which Verrill, Sullivan and Sullivans boyfriend were all involved, Foster's previously reported.

While the high court declined to dismiss the double murder charges Verrill faced, it also agreed the state's actions were not correct and remanded the case back to Strafford County Superior Court in Dover to determine what ramifications should result from the actions of the police, short of dismissing the case

Verrill's appeal hinged on whether the Supreme Court justices felt discovery evidence not released in a timely manner could adversely impact a new trial and if a new trial constituted double jeopardy.

The court ruled that because the first case ended in a mistrial, there was no double jeopardy in the state seeking a new trial.

Verrill remains in custody without bail at the Carroll County Jail.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Judge OKs postponement of Timothy Verrill's second murder trial
LAFAYETTE, Ind.  The concerns over Indianas Economic Development Corp.s Lebanon LEAP project drew out hundreds of residents who filled up the hall of Church Alive to voice their concerns on Thursday night.

The church had invited John Cochran, a representative from IEDC, and Jack Wittman, vice president of eastern water for INTERA  the company that recently conducted the field testing on the aquifer in Lafayette  to discuss INTERAs findings and answer questions from locals.

Cochran addressed IEDCs reasoning for examining the aquifer near the Granville Bridge in Lafayette and expressed the importance of this project for the State of Indiana.

In prior discussions about the LEAP district, the IEDC explained that the state had purchased land near the Wabash River aquifer with the hopes of extracting water and piping it to Lebanon to help support the development of an economic district in Boone County.

According to earlier reports, the project was expected to pipe millions of gallons of water a day to Lebanon, between 10 million and 100 million gallons.

John Cochran, a representative from Indianas Economic Development Corp., and Jack Wittman, vice president of eastern water for INTERA Inc., listen to residents explain their concerns about the company's initial testing of the aquifer in Lafayette, on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at Church Alive, in Lafayette.

But apparently, according to Cochran, that appears to be the states short-term plan regarding the aquifer. The long-term plan seems to be a project to supply central Indiana with water in the future.

In 2019, a study from the Indiana Finance Authority [sic] that all project a future water shortage in the central Indiana region, that is not sustainable for economic growth beyond the next 50 years or so, Cochran said.

Thats sort of the long-term situation of water in central Indiana. In the long term, the states going to look for ways to bring water into central Indiana from somewhere.

The state has gotten a lot of interest from companies, large companies who are looking to make large investments in the area, in the LEAP district. Right now, the IEDC is doing its due diligence in the area were looking for potential water sources, sustainable water sources for the region and locally and examine what could be available for economic development.

How much water could be pumped from the aquifer?

The primary reason why the IEDC began evaluating the water-tapping potential of the region was due to the countys proximity to the Teays Bedrock Valley aquifer system.

The state wanted to evaluate how much water it could sustainably withdraw from the aquifer that is located below Tippecanoe County, as well as determine at what rate it could pump water from the aquifer while maintaining reasonable water table levels.

Scientists also wanted to determine the location that would be the most efficient area to pump, how much water could be pumped from the aquifer and from the river, and what the immediate effects of pumping would do to the Wabash River.

John Cochran, a representative from Indianas Economic Development Corp., and Jack Wittman, vice president of eastern water for INTERA Inc., listen to residents explain their concerns about the company's initial testing of the aquifer in Lafayette, on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at Church Alive, in Lafayette.

The focus I see up in Tippecanoe County at this point with the water is really two-fold," Cochran said. "A. To determine how much water the aquifer can sustainably yield; and two, do a preliminary work to determine how to move the water to maximize its beneficial use for the region."

So if we have a huge end user that decides to come into LEAP, we want to look at what it would look like to move water potentially from the aquifer here to that district.

Before handing the mic to Wittman, Cochran noted that the states goal is not to benefit one area at the expense of the other. Thats not what we do.

This statement was answered with laughter from the residents in the audience at Thursdays meeting.

INTERA's findings

Wittman, the vice president of eastern water for INTERA, spoke to the audience about the companys findings from their testing of the Lafayette aquifer.

Central Indiana is not facing a shortage. Its facing kind of a limit in the ways it they can get water, because the rivers in that part of the state are smaller than they are in other parts of the state. And theyre using really creative methods in central Indiana to maintain the supply of water, Wittman said.

Jack Wittman, vice president of eastern water for INTERA Inc., explains some of the findings from the company's initial testing of the aquifer in Lafayette, on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at Church Alive, in Lafayette.

Theyre using storage, which is historically been what Central Indiana has done. They have reservoirs that they built as time goes on, and that has been effective for that part of the state. And they are attempting to do that too with these deep mines sort of quarry and converting those into reservoirs.

INTERA conducted three days of testing at the site near the Granville Bridge in hopes of gaining a deeper understanding of the properties of the aquifer.

Scientists set up two testing wells and 17 monitoring wells across a 50-acre parcel of land to observe the immediate effect the extraction of the water would have on the surface area surrounding the aquifer or the river levels.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Over the course of three days, scientists pumped water out of the aquifer at a rate of 1,420 gallons per minute from two testing wells to obtain a variety of data. The water used for testing was pumped into the river.

Scientists found that just for one well, the lowest amount of water that they were able to extract was more than 15 million gallons of water a day.

However, they did determine that the maximum yield scientists could withdraw from both wells was around 45 million gallons of water a day.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Although scientists determined the maximum yield of water that could be withdrawn from the area, they ultimately dont believe water from this aquifer could sustainably be extracted at that rate.

We arent thinking that this is a place that you can pump two million gallons, we might want to put multiple wells along the river or evaluate how many wells, John said it earlier, how much cant you pump from this piece of land, Wittman said.

When evaluating the geological data that they extracted from these tests, INTERA was able to determine that the aquifer materials were uninterrupted and were not segmented into an upper or lower aquifer by clay.

The scientists discovered that the aquifer was primarily made of sand and gravel and that the Wabash Alluvial Aquifer sits on top of the Teays Bedrock Valley Aquifer.

The purpose of testing was to determine how easily water from the aquifer could travel through the sand and gravel and how it could affect the observed water level changes.

The data that INTERA gathered from their field testing allowed them to create a model to showcase and determine how pumping would alter the water level changes in the area.

After everything was said and done, one aspect of the aquifer that was not discussed was the rate in which it takes for the aquifer to recharge.

Aquifer recharge or aquifer storage and recovery is this idea of the processes it takes for an aquifer to be replenished from other sources of surrounding groundwater.

Affects of the testing on the water

This lack of information was something highlighted in the questions asked by residents who lined up after Wittmans presentation.

Beyond the notion of questions regarding IEDCs intention with the countys resources and aspects of Wittmans presentation, several residents spoke up on how the testing of the wells affected their water supply.

One individual noted that when IEDC was conducting their tests, his water developed a sulfur-like smell, while another individuals neighbor had their water filter fill up with sand and gravel due to the testing.

Jack Wittman, vice president of eastern water for INTERA Inc., explains some of the findings from the company's initial testing of the aquifer in Lafayette, on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at Church Alive, in Lafayette.

Much of this information Cochran and Wittman didnt know had occurred.

One point that was brought up during the Q&A portion of the event that stumped both Cochran and Wittman was this concern of setting a precedent of tapping for water in aquifers that are adjacent to rivers.

The resident noted that although extracting water from the aquifer in Lafayette could potentially be sustainable if future industries discover that this method of extracting water could be a cost-effective method to obtain water, what regulations or laws does Indiana have put in place to stop industries from building along the Wabash River to extract water.

At some point, if 100 million gallons of water are being extracted from a multitude of sources along the river, it will eventually begin to negatively affect the river, the resident told Cochran and Wittman.

When asked how they would stop this from happening or what would happen if this situation occurred, they said more testing was needed.

Noe Padilla is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email him at Npadilla@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter at 1NoePadilla.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: IEDC shares with locals its reasoning for testing Lafayette's aquifer
A street takeover is St. Lucie County, Florida was captured on camera by a law enforcement helicopter in March.

The national trend of doing burnouts and doughnuts while blocking traffic appears to have happened at least twice this past weekend in Cincinnati.

Traffic on I-71 was blocked Saturday night while a black car did doughnuts in Lytle Tunnel. Another "takeover" involving multiple cars and fireworks happened on Hopple Street in Camp Washington around the same time.

Videos of the Lytle Tunnel incident have racked up millions of views on social media. Most of those commenting on the videos condemned the activity and question what would be done about it.

The chair of Cincinnati's public safety and governance committee, Scotty Johnson, called the situation outrageous but said Cincinnati police are ready if anyone decides to do it again.

The Cincinnati Police Department issued a statement Monday saying it is aware of the incidents and is investigating.

"The dangers associated with this type of recklessness and misuse of a motor vehicle could lead to significant injury or even death," the statement said.

Police urged anyone with information regarding the incidents to call CrimeStoppers at 513-352-3040.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers said she plans to charge the offenders with the stiffest penalties possible. She said the offender could face felony charges such as aggravated riot, conspiracy or disruption of emergency services.

"It speaks to the sheer and complete lawlessness that has hit Cincinnati," Powers said. "We need to wake up. It's going to take all of us."

She said drivers caught up behind these takeovers were basically held hostage, and she suspects these were organized events arranged on social media.

"People are outside of their vehicles watching this event  there must have been six girls on one of those cars," Powers said. "What kind of society are we that this OK? How did we get here? My job is to make sure every citizen in Hamilton County is safe. This is just one more thing that leads to the decay of the city."

Powers said she doesn't want Cincinnati to follow in the footsteps of other major cities struggling with crime. City data shows violent crime is down, even when compared to before the pandemic, while property crime is elevated, in part, due to auto thefts.

Cincinnati Police investigating drivers doing burnouts on I-71

Cincinnati police do not discuss ongoing investigations but said the department is taking the situation seriously and is working to identify those involved. In the past, when large groups of youth rode around the city on motorcycles, the police had success tracking down the vehicles and disrupting the events. However, it would be unlikely for officers to chase down these offenders.

Since last year, Cincinnati police have a policy to limit vehicle chases to violent felony offenders. Experts say pursuits are dangerous for both officers and the public. Police technology such as surveillance cameras and license plate readers also make tracking down vehicles possible without chasing them.

Councilman Johnson, a former Cincinnati police officer, had a warning for those responsible for the incidents over the weekend.

"The Cincinnati police are coming," he said. "We don't want to hear the whining and crying that 'we were just having fun.'"

Street takeovers are spreading

Street takeovers or "sideshows" like these have been happening for decades in other parts of the county.

San Francisco radio station KQED published a history of the trend which started in the mid-1980s in Oakland. The report says the takeovers started as quieter cruising events, but even then, the city government tried to crack down on them. As time went on, the events got rowdier.

It's this more dangerous version that has been spreading across the country in recent years.

This February, the governor of Texas launched a statewide task force to target takeovers in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston.

"We must send a clear message that these reckless, coordinated criminal events will not be tolerated in Texas," Gov. Greg Abbott said.

In May, Columbus police went after 16 people for their alleged involvement in a takeover that surrounded a gas station. Investigators said several people shoplifted during the event as well. In June, 50 to 60 shell casings were recovered at the scene of another takeover on that city's north side.

Last week in Indianapolis, cars and horses took over a street there. Another takeover there on Sept. 10 led to the arrest of a social media influencer.

This is probably not even the first of these events involving cars and burnout in Cincinnati. Media reports show a similar incident in College Hill this past New Year's Eve.

Who is participating?

YouTuber Alex Martini, who covers cars and car culture, released a video this month on the recent spread of takeovers. He admits that he hates them but explained that many of those involved are under 21.

The youth are drawn to these events because they can't get into clubs, shows or concerts at many venues, he said. Teens also don't get in nearly as much legal trouble as adults if they are caught doing something wrong.

In South Africa, spinning or car rodeos are an officially sanctioned motorsport. The trend of peeling out in circles and performing other automotive acrobatics gained popularity in there in the 1980s as it did in the U.S.

It remained an underground and dangerous activity until it was sanctioned in 2014, according to a report from Business Insider. Now it's growing in popularity even more and drawing in big sponsorships like Redbull.

What things are like in California

In California, where street takeovers started, law enforcement is still wrestling with them. A quick Google search yields hundreds of recent news stories about the trend. Some highlight violence that is either associated with the act or comes as a result of it.

In May, a man frustrated by an event lunged at a car and was then attacked, according to a report from KTVD.

Takeovers are illegal in California and vehicles involved can be impounded there. However, individual communities have proposed ordinances tougher than state law. Pico Rivera proposed a law that would fine spectators at the events $2,000 in an effort to curb the events.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati takes aim at tire-smoking street takeovers
In August 2023, someone affixed a sign to the "Tree of Knowledge," located in the parking lot of the Asbury Park Police Department headquarters. The tree has been a location where African American police officers have met to discuss police and personal matters. The sign mocks the gathering spot as a place where "the disgruntled and misinformed can freely meet to spread lies, rumor and conspiracy."

ASBURY PARK - Nearly two months after someone put up a sign perceived as mocking Black Asbury Park police officers, and 59 days after officers asked department leaders to take it down, the sign affixed to the tree outside of police headquarters had been removed.

Lt. Kamil Warraich, the highest-ranking officer of color in the department and the president of the Fraternal Order of Police #221, told the Press that the Tree of Knowledge is a tree located in the parking lot of the Asbury Park Police Department headquarters next to the designated parking for the marked police vehicles.

On Aug. 1, someone screwed a metal plate into the tree. The plate reads, TREE OF KNOWLEDGE Where the disgruntled and misinformed can freely meet to spread lies, rumor, and conspiracy instead of doing the job they were hired to do

"This is a location where African American APPD police officers have traditionally met, on breaks or at shift change, to discuss both police and personal matters," Warraich said. "There is historical and racial significance to this tree. Its well known in the department, especially among senior officers, both Black and white, that the tree is known for Black APPD police officers to congregate under," Warraich said.

Lt. Kamil Warraich stands outside of Asbury Park Police Headquarters in Asbury Park, N.J. Asbury Park, NJSaturday, December 4, 2021

Asbury Park crime: 18-year-old charged with attempted murder one month after shooting

Police Chief David Kelso did not respond to questions about the sign, but it was removed on Thursday after an Asbury Park Press reporter made inquiries about it at the police department two days before.

Mayor John Moor told the Press that he was told the police department is looking into it. I believe an internal affairs investigation is needed, he said.

"I am totally disappointed this was never brought to the mayor and council's attention," Moor said.

Sgt. Michael Casey, the police spokesperson, said the matter "has been brought to our attention. It has since been taken down and it is being investigated."

The Tree of Knowledge is a tree located in the parking lot of the Asbury Park Police Department headquarters next to the designated parking for the marked police vehicles. This location is known for being a spot where African American officers meet and talk. Someone posted this sign to the tree in August 2023. Photo taken Sept. 19, 2023.

Asbury Park crime: Teen will be tried as an adult in July 2022 murder in the city

Series of lawsuits

Warraich believes the plate was installed "by white APPD Officers I believe at the direction of a high-ranking member of the all-white APPD administration, while they were on duty."

"I myself often stand under the tree for shade during my breaks. Other APPD Officers and I believe this was not only an unprovoked attack at the African American officers but also at the four of us that have active lawsuits against APPD for discrimination," Warraich said.

Claims of discrimination, misconduct, coverups and retaliation against members of the Fraternal Order of Police #221 have been lodged against the Asbury Park Police Department in three separate lawsuits filed by current members of the department.

Asbury Park: Westside history bursts to life with mural created by local artist

The suits were filed by "one Pakistani American (Warraich), one Hispanic, one African American and one white officer, who has been referred to as a race traitor by some white officers for supporting minority cops," Warraich said. "We feel this plate was placed on the tree specifically to denigrate and antagonize us. We believe the message on this plate is highly offensive and inappropriate for a supposedly professional environment."

Warraich began his career with the city in September 2004 as a Class-II special police officer before joining full-time in July 2007. In December 2019, he filed a complaint that the Police Department failed to investigate multiple internal affairs complaints from 2014 to 2019, and alleged a coverup by Keslo and Deputy Chief Guy Thompson.

Warraich was demoted and Keslo placed him on administrative leave in May 2019. The moves came after he made a litany of complaints, including claims that the department had targeted minority neighborhoods, operated on a quota system and allowed officers to fail to report use of force.

'We are expected to perform miracles': Asbury Park schools begging to get state money back

In 2021, Melanie Falco, director of the county prosecutors Professional Responsibility and Bias Crimes Bureau, sent a letter to Warraich saying no misconduct was found. Warraich alleged the Prosecutor's Office conspired with the Asbury Park Police Department leadership and internal affairs personnel to cover up alleged criminal conduct. The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, under the Attorney Generals Office, also interviewed Warraich about four instances of alleged misconduct, but the office found the allegations unfounded.

"The sign questions the intelligence and integrity of those of us that gather under the tree," Warraich said. "When one speculates about the motive of posting such a sign, it can only be for the purpose of creating a hostile working environment. What is really deplorable is that the matter was directly reported to the chief and the deputy chief, but they took no action to rectify or address the issue."

Asbury Park Police Chief David Kelso, seen here in 2017.

Asbury Park: Will Holy Spirit Church get flattened or reused? Fate rests in court

Police union split

In March 2019, 12 members of the police department  10 African-American officers, one Pakistani-American, and one white officer  left the local Policemens Benevolent Association union to form a new local union with the Fraternal Order of Police. The group is down to six officers, following what they say is retaliation against its members.

"There are a few reasons why the bosses did not immediately order to get the plate off the tree," Warraich said. "One, this is to send a clear message to some of us that this administration can do whatever they want, and no one will hold them accountable.

"Second, they have been protecting the high-ranking member of administration suspected in this incident for a long time and in matters considerably more serious than this one," Warraich continued. "They are not willing to hold this individual accountable no matter how egregious his conduct becomes. These are long-term loyalties for mutually beneficial reasons."

Warraich filed an internal affairs complaint with the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office on Sept. 12.

"In the past, no matter how serious my complaints or allegations of misconduct within the APPD; (the prosecutor's office) have turned the tables on me and subjected me to retaliation by department executives for complaining against them," Warraich said. "This accused member of the APPD administration in the tree incident has received special treatment from (the prosecutor's office) in the past. My only hope for change is that the new prosecutor will instruct his investigators to do their job objectively and effectively and target the deep-rooted systemic corruption in APPD."

Charles Daye is the metro reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. Contact him: CDaye@gannettnj.com @CharlesDayeAPP

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Asbury Park 'Tree of Knowledge' sign mocking Black cops comes down
VIRGINIA BEACH  The first time Hon. Thomas Patrick met Ken Stolle in 1976, he was in the middle of a fight.

Stolle, who was working for the Virginia Beach Police Department at the time, called for backup after a large fight had broken out on Atlantic Avenue. When Patrick arrived, Stolle was attempting to arrest someone while several dozen unruly drunk people were fighting around him, Patrick said.

I counseled him, and I thought when I was finished, This guy is not going to make it,' Patrick said. After a while, I really warmed up to him because it turned out, he was an exceptional police officer. I mean, totally exceptional. He was the one of the officers that would not back down, and he was totally and completely honest. Its like that old song. (He) wont back down, and he was totally fearless. That shows what type of police officer he was.

More than 100 community members gathered Sunday at the Sandler Center for Performing Arts in Virginia Beach to celebrate the tenure of now-former Sheriff Ken Stolle. Gov. Glenn Youngkin, several former Virginia governors, state legislators and Virginia Beach city officials were in attendance.

Stolle is retiring after more than 13 years in the position.

Local leaders spoke about Stolles tenure, both in law enforcement and in politics. Stolle, 69, a former police officer and state senator, was first elected sheriff in 2009 and operated the largest city jail in Virginia. He took office in January 2010, and campaigned for his fourth term in 2021, which wouldve expired in January 2026. When Stolle announced his retirement, he said he decided to step down early in order to focus on his family and to make room for the next generation of leadership.

In life, we only have a few moments where we meet people who truly make us better, just because we know them, Youngkin said. Ken Stolle is one of those people.

Stolle, a graduate of Cox High School, earned his bachelors degree in criminal justice in 1975 and worked as a Virginia Beach police officer from 1976 to 1987. He studied the law while working as a police officer, was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in 1983 and became a full-time lawyer in 1987. In 1991, he was elected to the state senate and continued to serve until elected sheriff. He also worked eight years as a United States Naval Reserve intelligence officer. In 2006, he was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, a degenerative neurological disease that can impair motor skills.

In 2017, Stolle created the Virginia Beach Sheriffs Offices first LGBTQ Liaison position. Other accomplishments while in office include creating a mental health program for inmates with mental illness and a reentry program that gives resources to inmates who were transitioning back into society.

I cant tell you how much I love being sheriff, Stolle told staff of the sheriffs office. Its been an honor to work beside you all.

On Friday, former chief deputy and City Council member Rocky Holcomb was sworn in as the citys seventh sheriff. Holcomb, a Marine Corps veteran, joined the office in 1991 as a recruit. He rose through the ranks and was named chief deputy in 2018. He is the first sheriff since Virginia Beach became a city in 1963 to come from within the department, according to the city. A special election to fill his District 1 City Council seat will be held Jan. 9.

Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com
The Miami Dolphins experienced a tough loss at the hands of their divisional rival, the Buffalo Bills, at Highmark Stadium on Sunday.

Whether faced with a win or loss, the focus quickly turns to the next game. And after the 48-20 defeat, Tagovailoa, a devout Christian, was asked how his faith helps him after a loss.

I think the best thing about being a believer of Jesus Christ , to me, is that the Good Lord up above doesnt care whether you win a game, whether you lose a game, he answered. For me, its been a little tough having to play on Sundays, having to understand that Im not able to go to church. Really a lot of it is having to watch church online after games and things like that. But allowing me this platform, to me, is the thing in the world to be able to profess my faith on something that I firmly believe in, something thats been foundationally instilled in me at a young age.

Tagovaila has been very open about his faith, which was at the center of Samoan upbringing, over the years. At the University of Alabama, he wore eye black in the shape of a cross and still does in the NFL

When Im out there, I even pray before I go out to a series and whatnot, he said. Im always praying. Im on the sideline [and] it looks like Im talking to myself, Im speaking in tongues. Some people think, What? This guy knows how to speak in tongues? I grew up in a non-denominational Christian church my entire life, so yeah, it does a lot. So having to remember scripture always keeps me encouraged in continuing to press forward, especially in times like this.
Sen. Bob Menendez should plan on a busy spring in 2024. He and his four co-defendants will face trial for an alleged bribery scheme just weeks before he will compete in what will likely be a contentious Democratic primary to defend his U.S. Senate seat.

Menendez faces corruption charges, brought by the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, for allegedly accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from three businessmen in exchange for helping them enrich themselves and trying to get them out of trouble, according to an indictment unsealed on Sept. 22 in New York.

At a conference in federal court in lower Manhattan on Monday, Judge Sidney Stein scheduled the trial to start on May 6 for the senior senator and the other four defendants  his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, and businessmen Wael Hana, Fred Daibes and Jose Uribe.

Senator Bob Menendez is shown outside U.S. District Court, on Pearl Street in the Southern District of New York, after he plead not guilty during an arraignment to, one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, Wednesday, September 27, 2023.

Stein said he hoped to schedule the trial with speed  but acknowledged that it would be easier said than done.

"I would rather get this moving," the judge said during Monday's hearing.

The government is required to turn over what it refers to as voluminous evidence by a discovery deadline Stein set for Dec. 4.

That includes classified documents, though, and will have to be reviewed. Relevant attorneys will be given security checks before the material is shared. The prosecution also noted that it is continuing the investigation and more indictments could follow.

Mike Kelly: What are the 'forces behind the scenes' Bob Menendez is blaming?

The trial is expected to last four to six weeks, Stein said.

Larry Lustberg, an attorney for Hana, said he hasnt heard any discussion of any plea deals or various defendants pleading out.

Menendez was not at the conference Monday, but the four other defendants were.

What does the indictment say?

The indictment alleges that between 2018 and 2022, Menendez, who until Friday served as the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and his wife engaged in a corrupt relationship with Hana, Uribe and Daibes to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for Menendez using his power and influence to protect, to enrich those businessmen and to benefit the government of Egypt.

Bribes allegedly included cash, gold bars, payments toward a home mortgage, compensation for a low- or no-show job and a Mercedes-Benz  much of which is detailed in photographs in the 39-page indictment.

Indictment document: Read the full text of the Menendez indictment

Calls for resignation continue to mount

The chorus calling for Menendez's resignation continues to grow. Last week, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker said that since Menendez denies the allegations, it is understandable that he believes stepping down is patently unfair" but that he sees that as a mistake and believes stepping down is best for those Senator Menendez has spent his life serving.

Booker stood by Menendez when he was indicted in 2015. Menendez denies the current accusations, saying Monday that the "allegations leveled against me are just that" and calling this "the biggest fight yet" but saying he firmly believes that when all the facts are presented he will be exonerated.

Gov. Phil Murphy and other New Jersey Democrats have called on Menendez to step down  in stark contrast to the support Menendez received from most Democrats during his earlier corruption case..

Other Democratic senators calling on Menendez to resign include John Fetterman and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Peter Welch of Vermont, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Jon Tester of Montana and Jacky Rosen of Nevada.

Charlie Stile: Can Chuck Schumer solve his growing Bob Menendez problem? Will he?

The Senate seat

Menendez is up for reelection next fall, and to secure his spot on the ballot, he will need to win the primary on June 4, likely around the time of closing arguments in the case.

Rep. Andy Kim has already announced that he intends to run in that race. He said in a statement that this is "not something I expected to do, but I believe New Jersey deserves better."

"We cannot jeopardize the Senate or compromise our countrys integrity," Kim said. "I believe its time we restore faith in our democracy, and thats why I am stepping up and running for Senate.

Reports have surfaced in recent weeks that New Jerseys first lady, Tammy Murphy, is considering a run for the seat as well.

Candidates have until March to officially file for a spot on the ballot.

Staff Writer Mike Kelly contributed to this story.

Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Sen. Bob Menendez indictment: Trial date set for bribery charges
Elon Musk posted something very surprising on his X platform. This is a meme mocking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the military aid of the U.S. for Ukraine failed.

Now, here's what netizens think about the action of Elon Musk to make fun of the oppressed European country.

Elon Musk Mocks Zelenskyy After Failed Ukraine Aid of US

On Sunday, Oct. 2, Elon Musk posted a meme called the "strained face meme." But, his version was edited with the face of Zelenskyy.

The caption reads "When it's been five minutes and you haven't asked for a billion dollars in aid." He posted this meme after Senate House Speaker Kevin McCarthy omitted additional Ukraine aid from the stopgap bill.

Since the meme was posted after the failure of the U.S. military aid for Ukraine and it was edited with the face of Volodymyr, this clearly shows that the billionaire is mocking the Ukrainian president.

Elon Musk's viral X post was able to garner over 50 million views, 614,000 likes, 67,000 retweets, and 42,000 comments.

In the comment section, many netizens shared their disappointment with the actions of Elon Musk towards Ukraine. One of them said that he has gone into overdrive just to promote the idea of removing military aid to Ukraine.

"Sad because he was a former hero in Ukraine. Now he's become a cyberbully, normalizing it on this platform," said the X user.

He further stated that it would not be a surprise for the tech executive to suddenly decide to attack Ukrainian war vet amputees.

Another X user sarcastically said that the decision of Elon Musk to mock Ukraine is a great way to "decrease Tesla sales in European Union."

Read Also: Biden Signs Bill To Avert Government Shutdown, Blames House GOP for 'Manufactured Crisis'

Ukrainian Officials Criticize Elon Musk

According to NDTV's latest report, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as his top Ukrainian lieutenants, criticized Elon Musk for mocking the European country because of failed military aid.

"The case when ...(Elon Musk) tried to conquer space, but something went wrong and in 5 minutes he was up to his eyeballs in shit," said Ukriane's parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Aside from Stefanchuck, Ukraine's Presidential Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said that the silent X post of Musk really played into the hands of Russian propaganda.

The edited meme of Musk is not his first action to criticize Ukraine for asking for financial assistance from the U.S. Previously, the billionaire suggested that Ukrainian officials give up their land for peace.

If you want to learn more about the latest controversial meme of Elon Musk for Ukraine, you can click this link.

Related Article: Elon Musk Visits Texas-Mexico Border to Show 'Unfiltered' View of Migrant Crisis-'What You See Is What I See' Says Billionaire

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Household electricity bills will rise relentlessly and then stay high if Britain sticks to its net zero ambitions.

This is the inevitable consequence of the shortcomings of all current means of generating clean electricity  and demand for electricity is certain to soar if we scrap gas boilers and force people to buy electric cars.

The Government has committed to net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 and this pledge survived the Prime Ministers recent watering down of the Governments green agenda.

One of the pillars of emissions reduction is a continuous increase in the use of zero-carbon electricity.

There are four large-scale sources of zero-carbon electricity: nuclear, hydro, solar and wind. All are technologically quite mature, so we can judge how well they will be able to meet the countrys need for zero-carbon power.

Its important to understand that electricity is a carrier of energy, not an energy source, and is currently not storable at grid scale at affordable cost. To give an example, the largest grid-storage battery in the world would power Britains peak demand for two minutes and 24 seconds.

Now to those four sources of green power.

Nuclear power is very, very expensive. To build plants safe enough by todays standards, construction costs have rocketed, and the result is that no new nuclear plants are being commissioned without heavy subsidies. Nuclear power is too expensive to be competitive with other sources.

On the plus side, nuclear power plants supply continuous, reliable energy. It is not easy to adjust their output quickly, but modern economies have a base load that can be well served by nuclear plants.

Hydro-electricity has many attractive characteristics, but Britain has very few sites (mostly in Scotland) with sufficient height gradients to allow the construction of dams, and most of these already have hydro in operation. There is little opportunity to increase hydro capacity in the UK.

Moving to solar, central southern England sits at a latitude of about 52 degrees north, which means that sunlight falls at a very slanting angle for much of the year.

We also live in a cloudy country. The result is that solar is not competitive without subsidies. Solar also cannot be turned on at will; it supplies energy randomly, but more in the summer when it is least needed.

Finally wind, currently seen by the Government as the principal route to the decarbonisation of the grid.

Wind-generated electricity is now a very well established technology and wind farms can be built more quickly than nuclear stations, but their major drawback is that they dont supply power on demand.

Wind generation cannot be relied on to supply electricity when its needed, and electricity generated when its windy cannot be stored with current technology.

This creates a major problem. With an ever-increasing wind fleet, Britain is experiencing long periods when wind dominates electricity supply.

Gas-fired generators, which currently make up the supply/demand gap, are forced to continuously adjust their output, and can often be idle. Increasingly this is rendering gas an uneconomic generation method.

The result is that gas generators are retiring their fleets, only recently the mainstay of Britains generation capacity, or recovering their much higher costs by increasing significantly the price at which they sell electricity to the grid in times of wind shortage. But while gas produces half the carbon of oil or coal, it is not zero-carbon.

Without gas, and with the near extinction of coal and oil generation in Britain, how are we going to get continuous zero-carbon electricity? Doubling, trebling or even multiplying by 10 the number of wind turbines cannot solve the problem, since a much larger wind fleet still cannot fill the supply-demand gap when there is no wind.

Heres an example. At 9am on December 12 last year, a very cold, grey, still winter morning, electricity demand was (predictably) very high at 42GW. 60pc of that demand was met by gas, 14pc by nuclear, 2pc by wind, and nothing from solar. The remainder was from biomass, hydro, hydro storage or coal, or imported.

Since with current technology we have no means to store electricity at grid scale, how can we keep the lights on if we abandon gas? Gas, the ideal transition fuel, is currently the sponge that soaks up supply and demand changes and, given the intermittency and unreliability of wind and solar, there needs to be enough on demand capacity to supply all peak demand.

But if we also have enough renewable capacity to fully supply the grid when the wind is blowing and the sun is shining, we will need to have nearly twice the capacity we actually require to keep the lights on when theyre not. This is going to enormously and permanently increase the cost of our electricity.

If gas is to be replaced by electricity to heat homes and offices, and if petrol and diesel vehicles are to be phased out, peak electricity demand is estimated to treble, even if Rishi Sunak has now delayed both initiatives.

The scale of this rise will require not only a huge increase in electricity supply but also a complete upgrade of every single transmission cable, including those to our homes, and of the associated equipment, plus double or treble the current number of pylons.

And still we will face the problem of a grossly inadequate supply of reliable zero-carbon energy sources to convert into electricity.

So net zero by 2050 for Britains electricity supply is so difficult as to be practically impossible with current technology.

If net zero remains the goal, the price of energy will be forced to rise and rise, and stay at ruinously high levels, as electricity generating capacity is massively increased to at least twice what we need on average, and then underused.

Neil Record is a former Bank of England economist and chairman of Net Zero Watch

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NEW YORK  Donald Trump came face-to-face in a Manhattan court Monday with the attorney general who is suing him for massive business fraud and the judge who last week revoked his business licenses, as the former president attended the first day of a $250 million civil trial.

A scowl on his face as he entered the courtroom, Trump showed up to see opening statements in the trial. New York Attorney General Tish James alleges that Trump, his adult sons, his companies and some of his business associates, fraudulently inflated Trumps net worth in order to obtain favorable terms from banks and insurance companies.

Throughout the day, Trump, who will face a series of trials from now through the height of the Republican presidential primary, treated the courthouse like a campaign stop, addressing a row of television cameras that lined the hallway leading to the courtroom. During a midday lunch break, he said the trial amounts to election interference, and he derided Justice Arthur Engoron, the state court judge overseeing the case. Engoron will decide the outcome of the trial, since it is a bench trial, meaning there is no jury.

This is a judge that should be disbarred. This is a judge that should be out of office. This is a judge that some people say could be charged criminally for what hes doing. Hes interfering with an election, and its a disgrace, Trump said, echoing similar attacks on Engoron he has launched on social media in recent weeks.

The lawsuit centers on a subject that is core to Trumps public identity: his net worth.



Last week, Engoron delivered a potentially devastating ruling for Trumps family business, finding Trump liable for widespread fraud by inflating his net worth and revoking the licenses for some of his flagship properties, including Trump Tower and the Trump International Hotel.

The trial will address what Trump and others did with that false information, including, according to James, using it to commit insurance fraud, and to gain tax benefits. And Engorons ruling means the trial will focus in part on the punishments Trump will now face. James is asking for $250 million and a ban on Trump running businesses in the state.

James herself attended the trial Monday, sitting in the first row of spectators. Trump, wearing a navy suit and bright blue tie, walked directly in front of James as he entered the courtroom, but didnt look at her or interact with her.

The former presidents son Eric Trump , a defendant in the case, also appeared in court.

The attorney generals office told the judge in an opening statement Monday that it would produce evidence to show Trump overvalued his properties in order to boost the final total in his financial statements.

While it may be one thing to exaggerate with Forbes magazine or a television audience, you cannot do it while conducting business in the state of New York, a lawyer for the attorney generals office, Kevin Wallace, said.

Central to the attorney generals case is witness Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer. During opening statements, the attorney generals office played an excerpt from Cohens videotaped deposition in which he said Trump would pick a number for his net worth that would place him higher on the Forbes richest people list. It would be the job of Cohen and former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg, another one of the defendants, to value the properties in a way that would add up to Trumps desired total, Cohen said.

Mr. Trump would call Allen and I into the office, Cohen said. Lets say he was worth $6 billion, but he wanted to be higher on the Forbes list. So he would say Im not worth $6 billion, Im worth 7 or 8. Allen and I were taking the assets, increasing each of the asset classes in order to accommodate that $8 billion number.



In their opening statements, lawyers for Trump and the other defendants seized on the mention of Cohen, repeatedly referring to him as a liar and a convicted felon.

Hes lied to courts, hes lied to Congress, hes lied to everyone and anyone hes come into contact with, said Trump attorney Chris Kise.

Another defense attorney, Alina Habba, in somewhat exaggerated delivery and what she said were unplanned remarks, told the judge that Trump and the others had, in fact, undervalued their properties and were being sued for standard business practices.

We are attacking a sitting president and two of his children and his employees for a statement of financial condition that is frankly worth less than what they are worth, Habba said.

The value is what someone is willing to pay, she told the court, describing Trump buildings as Mona Lisa properties.

Referencing one of Trumps properties, she told the court: I assure you, there is a person out there who would buy that property for over a billion dollars. That is not fraud, that is real estate.

Before entering the courtroom Monday morning, Trump himself defended his conduct, telling reporters, Everything was perfect. There was no crime. He also lashed out at James, calling her racist and a horror show who ran on the basis she would get Trump before she even knew anything about me.

During the latter half of the day, the attorney generals office called its first witness: Donald Bender, a longtime accountant for the Trump Organization, who testified that Weisselberg, a defendant in the case, supplied Bender with information he used to issue the companys statements of financial condition.

Trumps last appearance in a New York courthouse was in April for his arraignment on criminal charges related to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. He is scheduled to go to trial in that case next year and is also under criminal indictment in three other cases in Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C.

A smattering of protesters appeared outside the courthouse Monday, some of them chanting, Trump lies all the time.
Trump appeared in court today to defend himself in a $250 million fraud trial against him and his associates.

Trump accused the Manhattan judge of "getting away with murder" and "interfering with an election."

Attorney General Letitia James has accused Trump and the Trump Organization of widespread fraud.

Donald Trump accused the judge in his $250 million fraud trial of "getting away with murder" while standing directly outside his courtroom door.

The former president appeared in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan on Monday, where Attorney General Letitia James is has sued him over fraud related to misrepresenting his wealth and assets.

During a court lunch break on Monday, Trump made a dramatic speech outside the courtroom door, in which he called the judge overseeing the civil case, Arthur Engoron, a "democrat operative" and "a disgrace to people that call themselves judges."

Last month, Engoron found that Trump did in fact commit much of the fraud that James accused him of, but the trial is needed to determine penalties.

"I hope my lawyers go in and I hope they fight him very hard, cause this guy's getting away with murder," Trump said of Engoron, adding, "He's interfering with an election and it's a disgrace."

Attorney General Letitia James first sued Trump and three of his children  Donald Jr., and Eric Trump  along with several Trump Organization executives last year, asking for $250 million in damages. Ivanka is no longer a defendant in the case.

It's not the first time Trump has exploded at a New York-based official bringing legal action against him.

In April, after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicted Trump on criminal charges related to a hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels, Trump lashed out, calling Bragg a "racist," saying he should "INDICT HIMSELF."

Trump's campaign later ran attack ads against Bragg based on the case he brought.

In relation to James' lawsuit, Trump's team has questioned the need for the trial, after he was found liable for fraud and his company was dissolved.

At least four of the Trumps  Eric, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Donald Trump  are expected to take the stand in the trial, as part of the Attorney General's 28-person direct case witness list.

In part, the trial is meant to determine how much of the business fraud Trump and his children was liable for, and how much damages are owed.

James has alleged that between 2016 and 2021, the Trump brothers' banking statements agreed with their father's falsely-inflated annual statements of net worth. The NY Attorney General has claimed that the statements were inflated by close to $3.6 billion.

As it stands, a judge has already found Trump's financial statements from between 2014 to 2021 to be faulty, and the trial will also aim to determine the intent behind the submission of the documents.

The trial is expected to last between two to three months.

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NEW YORK  Former President Trump will face trial in New York starting Monday in a sweeping civil case alleging decades of fraud by him and his businesses.

A New York judge with whom Trump has repeatedly butted heads will preside over the trial without a jury, placing the fate of the former presidents business empire solely in his hands.

Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump liable for fraud last week, ruling that New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) proved the crux of her case.

The decision stripped some of Trumps business licenses and raised the potential for him to lose control of some of his famed properties. Engoron also rejected Trumps effort to throw out the case, allowing six remaining elements to proceed to trial.

[James] has demonstrated that there remain, at the very least, disputed issues of fact as to whether defendants violated these statutes, intentionally and materially, Engoron wrote in a 35-page ruling.

Following a multi-year investigation, Jamess office sued Trump, the Trump Organization and his two adult sons  Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr.  last September, claiming the former presidents company falsely inflated and deflated the value of its assets to receive lower taxes and better insurance coverage.

Former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, former Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney and various business entities connected to Trump are also defendants in the case.

The attorney generals office is asking for $250 million in financial penalties and a ban on Trump and his children from serving as officers or directors of New York companies.

Trump signaled last week in unrelated court filings that he may attend the trials start in person, delaying his deposition in another case involving his ex-fixer, Michael Cohen. The former president is not required to attend the civil fraud trial in person, which is expected to last several months.

If Trump does attend the start of his trial, he will come face to face with Engoron, whom he has berated online as deranged, Trump hating, unhinged and a political hack judge. Both of Trumps adult sons have claimed Engoron is aiming to destroy their familys business empire. They all have denied any wrongdoing.

Mondays trial marks the start of a long legal road ahead for Trump, who also faces a combined 91 charges in four criminal cases and several other civil cases

In January, two federal civil cases involving Trump  writer E. Jean Carrolls defamation lawsuit and a federal class action lawsuit accusing the former president and his company of promoting a pyramid scheme  will head to trial in New York.

Trumps first federal criminal trial on charges he sought to subvert the 2020 election is set for March 4. The New York hush money trial charging Trump with falsifying business records is scheduled to begin March 25. And a second federal criminal trial over the former presidents alleged mishandling of classified documents is set to begin May 20.

Trump is also charged in a Georgia criminal case alleging he and 18 others attempted to subvert the states election results to keep him in power, but a trial date involving him has not yet been scheduled.

James said in a statement Monday that her office won the foundation of its case last week, proving that Trumps net worth has long been rooted in incredible fraud.

In this country, there are consequences for this type of persistent fraud, and we look forward to demonstrating the full extent of his fraud and illegality during trial, James said.

No matter how rich or powerful you are, there are not two sets of laws for people in this country, she continued. The rule of law must apply equally to everyone, and it is my responsibility to make sure that it does.

Updated at 8:21 a.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald Trump was in the courtroom Monday for the beginning of the New York attorney generals $250 million civil fraud trial against him, his company and two of his children  a case that could have widespread implications for the former president's businesses.

Trump, who was not required to attend the trial, sat with his arms crossed for most of AG attorney Kevin Wallaces presentation to Judge Arthur Engoron, occasionally tapping his foot. The trial puts Trumps business acumen into focus as the AGs office seeks to portray the image-fixated ex-president as a fraud who intentionally overstated his successes.

After opening statements were done, Trump walked out of the courtroom, shooting an angry glare at Attorney General Letitia James .

Were going to be here for months with a judge that already made up his mind. Its ridiculous, Trump complained to reporters during the lunch break, amping up his attacks on Engoron, whose rulings could cost Trumps company hundreds of millions of dollars and affect its ability to do business in New York.

This is a judge that should be disbarred. This is a judge that should be out of office. This is a judge that some people say could be charged criminally for what hes doing. Hes interfering with an election, and its a disgrace, Trump said.

In his opening statement, Wallace told Engoron that Trump and officials at his company had engaged in "persistent illegal acts" with overly inflated financial statements with values that were "determined by Donald Trump."

He said Trump overvalued his financial statements by $812 million to $2.2 billion, knew that they were false and used them to obtain loans at terms he was not entitled to and other benefits.

Trump tried to blame former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg for the financial certifications at his deposition in the case, Wallace said, but "he was lying."

The civil trial kicks off what might be a series of courtroom appearances by Trump, who also faces criminal charges in four different jurisdictions, including two cases in connection with his bid to overturn the 2020 election. Trump has sought to paint all of his legal woes as political retribution and an effort to keep him from returning to power as he holds on to the lead in the Republican primary campaign.

Trump's attorney Christopher Kise said in his opening statement that the evidence would show Trump "made many billions of dollars being right about real estate investments" and built "one of the most successful real estate empires in the world" and "one of the most successful brands."

He told the judge that valuations are subjective and noted that Trump never defaulted on any of the loans. "There was no fraud," Kise said. "President Trump did not make any false statements."

The no-jury trial in Manhattan, which is expected to last about three months, concluding by Dec. 22, will be decided by Engoron.

Kise was followed by combative Trump attorney Alina Habba, who has clashed with Engoron in the past. Habba called former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, one of the AG's witnesses, a "liar," suggested James' investigation was politically motivated and complained that James was undervaluing Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Florida club, which she said is "worth at least a billion dollars."

The AG's office said its value is closer to $75 million.

Habba also complained that Trump "did want a jury" to hear the case, but Engoron noted that his team had never asked for a jury trial.

The first witness called by the AG's office was Donald Bender, Trump's former accountant. Bender testified at last year's criminal tax fraud trial against two Trump Organization companies that were ultimately convicted and fined $1.6 million.

Bender testified Monday about how he would compile Trump's financial statements  the documents the AG said had inflated values. Bender said he used information that was sent to him from the company to put them together. Though Bender was speaking in fairly dry technical terms, many in the courtroom seemed to be enthralled.

As the testimony went on through the afternoon, Trump appeared agitated at times, his face beet red while he whispered to his attorneys.

His demeanor changed at the end of the court day, when Engoron told the AG's office some of Bender's testimony was redundant and needed to be tied into contracts within the statute of limitations in the case to be considered relevant.

Kise stood up and said he agreed, and Trump gave two thumbs up.

Bender's testimony will resume Tuesday morning.

Earlier, Trump addressed the media outside the courtroom as he arrived for the trial at 10 a.m., attacking James and accusing her of having filed the case to damage him politically.

"Theyre trying to damage me so I dont do as well as Im doing," said Trump, who is the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination.

Engoron recently sided in part with James' office, finding that Trump committed repeated acts of fraud for years that included lying to banks and insurers by both overvaluing and undervaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth by billions of dollars.

Trumps arguments to defend the fraudulent statements are based in a fantasy world, not the real world, Engoron wrote in a 35-page ruling last week.

The ruling, which allowed the case to go to trial this week, will also have practical repercussions for Trump's numerous limited liability companies, or LLCs. The order set in motion a dissolution process for entities like Trump Organization LLC, which has helped expand the Trump brand over the years.

The outstanding issues in the case, beyond what Engoron ruled on last week, will be resolved at trial.

Kise has called the ruling outrageous and said he planned to appeal.

Trump has repeatedly disparaged Engoron, including as recently as Sunday night, when he called Engoron a Trump Hating Judge who is unfair, unhinged, and vicious in his PURSUIT of me in a post on Truth Social.

New York Attorney General Letitia James attends the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference National Town Hall in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 21, 2023. (Jemal Countess / Getty Images)

Trump confirmed Sunday on Truth Social that he would be in the courtroom for the opening of the trial "to fight for my name and reputation. He is expected to attend the first two days of the proceedings.

James was in the courtroom Monday for the beginning of the trial. Trump did not acknowledge her as he walked in, followed by his son Eric. Before he entered, Trump criticized James directly in remarks in the hallway, calling her a "corrupt attorney general."

Everything was perfect. There was no crime. The crime is against me," Trump said in the courthouse, where Walt Nauta, his aide and co-defendant on federal charges that he mishandled classified documents, was in his entourage.

James said in a statement ahead of the trial: No matter how rich or powerful you are, there are not two sets of laws for people in this country. The rule of law must apply equally to everyone, and it is my responsibility to make sure that it does."

She told reporters on her way into court that "no one is above the law, and it is my responsibility and my duty and my job to enforce it."

Trump and three of his children  Don Jr. and Eric, who are senior executives in the Trump Organization, and his daughter Ivanka  are among the 28 witnesses the AG's office plans to call.

Weisselberg, the companys former chief financial officer, is also set to take the stand, in addition to Cohen, Trumps former lawyer.

Weisselberg testified against the Trump Organization at a criminal trial last year and was sentenced to five months in jail in connection with his role in the companys 15-year tax fraud scheme. The Trump Organization was convicted on 17 counts related to conspiracy, criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records, and it was hit with $1.6 million in fines.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Donald Trump showed up in court Monday for the first day of his civil fraud trial in New York.

AG lawyers showed videos of him, Eric, and Donald Jr. shirking responsibility for fudged numbers.

Trump avoided another deposition by coming to court.

Lawyers from the New York attorney general's office confronted former President Donald Trump in court Monday, showing a previously unseen deposition video in which he denied responsibility for the property valuations in his own company.

In the video, shown on the enormous TV screens in the downtown Manhattan courtroom, Trump was asked who at the Trump Organization was tasked with making sure the family company's financial statements abided by generally accepted accounting principles.

Was it Allen Weisselberg , the Trump Organization's chief financial officer?

"I would say yes," Trump answered.

It was Weisselberg who made sure properties were valued according to GAAP, he said.

Moments earlier, Kevin C. Wallace, the attorney general's office lawyer presenting the opening statement, had shown a different deposition video of Weisselberg. Another lawyer from the attorney general's office asked whether he was familiar with GAAP.

"I never took the CPA exam, never studied for it," Weisselberg said, explaining he wasn't familiar with GAAP. "So I don't know all the components for it."

The juxtaposition got to the heart of New York Attorney General Letitia James ' lawsuit against Trump, Eric Trump , Donald Trump Jr., Weisselberg, and their fellow executive Jeff McConney. The attorney general's lawsuit says someone is lying about how the financial statements were prepared, and that proves the defendants were acting with an intent to defraud.

Donald Trump and Letitia James. Getty Images

By appearing in court, Trump is dodging another deposition

Trump's personal appearance in the courtroom was arranged at the last minute. Aside from his four criminal arraignments and bookings in which he was required to appear in court or in jail, he has avoided showing up at hearings and trials for his numerous legal cases. Even during his civil trial this spring, where a federal jury in New York found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll, Trump did not personally show up.

With his appearance in the New York court, Trump has been able to dodge  for now  a deposition he was scheduled to take in a lawsuit against Michael Cohen, a former company executive and personal lawyer, now turned bitter enemy. Cohen is scheduled to testify as a witness against Trump later in the New York trial, which is set to last until December 22.

Before entering the courtroom Monday morning, Trump stood outside and derided James' case as politically motivated, saying the case was a "scam."

"We have a racist attorney general who is a horror show, who ran on the basis that she was going to get Trump before she even knew anything about me," he said.

A few moments later, he walked into the room, where James sat in the front row of the gallery. Trump clutched his stomach after walking by.

Joining the former president in person was Eric Trump, who runs day-to-day operations at the Trump Organization, as well as a passel of Trumpworld characters, including his 2024 presidential campaign staffers Jason Miller and Steven Cheung. The two appeared to fidget with their hands and doze off during the morning's legal arguments from Wallace and Chris Kise, the former solicitor general of Florida who presented Trump's opening statement. New York Justice Arthur Engoron, who's presiding over the case, largely banned cellphone use in the courtroom.

The attorney general's lawsuit alleges Trump, along with his two eldest sons and other executives of the Trump Organization, participated in a fraud scheme by inflating the values of the company's properties, which enabled them to get favorable bank loans.

James asked the judge to disgorge them of ill-gotten gains, issue $250 million in penalties, and permanently bar the former president, as well as Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, from running a New York-based corporation ever again.

Much of the lawsuit was resolved in late September when Engoron issued a summary judgment decision that granted James victories in much of her case, but there are still six counts to be decided during the trial. Transcripts of large swathes of the depositions were included in the motions for summary judgment over the past several weeks.

A family affair

During Wallace's opening argument, he also showed deposition videos of Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr.

Though he has largely taken over the company since his father took office in 2017, Eric Trump said he couldn't remember working on financial statements, which were crucial for getting loans from banks.

"I don't think I have had any involvement in statements of financial condition, to the best of my knowledge," he said in his deposition.

Donald Trump Jr. said in his deposition he "probably" became familiar with GAAP during "Accounting 101 at Wharton."

Asked what he remembered about those generally accepted accounting principles, he smiled.

"That they're generally accepted," he said to laughter.

The Trump Organization executive said he'd never been employed in a position that required him to apply GAAP to his work.

Speaking before the opening statements, Engoron gave a preview of the case. The trial is being conducted without a jury, meaning Engoron is expected to personally decide whether Trump and his posse would be held liable and what any punishment would be.

"This case has esteemed counsel. On one side, we have an attorney general. On the other, a former solicitor general," he quipped. "In the middle, we have me, a generalist, someone who knows a little about a lot."

But he added he did know a lot about fraud and would be paying close attention to each side's arguments.

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Former President Trump on Monday was quick to fundraise off of his fraud trial in New York after proceedings wrapped for the day.

Trumps campaign blasted out a fundraising email with a subject line of I just left the courthouse roughly 20 minutes after court was dismissed in Manhattan, where the former president had been present.

The fundraising blast repeated many of Trumps claims about the investigations and charges against him, including that the trial is political in nature and a continuation of a witch hunt.

Politicians, drunk with power, are weaponizing the legal system to try and completely destroy me  and, ultimately, imprison me for the rest of my life as an innocent man. And why do they want to stop me so bad? the email asks.

Because they know that Im on the verge of winning the 2024 election in a landslide and upon taking office, will take away their power and return it to YOU, the American people, it continues. So, let me say for the millionth time that NOTHING can break me.

The fundraising email was similar to those Trump has sent after indictments and court appearances in other criminal proceedings, including federal cases in Washington, D.C., and in Florida, and it underscored how the former president and his campaign have sought to capitalize politically on Trumps legal woes.

Monday marked the start of Trumps fraud trial in a sweeping civil case alleging decades of fraud by him and his businesses.

Following a multiyear investigation, Jamess office sued Trump, the Trump Organization and his two adult sons  Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr.  last September, claiming the former presidents company falsely inflated and deflated the value of its assets to receive lower taxes and better insurance coverage.

The attorney generals office is asking for $250 million in financial penalties and a ban on Trump and his children from serving as officers or directors of New York companies.

Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump liable for fraud last week, ruling New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) proved the crux of her case.

The decision stripped some of Trumps business licenses and raised the potential for him to lose control of some of his famed properties. Engoron also rejected Trumps effort to throw out the case, allowing six remaining elements to proceed to trial.

Trump has repeatedly attacked Engoron and James over the case, including in the hours before the trial was set to begin.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NEW YORK  Donald Trump s fury was on full display Monday during the first day of his civil fraud trial, where he lambasted the judge overseeing the case outside of the courtroom and stared daggers into the attorney general investigating business practices involving some of his most famed properties.

The former presidents frustration  and his counsels  was apparent throughout the day, encapsulated in stern glares and sometimes heated arguments between the parties and the judge. Trump also raged to the news media during a break in the hearing telling them that although he was not required to be there in person, he wanted to watch this witch hunt myself.

Trump entered the courtroom Monday morning with an austere face, making his way slowly to the defense table where his legal team was seated. At first, he went without glancing at New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), the states top prosecutor who brought the sprawling case against him.

Secret Service and police entered the room before Trump, moving to surround the three columns of wooden gallery benches filled with reporters. Eric Trump , Trumps second son, sat parallel to James across the room.

But on his way out of the courtroom for a lunch break, the former president glared at James for several seconds, looking back twice in an apparent attempt to get her attention. Less than an hour later, he stood before rows of media cameras and railed against the proceeding, also suggesting that the judge overseeing the case should be disbarred.

Lets go to trial because this is a judge that should be disbarred. This is a judge that should be out of office. This is a judge that some people say should be charged criminally for what hes doing, Trump told reporters just outside the judges courtroom. Hes interfering with an election, and its a disgrace.

Last week, Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that Jamess office proved the crux of their case and found Trump liable for fraud.

The decision stripped some of Trumps business licenses and raised the potential for him to lose control of some of his famed properties  the same ones that catapulted him to fame, television success and eventually the White House. They include properties in which he himself has a residence like Trump Tower in New York and Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

The judge, in his ruling, had rejected Trumps effort to throw out the case, allowing six remaining elements to proceed to trial this week. The case is a bench trial, meaning there is no jury. Its outcome is at the sole discretion of Engoron, but Trumps team will have opportunities to appeal.

On his Truth Social, Trump has also been targeting Engoron, berating him as deranged, Trump hating, unhinged and a political hack judge. Both of Trumps adult sons have claimed the judge aims to destroy their familys business empire.

Before opening statements, Engoron commented to the parties and the gallery that throughout the projected three-month trial, he hopes the only words he utters are sustained, overruled and lets take a 10-minute break, signaling that he will not tolerate disruptions in the courtroom.

I promise to do my best, he said. Despite my many attempts at humor, I take my job very seriously and know counsel of the parties do likewise.

Throughout the day, defense attorneys also took aim at the judge, making testy assertions such as I dont think youre an expert on accounting standards and you owe it to the defendants to listen to this evidence.

The tensions began to bubble up during opening remarks, in which New York state prosecutors argued that Trump, the Trump Organization and his two adult sons engaged in repeated, persistent illegal acts while building their business empire.

They say the former presidents company engaged in decades of fraud, falsely inflating and deflating the value of its assets to receive lower taxes and better insurance coverage. Former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg, former Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney and various business entities connected to Trump are also defendants in the case.

Jamess office is asking for $250 million in financial penalties and a ban on Trump and his children from serving as officers or directors of New York companies.

But defense attorneys for the former president, his children and his businesses claimed that prosecutors were telling stories, not showing evidence. The evidence instead would establish that Trump has made many billions in his real estate business and owns one of the most successful and highly recognized brands in the world, Trump attorney Chris Kise said.

Alina Habba, a legal spokesperson for Trump who is representing some defendants in the case, targeted Jamess motivation for bringing the case in her opening remarks, suggesting that upon taking office, James made it her mission to go to work, get Trump and go home.

Habba and another defense attorney  Clifford Robert, who is representing Trumps adult sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr.  also criticized Michael Cohen, Trumps former personal lawyer and fixer who is a key witness in the governments case.

Robert described Cohen as a guy who lies to everyone and a convicted felon, opining that the purported lack of credibility of the governments linchpin gives a picture of what their case is about.

Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison in 2018 for tax evasion, making false statements and campaign finance violations. He also separately pleaded guilty to lying to Congress. He was released from prison in 2021.

In a deposition clip shown by prosecutors in opening remarks, Cohen suggested that Trump wanted to inflate his net worth in order to be higher up on the Forbes list, a reference to the wealth magazines list of the worlds richest people. He and Weisselberg were tasked with inflating Trumps assets in order to obtain the number that Mr. Trump wanted, Cohen said in the clip.

When James announced the lawsuit against Trump last September, she attributed the start of her offices investigation into him and his businesses to Cohens 2019 testimony before Congress, where he claimed the former president significantly overstated his wealth before he took office.

Weisselberg, the former Trump Organization chief financial officer; Trumps adult sons; Trumps daughter, Ivanka Trump ; and the former president himself are also listed as government witnesses in court filings. The defense lists 128 witnesses, including Trump and his sons.

The trial is expected to last until Dec. 22 and is the start of a long legal road for Trump, who faces several other civil cases and 91 combined criminal charges across four cases.

Two federal civil cases involving Trump are scheduled to head to trial in January, and his first criminal trial  the federal case over his efforts to subvert the 2020 presidential election  is set for March 4.

The New York hush money trial is set to begin March 25, and the federal case over Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents is scheduled to head to trial on May 20. A fourth criminal case in Georgia over Trumps actions after the 2020 election has not yet scheduled a trial date.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former President Donald Trump went on a bizarre rant on Sunday evening, ranking his preferred forms of violent death.

The Republican presidential candidate was speaking at a campaign event in Iowa on Sunday evening, when he randomly pitched the scenario of being stuck on a sinking battery-powered boat in the ocean. Getting into incredible detail, he claimed he would rather be electrocuted than eaten by a shark.



I will take electrocution every single time, he said, slurring his words. Do we agree? I will take electrocution.

In addition to his existential commentsperhaps fueled by the mounting legal cases against himTrump also mentioned the Obama administration in his speech, as if Barack Obama were the current president.

On Monday morning, Trump visited New York to attend yet another trial against him related to claims that he, his organization, and his adult children have defrauded insurers and lenders. Trump has already been found liable for inflating his net worth by billions of dollars. Soon well learn how much hell have to pay.
Judge Aileen Cannon again hands former President Donald Trump s legal team a partial victory. Trump drops lawsuits against Arthur Engoron, the judge in the civil financial fraud case, as well as his former lawyer Michael Cohen, a key witness in multiple cases.

Classified documents

Judge pauses pretrial deadlines as she considers Trump's request to delay trial until after 2024 election

Key players: Judge Aileen Cannon, special counsel Jack Smith

Cannon issued a ruling Friday temporarily delaying a previously set schedule of deadlines stretching from October through May for the Justice Department to make classified documents available to Trumps lawyers and for the defense team to have time to review them, the Messenger reported.

Smith has charged Trump with mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House and obstructing the governments attempts to retrieve them.

The indefinite delay comes after Trump lawyers on Wednesday requested that Cannon push back the start date for the trial until after the 2024 presidential election.

Cannon has yet to rule on Trumps motion to move back the trial, but her order on Friday would appear to make it less likely that the trial would begin on the scheduled date of May 20, 2024.

Why it matters: If Trump succeeds in pushing back the trial and also manages to win reelection in 2024, critics fear that he will simply attempt to pardon himself if found guilty of the felony charges Smith has brought against him.

New York financial fraud

Trump drops lawsuit against judge, but moves to appeal his fraud ruling

Key players: Judge Arthur Engoron, Trump lawyer Christoper Kise, New York Attorney General Letitia James

On day five of Trumps New York trial to decide the punishment he, his adult sons and his family business must pay after Engoron found them liable for inflating their assets to obtain favorable bank and insurance rates, Trump dropped his lawsuit against the judge handling the case, the Daily Beast reported.

Trump filed suit against Engoron last month, saying the judge ignored appeals court rulings and was biased against him. Critics saw the lawsuit as yet another attempt to delay the case from moving forward.

Kise, meanwhile, was not in Engorons courtroom early Friday. Instead, he was filing what was later ruled an unsuccessful appeal of the judges fraud ruling.

On Thursday, Engoron set a deadline to ensure Trump complied with his order to dissolve his New York businesses.

Why it matters: Trumps lawyers have sued prosecutors, judges and witnesses in the many cases in which the former president is a defendant and they are perfectly within their rights to do so. Their bid to overturn Engorons ruling was denied Friday, but the appellate court did allow Trump to retain control of his real estate holdings for the moment, the Associated Press reported.

Trump drops $500 million lawsuit against Michael Cohen  for now

Key player: Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen

In a one-page court filing Thursday, lawyers for Trump announced they were dropping a $500 million lawsuit they had filed against Cohen, AFP reported.

"President Trump has decided to temporarily pause his meritorious claims against Michael Cohen, the filing stated. Once President Trump has prevailed in dealing with the witch hunts against him, he will continue to pursue his claims against Michael Cohen, who rightfully deserves to, and will be held accountable for his unlawful words and actions."

In response to the filing, Cohen said, "This case was nothing more than a retaliatory intimidation tactic, and his attempt to hide from routine discovery procedures confirms as much."

Trump had been scheduled to be deposed next week by Cohens lawyers in the case but cited conflicts arising from his civil fraud trial in New York and presidential campaign events.

Cohens court testimony will play a central role in the civil fraud trial as well as the criminal hush money case in New York.

Cohen served a three-year sentence on campaign finance, tax evasion and other charges from when he worked as Trumps lawyer and fixer.

Why it matters: The events packing Trumps legal and political calendar have become so numerous that it has become difficult for the former president to juggle them.

Read more:

USA Today: Reports: Trump revealed two nuclear secrets about U.S. submarines to Australian billionaire

The Hill: Georgia judge rejects Chesebro attempt to have charges dismissed

UPI: Georgia judge denies Sidney Powell bid to dismiss her Trump election interference case

____________________

Thursday, Oct. 5

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Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images, Spencer Platt/Getty Images, Getty Images (4).

Judge Arthur Engoron issues an order meant to keep former President Donald Trump, his adult sons and business from avoiding punishment for fraud in New York. Meanwhile, Trumps lawyers file a slew of motions to dismiss or delay criminal cases against him.

New York financial fraud

Judge sets Oct. 26 deadline on plan for dissolution of Trumps New York companies

Key players: Judge Arthur Engoron, former federal judge Barbara Jones, New York Attorney General Letitia James

On day four of the civil trial to decide the penalties Trump, his adult sons and the Trump Organization must pay after being found liable for fraud, Engoron issued a ruling to ensure that the defendants comply with his order to dissolve their New York businesses, the Daily Beast reported.

In Wednesdays order, Engoron directed Trumps lawyers and James to submit suggestions for the appointment of an independent receiver to oversee the shuttering of the Trump familys New York businesses by Oct. 26.

His order also directs Trump, his adult sons and two top executives at the Trump Org. to inform the court about the creation of any new business entities and the transfer of assets.

Trump has already filed an appeal of Engorons decision that would effectively spell the end of his ability to conduct business in New York.

Why it matters: Engorons ruling is designed to preempt Trump from making secret transactions to skirt the courts punishment for being found liable for years of financial fraud.

Jan. 6 election interference

Trump lawyers seek dismissal of federal election inference charges

Key players: Judge Tanya Chutkan, special counsel Jack Smith

In a motion filed Thursday, Trumps lawyers said Chutkan should dismiss all charges related to his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election because he was president when he undertook them, the Associated Press reported.

Breaking 234 years of precedent, the incumbent administration has charged President Trump for acts that lie not just within the outer perimeter, but at the heart of his official responsibilities as President, the long-shot motion states.

Trump has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.

In his indictment, Smith said that while political candidates are fully within their rights to challenge the results of an election, Trumps actions clearly overstepped those bounds and constituted criminal acts.

Why it matters: Trump has already lost many court challenges that have attempted to shield his communications with staff members based on claims of executive privilege. If he were successful with this motion, the judges ruling would appear to all but erase any limits on the ability to find a president guilty of having committed a crime.

New York hush money

Trump asks judge to dismiss hush money charges

Key players: Judge Juan Merchan, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg

Trumps lawyers argued in a filing this week that Merchan should dismiss the 34 felony charges against Trump because Bragg waited to file his indictment until after Trump had declared his candidacy for president, CNN reported.

The indictment was filed six years after the conduct at issue, more than four-and-a-half years after DANY [District Attorney of New York] began to investigate it, and more than three years after DANY started presenting evidence to a grand jury, Trumps attorneys wrote in the filing, adding, The delay has prejudiced President Trump, interfered with his ongoing presidential campaign, and violated his due process rights.

In March, Trump was indicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records stemming from his $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors allege that the sum was paid to hide an extramarital affair from becoming public during the 2016 presidential election.

In social media posts, Trump often tries to make the case that the four criminal prosecutions against him are simply a ruse to keep him from winning reelection.

Why it matters: Seen as another long-shot, Trumps legal filing would, if successful, dash the criminal case against him in New York before it is scheduled to begin, on March 24, 2024.

Classified documents

Trump asks judge to delay documents trial until after 2024 election

Key players: Judge Aileen Cannon, Trump lawyers Christopher Kise and Todd Blanche, special counsel Jack Smith

In a motion filed late Wednesday, Trumps lawyers asked Cannon to delay the start of the trial on felony charges stemming from his mishandling of classified documents until after the 2024 presidential election, the Associated Press reported.

The case is currently scheduled to begin in Florida on May 20, 2024, but lawyers for the former president, who faces four overlapping criminal trials, said scheduling conflicts made that date impossible.

Kise and Blanche also said in the filing that prosecutors had yet to provide them with documents to review for their defense of Trump.

The Department of Justice says it has provided 1.28 million pages of documents to date. Last week, Smiths team said in its own filing that they would make available most of the remaining classified documents to Trumps lawyers by Friday.

Cannon, a Trump appointee, has raised eyebrows with what critics say are pro-Trump rulings in the case so far.

Why it matters: The pattern of attempting to delay the start of criminal trials until after the election could complicate holding Trump accountable if he is found guilty in federal court.

____________________

Wednesday, Oct. 4

____________________

Judge Arthur Engoron. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Mary Altaffer/AFP via Getty Images, Shannon Stapleton/Pool via Getty Images, Getty Images)

Lawyers for former President Donald Trump file an appeal of a judges ruling that found him liable for financial fraud. Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis seeks a March 4 start date for the election interference trial and Rudy Giuliani files a defamation lawsuit against President Biden.

New York financial fraud trial

Trump files appeal of judges ruling finding him liable for fraud

Key players: Judge Arthur Engoron, New York Attorney General Letitia James

As the third day of Trumps New York civil trial got underway Wednesday to determine the penalties the former president, his adult sons and their family business must pay for illegally inflating their assets, Trumps lawyers filed an appeal of Engorons summary judgment ruling, Reuters reported.

On Sept. 26, Engoron sided with James, ruling that there was conclusive evidence that Trump had inflated his assets by as much as $2.2 billion in order to obtain favorable bank and insurance rates.

In their notice of appeal, Trumps lawyers stated that they were contesting each and every part of Engorons ruling.

As Wednesdays court proceedings broke for lunch, Trump again attacked Engoron, saying he already knows what hes going to do in the case and is run by the Democrats.

Why it matters: James is seeking at least $250 million in damages from Trump, his sons and their business, as well as an order that would prevent the Trump Organization from conducting business in New York. If the appeal of Engorons ruling is successful, it could wipe away all of those possible penalties.

Georgia election interference

Willis proposes March 4 start date for Trumps Georgia trial

Key players: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, Judge Scott McAfee, pro-trump lawyers Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell

In a court filing Wednesday, Willis proposed a March 4 start date for the sprawling election interference trial of Trump and 16 others, NBC News reported.

In light of Defendant Donald John Trumps other criminal and civil matters pending in the courts of our sister sovereigns, the State of Georgia proposes certain deadlines that do not conflict with these other courts already-scheduled hearings and trial dates, Willis wrote.

Two of the defendants, Chesebro and Powell, will go on trial on Oct. 23.

Ultimately, it will be up to McAfee to decide when the Georgia trial will begin.

Why it matters: Trumps lawyers have sought to push the start of the trial back after the 2024 presidential election. Willis was unsuccessful in her bid to have all of the defendants tried starting on Oct. 23. With two other criminal cases and two civil ones set to take place as the presidential primary gets underway, Trumps legal calendar will be incredibly crowded.

As his legal bills mount, Giuliani files defamation lawsuit against Biden

Key players: Former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, President Biden, Giuliani lawyer William OBrien

Faced with mounting legal bills stemming from his efforts to help Trump overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia and other states, Giuliani has filed a civil defamation lawsuit against Biden, the Hill reported.

In a 16-page complaint filed in New Hampshire, OBrien cited remarks Biden made in a 2020 presidential debate with Trump in which he referred to Giuliani as a Russian pawn, in a suit that seeks unspecified financial damages.

In the debate, Biden said, [Trumps] own national security adviser told him that what is happening with his buddy, Rudy Giuliani, hes being used as a Russian pawn; hes being fed information that is Russian, that is not true.

Why it matters: In addition to the legal bills he is racking up having to defend himself in Georgia, the loss of a second lawyer in that case, and a lawsuit filed by Hunter Biden, Giuliani is being sued by his own former lawyer for $1.36 million in unpaid legal bills.

___________________

Tuesday, Oct. 3

___________________

Photo Illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images (2), Getty Images (2).

The judge in the New York financial fraud trial against former President Donald Trump issues a partial gag order on the former president. The judge also clarifies remarks he made Monday about the statute of limitations in the case. Trump, meanwhile, says he will take the witness stand at the appropriate time.

New York financial fraud trial

Judge issues gag order after Trump attacks his clerk on social media

Key players: Judge Arthur Engoron

Engoron told Trump and his lawyers Tuesday that he was issuing a gag order for all parties from posting about any members of my staff, after the former president attacked Engorons clerk in a social media post, the Associated Press reported.

Personal attacks on members on my court staff are unacceptable, inappropriate, and I wont tolerate it, Engoron said.

Before the lunch break on the second day of his financial fraud trial, Trump posted an inaccurate claim made on a satirical website that Engorons clerk was Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumers girlfriend.

Why it matters: Trumps attacks on judges, witnesses and prosecutors have increased calls for gag orders to be placed on him during the legal proceedings. Engorons is the first to be issued.

Engoron refutes Trumps claim that 80% of the charges against him will be thrown out

Key players: Judge Arthur Engoron

Engoron clarified a remark he made Monday regarding testimony about 2011 financial statements being introduced by prosecutors being a waste of time, ABC News reported.

An appeals court has ruled that 2014 is the end date for the statute of limitations for the financial crimes Trump, his adult sons and family business are accused of committing, and Trumps lawyers are seeking to have the judge toss out allegations made for anything earlier.

Lawyers with Jamess office, however, are making the case that Trump used inaccurate 2011 financial statements after 2014 to obtain more favorable loan and insurance rates.

I trust that you can relate the 2011 documents to something that happened later, Engoron told prosecutors on Monday. Or this has all been a waste of time.

At the conclusion of Mondays proceedings, Trump told reporters that Engoron had effectively indicated that the statute of limitations meant he would kick out 80% of this case.

It was a great credit to the court that the judge was willing to do this sort of overruled himself and I greatly respect that, Trump said.

In fact, Trump stripped Engorons remarks of their context.

Every use of false financial statements in business starts the statute of limitations running again, Engoron clarified Tuesday. I understand that the defendants strongly disagree with this and will appeal on those grounds.

Why it matters: In part, Trump has attended the trial to address the media during breaks to put forth his interpretation of the case against him. As Engorons message at the start of the second day indicates, Trumps declarations should be taken with a grain of salt.

Trump says he will testify at the appropriate time

Key players: New York Attorney General Letitia James

During a break in day two of Trumps $250 million financial fraud trial, the former president was asked if he planned to testify in the case, the Telegraph reported.

Yes, I will. At the appropriate time I will be, Trump responded.

James has indicated that she plans to call Trump and his adult sons as witnesses, as have Trumps own lawyers.

Why it matters: Engoron has indicated that the trial will last until the end of December. There is no indication yet when James may call Trump to take the witness stand and whether he will agree to answer questions or simply invoke his Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination.

________________

Monday, Oct. 2

________________

Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Seth Wenig-Pool/Getty Images, Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images, Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images, Getty Images (2).

Former President Donald Trumps civil financial fraud trial gets underway in New York. The U.S. Supreme Court  minus Justice Clarence Thomas, who recused himself  refuses to hear an appeal filed by lawyer John Eastman about shielding emails he sent to Trump. In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis subpoenas Bernard Kerik to testify in the case against Trump and 18 others.

Jan. 6 election interference

Supreme Court rejects Eastman appeal  and Thomas recuses himself

Key players: Pro-Trump lawyer John Eastman, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas

On Monday, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal by Eastman, who sought to block Congress from obtaining 10 emails he sent to Trump about overturning the results of the 2020 election, Reuters reported.

The emails were handed over to the House committee investigating the riot at the U.S. Capitol, but Eastmans lawyers argued that they were protected by attorney-client privilege.

In 2020, U.S. District Court Judge David Carter ruled that the emails were not protected by attorney-client privilege because they were likely used in furtherance of a crime.

Thomas, for whom Eastman worked as a clerk, recused himself from the case.

Why it matters: Eastman has been charged with multiple felonies related to his efforts to overturn the election results in Georgia and could yet face federal charges. Legal challenges attempting to shield Trumps communications regarding the 2020 election plot have largely failed. Given the extensive efforts by Thomass wife, Ginni, to challenge the election results, this may not be the last case in which he will face calls to recuse himself.

New York financial fraud civil trial

Prosecutors: Trump gained $1B by lying to banks and insurers about the value of his assets

Key players: Prosecution lawyer Kevin Wallace, Trump lawyer Christopher Kise, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Judge Arthur Engoron

On the first day of the New York trial to decide how much Trump, his adult sons and his business will have to pay in damages after being found liable for years of financial fraud, prosecutors said Trump had gained $1 billion by inflating his assets in order to obtain favorable loans and insurance rates, the Telegraph reported.

This isnt business as usual, and this isnt how sophisticated parties deal with each other, Wallace said. These are not victimless crimes.

Kise countered by saying, There were no unjust profits, and there were no victims.

James, Trump and his son Eric all attended the trial. Asked why he had come even though he was not legally required to, Trump quipped, Because I want to watch this witch hunt myself.

Trump also tore into Engoron, calling him a Democrat operative and a disgrace.

Why it matters: Engoron will alone decide the amount of damages Trump, his sons and business will have to pay for illegally inflating their assets on loan and insurance forms.

Georgia election interference

Willis subpoenas Kerik to testify

Key players: Fulton County DA Fani Willis, former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, Keriks lawyer Tim Parlatore

Willis has issued a subpoena to Kerik, seeking his testimony in the case against Trump and 18 others accused of attempting to illegally overturn the election results in Georgia, CNN reported.

Kerik is an unnamed co-conspirator in the case. He took part in meetings with officials from other battleground states that Trump lost in 2020 to devise a strategy for contesting those results.

In response to Willis, Parlatore said that no competent criminal attorney would allow Mr. Kerik to testify absent a grant of immunity.

Short of being given immunity, Kerik will plead the Fifth Amendment on the witness stand, Parlatore added.

Why it matters: On Friday, bail bondsman Scott Hall became the first defendant in the Georgia case to cut a plea deal with prosecutors. Kerik has not been charged in Georgia, however, so it remains to be seen if Willis will agree to offer him immunity in exchange for his testimony.
Five conservative cardinals from all over the world have published five questions Catholic observers call "dubia" in an open letter to Catholic congregations Monday (October 2).

The letter - signed by German Cardinal Walter Brandmueller, former Vatican chief justice Cardinal Raymond Burke, Mexican Cardinal Juan Sandoval, former Vatican liturgy czar Cardinal Robert Sarah (Guinea), and embattled Hong Kong prelate Cardinal Joseph Zen - challenged Pope Francis to affirm Catholic teaching on homosexuality and female ordination ahead of this month's major synod at the Vatican as they expressed concern such topics would be tackled for debate.

The cardinals stated they were duty-bound to inform the faithful in order for them not to be "subject to confusion, error, and discouragement."

The signatories were some of Francis's most vocal critics in the College of Cardinals, all of them retired and of the more doctrinaire generation of cardinals appointed by either Pope John Paul II or Pope Benedict XVI.

Of the five signatories, Cardinals Brandmueller and Burke were among the four signatories of a previous dubia surrounding the pope's 2016 post-synodal apostolic exhortation "Amoris Laetitia," which allowed divorced and civilly married or remarried couples to receive Holy Communion. The 2016 dubia also centered on the four cardinals' concern that Francis's position violated church teaching on the indissolubility of marriage.

Francis never responded to the 2016 dubia, while two of the cardinals who signed it - Cardinals Carlo Caffarra and Joachim Meisner - have since died.

Problems with the Synod Topics

According to the Associated Press, the letter and dubia were first published by veteran Vatican reporter Sandro Magister and the blog site Messa in Latino, two days before the start of the three-week synod.

Over 450 bishops, clergymen, and laypeople would take part in the gathering behind closed doors to discuss the future of the Catholic Church following a two-year canvassing of rank-and-file Catholics across the globe.

The synod's agenda items call for concrete steps to promote women to decision-making roles in the church, including as deacons, and allegedly for a more democratic church governance. The meeting would also aim to address the call for a "radical inclusion" of LGBT+ Catholics and other marginalized individuals, and for new accountability measures to keep bishops and priests in check and to prevent further abuses.

The synod and its proposals for greater lay involvement have thrilled progressives and disturbed conservatives, including the five cardinals, who warned any changes could lead to schism.

Last month, Burke provided a message of support to the Q&A book "The Synodal Process is a Pandora's Box" by Latin American Catholic thinkers Jose Antonio Ureta and Julio Loredo de Izcue, which highlighted the synodal process rehabilitating old heresies once condemned by the church and imposing a harmful radical progressive agenda as a result.

The book particularly made a scathing criticism against the German Synodal Way for what the book described as a radical interpretation of synodality, which the authors further alleged found its way into the Vatican synod's agenda.

Read Also: Polish Priest Investigated After Police Discover 'Gay Orgy' in His Apartment

A Plea to the Pope

The cardinals raised their questions to Francis and asked him to affirm Catholic doctrine before the synod undermined the church's traditional teaching. They particularly asked Francis to affirm that the church could not bless same-sex couples, and that any sexual act outside sacramental marriage between a man and a woman is a grave sin.

Official church teaching said that homosexuals must be treated with dignity and respect but that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered."

They also asked him if the synod itself could replace the pope and bishops as the church's supreme authority, which is an issue of concern to some in the hierarchy who felt threatened by the synod's call for empowering the laity.

The cardinals further asked the pope to affirm or deny if the church in the future could one day ordain women, as church doctrine holds that only men can be ordained priests.

The letter and questions mark the latest high-ranking challenge to Francis's pontificate and his reform agenda.

Other critics of Francis's pontificate have also chimed in to the publication of the new dubia against the pope.

US Catholic writer and composer Dr. Peter Kwasniewski made a wager about the matter.

"If Pope Francis answers, clarity ensues," he wrote on Facebook. "If he refuses to answer, more clarity ensues, especially for posterity, for historians who ask 'Did anyone resist the soft schism into progressive non-Catholicism?'"

Francis's Response Inadequate, Dubia Cardinals Say

Magister wrote that while Francis has apparently responded to the new dubia in its initial form last July, the cardinals have not published it as they allegedly found it unsatisfactory. They reformulated their questions into yes-or-no ones and resubmitted them to Rome by August, asking him to reply with a yes or no answer.

The pope did not respond as of this writing, prompting the cardinals to make the texts public and issue a "notification" warning to the congregations.

"We, members of the Sacred College of Cardinals, in accord with the duty of all the faithful 'to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church'...have manifested our deepest concern to the Roman Pontiff," they wrote. "Given the gravity of the matter of the dubia, especially in view of the imminent session of the Synod of Bishops, we judge it our duty to inform you, the faithful, so that you may not be subject to confusion, error, and discouragement but rather may pray for the universal Church and, in particular, the Roman Pontiff, that the Gospel may be taught ever more clearly and followed ever more faithfully."

Related Article: Cardinal Burke, Traditional Catholics Warn Upcoming Vatican Synod is a 'Pandora's Box,' 'Trojan Horse' in New Q&A Book

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Donald Trump appears to be sitting out the crisis of leadership occurring in the House Republican caucus, a move that may serve to strengthen Speaker Kevin McCarthys chances of remaining at its head.

A group of right-wing Republicans led by Matt Gaetz is likely to try to oust the GOP speaker of the House in the coming days following Mr McCarthys decision to cut a deal with Democrats to avert a government shutdown over the weekend. Those same holdouts had been pressuring Mr McCarthy to push forward only with budget resolutions that would require major cuts in federal spending, measures which were doomed to fail in the Senate if they even passed the lower chamber.

Mr Gaetz, a close ally of Donald Trump, had apparently been hoping to win the ex-presidents support for his crusade against Mr McCarthy  he indicated to reporters on Monday that he had spoken with Mr Trump on the matter, and played coy about how Mr Trump was leaning on the issue.

But the ex-president himself dispelled any notion of supporting Mr Gaetzs bid to oust Mr McCarthy as speaker while at a campaign stop in Iowa.

Gaetz still plans to try to oust McCarthy from speakership this week. Says he's ready to do it over and over again. Argues it's not him throwing House in chaos. "Real chaos is when the American people have to go through the austerity that is coming."



Says he's spoken to Trump. pic.twitter.com/1mLMrqcw0O  Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 2, 2023

I dont know anything about those efforts [to remove McCarthy], but I like both of them very much, Mr Trump said, referring to the two House GOP figures.

Trump is asked if he supports Matt Gaetzs efforts to oust Kevin McCarthy as Speaker. He says he likes both and McCarthy said very nice things about him this morning so he doesnt want to comment. pic.twitter.com/xTrnkd7eiY  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) October 1, 2023

His tepid response will at the minimum sap the political capital that Mr Gaetz is expending on this effort, which is already finding more critics than supporters among the House GOP conference  at least in terms of those members who are making their views known. House GOP leadership has rallied behind the speaker, while some of Mr Gaetzs colleagues have taken to disparaging him in the press.

But the Florida Republican could still well be on his way to securing the votes of the majority of the GOP conference if members vote in any way similar to how they voted on a continuing resolution supported by Mr McCarthy on Saturday to avert a shutdown. A majority of Mr McCarthys caucus voted against his measure, while Democrats supported it.

Some have speculated that Mr McCarthy will attempt to cut a deal with Democrats once again to secure their votes for his continued service as speaker; any such arrangement would likely mean that he would have to make power-sharing or other concessions with the minority party.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media after exiting the courtroom for a lunch recess during the first day of his civil fraud trial at New York State Supreme Court. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Donald Trump has attacked the civil fraud case against him as political.

He showed up to court Monday with his 2024 campaign staffers in tow.

He's previously been sanctioned for bringing political lawsuits.

Former President  and 2024 Republican presidential frontrunner  Donald Trump has long complained that the legal cases against him are political.

The New York Attorney General's $250 million civil fraud trial that began Monday morning, he says, is a "witch hunt."

Showing up to court in lower Manhattan, Trump sought to make the case appear as political as possible.

Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, Trump attacked not only New York Attorney General Letitia James, an elected Democrat, but Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron, who's presiding over the case.

"This guy's a highly partisan person and we can't let this stuff happen," Trump said. "This is a judge that should be disbarred, this is a judge that should be out of office. This is a judge that some people say could be charged criminally for what he's doing. He's interfering with an election."

Trump's campaign sent emails and text messages asking supporters for donations. There, he also called the proceedings a "SHAM trial" and a form of "Election Interference."

"Democrats have forced me to stand trial in a frivolous lawsuit rather than be on the campaign trail," he said.

Trump appears to want to keep the case political, rather than leave it to his lawyers to argue the legal merits of the attorney general's case.

He entered the courtroom surrounded by not just his lawyers, but his political staff. His spokesperson Steven Cheung and advisor Jason Miller sat to the side, watching opening statements.

One of Trump's lawyers, Alina Habba, lambasted New York Attorney General Letitia James, an elected Democrat. In her opening statement, Habba said James could have brought the case years earlier, and that she ultimately brought the lawsuit for political reasons. James, she pointed out, ran for office partially on her record of going after the Trump family.

The attorney general's lawsuit alleges that Trump, Eric Trump , Donald Trump Jr. , and two other Trump Organization executives are liable for fraud for misrepresenting the values of the company's property in financial statements submitted to banks for loans. They're seeking to disgorge the company of its allegedly ill-gotten profits, ban the group from running a company in New York ever again, and have the judge issue $250 million in penalties.

Trump has had a lot of court dates this year. With four criminal cases and other civil litigation on the docket, he has many more coming up, giving him ample opportunities to use courthouses as rally sites while court officers handle the security.

Attorney Alina Habba is representing Trump in his New York fraud trial. AP Photo/Bryan Woolston

Kevin C. Wallace, a lawyer at the attorney general's office, showed deposition videos where Trump and his children shirked responsibility for those financial statements. He said the videos demonstrated they were acting with intent to defraud banks.

Habba, in response, said the snippets of video misrepresented her clients and were further evidence of the plaintiff's political motivations.

"I wasn't planning to speak today until I saw the attorney general speak outside and until Mr. Wallace's presentation," Habba said.

In her own statement on the courthouse steps, before the trial began, James said Trump should not be exempt from New York state's financial laws just because he was a former president.

"No matter how rich or powerful you are, there are not two sets of laws for people in this country," she said. "The rule of law must apply equally to everyone, and it is my responsibility to make sure that it does."

Trump's campaign aides didn't return to court after lunch

Cheung and Miller sat on the side of the courtroom gallery, watching the fireworks. But at other times, they appeared bored and distracted. Engoron generally forbade cellphones from the room, and the two Trump campaign staffers appeared fidgety. Cheung, at some points, seemed to close his eyes.

This is far from the first time Trump and his attorneys have claimed that the cases against him are politically motivated. But judges have often found the opposite: That he has filed lawsuits for improperly political purposes.

Earlier this year, a federal judge in Florida tossed one of Trump's lawsuits against the Democratic National Committee, Hillary Clinton, former FBI director James Comey, and a smattering of other people and entities that Trump harbors grudges against. The lawsuit, US District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks, wrote, was part of a "pattern of misusing the courts to serve political purposes."

"This case should never have been brought," he wrote. "Its inadequacy as a legal claim was evident from the start. No reasonable lawyer would have filed it. Intended for a political purpose, none of the counts of the amended complaint stated a cognizable legal claim."

New York attorney general Letitia James steps out of the courtroom doing a short break in the civil business fraud trial against former President Donald Trump at New York Supreme Court, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in New York. AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Middlebrooks sanctioned Trump and his lawyers in that case. When they asked him to reconsider, he refused. Middlebrooks wrote in a ruling last month that Trump has continued to try to use the courts for political purposes, often carrying over language from his rallies and using the cases to raise money for his political action committees. (Trump has used funds from those PACs to pay his lawyers.)

"Mr. Trump is a prolific and sophisticated litigant who is repeatedly using the courts to seek revenge on political adversaries," Middlebrooks wrote. "This case is straight out of that playbook."

Trump returned to the courtroom after a lunch break. He had told another judge in Florida that he would attend the trial this week, which enabled him to evade  for now  a deposition in a civil lawsuit against Michael Cohen, his former personal lawyer and ex-Trump Organization executive.

The excitement, at that point, was largely over.

The first witness in the case was called to the stand: Donald Bender, a now-retired accountant who helped prepare the Trump Organization's financial statements. He talked about the minutiae of New York accounting practices.

Cheung and Miller didn't return to the courtroom.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Turkeys military carried out airstrikes targeting Kurdish militants in northern Iraq on Sunday, just hours after the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing in the capital in the latest attack of its nearly four-decade long insurgency.

In a statement, the Turkish Defense Ministry said its warplanes destroyed 20 PKK targets including caves, bunkers, shelters and warehouses in the regions of Metina, Hakurk, Kandil, and Gara.

Many terrorists were neutralized by using the maximum amount of domestic and national ammunition, said the statement, which cited self-defense rights from Article 51 of the United Nations Charter to justify the strikes.

The PKK, which is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, earlier said it was behind the blast Sunday outside Turkeys Interior Ministry building that left one dead and two injured, the pro-PKK Firat News Agency reported.

The ministry said in a statement that two attackers murdered a civilian and stole his vehicle ahead of the opening of parliament in Ankara. Two police officers reportedly received non-life-threatening injuries.

One assailant blew himself up and the other was neutralized, the ministry said.

Investigators found four different types of guns, three hand grenades, one rocket launcher, and C-4 explosives at the scene.

The ministry confirmed at least one of the two attackers is a PKK member. The second attacker has yet to be identified, it said.

Turkish security forces cordon off an area after an explosion in Ankara on Sunday. - Ali Unal/AP

Kurds, who do not have an official homeland or country, are the biggest minority in Turkey, making up between 15% and 20% of the population, according to Minority Rights Group International.

Portions of Kurdistan  a non-governmental region and one of the largest stateless nations in the world  are recognized by Iran, where the province of Kordestan lies; and Iraq, site of the northern autonomous region known as Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) or Iraqi Kurdistan.

According to Ankara, the PKK trains separatist fighters and launches attacks against Turkey from its bases in northern Iraq and Syria, where a PKK-affiliated Kurdish group controls large swaths of territory.

Terror attacks in Turkey were tragically common in the mid to late 2010s, when the insecurity from war-torn Syria crept north above the two countries shared border.

And in November last year, Ankara blamed the PKK for a bomb attack on a central pedestrian boulevard in Istanbul that killed six and injured dozens.

In recent years, Turkey has carried out a steady stream of operations against the PKK domestically as well as cross-border operations into Syria.

In an address to lawmakers Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that Turkey would continue its fight against terrorism until the last terrorist is eliminated domestically and abroad.

Sundays attack marked the final flutters of terrorism in the country, he added.

CNNs Eyad Kourdi, Duarte Mendonca, Zahid Mahmood and Joshua Berlinger contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Turkish police officers secure the site of a terrorist attack near the Interior Ministry in Ankara, on Sunday. According to the Turkish minister of interior, Ali Yerlikaya, two police officers were injured when two people carried a bomb attack outside the ministry's gate, adding that one of the attackers blew himself up and the other was 'neutralized' by security forces. Photo by Necati Savas/EPA-EFE

Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Turkish warplanes conducted retaliatory air strikes Sunday night on suspected Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq following a suicide attack in the capital Ankara, officials said.

The airstrikes were conducted at 9 p.m. Sunday, with Turkey's Ministry of Defense stating that 20 targets of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, known as the PKK, were hit, including caves, shelters and warehouses, in the Metina, Hakurk, Kandil and Gara regions of northern Iraq.

"A large number of terrorists were neutralized," the ministry said in a statement.

The strikes came nearly 12 hours after a suicide bomber drove up to the entrance of the Ministry of Interior in Ankara and detonated an explosive device. A second terrorist was "neutralized" at the scene by responding security forces, the ministry said in a statement.

An investigation has identified one of the terrorists as a member of the PKK, the ministry said, adding that identification of the other suspect was ongoing.

Two police officers were injured in the bombing, the Interior Ministry said.

Ministry officials added that the vehicle used in the attack was stolen from a veterinary health technician in Kayseri, a city located about 215 miles southeast of the capital. The technician was murdered, according to the officials.

The PKK is a Marxist-Leninist organization that formed in the late 1970s and seeks an independent Kurdistan, according to a report by the U.S. Congressional Research Service.

The militant group, which is a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, has been in conflict with Turkey since at least 1984 when it began its armed insurgency against Ankara.

The organization has also been a cause for strained relations between Turkey and some of its Western allies, including the United States, which in 2015 partnered with Kurdish militias aligned with the PKK in the fight against the Islamic State in Syria.

Turkey has also accused Sweden of harboring PKK terrorists, which has become a roadblock in Stockholm's ascension to NATO membership.

The attack occurred near the parliament building, where hours later on Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to fight "until the last terrorist is eliminated."

"This morning's attack, in which two villains were neutralized thanks to the timely response of our security units, is the last flutters of terrorism. The scoundrels who targeted the peace and security of our citizens could not achieve their goals, and they will never achieve them," he said.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson issued a statement condemning the attack.

"We reaffirm our commitment to long-term cooperation with Turkiye in combatting terrorism and wish for quick and full recovery of the ones injured," he said.
BEIJING (Reuters) - The Chinese military released an animated short film on National Day showing pieces of a scroll painting torn in two more than 300 years ago being reunited, in a show of the mainland's determination to bring self-ruled Taiwan into the fold.

The pieces of the "The Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains", one of China's best-known ancient paintings, are kept separately in museums in China and Taiwan, the democratically governed island that Beijing claims as one its provinces, and which it reserves the right to take over by force.

On National Day on Sunday, the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command, known for belligerent videos of exercises around Taiwan, released an animated short film called "Dreams Come True on Fuchun River", appealing to the shared cultural roots of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The film featured two elves, representing the two pieces of the painting by Yuan dynasty master Huang Gongwang, which was torn apart in the 17th century by one of its owners.

At the end of the movie, the two characters came together, magically making the painting whole again.

The shorter piece of the scroll, known as "The Remaining Mountain", about 51 cm long, is at the Zhejiang Provincial Museum in Hangzhou city. Taiwan's National Palace Museum has kept the 640-cm long "Master Wuyong Scroll" since the 1950s.

The two pieces were reunited in 2011 when China lent its fragment to the Taiwanese museum for two months during a period of warmer relations as Taiwan pursued a policy of economic rapprochement with China.

But in recent years, as relations have cooled, China has ramped up military activities around Taiwan, including drills over the past month that Beijing said were targeted at combating separatist forces.

At the same time, China is drafting ambitious plans to "integrate" the economies of its Fujian province and Taiwan, on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, offering Taiwan firms a chance to take part in a joint development plan, which Taiwan's government has spurned.

While China is keen to woo Taiwan with promises of economic gains, the threat of taking Taiwan by force is unrelenting.

During the journey by the two elves in the film, the Eastern Theatre Command inserted shots of aircraft carrier formations and J-20 fighter jets, reminding viewers of its battlefield capabilities.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo; editing by Robert Birsel)
Six years ago, a family in southwest Missouri stumbled across a two-headed snake.

They gave the rare creature a name  Tiger-Lily, or Tiger and Lily  then donated the female snake to the Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center in Branson, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

And while the western ratsnake would have struggled to survive in the wild, Tiger-Lily has continued to grow in captivity, officials said in a Sept. 29 news release.

Shes almost 5 feet long, having grown about a foot in two years, according to state wildlife officials. And that could be because she really likes to eat.

But feeding time isnt easy, officials said.

Both heads want to eat, but they only have one esophagus, Interpretive Center Manager Alison Bleich said in the release. We put a small cup over one head while the other eats, then switch. Otherwise, both would be trying to grab the same mouse.

Those who want to meet this rare reptile can do so at her upcoming birthday party.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is hosting her sixth birthday from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Scenic Overlook at the Ruth & Paul Henning Conservation Area in Branson. No registration is necessary.

While rare, Tiger-Lily isnt the only two-headed western ratsnake in captivity in Missouri.

Another two-headed snake found in 2005 is on display at Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center in southeast Missouri, according to the release. The snake is 18 years old.

Conjoined snakes are born in about one in every 100,000 births, naturalist Alex Holmes said in a 2021 news release.

In the wild, those that survive probably wouldnt be able to escape predators due to their bodys lack of dominate leadership, Holmes said at the time.

Rare and elusive snake spotted in Texas, photos show. But dont get too close

Amazon driver hospitalized after rattlesnake bite during delivery, Florida cops say

Python was taking cheeky nap in zoo vending machine. Then Steve Irwins son appeared
WASHINGTON  Lynn Wencus and Ellen Isaacs share a similar story that ends with the same tragedy: Both women lost sons to the opioid crisis, which still claims tens of thousands of American lives every year.

Both mothers remember feeling reassured that the painkillers prescribed to their sons were safe. Both tell harrowing stories about scrambling to find treatment centers and feeling hopeless through relapses. Both remember listening as their sons predicted that they would die young from addiction.

Both of their sons were right. Isaacs' son, Ryan, and Wencus' son, Jeff, were 33 when they died.

Despite all that Wencus and Isaacs have in common, they are diametrically opposed to each other in a blockbuster case at the Supreme Court this year centered on Purdue Pharma, the company responsible for OxyContin. At the heart of that appeal is a dispute over how much to punish the Sackler family, which made its fortune selling the drug that fueled an epidemic.

What to know: The Supreme Court is returning to work. Here are the biggest cases.

Under the terms of a bankruptcy settlement the high court is considering, the Sackler family agreed to pay $6 billion in exchange for being shielded from future civil lawsuits. Wencus believes the deal will do more good than harm, not only for her son's memory but also for a nation struggling with addiction.

"Do I want to see them rot in hell? Absolutely," said Wencus, 70, who is retired and lives in Massachusetts. "But if we can get this money and put it into treatment the right way, then we are saving lives."

Isaacs says the Sacklers are getting off way too easy.

"It's absolutely absurd that they think they're just going to be able to walk away with their wealth intact," said Isaacs, 58, a retired mortgage fraud investigator.

Should the Sacklers get to keep billions?

The Supreme Court is being asked to settle a version of that same debate.

U.S. Trustee William Harrington, who serves as a watchdog over the bankruptcy process for the Justice Department, is objecting to the Purdue agreement. Harrington argues in part that federal bankruptcy courts simply don't have the power to shield the Sacklers from future lawsuits.

By the time Purdue declared bankruptcy in 2019, the company and the Sacklers were facing trillions of dollars in claims from Americans affected by opioids. Before Purdue filed for bankruptcy, the Sacklers spent years siphoning an estimated $11 billion out of the company, according to the Justice Department.

Critics such as Isaacs say the Sacklers shouldn't get to keep so much of that money.

Supporters such as Wencus say it's uncertain whether a better deal could ever be reached. The court fight over Purdue has already dragged on for years, allowing the Sacklers to hold on to the billions they have promised  money governments will use to pay for addiction treatment programs. The vast majority of known opioid victims and their families back the settlement.

This is a victim's plan, said Edward Neiger, a lawyer who represents 60,000 people who are victims of the opioid crisis, including Wencus. The DOJ appeal is not hurting the Sacklers  it's helping them. The Sacklers get to sit on their money for another year or two.

Opponents question the true scope of support for the settlement, noting it's impossible to count future victims. A 13-year-old who lost her parents to opioids, for example, might not be able to bring a claim against the Sacklers today. Under the agreement, she would be barred from doing so forever.

Michael Quinn, who represents Issacs, said broader concerns about corporate accountability are also at stake.

"Decision-makers within a company, by getting these releases, might act more recklessly," Quinn said. "Their appetite for risk in harming the public will increase."

The idea of shielding parties from lawsuits began in the 1980s to protect insurance companies tied to bankruptcies in the asbestos industry. Years later, a similar tactic was used to deal with personal injury claims related to silicone breast implants. A $2.46 billion settlement over sex abuse allegations against the Boy Scouts of America protects Boy Scouts councils, churches and other groups from future claims.

Now, the Supreme Court will review the practice. The justices are expected to hear arguments in the case this year and hand down a decision by June.

Christine Gagnon of Southington, Conn., protests with other family and friends who have lost loved ones to OxyContin and opioid overdoses at Purdue Pharma headquarters in Stamford, Conn., on Aug. 17, 2018.

Im going to die young

Wencus doesnt quite know when Jeff began what she describes as his "love affair" with opioids. In junior high school, doctors prescribed the painkillers after a surgery. Years later, he injured his back at his job as a truck driver and was given the drugs. Looking back, she realizes that her family  like the rest of the nation  was naive about the dangers of addiction.

"Back then, we all thought doctors did what was best for the patient," she said.

Lynn Wencus' son, Jeff.

Isaacs tells a similar story about Ryan, who was prescribed OxyContin after damaging his spinal column one day around 2001 while horsing around with friends. When it didn't quite ease his pain, she remembers doctors repeatedly upping the dose  10 milligrams, 20 milligrams, 40 milligrams.

"I put my foot down," Isaacs recalls.

But it was too late.

Both women remember frantically searching for treatment up and down the East Coast, anyplace with a bed. Wencus pulled money from her retirement savings. Isaacs remembers arriving at treatment centers only to be told no spots were available. Come back tomorrow.

"He would tell me, 'I'm going to die young,'" Isaacs said.

"I remember Jeff saying to me, 'My rock-bottom will be death,'" Wencus said.

Ellen Isaacs' son, Ryan.

Though Isaacs and Wencus are on opposites sides of the case, Harrington v. Purdue Pharma, they agree on a lot. Both believe the government isn't doing enough to combat addiction. Isaacs says officials should mobilize to distribute the overdose reversal drug Narcan with the same fervor that made COVID-19 tests widely available during the pandemic. Wencus believes the country must embrace safe-injection sites where people who are addicted can use drugs in a controlled setting and more easily access treatment.

Both of them say they are fighting to honor the memory of their sons.

"There's no amount of money that is going to bring my son back," Wencus said. "However, for his legacy, I would like to see this money go to treatment. And I would like to hope that if we could save even one life, it would be worth it."

"My son would want that."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Purdue Pharma case drives wedge between victims of opioid crisis
The United Nations Security Council approved Monday a one-year deployment of a multinational armed force to Haiti to be led by Kenya, nearly a year after the crisis-ridden country appealed to the international community for help to put down the violent gangs that have taken over larger parts of the country.

The vote on Res. 2699 came four days shy of one year since the Haitian government first requested an international military intervention on Oct. 6, 2022. Thirteen of the nations on the 15-member council voted for it, while two countries, China and the Russian Federation, abstained. The ambassadors from both countries said that they understand the scale and the urgency of the security problems facing the country, but believe the resolution falls short of a comprehensive approach to dealing with the multiple crises in Haiti.

Supporters of the resolution said they were responding to a clarion call for help from 12 million people who for too long have been held hostage to armed gangs that kidnap, rape and kill.

More than just a simple vote, this is in fact an expression of solidarity with a population in distress, Haitis Foreign Minister Jean Victor Geneus said, thanking the council and the government of Kenya for offering to take the lead. Its a glimmer of hope.

The Security Council, he added, has given hope to the millions of defenseless women, men and children who need the restoration of liberty, peace and security, and who have for a long time been calling out to the international community for help.

The vote was a significant victory for the Biden administration, which after failing to get Canada to take a leadership role succeeded in securing the approval of the security council. It is also a win for U.N. Secretary General-Secretary General Antonio Guterres who, recognizing past issues with peacekeeping operations in Haiti, proposed deploying a force under a Security Council mandate  but not led by the U.N itself  and visited the Caribbean in July to lobby reluctant leaders for their support.

The mission speaks to the U.N.s ability to galvanize collective action, but todays vote is only the first step. Now, the work of getting the mission off the ground begins, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., said in a statement. We must act with urgency, as the people of Haiti cannot and should not wait for the peace and stability they deserve.

Thomas-Greenfield thanked Kenya for stepping forward and welcomed the pledges by the ountries, including several Caribbean nations, that have committed to send personnel to Haiti as part of the mission.

The Multinational Security Support Mission will not technically be a U.N. mission, meaning member countries are not obligated to contribute toward its cost. According to the resolution, the force would be funded by voluntarily contributions from countries, and authorization would initially be for a year, with a review after nine months.

Senior U.S. administration officials say the U.S. is committed to the missions success and will work with other countries to identify sufficient equipment, personnel and resources. They have declined to say publicly how much the mission is expected to cost, other than the U.S. plans to provide an initial $200 million in funding. Half that will come from the Defense Department.

Many of us have stepped up to do as much as we can bilaterally, a senior administration official said Monday ahead of the vote. But Haiti needs a more ambitious, holistic and concerted effort from partners all over the world and for new partners to step forward to help in this critical moment in Haitis history.

The U.N. resolution was authored by the U.S. and Ecuador with input from Kenya, which in late July said it would consider deploying 1,000 of its police officers to Haiti for the operation.

This is the first time since the U.N. deployed a stabilization mission to Haiti in 2004 that the Security Council has approved a foreign intervention in the Caribbean country, which has seen an escalation in armed gang violence and kidnappings since the July 7, 2021, assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Then a strong earthquake hit shortly after.

Both events, U.S. officials said, erased decades of progress in rebuilding stability and governance in Haiti.

The U.S. pushed for the resolution behind the scene for months, with President Joe Biden calling for its swift passage in his speech to the U.N. General Assembly in September. U.S. officials were concerned that China and Russia would veto it up until the moment of the vote. Late Friday, after a draft of the resolution circulated among members of the Security Council, China asked for stronger language, requiring member countries to do more to halt the illicit trafficking of arms into Haiti. A deal was finally reached with Washington over the weekend.

Still, both nations withheld their approval, raising concerns about allowing the use of force in a mission not led by the U.N. in a country lacking an accountable government.

It must be understood that sending the armed forces in another state to any country, even upon its request, is an extreme measure that must be thoroughly thought through, Russias U.N representative, Vassily Nebenzia, said.

Added Chinas representative, Zhang Jun: Without a legitimate, effective and accountable government in place, any external support can hardly have any lasting effects.

The approval of the mission is not only a significant milestone, U.S. officials said, it builds on the work of the councils decision last October to set up a sanctions program to punish Haitians helping fuel the widespread gang violence and destabilizing the country.

The Security Council has two more meetings scheduled on Haiti: One on the Oct. 19th to adopt additional sanctions, and another on Oct. 23 for a regular briefing and consultations on the work of the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti. Guterres is seeking additional support for the office so that it can assist the mission by helping Haiti address some of the root causes of its instability: a dysfunctional judiciary, overcrowded prisons, corruption and a weak police force.

Mondays vote is only the first step, the U.S. official said, recognizing that much work remains including hashing out rules of engagement, how forces will communicate and how they will work with the Haitian police.

The mission, which is now expected to include military troops as well as police, will involve securing key government installations in Haiti such as the seaport and airport, but also support to Haitis ill-equipped and underfunded police force on operations to counter gangs and improve security conditions in the volatile country.

The United Nations Security Council.

The security mission would also work to help build the capacity of Haitis police, which according to Guterres is dealing with a staggering loss of officers. In the first half of this year, nearly 800 cops left the force, which continues to struggle to maintain security gains after taking back neighborhoods from gang control. The U.N. political office in Haiti has said while the force has a payroll of less than 15,000 officers, there are only 3,300 cops actually on duty at any time throughout the country of 12 million people.

Mondays vote came after weeks of consultations and heavy behind-the-scenes lobbying by the U.S., which has grown increasingly worried about a mass exodus of Haitians and a complete takeover of the country by gangs, which now control at least 80% of the capital.

There were questions about the nature of the mission and its duration in Haiti, which hasnt had national elections since 2016, when Moise came to power, and today finds itself in a constitutional crisis with no parliament or elected leaders.

The exit strategy goes through elections, Brian Nichols, assistant secretary of state for the Western Hemisphere, said ahead of the vote as the U.S. appealed to countries to pledge support for the mission.

Other countries also raised concerns about the lack of a political agreement to move toward elections in Haiti. The U.N. resolution stresses that addressing the root causes of instability in Haiti requires political solutions, and emphasizes the urgent need to encourage wider participation and forge the broadest possible consensus in the political process to schedule elections once the gangs are dealt with.

During the discussions after the vote, a number of countries called on Haitian authorities to work harder at reaching a political consensus leading to elections, recognizing that while stabilizing the security mission will bring some relief, it will not resolve all of the issues facing Haiti.

It must be clear, in any event, that it is up to Haitians to forge their own path. Without a Haitian political solution based on free, fair, transparent elections, no security assistance, no humanitarian aid or development aid will guarantee lasting success, Brazils U.N. ambassador, Sergio Franca Danese, said.

Ahead of the security councils vote, the U.S. State Department stressed that the multinational mission is not a substitute for the political dialogue needed to move toward elections.

Residents flee their homes to escape clashes between armed gangs in the Carrefour-Feuilles district of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023.

This additional security support for Haiti goes hand in hand with the work that Prime Minister [Ariel] Henry is leading to forge a national consensus on a political path forward, Victoria Nuland, acting deputy secretary of state, said in a press conference on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly last month.

The U.S. has repeatedly said that Henry, a neurosurgeon who was handpicked by Moise ahead of his death to be his seventh prime minister and lead Haiti to long overdue elections, would not run for office  and neither would any members of his cabinet.

U.S. officials said that while several countries have expressed support for fielding the mission, many said strong U.N. Security Council backing was necessary first.The Miami Herald has identified at least a dozen countries that have pledged to support the mission with personnel, equipment or funding. They include Italy, Spain, Mongolia, Senegal, Belize, Suriname, Guatemala and Peru. The Caribbean nations of Jamaica, The Bahamas, and Antigua and Barbuda had previously announced their intent to take part in the mission.

Though no particular countries came forward with specific pledges during Mondays discussions, both Japan and Brazil expressed support for the mission.

READ MORE: Here are the countries offering to help Kenya take on deadly gangs in Haiti

During discussions in New York last month, Blinken appealed to the international community to pledge support and said the administration is working on securing $100 million from Congress to help finance the mission. U.S. officials say they plan to intensify their efforts after the vote to get more contributions from other countries.

There are still many unanswered questions about the international intervention, including the ability of the U.S. to get countries to finance the mission with voluntary contributions when they have so far struggled to raise $28 million for a Haitian police fund, and the missions ability to succeed against ruthless gangs.

Critics have raised questions about Kenyas ability to take on gangs and the forces effectiveness given the countrys poor human-rights record in the past. The resolution says that all personnel deployed for the mission must be vetted and any allegations of human-rights abused must be quickly investigated.

Member states participating in the security mission will also be asked to adopt appropriate wastewater management and other environmental controls to guard against the introduction and spread of water-borne diseases like cholera, which was introduced during the last U.N. intervention by Nepalese peacekeepers.

People are right to be skeptical because other emissions have failed before, Kenyas foreign minister, Alfred Mutua told the BBC in an interview before the vote. But those are U.N. peacekeeping missions. This is a different mission.
Between 260 and 265 steel and iron workers at Granite City Works will be officially out of work starting this week, according to the union locals president.

Those layoffs come less than two weeks after U.S. Steel, the Pittsburgh-based parent company, said it would temporarily shutter the only operational furnace on the mills campus.

Dan Simmons, president of United Steelworkers Local 1899, said the union will host informational meetings on Tuesday for the workers who lost their jobs.

Theres a lot of folks who will be out seeking, Im sure, other employment, Simmons said. And they may or may not ever decide to come back. Its what happens when you get your employer to treat you like theyre doing here.

At the meetings, Simmons said the union will walk through information such as filing for unemployment benefits from the state and getting those laid off employees supplemental pay or insurance over the next couple of months. He expects another 30 to 40 employees to be laid off over the coming weeks too.

The news of the layoffs is a blow to local steelworkers and the Metro East town of 27,000, whose economic vitality centers around the health of the mill and its employees.

In its announcement of the furnaces closure last week, U.S. Steel said the layoffs would last less than six months.

We do not take these decisions lightly and will continue to monitor and assess market conditions, Amanda Malkowski, a U.S. Steel spokeswoman, said in a statement. It would not be prudent to speculate as to how long we expect the idling to last, but we currently believe that layoffs will last less than six months.

U.S. Steel also cited the United Auto Workers ongoing strike for the need to idle the Granite City blast furnace.

Skeptics of the move and U.S. Steels motivations  including Simmons, Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson and U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, who represents the area in Congress  have said they will monitor whether U.S. Steel actually brings the jobs back.

It could be a way for the company to skirt the federal law, the WARN Act, that dictates how much notice employers must give employees during mass layoffs, they said.

A man looks for oncoming traffic as he leaves the U.S. Steel Granite City Works steel factory on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Granite City, Ill.

Were going to be watching very closely to see if those do remain temporary, Budzinski said.

Enacted in 1988, the legislation requires large employers to give at least 60 days notice before layoffs. The labor law was designed to protect workers and give them ample time to get training and find other work.

We hope that U.S. Steel is honorable in their word that this is a short shutdown, but I dont put much faith in anything they say anymore, Parkinson said.

If found to have violated the WARN Act by not bringing back iron and steel workers by the end of March, U.S. Steel would have to pay each relevant employee an amount equal to back pay and benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Budzinski, who started her career working for unions, said she would like Congress to strengthen the WARN Act.

When layoffs happen in any community, we need more time to prepare both people as individuals, as families and as a community, she said.

Despite the temporary closure of the furnace, Simmons said the union members morale has taken a hit.

This is brand new to these folks, and the majority of them that are getting laid off have never experienced any type of layoff, Simmons said.

In the meantime, Granite City Works will operate with around 900 employees and ship in slabs of steel from sister mills in Gary, Indiana, and another in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Simmons said.

Parkinson, the mayor since 2021 and a longtime police lieutenant in Granite City before that, said the community will also feel the impact of the layoffs.

A man walks past the U.S. Steel Granite City Steel Building on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Granite City, Ill.

He said restaurants like Park Grill, just up the road for the mills campus and a popular lunch spot for employees, will likely see less business during the next couple of months.

Its going to have a negative effect on all of the secondary businesses, he said.

These layoffs come during an uncertain time for the steelworkers and Granite City.

Less than two months ago, U.S. Steel rejected an unsolicited bid from a rival steel company to purchase the entirety of its company. After other companies made offers, the national steelworkers union endorsed the sale to Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. for its pro-labor record, Bloomberg reported.

In the latest development, U.S. Steel allowed Cleveland-Cliffs to participate in the sale process after signing a nondisclosure agreement, meaning the two steel giants could be a little closer to a deal, Reuters reported on Thursday.

Malkowski, the U.S. Steel spokeswoman, said the decision to idle the blast furnace at Granite City Works has nothing to do with U.S. Steels potential sale to another company.

Last year, U.S. Steel floated a deal to sell both blast furnaces at Granite City Works to SunCoke Energy Inc. that would permanently cut an estimated 1,000 jobs. The union holds the power to veto the deal, Simmons said.

Both Simmons and Parkinson said they would welcome new owners to keep the 128-year-old mill open.

If you dont want to be here, sell the plant to Cleveland-Cliffs and let us get on with the business that weve known for decades, Parkinson said.

Dan Simmons, president of United Steelworkers Local 1899, at a fire up party in June 2018 to celebrate 500 employees going back to work.
With all the potential emergencies that can happen, it's important for agencies and organizations to have a system that can relay an alert message to all devices simultaneously. The good thing is, one is already being developed and might be tested as early as October 4th.

FEMA, FCC Emergency Alert

Alerts that show up on both TVs and smartphones can be a very effective way to reach out to the majority of a country's population, and that is the project that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission are working on.

On October 4th at 2:20 p.m. ET, the National Wireless Emergency Alert System will send out a notification on phones, TVs, and radios as well, which will determine how the public will react to the alert and how ready they are if there really is a crisis, as per Engadget.

Mostly, the agencies aim to test if the Wireless Emergency Alerts can effectively reach all cellular devices nationwide. The notification will state: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."

The cellphone test will be disseminated as a Common Alerting Protocol message through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System-Open Platform Emergency Networks. The included parties can expect a "unique tone and vibration" which emphasizes the urgency of the alert.

With the Emergency Alert System, the notification may arrive at the same time as television and radio. For phones, users will be able to make the alert noises stop anytime they want. Otherwise, it would continue playing for 30 minutes.

The alert system is already set to be tested on the given date, but in the event that there is an actual emergency on October 4th, the date of the test will be moved to the backup date, which is October 11th, according to reports.

Read Also: 5 Useful, Practical Gadgets to Have During an Earthquake

Why It's Important

Potential risks and disasters, especially those at the national level, are usually the kind of alerts that must be announced and made known as soon as possible. Given that this method is the fastest way to inform the public about potential dangers, the test is necessary.

With the early warning, people will be given the time to prepare response plans, allocate resources, and take the necessary measures to remain safe during the impending hazard coming their way, as mentioned by the Prepare Center.

The emergency broadcast could provide people with instructions on how to weather the risks, which are sometimes not known to certain parties, as well as offer updates about ongoing disasters that can prove to be significant.

The Common Alerting Protocol usually provides answers to how bad it is, what it is, where it is, how soon it is, and what people should do. In addition to that, it can be translated into different languages so people would be able to understand them if they do not know English.

For instance, those who have their phones set to Spanish would see the alert message as: "ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita accion."

Related: 7 Emergency Apps To Keep On Your Phone For Earthquakes, Hurricanes, and Other Disasters
In the first nine months of 2023, Germany approved arms exports worth more than in the whole of last year.

Source: European Pravda; Spiegel

Details: According to the country's Ministry of Economy, in the first three quarters of this year, the federal government approved the export of military equipment to Ukraine worth 3.3 billion euros, making Kyiv the largest recipient of German weapons.

"Germany's continued support for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression, which is contrary to international law, continues to be clearly reflected in the licensed volumes of arms exports," said Sven Giegold, State Secretary of the Economy Ministry.

According to the ministry, in 2022, German arms exports totalled 8.35 billion euros, while in the first three quarters of this year, they already amounted to 8.76 billion euros.

This is the second highest figure in German history. Only in 2021 was it higher, amounting to 9.35 billion euros. For comparison, during the 16 years of Chancellor Angela Merkel 's rule, the six-billion mark was exceeded only five times.

Earlier, the German concern Rheinmetall received permission from the German Federal Antimonopoly Office to establish a joint venture with Ukrainian Defence Industry (formerly Ukroboronprom).

In early July, it was reported that the joint venture would be launched within the next 12 weeks.

The German company expects to sign contracts to establish two more joint ventures to produce ammunition and air defence equipment.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Russia is probably moving naval operations away from Crimea amid Ukrainian attacks, UK intel says.

Ukrainian strikes on the port of Sevastopol have ramped up pressure on the Black Sea Fleet.

Russian naval aviation is attempting to assert Russian dominance over the Black Sea, the MOD says.

A UK intelligence assessment said some of Russia's naval operations in the Black Sea had been relocated following recent Ukraine attacks on its Crimean base.

The UK's Ministry of Defence said Monday the threats had most likely pushed some of Russia's Black Sea fleet activities to move to the port of Novorossiysk, on Russia's western coast.

It didn't specify which vessels or activities had relocated.

Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) October 2, 2023

Ukraine has ramped up attacks on Russia's Black Sea Fleet in recent weeks, including striking its headquarters at the Crimean port of Sevastopol on September 22.

A week earlier, Ukraine sent 10 cruise missiles crashing into its shipyard, damaging a submarine and a landing craft.

It has also harried Russian ships with naval drones and recently unveiled a new design of underwater drone that's designed to sink Russian warships from below the surface.

Ben Hodges, a former commander of US Army Europe, recently told Insider the strikes on Sevastopol were exposing Russia's vulnerabilities in Crimea and were part of an effort to isolate the peninsula and make it "untenable" for Russia to effectively hold.

Hodges said the strikes went hand in hand with the wider Ukrainian counteroffensive.

With the likely relocation of some maritime activities to Novorossiysk, Russia is now attempting to plug the gap with elements of its naval air force, the UK MOD says.

The ministry said air patrols by the Be-12 MAIL, a flying boat aircraft, were a "key asset" in this.

It also noted how Su-24 Fencer and Flanker variant combat jets were conducting maritime strike operations, "including at least one recent air strike on the strategically located Snake Island."

Russia abandoned Snake Island, in the northwestern Black Sea, early in its full-scale invasion but has continued with attacks on it.

On September 24, the defense forces of southern Ukraine said Russian planes dropped four guided aerial bombs over the island.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukraine has taken a swipe at Elon Musk for posting a meme that made fun of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys requests for Western aid. Early Monday morning, the X Corp. founder shared a Trying to Hold a Fart Next to a Cute Girl in Class meme on X, formerly Twitter, with Zelenskys face photoshopped onto the male student. Musk captioned the photo: When its been 5 minutes and you havent asked for a billion dollars in aid. Ruslan Stefanchuk , the speaker of Ukraines parliament, reposted the meme and wrote, The case when [Elon Musk] tried to conquer space, but something went wrong and in 5 minutes he was up to his eyeballs in shit, referring to SpaceXs disastrous launch in April, when the companys Starship rocket self-destructed. The account for Ukraines parliament also got in on the action, placing Musks head on the teenager from the same meme and writing, When its been 5 minutes and you havent spread Russian propaganda.

The case when a dude @elonmusk tried to conquer space, but something went wrong and in 5 minutes he was up to his eyeballs in shit. https://t.co/4SW9dJNJvt  Ruslan Stefanchuk (@r_stefanchuk) October 2, 2023

Read it at Politico

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Dmytro Kuleba , the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, has said that Ukraine is not only receiving military assistance from partners, but is also increasing its own production of weapons.

Source: Kuleba on X (Twitter)

Quote: "Russia makes a mistake if it thinks it can wait out military aid for Ukraine.

Ukraine will only get stronger, and Russian aggression will fail.

We are not just bringing weapons to Ukraine.

We are ramping up domestic production and co-production with partners in NATO and beyond."

Background:

On 22 September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his visit to the United States had yielded a number of significant results, among them an agreement to jointly produce weapons, including air defence systems.

Zelenskyy called the US decision to jointly produce weapons and defence systems with Ukraine historic.

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Italy has signed an agreement with Ukraine on the restoration of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, which was damaged by a Russian missile attack.

Source: As European Pravda writes, this was announced by Antonio Tajani , Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in a comment to the media before the meeting of the heads of foreign affairs of the EU countries, which is being held in Kyiv for the first time.

Details: As Tajani said, Italy has signed an agreement on the restoration of the Odesa Cathedral, so now Rome will work on its reconstruction.

He noted that the best Italian architects will be engaged in the restoration of the cathedral.

Quote: "This is a clear cultural and political message for Ukraine," Tajani summed up.

Earlier, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that her country is ready to participate in the reconstruction of the Transfiguration Cathedral, which was damaged by a Russian missile strike.

As reported, on the night of 23 July, Russia launched a missile attack on Odesa, which seriously damaged the Transfiguration Cathedral, the largest in the city.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the Russian forces fired 19 missiles of various types, including five Oniks cruise missiles, on Odesa Oblast overnight on 22-23 July. Ukrainian air defence forces shot down nine missiles.

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Ukraine's "army of drones" is ramping up its attacks on Russian positions, a Ukrainian official said.

Mykhailo Fedorov said drones hit a record 220 pieces of Russian military equipment last week.

"Drone pilots continue to rock and setting new records," the minister of digital transformation said.

Ukraine's "army of drones" has ramped up its attacks on Russian positions, hitting a record number of Russian tanks, trucks, and artillery last week, a Ukrainian official said.

Between September 25 and October 2, Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a record 220 pieces of Russian military equipment, Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, said in a post on Telegram.

Drones damaged or destroyed 69 guns, 17 self-propelled artillery, 33 tanks, and 41 trucks, he said, citing data from Ukraine's Army of Drones government initiative.

"Last week was a real catastrophe for Russian artillery," he said in a separate post, adding: "Drone pilots continue to rock and setting new records."

Fedorov has shared previous information on Ukrainian drone strikes. Last week, he posted data claiming that Ukrainian drones hit 205 pieces of Russian military equipment between September 18 and September 25.

Ukraine and Russia have both extensively used drones to target each other's forces in the conflict.

The Associated Press reported late last month that a 12-person Ukrainian drone squad claimed to have destroyed $80 million of Russian military hardware.

Fedorov also told the AP that Ukraine has trained over 10,000 drone pilots this year as part of its goal to develop a cutting-edge "army of drones."

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- European Union foreign ministers gathered in Kyiv to renew their commitment to Ukraines defense against Russias invasion, the first time the bloc has held a meeting outside its territory and in a country at war.

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Before talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba , EU foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell said member states deeply and thoroughly regretted Saturdays decision by US lawmakers to pass a spending bill without $6 billion in additional funding for Ukraine, part of an effort to avoid a government shutdown in Washington. Kuleba dismissed the move by the US Congress as an incident rather than a lasting shift in policy, while Borrell said hes certain it will be reconsidered.

We dont feel that the US support has been shattered because the United States understands that what is at stake in Ukraine is much bigger than just Ukraine, Kuleba told reporters. Its about the stability and predictability of the world and therefore I believe that we will be able to find the necessary solutions.

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Saudi Arabia and Russia, the two nations leading OPEC+ oil cuts, boosted their crude exports last month, offering solace to a global market where supply is getting increasingly tight. The two lifted their combined crude exports by about 1 million barrels a day in September, though their collective flows remained well down on where they were as recently as July.

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The first package of Leopard 2 tanks has been returned to Ukraine after being repaired in Poland from battlefield damage, the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) announced on Twitter on Oct. 2.

More repaired tanks will continue to be delivered in the future, as others are still undergoing maintenance, PGZ added.

On July 24, Germany and Poland reached an agreement on the establishment of a repair center for Leopard 2 tanks used in Ukraine.

It was previously reported that NATO planned to open a larger repair and maintenance facility in Poland for Ukrainian military hardware, primarily for tanks and armored vehicles.

According to Forbes, only five of Ukraine's Leopard 2 tanks have been destroyed during the ongoing counteroffensive as of Aug. 28. The losses reportedly occurred in the early weeks of the counteroffensive on the southern front line near the village of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Read also: Can Ukraine maintain and optimally use its modern Western tanks?

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Nintendo released a series of commercials for the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Wonder and revealed a comeback of fan favorite boss, King Boo.

Read Also: Kirby Multiplayer Game to Arrive on Nintendo Switch Online

Super Mario Bros. Wonder Commercials

Ahead of the Super Mario Bros. Wonder launch, Nintendo uploaded three commercials that previewed the entire gameplay. The entire game centers on the Super Mario gang as they explore the Flower Kingdom after an invitation from Prince Florian.

In commercial number one, fans were excited upon seeing a familiar boss. King Boo, who is the leader of all the ghosts and Boos, is known as the arch-nemesis of Luigi and an ally of Bowser. The ghost villain first appeared in 2001 at Luigi's Mansion and also made a special appearance during Bowser and Peach's wedding at "The Super Mario Bros. Movie."

Fans can expect King Boo to terrorize the gang as they try to save the Flower Kingdom. Aside from Mario, gamers can also play as Luigi, Peach, Daisy, one of the two toads, and Toadette. The commercials also revealed that players can use Yoshi or Nabbit for easier gameplay since these characters won't have to deal with damage.

Everything to Know About Super Mario Bros. Wonder

The upcoming Super Mario Bros. Wonder offers a jam-packed adventure with seven areas to explore excluding the side adventures that you can do by visiting open areas.

Previously, it was revealed that players can transform their characters into an elephant nose which is revealed to be useful in destroying and attacking enemies. In addition, there are also other power ups such as the bubble form, drill form, and the return of fire form.

It was also revealed that there will be changes in the badge system and additional gameplay hooks. Super Mario Bros. Wonder will launch on October 20 on Nintendo Switch.

Related Article: New Donkey Kong Game Might Be Coming Soon, Nintendo Leaker Gives Hint
The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) has removed the Hungarian OTP Bank from the list of international sponsors of the war in order to unlock half a billion euros from the EU military fund.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the National Agency on Corruption Prevention

Details: In its statement, the institution said that during discussions with the participation of the European External Action Service over the past few days, the bank made a number of commitments regarding its future plans in the Russian market.

According to the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, having fulfilled its part of the agreements, the agency excluded the bank from the list of international sponsors of the war.

"The National Agency on Corruption Prevention expects OTP Bank to adhere to the agreement reached without delay," the NACP said.

Background:

Earlier, the Hungarian Foreign Ministry called Ukraine's concession to suspend the status of the international sponsor of the war for the Hungarian OTP Bank "insufficient" and expressed the position that until the financial institution is removed from the list, Hungary will not participate in further EU financing for the transfer of weapons to Ukraine.

The status of an international war sponsor has been suspended for OTP Bank, as well as five Greek shipping companies, whom Kyiv accused of illegally transporting Russian oil bypassing the price cap.

In May, the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption of Ukraine announced that it included OTP Bank in the list of war sponsors due to the decision of the bank's management to continue operations in the Russian Federation and the de-facto recognition of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples Republics.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto, said that due to Ukraine's inclusion of the Hungarian OTP Bank in the list of war sponsors, Budapest "will find it very difficult" to agree with the EU on new sanctions against Russia.

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Ukraines top diplomat on Monday described Congresss move to pull Ukraine funding from a short-term deal to avert a government shutdown as an incident that does not signal a shattering of Washingtons support for Kyiv.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Ukrainian officials are talking to Republicans and Democrats to shore up continued support for Kyiv in its defensive war against Russia so assistance is not axed again under any circumstances.

We have a very in-depth discussion with both parts of the Congress, Republicans and Democrats and against the background of a potential shutdown in the United States the decision was taken as it was, Kuleba said during a press conference in Kyiv, referring to a bipartisan funding deal that passed the House and Senate on Saturday only after more than $6 billion in funding for Ukraine was removed.

But were now working with both sides of the congress to make sure it does not repeat again, under any circumstances.

Kuleba continued that Ukraine doesnt feel that the U.S. support has been shattered, adding he believes Kyivs supporters in Washington understand Ukraines fight against Russian aggression is about stability and predictability of the world.

Therefore, I believe well be able to find necessary solutions, he said.

A majority of lawmakers in both the House and Senate are supportive of continued U.S. military and economic assistance to Ukraine, but efforts to pass President Bidens request of $24 billion in additional aid have stalled in the face of obstructionist efforts by Republican detractors.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), facing a revolt in his conference over assistance for Ukraine, managed to narrowly avert a government shutdown on Saturday by supporting a short-term government funding bill once it was stripped of Ukraine aid.

The move was a blow to Ukraines supporters and came nine days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came to Washington in a personal appeal for the U.S. to continue providing assistance to Kyiv, warning that without support, Russia could succeed in its goal of destroying Ukraine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Ukrainian general discussed the country's counteroffensive against Russia.

He told CNN country wasn't leaning heavily on vehicles and instead using small groups of infantry.

The general said this would be a benefit come winter because bad weather will slow them down less.

Worsening weather will likely not seriously impact Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia because it's not heavily reliant on vehicles, a Ukrainian general told CNN.

Ukraine's allies are concerned that worsening weather as winter approaches will significantly slow the progress of Ukrainian forces as they try to break through Russia's formidable defensive positions.

But Gen. Oleksandr Tarnavsky, who is leading Ukraine's counteroffensive on the pivotal front line in south Ukraine, recently told CNN he did not believe it'd be a major factor.

"The weather can be a serious obstacle during advance, but considering how we move forward, mostly without vehicles, I don't think [the weather] will heavily influence the counteroffensive," Tarnavsky told the outlet.

The comments were made on September 22, and were re-published on October 1 in an analysis of Ukraine's looming winter tactics.

Tarnavsky said that Ukraine was using small groups of soldiers, operating mostly on foot, during the counteroffensive.

In the early weeks of Ukraine's counteroffensive, analysts said that Ukraine was would likely rely on armoured vehicles, many supplied by its Western allies, to break through Russia's "Surovikin line" of multi-layered defenses.

NATO officials spent weeks training Ukrainian forces to use sophisticated maneuvers involving large units to achieve a breakthrough.

But as the offensive dragged on, Ukraine has reverted to more familiar tactics, using precise artillery strikes and small units to make incremental but important gains, most significantly in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Tarnavsky told the BBC in July that armored vehicles were struggling to get through dense minefields and other obstacles. Instead, Ukrainian infantry units were attempting to clear Russian trenches in brutal close combat reminiscent of World War I.

A minimum criterion for the success of Ukraine's counteroffensive would be seizing back control of the town of Tokmak, which lies just behind the front line, Tarnavsky told CNN.

"Tokmak is the minimum goal," he said. "The overall objective is to get to our state borders."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Key developments on Oct. 2:

Military intelligence reports Oct. 1 strikes on Russian plant disrupted missile manufacturing

Poland delivers refurbished Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine

Minister: Units supported by 'Army of Drones' hit record number of Russian artillery over last week

Air Force: Ukraine downs 4 of 7 drones launched by Russia overnight

The Oct. 1 drone strikes on Russias Smolensk significantly damaged the Smolensk Aviation Plant, which produced Kh-59 cruise missiles, Ukraines military intelligence agency reported on Oct. 2.

The agency said that three out of the four drones launched struck the plant, significantly damaging and disrupting the manufacturing capabilities.

The Kh-59 missiles have a range of up to 280 kilometers, and have been regularly used for strikes against Ukraine.

Drone attacks have become commonplace both in the Russian-occupied territory of Ukraine and in Russia itself.

On Aug. 30, a drone strike destroyed four Il-76 aircraft in Pskov Oblast, and marine drones took part in a large-scale attack on a shipyard in occupied Sevastopol, Crimea, that damaged two Russian navy vessels.

Read also: Deadly drone arms race intensifies as Ukraine, Russia embrace the future of war

Poland delivers refurbished Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine

The first package of Leopard 2 tanks has been returned to Ukraine after being repaired in Poland from battlefield damage, the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) reported on Oct. 2.

More repaired tanks will continue to be delivered in the future, as others are still undergoing maintenance, according to the report.

Germany and Poland agreed on July 24 to establish a repair center for Leopard 2 tanks damaged in Ukraine.

It was previously reported that NATO planned to open a larger repair and maintenance facility in Poland for Ukrainian military hardware, primarily for tanks and armored vehicles.

Ukraine has not revealed the extent of its losses, and Germany said it has "no information" regarding the destroyed Leopards.

According to Forbes, only five of Ukraine's Leopard 2 tanks have been destroyed during the ongoing counteroffensive as of late August.

Ukraine launched its counteroffensive in early June in three main sectors in the east and southeast.

The losses occurred in the early weeks of the counteroffensive on the front line near the village of Robotyne in southeastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Several of Ukraines partners have provided Kyiv with Leopard 2 tanks, including Germany, Poland, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Canada, and Denmark.

There are about 2,000 Leopard 2 tanks in Europe at varying levels of readiness, according to CNN.

Minister: Units supported by 'Army of Drones' hit record number of Russian artillery over last week

Ukrainian drone units supported by the "Army of Drones" initiative destroyed or damaged Russias 69 towed artillery pieces and 17 self-propelled howitzers from Sept. 25 to Oct. 2, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reported.

He said this is a record number of Russian artillery struck over a week by drones procured through the initiative.

"More damaged artillery means fewer shells (fired at) our military positions and front-line cities," Fedorov said in a Telegram post on Oct. 2.

In addition to artillery, the drones hit a total of 220 pieces of Russian military equipment in the past week, including 33 tanks, 41 trucks, and 37 armored fighting vehicles.

Ukraine's "Army of Drones" is a joint initiative of the Digital Transformation Ministry and the governmental UNITED24 fundraising platform. It was launched in July 2022, with Star Wars actor Mark Hamill as the initiative's ambassador.

In addition to procuring drones, the initiative is tasked with repairing drones and training soldiers on operating them.

Read also: Uncertain Triumph: Ukraine picks apart Russias best air defenses in Crimea

Air Force: Ukraine downs 4 of 7 drones launched by Russia overnight

Ukrainian forces shot down four of the seven Shahed-136/131 loitering munitions launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported on Oct. 2.

According to the report, Russian forces launched kamikaze drones from the southeastern direction, specifically from Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia's Krasnodar Krai.

Natalia Humeniuk, the spokesperson of the Southern Operational Command, reported that Russian forces launched only a small number of drones along an unusual route, likely in an attempt to locate Ukraine's air defense.

Three drones were shot down near Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and one was destroyed over Kherson Oblast, she said.

However, some of the drones managed to hit their targets, Humeniuk added.

Damage was reported at an unspecified industrial facility, as well as at an agricultural company building in the Kherson district, according to the spokesperson.

The General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces said in its evening update that Russian forces also launched five missiles, 39 air strikes, and 20 attacks with multiple rocket launchers against the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements across Ukraine on Oct. 2.

A Russian strike against a transport company in Kherson killed a police officer and injured three people, according to the authorities.

A guided Russian bomb stuck Kupiansk in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast, injuring two civilians, the Prosecutor Generals Office reported following the attack.

Over the past day, Russian attacks against nine oblasts killed at least five civilians and injured at least 15 others, the regional authorities said early on Oct. 2.

Read also: US will reportedly give ATACMS to Ukraine. Will it change the war?

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Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said that there are no discussions between Ukraine and the EU regarding partial membership.

Source: Kuleba at a press conference in Kyiv following an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, in response to a question from European Pravda

Details: Kuleba was commenting on Prime Minister Denys Shmyhals remark last week that Ukraine would not be satisfied with "second-class" EU membership.

Kuleba said that no such proposals have been made to Kyiv in Brussels, and the discussion is based on the understanding that Ukraine will become a full member of the EU.

"Ukraine is a first-class state, and its EU membership will also be first-class," Kuleba added.

Josep Borrell, the EU's chief diplomat, said that there is no such thing as "partial or 35% membership" of the EU.

"Membership is membership. I don't understand where this is coming from," he said.

Background: There have been reports in the media that France and Germany are pushing for an alternative option of full EU membership based on four different concentric circles of membership. This could be the basis for gradual integration.

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Dmytro Kuleba , Ukraines Foreign Minister, has said that despite the lack of a US decision to help Ukraine amid a possible shutdown, US support has not wavered.

Source: Kuleba, at a press conference in Kyiv on Monday before meeting his European counterparts, reports European Pravda

Quote: "The question is whether what happened in the US Congress last weekend is just an individual case or is systemic. I think it was an individual case. We have a very deep discussion with both parts of Congress, Republicans and Democrats."

Details: He noted that, against the background of a potential shutdown in the United States, "the decision was made in the form in which it was".

Quote: "But we are now working with both sides of Congress so that it does not happen again under any circumstances. Therefore, we do not believe that US support has faltered."

More details: As the Foreign Minister emphasised, the United States understands that "much more is at stake in Ukraine than just Ukraine; it is about the stability and predictability of the world".

He believes that "necessary solutions can be found".

Background:

On 30 September, the US House of Representatives approved a budget to fund government agencies for 45 days without aid to Ukraine.

After that, US President Joe Biden issued a statement late on Saturday evening, reacting to the approval of a budget: "We cannot under any circumstances allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted."

Later, Ukraines Foreign Ministry said that the temporary stopgap budget approved by the US Senate and House of Representatives and signed into law by President Joe Biden would not affect the delivery and implementation of the previously agreed aid for Ukraine.

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KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's parliament and its speaker taunted billionaire Elon Musk on Monday after he posted a meme on his social media platform mocking President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's pleas for wartime assistance from the West.

Musk owns SpaceX, which provides Starlink satellite communication services that are vital for Ukraine's defence effort, but his statements have sometimes angered Kyiv since the full-scale invasion launched by Russia in February last year.

Early on Monday, Musk posted a meme on his platform X, formerly known as Twitter, showing Zelenskiy and the caption: "When it's been 5 minutes and you haven't asked for a billion dollars in aid."

The Ukrainian leader and his top lieutenants have appealed to their allies throughout the war to secure billions of dollars of military aid to weather and push back Russia's invasion.

The speaker of Ukraine's parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, hit out at Musk's jibe with his own post on X.

"The case when ...(Elon Musk) tried to conquer space, but something went wrong and in 5 minutes he was up to his eyeballs in shit," an apparent reference to SpaceX's failed rocket launch in April.

Ukraine's parliament, on its official page on X, accused Musk of spreading Russian propaganda, posting its own version of the meme with a picture of Musk and the caption: "When it's been 5 minutes and you haven't spread Russian propaganda".

A Ukrainian presidential adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, who has criticised some of Musk's statements in the past, said in a post on X that being silent or ironic about Ukraine played into the hands of Russian propaganda.

"Unfortunately, not everyone and not always, while being significant media figures, but being thousands of kilometres away from the war's epicenter, is able to realize what the daily bombardments and cries of children losing their parents are."

Ukrainian officials criticised Musk earlier in the war for suggesting that they should consider giving up land for peace, a position that Kyiv has staunchly rejected.

Zelenskiy visited the United States in September and met top officials in a bid to secure further aid. Over the weekend, aid for Ukraine was omitted from a stopgap funding measure passed by U.S. Congress to avert a U.S. government shutdown.

The U.S. has been the largest single donor to Ukraine since Russia's full invasion last year, giving tens of billions of dollars in military and financial aid.

(Reporting by Max Hunder; editing by Tom Balmforth and Robert Birsel)
Ukrainian Defence Forces have repelled Russian attacks near the settlement of Makiivka in Luhansk Oblast, as well as in the areas of the settlements of Avdiivka, Andriivka, Keramik, Stepove, Pervomaiske, Marinka, Novomykhailivka and Staromaiorske in Donetsk Oblast, with a total of 38 combat engagements occurring on the contact line over the past 24 hours.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 2 October

Details: On the Lyman front, Ukrainian Defence Forces repelled Russian attacks near Makiivka in Luhansk Oblast.

On the Bakhmut front, the Russians attempted to regain their lost ground in the area of the settlements of Andriivka in Donetsk Oblast, but to no avail.

In the area of responsibility of the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group on the Avdiivka front, the Russians sought to regain their lost ground near Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast, but to no avail. Furthermore, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled Russian attacks in the areas of the settlements of Keramik, Stepove, Avdiivka and Pervomaiske in Donetsk Oblast. The Russian army launched 11 unsuccessful attacks in the areas of Marinka and Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast.

The Russians did not conduct any offensive actions on the Shakhtarsk front.

On the Zaporizhzhia front, the Russian forces attempted to reclaim their lost ground in the areas of the settlements Novodarivka and Verbove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, but to no avail.

The Ukrainian Defence Forces pursue an offensive operation on the Melitopol front and offensive (assault) operations on the Bakhmut front, inflicting losses in military personnel and equipment on the Russian occupying forces, further consolidating their positions and exhausting the Russians.

In the area of responsibility of the Odesa Operational Strategic Group on the Kherson front, Defence Forces engaged in counter-battery combat, destroyed storage points and successfully struck the Russian rear.

The Russians did not conduct any offensive (assault) actions in the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group on the Kupiansk front.

In the area of responsibility of the Pivnich Operational Strategic Group on the Volyn and Polissia fronts, no significant change in the operational situation was recorded.

On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, Russia maintains a military presence in the border areas, conducts active sabotage activities to prevent Ukrainian troops from moving to vulnerable areas, and increases the density of minefields along the state border in its Belgorod Oblast.

Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian Air Force aircraft carried out 13 attacks on clusters of Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment.

Ukrainian Rocket Forces units destroyed an anti-aircraft missile system, a command post, an ammunition storage point and 16 artillery pieces belonging to the Russians.

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Elon Musk came under fire Monday for mocking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys repeated requests for foreign aid as his country seeks to fend off the invasion from Russia.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Musk posted a meme of Zelenskys face photoshopped onto an image of a person with their veins popped, accompanied by the text, When its been 5 minutes and you havent asked for a billion dollars in aid.

The post quickly drew criticism from Ukrainian leaders, including Mariana Betsa , the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Elon, dont you have empathy? Ukrainians are killed daily by Russia. We are fighting for our lives, for our families, for our country, for our freedom #StandWithUkraine, Betsa wrote Monday in a post on X, which Musk owns.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelensky, said any support of Russia is a direct investment in war, genocide, destruction of the free world, escalation and the right to impunity, while indirectly calling out those who do not experience the war firsthand.

Any silence or irony towards Ukraine today is a direct encouragement of Russian propaganda that justifies mass violence and destruction, Podolyak wrote in a post on X. Unfortunately, not everyone and not always, being significant media figures thousands of kilometers away from the epicenter of the war, is able to realize what the daily bombardments and the cries of children losing their parents are.

Zelensky and Musks tensions rose to the surface last year, when the entrepreneur proposed Ukraine cede territory to Russia as a way to end the war. Zelensky fired back at the proposal, suggesting Musk should come to the country to better understand the conflict.

Tensions ramped up last month when Musk confirmed that he cut off the Ukrainian militarys access to the internet through Starlink, blocking an attack on Russian forces.

The United Statess funding for Ukraine took center stage last week as Congress struggled to come to an agreement over increasing aid to the war-torn country. After days of back-and-forth, Ukraine funding was not included in a last-minute clean stopgap measure approved by Congress in a dramatic weekend vote that prevented a government shutdown.

More than $6 billion in aid to the war-torn country had been included in a Senate stopgap measure, but Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in a surprise Saturday move brought legislation to the floor that funded the government but did not include aid to Ukraine.

A number of House Republicans oppose aid to Ukraine, which has been a priority for the White House as well as for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and other Republicans. The Senate GOP, itself divided over Ukraine, agreed to the McCarthy plan.

Last week, Musk took a jab at the lawmakers infighting in a post on X, writing: Why do so many American politicians from both parties care 100 times more about the Ukraine border than the USA border?

The bipartisan stopgap measure did not include border policy changes, provoking the ire of hard-liner House Republicans who have demanded such changes.

McCarthy said Sunday that he is committed to helping Ukraine, but that addressing the crisis at the border is a bigger priority.

Musk took a trip last week to the U.S. southern border in Eagle Pass, Texas, with Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), where he described the environment as like a Breaking Bad situation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Ukrainian soldier called Russian tech support to help with a captured Russian tank, Forbes reported.

The support staff seemed unaware they were speaking with a Ukrainian and offered assistance.

Ukraine has been capturing and repurposing Russia's tanks for its own use.

A Ukrainian officer apparently decided to call Russian tech support for help when he ran into issues operating a captured Russian tank.

The officer, whose call sign is Kochevnik, appeared in a video to be making calls trolling staff members of the Russian tank manufacturer Uralvagonzavod. The videos were posted to YouTube by Militarnyi, a Ukrainian media outlet reporting on the war.

Kochevnik said he had problems with his Russian T-72B3 tank, a model that is widely used by Russia's military. The T-72B3 is also the most advanced version of the Soviet-era T-72 tanks.

The video, which Forbes reported on in a story published Sunday, did not specify when or where Kochevnik and his fellow Ukrainian soldiers captured the tank. Insider was unable to independently verify who Kochevnik called and when that call took place.

Kochevnik first called up a person he said was a Uralvagonzavod staff member, who gave his name as Aleksander Anatolevich. On the call, Kochevnik ran through a litany of complaints about the tank, including that it had been spewing oil and had faulty compressors.

"I am the commander of an armor group, and the problem is we simply cannot operate it," Kochevnik said in the video, per Forbes.

The person on the other end of the phone appeared to be unaware that he was speaking with a Ukrainian soldier. He assured Kochevnik that he would raise Kochevnik's issues with the design bureau and the engine manufacturer, Forbes reported.

In the second half of the video, Kochevnik called someone he said was a Uralvagonzavod director, Andrey Abakumov. That person could be heard telling Kochevnik to report the tank's issues via a WhatsApp message, Forbes reported.

Kochevnik appeared to reveal his identity to both men at the end of the calls.

"Look, I'm the commander of the armored group K-2. This is the second mechanized battalion of Ukraine's 54th Mechanized Brigade," Kochevnik said during the first call.

"When we take more of these tanks as our trophies, make them better so that it will be easier for us to operate them. Agreed? Thank you very much. Take care of yourselves. Glory to Ukraine," he added.

Data from the open-source-intelligence website Oryx indicates the Russian military has lost two-thirds of its tanks since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Jakub Janovsky, a military analyst from Oryx, told Insider in May that Russia had about 3,000 operational tanks when it invaded. Oryx's 2022 data suggested the Russians had lost at least 2,329 tanks.

Besides destroying the tanks, the Ukrainians have also been repurposing them for their own use.

Michael Kofman, the director of the Russia Studies Program at The Center for Naval Analyses, said in March that Ukraine had been capturing and using Russia's T-80 tanks.

"They were very easily identifiable. You can see an entire unit composed of nothing but captured Russian tanks," said Kofman, who was speaking at an event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Representatives for Russia's Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Photo : photo)

Immigration attorneys work with clients who are seeking green cards (permanent resident status), visas, or U.S. citizenship. You should seek an immigration attorney before your arrival to the U.S. to ensure that you understand your length of stay, what activities you're allowed to engage in, and other details about your immigration status.

To Fill Out Applications or Forms

This is incredibly a vital part of an attorney's job. Filling out paperwork incorrectly can be costly both in terms of time and money. But far more grave, filling out forms incorrectly can lead to possible deportation hearings and removal from the United States.

Canceled Without Prejudice

If there's been a minor mistake in your paperwork, then it must be corrected before it can be approved. The U.S. embassy or consulate will stamp your visa as "canceled without prejudice" if this is the case.

Grounds of Deportability

Section 237 of The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) specifies the legal grounds on which people in the United States can be deported. These are called the Grounds of Deportability. Before you arrive in the U.S. you want to be absolutely clear what they are and how to avoid them.

To Be Sure What You Should Apply For

There are many options for visas, such as work, student and tourist visas. There are also multiple options for green cards, such as employment-based green cards.

All of the immigration forms can be found online. Along with a description of each form is a checklist of who qualifies to apply under that category, such as the H-2B Visa for Temporary Nonagricultural Workers. Applicants for such a visa have to meet the criteria clearly listed online. However, it's not advisable to fill out or submit any forms without speaking to an immigration attorney. While it may look straightforward online, immigration law is very complex. You may have to apply using a different form than you think.

Clarify Information Before Arriving

Immigration law is extremely complex. All too often visas are canceled due to paperwork errors or confusion on the part of the person applying. For example, some visitors to the U.S. confuse their departure date with their expiration date. The date you must leave the country is specified on your Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. The expiration date is actually the last day that you can use the visa at any U.S. entry point. So, for example, if you go on a cruise and confuse the dates, and get off at a port of call, then you may have difficulty getting back on board. The best thing is to contact an attorney before having any possible mishaps.

Does It Matter Where My Immigration Attorney Is?

Immigration law is federal, so any U.S. immigration attorney can assist you. The only requirement is that they need to be a member of the bar of the District of Columbia or a U.S. state, commonwealth, possession or territory. It doesn't matter what bar they are a member of, they just have to be one.

However, your attorney does have to abide by the interpretation of the law by the local circuit court. It would be better to hire someone in the area where you are looking for immigration services, though it is certainly not required. If you are looking for an attorney then you can find more information here

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Editors Note: This is issue 104 of Ukrainian State-Owned Enterprises Weekly, covering events from September 23-29, 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

HACC removes the electronic bracelet from Kobolyev and halves his bail to the amount paid. On Sept. 25, the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) partially granted the request of the attorney for the former CEO of Naftogaz Andriy Kobolyev, reducing the bail amount from Hr 229 million ($6.2 million) to Hr 107 million ($2.9 million). According to the Miller law firm, which represents Kobolyev, the bail amount was decreased to match the actual amount already paid.

According to the HACC, until Oct. 10, Kobolyev is obliged to:

come to the detective, prosecutor, investigating judge, or court at every request;

not leave the territory of Ukraine without the permission of detectives, prosecutors, and the court;

notify the detective, prosecutor, and the court of any change of residence;

refrain from communicating with persons specified in the court order; and

deposit all passports for traveling abroad with the State Migration Service.

Kobolyev commented on the decision on his Facebook page. He wrote that the court decided to remove the electronic monitoring device and halved his bail to the level of the actual amount paid. Kobolyev added that he was waiting for the full text of the courts decision.

Miller said that Kobolyev was also allowed to move freely throughout Ukraine  before the case was heard. Earlier, his movements were limited to Kyiv and the surrounding region.

In SOE Weekly Issue 99, we reported that on Aug. 9, the HACC made a decision to extend the Hr 229 million bail for another two months and left procedural obligations, including pre-trial restrictions, of Kobolyev unchanged.

As we reported earlier, on Jan. 19, NABU and SAPO charged Kobolyev with illegally awarding himself a bonus of Hr 229 million for Naftogazs victory against Russias Gazprom in Stockholms court of arbitration in 2018.

For an extended background on the Kobolyev case, see SOE Weeklys Issues 71, 72, 73, 77, 78, 79, 83, 84, 88, 91, and 99.

For a detailed analysis of this case from a corporate governance perspective, see series of columns by SOE Weekly team members Andriy Boytsun, Oleksandr Lysenko, and Dmytro Yablonovskyi: Are Kobolyevs bonuses a threat to corporate governance reform? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.

Read also: With winter approaching, is Ukraines energy system ready for renewed Russian attacks?

The Cabinet changes GTSOUs owner; competitive selection begins for independent supervisory board members. On Sept. 22, Taras Melnychuk, a government representative in the Verkhovna Rada, reported that the Cabinet of Ministers had decided to transfer the corporate rights of the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU) from the previous owner, Main Pipelines of Ukraine (MGU), directly to the Energy Ministry. This Cabinets decision was made in accordance with Law No. 3293-IX on the merger of MGU and GTSOU, Melnychuk said.

The Cabinets resolution was not publicly available at the time of writing. According to the State Register, MGU is still indicated as the owner of GTSOU. According to the law, the information included in the State Register is treated as official information regarding the legal entity. To change this information in the State Register, respective amendments to the charter of GTSOU should be made.

As SOE Weekly reported earlier Issue 102, Law No. 3293-IX on the merger of MGU and GTSOU introduced the legal framework to reform GTSOU. There are two stages to this process:

First, MGU is to be merged into GTSOU, disappearing as a separate entity. The Energy Ministry gets the shareholder rights in GTSOU. The company then gets a new charter and a supervisory board as a governing body.

After the merger is completed, GTSOUs new supervisory board should be appointed by Oct. 31. In the interim, the current members of MGUs supervisory board will serve as GTSOUs supervisory board.

As we also wrote in Issue 102, the procedure to end MGU as a legal entity began on Sept. 5.

In Issue 97, we reported that Ukraine promised the IMF to complete the corporate governance reform of GTSOU by the end of October 2023.

On Sept. 26, the Economy Ministry announced the competitive selection to find three independent members for GTSOUs supervisory board.

The board will have five members in total  three independents and two state representatives.

Documents from applicants are accepted through Oct. 5.

See Issues 82, 89, 97, 98, 100, and 102 for more detail on the GTSOU law.

White House sends Ukraine a list of priority reforms. On Sept. 25, Ukrainska Pravda (UP) reported that Mike Pyle, the White House Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics, sent a working draft of this list to the Prime Minister, the Presidents Office, and the Donor Coordination Platform. The draft outlines what Ukraine needs to accomplish within 3, 6, 12, and 18 months.

Later, the U.S. Embassy confirmed sending a list of proposed reforms needed to integrate into Europe, for consultation with Ukraines government and key partners. Five of these items pertain to the corporate governance of SOEs.

Seating a seventh member on Ukrenergos and Naftogazs supervisory boards. As we reported in SOE Weeklys Issue 95, Ukrenergos and Naftogazs supervisory boards still lack one member each. See more in Issue 95.

Read also: High Anti-Corruption Court provides first monetary award to whistleblower

Commenting on the need to add a seventh member to the companys supervisory board, Naftogazs CEO Oleksiy Chernyshov said that this is not a problem at all." One more state representative will be added. This condition is absolutely feasible, he said.

Completing the legislative process to corporatize Energoatom and select an independent supervisory board. In SOE Weekly Issue 74, we reported that the Verkhovna Rada adopted Draft Law No. 8067 on the corporatization of Energoatom on Feb. 6.

In Issue 79, we reported that corporate governance reform of Energoatom was among the governments priorities for 2023. According to the Cabinets Priority Action Plan, Energoatom was to be converted into a joint-stock company by May 2023.

The nuclear power operator is also slated to receive a competitively selected supervisory board with an independent majority. The deadline was November 2023.

In Issue 86, we reported that the Cabinet approved the conversion of Energoatom into a joint-stock company.

As we wrote in Issue 95, the Cabinet approved the plan for such conversion. According to the Ministry of Economy, the plan sets out the corporatization procedure for Energoatom, which started in June 2023 and should be completed by converting Energoatom into a joint-stock company in December 2023. This plan also envisages that the new supervisory board and management should be formed by March 2024.

Transferring GTSOU ownership to the Energy Ministry, adopting a new company charter, and selecting a new independent supervisory board.

As we wrote above, the Cabinet has already transferred GTSOUs ownership from MGU to the Energy Ministry. The company also must get a new charter and a supervisory board as a governing body.

As we wrote In Issue 97, Ukraine promised the IMF to complete the corporate governance reform of GTSOU by the end of October 2023.

The charter must be developed with Ukraines energy regulator and the Energy Community Secretariat and approved by the end of July 2023 (a structural benchmark, carried over from the original IMF Memorandum, which we discussed in Issue 82.

With Law No. 3293-IX now in force, the Energy Ministry can amend GTSOUs charter, albeit two months after it was due.

This will pave the way for a competitive, transparent, and merit-based nomination procedure for the new supervisory board. According to the IMF Memorandum, such a board should be appointed by the end of October 2023 (a new structural benchmark, added after the first review of the IMF program.)

Adopting SOE corporate governance legislation (Draft Law No. 5593-d) in alignment with OECD guidelines by autumn 2023, to ensure the transparent and merit-based nomination, selection, and reappointment of high-quality independent professionals as members of SOE supervisory boards and establish an annual evaluation procedure for the supervisory boards (preventing board members being removed in an arbitrary manner).

In SOE Weekly Issue 82, we reported that the IMFs current program requires that Ukraine should adopt a law that brings Ukraines corporate governance framework in line with the OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of SOEs.

Draft Law No. 5593-d is supposed to strengthen the accountability and broaden the powers of supervisory boards so they have the ultimate authority to appoint and dismiss CEOs, among other things. According to the IMF program, the law must be adopted by October 2023.

In Issue 99, we reported that the OECD Secretariat was to assess the draft law regarding the corporate governance of SOEs.

Read also: Ukraine Business Roundup  Issue 3

In Issue 36, we reported that the Verkhovna Rada approved this bill in the first reading on 15 July 2021.

Selecting and implementing a new supervisory board for the newly created Ukrainian Defense Industries (formerly Ukroboronprom) in alignment with OECD standards.

As we wrote in Issue 95, Ukroboronprom was officially transformed into a joint-stock company called Ukrainian Defence Industry (UDI). According to Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin, the next step in the companys transformation is to transfer staff and property, among other procedures. After that, the supervisory board would be formed according to OECD standards.

As we also reported in Issue 95, the Cabinet appointed Herman Smetanin as the CEO of the newly established UDI.

In Issue 59, we reported that in July 2021, the Verkhovna Rada adopted Law 1630-IX (previously known as Draft Law No. 3822) which laid the groundwork for Ukroboronproms transformation.

The concept of corporate governance reform and conversion of Ukroboronprom, including its target model and detailed action plan, was drafted by Andriy Boytsun, Oleksandr Lysenko, and Dmytro Yablonovskyi, members of the SOE Weekly team, as well as the international law firm Kinstellar, in March 2020. For a discussion of these documents, see the OECD Review of the Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises in Ukraine.

According to 18-Month Priorities, in addition to establishing a supervisory board, UDI should also build stronger institutional connections (e.g., liaison or procurement offices) with the Defense Ministry and General Staff planning, to ensure that the companys work is aligned with Ukraines most pressing needs. According to the letter, UDI should also ensure NATO standards of transparency, accountability, efficiency, and competition across the defence industrial sector.

Another task is to institute transparency procedures (even considering wartime needs for secrecy) to allow later audit and avoid even the appearance of politicisation or corruption in defence production.

Fiscal risks

The Ministry of Finance releases a fiscal risk statement; a large part of risks in 2024 relate to SOEs. Major fiscal risks include, among other things:

SOEs operations; and

state debt management [including loans to SOEs guaranteed by the state  SOE Weekly].

Fiscal risks with a relatively low impact include:

failure to fulfill privatization revenue plans; and

financial sector.

As we wrote in Issue 96, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) warned of risks posed by a high share of state capital in the banking sector. In Issue 98, we wrote that according to NBU Governor Andriy Pyshnyi, the states share of assets in the banking system was growing by 3.3% to 56% as a result of Sense Banks nationalization.

In addition to evaluating fiscal risks, the report also provides some 2022 SOE data that had been restricted when the full-scale Russian invasion began. Our selection of key findings from the Finance Ministrys fiscal risk statement is presented below.

SOEs operations. As of April 1, there were a total of 3,210 SOEs, according to the fiscal risk statement. Just 1,058 (34%) released information about their activities in 2022:

594 SOEs (56%) reported profits for 2022, with a combined Hr 22.6 billion ($615 million);

399 SOEs (38%) reported losses for 2022, totalling Hr 113.9 billion ($3.1 billion); and

65 (6%) SOEs broke even.

In 2022, these SOEs incurred a net financial loss of Hr 91.3 billion ($2.5 billion), compared to Hr 30.3 billion ($825 million) profit reported in 2021.

Entities reporting the biggest losses in 2022 were:

Naftogaz with Hr 36.6 billion ($996 million);

State Food and Grain Corporation of Ukraine with Hr 11.1 billion ($302 million);

Energorynok with Hr 9.8 billion ($266 million); and

Ukrzaliznytsia with Hr 9.6 billion ($261 million).

The most profitable entities in 2022 included:

Ukrhydroenergo with Hr 11.8 billion ($321 million);

Ukrainian Financial Housing Company with Hr 1.5 billion ($1.5 billion);

Antonov with Hr 1.3 billion ($35 million);

Zorya-Mashproekt with Hr 1.1 billion ($30 million).

In 2022, SOEs contributed Hr 46.9 billion ($1.3 billion), equivalent to as little as 0.9% of GDP, to the state budget through dividend payments.

Finance Ministrys recommendations to mitigate SOE-related fiscal risks include:

improving state property management;

ensuring transparency and accountability by improving SOEs disclosure;

facilitating a transparent privatization process for SOEs, accelerating restructuring, and liquidating non-operational SOEs; and

resolving debt issues.

Read also: Politico: White House more worried about corruption in Ukraine than it publicly admits

State debt management. During 2022, the state provided Hr 47.1 billion ($1.3 billion) in state guarantees, according to the fiscal risk statement:

Hr 10.6 billion ($288 million) for Naftogaz;

Hr 6.2 billion ($169 million) for Ukrhydroenergo; and

Hr 1.3 billion ($35 million) for Ukrenergo.

Ukrenergos Hr 11.9 billion ($324 million) guarantee, which was provided in December and came into effect in the first half of 2023, was meant to secure Ukrenergos commitment to a 300-million-euro loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). This measure was implemented to bolster the liquidity and stability of Ukrenergos operations.

In SOE Weekly Issue 103, we reported on the recent Russian missile attack on Ukrenergos energy facilities. See more in Issue 103.

See more on the previous waves of Russias mass attacks in SOE Weeklys Issues 66, 72, 74, 78, and 86.

Failure to achieve target privatization revenues. The state budget for 2023 planned to receive Hr 6 billion ($163 million) from the privatization of state property. By July 31, small-scale auctions only brought in Hr 2.1 billion ($57 million), just over a third of the plan.

To keep making money from privatization in 2024, the fiscal risk statement recommends that:

large-scale privatizations must be open, transparent, and consistent with up-to-date legislation;

over 300 small-scale assets must be sold;

SOEs corporate governance reform must continue; and

co-operation with international partners must go on to attract investments in Ukraines real economic sectors.

Financial sector. According to the statement, the destruction and devaluation of assets, along with decreased income, and the weakening solvency of borrowers, are contributing to a decline in the quality of banks loan portfolios. In 2022, the proportion of non-performing loans (NPLs) in the loan portfolios of state-owned banks increased by 5%, from 47.1% to 53.05%.

To mitigate fiscal risks related to state-owned banks, it is imperative to:

update the reform strategy for state-owned banks; and

revise state-owned banks individual strategies, accounting for long-term conditions and security uncertainties.

Energy sector

Naftogaz takes over another one of Firtashs gas distribution companies. On Sept. 25, Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine LLC (Gazmerezhi brand), a Naftogaz subsidiary, reported that it started the planned integration of Cherkasygaz into Naftogaz Group.

Cherkasygaz reported in December 2012 that Naftogazs stake in the company decreased from 51% to 9.97%, Interfax Ukraine wrote.

The State Property Fund of Ukraine (SPFU) stated in 2012 that the government had not made a decision to privatize the state-owned stake in the company, and the SPFU had not received any shares. At that time, Interfax Ukraine reported that Lasfano Ukraine LLC, related to fugitive oligarch Dmytro Firtash, became one of the Cherkasygazs owners.

In 2021, the National Security and Defense Council ordered to return Cherkasygaz to the state ownership.

The restart of the companys operations would begin by preparing the regions critical infrastructure for the 2023-2024 heating season. In addition to modernizing technical processes, the company will prioritize meeting all of its financial obligations and improving customer service, Gazmerezhi said.

In SOE Weekly Issue 71, we reported that Naftogaz changed the management of regional gas distribution companies Kharkivgaz and Dniprogaz on Jan. 16. Both were also part of Firtashs Regional Gas Company (RGC) Group.

RGC accused Naftogaz of an attempted raid." In response, Naftogaz referred to the Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 429-r dated May, 28 2022, which transferred the corporate rights of about 20 regional gas distribution companies to its subsidiary Chornomornaftogaz.

Earlier in May 2022, Kyivs Pechersk Court seized shares of Firtashs regional gas companies because they evaded payment for the use of gas networks. (After that, the Cabinet transferred these rights to Chornomornaftogaz.) RGC then filed lawsuits to overturn the Pechersk Courts decision. This delayed the change of management of these distribution companies.

In September 2022, Naftogaz established a new subsidiary named Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine LLC to consolidate the regional gas distribution companies.

In Issue 98, we reported on another wave of taking over Firtashs gas distribution companies. See more in Issue 98.

In Issue 100, we reported that Ivano-Frankivskgaz, Khmelnytskygaz and Mykolaivgaz, which were part of Firtashs RGC Group, joined Naftogaz Group. See more in Issue 100.

Ukrenergos CEO Kudrytskyi interviewed. Ukrenergos CEO Volodymyr Kudrytskyi was interviewed by RBC-Ukraine this week. We selected the key points.

On Russian missile attack on Ukrenergo energy facilities on Sept. 21:

It is very difficult to say whether this can be considered as the beginning of massive shelling of the power system. In fact, I would not draw any far-reaching conclusions from this case alone. Last year, in September, there was also an attack on energy facilities. It had quite large-scale consequences, and our employees were killed. After that, there was a month-long lull, and only on Oct. 10, 2022 did a systematic campaign of attacks on the Ukrainian power grid, on Ukrenergo substations, and power plants begin.

In fact, the enemy is shelling Ukraine almost every day, sending dozens of drones and missiles, as it did on Sept. 21 Indeed, some energy facilities have been damaged, including the Ukrenergo facility in the western region. But we managed to restore the power supply quite quickly.

I cant say whether the damage was serious or not. We do not give such information to the enemy. We can state as a fact that we were able to restore power supply quite quickly, in the morning after the shelling.

As we wrote in SOE Weeklys Issue 103, Ukrenergo reported that Russia launched another missile attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure on Sept. 21  the first since March 2023. See Issue 103 for more detail.

Read also: DTEK: Russian strikes damage warehouses in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

On preparing for the heating season:

The measures we planned to take in Ukrenergos trunk power grids have almost been completed. And now the repair campaign at generation facilities is nearing completion.

We will certainly have a slightly lower safety margin in the power system as a whole than we had at the start of the massive missile campaign last year. This is because it is impossible to restore all facilities to 100% in the seven or eight months that have passed since the end of the last heating season.

In Issue 78, we reported on a large missile and drone attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure on March 9. This was Russias 15th mass strike, Ukrenergo said then.

After every Russian mass missile attack on Ukraines vital infrastructure in autumn 2022 and winter 2023, there were emergency outages, lasting for days due to the ongoing repair works. During such outages, people in Ukraine were left without electricity, heating, water supply, or access to mobile phone networks. See more on the previous waves of Russias mass attacks in SOE Weeklys Issues 66, 72, 74, and 78.

On the search of Ukrenergos headquarters:

In this audit by the State Audit Service of Ukraine (SASU), there were a lot of episodes, a lot of things that, in my opinion, are far-fetched or sometimes fictitious. Therefore, I cant say specifically that our colleagues from law enforcement agencies are interested in a particular episode, a particular contract, or something else.

"They have basically requested a certain number of documents, and we are preparing these documents. So formally, the search is ongoing, but it is taking place in a constructive format, when we were told to select some contracts or other documents to be provided, and we are collecting them and handing them over.

It is not a classic search with security forces with the aim of some spectacular actions. It is rather a procedure for obtaining documents. It is difficult for me to say why this is done in the format of a search and not in the format of a warrant to seize documents, which is a more common form of obtaining them.

There are a lot of episodes. There are maybe a dozen and a half of them. It is hard for me to say what exactly they are looking for, I dont even want to get into that now. This is a matter for law enforcement agencies, what exactly they are interested in.

As we wrote in Issue 103, Ukrenergo reported that the Prosecutor Generals Office (PGO) searched its head office by order of the Pechersk District Court issued on 30 August 2023. See more detail on this case in Issue 103.

Confiscation of the Russian assets, nationalization, and asset seizure

Ukrnafta signs an agreement with ARMA to manage the seized Glusco petrol station chain. On Sept. 27, Ukrnafta reported that it signed an agreement with the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) to manage the Glusco chain.

According to Ukrnafta, the state will get 85% of net profits, with minimal monthly payments of Hr 5 million ($136 million). Ukrnaftas management fee will be 15% of net profits.

According to Ukrnaftas CEO Sergii Koretskyi, now that the agreement has been signed, the actual transfer of Gluscos assets into Ukrnaftas management should begin.

In Issue 102, we reported that the Cabinet Ministers decided to place the chain under Ukrnaftas management. For more detail on the Glusco case, see SOE Weeklys Issues 99, 100, and 102.



Read also: Ukraine war latest: Oct. 1 strikes on Russian plant disrupted missile manufacturing, military intelligence says

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The claim: WEF head Klaus Schwab said the UN's 'Agenda 2030' is 'failing'

A Sept. 25 post on The Peoples Voice declares that the head of the World Economic Forum is worried the U.N.'s goals for sustainable development wont be reached.

Klaus Schwab Admits Agenda 2030 Is Failing As Millions Rise Up Against New World Order, reads the article's headline.

The post was shared more than 200 times on Facebook in four days, according to the social media analytics tool CrowdTangle.

Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks

Our rating: False

A WEF spokesperson said WEF Chairman Klaus Schwab has not made such a comment. The claim was made on a website that frequently publishes misinformation.

Schwab not publicly doubting Agenda 2030

The U.N. approved the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, laying out 17 goals related to topics such as equality, poverty and sustainability. The initiative has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories, some of which USA TODAY has debunked.

Schwab and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced a strategic partnership in 2019 to accelerate the plan's implementation. But Schwab has not described the effort as failing, according to Yann Zopf, a WEF spokesperson.

I can confirm that these claims are fake news created to discredit the important work that the World Economic Forum does on serious global challenges, Zopf told USA TODAY in an email.

There are no credible reports of Schwab saying the 2030 U.N. plan is failing.

Thats not to say that leaders and advocates for the plan have not expressed concerns about its progress. A May 21 post on U.N.'s website describes the plan as being "in deep peril."

For the first time in decades, development progress is reversing under the combined impacts of climate disasters, conflict, economic downturn and lingering COVID-19 effects, reads the post.

Fact check: Speed barriers in Vancouver not part of '15-minute city' plan

The WEF published a story on its website in September 2022, titled, "How much progress is being made on the UNs Sustainable Development Goals?" that questioned the progress of the plan. The article was updated in 2023 to examine the latest data. But that story does not refer to the plan as "failing" and was not written by Schwab.

The Peoples Voice, formerly known as NewsPunch, is a prolific producer of misinformation and the WEF is a frequent topic. USA TODAY has debunked numerous claims from the site, including those that the WEF mandated babies be lab-grown, ordered water rationing and insisted people consume human waste.

USA TODAY reached out to The Peoples Voice for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Reuters and PolitiFact also debunked the 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: False claim Klaus Schwab said UN Agenda 2030 is failing | Fact check
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The United Nations Security Council on Monday authorized a foreign security mission to Haiti, a year after the Caribbean country asked for help to fight violent gangs that have largely overrun its capital Port-au-Prince.

"More than just a simple vote, this is in fact an expression of solidarity with a population in distress," Haiti's Foreign Minister Jean Victor Geneus told the council. "It's a glimmer of hope for the people that have for too long been suffering."

The 15-member council adopted a resolution, drafted by the United States and Ecuador, that authorizes the so-called Multinational Security Support mission "to take all necessary measures" - code for use of force.

China and Russia abstained from the vote, wary of authorizing the blanket use of force under Chapter 7 of the founding U.N. Charter. The remaining 13 members voted in favor.

"We have stepped up to create a new way of preserving global peace and security, answering the repeated calls of a member state facing a multi-dimensional crisis amid alarming spiraling gang violence," said senior U.S. diplomat Jeffrey DeLaurentis.

The Security Council also expanded a U.N. arms embargo to include all gangs - a measure China wanted. Haitian officials have said guns used by gangs are believed to be mostly imported from the United States. The embargo previously only applied to specific individuals.

"This is a very important decision. If the council had taken this step at an earlier time, the security situation in Haiti might not have deteriorated to what it is today," China's U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun told the council after the vote.

The response to Haiti's request for help was delayed due to a struggle to find a country willing to lead a security assistance mission. Kenya stepped forward in July with a pledge of 1,000 police. The Bahamas then committed 150 people, while Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda are also willing to help.

Foreign Affairs Minister Alfred Mutua has said he hopes Kenyan police officers will arrive in Haiti by January, but authorities from the East African country have shared few additional details about the mission.

In a statement on Tuesday, Kenyan President William Ruto said his country's participation in peacekeeping missions around the world had prepared it to lead the force in Haiti.

"We have always stood ready and willing to do our part to bring peace, security and stability," Ruto said. "This is why we cannot turn away from Haiti."

ELECTION

Countries have been cautious of supporting the unelected administration of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has said fair elections cannot be held with current insecurity. Haiti has been without any elected representatives since January.

While not sending any troops, the U.S. government hopes to provide $100 million to back the multinational mission with logistical and financial assistance, that could include intelligence, airlift, communications and medical support.

"Today's vote is only the first step. Now, the work of getting the mission off the ground begins," U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement.

The Security Council stressed an "urgent need" for Haiti to make progress toward "transparent, inclusive, and credible electoral processes and free and fair elections."

The security assistance mission, while approved by the U.N. Security Council, is not a United Nations operation.

U.N. peacekeepers were deployed to Haiti in 2004 after a rebellion led to the ouster and exile of then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Peacekeeping troops left in 2017 and were replaced by U.N. police, who left in 2019.

Haitians are wary of an armed U.N. presence. The Caribbean country was free of cholera until 2010, when U.N. peacekeepers dumped infected sewage into a river. More than 9,000 people died of the disease, and some 800,000 fell ill.

The council resolution adopted on Monday asks the countries taking part in the security mission "to adopt appropriate wastewater management and other environmental controls to guard against the introduction and spread of water-borne diseases."

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols, additional reporting by Sarah Morland in Caracas and George Obulutsa in Nairobi; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, Andrew Heavens and Alison Williams)
FILE - Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily speaks during a meeting with Arab Foreign Ministers in the capital of Tripoli, Sunday Jan. 22, 2023. The United Nations top official in divided Libya on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, called for a unified mechanism to lead the reconstruction of a coastal city that was wrecked by devastating floods last month. (AP Photo/Yousef Murad, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

CAIRO (AP)  The United Nations top official in divided Libya on Monday called for a unified mechanism to lead the reconstruction of a coastal city that was wrecked by devastating floods last month.

U.N. Special Envoy for Libya Abdoulaye Bathily said in a statement that such a mechanism is required amid unilateral and competing initiatives by Libyan actors and institutions on the reconstruction of the Mediterranean city of Derna and other flood-impacted areas.

Devastating rainfall and floods, triggered by Mediterranean Storm Danial, hit parts of eastern Libya last month. The floods overwhelmed two depleted dams outside Derna on Sep. 11, causing massive waters that washed away residential buildings to the sea and left as much as one-third of Dernas housing and infrastructure damaged, according to the U.N.s Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Government officials and aid agencies have given estimated death tolls ranging from more than 4,000 to over 11,000. The bodies of many of the people killed still are under rubble or in the Mediterranean, according to search teams.

As Libya remains divided, with two rival administrations claiming legitimacy and each wanting to oversee the reconstruction of Derna, Bathily called for a unified national mechanism ... required to effectively and efficiently take forward the reconstruction efforts in the flood-affected areas.

He urged Libyan rival authorities and their international partners to facilitate the establishment of the unified mechanism to ensure transparency and accountability.

Following the disaster, many in and outside Libya called for an international investigation, reflecting the deep public mistrust in state institutions. The two dams had not being maintained for decades despite repeated warnings that they were depleted.

Bathilys call for a unified mechanism quickly gained support from the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany, and Italy.

The five governments said in a joint statement that they strongly support a proposal to deliver transparent and accountable relief and response to the reconstruction needs in the wake of the flood disaster.

The oil-rich North African nation has been in chaos since 2011, when an Arab Spring uprising, backed by NATO, ousted longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who was later killed. For most of the past decade, rival administrations have claimed authority to lead Libya.

The countrys east and south have been under the control of Gen. Khalifa Hifter and his self-styled Libyan National Army, which is allied with a parliament-confirmed government. A rival administration is based in the capital, Tripoli, and enjoys the support of most of the international community.
The new Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Amy Pope speaks, during a press conference, at the European headquarters of the United Nation in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. Pope is the first woman to hold this role. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

GENEVA (AP)  The new head of the U.N.'s migration agency said Monday that the private sector is desperate for their countries to take in migrants to mop up labor shortages, especially in the West  endeavoring to steer a narrative away from reticence and suspicion about migrants in many parts of the world.

Amy Pope, the first woman to head the International Organization for Migration, sought to play up the economic benefits of migration for rich nations with aging populations and declining workforces  in the face of build-the-wall rhetoric in the United States to block migrants from Latin America and right-wing movements in Europe that want to keep foreigners out.

We hear from ... the private sector globally, but especially in Europe and in North America, that they are desperate for migration in order to meet their own labor market needs and in order to continue to fuel innovation within their own companies, Pope, who is American, told reporters.

She said the evidence was fairly overwhelming that migration benefits economies by filling jobs, powering innovation or fueling the renovation or revitalization of aging communities.

"Migration, on the whole, is a benefit. Thats not to say that the rhetoric around migration reflects the fact that it is a tremendous benefit.

Governments who open up to migration often do so at their political peril: The Biden administration  which strongly supported Pope's candidacy  recently gave work permits to nearly 500,000 Venezuelans, whose home country has been in economic and political turmoil in recent years to help get them to work, pay taxes and stop being a burden on public finances.

But critics insist such policies are likely to encourage migrants to flock to the United States, and say they take manual and blue-collar jobs and put downward pressure on wages.

Pope insisted that countries must ensure legal and proper pathways to migration, a longstanding call by U.N. institutions.

The difference today is that 30 of the biggest economies have experienced very significant labor shortages  and we are seeing it everywhere, she said, adding that agriculture, construction, health care and hospitality were among the sectors affected.

Pope said her first trip abroad in the job will be to East Africa, where drought and the impacts of climate change have driven many to flee. She said 80% of African migrants stay in Africa, and said her job was not to focus just on south-to-north migration, which I know occupies a lot of the political space and a lot of the print space.

She pointed to shrinking humanitarian aid budgets, the need to draw in the private sector into the conversation to support migration, and signs that migration is set to continue to grow.

Whether its climate change, whether its conflict, whether its the inability to find a job or a future at home, or violence within neighborhoods or communities, more and more people are looking to find a better life somewhere else in the world, she said of a message gleaned from her talks last week with migration experts in Asia.

Pope officially took over Sunday from Antonio Vitorino of Portugal, her former boss, whom she outlasted in a U.S.-vs.-European Union showdown earlier this year. The Geneva-based agency has only had two non-American directors-general since its founding in 1951, and today it brings together 175 member countries and more than 20,000 staff.
A motorcyclist passes by burning tires as people demonstrate over the rise in the cost of living in Petit-Goave, Haiti on September 14, 2023 (Richard PIERRIN)

The United Nations Security Council on Monday approved a Kenyan-led mission aiming to bring stability to Haiti, a year after leaders in the violence-ravaged Caribbean nation first pleaded for help.

The Western Hemisphere's poorest nation has been in turmoil, with armed gangs taking over parts of the country and unleashing brutal violence, and the economy and public health system also in tatters.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have been calling since late 2022 for international support to back the police force, but much of the global community had been jaded by the failure of earlier interventions in Haiti.

Monday's resolution passed with 13 votes in favor, with China and Russia abstaining. It was hailed by Haitian foreign minister Jean Victor Geneus as bringing a "glimmer of hope for people who have been suffering the consequences of a difficult political, socio-economic, security and humanitarian situation for too long."

A breakthrough in plans for the force came in July, when Kenya volunteered to lead it and send 1,000 personnel.

"We must not fail the people of Haiti," Kenyan President William Ruto declared in a statement Tuesday, saying they had "borne the brunt of colonial plunder and repression."

"This mandate is not only about peace and security, but also about the rebuilding of Haiti - its politics, its economic development, and social stability," Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua said separately.

The resolution calls for the deployment of a "multinational security support mission" -- not officially a UN force -- with a "lead country" coordinating with the Haitian government.

The mission is initially approved for one year, with a review after nine months.

The force aims to provide "operational support to the Haitian National Police, including building its capacity through the planning and conduct of joint security support operations," the resolution says.

The mission will also aim to create conditions to hold elections, which have not taken place in Haiti since 2016.

Guterres in a recent report said that the security situation in Haiti has only grown worse, with gang members both more numerous and better armed than the police.

Nearly 2,800 homicides were recorded in Haiti between October 2022 and June 2023, with 80 minors among the dead, the UN report said.

- Addressing concerns of China -

The United States has been advocating a multinational force. On Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his department would continue working with Congress to provide $100 million in foreign assistance, and that the Pentagon is prepared to provide up to $100 million in enabling support.

But President Joe Biden has made clear he will not put American troops in harm's way.

On Monday, the White House voiced its "gratitude" to Kenya for taking on leadership of the force, and to nations such as Jamaica, the Bahamas and Antigua for adding manpower.

"It is now crucial that we focus on making progress in mobilizing the international support necessary to deploy this mission," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement.

For the resolution to pass, China had to choose not to apply its veto. Haiti is one of a dwindling number of nations that recognizes Taiwan, which Beijing claims and has been seeking to isolate on the international stage.

China, in the run-up to the Security Council meeting, voiced doubts and pointed a finger at the United States, highlighting the role of weapons from Florida in aggravating the violence.

Under pressure from Beijing, the resolution expands an embargo on light weapons and ammunition.

Beijing's UN envoy Zhang Jun made it clear that China was still skeptical, stating Monday that "without a legitimate, effective and accountable government in place, any external support can hardly have any lasting effects."

The resolution does not specify the size of the mission, although discussions have revolved around a force of about 2,000 personnel.

The resolution also calls for the support mission to "adopt appropriate wastewater management."

A UN peacekeeping force in Haiti that lasted from 2004 to 2017 introduced cholera to the country, setting off an epidemic that killed more than 10,000 people.

The experience fueled even greater pessimism in Haiti on interventions and contributed to resistance against another force under the UN flag.

"Human rights, accountability, safety and dignity of the Haitian people must remain at the forefront of this policing mission," Amnesty International Kenya said, calling for robust measures to protect Haitians from any abuses.

abd/sct/caw/st/txw/kjm
A deal to sell AppHarvests Somerset greenhouse to a Netherlands-based indoor produce grower is back on track, attorneys said in a bankruptcy hearing Monday.

According to a memo filed in Texas federal bankruptcy court, Bosch Growers, a family owned Dutch company, will acquire the 30-acre berry and cucumber-growing greenhouse for $44 million, reaffirming a previous deal that was already approved by Judge David R. Jones, of the federal bankruptcy court for the Southern District of Texas.

The deal was modified to offer Bosch more protection and offer more chances for the recovery of funds for AppHarvests estate, said Anthony Grossi, an attorney representing AppHarvest.

The revised agreement is better for (Bosch), Grossi said. It provides greater certainty to close, improves economics, including a breakup fee and puts Bosch in greater operational control during the interim period.

Mondays hearing came days after attorneys told Jones that a new deal  to sell the greenhouse to Greater Nevada Credit Union, a Nevada-based bank  was in the works. Jones had already approved the sale of the greenhouse to Bosch and news of a new deal drew the judges ire at a separate hearing last Thursday.

Last week we had a mess, Jones told the court. Today, we have a process forward.

The remaining funds AppHarvest had to keep the Somerset facility running expired at the end of September. According to the memo filed in court Sunday night, GNCU, the Nevada bank, will pay to keep the farm running until the sale closes. During that time, the involved parties will seek USDA approval of Boschs takeover of the facility and then the company will eventually take over operations.

The question of USDA approval  a requirement of the sale process  was a sticking point raised when the deal selling the greenhouse to GNCU was considered. Now GNCU is helping to push through USDA approval, said Frances Smith, an attorney representing GNCU.

Receiving USDA approval is a significant undertaking, Smith said. Should Bosch be denied by the USDA, then the Nevada bank will pay Bosch a $2.5 million break up fee.

At the beginning of the hearing, Grossi said GNCU had previously delayed getting USDA approval of the sale and Josh Wolfshohl, an attorney representing Bosch, said the well was poisoned on the USDA approval.

Smith denied that GNCU had delayed getting the approval and denied poisoning the well. The bank was prepared to assist moving forward and what happened previously was water under the bridge.

GNCU helped finance the building of the greenhouse and under the new deal the bank will be Boschs lender. Smith said they were working to repair the relationship.

Bosch was not aware of the possible deal to sell the greenhouse to GNCU until the hearing Thursday, said Wolfshohl, who was hired by Bosch shortly after that hearing. The company did not feel the process was fair until Jones got involved, Wolfshohl said.

Were thankful that you raised the issues you did, Wolfshohl told Jones. Its concerning to me that they potentially wouldnt have been raised if your honor hadnt raised them.

Jones offered an apology to Bosch on behalf of everyone.

This is not the way the process should work, Jones said. Certainly not a process that Im charged with overseeing.

Tijmen van den Bosch, the companys president, told the Herald-Leader in an email theyre ultimately happy with the outcome.

As I said, the most important part is securing ongoing operations, jobs and berries, van den Bosch said. With this deal, we can operate in the coming days as usual and have plenty of time to secure a good transition. An outcome we are happy with.

An update on the sale process will occur at a December 7 status conference, court records show.
OMAHA, Neb.  The federal government has joined several former workers in suing Union Pacific over the way it used a vision test to disqualify workers the railroad believed were color blind and might have trouble reading signals telling them to stop a train.

The lawsuit announced Monday by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of 21 former workers is the first the government filed in what could eventually be hundreds  if not thousands  of lawsuits over the way Union Pacific disqualified people with a variety of health issues.

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These cases were once going to be part of a class-action lawsuit that the railroad estimated might include as many as 7,700 people who had to undergo what is called a fitness-for-duty review between 2014 and 2018.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs estimate nearly 2,000 of those people faced restrictions that kept them off the job for at least two years if not indefinitely. But the railroad hasnt significantly changed its policies since making that estimate in an earlier legal filing, meaning the number has likely grown in the past five years.

Union Pacific didnt immediately respond to questions about the lawsuit Monday. It has vigorously defended itself in court and refused to enter into settlement talks with the EEOC.

The railroad has said previously that it believes it was necessary to disqualify workers to ensure safety because it believed they had trouble seeing colors or developed health conditions like seizures, heart problems or diabetes that could lead to them becoming incapacitated.

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Often the railroad made its decisions after reviewing medical records and disqualified many even if their own doctors recommended they be allowed to return to work.

Railroad safety has been a key concern nationwide this year ever since a Norfolk Southern train derailed in eastern Ohio near the Pennsylvania line in February and spilled hazardous chemicals that caught fire, prompting evacuations in East Palestine. That wreck inspired a number of proposed reforms from Congress and regulators that have yet to be approved.

Everyone wants railroads to be safe, said Gregory Gochanour, regional attorney for the EEOCs Chicago District. However, firing qualified, experienced employees for failing an invalid test of color vision does nothing to promote safety, and violates the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

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This lawsuit focuses on a vision test that Union Pacific developed called the light cannon test that involves asking workers to identify the color of a light on a mobile device placed a quarter of a mile away from the test taker. The EEOC said in its lawsuit that the test doesnt replicate real world conditions or show whether workers can accurately identify railroad signals.

Some of the workers who sued had failed Union Pacifics light cannon test but passed another vision test that has the approval of the Federal Railroad Administration. The other workers who sued had failed both tests but presented medical evidence to the railroad that they didnt have a color vision problem that would keep them from identifying signals.

The workers involved in the lawsuit were doing their jobs successfully for Union Pacific for between two and 30 years. The workers represented in the EEOC lawsuit worked for the company in Minnesota, Illinois, Arizona, Idaho, California, Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington, and Texas.

The Omaha, Nebraska-based railroad is one of the nations largest with tracks in 23 Western states.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Fuller Center for Housing of Northwest Louisiana's Nichelle Grimes speaks to a crowd of volunteers in front of one of the center's houses on Clay Street Saturday morning, September 30, 2023.

Fuller Center for Housing of Northwest Louisianas Nichelle Grimes spoke to a crowd of volunteers in front of one of the centers houses on Clay Street that needed cleaning to prepare it for new ownership. We provide them a hand up, not a handout, Grimes told the crowd when explaining that the Fullers mission is to provide shelter for all people in need.

It was United Ways ninth annual "Day of Service" where they partnered with Bossier Parish Schools in a community-based volunteer opportunity.

Benton High School principal Whitney Clark was there with others from the schools military group, I just think the goal in education is to help build students that are going to become good citizens and I think to be a good citizen you look beyond yourself. You look for ways that you can help others.

Benton High School principal Whitney Clark volunteers for the United Way's ninth annual 'Day of Service' at a Fuller Center house on Clay Street Saturday morning, September 30, 2023.

This years Day of Service helped assist local nonprofits with 12 collection drives and 16 in-person volunteer projects. Last year, 23 volunteer school teams yielded 15 collections drives and completed seven in-person projects. Day of Service 2022 saved local nonprofits $8,000 in labor costs and yielded more than 19,000 essential items from collection drives. Volunteers were at hand to offer help to the Fuller Center for Housing, The Salvation Army and Operation Blessing.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: United Ways ninth annual Day of Service where they partner with Bossier Parish Schools in a community-based volunteer opportunity.
Border Patrol apprehended more than 200,000 migrants crossing the US-Mexico border unlawfully in September, according to a Homeland Security official, marking the highest total this year and underscoring the ongoing challenges for the Biden administration amid mass migration in the region.

Federal authorities are grappling with a new surge of migrants which has strained federal resources and fueled concerns in cities nationwide. Last months border arrests mark an increase from August, when Border Patrol arrested around 181,000 migrants crossing between ports of entry. Its the highest total since December, when Border Patrol apprehended more than 222,000 migrants.

Migrant crossings at the US-Mexico border are expected to remain high in the near term, a senior US Customs and Border Protection official recently told CNN, noting that additional commitments from Mexico are expected to help eventually drive down numbers.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement, We remain vigilant and expect to see fluctuations, knowing that smugglers continue to use misinformation to prey on vulnerable individuals.

We are safely and efficiently vetting and processing migrants to place them in immigration enforcement proceedings consistent with our laws and operational planning efforts, the spokesperson added. DHS has used its executive authorities to improve processing, strengthen consequences at the border, and more quickly remove individuals who fail to establish a lawful basis to remain in the country.

The Department of Homeland Security has repatriated over 281,000 individuals since May while expanding refugee processing and family reunification options, the spokesperson said.

This week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, along with Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Attorney General Merrick Garland and White House Homeland Security adviser Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall will meet with their Mexican counterparts in Mexico City for annual security talks.

Migration is expected to be a topic of discussion. Senior administration officials maintain that the US has been in regular touch with Mexico over the situation at the US southern border, including commitments to shore up enforcement.

This story has been updated with additional details.

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(Photo : How to Claim Compensation When Injured Traveling for Work)

Traveling for work is not without its risks. If you are injured while on a business trip, knowing how to go through the process of claiming compensation for workers' comp will make things go more smoothly.

According to the workers' comp attorney website hansfordlawfirm.com/atlanta/, you will need to show that the injuries you sustained while traveling for work were related to your job and duties. In some situations, this may be difficult to prove without expert representation to help you navigate through this process.

About Workers' Comp for Employees That Travel for Work

Georgia's workers' comp laws cover you for traveling for your job. If you were injured while on a business trip, you can file a workers' comp claim as long as your injury occurred during the course of travel or while performing your duties.

However, if you have free time on your business trip and are not on the clock so to speak, you should be aware of the gray areas. If you are hurt while visiting a tourist attraction in this free time or while out on the town, these things will not be covered by workers' comp.

What Compensation Could You Receive for Injuries While Traveling for Work?

If your injuries were sustained during your trip while performing your working tasks or in your course of travels, you could qualify for those workers' comp benefits. These benefits will typically include coverage for your medical treatments related to the injury, income replacement benefits, and even permanent partial disability payments if your injuries result in permanent loss to a part of your body or your whole body.

Some people have a hard time trying to prove that they were injured while traveling for work. Since each case is different, speaking with a workers' comp attorney can help you move forward in the right direction to get the compensation you need.

How to File Your Workers' Comp Claim

Plenty of people file their workers' compensation claims by themselves. However, many are denied and need to appeal. An experienced attorney with workers' comp should be brought in at that point to get you your rightful compensation for your injuries.

If your injuries qualify for receiving workers' comp benefits, you need to follow the law. That means you must provide a notice of injury to your employer within 30 days of the injury. Neglecting to do so in the proper time frame will most likely result in having a denial issued on your claim, even if your injury would have been compensated.

Injured business travelers are often confused about where to file these claims because their injuries occurred in another place. However, you will file them in Georgia all the same.

Be prepared that your claim may be denied. If there is a shadow of a doubt your injuries occurred while you were performing the duties of your job, the insurance company may require more proof. It's a complicated process that you will want an experienced attorney to walk you through every step of the way.

Since workers' comp law firms offer a free initial consultation, it's wise to find out if you can make claims for your benefits after being hurt while traveling for work. You will learn more about the process and what it takes to get your compensation. Should you be denied on your claim, an attorney experienced in these matters is the only one who can charge through those next crucial steps to recover the money you deserve for your mounting medical bills and lost wages.

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
U.S. immigration agents processed more than 200,000 migrants who crossed the southern border unlawfully in September, the highest level recorded in 2023, as the Biden administration struggles to contain the mass migration gripping the region, according to preliminary government data obtained by CBS News.

Border Patrol agents last month recorded approximately 210,000 apprehensions of migrants who entered the U.S. without authorization in between official ports of entry along the Mexican border, an increase from 181,000 in August, internal statistics from the Department of Homeland Security show.

September's apprehension tally is the highest since Dec. 2022, when Border Patrol apprehended 222,000 migrants, the second-highest monthly figure on record. In May 2022, Border Patrol reported 224,000 migrant apprehensions, the current all-time high.

For only the second time in U.S. history, the unpublished DHS data shows, annual migrant apprehensions along the U.S. southern border surpassed 2 million. The data pertained to fiscal year 2023, which ended this weekend. The 2.2 million total of migrant apprehensions in fiscal year 2022 remains the highest-ever annual tally.

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A type of dolphin rarely found near South Carolina beaches died after washing up on the seashore this past weekend south of Myrtle Beach, the suspected victim of an illness that drove it inshore from deep water.

Thats the word from the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network, which says rescuers had attempted to save the striped dolphin when it came ashore late Friday night at North Litchfield Beach.

Hours after people pushed the dolphin back into the ocean, the network received a report that it was found dead farther down the beach at Litchfield, a Georgetown County community between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island on the northern coast. Photographs confirmed the creature was likely the same one that had stranded at Litchfield, the network said in a news release Monday.

This is an offshore dolphin. There is no reason why it would be this close to shore without there being an issue, said Lauren Rust, the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Networks director. It stranded several times and died, which leads us to believe something was wrong.

Striped dolphins, characterized by a black line that runs down their sides, live in the deep ocean far from land. They are abundant worldwide, but the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network says they are not usually found along South Carolina beaches. The one that washed up at Litchfield was under 7 feet long, Rust said.

Bottlenose dolphins, which can reach 13 feet and are often larger than striped dolphins, are the types usually seen along the South Carolina coast, either in tidal creeks and or in the ocean just off the beaches. About 50 to 60 marine mammals, many of them bottlenose dolphins, wash up on beaches each year in South Carolina, the network said. That often results from illness or injury, experts say.

But the last recorded stranding of a striped dolphin in South Carolina was in 2015, the news release said. The first recorded stranding was in 1976 in South Carolina, the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network said.

It is always unfortunate to see such a beautiful animal deceased, but the information we get from this animal will help us better understand this species, the networks release said. The carcass was sent to a federal laboratory in Charleston and is being kept in a freezer for further study.

A spokeswoman for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, the states wildlife agency, said she had not heard about the stranding, but agreed it would be unusual. DNR spokeswoman Erin Weeks said she was checking on the report.

The striped dolphin that stranded in Georgetown County was about six to seven years old and appeared to be emaciated, the network said.
Upon viewing a home for sale in upstate New York, one might find it jarring and think oh no, that house should be featured in the Scream franchise while another describes it as their ultimate dream mansion. Its all comes down to the homes massive and plentiful windows, which unleash glorious views of the 127-acre property it graces.

The beautiful compound is called Silvernails Farm, and its a blend of farmhouse style and industrial loft chicness not seen too often. The unusual combination is a curious explosion of modern charm.

And its listed for $25 million in Pine Plains.

The 7,500-square-foot estate has multiple structures on the property, including a cottage and several barns dating from the 1700s to the early 1900s, the listing on Compass describes.

The real eye candy is the main house, though, with its prestigious exterior and interior. The home has four bedrooms and five bathrooms and features lime stucco walls and solid fieldstone masonry on the interior and exterior with a mix of hardwood and Jerusalem limestone flooring, the listing notes.

Other features, per the listing, include:

Private study

Pantry

Wine cellar

Gym

High ceilings

Three fireplaces

Infrared sauna

Steam room

Motorized shades

Heated floors

Terrace

Dog wash

Two-car garage

The vibrant estate was featured on Zillow Gone Wild, a popular Facebook page that highlights unique houses for sale around the globe. People appeared to be mystified by it.

I love it! Its like cozy industrial. And I absolutely have to have a swing chaise lounge now! The land is amazingly beautiful too! one person said in the comment section on Facebook.

Absolutely breathtaking! another observed.

Of all the houses I have seen on here this is my favorite. I love it, someone gushed.

Its still a really cool house and blends with the countryside better than some others, one person said.

I think I finally know what my ultimate dream mansion looks like, another noted.

Id have to wear sunglasses inside on a sunny day, someone commented.

The listing is held by Byron Anderson.

Pine Plains is about 65 miles northwest of Hartford, Connecticut.

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Tensions have spiked between Serbia and neighboring Kosovo after a deadly shooting in September.

The US warned last week that Serbia staged an "unprecedented" military build-up along its border.

Kosovo's top diplomat compared the situation to what Russia did before its invasion of Ukraine.

A massive build-up of military power in Serbia has officials in neighboring Kosovo drawing comparisons to what Russian forces were doing before Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Biden administration said last week that it has observed a "worrying cycle" of rising tension and sporadic violence over the past few months between the two southern European countries, which have long been at odds and maintain a frosty relationship that's rooted in ethnic divisions. Tensions skyrocketed in late September after heavily armed Serbian gunmen staged a deadly attack in northern Kosovo, and in the aftermath, US officials said they were observing an "unprecedented" mobilization of Serbian firepower along its border with Kosovo.

"There has never been this kind of concentration of troops in recent years," Kosovo's Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwarz told German broadcaster Deutschlandfunk on Monday, according to Reuters. "The weaponry they have there, the tanks  it gives us a bad feeling because we don't know how the international community will respond."

Gervalla-Schwarz added that Serbia's rhetoric and "methods" are similar to what Russia did to Ukraine  specifically the build-up of forces along their shared border in the months leading up to Moscow's eventual full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin, an friend of leadership in Belgrade, repeatedly downplayed the situation and military escalation at the time. Russia repeatedly denied it was planning to invade. Serbia, likewise, has tried to pour cold water on the fears of an invasion.

The majority of Kosovo's population consists of ethnic Albanians. Many of the country's ethnic Serbs  a minority  live in the north. After Yugoslavia broke apart in the 1990s, Kosovo moved to seek independence from Serbia, which responded by cracking down on the Albanian population during a bloody war that lasted from 1998 to 1999, when NATO eventually intervened with a bombing campaign that pushed Belgrade's forces out. In 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia, and while the latter has refused to recognize this move, nearly 100 other countries  including the US  have done so.

Kosovo police members of Special Intervention Unit secure the area around the court during a session for the arrested Serbian gunman after the Kosovo shootout in capital Pristina, on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu

Although active fighting stopped more than two decades ago, tensions between the countries still persist in northern Kosovo, despite efforts from the West to normalize ties.

On September 24, heavily armed Serb gunmen killed a Kosovar police officer and stormed a monestary in northern Kosovo, setting off a shootout that left several attackers dead. The incident, which marked one of the worst escalations in years and was condemned by Western countries, raised fears that the situation between Belgrade and Pristina could seriously deteriorate and trigger more violence.

In the wake of the increasing tensions, NATO announced plans to increase the size of its Kosovo-based peacekeeping mission  known as Kosovo Force, or KFOR  with several hundred additional soldiers from the UK. KFOR was established in 1999 after NATO ended its months-long bombing campaign of Serbia and is designed to deter hostility against Kosovo and maintain security in the region, according to its mandate.

NATO-led international peacekeeping force the Kosovo Force (KFOR) soldiers walk in the northern part of the ethnically divided city of Mitrovica, on September 28, 2023. Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images

"We call on all parties to urgently de-escalate," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a Friday statement. "We continue to urge Belgrade and Pristina to engage in the EU-facilitated dialogue, as the only way to resolve outstanding issues and reach solutions that respect the rights of all communities. This is key for lasting security in Kosovo and stability in the region."

Meanwhile, on Friday, the US made public its observation of the Serbian military build-up along the border and expressed concerns over the situation.

"We are monitoring a large Serbian military deployment along the border with Kosovo that includes an unprecedented staging of advanced Serbian artillery, tanks, and mechanized infantry units. We believe that this is a very destabilizing development," White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Friday, calling on Belgrade to withdraw its forces.

Serbia later announced on Monday that it had pulled back around half of its troops from the border. Kosovar officials have said their country remains on high alert.

Albin Kurti, Kosovo's prime minister, wrote in a post on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter, that local authorities had obtained documentation and "confirmed" that the deadly September attack "was part of a larger plan to annex the north of Kosova via a coordinated attack on 37 distinct positions. Establishing a corridor to Serbia would follow, to enable supply of arms & troops." Serbia's leadership has denied any involvement in this incident.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A last-ditch weekend spending agreement avoided a U.S. government shutdown but left pro-Ukraine officials in Washington scrambling on Monday to determine the best path forward for securing approval for billions more assistance for Kyiv.

Leaders in the Senate, which is narrowly controlled by President Joe Biden 's fellow Democrats, promised to take up legislation in the coming weeks to ensure continued U.S. security and economic support for Ukraine.

But in the Republican-led House of Representatives, Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he wanted more information from the Biden administration, and a Republican pushing for his removal as speaker accused McCarthy of cutting "a secret deal" with Biden to allow the House to vote on a bill.

Washington has sent the Kyiv government $113 billion in security, economic and humanitarian aid since Russia invaded in February 2022. President Joe Biden asked Congress in July to approve another $24 billion related to Ukraine, which Ukraine supporters - Republicans as well as Democrats - had hoped could become law as part of a spending bill.

A U.S. official said that, as of Monday, the Defense Department had $1.6 billion left to replace weapons sent to Ukraine, no funds left under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and $5.4 billion worth of Presidential Drawdown Authority.

Congress passed a stopgap funding bill late on Saturday after McCarthy backed down from a demand by his party's hardliners for steep cuts in domestic aid programs. But he, and some other Republicans in both the House and Senate, refused to include more aid for Ukraine in the measure.

REPUBLICAN ANTI-UKRAINE DRUMBEAT CONTINUES

Opponents of Ukraine aid, many of whom are close allies of former Republican President Donald Trump as he seeks re-election to the White House next year, kept up their drumbeat against assistance for Kyiv on Monday.

Republican Representative Matt Gaetz, who said he would try this week to remove McCarthy as speaker, accused McCarthy on Monday of reaching a "secret deal" with Biden for Ukraine aide, amid reports that McCarthy had agreed to allow a House vote on assistance for Kyiv after the spending bill passed.

McCarthy later denied it. He called on the administration to arrange a briefing for House members about the path it sees to reach an end to the conflict.

"Our members have a lot of questions, especially on the accountability provisions of what we want to see with the money that gets sent," he told reporters.

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre urged Congress to move quickly. "They don't have to wait 45 days to get this done," she told a daily press briefing, where she also expressed confidence the assistance would continue.

"If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin thinks he can outlast us, he's wrong. We'll have another package of aid soon to signal our support for the brave people of Ukraine," Jean-Pierre said.

Department of Defense Comptroller Michael McCord sent a letter to McCarthy saying the Pentagon has already had to slow down resupplies for some troops.

"Today, DoD has exhausted nearly all available security assistance funding for Ukraine," McCord wrote in the letter, dated Sept. 29 and expressing concern that the stopgap spending bill did not include security assistance for Ukraine.

And in an effort to show the impact on U.S. congressional districts, McCords letter called out how U.S. funds increase jobs and production in Tucson, Arizona, where RTX Corp has facilities and Lockheed Martins Camden, Arkansas, facilities where GMLRS missiles and Patriot interceptors are made.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Kyiv was in talks with Republicans and Democrats in Congress, and that the drama around the stopgap bill was an "incident" rather than something systemic.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Additional reporting by Mike Stone, Moira Warburton, Makini Brice and Steve Holland; Editing by Don Durfee and Alison Williams)
U.S. Representative Gaetz departs after filing a motion to oust House Speaker McCarthy at the U.S. Capitol in Washington

U.S. Representative Gaetz departs after filing a motion to oust House Speaker McCarthy at the U.S. Capitol in Washington

By Richard Cowan and Moira Warburton

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Far-right Republican Representative Matt Gaetz on Monday moved to oust fellow Republican Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, injecting an additional element of chaos into an already tumultuous Congress.

Gaetz, who has clashed with McCarthy for months, introduced a "motion to vacate" that would force a vote to remove McCarthy as speaker.

Moments after his much-anticipated move on the House floor, Gaetz held an impromptu press conference in which he acknowledged that his effort might fail - at least on the first try.

"I think that's the likely outcome," Gaetz said. But in leaving open the prospect of repeated moves to get McCarthy fired, Gaetz predicted that support could grow and the initial vote on evicting McCarthy would be "the floor and not the ceiling."

Asked who he would support as a replacement for McCarthy, Gaetz said: "I think very highly of Steve Scalise . I would vote for Steve Scalise" as well as many other Republicans.

Scalise currently serves as House Majority Leader, the No. 2 job in the chamber.

Republicans control the chamber by a narrow 221-212 majority, and it would take as few as five defections to threaten McCarthy's hold on power, if all Democrats voted against him.

Gaetz and other far-right Republicans are angered that McCarthy relied on Democratic votes to pass a temporary funding extension on Saturday that headed off a partial government shutdown. A faction of about 20 Republicans, Gaetz included, had forced McCarthy's hand by repeatedly blocking other legislation.

McCarthy has called Gaetz's leadership challenge disruptive and has said he expects he will survive. "Bring it on," he wrote on the X platform, formerly Twitter.

Gaetz was one of more than a dozen far-right Republicans who repeatedly voted against McCarthy's bid for speaker in January. McCarthy ultimately secured the gavel after 15 rounds of voting.

As a condition of winning that January vote, McCarthy agreed to a rules change that allowed any one member to call for a vote to oust the speaker, setting the stage for Gaetz's move.

No U.S. House speaker has been removed from the position that is second in line in succession for the presidency after the vice president.

DEMOCRATS DEBATE NEXT MOVE

It is not clear whether Democrats will vote against McCarthy, as they did in January, or extract concessions to keep him in power.

Several House Democrats late on Monday said they would await direction from party leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Representative Ann Kuster, chair of the moderate New Democrat Coalition, told reporters that supporting McCarthy as speaker "would be a heavy lift," pointing to the loss of trust after he reneged on a debt limit deal with President Joe Biden and after he launched an impeachment probe against Biden, despite the lack of hard evidence so far of wrongdoing, according to Democrats.

Democrats are also upset that he gave them little time to read the stopgap spending bill before Saturday's vote, even though he needed their support.

They could demand that McCarthy honor his spending deal with Biden, drop the impeachment inquiry or hold votes on gun and immigration legislation.

Jeffries has not said so far if his caucus would join right-wing Republicans to help topple McCarthy or if Democrats might support him in exchange for political or legislative favors.

The White House has characterized Republicans as unreliable and extreme during the spending fight.

"What we're seeing with House Republicans is pure chaos," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

The stopgap bill passed on Saturday did not include $6 billion in aid to Ukraine, which is backed by Democrats and many Senate Republicans but opposed by right-wing House Republicans like Gaetz.

It is unclear whether Congress will approve that money.

On the House floor, Gaetz earlier accused McCarthy of having a "secret side deal" with Democrats to approve Ukraine aid.

McCarthy said there was no secret plan and the Biden administration needed to provide more detail on how that money would be spent.

"Our members have a lot of questions, especially on the accountability provisions of what we want to see with the money that gets sent," he said.

The House and Senate have until Nov. 17 to either pass spending legislation for the current fiscal year or pass another stopgap measure to avoid a shutdown.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan, Makini Brice, Katharine Jackson, Doina Chiacu and Moira Warburton; additional reporting by Costas Pitas and Kanishka Singh; writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Ross Colvin and Stephen Coates)
FILE PHOTO: Flags with the Novo Nordisk logo flutter outside their Danish company's offices in Copenhagen

By Blake Brittain

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Patent Office tribunal on Monday rejected challenges to two key patents owned by Novo Nordisk covering the active ingredient in its weight-loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic brought by a generic drugmaker that is hoping to sell generic versions of the blockbuster medications.

The office's Patent Trial and Appeal Board denied the requests by Mylan Pharmaceuticals, which is owned by Viatris, to review the validity of the Wegovy and Ozempic patents. Mylan had argued that the patents were obvious based on the anti-diabetes medication liraglutide and thus should be invalidated.

Mylan has also challenged a third patent related to a method of treatment using the drugs. The board's decision on whether to review that patent is due by Friday.

A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk said the company will "vigorously defend" its intellectual property. Representatives for Viatris did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Novo's Wegovy is the first to market in a new class of highly effective weight-loss drugs. Its booming sales have led some analysts to predict the obesity market could be worth more than $100 billion by the end of this decade.

Record profits from Wegovy and type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic - which contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide - helped Denmark-based Novo become Europe's most valuable company in September.

Novo has filed several U.S. patent lawsuits against companies including Pennsylvania-based Viatris that are seeking to market generic versions of the drugs. Viatris has separately asked a West Virginia federal court to invalidate the patents as part of the litigation.

(Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; additional reporting by Patrick Wingrove in New York; editing by Will Dunham and David Bario)
(Bloomberg) -- A bipartisan group of US senators hopes to meet President Xi Jinping in China next week, as a flurry of diplomacy bolsters expectations of a leaders meeting between the two superpowers.

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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and his Republican colleague Senator Mike Crapo, who are leading the delegation, will raise the issue of Micron Technology Inc.s ability to do business in the country during their trip, according to people familiar with the preparations who asked not to be identified discussing private planning. The company faces an ongoing probe by the Chinese governments cybersecurity administration.

The purpose is for us to engage with them, just like youve seen some of the senior administration officials, on the broad array of issues that we have, Crapo said in an interview, declining to comment on specific matters the senators will discuss. We really believe that the more engagement we have, the more opportunity and potential there is to resolve conflict.

Crapo added that the group is seeking a meeting with Xi, but noted such an engagement hasnt been confirmed. While Xi did meet with congress leaders in 2015 during a state visit to the US, typically senior American officials sit down with Chinese ministers on trips to Beijing rather than the president.

Schumers office said Tuesday the group will also raise concerns about human rights in China and fentanyl, as well as areas for possible cooperation. The senators will meet with the US business community in Shanghai and discuss concerns about the investment climate for US companies.

The senators trip follows several China visits by high-level officials in President Joe Bidens administration seeking to smooth ties after months of escalating tensions. The US is hoping to open the door to a potential November meeting between Biden and Xi at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. Beijing hasnt confirmed whether the Chinese leader will attend.

Read more: Micron Says Half of Sales Tied to China-HQ Clients at Risk

Schumers office said that in addition to Crapo, he will be joined by Louisiana Republicans Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy as well as Democrats Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Georgias Jon Ossoff.

The White House is aware of the senators trip plans and encouraged them to go, people familiar with the matter said. A spokeswoman for the National Security Council didnt respond to a request for comment.

Micron, headquartered in Boise, Idaho, is currently building a major chip-fabrication plant in upstate New York, making its business issues home-state concerns for both Crapo and Schumer, who represent those states. Micron has said the cyber probe has put half of its China sales at risk.

A Micron spokesperson declined to comment on the trip.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo raised issues on behalf of Micron and other American firms when she visited China in August.

--With assistance from Steven T. Dennis and Alan Wong.

(Updates with details from fifth paragraph)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The United States has prepared a confidential version of its strategy to help Ukraine which sees corruption as a real threat. The strategy includes anti-corruption reforms, deoligarchisation, development of the Ukrainian defence industry, transition of the army to NATO standards, and in-depth English language training.

Source: Politico

Quote: "A report obtained by Politico details specific plans to reform Ukrainian institutions and warns Western support may hinge on cutting corruption.

Biden administration officials are far more worried about corruption in Ukraine than they publicly admit, a confidential U.S. strategy document obtained by Politico suggests.

The "sensitive but unclassified" version of the long-term U.S. plan lays out numerous steps Washington is taking to help Kyiv root out malfeasance and otherwise reform an array of Ukrainian sectors. It stresses that corruption could cause Western allies to abandon Ukraines fight against Russias invasion, and that Kyiv cannot put off the anti-graft effort."

Details: The secret document is reportedly three times the size of the public version released by the State Department.

The confidential version of the Integrated Country Strategy (for Ukraine) contains much more detail on US goals in Ukraine, from privatising its banks to helping to increase the number of English-language schools and encouraging its military to adopt NATO protocols.

Many of the goals are designed to reduce corruption.

The media believes that the Biden administration wants to put pressure on Ukraine to reduce bribery because American aid is at stake.

But too much public discussion could embolden opponents of US assistance to Ukraine: "Any perception of weakened American support for Kyiv also could cause more European countries to think twice about their role."

One US official familiar with the discussions confirmed to Politico that the Biden administration is discussing the possibility of conditioning future economic assistance on "reforms to tackle corruption and make Ukraine a more attractive place for private investment" with Ukrainian leaders.

The official added that such conditions are not being considered for military assistance.

The Integrated Country Strategy includes a list of goals, timelines for achieving them, and intermediate results that US officials would like to see achieved. (The State Department develops such strategies for many countries every few years.)

A State Department spokesperson did not say whether Washington had shared the full strategy with the Ukrainian government or whether a classified version exists.

The document states that fulfilling US objectives for Ukraine includes keeping US promises to provide equipment and training to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine repel the Kremlin's attacks.

The confidential version also describes US goals such as helping to reform elements of Ukraine's national security apparatus to ensure a "decentralised, risk-tolerant approach to execution of tasks" and reduce "opportunities for corruption".

The US strategy also envisages the transition of the Ukrainian military to NATO standards.

One of the most anticipated steps listed in the confidential version is that Ukraine's Ministry of Defence "establish a professionalised junior officer and non-commissioned officer corps with NATO standard doctrine and principles."

Even the format and content of Ukrainian defence documents should "reflect NATO terminology", the confidential section of the strategy says.

One of the goals includes the creation of a "national-level resistance plan". The media interpreted this as a hint that ordinary Ukrainians would fight back if Russia seized more territory (however, the State Department spokesperson did not elaborate on this point).

The United States also wants Ukraine to produce its own military equipment, creating a "domestic defence industry capable of supporting core needs" and an environment that fosters start-ups in defence information technology, one of the confidential sections says.

US officials are also concerned about the role of oligarchs in the Ukrainian economy. The open part of the strategy states: "Deoligarchisation, particularly of the energy and mining sectors, is a core tenet to building back a better Ukraine."

One of the indicators of success, the classified version says, is that the Ukrainian government "embraces meaningful reforms decentralising control of the energy sector."

The US appears to be keen to help Ukrainian institutions build their oversight capacity.

Among the goals listed are assisting local authorities in assessing corruption risks and reforming human resources services.

As one of the examples, the strategy mentions that the US is helping the Accounting Chamber of Ukraine to improve its auditing and related work, in particular, to enable it to track direct US budget support.

The strategy focuses on describing the ways in which the United States is assisting Ukraine's healthcare, cyber defence, and organisations fighting disinformation.

The strategy calls for support for Ukraine's antimonopoly efforts and initiatives to increase tax revenues.

The confidential part calls on Ukraine's financial system to "increase lending to encourage business expansion" and reduce the role of the state in the banking sector.

The US strategy also aims to ensure that Ukraine not only maintains its Western orientation, but also develops special ties with the United States.

Washington believes that one of the ways this will happen is through the English language. The strategy states that the United States is offering technical and other assistance to Ukraine's Ministry of Education to improve English language teaching, and believes that it can help reintegrate Ukrainians liberated from Russian occupation.

US officials are also helping Ukraine build the capacity to prosecute war crimes in its own judicial system. The desired interim results include the selection of over 2,000 new judges and the review of more than 9,000 complaints of judicial misconduct.

The strategy also calls for the restoration of the USs diplomatic presence in Ukraine, expanding it beyond Kyiv to cities such as Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv and Dnipro.

Background:

Mike Pyle, the White House Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics, sent a letter to the Donor Coordination Platform with a list of reforms that Ukraine must implement in order to continue receiving aid.

The US Embassy said that it had indeed handed over a "list of priority reforms" to Ukraine for "integration into Europe".

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!
Emerging technology is causing at least two thirds of leaders to question if their organisation has the mettle to survive the next decade, according to Sharad Agarwal, the lead host of the upcoming Meta Shapers Web 3 & AI Summit.

Agarwal cited Summit speaker, Dubai-based Stephanie Bretonniere who recently suggested that 60% of CEOs sense the business they are leading today is unlikely to survive another 10 years if major changes to the way tech is used within the organisation is not made.

Bretonniere, founder & CEO of WEIMPACT.WORLD, said: Tech is not an option for sustainable transformation. It is a must-have.

Rewriting strategy

Meanwhile, Agarwal noted leading consultancy firms concur saying the time to re-write business strategy is now. He said it is especially important to understand the potential of Web3 and to get to grips with the usefulness of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Agarwal, the founder and CEO of Cyber Gear, a leading tech enabler since 1996, confirmed that the 30-strong Summit cast will place a specific spotlight on Artificial Intelligence, warts and all.

AI is a powerful enabler to business and life. However, it must be properly understood, appropriately embraced, and strategically employed, he suggested.

Clear brief

Agarwals co-host at the Summit, Susan Furness, agreed: Artificial Intelligence is another helpful intelligence. But, like most of us, AI must be given a clear brief to produce useful, relevant results. When we are clear about the intention and the tools available, we tend to deliver well. AI also needs a clear brief to work well, across all end uses.

Furness is one of the regions established communications advisors and has been associated with Agarwal since the mid-90s adoption of the read-only internet through to the decentralised Web3 which enables active user participation.

She said the speaker line-up is plucked from the centre of the conversation, noting all the presenters bring real experience, knowledge, thoughts, and concerns to the room.

Jargon-free dialogue

She promises a jargon-free dialogue, a big dose of reality, and at least 100 actionable takeaways.

The Summits Meta Shapers will identify the pros, name the perceived cons, as well as offer a real sense of the unknown that seems to be keeping economists, strategists, and leaders busy, Furness concluded.

Meta Shapers is a global community of emerging tech impact entrepreneurs and industry leaders who are shaping the narrative around the Web3 and the metaverse; early summit registrations are already beating expectations, suggesting an audience of more than 1,000.

The Meta Shapers Web3 & AI Summit is scheduled for October 4, 2023, hosted online from 5pm UAE.

--TradeArabia News Service
(Photo : 5 Features Your Investor Relations Site Must Have)

Investor websites should be a reflection of your unique brand, IR narrative, and investment proposition. These elements will establish your site as a unique entity with status.

Despite the importance of individuality, investor relations websites that drive results share certain features in common. Here are five of them below.

1. Accessible Content

Regardless of your brand's story, initiatives, or financials, your site must meet accessibility standards. It's just good business to ensure your content is visible to the greatest amount of people, including those who may have visual, cognitive, or motor control disabilities.

For best practices on how to make virtual spaces accessible, refer to the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Accessibility Initiative's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

You may also talk to an investor relations consulting firm about accessible website templates. These firms should work in tandem with local disability auditing services, such as Essential Accessibility, to ensure your site adheres to the WCAG and your local regulations.

2. Award-Winning Design

Before visitors can read your content or compare financials, they make a snap judgement based on what your homepage looks like. Research shows web browsers need only 2.6 seconds to decide whether they want to explore a website further.

When digital first impressions happen at these breakneck speeds, you need to ensure your website presents a beautiful ambassador.

3. Functionality

Style isn't everything. Eventually, visitors will want to explore beyond your homepage to learn more about your brand, IR narrative, and unique investment proposition. Your site design should make navigating to these different parts easy.

Functionality goes beyond optimizing your website speed to ensure it responds promptly to a visitor's commands. It also includes intuitive navigation so that your visitors can find vital information without having to think about it.

On the backend of things, your IR site should deliver key analytics to help you measure the success of your digital content. It should be easy to track visitor behavior (such as page views, downloads, and ownership) and integrate these engagement metrics into your IR platform.

Simple integration ensures you can mine your engagement metrics for insights into investor sentiment, translating data into action. You can use this information to initiate outreach and targeting at the perfect time.

4. Platform Support

To continue with back-end features, your IR site provider should provide exemplary platform support. Expect no less than lifetime support for your site with responsive replies to IT tickets and major revision requests. These trained professionals should be available 'round the clock to resolve support tickets within 24 hours.

As for on-the-fly updates to your content - you should be able to make these changes without wading through complicated red tape. Your in-house team should be able to edit, manage, preview, and publish updates in minutes without having to talk with an IT specialist.

5. Compliance

Your site must meet SEC and GDPR compliance to ensure you deliver your message and finances without putting your brand or clients' cybersecurity at risk. Look for a provider that protects data in transit using the latest secure cipher suites to encrypt all activity, including TLS 1.2 protocols, AES256 encryption, and SHA256 signatures. Your provider should also have SOC 2 Type II accreditation.

The Takeaway:

Every IR site will be different, but they all build on top of the same five pillars of success: accessibility, award-winning design, functionality, platform support, and security.

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
By Blake Brittain

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a lawsuit by CareDx over organ-rejection tests made by Natera and Eurofins Viracor, turning down another request to revisit the contentious issue of patent eligibility.

The justices turned away CareDx's appeal of a lower court's ruling that invalidated patents that the Brisbane, California-based company had accused its medical diagnostics rivals of infringing. The justices announced their action on the first day of their new nine-month term.

CareDx sued Austin, Texas-based Natera and Viracor, a Kansas-based subsidiary of Luxembourg's Eurofins Scientific, in 2019, accusing them of infringing patents related to its AlloSure blood test for monitoring kidney transplants. The patents, which CareDx licenses from Stanford University, cover methods of measuring levels of an organ donor's DNA in a transplant recipient's blood to predict whether their body will reject the organ.

CareDx accused Natera's competing Prospera test and Viracor's TRAC Kidney test of violating its patent rights.

The patent-focused U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled last year that the patents were invalid, affirming a Delaware federal judge's decision that they relate to the unpatentable idea of detecting natural phenomena.

CareDx told the Supreme Court that it was "overdue" to address the issue of patent eligibility, which the company said has been particularly difficult for makers of medical diagnostics.

The Supreme Court last addressed patent eligibility in the 2014 case Alice Corp v. CLS Bank International, which helped establish a two-part eligibility test along with a 2012 ruling on diagnostic patents, Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories. The test requires courts to determine if an invention involves an unpatentable abstract idea, natural phenomenon or law of nature - and if so, whether it includes an inventive concept that would make it patentable.

Critics have said the standard has caused confusion about what inventions can be legally protected and led to the cancellation of valid patents in many fields.

The justices have turned down several appeals related to patent eligibility despite the urgings of the past two presidential administrations and the Federal Circuit, whose 12 active judges asked the Supreme Court in 2019 to take up the issue.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh said in Monday's order from the Supreme Court that he would have granted CareDx's petition.

(Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham)
By John Kruzel

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned away a case involving whether former President Donald Trump should be disqualified from the 2024 election under a constitutional provision barring anyone who "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" from holding public office.

The justices rejected an appeal by John Anthony Castro , a Texas tax consultant who has mounted a long-shot bid for the Republican presidential nomination, of a lower court's finding that he lacked the legal standing to sue seeking Trump's disqualification under the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment. Castro has cited Trump's actions relating to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by the then-president's supporters as insurrection.

This may not be the final time that the Supreme Court is asked to weigh in on the subject. Other litigation on the 14th amendment and Trump is still playing out in lower courts.

The justices announced their action on the first day of their new nine-month term.

The lawsuit, filed by Castro in federal court in Florida, sought to have Trump declared ineligible to pursue public office and block him from applying to appear on the ballot in any U.S. state.

Castro cited Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars any person from holding federal or state office who took an oath "to support the Constitution of the United States" and then "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof." The amendment was ratified in the aftermath of the American Civil War of 1861-1865 in which southern states rebelled in a bid for secession.

Castro argued that Trump provided "aid or comfort" to an insurrection by expressing sympathy toward his supporters who stormed the Capitol in a failed bid to block Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden's 2020 election victory over him, and by saying he would consider pardoning them if re-elected.

A federal judge in June dismissed Castro's lawsuit, finding that he had failed to show a legal injury, which prompted Castro to appeal both to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

Trump, the front-runner in the race for the Republican nomination to challenge Biden in 2024, has continued to make the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him through widespread voting fraud.

Other legal efforts to disqualify Trump based on the 14th Amendment are underway including a Sept. 6 lawsuit filed by the nonpartisan group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington to try to block Trump from appearing on the presidential ballot in Colorado if he wins the Republican nomination.

(Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham)
FILE PHOTO: John Eastman testifies before the House Ways and Means Committee hearing on Organizations Targeted by IRS for Their Personal Beliefs on Capitol Hill in Washington

By Andrew Chung

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned away an appeal by John Eastman , a conservative lawyer indicted in August over his role in efforts to overturn Donald Trump 's 2020 election loss, in a case involving 10 emails that he had sought to shield from congressional investigators.

The justices declined to hear Eastman's appeal of a lower court's refusal to wipe out a federal judge's determination that the emails could be turned over to a House of Representatives committee due to an exception to attorney-client privilege involving communications likely used in furtherance of a crime.

Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas did not participate in considering the case, the court's brief order showed. As is customary for the justices, Thomas did not explain the reason for his recusal. The Washington Post last year reported that congressional investigators had obtained emails between Eastman, who once served as a law clerk for Thomas, and the justice's wife, conservative activist Virginia "Ginni" Thomas.

"We're disappointed, of course," Anthony Caso, a lawyer for Eastman, said of the court's decision not to hear the appeal.

The Democratic-led House panel issued a subpoena seeking the emails in its investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump's supporters and other matters involving efforts to undo Democrat Joe Biden 's 2020 election victory over Trump.

Eastman, a former law professor at Chapman University in California, filed suit in federal court to prevent the school from complying with the panel's subpoena.

In decisions in 2022, U.S. District Court Judge David Carter in Santa Ana ordered certain emails to be turned over, including those related to court efforts by Trump and Eastman to delay congressional certification of Biden's victory. Trump has made false claims that the election was stolen from him through widespread voting fraud.

Attorney-client communications are normally safeguarded from disclosure. The so-called "crime-fraud" exception involves when a judge determines that they are likely used in furtherance of a crime.

Carter ruled that Trump and Eastman had "more likely than not" committed a crime in trying to obstruct Congress. Eastman has sought to erase the judge's determination that the "crime-fraud" exception applied to some of the emails. His lawyers argued that given the fact that the emails eventually were publicly disclosed and left the legal case "moot," Carter's ruling "imposes a stigma" on both him and Trump and should be voided.

Eastman appealed after the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last November rejected his request to wipe out Carter's "crime-fraud" decision.

Eastman represented Trump in a long-shot lawsuit seeking to overturn voting results in four states that Trump lost in 2020 and spoke at a rally at which Trump addressed his supporters before the Capitol riot. Eastman also wrote a memo outlining how, in his view, then-Vice President Mike Pence could thwart the formal congressional certification of Biden's victory, though Pence ultimately declined to follow his advice.

Eastman pleaded not guilty after being indicted in August in Georgia's Fulton County alongside Trump and a raft of others on state charges involving efforts to reverse Trump's election loss. The indictment accused Eastman of being part of a plot to appoint fake electors for the election certification process.

Trump is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to face Biden in the 2024 election.

The justices announced their action on the first day of their new nine-month term.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham)
(Bloomberg) -- Venezuelas opposition rejected technical support from the government for its presidential primary, risking a chaotic vote and a possible court battle.

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The opposition on Monday ratified that it would organize the Oct. 22 vote independently of the electoral authority, or CNE, using paper ballots rather than the states voting machines.

The committee in charge of the process also rejected the idea of pushing back the date of the vote.

Later, the CNE ratified its willingness to provide the opposition with automated technical support for its primaries. The electoral council has the exclusive competence to organize national elections, the body said in a statement issued Monday night and read on state television.

The CNE had offered to provide voting centers, electoral machines and other devices, while not interfering in other, nontechnical aspects, Elvis Amoroso, president of the CNE, said Friday. But many in the opposition had feared government interference and fraud, and argued for proceeding independently.

Front-runner Maria Corina Machado called for the use of paper ballots as the only way to guarantee the secrecy of the vote.

Some opposition members argued in favor of accepting the CNEs help, saying it would significantly cut the cost of running the vote, and guarantee familiar venues for Venezuelans to cast their ballots.

President Nicolas Maduro is trying to convince outsiders that the 2024 presidential elections will be well run, after the US said it may ease crippling economic sanctions if the vote is fair.

Legal Challenges

The primary may now face legal challenges. The CNE board has previously warned that its duties include organize electoral processes either after a partys request or a court order.

It had also secured over 3,000 voting centers in sheds, parking lots, houses of political activists, and some public spaces, some of which are vulnerable to violence or intimidation.

The opposition is still requesting that the CNE provide between 300 and 400 official voting centers, as well as security to ensure a peaceful voting day.

The opposition is trying to pay for the vote with a fund-raising campaign, although it hasnt disclosed the cost.

(Adds CNEs comments in fourth paragraph)

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The Vermont fall foliage season has begun in earnest with color reaching all corners of the state.

In the third weekly fall foliage report (of seven), the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation shares that some of the muted early changing leaves have fallen making way for vibrant reds, and that changing colors extend to even the southernmost parts of the state now.

The report said muted yellow leaves that changed early this season due to fungal infection from a wet summer have been falling.

"The extremely wet summer caused leaf fungi on some trees, resulting in early drop of affected leaves," said Forester Ethan Tapper in a supplemental foliage article shared by Vermont Tourism. "This happens every year in varying degrees, but once the affected leaves drop, what is left gets to shine, especially given the good weather weve been having."

Where the leaves are changing in Vermont

The southernmost parts of the state are just starting to get pops of color, but the season is progressing more quickly elsewhere across the state.

"Sugar maples in Rutland and Washington counties are displaying nice golds and oranges across the landscape, with red maples providing their classic bright reds," the report reads. "Lots of candy-apple reds are dominating the landscape in northwestern Vermont as well, especially in low-lying areas near waterways. In the Northeast Kingdom, the red maples are really putting on a show." The report added the Northeast Kingdom could reach peak in the next week.

In Lamoille County: "Red maples have started to show off their flashy reds and sugar maples and ash trees are hinting at their golden and purplish hues, respectively," said Emily Potter, a forester for the county and the towns of Hardwick and Walden.

When to expect peak leaf color in Vermont: An eye towards the NEK fall foilage

Peak foliage season is drawing near. "We are right on schedule for peak foliage as we move from September to October in far northern locations, and early October for the rest of the state," the report said. The changes were delayed by warm, wet weather but in the last couple weeks, Vermont returned to seasonable temperatures with cool evenings and sunny days, putting fall foliage season back on track.

Fall Things to do in Vermont: Here are 20 farms offering pick-your-own apples this fall

A yellow-leaved tree stands brilliantly against the blue sky, green grass and distant mountains. Fall as seen on Sunset Hill Rd. in Williston on Sep. 27, 2023.

See Vermont's fall foliage forecaster which predicts much of the state peaking Oct. 12 to 14.

Where and how to view the best foliage in Vermont this week

Foresters suggest getting a higher elevation vantage point to view the changing leaves now as you'll see more trees at once and because trees tend to begin their change at the tops first. Another way to maximize the experience is traversing Vermont's winding roads and recreational paths.

Recommendations this week include:

Up high: Mt. Pisgah and Wheeler Mountain summits in northern Vermont or central Vermont mountain towns of Warren, Fayston and the hills around Killington.

Drive : Backroads between Craftsbury and Glover, the 51-mile Northeast Kingdom Byway which travels through St. Johnsbury, Lyndon and Burke; the scenic Rte. 100 byway through central and southern Vermont.

See: Wetlands near Swanton and the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge.

Walk/bike/wheelchair: Lamoille Valley Rail Trail near Swanton.

Chittenden County Forester Tapper shared his best-loved ways to view the changing leaves. "My favorite places to see foliage are driving down Nashville Road in Jericho towards West Bolton, on Honey Hollow Road in Bolton, and from the top of Camels Hump!"

Not so Instagram-able: Much-photographed Sleepy Hollow Farm in Pomfret closes road except for residents

Lamoille County Forester Potter offered some best bets. "Heading toward Eden and Belvidere is usually a good bet for early color, as is traveling around Mount Mansfield from Cambridge and Stowe," she said. "Route 12 between Worcester and Elmore is another area worthy of a drive because of the expansive forest."

Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont's leaf changing season: Fall foliage report as September ends
CBS News lost a beloved family member over the weekend. Mark Jeremy Ludlow, a veteran video editor based in our London bureau, died peacefully on Sunday surrounded by family and friends. Ludlow, as most of us called him, was 63. He died after a relatively brief battle with cancer.

Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather, in a final note to Ludlow, said he was "one of the very best television news editors of this or any other generation," and called it an "honor to have you as a friend and colleague."



Ludlow started editing for NBC News in the early 1980's, following in the footsteps of his father, videographer Ken Ludlow.

CBS News video editor Mark Ludlow, on assignment in Rwanda. / Credit: CBS News

In the mid-1980s, Ludlow started working with CBS News, first as a freelancer.

Any foreign news story you've seen on CBS News since then  from wars to disasters both natural and man-made, to royal shenanigans and light-hearted features  there's a good chance Mark was the man who wove together the words and the pictures to turn it into a story for television.

He was among the best whoever plied his trade in this business. More than that, he was the best travelling companion to desperate places you could ever hope for  and he visited a few.

Ludlow was in the newly-united German capital the night the Berlin Wall came down. He was in Baghdad, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to cover the Gulf Wars; Bosnia for the siege of Sarajevo; Ukraine and Moscow as the Soviet Union crumbled and Pakistan and Afghanistan after the September 11 terror attacks of 2001.

When the inevitable hurdles reared up, Ludlow never missed a beat. If there was no electricity, he'd find some. No script until minutes before airtime, he'd still somehow pull it together.

CBS News video editor Mark Ludlow, taking part in a 2013 charity event to raise funds for the Rory Peck Trust, in London, England. / Credit: CBS News

In the office, Ludlow was quick to offer his help and his humor to anyone in need of either. He made newcomers feel welcome and found a way to share his wisdom without a hint of the superiority his experience could have warranted.

Ludlow and his long-time partner and CBS News producer Jane Whitfield were married this past week. He is survived by Jane, his mother and father Judy and Ken, and his brother and sister Nick and Tracy.

In the words of CBS News president Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, Ludlow "was a great human and will be greatly missed."

"We are grateful for the indelible mark he left on this organization and on so many of us," said Ciprian-Matthews. "We can't possibly count the contributions he has made, but we know he has made CBS News better."

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A vigilante paedophile hunter has been shot and killed in Michigan during a confrontation with a teenager he falsely accused of preying on young people.

Robert Wayne Lee, 40  better known to his tens of thousands of online followers as Boopac Shakur  would often pose as a 15-year-old girl on social media to expose alleged predators.

His work has been known to lead to suspects being arrested.

Lee was believed to be on one of his hunts at around 10.30pm on Friday night when he approached a teenager at the Universal Coney Island restaurant in Pontiac and punched him, said Oakland County Sheriffs Office.

Police said that the teenager was with a group of friends, one of whom pulled out a knife while another fired a gun at Lee.

The 40-year-old was struck by multiple bullets.

Lee was rushed to hospital where he died from his injuries.

The suspects, who remain unidentified, fled the scene but were later tracked down and arrested.

There were 2 people at the table, 1 he was mostly focused on and talking to and became heated with was not the individual who shot him - it was the other person on the opposite side of the table, said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard in a statement.

In the statement, police pointed to Lees work  and how his unsanctioned hunts sometimes led to false accusations being levelled against innocent individuals whose faces were then plastered all over social media.

Robert Lee was shot dead on Friday night (WXYZ)

His one-man crusade has led to the arrest and criminal charges being filed against several men, Sheriff Bouchard said. He has also mistakenly identified someone as a sexual predator who was not.

He added: While we certainly understand his desire to hold child predators accountable, many times well-intentioned individuals who engaged in this dont know the standard of evidence required for convictions and often underestimate the potential for violence confronting a suspected predator.

Lee was infamous within his town, with many loving him for the work he did to identify predators.

Lee would typically message suspected predators under the guise of being a teenage girl to see if they would pursue him.

If they did, he would then post images that the men sent the fake teenager or photos from their social media profiles, alongside any previous convictions they had.

Among those he exposed was a former police officer, who is now facing charges, reported CNN.

On Saturday, family, friends and the local community held a candlelight vigil outside the restaurant where he was killed.

A candlelit vigil was held by the local community to pay their respects to the infamous vigilante (Fox 2)

He really cared about the community and especially the children... a lot of people looked up to him and respected him, one attendee told Fox 2.

A GoFundMe page was set up by a relative to raise money to support his young daughter.

The page described the vigilante as a true hometown hero who dedicated his life to protecting the innocence of our children from those with malicious intentions.

According to the fundraiser, Mr Lee had exposed around 132 predators within his community.
A vigilante pedophile hunter was killed in Michigan over the weekend.

He was shot dead after confronting two young men, one of whom he had accused of being a predator.

Robert Wayne Lee went by "Boopac Shakur" online and built a following by posting confrontation videos.

A vigilante pedophile hunter was shot dead over the weekend in Michigan after confronting a man he accused of being a sexual predator, according to authorities.

Robert Wayne Lee, who went by "Boopac Shakur" online and had more than 50,000 followers on Instagram, posted videos of himself confronting people he believed to be sexual predators who were looking to meet with minors.

Some of those videos show him getting into violent altercations with those he accused.

On Friday night, Lee approached two young men at a restaurant in Pontiac, accusing one of them of being a pedophile, Oakland County Sheriff's Office said, according to The Washington Post.

Lee punched one of the men, who pulled out a knife, The Post reported. The other man drew a pistol and shot Lee several times, police said, per The Post.

Lee was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died of his injuries, the sheriff's office said in a news release.

The two young men from Pontiac, Michigan, aged 17 and 18, were arrested Saturday but have not been named by police, The Post reported.

The sheriff's office said it believes the 17-year-old was the shooter, according to The Post.

Though Lee was viewed as a hero by some in Michigan, with his Facebook page showing people praising and mourning him, police suggested that his well-meaning efforts were better left to professionals.

The sheriff's office said in the news release that although Lee's "one-man crusade has led to the arrest and criminal charges being filed against several men," he has also mistakenly identified someone as a sexual predator, per CNN.

Lee once successfully targeted an Oakland County sheriff's deputy working in a county jail, who was charged with one count of accosting a child for immoral purposes, according to The Oakland Press.

The Sheriff's Office advised that the vigilante approach is potentially dangerous and doesn't follow normal procedure.

According to CNN, Sheriff Michael Bouchard said: "While we certainly understand his desire to hold child predators accountable, many times well-intentioned individuals who engaged in this don't know the standard of evidence required for convictions and often underestimate the potential for violence confronting a suspected predator."

Detectives will turn the case over to prosecutors for charges, police said, per CNN.

Oakland County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
With Donald Trump continuing to dominate the 2024 Republican primary field, some Republicans are praying a new savior will rise from these streets.

This weeks savior is Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

In August, then-Fox News and News Corp. boss Rupert Murdoch was encouraging him to run. But in the wake of another sad GOP primary debate, fantasy talk of an audacious, break-the-glass moment has morphed into not-so-quiet consideration, writes CBS News Robert Costa.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkins Political Future Hinges on Banning Abortion

Desperate non-Trumpy Republican donors and activists havent reached the acceptance phase of Trumps inevitable nomination (although they have accepted the fact that nobody currently in the GOP field can beat him). Instead, they have entered the deus ex machina stage.

This sort of denial seems to happen every four years.

In September 2003, Gen. Wesley Clark entered the Democratic primary after months of fanfare. As The New Yorker noted, Clark was what Bill Clinton had reportedly declared him to bethe only Democrat besides Hillary Clinton who qualified as a true political star.

After being wooed by a Draft Clark movement, his star fell precipitously. He dropped out of the race before Valentines Day in 2004.

In September 2007, actor and former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson entered the GOP presidential primary after months of flirtation. His candidacy didnt survive January 2008.

In August 2011, then-Texas Gov. Rick Perry entered the GOP presidential primary. His candidacy did not survive January 2012.

Interestingly, four years after that, something similar almost happened.

Venerable New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd reported that Joe Biden was talking to friends, family and donors about jumping in against Hillary Clinton.

Biden, who didnt run, probably should have (he was, after all, the sitting vice president).

Meanwhile, Clark, Thompson, and Perry each provide warnings for potential late entrants.

Wes Clark was a political novice who lacked charisma and turned out to be gaffe prone.

Thompson, who last stood for election in 1996, was lazy and didnt have the fire in the belly.

Perry was a charming rock star in Texas, but at the national level, his debate skills were, shall we say, lacking.

This brings us back to Youngkin, a smart and successful governor who never held political office before being elected governor of Virginia in 2021. Youngkin has never had to win a tough GOP primary. He was nominated at a state convention that used rank-choice voting in order to reduce the chances that a Trumpist candidate would run away with the nomination, according to The Washington Post.

Vivek Ramaswamy Tried to Go Nice, but GOP Debate Rivals Wouldnt Let Him

And although Youngkin embraced culture war rhetoric on his way to victory in 2021, he is temperamentally more Mitt Romney or Jeb Bush than DeSantis, let alone Trump.

Nevertheless, some very wealthy Republicans are so convinced he can beat Trump that they are clamoring for him to runjust as soon as Virginias off-year state legislative elections conclude next month.

[I]f Republicans win in Virginia, billionaire donor Thomas Peterffy told Costa, maybe we can talk him into [running for president].

Though he is not explicitly ruling out a presidential run, Youngkin says hes laser focused on this Novembers Virginias elections.

The problem with that?

The [GOP presidential primary] candidate filing deadline for the Nevada Republican caucus is Oct. 15. The candidate filing deadline for the South Carolina Republican presidential primary is Halloween, explains National Reviews Jim Geraghty.

This is to say that there are some major logistical challenges awaiting Youngkin. But even if those obstacles were not in his way, Youngkin would still be crazy to run for president at this late point in the cycle.

Ron DeSantis Campaign Is Plummeting Because He Wont Choose a Lane

Late entrants always bust. Thats because they are excessively hyped, and therefore, they get put through the wringer instantly. The smallest misstep is magnified 100-fold.

Unless youre perfect right out of the gate, you will fall flat.

What this means is that you probably have to be at the top of your game at the national level to avoid disaster. In my opinion thats why Biden, ironically, might have succeeded, whereas the others (a general, an actor/former U.S. senator, and a governor) floundered.

Sure, it feels flattering to be courted to run for president. But if Glenn Youngkin is smart, he will run away from this opportunity. And fast.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy has unveiled a sweeping plan to shut down federal agencies, including the FBI, and cut more than a million federal jobs, should he win the presidency.

Federal agencies shutdown: Ramaswamy first unveiled his plan during a town hall at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics back in July and then at a speech at the America First Policy Institute in Washington on Sept. 13. The 38-year-old businessman outlined a radical vision to significantly reduce the size and influence of the federal government.

His initial proposal included shutting down five federal agencies, namely the FBI, the Department of Education, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. He said he intends to slash the federal workforce by half in his first year as president and further reduce it by 75% during his first term.

Challenging the deep state: Ramaswamy reiterated his plan to abolish federal agencies at the California Republican Party Fall Convention in Anaheim on Saturday. Ramaswamy also pledged to shut down the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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"Today, the people who we elect to run the government are no longer the ones who actually run the government. It is the deep state in the shadow government of those three-letter agencies that wield power today. That is why I've said that as your next president, I will shut down the unconstitutional federal administrative state."

Potential challenges: The implementation of such a radical overhaul would face immense resistance from federal employees, who benefit from civil service protections, as well as from bipartisan lawmakers and interest groups who support the missions of these agencies. While former President Donald Trump often criticized the so-called "deep state," he did not enact such massive layoffs during his term.

Similar intentions: Other Republican candidates, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have expressed similar intentions, including eliminating the IRS and other federal departments.

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Conservative organizations, along with former Trump administration officials, are similarly working on plans to oust federal employees and replace them with like-minded individuals in the event of Trump's return to the White House.

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(Photo : Edmond Dantes from Pexels)

Having talented employees is essential for the success of any organization, but finding and keeping them requires careful management, strategic planning, and the right tools. Today's dynamic job market makes this even more complicated, as traditional interviews, hiring methods, and retention programs are no longer sufficient to attract and maintain excellent workers.

These past few years have been particularly challenging, with organizations from various sectors constantly grappling with the challenge of filling open positions. Ironically, the Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that approximately 10.1 million Americans are jobless, implying that the situation isn't caused by a talent shortage. Moreover, a recent survey highlights that nearly 55% of working Americans plan to change jobs in the upcoming year, indicating an abundant supply of potential candidates.

Despite these conditions, many businesses struggle to hire competent employees and maintain their current workforce. With the difficulties of finding uniquely skilled workers, providing satisfying work environments, and adapting to shifting market conditions and technological advancements, talent acquisition and retention have become a multifaceted problem for most organizations.

Getting The Process Right

Business leaders know that employee satisfaction is vital to maintaining a motivated workforce, ultimately contributing to the organization's success. As such, building a solid employer brand from the onset is crucial, which is why businesses need to transform their recruitment and retention strategies in response to the changing landscape.

The recruitment process is key in attracting the best talent as it helps you secure qualified individuals, reduce hiring costs, and enhance the company's reputation. However, the process doesn't stop there because hiring and retention are equally as critical - hiring ensures the right talent is onboard to drive productivity and culture, while retention strategies maintain financial stability and improve the company's brand image.

Despite this, several aspects of these processes, including proper and effective communication, are often overlooked. In the hiring stage, communication helps convey expectations and requirements, allowing candidates to evaluate whether the role fits their skills and aspirations.

Communication also enhances talent retention, creating a positive atmosphere where employees feel valued and involved. Effective communication of strategic objectives helps employees understand the relevance of their roles to the organization's goals, which then builds trust, prevents misconceptions, and assures employees of their importance to the company.

But in many organizations, particularly those in global or multicultural settings, language barriers can become a significant obstacle. Fortunately, you can prevent this by using survey translation services in your recruitment and retention processes to help you provide clarity, cultural insights, and inclusivity in the workforce, leading to better-informed decisions and diverse talent acquisition.

Finding Talent

Gathering talented employees in today's competitive environment calls for a creative and adaptable approach, utilizing a variety of channels like social media and virtual job fairs or attending networking events. By diversifying talent sourcing strategies, you get access to a wider pool of suitable candidates, increasing the likelihood of finding those who fit the organization's culture.

Another option is to leverage the current team for potential talent by offering a referral program, as employees best understand the company culture and expectations. When resources are limited, it may also be in the company's best interest to work with recruitment agencies as they quickly locate and vet suitable candidates by leveraging their industry networks. Additionally, these agencies can handle most administrative work, allowing the company to focus on other tasks.

Aside from identifying possible sources for recruitment, you also need to publish quality job advertisements that exhibit branding elements displaying the organization's culture and identity. These ads should be clear and precise, outlining key responsibilities, skills, and benefits of working at the organization. You can also provide details about the location and incorporate employee reviews or testimonials for a more authentic feel.

Hiring Talent

Once applications start, the next stage is conducting effective interviews to significantly improve the quality of new hires, thereby enhancing overall team performance and productivity. However, the interview process should be innovative to reveal candidates' true qualities and allow you to properly assess if they would be a good fit for the company. Valuing cultural fit is also crucial, as candidates should align with company principles and contribute to a positive work environment.

Effective interviews begin with understanding the role and preparing relevant questions. This is the time to communicate job expectations, ask open-ended questions, and create space for candidate inquiries.

During this time, remember to conduct behavioral interviewing, a technique used to assess a candidate's past behavior and performance to predict their future performance in similar situations. This approach shows you how candidates might react in realistic job situations, providing insight into their decision-making skills, communication abilities, and other competencies.

After the interview, evaluate each candidate based on set criteria and follow up with them, revealing the decision and providing feedback. Doing so is respectful, enhances a candidate's experience, and helps you improve your recruitment processes for future candidates.

Retaining Talent

There are many ways to improve the retention of top talent, but of particular importance is the focus on employee development, work-life balance, and constructive feedback. This is because employee development, which can be done through training programs, mentorship, and promotion from within, enhances commitment and reduces turnover. On the other hand, enabling work-life balance through practices like promoting flexibility and wellness initiatives shows recognition of employees' lives beyond work.

Finally, constructive feedback promotes a positive work culture, making employees feel valued and supported. Through regular and detailed feedback, employees better understand their strengths and areas of improvement, which motivates them to enhance their skills. Moreover, providing professional, responsive feedback fosters a positive work environment, encourages open communication, supports personal development, and promotes employee satisfaction.

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy 's presidential campaign has lobbied the Republican National Committee (RNC) to change the rules of the third Republican primary debate, which will take place in Miami on Nov. 8.

Ramaswamy is asking the party to allow only the top four candidates in national polling, aside from former President Donald Trump , to be allowed onto the debate stage, according to a letter sent Sunday night to the RNC by Ben Yoho, the CEO of Ramaswamy's campaign.

Yoho asked that the donor threshold be raised to 100,000 unique donors  up from the 70,000-donor threshold in the RNC's current debate criteria. He also requested "greater time for candidates to respond to their competitors," and for a single debate moderator "who is able to enforce debate rules and avoid candidates indiscernibly shouting over each other."

"Another unhelpful debate in November is not an option," Yoho wrote. "Voters are not well-served when a cacophony of candidates with minimal chance of success talk over each other from the edge of the stage, while the overwhelming frontrunner is absent from the center of that same stage."

Chris LaCivita, a Trump campaign adviser, told CBS News after last Wednesday's debate that Trump would also not attend the third debate in Miami. The New York Times first reported on Ramaswamy's letter.

The last primary debate in September featured seven candidates and nearly constant crosstalk among the candidates. The donor and polling thresholds set by the RNC for the third debate are higher and could decrease the number of participants.

In September, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott sent letters to the RNC to ask that early state polling numbers be a bigger factor in November's debate stage podium placement, and for the early state polling threshold to be at least 7%.

Campaigns can't force the RNC to adjust the debate rules, but they are allowed to lobby for changes. CBS News has reached out to the RNC for any statement or reaction to Ramaswamy's or Scott's letters.

Candidates trying to make the November debate in Miami must have at least 4% in two national polls or a combination of at least 4% in one national poll and in two different early-state polls. The date range for polls that would count is Sept. 1 to Nov. 6.

A CBS News poll of Iowa likely caucus goers in mid-September would count toward eligibility requirements for six candidates: Trump (51%), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (21%), former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley (8%), Scott (6%), former Vice President Mike Pence (6%) and Ramaswamy (5%).

In New Hampshire, the CBS News poll of likely primary voters would also help six candidates: Trump (50%), DeSantis (13%), Haley (11%), Ramaswamy (8%), former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (8%) and Scott (5%).

Trump, DeSantis, Ramaswamy and Haley appear to have met the qualifications for the third debate stage, according to a tracker by Politico. Scott's campaign said it has already met the donor threshold, though whether he has reached the polling threshold is still to be determined.

Yoho's letter also took a dig at the reported summit of GOP mega-donors and campaign representatives of DeSantis and Haley that is happening later this month.

"A small group of billionaires has already 'summoned' certain PAC-favored campaigns to a private retreat in Texas to potentially coordinate and consolidate donor support against President Trump," Yoho wrote. He added, "Our party's voters, not mega-donors, should be the ones to properly vet presidential candidates and determine the nominee."

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Rep. Gaetz says he will file a motion this week to oust Speaker McCarthy

House to vote on McCarthy's future as speaker
Brace for impact. Over the weekend, Congress averted a government shutdown when House Speaker Kevin McCarthy did what he should have done from the beginning (and in truth, was always going to have to do): pass a clean stopgap spending bill with Democrats to make up the difference when many members of the Republican conference opposed it.

Unsurprisingly, the day after, Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL) told CNN that he would file a motion to boot Mr McCarthy from his role as House speaker. For those who forget, when Mr McCarthy when 15 rounds with conservatives to become speaker in January, he cut a deal with conservatives that allowed for a single member to file a motion to vacate the chair, essentially a no-confidence vote in the speaker.

Mr Gaetz, Mr McCarthys perpetual antagonist who led the charge against Mr McCarthy becoming speaker, has long threatened to file a motion to oust him.

But he would likely have few allies within the House GOP conference, given how much he dragged out the fight on spending which led to the passage of a bill with no provisions to cut immigration. Even some Republicans who might agree with him  indeed, 90 Republicans voted against keeping the government open  would probably tell him to take a hike.

But then, Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a member of Congress who has about as little in common with Mr Gaetz as possible, also told CNN she absolutely would vote to oust Mr McCarthy, calling him a very weak speaker who had lost control of his caucus.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez announcing such a move would be surprising given that, unlike other progressives, shes much more comfortable playing the inside game. But then Rep Ilhan Omar (D-MN), a fellow member of the Squad and the deputy chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told MSNBC that she can't wait to vote to vacate the chair.

Both members are considered leaders of the CPC and well-respected among progressives, which means they likely would not get ahead of a not-insigificant number of the 100-plus caucus caucus was not already thinking about joining Mr Gaetz.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez and Ms Omars reasons for wanting to get rid of Mr McCarthy are pretty obvious. Last Congress, when Rep Paul Gosar posted a cartoon of a character with his head photoshopped on killing a character with Ms Ocasio Cortezs head, Mr McCarthy offered a vociferous defence of the fringe Republican congressman.

Indeed, when Democrats voted to censure him and strip him of committees, Mr McCarthy threatened to remove Ms Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee for her previous comments on Israel, which he did shortly after Republicans took control of the House.

Mr McCarthy also refused to discipline Rep Lauren Boebert (R-CO) after she joked about Ms Omar, one of the first two Muslim women to be elected to Congress, being a terrorist. That led to Ms Omar receiving numerous death threats but zero discipline from House GOP leadership.

Similarly, as the no 2 Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Ms Ocasio-Cortez has led the Democratic pushback to the wild goose chase that is the Biden impeachment inquiry. Incidentally, she had one of the most incisive questions when she asked witnesses last week if they had any firsthand evidence of wrongdoing by President Joe Biden, to which they all replied no.

The progressive desire to oust Mr McCarthy, a quisling of Donald Trump who has put himself at the mercy of the House Freedom Caucus, is palpable. And the desire to humiliate him at the hands of Mr Gaetz would make even the most cautious leftists lick their chops.

But in the end, an ouster of Mr McCarthy might do more long-term damage and give the far-right more credibility. For all of his pandering to the far-right, Mr McCarthy is an utterly malleable Republican. The next speaker, whether it be Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik or someone else, would be far more ideological and more friendly the extremist wing of the House GOP. The raucous crowd that opposed other spending bills might want to extract even more, making it harder for the speaker to work with a Democratic president and Senate.

Similarly, the House was only able to work to avoid a government shutdown because Mr McCarthy could trust Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to give him enough votes to pass a continuing resolution. This was also the case with the debt limit earlier this summer.

Were progressives to join in a coup with conservatives, it would disincentivize any prospective speaker from ever working with Democrats again since they would fear that a coterie of left-wingers would just join his right flank.
Employees also want Waffle House to stop taking mandatory meal deductions, close during extreme weather conditions and have 24-hour security for all restaurants.

Waffle House employees across the Southeast have joined the frontlines as they strike for better wages.

The Union of Southern Service Workers has launched the campaign at multiple Waffle Houses, saying in a petition that employees are getting organized and demanding $25 an hour in response to their refusal to be exploited.

Were launching a powerful set of demands on Waffle House, the petition states, to take back what is rightfully ours: A workplace based on respect, dignity and fair pay for everyone.

Waffle House employees in the Southeast are the latest group of industry workers to strike as they demand $25 an hour. (Photo: AdobeStock)

According to WSB-TV, Waffle House employee Gerald Green has worked at the food chain for about seven years. As a Rockstar cook, he is the highest-level cook outside management  but he doesnt feel his hourly pay reflects that.

Well, I am a rockstar, so at my restaurant, I am making $17.75, Green said. That is why employees are demanding better pay. Youre constantly having to go from one job to the next.

Waffle House employees demand for better pay comes as staffers in several industries  from Hollywood actors to local baristas and delivery truck drivers  have gone on strike. Stanford News noted that the demonstrations bring issues such as equitable profit allocation and better salaries to the national limelight. And they dont appear to be ending any time soon.

However, Waffle House maintains that relatively few individuals seen online protesting are employees, contrary to the embellished descriptions union officials shared and photos sent to the media, according to WSB.

We are aware of the activities that took place [Saturday] at three of our locations in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, in which nearly all the people who protested were not Waffle House Associates, a spokesperson said. With that said, Waffle House remains proud of its long history of effectively and directly addressing Associate concerns. Our senior management teams continue to work alongside our Associates as they have done since our companys inception.

In addition to $25 an hour, employees also want Waffle House to stop taking meal deductions, regardless of whether they eat on breaks or not; for sites in Florida to close during extreme weather such as hurricanes; and for all restaurants to have 24-hour security.

A lot of workers are hurt by customers. A lot of workers are mistreated by customers, Green said, referencing an August incident when a former worker was shot to death outside Waffle House in Dekalb County, WSB reported.

People say it is funny seeing people in fights all the time, he added, like we are not really MMA Fighters like people online say we are.

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The post Waffle House workers are the latest group to strike, requesting $25 per hour appeared first on TheGrio.
Its been five years since Cheryl Coker was last seen alive and investigators are still working to find out who killed her.

News Center 7s John Bedell spoke to Cokers sister, Margie Keenan, on Monday and she said her family is still hoping for justice no matter how long it takes.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Cheryl Coker homicide investigation remains open 4 years after disappearance

Keenan visited her sisters grave Monday to have a conversation with her sister.

I tell her I miss her all the time. I come here and I see mom and I talk to mom. I talk to Cheryl. I just them know how much I miss them, she said. The women in my life, I miss so much.

Coker disappeared after dropping off her daughter at Stebbins High School on Oct. 2, 2018.

Four months after her disappearance, investigators told News Center 7 first that they had a suspect in the case: Cokers husband, Bill Coker.

In April 2020, a mushroom hunter found Cokers remains in rural Greene County. An autopsy ruled homicidal violence played a role in her death, but the coroners office could not tell exactly how she died.

>> RELATED: Cheryl Coker homicide investigation remains open and ongoing 2 years after her remains found

To this day, neither Bill nor anyone else has been charged or arrested in connection with her homicide.

Bill has told News Center 7 in two separate interviews that he had nothing to do with her disappearance or death.

Now, on the somber anniversary of her sisters disappearance, Keenan is not giving up hope and is still praying for justice.

Waiting is terrible and theres nothing worse than waiting for anything. But in this case, I think that they, we just have to keep continue waiting. And I want justice when its right. I dont want it before its too soon. I want it to be done and I want it to be done right, Keenan said.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Riverside Police are still investigating Cokers homicide.

In a statement sent to News Center 7 today, a BCI spokesperson said the agency continues to work the case alongside Riverside PD and the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Cheryl Coker case: Riverside police name suspect, call disappearance a homicide

Riverside police said they continue to seek justice for Cheryl and her family.

This case is still open. The City of Riverside Police Department will continue to seek justice for Cheryl and her family. Currently, we are looking at all avenues regarding this investigation and the presenting of charges. From day one no stone has been left unturned. The City of Riverside Police Department will continue to investigate all leads and partner with BCI. We do consider this a cold case but will continue to pursue all information or leads that come forward. We do ask the public to report all information regarding this case to the police department at (937) 233-1801 or police@riversideoh.gov , Riverside Police Major Matthew Sturgeon said.
CROSSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  One-hundred and two days. Thats how long its been since 30-year-old Michael Andrew Feustels mother saw him get into a car and take off toward West Tennessee.

Besides a text message later that evening, on June 22, none of Feustels family members have seen or spoken to him since. Feustels close friends and family all affectionally know him as Mack or Big Mack  somebody who they said wouldnt disappear without a word.

Unsolved cases: 18 missing people who disappeared from Nashville

Hes very close with his mom. Anybody that knows Mack knows what type of person he is. He is a very lovable person, said Dawn Rainey, Feustels aunt. Macks just always been that type of person. Nothings changed as far as that.

On the day of his disappearance, Rainey said Feustel was going to visit his fiance who lives in Hickman County. He had gone to his mothers workplace in Crossville that morning, where he planned to have a friend pick him up and take him nearly 173 miles across the state to see her.

(Courtesy: Crossville Cumberland County Crime Stoppers)

His mom told him that she would give him a ride, but she had to work, and she would take Saturday and give him a ride if he wanted to, Rainey said. He was fine, he said, No, and that his friend was going to give him a ride out there. That he already had a ride set up.

Unsolved missing child cases in Tennessee date back up to 40 years: Have you seen any of them?

Rainey said everything seemed normal up until that point. Video cameras at the business showed Feustel getting into his friends vehicle as he arrived to pick him up the morning of Thursday, June 22. Then, Rainey said, That was it. Nobody has seen him since.

Feustel never made it to his fiances home. At first, Feustels mother figured he was visiting some other friends or had a change of plans, but when she didnt hear from him for nearly a week, she filed a missing persons report.

(Courtesy: Crossville Cumberland County Crime Stoppers)

She had told him to get back in touch with her [the following] Thursday, Rainey said. She felt like something wasnt right because he hadnt contacted her or his fiance. Supposedly he just walked off, and he wouldnt have done that. He would have contacted somebody.

Rainey and the rest of Feustels family have since been counting down the days hes been gone, each day becoming more unbearable. While police have questioned some people and been following leads, Rainey said there has been little word over the last three months.

Endangered Winchester teen still missing after eight years

We just hope hes OK. 102 days of nothing. We know the outlook might be a little bit different, she said. We want him home. Thats all we want. We just want him home. This is really hard on his grandma because she already lost his dad.

Despite the silence, a new call for information from Crossville Cumberland County Crime Stoppers on Sept. 27 has renewed their hope that hell be found safe. According to police, the car Feustel was last seen getting into was a silver Ford Taurus.

(Courtesy: Crossville Cumberland County Crime Stoppers)

Feustel is 6-feet 3-inches tall, weighs around 170 pounds and has light brown hair and light brown eyes. He has a tattoo that says Mom on his left chest, as well as Bro and Sis tattoos on the back of his arms and In memory of Dad on his left arm.

There are also four nautical stars tattooed on top of his shoulders and collar bone; the name Feustel on his right forearm; Soul on his neck; and a question mark on his right hand between his finger and thumb.

He may also have a goatee and sometimes wears reading glasses that are silver in color.

(Courtesy: Crossville Cumberland County Crime Stoppers)

UNSOLVED TENNESSEE: Find more of the states cold cases, missing persons, and other mysteries 

While Feustel has run into trouble in the past, recently spending a few months in jail for misdemeanor offenses, Rainey said he has never hurt anyone but himself, and she hopes that people dont judge him based on his history.

Hes still our family, she said. Nobody walks off the face of the planet. Somebody knows something. Please if you know something, help us You dont have to let them know who you are. Theres all kinds of phone numbers on everything.

Anyone who has any information is asked to call Crossville Cumberland County Crime Stoppers at 931-200-1173 or the Crossville Police Department at 931-484-7231 ext. 4515. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
The spending bill Congress passed just before midnight Sunday will only fund the government through mid-November.

President Biden signed the Stop Gap bill to avert a government shutdown late Saturday night.

However, 90 Republicans in the House and nine Republicans in the Senate voted against the bill pushed by Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Now, some of them are threatening to oust him as punishment for backing the bipartisan measure.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Things are running as normal at the security checkpoint inside the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Sunday. Passengers are getting ready to take off and TSA employees are working with pay.

That is something Aaron Barker, president of the American Federation for Government Employees Local 554, said is a good thing.

Of course, we are happy that no one has to go without pay at least for the next 45 days. That is always a very good thing not to have to worry about that, said Barker.

TRENDING STORIES:

However, Barker said getting their federal paychecks almost came to a screeching halt. That is because Congress waited until the very last minute to come to an agreement.

Barker said thousands of federal workers are relieved, for now, but this could happen all over again next month.

We want a permanent budget signed, not a continued resolution. So, the worry still looms. We just do not want the stress of worrying about if November 17 going to be another time when the government shuts down, said Barker.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Gary McConnel flies in and out of Atlanta often and he is also glad there is not going to be a federal shutdown for now.

He is concerned about whether Congress will agree on a permanent solution.

That will delay everything including travel.

If youre early enough youre fine but general boarding will cause a lot more pressure to get there a lot earlier, said McConnel.

IN RELATED NEWS:
Presidents past and present always want to remind us how good the economy is doing by sharing with us the unemployment rate, suggesting we are doing just fine.

Today, our president seems to think we are in a place of prosperity; the unemployment rate is somewhere around 3.8%.

That figure seems remarkably good, doesnt it?

Lloyd "Pete" Waters

But what about the number of people who have crossed the border since 2021?

According to Customs and Border Protection, that figure of national apprehensions/encounters for fiscal year 2021 was 1,684,586 (Biden became President in January of that year).

In 2022, that figure rose to 2,766,582, and so far for fiscal 2023 through May, that figure is 2,096,346.

I wonder where these immigrants might soon fit in for unemployment purposes. Does anyone see something a little amiss in our presidents calculation and optimism?

And that really is not such a bad thing, for the labor force in many places is in desperate need of recruits. How many of these millions of people have certain skills that could be put to use?

But have you noticed any concerns in regard to our labor force lately? No one seems to want to work, and if these immigrants crossing the border are seeking a better life and willing to work, why doesnt our government fast track that process?

Ineptness and stupidity are most likely the answers to this question.

How would you judge the American worker today?

When I visit nursing homes, I see countless vacancies patched together by hiring contract nurses from other agencies. It is mind boggling to see how our aged seniors are cared for in some of these facilities. These vacancies seem to have no end.

I went to the pharmacy the other day to receive the recent COVID shot, and conversations there between those waiting for prescriptions and the workers filling them became a little heated.

One fellow said he had been waiting for three days to get a prescription. The pharmacist said that his staff fills some 1,000 prescriptions daily, and another worker said there were several vacancies.

Both employees appeared under distress.

At the nearby prison complex, employees have been hired from Nigeria and Puerto Rico to fill vacancies, and one thing for sure is that not enough candidates are knocking at the Division of Public Safety and Corrections Services' door to resolve this vacancy matter.

Overtime is being paid to the employees at the prisons to cover post vacancies, and many staff have signed up to stay a few years beyond their retirement for a monetary bonus.

The prison vacancy problem will not be resolved anytime soon.

As my favorite coffee shop was closed, I stopped in a Hagerstown drive-thru to get a brew. I sat in line for almost 20 minutes to get a small coffee with extra cream.

When I asked the young man who gave me my coffee how come it took so long, he replied that the next shift to relieve him did not show up. He heard that the oncoming scheduled staff had quit.

Some statistics in California suggests that 50% of the migrant workers who work the fields there and receive an average salary of $19.31 an hour are undocumented.

The scarcity of workers in California to pick crops continues to be problematic.

Now if you were an aspiring young politician or even an old politician, wouldnt it seem logical that a solution to the problem would be to examine the skill levels of those coming illegally into this country, develop some training employment programs for those wanting to work, and train them in many of those areas above where workers are needed?

I suggested the other week that no one seems to be embracing a solution to the immigration problem.

We are spending money just for logistical purposes today, when a better plan might result in back-filling those vacancies in serious areas by people from the migrant pool apparently looking to work.

Instead, resources are being used to accommodate immigrants, house them in hotels, provide food and clothing and other accessories for the foreseeable future.

If the undocumented are here to stay  can you imagine trying to return them to their native country?  why not identify, train and send them to areas that are in need of employees? Countless employment opportunities exist.

The obvious is seldom done by politicians. Instead of work, many immigrants will end up on the streets without a broom or be subsidized by the government in the form of welfare.

Taxpayers always assume the cost for political blunder.

And the president?

Hell go home and sleep in his guarded bed.

More: Enjoy some live music. Get yourself outdoors. Learn something new. Find out What's NXT!

Pete Waters is a Sharpsburg resident who writes for The Herald-Mail.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Who wants a job these days? Undocumented immigrants
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is delivering a daily press briefing Monday afternoon.

President Biden signed a budget stopgap measure over the weekend to keep the federal government from shutting down. The president praised Congress for advancing the measure but chided House GOP members for what he called a manufactured crisis.

The stopgap funding will last through Nov. 17. It does not include funding for Ukraines defense, one of Bidens priorities that has been increasingly questioned by House Republicans. Biden urged Congress to continue to support Ukraine.

The briefing is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET.

Watch the live video above.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Biden administrations focus on projecting stability in Afghanistan amid the Talibans lightning takeover harmed efforts by the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to prepare for and carry out evacuation operations in August 2021, according to an information brief provided by the State Departments Office of Inspector General (OIG).

At one point, the U.S. ambassador reprimanded embassy staff during a meeting when they raised concern about the dire security situation in Afghanistan ahead of Americas exit that summer, according to one finding in the report.

The decision to announce a drawdown of the embassy was so haphazard, the report said, that some staff only heard about it through loudspeakers on the compound, harming efforts to prepare for the evacuation.

The brief was published late last month as a summary of a classified report looking at whether U.S. Embassy in Kabul followed established State Department guidelines in preparing for and carrying out evacuation efforts of embassy personnel, private U.S. citizens, Afghans at risk and other Afghans in August 2021.

The chaotic pullout marks one of the darkest periods in President Bidens term in office, defined by a fraught two weeks that saw the Islamic-fundamentalist Taliban take over the capital city following the last-minute flight of the Western-backed Afghan government and the melting away of the Afghan army.

While the Biden administration evacuated more than 120,000 people  including 6,000 Americans  amid a mass rush to the Hamid Karzai International airport in Kabul, a suicide bomber killed 13 U.S. service members and at least 150 Afghans, injuring scores of others.

The Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee has made documenting the failures of the U.S. pullout a central mission of its work.

An After-Action review of the State Departments actions during the U.S. pullout was published in July and found that the department lacked clear leadership in the chaos of the withdrawal, but blamed policies from both the Trump and Biden administrations.

The OIG report published last month narrowly focused on whether the State Department acted in accordance with established procedures to prepare for and execute the evacuation of U.S. government personnel, private U.S. citizens, Afghans at risk and other individuals from Afghanistan.

The OIG found that overall, the embassy met department guidelines and took seriously its Emergency Action Plan, planning documents for potential crisis that provide a framework for roles and responsibilities.

But it faulted the government for not being ready for the unpredictable nature of crises, something the documents themselves offered warnings about.

The OIG noted that the last-minute decision to evacuate was influenced by the Biden administrations efforts to avoid causing a panic if the U.S. signaled it was drawing down its operations, and fearing it would undermine the Afghan government.

Because of this effort to avoid signaling a lack of support for the Afghan government, communication with embassy personnel about the timing and scope of a potential evacuation was unclear, the report noted.

In one example, an official told OIG that the Ambassador reprimanded embassy personnel during a meeting when they expressed concerns about their safety given the deteriorating security environment.

Once the decision was made to draw down the embassy and evacuate individuals, the OIG found, the embassy was given no official guidance on the administrations definition of an Afghan at risk and went off public comments by U.S. officials referring to a broad swath of people.

According to Department officials, an official definition for Afghans at risk was never provided to Embassy Kabul, the review notes, adding that embassy staff were then pressured to evacuate as many Afghans as possible.

Unreliable data on Americans in the country and staff at the embassy was also highlighted as contributing to the chaos.

The OIG said it made 10 recommendations in the classified report and that the State Department concurred with the intent of the recommendations, which OIG considered resolved, pending further action.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
PROVIDENCE  Over the last six months, national headlines have broadcast reports of alleged ethics lapses by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The accounts detail undisclosed lavish vacations paid for by a real estate billionaire with interests before the court and, more recently, associations with the right-wing Koch brothers.

In Rhode Island, Thomas would have been required to disclose the travel paid for by his wealthy friend under a change that Common Cause Rhode Island pushed for the Ethics Commission to adopt more than a decade ago  judges and magistrates must now reveal any travel paid for by a third party.

The U.S. Supreme Court scandals point to strengths in the states Code of Ethics and financial disclosure rules, including their scope and depth of coverage, John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, recently observed.

Judges and magistrates in Rhode Island are subject to financial disclosure laws and a Judicial Code of Conduct, unlike in the federal judiciary, where the Supreme Court is not bound by a code of conduct.

Like most public officials, judges and magistrates are required to submit annual financial disclosures to the Ethics Commission, which are posted online. The filings detail vacation homes and real estate holdings, family members and their income streams, ownership interests in businesses, family debts and organization memberships and board posts.

A courtroom set up for jury selection in the Licht Judicial Complex.

What's in the Code of Conduct for RI judges?

Broadly speaking, the canons of the judicial code in Rhode Island call on judges and magistrates to uphold and promote the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. They are to avoid any impropriety or appearance of such in order to safeguard public confidence in the court system. And they cannot use their position for private gain.

The judiciary runs on trust and confidence, said David J. Sachar, director of the National Center for State Courts Center for Judicial Ethics.

The Code of Conduct also directs judges to annually disclose any compensation received for out-of-court activities, gifts, and reimbursement of expenses in reports that are kept in Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul A. Suttells chambers.

A review of the disclosures by the Supreme Courts five justices for 2022 shows largely money reimbursed for travel expenses to attend conferences and meetings.

Supreme Court Justice Paul A. Suttell is the keeper of records about state Supreme Court justices' compensation for out-of-court compensation, gifts and reimbursement of expenses.

Who watches the judges and magistrates?

Much of the work to hold judges and magistrates accountable takes place behind closed doors, with only the most egregious Code of Conduct violations being publicly disclosed.

The Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline was created as a watchdog for the courts in 1974 during the height of the states revolving door practices, which landed legislators and their allies plum lifetime judgeships and other well-paid patronage jobs. The 16-member panel is charged with vetting allegations against judges or magistrates of serious violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct. These can include willful and persistent failure to perform their duties, being disabled by an alcohol or substance-use disorder, engaging in conduct that brings the judiciary into serious disrepute or having a physical or a mental disability that seriously interferes with the performance of their duties.

The commission, which functions in secret, similar to a grand jury, is now led by Superior Court Judge Jeffrey A. Lanphear. He is joined by five other members of the judiciary: Superior Court Judge Sarah Taft-Carter, Family Court Judge Laureen DAmbra, District Court Judge Pamela Woodcock Pfeiffer, Workers Compensation Court Judge Michael J. Feeney and Magistrate Joseph A. Abbate of the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal.

The Rhode Island Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline is led by Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Lanphear.

Six members are appointed by the governor with advice and consent of the senate, three of whom he or she selects from a list provided by the Rhode Island Bar Association and three others who do not need to be lawyers. The House speaker, Senate president and House minority leader each get to pick either a lawyer or a member of the public.

Although state leaders have the latitude to name lay people to the commission, it is currently composed entirely of judges and lawyers  as is typically its makeup.

We find lay people to be very, very valuable. They give that perspective of the average person, said Sachar, of the Center for Judicial Ethics.

Former state Attorney General Arlene Violet puts it more bluntly: I think its baloney that the common person cant understand [commission proceedings].

How the commission functions

Only complaints that are verified before a public notary and sent by certified mail are considered by the commission, according to court rules  requirements that pose potential hurdles for some people, including those who are incarcerated.

Commission staff work closely with the people filing complaints to make sure that they can be processed  reaching out, for example, to make sure they are properly notarized, said Lexi Kriss, spokeswoman for the courts.

The commission conducts a preliminary investigation of complaints that are not unfounded or frivolous to determine whether to hold formal hearings. The commission also has the authority to launch an investigation based on alleged misconduct contained in a news report, tip or filing in court.

If the commission finds that a charge is supported, it directs that a public hearing be held, at which the judge has the opportunity to be heard, confront the witnesses and present a defense.

If the commission concludes that the violation is minor, it may issue a private reprimand to the judge or magistrate that can be appealed under proceedings that remain confidential in their entirety.

In cases in which the commission recommends discipline after a formal hearing, its findings are delivered to the chief justice, with penalties that can range from a reprimand to censure to immediate temporary suspension, suspension, removal, or forced retirement.

The Supreme Court, in turn, may hold a hearing to review the recommendations. If the high court rejects a recommendation, it must issue a written decision detailing its reasoning.

State law bars the commission and the Supreme Court from disclosing anything about its deliberations, except in cases in which the harshest of punishments are imposed. The confidentiality is intended to protect the innocent from the publication of false allegations, former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Joseph R. Weisberger wrote in an op-ed decades ago.

Privacy versus the public right to know

Its the provision of privacy that leaves the public in the dark about most of the commissions work that perplexes Violet.

Even if they want to protect peoples reputations, there should be some type of report, Violet said. I definitely think theres too much secrecy shrouded in the process here.

From 2012 through 2022, the commission received 236 complaints but recommended sanctions for only one. In 2017, it called for District Court Judge Rafael A. Ovalles to be removed from the bench. (Three others remain pending.)

Arlene Violet

Ovalles instead resigned after the commission issued 41 findings of judicial misconduct against him and recommended that he be dismissed. After a public hearing, the commission released a 240-page report detailing his persistent abuse of those who appeared before him, sexual harassment of female staff members and lawyers, napping on the job and incompetence.

Most people dont complain because they dont think they are going to get anywhere, Violet said. Right now we dont know what the system is.

Sachar, likewise, supports an annual accounting of the commissions work, creating a mechanism for people to file complaints online, and detailing the complaint and vetting process in several languages as examples of best practices.

Everyone wants to know more when it comes to our judges, he said.

Violet's past challenges to the status quo

Violet  who is appalled by the revelations in the U.S. Supreme Court  is no stranger to challenging the states judges. Decades ago, Violet sued on behalf of the citizens watchdog group Operation Clean Government to inspect the work record of the chief judge of the state's Workers' Compensation Court.

Operation Clean Government also joined Violet in calling for an investigation into alleged misconduct by traffic court judges after a Journal series that exposed three-day work weeks, uncollected fines and crippling backlogs.

In that case, the commission recommended that retired traffic court Chief Judge Vincent Pallozzi receive a reprimand, the mildest form of judicial punishment, for his leadership failings, and dismissed complaints against four other judges.

The state Supreme Court, in turn, rejected the group's disciplinary committee dismissal of complaints against four traffic court judges and the mild reprimand given a fifth.

Violet joined the group at the time in calling for the commission to lift the veil of secrecy surrounding its investigation.

In 2007, the state Supreme Court rejected the commission's recommendation that retired District Court Judge Robert K. Pirraglia should be censured for saying he would withdraw a plea offer if a defendant talked to a lawyer before deciding whether to take the deal.

Probate judges also fall under the Code of Conduct

Probate judges in cities and towns are also bound by the canons of judicial conduct under state law. State law requires that any judge indicted on a felony charge be prohibited from performing their judicial duties. They are suspended with pay as the case is pending.

That played out recently in Johnston, where Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. placed Probate Judge Priscilla Facha DiMaio on leave following her indictment in crimes related to the alleged theft of valuable property from an estate.

DiMaio, 65, is facing one count each of attempting to obtain money under false pretenses over $1,500 and providing a false document to a public official. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

James P. Howe, DiMaio's lawyer, emphasized that the allegations do not relate to Judge DiMaios duties or service as a judge.

Judge DiMaio has been a practicing attorney and sitting probate judge for many years. Her reputation for integrity and fairness has never been questioned," Howe said in an email. "She maintains her innocence and awaits a complete adjudication of this matter and looks forward to a return to normalcy for she and her family and a return to the Johnston Probate bench to continue to serve the people of Johnston and others who come before the court.

DiMaio is still getting paid and will continue to be until her case is adjudicated. A determination of her continued employment will then be made at the close of the case, which will of course be based on the outcome, Polisena said. DiMaio makes $7,500 annually in that role.

The towns auxiliary judge, Frank Manni, was appointed interim probate judge.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Ethics complaints against RI judges are dealt with in secret
By Lee Yeon-woo

K Bank and other internet-only banks are found to have outperformed the country's top five legacy lenders in labor productivity in the first half of the year, generating larger profits per capita, data showed Monday.

Even though commercial banks have made efforts to enhance productivity by reducing staff during the same period, their profit per employee still lagged behind those of internet-only banks.

According to management reports from each bank disclosed by the Korea Federation of Banks, as of June, K Bank boasted the highest profit per employee, registering 300 million won ($221,402). It was trailed by two other internet-only banks  Toss Bank at 273 million won and KakaoBank at 253 million won.

Among the top five commercial banks, Hana Bank led the pack with its profit per employee at 219 million won. NH Nonghyup Bank followed with 188 million won; KB Kookmin Bank, 179 million won; Shinhan Bank, 177 million won; and Woori Bank with 159 million won.

This data suggests that the per capita profit of Woori Bank was roughly half that of K Bank.

Driven by aggressive voluntary retirement strategies, the five banks' productivity per employee saw a notable increase. The number of staff at the top five commercial banks decreased to 67,408 this June, marking a reduction of 820 employees compared to a year ago. This led Hana Bank to experience the most significant growth in profit per employee over the span of a year.

KB Kookmin Bank led this downsizing, with a reduction of 323 staff, followed by Woori Bank, which lost 203 employees. Shinhan Bank, NH Nonghyup Bank, and Hana Bank also saw staff reductions, shedding 149, 107, and 38 employees, respectively.

In contrast, the emerging internet-only banks, KakaoBank, Toss Bank, and K Bank, are on an upward trajectory. They expanded their teams by a respective 281, 154, and 64 members.

During the first six months of 2023, the top five commercial banks also closed 141 branches. This brought the number of branches down to 3,628 this June, a reduction from 3,770 year-on-year. KB Kookmin Bank took the lead by closing 69 branches.
RICHMOND, Ind.  A Wayne County man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in a child's death.

Todd Michael Volker, 56, most recently of Centerville, had pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony carrying up to 40 years in prison.

Volker and a co-defendant  Pamela Jo Barger, 64  were charged in connection with the July 2019 death of a 2-year-old boy.

Barger and Volker were accused of not promptly seeking medical care for the child, who was suffered a severe head injury while in their care.

In addition to the neglect-resulting-in-death charge, Barger  who ran a babysitting service in the Richmond home she then shared with Volker  is also charged with aggravated battery, a Level 3 felony carrying a maximum 16-year sentence.

Physicians at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis said a blunt force trauma injury to the boy's head, which led to his death, was the result of abuse.

Barger claimed the child was injured when he tripped while she was changing his clothes.

Investigators said the child had other bruises, as did his sibling.

Investigators said the Richmond woman called Volker after the 2-year-old boy lost consciousness, and that he then tried to resuscitate the boy before taking him to Reid Hospital.

Barger's trial is set for March 18.

Volker pleaded guilty to the Level 1 felony charge in August, and in recent days received a 30-year sentence, with five years suspended, from Wayne Superior Court 2 Judge Gregory Horn.

Volker also received credit for 811 days already spent in jail. A plea agreement called for dismissal of two other neglect charges.

In a separate case, a count of failure to register as a sex or violent offender pending against Volker was also dismissed.

The Centerville man was also convicted of a failure-to-register charge in Wayne Circuit Court in June 2019. According to court records, he was convicted of attempted sexual misconduct with a minor in Minnesota.

He continued to be be held in the Wayne County jail on Monday.

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: Wayne County man draws 25-year sentence for role in child's death
Well, over the weekend Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy figured out how to avoid shutting down the government (for 45 days, at least). Now, naturally, the story turns to the question of whether House Republicans will depose McCarthy for figuring out how to avoid shutting down the government.

This effort will be led by fourth-term Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has a Trump-like sense for finding things to say and do that are so far past the window of appropriateness that they verge on performance art, such as wearing an industrial-grade gas mask at the Capitol during COVID or tweeting at Trump attorney-turned-critic Michael Cohen that his wife was going to cheat on him when he went to jail. (Gaetz was also investigated, but not ultimately charged, on suspicion of participating in the trafficking of minors for sex with a close associate of his in Florida politics who has since been sentenced to prison.)

Gaetz has been an enemy of McCarthys for some time. During the selection of a speaker earlier this year, another member of the House GOP caucus had to be dragged away from Gaetz by his face after the Florida representative allegedly reneged on an agreement to support McCarthy in the wake of several inconclusive votes. (In addition to the usual objections that GOP extremists raise about their leaders during their cyclical leader-purging processes, Gaetz reportedly believes that McCarthy did not sufficiently have his back, as it were, while he was being investigated for sex trafficking. Classic reason for a relationship to deteriorate!)

Nominally, then, Gaetz says he will be submitting a motion to vacate the chair as soon as Monday afternooni.e., moving to end McCarthys speakershipbecause McCarthy compromised with Democrats on a bill that keeps the government open without securing any cuts to social spending or allocating further funds for law enforcement at the southern border.

More broadly, its a test of whether Gaetz, previously a scene-stealing side character in the majestic drama of American politics, is now someone of actual influence. And while he reportedly aspires to higher office, hes also always had the air of a man whose callow youth may extend for the entire duration of his life. When Gaetz was 26, for instance, he was arrested on suspicion of driving his fathers BMW home from a nightclub called The Swamp while intoxicated. Gaetz has said he made bad decisions on the night of the arrest but he was not ultimately charged with a crime. His father, Don Gaetz, was the wealthy co-founder of a for-profit hospice chain who himself served as the president of the Florida state Senate, and in 2021 Politico reported that the elder Gaetz once secured his son a job as a legislative aide to a fellow Republican only for Matt to refuse to show up for work on the grounds that he needed time to sow his wild oats. Matt Gaetz says that account is not accurate.

For his part, an exasperated McCarthy has reportedly encouraged Gaetzs motion to vacate on the reasoning that if he survives, any further threats will be understood as empty posturing. As to whether the motion will succeed, the Capitol Hill reporters who know the most are saying that no one knows. There are currently 221 Republicans and 212 Democrats in the House. Gaetz is trying to persuade as many as 20 Republican hard-liners to vote to depose McCarthy, hoping that many or all Democrats will join them on the reasoning, more or less, that McCarthy is a Republican and they dont feel obligated to help him.

Or McCarthy could come to an agreement with swing-district Democrats to support his speakership, which would help those Democrats sell themselves to voters as bipartisan problem-solvers and conceivably incentivize McCarthy to be more cooperative in upcoming budget negotiations (and less tolerant of his members dubiously founded effort to impeach Joe Biden). Collaborating with Democrats, though, could cause McCarthy to lose further support from conservatives, which could mean hed lose a subsequent motion to vacate. Gaetz, on Monday, suggested that if he loses the first vote hell simply keep pushing to hold more, which could theoretically tire out enough rank-and-file Republicans that they agree to abandon McCarthy in favor of another potential speaker that Gaetz finds acceptable. Or it could annoy them such that they support the passage of a Gaetz-sidelining rule that makes it harder to file a motion to vacate in the first place. There are a lot of balls in the air, in other words, and while Matt Gaetz has always seemed like a world-class jester, it is probably past time to find out if he really knows how to juggle.
Wells Fargo will lay off up to 525 employees in Columbia and shutter its office space at 101 Greystone Blvd. by June 30, 2024, according to information filed with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce.

The financial institution has been cutting down its real estate portfolio in addition to laying off employees nationwide, according to comments from the companys Chief Financial Officer earlier this month, along with a letter from the banking company supplied to South Carolinas workforce agency.

...We need to concentrate Wells Fargo real estate investments in fewer locations or reduce space in existing real estate, that letter, first obtained by the Post and Courier, reads.

Employees were notified of the impending layoffs Sept. 28, according to the filing.

Wells Fargo continues to bring employees in non-customer facing roles together and to improve and modernize our workspaces. This will strengthen our customer-centric culture, collaboration, strong risk management, and innovation, a spokesperson wrote via email when asked by The State for more information.

If employees at Columbias Wells Fargo choose not to transfer to a new location, they will be laid off.

We will offer support to impacted employees, such as severance and career counseling, the spokesperson added.

Michael Santomassimo, Chief Financial Officer for Wells Fargo, told attendees of the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference in mid-September to expect to see more layoffs at the company and a decrease in the companys real estate portfolio, according to the Charlotte Observer.

The company has cut about 40,00 jobs in recent years, Santomassimo said at the conference, adding that the number of employees at the company has decreased every quarter since the end of 2020.

Now, Im not suggesting its going to be down every quarter forever, right. But I do think that theres more to do, he said at the time.
A West Virginia fugitive is in the custody of the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office after being found in Iron Station.

On Friday, deputies went to a home on Branton Drive to find James David Heater, 42, from Huntington, West Virginia, after getting a tip of his location from state law enforcement.

According to the tipster, Heater was staying with a former cellmate from a past prison stay.

ALSO READ: Fugitive Finders: US Marshals team with local officers to catch wanted criminals in the Carolinas

At the scene, deputies surrounded the home and found Heater hiding underneath a car in the driveway. He was then pulled out of the vehicle and taken into custody.

Lincoln County officials charged Heater with being a fugitive from justice; his warrants out of West Virginia list him as an escapee.

Deputies say Heater is being held without bond and will appear in court on Monday.

At the home, deputies found a motorcycle stolen out of Charlotte and two mopeds stolen from Gaston County and Lincolnton.

The sheriffs office says the investigation is active and ongoing.

(WATCH BELOW: Marshals capture fugitive wanted in 2020 killing of Asheville teen)
















The News

The path forward for additional U.S. aid to Ukraine is murky after lawmakers opted not to include any in the temporary government funding bill Congress passed this weekend. Republican leaders already are demanding it be linked with border security measures.

The circumstances have left some Ukrainians feeling deflated. I am in despair, Oleksandra Ustinova, a Ukrainian member of parliament who heads a commission that tracks foreign military assistance, told Semafor.

The White House is projecting more optimism. In a speech on Sunday, President Biden said he expected Congress to pass more Ukraine funding and suggested that he and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, D-Calif. had made a deal to hold a vote on more assistance.

Were going to get it done, Biden said. We have time, not much time, and theres an overwhelming sense of urgency.

But the contours of a Ukraine package  how large it would be and what it might be paired with  as well as the timing of a vote are not clear, particularly in the House, where McCarthy now needs to worry about a threat to his speakership.

In an interview on CBS News, McCarthy suggested that Ukraine assistance would be contingent on the Senate taking action on border security, after the House passed a bill along party lines earlier this year.

I support being able to provide the weapons to Ukraine, but America comes first, he said.

Asked about suggestions he had made a bargain with Democrats on Ukraine aid, a McCarthy spokesperson told Semafor: Speaker McCarthy has been clear and consistent: we have an obligation to fix the crisis at the border and to ensure any request for further aid to Ukraine is matched with a sound strategy and accountability. The House will continue to discuss these challenges in the weeks to come.

Know More

The White House has asked Congress to approve $24 billion in additional security, economic, and humanitarian aid for Ukraine to last through the end of the year, warning that money is quickly running out for military equipment.

Many members were concerned about the fate of Ukraine assistance over the weekend when it was left out of the funding package, so much so that Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. actually held up the short-term funding bill over the issue for a few hours on Saturday before it eventually passed with bipartisan support.

Privately, Ukraine supporters tried to provide assurances. One Democratic aide told Semafor that Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., a key McCarthy ally, expressed confidence over the weekend to members that Congress would pass more Ukraine assistance, as did Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md.

Echoing McCarthy, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. said on CBS that a Senate bill should combine disaster aid, Ukraine assistance, and border security measures together to pass. He and other members are arguing that the Congress should approve a package much larger than the White Houses request, so that it covers Kyiv for a full year rather than a few months (this would mean that Congress wouldnt need to keep voting on Ukraine aid for the next year).

Morgans view

This was always going to be a difficult fight. There is bipartisan support for Ukraine aid, but Republican support is dwindling  last week, more than half of House Republicans voted against a bill allocating $300 million to arm Ukraine  which has complicated the issue for McCarthy.

And as one Republican aide told me over the weekend: McCarthys much more immediate challenge is defending his speakership from a conservative plot to oust him. If he survives that fight  which will require Democratic votes  it might make it easier to then quickly put Ukraine assistance up for a floor vote.

But its also unclear that McCarthys plan to link Ukraine aid with border security would make it easier to pass. While pairing them might win Republican votes, it could also alienate Democrats. And if you take the White Houses warnings at face value, there is a very limited amount of time for Congress to approve more assistance before it lapses. Ukraines supporters have warned this would have catastrophic consequences for Kyiv on the battlefield.

The View From Ukraine

While Ustinova expressed extreme disappointment, other Ukrainians are more hopeful. All key partners of Ukraine are determined to support our country until its victory in this war, Andry Yermak posted on Telegram, according to the New York Times. Ukrainian foreign affairs minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on X that Russia would be mistaken if it thinks it can wait out military aid for Ukraine, while emphasizing plans to ramp up Ukraines own domestic production of weaponry.

I hope everything will work out well, Maria Mezentseva, a Ukrainian member of parliament who has made trips to the U.S. to advocate for support, told Semafor. She said she was considering another visit in December.
The University of Texas is one of the best value colleges in the state.

A new ranking from financial technology company SmartAsset lists UT as the second best value college behind Rice University. SmartAsset considered tuition, student living costs, scholarship and grant offerings, student retention rate and starting salary for new graduates to build its list.

More: University of Texas moves up 6 spots among best public colleges in new U.S. News ranking

UTs average scholarship and grant offering is just under $12,000, and its tuition is just over $12,500, according to SmartAsset. Its student retention rate is 96%, and the median starting salary of its graduates is about $66,000.

UT ranked better than Texas colleges average in every category besides student living costs, which amounted to over $18,000  $3,000 more than the average student living cost at universities across the state.

More: Texas A&M recently named one of the most conservative colleges in the nation

Rice University placed ninth in the national ranking, just ahead of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

What Texas colleges made the top 10?

Rice University The University of Texas at Austin University of Houston The University of Texas at Dallas Prairie View A&M University Texas A&M University-College Station Texas Tech University LeTourneau University Texas State University University of North Texas

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: UT Austin ranks second in list of best value colleges in Texas
Monica Ortiz receives her flu vaccine from CVS Pharmacy Manager Rochelle Guyse at the CVS on Slaughter Lane, Sept. 9, 2023 in Austin. Ortiz says she gets the flu shot every year, but wanted to make sure she got it before seeing BeyoncA in Houston later this month.

As we enter flu season, health officials are ramping up vaccine distribution. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that, with rare exceptions, everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine.

Vaccination is vital to protecting individuals, communities and to avoid more strain on already overburdened health care systems, according to health care experts.

Last season, people vaccinated against the flu were about 40% to 70% less likely to be hospitalized because of flu illness or related complications, according to preliminary estimates from the CDC.

USA TODAY spoke with Amy Lynn Safaty, a CVS pharmacist and district leader based in Long Island, New York, and Helen Maser, a Walgreens Pharmacist and Pharmacy Manager based in Manhasset, New York, on everything you need to know about the flu shot this year.

When should you get the flu shot?

Helen Maser: There's never a better time than now to get your vaccine. It takes two weeks to kick in, and you want to be immunized before the virus starts circulating in our population, so that you don't bring the virus home to your family.

Amy Lynn Safaty: It is recommended to get the flu vaccine as soon as it's available from the CDC. We got our vaccine at the end of August, and we started administering it right away. It does take your body two weeks to build the antibodies to the vaccine. So, while it still might feel like summer outside, it is the time to get vaccinated.

What are side effects of the flu shot?

Helen Maser: The side effects of the flu shot are usually local reactions in your arm. It can include a little pain or redness at the injection site. That's usually pretty self-limited for a day or two. Sometimes you can experience a headache or a little fever, or you could be tired. Just remember that the side effects are completely normal. It's a good sign that the vaccine is kicking in and is doing its job to protect you.

Amy Lynn Safaty: Common side effects with the flu vaccine include a sore arm, you might feel a little bit tired, maybe a mild headache after you get the injection, but these tend to resolve after two to three days.

What are some misconceptions about the flu shot?

Amy Lynn Safaty: I think one of the most common misconceptions when it comes to the flu vaccine is that people think if they get the vaccine, they are going to get the flu, which is not the case. The vaccine is an inactivated vaccine, so it will not cause the flu.

What should people know about getting the COVID-19 booster shot?

Helen Maser: The updated shot is a closer match to the currently circulating variant, and it will help to boost your immune system to fight off the virus. So even if you had COVID before, or if you got one of the previous booster shots, the new one will bolster your antibody production. You can get the COVID-19 booster with the flu shot.

Amy Lynn Safaty: The COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine are both inactivated vaccines, so there is no live virus in the vaccines. That means it's perfectly safe to be given together. And when patients are scheduling an appointment online, they can book for multiple vaccines for one visit. You could also book appointments for your whole family at the same time.

Flu season is coming: CDC announces flu shot recommendations

What to know: Timing and cost of new vaccines vary by virus and health insurance status

How to schedule a flu shot appointment

Walgreens

Appointments can be scheduled immediately. To schedule a COVID-19 or flu vaccination appointment at Walgreens, visit Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine, use the Walgreens app or call 1-800-WALGREENS. Walgreens offers flexible openings, including nights, weekends and walk-ins when available.

CVS

Patients can make a vaccination appointment with CVS Pharmacy online or through the CVS Pharmacy app. You may also schedule a vaccination online for a MinuteClinic location. At many MinuteClinic locations, you can walk in for a flu shot throughout flu season. Check online to see if walk-in appointments are available in your area.

Rite Aid

Walmart

Target

Publix

Kroger

Do you need health insurance to get the flu vaccine?

Amy Lynn Safaty: The majority of insurance plans will cover flu vaccines at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient. And if the patient is uninsured, we do have cost saving options for them in order to lower that out-of-pocket cost for the vaccine.

How would you respond to someone who's hesitant about getting vaccinated?

Helen Maser: I find that if people are hesitant about receiving a shot, or they don't know if they should get two immunizations at the same time, please ask because I'll give you all the knowledge you need to make a good decision for yourself. And usually, that results in patients taking the vaccine.

Amy Lynn Safaty: Getting a flu vaccine is a great way to not only keep yourself healthy, but your community and your family. So someone who might be younger would be at lower risk for severe complications from the flu. But our older populations are more likely to end up hospitalized from complications from the flu.

Is there anything else people should know about the flu or COVID-19 vaccines?

Helen Maser: Right now, we have COVID-19 vaccines for adults 12 and up, and the pediatric and toddler shots will be arriving soon, September 29.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Flu shots 2023: Appointments at CVS, Walgreens, Publix, Rite Aid, more
New Wake County Superintendent Robert Taylor wants to send a message: you shouldnt be surprised if you see him visiting schools and meeting firsthand with teachers, principals and students.

Taylor marked his first official day on the job on Monday by visiting several schools, including Rolesville Elementary School. Pompom-waving students greeted Taylor as he got a firsthand look at conditions in the classroom.

This is the beginning of my journey, Taylor said during a news conference at Rolesville Elementary. When you guys are out looking for me, I hope most times you can find me in a school working with principals, working with teachers, understanding what we can do to serve them.

Taylors job is to help the nations 15th largest school district while it continues to recover from pandemic learning losses. Wake is also dealing with the challenges of keeping up with student growth, staffing shortages, safety worries and fights over what books should be in libraries and what should material be taught to students.

Taylor was sworn in as superintendent on Friday. He replaces Catty Moore, who retired after five years as superintendent.

New Wake County Superintendent Robert Taylor greets students and faculty at Rolesville Elementary School on his first day on the job on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Rolesville, N.C.

New superintendent on listening tour

Taylor has more than 30 years of education experience in North Carolina and briefly served as state superintendent in Mississippi. But none of his experience, until now, has been in the Wake County school system.

The former Bladen County superintendent and deputy state superintendent is following a 100-day entry plan that includes meeting with the community to find out what people say is working and not working.

Wake is by far the largest district that Taylor has ever led. It has more than 160,000 students, compared to the 4,000 students in Bladen County, located in southeastern North Carolina.

In particular, Taylor said he wants to hear from Wakes teachers and principals about what he can do to help remove obstacles that may prevent them from educating students.

New Wake County Superintendent Robert Taylor talks with students while touring Rolesville Elementary School during his first day on the job on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Rolesville, N.C.

I can tell you this is where the real work is, Taylor said after touring Rolesville Elementary. Weve got to make sure we do everything to make the beginning of a students experience in public education great.

But Taylor said he also wants to hear from critics of the district. Hes likely to get an earful on Tuesday from groups such as Moms for Liberty and the Pavement Education Project who regularly show up at school board meetings to complain about what they say are obscene books in schools promoting sexual activity and transgenderism.

I can promise everybody Im a willing listener, Taylor said. I want to hear what you have to say. I want to know if theres a difference of opinion that you have and I want to consider that in every part of the work that I do.

Being a dedicated educator to students

Part of Taylors school tours on Monday included talking with students.

All kids are the same, Taylor said. Theyre looking for an adult who is interested in them. Theyre looking for someone who believes in them.

So when I walked through the doors this morning, thats what I saw. Kids that were glad to be here, and I certainly saw teachers who were glad to be here working with kids.

New Wake County Superintendent Robert Taylor speaks with second grade students Felix Moss, left, and Cesar Vera Quinones, right, during a tour of Rolesville Elementary School on his first day on the job on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Rolesville, N.C.

What children need, Taylor said, is dedicated and engaged educators.

The only thing Ive ever wanted to do is work with children who need someone who is dedicated to them, Taylor said. So whether its a small hamlet orthe 15th largest district, Ill do that until I cant do it anymore.

The longtime Star Trek fan wore cuff links featuring the U.S.S. Enterprise as he made the rounds on Monday.

New Wake County Superintendent Robert Taylor shows off his Star Trek USS Enterprise cuff links during a tour of Rolesville Elementary School on his first day on the job, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023.

Robert Soutter, Rolesville Elementarys principal, said the school was thrilled to host Taylor.

I was just super excited, Soutter said in an interview. My teachers have been working hard. My kids have been working hard. My families have been working hard. Its just nice to have that recognized.

Call for universal free school breakfasts

During the news conference, Taylor promoted the idea of expanding universal school breakfasts.

During the pandemic, the federal government waived rules to allow public schools to serve free meals to all students. The waiver ended last school year when schools resumed charging students for meals.

A handful of Wake schools provide free breakfasts. Taylor said he wants to work with local and state leaders to expand free breakfasts for all students, starting in elementary schools.

New Wake County Superintendent Robert Taylor bids students farewell following a classroom visit at Rolesville Elementary School on his first day on the job, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Rolesville, N.C.

Taylor compared providing free breakfasts to the expectation that students will get textbooks.

I think as a country we want to say when a child comes to school, nutrition is not an issue, Taylor said.
The White House on Monday said it had no intention to wade into the looming fight over whether Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) should retain the gavel.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that it would be left to House Democratic leadership to determine whether Democrats would join with Republicans to save McCarthy if there is a motion to remove him from the Speakers chair.

Thats something for House Republicans to figure out. What the presidents going to continue to do is deliver for the American people, Jean-Pierre said.

While [Republicans] are clearly showing chaos and not able to do that, deliver for the American people, hes going to focus on growing the economy  thats their decision to make, she added. Thats for Democratic leadership and House Democrats to figure out.

Jean-Pierres comments echoed those made a day earlier by President Biden, who said he would leave that to the leadership of the House and the Senate.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) announced over the weekend that he would force a vote on ousting McCarthy, following through on threats Gaetz has levied in recent weeks and answering a dare McCarthy himself made recently.

On Monday, Gaetz teased his plans to bring a motion to vacate against McCarthy. He did so after the Speaker worked with Democrats to pass a continuing resolution and keep the government open, a reality the Florida Republican had been warning against for weeks.

It takes only one lawmaker to call for a motion to vacate in order to bring such an action up for a full House vote as part of a deal McCarthy struck with conservatives to secure the gavel earlier this year.

But it would require a majority of lawmakers in the House to oust McCarthy, raising the likelihood that some Democrats would have to back the California Republican in order for him to keep his position.

Gaetz focused his speech Monday on what he alleged was a secret side deal between McCarthy and President Biden about approving Ukraine funding in the future. The clean stopgap funding bill Congress approved just hours before a Saturday shutdown deadline did not include the White Houses requested boost to Ukraine aid by billions.

Biden on Sunday told reporters he and McCarthy had just made a deal about Ukraine, but provided no details. Jean-Pierre on Monday would not elaborate on whether the two leaders had reached some kind of agreement about bringing up Ukraine funding for a vote, but she instead pointed to the large bipartisan support for Ukraine aid in Congress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
North Korea has been ramping up efforts to boost crop production during the fall harvest season amid expectations that the impoverished country's food shortages have improved, compared with the first half of the year.

The Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper, recently carried a report that a "critical" time has come in attaining the goal of this year's grain production while urging officials to lead efforts to produce satisfactory outcomes in the agricultural sector.

"It is essential for the country's provincial, city and county committees to well guide efforts to produce achievements in the agricultural sector with the attitude that they are fully responsible for the outcome of farming in their regions," North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was quoted as saying by the paper issued Sept. 23.

In a separate report, the newspaper also called on people to plant wheat and barley this year in an apparent bid to diversify crop production, which has been centered on rice and corn so far.

South Korea's unification ministry said the North's food situation appears to have improved, compared with the first six months of the year, on the back of an increase in the crop harvest and imports.

With deaths from starvation reported in some regions, North Korea has reportedly been facing serious food shortages, as its prolonged COVID-19 border closure and disruptions in state-controlled food supply have aggravated the situation.

Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora said in a recent interview with Russia's state news agency TASS that North Korea turned down Russia's offer to provide food aid, saying it has had a "good harvest."

North Korea's crop production is estimated to have reached 4.51 million tons last year, down 3.8 percent from a year earlier, according to a report by the South's Rural Development Administration. (Yonhap)
In 2024, for the first time in more than 50 years, there will be no pandas in the United States, after zoos in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., return theirs to China  which has been loaning its pandas to countries for decades.

The United States has been engaged in so-called panda diplomacy since 1972, when China gifted two pandas to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., as a gesture of goodwill during President Richard Nixons administration.

Since then, zoos across the country have hosted giant pandas for years at a time. But that practice is coming to an end.

Did you know? Giant pandas are Chinas national animal. Their life expectancy in the wild is about 15 years, but in captivity they have lived to be as old as 38.

Tian Tian enjoys the morning rain as dozens of visitors showed up on the first day of "Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell" at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 23. (The Washington Post via Getty Images)

The National Zoo recently announced that its three beloved pandas  Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji  will be returned to China by Dec. 7, when the zoo's three-year agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association ends. The giant pandas have been at the zoo for over 20 years. Usually, the Smithsonian Institution  which operates the National Zoo  renews its panda contracts in order to keep them. But this year officials say such attempts have failed.

Zoos in Memphis and San Diego have already returned their pandas to China. And the only other pandas in the country, at Atlantas zoo, are set to be returned sometime in the next year.

Has this happened to the U.S. before?

Ya Ya at the Memphis Zoo. (Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images)

Yes. Back in April, Ya Ya, a giant panda that had spent 20 years at the Memphis Zoo, was returned after the zoo's loan agreement ended without renewal.

Allegations of neglect against the Memphis Zoo were circulated on Chinese social media, which the zoo emphatically denied.

Meanwhile, Ya Yas trip home was closely followed online in both the U.S. and China as her fans in both countries tracked her flight from Memphis to Shanghai.

An image from Chinese broadcaster Phoenix News was particularly popular among Chinese social media users, the Associated Press explained at the time. It showed Ya Ya relieving herself before the trip and leaving the poop as a present for the zoo.

What about other countries?

Fan Xing chews a stick in his indoor enclosure at Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen, Netherlands.

Several countries around the world have pandas on loan from China, and they are also due to be returned when their agreements expire.

Officials in Singapore announced that a giant panda cub named Le Le will be returned to China in December. A farewell event for the 2-year-old Le Le is set for Nov. 20.

Similar celebrations were held for Xiang Xiang, a 5-year-old panda who was returned to China from Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in February, and Fan Xing, a 3-year-old panda who was returned to China from a zoo in the Netherlands last month.

A giant panda on loan from China died suddenly in a zoo in northern Thailand in April, six months before she was due to return home.

In July, two new pandas were born in South Korea, but they are considered the property of China and will soon be returned too.

More panda coverage on Yahoo News

Giant panda Si Hai feeds on bamboo at the Ya'an base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in southwestern China's Sichuan province.
A local couple has donated more than 500 Christian "gospel-centered" books to Wilson County Schools in the hopes of getting them into libraries.

Dave and Holly Ashley, of Mt. Juliet, spent a little more than $7,300 for the books included in the donation amid ongoing requests the Wilson County School Board has received for well over a year to review books in libraries that some view as inappropriate for students.

The Ashleys are making the donation through their Christian-based Cross Strength Ministries.

The couple isn't advocating for the removal of any books currently on Wilson County school shelves.

"You can't fight a moral issue by arguing," said Holly Ashley, 57. "It's just not going to work.

Dave and Holly Ashley.

"We need to shine a light into the libraries. We chose books to help children see both sides of the story, to help with their critical thinking ... It's a ridiculous argument to ban everything. Our job is to shine a light in the darkness."

Book removals and bans are on the rise: Here are the books targeted in Tennessee

Each traditional Wilson County high school  Green Hill, Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Wilson Central and Watertown  has received the same 102 books, Holly Ashley said. The Ashleys' children are grown and not in Wilson County Schools.

The individual schools ultimately decide what books will be placed on their library shelves, Wilson County Schools Public Information Officer Bart Barker said.

"Any donated books haven't quite made it to shelves just yet because the quantity of a donation such as this takes some time while making sure policy guidelines are met," Barker said.

Selection of instructional and library materials other than textbooks are delegated to principals and staff, according to Wilson County policy. Teachers, library media specialists, students, administrators, parents and the community may be involved as well. Principals have the discretion for determining how materials will be selected for their school, the policy states.

"I believe that our professional librarians are the best people to review any book donations and that each book should be reviewed individually, not as a whole group to be accepted or rejected," Zone 1 Wilson County School Board Member Carrie Pfeiffer said. "I agree that it is important to have a broad library collection that provides access to students about many different ideas and perspectives."

Dave and Holly Ashley have donated more than 500 books to Wilson County Schools.

The Ashleys' donation includes the following books, among others:

" The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel.

" What Does the Bible Teach About Homosexuality? A Short Book on Biblical Sexuality" by Owen Strachan.

"The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges.

"Strong and Courageous" by Tom Ascol.

"Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God" by Noel Piper.

"How Jesus Cares" by Sinclair Ferguson.

"Quiet Strength" by Tony Dungy.

It is common for the district to receive book donations, Barker said.

"I appreciate anyone wishing to donate to Wilson County Schools," Zone 3 Wilson County School Board Member Melissa Lynn said.

Books Wilson County has removed

The Wilson County School Board has removed six books from its library shelves since members started reviewing publications in April 2022. The board has reviewed 21 books through September.

Two books  "The Carnival at Bray" and "The Kite Runner"  narrowly escaped removal in May.

Lucia Vignola, who spoke in favor of removing the books at that meeting, called the books evil and stated that no one should have access to them  not just minors  due to sexual content.

There is a war for the hearts of our children, being waged by Marxist communistic ideology using these demonic books to destroy the innocence of our kids, she said. There is no value in anyone reading these sadistic, pornographic, sexual and horrific booksbut surely not minors.

Retired professor and Wilson County resident Sarah Swain also spoke at the May meeting, disagreeing with Vignola and calling the issue of book banning a democratic, not demonic, crisis.

Through access to the variety of books kept inside libraries  including their sometimes controversial and conflicting ideas  students learn to evaluate, analyze, assess appreciate and discuss important educational goals and skills, she said. But this is only possible if we uphold the freedom to read and learn. Recent attempts to remove books from school libraries are contrary to the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment that protests us  all of us  from attempts to suppress ideas and information."

The books that have been removed are:

"Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts), by L.C. Rosen  removed in December 2022.

"Tricks, by Ellen Hopkins  removed in December 2022.

"Infandous, by Elana K. Arnold  removed in June.

"Damsel, by Elana K. Arnold  removed in June.

" Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, by Alison Bechdel  removed in July.

"The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel, by Margaret Atwood  removed in August.

"Tricks" and "Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic" are books that the Wilson County School Board has voted to remove from school libraries.

Wilson County Schools also provides a mature reading list that enables parents the right to approve whether their child has access to the material. "The Carnival at Bray" and "The Kite Runner" were added to that list in May.

Angele Latham contributed to this story. Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Will Wilson County Schools put 500 donated Christian books in libraries?
Bedbugs colony on the matress cloth macro. Disgusting blood-sucking insects. Adult insects, larvae and eggs. Traces of vital activity of the insects. Credit - Getty Images/iStockphoto

Away from the glamor of Paris ongoing Fashion Week, French officials have warned of a widespread outbreak of bedbugs across public spaces in the capital. With tourists expected to flock to the city next year for the 2024 Olympics, concerns about health and safety implications are rising.

Transport Minister Clement Beaune has vowed to reassure and protect the public by convening a meeting of public transport operators this week to establish countermeasures against the blood-sucking pests which have been spotted in cinemas, at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, and on public transportation.

Deputy Mayor of Paris Emmanuel Gregoire wrote a letter on behalf of City Hall Thursday, calling on Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne to take action against the scourge.

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The state urgently needs to put an action plan in place against this scourge as France is preparing to welcome the Olympic and Paralympic games in 2024, Gregoire wrote, according to Reuters.

Despite being firm in his requests, the deputy mayor cautioned against hysteria, adding that there is no threat to the Olympic Games, and they should all work together to solve the issue. He added: Bedbugs existed before and they will exist afterward.

On Friday, Gregoire categorized the rise in bedbugs as widespread, telling French TV station LCI that no one is safe. He added: Obviously there are risk factors but in reality, you can catch bed bugs anywhere and bring them home.

Transport operators, including RATP, the metro operator in Paris, have said they remain extremely vigilant but there have been no more recent sightings since a suspected sighting on line 8 of the metro was reported on Wednesday, according to The Local France. RATP told the outlet that each sighting is taken into account and is subject to a treatment, adding that these last few days, there have been no proven cases of bedbugs recorded in our equipment.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, bedbugs are flat, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals while they sleep. Infestations occur in all parts of the world, but particularly in areas where people are asleep, such as mattress seams, bed frames, cracks and curves, or behind wallpaper.

Bedbugs often occur in places where a lot of travel takes place as their bodies allow them to fit into crevices in luggage and clothing. Hygiene is not a determining factor in any case. While the pests are not known for carrying diseases, they can cause skin irritation. Those experiencing symptoms from bedbug bites are advised to wash clothing and fabrics at high temperature and contact pest control services to treat their home.

Frances problem is far from a new one. Bedbugs were much more common in France before they effectively disappeared in the 1950s. But a rise in global travel accessibility led to a surge in the 1990s. Three years ago, the government launched its anti-bedbug efforts, comprising an informational website and telephone hotline amid surging infestation. By last year, the French government agency ANSES reported that 11% of French households had experienced bedbugs at some point in the years between 2017 and 2022, adding that such occurrences were not linked to wealth.

Write to Armani Syed at armani.syed@time.com.
Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX, considered paying Donald Trump $5 billion not to run for president in 2024, a new book reveals.

Bankman-Fried, referred to as SBF, founded FTX in 2019. The crypto exchange rapidly accumulated value, making him a billionaire, only to crash spectacularly in 2022. The Securities and Exchange Commission has since charged SBF with multiple counts of fraud. But before that, SBF was a massive political donorand apparently had no qualms about wielding that influence.

In a new book about SBF, author Michael Lewis describes how the crypto bro believed he could solve existential issues, including threats to U.S. democracy. He saw [Donald] Trump trying to undermine the democracy, and he thought, Trump  belongs on the list of existential risks, Lewis told 60 Minutes, in an interview that aired Sunday.

SBF offered to pay Trump not to run for president in 2024. Trumps team allegedly told him it would cost $5 billion, although it is unclear whether that amount came from Trump himself.

The question Sam had was not just, Is $5 billion enough to pay Trump not to run? but Was it legal? Lewis explained.

To try to counter Trump, SBF also met with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell in 2022 to identify supposedly pro-democracy Republican candidates, and donated millions of dollars to support them. Neither McConnell nor Trump responded to 60 Minutes request to confirm Lewiss reporting.

Its unclear whether paying Trump not to run is illegal. PBS reported in 2016 that it depends on how the money is exchanged, for instance whether its routed through external parties (illegal) or just an offer to help pay off debt from an unwinnable campaign (feels wrong but does happen).

But SBF should have checked himself before working with McConnell too. The Kentucky Republican may say he is pro-democracy, but he gladly backed every terrible policy Trump pushed while in office. McConnell also took advantage of Trump to stack the Supreme Court.

Ultimately, there was no guarantee that Trump, McConnell, or any of the Republicans SBF backed would act in good faith. They might have just taken his money and runstraight into power.
Kenneth Chesebro is an active pro-Trump lawyer who allegedly helped coordinate the plan to recruit fake electors. He faces charges of violating the RICO act, conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer, conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree and other charges.

MADISON  The list of potential witnesses for attorney and Trump co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro's Georgia election interference trial includes several Wisconsin officials as the state remains at the center of the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.

Chesebro is one of 18 defendants charged along with former President Donald Trump last month with violating Georgia's racketeering laws in an effort to overturn the results of President Joe Biden 's election win. All 19 have pleaded not guilty.

Chesebro and attorney Sidney Powell were separated from the case and will have a joint trial starting Oct. 23. Chesebro faces seven charges related to his plan to put forward slates of false electors from swing states including Georgia and Wisconsin.

Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee hears motions from attorneys representing Ken Chesebro and Sidney Powell in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023.

His plan was spelled out after the election in a memo dated Nov. 18, 2020  the same day Trump asked for recounts in Dane and Milwaukee counties.

On Dec. 14, 2020, Democrats met in the state Capitol to lawfully cast the state's 10 electoral votes for Biden. At the same time, 10 Republicans gathered in another part of the Capitol to fill out paperwork claiming Trump had won. They submitted their filings to Congress, the National Archives, a federal judge and then-Wisconsin Secretary of State Doug La Follette.

Wisconsin's fake electors have said they held the meeting to ensure the state's electoral votes were cast for Trump if a court later determined he was the true winner of the state.

Several of the false electors were party leaders in their county or congressional district at the time but no longer hold those positions.

One, Bob Spindell, remains a Republican appointee to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. He is one of the potential witnesses listed in a Thursday court filing by Chesebro's attorneys.

Bob Spindell, a Republican member of the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

Andrew Hitt, then-chairman of state Republican Party, was also on the fake electors slate and is listed as a potential witness.

Other potential witnesses with Wisconsin ties include Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, Republican Party of Wisconsin chairman Brian Schimming, RPW executive director Mark Jefferson, GOP attorney Joe Olson, attorney George Burnett, attorney James Troupis and WEC chairman Don Millis. Also on the list are Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty president and general counsel Rick Esenberg, WILL senior counsel Brian McGrath, WILL deputy counsel Luke Berg and WILL associate counsel Katherine Spitz.

Biden defeated Trump by about 21,000 votes in Wisconsin. The results of the election have been upheld by multiple recounts, court rulings and a report from a conservative law firm.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin officials listed as potential witnesses in Chesebro trial
A woman accused of murdering an elderly couple in Mount Dora is set to be back in court Monday.

Investigators say Vickie Williams stabbed Darryl and Sharon Getman to death at the Waterman Village last December.

Police said she was arrested after being found in Georgia in the couples car.

Read: Affidavit details brutal stabbing murders of elderly Florida couple

Williams has pleaded not guilty, documents show.

Channel 9 will monitor what happens in the courtroom and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Police are looking for a driver who fled a hit-and-run Sunday night after injuring a female pedestrian in midtown, the Sacramento Police Department said.

Officers responded to the 1900 block of P Street after receiving reports of the collision at 11:47 p.m., police said. Officers found a woman on the ground with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver who hit her fled the scene before officers arrived, the Police Department said. The woman was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Officers investigated the scene and generated a report. No arrests have been made, according to the department.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Sacramento Police Department at 916-808-5471. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for up to $1,000 reward.
A woman in wheelchair crashed down the ramp of a Carnival cruise ship after staff failed to help her, lawsuit alleges

The Carnival Conquest docked in Key West, Florida. Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

A woman in a wheelchair sued Carnival Cruise Lines last week, documents seen by Insider show.

The 61-year-old amputee alleges that she was not helped by crew members while disembarking a ship.

Her complaint alleges that it caused her to crash down the gangway, causing multiple injuries.

A woman in a wheelchair crashed down the gangway of a Carnival cruise ship last year after staff failed to help her, a lawsuit filed last week alleges.

The lawsuit, seen by Insider, alleges that Teresa Phillip, a 61-year-old amputee, was seriously injured after she tried to disembark from Carnival Cruise Line's "Mardi Gras" ship in October 2022.

A spokesperson for the cruise company did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on the suit.

According to the lawsuit, the ship was docked at Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic when Philip, who was on an eight-day vacation, wanted to get off and explore the area.

But when she approached the gangway ramp connecting the ship with the port's dock, she received "no assistance" from any crew members present, the complaint alleges.

The complaint alleges that Phillip's wheelchair then started going down the ramp "at a rapid speed" and was "struck by a board/panel that was 'sticking out' of the side of the ramp."

The complaint alleges that the impact caused the 61-year-old to fall out of her wheelchair and onto the floor, causing her "serious and permanent injuries, scarring and disability."

Phillip is seeking undisclosed damages in her lawsuit

On its website, Carnival said it is "committed to accommodating its guests with disabilities so they can fully, yet safely, enjoy the ports of call."

"Guests wishing to disembark the vessel on their mobility device must be able to safely navigate the angle of the gangway while the ship is docked in port," the website added.

Lawyers for the plaintiff did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
NEW BEDFORD  Womens Fund SouthCoast is changing up its tactics to address new challenges and ongoing issues for women and girls in the region.

Having a holistic look at gender justice, I think, is particularly important, said Christine Monska, executive director of Womens Fund SouthCoast.

Womens Fund SouthCoast, similar to other Womens Funds across the country, raises money and awards grants to support programs that aid women and girls, compiles research and advocates for related issues.

This month, Monska and other members of Womens Fund SouthCoast traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of a broader day of advocacy by the Womens Funding Network  the first time the SouthCoast organization has traveled to D.C. to meet with lawmakers in person.

Seeking shelter: Migrants are being housed in Somerset as part of state of emergency

Women's Fund SouthCoast Board Vice President Cynthia Cummings (left) and Founder Bettina Borders at a stand-out in support of abortion rights in New Bedford.

There, Monska and others met with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Jake Auchincloss and staffers for Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Bill Keating. During these meetings, Monska said, they highlighted pressing needs for the regions women, girls and pregnant people.

SouthCoast is an 'abortion desert'

Members of the Women's Fund placed a special emphasis on what Monska described as an abortion desert on the SouthCoast, with only a handful of facilities offering abortion care.

Earlier this year, a provider in New Bedford began offering medical abortions, which are mostly used for first-trimester pregnancies.

But thats just simply not enough, Monska said.

For surgical abortions, pregnant people from the New Bedford area must travel to Attleboro, Providence or Boston. And many people dont have access to transportation or child care or have other issues that make it difficult to seek abortion care.

HYANNIS -- 09/27/23 -- Francine Lipani, of Brewster, Anne Moore, of Brewster, Laura Wing, of Sandwich, and Jennifer Rabold, of Yarmouth Port, hold signs up along near the entrance driveway to Health Imperatives in counter protest with the pro-life 40 Days of Life protesters. A group from the Indivisible Mass Coalition and other activist were out in front of Health Imperatives in support of pro-choice initiatives and to counter the pro-life 40 Days of Life vigils. 40 Days of Life vigils is an internationally coordinated campaign that aims to end abortion. Merrily Cassidy/Cape Cod Times

We have a lot of work to do to in terms of abortion access, Monska said.

She also highlighted the persistence of crisis pregnancy centers, clinics that offer some prenatal care but that focus heavily on dissuading pregnant people from obtaining abortions. A map that tracks such facilities indicates that there are more crisis pregnancy centers on the SouthCoast than abortion clinics, including one in Fall River, which does not have an abortion clinic.

Often, its not licensed professionals providing information and support to women and birthing folks, Monska said. Usually, its deferring a person from making their own choice about their body and what they want to do with their pregnancy.

Stopping services: What does a government shutdown mean for Fall River?

Migrants moving to the SouthCoast

The group raised the issue with lawmakers of migrants being placed in SouthCoast cities and towns following a state of emergency order by Gov. Maura Healey last month. Taunton and Somerset have seen groups of asylum-seekers housed in local hotels as the state grapples with a lack of adequate public shelter.

Monska talked to lawmakers about helping these migrants obtain work permits and their need for natal care. Massachusetts is a right to shelter state, which requires the state to provide shelter to families with children and pregnant women. Because of this, many people being housed through the emergency order are pregnant or recently gave birth. Womens Fund SouthCoast provides funding for organizations that assist new mothers.

Thats a critical time, Monska said.

Child care costs

Womens Fund SouthCoast also talked to members of Congress about an impending cliff for the region and countrys child care sector. On Sept. 30, federal funding for child care providers through the American Rescue Plan Act will expire, potentially creating massive strain on the child care system if more funding is not provided.

Even before the pandemic-era funding, the SouthCoast had a lack of accessible and affordable child care, Monska said. She estimated that a month of child care will likely cost an area family $3,000.

As-is really is just not good enough, she said. I don't know how the situation can get worse than it already is.

While Womens Fund SouthCoast doesnt directly provide services like child care or prenatal care, it plans an important role in funding organizations that do and galvanizing lawmakers into taking these issues seriously, Monska said. They plan to continue building a relationship with members of Congress to help achieve their goals.

Its about bringing awareness to folks in the community but also to city officials, state and federal officials, she said. "Even the largest foundation is not nearly as powerful as a coalition of foundations and activists."

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Women's Fund to Congress members: Expand abortion, child care access
Emannuel Hahn's photobook, 'Koreatown Dreaming: Stories & Portraits of Korean Immigrant Life,' unravels small business owners' inner strength

By Kang Hyun-kyung

Koreatown in Los Angeles was like no other during the pandemic.

Unlike many self-employed people in the services sector who closed their businesses, small business owners in Koreatown stayed open even at the height of COVID-19 in 2020-21.

Facing this unprecedented time, Korean immigrants hung in there.

But customers, fearing infection, stopped dropping by.

Many vendors and small business owners felt the pinch as rents and other business costs far outweighed revenue.

Keeping their shops open during the pandemic sounds irrational because this would only worsen the financial health of their businesses.

But many Korean immigrants chose to do so, rather than helplessly playing a waiting game, and with their fingers crossed, hoping for the pandemic to end as soon as possible.

In his forthcoming photobook, titled Koreatown Dreaming: Stories & Portraits of Korean Immigrant Life, documentary photographer and director Emanuel Hahn captured dozens of Korean immigrants running small businesses in Koreatowns _ mostly Koreatown in Los Angeles with a few based in other cities in the United States, including Honolulu_ and told their stories.

Sung Rae Yang, the owner of a fruit truck, was grateful and relieved that he didn't t have huge overhead expenses.

Many of the vendors were struggling with rent and other business costs. His advice: keep your operating costs low. Deal in cash if you can. Give discounts so customers keep coming back and take care of your health, Hahn said in his book.

Scott and Cyndi Kim, the couple who runs Kims Home Center, shared their knowhow that made their business become an indispensable store, despite a host of competitors in their neighborhood.

They offer one-of-a-kind quality goods at a great price, according to Hahn.

Customers trust Kims, thanks to its steadfast offerings and service over the years, his book reads.

As well as Yang and the Kim couple, Korean immigrants involved in various other small businesses, including a kimchi maker, a barber, a hairdresser, a rice cake maker, a book shop owner, a florist and an art supplier are also featured in the photobook.

Koreatown Dreaming: Stories & Portraits of Korean Immigrant Life testifies to a unique quality among Korean immigrants.

Unbeknownst to themselves, Korean immigrants, while going through a host of the toughest challenges in their lives after their arrival in the U.S., developed an inner strength to survive the pandemic.

Their inner strength was an integral part of the first generation of Korean immigrants to the U.S., to stand on their own feet and build their businesses against all odds.

They are no strangers to adversity.

Koreatown in Los Angeles was reconstructed after it was torn apart during the 1992 L.A. riots. Stores owned by Korean immigrants were targeted, set on fire, attacked, and looted by violent protestors.

Korean immigrants started from scratch again to rebuild Koreatown.

It is this inner strength that also helped them earn the reputation of model minority.

The first generation of Korean immigrants toils, endurance and perseverance paid off, particularly with the success of their descendants.

For many of them, their aspiration for their children was something safe and respectable, and didnt require long hours of manual work. Professions like medicine and law were also appealing because of the associated prestige and job security, Hahn said in a recent email interview with The Korea Times.

Curious about how people in Koreatown survived during the unprecedented time, he embarked on his photo project in October 2020.

During the pandemic, some business owners tried to be grateful for what they had; others shared tips to help other community members survive; while some kept trying to find inner peace to get through the challenges.

Hahn said Koreatown in Los Angeles is a snapshot of South Korea in the 1980s and 90s, adding people can find all kinds of Korean food there at any time.

Interacting with dozens of owners of time-honored small businesses and vendors for almost a year for the photo project following his arrival in Los Angeles in October 2020, Hahn said that his project helped him find his identity as well.

Working on this project put me in touch with the world in a way I never could have imagined, making me think about my life and about what it means to be Korean in America, he said. I feel I have found my people. I feel like I belong there.

Born in Saipan, a U.S. territory in the Pacific Ocean, as his father worked in the tourism sector there, Hahn spent his childhood in Cambodia and Singapore with most of his young adolescent years in Singapore. He came to New York to study economics and finance at New York University.

After graduating, he lived in New York for 10 years working at tech startups where he said he dabbled in venture capital, engineering, and product management.

After paying off his student loans, he decided to follow his heart and become a freelance photographer.

He moved to L.A. three years ago at the height of the pandemic, hoping to write and direct movies.

What was supposed to be a temporary move ended up becoming somewhat permanent because of my project Koreatown Dreaming where I met with small business owners in Koreatown and interviewed and photographed them, he said.

Koreatown Dreaming: Stories & Portraits of Korean Immigrant Life is his latest photo project about ethnic minorities.

Previously, Hahn captured Chinese grocery store owners in the Mississippi Delta, and Korean Uzbeks in Brooklyn in his photo projects.

Through these projects, the L.A.-based photographer came to find a pattern in ethnic minorities adaptation to U.S. society.

He said the Mississippi Delta Chineses experience was unique because there was serious racial segregation in the U.S. in the late 1800s and they were in between white and black people.

So, their experience was characterized by trying to fit in by keeping their heads down and being conciliatory to both sides, especially because the Chinese ran grocery stores primarily catering toward black people, he said. But their experience would have been substantially different from Chinese folks in metropolitan areas like Los Angeles or New York, where there was a bigger Chinese population, so they could be more at ease and be themselves.

Hahn said Koreatown in Los Angeles has been in transition from an enclave for Korean immigrants struggling with a language barrier into a bustling, expensive neighborhood.

Obviously being in a major city like Los Angeles was a big attraction for immigrants, and more specifically when Koreans started to arrive in large numbers in the 1970s and 80s, the area was affordable for new immigrants, he said. Today, its a different story, because the central location and density of LAs Koreatown makes it one of the most desirable places to live, making it expensive.

Koreatown Dreaming: Stories & Portraits of Korean Immigrant Life will be published on Oct. 17.
Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference Communication Officer Sheila Pires poses for a portrait at The Vatican, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. Pires has been invited to take part in the next synod of bishops starting Oct. 4. I think the church has just come to a point of realization that the church belongs to all of us, to all the baptized, she says. Of the 365 voting members, only 54 are women and organizers insist the aim is to reach a consensus, not tally votes like a parliament. But the voting reform is nevertheless significant, tangible evidence of Francis vision of the Catholic Church as being more about its flock than its shepherds. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

VATICAN CITY (AP)  A few years ago, Pope Francis told the head of the main Vatican-backed Catholic women's organization to be brave in pushing for change for women in the Catholic Church.

Maria Lia Zervino took his advice and in 2021 wrote Francis a letter, then made it public, saying flat out that the Catholic Church owed a big debt to half of humanity and that women deserved to be at the table where church decisions are made, not as mere ornaments but as protagonists.

Francis appears to have taken note, and this week opens a global gathering of Catholic bishops and laypeople discussing the future of the church, where women  their voices and their votes  are taking center stage for the first time.

For Zervino, who worked alongside the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio when both held positions in the Argentine bishops' conference, the gathering is a watershed moment for the church and quite possibly the most consequential thing Francis will have undertaken as pope.

Not only because of these events in October in Rome, but because the church has found a different way of being church, Zervino said in a recent interview in her Vatican offices. And for women, this is an extraordinary step forward.

Women have long complained they are treated as second-class citizens in the church, barred from the priesthood and highest ranks of power yet responsible for the lions share of church work  teaching in Catholic schools, running Catholic hospitals and passing the faith down to next generations.

They have long demanded a greater say in church governance, at the very least with voting rights at the periodic synods at the Vatican but also the right to preach at Mass and be ordained as priests. While they have secured some high-profile positions in the Vatican and local churches around the globe, the male hierarchy still runs the show.

This 3-week synod, which begins Wednesday, is putting them more or less on an equal playing field to debate agenda items, including such hot-button issues as women in governance, LGBTQ+ Catholics and priestly celibacy. It's the culmination of an unprecedented two-year canvasing of rank-and-file Catholics about their hopes for the future of the institution.

The potential that this synod, and a second session next year, could lead to real change on previously taboo topics has given hope to many women and progressive Catholics. At the same time, it has sparked alarm from conservatives, some of whom have warned that the process risks opening a Pandoras Box that will split the church.

American Cardinal Raymond Burke, a frequent Francis critic, recently wrote that the synod and its new vision for the church 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.

The Vatican has hosted synods for decades to discuss particular issues such as the church in Africa or the Amazon, with bishops voting on proposals at the end for the pope to consider in a future document.

This edition is historic because its theme is so broad  its essentially how to be a more inclusive and missionary church in the 21st century  and because Francis has allowed women and other laypeople to vote alongside bishops for the first time.

Of the 464 participants, 365 are voting members, and of them only 54 are women. While organizers insist the aim is to reach consensus, not tally votes like a parliament, the voting reform is nevertheless significant, tangible evidence of Francis vision of the Catholic Church as being more about its flock than its shepherds.

I think the church has just come to a point of realization that the church belongs to all of us, to all the baptized, said Sheila Pires, who works for the South African bishops' conference and is a member of the synods communications team.

Women, she said, are leading the charge calling for change.

I dont want to use the word revolution, Pires said in an interview in Johannesburg. But women want their voices to be heard, not just towards decision-making, but also during decision-making. Women want to be part of that.

Francis took a first step in responding to those demands in 2021 when he appointed French Sister Nathalie Becquart as undersecretary of the synods organizing secretariat, a job which by its office entitled her to a vote but which had previously only been held by a man.

Becquart has in many ways become the face of the synod, traveling the globe during its preparatory phases to try to explain Francis idea of a church that welcomes everyone and accompanies them.

Its about how could we be men and women together in this society, in this church, with this vision of equality, of dignity, reciprocity, collaboration, partnership, Becquart said in a June interview.

At previous synods, women were only allowed more marginal roles of observers or experts, literally seated in the last row of the audience hall while the bishops and cardinals took the front rows and voted. This time around, all participants will be seated together at hierarchically neutral round tables to facilitate discussion.

Outside the synod hall, groups advocating for even more women's representation in the church are hosting a series of events, prayer vigils and marches to have their voices heard.

Discerning Deacons, a group pressing for the pope to approve female deacons, as there were in the early church, sent a small delegation and the issue of female deacons is formally on the synod agenda. Other groups pressing for women's ordination to the priesthood are also in Rome, even though the pope has taken the subject of women priests off the table.

Im hopeful that there is room in that space for these bold conversations, courageous conversations, and particularly that the voices and experiences of women called to the priesthood are brought to the synod," said Kate McElwee, director of the Women's Ordination Conference.

Zervinos group, the World Union of Catholic Womens Organizations, a Vatican-based umbrella organization of 100 Catholic associations, conducted a survey earlier this year of Catholics who participated in the synod consultations. While a few women in North America and Europe called for female priests, there was a broader demand for female deacons and the call is featured in the synod's working document.

Francis listens to Zervino, an Argentine consecrated woman. He recently named her as one of three women to sit on the membership board of the Dicastery for Bishops, the first time in history that women have had a say in vetting the successors of Christs Apostles.

Zervino says such small steps like her nomination are crucial and offer the correct way of envisioning the changes that are under way for women in the church, especially given all the expectations that have been placed on the synod.

For those who think that there's going to be a before the synod and after,' I bet they'll be disillusioned," she says. But if women are smart enough to realize that we're headed in the right direction, and that these steps are fundamental for the next ones, then I bet we won't be disillusioned.

___

Associated Press writer Sebabatso Mosamo in Johannesburg contributed to this report.
Yacov Sharir, who helped transform Austin modern dance, was an influential University of Texas professor emeritus as well.

Yacov Sharir, who blazed trails for Austin modern dance and inspired University of Texas students for decades, died Friday from complications related to Parkinson's disease. He was 83.

Yacov Sharir has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of this country and certainly in Austin," Charles Santos, director of Dallas-based Titas/Dance Unbound, said on Saturday. "He guided, trained, inspired more than one generation of movement artists studying at UT to go into the world and find their own creative paths.

"He was a mentor, a friend and a guidepost for me throughout my entire career," Santos continued. "His drive, his creativity and his humanity are permanent lessons I was lucky enough to glean from Yacov. He will be missed, but not forgotten.

More: How 90 'profane, playfully dark' minutes changed an Austin playwright's life

Sharir is credited with helping to put the UT dance program on the national map. In 1982, he founded a key Austin troupe in residence at UT, Sharir Dance Company. The troupe was rebranded in 1997 as Sharir + Bustamante Danceworks, when Sharir shared artistic leadership with fellow dancer and dance-maker Jose Bustamante.

Together, they brought some of the biggest names in modern dance  Bill T. Jones, Arnie Zane, Trisha Brown, Margaret Jenkins, Bella Lewitzky, Rina Schenfeld  to the city to work with local artists before the company shut down in 2007.

Dancer Jose Bustamante performing "Seven Artifices" for Sharir + Bustamante Dance Company in 2007.

Sharir was fluent in languages, dance styles

Born Aug. 22, 1940, in Casablanca, Morocco, Sharir moved to Israel in 1948 at the nation's birth. He studied sculpture and ceramics at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. Sharir danced with the Batsheva Dance Company School, Stuttgart Ballet and the Ballet Theatre Contemporain in Paris. As a performer, he worked under dance legends such as Martha Graham, Jerome Robbins and Jose Limon.

Early on, Sharir was asked to lead classes for the Batsheva troupe.

I dont know why they turned to me because there were other company members who had teaching experience," Sharir later said. "I started teaching that class and have never stopped.

Fluent in French, Hebrew and English, Sharir became a duel citizen of Israel and the United States. In 1978, he arrived in Austin to create the American Deaf Dance Company.

More: Stephen Mills' hypnotic 'Hamlet' changed everything for Ballet Austin.

One day after he arrived, Sharir was invited to teach at UT. "There is a fortune in being a teacher in terms of what you give and what you get," Sharir once said. "To see the transformation in students lives is unbelievable. Youre not only teaching dance. Youre teaching your life experience and youre sharing with them very precious moments. Thats a treasure.

"Yacov changed my life," said Andrea Beckham, one of the city's leading dance-makers and teachers. "First as a student  I was a sociology major, pre-law, taking his modern dance class  then as a longtime company member of Sharir Dance Company, and later as a colleague in the department of theater and dance for almost 30 years. He mentored me and informed my way to move through the world of dance, of choreography, of academia and of life, as a citizen of the world."

In 1989, Sharir secured backing for a 10-year project shared with the legendary Merce Cunningham Dance Company. UT's College of Fine Arts provided the space for Cunninghams rehearsals and, in exchange, students worked alongside artists of the first rank. This project led to three world premieres.

"Yacov Sharir was a true dance visionary," said Carol Adams, former executive director of Sharir Dance Company. "He collaborated with composers, musicians and visual artists to develop new work. This unique approach to producing and presenting dance afforded Austin audiences ongoing opportunities to see a wide variety of cutting-edge dance and performance. As a colleague, he was inspirational and nurturing, always striving for excellence on and off the stage. As a friend, he was always there for me, and I will treasure our decades of experiences and friendship."

Late in his career as a dance-maker, Sharir pioneered virtual reality, intelligent fabrics and interactive systems in performance. These experiments earned him fellowships from the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Dancer Tania Isaac in a dance for Sharir + Bustamante Danceworks.

'He was very much a fighter'

"Yacov Sharir was one of the most extraordinary faculty members I knew in my four decades at UT," said Charles Roeckle, retired deputy to the university's president. "His acclaimed accomplishments for the art of dance in the classroom, in performance and in research are a testament to his unparalleled knowledge and vision, as well as his indefatigable hard work and dedication. But beyond what he accomplished were the personal qualities that made Yacov so special  his boundless enthusiasm and his buoyant optimism."

More: Austin's State Theatre to undergo big makeover thanks to downtown hotel neighbor

Sharir's wife, Pat Clubb, who retired as UT's vice president of operations in 2016, said plans for a memorial on campus are underway.

"He was very much a fighter," Clubb said. "He never gave up. He just did it. He had an enormous amount of energy. It was hard to keep up with him. In public, he was charismatic but reserved. Very genuine, gracious, very stubborn. He was determined to do the right thing."

Sharir leaves behind a daughter as well as Clubb's two sons. "We have six grandsons between us," Clubb said.

"He had a pair of phrases that came to shape my life," Beckham said, "and the lives of our shared students: 'This too shall pass,' and if that wasnt happening, 'You will prevail.'"

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 1940-2023: Yacov Sharir, Austin teacher, dancer, choreographer, dies
FILE - Pharmacist Lena Springmann prepares a Covid-19 vaccination with Pfizer/Biontech vaccine at a vaccination center in Halle, Germany, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. The Nobel Prize in Medicine has been awarded to two scientists whose work led to mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. (Hendrik Schmidt/dpa via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded Monday to two scientists whose work led to the mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.

As countries prepared to roll out those shots, The Associated Press took a look at how the vaccines were developed so quickly. Below follows the original story, first published on Dec. 7, 2020.

___

How could scientists race out COVID-19 vaccines so fast without cutting corners? A head start helped -- over a decade of behind-the-scenes research that had new vaccine technology poised for a challenge just as the coronavirus erupted.

The speed is a reflection of years of work that went before, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, told The Associated Press. Thats what the public has to understand.

Creating vaccines and having results from rigorous studies less than a year after the world discovered a never-before-seen disease is incredible, cutting years off normal development. But the two U.S. frontrunners are made in a way that promises speedier development may become the norm  especially if they prove to work long-term as well as early testing suggests.

Abject giddiness, is how Dr. C. Buddy Creech, a Vanderbilt University vaccine expert, described scientists reactions when separate studies showed the two candidates were about 95% effective.

I think we enter into a golden age of vaccinology by having these types of new technologies, Creech said at a briefing of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Both shots  one made by Pfizer and BioNTech, the other by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health  are so-called messenger RNA, or mRNA, vaccines, a brand-new technology. U.S. regulators are set to decide this month whether to allow emergency use, paving the way for rationed shots that will start with health workers and nursing home residents.

Billions in company and government funding certainly sped up vaccine development  and the unfortunately huge number of infections meant scientists didn't have to wait long to learn the shots appeared to be working.

But long before COVID-19 was on the radar, the groundwork was laid in large part by two different streams of research, one at the NIH and the other at the University of Pennsylvania  and because scientists had learned a bit about other coronaviruses from prior SARS and MERS outbreaks.

When the pandemic started, we were on a strong footing both in terms of the science" and experience handling mRNA, said Dr. Tal Zaks, chief medical officer of Massachusetts-based Moderna.

Traditionally, making vaccines required growing viruses or pieces of viruses  often in giant vats of cells or, like most flu shots, in chicken eggs  and then purifying them before next steps in brewing shots.

The mRNA approach is radically different. It starts with a snippet of genetic code that carries instructions for making proteins. Pick the right virus protein to target, and the body turns into a mini vaccine factory.

Instead of growing up a virus in a 50,000-liter drum and inactivating it, we could deliver RNA and our bodies make the protein, which starts the immune response, said Penns Dr. Drew Weissman .

Fifteen years ago, Weissmans lab was trying to harness mRNA to make a variety of drugs and vaccines. But researchers found simply injecting the genetic code into animals caused harmful inflammation.

Weissman and a Penn colleague now at BioNTech, Katalin Kariko, figured out a tiny modification to a building block of lab-grown RNA that let it slip undetected past inflammation-triggering sentinels.

They could essentially make a stealth RNA, said Pfizer chief scientific officer Dr. Philip Dormitzer.

Other researchers added a fat coating, called lipid nanoparticles, that helped stealth RNA easily get inside cells and start production of the target protein.

Meanwhile at the NIH, Dr. Barney Grahams team figured out the right target  how to use the aptly named spike protein that coats the coronavirus to properly prime the immune system.

The right design is critical. It turns out the surface proteins that let a variety of viruses latch onto human cells are shape-shifters  rearranging their form before and after they've fused into place. Brew a vaccine using the wrong shape and it wont block infection.

You could put the same molecule in one way and the same molecule in another way and get an entirely different response, Fauci explained.

That was a discovery in 2013, when Graham, deputy director of NIHs Vaccine Research Center, and colleague Jason McLellan were investigating a decades-old failed vaccine against RSV, a childhood respiratory illness.

They homed in on the right structure for an RSV protein and learned genetic tweaks that stabilized the protein in the correct shape for vaccine development. They went on to apply that lesson to other viruses, including researching a vaccine for MERS, a COVID-19 cousin, although it hadn't gotten far when the pandemic began.

That's what put us in a position to do this rapidly, Graham told the AP in February before the NIHs vaccine was first tested in people. Once you have that atomic-level detail, you can engineer the protein to be stable."

Likewise, Germanys BioNTech in 2018 had partnered with New York-based Pfizer to develop a more modern mRNA-based flu vaccine, giving both companies some early knowledge about how to handle the technology.

This was all brewing. This didnt come out of nowhere, said Pfizers Dormitzer.

Last January, shortly after the new coronavirus was reported in China, BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin switched gears and used the same method to create a COVID-19 vaccine.

Moderna also was using mRNA to develop vaccines against other germs including the mosquito-borne Zika virus -- research showing promise but that wasnt moving rapidly since the Zika outbreak had fizzled.

Then at the NIH, Graham woke up on Saturday Jan. 11 to see Chinese scientists had shared the genetic map of the new coronavirus. His team got to work on the right-shaped spike protein. Days later, they sent Moderna that recipe -- and the vaccine race was on.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
For the record:

11:51 a.m. Oct. 2, 2023: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the Collins & Katz Family YMCA is in Santa Monica. It is in Sawtelle.



Its probably unfair to compare Equinox, an elite fitness club that costs roughly $270 a month, to the YMCA, a $60-a-month, nonprofit gym and community center that doubles as the inspiration behind your favorite wedding song. Equinox, it must be said, has spent many millions of dollars on glossy advertising campaigns with the express purpose of distancing itself from exactly these types of comparisons.

But as I began searching for a gym in Santa Monica, I found myself weighing the question: For $210 a month more than the YMCA, what does Equinox actually provide?

First off, I should disclose that Im a member of the Collins & Katz Family YMCA in Sawtelle. I joined because its clean, the pool is massive, the jacuzzi is fantastic, and, at the time I signed up last May, it had a steam room and a sauna, both of which were fully functional. The steam room, in particular, was a major draw. I imagined the many dewy hours I might spend there, how my regular trips to the steam room would lead me to become a more moisturized and generally relaxed person.

The Collins & Katz Y inspires a lot of enthusiasm. People love this YMCA. Certain fitness instructors and their classes are so beloved that they fill up within moments of being posted online. At the time I joined, I was so delighted by all these wonderful amenities that it was difficult to imagine how any gym  Equinox be damned  could possibly improve upon the Collins & Katz Y.

Trust me, it can get a lot better, my friend Ana, who has lived in L.A. for 14 years, told me. Ana has been an Equinox member for two years and whenever she talks about the time she spends there, she describes it the same way a Buddhist monk might describe a pilgrimage to a psychic oasis in the Himalayas.

Read more: L.A.s bougiest gym will take your money and leave you begging for more

With these seeds of doubt firmly planted in my mind, I signed up for a trial membership at Equinox, something that involved several phone calls with an irritated person who told me multiple times that no, Equinox does not offer trial memberships, and then a secondary phone call to a much friendlier-sounding person who said yes, hed give me a three-day trial membership, no problem, when would I like to come in?

It is thanks to that offer that I discovered the truth about Equinox. At its core, the product that Equinox offers  the opportunity to work out in a place with the same low-lit austerity of an Apple Store  is good. Really, it is.

How good it is, in fact, might be Equinoxs primary flaw. It is almost too good. Its members, especially at the West Hollywood location, seemingly all belong to the same aspirationally gorgeous family. The entire establishment is imbued with chilly professionalism. The towels, which are unlimited and freshly laundered, are immaculate and white. The locker rooms gleam astringently.

But this sleek atmosphere conceals a ragged edge. On a recent trip to the West Hollywood Equinox, I watched as a woman with Jessica Rabbit curves performed a series of deadlifts. She was crying quietly.

I have seen and heard many things at the YMCA: a volunteer passionately proselytizing about Mormonism in the jacuzzi at 9 a.m. on a Monday, an elderly man lifting weights in a business suit, a group of teenage boys wrestling in the yoga room, but I have yet to experience anything so tragic as a beautiful woman weeping between deadlifts.

I always feel so sad leaving Equinox because I know that the rest of the day will go downhill from there, Ana told me. I could see what she meant. We had just emerged from the steam room, where we had sat for 30 minutes with cold eucalyptus-scented towels draped over our foreheads. Our skin was luminescent with complimentary Kiehls products. Our bellies were full of strawberry and chia seed smoothies. Our muscles were sore. As we exited the serenity of the air-conditioned enclosure, the rest of the world seemed infinitely meaner and uglier by comparison.

As great as it may be, the Y will never ruin your day by being too good. Months into my membership, I soon learned that something will always be slightly awry. Employees frequently give different answers to my questions, as though cut-and-dry information of, for instance, the pools weekday hours, are matters of interpretation. Occasionally, the Y closes without explanation. Sorry for the inconvenience, but the YMCA is closed today, read a sign tacked to the front door one day.

Read more: 8 exhilarating (and free!) outdoor workout spots in L.A.

The Y is a capricious and mysterious entity. It rests on major holidays and Sunday afternoons, periods during which it is closed to members. Machines break, equipment wears down and takes weeks to fix. This was the case for the steam room that broke, tragically, about one month into my membership. It was out of commission for months. (It took several months, but I can happily report that today, the steam room is fully functioning once more.)

The general vibe you get when walking through the Y is: Were doing the best we can! Whereas the general vibe at Equinox is: We are on a path to perfection! Join us or not, we really dont care.

To note even minor flaws at Equinox fills you with indignation, as was the case when I spotted stray hairs clinging to the steam room floor, a shower that smelled pungently of sewage and a towel with a yellow stain. $270 a month, for this!?

At the Y, you tend to notice the exact opposite. The bathrooms are generally immaculate. The pool is always clean. There are even yoga classes, karate, cardio dance and jiu jitsu. And a room with not one, but two ping-pong tables. All this, for $60 a month!?

Of course, if youre simply looking to get in shape, the YMCA will do just as good a job as Equinox. The primary difference is that the Equinox is less of a gym and more of a day spa with a gym attached. Is it worth an additional $210 a month? The answer really depends on how much you like limitless Kiehls products.

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.
After a busy week filled with court filings, YNW Mellys legal team is asking the judge to bar the prosecutor  and her colleagues  from retrying the double murder case.

The rappers defense lawyers on Friday urged Broward Circuit Court Judge John Murphy to recuse all employees from the State Attorneys Office for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit from the retrial. The filing was centered around Miramar Police Detective Mark Morettis alleged wrongdoing and a supposed cover-up by the State Attorneys Office, a theory the defense has incorporated into its strategy.

READ MORE: YNW Mellys lawyers urge judge to throw out rappers double murder case. Heres why

In essence, there are too many witnesses from the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit State Attorneys Office... for this State Attorneys Office to remain as the prosecutors in this case, the filing says.

Prosecutor Kristine Bradley speaks to jurors during opening statements at rapper YNW Mellys double murder trial on Monday, June 9, 2023, in a Fort Lauderdale court.

Melly, 24, whose real name is Jamell Demons, is accused of gunning down his childhood friends Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr. in an alleged drive-by after spending the night of Oct. 26, 2018, at a Fort Lauderdale recording studio. Williams and Thomas, both aspiring rappers with the YNW collective, were known as YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy, respectively.

Hes among the first defendants to go to trial after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law to lower the threshold for a death sentence to an 8-4 jury vote, from the previous requirement for a unanimous vote.

So, whats happening?

In late August, defense attorneys learned that Moretti, the lead detective in the case, was under investigation for an incident involving excessive use of force against a potential witness. They accused prosecutor Kristine Bradley of a Brady violation, or concealing information favorable to the defense, for allegedly not divulging details about an incident Moretti.

Under Florida law, prosecutors are required to disclose any information that may be favorable to the defense. The discovery of Brady violations, in some cases, have even led to overturned convictions.

Bradley, in court documents, said that Moretti was taking a statement from Jamie King, Mellys mother, in a conference room on the seventh floor of the Broward courthouse. Prosecutor Michelle Boutros, Kings attorney Robert Trachman and Broward Sheriffs Office Sgt. Jason Hendrick were present at the time.

Prosecutor Kristine Bradley holds a piece of evidence after presenting it in court during the trial of Jamell Demons, better known as YNW Melly, on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

At some point, Hendrick stepped out, and Moretti executed a search warrant for Kings phone, according to Bradleys filing.

Shortly after, BSO deputy Adam Gorel arrived at the conference room. Moretti, according to prosecutor Boutros, subsequently told Gorel that he should say he was present when he executed the search warrant.

Moretti later asked Gorel whether he was there when the phone was taken, and Gorel said something along the lines of: I can be if you needed me to be.

According to a filing by Christopher Killoran, a prosecutor with the Public Corruption Unit, Moretti told Bradley that the statement he made to Gorel  and Gorels response  were merely jokes.

Whats the defense arguing now?

While defense attorneys said theyre still trying to unwind exactly what transpired, they claim that decisions on what to do about the Moretti incident reached the highest realm of the State Attorneys Office.

Their recent filing also shed more light into their questioning of Boutros  the prosecutor who witnessed the incident.

Jamell Demons, better known as YNW Melly, second from the left, sits with his defense attorneys from left to right, Raven Liberty, Stuart Adelstein and David Howard during his trial on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Very shortly after the deposition, Ms. Boutros let her superiors know of Detective Morettis willingness to fabricate testimony, the filing said. She also informed those superiors that she would never work with Detective Moretti on a case.

READ MORE: YNW Mellys lawyers are challenging evidence as retrial looms. Heres what  and why

The rappers legal team said that they plan to call Boutros to the stand to testify about Morettis credibility. They may even call Bradley, as she had conversations with Moretti about the incident. That, however, would raise issues.

Nothing could destroy a witness credibility more than her own office calling another witness to contradict her, the filing argues.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys will discuss the request with Murphy at a hearing scheduled for Friday.
This photo provided by her family on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, shows Charlotte Sena, 9, who vanished during a camping trip in upstate New York. Authorities say that Sena has been found safe Monday, following a two day search. She went missing while riding her bicycle Saturday evening, Sept. 30, 2023, in Moreau Lake State Park, about 35 miles (60 kilometers) north of Albany, N.Y. | Family photo via Associated Press

A 9-year-old girl was found safe after a massive two-day search in upstate New York, and a suspect has been detained.

Her parents received a ransom note at their home, which proved to be the crucial piece of evidence that led to a break in the case, CNN reported.

Investigators discovered fingerprints on the note and searched the database to find a match and identified the prints belonged to 47-year-old Craig Nelson Ross Jr.

They located Rosss residence Monday night  he was living in a camper trailer behind his mothers home, according to The New York Times. Law enforcement officials raided the camper and found Charlotte hidden in a cupboard.

An Amber Alert was issued Sunday morning, urging the public to help in finding the young girl.

***AMBER ALERT UPDATED DESCRIPTION*** PLEASE SHARE! NYSP has activated AMBER Alert for a child abduction that occurred near Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort, NY at about 6:45 PM on 9/30/2023. Anyone with any information should call the NYSP at (518) 457-6811 or dial 911. pic.twitter.com/vE6YGbdDP9  NewYorkStatePolice (@nyspolice) October 1, 2023

When did Charlotte Sena first go missing?

Charlotte was first reported missing Saturday night after riding her bike on one of the loops in Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort, New York. She did one last loop by herself at 6:15 p.m., and when she didnt return, her mother reported her missing upon finding her bike on the side of the road with no sign of her around, per CNN.

Following our exhaustive search of the park we took that step of issuing the Amber Alert because we felt that that exhaustive search, when we couldnt find her here, it was quite possible that an abduction had taken place, Lt. Colonel Richard Mazzone of the Uniform Force of the State Police told CNN.

Over 100 personnel and 75 law enforcement officials were involved in the search, as well as dogs, two drones, two boats and six underwater rescue teams, NBC News reported.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul met with Charlottes family and urged anyone with any information to come forward to law enforcement.

Hearts are broken here today in New York, Hochul said during a news conference, per NBC News. Hopefully there will be a reunion. Hopefully, there will be a family that has been traumatized but reunited.
Police have released the name of the victim of a fatal crash that took place Sept. 28 in Allegany County.

New York State Police at Amity identified the victim as Michael D. Potter, 41, of Addison.

Troopers responded to the one-vehicle crash around 2:43 p.m. at the intersection of county Route 22 and state Route 417 in the town of Andover, state police said.

An investigation determined a 2003 International truck was traveling north on Route 22 and crossed over the intersection with Route 417 at a high rate of speed, troopers said.

Public safety Suspect in custody after homicide investigation into shooting death of woman in Knoxville

The truck struck the guiderail and overturned, causing Potter, the sole occupant, to be ejected. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Potter was not wearing a seatbelt, according to state police.

The state police collision reconstruction team and bureau of criminal investigation assisted at the scene.

Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Steuben County man killed in Allegany County truck crash identified
Porch lights are being left on across the Saratoga, New York, area as police race against time to find 9-year-old Charlotte Sena, who they believe was abducted while bike riding in a park where her family was camping.

Moreau Lake State Park was closed to the public as the FBI joined scores of other law enforcement agencies using sonar, drones, and bloodhounds to search for any trace of the fourth grader.

Meanwhile, Charlottes friends and family were urging the public to share her photo and expressing disbelief that she could have been snatched in the few minutes she was happily riding on a trail loop by herself.

When I try to eat, I feel guilty and sick because only God knows when the last time it was that she ate. When I try to sleep, I feel restless because she has a warm bed that she should be sleeping in, a cousin wrote on social media.

I hold my children and feel absolutely helpless, knowing that her mother, my cousin, should be holding all 3 of her beautiful girls at night. God, please bring her home. Please just end this nightmare.

Joyful 9-Year-Old Girl Snatched From NY Campground

Charlottes aunt, Jene Sena, said in a TikTok that she appreciated the outpouring of supportfrom the symbolic porch lights to neighborhood vigils and messages of hope.

I you can keep sharing her photo and praying... that is really the best that the family can ask of anyone at this time, she said Sunday night. The police are doing their job, they know what theyre doing.

Charlotte, her parents, and two sisters joined close family friends for a two-night camping trip to Moreau, a 6,000-acre park in Saratoga County.

On Saturday evening, she was biking around the loop with friends so close she thought of them as cousinsthen told them she wanted to do one loop by herself.

When she didn't return after 15 minutes, her parents went out looking for herand soon other campers joined in, fanning out and yelling her name. Police arrived quickly but there was no sign of Charlotte except for her abandoned bike.

A missing person alert was issued and the next morning, after overnight searches proved fruitless, an Amber Alert warning of imminent danger to Charlotte went out.

New York State Police said the amount of time she had been gone with no clues suggesting she had wandered off on her own and was lost led them to believe she was kidnapped.

Local residents converged on the park Monday, hoping to help with the search, but law enforcement kept them outside for the time being. A prayer gathering for Mount Zion Church in Gansevoort was scheduled for Monday night.

On Sunday, Trisha Sena, Charlottes mother, told the Albany Times Union that her middle child is a trusting child.

I just want my daughter back, she said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Ex-deputy chief of Combined Forces Command emphasizes trust is at heart of bilateral coalition

Editors note This article is the third in a series of interviews to highlight the significance of the ROK-US alliance on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty, signed on Oct. 1, 1953, in the aftermath of the 1950-53 Korean War.  ED.

By Nam Hyun-woo

Seventy years have passed since South Korea and the United States signed the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty, which serves as the foundation of their alliance.

However, the treaty has never been updated since its signing, even though risks surrounding the alliance have mounted at a daunting speed.

In recent years, there have been calls to update and clarify the treaty, but military experts, including Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) Korea Chapter President Choi Byung-hyuk, believe that this is not the right time to initiate such debates.

KDVA was founded in April 2017 and is headquartered in Virginia. Retired U.S. Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti serves as its chairman and president. The KDVA Korea Chapter, with 10,000 regular and associate members, is closer to a lobby group advocating for the Korea-U.S. alliance through activities promoting the alliance to the two countries citizens and politicians.

Choi points to the complex process of updating the treaty and the potential for subsequent controversies that may strain the bonds of the alliance, noting that this is why trust is paramount between the allies.

The expressions and terms of the Mutual Defense Treaty are bound to be comprehensive and abstract, because the treaty has to encompass a big concept in a short form, Choi, a retired four-star general and the former deputy commander of the Combined Forces Command (CFC), said during an interview with The Korea Times on Sept. 12.

Updating the treaty will require consent from the U.S. Congress. This process entails complex procedures and often involves heated debates between differing political ideologies. Consequently, it could potentially trigger unnecessary and dangerous controversies surrounding the alliance at a time when complex risks are affecting our national security, particularly those stemming from North Korea.

The Mutual Defense Treaty was signed on Oct. 1, 1953, and took effect on Nov. 18, 1954. Comprising six articles, it commits South Korea and the U.S. to provide military aid in case of an attack on either party and allows the U.S. to station its military forces in South Korea.

Despite serving as the cornerstone of the alliance between the two nations for the past 70 years, there have been calls for its revision to provide more accurate definitions of terms and expressions, as well as to address modern security threats.

As the security environment is in a constant state of change, it is fair to suggest that we should consider including up-to-date elements such as economic security, space alliance, advanced technologies and other updates into the treaty, Choi said.

However, it's worth noting that there have been no significant issues with the existing language over the past seven decades. This is because we have supplemented it with other documents and agreements."

One example highlighted by Choi is the Washington Declaration signed between President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden in April. The declaration enabled the allies to establish the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) that ensures Washington's nuclear-based extended deterrence against North Korea.

It was seen as a significant advancement in the alliance, because it represents a bilateral-level agreement on providing U.S. extended deterrence, whereas the Nuclear Planning Group between Washington and NATO requires the consensus of members when making decisions.

I believe the Washington Declaration is a political promise which made daunting progress, Choi said.

Since they are based on mutual trust, some people are saying it should be upgraded to a treaty. However, it was made public on the world stage as a political promise, and I believe it will be as effective as a treaty. Upgrading it to a treaty would require securing parliamentary consent from both countries.

Following the Washington Declaration, the U.S. revealed the deployment of its nuclear ballistic missile submarines to South Korea, not only to send a warning to the North, but also to provide assurance to South Koreans who may doubt the declaration.

"This is why trust is the most crucial element in the alliance," Choi stressed. "Despite compromising the secrecy of the submarines, they disclosed the location of the assets to convince South Koreans about the U.S. commitment to the extended deterrence. Actions of this nature within the administrative sphere can have an impact equivalent to that of a treaty.





In order to strengthen the trust between the allies, Choi said interested parties of the two countries should be tightknit in multiple layers, and noted that the KDVA is playing such a role in the nongovernmental sector.

One of the notable events that the KDVA arranged was the South Korean presidents luncheon with Korean War veterans during his state visit to the U.S. on April 25. With approximately 300 current and former military officials present, Yoon expressed his gratitude to the veterans for their service during the war, which enabled South Korea to stand as it is.

On Oct. 12, the KDVA will host an unveiling ceremony at the Korea Military Academy for a monument to U.S. Military Academy West Point graduates who died in the Korean War.

The two countries military academies have been establishing monuments for each year of graduates from West Point between 1945 and 1951. The upcoming monument will be for those who graduated in 1945 or 1946.

Also in October, the KDVA will set up the busts of heroes who contributed to the alliance at Imjingak Peace Nuri Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Included among them is U.S. Maj. Gen. John Singlaub, who was relieved from his position after criticizing former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's proposal to withdraw U.S. troops from the Korean Peninsula.

Our activities include discussions on the current part and future expansion of the alliance from the civilian side, so that the alliance can grow into a global alliance that encompasses economic security, advanced technologies and other debates, Choi said.

Through discussions and engagements between civilians, we seek to build trust between the allies in multiple layers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about the need for a new round of European Union sanctions against Russia during a historic joint meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv on Oct. 2.

"Any pauses in sanctions prolong Russian aggression, and the pause after the 11th sanctions package has dragged on too long already," he said. The previous round of sanctions was approved June 23, and was aimed at countering sanctions circumvention through third-party countries.

Zelensky emphasized that the fact that the meeting was taking place in Ukraine was a vital symbol of European solidarity, and said that a Ukrainian victory was a common cause for Europe as a whole. "Russia has become an anti-European force that terrorizes and tries to undermine all the foundations of a stable and peaceful life in Europe," he added.

Importantly, Zelensky also explicitly noted his gratitude for the level of support that Ukraine has already received from its European allies, saying that "we appreciate the efforts of every country, every leader, every European company."

Amidst the dispute between Poland and Ukraine regarding grain exports, Polish Secretary of State and Head of the International Policy Bureau Marcin Przydacz suggested on July 31 that Kyiv should "start appreciating the role that Poland has played for Ukraine in recent months and years."

Oleh Nikolenko, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, said that "statements about the alleged ingratitude of Ukrainians for Poland's help are false and unacceptable."

In concluding remarks, Zelensky expressed confidence in the ability for Ukraine to defeat Russia, but stressed that "our victory explicitly depends on our cooperation."

Read also: EU Council approves 11th package of sanctions against Russia

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Zelensky vows to keep fighting after Ukraine aid dropped from short-term funding measure

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to keep fighting after aid for his country was pulled from the short-term funding measure passed by Congress.

In an address to honor the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, Zelensky pledged to fight for as long as it takes to secure victory against Russias invasion.

Today we thank everyone who stood, stands and will stand strong. All those who were the first to take on a difficult battle, he said. Our border guards, our infantry, tank crewmen, pilots, sailors, artillerymen, anti-aircraft gunners, our paratroopers, special forces, intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Guard, police, territorial defense. All those who defend the Ukrainian land, sea and sky.

We are driving out the occupiers. And we will continue to do so. We became stronger, hardened, better equipped and armed. And we will continue to do so. We came through a difficult winter, we endure missile attacks and terror. And we will continue to do so.

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The U.S. has sent billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine amid its war with Russia, and Washington has pledged to continue to support Kyiv as it battles to defend itself.

However, the latest stopgap measure passed over the weekend to fund the federal government through Nov. 17 does not include money for Ukraine, and some Republicans have voiced opposition to providing more aid to the country.

President Biden on Sunday called on lawmakers to stop playing games and get this done.

Zelensky reiterated his commitment to halt the Russians from taking over.

We were doing it in the first minutes of Feb. 24, we have been doing it for all these 585 days, and we will keep doing it, he said in his address.

We stopped the invasion of a large enemy army, withstood and did not give up Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and hundreds of other cities and villages.

Biden hosted Zelensky at the White House last month as House Republicans voiced growing concerns about approving more aid for Ukraine.

The Biden administration sent a supplemental funding request to Congress in August that would include another $24 billion in military, humanitarian and financial assistance for Ukraine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the period of time since the EUs adoption of its latest package of sanctions against the Russian Federation has been too long, and pauses like this prolong Russian aggression.

Source: Zelenkyy in an address to attendees at the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv, European Pravda reports.

Zelenkyy emphasised that the sanctions pressure on Russia is clearly not enough. This is primarily evident from the growing number of Russian drone attacks and airstrikes, the president says.

Quote: "More joint work is needed to combat any forms and schemes by which Russia is circumventing sanctions. Any supplies to Russia that allow it to increase military production must be stopped. This is in the clear interest not only of Ukraine, but also everyone in the world who wants to see a speedy end to this war," Zelenskyy said.

Work on the EUs new sanctions package must also be stepped up, Zelenskyy emphasised.

"Any sanctions pauses increase the duration of the Russian aggression, and the pause since the 11th sanctions package has already been too long," Zelenskyy said.

Sanctions are needed in particular against the Russian nuclear industry  both for what Russia is doing at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and as a security step against the use of questionable Russian nuclear technologies, Zelenskyy says.

"It is also important to expand sanctions against Iran in sensitive industries, particularly regarding the import of equipment and chemicals. Every Iranian attack drone that hits European cities in Ukraine is a reason for sanctions pressure," Zelenskyy added.

Background:

Bloomberg reported that EU member states may start discussing a new package of sanctions - the twelfth so far - against Russia due to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in October.

The new sanctions are likely to include the EU's version of the upcoming G7 ban on Russian diamonds.

New restrictions may be presented in early October or announced during the EU-US summit scheduled for October.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Zendaya wore a daring gown with a zipper that turned into a full-length slit during Paris Fashion Week

Zendaya attended a Louis Vuitton fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday.

She wore a white gown with a zipper in the center that created a low neckline and thigh-high slit.

The Emmy winner is no stranger to pushing fashion boundaries.

Zendaya reminded people why she's a fashion icon award winner during Paris Fashion Week.

On Monday, Zendaya, 27, attended the Louis Vuitton show in Paris, celebrating the line's spring and summer womenswear collection for 2024.

The Emmy-winning actor arrived at the event in a floor-length, white gown from Louis Vuitton that was fitted to her body.

The dress had gold hardware on the shoulders, which accented the coordinating zipper that lined the center of the dress.

Zendaya attends the Louis Vuitton Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 runway show during Paris Fashion Week in October 2023. Marc Piasecki/WireImage/Getty Images

Zendaya wore the zipper mostly open, creating a low-cut neckline and a thigh-high slit. The zipper also had two stoppers with gold hardware in the center of them.

White, pointed-toe heels completed the look, and Zendaya wore simple gold jewelry from Bulgari to keep the focus on her gown.

Zendaya is almost as well known for her style as she is for her acting. Her fashion evolved over the years with the help of now-retired celebrity stylist Law Roach. Her ensembles even earned her a CFDA fashion icon award in 2021.

Many of her most memorable looks have been daring, such as the hot-pink, breastplate top she wore to the Critics' Choice Awards in 2020 or the series of themed dresses she wore when promoting "Spider-Man: No Way Home" in 2021.

Zendaya attends the Valentino Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show in 2022. Dominique Charriau / Contributor / Getty Images

She also frequently pushes style boundaries at fashion shows, standing out as she attends events.

For instance, at the 2022 Valentino Paris Fashion Week show, Zendaya wore a netted bodysuit that was almost entirely sheer.

Read the original article on Insider
KYOTO, Oct 03 ( News On Japan ) - The Kyoto City University of Arts has completed a full relocation to the eastern side of JR Kyoto Station.

The original Kutsukake Campus (located in Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City) had faced issues such as aging facilities and equipment, prompting the university to seek relocation.

The city also aimed to transform the Suijin area, which is relatively underdeveloped but conveniently located east of Kyoto Station, into a new symbol of culture and art. After ten years of planning, the goal has finally been realized.

Tamaki Akamatsu, President of Kyoto City University of Arts, expressed, "The love for art and similar sentiments, which the predecessors of Kyoto City University of Arts or the people of Kyoto have built over time, have greatly supported our relocation. We are truly overwhelmed with emotion to welcome this day."

The new campus will also house the Kyoto City Fine Arts and Crafts High School (formerly Doto Fine Arts and Crafts High School).

Furthermore, the library boasts a collection of 140,000 books, specializing in art-related publications and magazines, which will be available for use by not only students but also the general public.
WASHINGTON  College programs that consistently leave graduates with low pay or unaffordable loans will lose access to federal money under a new rule being finalized by the Biden administration. The policy applies mostly to for-profit colleges, along with certificate programs at traditional universities.

The Education Department says it's a step toward accountability for America's higher education system. The rule, known as gainful employment, was proposed in May and revives an Obama-era policy dismantled by the Trump administration.

The department said that the final rule will be published Oct. 10.

Higher education is supposed to be an invaluable investment in your future. There is nothing valuable about being ripped off or sold on a worthless degree, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said at a press briefing.

An association of for-profit colleges denounced the policy as an unfair attack, saying any policy should be applied evenly across all types of schools. The rule applies to all for-profit college programs, but not to bachelor's degrees and most graduate programs at traditional colleges.

Once again, the Department has rushed the process, overlooking critical issues, to hastily implement and weaponize a final Gainful Employment rule against for-profit institutions, said Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities.

The rule takes effect in July 2024, and the soonest any program could lose federal money is 2026.

The rule will put college programs through two tests to determine whether theyre helping students.

The first test will check whether a programs graduates carry heavy student debt compared to their earnings. Programs will pass if their graduates have annual loan payments averaging no more than 8% of their total income, or 20% of their discretionary income.

A second test will check whether at least half of a programs graduates earn more than working adults in their state with only a high school diploma.

Programs that fail either test will need to warn students that theyre at risk of losing federal money. Those that fail the same test twice in any three-year period will be cut off from federal aid. That amounts to a death sentence for many programs.

Borrower advocates applauded it as a much-needed protection.

The finalized Gainful Employment rule is a major step towards enacting more front-end protections to ensure students arent being taken advantage of by predatory schools and programs," said Aaron Ament, president of Student Defense.

The final rule made few changes to the initial proposal, despite sharp criticism from Republicans and the for-profit industry.

Some for-profit colleges say the rule unfairly punishes colleges that enroll large numbers of students who may face wage discrimination in the workforce, including women of color. Those programs could be at risk if their graduates consistently earn lower-than-average pay. Other for-profit colleges say it could jeopardize programs in areas where there are few other options.

Beauty school programs would be hit especially hard, according to an Associated Press analysis of the proposal. Nearly two-thirds of cosmetology certificates could be at risk of failing the test and losing federal money, along with more than a third of such programs in massage therapy and dental support services.

Cosmetology schools fought hard against the rule, saying the department has failed to consider a well-known problem in the industry, the underreporting of income to the IRS. The practice makes it look like cosmetology graduates earn less than they really do, which could penalize them under the new rule, schools say.

The Education Department estimates the rule will protect about 700,000 students a year who would otherwise enroll in one of nearly 1,700 low-performing programs.

A separate part of the rule will release new information showing students the true cost of programs across all types of colleges. The Education Department will publish data detailing the amount students pay for individual programs  including, tuition, fees and books  along with their student debt levels and earnings after graduation.

These rules will stop taxpayer dollars from going to schools that continually saddle students with unaffordable debt, said James Kvaal, undersecretary of education. Separately, were ensuring all students have increased information to make good choices.

Most millennials and Gen Z would cut retirement savings before missing credit card or student loan payments Most millennials and Gen Z would cut retirement savings before missing credit card or student loan payments Most say they would cut retirement savings first Artificial intelligence by any other name Robo-advisors are seen as even less attractive option than AI Most expect to pay their student loan payments resuming this fall
The Nebraska Broadband Office is moving to the next phase of efforts to ensure access to reliable broadband for all Nebraskans. As part of this effort, there will be ongoing public engagements across the state, including a series of nine public meetings and an open comment period from Monday
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Libyas Justice Minister, Halima Ibrahim indicated Sunday October 1st the North African country is very determined to ensure all Libyans detained abroad are sent home to serve their prison sentences, Libya Observer reports.

H. Ibrahim made the announcement on Facebook in the wake of a prisoner swap agreement signed between Libya and Italy, on the sidelines of the UN Palermo Conventions 20th anniversary against Transnational Organized Crime.

The deal will enable prisoners to serve their sentences in their country of origin, with each case evaluated individually, said the minister, who doubles as Chair of the National Human Rights Committee and Chief of the Committee for Libyan Prisoners Abroad.

She said Tripoli also seeks to sign similar agreements with other European and Arab countries.

The deal signed with Italy is subject to approval by the Italian Parliament through a specific ratification bill.
Top U.S. House Republican Kevin McCarthy said Sunday he expected to survive a threat to his speakership after a hardline critic within his party called for his ouster following the passage of a stopgap government funding bill that drew more support from Democrats than Republicans.

Hardline Republican Representative Matt Gaetz told multiple U.S. media outlets he would file a "motion to vacate," a call for a vote to remove McCarthy as speaker of the House of Representatives, which his party controls by a narrow 221-212 margin.

"I'll survive," McCarthy said on CBS. "This is personal with Gaetz."

Former President Donald Trump, who had encouraged Republicans in Congress to work for a government shutdown unless their budget demands were met, said Sunday, "Republicans got very little" out of the temporary government funding deal reached this weekend and that they needed to "get tougher."

Asked at a campaign stop in Ottumwa, Iowa, whether he would support a move by Gaetz to strip McCarthy of his speakership, Trump said, "I don't know anything about those efforts but I like both of them very much." Trump added that McCarthy has said some "very great things about me."

Gaetz is one of a group of about two dozen hardliners who forced McCarthy to endure a withering 15 rounds of voting in January before he was elected speaker, during which they squeezed out concessions, including a rule change to allow any one House member to call for a vote to oust the speaker.

It was not clear how much support McCarthy would have in such a vote, or whether any Democrats would back him. McCarthy angered Democrats last month by launching an impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden.

"If at this time next week Kevin McCarthy is still speaker of the House, it will be because Democrats bailed him out," Gaetz said in an interview on ABC. "I am relentless and I will continue to pursue this objective."

McCarthy stunned Washington, Saturday, when he backed a bill to fund the government through Nov. 17, averting a partial shutdown but not imposing any of the spending cuts or changes to border security that his hardline colleagues had called for.

The bill, which was approved by the Senate on a broad bipartisan basis and signed into law by Biden, is meant to give lawmakers more time to agree on a deal to fund the government through Sept. 30, 2024.

An ouster of the speaker would complicate that process.

"It is destructive to the country to put forth this motion to vacate," Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican, said on ABC. "By putting this motion to vacate on the floor, you know what Matt Gaetz is going to do? He is going to delay the ability to complete that work over the next 45 days."

Gaetz had been threatening to move against McCarthy for weeks.

Republican Representative Byron Donalds, a member of the hardline House Freedom Caucus who had been nominated to challenge McCarthy for speaker in January, declined to say how he would vote.

"I don't know right now," Donalds said in an interview on Fox. "I gotta really think about that because there's a lot of stuff going on."

McCarthy decided to bring a vote on a measure that could win Democratic support, knowing full well that it could jeopardize his job. One of his advisers told Reuters the speaker believed some hardliners would try to oust him under any circumstances.

"Go ahead and try," McCarthy said in comments directed at his opponents on Saturday. "You know what? If I have to risk my job for standing up for the American public, I will do that."

The bipartisan measure succeeded a day after Republican Representative Andy Biggs, a leading hardliner, and 20 others blocked a Republican stopgap bill that contained sharp spending cuts and immigration and border restrictions, all of which hardliners favor.

The bill's failure ended Republican hopes of moving a conservative measure and opened the door to the bipartisan measure that was backed by 209 House Democrats and 126 Republicans. Ninety Republicans opposed the stopgap.

Hardliners complained that the measure, known as a continuing resolution, or CR, left in place policies favored by Democrats, including Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

It was not clear what action Democrats might take if a Republican moved to vacate the chair and the House voted on the measure.

Some Democrats have suggested they could support McCarthy if an ouster attempt occurred at a turbulent time. Others have suggested they could back a moderate Republican willing to share the gavel with them and allow power sharing within House committees. Others have shown no interest in helping any speaker candidate aside from House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.

U.S. Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, a leading progressive Democrat, said her party was unlikely to help McCarthy keep his job without receiving concessions from Republicans.

"I don't think we give up votes for free," Ocasio-Cortez told CNN's State of the Union.

Asked if she would vote on a measure to oust McCarthy, Ocasio-Cortez said: "Would I cast that vote? Absolutely. Absolutely. I think Kevin McCarthy is a very weak Speaker. He clearly has lost control of his caucus." (Reuters)
Mauritanias President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has told French media Le Figaro his country will not provide a territory for French troops expelled out of Niger.

Mauritania does not seem to me, either strategically or geographically, to be the best country to host soldiers dedicated to the fight against terrorism in the Sahel. In the fight against terrorism, it makes more sense for dedicated forces to be deployed in a country that is closer to or at the center of the field of operations. Mauritania has not suffered an attack on its soil since 2011, and probably has less need for the assistance of a multinational force, Ghazouani said in an interview with the French media.

Africa expects too much from France. Misunderstandings had accumulated between Paris and its partners on the continent. This, combined with the dissatisfaction of African populations with their own leaders, made Frances position in Africa a delicate one, he added.

Frances President Emmanuel Macron late September gave in to Nigers new authorities demand for the departure of the 1,500 French troops stationed in the West African country to counter terrorism in the region.

The authorities, led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani who toppled on July 26 President Mohamed Bazoum, have severed ties with the former colonial power. They also obtained the departure of French ambassador Sylvain Itte.
The World Bank Board has approved $365 million in International Development Association (IDA) financing to increase girls and womens access to learning, economic opportunities, and utilization of health services, and to strengthen the institutional capacity for gender equality in Western and Central Africa.

The Sub-Saharan Africa Womens Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Plus project (SWEDD+) has the potential to directly benefit over 2 million vulnerable girls aged between 10 to 19 who are at risk of child marriage, early pregnancy, gender-based violence, and leaving school in Burkina Faso, Chad, Senegal, Gambia, and Togo.

Empowering adolescent girls and young women is essential to accelerate Africas demographic transition, improve human development outcomes, and build human capital and inclusive economic growth, said Ousmane Diagana, WB Vice-President for Western and Central Africa.

By investing in women and girls, countries will build resilient communities that can bounce back from crises and adapt to rising threats, such as climate change and fragility, he stressed.

According to the WB, SWEDD+ will sustain the momentum developed through the original SWEDD project  which covers nine countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote dIvoire, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger  to expand and deepen the impact on adolescent girls and women.

The newly approved SWEDD+ funding brings the total World Bank investments toward womens empowerment in Africa to $1.04 billion. It supports African Union Agenda 2063 goals and the World Banks poverty reduction efforts.
Morocco has reaffirmed its commitment to share its extensive experience and expertise in development financing with the African Union (AU) as part of the aspirations outlined in Agenda 2063. This announcement came during the Ministerial Retreat on Agenda 2063, a high-level event taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, this October 1-3.

Moroccos Permanent Representative to the AU and the ECA-UN, Mohamed Arrouchi, emphasized in an address at the gathering Moroccos readiness to contribute to the AUs development goals. I would like to confirm Moroccos readiness to share its experience and expertise in development financing, sustainable development goals (SDGs), and the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

The diplomats remarks shed light on the financial challenges facing the AU, particularly the allocation of a significant portion of its budget to peace and security in previous years. This prompts a crucial evaluation of the effectiveness of this approach in achieving peace and security on the continent.

Arrouchi pointed out that another part of the AU budget remains untapped, waiting to be allocated to address various development-related aspirations. He stressed the need for a shift in approach, stating that the exclusively security-oriented approach has shown its limitations, a fact confirmed by the relevance of the Nexus approach: peace, security, and development.

The new approach advocated by Arrouchi would involve allocating a substantial percentage of peacekeeping operation budgets to essential development projects. These projects are deemed critical to ensuring stability and addressing the numerous factors that contribute to instability in Africa, including poor development, unemployment, food insecurity, and health issues.

The three-day Ministerial Retreat aims to foster discussions and strategic guidance on the outcomes of the Special Project for Agenda 2063. This initiative focuses on evaluating the First Ten-Year Plan and formulating the Second Ten-Year Plan for the implementation of Agenda 2063. Additionally, it addresses the classification of flagship projects and financing-related challenges.
The Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) has launched a fervent plea, urging the authorities to abandon legal proceedings against two lawyers who have been defending political detainees in Tunisia. In a strongly-worded statement disseminated through various media outlets, LTDH accused the government of instrumentalizing the justice system to eliminate political adversaries.

The call comes in the wake of a recent decision by the Tunis Court of Appeals to grant permission, as of September 28th, for the Prosecutor of the Republic at the First Instance Court of Tunis, to refer two lawyers, Islem Hamza and Dalila Msaddek, for further investigation. This move was prompted by statements made by the lawyers concerning the conspiracy against state security case.

LTDH contends that these charges represent yet another link in the chain of repeated violations of the right to legal defense in this ongoing case, as well as a blatant attempt to target the legal profession as a whole.

The investigative judge at the anti-terrorism judicial unit had previously issued a decision prohibiting any media coverage of cases related to the conspiracy against state security. The reason cited for this action was to preserve the orderly progress of the investigation and protect the personal data of the individuals under scrutiny.

The situation in Tunisia took a dramatic turn earlier this year, as the country witnessed a series of high-profile arrests that included politicians, opposition figures, civil society activists, media executives, and union leaders. These arrests triggered both local and international outrage and condemnation.

The individuals detained were primarily associated with the National Salvation Front and its leading faction, the Ennahdha movement. They face charges, among other things, of involvement in what has been referred to as the conspiracy against state security case.
King Mohammed VI has sent a message of congratulations to President of the Transition, Head of State of Guinea, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, on his countrys National Day, wherein he expressed Moroccos readiness to bolster the brotherly and age-old ties binding the two countries.

I would like to express the high regard I have for the fraternal and age-old ties that unite our two peoples, and for the excellent cooperation between our two countries. I assure you of the Kingdoms readiness to work to consolidate these ties, both bilaterally and regionally, said the King in his message.

The Sovereign also expressed his congratulations to Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya and his best wishes for prosperity to the Guinean people.
UPDATED, Oct. 3, 2023, 2 pm: Corrects possible number of turbines of proposed RWE Clean Energy wind farm.

***

The prospect of large-scale wind and solar energy projects found few friends Monday during 4 hours of public hearings before Lincoln County commissioners.

More than 70 people packed the North Platte courthouses district courtroom, with more than half of them testifying and most of those adamantly urging the county to slam the door on wind turbines and widespread solar panels.

After they ended, County Board members postponed their votes on modifying the countys wind and solar zoning regulations until Nov. 6.

In the meantime, the one-year moratorium on wind and solar projects commissioners imposed in March remains in place, Commissioner Chris Bruns told the audience.

Commissioners will end their remaining October meetings with work sessions to hammer out regulations  most notably affecting setbacks from homes and property lines  that could go beyond the somewhat tighter restrictions recommended by the county Planning Commission in July.

Even that panels recommended 2- to 2-mile wind-turbine setbacks would choke off projects that could put millions of dollars in local governments coffers, warned representatives of RWE Clean Energy and Invenergy.

Such setbacks would certainly be an outlier in the state of Nebraska, said Julie Drennen, RWEs outreach manager. It would be exclusionary, and it would amount to a ban on wind projects.

RWE has signed leases with several landowners in the hope of developing a wind farm about two to three miles north of U.S. Highway 30 between Maxwell and Brady and running east to about the Custer County line.

Invenergy has shown interest in both wind and solar projects on the NCORPE property near Wallace and Dickens.

The hearings most strident wind and solar foes said the Planning Commissions recommended setbacks arent nearly strong enough.

I suggest we need a setback of 50 miles, said Richard Reimer, 4980 W. State Farm Road. That would eliminate anyone in the county being affected by these commercial operations.

After imposing their one-year moratorium last spring, commissioners received the Planning Commissions proposed changes to 2020 wind and solar zoning regulations for the first time on July 17.

They postponed public hearings that day first to Aug. 28 and then to Monday, but not before reclaiming their power to decide on conditional use permits of any type that the County Board had long delegated to the planning panel.

Eighteen people spoke at Mondays opening hearing on proposed solar-project regulations. Two dozen spoke at the subsequent wind hearing, with some offering their opinions at each hearing on the different types of energy projects.

Bruns also offered the results of an opinion poll he crafted to seek county residents input for his own decision-making.

Out of 503 respondents to Bruns pool, 81.8% supported the current one-year moratorium. Large-scale wind projects were opposed by four-fifths of respondents, while nearly two-thirds said likewise for large solar farms.

Nearly half the polls respondents were from North Platte, but one-third were from rural areas, Bruns said.

Lincoln Countys setbacks for both small-capacity wind turbines and large-scale wind farms have been based on their height, with minimum setbacks for the latter of 1,000 feet from property lines and neighboring dwellings.

The Planning Commission voted 5-2 July 11 to lengthen commercial wind-turbine setbacks to at least 2 miles from the property line and 2 miles from the nearest homes closest exterior wall. Setbacks for a low-capacity small wind energy turbine would be 1 mile and 1 miles respectively.

The panels package would slightly loosen noise limits from both single small turbines and commercial wind farms from 50 to 55 decibels at the nearest structure occupied by humans, except during severe weather.

Planning Commission members didnt address setbacks for solar farms but did recommend that would-be operators submit a decommissioning plan.

But several solar-farm opponents at Mondays first hearing said they dont want to be surrounded by row upon row of solar panels. Bruns said about 64.4% of respondents to his poll want additional setbacks from solar farms.

Several speakers at both hearings repeated familiar arguments from nationwide energy debates that wind and solar projects wouldnt go anywhere without federal subsidies renewed by President Joe Bidens administration.

Some alleged that foreign companies and especially China are using alternative energy projects to drain money from Americans or gain unwanted footholds on U.S. soil.

Skepticism about the existence or scope of climate change from fossil-fuel consumption also came into play. There is no climate crisis, said Lana Klein, the solar hearings first speaker.

Still other speakers perceived a direct threat to the continued reliable delivery of electricity if alternative energy activists succeed in forcing fossil fuel-based plants like Gerald Gentleman Station near Sutherland to shut down.

Farmers and ranchers who spoke at both hearings warned about groundwater pollution from toxic chemicals in solar panels and long-lasting damage to fragile Sandhills soils from planting heavy wind turbines and running hundreds of truckloads on local roads and pastures to install them.

Many speakers clashed over the degree to which ones private property rights should be superseded by the objections of neighbors and county residents to what goes on land in the county.

Generally, I think most of us agree landowners want to be able to do what they want with their land, said Alex Chandler of Invenergys Denver office, who spoke at both the wind and solar hearings.

Zoning regulations were not put in place necessarily to protect my rights on my property, countered Levi Fisher of rural Hershey. Its also to protect other peoples rights.

Chandler said his firm doesnt oppose adding a requirement that solar-farm developers have a plan for removing them and restoring their sites. If the projects going to be put in, you need to be able to ensure it can be taken out.

Several non-county residents added their voices to those of Lincoln County-based opponents. Three came to Mondays hearing from the northern Sandhills, where some rural residents have clashed with Cherry County commissioners over proposals for wind farms near Kilgore and north of Thedford.

Im from Cherry County. Ive been fighting them for eight years, and it isnt easy, said Merrial Rhodes, her voice breaking. I can see (you) have some very good commissioners.

The solar hearing didnt feature any concrete details on would-be county projects. Judy Clark, planning administrator for both Lincoln County and the city of North Platte, said no applications for specific solar or wind projects have reached her desk.

But the wind hearing featured several testifiers on RWEs plans for a wind farm, which Drennen said could include between 40 and 50 turbines. They would start two to three miles north of U.S. Highway 30 between Maxwell and Brady and stretch east toward the Custer County line.

Mark Loostrom, a rural Maxwell rancher, and his sister Peggy (Loostrom) Pape said theyve spearheaded the RWE proposal and gained backing from some neighbors because the potential lease income could let them keep their ranchlands in their descendants hands.

Pape said their late father, John Loostrom, made cattle ranching and protection of his Sandhills land the passion of his life. But when transmission lines were built on his land, he knew it was for the public good and he could not fight the progress.

America needs all types of energy if its going to meet its ever-increasing energy demands, Mark Loostrom added.

Guess Ive caused all this problem today, part of it, he said. My advice is to use some common sense  The way Ive considered it is its a spot (in the county) that isnt going to bother much of anything.

Drennen and Jim Eichler, RWEs right-of-way agent, said even 2-mile to 2-mile setbacks would so drive down the would-be wind farms cost-effectiveness as to make it impractical.

Wind turbines are connected by underground cabling and cant be more than 6 or 7 miles apart, said Eichler, RWEs right-of-way agent.

It isnt just (about) setbacks from houses, he said. Its how that power is gathered and sent back to a substation.
Over the past week, Donald Trump publicly demanded that former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley be put to death for having confided to a journalist that Trump, as president, had proposed shooting peaceful demonstrators and a variety of other crimes. He threatened government retribution against media companies that publish reporting he doesnt approve of. (I say up front, openly, and proudly, that when I WIN the Presidency of the United States, they and others of the LameStream Media will be thoroughly scrutinized for their knowingly dishonest and corrupt coverage of people, things, and events. Why should NBC, or any other of the corrupt & dishonest media companies, be entitled to use the very valuable Airwaves of the USA, FREE?) And, of course, he continued his drumbeat of false claims of having legitimately won the 2020 election. This was all in a week.

During the same week, two of Trumps most prominent Republican critics dismissed the idea of opposing him in the (overwhelmingly likely) prospect Trump wins the nomination. Georgia governor Brian Kemp pledged himself unreservedly to back Trump over Biden. Despite all of his other trials and tribulations, he would still be a lot better than Biden, Kemp told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, And the people serving in the administration would be a lot better than Joe Biden. And it has nothing to do with being a coward. It has everything to do with winning and reversing the ridiculous, obscene positions of Joe Biden and this administration that literally, in a lot of ways, are destroying our country.

In an interview with the Texas Tribune, New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu warned Republicans would be crushed if Trump wins, but refused to say he wouldnt support Trumps candidacy. Instead, Sununu confidently asserted that Trump is too dumb to be a danger to democracy. Lets not give him that much credit  I want everyone to relax. Its all going to work out. Sununu reasoned, Asshole leaders come and go, but our system stands strong.

Here we see the assumptions about Trump that have prevailed among the Republican elite: He is a coarse and unpleasant man (an asshole), but not an existential danger to the republic; the primary victim of his political ascent is the Republican Party itself, which will needlessly suffer electoral penalties from his lack of discipline; and nothing Trump could do could ever be worse than a normal, mainstream Democratic Party administration.

How important are the decisions by figures like Kemp and Sununu? If you believe Harvard political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, which you should, the answer is: extremely important. Levitzky and Ziblatt have co-authored two books  How Democracies Die, in 2018, and their new follow-up, Tyranny of the Minority  which both emphasize that authoritarian threats to democracies rise or fall on the decisions made by semi-loyal democrats, the would-be authoritarians cross-pressured allies.

How Democracies Die compiles a series of historical examples of authoritarian challenges to democratic systems. The most famous case study occurred in Weimar Germany, where right-wing politicians distrusted Adolf Hitler and his Nazi movement but decided to enter a coalition with the Nazis, which they believed they could control, rather than allow their Social Democratic enemies to hold power. They chose power over democracy.

And while no other authoritarian leader was as dangerous as Hitler, a similar political dynamic determined their success. Their ideological allies had to choose between democracy or power. How Democracies Die describes several historical episodes, and Tyranny of the Minority has more. The most redolent is a 1934 incident in France in which right-wing mobs stormed Parliament, chanting, Hang the deputies! While some French conservatives deplored the attack, the primary response by the French right was to laud the rioters as martyrs, justly outraged at the threats from the left and unfairly prosecuted by the police. Levitsky and Ziblatt dont even need to remind readers of the symbolism contained by the fact that this incident took place on February 6. The history rhymes.

The two books differ in the advice they offer to loyal democrats facing down an authoritarian challenge. How Democracies Die focuses on maintaining governing norms, and treats almost any departure from old practices as an assault on democracy. The authors even treat the filibuster as a valuable defense of minority rights, simultaneously lamenting its excessive use (they wish Senate minorities would reserve filibusters for rare episodes, as they did in the old days) and attacking proposals to end it as undemocratic.

The sequel, Tyranny of the Minority, corrects this analytic error, drawing a proper distinction the authors previously missed between democratic norms and anti-democratic norms. The American political system is replete with undemocratic features that not only give political minorities necessary protections but allow them to actually exert majority power. The filibuster, the rural bias of the Senate, gerrymandering, and the Electoral College all hand white voters disproportionate power and create the possibility of minority rule.

But having undertaken this necessary correction, the authors proceed to an overcorrection. Tyranny of the Minority argues that not only is democratic reform permissible, or even desirable, it is the principal strategy to protect against authoritarianism in the United States.

Levitsky and Ziblatt trace the rise of Trump to the Republican partys Obama-era panic about the diversifying electorate. In 2012, they note, exit polls showed that Mitt Romney won a greater share of the white vote than Ronald Reagan had in 1980, yet Obama still won comfortably thanks to landslide margins among nonwhite voters, whose numbers were growing inexorably. Panicked at the prospect that a diversifying electorate would consign their party to minority status, they argue, Republicans turned against democracy itself.

The rise of Donald Trump was an expression of this racialized panic. His success showed that white identity politics was a winning formula within the party, they argue. It follows that the answer is to deepen democratic reforms, forcing Republicans to compete for majorities in a multiracial electorate. Only when the Republicans can legitimately win national elections again will their leaders fear of multiracial democracy subside, they argue. As long as the Republican Party can hold onto power without broadening beyond its radicalized core white Christian base, it will remain prone to the kind of extremism that imperils our democracy today.

There are elements of truth to this narrative. During the Obama era, Republicans certainly believed that the country was changing beneath them, that 2012 was their last chance to win a majority before demographic oblivion set in, and that the exit polls revealed a need for them to move left on social policy to win over nonwhite voters. I wrote a number of columns based on this premise.

But more recent events have cast serious doubt on that narrative. The 2012 exits that shaped so much consternation on the right, and celebration on the left, were erroneous. As Nate Cohn later explained, the electorate had more white voters than exit polls suggested, and Obama had won a larger share of the white vote, especially in the North, than the exits estimated.

Whats more, while it is undeniably true that Trump expressed racist sentiments that would have been unthinkable for a Republican leader not long ago, it is paradoxically true that he has managed to attract higher levels of nonwhite support than those previous Republicans. Indeed, polls show that Trump is continuing to gain support from Black and Latino voters, gains that, if they materialize at the polls, would give him a chance to win the national vote outright.

The best explanation for this paradoxical state of affairs is that Black and Latino voters have more moderate views than the (mostly white) college-educated voters who dominate the Democratic Party. Progressives set out to move the party left over the past decade and have celebrated this achievement. Polls show that voters are more likely now to see Democrats as too liberal than they are to see Republicans as too conservative. Naturally, some of their most moderate voters, who are disproportionately nonwhite, have defected at the margins.

Since these trends have put a nakedly authoritarian demagogue on the precipice of regaining the presidency, this is indeed a crisis for democracy. But it is not a crisis that can be understood through the lens of interpreting Republican politics solely as an expression of white grievance, nor is it one that can be contained entirely by majoritarian principles. The Trump-era party seems very able indeed to remain mired in racial-grievance politics while legitimately competing for a national majority.

So where does this leave both democrats and Democrats? (The two distinct terms  signifying, respectively, believers in self-determination and supporters of the Democratic Party  are increasingly coterminous.) The Democratic Party needs to grasp that the emergency presented by right-wing authoritarianism requires them to prioritize winning and to think realistically about the steps they need to take to do so. It is a pleasant fiction to believe that submitting to the desired position of every progressive activist group will galvanize the partys base without cost, but reality has presented more discouraging trade-offs. To dismiss all actual or potential Trump supporters as incorrigible racists or white-adjacent or as the unwitting pawns of racists is to choose ideological purity over winning.

Of course, winning every election is an impossible goal for any political party. The dark reality is that the Republican Party is increasingly converging on the belief that Trumps main failure was not to have tried to use the government to shut down independent media and prosecute his enemies, but to have been unable to carry it out.

The best prophylactic against this threat would be for Democrats to string together enough victories that mainstream Republicans feel compelled to disavow their extremist factions, rather than trying to merely co-opt them under more competent leadership.

It seems more likely, however, that they will manage to regain power without any such reforms. Levitsky and Ziblatts research shows with bleak clarity that the only thing standing between America and autocracy is the moral conscience and democratic ideals of the Republican partners of this government. But the Republicans who genuinely object to authoritarianism have all been driven out of the party. Those that remain simply regard partisan defection as an unthinkable breach, even if the alternative is electing a literal raving-mad criminal who is openly vowing to use the presidency as an instrument of vengeance.
Laphonza Butler, the new junior senator from California. Photo: Araya Doheny/Getty Images for Emilys List

California governor Gavin Newsom really painted himself into a corner before Dianne Feinsteins death forced him to appoint someone to serve out her Senate term. Back in 2021, in part due to unhappiness over his decision to appoint a Latino man to fill Kamala Harriss Senate seat, he promised to appoint a Black woman if Feinstein vacated her seat. Then the most obvious choice to fill that role, veteran progressive Oakland congresswoman Barbara Lee, announced she was running for the full Senate term that Feinstein chose not to pursue. With a red-hot 2024 race building steam, also featuring Lees House colleagues Adam Schiff and Katie Porter, Newsom announced last month that whomever he named to the seat would be a caretaker who wouldnt seek a full term, so as not to upset the ongoing race. Lees allies robustly protested that decision; the congresswoman called it insulting to countless Black women.

After Feinsteins death on September 29, the pressure was on Newsom, as Senate Democrats desperately need a 51st senator to keep full control of the chamber. On Monday, the governor made his move, appointing Laphonza Butler, president of the Democratic fundraising giant EMILYs List, to the seat. He did so immediately after letting it be known that he was no longer insisting on a caretaker role for his appointee.

Butlers resume is quite extensive for someone only 44. She was the longtime head of Californias powerful SEIU Local; worked for the consulting firm relied upon by Jerry Brown, Newsom, and Harris; and served as a University of California regent. She is both a Black woman and a married lesbian, making her the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the Senate. She did move to Maryland to take the EMILYs List job, but is expected to reregister to vote in California instantly. She was an adviser to Harriss 2020 presidential campaign. In other words, Butler is very tight with the key players in the top leadership of the Golden States Democratic Party, most of whom are also close to Adam Schiff.

In accepting the appointment, Butler did not indicate whether she would run for the full seat. The filing deadline for the March 5 primary is December 8. If she runs, Barbara Lee supporters and Lee herself will have to decide whether to criticize her for accepting an appointment, which arguably disrespects the 76-year-old Oakland congresswoman. If Butler does decide to remain a caretaker, the objections to the appointment will likely fade as water under the bridge, though any signs that shes giving aid to any one candidate will be closely scrutinized.

Until we know Butlers plans, its hard to say whether Newsom has successfully solved the problem he created for himself. But without question, Laphonza Butler has the political chops to navigate the sticky situation and, if she decides to run for a full term, the connections and fundraising ability to run a strong campaign.
Longtime National Review and New York Post columnist Andrew McCarthy has been adamantly insisting for years that Donald Trump stands literally zero chance of defeating Joe Biden. For a certain strain of anti-anti-Trump conservative, electability is the most comfortable ground upon which to stand against Trump. The Ron DeSantis campaign has made electability its principle rationale for claiming the nomination. And McCarthy has pressed this argument with an indefatigable spirit that has crossed into stark raving lunacy.

Donald Trump cannot win the presidency again, he wrote in 2021. By last fall, McCarthy was already growing tired of hectoring his readers about the impossibility of Trump winning. (To repeat what Ive said for a long time, it is a ripe dead certainty that Trump cannot win a national election.)

But McCarthys campaign to deny even the theoretical possibility Trump could eke out a victory over Biden was just getting started. He continued banging out a series of columns with headlines like Why Trump Cant Win, Trump Cant Win, and so on. And when McCarthy asserts that Trump cant win, he is not saying that Trump would face long odds of winning. He is saying that a Trump victory in 2024 is an absolutely zero-probability event:

I am supposed to concede that if Trump wins the Republican nomination, anything could happen, so of course he has a chance to be elected president again.  No, I am not playing along I am as certain as I am writing this that Donald Trump will never again be elected president of these United States.

By springtime, McCarthy had begun developing the theory that the Democratic Party and the mainstream media, which naturally are working in secret partnership, have manufactured a false narrative that Trump might stand a chance against Biden, in order to trick Republican voters into nominating him and thus ensuring Bidens reelection. (Why would the New York Times and its woke-progressive, Trump-loathing comrades be serenading us with, Trump Can Win? Because thats what they want us to think at this moment, he insisted, in a column headlined The Big Trump Con Is Working.)

Over time, the polling evidence has increasingly undercut McCarthys fervent claims that Trump cannot possibly defeat Biden. Not only have trial heats shown a tight race between Trump and Biden, they have also shown McCarthys candidate, DeSantis, faring worse against Biden than Trump would.

As the electability argument has collapsed, other anti-anti-Trumpers have slowly backed away and tried to emphasize other reasons to nominate DeSantis. But changing your mind in the face of overwhelming evidence is not the McCarthy way. Instead, he has interpreted this evidence as proof that he was right all along. If polls are showing Trump really might have a chance against Biden, then it just proves the polls are part of the conspiracy to nominate him.

In his latest, and to date most insane, column, McCarthy argues the polls have been rigged in order to make Trump appear electable and trick Republican voters into nominating him.

Ive repeatedly predicted that the media-Democratic complex would, over the next months, project a Trump 2024 victory, intentionally prompting irrational exuberance in the Trump base and rendering it practically impossible for an electable Republican candidate to emerge, he argues. And now their plan is to release skewed polls:

Former president Trump has a nine-point lead over President Joe Biden in a recent Washington Post/ABC poll! Yeah, right. So skewed in Trumps favor is this survey, its hilarious  at least until it dawns on you that this nonsense was put out by reliable media-Democratic-complex organs, in the undoubted calculation that Republicans would crow, See? Trump must be the nominee!

The recent neck-and-neck Trump/Biden polls should surprise no one. It has been crystal clear for a couple of years that, because Democrats desperately want Trump to be the Republican nominee, they would do whatever they could, at this stage of the race, to make it look like he could win the general election.

Ta-da!

The pollsters are in on the plot too!

It bears mentioning that McCarthy is not some random lunatic whos permitted to publish his rants on a forgotten corner of National Reviews website without supervision. Just today, editor-in-chief Rich Lowry has a fundraising appeal singling out McCarthy as the reason donors should support NRs vital work. Hes been right about nearly everything, gushes Lowry.

Does that include McCarthys theory that two local and one federal prosecutor, the Democratic Party, the national media, and all the pollsters are working together on a secret plot to fool Republicans into thinking Trump might win, so that they can beat him next year?
Turkish warplanes carried out airstrikes on suspected Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq, Sunday, following a suicide attack on a government building in the Turkish capital, Turkey's defense ministry announced.

Some 20 targets of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK , were destroyed in the latest aerial operation, including caves, shelters and depots, the ministry said, adding that a large number of PKK operatives were neutralized in the strikes.

Earlier Sunday, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device near an entrance to the interior ministry, wounding two police officers. A second assailant was killed in a shootout with police.

The PKK, which maintains bases in northern Iraq, claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing, according to a news agency close to the rebel group. Turkey's interior ministry also identified one of the assailants as a member of the outlawed group. It said efforts were still underway to identify the second attacker.

The attack happened hours before Turkey's Parliament reopened after its three-month summer recess with an address by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .

The two assailants arrived at the scene inside a light commercial vehicle, which they seized from a veterinarian in the central province of Kayseri, according to the ministry. The pro-government daily Sabah reported that they shot the man in the head and threw his body into a ditch by the side of the road. They then drove the vehicle to Ankara, roughly 300 kilometers (200 miles) away.

Our heroic police officers, through their intuition, resisted the terrorists as soon as they got out of the vehicle, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters. One of them blew himself up, while the other one was shot in the head before he had a chance to blow himself up.

Our fight against terrorism, their collaborators, the (drug) dealers, gangs and organized crime organizations will continue with determination, he said.

Police found plastic explosives, hand grenades and a rocket launcher at the scene, a ministry statement said.

Erdogan gave his speech in Parliament as planned and called the attack the last stand of terrorism.

The scoundrels who targeted the peace and security of the citizens could not achieve their goals and they never will," he said.

The president reiterated his government's aim to create a 30-kilometer (20-mile) safe zone along Turkey's border with Syria to secure its southern border from attacks.

Turkey has conducted numerous cross-border offensives against the PKK in northern Iraq. It has also launched incursions into northern Syria since 2016 to drive away the Islamic State group and a Kurdish militia group, known by the initials YPG, and controls swaths of territory in the area.

Turkey views the YPG as an extension of the PKK, which is listed as a terror group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. The PKK has waged an insurgency against Turkey since 1984. Tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict.

Last year, a bomb blast in a bustling pedestrian street in Istanbul left six people dead, including two children. More than 80 others were wounded. Turkey blamed the attack on the PKK and the YPG.

Security camera footage showed the vehicle stopping in front of the interior ministry Sunday, with a man exiting it and rushing toward the entrance of the building before blowing himself up. A second man is seen following him.

Earlier, television footage showed bomb squads working near a vehicle in the area, which is located near the Turkish Grand National Assembly and other government buildings. A rocket launcher could be seen lying near the vehicle.

Turkish authorities later imposed a temporary blackout on images from the scene.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said an investigation has been launched into the terror attack.

These attacks will in no way hinder Turkey's fight against terrorism, he wrote on X. Our fight against terrorism will continue with more determination.

Police cordoned off access to the city center and increased security measures, warning citizens that they would be conducting controlled explosions of suspicious packages.

The two police officers were being treated in a hospital and were not in serious condition, Yerlikaya said.

Egypt, which has normalized ties with Turkey after a decade of tensions, condemned the attack. A terse statement from the Foreign Ministry offered Egypts solidarity with Turkey.

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara and other foreign missions also issued messages condemning the attack.

Erdogan in his speech did not provide any indication as to when Turkeys parliament may ratify Swedens membership in NATO.

Stockholm applied for NATO membership alongside Finland following Russias invasion of Ukraine last year. While Finland has since joined, Turkey blocked Swedens membership in the military alliance, accusing it of not doing enough to tackle groups like PKK from operating on its soil. In a posting on X, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Stockholm strongly condemns todays terrorist attack in Ankara."

"We reaffirm our commitment to long-term cooperation with Turkiye in combating terrorism and wish for quick and full recovery of the ones injured, he wrote, using the Turkish government's preferred spelling for the country. (AP)
The United Way of Lee County will connect local businesses and non-profit volunteer organizations as a part of its Day of Caring event.

For the first time, UWLC will celebrate Day of Caring with a countywide event. Theyll facilitate volunteer projects across Lee County and assist with two donation drives at organizations that partner with United Way.

By facilitating connections between local businesses and nonprofits, well have the opportunity to complete service projects that produce tangible benefits for underserved populations while also raising awareness about the greatest needs of Lee County, said Gabby Thabes said, the community initiatives specialist for the United Way of Lee County.

Employees from a variety of local businesses and organizations will volunteer for onsite projects and provide donations.

The UWLC has held Day of Caring events in the past, but this years event has been reworked to include more partner agencies. Its also open to Lee County employees when it was limited to Auburn city employees in the past.

The volunteer work will include installing free smoke alarms with the Red Cross Sound the Alarm campaign, stocking shelves and bagging groceries for clients at the Community Market, sorting and repackaging food at the Food Bank of East Alabama and much more.

As a whole, United Way focuses on the building blocks for a good life: education, health, strong families and support in a crisis.

Advancing the common good is less about helping one person at a time and more about changing systems to help all of us, United Way stated on its website. We are all connected and interdependent. We all win when a child succeeds in school, when families are financially stable, when people are healthy.

Thabes sees Fridays Day of Caring event as a chance to spark a conversation that can create positive changes Lee County.

Hopefully, this day will encourage conversation and long-term collaboration amongst business and nonprofit leaders as we all work creatively to improve our community, Thabes said.

UWLC is accepting donations at the Opelika Chamber of Commerce at 601 Ave A. Below is a list of some of the requested items, but you can find a full list at www.unitedwayofleecounty.com/day-of-caring.

For more information, please direct message or email UWLC at impact@unitedwayofleecounty.com.

Requested items:

Size newborn to six diapers

Toilet training underwear and pullups

Womens menstrual products

Bathing essentials for infants, children and adults

Crib sheets

Pack n Plays

Crayola crayons and all kind of craft supplies

Childrens games

Puzzles

Kanoodle Jr. Puzzle

Card games

Baby dolls

Puppets

Infant cars seats with or without base (It can be gently used as long as its within the expiration date.)

3-in-1(grow with me) car seats (It can be gently used as long as its within the expiration date.)

See United Way volunteers pack meals at the 2024 Campaign Kickoff
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  During his momentous U.S. Senate campaign against Stephen A. Douglas, Abraham Lincoln sat for a photograph after politicking in western Illinois and presented one of the copies to a man severely injured while testing a cannon for Lincoln's campaign rally.

As a small measure of compassion, Lincoln presented one version of the image to the injured man, Charles Lame, who overcame a deadly infection in an arm torn up by the blast with a little unexpected  and somewhat macabre  help.

The tale provides an unlikely, ghastly background to the original 1858 ambrotype created during the future nation-saving Civil War president's ascendancy, an image which the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum has added to its collection, officials said Monday.

Original images of Abraham Lincoln are extraordinarily rare, and images with a fascinating backstory like this are even more rare," said Christina Shutt, executive director of the library and museum. Lincoln fans everywhere should thank Charles Lames descendants for this generous donation.

The ambrotype given to Lame remained in the family and was inherited by Mary Davidson of Hendersonville, Tennessee. When she died in August 2022, her children decided the image should go to Springfield.

Lincoln's celebrity was on the upswing when he arrived on Sept. 30, 1858, in Pittsfield, about 110 miles northwest of St. Louis. He had completed four of his seven headline-grabbing debates with Douglas, whose view that the introduction of slavery into new territories should be up to local voters had drawn Lincoln, a former one-term congressman, back into politics.

Centering largely on slavery, the campaign ended in defeat for Lincoln. But he had forced Douglas into statements that alienated him from slave-holding Southern states to the point that they rejected him for president in 1860, paving Lincoln's way to the White House.

Following his two-hour Pittsfield speech on Oct. 1, local lawyer Daniel Gilmore, who had opened his home to Lincoln for lunch that day, persuaded the candidate to sit for the ambrotype at the gallery of Calvin Jackson.

Despite Lincoln's heroic welcome, tragedy had struck the town a day earlier. About the time Lincoln reached the home of his overnight host, supporters Robert Scanland, a longtime Lincoln friend, and Lame, a furniture storekeeper, were preparing an unloaded cannon, which in keeping with political tradition would be fired during the rally, according to a 1968 article by historian LeRoy H. Fischer.

On a second test, Lame was ramming the powder charge when sparks from Scanland's torch inadvertently ignited it and the cannon fired, severely burning Lame's face and sending the ramrod through his arm before it penetrated a tree a block away.

Carried to his home, a physician decided not to amputate Lame's viciously lacerated arm, a risky decision in an era predating antibiotics. Infection rapidly set in, Lame's temperature rose and he lay on the cusp of death.

So dire was his condition that when Lincoln tried to see him after the rally, Lame's wife turned him away on doctor's orders, at which point Lincoln promised that a copy of his photo would be delivered.

Lincolns gift was a small gesture, but it reaffirms his reputation as a man of compassion. The photo  is a physical reminder of his kind spirit and concern for others, said Ian Hunt, head of acquisitions for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Lincoln was no stranger to disfigurement. A horse's kick in the head as a child might have contributed to a significantly asymmetrical face that opponents openly mocked.

Lame had a rally in store, however. Horseflies entering the open, unscreened window of Lame's room swarmed the wound and laid eggs. Although no one understood at the time, maggots feasted on the decaying flesh and with it, the infection. Lame would live nearly four more decades, dying at age 76 in 1897.

The ambrotype, a popular and cheaper alternative to the daguerreotype in the 1850s, was made by creating a photographic negative on glass. It was then placed on a dark background which showed through the clear parts of the negative, giving it the appearance of a black-and-white photograph.

Lincoln's old friend Gilmer, who was killed leading an Illinois infantry regiment during the Civil War's 1863 Battle of Chickamauga, received one copy of the ambrotype. Now in the collection of the Library of Congress, it had been significantly damaged by amateur attempts at cleaning over the years.

Fischer believes the one given to Lame was a copy made that day. The image is featured in a small oval and enclosed in a leather-bound wooden case 3 inches high by 3 inches wide.

As for the image itself, Fischer quotes an artist and Lincoln historian describing the 49-year-old candidate's leathery appearance, untrimmed hair and cock-eyed necktie.

Hunt, also with the library and museum, sees a man of conviction" while noting that Lincoln would have been exhausted by the campaign trail.

This is the Lincoln that the voters of Illinois would have been familiar with, Hunt said. Not the one we tend to think of today on the $5 bill or in the Daniel Chester French sculpture at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

50 famous firsts from presidential history Presidential milestones over the years 1789: Washington wins unanimously 1800: First White House president 1804: First separate vote for vice president 1806: First child born in the White House 1817: Last of the Founding Fathers 1821: First oath of office to be postponed 1824: First president to lose popular and electoral votes 1825: First son of previous president to serve 1831: First convention to nominate candidates for president 1840: First party platform 1841: First president to die in office 1841: First VP to assume presidency due to death 1844: First dark horse candidate 1850: Last president not a Democrat or Republican 1857: First and only unmarried president 1865: First president to be assassinated 1866: First Congressional override of note 1868: First presidential impeachment 1872: First woman to run for president 1872: First candidate to die before Electoral College meets 1876: First time justices decide an election 1881: Last of the 'log cabin' presidents 1881: First president who was a clergyman 1881: First presidential library 1881: First 'so help me god' 1885: First president to serve separate terms 1901: Youngest president to assume office 1904: First Black American to receive presidential nomination 1909: First president and chief justice 1924: Longest political convention 1928: First Catholic to receive presidential nomination 1933: First four-term president 1956: First televised presidential debate 1960: First Catholic president to win election 1964: First woman to seek Republican nomination 1972: First Black woman to seek nomination 1974: First president never elected to presidency, vice-presidency 1976: First U.S. Naval Academy graduate 1980: First actor to become president 1984: First woman on a presidential ticket 1996: First Democrat to serve a second term since FDR 2000: First presidential race settled by the Supreme Court 2008: First woman to run on Republican ticket 2008: First Black president elected 2016: First president to win on first political run 2016: First woman to win a major party nomination for president 2020: Oldest president to win office 2020: First president to break 75 million votes 2020: First woman of color to be elected VP
Battery Manufacturer Faces $160,727 in OSHA Penalties for Unsafe Lead Levels

The company was previously cited for similar citations in 2018 and 2019.

U.S. Battery Manufacturing of Augusta Inc.an Augusta, Georgia-based battery manufactureris facing $160,727 in penalties following an OSHA investigation that uncovered employees' exposure to hazardous lead levels.

According to a release dated Sept. 27, OSHA identified the extreme lead levels based on personal air monitoring of workers and the lead accumulation on respirators and counters in break areas. Overall, the agency issued two repeat and two serious citations to U.S. Battery Manufacturing of Augusta following inspections that began in May 2023.

OSHA determined the company had inadequate engineering and work practice controls to reduce employees lead exposure as well as a failure to prevent lead accumulation on various surfaces. In addition to having high concentrations of lead, U.S. Battery Manufacturing of Augusta did not ensure employees respirators were cleaned and disinfected regularly.

U.S. Battery is well aware that elevated lead levels can cause debilitating and permanent health issues but once again, our inspectors found the employer failing to protect its workers, OSHA Area Office Director Josh Turner in Atlanta-East said in a statement. OSHAs lead standard requires employers to minimize workers exposure by using engineering controls, safe work practices and clean protective equipment. Employers are legally responsible for meeting this standard.

This is not the companys initial brush with safety violations. Since 2018, OSHA has cited the Augusta facility of U.S. Battery Manufacturing with numerous lead exposure-related violations, including similar offenses in 2018 and 2019. The company now has a 15-day window to comply with the citations, propose an informal conference with OSHA or challenge its findings.
OPECs crude oil production rose by 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) in September from August  the second monthly increase in a row  as higher output in Iran and Nigeria offset the Saudi cuts, the monthly Reuters survey showed on Monday.

All OPEC members produced 27.73 million bpd in September, as Nigeria and Iran boosted production the most, according to the survey based on vessel-tracking data, consultants, and sources at OPEC and oil firms.

Nigeria, which has been lagging behind its quota in the OPEC+ deal, increased its oil production by 110,000 bpd in the absence of major disruptions to exports, the survey found.

Iran, exempted from the OPEC+ cuts due to the U.S. sanctions, saw the second-largest increase in oil output within OPEC and is estimated to have pumped 3.15 million bpd in Septemberthe highest since 2018.

In the middle of August, a senior Iranian government official was quoted as saying that crude oil exports from Iran had gone up to 1.4 million bpd.

Separately, the head of the National Iranian Oil Company has said there were plans to boost oil production to 3.5 million bpd by the end of September.

The rises in Nigerian and Iranian production offset a large part of the cuts from Saudi Arabia, which is estimated to have kept its oil output in line with the pledge to pump around 9 million bpd in September, the Reuters survey found.

September was the second consecutive month in which OPECs crude oil production increased, after a 113,000 bpd rise to 27.45 million bpd in August.

Official OPEC figures for the September production are due out on October 12 in the Monthly Oil Market Report.

This week, on October 4, the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) of the OPEC+ group is meeting to take stock of the oil market developments in recent weeks.

Saudi Arabia has extended its extra 1 million bpd cut until the end of the year, but some analysts have said that the Kingdom could begin easing the cut sooner than oil market participants believe as the worlds top crude oil exporter wouldnt risk demand destruction through too high prices.

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By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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While oil remains vital, supplying almost a third of global energy demand, major oil-exporting countries are diversifying their economies, with Saudi Arabia investing in companies like Uber and WeWork.

Europe has seen a significant drop in oil output over the past 20 years, now contributing only 3% to global supply, largely due to environmental regulations and a shift towards natural gas.

The US produced nearly one-fifth of the worlds oil in 2022, maintaining its top position since 2018.

In 2022 oil prices peaked at more than $100 per barrel, hitting an eight-year high, after a full year of turmoil in the energy markets in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Oil companies doubled their profits and the economies of the biggest oil producers in the world got a major boost.

But which countries are responsible for most of the worlds oil supply? Using data from the Statistical Review of World Energy by the Energy Institute, Visual Capitalist's Pallavi Rao and Christina Kostandi visualized and ranked the worlds biggest oil producers.

Ranked: Oil Production By Country, in 2022

The U.S. has been the worlds biggest oil producer since 2018 and continued its dominance in 2022 by producing close to 18 million barrels per day (B/D). This accounted for nearly one-fifth of the worlds oil supply.

Almost three-fourths of the countrys oil production is centered around five states: Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, Alaska, and Colorado.

We rank the other major oil producers in the world below.

Rank Country 2022 Production (Thousand B/D) YoY Change Share of World Supply 1 U.S. 17,770 +6.5% 18.9% 2 Saudi Arabia 12,136 +10.8% 12.9% 3 Russia 11,202 +1.8% 11.9% 4 Canada 5,576 +3.0% 5.9% 5 Iraq 4,520 +10.2% 4.8% 6 China 4,111 +2.9% 4.4% 7 UAE 4,020 +10.4% 4.3% 8 Iran 3,822 +4.6% 4.1% 9 Brazil 3,107 +3.9% 3.3% 10 Kuwait 3,028 +12.0% 3.2% 11 Mexico 1,944 +0.9% 2.1% 12 Norway 1,901 -6.3% 2.0% 13 Kazakhstan 1,769 -2.0% 1.9% 14 Qatar 1,768 +1.8% 1.9% 15 Algeria 1,474 +8.9% ADVERTISEMENT 1.6% 16 Nigeria 1,450 -11.2% 1.5% 17 Angola 1,190 +1.1% 1.3% 18 Libya 1,088 -14.3% 1.2% 19 Oman 1,064 +9.6% 1.1% 20 UK 778 -11.0% 0.8%

Behind Americas considerable lead in oil production, Saudi Arabia (ranked 2nd) produced 12 million B/D, accounting for about 13% of global supply.

Russia came in third with 11 million B/D in 2022. Together, these top three oil producing behemoths, along with Canada (4th) and Iraq (5th), make up more than half of the entire worlds oil supply.

Meanwhile, the top 10 oil producers, including those ranked 6th to 10thChina, UAE, Iran, Brazil, and Kuwaitare responsible for more than 70% of the worlds oil production.

Notably, all top 10 oil giants increased their production between 20212022, and as a result, global output rose 4.2% year-on-year.

Major Oil Producing Regions in 2022

The Middle East accounts for one-third of global oil production and North America makes up almost another one-third of production. The Commonwealth of Independent Statesan organization of post-Soviet Union countriesis another major regional producer of oil, with a 15% share of world production.

Region 2022 Production(Thousand B/D) YoY Change Share ofWorld Supply Middle East 30,743 +9.2% 32.8% North America 25,290 +5.3% 27.0% CIS 14,006 +0.9% 14.9% Africa 7,043 -3.5% 7.5% Asia Pacific 7,273 -1.4% 7.8% South & CentralAmerica 6,361 7.2% 6.8% Europe 3,131 -8.6% 3.3%

Whats starkly apparent in the data however is Europes declining share of oil production, now at 3% of the worlds supply. In the last 20 years the EUs oil output has dropped by more than 50% due to a variety of factors, including stricter environmental regulations and a shift to natural gas.

Another lens to look at regional production is through OPEC members, which control about 35% of the worlds oil output and about 70% of the worlds oil reserves.

When taking into account the group of 10 oil exporting countries OPEC has relationships with, known as OPEC+, the share of oil production increases to more than half of the worlds supply.

Oils Big Balancing Act

Since its the very lifeblood of the modern economy, the countries that control significant amounts of oil production also reap immense political and economic benefits. Entire regions have been catapulted into prosperity and wars have been fought over the control of the resource.

At the same time, the ongoing effort to pivot to renewable energy is pushing many major oil exporters to diversify their economies. A notable example is Saudi Arabia, whose sovereign wealth fund has invested in companies like Uber and WeWork.

However, the world still needs oil, as it supplies nearly one-third of global energy demand.

By Zerohedge.com

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NASA and energy startup ADC Energy USA, Inc. have jointly published a breakthrough validation of a "new form of energy" that does away with conventional AC/DC power conversion. The two parties have been researching "alternating direct current" (ADC) for 5 years, an AI-enabled, energy technology that makes lossless power transmission possible.

"ADC is the greatest innovation I've seen in my 50-year career," Terry Boston, advisor to The White House and the United States Congress, and former CEO of PJM, gushed when speaking at a keynote speech at the Energy and Mobility Conference & Expo.

"The results of this extensive multi-year endeavor are profound to say the least. The conclusions confirm that ADC is an historical paradigm shift, and most important, ADC is ready to deploy to provide innovative solutions to our global climate and energy crisis, said Henry Lee, CEO of ADC Energy.

This is a revolution at the levels of Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla. ADC has solutions ready right now. And there are substantial opportunities in the near term for breakthroughs such as low voltage, quick EV charging, expanded solar panel generation, and off grid indoor agriculture," Lee added.

The paper notes that the current global energy platform operates on only alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC), invented by Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison more than a century ago. The joint research paper has now validated ADC as a new "hybrid" form of energy, where both AC and DC operate on the same, existing wires thus eliminating the need for wasteful and dangerous energy conversion. Related: Oil Price Rally Meets Resistance Despite Bullish Catalysts

ADC presents unique global energy and climate solutions and is already deploying at lower voltages, with the near-term goal to evolve into high voltage solutions. According to Lee, the ultimate evolution of ADC is a hybrid utility grid operating on existing wires.

Superconductivity At Room Temperature

Scientists have lately been making major breakthroughs that could dramatically lower power transmission losses.

Back in March, scientists made a once-in-a-century breakthrough after researchers created a superconducting material that works at a temperature and pressure low enough that it can not only make our power grids much more efficient but can also be used in everyday applications.

Professor Ranga Dias and his team at the University of Rochester have published a paper titled Evidence of near-ambient superconductivity in a N-doped lutetium hydride. The scientists created a new superconducting material by combining a silvery-white, dense metal called lutetium with hydrogen and nitrogen. They discovered the new material behaves like a superconductor at temperatures as high as 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius) when heated and compressed at a pressure ~10,000 bar. While that pressure sounds insanely high, its actually orders of magnitude lower than the pressure needed for other room-temperature superconductors since the vast majority require pressures in the millions of bars, or something similar to the pressure in the earths core.

If validated, the possibilities here are really exciting, We could magnetically levitate trains above superconducting rails, change the way electricity is stored and transferred and revolutionize medical imaging, Dias told the Wall Street Journal. The U.S. grid loses about 5 percent of all the electricity during transmission, translating into consumers paying $6 billion annually in higher energy bills.

Stanley Tozer, a physicist at Florida State University, told the Wall Street Journal that this pressure is within a range where engineers can jump on and make a commercially viable product.

Electrical Superconductivity was first discovered more than a century ago. Scientists found that mercury that is cooled to nearly absolute zero (or about minus 452 degrees Fahrenheit) exhibited no resistance to the flow of electricity. They also discovered that superconductors expel magnetic fields thus allowing magnets to levitate over them. Since then, researchers have grappled with the challenge of creating a superconductor that works at temperatures and pressures low enough to be of use in real-life practical situations. The discovery by Dias and his team could lead to power grids that are capable of transmitting power seamlessly, saving up millions of megawatt-hours that are currently lost to resistance during transmission through copper and aluminum cables.

Another perk: the new material could also contribute to nuclear fusion, with the world in an arms race to make fusion power a reality for the first time ever.

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Dias superconductor is not the first to work at room temperatures though. In 2015, scientists created a material that acts as a superconductor that works at a very agreeable 94 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, it requires a crazy pressure, about half that of Earths core.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Protesters in Bulgaria blocked roads in three districts for a third day on October 1 in protest of government plans to shut down coal-burning power plants as part of a transition away from fossil fuels and toward green energy sources.

Bulgarian miners and other energy-sector workers who are taking part in the protest declined an invitation from Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov to meet on October 1 with the Council of Ministers in Sofia, union leader Dimitar Manolov said.

Manolov said late on September 30 the protestors' refusal was categorical, and early on October 1 said their position had not changed. The protesters on September 30 also refused a meeting with Energy Minister Rumen Radev.

The local union, which has demanded Radev's resignation, wants an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers "with one item on its agenda -- the withdrawal of the submitted territorial just transition plans," according to state news agency BTA. Although the plans have already been submitted to the European Commission, the union wants them "to be corrected and our demands to be applied."

The Bulgarian government on September 29 adopted the plan for a green transition of the coal-mining regions of Stara Zagora, Pernik, and Kustendi, prompting the protesters to begin blocking roads in the three regions.

Radev announced on September 30 that Bulgaria's plan had been sent to Brussels. Prior to that move, Bulgaria had been the only EU member state that had not sent its plan.

The adoption of the plan was a condition for the European Commission to allocate 1.2 billion euros ($1.27 billion) -- money that would be used for the green transformation of the regions and the creation of new jobs for coal workers.

The plan must include a timetable for reducing the capacities of coal-burning power plants in order to be approved by the European Commission.

Denkov said that the plan clearly stated that the government would not close coal-burning plants in Bulgaria before 2038. He has said however that "gradually some of them will drop out of the energy system because it will not be economically possible for them to function anymore."

Denkov said this was why it is important to "create mechanisms by which people who have the necessary qualifications can find employment in the same region."

The government also agreed to pay compensations of 36 months of salary for energy workers who decide to quit.

Denkov has called on the protesters to stop the demonstrations, saying that their demands have been fulfilled.

But protesting miners and energy workers are dubious and want the plans to be reworked to reflect their demands.

"What we are being offered now is -- take some small change and ruin what you have. This is what we are being offered...to ruin the future for years to come, in fact forever," Manolov told BTA. He claimed that "no one knows" what is written in the territorial plans that have been sent to Brussels.

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Energy workers from a Pernik power plant and miners on October 1 joined the protest to support their colleagues from Stara Zagora. The protesters carried banners and chanted that they wanted to keep their jobs and that the green transition plan is not fair.

They told journalists that if the transition plans are not revised, more serious protest action will follow.

By RFE/RL

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Investments in the Chinese power sector are set to top $13.9 trillion (100 trillion Chinese yuan) by 2060, Xinhua news agency reported on Monday, quoting the State Grid Corporation of China.

China has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 and to see a peak in its carbon emissions by the end of this decade.

The development of a new power system will promote the expansion of the scale of both the power industry and the power market, the Chinese news agency quoted a book published by the State Grid Corporation of China last week.

China is the global leader in renewable energy spending, but its also one of just a few major economies still approving and building coal-fired capacity. Energy security and the need for stable power generation during peak demand to back the growing economy and supply stability precede concerns about emissions.

China has already reached its goal to have more non-fossil fuel installed electricity capacity than fossil fuels earlier than planned, with 50.9% of its power capacity now coming from non-fossil fuel sources. Back in 2021, the Chinese authorities said they would target renewables to outpace fossil fuel-installed capacity by 2025.

China is globally unmatched in renewable energy spending, investing in raising its solar and wind power capacity.

So far this year, renewables have helped to partially offset the crippled supply from hydropower generation due to droughts, but coal has saved the day.

China is relying on coal to avoid blackouts as the economy reopened after the Covid lockdowns. During the first half of this year, coal production, coal imports, and coal-fired electricity generation surged and offset a significant decline in power output at Chinas massive hydropower capacity due to insufficient rainfall and drought.

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During the first half of 2023 alone, China approved more than 50 GW of new coal power, Greenpeace said in a report last month. Thats more than it did in all of 2021, the environmental campaign group added.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Imports of Russian crude oil to India last month posted a substantial increase of 80% on the year, after a dip over the summer.

Citing data from Vortexa, Indian media reported the subcontinent had taken in an average of 1.56 million barrels daily of Urals crude in September, up from 865,000 bpd a year ago. Compared with August, the September import rate was 8% higher.

According to Kpler data, total crude oil imports into India from Russia in September stood at 1.8 million barrels daily, which compared with 977,000 barrels daily a year ago.

Indian refiners have been tacitly lamenting about Urals trading at -$4 per barrel to Brent on a delivered basis, however given the robust pull on Russian crude from China, the differentials on Russian barrels will not be coming down anytime soon. Urals at that price is still $6 a barrel lower than anything term-supplied from the Middle East, Kplers lead crude analyst Viktor Katona said.

LSEG, meanwhile, estimated the average Indian intake of Russian crude for last month at 1.55 million bpd, estimating it represented a 16% increase on August.

Indian refiners also imported more crude from Iraq, with shipments from OPECs second-largest producer in September up by 17% to 1.1 million barrels daily, Reuters reported.

At the same time, oil shipments from Saudi Arabia declined last month, to 676,000 bpd, which was 10% lower than the average for August.

Kplers Katona has forecast that crude oil imports from Russia could rise further in the coming months after the maintenance season ends at the end of this month. This suggests that even at elevated prices, Russian crude remains affordable for Indian refiners, unlike Saudi crude, whose price has been affected by Riyadhs voluntary production cuts.

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I think India will stick to its September levels of buying further on, importing 1.8-1.9 million barrels a day, Katona Indias Financial Express.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Hungarian scientist Katalin Kariko and U.S. colleague Drew Weissman, who met in line for a photocopier before making mRNA molecule discoveries that paved the way for COVID-19 vaccines, won the 2023 Nobel Prize for Medicine on Monday.

"The laureates contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times," the Swedish award-giving body said in the latest accolade for the pair.

The prize, among the most prestigious in the scientific world, was selected by the Nobel Assembly of Sweden's Karolinska Institute medical university and comes with 11 million Swedish crowns (about $1 million) to share between them.

Kariko, a former senior vice president and head of RNA protein replacement at German biotech firm BioNTech, is a professor at the University of Szeged in Hungary and adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

In an interview released by the university after the award, she said her mother had speculated each year that she might win the Nobel - to which she would remind her there was a time when she could not even get a grant for her research.

"She (my mother) said, 'but you work so hard'. And I told her that many, many scientists work very, very hard," she added.

Co-winner Weissman is professor in vaccine research at Pennsylvania. "It's an incredible honour. I think the important thing is that we couldn't have come to the result without both of us being involved," he said.

The two laureates in 2005 jointly developed so-called nucleoside base modifications, which stop the immune system from launching an inflammatory attack against lab-made mRNA, previously seen as a major hurdle against any therapeutic use of the technology.

BioNTech said in June that about 1.5 billion people across the world had received its mRNA shot, co-developed with Pfizer . It was the most widely-used shot in the West.

"Together they have saved millions of lives, prevented severe COVID-19, reduced the overall disease burden and enabled societies to open up again," said Rickard Sandberg, member of the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute.

After a biochemistry doctorate in Szeged, Kariko moved to the U.S. in 1985 with her husband and daughter Susan Francia, who became a U.S. national rowing team member and Olympic gold winner.

At the University of Pennsylvania, she tried to turn mRNA into a treatment tool throughout the 1990s but struggled to win grants because work on DNA and gene therapy captured most of the scientific communitys attention at the time.

Kariko has said she endured ridicule from fellow faculty members for her dogged pursuit, which led to her demotion. Taunting continued, she said, when she joined BioNTech in 2013 because the firm did not even have a website at the time.

Weissman received his doctorate from Boston University in 1987 and joined the University of Pennsylvania in 1997.

The two have said they met in 1998 while waiting for rationed photocopying machine time. The ensuing chat piqued immunologist Weissmans interest in Karikos RNA work.

"Kati Kariko is one of the most inspirational scientists I have met. The ideas that she and Drew Weissman developed were critical for the success of RNA vaccines," said John Tregoning, professor in vaccine immunology at London's Imperial College.

Messenger or mRNA, discovered in 1961, is a natural molecule that serves as a recipe for the bodys production of proteins. Use of man-made mRNA to instruct human cells to make therapeutic proteins, long regarded as impossible, was commercially pioneered during the pandemic, also by Moderna.

The technology breaks from established biotech medicines, generated in complex reactors by genetically modified living cells, then isolated and purified.

Messenger RNA, by contrast, works like a software that can be injected into the body to instruct human cells to churn out the desired proteins. Prospective uses include drugs against cancer and vaccines against malaria, influenza and rabies.

The medicine prize kicks off this year's Nobel awards with the remaining five to be unveiled in coming days.

The prizes, first handed out in 1901, were created by Swedish dynamite inventor and wealthy businessman Alfred Nobel, and are awarded for achievements in science, literature and peace, and in later years also for economics.

Last year's medicine prize went to Swede Svante Paabo for sequencing the genome of the Neanderthal, an extinct relative of present-day humans, and for discovering a previously unknown human relative, the Denisovans.

Other past winners include Alexander Fleming, who shared the 1945 prize for the discovery of penicillin, and Karl Landsteiner in 1930 for his discovery of human blood groups. (Reuters)
OPEC+ continues to work to balance oil markets, cautiously eyeing China growth, the UAE Minister of Energy told a conference just two days ahead of the alliances October 4 ministerial panel meeting.

"Many dynamics are moving on and we hope that the growth in China picks up ... because the whole world economy is dependent on China," UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Al Mazrouei told the Adipec conference.

"My worry is not an undersupplied market in the short term. My worry is an undersupplied market in the longer and mid term, the minister said, as reported by The National News.

The comments come as the World Bank cuts growth estimates for China, the worlds second-largest economy and biggest importer of crude oil. On Monday, the World Bank forecast growth in China at 5.1% for this year, which is well above the 3% in 2022. However, that growth pace has slowed since April due to what the World Bank described in its October economic update as subdued domestic demand and persistent difficulties in the real estate sector.

The concern, shared by OPEC+, is that slower Chinese GDP growth could reduce demand for crude oil.

The World Bank also cut its 2024 China GDP growth projection to 4.4% from 4.8%.

On Sunday, the Caixin/S&P PMI (manufacturing purchasing managers index) showed September PMI falling to 50.6, down from 51.0 in August, with the 50.0 mark being the mid-point between growth and contraction.

In its next ministerial panel meeting on October 4, market watchers are waiting to see whether Saudi Arabia and Russia will make any changes to their current voluntary output cuts of 1.3 million barrels per day.

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Private Pakistani refiner Cnergyico has recently imported the first Russian crude cargo in the private sector in the South Asian country, a company spokesman has told Reuters.

Pakistan has so far imported Russian crude on a government-to-government basis in a trial run of imports with cargoes that arrived in June.

Cnergyicos import of a cargo of the Russian Urals grade is the first purchase of Russian oil from the private Pakistani sector.

The private refiner, which operates Pakistans largest refinery with 156,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity, has consulted sanctions counsel and carried out due diligence to ensure that the purchase doesnt breach the sanctions against Russia, Cnergyicos spokesman told Reuters.

The refiner, which operates about one-third of Pakistans total refining capacity, plans to process the Urals grade into diesel and gasoline for the domestic market and fuel oil for export to generate foreign currency.

Cnergyicos spokesman declined to reveal to Reuters in what currency the deal was made.

In the government-to-government agreement for Russian crude earlier this year, Pakistan paid in Chinese yuan.

Pakistan has been desperate to import energy at low costs after it was outspent on the market last year when oil and gas prices surged while its foreign exchange reserves dwindled. The country has a currency swap with China, which would make it easier to pay for crude than using the little U.S. dollar reserves it has.

We hope that if this becomes a long-term arrangement, itll become a rupee and Chinese currency transaction, Pakistani Minister of Power, Khurram Dastgir Khan, told Bloomberg back in May, commenting on the imports of Russian crude oil.

According to more recent reports, Pakistan is reportedly seeking a better deal with Russia after the trial government-to-government crude purchase agreement was found to be uneconomical, two Pakistani government officials told Nikkei Asia in August.

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By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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South Africa has dismissed an appeal against TotalEnergies offshore drilling plans, allowing the French supermajor to explore for oil and gas in a block off its southwest coast, Reuters reported on Monday, citing a ruling by the environment minister Barbara Creecy.

TotalEnergies has been looking to explore for oil and natural gas in Block 5/6/7, located offshore the southwest coast of South Africa, between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas.

TotalEnergies is proposing to drill up to five offshore wells on the block.

In April, South Africas Department of Mineral Resources and Energy granted environmental authorization to TotalEnergies and its partners to drill in the block. But lobby groups and individuals appealed the decision, asking the minister  who sits as the appellate authority  to void the environmental consent due to climate change, potential oil spills, and a lack of adequate public consultation.

In a ruling dated at the end of September, Minister Creecy wrote, as carried by Reuters, I am therefore satisfied that the impacts of noise and light have been adequately assessed and mitigated to ensure low impacts on the receiving environment. As such this ground of appeal is dismissed.

South Africa is one of TotalEnergies two targeted frontier exploration areas offshore Africathe other one is offshore Namibia, which analysts say could have the potential to become the new Guyana for oil and gas exploration and discoveries.

TotalEnergies and Shell have already made large discoveries offshore Namibia.

TotalEnergies made a significant discovery of light oil with associated gas on the Venus prospect in the Orange Basin early last year. Venus in Namibia could be a giant oil and gas discovery, TotalEnergies said in an investor presentation in September 2022.

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Last year's massive deepwater discoveries, Shells Graff and TotalEnergies Venus, could be transformational for Namibia, the southern neighbor of OPEC member Angola, energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie has said.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Fall refinery maintenance in the United States will see almost 2.5 million barrels per day of capacity taken offline, Bloomberg reports, with more capacity cuts possibly coming early next year.

In what Bloomberg describes as the heaviest maintenance season since before the COVID-19 pandemic, between September and December this year, the U.S. will lose nearly 2.5 million bpd of refining capacity, citing data from Energy Aspects LTD.

That 2.5 million bpd represents an 11% hike in offline capacity compared to the same period in 2022.



Refining capacity reductions come as the Energy Information Administration (EIA) releases data showing that U.S. petroleum product exports hit nearly 6 million bpd in the first half of this year, up 2% from the same period of 2022.

Despite the increase, the EIA notes that petroleum productions grew more slowly in the first half of 2023 than in the first half of 2022, when they quickly rose to meet increased demand in Europe after the region took measures to reduce petroleum product imports from Russia.

Of those increases in H1 2023, propane was the most-exported, averaging 1.5 million barrels per day. For the past four years, the EIA says propane exports have been behind the increases in overall U.S. petroleum product exports, particularly with exports to Asia and secondarily to Central and South America.

At the same time, while oil refining will take a hit during maintenance season, GlobalData has revealed that North America is expected to witness a renewable refinery production capacity of 13,142 million gallons per year in 2027, dominating the renewable refining scene and followed by Europe and Asia.



The global demand for renewable refinery fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel is on the rise. This escalating demand has prompted significant capacity expansions, particularly in regions such as North America, Asia, and Europe, GlobalData oil and gas analyst Bhargavi Gandham said.

By Josh Owens for Oilprice.com

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MONDAY, Oct. 2, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Yoga therapy may improve physical well-being and left ventricular function among heart failure patients on guideline-directed optimal medical therapy, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology Asia 2023 conference, held from Sept. 29 to 30 in Manila, Philippines.

Ajit Singh, Ph.D., from Kasturba Medical College and Hospital in Manipal, India, and colleagues assessed the long-term impact of yoga on heart failure outcomes compared to standard care. The analysis included 75 heart failure patients (New York Heart Association class III or less) who underwent coronary intervention, revascularization, or device therapy within the past six months to one year while continuing guideline-directed optimal medical therapy.

The researchers observed no significant differences between the yoga and standard care group with respect to echocardiographic parameters. However, in both groups, the echocardiographic parameters significantly improved from baseline to six months and one year. Yoga was associated with substantial improvement in functional outcome (New York Heart Association classes) at follow-up.

"This study proves that the addition of yoga therapy to standard medical management of heart failure leads to an improvement in left ventricular systolic function and quality of life in heart failure patients," Singh said in a statement. "Hence, yoga therapy may improve physical well-being and left ventricular function among heart failure patients on guideline-directed optimal medical therapy."
The 16-year-old boy shot and killed over the weekend was a junior at Omaha Burke High School, according to a statement from the school.

LaMarintae Swift was one of six people shot during a birthday party near 24th and Decatur Streets in the early hours of Sunday morning. The five other people injured, all adults, are expected to survive. An initial report from police had a different spelling of Swifts first name.

In a letter sent to Burke High families, administrators extended heartfelt sympathy to Swifts family and encouraged parents to talk with their students about the grieving process. Counselors were available for students throughout the school day Monday, according to the letter.

According to Omaha Police Department Chief Deputy Tom Schaffer, police were called to a shooting at a large after hours gathering around 2:30 a.m. at a building near 24th and Decatur Streets. Schaffer said about 100 people had gathered for a 30th birthday party inside and outside the building, which was often rented out for parties and other events.

Police believe Swift was shot outside and then walked inside, where he was found by paramedics. The five other victims were located both inside and outside, with some people sustaining injuries after bullets penetrated the walls.

Swift was transported to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Schaffer declined to comment on the specific injuries he sustained.

The five other people shot and injured  John Boston, 32, Dionta Walker, 34, Ladayshianae Jones, 25, Miriah Watson, 31, and Andrea Smith, 33  are expected to survive.

No arrests had been made as of Monday afternoon.

Schaffer said police want to speak with anyone who was at the party that night, even if they dont think they have any notable information. He also discouraged people from taking matters into their own hands as police work to identify suspects.

What we are trying to prevent in this particular case is any senseless retaliation, Schaffer said. That doesnt get us anywhere. It just leads to more trauma in the community.
Temperatures, raindrops and leaves are forecast to fall this week  but not until after one more day of summerlike weather.

Its going to be a fairly mild week except for Tuesday, Brennen Darrah, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Valley, said Sunday. A storm system will move through (central and eastern Nebraska) Tuesday with the possibility of severe weather.

Monday, however, will feature a slew of high temperatures in the low 90s from Grand Island to Omaha. The average high temperature for this time of year in Omaha is 77, with lows typically at 50 degrees.

Darrah said storms are expected to move into central Nebraska on Tuesday morning and arrive in Omaha in the evening. The most likely time for showers and possibly severe weather in Omaha will be between 6 pm. and 11 p.m., he said.

The high on Tuesday in Omaha is going to be about 82 degrees, with 77 forecast for Norfolk, Darrah said. The main risks later for severe weather are from strong winds and possibly quarter-size hail.

The forecast calls for the rest of the week in eastern Nebraska to be dry. Chances for rain, though slight, will remain in the southeast corner of Nebraska and in southwest Iowa on Tuesday, he said.

Winds shifting to the west and then northwest will push in cooler conditions on Wednesday morning. Highs on Wednesday are forecast to be only in the upper 60s to low 70s.

Thursdays high temperatures for Omaha and Lincoln is predicted to stall out around 70 degrees. It will be slightly cooler to the north where Norfolk is expected to see a high of 68.

Temperatures should be falling well below average Friday across eastern Nebraska. The prediction is for a high of 66 in Omaha, 65 in Lincoln and 63 in Norfolk, Darrah said.

The temperatures Friday night into Saturday are expected to tumble into the 30s. A low of 39 is called for in Omaha and Lincoln, while Norfolk is expecting a low of 36.

Overnight lows are going to be in the upper 30s through the weekend, Darrah said. The highs Saturday and Sunday in Omaha will be in the low 60s.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of September 2023
A 62-year-old Texas man is in jail in Lincoln after he accidentally shot his 12-year-old grandson Saturday evening at a wedding west of Denton, Nebraska, according to Lancaster County sheriffs deputies.

Michael Gardner of Odessa, Texas, was set to officiate the wedding at Hillside Events and, in an attempt to gather the crowds attention, planned to fire a blank from his revolver into the air around 5 p.m. Saturday, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said.

But when Gardner cocked back the hammer of his Pietta 1860 snub nose revolver, it slipped, Houchin said, sending a projectile into his grandsons shoulder.

The 12-year-old, also from Texas, was taken by ambulance from 12400 W. Denton Road to a Lincoln hospital before being moved to Childrens Hospital in Omaha, Houchin said. His injuries arent thought to be life-threatening.

Houchin said Gardner had made his own blank round, putting black powder into a .45-caliber casing and gluing it closed.

What we believe is the glue is what injured the child, Houchin said.

Deputies seized the handgun and the spent casing, he said.

Gardner turned himself in to authorities Monday morning at the Lancaster County Jail, where he was arrested on suspicion of felony child abuse, a charge usually reserved for intentional injuries.

Houchin said the extent of the boys injuries and the use of a firearm led deputies to seek the felony charge. Gardner hasnt yet been charged with a crime, but he is expected to make his initial court appearance Monday afternoon.

Its just kind of neglectful to take a gun out, that has blanks, and fire it amongst people, Houchin said.
Two Tecumseh State Prison staff members were seriously injured when an inmate allegedly struck them in the face with his head.

The reported assault happened on Saturday afternoon when staff members were conducting a random cell search, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. After being removed from his cell, the inmate allegedly used his head to strike the staff members. Staff members restrained the inmate and removed him from the area.

One staff member had a broken nose, while a second staff member had a mild concussion. Both were treated at a hospital.

An investigation has been launched, and findings will be presented to the Johnson County Attorneys Office for possible prosecution.
LINCOLN  In the three months that petitioners have circulated across Nebraska looking for support for an effort to repeal a new tax credit law, campaigns both for and against the initiative have raised more than $3 million between them.

Support Our Schools Nebraska, the group issuing the petition, outraised its opponent by bringing in over $1.7 million in that period, according to its latest financial statements. The opposing group, Keep Kids First, brought in more than $1.4 million  roughly doubling its contributions in the last month before the petitions deadline.

Support Our Schools launched its campaign in early June intending to put the repeal of Legislative Bill 753 on the 2024 ballot. On the petitions deadline Aug. 30, the group submitted more than 117,000 signatures to the Nebraska Secretary of States Office, giving it a good chance of meeting the requirement to get the question on the ballot.

LB 753 will provide dollar-for-dollar tax credits for individuals and entities making donations to scholarship funds intended to help students attend private and parochial schools. Under the bill, $25 million will be available for credits in 2024, with the same amount available for the next two years. After that, the limit for credits will grow to a maximum of $100 million per year.

The largest contribution to Support Our Schools came from the National Education Association, the largest labor union in the U.S., representing public school employees. The NEA made an $800,000 donation early on and has contributed $862,000 overall so far.

Support Our Schools also has brought in large sums from local groups backing the campaign, including over $470,000 from the Nebraska State Education Association and roughly $131,000 from the OpenSky Policy Institute.

Between late July and the end of September, the campaign also collected a sizeable amount of donations from individuals. That included a $20,000 contribution from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Professor John Woollam and $2,500 from State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln.

Keep Kids First also garnered an array of individual contributions from notable Nebraskans, including $100,000 from Gov. Jim Pillen, $25,000 from former governor and current U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, and $150,000 from major GOP donors Thomas and Shawn Peed.

It also has benefited from donations from national groups, including roughly $660,000 from the American Federation for Children, which promotes school choice through a variety of state funding programs.

LB 753s introducer, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area, said Keep Kids First officials anticipated Support Our Schools would bring in a lot of money from national sources. When that was confirmed in their first financial statements, she said their campaign put more energy into fundraising to remain competitive.

In the final month before the petitions deadline, Keep Kids First brought in about $700,000 of its total contributions, making up just under half of the $1.4 million it has collected so far. Support Our Schools, by comparison, brought in about $420,000 of its $1.7 million, according to the latest filings covering late July through the end of September.

Both groups have spent the majority of the funding theyve raised so far. Support Our Schools ended the latest period with just under $60,000 at hand, while Keep Kids First had about $63,000.

LB 753 supporters commonly argue that the bill is necessary to allow families  particularly those of lower income  to have a range of educational opportunities to best suit their childrens needs.

Linehan has tried to pass similar measures in the Legislature for the past five years to no avail. Public school teachers have opposed such proposals, arguing that they deplete funding for public education and will primarily benefit Nebraskas wealthiest residents.

Linehan has strongly pushed back against these comments, noting that lawmakers also approved increases to state funding for public schools in the same session that passed LB 753. She and other Keep Kids First officials have repeatedly said Support Our Schools spread misinformation about the bill, and Linehan said much of their campaigns expenditures focused on correcting it.

That was not a fair debate, Linehan said.

Support Our Schools officials did not respond to a request for comment.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of September 2023
How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region.

100 years ago

Oct. 2, 1923: An Associated Press dispatch told of the death in Manila of Col. Henry Bayard McCoy, whose early home was in Bloomington and who has been in public life in the Philippine islands since the time of the Spanish War. His death was caused by apoplexy. Born in Carlinville, McCoy served as a colonel of volunteer infantry in the Spanish-American War and was formerly a collector of customs for the islands.

75 years ago

Oct. 2, 1948: In a ripple of jumpiness following a Peoria County indictment of the state's attorney and sheriff, according to the Associated Press and Bloomington sources, the word has gotten around that "all bets are off"  at least until after the November election. State's Attorney Clifford N. Coolidge and Sheriff Curtis N. Gilberts said that, to the best of their knowledge, to gambling houses are operating in Bloomington today. Slot machines, too, are out.

50 years ago

Oct. 2, 1973: Normal will step into the wet arena on Oct. 4 with its first liquor stores in 38 years. The Convenient Food Mart, 509 Raab Rd., and National Liquors of Normal, 711 N. Main, were granted the town's first package licenses.

25 years ago

Oct. 2, 1998: Normal Public Works employees will be plowing in style this winter thanks to the efforts of about 26 students in Michele Bell's Positive Life Skills classes at Parkside Junior High School. Armed with paint and paintbrushes, the students worked over two days to decorate the front of the plows with characters such as Odie and Garfield, Daffy Duck and the Tasmanian Devil.
Electric vehicle startup Rivian is continuing to ramp up its manufacturing output as the company prepares to begin vertical construction on its $5 billion factory an hour east of Atlanta.

The California-based company, which employs more than 7,000 at its manufacturing operations in Normal, said Monday it assembled 16,304 plug-in vehicles during the three months that ended in September, up about 17% compared to the second quarter of this year. The company also delivered 15,564 vehicles during this years third quarter, a 23% increase from the prior three months.

Compared to the same three months last year, Rivians production figure was up 121%.

Rivian affirmed its goal to assemble 52,000 vehicles by the end of the year. So far this year, it has manufactured 39,691 vehicles, meaning Rivian will surpass its goal if it continues its pace from the most recent quarter.

Overall, EV sales have continued to grow this year, although at slower rates than industry experts initially predicted.

Cox Automotive reported last week EV sales were on track to make up 8% of new auto sales by the end of September. Tesla continues to dominate the EV sector, with a market share of about 60%. Rivian ranks fifth behind other established auto brands Chevrolet, Ford and Hyundai.

Rivian debuted as a public company in 2021 with one of the biggest American initial public offerings ever. As a startup learning to master the intricacies mass production, it was largely expected that Rivian would burn through billions of dollars as it perfected its operations.

The maker of the R1T truck, R1S SUV and electric delivery vans for Amazon sustained production issues through much of 2022. Pandemic-influenced supply chain kinks for microchips and other materials hampered Rivian. In addition, the EV startup has faced mounting pressure and competition from incumbents like Tesla, General Motors, Ford and others.

Rivian ended the second quarter with $10.2 billion in cash reserves, despite losing roughly $1.2 billion from April to June. The company also reported $1.1 billion in revenue during that time, a 208% increase from the same quarter a year prior.

Rivian said it expects to expand production in Illinois in 2024 and reach profitability late that year.

The company announced on Monday it will release its third-quarter financial result Nov. 7 before holding a call with investors.

The future Rivian EV plant near Social Circle is Georgias second-largest economic development recruitment in state history. In late 2021, Rivian announced plans to build a massive factory in southern Walton and Morgan counties. In exchange for the factory and 7,500 promised jobs, the state and local officials offered Rivian an incentive package valued at $1.5 billion.

The Rivian site is currently being graded, but vertical construction has yet to begin and no ceremonial groundbreaking has taken place. The factory is expected to open in 2025 and begin manufacturing a new line of Rivian crossovers in 2026. State and local officials last week amended their economic agreement with Rivian to reflect the delayed construction timeline.

We continue to work closely with the state and our local and regional partners as we approach our formal groundbreaking and start of construction, Rivian said in a statement last week.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Cox Automotive are both owned by Cox Enterprises, which owns about a 4% stake in Rivian.

Photos: Rivian Automotive Rivian Electric Vehicles Rivian Electric Vehicles Rivian Electric Vehicles Rivian Electric Vehicles Rivian Electric Vehicles Rivian Electric Vehicles Rivian Electric Vehicles Rivian Electric Vehicles Rivian Electric Vehicles Rivian Electric Vehicles Rivian Electric Vehicles Rivian Electric Vehicles Rivian Electric Vehicles Rivian Electric Vehicles Rivian Electric Vehicle Rivian Electric Vehicle Rivian Electric Vehicle Rivian
DALZELL  The 76-year-old man was sitting at his kitchen table one Tuesday morning in June when he lost consciousness and fell to the floor.

A few blocks away, Alex Justis emergency pager went off. The 24-year-old firefighter and paramedic is one of only six people who make up Dalzells volunteer-run fire department, and one of only two who lives in the town of about 660 residents in north-central Illinois, near Starved Rock State Park.

Justi raced to the station, jumped in an engine and drove, solo, to the mans house. Once there, he quickly realized the man wasnt breathing. Justi placed a device over the mans nose and mouth and manually pumped oxygen into his lungs, continuing for at least five minutes until first responders from a neighboring town arrived to help.

The man survived. But, Justi reluctantly acknowledged, the outcome could have been different.

If somebody wasnt breathing for him, he would have been dead by the time the ambulance showed up, Justi said.

That was when we realized that we need some help here.

Just over half of all firefighters in the United States are estimated to be volunteers: men and women who, like Justi, leave their homes and jobs at any moment to respond to house fires and car crashes, medical emergencies and natural disasters.

In Illinois, about two-thirds of the states roughly 1,100 fire departments rely almost entirely on volunteers.

And, with few exceptions, those departments are running out of volunteers.

The fluctuating ranks of volunteer departments make it difficult to accurately track the losses. But fire chiefs across Illinois say theyre facing historic staffing lows.

In Dalzell, the roster of six should be 16 to be fully staffed, said Chief Tom Riordan. Over in Divernon, in central Illinois, Chief Randy Rhodes said hes lost eight volunteers just in the past two years. And the bylaws for the Galena Fire Department, billed as the states oldest, cap volunteer membership at 62. Theyve got 24, Chief Bob Conley said.

The alarming shortages come amid increased service demands driven by rising medical calls attributed largely to the states growing senior population.

As a result, departments are increasingly relying on surrounding agencies to aid in their emergency responses, while some chiefs have tapped into federal grant dollars to pay for part-time help to augment their aging rosters of existing volunteers.

Its going to become very critical, very shortly, said Kevin Schott, an Illinois Firefighters Association board member. The county and the state are going to need to look at this because the public safety is going to be impacted.

Firefighting organizations and some state lawmakers have tried over the years to address the dearth of volunteers, offering tax breaks and other incentives aimed at buoying department ranks.

Those efforts have thus far found little success. And some department leaders fear the worst is yet to come.

If nothing changes, fire chiefs in Dalzell and elsewhere say theyll no longer have enough people to answer medical calls, ceding that responsibility to neighboring agencies or private ambulance services. Other departments are looking at mergers as a way to hopefully prolong their survival.

All this could put hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents in the dangerous position of having to wait longer for help to arrive.

A lot of people think when they call 911, help is going to be there, said Jim Gielow, chief of the volunteer fire department in Pinckneyville, in southern Illinois. They may not realize one day that wont be the case.

A long tradition, a slow decline

It wasnt always like this.

Veteran fire chiefs wax nostalgic about decades past when the volunteer fire service thrived, ensconced in a centuries-old tradition (Ben Franklin is credited with creating the model with his Union Fire Company in Philadelphia) and encapsulated in a 1931 The Saturday Evening Post cover illustration by famed artist and chronicler of Americana, Norman Rockwell.

They had full rosters and waiting lists back then. They had generations of the same last names in their ranks, and high school explorer programs, like internships, that infused their departments with a youthful energy.

The residents of those communities, meanwhile, enjoyed fire protection without the costs of salaries and benefits, which freed up tax dollars for police and parks and roads.

The system worked, until it didnt.

To be clear, the long, steady decline of the volunteer fire service isnt unique to Illinois. Headlines across the country tell similar stories of depleted ranks

In 1995, there were an estimated 838,000 volunteer firefighters in America, according to figures from the National Fire Protection Association.

Twenty-five years later, that number fell to 676,900.

The ratio of volunteers per 1,000 people dropped by nearly 25% in that same time, estimates show.

There are plenty of explanations for the downfall.

One obvious factor is Illinois shrinking population. The state lost a little over 104,000 residents between 2021 and 2022, U.S. Census Bureau estimates show. The losses were felt in all but 11 of the 102 counties.

Some chiefs believe the sense of community pride and civic duty that once motivated people to volunteer has vanished.

It just seems to be getting harder and harder to get the younger generation to step up and donate their time, said Eric Lancaster, fire chief in the central Illinois town of Girard, population 1,785. Its definitely been a struggle. And it is definitely getting worse.

And while its true that volunteerism has generally fallen over the last decades, a report earlier this year from the U.S. Census and AmeriCorps found that Illinois was one of only two states (Wyoming the other) that did not see a drop in the percentage of Americans who formally volunteered with organizations between 2017 and 2021 (Illinois formal volunteering percentage went from 28.1% to 28.3% in that time).

Changing economic conditions also play a role. Families are increasingly unable to survive on one income. And with fewer job opportunities in rural communities most dependent on volunteer firefighters, people are forced to travel farther to work for employers who arent always as willing to let their staff answer emergency calls.

Then theres the simple reality that being a volunteer firefighter is demanding on the person and their families. Emergency pagers can go off during family dinners and at 2 a.m., on Christmas morning and at a school recital.

There were times I missed things, said Lt. Chris Garza, 48, a father of two who has volunteered with the Galena department for the past 13 years. And you cant get those moments back. But I know Im helping somebody when theyre having the worst day possible.

Others say the training requirements have made the volunteer fire service a hard sell. A basic firefighter certification can take around 180 hours to obtain, and though volunteer firefighters arent required to be certified, they do have to be trained to the state standard.

That means departments typically ask their members to attend weekly training sessions, usually one night a week.

Emergency medical training, also not required, can take another six months, and is often crucial given that medical calls account for about 70% of the incidents Illinois fire departments respond to each year.

Guys get burned out after a while, said Pinckneyvilles chief, Gielow. Theyre a little more on edge, working their full-time jobs and running a bunch of calls. Its hard on their personal lives. It all kind of adds up.

We cant let off the accelerator

On the last Monday of July, about 30 members of the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company gathered for a weekly training exercise. In this particular session, they wore full protective gear, face masks and oxygen tanks strapped to their backs, and waited for their turns to go inside an abandoned motel to rescue one of their own from a room filled with smoke billowing from a machine.

There was Vinh Lu, 50, a freelance film location scout and father who started volunteering with the fire department nearly five years ago because, like his military service, it gave him the chance to be part of something bigger.

Richard Arehart, 49, wanted to be a firefighter as a kid but instead became a banker. Nearly three years ago, he saw an online ad looking for volunteers and moved his family to Glen Ellyn so he could make his childhood dream come true.

Clare Doran, 53, went to a department open house seven years ago thinking shed file paperwork or tidy up the office, only to realize the ask was to be a firefighter.

I was like, I dont think thats a good idea. I dont think I could carry anybody out, Doran remembered. And chief said, well teach you. And they taught me.

The west suburban fire department is one of the few in the Chicago area that still relies almost entirely on volunteers. And with about 60 members, its thus far managed to avoid the shortages that have plagued other volunteer departments. About 35 people showed up to a recruitment open house earlier this month, said Matt Andris, second assistant chief. Seven submitted applications to join, with more expected.

I cant put a finger on why were successful other than really hard work, Andris said.

There are, of course, other contributing factors.

For one, the village has a separate, paid ambulance service. That means fire department volunteers arent required to go through more intensive emergency medical training, nor are they faced with the added strain of answering medical calls, which state data show have climbed by 35% in the last decade.

Unlike in rural parts of the state, Glen Ellyns 28,000 residents offer a large pool of potential volunteers, plenty of whom work in professions with flexible schedules that allow them more opportunity to donate their time. Some department members volunteer elsewhere. Doran, for example, volunteers with four other community groups.

The department also hired a Glen Ellyn-based marketing company to lead its recruitment efforts, which include targeted mailers, Google ad campaigns and volunteer profiles posted on the departments website.

We cant let off the accelerator, Chief Chris Clark said. We have to continue to recruit the way we do. Thats just a fact for any volunteer organization.

The bigger conversation is coming at us

For the volunteer fire service to survive, recruitment needs to be the focus of every person in the department, said Steve Hirsch, a volunteer firefighter in Kansas and chair of the National Volunteer Fire Council.

Thats our success, he said. Its all those who wear red helmets out there recruiting friends and bringing names to us all the time.

Departments also need to make sure their recruitment efforts are geared toward women and people of color, two groups that have historically been underrepresented in the fire service.

Weve not done a good job of recruiting in those communities, Hirsch said of the fire service. Youre overlooking half your population.

It also takes money. The federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program offers departments money for recruitment, retention and hiring. Since 2015, a little over 70 fire departments in Illinois received SAFER grants totaling close to $55 million.

Some departments use those federal dollars to pay volunteers a small stipend based on the number of calls they answered. Others have spent the money on part-time firefighters to answer calls during weekday hours when volunteer availability is especially limited.

Even Glen Ellyn, with its 60-member roster, still needs to augment its volunteer force by paying contractors to staff a fire engine during those hours.

But for some, the moneys not enough. They exist on fundraisers  50/50 raffles, cookouts and craft fairs. They drive used fire engines donated by more fortunate peers and wear protective gear they cant afford to replace despite it being too old by state standards.

Near the Quad Cities, the Colona Fire Department had hoped a federal grant could help it hire two people to cover daytime shifts in the town of 5,300 residents. Even with the money, the department couldnt do it, Chief John Swan said.

Wed have to pick up the tab after three years, and we cant afford to do it, said Swan, who noted that the department tried and failed last year to persuade residents to pass a tax increase to pay for daytime help.

I have people in the department who are in their 50s and 60s that have to stay on because theres no one available in the daytime, he continued. The public doesnt understand. It just does not seem to sink in.

Elected leaders in Springfield have passed bills in recent years aimed at giving volunteer departments a lift. One bill allowed volunteers to buy discounted tires for their personal vehicles at a government-discounted rate; another protects volunteers from being fired if theyre late to work or absent because of an emergency call.

This session, they passed a $500 tax credit for volunteer firefighters and a bill that allows state employees to leave work to attend firefighter training.

Some of these bills look gimmicky, said state Sen. Patrick Joyce, D-Essex, who sponsored the training bill. But you have to throw something out there as a benefit. The bigger conversation is coming at us, and its going to be a lot of money.

Lawmakers could pull from ideas generated 20 years ago, when Illinois fire department leaders and a bipartisan group of House members released separate reports on how to preserve the future of the states fire service.

Among the recommendations: Pass pensionlike legislation. Establish a life insurance and disability plan for volunteers. Create a scholarship program for volunteers and their families to attend Illinois universities and community colleges. Develop an incentive program for employers when their employees need to leave to answer emergency calls.

I think youre going to have a handful of firefighter bills every session from here to the end of time, Joyce said. You chip away at it and you try to address it.

A dying tradition

Their efforts might not be enough to save what Justi, the assistant chief in Dalzell, called a dying tradition.

In Peoria Heights, trustees in the town of 5,900 have been embroiled in an ongoing debate over the future of their volunteer fire department, which, like many, is short on volunteers.

After significant public pushback, trustees recently backtracked on a plan to offset that shortage by contracting help from the neighboring Peoria Fire Department, staffed by career firefighters.

What they do next will depend on whomever is picked as the next fire chief, said Matt Wigginton.

Theres a lot of identity wrapped up in a local fire department, Wigginton said. But overarching, the biggest concern is public safety. At what point does that identity and nostalgia run up against public safety?

Illinois already has a model program, called the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS for short), that instantly dispatches help from neighboring fire departments when needed. Some fire chiefs think that system will become increasingly necessary for every call, no matter the severity.

As much as anybody hates to have to call out to assist, I see it happening more and more now, said Lancaster, the fire chief in Girard.

Others see a future where volunteer departments merge with their neighbors, hoping the combination of resources could free up enough money to pay people to offset dwindling volunteers.

But Swan, the chief in Colona, fears department consolidation will lead to longer response times.

Colona has a roster of 17 volunteers, Swan said, well below the 32 needed to be considered fully staffed.

If nothing changes, there will be calls where we dont show, said Swan, who also serves as past president of the Illinois Firefighters Association.

Its already happened, he said, medical calls at night that his department couldnt answer because there was no one to respond.

We have an ambulance backup, but minutes count, he said.

If nothing changes in Divernon, Chief Rhodes said his department could no longer have the ability to respond to emergency medical calls. Those would then fall to neighboring towns and private ambulance services, both of which are also facing paramedic shortages.

A few high school seniors have expressed an interest in taking emergency medical classes and volunteering at the department. But that wouldnt be until next summer, he said, and we dont know if we could hold it until then.

Back in Dalzell, the forecast looks no better.

Two hospitals in the area closed this year  one in Peru, the other in Spring Valley  and the fallout has hit Dalzell and surrounding departments hard, exacerbating their staffing woes as ambulance crews are now tied up with longer transport times to and from hospitals.

Riordan, the fire chief, said they, too, might have to abandon medical calls.

Its the first thing thats going to stop, he said. To be blunt, people are going to die because theres nobody to take care of them.

On a Thursday night in August, all six department members sat around a table in the fire station (also village hall) while Justi led a training on how to identify the types of hazardous materials that could be carried in the semitrailer trucks that lumber along Interstate 80 at the towns northern border.

Unfortunately, were not able to really mitigate the incident, he told them. Our job is to pretty much protect ourselves and everybody else that hasnt been involved yet.

All six said they were concerned about the departments future and perplexed that no one in town seemed to care about the dire circumstances it faced.

Its really rough, said Chris Mason, 44, a lieutenant whos been with the department for nearly 17 years. Theres not enough people to do anything.

Later, they drove two fire engines and a water tanker truck  two of the three donated from other departments  to the elementary school parking lot to test hoses and engine pumps.

The first fire engine they tested, built in 1989, barely pumped water into its 500-gallon tank. It could be an easy fix, they hoped. If not, it could cost a few thousand dollars, money they can barely afford to spend.

During the testing, a man who lived nearby walked up to a few of the members. Hed been a volunteer years earlier but was asked to leave, he said, for missing too many training sessions.

He blamed his work schedule at the time. Now, standing in the grass as water sprayed from a fire hose attached to a nearby hydrant, he blamed the testing for turning the water at his house a funny color.

He asked them to stop, then turned and left.

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
Many Americans drowning in debt did not get there by spending irresponsibly on televisions, cars or pricey goodies. Medical bills have become the largest source of debt in collections  more than credit cards, utilities and auto loans combined  which is why the Biden administrations plan to keep unpaid medical bills from affecting a persons credit score would be a life-altering change for millions.

The administration announced a major initiative in September to craft federal rules barring unpaid medical bills from affecting patients credit scores. If enacted, the changes would potentially help tens of millions of people by removing information on credit reports that can make it harder for Americans to get a job, rent an apartment or secure a loan.

One in 3 U.S. adults has medical debt, which between 2009 and 2020 became the largest source of debt Americans owed collections agencies, totaling at least $140 billion, according to research published in 2021 by the Journal of the American Medical Association. That $140 billion doesnt include all medical bills owed to health care providers, only the outstanding debt held by collection agencies. Some 11 million Americans have medical debt above $2,000, according to a survey by health policy research group KFF of all outstanding medical debt, including medical bills put on credit cards. Three million people have debts above $10,000.

For many, its a financial hole that only sinks further as they confront more complex medical problems.

Medical debt is unlike any other consumer spending. Unlike buying products from retailers, health care providers usually provide little if any upfront detail of what a procedure will cost. Patients seeking treatment are often bounced between physicians, specialists, clinics and labs, without any clear menu of prices along the way. And Americans seeking emergency treatment are hardly in a position to comparison shop.

In other words, this type of debt doesnt necessarily reflect reckless spending, but the opaqueness of Americas health care system, where prices are shaped through Byzantine formulas involving insurers, their networks, discounts, copays and deductibles.

Debt included on a credit score is meant to signal a persons monetary fitness  and, by extension, their financial trustworthiness. Low scores can limit a persons job and housing prospects, and medical debt in particular can discourage some from seeking further health care. ...

Yet research shows that owing medical debt is not a reliable predictor of a persons overall financial steadiness. Indeed, many with medical debt are merely struggling to manage their health concerns within a system that makes price-shopping virtually impossible. Not surprisingly, women shoulder a disproportionate burden of medical debt  likely related to childbirth expenses  as do Black Americans, who report carrying nearly twice the debt of white or Hispanic adults. Americans are also more likely to have significant medical debt if they live in rural areas or in one of the 10 states (including Florida) that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Removing these bills from credit reports wont erase the debt. Rather, it keeps collectors from weaponizing the information to further harm consumers who typically never sought to incur this expense in the first place. Of course, the details matter, and well reserve judgment as the administration develops the rules over the coming year. But this measure is a well-intentioned response to a crisis facing millions and a welcome signal to the health care industry to make medical costs more transparent.
Three years ago, as the world grappled with the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vodafone Ghana introduced a relief measure for its customers.



The initiative ensured that all Vodafone Cash users could enjoy seamless money transfers without any associated fees.



It was a testament to Vodafone Ghanas unwavering commitment to the financial well-being and inclusion of its customers.



Philip Amoateng, Director of Vodafone Cash, remarked, This was our way of tangibly demonstrating our lifelong commitment to our customers financial well-being and inclusion during the pandemic.



In a market where customers were accustomed to paying a 1% fee on all transactions, Vodafone Cash users enjoyed zero charges on all their transactions, even across networks.



Even after the introduction of the e-levy on May 1, 2022, transactions on Vodafone Cash remained free. Vodafone Cash customers only needed to pay a 1.5 percent E-Levy fee.



Maame Adwoa, a small business owner in Accra, shared her experience: It was such a relief, especially during the pandemic. I had to move most of my business online, and not having to worry about those extra charges really helped.



In the face of global economic challenges, the telco now seeks to cover rising operational costs while still providing affordable services to its customers. While this chapter concludes, Vodafone Ghanas dedication to its customers remains unshaken, Philip Amoateng asserts. He explained that the company is poised to introduce its new Vodafone Cash proposition starting 3rd October 2023.



The new Vodafone Cash proposition ensures that Vodafone to Vodafone transactions remain free. However, Vodafone Cash will charge 0.5% for transfers across networks, explained Philip. Even with the introduction of these charges, Vodafone continues to offer unparalleled value, especially when sending money from Vodafone Cash to other networks.



Philip Amoateng further elaborated on the new proposition, stating, Our customers will continue to enjoy the best value with Vodafone Cash. We encourage everyone to trust Vodafone Cash for its convenience, reliability, transparency, and commitment to providing the best value in the market.



Those looking to sign up for Vodafone Cash can simply text Register to 558 or dial *558# for self-registration. Customers can also visit any mobile money agent or Vodafone retail shop for assistance.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A humanitarian surgeon and the Medical Director of the Sage Medical Center, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has appealed to the government to remove taxes on consumables used for dialysis to help institutions offering the treatment to reduce prices for patients.



The double boarded-certified surgeon, whose facility is a foremost dialysis center in the country, said taxes on consumables such as dialyser, introducer needle, arteriovenous fistula needle, blood tubing set and transducer protector, helped to increase the cost of treatment which was often passed on to patients through higher prices.



Speaking to the media on recent revelations on the rising cost of dialysis in the country, Dr Ayensu-Danquah, who is also a member of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Advisory Team for Vaccines and Biological products, described the development as unfortunate.



She empathized with the current plight of kidney failure patients but noted that one of the surest solutions was to remove tariffs on consumable imports so that more can be shipped into the country for the benefit of renal patients at an affordable price.



The price of consumables is tied to the US dollar rate and any depreciation in the cedi means prices will increase, making it costly for facilities such as Sage to import.



This does not only make it harder for existing facilities to operate but it denies other investors from setting up to make prices competitive for patients, the National Democratic Congress parliamentary candidate for the Essikado-Ketan in the Western Region said.



NHIA



Dr Ayensu-Danquah also recommended that the National Health Insurance Scheme be made to cover dialysis procedures as well as the treatment for kidney patients in Ghana.



She said the scheme, which is operated by the National Health Insurance Authority, could allow patients to make part payment under a co-pay policy.



Contributions



In line with her medical philanthropy, Dr Ayensu-Danquah, who is also a Professor of Medicine at the Center for Global Surgery at the University of Utah in the United States and a lecturer at the University of Cape Coast Medical School, uses her charity works to provide free medical supplies and equipment to clinics and hospitals in rural areas.



Although a private hospital, the Sage Medical Centre at East Legon, opposite Ampomah Hotel, has a vision to bring affordable kidney care to the doorstep of all Ghanaians to help save lives.



Kidney failure prevalence



The PMC PubMed Central, estimates the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD)  reduced function of the kidneys  to estimated to be between 10 per cent and 13 per cent globally and 13.9 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa.

In Ghana, CKD prevalence has been estimated at around 13.3 per cent.



For kidney patients, dialysis is a must to prolong live.



She is a gender, humanitarian Surgeon advocate, educationist, and philanthropist. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and a Medical Degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. The double boarded-certified surgeon also holds a Masters degree in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins University in Maryland.



Dr Ayensu-Danquah



Dr Ayensu-Danquah worked in private practice in the United States before relocating back to Ghana to help impact lives. She holds licenses to practice in California and Michigan and is a fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.



She is also a board member of Days for Girls International Ghana.



Upon her return to Ghana, she helped to establish the Sage Medical Center to help bring respite to kidney patients upon noticing the gap in dialysis care.



The center boosts of modern state-of-the-art medical facilities, with cutting edge technology and equipment that facilitate pin-point diagnostic accuracy as well as effective treatment and management of all kidney problems.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Leader of Ghanas delegation to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, has condemned military coups that overthrow democratically elected leaders in the sub region.



He said there should not be any rationale for the recent coups in the sub-region.



Not even the barbaric onslaught from jihadists and terrorist groups and the economic challenges of the various countries must be justified, he said.



Mr Afenyo-Markin said this at the ECOWAS 5th Legislature Parliamentary seminar underway at Winneba in the Central Region, under the theme: The Challenges of Unconstitutional Regime Change and Presidential Term Limits in West Africa: Role of the ECOWAS Parliament.



The ECOWAS Parliament, which began on Friday, September 29 to Saturday, is scheduled to end on October 7, 2023, is the second time Ghana has hosted and it convenes twice a year.



The ECOWAS Parliament, also known as the Community Parliament, is one of the Institutions of ECOWAS which is the Assembly of Peoples of the Community serving as a forum for dialogue, consultation, and consensus for Representatives of the people of West Africa with the aim of promoting integration.



Established under Articles 6 and 13 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993, the initial Protocol establishing the Parliament was signed in Abuja on August 6, 1994. It provided for the Structure, Composition, Competence, and other matters relating to Parliament.



The Parliament is composed of 115 seats, with each Member State having a guaranteed minimum of five seats while the remaining 40 seats shall be shared on the basis of population.



With the need for a community mechanism to forge greater ties with the citizens of the West African Community serving as momentum towards the creation of the Community Parliament, it strengthens representative democracy in the Community.



It is to contribute to the promotion of peace, security, and stability on the West African Region by informing and sensitising the population on issues of integration, promotion and defending principles of human rights, democracy, the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and good governance through the practices of accountability.



It will also give the National Delegates the opportunity to present their countrys reports to inform the Body on unfolding developments in their respective Member States and the status of implementation of their communitys texts.



Mr Afenyo-Markin, also the Deputy Majority Leader in Ghanas Parliament said the recent resurgence of military coups threatened to drag Africa back to an era we they fought tirelessly to transcend.



We must firmly condemn the coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, and Gabon, along with the hostilities in Sudan.



These actions are betrayals of the democratic principles we hold dear, and we demand a swift return to constitutional rule. We must affirm, unequivocally, that regression is not the solution. Our golden age lies ahead of us, not in the shadows of the 1960s to 1980s, he said.



According to him, it was under the shade of democracy that Africans could cultivate the progress they aspired adding, it is here that we can construct the schools that will nurture the minds of our future leaders. It is here that we can build modern hospitals to heal our people, and foster technology to propel Africa into an era of supreme industrialization in the wake of the AfCFTA.



Together, we can construct robust and resilient economies that will position Africa as a formidable competitor on the global stage, he said.



Addressing the theme for the seminar, Mr Afenyo-Markin said it was not just a call for reflection, but a clarion call for action as the sub-region found itself at a pivotal moment in history where the pillars of democracy were being called into question.



Criticising the actions of leaders who unlawfully modify their constitutions to perpetuate their hold on power, he said it was a serious affront to the principles of democracy, which enshrined the fundamental rights of citizens to choose their leaders and to live under a government that was held accountable for its actions.



As we traverse this difficult period, we must remain vigilant, standing firm against the erosion of these principles and fighting to protect the sanctity of our democratic processes.



The answer to these acts of terror and economic challenges lied within our democratic institutions, standing as strongholds of hope and fortitude amidst the turmoil, he said.



He, urged leaders to take inspiration from the late Mr Kofi Annan, a former United Nations General Secretary that, though there is no one model of democracy, it is essential that the principles of democracy, human rights and freedoms are upheld universally, it gives a renewed commitment to enhance our democratic systems, making them more responsive to the needs and aspirations of every citizen, regardless of where they find themselves on the broad spectrum of society, he added.



Indeed, no form of governance has ever been perfect, yet history has proven time and again that democracy stands as the best option for nations seeking development in peace and harmony. Even in its imperfections, it carries within its structures the capacity to rise above the ills that afflict it, fostering environments where innovation, justice and freedom thrive.



It is incumbent upon us, the custodians of this sacred trust, to continually refine and enhance these structures, ensuring that they remain resilient in the face of the ever-changing challenges that our societies encounter, he stated.



The decision for the this meeting was taken at the 2023 First Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament in May this year in Abuja, convened under Article 21.1 of the Supplementary Act relating to the enhancement of the powers of the ECOWAS Parliament, which provided that Parliament should meet twice a year in Ordinary Sessions to provide a platform to deliberate and strengthen Member States position on issues of regional and continental importance.



As provided for in Article 32 of the supplementary Act, the Session also provides the President of the ECOWAS Commission the opportunity to present a general report on the implementation of the Community Work Program to the Plenary where the House would be updated with developments in the Community, and usually followed by debates, expressed opinions as well as recommendations.





Source: GNA









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The former President of Ghana, John Mahama has called for the immediate removal of taxes on medical supplies needed for dialysis in the country.



Demands for the government to intervene in the treatment of renal diseases have heightened following a later aborted decision by Korle Bu to increase the cost of dialysis by 100%.



According to the NDC 2024 flagbearer, the removal of taxes on supplies needed for dialysis has become a public health emergency needed to drive down the cost of the treatment.



Speaking at the 1st Ghana Ageing Conference organized by the Los Abuelos Foundation, Mr. Mahama assured his next administration will establish a fund to cater to capital-intensive diseases such as diabetes and kidney diseases among others.



The former president further promised the aged a number of initiatives aimed at making their lives comfortable including making July 1 which is used to celebrate the aged a public holiday again.



The founder of the Weija Leprosarium, Father Campbell charged the government to improve the living conditions of the aged by providing them with free public transportation and increasing leap allowances to 200 Cedis.



The National Secretary for Ghana Government Pensioners Association, Joe Quist in an interview with Starr News lamented over the poor treatment senior citizens are being subjected to in the country.



According to him, some pensioners take home as little as 40 Cedis as a monthly allowance.



He directly asked President Akufo-Addo to reinstate the July 1 public holiday.













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Capt. Prince Kofi Amoabeng (rtd) recalled a moment of near-murder on his life not long after he left the Ghana Armed Forces in May 1982 (officially discharged in May 1983).



And on why he left the Army, he wrote in his book that it was due to his disagreement with the coup that had been undertaken in the country, led by Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings  an officer he knew casually.



He added that he could no longer serve in the force because the Army had become nebulous, and there was an incident that happened much later after leaving that confirmed this worry he had.



At the time, there was an existing curfew in the country, and in an attempt to beat the time one day, Capt Kofi Amoabeng said he had to speed his way home.



Unfortunately, the excesses of the coup were more ubiquitous than I had imagined. There were curfews from 6pm to 6am. It was revised to from 8pm to Gam, and then 10pm to 6am. Then it reverted to 6pm to 6am.

The PNDC did whatever they wanted with our lives. Like school children in a boarding school, we stayed indoors when they told us to, and came out only when they told us we could. If you dared disobey, you incurred the wrath of trigger-happy soldiers who prowled the streets in the night in search of hapless victims on whom they visited all kinds of unspeakable atrocities.



It was on one of those curfew nights, I was driving at breakneck speed trying to beat the curfew. I sped from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle through the Ring Road towards my residence at Nungua. I was overtaking and weaving in-between cars in my BMW 3 series vehicle, he wrote in Volume 1 of his book, The UT Story: Humble Beginnings.



Capt Prince Kofi Amoabeng then noticed something in that moment; a car tailing him.



He explained that eventually  after he had pulled over for the car, he realized it was a familiar face and so he got relaxed.



But what he thought was going to be, perhaps, a brief reunion, nearly became the end of his life.



Suddenly I realized that a vehicle behind me was flashing its headlights desperately at me. I could not make out who it was. And because I did not want to risk an unruly coup maker shooting at me, I pulled over to the side of the road in front of Caesar's Palace around the Danquah Roundabout.



No sooner had I stopped than the vehicle, a white Peugeot 504, carelessly screeched to a halt in front of me. Who is this crazy dude? I thought.



WO Agyei Boadi, of the GAF Fire Service Department stepped out of the vehicle. We knew each other well. My mess, Signal Mess, was located just across the street from the fire station where he was stationed. So, once I realized it was him, I became relaxed. Commander, it's me, I said in deference to him, well aware that he was a prominent member of the PNDC. Is there a problem?



You people want to kill me, but before I die some of you will die! he yelled at me. Thinking he was mistaking me for someone else, I looked him straight in the eye and said, It's me, Captain Amoabeng.



"Yes, I know it's you! he yelled. Some of the enemies are in the Armed Forces! Then I realized he was brandishing a pistol at me. His erratic behaviour confounded me. Why was he talking to me in that manner? And why was he brandishing a weapon at me?



I quickly raised my hands in surrender, I'm unarmed. What's wrong with you? And then he fired the pistol POW! Just then, some officious bystanders rushed quickly and shielded me from him. Even his personal body guard also stepped between him and me. The bystanders bungled me into my car and urged, Drive! Go! Go! I drove off hurriedly. I was totally confused.



When I got to The Advent Press junction and slowed down to negotiate the bend, I realized a vehicle behind me was flashing its lights at me. I pulled over and waited in my car.



It was the bystanders who had intervened between me and WO Agyei Boadi. They stepped out of their vehicle and walked towards me. They informed me that after I left, WO Agyei Boadi slapped them a couple of times for rescuing me. Rescuing me?



"Yes Captain, he almost killed you. You were lucky he missed.



But Agyei Boadi only fired a warning shot for whatever reason I cannot fathom. So, what are these guys talking about? I wondered.



"Please step out of the car, they said, when they realized my confusion. I obliged. They pointed at the driver's side of the door where apparently the bullet had entered. It was close to where I was standing when Agyei Boadi fired the gun. My mind began to wander: was Agyei Boadi really trying to kill me? Why? And how did he miss from such close range? Suddenly I began to tremble. He could've killed me! It took me a while to calm down and regain my composure.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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In a recent press release, the spokesperson of Vice President Dr. Gideon Boako, revealed that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is deeply concerned about maintaining unity within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).



As a result, he has chosen not to respond to the unwarranted attacks directed at him by some aspirants in the partys presidential primary.



This announcement comes after Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, another NPP flagbearer hopeful, made allegations against the Vice President and his team, claiming that he would give them a showdown if they continued to engage in tribal and religious politics.



Agyapong also accused the Vice President and his team of causing the collapse of the NPP through intimidation.



However, Dr. Boako has categorically denied Agyapongs allegations. He stated, It is also not true as alleged by Kennedy Agyapong that Dr. Bawumia is collapsing the party through intimidation.



Highlighting Dr. Bawumias commitment to party unity, Dr. Boako emphasized that the Vice President refrains from responding to unwarranted attacks by his opponents and has even cautioned his supporters against responding in kind.



Instead, Dr. Bawumias strategy has been to persuade delegates to support his bid by articulating his vision for the party and the country.



Dr. Boako affirmed that the unity of the party is of great concern to Dr. Bawumia.



He stated, The unity of our party has been of great concern to candidate Dr. Bawumia. It is in light of such concern that he refrains from responding to unwarranted attacks by others in the contest and has cautioned his supporters against responding to such provocative attacks.



Furthermore, Dr. Boako stressed that the internal contest to select the NPPs flagbearer for the 2024 elections should be conducted in accordance with the core values of the party.



He added, The contest for flagbearer in the NPP is an internal one, and all actors, particularly the aspirants, must be guided by the core values of the NPP, which include but are not limited to truth, decorum, and respect for one another.



The upcoming contest to elect the 2024 flagbearer of the NPP is scheduled for Saturday, November 4. Vice President Dr. Bawumia had secured the majority of votes during the Super Delegates Conference held on Saturday, August 26, leading many to believe he is the favorite to emerge as the winner in November.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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The Green Data Center seminar gathered over 80 regional experts and data center industry stakeholders at September 13, in Dubai to discuss the pressing need for sustainability in data center operations, as one of the crucial factors in achieving regional decarbonisation goals.

The seminar, co-hosted by Danfoss and DEIF in collaboration with Danish Trade Council, explored the important role energy efficiency must play in data center sustainability particularly as Dubais digital economy is expected to reach more than $140 billion in 2031, up from todays nearly $38 billion.

The event's discussions align with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Global Stocktake report, which underscores the urgent need to reduce global emissions by at least 43 per cent by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5 deg C, as stipulated in the Paris Agreement

As Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), emphasised, doubling the rate of energy efficiency progress and tripling renewable power capacity globally by 2030 is essential. Data centers, as one of the key industries, have a pivotal role to play in achieving these critical targets.

New research from the IEA shows that while the amount of computing done in data centers increased by about 550 per cent between 2010 and 2018, the amount of energy consumed by data centers only grew by 6 per cent during the same time.

The difference between these two data-points is striking and is attributed to rapid improvements in energy efficiency that have helped limit energy demand growth from data centers, which accounts for about 1-1.5 per cent of global electricity use. These improvements in energy efficiency need to be sustained and accelerated so as to meet the UNFCCCs global emissions targets.

Ziad Al Bawaliz, Regional President at Danfoss Turkey, Middle East, and Africa, emphasised the event's significance, stating: "With the regions booming potential for digital services, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, there is likely to be significant demand growth for data centers in GCC in the next few years. As we head into COP28, energy efficiency will play an increasingly vital role as it is the single largest measure the world can take to reduce energy demand. Energy efficiency is, and always should be, the first fuel for clean energy transitions.

Ambassador Lars Steen Nielsen, Consul General of the Embassy of Denmark, who opened the event, commented: Energy efficiency has the potential to be pivotal, and this seminar echoes the COP28 Presidencys call for prioritising energy efficiency on a global scale. We are excited to engage with Danfoss, DEIF, global partners and work towards a greener future.

Tomas Anker Christensen, the Climate Ambassador of Denmark, who virtually addressed the audience during the event, added: Denmark has been asked by the UAE presidency of COP28 to lead the political facilitation of the outcome of the global stocktake together with South Africa. One of the central themes at COP28 is the role of technology in our climate efforts. Danish technology holders like Danfoss, DEIF, and many others are at the forefront of developing cutting edge solutions. They can revolutionise industries and future proof them against climate challenges.

The event featured engaging panel discussions, with key participants from the Gulf Data Center Association, Khazna, MORO Hub, Gulf Data Hub, Equinix, Al Masaood, Uptime Institute, who shared their insights into the path to sustainable data centers. The event was aimed at raising awareness of the solutions that exist already to decarbonise data centers and which can significantly contribute towards the regions ambitious decarbonisation goals.

Alexandre Maraval, Vice-President Asia and Managing Director APAC, DEIF, said: This has been a great event during which we could acknowledge the importance of continuing our efforts in developing solutions based on sustainable sources of energy. We are confident that DEIFs strategy and Energy Management Systems are fully in line with the decarbonisation targets we all understand as a growing necessity for a better future. But at DEIF, we have a commitment to Improve Tomorrow as we are excited to tackle the challenges ahead and are extremely proud to collaborate with a fellow Danish company in delivering real sustainable action.--OGN/TradeArabia News Service
Former First Lady of Ghana, Theresa Kufuor has passed on at age 87.



Theresa Kufuor was the wife of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, the second President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.



She was a retired nurse and midwife.



Theresa Kufuor (nee Mensah; born 25th October 1935)



A family source confirmed to Graphic Online on Sunday night that the former First Lady died on Sunday [October 1, 2023].



Education



Kufuor started her education at the Catholic Convent, OLA, at Keta in the Volta Region of Ghana. She later went to London, where she was educated as a Registered General Nurse, in the Southern Hospital Group of Nursing. Edinburgh, Scotland.



After further study at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford and Paddington General Hospital, London, she qualified as a State Certified Midwife with a Certificate in Premature Nursing.



Personal life



Theresa married John Kufuor when he was at age 23 after they met at a Republic Day Anniversary Dance in London in 1961. They got married in 1962. She has five children with John Kufuor, former president of Ghana, J. Addo Kufuor, Nana Ama Gyamfi, Saah Kufuor, Agyekum Kufuor and Owusu Afriyie Kufuor. She is a mother of five, and a grandmother of eight. She is a devout Roman Catholic.



Despite being the first lady of Ghana for eight years between 2001 and 2009, she has managed to maintain a low profile in the political arena. In 2007 she pushed for policy changes in the Governments white paper on Educational Reforms towards the implementation of UNESCOs Free compulsory universal basic education (FCUBE) program for kindergarten children.



She founded the Mother and Child Community Development Foundation (MCCDF), a non-governmental organisation operating in Ghana and Canada that supports work in prevention of mother to child transmission.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Former National Youth Organiser aspirant urges Chairman Ntim and Justin Kodua to caution Kennedy Agyapong against promoting tribalism during his campaign.



Mr. Prince Kamal Gumah, a former NPP youth organiser aspirant, is urging the Party Chairman and General Secretary, Lawyer Justice Kodua, to summon Hon Kennedy Agyepong, a presidential hopeful, to order over his recent ethnic outbursts and insults on NPP delegates.



His feelings were expressed in a statement published after the showdown walk in Kumasi.

Below is the statement by Prince Kamal Gumah.



It should be made briefly clear that the NPP, which he aspires to lead historically does not elect its Presidential Candidates on tribal lines.



In 1992, there were as many as 3 aspiring candidates of Northern descent, and yet the delegates from the North believed that Prof Adu Boahen was most qualified to lead the party and voted accordingly.



In 1996, Hon Malik Alhassan, from Yendi and a Northerner, was among the Presidential Aspirants, but he was also not voted for in favour of President Kuffuor because he was deemed as most qualified by all delegates.



Also in 2007, even with the candidature of the two-term sitting vice President, the delegates voted for President Akufo Addo to lead the party and did the same in the subsequent elections with 92% and 98%.



Sadly, now that the wind of the Party is blowing towards a Northern candidate, Hon Kennedy Agyepong is unfortunately playing the tribal card.



History has proven that the NPP Delegates have never voted on tribal considerations and has never subscribed to tribal bigotry which is alien to the Party. We should not entertain any semblance of it in any way or manner.



This historical record shows that the delegates of NPP always know who is the right person to lead and they never make a mistake.



It's upon this that I am calling on the Chairman and General Secretary and all well-meaning party voices to call he, Kennedy Agyapong to order for this careless tribal commentary. It should be noted that nobody is above the Party no matter your status and therefore the Party's interest must always reign supreme. This Party boldly suspended its former Chairman and General Secretary - Mr Paul Afoko and Mr Kwabena Agyepong. It should not allow any loose talk to go unchecked to protect the sanctity of the Party.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Stephen Ntim, the national chair of the ruling party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has underscored the significance of the APC and NPP, two prominent political parties, coming together to exchange ideas on promoting good governance.



According to him, collaborative efforts could ensure that both parties remain in power for many more years, emphasizing that the NPP has a lot to learn from Mr. Ganduje and the APC.



Stephen Ntim expressed his joy and pride in sharing this momentous day when he visited Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chair of Nigeria's All Progressives Congress (APC), on his recent appointment and also celebrated Nigeria's 63rd independence anniversary.



"As a party, we have a lot to learn from Ganduje as an individual and from the APC as a political party," stated Mr. Ntim, acknowledging the wealth of experience and insights that the APC brings to the table.



Ntim's visit was aimed at initiating a journey of cooperation between the APC and NPP focused on enthroning good governance for the benefit of their citizens.



He emphasized the invaluable relationship between Nigeria and Ghana, emphasizing that since 2017, Ghanaian presidents have visited Nigeria on a remarkable 45 occasions.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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The constituents of Assin Central have called for a partnership between Kennedy Agyapong and Alan Kyeremateng to secure power in the upcoming 2024 general election.



Their call came after the resignation of Alan Kyeremateng from the NPP yesterday, September 25, 2023, citing intimidation and an unfair playing field as his reasons.



The Assin Central constituents believe although both NDC and NPP have a veneer of being different, they are two sides of the same coin as they have been similar in terms of governance.



According to the residents, mostly drivers, the current state of the economic situation in the country is terrible, with the high cost of fuel accompanied by rapid cedi depreciation and widespread corruption.



Expressing disappointment in the Akufo Addo-led NPP government, they said while the average Ghanaian is wobbling in suffering and excruciating hardship, government appointees are living lavishly and in opulence.



That is the reason they are calling on Alan and Kennedy to collaborate to rescue the country from collapse to build a better hope for Ghanaians.







Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Vice President of Ghana, HE Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the Second Lady, HE Hajia Samira Bawumia, were in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, to join the former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party and former presidential candidate hopeful, Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, and his family to celebrate the Ten (10) year anniversary of the death of the latters late mother, Mrs. Margaret Agyepong, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church at Asokore Mampong.



The Vice President was the only presidential aspirant who participated in the memorial service, a touching gesture which communicated his unmatched magnanimity to admirers. The congregation was amazed by his calm, humble and accommodating disposition making the members uncontrollably ecstatic.



Mr. Agyepong, in expressing gratitude to the Vice President, declared that, he [Dr. Bawumia] will win massively in both the November 4 presidential primary and the 2024 General Elections because of his good heart.



Your victory in the elections would be massive because of your good heart. God will grant all your heart desires, the former Chief Scribe of the NPP declared.



Accompanying the Vice President and the Second Lady were the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Simon Osei Mensah, the MMDCEs, the MPs, the Regional Executives of the party, the forty-seven (47) Constituency Chairmen of the region, the Regional Womens Wing of the party, other government functionaries, numerous other stalwarts of the party and some former supporters of Hon. Alan Kyerematen who have recently joined the camp of the Vice President following the resignation of the former Minister for Trade and Industry.



The NPP will elect its flagbearer in November, and the Vice President is already the obvious favourite. Another former aspirant, Mr. Nsafoah Poku, recently endorsed him.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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Prior to the New Patriotic Party's presidential election on November 4 and with the candidates heated up to give themselves a showdown, reports of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia negotiating with Kennedy Agyapong, an aspirant, to become his Running Mate have flooded the airwaves.



Ken Agyapong during his Kumasi Showdown Walk on Saturday, September 30, 2023, alleged that he was approached by some elders in the camp of Dr. Bawumia to convince him to step down from the flagbearer race and partner Dr. Bawumia as a Running Mate.



He further alleged he was also offered huge sums of money but declined the offers.



Reacting to the allegations, the Bawumia campaign team says no such meeting has happened stressing "we wish to state in unequivocal terms that the Bawumia Campaign team has not approached Kennedy Agyapong for such a running mate offer, nor have we assigned any member of the team to approach him for the same".



To add weight to the statement by the team, Sammi Awuku, the Director General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), also says the Veep has, at no point in time, commissioned any person in his team or outside the team to solicit Kennedy Agyapong to be his Running Mate.



He stated that the appointment of a Running Mate can only happen after the New Patriotic Party has elected its flagbearer, adding the decision is between the flagbearer-elect and the National Council of the party.



"How can Dr. Bawumia choose a Running Mate when we are yet to hold our presidential election to elect a flagbearer?", he questioned.



"I can state in confidence that the Vice President, on his own, has not commissioned anybody", Sammi Awuku, in an interview on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", maintained.



He added; "I can also speak on authority that, at no point in time, have we spoken about a Running Mate matter at campaign level whether private or public, whether official or unofficial."





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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NLA Director General, Sammi Awuku has waded into discussions regarding Alan Kyerematen's resignation from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).



On September 25, 2023, the former Trade Minister and NPP presidential hopeful, Alan Kyerematen said he is "honourably resigning with immediate effect from the NPP to contest for the high office of the President of the Republic of Ghana as an independent presidential candidate".



"...the NPP as it exists now has very little resemblance to the Party that I joined in 1992 and helped to nurture. The Party has been hijacked by a selected group of Party leaders and elders, government appointees, 'behind the curtain power brokers and some unscrupulous Party apparatchiks", he also slammed his former party.



Prior to the annoucement, Alan had accused the NPP of trivializing some concerns he shared before, during and after its Special Delegates Congress.



"After having carefully analysed the results of the said elections, it is absolutely clear to me from events leading to, during and after the elections, that the Special Delegates Conference was strategically and tactically skewed in favour of one particular Aspirant", he said, adding "the level of intimidation of varying intensity, directly and indirectly unleashed on a significant number of Delegates at various Voting Centers across the sixteen regions, is unprecedented in the history of our Party".



"The fact that my Polling Agent in the North East region has suffered severe damage to his eye sight, arising from his bold and courageous effort to ensure compliance with the very rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections as approved by the Presidential Elections Committee, will forever remain a dark spot in the history of internal elections within the Party. This incident and various acts of violence and collusion, reported in other Voting Centers, are appalling, unconscionable, and despicable", he then withdrew from the NPP November 4th flagbearer election before his final decision to exit the party.



Speaking to Kwami Sefa Kayi in an interview on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Sammi Awuku dissented to Alan's claims which undergirds his resignation from the NPP.



Mr. Awuku noted that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia won the super delegates election on merit and not that his victory was orchestrated by some sort of cabal within the NPP.



"Personally, he's visiting constituency by constituency. Out of the 205,000 delegates, he has currently interacted with not less than 160000 of these delegates...Before the super delegates, he had engaged with 128,000 delegates out of the 205,000. He combines that too effectively with his official duties. There are times he will come from his campaign trail to do his official duties, then he moves back to the field," Sammi Awuku testified of Dr. Bawumia's hard work.



He, however, appreciated Alan's decision saying "we disagree with the reasons given but it is also important that you also respect the Hon. Kyerematen's decision".



Mr. Awuku also charged his colleagues in the NPP who are "not be happy with his (Alan) decision" to "respect it", stressing Alan "is not a child".





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Member of Parliament for Tema West, Carlos Ahenkorah, has urged the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to engage in peace talks with Kennedy Agyapong and Chairman Wontumi for the sake of party unity.



According to him, when these two important individuals in the party are not controlled, the attacks on each other will cost the party its peace and the attempt to break the eight.



Ahenkorah's appeal comes in the wake of recent comments made by Kennedy Agyapong, a flagbearer hopeful for the NPP, in which he levelled allegations against the party's hierarchy.



Agyapong accused the NPP of engaging in activities that he found deeply concerning, stating that they were 'looting' the country without regard for the future.



In response to these claims, Carlos Ahenkorah emphasised the need for measured responses from influential figures within the party, such as Agyapong and Chairman Wontumi, as their statements can significantly impact the party's cohesion.



As a matter of urgency, if the leaders of the party do not speak with Ken and Wuntumi, the outcome will not be to the benefit of the party. If you want the party to enjoy some peace and break the eight, then both Ken and Wuntumi must be called and spoken to, he said.



He acknowledged that Agyapong's recent comments were not entirely different from his past statements but underscored that the presidential aspirant's elevated status demanded a more cautious approach to sensitive issues.



What he said is not very different from what he has been saying all these while, except that some of the things he said in Kumasi carry some weight. I want to use this opportunity to plead with Kennedy Agyapong, whether he accepts it or not, he is a forerunner of the party. Now, he wants to run as a flagbearer of the party.



His reaction to certain situations and his delivery to same situations should inform him that people are watching and based on that, they will decide whether to share thoughts with you or not. Many people are expecting that all the things he used to say when he was just a member of parliament, he will relax on some of them particularly because he is a presidential aspirant, he stated.



He continued You cannot change Ken because he has his own personality and he is a self-made person but if he should continue on this tangent, those who feel victimised by this approach are likely going to confront him on that.



Ahenkorah also expressed concern about Chairman Wontumi's recent remarks, in which he hinted at revealing secrets about Kennedy Agyapong if the latter misbehaved.



He questioned the necessity of such statements and urged the party not to allow itself to be divided.



Apart from his comments as well, I saw a publication that was attributed to Wontumi. He was also quoted saying that if Ken should misbehave, he would also reveal some secrets of his, I mean why should we get to this? Why must we sell ourselves to the NDC for them to get us on that pedestal?



I know Ken and I know Wontumi, they are very good friends and so, if comments such as these are made by Wuntumi then it is concerning. Why will he come out to make such statements, why must we get ourselves to that point, he questioned.















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Majority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has distanced himself from what he terms a "spirited attack" on his person by the Assin Central MP and Presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party, Kennedy Agyapong who accuses him of resorting to "tribal and religious politics".



Kennedy Agyapong alleged during a rally at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi on Friday, September 30, that the Majority Leader, who plays a lead role in the campaign to elect Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is fanning tribal sentiments within the party.



But according to a statement from the Majority Leader's office and copied to Peacefmonline, he says he has not condoned or connived with anybody to hijack the party.



The Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stressed his character trait in the New Patriotic Party has been of "truthfulness, pragmatism and realism and these have always guided and guarded his statements, discussions and conversations".



He added that he has always comported himself, emphasizing "his discourses are well-reasoned; not philippic, in other words, not statements that bitterly attack other persons; or petulant, that is, ill-tempered or peevish; or populist".



He therefore found it unfortunate that Kennedy Agyapong would pick on him.



On the other hand, he, together with others at the National Executive Committee and National Council, stood firmly and thwarted attempts by some of the presidential hopefuls to set aside clearly stated, unambiguous provisions of the NPP Constitution. If that amounts to hijacking or intimidation or collapsing the party, in the opinion of Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, then it can only be described as unfortunate, he said.



Read full statement below:





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Fixing the Country Movement has notified the Ghana Police Service of their intention to exercise their constitutional rights under Article 21(1)(d) and (f) of the 1992 Constitution to picket at the office of former President John Mahama.



"We write with reference to Section 1 of the Public Order Act (Act 491), which provides that any person who desires to hold any special event within the meaning of that Act in any public place shall notify the police of his intention not less than 5 days before the date of the special event."



"In this regards, kindly note that FIXING THE COUNTRY MOVEMENT will hold a public assembly on Thursday, 12th October, 2023 in front of the office of former President John Mahama," a letter signed by its Convenor, Ernest Owusu Bempah said.



Airbus Saga



The movement highlights that it has been over three years since Airbus SE, a global aircraft provider based in France, agreed to pay hefty fines totaling more than $3.9 billion to resolve foreign bribery charges. The charges were brought forth by authorities in the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, stemming from the companys scheme to bribe government officials and non-governmental airline executives worldwide.



As part of the global resolution, Airbus also entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the United Kingdoms Serious Fraud Office (SFO) over bribes paid in several countries, including Ghana.



The investigation revealed that Airbus engaged in a scheme from 2008 to 2015, offering and paying bribes to decision-makers and influencers to gain improper business advantages.



Of particular concern to the movement is the revelation that Airbus employed intermediaries, including renowned British actor Philip Middlemiss and John Mahamas brother Samuel Adam Mahama, to facilitate the sale of military transport aircraft to Ghana.



The British and American authorities court records indicate that Airbus sought to obtain an undue favor from a member of the Ghanaian government, identified as Government Official 1.



The movement asserts that the Ghanaian justice system should conduct a thorough inquiry into the Airbus corruption, as the former President Mahama may have significant questions to answer. Despite a year passing since the Special Prosecutor announced the new phase of investigations, there has been little progress on the matter.





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Stratigraphic records of charcoal and stable carbon isotopes from Viti Levu. ac, Photos of grasslands (a) and grassland fires (b) in the Sigatoka River valley of Viti Levu (c). The leeward (dry) side of Viti Levu is largely talasiga or grassland/savanna on the west/northwest side of the island. Stratigraphic charcoal concentrations (black lines) and 13C ratios (red lines) for each coring location are plotted by depth, with strata deposited during human occupation highlighted by the pink areas. Elevation data are from the Copernicus 90 m dataset. Photo and map: C.I.R. Credit: Nature Ecology & Evolution (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02212-8

It's long been understood that human settlement contributes to conditions that make Pacific Islands more susceptible to wildfires, such as the devastating Aug. 8 event that destroyed the Maui community of Lahaina. But a new study from SMU fire scientist Christopher Roos published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution shows that climate is an undervalued part of the equation.

Roos, SMU environmental archaeologist and professor of anthropology, traveled with his team to the Sigatoka River valley in southwestern Fiji in 2013, where they collected charcoal and stable carbon isotopes from deep soil cores to understand historic patterns of fire activity in the area. Different plants have distinct carbon isotopic signatures, which can provide information about past plant communities.

The team found fires and fire-created grassy areas that predate human settlement by millennia and actively corresponded to droughts likely driven by a regularly occurring weather pattern known as El Nino. El Nino events can alter precipitation patterns worldwide, making environmental conditions more favorable for wildfires. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued an El Nino advisory in June, announcing the latest arrival of the climate event that continues to influence weather worldwide.

Lighting strikes also act as a natural cause of wildfires, igniting plant material that acts as fuel.

The impact of human settlement, farming activity (particularly the clearing and burning of land) and resulting deforestation of remote Pacific islands is well established in the scientific record, and research from the Roos team only confirms what Roos calls "a modern environmental parable." But the impact of climate must be considered, too, the study finds.

"It struck me that these fires are not exclusively human-driven, because when I looked at earlier pre-human spikes in fire activity, those lined up with El Ninos," said Roos. "The combination of climate and human activity drives island deforestation and increases wildfire activity. It may be that human activity is making the landscape more sensitive to those climate variations. But, it could also be that the climate is making the landscape more sensitive to human activity."

In the past, Roos said, research often focused more on human activity harming Pacific Islands' land without considering climate's role in the damage. He believes an approach that considers both causes is necessary, especially with catastrophic wildfire events occurring more regularly.

Roos also points out that the Pacific Islands are natural laboratories to study the grass-fire cycle, which is prevalent in areas where wildfire is occurring with the spread of invasive grasses. Traditional farmers have practiced successful techniques for clearing and burning land for centuries, and past lessons could offer ways to prepare and cope with future wildfire events. Roos stresses that we must adapt to the new environment climate and humans have created.

"Droughts triggered by El Nino events appear to have played a role in intensifying the grass-fire cycle and contributing to deforestation in the past," he said. "And looking forward, climate models indicate that the Pacific Islands could experience conditions similar to El Nino events more frequently due to ongoing climate change. We need to reflect on what we're doing and whether or not those actions make places more or less vulnerable to future wildfire events."

More information: Roos, C.I. et al, Fire activity and deforestation in Remote Oceanian islands caused by anthropogenic and climate interactions, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02212-8 www.nature.com/articles/s41559-023-02212-8 Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

France on Monday began Europe's only vaccination campaign against bird flu in ducks, hoping to avoid mass culls of millions of birds that have dearly cost the industry in recent years.

"There's high pressure from the virus, but vaccination should mean we only face individual cases, avoiding the tidal wave sweeping through farms," said Jocelyn Marguerie, poultry chief at the SNGTV farm vets' association.

The two-jab course for ducklingsstarting at 10 days oldis obligatory in farms raising more than 250 birds from October.

Producing livers for foie gras or meat, France's duck sector is especially sensitive to the virus.

The birds shed it before symptoms ever appear, allowing it to spread unchecked.

France's poultry population saw a wave of bird flu in 2015-17 and has suffered almost constant outbreaks since 2020although there are currently no disease hotspots.

Discovery of a case means culling for the whole farm and others nearby, disrupting production for the long term and bringing a heavy financial toll for farmers.

"I've been caught up in four culls since 2016. I hope we'll get back to being unscathed. (Vaccination) has to work!" said Thierry Dezes, who raises ducks in the southwestern Landes region and plans to jab some 5,000 ducklings.

Vets expect a total of around 60 million ducks should be vaccinated by summer next year.

France's first 80 million doses will come from pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, meaning the government will have to invite tenders for more supply.

But the campaign is not going uncontested.

One farmer in the Landes region told AFP that she had customers "calling to tell me they don't want meat from vaccinated ducks"asking to remain anonymous to protect her business.

And on export markets, the fear is that immunization could mask bird flu circulating unnoticed in the duck population.

A senior official at Japan's ministry of agriculture told AFP that Tokyo would suspend imports of French poultry products after the vaccination campaign had started.

 2023 AFP
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The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a common model organism for studying sexual selection and evolution. Credit: Stefan Lupold, UZH

Genetic quality or genetic compatibility? What do female fruit flies prioritize when mating? Researchers at the University of Zurich show that both factors are important at different stages of the reproductive process and that females use targeted strategies to optimize the fitness of their offspring.

Breeding female fruit flies face a difficult decision: do they mate with the male that has the best genes, or with the one whose genes best match their own? Evolutionary biologists from the University of Zurich and Concordia University have now investigated this question, because, as UZH professor Stefan Lupold explains, "the processes underlying mate choice influence the evolution of male sexual characteristics and thus the variation within a populationnot only in flies."

Fluorescent sperm reveal reproductive process

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a common model organism for studying sexual selection and evolution. In this species, males do not provide any material benefits to females, such as food or parental care. But the choice of mates can influence the fitness of the female's offspring through survival, growth and reproduction.

The research team led by Stefan Lupold staged competitive matings of fruit flies. The male competitors differed in the quality of their genes and in their genetic compatibility with the target female. Using fluorescently labeled sperm, the researchers tracked the entire reproductive process, from sperm in the female reproductive tract to paternity outcomes. The work is published in the journal Science Advances.

Using fluorescently labeled sperm, the researchers tracked the entire reproductive process. Credit: Stefan Lupold, UZH

Pre-selecting at mating, readjusting during sperm storage

This study revealed that both factorsthe genetic quality of males and their genetic compatibility with femalesinfluence reproduction, though varying in importance across reproductive stages. For example, males with high-quality genes generally have higher mating success. But females, routinely mating with multiple males, can influence sperm storage and fertilization success by ejecting some of the sperm after mating.

Females appear to delay this sperm ejection if a male has better genes or is more compatible with the female than his predecessor. This gives the preferred sperm more time to enter the female storage organs and displace the rival sperm already residing there. The complex interplay of these processes ultimately affects paternity.

Sophisticated interplay between genetic quality and compatibility

"Our results suggest that female fruit flies use different criteria across stages of the reproductive process to influence the outcome of their mating activity," says last author Stefan Lupold. "While choosing mates, they can preselect for males of superior genetic quality and then bias sperm storage to ensure that the most compatible of these fertilize their eggs. This approach might give them the best of both worlds."

According to Lupold, the study offers new insights into the mechanisms and consequences of mate choice. "It helps us better understand how genes are passed on, genetic variation is maintained within species, and new species may arise."

More information: Hayat Mahdjoub et al, Interplay between male quality and male-female compatibility across episodes of sexual selection, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf5559 Journal information: Science Advances
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The duration of death-feigning in T. castaneum shows a decrease in the presence of DMD. Blue and red symbols represent male and female data, respectively. Error bars depict standard error. Credit: Takahisa Miyatake, Okayama University

Predation is a driving force in the evolution of anti-predator strategies, and death feigning, characterized by immobility in response to threats, is a common defensive mechanism across various animal species. While this behavior can enhance an individual's survival prospects by reducing a predator's interest, it also carries costs, such as limited opportunities for feeding and reproduction.

Recently, researchers from Okayama University, Japan, investigated how pheromones, important chemical signals that affect foraging and reproduction, might influence death-feigning behavior in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum.

"Male beetles release an aggregation pheromone called 4,8-dimethyldecanal (DMD), which attracts both males and females, aiding in successful foraging and mating. However, it remained unclear whether this pheromone could affect the duration of death feigning in these beetles," says Professor Takahisa Miyatake from the Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Japan, who led the study. Prof. Miyatake collaborated with colleagues Motoya Ishikawa and Kentarou Matsumura from the same department on this study.

Their findings were published in the Journal of Ethnology.

The team used a population of T. castaneum that had undergone artificial selection for death-feigning duration for more than 40 generations. The study encompassed two distinct experimental schedules. In the first, beetles were initially exposed to the pheromone, following which their death-feigning duration was measured.

In the second schedule, beetles were first evaluated for their death-feigning duration without the presence of the pheromone, and subsequently, the duration was measured with the pheromone introduced. In both scenarios, the researchers meticulously compared the death-feigning durations between the treatments.

The team found that T. castaneum beetles exposed to the DMD pheromone exhibited significantly shorter durations of death feigning compared to their counterparts that were not exposed to the pheromone. This discovery suggests that the mere presence of the aggregation pheromone played a pivotal role in shaping the behavior of these beetles, causing them to curtail their protracted death feigning.

Interestingly, while previous research has primarily focused on the triggers for initiating death feigning, little has been known so far about what cues awaken individuals from this state. The study suggests that aggregation pheromones, like DMD, may serve as one of these awakening factors. This adaptive response allows individuals to save precious time and increase their chances of survival when predators lose interest.

Furthermore, the study brough to light the potential sex-related differences in death-feigning behavior. Previous studies had already indicated that both male and female adult red flour beetles exhibit a strong attraction to DMD, with males even intensifying DMD release upon sensing it. Remarkably, during this investigation, researchers noted that males tended to have a longer duration of death feigning when compared to females.

This observation raises intriguing questions about how the sexes allocate their time and energy, particularly in the context of dispersal and reproductive activities.

"Our study suggests that T. castaneum possesses the capacity to adapt its death-feigning duration when it detects the presence of an aggregation pheromone. This represents a remarkable example of behavioral plasticity in response to external chemical cues, as shown by previous studies. This may offer valuable insights into the intricate world of animal instincts, potentially paving the way for further exploration in the future," concludes Prof. Miyatake.

Red flour beetles are known pests. They commonly forage on food products such as flour, grains, cereal, and stored goods. Therefore, studying how they respond to pheromones such as DMD could have enormous agricultural significance.

More information: Motoya Ishikawa et al, Aggregation pheromone interrupts death feigning in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, Journal of Ethology (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s10164-023-00793-2
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NASAs OSIRIS-REx spacecraft released a container that subsequently landed in Utah containing samples from a carbon-rich asteroid in the solar system. The spacecraft then went on another mission to monitor a different asteroid. Credit: NASA

Early Sunday morning, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft released a container that subsequently landed in Utah containing material from Bennu, a carbon-rich asteroid in the solar system.

The event ended a seven-year mission for the spacecraft, also known as the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resources Identification and Security-Regolith Explorer.

UVA Today checked in with Anne Verbiscer, a research professor in the University of Virginia's Department of Astronomy, to learn more about the mission and why it is important.

Verbiscer specializes in the structure and composition of surfaces in the outer solar system and has been a member of three different NASA spacecraft mission teams: Voyager, Cassini and New Horizons. She is currently a deputy project scientist on the New Horizons Kuiper Belt Extended Mission.

Q. What is important about the OSIRIS-REx mission?

For the United States, this is the first mission that has gone to an asteroid and returned samples from the surface after touching it. Japan has done this beforereturned samples from a similar asteroid called Ryugu, very much like Bennu.

Getting samples from an asteroid provides real ground truth. We say that there's a connection between meteorites we find on Earth and asteroids. That helps us make connections between the compositions that you measure with the actual rock that you're holding in your hand and ground-based astronomy, where you look through a telescope at an asteroid and use a spectrometer and measure absorptions by different minerals and molecules on the surface to measure its surface composition.

And it's also a way to get below the surface. You can't do that with ground-based astronomy. You're just looking at the surface.

Q. What is in the samples?

Essentially, rock samples, but ranging widely in size. Some so small you would consider it dust, but also actual rock chunks, a few centimeters or so in size that you could hold in your handthe whole range. And how much material was brought back? That's to be determined. The spacecraft did do a guess measurement of how much sample it got, but it wasn't very exact. It's likely to be in the range of 250 grams to as much as 600 grams, roughly 8 to 21 ounces.

Q. What is it that the scientists hope to learn from this material?

The connections that they want to make are to measure the actual composition of bodies that formed early in the solar system's history and haven't been modified all that much. Or you can tell how much modification there was. This will help us learn more about the origin of the solar system and how the asteroids were put together.

Q. How big is Bennu, and how old is it?

Bennu is about 1,600 feet in diameter, standing a bit taller than the Empire State Building. Bennu's age is commensurate with the age of the solar system, 4.5 billion years, and that's why it's of interest, because it formed so long ago. The oldest rocks on Earth are about 4 billion years old.

Q. How long will it take to analyze the Bennu material?

The sample container was flown to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where the Astromaterials Curation Site is located. That's where all the moon rocks went after the Apollo missions and meteorites collected here on Earth are sent for analysis. They have the proper equipment and clean rooms there.

They're going to do that very carefully. There are several layers protecting both the samples from any kind of contamination we could give it and then back the other way to contamination from the samples for any humans. They're going to take the time to do the careful, thorough analysis.

Q. What do they hope to find in the samples?

The primary analysis will be composition, measuring what those rocks are made of and if there are any unique isotopes and minerals. We've been looking at this object and we've had close-up views of it from the spacecraft for years now, so we know generally what the surface is made of. But there are limits to remote sensing, without touching it and analyzing it. Now you have real samples that you can cut in half and see what they look like inside. You can't do that with just a telescope looking at an object in space. We slice meteorites open all the time and measure their elemental composition and crystal structures inside the object. They'll be cutting these rocks up.

Q. How big is the OSIRIS-REx explorer and what happens to it now?

OSIRIS-REx is 8 by 8 by 10 feet, a little bit bigger than a grand piano. The spacecraft itself came close to Earth on Sunday morning and jettisoned a landing craft, and had to do that very carefully because you have to enter the Earth's atmosphere at just the right angle. If you come in too shallow, you'll just bounce off the atmosphere. If you come in too steep, you'll burn up. You have to get the angle just right.

The spacecraft itself, the OSIRIS-REx, has now got a new purpose. OSIRIS-APEX is the name of the new mission, and it's heading to another asteroid called Apophis. So it's got a whole new purpose in life, having an encounter with another asteroid. It won't be taking a sample because it only had one sample collector, but it will try to dislodge dust and tiny rocks on the surface of Apophis by firing the spacecraft's gas thrusters at it.

Q. What information is it supposed to send back about Apophis?

OSIRIS-APEX will go into orbit around Apophis in 2029, flying with the asteroid for 18 months, just after the asteroid's close fly-by past the Earth. Just like OSIRIS-REx did with Bennu, OSIRIS-APEX will take close-up pictures of Apophis and measure its surface composition using its on-board spectrometers.

Q. Are there other missions to study other asteroids?

This fall is quite a busy time for asteroid science at NASThe Psyche spacecraft is scheduled to launch around Oct. 12 from Kennedy Space Center, starting a six-year journey to the asteroid Psyche. Psyche is a unique asteroid because it is metal-rich. Originally, it was thought to be the remnant metal core of a larger asteroid, but I think now the consensus is that it's not a remnant core. There are silicates on the surface in addition to iron and nickel, but still the metal content is very high in this particular asteroid.

Another asteroid mission called Lucy, launched in 2021, will have its first close flyby on Nov. 1 when it will encounter the asteroid Dinkinesh. The Dinkinesh flyby will serve as a test for the upcoming flybys of Lucy's primary targets, six of the Trojan asteroids located in Jupiter's orbit. Lucy got its name from the hominid fossil called Lucy that was discovered in Ethiopia in 1974.
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Identification of the catalytic center of TOFU-2. a, Model of piRNA (21U RNA) formation in C. elegans. Individually transcribed piRNA precursors are stabilized by PETISCO. After the removal of the 5-cap and two nucleotides, intermediates are loaded onto PRG-1, followed by trimming and 3-end methylation. The nuclease that processes the 5-end is currently unclear. b, Schematic of TOFU-1, TOFU-2 and SLFL-3/4, in comparison to rat SLFN13. The lines indicate low-complexity regions and the rectangles indicate the predicted folded domains. BD, bridging domain. c, Superposition of TOFU-1 and TOFU-2 SLFN domains onto the crystal structure of the N-terminal SLFN13 endoribonuclease domain (Protein Data Bank (PDB): 5YD0). Domains are colored as in b. The magnified view shows the active site of SLFN13. Involved residues are shown as sticks. d, Label-free proteomic quantification of TOFU-2HA and wild-type immunoprecipitates from young adult extracts. n = 4 biological replicates. The x axis shows the median fold enrichment of individual proteins, and the y axis shows log 10 [P]. P values were calculated using Welch two-sided t-tests. The dashed lines represent enrichment thresholds at P = 0.05 and fold change > 2, curvature of enrichment threshold c = 0.05. The dots represent enriched (blue/red) or quantified (gray) proteins. Only uniquely matching peptides were used. e, Schematic of the mCherryH2B piRNA sensor. f, Wide-field fluorescence microscopy analysis of adult hermaphrodites carrying the piRNA sensor in the following three genetic backgrounds: tofu-2(E216A) (top), prg-1(n4357) (middle) and wild type (bottom). Germlines are outlined by white dashed lines. Scale bar, 50 m. A representative image from a series of ten is shown. g, Total mature piRNA levels (type 1) in wild-type and tofu-2(E216A)-mutant young adult hermaphrodites. n = 3 biological replicates. The red lines show the group means. P values were calculated using two-tailed unpaired t-tests. h, The relative abundance of type 1 piRNA precursors from individual loci in tofu-2(E216A)-mutant versus wild-type young adult hermaphrodites. n = 3 biological replicates. RPM, reads per million non-structural small RNA reads. Credit: Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06588-2

The research teams of Professor Rene Ketting at the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) in Mainz, Germany, and Dr. Sebastian Falk at the Max Perutz Labs in Vienna, Austria, have identified a new enzyme called PUCH, which plays a key role in preventing the spread of parasitic DNA in our genomes. These findings may reveal new insights into how our bodies detect and fight bacteria and viruses to prevent infections.

Our cells are under constant attack from millions of foreign intruders, such as viruses and bacteria. To keep us from getting sick, our bodies have an immune systema whole army of cells that specializes in detecting and destroying these invaders. However, our cells face threats not only from external enemies but also from within.

Genomic parasites populate a large part of the genome

An amazing 45 percent of our genome is comprised of thousands of genomic parasites, i.e., repetitive DNA sequences called transposable elements (TEs). TEs are found in all organisms but have no specific function. They can, however, be dangerous. TEs are also called "jumping genes" because they can copy and paste themselves into new locations in our DNA.

This is a major problem because it can lead to mutations that cause our cells to stop working normally or to become cancerous. As such, almost half of our genome is engaged in a constant guerrilla war with the other half as TEs seek to multiply, while our cells try to prevent them from spreading.

How do our cells combat these internal enemies? Fortunately, our cells have evolved a genomic defense system of specialized proteins whose job it is to hunt down TEs and prevent them from replicating.

In a new paper published in Nature, Rene Ketting and Sebastian Falk together with their research teams report their discovery of PUCHa completely new, previously unknown type of enzyme, which is key to this genomic defense system. They found that PUCH plays a crucial role in producing small molecules called piRNAs, which detect TEs when they attempt to "jump." They then activate the genomic defense system to stop TEs before they paste themselves into new locations in our DNA.

The researchers discovered PUCH in the cells of the roundworm C. elegans, a simple invertebrate often used in biological research. However, the findings may also shed light on how our own immune system works. PUCH is characterized by unique molecular structures called Schlafen folds.

Enzymes with Schlafen folds are also found in mice and humans, where they appear to play a role in innate immunity, the body's first line of defense against viruses and bacteria. For example, some Schlafen proteins interfere with the replication of viruses in humans. On the other hand, some viruses such as monkeypox viruses, for example, may also use Schlafen proteins to attack the cell's defense system. Rene Ketting suspects that Schlafen proteins may have a wider, conserved role in immunity in many species, including humans.

"Schlafen proteins may represent a previously unknown molecular link between immune responses in mammals and deeply conserved RNA-based mechanisms that control TEs," said Ketting, who is also a Professor of Biology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU). If so, Schlafen proteins may represent a common defense mechanism against both external enemies like viruses and bacteria as well as internal ones such as TEs.

"It's conceivable that Schlafen proteins have been repurposed into enzymes that protect cells from infectious DNA sequences, such as TEs," added Sebastian Falk. "This discovery may profoundly impact our understanding of innate immune biology."

More information: Nadezda Podvalnaya et al, piRNA processing by a trimeric Schlafen-domain nuclease, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06588-2
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The Grand Canyon is known as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Credit: Matthew Lachniet

The Grand Canyon's valleys and millions of years of rock layers spanning Earth's history have earned it a designation as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. But, according to a new UNLV study, its marvels extend to vast cave systems that lie beneath the surface, which just might hold clues to better understand the future of climate changeby studying nature's past.

A research teamled by UNLV paleoclimatologist and professor Matthew Lachnietpulled an ancient stalagmite from the floor of an undisturbed Grand Canyon cave. By studying the mineral deposits' geochemistry, they were able to analyze precipitation patterns during the rapidly warming period following the last Ice Age to improve understanding about the potential impact of future climate change on summer monsoon rains in the U.S. Southwest and northwestern Mexico.

Their findings, published Oct. 2 in Nature Geoscience, revealed that increasing levels of water seeped into the cave between 8,500 and 14,000 years ago, during a period known as the early Holocene when temperatures rose throughout the region. Using a paleoclimate model, the researchers determined that this was likely caused by intensified and expanded summer rainfall stemming from atmospheric impacts on air circulation patterns that more quickly melted the winter snowpacks and sped up the evaporation process that fuels monsoon rains.

This is significant, authors say, because most of the water currently infiltrating through the bedrock and into caves and aquifersand contributing to groundwater rechargecomes from winter snowmelt. During the early Holocene, however, when peak temperatures were only slightly warmer than today, both summer and winter moisture contributed to groundwater recharge in the region.

The authors suggest that future warming, which could cause temperatures to rise above those of the early Holocene, may also lead to greater rates of summer rainfall on the high-elevation Colorado Plateau and an intensifying North American monsoon, the pattern of pronounced and increased thunderstorms and precipitation that typically occur between June and mid-September.

UNLV professor Matthew Lachniet holds a stalagmite retrieved from a Grand Canyon cave. Credit: Laura Sangaila

"What was surprising about our results is that during this past warm period, both the summer monsoon and infiltration into the cave increased, which suggests that summer was important for Grand Canyon groundwater recharge, even though today it is not an important season for recharge," said Lachniet, who personally retrieved the stalagmite from a cave in the Redwall Formation on the South Rim of eastern Grand Canyon in 2017. "While we still expect the region to dry in the future, more intense summer rainfall may actually infiltrate into the subsurface more than it does today."

Stalagmites are common cave formations that act as ancient rain gauges that record historic climate change. They grow as mineral-rich waters seep through the ground above and drop from the tips of stalactites on cave ceilings. Calcite minerals from tiny drops of water accumulate over thousands of years, and much like tree rings, accurately record the rainfall history of an area. Three natural forms of oxygen are found in water, and the quantity of one form decreases as rainfall increases. This information is locked into the stalagmites over time.

Because of the distinct difference in the oxygen isotope composition between summer and winter precipitation, it is possible to estimate the relative contributions from each season. Variation in uranium-234 isotope and changes in the growth thickness of stalagmite give indication of the change in the amount of precipitation.

"We were able to validate the oxygen record with the growth data, with the uranium isotope data to confirm that in fact, we see significant increases in summer moisture during this warm period, which we attribute to the monsoon," said the University of New Mexico professor Yemane Asmerom. "Unfortunately, effective moisture is the balance between precipitation and evaporation. Unlike the more temperate Grand Canyon climate, the dry southern part is likely to be drier, as a result of the increased temperatures."

The research team used stalagmite samples to reconstruct groundwater recharge ratesor, the amount of water that penetrates the aquifersin the Grand Canyon area during the early years of the Holocene period. High groundwater recharge rates likely occurred on other high-elevation plateaus in the region, too, they said, though it's unclear how the activity applies to hotter, low-elevation deserts.

UNLV paleoclimatologist Matthew Lachniet retrieved the stalagmite from an undisturbed Grand Canyon cave in 2017. Credit: Laura Sangaila

What is clear is that ongoing human-caused climate change is leading to hotter temperatures throughout southwestern North America, including the Grand Canyon region. Alongside population growth and agricultural pressures, this warming can reduce the infiltration of surface water into groundwater aquifers. Groundwater recharge rates also depend on the frequency and intensity of summer rains associated with monsoon season.

Though summer infiltration isn't a significant contributor to groundwater recharge in the region today, these latest findings suggest that could change in the future as the climate warms and monsoonal moisture increases. What's unknown is how a projected decrease in winter precipitation and snowpack could impact overall groundwater reserves.

In addition to Lachniet and Asmerom, the following researchers collaborated on the report: Xiaojing Du and Sylvia G. Dee of Rice University; Victor Polyak of the University of New Mexico; and Benjamin W. Tobin of the University of Kentucky.

More information: Matthew S. Lachniet et al, Elevated Grand Canyon groundwater recharge during the warm Early Holocene, Nature Geoscience (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-023-01272-6 Journal information: Nature Geoscience
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Investigated atomic pathways in 3C-SiC. a) Monovacancy dynamics, including carbon (V C ) and silicon (V Si ) vacancy migration, and V Si and carbon antisite vacancy complex (CAV) inter-conversion. b) Pairing of second (V-V2) and third (V-V3) neighbors V C and V Si vacancies to form a double vacancy VV. Only V-V up to third neighbors were considered, due to the size of our supercells. c) VV migration path with the lowest barrier, where steps 1 to 3 are illustrated. V C C Si V C complex in step 3 is denoted as VCV. Credit: Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41632-9

Researchers led by Giulia Galli at University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering report a computational study that predicts the conditions to create specific spin defects in silicon carbide. Their findings, published online in Nature Communications, represent an important step towards identifying fabrication parameters for spin defects useful for quantum technologies.

Electronic spin defects in semiconductors and insulators are rich platforms for quantum information, sensing, and communication applications. Defects are impurities and/or misplaced atoms in a solid and the electrons associated with these atomic defects carry a spin. This quantum mechanical property can be used to provide a controllable qubit, the basic unit of operation in quantum technologies.

Yet the synthesis of these spin defects, typically achieved experimentally by implantation and annealing processes, is not yet well understood, and importantly, cannot yet be fully optimized. In silicon carbidean attractive host material for spin qubits due to its industrial availabilitydifferent experiments have so far yielded different recommendations and outcomes for creating the desired spin defects.

"There hasn't yet been a clear strategy to engineer the formation of spin defects to the exact specifications we want, a capability that would be highly advantageous for advancing quantum technologies," says Galli, the Liew Family Professor of Molecular Engineering and Chemistry, who is the corresponding author of the new paper. "So, we embarked in a long computational journey to ask the following question: Can we understand how these defects form by carrying out comprehensive atomistic simulations?"

Galli's teamincluding Cunzhi Zhang, a postdoctoral researcher in Galli's group, and Francois Gygi, a professor of computer science at the University of California, Davishave combined multiple computational techniques and algorithms to predict the formation of specific spin defects in silicon carbide known as "divacancies."

"Divacancies are created by removing a silicon and a carbon atom sitting close together in a silicon carbide solid. We know from previous experiments that these types of defects are promising platforms for sensing applications," Zhang says.

Quantum sensing could enable detection of magnetic and electric fields and also reveal how complex chemical reactions occur, beyond what's possible with today's technologies. "To unlock quantum sensing capabilities in the solid-state, we first need to be able to create the right spin defects or qubits at the right location." Galli says.

To find a recipe for predicting the formation of particular spin defects, Galli and her team combined several techniques to help them look at the movements of atoms and charges when a defect forms as a function of temperature.

"Typically, when a spin defect is created, other defects also appear and those may negatively interfere with the targeted sensing capabilities of the spin defect," says Gygi, the main developer of the first-principles molecular dynamics code Qbox used in the team's quantum simulations. "Being able to fully understand the complex mechanism of defect formation is very important."

The team coupled the Qbox code with other advanced sampling techniques developed within the Midwest Integrated Center for Computational Materials (MICCoM), a computational materials science center headquartered at Argonne National Laboratory.

"Our combined techniques and multiple simulations revealed to us the specific conditions under which divacancy spin defects can be efficiently and controllably formed in silicon carbide," Galli says. "In our calculations, we are letting the fundamental physics equations tell us what is happening inside the crystal structure when defects form."

The team expects that experimentalists will be interested in using their computational tools to engineer a variety of spin defects in silicon carbide and also other semiconductors, yet cautions that generalizing their tool to predict a broader range of defect formation processes and defect arrays will require more work. "But the proof of principle we have provided is importantwe showed that we can computationally determine some of the conditions required to create the desired spin defects" Galli says.

Next, her team will continue working to expand their computational studies and speed up their algorithms. They also would like to expand their investigation to include a range of more realistic conditions. "Here, we're only looking at samples in their bulk form, but in experimental samples there are surfaces, strain, and also macroscopic defects. We would like to include their presence in our future simulations and in particular understand how surfaces influence spin defect formation," Galli says.

Although her team's advance is based on computational studies, Galli says all their predictions are rooted in long-standing collaborations with experimentalists. "Without the ecosystem we work in, constantly talking with and partnering with experimentalists, this wouldn't have happened."

More information: Cunzhi Zhang et al, Engineering the formation of spin-defects from first principles, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41632-9 Journal information: Nature Communications
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A team led by researchers at the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, UK, has discovered a secret about Stonehenge stone 80, also known as the "Altar Stone," suggesting it did not come from the same source as other stones used in the construction. Many of the smaller stones are believed to be derived from a source 140 miles away from Stonehenge, but the Altar Stone is different and may be from a quarry much further away.

In a paper, "The Stonehenge Altar Stone was probably not sourced from the Old Red Sandstone of the Anglo-Welsh Basin: Time to broaden our geographic and stratigraphic horizons?," published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, the research team details how newly acquired information is overturning a hundred-year-old theory.

The Altar Stone at Stonehenge is a unique stone among the bluestones of Stonehenge due to its sandstone composition, which contrasts with the predominantly igneous bluestones forming the inner circle of Stonehenge. Bluestone refers to the smaller stones at Stonehenge, which have a bluish hue when wet.

Previous theories suggested that the Altar Stone originated from the Old Red Sandstone formation of west Wales, similar to the other bluestones primarily from the Mynydd Preseli area in west Wales.

The Old Red Sandstone formation was created around 400 million years ago when what is today Europe and North America collided. Portions of the formation can be found on both sides of the Atlantic and as far north as Greenland and Norway.

To investigate the origin of the Altar Stone, the researchers conducted various analyses, including optical petrography, portable XRF analysis, automated SEM-EDS analysis, and Raman Spectroscopy on samples from the Old Red Sandstone formation within the Anglo-Welsh Basin. One significant characteristic of the Altar Stone is its high barium content, distinguishing it from most other basin and bluestone samples.

The findings indicate that the Altar Stone's barium content is unusual. While a few basin formation samples match its composition, they are discounted as being from the same source as the Altar Stone due to contrasting mineralogies. This raises doubts about the Altar Stone's origin in the Anglo-Welsh Basin, suggesting the need to broaden the search geographically and stratigraphically into northern Britain and consider searching for sandstones of a younger age.

The bluestones, predominantly of igneous origin, were originally called "Foreign Stones" by early excavators at Stonehenge because they were unlike the more considerable and locally sourced sarsen stones. The local source for the large stones used in construction is thought to have come from a distance of 15 miles away, which, at upwards of 55 metric tons per stone, is still quite a remarkable undertaking and suggests a deep significance to the location where they were transported.

The majority of the bluestones have been sourced to the Mynydd Preseli area in west Wales, 140 miles west of Stonehenge, which represents one of the longest transport distances known from source to monument construction site anywhere in the world.

The researchers propose that based on their study, the Altar Stone should be "de-classified" as a bluestone, breaking the link to the Mynydd Preseli-derived bluestones of Stonehenge. If correct, the search for the Altar Stone's origin has just begun.

What is the meaning of Stonehenge?

While many astronomical theories have been proposed and debunked over the years, the one aspect confirmed by archaeology is that over the course of 5,000 years, the structure has had many adopted significances. A place to bury the dead, a place to seek sacred healing, a place for contemplation, and if there is a local tradition, druidic or otherwise, it would only be logical to incorporate the monument into gatherings.

Rituals of all sorts have no doubt taken place amidst the stones, not the least of which is the modern tourist rite of taking selfies. Whatever the original intent, the legacy of Stonehenge is in the endless sense of wonder, mystery, imagination and vacation snapshots it provides.

More information: Richard E. Bevins et al, The Stonehenge Altar Stone was probably not sourced from the Old Red Sandstone of the Anglo-Welsh Basin: Time to broaden our geographic and stratigraphic horizons?, Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2023.104215 Journal information: Journal of Archaeological Science

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Image of A. baumannii cells in the presence of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL 2244. Credit: Maria Soledad Ramirez

Cal State Fullerton antibiotic-resistance researcher Maria Soledad Ramirez and her students have discovered a promising new therapeutic to treat Acinetobacter baumannii, a superbug commonly found in hospitals and resistant to many antibiotics.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, called CRAB, is a pathogen with limited antibiotic treatment options. It has gained attention recently due to its rapid prevalence in hospital and health care settings and global spread. The bacteria, listed as an urgent antibiotic resistant threat by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cause severe infections in vulnerable patients with weakened immune systems.

In their study, the researchers tested different lactic acid bacteria strains, known as LAB, to see how well they prevented A. baumannii growth. One strain, called Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL 2244, turned out to be effective at stopping A. baumannii from growingand even causing the bacteria to die, said Ramirez, professor of biological science.

"Lactic acid bacteria are a type of bacteria that could be a promising treatment option. In this study, we looked at how different LAB strains can fight against CRAB using various tests and studying at the genetic level A. baumannii response," Ramirez said.

Ramirez's latest study outlining these findings as a possible solution has been published in Scientific Reports.

The researchers' results show that Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL 2244 has the power to fight A. baumannii.

"These findings could be a new alternative to treat these infections, either on its own or alongside other treatments," Ramirez added. "Our latest work is an exciting step in the right direction. However, we need to explore these findings further to make this a real option for treating carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections."

Co-authors of the paper include CSUF's Nicholas Salzameda, chair and professor of chemistry and biochemistry; biological science undergraduates Briea Gasca and Nardin Georgeos, a Bridges to Stem Cell Research program scholar; and alumna Dema Ramlaoui (B.S. biological science-molecular biology and biotechnology), who is applying to medical school.

Salzameda is assisting with extracting the active chemical components and will contribute to upcoming experiments.

Gasca has worked alongside Ramirez the past year, studying molecular biology and biotechnology. The undergraduate research experience has expanded her knowledge, improved her laboratory skills, and boosted her confidence and drive toward a career in science.

"It has been the best opportunity of my academic career and has fueled my desire to keep contributing to discovering new ways to battle against multidrug-resistant pathogens to advance public health," said Gasca, a past scholar in the university's Research Careers Preparatory Program, which raises student awareness about research and mentoring opportunities.

While this is Gasca's first published research paper, she is looking forward to future research experiences that will prepare her for graduate studies and a career in biotechnology.

"Being a co-author on this paper is such a big accomplishment, and I hope it goes to show my future employers the dedication and credibility I have for this kind of research."

Research collaborator and first author Cecilia Rodriguez, a visiting scholar from Argentina from late 2021 to March 2022, also played a key role in the project.

Rodriguez, an assistant researcher at CONICET-CERELA (Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos), is an expert in working with lactic acid bacteria, including exploring various aspects of their functionality. Her research group at CONICET-CERELA provided the LAB strains to do the project.

"During her visit to Cal State Fullerton, we tested the activity of various LAB strains against resistant A. baumannii strains. She also contributed to RNA extraction experiments and helped write the paper," Ramirez said.

Ramirez underscored the importance of research to create new and effective antibiotics to fight infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteriaand save millions of lives lost worldwide.

"It's important to continue studying and developing LAB as a potential treatment to fight against CRAB infections to give us more options to deal with these difficult-to-treat infections," she said.

More information: Cecilia Rodriguez et al, Antimicrobial activity of the Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL 2244 and its impact on the phenotypic and transcriptional responses in carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41334-8 Journal information: Scientific Reports
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The search for a missing girl near Moreau Lake State Park is continuing into a second night, although the state police investigation is moving from the park to an undisclosed location, officials said. New York State Police Information Officer Stephanie ONeil said the investigation has grown too large for the buildings in use at the park. The investigation has included more than 100 people.

By the end of Sunday evening, the park would be fully closed, she said, No one in, no one out.

State police could be seen checking camping trailers and cars as they exited the park about 5 p.m. Sunday. State police set a vehicle checkpoint on Old Saratoga Road near Saratoga Road. The 6,250-acre park includes camp sites, day sites, about 20 miles of hiking trails and a large pond.

A search began Saturday evening at about 6:45 p.m. for 9-year-old Charlotte Sena who was riding her bicycle in the park during a family camping trip. She had biked with friends twice around Loop A in the park and then went for another ride by herself. When she had not returned after about 15 minutes, the family looked and then called police, Gov. Kathy Hochul reported in a press conference Sunday.

During that press conference, Lt. Colonel Richard L. Mazzone, Assistant Deputy Superintendent of the New York State Police, said the amber alert was created after an extensive search through the park turned up nothing.

It was quite possible that an abduction has taken place, they surmised at that time, he said, adding later that police feel the girl is not in the park. I feel confident at this point that we have conducted a search of this park, and were going to continue with that as we search every other avenue.

The search continued all day and ONeil said that some of the language in an amber alert is automatic verbiage and that nothing in the investigation had turned up evidence that an abduction had taken place. However, they were pursuing all leads.

They were here to make memories, the kind that last a lifetime, the governor said.

As a mother and as a grandmother, I cannot imagine the pain theyre going through, Hochul said. I promised her parents, well find her daughter.

All day, state police, forest rangers, state Department of Environmental Conservation police, and volunteers formed lines and searched the woods in and around the park.

They formed lines, walked straight through the woods, and when they reached a roadway, they turned, reformed the line and walked back into the woods, with the searchers calling to each other with their number: Three on the bump when they reached the roadway, and Six moving when they got started again.

One DEC searcher said she had worked a section of the forest about three-quarters of a mile long.

Charlotte is a White female, approximately 9 years 1 month old with long, blonde hair and green eyes. She is approximately 4 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 90 pounds. Charlotte was last seen wearing orange tie-dye Pokemon shirt, dark blue pants, black crocs, gray bike helmet.

When Charlotte did not return on her bike ride after about 15 minutes, friends and family with whom she was camping, searched, and soon many campers were helping. The parents, David and Tricia (we could not confirm spellings of their names) called 911. Police arrived before 7 p.m. Her bike was found on Loop A, police said.

Search efforts continued throughout the night, Mazzone said. Additional search teams deployed Sunday morning.

We continue to dedicate all resources that we can to find Charlotte and bring her home safely, Mazzone said during the press conference.

The search has drawn others as well, with many cars not related to law enforcement parked near the parks entrance. And if the bumper stickers from various political affiliations is any indication, the search brought out all types.

Chad Manell from Glens Falls was one of those who came to help. He heard about the trouble while hunting in Gansevoort, thought about it for an hour, and then went to the park.

He said like so many others that this sort of thing happens elsewhere, so he wanted to jump in and help.

This is now at the heart of our home, he said.
WHITEHALL  One of the most influential and instrumental physical pieces of American history sits underneath a ramshackle pavilion, surrounded by chain-link fencing in the small town of Whitehall.

The remains of the USS Ticonderoga, a ship originally built in Vergennes, Vermont, that was commissioned by Commodore Thomas MacDonough, and that engaged the British as they attempted  and nearly succeeded  in retaking the American colonies during the War of 1812, now is little more than a keel and some ribs with a plaque to commemorate it.

She was used with three other ships (the USS Saratoga, the USS Eagle, and the USS Preble) and 10 gun boats in the battle of Plattsburgh Bay in 1814, said Robert Mowatt, president of the Historical Society of Whitehall. The British were going to sail south on Lake Chaplain and split the states in half, take over the eastern seaboardand capture New York City. Thats how they were going to restore their control over the continent of North America.

Mowatt explained the battle of Plattsburgh Bay was immensely pivotal, but unusually short-lived, due to the British commander being killed in the first 10 minutes.

When he was killed, nobody else knew what to do, so they struck their colors (and) the Americans captured the fleet, he said. This particular battle saved the continent.

As the flagship of MacDonoughs fleet, the Saratoga stayed to patrol the lake, while the rest of the ships were taken to Whitehall and drawn up along the shores of the Pultney River.

The ships were decommissioned and stripped of all their useful components a few years later, and by the winter of 1820 every piece of the ships that was above the waterline had been salvaged. When the ice melted in spring their remains sank into the muddy riverbed. There they laid buried until 1958, when Mowatt said the Ticonderoga was unceremoniously removed from the mud.

This was not federal water, so there were no rules for removing an archaeological site from the bottom of Lake Champlain, because it technically was not in Lake Champlain, Mowatt said. With D8 CAT (bulldozer), and a chainsaw, and a couple of sticks of dynamite, they loosened her up and they brought her out in three pieces.

The remains were transported to Skenesborough Park in Whitehall where they were reassembled and sit today.

She is the only ship above water from that war period, Mowatt said.

The Eagle and the Preble are still sunk in the Pultney River, Mowatt is unsure of the fate of the Saratoga.

Whitehall being the birthplace of the U.S. Navy, which takes us back to the war of 1776, it seemed like a great idea to have the ship drawn up here, he added.

Whitehall, or Skenesborough as it was known at the time, is were then revolutionary hero-turned-traitor Benedict Arnold, assembled the first fleet of ships to fight the British.

Recently, the Historical Society board has been attempting to get the hulk listed on the New York State Register as an historical site. But just as the Ticonderoga blocked the British, Mowatt said their attempts have also been stymied.

They basically said, well we dont register boats, we only register structures Mowatt said. That kind of sounds a little odd because last I knew, wood thats put together into something that is built, is a structure.

Mowatt said the ultimate goal for the preservation of the ship, would be to build as weather-proof, climate controlled structure around it. But the generosity of the town and village officials, as well as public donations, can only be stretched so far.

We dont have the funding to manage to repair or even replace the structure that protects the Ticonderoga, he said. We cant get any funding from other sources to help preserve that ship unless its registered as an historic site.

[To read about the man who created the model USS Ticonderoga, click here.]

For more information about the USS Ticonderoga, and the revolutionary history of Whitehall, visit, www.skenesborough.com.
Thirty-two students from the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Armed Forces Preparatory School in Delhi have cleared the National Defence Academy (NDA) written examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal lauded the students, saying it is nothing short of a miracle.

During a meeting with these students at his camp office on Saturday, Kejrwal said: Last year, we opened this school to prepare children for careers in the armed forces. This year, 32 students from this school have passed the NDA exam. These children will become officers, and I believe their success is nothing short of a miracle.

The chief minister stressed on the significance of their role in serving the country, stating: You have the opportunity to do something remarkable for our nation. Embrace the challenges that come your way, always be prepared, and serve our country with dedication.

The success of the school -- inaugurated by Kejriwal on August 27, 2022 -- is even more astonishing considering its the institutions inaugural batch. Kejriwal credited the schools authorities, teachers, and trainers for molding the students into exemplary candidates within a short span.

This school sets a precedent in Delhi. It paves the way for our youth to join the armed forces, and its evident from this achievement that Delhi is now contributing officers to our nations defence, he added. IANS
Pune Metro has garnered enthusiastic response from the city's residents, with passenger numbers steadily increasing. However, a lingering source of confusion for commuters revolves around the naming of Bhosari Metro Station, which falls on the Pimpri-Chinchwad to Shivajinagar Court route.

To address this issue, the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) has formally approached the Union Ministry of Housing and Civil Affairs, seeking a name change for the Bhosari Metro Station.

Maha Metro has emphasized that the request to change the station's name aligns with the passengers' demand for clarity and accuracy. This move aims to reduce confusion among commuters navigating the metro network in Pune.

Additionally, there is a parallel request to change the name of another metro station, namely Budhwar Peth station. Shravan Hardikar, Managing Director of Maha Metro, acknowledged the importance of addressing passenger concerns and accommodating their preferences.

It's worth noting that the Bhosari Metro Station's geographical location differs from its name. The station is situated in an area known as Nashik Phata, while Bhosari is located approximately five kilometers away. Both the present station and Nashik Phata are situated along the Pune-Mumbai Highway. Bhosari, on the other hand, is positioned on the Pune-Nashik highway.

This appeal to rename Bhosari Metro Station reflects the commitment of Maha Metro to enhance the passenger experience by facilitating easy navigation and reducing ambiguity in the metro system's nomenclature.

As this matter progresses, Pune's metro commuters await a resolution that will contribute to a more seamless and straightforward metro travel experience in the city.
Keeping a family-owned business afloat can be a challenge, but not for the Ruhls. For the past 161 years, their real estate business has stood the test of time. And they have five generations of family-led leadership to prove it.

The family's rich history in real estate began in 1862 with Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors in a small corner store in west Davenport. By 1899, John H. Ruhl acquired an insurance agency, and his son John joined the business in 1919, putting an emphasis on real estate.

By 1920, C. Arthur Ruhl, the second-generation owner, joined the team with a focus on insurance, and in 1950 Charles A. Ruhl joined, representing the third-generation, according to the company's website.

In 1982, Ruhl & Ruhl Insurance and Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors split off to become two separate companies. Two years prior to that in 1980, Caroline Ruhl, daughter of Charles, got her start in the business. But despite the family connection, real estate was not an encouraged profession.

"My father wanted the brothers to be in real estate, but I was not supposed to," she said.

Instead, she found a job in Dallas, doing relocation for Rockwell International. From there she found work in international personnel, relocation and finally worked her way up the ladder to become the manager of employment and management development for Ebby Halliday, a Texas-based real-estate firm named after the founder. Halliday's firm is now the largest real estate company in Texas.

Although Ruhl enjoyed the role she was in, she felt her calling was elsewhere.

"I really thought what those people were doing in selling the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and trying to attract people to come to their area while I was trying to sell the company and the positions, I felt their job looked like more fun," she said. "I had always thought it would be fun to own my own business, so that was my aspiration. I loved corporate America, but I decided I would rather own my own business."

Ruhl then relocated to Davenport, started in sales, then set up a relocation office with Ruhl&Ruhl. Even though she was ready to start her new career, the economy was not making it easy.

"The early '80s here, we had a huge recession with the farm crisis. Lots of people were leaving the area, so that was a very challenging time to be in the business," she said. "It was like the last person out, turn off the lights."

Homes were depreciating at 1% a month and in the Quad-Cities specifically, an estimated 20,000 manufacturing jobs were lost, according to PBS. Over in Waterloo, 14% of the population left and homes were left abandoned. Ruhl said selling homes in the Quad-Cities was a challenge, too.

"It felt like a black cloud whenever you walked into somebody's house," she said. "Now when we walk in, they're pleasantly surprised their house is worth more than they think it is. But back then, they all thought it was worth more than it was."

Ruhl&Ruhl was able to weather the economy, and the relocation business kept it afloat, she said. Once the market turned around, the real estate side bounced back, the relocation office moved to Bettendorf.

Ruhl continued to manage and grow that portion of the company until 1989 when she became the CEO, and the fourth generation to lead the company. Being a woman in business was not easy, she said. There were many barriers to break, and especially because she was a woman, eyes were on her. She used this opportunity to rise to the occasion and beat the expectations of the time.

"Because you're a woman, they pay more attention to you because you stand out," she said. "They were pleasantly surprised."

While leading the company by day, Ruhl was also raising two sons: John and Chris Beason. The latter of which joined the family business after college, representing the fifth-generation of family ownership.

Beason said his path into real estate felt natural, because it was always a topic of conversation.

"Growing up in the family business, it was at the dinner table and at family events. There was always conversation about real estate, so it was sort of ingrained in me growing up," he said. "It came naturally to me, but I wasn't sure what aspect of real estate interested me."

After graduating from college, Beason's grandfather, Charles A. Ruhl Sr., mentored him. The pair shared a close bond until Ruhl's death in 2014. Prior to that, his grandfather identified him as the one who would take over the company next.

Initially, Beason felt the pressure of leading the company, but that feeling wore off quickly. Ruhl&Ruhl is the second-oldest real estate firm in the United States, and Beason wants to continue the growth until they are in first.

"I never had to be talked into it. It's more of a duty, but it's also an honor," he said. "After four generations, you can't just let it go."

Ruhl said when her son first came to her and said he wanted to join the company, she was happy to hear it, but it wasn't going to be that easy. If Beason was going to earn a leadership position, he would have to prove he had what it took.

"It wasn't an entitlement that he would rise to the leadership position that he's in, but I was thrilled that he was coming into the business," she said. "But he had to work his way up."

Beason graduated from college in 2007, armed with a real estate degree. But much like his mother's first foray into the industry, there was a recession looming that made it difficult to get started.

Ruhl instead used her connections to help Beason land jobs in other markets and essentially get his feet wet before coming back to Davenport. Beason eventually joined Ruhl&Ruhl in 2009 as a sales associate, marking the fifth-generation.

"She sent me to get checked out by other people, too," he said. "She wasn't looking at me just as her son. She wanted to get an independent opinion."

Eventually, Beason rose through the ranks and was named company president in 2018. Ruhl said while she was proud of her son and was happy to see him succeed, she was a little concerned about the amount of responsibility he would have to take on.

"Once you get to this point at the leadership level, you have 400 families depending on us," she said. "We have to make sure we create a safe, profitable place for people to work. You lose some sleep at night just making sure you're doing the right things."

But, Beason has proved himself and is now respected in the industry, she said. Beason said getting to follow in his mother's footsteps is an honor.

"On a national scale, we are constantly getting recognition on how we are doing things," he said. "(She's) built that. The Ruhl&Ruhl that we have on the residential side is not what it was in the '80s."

Beason said he has big shoes to fill, but is grateful to have such a legacy to carry on. Moving forward, his motivation is to ensure the company continues to grow, and he will do that by following the lessons he has learned from his mother over the years.

"Most importantly (I have learned) how to treat people, and that people matter. You get back what you put into relationships and into your community," he said. "She's very giving of her time and resources and does it without blinking an eye on giving to others."
Editor's note: This article is the first of a recurring series "Quad-Cities Learning" featuring robust, successful and/or unique program offerings among Quad-Cities metro school districts.

In third grade, Addison Harms and her family moved to the Quad-Cities area from Ankeny, Iowa  largely for North Scott's agriculture program.

"My mom used to be an Illinois State (Future Farmers of America) Officer, so she wanted us to have the opportunity to be involved in FFA if we chose to," she said. "Then, I was on the junior high officer team, and my brother was on the high school officer team last year. So, we both chose to get involved, because it's the career path we're interested in."

Harms, a sophomore, is among 207 high school students in North Scott's agriculture program this year.

At the junior high level, 196 students participate.

When Jacob Hunter, an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, started North Scott's agriculture program in 2016, only 59 high school students participated.

He and other faculty project this growth to continue.

"Currently, there are no agriculture programs in Davenport, Bettendorf or Pleasant Valley. Without North Scotts regional agriculture program development, over 7,000 Scott County students would not have access to agriculture courses," he said, adding North Scott's future Regional Innovation Center will extend its reach. "We plan on continually growing the agriculture program to include all students of both rural and urban backgrounds within our regional agriculture program."

Sophomore Molly Licht splits her days between North Scott and Davenport North High School for the agriculture program.

She works with horses which led to her interest in veterinary field.

"I'm just trying to get all the (agricultural) opportunities I can and eventually figure out what I want to do," Licht said. "I know, eventually, I'm going to go into either veterinary engineering of some sort, or diesel mechanics."

Far more than farming

North Scott's Agriculture Program consists of three integrated parts: classroom instruction, FFA (formerly "Future Farmers of America") and a Supervised Agricultural Experience, which all students are required to complete.

Students may choose their Supervised Agricultural Experience, which range from internship and research opportunities to career exploration and planning.

"Many people only think that FFA is only for cows, sows and plows, but we (North Scott) understand that agriculture affects us daily through our food, fuel and fiber," said Emily Kruse, another North Scott agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. "Our students learn that even if you werent born on a farm, every student has an important role in feeding our growing world, they just might be designing the tractor instead of using it in the field."

Kruse earned the 2022-23 Golden Owl Award, which honors Iowa's top agriculture educator each year.

North Scott's FFA Chapter was chartered in 1958. Formerly known as "Future Farmers of America," the entity re-branded as the "National FFA Organization" in 1988 to encompass its network of opportunities outside of farming.

Roughly 10% of the North Scott's agriculture students come from a farming family, according to a fall 2023 program survey.

"If we were to survey the student body, that number would be significantly less," Hunter said. "However, a lot of parents and caregivers work in the agriculture industry, as they are employed by John Deere, Kraft-Heinz or other agricultural corporations in the area."

Some students are inspired by their lineage.

"What made me really want to do the (program) is helping my grandpa farm," said Max Davis, a freshman. "After helping him for a while, it's been making me want to do more in the agricultural industry."

While sophomore Jordan Jones and senior Cole Wessel also have family farming backgrounds, the two agree North Scott's agriculture program opened their eyes to an array of opportunities.

"My dad farms, but I'm not directly involved with the farm, so freshman year I wanted to get involved with agriculture," Wessel said. "Since then, I've dipped my toes into pretty much everything in the program. I've kind of figured out what I like, and that's what led me to what major I want in college."

Next year, he plans to study agricultural science at Iowa State University.

"I've completely changed since being in FFA, like, I'm not worried about college at all," Wessel said. "I've had many experiences where I've had to meet new people  and it just let me practice my ability to interact with people and make new friends wherever I go. It's just kind of become part of my personality."

Similarly, Jones described herself as "shy" prior to joining FFA in junior high.

"Now, I'm able to speak to a bunch of people without freaking out," she said, having placed fourth in Iowa for FFA Creed Speaking. "That was a moment for me where I was like, 'Wow, I've really come far from eighth grade.'"

Jones also placed first and earned top honors at the 2023 Northeast Sub-district contest for FFA Creed Speaking.

"Besides that, I always thought I wanted to be a vet," she said. "Now that I've been in FFA for three years, I kind of see that I want to do ag. education, maybe, just because I've seen how much my ag. teachers do for me. I want to be able to do the same thing for other kids, because I've gotten a lot of great opportunities."

Students feel a misconception about FFA is that it's only geared toward aspiring farmers.

"I've never lived on a farm, ever, in my entire life," Harms said. "I'm still involved with FFA  but it's to learn more about things. I am involved in other things, not FFA-related, but FFA has come to be one I really enjoy."

Stifling these misconceptions, Wessel said, may be huge for metropolitan areas like the Quad-Cities.

"It's actually a really good opportunity for us to educate more about agriculture," he said. "There are so many different parts that come together to be able to function like as a food chain, and agriculture is in every single part of that."

Citing the Scott County Farm Bureau's recent "Ag in the Classroom" event, Wessel said North Scott's program has several partnerships geared toward agricultural literacy.

"Really, almost every job can be traced back to agriculture," Davis said. "If people stopped doing ag. careers, the whole world wouldn't be able to run."

For those who do pursue farming, Wessel said this is a pathway to be proud of.

"I feel like people always say that it's kind of negative to be a farmer," he said. "But  we feed the whole world, and that's kind of a cool thing."

North Scott's agriculture program has over 100 work and/or service-based opportunities for students each year  these tend to excite students the most, Hunter and said.

"Our program has been strategically designed to cater to the interests of a diverse group of students: plant science, communications, marketing, animal science, food science, agricultural mechanics, etc. We recognize that not every event or competition will attract the same students," they said.

Networking through FFA programs

Progressing via district, regional, state and national levels, Harms said FFA conventions speak to the organization's reach.

"You just realize how big of a scale FFA is, and how many people are involved just like you are," she said. "It's just cool to meet all these people you would've never had the opportunity to meet before."

Wessel echoed this, noting how FFA is the largest student-led organization in the United States.

"We have almost a million members across the U.S.," he said. "What I've come to realize is that the best experience is just the people you meet."

This summer, Wessel attended the National FFA Organization's Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

"That was probably the most valuable experience I've had in my entire life," he said. "I really was able to bond with people I hadn't met until that Monday, and by Friday, we were best friends and still talk.  That's really what I think is most valuable, going somewhere brand new and meeting new people."

Both FFA rookies this year, Licht and Davis said they enjoyed orientation and look forward to various FFA activities, competitions and conferences  the latter noted the agricultural engineering course, specifically.

How North Scott's agriculture program stands out

With 262 local FFA chapters across the state, agriculture education programs aren't exactly unique in Iowa.

Still, few garner the participation and success of North Scott, and program leaders say this is thanks to community support.

"In 2016, there was an effort from the school, members of the community and stakeholders that knew agriculture was an important part of our county. Rather than shying away from that fact, they leaned into the industry that feeds us three times a day," Hunter said. "Without a supportive school board, administrators, booster club and community members, we would not have been able to achieve the accolades in our trophy case or our students diverse agricultural learning experiences."

They gave a shout-out to their students, too.

"Our student leadership team truly exemplifies one of the best ideals of FFA: the fact that FFA is a student-led organization," Kruse said. "They are responsible for so many components of the program and are the driving force behind our events, activities, and what we accomplish each year."

North Scott students typically place high in each FFA convention, Wessel said, across nearly all competition categories.

"Maybe we're not always first, but we're always right up there," he said. "That's because (teachers) push us to do good at everything we do  making sure everything is high-standard."

North Scott's agriculture faculty allow students to be as involved as they want, Harms said.

"I think that helps draw students in," she said. "Because they're like 'Oh, you can do one competition or one class,' and then you'll just fall in love with it and want to do more. That helps our program grow."

This mutually-beneficial tactic might also boost morale.

"It just makes it so that when you do something (FFA activity), you enjoy it a lot more," Davis said. "And, work a lot harder and put in a lot more effort."

North Scott's agriculture program also sets itself apart in its local impact, Hunter said.

Namely, a group of agriculture students that farm nearly 70 acres of Scott County farmland, alongside and community stakeholders.

"This is not an easy feat, but the student is involved in the decision making process from the planning in the winter, to planting, crop scouting the summer, harvest in the fall and then marketing the crop," Hunter said, noting how interest in agriscience projects has grown. "This renewed commitment to science allows our students to learn processes and how to share results with people outside the world of agriculture."

In 2022, North Scott brought home its first National FFA Agriscience Fair champion. For the first time in school district history, students qualified for the International Science and Engineering Fair in 2023.

What's next for North Scott ag. program?

Aside from patiently awaiting the Regional Innovation Center, North Scott's agriculture program has other new endeavors in the works.

This fall, North Scott's junior high FFA students are collecting data about water quality in various Quad-City watersheds, fulfilling an environmental science grant. Followed up to confirm grant title.

North Scott's agriculture program also launched the "#andFFA" social media campaign, which highlights students' FFA involvement atop other activities.

"In a large school, students often feel that they can just focus on one particular activity," Hunter said. "We celebrate and encourage our students to be multifaceted and take on other activities that interest them as high school students. The confluence of their interests will help them lead a happier life rather than a hyper-focused experience."

Students in the program amply recommend for others to join.

"I've made some of my best friends through FFA," Jones said. "If I wouldn't have joined, then I wouldn't have the same career opportunities I have right now. So if you're looking to join, then I definitely would."

During her brief time at North Scott so far, Licht said she's had no issue making friends.

"I'm looking forward to making more friendships and having more opportunities," she said, adding both Davenport and North Scott school districts have been helpful in coordinating her agriculture education pathway.
Pleasant Valley Community School District

SEPT. 25  All board members were present.

In wake of objections to school board director Tracey Riveras Nov. candidate nomination papers for the Nov. 7 city/school elections, Mondays meeting agenda was amended to add information on the review process and appoint another school board member for the review.

A special meeting for this review was initially scheduled for Sept. 27, but was later canceled after Rivera withdrew her nomination petition.

The board recognized Pleasant Valleys seven semifinalists for the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Competition, an annual, nationwide academic contest open to all high schoolers. Six of these students attended Mondays meeting  many accompanied by families  to introduce themselves and share a bit about their educational journeys.

After consent agenda items and monthly bills, the board unanimously approved all old and new business items.

Highlights:

A slew of board policy updates, to align with the Iowa Association of School Boards and changes to Iowa law. Board policies 104.R, Investigation Procedures and 422, Required Professional Development for Employees were tabled for further discussion.

Moving forward with FRK architects + engineers for the design development phase for the Pleasant Valley High Schools future 75,000-square-feet of additions and renovations. Final construction documents are expected to come to the board for approval on Nov. 13, with a tentative bid date slated for Dec. 21.

The districts 2022-23 annual report, highlighting continuous improvement work, graduation rates, assessment data and other areas. This report also noted the districts ongoing growth, with enrollment reaching 5,505 this year  during the 2001-02 school year, this figure was 3,119. To view the full report, visit www.pleasval.org and click About our District under the District tab.

A $929,440 modified supplemental assistance (i.e., spending authority) request to the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) for the districts 2022-23 special education budget deficit.

A $142,467 supplemental aid request for the districts 2022-23 Limited English Proficiency budget deficit

To view Mondays lengthy meeting in full, watch the live stream on the Pleasant Valley Community School District YouTube channel.
Fellow farmers and friends of Gerald Jerry Allen Boldt came together Sunday to give their friend and colleague a final tractor parade of sorts during his funeral Monday.

More than 50 tractors and combines  from the newest models to collectors items  surrounded by American flags were lined up along Davenports West Locust Street to honor Boldt, 73, who died Sept. 19 in an accident in Buffalo.

The line of tractors stretched from near the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds westward down Locust Street.

Boldt, of rural Davenport, was a lifelong farmer and owner of Gerald A. Boldt Trucking.

Boldt was an avid supporter of the fair, where he could be seen working the information booth, grilling ribeye steaks and participating in the tractor parade.

He also was a big supporter of Scott County 4-H and the 4-H Auction, and a longtime member of the Scott County Cattlemans Association.

On Monday, Boldts funeral was held at the Starlite Ballroom at the Mississippi Valley Fair. Interment is in Walcott Cemetery. The procession from the funeral home to the fairgrounds to the cemetery will go past the tractors and flags.

Family friend and fellow farmer Martin Paul, of Muscatine, said Boldt was always there when anyone in the community needed him, and the line of tractors was the communitys way of saying thank you.

Boldt funeral
The stream of walkers Sunday on the Interstate 74 bridge pedestrian path was there to show solidarity for people around the world who might have to walk many miles to find food or meet other needs.

The event, the CROP Hunger Walk, was not just symbolic. The many dozens who participated were also raising money to help those other people, some of them close to home, to maybe not have to make that walk in the future.

Helping adds up, Katie Styrt, a member of Milans First Presbyterian Church, said. She was the captain of her churchs team of walking fundraisers on Sunday.

Hunger is such a huge problem that anything you do is going to make a difference, Styrt said.

CROP Hunger Walks happen nationally and support the outreach of Church World Service, a faith-based organization founded after World War II to help people impacted by the war, according to the Walk website. The walks began in 1969.

The money the walks raise addresses hunger and other needs in the United States and other countries, according to the website.

On Sunday, the Quad-Cities walkers started on the eastern edge of Molines downtown, crossed the bridge to Bettendorf, then came back.

There were single walkers and groups small and large all going at their own pace. Together they represented religious groups from across the Quad-Cities.

Some were in teams that wore matching T-shirts. Each of these teams shared a color  purple, yellow and green were just some  and the shirts had the names of the teams churches printed on them. Others, teams and individual participants, just wore everyday apparel.

Regardless of their clothing, or their faith, nearly everyone wore orange stickers with white, all-capital lettering that read: I AM A HUNGER FIGHTER.

This year the Quad-Cities organizers hope to raise $40,000, Jennifer Robb, one of the organizers, said. The teams had already raised more than $10,000 in the days leading up to walk.

Last year, the Quad-Cities raised $36,000, she said.

Twenty-five percent of what we raise will stay here in the community and it goes to a variety of different agencies, Robb said.

Church World Service puts the rest of the money to a variety of uses as part of its broader efforts, the Walk website states. Those uses include agricultural training, helping provide access to clean drinking water, and providing livestock and seed crops.

A news release about the Quad-Cities walk stated that the donations raised this year will help six different local organizations and programs:

Bethany for Children & Families

River Bend Food Bank

Christian Care in Rock Island

Humility Homes and Services

Meal Service of Scott County

Expanded Food & Nutrition Program

The Quad-Cities event also collected nearly 300 jars of peanut butter and of jelly for distribution to this years recipients, Robb said.

People who want to help can still donate, Robb said.

Those wishing make a donation can do so on the Walks website. A link is included with the online version of this article.
When 27-year-old Jacob Staton pleaded guilty to accessory to a felony  a charge with a maximum sentence of five years in prison  prosecutors didn't know he and his accomplice messaged about the killing ahead of time, Deputy Pennington County State's Attorney Olivia Siglin said at Staton's Monday morning sentencing.

"Now we know he was much more involved," Siglin said about Staton's role in the Halloween 2021 killing of 24-year-old Dhani Aronson.

Circuit Court Judge Stacy Wickre sentenced Staton to the maximum of five years in prison.

"I am giving you, unfortunately, the maximum that I can," the judge said. "I am suspending none of it."

Aronson was found dead on Nov. 1, 2021, in a ditch along Wilderness Canyon Road off Highway 16 southeast of Rapid City with two gunshot wounds to the head.

What happened to Aronson was "senseless and inexplicable," according to Conor Duffy, Staton's defense attorney. However, Duffy said the messages discussing the killing ahead of time were a joke on Staton's part and he "didn't know it was gonna happen."

Duffy said his client, "for whatever reason, became friends with a sociopathic killer and didn't know it."

The killer Duffy referred to is 31-year-old Andrew Thorson. Thorson pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in April. Wickre sentenced him in May to 70 years in prison with 15 suspended.

According to court documents, Staton and Thorson picked up Aronson from his Riley Avenue apartment in Rapid City at about 9 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2021.

Staton drove the borrowed Ford F-150 with Aronson in the passenger seat and Thorson in the back passenger seat. Thorson shot Aronson in the back of the head twice.

Staton helped hide Aronson's wallet, the gun, and tried to clean blood out of the truck, Wickre said Monday. At Thorson's May sentencing, Wickre referenced the Facebook messages where the two discussed killing Aronson in the same manner he died.

About a month before Thorson entered his guilty plea, Staton pleaded guilty to accessory to a felony and agreed to testify in Thorson's trial. At that time, prosecutors didn't have all the messages, Siglin said.

Siglin said Staton "minimizes his role in what happened" before she asked for the maximum sentence.

Duffy asked for the judge to give Staton probation, and noted he attended counseling during his time out of custody. He said it is unlikely Staton will commit another crime in his life. He also noted that Staton's coworkers described him as a hard worker and conscientious.

Staton chose not to speak on his own behalf to the court or to Aronson's family, a good choice according to Duffy because, "he is often misinterpreted."

Aronson's father, Samuel Akers, spoke at the sentencing.

"It's been almost two years since Jacob Staton drove my son to his death," Akers began.

"Accessory? You helped plan it," Akers said. "It doesn't matter what sentence you get. It'll never be enough."

He asked the judge for the maximum sentence.

Duffy asked the judge to allow Staton to remain out of custody until Friday. Wickre simply replied, "No. He'll be remanded immediately."
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources announced the Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved $19,043,650 in grants and loans for drinking water, wastewater and storm water projects in South Dakota.

That total includes $64,362 in grants and $18,979,288 in low-interest loans, including $3,683,938 in principal forgiveness to be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

I am pleased to announce this financial assistance is available, said DANR Secretary Hunter Roberts. Safe and reliable water and wastewater infrastructure helps protect our environment and strengthen communities for our kids and grandkids.

Funds were awarded from DANRs Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program, Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, and the Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program.

Bowdle received an additional $405,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to make wastewater system improvements. The project includes rehabilitating the sanitary sewer main to the wastewater ponds, installation of new PVC piping, a new lift station, manhole replacement, and upgrades to the wastewater treatment ponds. The city previously received a funding package in April 2022 for this project. The terms of the loan are 2.125% for 30 years.

Brookings-Deuel Rural Water System received an additional $1,600,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to install 22 miles of 12-inch water main to meet the growing demands of rural customers including livestock and dairy operations; reduce the amount of water loss due to existing glued-joint pipe; and to interconnect the systems two primary water sources. In addition, six miles of 6-inch watermain will be installed to the Lake Cochrane service area to improve low pressures around the lake during periods of peak water use. The system previously received a funding package in April 2022 for this project. The terms of the loan are 2.125% for 30 years.

Claremont received a $505,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with $306,000 in principle forgiveness to replace a portion of their storm sewer water lines and make improvements to their lift station. The terms of the loan are 3.25% for 30 years.

Clark Rural Water Systems received a $610,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $485,000 in principle forgiveness for water system improvements for the town of Raymond. Upon completion, the town will turn over the water system to Clark Rural Water System to operate, maintain and provide potable water to the towns residents. The project will replace water mains and service lines, install water meters and pits, complete street repairs, and other necessary improvements as required. The terms of the loan are 2.75% for 30 years.

Garretson received a $2,593,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to replace sanitary and storm sewer. The loan terms are 3.25% for 30 years. Garretson also received a $2,394,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $1,264,000 in principle forgiveness for to replace an aging watermain that has exceeded its useful life. The loan terms are 3% for 30 years.

Hartford received an additional $5,750,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to construct a wastewater treatment facility to treat residential and industrial waste from Hartford and the surrounding area. The project will also upgrade Hartfords gravity collection system and install a new lift station and force main to the new facility. The city previously received a funding package in April 2022 for this project. The loan terms are 3.25% for 30 years.

Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch received a $73,000 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program loan to increase water supply to meet permitted capacity. The project will furnish and install perforated HDPE pipe to provide an infiltration gallery. The terms of the loan are 3.25% for 30 years.

Weston Heights Homeowners Association received a $899,288 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $393,938 in principle forgiveness and received a $64,362 Drinking Water SRF Construction grant. The project will include construction of a new water storage tank and installation of distribution system pipe to connect the new tank to the rest of the water system The system previously received a funding package in April 2022 for this project. The loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years.

Whitewood received a $4,150,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with $1,235,000 in principle forgiveness to install a lift station and to construct an oxidation ditch to improve wastewater treatment capabilities and meet permitted discharge limits. The loan terms are 3.25% for 30 years.

The Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program, funded in part by revenues from the Petroleum Release Compensation Tank Inspection fee and the sale of lotto tickets, provides grants and loans for water, wastewater and watershed projects. The Legislature annually appropriates dedicated water and waste funding for the Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program through the Governors Omnibus Water Funding Bill.

The State of South Dakota and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fund the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs, which provide low-interest loans for wastewater, storm water, water conservation, nonpoint source projects, and public drinking water system projects. The programs are funded through a combination of federal appropriations, loan repayments and bonds.
South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen invites the public to attend the Supreme Courts Oct. 2023 Term of Court on Oct. 4 and 5 at the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law in Vermillion.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in four cases each morning of Wednesday, Oct. 4, and Thursday, Oct. 5. The sessions will be held in the USD Knudson School of Law at 414 E. Clark St., in Vermillion. Four cases will be argued each morning, with a 10-minute break between each case. The arguments will begin at 9 a.m. CDT and end at noon each day.

Booklets containing a schedule of the cases to be heard, a short synopsis of each case, biographical information on the Supreme Court justices and a short summary of appellate procedure can be found on the Unified Judicial System website at ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/CurrentTerm.aspx.

The South Dakota Supreme Court each fall and spring holds term of court outside of our courtroom at the State Capitol in Pierre, Chief Justice Jensen said. These special sessions give South Dakotans an up-close look at how the judicial system works and how the courts resolve disputes.
Sabrina, a Sturgis native who has worked with Black Hills Special Services for almost a decade, celebrated the dedication of her new home on Sept. 25. She became a homeowner by partnering with Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity.

This home dedication happened shortly before World Habitat Day, which was Oct. 2. The United Nations General Assembly declared the first Monday in October as World Habitat Day, a time to unite in a worldwide effort to promote policies that ensure adequate shelter for all. World Habitat Day focuses on the need to raise awareness and advocate for universal decent and affordable housing.

Box Elder, Custer, Deadwood, Hot Springs, Rapid City, Spearfish and Sturgis each proclaimed Oct. 2 as World Habitat Day.

Achieving homeownership had been a longtime dream for Sabrina. She had been living in a crowded home with her father and her two sons. She knew that for her kids to have a happy, healthy childhood and for her father to get some peace and quiet, she needed to establish a home for herself and her children.

Nothing was really happening for me, Sabrina said. I wanted to make some changes. Id wanted for us to have our own home for a while and was trying to save up for one, but with housing prices like they are, I just couldnt do it. Id get approved by the bank, but the loan wouldnt be enough. I put my application in to Habitat and hoped Id get chosen. Without Habitat, we wouldnt have our home.

To qualify for the Habitat homeowner program, Sabrina proved that she had a need for housing. She proved she met the income eligibility for a home loan. She was willing to put in the 250 hours of sweat equity, contributing to the construction of her home as well as the homes of other Habitat Partner Families. She was willing to participate in the required educational programs about financial management and home maintenance. Sabrina will make monthly mortgage payments that will help fund homes for future partner families like hers.

It was super amazing putting up that last piece and being like, 'wow, this is my home.' It makes me appreciate it so much more to see all the work that goes into it, Sabrina said.

Funding for Sabrinas home came from affordable housing organizations in addition to BHAHFH funding. A SDHDA Housing Opportunity Fund grant awarded to BHAHFH for down payment assistance provided additional down payment funds. GROW South Dakota funds were also used for the purchase of Sabrinas home.

BHAHFH also relies on individual donors, faith communities, foundations and corporations who each provide financial support that ensures homes are affordable for every future homeowner. The gap between what homes cost, their market value, and what many people can afford is growing. BHAHFH needs more partnerships in order to assist the increasing numbers of people who need affordable homes.

Today is a victory for one more of our partner families in need of a hand up. Since our founding in 1990, more than 650 people have been strengthened through affordable homeownership and critical home repairs," said Scott Engmann, Black Hills Area Habitat executive director. A decent home gives families the strength, stability, and independence they need to create a better life for themselves and their families. This strengthens the entire community.

Go to blackhillshabitat.org or call 605-348-9196 for more information about Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity.
HOUSE DISTRICT 82

It was after midnight by the time all the votes had been counted. A political newcomer, Del. Kim Taylor, R-Dinwiddie, had pulled off a narrow upset on Election Day 2021. Beating the Democratic incumbent by 512 seats, or less than 1 percentage point, Taylor claimed a seat in the House of Delegates.

The victory was "something that no one thought we could do," she told supporters last month.

Now, Taylor is running for reelection in the newly drawn House District 82, which includes the city of Petersburg and Dinwiddie, Prince George and Surry counties. She faces Kimberly Pope Adams, a Democratic, candidate and an auditor at Virginia State University.

Like 2021, the race is expected to be tight. The Virginia Public Access Project ranks District 82 as the most competitive in the House. Its voters backed Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, by 2 percentage points in 2021 and then-Rep. Donald McEachin, D-4th, by 1 point last year.

Petersburg is heavily Democratic, but Dinwiddie and Prince George lean Republican. Surry is split down the middle.

The race is one of a handful that will determine which party controls the House next year  Republicans currently hold a four-seat edge. Speaking to the race's importance, Youngkin recently told supporters: "Kim Taylor is the linchpin in the House."

Both sides have responded by donating money in large numbers. Each candidate has raised roughly $670,000, among the most in the state.

Kim Taylor

In August 2022, a demolition excavator sank its claw into the old Ramada Inn that towered over Interstate 95 in Petersburg. By the end of the year, the long-abandoned hotel was gone, ridding the city of its most prominent eyesore.

And it happened, in large part, because of state funding. Taylor and Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, secured $2.6 million toward the demolition. The feat became perhaps the biggest victory in Taylor's two-year term, and she touted it in a recent television ad.

Morrissey said he began the work to bring down the Ramada in 2020, two years before Taylor took office. Once Taylor was elected, she worked in the House to secure funding, and Morrissey did the same in the Senate.

Even though Petersburg is strongly Democratic, Taylor has put an emphasis there. She pushed for a casino in the city and, if Richmond voters again reject the casino referendum this fall, she said she will advocate again to put a casino in Petersburg.

She has also stood alongside Youngkin, who launched an effort called the Partnership for Petersburg, a wide-ranging initiative from local and state leaders and businesses to address dozens of issues in the city, including chronic absenteeism in schools, high crime rates and poor health outcomes.

The question for Taylor is whether all that work will flip Democratic votes.

It should, said Del. Mike Cherry, R-Colonial Heights, because Republicans have accomplished more there than Democrats.

Taylor describers herself as anti-abortion, but she did not specifically answer a question about the point at which the procedure should become illegal. She supports gun rights and wants harsher punishments for opioid dealers. Earlier this year, she said Virginia isn't ready to legalize recreational marijuana use.

Her other TV ad highlights her background: Taylor, 44, grew up in Surry County, attended Virginia Commonwealth University and owns three Titan Auto & Tire shops in Chesterfield County with her husband, Butch. She and Butch plan to open a brewery in Moseley called Hidden Wit, a joint venture with the owners of Steam Bell Brewery, a Q Barbecue owner and others.

Taylor's supporters say she is remarkably visible throughout the district. On the first day of school, she greeted students at Walnut Hill Elementary School in Petersburg. Before that, she visited the Ruritan Fish Fry in Surry. Speaking to a crowd was unnatural to her, Cherry said, but she has improved in two years.

"I see her at any function going on," said Billy Bain, who runs a 3,300-acre farm in Dinwiddie County.

In 2021, Taylor defeated Del. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, even though Aird raised five times as much money as Taylor. Her supporters say Taylor outworked her opponent.

"You don't need money to knock doors," said Amanda Mann, a defense lawyer running for commonwealth's attorney in Dinwiddie.

Her presence energized voters in Dinwiddie, Cherry said. The Republican-leaning county had become dormant, having been outvoted by Democratic Petersburg in the past.

Taylor became active in politics in 2020, Cherry said. At the time, her daughter was a student at VCU, and racial justice protests were occurring daily that summer after the murder of George Floyd. Taylor's daughter did not feel safe on campus, and Taylor decided to run.

Taylor added that her background as a business owner gives her a unique perspective on how to create jobs and fix the economy. She said she supports policies that promote entrepreneurship.

"I wanted to have a voice in shaping policies that directly benefit small businesses and ease the burden on hardworking Virginians," she said.

Kimberly Pope Adams

In the early morning of April 6, Kimberly Pope Adams made an announcement: She was dropping out of the race. Money was tight and, as a seasoned accountant, she did not see a viable path for her campaign.

But she immediately heard from voters who were disappointed to see her go. Adams said she did not realize dropping out would have such an impact.

About six hours later, Adams made a 180-degree turn and stayed in the race. In the following days, the money arrived to keep her campaign afloat. She received about $10,000, mostly in small-dollar donations, she said.

"Sometimes you can focus so much on what isn't there that you forget what is," Adams said.

Two months later, she won the Democratic primary with 60% of the vote.

Adams' father, Robert Pope, worked as a shift supervisor on the production line at the Hercules chemical plant in Hopewell  now Ashland Inc. For 33 years, he was a union worker and a member of the United Steel Workers. He passed away in 2011.

"She understands everyday, working-class folks," said House Minority Leader Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth. "Because that's where she came from. She wasn't born with a silver spoon in her mouth."

Unite Here Local 25, an area union of hospitality workers, has knocked on thousands of doors for Adams. Sam Epps, the union's political director, said she is "one of us" and that voters want authentic candidates and people they can relate to.

"We need more people in the General Assembly who reflect working people in the commonwealth," Epps said.

Adams, 40, is a single working mom  something you do not often find in the legislature. Adams said Virginia needs more elected officials who resemble voters.

Adams has degrees from Virginia Tech and Liberty University and has been an accountant and auditor for more than 15 years. She worked for VSU for 10 years before joining the Virginia Department of the Treasury, where she was a senior internal auditor for four years. Last year, she returned to VSU as assistant director of financial compliance and operations.

She got into politics in 2019, knocking on doors and canvassing for Aird. When Aird lost to Taylor in 2021, Adams says she was affected personally, given her time commitment.

When Aird decided not to run again  instead seeking a Senate seat  Adams chose to run for the House.

Building affordable housing, keeping the community safe from violence and preserving abortion rights are top priorities. She supports the current law on abortion, which makes the procedure illegal in the third trimester, unless physicians attest that carrying a fetus to term will put the mother's life or mental health at serious risk.

Because she lives in rural Dinwiddie and is active in Petersburg politics, Adams is the "best of both worlds," Aird said.

"She understands the needs of rural communities, and that's especially timely for a Democrat," Aird said. In rural communities, where Republicans dominate, Democrats often feel left out. She said Adams strikes the right balance.

Adams said she has family in every locality in the district, so when she is knocking on doors, it does not feel like she is talking to strangers. The people on the other side are often her neighbors, her former classmates or her colleagues at VSU.

"That's not something you create in a political campaign," Adams said. "This is my home."

Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, described Adams as an enthusiastic campaigner who enjoys chatting with voters and reaching out to residents.

"That's half of what you've got to do," said McClellan, who called Adams' attitude an "infectious joy." On a recent Saturday morning, Adams christened a new campaign office in Petersburg and met supporters who then dispersed into the community, handing out fliers with her picture.
When the kids in your life have an injury or illness, they can get the care they need from a top childrens hospital, right in their own backyard. U.S. News & World Report has named Childrens Hospital of Richmond at VCU one of the nations best hospitals for kids in 8 out of 10 pediatric specialties  the most since the Best Childrens Hospitals rankings were established 17 years ago.

CHoRs rankings include nephrology, pulmonology, neurology, neurosurgery, urology, gastroenterology, cancer, diabetes and endocrinology and neonatology. CHoR is also rated among the top 10 childrens hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic region, which encompasses Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.

Were beyond proud to be a full-service, comprehensive childrens hospital for kids and families from Virginia and beyond, said Elias Neujahr, MHA, MBA, CHoR president. These U.S. News rankings demonstrate that when families come to CHoR, theyre getting care that is among the best in the country  and our continued advancement in these rankings speaks to the priority we place on delivering quality, safe and innovative care for children every day.

How childrens hospitals are ranked and what it means for families

The Best Childrens Hospitals rankings are designed to provide families with data-driven guidance to find quality medical care. U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research and consulting firm, collected and analyzed data from 119 childrens hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Childrens hospitals awarded a best designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care and expert opinion among pediatric specialists.

The Troutman family traveled across state lines for a groundbreaking infusion to delay the onset of diabetes, while Maydelin Juarezs family relocated from Guatemala for a critical kidney transplant  two examples of the thousands of families who turn to CHoR when their childrens lives depend on it, said Shari Barkin, M.D., physician-in-chief of CHoR and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at VCU School of Medicine. The bedrock of this extraordinary care is a combination of clinical experts who are continually investigating and implementing enhanced pediatric treatment options, and team members who are devoted to providing nurturing support for our patients and families.

Nationally recognized care for kids from Virginia and beyond

The team at CHoR cares for children with injuries and illnesses ranging from common to complex, serving more than 70,000 families last year from 49 states and outside the U.S. On April 30, CHoR opened the Childrens Tower, its new 16-story home for pediatric inpatient, emergency and trauma care. This space, designed specifically for kids and families, has expanded access to nationally recognized, specialized care in its first few months of operation, with room to meet our communitys growing needs.

Find out more about the Best Childrens Hospitals rankings and CHoRs unstoppable kids at chrichmond.org/USNWR.
Three local organizations are partnering to share a key part of Ashlands history that was once nearly forgotten.

This evening (Oct. 4), the Hanover Museum of History and Culture will host a presentation by Jean Folly on the Hickory Hill Slave and African-American Cemetery, a burial ground located on what was once a sprawling 3,400 acre plantation.

The presentation will begin at 6 p.m. at the museum, which is located at 7496 County Complex Rd. in Hanover, and is being held in partnership with the Hanover County Black Heritage Society and the Hanover Branch Library.

The Hickory Hill Africa-American cemetery, located on the grounds of what was once the Wickham plantation, is the resting place of around 150 people, the majority of them likely buried between 1820 and 1938.

Though the cemetery had been nearly lost beneath a tangle of overgrowth, a small but committed group of volunteersmany of them, like Folly, descendants of those interred therehave made it a mission to restore the property and honor the memories of those buried at Hickory Hill.

In 2020, the cemetery was added to both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Historic Landmark list.

To Folly, preserving Hickory Hill is a way of ensuring that the legacy of those African-Americans who lived and worked at the Wickham plantation, both during the time of slavery and afterwards.

I dont want people to forget that this is here, she said of the cemetery. After all they went through, this is the least we can do.
The McGeorge Toyota auto dealership has sold its two locations to a Northern Virginia-based group, ending a 55-year run in western Henrico County.

McGeorge sold to Graham Ourisman Automotive, which operates more than a dozen sites in greater Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.

Haig Partners LLC, which handled the sale, did not disclose the price.

McGeorge Toyota has two locations in western Henrico, 9319 W. Broad St. and 7705 W. Broad St., which are rebranding to Ourisman Toyota. They will be Ourismans first locations in the Richmond area.

McGeorge also owns a Mercedes-Benz location on West Broad. Its future is unclear.

McGeorge Toyota is the states fourth highest-selling franchised auto dealership by volume, Haig said in a statement.

In 1960, David R. McGeorge purchased a Mercedes-Benz dealership. Eight years later, McGeorge Toyota opened its doors. It moved to its current location at 9319 W. Broad St. in 2006. The other location sells used cars.

McGeorges grandson, Rod McGeorge, eventually took ownership and oversaw the sale.

When it came time to pass the torch of McGeorge Toyota, I knew I had a responsibility to find the absolute right buyer  one who would uphold the same commitment and dedication that my family and I had poured into this dealership for over 50 years, Rod McGeorge said in a statement.

The dealership received Toyotas Presidents Award 26 consecutive years and ranks eighth among Toyotas dealerships in the central Atlantic for new sales.
Police on Monday said a 14-year-old student has been arrested in connection with a threatening social media post that triggered additional security measures at Hopewell High School last week.

The juvenile, who has not been identified, was charged with making a threat over social media, Hopewell police Lt. Jacquita Allen said. The offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor for minors.

The threatening post was created on the social media app Snapchat on Sept. 19. The post contained threatening language against students and staff of Hopewell High School, police said, and caused great concern throughout the schools.

Allen said the post had circulated to schools in Chesterfield County and had jumped to other social media platforms. The arrest was made Friday.

Its important to take all threats to our schools and community seriously, and this arrest should serve as a warning to anyone who might think that they can make threats on social media without consequence, Taylor said.

On Monday afternoon, Hopewell High School released a statement stating that it believes the threat to have been a hoax.

My understanding is that it was a joke, said Byron Davis, a spokesperson for the school. Im sure this kid did not realize the kind of life-altering decision he was making at the time.

Hopewell police are investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (804) 541-2284. The department also has an anonymous hotline at (804) 541-2202 and an app, P3 Tips, that can be used to share information with police as well.

From the Archives: Old Richmond buildings
A Petersburg man is expected to survive after being shot four times at a racetrack just outside Colonial Beach, police said.

Westmoreland County Sheriff C.O. Balderson said the incident occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Custom Ts Motorsports on Longfield Road between Colonial Beach and Oak Grove, where events are held on most weekends. It was the second day of a three-day event billed as the King of the Beach 2023.

Balderson said the 42-year-old victim was shot twice in the leg and twice in the arms before being transported to a hospital.

Balderson said the victim told police that the shooting followed a verbal dispute he was having with a man he did not know prior to the weekend event. It was not clear what the two men were arguing about.

The facility shut down after the shooting and Sundays activities were canceled, Balderson said.
Police in Maryland have identified a suspect who stole a car at gunpoint as the Virginia inmate who escaped from a Henrico County hospital in August, according to the Virginia Department of Corrections.

Naseem Isaiah Roulack, 21, escaped from the supervision of two VADOC security officers at Bon Secours St. Marys Hospital in Henrico at approximately 5:50 a.m. on Aug. 12.

Police said the carjacking took place in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Friday.

The U.S. Marshals Service has indicated that Roulack should be considered armed and dangerous. The service is offering a cash reward of $5,000 for information that leads to the apprehension of Roulack, also known as Lil Nas. The U.S. Marshals Service can be contacted at 1-877-WANTED2, or tips can be submitted via the USMS Tips app.

Authorities warn that if you encounter Roulack, do not approach him. Anyone with information is urged to contact VADOCs fugitive line at 1-877-896-5764 and Virginia State Police by dialing #77 or 911.

Last week, Henrico Police Chief Eric English responded to public criticism over the way in which Henrico police have handled Roulacks escape. Roulack has been on the run since he walked out of St. Marys Hospital.

Following a large-scale incident, there will always be questions of what worked and what did not work well, English said in a statement.

English reported more than 40 Henrico police officers were involved in the search for Roulack on the morning of his escape as authorities attempted to capture (him) as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, that did not occur, English said.

Several Henrico residents who live in the area of the hospital previously said they did not receive timely notification or were not warned at all that Roulack was on the run. English admitted that the police response could have played out differently, but stopped short of issuing an apology.

We recognize at this point there was an opportunity to get the message out sooner, he said. While our sworn personnel were focused on the mission of apprehending (Roulack), we also understand the importance of keeping our community safe and communicating with them about an active incident.

Roulack, who was serving a 13-year sentence for aggravated malicious wounding, is being sought by Virginia State Police and the U.S. Marshals Service. He was last seen walking on Franklin Street with what appeared to be either a white towel or sheet over his head.

Roulack is a Black male who is 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs 225 pounds and has brown eyes.

He has four identified tattoos, including one on his chest that reads Marie, one on his left arm that reads RIP Ish, one on his right cheek that reads Cut Throat and one on his right arm that reads Faith Is Seeing Light With Your Heart When All Your Eyes See Is Darkness.

Bringing Roulack back into custody is our top priority at the VADOC, said VADOC Director Chadwick Dotson. I thank our local, state and federal partner agencies for their tireless assistance in this case and urge anyone with information to contact us.

From the Archives: Jackson Ward in the 1970s and 80s
A Canadian investment firm that tries to buy shares at less than the current market price is bidding again to interest Dominion Energy stockholders in selling their shares.

Toronto-based TRC Capital Investment Corp. has offered to buy up to 2 million shares of Dominion at $44 each, Dominion said.

Thats about 4.47% below the closing price of the shares on Sept. 26, the last trading day before the TRC offer, Dominion said.

The 2 million shares TRC is offering is less than the 5% of outstanding shares that trigger U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission measures to protect investors.

Dominion is recommending that stockholders not take up the offer, as it did when TRC made a similar offer in 2016.

Dominion said it is not associated in any way with TRC Capital, its mini-tender offer or the mini-tender offer documentation.

TRC has over the past 12 months made similar below-market price offers for shares in Walt Disney Co., Capital One, PayPal, International Flavors & Fragrances, and Moderna.

In theory, it is a way for stockholders worried that a companys shares are headed down to cash in. For TRC, it is a way of acquiring shares at a discount, presumably on the expectation that share prices will eventually rise above its offer price.

But stockholders who tender their shares do not always get any money.

Earlier this year, TRC terminated its offer for 1 million shares in Nutrien Ltd., the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-based fertilizer firm that is the worlds largest potash producer, because share prices during its offering period did not reach the trigger that its offering documents said would lead it to actually pay for the shares. Instead, it returned tendered shares to stockholders. It did the same in July 2022 with a similar offer for Agnico Eagle Mines.

The SEC said investors usually like tender offers because they are often a rare chance to sell their stock for more than the market price.

But it said tenders for less than 5% of a companys shares can be a way to catch investors off guard, when they assume that like a standard tender, the offering price is at a premium to the market.

SEC rules for tender offers for 5% or more of a companys shares say stockholders must have the option to withdraw while the offer is open and that all investors tendering shares must be treated the same.

39th annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade
In what has become back-and-forth filings between Liberty University and former LU president Jerry Falwell Jr. involving trademark infringement and retirement benefits, the two parties filed two more counterclaims in the U.S. District Court over the past two weeks.

Falwell filed first, on Sept. 13, naming former employees, former interim president Jerry Prevo, and board of trustees and executive committee members in his continued quest to sue the university for trademark infringement, coming less than a month after submitting paperwork to remove his brother Jonathan Falwell as co-trustee of the fund.

The suit claims there are numerous good reasons the Jerry Falwell brand does not want to be perceived as having endorsed or sponsored the university.

One reason being the executive committee, a group of five to seven individuals within the board of trustees, using the example of donations.

It claims Liberty made payments totaling more than $1 million in purported donations to organizations that are under the control of certain members of the universitys board of trustees, executive committee or close associates.

The lawsuit gives an example of Prevo, who serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Liberty and its executive committee, and his close relationship with Franklin Graham, son of Rev. Bill Graham and the president of Samaritans Purse  a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization that aids people who experience natural disasters and other needs.

It claims Graham is Prevos closest advisor and the two speak to each other every day by phone before making decisions.

The lawsuit claims Samaritans Purse secured donations from Liberty because of its ties to Prevo and Graham: $200,050 in the fiscal year ending June 2021, $200,000 to Hope Partners International which is an organization controlled by former CEO of Samaritans Purse Kirk Nowery and $414,960 the following year.

The lawsuit gave more examples of Prevos relationship with Falwell and his influence on the university, claiming the following:

During Falwells tenure as president, Prevo pressured Falwell for Liberty to pay thousands of dollars for Prevos grandson to receive training in flying planes at Libertys expense.

After Prevo took over as interim president, he sought for Liberty to improperly divert hundreds of thousands of dollars of his salary to his personal foundation which the university eventually ceased to do on the advice of counsel to do at the advice of counsel.

The lawsuit also claims at least 12 members of the board of trustees have received substantial payments from Liberty, all in different amounts with many in the range of tens of thousands of dollars, with one in excess of $100,000.

It states these self-dealing transactions have the appearance of kickbacks and are at direct odds with the Jerry Falwell brand.

None of the foregoing payments that Liberty has made to outside organizations have served the schools mission, which is to educate students, and none of them benefit the students of Liberty, many of whom take out loans or pay tuition money to attend Liberty, the lawsuit states.

During his lifetime, Dr. Falwell earned a reputation as a major proponent of financial integrity in religious and educational institutions and led the way in restoring public trust and confidence in such institutions after financial scandals associated with other, unrelated church leaders rocked the evangelical community in the 1980s. The Jerry Falwell brand will not be associated with such conduct.

The lawsuit also claims Libertys treatment of the Falwell family, at the direction of the executive committee, is anathema to the Jerry Falwell brand.

In the lead up to Falwells resignation in 2020, members of the board of trustees and executive committee used the situation as an opportunity to elevate their own positions of power within Liberty, the lawsuit states.

Falwell claims the executive committee refused to hear his side of the story after repeated requests.

Instead, certain members of the Executive Committee gave Mr. Falwell an ultimatum  resign or face the potential for termination, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit also claimed the trustees and the executive committee:

sought to temporarily oust Falwell when his health was failing by exaggerating alcohol use while he was suffering from a nearly-fatal genetic lung condition;

forced his resignation with the news of his wifes affair taking place several years earlier, despite not having an affair in contrast to several high-ranking university officials who Falwell claims, in the lawsuit, had an affair and were embraced by LU.

Other examples the lawsuit provided was: banning the Falwells from campus ground, Photoshopping them out of pictures, taking down photos of the Falwells that had been long displayed on campus, harassing Falwell through meritless litigation and depriving Falwell of retirement funds.

Falwell claims the executive committee also has steered Liberty off course, claiming the college has removed or forced out several high-qualified individuals due to its perceived relationship with Falwell.

This vision of Liberty  in which personal politics are placed over academic prowess  is inconsistent with the standards of quality in religious education for which the Jerry Falwell brand is known, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit further claims LUs acts of large-scale infringement have been personally directed by Prevo; also adding that Prevo tried to rid Liberty of staff, faculty and vendors who were perceived to be close to Falwell as well as those who are African American.

Falwell claims he was held to a different standard than other high ranking officials, with examples in the lawsuit of: a former university president being sued by a former Liberty employee for sexual harassment, but retaining him in that position; and officials having extramarital affairs but were handled differently.

All of these incidents involved situations in which officials themselves were engaged in affairs or other misconduct, in contrast to Mr. Falwell, who had not had engaged in similar misconduct or had any affair. And Liberty nonetheless had permitted these individuals to continue in its employ, consistent with a long-standing culture of forgiveness that is part and parcel of Dr. Falwells brand of evangelicalism, the lawsuit states.

Furthermore, Falwell claims certain members of the board of trustees and its executive committee caused Liberty to announce it was hiring a forensic firm to conduct an investigation for his handling of finances.

Ultimately, the investigation cost Liberty, upon information and belief, millions of dollars, and has revealed nothing improper about Mr. Falwells actions at Liberty, the lawsuit states.

Falwell claims the university tried to publicly disparage him at the direction of the executive committee and the board of trustees.

The lawsuit also claims the treatment of the Falwell family is inconsistent with the principles of the Jerry Falwell brand as it is known for the importance of forgiveness.

By falsely associating itself with the Jerry Falwell brand, Liberty damages the brands reputation and goodwill by confusing consumers to believe that Jerry Falwell endorses academic standards that are inferior to the standards for which the Jerry Falwell brand has come to be known, which include zero tolerance for disparate treatment of faculty on the basis of race.

Falwell and counsel demand a trial and ask the court to: enter judgement; prohibit defendants Prevo, Liberty, Libertys employees and affiliates from using the Jerry Falwell brand and marks in advertising, making misleading statements; and monetary relief.

Libertys response

In response to the allegations from the lawsuit, a Liberty spokesperson issued the following statement:

In response to Libertys compelling motion to dismiss his complaint, Jerry Falwell, Jr. filed an amended complaint containing improper and unsupported allegations designed to diminish former colleagues, family, and friends and to discredit the university where he formerly served. These personal attacks have no place in a legal dispute over the use of a persons name, image, and likeness. Liberty will file the appropriate response to these claims in due time and defend its legal right to continue the use of Dr. Jerry Falwells name. Furthermore, we stand by our initial statement that Liberty University and its Board of Trustees have only sought to honor the visionary leadership of Dr. Jerry Falwell and the mission of training Champions for Christ.

The university followed, two weeks later, in filing a motion to dismiss Falwells claims.

In the filing, LU claims after nearly three years following Falwells resignation in 2020 and over 50 years after Liberty started using his fathers name image and likeness (NIL), he threatened the university with a lawsuit.

The filing claims Falwell stated that he would file a lawsuit if Liberty did not begin paying the Family Trust millions of dollars to continue what it had been doing for five decades.

The response claims Falwell was aware that other members of the Falwell family did not join him in this effort to wrest millions of dollars from one of their fathers proud legacies, as the other two beneficiaries  Jeannie and Jonathan Falwell  attempted to remove him from as co-trustee on Sept. 6.

It also claims on Sept. 12, the family trust assigned away all remaining assets, including intellectual property such as the trademark and Falwells NIL and as of the date of the filed lawsuit Sept. 13, the family trust did not own any marks or Falwells NIL.

The Family Trust does not own the intellectual property Falwell Jr. seeks to assert, and therefore, he lacks standing to bring this lawsuit, the response said, adding that if the family trust still owned it, and Falwell cannot sue unilaterally as a minority beneficiary.

The filed response also claims the lawsuit filed Sept. 13 contains several immaterial and scandalous allegations that have no bearing on the issues raised.

The response claims the lawsuit does not point to any specific statements of fact other than to allege the university has recently begun to misappropriate the trusts valuable trademark for use in commerce and to confuse consumers.

Such allegations fail to allege what is required to establish false advertising under the Lanham Act and Virginia state law, the response states.

Liberty looks for the court to dismiss this lawsuit, claiming the plaintiff failed to allege that it had actionable intellectual property rights and sufficient facts in support of the claim of false advertisement and trademark infringement.

LU also claims the complaint should be short and plain and allegations must be simple.

In attempting to cast his departure in a more positive light, he attacks approximately one dozen individuals associated with Liberty as Board members or employees, the response states.

The statements made in this section are not only scandalous, but wholly unrelated to the intellectual property issues alleged in the FAC [first amended complaints] and attack individuals by name who are irrelevant to the case at hand.
In a city where tens of thousands who struggle to pay their bills depend on public housing or federal rent subsidies, the weekends near miss on a government shutdown had people running scared.

There are 90,000 people at risk, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney told Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., on Monday during a roundtable on affordable housing at the Calhoun Family Investment Center in the Gilpin Court public housing community.

Those 90,000 people are the low-income residents of Richmond and Henrico County who depend on the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families to help pay the bills that come with raising children, as well as the federal food stamp program and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), he said.

Still financially squeezed in the pandemics aftermath as it works down arrears of back rent, the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority is worried that the clock is already ticking on the 45-day reprieve that Congress approved Saturday night as it faced a midnight deadline at the end of the governments 2023 fiscal year.

We dont have a tomorrow and we cant wait. We cant wait until the 11th hour, said Kenyatta Green, the authoritys senior vice president for affordable housing.

Im getting phone calls from people asking how is this going to affect me? I have no words for them, so if we can at least get something to show that everything is going to be OK ... just to reiterate that everythings going to be OK, thats what I want to get out of this meeting, she said.

A government shutdown would cut funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the authoritys operations, forcing it to dip into reserves diminished during the pandemic, and cut back services to residents to the bare minimum, she said.

She said a shutdown would cut off payments for the Section 8 rent subsidies that thousands of families depend on when the market rent on a place to live far outstrips the 30% of income that is the longstanding standard for when a place is affordable. For the thousands more on waiting lists for Section 8 vouchers, a shutdown shuts the door on moving forward with an affordable place to live, Green said.

If there was a shutdown, I can tell you that there would be a lot of displaced residents, said public housing resident Paula Williams. Tenants with vouchers, however, can't be evicted if the voucher agency is not paying its share of the rent as long as the tenants pay their share of the rent, the Housing Assistance Payments contract landlords sign with HUD in order to participate in the program, said Marty Wegbreit, of the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society.

Still people are on the edge of whats next. Where do I go? Who do I turn to? ... Well, we cant go home or go to aunties house or grandmas house or something like that, she said. Were not just sitting, waiting for a handout.

Warner told her: You deserve better.

He said later that he is hoping some of his initiatives succeed and can help with housing  including a program for a 20-year home mortgages for first-time, first-generation buyers that would allow them to build up equity in a house faster than a traditional 30-year loan, and a plan to give employers a tax incentive if they help low- and moderate-income employees with funds for a down payment. The idea here is for a loan with no interest to cover the money a homebuyer needs to put down.

Weve got to try something new, he said.

Warner said the government shutdown threat was the work of a minority of a minority when most Republicans and most Democrats on Capitol Hill wanted a temporary funding bill.

All this stuff until the 11th hour ... is disrespectful. It was disrespectful to all Americans, he said.

Its frankly, more than a little bit embarrassing ... I went down to Hampton Roads and people come thanking you, as if keeping the government open is a thank you thing. I mean, we should expect more, Warner said.

The number one job of the Congress is to fund the government and not let peoples lives be totally undercut.

Cities where rents have risen the most Rents have skyrocketed in recent months after increasing at fairly steady rates for years Rentals of all sizes saw similar rent increases comparing 2019 to now Nearly all states experienced rent increases Small and midsize metros where rents have risen the most 15. Nashville-DavidsonMurfreesboroFranklin, TN 14. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA 13. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA 12. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 10. Fresno, CA 9. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 8. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL 7. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL 6. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 5. Jacksonville, FL 4. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 3. Salt Lake City, UT 2. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV 1. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
DETROIT  Marie Ronny and Kyan Bovee expect their futures to take off. Literally.

The Black teens from Detroit are part of a free program teaching young people how to fly while exposing them to careers in aviation, an industry in which people of color are traditionally underrepresented.

Their classrooms are the skies above Detroit's Coleman A. Young municipal airport and inside a large hangar there serving as home to the Tuskegee Airmen National Museum.

"I want to be a mechanical engineer with a pilot's license so I can fly my own creations. I want to build planes!" said Ronny, a 16-year-old high school student who earned her pilot's license this summer.

Ronny and Bovee are among nearly 30 high school students in the Tuskegee Airmen Flight Academy this year, where a majority of the class is Black.

The program began three decades ago and is designed for youths ages 14 to 19 who want to become professional pilots. It offers flight instruction and ground school classes leading to a private pilot license.

"Many kids go off to college and finish getting their license after starting at the museum," spokesman Greg Bowens said.

The academy continues the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, who were part of an experimental system for Black soldiers who wanted to train as pilots during World War II after the Army Air Corps was forced to admit them.

More than 900 men trained in Tuskegee, Alabama, from 1940 to 1946. The Tuskegee Airmen have been the subject of books, movies and documentaries highlighting their courage in the air and the discrimination they faced in the U.S. while fighting for freedom abroad.

The academy's students learn how to take off and land in surplus U.S. Air Force gliders and single-engine planes from the small airport on Detroit's eastside, as well as aircraft maintenance.

The museum also has academies in Indiana and the African countries of Ghana and Nigeria, and the program is free thanks to private and federal government donations.

Bovee was 13 when a neighbor, an aircraft mechanic, told him about the program. He had never been in a plane.

"The first time in the airplane, it was something I really fell in love with," said Bovee, now 18. "I enjoyed it. I thought it was so cool. I was actually (in) a small airplane at the controls."

He attends community college and hopes to transfer into Western Michigan University's aviation program with the goal of becoming an airline pilot.

When the students are flying, "it's amazing to see the expressions on their faces," museum president Brian Smith said. "But first they have to get over their fear. Then it's mentoring them to be determined to stick to the task at-hand. Once they overcome the fear, they are on their way to be pilots."

This is a good time to enter the field. The government estimates there will be about 18,000 annual openings for airline and commercial pilots this decade, with many of those to replace retirees.
(Image: Digital News Asia)

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has said that major banks and non-bank financial service providers will both continue to waive the DuitNow QR transaction fee for micro and small businesses (MSMEs) that offer this payment method. These financial service providers are currently managing 75% of businesses that accept DuitNow QR payments.

Aside from that, BNM also said that Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) will find ways to help acquirers (the banks and financial service providers) cover the costs incurred as they continue offering full waivers on the DuitNow QR transaction fee to businesses.

Together, these measures will enable micro and small businesses to continue to enjoy DuitNow QR payment services at zero cost, while ensuring that QR payment services remain efficient, reliable, and safe for all consumers, said BNM in a statement, reiterating that the public is not required to pay any additional charges for making DuitNow QR payments to merchants.

(Image: The Malaysian Reserve)

Instead, the transaction fee in question  referred to as the merchant discount rate (MDR)  is a common fee associated with the provision of electronic payment services by acquirers (which is also applicable to debit and credit card payments). In this case, it concerns businesses that accept DuitNow QR payments. The fee is imposed to cover the costs and investments needed by the financial services industry to maintain their payment systems, such as cybersecurity and fraud prevention controls.

For businesses, any transaction fee imposed on QR payments remains as low as, or lower than, fees imposed on payments using debit cards. Businesses using DuitNow QR as a payment method also do not need to incur recurring costs for point-of-sale (POS) terminal rental for card-based payment channels or additional overhead and administrative costs for handling cash payments, BNM further explained.

BNMs statement came following recent media reports that caused a public uproar, stating that several banks have notified their business customers of the implementation of a 0.25% DuitNow QR MDR fee. Other reports, meanwhile, said that transactions above RM5,000 will also incur a 50 sen fee.

PayNet subsequently released a statement to clarify the matter, citing various inaccuracies in the media reports. It also explained that the DuitNow QR MDR has always been part of the fee structure, but was waived for a period to encourage adoption among business owners.

Following this, several banks announced that it will continue to waive the DuitNow QR MDR fee for all merchants that accept payments via DuitNow QR until further notice. These include Maybank, Bank Islam, AmBank, as well as Hong Leong and Hong Leong Islamic Bank.

Meanwhile, the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) is set to discuss the matter of the DuitNow QR payment fee in a meeting tomorrow (3 October 2023), to evaluate its impact on the countrys people and digitalisation programmes. It will be chaired by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim  who is also the Finance Minister  and attended by relevant representatives, including BNM.

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Governor reports 24/7 construction of upcoming Nichupte Lagoon Bridge of Cancun

Cancun, Q.R.  The long awaited Nichupte Lagoon Bridge of Cancun will be a reality in 2024, reported Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa. She made the comment Saturday after a progress tour of the citys mega-project.

Lezama says the bridge construction will transform the urban image of Cancun. The bridge is being constructed with support of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who has made historic investments in various managed projects.

Lezama said the construction of the bridge is being worked on 24/7, day and night including holidays to ensure completion within the scheduled time. She mentioned that it is a historical project that will meet not only the needs of the people of Cancun, but also tourists and the people of Quintana Roo.

When the peoples money is applied where it should be and how it should be, it pays off and gives more. This is how we work with the New Agreement for the Well-being and Development of Quintana Roo where people are at the center of the governments actions, Mara Lezama stressed.

The bridge, which will connect the Cancun Hotel Zone with the mainland, is set for operation in early 2024. Photo: CGC September 30, 2023.

While touring the project, she reported that the bridge will emerge at the intersection of Colosio Boulevard and Kabah Avenue. It will practically reach kilometer 15 at the height of Kukulcan Plaza. Work is already underway on that side of the hotel zone, exactly where the bridge will reach, she said.

The governor of Quintana Roo reiterated that the Nichupte Bridge is a necessary project especially in terms of Civil Protection, but also to reduce the vehicle load of Kukulcan Boulevard.

It will also improve the lives of human beings, people who come and go on public transportation who will spend less time on transportation and more time at home with their children, with their family, she added.

Last week, Ingenieros Civiles Asociados (ICA), the company building the city bridge, reported a 25 percent advancement in its construction.
Youths remain in Cozumel custody after pair of minors reported missing

Cozumel, Q.R.  Two adults were taken into custody after police found two missing minors inside their Cozumel home. Their arrests were made Saturday after the parents of the two boys reported them missing Friday evening.

The parents made the report to Cozumel police who had Atencion a la Violencia Intrafamiliar y de Genero (GEAVIG) personnel attend to the report. They were located Saturday by the specialized Family Violence Geavig officers inside a private home.

The two young boys were reported missing Friday night after they failed to return to their respective homes after playing in a nearby park.

According to versions of the parents, Friday night they had the last contact with one of their children, so they reported it to 911 and received a visit from Public Security elements who asked for support to set up a search that lasted all morning, Policia Cozumel reported in a statement.

Police located the two missing minors inside a private Cozumel home Saturday. Photo: Policia Cozumel October 1, 2023.

Saturday morning they received information about a probable address where the minors were located, so elements went to the address and after obtaining permission for access, they managed to enter and confirm the presence of the minors reported along with others and two adults, their statement read.

The two boys, Saul and Humberto, both 15, were removed from the home and returned to their parents, while two other boys and the two adults from inside were taken into custody. The two adults taken into custody are reported to be Honduran natives. The other two youths are reported to be from Brazil.

Four youths, two of whom are legal adults, were removed from the home where the two minor boys were located. Photo: October 1, 2023.

It is not clear if they are legal residents. Local media reports say the pair are being held after a police search of their home revealed computers with child pornography, however, Policia Cozumel report that corresponding procedures are still being carried out regarding this case.
In 2005, the body of Rosa Parks arrived at the U.S. Capitol, where the civil rights icon became the first woman to lie in honor in the Rotunda
BLACKSBURG  A group that formed earlier this year with the goal of putting new faces on the town council is endorsing write-in candidate Rick Johnson in the November election.

Rick Johnson is an independent candidate who will represent the interests of Blacksburg citizens, not the interests or positions of any established political party, reads a statement from the Council of Citizens for Blacksburg (CCB). His platform is ... the support of neighbors and neighborhoods, and his plan is to build community through positive change. CCB supports positive change, not the status quo, and for this reason, we support Rick Johnson.

Johnson, a retired higher education administrator who worked at both Virginia Tech and Duke University, is one of two candidates running write-in campaigns for Blacksburg Town Council this year.

The other candidate running a write-in campaign is Liam Watson, the press secretary for the Democratic Party of Virginia.

Blacksburg only has two ballot candidates for three town council seats this year. Incumbents Michael Sutphin and Jerry Ford Jr. are each seeking another term on council, while Councilman John Bush has decided against running again.

Johnson is the only candidate the CCB is endorsing, the group said.

Rebekah Paulson, a group spokeswoman, echoed the points when asked about the CCBs support of Johnsons candidacy.

Mainly hes an independent candidate, and hes not endorsed by any party, she said. As far as comparing that to Liam Watson, hes [Watson] endorsed by town council and lots of Democratic Party people, which normally would be OK, but town council is more of an independent body.

Paulson said the CCB prefers a candidate who wont just vote with everyone else on issues.

I personally know Rick. Hes my neighbor. Hes a good neighbor, she said. With his background and professional experience, I believe that he would be a great addition to the town council. I believe  and CCB believes, that he will provide a balance to decisions that are made. Hell listen to the neighbors and citizens about what they really want.

Among the issues the CCB has taken with town council is the direction the group says the elected body has taken when it has come to development. Among the groups stated goals is stopping the overdevelopment of Blacksburg, which they said is straining the towns resources and services.

CCB members have said the town council often appears to want to appease developers who are only out to make a profit.

One issue that served as a catalyst for the CCB was the approval last year of the rezoning needed for Legacy on Main, a project slated to bring in more than 50 apartment units that will use low-income housing tax credits.

While opponents to the project reiterated that they were not against affordable housing, they voiced concerns over Legacys anticipated density and its potential impact on traffic and the surrounding neighborhood. The development, which was opposed by many neighbors, was one of the towns most debated land use matters in at least a few years.

Watson, who previously served on the Blacksburg Planning Commission, has received endorsements. They include Sutphin, Ford, town councilwomen Susan Anderson and Lauren Colliver, Montgomery County supervisors Sara Bohn and Mary Biggs and Lily Franklin, the Democratic candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates 41st District.

Johnson already has some local government experience as he served on the Montgomery County School Board more than a decade ago.

Sutphin said earlier this year that he agrees with several of the CCBs points. In response to some of the groups concerns, the councilman said the elected body has over the years worked to encourage greater citizen participation on issues and promoted transparency, the latter of which can be seen through the immediate availability online of items such as meeting minutes, notes and videos.

Ford, while addressing the formation of the CCB, said earlier this year hes sorry some in the community dont feel heard. But he said he always tries to make sure he responds to everyone, lets them know he heard their concerns and tries to give them a voice in the process.

The League of Women Voters of Montgomery County and the Montgomery County-Radford City-Floyd County NAACP is putting on a forum for the Blacksburg Town Council candidates on Oct. 5. The event, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., is part of a series of forums sponsored by the two organizations.
Credit: Javier Chagoya, Naval Postgraduate School

The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is trying to tackle some of the most difficult technological challenges facing the Navy and the nation.

Such a challenge emerged in 2020, when NASA charged NPS and two other research teams with solving a critical barrier facing the development of electric aircraft propulsion (EAP): the creation of a circuit breaker that could support large electric platforms running on direct current (DC) electricity. Thanks to the efforts of a diverse team of faculty and students, as well as several Navy and academic research partners, NPS delivered an innovative working prototype.

This past March, the successful test of the "Navy High Speed Solid-State Fault Management System for Electric Aircraft Propulsion" confirmed the breakthrough results. The NPS-led design was able to provide a viable DC circuit breaker to NASA, pushing the project development forward to Level 6 on the Technology Readiness Level scalea 9-level measurement system used to assess the maturity of a particular technology.

The effort to research and design the DC circuit breaker for EAP was led by Dr. Di Zhang, NPS Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, along with a team of NPS students. Zhang, who came to NPS in 2019 after working on electric power converter designs with General Electric's Global Research Center, is widely considered one of the nation's leading experts on large electric vehicles.

As a result of his team's work, Zhang was awarded a $750,000 research grant by NASA to continue his research with a goal to refine the weight and performance of the team's initial breaker design.

The breakthrough achieved at NPS could be a critical step in the development of EAP, one of many emerging technologies receiving increased attention due to the emphasis placed by the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, on accelerating innovation throughout the Department of the Navy.

"We are indeed in an innovation raceand it is one we must win," said Del Toro during remarks at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 28. "Innovation must permeate every aspect of our Department's approach to the delivery of the technologies and capabilities at a speed and scale necessary for our Navy and Marine Corps to confront the challenges of today and the future."

NPS will play a significant role in supporting the development of EAP technology and other relevant innovation efforts following the establishment of the Naval Innovation Center (NIC) at NPS. First announced in December 2022, the NIC will leverage NPS education and research to drive "ideas to impact," bringing research concepts out of the lab and into the field faster by empowering students, faculty and partners across the entire Naval Research & Development Establishment (NR&DE) to work with the naval innovation ecosystem and industry.

Accelerated innovation for technologies such as EAP is also facilitated through the Secretary of the Navy's "Climate Action 2030" policy, which prioritizes the development of systems that are not dependent on fossil fuels, expanding the use of renewable energy and electric propulsion.

In addition to supporting Climate Action 2030 and similar policy goals, EAP can also enable numerous new design freedoms and functions, leading to lower energy consumption and higher propulsion efficiency. And, of course, the noise signature of combustion engines could be all but eliminated utilizing EAP, enhancing stealth capabilities of future systems.

"Electric propulsion technology is crucial for future Navy capabilities, offering enhanced design flexibility, supporting power-intensive advanced systems, and ensuring stealth, efficiency, and adaptability in evolving naval environments," said Zhang. "The technology's integration also paves the way for the adoption of emerging energy sources, solidifying the Navy's technological edge."

Zhang and his NPS student team were joined in their research efforts by partners from Virginia Tech, Clemson University and the University of Connecticut, and received engineering support from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in China Lake, Calif., and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Philadelphia division.

According to Zhang, one of the fundamental questions when looking at utilizing electric power is the distinction between products that run on direct current and alternating current (AC).

"A hundred years ago, Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison had a battle over the advantages of AC versus DC electric power. Tesla won, and now much of what we use and see is running on AC power," said Zhang.

There are certain advantages to using AC electricity, he says. AC generators are the primary source of electric power, which are driven by steam, nuclear, or other power sources. AC can be transmitted across great distances and is also easily changed to different voltage levels through the use of transformers that can step voltage up and down. As its name implies, AC has an alternating current that runs in a sinusoidal pattern; this makes AC electricity relatively safe and easy to interrupt with a circuit breaker as the waveform naturally crosses zero.

Direct current has its own advantages that are rising in importance as technology looks to the future. DC systems require less cabling and can be smaller and lighter than AC systems, as well as more power efficient. Clean sources of energylike wind and solarstore power in photovoltaic grids and batteries which are inherently DC compatible. Electric cars that use DC power are also able to use regenerative braking to return energy to their batteries, and they are run in a compact space that does not require long distance transmission.

"The trend we're seeing in energy industries and in electric vehicles is this switch to DC, and that's why it is so important to look towards this electric aircraft design," explained Zhang. "With DC, we can make a design lighter and smaller with the same power which is critical for aviation and Navy applications. The target for this DC breaker design is to get the same amount of power while cutting the weight to one tenth of what's been developed."

One thing that doesn't get smaller and lighter with DC systems is the circuit breaker. The challenge that NASA posed to NPS was to create a circuit breaker that could shut down an electric aircraft running at maximum power in a safe, simpleand size-efficientway.

"Think of electricity flowing like water through a pipe. A circuit breaker is the tool you need to shut that water off. With DC, high amounts of current and voltage equate to a huge flow of water that is hard to shut down quickly," explained U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Michael Smith, an NPS electrical engineering graduate. "That quick change from a high to low voltage, or high to low current, creates an electromagnetic field that can interfere with other electric systems."

Capt. Smith is one of five NPS students who worked on the project with Zhang. Since his graduation in September 2022, he now applies his degree as an Expeditionary Energy Officer for the Marines. His master's thesis focused on testing circuit boards to ensure they could withstand the electromagnetic interference of a large-scale DC circuit breaker, and he was able to successfully identify manufactured circuit boards that would function under the required conditions.

"The trick to reaching industry standards is in the balance," said Zhang. "You need to design something new, but not too new or it is unproven and risky. You cannot only be innovative; you must also be practical. So, we had three years during a global pandemic, which hindered manufacturing and access to technology, to produce a result that is as safe and simple as possible."

In spite of those challenges, the team was able to successfully meet the deadline. While Zhang is pleased with the achievement of his students and the positive feedback from NASA, he is far from done with this research.

"I'm very proud of the students that I've worked with who have shown great ability with hands-on research," said Zhang. "I'm also proud of my team and colleagues here at NPS who have such strong industry experience and perspective towards electrical engineering. It's with this perspective that we're able to deliver something so practical, useful, and impactful."

NPS Vice Provost for Research Dr. Kevin Smith complimented Zhang and his research team, noting the achievement as an exemplar of how basic and applied research at NPS leads to relevant technology solutions.

"Di Zhang's accomplishment is a great example of how our faculty lead interdisciplinary research at NPS, leveraging our students' operational insight and our innovation ecosystem of academic and industry partners to solve problems and drive concepts to capability," said Dr. Smith.

Provided by Naval Postgraduate School
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

New research focused on brook trout is using artificial intelligence to identify individual fish, with the goal of building population models that track trout health and habitat changes.

This groundbreaking use of AI, a collaboration between data scientists at the University of Virginia and the U.S. Geological Survey, will create a more efficient and accurate way to track trout by using fish-ial recognition software.

Researchers are classifying fish in both controlled and natural environments in West Virginia and Massachusetts, building a unique database that has the potential to save the taxpayer millions of dollars and advance protective measures for trout and streams. They hope to engage anglers as boots-on-the-ground citizen scientists to assist with the project, creating an interactive application where fishermen can upload images of fish and participate in protecting the health of brook trout and preserving their natural environment.

Fish biologists have been studying climate change and conservation for decades, and tracking fish is not new. Previously, however, scientists have had to use markers or injections to identify individual fish, methods that are invasive, require minor surgery, and do not work on small fish. "The new frontier is individual recognition using AI technology," said Nathaniel Hitt, a research fish biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey.

The project originated during work at Shenandoah National Park by researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey's Ecological Science Center in West Virginia. "We were using video sampling in stream pools to estimate the abundance of brook trout. We would take underwater video and have human observers count fish," said Hitt. "We actually crowdsourced this to schools across the nation."

The success of the crowdsourcing got the fish biologists thinking about how they could automate the process. With the rise of AI and computer science applications like facial recognition software, they thought, why not apply it to fish? Brook trout have unique identifying markings, making them the perfect fish species to test this theory.

Brook trout are unique in that they are the only native trout of Appalachia and have been around for millions of years. Anglers for generations have come to love the fish and are invested in protecting its future. Brook trout have ecological importance as well, according to Hitt: "They're the canary in the coal mine for climate change."

Ben Letcher, a research ecologist at the Conte Research Laboratory in Turners Falls, Mass., who is partnering on the project, explains: "Each state in New England has cold-water criteria, and some states use the presence of a brook trout to identify a cold-water stream. Cold-water streams get special protections, so knowing where the trout are now and where they will be in the future is important for land protection and conservation."

To build a database of images large enough to be useful for prediction models, the researchers are capturing fish images in both controlled fisheries in West Virginia and in the wild streams of western Massachusetts, using different methods while working toward the same goal.

In Massachusetts, the team uses an electrofisher backpack to collect fish. They then place the caught fish in a bucket, anesthetize a few at a time, and then take measurements and photographs before releasing them back into the stream from which they came. In West Virginia researchers have used GoPro cameras to collect images of fish while they swim in tanks. The team then uses anesthetics to capture measurements and take additional photographs. Fishing with Neural Nets: Transforming Ecology with Artificial Intelligence. Credit: University of Virginia School of Data Science

All of those images are then shared with data scientists at the University of Virginia who feed them into an image processing pipeline that identifies individual fish features. The team, led by Sheng Li, an assistant professor of data science at UVA, then trains the model to improve image recognition.

"It's quite challenging," said Li. "You see a large variation in fish appearance such as body size and other changes over time. We have had to develop multiple AI methods to improve the recognition of each individual fish."

The data scientists rely heavily on the images provided by the on-the-ground fish biologists and ecologists wading into streams, catching fish, and carefully and categorically photographing them.

Everyone on the project credits the project's success to interdisciplinary collaboration. Fish experts like Hitt and Letcher work with computer and data scientists like Li and others to use new techniques to solve old, persistent problems.

Hitt believes the tools they are developing using AI could have applications toward research on any animal with spots. "We envision this transforming fish biology globally."

But the challenge of amassing a large enough and current database of images remains, which is why the team hopes to appeal to citizen scientists and anglers to be active participants.

By using their phone to capture and upload photos of fish caught, a future interactive database has the potential to identify a specific fish, trace its tracking history, and feed up-to-date information in real time. The U.S. Geological Survey is working with fishing expedition companies to test out this new method of collecting data.

Letcher predicts a phone application could be created where an angler takes a photo of caught fish; uploads it to an open, shared database; and learns its exact identification and history. "This could be very valuable for collecting scientific information but also to engage anglers in new ways," he said.

"Using images, we can create individual fish ID and could monitor population trajectories," said Hitt, "but this also changes the relationship between anglers and these natural resources. It fosters a deeper sense of stewardship and connection to the streams and rivers."

When speaking of brook trout, Letcher and his colleagues become almost reverent. "You're taking something so ancient, so deeply rooted in the evolution of our planet, and developing a new appreciation and respect for it."

Provided by University of Virginia School of Data Science
Seguin, TX (78155)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 68F. Winds light and variable..

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Generally fair. Low 49F. Winds light and variable.
Iris Koh and M Ravi face police reports over potential election violations, as confirmed by Singapore's Elections Department on 2nd October. (PHOTO: Iris Koh YouTube channel and ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

SINGAPORE  Police reports have been filed against Iris Koh, founder of the Healing the Divide group which had opposed COVID-19 vaccination, and suspended lawyer M Ravi for allegedly publishing social media posts during the cooling-off period for the recent Presidential Election.

The Elections Department of Singapore (ELD) confirmed in a media release on Monday (2 October) that its assistant returning officer filed the police reports.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam had been elected as Singapore's ninth President last month, after securing 70.4 per cent of the votes.

Potential breaches during the cooling-off period

The cooling-off period started on 31 August midnight and continued until the close of polling at 8pm on 1 September. During this period, campaigning activities and new election advertising were prohibited to allow voters time for reflection on their choice for the Singapore President.

ELD said it had issued reminders regarding these restrictions. However, Koh and Ravi repeatedly shared online election advertising during the cooling-off period. This content was considered to "reasonably be regarded as intended to promote or prejudice the electoral success of a candidate or to otherwise enhance or prejudice the standing of a candidate".

On 31 August, Koh posted two identical videos on TikTok containing such content. Ravi shared one of Koh's videos on Facebook, in addition to three more videos on the same platform, all with similar content.

On Polling Day on 1 September, Ravi published a fifth video and another post on Facebook, both with similar content.

In a Reddit thread a month ago, users pointed out that Koh was also present at a viewing party held at the home of presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian, during which she accused journalists of biased reporting.

In response to these violations, the assistant returning officer issued correction directions to TikTok and Meta on 31 August and 1 September, instructing them to restrict access to Koh's two videos and Ravi's five videos and one post. Both TikTok and Meta complied with these correction directions.

Story continues

Pending charges for Koh and Ravi

Both Koh and Ravi have pending charges against them. Koh is accused of conspiring with a doctor to provide false information about vaccination status.

At the same time, Ravi faces charges related to an incident where he allegedly slapped a man near an MRT station and engaged in disorderly behaviour.

ELD stated that the police may initiate investigations to determine whether Koh and Ravi have committed any offences under the Presidential Elections Act during the cooling-off period.

Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube.
Activists hold placards during a demonstration as part of the global climate strike week in Hanoi (AFP via Getty Images)

Authorities in Vietnam arrested the director of an independent energy policy think-tank, in its latest crackdown on experts from the field of environment and ecology in recent years.

Ngo Thi To Nhien, director of the Vietnam Initiative for Energy Transition Social Enterprise, was arrested for allegedly appropriating internal documents relating to state-owned firm Electricity of Vietnam, according to the state media reports.

She was detained on 20 September, spokesperson for the ministry of public security To An Xo, confirmed on Monday.

The official denied that the grounds for arresting Ms Nhien were related to environmental activism.

Earlier reports claimed that the think-tanks top official was detained on 15 September.

The security investigation agency of Hanoi city police issued an arrest warrant to Ngo Thi To Nhien, Mr Xo said at a press conference late on Saturday.

If charged, Ms Nhien faced up to five years in prison, according to Vietnams criminal code.

According to a rights group, she was detained without any official confirmation.

Ms Nhien is a prominent researcher in Vietnam and has worked with a number of international organisations, including the World Bank, the European Union, the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank. She was reportedly working on an implementation plan for the countrys just energy transition partnership (JETP) at the time of her arrest.

The $15bn project will push Vietnam to wean off fossil fuels and is funded by the G7.

While the immediate reasons for her arrests are not clear, Vietnam is one of the few remaining communist single-party states that tolerate no dissent, including on environmental issues.

Human rights advocacy group The 88 Project have claimed that she has been arrested for unknown reasons.

In 2022, Human Rights Watch said that more than 170 activists had been put under house arrest, blocked from travelling or in some cases assaulted by agents of the Vietnamese government in a little-noticed campaign to silence its critics.

Story continues

Environmental rights groups have also accused the authorities of politicising the environmental issues.

Ms Nhiens arrest comes just days after a Vietnamese climate activist was sentenced to three years in prison on charges of tax fraud.

Hoang Thi Minh Hong, 50, who headed the environmental advocacy group Change, which works on environment and climate issues, was also fined 100 million Vietnamese dong ($4,100) by a court in Ho Chi Minh City, the state-owned Viet Nam News reported.
Lorenza Mazzetti arrived in London from Italy in 1951, survivor of a wartime atrocity in which her Jewish relatives were murdered, she quickly made friends with other artists in a new and different world. Though associated with the realist Free Cinema movement, her stark yet playful films - all shot on location in the capitals bomb-devastated, smog-caked vistas - take the form of psychodramas, influenced by Kafkas bleak absurdity, the horrors she had endured, and the agony she faced missing her twin sister back home.

This new set includes Mazzettis three deeply poetic, avant-garde, narrative London works, all newly remastered by the BFI National Archive, plus a brand new documentary.

Contents:
SEGEANT BLUFF  A Sioux City police officer was arrested by Woodbury County Sheriff's deputies Friday after an alleged domestic assault at a Sergeant Bluff residence.

Bradley Echter, 50, is facing misdemeanor charges of domestic abuse assault -- first offense, interference with official acts causing bodily injury and obstruction of emergency communications.

Sioux City Police Chief Rex Mueller said in a statement Monday that the department is aware of Echter's arrest for domestic assault and other charges and that an internal investigation is underway. Mueller said Echter was off duty at the time of his arrest and is on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigations.

"This alleged behavior is highly concerning and will be fully investigated. Sioux City Police Department policy directs a prompt internal investigation for any incident where an officer is accused of a criminal act. This internal affairs investigation is ongoing and independent of the criminal investigation conducted by the (Woodbury County Sheriff's Office)," Mueller said. "The SCPD will continue to ensure our integrity and credibility by taking all alleged violations involving department employees seriously. The SCPD supports all victims of domestic violence. We encourage victims of domestic violence to seek assistance by contacting local resources such as Safe Place."

According to a criminal complaint filed in Woodbury County District Court, at 9:36 p.m. on Friday, deputies were dispatched to the 2100 block of Buchanan Ave. to check on a female victim's welfare.

A complainant said the victim came to his residence in the 2100 block of Buchanan Avenue with scratches on her arms and stated that she was scared and couldn't call the police because her husband had her phone. The victim then returned to her residence in the 2100 block of Buchanan Ave.

When deputies arrived at the residence, they made contact with Echter at the front door.

"The defendant was very argumentative and didn't want to cooperate. While investigating the alleged domestic assault the defendant attempted to re-enter his residence to hinder our investigation," the complaint stated.

Before Echter was taken into custody, he allegedly pulled away and resisted deputies as they were trying to prevent him from re-entering the residence. This resulted in two deputies suffering minor injuries, according to the complaint. A sergeant had a scrape on the knuckle of his left hand and a deputy had a scrape on his right hand.

The female victim had visible injuries of a scratch to her left elbow, a cut on her left thumb, marks on her right forearm, a scratch and bruising on her right wrist, and pain in her neck and left elbow, according to the complaint.

"The victim stated that she was unable to call the police after the assault due to the defendant taking away her cell phone to prevent her from doing so," the complaint stated.
SIOUX CITY  The Sioux City Council unanimously approved first consideration of a zoning text amendment to the municipal code Monday, which would allow Siouxland Community Health Center to operate a mobile shower unit in its Pierce Street parking lot.

The Health Center obtained the shower unit in 2019 and had been operating it from June through September, until this year.

The lack of a "principal structure" on the Health Center's property at 924 Pierce St., which is zoned General Commercial, is problematic, as accessory use is prohibited in General Commercial without a principal structure, according to city documents. The Health Center constructed a parking lot on its Pierce Street property and took down the structure, which was formerly a Great Southern Bank drive-through site.

"This falls exactly under the no good deed goes unpunished," Mayor Bob Scott said before the vote.

City staff proposed that the Health Center operate the mobile shower unit at its primary location, 1021 Nebraska St., or at the Warming Shelter, 916 Nebraska St., instead of the remote parking lot. But the Health Center contends that isn't an option because the parking lot at its Nebraska Street site is too busy for the shower unit to be operated next to the clinic. The Warming Shelter's property isn't suitable to park a trailer either, because the driveway is too steep.

Joel Vos, an attorney representing the Health Center, told the council the Health Center first tried to obtain a temporary use permit for the mobile shower unit, but was denied. He said the Health Center went "several rounds" with the Sioux City Planning and Zoning Commission.

"It feels like we're being punished for trying to do good in this community," Vos said.

Health Center CEO Mari Kaptain-Dahlen said individuals who are experiencing homelessness use the mobile shower unit, as well as people living in the neighborhood who have inadequate plumbing in their homes and those who come to the city to interview for jobs. She said the mobile shower unit, which has provided more than 1,800 showers in four years, is a "vital part" of the Health Center's mission.

"Our mission with the mobile shower unit has been to assist individuals with basic health services. Being clean is not only a fundamental public health tenant, it also affords individuals a sense of self-worth and personal dignity," she said.

The zoning ordinance text amendment would allow hospitals, clinics, medical labs or urgent care facilities to conduct health screenings, testing and offer showers through a mobile shower unit in parking lots they own in Public Institutional or General Commercial zones.

"I think it's very limited and I think that it's a good text amendment," Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore said before the vote.

City documents noted that staff have received concerns from the neighboring property owners regarding the placement of Siouxland Community Health Center's mobile shower trailer. Kaptain-Dahlen told the council the Health Center has received no complaints from businesses in the community.

The documents also noted that the Health Center "has not provided adequate responses" to staff's concerns regarding draining the shower tanks and its future plans for expanding its campus. Kaptain-Dahlen told the council that American Septic drains the waste tanks on a regular basis.
SIOUX CITY  Siouxland Community Health Center is asking the City Council to approve a zoning text amendment to the municipal code so that it can operate a mobile shower unit in a Pierce Street parking lot, which it owns.

Weve been operating it for four years, and this summer we havent used it at all because of the issues with the city, Mari Kaptain-Dahlen, the health centers CEO, said Friday of the mobile shower unit. Weve had lots of inquiries from people in the community wanting to know if (showers) were available.

Kaptain-Dahlen told The Journal that individuals who are experiencing homelessness use the mobile shower unit, as well as people living in the neighborhood who have inadequate plumbing in their homes.

We have a lot of people who are housed who are using them, she said. We also have people who have just driven into the community. Theyre looking for jobs, and they come to the shower unit before they interview for their jobs.

City staff proposes the Health Center operate the mobile shower unit from June through September at its primary location, 1021 Nebraska St., or at the Warming Shelter, 916 Nebraska St., instead of the remote parking lot.

The lack of a principal structure on the Health Centers property at 924 Pierce St., which is zoned General Commercial, is problematic, as accessory use is prohibited in General Commercial without a principal structure, according to city documents. The Health Center constructed a parking lot on its Pierce Street property, which was formerly a Great Southern Bank drive-through site.

Staff has stated to the Siouxland Community Health Center they would be allowed to park and store their trailer at the main site where the clinic is, as it would be an accessory to the principal use, the documents stated.

The Health Center contends that isnt an option because the parking lot at its Nebraska Street site is too busy and chaotic for the shower unit to be operated next to the clinic. The Warming Shelters property isnt suitable to park a trailer either, because the driveway is too steep, according to the documents.

If the council approves the zoning ordinance text amendment, hospitals, clinics, medical labs or urgent care facilities would be allowed to conduct health screenings, testing and offer showers through a mobile shower unit in parking lots they own in Public Institutional or General Commercial zones.

Staff have received concerns from the neighboring property owners regarding the placement of Siouxland Community Health Centers mobile shower trailer. The neighbors are concerned at where the placement of the shower trailer location is next to their properties, the documents stated. Staff is recommending denial of the proposed text amendment. Staff believes the placement of the shower trailer on a property without a principal structure is an undue hardship to place on neighboring property owners.

The documents also noted that the Health Center has not provided adequate responses to staffs concerns regarding draining the shower tanks and its future plans for expanding its campus.
HOLLAND  A 60-year-old Grundy County firefighter accused of setting a string of arson fires has been arrested on 13 counts of arson and one count of reckless use of fire or explosives, according to the Grundy County Sheriffs Office.

Kendall Eugene Rhoads, a Holland fireman the past six years, was arrested Thursday after a five-month investigation into a series of fires in ditches next to corn fields and at buildings on abandoned properties.

Authorities determined the Grundy Center man, who lives in the 700 block of M Avenue, would respond with the fire department and assist in putting the fires out. Anyone with additional information is asked to call the sheriffs office at (319) 824-6933.

At least one of the fires allegedly set by Rhoads is believed to have resulted in an abandoned barn and power lines catching fire. These incidents reportedly happened in July, August and September with the exception of one, according to court records.

The affidavits stated he drove a gray 2019 Ford F150 SuperCrew to the various sites, should know the implications of setting these fires and admitted to the crimes after being read his Miranda rights. The incidents include:

2 p.m. April 6: Underneath a bridge of U.S.Highway 20 on H Avenue just north of 165th Street in Wellsburg, where the east grass ditch was set on fire next to a highway traveled by several people.

3 p.m. July 18: 16258 J Avenue in Wellsburg where a piece of cardboard was set on fire inside of a corn crib, spreading to an abandoned barn and power lines.

2 p.m. July 28: 180th Street and L Avenue in Holland where the northeast grass ditch was set on fire next to standing corn.

3 p.m. July 28: Just north of 170th Street on J Avenue in Wellsburg where the east grass ditch was set on fire next to a planted corn field.

2 p.m. Aug. 21: 180th Street and K Avenue in Holland where the southwest grass ditch was set on fire next to standing beans.

1:38 p.m. Sept. 5: J Avenue and 170th Street in Holland where the northwest grass ditch was set on fire next to standing corn. Fence posts next to the cornfield were damaged.

1 p.m. Sept. 8: 140th Street and M Avenue in Parkersburg where the east grass ditch was set on fire next to standing corn.

Noon Sept. 12: 150th Street and M Avenue where the east grass ditch was set on fire next to standing corn. The corn stalks and ears of corn were damaged.

Noon Sept. 13: G Avenue and 230th Street in Grundy Center where the north grass ditch was set on fire next to standing corn.

1:24 p.m. Sept. 15: South of 180th on M Avenue in Holland where a grass ditch was set on fire next to standing corn.

11:41 a.m. Sept. 18: East of I Avenue on 150th Street in Wellsburg where the north grass ditch was set on fire next to standing corn.

11:43 a.m. Sept. 25: South of 280th Street on L Avenue in Grundy Center where the east grass ditch was set on fire next to standing corn.

2:28 p.m. Sept. 28: 160th Street just west of M Avenue in Holland where the northeast grass ditch was set on fire next to standing corn.

3 p.m. Sept. 28: K Avenue just south of 170th Street in Holland where some dry corn stalks with ears of corn was set on fire.
Unions are hot right now, but you wouldnt know it from the historically puny percentage of workers who are members. The news is full of high-profile organizing drives at Amazon and Starbucks, and in food service, retail, and nonprofits; strikes or possible strikes by autoworkers, Hollywood writers and actors, and Las Vegas hospitality workers; and President Joe Bidens historic visit to striking workers on the picket lines in Detroit. Public support for unions is at an all-time high, and a majority of American workers say they would join a union if they could.

Despite all this activity and enthusiasm, though, the percentage of workers who are union members has continued to decline, as it has for decades. At the labor movements peak strength in the mid-1950s, about a third of non-farm workers were unionized. That number fell slowly through the 1960s and then rapidly starting in the 70s, to a low of just 10.1 percent in 2022.

One big reason for the huge disparity is an antiquated labor law regime that corporate interests have successfully rigged against workers, making it easy-peasy for employers to kill workers organizing campaigns.

But at the end of August, the National Labor Relations Board, which has a 31 Democratic majority thanks to President Bidens nominations, announced two party-line actions that should eliminate a common union-busting technique. These changes make the current moment the best time in decades to form a union, both from the point of view of workers who want a voice at their own workplaces and in terms of workers collective power to broadly improve pay and working conditions, reduce inequality, and build a functioning democracy.

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For more than 50 years, employers have been able to thwart their employees attempts to form unions in three simple steps (I have often wondered why union avoidance lawyers and consultants make so much money, given how straightforward this is):

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1. When workers give their boss signed union cards showing a majority of them want to form a union, refuse to recognize or bargain with the union.

2. Use the NLRBs sluggish processes to delay an election for weeks or months.

3. Use that time to retaliate against or threaten workers so the same group that signed union cards ultimately votes against forming the union they wanted.

Retaliation and threats are against the law, but the legal consequences are farcical. If an employer commits an unfair labor practice in the period before a union election, the NLRB will often, and I am not kidding here, require the employer to put up a poster saying they wont break the law again, and then do the election over again.

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The NLRBs recent moves, however, should throw several monkey wrenches into this strategy. On Aug. 24, the NLRB issued a final rule that will speed up union elections, screwing up Step 2 of employers union-busting playbook. The rule, effective Dec. 26, will eliminate common delay tactics that help employers: pointless waiting periods, the chance to request numerous extensions, and the opportunity to flood the process with irrelevant arguments.

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In an even more important move, on Aug. 25, the board decided a case called Cemex that should prevent employers from using Steps 1 and 3 of the anti-union strategy. Under Cemex, if a majority of co-workers agree to form a union and ask their employer to bargain with them, the employer now has three choices, quite different from the old ones:

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1. Respect the workers choice by recognizing and bargaining with the union.

2. Insist on an election, but refrain from committing unfair labor practices before the vote.

3. Insist on an election and commit unfair labor practices, but then be ordered to recognize and bargain with the union based on its original majority.

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For workers trying to organize their workplaces, this is game-changing. Regardless of what the employer does, the outcome honors the workers choice and discourages the employers from breaking the law.

There is good historical evidence that Cemex will result in a lot less illegal behavior by employers. Brian Petruska, a union labor lawyer (and a friend of mine), wrote a law review article in 2017 laying out a case for the NLRB to return to an earlier cousin of Cemex, which went by the more delightful name Joy Silk. Under Joy Silk, which was in effect from 1949 to 1969, when workers sought recognition from their employer based on majority support, the employer was required to recognize and bargain with the union without an election unless the employer had a good-faith doubt about the unions majority status.

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Petruskas article showed that the NLRBs abandonment of Joy Silk in 1969 triggered a massive increase in employers committing unfair labor practices during organizing campaigns. It also coincided with the dramatic downturn in the portion of workers represented by unions that started in the 70s. While Cemex differs from Joy Silk in that it permits employers to insist on elections even without any good-faith doubt about the workers majority support for the union, it should similarly discourage law-breaking and allow workers to unionize without fear of retaliation.

Petruska noted that, beyond increasing fairness in individual union elections, Cemex should also make it possible for workers to build power more broadly. Union power ultimately comes from monopolizing wage standards, which makes universal coverage a critical factor to union strength, he observed. American private-sector labor law is based on organizing individual worksites, one at a time. For many years, critics of this system have pointed out that a better way to create a fair bargaining relationship between workers and employers would be to add sectoral bargaining, in which workers can bargain for wage, benefit, and other standards that cover an entire industry or sector. Sectoral bargaining occurs in some European countries and was also used in the U.S. in the 1930s and 40s. Of course, the current Congress is about as likely to enact a sectoral bargaining law as they are to retire together to raise a herd of unicorns.

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Petruska argues that Cemex could give unions a plausible way to execute a sector-wide organizing campaign. While it wouldnt be easy, unions could sign up the majority of workers in worksites across a sector and then request recognition from all the major employers at the same time. Then, he says, One way or another, Cemex gives unions a path to emerging from a series of Board processes with essentially all, or close to all, employers required to negotiate across the table with thema sectoral bargainingesque result without the need for a statutory labor law overhaul.

The potential of Cemex and the election rule to help reverse the decadeslong slide in union membership has a looming potential expiration date. If a Republican wins the next presidential election, he will replace Bidens NLRB nominees with anti-union lawyers who will reverse Cemex (and many other Biden NLRB precedents). And, as with any change that gives regular people meaningful power to improve their own lives and communities, there is a risk that the oligarchic right-wing policymaking bodies known as our federal courts could strike down these NLRB decisions.

In the meantime, though, theres quite literally no time like the present for workers looking to unionize to give it a try.
On Sunday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his appointment of Laphonza Butler to the Senate seat formerly held by Dianne Feinstein, who passed away on Friday at 90. Butler is set to be sworn in on Tuesday by Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Butler advised during her 2020 presidential bid. Before her swearing-in, however, senators will have an opportunity to objectand there is a possibility that Republicans will do so on the grounds that she is a resident of Maryland, not California, and thus constitutionally disqualified from representing the Golden State. Butlers defenders have noted that she intends to re-register as a California voter, and that she owns property in the state, establishing her residency. Is that enough?

The short answer is: Nobody knows for certain, and the Constitution does not say, at least not in remotely clear terms. The Senate is the final arbiter of this question, and given Democrats (slim) majority, it is likely to vote down any objections. The profound legal ambiguity at the heart of this brewing dispute serves as a timely reminder that our antiquated, unamendable Constitution simply cannot answer many basic questions about the government it created.

As originally ratified in 1788, the Constitution directed state legislatures to elect U.S. senators, and imposed three qualifications to serve. First, senators must be no younger than 30 years old. Second, they must have been a U.S. citizen for nine years or more. Third, they must be an inhabitant of the state they represent. This last requirement expressly applies to the candidate when elected, while the first two dont. So a Senate candidate must meet the inhabitancy requirement at the time of their election, but need not meet the age or citizenship requirements until they are sworn in. Thats why Joe Biden could be elected to the Senate at age 29: He turned 30 before he was sworn in.

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The snag with Butler is, of course, the inhabitant requirement. And understanding it requires some history. As Michael Thorning has pointed out, the Framers deliberately chose the word inhabitant instead of resident to avoid strict home-state residency requirements for senators. Residency means a persons primary home and location, the place where they live on a long-term basis. Inhabitance, by contrast, requires some physical presence in a state, but it may be intermittent, interrupted by long absences. As James Madison put it, the term inhabitant encompasses people who may leave a state for a considerable time on public or private business.

Related From Slate Dianne Feinsteins Death Instantly Creates Two Big Problems to Solve Read More

It is unclear whether Butler satisfies even this more limited inhabitance requirement. She currently lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she moved to work at Emilys List in 2021. Newsoms office says she owns a house in California and that she intends to re-register to vote there before her swearing-inwhich suggests she has voted in Maryland for the past two years. In federal filings, Emilys List identified Butler as living in Maryland from September 2021 through August 2023.

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The best way for Butler to nip this problem in the bud would be to take a quick trip to California before Tuesday, where she can re-register to vote in person and signal her intention to remain in the state long-term. This physical presence in the state would surely satisfy the Constitutions inhabitance requirement. Even if Butler were not an inhabitant of the Golden State when Newsom announced her appointment, she would regain her inhabitancy status with this homecoming. If she doesnt have time for an in-person trip, she could start planning a move back to her California home, or begin the application process for a California drivers license. Such actions indicating her intent to return to the state and remain there could plausibly suffice to reestablish residence.

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But theres a weirder question lurking beneath the surface here: Does Butler even need to be an inhabitant of California to represent the state in the Senate? You might think the obvious answer is yes. It isnt.

The confusion here derives from both the original Constitution and the 17th Amendment, which was ratified in 1913. That amendment revoked state legislatures authority to pick senators, instead empowering voters to elect senators directly. It also carried over a rule from the original Constitution governing Senate vacancies: The executive (governor) of a state may appoint someone to fill them. Everyone agrees that the first two requirementsage and citizenshipapply to these appointees. But what about the inhabitance rule? Remember, that applies at the time of a senators election. But appointees arent elected! So does the rule apply at all?

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Law professor Stephen Sachs, a fair-minded conservative, argues yes. Sachs points out that the Constitution said senators were elected when chosen by a state legislature, indicating that the term has a capacious meaning that stretches beyond the general citizenry casting their ballots. In this context, he asserts, the word elected must mean the whole process of official choice, whether made by a governor, a legislature, or the people at large. If Sachs is correct, then Butler will be elected when Newsom formally appoints her by signing a certificate of appointment. And if Newsom already signed that certificate, Sachs claims, he should summon her to California and re-sign it once she has established residency. Only then would the qualification problem disappear.

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Sachs strongest argument for this theory is that otherwise, a governor could appoint an inhabitant of any state to fill a Senate vacancy. The Constitution might have had good reason for wanting Senate candidates to be state residents, he writeschiefly, a desire to ensure that the interests of each states residents receive equal representation. That does sound like a good idea. But if its so important for every senator, elected or appointed, to inhabit the state they represent, why doesnt the Constitution actually say that? Why, instead, does the inhabitance requirement apply only to elected senators by its plain text?

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There are surely plausible arguments in the other direction. Maybe the Framers of the original Constitution and the 17th Amendment didnt want to limit the pool of potential appointees by adding yet another qualification for Senate service. (They certainly took care to keep the list short.) Maybe they entrusted governors to appoint a senator who would represent the states interests and didnt think it was worth enshrining that principle in the Constitution. (These appointments are, after all, only temporary.) Maybe they felt a states political process would be sufficient to deal with a governor who chose an out-of-state appointee, entrusting the people to vote him or her out of office. (This deference to decisions made by a states elected officials and voters would promote the same federalist principles that Sachs highlights.) Or maybe the Framers of these constitutional provisions just never contemplated this question at all.

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And would that be so surprising? The Framers didnt seriously contemplate a vast range of issues that dominate political debates today, or never reached a consensus. None of them knew what a direct tax was, yet they restricted it anyway, and the Supreme Court may soon preemptively kill a wealth tax on the grounds that it is direct. The Framers dont seem to have thought much about state courts power to regulate federal elections, or about rudimentary aspects of habeas corpus. On disputes about the meaning of equal protection and libertyaffirmative action, womens equality, reproductive rights, marriagethey provided no explicit guidance. The 14th Amendment ostensibly bars insurrectionists from holding public office, but we still have no idea how that ban should operate in practice.

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The Constitution does not have all the answers. And when we pretend it does, we empower unelected judges to make up the answers and attribute them to the infinite wisdom of long-dead Framers. Its fortunate, then, that the Constitution does empower the Senateand not the courtsto judge the qualifications of its own members. When a would-be senators qualifications are contested, the Senate must decide, by a vote, whether to accept them. Even with one vacancy, Democrats hold a small majority in the chamber, and they can overrule any GOP objections to Butler and seat her on Tuesday. By doing so, they will effectively resolve this constitutional quandary in Butlers favor. The text of the Constitution may not offer a definitive answer here. But the people and their representatives still can.
This is part of Opening Arguments, Slates coverage of the start of the latest Supreme Court term. Were working to change the way the media covers the Supreme Court. Support our work when you join Slate Plus.

On Monday, the Supreme Court opened its 202324 term by wrestling with a question that only lawyers could spend 90-plus minutes arguing about: what the word and means.

The case, Pulsifer v. United States, began winding its way through the legal system three years ago, when Mark Pulsifer sold about a third of a pound of meth to a customer who turned out to be a confidential informant. After his arrest, Pulsifer pleaded guilty to a felony count of methamphetamine distribution. And because of his criminal recordhed been convicted of another drug-related felony several years earlierhe was suddenly facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months in federal prison.

Fortunately for Pulsifer, mandatory minimums are not exactly in vogue on Capitol Hill these days, given the mountains of evidence that they drain public resources without making anyone safer, all while exacerbating horrific racial disparities in a criminal legal system already rife with them. In 2018 Congress passed the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that, among many other things, allows judges to deviate from mandatory minimums for people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses. This provision of federal law, known as the safety valve, assigns point values to different offenses and defines the group of people eligible for sentencing reductions as follows: anyone who does not have a significant criminal history (4 or more total points), a prior serious offense (a 3-point offense), and a prior (2-point) violent offense.

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This might sound like a lot of numbers, but here the sums matter less than the three-letter word that ties them together. Pulsifer has more than 4 total points, and a previous 3-point conviction. However, hes never been convicted of a 2-point violent offense. Thus, he says, the safety valve covers him: People arent eligible for sentencing relief only if they meet all three criteria, A, B, and C. And because Pulsifer doesnt meet criterion C, he should be eligible for a sentencing reduction of about five years. Or, as his lawyers put it in their brief, the laws plain meaning is unambiguous:  and means and. 

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Federal prosecutors, it will shock you to learn, feel differently: In the governments view, anyone who fails to clear any of these hurdles is ineligible for relief. In other words, it argues that and means or.

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At oral argument, the justices spent most of their time parsing this slurry of semicolons, em dashes, and conjunctions in painstaking detail, trying to divine whether the First Step Act uses and to join three eligibility criteria together (as Pulsifer argues) or distributively across three independently disqualifying criteria (as the government argues). The lawyers invoked an array of dictionaries, grammar usage guides, statutory drafting manuals, and handbooks for reading law, one of which was co-authored by the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Assistant to the Solicitor General Frederick Liu had the misfortune of having to explain the governments appeal to common sense, which did not appear to land with members of the target audience. I dont know that canon, but I guess its a good one, said Neil Gorsuch, the justice perhaps most obsessed with defining himself as a textualist.

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By late morning, the justices seemed understandably exhausted. Clarence Thomas, frustrated by the absence of even a workable framework for trying to answer the question, analogized the debate to his least favorite concept in constitutional jurisprudence: a substantive due process of the word and, that we just make it up as we go along, he said. Justice Samuel Alito wondered out loud if the debates existence might be evidence that his beloved textualism has a dark side after all. People who havent studied the case must think this is gibberish, he said. It might as well be Greek.

The most interesting exchanges occurred when the justices found ways to wade through linguistic minutiae to talk about the real-world stakes of the case: years of Mark Pulsifers life, and of the lives of thousands of others who could spend less time in federal prison depending on how the justices decide it. The point of the First Step Act, after all, was to subject fewer people to harsh mandatory minimum sentences. Against this backdrop, why, asked Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, should the Supreme Court construe a purported ambiguity as narrowly as possible? I appreciate that and can sometimes mean or, she said. But this is not a conversation. This is a statute. And its a criminal statute with huge implications for the lives and well-being of the people who come through the system.

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Related From Slate The Supreme Courts First Case Is a Brutal Grammatical Test Read More

Jackson and her colleagues also returned several times to the fact that safety valve relief is not automaticthat however the justices decide this particular question, a defendant must meet several other eligibility criteria and convince a judge of their worthiness for discretionary relief to actually get a shorter sentence. In practice, ruling for Pulsifer would only marginally reduce the tremendous power that life-tenured judges wield over the futures of the people who come before them. To the extent that Congress wanted to deny anyone the opportunity to even participate in this process, Jackson pointed out, denying it only to those with the most serious and violent criminal histories doesnt seem crazy.

Her most vocal ally on Monday was Gorsuch, whose occasional libertarian sympathies make him probably the most defendant-friendly justice on the conservative wing. (His reputation in this space is cartoonishly overblown in certain circles, but again, we are grading the Supreme Courts reactionary law-and-order cruelty on a Clarence Thomas curve here.) In an exchange with Liu, Gorsuch focused on the imbalance of power between Pulsifer and the massive carceral state working diligently to lock him up for as long as possible. The government of the United States has a lot of resources, and the average criminal defendant doesnt, he said. If that government is incapable of crafting coherent rules for whom and when and how to punish, it shouldnt get the benefit of the doubt when someone points that out.

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At the end of the day, what were really talking about here is whether mandatory minimums send people away for  life sentences, effectively, for many people, or whether the guidelines, which are not exactly the most defendant-friendly form of sentencing known to man themselves, apply, Gorsuch said. To that, Pulsifers attorney responded, gratefully: That summation was better than my introduction.

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The courts resolution of Pulsifer will do more than crown a winner in this battle of semantics. Future Congresses will almost certainly take up criminal justice reform again because the layered failures of mass incarceration are one of the few subjects in Washington around which there exist some bipartisan consensus. (Notably, the conservative Americans for Prosperity Foundation took a break from stumping for tax breaks for the ultrarich to file an amicus brief on Pulsifers behalf, arguing that extra years of warehousing him in a prison at taxpayer expense would seem to serve little, if any, societal purpose.) And the First Step Act, for all the fawning press it earned, was a modest reform bill that many activists who sympathized with its aspirations nonetheless criticized as insufficiently robust. As my Balls and Strikes colleague Madiba Dennie wrote recently, it is difficult enough to marshal the necessary support for meaningful criminal justice reform without a federal judiciary that reads every reform that does manage to pass as uncharitably as possible.

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In a perfect world, this countrys legal system would run according to a set of concise, lucid rules that mesh seamlessly with one another. Unfortunately, the institution in charge of writing these rules is the United States Congress, which means that even well-intended reforms are invariably going to contain vexing screw-ups that entail significant consequences. In Pulsifer, the court has a choice about what role it will play in this messy process: It can either give effect to Congresss intent or besorry for the legal jargona pedantic pain in the ass. These days, the justices play the latter role enough as it is. They dont need any more practice.
Just in time for Spooky Season, another Supreme Court term has begun. This one could easily be billed like a horror movie: It Came from the 5th Circuit!

Yes, all the grimmest cases before the court have one thing in common, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern write: They originated from the ultraconservative U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. (Stern previously described it as the court where law goes to diea place where the nations most partisan jurists recklessly wield their power to enact hard-right policy under the guise of judging.)

Lithwick and Stern give us an overview of whats on the courts plate this term, and what it says about the tectonic shift that has already happened at the court itself.

Plus: Oh, look! Billionaires have their perfect case to start the Supreme Court term. Alex Aronson and Bob Lord break it down for us.

And make sure to follow the rest of our Opening Arguments series covering the start of the courts term.

Sam Bankman-Fried on trial

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Sam Bankman-Frieds trial begins tomorrow. Alex Kirshner recaps what went wrong with Bankman-Frieds crypto exchange, FTX, and why its so remarkable that this trial is even happening in the first place.

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And What Next: TBD takes a look at where the crypto industry goes from here.

Well be covering this trial all month, so watch this newsletter for more coverage of all the ins and outs, from the consequential to the absurd.

Gaetz comes for McCarthy

Matt Gaetz is trying to depose Kevin McCarthy for working with the Democrats to avoid a government shutdown. Should McCarthy actually care? Ben Mathis-Lilley argues that this is the week America will find out whether Gaetz is a person of actual influence in Congress, or a clown throwing up more balls than he can juggle.

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Plus: In case you missed it, Jim Newell breaks down how exactly Congress narrowly averted a shutdown.

Why so bitey?

The Bidens dogs keep biting people. Molly Olmstead spoke to some German shepherd experts to find out whyand they have some tips for the first family.

Speaking of dogs  Shannon Keating makes the case for why you should get a small one, and Kelly Conaboy ponders the question: Do dogs really need skincare?

A Trump page-turner

Cassidy Hutchinson has written the first real page-turner among the Trump administration memoirs. Thats because its not a political story at all, Laura Miller writesits something else.

Today, Slate is  * UNWILLING TO STAY OUT OF THE CONVERSATION

 much like polarizing journalist and frequent internet main character Taylor Lorenz! Dan Kois dug into her first book and shared what he thought of it.

Thanks so much for reading! Well see you tomorrow.
In June, Colorado-based Wilson Aerospace sued aeronautics giant Boeing for allegedly stealing trade secrets and violating intellectual property rights. The case involves Boeings work on NASAs Space Launch System, or SLS, a rocket designed to eventually land astronauts and cargo on the moon. Wilson claims Boeings actions cost Wilson hundreds of millions of dollars and placed astronauts at risk.

The suit revolves primarily around Wilsons proprietary Fluid Fitting Torque Device, a tool designed for tightening and loosening fittings, especially in cramped, difficult to access areas on spacecraft. Wilson accuses Boeing of stealing, misappropriating, and infringing  intellectual property to design its own version of the device, used to attach the main engines to the SLS rocket. But Wilson also claims the problem goes much deeper. Because Boeing covertly stole Wilsons intellectual property without receiving the full instructions on how to properly build, install, and use it, Wilson alleges in its suit, several of the aerospace and aviation products built by Boeing are pockmarked with critical safety flaws that put lives at risk.

Its unclear how this particular case, the allegations of which Boeing denies, will turn out. But the suit provides a window into a larger questionwhether NASA is capable of overseeing the collage of contractors that will continue to gain power in the future of space exploration. It also presents an important lesson: As space exploration becomes increasingly crowded with private companies, and increasingly ambitious with new missions, NASA needs to rework its contracting and oversight processes. Spacefaring nations also need to overhaul the treaties and regulations that govern space.

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In 2022, NASA spent over 70 percent of its more than $20 billion annual budget on contracts with private companiesincluding the largest recipients: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, and Orbital Sciences. These companies, in turn, often employ various subcontractors to fulfill procurement requests (as Boeing did with Wilson). This creates a sort of tiered waterfall of oversight responsibility for NASAand could also create troubling incentives for companies like Boeing, which face increasing pressure in the commercial space race.

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The SLS helps illustrate this tension. While the Artemis I mission (the first of a series of SLS missions, and the one predominantly in question in the Wilson lawsuit) was eventually successful, the rocket and Orion spacecraft came in years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budgetnot great for NASA or the contractors involved. In fact, Boeings problems with the SLS mission are cited by Wilson Aerospace as motive: In 2015, Boeing was dangerously close to losing billions of dollars in future revenue from NASA, because it could not figure out how to install the engines on the Space Launch System, the lawsuit alleges.

This competitive pressure is real, because theres a lot on the line for private companies in space as the industry presents rapidly expanding opportunitiesboth for private operations and collaborations with NASA. In 2019, NASA revealed plans to allow private-sector experiments and cargo, as well as commercial astronauts, onto the International Space Station. The private sector has also won agreements to construct a space station to replace the aging ISS.

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Increasing privatization, though, also increases NASAs responsibilities to ensure the proper use of resources and the safety of its astronauts and other staff. NASAs results as an oversight agency are mixed. Following the disastrous Columbia launch in 2003 and a scathing review of the agencys safety culture, NASA put significant effort into ensuring launch safety. And admittedly, NASA has not had a fatal spacecraft accident in the 20 years since.

Related From Slate The Mysteries of the Dark Side of the Moon Read More

Still, there are documented concerns with the effectiveness of NASAs integrated testing (where components of a mission are tested together), and the agencys own Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel has expressed concerns regarding its safety culture. Roger Handberg, a professor at the University of Central Florida who specializes in space, technology, and defense policy, told me that as mission infrastructure is increasingly outsourced to companies outside of NASA, sometimes those within the agency charged with the supervision of mission components are technically competent, but they are not familiar with exactly whats going on, because they havent built rockets before. Companies like SpaceX and Boeing have also been given more oversight over their own spacecraft for crewed missions; in the aftermath of the 2015 SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket explosion, the company was allowed to lead its own investigation without NASAs independent review.

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These gaps in oversight also extend to logistical and financial issues. The U.S. Government Accountability Office has already asked for increased oversight into the Artemis missions, arguing that previous approaches by the agency place[d] billions of dollars at risk of insufficient NASA oversight. Even the agencys rollout of new spacesuits for a future moon landing was expensive and behind schedule, leading the agency to spend more money on two commercial contracts for the development of alternative options.

So, what can be done? Its useful to think about two different types of regulation in the space arena. First, we need to ensure that NASA-led missions improve their track record for keeping private contracts on time and at budget. This includes, as NASA Inspector General Paul K. Martin has noted, improving the NASA contracting system to ensure increased competition among bidders and updating project management operations. Martin also cited the need to crack down on grant fraud, including inflated labor costs and materially false statements in private companies applications. Importantly, NASA should also shift toward fixed-price contracts, which force private companies building space systems to take on unanticipated expenses. (The alternative, cost-plus contracts, often force NASA to swallow additional costs that arise for delays or overruns beyond the original contractlike the cost increases with the SLS.)

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Second, the U.S. and other major spacefaring nations need to improve how they regulate private space operations. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 forms the foundation of current international space law, but this framework couldnt have predicted the regulatory needs of the present. As it stands, each individual state party to the treaty is responsible for the authorization and supervision of private commercial companies operating in their jurisdiction. This is critical because private organizations are not parties to the treaty or bound by its obligations. But while the U.S. is a leader in the space industry, even its domestic regulations for private spaceflight are woefully lacking. To ensure safe operations, delineate property rights, mitigate debris, and protect state security, the U.S. needs a new centralized regulatory framework. These tough policy decisions will also require negotiating with foreign nations that at times disagree with the United States interpretation of the Outer Space Treaty.

As space exploration expands, decentralizes, and privatizes, U.S. regulators and officials urgently need more effective methods of keeping it safe and efficient. We also need more effective transnational agreements for the ever-expanding scientific and commercial atmosphere in space. In their absence, mankind may be left with fatal missteps instead of giant leaps.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
This is part of Slates daily coverage of the intricacies and intrigues of the Sam Bankman-Fried trial, from the consequential to the absurd. Sign up for the Slatest to get our latest updates on the trial and the state of the tech industryand the rest of the days top storiesand support our work when you join Slate Plus.

The trial of Sam Bankman-Fried begins in New York on Tuesday, Oct. 3, a little less than a year after his crypto exchange FTX and hedge fund Alameda Research collapsed. The short version of what happened: Alameda took FTX customer deposits (possibly illegally, but definitely riskily) and put them into made-up crypto tokens whose value derived from confidence in FTXs business. When that slipped, both businesses cratered, arguably along with the broader public illusion that cryptocurrency was going to the moon. The feds found a lot of crime to allege, and the hazmat crew that came in to handle FTXs bankruptcy proceedingsthe folks who mopped up Enrons messfound FTX to be an even bigger disaster than that one.

Now Bankman-Fried faces seven federal fraud and money-laundering charges, with more on the table in the future. At least four members of Bankman-Frieds inner circle at FTX have made plea deals to cooperate in an investigation led by the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams. Other legal proceedings continue apace around FTXs bankruptcy, including a lawsuit that the companys new management filed against SBFs parents last month. Bankman-Fried awaits trial in a Brooklyn jail because the prosecutors and judge in the case got annoyed with his pretrial behavior. If hes convicted, he could face up to 115 years behind bars, but probably more like a decade or two.

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All of that suggests one question: Should Bankman-Fried have clamored for a deal of his own? But also: Would prosecutors even have offered him one? He was, after all, the top executive at FTX and the very literal face of the company, and there appears to be a mountain of evidence and testimony against him. But could he change his mind, or could they? And one more question: If the trial does wind up going the distance, does Bankman-Fried have any clear path to winning?

To answer all of this, I recently interviewed Yesha Yadav, a Vanderbilt Law School professor whose areas of study include international financial and banking regulation, bankruptcy proceedings, and securities regulation. Late in 2022, she walked me through the case prosecutors were building. Now we talked about the hand theyll play as their work comes to fruition.

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Alex Kirshner: In big financial cases, and in this one specifically, its common to see a lot of the underlings make deals and cooperate in a case against someone at the top. Is it common, or would there be precedent, for prosecutors to offer a deal to the biggest fish?

Yesha Yadav: Im a little surprised that there hasnt been greater talk of a deal, given the fact that so many of the principals, so many of the closest folks in that circle, have essentially taken deals, have put pen to paper in a great deal of detail on what went wrong at FTX. Given the weight of that evidence thats been piling up, its surprising that SBF himself has not been going for a deal on the seven charges.

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In addition, its also worth noting that its seven charges this year, and theres a likelihood of more charges to come that will be taken to trial next year. And so given the weight of the legal process that is coming due at this point, it is quite surprising, in light of the various witness testimonies here, that a deal hasnt been offered or doesnt look like its being discussed between SBFs lawyers and SDNY.

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Why do you think that it might not be coming together? I know thats a bit of armchair lawyering, but I had the same reaction that you did.

The prosecutors have a very strong hand. At least it would seem on paper that the prosecutors have accumulated a great deal of evidence. Its also worth noting that many of these processes are happening hand in hand with the bankruptcy process thats also underway on the other side. And a great deal of forensic accounting, a great deal of accumulation of data, of insights about where the money has gone, has been happening through the bankruptcy system. So the prosecutors have another source of evidence to lean on in trying to make a really airtight case against SBF. And so in that context, given how high-profile this is, the prosecutors may not be willing to give up a great hand and make a deal.

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Of course, this is a big expenditure of prosecutorial resources, court time, and so forth. There is obviously uncertainty in any trial. You have to have 12 jurors agree to convict, and if one juror can be convinced that there is reasonable doubt as to his guilt on the counts, then obviously that case is lost. So given that uncertainty, there is some incentive on part of the prosecutors to think about a deal.

On the SBF side, as to why his lawyers are not gunning for a deal, thats maybe slightly harder to understand. Its not clear exactly what defense is going to be put forward, but it does seem based on some initial indicators that potentially theyre looking at an advice-of-counsel defensein other words, that SBF relied on legal advice when he was making certain decisions. It also feels like, given his statements to the press in the run-up to the trial, that hes been blaming a lot of the other lieutenants. Maybe hes trying to blame them and keep himself absolved of guilt. So its not clear what his defense is, but he seems to be going down the line of relying on counsels advice as a defense, and potentially that of other close executives in FTX. But again, its just harder to understand, given the weight of the evidence, given whats been coming out in the bankruptcy process, how SBFs lawyers are potentially not pushing for a deal here. Maybe they are, but at least in the public, it doesnt look like it.

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Im curious if theres a making an example of him angle, given the profile of the case, that might affect the prosecutors stance on a deal. Bernie Madoff pleaded guilty, but he got way more years on way more charges than he ever couldve possibly served, given his age. If you look at the charges against Bankman-Fried and how many of them there are, do you see hints that theyre sending a message, or do you see prosecutors setting themselves up to deal?

Its likely to be a little bit of both. There is definitely a sense that SBF is being held up as a poster child for corruption, for greed, for fleecing everyday people of their money, and holding him up as an example of thatnot essentially giving him a pass on charges, recognizing that he is exemplifying a form of gross mismanagement of funds and just mistreatment of customers. So I can definitely see a post-Madoff type of exemplification here, and [U.S.

attorney] Damian Williams has certainly indicated in press conferences that he is not here to take this lightly. This is something that the office has been putting their resources into and holding miscreant executives feet to the fire. So I definitely see that as being part of whats going on here, which is making an example of Bankman-Fried and making it very clear not just for the crypto industry, but the financial industry as a whole, that SDNY is watching. And that particularly with respect to areas such as crypto, its not an excuse that its a complex new industry. If theres fraud, youll be held accountable. So I definitely see that as a part of the mix here.

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On the other hand, of course, prosecutors do have optionality here with multiple charges, and certainly with charges like wire fraud, which are extremely broad in scope. Each charge has its own sentencing. To the extent that youre able to find someone guilty of multiple charges of wire fraud and conspiracy in that context, then the accumulation of years that mount creates very strong pressure to create some kind of plea deal in advance. Thats one thing. And obviously it gives prosecutors some degree of hedging. Maybe a conviction is not achieved on one count, then you can achieve it on another.

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Do you see either of those defense strategiesineffective counsel by FTXs old lawyers, or blaming the other execs who already made dealsas a plausible winner?

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Its hard. The baseline here is what the crime requires, which is intent. This whole game plan appears geared toward mitigating an intent on the part of SBF: that he was simply doing what he was told, that he was essentially relying on a whole bunch of other people to do the job, that he never actually intended to do any kind of malfeasance, and that he was simply quote-unquote following instructions from his lieutenants with respect to how the shop should be run.

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Its very, very hard to believe that that defense could fly, given how deeply enmeshed Sam Bankman-Fried was in the running of the whole business. He was the face of FTX. He was, based on reporting and bankruptcy case filings, deeply involved in Alameda and in its running. He was clearly the founding genesis behind Alameda and FTX way back in 2017 and 2019. So to that extent, to make the argument that somehow he was completely oblivious is definitely risky and a long shot on the part of his lawyers. Making the case to everyday people that somehow he was completely passive in the operations. Its very hard to square with the fact that he was the face of FTX, he was constantly out and about talking about FTX to lawmakers, the media, to the industry, and his knowledge seemed to be extremely detailed in those conversations. And he was getting money based off of the fact that he was the one running the ship.

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That being said, theres always that risk when the prosecution needs to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. That standards hard to quantify, but its around 90 percent probability. So obviously there could be that risk that one juror believes that obviously he had nothing to do with it or something. So obviously prosecutors do face that hill that they have to climb. One thing that seems to be coming out in the reporting is a reliance-on-counsel defense that basically there was a reliance on FTX counsels advice. Thats another hard defense to pull off, because certainly there are a number of different conditions that have to be satisfied before that defense can be satisfied. In other words, that you gave counsel all the information that they needed to give an opinion, and that you followed that opinion to the letter. And the prosecutors could look for things like running around to shop for opinions from different kinds of lawyers.

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So all of these things are, again, a risk for the defense. And finally, of course, it does require waiving privilege for this counsels advice to be revealed. Thats another thing that has to be a part of any thinking around whether or not this defense can succeed, is whether FTX will waive privilege on this advice. These are really pretty risky strategies, and so again, it comes down to the fact of finding it slightly hard to believe that SBFs lawyers are not gunning for a deal here.

When FTXs bankruptcy management filed the lawsuit against his parents, the parents lawyer said it was an effort to intimidate them right before their sons trial. The timing is interesting. How do you see the interplay between the bankruptcy litigation and this criminal trial?

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Im still kind of working through that in my head. Certainly the fact that his parents are now under so much pressure themselves, that is something that could potentially push for maybe a deal to be reached on the part of the criminal side, or otherwise to ask for some kind of leniencyjust to create a degree of closure for the parents, and to protect them from the continuing hardship of seeing their kid go through trial at this time.

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Related From Slate New Jersey Senator Indicted for Acting How Youd Imagine a Senator From New Jersey Would Act Read More

That being said, this is high-stakes at this point. The cats out the bag. The trial is happening, the fact that SBF is in jail is happening, his parents know that hes in jail, that his bail was revoked. This has been priced in. And if there is pressure thats coming from the civil side, to some extent, its a little bit incremental. This was expected, to some extent, given the fact that these are parents who are extremely smart lawyers, extremely accomplished lawyers. That they would be subject to a fraudulent conveyance was something that was long in the works, and was something that certainly should have been expected by them, and they should have been advised to that effect, that this was coming.

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The fact that this happened now is obviously added pressure, but at the same time, if theyre playing for the ultimate prize, which is having Sam be deemed not guilty, then issues like [civil fraud] can potentially come out of that as well. Or it can be shown, on the criminal side, that maybe the family wasnt as culpable as has been claimed. So if there is a win for Sam on the criminal side, then that could ease a little bit of the pressure on the civil side by showing that there was less wrongdoing or less intent overall in the running of this enterprise. But again, these are high-stakes issues that are intertwined.
Small business grants can help businesses with various projects throughout the year. Currently, cities and organizations are operating programs to help businesses with everything from exterior upgrades to special events. Read on for a full list of small business grants with deadlines during October 2023.

Activate Oakland

Oakland, California and local organization Visit Oakland are teaming up to support small businesses and draw visitors back into the city. The new $400,000 grant program, Activate Oakland, will provide up to $20,000 to small businesses and organizations that want to create free events to draw crowds into the community. Eligible events can include everything from free exercise classes to pop-up retail shops. Businesses and organizations have until October 12 to apply.

Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Sell Your Business Drive Traffic to Your Website Advertise Your Business Here

York BLOOM Grants

The York County Economic Alliance in York, Pennsylvania, recently launched the 2023 City of York BLOOM Grant Program. Through the program, eligible businesses can apply for grants of between $500 and $1,500 to fund projects that will help with productivity or expansion. The organization will consider business needs and potential impact when determining grant amounts. And businesses that have not received funding through previous BLOOM grants will receive priority. October 13 is the deadline for businesses to apply.

Montana Native American Business Advisor Program

Montanas Native American Business Advisor program is one of four small business grant programs currently supporting tribal businesses throughout the state. The program aims to help aspiring indigenous entrepreneurs by providing expert guidance, mentorship, and resources throughout the startup process. This program includes $160,000 in total funding. October 16 is the final deadline to apply.

Texas Womans University StartHER Grants

StartHER, the annual grant program of Texas Womans Universitys Center for Women Entrepreneurs, is currently running its fifth round of funding. During this round, the center will award 25 grants of $5,000 each to women-owned businesses. Eligible businesses can use funds for various expenses, like purchasing new equipment or improving commercial spaces. During previous rounds, the center has awarded $450,000 to 90 women-owned businesses while also providing access to business advisors and a virtual business training course. Applications for this program are due by October 22.

Montana Tribal Business Development Grant

Montanas Tribal Business Development Grant is another program that aims to support tribal-owned businesses throughout the state. The program includes $240,000 in total funding for shovel-ready projects to help eligible businesses expand or improve their operations. The application period for this program runs now through October 25.

Small Business Deals

San Antonio Facade Improvement Grant Program

San Antonio, Texas is extending the deadline for its Facade Improvement Grant Program. Eligible businesses can apply for grants of between $5,000 to $50,000 to cover various exterior upgrades that are visible from the public right-of-way. The city also added new eligibility areas to help even more businesses get funding through the program. October 31 is the updated deadline to apply.

Montana Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant

Montana is accepting applications from Native American-owned businesses to help expand the scope of small-scale enterprises. This is one of four programs currently running throughout the state, and it has $320,000 in funding available. The application period is open now through October 31.
Pay-per-click advertising, often called PPC, is a cornerstone in todays digital landscape. Its how businesses get their ads in front of potential customers online. From search engines to social media platforms, PPC is everywhere. But is it the right strategy for your business? Lets explore this powerful tool and whether it aligns with your goals and objectives.

Demystifying Pay-Per-Click Advertising

PPC advertising is a powerful digital marketing strategy. Its all about driving targeted traffic to your website, but how does it work?

Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Drive Traffic to Your Website Sell Your Business Advertise Your Business Here

What is Pay Per Click Advertising?

The pay-per-click ads model is where businesses pay a fee each time their ad is clicked. Its like a digital auction, where advertisers bid for ad placements on various platforms.

How PPC Ads Feature Prominently on Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs)

PPC ads are those sponsored listings you see at the top and bottom of search engine results pages (SERPs).

Theyre prominently displayed, ensuring your business grabs the attention of potential customers when they search for relevant keywords. This prime real estate can make or break your online visibility.

Google Ads: The Cornerstone of PPC Advertising

Small Business Deals

Google Ads is a powerful tool for businesses to reach their target audience with PPC advertising. Lets take a look at how to make the most of this powerful platform.

Setting Up Google Ads: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting started with Google Ads is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:

Create a Google Ads account: Visit ads.google.com and click Start now. Then, sign in with your existing Google Account or create a brand new one. Choose your campaign type: Within your Google Ads account, navigate to the Campaigns icon. Click on Campaigns and then the Plus button to add a new campaign. Select your advertising objective and goal to determine your campaign type. Set up your campaign: Configure your campaigns settings for location, language, and ad schedule. Then, decide on your advertising budget and select a bidding strategy. Set up ad groups and keywords: Your next step is to create ad groups around related keywords that are relevant to your products or services. Create ads: Youll then need to design your ad content to include impactful headlines, engaging descriptions, and relevant display URLs. Make sure that your ads match your chosen keywords and lead visitors to relevant landing pages. Set up ad extensions: Youll want to use ad extensions to help enhance your ads visibility. Ad extensions provide extra information about your business such as contact details or any additional website links. Review and launch your campaign: Before launching your ads, make sure to look over all of your campaign elements, including the settings, ad groups, keywords, and ads. Monitor and optimize: Keep a close eye on your active ads and monitor your campaigns performance. Be sure to make changes as needed. This may include tweaking your keywords, adjusting your bids, or testing new ad variations.

Strategies to Optimize Your Google Ads Campaigns

To optimize your Google Ads PPC campaigns, start by conducting research using keyword search tools. Craft compelling ad copy that aligns with searcher intent, and consider using ad extensions for added visibility. Regularly analyze performance data and refine your strategies based on what works best.

Venturing Beyond Google: Exploring Other PPC Platforms

While Google Ads reign supreme, theres a world of PPC opportunities beyond it, like Bing Ads. Lets broaden our horizons and discover alternative platforms that pack their own unique punches.

Broadening Your Horizon: Microsoft Ads, YouTube Ads, and More

Microsoft Ads: Microsofts search engine, Bing, often offers lower competition and costs compared to Google, making it a budget-friendly choice. Plus, it reaches users who might not use Google.

YouTube Ads: Leveraging the power of video, YouTube Ads are excellent for brand awareness and storytelling, catering to a vast and diverse audience.

Facebook Ads: With precise targeting options, Facebook Ads are perfect for reaching specific demographics.

Instagram Ads: Instagram is ideal for businesses with visually appealing products, from fashion to food.

Twitter Ads: Twitter Ads are great for timely promotions, event marketing, and building brand awareness.

LinkedIn Ads: If youre in the B2B space, LinkedIn Ads are great for reaching professionals and decision-makers directly.

Feature/Criteria Microsoft Ads YouTube Ads Facebook Ads Instagram Ads Twitter Ads LinkedIn Ads Primary Audience Users of Bing search engine YouTube viewers Facebook users Instagram users Twitter users Professionals & decision-makers Cost Typically lower cost due to less competition Varies, but can be competitive due to its vast audience Can be cost-effective with precise targeting Costs can vary depending on targeting and ad format Costs can vary based on targeting and campaign goals Tends to be higher due to professional audience Strength Budget-friendly with access to a different user base Powerful for brand awareness & storytelling Precise demographic targeting Ideal for visually appealing products Timely promotions, event marketing, brand awareness Direct reach to professionals & decision-makers Ad Formats Text ads, Product ads, Video extensions Skippable & non-skippable video ads, display ads, overlay ads Image, Video, Carousel, Slideshow, Collection, Messenger ads Stories, Photos, Videos, Carousels, Collection, IGTV, Explore Promoted tweets, In-stream video ads, Carousel ads, Promoted Moments Sponsored content, Message ads, Dynamic ads, Display ads, Text ads, Carousel ads, Video ads Targeting Keywords, Location, Demographics, Device Interests, Demographics, Video remarketing, Placement, Topics Age, Location, Interests, Behaviors, Custom and Lookalike audiences Age, Gender, Location, Interests, Behavior, Custom and Lookalike audiences, Shopping Keywords, Interests, Followers, Behaviors, Tailored audiences, Remarketing, Location, Gender, Language Job function, Company name/size, Skills, Demographics, Education, Interests, Group membership, Seniority Suitability Any business looking for an alternative to Google Ads Businesses focusing on video content or broad brand exposure Any business aiming for specific demographics Businesses with a strong visual component like fashion, travel, and food Businesses with timely offers, event marketing or quick brand awareness campaigns B2B, especially those targeting professionals and decision-makers

The Advantages of PPC Advertising

Lets talk about why PPC advertising is such a game-changer.

Budgeting, Measurability, and Agility: The Triple Whammy

One of the best things about PPC is the control it gives you over your budget. You decide how much you want to spend, so no surprises there. Plus, its super easy to measure whats working and whats not. This means you can make quick changes on the fly to get the best bang for your buck. Wondering how much do small businesses spend on advertising? Learn more about the averages to inform your own budget decisions.

Precision Targeting and SERPs Dominance: Your Secret Weapon

PPC lets you target your ideal customers with laser-like precision. You can aim your ads at specific demographics, interests, and behaviors. And heres the kicker  your ads get prime real estate on search engine results pages (SERPs).

Thats like having the best spot in a busy marketplace. It makes you stand out and grabs the attention of potential customers, giving you a serious advantage in the online game.

Craftsmanship in PPC: Creating Ads that Resonate

Crafting PPC ads is an art form in itself. Lets explore the key elements that can elevate your ads to resonate with your audience.

Keyword Mastery: Choosing the Right Words to Drive Traffic

Selecting the perfect keywords is like finding the right key for a lock. Its crucial for unlocking the doors to your target audience. Research, relevance, and refinement are your allies in this endeavor.

Sculpting Captivating Ad Copy and Irresistible CTAs

Your ad copy is your voice in the digital realm. Craft it with care, making sure it resonates with your audiences needs and desires. Add a dash of persuasive magic by creating killer calls to action (CTAs) that invite action. Remember, words have the power to ignite action.

Deciphering PPC Economics: Costs, Investments, and Returns

Lets break down the financial aspects of PPC advertising.

Navigating the Terrain of Cost-Per-Click

Cost-per-click (CPC) is influenced by various factors like keyword competitiveness, industry, ad quality, and timing. Competitive keywords and industries lead to higher costs. Quality ads, achieved through compelling copy and optimized pages, can lower CPC.

Timing also impacts costs. Effective CPC navigation requires thorough research, realistic budgets, and ongoing campaign adjustments for strategic investments with results.

Ensuring an Enviable Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)

Getting a bang for your buck is what ROAS is all about. To achieve this, focus on fine-tuning your campaigns, targeting high-value keywords, and continuously monitoring performance. Its the key to ensuring your PPC investments pay off handsomely.

The Future of Pay-Per-Click Advertising

The future of PPC ads promises continuous evolution. Businesses can expect advancements in automation, AI-driven targeting, and enhanced ad personalization. With these changes, PPC will become more efficient and customer-centric, offering businesses greater opportunities to thrive in the digital landscape.

FAQs: Pay-Per-Click Advertising

What are ad groups in pay-per-click marketing?

Ad groups in pay-per-click marketing are clusters of related keywords and advertisements within a PPC campaign. They help organize and target ads more effectively, ensuring relevance between keywords and ad content.

How does cost per click influence search engine advertising?

Cost per click (CPC) directly impacts the expense of search engine advertising. Advertisers pay for each click on their ads, so a higher CPC means higher advertising costs. CPC can vary based on competition, keywords, and ad quality.

Whats the difference between search engine marketing and online advertising?

Search engine marketing (SEM) is a broader term encompassing various online advertising methods, including pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. Online advertising specifically refers to promoting products or services on the internet, while SEM focuses on search engines like Google. Small business SEO statistics indicate that both strategies can be effective.

Is a landing page needed for a successful PPC campaign?

Yes, a landing page is crucial for a successful PPC campaign. Exactly what is a landing page? It provides a destination where users land after clicking an ad, ensuring continuity from ad to offer. A well-optimized landing page enhances conversion rates and user experience.

How do paid search ads appear on the search engine results page?

A paid search ad typically appears at the top and bottom of a search engine results page (SERP). They are labeled as sponsored or ad and are triggered by specific keywords. Ad placement depends on factors like bid amount and ad quality.
Japan Airlines has revealed the details of its new A350-1000 aircraft, which it calls its new flagship aircraft, to replace the current long-haul aircraft for the airline, the Airbus A350-1000.

The airline has 13 of these aircraft on order, and it expects to launch services with these aircraft within 2023.

Japan Airlines (JAL) has 13 A350-1000s on order, which the airline now refers to as its new flagship aircraft. The airline currently uses the Boeing 777-300ER, and these aircraft could take over the long-haul missions from them in the coming days. The current long-haul fleet for JAL is between 15 and 19 years old. JAL intends to replace all aircraft in the fleet by 2028, with the first two arriving before 2023 closes.

JAL is already a customer of the A350-900 variant, but these are used for domestic flights inside Japan and are in a very dense configuration. The new A350-1000 aircraft will first take over the Tokyo Haneda  New York JFK route for the airline. While there has yet to be a set date for the transition to the new aircraft, it will very well happen within 2023, although only on one of the two daily flights.

The new aircraft will be in a premium-heavy configuration with just 239 seats, including six first-class suites, 54 business-class suites, 24 premium economy and 155 economy-class seats. ...continue reading
The oldest marathon in Europe has its winner, mysterious object on top of a legendary building, and sunny weather continues.

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Good evening. Here is the Monday, October 2 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

More than 92 million to elected parties

The National Council building in Bratislava. (Source: TASR)

The parties that gained at least 3 percent of all the votes in the September 30 early election will receive a state contribution.

In total, the parties will receive more than 92 million in contributions from the state budget.

Among these are the far-right movement Republika and Hungarian minority party Aliancia. Moreover, the parties that gained more than 2 percent of votes will get back their 17,000 deposit for running in the election. Find out how much money individual parties will receive.

You can find news regarding the 2023 early elections here.

MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.

FEATURE STORY FOR MONDAY

Legendary high-rise with a mysterious object on top

Manderlak, Bratislava's first high-rise building. (Source: TASR)

At one time the tallest building in Bratislava and Slovakia, the multi-functional Manderlak building on SNP Square is still one of the dominant features of the centre.

It became legendary thanks to the Grand Cafe, as well as the Manderla butcher shop, which many Bratislava residents still remember. Life in the Manderlak continues to be influenced by the vibrant life of the city centre.

EVENT FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS

Step up, Bratislava!

A still image from a performance during the Bratislava v Pohybe festival. (Source: TASR)

The 27th edition of the international dance festival Bratislava v Pohybe starts today and will last until October 21. The main programme will include eight performances mostly focused on Belgian contemporary dance, whose artists have been setting trends for all Europe.

For more information including tickets and programme, click here (in English).

IN OTHER NEWS

Ukraine respects the results of the Saturday election in Slovakia and the success of the party that does not agree with sending military aid to Kyiv , said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. "However, it's still too early to say how the results will affect Slovakia's position," he said, adding more will be known once the government has formed. (TASR)

, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. "However, it's still too early to say how the results will affect Slovakia's position," he said, adding more will be known once the government has formed. (TASR) The course of the September 30 election was standard, no fraud occured, the results valid , announced Speaker of the Parliament Boris Kollar (Sme Rodina) on Monday, after being handed the report by chairman of the State Commission for Elections, Ladislav Orosz. (TASR)

, announced Speaker of the Parliament Boris Kollar (Sme Rodina) on Monday, after being handed the report by chairman of the State Commission for Elections, Ladislav Orosz. (TASR) Smer chair Robert Fico was given the mandate to form a governing coalition and, as is customary, that mandate will be 14 days, President Zuzana Caputova announced on Monday. She plans on meeting with Progresivne Slovensko chair Michal Simecka later on Monday and with Hlas chair Peter Pellegrini on Tuesday. Meetings with other leaders will take place in the following days. (TASR)

Smer chair Robert Fico (left) and President Zuzana Caputova. (Source: TASR)

By October 2025, the Korean company Seoyon E-HWA will have 250 new job opportunities in its plant in the town of Cadca , northern Slovakia. The company produces and supplies plastic parts for the automotive industry.

, northern Slovakia. The company produces and supplies plastic parts for the automotive industry. The trial regarding the murder of student Daniel Tupy dating back to 2005 is set to begin on November 15. Attorney Adam Puskar is charged as an accomplice to the murder. He will remain in custody because he has been deemed a potential flight risk.

The repair of the tram line on Vajnorska Street in Bratislava's Ruzinov and Nove Mesto boroughs will start on Thursday, October 5. Trams will not operate on the section between Tomasikova Street and Zlate Piesky lake for two months. Buses will operate instead. (Source: TASR)

WEATHER FOR TUESDAY

Sunny, occasionally fog at noon. Daily temperatures between 20 C to 27 C and light breeze expected. (SHMU)

Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us.

P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook, Instagram (@slovakspectator) and Twitter (@slovakspectator).
Political parties spent more than 21 million on the 2023 campaign.

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The parties that gained at least 3 percent of all the votes in the September 30 early election will receive a state contribution.

Among these are also the far-right movement Republika and Hungarian minority party Aliancia that did not clear the 5-percent threshold and won no seats in the parliament.

In total, the parties will receive more than 92 million in contributions from the state budget, the Dennik N daily writes.. Moreover, the parties that gained more than 2 percent of votes, like Demokrati led by ex-PM Eduard Heger, will get back their 17,000 deposit for running in the election.

The contribution is comprised of three parts; for the sum of votes (13.04/vote), their operation and number of mandates.

As the winning party, Smer will receive more than 23 million, followed by Progresivne Slovensko with more than 18 million, Hlas with more than 15 million, the coalition of OLaNO a priatelia with more than 9 million.

KDH (Christian Democratic Movement), SaS and SNS (Slovak National Party) will get more than 7 million, more than 6 million, and almost 6 million, respectively.

Related article

Related article News digest: Victorious Fico expects a post-election phone call from the president Read more

Although Republika and Aliancia did not get elected, they will receive more than 3 million each.

Many parties that were elected financed their campaign from previous state contributions. Progresivne Slovensko funded its campaign thanks to loans and big money from entrepreneurs, including Slido creator Peter Komornik. Hlas received a bank loan from Fio Bank.

Transparency International Slovakia estimates that political parties spent almost 21 million on their campaigns. The amount is not final, though. According to TIS, the total amount of campaign expenses will exceed the 2020 record: 23.6 million.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231001/house-speaker-mccarthy-expresses-confidence-us-will-avoid-shutdown-in-november-1113846878.html

House Speaker McCarthy Confident US Will Not Shutdown in November

House Speaker McCarthy Confident US Will Not Shutdown in November

The House Speaker claimed the House was "doing its work", while also taking a jab at the Senate, by claiming them of not having done "one thing" to avert a possible shutdown.

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us house

kevin mccarthy

us senate

us congress

us government shutdown

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"No, 'cause the House is doing its work," McCarthy told CBS when asked whether the US will be facing another shutdown on November 17 when the temporary funding expires. The House Speaker also accused the Senate of not having done "one thing" to avert a possible shutdown. When asked about Ukraine aid, McCarthy said that US's border security is for him more important than providing assistance for Kiev. At the same time, McCarthy expressed willingness to discuss the matter with the Biden administration. However, last week Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky experienced a lackluster reception in Washington, where the House Speaker denied his request to address Congress in a joint session. On Saturday, the House of Representatives passed a short-term spending bill to keep the US government open for 45 days, which was later approved by the Senate and signed into law by US President Joe Biden. As many as 335 House members voted in favor of the bill, with the majority of House Democrats supporting it.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231001/does-absence-of-ukraine-funding-in-us-congress-shutdown-stopgap-bill-mean-end-of-support-1113844293.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231001/under-fire-us-rep-bowman-criticized-for-his-response-to-fire-alarm-scandal-1113846671.html

Under Fire: US Rep Bowman's Response to Fire Alarm Scandal Criticized

Under Fire: US Rep Bowman's Response to Fire Alarm Scandal Criticized

The controversy started as a Republican-controlled House released a CR bill to avert a government shutdown. Democrats sought to stall a vote on the legislation, claiming they needed more time to read and interpret the bill.

2023-10-01T21:58+0000

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2023-10-02T04:44+0000

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congress

us congress

political scandal

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Last week saw partisan conflict in Washington reach an all-time high as Republicans initiated contentious impeachment hearings against US President Joe Biden.Now some legislators are calling for felony charges against a fellow lawmaker, and Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) is feeling the heat.The controversy started Saturday morning as a Republican-controlled House released a temporary 45-day spending bill to avert a government shutdown. Democrats sought to stall a vote on the legislation, claiming they needed more time to read and interpret the bill.Just after noon, a surveillance camera captures House Rep. Bowman rushing toward an exit in the Cannon office building  but not before pulling a fire alarm next to the door.The socialist representative rejected claims from some of his Republican peers that the triggering of the alarm was a tactic to stall a vote on their proposed legislation.I want to be very clear: this was not me, in any way, trying to delay any vote. It was the exact opposite  I was trying urgently to get to a vote. Bowman spoke with the Capitol Police and Sergeant at Arms shortly after the incident, telling reporters, My hope is that no one will make more of this than what it was.Some Republican lawmakers were unimpressed with the Bronx representatives explanation.House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) promised to give Democratic Party leader Hakeem Jeffries, also from New York, a stern talking-to, saying the incident should not go without punishment. When we found that an individual elected to Congress would pull a fire alarm, thats a new low, said McCarthy.New York Rep. Elise Stefanik claimed Bowman was guilty of a felony (creating a false fire alarm is actually a misdemeanor in the US capital).Fellow socialist Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) of the east Bronx claimed Republican protestations over the incident amounted to partisan point-scoring in an interview with US media Sunday.She claimed criticism of Rep. Bowman amidst Republicans protection of fabulist GOP Representative George Santos is absolutely humiliating to the Republican Caucus. The House spending bill ultimately passed, primarily with Democratic Party support, on a 335 to 91 vote.Recent polling shows the US Congress has a 19% approval rating among Americans

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231001/us-congress-narrowly-avoids-government-shutdown-capping-off-a-uniquely-dysfunctional-week-1113832252.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231001/does-absence-of-ukraine-funding-in-us-congress-shutdown-stopgap-bill-mean-end-of-support-1113844293.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/borrell-says-total-amount-of-eu-assistance-to-ukraine-reaches-898bln-1113847876.html

Borrell Says Total Amount of EU Assistance to Ukraine Reaches $89.8Bln

Borrell Says Total Amount of EU Assistance to Ukraine Reaches $89.8Bln

On Saturday, Borrell arrived on an unannounced visit to Odessa, and on Sunday, he arrived in Kiev, where he announced that EU support to Ukraine had reached 85 billion euros.

2023-10-02T03:32+0000

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2023-10-02T03:32+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukraine

us arms for ukraine

european union (eu)

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"Our military support to Ukraine has reached the figure of 25 billion euros. And altogether - military, civilian, humanitarian [aid] - have reached the figure of 85 billion euros, which is the highest amount in the world," Borrell said at a press conference in Kiev. On Saturday, Borrell arrived on an unannounced visit to Odessa, and on Sunday, he arrived in Kiev, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and new Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. On that same day, US President Joe Biden signed a short-term funding bill to avoid a government shutdown in the US, but that bill does not include new funds for Kiev. An unnamed top Pentagon official reportedly said that the US Department of Defense had "exhausted nearly all available security assistance funding for Ukraine". In addition, US Democrats and Republicans are now battling each-other on whether or not to continue to fund Ukraine. Thus far, the US has spent a massive $75 billion on assistance to Ukraine. Moscow has condemned foreign military supplies to Ukraine. In April 2022, Russia sent a diplomatic note to all NATO countries on the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231001/pentagon-has-exhausted-almost-all-available-security-aid-for-ukraine-1113843564.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/british-defense-sec-mad-to-suggest-catastrophic-military-mission-to-ukraine-1113855350.html

British Defense Sec 'Mad' to Suggest 'Catastrophic' Military Mission to Ukraine

British Defense Sec 'Mad' to Suggest 'Catastrophic' Military Mission to Ukraine

The UK has already put tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops through crash-courses of a few weeks  as well as supplying huge quantities of arms. But the government insists it is not in direct conflict with Russia.

2023-10-02T16:36+0000

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world

grant shapps

ben wallace

rishi sunak

ukraine

kiev

oxfordshire

conservative party

nato

united kingdom (uk)

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The UK's newly-appointed defense secretary was "mad" to suggest sending troops and ships to Ukraine, a military expert has said.British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps told a newspaper over the weekend that UK soldiers could be sent to Ukraine to train conscripts to Volodymyr Zelenksy's depleted army.The defense secretary even hinted that Royal Navy ships could be sent to the Black Sea to escort Ukrainian merchant vessels following the breakdown of the grain export deal with Russia  in spite of Turkiye's ban on military vessels of any other nation transiting the Bosphorpus straits to enter the land-bound sea.Prime Minister Rishi Sunak quickly slapped down Shapps in a TV interview on Sunday on the eve of his Conservative Party's annual conference in Manchester, saying: "There are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict."Since 2022, the British Army has put tens of thousands of Ukrainian recruits through three-week crash courses on training grounds in the UK before they are sent to the frontlines.Similarly, documents leaked from the US Department of Defense in April this year estimated that there were up to 50 SAS special forces operating covertly in Ukraine, but did not indicate what their mission might be.Former British MP Matthew Gordon-Banks, a senior research fellow at the Armed Forces Defense Academy in Oxfordshire and Conservative partymate of Shapps, said Shapps' comments to the media were a "complete PR disaster."The military expert said Shapps' suggestion of sending British troops into the warzone was simply unthinkable."His idea was absolutely mad. Only this week, Russian leaders like [State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav] Volodin, [Foreign Minister Sergey] Lavrov and [Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry] Medvedev have made it clear about how the conflict in Ukraine will end and what they would see as unnecessary escalation by NATO," Gordon-Banks said.He noted that the article had quickly been taken down from the newspaper's website  possibly at the insistence of the intelligence services.In an article in the same newspaper on Sunday, Shapps' predecessor at the Ministry of Defense Ben Wallace claimed Ukraine was winning its summer offensive  already written off by some US generals and even British state broadcaster the BBC  despite only capturing a handful of villages after four months of fighting.He also urged Kiev to begin conscripting teenage boys into its army in an attempt to stop Russia from bringing overwhelming force to bear "The average age of the soldiers at the front is over 40," Wallace wrote. "I understand President Zelenskys desire to preserve the young for the future, but the fact is that Russia is mobilizing the whole country by stealth," he claimed.The defense analyst said Kiev was already press-ganging youths to make up for the terrible casualties its army has suffered over the past year and a half. "Ukraine has already lost three armies," Gordon-Banks stressed. "They are now pulling 16- to 18-year-olds off the streets. 500,000 Ukrainians have already died fighting a senseless, unnecessary war and it is time for the West to move more quickly to end this conflict."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/former-uk-defense-sec-suggests-ukraine-mobilize-younger-recruits-1113849525.html

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russian special military operation in ukraine, ukrainian counteroffensive, ukrainian casualties, conscription of teenagers in ukraine, nato troops in ukraine.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/calling-eu-politicians-defending-their-states-interests-pro-russian-absurd---kremlin-1113854256.html

Calling EU Politicians Defending Their States' Interests Pro-Russian 'Absurd' - Kremlin

Calling EU Politicians Defending Their States' Interests Pro-Russian 'Absurd' - Kremlin

Many European politicians who defend the sovereignty and interests of their country are called pro-Russian, which is absurd, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, commenting on the recent parliamentary elections in Slovakia.

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russia

european union (eu)

slovakia

robert fico

hungary

poland

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The party of Slovak Prime Minister-elect Robert Fico  who is called pro-Russian  Direction  Social Democracy, more commonly known as Smer, won the parliamentary elections that took place on Saturday. Fico, who served as prime minister of Slovakia from 2006-2010 and from 2012-2018, has stated multiple times that he stands against military support for Ukraine. "Many politicians, a number of politicians in Europe, are called pro-Russian. And in fact, we are now faced with a situation where any politician on the European continent who is inclined to think about the sovereignty of their country, who protects the interests of their country, they immediately try to call them a pro-Russian politician. But this is absurd," Peskov told reporters.Hungarian PM Viktor Orban believes the European Union spent Budapest-designated funds on Ukraine, while Poland, alongside Slovakia and Hungary, has introduced a ban on Ukrainian grain flooding the EU's market and harming domestic agricultural producers.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230922/experts-ukraine-poland-spat-signals-resurgence-of-national-interests-over-natos-pro-kiev-agenda-1113591740.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/former-uk-defense-sec-suggests-ukraine-mobilize-younger-recruits-1113849525.html

Former UK Defense Chief Suggests Ukraine Mobilize Younger Recruits

Former UK Defense Chief Suggests Ukraine Mobilize Younger Recruits

Former UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said on Sunday that at the moment, the average age of Ukrainian soldiers at the front is above 40 years, so it is worth thinking about increasing the scale of the mobilization of the country's male population, as Britain did in 1939 and 1941.

2023-10-02T06:06+0000

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military

ukrainian crisis

ben wallace

volodymyr zelensky

united kingdom (uk)

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Wallace also noted in his article for the British newspaper that he understands Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's desire to preserve the youth for the future, but the fact is that any pause will allow Russia "to build a new army." The Ukrainian authorities introduced martial law in the country on February 24, 2022, the same day Russia launched its special military operation. The next day, Zelensky signed a decree on general mobilization. Last month, the Ukrainian parliament extended martial law until November 15.Ukraine launched its counteroffensive attempt in June after month of postponing and hyping about imminent victory. In September, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Kiev failed to achieve any of their goals in three month of counteroffensive. Ministry of Defense officials also reports tremendous losses among Ukrainian troops  for instance, in September Russian Armed Forces destroyed over 17,000 militants.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230927/bbc-admits-ukrainian-counteroffensive-failed-1113739632.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/us-lies-about-ukraines-failed-counteroffensive---ex-cia-analyst-1113233650.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/gaetz-urges-mccarthy-to-reveal-secret-ukraine-side-deal-ahead-of-move-to-oust-speaker-1113866169.html

Gaetz Urges McCarthy to Reveal Secret Ukraine Side Deal Ahead of Move to Oust Speaker

Gaetz Urges McCarthy to Reveal Secret Ukraine Side Deal Ahead of Move to Oust Speaker

US Congressman Matt Gaetz said on Monday that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy ought to reveal details of a secret deal with President Joe Biden on assistance for Ukraine, ahead of a motion to remove him as head of the lower chamber of Congress.

2023-10-02T18:58+0000

2023-10-02T18:58+0000

2023-10-02T19:02+0000

americas

us

us government shutdown

us arms for ukraine

joe biden

ukraine

matt gaetz

kevin mccarthy

us congress

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Mr. Speaker, just tell us: what was in the secret Ukraine side deal? What commitments were made to President Biden to continue the spending of President Biden in exchange for doing things for President Biden? It is becoming increasingly clear who the Speaker of the House already works for, and its not the Republican conference, Gaetz said during remarks on the House floor. Gaetz stated he intends to file a motion to unseat McCarthy this week, after the speaker led the passage of a short-term government funding deal on the eve of a shutdown. Gaetz opposed the legislation, instead proposing that Congress pass single-subject appropriations bills. Gaetz alleges that McCarthy made a secret deal with Biden to bring Ukraine aid legislation to the House floor as part of negotiations on the short-term funding measure. Other members of Republican leadership were not aware of the deal, Gaetz claimed. Ukraine has lost the support of the majority of the majority in the House of Representatives, Gaetz noted. McCarthy cannot team with Democrats to overrule the will of the majority party per the so-called Hastert Rule, Gaetz stressed. The House could hold votes later on Monday or later this week that could be implicated by McCarthys response to Gaetzs question, the lawmaker said, in reference to his motion to vacate the speakership. Some House Republicans are also preparing an effort to expel Gaetz from Congress, pending an ethics probe into the lawmaker, US media reported earlier this week. US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has opposed both the motion to vacate McCarthy's speakership and the effort to expel Gaetz, arguing that the in-fighting only hurts the partys work in Congress.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230912/us-house-speaker-mccarthy-orders-formal-impeachment-inquiry-into-biden-1113315465.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230925/swalwell-criticizes-mccarthy-says-he-shares-speakership-with-trump-greene-and-gaetz-1113641519.html

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Japan has cut off a lucrative $2-billion backchannel for used-car exports to Russia, Reuters reported Monday, citing trade data and market participants.

Japan, the worlds leading used-car exporter, initially banned the export of luxury vehicles and heavy trucks to Russia after Moscow invaded Ukraine last year.

In August, Tokyo expanded the ban to include new and used cars with gasoline and diesel engines above 1.9 liters, as well as hybrids and electric vehicles, in alignment with EU sanctions.

The new ban drove down prices for second-hand vehicles in Japan and forced brokers to seek out destinations other than Russia, according to Reuters. ...continue reading
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/georgia-awaits-usaids-explanations-on-funds-for-training-in-organizing-unrest-1113854648.html

Georgia Awaits USAID's Explanations on Funds for Training in Organizing Unrest

Georgia Awaits USAID's Explanations on Funds for Training in Organizing Unrest

Georgia is waiting for clarifications from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) regarding information about the funding of training in organizing unrest in the country, Georgian parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili stated on Monday.

2023-10-02T13:26+0000

2023-10-02T13:26+0000

2023-10-02T13:26+0000

usaid

us agency for international aid (usaid)

georgia

european commission

world

color revolution

coup

revolution

unrest

us

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Earlier in the day, the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) said on social media that three Serbian citizens from the Center for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies (CANVAS), allegedly funded by USAID, arrived at the end of September in Georgia to teach tactics for overthrowing the government to young people and members of influential non-governmental organizations. According to the SSSG, the coup was planned for October-December, just when the European Commission is set to publish its decision on Georgias EU membership application. Georgia's former deputy interior minister, Giorgi Lortkipanidze, and the commander of Georgian Legion in Ukraine. Mamuka Mamulashvili, who used to be a bodyguard of Georgia's jailed ex-President Mikhail Saakashvili, were accused of plotting the coup. An independent online news platform reported that this is at least the seventh time since the ruling Georgian Dream party came to power in 2012 that officials have accused various entities of plotting a coup against the government.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230504/cia-staged-color-revolutions-hacker-attacks-around-globe--chinese-cybersecurity-center-1110083713.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/international-legion-how-foreign-mercenaries-became-disenchanted-with-ukraine-conflict-1113861961.html

International Legion: How Foreign Mercenaries Became Disenchanted With Ukraine Conflict

International Legion: How Foreign Mercenaries Became Disenchanted With Ukraine Conflict

As another foreign mercenary dies in Ukraine, Sputnik looks into the unhappy fate of soldiers of "fortune" fighting on the side of the Kiev regime.

2023-10-02T16:43+0000

2023-10-02T16:43+0000

2023-10-02T16:43+0000

sputnik explains

ukraine

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leonid reshetnikov

volodymyr zelensky

nazi

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Estonian mercenary Tanel Kriggul, who had the call sign "Stinger", was reportedly killed last week by a drone strike in the Donetsk region. He became the second Estonian who died far from home fighting for the Kiev cause.Between September 24 and 29, the Russian military conducted nine strikes with long-range precision weapons and drones targeting Ukrainian ammunition depots, training sites, military facilities, and a control center of the Foreign Legion, also known as International, a foreign mercenary unit created at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 27, 2022."Ukraine is using every opportunity to strengthen its armed forces, including mercenaries," Leonid Reshetnikov, a retired lieutenant general of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), told Sputnik. How Many Foreign Mercs Fight in the International Legion?The Ukrainian Foreign Legion, also known as the International Legion and the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, claims to bring together around 20,000 foreign individuals with military experience and expertise.In early March 2022, Zelensky alleged that 16,000 foreign hired guns were going to join the Ukrainian military on the battlefield. The Kiev regime also opened a website for foreign fighters hoping to "help Ukraine." The Russian Ministry of Defense reported at the time that the US military intelligence had kicked off a massive campaign to recruit private military contractors (PMC) for the Kiev regime.However, a year later, a US mainstream newspaper published the results of its investigation into the foreign "volunteer drive" in Ukraine, revealing that the Ukrainian International Legion has in fact only 1,500 members, a far cry from the initially announced figures. It also turned out that many foreigners lack both military experience and expertise.How Much Do Mercenaries Earn?According to German media, Ukrainian International Legion recruits are paid about 500 ($526) a month; those of them who fight on the frontline reportedly receive a salary of 3,000 ($3,159) per month.Still, there were reports saying that foreign hirelings had to buy weapons and gear at top dollar, since they weren't provided these necessities by Kiev."Give us some f*****g weapons please," James Vasquez, 47, a US military veteran, wrote on Twitter in April 2022. "We will not win with trash weapons. We need M-16s, M-4s, ACOGs, red dots, ammunition, ammunition, ammunition, javelins, f*****g old AT-4s I know are probably in some storage unit. Frag grenades, and if not may as well bring body bags."Former legion mercenaries also went on to complain about corruption in Ukrainian military ranks and problems with salary payments. For its part, the US press has cited problems with fundraising for arming "volunteers" and Ukrainian fighters, money waste and mysteriously vanished shipments.A significant number of foreign soldiers of fortune came to Ukraine to earn money; but there is also an ideological component, according to Reshetnikov."As a rule, [they are] those who share certain views are Nazi, National Socialist or, as we say, fascist, extremely radical views," said the Russian intelligence veteran. "If you ask and look, analyze the views of mercenaries, in addition to the material component, many have such views that are close to them - the views of Ukrainian nationalists. Many of them are Russophobes, well, brought up in the spirit of their American, Estonian or any other propaganda."Why Has the Foreign Legion Proven Ineffective?Neither the Ukrainian International Legion nor other merc units fighting for the Kiev regime has ever been reported achieving any substantial results on the battlefield. Instead, the story of foreign mercenary movement in Ukraine has been mired in controversies, scandals and apparent crimes.Per a US newspaper, one of the problems was that none of the foreign "volunteers" had been properly vetted. The media cited a legion official as saying that it took about 10 minutes to check each individual's background. As a result, people with "problematic pasts" and fabricated military records flooded the legion's ranks.The Counter Extremism Project, a DC-based think tank, concluded in March that the legion and related foreign fighter groups in Ukraine "continue to feature individuals widely seen as unfit to perform their duties."Meanwhile, Jordan Chadwick, a 31-year-old Brit who had reportedly served in the Foreign Legion, was said to be discovered dead in the territory controlled by Ukraine with his hands tied behind his back. He is believed to be killed by a fellow fighter, much in the same vein as British merc Daniel Burke, whose body was found 44 kilometers away from the frontline.Even experienced US military veterans have turned out to be incapable of sorting things out. Per the press, Malcolm Nance, a former navy veteran, went to Ukraine in 2022 and attempted to bring order and discipline to the legion. Alas, soon he became mired "in the chaos" and internal "power struggle" engulfing the structure, the American newspaper admitted.Why Do Mercenaries Leave the Legion's Ranks?Despite being enthusiastic about spilling some Russian blood at the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, many foreign soldiers of fortune soon fled the country, citing lack of discipline, logistical problems, ammo shortage, bad morale and highly intensive fighting.John McIntyre, a former US Army private first class who was reportedly ousted from the Ukrainian Foreign Legion for "bad behavior," told the Russian press in February about his disenchantment with the Ukrainian cause and the strong Nazi influence in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. "When I came, I was really surprised. Everybody had tattoos and Nazi symbolism," the US fighter said.McIntyre said that Ukrainian forces committed war crimes, adding that Ukrainian and foreign fighters who raised the red flag about the abuses were treated worse than spies. Some were "shot in the back of the head," according to him.Bundeswehr veteran Jonas Kratzenberg shared a similar experience with the German press in May, describing war crimes committed by the Ukrainian military. He also cited "corruption", lack of professionalism and organization in the Ukrainian units. Per him, the Ukrainian military leadership treated the Foreign Legion poorly.For his part, David Bramlette, an experienced US Army Ranger, described highly-intensive fighting in the Ukrainian conflict zone while speaking to the US press in July: "The worst day in Afghanistan and Iraq is a great day in Ukraine."Bramlette lamented the fact that the military units fighting on Kiev's side aren't in control of the situation. According to him, communications aren't reliable; there's neither air support, nor artillery support; while the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assistance is limited.All in all, since the beginning of the special military operation, nearly 12,000 mercenaries from 84 countries have arrived, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Of them, roughly 5,000 were killed in the conflict zone and others fled Ukraine. Presently, there are around 2,000 foreign mercenaries still fighting for the Kiev regime.Other Side of the CoinIn addition to all sorts of hired guns and foreign thugs, there are professional NATO soldiers who are fighting in Ukraine, according to Reshetnikov.These are basically individuals with military experience, and even with military education, according to Reshetnikov.Still, the unfolding counteroffensive has proven lethal for the Ukrainian military and foreign hired guns alike. Even though Zelensky has claimed that the Ukrainian forces will continue their "offensive" operations through the winter, the consensus among Western military observers is that the Kiev regime may fight for just another month. After that, weather conditions, depleted stockpiles and lack of manpower is likely to bring the Ukrainian "advance" to naught.*Right Sector is an extremist organization banned in Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230929/russian-forces-destroy-control-center-of-foreign-legion-in-ukraine-1113798319.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220531/brits-returning-from-ukraines-foreign-legion-report-being-used-as-cannon-fodder-1095902639.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/us-seemingly-more-worried-about-ukraines-corruption-than-publicly-admits-1113858710.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/uk-hired-gun-in-ukraine-found-dead-in-pond-hands-tied-behind-back-1113234749.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230504/this-was-s-german-merc-warns-about-chilling-reality-of-fighting-in-ukraine-1110096447.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220331/us-vet-who-volunteered-to-fight-in-ukraine-details-kievs-war-crimes-presence-of-jihadi-militants-1094370018.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/new-york-civil-fraud-trial-part-of-us-government-election-interference-effort---trump-1113862256.html

New York Civil Fraud Trial Part of US Government Election Interference Effort - Trump

New York Civil Fraud Trial Part of US Government Election Interference Effort - Trump

Former President Donald Trump said on Monday that the civil fraud charges brought against him in the state of New York are part of a coordinated effort by government officials to interfere in his 2024 re-election bid.

2023-10-02T15:48+0000

2023-10-02T15:48+0000

2023-10-02T15:48+0000

americas

donald trump

us department of justice

us

2024 us presidential election

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new york

donald trump's indictment

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"The crime is against me, because we have a corrupt District Attorney, a corrupt Attorney General, and it all comes down from the DOJ [Department of Justice], theyre totally coordinated," Trump said during remarks outside the courtroom. "This has to do with election interference, its plain and simple." Trump appeared at a courthouse in New York for the first day of the civil trial against him. New York Attorney General Letitia James accuses Trump of committing fraud by inflating asset values. The trial will be overseen by New York Judge Arthur Engoron, whom Trump also criticized. Last week, Engoron issued a partial summary judgment in the case, finding Trump and other co-defendants liable for fraud. Trump said prosecutors could have brought this case years ago, but they waited until he was in the middle of his 2024 re-election campaign. The New York case and other federal indictments are all coordinated by the corrupt Justice Department, Trump added. Trump holds the support of 54.8% of Republican Party primary voters, despite not having attended the first two debates with the other contenders for the party's presidential nomination, according to FiveThirtyEight primary poll averages published on Sunday. Trump is trailed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 14.1% support, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy at 7.1% and former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley at 6.9%.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230802/trump-indictment-shows-free-fair-2024-election-no-longer-possible-watchdog-says-1112336655.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/polish-elections-political-rivals-fail-to-see-people-fed-up-with-ukraine-conflict-1113865610.html

Polish Elections: Political Rivals Fail to See People Fed Up With Ukraine Conflict

Polish Elections: Political Rivals Fail to See People Fed Up With Ukraine Conflict

Poland is braced for parliamentary elections this October 15: the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party will cross swords with the Civic Platform (PO) led by former European Council President Donald Tusk.

2023-10-02T18:57+0000

2023-10-02T18:57+0000

2023-10-02T18:56+0000

donald tusk

poland

analysis

europe

konrad rekas

ukraine

kiev

european council

civic platform

european union (eu)

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Recent polls put Poland's ruling PiS party on 38% support while its major rival, the Civic Platform, has the backing of 30% as of October 1.While the PiS and its coalition allies Sovereign Poland and the Republicans are still in the lead, one needs to bear in mind that in 2019, PiS approval stood at a staggering 43.6% and has shrunk substantially since then.Meanwhile, the main opposition party held a massive rally on Sunday called the "March of a Million Hearts" orchestrated by Donald Tusk, a former prime minister and ex-top EU official. "Big change is coming. This is a sign of Poland's rebirth," Tusk told the crowd.The PiS and the Civic Platform's leaders mince no words when chastising each other. Thus, Tusk calls his opponents "evil" while PiS accused the former European Council president of collusion with Russia. One PiS senator even shared a photo collage showing Tusk and Adolf Hitler waving to a crowd. For its part, the Civil Platform released a campaign poster featuring PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski with the caption "I am the threat. To your family. To your children. To your health. To your money. To Poland."So, what's the balance of political forces two weeks ahead of the election and how could their mutual blame game play out?"It is a bit banal, but everything is possible," Konrad Rekas, a Polish politician and independent commentator, told Sputnik. "Despite all the failures and even scandals of PiS, it would be difficult to indicate how the social-liberal opposition could justify calling for change, except perhaps the natural tidiness of some voters, typical after eight years of the PiS rule," he continued."In the same way in 2015, the liberal Civic Platform (PO) lost power while surveys have shown the highest ever level of public satisfaction from living. The problem is that the PiS and the main opponents of this party clearly have empty drawers, they have even less to offer Poles than usual, that is, nothing. People will vote for them because the main parties have no one to lose with," the politician noted.According to Rekas, Tusk supporters "consider themselves the winners of the economic transformation of the 1990s and beneficiaries of joining the EU."While PiS and Civil Platform's domestic policies differ, their foreign strategies are largely very similar, according to the politician.Both are subordinate to Washington's dominance, he noted, adding that the possible change of government would make no difference to the US establishment. Likewise, this change would be irrelevant for Berlin and Brussels, too, "because the main parties differ only in phraseology. Both PiS and PO are pro-European parties," Rekas underscored. He has drawn attention to the fact that PiS's anti-German rhetoric has never been accompanied by any actions aimed at reducing Warsaw's economic dependence on Germany.On top of that, "a change of government in Poland would finally make no difference to Moscow and Minsk because all major parties are aggressively anti-Russian and anti-Belarusian," he summed up.Meanwhile, the problem is that neither the PiS nor the Civic Platform take into account the Ukraine fatigue growing inside Polish society and the obvious harm the Ukraine conflict inflicts on Poland's economy, according to the politician.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230928/warsaw-confirms-missile-that-fell-on-polish-territory-in-november-2022-was-ukrainian-1113767370.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231001/thousands-of-poles-take-part-in-anti-government-rally-in-warsaw-1113841025.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230630/poland-wants-to-host-us-nuclear-weapons---prime-minister-1111581516.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/zelenskys-ingratitude-ukraine-fatigue-steadily-increasing-in-europe-1111968837.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/russian-soldiers-capture-two-ukrainian-military-units-near-artemovsk--1113851997.html

Russian Soldiers Capture Two Ukrainian Military Units Near Artemovsk

Russian Soldiers Capture Two Ukrainian Military Units Near Artemovsk

Captured Ukraininan soldier reveals shocking details about the Ukrainian command's treatment of their own servicemen.

2023-10-02T10:10+0000

2023-10-02T10:10+0000

2023-10-02T10:10+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

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Soldiers of the 1st Guards Tank Army units of the Russian Zapad Battle Group have captured two mobilized military units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) near Artemovsk (Bakhmut) in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), a Russian intelligence officer on duty in the area told Sputnik."Two enemy groups, all mobilized, were seized on positions to the northwest of Artemovsk," a scout said.He specified that the captured soldiers belong to the 77th Airmobile Brigade and the 56th Separate Motorized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF).'Stationed in the Trenches With Our Fallen Fellow Soldiers'Ukrainian servicemen are ordered to hold the positions near Artemovsk, where the bodies of their dead comrades were left behind, said Vitaly Melnichenko, a captured soldier of Ukraine's 56th separate motorized brigade.The prisoner believes that neither Ukrainian, nor Russian troops were set on taking these positions due to their poor location. However, the determination of the Ukrainian military leadership to send their troops there remained unyielding, as their goal was to demonstrate their firm grip on a vast expanse of the region."Why did they put us there? Just to secure more land?" speculated Melnichenko.They Finish Off Their Own SoldiersA training officer of the Yug battle group, code-named Aid (Hades in Russian), told Sputnik that the UAF is trying to kill its own soldiers, who are believed to have been captured by Russian troops, before they [the Ukrainian fighters] even cross the front line. The aim is to prevent a possible data breach.The Russian intelligence officer noted that the Ukrainian army has recently made extensive use of British SAS (Special Air Service) tactics.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230911/ukrainian-troops-suffer-heavy-losses-trying-to-attack-opytnoye-village-in-dpr-1113290268.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230912/they-dont-want-to-die-pointless-death-why-ukrainian-troops-increasingly-surrender-1113318870.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/russias-obereg-bulletproof-vest-outperforms-us-rival-by-stopping-all-projectiles-1113853804.html

Russia's Obereg Bulletproof Vest Outperforms US Rival by Stopping All Projectiles

Russia's Obereg Bulletproof Vest Outperforms US Rival by Stopping All Projectiles

The weight of the vest is a mere 11.5 kg, and its total coverage is over 50 square decimeters. Rostec is now working to reduce the vest's mass down to 10-10.5... 02.10.2023, Sputnik International

2023-10-02T13:50+0000

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rostec

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Hi-tech Russian state corporation Rostec has published footage showcasing a new piece of military equipment that withstood the impact of bullets far beyond its designed capacity.Obereg (lit. Talisman) bulletproof vest, commissioned to the special military operational zone, tested positive for absorbing the impact of a powerful 8.6x70mm Lapua Magnum rifle bullet (.338in), thus exceeding its original capabilities, whereas a captured US-made vest failed to block an AK assault rifle bullet. Relevant range test results are shown in the video.The video produced by Roste for its new Nash Krash project (lit. Our Crush) shows three flak jackets undergoing comparative performance tests. The vests in question are a cheap one available on the market, the new Russian-manufactured Obereg, and an American jacket used by the Ukrainian army. All the vests fall under the BR5 protection level (Class 6 of Russias GOST armor standard).Russia's Obereg was the only model to fully sustain all types of shells, including 7.62x39mm, 7.62x54mmR, and 8.6x70mm munitions."As you can see, 8.6x70mm bullet (aka .338in Lapua Magnum) left a dent right here. State-level testing does not even provide for such a shot," said Pavel Pavlenko, general director of the Oktava plant (Roste's sister company).Pavlenko added that a vest tests positive in case the armor piece withstands such an impact level (where the bullet does not penetrate the plate, but only leaves a dent).An 8.6x70mm bullet did not pierce the cheapest available vest either, but it left a serious dent on the back side of the plate, a dent the size that would have inflicted life-threatening injuries.The American model was shown to be the least resistant. A standard intermediate round of a 7.62x54mmR AK assault rifle bullet cut right through it. The other two models managed to stop the shot.Pavlenko clarified that the plate of the Obereg vest is a multi-layer design, made with ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), ceramics, kevlar fiber, and an additional protective layer that reduces fragmentation dispersion and creates moisture insulation.The combined weight of the Obereg (including side, throat and shoulder protection, as well as the armored apron, and the backside plate) is 11.5 kg, considered lightweight for the BR5 protection level. The total coverage area is over 50 square decimeters. Rostec is now working on reducing its mass to 10-10.5 kg.The commercial value of the Obereg stands at 115,000 rubles ($1,160). In contrast, American samples that failed AK bullets test cost over 200,000 rubles ($2,000).

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/seoul-says-n-korea-will-never-be-officially-recognized-as-nuclear-weapon-state-1113847154.html

Seoul Says N. Korea Will Never Be Officially Recognized as Nuclear-Weapon State

Seoul Says N. Korea Will Never Be Officially Recognized as Nuclear-Weapon State

The state-run news agency KCNA reported that North Korea develops nuclear weapons to guarantee the country's rights to existence and development, deter war and protect peace and stability in the region.

2023-10-02T01:01+0000

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2023-10-02T01:01+0000

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Earlier in the week, North Korean state-run news agency KCNA reported, citing Choe Ryong Hae, the chairman of the Standing Committee of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, that North Korea develops nuclear weapons to guarantee the country's rights to existence and development, deter war and protect peace and stability in the region. "The international community clearly bans North Korea's nuclear and missile development and provocations ... Regardless of North Korea's actions and claims, its possession of nuclear weapons will never be recognized, and the sanctions of the international community will further deepen," the South Korean ministry was quoted by news agency Yonhap as saying in a statement. Since North Korea's first nuclear test in 2006, the UN Security Council has passed a number of resolutions imposing sanctions against Pyongyang over the development of its nuclear program. The restrictive measures include an embargo on arms supplies to the country, bans or limits on North Korea's exports of coal, oil, rare earth materials, as well as sanctions on the financial sector.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/social-media-congratulates-jimmy-carter-on-reaching-99-years-of-age-1113847545.html

Social Media Congratulates Jimmy Carter on Reaching 99

Social Media Congratulates Jimmy Carter on Reaching 99

Carter has been confined to home hospice care for seven months, the 99-year-old former head of state continues to show surprising longevity. Netizens sounded off on social media to celebrate the milestone.

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2023-10-02T04:49+0000

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Travelers along highway 45 in the US state of Georgia are greeted by a unique tourist attraction: a 13-foot high peanut sporting a large, toothy grin. It was donated by the Indiana state Democratic Party in tribute to then-candidate Jimmy Carter during his 1976 presidential campaign. The statue is a relic of times gone by, but its inspiration continues to garner respect decades later.Though Carter has been confined to home hospice care for seven months, the 99-year-old former head of state continues to show surprising longevity. Netizens sounded off on social media Sunday in a sign of the high regard enjoyed by the politician with a long record of philanthropic work.Dear Mr. President, One of my friends just turned 98 and another one just turned 101," wrote Barbara Streisand, who herself turned 81 in April, on the X platform. Any way you look at it - you will live forever!! Sending you our best wishes. The note was signed by Streisand and her husband, actor James Brolin.Streisands followers joined the actress in sending their regards to the former president. Happy 99th Birthday!!! May God continue to bless you with many more blessed birthday's [sic], wrote one. You're a good soul. I'm proud to be a fan! God bless you, wrote another.Admirers outside the United States chimed in as well, with one writing Im an Australian and I love #JimmyCarter99!!!The official White House account also joined the celebration, posting a photo of a tribute to Carter in front of the presidential residence. A special display at the White House in celebration of former President Jimmy Carters 99th birthday, read the message. Happy Birthday, President Carter!Carters grandson Jason Carter summed up his grandfathers legacy thusly:"I think his time in the private sector and the work that he did at the Carter Center, really spending his life among the most marginalized and poorest people in the world and believing in their power to change their own lives and in the power of human rights for them and democracy for them, will be the biggest part of his legacy."

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/turkiye-calls-anti-pkk-air-operations-in-north-iraq-successful-1113849833.html

Turkiye Calls Anti-PKK Air Operations in North Iraq Successful

Turkiye Calls Anti-PKK Air Operations in North Iraq Successful

The Turkish presidential office has called the air operations carried out by the country's armed forces in northern Iraq against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), banned in Turkiye, successful, the head of the Turkish presidential Communications Directorate, Fahrettin Altun, said.

2023-10-02T06:30+0000

2023-10-02T06:30+0000

2023-10-02T06:30+0000

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"The successful overnight air operations carried out by our heroic army against a separatist terrorist organization in northern Iraq have become an important indicator that we will continue to prevent terrorism not only inside our country, but also outside it. Thanks to these operations, the terrorist organization received another strong blow," Altun said on X (previously known as Twitter) on Sunday. On Sunday, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that two terrorists had carried out an explosion near a ministry building in Ankara. Two police officers were wounded. Turkish newspaper media reported later, citing the interior ministry, that one of the attackers had been identified as a PKK member. Later on Sunday, the Turkish Defense Ministry said that the country's military conducted air strikes against the PKK in northern Iraq and destroyed 20 targets. More Active and Touher Operations Against Kurdistan Workers' PartyMilitary operations of the Turkish armed forces in northern Iraq and Syria against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is banned in the country, will take on a more active and tough character after the attempted terrorist attack in Ankara, a source in the Turkish presidential administration told Sputnik.On Sunday, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that two terrorists had carried out an explosion near the ministry building in the Turkish capital, with one terrorist detonating himself and the other neutralized. Two police officers were wounded. Turkish media reported later that the PKK claimed responsibility for the attack. Later on Sunday, the Turkish Defense Ministry said that the countrys military conducted air strikes against objects of the PKK in northern Iraq."Yesterday, speaking in the countrys parliament, Mr. President [Recep Tayyip Erdogan] warned that our fight will continue until the last terrorist and these pathetic attempts [of terrorist attacks] are their last breaths. The military operations of our heroic soldiers will become more active and tough. Turkiye will not become a hostage to terrorists," the source said.The armed conflict between the PKK and Turkiye began in 1984 and renewed in 2015. The organization, which seeks the creation of an independent Kurdish state, including on the Turkish territory, has established bases in Iraqi and Syrian territories close to the Turkish border, where the Turkish armed forces have been targeting them in land and air strikes.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230904/clashes-resume-between-kurds-arab-tribes-in-syria-1113120540.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231001/erdogan-calls-attempted-terror-attack-in-ankara-last-gasps-of-terrorists-1113844173.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231001/explosion-occurrs-near-turkish-interior-ministry-building-in-ankara---report-1113835926.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/us-seemingly-more-worried-about-ukraines-corruption-than-publicly-admits-1113858710.html

US Seemingly More Worried About Ukraine's Corruption Than Publicly Admits

US Seemingly More Worried About Ukraine's Corruption Than Publicly Admits

A leaked US strategy document revealed that the Biden administration is far more worried about corruption in Ukraine than it publicly admits, an American newspaper reported on Monday.

2023-10-02T14:24+0000

2023-10-02T14:24+0000

2023-10-02T15:02+0000

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joe biden

ukraine

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us

corruption

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A high-level corruption could undermine confidence of the Ukrainian public and foreign leaders in the government in Kiev, the report said. The confidential version of the document, named Integrated Country Strategy, is about three times longer than its public version and contains many additional details related to the US goals in Ukraine, the report noted. That includes privatizing Ukrainian banks, encouraging the military to adopt NATO norms, and supporting local schools in teaching the English language. The strategy also stresses that the Ukrainian government can not delay its anti-graft policies because the current situation could cause concern from allies in the West. The newspaper supposed that the fact of the quiet release of the strategy, along with the toughest language in the confidential version, shows the White Houses concerns over the situation in Ukraine. The Biden administration wants to press Ukraine to cut graft. However, excessive attention to this problem may strengthen the opposition of Washington to Kiev and could make European allies think once again about their own role in this process, according to the report. One US official noted that the American and Ukrainian counterparts have some honest conversations happening behind the scenes over the issue. His colleague familiar with the topic of those discussions confirmed that Washington is talking to Kiev about potentially conditioning future economic aid on reforms to tackle corruption and make Ukraine a more attractive place for private investment, the report added. However, these conditions are not related to the military support for Ukraine, this official added. The strategy noted that US goals in Ukraine include providing military support and training to confront Russia. The classified version also revealed Washingtons readiness to help Kiev in reforming its national security apparatus, the report said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230926/struggling-us-taxpayers-find-their-dollars-are-funding-designer-knitwear-company-in-ukraine-1113678655.html

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When former prisoner of war Porter Halyburton visits Spotsylvania County this month to discuss his Vietnam War experiences, hell no doubt share the philosophy that kept him going then, and throughout life.

I always try to look for the silver lining, Im always trying to concentrate on what Im grateful for, not what Im sorry about, the 82-year-old said during a phone interview from his home in Greensboro, North Carolina. I do that every day.

Searching for the positive certainly wasnt easy during the 7 years Halyburton was held in North Vietnamese prison camps, including time in the notorious Hanoi Hilton.

As detailed in his book, Reflections on Captivity, the young naval officer was a POW for 2,675 days, held in eight different prisons and moved 30 times, never knowing how horrible the next ordeal might be.

He was brutally tortured along with other American POWs, lived on stale bread, rice sometimes tainted with rat droppings or glass and wire pieces and rats, snakes, monkeys and all sorts of things I had never heard of, he wrote in his book.

If it was food and I could get it down, I ate it, he said.

A crewman on an F4 Phantom jet, Halyburton was shot down north of Hanoi in October 1965 and initially listed as killed in action. His family in North Carolina  wife, Marty, baby daughter, mother and grandparents  held a memorial service for him, and Porter Halyburton has kept the granite that marked his empty gravestone all these years.

Im grateful to look down on it instead of up, he said, repeating a line he wrote in the book and has mentioned in several interviews.

Bill Shugarts of Spotsylvania County, also a Vietnam veteran, happened to see a video of Halyburton being interviewed at the U.S. Naval Institute. Shugarts started the Fawn Lake Veterans Group in 2019 and helped grow it from about a dozen members to more than 200, representing all branches of the military. Hes also a part of several other networks for veterans.

Shugarts read Halyburtons book, twice, and was amazed.

How the heck did this man do this? Shugarts wondered.

He was particularly struck by Halyburtons words when he walked away from the Vietnamese compound for the last time. Unlike other POWs who wanted revenge, Halyburton didnt want to spend the rest of his life thinking about his captors.

The hatred he had cultivated kept him going during his imprisonment, but upon release, he was ready to put it all behind him  and not take the emotions home to his wife and child.

Before I get on the bus, Halyburton wrote about his final hours in Vietnam, I turn back to Hoa Loa Prison, that place of misery and hatred, and I say, I forgive you. All the hatred that I have nurtured for the North Vietnamese for over seven years disappears, and I walk away from two prisons.

Halyburton timed the release of the book last year to coincide with the 50th anniversary of his release in 2023, and hes given talks about it across the country. Shugarts invited him to visit the area and was pleasantly surprised that Halyburton and his wife, Marty, whos become his driver and public relations agent after almost 60 years of marriage, agreed.

Theyll be at the Wilderness Community Church on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon. The church is at 10501 Plank Road in Spotsylvania County. The event is called Faith, Hope and Forgiveness and is open to the public.

Those interested in more information can contact wccprayerandinfo@wildernesschurch.org.

Shugarts hopes more than 100 veterans, including disabled servicemembers from the Richmond area and local residents whove served in Vietnam, Gulf War conflicts, Afghanistan and Iraq, will attend.

Even while he was imprisoned, Halyburton wrote poetry and songs to his wife, committing words to memory because POWs werent allowed the most basic supplies, such as pencil and paper. In the decades after his 1973 release, he compiled 50 stories that detail his experiences.

Theyre a mixture of humorous and horrendous, from the ways POWs learned to communicate with each other  by lightly tapping on walls, coughing, spitting or even sweeping a bamboo broom a certain way to correlate with a code they developed  to the lack of medical care injured prisoners received.

One POW had open wounds that hadnt healed after his plane crashed. When they became infected, his captors washed him down with gasoline to remove the pus and dead skin, Halyburton wrote.

Halyburton spent 20 years on active duty with the Navy and retired a commander, then spent another 20 years on the faculty of the Naval War College. Hes devoted almost two decades to public speaking, stressing that what happens in life isnt as important as how a person reacts to those events.

As hes traveled the country, he said people have told him his story made an impact on them and helped them get through some really tough times.

It makes me feel really good that my somewhat terrible experience is having a good effect on some people, and helping them, he said. Its very gratifying.

Organizers are covering travel expenses for the Halyburtons, who have waived their normal speaking fee. Donations will be taken at the event for Semper Fi & Americas Fund, which assists wounded veterans.
The principal of Fauquier County High School has died following a four-vehicle chain-reaction crash that occurred Sept. 6 on I-66 in Fauquier County.

Virginia State Police is investigating the wreck that occurred at 6:40 a.m. on eastbound Interstate 66 at the 23-mile-marker, according to a release Monday from spokesman Sgt. Brent Coffey.

A 2018 Ford F150, a 2019 Ford F350, and a 2023 Subaru Outback were traveling on the interstate when they all stopped due to heavy traffic.

A 2008 Cadillac CTS was unable to stop and rear-ended the Ford F150, which set off a chain-reaction crash involving all four vehicles, Coffey said.

The driver of the Cadillac, Daniel R. Sisk, 27, of Linden, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Fauquier Health for treatment. He was wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the Ford F150, Kraig K. Kelican, 62, of Stephens City, suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown to INOVA Fairfax Hospital. He was wearing a seatbelt.

Kelican, a 35-year educator in Fauquier and high school principal, died in the hospital Sept. 21 surrounded by family and friends, according to his obituary.

The driver of the Ford F350, James B. Forster, 57, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Warren Memorial Hospital for treatment. He was wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the Subaru, Mark J. McKee Jr., 38, Cross Junction, was not injured in the crash. He was wearing a seatbelt.

Charges are pending as the crash remains under investigation in consultation with the Fauquier County Commonwealths Attorney Office, according to Coffey.

Kelicans funeral was held Sunday. Memorial contributions in his memory can be sent to the Winchester S.P.C.A., 111 Featherbed Lane, Winchester, VA 22601; The Frederick County Esther Boyd Animal Shelter, 161 Fort Collier Road, Winchester, VA 22603; The Alzheimers Association National Capital Area Chapter, 8180 Greensboro Drive, #400, McLean, VA 22102; or the Fauquier High School Booster Club or Fauquier High School FFA Program, 705 Waterloo Road, Warrenton, VA 20186.
Ryon Lockhart has been building and flying radio-controlled planes since he was 12 years old and since then, his passion has only grown. Lockhart, who lives in Alliance, recently traveled to Texas for one of the largest RC plane events in the country.

The weekend of Sept. 14-16 marked the 35th annual B-17 Gathering and Big Bird Fly In at the Bomber Field USA airstrip in Monaville, Texas. The event is a massive gathering of enthusiasts and offers them the chance to fly the planes they have spent time building.

These guys just keep on promoting the events and it is huge, Lockhart said. There were 136 pilots last year. This year, it rained a little bit and there were 112 pilots ... and for any event that is just enormous.

The event centers around pilots abilities to construct and fly the model aircraft in specific categories. The festivities were focused on models of the B-17 Bomber, a bomber used primarily in the European theater of World War II.

Although the focus was on the B-17s, there were plenty of other aircraft represented at the show. Lockhart said that any kind of warbird was allowed to enter and participate.

As a result of his hard work on his plane, and his flying ability, Lockhart won the award for the B-17 Flying Fortress Champion at the event for the second year in a row.

The competition was judged on two categories; a pilots ability to fly and control the aircraft with a smooth take-off and landing, and the construction and appearance of the craft, referred to as static display.

Lockhart spoke about how difficult the model B-17s can be to fly, but even more impressive was the painstaking work and detail that went into building his plane. The base layer on the exterior is covered with pieces of what is essentially aluminum tape to give the plane its color.

It would take me about one hour per piece to put on there and there are hundreds of those squares across that airplane, he said.

The 125-inch wingspan aircraft is a far cry from the balsa wood models that he used to build as a boy. He taught himself how to build and operate the planes when he was younger and has evolved into doing some very advanced construction.

There was nobody to teach you, or show you, or how to get the engine started or any of that stuff. So it was quite a process, if you can make it through that youll be in it forever, Lockhart said.

The model his is currently flying took him four years to build as he constructed it in tandem with another plane he was being paid to build for another enthusiast in Arizona.

I would build his first and anything that I saw that I didnt like or I thought I could improve on then I would change that on mine, he said.

The plane is built on plans purchased by Lockhart and includes the wood structure that he cut with a band saw, as well as the engines, transmitters and microprocessors to keep systems running and the engines synchronized.

Every single glue joint, every piece of wood has been touched by me ... so its very rewarding in that aspect to build something.

Lockhart said that the B-17 models are particularly difficult to construct and fly because they have four engines that all have to be synchronized, otherwise, a pilot risks crashing his airplane.

Its very difficult to keep one engine running long, trying to keep four engines running and everything in sync so they all run at the exact same rpm at different throttle settings, he said. Its hard to skip one up and get it back down safely.

Of the eight B-17 models that competed at the event, only three of them, including Lockharts, registered successful flights. Three of the planes crashed and two of them failed to even leave the ground.

Lockhart said he was able to keep his plane in shape as he had plenty of time to practice before the three-day competition. He did describe it as nerve-wracking to fly something that he had spent so much time putting together and risking it all crashing down.

Theres a high level of anxiety, but if there wasnt the danger of it not returning in one piece I dont think it would be any fun, he said.

Lockhart referred to the trophy he received for his performance as a perpetual trophy, meaning that he will keep it until next years competition. He said he was excited because while the trophy has traveled around the country and even to Mexico, this year would be the first time it has been to Nebraska.

Unfortunately for Lockhart, next year will be his last competition with his B-17 as participants are only allowed three victories with a plane before they must step back and construct a new one.

You cant just keep winning it with the same model, he said. I like that, it increases the competition.

While he is back working on the railroad where he works now, he is excited for his next opportunity to get out and get flying.
According to reports from Turkish media, a heated argument erupted between the 19-year-old Syrian and a Turkish citizen, according to Zaman al-Wasl.

A tragic incident unfolded two days ago in the southern Turkish city of Kayseri, where a young Syrian man lost his life after being fatally stabbed by a young Turkish man, sending shockwaves throughout the refugee community in the country.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Saturday evening in the Kadhim Karabkar area of the Milik Ghazi region. According to reports from Turkish media, a heated argument erupted between a 19-year-old Syrian named Ayman Abdullah al-Hassan and a Turkish youth identified as Y. J, allegedly stemming from a dispute over a conversation.

In a fateful turn of events, the Turkish young man produced a concealed knife from his clothing and used it to attack the young Syrian hailing from the eastern countryside of Aleppo. Promptly responding to the scene, both the police and medical teams rushed to provide assistance. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals at Kayseri City Hospital, the injured man tragically succumbed to his injuries, and the alleged perpetrator was taken into custody.

Turkish involvement in the incident

In a related development, additional Turkish sources have suggested the possible involvement of two Turkish brothers in the incident, as they were reported to have become embroiled in the altercation with the Syrian youth, ultimately resulting in his tragic injuries.

Notably, the alleged perpetrator has put forth a different account of the events, asserting that it was the Syrian individual who had taken hold of the knife and, in the ensuing struggle, ended up falling to the ground, inadvertently causing the knife to penetrate his own chest.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The primary objective of Assad's visit is to seek economic support and investments, according to Adnan Ali in Syria TV.

Despite the extensive media coverage that the Assad regime and its affiliated Lebanese media attempted to generate regarding President Bashar al-Assads visit to China and the signing of what they described as strategic cooperation agreements, the practical implications on the ground may not be as promising for both parties.

For the Assad regime, the primary objective of this visit is to seek economic support and investments, as it already enjoys political backing from China. China has consistently supported the Assad regime politically, aligning itself with Russia in international forums and using its veto power several times in the UN Security Council to block resolutions against the Syrian government. However, it remains unclear where the economic support from China will be allocated within Syria. After 12 years of conflict that has left the country in ruins, Syrias resources have largely been allocated to Russian and Iranian allies. With little left to offer, the Assad regime may find it challenging to provide China with a meaningful return on its investments.

Furthermore, investing in Syria poses several challenges. The economic feasibility of such investments is questionable, considering Syrias claims of being a bankrupt nation and a population that largely lives below the poverty line, relying on foreign aid. Additionally, US and European sanctions on the Assad regime could deter Chinese companies from engaging in projects that violate these sanctions, potentially leading to significant damage.

In terms of economic exchange, Syria has little to offer China apart from agricultural products, which would incur higher costs due to the considerable distance between the two countries. These quantities of agricultural products are unlikely to be significant for a nation with a population of 1.5 billion.

Regarding Syrias participation in Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, the countrys role in the initiative remains marginal. Syrias position in the initiative is further complicated by financial, political, and geostrategic challenges associated with the initiative. The route passing through Syria and Lebanon has faced interruptions and objections in previous stages, and the initiatives dependence on soft loans from China raises concerns about potential debt burdens on participating nations.

In conclusion, the high hopes placed on China by the Assad regime may be more of an illusion than a reality. Syrias economic and political challenges, coupled with the complexities of international sanctions and Chinas own strategic considerations, make it unlikely that China will serve as the saviour the regime portrays to its domestic audience. The regimes focus appears to be on its own survival in power, rather than addressing the needs of the Syrian people or attracting substantial foreign investment.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Emirates Development Bank (EDB), the key financial engine of UAE economic development and industrial advancement, is presenting its developmental financing solutions to more than 160,000 delegates from 160 countries at Adipec 2023.

With energy transition, net zero and industrial decarbonisation taking centre stage at the event's discussions, EDB is using the show to present its financing solutions to drive support for the UAE's energy transition, industrial growth and economic diversification.

The bank has allocated AED30 billion ($8.2 billion) to support 13,500 SMEs in five priority sectors: Manufacturing, Renewables, Technology, Healthcare, and Food Security. Direct support of the manufacturing sector is a key element of that mission. Since the launch of the UAE Industrial Strategy 'Operation 300bn', EDB approved a total of AED3.15 billion in financing for the nation's manufacturing industry.

At the heart

Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, Chief Executive Officer of EDB, said: "Adipec 2023 stands at the heart of global dialogue and collective sector action to decarbonise faster and future-proof the world's energy system. We are joining world energy and industry leaders to highlight the need for greater investment and reliable financing solutions to enable the transition to renewables and support the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industries.

Renewables has become a key focal area this year, the UAE Year of Sustainability, and the year the nation hosts the crucial COP28 climate talks. Our support for businesses and projects addressing the challenges and opportunities in the renewables sector solidifies the nations position as a pioneering global hub for clean energy technology and manufacturing. We are also cultivating a favorable business environment through bespoke financing solutions for businesses working in the renewables sector and those willing to shift to solar energy to drive further efficiencies in their operations."

EDB has played a pivotal role as the Initial Mandated Lead Arranger (IMLA) and Senior Hedging Bank, collaborating with other prominent financial institutions, in the financing of the substantial AED8.8 billion sustainable water project between Adnoc and Taqa, in partnership with the consortium of Orascom and Metito.

The project's aim is to provide a significant 110 MIGD nano-filtered seawater source, along with an extensive network of distribution pipelines, dedicated to supporting Adnoc's onshore operations.

Indispensable force

This transaction shows how the transformative power of finance is an indispensable force steering the nation towards a greener, more resilient energy paradigm. EDB remains committed to supporting the nations sustainability drive through supporting such immense projects, added Al Naqbi.

Al Naqbi will participate in a key strategic panel: 'Financing industries of the future: the role of SMEs in driving economic progress' at Adipec on Tuesday, 3 October. He will be joined by Raja Al Mazrouei, CEO, Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI); Dr Palat Menon, Founder and CEO, AstraGene; Fahmi Al Shawwa, CEO, IMMENSA; and Haitham Al Subaihi, Acting Executive Director of Business Development & Promotion, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). Together they will spotlight the correlation between capital financing trends and advanced manufacturing in the UAE and globally, and how supporting SMEs can transform an industrial sector and deliver competitive economic growth.

In addition, the EDB's Chief Executive Officer will participate in two CEO Roundtables organised by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) on the sidelines of Adipec.

The MoIAT Germany Roundtable on October 3 and the MoIAT Russia Roundtable on October 4 will be chaired by Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of MoIAT and will convene representatives of UAE government entities and leading energy and manufacturing industry companies from the UAE and each of the two countries to discuss future investment opportunities and prospects of collaboration to drive energy transition and new technologies for industrial decarbonisation.--TradeArabia News Service
The conflict in Deir-ez-Zor began with clashes between the SDF and Arab tribal forces on August 27th, Athr Press writes.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Syria has released a report detailing the displacement crisis in Deir-ez-Zor governorate following recent clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Arab tribal forces. The report confirms that these clashes have resulted in the displacement of 6,500 families in various areas within the Syrian state.

Furthermore, the hostilities have led to severe damage to essential services in the affected regions, causing shortages of crucial resources such as water, food, shelter, non-food items, and medicines.

In addition to the displacement triggered by the clashes, the SDF has continued its efforts to detain residents in several villages and towns located in the eastern countryside of Deir-ez-Zor.

Tragically, there have been casualties among civilians, including the loss of a childs life and injuries to three others due to gunfire during an attempt by some civilians to cross the river in the Dhiban area. These clashes have understandably heightened concerns among the displaced population in the West Bank, leading them to express their desire to return to their homes.

Sources from Athr Press have confirmed that the SDF has been primarily targeting young individuals in its arrests, often without presenting clear charges against them.

The conflict in Deir-ez-Zor began with clashes between the SDF and Arab tribal forces on August 27th. The Arab tribal forces subsequently gained control of the eastern countryside of the governorate. On September 8, Mazloum Abdi, the commander-in-chief of the SDF, declared the end of the escalation in the governorate and the restoration of areas controlled by various Arab tribal forces. However, sporadic clashes between the two sides continued, with Sheikh Ibrahim al-Hafel of the al-Akidat tribe emphasizing the significance of the battle against the SDF as a pivotal effort to expel them from the governorate.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The Adana Agreement, signed on October 20, 1998, was a result of Egyptian-Iranian mediation, according to Baladi News.

In an article published by the Saudi newspaper Elaph, the writer Ali Hamada drew parallels between the current situation on the Jordanian-Syrian border and the security situation on the Syrian-Turkish border in the late 1990s, which culminated in the signing of the Adana Agreement. This landmark agreement, signed by Turkey and Syria, coincidentally took place in the month of October, marking its twenty-fifth anniversary.

In his article, the writer proposed the idea of implementing a Syrian-Jordanian agreement akin to the Adana Agreement, acknowledging that while the circumstances and reasons may differ, there are compelling similarities between the two cases. He noted that during the late 1990s, Turkey faced a threat to its national security from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants operating from Syrian territory. Similarly, Jordan today contends with threats to its national security, including the smuggling of Captagon, drugs, weapons, and ammunition from Syrian territory.

In the case of Turkey, Ankara accused Hafez al-Assads Syria of harbouring and supporting PKK militants, including establishing training camps and bases for them in Syria and Lebanon. In contrast, Jordanian authorities accuse Bashar al-Assad of collaborating with sectarian militias affiliated with the Iranian Quds Force, facilitating drug production, manufacturing Captagon and crystal, and organizing their smuggling, along with weapons and explosives, across the border into Jordan, often with the involvement of criminal gangs.

In both cases, Turkey in 1998 and Jordan in 2023, the respective governments perceived their national security as being under threat.

The Adana Agreement, signed on October 20, 1998, was a result of Egyptian-Iranian mediation. It was initiated after Turkey, alarmed by escalating PKK operations from Syrian territory, mobilized a significant military presence along the border, raising the spectre of a potential invasion of Syrian territory. This agreement marked a pivotal moment in the two countries relations and lasted until the outbreak of the Syrian revolution in 2011.

According to the writer, the current crisis and heightened tensions from the Jordanian side, possibly with implicit support from Arab allies and potentially later from the United States, could serve as an impetus for a Jordan-Syria agreement akin to the Adana Agreement. Such an agreement might grant Jordan certain rights, similar to the third item of the Adana Agreement, which allowed Turkey the right to pursue and conduct hot pursuit of PKK forces inside Syrian territory up to a certain depth. This could pave the way for the resolution of the Jordanian-Syrian crisis, potentially involving the mobilization of Jordanian forces along the border and limited military operations inside Syrian territory to target criminal gangs and drug facilities in southern Syria.

This discussion of a potential agreement is not new, as recently retired Jordanian Major General and military strategic analyst, Mamoun Abu Nuwar, had previously predicted a military intervention by Jordan in southern Syria, within the framework of a security agreement similar to the Adana Agreement between the Syrian regime and Turkey. Abu Nuwar stressed that this intervention would be based on tactical military considerations in response to perceived threats to Jordans security. He also called on Arab countries and the international community to provide Jordan with necessary weaponry, given the situations escalation and its implications for Jordanian and Arab security.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The US Embassy in Syria reaffirmed its solidarity with the Suweida movement, according to Enab Baladi.

Protests in Suweida governorate have entered their 43rd consecutive day, with demonstrators demanding the ousting of the Syrian regime. The United States of America has once again expressed its support for the movement, this time through a tweet posted by the US embassy in Syria on the X platform.

On Monday, October 2nd, the Suwayda 24 Network released images from al-Sir Square (also known as al-Karama Square) in the heart of Suweida city. These pictures showcase banners held by protesters, urging the implementation of UN Resolution 2254, which calls for a political transition of power.

Furthermore, additional villages in the governorate have joined the Suweida protests, as depicted in photographs shared on the local al-Rased Facebook page.

In an ongoing display of dissent, residents of the governorate have been removing images of the Syrian regimes president, Bashar al-Assad, from government buildings. Video footage documents the removal of Assads portraits from the supply and internal trade building, as well as the municipality building in Suweida city.

On the occasion of the International Day of Non-Violence, the US Embassy in Syria reaffirmed its solidarity with the Suweida movement. They emphasized the United States recognition of the crucial role played by Syrian women in peace processes, particularly in locations like Suweida.

US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stated, We must ensure that these women not only have a seat at the table but are seated at the head of the table.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Commr. of Customs (Preventive) Vs IB Turbo Pvt Ltd (CESTAT Kolkata)

Introduction: The Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) Kolkata recently issued an order in the case of Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) versus IB Turbo Pvt. Ltd. The case involves a live consignment pending without justiciable reasons. The tribunal has directed re-adjudication of the matter. In this article, we will provide a detailed analysis of the case, including its background, key arguments, and the tribunals decision.

Background of the Case: The dispute in question arose from an appeal filed by IB Turbo Pvt. Ltd. against a communication dated 24.01.2022 issued by the Assistant Commissioner (Tech), Customs (P) Hqrs; Patna, in response to an appeal filed by the company. The communication conveyed the orders of the Principal Commissioner, Customs (Prev.), which rejected the companys request for an extension of time for re-export of certain capital goods (steam turbines with accessories) under Notification No. 158/95(CUS-NT). The company had sought an extension due to COVID-related reasons in both India and Nepal.

The appellant, IB Turbo Pvt. Ltd., had initially exported these capital goods to Nepal under duty-free import provisions from Raxaul LCS. Subsequently, they re-imported the same goods for repairs and re-export, clearing them under bond and bank guarantee.

Key Arguments: The central issue in the case was the rejection of the appellants request for an extension of the timeline for re-export of the capital goods. The request was denied in the communication dated 24.01.2022 by the Assistant Commissioner (Tech) Customs (P) Hqrs Patna.

During the appeal process, the Commissioner (Appeals) observed that as per Notification No. 60/2018-Cus, dated 11.09.2018 (an amendment to Notification No. 158/95-Cus, dated 14.11.1995), the time limit for re-exporting re-imported goods was extended to one year. However, it was noted that the amended notification had not been considered when making decisions or passing orders related to the case.

CESTATs Decision: CESTAT Kolkata, in its order, noted that the matter involved a live consignment that was pending with the Department. Importantly, no justiciable reasons had been recorded on the merits of the case. The tribunal pointed out that delays in resolving the matter not only incurred detention and other charges but also negatively impacted the Departments prestige and credibility with foreign buyers.

Given the absence of an appropriate order passed by the Department on the merits of the case, CESTAT Kolkata remanded the matter to the Jurisdictional Commissioner of Customs. The directive was clear: the case of the appellant-exporter, IB Turbo Pvt. Ltd., must be disposed of within ten days from the date of receiving the order. The tribunal emphasized the importance of providing the appellant with a reasonable opportunity to exercise natural justice and present any necessary evidence.

Conclusion: In the case of Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) versus IB Turbo Pvt. Ltd., CESTAT Kolkata directed the re-adjudication of a live consignment that was pending without justiciable reasons. The tribunals order highlighted the significance of timely resolution in live consignment cases and underscored the need for adherence to relevant notifications and amendments. The directive for re-adjudication aims to expedite the resolution of the matter and ensure justice for all parties involved.

FULL TEXT OF THE CESTAT KOLKATA ORDER

Both the revenue as well as the party have assailed the Order No. 71/PAT/Cus/Appeal/2022-23 dated 16.09.2022 passed by the learned Commissioner (Appeals) in response to an appeal filed by M/s IB Turbo Pvt. Ltd. Against a communication dated 24.01.2022 issued by the Ld. Asstt. Commissioner (Tech), Customs (P) Hqrs; Patna. Vide the said communication reproduced herein, the orders of the Principal Commissioner, Customs (Prev.) were conveyed:

To

M/s IB Turbo Pvt. Ltd.

701-c, Poonam Chambers,

Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli

Mumbai-400018

Sub:- Request for extension of time for re-export of reimported goods for six months under Notification No. 158/95(CUS-NT)-Reg.

Please refer to your application dated 30.09.2021, wherein request for extension of time for re-export for further 6 months from the date of re-importation in respect of Steam Turbine with accessory (HS code-84068200) was sought due to COVID reason in both the countries, on the subject mentioned above.

In this connection, it is to inform that the Principal Commissioner, Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, Patna has observed that Covid was over long back and now excuse can not be taken on this ground. And hence not found valid reason to consider your request for extension of time under Notification No. 158/95(CUS-NT)

This is for your kind information.

Shiva Narayan Ram

Asstt. Commissioner (Tech)

Customs (P) Hqrs Patna

2. Briefly stated the facts of the case are that the Appellant had exported certain capital goods (steam turbine with accessory H. S. code-84068200) to Nepal under duty free import from Raxaual LCS. Subsequently, re-imported the same vide Bill of Entry No. 308373 dated 10.03.2021 for repairs & re-export. The said goods were cleared under bond & bank guarantee. When the goods were repaired and ready for reexport the appellant sought extension of time for re-export of capital goods in terms of Notification No. 158/95 (Custom NT) as amended by Notification No. 60/2018-Cus dated 11.09.2018.

3. Heard both sides.

4. We note from records that the request for extension of timelines for re-export, made by the appellant-assesse was rejected and communicated vide letter dated 24.01.2022 by the Assistant Commissioner (Tech) Customs (P) Hqrs Patna, referred to supra.

5. The Commissioner (Appeals) vide the impugned Order disposed off the assessees appeals without going into the merits of the case. The operative portion of the Order of Commissioner (Appeals) is reproduced hereunder:-

14. In such circumstances, it is but proper that the original authority should re-examine and re-verify the impugned order/decision taking into consideration the Notification No. 158/95-Cus, dated 14.11.1995, as amended vis-a-vis tariff item of the goods i.e. HS code- 84068200. If it is proper benefit may be given. Therefore, the matter is remanded to the original authority for de novo consideration.

6. It is also pertinent to mention that the learned Commissioner (Appeals) has inter alia recorded in his order as under:-

12. I find that as per Notification No. 60/2018-Cus, dated 11.09.2018 which is amendment to Notification No. 158/95-Cus, dated 14.11.1995; the time limit of re-export of re-imported goods is extended to one year. It is also observed that the amended notification has not been taken into consideration by the authority while taking decision/ passing order in the subject matter.

7. We note that this is a live consignment pending with the Department and there are no justiciable reasons recorded on merits in the matter. We note that besides incurring detention and other charges, any delay in the matter is only adding to loss of prestige and credibility before the foreign buyer.

8. As there is no appropriate order passed by the Department on merits, we remand the aforesaid matter to the Jurisdictional Commissioner of Customs concerned with a direction that the case of the appellant-assessee exporter be disposed off within 10 days from the date of receipt of the Order.

9. The two appeals are allowed by way of remand for a fresh decision in the matter. Needless, to state that a reasonable opportunity for providing natural justice shall be afforded to the party, who shall be at liberty to adduce evidence as felt necessary in the matter.

(Dictated and pronounced in the open court.)
Hanuman Weaving Factory Vs Commissioner of Customs (CESTAT Chennai)

Introduction: In a recent case before the Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) Chennai, the issue revolved around the transaction value of silk yarn and the demand for excise duty. The tribunal ruled that the rejection of the transaction value should be supported by cogent reasons. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the case, including its background, key arguments, and the tribunals decision.

Background of the Case: The appellant, Hanuman Weaving Factory, filed a Bill of Entry for the clearance of goods declared as raw silk yarn in hanks. These goods were invoiced by M/s. Bedeil General Trading LLC, based in Dubai, UAE, at a unit price of USD 15 per kilogram. However, the assessment group did not accept the declared unit price and sought to enhance it. In response to higher court directions, the Bills of Entry were provisionally assessed at the value determined by the department. The goods were released to the appellant against a bank guarantee covering 50% of the differential duty and a personal bond for the rest. Subsequently, the department issued a Show Cause Notice on 29.11.2011, alleging undervaluation of the goods and seeking enhancement of their value based on contemporaneous imports. After due legal procedures, the original authority rejected the transaction value, confirmed the differential duty, ordered confiscation of the goods, and imposed a redemption fine under Section 125 of the Customs Act, 1962. Additionally, a separate penalty under Section 112(a) of the Customs Act, 1962, was imposed. The appellant challenged these orders before the Commissioner (Appeals), who upheld them. Consequently, the appellant appealed to CESTAT Chennai.

Submissions by the Appellant: The appellants counsel, Shri M.A. Mudiamman, argued that the price for the imports was negotiated with the foreign supplier in July 2010 for the supply of approximately 6500 kilograms of raw silk yarn. The agreed-upon price was declared in the Bill of Entry. However, the department rejected the declared transaction value of USD 15 per kilogram without providing any legal or factual basis for doing so. The Show Cause Notice did not specify the reasons for doubting the transaction value; it merely mentioned that imports from Uzbekistan cleared through Chenna Port on 25.11.2010 had a higher contract value/declared value. The appellant contended that in this case, the goods were supplied by a Dubai-based supplier, although the country of origin was Uzbekistan. The department mistakenly relied on imports from Uzbekistan via a single Bill of Entry dated 25.11.2010, failing to establish the comparability of various parameters such as quality, quantity, and manufacturer/supplier. The appellant had provided details of multiple Bill of Entry entries for the import of raw silk yarn in hank from Uzbekistan through Chennai Port from 12.4.2010 to 30.11.2010. The declared values for these imports ranged from 13 to 15 USD per kilogram. In the present case, the appellant declared a value of 15 USD per kilogram, which aligned with the values declared during the relevant period. Despite this, the department rejected the transaction value without providing valid reasons. The appellant cited the Tribunals decision in the case of Sree Rajendra Textiles to argue that the transaction value could not be enhanced without sufficient grounds for rejecting it. The appellant requested that the appeal be allowed.

CESTATs Decision: CESTAT Chennai carefully examined the arguments presented and reviewed the Order in Original. It found that the department had not provided proper reasons for rejecting the transaction value. The Order in Original discussed various provisions related to transaction value without offering reasons for the rejection. Additionally, the value had been enhanced based on a Bill of Entry dated 25.11.2010, which involved direct imports from Uzbekistan. However, the appellant had imported goods from Dubai, UAE, even though the country of origin was Uzbekistan. The department had not demonstrated the comparability of various parameters, such as the quality, quantity, and manufacturer, between the imports. The appellant had furnished data on multiple Bill of Entry entries for imports from Uzbekistan, showing declared values ranging from 13 to 13.75, 14.10 to 15.50 USD per kilogram, which the department had accepted. Given these circumstances, the departments rejection of the transaction value based solely on a single Bill of Entry dated 25.11.2010, where the declared value was 28 USD, was not justified. The department had failed to establish that the commercial parameters were similar. CESTAT cited its previous decision in the case of Sree Rajendra Textiles, which emphasized that the transaction value could not be rejected without cogent reasons.

Conclusion: In the case of Hanuman Weaving Factory versus the Commissioner of Customs, CESTAT Chennai set aside the demand for excise duty, confiscation, redemption fine, and penalty. The tribunal ruled that the rejection of the transaction value of silk yarn must be supported by cogent reasons. This decision underscores the importance of providing valid grounds when challenging the transaction value and serves as a precedent for future cases with similar issues.

FULL TEXT OF THE CESTAT CHENNAI ORDER

The issue involved in these appeals being the same, they were heard together and disposed by this common order.

2. Brief facts are that the appellants filed Bill of Entry for clearance of goods declared as raw silk yarn in hanks. For both the consignments, invoices were raised by M/s. Bedeil General Trading LLC, Dubai, UAE at a unit price of USD 15 per kilogram. The assessment group did not accept the unit price declared by appellant and sought to enhance the same. Based on the directions of the higher courts, Bills of Entry were assessed provisionally at the value determined by the department and the goods were released to the appellant on the strength of 50% of the differential duty covered by the bank guarantee and the rest by personal bond. Thereupon, department issued Show Cause Notice dated 29.11.2011 alleging that the goods have been undervalued and same has to be enhanced on the basis of contemporaneous imports. After due process of law, the original authority rejected the transaction value and confirmed the differential duty, ordered for confiscation of the goods and imposed redemption fine under sec. 125 of the Customs Act, 1962 was issued. Separate penalty under section 112(a) of the Customs Act, 1962. Against such order, the appellant filed appeals before Commissioner (Appeals) who upheld the same. Hence the appellant is now before the Tribunal.

3. The learned counsel Shri M.A. Mudiamman appeared and argued for the appellant. It is submitted that the imports had taken place in July 2010 and the price was fixed after negotiations with the foreign supplier for supply of about 6500 kilograms of raw silk yarn. The price fixed agreed after negotiations between the appellant and the foreign supplier has been declared in the Bill of Entry. The department has rejected the declared value (transaction value) of 15 USD per kg without any legal or factual basis. It is not stated in the Show Cause Notice as to what is the reason for doubting the transaction value. It is merely stated in the Show Cause Notice that imports made from Uzbekistan and cleared vide Bill of Entry dated 25.11.2010 through Chenna Port showed higher contract value / declared value. The learned counsel pointed out that in the present case, though the country of origin is Uzbekistan, the goods were by supplier at Dubai. The department has erroneously relied upon the imports vide a single Bill of Entry imported on 25.11.2010 of similar goods. However, the department has not been able to satisfy with regard to various parameters in the nature of quality, quantity and the manufacturer / supplier. For these reasons itself, the import of 25.11.2010 cannot be compared with that of the appellants imports. The appellant had furnished details of various bills of entry for import of raw silk yarn in hank, from Uzbekistan through Chennai Port from 12.4.2010 to 30.11.2010. The value declared for these imports was between 13 to 15 USD per kilogram. The appellant in present case has declared the value as 15 USD per kilogram which reconciles with the imports during the relevant time. However, without giving any cogent reasons department has rejected the transaction value relying upon the single bill of entry dated 25.11.2010. The decision of the Tribunal in the case of Sree Rajendra Textiles vide Final Order No. 41048 to 41050/2017 dated 20.6.2017 was relied to argue that the value cannot be enhanced unless the department has put forward reasons to reject the transaction value. The learned counsel prayed that the appeal may be allowed.

4. The learned AR Shri Harendra Singh Pal supported the findings in the impugned order.

5. Heard both sides.

6. On perusal of the Order in Original, we do not find any proper reasons given by the department to reject the transaction value. In para 15 of the Order in Original, the original authority has discussed the various provisions relating to transaction value without giving reasons for rejecting the transaction value. Further, it is seen that in para 21 of Order in Original that the value has been enhanced on the basis of a Bill of Entry dated 25.11.2010 which is an import directly from Uzbekistan. In the present case, the appellant has imported the goods from Dubai, UAE, though the country of origin is Uzbekistan. It is also not brought out in evidence as to the comparison of the various parameters with regard to quality, quantity of the goods imported. The appellant has furnished data with regard to various Bills of Entry for imports made from Uzbekistan for the period from 12.4.2010 to 30.11.2010. The value declared in these imports range from 13 to 13.75, 14.10 to 15.50 USD per kilogram. The department has accepted the value declared for these imports. In present case, merely because the value declared for the goods in a single Bill of Entry dated 25.11.2010 is 28 USD, the department has rejected the transaction value. It is not established that the commercial parameters as to quality, quantity, manufacturer are similar. The Tribunal in the case of Sree Rajendra Textiles (supra) had occasion to consider a similar issue and observed that the transaction value cannot be rejected without cogent reasons.

7. After appreciating the facts and following the proposition of law in the above case, we are of the considered opinion that the demand of duty, confiscation, imposition of redemption fine and penalty imposed cannot sustain and requires to be set aside, which we hereby do.

8. In the result, the appeals are allowed with consequential relief, if any.

(Pronounced in open court on 12.09.2023)
Service Now Nederland BV Vs ACIT (ITAT Delhi)

ITAT Delhi held that income from subscription, professional and training services for use of software doesnt fall within the definition of Fees for Technical Services (FTS) under India-Netherlands DTAA and hence cannot be taxed in India.

Facts- The assessee is a foreign company incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, engaged in the business of providing enterprise cloud computing solutions that define structure, manage and automate services for global enterprises. The company submitted its Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) issued by the Netherlands Tax Authorities.

During the year under consideration, the assessee has rendered subscription professional and training services to various customers in India from which it has earned income of Rs 125,11,22,698/-.

As per the assessee, the income from subscription services doesnt fall within the definition of royalty as per Article 12(4) of India  Netherlands DTAA and also doesnt fall within the definition of fees for technical services as per Article 12(5) of India  Netherlands DTAA. AO concluded that the receipts in question are services of a technical nature and hence taxable as FTS. DRP upheld the action of AO. Being aggrieved, the present appeal is filed.

Conclusion- Article 12(5)(b) insist on make available clause to fall within the ambit of FTS. In the instant case, the assessee has only access to software. There is no transfer of technology by the assessee. We are unable to persuade ourselves to accept to the argument of the ld. DR in this regard wherein it was argued that services provided by assessee are standard and customized services and that make available clause is not relevant for the second part of Article 12(5)(b) i.e it is not relevant for development and transfer of a technical plan or technical design. In our considered opinion, make available is for the entire expressions mentioned in Article 12(5)(b) of the India Netherlands Treaty.

Held that subscription, professional and training services rendered by the assessee does not fall within the definition of FTS both under the Income Tax Act as well as under the DTAA and accordingly the same cannot be taxed in India.

FULL TEXT OF THE ORDER OF ITAT DELHI

This appeal is preferred by the Assessee against the final assessment order dated 15/07/2022 passed u/s 143(3) r.w.s.144C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter called the Act) subsequent to the direction of the Ld. Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) vide direction dated 16/06/2022 for Asst. Year 2011-12.

2. The first issue to be decided in this appeal is as to whether the AO was justified in making an addition of Rs 125,11,22,698/- as income of the assessee by treating the receipts on account of subscription, professional and training services as Fee for Technical Services (FTS), in the facts and circumstances of the instant case.

3. We have heard the rival submissions and perused the materials available on record. The assessee is a foreign company incorporated under the laws of Netherlands, engaged in the business of providing enterprise cloud computing solutions that define structure, manage and automate services for global enterprises. The company submitted its Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) issued by the Netherlands Tax Authorities. The assessee had filed its revised return of income for the Asst Year 2019-20 on 30.11.2020 declaring total income of Rs 125,75,01,160/- and claimed exemption on the entire income based on India Netherlands Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). During the year under consideration, the assessee has rendered subscription , professional and training services to various customers in India from which it has earned income of Rs 125,11,22,698/-.

3.1. The income from subscription services is for use of software applications (offerings) i.e. Software as a Service . There is no transfer of all or any rights in respect of, or the use of or the rights to use underlying copyrights of such software application to the customers. Accordingly, it was pleaded that such software services do not fall within the definition of royalty as per Article 12(4) of India  Netherlands DTAA.

3.2. As a part of professional and training services rendered by the assessee, the technical knowledge, knowhow etc is not made available to the customers. Also, the said services are ancillary to royalty. Therefore, such services do not fall within the definition of fees for technical services as per Article 12(5) of India Netherlands Tax Treaty.

3.3. Further, the company does not have a Permanent Establishment (PE) in India. Hence the aforesaid services rendered are not taxable as business profits as per Article 7 of India Netherlands Tax Treaty. Accordingly, income earned by the assessee from aforesaid subscription, professional and training services has not been offered to tax in the revised return of income filed by the company.

3.4. The details of total receipts of Rs 125,11,22,698/- are enclosed in Pages 1 to 6 of the paper book filed before us. Out of this, total receipts on account of subscription services amount to Rs 119,15,25,786/- and receipts on account of professional and training services amount to Rs 5,95,96,912/-. The assessee pleaded that with regard to the aforesaid services, the same were provided from Netherlands and not from India and therefore such services cannot be taxed in India by virtue of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) Clause provided in India Netherlands DTAA read with Indian Finland DTAA.

3.5. The assessee clarified that the platform in operation is not a service per se but a model where the software is hosted at one particular place and is licensed by way of subscription to its customers. The assessee under this model is able to quickly address the routine maintenance / updates effectively and efficiently. Thus, the subscription provided by the company to its customers in India is not a service but only a revenue model. It is software solutions provided through a subscription. Further, the company grants only the right to use various standard ServiceNow Solutions delivered over the solutions platform to the customers. The customers are only granted a non-exclusive and nontransferable license to access the software / platform for the limited purpose of availing the access for its applications / software. The customer does not have the right to use or commercial exploit the IPR. They only get a right to access or use the applications / software. Similarly, the assessee is not granted any access or right to any IPR of its customers. A customer only gains access to use the copyrighted software applications of the assessee and has no access / rights in the copyright so created. Hence it was pleaded that the impugned receipts are in the nature of payments received for the sale of software and squarely fall within the ratio decidendi of the decision of the Honble Supreme Court in the case of Engineering Analysis Centre of Excellence Private Limited vs CIT in Civil Appeal Nos. 8733 -8734 of 2018 and hence is neither liable to tax under the provisions of the Act or under the India Netherlands DTAA.

4. The ld./ AO concluded that the receipts in question are services of a technical nature and hence taxable as FTS.

5. It was submitted ServiceNow Software Development India Private Limited is an Associated Enterprise (AE) of the assessee and works on a cost-plus model wherein it provides support services to the assessee. It was clarified that the disputed receipts have no bearing whatsoever on the payments made by the assessee to its AE.

5.1. The entire understanding of the ld. AO in terms of the business model and the nature of services rendered in India is based on information available on the assessees website which pertains to its activities the world over. The illustrations of Airbus and Weslayen University cited at para 7 on Page Nos. 5 & 6 of the order of the ld. AO have no link with the impugned receipts as both Airbus and Weslayen University were not Indian clinets to begin with.

5.2. It was submitted that the ld. AO completely misconstrued the nature of services / product developed by the assessee. In this regard, it was clarified that under this model, access to the application is provided to the customer over the assessees cloud infrastructure. A customer in India can acess said applications via a web browser. In other words, there is no specific need to install and run the software application in a customers own infrastructure / server. The assessee simply hosts the software application which can be used by the customer when required. The customer can access to the solutions which are in standard format. The customers are granted a right to use or access the software application i.e. through a user ID and password for an annual subscription fee.

5.3. Further the ld. AO had accepted the contentions of the assessee and characterized the application / facility as a product in para 8 Page 5 of his order. The assessee is merely selling its product on a subscription basis unlike the traditional method of selling the produce on a one-time payment basis and accordingly it was pleaded that the revenue model can in no way change the character of the impugned receipts. It was further submitted that the assessee renders services which only helps to create a work flow so as to increase efficiency of internal operations for the customers. 5.4. Further it was submitted that subscription , professional and training services rendered by the assessee does not make available any technology, knowhow etc to the service recipient and hence the same does not fall within the definition of FTS under Article 12(5) of India Netherlands DTAA. It was further submitted since the coming into foce of the India Netherlands DTAA on 21.01.1989, India has also signed a DTAA with Finland ( a member of the OECD since 1969) which has come into effect from 01.04.2011. In this regard, the assessee had submitted that the first sentence of Article 12(5) of India Finland DTAA states that FTS shall be deemed to arise in India when the payer is a resident of India and thus, may be taxed in India. However, the second sentence in Article 12(5) of India Finland DTAA qualifies the first sentence and states that where FTS relates to services performed in Finland, then such FTS shall be deemed to arise in Finland and accordingly, shall be taxable in Finland and shall not be taxable in India. Accordingly, it was submitted that where fees relate to services performed in Finland, the second sentence in Article 12(5) of India Finland DTAA would override the first sentence and thus the income from such services shall be deemed to arise in Finland only.

5.5. The assessee submitted that in the instant case, the services were provided by the company in Netherlands. Accordingly, in terms of Article 12 of India Netherlands DTAA (as modified by the MFN clause present in the Protocol forming part of the DTAA read with Article 12 of India Finland DTAA) , the amount received by the company from its customers in India for provision of such services shall be deemed to arise in Netherlands and thus, should not be taxed in India.

6. The ld. DRP observed that the assessee had stated that since the subscription services were offered from Netherlands, it was not taxable in India even as FTS by virtue of the MFN clause of India Netherlands DTAA read with India Finland DTAA. The assessee is a tax resident of Netherlands but this fact alone does not prove that the cloud infrastructure supporting the software subscription services was hosted in Netherlands. No documentary proof has been submitted by the assessee that the software services were rendered from Netherlands. The ld. DRP further observed that analysis of the agreement between the assessee and its AE namely ServiceNow Software Development Indian Pvt Ltd shows that the latter provides marketing support, sales and customer services, IT support, finance and accounting, human resources, facilities and legal support and other related services. Thus the assessee very much has a ground presence in India. With these observations, the ld. DRP upheld the action of the ld. AO. The ld. AO by following the directions of the ld. DRP reiterated the same contentions as was made in the draft assessment order and made an addition of Rs 125,11,22,698/- as FTS from subscription, professional and training services taxable at the rate of 10%.

7. We find that the Master Agreement of ServiceNow was placed on record and the same was also furnished before the lower authorities. It would be relevant to address some of the clauses in the said contract :-

Definitions:

Clause 1.14: Intellectual Property Rights means all intellectual property rights throughout the world, including, without limitation, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and contractual or other rights in confidential information , moral rights, rights of privacy and publicity , and any other intellectual and industrial property and proprietary rights including registrations, applications, renewals and extensions of such rights worldwide.

Clause 1.29: ServiceNow Professional Services means consulting, training, implementation integration or other professional services provided by ServiceNow, including: (a) standardized and branded professional services as published by ServiceNow; or (b) customized professional services including the production of any related deliverables, performed y ServiceNow pursuant to a statement of work.

Clause 1.32: Subscription Service means the ServiceNow subscription services and the Technology used by the ServiceNow or its affiliates to deliver such subscription services, including Configurable Elements and APIs, but excluding Ancillary Software.

2. PARTNERNOW OVERVIEW

2.1. Enrollment in Partner Now. Partner Now consists of Programs, including the Sales Partner Program and Services Partner Program, described in the applicable Program Terms and Guides. Participant shall be deemed enrolled in PartnerNow, subject to the terms of this Agreement, when it is initially appointed to one or more Programs as evidenced by an Appointment Confirmation.

2.3. Benefits. Upon appointment to a Program, Participant may access certain ServiceNow Technology, including one or more Partner Instances, all subject to and in accordance with the Licenses and use authorizations granted under Section 4 (Licenses to Participant) below and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement.

4. LICENSES TO PARTICIPANT. Subject to the limitations set forth below in Section 4.7 (Certain Limitations) , the other terms conditions of this Agreement and the applicable Program Terms, ServiceNow hereby grants to Participant the following licenses and use authorizations with respect to ServiceNow Technology upon Participants acceptance into any PartnerNow Progam:

4.1. Partner Instances. ServiceNow grants to Participant a limited, non-exclusive right and license to access and use the Partner Instances (if any) provided by ServiceNow , solely to: (a) configure and customize the Partner Instance to develop and test Partner Applications; (b) evaluate the Partner Instances; (c ) train Participants employees in the use of the Partner Instances; (d) conduct demonstrations for existing and prospective Customers to promote the use of Partner Applications and the Subscription Service; and (e) any other purpose permitted in the applicable Program Terms. ServiceNow may determine the number of Partner Instances that Participant is permitted to access hereunder in ServiceNows sole discretion, except as provided in an applicable Guide or Program Terms for a Program to which Participant was appointed.

7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

7.1. Ownership. Subject to the limited licenses set forth in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement transfers or assigns to ServiceNow any of Participants Intellectua l Property Rights in Participant Technology (including in any source code originally authored by Participant using the Subscription Service), Participant Trademarks, or Participants marketing materials; and nothing in this Agreement transfers or assigns to Participant any of ServiceNows Intellectual Property Rights in ServiceNow Technology (including in any preexisting works of ServiceNow that are modified by Participant), ServiceNow Trademarks, or Collateral. There are no implied licenses under this Agreement, and any rights of a party that are not expressly granted to the other party hereunder are reserved.

PROGRAM TERMS (APPENDIX 1 to the aforesaid Agreement)

FOR THE PARTNERNOW SALES PARTNER PROGRAM

3. RESLLER RIGHTS

3.1. Appointment. An Appointment Confirmation that appoints Participant to the Program alone does not constitute an authorization for Participant to resell the Subscription Services, ServiceNow Professional Services or any other products or services of ServiceNow. Such resale authorization may only be granted pursuant to an Appointment Confirmation that expressly appoints Participant as ServiceNows authorized reseller (which may be provided separately or in the same communication that appoints Participant to the Program). Upon Participants receipt of such Appointment Confirmation, Participant may resell ServiceNow products and packaged professional services as provided in the Guide.

8. We find that this is no different than a copyrighted article. The revenue had all along been treating the same as Royalty and during the year under consideration, the same is sought to be treated as Fee for Technical Services (FTS).

7. It would be pertinent to examine the FTS clause in Article 12 of India Netherlands Treaty which reads as under:-

ARTICLE 12

ROYALTIES AND FEES FOR TECHNICAL SERVICES

1

2[2

3. 

1[4..

5. For purposes of this Article, fees for technical services means payments of any kind to any person in consideration for the rendering of any technical or consultancy services (including through the provision of services of technical or other personnel) if such services :

(a) are ancillary and subsidiary to the application or enjoyment of the right, property or information for which a payment described in paragraph 4 of this Article is received; or

(b) make available technical knowledge, experience, skill, know-how or processes, or consist of the development and transfer of a technical plan or technical design.

6 to 9. 

7.1. We find that Article 12(5)(a) above is not applicable in the instant case. Article 12(5)(b) insist on make available clause to fall within the ambit of FTS. In the instant case, the assessee has only access to software. There is no transfer of technology by the assessee. We are unable to persuade ourselves to accept to the argument of the ld. DR in this regard wherein it was argued that services provided by assessee are standard and customized services and that make available clause is not relevant for the second part of Article 12(5)(b) i.e it is not relevant for development and transfer of a technical plan or technical design. In our considered opinion, make available is for the entire expressions mentioned in Article 12(5)(b) of the India Netherlands Treaty. In this regard, it would be relevant to address the decision of Honble Karnataka High Court in the case of CIT vs De Beers India Minerals (P) Ltd reported in 346 ITR 467 (Kar) to understand the meaning of expression make available. The relevant operative portion of the judgement of Honble Karnataka High Court is reproduced hereunder:-

13. Under the Act if the consideration paid for rendering technical services constitutes income by way of fees for technical services, it is taxable. However, Article 12 of the aforesaid India-Netherlands Treaty defines fees for technical services for the purpose of Article 12 which deals with royalties and fees for technical services. The fees for technical services means the payment of any amount to any person in consideration for rendering of any technical services only, if such services make available technical knowledge, expertise, skill, know-how or processes. If the technical knowledge expertise, skill, know how or process is not made available by the service provider, who has rendered technical service for the purpose of Article 12 of DTAA it would not constitute fees for technical services. To that extent the definition of fee for technical services found in the agreement is inconsistent with the definition of fees for technical services provided in Explanation 2 to Clause (vii) of sub Section (1) of Section 9. In view of Section 90 the definition of fees for technical services contained in the agreement overrides the statutory provisions contained in the Act. In fact, the latest agreement between India end Singapore further clarifies this position, where they have explained the meaning of the word make available. According to the aforesaid definition fees for technical service means payments of any kind to any person in consideration for services of technical nature if such services make available technical knowledge, experience, skill, know how or processes, which enables the person acquiring the service to apply technology contained therein. Though this provision is not contained in India Netherlands Treaty, by virtue of Protocol in the agreement, Clause (iv) (2) reads as under:-

If after the signature of this convention under any Convention or Agreement between India and third State which is a member of the OECD India should limit its taxation at source on dividends, interests, royalties, fees for technical services or payments for the use of equipment to a rate lower or a scope more restricted than the rate or scope provided for in this Convention on the said items of income, then as from the date on which the relevant Indian Convention or Agreement enters into force the same rate or scope as provided for in that Convention or Agreement on the said items of income shall also apply under this Convention.

14. Therefore the Clause in Singapore agreement which explicitly makes it clear the meaning of the word make available, the said clause has to be applied, and to be read into this agreement also. Therefore, it follows that for attracting the liability to pay tax not only the services should be of technical in nature, but it should be made available to the person receiving the technical services. The technology will be considered made available when the person who received service is enabled to apply the technology. The service provider in order to render technical services uses technical knowledge, experience, skill, know how or processes. To attract the tax liability, that technical knowledge, experience, skill, know how or process which is used by service provider to render technical service should also be made available to the recipient of the services, so that the recipient also acquires technical knowledge, experience, skill, know how or processes so as to render such technical Services. Once all such technology is made available it is open to the recipient of the service to make use of the said technology. The tax is not dependent on the use of the technology by the recipient. The recipient after receiving of technology may use or may not use the technology. It has no bearing on the taxability aspect is concerned. When technical service is provided, that technical service is to be made use of by the recipient of the service in further conduct of his business. Merely because his business is dependent on the technical service which he receives from the service provider, it does not follow that he is making use of the technology which the service provider utilises for rendering technical services. The crux of the matter is after rendering of such technical services by the service provider, whether the recipient is enabled to use the technology which the service provider had used. Therefore, unless the service provider makes available his technical knowledge, experience, skill, know how or process to the recipient of the technical service, in view of the Clauses in the DTAA. the liability, to tax is not attracted.

7.2. In the instant case, as stated earlier, we find that the assessee had merely granted only access to software and there is no transfer of technology by the assessee. Hence we have no hesitation to hold that the services rendered by the assessee does not fall within the definition of FTS as per the Treaty. In any case, we find that the since assessee had merely granted access to software, it does not fall within the definition of FTS even as per the Act. In this regard, analogy could be drawn from the decision of Honble Supreme Court in the case of CIT vs Kotak Securities Ltd reported in 383 ITR 1 (SC) wherein it was held that service made available by Bombay Stock Exchange [BSE Online Trading (BOLT) System] for which transaction charges are paid by members of BSE are common services that every member of Stock Exchange is necessarily required to avail of to carry out trading in securities in Stock Exchange; such services do not amount to technical services provided by Stock Exchange, not being services specifically sought for by user or consumer and, therefore, no TDS would be deductible under section 194J on payments made for such services.

8. In view of the aforesaid observations and respectfully following the judicial precedents relied upon hereinabove, we hold that the subscription, professional and training services rendered by the assessee does not fall within the definition of FTS both under the Act as well as under the DTAA and accordingly the same cannot be taxed in India. Accordingly, the Grounds 1 to 3 raised by the assessee are allowed.

9. The Ground No. 4 raised by the assessee is only to seek correct TDS credit. This matter requires factual verification and hence the ld. AO is hereby directed to grant TDS credit after due verification in accordance with law. Accordingly, the Ground No.4 raised by the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.

10. The Ground No. 5 raised by the assessee is challenging the initiation of penalty proceedings u/s 274 read with section 270A of the Act, which would be premature for adjudication at this stage and hence dismissed.

11. In the result, the appeal of the assessee is partly allowed for statistical purposes.

Order pronounced in the open court on 29th August, 2023.
Bert Thayer, whose firefighting career began in the late 1970s, announced his retirement after 29 years with Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue.

Thayer, who was inspired by his father, a volunteer firefighter for 18 years, got his first opportunity when he started as a summer firefighter for the United States Forest Service in 1978, according to a Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue press release.

He joined Cowlitz 2 in 1994, holding positions from firefighter to lieutenant, and is now capping off his vocation with the rank of battalion chief.

Most days it never felt like a job, Thayer said in the press release. Im going to miss that, and Im really going to miss the people. I know that is a cliche, but it is more than that.

Throughout his career, Thayer worked for North Gilliam County in Oregon, the Martin Marietta Fire Brigade in Goldendale, Washington, and the San Jose Ambulance Service in Sacramento, California. He earned his Emergency Medical Technician from Portland Community College in 1984 and an Advanced Paramedic Certificate from Oregon Health and Sciences University in 1987, the press release states.

Thayers colleagues voted him as firefighter and officer of the year. He also received two distinguished service awards and multiple life-saving awards during his time with Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue.

Alongside enjoying cruises, the press release states Thayer is an avid pilot, fisherman and underwater diver.

People open the door to their lives and make you part of their story, he said in the news release. In turn, they become a part of your life story too. I cant express the gratitude that I have for the department and how it has allowed me to grow professionally and as a person.
Aditya-L1 mission: India's Sun-monitoring spacecraft has crossed a landmark point on its journey to escape "the sphere of Earth's influence", its space agency said, days after the disappointment of its Moon rover failing to awaken. The Aditya-L1 mission, which started its four-month journey towards the centre of the solar system on September 2, carries instruments to observe the Sun's outermost layers. "The spacecraft has escaped the sphere of Earth's influence," the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a statement late Saturday.

Aditya, named after the Hindu Sun deity, has travelled 920,000 kilometres (570,000 miles), just over half the journey's total distance.

At that point, the gravitational forces of both astronomical bodies cancel out, allowing the mission to remain in a stable halo orbit around our nearest star.

"This is the second time in succession that ISRO could send a spacecraft outside the sphere of influence of the Earth, the first time being the Mars Orbiter Mission", the agency added.

In August, India became the first country to land a craft near the largely unexplored lunar south pole, and just the fourth nation to land on the Moon.

Rover Pragyan surveyed the vicinity of its landing site but was powered down before the start of lunar night, which lasts roughly two weeks on Earth.

India had hoped to prolong the mission by reactivating the solar-powered vehicle once daylight returned to the lunar surface, but so far has been greeted by radio silence.

"It is OK if it does not wake up because the rover has done what it was expected to do," ISRO chief S. Somanath said Wednesday.

In 2014, India became the first Asian nation to put a craft into orbit around Mars, and it is slated to launch a three-day crewed mission into Earth orbit by next year.

The United States and the European Space Agency have sent numerous probes to the centre of the solar system, beginning with NASA's Pioneer programme in the 1960s.

Japan and China have both launched their own solar observatory missions into Earth orbit.

But if successful, ISRO's latest mission will be the first by any Asian nation to be placed in orbit around the Sun.
Elections around the world are facing an evolving threat from foreign actors, one that involves artificial intelligence.

Countries trying to influence each other's elections entered a new era in 2016, when the Russians launched a series of social media disinformation campaigns targeting the us presidential election. Over the next seven years, a number of countries  most prominently China and Iran  used social media to influence foreign elections, both in the US and elsewhere in the world. There's no reason to expect 2023 and 2024 to be any different.

But there is a new element: generative AI and large language models. These have the ability to quickly and easily produce endless reams of text on any topic in any tone from any perspective. As a security expert, I believe it's a tool uniquely suited to internet-era propaganda.

This is all very new. ChatGPT was introduced in November 2022. The more powerful GPT-4 was released in March 2023. Other language and image production AIs are around the same age. It's not clear how these technologies will change disinformation, how effective they will be or what effects they will have. But we are about to find out.

A conjunction of elections

Election season will soon be in full swing in much of the democratic world. Seventy-one percent of people living in democracies will vote in a national election between now and the end of next year. Among them: Argentina and Poland in October, Taiwan in January, Indonesia in February, India in April, the European Union and Mexico in June and the U.S. in November. Nine African democracies, including South Africa, will have elections in 2024. Australia and the U.K. don't have fixed dates, but elections are likely to occur in 2024.

Many of those elections matter a lot to the countries that have run social media influence operations in the past. China cares a great deal about Taiwan, Indonesia, India and many African countries. Russia cares about the U.K., Poland, Germany and the EU in general. Everyone cares about the United States.

And that's only considering the largest players. Every U.S. national election from 2016 has brought with it an additional country attempting to influence the outcome. First it was just Russia, then Russia and China, and most recently those two plus Iran. As the financial cost of foreign influence decreases, more countries can get in on the action. Tools like ChatGPT significantly reduce the price of producing and distributing propaganda, bringing that capability within the budget of many more countries.

Election interference

A couple of months ago, I attended a conference with representatives from all of the cybersecurity agencies in the U.S. They talked about their expectations regarding election interference in 2024. They expected the usual players  Russia, China and Iran  and a significant new one: domestic actors. That is a direct result of this reduced cost.

Of course, there's a lot more to running a disinformation campaign than generating content. The hard part is distribution. A propagandist needs a series of fake accounts on which to post, and others to boost it into the mainstream where it can go viral. Companies like Meta have gotten much better at identifying these accounts and taking them down.

Just last month, Meta announced that it had removed 7,704 Facebook accounts, 954 Facebook pages, 15 Facebook groups and 15 Instagram accounts associated with a Chinese influence campaign, and identified hundreds more accounts on TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), LiveJournal and Blogspot. But that was a campaign that began four years ago, producing pre-AI disinformation.

Disinformation is an arms race. Both the attackers and defenders have improved, but also the world of social media is different. Four years ago, Twitter was a direct line to the media, and propaganda on that platform was a way to tilt the political narrative. A Columbia Journalism Review study found that most major news outlets used Russian tweets as sources for partisan opinion. That Twitter, with virtually every news editor reading it and everyone who was anyone posting there, is no more.

Many propaganda outlets moved from Facebook to messaging platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp, which makes them harder to identify and remove. TikTok is a newer platform that is controlled by China and more suitable for short, provocative videos  ones that AI makes much easier to produce. And the current crop of generative AIs are being connected to tools that will make content distribution easier as well.

Generative AI tools also allow for new techniques of production and distribution, such as low-level propaganda at scale. Imagine a new AI-powered personal account on social media. For the most part, it behaves normally. It posts about its fake everyday life, joins interest groups and comments on others' posts, and generally behaves like a normal user. And once in a while, not very often, it says  or amplifies  something political. These persona bots, as computer scientist Latanya Sweeney calls them, have negligible influence on their own. But replicated by the thousands or millions, they would have a lot more.

Disinformation on AI steroids

That's just one scenario. The military officers in Russia, China and elsewhere in charge of election interference are likely to have their best people thinking of others. And their tactics are likely to be much more sophisticated than they were in 2016.

Countries like Russia and China have a history of testing both cyberattacks and information operations on smaller countries before rolling them out at scale. When that happens, it's important to be able to fingerprint these tactics. Countering new disinformation campaigns requires being able to recognize them, and recognising them requires looking for and cataloging them now.

In the computer security world, researchers recognize that sharing methods of attack and their effectiveness is the only way to build strong defensive systems. The same kind of thinking also applies to these information campaigns: The more that researchers study what techniques are being employed in distant countries, the better they can defend their own countries.

Disinformation campaigns in the AI era are likely to be much more sophisticated than they were in 2016. I believe the U.S. needs to have efforts in place to fingerprint and identify AI-produced propaganda in Taiwan, where a presidential candidate claims a deepfake audio recording has defamed him, and other places. Otherwise, we're not going to see them when they arrive here. Unfortunately, researchers are instead being targeted and harassed.

Maybe this will all turn out OK. There have been some important democratic elections in the generative AI era with no significant disinformation issues: primaries in Argentina, first-round elections in Ecuador and national elections in Thailand, Turkey, Spain and Greece. But the sooner we know what to expect, the better we can deal with what comes.

One more thing! HT Tech is now on WhatsApp Channels! Follow us by clicking the link so you never miss any update from the world of technology. Click here to join now!
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

It's so associated with web searching that it's become a verb.

Now the government is suing Google, accusing it of abusing its power as a monopoly.

The case opened last week.

The case is complex. It involves Google's search engine businesswhich has amassed 90% of the search engine market in the United States and 91% globally, according to Similarweb, a data analysis firm. It also involves its advertising business.

It is also not likely to be the most transparent trial. Google is claiming much of the testimony contains proprietary information and thus can only be held behind closed doors. A 10-week trial calendar also makes constant mainstream press coverage unlikely.

Yet, the case is hugely important.

It is "the first monopoly trial of the modern internet era," according to the New York Times, and is being compared with the 1998 case against Microsoft in which a judge found the corporation violated antitrust laws.

"It's a big deal that now it's happening," says Elettra Bietti, an assistant professor at Northeastern's School of Law and Khoury College of Computer Sciences. Bietti also practiced antitrust law in Brussels and the United Kingdom and litigated patent law in the pharmaceutical and technology industries.

Bietti noted that the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general first investigated Google search for search bias roughly a decade ago but closed the case. She also noted that this case also involves web searcha service most consumers understand.

"The trial definitely is an indication that something has changed in the policy landscape and that there's a different kind of appetite in the public for more proactive enforcement against Big Tech," Bietti continues.

So, what are the overarching things you need to know as lawyers battle it out in federal court?

Northeastern Global News spoke with antitrust experts John Kwoka, the Neal F. Finnegan Distinguished Professor of Economics, and Bietti to find out.

What to prove: The Justice Department

Kwokawho also served as chief economic adviser to the chair of the FTC, Lina Khan, last yearsays that the government has to prove two things in this case.

First, it must prove that Google has market or monopoly power, or the ability to manipulate the price of an item in the marketplace by manipulating the level of supply, demand or both.

Second, the government has to prove that Google has maintained its monopoly by engaging in exclusionary anticompetitive acts. For example, if they extend their market power to the extent that they use it to leverage into a different business.

"Your idea is all yours, but if you start to do things to defend it that don't fall into normal business practices relating to competitors and you try to get control of another market, leveraging your dominance into something else: it is where Microsoft got into trouble and where all the tech companies now are being scrutinized," Kwoka says. "The government is not trying to take down Google, it's trying to prevent Google from taking down competitors to it."

Bietti says that the second issue presents the most salient point of the case, seeing the case as similar to the Microsoft case.

"The main question in that case was whether Microsoft was bundling access to the browser and Windows and a variety of different services in ways that were excluding potential competitors," Bietti says. "We're seeing something very similar being argued in the Google case  they're (both) already monopolists, there's not necessarily a question here about whether or not that monopoly was achieved lawfully, so, the primary question that is being examined is whether Google has been maintaining their monopoly unlawfully."

Google's case

Google is expected to fiercely contest both that it has market power or a monopoly and that its dominance is based on illegal practices.

In regards to whether it has market power, Kwoka says Google will say that the mere presence of competitors such as DuckDuckGo and Microsoft Bing demonstrates that the company does not.

Furthermore, Google can argue that consumers drive Google's dominancenot market power.

"The (Google) search engine is good, there's just no doubt about it," Kwoka says. "They can say, "We don't force anyone to use it, they use it because they want it, it's a good product. If they want Bing, or DuckDuckGo, they can download it and click it.'"

The "consumer choice" argument is also to be made in defense of Google's practices. Google will argue that its size and scope is demanded by customers wanting a "seamless" experience, Kwoka predicts. For instance, Google could say customers want an advertisement service that is integrated with Google because Google provides the best search experience.

Google may also argue that it is a victim in the case.

"They could argue that by tampering with the system, the Justice Department is giving an unfair advantage to competitors, and that is antithetical to antitrust law: the government shouldn't be gaming one competitor over another," Kwoka explains.

Arguments for the Justice Department and states

Kwoka said that the government, as indicated in its complaint and case testimony, intends to argue that Google's agreements with companies like Apple, Samsung and Mozilla to be the default search engine on their products crossed the line into exclusionary practices designed to protect market share.

But where do you draw the line between legitimate business practices and anticompetitive acts?

Kwoka says a key question is whether the business practices benefit consumers.

That may be a tough sell for Google.

"There is no way to make a credible argument that if I have an iPhone or Mac and only have one search engine, that it benefits consumers," Kwoka says. "It doesn't benefit consumers, it shuts out competitors," Kwoka said.

He compared a sponsorship agreementsay for a beer company to sponsor the Boston Red Soxwith an exclusivity agreement. "It's one thing to pay for ad space, it's another to pay for nobody else to be an advertiser," Kwoka continues.

Kwoka said the government also plans to introduce internal Google documents that "come pretty close to saying (Google is) trying to protect their market share."

"Some of them, I have to say, seem like they may be difficult for Google to explain away," Kwoka says. "They make it sound as if they believe their default presence is incredibly valuable to them, and have labored long and hard to maintain exclusivity."

The government will further argue that shutting out competitors has stifled innovation.

"The theory is very simple: a monopolist doesn't have the same incentive to innovate," Kwoka says. "Most disruptive innovations come from outside of larger firms because the smaller firms have more to gain."

Arguments for Google

That's not to say that it will necessarily be an easy case for the government to prove.

One challenge for the government is that Googleand possibly the judgewill press its lawyers to describe what the world would look like if Google had competition. It is a hypothetical but important question.

"It's hard to know what the world would look like if there had been more competition in search and advertising," Kwoka says.

Kwoka predicts the government will try to answer by pointing to precedent.

"When AT&T was broken up, it led to a huge increase in services," Kwoka says. "But nobody could have foreseen what the breakup of AT&T would do at the time."

The government also must respond to the argument that Google's services are helpful to consumers because they want a seamless experiencea question Kwoka is curious to see argued.

Bietti also notes that the government has the challenge of attempting to legally intervene in a famously unregulated market.

"I think it's tricky," Bietti says. "I think there are a lot of questions about how U.S. law fails to recognize the types of power that Big Tech companies have."

"Ultimately, when you're thinking about Big Tech markets, they are opaque markets and all the documents are in the hands of the tech players," Bietti continues. " A lot of the evidence is not available to the government to prove things.

There is also the vast amount of resources at Google's disposal.

"To me it seems like a very strong case against Google, but the reality is that the FTC and DOJ are severely understaffed, and don't have the money Google has," Bietti says. "There is reason to be skeptical about what will happen."

What will happen?

Which gets to the ultimate question: What are potential outcomes of the case? Google selling some of its apps? Fines? Limits on Google's behavior?

It's hard to say with certainty, but it helps to look at the Microsoft case.

In 2000, a judge ordered Microsoft to break up. The company successfully appealed, however, and then settled with the Justice Department.

Kwoka says that the Microsoft case may not be something the government wants to emulate.

"In the past the government has too often settled for trying to change the company's behavior by so-called behavioral remedies," Kwoka says. "These forbid certain practices, or require the company to do certain things, but almost always fail since the companies always have an incentive to work around them, and they usually succeed."
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:

he new sensor is energy-efficient and cheap to produce. Credit: UC Davis

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have developed a proof-of-concept sensor that may usher in a new era for millimeter wave radars. In fact, they call its design a "mission impossible" made possible.

Millimeter wave radars send fast-moving electromagnetic waves to targets to analyze their movement, position and speed from the waves bounced back. The benefits of millimeter waves are their natural sensitivity to small-scale movements and their ability to focus on and sense data from microscopic objects.

The new sensor uses an innovative millimeter wave radar design to detect vibrations a thousand times smallerand changes in a target's position one hundred times smallerthan a strand of human hair, making it better or on par with the world's most accurate sensors. Yet unlike its peers, this one is the size of a sesame seed, is cheap to produce and features a long battery life.

Professor Omeed Momeni and his lab in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering led the effort. It is part of an ongoing project to develop a low-cost sensor capable of tracking the water status of individual plants. This new radar is the necessary stepping stone that proves it is possible. The work is published in the September 2023 issue of IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits.

Challenge of millimeter waves

Millimeter wave is the electromagnetic frequency between microwaves and infrared, ranging from 30 to 300 gigahertz. It enables fast communication networks, such as 5G, and is desirable for its short-range sensing capabilities. But it can be tough to work with due to high power consumption and limited performance of semiconductors at these frequencies.

The primary issue the team faced throughout its first year working on the sensor was homing in on the desired source. There was so much noise that when the researchers attempted to pick up the delicate signal of a small leaf thinning, their sensors were drowned out.

"It seemed really impossible because the noise levels that we were looking at were required to be so low that almost no signal source could actually handle it," said Momeni.

At one point, they weren't sure if they could overcome the challenge, with his team noting they would need to build a radar chip that was 10 times more powerful and accurate than the current state-of-the-art designsomething that seemed dependent upon technological advancements that might be years into the future.

Credit: Omeed Momeni, UC Davis

Tuning in to a different frequency

Sometimes, all you need is an idea that approaches the issue from another angle. Enter Hao Wang, an electrical engineering doctoral student in Momeni's High-Speed Integrated Systems Lab who had worked on the sensor project before graduating in 2021.

Wang had a moment of inspiration to bypass the technological restraints while meeting with Momeni one day: Why not cancel out the noise with itself? That would theoretically solve the issue their sensors were facing, and Wang was finishing up a chip design for his dissertation to do just that.

"This was not out of thin air, a brand-new concept," said Wang. "This was based on what we [in Momeni's lab] have accumulated from research throughout the yearsand then you innovate more."

The lab worked quickly to assemble a prototype to test Wang's idea. It worked on their first try.

The prototype succeeded because it allowed them to handle the volume of noise their sensor received like a simple arithmetic problem. They subtracted the unnecessary noise while maintaining the sensitivity of their measurement and the integrity of their data.

With this technique, the millimeter wave sensor could detect all the information it needed without becoming drowned out by noise. This innovation powered the sensor's high accuracy rates.

Wang's chip is also simple to produce and features a unique design that greatly improves the energy efficiency of the millimeter wave sensor. These additional advancements may solve two of the most significant issues facing millimeter wave sensors: high energy consumption and limited performance of semiconductor transistors in terms of noise, gain and output power.

As the team continues to refine and iterate on their design, they are excited for researchers to experiment with it. Outside of their project, they think it has promise for detecting the structural integrity of buildings and improving virtual reality, but believe it has far more potential than they even realize.

More information: Hao Wang et al, A Highly Accurate and Sensitive mmWave Displacement-Sensing Doppler Radar With a Quadrature-Less Edge-Driven Phase Demodulator, IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits (2023). DOI: 10.1109/JSSC.2023.3266704 Journal information: IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A robot rushes down a busy hospital corridor dodging random foot traffic. With a subtle gesture from a care provider, the robot enters a room and hands over drugs to a waiting bedside nurse.

It may sound like a futuristic scenario, but an engineering professor at the University of Alberta, in collaboration with colleagues in psychology, is working to make it a reality within the next few years.

Ehsan Hashemi, with help from Dana Hayward and Kyle Mathewson in the Department of Psychology, is programming robots to work side by side with humans in dynamic work environments by responding to cues in body language.

Hashemi is already becoming well known for his work developing an artificial intelligence system for autonomous vehicles, but this time he's turning to expertise in a branch of experimental psychology called human interactive cognition to help robots interact more like humans.

"Humans are not always, or even often, rational beings  and predicting their complex behavior continues to elude researchers," says Hayward.

A better understanding of our interactionsgaze and gestures, focused attention, decision-making, language and memorycan help AI researchers predict "what an individual will do or say next," she says.

Imagine 10 or 20 robots swerving around human workers in a warehouse, moving heavy materials at high speed. One hurdle of current navigation technology is that robots tend to stop in dynamic environments, "because they have no prediction over the human movement or that of other robots," says Hashemi.

"We're looking at how humans interact with each other with minimum information exchanged."

Hashemi and Mathewson have developed headsets with EEG sensors that, when worn by human workers, will feed brain-wave data into their predictive modeling, along with measurements of eye movement and other body language. It's research that will move robots one step closer to interacting like human beings.

Intertwined from the start

Although the relationship between artificial intelligence and psychology seems like frontier science, it's one that has existed since the birth of AI. The neural networks first developed by originators of the technology in the 1950s were attempts to replicate the human brain.

Terms like "intelligence" and "deep learning" seem inseparable from our conception of human consciousness, with all of its strengths and potential failings. And as much as AI can help us understand more about human psychology and its disorders, psychology can also inform algorithms in ways that improve their functioningwhile giving them the power to be dangerously manipulative.

Research exploring both sides of that equationtapping our understanding of psychology to improve AI as well as interrogating its ethical, social and cultural implicationsis expanding rapidly at the U of A.

In addition to AI's much-hyped potential for making our lives better, there is also a growing fear that it could exploit psychology in ways that flaunt our attempts at control. That anxiety is reflected in the recent declaration by leading AI researchers warning of a risk of extinction on par with nuclear war and global pandemics. The letter cites the threat of rampant disinformation, discrimination and impersonation.

Professor Geoffrey Rockwell, an expert in the burgeoning field of digital humanities, acknowledges AI's deep roots in psychology, prompting an ongoing dialog between our understanding of the human brain and the development of machine learning.

"Ideas about the brain influenced new designs for AI, and then those new designs influenced our understanding of the brain," he says.

Far beyond replicating or even exceeding the human brain's computational capacity, today's AI is taking on characteristics associated with human consciousness and behavior, if not actual sentience. In a review published last year in Frontiers in Neuroscience, the authors found that the predominant direction of AI research is to "give computers human advanced cognitive abilities, so that computers can recognize emotions, understand human feelings, and eventually achieve dialog and empathy with humans and other artificial intelligence."

In other words, the rational thinking of "brain" is now accompanied by the perceptual thinking of "heart."

An empathetic companion for the lonely?

One example is a project led by U of A computing scientist Osmar Zaiane. With a growing number of seniors suffering from loneliness, he is exploring ways with colleagues in psychiatry to create an empathetic and emotionally intelligent chatbot companion.

"An elderly person can say, 'I'm tired,' or, 'It's beautiful outside,' or tell a story about their day and receive a response that keeps them engaged," Zaiane says.

"Loneliness leads to boredom and depression, which causes an overall deterioration in health. But studies show that companionshipa cat, a dog or other peoplehelps tremendously."

But Zaiane also insists on carefully placed ethical guardrails. The chatbot can't offer most advice, beyond perhaps suggesting a sweater if the user mentions being cold, and it refrains from offering opinions, limiting conversation to neutral topics such as nutrition, family and friends.

"The companion is relatively limited in what it can do," he says.

It's also designed to detect signs of depression and dementia, passing the information on to caregivers and health-care providers.

"If we detect anxiety and the possibility of self-harm, the bot might advise the person to call 811 or someone else for assistance." Anything beyond that, he argues, could be emotionally volatile and dangerous.

In the humanities, music professor Michael Frishkopf and his interdisciplinary research team are using machine learning to create music playlists and other soundscapes to reduce stress in intensive care patients.

High stress levels, and anxiety associated with delirium and sleep deprivation, are common in critically ill patients, often compromising recovery and survival, says Frishkopf. Using drugs to treat these conditions can be expensive, often with limited effectiveness and potentially serious side-effects.

Frishkopf's "smart" sound system reads physiological feedback such as heart rate, breathing and sweat-gland response to customize calming sounds for individual patients. An algorithm essentially assesses a patient's psychological state, responding with a personalized playlist of soothing sounds.

The sonic prescription might also be matched to an individual's demographic profile, including gender, age and geographical background.

"Maybe the sounds you heard as a child or your musical experience could have some special trigger for you," says Frishkopf.

A powerful diagnostic tool

Artificial intelligence is now also being used as a powerful tool for helping to diagnose mental disorders. By using AI to analyze brain scans, Sunil Kalmady Vasu, senior machine learning specialist in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, and his research team have found a way to assess the chances that relatives of those with schizophrenia will develop the disease.

First-degree relatives of patients have up to a 19 percent risk of developing schizophrenia during their lifetime, compared with the general population's risk of less than one percent.

Though the tool is not meant to replace diagnosis by a psychiatrist, says Kalmady Vasu, it does provide support for early diagnosis by helping to identify symptom clusters.

To help doctors diagnose depression, another U of A project goes beyond brain scans to include social factors in its data set.

"We don't have a clear picture of exactly where depression emerges, although researchers have made substantial progress in identifying its underpinnings," says project leader Bo Cao, an assistant professor in the U of A's Department of Psychiatry.

"We know there are genetic and brain components, but there could be other clinical, social and cognitive factors that can facilitate precision diagnosis."

Using data from the U.K. Biobank, a biomedical database containing genetic and health information for half a million people in the United Kingdom, the researchers will be able to access health records, brain scans, social determinants and personal factors for more than 8,000 individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

In computing science, researchers have successfully trained a machine learning model to identify people with post-traumatic stress disorder by analyzing their written textswith 80 percent accuracy.

Through a process called sentiment analysis, the model is fed a large quantity of data, such as a series of tweets, and categorizes them according to whether they express positive or negative thoughts.

"Text data is so ubiquitous; it's so available and you have so much of it," says psychiatry Ph.D. candidate and project lead Jeff Sawalha. "With this much data, the model is able to learn some of the intricate patterns that help differentiate people with a particular mental illness."

Exploring the ethical implications

The U of A also has no shortage of scholars in the humanities and social sciences paying close attention to the ethical and social implications of AI fast becoming an integral part of our lives.

Vern Glaser in the Alberta School of Business points out in a recent study that when AI fails, it does so "quite spectacularly. If you don't actively try to think through the value implications, it's going to end up creating bad outcomes."

He cites Microsoft's Tay as one example of bad outcomes. When the chatbot was introduced on Twitter in 2016, it was revoked within 24 hours after trolls taught it to spew racist language.

Another example is the "robodebt" scandal of 2015, when the Australian government used AI to identify overpayments of unemployment and disability benefits, in a sense removing any sense of empathy or human judgment from the equation. Its algorithm presumed every discrepancy reflected an overpayment and identified more than 734,000 overpayments worth two billion Australian dollars (C$1.8 billion).

The human consequences were dire.

Parliamentary reviews found "a fundamental lack of procedural fairness" and called the program "incredibly disempowering to those people who had been affected, causing significant emotional trauma, stress and shame," including at least two suicides.

"The idea was that by eliminating human judgment, which is shaped by biases and personal values, the automated program would make better, fairer and more rational decisions at much lower cost," he says.

To prevent such destructive scenarios, human values need to be programmed in from the start, says Glaser. For AI designers, he recommends strategically inserting human interventions into algorithmic decision-making, and creating evaluative systems that account for multiple values.

"We want to make sure we understand what's going on, so the AI doesn't manage us," he says. "It's important to keep the dark side in mind. If we can do that, it can be a force for social good."

For Rockwell, a more immediate problem than the prospect of human extinction is the exploitation of human psychology to influence people in sinister ways, such as election interference or scamming seniors out of their savings.

He cites the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which a British political consulting firm harvested the Facebook data of tens of millions of users to target those with psychological profiles most vulnerable to certain kinds of political propaganda.

The fear of such nefarious manipulation harks back to the alarm bell Marshall McLuhan sounded more than 50 years ago. McLuhan also warned that advertising could influence us in unconscious ways, says Rockwell.

"It turns out he was partly right, but advertising doesn't seem to work quite as well as people thought it would.

"I think we will also develop a certain level of immunity (to AI's manipulations), or we'll develop forms of digital literacy that prevent us from being scammed quite as easily as people worry we will be."

What we can't so easily resist, Rockwell argues, is the influence of human bias in AI's algorithms, given that it's a direct reflection of our historical, social and cultural conditioning.

"I don't think it's possible to eliminate bias from any data set, but we can be transparent about it," he says, by identifying, documenting and eliminating what we can.

"With data sets there has been this sort of land grab, where people just snarfed up data without asking permission, dealing with copyright or anything like that," he says.

Now that we know it's a problem, "we may see slower, more careful projects that try to improve the data."
Tu ngay 27/10, cac so ien thoai cua cac on vi thuoc Bo Thong tin va Truyen thong (gom: Van phong Bo, Cuc Bao chi, Cuc An toan thong tin, Cuc Vien thong, Cuc Tan ...
Woman arrested for third DWI

A College Station woman was arrested Saturday night for an alleged third DWI while an infant was present in the vehicle, according to the Texas A&M University Police Department.

Shirley Diane Smith, 61, was charged with driving while intoxicated with two prior convictions, police said.

At around 9:37 p.m., police said they saw a vehicle swerving back and forth while traveling west on University Drive. As the vehicle turned onto South College Avenue, officers said they pulled it over into the Hurricane Harrys parking lot.

The officer said they smelled a strong odor of alcohol from the vehicle and that Smith said she had been swerving because the infant in the back seat had been crying. At the time, however, the officer said that the infant was asleep.

After failing a field sobriety test, Smith was taken into custody and the infant was released to a family member.

Driving while intoxicated with two prior convictions is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Smith was released under a $8,000 bond Sunday, according to Brazos County Jail records.
Avantor (NYSE:AVTR  Free Report) had its target price increased by Barclays from $23.00 to $25.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the stock.

A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on AVTR. Evercore ISI cut shares of Avantor from an outperform rating to an inline rating and reduced their target price for the company from $22.00 to $21.00 in a report on Monday, July 31st. Raymond James reduced their target price on shares of Avantor from $28.00 to $25.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 31st. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Avantor from $27.00 to $24.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Sunday, July 30th. William Blair cut shares of Avantor from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Monday, July 31st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Avantor from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, July 31st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $25.93.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on AVTR

Avantor Stock Performance

Shares of AVTR stock opened at $21.08 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.61, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $21.36 and a 200 day moving average price of $20.77. The company has a market cap of $14.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.46, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.29. Avantor has a 12 month low of $17.91 and a 12 month high of $25.25.

Avantor (NYSE:AVTR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 28th. The company reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.29 by ($0.01). Avantor had a net margin of 5.89% and a return on equity of 17.00%. The company had revenue of $1.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.80 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.37 earnings per share. Avantors revenue was down 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Avantor will post 1.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CAO Steven W. Eck sold 7,577 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.64, for a total value of $156,389.28. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 28,187 shares in the company, valued at $581,779.68. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CAO Steven W. Eck sold 7,577 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.64, for a total transaction of $156,389.28. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 28,187 shares in the company, valued at $581,779.68. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Frederic Vanderhaegen sold 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.47, for a total transaction of $536,750.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 160,735 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,450,980.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Avantor

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. First Hawaiian Bank raised its stake in Avantor by 20.7% during the second quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 20,924 shares of the companys stock worth $430,000 after purchasing an additional 3,595 shares during the period. Leo Brokerage LLC acquired a new position in Avantor during the 1st quarter worth $839,000. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado boosted its holdings in shares of Avantor by 33.1% in the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado now owns 102,103 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,153,000 after buying an additional 25,391 shares during the period. Townsquare Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Avantor by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 60,816 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,283,000 after buying an additional 2,120 shares during the period. Finally, Commerce Bank bought a new stake in Avantor in the 1st quarter valued at about $205,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.04% of the companys stock.

Avantor Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Avantor, Inc engages in the provision of mission-critical products and services to customers in biopharma, healthcare, education and government, advanced technologies, and applied materials industries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The company offers materials and consumables, such as purity chemicals and reagents, lab products and supplies, formulated silicone materials, customized excipients, customized single-use assemblies, process chromatography resins and columns, analytical sample prep kits, education and microbiology products, clinical trial kits, peristaltic pumps, and fluid handling tips.

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Benedetti & Gucer Inc. raised its position in Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC  Free Report) by 11.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 15,037 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,500 shares during the period. Benedetti & Gucer Inc.s holdings in Bausch Health Companies were worth $120,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mach 1 Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in Bausch Health Companies in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $15,148,000. Steward Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bausch Health Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. Oakworth Capital Inc. raised its stake in shares of Bausch Health Companies by 22.9% during the 1st quarter. Oakworth Capital Inc. now owns 9,952 shares of the companys stock worth $81,000 after purchasing an additional 1,852 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its stake in shares of Bausch Health Companies by 58.3% during the 2nd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 10,057 shares of the companys stock worth $84,000 after purchasing an additional 3,703 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Bausch Health Companies by 24.2% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 10,763 shares of the companys stock worth $245,000 after purchasing an additional 2,100 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.56% of the companys stock.

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Bausch Health Companies Trading Down 0.2 %

BHC opened at $8.22 on Monday. Bausch Health Companies Inc. has a 1-year low of $5.57 and a 1-year high of $10.23. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $8.60 and its 200 day simple moving average is $7.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 74.20, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 1.12.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bausch Health Companies

Bausch Health Companies ( NYSE:BHC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The company reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.06. Bausch Health Companies had a positive return on equity of 411.18% and a negative net margin of 2.23%. The business had revenue of $2.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.04 billion. Equities research analysts expect that Bausch Health Companies Inc. will post 3.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other Bausch Health Companies news, EVP Seana Carson sold 6,685 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.28, for a total value of $55,351.80. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 385,213 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,189,563.64. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 7.30% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BHC has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Bausch Health Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $9.00 to $16.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 20th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Bausch Health Companies in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Bausch Health Companies from $8.00 to $9.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, July 24th. Finally, TD Cowen cut Bausch Health Companies from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, June 16th.

View Our Latest Analysis on Bausch Health Companies

Bausch Health Companies Profile

(Free Report)

Bausch Health Companies Inc operates as a diversified pharmaceutical company. It develops, manufactures, and markets a range of products primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neurology, dermatology, international pharmaceuticals, and eye health. The company operates through five segments: Salix, International, Solta Medical, Diversified, and Bausch + Lomb.

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Birchcreek Wealth Management LLC trimmed its stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 5.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,710 shares of the retailers stock after selling 106 shares during the quarter. Birchcreek Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Walmart were worth $269,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in WMT. Signature Wealth Management Group increased its stake in shares of Walmart by 1.9% in the second quarter. Signature Wealth Management Group now owns 3,436 shares of the retailers stock worth $540,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the period. Wealth Architects LLC increased its stake in shares of Walmart by 3.3% in the first quarter. Wealth Architects LLC now owns 2,076 shares of the retailers stock worth $306,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares during the period. Bluesphere Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Walmart by 3.5% in the first quarter. Bluesphere Advisors LLC now owns 2,003 shares of the retailers stock worth $295,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the period. Worth Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Walmart by 11.3% in the second quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC now owns 659 shares of the retailers stock worth $104,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the period. Finally, Glassman Wealth Services increased its stake in shares of Walmart by 1.5% in the first quarter. Glassman Wealth Services now owns 4,477 shares of the retailers stock worth $660,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the period. 33.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Walmart Price Performance

Walmart stock opened at $159.60 on Monday. Walmart Inc. has a 12-month low of $128.07 and a 12-month high of $165.85. The stock has a market cap of $429.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.76, a PEG ratio of 3.77 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $160.77 and a 200 day moving average price of $154.36. The company has a current ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Walmart ( NYSE:WMT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 17th. The retailer reported $1.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.69 by $0.15. Walmart had a net margin of 2.23% and a return on equity of 21.47%. The business had revenue of $161.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $160.22 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.77 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 6.44 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on WMT shares. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Walmart from $167.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 26th. Raymond James raised their price target on shares of Walmart from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 18th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Walmart from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 18th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of Walmart from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 18th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Walmart from $174.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 21st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $177.22.

View Our Latest Research Report on Walmart

Insider Buying and Selling at Walmart

In other Walmart news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $159.58, for a total transaction of $1,549,202.64. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,480,924 shares in the company, valued at $236,325,851.92. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP John R. Furner sold 4,375 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $159.24, for a total value of $696,675.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 277,868 shares in the company, valued at $44,247,700.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $159.58, for a total transaction of $1,549,202.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,480,924 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $236,325,851.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 30,166 shares of company stock worth $4,852,057 over the last three months. Insiders own 46.51% of the companys stock.

Walmart Company Profile

(Free Report)

Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, and other units worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com, walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, and samsclub.com; and mobile commerce applications.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WMT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report).

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Cosmos Group (OTCMKTS:COSG  Get Free Report) and Chesswood Group (OTCMKTS:CHWWF  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, risk, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and earnings.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

12.6% of Chesswood Group shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Cosmos Group and Chesswood Group, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Cosmos Group 0 0 0 0 N/A Chesswood Group 1 2 0 0 1.67

Profitability

Chesswood Group has a consensus target price of $10.60, indicating a potential upside of 107.00%. Given Chesswood Groups higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Chesswood Group is more favorable than Cosmos Group.

This table compares Cosmos Group and Chesswood Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Cosmos Group -238.83% -565.60% -92.51% Chesswood Group N/A N/A N/A

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Cosmos Group and Chesswood Groups revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Cosmos Group $20.20 million 0.17 -$104.12 million ($0.08) -0.09 Chesswood Group N/A N/A N/A $0.91 5.63

Chesswood Group has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Cosmos Group. Cosmos Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Chesswood Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Chesswood Group beats Cosmos Group on 7 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Cosmos Group

(Get Free Report)

Cosmos Group Holdings Inc. offers financial and money lending services in Hong Kong and internationally. It also operates online platform for the sale and distribution of arts and collectibles. In addition, the company offers unsecured personal loans and mortgage loans to private individuals. Cosmos Group Holdings Inc. is headquartered in Singapore.

About Chesswood Group

(Get Free Report)

Chesswood Group Limited, a financial services company, operates primarily in the specialty finance industry. The company offers micro and small-ticket commercial equipment financing to small and medium-sized businesses through a network equipment finance broker firms and equipment vendors in the United States; and commercial equipment financing to small and medium businesses through a network of equipment finance broker firms in Canada. It also provides home improvement and other consumer financing solutions. The company was formerly known as Chesswood Income Fund and changed its name to Chesswood Group Limited in January 2011. Chesswood Group Limited was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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Tower Bridge Advisors decreased its stake in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK  Free Report) by 10.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 16,162 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,982 shares during the period. Tower Bridge Advisors holdings in Duke Energy were worth $1,450,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC now owns 20,845 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,326,000 after buying an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Northwest Bancshares Inc. raised its position in Duke Energy by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Northwest Bancshares Inc. now owns 5,925 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $610,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. raised its position in Duke Energy by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 7,251 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $700,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Trust Investment Advisors raised its position in Duke Energy by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Trust Investment Advisors now owns 13,066 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,261,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Certified Advisory Corp raised its position in Duke Energy by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Certified Advisory Corp now owns 17,459 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,798,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.68% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently commented on DUK. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Duke Energy in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. They issued a neutral rating and a $99.00 price target for the company. Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $112.00 to $110.00 in a research report on Sunday, June 11th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $104.00 to $101.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th. Guggenheim cut their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $114.00 to $102.00 in a research report on Friday, July 7th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $96.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, September 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $100.17.

Duke Energy Stock Performance

Shares of DUK opened at $88.26 on Monday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $91.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of $93.17. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. The company has a market capitalization of $68.02 billion, a PE ratio of 49.31, a P/E/G ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.43. Duke Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $83.76 and a 52-week high of $106.43.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 8th. The utilities provider reported $0.91 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by ($0.07). The business had revenue of $6.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.16 billion. Duke Energy had a net margin of 5.06% and a return on equity of 8.05%. Duke Energys revenue was down 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.14 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 18th. Investors of record on Friday, August 18th were paid a $1.025 dividend. This represents a $4.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.65%. This is a boost from Duke Energys previous quarterly dividend of $1.01. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 17th. Duke Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 229.05%.

Duke Energy Profile

(Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I) and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest; and uses coal, hydroelectric, natural gas, oil, solar and wind sources, renewables, and nuclear fuel to generate electricity.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DUK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK  Free Report).

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Duncker Streett & Co. Inc. decreased its stake in shares of Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB  Free Report) (TSE:ENB) by 13.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,965 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 1,082 shares during the quarter. Duncker Streett & Co. Inc.s holdings in Enbridge were worth $259,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Csenge Advisory Group grew its position in Enbridge by 8.2% in the 1st quarter. Csenge Advisory Group now owns 8,561 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $326,000 after purchasing an additional 652 shares during the period. Brookfield Corp ON grew its position in Enbridge by 13.4% in the 1st quarter. Brookfield Corp ON now owns 1,835,962 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $70,042,000 after purchasing an additional 216,728 shares during the period. Avidian Wealth Solutions LLC grew its position in Enbridge by 48.2% in the 1st quarter. Avidian Wealth Solutions LLC now owns 11,056 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $422,000 after purchasing an additional 3,598 shares during the period. Kovack Advisors Inc. grew its position in Enbridge by 7.0% in the 1st quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 24,974 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $953,000 after purchasing an additional 1,634 shares during the period. Finally, CWM LLC grew its position in Enbridge by 32.8% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 41,067 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $1,567,000 after purchasing an additional 10,138 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 48.29% of the companys stock.

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Enbridge Trading Up 0.3 %

NYSE ENB opened at $33.30 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $70.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.71, a PEG ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.85. Enbridge Inc. has a one year low of $32.90 and a one year high of $42.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.55. The businesss fifty day moving average is $35.13 and its 200-day moving average is $36.83.

Enbridge Increases Dividend

Enbridge ( NYSE:ENB Get Free Report ) (TSE:ENB) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 4th. The pipeline company reported $0.51 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.51. Enbridge had a return on equity of 10.20% and a net margin of 8.58%. The company had revenue of $7.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.49 billion. Equities research analysts predict that Enbridge Inc. will post 2.11 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 15th were issued a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 14th. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.05%. This is a positive change from Enbridges previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. Enbridges dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 187.86%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on ENB shares. Credit Suisse Group reduced their price target on shares of Enbridge from $52.00 to $51.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, September 13th. CIBC raised their price objective on Enbridge from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an outperformer rating in a research note on Monday, September 11th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Enbridge in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on Enbridge from $65.00 to $60.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 7th. Finally, TD Securities dropped their price objective on Enbridge from $62.00 to $58.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 8th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $58.43.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ENB

Enbridge Company Profile

(Free Report)

Enbridge Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company. The company operates through five segments: Liquids Pipelines, Gas Transmission and Midstream, Gas Distribution and Storage, Renewable Power Generation, and Energy Services. The Liquids Pipelines segment operates pipelines and related terminals to transport various grades of crude oil and other liquid hydrocarbons in Canada and the United States.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Ecolab (NYSE:ECL  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Friday.

ECL has been the topic of several other research reports. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Ecolab from $208.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Berenberg Bank assumed coverage on Ecolab in a research report on Friday, September 1st. They issued a hold rating and a $180.00 price target on the stock. Mizuho restated a neutral rating and set a $194.00 price objective on shares of Ecolab in a report on Friday, September 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Ecolab from $186.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on shares of Ecolab from $170.00 to $195.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Ecolab presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $193.93.

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Ecolab Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of ECL stock opened at $169.40 on Friday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $180.66 and its 200 day simple moving average is $175.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 1.22. Ecolab has a twelve month low of $131.04 and a twelve month high of $191.41. The company has a market capitalization of $48.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.22, a PEG ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 1.01.

Ecolab (NYSE:ECL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 1st. The basic materials company reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.21 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $3.85 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.86 billion. Ecolab had a return on equity of 18.33% and a net margin of 7.96%. The firms revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.10 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Ecolab will post 5.09 EPS for the current year.

Ecolab Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 19th will be issued a dividend of $0.53 per share. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.25%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 18th. Ecolabs dividend payout ratio is 51.58%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director David Maclennan acquired 650 shares of Ecolab stock in a transaction on Monday, August 7th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $183.73 per share, with a total value of $119,424.50. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 15,071 shares in the company, valued at $2,768,994.83. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.04% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Toroso Investments LLC raised its holdings in Ecolab by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 17,037 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,820,000 after buying an additional 374 shares during the period. Wealthfront Advisers LLC raised its stake in shares of Ecolab by 184.7% in the 1st quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 31,989 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $5,295,000 after purchasing an additional 20,753 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Ecolab by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 16,100 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $2,665,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. raised its stake in shares of Ecolab by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 786,556 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $130,199,000 after purchasing an additional 14,653 shares during the period. Finally, Seven Eight Capital LP acquired a new stake in shares of Ecolab in the 4th quarter valued at about $421,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.91% of the companys stock.

Ecolab Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ecolab Inc provides water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Global Industrial, Global Institutional & Specialty, and Global Healthcare & Life Sciences segments. The Global Industrial segment offers water treatment and process applications, and cleaning and sanitizing solutions to manufacturing, food and beverage processing, transportation, chemical, metals and mining, power generation, pulp and paper, commercial laundry, petroleum, refining, and petrochemical industries.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Equity LifeStyle Properties (NYSE:ELS  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report released on Friday morning.

ELS has been the subject of a number of other reports. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of Equity LifeStyle Properties from $70.00 to $69.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective on shares of Equity LifeStyle Properties from $79.00 to $76.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of Equity LifeStyle Properties from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 25th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Equity LifeStyle Properties from $79.00 to $78.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut shares of Equity LifeStyle Properties from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $70.50 target price on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $74.08.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on ELS

Equity LifeStyle Properties Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of ELS opened at $63.71 on Friday. Equity LifeStyle Properties has a 1-year low of $56.91 and a 1-year high of $74.40. The company has a 50-day moving average of $67.56 and a 200 day moving average of $66.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.64, a PEG ratio of 4.57 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.03 and a quick ratio of 0.03.

Equity LifeStyle Properties (NYSE:ELS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 18th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.66 by ($0.32). The firm had revenue of $370.01 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $325.08 million. Equity LifeStyle Properties had a return on equity of 18.86% and a net margin of 19.53%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.64 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Equity LifeStyle Properties will post 2.85 EPS for the current year.

Equity LifeStyle Properties Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.447 per share. This represents a $1.79 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.81%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 28th. Equity LifeStyle Propertiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 116.99%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ELS. RB Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Equity LifeStyle Properties by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 7,109 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $544,000 after purchasing an additional 407 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates grew its holdings in shares of Equity LifeStyle Properties by 50.0% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 25,984 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,987,000 after purchasing an additional 8,658 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in Equity LifeStyle Properties by 67.0% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 36,421 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,820,000 after acquiring an additional 14,609 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Equity LifeStyle Properties in the 1st quarter worth approximately $590,000. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Equity LifeStyle Properties by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 10,102 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $773,000 after purchasing an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.55% of the companys stock.

Equity LifeStyle Properties Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

We are a self-administered, self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) with headquarters in Chicago. As of July 17, 2023, we own or have an interest in 450 properties in 35 states and British Columbia consisting of 171,706 sites.

Further Reading

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Global Retirement Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 11.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 110,663 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 11,735 shares during the quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $4,059,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of PFE. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its position in Pfizer by 98,197.9% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,948,438,709 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $71,468,732,000 after buying an additional 1,946,456,532 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 445,384,893 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $18,171,704,000 after acquiring an additional 2,516,132 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 9.8% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 218,931,933 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $8,932,423,000 after purchasing an additional 19,602,359 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in Pfizer by 89,592.7% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 161,143,638 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $8,257,000,000 after purchasing an additional 160,963,976 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Pfizer by 0.5% in the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 109,852,779 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $4,472,433,000 after purchasing an additional 577,201 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.05% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on PFE. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on Pfizer from $45.00 to $44.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Pfizer in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Credit Suisse Group cut shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price target for the company from $47.00 to $40.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 29th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $42.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, Truist Financial restated a buy rating and set a $62.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday, September 13th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Pfizer currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $46.35.

Pfizer Stock Performance

Shares of PFE stock opened at $33.17 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.82, a current ratio of 2.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $35.13 and a 200-day moving average price of $37.44. Pfizer Inc. has a 52 week low of $31.77 and a 52 week high of $54.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $187.28 billion, a PE ratio of 8.82, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.61.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $12.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.36 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 27.55% and a return on equity of 28.36%. The firms revenue was down 54.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.04 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.33 earnings per share for the current year.

Pfizer Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Gold Fields (NYSE:GFI  Free Report) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Friday.

Separately, Scotiabank cut their price target on shares of Gold Fields from $18.00 to $16.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Gold Fields presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $13.75.

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Gold Fields Stock Performance

Gold Fields Cuts Dividend

NYSE:GFI opened at $10.86 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.33, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Gold Fields has a twelve month low of $7.28 and a twelve month high of $17.78. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $12.77 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $14.01.

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 21st. Investors of record on Friday, September 8th were given a dividend of $0.1711 per share. This represents a yield of 4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 7th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Gold Fields

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its holdings in Gold Fields by 100.8% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,741 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 1,376 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc increased its position in Gold Fields by 900.0% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 1,800 shares during the period. Money Concepts Capital Corp acquired a new position in Gold Fields in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Chiron Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Gold Fields in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $68,000. Finally, CreativeOne Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Gold Fields in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $96,000. 20.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Gold Fields

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Gold Fields Limited operates as a gold producer with reserves and resources in Chile, South Africa, Ghana, West Africa, Australia, and Peru. The company also explores for copper deposits. It holds interests in nine operating mines, as well as gold mineral reserves and mineral resources. The company was founded in 1887 and is based in Sandton, South Africa.

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StockNews.com downgraded shares of Gorman-Rupp (NYSE:GRC  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Friday morning.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Northcoast Research started coverage on shares of Gorman-Rupp in a research note on Wednesday, September 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $40.00 price objective for the company. TheStreet upgraded shares of Gorman-Rupp from a c rating to a b- rating in a research note on Friday, July 28th.

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Gorman-Rupp Trading Down 0.5 %

GRC opened at $32.90 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 2.50 and a quick ratio of 1.30. Gorman-Rupp has a fifty-two week low of $22.67 and a fifty-two week high of $33.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $861.65 million, a PE ratio of 39.64, a P/E/G ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.83. The companys 50-day moving average is $31.60 and its 200 day moving average is $27.81.

Gorman-Rupp (NYSE:GRC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 28th. The industrial products company reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter. Gorman-Rupp had a net margin of 3.43% and a return on equity of 8.11%. The company had revenue of $171.02 million for the quarter. As a group, research analysts predict that Gorman-Rupp will post 1.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Gorman-Rupp Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 15th were issued a $0.175 dividend. This represents a $0.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.13%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 14th. Gorman-Rupps dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 84.34%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of GRC. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in Gorman-Rupp in the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Tompkins Financial Corp boosted its holdings in Gorman-Rupp by 500.0% in the 2nd quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp now owns 1,200 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new position in Gorman-Rupp in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. CoreCap Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Gorman-Rupp during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its holdings in shares of Gorman-Rupp by 61.0% during the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 1,327 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 503 shares during the last quarter. 60.32% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Gorman-Rupp

(Get Free Report)

The Gorman-Rupp Company designs, manufactures, and sells pumps and pump systems in the United States and internationally. The company's products include self-priming centrifugal, standard centrifugal, magnetic drive centrifugal, axial and mixed flow, vertical turbine line shaft, submersible, high-pressure booster, rotary gear, diaphragm, bellows, and oscillating pumps.

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Jabil (NYSE:JBL  Free Report) had its target price boosted by Barclays from $134.00 to $144.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the technology companys stock.

Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on JBL. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of Jabil from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 21st. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Jabil from $126.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 25th. VNET Group restated a maintains rating on shares of Jabil in a research report on Friday, June 16th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Jabil in a report on Friday, August 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Credit Suisse Group lifted their price target on shares of Jabil from $110.00 to $125.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Jabil presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $114.00.

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Jabil Stock Performance

Shares of JBL stock opened at $126.89 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.15, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00. The firms 50 day moving average is $108.87 and its 200 day moving average is $97.52. Jabil has a 12 month low of $55.36 and a 12 month high of $127.35.

Jabil (NYSE:JBL  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, September 28th. The technology company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.32 by $0.13. Jabil had a net margin of 2.36% and a return on equity of 38.02%. The business had revenue of $8.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.54 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.25 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Jabil will post 8.65 earnings per share for the current year.

Jabil Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 15th were issued a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 14th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.25%. Jabils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.33%.

Jabil declared that its board has approved a stock buyback program on Thursday, September 28th that authorizes the company to repurchase $2.50 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the technology company to reacquire up to 15.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Jabil news, Director Anousheh Ansari sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.61, for a total transaction of $325,830.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 38,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,127,180. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 2.75% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Jabil by 2.4% in the 2nd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 4,469 shares of the technology companys stock worth $482,000 after buying an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in Jabil by 19.8% in the 2nd quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 647 shares of the technology companys stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its stake in Jabil by 87.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 234 shares of the technology companys stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Huntington National Bank boosted its stake in Jabil by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 6,209 shares of the technology companys stock worth $670,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Forum Financial Management LP boosted its stake in Jabil by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 3,372 shares of the technology companys stock worth $364,000 after purchasing an additional 129 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.88% of the companys stock.

Jabil Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Jabil Inc provides manufacturing services and solutions worldwide. It operates in two segments, Electronics Manufacturing Services and Diversified Manufacturing Services. The company offers electronics design, production, and product management services; electronic circuit design services, such as application-specific integrated circuit design, firmware development, and rapid prototyping services; and designs plastic and metal enclosures that include the electro-mechanics, such as the printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA).

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Free Report) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note published on Friday.

Several other research firms also recently issued reports on JNJ. Credit Suisse Group boosted their price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, July 21st. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $165.00 to $175.00 in a report on Friday, July 21st. TheStreet upgraded shares of Johnson & Johnson from a c+ rating to a b+ rating in a report on Monday, August 21st. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $187.00 to $172.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 31st. Finally, Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $175.00 to $158.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 8th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $170.65.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson Stock Down 0.7 %

JNJ stock opened at $155.75 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. Johnson & Johnson has a 1 year low of $150.11 and a 1 year high of $181.04. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $165.97 and a 200 day simple moving average of $162.29. The firm has a market cap of $404.79 billion, a PE ratio of 31.53, a PEG ratio of 3.15 and a beta of 0.54.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The company reported $2.80 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.62 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $25.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.63 billion. Johnson & Johnson had a net margin of 13.35% and a return on equity of 36.72%. The businesss revenue was up 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.59 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Johnson & Johnson Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 28th were paid a $1.19 dividend. This represents a $4.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 25th. Johnson & Johnsons payout ratio is presently 96.36%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Johnson & Johnson

In other Johnson & Johnson news, VP Peter Fasolo sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.32, for a total value of $3,406,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 102,696 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,491,182.72. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, insider William Hait sold 14,698 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.00, for a total transaction of $2,528,056.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 87,747 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,092,484. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP Peter Fasolo sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.32, for a total transaction of $3,406,400.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 102,696 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,491,182.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Johnson & Johnson

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 201,491,567 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,231,193,000 after buying an additional 2,688,798 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 141,833,756 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,476,323,000 after buying an additional 1,568,633 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 90,144.4% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 54,386,720 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,607,414,000 after buying an additional 54,326,454 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 49,697,798 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,203,608,000 after buying an additional 990,298 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 12.0% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 42,224,521 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,458,962,000 after buying an additional 4,521,062 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 68.40% of the companys stock.

About Johnson & Johnson

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Johnson & Johnson, together with its subsidiaries, researches, develops, manufactures, and sells various products in the healthcare field worldwide. The company's Consumer Health segment provides skin health/beauty products under the AVEENO, CLEAN & CLEAR, DR. CI:LABO, NEUTROGENA, and OGX brands; baby care products under the JOHNSON'S and AVEENO Baby brands; oral care products under the LISTERINE brand; TYLENOL acetaminophen products; SUDAFED cold, flu, and allergy products; BENADRYL and ZYRTEC allergy products; MOTRIN IB ibuprofen products; NICORETTE smoking cessation products; and PEPCID acid reflux products.

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River Road Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Park Aerospace Corp. (NYSE:PKE  Free Report) by 2.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,185,887 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after buying an additional 29,814 shares during the period. River Road Asset Management LLC owned about 5.86% of Park Aerospace worth $16,365,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its position in shares of Park Aerospace by 447.9% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 7,764 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $107,000 after purchasing an additional 6,347 shares in the last quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System acquired a new position in shares of Park Aerospace during the first quarter worth $198,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in Park Aerospace by 47.8% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 16,391 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $221,000 after acquiring an additional 5,299 shares in the last quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP raised its holdings in Park Aerospace by 2,118.1% in the first quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 257,672 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $3,466,000 after acquiring an additional 246,055 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new stake in Park Aerospace in the first quarter valued at $3,190,000. 77.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Park Aerospace in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They set a buy rating for the company.

Park Aerospace Stock Performance

Park Aerospace stock opened at $15.53 on Monday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $14.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $13.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $314.48 million, a P/E ratio of 29.87 and a beta of 0.51. Park Aerospace Corp. has a one year low of $10.08 and a one year high of $16.92.

Park Aerospace (NYSE:PKE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 6th. The semiconductor company reported $0.12 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $15.55 million during the quarter. Park Aerospace had a net margin of 18.79% and a return on equity of 6.95%.

Park Aerospace Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, October 2nd will be issued a $0.125 dividend. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 29th. Park Aerospaces payout ratio is currently 96.16%.

About Park Aerospace

(Free Report)

Park Aerospace Corp., an aerospace company, develops and manufactures solution and hot-melt advanced composite materials used to produce composite structures for the aerospace market in North America, Asia, and Europe. It offers advanced composite materials, including film adhesives and lightning strike protection materials that are used to produce primary and secondary structures for jet engines, large and regional transport aircrafts, military aircrafts, unmanned aerial vehicles, business jets, general aviation aircrafts, and rotary wing aircrafts.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PKE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Park Aerospace Corp. (NYSE:PKE  Free Report).

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DAVENPORT & Co LLC boosted its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 0.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 396,418 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,623 shares during the period. DAVENPORT & Co LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $14,536,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Front Street Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Pfizer by 4.3% in the first quarter. Front Street Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,168 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $268,000 after buying an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. Madison Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of Pfizer by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Madison Wealth Management now owns 42,810 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,747,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. Cliftonlarsonallen Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Pfizer by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Cliftonlarsonallen Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 19,844 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $810,000 after purchasing an additional 263 shares in the last quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Pfizer by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. now owns 17,886 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $730,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Opal Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Pfizer by 2.9% during the first quarter. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 9,890 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $404,000 after acquiring an additional 278 shares during the last quarter. 68.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Pfizer Trading Up 3.4 %

NYSE PFE opened at $33.17 on Monday. Pfizer Inc. has a one year low of $31.77 and a one year high of $54.93. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $35.13 and a 200-day simple moving average of $37.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.82 and a current ratio of 2.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $187.28 billion, a PE ratio of 8.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.61.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $12.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.36 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 27.55% and a return on equity of 28.36%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 54.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.04 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.33 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on PFE. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Pfizer from $40.00 to $38.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 11th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Pfizer from $42.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on shares of Pfizer from $45.00 to $44.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $75.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a report on Monday, September 18th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Pfizer from $45.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 17th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $46.35.

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About Pfizer

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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StockNews.com cut shares of Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report sent to investors on Sunday.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on POR. Barclays assumed coverage on shares of Portland General Electric in a report on Wednesday, August 23rd. They issued an equal weight rating and a $43.00 target price for the company. UBS Group began coverage on Portland General Electric in a research report on Tuesday, August 22nd. They issued a neutral rating and a $46.00 target price on the stock. Mizuho lowered their price target on Portland General Electric from $44.00 to $42.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Bank of America cut their price objective on Portland General Electric from $56.00 to $52.00 in a report on Thursday, June 22nd. Finally, Guggenheim upgraded shares of Portland General Electric from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $48.00 price target on the stock in a report on Friday, August 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $48.88.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on POR

Portland General Electric Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE POR opened at $40.48 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $4.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.52 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 0.89. Portland General Electric has a 1 year low of $40.27 and a 1 year high of $51.58. The firms 50 day moving average price is $44.79 and its 200 day moving average price is $47.43.

Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 28th. The utilities provider reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.49 by ($0.05). The business had revenue of $648.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $571.82 million. Portland General Electric had a return on equity of 8.03% and a net margin of 7.82%. Portland General Electrics revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.72 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Portland General Electric will post 2.67 earnings per share for the current year.

Portland General Electric Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 25th will be paid a $0.475 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 22nd. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.69%. Portland General Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 79.17%.

Insider Activity at Portland General Electric

In other Portland General Electric news, VP Anne Frances Mersereau sold 10,891 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, August 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.16, for a total value of $480,946.56. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 7,071 shares in the company, valued at approximately $312,255.36. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.51% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Portland General Electric

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of POR. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Portland General Electric in the first quarter worth about $36,000. IMA Wealth Inc. grew its position in shares of Portland General Electric by 100.0% in the 2nd quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 786 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 393 shares in the last quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Portland General Electric in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $39,000. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Portland General Electric during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its stake in Portland General Electric by 150.9% during the first quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 946 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 569 shares during the last quarter.

About Portland General Electric

(Get Free Report)

Portland General Electric Company, an integrated electric utility company, engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. It operates six thermal plants, three wind farms, and seven hydroelectric facilities. As of December 31, 2022, the company owned an electric transmission system consisting of 1,255 circuit miles, including 269 circuit miles of 500 kilovolt line, 413 circuit miles of 230 kilovolt line, and 573 miles of 115 kilovolt line; and served 926 thousand retail customers in 51 cities.

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River Road Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 178,662 shares of the transportation companys stock, valued at approximately $8,494,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DAL. Pacifica Partners Inc. boosted its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 117.6% in the first quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 740 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its stake in Delta Air Lines by 1,136.7% in the 1st quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 742 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 682 shares in the last quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new stake in Delta Air Lines during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC purchased a new position in Delta Air Lines during the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Carmel Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines in the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. 71.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Delta Air Lines

In other news, Director Michael P. Huerta sold 3,350 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.43, for a total transaction of $162,240.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 27,465 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,330,129.95. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other Delta Air Lines news, Director Michael P. Huerta sold 3,350 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.43, for a total value of $162,240.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 27,465 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,330,129.95. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Peter W. Carter sold 17,944 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.00, for a total value of $807,480.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 166,192 shares in the company, valued at $7,478,640. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 40,479 shares of company stock valued at $1,839,353 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Delta Air Lines Stock Up 0.1 %

DAL stock opened at $37.05 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a 50-day moving average of $42.13 and a two-hundred day moving average of $39.60. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a 52-week low of $27.20 and a 52-week high of $49.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24, a current ratio of 0.46 and a quick ratio of 0.41.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 13th. The transportation company reported $2.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.40 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $15.58 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.44 billion. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 59.56% and a net margin of 5.36%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 12.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.44 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 6.29 EPS for the current year.

Delta Air Lines Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, October 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.08%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 11th. Delta Air Liness payout ratio is currently 8.62%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on DAL shares. Susquehanna raised their price target on shares of Delta Air Lines from $45.00 to $54.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Delta Air Lines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 26th. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $62.00 to $61.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, September 26th. TheStreet upgraded Delta Air Lines from a c rating to a b rating in a research note on Thursday, July 13th. Finally, Wolfe Research upped their target price on Delta Air Lines from $51.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $56.94.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Delta Air Lines

About Delta Air Lines

(Free Report)

Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and Seoul-Incheon.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of RPT Realty (NYSE:RPT  Free Report) in a research report released on Sunday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of RPT Realty from $9.50 to $11.50 in a report on Thursday, July 20th. Raymond James downgraded shares of RPT Realty from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, August 28th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $11.38.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on RPT Realty

RPT Realty Trading Down 0.1 %

RPT Realty Dividend Announcement

RPT opened at $10.56 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.39. RPT Realty has a fifty-two week low of $7.47 and a fifty-two week high of $11.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $916.27 million, a PE ratio of 14.47, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 1.63. The companys 50-day moving average is $10.70 and its 200 day moving average is $10.01.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 20th will be given a $0.14 dividend. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.30%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 19th. RPT Realtys payout ratio is 76.71%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of RPT. Raymond James & Associates purchased a new stake in RPT Realty in the 1st quarter worth approximately $160,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of RPT Realty by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,179,937 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $16,247,000 after buying an additional 37,357 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in shares of RPT Realty by 53.4% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 101,295 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,411,000 after buying an additional 35,276 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of RPT Realty by 55.4% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 44,944 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $619,000 after buying an additional 16,026 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in shares of RPT Realty by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 255,921 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,524,000 after buying an additional 3,509 shares in the last quarter. 93.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About RPT Realty

(Get Free Report)

RPT Realty owns and operates a national portfolio of open-air shopping destinations principally located in top U.S. markets. The Company's shopping centers offer diverse, locally-curated consumer experiences that reflect the lifestyles of their surrounding communities and meet the modern expectations of the Company's retail partners.

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Sendero Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 15,388 shares of the airlines stock, valued at approximately $557,000.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. CoreCap Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC raised its position in shares of Southwest Airlines by 247.5% in the 1st quarter. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC now owns 702 shares of the airlines stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the period. Pacific Center for Financial Services purchased a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 1st quarter worth $33,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 4th quarter worth $38,000. Finally, ICA Group Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 4th quarter worth $42,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.22% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

LUV has been the topic of several research reports. Bank of America lowered Southwest Airlines from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the stock from $45.00 to $35.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Southwest Airlines from a buy rating to a hold rating and lowered their price target for the company from $52.00 to $38.00 in a report on Friday, July 28th. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Southwest Airlines from $42.00 to $38.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 28th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Southwest Airlines in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, BNP Paribas downgraded Southwest Airlines from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $34.00 price target for the company. in a report on Wednesday, September 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Southwest Airlines currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $36.49.

Southwest Airlines Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of Southwest Airlines stock opened at $27.00 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $16.08 billion, a PE ratio of 30.76, a P/E/G ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.19. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 1-year low of $26.46 and a 1-year high of $40.38. The business has a 50-day moving average of $31.28 and a 200-day moving average of $31.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.19.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The airline reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.08 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $7.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.98 billion. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 5.81% and a net margin of 2.31%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.30 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 1.96 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 27th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 6th were paid a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 5th. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.67%. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 81.82%.

Southwest Airlines Company Profile

(Free Report)

Southwest Airlines Co operates as a passenger airline company that provide scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2022, the company operated a total fleet of 770 Boeing 737 aircrafts; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.

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Shares of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of Hold from the thirteen ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have assigned a hold recommendation, five have issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $73.27.

SO has been the topic of several research reports. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Southern from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Southern from $67.00 to $69.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, September 21st. Guggenheim lowered their price target on shares of Southern from $79.00 to $77.00 in a research report on Friday, July 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Southern from a buy rating to a conviction-buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 3rd. Finally, Bank of America raised shares of Southern from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price target for the company from $67.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 13th.

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Southern Stock Down 0.5 %

SO opened at $64.72 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. The stock has a market cap of $70.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.87, a PEG ratio of 4.49 and a beta of 0.53. Southern has a twelve month low of $58.85 and a twelve month high of $75.80. The companys 50-day moving average price is $68.94 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $70.34.

Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $5.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.47 billion. Southern had a net margin of 11.17% and a return on equity of 9.86%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 20.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.07 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that Southern will post 3.6 earnings per share for the current year.

Southern Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 21st were issued a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 18th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.33%. Southerns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 98.94%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Kimberly S. Greene sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.62, for a total value of $1,452,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 98,659 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,164,616.58. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Martin Bernard Davis sold 1,490 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.05, for a total value of $99,904.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 72,756 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,878,289.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Kimberly S. Greene sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.62, for a total transaction of $1,452,400.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 98,659 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,164,616.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 41,490 shares of company stock worth $2,934,355. 0.37% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Southern

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Southern during the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. MRP Capital Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Southern in the first quarter worth approximately $30,000. Intrepid Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Southern in the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. purchased a new position in shares of Southern in the second quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Southern in the second quarter worth approximately $35,000. 62.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Southern Company Profile

(Get Free Report

The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It operates through three segments: Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations.

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United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS  Free Report) had its price objective trimmed by Susquehanna from $173.00 to $160.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the transportation companys stock.

UPS has been the subject of several other research reports. Stephens restated an equal weight rating and issued a $195.00 target price on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Tuesday, September 12th. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $180.00 to $175.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Credit Suisse Group decreased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $204.00 to $194.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. Loop Capital cut shares of United Parcel Service from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $210.00 to $195.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $200.00 to $180.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 12th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have issued a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $185.11.

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Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on UPS

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of United Parcel Service stock opened at $155.87 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $133.18 billion, a PE ratio of 13.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.09. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $169.36 and its 200-day simple moving average is $176.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.32. United Parcel Service has a 1 year low of $150.54 and a 1 year high of $197.80.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 8th. The transportation company reported $2.54 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.49 by $0.05. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 10.41% and a return on equity of 51.28%. The business had revenue of $22.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.04 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.29 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that United Parcel Service will post 9.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 14th were paid a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 11th. This represents a $6.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.16%. United Parcel Services dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 56.20%.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In other news, insider Nando Cesarone sold 22,825 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $171.70, for a total transaction of $3,919,052.50. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 1 shares in the company, valued at approximately $171.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.12% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UPS. Pacific Center for Financial Services acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. IMA Wealth Inc. increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 100.0% during the second quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 142 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the period. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 216.0% during the second quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 158 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the period. 58.45% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States.

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A California man allegedly defrauded dozens of investors in a multi-million dollar real estate Ponzi scheme based in Nebraska, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit.

Jon Patrick Kubler, 51, of Redondo Beach, California, and five Nebraska-based companies that he owns and controls are named in a 42-page civil lawsuit filed in federal court earlier this month and unsealed on Monday. Between 2019 and 2021, Kubler is accused of raising $5.6 million from at least 56 investors for purported commercial real estate investments whilst investing less than 4% of the money he received.

"In classic Ponzi scheme fashion, (Kubler) used approximately $3.7 million of new investments to pay principal or profits owed to old investors," the lawsuit reads. "During the Ponzi scheme, the Kubler Companies' bank account balances were often very low. When new investments came in, Kubler would typically deposit the new investor money into these bank accounts, and then ... use the new investor funds to make Ponzi payments to old investors."

According to the lawsuit:

Kubler began raising money for legitimate investments before the scheme turned fraudulent. He founded a company called Aksarben Evolution in 2009 with the intent of raising money to invest in companies that develop and operate commercial real estate in Aksarben Village.

The endeavor was a success: By 2012, Kubler had raised approximately $7 million from 130 investors. These investors were told that their funds would be used to invest in three other companies that would develop, own, lease and operate commercial businesses in Aksarben Village.

These funds were invested, according to the lawsuit, but failed to generate sufficient returns. By the end of 2013, Aksarben Evolution had just one remaining investment of 50% equity in an unnamed real estate company. Aksarben Evolution began selling that equity interest in 2016 and, by 2018, no longer had any interest in the company.

"By no later than 2019, (Aksarben Evolutions) no longer owned any investment or business assets, and produced no income," the lawsuit reads. "(Aksarben Evolutions) still had approximately 120 investors from the initial 2009 to 2012 offering and owed these investors millions of dollars."

Despite having no assets, Kubler allegedly continued to raise more than $2 million from investors through Aksarben Evolution between 2019 and 2021. None of this money was actually invested, according to the lawsuit. Instead, it was used to make Ponzi payments to earlier investors to make it appear as if they were receiving returns on their investments.

In total, according to the lawsuit, Kubler and his associated companies owe more than $4.7 million to about 90 investors who invested money in Aksarben Evolution. He allegedly owes additional millions to people who invested in his other companies.

Kubler is additionally accused of misappropriating at least $1 million of investor funds for his own benefit by transferring the funds to his other companies to make Ponzi payments and using them to pay for his personal expenses.

A preliminary injunction barring Kubler from selling securities and freezing his assets, including 31 bank accounts, was granted by Nebraska U.S. District Court Chief Judge Robert Rossiter on Thursday. He was also ordered to disclose detailed information about investors and investments made since 2016.

The defendants disagree with the SECs characterization of these transactions and are prepared to defend against these claims, Kublers attorney Kristopher Covi said.

Kubler will submit an answer to the accusations in mid-October.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
Top Ben Tre province leader removed from Party positions for dishonest declaration of assets

By Thai Ha Mon, October 2, 2023 | 11:04 pm GTM+7

Party Central Committee member and Secretary of Ben Tre province's Party Committee Le Duc Tho has been expelled from all Party positions for his dishonest declaration of assets.

The decision to discipline Tho was made at the eighth plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee that opened in Hanoi on Monday, according to a release.

Le Duc Tho at a conference in May 2023. Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency.

In early September, after considering a proposal from the Central Inspection Committee, the Politburo - the Party's premium decision-making body - and the Party Central Committee's Secretariat concluded that Tho had seriously violated the Party's regulations and the State's laws, breached Party members' code of conduct, and failed to set a good example by falsely declaring the origins and fluctuations of his assets.

Tho's violations were "systematic, lasting for many years". They caused very serious consequences and public frustration, affecting the Party's reputation, according to the release. Therefore, the Politburo proposed the Party Central Committee consider disciplining Tho.

Tho, 53, has a doctorate in economic management. He used to be deputy general director of state-run Vietinbank; chief of the State Bank of Vietnam Office; board member cum general director of Vietinbank, and chairman of the bank.

He was secretary of the Ben Tre Party Committee from July 2021.
Container shipping firm Viconship raises funds for port acquisition, hotel construction

By My Ha, Huu Binh Mon, October 2, 2023 | 3:07 pm GTM+7

The Vietnam Container Shipping Joint Stock Corporation (Viconship) is mobilizing capital from a share issuance to finance the acquisition of Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port and build the Hyatt Place Hai Phong Hotel in the northern city of Hai Phong.

Viconship, listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) as VSC, plans to offer 133.4 million shares to existing shareholders with a ratio 1:1 (one existing share for a new one). If the share issuance is completed in 2024, the companys charter capital is expected to double to VND2.67 trillion ($109.85 million).

If existing shareholders do not buy all the above shares, the board of directors will redistribute the remainder to investors at a price of VND10,000 ($0.41) per share. The redistributed shares will be restricted from transfer for one year.

Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port in Hai Phong city, northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Gemadept Corporation.

Through the share issuance, Viconship wants to mobilize VND1.33 trillion ($54.88 million) to acquire a 44% stake in Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port Company Limited (VND1.32 trillion) and additional working capital (VND14 billion or $575,000).

Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port was built in 2012 as a joint venture between Gemadept Corporation (HoSE: GMD) and Vietnam Petroleum Transport JSC (Vipco). The port had a total investment of VND1 trillion ($41.15 million) with a capacity of 500,000 TEUs per year. At the end of 2013, Gemadept increased its stake in the port from 54.66% to 84.66%.

In the second quarter of 2023, Gemadept completed the sale of its entire 84.66% stake to Viconship and its partners. In the first half of the year, Gemadept recorded a profit of over VND1.87 trillion ($76.94 million) from its financial activities, mainly the transfer of Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port.

Viconship said it holds 35% of the port's charter capital. The company will receive the transfer of an additional 44% from Huy Hoang Import-Export Metal Trading Company Limited and Doan Huy Investment and Trading Company Limited for VND1.32 trillion ($54.3 million). The deal will leave Viconship with a stake of 79%.

Viconship already owns the Green and VIP Green ports in Hai Phong. According to DSC Securities, after the acquisition, Viconship will have the largest total capacity in the city with about 2.6 million TEUs, an increase of 36% over the same period last year.

In 2022, the corporation successfully acquired Quang Binh-Dinh Vu Inland Container Depot from Quang Binh Import and Export JSC (HoSE: QBS). The 26-hectare port, which was built at a cost of $432 billion, was the first of its kind in Hai Phong and one of the largest dry ports in northern Vietnam.

Viconship also revealed that it has borrowed VND700 billion ($28.8 million) from its subsidiaries to implement the Hyatt Place Hai Phong Hotel project, together with T&D Group, a firm based in the port city.

The four-star Hyatt Place Hai Phong Hotel is located in the heart of Hai Phong city, featuring two towers with 17 and 25 floors.

Falling profits, increasing debt burden

In the first half of 2023, Viconship recorded revenue of VND998 billion ($41 million), similar to 2022. Its gross profit margin decreased from 35% to 28.6% as some ships had to anchor at other companies ports due to scheduling conflicts.

With increasing interest, management and sales costs, the after-tax profit of the parent company as a shareholder sharply fell to VND49 billion ($2 million), equal to 27% of the figure in the same period last year.

At the end of 2022, the business reported VND208 billion ($8.56 million) in short-term loans and VND700 billion ($28.8 million) in long-term loans. In the first half of this year, its short-term and long-term loans increased to VND239 billion ($9.83 million) and VND1.45 trillion ($59.5 million), respectively, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 53%.

On the stock market, VSC closed the Friday session at VND28,700 ($1.18) per share.
Hai Phong free trade area development a new, visionary direction: minister

By Do Hoang, Huu Binh Mon, October 2, 2023 | 11:39 am GTM+7

Hai Phong citys plan to build the South Hai Phong Economic Zone with a free trade area as its nucleus reflects a new, bold and visionary direction, said Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung.

At a Saturday ceremony to mark the 30th founding anniversary of the Hai Phong Economic Zone, he said that the Ministry of Planning and Investment will coordinate with relevant units to study, evaluate and appraise the scheme, and then submit it to the Prime Minister for approval.

In order to realize the goal of turning Hai Phong into a marine economic hub in Vietnam, Southeast Asia and the world, the Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority (Heza) should focus on the development of new industrial park (IP) and economic zone (EZ) models, especially ecological and green IPs, he said.

Technology and innovation zones also need to be formed, he added.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung speaks at the ceremony marking the 30th founding anniversary of the Hai Phong Economic Zone in Hai Phong city, northern Vietnam, September 30, 2023. Photo by The Investor/Do Hoang.

Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Le Tien Chau assessed that the development of EZs and IPs has contributed to gradually developing Hai Phong into a leading city in Vietnam in terms of industrialization and modernization, as well as a driving force for the development of the northern region and the whole country.

Heza must serve as the backbone in Hai Phong's economic restructuring based on three main pillars: high-tech industry, seaport - logistics, and tourism - trade, he stressed.

According to Le Trung Kien, head of Heza, after 30 years of construction and development, industrial parks and economic zones in the city have created a driving force for socio-economic development, turning Hai Phong into a development engine in the northern region.

In Hai Phong, sea-based industrial urban areas, high-tech industrial centers, and international-class logistics and seaport systems have been built, he said.

The Prime Minister decided to establish the Hai Phong Export Processing Zone (now Do Son Industrial Park) in 1993 and the Dinh Vu-Cat Hai Economic Zone in 2008.

To date, the city has set up 14 industrial parks with a total area of more than 6,000 hectares and an occupancy rate of over 61%. The 22,540-hectare Dinh Vu-Cat Hai EZ has been synchronously invested, housing industrial parks, urban areas, and trade-seaport-logistics centers of international stature.

The local EZs and IPs have so far attracted nearly 800 investment projects, including 503 FDI projects with total investment capital of $25 billion, ranking Hai Phong sixth nationwide and second in the North in terms of investment attraction.

Since 2020, Hai Phong's investment attraction has increased sharply, estimated at $11 billion by the end of 2022. In the first nine months of 2023, the city lured nearly $3 billion, exceeding the yearly plan.



The South Hai Phong Economic Zone, the second of its kind in Hai Phong, is expected to cover about 20,000 hectares in the districts of Do Son, Kien Thuy, An Lao, Tien Lang and Vinh Bao.

It will house important infrastructure projects including Tien Lang airport, Nam Do Son port, and two logistics centers in Kien Thuy and Tien Lang, along with a port system along the Van Uc river, said Le Trung Kien, head of the management board.
BAMBERG  A Bamberg utility provider on Wednesday celebrated its receipt of $12.7 million in federal funding for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements.

The Bamberg Board of Public Works received $12.7 million in grant funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The money was distributed through the S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority as part of the S.C. Infrastructure Investment Program.

A celebratory event was held at the BPW headquarters on Main Highway.

The money includes an $8.5 million community impact grant for the Hunters Chapel Road, Family Circle water line extension; Bridge Street sewer system upgrades and the modernization of the city's wastewater treatment facility. The Lower Savannah Council of Governments helped write the grant.

About half of the $8.5 million grant will go toward a county water line, giving about 75 county homes access to a public water source.

The project area for the water line extension is located outside the southeastern Bamberg city limits and includes Hunters Chapel Road to its intersection with Crosswinds Road, as well as Family Circle Drive.

Bamberg County Councilman Larry Haynes said he started working on the project in 2010, but discussions about the need for water improvements go back two decades.

We walked from Springfield Boulevard all the way back down to 362, all the way back to town talking to the people, Haynes said. People would say, Come in and look at our showers and our showers are black.

Residents in the area have complained about smelly brown water that stained their clothing and damaged appliances. Many residents tested their well water and discovered high levels of iron.

They are very, very appreciative of having this project to come through, Haynes said. They will have clean water and they will be able to wash their clothes without coming to town, getting their clothes washed.

The water lines will be constructed within existing right-of-ways, and changes include upsizing four-inch water lines to six inches. Fire hydrants will be spaced along the length of the area as part of the distribution system.

We did some preliminary engineering about ten years ago to look at adding water out there, but of course a $5 million project ... it was just a hard thing to do without the infrastructure and the money to get there, BPW Compliance Director Camden Kittrell said.

Construction on the water line project is expected to begin in 2025.

In addition to improving water quality, the new lines will also help increase water pressure to allow for better fire protection, which in turn will mean better home insurance rates for residents.

Bridge Street sewer upgrades

The grant money will also go toward sewer system upgrades on Bridge Street.

Kittrell said the sewer upgrades are the second phase of a project that began five years ago on Pine Street. The project wasnt completed at that time due to lack of funding.

We are going to hit that one first and we are going to hit the ground running, Kittrell said.

The Bridge Street sewer improvements will include new pipes, line extensions and better flow rates to the city's wastewater plant.

The project will be put out to bid in a couple of months.

Kittrell said the town has to contend with rainwater seeping into the wastewater system. He said the upgrades will hopefully mean a cost savings for wastewater users.

Wastewater treatment plant

Finally, the town's wastewater treatment facility will be modernized.

We have some immediate needs at our wastewater facility, Kittrell said, noting the upgrades to the wastewater facility will ensure it is viable decades into the future.

Kittrell said the modernization of the wastewater treatment plant will entail the placement of a new, 24-inch gravity sewer line; replacing the current manual bar screen with a mechanical bar screen; the replacement of the grit collector; and the expansion of the chlorine contact chamber and effluent flow meter.

The project will be put out for bid by the end of the first quarter in 2024 with completion in 2025.

Kittrell said thanks to the grant, customers will not have to contend with wastewater rate increases to pay for modernizing the system.

BPW and Orangeburg DPU

The other $4.2 million grant will be used to connect the water system with the Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities.

In August of this year, DPU announced it would enter into an agreement with the Bamberg utility with the aim of improving water services for BPW customers.

The agreement will allow a connection between the BPW water system near U.S. Highway 301 and Richard Carroll Elementary School and DPU's water system near U.S. Highway 301 and Slab Landing Road.

The connection will provide Bamberg with an emergency source of water, according to the agreement.

The project includes tapping into an existing 12-inch water line at Slab Landing Road and then running about 12,440 linear feet of line along U.S. 301 South. The line will go under the South Fork of the Edisto River near Bobcat Landing, then run an additional 9,890 linear feet to connect to a 12-inch water main in front of Richard Carroll Elementary School.

DPU Water Division Director Eric Odom said the two utilities have had many discussions about connecting the water systems over the past couple of decades, with questions about funding at the forefront.

Odom thanked the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority for choosing the project for funding out of many applications submitted.

DPU will be responsible for paying a $375,000 impact fee for the project while BPW will be responsible for about $145,000. BPW will oversee the project.

Engineering work for the project has been completed, with surveying expected to begin in the near future, Odom said.

Construction is targeted to begin the first quarter of 2025, with completion by the second quarter of 2026, Kittrell said.

Odom said DPU's water system master plan included BPW and serving the city of Bamberg.

We look forward to partnering with you guys going forward, especially on this project, Odom said.

Kittrell thanked DPU for introducing the project to Bamberg.

I think it will make Bamberg viable for a long, long time, Kittrell said.

BPW General Manager Gregg Griffin said the utility has had a long-standing and reliable relationship with DPU over the years.

The SCIIP grant process has now blessed us with a very, very unique opportunity to draw even closer to our neighbor, Griffin said. The success of any community's business development efforts is reflected in the infrastructure capacity of a local utility and levering its strength with the efforts of both the city and the county.

Funding praised

Bamberg County Administrator Joey Preston praised the partnerships that made the funding possible.

We are not rich enough to do it on our own, Preston said. We have to have that assistance. We could not build that water line unless we had that assistance.

BPW Board Commissioner Buzzy Bunch said, It is a big deal here with the SCIIP grant. He expressed his thanks to all those who helped make the grant possible.

This is just a great day in Bamberg to get this grant, Bamberg Mayor Nancy Foster said. It is really exciting. I am happy to be a part of it. The Board of Public Works is really Bamberg's jewel. Im so happy to have you and what you all do. I don't know where the city would be with them.

This opportunity that we have now with these grants probably will not come back around, Kittrell said, stressing the importance of taking advantage of the opportunity at the current time.

Kittrell said the town was aggressive in the grant process and did not think it would get the grant money, as there was only a limited amount of funding available.

Kittrell thanked the LSCOG, engineering company Brown and Caldwell, and the SouthernCarolina Alliance for their partnership in making the grants possible.
An Orangeburg doctor and his medical practice have agreed to pay $585,540 to resolve allegations that they received illegal kickbacks in return for referring patients for laboratory testing, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Dr. Moustafa Moustafa and his medical practice, S.C. Nephrology and Hypertension Center Inc. of Orangeburg and Bamberg, have agreed to cooperate with the Justice Department's investigations of other participants in the alleged kickback schemes, the release said.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

Moustafas attorney, M. Rhett DeHart, said, As the settlement agreement explicitly stated, Dr. Moustafa did not admit any liability.

This settlement was made to end the cost and distraction of litigation, so he can go back to doing what he does best  practicing medicine.

The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration for referrals of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and other federally funded health care programs.

The Anti-Kickback Statute is intended to ensure that medical providers judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives and are instead based on the best interests of their patients.

Financial inducements to health care providers can influence medical decisions and undermine the integrity of public health care programs, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Departments Civil Division. We will continue to hold accountable those who participate in kickback arrangements, including unlawful arrangements involving clinical laboratory testing."

The settlement resolves allegations that Moustafa and his practice received kickbacks in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute in return for Moustafas laboratory referrals and caused the submission of false or fraudulent claims to Medicare and TRICARE.

According to a release from the U.S. Attorneys Office:

Office rent and phlebotomy kickbacks: From June 2017 to December 2021, Moustafa and his practice allegedly received thousands of dollars in remuneration disguised as purported office space rental and phlebotomy payments, paid monthly or in a lump sum money order, from a clinical laboratory in return for Moustafas laboratory referrals.

Clinical staff kickbacks: From August 2020 to December 2022, Moustafa and his practice allegedly received from a clinical laboratory remuneration in the form of free clinical staff to provide services to Moustafas practice unrelated to that laboratory, in return for Moustafas referrals for laboratory testing.

Consulting and medical director kickbacks: From September 2019 to March 2023, Moustafa allegedly received thousands of dollars in remuneration disguised as consulting and medical director payments, paid monthly, in return for Moustafa ordering clinical laboratory services from five laboratories.

The settlement resolves allegations that a marketing company kicked back to Moustafa a portion of the commissions those five laboratories paid to the company, in return for Moustafa ordering laboratory testing from those laboratories.

Rooting out health care fraud is a priority in the District of South Carolina, said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. Kickbacks raise costs for taxpayers and undermine our health care programs by leading to unnecessary medical services. We are committed to holding those who give and receive illegal kickbacks accountable.

Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
(TBTCO) - Cac quan chuc Cuc Du tru Lien bang My (FED) uoc cho la se giu nguyen lai suat on inh o muc cao nhat trong 22 nam khi ket thuc cuoc hop keo dai hai ngay vao thu tu, 1/11. Tuy nhien, cac nha au tu va nha kinh te se theo doi cac dau hieu e thay lieu lai suat co giu nguyen nhu vay hay khong - hoac lieu ngan hang trung uong co con nghi rang ho co the can phai tang lai suat tro lai trong nhung thang toi hay khong?
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Twenty-five years after defeating Meciar, Slovaks face a similar West vs. East choice.

At the end of this month, Slovaks will vote in Central Europes most consequential election in a year and a half. At stake: will the new government strengthen Europe or strengthen Russia?

Unlike when Hungarians re-elected Viktor Orban in April 2022, Slovaks will almost certainly elevate to power the fourth different prime minister in less than four years. Turbulence has dominated the last half decade since massive street protests forced Robert Fico to resign after governing for 10 of the previous 12 years. That has led the country into a power vacuum.

The double murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova in 2018 highlighted high-level corruption and shocked citizens into action. Their demands for change translated into unexpected electoral victories for two previously untested outsiders. In 2019, Zuzana Caputova was elected the countrys youngest and first female president. In 2020, Igor Matovics Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OLaNO) party rode the wave of discontent to a surprise win in the parliamentary election. But whereas polls show Caputova consistently remaining one of the most trusted politicians in the country, Matovic resigned after barely a year in a government crisis triggered by the purchase of Russian COVID vaccines.

Two government reshuffles later, Caputova announced in June that she will not seek a second term next year. Meanwhile, the caretaker cabinet of Ludovit Odor, which the president appointed in May after yet another government collapsed, has no electoral mandate.

Views on Ukraine War Could Decide the Election

It is thus easy to understand why Slovaks are weary of politics and politicians. The 25 parties on the ballot for the 30 September parliamentary election include no less than five parties led by former prime ministers.

Among many vital questions facing Slovaks is whether the new government will be a continuation of politics driven by personalities or a shift toward politics driven by values.

The most prominent divide over values hinges on the war in neighboring Ukraine. The governments of Odor and his predecessor Eduard Heger were steadfast in their support of Ukraine, as has been Caputova, whose responsibilities include that of commander in chief of the armed forces. But Fico and others currently in opposition have been vocally questioning why Slovakia should be spending precious euros on defending another country, or on public benefits for the approximately 100,000 Ukrainian refugees currently in Slovakia.



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited Slovakia in July at the invitation of President Zuzana Caputova. Slovakias popular leader recently announced she will not seek reelection in 2024. Photo via Slovak presidency.

The precariousness of this election presents dangers for Europe. The country is wedged between Poland and Hungary, both of which have caused political headaches for European Union and NATO leaders in recent months and years. In June, the European Court of Justice sided with the European Commission, which had sued Poland for breaching EU law with sweeping changes that endangered the independence of judges. And Hungarys parliament has dragged its feet in approving Swedens accession to NATO, apparently over criticism from Swedish politicians over Hungarys democratic backsliding.

In contrast, until now Slovakia has been a reliable bastion for European unity on topics ranging from Ukraine to the euro. (Unlike its four EU neighbors Hungary, Poland, Czechia, and Austria, Slovakia is a member of both NATO and the eurozone.)

But the current election campaign shows that Bratislavas faithful pro-EU and pro-Ukraine advocacy cannot be taken for granted. On the contrary, Slovakia has been among the EU states most vulnerable to Russian propaganda and disinformation. And Republika, a far-right extremist party that calls for Slovakias withdrawal from NATO, is currently polling in fourth place with 8 percent support. If Ficos party, which leads the polls, wins, it will likely seek to form a coalition with Republika. The Kremlin would like nothing more.

Will Young Voters Lead the Way?

Aiming to prevent such a scenario are several pro-EU, pro-NATO, pro-Ukraine parties, including Progressive Slovakia, currently polling in second place, and several smaller parties hovering around the 5 percent threshold needed to enter parliament.

But these parties most important offer  which undecided young Slovaks tell us they are seeking  is a set of values that will remain stable, regardless of who happens to be the leader at any given time.

Young Slovaks are very concerned about their future. In recent years, many have already chosen to study or work abroad. Approximately 17 percent of Slovak university students are enrolled in universities outside the country. After only tiny Luxembourg, this is the second highest rate among OECD countries, where the average is 2 percent. Now, many more young Slovaks are considering leaving their country if the election turns their government in a euroskeptic direction.

These young professionals and students do not pine for a charismatic populist leader. Rather, they want politicians and parties to finally develop a mature political culture, where thoughtful leaders debate how to mitigate climate change, enhance energy security, responsibly address migration, and reduce the risks of another pandemic.

Slovaks face a choice similar to that they made 25 years ago this month, when Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar, a populist Russophile, was defeated by a coalition of parties that had campaigned on unambiguous European and transatlantic integration. Thanks to the results of that election, Slovakia quickly got back on track and was admitted to both the EU and NATO within six years.

Will Slovak voters steer their country towards Europe again? The results are not likely to be so decisive as to leave the danger at the door. More likely, citizens will be tested again in the first half of 2024, when they will vote in both presidential and European elections. If young and internationally minded Slovaks turn out to vote each time, they can determine the fate not only of Slovakia, but also of Europe.

Lucia Klestincova and Rick Zednik are co-presidents of Volt Slovensko, the Slovak national chapter of the pan-European political party Volt Europa.
Its that time of year again  time for sweaters, warm drinks and fall general operating and advocacy grants.

If youre the Natrona Collective Health Trust, that is. The trust awarded 22 nonprofits grants totaling $2.28 million to be paid over two years, a press release stated.

Twenty organizations received general operating grants; two organizations received advocacy grants.

General operating grants cover organizations who work in the areas of early childhood development, the prevention and mitigation of adverse childhood experiences (ACES), the creation and support of positive childhood experiences (PCES), and those who offer mental and behavioral health services.

Advocacy grants, while similar, focus on organizations whose work primarily benefits Natrona County residents in the areas of strong families, social inclusion, and civic engagement.

A little over half  12, to be exact  of the nonprofits have received funding from the trust before; the rest have not. Almost exactly a year ago, the trust announced it was giving $350,000 in grants to counter lasting effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the Star-Tribune reported.

The Casper Artists Guild, Casper Christ United Methodist Church, Equal Justice Wyoming Foundation, Healthy Birth & Infant Brains Foundation, National Historic Trails Center Foundation, Three Trails Resource Assessment & Resource Service Society, VIBES Fine & Performing Arts, Wyoming Association of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Centers, Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault and Wyoming Families for Hands & Voices were all first-time grant recipients.

Those who received general operating grants include:

12-24 Club Inc.;

Casper Artists Guild;

Casper Christ United Methodist Church;

Casper Family Connections;

Central Wyoming Counseling Center;

Child Development Center of Natrona County;

Community Health Center of Central Wyoming;

Healthy Birth & Infant Brains Foundation;

Interfaith of Natrona County;

Iris Clubhouse;

National Historic Trails Center Foundation;

Natrona County Suicide Prevention Task Force;

Olivia Caldwell Foundation;

Parents as Teachers;

Three Trails Assessment & Resource Service Society;

VIBES Fine & Performing Arts;

Womens Self-Help Center;

Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault;

Wyoming Families for Hands & Voices;

and the Youth Crisis Center.

The Equal Justice Wyoming Foundation and the Wyoming Association of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Centers both received advocacy grants.

There are 947 nonprofit and 501c organizations in Natrona County, according to taxexemptworld.com, a website that provides information on nonprofits and charities.
Vast and marbled with stakeholders, public lands issues are notoriously thorny  so its no surprise that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has become accustomed to controversy, not least in the state of Wyoming, where there are nearly 43 million acres of federal mineral estate lands.

Yet even as the agency is practiced in dealing with pushback, BLM-Wyoming officers admit to finding themselves caught slightly off guard by the type of angst and frustration being leveled at their latest major effort: the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP) draft proposal.

The draft  a long anticipated resource-use guideline for 3.6 million acres of public lands in the states south-east  presents four separate alternative plans, each with a distinct emphasis. One alternative privileges resource development; another favors conservation; another tries to split the difference; while one proposes doing nothing at all and instead maintain the status-quo guidelines put in place in 1997.

The BLM, however, has made no secret of its preference for the conservation alternative, which currently designates an additional 1.3 million acres of protected lands that would be off limit to mineral extraction. Although some groups have cheered the move, the bureau says its keeping busy trying to allay folk who oppose it.

Being the conservation alternative, its closing some areas to things like [potential] oil and gas leasing, mineral development, even wind energy, said Brad Purdy, Deputy State Director of Communications BLM-Wyoming. These are important things to our local communities. I think folks think it could be a threat to their local economy. That is a legitimate concern.

Even if the pushback is perfectly predictable, field officers confide that this particular process has brought new public relations challenges and left BLM team members on the defensive against what theyre calling misinformation.

BLM-Wyoming Rock Springs Field Office (RSFO) manager Kimberlee Foster, whose overseen much of the RMP, explained that public misperception about the proposal has added hurdles to the process.

This is not the first time we've been the center of controversy. That's kind of part and parcel of the BLM, said BLM-Wyoming Rock Springs Field Office manager Kimberlee Foster, who offered as example ongoing disputes over its wild horse management plan.

We certainly expected some unrest over the mineral development restrictions and things like that [in the RMP draft]but we didn't anticipate all of the misinformation, where people started thinking we were closing off all the areas to hunting and fishing and bike riding, Foster said.

None of that is true. But once [those ideas] got out there it just kind of took a life of its own.

The unrest was on display over the two weeks ago as officials interfaced with the public during three open houses as part of its public comment period, most recently on Wednesday in Rock Springs, where 700 attendees piled into the Holiday Inn conference center intent on getting to the bottom of what, exactly, the draft would do.

Yet as it quietly bemoaned the challenge of battling misinformation, the agency  ironically  discovered that they themselves were responsible for a good deal of confusion: Tucked inadvertently into sections of the proposal is erroneous language carried over from a separate travel management draft plan, which the agency insists was never meant to be in there at all.

The travel management language expressed restrictions on off highway vehicles (OHV) and off road vehicles (ORV). At the open house in Rock Springs, many community members circulated printed pages with highlights on the language denoting the closure of many thousands of miles of road in the name of conservation.

BLM-Wyoming officials assert such restrictions are not meant to be part of any of the alternative plans, but rather a mix up from having too many cooks in the kitchen.

Officials point to the protracted, multilayered and  at 672 pages  voluminous nature of resource management plans, which go through innumerable drafts and markups and editorial phases on the path to finalization; the RSFO management plan, for instance, is 12 years in the making.

Nonetheless, the BLM is not making excuses for spinning up residents unnecessarily.

We screwed up. We missed it, said Purdy. With the amount of people who review these things, and the sausage grinder that it goes through before it goes out youd expect that we would catch that. And we didnt.

The RSFO says they will rigorously scrub the draft of the erroneous travel management language. One example of language currently in Chapter 4 of the draft plan the agency says it will remove reads as follows:

Under Alternative B, route designations from the travel management plan would be applied. Within the area designated as limited to designated roads and trails, 2,352 miles of routes would be managed as open to vehicle use. About 67 miles of routes would be limited to non-motorized or non-mechanized use, 4,505 miles of routes would be closed to all use, and 10,006 miles of routes and linear disturbances would be removed from the transportation network and allowed to return to natural conditions.

Though the mix up may be cause for embarrassment, the agency says this outcome is an example of the process working as intended.

Finding that error and having the public point it out to us  what a perfect example of why we go out for public comment, Purdy said.

The 90 day public comment period that began in August is scheduled to end Nov. 16, although officials are currently considering extending that deadline. Once closed, the agency will review and incorporate public comments before issuing a final Environmental Impact Statement. Thereafter begins a 60-day public protest period, then Gov. Mark Gordon will have another 60 days to review it. After the governor's review, the agency is permitted to issue its final Record of Decision on the Rock Springs Management Plan.

Gordon jumped into the public comments this week with a scathing open letter to the BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning in which the governor implores the agency to completely withdraw the draft plan; in the letter he accuses the proposal of bulldozing over state executive orders, stakeholder engagement and interagency agreements.

Brad Purdy emphasized the process is ongoing, that no single alternative needs to be taken wholesale, and says that substantive public comment can still greatly impact the final plan.

We can move a couple of the pieces around the chessboard and put out a record of decision that takes from all of the alternatives, he said. We can come out of this with a couple things from alternative B, take other things from C and D, and amalgamate all those into our final decision.
Before the railway system closed, and reversed the fortunes of vast swathes of Trinidad, there was a thriving village called St Johns, deep in the interior of Trinidad, where people lived with little complaint.

No one became rich, but no one went without since there was wildlife cavorting right behind your house, you ate what you planted in forest gardens, and people lived in airy homes constructed strong by the village men using the timber pulled out of the bush by bison power.
Various business chambers have welcomed the call-out of members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force volunteers to support the crime fight.

However, they have some concerns.

This follows a proclamation from President Christine Kangaloo on Monday calling out to duty 100 Trinidad and Tobago Volunteer Defence Force to strengthen the TTDF capabilities to support the police The proclamation went into effect on Monday and will end February 29, 2024.
I really cant understand what the hype is about with respect to the President calling out t
Five weeks after Matthew Shepard died on Oct. 12, 1998, a group of playwrights from New York Citys developmental Tectonic Theater Project descended upon Laramie, Wyoming.

They wanted to see if there was a story in the heinous beating death of the 21-year-old gay college student, something that the hundreds of reporters covering the story had overlooked.

We werent initially going out to make a play but to see if there was something there, said Greg Pierotti, who was among the group of 10 playwrights who arrived in Laramie on Nov. 19, 1998. And there certainly was.

For 10 days, Pierotti and his colleagues interviewed anyone who would talk with them. They asked about that day Shepard was beaten and tortured and left to die and about the two men accused in his death. They asked about the culture of the town and where gays and lesbians fit in.

When they returned to New York, they wrote the first draft of what would become The Laramie Project, a verbatim play based on more than 200 interviews, news reports, letters and other non-theatrical source materials that tells Shepards story and the towns story. It took nearly a year and seven more visits to Laramie, including during the trials, before the play was finished and premiered in 2000 in Denver.

On Saturday, Oct. 12, the 25th anniversary of Shepards death, Pierotti will direct a student cast from the University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television. The show, which will preview on Saturday, Oct. 7, runs through Oct. 22 at the UAs Tornabene Theatre.

In a first for the school, BFA and BA theater students will perform together.

On the second day of rehearsals last month, the students read the play out loud and I was hearing it through my students and seeing how moved they were by it, said Pierotti, who has taught theater at the UA for six years.

I thought, Wow, we did a good job, he said.

Pierotti said the play is told through the voices of Laramies residents. Conversations are threaded together to create a storyline of what happened that night and how it affected the town.

We made it our goal that everybody (from Laramie) could come see the play and feel that what they had to say was accurately represented, he said. And its interesting, because even the kind of more homophobic people who expressed more homophobic sentiments in the play felt accurately represented and didnt feel defensive because we were sharing what they believed.

The Laramie Project has been produced more than 3,000 times since its debut and has been translated into 30 languages, which is somewhat mind-blowing for Pierotti and Tectonic Theater Project.

We just really delved into creating as complicated a picture as we could, but none of us were anticipating the level of success the play has had, he said. I think ultimately its the voices of the people of Laramie and Matthews story itself that kind of catapults it to this other level of prestige in American theater. None of us had any intention of doing that. We were very fortunate that it had that kind of success.
An infant girl died after being apprehended by Border Patrol, along with her 16-year-old mother, soon after crossing the border into Nogales, Ariz., according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

A border agent encountered the mother and baby, both Mexican citizens, in the early morning hours of Sept. 23 and took them to the Nogales Border Patrol Station, where CBP-contracted medics and local EMS personnel tried to resuscitate the baby.

The 1-month-old infant was later transferred to Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, about 70 minutes after the initial apprehension, according to a CBP statement on the incident.

When interviewed by CBP special agents, the mother said she had noticed her daughter was having difficulty breathing and was in pain as she approached the U.S.-Mexico border. She left the group she was traveling with to cross into the U.S. in order to get her daughter to a hospital, she said.

A border agent arrived at her location near the Mariposa Port of Entry at 2:51 a.m., about 17 minutes after officers on CBPs remote video surveillance system observed the mother and a second person crossing the border. The person accompanying the woman returned to Mexico before the agent arrived.

The responding agent later said, The mother was softly crying and sniffling when he first encountered her. The agent reported he observed the mother holding an infant who was covered in a blanket, CBP said.

The mother reported her daughter was still crying and breathing when she boarded the Border Patrol transport van but on the way to the Nogales station, about 2.5 miles away, the woman attempted to tell the agent that her daughter was almost dead and needed to go to a hospital.

The agent stopped the van for about 15 seconds in an attempt to understand the woman, who was speaking through the security partition. Unable to understand her, he decided to continue to the Nogales station to find an agent fluent in Spanish. He later told special agents in CBPs Office of Professional Responsibility that he didnt know the infant was in distress until they reached the station.

Arriving at the Nogales station at 3:01 a.m., the mother spoke to a second agent fluent in Spanish, who quickly noticed the infant had labored breathing. The second agent immediately took the baby to contracted medical personnel consisting of two nurse practitioners and three emergency medical technicians. They began attempts to resuscitate the child, including the use of an automated external defibrillator, CBP said.

About 3:20 a.m., Nogales Fire Department EMS personnel arrived, 14 minutes after they were contacted, and they took over life-saving efforts. Twenty minutes later, they transported the infant to Holy Cross Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 4 a.m.

The Pima County Medical Examiners Office conducted an autopsy on Sept. 25. Details on the cause and manner of death are still pending, Chief Medical Examiner Gregory Hess told the Star on Monday.

The incident is under review by CBPs Office of Professional Responsibility, CBP said. The Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Inspector General and the Nogales Police Department were notified of the incident.
Fall typically makes people think of changing leaves, pumpkin spice and chunky knit sweaters. But in Tucson, fall means the return of Chinese chorizo.

After last years impressive turnout, the Tucson Chinese Chorizo Festival is back and bigger than ever, providing the community with another opportunity to ask how the sausage gets made.

Tucson really blew my expectations of what this festival could look like and I was just so touched by the community and the response that I really wanted to bring this festival to a new level, so we expanded tremendously, said Feng-Feng Yeh, the organizer behind the festival. We have about 35-plus partners in the festival this year and we're expanding to Phoenix.

Starting Oct. 1, the month-long festivities kick off with sweet and savory mooncakes to celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival at the Gastronomic Union of Tucsons Fall Harvest Festival. The rest of the months lineup includes a MOCA Tucson Chorizo Dancehall Fall Fundraiser that will feature a chorizo sausage link pinata, a talk/workshop with Feng-Feng at the Center for Creative Photography and an American Horror Story Halloween dance party.

In the middle of the month, Feng-Feng will be taking Chinese chorizo to the valley, with events at different Phoenix restaurants and at the Asian Chamber of Commerce Night Market, which is the largest Asian night market in Arizona.

Aside from the events, community members will also get the chance to visit participating restaurants throughout October where Chinese chorizo will be used in everything from pizza to pasta. Last year's favorites like Ceres and Fatboy Sandos will be back, as well as new places like Barrio Bread.

It's not just brick-and-mortar, Feng-Feng said. Its up-and-coming people that you should be watching and places that you love, so it's going to be really fun.

The Chinese Chorizo Project along with Sitos Fresh Market will be donating 1,200 pounds of chorizo to this years participating restaurants and vendors, double the amount from last year. Each participating restaurant and vendor will get 15 pounds of pork-based chorizo and 15 pounds of vegan mushroom-based chorizo to create their dishes.

Since Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, it only makes since that Chinese chorizo originated here, with over 100 Chinese grocery stores in the area by 1950. At that time, there were laws working against immigrants and their existence, so these grocery stores helped the community get through hard times, Feng-Feng said.

In those Chinese grocery stores, they used those end cuts or things that were going to waste and revived it with Mexican spices, chiles and red wine, Feng-Feng said. It turned something that was very undesirable to something that was very sought out after. I just thought that was like a really beautiful metaphor for the immigrant experience. Because it's like, you know, you're not given a lot coming into the country and look at what they built.

With the help of Tucson chef Maria Mazon of BOCA and Tran's Fats owner Jackie Tran, Feng-Feng was able to create a modernized version of the Chinese chorizo, which is what gets donated to the participating restaurants for the festival.

Throughout the year, people have been like, where can I buy this, because I don't have a shop or restaurant, Feng-Feng said. I only do these exclusive pop-ups and the festival once a year, so someone said that it's kind of like pumpkin spice.

While the festival does bring tasty new dishes to Tucson, it also represents a bigger meaning: community. During last years festival, Feng-Feng said various people who also have mixed identities came up to her or wrote to her and spoke about their own experiences. Some people even ate the original Chinese chorizo from decades ago.

This whole project is kind of like redefining or reclaiming the idea of American food, Feng-Feng said. American food is not just like hamburgers, hot dogs and French fries. American food is the food of its people and we are people that are a part of huge mixes and backgrounds.

While you can get Chinese chorizo at participating restaurants (the full vendor list is coming soon), the festival also has a lineup of events:

Oct. 1: Gastronomic Union of Tucson Autumn Harvest Carnival.

Oct. 6: MOCA Tucson Chorizo Dancehall Fall Fundraiser.

Oct. 6-8: Get Chinese chorizo creations from participating Tucson restaurants.

Oct. 8: Tucson Museum of Art's 2nd SundAZe and Southwest Art Exhibition with Ate Kei Treats, Phatboiis BBQ and Fungirls Fungi.

Oct. 13-15: Get Chinese chorizo creations from participating Tucson restaurants.

Oct. 14: Activism in Motion (AIM) talk and workshop with Chinese Chorizo Project founder Feng-Feng Yeh at the Center for Creative Photography.

Oct. 20-21: Asian Chamber of Commerce Night Market at the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley location in Phoenix

Oct. 20-22: Get Chinese chorizo creations from participating Phoenix restaurants.

Oct. 27-29: Get Chinese chorizo creations from participating Tucson restaurants.

Oct. 28: Queer AF American Horror Story Halloween dance party at Owls Club with food curated by the Chinese Chorizo Project.

Nov. 7: VIP afterparty.

For more information on the festival, visit their website.
Tucson's monsoon season wound up drier than average and much drier than 2022's. Meteorologist Joe Martucci says that has kept drought in most in Arizona, while other states have cured their drought woes.
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

You may know that opponents of abortion have attempted to revive an Arizona law, enacted in 1864, which mandates between two and five years of prison time for doctors who perform an abortion even though the mothers life was not in danger. Thirteen states currently have such laws, which Ill call enforced pregnancy laws. Under enforced pregnancy laws, a womans desire to terminate her pregnancy is not a legal permission to perform an abortion. For example, under Alabama law, performing an abortion when the mothers life is not endangered is a Class A felony, punishable by up to 99 years in prison.

A fetus is alive; cells are dividing and thats life. A fetus created by two humans is genetically a human. So, a fetus is a living human being. This is a biological fact, not a moral stance.

Ill now ask you to imagine a legal system that has passed an Enforced Benevolence Act. This law institutes a lottery in which people who are healthy and financially secure are matched with those unable to care for themselves and who have no other alternative. Failing to comply with the Compulsory Benevolence Act is a felony and is severely punished.

You might comply with the Compulsory Benevolence Act out of kindness or a sense of social justice. Suppose, though, you strongly wish not to comply. Caring for another helpless person involves labor, costs, and is a big interference in your life. Yet the punitive powers of the state compel you to obey. Would it matter if it were only for nine months? I imagine many of you would find this law outrageous. It is a form of involuntary servitude.

A fetus is also a helpless human, entirely dependent on the mothers body for life. However, there are women, in compelled pregnancy states, who wish to terminate their pregnancies. Their pregnancy is not the result of rape or incest; their pregnancy does not threaten their life. And yet these women are put in precisely the same predicament as someone living under the Compulsory Benevolence Act. They must, regardless of their desires or life plans, bring their child to term. This, too, is a form of involuntary servitude.

Pregnancy is replete with discomforts (nausea, insomnia, fatigue) and health risks (high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, preeclampsia). The average maternal mortality rate, according to the CDC, was (2021) 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. By comparison, the rate of fatal workplace injuries to police officers and other law enforcement personnel averaged about 14 per 100,000 employed for the period 1992-97.

The 13th Amendment forbids involuntary servitude. In a unanimous ruling in United States v. Kozminski (1988), the Supreme Court defined the term involuntary servitude to mean a condition of servitude in which the victim is forced to work for the defendant by the use or threat of physical restraint or physical injury or by the use or threat of coercion through law or the legal process. This definition encompasses cases in which the defendant holds the victim in servitude by placing him or her in fear of such physical restraint or injury or legal coercion.

The particular facts in Kozminski had to do with two mentally retarded men who were kept prisoner and forced to work on the Kozminskis dairy farm in Chelsea, Michigan. However, an unwanted pregnancy in a legal jurisdiction with enforced pregnancy laws satisfies the essential elements of the Kozminski definition. A woman who wishes to end her pregnancy is forced to work for the fetus; she is held in fear due to the legal coercion of such laws. She is compelled by the police powers of the state to bring her pregnancy to term. She is compelled to do the hard and risky work of pregnancy. She is in a condition of involuntary servitude. Enforced pregnancy laws therefore violate the 13th Amendment and should be struck down.


Chandrababu Naidu Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday began a day-long hunger strike in the Rajahmundry Central Prison against his "illegal" arrest, according to party leaders. Naidu was arrested by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) on September 9 in the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation and since then he remained in judicial custody.



The former Chief Ministers quash petition was already dismissed by Andhra Pradesh High Court. He has challenged the same in the Supreme Court.



According to TDP leaders, Naidu's fast, which began at 10 a.m. and end at 5 p.m., on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is to protest against the autocratic rule of Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and the manner in which democracy is being undermined in Andhra Pradesh.



Naidus wife Bhuvaneswari also sat on a day-long fast in Rajahmundry



She, along with other women leaders of the TDP, undertook the hunger strike with the slogan Satyameva Jayate at Quarry Centre in the town.



In a post on X, she said: Tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary today. Mahatma Gandhi's life had a message for us all: that any battle, no matter how difficult, can be won if we uphold the principles of truth and justice. His enduring legacy, especially the Satyagraha continues to inspire us to embrace the power of truth in all our endeavors.



Bhuvaneswari, who is Vice-Chairperson and Managing Director of Heritage Foods, also remembered her late father N.T. Rama Rao, the founder of TDP and former chief minister.



Today, my heart is filled with memories of my father, the great NTR garu, who devoted his life to the Telugu community. He taught us to always stick to the truth, no matter how tough it gets. His strong support for justice and his dedication to serving the Telugu people continue to inspire all of us, his children, she wrote.



Meanwhile, Naidus son Nara Lokesh, who is camping in Delhi, also observed a fast at the residence of TDP MP K Ravindra Kumar.



State TDP K. Atchannaidu along with other leaders also launched the hunger strike at party headquarters in Mangalagiri in Guntur district.



Family members of TDP MLA and actor N. Balakrishna were also on a day-long hunger strike at NTR Trust Bhavan in Hyderabad.



Balakrishnas wife Vasundhara and others were on fast to show solidarity with Naidu. Balakrishna is brother-in-law of Naidu and also father-in-law of Lokesh.



Meanwhile, TDP vice-president Suhasini launched a protest at NTR Ghat in Hyderabad.



She is daughter of Naidus brother-in-law late N. Harikrishna.



Former union minister Pannabaka Lakshmi and other leaders were participating in the protest at NTR Ghat.




Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

In the fall of 1973, two schools in Tulsa were born out of a federal push toward integration, and 50 years after the controversy those changes caused, Booker T. Washington High School and Carver Middle School now have waiting lists for admission.

Those two institutions are still there because Tulsa found a way to get input from all the parents, Booker T. Washington Principal Melissa Woolridge said. Not just a certain group, but all of them.

Many Tulsa Public Schools parents in the 1970s were initially hesitant about the changes, implemented after the federal government decided that the district's transfer policy allowed for "a system of state-imposed and state-preserved segregation."

Sit-ins and picket lines were staged at the Education Service Center in protest of the districts token desegregation efforts. A 1971 petition in opposition to forced busing garnered more than 41,000 signatures, according to Tulsa World archives.

A 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling dinged Tulsa for a "continuing legacy of subtle yet effective discrimination. The data then showed 32 of the districts 48 elementary schools had a Black student population of 5% or less, while nine had a Black student population of at least 88%.

A TPS parent at the time, Nancy McDonald had been involved in earlier efforts to voluntarily integrate Burroughs Elementary School. When the school board signed off in March 1973 on the integration of Booker T. Washington, a previously all-Black school, district officials asked McDonald and north Tulsa community leader Julius Pegues to help lead volunteer recruitment efforts.

The kids were ready, McDonald said of the 600 white student volunteers needed for the plan. We had to convince the parents, though.

'We came from all over Tulsa'

Large-scale presentations about the new magnet program and its slate of unique classes were mostly unsuccessful, McDonald said. Despite more than 70 smaller-scale gatherings during the summer of 1973, recruitment efforts were still short 167 white students in early August, prompting a mass-mail campaign that almost did not get approved.

We took them down to the post office, McDonald said. We had them on the dock and ready to mail with the All Souls (Unitarian Church) stamp on there, paying for them. And this guy came by and he grabbed one of those things out of those boxes, and he looked at it, and he said, This is not a church mailing.

A woman named Hap Bradley was with me,  and she asked to speak to the mans supervisor. So the supervisor came out and he looked at it. He said, That looks like a church mailing to me. Let it go.

And it was at that moment that we had all of our kids.

Susan Braselton was among the white students who were at Washington on the first day of classes in August 1973.

A 1975 graduate of the high school, Braselton was a student at Wilson Junior High when TPS started busing in Black students from north Tulsa. Although she was excited about the educational opportunities that were not available at her old school, that first day was a little overwhelming, Braselton said, in part because she and so many other students were the new kids on campus.

We didnt know that you werent supposed to walk on the hornet (the school mascot) at the main entrance, she said. We didnt have the history. We didnt have those friendships coming in. We came from all over Tulsa.

Carver community journey

Tulsa Public Schools closed the all-Black Carver Junior High and predominantly white Lowell Junior High in July 1971, with a federal judge approving the district's plan to bus the Carver students to eight predominantly white schools.

The solution was met with disapproval from many Black families, many of whom observed an extended vacation and chose not send their children to school until mid-September. The move was intended to make an impact on TPS attendance-based funding.

Tulsa World and Tulsa Tribune articles from August and September 1971 referenced the boycott while comparing enrollment figures from fall 1970 to fall 1971, showing large declines in Black student enrollment at multiple minority-majority schools.

Michael Pegues was a Black student at Walt Whitman Elementary School at the time. His late father, Julius Pegues, was a leader of the Coalition for Quality Education, a community-based organization. The younger Pegues joined in some of the protest efforts led by his father outside Walt Whitman.

Im not so sure I understood it then, but I knew that he was trying to put forth an effort so that Black kids would have the same educational opportunities as white kids who lived in other parts of Tulsa, Michael Pegues said.

It was the Coalition for Quality Education that organized and opened the Carver Freedom School  not part of Tulsa Public Schools  in September 1971.

Housed at St. Monicas Catholic Church and financed entirely by donations from the community, Carver Freedom School had almost 250 students at its enrollment peak. A program from a Sept. 3, 1971, rally and concert hosted by the school includes a seven-page, three-columns-per-page list of contributors, plus ads from dozens of families and businesses in support of the new school.

Along with a youth choir, that rally also featured performances from local musicians, including Leon Russell and Leon Rollerson.

When you go through there and see all the people who were supporting the Carver Freedom School, it was amazing, said Wennette Pegues, Julius widow.

However, the coalition could not keep up the funding, and the Carver Freedom School closed by the end of the fall 1971 semester.

TPS Board of Education voted in February 1972 to reopen Carver Junior High as a middle school in time for the fall 1973 semester. A new curriculum was implemented that incorporated an experience-oriented approach in several classes, such as science and social studies.

A Carver alumna and former principal, LaVerne Wimberly was an adjustment counselor in the early 1970s and worked with students and families at two predominantly white junior high schools to acclimate them to integration efforts. It was not a painless process, she said.

With the closing of Carver, there was just a lot of animosity about the fact that it was closed," Wimberly said, "and that in order to maybe enjoy a better education, we had to have our freedom schools and/or be taught at home.

"And then all of the memorabilia that had been on the walls at Carver  that was something that was very meaningful to north Tulsa  was destroyed, and we don't know where it went. We lost a great deal of history during that time, which we were never able to recover.

"So it was a difficult period, but with the reopening of Carver with a magnet approach and an opportunity to enhance the curricular offerings, (the district was) able to minimize some of that distrust and animosity.

50-year evolution

The original plan, approved by the TPS Board of Education in March 1973, called for Booker T. Washington to be 60% white students and 40% Black students. However, Julius Pegues led a push for a 50-50 split and won.

Although the magnet programs were implemented to integrate the district, race has not been an admissions factor at either Washington or Carver for almost 20 years.

In light of a 2003 Supreme Court ruling outlawing the use of racial quotas in school admissions, TPS changed the admissions criteria for the two schools to rely on geography instead of race. Each incoming sixth and ninth grade class gets 60% of its students from north and west Tulsa.

Under the districts published magnet school policies, students who live within an area designated as the Booker T. Washington historical attendance area  bounded roughly by Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, 31st Street North, Marshall Street, Delaware Avenue and U.S. 75  get priority consideration if they apply and meet the minimum eligibility criteria.

Even with voluntary integration achieved through the magnet system, TPS still opted to bus some students for decades. Prior to 2004, high school students who lived in the predominantly Black neighborhoods near Booker T. Washington were assigned to Memorial, Hale or East Central high school if they were not accepted into the magnet program.

Julius Pegues had for years lobbied for access for students living near the two schools.

Neighborhood kids going to Booker T., Carver and Burroughs, that was important, Michael Pegues said of his father's wishes. It was important to him until the day he took his last breath.

TPS demographics have also changed over the past 50 years, which is also reflected in the student bodies at both sites.

According to TPS enrollment data in the Tulsa World and Tulsa Tribune archives, Hispanic students accounted for less than 1% of the districts total enrollment in the early 1970s. As of the 2022-23 school year, 37% of all TPS students identified as Hispanic, including about one-fourth of the students at Carver and Washington.

Students who identify as multiracial  a demographic not tracked by TPS in the 70s  now account for 11% of the districts total enrollment as of the 2022-23 school year, including about 15% of the students at Carver and 10% of the students at Washington.

Weve got a good mix of kids, Woolridge said. They know and understand their culture, and what were trying to do is encouraging them to teach others about their culture. It teaches us how to respect one another and have empathy for one another.

Both Woolridge and current Carver Assistant Principal Joy Parnosky are second-generation alumnae of Carver and Booker T. and attended the schools after the implementation of the magnet programs. Each pointed to community support as a key reason those programs are still in place after 50 years.

When you have a school where the community rallies behind it and supports it and there are so many alumni who take great pride in it,  it has nowhere to go but up and continue to be successful, Parnosky said. I know Booker T. is the pride of the great southwest, but Carver is the pride of this community.

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Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Election deadline: Early walk-in voting is available Thursday and Friday at the Creek, Rogers and Wagoner county election boards for the Oct. 10 bond elections in Catoosa and Pretty Water.

Catoosa Public Schools has a $9 million proposal that would pay for additional classrooms at the new Catoosa Elementary School that is currently under construction.

A dependent district on Sapulpas northwest side, Pretty Water has a two-part proposal totaling $975,000. Proposition No. 1 would provide $850,000 for a new roof, new awnings, restroom upgrades and other improvements to Building No. 1, which houses the districts kindergarten through fourth grade classrooms, cafeteria, gym and business office. Proposition No. 2 would provide $125,000 for new vehicles.

Emergency certification count: Without discussion or debate, the Oklahoma State Board of Education approved 850 emergency teaching certificates at Thursdays meeting. Since the start of the current fiscal year on July 1, the board has approved 3,291 emergency certificates.

By comparison, the board approved 4,410 emergency certificates during the entire previous fiscal year.

School help: Applications are now open for the Osage Nation Education Departments Financial Assistance Services Program. Osage students in prekindergarten through 12th grade are eligible to receive $250 toward the cost of school clothes, school supplies and technology needs. There is no geographic restriction for eligibility, but students must include verification of school enrollment with their applications.

Cultural night: Catoosa Public Schools will host a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in the districts multipurpose dome.

Talk to me: Tulsa Public Schools multilingual seniors may apply through Oct. 13 for the districts Seal of Biliteracy award at tulsaschools.org/sealofbiliteracy.

In order to receive the seal on their high school diploma, a student must demonstrate proficiency in at least two languages. Since the 2018-19 school year, 352 TPS students have earned the seal in both English and at least one of 16 languages. Other languages spoken by previous years honorees include Bangla, Chinese, Finnish, French, German, Hmong, Indonesian, Japanese, Latin, Korean, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese, Yoruba and Zomi.

College Board kudos: Three Edison Preparatory students have earned academic honors through the College Board National Recognition Programs.

To be considered, students have to have at least a 3.5 GPA and have either excelled on the PSAT/NMSQT or earned a score of 3 or higher on at least two Advanced Placement exams. Additionally, students must be Black, Indigenous or Hispanic and/or attend school in a rural area or a small town to be considered.

Brooklyn Chavez and Denise Dominguez received the National Hispanic Recognition Award, and Gabriella Ross earned the National African American Recognition Award.

Stay home days: Monday is a distance-learning day for Coweta. Classes are not in session Monday at Kiefer.

Friday is a distance-learning day for Broken Arrow, Catoosa and Glenpool. Classes are not in session for Tulsa Honor Academy that day.

School board calendar: The boards of education for Kiefer, Sand Springs and Tulsa are scheduled to meet Monday.

The Lone Star board is scheduled to meet Tuesday.

The Pretty Water board is scheduled to meet Thursday.

 Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton, Tulsa World
Kevin Canfield Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Kevin Canfield Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The River Parks Authority plans to raise $5 million to construct a visitors center and headquarters at Turkey Mountain.

Jeff Edwards, executive director and CEO of River Parks, said he sees the facility as the next step in enhancing the popular urban wilderness area.

The (Turkey Mountain) Master Plan identified several things, including programming, Edwards said. And you cant really program a site without a physical presence at that site or a facility to operate out of.

Edwards said fundraising for the project has just begun and that no construction timeline is in place. But plans call for the visitors center to be constructed east of Turkey Mountains lower parking lot off Elwood Avenue, incorporating an existing pavilion.

Additional parking is also planned.

Throughout the master plan phase,  folks said time and time again, Make sure to keep Turkey wild. So we are not going to build this facility thats just the Taj Mahal, grand in scale; we will actually build it into the landscape, Edwards said.

So we have got natural topography change just beyond that shelter structure, and we would actually utilize some of the underground space, so it is out of sight, out of mind.

The visitors center is expected to include detailed trail maps of the wilderness area, a history of the property and space for people to ask questions of staff and volunteers.

It would be a great place that our volunteer folks could house maintenance equipment out of and activate from that space to deploy onto Turkey Mountain for volunteer days and stuff like that, Edwards said. In addition, (it would have) public restroom facilities (and) some administration staffing offices so that we can physically put staffers in the field there for more user engagement activities and purposes.

Historically, River Parks administrative staff has operated out of leased offices that are not within the park system.

The proposed visitors center and headquarters would be separate from the new River Parks maintenance facility that will soon be built on the north side of 71st Street, east of Elwood Avenue near the Arkansas River. Tulsa voters approved $5 million for that project this summer as part of the Improve Our Tulsa 3 capital improvements package.

Preliminary conceptual renderings for the facility show a stone structure with large glass windows and a wraparound pathway along the exterior of the back of the building, which extends eastward over the sloping terrain.

This is just a continuation of developing that master plan into what I think we know is just evident in the future  that more folks are going to come to the property and use it, Edwards said. And were going to need more folks present there and on site and to help answer questions and guide people in the right direction.

The River Parks Authority Board of Trustees approved the Turkey Mountain Master Plan in April 2020. It focuses on four key areas: restoring the natural habitat, maximizing access to the urban wilderness area, enhancing and lengthening the trail system, and integrating programming.

So far, more than 21 miles of new multi-use trails have been constructed on the approximately 650-acre mountain area, including nine of the largest downhill mountain bike-only jump trails in the state.

In all, River Parks plans to add 40 miles of new trails.

Work on the mountain has also included construction of the largest natural stone staircase in Oklahoma.

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Tim Stanley Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Tim Stanley Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Tulsa has been selected as the site of one of 20 new Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temples as part of the churchs global expansion plans.

Leaders of the church, widely known as the Mormon church, unveiled the new locations during the weekends General Conference in Salt Lake City.

Church officials said its the second-highest number of new temples announced at one time in the history of the church.

Oklahoma currently has one temple in Oklahoma City, with 93 individual congregations meeting statewide.

The plans call for six new temples in the United States. Along with Tulsa, the cities include Kahului, Hawaii; Fairbanks, Alaska; Vancouver, Washington; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Roanoke, Virginia.

The 20 new temples planned also include five in South America, four in Africa and one in Cancun, Mexico.

According to the church website, temples are reserved as places for special occasional worship services and religious ceremonies. Church members meet for their regular weekly worship services in meetinghouses, or church facilities, in their respective communities.

Spending more time in the temple builds faith, said church President Russell M. Nelson, who has announced 153 new temples since 2018. The Lord is directing us to build these temples to help us think celestial.

The church in September dedicated a new temple in Bentonville, Arkansas, which serves a district that extends into northeastern Oklahoma.

The Latter-day Saints reported nearly 52,000 members in Oklahoma as of 2022.

The growth rate of the church has slowed both in the U.S. and worldwide over the past couple of decades. But unlike other denominations, it is still growing overall and boasts some 17 million members.

The church has 177 temples operating worldwide, with another 54 under construction, five in renovations and 99 announced, church officials said.

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OKLAHOMA CITY  An Edmond man who fatally shot his parents in 2019 has been found not guilty by reason of mental illness.

Eli Walker, 23, now will be sent to a state mental facility in Vinita for treatment.

Not in dispute in the case was that he gunned down his parents in their north Edmond home early March 4, 2019, after an argument. He told his younger brother he shot their parents because they were sending him messages telepathically and they were Satan worshipers, police reported in a court affidavit.

He also told his brother everything was OK and that he would bury the bodies. He was then 19.

At a brief hearing Thursday, a judge found him not guilty by reason of mental illness of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of possession of an explosive device.

Oklahoma County District Judge Natalie Mai made that finding after prosecutors and his defense attorney stipulated that he suffered from a mental illness in 2019 that rendered him unable to distinguish between right and wrong.

She ordered that he not be released until a judicial determination is made that he is no longer dangerous to the public peace and safety.

The outcome is rare.

The public believes that the insanity defense is used on a regular basis, when actually it is used in less than 1% of criminal cases, forensic psychologist Shawn Roberson and former prosecutor Connie Smothermon wrote in a 2016 article for The Oklahoma Bar Journal, a publication for lawyers.

In mid-August, there were 37 individuals at the states mental facilities in Vinita who have been found not guilty by reason of insanity. One has been held more than 40 years, according to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

There were 36 individuals in Vinita who have been found not guilty by reason of mental illness.

Walkers sister, Ashten West, thanked the new district attorney, Vicki Behenna, for agreeing to the outcome.

Its taken 4 years to get to this point, she told reporters. But here we are, with the results we had all hoped for from the beginning and what we know my parents would have wanted.

Before the hearing, she told her brother in court that she loved him and asked if he was cold. He was like, No, Im fine, she said.

Defense attorney Derek Chance in the past has described Walker as acutely paranoid and delusional.

Mom thought she could take better care of him than anyone else and didnt have the foresight and understanding of what could happen, Chance said after the hearing. Its a tragedy.

The attorney called the case extremely difficult. I think we arrived at the right decision, he said.

Walker could have a hearing in 45 days to determine whether he can be released. His attorney said that hearing is being waived since Walker has stipulated that he would be found to be a danger to the public and in need of long-term treatment.

Police first went to the home after the brother, Isaiah Walker, called 911 at 2:29 a.m. March 4, 2019.

There is a bunch of gunfire in my house, and I believe its my brother, Isaiah Walker said.

At one point, he can be heard telling Eli Walker, Mom told me to call them, so Im calling.

Police reported that Eli Walker went outside and surrendered without incident. In his bedroom, police found the body of his father on the floor and a Glock semi-automatic pistol on the bed. In the entryway, police found the body of his mother.

Eli Walker, whose full name is Michael Elijah Walker, admitted shooting his parents, according to the court affidavit. He said the argument began after he asked them a question about Satanism. He said he shot his father, Michael Logan Walker, 50, in the bedroom and his mother, Rachael May Walker, 44, as she fled toward the front door.

He said he shot his mother again after reloading and getting a pillow to muffle the sound because he believed she was still alive, according to the affidavit.

He also told police he believed he had done the right thing.

Previous prosecutors in the case had concluded that his actions during the crime and his statements to police showed that he knew right from wrong. They alleged that he really shot his parents because they refused to let him smoke marijuana in their house any more.

He was charged with possession of an explosive device, as well as murder, because police found four homemade devices in his bedroom. Members of the bomb squad determined that the devices appeared to be functional, police reported.

Also found in the house was a water jug labeled Blessed Holy Water on the coffee table in the living room and a handwritten note containing the Ten Commandments taped on the frame of the door to the utility room.
Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Randy Krehbiel Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The Oklahoma Legislature will meet in special session on Tuesday, but it isnt clear what, if anything, will happen.

The session was called by Gov. Kevin Stitt to discuss tax cuts and budget transparency, but lawmakers appear unenthused about taking action.

The Senate, which has been particularly reluctant to slash taxes, had filed no legislation for the special session by Monday afternoon.

Twelve House bills and a joint resolution had been filed by House members.

Tuesdays schedule begins with a 10 a.m. Appropriations Committee hearing, at which Stitt, Senate fiscal staff chief Anthony Sammons, state Treasurer Todd Russ, Office of Management and Enterprise Services Executive Director John Suter and the Oklahoma Tax Commission have been invited to appear.

Stitt has given no indication as to whether he will attend, but late Monday he called a 9:30 a.m. press conference, just ahead of the committee meeting. Also Monday, the Oklahoma Republican Party  chaired by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow  endorsed Stitts call for tax cuts.

Last week Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said it is up to the governor to put forward a plan for the sort of radical tax cuts  including elimination of the state income tax  he has proposed.

Senate leaders maintain that eliminating the income tax would be reckless and that no major action on taxes should be taken until the economy and tax revenue reach a post-COVID equilibrium.

The House, led by Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, has in recent years passed several tax-reduction measures from which it has then goaded the Senate to choose.

The Senate has largely dismissed that as grandstanding, but an interesting angle will be whether the House tries the same tactics again or stays on the sidelines unless or until the Senate acts.

The House is scheduled to meet at 11 a.m. but has not posted a floor agenda. An interim study on the death penalty is scheduled for noon, suggesting but not guaranteeing a short first day.

Of the 12 House bills on the books for the special session, five are McCall shell bills; four are bills by other Republicans; and three are from the Democratic minority.

The four non-McCall Republican bills are:

HB1006XX, by Rep. Max Wolfley, R-Midwest City., would increase the the individual income tax exemption for retirement plan income to $20,000.

HB1007XX, also by Wolfley, would set a flat income tax rate of 4.75%, the current top rate, on income in excess of $7,200 for individual filers and $14,400 for joint filers.

HB1008XX, by Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, would include a formula for phasing out the state income tax. A similar bill has been introduced in the House at least twice before.

HB 1015XX, by Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, would eliminate the 1.25% state sales tax on motor vehicles.

The three Democrat bills seem unlikely to get a vote on the House floor but could be of some rhetorical value. The measures would eliminate the state sales tax on groceries, expand the earned income tax credit and increase sales tax credits for low-income familes.

House Joint Resolution 1001X, by Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, is a proposed constitutional amendment that would lower the amounts going into the states reserve funds while creating an automatic taxpayer rebate if revenue exceeds projections by a set amount.

This will be the Legislatures second special session this year. It previously called itself into one that lasted intermittently from May through July.

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"That meeting could have been an email."

Its a constant cry of frustration among many in private industry. Meetings take time, preparation and attention, and poorly run meetings sap productivity for everyone involved.

But for governments at all levels, regular meetings are how public business is conducted. They are important forums for transparency and, in many cases, allow residents to confront their officials in a constructive, orderly manner.

For some state agencies, boards and commissions, though, not meeting is the norm. Meeting cancellations pile up for some entities, including those with direct regulatory or consumer protection functions. A few years ago, the state auditor and inspector criticized the former leaders of online Epic Charter Schools for a lack of board meetings.

Community Strategies has routinely scheduled quarterly board meetings and typically holds one or two special meetings annually, said the investigative audit from October 2020. How does a board properly oversee one of the largest school districts in the state conducting four to six board meetings per year? The infrequency of meetings is further compounded by the incredibly poor attendance record for the current board members.

More recently, the board overseeing the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics canceled a special meeting for Sept. 12 at 7 a.m. that day, just hours before the meeting was to start. It was rescheduled as another special meeting on Sept. 14.

The OSSM board had to postpone most action items in a special meeting set for July 25 after an Oklahoma Watch reporter pointed out that the agenda posted to the door was from a previous meeting. The board does not post agendas to its website. The OSSM board is considering reforms in the wake of a lawsuit by a former employee and an Oklahoma Watch investigation into a pattern of sexual harassment among staff not being investigated at the elite, state-run boarding school.

Oklahoma Watch used data from the Secretary of States Office, which keeps track of statewide meeting notices, to determine which agencies, boards and commissions had the most canceled meetings in the past five years. That period encompasses meetings scheduled before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, when many entities moved to virtual meetings during the public health emergency.

Virtual meetings In the Legislature, bills have been filed to allow agencies, boards and commissions to take advantage of the additional flexibility offered by virtual meetings. House Bill 2108, by Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, and Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, remains active for the 2024 regular session after stalling in the Senate earlier this year. It expands the situations where teleconferencing would be available to public bodies outside of emergency situations like a pandemic.

Mark Thomas, executive vice president of the Oklahoma Press Association, said cancellations happen for many reasons, including lack of a quorum or planned presentations not being ready.

Meetings are supposed to be set for the convenience of the public, not the public body, he said.

We all want order in our government, and thats why the law requires them to set regular meetings, Thomas said. Its only the ones where theyre intentionally trying to evade the public and mislead people that are bothersome to me. If every meeting was canceled or rescheduled, you would start to frustrate the public thats interested in the functions of the boards.

Attention not required

Among the biggest offenders since 2019 were the Oklahoma Commission of Consumer Credit and the State Banking Board. Others included the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability.

State agencies, boards and commissions are supposed to approve their next year's schedule of regular meetings by Dec. 15 each year and notify the secretary of state. The deadline is the same for city and county governments, which are supposed to notify either the municipal clerk or the county clerk of their regular meeting schedules.

The Banking Board, which schedules regular monthly meetings, has met just three times this year. It canceled eight monthly meetings in both 2022 and 2021. The board supervises the State Banking Department, which regulates state-chartered banks, trusts and credit unions.

Banking Commissioner Mick Thompson, who has been the commissioner for more than 30 years, said that by statute the board has to meet just twice a year. The other meeting times are filed with the Secretary of States Office as placeholders.

A lot of things that are going on (at the department) do not have to go before the board, Thompson said. Unless we have some activity that requires board attention, its a waste of time for them to drive in from Tulsa or Elk City or wherever.

Cancellation notices are usually sent a week before a scheduled monthly meeting, Thompson said. The board always meets in November, when board assessments are set for banks for the next year.

The Banking Department is a non-appropriated agency and gets its funding from bank examination and assessment fees. The department and commissioner run the bank examinations, while the board oversees general industry issues such as approving charters, mergers and new branches.

Youre going to be examining people who are on your board, and you dont want them controlling the examinations, Thompson said.

Adrian Beverage, executive director of the Oklahoma Banking Association, said he doesnt have any problems with meeting cancellations at the Banking Board.

They have plenty to do, Beverage said of the Banking Department. Mick calls me frequently, so we keep in touch. And if theyre not meeting, its good, because theres not anything that is coming up that could cause friction among my members.

Thompson is chairman of the Banking Board but votes only in case of a tie, he said. He and other board members are appointed by the governor with the consent of the state Senate.

Because Gov. Kevin Stitt and his family have financial stakes in Gateway First Bank, a state-chartered bank, the Banking Department defers to the Federal Depository Insurance Corp. when it comes to regular examinations for Gateway.

We signed an agreement that we would never be the lead examiner on his banks, Thompson said. The FDIC is a federal agency and one where the governor has no control over. They are the lead agency for all Gateways examinations.

Meeting as needed

The Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit also is a non-appropriated agency and funds itself with fees on the industries it regulates. The department oversees most credit companies, including mortgage brokers, payday lenders and pawn shops. The commission doesnt play any role in the departments enforcement cases against companies.

The Commission on Consumer Credit has had more than 40 monthly cancellations since 2019, including two dozen since the beginning of 2021, according to the secretary of state data.

The commissions rules used to require regular monthly meetings, but now it meets as needed, said Ruben Tornini, deputy administrator. The commissions chairman and administrator decide whether there are any reasons to convene a meeting or if it should be canceled.

Our commission delegates the authority to make the day-to-day decisions to the administrator, Tornini said. There are certain exceptions, like the annual budget, large purchases, approval of the annual report to the Legislature and policy recommendations. (The commissioners) get monthly data for informational purposes, but that doesnt require any action.

The Corporation Commission, made up of three members elected statewide for six-year terms, is an outlier when it comes to meetings. The commission, which regulates everything from oil and gas to utilities and cotton gins, is scheduled most weeks to meet on Tuesday mornings and in Thursday morning and afternoon sessions. The frequency has dropped to weekly as it has relocated during renovations to the Jim Thorpe Building.

The commission has canceled more than 85 meetings in 2023 alone, according to the Secretary of States Office. Some of those were rescheduled as special meetings, an option available to all public entities if they provide notice to the public at least 48 hours in advance.

Corporation Commission spokesman Matt Skinner said most meeting cancellations were actually continued to another time or date. He said that happens most often when a meeting is scheduled in a rate case and there are settlement talks that may need a little more time to resolve before a posted meeting.

Skinner said that when he began working at the commission, it met daily during the week, with the agendas for some meetings stretching to 40 pages. Its meeting frequency changed to Tuesdays and Thursdays about a decade ago under former Commission Chairwoman Patrice Douglas.

About Oklahoma Watch Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited Rajasthan's Chittorgarh and offered prayers at the Sanwaliya Seth Temple. Modi will address a public meeting in the run-up to the upcoming Assembly elections in Rajasthan.



This is Modi's second visit to Rajasthan in last seven days where he also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of nine development projects worth Rs 7,000 crore.



Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said, "A huge emphasis has been given on the development of railway and road routes in Rajasthan."



Rehearsals were conducted from the temple to the meeting venue regarding the security of the Prime Minister. A temporary helipad has also been built.



Modi virtually inaugurated the permanent campus of Pali Hanumangarh section of Mehsana-Bathinda Gas Pipeline Project, Indian Oil Corporation's LPG bottling plant in Ajmer, Hindustan Petroleum's LPG plant in Abu Road, development of tourism facilities in Nathdwara under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, four-lane road constructed on Dara-Jhalawar Tindhar section on National Highway-52, doubling of Chittorgarh-Neemuch railway line, electrification of Chittorgarh-Kota railway line, among others.



Earlier, Modi had visited Chittorgarh on April 21, 2019.



In the public meeting being held on Monday, nearly 2,200 buses and 7,000 other vehicles from all over Mewar will reach Mandafia. Around 20,000 women are also expected to attend this meeting.



Chittorgarh is the parliamentary constituency of Rajasthan BJP President C.P. Joshi.




Doan Nguyen Duc, board chairman at Vietnamese agricultural giant Hoang Anh Gia Lai JSC (HAGL), intends to sell Hoang Anh Gia Lai Hotel in Pleiku City, situated in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, to make debt payments.

The management board of the firm has reached a consensus on liquidation of unproductive properties, especially the sale of Hoang Anh Gia Lai Hotel, which was the first four-star lodging facility in the Central Highlands region.

Starting its operation in 2005, the hotel lies near Phu Dong Square in the heart of Pleiku City and includes 117 rooms.

The proceeds from the hotel sale will be used to pay the principal and interest on the bonds issued in 2016 at the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), said Duc.

The selling price has yet to be announced.

The firm had earlier sold two resorts in Quy Nhon City in the south-central province of Binh Dinh, and in Da Lat City under Lam Dong Province, a hotel in Da Nang City, and another in Yangon, Myanmar.

Due to a financial hit, Duc and HAGL withdrew from the hotel and tourism market over 10 years ago.

As of the end of September, the firm had delayed the payments of the principal and interest for the bonds issued in 2016 with a total value of more than VND4 trillion (US$165.8 million).

A few days ago, the firm paid VND380 billion ($15.6 million) for the principal.

The firm will pay the rest by 2023.

Speaking at a recent meeting, chairman Duc said that Vietnamese automaker Thaco, owned by billionaire Tran Ba Duong, owed HAGL VND1.6 trillion ($65.9 million)

This year, Thaco will pay the firm VND500 billion ($20.6 million).

In its semi-annual financial statement, HAGL was sitting on a mountain of bond debts valued at over VND5.5 trillion ($226.5 million).

HAGL shareholders have recently agreed to issue shares to mobilize VND1.3 trillion ($53.6 million) for the firm to pay debts.

The HAGL management board passed a non-public offering plan, with each share offered at VND10,000 ($0.41).

During the first half of 2023, HAGL booked upwards of VND3.14 trillion ($129.6 million) in revenue, up 55 percent year on year, and earned nearly VND405 billion ($16.7 million) in after-tax profits.

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Japan's top talent agency Johnny & Associates said on Monday it would split into two entities - one devoted to compensating victims of sexual abuse by its late founder, adding that 325 people so far have sought damages.

The agency will also be changing its name, disassociating itself from its founder Johnny Kitagawa.

The agency, which represents only male entertainers, last month admitted that Kitagawa, who died in 2019, had abused hundreds of boys and young men seeking stardom going back to at least the 1970s. Kitagawa's niece Julie K. Fujishima last month resigned as agency president, apologising and promising reform and compensation.

New president Noriyuki Higashiyama said the agency, commonly known as Johnny's, would change its name to "Smile-Up" and focus exclusively on compensating Kitagawa's victims before being dissolved.

Japan's talent agency Johnny & Associates Chief Noriyuki Higashiyama, flanked by CEO of Johnny's Island Yoshihiko Inohara and their lawyer Hiroshi Kimeda, bows at the start of their news conference in Tokyo, Japan, October 2, 2023. Photo: Reuters

A separate company would be spun off to take over the talent management business, renewing contracts with those individuals or groups wishing to stay, he told a briefing. Its new name will be chosen by fans of its entertainers.

The first media reports of Kitagawa's abuse were carried by local tabloid Shukan Bunshun in 1999, but the scandal blew wide open this year as more victims came forward after a report by the BBC in March.

Following the agency's acknowledgement of the abuse last month, dozens of major companies have said they would end their contracts with its entertainers.

Japan's talent agency Johnny & Associates Chief Noriyuki Higashiyama, flanked by CEO of Johnny's Island Yoshihiko Inohara, attends a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, October 2, 2023. Photo: Reuters

In a statement by Fujishima read out in her absence, the former chief executive, who owns 100% of the agency, said it was her duty as Kitagawa's kin to put an end to Johnny & Associates.

"I want to remove all traces of Johnny Kitagawa from this world," her statement said.

Japan's talent agency Johnny & Associates Chief Noriyuki Higashiyama, flanked by CEO of Johnny's Island Yoshihiko Inohara, chief compliance officer Masayuki Yamada and their lawyer Hiroshi Kimeda unveils the new company name SMILE-UP. during a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, October 2, 2023. Photo: Reuters
YOKOHAMA -- Tokyo-based start-up Tsubame Industries has developed a 4.5-meter-tall (14.8-feet), four-wheeled robot that looks like "Mobile Suit Gundam" from the wildly popular Japanese animation series, and it can yours for $3 million.

Called ARCHAX after the avian dinosaur archaeopteryx, the robot has cockpit monitors that receive images from cameras hooked up to the exterior so that the pilot can manoeuvre the arms and hands with joysticks from inside its torso.

The 3.5-metric-ton robot, which will be unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show later this month, has two modes: the upright 'robot mode' and a 'vehicle mode' in which it can travel up to 10 km (6 miles) per hour.

CEO Ryo Yoshida and CTO Akinori Ishii (inside the cockpit demonstrate ARCHAX, a giant human-piloted robot developed by their start-up Tsubame Industries Co., in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan September 27, 2023. Photo: Reuters

"Japan is very good at animation, games, robots and automobiles so I thought it would be great if I could create a product that compressed all these elements into one," said Ryo Yoshida, the 25-year-old chief executive of Tsubame Industries.

"I wanted to create something that says, 'This is Japan'."

Yoshida plans to build and sell five of the machines for the well-heeled robot fan, but hopes the robot could one day be used for disaster relief or in the space industry.

Yoshida became interested in manufacturing at an early age, learning how to weld at his grandfather's ironworks and then going on to found a company that produces myoelectric prosthetic hands. He said he is eager to keep Japan's competitive edge in manufacturing alive.

"I hope to learn from previous generations and carry on the tradition," he said.

CTO Akinori Ishii sits inside the cockpit of ARCHAX, a giant human-piloted robot developed by him and CEO Ryo Yoshida start-up Tsubame Industries Co., in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan September 27, 2023. Photo: Reuters

CEO Ryo Yoshida poses for a photograph with ARCHAX, a giant human-piloted robot developed by his start-up Tsubame Industries Co., in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan September 27, 2023. Photo: Reuters
Two students drowned off a beach in Thua Thien Hue Province, central Vietnam on Sunday evening after they joined six others for sea bathing in the area, a local border guard station confirmed the same day.

Earlier on the day, these nine ninth graders from Lam Mong Quang Middle School, located in Vinh My Commune, Phu Loc District, went to a beach in the districts Giang Hai commune.

A while later, Nguyen Huynh Phuc T., 15, and Nguyen Van H., 14, drowned and went missing, according to the Vinh Hien border guard station, under the Thua Thien Hue Border Guard Command.

The border guard force and local residents jointly searched for the two drowning students but strong waves made the search and rescue operation challenging.

They recovered the body of Nguyen Van H. in the same evening, while that of the other victim was found some 50 meters off the coast on Monday morning.

The beach where the drowning incident took place is a popular destination among local beach-goers.

Representatives from the provincial education authority will visit and offer support to the bereaved families, said Nguyen Tan, head of the provincial Department of Education and Training.

The department will also ask its sub-departments and heads of local schools to intensify water safety education for students, especially in the rough sea season.

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Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Society

-- One teenager drowned and another went missing after going swimming at a beach in Phu Loc District, Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam on Sunday.

-- Authorities in Binh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam had to close off a street in Phan Thiet City on Sunday evening after sand poured onto the route and broke bridges along its course.

-- Intense rainfall during the peak tide hours caused many roads along rivers and canals in Ho Chi Minh City to be heavily flooded on Sunday afternoon.

-- More than 2,000 people from 15 provinces and cities in the northern region along with about 100 vehicles and two helicopters were mobilized for the largest-ever firefighting exercise in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam on Sunday.

-- Up to 200,000 people die from cardiovascular diseases every year, accounting for 25 percent of the total annual deaths in Vietnam, heard a conference held in Hanoi on Sunday.

Lifestyle

-- The UNESCO Vietnam Center of Information has teamed up with the startup Phygital Labs to initiate a project that utilizes digital identification technology for the preservation and advancement of Vietnamese cultural heritage.

-- The Museum of Fishing Gear at Nha Trang University in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam is showcasing an array of fishing equipment, ranging from classic to contemporary.

-- The Hanoi Autumn Carnival took place in the pedestrian area around the Hoan Kiem Lake in downtown Hanoi on Sunday morning as part of the ongoing Hanoi Autumn Festival, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

Sports

-- Vietnam won the silver medal of the mixed team event in xiangqi at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Sunday.

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More than 2,000 people from 15 provinces and cities in northern Vietnam along with about 100 vehicles and two helicopters were mobilized for the largest-ever firefighting exercise in Quang Ninh Province on Sunday.

The firefighting and rescue drill was organized by the Ministry of Public Security and the authorities of Quang Ninh Province.

The hypothetical situation for the drill was that at about 9:00 am on Sunday, an employee of Wyndham Legend Hotel in Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh detected a fire caused by a gas blast in the kitchen on the fifth floor of the hotel, pulling down an area on the same floor.

As smoke, dust, and poisonous gas blanketed the site, some 800 people on different floors of the building sought escape routes in panic.

More than 2,000 people and hundreds of vehicles were mobilized to put out the fires at two hotels in a drill in Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, October 1, 2023. Photo: Do Phuong / Tuoi Tre

At the same time, an accident happened on the Ha Long Street section in front of the hotel in which the driver of a petrol tank truck lost control and crashed into a chemical tank truck traveling in the same direction.

The collision caused the petrol to spill out and nitric acid to leak outside and spread to the nearby Hai Van Hotel.

Local authorities later detached vehicles to transport sand bags and fire trucks to the scene. The sand bags were placed around the area to deal with the gasoline and chemical spill incident.

Meanwhile, the rescue of victims at Wyndham Legend Hotel was still ongoing as more than 300 people escaped from the establishment but some 500 others were still stuck inside.

The authorities of Quang Ninhs neighbors, such as Hai Phong, Hai Duong, and Bac Giang, also gave support.

Two helicopters of the Vietnamese air force were dispatched to the scene to rescue victims on the roof of the building.

Rescuers save the victims of the hypothetical blaze at Wyndham Legend Hotel in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, October 1, 2023. Photo: Do Phuong / Tuoi Tre

Meanwhile, in the waters of Cua Luc Bay in Ha Long City, another accident occurred between two boats transporting tourists as their captains were absorbed in the fire ashore.

The collision led to a boat blaze and oil spill and caused many people aboard to fall into the sea.

Local authorities quickly solved the incident at sea as part of the drill. Photo: Minh Duc / Tuoi Tre

After an hour, the fires were extinguished thanks to the efforts of over 2,000 people together with modern firefighting equipment.

The fire drill involved many new scenarios and strict requirements in responding to difficult situations on the mainland, at sea, and in the air, said Bui Van Khang, vice-chairman of the Quang Ninh Peoples Committee, chief of the organizing board of the fire drill.

All forces cooperated closely and employed practical and efficient solutions for successfully dealing with the situations, Khang added.

The largest-ever firefighting and rescue drill in Quang Ninh Province was a success. Photo: Do Phuong / Tuoi Tre

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Residents of Binh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam were struggling with sand and mud that flowed into their houses and flooded local routes following a heavy downpour on Sunday evening.

Authorities had to close off Lac Long Quan Street in Tien Thanh Commune under Phan Thiet City after the deluge of sand blocked the road and destroyed a bridge.

Police forces close off Lac Long Quan Street in Tien Thanh Commune, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam after a sand and mud slide broke a bridge. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Sand and mud slid down hills into residents houses after a heavy rain battered Tien Phu and Tien Hai mountainous villages in the commune on Sunday afternoon.

A huge volume of sand and mud made it tougher for vehicles to move and locals to clear their houses.

The abutments of a bridge on Lac Long Quan Street collapsed due to the sand and mud slides, threatening a hotel standing near its foot.

The owner of the hotel quickly asked guests and employees to evacuate to safe shelters.

Traffic police officers guarded through the night to prevent vehicles from entering the areas covered in sand and mud to ensure their safety.

Lac Long Quan Street in Tien Thanh Commune, Phan Thiet City covered in sand and mud. Photo: Tuoi Tre

According to a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters observation, some 10 households in Tien Phu Village under Tien Thanh Commune were affected by sand and mud slides.

At about 4:00 pm on Sunday, it started to rain. My family always closes the back door when it rains heavily. However, we could not do anything this time as sand quickly crashed into our house just 30 minutes after the downpour, Nguyen Thi Bich Tram, a villager, recounted.

Many devices and furniture in the house were swept outside by sand sliding down a hill behind her home, she said.

This was the worst sand slide that she had ever witnessed, she said, adding that the four members of her family quickly ran out of the house.

Many locals said the sand spread was that terrible.

Due to a high risk of landslides, people inside a hotel in Tien Thanh Commune evacuate to safe shelters. Photo: Tuoi Tre

An abutment of a bridge in Tien Thanh Commune collapses after a sand slide. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Furniture pieces are swept outside by sand and mud slides. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Police forces help locals remove sand and mud from their houses. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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The Ho Chi Minh City transport authority will inspect the compliance of Thanh Buoi Bus Company with regulations on providing transport services using passenger buses on Thursday this week, just a few days after a fatal crash between a Thanh Buoi sleeper bus and a 16-seater car killed five people and injured four.

Aside from Thanh Buoi, two other passenger transport businesses, namely Thien Y and Hoa Hao, will undergo the inspection, the municipal Department of Transport said on Monday.

The department earlier formed an inspection team on September 12 to check the three businesses compliance with the said regulations, as they were found to have flouted the law multiple times.

The inspection, initially slated to take place from October 15 to November 15, was rescheduled to Thursday this week as required by the prime minister following the deadly crash involving a Thanh Buoi sleeper bus.

The fatal collision occurred on the National Highway 20 section passing through Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam on September 30.

According to a police report, the Thanh Buoi sleeper bus was speeding at 69 kilometers per hour and failed to keep a safe distance when overtaking a truck.

Consequently, the sleeper bus sideswiped the truck and crashed into a 16-seater car traveling in the opposite direction.

Police in Dong Nai said that the driver of the sleeper bus, identified as Hoang Van Tinh, 37, was driving without a license, which had been revoked prior to the accident.

Findings from Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper show that the Thanh Buoi sleeper bus implicated in this crash had its badge revoked three times in 2023.

A traffic police official told Tuoi Tre that data from the Department for Roads of Vietnams GPS system only serves the revocation of transport badges from vehicles that violate traffic rules, but not serves sanctions against traffic violators.

Also, prevailing regulations on revoking and regranting transport badges, which are needed for transport firms to offer their services, remain inadequate.

Thus, a transport firm can ask to get a new badge after its old one is revoked.

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Shipwrecks have been left abandoned on the bank of a river in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam for years, causing environmental pollution there.

Nguyen Thi Ha, 49, living near the bank of the Tac River in Nha Trang, said, These wrecks have been lying here for a long time but they have yet to be salvaged and handled. Planks and plastic panels from the ships float on the water, causing pollution.

Most of the broken ships there were salvaged after sinking at sea, Tran Hoc, a 45-year-old fisherman, affirmed.

The ship owners left them there as it costs nearly VND100 million (US$4,118) to repair each of such ships.

We can clean up garbage ashore but these ships are their assets. Many ship owners have even traveled to other places to earn their living and we could not contact them, Hoc explained.

These shipwrecks are left abandoned by their owners. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre

These wrecks have been left on the riverbank for nearly a decade, said Bui Cao Phap, vice-chairman of the Peoples Committee of Phuoc Dong Commune in Nha Trang City.

The commune has yet to receive directions from the administration of Nha Trang City to handle the wrecks.

The Nha Trang public service management board is responsible for cleaning up the riverbank, Phap informed.

Meanwhile, director of the board Nguyen Thi Hong Sam said the board takes charge of collecting garbage on the riverbank, not tidying up wrecks.

Luu Thanh Nhan, vice-chairman of the Nha Trang Peoples Committee, said the city had been informed of the issue and would soon check the site as well as call for proposals to deal with the wrecks.

The owners of such broken ships are responsible for repairing them, according to Vo Thien Lang, vice-chairman of the Vietnam Fisheries Society.

The central government has issued policies to support fishermen in easing the consequences of natural disasters at sea but there is no regulation on assistance for them in case of incidents caused by themselves.

Management units should tighten control over ship owners and urge them to repair broken vessels, Lang added.

A shipwreck has decayed. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre

Pursuant to Government Decree 05/2017/ND-CP on dealing with assets sunk in inland waterways, port waters, and territorial waters of Vietnam, the asset owners shall take responsibility for bringing them ashore and covering all related costs.

If the owners fail to do the job, designated agencies have the right to salvage the wrecked properties.

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Japanese prefer soups, so it is not surprising when pho becomes a popular dish among the Japanese community in Vietnam.

Hiroe K. from Tokyo had lived in Hanoi for years before moving to Ho Chi Minh City. In Hanoi, she did not often eat out but she chose pho whenever she had a chance.

Hiroe can eat pho once to twice per month.

In Ho Chi Minh City, she even pays more attention to pho.

It is interesting as I can easily find a pho restaurant when stepping out of my house. My friends often recommend me [pho with] flank steak, brisket, and beef tendon, but I find it hard to remember them so I usually order a special bowl of pho,' she said.

As its name suggests, the dish is special as you can enjoy many types of beef. [Its] very delicious!

Hiroe found that the key difference between pho in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is that pho in the Vietnamese capital is not served with herbs. Meanwhile, pho restaurants in the southern metropolis provide diners with herbs, hoisin sauce, and chili sauce.

Pho in the south is often sweeter and has a milder taste than the dish in Hanoi, Hiroe added.

While locals prefer traditional pho restaurants, Hiroe and her friends tend to visit branded ones.

Vietnam should develop chains of restaurants of pho or other Vietnamese dishes, Hiroe suggested, adding that the space of the restaurants is the first factor to affect the decision of foreign eaters.

Pho in southern Vietnam is often served with bean sprouts and herbs. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

For Kaoru Tsunoda from Tokyo, pho is a dish for weekend breakfasts. She oftentimes walk to a pho restaurant near her house.

She sometimes chooses long-lived restaurants which welcome a high number of local customers.

Kaoru said pho is best eaten when it rains. Sipping the hot soup, the good flavor of pho seems double.

I prefer beef pho to chicken pho," Kaoru said.

I often opt for well-done beef pho rather than rare one. I also love pho with beef balls.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I bought frozen beef balls and added them to soups. That was an interesting discovery thanks to my love of pho.

Kaoru added that Vietnamese beef is fresh, easy to eat, and not too fatty. She likes the soft noodles the most.

An interesting fact is that each pho restaurant offers noodles at different thickness levels, making pho lovers more curious and want to try different varieties of the dish," she said.

Its like a journey of discovery which encourages you to try a dish with different flavors.

Although Kaoru has never cooked pho at home as it is not easy to prepare broth, her friends tend to buy and simmer beef bones to make the broth and enjoy it with noodles.

Some love instant pho and store it at home for teatime.

In the kitchens of Japanese housewives, their favorite quick food when they are busy is instant noodles. Coming to Vietnam, they add instant pho.

In Ho Chi Minh City, there are some Vietnamese food cooking classes for Japanese people and many have learned how to cook pho to entertain their friends, Kaoru shared.

I have a friend who has flown from Japan to Hanoi to learn how to cook pho as she believes that dishes made from beef bones can help deal with some of her health problems.

Pho is not only tasty but also nutritious.

Instant pho is a favorite dish of many families. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

The Vietnam Pho Festival 2023, which marks the seventh edition of the Day of Pho (December 12), initiated and annually held by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, is scheduled to take place at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo, Japan on October 7 and 8 this year.

The event is aimed at enhancing the global recognition of Vietnamese culinary culture, particularly pho, a Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat  usually beef or chicken.

The festival serves as a tangible commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan.

The event is co-organized by Tuoi Tre and Saigontourist Group, in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association, and Japanese partners.

Scheduled to attend the Vietnam Pho Festival 2023 are many chefs and winners of the Hoa Hoi Vang (Golden Star Anise) award Nguyen Tien Hai, Nguyen Tu Tin, and Pham Quang Duy as well as famed pho brands, such as Pho Dau, Pho Hai Thien, Hotel Majestic Saigon, Pho Phu Gia, PhoS, Sen SASCO, Pho VGCC, and Pho Thin Bo Ho, among others.

The festival will be rolled out in association with national carrier Vietnam Airlines, Suntory Beverage & Food, Simply Food, Southern Airports Services JSC, Dai-ichi Life, and ALSOK.

Miss Intercontinental 2022 Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc is the ambassador for the festival this year.

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Cannasouth Ltd (NZX: CBD ) announced today that following the merger with Eqalis, effective 1 June 2023, opportunities for cost rationalisation through operational efficiencies and greater focus were identified. A range of initiatives are underway to deliver the efficiency gains and to reduce cash spend by around $400,000 per month once restructuring is fully implemented. The restructure will retain key business intellectual property and functionality to meet immediate revenue goals.

Cannasouth is awaiting verification for a range of products intended for the New Zealand and export markets. Cannasouth expects delays on the timeline for product verification because the Medicinal Cannabis Agency (MCA) have been slow in turning around such verification approvals.

Cannasouth has proven that it can meet the New Zealand minimum quality standards (NZMQS) required by the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme and has recently exported high-quality dried flower and high purity cannabidiol (CBD) isolate. However, revenue from further products is dependent on those products being verified by the MCA. We are working with the MCA to expedite those products awaiting verification approvals.

CEO Mark Lucas says, We believe that our new products, which are manufactured under GMP quality standards, will be verified. But given the ongoing delays around approval timelines, we are restructuring our business to factor in delays to products reaching the market. Unfortunately, this means regional jobs will be lost in the medium term.

Cannasouth previously announced its plan to dual list the Company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) as a foreign exempt listing (refer to market announcement on 4 August 2023). The Board anticipated at that time that the dual listing process would conclude by year end. This is now expected to be further progressed in 2024, pending completion of a financial audit of Eqalis Group for the year to 31 March 2023.

With the delays in availability of verified medicinal cannabis products, the Companys business plan for revenue generation has been delayed. There is a need for the Company to raise additional capital to continue with the Companys growth strategy. The board is currently actively considering capital raising options to support the constrained cash position of the Company in the short term. The Company will update the market when initiatives are confirmed.

Mr Lucas says, We are seeing exponential growth in demand for medicinal cannabis products in New Zealand and Australia, with no signs of slowing down. We remain confident that our strategy will meet the needs of patients and investors.

-ENDS-

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This week on Insight, the rising costs in pet care. What value is a pet: too pricey or priceless?

Sydney Cats and Dogs Home is getting around 100 phone calls every week from people needing or wanting to surrender their animals. RSPCA NSW receives 20 calls a day relating to surrenders, with more than 1,200 animals already on their surrender list, awaiting a shelter space to become available.

One in five surrenders coming to us are from people struggling financially, Kieran Watson from RSPCA NSW told SBS Insight. And that also includes people unable to find rental accommodation with their pets.

This is really heartbreaking because we know the house theyre in is a loving home.

While more animals are being surrendered, or worse abandoned, theyre also living in shelters longer as they await adoption.

Finders tips for pet owners wanting to lower the cost include buying pet food in bulk, making regular visits to the vet to catch health problems early, grooming your pet at home and taking out pet insurance, which may seem like an unnecessary expense, but could be the difference between life and death if an animal becomes unwell.

8:30pm Tuesday on SBS.
I'm from Brazil and I've fallen in love with Trader Joe's in the US. Here are 10 items I love so far.

I'm a Brazilian who New York City and fell in love with the snacks at Trader Joe's.

I can't get enough of the chain's Snacky Clusters or mini cheese sandwich crackers.

I'm taking the seaweed strips with sea salt back to Brazil for my family.

Visiting New York City has always been one of my biggest dreams and, as a fashion journalist, I was recently able to experience the Big Apple to cover some events.

Though I had a packed schedule, I had to make sure that I left the city with some Trader Joe's items for my nearly 24-hour journey back to Brazil.

Here are 10 items that I've fallen in love with from Trader Joe's and plan on taking back home to Brazil.

The dark-chocolate peanut-butter cups have to be my favorite Trader Joe's snack.

I love the dark-chocolate coating on Trader Joe's peanut-butter cups. Giulianna Lombardi

If any Brazilian knew I was such a fan of Trader Joe's dark-chocolate peanut-butter cups, they'd highly disapprove. But I have to say, the peanut-butter cups taste very similar, and maybe even even better than Brazilian pacoca  a traditional sweet made from ground peanuts, sugar, and salt.

I think that the dark-chocolate coating is what makes it so impossible to eat just one peanut-butter cup when you open the package.

Trader Joe's white-truffle chips turned me into a fan of the snack.

Trader Joe's white-truffle potato chips have a great, elevated flavor profile. Giulianna Lombardi

I'm not usually the biggest fan of potato chips, but the combination of Italian white truffles and fleur de sel sea salt makes me want to add a portion of this Trader Joe's treat to any meal.

As someone who loves snacks but is also mindful of ingredients, I was happy to read the label and only find organic items listed.

The Fiberful granola bars are perfect to keep in your bag.

Trader Joe's Fiberful granola bars contain 9 grams of fiber per serving. Giulianna Lombardi

It's possible to find good granola bars in Brazil, but in my opinion, most of them are sold in small sizes that aren't enough to end my hunger.

None of the snacks I've tried in Brazil are as tasty as Trader Joe's Fiberful granola bars. This granola bar is made with rolled oats and chocolate chips and part of it is dipped in chocolate. I also like that this option has a good amount of fiber, with 9 grams per serving.

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I serve Trader Joe's organic mini cheese sandwich crackers with soups and salads.

Trader Joe's organic cheese sandwich crackers are simply adorable. Giulianna Lombardi

If you're short on time but want to prepare what looks like an elaborate meal with a good presentation, I recommend Trader Joe's mini cheese sandwich crackers.

I like to add the crackers to simple salad and soup recipes or even serve them alone as an appetizer for guests, who always leave asking where I bought them.

I got Trader Joe's seaweed strips as a gift for my family in Brazil.

My parents love Trader Joe's seaweed strips. Giulianna Lombardi

I'm not a huge fan of seaweed, but my parents love Trader Joe's organic roasted seaweed with sea salt.

But my parents are simply in love with Trader Joe's organic roasted seaweed with sea salt. They love to eat it straight out of the package, so I usually bring them each a package when I can.

The pretzel sticks are the perfect mix of salty and sweet.

Trader Joe's pretzel sticks have a sweetness from baked-in honey. Giulianna Lombardi

I'm a big fan of smaller bites and I especially love sweet and salty combinations. Hence, the golden-brown Trader Joe's pretzel sticks, which are slightly salty with just a hint of baked-in honey sweetness are one of my favorite items.

I could probably spend an entire afternoon mindlessly feasting on them alongside different sauces, from mustard to cream cheese.

I'm completely obsessed with Trader Joe's Snacky Clusters.

Trader Joe's Snacky Clusters combines the chain's classic salty snacks with chocolate. Giulianna Lombardi

I'm not sure if Trader Joe's Snacky Clusters are for every palate because they offer an unusual mix of flavors that might be a little daunting for some people.

The snack includes sea-salt potato chips, corn-chip dippers, and mini pretzel nuggets covered in a layer of creamy milk chocolate. I'm bringing this item back to Brazil to enjoy each salty, sweet component as a satisfying snack.

The multigrain pita-bite crackers really shine at brunch.

Trader Joe's multigrain pita-bite crackers contain flax seeds. Giulianna Lombardi

Each weekend, I love to wake up a little later and make myself a delicious brunch. To round out my meal, I use Trader Joe's multigrain pita-bite crackers.

The crackers feature a variety of grains, including flax seeds, oat bran, millet, rolled oats, rye meal, sunflower seeds, organic spelt, and malted barley flour.

They're crunchy and flakey in the most excellent way. I like to combine the crackers with peanut butter, jelly, scrambled eggs, or even different pates (which could also be a dinnertime starter).

Trader Joe's jerk-style plantain chips have a great crunch.

I think Trader Joe's plantain chips are spicy but delicious. Giulianna Lombardi

The first time I tasted Trader Joe's plantain chips, I was on a photo shoot with a Brazilian colleague in New Jersey. Once she introduced me to this snack, I couldn't concentrate on anything else.

At first glance, I thought the chips were made of bananas, but they were actually plantains from Peru. Each chip is salty and spicy from a dusting of jerk-style herbs and spices.

The gourmet jelly beans remind me of "Harry Potter."

Trader Joe's gourmet jelly beans come with a selection of delicious flavors. Giulianna Lombardi

Anyone who has watched the "Harry Potter" movies has certainly wanted to try Bertie Bott's infamous Every Flavor Beans, a mixture of delicious and disgusting candies.

I don't want the displeasure of biting into a horrible flavor like earwax so I turn to Trader Joe's gourmet jelly beans. This candy gives me the nostalgia of the movies and is perfect to eat throughout the day if you have a sweet tooth.

Click to keep reading Trader Joe's diaries like this one.

Read the original article on Insider
CostCo shrimp katsu burger closeup - X, formerly known as Twitter

It's really no surprise that Costco's food courts offer different menu options in different countries. Similarly, it's not that surprising that there's sometimes a little jealousy over what might be available in one place but not another. After all, it is the same brand name on the building regardless of its geographical location. This fact has some U.S. shoppers drooling over Costco Japan's latest burger offering, perhaps wishing that they could take a quick trip to the land of the rising sun just to try it.

The shrimp katsu burger does look absolutely delectable  there's no doubt about that. Its crispy breaded patty, filled with juicy shrimp, is definitely envy-inducing. To go with the crunchy burger, it's complemented by crisp lettuce leaves and spicy coleslaw, and there's just something about its plump and fluffy golden bun that puts those regular burger rolls to shame. While there isn't a lot of information about Costco's katsu burger available in English just yet, that isn't stopping shoppers from wishing they could try it. The burger reportedly retails for 780, which works out at just over $5 U.S., fitting with the chain's dedication to super-affordable food court options.

Read more: 13 Tips To Make Your Shrimp Taste So Much Better

What Is A Katsu Burger Anyway?

Bowl of traditional Japanese katsu - Adilson Sochodolak/Shutterstock

If you've never heard of a katsu burger before, then all this talk about the latest menu item in Costco Japan's food courts probably has you pretty curious. To put it simply, katsu is a cutlet or patty that has been coated in panko (breadcrumbs) and fried until it is nice and crispy. It can be made from just about any kind of meat, but pork is the most popular in Japan, known as tonkatsu. While this preparation makes katsu perfect for sticking between a burger bun and slathering in condiments and toppings, it's more often sliced into strips and eaten in rice bowl dishes as katsu-don, or as part of a hearty Japanese curry.

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Katsu got its start in Tokyo in 1899, where it was first sold by a restaurant that wanted to include a Westernized option on its menu. It has developed as something of a fusion food, demonstrated by its inclusion in both curries and burgers. Katsu burgers are a familiar sight in Japan, with fast food restaurants like Mos Burger already serving its own shrimp katsu burgers. In the U.S., there's also a chain of Japanese-themed restaurants in Washington State that proudly serves the Katsu Burger as its namesake.

Costco's International Food Courts

U.S. Costco food court menu - Smith Collection/gado/Getty Images

Just because U.S. Costcos don't currently offer katsu burgers that doesn't mean there is zero chance of it ever happening. The mango smoothie was actually first offered in the chain's Australian stores before making its way here, after all. So while it's probably not worth holding your breath for, the possibility is still there.

The list of enviable foods available in Costco's international food courts is apparently quite long  with banh mi Vietnamese sandwiches and Canadian poutine being right at the top. Shoppers across social media have expressed disappointment over the superior options available abroad, with many claiming that U.S. stores have the worst menus available. Not only are they drooling over the shrimp katsu burger, but they're practically begging for more international options. And a large number of commenters are more than ready to trade in the roast beef sandwich for just about anything else. Unfortunately, Costco shoppers in the U.S. are going to have to contain their envy over the mouthwatering shrimp katsu burger that is, at least for now, only available in Japan.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark will contribute 100 million Danish crowns ($14.1 million) to a joint European order for ammunition under an EU scheme to aid Ukraine, the Danish ministry of defence said on Monday.

Seven EU countries have ordered ammunition to get 155mm artillery rounds to Ukraine and replenish depleted Western stocks, the European Defence Agency (EDA) said on Friday.

"With the abolition of the EU defense reservation last year, Denmark has the opportunity to participate fully in European defence cooperation, including in EDA," minister of defence, Troels Lund Poulsen, said in a statement.

The ammunition is expected to be delivered during 2024, the Danish ministry of defence said.

($1 = 7.0860 Danish crowns)

(Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen, editing by Terje Solsvik)
The Golden Globes have locked their 2023-24 voting body. The organization announced Monday that it expanded to 300 voters for its 81st annual celebration of film, TV and a few new categories, boasting 60% diversity across 76 countries.

The announcement comes after a recent spate of controversy involving the roster of voters for the beleaguered awards organization after the dissolve of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

The new roster includes international voters from countries like Armenia, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Serbia and Tanzania. The new breakdown is 47% female,and 60% racially and ethnically diverse, with 26.3% identifying as Latinx, 13.3% Asian, 11% Black and 9% Middle Eastern.

Our commitment to maintaining the diversity of our voting body continues, Helen Hoehne, president, Golden Globes, said in a statement. Our voters represent 76 countries, bringing a unique international perspective on nominating the best in motion pictures and television this year.

I was very impressed by the number of global applicants and the quality of their work, Tim Gray, Golden Globes EVP said. The membership committee had a tough time narrowing down the field, but were all pleased with the results.

Below is a list of the 11 new voters and the nations they are representing:

Trinidad Barleycorn (Switzerland)

Paola Casella (Italy)

Ankit Jhunjhunwala (Canada)

Sona Karapoghosyan (Armenia)

Elsa Keslassy (France)

Wael Khairy (Egypt)

Juan Claudio Matossian Guell (Spain)

Zac Ntim (United Kingdom)

Naman Ramachandran (United Kingdom)

Mohammed Rouda (Egypt)

Amon Warmann (United Kingdom)

A new membership board of directors has been implemented, and according to the organization, all voters were diligently vetted via an outside group of media professionals. Nominations for the 81st ceremony, which will be produced by Oscar telecast stalwarts Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner, will be unveiled Dec. 11. Dick Clark Productions will once again assume planning and producing duties, with a host to be announced at a later date.

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The ceremony will take place Jan. 7, 2024. A network or streaming service to air the awards has not yet been determined.

For a full list of Golden Globe voters, click through here.

The post Golden Globes Lock 2023-24 Voting Body, Boast 60% Diversity Across 76 Countries appeared first on TheWrap.
by Saher Liaqat





In an era marked by shifting global power dynamics and the rise of emerging economies, the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) coalition has emerged as a pivotal force challenging the American-centric world order that has prevailed since the end of the Cold War. This new order is characterized by a tussle for influence, competing visions of governance, and a quest for greater multipolarity. As BRICS nations assert their collective weight on the global stage, they are actively participating in the unmaking of a world order that has long been defined by Western hegemony.





South Africa will host the 15th BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton, Johannesburg, from 22 to 24 August 2023.

The fifteenth BRICS summit in Johannesburg, held from August 22-24, 2023, marked a pivotal moment as the coalition decided to expand its membership, including Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, effective from January 2024. This expansion underscores BRICS commitment to adapt and modernize in the face of a multipolar world order, attracting interest from various countries, including some traditional US allies. The allure of BRICS, partly driven by China, reflects the evolving global economic landscape and changing international alliance dynamics.





Some observers have likened the current global situation to a new Cold War, although this comparison is not entirely fitting. Unlike the previous Cold War, where the Soviet Unions economy was much smaller than that of the United States, China now stands as a peer economy to the US and is poised to surpass it in GDP. What sets this era apart is that many countries have the agency to choose their alignments in the evolving geopolitical landscape.





The surge in applications to join BRICS reflects a deeper underlying issue. The Western worlds inclination to unilaterally impose financial sanctions, manipulate international payment systems, backtrack on climate finance commitments, and demonstrate limited regard for the food security and health needs of the Global South during the pandemic are just a few examples of factors contributing to the growing disillusionment with the current international system.





BRICS represents a significant departure from the US-led international order, uniting against Western failures in global crisis management. Unlike Western alliances, BRICS is a diverse coalition with aspirations to reshape global financial and trade rules based on its interests. This shift highlights the Global Souths preference for a more inclusive and cooperative international order, challenging Western dominance. With the expansion and guiding principles, BRICS gains appeal as a platform for consensus-building in the developing world, and the inclusion of non-traditional partners like Iran marks a noteworthy departure from Western norms.





BRICS already outpaced the G7 in 2020 GDP and is expected to reach 33% of the worlds GDP by 2028, compared to the G-7s 27%. The inclusion of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, along with Kuwait and Venezuelas interest, could potentially encompass the entire OPEC. If Iraq joins, eight of the worlds top ten oil producers would be in BRICS. Collectively, BRICS covers 30% of global land and holds 42% of the population. Surprisingly, BRICS hasnt pursued a new global order tailored to its interests, likely due to post-Cold War geopolitics that foster divisions, prioritize self-interest, hamper regional cooperation, and favor US-centric globalization.





The recent BRICS summit has been hailed as a diplomatic success for Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who orchestrated an expansion of the blocs membership. This expansion, encompassing both U.S. adversaries like Russia and Iran and U.S. partners like Brazil and India, could compel the United States to consider shared security interests with this diverse group. However, Chinas aspirations to reshape the global financial system in favor of the Global South face challenges. Proposals for a shared BRICS currency face practical hurdles, and the internationalization of the Chinese yuan remains limited. The New Development Bank, while promising, faces questions about funding and political disruptions among founding members. Chinas expansion of BRICS may inadvertently create a G20-like forum, lacking central authority and consensus, posing both opportunities and challenges for its members in shaping alternative global institutions.





BRICS nations advocate for a more multipolar and inclusive global governance system by reforming international institutions. The addition of six new members also prompts a debate about Brazils role, despite past expansion reservations. Brazil faces challenges due to its commitment to democracy and human rights, while some BRICS members have different stances. The key issue is navigating neutrality amid U.S.-China tensions and the Ukraine conflict, possibly aligning with Russia and China. Brazil, India, and South Africa should prioritize global South interests, focusing on energy transition, technology transfer, New Development Bank financing, WTO dispute resolution, and UN Security Council reform while reinforcing a non-anti-Western stance through agreements like Mercosur-EU and OECD accession, embodying Brazils BRICS role in promoting multipolarity and multilateralism.





Scholars and analysts have been tracking the rise of the Global South for some time, particularly since the 2008 financial crisis, highlighting the sustained economic growth in non-Western countries, which is reshaping global power dynamics. Moreover, the center of gravity in the global economy has shifted, moving from the Atlantic, between the US and Europe, to locations like Izmir, Turkey, by 2008, and is projected to lie between India and China by 2050. In this changing environment, nations in the Global South are presented with choices on how to navigate the growing tensions among major powers and position themselves amid the competition for global influence.





Nonetheless, the BRICS countries assertive stance and their pursuit of greater representation and influence in global affairs signify a significant challenge to the American-led international order. While not aiming to replace the West, the BRICS seek to reform and reshape the existing international system to be more inclusive and equitable. This shift away from a unipolar world order led by the United States reflects the changing dynamics of global power. As the BRICS and potentially other nations seek to join this bloc, they are collectively working towards an alternative model of global governance that challenges the traditional Western dominance, thereby contributing to the unmaking of the American-led international order.





The writer works as a researcher with China-Pakistan Study Centre at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad. She can be reached at saherliaqat2000@gmail.com
Grizzly bear attacks are rare but deadly (stock photo) (MATHIEU BELANGER/Reuters/Corbis)

A couple and their pet dog have been killed in a grizzly bear attack in Canadas Banff National Park in Alberta.

Park Canada received a GPS alert on Friday evening indicating that a bear attack had taken place.

In an official statement, Park Canada said the rescue team had to travel by foot due to harsh weather that made it impossible to use helicopters at the time.

The rescue team located the deceased couple 24 hours later.

The man and woman were hiking on Friday evening in the Red Deer River Valley, west of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, when they encountered the bear.

Natalie Fay, from Park Canadas Banff field unit, said: Weather conditions at the time did not allow for helicopter use, and the response team travelled through the night to the location by the ground."

"The response team arrived on-site at 1am and discovered two deceased individuals.

This is a tragic incident and Parks Canada wishes to express its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police assisted in transporting the bodies to Sundre, Alberta.

Officials have not identified the names of the couple yet.

A family member who spoke to CBS News said the long-term couple were experienced hikers who loved the outdoors.

They said in a statement: They lived for being in the backcountry and were two of the most cautious people I know. They knew bear protocol and followed it to a tee.

The deadly attack happened just weeks after a grizzly bear was euthanized for attacking a woman in Montana in west Yellowstone. Park Canada said a grizzly bear displaying aggressive behaviour was found in the area and was later euthanized.

The Banff National Park is believed to be home to 60 grizzly bears, with 691 living in Alberta.

Bear attacks on humans are extremely rare according to Reuters with only 14% resulting in death. However, human-bear interactions are on the rise, some ending in fatality.

In January, a polar bear attacked and killed a 24-year-old mother and her 1-year-old son in Wales, Alaska. In June, a black bear mauled to death Steven Jackson, 66, in Arizona.

Following the attack, the area around Red Deer and Panther Valley remains closed.
A bride and groom, whose wedding celebration ended in disaster after a fire killed more than 100 of their guests, have told Sky News they can no longer live in their community.

Revan, 27, and bride, Haneen, 18, say they feel they are "dead inside" despite surviving the blaze, which started inside a packed wedding hall in Qaraqosh, in the Nineveh province of northern Iraq.

Revan said he lost 15 members of his family in the fire, adding his bride "can't speak" after the loss of 10 of her relatives, including her mother and brother. Her father is also in a critical condition.

At least 150 others were also injured.

The disaster means they can no longer stay in their hometown. "That's it, we can't live here anymore. We can't live here anymore.

"I mean, every time we try to have some happiness, something tragic happens to us and destroys the happiness. So, it's best for us to leave," he said.

He added: "It's true that we're sitting here in front of you alive. But inside we are dead. We are numb. We are dead inside," he said.

The wedding on Tuesday night is understood to have had around 900 guests, with the fire starting at around 10.45pm.

While initial reports suggested fireworks lit for the couple's slow dance were to blame for the blaze, Revan believes the fire somehow started in the ceiling.

"It could be a short-circuit, I don't know. But the fire started in the ceiling. We felt the heat When I heard the crackling I looked at the ceiling," he said.

"Then the ceiling, which was all nylon, started to melt. It only took seconds."

Video footage shared shortly after the tragedy shows the couple dancing as burning pieces of material fell from the roof.

It was during the dance, he said, a power cut took place - and when the electricity came back on he "saw fire" in the ceiling.

It was then that people started to "scream" and "run away".

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He went on to describe helping his wife who couldn't walk because of her wedding gown.

"I grabbed my wife and I began to drag her. I kept dragging her and trying to get her out of the kitchen entrance. As people were fleeing, people were trampling on her. Her legs are injured."

Revan said there was only one fire extinguisher, which "didn't work".

Describing how events unfolded, he said two small fireworks were lit as they started to dance, followed by four more a few minutes later.

He said his father had asked questions about the risk of such fireworks causing sparks which could "land on the bride's gown" and "catch fire" but had been told by the hall owners that the fireworks were electric, so "you could put your hand or even plastic [on it] and it won't burn".

The young couple can only mourn. "Our relatives, our friends, our loved ones are all gone.. Two days ago we buried her [Haneen's] uncle and his two daughters. Yesterday we buried her other uncle. Today we buried his daughter and we buried her mother. Her father is in a critical condition. We don't know what his condition is," Revan said.

"My aunt died. My sister had burns. Her husband has burns all over his body. My uncle lost 7 members. So many people. And every day we hear more news."

Read more from Sky News:

Iraq War 20 years on

Embassy stormed by protesters over planned Koran burning

He added: "On the wedding night why did this happen? What did we do? Why did this happen?"

Highly flammable building materials have been pointed to by both civil defence officials and state media as a potential contributory factor to the building's rapid collapse.

Following the fire, Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al Sudani said on social media that he had contacted the provincial governor of Nineveh and his country's home and health ministers, directing them "to mobilise all efforts to provide relief to those affected by the unfortunate incident".

Qaraqosh, also known as Hamdaniya, is a Christian town, and survived Islamic State occupation.
Live Aid - the star-packed gig which raised 127m for charity nearly four decades ago - is being turned into a musical.

The legendary fundraiser, organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, was held on 13 July 1985 in front of a 72,000-strong crowd in Wembley Stadium, raising funds for famine relief in Ethiopia.

Tens of billions more watched it as it was streamed live on TVs across the world.

Featuring performances from stars including David Bowie, Queen, U2, and The Who, it has since been voted the most memorable gig of all time.

Now, titled Just For One Day, in a nod to David Bowie's 1977 track Heroes, which he sang at the show, it's going to be recreated for theatre.

The show, which will come to the Old Vic early next year, will feature songs from stars including Bowie, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Pretenders, Status Quo, Paul Weller, Sade, The Boomtown Rats, Bryan Adams and Diana Ross.

It's been written by John O'Farrell, who wrote Mrs Doubfire the musical, and directed by Luke Sheppard, who was director of Romeo & Juliet.

Read more:

Russell Brand being investigated by second police force

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Geldof, who has been involved with the production throughout its development, said: "If this musical encourages just one person to have a positive impact for the better, then it will be a job well done."

The Irish star, who famously swore during the original Live Aid broadcast, went on: "I'm looking forward to seeing it at The Old Vic... it better not be s***!'"

Click to subscribe to Backstage wherever you get your podcasts.

Ten percent from the sale of each ticket will go to The Band Aid Charitable Trust, which works across Africa to fight poverty and famine.

Select schools and community groups will also get the chance to see the show for free.

Tickets go on general sale this Friday.
MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia said on Monday it would watch developments in Slovakia after a party led by former prime minister Robert Fico, who has promised to stop Slovak arms deliveries to Ukraine, won Saturday's election there.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Fico has yet to agree with other parties on forming a coalition and said it was ridiculous that European politicians like him who put their country's needs first were labelled pro-Russian.

"This is absurd. Of course, we would like to see more experienced politicians, sober politicians, politicians who tend to soberly assess the situation. Well watch what happens next," Peskov told a regular Kremlin news briefing.

Fico will get the first chance to form a government in Slovakia after running an election campaign that called for "not a single round" of ammunition from Slovakia's reserves to be sent to Ukraine. He said, however, that he backed humanitarian aid for Kyiv and help with Ukraine's reconstruction.

The Kremlin has girded Russia for a long war in Ukraine, with big increases in defence spending and production, and is keen to seize on any sign that Western countries may waver in their support for Kyiv.

In reply to a separate question on a stopgap funding bill by the US Congress that omitted support for Ukraine, Peskov said Washington would continue to be involved in the conflict but Russia predicted that "conflict fatigue" would grow in various countries including the United States.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Alexander Marrow and Mark TrevelyanEditing by Gareth Jones)
The United States said on Monday any pullback of Serbian soldiers from the Kosovo border would be a "welcome measure", following Belgrade's announcement it had reduced troop levels "to normal".

We are waiting to see confirmation of this. But if it is true, it would be a welcome step, said US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

We remain concerned by the cycle of increasing tensions and sporadic violence in northern Kosovo and we encourage both parties to resume the dialogue facilitated by the European Union, he added.

Serbia refuses to recognise the independence of Kosovo, its former southern province.

Rebels from Kosovo's Albanian majority fought a war for independence against Serbian forces between 1998 and 1999 that ended following a NATO bombing campaign.

Tensions have spiked in northern Kosovo, home to approximately 120,000 Kosovo Serbs.

On 24 September, a Kosovar Albanian police officer was killed in an ambush in an area where Serbs are the majority in several towns.

A shootout ensued, between Kosovar special forces and a heavily armed unit of Kosovo Serbs. Three of them were killed, while three others were arrested. Others fled.

According to Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, this incident - one of the most serious escalations to occur in Kosovo in recent years - was part of a "larger plan to annex northern Kosovo through a coordinated attack" on scores of positions.

On Monday, he claimed the plan was to "set up a corridor towards Serbia " to "allow the supply of weapons and troops."

FILE - Kosovo police members of Special Intervention Unit escort one of the arrested Serb gunmen out of the court after the Kosovo shootout in capital Pristina, on 26/9/23 - Visar Kryeziu/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.

Also on Monday, Serbian leaders announced they reduced the number of troops along the Kosovar border, which they called an "administrative line".

The Serbian army has reduced its contingent of soldiers from 8,350 to 4,500, said Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Milan Mojsilovic, three days after the US warned against a major military deployment.

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On Sunday, NATO announced it would strengthen its presence in Kosovo with 600 British soldiers.

Its peacekeeping force - known as KFOR - is comprised of around 4,500 soldiers from 27 countries.

The US-led military alliance again called for calm on Sunday and demanded that Belgrade and Pristina return to dialogue as quickly as possible.

This is "the only way to achieve lasting peace", according to a NATO spokesperson.

During the latest outbreak of violence in the region on 24 September, a paramilitary unit composed of several dozen men killed a Kosovar Albanian policeman and injured another at a checkpoint near the village of Banjska, in northern Kosovo.

Supported by Belgrade, they reject the government in Pristina.

On the same day of the attack, Kosovar authorities claimed Serbia was behind the heavily armed group - something Serbian authorities rejected.

The US, Kosovo's main international ally, urged Serbia to "withdraw [its] troops" from the border on Friday.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic accused Washington of lying, without explicitly denying the presence of Serbian soldiers.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic listens to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during a press conference after talks at the Serbia Palace in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, Sep - Darko Vojinovic/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved

He said the number of Serbian troops was well below that during a similar deployment in May.

General Mojsilovic claimed he was "surprised" by the "deep concern of some" about the deployment of Serbian forces during this latest "security crisis".

According to him, the Serbian army had deployed some "14,000 soldiers" in the same region between December 2022 and May 2023 during similar security crises.

Serbian forces had then been placed "at the highest level of alert", which was not the case last week, Mojsilovic stressed.
On Sunday's 'Sister Wives', Meri Brown said she believed Christine "had frustrations" about family issues and that it's not "fair" for Kody to relay false interpretation about that to Robyn

TLC (3) (L-R) Christine Brown, Kody Brown and Robyn Brown are pictured.

As family tension continued to weigh on Robyn Brown, she decided to call out one particular person for inciting chaos in their polygamous unit.

During Sunday's Sister Wives, Robyn met with Meri Brown  who, at the time of filming, was still in relationship limbo with patriarch Kody Brown  to discuss some big changes. Meri had decided to move her clothing business up to her Utah bed and breakfast, where she wanted to spend larger chunks of her time.

After assuring Robyn that she would still be living in Flagstaff, Arizona, the pair shifted gears to continue discussing the ongoing fallout in the family.



Related: Sister Wives' Christine Would Have Adamantly 'Rejected' an 'Olive Branch' from Robyn: 'I Don't Trust Her'

Robyn, 44, and Meri, 52, both noted how "angry" Kody, 54, had been recently, saying he was "not" the man with whom they'd fallen in love. Determining a cause for the matter, Robyn then suggested Christine Brown  who left Kody in 2021  was at fault for Kody's "changed" emotional state.

"What Christine has done is messed him up," Robyn said to Meri. "He doesn't want to admit it, but it's the truth. Christine totally just destroyed his past. Like, what he thought was a functional situation. She basically said it was horrible"

"Every single minute of every single day type of thing," she continued. "Stories upon stories of all of the things she was going through and not about you and Janelle as much as him."

(L-R) Robyn Brown and Meri Brown are pictured in an episode of 'Sister Wives'.

But Meri wasn't fully on board with that narrative. She said later in a confessional interview: "I don't believe that Christine said that every bit of our lives was hell."

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"I believe she had frustrations," she acknowledged, "and if that's what Kody interpreted it as and relayed to Robyn as such, I don't think that's fair."

Christine, 51, also begged to differ in her own confessional, insisting, "I'm not going to be responsible for Kody's losing his religion. That's ridiculous. To put me as the scapegoat for him for losing his faith? I never had that much power over Kody."

Related: 'Sister Wives': Christine Frustrated by Kody's Inability to See How 'Easy' It Is to 'Fix' Issues with Kids

As Robyn placed the blame on Christine, Christine and Janelle, 54, shifted it back toward Robyn for shaking up the family upon her entry.

Christine said Robyn crossed a line when "she decided to get a nanny" because to her, "being a sister wife means someone that is there to help you with your kids."

"Robyn plays this really weird card where she forgets or she doesn't know why, and that's a typical M.O. for her," Janelle said in a confessional. "I can't even bring anything up with Kody about Robyn because she's perfect. She's supportive, She's the only one who's been loyal. Like, he just shuts it down. There's no communication."

Puddle Monkey Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock (L-R) Christine Brown, Meri Brown, Robyn Brown, Janelle Brown and Kody Brown are pictured in a 2010 promotional still for 'Sister Wives'.

Robyn, however, noted in a confessional that she "didn't really have big issues" with her sister wives and that she "wanted relationships with them."

"This whole story about that I turned him against them is ridiculous and bogus," she added. "They're just not dealing with their own issues. They need to stop talking about me."

As for how the family proceeds forward, Janelle said "it would take a really great unifying force to bring about any kind of change or bringing people to the table, even."

Related: Sister Wives' Janelle Calls Return to Kody 'Unrealistic' Since He Became Consumed by 'Patriarchy' (Exclusive)

"I don't know if the will is there or the desire. This is something we did together. The mistakes that we made, we did together," she added. "Stop pointing fingers."

Kody's marriages to Christine, Janelle and Meri all imploded within 14 months. He is now only married to Robyn and is monogamous for the first time in decades.

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Read the original article on People.
Donald Broadley , Author provided

Around the world, natural history museums hold a treasure trove of knowledge about Earths animals. But much of the precious information is sealed off to genetic scientists because formalin, the chemical often used to preserve specimens, damages DNA and makes sequences hard to recover.

However, recent advances in DNA extraction techniques mean that biologists can study the genetic code of old museum specimens, which include extremely rare or even recently extinct species. We harnessed this new technology to study a snake from the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe that was run over in 1982, and discovered it was a new species. Our research was recently published in PLOS One.

The Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, a mountain chain on the border with Mozambique, create a haven of cool and wet habitats surrounded by savannas and dry forest. They are home to many species that are found nowhere else.

Here, a mysterious population of snakes first drew the attention of scientists around 1920. An unusual snake displaying a cobra-like defensive hooding posture was spotted in the grounds of Cecil Rhodes (prime minister of the Cape Colony in the late 19th century) Inyanga Estate in Nyanga.

This snake had unusual markings with red skin between its scales, creating the effect of black dots on a red background when its hood is extended. None of the other cobras found in the area match this description.

More snakes like this were reported in the 1950s, but no specimens were collected.

A rare find

The mystery surrounding these sightings piqued the interest of the late Donald G. Broadley, now considered to be the most eminent herpetologist (reptile and amphibian expert) of southern Africa. In 1961, Broadley was given some severed snake heads and identified the mystery snake as a rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus), a species otherwise only found in South Africa, Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) and Lesotho.

A handful of specimens were observed and measured in later years, but the landscape has been drastically altered by forestry. The rinkhals from Zimbabwe has not been seen in the wild since 1988 and is feared to be extinct.

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This population lives 700km away from other, more southerly populations, which made us suspect it may be a separate species. But the genetic material contained within the specimen from Zimbabwe was degraded, meaning we couldnt do the DNA studies needed to confirm whether it is a different species from other rinkhals.

New technology

However, the latest DNA extraction and sequencing methods have been developed over the last ten years to help biologists study the remains of ancient animals. We used the new techniques to examine the Zimbabwe rinkhals specimen. Our study showed they represent a long-isolated population, highly distinct from the southern rinkhals populations.

Based on their genetic divergence from the other rinkhals, we estimate that the snakes in Zimbabwe diverged from their southern relatives 7-14 million years ago. Counting a snakes scales can help identify what species it is. Subtle differences in scale counts, revealed by our analysis of other specimens, provided enough evidence to classify the Zimbabwe rinkhals as a new species, Hemachatus nyangensis, the Nyanga rinkhals.

The scientific name nyangensis means from Nyanga in Latin.

Hemachatus nyangensis has fangs modified to spit venom, although the behaviour was not reported from the few recorded interactions with humans. The closely related true cobras (genus Naja), some of which are known to spit venom, do so with the same specialised fangs that allow venom to be forced forwards through narrow slits, spraying it toward animals that are threatening them.

Venom in the eyes causes severe pain, may damage the eye, and can cause blindness if left untreated. Venom spitting appears to have evolved three times within the broader group of cobra-like snakes, once in the rinkhals, and twice in the true cobras in south-east Asia and in Africa.

A connection between human and snake evolution

Scientists think this defence mechanism may have evolved in response to the first hominins (our ancestors). Tool-using apes who walked upright would have posed a serious threat to the snakes, and the evolution of spitting in African cobras roughly coincides with when hominins split from chimpanzees and bonobos 7 million years ago.

Similarly, the venom spitting in Asian cobras is thought to have emerged around 2.5 million years ago, which is around the time the extinct human species Homo erectus would have become a threat to those species. Our study of Nyanga rinkhals suggests that the third time venom spitting evolved independently in snakes may also have coincided with the origin of upright-walking hominins.

If a living population of Nyanga rinkhals was found, fresh DNA samples would help us to more accurately determine the timing of the split between the two species of rinkhals and how this compares to hominin evolution. Technological advances may be giving us incredible insights into ancient animal lineages but they cant make up for an extinction. We still hope a living population of Nyanga rinkhals will be found.

The possible relationship between venom spitting and our early ancestors is a reminder that we are part of the Earths ecosystem. Our own evolution is intertwined with that of other animals. When animals become extinct, we dont just lose a species - they take part of our history with them.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The Conversation

Axel Barlow has no active funding. He has previously received funding from NERC and Horizon 2020.

Wolfgang Wuster receives funding from the Leverhulme Trust.

Tom Major does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
It is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world (Google)

Google is celebrating the Appalachian Trail today (October 2) by dedicating its home screen to the 2,190-mile footpath that spans across 14 US states.

The description reads: The Appalachian trail is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, and has served sightseeing hikers for nearly 100 years.

It traverses through dense forests, across rushing rivers, and over mountain summits along the east coast. On this day in 1968, The National Trails System Act established the Appalachian Trail as one of the countrys first National Scenic Trails.

The doodle was created by Nate Swinehart, who trekked to the Appalachian Trail to conduct research for it.

What is the history of the Appalachian Trail?

The idea of the Appalachian Trail was first proposed in 1921 by Benton MacKaye, a forester, conservationist, and lifelong outdoorsman.

His original plan was titled An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning, and outlined a stretch of several self-sustaining agricultural camps along the way.

Many like-minded people started joining his cause, and the community eventually became known as the Appalachian Trail Conference.

Where does the Appalachian Trail start and end?

In 1937, the Appalachian Trail became fully connected from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine with the help of many trailblazers.

The following year, the trail was hit by a hurricane that went through New England. This took place shortly before the start of World War II and many of the people working on the trail were called to active duty.

Ten years later, a hiker named Earl Shaffer reported the first thru-hike from end-to-end and ignited a wave of interest. Over 14,000 people have completed the trek since.

The first woman to walk the trail in a single season was Peace Pilgrim in 1952, while the first solo woman to complete the hike was 67-year-old Emma Gatewood who completed the northbound trek in 1955.

In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Trails System Act, declaring the Appalachian Trail as one of the first national scenic trails. It also became recognised as federal land. Finally, in 2014, the last major stretch of land was acquired, turning initial dreams for the trail into reality.

There are thousands of species of plants and animals that can be found on the Appalachian Trail. The American black bear is among the largest, and there are small mammal species along the trails including beavers, squirrels, river otters and chipmunks. Plants include oak and tulip trees.

The trail is maintained by various organizations, environmental advocacy groups, and governmental agencies.
Microsoft has unveiled Azure Data Manager for Energy, an enterprise-grade OSDU Data Platform solution that enables the efficient development of software applications for energy companies.

Launched on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec) 2023, Azure Data Manager for Energy rapidly ingests data from a number of different sources and provides a variety of tools for analyzing the data to generate valuable insights into energy production, consumption, and efficiency. This allows energy companies to quickly develop and deploy new applications, as well as make more informed decisions about their operations.

The solution also makes it easy for energy companies to share and collaborate on energy data, helping them to work more efficiently and effectively with their partners and suppliers.

It is also a highly flexible and scalable open platform that can be customised to meet the specific needs of energy companies of all sizes.

Azure Data Manager for Energy represents a significant step forward in empowering energy companies across the UAE and the region, said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. By offering a robust and scalable data management solution, we aim to assist these organisations in improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and ultimately making data-driven decisions that will shape the future of the energy sector.

Microsoft is also showcasing the advanced capabilities of the Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability suite, including the Environmental Credit Service, at Adipec 2023 which are empowering organisations globally to accelerate their sustainability progress and business growth.

The company is joined by eight of its partners at its stand, who are showcasing the latest technology solutions across OpenAI and Copilot to support energy enterprises as they transition to new low carbon business models.

We believe that technology plays an important role in helping the energy industry decarbonise. This requires balancing the energy needs and industry practices of today while inventing and deploying those of tomorrow, Yazbeck added. Microsoft is committed to supporting energy companies across the region with their net zero carbon targets by driving impact through new technology, innovation, and collaboration.

Adipec 2023 will run from October 2-5 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center. Hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), this years conference is being held under the theme Decarbonising. Faster. Together. and has attracted over 1,600 esteemed speakers, including government officials, ministers, policy-makers, and CEOs.--OGN/ TradeArabia News Service
by Ashok K Mehta

There is misplaced excitement over the 40,000 Agniveers recruited last year, with the first batch reporting to units in August and the second batch by October. They are full of enthusiasm with the rank of Agniveer, while the permanent cadre are Sepoys/Riflemen and above. Much is being made of them in Service Headquarters as Outstanding, where special cells are monitoring their progress and evaluation for re-enlistment of 25 percent after 4 years. The truth can only be discovered through conversations with their recipients, as I have.





File Photo of Agniveer [Special Arrangement]





Veterans critique of Agniveer has not subsided, but critique fatigue has overtaken. By 2030, at the present rate of induction, half the Army will be Agniveers. Then it will be a very unhappy Battalion Commander leading them unless he believes in destiny. Even unhappier will be the Gorkha commanders by then without the recruitment of an additional 15,000 Nepali-domiciled Gorkhas. This, translated on the ground, would mean that nearly half of the 42 Gorkha battalions would have disappeared, with only Agniveer Indian Domiciled Gorkhas in the majority. By 2024, the reduction of battalions will start to maintain minimal operational strength. By 2030, I suspect, the Gorkha Brigade will disappear, losing its identity and cohesion, and converted to Kumaoni and Garhwali battalions. This back-of-the-envelope calculation is based on the assumption that the government is unable or unwilling to persuade the Government of Nepal to relent and accept Agniveer on present terms. With a better package of enhanced service and larger retention (seven years instead of four years of service and 50 percent instead of 25 percent re-enlistment) or total exemption from Agniveer, the prospects of Communists in government and opposition accepting the terms of recruitment are higher. But it seems, as a Nepali ex-serviceman told me, India has a secret plan to stop the recruitment of Gorkhas, and the Communists in my country will oblige. The stars will shortly come into the right constellation for this, he adds.









Last month, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda was supposed to meet an ex-servicemen delegation before going to the UN and China, but that did not happen. As the leader of the ten-year-old insurgency against Royal rule, he knows the value and grit of Gorkha soldiers. He also knows that todays youth, while still attracted to soldiering, are equally fascinated by service in foreign countries where they can also be educated and settle lucratively, which is happening today in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other Western countries. Many Nepali Gorkhas have joined the Russian Army, whose key attraction is the Right to Residency in Russia after one year of military service. Gorkhas are joining the French Foreign Legion, British Army, Singapore Police, and like the Sikhs once, can be found all over the world.





Still, there might be many who want to become Agniveers in the Indian Army, which is regulated by the 1947 Tripartite Treaty on Recruitment between Britain, India, and Nepal. Nepal believes this treaty has been violated by the Agnipath scheme. It is another matter that India unilaterally announced Agnipath without consulting a friendly neighbor, Nepal, with which it claims special and unique relations. Gorkha recruitment is a key factor in the bilateral strategic relationship and has provided an assured pro-India platform in Nepal.





Nepal has not done its calculations on the financial benefit of Agniveer. With approximately 22,000 Nepali Domiciled Gorkha Soldiers (NDG) soldiers and 85,000 Indian Army NDG pensioners being paid an average of INR 6 lakh (excluding MSP, DA allowances) and INR 3.8 lakh per annum respectively, the total outlay and remittance to Nepal per annum is Rs 4500 crore. The average span of service for soldiers is 20 years, and the currency of the pension is 50 years. If there is no recruitment under Agniveer, the entire remittance will stop in the next 70 years (20 + 50 years). If Nepal accepts Agniveer, the overall effect is that Rs 4500 crore will gradually reduce to Rs 1827 crore (40 percent), which will include the pension of Permanent Cadre Agniveer and salaries of Permanent and Temporary Agniveers. The reduction in pay will be very marginal, from the present Rs 1290 crore to Rs 1242 crore with the Agnipath scheme. The reduction in pension, though, will be substantial, at 68 percent (Rs 3146 crore to Rs 585 crore). But this will happen in 70 years  in Nepali, (iota pusht) or in one generation. Remittances are the No 1 earner for the economy, as almost one-third of the Nepali population of 30 million is abroad at any time, including in India.





It seems Nepal is shedding its mercenary tag, discounting financial benefits. It is also an assertion of its self-respect and dignity. All recent Indian ambassadors to Nepal, except one, have acknowledged the exceptional role of NDGs and ex-servicemen in promoting bilateral relations and being a strategic asset. Most beguiling, though, is the silence of the Army hierarchy. Equally puzzling is inaction on the part of Gorkha veterans who include a former Army Chief and scores of two and three-star Generals who put their name on various service issue petitions to the powers that be. Now they are silent. But saddest of all is that the slow disbandment of the Gorkha Brigade will happen under the watch of the seniormost Gorkha officer of the Army, CDS Gen Anil Chouhan. But his own re-enlistment and appointment were under a cloud.





Ashok K. Mehta is a radio and television commentator, and a columnist on defence and security issues. He is a former Major General of Indian Army. After joining the Indian Army in 1957, he was commissioned in the 5th Gorkha Rifles infantry regiment in the same year. He had fought in all major wars India went into, except the Sino-Indian War of 1962. And he was also on a peacekeeping mission in Zaire in the year 1962 and in the Indian Peace Keeping Force, Sri Lanka (1988-90) and it was his last assignment in the Indian Army. He is also a writer of several books and a founder-member of the Defense Planning Staff in the Ministry of Defence, India.
A couple was found dead in an apparent attack by an aggressive grizzly bear in Canadas Banff National Park, officials said Sunday.

Park officials first received a report of a bear attack on Friday night and spent several hours traveling by ground to the parks Red Deer River Valley, where they found the couples bodies and a nearby bear early Saturday morning.

The response team arrived on-site at 1 a.m. and discovered two deceased individuals, Banff National park said in a statement on its Facebook page. While in the area, the response team encountered a grizzly bear that displayed aggressive behaviour, leading Parks Canada staff to euthanize the bear on-site to ensure public safety.

The bodies have been transported about 50 miles away to Sundre, Alberta.

The surrounding area has been closed to visitors until further notice.

While the names of the couple have not yet been released, one of their family members shared details about them and their extensive wildlife experience with CBC News.

Attacks by grizzly bears are rare, but there are several things visitors can do to avoid them, Banff National Park says.

Attacks by grizzly bears are rare, but there are several things visitors can do to avoid them, Banff National Park says.

They were long-term partners who loved the outdoors and were inseparable, the family member said.

They lived for being in the backcountry and were two of the most cautious people I know. They knew bear protocol and followed it to a tee, the relative continued.

The family member also confirmed that the couples dog was found dead with them.

Attacks by bears of any kind are relatively uncommon. There have only been a handful of documented attacks this year, including one instance of a grizzly bear, a subspecies of the brown bear, killing a hiker in West Yellowstone, Montana, in July. That bear was later euthanized when it broke into a home with its cub in September.

Other incidents from this year include a black bear that killed a man at his campsite in Arizona and a polar bear that killed a woman and her 1-year-old son in a small village in Alaska.

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Banff National Park, home to roughly 60 grizzly bears and 20-40 black bears, tells visitors that its most important safety guidance is to follow protocol for avoiding bear encounters in the first place. That includes making noise when walking through dense vegetations and areas with low visibility, traveling in large groups, staying on marked paths, looking out for bear tracks and droppings, keeping dogs on leash, leaving areas with large dead animals, properly disposing of fish offal and carrying bear spray.

If visitors do come across a bear, park officials urge them to stay calm, speak firmly to the bear, back away slowly and make themselves appear as big as possible. In the case of direct contact with a bear, visitors are encouraged to play dead at first and fight back if the attack continues.

Related...
The new coin in honour of Mary Seacole, the 19th-century Jamaican-born nurse who overcame racism and injustice to nurse soldiers during the Crimean War (Photo: Royal Mint)

The first named black woman from outside the UK to appear on a Royal Mint coin is a Jamaican who served as a nurse for British soldiers in the 19th century.

Mary Seacole, who had a Scottish father, overcame prejudice in her home country to care for soldiers who had been hurt in the Crimean War.

Her commemorative coin was unveiled on Monday (2 October), seven years after a 12-year campaign that raised 500,000 to honour her with the first statue of a named black woman in the UK at St Thomas' Hospital in London.

Sculptor Martin Jennings, who designed the statue, also drew up the design for the coins reverse, which features King Charles. The 5 coin, which is not for legal tender, has been produced to commemorate and celebrate the women of Britain, a spokeswoman for the Mary Seacole Trust said.

Trevor Sterling, chair of Mary Seacole Trust, said: This is another significant historical moment and it pays tribute to Mary Seacole as a symbol of the NHS, diversity, social justice and also in understanding the diverse contributions that have been made to this country.

This is a very proud moment, and Im looking forward to travelling to Jamaica to honour Mary Seacole Day to present the coin to the new Jamaican high commissioner and gift a coin to the Institute of Jamaica.

Its our way of saying thank you, we know that you suffered a loss as a result, and we acknowledge whats been given to us.

Who was Mary Seacole?

Mary Seacole was born in Jamaica in 1805 to a Scottish soldier and a Jamaican woman. She considered herself to be a Creole and faced civil rights limitations, including not being allowed to vote, hold public office or pursue a professional career.

In 1854, she travelled to England and requested to serve as an Army nurse in the Crimea, but her request was denied. Undeterred, she went to the Crimea anyway and established the British Hotel near Balaclava, offering comfortable accommodation for sick and recovering officers.

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She provided food, medical care, and other support to wounded and sick soldiers, often using traditional Jamaican and herbal remedies that she had learned from her mother.

Her hotel became a place where soldiers could receive comfort and care, and she became known for her kindness and dedication to their wellbeing. The nurse also risked gunfire on the front line to help gravely wounded soldiers, earning herself the nickname Mother Seacole.

Despite her contributions, Mary Seacole faced racial prejudice and discrimination during her time in Crimea. After the war, Seacole faced financial difficulties and returned to England in 1856. Unfortunately, she did not receive the recognition or financial support that she had hoped for her contributions during the war.

Despite her tireless efforts to provide care to wounded and sick soldiers, her contributions were overshadowed by Florence Nightingale, who is often more prominently associated with nursing during the Crimean War.

Following her return to England, Seacole faced financial hardships and struggled to make ends meet. To support herself, she published her memoir, titled 'Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands,' in 1857.

This memoir chronicled her life, experiences, and adventures in various parts of the world, including her time in Crimea.

In the years that followed, Mary Seacole continued to run her business ventures, which included catering and providing herbal remedies. She also remained active in various social and charitable activities. Despite facing challenges and financial setbacks, she remained a resilient and determined individual.

Where can I get the coin?

The coin is available in gold Proof, silver Proof, and silver Proof Piedfort. It can be purchased from royalmint.com.
Hell at major UK airport as staff spotted flinging bags off belt. (Photo: Alex Wiseman @alexjohnwiseman on X)

A man has described Heathrow Airport as an absolute mess as he waited an hour to get through e-gates due to queues which were flowing out of the room.

Alex Wiseman said that Terminal 4 at the airport on Sunday evening (1 October) was just chaos.

He shared a photo of the huge queues at around 8:45pm on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Hell at major UK airport as staff spotted flinging bags off belt. (Photo: Alex Wiseman @alexjohnwiseman on X)

Mr Wiseman took to the social media platform to share his experience. He wrote: Why are us British incapable of any efficiency? Terminal 4 Arrivals. 8:45 pm. Hell.

He then added photos on the social media platform of bags strewn across the floor, with the caption it gets worse @HeathrowAirport what is this mess?

He explained to NationalWorld that staff were running round shouting at people and that when he got through to the baggage hall there were bags everywhere.

He added that two members of staff were just flinging them off the belts.

Terminal 4 Heathrow Airport

Mr Wiseman told NationalWorld: Id landed into T4 and it took almost an hour to get through the e gates as the queues for both the gates and the desks was flowing out of the room.

The staff were running round shouting at people and it was just chaos really. Then when I got through to the baggage hall there was bags everywhere and two members of staff just flinging them off the belts.

It comes after the airport was slammed as a disgrace at the start of September after passengers faced huge queues at immigration and were treated like sheep.

Sarah Medhi wrote on X: @HeathrowAirport awful conditions with hours long queue in heat with young kids being made to wait even longer. This is unsafe.

Santiago Varela told NationalWorld his British Airways flight from Luxembourg to Heathrow Airport landed at 9:10pm, but he didnt pass through the immigration queue at Terminal 3 until 2:45am. He said he experiences this every month when he comes back to London and it has become unacceptable.

NationalWorld has contacted Heathrow Airport for comment.
Rishi Sunak revealed the towns that are set to receive Levelling Up funds. (AFP via Getty Images)

At the start of the year, the Government announced that it would be kicking off the second round of the Levelling Up project.

The project was first announced as a part of Boris Johnsons 2019 election campaign, with the aim of improving locals living standards, safety, wellbeing, public transportation, and high streets.

The second round was given 2.1 billion, with areas across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland being given shares of the sum to fund over 100 projects nationwide.

Since the announcement, many have been wondering which areas of the UK will receive a portion of the Levelling up funding. Now, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has revealed the constituencies that will benefit from the project.

For too long our economy has focused on cities - at the expense of towns.



Thats what were changing today.



Our new plan to invest over 1 billion into towns across the country puts local people in charge and gives them the long-term funding to change their towns future. pic.twitter.com/8z6zfa9LjF  Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 1, 2023

Which areas of the UK will receive Levelling up funding?

1 billion of the Levelling Up fund will be handed out over the next decade, and Brits have been curious about which areas would benefit from it.

During the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, Mr Sunak unveiled some of the constituencies that would be receiving a portion of the funds.

The PM shared that 20 million of the fund would be going to 55 of the most overlooked towns across the UK in the next 10 years.

He said: Towns are the place most of us call home and where most of us go to work. But politicians have always taken towns for granted and focused on cities.

The result is the half-empty high streets, run-down shopping centres and anti-social behaviour that undermine many towns prosperity and hold back peoples opportunity - and without a new approach, these problems will only get worse.

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That changes today. Our long-term plan for towns puts funding in the hands of local people themselves to invest in line with their priorities, over the long-term. That is how we level up.

Of these 55 selected towns, 34 are constituencies that are represented by the Conservatives, which equates to 62 per cent.

In comparison, there are only 16 constituencies represented by the Labour Party that will be included in the project, equating to 16 per cent of the towns.

The remaining five towns are represented by the SNP, making up 9 per cent of the list.

The full list of 55 areas getting money is as follows:

Mansfield

Boston

Worksop

Skegness

Newark-on-Trent

Chesterfield

Clifton (Nottingham)

Spalding

Kirkby-in-Ashfield

Clacton-on-Sea

Great Yarmouth

Eston

Jarrow

Washington

Blyth (Northumberland)

Hartlepool

Spennymoor

Darwen

Chadderton

Heywood

Ashton-under-Lyne

Accrington

Leigh (Wigan)

Farnworth

Nelson (Pendle)

Kirkby

Burnley

Hastings

Bexhill-on-Sea

Ryde

Torquay

Smethwick

Darlaston

Bilston (Wolverhampton)

Dudley

Grimsby

Castleford

Doncaster

Rotherham

Barnsley

Scunthorpe

Keighley

Dewsbury

Scarborough

Merthyr Tydfil

Cwmbran

Wrexham

Barry (Vale of Glamorgan)

Greenock

Irvine

Kilmarnock

Coatbridge

Clydebank

Dumfries

Elgin

What does levelling up actually mean?

Levelling up is a political policy first announced in 2019 by the Conservative Party, in the run-up to that years general election, and later explained in full with the Levelling Up the United Kingdom White Paper in February 2022.

The policy aims to level up funding levels across the UK, reducing imbalances between the north and south, as well as demographics. This funding is hoped to impact a variety of areas such as transport, communication, healthcare and regeneration. Levelling up became a key slogan for the government under Boris Johnson.

What are the criticisms of the Levelling Up Project?

At the start of this year, the Institute for Government criticised the project, saying that the fund was neither large enough nor targeted enough to regenerate left-behind regions.

They also said that the competitive bidding process, which will see local authorities bid for hundreds of competitive government funds, was inefficient and ineffective as the winning projects would be decided based on central governments priorities as opposed to the local leaders.

Similarly, the London School of Economics published a paper which highlighted the costs the local authorities needed to endure to submit a bid, which they estimated to be 30,000 per bid on average, adding that applicants have found themselves needing to seek the help of professional grant writers.

They have also said that the total sum of the fund, which is 2.1 billion, is nothing compared to the 15 billion cuts to local government finances that have been made over the last decade and the generational peak in inflation levels.
A new Royal Mint coin in honour of a 19th-century Jamaican nurse who cared for British soldiers is the first to feature a named black woman from outside the UK.

Mary Seacole, who had a Scottish father, overcame racism in her home country to nurse soldiers wounded during the Crimean War in the 19th century.

Her commemorative coin, released on Monday, comes seven years after a 12-year campaign which raised 500,000 to honour her with a statue at St Thomas Hospital London  the first statue of a named, black female in the UK.

Sculptor Martin Jennings, who designed the statue, also drew up the design for the coins obverse (heads), which features King Charles.

The 5 coin, which is not for legal tender, has been produced to commemorate and celebrate the women of Britain, a spokeswoman for the Mary Seacole Trust said.

Trevor Sterling, chair of Mary Seacole Trust, said: This is another significant historical moment and it pays tribute to Mary Seacole as a symbol of the NHS, diversity, social justice and also in understanding the diverse contributions that have been made to this country.

This is a very proud moment, and Im looking forward to travelling to Jamaica to honour Mary Seacole Day to present the coin to the new Jamaican high commissioner and gift a coin to the Institute of Jamaica.

Its our way of saying thank you, we know that you suffered a loss as a result, and we acknowledge whats been given to us.

Mary Seacole was born in Jamaica in 1805 to a Scottish soldier and a Jamaican woman.

She considered herself to be a Creole and faced civil rights limitations, including not being allowed to vote, hold public office or pursue a professional career.

In 1854, she travelled to England and requested to serve as an Army nurse in the Crimea, but her request was denied.

Undeterred, she went to the Crimea anyway and established the British Hotel near Balaclava, offering comfortable accommodation for sick and recovering officers.

The nurse also risked gunfire on the front line to help gravely wounded soldiers, earning herself the nickname Mother Seacole.

The coin is available in gold Proof, silver Proof, and silver Proof Piedfort.
A university is offering the first ever UK degree which will teach people how to become a professional social media influencer. Image by Adobe Photos.

A university is offering the first ever UK degree which will teach people how to become a professional social media influencer.

TikTok, Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, X, Snapchat . . . there are numerous popular platforms and therefore numerous opportunities for users to become influencers on. But what was once a role people fell into by accident, it has now become a career aspiration for many young people.

So, one university in Ireland has decided to help people get their foot on that particular career ladder by offering a degree in content creation and social media. So, what exactly do we know about this degree; what will students learn and when does the course start? Heres everything we know so far.

Which university is offering the content creation degree?

The degree will be available at the South East Technological University (SETU) in Carlow, in the south-east of Ireland.

What will students learn during the degree?

Students will learn a variety of skills by studying this degree, and there are a number of diverse courses on offer including creative video, celebrity studies, psychology, data analytics, podcasting and work experience. Those who complete it will be able to start an energising media job in the worlds of business, campaigning, selling and influencing, according to SETU. The university claims that your career in digital media will be launched by taking part in our exciting new programme focusing on content creation and the harnessing of social media power.

The degree description on the SETU website also promises that we will help you professionalise your practice so that it transforms from hobby to career and students will learn to become an expert in social media theory and practice.

The degree will give people the skills they need to gain a job in content creation and communications, including content writer, journalist, social media marketing, influencing or digital design.

Modules on offer throughout the course include social media entrepreneurship, where students will learn to foster the attributes of resilience, self-reliance, creativity and innovation to respond to current, future and imagined possibilities within online environments, and social psychology, where students will be encouraged to examine how they present themselves to others and how they interpret social situations.

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There are also modules in crisis management, where students will look at the importance of a social media strategy incorporating a crisis management plan. In the final year of the degree, students will also have an opportunity to undertake a work placement or spend time studying abroad.

Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTE, Doctor Eleanor O'Leary, lecturer in media and communications at the university and the programme director, said there is a growing interest in the area both from potential students and employers. She said graduates of the course will be equipped to either work for themselves as a self-employed influencer or in creating content for a company or organisation.

She added that the course will educate students on how to maintain an audience online and how to work with business to monetise that as an influencer. As someone who 'stars', creating content at home or by themselves, they may not have any understanding of that whole part of the industry where there are contracts and agencies, and business involved, she said.

How long will the degree last?

The degree will last three years.

When will the degree begin?

The degree is due to welcome its first students in September 2024. Applications to the course can be made from November 2023.

How can I find out more information about the degree?

Please contact Dr Eleanor O'Leary via email at eleanor.oleary@setu.ie for more information about the course.
Off-grid living may look easy on Instagram but this familys tragic ending tells a different story

Earlier this month, a solo hiker near the Gold Creek Campground made the grim discovery of the bodies of Rebecca Vance, 42; her 14-year-old son; and her sister, Christine Vance, 41, all residents of Colorado Springs.

The mummified remains of a family who attempted to live off-grid were discovered in July in Colorado's Gunnison National Forest. According to NBC News, the family reportedly relied only on YouTube videos.

It's a sad lesson in the dangers of unprepared wilderness living.

The pandemic inspired off-grid living

According to her stepsister Trevala Jara, Rebecca Vance got worried about the state of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. So she decided to take her son and live in nature.

The family relied solely on online research and YouTube videos to prepare for their new life, despite family members trying to stop them and pointing out their lack of survival experience.

Believing her presence might help them stay alive, Rebecca's sister Christine decided to join her sister and nephew.

Jara offered to let the group test their preparedness in the mountain property she and her husband owned, but the sisters insisted they would be fine.

A text message near the end of 2020 was the last time anyone communicated with the group before the aforementioned hiker stumbled across one body outside a zipped-up tent, with two more inside.

Adequate shelter is essential

Investigators say the family had apparently begun constructing a "lean-to" type shelter but had not completed it before the onset of winter. It seems clear that the tent was their only form of shelter during one of Colorado's harshest winters.

While the Internet often glamorises the idea of off-grid survivalism, the reality is starkly different. Experts in off-grid living suggest securing stable lodging, a generator, and a propane tank. Ample supplies are also essential for survival. This family had none of these items.

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"They had a lot of literature with them about outdoor survival and foraging, but it looked like they supplied at a grocery store," said Gunnison County Coroner Michael Barnes, who determined that the unfortunate family had died from exposure to the elements.

Supplies and survival skills are critical to off-grid survival

This tragic incident underscores the dangers of attempting to live off-grid without proper preparation and survival skills. Whatever the climate, securing adequate shelter before setting out is critical to survival.

"It's tough enough to get through winter at high altitude in a snug cabin with a big woodpile, electricity, provisions, and a truck. Those poor people had no clue what they were up against."

Watching an online video is different from building a secure, warm shelter yourself. Social media and video tutorials make this way of life seem easy and manageable. But it's critical to remember the person building a beautiful, snug cabin has a significant amount of experience. Or the shelter he's building may be in a temperate climate with mild winters.

One sympathetic person commented, "It's tough enough to get through winter at high altitude in a snug cabin with a big woodpile, electricity, provisions, and a truck. Those poor people had no clue what they were up against."

Another added, "This is so sad. People who didn't grow up in nature have no idea how hard it is to survive. Pioneers only lived off the land back in the day because game, fish, and food were way more plentiful and easy to obtain from nature, and it was still hard."

Wild food isn't as prevalent as it used to be, but even if it were, unless someone already knows how to hunt, they can't just pick up a gun and go bag a deer. Interestingly, no firearms or other weapons were found at the campsite, so the family evidently had no plans to join the 35.8 million anglers or 11.5 million hunters in the United States to hunt their own food.

Even if they did plan on hunting, that would have required knowledge, practice, and the right equipment.

According to the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, hunters spend over $7 billion (6.7 billion) on equipment yearly for firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, optics, decoys, calls, and other essential gear, and a further $630 million (601 million) on clothing. In 2016, the average hunter spent $2,363 (2,256) on things like clothing and equipment.

What skills do you need to live off-grid?

Ideally, people shouldn't be swayed by social media. They should do independent research and prepare themselves for this new and challenging way of life before they embark on it.

Learning how to dress appropriately and avoid ticks while hiking in tick-rich areas to prevent disease, for example, is a skill they need before taking off into the wilderness.

This horrific discovery highlights just how essential it is to be prepared before attempting to live off-grid.

Understanding the climate and environment you're going to is critical, as is ensuring you have shelter, fuel, food, and water. Learning to forage is a brilliant idea, but people need to learn how in a warm, safe location first. They should be well-provisioned before starting their adventure and should acquire supplemental skills in case foraged or hunted food is scarce.

There are other ways to increase preparedness and self-reliance without completely removing yourself from civilisation. Learn how to forage for blackberries and make plenty of blackberry jam in the fall to last through the winter and spring. Join the 13% of American households keeping chickens for eggs or meat.

Grow typically expensive organic vegetables like tomatoes or peppers. Learn how to make organic fertiliser for these homegrown produce. Install solar panels, improve the existing property, and start to be more self-reliant at home, where there is a safety net.

A safety net that might have saved three lives from being cut tragically short.
Broken Bow Municipal Airport

A 27-year-old woman was killed after she was struck by the wing of a landing plane as she rode a lawnmower whilst on duty at a small airport in Oklahoma, US, officials said. Single mother-of-three Samantha Hayes died on Friday at Broken Bow Municipal Airport, about 185 miles south-east of Oklahoma City.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, Ms Hayes was riding the vehicle when a 1972 Beechcraft Bonanza A36 came in for landing, reported the New York Post. The pilot, James Baxter, 70, noticed Hayes and tried to take off to avoid hitting her, but a wing fatally struck the woman in the head as he was unable to gain altitude fast enough.

OHP spokesperson Sarah Stewart said: Were investigating whether any charges could be filed against the pilot. Did the pilot do anything wrong or was this just unavoidable?

She said other questions about the episode remained under investigation, including whether the woman was wearing reflective clothing and if she saw the plane. Ms Stewart added that the Federal Aviation Administration was investigating any potential regulatory violations regarding the pilot and the aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the Broken Bow city manager, who is listed as the airport manager, did not immediately return messages for comment.

The small airport, which has a 3,200-foot asphalt runway, does not have air traffic controllers, thus pilots must self-announce landings and takeoffs over the radio. According to officials, the weather was clear at the time of the tragedy.

Friends and family have since taken to social media to pay their tributes following her death. Carley Hayes wrote: I am so sorry this happened. You was (sic) one of the sweetest people Ive ever met, Ive never heard you say a cuss word or talk down on anyone.

You was (sic) so full of life and had a whole life ahead of you with your precious babies. Youve got a whole family thats gonna make sure them babies are good I promise. I am so mad and upset I just dont understand at all.

Another friend, Brooke Dean wrote: Rest in peace this sweet beautiful soul, Samantha Hayes. I loved getting to know you and hanging outI will forever cherish those memories we made they are absolutely precious to me. I wish we had more time, Sammy. We love you.
without speaking English. Now, I want to work even harder to improve and accomplish my dreams."

Through the fellowship, Olivo Sandoval will have a year of learning and networking opportunities that emphasize personal, professional and civic growth. Each year, fellows participate in numerous virtual training and networking opportunities to help provide them with the skills and connections they need to create large-scale positive change.

Olivo Sandoval is currently studying abroad in Nagoya, Japan, and plans to apply for different teaching programs after graduation to continue her pursuit of educating against discrimination. As an immigrant, she hopes to advise her peers to never be afraid to be who they are.

"Do not be ashamed of your accent, even if other students bother you because of it. Be proud because you can speak two languages," Olivo Sandoval said. " Loving and accepting yourself is the best advice I can give you. Continue moving forward."

UNG has had students be named Newman Civic Fellows annually since 2013. For more information, visit the Newman Civic Fellowship website.
by Kazi Anwarul Masud

COUNTRIES OF SOUTH ASIA





South Asia is the southern subregion of Asia, which is defined in both geographical and ethnic-cultural terms. As commonly conceptualized South Asia consists of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Most recent figures in US $ the per capita income of South Asian countries with the year of enumeration are as follows; the latest count the countries possessing nuclear weapons are as follows:- Russia  6,257 (1,458 active, 3039 available,), United States  5,550 (1,389 active, 2,361 available,) China  350 available (actively expanding nuclear arsenal), France  290 available, United Kingdom  225 available, Pakistan  165 available, India  156 available, Israel  90 available, and North Korea  40-50 available (estimated).





Asia on Globe





In an article (September 24, 2023) KruthikaPathi of AP writes The United States, Britain and Indias Cold War-era ally Russia have voiced support for Indiaspermanent membership over the years. But U.N. bureaucracy has stopped the council from expanding. And even if that changes, China  Indias neighbor and regional rival  would likely block a request. Kept out of the U.N.s most important body, Modi has made sure that his country is smack at the center of a tangled web of global politics. On one hand, New Delhi is part of the Quad and the G20, seen as mostly Western groups. On the other, it wants to expand its influence in the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where Russia and China dominate.





INDIAS MULTIPOLAR FOREIGN POLICY





The deft juggling of the West and the rest has come to define Indias multipolar foreign policy. Its diplomatic sway has only grown over its reluctance to condemn Russia for its war in Ukraine, a stance that resonated among many developing countries that have also been neutral. And the West, which sees an ascendant India as crucial to countering China, has stepped up ties with Narendra Modi.





By doing so, it looks past concerns of democratic backsliding under his government.Before Narendra Modi India had a glorious past and had a glorious past. When the British left in 1947 with independence, India was blessed with several leaders of world stature, most notably Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who were able to galvanize the masses at home and bring prestige to India abroad. The country has played an increasing role in global affairs.





Contemporary Indias increasing physical prosperity and cultural dynamismdespite continued domestic challenges and economic inequalityare seen in its well-developed infrastructure and a highly diversified industrial base, in its pool of scientific and engineering personnel (one of the largest in the world), in the pace of its agricultural expansion, and in its rich and vibrant cultural exports of music, literature, and cinema. Though the countrys population remains largely rural, India has three of the most populous and cosmopolitan cities in the world Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi. Three other Indian citiesBangalore, Madras, and Hyderabadare among the worlds fastest-growing high-technology centers, and most of the worlds major information formation technology and software companies now have offices in India.





EMERGENCE OF INDIA AS FASTEST GROWING MAJOR ECONOMY





According to ( last updated on September 27, 2023) India has emerged as the fastest-growing major economy in the world and is expected to be one of the top three economic powers in the world over the next 10-15 years, backed by its robust democracy and strong partnerships. Indias appeal as a destination for investments has grown stronger and more sustainable as a result of the current period of global unpredictability and volatility, and the record amounts of money raised by India-focused funds in 2022 are evidence of investor faith in the Invest in India narrative.





Indias nominal gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices is estimated to be at US$ 3.31 trillion (Rs. 272.41 trillion) in FY22. Additionally, the Nominal GDP at current prices in Q3 of 2022-23 was US$ 874.84 billion (Rs. 71.82 trillion), as against US$ 792.3 billion (Rs. 65.05 trillion) in 2021-22, estimating a growth of 10.4%. With 115 unicorns valued at more than US$ 350 billion, as of February 2023, India presently has the third-largest unicorn base in the world. The government is also focusing on renewable sources by achieving 40% of its energy from non-fossil sources by 2030.





CHINAS ATTEMPT TO ATTEMPT TO STILL INDIAS GROWTH





However, the growth rate of India has been stilled by the arrest of Indias growth imposed by China. China and India are the two emerging economies in the world. As of 2021, China and India are the 2nd and 5th largest economies in the world, respectively, on a nominal basis. On a PPP basis, China is at 1st, and India is at 3rd place. Both countries share 21% and 26% of the total global wealth in nominal and PPP terms, respectively. Among Asian countries, China and India together contribute more than half of Asias GDP.In 1987, the GDP (Nominal) of both countries was almost equal; even in PPP terms, China was slightly ahead of India in 1990. Now in 2021, GDP is 5.46 times higher than Indias. On a PPP basis, the GDP of China is 2.61x that of India.





China crossed the $1 trillion mark in 1998, while India crossed nine years later in 2007 on an exchange rate basis.Both countries have been neck-to-neck in GDP terms till 1990. As per both methods, India was richer than China in 1990. In 2021, China is almost 5.4 times richer than India on the nominal and 2.58 times richer in the PPP method.





The per capita rank of China and India is 63rd and 147th, respectively, in nominal. The per capita rank of China and India is 76th and 130th, resp, in pp. China attained a maximum GDP growth rate of 19.30% in 1970 and a minimum of -27.27% in 1961. India reached an all-time high of 9.63% in 1988 and a record low of -5.24% in 1979. From 1961 to 2019, China grew by more than 10% in 22 years while India failed. The GDP growth rate was negative in five and four years for China and India, respectively.





SOUTH ASIAN STATES CONCERN ON POSSIBLE CONFLICT IN TAIWAN STRAIT





Michael Kugleman who writes for Foreign Policy magazine in one of his recent writings explained that Still, South Asian states are likely more concerned about conflict in the Taiwan Strait because it would disrupt trade with China, not because it would interrupt efforts at friendship between Taiwan and the region.





However, India has expanded economic cooperation with Taiwan more than any of its neighbours, in great part because of its sharp rivalry with China. Trade with India accounts for nearly 80 percent of Taiwans trade with South Asia. In recent decades, New Delhi and Taipei have inked a bilateral investment agreement and pursued science and technology cooperation Despite Indias vows to curtail commercial cooperation with China, it remains a top trade partner. New Delhi has also never opposed Beijings One China principleits view that it has sovereignty over the mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.





Furthermore, its guiding foreign-policy principlestrategic autonomyforbids it from taking formal positions on other countries disputes. If China were to invade Taiwan, India would likely take a muted positionone comparable to its stand on Russias war in Ukraine. India already carefully manages its diplomatic relations with a few rivalsthe United States and Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, to name a coupleand escalating tensions between China and Taiwan present another case. So far, India has succeeded at this balancing act by staying quiet. Sana Hashmi, an expert on India-Taiwan relations based in Taipei, told me this week that if New Delhi made any public statement, it would mostly likely cover the bare minimum, and probably not mention China or Taiwan by name.





If it did, this would mean a policy change, she said. Yet the broader geopolitics matter for India. China-Taiwan tensions are playing out in the Indo-Pacific region, where India strongly supports U.S. policy that revolves around countering China. Even major Chinese military provocations falling short of an invasion would be a major blow to the policy, which aims to keep the region peaceful. Current tensions are destabilizing the Indo-Pacific, and that does impact Indias security interests and its objectives in the Indo-Pacific, according to an analyst.





SOUTH ASIAN STATES AND BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE





Seeking to avoid getting pulled into U.S.-China competition, other South Asian states have distanced themselves from the Indo-Pacific policyeven though many of them have received investments as part of Beijings Belt and Road Initiative. Bangladesh declined a U.S. invitation to become a partner in the policy, while Nepal long resisted agreeing to an infrastructure grant that U.S. officials had described as part of the policy.





The destabilizing effects of tensions in the Taiwan Strait could still present a problem for South Asia more broadlyby threatening some of its partners.The reason for the refusal by South Asian countries of the US proposal is mainly due to their need for the construction of infrastructure for which these countriesdid not have the funds that the Chinese were willing to provide under their Road and Belt Initiative despite former Vice President Mike Pences warning of Chinese Debt Trap. It is well known that China and India are the two most populous countries in the world.









China was the most populous country with approximately 1.42 billion people in 2018. India was the second largest country by population with approximately 1.35 billion inhabitants in 2018. China and India together account for 36.28% of the total world population of 7,632,819,325. Various macroeconomic growth indicators of the two countries have been compiled to understand what led to the rapid growth of China vs.India. Indias GDP growth rate in the last 17 years has averaged 6.61% CAGR while Chinas GDP growth rate has averaged 9.28% Compound Annual Growth Rate(CAGR). Chinas capital investment as a percentage of GDP which is a proxy for Investment as a percentage of GDP has averaged 43% while Indias investment as a percentage of GDP has averaged 34.2% in the last 17 years. Subdued investment as a percentage of GDP has led to lower Indias GDP growth rate while China has maintained its investment rate. Indian economy growth rate will rise when capital investment rises for which India will need bigger government and private spending.





INDIAS DEMOGRAPHIC DIVIDEND OVER CHINA





It is projected that by 2024, India will have more people than China with approximately 1.44 billion people. Currently, Chinas population growth rate is 0.39%, while India is growing at 1.11%. In 1950, the population of China was 554 million. While the population of India was 376 million. China crossed the one billion mark in 1981 and India in 1998.





By 2029, India will cross the 1.5 billion mark. The population density of India is 455 people per square km compared to 148 of China. So, India is 2.96 times denser than China. China is 4th and India is the 7th largest country in terms of area. Chinas GDP per capita in constant 2010 dollars grew from $1,767 in 2000 to $7,308 in 2017 translating to a 8.71% Compound Annual Growth Rate CAGR while India grew its per capita GDP from $826 in 2000 to $1987 in 2017 at 5.31% CAGR. Slower per capita growth in India is partially because of a lower female labor force participation rate of ~23% while China has reported closer to ~60% female labor participation rate. Chinas GDP growth was export-ledwhile India is still trying to generate a trade surplus. Chinas export as a percentage of GDP in 2006 peaked at 36% then it has gradually fallen and in 2018, Chinas export as a percentage of GDP was 19.7%.





China has increased its share of high technology exports as a percentage of total manufacturing exports averaging 21% while India delivered 6.4% in the last 25 years. High technology exports make China competitive and it becomes a supplier that is difficult to replace vs. other nations whose exports are commodity in nature. Apart from economic differences China and India have hundreds of kilometers of demarcated border where border clashes have occurred.





INDO-CHINA BORDER DISPUTES





According to Wikipedia the border between China and India is disputed at multiple locations. There is no publicly available map depicting the Indian version of the LAC, and the Survey of India maps are the only evidence of the official border for India. The Chinese version of the LAC mostly consists of claims in the Ladakh region, but China also claims Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India. China and India previously fought over the border in 1962 and 1967 with China gaining victory in the former and India gaining victory in the latter.





Since the 1980s, there have been over 50 rounds of talks between the two countries related to these border issues. During Xi Jinpings visit to New Delhi in September 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the boundary question and urged his counterpart for a solution. Since Modi became Prime Minister in 2014 until the 2020 standoff, Modi and Xi met 18 times, including those on the sidelines of summits and five visits to China. According to an analyst  improving combat readiness is now a strategic mission for the Chinese military . China has since increased its military presence in the Tibetan Plateau.





China has also been increasing its footprint with Indias neighbours  Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan to, prevent India from having a monopoly in the region, China is now posing a direct challenge to New Delhis influence in South Asia. The disputed territory of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir is administered by Pakistan, India, and China. Multiple reasons have been cited as the trigger for these skirmishes., Critics have blamed successive Indian governments (including the current Narendra Modi government) of neglecting the border areas for decades and turning a blind eye to Chinese land grabbing in the region.





SUCCESSIVE INDIAN GOVERNMENTS NEGLECTED THE PROTECTION OF LAC





According to them, India had failed in the protection of its borders, and even in 2020, all along the LAC, India had lost land. In mid-June 2020, a BJP member of Parliament from Arunachal Pradeshacknowledged the presence of regular Chinese patrols inside north-east India as well.MIT professor, Taylor Fravel, said that the skirmishes were a response from China to the development of Indian infrastructure in Ladakh. He added that it was a show of strength for China amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which had damaged the Chinese economy and its international reputation. According to Yun Sun, a China specialist at the Stimson Center, China perceived Indias road-building as a threat to its territorial integrity which it will not sacrifice for the sake of good relations with India.





Wang Shida of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations linked the current border tensions to Indias decision to abrogate Article 370 and change the status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. Some postulated that a parliamentary speech by Amit Shah, the Minister of Home Affairs, also could have irked China. In the speech, Shah had declared that Aksai Chin, a disputed region administered by China, was part of the Indian-administered Ladakh Union Territory. An Indian diplomatalso agreed that New Delhis moves related to Jammu and Kashmir irked Beijing.Other analysts linked the skirmishes to Indias growing alliance with the United States. Tanvi Madan, author of Fateful Triangle (a book about the international relations between the US, India, and China) stated that India thought that this was a signal from Beijing to limit its relations with the US.





CHINAS MUSCLE POWER AS WITNESSED BY SMALLER POWERS





A former diplomat of India stated that smaller powers like India and Australia, who have aligned with the US, are witnessing a more aggressive China.





Indias former ambassador to China said that these skirmishes were part of a growing Chinese assertiveness in both the Indo-China border and the South China sea. Raja Mohan, Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, writes that the growing power imbalance between China and India is the main cause of the dispute, with everything else such as the location of the dispute or international ties of India, being mere detail.





In short since Indo-China- Pakistan conflicts are not going away driving India despite its non-alignment policy in the ultimate analysis India would have to align herself with the US for her survival and to hold on to her preeminence in South Asia and deny China its design to grab South Asia as its base like the one in Sri Lanka.





Kazi Anwarul Masud is a retired Bangladeshi diplomat. During his tenure, he worked in several countries as the ambassador of Bangladesh including Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea and Germany
After the United States lifted its economic embargo in 1994, Coca-Cola was one of the first U.S. companies to invest in Viet Nam, and the system now has 2,000 employees and three factories producing beverages in the country.

Mr. Quincey thanked PM Chinh at the meeting for his time and attention. The Coca-Cola system is proud to be a part of the Vietnamese community. Its strategy has been expanding its operations and making essential investments in Viet Nam. Next year, the system will celebrate 30 years of operation in Viet Nam.

In Viet Nam, Coca-Cola system has partnered with more than 1 million retailers nationwide, creating 2,000 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs for the domestic labour market. The Coca-Cola system has invested US$136 million to build a new beverage factory in Long An, one of the biggest cities in the Mekong Delta area. This recent investment is one of Coca-Cola system Viet Nam's key projects, reflecting a long-term commitment to the country's economic development. The new factory has been designed to improve productivity by applying innovative production models and technology to optimize resource usage and expects the entire operation in 2026.

Coca-Cola also seeks to further cooperate with Viet Nam, developing sustainably with the country. The company aims to drive growth while helping create a better-shared future.

Coca-Cola's sustainability initiatives focus on Packaging, Water Leadership, Sustainable Agriculture, Climate, Portfolio of beverage choices, and People and Communities. As an example of its local efforts, Coca-Cola has partnered with The Ocean Cleanup to help kickstart a riverclean programme in the Can Tho River in Viet Nam.

The Coca-Cola Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, is helping drive a positive impact in the circular economy while also mobilising its resources and strengths to promote practical programs and activities for Vietnam's socio-economic development with a total of more than $3,700,000 in grants from 2018 to 2022 for critical projects:

$275,000 grant to the Vietnam Red Cross Society to help people impacted by flooding in Da Nang City in 2022.

$339,000 grant to Centre for Supporting Green Development (GreenHub) in 2021-2022 to promote circular economy solutions to reduce marine plastics waste in Can Gio, a biosphere reserve and considered a green lung for Ho Chi Minh City.

$289,000 grant to World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) in 2021-2022 to enhance the water regulation services and replenishment capacity of Tram Chim National Park and its buffer zone.

About Coca-Cola Vietnam

Coca-Cola is one of the best-known international brands in Viet Nam. Coca-Cola Vietnams manufacturing facilities in Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang, and Hanoi employ around 2,000 people, while creating an additional six to eight times of indirect jobs throughout the companys value chain. As a total beverage company, Coca-Cola is continuously investing in product innovation, diversifying packaging options, and providing a wide portfolio of quality beverage products, which includes less-sugar and zero-sugar variants. Coca-Cola Vietnam offers COCA-COLA, COCA-COLA LIGHT, COCA-COLA less sugar, COCA-COLA ZERO, COCA-COLA PLUS, SPRITE, FANTA, MINUTE MAID TEPPY, MINUTE MAID SPLASH, GEORGIA MAX COFFEE, NUTRIBOOST, DASANI, AQUARIUS, SCHWEPPES va FUZETEA+. The company is also fully committed to creating shared value in the communities it serves by ensuring that sustainability is at the core of its business operations. Coca-Cola continues building sustainable communities in locations where the company operates. From 2010, Coca-Cola has invested millions of dollars in community projects in Viet Nam. This includes programs such as the EKOCENTER, providing clean water, empowering women, and local SMEs, supporting families in hardship, and sending disaster relief. For more information, visit our digital magazine Coca-Cola Journey Vietnam at https://www.cocacolavietnam.com/

About The Coca-Cola Foundation

The Coca-Cola Foundations mission is to make a difference in communities around the world where The Coca-Cola Company operates and where our employees live and work. We support transformative ideas and institutions that address complex global challenges and that leave a measurable and lasting impact. Our giving is focused on sustainable access to safe water, climate resilience and disaster risk preparedness and response, circular economy, economic empowerment, and causes impacting our hometown community. Since its inception in 1984, The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded grants of over $1.5 billion in service of its mandate to strengthen communities across the World.
HA NOI  Viet Nam is taking measures to promote the negotiations of a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), which is expected to be a driving force for Viet Nam to tap the Latin American market, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said.

Currently, MERCOSUR members, including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, do not have free trade agreements with countries whose export structure competes directly with Viet Nam. Accessing this bloc market via an FTA will create a significant boost for Vietnamese export goods to them.

MERCOSUR is a dynamic, competitive, and developing economic region. It is the fifth-largest economic region with a total GDP of US$4.58 trillion in the world and is also one of the leading food raw material and energy production regions.

Moreover, MERCOSUR is a potential market, with nearly 300 million consumers, about 70 per cent of the South American population, for Viet Nam's export products such as garments, footwear, handicrafts, and processed foods.

MERCOSUR is Viet Nam's 13th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade value rising from $2.45 billion in 2011 to $12 billion in 2022. Of this, Viet Nam's goods exports to MERCOSUR reached $3.3 billion, while imports from this region amounted to about $8.7 billion.

Trade value between MERCOSUR and Viet Nam accounts for nearly a quarter of the total trade value between MERCOSUR and ASEAN, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

However, logistics costs for goods from Viet Nam to this market are high due to the long distance, language differences, and lack of direct freight or passenger transport routes. Most importantly, the two sides have not yet established a free trade agreement (FTA).

According to the ministry, MERCOSUR countries excel in producing and exporting farm produce, animal feeds, industrial materials, and minerals. In contrast, Viet Nam's main exports to the bloc are electronic and telecommunication devices, apparel, and footwear. Such a complementary structure of goods without direct competitiveness is a strength for Viet Nam in approaching this market.

Furthermore, the four South American nations have not signed any trade agreements with countries whose export structure directly competes with Viet Nam. As such, access to this market will significantly boost Vietnamese goods.

MERCOSUR Parliament (PARLASUR) leaders have also expressed a keen interest in Viet Nam being the gateway for MERCOSUR to enter ASEAN.

They support the early launch of the Viet Nam - MERCOSUR FTA negotiations to open markets for each other. This will facilitate goods trading activities, diversify the structure of import and export products, and promote the growth of bilateral trade value in the future.

As one of the MERCOSUR countries, Brazil is now Viet Nam's largest trading partner in South America and vice versa, Viet Nam is Brazil's largest trading partner in Southeast Asia. The trade turnover between the two countries in 2022 was about $6.78 billion, marking an increase of 6.6 per cent compared to 2021 and threefold over the past decade.

Speaking at the discussion between Viet Nam-Brazil businesses during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Brazil last month, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien emphasised that Brazil could become a bridge to help Viet Nam's goods access Latin American countries' markets as well as the MERCOSUR market.

Similarly, Viet Nam can serve as a bridge to help Brazil access the ASEAN market with over 650 million people and the even larger market of 800 million people of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Minister Dien stated that investment from multinational companies into Viet Nam is expected to increase as the country becomes a primary production centre in the global supply chain. Consequently, Viet Nam's demand for raw materials will surge, offering Brazil opportunities to expand its supply of raw materials to Viet Nam, especially those for emerging industries.

The minister suggested that both sides intensify the exchange of business delegations to explore investment and business opportunities in the two markets, fostering trade and investment ties between the countries.

Minister Dien also urged Brazil to provide more favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to access the Brazilian market, especially in sectors like agriculture, footwear, wooden furniture, handicrafts, and seafood.

Brazilian business representatives praised Viet Nam's development potential and recognised the vast cooperation possibilities in fields like agriculture, processing, manufacturing, aviation, mineral mining, technology, and renewable energy.

Regarding economic and trade relations, Viet Nam and Brazil have the potential to boost their bilateral turnover to $10 billion by 2025 and $15 billion by 2030, as noted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

Viet Nam hopes Brazil, a founding member and the current rotating president of MERCOSUR, will continue to support and expedite the commencement of FTA negotiations between Viet Nam and MERCOSUR, Son added.

According to statistics, trade between Viet Nam and the Americas, comprising 35 countries including MERCOSUR members, reached $153.9 billion last year, growing by 10.7 per cent annually.

Of this total, Viet Nams imports and exports were valued at over $128 billion and $25.7 billion, marking increases of 12.2 per cent and 3 per cent year-on-year, respectively. This led to a record trade surplus of more than $102.5 billion.

Trade values with major regional markets experienced stable growth: the US (11 per cent), Brazil (6.6 per cent), Canada (16.5 per cent), Mexico (7.1 per cent), Chile (9 per cent), and Argentina (8.3 per cent).

Ta Hoang Linh, director of the MoITs European-American Market Department, believes that Vietnamese goods can establish a stronger foothold in the Americas when businesses leverage existing FTAs.

The ministry's strategy emphasises maximising the benefits of the 15 existing FTAs and advocating for the negotiation of new agreements, including one with MERCOSURr.

Furthermore, as Linh highlighted, Viet Nam has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, driving the nation to champion green production and environmental protection. This commitment will give Vietnamese exports a competitive edge in the future, especially as demand for eco-friendly products rises in European and American markets.  VNS
HCM CITY  Brands in Viet Nam and the Asia Pacific region are strongly investing in commercial conversation to improve the customer experience, experts said.

About 77.9 million Vietnamese residents use the Internet out of a total population of 98.5 million as of January 2023, which contributes to the popularity of social networking platforms.

Therefore, the potential for conversational commerce in Viet Nam is incredibly wide.

Telecommunications service providers in the country have used conversational commerce platforms for account notifications and to offer hyper-personalised promotions and discounts to customers.

In addition to Facebook and Instagram, Vietnamese are very active in using communication apps such as Zalo and Viber.

Furthermore, e-commerce is one of the fastest-growing business segments in the country.

Many online retailers in Viet Nam are using conversational AI and chatbots to address customer queries in real time and keep customers apprised of order updates.

For instant messaging, brands use communication platforms as a service (CPaaS) and software as service-based (SaaS) solutions as crucial tools, empowering organisations to seamlessly integrate real-time communication features such as voice, text, video, instant messaging, and social media into their internal and external applications.

Nikhil Batra, Research Director, Telecommunication, IDC Asia/Pacific, stated that contextualised customer interactions boost profitability and foster emotionally fulfilling engagements. The rapidly increasing use of social networks in Viet Nam further fuels businesses' desire to improve customer experience. Investing in conversational commerce will thus help brands grow more quickly.

According to Infobips research Revolutionising Customer Experience through the Power of Conversational Commerce, a majority of organisations in the region, about 70 per cent, plan to increase communication platform spending over 2023-24 in order to provide unique, unparalleled customer experiences for the regions growing social media users, who are mostly young, active, and aware of the power of their own influence.

The research revealed that Asia Pacific companies including those from Viet Nam are increasing investments in cloud-based solutions for enhanced customer experiences and operational efficiencies.

As businesses embrace the potential of conversational commerce, they leverage AI technology to create meaningful connections and unlock new growth opportunities.

"Organisations need an actionable, customer-centric strategy and the ability to invest in the right set of tools to grow their business and keep customers happy, which will empower organisations to stay ahead in a dynamic marketplace, said Velid Begovic, vice president of Revenue at Infobip.

According to the report, customers born and raised in the digital age have high expectations and carefully evaluate their interactions with brands throughout the buying journey.

This has resulted in brands moving away from traditional transaction-level experiences to relationship-based ones.

Capitalising on the advancements in Artificial Intelligence, conversational commerce has gained significant traction among businesses in the Asia Pacific region.

According to the study, at 74 per cent, the banking, finance and insurance sector leads the industry in increased CpaaS investments in 2023-2024. Retail and government/healthcare come in second and third, at 72 per cent and 66 per cent, respectively.  VNS
HCM CITY  IDECAF Drama Troupe of HCM City has launched its new art programme to offer shows on Vietnamese history and culture aimed at young audiences.

The troupe will stage a series of drama and musical shows featuring historical events, including Ta Quan Le Van Duyet (General Le Van Duyet), Tran Thu o-Anh Hung va Gian Hung (The Hero) and Nu ai e Me Linh (The Queen).

These plays highlight patriotism and loyalty and will be directed by talented artists Hoang Duan, Le Chi Trung and Vu Minh.

They combine drama, music and cai luong (reformed opera), a traditional form of Vietnamese theatre which began 100 years ago in the South.

The drama Ta Quan Le Van Duyet depicts the life of General Le Van Duyet, who was the Governor of Gia inh Citadel (later Sai Gon and now HCM City) in the 19th century.

The cai luong show Nu ai e Me Linh (The Queen) features the lives of Trung Trac and her younger sister, Trung Nhi who led the countrys first resistance movement against Chinese occupiers in the first century, around 2,000 years ago.

Tran Thu o-Anh Hung va Gian Hung is a musical production of historical events dating back more than 800 years. Love and betrayal are among the themes of the show.

The three works are scheduled to be staged in November and December.

Through our programme, we want to provide audiences with quality shows on Vietnamese history, said the theatres founder and art director Huynh Anh Tuan. New concepts and techniques in drama will be offered to meet the tastes of young people.

Tuan decided to spend a large sum on costumes, and light and sound effects. Songs and music pieces based on Vietnamese folk music were composed to highlight the themes of the shows.

We will highlight the beauty of Vietnamese culture, theatre and lifestyle through our shows, said Tuan, who has more than 30 years in the industry.

IDECAF Drama Troupe is one of the regions leading private theatres. It features 30 professional artists, along with backstage workers.

It offers many experimental shows in drama, musical, cai luong (reformed opera) and hat boi (central drama), two genres of traditional theatre in southern and central regions.

The theatres new shows are being staged at Thanh Nien Theatre, 4 Pham Ngoc Thach Street, District 1. VNS
by Tushar Ranjan Mohanty

On September 29, 2023, at least 60 people, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), were killed while another 100 were injured in a suicide blast targeting a 12th Rabiul Awwal procession near Madina Masjid at Alfalah Road in Mastung town (Mastung District), Balochistan. Mastung Assistant Commissioner (AC) Atta-ul-Munim said that the explosion took place when people were gathering for the procession. The target were people of Barelvi sub-sect of Sunni Muslims. No outfit has so far claimed responsibility. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), meanwhile, has denied its involvement.





A man comforts another mourning the killing of his relative in the blast in Balochistan [Arshad Butt/AP]

In another incident on the same day, at least five people were killed and another 12 sustained injuries, when two suicide blasts targeted a mosque located inside the premises of the Doaba Police Station in the Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). While one of the attackers was killed in a shootout with the Police outside the mosque, the other managed to penetrate the place of worship and exploded his device. Two Police officers were also injured during the exchange of fire. The target were people of Deobandi sub-sect of Sunni Muslims. No outfit has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.





On July 25, 2023, one Policeman, Additional Station House Officer Adnan Afridi, was killed in a suicide blast inside Ahle-e-Hadith Masjid (mosque) in the Gharuba area of Jamrud tehsil (revenue unit) in Khyber District of KP. The Masjid belongs to the Ahle Hadees sub-sect of Sunni Muslims.





According to partial data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), Pakistan has already recorded six attacks on places of worship of different Muslim sects in the current year, resulting in 157 fatalities and 332 persons injured (data till October 1, 2023). During the corresponding period of 2022, there was only one such attack, resulting in 64 fatalities and 194 persons injured. No such attack took place in the remaining period of 2022. Year 2021 did not record any such attack.





Since March 6, 2000, 126 such attacks have been reported from across Pakistan, resulting in the death of at least 1,759 persons, and injuries to 3,897. Though 2012 was the worst year in terms of attacks, with 18 incidents, a high of 274 fatalities in such attacks, were recorded in 2010.





As the statistics suggest, the current year has witnessed highest number of attacks since 2014, when there were seven such attacks, though there were six such attacks in 2015 as well. The previous high of 159 fatalities were recorded 2013.





Some of the major attacks on places of worship of different sects of Muslims, involving 50 or more fatalities included:





January 30, 2023: At least 93 persons were killed and another 221 were injured in a suicide blast inside a mosque in the Police Lines area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. The suicide attacker, who was in Police uniform, was present in the front row during the Zuhr prayer (the second of the daily mandatory prayers, offered at noon). The Capital City Police Officer, Peshawar, Ejaz Khan, disclosed that around 300 to 400 Policemen usually offered Zuhr prayers at the venue.





March 4, 2022: At least 57 worshippers lost their lives and another 194 were injured when a suicide attacker detonated himself inside a Shia mosque in the Koocha Risaldar area of Peshawar, KP. The Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) claimed the attack.





February 16, 2017: At least 88 people were killed and 343 injured when a suicide bomber attacked the crowded Sufi shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in the Sehwan Sharif town of Jamshoro District in Sindh. The blast took place inside the premises of the shrine as a dhamaal (Sufi ritual) was taking place. A large number of women and children were said to be among the casualties. Devotees throng the shrine of the revered Sufi saint every Thursday to participate in a dhamaal and prayers. IS-KP had claimed responsibility for the attack.





November 12, 2016: At least 52 persons were killed and 102 were injured in an explosion at the shrine of Shah Norani in the Khuzdar District of Balochistan. The explosion took place at the spot where dhamaal was being performed, within the premises of the shrine. IS-KP had claimed responsibility for the attack.





January 30, 2015: At least 61 Shias were killed and 50 were injured in a bomb explosion at Karbala Maula Imambargah (Shia place of worship) in Lakhi Dar area of Shikarpur District in Sindh.





July 26, 2013: At least 50 persons were killed and 100 were injured in coordinated twin suicide attacks at Parachinar in the Kurram Agency of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Suicide bombers on motorcycles blew themselves up within a minute of each other outside the Imambargah.





August 19, 2011: At least 56 persons were killed and 123 injured in a suicide attack during the Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid Madina in the Ghundai area of Jamrud in the Khyber Agency of erstwhile FATA.





May 28, 2010: At least 100 worshippers were killed and 92 were injured as seven assailants, including three suicide bombers, attacked an Ahmadiyya place of worship at Model Town and the Garhi Shahu areas of Lahore in Punjab.





November 5, 2010: At least 97 persons were killed and 70 injured in a suicide attack on the Friday congregation at a mosque in the Darra Adamkhel area of Kohat District in KP.





March 27, 2009: 83 persons, including 16 Security Force personnel, were killed and over 100 injured in a suicide attack on a mosque on the Peshawar-Torkham Highway in the Jamrud sub-division of Khyber Agency in erstwhile FATA.





June 5, 2009: A suicide bomber killed 50 persons, including 12 children, at a mosque in a remote village of the Upper Dir District of the erstwhile North West Frontier Province (NWFP).





December 21, 2007: At least 50 persons were killed and 80 injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up in the midst of worshippers offering Id-ul-Adha prayers at the Markazi Jamia Masjid Sherpao in the Charsadda District of KP.





July 4, 2003: At least 53 persons were killed and 57 injured, as three Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) terrorists, including a suspected suicide bomber, attacked a Shia mosque during Friday prayers in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan.





In the sectarianism-riddled society of Pakistan, the places of worship of every sect have come under attack. Though the places of worship of the Shias, with the second largest population (estimated 10-15 per cent of the total) in the Sunni dominated nation, are the primary targets, the places of worship of other minority sects, such as Ahmadiyya and Sufi, have also been repeatedly targeted. The Ahmadis are, by law, not considered Muslims in Pakistan. In 1974, the Government led by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto passed the Second Amendment to the Constitution, declaring the Ahmadis non-Muslim. The major players carrying out such attacks are the TTP and LeJ, which aim to transform Pakistan into a Sunni state, primarily through violence. The IS-KP is a relatively new player in the bloodbath. It has claimed some of the major sectarian attacks in the recent past. Sunni mosques have faced several attacks from Sunni extremists, who consider those who do not adhere to their own narrow interpretation of Islam as murtad (apostates or deviants).





As terrorist violence continues to surge across Pakistan in the aftermath of the Afghan Talibans return to power in Kabul, and the simultaneous strengthening of terrorist formations inside Pakistan  mainly the TTP and IS-KP  attacks on places of worship, like other forms of terrorism, are likely to escalate. The existing fanaticism and deep sectarian divide will also grow, pushing the country further into chaos.





Tushar Ranjan Mohanty is a Counter-terrorism Expert on Pakistan at Institute for Conflict Management (ICM) in New Delhi
CAO BANG  The Peoples Committee of Cao Bang Province on September 30 held a ceremony to launch a culture, sports, and tourism week and receive a certificate re-verifying Non Nuoc Cao Bang as a UNESCO-recognised Global Geopark.

In 2018, the Non Nuoc Cao Bang geopark was recognised as a Global Geopark. Since then, the northern mountainous province has actively participated in activities of the worlds geopark network and international cooperation. Cao Bang has invested in and put into operation four tourist routes to the geopark, while preserving and promoting geological heritage values and indigenous culture, as well as protecting the environment according to the criteria and recommendations of UNESCO experts.

At the 7th session of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council taking place in December 2022, the certificate recognising Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark after first re-verification was approved.

At the ceremony on September 30, Tran Lan Huong, head of the Natural Sciences Department at the UNESCO Office in Viet Nam, on behalf of UNESCO, awarded the certificate to Cao Bang Province.

Meanwhile, the Cao Bang Culture, Sports, and Tourism Week which lasts until October 3, includes a fine art exhibition, performances of intangible cultural heritage, a paragliding performance, a display of typical local agricultural products, local specialties and demonstration of how to prepare local dishes.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The Supreme People's Procuracy has started legal proceedings against 38 defendants related to the COVID-19 test kit case at Viet A Company.

Former Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long and his former secretary Nguyen Huynh were prosecuted for "receiving bribes".

The former Minister of Health has so far returned most of the money he received, according to the police.

Four others prosecuted for the same charge are Pham Duy Tuyen, former director of the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) of Hai Duong Province; Trinh Thanh Hung, former deputy director of the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology; Nguyen Minh Tuan, former director of Medical Equipment and Construction, Ministry of Health; and Nguyen Nam Lien, former director of Financial Planning Department, Ministry of Health.

Phan Quoc Viet, general director of Viet A Company, and Vu inh Hiep, the companys deputy director, were prosecuted for "violating regulations on bidding causing serious consequences" and "giving bribes".

Phan Ton Noel Thao and Ho Thi Thanh Thao, financial assistant and treasurer of Viet A Company, were prosecuted for "giving bribes".

Former Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh was prosecuted for "violating regulations on management and use of State assets, causing loss and waste".

Other defendants include many directors and deputy directors at ministerial levels, provincial officials; leaders, medical staff, and CDC officials of 24 provinces and cities.

According to the indictment, Phan Quoc Viet, general director of Viet A Company, was identified as the mastermind.

In early 2020, when COVID-19 broke out, learning about the policy of researching biological products for pandemic prevention and control, Viet asked to join the project.

Immediately after being transferred the test kit research process, Viet assigned his subordinates to continue developing it for production, then apply for a licence for circulation and commercial business.

Viet gave US$3.45 million and VN4 billion to related officials to help his company get permission to participate in the test kit research and receive a registration number to circulate the products.

Former Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long received $2.2 million indirectly through his secretary and $50,000 directly. All were given by Phan Quoc Viet.

Long was prosecuted for receiving bribes while approving the issuance of circulation registration numbers, price negotiation, and price checks of COVID-19 test kits, causing particularly serious damage to the States assets.

According to the investigation, Long knew that the COVID-19 test kit was a product of a research project assigned by the Ministry of Science and Technology to the Military Medical Academy, which was owned by the State.

Viet A Company was not eligible to be granted a circulation registration number, but at the request of Phan Quoc Viet, Long directed his subordinates to create conditions for the company to receive a temporary circulation registration number.

Long represented the Ministry of Health to negotiate the price of the test kit with Viet A, with the participation of the Ministry of Finances representatives.  VNS
HA NOI  Married for 13 years, Hong (not her real name), born in 1985, and her husband are still waiting for a baby.

She miscarried five times between the 17th to 19th weeks of pregnancy and was determined by doctors to have several problems with her uterus, leading to its inability to support the fetus.

In this sixth pregnancy, holding another new hope inside the womb, she was diagnosed with a low amniotic fluid level at the 18th pregnancy week, reported the Dan Tri e-newspaper.

This is the condition in which the amniotic membrane cannot hold enough amniotic fluid, resulting in less fluid than normal for the gestational age. Oligohydramnios puts the fetus at risk of growth retardation, limb deformity, and, in the worst cases, stillbirth.

Visiting the Fetal Intervention Centre at Hanoi Obstetrics Hospital, she was prescribed amnioinfusion, a technique healthcare providers use to add amniotic fluid to the uterus.

Dr Nguyen Thi Sim, in charge of the centre, said: "Amnioinfusion is a technique of introducing sterile isotonic fluid into the uterus to increase the volume of amniotic fluid for the fetus. This is an advanced obstetric technique.

Before the technique was approved, in cases of insufficient amniotic fluid, when the fetus was too young to intervene, the doctor's only option was to terminate the pregnancy, she said.

Using the world's tiniest needle with a diameter of only 0.3mm, doctors have to be careful with every movement. The small needle is entirely safe for both the fetus and the mother but poses a challenge for doctors performing the technique.

Dr Sim said: "We have to insert the needle until it passes the amniotic membrane but does not touch the fetus. Not passing the amniotic membrane will cause the muscle in the amniotic membrane to separate.

"Otherwise, if the needle penetrates slightly beyond the amniotic membrane, the fetus will develop oedema. If the needle penetrates the umbilical cord, the fluid will enter the blood vessels, which is very dangerous," she said.

An amniotic transfusion requires only one to two needles, but Sim mentioned that to perform it effectively, many years of training as a fetal interventionist are needed.

Feeling is the "guide" to move the needle. To reach its destination, the needle must pass through the muscle layer, the fat layer of the abdominal wall, the uterine muscle, and the amniotic membrane, Dr Sim explained.

"Each layer has a different resistance. The doctor must be aware of the needle's location at all times. This is the most challenging aspect of this technique," Sim said, likening it to "finding a needle in a haystack".

After 30 minutes, the doctors have successfully infused 500ml of amniotic fluid into the mothers womb. The previously constricted space is now expanded, and the baby immediately becomes more active.

Doctors who offer hope

The Fetal Intervention Centre assists pregnant women with complications.

Sim noted: "The patients we see are all undergoing challenging pregnancies with issues such as polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios or twins with morphological or genetic abnormalities.

All of these conditions directly threaten the health and life of the fetus."

The role of fetal intervention doctors is to identify appropriate medical solutions to save the fetus, even if there's only a glimmer of hope.

Our mission is to uncover even the faintest rays of hope. With our expertise, we nurture this hope. The ultimate aim is to ensure the baby is born healthy, Dr Sim said.

More than anyone else, the doctors and nurses at the centre recognise that they represent the last beacon of hope for distressed families on their long and arduous journey seeking healthy babies, she observed.

"Any positive update on the fetus's progress can uplift the entire family," Dr Sim said.

Advance the technique

At the Fetal Intervention Centre, nearly 150 pregnant women with oligohydramnios, like Hong, have successfully gone through labour and fully experienced the joy of motherhood thanks to the amnioinfusion technique.

Professor Nguyen Duy Anh, director of Ha Noi Obstetrics Hospital, stated that fetal intervention is currently the most challenging obstetric technique. It is pivotal in saving the lives of numerous foetuses facing perilous pregnancy complications.

"In fetal medicine, the foetus is regarded as a patient. If the foetus has a condition that necessitates early intervention, fetal medicine techniques can treat it directly within the womb. This not only aids in saving the life of the foetus but also in preventing severe defects upon birth, he said.

Such procedures would also enhance the quality of the population, as the rate of babies born with disabilities and sequelae from foetal diseases would significantly decrease, he added.

Hundreds of babies have been born at the hospital, owing to advanced fetal intervention techniques.

Doctors at Ha Noi Obstetrics Hospital are exploring numerous cutting-edge fetal intervention techniques, especially those that intervene directly in the foetal organs to treat diseases affecting the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys.

They are keenly anticipating the incorporation of stem cell technology and gene therapy into fetal intervention.

Annually, there are thousands of cases in Viet Nam that require fetal intervention. If these are detected early and receive timely intervention, the outcomes don't have to be foetal deaths or unhealthy births, according to Professor Anh.

In his opinion, fetal medicine embodies profound humanistic values. Many mothers may only have a single opportunity to become pregnant. Thus, safeguarding the baby holds immense significance for the entire family.

"Bearing children might be a family's sole opportunity. For instance, in cases of uterine rupture, the likelihood of the woman conceiving again is almost negligible. Or, there are those who, after undergoing fertility treatments, can't conceive when they're older.

Safeguarding this rare chance and rekindling hope for these families is the unique joy and privilege of obstetricians like us," Professor Anh said.  VNS
Changes in international relations and geopolitics could lead to a shift in trillions of dollars in cash flows. Vietnam has the opportunity to welcome large capital flows and achieve huge export value, thereby raising the economy to a new level.

Also read: Korean enterprises pour 1.5 billion USD into investing in Hai Phong, Vietnam

New billion USD cash flow

Ha Tinh newspaper has just reported that on September 28, Ms Antonia Zahn Weber, CEO of Germany's VFT Industry UG Company, discussed with a high-level delegation of Ha Tinh province about constructing a stainless steel factory in Vung Ang Economic Zone.

Accordingly, VFT Industry UG plans to build a stainless steel factory on an area of 250 hectares, with an expected investment of 1.5 billion euros. Steel production capacity is estimated at 1.1 million tons/year.

Ms. Antonia Zahn Weber said that Ha Tinh has many conditions and advantages, such as convenient transportation, abundant human resources, a 137km long coastline, and the largest deep-water port in Vietnam, Vung Ang - Son Duong (which can accommodate ships of over 300,000 tons)... In particular, Ha Tinh is increasingly attracting interest and investment from many large corporations and projects worldwide.

This is the next signal of capital flows from the European Union (EU) into Vietnam. Previously, in November 2022, Denmark's LEGO Group broke ground on a factory construction project worth more than a billion USD at Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Park III in Tan Uyen, Binh Duong province. This is the first large-scale project of the LEGO Group investing in Vietnam, the 6th factory worldwide and the 2nd in Asia.

LEGO's factory in Binh Duong received disbursement quickly and is preparing personnel and labour to go into production in the second half of 2024.

Since Vietnam and the US elevated their cooperative relationship to a comprehensive strategic level, the opportunity to welcome European-American financial flows is becoming increasingly obvious. Trade, currency, and technology wars between major powers, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EUVFTA) drive large corporations to diversify their supply chains.

Information from Intel US said that the group poured an additional 475 million USD into the factory in Vietnam at the end of last year, bringing the total investment to 1.5 billion USD. Until now, Intel Products Vietnam is the largest of the four factories in assembly and testing. Currently, the factory in Vietnam produces several microprocessors and performs more than 50% of global output in assembly and testing. American corporations are also and will continue to invest in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, the US Apple Corporation has transferred 11 audio-visual equipment factories to Vietnam.

At the end of March 2023, an unprecedentedly large American business delegation arrived in Vietnam. 52 American companies and corporations, including defence, pharmaceutical, and technology companies... (such as Boeing, Bell, and UPS...) were present to discuss investment and business opportunities.

Many familiar corporations are doing business or manufacturing in Vietnam and have plans to expand, such as Apple, Intel, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Netflix, etc...

SpaceX is also looking for the satellite Internet service market in Vietnam and other countries. AES, Visa Finance Company, Citibank, cloud computing technology companies Meta and Amazon Web Services, Google, Walmart, pharmaceutical businesses Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, energy company AES, medical equipment producer Abbott, and Visa Finance Company all support the hunt for business prospects in Vietnam.

Great opportunity for Vietnam

If 10 years ago, cash flows from Japan, Korea, Singapore, China... poured into Vietnam, then in the new decade, large capital flows will likely come from Europe and the US. Vietnam's export value of 1,000 billion USD was also mentioned.

In Japan and Korea alone, the amount of FDI capital in Vietnam has reached more than 150 billion USD. Future FDI capital from the US and Europe could be much larger.

Besides, capital flows in the financial market will also be very exciting when the stock market is upgraded, possibly as soon as 2024. A new trading system, KRX (based on Korean technology), with large capacity and more products, will be introduced from the end of 2023. A few billion USD will probably be invested in domestic enterprises instead of acquisitions worth a few hundred million dollars.

According to a recent report by VinaCapital, following US President Joe Biden's official visit to Vietnam from September 10 to 11, the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CPS). This marked a significant turning point for their bilateral diplomatic relations.

Accordingly, CPS creates a framework for further cooperation and collaboration between Vietnam and the US in many fields, including economics, trade, investment science, technology, digital, education, energy

The trend of shifting global supply chains has taken place strongly in recent years. Intel, Apple and many other American and European corporations have also sought and expanded their supplier networks and developed production facilities in many new areas, including India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Along with the "eagles", many other corporations also tend to move along, such as Foxconn, Pegatron...

As for the EU, for many years, countries in this region have had their economies heavily dependent on Russia and China, from gas and energy to raw materials and product consumption markets. The vulnerability to European countries, when geopolitical tensions have recently increased, may cause the EU to have more long-term calculations for the future.

Leading international analysts recently asserted that protectionism is not currently the biggest threat to the world economy; rather, geopolitical tensions are. Professor of International Political Economy at Harvard Kennedy School Dani Rodrik also made such an opinion on the Project Syndicate page.

Geopolitics has recently been considered one of the most important factors that can lead to a market crash, or lead to a reversal of capital flows, and financial and liquidity crises...

Capital flows from the US and EU may flow to some emerging economies. Capital flows from Japan and Korea will also continue to find safe harbours.

With the EU, Vietnam has a free trade agreement EVFTA and the Vietnam-US CPS, which will be a driving force to help EU corporations promote investment shifts to Vietnam to take advantage of tax incentives and easily export to America.

In a recent report by HSBC, this organization said that, despite the gloomy short-term prospects in the trade sector, ASEAN continues to attract FDI, reaching a record global market share of nearly 17%.

Also, according to HSBC, many investments have been poured into the region's growing technology, electric vehicle supply chain, and financial activities. Even Chinese investors are increasing FDI investments in ASEAN's diversified manufacturing industries and sub-sectors. Vietnam, meanwhile, is a bright spot in the region.

Read more: Foreign trade value to exceed US$700 billion

Capital flows may leave Vietnam when the State Bank's 'magic wand' stops working

According to the General Statistics Office, realized foreign direct investment capital in Vietnam in the first 9 months of 2023 is estimated to reach 15.91 billion USD, up 2.2% over the same period last year - the highest level in 9 months, from 2019 to present. Registered capital reached more than 202 billion USD, up 7.7% over the same period last year.
Masan MEATLife (HSX:MML) saw the strongest growth in the first half of the year, with an increase of 70 per cent to just under than $140 million. According to a recent financial statement, MML has just added the revenue of sausage and canned pork processor Masan Jinju ((HSX:MSJ). However, due to rising costs, MML reported $14.7 million in after-tax losses, 10.5 times the amount reported for the same period last year.

The business results of Hoang Anh Gia Lai JSC (HSX:HAG) were also much better than others. In August, HAG gained $27.8 million in net revenue, including $14.3 million from fruits, $7.7 million from livestock, and others.

HAG chairman Doan Nguyen Duc thanked three core areas for the results, breeding pigs and growing bananas and durian. "We are fiercely reviving the company for the sake of personal honour and for our shareholders," said Duc.

In the first half of the year, HAG generated about $132.5 million in revenue, an increase of 55 per cent on-year, of this, pig breeding contributed more than $42.2 million. Despite significant growth in revenue, the heavy costs dragged its after-tax profits to $17.1 million, down 24 per cent on-year. HAG is still facing accumulated losses of more than $124 million to date, although total assets have increased slightly compared to the beginning of the year to more than $900 million.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai Agricultural JSC (HSX:HNG) earned $11.7 million in revenue for the same period, a decrease of 23 per cent on-year, and lost $10.1 million in after-tax profit, according to the latest financial statement of the company.

This year, HNG expects the total volume of banana, pineapple, mango, and grapefruit output to approach 129,000 tonnes, and rubber touch 10,300 tonnes. The total assets of HNG saw a sight increase to $553 million for mid-2023, however, there were $434.6 million in debts payable and $305.5 million in accumulated losses.

In addition to steel manufacturing, Hoa Phat Group (HSX:HPG) entered the market for breeding pigs and selling Australian beef. In the second quarter, HPG reported $1.26 billion in revenue, a decrease of 21 per cent on-year. Of this, agriculture contributed $62.4 million  the worst outcome over the last four years.

After-tax profit was VND1.45 trillion ($61.2 million), a drop of 64 per cent on-year. In the first half of this year, HPG generated $2.4 billion in revenue, and $77.2 million in after-tax profit, quite far from yearly targets, according to HPG's financial statement.

Specialising in producing animal feed, breeding, and food processing, Dabaco Group (HSX:DBC) reported an impressive $146.4 million in net revenue, and just under $14 million in net profit in the second quarter. However, due to heavy losses in the first quarter, DBC gained just $253,000 in profit, a decrease of 73 per cent on-year.

BAF Vietnam Agriculture JSC (HSX:BAF) reported a decrease in agricultural product revenue by 21 per cent, while livestock revenue decreased by 5 per cent and for the first time, the company generated revenue from selling real estate investments of nearly $1 million. However, total revenue still decreased by 17 per cent on-year to nearly $105.5 million, and after-tax profit reduced by 88 per cent on-year to $675,000.

Although the results of the leading domestic livestock businesses were not as bad as could be expected, mainly due to the efforts of management, they were paled in comparison to the performance of the foreign-invested livestock giant C.P. Vietnam.

According to the financial statement from the Thai parent company C.P. Group, the contribution of its subsidiary in Vietnam decreased by 6 per cent on-year for the first quarter of 2023. Of this, breeding generated the largest revenue at $1.05 billion, down 9 per cent; animal feed at $527.4 million, down 3 per cent; and food at $111.8 million, an increase of 7 per cent on-year.

In the second quarter, C.P. Vietnam saw a decrease of 7 per cent in total revenue to $890 million, including $553 million from breeding, $287 million from animal feed, and $55 million from food processing.

Investors seek husbandry opportunities in Dong Nai Vice Chairman of the Peoples Committee of Dong Nai province Vo Van Phi received executives from the Netherlands De Heus Group and Vietnams Hung Nhon Group on May 9 to discuss opportunities in agriculture in the southern province.

Husbandry groups tackle profit dips Amid difficulties in Vietnams husbandry market due to high costs and fierce competition, authorities recommend that livestock companies look outward to exporting markets.

Livestock businesses ride a rough Q1 Falling meat prices and rising feed costs have eroded the profits of many livestock businesses over recent months.
Ba Huan has pioneered the application of FPT's modern and comprehensive digital technology system to transform its purely agricultural model. Thanks to this digital transformation, Ba Huan is aiming to keep pace with development trends globally and become a leading food solution provider in Vietnam.

The digital transformation platform, developed by FPT applications with an SAP core system, is designed to help Ba Huan's board of directors manage in real-time and create a seamless management process with strict oversight over every stage.

FPT's successful deployment of its closed management feed-farm-food system for Ba Huan includes the in-depth RISE with SAP solution set for the agricultural industry, with three sets of packaging solutions on the SAP platform, and three made by FPT applications. They are being applied across the entire Ba Huan network, including at its headquarters, factories, and subsidiaries located in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Long An, and Hanoi.

The SAP S/4HANA system with 8 subsystems is considered the backbone to help Ba Huan achieve best practices of international standard management specifically for the agriculture and livestock industry. Based on the SAP platform, FPT experts have developed three sets of packaged solutions: managing promotional programmes and policies through FPT Trade Promotion; transportation management via FPT Allocation Route; and business planning through FPT Planning.

In particular, FPT has developed for Ba Huan apps for animal husbandry management (Farm App), distribution management (Delivery App), and sales management (Sale Portal).

Tran Viet Hung, general director of Ba Huan JSC, pointed out the breakthrough changes that the system brings.

"Previously, when digital transformation was not applied, business operations were more time-consuming. It was inconvenient to capture information and handle situations between departments and divisions. Now, Ba Huan's leadership can follow activities from departments to farms across the country in real-time, and reports are updated several times a day," Hung said.

Ba Huan has developed synchronicity between its factories and farm facilities. It runs four production and processing factories and three livestock farms in Hanoi, Long An, and Binh Duong.

Along with a system of 65 cages and one egg incubation room, the Binh Duong farm has 22 cages for breeding chickens and laying hens. The Ben Luc farm has 29 cages for raising pullets and laying hens, while the Thanh Hoa farm has 14 broiler chicken barns.

The Farm App makes reporting compact, hassle-free, and less time-consuming. All information is updated, stored, and displayed through the app, which is directly connected to the SAP S/4HANA management system. Management can monitor the entire farming process in real-time, at anytime, and from anywhere.

Obstacles related to centralised quality management and the transportation of goods created challenges for Ba Huan in the past. However, it is now taking advantage of high-quality raw materials and support from the SAP technology platform to launch many different lines of processed foods that meet various consumer needs, reaffirming its position in the market.

Pham Thi Huan, chairwoman, Ba Huan JSC

Pham Thi Huan, chairwoman of Ba Huan JSC, said, "Ba Huan plans to develop in line with global trends. The process of digital transformation and application of modern management technology will bring efficiency to the company, while enhancing the connection between the agricultural sector and the national economy."

"With the close cooperation of FPT, the new management culture at Ba Huan is now operating professionally and smoothly between all leadership levels," Huan added.

Truong Gia Binh, chairman of FPT Group, said, "We admire the development journey and vision of a business like Ba Huan. FPT is proud to have supported this transformative new journey. The success of our project will certainly help Ba Huan establish a pioneering position in the agricultural industry."

Nguyen Hong Viet, managing director of SAP Vietnam

Nguyen Hong Viet, managing director of SAP Vietnam, emphasised that the operation of the SAP S/4HANA system is a crucial catalyst for Ba Huan's business strategy, and creates improvements for business leaders to streamline their operations, centralise and standardise data, and expand the digitisation of processes, thereby enhancing accuracy and efficiency.

SAP's extensive experience in providing business solutions to customers across 26 industries and the collaboration with FPT IS was key to the success of the RISE with SAP implementation at Ba Huan. This helps lay the foundation for Ba Huans global competitiveness," Viet said. "Ba Huan's investment in the SAP S/4HANA Cloud is a testament to its commitment to digital transformation and their vision for global competitiveness.

FPT Corporation focuses on AI and chip expansion FPT Corporation has reported orders nearing 70 million chips by 2025 and is setting its sights firmly on the expansion of AI, according to Reuters.

Workshop held on production management solutions On September 6, the Hanoi Support Centre for Enterprises under Hanoi Department of Planning and Investment, together with 1C Vietnam and the Vietnam Association for Supporting Industries, organised a workshop titled "Optimising operations and minimising costs: Applying enterprise production management solutions" at the National Innovation Centre in Hanoi.
The transaction is an equity investment in the form of Convertible Dividend Preference Share (CDPS) to be issued at a price of VND85,000 ($3.49) per share, which can be converted into ordinary shares at a 1:1 conversion ratio. In addition to the normal dividends payable (if any) to the companys shareholders, the CDPS has no preference dividend for the first five years, then followed by a 10 per cent preference dividend at par value of each outstanding CDPS per annum from the sixth anniversary onwards.

On the tenth anniversary of the issuance, the outstanding CDPS will be mandatorily converted into ordinary shares of Masan Group. Masan is also in discussion with other investors to upsize the investments to up to $500 million, which is subject to prevailing market conditions and the companys capital needs.

Proceeds from the transaction will be used to strengthen the companys financial position and de-lever its balance sheet. This marks Bain Capitals first-ever investment in Vietnam and underscores the confidence it shows in Masans ability to fulfill 100 million Vietnamese consumers daily grocery, financial, and other life needs.

Vietnam is the fastest consumption growth market in Southeast Asia with forecasted annual growth of 7.7 per cent between 2022 and 2040, underpinned by increasing urbanisation and an exploding consumer class with higher disposable income and evolving demands extending beyond basic needs to lifestyle and financial ones.

Masan has been transforming from a pure branded products company into an integrated consumer-retail platform to consolidate the growth potential across the consumer value chain. In that respect, Masan has identified 3 multi-year secular growth trends.

First is 'premiumisation' and health-led innovations, served by its fast-moving consumer goods business, Masan Consumer Holdings. Second is the transition from unbranded to branded and increasing demand for higher-quality animal protein, provided by Masan MEATLife. Another trend is the shift from general trade to modern trade, accelerated by its retail platform, WinCommerce.

At the centre of Masans platform is WIN Membership  the platform connecting brands and consumers  which has reached 7 million members and is targeted to reach 10 million members by year-end, and 30 million members by 2025. The WIN Membership platform allows Masan to provide more personalised, targeted products and services to better serve Vietnamese consumers and will serve as a critical growth engine for the company.

Danny Le, CEO of Masan Group, commenting on the transaction, said, In the face of a challenging consumer environment, Masan has continued to invest in our platform and breakthrough innovations to position ourselves for the consumer upswing. Bain Capitals partnership is strong validation of all the consumer-centric investments and transformations we have made over the past 18 months to win 80 per cent of the market share. We look forward to working with Bain to accelerate our vision to be the one-stop shop for daily needs.

We are thrilled to partner with Masan for an important investment in Vietnam and believe that Masan has the right fundamentals, reach, and growth strategy to succeed in a high-growth and compelling consumer market," said Barnaby Lyons, a partner at Bain Capital.

"Masan is one of the most trusted brands in Vietnam, with significant reach and the ability to anticipate consumer tastes and meet those needs innovatively. We see a significant opportunity to invest in Masans continued growth and first-class management team, Lyons added.

Bain Capital has in-depth experience in investing to support the growth and leadership of a diversified set of consumer and retail businesses in Asia, including Schwans Company and Carver Korea.

Masan expects the transaction to be finalised by the end of this year and will continue to explore other strategic alternatives for equity capital, including diluting its interest in non-core businesses, to bolster its liquidity profile.

Jefferies Singapore Limited acted as the financial advisor to Masan Group and the transaction is subject to customary corporate and regulatory approvals.

Masan Group maintains strong standing in Forbes list Masan Group was recognised during Forbes Magazine's "2023 Top 50 Listed Companies" event in Ho Chi Minh City on August 17, marking the 11th consecutive year for the group.

Masan brand reinforced with prestigious accolades Since 2022, Masan has consistently advanced its strategic initiatives across the business spectrum, further cementing its solid position. Its dedicated efforts have garnered recognition both domestically and internationally.
In the healthcare sector, it has become clear that we need to act now in order to provide opportunities to live healthier for longer. Digital health and ICT solutions have come to define a new standard of how people of all ages manage their health and prevent diseases.

Digital platforms are combined with hospital expertise across a range of services

Dr. Michael Devoy, chief medical officer at global healthcare and nutrition enterprise Bayer AG, says that digitalisation is a means to enhancing how healthcare innovations are brought to patients.

It encompasses an improvement in our processes, rendering them faster and more efficient than before, as well as facilitating a more profound understanding of our patients and delivering better outcomes for them, Devoy explained. I am proud of how we already make use of digitalisation at Bayer, as we continuously strive to provide new treatment options for patients across generations.

In Vietnam in recent years, the adoption of telemedicine, telehealth, remote care, and other digital solutions has accelerated to help patients become more autonomous and achieve better treatment outcomes. To further advance this development, collaboration with partners is of equal importance to ultimately make a difference to patients lives.

Embracing that, Bayer Vietnam has teamed up with many key stakeholders to create a synergy of strength to unlock the power of digital transformation in healthcare, empowering and equipping people to better self-manage their health.

Since 2021, the company has joined forces with the Vietnam Administration Medical Service to implement a digital multi-platform portal named Stroke, which includes a website, fan page, and YouTube channel. They provide the local community with educational and scientifically accurate information including causes, symptoms, treatment, and recommendations on stroke prevention by lifestyle changes as well as treatment compliance.

In addition, earlier this year, Bayer Vietnam established a strategic partnership with both the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Hung Vuong Hospital to advance care for women at all stages of life.

Under these partnerships, various disease awareness campaigns for the community have been implemented across multiple channels, both online and offline, to educate women about reproductive health and gynaecological problems, and encourage them to seek preventive care and early treatment, which will lead to improved quality of life and reduced risk of future health issues.

By leveraging the power of digital platforms and social media channels and combining the hospital's expertise, patient insights with the company's resources and capabilities, the impact of these efforts can be multiplied, increasing the reach and credibility of the campaign message and contributing to the sustainable development of the healthcare industry.

These initiatives have underlined Bayers commitment to enhancing patient engagement and putting them at the centre of everything they do, in the journey of realising its vision of health for all, hunger for none.

Bayer Vietnam in advance to health for all Bayer Vietnam is maintaining its position at the forefront of innovative solutions and partnerships to promote the sustainable development of the nations healthcare sector.

Bayer initiative embracing sustainable agriculture Bayer Vietnam has stepped up sustainability efforts by launching its ForwardFarm initiative in Vietnam to promote the development of agriculture.
Hanoi Autumn Carnival, which was part of the Hanoi Autumn Festival held from September 29 to October 1, attracted nearly 2,000 people who were artists, actors and ethnic minorities and people from districts, and towns.

Dragon dancing

The Carnival included many colourful and impressive performances such as dragon dancing, an Ao Dai performance, street music, and much more.

The flower float of Me Linh district

Specifically, the flower float by Me Linh district was brilliant with the colours of flowers. There was also a youth parade with performances to welcome autumn, an ao dai parade combined with bicycles decorated with flowers, and an ao dai parade combined with cyclos decorated with flowers.

Ao Dai performances

There were also parades introducing the land puppetry of My Duc district, flute kites in Dong Anh district, street art performance troupes, national costume performances, and art dance and others.

The parade introducing land puppetry of My Duc district

Director of the Hanoi Centre for Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Nguyen Anh Duong said, In order to have a vibrant and colourful Carnival, making it a highlight of the Hanoi Autumn Festival, preparations were elaborately and carefully made with great support from local authorities, districts, organisations, and tourism businesses. The event helped to promote Hanoi tourism, helping the city draw in more tourists.

Australian Foreign Minister enjoying autumn in Hanoi Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong took a stroll around Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake in Hanoi on the morning of August 22 and enjoyed a cup of renowned Vietnamese egg coffee along Dinh Tien Hoang Street.

Hanoi to host Autumn Festival in late September The very first Hanoi Autumn Festival will be held from September 29 to October 1 around Hoan Kiem Lake, bringing local autumn specialities to visitors.
Holding a strategic position within a globally leading commercial real estate brokerage firm- NAI Global, NAI Vietnam seamlessly blends their local market leadership with a panoramic global outlook.

This fusion is instrumental for the firm to foresee market trends and fashion proactive strategies spanning across a spectrum of commercial services including office, industrial and retail services.

NAI Vietnams areas of mastery encompass diverse domains, including landlord and tenant representation, property consultancy, brokerage lease restructuring, asset repositioning, market research, marketing and capital markets.

NAI Vietnam seamlessly blends their local market leadership with a panoramic global outlook.

According to Tam Nguyen, principal of NAI Vietnam, NAI Vietnam's proudly committed to service quality and unwavering dedication to clients' success make us the partner of choice for businesses seeking commercial spaces in Vietnam. With a diverse range of consulting services, NAI Vietnam consistently provides tailored solutions that align with each client's business objectives and bottom line.

Leveraging a diligent team of seasoned professionals ardently committed to delivering top-notch service and unmatched performance, NAI Vietnam is poised to meet customer-specific requirements.

In addition, Pham Tieu My, senior manager of Commercial Services, at NAI Vietnam, said, We go beyond being a mere real estate agency; we are strategic partners ready to provide market insights and in-depth consultations. We offer extensive strategies and comprehensive advisory packages, covering all phases from pre-transaction to post-transaction, aiming to maximise the client's advantages in every deal.

Our expertise shines in addressing not only traditional office spaces but also serviced spaces and co-working facilities, all tailored to fulfill the diverse requirements of our customers, My said.

Case study: a glimpse into plume international's sojourn with NAI Vietnam

In 2023, Plume, a leader in next-gen smart home tech industry, embarked on a mission to find the ideal office space for their representative office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Recognising the importance of this task, they entrusted NAI Vietnam with the responsibility.

Leveraging their extensive network and comprehensive market knowledge, NAI Vietnam quickly identified a temporary WeWork space and secured a beautifully furnished office at Pearl Plaza, a remarkable achievement given the challenges posed by limited availability.

Cuong Vu, Plume's representative, wholeheartedly extolled NAI Vietnam, saying, I enthusiastically endorse NAI Vietnam as a pre-eminent consultant for real estate services, particularly acknowledging the exemplary efforts of their commercial service team, who spearheaded the transaction from its inception.

In your quest for the ideal office spaces, retail sanctuaries, or commercial real estate, allow NAI Vietnam to accompany you. Experience first-hand the transformation that they can usher into your real estate voyage. Reach out today to start transforming your real estate aspirations into tangible accomplishments.

For further insights, please peruse our website at www.naivietnam.com or establish contact via info@naivietnam.com or hotline 0901665445.

InterContinental Saigon unveils newly renovated Grand Ballroom and function spaces The InterContinental Saigon is thrilled to announce the refurbishment of its Grand Ballroom and conference spaces.

HCM City plans to have more urban green spaces The HCM City authorities have directed relevant agencies to review the use of land planned for public parks to have more urban green spaces from 2023 to 2025.
by M. K. Bhadrakumar





In a significant development, the strongman of eastern Libya, Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the supremo of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), was received by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday.





Haftar met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in the Russian capital Moscow, the LAAF announced, without giving details. The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the event, adding The situation in Libya and the region as a whole was discussed, without elaborating.





Libyan leader Marshal Khalifa Haftar (C) was accorded a ceremonial welcome attended by Russian Defence Minister Gen. Yunus-Bek Yevkurov at a Moscow military airfield, September 26, 2023

Moscow has maintained close relations with Marshal Haftar, who backs the Tobruk administration that rivals the UN-backed government in Tripoli. Haftars meeting with Putin was important enough to merit a Kremlin readout  it was the first meeting between the two men since 2019  but Moscows reticence marks a high degree of sensitivity.





However, on Friday, Kremlin issued a readout of Putin meeting with two high-ranking Russian security officials whose names are closely linked to the Wagner  Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and Andrei Troshev (who was a participant in Wagners combat missions previously.)





During his visit to Moscow, Haftar also held talks with Yevkurov who is known to have been the point person for Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, and was a regular visitor to eastern Libya in recent years, most recently on September 17 when he met Haftar in Benghazi.





Haftars abortive 2019 assault on Tripoli relied heavily on Wagner fighters but failed to overcome Turkish-backed armed forces. A UN report in 2020 said up to 1,200 Wagner fighters were backing Haftar. Experts say hundreds have since remained active in the east, which is also the oil terminal zone, and in southern Libya, the gateway to the Sahel region, which is turning toward Moscow as provider of security, replacing western powers.





How far Haftars Moscow visit is linked to his expected renewed bid to capture Tripoli is a moot point, but, without doubt, it signals Russias decision to reassert its influence in Africa despite Prigozhins absence and the preoccupations in Ukraine notwithstanding.





The coup in Niger with its pronounced anti-western slant may have rejuvenated Russian interest in Libya, which holds attraction for Moscow in strategic terms. The web of international entanglements in Libya has changed lately and leading protagonists  Turkey as well as key Arab and European powers  are showing signs of retrenchment. For Europe too, anything that stabilises Libya and curbs the migration wave will be deemed a positive development. Thus, Moscow likely senses that it has a relatively free hand.





The big question is whether the US intends to return to Libya after its abrupt disengagement in September 2012 following the devastating attack by members of the extremist group Ansar al-Sharia on the US Special Mission in Benghazi in which the American ambassador and three other US citizens lost their lives.





That makes the surprise visit to Benghazi by Gen. Michael Langley, the four-star chief of US Africa Command (AFRICOM) located at Stuttgart, Germany, and his meeting with Hafter virtually on the eve of the latters Moscow tour more than coincidental. Possibly, Langley reminded Haftar not to put all his eggs in the Russian basket.









An article in the Intercept magazine recalled last week that Gen. Langleys visit to Benghazi (September 20-21) was the latest twist in Americas on-again, off-again relationship with Haftar, once a favourite of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who, in the late 1980s, joined a US-backed group of dissidents seeking to topple his former boss.





The article says, After their coup plans fizzled and the rebels wore out their welcome on the African continent, the CIA evacuated Haftar and 350 of his men to the US, where he was granted citizenship and lived in suburban Virginia for the next 20 years.





Over the years, the US sent mixed signals to Haftar. The CIA at one time trained his fighters as special forces. Langley said after meeting with Haftar, The United States stands ready to reinforce existing bonds and forge new partnerships with those who champion democracy. Which is a rather contradictory statement. Dont be surprised if Haftar briefed the Russian officials on his interaction with the AFRICOM chief.





An AFRICOM press release merely said Langleys visit aimed to further cooperation between the United States and Libya. Langley said afterward, It was a pleasure meeting with civilian and military leaders throughout Libya. The backdrop could be that the coup in Niger has motivated Washington to attempt to fill the void left by France.









Now that the much talked-about ECOWAS intervention in Niger is no longer on the agenda  and with Nigeria backing away from any such misadventure  Washington and the coup leaders in Niamey have renewed the US-Niger agreement on combating terrorism.





Thus, Washington recognises the transitional government in Niger and maintains its military presence  while relocating the US contingent from the 101st base in the capital Niamey to the 201st air force base in the city of Agadis, which is the sole drone base in Sahel built at a cost of over $100 million and of pivotal importance.





Washingtons decision to be friends with the new authorities in Niamey upsets France and the EU, but then from the very beginning, the US took a much more cautious and expectant position on the coup in Niger given its prioritisation of counterterrorist operations in the Sahel region.





Looking ahead, the intriguing question is how far these dramatic circumstances would trigger a convergence of interests between the US and Russia. Some American analysts had signalled that a co-habitation with Wagner in post-coup Niger might be possible.





Moscow likely estimates that the US will not seek major influence in Libya at this point given American public sensitivities due to past US failures there  as well as a perceived lack of trust in Libyan authorities  and Biden administration may not oppose Russias support for Haftars takeover bid in Libya.





Certainly, Putins meeting on Friday (the day after he received Haftar) with two key Russian officials associated with Wagner suggests that the Kremlin is speeding up the move to reorganise the militias combat missions abroad. Putin repeated that Wagner fighters will be put on par with regular soldiers as regards their salary and other perks and privileges (which have been made very attractive in the past year.)





Putin also said that convicts serving jail sentences who joined Wagners combat missions would be eligible for the attractive social guarantees. This time around, surely, they will be known differently and organised as volunteer units reporting to Yevkurov, himself a hardened veteran in counterterrorist operations in North Caucasus, answerable to the defence ministrys foreign military intelligence agency (which was originally created under its current form by Josef Stalin in 1942 after the invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany.)





Interestingly, at the Kremlin meeting on Friday, Putin paid fulsome praise to Andrei Troshev and elicited his views on creating volunteer units which will fulfil various combat missions, including in the zone of the special military operation.





Putin told Troshev: You fought in one of such units yourself for over a year. You know what it is like, how to do it, and what issues should be addressed in advance to ensure the best possible and the most successful fulfilment of combat missions.





It is entirely conceivable that Haftars visit underscored the urgency of regrouping Wagner forces for undertaking combat missions in Libya and elsewhere in Sahel in the worsening security situation linked to militant Islamist groups.
Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh City creates ultimate venue for business and leisure

It is the preferred choice for discerning travellers, providing an ideal location, extensive facilities, and a commitment to excellence. Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Sedona Suites boasts an enviable address that puts guests at the centre of the action.

With a plethora of on-site dining options and a Saigon Centre mall right at your doorstep, the culinary delights of Vietnam are just a few steps away. Owning such a prime location where convenience meets quiet luxury, whether it's shopping, dining, or experiencing the local culture, it offers the ideal starting point for your adventure.The property seamlessly caters to both short-stay and long-stay guests. Its suites are thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of all guests, whether you're here for a brief visit or an extended stay. You'll find all the amenities and services necessary for a comfortable and productive stay.

Additionally, it offers facilities such as a fitness centre, swimming pool, on-site dining options, and meeting spaces to cater to the needs of both business and leisure travellers.

Furthermore, its dedication to excellence shines through in its exceptional facilities and services. From the moment you arrive, dedicated staff are ready to assist. The fitness centre and resort-style infinity pool provide the ideal retreat from the city's hustle and bustle.

For those who love delightful dining experiences, Sedona Suites culinary options are the first choice in the southern hub. Especially, SKY28 is a highlight suggestion as a renowned all-day dining restaurant that specialises in Southeast Asian cuisine, particularly Malay-Singaporean dishes. Its signature restaurant offers breathtaking panoramic views and a wide variety of dishes inspired by the flavours of the region. Whether you seek a hearty breakfast, its popular Business Set lunch, a delightful afternoon tea experience, or an exquisite dinner, they are dedicated to satisfying every palate and occasion.

Not just a place to stay, it is an ideal venue for meetings and events. Its well-equipped conference rooms and event spaces cater for a variety of occasions, from corporate meetings to social gatherings. Its expert event planning team takes care of the details, leaving you free to focus on your agenda.

Sedona Suites offers a perfect blend of quiet luxury and business convenience. With its prime location, top-notch amenities, and commitment to guest satisfaction, it sets the standard for upscale accommodations, and an unmatched level of hospitality for both leisure and business travellers to Ho Chi Minh City.

Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh City: 67 Le Loi Boulevard, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City

tel: (84-28) 3822 9888 ; w. Sedonavietnam.com

Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh introduces new director of Sales & Marketing Sedona Suites welcomes Vuong Thu Nguyet (Nina to her friends and clients) as its director of Sales & Marketing as of October 10, 2022.
At a workshop held in Hanoi on September 27, Tran Quang Bao, director of the Forestry Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), said World Bank has transferred $41.2 million to Vietnam for the country's CO2 emissions.

The Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) signed between Vietnam and the World Banks Forest Carbon Partnership Facility in October 2020, means Vietnam could receive up to $51.5 million if the country can reduce 10.3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions from six north central provinces.

"Accordingly, Vietnam will transfer to the World Bank 10.3 million tonnes, at a price of $5 per tonne and 95 per cent of this amount will be counted as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) contribution. To date, legal procedures and preparations have been ready," Bao said.

The agreement is part of the first regional level Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) in Vietnam. It is expected to reduce 32.09 million tonnes of carbon, including emissions reduction and forest carbon sequestration.

In the 2019-2024, ERPA aims to cut 26 million tonnes of carbon while the World Bank is committed to buying 10.3 million tons of CO2 equivalent, equivalent to $51.5 million.

Realising the emission reductions commitments under its National Determined Contributions, Vietnam aims to use national resources to reduce 15.8 per cent of emissions, equivalent to 146 million tonnes of CO2. The figures can be raised to 43.5 per cent and 403 million tonnes with international support.

At present, Vietnam has made strong commitments to the international community in the fight against climate change as it signed the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2015, targets to cut emissions to net-zero by 2050, and engages in various initiatives such as REDD+ and Glasgow Leaders Declaration on Forests and Land Use.

The North Central Region Emission Reductions Programme in 2018 to 2025 covers the six provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien - Hue with a total area of 5.15 million ha and a population of 10.5 million people. The north central region contains most of the countrys remaining broadleaf evergreen forest and biodiversity areas with the critical importance to the world.

First FSC certification for non-timber forest products in Vietnam The Association of Forest Smallholder Forest Certification Groups of Quang Tri province received the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, proving that they can supply sustainably harvested acacia wood logs and non-timber forest products of bamboo species in accordance with the FSC FM/CoC code.

Efficient green financing the answer to global pressures Vietnam is in critical need of green finance and the development of carbon credit markets to drive sustainable growth and bolster environmental resilience, a conference has heard.
On September 28, Vietnam's pepper prices levelled off after two consecutive sessions of decreases. The price hovered around VND69,00072,000 per kg in the southeast region and VND69,00070,000 per kg in the Central Highlands.

"The pepper price will increase if farmers continue to replace pepper trees with fruit trees, leading to a shortage of supply," Hoang Thi Lien, chairman of the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), said. "Output may decline sharply in the next three years because the wave of crop shifting is taking place strongly."

According to the VPSA, there is very little inventory of pepper held by farmers. The majority belongs to wholesalers and speculators. Meanwhile, some processing companies have enough goods to process by year-end, so they don't need to buy pepper at this time.

In September, the Foreign Trade Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade also predicted the possibility of pepper exports remaining at a low level due to a lack of domestic supply and dampening demand in the EU and US markets. Currently, Vietnam has run out of pepper for export.

The General Department of Customs (GDC) reported that Vietnam exported 20,137 tonnes of pepper and had an export turnover of $75.3 million in August, up 9 per cent in quantity and 0.2 per cent in value compared with the same period in 2022. The average export price in August was $3,741 per tonne, the highest price since November 2022.

In the last months of this year, businesses will export imported goods and pre-existing inventory. It is estimated that the total amount of inventory and imports is about 80,000 tonnes, while domestic consumption is about 10,000 tonnes. The amount of inventory transferred to next year is about 30,000 tonnes, leaving about 50,000 tonnes for export in the last months of the year, according to the Foreign Trade Agency.

Pepper is the main crop in Vietnam. Currently, the total area of pepper cultivation in the whole country is more than 130,000 hectares. They are mainly concentrated in the southeast region and the Central Highlands, accounting for over 95 per cent of the pepper area nationwide; the rest are scattered in the north central and central provinces.

Bayers black pepper solutions continue to drive sustainable farming in Vietnam Bayers Much More Black Pepper solution supports farmers by boosting the quality of pepper produced in Vietnam, as well as driving productivity and harvest quantity for both domestic consumption and exports.

Bottlenecks could put paid to pepper Pepper prices have been skyrocketing to the highest level since 2018  but with a lack of supply, many pepper growers have put little trust in the black seeds and even reduced plantations to be less dependent on the fluctuating market.
Newly released body camera footage shows state Sen. Charles Schwertners February arrest for suspicion of drunk driving after refusing to take a breathalyzer test. Travis County prosecutors dropped the charge in July, saying there was not enough evidence to secure a conviction.

Schwertner represents Senate District 5, a Republican-friendly district that covers the north Austin suburbs and spreads east to include College Station. It includes Limestone County.

The video was released to The Texas Tribune on Friday in response to a public records request. It shows Schwertner, a Georgetown Republican, being pulled over in the early morning hours of Feb. 7 in Austin. The officer tells Schwertner he was driving between two lanes, and Schwertner apologizes, saying he and his passenger were changing channels and stuff.

State Rep. Claudia Ordaz, D-El Paso, can be seen in the front passenger seat with Schwertner as he is being pulled over. In a statement, she said, I had no involvement in this matter other than being a passenger at the time of this incident and was fully cooperative with authorities at all times. I regret this incident occurred, and in the future, I will use more caution to prevent this type of unfortunate circumstance.

The video goes on to show Schwertner repeating he had not been drinking, performing field sobriety tests and being handcuffed. He was released from the Travis County jail later that day, telling reporters he was deeply apologetic and made a mistake.

Schwertners lawyer, Perry Minton, declined to answer questions about the video and instead provided a brief statement.

This is the video the Travis County Attorneys Office viewed when it rejected any charges against Senator Schwertner months ago, Minton said. Its time to move on to newsworthy stories.

The Tribune provided the video to both Schwertners and Ordazs offices shortly after it was released on Friday evening. Minton provided his statement Saturday morning, while Ordaz did not respond with a comment until just 1 minute before this storys publication.

In the video, Schwertner tells the officer he was picking up Ordaz at the airport and they had gone out to dinner at Whataburger. Ordaz tells the officer they are parked at her place, and Schwertner confirms it is where she lives.

The officer asks if they have been drinking and both say no. The officer asks Schwertner to come out of the car, and once he does, the officer tells Schwertner he notices a strong smell of alcohol on his breath. The officer asks again if Schwertner had anything to drink, and Schwertner says no.

A little while later, the officer continues to ask Schwertner whether he has been drinking, at one point asking him to rate how drunk he is on a scale of zero to 10. Part of the audio of the exchange is missing, but Schwertners response is audible.

Im sober, Schwertner says. Zero.

The officer proceeds to conduct field sobriety tests on Schwertner, during which his wife apparently arrives at the scene.

My wife just showed up, Schwertner says, explaining he was distracted while balancing on one foot.

They try to restart the exercise, but Schwertner is still distracted.

Belinda. Belinda, Schwertner says. Shes an attorney.

While a voice can be heard offscreen, the words are inaudible. It is unclear who exactly Schwertner was referring to as an attorney. Neither Belinda Schwertner nor Ordaz are listed as attorneys in either of their public profiles.

The officer and Schwertner resume the exercise, but Schwertner becomes impatient. He asks the officer if the length of time he has been balancing is sufficient, and the officer tells him that is not for him to decide.

Officer, this is getting to be a interrogation, Schwertner says.

The officer says all he is trying to do is get Schwertner to follow instructions for a standardized field sobriety test. Schwertner insists he has done everything the officer has asked him to do and tells the officer he is acting inappropriately.

Schwertner ultimately completes the test and he and the officer walk over closer to a police car, where a second officer assures Schwertner he is going through a standardized thing and not getting any unique treatment. A third officer presents Schwertner with what he calls a preliminary breath test, explains it detects alcohol and asks if he would like to take it. Schwertner says no and is handcuffed and told he is under arrest for driving while intoxicated.

The video goes on for about another half hour, showing Schwertner being placed in a police car, calmly interacting with officers and arriving at the jail.

At one point, Schwertner asks the first officer if he can sit in the front of the police car. The officer says he has to put Schwertner in the back due to policy. Schwertner gets in the back of the car and sighs.

Ive done so much for you guys, Schwertner says.

The officer replies that he appreciates it but he is just doing his job. Schwertner says he understands.

While Schwertner is in the car, the arresting officer is approached by another officer.

I need to call the watch commander because thats a senator, a Texas state senator, and theyre in the legislative session right now, the other officer says before adding in a reassuring tone: You do everything right. Everybodys treated the same.

Schwertner was booked into the Travis County jail at 2:12 a.m. and charged with driving while intoxicated. He received a personal recognizance bond and was released from jail shortly after noon that day.

Im deeply sorry, apologetic to my citizens and my family, Schwertner told reporters as he left the jail. I made a mistake.

The officer who arrested Schwertner wrote in an affidavit for probable cause that in addition to the smell of alcohol on his breath, Schwertner had bloodshot, glassy, watery eyes, was confused, and had slurred speech patterns. The officer also described Schwertners demeanor as polite, sleepy, cooperative.

Travis County Attorney Delilah Garza announced July 18 that there was not enough evidence to continue with the case. She also said Schwertner voluntarily submitted to alcohol counseling and alcohol monitoring with no violations. Minton, Schwertners lawyer, said it was the right decision based strictly on the evidence.

After Schwertners arrest, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said there was zero excuse for drunk driving, especially by a member of the legislature whose conduct should be held to a higher standard. Patrick added he would withhold further comment until the final outcome of this issue in court. Patrick has since not commented on the situation.

Schwertner chairs the Senate Business and Commerce Committee and has served in the upper chamber since 2013.

Schwertner, 53, previously had a personal controversy in 2018, when he was accused of sending sexually explicit photos of his genitals to a graduate student at the University of Texas. He denied the allegations, saying that someone else sent the messages using his LinkedIn account and another privacy phone messaging app that belongs to him.

A university investigation did not clear Schwertner of wrongdoing but said it could not prove Schwertner sent the texts. Investigators said Schwertner was uncooperative.

After the allegation, Schwertner voluntarily gave up his chairmanship of the Senates Health and Human Services Committee.
Imperial War Museum Duxfords airshow season will draw to a close on Saturday, October 14, with a spectacular 50th-anniversary flying event, marking five decades to the day since the iconic Cambridge aerodrome first held an air show back in 1973.

The inaugural Duxford Air Day marked the first time the general public had been invited into Duxford to immerse themselves in the sites rich aviation heritage, witness the work of IWM and enjoy a packed flying display. With a diverse range of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft (accompanied by a balloon ascent), the flying program certainly encompassed everything from historic types to front-line fighters. With the show a resounding success, airshows quickly became an integral aspect of IWM Duxfords work, allowing subsequent generations the opportunity to admire a variety of aircraft both on the ground and in the air.

Now, fifty years later, the single Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane on display in 1973 have been bolstered by a number more. IWMs only airworthy aircraft (Spitfire Mk.1a N300) will be accompanied by examples operated by Comanche Fighters, the Rolls-Royce Heritage Flight and the Historic Aircraft Collection. Two Hurricanes  a Mk.XIIa and a Mk.I  will also join the flying programme as aerial ambassadors for the types Battle of Britain service.

Although the twin powerplants of the 1973 shows de Havilland Mosquito will not be participating in the collective music of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, theres hope that through projects such as the Peoples Mosquito  hoping to return the wooden wonder to UK skies as soon as 2027  the iconic DH design may well fly at Duxford airshows in years to come.

Other types on the 1973 programme can still be seen in operation elsewhere today (such as the Hunting Percival Provost, the Gloster Gladiator, the Fairey Swordfish and the de Havilland Dove). Others are regrettably absent from the UK airshow circuit: most notably the English Electric Canberra and the Hawker Hunter jets, the latter of which has not put in an airshow performance since the tragedy at Shoreham in 2015.

Instead, Duxford spectators will be able to watch the only Bristol Blenheim flying in the world (operated by Duxford-Based Aircraft Restoration Company), the Comrade Pair (flying a Yakovlev Yak-18T and Yak-52), the Consolidated Catalina PBY-5A, a Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing and a North American T-6 Harvard Pair.

Also absent from the contemporary line-up is the 1973 spectacle of Dr. John Gores 56,000 cubic foot hot air balloon ascent (nicknamed Aquarius). The balloon had made a cross-Channel flight earlier in the year and (as the original programme explains) had been involved in the hunt for the Loch Ness monster. Instead, excitement comes courtesy of The Titans (performing stunts in an Xtreme Decathlon and XtremeAir XA42), the pyrotechnic performance of the Firebirds Aerobatic Team, and Otto the Helicopter (promising a routine full of stunts and aerial madness). Diana Britten, the first woman to have been British Aerobatic Champion, will also be flying dazzling gyroscopic manoeuvres in her CAP 232.

Continuing the tradition of public pleasure flying, the 1973 rides in a Britten-Norman Islander aircraft (courtesy of Humber Airways) have now been superseded by de Havilland Tiger Moth and Dragon Rapide options, operated by the airfields Classic Wings, before and after the airshow.

Tickets must be booked online in advance and can be found via this link. A range of commemorative merchandise, including a limited edition bookazine which charts the key aviation highlights of the past 50 years through a rich array of vintage photographs and archival material from the original programmes, is also available.
WATERLOO  The Waterloo Schools Foundation brought back its structured grant cycles this year and has changed the cycles to bi-monthly.

The first grant cycle of the school year brought in over 10 requests from Waterloo Community School District students and staff. The grants awarded total $25,552 and will benefit 10 schools. They include:

Jordan Beltz at George Washington Carver Academy for Thinking Classroom Task Cards.

Dawn Boone at Lincoln Elementary for Homestyle and Comfort classroom seating.

Nicole Goodman and her yearbook students at East and West high schools for attendance at the Iowa High School Press Association fall conference.

Carrie Kammeyer at Highland Elementary for Battle of the Books.

Stacey Snyder at Orange Elementary for Restoring Connections to Land: A Study of Extirpation.

Brandy Twedt at Kingsley Elementary for a classroom calm down center.

Kasey Vanausdeln and middle school art teams for LEGO printmaking.

Waterloo Youth City Council at East and West high schools for a Washington D.C. Close Up experience.

The grants will be funded through the Lisa McKinstry Memorial Fund, Jackie Jensen Memorial Fund, Debate and Critical Thinking Endowment, private donors and Waterloo Schools Foundations grant cycle fund.

The Waterloo Schools Foundations second grant cycle is now open and will close on Nov. 1 with grant recipients announced in mid-November.

Questions regarding grant applications and funding can be directed to Hannah Luce at (319) 855-3641.

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CEDAR FALLS -- The Northern Iowa Student Government is partnering with the Women of Action, Cedar Valley Activate, and the Cedar Falls-Waterloo Branch of the American Association of University Women to host a Cedar Falls mayoral and city council debate at 6 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 220 Clay St.

The event also will be broadcast live on Cedar Falls Channel 15.

Cedar Falls residents may suggest questions in advance of the debate by submitting them to the survey at bit.ly/Oct4Debate or emailing them to cedarvalleydebates@gmail.com. Questions may also be submitted by text or voicemail to 319-435-8447.

The mayoral candidates are Danny Laudick and Walter Burtis. The council candidates are Hannah Crisman (at-large), Donna Bash (at-large), Patrick McEleney (at-large), Christopher Latta (Ward 2), Gabe Groothuis (Ward 4) and Aaron Hawbaker (Ward 4).

All candidates have been invited to the debate and will answer questions in the time allotted for each race: 6:05 to 6:30 p.m. for Ward 2; 6:40 to 7:05 pm. for Ward 4; 7:15 to 7:40 p.m. for At-Large; and 7:50 to 8:15 p.m. for mayor.

Each candidate will be given two minutes for opening remarks and one minute for closing remarks. Theyll also have one minute for an initial response and 30 seconds for rebuttals.

NISG, Women of Action, Cedar Valley Activate and CF-W AAUW are sponsoring the debate to help voters make wise electoral decisions by providing them with candidates positions on issues and a chance to observe their character, communication skills, ability to think on-their-feet and knowledge of public affairs issues.

How the pandemic worsened teaching vacancies across the US How the pandemic worsened teaching vacancies across the US Certain teaching roles significantly more difficult to fill
WATERLOO  A handful of empty houses and buildings could have new fates if the City Council approves multiple resolutions on its Monday agenda.

The councils regular session is at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the council chambers at City Hall, 715 Mulberry St.

During public comments in recent sessions, residents have spoken up about how the city deals with abandoned property, saying the city is ignoring the blight in neighborhoods.

A public hearing will be held to award a bid for the demolition of six properties. The houses in question are 1804 E. Fourth St., 637 Ankeny St., 207 Lafayette St., 208 Sunnyside Ave., 212 Sunnyside Ave. and 1318 Martin Road.

They were acquired through section 657A of Iowa Code, which allows the city to acquire abandoned houses in hope of rehabilitation. If no one wants to rehabilitate a home, it is usually demolished.

The citys estimate to demolish these buildings was $70,000, but the four bids received range from $82,000 to $150,000. The council packet includes a resolution to accept the lowest bid, from Lehman Trucking and Excavating Inc. of Waterloo.

The city also hopes to rehabilitate two empty downtown buildings.

The first is 716 Commercial St. The former fire station was built in 1907 and then turned into the El Mecca Shrine Club in the 1970s. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The council could approve a development and minimum assessment agreement with JSA Development of Waterloo to turn the building into commercial and residential space. The resolution would include a grant of $105,000, plus $15,000 in infill housing incentives and tax rebates for 15 years at 70%. Once completed, the property would have a minimum assessed value of $500,000.

The empty building at 425 Franklin St. also could be turned into commercial space. JSA Development is also seeking to rehabilitate that property, and the council could approve a development and minimum assessment agreement with the company.

The resolution would include a grant of $85,000 and tax rebates for 15 years at 70% with a minimum assessed value of $500,000 once rehabilitation is completed.

The building, which housed multiple automotive businesses starting in the 1920s, was bought by JSA in 2018. It was the headquarters for Irish Fest for a short time.

There are a few other public hearings for site plans to construct new commercial and residential buildings.

One is a request from PWM Companies LLC to construct two 138,000-square-foot buildings, one 20,000-square-foot building and one 5,000-square-foot building, and in the future a 425,000-square-feet of buildings near 4719 Ansborough Avenue. The council handout does not specify what the project would be.

Other new commercial and residential buildings could be developed at 2425 GT Drive, 628 West Parker St. and 1525 Oakwood Drive.
Every dollar helps. A softball tournament in Sauk Prairie may help send a Korean War veteran to Washington, D.C., to see the memorials honoring veterans. A pizza feed in Beaver Dam may help a Vietnam War veteran go to the nations capital to share an experience with others who served. A brat fest in Belleville may give an Iraq War veteran with a terminal illness an opportunity to be recognized.

Every dollar has helped get about 4,500 veterans from the area to Washington free of charge, to visit Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, the monuments for Iwo Jima, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Air Force and more.

The organization that has made it happen is Badger Honor Flight, one of six Wisconsin affiliates of the national Honor Flight Network. The purpose of the Honor Flight Network is to ensure that WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans, and terminally ill veterans of any war, have the opportunity to see the memorials erected in their honor in the nations capital.

On Saturday, Badger Honor Flight will have its 50th flight. Its being designated the Heroes for Honor Flight, so named for Sauk Prairies local Heroes for Honor group that developed a capital campaign to raise funds for a Sauk Prairie Veterans Flight. Its goal was to raise $100,000. Since 2015, it has raised about $500,000 to send veterans, accompanied by volunteer guardians who pay their own way, to the nations capital as the heroes they are.

Its amazing. Its inspiring, said Bob Kelter, who worked at a VA hospital in Madison for years and has been part of the Badger Honor Flight organization since its inception in 2009. Ive flown 27 flights so far. There is real magic being a part of this.

It was in 2006 when Kelter was at the World War II Memorial in Washington on his own that he saw quite a few veterans there with matching T-shirts. He met with them and asked them what they were about. They were all veterans from Michigan taking part in a flight put on by the Honor Flight Network.

It inspired me, said Kelter, who has volunteered locally with EMS and firefighters. I had to get something like that together here.

Badger Honor Flight provides all amenities to the veterans, including all transportation, shirts, jackets, hats and meals.

The national Honor Flight Network organization, based in Virginia, has honored nearly 275,000 veterans. There are 124 active affiliates (hubs) across the country, six of which are in Wisconsin. Badger Honor Flight, 100% volunteer staffed, serves 11 counties in southern Wisconsin, including Sauk, Dane, Columbia and Dodge.

As a former guardian for my father and my uncle, I saw firsthand what it meant to my family to see the memorials built in their honor, said Jackie Woodruff, Badger Honor Flights board secretary. That, and the handshakes and thank yous for their service. The greetings they get from total strangers, she said. Its all about the veterans. Its extremely rewarding.

Its a full day for the veterans. On Saturday, there will be a sendoff ceremony at Madisons Dane County Regional Airport at 5:30 a.m. Veterans will fly to Washington for a daylong tour. Badger Honor Flight will follow the trip throughout the day on its Facebook page and will livestream the veterans arrival in Washington and their arrival back in Madison.

The homecoming back in Madison will be full of patriotic fervor, with big band music, patriotic tunes, an honor guard, Uncle Sam, friends and family of the veterans, and community members.

The public is invited to both the sendoff and the welcome home celebrations. The flight is scheduled to land back in Madison at 9:15 p.m.

To see the faces when they receive their welcome home, Woodruff said. Its something that they did not get upon returning from serving their country. It is about recalling memories, making new ones, and healing.

It takes a lot to get them to the nations capital and back. Each flight costs approximately $100,000. Veterans apply to get on a flight, and there is a waiting list.

Sauk Prairies Heroes for Honor group has been a major fundraising contributor in giving veterans the opportunity. The groups area consists of Sauk City, Prairie du Sac, Baraboo, Plain, Lodi, North Freedom and Black Earth.

Businesses and organizations, including Wollersheim Winery and Distillery, Milwaukee Valve and Kraemer Brothers, have contributed to the cause generously. So have softball tournament players and brat grillers, pizza sellers and citizens eager to honor those who have served.

We recognize what this community has done for the veterans, Kelter said. They deserve all our respect.

To learn more about Badger Honor Flight, to donate, or volunteer, visit badgerhonorflight.org.

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The impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine will linger for decades after the Russians are defeated because the fighting leaves a lot of unexploded munitions, including landmines that were planted and never removed. This was often because whoever planted them kept no records or was killed before they could turn in a sketch showing where the mines were. Even when these mine maps are distributed, the enemy doesnt get a copy. Russian forces planted lots of mines and often did not make maps if they did not leave safe pathways through the minefield. Ukraine is calling for EOD help from NATO nations and facing the prospects of paying for the cost of training and equipping Ukrainian EOD technicians. EOD work was already a profession before the Russians invaded because Ukraine is still dealing with World War II and earlier EOD issues. Unexploded munitions can remain lethal for over a century while most become less lethal as time passes and the explosives suffer from chemical degradation. Some portions of the World War I front line in France, like the area around Verdun, are still fenced off because there are so many unexploded munitions in the ground.

An earlier incidence of this appeared in Iraq where there were two previous wars involving lots of uncharted minefields and unexploded munitions in the 20 years prior to 9/11, and worse things than those after 9/11  Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The Iraqi army had a severe shortage of support troops in general, particularly combat engineers trained and equipped for clearing roadside bombs and other IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices.) The Iraqis did have hundreds of EOD technicians. This was because the 1980s war with Iran left a lot of unexploded bombs, shells and mines along the Iran/Iraq border, providing lots of work for EOD people. But EOD work mainly requires skilled operators using simple tools. To deal with IEDs effectively, you need some specialized, and expensive, equipment. The U.S. Army and Marines have special armored vehicles (mainly Cougars), built to survive a nearby IED explosion, and equipped with vidcams and other sensors to find IEDs before they go off. The American EOD specialists also have robots to do the dangerous, close work.

Since Iraqi troops have taken over security for many of the rebellious Sunni Arab areas in the last year, American combat engineers have been assigned to go in and clear out the worst infestations of IEDs in areas controlled by Iraqi troops. The terrorists, taking advantage of the Iraqi army shortage of combat engineers, have planted thousands of IEDs. In some areas, there are 3-4 of these explosives per kilometer of road. The Iraqi army simply didnt have enough EOD teams to handle that.

So American engineers came in to help clear out the worst infestations. Then, the American EOP specialists taught their Iraqi counterparts techniques for keeping the roads free of the bombs. This is usually something as simple as some watch towers and night vision devices. If the Iraqis man those towers 24/7, the terrorists won't be able to plant bombs.

The Americans like having some Iraqi troops going out with the engineers. The Americans know that, sometimes, the terrorists will pay civilians to sort of wander past the U.S. engineers, trying to spot techniques being used to clear the bombs. This makes it possible for the terrorists to build bombs that are more difficult to clear. But with some Iraqi troops along, these spies can not only be more readily shooed away, but sometimes identified and arrested.

Eventually, many Iraqi engineers were provided with new EOD technology, as in MRAPS (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected), electronic mine detectors, EOD robots, plus techniques like predictive analysis to determine the likely locations for EOD teams to work. Gradually, IEDs became less dangerous in Iraq. For example, in 2006, it took about five IEDs to cause one coalition casualty (11 percent of them fatal) in Iraq. By 2008 it took nine IEDs per casualty (12 percent of them fatal). The density of unexploded munitions in Ukraine is not as bad as Iraq but the solutions are the same. Britain has taken the lead in training and equipping new Ukrainian EOD technicians. Britain has set up training centers in Poland. Ukrainian trainees cross the border, take the course and return to Ukraine with new skills and often the specialized EOD equipment. Britain has already trained over 23,000 Ukrainian troops in Poland and Britain on EOD techniques.
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Like fax machines, pagers and cassette tapes, nothing lasts forever.

Tastes change, products improve, technology advances, and what was once dear to us fades away. The biggest reason: technological advances, namely smartphones.

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Airline tickets, cameras, alarm clocks and so forth, its not that these things are becoming obsolete. Its whats replacing them and how they are being incorporated into other items, says Timothy de Waal Malefyt, a clinical professor at the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University. The smartphone is our new home. It provides locations for all these things in one device.

Take alarm clocks. They still have their fans, but many people rely on their smartphone to wake them up. Here are six things that technological advances are also threatening to kill off.

1. Cash

While cash is king for many consumers, carrying it is a hassle that more people are avoiding. We have debit cards, credit cards and digital payments to thank for that.



With a tap of your card or scan of your mobile device, you can be through checkout in seconds. The rise of e-commerce and contactless payments during the pandemic forever changed the way we use cash and shop.

Forty-one percent of Americans told the Pew Research Center in October 2022 that they dont use cash for any of their purchases in a typical week. In 2018 that was 29 percent, and in 2015, 24 percent. Consumers younger than age 50 were more likely to eschew cash.

2. Pay phones

At their peak in 1999, more than 2.1 million pay phones were in service across the U.S. Fewer than 100,000 were in operation by 2016, according to the Federal Communications Commission. 



And its only gotten worse. The last public pay phone was removed from New York City in May 2022. Pay phones disappeared as mobile phone usage exploded. 

The steady and steep decline over more than a decade of the number of pay phones in service demonstrates that they no longer play as critical a role in societys communications as they once did, as would-be users rely instead on mobile subscriptions, the FCC said in a report analyzing pay phone usage.

So where can you find pay phones these days? Some hotels, gas stations, convenience stores and hospitals may have one, but its a rarity.

3. Desktop computers

The market for clunky desktop computers has shrunk as slimmer and lighter options have emerged. This year the industry expects to ship more than 68 million desktops, down from 76 million in 2022.


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The 41-year-old actor, who played Brad Taylor on the ABC series from 1991-1999, was previously booked into A Lane County Jail with his records showing 2 counts of 4th-degree felony assault.

Oct 2, 2023

AceShowbiz - Zachery Ty Bryan has been jailed three times this past week but now he's found his freedom back. The "Home Improvement" alum was reportedly arrested on Thursday, September 28 but was let go from prison over the weekend after a major misunderstanding.

According to TMZ, the 41-year-old was booked into A Lane County Jail with his records showing 2 counts of 4th-degree felony assault. However, the outlet stated that the actor's latest arrest is "not over a new incident."

Zachery, who played Brad Taylor on the ABC series from 1991-1999, was out of jail on Sunday after posting his bail. His attorney, John J. Kolego, divulged that the arrest took place because of a breach of his terms of release after he forgot to keep his ankle monitor charged with energy.

The lawyer also emphasized that the arrest didn't involve a judge. John additionally shut down reports about his client being taken into custody due to binge drinking.

Back in late July, Zachery was arrested on a domestic violence charge. "At around 6:00 P.M. on July 28, Eugene Police received report of a physical dispute between a male and adult female at a north Eugene residence," so read a statement from the Eugene Police Department. "The dispute was reported to have occurred several hours prior and the suspect, identified as Zachery Ty Bryan, age 41, of Laguna Beach, California, had left the location."

"Eugene Police subsequently contacted Bryan in the area," it added. "Bryan was lodged at Lane County Jail on a charge of Assault in the Fourth Degree APA (Abuse Prevention Act)."

Zachery was previously arrested for domestic violence on October 16, 2020, after he allegedly strangled his partner Johnie Faye Cartwright during a violent dispute between the two in their apartment. "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" actor was reported to put his hands around her throat and squeezed it. He was also alleged to have snatched her phone when she tried to call 911 for help.

Zachery agreed to take a deal and plead guilty to menacing and fourth-degree assault in February 2021. In June of this year, he told The Hollywood Reporter that the incident that led to his arrest got "blown out of proportion."

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In Ukraine it was noticed by Ukrainian soldiers that many, if not most, of the Russian soldiers were in the army as contract (higher paid long term) soldiers and were from rural areas where jobs were scarce and poverty was increasing. Many of the military-age men had already served one or two years as conscripts. In the last year, military recruiters have been offering these veterans well-paid (by Russian standards) jobs as contract soldiers if they signed up for a few more years. Most of their pay could be sent directly to their families and there were substantial death or disability payments.

So far over 200,000 Russian soldiers have died in Ukraine and in many rural towns it is noticeable that many men recently died in Ukraine. Thats made it difficult for recruiters, who have obtained most of their best recruits from these rural areas, where many men are accustomed to hunting or fishing. That means recruits who already know how to shoot and move quietly in the countryside, and are in need of a better paying job. As more local men die in Ukraine, fewer are inclined to join the army. This is a problem because most of the rural population of Russia has been slowly declining. In 1970 rural areas held half the population but currently it is only 37 percent and continuing to decline. A century ago, most Russians lived in rural areas but the movement to urban areas has been relentless and continuous.

Men in urban areas have access to more news, better education and more jobs. The urban men were not interested in joining the army as contract soldiers. It was voters from urban areas that led the opposition conscription, but so far the best they could do was get the term of conscript service reduced to one year. The current conscript laws prohibit conscripts from serving in foreign wars. The government tried to present the Ukraine War as an internal Russian matter. The government passed laws to that effect but most Russians still considered the Ukraine War a foreign war that was off limits for conscripts.

To get around this the government provided more cash bonuses to induce conscripts to become contract soldiers. This made sense to conscripts from poor regions but the urban conscripts were not interested, and concentrated on surviving their unfortunate circumstances. For urban military-age men, particularly in the Moscow and St. Petersburg areas, rampant corruption in the conscription bureaucracy provides opportunities for those with money to avoid conscription or at least avoid service in a combat unit.

As Russian conscripts and newly acquired contract soldiers continued to suffer casualties in Ukraine, the quality of those troops and their willingness to fight declined. This was accelerated by the even greater decline in the number of combat officers available in Ukraine. Russian officers were also reluctant to have a promising military career cut short by untimely death in Ukraine while trying to lead reluctant troops. Ukrainian forces more frequently encountered Russian units that seemed reluctant to fight, or surrender. The Russian government tried to deal with the situation by making it a criminal offense to surrender to Ukrainian troops. This has led a growing number of reluctant and desperate Russian soldiers to desert and not return to Russia. This makes them stateless but still alive. This is not a new problem and the UN refugee agency will issue travel documents to the stateless. This allows Russian deserters to move around outside Russia but they still encounter problems finding a job while also learning a new language. It is possible to covertly contact friends and family via the Internet to let them know you are still alive but thats about all you can do.

All this explains the poor morale and combat ineffectiveness of so many Russian troops in Ukraine. There are some elite commando or airborne units that will willingly fight but there are few of these units. Russian commanders have learned to use these units carefully because combat losses are not easy to replace. It takes months to train these elite troops, who are volunteers and there are fewer and fewer Russians volunteering to fight in Ukraine, even as a member of an elite unit. While all this limits the ability of the Russians to attack, most of their reluctant soldiers will operate on the defensive and take part in building defensive fortifications and planting landmines and other nasty surprises for any attackers. This is what the current Ukrainian offensive in the southeast has to deal with. Ukrainian forces make the most of this by using their long-range weapons, like artillery, guided rockets and aircraft delivered long range guided bombs or air-to-ground missiles to destroy Russian supply storage sites, transportation efforts and headquarters. This leaves a growing number of Russian units without ammunition or other supplies, even food. Many Russian troops still have their cellphones and can call home and complain about their increasingly desperate situation. Its illegal for troops to report on their situation and illegal for Russian media to publish or broadcast it. This slows down but does prevent the bad news from spreading inside Russia. Most Russians still support their government or simply try to avoid the war news. For those Russians who are involved because they have friends or family members in the military or subject to being recruited or conscripted, the bad news is a useful additional incentive to avoid being sent to Ukraine to fight. Those who do go have little enthusiasm for fighting but will shoot back if cornered and attacked.
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The 67-year-old momager shares in an episode of 'The Kardashians' that she makes him turn down a role on the hit Paramount series that stars Kevin Costner.

Oct 2, 2023

AceShowbiz - Kris Jenner admitted that she wasn't happy after learning about her boyfriend Corey Gamble's casting for "Yellowstone". The momager shared on "The Kardashians" that she made her longtime beau turn down a role on the hit Paramount series.

The revelation came up when the couple enjoyed dinner with her daughters, Khloe Kardashian and Kim Kardashian, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. "I'm so excited to watch the next episode of 'Yellowstone'," Kris announced to the table.

Corey later teased his girlfriend, saying, "If it wasn't for you, I would be a 'Yellowstone' star." Kim couldn't help but be shocked by the remarks as she said, "They asked you to be on 'Yellowstone' and you said no?"

Kris confirmed, "Correct, because I told him to say no." Confused, Kim asked once again, "Why would you tell him to turn down 'Yellowstone'?" To the question, Kris said, "Because I thought he was gonna have to have a romantic relationship."

Khloe then poked fun at her mom, saying that it'd be different if it was Kris who got the offer. "But if they said they wanted you to star and kiss with Kevin Costner, I'm sure you would take it," the Good American founder joked, before Kris quickly responded, "Oh, that's a hard yes!"

Kris and Corey first met in August 2014 while they were both in Ibiza to attend the 40th birthday party of their mutual friend, fashion designer Riccardo Tisci. The two started dating shortly after that.

The 67-year-old gushed over her longtime beau in an interview with PEOPLE in July 2022. "I think Corey is super. He's an amazing guy," she said. "He's really supportive and he's really dialed into a lot of the different things."

"He's very knowledgeable about a lot of the things that I work on, and he really helps me in trying to think through some of the decisions I make," she explained. "He's such a great person to bounce things off of. I really love his point of view on things."

She went on to say, "Everybody needs somebody to sort of run something by and help make decisions about the littlest things. It could be a travel, or it could be what you're doing that evening, or it could be what's going on at the office today. But it's really great to have him."

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While wearing a white cast on her arm due to injuries from a recent car crash, the 'Real Housewives of Orange County' star is spotted out and about with her dog Archie in Laguna Beach.

Oct 2, 2023

AceShowbiz - Shannon Beador has been spotted out and about with her dog Archie following a report she was being investigated by animal control. After driving under the influence of alcohol while her beloved pet was in her car, the star of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" took Archie outside for a walk.

The 59-year-old Bravolebrity and Archie were caught on camera in Laguna Beach on Friday, September 29. In pictures making their rounds online, she could be seen making her way out of what appeared to be her apartment. Along with the dog, she was walking on the streets of California.

At one point during the day out, the reality TV star was photographed having a conversation through her smartphone as she put it in front of her mouth with one of her hands. She appeared somber and not in good spirits throughout the outing.

For the occasion, Shannon wore a dark gray hoodie with red "USC" graphics, representing University of Southern California. She also donned a pair of long black leggings and navy blue flat shoes with beige soles. Hiding her eyes with a pair of black sunglasses, she let her long light blonde hair loose and styled it into a simple straight hairdo. On her injured arm, she sported a white cast that peeked out of her hoodie's long sleeve.

The new sighting came a few days after it was reported that Shannon was being investigated by animal control. On September 22, Page Six revealed that the Newport Beach Police Department's animal control conducted an investigation following Shannon's reckless driving despite having her dog Archie in her car.

"We don't have animal endangering laws like you would with children but we do have animal cruelty laws, so he's going to look into that a little bit further," Sergeant Steve Oberon issued a statement to the outlet.

Steve further detailed the investigation to Us Weekly. "We are looking into if there were any issues or cruelty related to her dog. There are no animal endangerment laws, but there are animal cruelty laws and we are looking at it," he explained.

On September 16, Shannon crashed her car into a building in Newport Beach. In CCTV footage obtained by TMZ, she was documented driving at a high speed before the crash.

In the clip, Shannon was then seen driving away from the damaged property. Shannon attempted to get away from the mess by pretending that she was walking her dog after she parked her car in the middle of the street, per police sources. A few hours later, she was arrested for DUI alcohol and hit-and-run before she was "cited and released without bond."

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Christian shocks Cleo and the other cast members when he asks his girlfriend an important question even though they face some trust issues due to his flirtatious behavior.

Oct 2, 2023

AceShowbiz - "90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days" aired its Part 2 of this season's tell-all special on Sunday, October 1. In the episode, Christian dropped a shocking question for Cleo following backlash from their castmates.

Christian revealed that he and Cleo were still together even though they faced some trust issues because Christian was too friendly to other women. He also noted that he's getting ready to take the next step in their relationship.

The couple joined the tell-all remotely from his house. Christian said that Cleo met all of his female family members, though Christian didn't want her to meet his male family members due to their previous criticism of Cleo being a transgender woman. While the meeting went well, Cleo's friend Jane told Cleo that she still saw major red flags with Christian as he still chatted with other women.

Of his behavior, Christian blamed it on his personality. He stressed that because he was an extrovert, he simply liked talking to people and making friends. "I didn't feel I was doing anything wrong," he said.

Cleo, meanwhile, said that she felt she was never going to be enough given the attention he craves from other people. Christian said it wasn't true, but their castmates called his actions "disgusting" and "disrespectful."

"That's just the way that I act in a bar, in a public scene," Christian argued. "I'm there to have fun. I'm not there to be a square and sit in a corner and not talk to anyone."

Surprisingly, producers then brought out the woman Christian flirted with at a bar and bizarrely invited over to celebrate Thanksgiving with him and Cleo. The woman, named Debra, shared that she had no idea that Christian had a girlfriend.

Criticizing Christian, fellow "90 Day Fiance" star Amanda commented, "Your ego is through the roof right now." Meanwhile, Statler called him a narcissist, adding, "Your best friend is probably the mirror." As for Jasmine, she hoped Cleo would stand up for herself.

In response to the backlash, Christian said, "I feel like I'm being attacked right now just for being who I am. I've been called a narcissist, a flirt, I mean, on the brink of allegations of cheating or attempting to cheat, I find that way off base."

Christian later shocked everyone when he said that he wanted Cleo to stay with him permanently in America and asked her if she was willing to marry him. However, he clarified that it wasn't an official proposal, explaining, "After everything we've been through is it something you would consider is what I'm saying."

Cleo said that he loved Christian, but she pointed out that this wasn't the place to talk about him asking her to marry him. Christian later teased that he would definitely propose to Cleo sometime soon, saying, "Definitely I would say on one of these trips she can anticipate that that's probably going to happen."

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Director Francis Ford Coppola opens up that he drew inspirations from the Ancient Rome for his upcoming passion project which is fronted by Adam Driver.

Oct 2, 2023

AceShowbiz - Francis Ford Coppola was inspired by Ancient Rome for his film "Megalopolis". The legendary director posted on social media to offer his contribution to the popular TikTok trend on why men are obsessed with the Roman Empire and explained that the historical period served as the basis for his new sci-fi epic.

"How often do I think of Ancient Rome? Quite a lot. The Roman Republic served as the example for my country America and its institutions, and was the inspiration for my upcoming film 'Megalopolis,' " Francis wrote on Instagram.

The 84-year-old director - who has helmed movies including "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now" - continued, "My fascination with the Roman Republic is based on the struggle between the political parties during which the interest of the Republic yielded to the ambitions of a few powerful men who espoused the arms of political parties to establish their own fortunes and authority by relying upon armed forces to achieve those ends, dealing the final blow to a constitution already tottering to its fall."

Adam Driver stars in the movie about an architect who tries to rebuild a city as a utopia following a devastating disaster and previously rubbished claims that there was chaos on set. He told Paste, "'Megalopolis' is one of the most exciting things that I've been a part of, with Francis in particular."

"It's one of the best shooting experiences I've had. And the things he's made, there's no frame of reference for it. It's so unique and inventive and hopefully accessible by everyone. That it's not so elusive that it's for a certain audience, it's for everyone. And he is everything that you hope he will be."

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Indias homegrown Paytm Payments Bank today announced 7 People in 7 Days for UPI Mission in support of Honble Prime Minister Narendra Modis call to the nation to bring new users to the mobile payments revolution. This would further drive adoption of UPI payments.

Under 7 People in 7 Days for UPI Mission, Paytm Bank is offering 700 as cashback on referring seven new users through the Paytm app. Additionally, on one successful referral, users can also get a chance to win exciting rewards including MacBook Air, Sony PlayStation 5 and Robo Vacuum Cleaners.

Paytm UPI enables superfast and seamless transactions with the lowest technical decline rates in the country. Powered by 3-layer Bank Grade security, Paytm UPI provides safe and reliable payments.

Paytm Payments Bank Spokesperson said, We are excited to launch the 7 People in 7 Days for UPI Mission to support the call to the nation by Honble Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Through our innovations, we have taken UPI to every nook and corner of the country, making it the most preferred mode of payment. This mission is aligned with our mission to drive financial inclusion in the country.

As the top UPI beneficiary bank, Paytm Bank has registered 2,505.70 million transactions in August 2023. The Bank registered 455.52 million transactions as one of the top remitter banks in the country. The Banks merchant acquiring model has made it a market leader in UPI person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions. Merchants on the Paytm ecosystem, where Paytm Payments Bank is the Payee PSP, account for almost 40% of all UPI person-to-merchant transactions.

Paytm Payments Bank has always been the first to bring all of UPI innovations for its users. It was the first payments bank to launch UPI Lite and enable UPI transactions through RuPay credit cards, empowering users with seamless and superfast payments.
South Indian Bank (SIB), one of Indias leading private sector banks with over nine-decade legacy has appointed P R Seshadri as its MD & CEO effective 1st of October 2023. He will succeed Mr. Murali Ramakrishnan who served a successful tenure from 1st October 2020 till 30th September 2023.

With nearly 25 years of banking experience spanning domestic and international markets, Mr. P R Seshadri has held senior leadership positions at prestigious institutions, including Karur Vysya Bank Limited and Citigroup. His leadership, marked by scaling, optimizing, growing, and transforming businesses, has earned him respect and acclaim within the industry. His career trajectory underscores his ability to drive sustained growth, emphasizing the adoption of digital operational frameworks and innovative solutions to meet the unique demands of the Indian market. Prior to joining SIB, Mr. Seshadri was associated with the Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) in a similar role.

Welcoming the incoming Managing Director & CEO, Mr. Thomas Joseph K, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer said, "Embracing a new era of leadership, we proudly welcome Mr. Seshadri to lead our institution. With a proven track record and a visionary approach, he embodies the future of banking excellence. His expertise will guide us towards greater heights, paving the way for success and prosperity for our valued clients and stakeholders. Together, we anticipate exploring new frontiers in finance and redefining growth through a customer-centric ethos."

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. P R Seshadri, Managing Director and CEO, South Indian Bank said, Leading South Indian Bank is a privilege as we embark on a growth journey, leveraging technology while upholding our business values and rich heritage. I am enthusiastic about collaborating with the Bank's talented professionals to build upon the legacy. Together, we will navigate the evolving financial landscape, delivering innovative solutions and unparalleled service to our clients.

Mr. P R Seshadri is an electrical engineer and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in management from IIM Bangalore. In his new role as MD & CEO, he is poised to lead South Indian Bank into an era of growth and innovation, while upholding its rich legacy and core values, promising an exciting journey ahead for the Bank and its stakeholders.
Morgan County authorities say two women are dead following an overnight house fire.

The incident happened in the 200 block of Shagbark Trail in Somerville.

Deputies, along with firefighters from Somerville and Priceville, were able to remove two women from the home, the Morgan County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

Both women were transported to the hospital where they died from their injuries, Coroner Jeff Chunn said. The victims names were not immediately released.

The Alabama Fire Marshals Office is currently investigating the incident.
An investigation is underway after a man was shot in east Birmingham Monday.

The shooting happened shortly before 2 p.m. in the 7800 block of Fourth Avenue South.

Police radio communications indicated the victim was struck three times.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Lt. Catina Williams said the victim was shot in the leg and the finger.

He was taken to UAB Hospital in stable condition. Williams said he is in his mid-40s.

No additional information was immediately available.
When Russia decided to invade Ukraine, they knew they had to win quickly to prevent NATO nations from getting involved. Russia had done the math and realized that they were no match for NATO. This was especially true when it came to combat aircraft. The United States, with 13,200 planes, had the largest fleet of military aircraft in the world. Thats a quarter of 53,500 aircraft total for the entire world. The second largest fleet, 4,100 aircraft, belongs to Russia while number three is China with 3,200 aircraft. In terms of balance-of-power and who has what in potential conflicts, China comes off poorly. Having made enemies of South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, China finds these three nations have combined air forces slightly larger that China's. Add in several thousand American aircraft that can be brought in quickly and China is at a considerable disadvantage. Russia is an ally but its warplanes are largely elderly and many are close to retirement. In addition, Russia is the largest country in the world and many neighbors are actually or potentially hostile. The existing Russian air forces are needed in many other areas besides their Pacific Coast.

Plus, Russian combat aircraft have not been successful when facing Western fighters. This was obvious during World War II when the smaller German fighter force destroyed a large number of Russian combat aircraft, and held air superiority on the Eastern Front until forced to withdraw to Italy during the 1943 Battle of Kursk to fight the invading British and Americans. In the Korean War Russian pilots sometimes piloted North Korean MiG-15 jet fighters and American fighter pilots noticed this. The Russian pilots were more capable than the North Korean pilots. This was mainly because the Russian pilots were combat veterans even though they had not flown the MiG-15 until recently. There was another important difference. Russian pilots did not get as much training as their Western counterparts and operated under a cumbersome system where they were subject to control by ground controllers. This cumbersome Russian system was not eliminated until late in the Cold war, at the same time the MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters were entering service. Russia realized its pilots needed a lot more flight hours in training and annually after that if they were to have a chance against Western pilots. In peacetime Western fighter pilots fly between 100 and 200 hours a year. This is something of a NATO standard. Carrier pilots fly more than twice as many and that is why carrier pilots are considered, in general, more capable than air force fighter pilots. In the last decade China has been having its fighter pilots spend more time in the air and some Chinese get as much air time as their NATO counterparts. China recognizes that more flight time is needed to train pilots capable of defeating pilots who fly as many as 200 hours a year. This now includes Taiwanese, South Korean and Japanese fighter pilots.

Annual flight hours for fighter pilots must be taken into account when determining which country has the most effective air force. The number of aircraft alone is not a useful measure of air combat effectiveness. Since the end of World War II, the American air forces have had more combat aircraft and pilots with more flight hours than anyone else. During that time American air forces could achieve air domination, not just air superiority in any combat zone they were sent. Quantity, quality and more training are a winning combination. Those flight hours are expensive and the U.S. air forces are one the few countries that can afford to regularly pay for that many flight hours.

In terms of numbers, the United States and its allies have an overwhelming advantage as well as an edge when it comes to technology. All this comes at a cost, one the United States is having a particularly difficult time dealing with. It is even worse in Russia, where forced retirements, from old age or lack of money for maintenance, will soon see Russia slipping into third place.

The aging American warplane fleet will not shrink as rapidly and China has not been growing as fast as it could because a lot of inexpensive Cold War era aircraft are being replaced with much more expensive modern models. China does see that situation changing in their favor during the next two decades.

Currently the U.S. has more military aircraft because it has enormous shares of the world supply of support aircraft. America has 19 percent of fighters and bombers but 38 percent of all Special Mission (transport and reconnaissance) aircraft and 76 percent of aerial tankers. This enables the U.S. to move combat aircraft to any part of the world quickly and ready to go to work. No other nation has that capability. Other nations can move a small number of warplanes long distances but none have the need, or the budget, to do more. The American global reach is a major asset for allies worldwide and they are concerned about the gradual decline of that global reach. Without the Americans, many current U.S. allies would have to buy the support aircraft they need.

The most numerous American combat aircraft is the F-16, whose average is 29 years. The F-15s average 35 years. Worldwide these two aircraft account for 22 percent fighter aircraft used by all nations. Add in the U.S. Navy F-18 and these three are 28 percent of all fighters worldwide. There are 4,000 of these three models and the U.S. hopes to replace them with nearly as many F-35 stealth fighters. That effort is well underway with about 500 delivered so far. The question is, can the military budgets of the U.S. and export customers keep it up?

Two other issues remain unresolved. One is the age of combat aircraft. The F-35 was late arriving in large numbers and the F-16s and F-15s they were to replace are still in service. As aircraft age, maintenance costs rise and the air force budget is not rising to deal with that. As a result, readiness rates for these older aircraft have been falling during the last few years. At the same time, most of the aircraft have benefitted from tech upgrades. Not just new electronics but also components made of new materials. Despite all that, age and increasing maintenance costs eventually prevail in the form of lower readiness rates. However, with enough money and motivation, the older aircraft can still maintain high readiness rates. Sometimes that additional cost is found to be cheaper than developing and building a new aircraft.
Florida officials believe they have found the remains of a south Alabama man who went missing in 1995, according to the mans family.

James Aaron Toole was 72-years-old in 1995 when he left his Pansey, Ala., home on May 15, 1995.

Toole told his granddaughter he wouldnt greet at her school bus the following day because was driving to the Plant City, Fla., area to visit a sick relative, according to information on a Facebook page started by the family.

Plant City is about 30 miles northeast of Tampa.

Toole was last seen driving his mid-80s model Chevrolet Cavalier on Houston County Road 75 later that night after leaving early from his shift at a local convenience store. He was never seen nor heard from again, nor was his car ever recovered.

Until last week, when crews cleaning debris left by Hurricane Idalia in the Steinhatchee River in Dixie County, Fla., found sections of what was ultimately determined to be a Chevrolet Cavalier submerged in the river. Workers were moving a section of dock at the Jena boat ramp when they spotted the parts of the vehicle, according to the Dixie County Sheriffs Office.

Inside the vehicle were human remains. The sheriffs office was notified and a dive team was called to the scene to conduct a more extensive search, locating additional parts of the vehicle and more human remains. The remains were turned over to the Dixie County Medical Examiners Office.

But along with the remains were found two items -- a credit card and a Sams Club membership card -- both in the name of James Aaron Toole. While DNA is being conducted to confirm the remains are those of James Toole, officials notified the family last Wednesday they believe he had been found.

By Saturday, the family had released a statement, appreciative their beloved family member had been found, but noting the discovery also raises new questions.

While we never expected closure, we have always hoped for answers, the statement read. This discovery has answered some of the questions we have had over the years, but it has also created new questions. We hope to understand more about what happened to Papa as more information is uncovered.

Until last week, no information on Tooles whereabouts had been received since 1995 other than an unconfirmed report his wallet had been found at a gas station in Bainbridge, Ga., in 2020.

Also of note, the location where the vehicle and remains were found is about 180 miles northwest of where Toole was headed when he left home in May 1995.

We have worked hard over the last 28 years to keep his story alive and in the media, the family said in the release. The process was painful and exhausting, but we never lost sight of our goal. We know that our Papa loved us and is proud of the work that we have done. We are one step closer to the possibility of bringing him home.
A Colbert County woman was arrested over the weekend after authorities found 29 dead horses and scores of malnourished horses and dogs.

According to jail records, Debra Catledge, 63, of Cherokee, faces 15 counts of animal cruelty and one charge of obstructing government operations. She was released from the Colbert County Jail Sunday on $12,250 bond.

Catledges arrest came after 29 dead horses were discovered Friday morning, along with at least 10 horses that appeared undernourished, and 45 dogs. The surviving animals were confiscated from the property.

The Colbert County Animal Shelter closed that day to deal with the animals, and have asked for donations of hay and feed to care for the horses.

Catledge faced similar charges almost 10 years ago, when she was arrested after animal control officers and sheriffs deputies found more than 120 small dogs on her property near Cherokee.

She later pleaded guilty to three charges.
A Florida man drove to his ex-wifes house, killed her dog, then called to tell her, according to investigators.

The Palm Beach County (Fla.) Sheriffs Office says deputies responded to a heartbreaking incident in West Palm Beach last week.

Dispatched to the residence on a report of a dog killed, deputies found a 3 1/2-year-old pit-bull named Luna dead in the yard with an apparent injury at the bottom of its neck.

An arrest report says the dog was bleeding and the dog deceased but still warm, according to CBS12 in Palm Beach.

A necropsy was performed on the dog, determining the cause of death as a severed jugular vein, causing the dog to bleed to death.

The homeowner told investigators he believed his wifes ex-husband had killed the dog.

Additional investigation determined 43-year-old Delmin Echeverria had driven to the home when no one was present and stabbed the dog in the neck, then called his ex-wife to tell her the dog was dead. The woman found the dog deceased on the side of the residence when she returned home later that day.

Echeverria was arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty, burglary of a dwelling while armed, and criminal mischief.

As of Monday afternoon, he remained in the Palm Beach County Detention Center. Although bond for the Palm Beach County charges was set at $13,000, he is being held on an unspecified warrant from another agency.
Florence police say a man is behind bars after he attempted to sell jewelry and a young woman from a vehicle.

According to police, the incident happened Saturday night in the parking lot of a Florence business.

Officers dispatched on a welfare call talked to a man who said a white Cadillac Escalade stopped him and a man tried to sell him jewelry and a young female that was in the backseat.

The man declined the offer and called police.

Officers later pulled over the vehicle in Muscle Shoals. The driver, identified as Gunici Ionut, told police he and the woman were on vacation, traveling through Florence.

Ionut was arrested and charged with promoting prostitution and is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center without bond. The Department of Human Resources took custody of the woman.

This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (256) 760-6562.
Turkish warplanes carried out airstrikes on suspected Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq on Sunday following a suicide attack on a government building in the Turkish capital, Turkeys defense ministry announced.

Some 20 targets of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, were destroyed in the latest aerial operation, including caves, shelters and depots, the ministry said, adding that a large number of PKK operatives were neutralized in the strikes.

Earlier on Sunday, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device near an entrance of the Interior Ministry, wounding two police officers. A second assailant was killed in a shootout with police.

The PKK, which maintains bases in northern Iraq, claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing, according to a news agency close to the rebel group. Turkeys Interior Ministry also identified one of the assailants as a member of the outlawed group. It said efforts were still underway to identify the second attacker.

The attack happened hours before Turkeys Parliament reopened after its three-month summer recess with an address by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The two assailants arrived at the scene inside a light commercial vehicle, which they seized from a veterinarian in the central province of Kayseri, according to the Interior Ministry. The pro-government daily Sabah reported that they shot the man in the head and threw his body into a ditch by the side of the road. They then drove the vehicle to Ankara, roughly 300 kilometers away.

Our heroic police officers, through their intuition, resisted the terrorists as soon as they got out of the vehicle, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters. One of them blew himself up, while the other one was shot in the head before he had a chance to blow himself up.

Our fight against terrorism, their collaborators, the (drug) dealers, gangs and organized crime organizations will continue with determination, he said.

Police found plastic explosives, hand grenades and a rocket launcher at the scene, a ministry statement said.

Erdogan gave his speech in Parliament as planned and called the attack the last stand of terrorism.

The scoundrels who targeted the peace and security of the citizens could not achieve their goals and they never will, he said.

The president reiterated his governments aim to create a 30-kilometer safe zone along Turkeys border with Syria to secure its southern border from attacks.

Turkey has conducted numerous cross-border offensives against the PKK in northern Iraq. It has also launched incursions into northern Syria since 2016 to drive away the Islamic State group and a Kurdish militia group, known by the initials YPG, and controls swaths of territory in the area.

Turkey views the YPG as an extension of the PKK, which is listed as a terror group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. The PKK has waged an insurgency against Turkey since 1984. Tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict.

Last year, a bomb blast in a bustling pedestrian street in Istanbul left six people dead, including two children. More than 80 others were wounded. Turkey blamed the attack on the PKK and the YPG.

Security camera footage on Sunday showed the vehicle stopping in front of the Interior Ministry, with a man exiting it and rushing toward the entrance of the building before blowing himself up. A second man is seen following him.

Earlier, television footage showed bomb squads working near a vehicle in the area, which is located near the Turkish Grand National Assembly and other government buildings. A rocket launcher could be seen lying near the vehicle.

Turkish authorities later imposed a temporary blackout on images from the scene.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said an investigation has been launched into the terror attack.

These attacks will in no way hinder Turkeys fight against terrorism, he wrote on X. Our fight against terrorism will continue with more determination.

Police cordoned off access to the city center and increased security measures, warning citizens that they would be conducting controlled explosions of suspicious packages.

The two police officers were being treated in a hospital and were not in serious condition, Yerlikaya said.

Egypt, which has normalized ties with Turkey after a decade of tensions, condemned the attack. A terse statement from the Foreign Ministry offered Egypts solidarity with Turkey.

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara and other foreign missions also issued messages condemning the attack.

Erdogan in his speech did not provide any indication as to when Turkeys parliament may ratify Swedens membership in NATO.

Stockholm applied for NATO membership alongside Finland following Russias invasion of Ukraine last year. While Finland has since joined, Turkey blocked Swedens membership in the military alliance, accusing it of not doing enough to tackle groups like PKK from operating on its soil. In a posting on X, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Stockholm strongly condemns todays terrorist attack in Ankara.

We reaffirm our commitment to long-term cooperation with Turkiye in combating terrorism and wish for quick and full recovery of the ones injured, he wrote, using the Turkish governments preferred spelling for the country.

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Associated Press writers Cinar Kiper in Bodrum, Turkey, Robert Badendieck in Istanbul, and Jari Tanner in Helsinki, Finland contributed.
Environmental groups Black Warrior Riverkeeper, Hurricane Creek and the Southern Environmental Law Center say that rampant sewage overflows in Tuscaloosa are more heavily impacting Black and low-income communities within the city.

The groups filed a notice of intent to sue the city in July, citing nearly 42 million gallons of sewage overflows and hundreds of permit violations that were self-reported by the city from 2017 to 2023.

The groups say the citys own reports show more than 350 illegal sewage overflows and more than 1,000 violations of its wastewater discharge permit.

The city of Tuscaloosa did not immediately respond to requests for comment on this story.

A map of the reported violations compiled by the Southern Environmental Law Center shows a disproportionate amount of chronic sewage overflows in predominantly Black communities, the groups said Monday.

Tuscaloosas sewage spills have been happening for over two decades while we have been encouraging Tuscaloosa to clean up its act and properly notify communities, Black Warrior Riverkeeper Nelson Brooke said in a news release. It is unacceptable that the city has allowed raw sewage and industrial wastewater to pollute local streams and the river for years, which is disproportionately impacting Black and low-income communities in Tuscaloosa.

The Southern Environmental Law Center mapped hundreds of reported sewage overflows in the city of Tuscaloosa and found the overflows disproportionately impact Black and low-income communities.Southern Environmental Law Center

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, untreated or partially treated sewage can contain bacteria, virus, parasite, molds, and fungi. People who come in contact with raw sewage risk health hazards ranging from mild gastroenteritis (causing stomach cramps and diarrhea) to life-threatening ailments such as cholera, dysentery, infections hepatitis, and severe gastroenteritis.

In addition to impacting minority communities, the groups say more than half of Tuscaloosas sewage overflows occurred during dry weather, indicating that the citys system is failing. They say they attempted to meet with city officials on multiple occasions to discuss the overflows, but the city did not respond.

Black Warrior Riverkeeper says it collected water samples showing chloride, aluminum, barium, manganese, iron, and sodium. During visits to sewer system sites, Hurricane Creekkeeper observed sewage stations in disrepair, including metal corrosion from apparent hydrogen sulfide leaks.

Families bringing their children to play and swim in Hurricane Creek Park had no clue they were exposing them to raw sewage, said John Wathen, Hurricane Creekkeeper.

Alabama assumes control of prosecuting violations

Under the Clean Water Act, individual citizens or groups like the Riverkeepers are allowed to file lawsuits alleging violations, but are required to file formal notice of their intent to sue at least 60 days in advance.

The state then has 60 days to step in. A state regulatory agency, such as the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, can intervene within that 60-day period and assume control of prosecuting the alleged violations. In that case, the suit would not go forward.

ADEM and the Alabama Attorney Generals Office filed a lawsuit against the city of Tuscaloosa on Sept. 22, negating the environmental groups right to file a separate lawsuit. On Monday, the groups asked the court for intervenor status in the states lawsuit to ensure that the concerns of their members are represented in the legal proceedings.

This isnt the first time that Tuscaloosa has been sued for its sewage overflows, said Sarah Stokes, Senior Attorney with SELC. Our clients want to join in the state case and to convince Tuscaloosa to provide meaningful and permanent solutions this time.

The lawsuit filed by the state charges the city with numerous violations of its operating permit, including the sewer overflows, as well as failure to submit required non-compliance notification reports on time, and for discharging water that was over its permit limits for pH, E. coli, ammonia as nitrogen and total suspended solids.

The state is asking the court to order the city to take action to stop the overflows and permit violations and to impose a penalty on the city for allowing the violations to occur.
UPS plans to hire more than 100,000 seasonal employees to help handle the rush of holiday shopping, the company announced.

Jobs include full and part-time positions, primarily for seasonal delivery drivers, Commercial Drivers License drivers and package handlers. Permanent positions can be available for those who apply early, UPS said, and most digital applications can be completed in less than 20 minutes. About 80% of seasonal positions dont require an interview.

The best talent delivers the best service. Thats why were proud to offer industry-leading pay for UPS part-timers, full-timers and seasonal employees alike, said Nando Cesarone, Executive Vice President and President, U.S.

There are multiple shifts available in locations across the country.

Hourly pay will start at $23 for seasonal package drivers and $21 for package handlers, both increasing from $21 and $15.50 over last year, respectively, Business Insider reported.

Those interested in seasonal work at UPS should apply at upsjobs.com.
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review the conviction of Alabama death row inmate Toforest Johnson, whose appeal was based on a reward paid to a key witness for the prosecution.

Johnsons case was on a list released Monday of cases for which the Supreme Court denied certiorari, or review. There was no opinion issued.

Johnson was convicted of the 1995 murder of Jefferson County Sheriffs Deputy William Hardy.

Johnsons lawyers appealed to the Supreme Court in April. In June, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall responded, urging the justices to reject the request for a review of the case.

The state argued that Johnsons attorneys had not proven their assertion that the key witness in the 1998 murder conviction testified in hopes of receiving a $5,000 reward from the governor. Marshalls office said there was no evidence that the witness, Violet Ellison, knew about or hoped to get the reward when she took the stand.

Of course, payment of the reward could not have been mentioned at Johnsons trial in 1998 because the prosecutor did not apply for the reward until three years after the trial, said the states filing.

Marshalls office also said the case does not raise an issue of extraordinary public importance or any compelling circumstances.

Johnsons attorneys said in their appeal that the state concealed the reward payment for 18 years.

The public cannot possibly have confidence in the system if the state of Alabama is permitted to execute Johnson when it paid its key witness $5,000 in secret and both the District Attorney and the trial prosecutor support a new trial, Johnsons lawyers wrote.

Ellison told police she heard a man who identified himself as Toforest confess to the shooting. She didnt know Johnson, and said she overheard the remark when she picked up the phone during a call her daughter made to a friend who was in jail.

Johnsons case had reached the Supreme Court before. In 2017, the justices ruled in favor of Johnson and sent the case back to the state.

The appeal then moved through the state court system for years. The Alabama Supreme Court declined to review Johnsons conviction in December 2022.

In 2020, Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr voiced concerns about Johnsons case and asked for a new trial. He wrote in a court filing, It is the District Attorneys position that in the interest of justice, Mr. Johnson who has spent more than two decades on Death Row, be granted a new trial.

The original prosecutor also supported Carrs motion.

Former Alabama Chief Justice Drayton Nabers and former Alabama Attorney General Bill Baxley were among numerous lawyers, former judges and prosecutors who have voiced support a new trial for Johnson. Other supporters include former U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, former magistrate Judge John Carroll, and three former jurors on the case.
A woman is suing Disney Parks and Resorts alleging a violent wedgie left her with permanent injuries. According to a civil suit filed in Orange County, Florida, last week, the woman suffered severe lacerations and damage to her internal organs after visiting Disneys Typhoon Lagoon water park in Orlando, Florida.

Plaintiff Emma McGuinness says her family was visiting Disney World for a two-week vacation in October 2019 as part of her 30th birthday celebration. On their trip to the water park, McGuinness says in the suit that she and two family members went on the Humunga Kowabunga water slide. Disney describes the slide as a near-vertical, 5-story drop that is suitable for guests 4 feet tall and above.

These 3 side-by-side enclosed body slides make for some high-octane thrills, the Disney site reads. You wont know whats coming as you zoom 214 feet downhill in the dark and spray your way to a surprise ending!

According to McGuinness, she went airborne near the end of the slide and was slammed downward, causing her clothing to be painfully forced between her legs and for water to be violently forced inside her. She experienced immediate and severe pain internally and, as she stood up, blood began rushing from between her legs, the lawsuit says. She was transported to a local hospital by ambulance for medical care and treatment and eventually transported to another hospital for the repair of her gynecologic injuries by a specialist.

The lawsuit refers to McGuinness injuries as a painful wedgie that allegedly resulted in severe and permanent health issues, the most severe of which was a full thickness laceration causing Plaintiffs bowel to protrude through her abdominal wall, and damage to her internal organs.

The lawsuit is seeking over $50,000 in damages. McGuinness is asking for a jury trial.

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(c)2023 SFGate, San Francisco

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Decaturs police chief on Monday said his department would not be releasing body cam footage in the case of Stephen Perkins, who was shot to death by an officer on Friday, claiming the law prevents him from doing so.

About 100 people demonstrated at Decatur City Hall over the weekend in the wake of Perkins death, urging authorities to release the footage, according to the Decatur Daily.

Please understand that I am in a difficult position of trying to juggle the publics demands for transparency and adhering to the rules of criminal procedure while not jeopardizing the integrity of the investigation, Chief Todd Pinion said in a videotaped statement released on the departments Facebook page.

The Alabama Legislature enacted legislation earlier this year that does not require law enforcement agencies to release footage.

More: Decatur police chief claims law prevents releasing body cam footage in Stephen Perkins death

Pinion said the decision whether to release the footage in the case of 39-year-old Stephen Perkins, who was fatally shot by an officer on Friday, rests with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, which is conducting the investigation.

It would be improper and irresponsible for me to comment on the evidence in this case and cannot legally release any evidence in the case, the chief maintained.

Asked if they would be releasing the footage, an ALEA spokeswoman sent this statement:

Please be advised that investigative material includes law enforcement records, including but not limited to investigative reports, field notes, witness statements and other investigative writings or recordings which are not public records but rather are privileged communications protected from disclosure.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) considers bodycam footage to be investigative material.

Pinion said he would not comment on the investigation until it is completed, at which time ALEA and the Morgan County District Attorneys Office will decide whether to send the case to a grand jury.

I have full confidence in ALEA to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation and will respect their findings when the investigation process is complete, he said.

According to Decatur police, the incident that led to Perkins death happened at about 1:30 a.m Friday.

Police were called to a residence in the 3900 block of Ryan Avenue SW after a tow truck driver told officers a homeowner pulled a gun on him. The driver told police he attempted to repossess a vehicle from the homeowner.

When officers arrived at the residence, along with the tow truck driver, the homeowner, identified as Perkins, exited the residence armed with a handgun and began to threaten the tow truck driver.

According to police, officers ordered Perkins to drop his weapon. Then he turned the gun on one of the officers, who shot him.

Perkins was transported to Huntsville Hospital, where he died.

According to ALEA, Perkins was armed with a handgun that was also equipped with a light.

No officers were injured during the incident.

The officer has been placed on administrative leave, Decatur police said. Once an investigation is complete, results will be turned over to the Morgan County District Attorney.

Updated at 9:45 p.m. to include a statement from ALEA.
              Logistics   ...
The first 24 hours could not have gone better, University of South Alabama president Jo Bonner said Monday, as USA officials celebrated USA Healths takeover of Mobiles Providence Hospital.

Signs of the transition were popping up around the Providence campus in west Mobile on Monday, as temporary signage was installed. That was made possible by the fact that on Sunday, USA Health and St. Louis-based Ascension sealed the final terms of USAs acquisition of Providence from Ascension, a process under way for months.

The $85 million purchase had been announced in April after years of speculation about Providences future and  according to Dr. John Marymont, vice-president for medical affairs and dean of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama  years of discussion about a possible partnership between USA Health and Ascension.

Ascension reached out to us last year and said they were exiting the Mobile market, said Bonner. They gave us the first opportunity to negotiate. Bonner also said that with USA Health taking over the 349-bed facility, local decisions are going to be made by local leaders here.

Providence was founded in the 1850s by the Daughters of Charity, an order of Catholic nuns. In the late 1980s Providence relocated from a Midtown facility on Spring Hill Avenue to the distinctively modernistic structure on Airport Boulevard that it has occupied ever since.

Providence became a part of the Ascension system in 1999; in 2017, it and the Birmingham-based St. Vincents Health System changed their names to Ascension St. Vincents and Ascension Providence. At the time, Ascension described itself as the largest chain of Catholic hospitals in the world. Its willingness to sell in 2022 was driven in part by soaring costs and a reported $1.8 billion loss.

USA Health CEO Owen Bailey said Monday that Providence was a perfect fit for USA Health. Its very complimentary to what weve been doing, he said.

USA Health operates University Hospital and Childrens and Womens Hospital, in addition to numerous other clinics and facilities in the Mobile region. Bailey said that in the last six years, the system has grown from about seven locations to about 30. The Providence deal adds a third hospital, to be known as USA Health Providence Hospital, plus eight clinics on the main campus and six family practice clinics, one of which is in Mississippi.

Bonner said there were no plans to downsize through consolidation. No plans to close, we are in growth mode, he said. We needed the space and quite frankly Mobile needed to keep this hospital.

Bonner said that during the transition, USA Health brought on board about 1,800 Providence employees, bringing USA and USA Healths total employment to about 12,000. We are the biggest employer in Mobile, he said.

Marymont said the acquisition of the Catholic-founded hospital would allow USA to expand its tripartite mission of education, research and medical care.

USA is in the process of building a new medical school facility on its main campus, a project with a price tag Marymont has said will approach $200 million. He has said he intends to gradually increase the size of USAs annual medical class from 80 new doctors to 100.

The Providence acquisition supports that growth and more, he said.

Well be able to grow our medical school class, our nursing school class, our allied health class and give them new opportunities to train, and help the region with new physicians, nurses and allied health professionals, Marymont said. So its a great addition to the academic mission.
Kim Garrett has served as director of Victory Health Partners, the largest charitable health clinic in the state, for just over three years. She arrived at Victory in 2012 as the development director from Dallas, Texas, where she worked in the nonprofit sector.

Founded in 2003, Victory Health now serves around 40,000 low-income, uninsured patients from Alabama, Mississippi and Florida using a sliding-scale fee model. The clinic provides primary care as well as a range of specialty care with the help of over 160 doctors and dentists that donate their time to the clinic.

Last week, Victory began a physical therapy clinic as part of an effort to expand its wellness efforts. Garrett discusses that more here, as well as the ongoing healthcare needs in Mobile.

Questions and answers have been condensed and edited for clarity.

What are some of the initiatives youve got going on this year?
Stories that will make you laugh, cry and question everything you thought you knew. Step into a portal where LGBTQ+ folks can live authentically, free from hate and where their contributions to art and culture are celebrated. Sign up for the QueerVerse newsletter today!

In the suburbs of St. Louis, Mo. in 1994, Rodney Wilson was a 29-year-old teacher of American history and American government at Mehlville High School. He realized that even his curriculums 800-page history textbook fell short of any queer history.

That seemed to me a grave erasure of a group of people and their experiences, their movement, said Wilson, the man behind LGBTQ History Month.

Wilson, of rural Missouri, is currently a Mineral Area College professor of American History and World Religions, and the coordinator of the History and Political Science Department.

Today, he wants LGBTQ history to exist outside of a closet.

All it took was a letter

January of 1994, Wilson drafted a proposal for a national LGBTQ History Monthwith no blueprint on how to go about it. In fact, it wasnt even proposed as LGBTQ History Month, but rather Lesbian and Gay History Month.

We were not as conscious of the larger community in 1994, Wilson admits. We still had room to grow ourselves.

In the two-page proposal, Wilson wrote to the major organizations at the time to garner support. The recipients of Wilsons pitch included GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign and what was then known as the National Lesbian and Gay (now LGBTQ) Task Force. The organizations endorsed the idea, and Wilsons organizing committee grew into a party of six, including the chair of the board of the Gerber/Hart in Chicagothen called The Midwest Lesbian and Gay Library and Archivewhich became the institutional base for that very first year. Even from all the way in New York, fellow queer historian Martin Duberman wrote to Wilson, providing his own personal endorsement.

1995 May - personal endorsement of esteemed historian Martin Duberman. Photo courtesy of Rodney Wilson

We had to have our mainstream institutions in the LGBTQ community say, This is a good idea; well support it, because without that institutional support, you wouldnt be able to create an event, Wilson said.

1994 July from NGLTF, courtesy of Rodney Wilson

Making history of his own in 1994

Earlier in March, during a lesson on posters, Wilson stood in front of his class and pointed to a pink triangle on one of the posters and said, If I was alive during this time, I would be wearing this patch, because I am gay.

His coming out reverberated everywhere, even landing him a cover story on the Riverfront Times later in Augusttwo months before the first annual National LGBTQ History Month. With that, Wilsons was additionally attached to discussions over teachers disclosure of queerness throughout America.

1994.08-Riverfront Times. Photo courtesy of Rodney Wilson

In my high school of about 115 teachers, there were about a dozen of us who were LGBTQ, Wilson said. We knew each other, but we were all not saying anything about it when we were on the job, and certainly not wanting students to know about it.

Wilson met his first openly queer teacher colleague during his first year of teaching. The colleague, twice Wilsons age, was plugged into the community. That Christmas, he invited Wilson over to his house, along with the other LGBTQ teachers. He believed it to be important that, at the very least, conversation around queerness in school found itself out of the closet, and that we teachers acknowledge students who also might be queer.

[LGBTQ students] have needs that sometimes are unique and different from the needs of the non-LGBTQ kids because they are a minority, Wilson said. Theyre put on the fringes by society.

Tenure May 1995. Photo courtesy of Rodney Wilson

Following President Clintons inauguration 1993, Dont Ask, Dont Tell was adopted to prevent U.S. LGBTQ military service members from being openly LGBTQ, sparking discussion over how much disclosure queer and trans people overall are to compromise. For Wilson, this translated as a desperate need to document history.

I think there was a thirst for historical knowledge in the community at the time, he said. We all were looking for the lens of history through which to understand our current situation and place in the world and how we got there, and the things that we might do to advance where we need to be and want to be.

LGBTQ History Month needed to be in October

Because Wilson intended for it to primarily be an academic celebration, he narrowed down the 12-month calendar to the academic calendar, in hopes it could be in curricula.

The option for August was out because school started in the middle of that month. September was the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, not to mention some schools dont start until after Labor Day. November was Native American Heritage Month, and December was out because schools close for winter break until the middle of January. February was Black History Month, and March was Womens History Month.

April was a possibility, but by the end of the year, the last thing a teacher wants is one more thing to do, Wilson said, chuckling. In May, we leave for the summer.

Outside of the academic year, October already had its own significance to the queer and trans community. The first March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1979 was in October. The second March on Washington in 1987 was also in October, specifically Oct. 11a date that would mark the inaugural National Coming out Day the following year.

Leading up to the first National LGBTQ History Month, a small curriculum packet was created, publicity press releases were issued, and members of the national council attempted to advance the proposal nationally. Meanwhile, local coordinating councils organized events in cities throughout the countryfrom St. Louis to Columbus, Ohio.

1994 July from GLA. Photo courtesy of Rodney Wilson

How the tribulations of 2023 Missouri eclipse the victories of 1994 Missouri

The triumph of having started National LGBTQ History Month in 1994 Missouri was emboldened when LGBTQ people won a longstanding fight for gay marriage throughout the 2010s. Now, Missouri is reeling in a regression, having become the second state with the highest number of anti-LGBTQ billsmost of which attack trans youth. Wilson was under the impression that discussions over LGBTQ rights were well on its way to a final victory.

Its been very frustrating and sad to see the same arguments that were used against gays and lesbians in the 70s, 80s and 90s now be used against transgender people, drag, and nonbinary persons, Wilson said. I hate that were regurgitating that, and I hate that right now young transgender and nonbinary people are feeling the same angst, the same sense of attack against them that lesbian and gay young people were feeling 30 years ago.

History always rhymes

Wilson often recounts Mark Twains belief that history always rhymes, and that in human history, people take a few steps forward, face backlash, then they take a step back. He believes that future historians will see this as an example of demagoguery and how politicians scare people into voting for them, making them afraid of the other.

Young people are teaching us all so much right now, he said. They have expanded the questions around gender, and sexuality, and theyre teaching people like me, too. Ive been in this community a long time; I have things to learn because Im almost 60 years old. [I wish] we would allow this learning to happen, instead of being afraid of it, instead of calling it bad, instead of shaming young people.

Outside of Missouri, LGBTQ History Month grew internationally.

In September 2021 at the Florence Queer Festival, a group of radical historians and activists announced they were bringing LGBTQ History Month to Italy in April 2022. It became the first of its kind in southern Europe. Two months later, nineteen representatives, including Wilson, met via Zoom and officially co-founded the International Committee on LGBTQ+ History Months. Representatives met on behalf of Australia, Berlin, Canada, Cuba, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland, UK, U.S., Wales, and even ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, which LGBTQ people in ten Southeast Asian nations.

2022 - current history months. Photo courtesy of Rodney Wilson

History as a stream

Wilson believes that he was born disconnected from society, especially when he realized he was gay at 8 years old. To ground himself, he delved into history.

History is a stream, and we all step into it when were born and we step out of it when we die, he said. I stepped into that stream at a time in history in which I couldnt find other people swimming around me who were like me. Family history, American history, world history and LGBTQ history empowered me, and helped me come out completely to myself, accepting myself as who I am.

For Wilson, history at its core is mystical, particularly about this continuing conversation with the dead, and with the events that they worked on and completed in their lifetimessome of which are still with us, and some arent. Theres a real mystical communion between the past, the present and the future in studying our history.
It is a reflection of these volatile times that the Supreme Court's First Amendment ruling in Brandenburg v. Ohio echoes in the back of my mind whenever I sit down to write. In that case, the Court defended inflammatory speech from government punishment unless it is "directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action." How the government defines "lawless action," though, is quickly changing. Just being a concerned parent opposed to a school board's sexualized curriculum can make an otherwise law-abiding American a potential "domestic terrorist" in the eyes of the FBI.

Today, the federal Leviathan is neck-deep in the ugly business of propaganda and censorship. It persecutes J6 election protesters for their political beliefs. It seeks to imprison President Trump for the "crime" of having delivered a political speech. Congress engages in Soviet show trials devoid of due process or exculpatory defense but rife with unsupported accusation and criminal innuendo. The Department of (in)Justice and the Fascist Bureau of Intimidation maliciously prosecute Americans for merely opposing government policies. As part of the expanding system of two-tiered "justice," leftist violence is regularly defended as "free speech," while speech articulated against leftism is illogically denounced as "violence." Unapproved dissent is labeled "disinformation." Unapproved religious faiths or family values are condemned for promoting "hate." Unapproved ideas, debates, and political movements are expunged from the internet.

The "War on Free Speech" is raging, and I would not be surprised to find the "thought police" one day knocking on my door simply because I have offended the delicate sensibilities of the all-powerful State. So, to the extent that anything I write might be construed as encouraging "lawless action," for the sake of my future defense, at least don't act "imminently" after reading this! Let's not make it too easy for the Black Robes to hang me, okay?

That said, I really don't see how the federal government, as currently constituted, can continue much longer.

Its authority is now sustained through no-knock raids, mass surveillance, financial coercion, ideological targeting, the designation of law-abiding citizens as "domestic terrorists," and thinly veiled threats to use military hardware to quell potential public unrest. The federal government is a lawless thug that has dispensed with the pretense of abiding by the U.S. Constitution's constraints. Spying on Americans without warrants or probable cause? Check. Infringing on Americans' First Amendment rights to say what they want, pray as they wish, assemble as they see fit, and petition their government for redress of grievances whenever they deem doing so necessary? Check. Infringing on Americans' Second Amendment right to defend themselves from government tyranny? Check.

The Bill of Rights is not an a la carte menu from which the government may pick and choose whether a right will be respected or ignored. Our constitutional rights are a small subset of a greater body of natural rights that belong to each individual and can never be forsaken or diluted by any entity falsely claiming the authority to do so. With provocative deliberateness that will surely sabotage long-term civic peace, the federal government has entirely repudiated both America's founding principles and its founding document. It is in breach of the only contract that binds the American people to their constitutional system. Consequently, the federal government now governs through fear and force alone.

As Ayn Rand incisively wrote, "[t]here are two potential violators of man's rights: the criminals and the government. The great achievement of the United States was to draw a distinction between these two  by forbidding to the second the legalized version of the activities of the first." That truth no longer holds precisely because the governing class and the criminal class are now one and the same. Narco-terrorists and sex slavetraffickers wouldn't have a profitable business model, after all, if the federal government were not complicit in protecting their evil trade across our borders.

At this stage in our society's collapse, no rational person should have any illusion that we can simply vote our way out of such entrenched bureaucratic tyranny. Americans tried to do so in 2016 with the election of President Trump, and the whole apparatus of the Deep State machine has been undermining that vote ever since. The Intelligence Community helped frame Trump as a Russian spy. The Department of (in)Justice has dedicated itself to his harassment and constant investigation. The rabidly leftist government workforce countermanded his lawful executive orders while unlawfully leaking slanted information intended to embarrass him personally and weaken his presidency. State election laws were thrown out the window in 2020, so that the Uniparty could flood battleground states with fraudulent mail-in-ballots that made the habitually unpopular Joe Biden the most popularly "elected" president in American history.

What little remains of the criminal justice system's reputation for fairness and impartiality has been jettisoned, so that political partisans posing as prosecutors can railroad Trump with ludicrous criminal charges that would be laughable if they were not so serious  all to ensure that the American voters never get their say and to imprison President Trump for the rest of his life. He's been indicted for possessing documents (most likely implicating the FBI and others in the Russia Hoax) that he was constitutionally empowered to possess, while Joe Biden has gotten a pass for illegally retaining classified documents for decades. Trump's been indicted for trying to investigate election fraud in Georgia. He's been indicted for delivering a political speech and encouraging Americans to peacefully assemble to petition their government for free and fair elections. And he's been indicted because the State of New York insists that payments intended to settle private legal matters should be reimbursed as campaign expenses  if those expenses can be used to embarrass Donald Trump!

With no consideration for the Constitution's prohibition against bills of attainder and ex post facto laws, New York rewrote its statute of limitations governing a subset of defamation actions specifically so that a claimant could sue Trump. Then, just to put the cherry on top of New York's totalitarian ice cream sundae, another partisan judge ruled  without a trial or jury  that the Trumps must cease all business operations in the state. To be sure, this Soviet-style persecution says one thing to Americans: do what we say or suffer the consequences.

Well, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. The "New Rules for Radicals" require that Uniparty-aligned politicians, bureaucrats, and businesses receive reciprocal treatment. If state officials refuse to balance the scales, then Americans will have to up the ante on their own.

As Hokkoda concludes over at The Conservative Treehouse, "[y]ou battle a corrupt system by withdrawing your consent. ... Imagine 100,000,000 people refusing to participate in elections or show up for jury duty, or pulling all their money out of banks and 401Ks. ... The worst thing that can happen to the status quo is for people to switch off. ... This whole charade depends on people  us  to participate in it."

Americans must be brave and reclaim their lost liberties. What does this mean precisely? Well, with Brandenburg as my guide, I will quote a smart commenter, IYAS9YAS, from the Free Republic: "There are two kinds of people: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data."

Lastly, allow me to highlight some sage advice from American Thinker's Fred Kremer, who wrote recently: "What we may have forgotten is that there is joy and meaning, not in safety, nor security, but in facing what is not safe. In entering, deliberately, the danger zone. And never letting the danger zone shrink. Drive fast and take chances. That is where life is."

I could not agree more.

Furthermore, I consider that Marxist globalism must be destroyed.

Image: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (cropped).
Of all the evil that Biden has perpetrated, none is so vile as the imprisonment of Americans known as the J6 defendants. Daily, they suffer cruel and unusual punishment; they are incarcerated in solitary confinement, their medical needs are ignored, and they do not have proper legal defense. The term "American Gulag" aptly describes their ongoing plight.

The Epoch Times video titled "The Real Story of January 6 "reveals the truth that has been hidden from the American people. While a narrative has been set that what took place that day was an insurrection, key events and witnesses have been ignored until now. The documentary takes an unvarnished look at police use of force and the deaths that resulted in some measure from it."

Robert Spencer asserts that "it is by now abundantly clear that the Jan 6 "insurrection" was not the work of Trump supporters, but of Leftist plants in the crowd at the Capitol[.] Any lingering doubt about this has now been put definitively to rest by the revelation that those who ran the House Jan. 6 Committee show trial did not preserve mountains of evidence that apparently disproved the left's official narrative about what happened on that fateful day. Like the Stalinists they are, it looks as if they framed their enemies and then destroyed the evidence of their own crime."

Christopher Roach points out that "there is now a very clear hierarchy for those caught up within the federal criminal justice system. Left-wing offenders are the least culpable, and they get prosecutors to argue for downward departures. Then come street criminals, who are sentenced within the guidelines. Then there are those on the right, who face novel charges and get the book thrown at them."

There is some precedent for this. Soviet dissident Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote in the Gulag Archipelago how political prisoners were treated worse in the Soviet system than regular criminals, whom the regime used to terrorize its political enemies. We also know how the Soviet Union, like other totalitarian regimes, created a whole class of pseudocriminals, who were given extremely harsh sentences for things like telling the wrong kinds of jokes or convoluted claims of sabotage and hoarding. Between censorship, rigged elections, relentless propaganda, and two-tiered criminal punishment, the system is not leaving many ordinary political options for its opposition.

But Roach maintains that we not buckle and allow the left to enact a strategy of "divide and conquer." He encourages people "to stand with the Proud Boys and January 6 defendants and all of the political prisoners who are now being punished chiefly for their beliefs."

A handy January 6 fact sheet points out important information about what occurred on January 6, 2021.

The overwhelming majority of protesters did not act badly or violently.

Body-worn camera and independent video show the D.C. Metropolitan Police launching an aggressive and unnecessary offensive against the crowd assembled on the west lawn.

Excessive force caused the deaths of four Trump-supporters.

Despite persistent claims, no police officers died as a result of injuries sustained on Jan. 6.

There was a deliberate delay concerning the protection of the Capitol as Nancy Pelosi refused to discharge her proper duties.

The surveillance video viewed by Tucker Carlson's team has not been made available to defense attorneys, arguably in violation of defendants' constitutional rights.

While high-powered law firms defended foreign terrorists in Guantanamo Bay free of charge, the Jan. 6 defendants receive no such legal assistance.

Julie Kelly asserts that "fair trials are impossible for January 6 defendants since judges on the D.C. District Court have denied every chance of venue motion ... insisting that residents of a city that voted 93% for Joe Biden in 2020 can be fair and impartial."

Senator Rand Paul, as the co-sponsor of more than two dozen criminal justice reform bills, asserts "that the right to due process, enshrined in the Constitution, includes the right to a speedy trial by a jury of one's peers. Those denied bail or unable to afford it can often be incarcerated for months awaiting trial, during which time they often lose their jobs, face eviction, and have their lives spiral downward  all before ever being convicted of a crime."

A federal judge stepped in to confirm the abusive [Jan. 6] jail conditions and yet those on the left fail to lift a finger or pen a word to condemn this injustice. Their hypocrisy indicates that either they hate these people so much that they now refuse to acknowledge the injustice of prolonged incarceration without trial, or they simply don't care because these citizens are supporters of Donald Trump. Many on the right also sit silently in fear of being accused of supporting violence.

Robert L. Livingston, a former congressman and criminal prosecutor asserts that Jan. 6 detainees must receive due process, which are "the rights bestowed on all citizens by our Constitution and our Bill of Rights, including the rights of a defendant to be told of the charges against them (Article V); the right to avoid excessive bail (Article VIII); the right to a speedy trial with the assistance of Counsel (Article VI); and the right not to be deprived of liberty in unreasonable conditions without due process of law (Article V)."

But Livingston is shocked "by the ongoing stories of prospective defendants who have been arrested and deprived of their livelihoods; confined in solitary confinement with little or no reasonable access to the outside world, their families or adequate legal counsel; and denied formal charges levied against them without bail and in contravention to their right to a speedy trial."

Stop simply confining them without respect for their rights as American citizens. Otherwise, they are no better off than if they were victims of a "star chamber" process that Kafka ("The Trial") and Koestler ("Darkness at Noon") warned us about. This atrocity must stop, and it must stop soon.

The prisoners in the District of Columbia Jail have stated that they are "all but slowly murdered in every way except for their very soul being ripped from their famished chests on behalf of this mercilessly sinister institution."

January 6 defendant Robert Palmer,[1] in describing conditions at the Federal Corrections Complex, in Coleman, Florida explains that the corrections officers "pulled all of the books out of the unit. They threw them away! It was horrifying to watch them bag up the only form of inner peace that a lot of men have in here. They even threw out religious material."

Jeff Mckellop, 3GRP Special Forces (ret.), ODA 394/396 January 6th defendant writes, "[T]hrough a false election, we now have a feckless sock puppet running our freedoms into the ground every day."

Finally, Christopoher Quaglin,[2] a J6 prisoner, wrote on March 27, 2022 that "America is not lost. She has only strayed off the path her founders began laying for her 250 years ago. It's our duty as American Patriots to do God's work, guiding her back to her forgotten path and to continue to forge America's path forward. Unfortunately, American Patriots have done far too little for far too long, and tyranny is thriving. The conservative voice is being silenced more and more. We cannot abandon America in a forest of evil, totalitarianism, and corruption."

Please do not forget these men and women. Purchase the book The American Gulag Chronicles. Send money to the men via www.givesendgo.com. Write letters via the Patriot Mail Project. Their plight is our plight. In fact, "however difficult this task, it must be taken on or America's freedom that we took for granted will cease to exist and we will soon live in tyranny."

Eileen can be reached at middlemarch18@gmail.com.

Image via Picryl.
To many state administrators, it is not good enough to permit citizens to register to vote when they get a driver's license. They must be registered automatically when they interact with any state agency  not just the DMV.

Oregon became the first state to implement AVR (Automatic Voter Registration) in 2016. Since then, the concept has spread like wildfire, mostly among Democrat-controlled states.

As of February 2023, there were 23 states trolling for extra voters with the AVR system. However, the systems are not all the same. There are "front end" AVR states, where the individual can opt out of registration right away. There are "back end" AVR states, where the person is registered unless he opts out at home  some days later, when he is informed of the registration with a postcard. Of course, he may not be able to read that postcard if English is not his native tongue.

There are many AVR variations, so I will give the details for just one state: Delaware  in honor of our commander in chief.

In 2021, Delaware enacted legislation (SB5) that took effect in 2023. Under the new Delaware law, a voter registration is triggered by a person's interaction with any one of several agencies:

DMV

Department of Health and Social Services

Department of Labor

Any other state agency that chooses to participate (most of them)

Delaware is a "back end" state, so the individual does not find out about the registration until he receives a mailer at home. Unless he responds to the mailer, he is a registered voter.

The impact of AVR will be massive, and it will affect many noncitizens who aren't qualified to vote and others who may be citizens but have no plans to vote. People who are unknowingly registered to vote are especially valuable to the ballot-harvester. He can apply for their ballots and vote on their behalf. They won't even know the difference.

Pennsylvania becomes AVR state number 24

In the 2020 election between Trump and Biden, Pennsylvania managed to certify its election even though it had about 200,000 more ballots than identified voters on November 24, 2020  its certification date. That number was reduced somewhat by January 6  the day when there was a supposed insurrection for supposedly nonexistent election fraud. On that day the excess of ballots over voters was a mere 121,000, according to Verity Vote, a Pennsylvania data analysis firm. I personally reviewed the data with the head of Verity Vote, Heather Honey, and was unable to find a flaw in the estimate. Nevertheless, Pennsylvania got away with its misdeeds  much to the delight of the beneficiaries: Joe Biden and the newly elected Pennsylvania governor, Josh Shapiro.

Having been elected with the help of phony votes, I imagine that Shapiro is feeling his oats. Recently, he decided to bypass the state Legislature to make Pennsylvania the 24th AVR state. I am not sure of the details, but I bet that Pennsylvania will opt to be a "backend" state. That's the variation where people don't know they are registered until and unless they later read the postcard that looks like junk mail.

RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel stated that Governor Shapiro is making an "unclear and unnecessary last-minute rule change" weeks before the November 7 election of a new state Supreme Court justice. McDaniel added that the governor "cares more about getting airtime on MSNBC than making sure Pennsylvania's elections are secure and transparent."

On Truth Social, Donald Trump put it more succinctly:

"THE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO STEAL PENNSYLVANIA AGAIN BY DOING THE 'AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION' SCAM."

I agree.

Joe Fried is an Ohio-based CPA who has performed and reviewed hundreds of certified financial audits. He is the author of the book Debunked? and a new book called How Elections Are Stolen. It outlines 23 problems that must be fixed before the 2024 elections. More information can be found at https://joefriedcpa.substack.com.

Image: Oregon Department of Transportation.
In the latest instance of congressional Democrat decorum, wokester-socialist Rep. Jamaal Bowman was filmed pulling the fire alarm in the halls of Congress just as the House was set for a vote on a continuing resolution budget bill, which the Democrats didn't want passed.

According to the New York Post:

On Saturday, in a move that shamed his party, his delegation and the state of New York, Bowman pulled a fire alarm at the Capitol as his party tried to delay a House vote on a stopgap spending bill. Pulled a fire alarm. It was as dangerous as it was immature. Bowman, a socialist who represents the north Bronx and south Westchester County, already is one of the biggest blowhards in Congress, calling anyone who disagrees with him including West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a fellow Democrat  a white supremacis

He went full "high school" on the official proceeding, blatantly disrupting it, which isn't surprising, given that he used to run a charter middle school in the Bronx where fire alarms were abundant and he would have known exactly what they were. He probably got the idea for it just from being around a lot of middle schoolers.

Such an asset to the Democrat party.

But this is how a lot of them act, the most recent instance of which was in a Tennessee statehouse where at least two Democrats initiated a ruckus to stall a vote on gun ownership and were temporarily expelled. There have been others. They always escape consequences.

And right now, with a House investigation launched as to this interference in an official proceeding, as well the yelling of 'fire!' in the equivalent of a crowded theatre, and the illegal pulling of the alarm, the excuse-making has begun, starting with Bowman himself:

"Today, as I was rushing to make a vote, I came to a door that is usually open for votes but today would not open. I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door," Mr Bowman said in a statement. He added that he was not "in any way, trying to delay any vote". "It was the exact opposite - I was trying urgently to get to a vote, which I ultimately did and joined my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to keep our government open."

Anybody believe him? The latest news, from Breitbart, has it that he even was caught on camera pulling down emergency signs before he pulled the switch. A poll should be conducted of six year olds to see if they know what a 'fire' alarm is for and let's see how it compares to Bowman's claims. It's doubtful anyone believes an excuse that lame. Some Republicans in Congress are already preparing a resolution to expel him.

But he's also got pals making excuses for him:

SEE IT: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez aka (@aoc) defends fellow Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman (@RepBowman) for pulling the fire alarm to delay a House vote and shut down the government. WATCHpic.twitter.com/NWjqCr9ZVb  Simon Ateba (@simonateba) October 1, 2023

MSNBC was out excusing him.

There's also a report, unconfirmed, that Sen. Mitt Romney is defending his act as inadvertant. I hope it's not true. What is confirmed is that Bowman assured the world that Romney is a racist. It would be just like Mitt to suck up to a guy like that.

And in any case, why does it matter that he claims he was all mixed up and didn't know what a fire alarm was, despite its clear markings? He pulled the trigger.

Didn't a cop in Minnesota get sent to the can for mistakenly using her gun on an uncooperative suspect when she thought it was a taser? The jury in her case didn't care that it was an accident. She got the book thrown at her. That's the law and the way it's enforced now.

And more to the big point -- didn't the January 6 defendants get maximum punishments along with a string of judicial and human rights abuses, such as excessive time in prison without trial, bad food, zero blankets, continuous solitary confinement and taunting, politically motivated prison guards, all for disrupting an official proceeding; draconian punishments of one, two, three decades long, and at least one of them wasn't even at the Capitol during the disruption. At the time, Democrats claimed it was all necessary because this was an "insurrection" and a "threat to democracy."

Well, then, so was Bowman.

If Bowman and his spinmeisters succeed in getting his juvenile-minded bounder off the hook for his dereliction of duty, why are the January 6 defendants in prison at all? Does the law just apply to Republicans? Are Democrats above the law? A lot of the January 6 defendants are in prison now because the Capital Hill cops opened the doors to the Capitol and invited them in, which is far less culpable than deliberately pulling down a fire alarm in a crowded congressional proceeding to disrupt it.

Nobody invited Bowman to pull the fire alarm down, thinking he was off-camera.

But standards are different for Democrats.

The 14th Amendment: Equal protection of the laws. The J6 defendants deserve the exact same treatment that Bowman receives. The 14th Amendment, enacted to protect rights of all citizens, especially Blacks. Here, ironically, J6 protesters can be substituted for Black citizens. https://t.co/xXLm4IvnT0  MittRomney is a Hologram (@GlennWhite1) September 30, 2023

Republicans should absolutely demand that Bowman pay the full price the January 6 defendants did, or else everyone gets out of the can now. There can't be two standards of justice based on one's party loyalty. What Democrats don't like is that they set these rules and now are faced with the prospect of having to live by their own rules. Make them pay, or let the shaman's pals out now.

Image: Twitter screen shot
In 2014, as the worlds gaze bore down relentlessly on Irans covert nuclear ambitions, Tehran launched a clandestine influence operation known as the Iran Experts Initiative (IEI). Departing from the garish spectacle of conventional propaganda, the IEI sought to manipulate public perceptions discreetly.

The architects were high-ranking figures of Irans Foreign Ministry like Saeed Khatibzadeh, whose mission was to cultivate connections with influential academics worldwide, particularly in the U.S. They sought to ensure that Irans narratives infiltrated the sanctums of global policy and echoed through media outlets.

Their strategy yielded astonishing success.

Recent exposes by Iran International and Semafor, ripped away the layers concealing this clandestine operation. Leaked emails, initially in the hands of Mostafa Zahrani, a former director general of strategic affairs within Irans foreign ministry and a trusted advisor to ex-Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, show a treasure trove of evidencepassport copies, resumes, conference invitations, and correspondence with foreign ministry officials.

2021 marked a turning point when Robert Malley assumed his role as President Joe Bidens special envoy for Iran. Astonishingly, Malley chose to bring one of the IEIs earliest participants, Ariane Tabatabai, into his State Department team, tasking her with helping to shape Americas Iran policy.

The IEI experts have a symbiotic relationship with Iranian Foreign Ministry officials. They dont merely engage in casual discourse; they actively exchange guidance and recommendations to propel Tehrans foreign policy objectives.

An examination of Tabatabais correspondence, for instance, shows discussions revolving around potential collaboration with the Iranian Foreign Ministrys think tank, obfuscating the distinction between impartial analysis and state-sanctioned influence. She also asked for the regimes guidance on attending meetings and conferences in Saudi Arabia and Israel.

IEI participants fiercely pushed for concessions to the regime in the context of a nuclear agreement. But at the very core of the IEIs narrative lay a fixation on the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK), the foremost opposition movement within Iran. For decades, the MEK has offered unparalleled, intricate insights into the regimes nuclear program; its domestic network remains the most dynamic and organized opposition force within Iran, challenging the status quo.

IEI affiliates systematically depicted the MEK as an unviable alternative in order to diminish international support for the group; Tabatabai played a central role. Perhaps not coincidentally, around the time she started collaborating with IEI in 2014, her maiden article, Beware of the MEK, was crafted to discredit the MEK. She parroted regime claims regarding the groups purported lack of popular support. Dina Esfandiary, another influential figure within the IEI, leveraged social media platforms to amplify these narratives.

Adnan Tabatabai, who has family ties with the regimes first Supreme Leader Khomeini deepened the negative portrayal of the organization in Germany. According to Germanys Bild, Tabatabai has long been criticized for his conspicuous ties to the Islamist mullah regime in Iran.

Rouzbeh Parsi, a high-profile academic, has harmonized with this orchestrated chorus, time and again.

The IEI operation exposes the regimes adept use of academics to craft policy and globally target political opponents while posing as impartial analysts, effectively lending credibility to the regimes propaganda. The significance of this strategy becomes all the more apparent as protests continue to escalate within Iran, with many of them being led and organized by the MEKs highly active Resistance Units.

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of the IEI though, is its success in having its narratives infiltrate and taint respected mainstream media outlets. These narratives bear an eerie resemblance to the deceptive commentary emanating from individuals who have previously been identified by law enforcement agencies as intelligence agents of the Iranian regime.

The IEI revelations demand utmost transparency and scrutiny, necessitating an immediate reassessment of the standards governing academic research and policy dissemination.

Mainstream media cannot afford to falter in the face of the insidious spread of regime disinformation, often funneled through self-proclaimed experts. These calculated tactics champion closer engagement with Tehran while systematically undermining its organized opposition, ultimately skewing U.S. policy in favor of the interests of the worlds foremost state sponsor of terrorism.

Congress must undertake a comprehensive examination of the intricate and disturbing web of Iranian influence. This is indeed a call to pursue the unvarnished truth in an era where the boundaries between information, influence, and deception perilously blur. Congress must be swift in its duty to investigate and unveil the Iranian regimes subversive operation.

Ken Blackwell is the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required.
Last week, the oldest U.S. senator, Dianne Feinstein, passed away at the age of 90. Love or hate her politics, Senator Feinstein lived a generally honorable life and had a distinguished career. She was a successful lawyer, an accomplished politician, and a role model for young women. Unfortunately, along with that, the senator will likely be remembered by the fact that during her last years, she was a feeble old lady who was slowly and pitifully dying in front of the American public.

For the last several years, Senator Feinstein was visibly frail; her memory was faulty; she was frequently confused. In other words, she was practically a corpse. Yet her family continued to thrust her into the public eye, while being fully aware that she did not belong there. The once dignified and powerful politician became the subject of memes, ridicule, and scorn. Yet her family stood by and watched. They denied their matriarch the respect, the privacy, and the honor that any good parent and grandparent deserves in her golden years.

The Bible commands Jews and Christians to honor our fathers and mothers. We are not required to love them, but we are required to honor them  meaning treat them with dignity and respect. Does anyone believe that Dianne Feinstein's family fulfilled their duty to their mother?

Dianne Feinstein should have retired from the public office many years ago  and she is far from the only one. It became a matter of public conversation how most of our politicians stay in their offices well past their retirement age, even though their mental and physical deterioration is fully on display. One of the most powerful people in American politics, Mitch McConnell, has a serious and recurring health condition. The sitting U.S. president's mental and physical shape became a concern for the majority of the American people. And mentally diminished John Fetterman continues to battle the effects of a debilitating stroke and public ridicule while his wife smiles for the cameras.

The politicians' family members are so addicted to power and the perks they accumulated over the years that they are unable to relinquish them so that a person they love can have the comfort of home and the privacy they require when they become unwell. These wealthy and powerful people should be ashamed for choosing to exploit their loved ones and hurting their country.

Tanya Berlaga is a freelance writer, a translator, and a publisher. She is a former contributor to Right Wire Report, The Liberty Loft, and The Free Speech Movement.

Image: Benjamin Dunn.
Many landlocked countries with no access to the open ocean maintain navies, which might seem odd at first. But once you realize that aside from oceans, lakes and rivers too form national borders for many countries, the idea will not seem so absurd.

For example, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijanthree landlocked countries, all maintain their own naval fleet on the enormous lake, Caspian Sea, which they border. Paraguay has armed patrol boats on the country's major rivers because any hostile nation can reach the heart of Paraguay by travelling upstream via these rivers from the open sea through Argentina. Switzerlandhistorically neutral, yet one of the most armed nation in the worldalso has armed patrol boats keeping watch across its many lakes. Hungary maintains a full armada of vessels including warships and minesweepers. All these nations have legitimate reasons for defending their inland waterways. But Mongolia is another story.

Mongolia is surrounded on all sides by land. Photo of the Mongolian map by Jason Kolenda/Shutterstock.com

Mongolia is the most landlocked country in the world with its borders more than 600 km away from the nearest coastline. In terms of size, it is the world's second-largest landlocked country behind Kazakhstan.

Mongolia's only international water border is a 10-km-long zigzag across the northeastern end of Uvs Lake, a tiny portion of which crosses into Russian territory. Realistically speaking, the chances of Russia invading Mongolia through this narrow corridor is extremely low. Nevertheless, if Mongolia wants to defend its water boundary, so be it. But thats not the reason why Mongolia has a Navy. As a matter of fact, Mongolias Navy isnt even on Uvs Lake. Its on another water bodyLake Khovsgolthats entirely inland. The Russian border is more than 13 km away from the lakes shores and separated by a lofty mountain range.

Mongolias token navy is the result of the countrys vain attempt to keep alive a lost heritage. Eight hundred years ago, the Mongols, led by Kublai Khan, had the worlds largest navy. The Mongolian Empire at its widest reach stretched across Central Asia and Eastern Europe, with maritime presence along the Sea of Japan, the East and South China Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. Twice in the late 13th century, Genghis Khan led a fleet of more than 4,000 ships across the Sea of Japan to attack the island nation. Both invasion fleets were destroyed by devastating typhoons, that the Japanese called the divine wind, or kamikaze. Centuries later, thousands of World War II pilots known as kamikazes would crash their planes into enemy ships in suicide missions to protect Japan.

A 19th-century painting by artist Issho Yada depicts the sinking of Kublai Khans fleet. Photo credit: Koji Nakamura/Nat Geo

By the end of the 13th century, the Mongol Empire had fractured into a number of independent empires. Eventually, with the Chinese conquest of the Mongol Empire, the nation was pushed further and further back from the coastline to its current landlocked state.

In the 1930s, the Mongolian Navy was reborn when the Soviet Union presented the country a single tugboat, the Sukhbaatar. The current vessel, Sukhbaatar III, is manned by a crew of seven. According to a documentary produced by Litmus Films, only one of the crew members know how to swim.

I would like to see the real sea someday, muses a sailor of the Mongolian Navy. I imagine itd be gentle and peaceful. Here on Lake Khovsgol, the water is very rough and cold.

Sukhbaatar III doesn't see a lot of combat duty. Lake Khovsgol, where it sails, is completely surrounded by Mongolian territory. During the communist days, the tug boat used to transfer oil from the south of the lake to its northern tipa journey that takes 8 hours to complete, as opposed to 4 days by horse. There is no motor-able road. But when the post-communist government moved its oil hub elsewhere, the navy lost its purpose. The navy has since been privatized and abandoned by the government. The crew now struggles to stay relevant by hauling cargo and ferrying tourists across the lake.

Sukhbaatar III. Photo credit: Nyambayar Turbat/Flickr

Lake Khovsgol. Photo credit: Felix Filnkoessl/Flickr
Apple is one of the few Western companies to have maintained a good relationship with the Chinese government. However, all this could change as Apple is currently looking for ways to navigate around a recent Chinese regulation, which would restrict foreign apps on the App Store without government approval.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple is currently engaging in discussions with the Chinese government, expressing its concerns regarding the new regulation announced by Chinas Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in August of this year, which mandates that all mobile app makers on platforms like the App Store, must submit their business details to the government.

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Why is this rule a big concern?

To understand the significance of the new rule, it is important to note that China does not operate like any other Western country. This is because the Chinese government exercises strict control over internet access and has previously banned several Western services, such as Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp.

Despite these bans, Chinese iPhone users have managed to access these apps on the App Store, albeit through VPN access. However, with the new regulation in effect, app developers now need to disclose their business information before publishing their apps. Additionally, compliance with this regulation also means adhering to Chinas data transfer and censorship requirements.

While Android platforms like Tencent, Huawei, and Xiaomi have already begun complying with the new rule, Apple has not followed suit. This discrepancy may arise from the fact that, unlike Android users who can download apps from third-party stores, iPhone users are confined to the App Store. So, if Apple were to comply, it could significantly impact the user experience and potentially lead to a drop in sales figures.

However, it is important to note that failure to comply with the requirements could result in legal consequences for app providers after the grace period ends in March 2024. Moreover, Apple itself could face consequences for hosting unregistered apps on the platform.
Apple has finally acknowledged that the iPhone 15 Pro series is having overheating problems. The company issued a statement via Forbes, as to how it plans to address the problems.

Apple has finally decided to acknowledge overheating issues with the iPhone 15 Pro

Apple will release a new iOS 17 update for the devices soon. That update is set to address the bug, it seems. Apple said the following: We have identified a few conditions which can cause iPhone to run warmer than expected. The device may feel warmer during the first few days after setting up or restoring the device because of increased background activity.

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Needless to say, thats only one situation in which it gets too hot. Apple also found a bug in iOS 17 that is impacting some users and will be addressed in a software update.

Another situation in which this happens has to do with third-party apps. Apple said that recent updates to some third-party apps are causing them to overload the system. The company assures users that its on top of it, and that its working with app developers to address the issue.

Lets hope this update will fix the problem entirely

All of this does sound reassuring, so lets hope that it will fix the problem completely. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus dont seem to be having such issues. On the flip side, they are using a different SoC that has proven itself, and also aluminum instead of titanium for the frame build. For those of you who dont know, aluminum is far better when it comes to heat dissipation.

Apple did not share an exact date of this update, of course. The company did say that its coming soon, so lets hope that means in the coming days, not weeks. The iPhone 15 Pro series users are likely very eager to get it.

All in all, its nice to see Apple acknowledge this problem, finally. The company managed to get a lot of negative publicity because of it, as it did create a ton of problems for the iPhone 15 Pro series users.
Google is giving Chromebooks a new push with a fresh partnership with HP. The two companies will work together to produce Chromebooks in India where the Narendra Modi-led government is encouraging global tech giants to increase local production. Modi has launched a $2 billion Make in India initiative to have companies make the country one of their key manufacturing hubs.

Google and HP to produce Chromebooks in India

Were partnering with HP to manufacture Chromebooks in India  These are the first Chromebooks to be made in India and will make it easier for Indian students to have access to affordable and secure computing, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in an X post earlier today. While he didnt share more details, HP separately revealed that the production is underway starting today, October 2.

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The companies are manufacturing the Chromebooks at the Flex Facility in Chennai, the capital city of the Indian state of Tamilnadu. HP has been producing computing devices at this facility for the past few years, a TOI report notes. It has manufactured a range of laptops and desktops at this site since August 2020. Its unclear whether the company has added new lines of production at the site for Chromebooks or if its reducing its laptop and desktop production.

Specs of the new Chromebooks coming through this partnership between Google and HP in India are not known. However, the companies say they will make affordable PCs primarily targeted at the education sector. The idea is to support the digital education ecosystem in the country while simultaneously reaffirming their commitment to the Modi governments Make in India initiative.

More tech companies may start producing locally in India soon

India, the worlds most populous country, is emerging as a major contender for a tech manufacturing hub as companies look to diversify their production bases away from China amid growing US-China tensions. The Make in India initiative is also encouraging companies to establish new production facilities in the country. This partnership between Google and HP is an example of the countrys new appeal as a tech hub.

Moreover, India recently announced a restriction on imports of IT products such as laptops and tablets. The Modi government is pushing companies to increase their local production. The restriction is not yet effective as manufacturers need more time to figure out the best short-term and long-term solutions. However, it is looking increasingly likely that we will soon see many tech companies producing locally in India.
People want to make sure that their phone is secure, and this is why they install all of the latest software updates. Also, they keep up to date with the latest information regarding Android security. For those who are concerned, Google just released the October Android security bulletin. Its rather odd that the company sent out the bulletin but didnt give us an OTA.

The security bulletin details all of the information regarding the latest security patch going to Android. It clues people into the vulnerabilities that are affecting the Android OS.

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Google released the October Android security bulletin but not the OTA

Its the beginning of October, and were all waiting for Google to release the latest security update for Pixel phones. The company tries to send out the update toward the beginning of each month. However, Samsung, over the past couple of months, has been beating Google to the punch and releasing its updates before Google.

Today, Google just released the official October 2023 Android security bulletin. It details a lot of information regarding what the update is going to fix. We see a long list of vulnerabilities that are going to be fixed. This is good, as there are a number of them marked as critical. Vulnerabilities like these can grant bad actors access to your system if youre unlucky.

Were all still waiting for the company to send out the OTA. Its only the second day of the month, so we shouldnt be too worried. A few months ago, there was an issue that caused the update to be delayed nearly two weeks. So, a few days of waiting isnt the biggest deal.

If you want to check to see if you have an update, its easy to do so. First, go to your settings and scroll down to the System section. There, tap on the Update button. On the resulting page, tap on the Search button at the bottom of the screen. When your phone finds the update, youll be able to install it.
Digital marketer Greg Finn has come out to question Google Ads credibility. This action by the digital marketer comes after a shocking revelation that Google made about its Ad prices. The Mountain View-based company now admits to slightly adjusting its Ad prices for certain reasons.

One of the reasons behind this price hike according to the company is to meet their targets. However, the adjustment was made without letting advertisers in on the coming change, hence leaving them in the dark. For this very reason, Greg Finn is now calling out Google and questioning the trust advertisers have in its services.

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According to Gregs findings, changes, and adjustments to Ad auction brought a 5% increase for the average advertiser. For most small businesses, this is a significant increase in the cost of using Googles advertising services to promote their business. The bone of contention for Greg is that Google masquerades these changes as best for advertisers via marketing schemes and tactics.

Greg Finn urges advertisers to move over to other advertising platforms due to indented Google Ads credibility

After years of denying the accusation that they have been increasing Ads prices, Google is now finally admitting to slightly adjusting these prices. This means that the Mountain View-based company has been falsifying its words all along. By doing this, Google has been able to meet its quarterly numbers from its Ads business while charging businesses more for Ads.

Googles frequent and steady changes to their Ads auction gave them the room to keep increasing prices. Shockingly for some advertisers, Google kicked the auction prices up by up to 10%. Others saw a 5% increase in their auction prices, and Google calls these average advertisers.

All of these changes Google made without letting those who use the services know. Greg Finn describes what Google has been doing with their ad prices as misleading. He also calls Google out on the topic of their credibility and the fact that they have been acting against their own words.

But he doesnt just stop at calling out Google for misleading their Ad service users and lying. Greg goes on to tag Googles actions as being harmful to small businesses that need Ad services to grow. These price increments tend to harm these small businesses while enriching Google in the long run.

Finally, he advises that businesses should quit using Google Ads as they are far from being credible. Well not everyone has the same mindset as Greg Finn does and some have even come out to defend these actions. What do you think, is Google right to kick up their Ad prices without letting their customers know?
YouTube star Jimmie Donaldson, popularly known as MrBeast, has hit back on The Verge after the publication made insolent remarks on his sponsorship deal with Samsung. He said that the Korean firm is getting arguably the best return on investment (ROI) in the world from this deal, laughing at the publications choice of words.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is MrBeasts official vlog camera

Samsung announced a sponsorship deal with MrBeast on September 22. As part of the deal, the YouTube star will use the Galaxy S23 Ultra as the official vlog camera of his channel. He will also use the companys latest foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. The Korean firm said this collaboration will showcase whats possible with a Galaxy smartphone for aspiring and professional creators.

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According to the company, the ease of use, long battery life, high-quality video-taking capabilities, and unique form factors of its devices make them powerful vlogging cameras. MrBeast agreed too. We chose Samsungs Galaxy devices for the high-quality footage they produce, their simplicity of use, and their versatility, he said. The Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy Z series devices translate into better content, its as simple as that.

While it wasnt the first time MrBeast (the most-subscribed individual on YouTube) had signed up sponsorship deals with major companies or Samsung (the worlds largest smartphone company) had roped in celebrities to promote its products, the popularity of the two parties made this collaboration global news in no time. However, The Verge called it a ploy from Samsung to get kids off iPhones.

MrBeast has hit back at these remarks

Tech YouTuber Austin Evans didnt like the choice of words from the publication. The tone of this article is so condescending. Theres nothing wrong with Samsung sponsoring the most popular YouTuber in the world, he said about the publications report on the sponsorship deal on X/Twitter. I bet whatever they paid MrBeast is a better ROI than the Samsung ads on The Verge, the YouTuber added.

Many others agreed, saying that its clever for the worlds largest smartphone company to sponsor the biggest YouTuber. Surprisingly, MrBeast also chipped in with his opinion. That video will probably get 400,000,000 views [the first collaboration video], he said. The cost per impression for Samsung is arguably the best in the world, lol, the YouTube star added. The video in question has already crossed 126 million views. You can watch it below.
MBABANE  The CJ would send WhatsApp messages to my wife, calling her by names of endearment such as darling and lovey.

These allegations were made by the government driver, who is involved in a domestic dispute with his wife, Tengetile Dlamini, who is part of the Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalalas security detail. He alleged that CJ Bheki Maphalala had been the cause of his marital dispute with his wife and, therefore, was ostensibly not fit to exercise his powers in his matter.

Conflict

We live apart from each other with my wife because of the constant conflict over the chief justice, submitted the driver, Fezile Matsebula, who is stationed at the master of High Court offices, under the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Matsebula averred that anything done by the CJ in his matter, having regard to his personal involvement in his affairs, would create a legitimate doubt about the independence and impartiality of the process. Matsebula, who is also a Zion priest, has filed an application at the High Court, where he is seeking an order interdicting the CJ from exercising any of his functions in respect of his (Matsebula) review application, including but not limited to, empaneling a judge to hear the review and allocation of a date for the review. He alleged that at some point, he took his wifes phone after reading one of the messages and he called the CJ, telling him to stop calling his wife darling or lovey.

Matsebula said he asked the CJ what was going on and instead of responding, he (CJ) laughed at him and said: Nika lomnikati welucingo lucingo, meaning give the phone to its owner. He alleged that the CJ was constantly brought up in conversations in their home and the head of the Judiciary would now and again send flirty texts to his wife. These are allegations whose veracity is yet to be tested in court. Matsebula is currently serving a sentence of eight months imprisonment for contravening the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act No.15 of 2018, after assaulting his wife with a pellet gun. The sentence was issued by Magistrate Xolile Nxumalo, after he pleaded guilty to the charge. The court afforded him an option of a fine of E1 000. The trial was held on August 15, 2023 wherein Matsebula was convicted. On August 24, 2025, Matsebula was served with papers from the High Court, calling upon him to show cause why the sentence should not be increased.

Relationship

In his latest application, Matsebula entreated the court to exclude the CJ from participating in the matter as he was allegedly the cause of the breakdown of the relationship between him (Matsebula) and his wife. He urged the court to issue an order directing the principal judge of the High Court or the most senior judge of the Supreme Court, to exercise the functions of the CJ in respect of the review. He averred that the entire process lacked independence and impartiality, because of the CJs involvement in the process. Respondents in the matter are the CJ, director of public prosecutions (DPP), Tengetile (wife) and the attorney general (AG). Matsebula submitted that he had been allegedly abused by his wife. He informed the court that, despite his complaints regarding the alleged relationship between his wife and the CJ, the former had persisted with same. My wife has constantly told me that there is nothing I can do regarding the abuse and the relationship between her and the chief justice, submitted Matsebula.

He alleged that his wife would tell him that this was because the CJ would intervene and ensure that he attained no relief from the police and the courts, because no one could sue him (CJ) in the country. The applicant said in respect of the incident which led to his charges and conviction, the wife allegedly came into his house in the middle of the night, forcefully broke into the house and car, where she caused damage. Matsebula claimed that he reported the matter to the police and no charges were preferred against his wife. These are allegations whose veracity is still to be tested in court and the respondents are yet to file their papers. My wife warned me time and again that I will not be able to get any redress because the chief justice would intervene and protect her, alleged the applicant. He narrated that after the incident the wife said ngitsintse CJ, meaning what I did to my wife during the incident was as if I had done it to the CJ himself.

Jail

According to Matsebula, his wife told him that the CJ would not be happy about what he had done to her and he would lose his job and go to jail. The applicant submitted that his matter swiftly went to trial and he did not have access to a lawyer. He said he was subsequently convicted and was sentenced to eight months imprisonment with an option of a fine of E1 000. He said he paid the fine. After sentencing, my wife told me that this matter was far from over and that with the CJ, they would appeal the decision and see to it that I receive a harsher sentence so that I lose my job and I am jailed, alleged Matsebula. He claimed that a few days after the sentencing, his wife called him and told him that the CJ was not happy with the sentence he received and he would see to it that he received a harsher sentence. He alleged that his wife told him that there would be a review of the sentence by the magistrate and it would be increased.

Matsebula alleged that his wife told him that there would be an automatic review of the magistrates decision by the High Court. In the application, which he had filed in terms of Section 35 (1) of the Constitution, Matsebula is also praying for an order declaring the review proceedings against his sentence to be inconsistent with the right of a fair hearing enshrined in Section 21 of the Constitution. He also entreated the court to interdict the CJ from exercising any of his functions in respect of the review, including but not limited to empaneling a judge to hear the review. It was further his plea to the court that it should issue an order directing the principal judge of the High Court or the most senior judge of the Supreme Court, or any other judge of the High Court deemed fit, to exercise the function of the CJ in respect of the review. The matter is still pending in court.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has quickly become one of the most prominent threats to governments worldwide, thanks in part to its ability to generate misinformation and produce deepfake videos of prominent figures. Now, in an effort to curb this threat, the National Security Agency (NSA) has announced the establishment of a dedicated AI security center.

As explained by General Paul Nakasone, the outgoing director of the NSA, the decision to create this center follows a recent NSA study, which stated that securing AI models is a critical challenge due to the potential misuse of such systems by bad actors. Additionally, the new AI security center will operate within the existing Cybersecurity Collaboration Center, fostering collaboration with private industries and international partners to safeguard systems from threats like theft and sabotage.

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AI security is about protecting AI systems from learning, doing and revealing the wrong thing, said General Nakasone.

Furthermore, Nakasone also highlighted the importance of the United States maintaining its leadership in AI development and protecting its innovations from potential exploitations.

Major concerns around AI

While AI has proven to be helpful in a lot of industries, threat actors using AI systems are a big concern. This is because bad actors can interfere with the 2024 presidential elections by not only making deep fakes of the potential candidates but also mimicking their voices through new AI voice-cloning tools. While Nakasone mentioned that they havent detected such attempts from Russia or China so far, he assured that, with the establishment of the new division, the U.S. would be better prepared to counteract these potential attacks.

AI will be increasingly consequential for national security in diplomatic, technological and economic matters for our country and our allies and partners. We must build a robust understanding of AI vulnerabilities, foreign intelligence threats to these AI systems and ways to encounter the threat in order to have AI security, said Nakasone.
Samsungs next Fan Edition (FE) smartphone finally has an official launch date. The company has confirmed that the Galaxy S23 FE will debut this Wednesday, October 4. The confirmation comes through Samsung Indias X/Twitter page. Its unclear if the device will launch globally on the same day or if the Korean firm will separately announce its release in other markets.

Samsung revealed the Galaxy S23 FE lunch date

Its been almost two years since Samsung launched an FE phone. The Galaxy S21 FE, which arrived in January 2022, is the last model in the lineup. The company didnt follow up with a Galaxy S22 FE. While we didnt get an official explanation from the Korean firm, rumors suggest the belated launch of the previous model led to its cancellation. A global semiconductor shortage in 2021 pushed back the Galaxy S21 FEs release by a few months.

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There have been rumors about Samsung entirely shelving the FE series but, instead, it ended up discontinuing the Galaxy A7x series. We didnt get a Galaxy A74 this year, while the Galaxy S23 FE is now all set to debut a couple of days later. The header image for Samsung Indias X page confirms that The New Epic is launching on October 4. If you recall, this is the tagline the Korean behemoth has been using in teasers for the new FE phone.

Interestingly, only Samsung India is currently teasing the Galaxy S23 FE. The company is also teasing new FE tablets and earbuds, all of which are expected to go official later this week. These launches come just in time for the festive shopping season and sales events in the country. Amazon and Flipkart, the two biggest e-commerce platforms, have both announced their respective sales events from Sunday, October 8.

This makes us wonder whether the Galaxy S23 FE will have an India-exclusive launch this week, with other markets to follow later. There have been rumors about a staggered release of the phone spanning till early 2024. We hope that isnt true. The device is shaping up to be a decent premium mid-range offering, particularly with the rumored $100 price cut. Samsung might benefit from its global release within a week or two if not on the same day.

The device will ship with two different chipsets

The Indian version of the Galaxy S23 FE wont feature the same chipset as the US version. The former market, along with Europe, Africa, and others, will get Samsungs in-house Exynos 2200 SoC. Buyers in the US, Canada, and China, on the other hand, will get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The rest of the specs will remain unchanged. Stay tuned for the new FE phones official launch in a couple of days.
Samsungs Odyssey Neo G9 57 is the companys latest gaming monitor and its finally available to buy for anyone needing an upgrade. And anyone willing to spend the $2,499.99 to buy one.

Technically this went up for sale back around September 18 but at that time it was only available for pre-order. Now though the monitor has fully launched. That being said if you order one now Samsungs website says it wont arrive until October 24 so youre still waiting a little for it to show up. And this is likely because pre-orders are being taken care of first. Speaking of pre-orders, if you placed a pre-order for the monitor after they went live you should have a $500 credit coming your way.

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This can be used on Samsungs website for essentially anything. Whether that be a new pair of headphones, some new storage and more. The only thing you couldnt use it for was to bring the price down of the monitor during your pre-order. If you didnt use it immediately at that time, then Samsung should have emailed it out. So be on the lookout for it to make sure you dont miss it.

The Odyssey Neo G9 57 is available directly from Samsung

If youre lucky you might be able to find this at a local retailer. As Samsung notes its available at retailers nationwide. Outside of that you can purchase the monitor directly from Samsung and have it shipped out. And it should be available online at Best Buy eventually as well.

Samsungs Odyssey Neo G9 is the companys first Dual UHD monitor and features a large, ultrawide 57-inch screen. Additionally it comes with DisplayPort 2.1 and is one of the first monitors to feature this newer DisplayPort standard. That connectivity allows for up to 8K resolution if you have the cable and PC to support it. Though youll also likely not find too much content thats even in 8K to begin with.

Overall, this is a less pricey monitor than Samsungs Odyssey Ark was at launch. These days though its about $500 less. If you prefer the ultrawide format however, the Odyssey Neo G9 57 is the way to go.

Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 57
Crucial has a deal right now on its 4TB P3 Plus NVMe SSD where you can pick the drive up for under $207. Normally the drive retails for $227.98, but Crucial currently has it listed on Amazon for $206.54. Its not a major savings but it is a discount of nearly $22 ($21.44 to be exact). And any discount on a useful product is a good discount.

The Crucial P3 Plus is a Gen4 NVMe SSD with sequential read speeds up to 5,000MB/s, and sequential write speeds up to 4,200MB/s. And with 4TB of space you shouldnt have to worry about running out of space for stuff anytime soon. As a Gen4 drive Crucial says it performs faster than the fastest Gen3 drives. So if youre still running a Gen3 drive, this is a great reason to upgrade. In addition to the discount of course.

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With the performance this SSD provides its perfectly suitable for gaming as well as content creation, and any other work you may need to do with it. Worth noting is that this drive doesnt come with its own heatsink. So if you want to use one with it youll need to get that separately. And if youre planning to use it for game storage it might not be a bad idea to have a heatsink. Though it isnt necessarily required.

Due to the read and write speeds this isnt a suitable SSD for the PS5 as it doesnt meet Sonys requirements. It will work perfectly for desktop and laptop PCs though. And this drive is backwards compatible with Gen3 hardware. So you should be able to use it even if you havent updated your motherboard to get all the Gen4 features. You can grab this deal for yourself from the link below.

Crucial 4TB P3 Plus NVMe SSD - Amazon
Generative AI is thought of as the technological evolution to ferry us into a new age. Any person who uses a chatbot such as ChatGPT or Google Bard might agree, but no new technology is without its vehement naysayers. The war going on between AI chatbots like ChatGPT and the sites they scrape isnt something that you hear in the keynotes or see in the blog posts. However, its happening, and its only getting more intense.

The mass majority of people who use chatbots dont really know whats powering them. Chatbots are massive reservoirs of information that can put any encyclopedia set to shame. Well, where do you think they get their information from? Simply put, they get their information from the internet; they get their information from your favorite websites.

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AI companies fired the first shot by data scraping

This isnt fearmongering, but if you dont know about data scraping, its time that you found out. Chatbots hold an ocean of information about pretty much everything, but that information has to exist somewhere; they dont just create the information out of thin air (with the exception of hallucinations). They get their vast knowledge from information scraped from across the web.

AI companies use bits of software called crawlers that travel to different websites and scrape data from them. Theyll make copies of the information on the sites and feed them into their LLMs (large language models) that power the chatbots. Now, imagine how much information crawlers can gather with the entire internet as their playground. This is why ChatGPT has an answer for pretty much anything you type into it.

In case youre wondering, yes, this includes information that YOU create. If you write an article, a crawler can travel to that post, copy that information, and feed it into its LLM. Even if youre not a writer, youre still inadvertently contributing to chatbots. Most likely, your tweets, Facebook posts, and other social media posts were scraped to train a chatbot.

Top sites dont like that, so theyre waging war on AI chatbots

On the surface, it seems that most businesses are accepting of generative AI. Theyre all for offering AI services, but the question is: how do they feel about having their data scraped? Many of the biggest sites on the internet dont feel great about it, actually. In fact, theyve made a point to block chatbot crawlers from scraping their sites. A report from Originality.AI reveals this.

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On August 7th, OpenAI revealed a way for companies to block its crawler, GTPBot, from scraping data from their websites. After only two weeks, 69 of the top 1,000 websites (about 7%) were blocking it. Fast forward to September 17th, and that number more than doubled. About 25.9% of the top 1000 websites chose to block GPTBot. A total of 242 of the top sites in the world are blocking crawlers.

One thing to remember is that these numbers only pertain to the top 1,000 sites. There is an innumerable number of websites out there; 1,000 is infinitesimal compared to that. The number of websites in general that are blocking crawlers is much MUCH larger! Looking at the graph above, you can see that the numbers are steadily going up. More and more sites are fighting against ChatGPT by blocking its crawler.

What sites are blocking ChatGPT?

This list includes sites like Amazon, Pinterest, Quora, Tumblr, Indeed, Dictionary.com, Shutterstock, WikiHow, and several more. Also, its no surprise that a large number of news media sites are also at war against AI chatbots. They include CNN, The NY Times, The Verge, Reuters, CNBC News, Insider, The Washington Post, Wired, Polygon, and many more.

Writers for media sites all pretty much fear for their jobs. Chatbots have the ability to generate an entire article in the span of time it takes to read a title. This technology has the potential to put a ton of journalists out of their jobs. This is why media sites are thoroughly opposed to chatbot scraping.

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Also, several veteran news sites have published groundbreaking pieces of journalism over the years. These pieces are copyrighted and theyre held as the crowning achievements for the publications. It does not sit well with these sites that crawlers are able to scrape those articles.

And, as if they needed more reasons to oppose chatbot crawlers, they have the ability to actually scrape paywalled content as well.

However, more chatbots have entered the battle

Back when ChatGPT first launched, there was only one chatbot to worry about. However, since the technology has exploded, more companies are looking to scrape websites.

On the chart above, you noticed that there wasnt only one crawler being blocked, but there were four. Two of them are from ChatGPT; the other two are CCBot and Anthropic AI. We see that GPTBot is the one thats blocked the most, but sites are having their data scraped by multiple chatbots at once.

We see that CCBot is the second most blocked crawler, being blocked by 13.9% of the top websites. ChatGPT-User, OpenAIs other bot, is being blocked by about 7% of the top 1,000 sites. Anthropic.AI is being blocked by the least. Only two sites on this list are blocking that bot, and theyre Reuters and Corrier.it.

On top of the four mentioned in the graph, there are also the crawlers for Google Bard and Vertex AI. This makes six chatbot crawlers at minimum that could be scraping websites data. Yes, Amazon is blocking GPTBot, but thats only a fraction of the chatbots that it needs to worry about.

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This goes for all of the sites as well. People launching their new sites will need to take crawlers into consideration along with running the site. Fortunately, Google recently released a way to block Bard and Vertex AI from scraping data from websites called Google-Extended.

This war will continue to rage until governmental regulation

So, its evident that the transition into this new AI era isnt graceful. Behind the curtains, the real drama is unfolding. Theres a war going on between AI and the sites that its learning from. This is the kind of future that we couldnt avoid with how generative AI works.

This is going to continue as more chatbots come to the surface. We dont know how many crawlers will be scraping data a year from now. What about 5 years from now or 10 years? It seems that the only thing that could turn the tide is government intervention.

Right now, AI companies have free reign to develop their technology as they seek fit. Thats not comforting, as were talking about large and rather greedy corporations. They talk about making AI safe in their user-facing keynotes and blog posts, but the end goal is always a dollar sign for most companies. This means that companies will tend to go overboard with their technology to compete. This is why theyre free to crawl and scrape whatever data they want; theyre on a mad dash to make their chatbot smarter than the competitions.

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Enter, the government

However, at the time of writing this article, several governmental bodies and lawmakers are trying to figure out how to handle this AI revolution. For example, the UK government is fighting for more transparency in how AI works.

The keyword here is Regulation. If the government steps in and regulates how companies can obtain their data, then the battle will be more in favor of the sites being scraped. It wont be as easy for chatbots to scrape the sites without permission.

The war rages on

Right now, were at a point where the future of the tech industry is still a mystery. AI technology is being implemented into more of the services and technology that we take for granted. As AI continues to develop, there will always be companies that oppose its progress. 25.9% of the top sites are blocking ChatGPT, and the number is rising. The number could double again in a months time for all we know. What we know is that, as long as AI chatbots exist, there will always be a war going on.
Posted on: September 30, 2023 9:46 AM

The Anglican Centre in Rome is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of its famous John Moorman Library with an exhibition of some of its most treasured items. The exhibition, which is being opened by the Archbishop of Cantebrury, Justin Welby, this morning (Saturday 30 September) will highlight the librarys ecumenical missionary endeavours.

The exhibition will include new artworks commissioned for the anniversary and inspired by the librarys rich history and collection.

The Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome, Archbishop Ian Ernest, said: this exhibition is made up of the librarys most treasured material, along with contributions of created artworks by international artists inspired by the librarys history and collection, highlighting the Anglican Centres ecumenical missionary endeavours and bearing witness to the quest of Gods people on their journey towards unity.

John Moorman was Bishop of Leeds in the Church of England from 1959 until his retirement in 1975. A committed ecumenist, he was a frequent visitor to the Vatican, and led the Anglican delegation invited to observe the Second Vatican Council. In 1967 he was appointed Chairman of the Anglican commission that led to the creation of ARCIC  the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission. He remained a member of ARCIC until 1981. He died eight years later, at the age of 84.

The library at the Anglican Centre in Rome was effectively created by John Moorman. He arranged for its installation in the Doria-Pamphilj Palace, which has been home to the ACR for the past 50 years, and also appealed to publishers, communities, authors, and friends to donate material, enlisting the help of competent scholars to monitor accessions and receive donations, including 189 books from the late Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher, bequeathed by his wife.

Today, the library is widely recognised as one of the largest collections in Europe dedicated to the Anglican tradition, history, culture, and ecumenism.

As part of the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to explore contributions and artworks from worldwide collaborators, including notable institutions such as the Virginia Theological Seminary, Saint Michaels Parish in Dallas, the Venerable English College, Centro Pro Uniole, the Lambeth Palace Library, Gladstone's Library, and Ripon Cathedral.

Through a carefully curated selection of themes, events, and personalities associated with the Centre's history and library collection, visitors will have the opportunity to unearth an array of treasures, the ACR said in a statement. These treasures include letters of historical significance, autographed books, captivating photographs, exquisite artworks, and much more, all of which bear witness to the profound journey towards unity undertaken by God's people.

Archbishop Ian Ernest said: the library is a rich legacy of gems and treasures that can inspire future generations. My deepest gratitude is extended towards all those who have worked relentlessly to create what we hope will be a historic exhibition. My desire is that the legacy of the exhibition might go some way to raise the profile of Bishop John Moormans ecumenical vision, highlight the resource of the John Moorman Library, and further the missionary endeavors of the Anglican Centre, Rome, both today and for generations to come.

Our commitment to fostering understanding and unity among diverse communities, both within the Anglican tradition and beyond, remains unwavering.

The opening of the exhibition coincides with Pope Francis ecumenical prayer event, Together, which will take place in Saint Peters Square this evening. The exhibition will run to Wednesday 4 October.
(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 2 - Premier Giorgia Meloni on Monday expressed shock at a decision by a Catania court to release a migrant from detention on the grounds that measures in a recent government decree are allegedly illegitimate.

Under the decree, migrants can be held in pre-expulsion CPR centres for up to 18 months but can post a 'bail' of 5,000 euros in order to avert being detained, a measure that has spurred widespread criticism.

"I was astonished by the Catania judge's ruling, which, on incredible grounds... freed an illegal immigrant who had already received a deportation order, unilaterally declaring Tunisia an unsafe country (which is not the judiciary's job) and going against the measures of a democratically elected government," Meloni said in a social-media post.

"It is not the first time this has happened but we will continue to defend the borders (of Italy)". She said the government was faced with a "difficult job" to tackle illegal immigration but said its efforts would "bring concrete results, with patience and determination.

"Of course, everything becomes much more difficult if, in the meantime, other States are working in the diametrically opposite direction, and if part of Italy is doing everything it can to favour illegal immigration," she continued.

Meloni's government is currently engaged in a row with Berlin over th German government's decision to fund NGOs operating migrant-rescue operations in the Mediterranean. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 2 - Premier Giorgia Meloni attacked Italy's Constitutionally enshrined judicial autonomy in voicing astonishment at a Catania judge striking down parts of the government's migrant decree, ten members of the Supreme magistrates Council (CSM), the judiciary's self-governing body, said Monday.

The 10 or so CSM members have so far signed a petition to protect Catania judge Iolanda Apostolico, who has drawn government flak for not having confirmed the detention of three Tunisian asylum-seeking migrants in a pre-removal centre (CPR), ruling the migrant decree illegitimate in several parts.

The petition speaks of "fully fledged attacks on the autonomy of the judiciary' coming from members of the majority and even from the premier The document also censures the "serious professional delegitimisation" to which the magistrate has been subjected by government members claiming she is biased against them because of past social media posts against anti-migrant League leader Matteo Salvini and in favour of migrant rescue NGOs. (ANSA).


(see related) (ANSA) - ROME, OCT 2 - Premier Giorgia Meloni's right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party on Monday attacked the Catania judge who at the weekend released a migrant from detention on the grounds that a recent government decree was 'illegitimate', saying the magistrate was not impartial.

FdI's immigration chief Sara Kelany said that it was "extremely serious" that the judge "expressed convictions on social media against (Transport Minister and former interior minister Matteo) Salvini and in favour of the pro-immigration policies of the (sea search-and-rescue) NGOs".

Kelany said this went again the Constitutional requirement of impartiality and said the party was considering taking action to see whether "the limits set by the Constitution have been breached".

Magistrates' union ANM blasted FdI's accusations.

Alessandro Rizzo, the president of the ANM's Catania section, expressed "firm and rigorous" support of the judge in question, Iolanda Apostolico.

Rizzo said Apostolico was a "decent person who has worked in compliance with the law", adding that the ANM "rejects with indignation the accusations levelled against her.

"The relationship between the executive and the judiciary should be very different," Rizzo added. (ANSA).


The energy industry can and must help drive the solutions needed for energu transition and decorbonisation, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, has said.

Delivering a keynote address during the Adipec 2023 Opening Ceremony, Dr Al Jaber said: Today at Adipec from Abu Dhabi, I say with full confidence: This industry can and must help drive the solutions. For too long, this industry has been viewed as part of the problem, that its not doing enough and in some cases even blocking progress. This is your opportunity to show the world that, in fact, you are central to the solution.

Adipec, the worlds largest energy exhibition and conference, opened today, rallying industries and diverse actors around a common cause  Decarbonising. Faster. Together. Over four days, the event will accelerate collective action and solutions to address the biggest climate and energy challenges the world faces today.

Being held in Abu Dhabi till October 5, Adipec has gathered over 160,000 attendees from 160 countries. More than 40 ministers and 120 global C-suite executives will contribute to the 350-plus conference sessions, addressing the key energy transition priorities, including tackling methane and carbon emissions, scaling up investment in technology and renewables, decarbonising heavy industries and the development of future leaders.

Taking place less than two months before the UAE welcomes global leaders for COP28, Adipec provides a platform for the biggest energy producers and consumers to demonstrate their commitment to lowering emissions while driving investment into new technologies and clean energies. The event is an opportunity to bring to the fore the diverse challenges and needs of different energy markets from around the world and creates a global stage for solutions-oriented dialogue.

Speaking on the role of Adipec in the global energy transition, Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said: International collaboration is crucial to addressing energy challenges. Adipec serves as an ideal platform to take the collective decarbonisation drive to the next level, and we are happy to share our experience with other countries. Having one of the fastest-growing clean energy industries in the world, the UAE is set to generate a total capacity of 19.8 gigawatts of clean energy by 2030. In addition, the UAE seeks to become a leading producer and supplier of low-carbon hydrogen, working towards producing 1.4 million metric tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen per annum by 2031 and 15 million metric tonnes per annum by 2050.

Echoing Dr Al Jabers call to action, Tayba Al Hashemi, Chair of Adipec 2023 and CEO of Adnoc Offshore, said: By 2030, the world will be home to an additional half a billion people, demanding more energy every year. At the same time, the global challenge of climate change calls for urgent, game-changing solutions to eliminate emissions. Every government, industry, business and individual has a role to play in decarbonising quicker, and creating the future of energy, faster, while safeguarding energy security and ensuring nobody is left behind.

Decarbonising, faster, together, is not just the theme of Adipec 2023, it is a rallying call to industry to work together to transform, decarbonise and future-proof our industry. We want to accelerate the innovation and tangible actions needed to enable a lower-carbon and higher-growth future for the world.

The Adipec Opening Ceremony also included pledges from leading global CEOs across the energy industry, reaffirming their commitment to concrete actions that will enable decarbonisation and the energy transition. With 10 CEOs featured from across the world, the video showed the industrys unified approach to driving investment and partnerships to accelerate the global energy transition and stimulate innovation.

Commenting on this commitment, Amin H Nasser, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aramco, said: At Aramco, we believe that energy security and sustainability can co-exist. We remain committed to helping supply the world's growing energy needs as we also expand our efforts to develop lower-carbon solutions that will provide future generations with cleaner and more sustainable energy.

The Adipec Opening Ceremony included a ministerial panel on the subject of Fast Tracking the Energy Transition, which brought together Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of Opec, Dr Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Turkiye, and Sebastian-Ioan Burduja, Minister of Energy, Romania, to discuss how to accelerate the energy transition.

The panel explored how innovative policies and inclusive practices are the key to meeting increasing energy demands and achieving net zero emissions. The panel also agreed on the important role that governments must play in driving both collaboration and investment. Ministers remarked on the importance of facilitating a just low-carbon future, simultaneously reducing emissions and driving economic growth.

Addressing the need for pragmatism, Al Mazrouei, said: We need to keep the politics aside, and as OPEC, work as a technical group.

Echoing his remarks, Al Ghais said: We have to have a clear roadmap of where were going, and how to get there. The ministers from Turkiye and Romania also discussed the initiatives underway in their respective countries designed to facilitate a transition to a cleaner energy system.

Over four days, ADIPEC 2023 will feature 10 conferences  including a new, hydrogen-focused conference and an expanded strategic decarbonisation conference  that will address a range of themes such as energy security, mobilising finance and investment, and developing a zero-carbon value chain. Across 16 exhibition halls, ADIPEC will gather over 2,200 companies and feature 30 country pavilions and four specialised areas focused on facilitating cross-sector collaboration and game-changing partnerships. - TradeArabia News Service
MANZINI  A 10-year-old boy was purportedly dragged and bundled into a car boot by his mothers furious ex-boyfriend, who was allegedly retaliating after she dumped him.

Elvis Mpendulo Mkhonta (38), of Siyeni, reportedly arrived at his former girlfriends flat at Sicelwini, dragged *Siyamthanda, and then put him inside the car boot and then drove away. This happened on Saturday. According to impeccable sources, Mkhonta had been allegedly dumped by his former girlfriend, who is the mother of the boy. The sources revealed that Mkhonta arrived in his car at Sicelwini, where he found the boy and pulled him to the vehicle. It was gathered that he (boy) was heard screaming and shouting for help. However, by the time neighbours tried to rescue him, they found that the vehicle had driven off. They further divulged that they then requested for someone to chase after the car but their efforts proved futile. It is then that the police were called to report the matter. Meanwhile, Mkhonta appeared before Acting Manzini Magistrate Sicelo Lokothwayo on charges of kidnapping, contravening the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 1938, as well as the Road Traffic Act of 2007.

Deprived

According to the charge sheet, in count one, the accused, on or about September 23 at or near Manzini Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (rfm) Hospital in Manzini, unlawfully and intentionally kidnapped and deprived the young boy of his liberty by putting him inside a boot of a motor vehicle. The vehicle, according to the charge sheet, is a blue Honda Fit with registration number NSF 597 DM. In count two, the accused, on the subsequent day at RFM Hospital, is said to have unlawfully escaped from police custody after he was arrested for a kidnapping case. He reportedly contravened Section 43(1) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 67 of 1938. Further, the accused is alleged to have contravened Section 89(1) as read with Section 122(1) and 122(70) of the Road Traffic Act 6 of 2007. It is said he wrongfully drove the aforementioned vehicle along Central Distributor Road at Mavuso Trade Centre and knocked from behind a Mazda sedan driven by Mcebisi Simelane of Mbikwakhe. The accused was remanded in custody until October 4, pending his committal before a principal magistrate.
(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 2 - Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed the symbolic importance of Italy's commitment to help in the reconstruction of Odesa cathedral on Monday as he arrived at a European Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv.

The historic Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration was hit and badly damaged during Russian missile attacks on Odesa on July 23 in which at least two people died and over 20 were injured.

"We have signed an agreement for the reconstruction of Odesa Cathedral and this is a political and cultural message for Ukraine," Tajani said.

"We are here to strengthen Ukraine and international law.

"There can be no peace without justice". (ANSA).


The Foreign Secretary has announced he will visit the Falkland Islands to demonstrate support for the territorys self-determination.

James Cleverly has been embroiled in a dispute with Argentina since earlier this year, when Buenos Aires pulled out of a co-operation agreement for the Falklands.

On Sunday, Mr Cleverly told a late-night drinks reception at the Conservative Party Conference he would be visiting the archipelago following a run-in with the Argentinian government.

He said: Some of you may have noticed that because they have an election coming, they are trying to do a bit of flexing of their muscle when it comes to the people of the Falklands.

A 2013 referendum saw an overwhelming majority of islanders vote to remain a UK Overseas Territory. (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Now, I believe in the right of people having self-determination and the people of the Falklands have made their position clear and we need to return a Conservative government to make sure they and others around the world are protected.

And just to hammer home that point, I am going to take the opportunity to visit the Falklands because I think it is my job to make it absolutely clear that a Conservative government, as I said in my speech, it is only a Conservative government that can be trusted to look after the best interests of this country and those others around the world who rely on British good governance including, of course, the wonderful, brave people of Ukraine who are currently defending themselves against Russian aggression.

The visit would be the first by a British cabinet minister since 2016, when then-defence secretary Michael Fallon flew to the Falklands, prompting fears it would enflame tensions with Argentina.

A previous visit by then-Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire in 2014 brought angry comments and claims of high-handedness from the Argentinian government.

Last year, Princess Anne visited the islands to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War.

More recently, the UK complained in July that the EU had described the islands as Las Malvinas  the name used by Argentina  which Argentinian president Alberto Fernandez appeared to hail as a recognition of his countrys sovereignty.

A 2013 referendum saw 99.8% of voters on the islands opt to remain a UK Overseas Territory.

In his speech on Sunday, Mr Cleverly also claimed the Labour Party would sell out Gibraltar, saying the opposition had put on the veneer of respectability but was still the same hard left, nasty political party driven by envy.
Hunt to set out tougher welfare rules and boost living wage at Tory conference

Tougher rules on benefits and a boost to the national living wage will form part of a Tory plan to get more people into work, Jeremy Hunt will say.

The Chancellor will use his speech at the Conservative Party conference to promise the national living wage will increase to at least 11 an hour from April.

But alongside that he will look again at the benefit sanctions regime to make it harder for people to claim welfare while refusing to take active steps to move into work, with proposals due to be set out in Novembers Autumn Statement.

The plans to make work pay come as the Tory party is embroiled in a row over tax policy, with Cabinet minister Michael Gove pushing for cuts before the election to help working households.

Mr Hunt has insisted that tax cuts in the Autumn Statement are unlikely, with the focus on reducing inflation, but the Tories are likely to have a full Budget in the spring before any election in 2024 which could provide an opportunity for a giveaway to woo voters.

In other developments at the Manchester conference:

 Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will set out plans to ban mobile phones from classrooms in England, with a source telling the Daily Mail she believes the devices pose a serious challenge in terms of distraction, disruptive behaviour and bullying.

 Former prime minister Liz Truss will call for tax cuts, fracking and measures to boost housebuilding in a bid to put pressure on Rishi Sunak from the Tory right.

Liz Truss will speak at a conference fringe event (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

 Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, seen as a potential successor to Mr Sunak, will use her conference speech to stress her Brexiteer credentials and accuse critics of seeking to talk down the UK.

The main speech at the conference will be from Mr Hunt, who will confirm plans to boost the wages of the lowest paid on the second day of the Manchester gathering.

The Conservatives said the move will benefit two million people and follows the target for the national living wage to reach two-thirds of median hourly pay by October next year.

The Low Pay Commission estimates the rate required to meet that goal should be between 10.90 and 11.43, with a central estimate of 11.16.

The increase will mean the national living wage will increase by over 1,000 for a full-time worker next year.

The Prime Minister said: Were sending a clear message to hard-working taxpayers across the country: our Conservative Government is on your side.

Mr Hunt and Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride are expected to use Novembers Autumn Statement to set out tough welfare reforms.

I am incredibly proud to live in a country where, as Churchill said, theres a ladder everyone can climb but also a safety net below which no-one falls, Mr Hunt will say.

But paying for that safety net is a social contract that depends on fairness to those in work alongside compassion to those who are not.

That means work must pay, and were making sure it does. From last year, for the first time ever, you can earn 1,000 a month without paying a penny of tax or national insurance.

But since the pandemic, things have being going in the wrong direction. Whilst companies struggle to find workers, around 100,000 people are leaving the labour force every year for a life on benefits.

As part of that we will look at the way the sanctions regime works. It is a fundamental matter of fairness.

Those who wont even look for work do not deserve the same benefits as people trying hard to do the right thing.

In her conference speech, Ms Keegan is expected to announce the ban on mobile phones.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will set out plans to ban mobile phones in English classrooms (Jonathan Brady/PA)

A Government source told the Mail: It is one of the biggest issues that children and teachers have to grapple with so she will set out a way forward to empower teachers to ban mobiles from classrooms.

Some schools already ban the use of the devices but Ms Keegan is expected to order them to outlaw phones both during lessons and in break times.

On the conference fringe, Ms Truss will address a rally with a focus on boosting growth  a key theme of her short-lived premiership a year ago.

There is no reason we cannot go into the next election with a platform that is proudly Conservative, she will say. Lets stop taxing and banning things, and start producing and building things.
Former SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes has praised living legend Fergus Ewing and said she was keen to ensure he didnt stand alone following his suspension from the partys Holyrood group.

Ms Forbes, along with fellow SNP MSPs Christine Grahame and Annabelle Ewing  who is Mr Ewings sister  stood alongside the former minister as he addressed the media after he was suspended for a week.

The Inverness and Nairn MSP was sanctioned by his fellow MSPs after a number of rebellions, including speaking out against Scottish Government policies like highly protected marine areas, the dualling of the A9 and the deposit return scheme.

Fergus Ewing was suspended for a week from the SNPs Holyrood group (Jane Barlow/PA)

He also voted in favour of a motion of no confidence in Scottish Government minister and Green co-leader Lorna Slater and has been heavily critical of the Governments power-sharing deal with the Greens.

On Sunday, Mr Ewing announced he would appeal the decision.

Speaking to The Herald newspaper, Ms Forbes said: Fergus is a living legend throughout the Highlands and Islands and mainly because he always puts the needs of these communities first.

My concern was that he didnt stand alone going in or leaving that room.

Kate Forbes served as finance secretary under Nicola Sturgeon (Jane Barlow/PA)

Our parliamentary group is a family and you must have each others backs. And when you face difficult circumstances, you need your troops around you.

The SNP refused to comment on the appeal against Mr Ewings suspension, but it is understood a three person panel  made up of Westminster MPs or members of the partys national executive committee (NEC)  will be appointed by the SNPs ruling body and the process will normally be resolved within three weeks of the appeal letter being received.

Ms Forbes, who served as finance secretary under Nicola Sturgeon and reportedly turned down the rural affairs brief she was offered by Humza Yousaf, also weighed in on the future of education in Scotland.

With the Scottish Governments aim of reducing the poverty-related attainment gap  the MSP said it was important not to drop educational standards to do so.

Ms Forbes said there was a risk in public discussion about the attainment gap that Government should make education simpler and easier, while she believed the opposite should be the case.

Ministers should recognise, she said, the countrys education system is in competition with those elsewhere in the world.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: Tackling the attainment gap is not about making education simpler but is about removing barriers to education that are presented by poverty and enabling children and young people to reach their full potential.

We want to ensure children from our poorest communities have the same opportunities to succeed as their peers and this will continue to be the relentless focus of the Scottish Government.

Scottish education continues to be aspirational for all of our young people and is underpinned by the guiding principle that every school in Scotland must have high ambitions for every child, no matter their circumstances.

That is why the Scottish Government is investing a record 1 billion over this parliamentary term to help close the poverty related attainment gap.

They added: Finally, there are no proposals to remove examinations from Scotlands school education system.

The Hayward Review presents options for reform, but a key part of that consideration is the appropriate and balanced approach to assessment central to our qualifications system and external examinations retain a critical role.
Almost three-quarters of businesses say they have cut the cost of their offices amid the continued shift towards hybrid working, according to new research.

More than half of businesses have office or co-working space outside city centres, the research conducted by office and real estate firm IWG has found.

Mark Dixon, chief executive officer of the Regus operator, said the days of expecting workers to make an unproductive and expensive commute are long gone.

The latest data from more than 500 business bosses across the UK found that 82% of companies have reconfigured their office footprints to better suit hybrid working.

The majority of changes to workspaces have been designed to allow staff to work in offices and co-working locations closer to where they live, according to the survey.

It also found 54% of businesses have office or co-working space outside city centres while 38% have opted for secondary locations in the heart of commuter towns.

As a result, 73% said they reduced the cost of their office footprint.

Companies also suggested they are benefiting financially from their employees having shorter commutes, with 36% saying they were paying less in expenses for staff travel.

Mr Dixon said: Its clear that the old ways of working, with a daily unproductive and expensive commute, are long gone.

Businesses are realising that not only does hybrid working make sense for their bottom lines, it also benefits their workforces.

Its encouraging to see that businesses are translating their hybrid working savings into real benefits for employees.

Not only does this help in the immediate term, with improved productivity and wellbeing, but it will also help them retain and recruit the best talent.
Rishi Sunak has made a pitch to the Tory right with plans to scale back HS2, slash the Civil Service and impose tougher benefits conditions, as Liz Truss presented a threat.

The former prime minister drew crowds of the membership at the party conference in Manchester on Monday as she called for tax cuts to make Britain grow again.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has ruled out sizeable tax cuts this year, but did make offerings that will go down well with the Truss-backing right of the party.

He announced a cap on Whitehall hiring to save up to 1 billion a year and ordered plans to shrink the number of officials back to pre-pandemic levels.

Novembers autumn statement was billed as including steps to make it harder for people to claim benefits if they are failing to take active steps to move into work.

Mr Hunt also left open the door to a possible pre-election tax giveaway in 2024 as the Prime Minister seeks to defy the opinion polls and retain the keys to No 10.

Mr Sunak seemed set to axe the Birmingham to Manchester leg of HS2, a bugbear of some Tories over its vast cost and impact on rural constituents.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will give his set-piece speech to the membership on Wednesday (Danny Lawson/PA)

Ms Truss was courting vast support among the party membership that selected her over Mr Sunak last summer, before the chaotic implosion of her 49-day premiership.

Going into conference, Mr Sunak would have been mindful that it was Tory MPs, who are generally closer to the centre than the membership, who were the ones that handed him the keys to Downing Street.

A queue of Tory members snaked through the fringes of the conference as they sought to attend the packed rally held by Ms Truss and her allies.

The MP called for cuts to corporation tax and regulation as she urged members to unleash their inner Conservative.

Lets stop taxing and banning things, she said. Lets instead build things and make things.

Other groups on the right of the party were also gathering momentum, as the New Conservatives set out proposals to ban gender ideology being taught in schools at a standing room-only event.

A short while later, Mr Hunt confirmed in the main hall plans to increase the national living wage for over-23s to at least 11 an hour and impose tougher conditions on benefits.

He pointed towards cutting back on officials working on equality and diversity initiatives, in language echoing a leadership campaign pitch from Ms Truss.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt left open the door to the possibility of a pre-election tax giveaway in 2024 (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Hunt suggested improving public sector productivity levels as they trim back thousands of officials could allow him to cut taxes, as many in the party are clamouring for.

If we increase public sector productivity growth by just half a percent, we can stabilise public spending as a proportion of GDP, he said.

Increase it by more and we can bring the tax burden down.

Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union, said the move was a U-turn from a previous commitment from Mr Sunak that there would be no top-down targets for headcount reduction.

(PA Graphics)

We now have Government ministers rushing out policies at Tory conference in a desperate attempt to shore up their own support from the hard right of their party, he added.

Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union which represents senior civil servants, said the announcement was out of the playbook of Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former Cabinet minister who spoke alongside Ms Truss at her rally.

He said the plan was fantasy politics of the worst kind and indicated it could damage relations between officials and ministers, as happened under former prime minister Boris Johnson.

Meanwhile at the conference:

 Transport Secretary Mark Harper said councils could be blocked from fining drivers as he targeted sinister 15-minute cities, a subject that has provoked conspiracy theories

Former prime minister Liz Truss addressed a packed fringe meeting (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

 A review of regulators so Brexit freedoms can be used to reduce bureaucracy was launched by Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch

 Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer announced new guidance to ensure statues are explained rather than torn down following the toppling of the figure of slave trader Edward Colston

 Education Secretary Gillian Keegan took on teaching unions by suggesting minimum service levels could be extended to striking university staff.

Downing Street insists that no final decisions have been made over axing the HS2 leg from Birmingham to Manchester, with Cabinet sign-off expected before an announcement.

But a spokesman for Mr Hunt did not deny plans had been approved in the Treasury and said an announcement from the Prime Minister would come in due course.

Mr Sunak will give his set-piece speech to the membership on Wednesday.
Former defence secretary Ben Wallace has said he urged the Prime Minister to increase military support to Ukraine by more than 2 billion  a rise of 50%.

The veteran Conservative argued that with extra Western weapons, Kyiv could end the battle against Russia and expel the invaders.

Mr Wallace, an ally of Boris Johnson, stepped down from the defence brief in a mini-reshuffle in August, having already announced his decision not to contest the next general election.

Writing for The Daily Telegraph, the former Scots Guard lamented that the UK was no longer Kyivs biggest military backer in Europe, having slipped behind Germany.

His call for additional resources to be sent to Ukraine comes as the debate grows in the West about the level of backing to continue offering the partially occupied nation.

In the US, Republicans in Congress have been resisting sending more aid to the eastern European country with Democrat President Joe Biden urging politicians to stop playing games in the face of the Kremlins brutal aggression.

In Slovakia, populist former prime minister Robert Fico won early parliamentary elections having vowed to withdraw his countrys military support for Ukraine.

Mr Wallace said one of his final acts as defence secretary was to press for further financial backing from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and his forces.

We have a chance to help finish this. The Russian army is cracking, Mr Wallace said.

We need to give Ukraine the support it requires to see this war to the end.

Before I left office, I asked the PM to match or increase the 2.3 billion pledged to Ukraine this year, to add to the 4.6 billion we have spent already.

Ben Wallace said he asked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to increase the UKs military support for Ukraine by 50% (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA)

The former cabinet minister urged Britain to help Ukraine maintain its momentum in the counter offensive, a push that will require more munitions and storm shadow missiles and other long-range weapons, he said.

Mr Wallace said that with Kyivs troops pressing forward against heavily-mined Russian defences, it was possible the next stage of the conflict which has been raging since February 2022, could be the beginnings of the battle for Crimea  the peninsula in southern Ukraine annexed by Moscow in 2014.

No 10, which said it would not be responding to Mr Wallaces remarks, has requested the Ministry of Defences (MoD) views on future spending, according to the Telegraph.

The MoD said it would not be commenting.

The UK committed 2.3 billion of military support in 2022 and the Government confirmed it would sustain that in 2023.

Officials said Britain remains committed to providing Kyiv with long-range precision strike weapons, artillery, air defence and armoured vehicles, while also liaising with Mr Zelenskys administration about their requests for more weapons.

The funding debate comes after Mr Sunak made clear that British troops would not train Ukrainian forces in the war-torn country while its battle with Russian president Vladimir Putins troops is going on.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who replaced Mr Wallace, had said in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph that eventually he would like to conduct Britains long-standing training in country rather than in the UK.

Mr Sunak said the senior minister was expressing a long-term ambition and not something for the here and now.

There are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict. Thats not whats happening, he told broadcasters during a visit to Burnley on Sunday.

The UK has trained more than 25,000 Ukrainian armed forces personnel, according to official MoD figures.
Betty Kai, a 96-year-old bartender working on Fort Myers Beach in Florida, intends to continue working as long as she can.

The talented woman was featured in a segment for NBC2 News, with the news channel interviewing friends and fans about Betty. Many called her a "legend," recounting tales about her eventful life.

Betty reportedly owned a bar in Wisconsin for many years before selling it and moving to Fort Myers, where she planned to "retire," but that was 33 years ago.

Tina Tomasino, the owner of a bar Betty works at called Hurricane Tina's, told the news station, "Everybody knows Betty. If you know her, you love her. Shes the only one who can yell at me behind the bar."

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When Betty was asked, "What has kept you doing [bartending] all these years?", she simply said, "The people. You can't ask for more than that."

Along with Hurricane Tina's, Betty bartends at many other bars on the beach. As the news station filmed a Wednesday morning at work for Betty, a customer even suggested that Betty work at a Margaritaville opening up nearby, to which she said, "I already have a job down there." The location is set to open next year.

Amazingly, the 96-year-old also juggles another job as an ordained minister, with Betty reportedly officiating more than 500 ceremonies so far. A loyal customer also noted that she used to do landscaping for a number of houses, but she stopped recently, and that she even used to be part of the Ringling Bros. circus.

What a legend, indeed!

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GOOD SHEPHERD  Another passenger has died after the spine-chilling accident involving an Isuzu double cab bakkie that overturned and injured over 20 voters at Mpolonjeni on Saturday morning.

This brings the number of voters who have died from the accident to three. The families of the deceased people asked that their loved ones identities and photos be concealed for now, stating that there were family members who had not been informed about the tragedy.

Paramedics

A male and female died on the scene of the accident, while police and paramedics were still making means to ferry them to the Good Shepherd Catholic Hospital (GSCH)after the accident that happened at around 5am on Saturday. The accident happened close to the home of former Mpolonjeni Member of Parliament (MP) Jacob Siwela. The third victim passed away yesterday morning. At the hospital yesterday morning, Tandzile Gamedze (19), who sustained serious head injuries and was further operated in the abdomen was found still grimacing in pain. At least two females and the same number of males are currently receiving medical attention at the hospital. Tandziles mother, Portia Magagula, said her daughter was supposed to attend a graduation ceremony slated for Wednesday and the accident had dashed those prospects.

Magagula and some of the other family members of those admitted to the hospital, asked that their relatives photos be not taken as they were still inform other family members about the accident. My daughter has undergone an operation in the abdomen and she also sustained serious head injuries and the back of her body. I pray to God that she recuperates, she said.

According to Jabu Dlamini, who is a family member to one of the deceased, they were informed that another voter, who was a male, died on Saturday night while admitted to the hospital.

My brother is currently being monitored at the ICU as he sustained serious injuries all over his body. We have also been informed that another passenger has died and the others are still admitted, she said. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said a 47-year-old man has since died at the hospital.

Onlookers

On Saturday morning, at the scene of the accident, over 100 onlookers, together with paramedics and police officers from the Scenes of Crime and Traffic departments, were found busy attending to the injured voters. The deceased and injured voters were celebrating the win of their favourite candidate of the Mpolonjeni Member of Parliament (MP) position Kwanele Ndzimandze, who beat former MP Siwela. Meanwhile, in July this year, a 50-year-old female teacher of one of the schools in the Lubombo Region, lost her life after the vehicle she was driving, a Corsa Utility van, was involved in an accident with two other vehicles. The other vehicles were a Toyota Quantum and a VW sedan. The Quantum had pupils on board among its passengers and the VW sedan was driven by a nurse. The accident happened at around 6am at Budvodza-abukhulelwa under Lukhula community.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a move a lawyer representing dozens of child sexual abuse survivors says is an attempt to evade accountability.

The filing comes as a new law is set to take effect in Maryland October 1, lifting the statute of limitations to allow new civil lawsuits over older acts of child sexual abuse.

In April, the Maryland Attorney General released a report alleging 156 Catholic clergy members and others abused at least 600 children over the course of more than six decades.

Because of the new law, the Archdiocese of Baltimore faces a great number of lawsuits of historic cases of child sexual abuse previously barred by Maryland law, Archbishop William E. Lori said in a statement Friday.

After consulting with numerous lay leaders and the clergy of the Archdiocese, I have made the decision I believe will best allow the Archdiocese both to equitably compensate victim-survivors of child sexual abuse and ensure the local Church can continue its mission and ministries, Lori said.

If a plan is approved by the bankruptcy court, no future claims for past cases of abuse can be brought against the Church, he added.

Philip C. Federico, a lawyer representing survivors who planned to file claims against the Archdiocese, told CNN in a statement the Archdiocese of Baltimores filing for bankruptcy is extremely premature and is nothing more than an effort to protect itself while denying survivors justice.

By filing for bankruptcy today, the Archdiocese of Baltimore is perpetuating the Churchs pattern of trying to evade accountability for the heinous sexual assault of children under its care, Federico added.

The Maryland Attorney Generals Office declined CNNs request for comment.

Filing for bankruptcy harms victims, lawyers say

Robert K. Jenner, another lawyer representing victims, said the bankruptcy filing is an effort to avoid acknowledging its historical legacy of enabling systemic child sexual abuse and then engaging in deceitful cover-up.

It is outrageous, but not unexpected, that the morally bankrupt Archdiocese of Baltimore filed for bankruptcy protection to shield its assets, Jenner told CNN in a statement.

Jenner says they are undeterred by this development and continue to fight for justice, transparency, and accountability.

Archbishop Lori said in his statement the legal fees and large settlements or jury awards for a few victim-survivors risk depleting the churchs financial resources, which could end ministries Maryland families rely on.

However, Federico said the statement is premature, explaining it is too early to know what type of financial liability the church may face since no cases have been filed.

It is very unlikely that any damages awarded out of these cases would exceed the Churchs assets, Federico added.

In April, the Archdioceses office said it had paid $13.2 million to 303 victims of abuse since the 1980s.

I acknowledge that no apology, compensation, or knowledge of our present-day accountability measures will necessarily lead to healing for victim survivors, nor repair the harm they suffered, Lori said.

The financial reorganization is expected to take two to three years, according to Lori. The bankruptcy court will accept claims from victim-survivors for a period of time before entering negotiations to provide compensation.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The Senate Foreign Relations Committees new chairman will block a controversial tranche of military aid for Egypt, he announced Saturday.

Sen. Ben Cardins last-minute decision on the day of the September 30 deadline followed backlash over the State Departments recent decision to use a national security waiver to bypass human rights-related restrictions imposed on $235 million in aid.

The block comes after the committees previous chairman, Sen. Bob Menendez, was indicted on corruption charges over accusations that he accepted bribes to help Egypt obtain military aid. The New Jersey Democrat has pleaded not guilty.

Congress has been clear, through the law, that the government of Egypts record on a range of critical human rights issues, good governance, and the rule of law must improve if our bilateral relationship is to be sustained, Cardin, a Maryland Democrat, said in a statement. Therefore, I will not allow foreign military financing currently under consideration to move forward.

As chairman, Cardin added, he intends to block future foreign military funds as well as sale of arms to the government of Egypt if it does not take meaningful, and sustainable steps to improve the human rights conditions in its country.

The Biden administration withheld $85 million in aid to Egypt in September, redirecting it to Taiwan and Lebanon. Critics, including Cardin, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken should not have released the $235 million balance on the $320 million tranche of military aid.

We are continuing to consult closely with Congress on providing the foreign military financing package announced by the Secretary while ensuring tangible progress on human rights in Egypt, a State Department official told CNN in response to the holdup of aid.

Human rights activists applauded Cardins Saturday decision, with a list of prominent groups calling it welcome and urgently needed news.

The hold on $320 million of aid  out of an annual total of $1.3 billion  would be a major blow to Egypt and the regime of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who is expected to run for reelection at the end of the year.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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Eleven people have died following a roof collapse at a church in Mexico on Sunday, according to local authorities. Everyone else has been removed from the debris, Mexican officials said Monday.

The collapse, which trapped between 30 to 40 people, happened at the Iglesia Santa Cruz Church, a Catholic church in Madero, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Mexican officials confirmed to ABC News. A baptism was being celebrated at the time with approximately 100 in attendance.

Seven adults and three children were among the dead. A total of 60 people were injured, with 23 still in the hospital on Monday.

PHOTO: Members of security forces, people and a priest work at a site where a church roof collapsed during Sunday mass in Ciudad Madero, in Tamaulipas state, Mexico in this handout picture distributed to Reuters on Oct. 1, 2023. (Secretaria De Seguridad Publica/via Reuters)

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Following the tragic accident, the Tamaulipas Government released a statement confirming the church collapse and an initial total of seven fatalities, which later increased to 10.

"Today at 2:18 pm, there was a collapse of the roof of the church of the Holy Cross in Cd. Madero, presumably due to a failure in its structure, security and civil protection corporations arrived at the scene, in addition to the municipal authorities that since that moment are taking care of the situation," the statement read.

"Following this accident, unfortunately the death of 7 people is confirmed, in addition, 10 people have been rescued who are injured and have been transferred to hospitals, 3 to the Civil Hospital and the remaining 7 to the General Hospital Dr. Carlos Canseco. Debris removal continues for rescue efforts," the statement continued.

PHOTO: Members of a rescue team and people work at a site where a church roof collapsed during Sunday mass in Ciudad Madero, in Tamaulipas state, Mexico in this handout picture distributed to Reuters on Oct. 1, 2023. (Secretaria De Seguridad Publica/via Reuters)

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"Governor Americo Villarreal Anaya, has instructed the General Secretary of Government, the coordinator of Civil Protection of the State and the authorities of the Health sector, to head to the scene of the events to coordinate the work and personally attend to the affected families."

Federal and state security forces, civil protection and rescue corporations are on site, according to officials.

11 dead after roof collapse at baptism ceremony in Mexico originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Since 1972, giant pandas have been the stars of American zoos, but unless things change dramatically in the coming months, the popular black and white rotund bears will no longer be at any American zoo as China rescinds its loans of the animals.

The National Zoo has announced its three giant pandasTian Tian, Mei Xiang, and Xiao QI Jiwill head back to China in early December after attempts to renew the three-year contract failed. The Memphis Zoo has already returned Ya Ya, the panda that has spent the last 20 years in Tennessee. So has the San Diego Zoo.

The Atlanta Zoos four pandas could be the last place for people to see the bears, but theyre expected to return to China sometime in 2024.

The recall of panda bears comes as relations between the U.S. and China become increasingly frayed.

Tensions started to heighten during the Trump administration, when sanctions were added to many Chinese-made products, but relations have increasingly deteriorated. Washington has attempted to deprive China of cutting-edge computer chips, citing national security concerns. Thats increasing talk of a decoupling of the two nations, which could have severe economic impacts for bothand the world. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned in April that a full separation of our economies would be disastrous for both countries. It may also be disastrous for zoo-going panda fans.

The Biden White House has insisted plans to limit U.S. investment in Chinese semiconductors and access restrictions are a "de-risking, rather than decoupling, a term that has not eased concerns.

Panda diplomacy

Pandas were first loaned to the National Zoo in the Nixon administration, when formalized national relations between the two countries were formed. For decades, China has loaned pandas to countries it hoped to build ties with, a policy referred to as panda diplomacy."

Now, however, its rescinding them, not only from the U.S. but also from zoos in Scotland.

Pandas are native to China, and zoos that host them are never given full custody. Instead, they rent them, paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to China each year. Long a member of the endangered species list, pandas are no longer considered at severe risk and were downgraded to vulnerable to the threat of extinction in 2021. The National Zoo estimates there are about 1,864 pandas living in the wild in China.

This wouldnt be the first time China has left zoos without a panda. In 1999, the National Zoo went for about a year without a panda exhibit. And, should President Joe Biden meet face-to-face with China President Xi Jinping, which could happen during Novembers Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in San Francisco, who knows if the widespread recall of the loaned pandas could be recalled itself.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
The building in Ismailia is seen engulfed by flames - @Ultraswhite via X

At least 38 people have been injured in a huge fire at a police headquarters in Egypt.

The building in Ismailia was fully staffed with officers when the blaze broke out early on Monday morning, soon engulfing the entire facility. No fatalities were immediately reported.

Emergency services had to battle through a large cloud of smoke to reach people trapped inside and bring the fire under control.

By dawn, all that remained of the headquarters was a charred shell.

Egypt's interior minister has ordered an investigation into the cause of the fire - Stringer / Avalon

A total of 26 people were transferred to a local hospital, with 24 suffering from asphyxiation and two from burns, the health ministry reported. Twelve more were treated at the scene.

The health ministry deployed 50 ambulances to the scene, which were joined by military emergency services including two planes, according to local media.

Mahmoud Tawfik, Egypts interior minister, said that he had ordered an investigation into the cause of the fire, as well as a structural safety review of the building.

Smokes rises from the building after the fire was extinguished - AP Photo/Mohammed Awad

Deadly blazes are a common hazard in the country, where fire codes are rarely enforced and emergency services are often slow to arrive.

In August 2022, a fire caused by an electrical short circuit killed 41 worshippers in a Cairo church, prompting calls to improve Egypts infrastructure and the response time of the fire brigade.

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Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO. Charles Platiau/Reuters

Mark Zuckerberg recently demoed his humanlike VR avatars in an interview in the Metaverse.

He was asked about how the tech could be used to create virtual versions of deceased loved ones.

Zuckerberg said it was a complex idea but said there was "probably some balance" for the concept.

There's a chance Meta's highly realistic new avatars could one day be used as a way to interact with loved ones who have passed away.

In a recent interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg discussed the future possibilities of VR and the Metaverse.

The interview served as a debut for Meta's new Codec avatars that use scanning technology to build 3D models of the user's face.

During the interview, which took place in the Metaverse, Fridman said: "I would love to talk to people who are no longer here that are loved ones. So if you look into the future, is that something you think about?"

Zuckerberg acknowledged it was a complex idea but said there was "probably some balance" for the concept of creating a virtual version of a deceased person by using VR and AI technology.

He told Fridman: "If someone has lost a loved one and is grieving, there may be ways in which being able to interact or relive certain memories could be helpful."

He added there was also an extent to which this could become "unhealthy."

"I'm not an expert in that, so I think we'd have to study that and understand it in more detail," he added.

Representatives for Zuckerberg did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, made outside normal working hours.

Fridman was impressed by how realistic Meta's new avatars were  a vast improvement from its previous attempts with the technology that were savagely mocked online.

One cartoonish image of Zuckerberg's early metaverse avatar outside a virtual version of the Eiffel Tower posted on social media famously became the target of internet memes.

Meta has struggled to maintain consumer and investor interest in its Metaverse after being hyped as the next big thing. Reality Labs, the division that handles metaverse work, lost nearly $14 billion in 2022 and was hit by layoffs.

Read the original article on Business Insider
More than 100 dolphins were found dead over the past week in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil amid a severe drought and hot water temperatures, according to reports.

The Mamiraua Institute for Sustainable Development, a research facility funded by the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, found the dead dolphins in Lake Tefe over the past seven days, CNN reported. Researchers believe the mass death is related to the Amazon's ongoing drought and recent triple-digit weather, according to CNN.

Its still early to determine the cause of this extreme event but according to our experts, it is certainly connected to the drought period and high temperatures in Lake Tefe, in which some points are exceeding 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit), the institute told the news organization.

In addition to the dolphin deaths, The Guardian reported that thousands of dead fish have also appeared at Lake Tefe.

The Amazon River is the world's largest waterway and its basin is connected to the Amazon Rainforest, famed for its rich biodiversity where millions of species live.

But human activity and extreme weather in the region have raised environmental concerns. The Amazonas state declared an environmental emergency in September in response to the historic drought and launched a response plan valued at $20 million.

The past month in Tefe has seemed like a science-fiction climate-change scenario, Daniel Tregidgo, a British researcher living in the area, told The Guardian. "Regular sightings of pink river dolphins are one of the great privileges of living in the heart of the Amazon. ... To know that one has died is sad, but to see piles of carcasses, knowing that this drought has killed over 100, is a tragedy."

'DEVASTATING DISASTER': Study links climate change and horrific flood that killed thousands

Hundreds of thousands of people may be affected

Brazilian authorities said the drought may affect around 500,000 people by the end of the year. Many residents and natives are already struggling to access essential supplies, such as food and water.

The main mode of transportation in the region is waterways but the prolonged drought has caused historically low river levels. The drought has also impacted fishing, a means of subsistence for many riverside communities.

The Amazonas state's civil defense agency said in a statement in September that authorities will distribute food and water supplies, and personal hygiene kits to help communities. According to Amazonas state Gov. Wilson Lima, different levels of government will support the affected municipalities.

As of last week, 15 municipalities were in a state of emergency and 40 others were on a state of alert, the civil defense authority said.

Climate change exacerbates droughts

According to the civil defense authority, the drought is expected to be more intense and last longer due to the El Nino climate phenomenon.

El Nino is a natural climate pattern where seawater in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean is warmer than usual for this time of year. The phenomenon can affect storms and weather patterns around the world, including inhibiting the formation of rain clouds.

Climate change and warming global temperatures are making droughts more frequent, longer, and more severe. Warmer air causes an increase in evaporation during droughts, reducing surface water and drying out soils and vegetation.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND EDUCATION: Many US schools aren't teaching about climate change. Students aren't happy about that

Contributing: Doyle Rice, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mass death of dolphins in Brazilian Amazon as water temperatures soar
BEIJING (Reuters) - China hopes the United States will "do more things" conducive to Sino-U.S. dialogue, the foreign ministry said on Monday, days after Washington angered Beijing with accusations of information manipulation.

Communication between officials of both sides has increased in recent months, bringing some improvement in ties strained for years over issues such as Taiwan, the origins of COVID-19 and accusations of Chinese spying.

"We hope the United States will meet (us) half way, do more things that are conducive to Sino-U.S. dialogue," the ministry said in a statement.

China has always viewed two-way ties along the lines of mutual respect, peaceful co-existence and win-win cooperation, the ministry added.

The statement came in response to a Reuters request for comment on a message last week by U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken wishing "peace, happiness and prosperity" for the Chinese people ahead of Sunday's National Day holiday.

Although Blinken welcomed China's co-operation in tackling shared challenges on climate, public health, counter-narcotics, food security, and global macroeconomic stability, he made no mention of any co-operation on technology.

The Biden administration has placed curbs on chip exports to China, saying they aim to deny Beijing access to advanced technology that could further military advancements or rights abuses. China hit back with accusations of economic coercion.

A U.S. state department report published on Thursday accused Beijing of ploughing billions of dollars annually into information manipulation efforts, prompting China's foreign ministry to call the United States the true "empire of lies".

Monday's ministry statement made no mention of the earlier state department report, however.

Despite occasional sparks, expectations have been building that the recent rounds of high-level talks could help pave the way for a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
By Ludwig Burger and Niklas Pollard

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Hungarian scientist Katalin Kariko and U.S. colleague Drew Weissman, who met in line for a photocopier before making mRNA molecule discoveries that paved the way for COVID-19 vaccines, won the 2023 Nobel Prize for Medicine on Monday.

"The laureates contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times," the Swedish award-giving body said in the latest accolade for the pair.

The prize, among the most prestigious in the scientific world, was selected by the Nobel Assembly of Sweden's Karolinska Institute medical university and comes with 11 million Swedish crowns (about $1 million) to share between them.

Kariko, a former senior vice president and head of RNA protein replacement at German biotech firm BioNTech, is a professor at the University of Szeged in Hungary and adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

In an interview after the award, she said her late mother had long speculated that she might win the Nobel - to which she would remind her there was a time when she could not even get a grant for her research.

"She (my mother) said, 'but you work so hard'. And I told her that many, many scientists work very, very hard," added Kariko, who was sleeping when she received the call from Stockholm and initially thought it was a joke.

Co-winner Weissman, a professor in vaccine research also at Pennsylvania, said it was a "lifetime dream" to win and recalled working intensely with Kariko - including middle-of-the-night emails as they both suffered disturbed sleep.

"For the 20 years that we worked together, before anybody knew what RNA is or cared, it was the two of us, literally, side by side at a bench working together, talking and discussing new data," he said in a recording on the Nobel website.

The two laureates in 2005 jointly developed so-called nucleoside base modifications, which stop the immune system from launching an inflammatory attack against lab-made mRNA, previously seen as a major hurdle against any therapeutic use of the technology.

MASS USE

BioNTech said in June that about 1.5 billion people across the world had received its mRNA shot, co-developed with Pfizer. It was the most widely-used shot in the West.

BioNTech, whose Germany-traded shares were up 3.8%, praised Kariko and Weissman for their passion and persistence.

Having grown up in a village in a house without running water or a refrigerator, Kariko got a biochemistry doctorate in Szeged before she and her husband sold their Soviet-made Lada car, sewed the money into their daughters teddy bear and went to the U.S. on a one-way ticket.

The daughter, Susan Francia, became a U.S. national rower and Olympic gold winner.

At the University of Pennsylvania, Kariko tried to turn mRNA into a treatment tool throughout the 1990s but struggled to win grants because work on DNA and gene therapy captured most of the scientific communitys attention at the time.

Kariko has said she endured ridicule from university colleagues for her dogged pursuit, and her failure to secure research grants led to her demotion in the 1990s.

Weissman received his doctorate from Boston University in 1987 and joined the University of Pennsylvania in 1997.

The two have said they met in 1998 while waiting for rationed photocopying machine time. The ensuing chat piqued immunologist Weissmans interest in Karikos RNA work.

"It is absolutely right that the ground-breaking work on RNA led by Kariko and Weissman should be recognised by a Nobel Prize, said Sir Andrew Pollard, an immunology professor at Oxford University, who pursued a different technology when co-developing the lesser-used COVID vaccine by AstraZeneca.

The award comes even as Germanys CureVac, which failed to bring a COVID shot to market, as well as rival Moderna, are separately suing BioNTech and Pfizer for alleged mRNA patent infringements.

BioNTech and Pfizer, in turn, have launched legal challenges against the validity of the intellectual property rights in question.

PANDEMIC BREAKTHROUGH

Messenger or mRNA, discovered in 1961, is a natural molecule that serves as a recipe for the bodys production of proteins. Use of man-made mRNA to instruct human cells to make therapeutic proteins, long regarded as impossible, was commercially pioneered during the pandemic, also by Moderna.

Prospective mRNA uses include drugs against cancer and vaccines against malaria, influenza and rabies.

The medicine prize kicks off this year's Nobel awards with the remaining five to be unveiled in coming days.

The prizes, first handed out in 1901, were created by Swedish dynamite inventor and wealthy businessman Alfred Nobel.

Last year's medicine prize went to Swede Svante Paabo for sequencing the genome of the Neanderthal and other past winners include Alexander Fleming, who shared the 1945 prize for the discovery of penicillin.

($1 = 11.0129 Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Niklas Pollard, Johan Ahlander in Stockholm, Ludwig Burger in Frankfurt, Krisztina Than in Budapest, Terje Solsvik in Oslo; editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
MBABANE  Bongumenzi Mabuza, the wife of incarcerated former MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza, claims her husband was assaulted by a battalion of officers.

She said not only was her husband assaulted but was also once denied access to food at Matsapha Correctional Services facility. My husband was bleeding from the nose with his eyes severely damaged. He was heavily assaulted and during the course of same, the designated junior officers were making utterances to the effect that he will know Mswati today. Above all the officers were reeking alcohol, she alleged.

Danger

According to the wife, Bacedes life was in great danger. She pointed out that according to her husband, the assault went on for a very long period and it was at that point that he thought the officers were intending to kill him. The wife yesterday moved an urgent application at the High Court where she is, among other prayers, seeking an order directing the commissioner general of His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS) to grant her and her husbands legal team access to him for purposes of ascertaining his health condition for further medical observation. According to Bongumenzi, officers stationed at the Matsapha Correctional Services denied her, her husbands legal team and relatives access to him without any lawful cause or justification.

The applicant (Bongumenzi) is also praying for an order directing the commissioner general of HMCS to produce her husband for medical examination at Manzini Clinic. It was further her plea to the court that it should order the doctors at the Manzini Clinic to issue a medical report to her husbands legal team forthwith after examining him. In her application, Bongumenzi submitted that the last time she was allowed access and/ visitation rights to her husband was on September 28, 2023. She pointed out that her husband was in a state of clean bill of health, fit and proper and welcoming. The applicant further alleged that her husband even directed her which meals she must bring to him on September 29, 2023.

Access

Lo and behold on September 29, 2023, I was denied access by officers from His Majesty Correctional Services on account that my husband was not willing to see me, alleged the deponent (wife). In her founding affidavit, she related to the court that on September 29, 2023, as usual, she brought supper for her husband at around 3:30pm, but was denied access to him. She alleged that the officers told her that her husband was not willing to see her yet the previous day she had been entreated by him to bring food. Bongumenzi said she was advised by one of the officers from HMCS that she must perhaps call another person who would give her husband the food at her stead. Like a duck to water, I hastily made a call to one of my employees to come to my rescue to assist in giving my husband his food as per the advice of the officer. She submitted that one of his employees eventually arrived at Matsapha Correctional facility some 30 minutes after her call but she was, however, denied entry on the pretext that the facility was now closed for visitors.

Lawyer

Bongumenzi recounted that following these developments, she then called her husbands lawyer, Mhlengi Mabuza, to facilitate that her husband should be allowed to have his food for the night. She alleged that the lawyer informed her that he made attempts to call the officer in-charge on the day, who allegedly did not answer or returned his call. The applicant said eventually her husbands attorney advised her to make another attempt to deliver the food on the morning of September 30, 2023. I humbly submit that based on my husbands attorney advice, I proceeded to Matsapha Correctional facility on September 30, 2023 to deliver breakfast to my husband at around 09:00 hours. Lo and behold, I was informed by the officers that my husband had said he was not interested in having breakfast, submitted Bongumenzi.

She told the court that this was strange in that her husband did not have his supper the previous day yet the officers were claiming that he did not want to have breakfast. I realised that again I have been denied access to my husband by Senior Officer Sifuba Dlamini, this time around, who arrogantly stated that he cannot carry Mabuza ( Bacede) to come eat by force, said the wife. She claimed that she again called her husbands lawyer, informing him about the latest developments, who then arrived at the Matsapha Correctional Services.

The applicant said the lawyer was also denied access in her presence.

She informed the court that she subsequently went back to Matsapha Correctional Services to deliver her husbands supper. It was her submission that on September 28,2023, her husband was in a good state of health but on September 30,2023, he appeared as someone who had be beaten to a pulp as there were visible injuries on his eyes, nose, arms, hands and on the back of his body. May I respectfully submit that my husband informed me that he did not refuse to have his supper on September 29, 2023 and breakfast on September 30, 2023. Such statement by my husband was contrary to what was said by the officers who were trying to conceal the assault, he argued. She said when she enquired the reason for the assault, she was not given an answer.

Pain

The applicant submitted that her husband was currently feeling severe pain all over his body, morose around his ribcage and she was therefore, desirous to have him produced for a medical attention at the Manzini Clinic. The matter was before Judge Sabelo Masuku, who by consent of both parties stood the matter down to October 3, 2023, to allow the respondents an opportunity to have the facilitys doctor conduct a medical assessment on Bacede. The court ordered that the assessment should be done with immediate effect. The applicant is represented by Mzwandile Masuku, while appearing for the national commissioner of HMCS is Principal Crown Counsel Vikinduku Manana from the chamber of the attorney general.
By Giuseppe Fonte and Gilles Guillaume

ROME (Reuters) -Italy is considering new incentives for car purchases that would factor in carbon emissions in the manufacturing and distribution process, two sources close to the matter told Reuters on Monday, a way of protecting its industry against Chinese imports.

The scheme, inspired by one adopted in France last month, would potentially discourage purchases of Chinese-built electric cars (EVs), imports of which are increasing in Europe helped by lower prices than those produced by local automakers.

Rome sees the French incentive framework as "reasonable", one of the sources said, adding the government was studying such an option. Italy is interested in following France's approach, the second source confirmed.

While normally incentives simply target the vehicles emissions, under the new rules proposed in France car models will be scored against government-set thresholds for the amount of energy used to make their materials, in their assembly and transport to market, as well as what type of battery the vehicles have.

European Union competition rules do not allow countries to favour local producers. However, criteria designed in France are likely to make Chinese cars ineligible for bonuses as the Asian country's industry is largely powered by coal-generated electricity and vehicles are shipped worldwide by boat.

Paris has said criteria it adopted are compliant with WTO rules because exemptions are allowed for health and environmental reasons.

Rome is aiming to agree a broad long term plan for its automotive industry with all local relevant groups, including Fiat-maker Stellantis, Italy's sole major automaker, with the government pushing for it to bring its annual production in the country back to one million vehicles.

Talks, which are expected to go on until the end of this year, include new incentive schemes in Italy.

Industry Minister Adolfo Urso last month said Italians had used 80% of the incentives to buy vehicles produced abroad and that a revision of the incentive framework should support both a shift to more environmental friendly vehicles and national car output.

(Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte in Rome, Gilles Guillaume in Parisand Giulio Piovaccari in Milan; writing by Giulio PiovaccariEditing by Keith Weir)
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

As executive producer of Teatro Breve, Naima Rodriguez plans to take its original plays and programming outside Puerto Rico and into the diaspora in the rest of the United States.

Its important to get in touch with the people who left the island for different reasons, and who have that desire and need to connect, said Rodriguez, who leads the independent theater company in Puerto Rico.

Read more:Luis Alfaro's post-pandemic play 'The Travelers' takes aim at the souls of saints and sinners

Doing so would create an exchange with other Latinos and Hispanic people who can learn about what is happening in Puerto Rico through our works, she said.

Achieving this goal is now possible for Teatro Breve thanks to a new $75,000 grant it will be receiving annually over two years from the National Latinx Theater Initiative  a new program, spearheaded by the Los Angeles-based Latino Theater Company  that aims to boost the national profile of Latino theater companies across the U.S., including Puerto Rico.

Rodriguez says this money will not only help with rent costs but can cover travel expenses for Teatro Breve's actors and production crews to bring their work to the rest of the U.S.

On Monday, the Latino Theater Company announced $9 million in grants to 52 Latino theaters in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Santa Fe, N.M., Denver, Providence, R.I., and St. Paul, Minn.

Six theater spaces in Puerto Rico are receiving grants.

Rodriguez said theyre proud to be recognized as one of the most solid independent theater companies in Puerto Rico. The grant will help sustain their company  founded in 2006  which offers daily programming, including improv and stand-up comedy. Teatro Breve, she said, is providing employment and constant work to a team of people who develop theater and who can make a living from it.

This initiative was made possible after the Latino Theater Company in downtown L.A. received a three-year, $5-million award from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to strategize and work with others to create the grant program. To Stephanie Ybarra, a program officer with the Mellon Foundation, it makes sense that the Latino Theater Company, founded nearly 40 years ago, is at the helm of the initiative given their long history of advocacy and service to not just L.A. but to the national Latino theater scene.

Other funding comes from national and local foundations: The Rockefeller Brothers Fund is providing $750,000 over three years, the Joyce Foundation is allotting $600,000 over three years, and the California Community Foundation is contributing $500,000 over two years. The Ford Foundation is providing $2 million over two years.

Grants are earmarked for Latino theaters with operational budgets of more than $250,000 that have offered programming for at least 15 years. The grants range from $75,000 to $150,000 a year for a minimum of two years.

Funds also are allotted to Latino theaters with lower budgets that have offered programming for at least five years. The grants are between $25,000 and $60,000 for a minimum of two years.

Olga Garay-English, a director with the National Latinx Theater Initiative, said it aims to procure additional money to reach a three-year fundraising goal of $15 million.

Garay-English, an arts administrator, said the initiative was inspired by the Black Seed, which is recognized as a first-of-its-kind program providing financial support for Black theaters across the country. That effort was spearheaded by the Billie Holiday Theater in Brooklyn with a $5-million grant from the Mellon Foundation.

As with the Black Seed, this is the first time major donors are systemically addressing the perennial under-funding and under-capitalization of Latinx theater companies, Garay-English said.

Garay-English said they learned that many of these theaters are basically functioning with volunteer support. Through a survey, they found that artistic directors earned an average salary of nearly $13,000 a year, with executive directors making slightly more than $37,000 a year.

These people are having second or third jobs, and they're doing this just for the passion, and to serve the community, Garay-English said.

The initiative will offer professional development and will host annual grantee convenings and consultations with the Nonprofit Finance Fund.

Garay-English said they sought Latino theaters that are made up of and that serve Chicanos, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Venezuelans and other Latinos in the diaspora. Selected theaters range from Combat Hippies in the Miami area to Cazateatro Bilingual Theater Group in Memphis, Tenn.

We wanted to very much make a statement that this artistic effort and experience is not just relegated to what people typically think of as Latino-rich communities, she said.

Jose Luis Valenzuela, who founded L.A.s Latino Theater Company in 1985 because of a lack of Latino productions in the city, said they wanted the money to go to theater companies with significant Latino representation on their boards and staff that produce plays and programming for the Latino community.

Valenzuela, who also serves as a director with the National Latinx Theater Initiative, said its necessary to invest in Latino theaters because we are telling our own story from our own point of view.

The Latino Theater Company has hosted encuentros, three-week theater programs featuringcompanies from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Peru and Colombia. The company also provides tickets to its plays and programs to community college students in Los Angeles County. Currently, its showcasing The Travelers, a meditative drama written by playwright and MacArthur genius grant" winner Luis Alfaro.

We are creating a cultural hub, and also we are fitting into the economy of that community, Valenzuela said.

For the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio, the $80,000 it will receive over two years will help renovate the theater in its nine-building campus.

Jorge Pina, its theater arts director, said the grant will also enable him to bring on staff to help with audience development, run productions and manage Grupo Animo, a teen resident theater company he created in 1992 that has included plays on the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting and the children detained inside chain-link fences at the U.S.-Mexico border during Donald Trumps presidency.

The reflection that you're going to see onstage is the mirror. You're not going to find that on TV. You're not gonna find it on film. Yes, we're breaking through. Yes, we have films here and there. Yes, we have more brown faces on TV, but it's not enough, Pina said.

What you have in theater, it's the real deal. You're going to hear our stories.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In 2010, an unexpected phone call from an American attorney turned Claire Gimpels world on its axis.

The lawyer  Laurence Eisenstein, whose firm works to recover artwork looted by the Nazis  said hed been speaking to a British scholar whod come across the name Rene Gimpel in art collectors archives. Rene was Claires grandfather, a French Jewish resistance fighter killed in a German concentration camp.

Eisenstein told Claire that he and Ian Locke, a researcher who has studied and written about post-war restitutions, believed the Nazis had stolen a substantial art collection from her grandfather.

While the Gimpels knew Rene was a renowned art dealer before World War II, they were oblivious to the extent of his collection. We were never told anything about my grandfather other than that (he was in the French resistance). Certainly not that he had been robbed, Claire told CNN in a phone interview, adding: He didnt hide during the war. In my family, hes considered a hero.

For Claire, a now-70-year-old Jewish French woman living in Paris, it was the beginning of a 13-year battle to track down her grandfathers stolen art, including precious paintings by 19th-century Fauvist artist Andre Derain and another by the Impressionist master Claude Monet.

Thousands of objects lost or looted

As well as being a famous gallerist of his time, Rene Gimpel was a very well-connected man. Closely related to the Vuitton family (his mother Clarisse Vuitton was Louis Vuittons niece), Rene socialized with artists such as Monet, Georges Braque, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, and bonded with acclaimed writer Marcel Proust, who became a close friend over their shared passion for the work of the artist Johannes Vermeer.

A portrait of Rene Gimpel taken in the garden of his home in Paris. - Gimpel Estate

Rene closed his Paris gallery in 1938, for unknown reasons. After the Germans entered the city on June 14, 1940, Rene, who under the laws of Vichy France was of Jewish race, fled with his wife to Cannes, and then Monte Carlo, leaving his housekeeper, Odile Firer, to handle his affairs in Paris.

Despite the risks, Rene chose to join the Resistance. Arrested twice  first by the French Vichy regime, which let him go, and then by the German Gestapo, who took him as a political prisoner  Rene was deported to Neuengamme, a concentration camp near Hamburg. He died there in 1945.

During Claires conversation with Eisenstein in 2010, the lawyer revealed that Renes substantial portfolio had been divided up and spread across Europe  sold at auctions, housed in private collections and even put on display in museums.

We had no idea, recalled Claire, explaining that by using online family archives  ledgers, correspondence and photographs (Rene was a prodigious journal keeper)  Locke had compiled a 1,000-line spreadsheet of objects he believed were plundered from her family. In some cases, Claire said, one line represented not only one item but a cache of multiple objects, such as a set of engravings containing pieces dating from the Middle Ages through to the Renaissance. That means tens of thousands of art objects have disappeared, Claire said.

The interior of Hotel Doucet on rue Spontini, Rene Gimpel's home in the early 1930s. - Rene Gimpel Archives

The list was the beginning of the Gimpel heirs fight to recover her grandfathers collection, and for Claire, the mission held a special kind of urgency. Im getting old, she said, adding that she fears the day when no-one who remembers her grandfather remains alive. We have to finish this quickly, because people like me are all going to die. After us, there wont really be anyone left to search for the property and return it to the families. 

Finding stolen artworks, decades later

Precisely what happened to Renes artworks during the war remains unclear, but court filings state that in 1942, his Paris apartment  at 6 Place du Palais Bourbon  was confiscated and looted by the German embassy, as were 82 crates of artworks he had placed in storage. In 1944, the Gestapo seized more of his property from a bank safe in Nice.

Family archives also supported the five Gimpel heirs belief that their grandfather was forced to sell pieces of art to survive after the Nazis occupied France. A decree of April 26, 1941 forbade Jews from working in the commercial sector; stateless, in hiding and without bank accounts, Rene would have had no other way to financially support his family or the resistance network.

Early in their search, the Gimpels learned through family records that Rene bought six Andre Derain paintings at auction in 1921. With help from Locke and Eisenstein, they identified three of those paintings on display in museums in France.

Two of the Andre Derain paintings owned by Rene Gimpel, "Paysage a Cassis" (L) and "Pinede, Cassis" (R). - Christie's

Two of them, Paysage a Cassis and La Chapelle-sous-Crecy, were tracked down to a public museum in Troyes, northeastern France; another, Pinede, Cassis, was discovered in a museum in Marseille. All had been on display for years.

Court documents seen by CNN show that, in 2013, the Gimpel heirs submitted a claim to the Ministry of Culture for the restitution of the three Derain paintings.

In an email to CNN, the French Ministry of Culture acknowledged Renes assets had been stolen, forcibly sold or confiscated during the war, and said the family had been compensated for some of their lost property. (The family confirmed to CNN that they applied for, and received, compensation from the German and French governments via a joint restitutions scheme, though they declined to specify the amount.)

But the emailed statement went on to say that the ministry did not have enough information on the whereabouts of the works or proof that they had been stolen from Rene Gimpel to return the three Derain paintings.

At an impasse, the Gimpel family turned to Corinne Hershkovitch, a French lawyer with decades of experience helping families to retrieve their stolen artworks, including five looted paintings hanging in the Louvre that were returned to the Jewish family from which they were stolen in 1999  a move that set a precedent in France. This case became very emblematic for me because everyone wanted to forget the unprecedented looting that was perpetrated at the time of the war, Hershkovitch said of the 1999 returns. Restitution prevents us from forgetting.

Finding evidence for restitution

In 2019, the Gimpel heirs went to court to recoup the Derain paintings. But proving that the artworks had been stolen by the Nazis nearly 80 years earlier posed a challenge.

French lawyer Corinne Hershkovitch has decades of experience helping families reunite with possessions looted by the Nazis. - Sarah Tilotta/CNN

Its like a police or journalistic investigation but you cant interview the witnesses, said art provenance researcher Margaux Dumas, a PhD candidate at both University Paris-Diderot and the Technical University Berlin who worked with the family in their fight for restitution.

A photograph taken in Renes Paris living room became a critical piece of evidence. Captured sometime between 1916 and 1933, it showed the three Derain paintings in question hanging on the art dealers wall. It was the proof Paris Criminal Court needed to corroborate that Claires grandfather had once owned them.

Proving the artworks were later stolen, however, was much harder.

Supported by family archives, the five Gimpel heirs were adamant the Derain paintings were sold under duress when the Vichy regimes antisemitic policies left Rene in need of money. But without an invoice or deed of sale, the French Ministry of Culture and the two museums argued that evidence of this was insufficient.

You obviously cant have a deed of sale because these sales were done under the table, Claire said.

In August 2019, the Paris Criminal Court ruled in favor of the French government and the museums, stating that proof the three paintings were forcibly sold or confiscated cannot be established with certainty.

But a year later, the French Court of Appeals overturned this judgment. According to a letter dating from 1941 that was found in the family archives and seen by CNN, Rene instructed his housekeeper Odile Firer to look after my friend Derain, who is a valuable man who must not be let down, which the court interpreted as a request to sell the paintings.

Rene Gimpel and his family, in a photograph taken between 1891 and 1895. Rene is the child seen standing and wearing a striped shirt. - Smithsonian Archives of American Art

In its decision, the appeals court wrote that there are precise, serious and concordant indications that the Derain paintings were taken illegally or purchased under duress, thus making their sale null and void.

It was the first time a court had ruled that families seeking restitution should not be expected to produce evidence that was too difficult to obtain, considering the context in which the pieces were taken.

In 2020, seven years after they began their fight, the Gimpel heirs were finally reunited with the three Derain paintings. When asked by CNN why it had taken so long to return the artworks, the Troyes museum said that since the paintings were part of national collections, they could not be returned to the Gimpel heirs without a court ruling. The city of Marseille said that the return of Derains work was one of the first measures taken by the Mayor of Marseille, Benoit Payan, at the start of his term of office (in 2020)  although with a court ruling in place, Payan had been compelled to do so.

Despite the lengthy legal battle, Dumas said the Gimpel heirs were somewhat lucky as they could rely on extensive family archives  and because artworks that end up in museums are easier to track down. Dumas said this is often not the case for Jewish families trying to recover their ancestors stolen art.

A battle, not a dialogue

The Nazis systematically emptied the houses of Jewish people who had fled or been deported, meaning the scale of looting goes far beyond art.

There are testimonies that they stole everything right down to the electrical outlets, the wallpaper, explained Dumas, adding that in Paris alone, she believes 38,000 apartments were emptied.

Hershkovitch has also handled cases involving furniture, books, musical instruments and monetary losses.

Marseille's mayor Benoit Payan gives a speech next to an Andre Derain painting titled ''Pinede, Cassis'' in January 2021 during a ceremony to return it to the family of Rene Gimpel. - Alain Robert/SIPA/AP

The French Ministry of Culture estimates that seizures of Jewish art collectors and dealers resulted in approximately 40,000 works looted from more than 200 people in France and Belgium between July 1940 and August 1944. The ministry also states that claims made to the Artistic Recovery Commission (which operated between November 1944 and December 1949 to assist the recovery of lost pieces) total around 100,000 works and works of art, approximately 45,000 of which were returned to their rightful owners between 1944 and 1950.

You have to understand that were not in a dialogue at all, were in a battle, Hershkovitch told CNN of her efforts to reunite families with their stolen possessions.

But its a fight that has, she said, become easier thanks to changing public opinion  and the Gimpel court ruling three years ago. In 2019, the French government declared its mission to restitute cultural belongings that were stolen, forcibly sold or confiscated between 1933 and 1945, regardless of whether they were looted in France or are simply now located in France.

The French parliament adopted a new law streamlining the complex restitution process in July.

Things have changed, said Claire. It took us four years to get photos of the backs of the paintings (usually one of the first places to look for identifying labels, tags or marks when checking provenance) from the museums. Now, if you ask for a photo of the back of a painting, you get it within six months.

Today, the five Gimpel heirs have recovered six paintings, including a fourth Derain and one Monet, from French museums and private owners.

Theyre still working to acquire hundreds of other artworks they also believe were stolen. While Claire admits there is little chance they will find everything, she is encouraged by their progress. Mentalities are evolving, she said. Sure, its 80 years (since the end of World War II). But better late than never.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  How would you be different as speaker, compared to Mr. Boehner? a reporter asked then-House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy in September 2015 as the California Republican pursued, and eventually gave up, his first attempt at the speakership.

McCarthy laughed while standing next to outgoing Speaker John Boehner  who had just stepped down after facing a threat of removal  and joked that he was from a different generation and wouldn't be as tan.

Eight years later, McCarthy is finding that there are fewer differences between them as he faces a conservative revolt against his speakership.

"If somebody wants to remove (me) because I want to be the adult in the room, go ahead and try, McCarthy told reporters Saturday.

And his critics, namely Rep. Matt Gaetz, are attempting to do just that. On Monday, the far-right Republican from Florida announced he was using a procedural tool  called a motion to vacate  to try to strip McCarthy of his office.

In a speech on the House floor, Gaetz demanded McCarthy disclose the details of a supposed deal with the White House to bring forward legislation to help fund the war in Ukraine after the speaker relied on Democrats to provide the necessary votes to fund the government.

It is becoming increasingly clear who the speaker of the House already works for and its not the Republican Conference, Gaetz said.

Brushing off the threat, McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol, Im focused on doing the work that has to be done.

McCarthy said there was no side deal on Ukraine, noting he has not spoken to Biden. Instead, he said he was asked to ensure the transferability of existing funds continues and said if theres any problem with that, well fix it.

Heres what to know about how the House can remove a speaker:

WHAT IS A MOTION TO VACATE?

The rules of the House allow for any single lawmaker  Democrat or Republican  to make a motion to vacate the chair, essentially an attempt to oust the speaker from that leadership post through a privileged resolution.

It's a rare and strong procedural tool that has only been used twice in the past century. But in recent years, conservatives have wielded the motion as a weapon against their leaders.

In January, McCarthy, hoping to appease some on the hard right as he fought to gain their vote for speaker, agreed to give as few as five Republican members the ability to initiate a vote to remove him. But when that wasnt good enough for his critics, he agreed to reduce that threshold to one  the system that historically has been the norm.

Proponents of allowing a single lawmaker to file the motion said it promotes accountability, noting its long history in the House. The last use of the motion was in 2015, when then-Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, a Republican who later became Donald Trumps White House chief of staff, introduced a resolution to declare the speakers office vacant. Two months later, Boehner said he would be stepping down.

No speaker has ever been removed from office through a motion to vacate.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

At any point in time, a member of the House can introduce a privileged resolution  a designation that gives it priority over other measures  to declare the office of the speaker of the House of Representatives vacant.

Once the motion is introduced, the lawmaker can walk onto the House floor and request a vote. Such a request would force House leaders to schedule a vote on the resolution within two legislative days.

But there are procedural motions that members of either party could introduce to slow down or stop the process altogether. If those tactics were to fail, and the resolution came to the floor for a vote, it would take a simple majority of the House  218 votes, when no seats are vacant  to remove the speaker.

While it has never been successful, a motion to vacate has been used as a political threat against several speakers throughout history, dating back to Republican Speaker Joseph Cannon  who first invoked the resolution against himself in 1910. The effort failed as his fellow Republicans voted overwhelmingly to keep him as their leader. But by calling the bluff of his detractors, Cannon was able to put them on the record and end the threats against him.

In 1997, Republicans frustrated with then-Speaker Newt Gingrich considered trying to oust him but eventually decided against it. Most recently, the mere whispers of a motion to vacate forced Boehner out of office and set McCarthy on the path to the leadership post he has today.

WHO IS TRYING TO OUST MCCARTHY AND WHY?

Just like for Boehner, the call for McCarthys removal began with just one man. Gaetz, a member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, has been threatening to file the resolution to remove him from the dais ever since McCarthy was nominated speaker by a majority of the conference earlier this year.

Gaetz is among 20 or so members who voted against McCarthy round after round as he fought to become speaker. While others eventually relented and voted in favor of McCarthy or present, Gaetz fought until the very end.

This will all be torpedoed by one person who wants to put a motion to vacate for personal, political reasons, and undermine the will of the conference and the American people, who elected a Republican majority to govern, Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., a defender of McCarthy, said Sunday on ABC.

Gaetz and other critics of McCarthy say he has failed to be the conservative leader the party needs. They have railed against his deal with the White House over raising the debt limit earlier this year and have demanded the House slash spending levels to new lows. The group has also made sweeping demands to reimagine the U.S. government, which they criticize as woke and weaponized.

DOES A MOTION TO VACATE HAVE THE VOTES TO PASS?

As of right now, it is unclear, but there's reason to be skeptical. No matter how loud or disruptive they may be, the anti-McCarthy faction is only a small minority in a Republican conference that is mostly supportive or amenable to him remaining speaker.

Another problem with the push to remove McCarthy is that there is no clear, consensus candidate to take his place. And lastly, and maybe more importantly, Gaetz would need the support of most Democrats to oust McCarthy if the motion ever came to a vote  and it's far from certain that they would join him.

The one thing I agree with my Democrat colleagues on is that for the last eight months, this House has been poorly led and we own that and we have to do something about it, Gaetz said on the floor last week. And you know what? My Democrat colleagues will have an opportunity to do something about that, too. And we will see if they bail out our failed speaker.

Gaetz has been speaking to House Democrats from across the ideological spectrum in recent weeks trying to assess what kind of support, if any, he would have from those across the aisle if he were to file his motion and it came to the floor.

We havent had a discussion about any hypothetical motion to vacate, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said at a news conference Saturday. Well cross that bridge when we get to it.

IF THEY OUSTED MCCARTHY, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN NEXT?

The House would enter uncharted territory if a motion to vacate effort against McCarthy were to pass the full House.

The speaker of the House, under the rules of the chamber, is required to keep a list of individuals who can act as speaker pro tempore in the event a chair is vacated. The list, which is oddly written by the sitting speaker at any given time, remains with the House Clerk and would be made public if the speakership were vacant.

The first person on that list would be named speaker pro tempore and their first order of business would be to hold an election for a new speaker. That event requires the House to vote as many times as it takes for a candidate to receive the majority of those present and voting for speaker.

For McCarthy, that process took an unprecedented 15 rounds in January.

New candidates for speaker could emerge, but there's also nothing to stop Republicans from nominating McCarthy again.
BELGRADE (Reuters) -Serbia has withdrawn some troops stationed near the border with Kosovo, after having increased the numbers deployed there following a gun battle in northern Kosovo in which four people died, army commander General Milan Mojsilovic said on Monday.

Tensions between Belgrade and Pristina soared since Sept. 24, when Kosovo police near the northern Kosovo's village of Banjska fought around 30 armed Serbs who barricaded themselves in a Serbian Orthodox monastery. Three attackers and one police officer were killed.

The skirmishes prompted new international concern over the stability in the predominantly Albanian Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after a guerrilla uprising and a 1999 NATO bombing campaign that drove out Serb security forces.

"Serbia had deployed 8,350 troops near (the border) ... with Kosovo, ... and reduced them to 4,500 at the moment," Mojsilovic said.

He said the army presence in the so-called Ground Safety Zone, a 5 km-wide (3-mile) strip inside Serbia along the Kosovo border, had "reverted to normal".

Serbia has not "formally raised the level of readiness" of its 22,500-strong army, Mojsilovic said.

Kosovo on Saturday called on Serbia to reduce the number of troops along the border, while the United States on Friday said it was monitoring Serbian military deployment, describing it as destabilising.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday the United States had not yet independently verified the withdrawal, but it would be a welcome step if it were confirmed.

"We continue to be concerned about the cycle of rising tensions and sporadic violence in northern Kosovo and encourage both parties to return to the facilitated dialogue," Miller told reporters.

Pristina blamed Serbia for providing financial and logistical support to the group that fought Kosovo police, which Belgrade denied.

Mojsilovic said that Milan Radoicic, a Kosovo Serb politician who had admitted to taking the part in the skirmishes in Banjska, had not taken part in training with the army.

Some 50,000 Serbs who live in northern Kosovo do not recognise Pristina's institutions and see Belgrade as their capital. They have often clashed with Kosovo police and international peacekeepers, but Sunday's violence was the worst in years.

NATO, which still has 4,500 troops in Kosovo, said on Friday it had "authorised additional forces to address the current situation".

(Reporting by Ivana Sekularac and Aleksandar Vasovic; Additional reporting by Simone Lewis in Washington; Editing by Alex Richardson and Alison Williams)
By Andrew Goudsward and Nate Raymond

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son, may get a legal boost from an unlikely source - the conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court - when he contests his indictment on firearms-related charges, thanks to the reasoning expressed by the justices in their most recent expansion of gun rights.

Hunter Biden, 53, is expected to plead not guilty on Tuesday in Delaware to unlawfully possessing a gun as an illegal drug user and lying about his drug use on a background check form when he bought a Colt Cobra revolver in 2018.

The Supreme Court's June 2022 ruling in a case called New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen set a new standard to apply in judging the legality of gun restrictions imposed by governments - declaring that they must be consistent with the U.S. "historical tradition of firearm regulation."

The indictment was secured in September by Special Counsel David Weiss after a plea agreement between Hunter Biden and prosecutors collapsed in August. Abbe Lowell, Biden's defense attorney, has publicly suggested he may challenge at least some of it based on the Bruen decision.

The younger Biden, who has acknowledged past cocaine use, is expected to ask U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika to dismiss the possession charge by arguing that the federal law banning illegal drug users from owning guns has no historical counterpart and violates his right "to keep and bear arms" under the Constitution's Second Amendment, according to legal experts.

Lowell declined comment when asked by Reuters about the Bruen ruling's implications in this case.

But in a public statement on the day of the indictment, Lowell said, "We believe these charges are barred by the agreement the prosecutors made with Mr. Biden, the recent rulings by several federal courts that this statute is unconstitutional, and the facts that he did not violate that law, and we plan to demonstrate all of that in court."

'SOME IRONY'

Democrats typically favor gun restrictions while Republicans oppose them. Any bid by a Democratic president's son to challenge a federal firearms law like the one involved in this case would scramble these usual political dynamics.

The president, an advocate of gun restrictions in a nation facing persistent firearms violence, cited a spate of mass shootings in saying after the Bruen ruling that the decision should "deeply trouble us all." Many Republican lawmakers who have relentlessly criticized Hunter Biden lauded the Bruen decision.

"There would be some irony if a case greatly expanding Second Amendment rights is titled Biden v. United States," UCLA constitutional law professor Adam Winkler said.

Cases now being litigated will help determine how far the Bruen ruling lets courts go in invalidating gun laws.

"The Bruen decision has created a great deal of uncertainty in terms of which guns laws are constitutional and which may not be," said Andrew Willinger, executive director of Duke University's Center for Firearms Law.

One U.S. appeals court already has concluded that the drug-related statute at issue in Biden's case may be unconstitutional in some circumstances in light of the Bruen precedent. In a case involving a marijuana user, the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in August found that U.S. history and tradition "does not justify disarming a sober citizen based exclusively on his past drug usage."

Hunter Biden's lawyers may cite that 5th Circuit ruling in challenging the drug-related possession count.

Federal prosecutors are likely to argue, as they have in other cases, that 19th century restrictions on intoxicated people possessing guns and laws disarming groups deemed dangerous give historical grounding to the charge against Hunter Biden.

The Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is set on Thursday to hear a challenge by medical marijuana users in Florida to the federal ban on illegal drug users possessing guns.

Even if Hunter Biden gets the possession charge dismissed, there is still the matter of the two counts accusing him of false statements on the background check form. Those counts, according to experts, may be harder to dislodge because the charge is similar to others unrelated to guns that criminalize lying to the U.S. government on significant matters.

The Supreme Court is set to rule again on gun regulation in a Texas case to be argued on Nov. 7 involving whether people under domestic violence restraining orders can be barred from gun possession. That decision, expected by the end of June, may clarify the level of danger a person must pose to be barred from having guns.

In that case, the 5th Circuit applied the Bruen ruling in concluding that banning people under such restraining orders from owning firearms was "an outlier that our ancestors would never have accepted."

"I think that it could potentially have a huge influence on a case like Biden's," Southern Methodist University law professor Eric Ruben said of the Supreme Court's eventual ruling in the Texas case.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward in Washington and Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Will Dunham and Scott Malone)
A man who often posed as a minor to expose alleged sexual predators to his tens of thousands of followers online was killed Friday in Michigan in a confrontation with two teenagers who've since been taken into custody, authorities say.

Robert Wayne Lee, who had over 50,000 combined followers across Facebook and Instagram and went by the moniker "Boopac Shakur," confronted two males  ages 17 and 18  at a restaurant in Pontiac, a city about 20 miles northwest of Detroit, around 10:30 p.m. Friday, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

Lee, 40, accused one of the teens of being a pedophile and punched him. One teen took out a knife and the other, suspected to be the younger one, shot Lee several times before the pair fled the restaurant, police said.

Lee was taken to a hospital where he later died.

Teens arrested Saturday, charges not yet filed

The two suspects, believed to be from the Pontiac area, were arrested early Saturday afternoon in Pontiac, according to a news release from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

Stephen Huber, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, said Monday the case had been turned over to the prosecutor's office. He told USA TODAY he did not expect charges to be filed Monday in the case.

Huber could not say whether the teens were intending to meet a 15-year-old girl for sexual purposes.

Lee once turned over a sheriff's deputy, leading to arrest

Police have said Lee's running ruse, posing as a 15-year-old girl online, was at times successful, but also resulted in false accusations.

"His one-man crusade has led to the arrest and criminal charges being filed against several men," the sheriff's office said in a news release. "He has also mistakenly identified someone as a sexual predator who was not."

Lee also, however, was once a source who tipped off the sheriff's office about one of its own deputies.

In October 2022, 33-year-old Jared Frederick Salisbury, a deputy in his probationary period, was arrested and arraigned on a felony charge after he allegedly attempted to solicit a person he believed to be a 15-year-old girl but was actually Lee posing as a minor. The case led to Salisbury's firing from the sheriff's office. His case remains open and is in the pre-trial stage, according to Oakland County Circuit Court records.

In a statement following Lee's death, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said confronting a suspected sexual predator has "the potential for violence," adding, "They feel trapped and often lash out violently."

"While we certainly understand his desire to hold child predators accountable, many times well intentioned individuals who engaged in this dont know the standard of evidence required for convictions and often underestimate the potential for violence," said Bouchard. "When we have arrested predators in such circumstances, they have rammed police cars and exhibited other violent behavior in attempts to escape.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'Boopac Shakur' shooting suspects arrested in Pontiac
The police chief of a small Kansas town who made global headlines by raiding the offices of the local newspaper has been suspended by the mayor who earlier had said the controversy made local officials "look like a bunch of hicks."

Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody led the August raid, which included several officers and sheriff's deputies, at the Marion County Record and the homes of an owner of the paper and a vice mayor.

A search warrant indicated police were investigating a local restaurateur's claims the paper illegally obtained information about her, editor and publisher Eric Meyer said. But he has said he believes the real reason for the search was the paper's investigation of Cody's previous police work before being hired in Marion just months before the raid.

Mayor Dave Mayfield confirmed the suspension in an email to the Wichita Eagle, adding that he could not comment further because it was a personnel matter. Mayfield did not respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY.

Developments:

 The warrant was ultimately withdrawn, but the raid drew an outcry from experts on press freedoms and the First Amendment.

 Anyone should have realized that sending the entire police force to search a newsroom because journalists verified information from a source is an outrageous overreaction that threatens freedom of the press, said Freedom of the Press Foundation Deputy Director of Advocacy Caitlin Vogus. This raid never should have happened.

'Everybodys looking at Marion like were a bunch of hicks'

The case has drawn much unwanted attention to the town of about 2,000 people 60 miles northeast of Wichita. In a previous interview with the Eagle, Mayfield expressed dismay at the firestorm.

I mean, everybodys looking at Marion like were a bunch of hicks now, Mayfield told the Eagle. And the police department just did what the judge allowed them to do.

A stack of Marion County Record newspapers reflect the controversy.

Why did police raid the paper? Journalists decry attack on press

Chief Cody has defended the raid

Cody, who could not be reached for comment, defended the raid in an August Facebook post, saying that "when the rest of the story is available to the public, the judicial system that is being questioned will be vindicated."

Footage released by the Record shows Meyer's mother, Joan Meyer, shouting at officers as they searched the home they shared. She died a day later, and Meyer said he believes the stress contributed to her death. Meyer said he expects to file a lawsuit in the case.

Why did police raid the local newspaper?

Local restaurateur Kari Newell accused the Record of illegally obtaining and leaking information about a drunken-driving incident. The newspaper denies that. According to court documents obtained by USA TODAY, Cody alleged in an affidavit that a reporter was "either impersonating the victim or lying about the reasons why the record was being sought" when she accessed the driving records.

Cody said City Council member Ruth Herbel, whose home was also raided, had violated state laws against identity theft or computer crimes. But Meyer said those claims provided an excuse for the search, and the police chief was actually upset about Record reporter Debbie Gruvers investigation into his behavior while a member of the police force in Kansas City, Missouri.

Gruver filed a federal lawsuit against Cody, accusing him of violating her constitutional rights by obtaining an unreasonable and unlawful search warrant and seizing her personal property, according to the complaint.

'Get out of my house': Video shows mother of Kansas newspaper publisher confronting cops

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kansas police chief suspended after Marion County Record raid
A screengrab from a security video of Jamaal Bowman pulling a fire alarm in the Capitol office building, Washington

Republicans are demanding the expulsion of a Left-wing Democrat congressman who triggered a fire alarm delaying a critical vote to head off a government shutdown.

Jamaal Bowman is facing a formal investigation into the incident by the House Administration Committee, while Republican congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis has drafted a resolution demanding the 47-year-old representative from New York be thrown out of Capitol Hill.

The furore centres on an incident shortly after noon on Saturday as members of Congress were preparing to vote on the stopgap measure.

Mr Bowman triggered the alarm by trying to use an emergency exit, causing the house to be evacuated and delaying the vote by an hour.

In a statement, he insisted that it was an accident and that he misread the signs warning that the alarm would be set off if he used the door.

I want to personally clear up confusion surrounding todays events. Today, as I was rushing to make a vote, I came to a door that is usually open for votes but today would not open.

I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door. I regret this and sincerely apologize for any confusion this caused.

I want to be very clear; this was not me, in any way, trying to delay the vote. It was the exact opposite, I was trying urgently to get to a vote, which I ultimately did and joined my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to keep our government open.

Jamaal Bowman is facing a formal investigation into the incident - John Minchillo/AP

The sign on the door Mr Bowman used could cause confusion.

It reads: Push until the alarm sounds (3 seconds)). Door will unlock in 30 seconds.

However, with Democrats having complained that they were given insufficient time to consider the resolution, Republicans have accused Mr Bowman  a member of the left-wing Squad group  of indulging in crude stalling tactics.

House speaker Kevin McCarthy described the incident as serious, adding he will raise the issue with his Democrat counterpart, Hakeem Jeffries.

This should not go without punishment, he added.

Only 20 members of Congress have been expelled in the history of the US. The last was Democrat James Traficant, who was ousted in 2002 after being convicted on 10 criminal counts including corruption, bribery and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

With expulsion requiring the backing of two-thirds of members of Congress, Mr Bowman is highly unlikely to be unseated.

But this has not stopped Right-wing Republicans from demanding draconian action.

Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman pulled the fire alarm in the Cannon building this afternoon and interrupted the official proceedings of the House as Republicans worked to keep the government open, said Georgia firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Im calling on the DOJ to prosecute him using the same law they used to prosecute January 6 defendants for interfering with an official proceeding.

The Democrats literally will do anything to shut OUR government down because billions arent going to their favourite country: Ukraine.

Christopher Galdieri, professor of politics at Saint Anselm College, told the Telegraph he believed expulsion was unlikely.

It seems really unlikely he would be expelled over this. It is somewhere between a genuinely stupid attempt to delay a vote to misreading a sign about how to open a door.

Its just weird and dumb there will be an embarrassment and possibly censure.

But even if Democrats are furious, they are unlikely to kick him out.

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MANZINI - Their cries have been heard!

Bucopho will now have vehicles valued at E300 000, available to them following the introduction of Finance Circular No. 2 of 2023. This circular was issued on August 8, 2023. Unlike in Finance Circular No. 2 of 2013, wherein bucopho were not accessible to a car allowance, this time around, they have been allocated car allowance valued at E60 000 per annum, which in the 60 months they serve shall be equivalent to E300 000. This tallies to E100.8 million in the five-year term for bucophos car allowance; given that per annum, the taxpayer will fund them with E20.16 million. This amount is derived from the fact that there are 336 chiefdoms, which form the 59 constituencies wherein politicians are elected. Each chiefdom has bucopho.

Service

Finance Circular No.2 of 2023, which looks into the terms and conditions of service for parliamentarians, designated office bearers and the attorney general for the 12th Parliament, is said to have been developed at a time, when the country is faced with a combination of domestic, regional and global challenges. However, the Mvuselelo Fakudze-led Royal Commission reported that due care had been taken to ensure that the remuneration framework, as developed, recognised that it was important to appoint into political office competent nationals, so that the country could benefit from their expertise in pursuit of its development and growth agenda.

Framework

The Royal Commission reported that the framework also recognised that a career in politics was a calling and privilege; therefore, while it was important to pay competitive salaries in recognition of their skills and competencies, it was equally important to balance this against what the country could afford. They reported that parliamentarians, designated office bearers and the attorney general (AG)would receive a range of benefits and allowances, which were not uniform, but had been developed considering their role, status, duties, functions and responsibilities. They stated that the proposed remuneration framework had also considered the affordability of the different levels of remuneration of the political office bearers and the AG. As such, they reported that a benchmarking exercise was undertaken to understand what obtained in the region, the civil service, parastatals and private sector companies. The remuneration framework has been developed through a detailed review of applicable legislation, combined with an intensive data collection exercise, cooperation and input of all relevant stakeholders and consideration of constitutional provisions, with regard to the various offices, they reported.

Mandate

Aligned to their mandate, the Royal Commission received submissions from bucopho and other office bearers during the 11th Parliament, wherein the issue of the car allowance was raised by the latter. Leading to the review of the circular dealing with remuneration and perks for politicians, for two terms, those occupying the office have lamented that they were foot soldiers of the Tinkhundla System of Government within their chiefdoms, yet they were not afforded transport. Their plea, in the past 10 years, was that just like the tindvuna tetinkhundla, they should be offered a car scheme so that they could procure vehicles to ease their travelling challenges, as they rendered service to their respective communities.

Vehicles

In the past two circulars, which have been reviewed to birth Finance Circular No. 2 of 2023, the politicians were not allocated motor vehicles and had to use their own resources for transport. The circular under motor vehicle advances states that the prime minister, deputy prime minister, presiding officers, ministers, attorney general, regional administrators, will be allocated official government vehicles by the State. It further states that all political office bearers qualify to participate in the guaranteed vehicle loan scheme, which the Government of Eswatini has with financial institutions. The loan may not exceed the actual cost of the vehicle to be purchased. This provision also applies to political office bearers appointed to Cabinet, or as presiding officers or regional administrators. However, this latter category of political office bearers will not be entitled to a motor vehicle allowance to meet the running costs of their private motor vehicle, reads in part the circular. It further states that the private vehicles of political office bearers may not be bought on a government contract or tender and must be negotiated directly with a dealership.

It states that government may negotiate discounted rates with vehicle manufacturers or dealerships on behalf of the political office bearers; however, it was the prerogative of the political office bearers to arrange and negotiate the financing of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, it stated that if political office bearers are offered discounts of more than 10 per cent by motor vehicle dealers or more than 15 per cent by vehicle manufacturers, the political office bearer shall declare the said discount in terms of the principles of the leadership code set out in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini. On the other hand, the circular states that political office bearers who have their own vehicles at the beginning of their term of office may choose to apply for an advance to refurbish their vehicles, instead of purchasing new vehicles on condition a car advance was not applied for until the current loan for car refurbishment had been fully paid.

The benchmark vehicles were said to have been identified from the current new vehicle selection available in southern Africa. A motor vehicle allowance is intended to reimburse the parliamentarian, tindvuna tetinkhundla and bucopho for the capital outlay in respect of the acquisition of a private motor vehicle (including running, maintenance and insurance costs). The beneficiaries of this allowance are required to produce proof of ownership before claiming the allowance, reads in part the circular. It is stated that where vehicles below the standard value were owned or acquired, the allowance shall be reduced to that allowance equivalent to the vehicle purchased. Also, the MPs, tindvuna tetinkhundla and bucopho in receipt of the re-imbursive car allowance will not be eligible to draw mileage allowance for any journeys within the boundaries of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

It states that for duly authorised official journeys outside Eswatini, such claimed mileage will be computed from the border posts to the destination and back, by the most direct route and the mileage claim will be E4.18 per kilometre. However, the prime minister, deputy prime minister, presiding officers, minister, attorney general, regional administrators, and deputy presiding officers, will not be eligible to draw this re-imbursive allowance.
Also on display is the mantle of The Royal Victorian Order, as worn by Kate Middleton and Sophie Wessex at King Charles coronation

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Kate Middleton on King Charles' day of coronation - May 6, 2023

An exhibition celebrating exquisite craftsmanship is bringing together royal coronation outfits spanning over 100 years.



Among the 200 items on display for Treasures of Gold and Silver Wire  a new exhibition at Guildhall Art Gallery in London  is the intricately embroidered white and gold glove worn by the late Queen Elizabeth for her 1953 coronation and the ornate dress worn at the crowning of her grandmother Queen Mary in 1911.



Most of these items have never been seen in public before and will probably never be seen in public again, Mark Dickens, spokesperson at the prestigious livery company, the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers who organized the exhibition, tells PEOPLE. What we are demonstrating is the use of gold wire over the centuries; in embroidery, military uniforms, royal vestments as well as modern jewelry and modern embroidery.

Kate Middleton on King Charles coronation day Royal mantles on display as part of Treasures of Gold and Silver Wire at Guildhall Art Gallery

The Queens coronation glove, made by Dents and embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework, features her unique cypher in gold thread with a red velvet crown above it and includes a gauntlet cuff of gold embroidered roses, shamrocks, thistles and acorns. On the historic day, it beautifully matched the floral embroidery of the Queens Norman Hartnell-designed dress which featured the floral emblems of the U.K. and the Commonwealth.

Tim Whitby Queen Elizabeth's coronation glove

Another flashback to coronations of the past is the inclusion of Queen Marys coronation dress, worn for her crowning alongside King George V in 1911. Designed by Reville and Rossiter. It was embroidered by the Princess Louise Needlework School on Sloane Street using embroidered gilt metal thread and tiny gilt metal beads. In addition to the floral emblems of the U.K., it also featured embroidered versions of the Star and Lotus of India and waves along the hemlines to evoke the ocean that connected the then-British Empire.

Tim Whitby Queen Mary's coronation dress

The public can also get up close to the striking robe worn by Kate Middleton at King Charles coronation. The Royal Victorian Order mantle in bright blue silk and edged with scarlet serves as Kates uniform as a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, an honor (of the highest rank) bestowed upon her by the late Queen in 2019. The same mantle was also worn by Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Gloucester.

Dan Charity - WPA Pool/Getty Kate Middleton in the Royal Victorian Order mantle at the coronation of King Charles

While its not the exact one worn by Kate, the exhibition provides a rare opportunity to see the craftsmanship of the mantle, on loan from the archives of Ede and Ravenscroft, Londons oldest tailor and robe maker. The company has made mantles for the Nations Orders of Chivalry since 1689, making and conserving all four robes used by Charles and Queen Camilla at their recent crowning.

Also on display is the Order of the Garter, the same as the one worn by Prince William, the Duke of Kent, Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Edinburgh at the recent coronation. Again, the robe or mantle as it is officially known is from the archives of the robe makers as the originals are kept with each individual royal.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Prince William, Kate Middleton and Sophie Wessex at King Charles' coronation

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The exhibition, which runs until November 12, has been organized to mark the 400th anniversary of the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers and also includes a piece of cloth from one of the only surviving dresses belonging to Queen Elizabeth I, the coat of a State Trumpeter from the Household Cavalry and television costumes worn by Claire Foy (such as a replica of the late Queens coronation dress) and Matt Smith in the Netflix series, The Crown.

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Read the original article on People.
Donald Trump was in the courtroom Monday for the beginning of the $250 million civil fraud trial brought by the New York attorney generals office against the former president, his company and two of his children  a case that could have widespread implications for the former president's businesses.

Trump, who was not required to attend the trial, sat with his arms crossed for most of AG attorney Kevin Wallaces presentation to Judge Arthur Engoron, occasionally tapping his foot. The trial puts into focus Trumps business acumen, as the AGs office seeks to portray the image-fixated ex-president as a fraud who intentionally overstated his successes.

After opening statements were done, Trump walked out of the courtroom shooting an angry glare at Attorney General Letitia James.

Were going to be here for months with a judge that already made up his mind. Its ridiculous, Trump complained to reporters during the lunch break, amping up his attacks on Engoron, whose rulings in the case could cost Trumps company hundreds of millions of dollars and impact its ability to do business in New York.

This is a judge that should be disbarred. This is a judge that should be out of office. This is a judge that some people say could be charged criminally for what hes doing. Hes interfering with an election, and its a disgrace, Trump said.

In his opening statement, Wallace told Engoron that Trump and officials at his company had engaged in "persistent illegal acts" with overly inflated financial statements with values that were "determined by Donald Trump."

He said Trump overvalued his financial statements between $812 million and $2.2 billion, knew that they were false and used them to obtain benefits including loans at terms he was not entitled to.

Trump tried to blame former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg for the financial certifications at his deposition in the case, Wallace said, but "he was lying."

The civil trial kicks off what may be a series of courtroom appearances by Trump, who is also facing criminal charges in four different jurisdictions, including two cases in connection with his bid to overturn the 2020 election. Trump has sought to paint all of his legal woes as an effort to keep him from returning to power and political retribution as he holds onto the lead in the Republican primary.

Trump's attorney Christopher Kise said in his opening statement that the evidence would show Trump "made many billions of dollars being right about real estate investments" and "building one of the most successful real estate empires in the world" and "one of the most successful brands."

He told the judge that valuations are subjective, and noted that Trump never defaulted on any of the loans. "There was no fraud," Kise said. "President Trump did not make any false statements."

The no-jury trial in Manhattan is expected to last about three months, concluding by Dec. 22, and will be decided by Engoron.

Kise was followed by combative Trump attorney Alina Habba, who's clashed with the judge in the past. Habba called former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, one of the AG's witnesses in the case, a "liar," suggested James' investigation was politically motivated and complained that James was undervaluing Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Florida club, which she said is "worth at least a billion dollars."

The AG's office said its value is closer to $75 million.

Habba also complained that her client "did want a jury" to hear the case, but Engoron noted that Trump's team had never asked for a jury trial.

The first witness called by the AG's office was Donald Bender, Trump's former accountant. Bender testified at last year's criminal tax fraud trial against two Trump Organization companies that were ultimately convicted and fined $1.6 million.

On Monday, Bender testified about how he would compile Trump's financial statements  the documents the AG said had inflated values. Bender said he used information that was sent to him from the company to put them together. Though Bender was speaking in fairly dry technical terms, many in the courtroom seemed to be enthralled.

As the testimony went on through the afternoon, Trump appeared agitated at times, his face beet-red while he whispered to his attorneys.

His demeanor changed at the end of the court day, when the judge told the AG's office some of Bender's testimony was redundant and needed to be tied into contracts within the statute of limitations in the case to be considered relevant.

Kise stood up and said he agreed, and Trump gave two thumbs up.

Bender's testimony will resume Tuesday morning.

Earlier, Trump addressed the media assembled outside the courtroom as he arrived for the trial at 10 a.m., attacking James and accusing her of filing the case to damage him politically.

"Theyre trying to damage me so I dont do as well as Im doing," Trump, who is currently the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination said.

The judge recently sided in part with James' office, finding that Trump committed repeated acts of fraud for years that included lying to banks and insurers by both overvaluing and undervaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth by billions of dollars.

Trumps arguments to defend the fraudulent statements are based in a fantasy world, not the real world, Engoron wrote in a 35-page ruling last week.

The ruling, which allowed the case to go to trial this week, will also have practical repercussions for Trump's numerous limited liability companies, or LLCs. The judge's order set in motion a dissolution process for entities like Trump Organization LLC, which has helped expand the Trump brand over the years.

The outstanding issues in the case, beyond what Engoron ruled on last week, will be resolved at trial.

Kise has called that ruling outrageous and said he planned to appeal.

Trump has repeatedly disparaged Engoron, including as recently as Sunday night when he called Engoron a Trump Hating Judge who is unfair, unhinged, and vicious in his PURSUIT of me in a post on Truth Social.

New York Attorney General Letitia James attends the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference National Town Hall in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 21, 2023. (Jemal Countess / Getty Images)

Trump confirmed Sunday on Truth Social that he would be in the courtroom for the opening of the trial "to fight for my name and reputation. He's expected to attend the first two days of the proceedings.

James was in the courtroom Monday for the beginning of the trial. Trump did not acknowledge her as he walked in, followed by his son Eric. Before entering, Trump delivered remarks in the hallway in which he criticized James directly, calling her a "corrupt attorney general."

Everything was perfect. There was no crime. The crime is against me," Trump said in the courthouse, where Walt Nauta, his aide and co-defendant on federal charges he mishandled classified documents, was in his entourage.

James said in a statement ahead of the trial No matter how rich or powerful you are, there are not two sets of laws for people in this country. The rule of law must apply equally to everyone, and it is my responsibility to make sure that it does."

She told reporters on her way into court that "no one is above the law. And it is my responsibility and my duty and my job to enforce it."

Trump and three of his children, Don Jr. and Eric, who both serve as senior executives in the Trump Organization, and his daughter, Ivanka Trump, are among the 28 witnesses the A.G.'s office plans to call.

Allen Weisselberg, the companys former chief financial officer, is also set to take the stand, in addition to Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer.

In a criminal trial last year, Weisselberg testified against the Trump Organization and was sentenced to five months in jail in connection with his role in the companys 15-year tax fraud scheme. The Trump Organization was convicted on 17 counts related to conspiracy, criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records and was hit with $1.6 million in fines.
Marysville, CA (95901)

Today

Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 76F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 51F. Winds light and variable.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan has met with the delegation led by Harris Georgiades, the chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the Cypriot Parliament and Chairman of the Cyprus-Armenia Interparliamentary commission for cooperation.

Simonyan thanked the Cypriot MPs for a newly adopted resolution by the House of Representatives which condemns the Azerbaijani large-scale aggression and ethnic cleansing policy against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, the parliaments press service said in a readout.

The Speaker of Parliament highly appreciated President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Annita Demetrious principled speech at the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament in Dublin on September 28 when the latter raised the ongoing crimes against the people of NK and called on the international community to take urgent action to prevent ethnic cleansings.

Humanitarian issues relating to the forcibly displaced people of Nagorno-Karabakh were discussed at the meeting.

The Cypriot parliamentarians said that they stand in solidarity with Armenia and are ready to support as much as possible. Georgiades said that Cyprus and Armenia are facing similar challenges, and are similar with their peace-loving nature, thus the two countries are very sensitive towards each others pain.

Bilateral agenda issued of the two parliaments were also discussed. The parties attached importance to the important role of the interparliamentary commissions for cooperation.
YEREVAN, 2 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 2 October, USD exchange rate up by 8.81 drams to 402.21 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 6.45 drams to 423.85 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.05 drams to 4.07 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 6.39 drams to 488.97 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 491.24 drams to 24188.09 drams. Silver price up by 13.18 drams to 298.39 drams.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. As of 20:00, October 2, 100 thousand 520 persons forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh have been transported to Armenia, the Prime Ministers spokesperson Nazeli Baghdasaryan informed Armenpress.

According to her, the number of the vehicles is 21 thousand 107. "Currently we have an increase in the number of the registered ones: now that number is 91 thousand 31. The registration process is very important, because it enables to identify persons and gives an opportunity to the Armenians forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh to benefit from various social programs in the future," said Nazeli Baghdasaryan.

She added that 59 thousand 59 people in different marzes of Armenia have benefited from the state support. "This means that they were given either a place of residence, or if they had a place of residence, they were provided with food, hygiene items, and financially," the spokesperson noted.
Not only is bigotry and prejudice and discrimination common in the New India, it is why Mr Jaishankar & his party are politically popular.

Four centuries ago, a British ambassador, Sir Henry Wotton, defined a diplomat as an honest gentleman sent to lie abroad for the good of his country.

Our external affairs minister S. Jaishankar (the S stands for Subrahmanyam, the name of his father K. Subrahmanyam, who was instrumental in weaponising Indias nuclear programme and waging war against Pakistan), who is a good spokesman for the government. He was also a good spokesman for the previous government, under which he had served for many years. What he says, therefore, should not be considered as his personal view: he is sent to lie abroad for the good of our country.

Last week he was in Washington and New York, enlightening the world on the great things happening in India. At one of his meetings, he was asked by a reporter the standard question BJP leaders face when abroad: Why are you targeting other Indians, especially Muslims? Mr Jaishankar replied, as reported by the news agency ANI: I defy you to show me discrimination.

It is fairly obvious and does not need to be shown to those who have eyes and ears, but since the claim has been made, it must be engaged with.

There are three levels at which the BJP discriminates. The first is through exclusion. For the first time in our history, we have no Muslim Union minister, no Muslim government MP, no Muslim BJP MLA anywhere in India (the party has over 1,000 MLAs), and this exclusion does not surprise anyone. If in the United States, Joe Bidens party did not have a single African American or Hispanic American senator, Congressman or state legislator, it would be a scandal. Here is has been made normal.

The second way in which the BJP targets minorities is through the law. Beef lynching as a category of violence was gifted to India after the Prime Minister went after what he called the pink revolution, and in 2015 two BJP-ruled states, first Maharashtra and the Haryana, legislated laws criminalising the possession of beef. The lynchings began shortly thereafter.

The Citizenship Amendment Act, passed in 2019, was according to Indias home minister one part of a pincer. The other was the National Register of Citizens. Their purpose, he explained, was to filter out non-Muslim migrants from neighbouring states and then go after the Muslim ones. Muslims are the only Indians for whom divorce is a criminal offence. It is a civil wrong for all the rest. This happened through a change in the law in 2019. Starting in 2018, the BJP-ruled states began legislating laws criminalising inter-faith marriages, targeting what they called love jihad. The BJP in Parliament admitted that there is no such thing as love jihad, when asked a specific question, but the laws are needed nonetheless. Madhya Pradeshs law passed in 2021 retains the power to undo a marriage, including one that has children. The laws have come to the BJP states of Uttarakhand (2018), Himachal Pradesh (2019), Uttar Pradesh (2020), Gujarat and MP (2021), Karnataka and Haryana (2022).

In 2019, Gujarat amended a law that forcibly ghettoises Muslims. It gives the district collector the authority to undo property sales and leases on the grounds of improper clustering. Meaning that Gujarati Muslims cannot rent or buy property in Gujarats neighbourhoods where even foreigners can. The amendment gave the government more authority to ensure this forced ghettoisation.

In Gujarat in 2017, the punishment for cow slaughter, which is an economic crime, is life imprisonment. No other economic crime in India, including bank fraud of thousands of crores, attracts life in jail. Why was the punishment increased? To harass Muslims, of course.

In Uttar Pradesh, it was reported recently, of the 139 people jailed under the National Security Act, 76 were people who were accused of cattle slaughter. We could go on with the laws, but let us move on to the third way in which Mr Jaishankars party discriminates against the minorities, and that is through his partys actions.

The convicted rapists of a Muslim Gujarati woman were released in 2022 on the instructions of Mr Jaishankars government. The womans infant daughter had been murdered by these rapists. The men convicted of lynching a Muslim were garlanded by Mr Jaishankars fellow Union minister in 2018. The MPs of Mr Jaishankars party abuse Muslims inside Parliament. The list of things said by his colleagues is too long to be listed here, and perhaps someone else might compile them in another column. After having said what they did, they have been rewarded. A woman who called Muslims something unspeakable is a minister in the Union governments rural development ministry, as is a man who said that India would be better off today if all Muslims were asked to leave. Mr Jaishankar sits next to them at Cabinet meetings.

Again, it does not surprise any one of us to look at these facts because we have been living with them since 2014. Not only is bigotry and prejudice and discrimination common in the New India, it is one of the reasons why Mr Jaishankar and his party are politically popular. The consequence of unleashing this is damage which is also visible all around us to those who have eyes and ears.

All nations have flaws and diplomats are expected to lie abroad. But Mr Jaishankar must be told this, it is to be for the good of their country.
Worldwide employment in renewable energy reached 13.7 million in 2022, an increase of 1 million since 2021 and up from a total of 7.3 million in 2012, according to a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The tenth edition of Renewable Energy and Jobs: Annual Review 2023, is the product of a continuing collaboration between the two agencies.

The report found that renewable energy is attracting increasing investment, leading to job creation in a growing number of countries.

However, as in previous years, most of the jobs are concentrated in a few states, notably China, which accounts for 41 per cent of the global total. Brazil, European Union (EU) countries, India and the United States of America were among the others, it revealed. Together they represent the majority of global capacity installations and play key roles in the manufacturing of equipment, engineering and associated services.

Solar photovoltaics (PV) was once again the largest employer in 2022, the Annual Review found, reaching 4.9 million jobs, more than a third of the total workforce in the renewable energy sector. Hydropower and biofuels had similar numbers of jobs as in 2021, around 2.5 million each, followed by wind power with 1.4 million jobs.

Francesco La Camera, IRENA Director-General, observed that 2022 was another outstanding year for renewable energy jobs, amid multiplying challenges. Creating many more millions of jobs will require a much faster pace of investments in energy transition technologies.

Earlier this month, the G20 leaders agreed to accelerate efforts to triple global renewables capacity by 2030 aligned with our recommendations ahead of COP28. I call on all policy makers to use this momentum as an opportunity to adopt ambitious policies that drive the needed systemic change.

ILO Director-General Gilbert F Houngbo said: To seize the significant opportunities to attain full, productive and freely chosen employment, social inclusion and decent work for all during these complex transitions, there is a need to develop and implement specific policies for inclusive macroeconomic growth, sustainable enterprises, skills development, other active labour market interventions, social protection, occupational safety and health and other rights at work, and find new solutions through social dialogue.

The quality of jobs matters as much as their quantity, the study notes. To advance social justice, the transition to a cleaner energy future needs to be just and inclusive for all; workers, enterprises and communities, the report suggested.

Hence, coherent and integrated frameworks are indispensable, with a focus on wages, occupational safety and health and rights at work, and based on effective social dialogue. The ILOs guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies provide a central reference for policy making and actions to support a just transition that governments and other stakeholders can draw upon.

A just and inclusive energy transition must also pursue workforce development and diversity. The report highlights the need to expand education and training and increase career opportunities for youth, minorities and marginalised groups, the report said.

Greater gender equity is also essential. At the moment, jobs in renewables remain unequally distributed between men and women. Currently, solar technology has the best gender balance compared to other sectors, with 40 per cent of jobs held by women.

Many countries are showing increased interest in localising supply chains and creating jobs domestically, with support from appropriate industrial policies. This goes hand-in-hand with a growing desire to lessen energy supply insecurities, the report revealed.

China has successfully pursued a broad array of these industrial policies for some years. More recently, the EU, India, Japan, South Africa and the USA have announced initiatives to stimulate domestic manufacturing.

However, countries will need to find ways to combine localisation efforts with continued global cooperation in pursuit of an ambitious energy transition, the report said.  TradeArabia News Service
Local officials and electric maintenance staff are blamed for the tragedy in Qaraqosh. Locals criticise the official version of events, pointing the finger at Rayan the Chaldean who wants to use the incident to replace local officials with loyalists. People are demanding an independent commission of enquiry. Patriarch Sako slams the corruption that is devastating the nation".

Baghdad (AsiaNews)  No sooner were the victims of last weeks tragedy in Qaraqosh, Nineveh Plain, buried, with the pain still raw, that the blame game began in earnest.

The local community, starting with the groom who spoke for the first time over the weekend about the incident, wants an independent commission of enquiry, preferably international, to find out what triggered the devastating fire at a Christian wedding.

In the evening of September 26, as celebrations were well underway, a fire broke out causing the death of at least 119 people, wounding hundreds more and deeply scarring a community now left in mourning, with a sense of distrust and forlorn.

A local broadcaster, Rudaw TV, spoke yesterday with Rivan, the 27-year-old groom, with his fathers supporting him all the time, speaking on his sons behalf several times. Meanwhile, his 18-year-old bride is still in shock and unable to speak.

For Rivan, the fireworks were not the reason for the tragedy; he wants an international investigation to determine the reason.

"There is nothing left. We are seeing greater and greater sufferings every day, more and more victims," Rivan said. For him and his family, leaving is becoming a real option.

His father wonders how they can look others in the eyes, after their families were killed at his sons wedding. Still, "thankfully the people are all by our side, Rivan said.

The investigators want to see at least six local and provincial officials fired for failing to enforce safety regulations in the hall that caught fire, even before and during the construction of the building in which it is located.

Flammable material was widely used to build the hall, which had no emergency exits and fire extinguishers in case of fire. When the fire did break out, almost a thousand people were present, twice its legal capacity.

The list of officials to be removed include the towns mayor, the head of the local municipal administration, and the head of the electricity maintenance department.

Preliminary evidence suggests that the owner or employees lit the fireworks that sent sparks up four metres high, which set fire to some of the decorations hanging from the ceiling and others, apparently, twined around the chandeliers. Sparks set fire to the highly flammable ceiling panels.

Iraqi Interior Minister al-Shammari said the halls owner, thinking that it was a short circuit, cut off power and plunged the hall into darkness, causing "chaos, panic and a stampede."

Given the scale of the tragedy, few locals believe it was an accident. Some believe that it was part of a plan to replace local officials with loyalists of the self-styled Christian leader, Rayan Kildani, known as "Rayan the Chaldean", who went head on against the Chaldean patriarch himself.

Hit with US sanctions for human rights abuses, as well as corruption, Kildani heads the Babylon Movement, a paramilitary group linked to Iran.

Local resentment has also spilled over into open protest against the Minister of Immigration and the Displaced, Evan Jabro, a Christian, who was prevented from visiting the scene of the tragedy, with videos of the protest posted online and social media.

The committee just dismissed the mayor and the director of electricity and the director of the municipality, as if the corruption of all of Iraq was found in Qaraqosh, said Rev Boutros Shito, a Syriac Catholic priest in Qaraqosh who lost relatives in the fire.

I do not accept that my familys blood should be exploited by parties and militias and corrupt people and thieves, Father Shito said.

Amid the tensions, Chaldean Primate Card Louis Raphael Sako, also spoke out, calling for justice and truth. On the patriarchates website, he posted his reflections, slamming "the corruption that is devastating the nation".

He blames militias who "fear neither God nor the government", while the Iraqis "are tired of slogans and promises without results on the ground.

The cardinal notes that in the official version of the event, fireworks are blamed. Instead, he is leaning more towards a deliberate act by an international actor that sold its conscience and the country as part of a "specific plan".

For this reason, he wants to see a crisis unit set up to investigate "objectively and wisely" and calls on the Iraqi Church, in all its components, to seek true unity which is the only force to assert rights and obtain the truth.
by Dario Salvi

The bishop of Penang is one of 21 cardinals who received their biretta from Pope Francis. He is enthusiastic about a youthful reality that is a source of hope for the mission. Relations with Muslims are marked by trust and fraternity. He will bring to the synod the voice of Asian families and their contribution to the future.

Rome (AsiaNews)  Bishop Sebastian Francis of Penang (Malaysia) is among the 21 new cardinals created by the pontiff on 30 September during a ceremony held in St Peter's Square.

Speaking to AsiaNews, he said, Pope Francis told me to concentrate and focus my mission on the inculturation of the faith" in his country, promoting the path of evangelisation in the local culture and "work for the universality, not uniformity of the Church.

In his view, "These factors are the starting points of my mission in a new context, but always linked to the direction indicated by the pope, which we must follow."

Card Francis was born on 11 November 1951 in what was then the Federation of Malaya, the son of migrant parents from Kerala (India).

Appointed as bishop of Penang in 2011, he is the second Malaysian in the countrys history to become cardinal after Archbishop Anthony Soter Fernandez of Kuala Lumpur, a former bishop of Penang (1977-1983) who passed away in 2020 at the age of 88.

About a hundred people  members of his family, priests and nuns, as well as people from his diocese and the capital  travelled to Rome to attend the ceremony that saw him elevated to the rank of cardinal.

With respect to evangelisation, the cardinal explained, "both Malaysia and the Asian continent as a whole are still young, with a low average age and a youthful population in several countries.

The Church itself is young, and this "gives us so much strength, so much hope, and so much confidence. The enthusiasm of young people is always an element of hope and trust. Young people show the way and guarantee the strength to follow it".

Thus, his appointment as cardinal is a source of great enthusiasm and for new priests it becomes an example and stimulus" to continue along their path.

As for Asia, citing Saint John Paul II who saw the continent as a "shared task" for the Church in the third millennium, Card Francis stressed that in this "important reality" for the future the goal is "to serve, not dominate".

"We are called to proclaim the Gospel, to proclaim the word of God" with the mission in mind. This is our contribution to the universal Church: to commit ourselves to the task of proclaiming with even greater vigour at a time when the Church seems to be growing in Asia.

In Muslim-majority Malaysia, as much as Indonesia, among Muslims "who genuinely love God and who are generally open to interaction and dialogue, the response to the prelates new role was one of shared joy, Many congratulated me, Card Francis said.

To proclaim the Gospel and to evangelise without running into the danger of proselytising, it is necessary "to nurture good relationships and promote meetings between people, to establish trust, fraternity" guided "by the Holy Spirit".

Asked about his presence as synodal father at the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which begins two days from now, Card Francis explained that "the Church in Asia must share and proclaim the Gospel with a young spirit full of energy.

With respect to the family and society, he is grateful to God "for the sacrifices that Asians make in keeping the planet young with the gift of children. The Churchs spirit in Asia is an inclusive, creative, and bridge-building energy".

Upon my return (to Penang), I will ask the faithful to nurture and strengthen solidarity and communion with the universal Church and pray for my renewed mission.

(Nirmala Carvalho contributed to this article)
The patron saint of missions is also a reference point for Catholic communities in Asia, which have made her known to many non-Christians. On Oct. 15, Pope Francis will issue an apostolic exhortation dedicated to her 150 years after her birth.

Bangkok (AsiaNews/Eglise d'Asie) - Pope Francis yesterday at the Angelus remembered the feast of Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus, whose 150th anniversary this year marks her birth, announcing that one of her exhortations will be published on 15 October apostolic dedicated to the patroness of the missions.

The feast of the saint of Lisieux was also celebrated yesterday in Thailand: this was reported by Eglise d'Asie, the agency of the Missions Etrangeres de Paris, in an article on the particular experience of the Discalced Carmelite nuns of this Asian country who are preparing to celebrate the centenary of its presence in two years.

The Bangkok monastery was founded in 1925, in the Silom neighborhood, when Msgr. Rene Perros, then apostolic vicar of Bangkok, invited Mother Anna of Jesus Mary, superior of the convent in Phnom Penh, to create a community in Thailand too.

Since the first steps taken by the first 12 nuns who arrived then, the context has changed profoundly: today there are around 60 Carmelite nuns in Thailand, present in four convents in the provinces of Bangkok, Chantaburi, Nakornsawan and Nakhon Pathom.

In Bangkok the monastery is located at number 14 Convent Road, in what has now become the Thai City, the commercial and financial heart of the Thai capital. Among skyscrapers and places of often dubious leisure, alternating with wellness centers and luxury restaurants, in an area of staggering commercial value, the nuns dedicate their lives to prayer, providing for their livelihood by producing and selling hosts and rosaries.

The monastery is however an open presence in the heart of the city. People "begin to know and love Saint Teresa when they ask for her help to overcome problems and difficulties such as unemployment or infertility", current superior of the convent in Bangkok, Mother Teresa of the Child Jesus (who also bears the saint's name) tells Eglise d'Asie. "Even non-Christians come here to pray to her and say they receive what they ask for," she adds.

Since Saint Teresa is the patroness of missions, her name is used by many Thai Catholics of all ages. Wipada Pukeartkul, struck by the saint's simplicity, told Eglise d'Asie that she chose it as her baptismal name: "I am inspired by her love for God. For me her life is a sign that it is not necessary to do great things to express true love for the Lord, but that it is sufficient to love him authentically by doing ordinary things, even very small ones in everyday life".
by Nirmala Carvalho

A school in the Diocese of Sagar run by nuns was targeted simply because a picture of Ganesh went missing from a notice board. The religious sisters responded today by bringing together teachers and friends, mostly Hindus, to mark the birth of the countrys founding father, champion of non-violence.

Sagar (AsiaNews)  Hindu extremists have targeted yet another Catholic school in Madhya Pradesh, claiming that the Hindu deity Ganesh was insulted because a picture went missing. The nuns who run the educational establishment responded urging people to rediscover Gandhi and his message of peace, this on the birthday of the founder of the Indian nation.

Located in Deori, Diocese of Sagar, Mary's Convent School is run by the Sisters of the Congregation of Jesus (CJ). Following a well-established practice, a mob egged on by Hindu nationalists broke into the school demanding it be closed.

They accuse the school of disrespecting the Hindu deity Ganesh and demand police investigate its principal, Sister Sarita Joseph. Only after police said they would carry out an inquiry did the crowd disperse.

The school in question is open to students from every religion and respects everyone. The facts of the case are trivial.

On 22 September, grade 9 children decorated the notice board, reads a statement by the Diocese of Sagar. They put a picture of Lord Ganesh in the notice board. Next day when the students came to the school, they noticed the picture had gone and complained to the principal about it.

It was only then that the principal found out that the picture had been put in the notice board. But she was unable to find out who had removed it.

Soon enough, Some fundamentalist group took up the story and demanded the school be shut down. They also put up some posters on the walls and in the market against the school.

Reacting to this, Some students complained on social media saying that all these incidents are fabricated and sullying the good name of our school."

The Diocese of Sagar is where Fr Anil Joseph, a principal at another school, committed suicide after Madhya Pradesh police registered a complaint against him for sharing a post about violence in Manipur in a WhatsApp group.

In order to reduce tensions, Mary's Convent School proposed an interfaith meeting for today, a national holiday marking the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.

"Our teachers and staff celebrated the anniversary of the birth of the father of the nation, praying for ahimsa (non-violence), peace, harmony, truth and honesty, which are the fundamental principles that the Mahatma wanted to transmit, Sister Sarita Joseph explained.

"This unfortunate incident has strengthened our resolve to serve society, through our educational apostolate. This is our mission: to give dignity to students through education, to prioritise the [positive] value system, and to work for nation building."

In our school, through our educational apostolate, we serve the majority community who make up 85 per cent of our students, the principal added. We will strive to serve them selflessly, without discrimination of caste and belief."
The convertible's popularity was on the rise, so its production reached 15,528 units. 1967 Firebird recently rescued from the forest continues the fight for survival on eBay, where the seller hopes to find a new owner who would eventually give the car a second chance.You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out this Firebird was a dream car that has now become a source of distress just by looking at it. The vehicle likely spent decades in the forest, and if you're a professional restorer, you can already guess where this is going.An area full of vegetation typically includes high humidity levels, becoming an awful place for a huge pile of metal. The Firebird, therefore, became a rust bucket, and I doubt you can find an inch of metal that doesn't exhibit such rust.Seller robsrodshop1 doesn't provide information about the car's tenure in the woods, but the photos speak for themselves and indicate the Firebird has been battling the awful conditions for many years. The body is wrecked, coming with missing parts and heavy rust damage.The interior looks a bit better, with many extra parts: a driver's seat that still looks good, a steering wheel and a dashboard that could be saved, and a shifter still in place.We're getting zero information about the engine, but I wouldn't expect good news on this front. On the other hand, a 400 Ram Air configuration would have made this Firebird a true collectible, increasing its chances of getting a second chance, as Pontiac produced only 65 units with this powertrain in 1967.The most common choice in terms of engines was the standard 326, as over 40,100 Firebirds rolled off the assembly lines with this setup. The 326 HO was much rarer, and only approximately 6,000 customers ordered it. The 400 V8 was a popular engine option, making its way to 18,632 Firebirds for this model year, so I wouldn't be surprised if this rust bucket once used this big block to put the wheels in motion.Only a brave soul would try to bring this Firebird back to the road, so I expect this once-a-dream model to become a parts car at the end of the auction . The battle is underway, with the top offer exceeding $200. There's no reserve in place, so the highest bidder will take the car home when the auction ends in three days. The vehicle is sleeping in Warminster, Pennsylvania, and your only option is obviously to take it home on a trailer.
Hyundai unleashed the second-generation Kona with much pomp and circumstance in December 2022. Available to configure in the United States for the 2024 model year, the small crossover has already been hit by its very first safety recall.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Photo: Hyundai

Photo: Hyundai

Published on the's website, campaign 23V-650 lists no fewer than 2,354 potentially affected vehicles. Hyundai Motor America lists production dates of June 19, 2023 through September 2, 2023 for said vehicles. Joyson Safety Systems Korea is the company responsible for the recall condition, namely defective rear seat belt retractors that may prevent the belts from operating as intended.On August 24, the automaker's North American branch identified a defective rear seat belt assembly in a 2024 model year Kona. The assembly in question had partly separated, thus resulting in the inability to retract or extend the webbing. Both the Data Review Committee and Technical Review Committee were tasked with assessing this issue, and Hyundai Motor America further conducted inventory audits for additional peace of mind.Lo and behold, Hyundai Motor Company of South Korea and the aforementioned supplier identified 31 other defective retractors in 2024 model year Hyundai Kona vehicles intended for the US market. Given these circumstances, Hyundai couldn't weasel its way out of a safety recall. What's more, this condition also goes against federal motor vehicle safety standards 208 (for occupant crash protection) and 209 (for seat belt assemblies).It should be noted that Joyson Safety Systems is one of the biggest offenders in the automotive space as far as recalls are concerned. We've covered plenty of recalls caused by improperly manufactured or assembled components supplied by JSS, a huge corporation based in Auburn Hills, Michigan.Dig a little deeper, and you'll find out that Joyson Safety System is a relatively new company owned by Ningbo Joyson Electronic Corp and Asian private equity firm PAG. Joyson Safety Systems used to be called Key Safety Systems before April 2018. The company's name was changed after JSS acquired Takata Corp's assets in June 2017.Turning our attention back to the recall condition, the pin used to fasten the retainer covers to the rear seat belt retractors might not have been properly installed by Joyson Safety Systems. Under pressure from Hyundai, the supplier changed the equipment used to fasten the retainer cover pins to an automated machine. Given that such machines aren't errorproof, Joyson Safety Systems should pour some money into quality control as well.Owners and dealers will be notified no later than November 21, 2023, with dealers instructed to inspect both rear seat belt retractors. If the recall condition is found, suspect retractors will be replaced at no cost to affected owners. Any owner who incurred any out-of-pocket expenses related to said problem prior to campaign 23V-650 is  obviously enough  entitled to reimbursement.The 2024 model year Kona carries a sticker price of $24,100 in the United States, up from $23,475 for the final year of the first gen. A 2.0-liter NA four-cylinder lump is the standard engine, whereas better-equipped trims get a 1.6-liter turbo I4.What's under the hood is very important for many peeps, but do bear in mind that mechanical differences go beyond the powertrain. For instance, front-wheel-drive models get a rear torsion beam as opposed to a multi-link setup with all-wheel drive. Being heavier, the Kona Electric gets multi-link rear suspension by default. The new Kona Electric isn't available to order. To whom it may concern, the 2023 model carries an MSRP of $33,550.
Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has made good on its promise of growth and greater connectivity by starting flights to three key destinations.

Inaugural services to Dusseldorf (DUS), Germany began on September 28, followed the next day by Copenhagen (CPH), Denmark and then Osaka (KIX), Japan on October 1.

Meanwhile, the airline has unveiled increased frequencies to popular destinations Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Malaysia and Colombo (CMB), Sri Lanka.

The flights are part of a package of new routes and increased frequencies designed to meet customer demand for more opportunities to visit Abu Dhabi and provide even more connectivity to Etihads growing global network.

"The new flights are the next important steps as we enhance our network delivering greater connectivity for our guests,and serving their demand for more opportunities to visit Abu Dhabi, said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways.

We are helping accelerate economic growth for the city by providing more travel options and seamless connections, ensuring its easier for guests to visit Abu Dhabi either as a destination, or as part of a stopover as they explore our growing global network.

Etihad has already announced the launch of nine new destinations this year, including Malaga, Mykonos, Lisbon, Kolkata, St Petersburg, Dusseldorf, Copenhagen, Osaka, and Boston. In addition, the airline recently announced new routes to the Indian Subcontinent, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, to be launched in January 2024.

To complement these developments, Etihad has made several recent network changes and frequency adds to enhance travel options and connectivity. Highlights include:

* Improved Departure Times: Enhanced passenger convenience with adjusted departure times for European and Asian destinations.

* Expanded Frequencies: Increased regularity to Chennai (MAA), Colombo (CMB) Islamabad (ISB), Kochi (COK), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Madrid (MAD), Milan (MXP), Munich (MUC), Rome (FCO), and Phuket (HKT) offer travellers more choice while improving travel options and connectivity.

 Cairo: An additional 5 flights per week to make triple daily operations to Cairo, effective from January 1, strengthening the link between Abu Dhabi and the Egyptian capital.

 Colombo: Seven direct flights per week to Colombo with 3 flights effective from Dec 1 and 4 flights effective from Jan 1,increasing to 10 per week from May 2024, further enhancing travel options to this destination.

 Kuala Lumpur (KUL): Double daily from January 15, 2024

 Maldives (MLE): An additional 7 flights per week, with 3 flights effective from Dec 1 and 4 flights effective from Jan 1. -TradeArabia News Service
Call it a slow, ugly, or an overly expensive garbage aircraft as much as you want. But the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II will soon be the backbone of nearly all NATO-member Air Forces going forward, regardless of the public's unnecessarily negative opinion. It's Denmark that's become the latest NATO member to take the F-35 plunge; its shipment of four land-based optimized F-35As arrived at Skrydstrup Air Base in the Jutland Peninsula on October 1st and will be the first to be permanently based on Danish soil. It was an event attended by civilians and military personnel alike.

Over 450 Danish Military personnel and as many as 10,000 locals from around the Jutland Peninsula watched as Lockheed Martin officially transferred ownership of these stunning American-built jets. Each jet can cost upwards of $100 million per airframe, depending on the variant. This latest acquisition serves as an impact statement to the effect that Lockheed Martin won't be slow to supply NATO member states with the most capable stealth fighter platform ever designed.With the Russian equivalent, the Sukhoi Su-75 , still yet to make its first flight, the nearly 1000-strong F-35 airframes delivered thus far prove which side has the leg up in military production capabilities. In a hypothetical future war, these numbers could mean the difference between victory and abject failure. "The arrival of the first F-35 combat aircraft in Denmark is a historic event for the Danish Defence and the Royal Danish Air Force. It is thanks to close and professional cooperation between Lockheed Martin, the F-35 partnership, and the Danish Defence that Danish Defence now cross the threshold into the future of air defense," exclaimed Danish Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen.As it turns out, Denmark played a vital role in the development of the F-35 Lightning II program. As far back as 2002, when the program was still under the X-35 designation for the Joint Strike Fighter initiative. At that time, Denmark loaned one of its F-16 Fighting Falcon single-engine fighters to the Joint Strike Fighter 461st Flight Test Squadron based out of Edwards Air Force Base in California to serve as a chase plane for the program. Today, a further six Danish-ordered F-35s are stationed out of Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, and a total of 27 F-35 airframes are expected to be delivered to the Danish by the time this international collaboration has finished.It's all a part of an elaborate plan to station as many as 600 F-35 airframes of all three variants across Europe, and more specifically the Baltic states, by the 2030s in order to counter any Russian or Chinese influence in the region with a strong of an aerial force as has taken hold since World War II. When combined with forces from Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, and Poland, it's bound to be a stealthy fighting force, the likes of which we've never seen before.
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GM was still undefeated, even after Toyota issued a barrage of new model introductions such as the 2023 Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, the 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid, and superstars like the 2024 Grand Highlander, N400 Tacoma, plus the 2024 Land Cruiser.However, not all of them are already on the market, so Toyota continued the tidal wave with models that can be implemented more efficiently  such as the big Corolla Nightshade family, the GR special editions (GR86 Trueno, GR Corolla Circuit, GR Supra 45th Anniversary), 2024MY RAV4, or the hybrid-powered Tundra 1794 Limited Edition, among others.Even the mid-size Highlander (also known as Kluger across different markets) wasn't forgotten, even though the focus of the red carpet's spotlight has been on the bigger Grand Highlander sibling and its Lexus TX cousin for some time. Instead, Toyota gave the Highlander Hybrid some stealthy things to think about as it joined the sprawling Nightshade family Now, though, some people are even more focused on giving the Highlander justice  even if only from across the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. As such, the good folks over at the AutoYa info channel on YouTube have imagined the CGI looks of the 2025 Toyota Highlander mid-size crossover's facelift.Indeed, the nameplate has been around since 2000, and its fourth generation arrived in spring 2019 at the year's edition of the New York International Auto Show. It is produced on the TNGA-K platform  a unibody version of the modular architecture focused on mid-size and full-size passenger cars and crossover vehicles, alongside the larger Grand Highlander and TX, so it won't be hard to give it a new lease of life.More precisely, the channel's resident pixel master was (again) called into action to showcase the potential looks of the refreshed 2025 Highlander. According to the host, the potential changes could include a new look for the bumpers, a slightly revised front fascia with modified headlights, fresh taillights, and a thoroughly updated interior.And luckily, (almost) everything is illustrated in the recent video feature embedded below  complete with a quick look at the new cabin goodies and the usual reel of ritzy color options, plus the quick old versus new comparison. Now, all that remains to discuss is the potential powertrain changes.No worries, the rumor mill has that covered, too. As such, according to the latest whispers, the 2025 Highlander will soon borrow the Hybrid Max option with the 362-hp turbo 2.4-liter and two electric motors assembly from the 2024 Grand Highlander to keep up with the times. In return, though, Toyota is said to drop the 3.5-liter V6 mill as a counterpoint.
The luxury yachting sector is constantly changing, with shipbuilders always looking to bring forth innovations in terms of design, technology, and construction. Driven by the pursuit of excellence and the desire to offer their customers the best possible yachting experience, yacht designers come up with revolutionary concepts that envision the future of the industry.

Photo: De Basto Designs

Designer Luiz de Basto, founder of De Basto Designs, has unveiled the renderings for a new superyacht concept that boasts a futuristic design and celebrates the Mediterranean lifestyle.De Basto Designs is a Miami-based multi-disciplinary yacht design studio that specializes in luxury yachts, custom and production boats, as well as commercial watercraft. It was founded in 1995, and its chief designer, Luiz de Basto, is a professional with over thirty years of experience in the field, having been involved in the design of more than 250 boats and yachts.Called "Project MED," the studio's latest creation is a 302-foot (92-meter) superyacht with a reflective glass superstructure that seems to float above the hull. The vessel is characterized by sinuous and soft exterior lines that reminisce the gentle waves that bathe the Mediterranean coasts, and the whole design is inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle and focuses on open spaces and a deep connection with the sea.De Basto Designs collaborated with Lateral Naval Architects on this superyacht concept to ensure the practicality of the design. Lateral is responsible for creating the structural lattice system of the glass superstructure, which they have designed with a minimal footprint and just four supports that keep it "suspended."This gravity-defying superstructure is the most outstanding feature of this conceptual vessel , and it stands out through its unconventional shape and how it creates the illusion of floating over the hull.Because this unique superstructure is only connected at minimal points, the main deck of Project MED is an expansive, entirely open space called the Agora deck. This area is envisioned as a multi-purpose al-fresco space where guests can meet and socialize, dine, and enjoy the sun, hence its name. In Ancient Greece, "agora" was the public square or marketplace where people used to gather and socialize.The polished and well-sculpted superstructure offers some much-needed shade, deftly conceals the hull windows and openings, and also reflects its surroundings. The hull's windows are covered in serigraphy, but because it is in the same color as the hull, it is basically invisible from the outside and allows the superstructure to catch the eye."I wanted to strip the profile of everything superfluous, leaving just the right number of elements to convey the concept. The flying superstructure volume touches the hull delicately, dissolving the main deck into a void space and leaving the Agora deck open," explained Luiz de Basto.The Project MED concept is an imposing 2,300 GT superyacht that offers generous interior spaces. While the Agora deck is open and invites conviviality, inside the hull, there are two other decks that include more private spaces, though these, too, feature an open layout configuration.The designers envisioned the yacht with accommodations for up to 14 guests across seven staterooms, with an owner's master suite located on the upper deck. Guests, on the other hand, have four suites and two VIP cabins to choose from.For an unforgettable yachting experience, Project MED is accoutered with luxury amenities, including a large pool toward the stern, a gym, a helipad, and plenty of plush lounging spaces.In terms of propulsion, the designers envisioned the superyacht with a hybrid diesel-electric system that would endow it with a top speed of around 16.5 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots. Futuristic and innovative, Project MED is an exciting new design that, even though it might not be turned into an actual yacht, is poised to inspire models that will shape the future of luxury boating.
I knew for the moment I set my eyes on this custom build that'll make a splash at the auction it was supposed to sell. What I wasn't expecting was for it to go for the money one would pay for a brand-new Ferrari Purosangue.

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The Italian thoroughbredcan be configured and ordered, and even if the waiting list stretches well into the middle of the decade, when it gets here it'll probably be something to remember. Ferrari is generally asking close to $400,000 for one, but individual customization choices get that sum to eye-watering levels.$400k is a lot of money for anyone, but blowing them on a Ferrari is something you'd expect from a car lover. You probably won't expect someone to spend about as much on a Chevrolet Woodie beach mobile.Yet that's exactly what happened during the Barrett-Jackson auction which took place last week in New Orleans. There, an insane custom build going by the stage name Honolulu LuLu snatched an impressive $375,000 from an undisclosed buyer, probably entering the history books for the achievement.The build is the work of an unknown custom crew and is centered around a chassis of undisclosed origin. Over it, the body of a 1932 Chevy was pulled, although it clearly is nothing like it used to be.Although some of the metal parts of the car are still there, showing themselves as the engine side panels, hood, and fenders, everything else aft of the engine compartment has been replaced with or constructed from wood panels.They form a cabin surrounded on all sides by windows and end on top with a sunroof. Only two seats can be seen inside, with the rear left raw as a means to accommodate beach and water equipment. The interior is an explosion of wood as well, with the stuff generously deployed on the dashboard, steering column, and steering wheel.The yellow metal bits at the front hide an engine that is by no means pretentious, a 355ci small block of Chevy origin tied to a Turbo 350 transmission. It gets the job done, even if we have no details on exactly how it does that in terms of horsepower and torque.For what it's worth, the one who purchased the ride did not get it alone, but also snatched a matching trailer named Lil' Lulu. Sadly, there are no images of what thats like.We expect the Honolulu LuLu and its smaller companion to show up at some auction event in the future again. The bar was set very high this time, as from the info we were able to gather it sold two times over the past three years, prior to the New Orleans event, and each time it did so for just around $30,000.
This used to be a Toyota Land Cruiser pickup truck. Now it is just a cluster of metal and glass and looks so bad that you can hardly understand where it begins and where it ends.

Toyotas are built like rocks. They have a reputation for being solid, reliable, capable, and everything in between. Now, a video uploaded on Instagram by Khalid Al Ajmi comes to prove that all these characteristics are true. It is (used to be, actually!) a single-cab pickup version of the Land Cruiser 70 Series , if we can guess right, considering the new shape of the vehicle. The 70 Series was introduced back in 1984, and the tried-and-tested model has survived through all these years largely unchanged.The video shows the Toyota entering a dealership service station. As the vehicle turns to the right, the driver has to hold the left door in place with his hand so it doesnt pop open. He must be sitting in a very twisted position in there to be able to drive from inside that warped bunch of metal.And that door is far from the only damage this vehicle sustained. The roof is squashed, the hood is rumpled, the front fenders are torn, and the doors are so badly deformed that they don't stay closed properly. The front bumper doesn't really look like a front bumper anymore, while the load bed looks like a slide from the playground.It is obvious that what we see in the video is the aftermath of a rollover. The vehicle goes into the parking lot of a service station. So probably someone is planning to fix it, even though it looks like a complete write-off, without a doubt. According to Khalid Al Ajmi , who spoke to Carscoops after posting the video on Facebook, the owner of the Toyota rolled down from the top of a mountain somewhere in Saudi Arabia.The car rolled down the cliffs several times. When it came to a rest, the driver extracted himself from the vehicle with no serious injuries. He realized that the engine of his car was still running and the vehicle could still drive. That would all be thanks to the ladder-frame structure of the pickup truck, which was pretty much intact despite the vehicle being slammed against the cliffs. But it surely needs more than some TLC to look like it used to.The comments of those who watched the incredible video of the smashed Toyota running are worth a look at. One of the users believes that, once it is fixed, this vehicle is going to end up on Facebook Marketplace : "Land Cruiser in mint condition, minor damage on the front bumper," one of them wrote."Back tires are a little low," someone notices, as if everything else about the pickup truck is impeccable.
The latest to do so is Airstream, the famous travel trailer builder that has joined the CarPlay world with a dedicated update for its mobile companion app.Smart Control, an app already available for download from the App Store, will soon receive CarPlay support, allowing drivers to control certain functions of their trailers right from the infotainment screen.Smart Control already packs these capabilities, but the update will bring the most important features to the CarPlay-powered dashboard, so drivers will no longer need to pick up their mobile devices.With the CarPlay update, Airstream's mobile app will offer access to two sections called Tow Mode and Camp Mode. Their names are self-explanatory, but let me delve into their features to understand how useful the CarPlay update can be.First, the Tow Mode is aimed at those moments when, you know, you tow your trailer. The app's interface allows drivers to access critical trailer information, such as the tank level and the battery status. Additionally, if you own a Classic Travel Trailer, the app also shows the tire pressure.Second, the Camp Mode offers remote access to information and functions you can use while camping. The infotainment screen displays the internal temperature and lets you power systems remotely, with the company emphasizing that this feature can be used specifically when your pets wait in the trailer and you must adjust the climate control settings over the air.Airstream hasn't said a single word about a potential update to enable Android Auto support, but the Android version hasn't been updated since November last year. With no update in 11 months, Airstream focuses more on the Apple experience, so I wouldn't hold my breath for Android Auto support.It doesn't mean Android Auto can't have such apps. Google's platform expands on this front, as the IoT category unlocks new opportunities for software developers. Android Auto has recently received the first OBD app , as well as an influx of software allowing users to unlock their garage doors and control smart homes. A trailer control system would fit Android Auto like a glove, though no company has expressed interest in expanding to Google's in-car experience.Airstream says the CarPlay support will go live for its customers shortly, but no further specifics are available, though the company expects the feature to be ready by the end of the year. The current app version requires at least iOS 13, so the next release could also update device requirements, considering Apple has just launched the iPhone 15 and a new operating system version.
Toyota will be out in full force at this year's 2023 Rebelle Rally, one of North America's rally racing events reserved exclusively for women drivers and their support crews. After sending only three vehicles to the landmark event in 2022, Toyota enters this year's running with an astonishing six vehicles, with one driver and one navigator between them. It makes for a 12-woman-strong Toyota team set to hit the dunes across Nevada and California in a flash of stunning and elaborate decals we only wish we could put on our own vehicles.

With one 4Runner , two Sequoias, and two Tundra pickups set to hit the trail for this year's Rebelle Rally, each team employs a group of women from an eclectic set of backgrounds and disciplines within the automotive sector. Coming from professions like production engineering, like the teams of Samantha Barber and Becky Brophy, and Sandra Li and Myra Padda, or the R&D side, like Heather Eich and Alison McGowan and Sive'a Peralta and Rie Iida, all people and skillsets will be tested to the limit across the ten-day event with eight days of competition. From October 12th to the 21st of 2023, these trailblazing women will duke it out for the title of queens of the dunes. It's a race they'll need all their skillsets working to perfection to win."As a trailblazer, Toyota understands the values of collaboration, perseverance, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence," exclaimed Kristen Tabar, group vice president, Advanced Mobility Research and Development at Toyota Motor North America. "The Rebelle Rally provides the perfect platform for Toyota team members to demonstrate their passion for learning and problem-solving, develop their driving skills, navigate treacherous terrains, and work together as a cohesive unit. This remarkable journey highlights important principles to Toyotas culture: teamwork and the challenging spirit that drives the brand forward."Through the Toyota-sponsored Rebelle Rally Live Webcast, fans and spectators alike can receive real-time updates from the women out on the dunes and stay up to date on all the exciting turns of events you could expect from a grueling week-plus of solid racing. With six chances of winning instead of three this year, expect Toyota to stay in the picture to win it all until the moment these incredible women start crossing the finish line. "Partnering with Rebelle Rally allows us to share amazing stories of resilience, determination, and uncompromised power that our team members and vehicles showcase during this challenging event," said Susann Kazunas, Vice President at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas. "We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the durable trucks and the incredible women who embody the spirit of the rally."Those who wish to watch the event can do so through this link
In Vladimir Putin's ideal world, a proverbial sea of Russian T-72 main battle tanks (MBTs) would roll through the Ukrainian front lines and march uncontested through the streets of Kyiv like a Russian-spoken reenactment of the Fall of France in 1940. But as we all know, this is far from the reality of the situation. In our reality, which doesn't exist in the delusions of a Russian dictator, the hilarious fate of one captured T-72 provides a starkly comical story to a war that's been anything but funny.

A report first broken by Forbes details how one group of Ukranian soldiers decided to dial a Russian tech support helpline when a captured T-72B3 variant went on the fritz. This being the most modern and advanced variant of the Soviet-era T-72, it's a story the Kremlin would certainly like to keep out of news headlines in Western countries. It's not quite clear where Ukrainian troops captured this prized Russian main battle tank. However, it would make sense if the tank was acquired close to the bulk of front-line fighting in Ukrainian cities like Bakhmut or Robotyne.Whatever the case, the story goes that once one of Russia's most valuable armored vehicle assets of the war was under the control of Ukrainian officers, the tank soon after broke down, leaving the personnel inside stranded and without an idea of how to repair it. In a move of master-grade trolling that'd humble the average Twitter user, one Ukrainian officer, callsign " Kochevnik," made a call to what can only be presumed is the official support helpdesk for Uralvagonzavod, the makers of not just the T-72, but also the T-80, the T-90, and Russia's newest and most controversial main battle tank, the T-14 Armata , to try and gather information on how to get the tank running correctly again."I am the commander of an armor group, and the problem is we simply cannot operate it," Kochevnik remarked to the person on the other end of the phone line that day. Complaints of the tank's engine spewing oil and faulty compressors bedeviled the presumably totally clueless Uralvagonzavod employee answering that call. Ostensibly, this helpdesk employee was blissfully unaware that the man at the other end of the call was a high-ranking officer of the army this T-72 tank was supposed to be fighting against.By the second half of the video, Kochevnik was able to speak with a Uralvagonzavod director named Andrey Abakumov . In a move that was like the Russo-Ukrainian War's equivalent of asking to speak to the manager, it made for a remarkable, light-hearted, and entertaining video that proved even in the brutal crucible of modern warfare, there's always time for a bit of comedy.
2 October 2023 15:00 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

Azerbaijan has always shown its strength in both the military and political spheres, as well as its peacefulness and humanity to the whole world. Azerbaijan opened a new page after its victory in the 44-day war, followed by a complete victory over the separatists as a result of 23 hours of anti-terrorist measures. Because the struggle with the separatists in Garabagh is over, and Azerbaijan sees only the economic development of the region as its goal. In these steps, we cannot forget the efforts of our brotherly country - Turkiye, which has always been a supporter of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan's current commitment is the process of reintegration of Armenians living in Garabagh. However, it is known that many Armenians left the territories of their own free will without any pressure from the other side. The reason is their desire not to live together with Azerbaijanis under the flag of Azerbaijan. However, the information leaked from the foreign media says that both the Armenian authorities and the separatist regime in Garabagh exerted pressure on the Armenians who left Azerbaijan. Allegedly, the Armenians in Garabagh are betraying their country by staying there. I wonder if the forces exerting such pressure will meet all the needs of the population who left those areas? Or is the reason why Armenians are so unusually discreetly leaving the territories because they demand so-called "refugee" status from their patrons in the future?

"The ceasefire agreement signed after the 44-day war revealed the road map in the Garabagh conflict. The failure of the Armenian administration to fulfill its obligations related to the peace agreement for various reasons caused the process to be prolonged. The opposition of the Armenian diaspora and some political parties to peace, Russia's attempt to overthrow Pashinyan's government, as well as the West's position in favor of Armenia to strengthen its influence in the region completely blocked the processes. However, in the end, with the diplomatic support of Turkiye, anti-terrorist measures were implemented and the status of an 'autonomous region of Karabakh' from the USSR era was canceled once and for all."

This was told by a professor at Kocaeli University Irfan Kaya Ulger in his comment to AZERNEWS on the processes taking place in Azerbaijan's Garabagh. According to him, everything that happened took place against the background of Azerbaijan strengthening its sovereignty within its borders. Turkiye has strongly supported this whole process from the beginning.

During the meeting between President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev last week in Nakhchivan, the professor spoke about the special nature of the Nakhchivan-Igdir Memorandum, which shows Turkiye-Azerbaijan cooperation and alliance to friends and enemies, as well as the Shusha Declaration. The expert noted that the only issue between the two countries is the Zangazur Corridor, which is expected to be opened soon.

"The President of Turkiye has stated that if the administration of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan obstructs this issue, the Iranian option will also be brought up. Thus, a land route will be created between Nakhchivan and Azerbaijan and Turkiye will open its arms to the Turkish World through Azerbaijan. I believe that the Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance will open the door to greater developments in the economic and political spheres in the coming years. Also, increasingly close relations between the two states may lead to the creation of a Confederation. In the confederation model, state parties maintain their own international legal structures on the one hand, and cooperate on defense or other issues on the other. The parties included in the Confederation established by an international agreement retain the status of independent states in terms of their foreign relations. I believe that Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation can gradually turn into a Confederation model," the professor added.

Later, Irfan Kaya spoke about the Armenians who left the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan. According to him, a consensus was reached between the representatives of Azerbaijan and the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh regarding the termination of the "autonomy of Nagorno-Karabakh" inherited from the USSR. It has been announced that Armenians living in Garabagh will be granted the right to citizenship. Nevertheless, the majority of Armenians living in the region left to move to Armenia. The professor also explained the reasons why Armenians took such a step.

"First of all, we should not forget that Armenians living in the region were under the influence of intensive propaganda. Second, the negative psychology caused by the Khojaly massacre and other war crimes in the 1990s may cause people living in the region to emigrate. I believe that there is great pressure and influence from the diaspora against Armenians who want to remain citizens of Azerbaijan. As a result, it is clear that the Armenians living in Garabagh left the region for various reasons without the pressure of Azerbaijan. Despite all these facts, we are witnessing that in some media organizations, some circles accuse Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing and a new type of genocide. This is a complete distortion of the truth," the Turkish expert added.

Furthermore, Irfan Kaya said that it is not Pashinyan's government, but rather the Armenian diaspora that is to blame for the migration of Armenians.

"There is no doubt that ultra-nationalist propaganda against Azerbaijan played an important role in the migration of Armenians living in Garabagh. It has reached such a point that those who did not emigrate, but remained in the region, are secretly and openly accused of treason. From this point of view, they forced the masses to migrate. I think that the Pashinyan administration seems more moderate in this matter," the expert noted.

In the end, Professor Ulger, talking about the Armenians who left Azerbaijan, noted that most of them will live in Armenia. Some will be granted citizenship, while others will try to migrate to Western countries. A campaign was launched against Turkiye and Azerbaijan in connection with this migration. This campaign may become more intensive in the future. The first sign for this was given by Australian actor Mel Gibson. He openly accused Turkiye and Azerbaijan of committing a new type of genocide. In the following years, this category of accusations will continue to increase. But from the point of view of international law, it is impossible to blame Azerbaijan in any way. The anti-terrorist measures is legal. From the perspective of international law, what is happening is the internal affairs of Azerbaijan.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
2 October 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

- Russia wants to completely exclude Armenia from the CSTO

- The Russian military base can be removed from Gyumri

- Armenia's bringing the EU mission group to the region and Russia's reaction to it

- Armenia's steps to open the Zangazur Corridor and Russia's role in the process

2023 can be noted as the most dynamic year of processes in the South Caucasus, especially in the Garabagh economic region of Azerbaijan. On April 23 of this year, with the establishment of the Lachin border checkpoint, the situation, which changed dramatically, brought clarity to every dark issue that was expected in the end. In fact, if we look closely at what happened in the last nine months, it can be seen that the most active element in these processes was Western politics. As for the reason, it is more appropriate to approach it from a broader perspective.

This can even be partially attributed to the victory of the West in its pressure against the Kremlin. However, the other winning side of this victory is Azerbaijan. Because in the current situation, due to the correct and well-planned political steps, Azerbaijan has managed to fully ensure its territorial integrity amid such tensions.

Since the Western forces stepped into the South Caucasus, they were able to bring the Armenian-Russian relations to a tense state. The situation has reached such a point that Yerevan has already decided to leave Moscow's orbit completely. This situation also affected the mutual relations between the peacekeeping contingent and the Armenians in Garabagh until the separatist regime was completely removed from the territories.

Today, Armenia is considering withdrawing from the CSTO, which was formed in 2002 to fulfill the obligations of the 1992 Collective Security Treaty. Russia, in turn, is reviewing the documents on the complete withdrawal of Armenia from the CSTO membership. Although the CSTO was created at the time as an attempt to build on the successful alliance with the Warsaw Pact, the organization became relatively weak. When Armenia became a member of the CSTO, the lands of Azerbaijan were still under its occupation. However, this could not mean that the CSTO created an advantage over its military power. Until the Patriotic War took place on September 27, 2020, Armenia could not fully analyze the level of its military potential. Thus, there were three main factors that perplexedly reassured the Armenian government: a) the fact that Armenia (as an invader) is the de facto ruler in the territory of Garabagh; b) Armenia's confidence in Russia's military and political hegemony; c) and finally Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's use of forces in the West as plan 'b'.

If Armenia thought that one of these three factors would be stronger, it did not take into account the level of development of the Azerbaijani army. On the 5th day of the Patriotic War, Armenia lost more than 200,000 military equipment and had to retreat. Although Armenia was provided with enough weapons, its tactical use in battles was at a very low level. It seems that Armenia has not been able to benefit from military exercises to a sufficient extent within the CSTO, of which it is a member. As the Armenian forces retreated from Garabagh, their self-confidence rapidly decreased. Even after the war, many questions arose within the Armenian authorities about the defeat. It was believed that either there was a strong betrayal in the army, or the CSTO, which they were a member of, or Russia, which they trusted, could not support them sufficiently. Therefore, as the processes continued rapidly, deep rifts began to appear in the relations between Armenia and Russia. According to Konstantin Zatulin, the first deputy chairman of the CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Committee of the Russian State Duma, Armenia may announce its withdrawal from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in the near future. But this is still the beginning of the road for Armenia.

According to another information, the Russian military base No. 102, located in the Gyumri province of Armenia since December 29, 1941, may be canceled. However, that base was established by the Soviet authorities near the borders of Turkiye for the purpose of border control, and during that period, the territory of Armenia was deliberately kept under full control by Russian military troops. Today, the tense relations between Armenia and Russia have already raised the issue of removing the military base from the area. Although it is not a convincing fact, the removal of the base from the territory will, on the other hand, create real conditions for the freer movement of Western forces within Armenia. The EU mission group is currently intervening in the military structure in Armenia. It even closely participates with Armenia in carrying out various provocations. Although these provocations were initially aimed at Azerbaijan, the goal is to target Russia. In any case, if Russia reacts to this at some point, it may lead to a military conflict in the region. Although it is Armenia that suffers more seriously than this, instability in the South Caucasus in general can be a step taken for the benefit of various circles. Such a situation can also prevent the implementation of many large-scale projects from an economic point of view. Thus, the tension in Russian-Armenian relations seems to be a reason that can strengthen the intervention of foreign forces in the Caucasus region.

On the other hand, the Armenian-Russian tension may also affect the processes related to Zangazur Corridor. Considering the non-objectivity of the West, it is already clear what steps Armenia will take in the opening of the Zangazur Corridor. If Armenia creates conditions for the West to interfere in its internal politics, it is inevitable that the control of the international transport corridor will not be entirely in the hands of Armenia.

Processes show it once again that leaving Armenia in the region out of control can create any dangerous situation in the region. The only solution is for Armenia to learn to conduct an independent policy and refrain from attracting foreign forces to the region. On the other hand, Armenia cannot take the right step in politics unless it abandons the principles of revanchism. This can lead to its complete destruction one day and its territory turning into a war zone like Syria and Ukraine.

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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

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Addis Ababa, Oct 2 (UNI) Ethiopian authorities conducted an investigation into Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, former Ethiopian Health Minister and the current head of the World Health Organisation (WHO, over alleged financial wrongdoing and sexual misconduct in 2021, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing internal documents of Ethiopian law enforcement bodies.

The report said that the financial intelligence center of the Ethiopian Finance Ministry had begun investigating the activities of the WHO head in June 2021, citing a dossier made public by the Paris-based Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa, which consists of documents sent to the judicial authorities and the federal police. The documents include bank information, handwritten witnesses statements and online correspondence between investigators, witnesses and banks. Ethiopian investigators were checking allegations that Ghebreyesus was involved in embezzlement of public funds, sexual misconduct, illegal property acquisitions in Addis Ababa, bid rigging and illegal procurement during his tenure as Ethiopia's health minister between 2005 and 2012.

The dossier also contains a claim that Ghebreyesus allegedly received a bribe to grant a contract for the supply of mosquito nets, the news outlet reported. The Ethiopian financial intelligence unit also alleged that the ex-health minister harassed women and promoted those who accepted his sexual advances and punished those who did not.

Ghebreyesus himself rejected all allegations, saying that it was nothing more than a "smear campaign." Bloomberg reported that these documents contained no proof confirming the accusations.

The investigation may have been politically motivated, as Ghebreyesus is Tigrayan by ethnicity and there was a violent conflict between the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) at that time, according to the report. Following a peace treaty between Addis Ababa and Tigray rebels in November 2022, the investigation was stopped and no criminal charges were brought against the WHO chief, the news agency said.

Ethiopia has been struggling with a violent internal conflict since November 2020, when the central government accused the TPLF of attacking its military base and launched an anti-terrorist operation in the region. A sustainable truce was reached in early November 2022. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions of people, and caused a dire humanitarian crisis in the country.

UNI/SPUTNIK AKS
2 October 2023 21:30 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Exactly 50 years later, Azerbaijan is hosting again the 74th International Astronautical Congress in Baku. It is a significant day for the whole of Azerbaijan to hold such an event, which marks the opening of new paths in economic, social, industrial, as well as technological spheres of development. The last congress was held in 1973 with the help of national leader Heydar Aliyev.

Let us go back in time to the second half of the 13th century to the town of Maragha, where the outstanding Azerbaijani scientist Nasiruddin Tusi (1201-1274) worked and cognized the sky, and where one of the largest observatories of that time was built on his initiative and astronomical calculations on stars. At that time, the scientist was able to prove in his conviction the necessity of studying the natural elements and their occurrences directly having an influence from the celestial bodies, in the movement of the planets, in the occurrence of lightning. The necessity of this project was approved and put into action by Hulagu Khan, the ruler of the Ilkhanid state, where, referring to history, the interest in knowledge could greatly help in wartime.

According to the plan of the scientist astronomer Tusi, the Maragheh Observatory was to become a home for the greatest scientists of the time, a cradle for the development of astronomy, mathematics, and geography. N.Tusi believed that any ruler who develops his country for the good should also be interested not in wars, but in the education of scientists, and the development of science and knowledge.

The results obtained by the observers of the Maragheh Observatory were quite accurate not only for their time but also for the future 2-3 centuries.

On this occasion, scientist Charles A. Berry wrote in "A Brief History of Astronomy": "Here labored a mass of astronomers under the general supervision of Nasiruddin. The instruments they used were remarkable for their magnitude, and were, in all probability, better than those used in Copernicus' time; they were surpassed for the first time only by those of Tycho Brahe."

In 1959, the establishment of the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory was laid down in the history of Azerbaijan.

In 1973, the 24th Congress of the International Astronautical Federation was held in Baku on the initiative of Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev.

In 2009, the State Programme for the establishment and development of the space industry in the Republic of Azerbaijan was approved by the President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev, which stimulates the process of further development of the aerospace industry in the country.

Azerbaijan's national satellite operator Azercosmos was established on 3 May 2010.

Azerbaijan's first satellite Azerspace-1 was launched into space on 8 February 2013 from the Guiana Space Centre located in French Guiana.

On 30 June 2014, the Azersky Earth observation satellite was successfully launched into orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

On 26 September 2018, Azerbaijan's third satellite, Azerspace-2, was successfully launched into orbit from the Guiana Space Centre located in French Guiana.

At the General Assembly of the International Astronautical Federation in Washington, Baku was selected as the host city of the International Astronautical Congress in 2023.

In 2021, Azerspace was transformed into the Space Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On 4 August 2023, the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Space Activities" was approved by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Baku has been the first and the only city in the region where IAC was organised in 1973. Today, Azerbaijan is the winning country, holding the 74th International Astronautical Congress IAC 2023 in Baku under the title "Give Space a Chance".

IAC 2023 in Baku is being attended by more than 500 representatives from 101 countries, including space agencies, industrial complexes, global media, investors, and those who have a desire to discover the beautiful, rich culture and history of Azerbaijan.

Among the agencies and companies participating in the exhibition are the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Japanese space agency JAXA, Italian space agency Agenzia Speziale Italiana, AIRBUS, Canadian Innovation Centre INO, French National Space Research Centre CNES, Indian space agency ISRO, Turkish space agency Turkiye Uzay Ajans and other international companies.

A grandiose future is beginning to dawn for Azerbaijan as many companies are willing to help develop and modernise the technological aspects of this area of space exploration. Time will come and space industry institutes will be built in Baku, pavilions will be built for training and education of Azerbaijani astronauts in space exploration, and avenues will be opened for the young generation of Azerbaijan. And the desire to become an astronaut will soon become possible.

The speeches touched upon the global changes of the world scale, and the need to solve many issues concerning mankind soon, in uniting the forces of countries. The rapid development of AI was also touched upon in the topic of space exploration for mankind, where the former will help and modernise the needs of mankind.

At the opening of IAC 2023 in Baku, the President of Azerbaijan delivered a wonderful speech to the congress, recalling that Azerbaijan became a member of the global space club more than 10 years ago, and has two telecommunication satellites and one Earth observation satellite.

"The Congress here in Baku will certainly give a new impetus to the development of the space industry, the development of our country's high technology and innovation sector, its modernisation," the President said adding that Azerbaijan is looking to be further upgraded.

"Nowadays, modernisation is a word that describes our vision of the future, our agenda and our plans. During the years of independence, Azerbaijan has turned into an active member of the international community. Our policy is always very clear, transparent, straightforward and aimed at winning friends and deepening cooperation," President Ilham Aliyev added.

Azerbaijan has been a multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi-confessional society for centuries, which is confirmed not only in words but also in deeds. In this attractiveness, many companies in the person of China have turned to Azerbaijan, in desire to help build technological and social institutions for the development of the sky, and in many respects, this was promoted by the onset of peace and prosperity in the Caucasus, where three years ago Azerbaijan fulfilled the main task set for itself by restoring territorial integrity, which was violated for more than 30 years.

Azerbaijan experienced aggression, occupation, and ethnic cleansing, which was a great tragedy for the people and a great humanitarian catastrophe. For many years Azerbaijan has been trying to solve the conflict peacefully and put an end to the occupation. For 27-28 years international organisations, which were obliged to pay attention and put an end to the occupation, did not yield any results, in the face of the UN Security Council and the adoption of 4 resolutions, which required the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the territories of Azerbaijan. In the end, Azerbaijan solved the conflict itself, sacrificing many lives.

Now the main task for Azerbaijan is peace and prosperity in the Caucasus, cooperation and gaining new friends. This kind of event will have a favourable impact on all kinds of industries and will give impetus to investments.

Abbas Ganbay is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @Noend33

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2 October 2023 14:42 (UTC+04:00)

Vagif Aydinoglu, head of the press service of Azerbaijan's Azerishig, said that the Jabrayil Digital Control Center will help ensure the reliability and sustainability of the electricity supply. The center will enable the monitoring of the electricity supply and help to identify and address any issues that may arise, Azernews reports.

President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan inaugurated the Jabrayil Digital Control Center of the Azerishig OJSC on October 19, 2022. The center is powered from the 110/35/10 kV Jabrail substation and will partially meet the city's demand for electricity while helping to control two other power centers through the digital platform.

In addition to the Jabrayil Digital Control Center, the Azerbaijani President has also opened the Zangilan Convention Center Complex, laid the foundation stone for Alibeyli village in the Zangilan district, and inaugurated the Jahangirbayli Hydroelectric Power Plant of the Azerenergy OJSC. He has also laid the foundation stone for the second, third, and fourth residential complexes in the city of Zangilan, as well as the 160-seat kindergarten and administrative building in the city of Jabrayil.

The construction of the Shirvan Residential Complex, which will occupy a total area of 8 hectares, and consist of 25 buildings, has started. The complex will feature a total of 1264 apartments comprised of 32 studios, 216 two-room, 768 three-room and 248 four-room ones. The construction of the Yevlakh Residential Complex, which will consist of 6 seven-story buildings, will start soon. The complex will feature a total of 329 apartments, consisting of 28 one-room, 14 studio, 84 two-room, 139 three-room, and 64 four-room.

The opening of the Jabrayil Digital Control Center and the other projects initiated by President Ilham Aliyev will help to ensure the reliability and sustainability of the electricity supply in Jabrayil, Azerbaijan.

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2 October 2023 18:43 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

In accordance with the request voiced by representatives of the Armenian residents of the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan on September 29 in the city of Yevlakh during a regular meeting regarding the organization of radio and television broadcasting, the situation with broadcasting in the region was studied, Azernews reports with reference to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Digital Development and Transport.

It was noted that as a result of radio monitoring, seven radio and nine television programs of Azerbaijan were broadcast through the Shusha TV and Radio Broadcasting Station in many territories of the Garabagh region, including Khankendi. Education of the Armenian residents living in the Garabagh region and communication of the calls of the Azerbaijani state to them is carried out using FM radio at frequencies 101.1, 103.5, and 97.7 MHz, as well as digital television at a frequency of 674 MHz, broadcast in Armenian and Russian languages,

However, additional measures will be taken to further expand the quality and coverage of radio and television broadcasts in the Garabagh region, the message says.

Communication network starts operating in Khankendi

Further to the report, the State Service for Special Communication and Information Security (SSIS) has created and put into operation a TETRA radio communication network in the city of Khankendi, as well as in Agdera and Khojaly districts for reliable management and organization of information exchange in operational mode.

It was reported that currently, preparations for the construction of "AzStateNet" network are underway in this region.

It was noted that the State Service of Special Communication and Information Security, guided by the decrees and orders of the President of Azerbaijan, continues to provide state bodies with uninterrupted and secure special-purpose communication.

It should be remembered that during the last period of the current year, 15 state institutions operating in the territories of Garabagh and East Zangezur economic regions were provided with data and internet channels through "AzStateNet" network.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

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2 October 2023 17:00 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye in the field of industry and technology have been discussed. This was reported by Economy Minister Mikail Jabbarov in his account on the social network "X", Azernews reports.

"With Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacr, we expressed satisfaction with the development of friendly and fraternal relations between the two countries in various directions, as well as in the field of industry and technology, and exchanged views. on the prospects of our cooperation," he said.

During the meeting with Mehmet Fatih Kacir (@mfatihkacir), the Minister of Industry and Technology of Turkiye, we expressed our satisfaction with the progress of relations between the two countries in diverse fields, particularly in #industry and #technology sectors. Furthermore, pic.twitter.com/2OgSGtq8AO  Mikayil Jabbarov (@MikayilJabbarov) October 2, 2023

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2 October 2023 19:00 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerbaijani director has been invited to take part in the 10th MITEN International Theater Festival in Hungary.

Recall that this spring Tarlan Rasulov became the only Azerbaijani director to represent the country at the International Theater Olympics in Hungary.

"The scale of the Olympics is impressive. More than 750 theater productions from 58 countries were demonstrated in different Hungarian cities as part of the event. The Olympics are held every four years. It would be nice if Azerbaijan also hosted the Theater Olympics one day. It is very important to overcome some of the isolation of our theater. We have everything for this and there are people who can realize this plan in the best possible way, shaking up the theatrical landscape and demonstrating the strengths of the Azerbaijani theater to professionals and audiences from different countries," Tarlan Rasulov told AZERNEWS.

The finale of the Theater Olympics will be the MITEM festival. Its rich program includes a theater conference, discussions and round tables on contemporary challenges facing culture and art, popular theater productions from France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Georgia and other countries, as well as a review of the national Hungarian theater.

Founded in 2014, Hungary's largest international theater festival is aimed to serve as an artistic meeting place where representatives of different cultures and theater aesthetics can present their work and connect with each other.

In recent years, the festival program included over 200 theater plays from 30 countries.

The 10th MITEN International Theater Festival will last until October 23.

Tarlan Rasulov is a theater director, founder of the dOM, known as the first interactive theater in Azerbaijan. He is also the author of the method of spontaneous acting.

Rasulov heads the Cultural Center at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts and the laboratory of experimental theater at the Azerbaijan Union of Theater Workers.

He has initiated a number of social and theatrical projects created with the support of UNICEF, UNHCR, Goethe Institute, British Council, etc.

Tarlan Rasulov is a member of the Azerbaijan Union of Theater Workers. European Drama Translation Network (EURODRAM), Eastern European Performing Arts Platform, Guild of Professional Film Directors of Azerbaijan.

Regional managing editor of the Azerbaijani theater section of the international theater portal The Theater Times. Participant and laureate of international theater festivals, expert and speaker at international forums and conferences.

He is also the regional managing editor of the Azerbaijani theater section of the international portal "The Theater Times".

Rasulov is a participant and laureate of international theater festivals, expert and speaker at international forums and conferences.

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2 October 2023 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Today, the 74th Baku International Astronautical Congress begins in Baku with the partnership of the Azerbaijan Space Agency (Azercomos) and the International Astronautical Federation, Azernews reports.

The event will be attended by representatives of space agencies, the state sector, investors and private space companies, local and international media organizations, and more than 5,000 representatives from 101 countries.

At the International Astronautical Congress, 150 companies are represented in the exhibition pavilion.

Among the agencies and companies participating in the exhibition are the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Japan's JAXA space agency, Italy's Agenzia Speziale Italiana space agency, AIRBUS company, Canada's innovation center INO, France's National Space Research Center "CNES", Indian space agency "ISRO", Turkish space agency "Turkiye Uzay Ajans" and other international companies took part.

Conferences, technical sessions, and exhibitions will be organized within the Baku Congress. The technical sessions will take place at the Heydar Aliyev Center.

It should be noted that the next International Astronautical Congress will be held in Milan, Italy.

The city where the Congress will be held in 2026 will be selected and announced within the framework of the Baku Congress.

It should be noted that the International Astronautical Congress in Baku will continue until October 6.

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2 October 2023 11:29 (UTC+04:00)

The Western Azerbaijani Community welcomes the complete restoration of the state sovereignty and constitutional order in the Garabagh economic region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, achieved through the dissolution of the illegal regime and the disarmament of Armenia's armed forces and other illegal armed groups and their withdrawal from Azerbaijani territory, as an epochal event, Azernews reports, citing the Community.

The statement reads:

The Community extends its heartfelt congratulations to the entire Azerbaijani people on this historical accomplishment under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev.

The restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty not only represents a triumph of justice but also paves the way for establishment of the enduring peace in the region.

Grounded in values of human rights, reconciliation, and coexistence, the Western Azerbaijan Community - while wholeheartedly supporting the establishment of peace between the two states - remains resolute in its mission to ensure the peaceful, safe, and dignified return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia to their homes, within the framework of international law.

The Community is hopeful that the Armenian society and government will assess this historical opportunity correctly and opt for the path of peace, cooperation, and coexistence, rather than the one marked by confrontation and isolation.

In this context, the Community expresses serious concerns about Armenia's continued policy of rejecting cultural diversity, reintegration, and coexistence. It is well known that Armenia's opposition to the reintegration of Garabagh Armenians into Azerbaijan was rooted in its territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Another significant motivation behind Armenia's opposition is its inhumane calculation that successful reintegration and coexistence of ethnic Armenians in Azerbaijan would strengthen the prospects for the return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia.

Hence, following the collapse of the illegal regime in Garabagh, Armenia orchestrated the relocation of Armenians from that region to Armenia, preventing their inevitable reintegration into Azerbaijan. To further complicate matters, the remnants of the Armenian military, before leaving Garabagh, massively landmines in civil infrastructure, administrative buildings, individual residences, and cultivated fields, rendering the area uninhabitable. The reason is evident: Armenia, which has not abandoned its mono-ethnic policy, is unwilling to allow representatives of the two peoples to coexist, either in Armenia or in Azerbaijan.

The Western Azerbaijan Community strongly condemns this racist approach by Armenias government.

The Community appeals to the international community to exert pressure on Armenia so that it chooses the path of peace, supports coexistence and reconciliation between the two peoples, ends its ideology of mono-ethnic society, and provides accurate maps of landmines and other explosive devices it planted in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, including the areas from which ethnic Armenians recently moved.

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2 October 2023 12:41 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

The Investigation Department of the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan is conducting a preliminary investigation into 8 criminal cases related to gross violations by the military-political regime of the Republic of Armenia of the requirements of the UN International Convention On the Suppression of the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries, said the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Kamran Aliyev, Azernews reports.

He said that in these criminal cases, 17 citizens of foreign states (Russia, Georgia, France) were brought in as defendants and put on the wanted list with the selection of a preventive measure against them in the form of detention, and they were also put on the international wanted list through National Central Bureau of Interpol.

In their interviews on social networks, these individuals stated that they are in the ranks of the Armenian Armed Forces in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. There are photo and video materials indicating the participation of these individuals in hostilities. Investigative and operational measures to detain and bring these individuals to justice are continuing. In this regard, numerous requests for legal assistance have been sent to the relevant countries," Kamran Aliyev added.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

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2 October 2023 11:05 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan became a member of a global space club more than a decade ago and has two telecommunication satellites and one Earth observation satellite, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said while addressing the opening ceremony of the 74th International Astronautical Congress, Azernews reports.

We continue our efforts to develop space industry in Azerbaijan, the head of state added.

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2 October 2023 13:44 (UTC+04:00)

Today, the Azerbaijani pavilion, created at the International Horticultural Exhibition 2023 in Doha under the joint organization of the Heydar Aliyev Center and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, began work, Azernews reports.

Doha Expo 2023, which will be held from October 2 to March 28, 2024, was organized under the theme Green Desert, Better Environment.

Our National Pavilion showcases the richness of Azerbaijan's flora in keeping with the overall theme of Doha Expo. In the pavilion, plant compositions were created according to climatic zones. Here visitors are conveyed the beauty of the Kharibulbul rose, which is the crown of the Garabagh flora.

The pavilion also displays exhibits and information about Azerbaijani culture. Folk crafts such as carpet weaving, coppersmithing, net weaving, national costumes, and the Mugham trio are presented here.

More than 70 countries and about 20 international organizations are represented at the exhibition. During the exhibition, visitors will be able to get acquainted with the topics of modern agriculture, technology and innovation, environmental awareness, and sustainable development.

The 1.7 million square meter event site is located in Al-Bidda Park, one of Doha's largest parks. Here the territory is divided into 3 zones: the International Zone, where pavilions are presented, the Family Zone, where fun events will be held, and the Cultural Zone, where various debates, conferences, and exhibitions will be organized.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

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Mumbai, Oct 2 (UNI) Auto major TVS Motor Company registered a growth of 6 per cent in September 2023 with sales of 402,553 units as against 379,011 units in the month of September 2022.



Total two-wheelers registered a growth of 7 per cent with sales increasing from 361,729 units in September 2022 to 386,955 units in September 2023. Domestic two-wheeler registered growth of 6 per cent with sales increasing from 283,878 units in September 2022 to 300,493 units in September 2023.



Motorcycle registered a growth of 10 per cent with sales increasing from 169,322 units in September 2022 to 186,438 units in September 2023. Scooter registered a growth of 8 per cent with sales increasing from 144,356 units in September 2022 to 155,526 units in September 2023.



The Company sold 20,356 units of TVS iQube Electric in September 2023 as against sales of 4,923 units in September 2022.







The Company's total exports registered a growth of 8% with sales increasing from 92,975 units in September 2022 to 100,294 units in September 2023. Two-wheeler exports registered a growth of 11 percent with sales increasing from 77,851 units in September 2022 to 86,462 units in September 2023. Both retails and despatch have begun to improve in the IB markets.



Three-wheeler of the Company registered sales of 15,598 units in September 2023 as against 17,282 units in September 2022.



UNI JS Kk
2 October 2023 11:37 (UTC+04:00)

The opening ceremony of the 74th International Astronautical Congress is under way at the Baku Convention Center, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the event.

The Azerbaijani President addressed the event touching on several important points, regarding Azerbaijan's growing influence in the political and economic spheres.

Azerbaijan participates as an active member of the international community in numerous political, economic, regional development projects, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said while addressing the opening ceremony of the 74th International Astronautical Congress.

We, for the fourth year, are chairing the Non-Aligned Movement, the second after the United Nations international institution, and we've been entrusted the honor to chair this institution by unanimous decision of 120 countries. So, this really reflects the broad international support to Azerbaijan, the President noted.

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2 October 2023 16:33 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

According to the joint action plan signed between the Ministries of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan, joint tactical exercises "Khazri-2023" are being held in Baku with the participation of ships and military personnel of the Naval Forces (Navies) of both countries, Azernews reports with reference to the Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry.

On October 2, warships and personnel of the Kazakh Navy arrived in Baku to participate in joint tactical exercises.

The Commander of the Azerbaijan Navy, Vice Admiral Subhan Bekirov, met with a delegation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan led by the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Saken Bekzhanov.

Having welcomed the guests, Vice Admiral S. Bekirov expressed pleasure to see them in our country. He noted that joint tactical exercises in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea will make a significant contribution to the mutual exchange of experience between military personnel of both countries, further increasing their professionalism and level of training.

Let us note that during the joint Azerbaijani-Kazakh tactical exercises, which will last until October 8, actions will be carried out on various episodes, the department said in a statement.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

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2 October 2023 16:54 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

The name of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-speaking Countries is changing, Azernews reports.

According to the parliament, this issue was discussed at today's meeting of the Milli Majlis. The draft approval of the Protocol On Amendments to the Location Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-Speaking Countries (TurkPA Secretariat), the organization will be called the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-Speaking States.

After discussion, the document was put to a vote and approved.

Recall that the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) was established by the Agreement signed by the Heads of Parliaments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkiye on November 21, 2008 at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

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2 October 2023 18:29 (UTC+04:00)

A document of agreement was signed in Baku on April 24, 2023, which aims to promote and strengthen defense cooperation between Azerbaijan and Gerogia, as well as provide practical activities for the implementation of military cooperation programs adopted by the parties.

In this regard, at today's plenary session of the parliament the law "On approval of the agreement on cooperation in the field of defence between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of Georgia" was also discussed, Azernews reports.

The document states that the parties will cooperate in the following areas:

- military education, training and exercises;

- defence and security policy;

- peacekeeping and humanitarian operations;

- cooperation within the framework of NATO's Partnership for Peace programme;

- arms control and disarmament;

- military legislation;

- logistics;

- civil-military co-operation;

- defence cyber security;

- military cartography;

- military medical services;

- social, sporting and cultural activities;

- humanitarian demining;

- other areas of mutual interest.

Co-operation between the parties will take the following forms:

- official visits and staff meetings;

- bilateral negotiations, consultations and exchange of experience;

- participation in training and educational events;

- exchange of information of mutual interest;

- participation in conferences and seminars;

- participation in cultural and sporting events;

- other mutually agreed forms of co-operation.

The competent bodies for the implementation of the agreement are the Ministry of Defence on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defence on behalf of the Government of Georgia. The competent authorities of the parties may sign additional agreements and annual co-operation plans for the implementation of the Agreement. Any changes in the authorities shall be notified to the parties in writing through diplomatic channels.

The draft was put to the vote and adopted.

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2 October 2023 20:47 (UTC+04:00)

An exhibition has been organized as part of the 74th International Astronautical Congress., Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their son Heydar Aliyev attended the opening of the exhibition.

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony symbolizing the opening of the exhibition, the attendees familiarized themselves with the stands of participating companies.

The pavilion of the exhibition, installed on an area of 8,000 square meters, features the stands of 150 companies representing 36 countries.

The head of state and the First Lady viewed the stands of the Turkish Space Agency, the Saudi Space Agency, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Indian Space Research Organization, the Israel Aerospace Industries, the Italian Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Chinese Society of Astronautics and other companies.

The Baku Congress has already surpassed the congresses held in Australia, Germany, U.S., UAE and France in terms of number of sponsorship packages bought by 22 companies in space industry. The Congress has over 30 sponsors.

4 main sponsorship packages, including Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze ones, were bought by the US companies such as Space X, Axiom Space, Blue Origin, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BlackSky Vast, Northrop Grumman, the Chinese Society of Astronautics, the Turkish Space Agency, the Plan S technology company, the Saudi Space Agency, Israel Aerospace Industries, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, the Indian Space Research Organization, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, ispace, JGC Holdings Corporation, Astroscale companies, Aiurbus Office in Germany, Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications, Portugal's Neuraspace company, Bulgaria's EnduraSat company, Austria's Asgardia Space company, the Italian Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the UK Space Agency, Amazon's Project Kuiper, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Voyager Space company.

Founded in 1951, the International Astronautical Federation is the worlds leading space advocacy body with more than 460 members in 110 countries, including all leading space agencies, companies, research institutions, universities, societies, associations, institutes and museums worldwide.

As organizer of the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC)  worlds premier global space event  and other thematic events, the IAF actively encourages the development of astronautics for peaceful purposes and supports the dissemination of scientific and technical information related to space. Azerbaijan has been a member of the International Astronautical Federation since 2003.

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2 October 2023 23:50 (UTC+04:00)

With the support of the Department of Political and Economic Research of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic, the First Analytical Kurultai in Central Asia - the First International Conference on Business and System Analysis in the Kyrgyz Republic - will be held in Bishkek on October 7, 2023, Azernews reports, citing Kabar.

The community of business analysts of the Kyrgyz Republic invited speakers from Belarus, Russia, the Republic of Cyprus, and Kazakhstan, who are ready to share their valuable experience. The speakers worked/are working in companies such as Gazpromneft - Digital Solutions, EPAM Systems, Sberbank, Geek Brains, Escalate, UniCredit Bank, VEB Technologies and other organizations.

It should be noted that the community of business analysts of the Kyrgyz Republic was created in the spring of 2022 and has more than 400 participants. The community hosted more than 10 free events, from talks to hands-on workshops and sessions.

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2 October 2023 22:15 (UTC+04:00)

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received Mutaz al-Hayat, the chairman of the board of Power International Holding company, at his residence in Doha on October 1, Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz News Agency.

Power International is the largest national holding company of Qatar, which is active in 19 countries of the world in the fields of energy, petrochemical, industry, agriculture, transport infrastructure, healthcare, and tourism. It is one of the leading multinational companies in the Middle East.

Today, in cooperation with this company, a modern livestock cluster is being built in Jizzakh region, which will be the largest agro-industrial complex of the region in the future.

Building a high-speed highway in the country, increasing the volume of ammonia and urea production, building business and hotel infrastructure, and health facilities were noted as promising projects.

The Qatari side announced that the holding will soon open its office in Uzbekistan.

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2 October 2023 20:35 (UTC+04:00)

The success of the constitution Turkiye adopts is based on its inclusiveness for every political party and every sector of society, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told parliament on Sunday, reiterating the need to draw up a new constitution, Azernews reports, citing Yeni Safak.

"This call goes out to anyone who wants a truly national, local, civil, and visionary constitution, not a directive of coup plotters, he said on the countrys need for a new charter to replace the 1982 Constitution, which was drawn up in the wake of a coup.

Marking the start of parliament's new legislative session, Erdogan said Turkiye deserves a constitution that enlightens and expands its horizons, adding that the new constitution will be open to compromise based on basic values while respecting the countrys red lines.

"We believe that the conditions of our country today are suitable for the first time to prepare a constitution within the natural functioning of the democratic system and submit it for the approval of the nation, he said, suggesting that a referendum might be held.

A new constitution could look at improving Turkiyes relatively new presidential system  passed in a 2017 referendum  he said.

With the new constitution, we will have the opportunity to put an end to the debate over the system of administration once and for all, Erdogan added.

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The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir will bring their beautiful melodies to Bahrain on Oct. 6 as part of the Gulf Music and Folk Arts Festival.

The concert will take place at the Bahrain National Theatre and tickets are already on sale at the Virgin Megastore online.

The concert will begin at 8:00 p.m. and the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir will mesmerize audiences with their national, heritage, and taarab songs.

Recently, the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir impressed audiences at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

Read More: Bahrain to Host the Biggest Karting Tournament on This Date

The performance was the Orchestra's debut event in the US. They will soon head to Bahrain to dazzle the audiences there!

If you would like to get a taste of Saudi Arabia's musical heritage, then book your tickets now!

Image source: @MOCSaudi Twitter page
Public Health to look into Gibraltars Special Educational Needs

A public health specialist from the UK Health Security Agency, Una Geary, is arriving in Gibraltar this week to work with the Director of Public Health Dr Helen Carter and undertake a project to explore whether Gibraltar has more children with special educational needs than would be expected of a population our size.

The second stage of this project is then to explore what the potential causes for this could be. The project is anticipated to take 4 months and Una will be visiting Gibraltar twice during this time to meet with key individuals, organisations and charities.

The Director of Public Health, Dr Helen Carter, said: Im pleased to welcome Una to work with me on this project. We will be contacting a range of people to arrange meetings with Una over the next few months. If you feel that you would like to contribute please contact the public health team on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Caretaker Minister for Public Health, the Hon Professor John Cortes, said: The Government has provided unprecedented resources and improved provision for special needs education, and it is important that we understand as much as possible what we have seen an increase in these needs. I am delighted that we are looking further into this so that we can understand better the situation here and most importantly what we need to do to address potential causes while ensuring that future services meet the needs of our children as they move into adulthood.
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Beach Driving Rules in Oregon Coast Town Change: Restrictions in Lincoln City Upheld

Published 09/28/23 at 6:07 a.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Lincoln City, Oregon)  Beach driving rules have changed slightly in one Oregon coast town, with the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission voting to stop allowing cars on one beach in Lincoln City while continuing to allow driving on another there for most of the year. (All photos Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

New rules were adopted last week with the cooperation of the Lincoln City Council, which had already voted earlier this year to support these changes. They and State Parks based this decision on the input of local fire and rescue crews, who urged authorities to change the rules for the safety of the public. Among the issues: they had found congestion of vehicles at these beaches hindered rescue efforts after 911 calls to the area.

For decades, driving at the NW 15th Street access and ramp had been allowed year-round - one of the few on the entire Oregon coat. It is now blocked during the summer months, but allowed in fall, winter and spring. You can drive 150 feet in either direction. This opens again on October 1 and will be so through April 30.

Motor vehicles are prohibited at all other times except for emergency vehicles, State Parks said in a release.

The other, smaller access at NW 34th (often known as the Grace Hammond access) is now prohibited year-round to driving on the sand. Oregon coast officials found there were various safety concerns, especially crowding at the beach. With no real separation between beachgoers and vehicles, officials said the risk of injury to visitors playing in the stream directly below the access point was a possibility.

Im grateful for our partners in Lincoln City and around Oregon who voiced their concerns and helped find a solution that balances the needs of our visitors at the Oregon Coast," Central Coast District Manager Preson Phillips said. "This rule change provides a safer experience at the beach access points in Lincoln City.

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State Parks will install signs that clearly communicate the closures and rule changes.



Grace Hammond / NW 34th access

The agency said it also plans to improve knowledge about how those with disabilities can access the shoreline from both beaches, which have ramps down to the sand. Improved signage to make this clear is in the works, State Parks said.

The new rules were adopted by the commission on September 20.

Oregon Coast Beach Connection does not recommend driving on any beaches (except for dunes areas where ATVs are allowed), even though it is only allowed on a handful of accesses.

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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.

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North Carolina parents and school board members identified teacher shortages as one of the biggest challenges facing education, according to recent polling

Data show that during the 2021-2022 school year, only about 8% of teachers left the profession, and school districts reported around 5,000 teaching positions not staffed by a permanent, fully licensed teacher

Reforming the teacher pay scale to reward teachers for excellence could help not only attract and retain high-quality teachers, but also raise student achievement

Parents and school board members say that teacher shortages are a major challenge facing education in North Carolina, according to poll results released by the John Locke Foundation.This spring, Locke commissioned two polls to discover more about the opinions of parents and school board members concerning important issues in education. We also surveyed parents in September 2022. Although both groups identified many challenges in education, and even though concern about teacher shortages has declined among parents since last fall, the issue remained one of the top three concerns that parents and school board members had about education.Last fall, a plurality of parents (19%) said that a shortage of teachers and staff was the biggest challenge facing education. Unsafe schools (14%) and politicized classrooms (12%) rounded out parents' top three responses.The Spring 2023 parent poll found a smaller percentage of parents (17%) who said teacher shortages were the biggest problem, while a slightly larger percentage responded that the most significant problem was school boards usurping parental authority. Thirteen percent of parents thought insufficient funding was the biggest hurdle.School board members also appeared concerned about unfilled teaching positions. Nearly a quarter of respondents (23%) reported teacher shortages as public schools' biggest challenge, while nearly a third (32%) said it was the politicization of education, and 15% thought it was unequal funding across school districts.The results from the polls raise the question: How worried should parents and school board members be about teacher shortages?The Good News: Most Teachers Are Choosing to Keep TeachingData show parents and school board members can take heart: Most teachers in North Carolina are choosing to stay in the classroom. Between March 2021 and March 2022, the state employed 93,832 teachers in public school districts. Of these, 7,298 are no longer working in the system. Thus, as the most up-to-datereport disclosed,a decline of 0.4% from the previous year. According to the report, North Carolina's teacher attrition rate is similar to that of other professions.Furthermore, the most up-to-date numbers from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction show that during the 2022-2023 school year, there were about 5,540 teaching vacancies on the first instructional day. That number dropped to about 5,091 by the 40th instructional day, butA vacancy was defined asUnder that definition, teaching positions that are staffed by substitutes, retired teachers, or teachers with provisional licenses would be classified as vacancies, so the actual number of unfilled teaching positions could be smaller.Of course, the state's overall teacher attrition rate and vacancy data don't paint the full picture of individual school districts, which might have greater-than-average difficulty in attracting and retaining teachers. It's an important problem to address, since high-quality teachers are one of the most important factors in ensuring student success.The Proven Merit of Merit-based Teacher PaySo, what can be done to keep excellent teachers in the classroom?Policymakers and pundits routinely advocate for increasing teacher pay. This solution, however, is overly simplistic, ignores other factors that can cause teachers to walk away, and overlooks barriers that prevent talented professionals from entering the profession. Rather than simply advocating for higher teacher pay, policymakers should look deeper and address the underlying issues that cause teachers to leave the profession.One of the best ways to attract and retain high-quality teachers would be to reform the teacher pay scale to compensate teachers based on merit.
By: Ray Leary

A few months ago, the Beaufort County School Board adopted a new math curriculum named Bridges. This curriculum selection was approved by a 7-2 vote of the nine-member board. All five of the incumbent board members that were not up for election in 2022 voted in favor of adopting this course of study.

An example of a Bridges workbook page has been shared with the Beaufort County Conservative Club that was assigned to a fourth-grade student attending John Small School. The examples on this one page utilize the Double, Double, Doubles process to solve simple single digit multiplication problems. The photo of the workbook page is below. Please note that the student does not have the book, just this page.

The YouTube video link features a teacher (not a Beaufort County teacher) explaining how this theory works using two sample multiplication problems. In the video she proclaims that this method is simpler than memorizing multiplication tables. I will allow the readers to judge the veracity of this statement. Observations of the few adults that have seen this workbook page have never heard of the Double, Double, Doubles math solving process. And yes, it is a process that requires approximately five minutes to complete for each problem. The first problem is 6 X 8 = ____ in the video.

Parents that are concerned about the quality of the instruction your children are receiving in Beaufort County Schools, especially if they are struggling with math in elementary schools, I suggest you contact the principal of your childs school and contact the school board member representing your school district to determine the obstacles your child is having trouble with understanding.

Parents and grandparents that received their elementary education in the 1960s and 1970s cannot help their children with this process. This is one example. What else is in this curriculum that is rooted in theory as opposed to just memorizing the multiplication tables?

The North Carolina General Statues requires students memorize the multiplication tables and that they have done so, or not, is reported to the JOINT LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE every year in March. The Beaufort County School administration reports that all students have memorized the multiplication tables. If this is true, the triple D method of solving 9 X 4 = 36 is not necessary, and teaching the triple D problem solving method is a waste of money and a huge waste of teacher talent and time. The link to this report is below.

Report to the North Carolina General Assembly Cursive and Multiplication Tables  115C-81.81

As can be seen on Page 85, Beaufort County reports compliance with G.S.115C-81.80.

115C-81.80. Multiplication tables.

The standard course of study shall include the requirement that students enrolled in public schools memorize multiplication tables to demonstrate competency in efficiently multiplying numbers.

School Improvement plans are mandated for local school districts with school that score a D or lower. Beaufort County has eight (8) of the thirteen schools (13) with a D score for the 21-22 and the 22-23 school years. There has been some improvement in the D scored schools in 22-23, but not enough to earn a C score.

It would be disingenuous to say this one example of Bridges math is why a majority of math students in NC public schools cannot perform basic math skills, but it is one indicator of an educational system that abandoned successful teaching methods and adopted a somewhat rigorous theory-based method of instruction that is not paired with the needs of elementary school students.

Most of us have cellular phones, but I doubt any of us could build one in our garage. We just need to know how to use it, not how and why it functions.

The workbook page referred to above is shown below.
Gibraltar Literature Week 2023 Tickets Released

Tickets for Gibraltar Literature Week are now available. The event will run between the 6th and 11th November 2023 and is organised by Gibraltar Cultural Services, sponsored by the John Mackintosh Educational Trust.

GCS will be producing a weeklong programme dedicated to giving a platform to local authors and to encourage and foster interest in reading, writing and literature in all its forms and genres. The Week will also deliver school visits and events, press articles, radio interviews, storytelling and more.

The established An Audience With... sessions featuring talks and interviews promise a varied offering. These will be opened by Her Worship the Mayor, Ms Carmen Gomez GMD discussing the moments of her life that influenced her writing and her trajectory to Mayor of Gibraltar. Other contributors include Richard Garcia MBE, Louis Emmitt-Stern, Sonia Golt, Ros Astengo, Juan Carlos Teuma, Jonathan Pizarro, Darren Fa and Keith Madeira and Claire Montado with Beatrice Garcia. Subjects will include the challenges in researching Gibraltars social history; writing for stage and screen; the benefits of writing and reading on our health; a career documented in photographs; the challenges of writing a true-crime book; the importance of telling our Gibraltar stories; discussion on Gibraltars fortifications, and the forgotten narratives of the women of Gibraltar.

The Lightning Talks, a new addition last year which saw a great response, returns to the programme on Friday 10th November. The evening will see a selection of speakers who will inspire, engage and enthral, all in lightning ten-minute presentations. There will be talks by Dr Sonia Montiel-Lopez, Stephen Cumming GA, Dr Ryan Asquez, Julian Felice and Beatrice Garcia. The audience will gain an insight into PHD research into mobile technology and its impact on Gibraltars education and schools; scripting and researching for a TV documentary; how Gibraltars fascinating history can be relayed through a modern medium; a playwrights journey in London, and an illustrators input in a writing retreat in Ghana.

An Audience With... and Lightning Talks will be held at Gibraltars cultural hub, the John Mackintosh Hall. More details of an evening of poetry and music, celebrating Gibraltarian identity as part of the week, will be released shortly.

This year international author Gareth P Jones will also be participating, showcasing his writing via music, delivering fun, interactive sessions based on his books at the John Mackintosh Theatre.

Tickets for Gibraltar Literature Week are now on sale at www.buytickets.gi

These can also be purchased from GCS at the John Mackintosh Hall reception from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Miami, Fla.-based nurse practitioner Elizabeth Hernandez has been convicted of submitting more than $200 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for unnecessary genetic testing and medical equipment, according to a Sept. 27 report from Medscape.

When Ms. Hernandez is sentenced Dec. 14, she could face up to 75 years in prison. According to prosecutors, she overbilled Medicare for more than $200 million, placing more cancer genetic test orders for Medicare beneficiaries in 2020 than any other clinician in the state.

She pocketed around $1.6 million in the scheme, using the money on cars, home renovations, jewelry and travel, according to the report.

Ms. Hernandez was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and wire fraud, four counts of healthcare fraud and three counts of making false statements relating to healthcare matters. She was acquitted of two counts of healthcare fraud.

Case prosecutors allege that Ms. Hernandez took advantage of flexible telehealth rules allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the scheme, telemarketers would contact Medicare beneficiaries and convince them to request orthotic braces and genetic tests.

Ms. Hernandez would then sign requests, claiming she had examined and treated the patients. Prosecutors alleged that she never saw the patients for whom she ordered a total $14 million in medical equipment. They also allege she ordered $119 million worth of genetic tests for patients she wasn't treating.

She also submitted $1.3 million worth of telemedicine consultations that were not performed, according to the report.








Here are five new ASCs opened or announced in September:

1. Salt Lake City-based Intermountain is poised to open an orthopedic-focused ASC in Park City, Utah.

2. HealthPartners broke ground on a $50.5 million specialty surgery center in Woodbury, Minn.

3. Kelsey-Seybold Clinic plans to renovate and expand its Houston-based Cypress Clinic, adding a second 120,000-square-foot professional building with space for an ASC.

4. The Oxford (Miss.) Surgery Center has broken ground on a 4,620-square-foot expansion.

5. Vancouver, Wash.-based PeaceHealth plans to build a new ASC in Bellingham, Wash., following the closure of another ASC.
Michael Sawaf, DMD, and Premier Dental Group of Knoxville (Tenn.) have agreed to pay $985,541 to resolve allegations that they submitted false claims to the state's Medicaid program.

The settlement resolves allegations that the dental group submitted false claims to TennCare for payments related to dental procedures between January 2016 and December 2020. It also settles allegations that the dental group submitted claims that falsely identified credentialed dentists as the provider for services that were actually given by dentists who were ineligible to bill TennCare.

Erin Ferdowsi and Reja Ferdowsi, who either operated or worked at the practice, also agreed to resolve similar allegations against them, according to an Oct. 2 news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
New York City-based NYC Health + Hospitals Woodhull campus in Brooklyn evacuated and transferred 116 patients Sept. 30 to allow the facility to shut down its power and assess flood-related damage.

All patients were transferred to other facilities within the system and "no adverse patient effects" were reported throughout the process, NYC Health + Hospitals said in an Oct. 1 statement. Repairs are expected to take at least several days. In the meantime, Woodhull is not accepting patients and remains on diversion for all ambulances. During the transfer process, nurses and other staff traveled with the patients to ensure continuity of care and families were notified and provided contact information for the receiving facility, according to a hospital statement.

Extreme rainfall in the region caused a local power failure Sept. 29. Woodhull Hospital switched to backup emergency power and was then informed all power would need to be temporarily shut off to assess damage and make repairs. A spokesperson for NYC Health + Hospitals told the Gothamist that although Wodhull's electrical infrastructure was damaged, the facility did not flood.

New York City was pounded with heavy rainfall Sept. 29, causing major roadways to flood and significant disruptions to the city's public transportation system.

"There are some New Yorkers who've never seen the likes of which we experienced yesterday," Gov. Kathy Hochul said at a Sept. 30 news conference. "This event was historic. In some areas, it was record shattering. And it is the most rain ever recorded in a single day at a place like JFK  ever. Not just this summer, not this year, but ever. And the records are still coming in. We're still monitoring, the rain is still falling. And in some places, it'll be the most rain that has ever hit in 70 years."
Mount Graham Regional Medical Center, based in Safford, Ariz., said its communication systems and information systems have been affected by a cybersecurity event.

According to a notice published on Mount Graham's website, the hospital is working with law enforcement and outside experts to determine if any patient data was compromised as a result of the event.

"If we determine that patient information was compromised, we will communicate directly with impacted patients," the notice reads.

Mount Graham did not disclose what kind of cybersecurity event had occurred.
Mobile, Ala.-based Ascension Providence Hospital will remain on Cerner as it is sold to USA Health, a spokesperson told Becker's.

The Mobile-based hospital, which is now named USA Health Providence Hospital, "will remain on Ascension's instance of Cerner for approximately one year and then will transition to USA Health's instance of Cerner," the spokesperson said. The transaction closed Oct. 1.

In April, USA Health, the academic health system of the University of South Alabama, confirmed that it would buy the 349-bed hospital for $85 million.
Becker's reported on four hospitals that announced bankruptcies or closure plans since Sept. 1:

1. Avail Hospital Lake Charles (La.) permanently closed Sept. 29. No reason was given for its closure. The 33,000-square-foot facility was billed as Louisiana's first microhospital when it opened in 2017.

2. New York City-based Mount Sinai Health will close its Beth Israel campus in the city "after years of agonizing debate and analysis," though it could open a smaller facility downtown in the future. The closure will be gradual after an initial reduction of the inpatient bed count at the 696-bed teaching hospital, with the eventual shuttering expected to take a few years.

3. The Hospital at Westlake Medical Center, a physician-owned hospital in Westlake Hills, Texas, announced Sept. 8 it is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The hospital had significant debt before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pandemic exacerbated the situation. The hospital will continue all its operations during the bankruptcy proceedings.

4. St. Margaret's Health, which has been closed since June, filed two petitions of Chapter 11 bankruptcy for its St. Margaret's Spring Valley (Ill.) and St. Margaret's Peru (Ill.) facilities, Shaw Local News Network reported Sept. 1. The health system reported that it had at least 1,000 creditors who are owed between $10 million and $50 million. Peoria, Ill.-based OSF Healthcare since received approval to take over the Peru facility.
From the American Medical Association releasing its annual CPT code update, to Atheneahealth naming a senior vice president of revenue cycle management, here are seven RCM headlines to know from September:

1. Two revenue cycle leaders shared with Becker's a common thread to their success: their people.

2. Thirty-eight percent of hospital finance leaders said their hospitals are currently automating components of their denials management, and a majority of those who said they aren't are planning to by the end of 2024, according to Akasa, a revenue cycle firm that uses artificial intelligence.

3. General insurance denials and specific payer challenges are the biggest revenue cycle challenges facing providers, according to a report from Plutus Health.

4. The American Medical Association's annual update to the CPT code set created 349 editorial changes, including 230 additions, 49 deletions and 70 revisions.

5. During the first six months of 2023, providers in Louisiana achieved the most success collecting claims from payers, while providers in South Carolina struggled the most, according to a report published by Crowe.

6. EHR vendor Athenahealth named Neville Zar senior vice president of revenue cycle management.

7. Ensemble Health Partners completed the sale of its Odeza patient engagement business to TeleVox.
Gardner, Mass.-based Heywood Healthcare has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing a string of challenges "hindering its sustainability."

The independent health system  which consists of Heywood Hospital in Gardner, Athol (Mass.) Hospital, Heywood Medical Group and The Quabbin Retreat  is facing many of the same issues as other community hospitals, according to an Oct. 2 news release shared with Becker's. Workforce shortages, supply chain issues and low reimbursement rates have contributed to financial instability.

In addition, the hospital has undergone a "costly and lengthy" electronic medical record transition while managing aging infrastructure and a "milestone construction project"  a new surgical pavilion set to open in April 2024.

"Heywood Hospital has stood independently for 116 years, while navigating national and local challenges, which include Heywood being one of the lowest commercially reimbursed hospitals in Commonwealth. Athol Hospital has operated for 73 years, and remains a hallmark critical access hospital. Though our health system has stood the test of time, we are not impervious to financial challenges," Tom Sullivan, co-CEO of Heywood Healthcare, said in the release.

The news comes during a particularly turbulent year for the health system. In May 2022, Heywood signed a nonbinding letter of intent to explore an affiliation deal with Worcester, Mass.-based UMass Memorial Health. In January, the system announced that the deal was off "given changed circumstances and the difficult healthcare environment in which we all find ourselves."

In April, Heywood Hospital shuttered its pulmonary unit for financial reasons, and noted it was considering consolidating other services.

Less than two months later, Heywood's president and CEO Win Brown left the system after 12 years at the helm. The system then changed up its leadership structure and named co-CEOs: Rozanna Penney, CRNA, vice president of patient care services, chief nursing officer and COO, and executive director of Heywood Medical Group, and Mr. Sullivan, vice president of financial services.

"We are grateful for the support from our state leadership and for the open communication with our legislators and city leadership," Ms. Penney said in the release. "In the days and weeks ahead, Heywood Healthcare will continue to provide exceptional patient-centered care and remain laser-focused on operational stability."
Houston Methodist is making leadership changes following the announcement that Debra Feigin Sukin, PhD, has been selected as the new president of Houston-based Texas Children's.

Texas Children's announced the appointment in September. Dr. Sukin, executive vice president at Houston Methodist and CEO of Houston Methodist The Woodlands (Texas) Hospital, will assume her new role Jan. 8. As a result of her departure, Chris Siebenaler, executive vice president and CEO of Houston Methodist Sugar Land (Texas), has been promoted to a new role of executive vice president of network hospitals, Houston Methodist President and CEO Marc Boom, MD, wrote in an email to employees Sept. 28.

The email, which was shared with Becker's, states that CEOs of Houston Methodist hospitals outside of the Texas Medical Center district in Houston will report to Mr. Siebenaler beginning Jan.1.

David Bernard, CEO of Houston Methodist Baytown (Texas), will replace Dr. Sukin at Houston Methodist The Woodlands on Jan.1, Dr. Boom said. Searches are underway for CEO positions at Houston Methodist Sugar Land and Houston Methodist Baytown.

Mr. Siebenaler joined Houston Methodist in 2001. He worked at Methodist Diagnostic Hospital and then Houston Methodist Baytown before becoming CEO of Houston Methodist Sugar Land in 2007, according to the email to employees.

"We established this new position [for Mr. Siebenaler] because we are always working to better align our hospitals to create one unified Houston Methodist experience," Dr. Boom said. "This new role helps accomplish that, making it easier to knit our outstanding community hospitals together as we all continue to provide leading medicine to our communities. His talents, expertise and ability to lead system initiatives make Chris a perfect fit for this new role."

According to the email to employees, Mr. Bernard joined Houston Methodist in 2000 as an administrative fellow. He served as vice president at Houston Methodist Hospital before his promotion to lead Houston Methodist Baytown in 2015.

"David is perfect for the HMTW CEO job," Dr. Boom said. "In the past eight years, Baytown has thrived, recently rising from No. 104 in Vizient's quality and safety rankings to No. 2 for two consecutive years. Not only has he led the improvement of care but has shared his talents and passions to rally the hospital's employees and physicians around a shared mission."
Amsaan Accessible Tours (AAT), the first company in the MENA region specialising in creating unique tourism experiences for deaf people, has joined forces with The First Group, one of the regions fastest-growing end-to-end hospitality solution providers.

The agreement aims at supporting both organisations commitments to responsible tourism on a global scale, and enhance the accessibility of its offerings in its international chain of hotels for deaf tourists in the region.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly 1.5 billion people globally grapple with hearing loss. Of these, 430 million face disabling hearing challenges, a figure projected to rise to over 700 million by 2050.

Addressing core issues faced by the deaf community, such as communication barriers and accessibility in bookings and online reservations, the partnership is determined to bring about change. With the support of AAT's innovative solutions, including an accessible booking platform and comprehensive sign-language support, deaf guests can anticipate a more inclusive, accessible, and bespoke experience throughout their stay.

As part of this collaboration, The First Group, renowned for its upscale properties like The First Collection Business Bay, The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle, Wyndham Dubai Marina, and TRYP by Wyndham Dubai, will integrate AAT's cutting-edge accessibility solutions with all its existing hospitality brands in Dubai.

The need for accessibility is evidenced by Expedias survey, where 92% of respondents emphasised the importance of travel providers catering to travellers accessibility requirements. Recognising this, AAT offers a unique platform where deaf tourists using British Sign Language (BSL) can easily navigate, make reservations, and communicate their needs seamlessly. A deaf traveller can smoothly go through and book rooms, check-in, and even request room service or emergency assistance all through AAT's mobile application in BSL.

"The First Group and Amsaan Accessible Tours share core values of inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunities in hospitality for all. This common ethos creates a strong foundation for collaboration, ensuring that the partnership is mutually impactful. We are driven by our commitment to provide exceptional experiences to our guests, and we look forward to championing responsible tourism and reinforcing our dedication to state-of-the-art hospitality", shared Karim Abdelhamid, Vice President of Hotel Operations at The First Group.

Oleksandr Koltsov, Chief Executive Officer of Amsaan Accessible Tours, added: "This partnership represents a monumental step forward in AATs mission to break down barriers for deaf travellers. Our accessibility solutions will reach a wider audience of deaf travellers, making a positive impact not only on individual guests but also on the broader hospitality industry.

It should serve as a model for other hotels to follow suit in prioritising universal accessibility. With The First Group, we are reshaping the hospitality landscape with the power of innovation and technology, ensuring Deaf guests can explore the world with ease and confidence."

AAT is poised for further expansion within the UAE and on a global scale, with future partnerships being explored with other hotels, tourist attractions, and even airlines.  TradeArabia News Service
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Mobile, Ala.-based University of South Alabama announced that Ascension Providence Hospital and its clinics are part of USA Health, the university's academic health system.

The west Mobile-based 349-bed hospital will be renamed USA Health Providence Hospital. The news comes six months after USA Health confirmed that it would be purchasing the hospital for $85 million.

Through the deal, an estimated 1,800 Providence employees will now become part of USA Health, according to an Oct. 1 USA Health news release.

"Providence is well known for its rich history and culture, and we look forward to continuing that," Owen Bailey, CEO of USA Health and senior associate vice president for medical affairs, said in the news release. "I have personally witnessed a great deal of excitement at both Providence and USA Health about our future together."
Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente employees across the U.S. are preparing to go on strike this week after their contract expired with no new labor agreement in place.

Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser is bargaining with the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions. Negotiations began in April. Here are eight things to know about where things stand:

1. Unions in the coalition, including the Office and Professional Employees International Union and the Service Employees International Union, voted to authorize a strike in September.

2. On Sept. 22, the unions' national bargaining team submitted a 10-day notice to Kaiser indicating that coalition unions are calling for their first unfair labor practice strike, and some sympathy strikes, from 6 a.m. Oct. 4 through 6 a.m. Oct. 7.

3. A strike could be averted if an agreement is reached. However, a strike appears more likely, as union workers' national contract with Kaiser expired after Sept. 30 with no new deal in place.

4. As of Oct. 2, more than 75,000 Kaiser workers plan to strike across California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Virginia and Washington, D.C.  in what could be the nation's largest healthcare worker strike in history.

5. "There have been good discussions with Kaiser on a number of issues, and while there is no concrete agreement, we can see a path to resolution on raising shift differentials, a fair remote work agreement, and investments in training for both current employees to promote to harder to fill jobs and community members to become the healthcare workforce needed for the future," a statement from the coalition reads. But the statement noted the parties remain "far apart" on several matters, including across-the-board raises, protections against subcontracting and outsourcing, applying union organizing rights to any system Kaiser may acquire, an amount for performance-sharing bonuses and a premium subsidy/health reimbursement retiree medical plan.

6. In a statement shared with Becker's late Sept. 30, Kaiser said the organization and coalition "continue to make progress on key issues such as a redesigned performance-sharing plan with updated payout opportunities." Kaiser said the parties reached tentative agreements in travel for continuing education, the use of temporary workers such as traveling nurses, tracking of staffing vacancies, and dispute resolution. "While the current national agreement expires at midnight PDT on Sept. 30, operations will continue as normal on Sunday morning, and we will continue to honor all current contract provisions," Kaiser said.

7. Kaiser also said it remains optimistic that it will reach an agreement with the coalition "and avoid an unnecessary strike." If a strike does occur, there are contingency plans in place to ensure safe, high-quality care continues for the duration of the strike, Kaiser said, adding that "hospitals and emergency departments will remain open."

8. The coalition represents workers at Kaiser facilities in California, Colorado, Oregon, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Virginia and Washington. Workers planning to strike are in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. A Kaiser spokesperson told The Washington Post that union members in Virginia and the District of Columbia include 400 pharmacists and optometrists who plan to strike for 24 hours. No workers are slated to strike in Maryland.
Two employees at Saratoga Hospital in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., were stabbed by a patient Oct. 1, according to police.

The Saratoga Springs Police Department said in a statement on its Facebook page that it responded to the incident on the morning of Oct. 1 and that the victims are employees of the hospital. The workers, identified as nurses by the hospital, had visible injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening.

Police said they have identified a suspect, and criminal charges are expected.

A statement from the hospital shared with Becker's states that the patient accused of carrying out the stabbing continues to receive care, and both nurses have been treated and released.

"First and foremost, we would like to acknowledge the skill and professionalism of our team who worked quickly to mitigate the situation," its statement reads.



"Our first priority has been and continues to be providing a safe work environment where our staff is providing care to our community. We have consistently provided training exercises and opportunities focused on workplace violence preparedness and have been planning implementation of an armed assailant training exercise. It is because of this focus on training and proactive readiness that our staff across departments was able to act quickly to support their colleagues and patients."

The police also praised the hospital's staff.

"We are thankful that the staff members at Saratoga Hospital are expected to make a full recovery and we commend the staff working this morning who provided exceptional emergency medical care to their partners as well as the suspect during this stressful event," police said.

Saratoga Hospital is part of Albany (N.Y.) Med Health System.

This article was updated at 2:20 p.m. CDT Oct. 2.






A man in possession of a loaded handgun was arrested Sept. 27 at Monroe Carell Jr. Childrens Hospital at Vanderbilt, NBC affiliate WSMV reported.

Demarrious Malone, 32, was at the Nashville, Tenn.-based hospital visiting his son. Police said Mr. Malone got into a verbal argument with another individual who had been invited to the hospital by the child's mother, according to Fox affiliate WZTV. Mr. Malone allegedly threatened to shoot the other visitor and started rummaging through his bag as if he were trying to find a weapon, according to an arrest warrant. The visitor left the room to alert the Vanderbilt University Police Department.

Hospital leaders gave officers consent to search the child's room, and they found a handgun loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition in Mr. Malone's bag. Mr. Malone was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm in a prohibited area.

"Firearms are not permitted in our facilities. In this instance, Vanderbilt University Police, who are a 24/7 presence within our hospitals and clinics, safely intervened," a hospital spokesperson told WSMV. "Vanderbilt University Medical Center invests in on-site security in many ways, including employing a licensed police force along with other measures."
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a lawsuit against Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center in Elgin, N.D., accusing the critical access hospital of illegally discharging an African American employee after she reported racial harassment.

The lawsuit, filed Sept. 29 in federal court, alleges that on May 11, 2019, Mammie Pierce reported to the hospital that a co-worker called her the "n-word," according to court documents obtained by Becker's. It also alleges that on May 17, 2019, six days later, Jacobson terminated Ms. Pierce, a certified nursing aide, in retaliation for reporting racial harassment.

Becker's reached out to Jacobson and will update the story if a comment is received.

The EEOC contends that the hospital's actions violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and seeks back pay and compensatory damages on behalf of Ms. Pierce as well as an injunction against future discrimination.
A 35-year-old Texas woman pleaded not guilty to the allegations that she impersonated a nurse for three years, the Laredo Morning Times reported Sept. 30.

Nora Avila allegedly worked as a nurse at multiple home health companies in the Laredo, Texas, area from January 2017 through December 2019. She allegedly used the license number of a registered nurse who had the same first and last name and told employers she had a degree in nursing. She cared for patients and allegedly was assigned to train future nurses.

Ms. Avila was arrested Sept. 11 on two counts of making false statements related to healthcare matters and one count of aggravated identity theft. She pleaded not guilty and has a final pretrial conference Nov. 7.
There have been no confirmed detections of infections caused by a family of flu viruses known as Influenza B/Yamagata since March 2020, suggesting it may have been eliminated. Based on that, the World Health Organization recommends leaving it out of flu shot compositions for next year.

"It is unlikely that B/Yamagata-lineage viruses are circulating in the population. Therefore, it is the opinion of the WHO influenza vaccine composition advisory committee that the inclusion of B/Yamagata-lineage antigens in influenza vaccines is no longer warranted," the agency said when it released its recommendations for 2024 flu vaccines Sept. 29.

Instead, the WHO is recommending a trivalent vaccine for the 2024 Southern Hemisphere flu season that should target two influenza A viruses  H1N1 and H3N2  and an influenza B/Victoria virus.

Vaccines for the current flu season in the U.S. still include a Yamagata lineage virus.
A jury handed down a $2.5 million verdict in favor of a man who sued an orthopedic surgeon and Stamford (Conn.) Hospital over treatment for a broken leg, The Connecticut Post reported Oct. 2.

According to a lawsuit, Carlos Ortiz fell and fractured his leg in 2016, and he was taken to the hospital, where Christopher Meltsakos, MD, operated on him. Mr. Ortiz alleged that after initial treatment, Dr. Meltsakos, a resident at the time, didn't provide proper care and monitoring.

Later on, Mr. Ortiz developed compartment syndrome, had to undergo several surgeries and remained in the hospital for more than a month. He lost all use of his left leg.

The jury on Sept. 29 found Dr. Meltsakos was 60 percent to blame, while the hospital was responsible for 40 percent, the report said. The hospital settled the case with Mr. Ortiz before the trial and won't be held to pay its portion of the verdict.

Stamford Hospital didn't provide a comment to The Connecticut Post, and Dr. Meltsako's lawyers didn't respond to the publication's requests for comment.
As minimally invasive spine procedures increase in popularity, so too does their prevalence in the ASC setting.

Patients, physicians and payers are becoming more open to outpatient spine procedures as ASCs continue to grow in popularity, keeping costs down for patients in the majority of cases.

Raul Rincon Navarro, MD, founder and CEO at Panama City, Fla.-based Neuro Spine and Pain Clinic, told Becker's that he foresees many spine procedures making a migration to the outpatient setting.

Dr. Navarro: Being a neurosurgeon trained in minimally invasive spine surgery, including endoscopic and disc replacement, I perfectly see those procedures moving toward ASCs in the majority of cases. It just makes sense. Also, awake spinal surgery is a growing field. Ernest Braxton, MD, in Vail, Colo., and some other colleagues, are permitting more elaborate surgeries like MIS-TLIF, ALIF and OLIF and discharging the patient the same day, with very few exceptions when the patient's condition or comorbidities are not suitable.
Jayne Brady, head of the civil service, with US Special Envoy Joe Kennedy III and Harland and Wolff Group chief John Wood, on a previous visit by the Envoy

US Economic Envoy Joe Kennedy III has announced the first members of a senior business delegation visiting Northern Ireland from the US later this month.

Thomas P. DiNapoli, Comptroller, State of New York, Mark Hartney of Breakthrough Energy Ventures, John Murphy of The Coca-Cola Company and Tim Sweeney of Liberty Mutual Insurance will join the delegation.

Mr DiNapoli has managed New York State's pension fund - he is responsible for the pensions of one million employees and retired people - since 2007. The fund is thought to have boosted many company investments here.

Mr Murphy is president and chief financial officer of The Coca-Cola Company, while Mr Sweeney is president and chief executive at Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Read more DUP leader strikes positive note over breakthrough on Windsor Framework talks

They will arrive on October 24 for a number of days to hear about Northern Irelands homegrown talent, research and development (R&D) and strong entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Jayne Brady, head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, welcomed the announcement of the delegation.

Ms Brady said: When President Biden came here in April, he spoke of plans for a trade delegation and this announcement reflects the continued commitment of both President Biden and Special Envoy Kennedy to showcasing this place as an attractive location for US investors.

This is another significant opportunity for our key economic sectors as well as for our academic, cultural, creative and tourism industries. The delegates attending are some of the most innovative, influential, and successful US business leaders to have ever visited us, and I look forward to welcoming them here and showing them everything we have to offer.

Read more Windsor Framework: All you need to know as red and green lanes set to come into force

The delegates are due to meet established US investors and politicians.

Around 30,000 people in Northern Ireland are employed by US businesses, which have generated nearly $2bn in investment here in the last decade.

A large number of potential investors from the US visited Northern Ireland last month for the NI Investment Summit. The event was led by the UKs Department for Business and Trade.
A Derry property developer has confirmed that plans are underway to convert the Scottish Mutual Building in Belfast, better known as the historic structure linked with the failed George Best Hotel

A Derry property developer has confirmed that plans are underway to convert Belfasts Scottish Mutual Building, better known as the historic structure linked with the failed George Best Hotel .

The Martin Property Group formally submitted an application to Belfast City Council last week, outlining their plans to transform the listed building into a hotel.

The building at 15-16 Donegall Square South, 2-14 Bedford Street; and No. 7 James Street South are set to be expanded and developed into a 108-room hotel. The establishment is planned to include public bars, restaurants, and function areas.

Paul Martin, chief executive of the family-owned property firm, said the project marked an exciting time for both Belfast city and tourism.

However, the company said it could not provide any additional details on what is to be expected.

Mr. Martin said: Plans to develop the Scottish Mutual Building are underway and were keen to get started. We hope to be in a position to provide further updates later in the year in terms of design, layout and concept.

This is an exciting time for Belfast and the Northern Irish tourism industry as we look ahead to big events such as the Open Tournament, and Belfasts Year of Culture in 2024  and to the longer-term future of Belfast as one of the worlds leading city destinations.

The group is also the owner of Ross's Court, the former residence of Argos in Belfast, Marlborough House on Victoria Street, and the Richmond Shopping Centre in Derry.

It recently snapped up the Danesfort building in Stranmillis, where it is investing 15m in its refurbishment.

Mr Martin admitted to the Belfast Telegraph earlier this year that although they have developed hotels over the years, this venture will be the first of its kind for the group.

Its going to be our first operational hotel, although weve done three or four others that we have developed, sold or rented, Mr Martin said.
A musical adaption of the 1985 Live Aid concert is set to premiere on the West End stage.

The original event, held at Londons Wembley Stadium and John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia in the US, was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for Ethiopia famine relief.

The musical, titled Just For One Day, will include songs from stars Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, David Bowie and Queen that featured during the original performance.

Bob Geldof sings at the Live Aid Concert at Wembley July 13 1985 (PA)

The stage adaption, written by British author John OFarrell, will premiere at The Old Vic theatre on January 26 until March 30 2024.

The Boomtown Rats star Geldof said: From seeing Just For One Day throughout its development, if this musical encourages just one person to have a positive impact for the better, then it will be a job well done.

Im looking forward to seeing it at The Old Vic it better not be s***!

The musical, to be directed by Luke Sheppard, will also feature music from Bob Dylan, The Who, U2, The Police and The Pretenders, as well as The Cars, Status Quo, Bryan Adams and Diana Ross.

The crowd at Wembley Stadium, London for the Live Aid concert in 1985 (PA)

Matthew Warchus, artistic director of The Old Vic, said: I had the pleasure of working with Luke Sheppard on Matilda The Musical and I have always admired the witty brilliance of John OFarrells writing, I am thrilled to have these two great forces uniting on The Old Vic stage alongside an excellently talented company.

For those of us who were around in the 1980s, Saturday July 13 1985 Im sure will be one of those days that is forever etched in our memories.

We all remember where we watched Live Aid, who we watched it with, and the pure amazement at the feat that was unfolding before our eyes.

Its these memories and individual stories that are the beating heart of Just For One Day, and I cant wait for audiences to share in a moment that galvanised the globe once again.

The musical is being made with the permission of the Band Aid Charitable Trust.

Tickets for the musical will go on sale October 6 at midday.
A north Belfast who broke into a neighbour's house and attacked him with a hatchet was today jailed for three years.

Thomas Augustine Michael Dreelan (30), formerly of Ballynure Street, pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.

Belfast Crown Court heard that just before 3am on Friday, September 24, 2021, Dreelan broke into a house on Ballynure Street in the Oldpark area of the city and attacked the male resident who he knew with a hatchet.

The victim sustained a cut to his head and wounds to his forearms and was taken to hospital for treatment to his non-life threatening juries.

Judge Paul Ramsey KC said that thankfully the victim did not sustain any long-term physical effects from the injuries inflicted on him.

In a written victim impact statement to the court, the man said that his life has been on hold since the attack and physically I still feel pain.

He added: I am constantly on edge and anxious. I have noticed a change in my personality, and I feel I have lost out on valuable time with my children. My life has been changed entirely by this incident.

Two weeks later Dreelan was involved in a second incident when he robbed a convenience store in north Belfast of 64.50 in cash from the till.

The court heard Dreelan went into the shop at 9.25 pm on October 8, 2021, and sprayed a shop assistant with the contents of a fire extinguisher.

She fled the shop and went to seek help at a nearby Chinese takeaway and asked them to call the police, said prosecuting barrister Gareth Purvis.

A second shop assistant noticed that Dreelan was carrying a large kitchen knife with a yellow handle but he kept in his back right trouser pocket and did not remove it during the course of the robbery.

Mr Purvis said a witness went to the convenience store to try and calm the situation down only for Dreelan to punch him in the mouth, causing bruising and swelling around his teeth and gums.

Read more Co Down man due to stand trial accused of murder pleads guilty to manslaughter

Dreelan tried to evade police who came on the scene but was detained following a short pursuit. As well as recovering the kitchen knife, police also found two money bags containing coins, a grinder, cannabis and a bag of diazepam.

In a pre-sentence report, the Probation Service assessed Dreelan as a high likelihood of reoffending given his lengthy criminal record but stopped short of stating he was a danger to the public in future.

Handing down a total sentence of six years, Judge Ramsey said it would be divided equally between custody and supervised licence on his release from prison.
A Co Antrim man went on trial today accused of being involved in running an illegal cannabis factory inside a disused pub.

Dean Gary Steven Harrison (28), of Carncoole House, Newtownabbey, denies charges of cultivating cannabis, causing criminal damage and dishonestly using electricity.

All of the offences are alleged to have taken place on dates between October 8, 2019 and December 6, 2019 at a former bar in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim.

A jury at Belfast Crown Court sitting before Judge Fiona Bagnall heard that on December 5, 2019, police carried out a search under warrant at The Favourite Bar in Irish Quarter West.

What was uncovered was a complicated and sophisticated cannabis growing operation, involving many plants and a lot of equipment inside a disused pub and a flat upstairs, said prosecution barrister Gareth Purvis.

He told the jury that the owner of the premises was entirely innocent and he had signed a tenancy agreement with a person for the apartment above his former pub.

The criminal damage is caused by the rigging of these premises, holes were cut in the floor to facilitate equipment, there were facilities such as water, heat and light to grow the plants.

Mr Purvis said the electricity meter on the premises was bypassed to funnel off electricity to stop it being recorded on the meter and was then used to power the equipment to grow the cannabis plants.

There is no controversy or argument that these premises were used to grow cannabis. This trial centres on Mr Harrison's connection to the running of this illegal cannabis factory.

There was a major operation on the ground floor and the upstairs apartment was used as a nursery where young seedling plants are potted, grown up before being brought downstairs to be matured.

Once the flowering buds are full matured they are harvested and cannabis cuttings are taken before being processed into cannabis to be used.

The jury heard that the point of entry to the disused pub was an emergency exit door on the ground floor.

The prosecutor said police recovered CCTV footage from a camera overlooking a rear yard of the bar which contained two months of images.

That footage showed various people coming and going from those premises, one of whom is Mr Dean Harrison. Three other people were also captured on the footage. They were Edward McCambridge, Samuel Harrison, who is the defendant's uncle, and Conor Harrison who is his cousin.

All three of those people have pleaded guilty to their involvement in this operation. Edward McCambridge and Samuel Harrison have both pleaded to cultivation while Conor Harrison pleaded to offering to supply cannabis.

These three are captured on the same footage at various times with Dean Harrison.

The prosecution case is that Dean Harrison was captured on this footage arriving into this rear yard and then leaving. He was captured on 23 occasions over this two-month period.

We say that this defendant was intimately involved in running this operation. There is no explanation for 23 visits to a bar which had been shut some time ago other than him being involved in the running of this cannabis factory.

Mr Purvis said that during two separate police interviews, Harrison replied no comment to all questions put to him by detectives.
A former circus strongman on trial for historic sexual abuse of a female child has branded her and his previous victims miniature gold-diggers.

David Edward Parkinson (80) of University Street, Belfast but previously from Fermanagh, denies 12 charges between 1976 and 1983, including rape, gross indecency and indecent assault.

He rubbished the allegations and when confronted with multiple previous convictions claimed he was set up.

The complainant described him regularly visiting her family home where he allegedly asked her to clean the caravan he then resided in outside Brookeborough.

Read more Belfast man jailed for breaking into neighbours house and attacking him with hatchet

She agreed and found the caravan, tiny, extremely dirty, with coins scattered across the floor.

Parkinson told her she could keep the coins she swept up and while doing this, he allegedly exposed himself.

From there he moved to a house in Maguiresbridge and allegedly again asked her to clean for him.

Coins were similarly scattered over the floor, and this was where regular abuse allegedly occurred.

The complainant initially attended with police in 2009, but felt unable to go through the process, however by 2020, she gathered the strength.

At Dungannon Crown Court Parkinson branded the complainant a liar and a good actress.

He insisted, I never gave her money. She was never in my caravan and never cleaned it.

Asked by prosecution counsel if that was honest, Parkinson replied, Ive taken an oath. Im here to tell the truth. Im very strongminded. When I take an oath, I never break it.

When asked if he had thrown coins on the floor he replied, Thats a silly question. You keep them in your pocket or wallet. Why would I throw coins on the floor?

The prosecution suggested he ingratiate himself to a young girl, but Parkinson said,

Thats ridiculous. Ive always had girlfriends my own age.

He denied having an interest in young girls and when asked about exposing himself to the complainant stated, Definitely not. She wasnt in the caravan. She's a very good actress.

Read more Co Antrim repeat sex fiend admits yet another assault on child

The prosecution enquired, Is that another way of saying shes told a pack of lies?

In short, yes, said Parkinson.

Questioned on encouraging the complainant to watch pornography, he insisted only having videos of his strongman activities and as for sexual films, Thats sick. I never did that.

In relation to the sexual abuse Parkinson said, Its rubbish. Its not in my nature to do anything as horrible as that.

Prosecution counsel pointed to Parkinsons previous convictions which demonstrated, what your nature is.

He was asked about sexually abusing a girl in 2006 and responded, That didnt happen. Check the record. I never pleaded guilty. I was found guilty but I never, ever said I did that.

Six other girls were sexually abused, one of whom described Parkinson stating if her parents found out she wouldnt see them again.

Others described threats of making their family disappear, being bribed with money and made to watch pornographic videos.

Parkinson however contended, Thats evil.

Youre saying they all lied about you? enquired the prosecution.

Its not true I was actually set up One of their boyfriends made them tell lies, said Parkinson.

The prosecution continued, You denied all these matters and were convicted, so those girls all lied about you?

Their boyfriends set them up and they were probably programmed to tell lies, replied Parkinson.

And you suggesting the complainant in this case is lying?

Definitely, said Parkinson, It was like a miniature goldrush. She probably said shed have some of that. They read about things like this. They invent it and change the wording  (People) were fed false information.

The prosecution asked, Are you saying, all these people are liars apart from you?

Parkinson replied, They are all miniature gold-diggers.

The trial continues.
The police search operation in Derry last month.

A man charged over the discovery of guns and explosives in Londonderry is believed to run a money-lending scheme on behalf of the New IRA, the High Court has heard.

Prosecutors also claimed John Kelly (43) used other vulnerable members of his own family network to move and store the arms haul.

Kelly, of Columbcille Court in the city, was arrested during a major police operation last month.

Two Soviet grenade heads, plastic explosives, two electric detonators and two handguns were seized in searches of properties on September 7.

Sixteen PSNI officers sustained injuries when rioting broke out at the scene.

Kelly denies charges of possessing a firearm, ammunition and explosives with intent to endanger life.

He is allegedly linked to the recovered weaponry by forensic and mobile phone evidence.

Two other members of his family have also been charged, including his 48-year-old brother Gerard Kelly, of Victoria Place in Derry.

Gerard Kelly was previously described by his own lawyer as an alcoholic stooge more akin to Barney Grumble, a character from the cartoon sitcom The Simpsons.

In court on Monday prosecution counsel said he had been drunk when the arms were seized and apparently in debt to his brother.

Opposing John Kellys application for bail, she said: Police believe he is the common denominator and controller of the weapons recovered.

He utilised his family network to transport and store weaponry on behalf of the New IRA.

It was claimed that John Kelly orchestrated and co-ordinated events, issuing warnings to other more vulnerable relatives.

In one phone call during the searches he allegedly warned another suspect: You know nothing, the same as me.

According to the prosecutor he has an active association with the New IRA.

Police believe he runs a money-lending scheme on their behalf, which would fit in with him lending money to family members, she added.

During the hearing it emerged that John Kelly is now under threat from dissident republicans.

Concerns were expressed for his safety if he was released and possibly debriefed about the seized weapons.

Defence barrister Sean Doherty disputed the case against his client, questioning the strength of the alleged DNA link and mobile phone contact with other suspects.

Mr Doherty also urged the court to completely disregard what he described as extremely prejudicial allegations of paramilitary membership made without any charges.

Its a baseless assertion that this man is a member of the New IRA, he insisted.

Refusing bail, however, Mr Justice Rooney held there was prima facie evidence to link John Kelly to the charges he does face.

The judge stated: Im concerned about the risk of re-offending and interference with witnesses.
Save the Children sets out families concerns over the welfare system

The report told how one mum said a delay in receiving child payment left her family short of food. Posed image

Almost a quarter of children in Northern Ireland are living in poverty, a report from charity Save the Children has found.

Families with lived experience of the welfare system have now met with decision makers at a conversation event, as Save the Children launched its report which captures the realities of life for those in the system.

The charity found a consensus that the welfare system is exacerbating families already challenging circumstances and that people are calling for a system which offers agency, choice and dignity.

The We Dont Just Want to Survive report sets out families priorities for improving the social security system  and revealed that 22% of children in Northern Ireland currently live in poverty, with 61% of them in working households.

And those taking part will paint a picture of a system that lacks flexibility and can be disconnected from the complexities of family life.

The report found the system doesnt provide a sufficient safety net for families to provide for their children.

Laura (not her real name), who is a mum of four from Dungannon, said a delay in receiving child payment left her family short of food.

You basically go hungry, you have one meal and my coping mechanism was for myself and my husband to eat oats or go to food banks. And when you go like that for two weeks you can see the change in your mood. Even if youre a very positive person, you become very tired.

The report said there is now a clear consensus that the level of financial support available through the social security system is increasingly inadequate when compared to the rising sea of costs faced by families.

Many felt the system was complicated and exacerbated families already challenging financial circumstances, it continued. Families who were able to pursue paid work (or already in work) felt the social security system was inhibiting their ability to do so. The most common issue was related to the earnings taper rate, which means a Universal Credit payment is reduced once a certain number of hours are worked

Those who spoke to us want to see a system that is better connected and more accountable to families; a system that offers agency, choice and dignity.

The families we heard from often felt that they were fighting against systems and processes which should have been designed to help them.

Another making his views known is Graham (not his real name), a father of two from south Belfast.

I would like to see a system tailored more to individual circumstances instead of a blanket where you fit into this box or you dont. My circumstance is a lot more complex than that, which has caused issues, he said.

Peter Bryson, head of Save the Children NI, said the level of concern was rising. From listening to the strain on those who have shared their experiences with us, we are really concerned that the system is pushing more people into poverty. Unless real change is made this is only set to continue, he said.

Our purpose with this conversation and process is to create a space where we can all begin to think differently about how we engage with system. We want to draw on our collective experience and help design policy and practice that delivers real life change for children impacted by poverty.

Among those at Fridays event will be leaders from other community organisations.

Louise Ferguson is from the Larder food bank in east Belfast.

Theres a sense that there is no understanding of unique situations for people, she explained.

It is just a broad brush that is supposed to encompass everybody and its very difficult to get to speak to someone. The system is all online.

And Joanne Dougan from the South Tyrone Empowerment Programme in Dungannon added: There are more and more families coming through the door and the Community Sector cannot continue to stretch existing budgets to meet this increasing demand, without putting charitable organisations and the wider sector at risk.
A child has been taken to hospital following a road traffic collision in west Belfast.

Emergency services were called to the scene near the Blacks Road junction in west Belfast at around 8.20am on Monday.

The Ambulance Service confirmed a child was taken to hospital.

"The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 8.22am on Monday following reports of a road traffic collision in the Stewartstown Road Area, Dunmurry.

NIAS despatched one emergency crew, one rapid response paramedic and a doctor to the incident.

"Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was taken to Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children by Ambulance.

A PSNI spokesperson said a woman was cautioned at the scene.

Police received a report of a one vehicle road traffic collision shortly before 8.25am today, Monday, in the Stewartstown Road area of Dunmurry, they said.

Officers attended the scene together with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. One child was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening at this time.

"A female driver was cautioned at the scene in relation to the incident.

"Enquires are continuing, and anyone who may have any information which could assist, or who may have captured any dash cam or mobile phone footage, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 308 of 02/10/23.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has insisted he will not bow to "pressure, threats or blackmail" in response to a letter which said that his party's return to Stormont could lead to mass loyalist street protests.

Sir Jeffrey said "anyone who thinks that they can exert influence on policy or intimidate our party by making such threats is sadly mistaken".

It follows a letter sent by loyalist activist Jamie Bryson to unionist leaders on behalf of Unionist Voice Policy Studies.

In the letter, revealed in the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Bryson argues against the DUP returning to Stormont following the implementation of key elements of the Windsor Framework.

Read more Jamie Bryson warns Sir Jeffrey Donaldson that mass street protests will occur over Stormont return if Protocol not scrapped

The DUP has been blocking powersharing for more than a year in protest at the internal UK trade barriers created by Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol.

The party says the framework deal struck by the EU and the UK to reform the protocol does not sufficiently address its concerns and has made clear it will not accept a return to devolution until the Government provides further assurances, by way of legislation, over Northern Ireland's place in the UK internal market.

A DUP executive meeting is planned for Thursday night where is expected that the party leader will face questions from members.

One of the main parts of the framework - the green/red lane system for the movement of goods - became operational at Northern Ireland ports on Sunday.

In his letter, Mr Bryson stated: "The unionist base, according to all polls, stands firmly behind unionism's principled stand - (Northern Ireland) protocol or power sharing, never both.

"A surrendering on these issues by returning to Stormont would - in our analysis - ignite significant instability, and without any doubt precipitate a return to mass street protests.

"It would, in our view, also be the case that a significant swathe of grassroots unionism/loyalism would actively electorally campaign against any unionist who had opted for the role to collaborator and implementer in the subjugation and suspension of the union."

In his strongly worded response, Sir Jeffrey said :"In the end, having already listened to what others have to say, the Democratic Unionist Party will carefully consider any final Government response to the issues we have articulated and will take its own counsel and decisions based upon what we believe to be in the best interests of Northern Ireland, and its people, whether they agree with us or not or vote for us.

"We will not bow to pressure, threats or blackmail, regardless of what source it comes from.

"Anyone who thinks that they can exert influence on policy or intimidate our party by making such threats is sadly mistaken and misunderstands who we are or where we have come from.

"The Democratic Unionist Party's overriding objective is to make Northern Ireland work, to be prosperous and to thrive as a valued part of the United Kingdom.

"In addition to our opposition to the protocol, building prosperity and stability are key to securing the union in a Northern Ireland that is changing and where unionism must broaden its appeal if the union is to be protected for the longer term.

"Legislation alone will not protect the union if we lose the battle for the hearts and minds of the people of Northern Ireland.

"Under the principle of consent, it is their votes that will ultimately determine our future as part of the United Kingdom."

In response, Mr Bryson said his Unionist Voice Policy Studies group welcomed Sir Jeffreys remarks, none of which we find objectionable.

Its welcome and absolutely correct the DUP take their own decisions without external impediment (as they have done throughout this campaign) based upon the huge mandate they have been given in presenting arguments some were making before they became fashionable.

Its worth remembering that before taking their strong stand on the Protocol, supported by a large majority of unionist voters, the DUP found themselves at 13% in the polls. No one in unionism wants to see the largest unionist party to slump in such a way again and therefore we will continue to engage and work positively (as the DUP work with many across our community) with Sir Jeffrey and his team in ensuring the fundamental unalterable commitments they have made are delivered.

Meanwhile, UUP leader Doug Beattie has expressed pessimism about the likelihood of Stormont being restored this year.

Speaking from the Conservative Party conference, he challenged Sir Jeffrey over his stance.

"The Government is going to operate this regardless, what are you going to do to stop it, what are you going to do to help the people of Northern Ireland?" he told the BBC.

"What is the plan? And if the plan is nothing but to complain and say 'stay out', well, there is no plan whatsoever.

"The reality right now is that this conference here isn't talking about Northern Ireland, this conference isn't focused on the Windsor Framework, this conference is looking at how do we improve the whole of the UK's standing globally.

"What we need to do in Northern Ireland is make Northern Ireland work by making Northern Ireland a working part of our United Kingdom."

Asked about the prospect of the Stormont assembly returning this autumn, Mr Beattie said he is "as pessimistic as I have ever been".

"I have tried to be optimistic but I'm as pessimistic now as I have been been, the Government isn't talking to us, we don't know what is on offer," he said.
Tributes paid to the late Charles Digney Jr. (Pic by Charles Digney and Son Ltd).

Tributes have been paid to a funeral director and father-of-three who as he is laid to rest in Co Down.

Charles Digney junior (40) died peacefully at his home in Newry on Friday.

It is with great sadness and broken hearts that we share the passing of our beloved son and brother, Charles, the family said.

The death notice was shared on Charles Digney & Sons Ltd where he worked with his father Charles senior and two siblings.

It describes the deceased as the much loved husband of Clare and dear daddy of Anna, Conall and Cillian and the beloved son of Charles and Mary, and dear brother of James and Brendan.

A funeral mass is taking place at St. Colmans Church in Shinn on Monday afternoon.

Following the service Mr Digneys remains will be buried in the adjoining cemetery.

Deeply regretted by his sorrowing wife, children, parents, brothers, sisters-in-law Grainne and Pauline, brother-in-law Michael, father-in-law Michael, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, family circle and friends, the death notice adds.

Donations in lieu of flowers have been requested for the Irish Pilgrimage Trust.

Many local residents have paid tributes online.

"My sincerest condolences to all of the Digney family, one social media user wrote.

Charles was a highly respected chartered surveyor and industry colleague.

"May he rest in peace.

Another person wrote on Facebook: RIP Charles. You were a gentleman.

"Thinking of all the family at this time.

The funeral business first opened in 1976 and is today based at Sugarhouse Quay in Newry close to the original premises.

In 2003 it began serving the Banbridge and surrounding area from an office on Old Kenlis Street.

The website states that Charles junior only started working in the family run enterprise in recent years.
by O. Del Fabbro

Of 969 days in captivity, Stanislav Aseyev spent 875 days in complete isolation in a modern concentration camp in Russian occupied Donetsk. In his memoir, The Torture Camp on Paradise Street, Aseyev aims to write about this personal experience.[1]

Torture is, according to Aseyev, a complex system of measures. The goal is not necessarily to hurt the victim physically, but to destroy their individuality. Indeed, Aseyev is victim to a mixture of physical and psychological torture, simply because body and mind cannot be separated from one another. After electrical shocks, or beatings with the PR-73 (a standard Soviet-police rubber baton), Aseyevs tormentors ask him seemingly weird questions such as his belief in God, if hes ever jumped with a parachute and how many times he masturbates per day. Every once in a while, he is asked questions about his actual charges: espionage. The goal, of course, is to disorient the victim, to potentially make him lie only to be able to punish him even more. Aseyev is released from prison in December 2019.

Even though Aseyev speaks only about his personal experience, his case is one of many. It is representative for Russias cruel warfare against Ukraine, the terror that started even before the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ever since, we have seen the mass graves in Bucha, have watched videos of the mercenary Wagner Group executing its own members with a sledgehammer, read about the castration of an Ukrainian POW by Russian soldiers and the sexual abuse and rape of women and men, children and elderly. We witnessed how thousands of Ukrainian children were shipped to Russian territory and indoctrinated with Russian propaganda.

Russian cruelty seems to dwell from an endless well, even affecting nature, that is the biodiversity of ecosystems, as the explosion of the Kakhovka Dam has shown. These examples might be singular events, but taken together, they show the systematic cruelty hiding behind Russian warfare. Lastly, Russians are not just cruel to their enemy, they are also active within their own ranks, for example when Russian soldiers executed their comrades, who were fleeing from the frontline.

The intriguing fact about those cruelties is not solely that they occurred, creating tremendous suffering and pain; but also, that they are promoted by the Russian media. From the Russian point of view, it is the Ukrainians that need to be punished and disciplined, justifying thereby every single form of brutality. In any case, Russians are the supreme nation, and its the Ukrainians who are the Nazis and barbarians. According to the Kremlin Bucha is a monstrous forgery.

For the sake of justifying cruel actions, Russians are not the first to come up with such confusing narratives, unnecessarily complexifying the situation. But luckily, such complexity can be easily disenchanted, by following Judith Shklars dictum of putting cruelty first.[2] Instead of coming up with virtuous and ethical positive constructs, Shklar proposes to proceed negatively, by highlighting cruel actions. Similarly to Shklar, Michael Hampe wrote that in war violence should never turn into cruelty.[3] War is violent, indeed, and painful and tough, yes, but it should not become cruel. Hampes conceptual distinction is something like a qualitative indicator, giving an indication as to when the threshold from violence to cruelty has been surpassed. But again, that threshold can only be grasped, if one points at cruel actions, and if one sees where violence turns into excessive violence, that is, cruelty.

Cruelty thus means to use violence not as a means, but as an end, so that, ultimately, violence is not kept in check but continuously expanded, with perpetrators becoming ever more creative in how to make their victims suffer, for the sake of making them suffer. The goal of culturally and existentially annihilating an opponent, to make him suffer unnecessary pain, simply for the sake of ones own pleasure or ideology, is nothing else than cruelty. Russian warfare in Ukraine is a war in which violent means become cruel because violence itself is celebrated, justified and affirmed. Violence ceased to be a means, for the Russians it is an end. For Russia there are no reasonable political aims to conduct this war, there never have been and probably never will be. Its political goal is at best colonial occupation, denial of any Ukrainian sovereignty and cultural identity. Russian warfare is thus not only barbaric, it is also far from any enlightened form, and lacks the slightest respect and tolerance for the opposing party, civilians, children, including international humanitarian law and so on.

Ukraines goal in this war, that is its strategy, is clear and always has been: regain sovereignty over the lost territories since 2014, rebuild its society and economy, join NATO and the EU, and make sure that the Russians are held responsible for their war crimes. The Ukrainians are fighting the fight of their life, not only because they struggle for national and cultural survival, but also because they are opposed to an enemy who is relentlessly cruel. For in the light of constantly experiencing cruelties, the most difficult thing to do is to not answer with cruelty. As barbaric and as cruel as the enemy therefore might be, his actions can always be countered, with patience and clear-sightedness, without losing ones dignity, self-respect and respect for the enemy, but nevertheless with utter hardness and harsh severeness.

When I asked Vitalii, a twenty-five-year-old Ukrainian veteran, who lost a limb in the trenches of Kharkiv in August 2022, what he thinks about the fact that Russians are calling Ukrainians Nazis, he answered simply: The best way to recognize Nazis is to point at their actions. The Russians are killing and torturing people. In this sense, Vitalii is arguing no different than Shklar or Hampe. Its the cruel actions of the Russians that speak for themselves in this war, its their chosen form of cruel warfare. That is why voices by Aseyev, and other victims of cruelty are important to record and listen to. Vitalii concludes: The best way is to win the war as quick as possible. Only then will the suffering of innocent Ukrainians stop, and only then, hopefully, will the perpetrators be brought to justice.

***

[1] Stanislav Aseyev, 2023, The Torture Camp on Paradise Street, translated by Zenia Tompkins and Nina Murray, Cambridge.

[2] Judith N. Shklar, 1984, Ordinary Vices, Cambridge/London.

[3] Michael Hampe, 2018, Die Dritte Aufklarung, Berlin.
Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris has said the process of the new green and red lanes for trade coming in and out of Northern Ireland is unbelievably straightforward as he pleaded with those with concerns to look for themselves.

On Sunday, the new trade processes came into effect with goods from Great Britain that are to be sold in Northern Ireland using the green lane, which involves reduced checks and paperwork through a trusted trader scheme for businesses. The red lane will be used for goods moving through NI into the Republic of Ireland and elsewhere in the EU, subject to enhanced checks.

Read more Jamie Bryson warns Sir Jeffrey Donaldson that mass street protests will occur over Stormont return if Protocol not scrapped

Speaking to BBC News NI, the Conservative MP said the process, which was a key element of the Windsor Framework, is fairly straightforward and mimics other processes already in place for trade throughout the UK.

"The paperwork is exactly the same paperwork you would need to move things from Daventry to the Isle of Wight, so I generally dont see the big issue here, he said.

"Its criminality or custom type stuff (for checks) then yes thats absolutely true, but again lets have a look practically at what is happening, because I believe we have a frictionless border as much as you can when you have ferries crossing water.

"Were using the same paperwork as ferries crossing water in a different part of the UK but people can now see for themselves. The process is unbelievably straightforward.

Despite his insistence of simplicity, Mr Heaton-Harris said how people perceive things is exactly down to them when questioned if the ease of goods transfer implies that unionists and the DUPs issues with the Irish Sea Border is a myth.

I am a politician and I know points of theory and principle are important, but practically have a look at what is going on people will see goods moving freely moving from GB to Northern Ireland.

We have said all along what the checks are for, but again, people should look over the next few days and months to see how this works, he added.

Theyve always been subject to paperwork and the data fields are fairly straightforward, its all automatic. The physical checks are in the red lane for stuff that is going into the European single market, which I dont think anyone has particular issue with

"Im hoping, actually, people will see in practical terms, and not me speaking about things in theory, for themselves how the green lane actually operates and then they can come to judgment for themselves if its frictionless or not.

When asked about goods travelling via the green lane facing identity checks and additional paperwork, Mr Heaton-Harris said most of it is done remotely.

Following the beginning of the new lane process, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said it is time for unionists who oppose the post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland to hold our nerve.

Sir Jeffrey said: Just because the Windsor Framework is the product of unionists standing together does not mean we are morally obliged to accept it. Nor should it mean that further progress is not possible. This is a time to hold our nerve.

He added: The DUP is clear that a pathway to fully-functioning institutions at Stormont will only emerge if Northern Irelands position within the United Kingdom is protected in law - UK law.
Plans for three inspection buildings at the Port of Larne for checks to be carried out under the Windsor Framework have been lodged with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

Construction will enable checks on imports in either the green lane for Northern Ireland, or the red lane for those destined for the EU.

The current facilities are temporary.

The application for the site at Redlands Road includes stores, an internal spine road and car parking, boundary fencing, security huts and CCTV.

The preliminary notice says: The construction of inspection facilities are required to permit Departmental and local authority officials to undertake their statutory duty to carry out sanitary and phytosanitary inspections on agri food goods and livestock imported into Northern Ireland.

The Windsor Framework establishes a new set of arrangements for the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and provides a new basis for trusted traders to move their goods through a new green lane.

The new arrangements take effect in two phases, with the first just started on Sunday.

The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has indicated the planned development in Larne is to set up a permanent Sanitary and Phytosanitary SPS inspection post to replace the temporary facilities currently operating.

The purpose of these facilities is to enable the delivery of Official Control Regulation (Red Lane) checks on goods moving on to the EU single market and to conduct any necessary Windsor Framework (Green Lane) checks on goods remaining in Northern Ireland.

The new facilities will also enable the delivery of biosecurity checks on animal and livestock movements. Larne, in particular, handles livestock movements and checks, ensuring animal welfare and health.

In February 2021, then Agriculture Minister DUP MLA Gordon Lyons ordered a halt to construction of new purpose-built inspection facilities planned in Larne and Belfast for Irish Sea post-Brexit checks on agri-food goods arriving from Great Britain amid growing controversy over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

A protest by the DUP against post-Brexit trading arrangements brought about the collapse of the Executive in February 2022.
Sara Girvin has been appointed as the new Ireland Correspondent for BBC News.

She takes over from Emma Vardy who recently departed for the United States taking up a new role as LA Correspondent for the BBC.

On X, Ms Girvin said: Some really exciting news for me to share today

She was congratulated by a host of colleagues including BBC Newsline presenter Tara Mills who said huge congrats Sara.

Senior Ireland Correspondent at Sky News David Blevins added: Yes!!! The friendliest rival I could ask for. Absolutely delighted for you Sara.

Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl also congratulated Sara. You bring such integrity & compassion to your work, well deserved, she said.

Ms Girvins LinkedIn account states that she first worked as a reporter for the County Down Spectator before moving on to the News Letter and then the Sunday Life.

She began working for the BBC in March 2015 as a multi-platform broadcast journalist before becoming a North East reporter then a BBC Newsline reporter.
I asked the police what the difference was between the Nazi flags at the mosque and what hed done at my house

The 1971 bombing of McGurks bar in Belfast  carried out by the UVF  which killed two of Louises close family members

A terminally-ill granny says shes furious cops let a joiner off the hook after he daubed UVF in her bathroom with a glue gun.

Louise Quinn told the Sunday World she couldnt believe it when police initially told her no crime had been committed.

This was because she didnt own the piece of wood he left the sectarian slur on as she lives in social housing.

This was my home, said the 60-year-old. This is not somewhere I should be made to feel intimidated.

I had close family members murdered by the UVF in the McGurks bomb, plus a cousin who was found murdered and we believe it could have been the Shankill Butchers who did it, though it was never claimed.

When I saw the UVF scrawled on the wood it brought some very bad memories flooding back.

Read more Killer nicknamed Monster who claimed to love life behind bars on Nolan doc set to be freed

A workman carrying out maintenance at her home in Cullingtree Fold on the Falls Road has already apologised after admitting he was responsible.

He even sent Louise a bunch of flowers, but she believes he only did that to try and save his job.

Terminally ill Louise Quinn

Louise reported the incident when another workman came over to repair a door handle.

He was disgusted at what this man had done and he reported it to his bosses, says Louise. And then I had to tell my son and he was livid and insisted we report it to the police. This police officer stood in my front room and told me it wasnt a crime because I didnt own the piece of wood. I was completely flabbergasted.

He told me hed done nothing wrong because it wasnt my wood. I went off my rocker and insisted I speak to a sergeant.

I told him I have to look after this property, that Im terminally ill and if something is wrong with it my son will be made to pay after Im gone.

Read more Paedophile preacher was founding member of loyalist terror gang Orange Volunteers

Louise is still furious the PSNI didnt treat the shocking sectarian incident more seriously. Instead, they just gave him a community resolution notice  a legal route designed to deal with low-level offences that are not considered crimes.

Louise said she asked the police what the difference was between what the workman did and what happened at a local mosque in August when Nazi flags were erected on nearby lampposts.

The workman obviously thought Id never find it or certainly wouldnt find it anytime soon, she added.

Hed placed the wood in a spot in the bathroom Id told them to leave clear because I had planned to use the space as a storage area.

He hadnt spoken a word to me the whole time he was here even though Id made him a cup of tea which he knocked over and left in a mess.

There was clearly something wrong and when he left he spoke for the first time to say, I dont want any tea from you.

Two days later I removed the wood panel and found the UVF graffiti.

I was so angry and I thought you effing old bastard.

I asked the police what the difference was between the Nazi flags at the mosque and what hed done at my house.

I asked them why would the police treat those two incidents differently? In my opinion, what he did to me was worse because it was actually inside my own home.

Who owns the lampposts the Nazi flags were tied to? Not the mosque or the people who go to the mosque.

Three flags bearing the swastika and the symbol of the SS were erected on lampposts near the Iqraa Mosque.

Police said at the time they were treating the incident as a racially-motivated hate crime.

The 1971 bombing of McGurks bar in Belfast  carried out by the UVF  which killed two of Louises close family members

You have to take into account that the UVF have traumatised me in the past, says Louise. If the people who did that at the mosque committed a hate crime, its exactly the same in my view.

Im still very angry. We arent evil people. I grew up with Protestant and Catholic friends.

"The man who did this is 64 and he must be filled with hate or something but I dont know why he would take it out on me.

What would have happened when I die and the next person found it? What would they think of me? And it makes you wonder how many other people had he done this to.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: Police received a report of criminal damage to a piece of flooring within a property off the Falls Road area of West Belfast on August 7.

Officers attended and conducted investigations following the report which was treated as a sectarian-motivated hate crime. A man in his 60s was issued with a community resolution notice.

A spokesperson for Radius Housing said: We are appalled that this incident has taken place. Such actions should not occur and we have reminded our contractor of the standards of behaviour we expect when they are working on our behalf.

It is the responsibility of the contractor to deal with actions undertaken by their staff in line with their code of conduct, and we are meeting with them to ensure that we are satisfied that the appropriate steps have been taken in this case.

On behalf of Radius we apologise to our tenant for what they have experienced and that the standards we expect have not been met on this occasion.
No Stormont means no funding from UK-wide government scheme for NI as 55 towns to receive 20m boost

Not a single Northern Ireland town features on a Government scheme to turbo-charge overlooked towns with tens of millions of pounds in funding.

A total of 55 towns across the UK will each receive 20m over the next decade to revive their high streets and tackle anti-social behaviour.

But not a single one from Northern Ireland is included on the list.

The Government has blamed the absence of an Executive for towns here not benefiting. However, with a general election on the horizon, that was met with scepticism, particularly after it emerged that the bulk of the towns targeted were in Tory constituencies and marginal seats.

It means towns here that could have been in line to receive the funding from a 1.1 billion government scheme are missing out on a much-needed boost from the Department for Levelling Up.

Funding allocation takes into account gaps in skills, pay, health and deprivation. The government said this was to ensure funding goes to the places that need it most.

Officials said that in Northern Ireland, they would work with a restored Executive to determine the approach to providing funding.

But SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said many towns here are in need of support now.

The north is made up of towns that have been overlooked by both the British Government and Stormont for decades, he said.

That we have been totally excluded from this Tory scheme shows how disengaged they are with the issues impacting families across the north and how little they are invested in the future of this place.

Mr McCrossan said he would raise the issue with officials.

At a time when the Irish Government is investing more and more in positive projects in the north it speaks volumes that we have been left out at a time of such great need, he added.

I will be raising this investment with Stormont officials to see if any conversations took place regarding this project and whether we are likely to receive any additional funding as a result.

SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan

The scheme was announced as the Conservative Party conference gets under way in Manchester.

The 55 towns receiving a share of the funding include 44 in England, seven in Scotland and four in Wales. The government said it will work with local councils and the devolved administrations to determine how towns in Scotland and Wales will benefit.

But those in Northern Ireland will be left behind. The Governments Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said no money would yet be heading across the Irish Sea.

When contacted by the Belfast Telegraph, the Department said: In Northern Ireland, we look forward to working with a restored Executive to determine the approach to providing support there.

Sky News reported that 34 of the 55 towns are in constituencies represented by the Conservatives - or 62% of the locations. The Tories hold 54% of the seats in the House of Commons.

Ten of the Conservative seats benefitting are in the so-called red wall, which was vital for the party's 2019 election victory.

Alliance MLA Patrick Brown expressed scepticism at the motivation behind the funding.

"It is disappointing to see Northern Ireland missing from this list, he said.

"No doubt political uncertainty here doesn't help. But ultimately, this announcement reeks of party politics rather than an objective assessment of priorities.

"It is happening at the Conservative Conference and the list of towns seem heavily weighted towards marginal seats."

Towns on the list will receive a 10-year 20m endowment-style fund to be spent on local peoples priorities, like regenerating local high streets and town centres or securing public safety.

The aim is to unlock more private sector investment by auctioning empty high street shops, reforming licensing rules on shops and restaurants, and supporting more housing in town centres.

The government said half-empty high streets, run-down town centres and anti-social behaviour undermine towns in every part of the UK.

It said the announcement marks a change in approach that will put an end to people feeling like their town is ignored by Westminster and empower communities to take back control of their future, taking long term decisions in the interests of local people.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: We know that in our towns the values of hard work and solidarity, common sense and common purpose, endeavour and quiet patriotism have endured across generations. But for too long, too many of our great British towns have been overlooked and undervalued.

This will empower communities in every part of the UK to take back control of their future, taking long term decisions in the interests of local people. It will mean more jobs, more opportunities and a brighter future for our towns and the people who live and work in them.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin is in Ukraine for an an extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv.

EU foreign ministers will discuss how to strengthen and advance the EUs response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in direct consultation with the Ukrainian government.

It is expected that Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba and prime minister Denys Shmyhal will meet with EU foreign ministers during the one-day visit.

While in Kyiv, the Tanaiste will also have bilateral engagements with UN partners whose work in Ukraine Ireland is supporting, as well as members of the Irish community.

Mr Martin said: It is a testament to the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people that now, over a year and a half since Russian troops tried and failed to capture this city, we are able to hold a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv.

We stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the European Union is unwavering in our commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people as they defend their homeland.

Our support for Ukraine is multifaceted and it is important we ensure that it continues to be relevant, flexible and fit for purpose.

EU Member States will continue to take active measures to deter Russian aggression against Ukraine and I anticipate a wide-ranging, open exchange of views with our EU partners and Ukraine today on how best to do that.

The Tanaiste added: I was pleased to be able to recently announce a further 23 million euro in humanitarian and institutional support for Ukraine.

This brings to 210 million euro our total support for Ukraine since the launch of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

I am happy to have the opportunity today to meet with our partners here on the ground for an update on the important work they are doing and to meet the small Irish community here, all of whom are engaged in vital work supporting humanitarian, civilian security and rule of law programmes.
A third man is to appear in court after being charged in relation with the seizure of almost 160 million euro (139 million) of cocaine on a bulk cargo ship off the coast of Ireland.

Irish police said the man is expected to appear before Wexford District Court at 10.30am on Monday.

A total of 2,253kg of cocaine was found on the MV Matthew after members of the Irish Army Ranger Wing captured the vessel off the Co Cork coast by abseiling from a helicopter earlier this week.

Irish police have said the seizure was the largest in the history of the state.

A cargo vessel named MV Matthew is escorted into Cobh in Cork by the Irish Navy (Niall Carson/PA)

Police believe the cocaine, captured on board the cargo ship after the dramatic military operation at sea, was destined for distribution beyond Ireland, potentially into the UK and continental Europe.

A fishing trawler that grounded off the coast of Co Wexford late on Sunday was also being monitored as part of the operation, amid suspicions it was en route to rendezvous with the cargo ship.

Two men who had been winched from that vessel were arrested and appeared before Waterford District Court on Friday.

Jamie Harbron, 31, of South Avenue, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, UK, and 60-year-old Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, of no fixed abode, were charged with conspiracy to import drugs.

They were remanded in custody to appear at Wexford District Court via videolink on Monday.

Five other men have been arrested in relation to the case.

One has been released without charge while the other four remain in custody.
He had grievance against the British state because asylum claim was rejected

Ant and Dec attend the Britain's Got Talent auditions in Belfast in January 2014. Pic: Getty Images

The explosion at the Liverpool Women's Hospital in 2021

A man who detonated a bomb outside a hospital had entered the UK after applying for a visa claiming he wanted to watch the filming of Britains Got Talent in Northern Ireland.

Emad Al Swealmeen (32) had a grievance against the British state because his asylum claim was rejected, a police investigation has found.

He detonated the device, which he had made himself, while in a taxi outside Liverpool Womens Hospital just before 11am on November 14, 2021.

Driver David Perry managed to escape from the Ford Focus taxi following the blast, which killed Al Swealmeen.

The explosion, captured on hospital CCTV, propelled ball bearings forward through the vehicle to the extent that the front windscreen was forced out and travelled 16 metres, where it hit a tree, and damage was caused to the windows of the hospital building.

Caution: Graphic CCTV released by Merseyside Police shows the explosion at the Liverpool Women's Hospital that killed one person and injured another in November 2021.

Detective Superintendent Andy Meeks, of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, told a briefing yesterday it was believed Al Swealmeen intended to go into the hospital and detonate the device, but it was likely that it exploded earlier than planned.

He said there was no evidence anyone else was involved in the attack.

A police report on the investigation said there was no evidence Al Swealmeen held extremist views.

It said: It seems most likely that Al Swealmeens grievance against the British state for failing to accept his asylum claim compounded his mental ill health, which in turn fed that grievance, and ultimately a combination of those factors led him to undertake the attack.

Mr Meeks said Al Swealmeen, who was born in Iraq, went to considerable lengths to stay in the country, including converting to Christianity, although the authenticity of his conversion was in doubt.

Al Swealmeen, who relocated from Iraq to Jordan in the 1990s, came to the UK in 2014, having applied for a visa in Abu Dhabi claiming he wanted to travel for a holiday and to watch the filming of Britains Got Talent in Belfast.

He falsely claimed to be a Syrian national when interviewed by Home Office officials, but his asylum claim was rejected.

The first Britains Got Talent auditions of 2014 took place in January at the Waterfront Hall.

Man who detonated bomb outside hospital had grievance against British state

Mr Meeks said Al Swealmeen began a conversion to Christianity in 2015, when his asylum appeal rights were exhausted, and was baptised at Liverpool Cathedral in November that year.

He forwarded letters of support from members of the church community to the Home Office to support his asylum claim in 2017.

In January 2020 a further asylum claim was rejected, on the basis he had not truly accepted the Christian faith and rejected others.

Mr Meeks said Al Swealmeens deterioration in mental health coincided with developments in his asylum case.

He was detained by police under the Mental Health Act in 2015 and was later sectioned.

Police found Al Swealmeen rented a flat in Rutland Avenue with the sole purpose of building the bomb.

Officers discovered mixing bowls and bags of explosive mixture inside the flat, along with a mobile phone containing instructions on how to make explosives.

A search of his other address, which he shared with other asylum claimants in Sutcliffe Street, uncovered two unfinished improvised firearms.

Police found contents of mobile phones belonging to Al Swealmeen had been largely erased and he took precautions to conceal his intentions.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly warned his Chinese counterpart over the consequences of war with Taiwan (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Chinas economy would collapse if it went to war with Taiwan, James Cleverly said, as he defended his policy of clear eyed engagement with Beijing.

The Foreign Secretary said concerns about the strength of Chinas economy were already forcing the ruling Communist Party to change course.

Mr Cleverly became the first UK Foreign Secretary to visit China in five years when he made the trip to Beijing in August.

James Cleverly said if war broke out between China and Taiwan it would be an economic catastrophe (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

At a Conservative Party conference fringe event hosted by the Spectator, Mr Cleverly said war between China and Taiwan would be a massive failure of foreign policy because disruption across the Taiwan Strait is everybodys business.

Taiwan is a self-governing island that China claims and tensions have been running high in recent years.

Beijing has stepped up its military exercises aimed at the island, sending fighter jets and navy vessels to patrol and hold drills in the waters and skies around it.

Mr Cleverly said huge international trade volumes go through that body of water and war would be a catastrophically bad thing for the global economy.

It would also collapse the Chinese economy and as we are now seeing, the Chinese economy is not all-powerful.

He said preventing a Taiwan conflict is an absolute core plank of UK foreign policy.

Mr Cleverly said he believed following his conversation with counterpart Wang Yi in China that Beijing was sensitive to the risk of economic disruption as a result of its policies.

I made the point that whether its the Philippines, which I visited just before going to Beijing, or the UK or the US or Australia or others, we are all taking measures which are just nudging down our trade volumes with China, and the cumulative effect is having a real impact on China.

When I had that discussion he listened very, very closely, his officials were looking very intently.

He said the Chinese people had already forced the government to change course over its zero Covid policy, in a sign of public dissatisfaction with Xi Jinpings administration.

In an illustration of the state of Chinas economy, Mr Cleverly said the UK estimates Chinas youth unemployment is running at 25% and there are more newly-built vacant properties than the population of the UK.

He said that the UK has influence when a British Foreign Secretary basically says you need to do things differently, otherwise, you will see international trade subtly, gently trending away from you at at time when China is struggling to get the double-digit economic growth it needs to fund its contract with its own society.

Mr Cleverly also said he was encouraging African nations to process more of their raw materials domestically rather than sending them to China  which creates a pinch point which can become a stranglehold over international markets.

That would not only increase the resilience of supply chains but would also help stop the boats by providing an economic incentive for people in African nations to stay rather than risk crossing the Mediterranean to Europe and, potentially, boarding a vessel in the English Channel.

Mr Cleverlys visit to China angered some on the Tory benches who want a tougher line on Beijing.

But the Foreign Secretary declined to criticise them, pointing out some had been sanctioned by the Beijing administration and therefore have legitimate reasons to be really very frustrated with the behaviour of the Chinese government.
by Joseph Carter Milholland

Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost

my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of

myself, and what remains is bestial.

 Cassio (Othello, Act 2, Scene 3)

So far, my focus in this series of essays (see part 1 here and part 2 here) has been how we write and talk about the literary canon. The canon is a rather abstract subject, but when we talk about how the canon has changed, we are wont to talk about something even more abstract: a writers reputation.

Reputation  read enough literary essays, and youll see that word appear again and again. In recent years Kiplings reputation has taken such a beating that its a wonder any sensible critic would want to go near him now, a writer in the New Yorker explains. A century after his birth, and more than half a century after his death, Wilde continues to enjoy a reputation that can hardly be justified by his mere literary achievement, alleges another writer in the New Republic. In the 32 years since Bellow won the Nobel, there has been exactly one American laureate (not counting writers from other countries who became American citizens), Toni Morrison, whose critical reputation in America is by no means secure, a third writer in Slate asserts.

Reading all this concern over reputation can be a bit dispiriting; the literary critic who records the minute changes in a writers reputation begins to look drearily like that of a day trader obsessing over the small variations in corporate shares (only, the literary critic makes a lot less money). What, after all, does reputation have to do with serious literary criticism? If a writer is good, why bother at all about their reputation?

There is no reliable, empirical way of measuring reputations; critics who write about reputation are merely relaying their impression of how much an author is valued by others. This doesnt mean writing about a reputation is always a frivolous waste of time: a skillful critic can use a writers reputation as a vantage point from which to illuminate various aspects of their work. A good recent example of this is Leo Robsons article in the New Left Reviews Sidecar about Milan Kundera, whose myriad obsessions and peculiarities are examined through the reactions they generated from Kunderas readers. Robson even acknowledges how flimsy a concept reputation can be when he notes that Harold Bloom asserted  on what basis he does not specify  that young people no longer go off to the Czech capital with his novels in their backpacks. (For my part, I recently went to Prague with a novel by Bohumil Hrabal in my tote bag).

Some reputational changes are easy enough to track over the long term: Walter Scotts has descended, Virginia Woolfs has ascended. The article I quoted above that said Toni Morrisons reputation is by no means secure was written in 2008; it is fair to say that in the past 15 years her critical reputation has become much more secure. But literary criticism is neither a very large-scale endeavor nor is it at all centralized, and some claims about reputational changes (like Blooms on Kundera) are suspect as to their veracity. The comment from the New Yorker that Kiplings reputation has suffered in recent years is rather curious; already in 1941 Orwell was writing of Kipling that during five literary generations every enlightened person has despised him. Kipling, it seems, has had battalions of detractors for as long as his work has been around.

To return to the theme of this series of essays, how does reputation affect how the canon is made and read?

Some define the canon by pointing to one of the great books lists that academics craft now and again. But really, in the purest sense, the canon is simply all the books that are more than fifty years old that are still in print. Uncle Toms Cabin has been savaged by critics again and again throughout the decades, but you can find it in almost any bookshop, so its in the canon; meanwhile, a select few have said that George Borrows Lavengro is one of the finest books in English  but good luck locating a physical copy.

What comes into, goes out of, and remains in print is partially determined by sales, but reputation plays a role as well. When a book is resurrected, often it will be due to its reputation among certain literary connoisseurs. A good recent example is Kay Dicks 1977 novel They: long out of print, it was praised by Lucy Scholes in a 2020 Paris Review column, only to be republished by McNally Editions in 2022 (with an afterword by Scholes herself).

In fact, one can tell a lot about a culture based on the old books it resurrects. As it happens, for about two and a half years now I have been writing a newsletter dedicated to reviews of books more than fifty years old that have been published in the past year. Some of these are re-issues or new translations of very well known books, but often they are new editions of books that have long been out of print, or translations of books by authors totally unfamiliar to the English-speaking world.

So what are publishers of old books interested in right now? Here are four of the most prominent trends that I have observed:

Minor European Languages  Books translated from French, German, Italian, and Russian have always dominated the catalogs of classic literature. But now, many of the old books appearing in English for the first time are translations from the smaller European languages, such as Romanian, Hungarian, Finnish, and Danish. And soon the Harvard Library of Ukrainian Literature will be releasing translations of the most important Ukrainian writers of the 20th century, such as Maik Yohansen, Valerian Pidmohylny, and Lesya Ukrainka. Even though Portuguese is not a minor European language (its the worlds fifth largest language by number of native speakers), this trend may, strangely enough, explain why Brazils major writers, before now comparatively overlooked compared to the major Spanish American writers, are also being published in great numbers: multiple new books from Machado de Assis, Clarice Lispector, and Mario de Andrade have all appeared lately. Middle Eastern Literature, Especially Turkish and Persian  Many great books written in both the Turkish and Persian languages have long been out of reach, despite their acclaim and historical importance. This is starting to change, fortunately: weve seen some new translations of the great Persian poets of the Middle Ages, such as Rumi and Nizami Ganjavi, as well as some 20th century authors such as Forugh Farrokhzad and Sadeq Hedayat. The Turkish literature that is appearing now is largely from the second half of the 20th century, featuring writers such as Oguz Atay, Ferit Edgu, Sevgi Soysal, and Leyla Erbil. Women Writers of the 20th Century  Tove Ditlevsen, who I mentioned in my last column, is just one of many 20th century female writers who are being acknowledged or re-acknowledged as a significant author due to new editions of their work appearing. As well as Ditlevsen and the above-mentioned Farrokhzad, Lispector, and Kay Dick, we have also seen the recent introduction or re-introduction of Magda Szabo, Rosemary Tonks, Ann Quin, Nelly Sachs, Nancy Hale, and Margaret Kennedy, among several others. It would be reductive to say these writers all channel the female experience, but many of them write very cuttingly about gender. Philosophically Engaged Literature  Gratifyingly, I have found that it has not been the case that writers are being translated from foreign countries for purely representational reasons: that is, not because they provide local color from a particular part of the world, or because they highlight some particular social issue. Instead, many translated writers come from a tradition preoccupied with the vita contemplativa  that is, literature that seeks transcendent values outside of the instability of ordinary life. I am over-generalizing here; what I mean is that many of the writers I encounter in my newsletter seem to share the concerns about knowledge and meaning that appear in Dostoevsky, Kafka, and Bernhard. Even writers who do not clearly fit into this tradition nevertheless value the life of the mind over the events of the material world: Ditlevsen lived through the Nazi Occupation of Denmark, but in her autobiography the historical events are only a dimmed background over which she pursues her poetic impulses and judges the character of individuals.

The East Asian languages seem not to have fared as well recently in terms of translations  there have been some fine translations, but little that stands out as particularly revelatory from the past few years (though theres been an increased and ongoing interest in Uyghur literature recently).

Most fortunately of all, we have seen totally unexpected works that fall outside any of our preconceived categories, such as People from Bloomington, a book of short stories by the Indonesian author Budi Darma based on his time in Bloomington, Indiana, along with Discourses of the Elders, a translation of the Latin transcripts of Aztec philosophy compiled by a 16th century Spanish priest. Deep Vellums release of Leyla Erbils A Strange Woman would seem to fall into the categories I pointed out above  it is a philosophically-engaged novel by a Turkish woman  but it seems an insult to reduce it to any of those things  it is hardly even a novel.

What can we conclude from this? All four of the trends I highlighted point to an interest in marginal literature as I defined it in my last column. While an individual book that falls under any of those four categories is not necessarily marginal, that these are the works of literature that are being added to the canon excites me. It is an opportunity to reassess and re-interpret literary history, to absorb different stories, and different ways of telling stories, about our literary past. Doing so honestly, while preserving and cultivating the standards of the greatest literature, will be difficult; it will take a more than usual perspicacity from writers, publishers, translators, and readers, especially in this age of digital distractions. But I think it can be done. Let us not waste the opportunity.
The collapse of a roof at a church in northern Mexico has killed an unknown number of people, according to church authorities.

Tamaulipas state police said about 100 people were in the church during Mass at the time of the collapse with about 30 trapped in the rubble.

While they did not give details of casualties, the Mexican Council of Bishops issued a statement saying we join in prayer at the tragic loss of life and those injured.

Bishop Jose Armando Alvarez of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tampico said the roof caved in while parishioners were receiving communion at the Santa Cruz church in the Gulf coast city of Ciudad Madero, next to the port city of Tampico.

About 30 people were trapped in the rubble (Alejando de Angel/El Sol de Tampico/AP)

He said in a taped message: At this time, the necessary work is being performed to extract the people who are still under the rubble. Today we are living through a very difficult moment.

A statement from the bishops diocese on social media said: From underneath the rubble, thanks to Divine Providence and the work of the rescue teams, people have been pulled out alive! Lets keep praying!

Units of the National Guard, state police, state civil defence office and Red Cross were at the scene.

Building collapses are common in Mexico during earthquakes, but the National Seismological Service did not report any seismic activity strong enough to cause such damage at the time of the collapse. Nor was there any immediate indication of an explosion.
Two people believed to have been in a Spanish nightclub where 13 others died in a fire are still missing and the club was operating without a permit, according to authorities in the southern city of Murcia.

The town halls announcement came after Francisco Jimenez, the central governments official for the region, earlier said all the missing had been located and no more bodies had been found.

He later said there had been confusion in the figures for the missing.

Firefighters at the scene in the early hours of Sunday (Bomberos/Ayuntamiento de Murcia/AP)

Mr Jimenez said the dead included people from Spain, Colombia, Ecuador and Nicaragua.

It was not known how many people were in the club when the fire broke out at 6am on Sunday.

It was the deadliest nightclub blaze in Spain since 43 people were killed in Zaragoza in 1990.

On Monday, firefighters and police continued to assess damage before searching for clues to how the fire started.

Firefighters carry out a covered body on a stretcher (Alfonso Duran/AP)

The blaze started in one nightclub and spread to two others nearby, Spanish state news agency EFE said.

All the bodies were found in the first nightclub.

Twenty-four people were injured but none were taken hospital.

Murcia town hall reported that authorities had rejected permit renewals for two nightclubs and ordered them closed in 2022.

Relatives at the scene (Alfonso Duran/AP)

The city said it would investigate how the clubs had continued operating.

Representatives of the clubs denied on Spanish national television that they had been operating illegally.

The city council declared three days of mourning with flags flown at half-mast on public buildings.

A minutes silence was held outside Murcia town hall at noon on Monday.
Rarely will a DUP leaders speech be so carefully analysed. When Sir Jeffrey Donaldson addresses delegates at his partys annual conference in 12 days time, every word he utters will be pored over in London and Dublin.
Northern Irelands housing crisis needs to be addressed now. For years demand has been outstripping supply and the cost of buying or renting a property is skyrocketing.

The average price of a home here is now 200,600  an increase of 7.6% compared to last year. For renters, the average price is 791 per month  an annual rise of almost 10%.

Amidst this, our social housing waiting list has been growing and now exceeds 45,000.

To fix the problem, we need to, among other things, ramp up the building of new homes, both private and social.

While the Housing Executive (NIHE) exceeded its target in terms of social housing new builds last year, the gap between supply and demand remains wide. One key factor that could prove crucial to addressing this is how the NIHE is classified.

The NIHE stopped building homes in 2002. Since then housing associations have been constructing homes, in partnership with the NIHE.

For this to change, the NIHEs classification needs to be changed to mutual or a co-operative designation.

This would allow the organisation to borrow money and get back to building, while also providing money to invest in its current stock.

Former Communities Minister Caral Ni Chuilin announced in November 2020 that it was her intention to do this, but to date this has not happened.

NIHE chief executive Grainia Long supports the change, but told this newspaper that it is a realistic prospect that this could happen by 2025, so it will likely be a few years before there is movement in this area.

However, if we are to tackle the housing crisis we will all have to think outside the box.

For example, a new 175m high-rise apartment development in Belfasts Titanic Quarter  thats set to open in 2026  has come under scrutiny due to its location in front of the Titanic museum.

Despite the controversy surrounding the site, Loft Lines will provide 778 much needed new homes. However, people are entitled to question why that site - and green space - can be sacrificed when so many other vacant spaces have been left idle for years, some of it right beside the Titanic quarter.

These are some of the issues we will be looking at in this week's series.

Housing problems are not unique to here, but they often get overlooked as the political class and indeed the media eye more immediate topics.

The issues will not be solved in a week but at least by shining a light we can hopefully generate some much-needed debate.
Gerard Lawlor was gunned down in north Belfast in 2002. No one has been charged for the murder

Solicitor Niall Murphy (left) with John Lawlor (centre) and Gerard's brother Conor. John Lawlor has said he is disappointed by a Police Ombudsmans report into his sons 2002 murder.

It was a phone call from loyalist chief Ihab Shoukri that set in motion the chain of events that led to the murder of Gerard Lawlor (inset).

Gerard Lawlor, a young father and Gaelic football player, was murdered in a drive-by shooting four years after the Good Friday Agreement.

He was killed during a night of mayhem ordered by UDA boss Ihab Shoukri.

His killing was the fifth gun attack in a four-mile radius that night as Loyalist paramilitaries searched for a Catholic victim.

Gerard Lawlor was gunned down in north Belfast in 2002, eight years after the ceasefires.

No one has been charged for the murder. Gerards family are still trying to get answers from the PSNI, with the police ombudsman saying there were significant failings by the PSNI in the murder investigation.

Ciaran Dunbar is joined by Sunday Life Journalist Ciaran Barnes to tell Gerards story.
NIs adopted son Osbourne a real bright spark

When a prize-winning South African welder imagined furthering his career abroad, he says he couldnt have dreamed of a better place than Northern Ireland.

Osbourne Mbambini has been living in Newcastle since April, after landing a job with Castlewellan-based firm Walter Watson Ltd.

He says the company has welcomed me and treated me like family and his work in the structural steel department has already broadened his skill set, as well as giving him valuable experience living and working away from home.

Osbourne, who has a wife and two young sons back in South Africa, says that he has fallen in love with Northern Ireland  the countryside, the people and even the weather.

People dont believe me when I say I like the weather, he laughs.

But honestly I do  you get four seasons in a single day, although it does make it difficult to do laundry.

Ive been warned that I havent experienced a Northern Irish winter yet, so well see how that goes.

Osbourne, who loves reading business and personal development books, says he strongly believes that ambition and mindset can create opportunities in life.

My philosophy is that you should dream about your next step, he explains.

Before I came here I dreamed of working abroad and when I was offered the job with Walter Watson I visualised everything, so by the time the plane landed I already felt at home.

I always say that my hero is myself  five years from now. If you can see it in your mind then you can do it.

Osbourne at work

This positive attitude is what has carried Osbourne through life so far.

He grew up in a township called Vosloorus and got top grades in school, then took a job with local firm ArcelorMittal in 2014 as a trainee welder.

By the time hed gained his trade qualifications in 2016 he had already begun taking part in competitions, and in July 2017 he travelled to Shanghai  his first trip overseas  to take part in the International Arc Cup Welding Competition, where he won first prize in the student category.

In total 16 countries participated in the event, with marking believed to be among the strictest of any world competition. Osbourne was complimented for his relaxed and easy-going approach matched with incredible discipline.

In the qualifiers I got a bronze medal, so that really drove me to put more into it and become better, he explains.

In China I participated in four different categories using specific processes.

Back in South Africa Osbourne, whose full name is Samukelo Osbourne Mbambini, met his wife Nokulunga in 2019, and the couple now have two sons, Kamohelo (4) and Bandile (1).

But he still dreamed of working abroad.

Read more Carry on glamping? Warning issued over future of NI pod stays and why prices could be set to drop

Im very active on LinkedIn, he laughs. An international recruiter contacted me, and at first I was suspicious because you never know in todays world, but then they put me in contact with Walter Watson.

I had a telephone interview with managing director David Barr, and immediately I had a good feeling about it. Mr Barr was such a down-to-earth person  I wish there could be someone like him everywhere, in every business.

He was very impressed with my resume and told me that the company looks after its people.

Osbourne flew into Belfast, via Heathrow, in April, and says that Mr Barr has been as good as his word ever since.

He is a real gentleman and I have felt extremely well supported, he says.

Everyone at the company is so friendly  Ive been made to feel like family.

Osbourne has been working in the structural steel department, manufacturing huge beams and piping for large-scale buildings and projects for the company, which was named in 64th place in the Belfast Telegraphs top 100 Northern Irish firms for 2023.

Ive picked up so many new skills already and I particularly enjoy working on the huge steel pipes, because I really love doing work that is challenging, he tells us.

He wants to send out a message to young people that success doesnt just lie in academic qualifications  you can build a fulfilling and challenging career in skilled industry roles too.

There is a lot of need for these sorts of skills, he explains.

When you are younger it can be difficult to know which direction to take.

Its so important to visualise where you want to be.

Osbourne Mbambani

For Osbourne, right now that place is Northern Ireland, even though he admits that a year ago he probably couldnt have pointed to it on a map.

He says he does miss his family and video calls his wife and children often.

I love Northern Ireland, Ive visited places like Castlewellen Forest Park and Newcastle seaside and theyre beautiful, he says.

But for me, one of the best things about this country is the people.

Everyone is so friendly and welcoming.

I can be walking down the street, minding my own business, and people are stopping to greet me like they already know me from somewhere  its brilliant.

Everyone is so positive. Even in the shops, people always stop for a chat.

It was one of my dreams in life to travel and Im so happy it has brought me here.

Founded in 1967, Walter Watson Ltd is the largest family-owned structural steel fabricator in Ireland, and operates in five sectors  structural steel, reinforcement steel, steel stockholding, an agricultural division and overhead travelling cranes.

Osbourne has been employed in the structural steel division, which takes on contracts in sectors including health, education, retail, leisure, residential, commercial and industrial buildings, as well as airports and power stations.

Managing director Mr Barr explains that Osbourne impressed the firm from the very beginning.

Osbourne applied for a fabricating and welding position with the company back in January 2023, he recalls.

Following a video call interview, Osbourne proceeded to pass the English test, medical tests and tuberculosis testing to enable the visa process to be completed.

Osbourne relocated to Northern Ireland and commenced employment at Walter Watson Ltd on April 29, 2023. It was clear from the offset that Osbourne was a professional welder, producing fabricated structural steel to an exemplary quality.
Author shocked to discover ancestor was murdered by sex fiend as she brings story to book

Award-winning author Denise Beddows has revealed how she made a shock discovery when researching her Carrickfergus ancestors  that one of them fell victim to an American serial killer.

William Patterson, of Albert Road, Carrickfergus, had emigrated to Canada in the 1920s.

In August 1926, his 27-year-old wife Emily and their sons, aged five and three, left Carrickfergus to join him.

Emily Patterson

On June 10, 1927, Emily had sent her little boys across the street to play with the neighbours children, when a stranger appeared at her gate.

That stranger was Earle Nelson, dubbed The Gorilla Killer by the press, owing to his huge hands which he used to strangle his victims. Drifter Nelson had worked his way across the USA attacking dozens of women and girls before crossing the border into Canada.

When William arrived home from work that evening, his neighbour brought the boys home but there was no sign of Emily. It was when putting his boys to bed that William spotted Emilys body stuffed under the three-year-olds bed. Emily had been strangled, sexually assaulted and horribly mutilated.

Denise Beddows

For two years, Nelson had evaded capture in numerous cities and states across America. Just days after his killing spree had taken him into Canada, the Gorilla was caught and caged.

At Winnipegs packed courthouse, Nelson was convicted of just one murder  that of the authors ancestor Emily. The following year he was hanged.

Over the years, a great deal has been written about this psychopathic necrophile but virtually nothing has been written about his victims.

Although 22 murders were officially laid at Nelsons door, Denise Beddows research now reveals he attacked at least twice that number.

Now Buckinghamshire-based Denise hopes to put that right and to rectify misconceptions about Nelson, who was briefly married to Tyrone woman, and his dreadful past.

Denise Beddows' book The Forgotten Forty-Four

In her latest true crime book, The Forgotten Forty-Four: Victims and Survivors of Americas First Serial Sex Killer, Beddows, whose award-winning crime/espionage thriller Shearwater Point  set in Belfast and Co Down  was an Amazon number one bestseller, presents the victims as individuals rather than as police statistics.

The authors royalties from the book will be donated to the charity Womens Aid.
Myanmar troops participate in a parade to mark the countrys 78th Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw, March 27, 2023.

Three Indonesian state-owned weapons manufacturers broke the law by selling arms to Myanmars military, a former Indonesia attorney general and activists alleged in a complaint filed Monday with the National Commission on Human Rights.

The plaintiffs, chief among them Marzuki Darusman  the ex-attorney general who had also chaired a United Nations fact-finding mission on Myanmar  are accusing the firms PT Pindad, PT PAL and PT Dirgantara Indonesia of having sold weapons and hardware to the Burmese military over the last decade, including possibly after the February 2021 coup.

The illegal sales consisted of assault rifles, handguns, ammunition, combat vehicles and other equipment, the complaint said.

The fact that defense equipment has been actively promoted after the genocidal campaign against the Rohingya and the 2021 coup is cause for serious concern and casts doubt on the Indonesian governments willingness to comply with its obligations under international human rights law and humanitarian law, Marzuki said in a statement.

Marzuki and the other plaintiffs came out with the allegations while the government of Indonesia still holds the rotating chair of ASEAN for 2023. The administration of President Joko Jokowi Widodo has been vocal in criticizing the Burmese junta for its role in the post-coup violence but the Southeast Asian bloc has been widely criticized in turn for failing to stop the bloodshed in Myanmar.

While chairing the U.N. fact-finding mission on Myanmar, in August 2019 Marzuki and his team called for an arms sales embargo against Naypyidaw. More than a dozen foreign companies, including state-owned companies in China, had been supplying weapons and other equipment used by the Myanmar military against ethnic minorities, the team reported that month.

Joining Marzuki in the complaint lodged with the Indonesian human rights commission (Komnas HAM) on Monday were Salai Za Uk Ling, leader of the Chin Human Rights Organization, and the Myanmar Accountability Project, an international human rights group.

They cited open-source evidence and media reports indicating the Indonesian companies have transferred weapons and ammunition through True North Co. Ltd., a Myanmar-based company owned by the son of a junta-appointed minister.

The role of True North as a private company negotiating deals between Myanmars military and Indonesias state-owned arms companies raises suspicions of possible corruption that should be investigated by Indonesian authorities, the group said.

The companys owner, Htoo Htoo Shein Oo, is the son of the Myanmar juntas planning and finance minister, Win Shein, who is subject to sanctions by the United States, Canada, and European Union, according to the complaint.

The complaint urges the commission to conduct an assessment, research and investigation into the alleged involvement of the Indonesian companies and to refer the case to the countrys human rights court if there is sufficient evidence of serious human rights violations.

A member of Komnas HAM, Anis Hidayah, said the commission had received the complaint and was studying it.

Meanwhile, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, spokesman for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said it was looking into the matter because it involves verifications with many parties.

Marzuki Darusman, chair of the U.N. fact-finding mission on Myanmar, gestures during a press conference in Jakarta, Aug. 5, 2019. [Achmad Ibrahim/AP]

Pindad, which manufactures assault rifles, pistols, sniper rifles and automatic weapons, denied selling weapons to Myanmar after the coup.

We do not sell weapons to Myanmar. If we ever did, it was in 2016 as an export transaction, Dianing Puji Rahayu, the companys corporate secretary, told BenarNews.

It happened that in 2016 and 2017 there was an AARM (ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet) competition, so it had nothing to do with the situation in Myanmar, she said. Moreover, we do not support the post-coup and genocide situation that is reported to be happening there.

Dianing apparently was referring to the militarys violence against anti-junta protesters since the 2021 coup and a bloody crackdown on minority Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State that forced about 740,000 of them to flee to Bangladesh beginning in August 2017.

Bandung-based Dirgantara Indonesia (Indonesia Aerospace) is an aircraft maker while PAL, based in Surabaya, is a shipbuilder. A Dirgantara official referred questions to the countrys defense industry holding company Defend ID.

In Myanmar, Kyaw Zaw, spokesman for the opposition National Unity Government Presidents Office, said calls to prevent the arms sales were in line with the five-point consensus adopted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in April 2021, shortly after the junta seized power. Myanmar is an ASEAN member.

Indonesia has been working hard to restore democracy and stop violence in Myanmar. The Indonesian government is engaging with all stakeholders, including the NUG. I would like to appeal to the Indonesian government to investigate the information that Indonesian companies are selling weapons to the Myanmar military and prevent it, Kyaw Zaw told Radio Free Asia (RFA), a news service affiliated with BenarNews.

He noted that Singapore had recently acted against Singaporean companies that sold weapons to the Myanmar military.

A military spokesman did not immediately respond to RFA calls requesting comment.

Violence

Myanmar has been plunged into chaos and violence since the military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. She and other civilian leaders were detained after the coup.

Since then, the junta has faced widespread resistance from pro-democracy protesters, civil disobedience movements, ethnic armed groups and a shadow government formed by ousted lawmakers.

The junta has responded with brutal crackdowns, killing more than 4,100 people and arresting more than 25,000 others, according to Thai-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

The United Nations has warned that Myanmar is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe, with millions of people in need of aid and protection.

As this years ASEAN chair, Indonesia has been trying to mediate a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Myanmar.

At the time of the alleged sales, Indonesia was a member of the U.N. Human Rights Council and supported a U.N. General Assembly resolution that called on all countries to stop supplying weapons.

Chris Gunness, director of Myanmar Accountability Project, called an investigation by Indonesias human rights commission imperative.

Our investigation has turned up damning evidence that suggests shocking double-standards, he said in a statement.

Pizaro Gozali Idrus in Jakarta and RFA Burmese contributed to this report.
Vice Adm. Karl Thomas (left), commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, and Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr., flag officer-in-command of the Philippine Navy, are seen together during the ceremony to launch joint naval drills, at the Philippine Navys headquarters in Manila, Oct. 2, 2023.

Longtime defense allies the Philippines and the United States launched joint naval drills in the South China Sea on Monday, in an apparent show of force against China amid rising tensions in the contested waterway.

The Samasama exercise will run for 12 days and involve 600 U.S. Navy personnel and about the same number of Filipino seamen, officials said. For the second year in a row, naval forces from Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and Australia will also participate.

The annual war games will take place in South China Sea waters in and around southern Luzon, the main and most populated island in the Philippines.

The rights of all nations to ensure sovereignty must be upheld, protected and not taken for granted, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, said during a ceremony at the Philippine Navys headquarters here to launch the drills.

We will deter those who will weaken the fabric of peace, he said. [T]heres no better way to ensure sovereignty and security than to sail and operate together.

The exercise comes amid heightened tensions between the Philippines and China over the waterway. On Sept. 22, Manila accused the China Coast Guard of deploying a 328-yard-long floating barrier to obstruct the entrance to the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The next day, the Philippine Coast Guard removed the barrier in a special operation.

While Thomas fell short of mentioning China by name, Filipino Navy chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. referred explicitly to a judgment delivered by an international arbitration court in 2016 that favored the Philippines territorial claims over Chinas in the South China Sea.

The ruling upheld the sovereign rights of the Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea, he said, calling the contentious portion of the sea by its Filipino name. This is what we promote  a rules-based international order.

The exercises are part of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty signed between the U.S. and the Philippines. It calls on both countries to aid each other in times of aggression by an external power.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Canadas Ambassador to the Philippines, David Hartman, told reporters that his government would give Manila free access to state-of-the-art satellites, allowing the Philippines to conduct real-time surveillance within the sea territory that it considers its exclusive economic zone.

The satellites can detect and track even dark vessels or ships that switched off their location transmitters, he said.

Weve seen a rise in behavior in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea that we have determined to be worrisome, Hartman said. I think its very clear how we stand. Its unequivocal.
by Jerry Cayford

This is the story of a man. Not rich and powerful, not a big man like your father, Sweetheart. Just a funny little man. I didnt know him long, only three nights. But there was something about him, something magical. If Rumpelstiltskin started with this framing, we would have a different picture of the storys meaning, a truer picture, for this framing suggests what is hidden below the surface.

The millers daughter is our shadow narrator. No one else witnesses the central events of the story, except Rumpelstiltskin, and hes dead. We get suspicious that the story shes telling makes her look too good: the beautiful victim, abused by everyone, who somehow ends up with the king, the gold, the servants, and the child, and never has to pay her debts. Clues pile up, starting from Rumpelstiltskins death. He ripped himself up the middle in two and sank into the earth. The poor sap killed himself. Why? We follow the trail of breadcrumbs. Why would the guy want the daughters firstborn? Sounds like a euphemism Thats it! The bargain wasnt for the child but for the woman! Its the oldest bargain in the world. But if that was the deal paydirt: Rumpelstiltskin is the childs father!

There is plenty to uncover in this fairy-tale-noir story of illicit sex, betrayal, obsession, and suicide, but you have to believe it is worth digging. Perhaps if I tell you the story is older than the bible: Rumpelstiltskin, in summary, is one of the earliest known narratives in Western literature (Oliver Tearle). Scholars have traced the story back to languages long vanished. As Tearle puts it, The story obviously has its roots deep in the most primal and basic drives and emotions which are commonly shared throughout humanity.

The childs paternity is less a big reveal than it might seem, because in other stories of secret names (which folklorists categorize as ATU type 500: The Name of the Supernatural Helper, examples here or here), the forfeit for not knowing the helpers name is almost always sex (you shall be mine; accompany me home and be my wife). However, the man always loses and the woman always wins; so, when the wager is for sex, no sex takes place, and so there is no child. What separates Rumpelstiltskin from other stories is that a child is born, and the man loses in a different way.

The Unreliable Narrator

Obviously, the tale of a poor beauty trading on her body to get out of trouble and then successfully passing her illegitimate child off as the kings own heir is not going to make it past millennia of morality police. Long before internet users were using $ex to get past search filters, though, Rumpelstiltskin made itself a beloved childrens classic whose surface story is a map to what cannot be told directly: the primal tale of the costs and mechanics of the poor beautys success. This story endures by hiding its deep themes under surface events so suggestively implausible as to invite the reader to wonder what really happened. The invitation comes right away.

The first sentence tells us the miller is poor and the daughter is beautiful; the second sentence tells us the narrator is unreliable: Now it happened that he [the miller] got into a conversation with the king Wait. Poor millers dont happen into conversations with kings! (Im analyzing the Grimm Brothers canonical 1857 text, D.L. Ashlimans translation.) Other, similar tales give a sensible account of the parents boast, but at the daughters expense. Usually, she is lazy: as handsome as the day, and as lazy as a pig (The Lazy Beauty and Her Aunts); The truth must be told. Duffy was an idle slut (Duffy and the Devil). Typically, the mother is bawling out the daughter on a public street when the king or prince rides by, and the lie is a quick cover. In Tom Tit Tot, for example, the daughter eats all five pies her mother just made, and when the king hears the mother yelling, the mother pretends she was praising her daughter for spinning five skeins.

Stories like these make sense: a lazy girl marries advantageously based on a lie about her spinning prowess, covers it with something much worse (a deal with the devil), just barely escapes, and so learns her lesson. We have no reason to look for more than a simple morality tale. Rumpelstiltskin, though, is full of baffling nonsense. That second sentence ends with the millers inexplicably preposterous and dangerous boast to the king about spinning straw into gold! An unreliable narrator is not a license to make things up, but a challenge to find the sense when real plot puzzles appear: what does the little man (as he is always called) want? Why does he give her a chance to keep her child after he has already won it in their bargain? What makes this child (for him) dearer to me than all the treasures in the world? Why does he commit suicide when he loses a bet he never had to make? Treating this as just a fairy story, with loopy motives and opaque rules, would give us license to dismiss these questions. But once we accept the challenge to make sense of the story, its hidden human drama becomes disturbingly recognizable.

The Room Where It Happened

I love so many details of this story. Rumpelstiltskin never demands anything, but asks the millers daughter what she will give him, and accepts whatever she offers. For two nights, he gives her rooms full of gold in exchange for cheap costume jewelry. And its clear they are there together all night. In similar stories, the fairy/devil gives her magic gloves or a magic spindle to do the work herself, or takes the material away and returns it later. But Rumpelstiltskin sits down at the wheel, whir, whir, whir, the spool is full, he puts on another, and So it went until morning. I wonder what they talked about all night.

On the third night of magic, he asks again what she will give him. I have nothing more that I could give you, answered the girl. One can imagine inserting the word shyly here. Or maybe slyly, if she has an ankle bracelet that he can plainly see. I imagine the rest of their steamy conversation cut by the censor (our unreliable narrator), who substitutes one dry, plot-advancing sentence: Then promise me, after you are queen, your first child. (Kind of a steep price escalation, since presumably he would have accepted a lock of her hair.) Her next thought confirms that we have jump-cut over the steamy parts, and that the dry sentence is not really what he said: where shock and horror are the usual folktale responses to the demand for a child, the response in Rumpelstiltskin is Who knows what will happen, thought the millers daughter, and she goes for it. In return the little man once again spun the straw into gold. A mating dance concluded, all between the lines. Wonderful.

Before we fast forward to the child, let me offer an image to those of you grossed out by the thought of the beautiful millers daughter having sex with a gnome. Imagine George Clooney as Rumpelstiltskin. This is not a random suggestion: the 2009 movie Up in the Air is a subtle version of Rumpelstiltskin. Clooney plays the isolated, alienated outsider who lives in a magic world of airplanes and hotels, and who hooks up for sex with millers daughter Vera Farmiga. (The movie even has a running gag about photographing a traveling gnome.) He thinks he likes his life, until he falls in love and discovers his beloved wants the kings world, with him, Rumpelstiltskin, on the side.

Versions of Rumpelstiltskin pop up here and there, not surprising for a story so deep in our cultural consciousness. My favorite is Harry Chapins 1972 song Taxi: It was somewhere in a fairy tale / I used to take her home in my car. But comparing Rumpelstiltskin to other works raises the question of what features define this archetypal tale.

First, the man is outside the social structure, not part of society. This is a known character in literature: think of Ralph Ellisons invisible man, and Dostoevskys Underground Man (both of whom, significantly, have no name); Ishmael, Hagars illegitimate son by Abraham, is the original, a wild ass of a man: his hand shall be against every man, and every mans hand against him; and he shall dwell in the face of all his brethren (Genesis 16:12). Second, the man brings something valuable, something magical, to the woman. Ultimately, it is love he is bringing; but his magic is idiosyncratic, an outsiders gift, valuable but problematic. As Chapin puts it, Ive got something inside me to drive a princess blind / Theres a wild man wizard, hes hiding in me, illuminating my mind. Third, whatever magic the man offers, the woman chooses the king (society) over it. Other motifs might appearthe name usually, the child maybe. Mrs. Doubtfire is a Rumpelstiltskin with the child featured.

So, three nights of magic save the millers daughter, who then marries the king. The story now jumps ahead. The 1812 Grimms version says, Soon thereafter the queen delivered a child. But that was too revealing, so the 1857 version chastely adjusts it to A year later she brought a beautiful child to the world, which wont fool anyone. The wonder of Rumpelstiltskin is its balancing of a surface story suitable for children and acceptable to moralists with a hidden-but-not-too-hidden tale of darker human conflicts and choices.

The 1857 version emerges as canonical because of how exquisitely it accomplishes that balance, deftly guiding us from the surface to the deeper story. The 1812 ending, for exampleHe ran away angrily, and never came backloses Rumpelstiltskins death and confounds the narrative; the 1857 version corrects the ending to with both hands he took hold of his left foot and ripped himself up the middle in two, an unmistakable image of suicide just cartoonish enough to suit the fairy tale surface. The difference is important to who the little man is: not a con man grabbing something he wants, but an outcast staking his life on something he needs. Unless we know that, we cannot make any sense of the second bargain: the name.

Know My Name

Rumpelstiltskin comes for his child, dearer to me than all the treasures in the world. But the child born of them both is just as dear to her. The story is true to the moral and emotional complexity of the situation. It makes clear Rumpelstiltskins moral claim to the child, as well as his power to take the child. But then it introduces a plot twist: the little man took pity on her and said, I will give you three days time. If by then you know my name, then you shall keep your child. What is going on here? Lets unpack it.

The story always treats Rumpelstiltskin with compassionhere he is a softy, taking pityyet it also shows that the little man is dangerous and powerful and must be taken seriously. The 1812 version refers to him at this point as the dangerous little man. The 1857 version lets us know his powers are not limited to spinning gold; were told that he [the king] himself locked the room, but Rumpelstiltskin just opens the door. The kings thought that I will not find a richer wife in all the world draws our attention, not only to the avarice of the king and the world that the millers daughter will join, but also to the value of Rumpelstiltskins abilities (mistakenly believed to be the daughters). We cannot gauge his power, but whether its Rumpelstiltskins magic, the wild man wizard hiding in me, Mrs. Doubtfires wildly comic creativity, or the Clooney characters gift for knowing what people in pain need to hear, the outcast does have power. These examples make his power visible for the audience, but it need not be so visible: every outcast man has enough power to kidnap his own children.

The danger of unneeded males is universal in the animal kingdom. Human beings minimize this problem with socially enforced monogamy, called marriage: if everyone pairs up, men find mates to connect them to society. But there is an intrinsic precariousness to that solution, personified in the millers daughter. Her character in Up in the Air, discussing with a younger woman what to seek in a mate, says, Please let him earn more money than I do. You might not understand that now, but believe me, you will one day. Otherwise, thats a recipe for disaster. In other words, choose the king. The real recipe for disaster, though, is women marrying up and men down, which makes it mathematically certain that there will be no partners for a group of women at the top of society and a group of men at the bottom, men with little to lose; furthermore, the admirable modern push for gender wage parity will increase both of those groups: more well-educated, well-paid women stay single, while the underclass of outcast men grows. The outcast can be dangerous, both to the social order andas in Rumpelstiltskinto himself. It is a theme for the ages, and certainly for an age of declining marriage rates and rising overdose rates, when men are killing themselves in record numbers and even lashing out with mass shootings.

An archetypal story presents a situation many people face, but in which different choices are possible; the dramatic tension is from our knowing it could easily turn out differently. The tragedy here is foreshadowed when the child is born: She thought no more about the little man. Whatever the three nights of magic meant to the millers daughterwhether it was profound, or just a fling, or whatever she had to do to get out of a jamshe has moved on. She has rocketed up the social ladder to become queen. Once upon a time, when she was in need, Rumpelstiltskin gave her what she needed, but she no longer needs him. This is the new reality when he comes to her nowhe the outcast, dangerous and generous, powerful and needyand voluntarily offers her an out: know my name.

In literature, history, and religion, the true name is the true nature; know my name means know me, know the real me, truly and deeply. In asking her to know him, he is asking her to choose him: know my name and you shall keep your child because we will be together. The three-day time frame is not coincidental, either: Rumpelstiltskin is trying to rekindle the magic of their three nights spinning gold together. She is his cure for alienation and his ticket to reconnecting with society. He has everything at stake. (As the protagonist puts it in Picnic, a sort of Rumpelstiltskin-adjacent story, Youre mine, Baby. Ive gotta claim whats mine or Ill be nothin as long as I live!) But she, too, has stakes and makes choices.

The story has brought our two characters around to a different kind of bargain. The original bargain could be seen as transactional, legalistic: on the surface, it was the child in exchange for saving her life, so the child is his; below the surface, it was her body in exchange for spinning the gold, so since she already paid him with sex, the child is hers. Rumpelstiltskin offers to replace their transactional bargain with one based on human connection, on knowing one another; both parents have a moral claim to the child, one not transactionally based.

But the queen seizes on the new bargain in the opposite spirit of what was intended. Instead of spending three days truly getting to know Rumpelstiltskin, she spends it seeking exactly the sort of shallow, legalistic information she might use in a divorce court or a custody hearing. (Last Tango in Paris is a Rumpelstiltskin that emphasizes this element of the story; it features the sex (obviously), but also the name and the contrasting kinds of knowing: I dont know him. I dont know who he is I dont know his name.) The surface story of Rumpelstiltskin descends into a silly guessing game. The deeper story, though, is of a man reduced to factoids in which he does not recognize himself. She is successful, and he is betrayed. She wins custody, and he takes his life.

The tragic tale of Rumpelstiltskin is a miracle of compression. Short and fast, it tells a clever story of puzzles and magic and a beautiful woman escaping dangers to win it all. Underneath, it tells a dark tale of societys margins and an isolated little man who cant win to save his life. The dark depths make the clever surface so compelling that every generation rediscovers this story. So, men, next time you pick your kids up from the nice house where your ex-wife lives, tell them a story with teeth, a 4,000-year-old, big, bad wolf of a tale: read them Rumpelstiltskin.
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Rebecca Todd, most recently the executive director of Stonewall Farm in Keene, N.H., is taking over as executive director of the Connecticut River Conservancy on Oct. 9.
This Story in History is selected from the archives by Jeannie Maschino, The Berkshire Eagle.
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PITTSFIELD  Pittsfield cannabis company Berkshire Roots has filed a lawsuit demanding the city justify the impact fees it assessed or repay its $440,000.

The lawsuit, filed Aug. 18 in Berkshire Superior Court, asks the court to declare that the city did not incur any costs by the company operating locally, and must therefore repay the impact fees with interest. It also demands unspecified damages and attorneys fees.

Berkshire Roots, which operates a cultivation and manufacturing facility as well as a retail store on Dalton Avenue, has paid $440,000 in impact fees to Pittsfield over the years, according to court documents.

Mayor Linda Tyer said the company knowingly and willingly agreed to pay the fees, and said the city will "vigorously" defend itself against the pending suits.

The company, is one of the largest pot operators in the county, joins several other industry players in and out of the Berkshires that are filing lawsuits challenging the legality of impact fees and seeking to recoup their money. Pittsfield cannabis company Bloom Brothers has filed a similar lawsuit, which remains pending.

Under the state's cannabis regulations, companies seeking to open dispensaries agree to impact fees under "host community agreements," which set terms for cannabis companies to operate in a city or town.

Berkshire Roots says the city hasn't identified any actual costly impacts the business has had on the community, such as wear and tear to roads, use of police and fire services, and permitting and inspection costs.

The city is therefore in breach of contract, the lawsuit alleges, because it offered no evidence the impact fees were reasonably related to costs incurred by the city due to the company's operations.

In a statement released Monday, the company pointed to an example set by the city of Boston, which notified dispensaries in November that it would stop assessing impact fees, and "returned via check all the host community fees collected to date."

Berkshire Roots also has a dispensary in Boston.

"[Boston] has been transparent and supportive of the small business owner," the statement said.

"We are simply asking the City of Pittsfield to identify any impacts that are 'reasonably related' to our business operation in Pittsfield, or to return the money, as the City of Boston did," the statement said.

Pittsfield stopped assessing the fees in July 2022, but didn't reimburse the fees.

Tyer said when representatives from the companies signed those host community agreements, they consented to paying the fees.

"Those agreements were all signed in good faith by all parties," she said.

The city denies breaching the agreement, and says it has complied with state cannabis laws and regulations. The impact fees were separate from the local cannabis sales tax.

In its suit filed last year, Bloom Brothers made similar claims and is seeking to recoup the $110,000 in fees it paid to the city over the years.

In court documents, Pittsfield's lawyers said Bloom Brothers, like other cannabis companies, willingly consented to the fees when it decided to do business in Pittsfield. That matter appears headed to a jury-waived trial before a judge.

Tyer said the impact fees collected from cannabis companies to date have been spent to run the city.

"The money we have already assessed and collected has already been expended on municipal operating expenses," she said.

Berkshire Roots framed the issue as a pressing one financially, saying the "fees have a significant impact on Berkshire Roots operation, and on its employees and vendors."

"We operate in an environment of increasing competition, high federal, state and city taxes, and have limited access to traditional sources of capital such as banks and other lending institutions," the statement said. "We look forward to resolving the matter with our counterparties in City Hall very soon."
by Brooks Riley

Ems, 17 June 1880

This morning I took a long walk with Papa . . . judging by this morning, a more awfull profusion, diffusion, infusion and confusion of colours it is difficult to imagine . . . the Britishers especially excell in this art and their colours are put together as they might be on the dirty palette of an inexperienced painter.. . .

Count Harry Kessler was born to write it all down. In this excerpt from his second ever diary entry, written at the German spa town of Bad Ems where Kaiser Wilhelm also summered, the 12-year-old French-born German boy has a high old time stretching the limits of the English language, in preparation for matriculation at a prestigious British boys school. An incipient snob and precociously intelligent, Kessler offers us a nutshell preview of the diabolical pleasure with which he will mash words, sounds and images for the next 57 yearssavaging inanity wherever he sees itbut more importantly, promoting and nurturing great artists and thinkers along the way, including Rilke, Beckmann, Seurat, Grosz, Maillol, van der Velde, Max Reinhardt, Gordon Craig, von Hofmannsthal, Stravinsky, Rodin, Kurt Weill, Strauss, Nijinsky, Munch, Walther Rathenau and many others.

. . . the promenade is a crowd of dresses so short and tight one might take them for underpetticoats or so long and loose you could mistake them for dressinggowns, of cloaks most certainly copied from the assyrian bas reliefs or from the cloaks found with the mummies in the pyramyds (with which they have a strong resemblance,), . . . of projecting stomacks, of very flatt and long feet, of red faces and other accomplishments. . .

Nota: In coming to Ems we had 19 trunks and 18 parcels in the whole 37 things, Rien que ca!

Harry takes a walk with his Papa, but he wont tell us what they talked about. What matters to Harry is reporting what he saw on that walk and how he saw itas journalist, critic, satirist, diarist and outsider. His nota, thrown in for fairness, adds his own family to those guilty of excess.

In this opening salvo, we learn that beyond the omniscience of his observations, Kessler is not terribly interested in writing about himself. The less he tells us, the more we want to know about him. The less he tells us, the more we will start to feel that we know him, warts and all, as the mists around his persona slowly begin to lift. It is this indistinct but discernible sum of a man who will become as fascinating as the many famous people he writes about during his whirlwind European lifetime. At ease in five languages (two of them dead), he manages to combine a phenomenal intellect with the social ease that made him a lively addition to any dinner party.

Reading Kesslers 10,000-page magnum opus is like going down a rabbit hole that suddenly opens up into a gigantic cavern with dozens of tunnels going off in all directions, to be entered at ones peril. Stopping to research someone he mentions will only lead to further excursions into the madding crowd of leading players, with surprising twists and turns that make our own age seem far too homogenous and predictable. One can get lost in that cavern of experiences, where art, politics, science and philosophy overlap, and where the good, the bad, and the scandalous mingle merrily in the shadow of the coming storms.

Harry will rarely again be as garrulous as he was in 1880. Even before he reverts to German after 11 years of English entries, he learns how to devastate with a single phrase, only occasionally resorting to paragraphs to skew his victims. But when he does take aim, he is an equal-opportunity sniper against bad taste, parvenu behavior and stupidity. Even the Krupps are not spared, or the Kaiser.

Chairs giving off airs like old maids so that you hardly dare to sit on them; flowered carpets, straining to find admirers, as if they wanted to monopolize the entire conversation in the room; bell pulls presuming the importance of a painting. . . [a critique of Heinrich Vogelers Art Nouveau interior designs]

He participates in the diary as an interlocutor in conversations with othersan additional format for exposing his own thoughts on a subject. His powers of description and the insightful thumbnail psychological profiles of the people he meets, form a vivid and astonishingly modern approximation of La belle epoque and Weimar erasand of the realities behind the myths. The cast of exotic personalities crowding Kesslers dance card reads like a whos who of European culture and society.

The further one travels along his timeline, the more Kessler surprises. Beyond the witty barbs, he is actually kind, generous to a fault, open-minded, adventurous, loyal, charming, funny, empathetica latecomer to social democracy but with an early interest in social justice, an intellectual with a passion for art, nature and ideas, a man capable of deep friendships, with the energy and determination to exploit every advantage made possible by his great fortune. He wants to have an impact on the future and he has the means to do it. Over his relatively long lifetime, he will be an essayist, a book publisher, a magazine editor, a diplomat, a negotiator, a military officer, a pacifist, an art collector, a politician, a biographer, a librettist, a playwright, a poet, a foreign policy advisor, a lecturer, an art critic, a curator, a philanthropist, and a patron of the arts. He may sound like a hyphenate dilettante, but his effective and tireless devotion to every new project adds weight to his reputationwhether its preserving Nietzsches legacy or launching the city of Weimars third renaissance as a center of modernism, or negotiating a possible alliance between Germany and the Bolshevik government, or securing the safe passage home of more than 100,000 German soldiers from Poland after the war, or publishing the most beautiful edition of Hamlet, or co-writing the libretto of Richard Strausss opera Der Rosenkavalieror simply bringing great minds and artists together as catalyst for many fruitful collaborations.

Berlin. November 15, 1905

I thought about the influence I have in Germany. . . No one else in Germany enjoys such a strong position, reaching into so many corners. To exploit this in the service of a renewal of German culture: mirage or possibility? Certainly someone with such means could be a princeps juventutis. Is it worth the trouble?

***

Until Kessler, I had never understood why people keep diaries. The way I saw it, the amazing things that occurred to one over a lifetime could be rerun from memorytogether with sound and imageslike a well-archived YouTube channel. Why should one have to double down on thoughts and experiences by repeating them in writingwasting precious time that could be spent out gathering more experiences to remember and think about?

Unless the intention was for others to read about those experiences.

Reading someones diary is not the same as reading an autobiography or a memoir. Diaries are history at its most immediateraw data directly from the source. Even if a diary has been published and read by millions, a certain reluctance to trespass may linger in the mind of the reader. At any diarys endin death or its abandonmenta conduit to the inner thoughts of the diarist suddenly closes, and the reader is left bereft. The last entry of Anne Franks diary may be its most devastating, as we weep for what wont be there as well as for what was.

What is a diary? Is it an external memory storage device, a warehouse for secrets, a receptacle for grudges and complaints, a cheap shrink? For those who have kept diaries it is probably some or all of those things. Even the verb keep as in keep a diary suggests secrets held safe and closesimply kept, rather than carelessly released into Instagram space.

In my youth, diary evoked pages bound in tacky fake leather with a flimsy lock promising inaccessibility to prying eyeswhat girls from 6 to 16 were given to record their every pink feeling. One was supposed to address the thing as Dear Diary, an audience of one awaiting tiny thoughts. But the layoutseven days to a page in the diary I was givendid not invite elaboration: The only entry worth remembering out of the handful I ever wrote involved an anachronism before I even knew the word: Rode my pony to school.

Post adolescence, in the analog universe, diary might give way to journal, implying entries with more gravitaspossibly even thoughts on infinity. Fake-leather was replaced by bookish cloth bindings, in keeping with deeper ruminations awaiting their journey from brain to pen.

And now there are the Julia-Cameron-coined morning pages, which encourage people to fill three pages daily with handwritten sentences-to what end, is not entirely clear. Cameron believes that all people are creative, and by that she seems to mean that anyone can fill three pages a day with handwriting.

Whatever compels people to transcribe the quotidian moments in their lives rather than simply commit them to memory (whose job it is to hold on to events that matter), an industry has arisen from the urge to perpetuate the self on paper, launching a tsunami of selfie journalism across all media, online and off.

No one writes autobiographies anymore. We live in the age of the memoirboth the me and the moi in memoir nesting side by side within a quasi-literary format borrowed from the French. The popularity of the memoir means that classes in memoir-writing are sprouting up all over, like mushrooms after a summer rain. One such seminar was even hustled to an elderly Vassar class as a means of helping one to immortalize oneself for the grandkids. Sorry, but those kids, if they existed, would have better things to read than Omas output.

One doesnt even have to be old anymore to write a memoir. Some memoir writers are so young, its only a matter of time before a ten-year-old pens My years as a kindergarten dropout.

Since the start of the internet, letting it all hang out has become so routine that even serious newspapers like the New York Times, the Guardian or the Washington Post reserve considerable amounts of space for intimate personal confessions or advice columns in which no subject is tabu and no bodily function or fluid eludes scrutiny. Social media has made tell-all the fuel that drives Facebook and Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube, the content that sells newspapers, books, and magazines. The private sphere shrinks day by day as the public thirsts for more intimate content to amuse itself. One could argue that todays collective voyeurism is better than beholding a beheading in 1789 (better viral than violent). But the bloodlust is there, driving the need-to-know crowd to seek out ever more revelatory details. Theres good reason for famous people to write their memoirs, as a way to control the narrative of their lives before some biographer (or their own child) dissembles it.

Memoirs are written to be read by others. Some diaries are, too, but many are not. Virginia Woolf asked her husband to burn her diaries after her death. He didnt. The difficult decision to publish C.G. Jungs legendary Red Book was based on a single entry in which he addresses imagined readerswhich seemed to finally satisfy his heirs that he meant for it to be published.

Of the millions who have answered the call of the ego, few have written anything with the reach and ambition of the Kessler diaries. With all the postwar me-generations that have come and gone, no diarist has created a lasting work for our times comparable even to what Samuel Pepys or John Evelyn did four centuries agowith the possible exception of Holocaust literature, a genre that could be dubbed a collective memoir of genocide.

The problem may lie in the ebb and flow of our friendships and the remoteness of our social encounters, especially in the Zoom era. Or it may be the all-important me now ascendent over us or they or you or even it . These days, diaries and memoirs rummage through private travails and triumphs in the attic of the self, with little regard for the world at large, let alone any other inhabitants of that world. Diaries and memoirs are becoming as hermetic as fictionreal-life fabrications of the ego. Weve become a society of individual bubbles which collide occasionally, forcing us to look away from our screens for a moment before moving on.

Our era may be too indeterminate, too globalized to be pinned down by the words of any one diarist. Its hard to imagine a living person today with the intellectual chops of a Kessler who could, at the same time, slip into any social situation as easily and as consequentially as he did. Even without his diary, Kessler is a one-off, a rare breed of humanist.

***

Kessler was a devotee of Pepys and Evelyn, (I am very fond of these old diaries. Knowing old memories is like having a friend in a distant country.) but his own diaries were reference material for a three-volume memoir he planned to write in the quiet twilight of his life. That twilight turned into a Gotterdammerung which obliterated his best intentions. He was only able to complete the first volume, which appeared in 1935. By the time he died in 1937, in exile and destitute, the diary was his only legacy.

The one volume of memoirs, Erinnerungen eines Europaers (Memories of a European) is a tantalizing appetizer from a different kind of writer, one who chooses his words carefully before releasing them along with events not found in the diaries. Gone is the savage wit, replaced by a heady nostalgia. We learn of his passionate La Boheme-ish love affair at 18 with Lisette, a French girl he rescued from a thug on the street. She eventually ends their hopeless union, marries another and dies giving birth, but not before sending Harry a farewell declaration of love. (It seems Kessler was bisexual after all.) It takes him a long time to get over Lisette: It is the secret of love that man and woman can never completely understand each other and therefore the desire persists.

We learn how reading Nietzsche empowered him to pursue a new form of pan-European diplomacy determined by culture rather than nationalism. Equally important was the influence of his Leipzig professor Wilhelm Wundt, the forgotten father of psychology, who moved psychology and consciousness away from religious or soul-oriented metaphysics and philosophy, placing them within the scientific parameters of biology and neurology.

I would gladly give Harry an extra ten years to finish those memoirs. But what is missing from this first volume is the edgy spontaneity of the diaries, their casual prose which was more accessible, more entertaining: Exquisite tossed-off lines that could be pointed or poignant, exciting on-the-spot reportages and analyses, intriguing hints at private sorrow, lyrical outbursts of awe and joy in the presence of beauty, nature or great art.

The beauty of a thing lies much more in our imagination than in the thing itself. That might be debatable, but Kessler placed great value on the power of the imagination in all aesthetic encounters, especially music.

He does have a few things to answer for: the occasional antisemitic aside despite his many close Jewish friends. As he grew older, however, he actively called out the antisemitism of others, and was prescient enough in 1925 to warn that German culture would not exist without the Jews.

All his efforts against the Nazis, whom he branded these brainless, malevolent creatures, would come to nothing:

Saturday, April 1, 1933

The abominable Jewish boycott has begun. This criminal piece of lunacy has destroyed everything that during the past fourteen years had been achieved to restore faith in, and respect for, Germany.

This was not the only time he voiced despair. At age 19, Kessler questioned his whole endeavor with this dark epiphany:

I often think what a fool I am for keeping this Diary: what is it but a heap of rubbish, the result of lifetime and yet dead and senseless: the exact image of a mans corpse. Whom does it interest? Me? I hardly ever read it. My heirs? Ten to one the minute I have closed my eyes and they have got my body out of the house they will sell it to some pork-butcher to wrap saussages in.

That heap of rubbish is now online for all to read.

***

Selected Links and bibliography

A biography of Count Harry Kessler: The Red Count by Laird M. Easton

The Diaries in English (selected entries)

Journey to the Abyss 1880-1918

Berlin in Lights 1918-1937

Biography of Walther Rathenau, His life and work by Count Harry Kessler

Notes on Mexico by Count Harry Kessler

Germany and Europe by Count Harry Kesser Lectures delivered at the Institute of Politics, Williamstown, Massachusetts 1923

Erinnerungen eines Europaers von Harry Graf Kessler

The first and only volume of his memoirs

The man who knew everyone documentary in German (415 minutes)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

The Harry Graf Kessler Society

Alex Ross on Count Harry Kessler

Alex Ross selection of Kessler on Music

Complete diaries of Harry Graf Kessler online at the Deutsches Literaturarchiv Marbach
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Agency-client relationships can be fraught at the best of times. However, when an agency-client relationship shifts to a partnership and when the client has implicit faith in the agency, the space for magic to occur is created.

That requires that the client trusts that the agency understands its business, value-system and operating model, the competitive environment in which it operates, and what messaging will resonate with the target market.

Thats certainly the case for The Bar Africa, communication and advertising specialists and business problem solvers and its client Workable, a business offering state-of-the-art flexible workspaces in Nairobi, Kenya.

Amar Bhatt, Beth Gitari (general manager, Workable), Marls Truter (managing director, The Bar Africa) and Samir Patel (CEO, Workable)

Centrally situated in Sanlam Tower, Westlands in Nairobi, Workable offers 32,000 square feet of workspace for solo entrepreneurs, private offices businesses for up to 40 people and enterprise solutions on entire floors. One of its biggest advantages are leases that are significantly shorter than Kenyas typical five-year commercial leases, offering tenants flexibility.

Workable founder and CEO Samir Patels past experience in the hospitality industry is very apparent at Workable, providing a significant point of differentiation from any competitors. Essentially, were differentiating Workables physical product with a state of the art technology offering, sophisticated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and a gourmet restaurant as well as curating the experience tenants receive in order to attract them back to the office, he reveals, adding that the curated experience includes a business concierge service to assist tenants with tax and legal services, renewing drivers licences and even booking hotel accommodation as well as weekly massages and regular social functions, amongst others.

Breakout room at Workable on the new floor

As Workables business grew, Patel realised that the brand needed to better define its identity and ensure that its tone and communication messaging was on point. We talked to a number of agencies but struggled to find one that was a good fit with our brand and that understood our business, he reveals.

It was only after being introduced to the team at The Bar Africa that Patel was confident that here, finally, was an agency that understood his business, what differentiated it from its competitors and the highly competitive sector in which it is involved.

Reception at Workable on the new floor

Marls Truter, co-founder and managing director of The Bar Africa, reveals that the agency invested a considerable amount of time in understanding the business, the challenges it faces its brand personality and its goals and ambitions. We conducted an immersion with the entire team at Workable in order to ensure we understood the brand and business from all aspects before we made any recommendations, she reveals.

Although Workable was providing its tenants with a number of added value and unique offerings, not only were they not communicating these services to prospective tenants but the business had struggled to effectively position itself as a leader in its space.

There are frequently cases where traditional form of thinking wont effectively solve a brands business challenges. That was certainly the case with Workable. Instead, we build a brand strategy, a more refined identity, soon to be launched new look for the brand and helped the team develop a consistent elevator pitch when marketing to prospective new tenants, explains Truter.

Working with The Bar Africa has been a hugely positive experience, reports Patel. Their creative output cleverly captures the essence of our business and positions Workable as a player to be reckoned with in the flexible workspace market. To my great relief I havent had to micromanage the agency in any shape or form.

Key to the success of the agency-client relationship, says Truter, is that it is built on a foundation of trust and respect. There is a great deal of synergy between our two businesses with the result that we have not built a traditional client-agency relationship but rather one that epitomises all the elements of a healthy partnership. It also helps that there are no egos on either side of the partnership but instead a genuine desire to develop work that moves the needle.

The big differentiator, insists Patel, is the amount of time that Truter and her team have dedicated to Workable and its business. Theres nothing half-hearted about their service or creative output. We are in no doubt about the agencys commitment to our success.

Now positioned sustainably for the future, Workable is looking to further evolve its offering by expanding the amenities on offer and growing the number of meeting rooms on offer. Watch this space!

https://thebar.africa/ | https://workable.space/

About The Bar:

The Bar Africa is a collective of creative practitioners based in Nairobi, Kenya. With over 40 years of experience among its founders and a proven track record of creating campaigns that surprise, entertain, live in culture, put brands on a pedestal and of course, sell. As the name suggests, The Bar Africa aims to set and continually raise the bar for creativity in the region.




The Restonic Ezintsha Sleep Clinic, the first facility of its kind in South Africa, has launched in Johannesburg. The clinic, in association with multidisciplinary health research centre Ezintsha, will research sleep and related health issues.

Clinical services

Dr Alison Bentley, medical doctor at the Restonic Ezintsha Sleep Clinic, explains that the clinic will fulfil three key functions: clinical, research and training. Sleep touches every area of medicine and remains under-researched in South Africa, says Dr Bentley. The Restonic Ezintsha Sleep Clinic will service patients with sleep problems as a centre of excellence for sleep analysis, as well as improving local sleep research, and training other doctors on diagnosing and treating sleep disorders and the interplay of sleep with other health conditions.

The clinic offers four overnight sleep rooms for patients who have been referred by their doctor for sleep analysis, including a dedicated bedroom for sleep studies focusing on children. Patients are also able to book a consultation to discuss their sleep issues with a doctor who understands and has training in the sleep field.

In future, the Restonic Ezintsha Sleep Clinic hopes to offer lectures and group treatment options for the public on topics ranging from snoring to sleep apnoea and insomnia, says Dr Bentley.

Research capabilities

Dr Nomathemba Chandiwana, director and principal scientist at Ezintsha Research Centre, says the sleep clinic is also perfectly placed to undertake large-scale research projects to gather more and better data.

There is currently very little known about how sleep impacts other medical disorders in the South African population, she says. We believe we have an opportunity to explore how sleep potentially affects other major healthcare concerns in the country, such as HIV, obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The clinic will allow us to research and explore alternatives to the current expensive treatments for sleep disorders, such as CPAP for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), as the cost of these treatments limit their use and accessibility.

Local research into sleep disorders could therefore help to improve public health outcomes and even positively benefit the economy.

Training for medical professionals

The Restonic Ezintsha Sleep Clinic is also an ideal environment to train doctors in the broad field of sleep medicine. Given the prevalence of sleep disorders and their effects on other medical disorders, it is essential that most doctors are exposed and trained on these problems, says Dr Bentley.

Doctors residing in Johannesburg are able to attend in-person case presentations, while those further afield can attend remote video call discussions or arrange to visit for a week or more. The Sunnyside Hotel is conveniently located adjacent to the clinic, allowing for residential visits.

Showcasing the best bedding technology

Restonics partnership with the clinic stems from the brands firm belief in sleep as one of the most powerful ways to improve health and wellness.

Restonic believes in the power of sleep and wants everyone in South Africa to understand more about the importance of sleep when it comes to living a happy, healthy life, explains Dale Harley, executive: Restonic marketing. We also want to provide people in South Africa with a credible source of scientific advice and information about sleep disorders.

In addition to the clinical, research and training facilities on offer, the Restonic Ezintsha Sleep Clinic offers a comprehensive Restonic showroom. Harley explains that patients, medical professionals and visitors are able to view a select range of Restonic beds and mattresses.

Finding the right bed can help to improve comfort, proper spinal alignment, and quality sleep, particularly for those with specific needs, such as back or body pain, Harley explains.

We can help with information on bedding and comfort terminology, explaining various mattress and bedding innovations and technologies and suggesting bed options to meet specific preferences and requirements, he says.

For more information, visit https://restonicsa.co.za/ezintsha-sleep-clinic/.




An exciting new tenant has set up shop at the Lifestyle @ 55 Shopping Centre in Raslouw, Centurion. On 25 September, Tiger Wheel & Tyre unveiled a brand-new store in the popular lifestyle centre, situated at the corner of the R55 and Lochner Road.

Speaking on behalf of the team, acting sales manager Jared Lombard said, Tiger Wheel & Tyre is thrilled to have expanded its footprint to this fast-growing area of Centurion. The stores team has trained hard for the opening and I couldnt be prouder of their enthusiasm and professionalism. We invite everyone who lives, works or drives through the area to stop in and check out the store, have a chat and a coffee with us, and lets get to know each other.

Tiger Wheel & Tyre Raslouw has a superb showroom stocked with top wheel brands like TSW, Racing Hart Concepts, Black Rhino, and more as well as tyres from big names like Bridgestone, BFG, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, Velocity, and Yokohama. Also on offer are batteries from AtlasBX and Duracell. All these products and a host of services are fitted and supplied with care by highly skilled technicians, in the stores four fitment and two alignment bays.

If theres one thing Tiger Wheel & Tyre understands better than most, its how important your vehicle is to you. Its more than a machine and definitely more than a status symbol. Its what allows you to drive to all the things that matter most in life; like family, friends, work, social gatherings, holidays and more. More than anything, it represents freedom. Thats why Tiger Wheel & Tyre is committed to keeping you moving towards those things that matter most.

Of course wheels, tyres and batteries arent in most peoples monthly budget, so Tiger Wheel & Tyre Raslouw offers flexible payment options, including PayJustNow and Xpress Credit. To learn more about what you can expect at your new neighborhood store, visit www.twt.to or simply stop by and say hello. The store can also be reached on 010 510 9316.




PG Bison's operation, situated just outside Mkhondo, formerly Piet Retief, in Mpumalanga, is in the spotlight.

With an investment of R1,875bn, PG Bison's MDF Contiroll line investment in Mkhondo will bring its installed capacity of MDF up to a total of 1,190 cubic metres per day across its two MDF plants in Boksburg and Mkhondo. It will ensure that PG Bison can meet the growing demand for locally produced MDF in local and export markets.

Rising demand

Urbanisation and significant growth in an aspirational, middle-income population is driving the need for increased and better-quality furniture and home storage solutions. The demand for premium furniture and cabinetry components with gloss, matt, and spray painted finishes is increasing the demand for MDF even further.

The new MDF line and the recently completed particleboard line will position the PG Bison Mkhondo cluster on the map as a global powerhouse for producing wood- based panel products in Southern Africa. The manufacturing facility will soon be the only one in Africa to house a particleboard line, an MDF line, upgrade facilities, resin manufacturing and paper treaters on one site.

Localisation

According to Gerhard Victor, PG Bison's CEO, the particleboard and MDF expansions will ensure that PG Bison remains a leader in the world-class decorative wood-based panel products.

"Our Proudly South African products are a viable and cost-effective local alternative to imports. They enable our customers to keep lower stock levels, which means better stock turns and improved cash flow, rather than tying up working capital in large tranches of imported products. And the products have significantly better lead times than importing, so our customers can guarantee uninterrupted servicing of their customers' needs well into the future", says Victor. A key consideration in PG Bison's investment strategy is localisation. PG Bison understands that without a thriving local industry, it would have minimal prospects in South Africa.

Exports

"While we continue to see an increase in local demand for our products, we have a growing export customer base that we must also support. As a key supplier to many businesses across the entire value chain, we are responsible for continuously innovating and ensuring that we remain globally competitive to support our customers' growth, locally and internationally, and ensure the industry's long-term sustainably," explains Victor.

Economic growth

As a corporate citizen of South Africa with a vested interest in the country's economic growth, PG Bison believes the forestry and broader furniture manufacturing industry's well-being is paramount. By extension, expanding manufacturing capacity helps increase business growth and employment opportunities across the value chain.

"We are in the business of inspiring and enabling beautiful living spaces," explains Justin Berry, marketing and strategy development executive at PG Bison.

Future proofing

Berry says PG Bison is helping to future-proof Southern Africa's furniture, building and construction industries by investing in capacity to support the growing demand for quality, decorative products in Africa.

"The sharp increase in home improvement activities spurred by the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 has steadied. However, we anticipate the work being done by governments across Africa on the AfCFTA and the growing demand for interior decorative solutions across the market will drive demand for PG Bison products into the future," he says.

https://www.woodbizafrica.co.za/august-2023-issue-29/

www.pgbison.co.za




In the ever-evolving landscape of digital commerce, security and compliance with regulatory standards are paramount for any business, especially in the realm of client onboarding. This initial phase sets the tone for the business-consumer relationship, making it imperative to navigate regulatory challenges effectively. Ensuring adherence to industry standards such as Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance is not only a legal obligation but also a critical component in building trust and credibility. Among the paramount aspects of this process are identity verification services biometric verification services , and bank account verification services , each playing a crucial role in ensuring a secure and efficient onboarding journey.

The importance of client onboarding:

Client onboarding is the gateway to a successful and enduring relationship between a business and its customers. Its the process where trust is built, services are introduced, and expectations are set. A smooth onboarding experience sets a positive tone, enhancing customer satisfaction and, consequently, customer retention. The importance of client onboarding is not only about adhering to legal standards like KYC and AML but also about providing a seamless experience that fosters trust.

Regulatory compliance: What is AML and KYC?

In the realm of financial services, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) are integral processes that play a critical role in client onboarding compliance. AML involves a set of regulations and procedures aimed at preventing the disguise of illegally acquired funds as legitimate income, thereby deterring money laundering associated with criminal activities. On the other hand, KYC is a process through which businesses verify the identity of their clients and assess the risks associated with their business relationship. These procedures are essential for businesses during the client onboarding journey, ensuring legal compliance, risk mitigation, fraud prevention, and the establishment of trust and credibility. AML and KYC are not only legal obligations but also instruments that contribute to a more secure and trustworthy financial landscape for both businesses and their customers. Understanding these regulations is fundamental to grasp the importance of client onboarding processes.

Client onboarding processes:

In the digital age, a successful onboarding process integrates various elements to ensure a comprehensive approach to regulatory compliance.

Identity Verification Services: Verifying the identity of customers is a fundamental step. Digital ID photo retrieval in real-time ensures the authenticity of customer ID documents. Swift verification of ID cards or booklets is achieved, optimising the onboarding process and preventing potential fraud.



Facial Verification Services: Biometric face recognition coupled with liveness detection and Artificial Intelligence adds an extra layer of security. Not only does it enhance identity verification, but it also protects against identity fraud, making onboarding not only secure but efficient.



Biometric Verification Services: Incorporating real-time identification through fingerprint scanning significantly reduces the risk of fraud. Services like Biometric Verification Service (BVS) match an ID number to a fingerprint, retrieving the associated ID photo from official records.



Bank Account Verification Services: Validating bank account details is crucial. Confirming the validity of a bank account, linked identity numbers, account status, and transaction capabilities, are vital components of ensuring a secure onboarding process.

These onboarding processes not only ensure regulatory compliance but also enhance security and instil confidence in both businesses and customers. The advanced real-time verification techniques employed in digital client onboarding significantly reduce the risk of fraud, providing a robust foundation for a trustworthy and lasting business relationship.

The power of trusted real-time compliance processes

With criminals becoming increasingly sophisticated, its imperative for businesses to enhance their defence strategies. Traditional paper-based customer verification methods are no longer adequate to deter fraudsters. Digital onboarding offers a trusted way to ensure regulatory compliance in real-time, offering businesses the security that they need from the onset of customer relationships without the hassle of time-consuming manual processes.

Client onboarding is a multifaceted process. Its a strategic opportunity for businesses to not only comply with regulations but also to establish a strong foundation for a fruitful and secure business-client relationship. Acknowledging the necessity of digital transformation within client onboarding compliance, businesses can not only fulfil their regulatory obligations but also elevate their approach, setting new benchmarks in client onboarding excellence through streamlined processes and the seamless integration of advanced verification services.
South Africa is an attractive tourist destination for foreign travellers on the African continent. It ranks 27th out of 128 countries in the world when it comes to visitor arrivals.

Its top attractions are its wildlife and immersive cultural experiences, where tourists engage with the traditions, history and way of life of communities in vibrant urban hubs like Cape Town and Soweto.

Between 2000 and 2018 the number of tourist arrivals climbed from 491,439 to nearly 6 million. The COVID pandemic put this trend into reverse. In 2019 over 10 million tourists arrived in the country. In 2021 the number fell to just over 3 million. There were signs of recovery in 2022 when the number went back up to 5.6 million.

There has been some recovery, but not to pre-pandemic levels. This has been devastating for the country. The tourism industry has been a consistent driver of economic growth for the last 30 years. Last year it contributed 3.7% to GDP.

One group of people who have been among the hardest hit are the countrys informal traders. They are major beneficiaries of the tourism sector.

Tens of thousands of South Africans rely on tourism for their livelihoods. The drop in foreign tourism numbers affected the livelihoods of individuals, families and communities.

We conducted research to understand the impact of tourism numbers on informal traders. Its particularly important given the high unemployment rate of 32.6% in the country and the sluggish economic growth rate.

Our study ran over two years in Cape Town, one of South Africas premier tourist destinations. The study involved 10 qualitative interviews in 2021 and nine follow-up interviews in 2022.

The findings paint a sombre picture of the challenges facing informal traders in the city. We made a number of recommendations based on our findings. These include supporting informal traders, but in a way that doesnt burden them with bureaucracy and red tape.

Traders and tourism in Cape Town

Informal traders in Cape Town offer an array of unique tourism products such as arts, crafts and leather goods. In the study, men made up 60% and women 40%. The ages of the traders ranged widely. Some followed in a family tradition, while others saw trading as their ticket out of economic hardship.

Several themes emerged: tourist dependency; tourist spending power; a pivot to the local market; and resilience.

Tourist dependency: There was a heavy reliance on tourists for clientele and revenue. Some traders relied on tourists for as much of 95% of their business and turnover. The fall in tourism numbers led to a sharp decline in sales.

Tourist spending power: Traders said that their turnover had not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. One of the traders expressed in follow up interviews in 2022 that her weekly sales were between R5,000 and R6,000 before Covid, but "now sometimes making even R1,000 a week is a struggle".

Link to local market: The traders had little choice but to pivot towards products appealing to the local market. Overall, the traders demonstrated resilience by adapting to local demands. Some sold their personal possessions to survive while others switched to selling essential items like clothes and food.

The return of the tourists: Traders firmly believed that the return of international tourists was the only solution for the long-term sustainability of their informal micro-enterprises.

Next steps

Our study was designed to look specifically at the effect of Covid on the livelihoods of informal traders. This was a particularly hard time for many. Nevertheless, the insights we gained provide valuable insights into the vulnerabilities of informal traders dependent on tourism beyond the immediate effects, and aftermath, of the pandemic.

We conclude from our findings that theres a need to revitalise South Africas tourism sector as a whole, with a particular focus on the sustainability of the sector and not merely a return to the status quo.

Some interventions we recommend include:

Access to resources and training

Policies that support the contributions of informal traders

Access to markets, possibly via an online presence and partnerships with established businesses  the opportunity to explore new avenues without the burden of complex business plans and unnecessary red tape

Safe and affordable overnight storage for merchandise

Maintaining law and order  the recent taxi violence in Cape Town was a reminder that informal trade and the tourism sector depend on the quality of formal institutions

Decisive measures to rebuild South Africas reputation, combating labels such as dangerous.

A bottom-up approach is needed. A one-size-fits-all top-down approach will produce unintended consequences of overburdening the informal traders with unnecessary red tape.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Vickey de Villiers for her valuable contribution, which served as the foundation for this article. Her Masters dissertation has been instrumental in shaping the insights presented here.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Schmidt Agricola is a large agricultural company producing soybeans, corn and cotton in Bahia, Brazil, one of the country's new-frontier agricultural areas fit for large-scale, high-tech farming. It recently added a new crop to its fields: cocoa.

Cocoa plants are pictured at a plantation managed by the Schmidt Agricola farming group in Bahia state, Brazil, in this undated handout photo received on September 25, 2023. Moises Almeida Schmidt/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

Production of the chocolate-making ingredient is expanding outside of the main growing area in West Africa as farmers in places such as Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia see potential profit in the crop.

The rally in prices to the highest level in nearly 50 years is boosting that trend, which could alleviate the current supply tightness in the global cocoa market. It also poses a threat to the livelihood of small farmers in Africa since recently planted orchards such as the ones in South America are more productive, reducing the overall cost of production.

As environmental concerns rise globally, the fact that cocoa is a native species from the Amazon region makes planting it in South America a type of reforestation, while in Africa native forests are being razed to open space for cocoa orchards.

Brazil, an agricultural powerhouse and the top global exporter of soy, corn, coffee and sugar, has seen cocoa plantations spreading over degraded pastureland in the Amazon region, as well as in large farms in the highly developed grain belt.

The country was once the second only to Ivory Coast in cocoa production, but a devastating fungus in the 1980s known as Witches' Broom sharply reduced production. Nearly four decades later, crops are recovering.

Brazil's government projects output could grow to 300,000 metric tons by 2025 and to 400,000 tons by 2030, from around 200,000 tons currently, which would turn the country from a net importer to a regular exporter of the commodity.

In Ecuador, annual production has risen to between 400,000 and 430,000 tons in 2022-2023 (Oct-Sept) from 287,000 tons five years ago, according to estimates by the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) and Ecuador's exporting group Anecacao.

Ecuador has become the third largest global grower, behind Ghana which produces around 750,000 tons. The top grower is Ivory Coast with 2.2 million tons.

Anecacao, which last July received a record attendance of around 70 buyers from Asia, the United States and Europe for a trade and expo conference in Guayaquil, estimates production could continue to grow to as much as 800,000 tons by 2030.

Seedlings of cocoa trees are pictured at a plantation managed by the Schmidt Agricola farming group in Bahia state, Brazil, in this undated handout photo received on September 25, 2023. Moises Almeida Schmidt/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

Large-scale farming

Some of the new plantings in South America look huge when compared to the small holdings in Africa. Most producers in Ivory Coast and Ghana have around 5 hectares.

Schmidt Agricola has planted 429 hectares with cocoa, fully irrigated.

"I believe that the new profile of cocoa production will be large-scale," said Moises Schmidt, one of the owners.

"You will need technology, you need to seek higher yields to be more profitable. Grains and fiber (cotton) will continue to be the main crops for us, but we see cocoa gaining more area in the next five years."

High-tech, irrigated areas such as Schmidt's have produced as much as 3,000 kg of dry cocoa beans per hectare (ha), while the new areas in Brazil's Amazonian state of Para produce around 2,000 kg/ha.

That is much higher than the Ivory Coast's average yield pf 500 to 600 kg/ha, which is similar to Ecuador. Ghana's is smaller at around 400 kg/ha.

Jeroen Douglas, director of the Netherlands-based non-profit Solidaridad, which targets more sustainable supply chains, sees Brazil's role in the market growing, in the same way it has with other agricultural commodities such as soy and corn.

"On Brazil, once the mindset is: 'yes, we want to get into this commodity', there's no way of stopping them. That mindset is not there yet, but I think we are getting to a tipping point," Douglas said.

Back to farming

Brazil's Amazonian state of Para is undergoing a revival in cocoa growing.

"There are people coming back to the farms, people that left in the past to try jobs in towns," said producer Jose Garcia, who farms cocoa on 70 hectares (172 acres) that used to be pasture in the municipality of Medicilandia, Para state.

Those new orchards in the Amazon region would have an advantage in the European market since new EU legislation restricts commodity imports from areas that have been deforested for planting crops.

"If you plant cocoa trees there (Amazon region), it is considered reforestation," said Douglas.

He said that a reforestation project with cocoa, along with other trees, is part of strategies underway to strengthen the Amazon canopy.

Organisations such as the UN's International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), on the other side, seek to preserve the market share of small farmers, including African cocoa producers.

IFAD's head Alvaro Lario said it was important for smallholders to improve productivity, distribution and marketing. The agency organizes training on agricultural techniques to increase production per hectare.

A broker at an international commodities trader, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the topic, believes that chocolate companies are willing to source more cocoa away from Africa due to sustainability issues related not only to deforestation but also to child labour.

"They (companies) are tired of trying to defend their business there, and certainly considering moving some of that business elsewhere", the trader said.
With the opening of its 19th clinic in Rosebank, the Skin Renewal Group continues to raise the bar for the South African aesthetics industry, staying abreast of global trends - from techniques and innovation to products and treatments. The result is a proudly South African, world-class leader in aesthetics that more than holds its own on a global stage, matching an unwavering commitment to aesthetic excellence with a genuine passion for transforming the lives of the 10,000 patients who walk through the doors every month.

Over the past 18 years, the Skin Renewal Group has worked with and transformed the skins (and health, holistically) of 250,000 patients  ranging from 18 to 92 years old. When it comes to understanding, explaining and talking skincare. Few are better positioned as thought leaders in the field than Skin Renewals highly skilled and ever-learning co-founders, Dr Maureen Allem and Victor Snyders.

Dr Maureen Allem and Victor Snyders

Available for comment, in-person and in the media.

As knowledgeable and experienced as they are warm and approachable, Victor and Dr Maureen  along with the greater Skin Renewal team  pride themselves on educating their patients and the public; not just on what they do, but why they do it.

Dr Maureen and myself are readily available, even with little notice, to provide the media with aesthetics industry insights, explains Skin Renewal CEO Victor Snyders. From commenting on trends to distilling complex medical information into laymans terms, we find it incredibly rewarding to discuss global aesthetics innovation within a South African context, and jump at any opportunity to enhance syndicated international content by giving it a local context.

A holistic approach, from the in-clinic experience to online engagement.

In keeping with the theme of prioritising education and life-long learning, Dr Maureen and Victor lead by example, not just embracing aesthetics trends and best practice but engaging with digital trends and social media best practice, too. Dr Maureen has a self-taught affinity for, and keen interest in, social media  an upskilling journey which recently saw her attend the worlds leading social media conference, which took place in the UK. While, Victor  a CEO with a passion for SEO  takes every opportunity to attend international conferences centered around management of aesthetic practices as well as digital marketing.

Speaking of unexpected skill sets within the aesthetics and anti-ageing arena, Victor brings another aspect of The Skin Renewal Difference to the table; his contribution to the aesthetics of every clinic as a qualified and accomplished architect. Together with his partner, Dr Maureen who is also a published interior designer, its why each Skin Renewal clinic is built on the foundation of aesthetic excellence, from the treatments offered to the dramatic staircases, indoor waterfalls and exquisite chandeliers.

The brand-new Rosebank clinic features a multi-tiered gold dome, while our Fourways clinic, currently mid-refurbishment, will have our first double-sided waterfall, notes Victor, adding that, each of our clinics is an oasis of sorts, a serene space for our patients to recharge, rest and reflect. Our visual language of white and gold, from branding to decor, creates a calming atmosphere, as chic as it is welcoming.

Additionally, the group has developed its own skill set through education of training and has internally staffed departments that take care of the marketing, logistics, IT, training, human resources, finance as well as all operational requirements of the group. This has enabled many staff members to grow through the transference of skills.

Where local investment meets world-class vision

Both Victor and Dr Maureen, along with the broader team of 214 staff  including 46 medically trained, therapists, 27 medical doctors and four nurses  are as invested in the continued organic growth of the Skin Renewal Group as they are invested in South Africa; the place and its people, from making sustainable best practice a priority to making a difference through Group-wide, ongoing CSI initiatives.

We have a sincere, heartfelt drive to give back to the communities in and around the areas we operate in, says Dr Maureen, Our many CSI projects and close work with Khulisa. Streetscapes, Komani and Souper Troopers, to name just a few, are a reflection of the fact that paying it forward is woven into our DNA as individuals and a business.

Just like they welcome the opportunity to transform lives, every day, Victor, Dr Maureen and the Skin Renewal team welcome opportunities to transform the way the world sees South African medical aesthetics, which, at present, isnt given the recognition in the international arena that it truly deserves.

South African media and journalists have a truly valuable  and important  role to play in shining the spotlight on the Skin Renewal Groups world-class contribution to the aesthetics industry, globally. From an expert opinion to thought leadership, from a comment on a current skincare trend to insightful translation of medical jargon, any opportunity to put South African aesthetics on the global map is always as welcome as each of our patients, confirms Dr Maureen.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact one of us:

Christelle Claassen | 082 319 3775 | az.oc.lawenerniks@elletsirhc

Katharine Neill | 084 601 1226 | az.oc.lawenerniks@ikik
Dreams of returning home to Bishopscourt, one of the most expensive suburbs in Cape Town today, are a step closer for 86 families evicted during apartheid. This after an appeal against the Protea Village restitution housing project was withdrawn.

Source: Supplied. Image rendered. Protea Village, situated on Erf 242, comprises 86 stands, each approximately 300m in size.

The Friends of Liesbeek Association had brought a town planning appeal on environmental grounds. A letter confirming its withdrawal was sent to the City of Cape Towns southern district manager on 4 September 2023.

Nick Fordyce, chair of the association, says this is a show of good faith. However, a case in the High Court lodged by the same organisation remains.

The proposed housing development follows a successful land claim in 2006 by the Protea Village community. The claim was first lodged in 1995. Some 46 families opted for compensation.

The forced removals took place under the Group Areas Act. By 1970, all residents of Protea Village had been moved.

The state and the City agreed to award erven 212 and 242 to the community as part of the land claim settlement. The development has suffered several extensive delays, including two separate court cases as well as the planning appeal, lodged in November 2022 and now withdrawn.

One case, brought by a resident, has been settled.

Fordyce said there was never an intention to block the returning land claimants, but there were ecological concerns over the proposed development. He said the development is taking place in the upper reaches of the river on the only remaining wetland in the rivers upper and middle reaches.

Although the development had gone through the necessary Environmental Impact Assessment process, many concerns originally flagged had not been adequately dealt with, according to Fordyce.

Path to settlement and development

He said they have instructed their attorney to settle the matter, and settlement talks are advancing and the pathway to development is almost entirely clear. He said the Friends of Liesbeek Association would continue to act in the interest of ensuring an ecologically robust and resilient river corridor.

For the land claimants, however, extensive delays mean that time is running out.Patrick Smith (77) lives in Lotus River. He has fond memories of growing up in Kirstenbosch. Sitting on a couch with his friend, Ernest Stout (72), also a land claimant, he says, We grew up together and were always in each others houses  We had a beautiful life out there. We had a lot of things to do there. We were never bored. The whole area was our playground.

He said he had lost contact with friends who were moved to other areas on the Cape Flats. Many of the claimants are old and some have died.

Its a sad situation, he said.It is disgusting to wait so long, said Stout. In this very same road stayed a lady who died at the age of 99. She was looking forward to seeing [this development]. She was still going to church there in Protea Village. We should have been there already.

Source: Supplied. Image rendered.

Displacement and resettlement

People in Bishopscourt were relocated in the 1960s under apartheids Group Areas Act to areas such as Hanover Park, Lansdowne and Steenberg. Some land claimants were originally moved to these flats in Grassy Park.

Victor Josephus (82) remembers coming home from being on a deep sea trawler to an empty house in 1967. Normally when I knocked on the door I could hear my mothers footsteps coming down the passage. As I was looking in the dining room, I saw a notice [that my] parents had moved to Manenberg. I hadnt even known about Manenberg.

He said he asked a taxi driver to take him to his parents new home, a two-bedroom flat. He said he struggled to deal with his new environment, and the crime in the area was something they were not used to.

Barry Ellman, chairperson of the Protea Village Communal Property Association, says that all the delays have been frustrating. He welcomed the withdrawal of the appeal. He said they were now waiting for a settlement in the court case.

Seven units will be sold on the open market to generate revenue for the project. This is down from 22, as a compromise made by the Protea Village Community, to mitigate concerns over the ecological impact.

We hope that the more than reasonable proposition we have made from our side could end the remaining challenge through settlement, in order to spare our community suffering further delays and unnecessary legal costs, he said.

Protecting the Green Belt

He said that the community cared about the environment and was adamant that they would protect it. Its going to become the responsibility of the Protea Village community and of course, the other residents that live with us to take care of the green belt, he said.

David Baker, vice president of the Bishopscourt Residents Association, said many residents supported the return of the claimants.

It is noteworthy that the appeal served no real purpose and held up the development for over a year; this is on the back of many other years of delays for other reasons, he said.

Luthando Tyhalibongo, City of Cape Town spokesperson, confirmed the withdrawal of the appeal. He said the City was committed to supporting the national government in its land restitution mandate.

Published originally on GroundUp
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has given the go-ahead for TotalEnergies to drill offshore for natural gas and oil, after rejecting an appeal from more than a dozen individuals and lobby groups, a document seen by Reuters showed.

The logo of French oil and gas company TotalEnergies is seen at the company's headquarters skyscraper in the financial and business district of La Defense, near Paris, 14 September 2023. Source: Reuters/Gonzalo Fuentes

The appeal to stop TotalEnergies from drilling in Block 5/6/7 off the Cape coast was the latest in a series of challenges seeking to halt energy companies exploring for new offshore discoveries at the foot of Africa.

It sought to persuade environment minister Barbara Creecy to set aside the environmental authorisation granted to the French energy company by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in April, on grounds ranging from marine noise and oil spills to climate change and insufficient public consultation.

But Creecy, sitting as the appellate authority, dismissed their concerns in a 144-page ruling seen by Reuters.

"I am therefore satisfied that the impacts of noise and light have been adequately assessed and mitigated to ensure low impacts on the receiving environment. As such this ground of appeal is dismissed," Creecy said in the ruling dated 24 September.

The area of interest covers some 10,000km2 and is located offshore roughly between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas, some 60km from the coast at its closest point and 170 km at its furthest, in water depths between 700 and 3,200m.

TotalEnergies proposes drilling up to five exploration wells.
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During about six months, our team has been unraveling a large-scale CIA network for the trade and illegal proliferation of weapons around the world. However, the more progress we make in our investigations, the more sophisticated and horrifying picture becomes.

It was quite obvious that the CIA had a large number of operatives and whistleblowers abroad. But the fact that some European business elites and even heads of state were under the control of the Agency was a kind of surprise to all of us, but first things first.

Throughout its history, the CIA's foreign operative methods have included the creation of so-called "non-governmental organizations." With their help, the Agency to this day brings the "right" people to power, shape public opinion and, if necessary, removes those who pose a threat.

Today, we want to tell you about the "European Values" (EV) non-governmental organization, which deals with full-scale democratic response to hostile disinformation operations. The EV Executive Director is an officer of Active Reserve of the Czech Armed Forces within the Czech Cyber and Information Warfare Command Jakub Janda.

Jakub Janda

According to its website, the EV is not affiliated with any political party in the Czech Republic, its funding is provided by "various institutions and private donors." However, if you look at the EV annual reports, one of the main donors of this think tank were the U.S. State Department, USAID and the U.S. Embassy in the Czech Republic, which over the past three years allocated about one million dollars. The total amount donated to the EV was estimated in millions of dollars. It is worth noting that the think tank took money from George Soros as well.

There is nothing wrong with the fact that the United States seeks to help its NATO allies to fight, among other things, Russian propaganda. However, we would not publish this material if it was only about propaganda. Our rule of thumb is: where there the U.S. State Department is, there is the CIA as well. Earlier, we mentioned that the CIA worked with the U.S. State Department side by side, using diplomatic cover to conduct secret operations abroad. This time, well talk about how CIA used their agent Jakub Janda to help to bring a former army general Petr Pavel to power.

Petr Pavel for President

According to our source, in 2014, the U.S. State Department entrusted the EV, headed at that time by Radko Hokovsky, with the task of popularizing Army General Petr Pavel as the future president of the Czech Republic. His deputy Jakub Janda approached this task with full responsibility.

Since 2015, Jakub Janda has been singing praises of Petr Pavel on various talk shows and interviews. Janda's articles about Pavel were published by the Newsweek, the Atlantic Council, the EUobserver and other major news outlets around the globe, each time opening the Overton window wider.

Jakub Janda also launched a large-scale influence operation on Facebook by creating numerous fan pages and groups dedicated to Petr Pavel. Janda himself did not hesitate to write adoring recommendations about his protege, criticizing then-President Milos Zeman at the same time.

Pavel and Janda (2015)

Today is the feast of Petr and Pavel. You are a good boss, given that there is a day of your name in the year (2018)

Pavel's super hero picture on Janda's Facebook page

In 2019, Radko Hokovsky stepped down as the head of the European Values, giving the position to Jakub Janda. Hokovsky himself, together with the former Czech ambassador to the United States, Petr Kolar, became a co-founder of the Czech association For a Safe Future, which also promoted future Czech president. By the way, Kolar has been working for several years as a senior advisor at the Squire Patton Boggs, a large lobbying organization in the United States. What a coincidence

It also remains a mystery to us why the active reserve officer of the cyber security command which specializes in influence operations couldnt delete compromising information about himself. For example, in 2018 and 2019, the Czech media wrote that Janda starred in gay-porn. Also, the Sifra conducted an investigation about "dubious" NGOs receiving foreign funding, among which the EV appeared. Sifra also revealed that Janda had bought a diploma from a private College of Public and International Relations in Prague. As of today, the article has been deleted. However, you still can read it here.

Translation: "The activist of the disinformation campaign and the head of the European Values was caught spreading disinformation"

Janda was also convicted of plagiarism while studying at Charles University.

Nevertheless, all this didnt prevent Petr Pavel from coming to power in 2023. Undoubtedly, this was not only Jandas merit, but he was a liaison between the CIA and Petr Pavel. By the way, the then general also made obeisances, showing loyalty to his patron.

In May 2018, the EV received the award of the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. General Petr Pavel personally awarded the medal to Jakub Janda

Jakub Janda, Petr Pavel and Radko Hokovsky

He also significantly expanded Janda's phone book, allowing him to speak at conferences along with Czech high-ranking officials, such as the Director of the Military Intelligence Jan Beroun and the Director of the Security Information Service Michal Koudelka.

Thus, thanks to Jakub Janda, the U.S. intelligence community managed to carry out one of the most dizzying operations, putting its agent in the presidential chair of a European country. Having completed his task, Janda went to Taiwan to engage in similar activities. As for the EV, it has fallen under the reduction in workforce and funding.

So, why was it important for the CIA to bring Pavel to power? One of the reasons was the improvement of arms supplies mechanism, as well as maintaining hotbeds of tension in regions, wracked by endless wars.

Part II: What role the Czech Republic plays in the CIAs shadow supply of weapons

Most of the arms business in the Czech Republic passes through the Czechoslovac Group (CSG), the industrial-technological holding company, headed by Jaroslav Strnad and his son Michal. It is one of the largest family-owned companies in the country. The CSG has subsidiaries in Virginia and Delaware, and contractual obligations with Raytheon Technologies and General Dynamics.

Jaroslav and Michal Strnad

"Pecunia non olet" (money does not stink)  this phrase characterizes this family as much as possible. In 2018, the Foreign Policy noted that the Strnad family took money from Russian investors. This information further hit hard the company's rating and military cooperation with NATO. As a result of the scandal, Jaroslav had to recede from public view. After that, the CSG already headed by Michal focused on cooperation with NATO and actively developed international projects, attracting foreign partners.

An interesting fact: according to Kurzy.cz database, Jaroslav Strnad served on the board of directors of a number of holdings companies. The position is currently held by Jaroslav Skla. We assume that they are the same person.

The Strnad family also holds senior positions on the Board of Directors of Real Trade Praha. According to the OCCRP, it was this company that bought obsolete weapons stocks from Albania in order to resell them. These weapons were later transported to the Middle East, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Africa.

Jaroslav and Michal Strnad also own several old military factories allowing them to freely obtain a license for weapons production transportation and sale to third countries. The cooperation with these people allows the CIA to distribute weapons to the "needed" regions. Today, in addition to Ukraine, the CIA sends weapons to Kosovo, and Albania is the weapons hub here.

Logistics routes for the weapons and equipment transportation

Officially, everything is carried out through MEICO, a state-owned company under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense of Albania. MEICO began to manage the remaining stocks of military equipment inherited from the Soviet times, but in fact functioned as a trade company, selling surplus weapons inherited by other countries to generate income for the Albanian state. It was MEICO that the Czechoslovac Group and Real Trade Praha collaborated with.

In Kosovo, the CIA uses the connections of the infamous Kosovar-Albanian-American businessman and arms smuggler Florin Krasniqi, who currently lives in the United States.

Florin Krasniqi

Krasniqi was a deputy of the political party Vetevendosje! (Self-determination movement) from 2010 to 2014, its current leader is Albin Kurti, the prime minister of Kosovo. In the 2000s, Krasniqi raised about $30 million from the Albanian community in the United States for the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and smuggled hundreds of American sniper rifles into the country for KLA. His cousin Xhevdet and nephew Adrian were among the founders of the KLA and helped to transport weapons. In other worlds, after 20 years nothing has been changed. The legacy left by Florin and people associated with him helps the CIA to shadow arms supplies to Kosovo. Here is a scheme of the CIAs activities in the region:

As we said before, the deep state benefits from maintaining hotbeds of tensions around the globe gaining the opportunity to influence the leadership of countries where there is war.

Soon, we will show specific CIA agents, involved in the grey schemes of supply of weapons to the Balkans.

Stay tuned.
Politico describes Feinsteins mayoralty in San Francisco, from 1978 to 1988, as one of healing. While its true that she came into office during a crazy period  in 1978, San Franciscos then-major, George Moscone, was assassinated along with supervisor Harvey Milk by fellow supervisor Dan White  her tenure only inflicted more devastation on the troubled city. As Bay Area leftist journalist Larry Bensky has written, she dutifully advanced the interests of the rich, allowing the real estate industry in particular to add 30 million soulless square feet of downtown office construction, while neglecting the needs and neighborhoods of the working class.

The New York Timess obituary calls her a tough campaigner who sometimes took conservative positions. Even the left-leaning Mother Jones  which is named after, well, Mother Jones!  got in on the festschrift, labeling Feinstein a trailblazing Democrat and citing their own 2017 feature on the senator, which quoted her friend Orville Schell calling her the last bastion of bridge building in the Senate.

What the establishment loved about Feinstein is clear from these obituaries: she opposed what elites deem the excesses of the Left. On the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, before Roe v. Wade, she carried out harsh penalties against illegal abortion providers, and in a 2022 interview with New York magazines Rebecca Traister, she didnt seem to regret her actions in the least. As a senator, she supported the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, catastrophically. Even more horrendous, her husband, Richard Blum, had significant investments in the arms industry, which meant that Feinstein profited personally from the wars she backed  and, therefore, from the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, Afghanis, and Americans.

From 2015 on, the movement around Bernie Sanders gave Feinsteins centrism a new importance for the ruling class. As the Washington Post put it, she held down the center of the Democratic Party as it moved swiftly to the left. She was a leading voice urging Sanders to drop out of the 2016 presidential primary, and publicly fretted ahead of the 2016 Democratic convention that his supporters would unleash riots and chaos, in a repeat of 1968. (Many Democratic elites believe that Richard Nixon won the presidency that year in part because of violent televised confrontations between police and antiwar protesters at the Democratic convention. A government-supported study later pinned the blame for most of the violence on the police, but that did not affect the narrative: liberals have been blaming the Left for the chaos and for Nixons election for the last fifty years.)

In recent years Feinsteins role as centrist disciplinarian took the form, perhaps most notably, of bringing enormous condescension to the climate debate. When a group of children visited Feinsteins office in 2019 as part of a delegation from the Sunrise Movement, the progressive climate group, demanding that the senator support the Green New Deal, the sweeping blueprint for decarbonizing the economy championed by democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Feinstein had the most bluntly patronizing reaction. You can take that back to whoever sent you here, she remarked, implying that the young people were not political actors in their own right. Learning that one of the activists was sixteen, she still dismissed her with a brusque you didnt vote for me. Equally winningly, the senator informed the young people, Ive been doing this for thirty years. I know what Im doing. The exchange went viral and served to educate many young people about the depraved indifference of the Senate  and Democratic Party leadership  to the very real threat climate change poses to their futures.

In what seemed a fitting coda to a career spent serving the monied class, Feinsteins refused to give up her Senate seat to the very end despite the consequences. Because she was no longer able to reliably show up, Feinstein became an obstacle to confirming President Bidens judicial nominees and counteracting the conservative project of stacking the judicial branch. Her absence also caused the defeat of Bidens effort to curb pollution from heavy trucks, a measure that would have, over the next couple decades, saved an estimated 18,000 children from developing asthma.

Feinstein deserves credit for evolving on some issues, as all politicians should do. Like most centrist Democrats, she initially opposed but ultimately supported gay marriage. She changed her mind on the death penalty, eventually rejecting it. In one of her more dramatic and significant reversals, she went from an enthusiastic proponent of George Bushs postSeptember 11 war on terror measures to one of their most powerful critics; as chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, she oversaw a 2014 report on the CIAs horrific torture techniques, and the Obama Administration did not appreciate her honesty.

Those moments were admirable, but Feinstein should be remembered far more for her stalwart advocacy against the Left, and for representing the nations worst monied interests. Lets hope her passing will be seen in retrospect as part of the demise of the centrist, plutocratic politics she espoused, in which socialists and young climate activists are mere irritants and war is just a good investment opportunity.
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Postal Code
The only way to resolve the dispute over bus rosters in Limerick is to return to the Workplace Relations Commission, the general secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union, Dermot OLeary has said.

All bus services out of Limerick bus station have been cancelled after a number of drivers took unofficial industrial action in a row over new spare driver rosters.

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Bus Eireann said that it had to cancel all city and county services out of Limerick bus station after a number of drivers placed a picket at Limerick bus station today.

Mr OLeary told RTE radios Morning Ireland that the union had not known in advance of the unofficial action. He said he was not prepared to lambast workers for their actions, but there were procedures to handle such concerns.

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The NBRU did not have an official dispute with Bus Eireann at present, he said. But they had warned the company a number of weeks ago that their members would take umbrage at being forced to do something that they say is not part of their conditions, despite the fact that we agreed on a report to be commissioned in and around spare duties.

The only way to find a solution was to return to the WRC where this whole issue started, to sit down and come up with some way of resolving the issue.

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Mr OLeary said he had written to the company on September 19th warning that there could be issues in relation to the unilateral implementation of changes in the terms and conditions of their workers and that if the changes were introduced on October 1st then the union would have no option but to issue ballot papers.

Thats the way we do business, through official channels. And I will do that as of today, I will issue ballot papers to our members, but I would rather sit down around a table to resolve the issues.

Mr OLeary said he would certainly encourage the members in Limerick to go back to work and operate under protest. We issued a notice yesterday morning to that effect that people should work in the normal manner and allow us, officialdom if you like, to discuss the issues with the company through the WRC.

I would impress on our members that they should be at work, under protest if necessary. Unofficial actions will not get us where we need to get, which is a resolution of the issues.

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I would hope that common sense will prevail.

Mr OLeary said the problems needed to be solved through the proper industrial action channels, adding his union would not use megaphone tactics or use media organisations to issue statements.
An internal review at Crumlin Childrens Hospital regarding spinal surgery outcomes has been undertaken, according to consultant orthopaedic surgeon and head of orthopaedics at Childrens Health Ireland, Dr David Moore.

He added that the review was carried out so information on clinical standards of care and governance would be available should they be requested as a result of issues raised at another hospital.

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Speaking on RTE radios Today with Claire Byrne show, Dr Moore acknowledged that the news of the review would create an "unnecessary amount of anxiety and angst in patients who think that there's something wrong".

"It would have been nice to have had the time to contact patients and explain how and why the review was being carried out, and if it did or did not affect their children, but we weren't given that time because of the pressure that was put on us by the media to publish the report before we had time to do that."

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There was no patient who should be worried or feel that something bad had happened because the review was being conducted, he said, adding there should not be any worry that information about their standard of care or any other information was being kept from them.

Dr Moore said if every time an audit or report was being conducted, patients had to be phoned, then the process would be hamstrung.

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"Of course we inform them if there are any problems, but that's not the way that we would be able in any way to carry on the normal practice."

Questions

The decision to carry out the internal review had been taken because Crumlin Childrens Hospital was conscious of the fact that "eventually someone would ask the question, quite reasonably, whether if something had been going on in one hospital, there were similar problems in another".

The internal review in Crumlin used the same parameters as that of the review in the other hospital, he said.

However, Dr Moore stressed that staff in Crumlin did not have any concerns about their own record.

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"That was one of the questions we asked at the time. Has anyone got any concerns? Has anyone flagged any high rate of complications with this small group of patients compared to other standards? And that was not the case.

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"So, no, it wasn't that anyone had flagged anything. It was purely because we thought it would be prudent to have the information, I suppose, for occasions such as this."

There was no external oversight of the Crumlin review, Dr Moore noted, but said the hospital would cooperate fully if an external review were to take place.

"The public should be reassured about the fantastic work that goes on in all the childrens hospitals," he said.

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"Unless a proper and ongoing examination is carried out it will be difficult to regain trust, but the review must look at everything from the resources available, the facilities available, the human resources available, and I think it should be seen in context."

Dr Moore said, at present, Intensive Care Unit beds in Crumlin were not a problem. "Our problems are our access to theatre, our number of beds on the ward and most importantly, the nursing staff that goes with that," he explained.

While the facilities at the new childrens hospital were eagerly awaited, Dr Moore said the ICU in Crumlin is "more akin to the Starship Enterprise with the facilities that are there".

"It is fantastic, but there are a limited number of beds," he added.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has urged that a solution is found in a dispute between the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and representative organisations amid escalating industrial action.

Meetings are taking place between Mr Harris and those organisations this week in the standoff over the roster system.

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Members of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) have threatened to withdraw their labour if the dispute is not resolved.

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This would include declining to work voluntary overtime on the five Tuesdays in October, which will encompass Budget day on October 10th as well as Halloween.

The GRA has also vowed to continue to operate the current roster system of four days on, four days off when the old system is due to come back into effect on November 6th.

If the stalemate remains, GRA members have indicated they will fully withdraw their labour on November 10th.

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Mr Harris wants to move to a roster based on gardai working six days on, with shorter shift times, and four days off.

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Speaking to media in Dublin on Monday, Ms McEntee said she has been assured by the Commissioner over gardai numbers.

Whats really clear here is that everybody has the same objective  and everybody is still meeting this week, she said.

Despite the fact that there will be challenges in the weeks ahead, the Garda Commissioner has assured me that there will still be a full complement of gardai, there will be enough members to continue doing the work that they do every day whether it is tomorrow, or the following Tuesday.

But there is time here to negotiate, to double down, to try and find the solution, and that is a new roster, and Im encouraging everybody because the alternative here is that I would as minister intervene and direct what roster should be in place.

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We have moved away from that type of policing. We should never be in a situation where the minister of the day is telling gardai where and when and how they should be working.
The Minister for Justice has warned that social media is a dark place at times, as elected politicians have been urged to report incidents of harassment to gardai.

Helen McEntee also urged people to understand the impacts of what they said on social media.

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The Irish Daily Mail reported on Monday that gardai were examining threats to ministers after mocked-up videos of Ms McEntee and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar emerged online.

It comes after a demonstration was held at Leinster House to mark the return of the Dail, which saw entrances blocked and included a mock gallows featuring both government ministers and opposition TDs.

A mocked-up video of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has reportedly emerged online (Brian Lawless/PA)

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Asked about the Mails story, Ms McEntee said: Im not going to comment on something that is being looked at at the moment, but social media can be a dark place at times, and I suppose its important that people realise what they say and do on social media does have an impact in the same way as if they were to say and do it in person.

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Tanaiste Micheal Martin said in the aftermath of the protest  which was criticised across the political spectrum  that the vitriol towards politicians was getting more dangerous, and that the behaviour of some people was fascist-like.

Some politicians have voiced concerns that recent events could escalate to a Jo Cox moment, referring to the UK MP murdered in 2016.

An Garda Siochana said in a statement that it was aware of content circulating online, but did not comment on such content or unverified material posted on online platforms or messaging apps by third parties.

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It also said it did not comment on the security of individuals or groups.

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Ireland Dail demonstration: 'Threats to kill from thugs ca... Read More

The Garda statement said that the threat of violence against a named person was a matter of serious concern and encouraged anyone who had experienced harassment to report it to gardai.

An Garda Siochana considers any suggestion in respect of the threat to use violence and/or perpetration of violence or intimidation in any general sense or against named individuals or organisations as a matter of serious concern and could potentially be subject to criminal investigation in respect of such matters, the statement said.

Should any member of the public, or elected representative or member of the Oireachtas experience harassment or be subject of any crime they are advised to report this to An Garda Siochana.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin is in Ukraine for an an extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv.

EU foreign ministers will discuss how to strengthen and advance the EUs response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in direct consultation with the Ukrainian government.

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It is expected that Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba and prime minister Denys Shmyhal will meet with EU foreign ministers during the one-day visit.

While in Kyiv, the Tanaiste will also have bilateral engagements with UN partners whose work in Ukraine Ireland is supporting, as well as members of the Irish community.

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Mr Martin said: It is a testament to the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people that now, over a year and a half since Russian troops tried and failed to capture this city, we are able to hold a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv.

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We stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the European Union is unwavering in our commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people as they defend their homeland.

Our support for Ukraine is multifaceted, and it is important we ensure that it continues to be relevant, flexible and fit for purpose.

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EU Member States will continue to take active measures to deter Russian aggression against Ukraine and I anticipate a wide-ranging, open exchange of views with our EU partners and Ukraine today on how best to do that.

The Tanaiste added: I was pleased to be able to recently announce a further 23 million in humanitarian and institutional support for Ukraine.

This brings to 210 million our total support for Ukraine since the launch of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

I am happy to have the opportunity today to meet with our partners here on the ground for an update on the important work they are doing and to meet the small Irish community here, all of whom are engaged in vital work supporting humanitarian, civilian security and rule of law programmes.
A third man has appeared in court after being charged in relation with the seizure of almost 160 million of cocaine on a bulk cargo ship off the south coast.

Soheil Jelveh (50), an Iranian national of no fixed abode, appeared before Wexford District Court on Monday morning.

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Mr Jelveh, who was referred to in court as a ship captain, was charged with being in the possession of cocaine on September 24th and further charged with being in possession of the controlled drug for the purpose of selling or supplying it in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to 2019.

He was also charged with importing cocaine on September 24th in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017-2019.

A total of 2,253kg of cocaine was found on the MV Matthew cargo ship after members of the Army Ranger Wing captured the vessel off the Co Cork coast by abseiling from a helicopter earlier this week.

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An Garda Siochana said the seizure was the largest in the history of the State.

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Gardai believe the cocaine, seized on the cargo ship after the dramatic military operation at sea, was destined for distribution beyond Ireland, potentially into the UK and continental Europe.

Detective Garda Liam Mangan, from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. told the court that Mr Jelveh was arrested at 2.21pm on Sunday and charged at 3.31pm.

He said the accused had been airlifted from the cargo vessel on September 25th after reports that he was injured were received.

He had been transferred to Waterford Hospital where he was searched by gardai.

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The MV Matthew is escorted into Cobh in Cork (Niall Carson/PA)

Gardai objected to a bail application from Mr Jelvehs solicitor Lana Doherty.

Judge John Cheatle rejected the bail application, stating: The allegations against the defendant are so serious and his links to the jurisdiction are so tenuous it renders bail impossible, in my mind, in this situation.

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Ms Doherty said Mr Jelveh did not need medical attention but asked for consideration that he receive protection in prison, to which gardai agreed. He was also granted legal aid.

Mr Jelveh was remanded in custody to appear again at Wexford District Court via videolink on October 9th.

A fishing trawler which grounded off the coast of Co Wexford late on Sunday was also being monitored as part of the operation, amid suspicions it was en route to rendezvous with the cargo ship.

Two men who had been winched from that vessel also appeared before Wexford District Court on Monday.

Jamie Harbron (31), of South Avenue, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, UK, and 60-year-old Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, of no fixed abode, were charged with conspiracy to import drugs.

Appearing via videolink, they were further remanded in custody to appear again on October 16th awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Five other men have been arrested in relation to the case. One has been released without charge while the other four remain in custody.
Video-sharing online giant TikTok has lodged plans with Dublin City Council to erect 15 CCTV cameras on the exterior of its Dublin HQ "for additional security and surveillance purposes.

The application by TikTok Technology Ltd for the new CCTV system is the second security-related application it has lodged with Dublin City Council in recent months.

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In August, the City Council refused planning permission to TikTok to close off its planned cafe to the public at its Tropical Fruit Warehouse (TFW) HQ.

TikTok lodged the application arising from security considerations due to the sensitive nature of some of the work that will take place within the TFW building.

The TFW HQ houses TikToks regional security organisation including the specialist Fusion Centre.

Now, outlining the need for the new external CCTV security system at TikToks TFW offices on Sir John Rogerson's Quay, senior planner at the Tom Phillips + Associates planning consultancy, Linda Colleran has told the Council that "like any other company, TikTok require security cameras for the safety of employees, protection of assets and monitoring of access points, particularly given the prominent location of the site on St John Rogersons Quay".

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Sensitive nature

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Ms Colleran adds that "security is also paramount to the company due to the sensitive nature of some of the work conducted within the complex on a daily basis".

Ms Colleran also states that consequently, data protection is of utmost importance and, as such, TikTok is required to comply with specific security regulation and policies".

Ms Colleran states that "the application therefore proposes a new CCTV security system for additional security and surveillance purposes.

Ms Colleran points out that TikTok has leased the entire Tropical Fruit Warehouse office complex at its home for its growing workforce.

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Opponents

Social Democrat TD, Catherine Murphy said she took issue "with the proposal to mount cameras to the original facade of the historic building".

She said: "No matter what steps they take to try to blend or disguise the fixings, the structure will still be injured."

Senior Surveillance and Human Rights Policy Officer at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Olga Cronin said on Monday: "CCTV systems can have legitimate purposes, such as securing premises and/or to maintain the safety of persons.

Ms Cronin added: "But employees are entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy. Unless CCTV is used proportionately, it can cause legitimate concerns of unreasonable and unlawful intrusion into the data protection and privacy rights of individuals.

The application comes against the background of the National Cyber Security Centre advising staff at Government departments and agencies in April to move TikTok from their official devices, following a detailed risk review.

In an interview with The Irish Examiner on Monday, the Chinese ambassador to Ireland, He Xiangdong said that cybersecurity fears over TikTok are "nonsense" and the Irish Government is succumbing to American and European fever.
Naomi Campbell played a starring role on the catwalk as Sarah Burton presented her last collection as creative director of Alexander McQueen.

The British supermodel, 53, closed the spring/summer 2024 show wearing a stunning silver ensemble comprised of a strapless beaded corset and a draped skirt that shimmered as she walked.

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(Alexander McQueen/PA)

Cate Blanchett, who often wears McQueen at awards ceremonies, was on the front row at the Paris Fashion Week event.

The Australian actor was dressed in a black suit with a huge pink bow on the back.

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American actor Elle Fanning  who stars alongside Campbell in the labels autumn/winter campaign  was also in attendance, the 25-year-old wearing a full-skirted polka dot dress with a statement choker necklace.

View this post on Instagram Advertisement A post shared by Suzy Menkes (@suzymenkes)

The spring/summer 2024 collection represents the end of 26 years at the British fashion brand for Burton.

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She was appointed to the role of creative director in 2010 following the death of Lee Alexander McQueen, having worked alongside the groundbreaking designer for 14 years.

Burton was responsible for creating the wedding dress worn by the Princess of Wales when she married Prince William in 2011.

Kate Middleton waves as she arrives at Westminster Abbey where she is helped with her dress by her sister Pippa ahead of her wedding with Prince William (Carey Tompsett/PA)

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Kaia Gerber  daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford  opened the spring/summer show in a short black corset dress.

With a keyhole cut-out on the chest, the long-sleeved dress hinted at the subversive designs that were to come.

Kaia Gerber (Alexander McQueen/PA)

Lee Alexander McQueen was the master of gasp-inducing fashion and for Burtons final collection she served up plenty of suggestive slits alongside her usual bold tailoring and glamorous gowns.

This collection is inspired by female anatomy, Queen Elizabeth I, the blood red rose and Magdalena Abakanowicz, a transgressive and powerfully creative artist who refused ever to compromise her vision, Burton revealed in the show notes.

The show is dedicated to the memory of Lee Alexander McQueen, whose wish was always to empower women, and to the passion, talent and loyalty of my team.

(Alexander McQueen/PA)

Burton is the latest designer to take inspiration from roses for spring, following Simone Rocha at London Fashion Week and Balmains Olivier Rousteing in Paris.

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The queen of flowers featured repeatedly, first in the form of photorealistic scarlet stems blown up on black and white slip dresses.

Later, a pair of ruffled pink and red ombre gowns resembled rose petals (as well as, it must be said, a certain part of the female body).

(Alexander McQueen/PA)

Exploring shape and volume, the designer sent out curved leather corset tops with exaggerated hips, shaggy coats and draped dresses.

Sharp-shouldered jackets were decorated with intricate crimson embroidery that looked like brushstrokes (or possibly blood stains), the ends of the threads hanging off to form flowing tassels.

(Alexander McQueen/PA)

The floral theme continued with an elaborately woven cream jumper and an opulent golden lace dress teamed with thigh-high leather boots, before the show culminated with some sparkling stand-out looks.

Burton has excelled at eveningwear throughout her time at McQueen, displaying almost couture-level craftsmanship, and this show was no exception.

(Alexander McQueen/PA)

A white tulle gown with glittering gunmetal adornments cascading across one sleeve and a form-fitting jumpsuit covered in silver beading were highlights.

Following Campbells star appearance, David Bowies Heroes played as the models took their final turn on the catwalk.

Sarah Burton (Alexander McQueen/PA)

The audience was already on its feet applauding as Burton appeared to receive her standing ovation and hug VIP guests.

The house of McQueen has yet to announce who will take the take over as creative director.
At least nine people have been killed, three of them children, after the roof of a church collapsed during a Mass in northern Mexico on Sunday.

The Tamaulipas state security spokesmans office confirmed the death toll, saying around 50 people had been injured with the likely cause of the collapse a structural failure.

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Around 30 parishioners were believed to have been trapped in the rubble in the Gulf coast city of Ciudad Madero with dogs brought in to help the search.

Tamaulipas state police said about 100 people were in the church with several baptisms due to take place.



Around 30 parishioners were believed to have been trapped in the rubble (Alejando de Angel/El Sol de Tampico/AP)

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The Mexican Council of Bishops issued a statement saying we join in prayer at the tragic loss of life and those injured.

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Bishop Jose Armando Alvarez, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tampico, said the roof caved in while parishioners were receiving communion at the Santa Cruz church.

He said: At this time, the necessary work is being performed to extract the people who are still under the rubble.

Today we are living through a very difficult moment.

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We lament the painful loss of people who were there celebrating the baptism of their children.

In a message posted on social media, the bishops diocese said: From underneath the rubble, thanks to Divine Providence and the work of the rescue teams, people have been pulled out alive! Lets keep praying!



The likely cause of the collapse has been attributed to a structural failure (Jose Luis Tapia/El Sol de Tampico/AP)

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The diocese posted a list of about 50 people who had been taken to hospital which included a four-month-old baby, three children aged five and two nine-year-olds.

Video distributed by the state civil defence office showed the outer edges of the roof propped up by short wooden blocks.

It also showed initial efforts to lift off parts of the collapsed roof with a crane, but the office said efforts to lift roof sections were abandoned because of the danger that a chunk of the now-crumbling slab might fall back and endanger any survivors.

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The video described how officials had reverted to manual rescue efforts, sending rescuers under the slab with wood props or hydraulic jacks to reach those trapped underneath.

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The civil defence office rescue dogs did not initially appear to detect signs of survivors so an older method was implemented that had been used in past earthquakes of sending rescue teams into the rubble to shout and listen for signs of any response.
Junior doctors and consultants in England have launched their longest period of joint strike action after beginning their three-day walkout.

Both sets of staff will deliver Christmas Day levels of staffing from 7am on Monday until the same time on Thursday after taking joint action in September for the first time in the history of the NHS, which led to almost 130,000 inpatient and outpatient appointments being rescheduled.

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It comes as the UK government urged unions to end relentless strike action, insisting doctors have received a fair and reasonable pay rise.

Junior doctors and consultants stand on the picket line outside University College Hospital, London, in September (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The British Medical Association (BMA), whose members are striking, said doctors are fed up of being labelled the problem.

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It said a new survey of 1,765 adults showed that government attempts to blame medics for cripplingly long waiting lists have not convinced the public.

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More than two in five respondents blamed the government for the increase in waiting lists for elective treatment in England, which have risen from 2.6 million in 2010 to almost 7.7 million.

This is almost three times the number who blame striking doctors (15 per cent), said the BMA.

Professor Phil Banfield, the BMA chair of council, said: Doctors are fed up of being told we are the problem with the NHS.

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He added: It is not fair for the government to continue to blame doctors or other healthcare workers for their own failure to properly resource the health service in England.

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What we see today is that the public largely sees through that excuse. Many more appointments and operations are cancelled outside the strike days because of a shortage of beds, staff or operating capacity due to the relative chronic underfunding.

Dr Sarah Clarke, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said: The decision to strike is a difficult one  no doctor will be taking this action lightly. But doctors feel undervalued, overworked and under-resourced to deliver the care they want to provide.

We must see an end to this dispute, and we urge the government to take the lead to end the impact on patient care.

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NHS Providers called the joint strike a worrying escalation in the long-running dispute with government and said the stalemate cannot continue.

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Deputy chief executive Saffron Cordery said: It will mean delay, disappointment and disruption for tens of thousands of patients.

She went on: This stalemate cant continue. Especially as we approach winter  the toughest time of the year for the NHS.

All parties involved need to engage in meaningful talks to find a resolution that safeguards patient care, minimises financial impact and promotes staff wellbeing.

NHS England warned thousands more appointments are expected to be rescheduled over the course of the week, days after the total number of postponements since strikes began exceeded one million.

NHS national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: NHS services have had very little time to recover from the previous action, and to now face an unprecedented three consecutive days of Christmas Day cover this week will prove extremely challenging, with almost all routine care brought to a near standstill.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: Im deeply disappointed and concerned by further co-ordinated strike action which poses continued challenges for the NHS and disruption for patients, and means more will have vital treatment and care delayed.

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I urge unions to end their relentless strike action, he added. Doctors have received a fair and reasonable pay rise  as recommended by the independent pay review body, which weve accepted in full.
Liz Truss was met by sweeping queues at the Conservative conference as she called for tax cuts to make Britain grow again in a challenge to Rishi Sunaks bid to keep the fractious party together.

Nearly a year after she was forced out of office when she lost the support of Conservative MPs during her chaotic 49 days as UK prime minister, Ms Truss rallied a supportive crowd of members at the fringes of the party conference in Manchester on Monday.

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There were cheers from the hundreds who managed to make it into the grand room in the Midland Hotel when they were reminded she was elected by party activists, in contrast to the UK prime ministers victory among MPs.

Liz Truss urged colleagues to unleash their inner conservative (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Ms Truss urged members to unleash their inner conservative after calling for UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt to cut corporation tax to 19 per cent, at least, and to slash British government spending.

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Lets stop taxing and banning things, she told the packed room.

Lets instead build things and make things. Lets be prepared to make conservative arguments again, even if its unpopular, even if its difficult. I want everybody in this room to unleash their inner conservative.

And finally, my friends, lets make Britain grow again.

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Ms Truss was joined, left to right, by former Cabinet colleagues Ranil Jayawardena, Dame Priti Patel and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Ms Truss said 500,000 homes a year needed to be built, suggesting environmental protections could be torn up to encourage building, and called for ministers to permit fracking.

She was joined at the Great British Growth Rally by allies and former Cabinet colleagues Dame Priti Patel, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Ranil Jayawardena.

Mr Rees-Mogg continued the tax-cutting, deregulating motif, also calling for tariffs and checks to be slashed to boost trade.

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I want hormone-injected beef from Australia, he said, as he called for cheaper food.

Former UK business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said prime minister Rishi Sunak, pictured, had his full support (Danny Lawson/PA)

Ive eaten beef in Australia, it was absolutely delicious, theres nothing wrong with it and they should be allowed to export it here because we want lower costs.

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After the event, Mr Rees-Mogg insisted Ms Truss was not being unhelpful to the prime minister by drawing such a big crowd to a speech encouraging a very different agenda.

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The former UK business secretary told the PA news agency: We must support Rishi Sunak, I want him to remain leader, he has my full support.

You would have to be kamikaze as a Tory to think it would be sensible to have a different leader.

Nigel Farage, the prominent Brexiteer who was also in the audience and making supportive comments about Ms Truss, saw the rally very much as a pitch for her to once again become Conservative leader.

Mr Farage told PA: Shes absolutely right on the big stuff  Im slightly sceptical on the housing.

This is a battle for ideas, its a rejection of her own partys policies, but its really a battle for what the party becomes after it loses the next election.
The Nobel Prize in medicine has been awarded to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for discoveries that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against Covid-19.

Thomas Perlmann, secretary of the Nobel Assembly, announced the award on Monday in Stockholm.

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Ms Kariko is a professor at Sagans University in Hungary and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr Eisner performed his prize-winning research with Kariko at the University of Pennsylvania.

Through their groundbreaking findings, which have fundamentally changed our understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system, the laureates contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times, the panel that awarded the prize said.

Ms Kariko said her husband was the first to pick up the early morning call, then handed it to her to hear the news. I couldnt believe it, she said. I was very much surprised. But I am very happy.

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Thomas Perlmann, secretary of the Nobel Assembly, right, announces the winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman (Jessica Gow/TT News Agency via AP)

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Before Covid-19, mRNA vaccines were already being tested for other diseases like Zika, influenza and rabies  but the pandemic brought more attention to this approach, Ms Kariko said.

There was already clinical trials before Covid, but people were not aware, she said.

Mr Perlmann said both scientists were overwhelmed by news of the prize when he contacted them shortly before the announcement.

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Traditionally, making vaccines required growing viruses or pieces of viruses  often in giant vats of cells or, like most flu shots, in chicken eggs  and then purifying them before next steps in brewing shots.

The messenger RNA approach is radically different. It starts with a snippet of genetic code that carries instructions for making proteins. Pick the right virus protein to target, and the body turns into a mini vaccine factory.



Katalin Kariko has won the Nobel Prize in medicine (Robert Hegedus/MTI via AP, FIle)

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Dr Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, described the mRNA vaccines as a game changer in helping to shut down the coronavirus pandemic, crediting the shots with saving millions of lives.

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If it hadnt been for the mRNA technology, Covid would have been much worse, he said. Vaccines generally were the turning point in slowing down Covid and the mRNA vaccines were just so much better than all the others, he said, noting that the main vaccine used in the UK, made by AstraZeneca, is barely in use anymore.

We would likely only now be coming out of the depths of Covid without the mRNA vaccines, Mr Hunter said.

Dr Bharat Pankhania, an infectious diseases expert at Exeter University, said that a major advantage of mRNA technology was that vaccines could be made in extremely large quantities since their main components are made in laboratories.

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Dr Pankhania predicted that the technology used in the vaccines could be used to refine vaccines for other diseases like Ebola, malaria and dengue, and might also be used to create shots that immunise people against certain types of cancer or auto-immune diseases like lupus.

Its possible that we could vaccinate people against abnormal cancer proteins and have the immune system attack it after being given a targeted mRNA shot, he explained. Its a much more targeted technology than has been previously available and could revolutionise how we handle not only outbreaks, but non-communicable diseases.

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American physician-scientist Drew Weissman has won the Nobel Prize in medicine (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool, File)

The Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine was won last year by Swedish scientist Svante Paabo for discoveries in human evolution that unlocked secrets of Neanderthal DNA which provided key insights into our immune system, including our vulnerability to severe Covid-19.

The award was the second in the family. Mr Paabos father, Sune Bergstrom, won the Nobel Prize in medicine in 1982.

Nobel announcements continue with the physics prize on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday and literature on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Friday and the economics award on October 9.

The Nobel Prizes carry a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor (820,000). The money comes from a bequest left by the prizes creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, who died in 1896.

The prize money was raised by 1 million kronor this year because of the plunging value of the Swedish currency.

The laureates are invited to receive their awards at ceremonies on December 10, the anniversary of Nobels death. The prestigious peace prize is handed out in Oslo, according to his wishes, while the other award ceremony is held in Stockholm.
People in eastern Victoria are being urged to prepare for bushfires, flash flooding and damaging wind gusts in coming days as the state recorded its hottest September and driest month ever.

Firefighters continued to battle three bushfires in Gippsland on Monday after a home and several sheds were destroyed on the weekend and as flood warnings were issued for river catchments in the east and northeast of the state.

A fire burns near Briagolong on Sunday.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Christie Johnson said the severe weather warning may be extended this afternoon to include the risk of heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding on Tuesday afternoon, particularly about the eastern ranges.

The heaviest rainfall is expected on Wednesday.
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As featured in the November hit list. See all stories .

Its easy to slake a spring thirst in Melbourne with new, revamped and relaunched breweries and pubs opening doors, pulling taps and slinging snacks.

Bridge Road Brewers has just opened in the East Brunswick Village development. Its exciting for us but we hope its exciting for Brunswick East, says owner Ben Kraus.

There are two bars and 30 beer taps at Bridge Road Brewers, Brunswick East.

The 350-seat venue is the first Melbourne outpost for the Beechworth beer maker. Were aiming for fun and casual, something the community can use as a place to catch up.

There are two bars, 30 taps and an appealing menu that treks all the way from spicy clam pizza to lamb merguez kebab and onward to smacked cucumber. Which beer to start with? Our crew will be able to guide people but the Beechworth Pale Ale is a safe start, then you can dial it up or down from there, says Kraus.
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Review Eating outSydney Jacksons on George is back, and it has a hat (yes, you read that correctly) Forget the grungy Sydney pub of decades past. The reborn J-on-G is an architectural marvel with an opulent city bistro that brings new charm, old Euro vibes and haute comfort food from a former Icebergs chef. Terry Durack October 2, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 9 Bistro George is the beating heart of the new Jacksons on George. Edwina Pickles 2 / 9 Half corn-fed chicken. Edwina Pickles 3 / 9 David Blackmore wagyu short scotch comes with a full condiment service. Edwina Pickles 4 / 9 Creative director Maurice Terzini says Bistro George is a homage to the great bistros of Melbourne. Edwina Pickles 5 / 9 The go-to dish: Rigatoni in a lightly creamy pomodoro sauce with gin and fermented chilli. Edwina Pickles 6 / 9 Clams casino features Goolwa pipis baked on their half-shells under crunchy, garlicky guanciale-infused crumbs. Edwina Pickles 7 / 9 Ora King salmon gravalax with dill cucumber and sourdough crumpets riffs on that of France-Soir in Melbourne. Edwina Pickles 8 / 9 The facade of the new Jacksons on George is an architectural marvel. Tom Ferguson 9 / 9 Wall-to-wall carpet and double-clothed tables give Bistro George a glammed-up old-school vibe. Edwina Pickles Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15 / 20 How we score Contemporary$$$ Jacksons on George tells the story of Sydney, as seen through a beer glass. There has been a pub of some sort at 176 George Street since Tooth & Co built The Blue Anchor Hotel in 1905, which then became the Port Jackson Hotel in 1933. Sadly, it was demolished in the 1970s, a decade of great demolishment. By 1983 it was the Port Jackson Tavern, only to be rebuilt into the original Jacksons on George in 1986. Scene of many a boozy late night, that, too, was wrecking-balled in 2018. Clams casino, the perfect picky starter. Edwina Pickles

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Now, guess what  176 George Street is a pub again, or rather, a template for the modern urban Australian pub. The new J-on-G is the pride and joy of the ritzy new Sydney Plaza development with its broad square and buzzy laneways. Its an architectural marvel, an ant farm of three strikingly different floors cloaked in a porous white ceramic veil that references (sort of) Aussie pub tiles. It looks as if its about to take off, lifted by its own swirling metal parachute. The beating heart of the building, Bistro George, is a long, glass-lined space built for people-watching. Theres a rooftop bar for Americano spritzes, a ground-floor public bar for sausage rolls and beer, and in the middle, a glammed-up old-school bistro. Its a big change, but thats what you get when you spend multitudes of millions. While Lendlease is the power behind the project, the offering is shaped by the creative director of new hospitality group DTLE, Maurice Terzini (Icebergs Bar and Dining), and general manager Michael Broome.

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The beating heart of the building, Bistro George, is a long, glass-lined space built for people-watching. Terzini calls it a homage to the great bistros of Melbourne  France-Soir, Cafe Di Stasio and his own original venue, Caffe e Cucina  so its heavy on European hospitality, lightened by Sydney sunshine. At night, it seems opulent, glowing softly in tones of burgundy and olive, with wall-to-wall carpet, double-clothed tables, long-stemmed white roses, and the works of the late Melbourne artist, David Band, adding narrative to the walls. The Euro-inspired bistro dishes from former Icebergs chef Steven Sinclair are rich, buttery and decadent. Theres caviar and Sydney rock oysters; lobster mornay and salt-crusted rib eye. Clams casino ($26) makes the perfect picky starter, perhaps with a sherry-spiked Italicus Bamboo cocktail ($22); the Goolwa pipis baked on their half-shells under a crunchy, garlicky roof of guanciale-infused crumbs. Ora King salmon gravalax with dill cucumber and sourdough crumpets. Edwina Pickles A dish of Ora king salmon gravlax ($36) is modelled on that of France-Soir; the cured salmon sliced over a cloud of horseradish cream, dressed with a fine dice of cucumber, apple and herbs. On the side, a sourdough crumpet is as light as a sponge.

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Floppy rigatoni in a gin-laced tomato-pink pomodoro sauce ($32) is the sort of pasta dish that might have to become a regular order; lightly creamy with a nice warm kick from fermented chilli. Go-to dish: Rigatoni, gin, pomodoro, fermented chilli. Edwina Pickles The haute comfort food theme continues with rotisserie corn-fed chicken ($45/$90), that even comes with a ladleful of savoury lemon thyme stuffing. A side of Paris mash ($16) is gooey with butter. Sinclairs 1.5-metre-long Brazilian Scheer grill is kept busy as everyone orders big steaks to share. A more modest 250g OConnor grain-fed striploin from Victoria is fine without being exciting, coming with a full condiment service. Long, skinny fries ($14) are crisp and golden, good to mash into its sauce au poivre. To end with an oh-so-summery flourish, get the platter of compressed fruits on ice ($18) crowned with a perfect ball of pineapple gelato. At night, try the nostalgia-triggering charm of after dinner mints ($20) from Melbournes Hunted & Gathered bean-to-bar chocolatiers; the worlds most luxurious breath fresheners.

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As a bistro, George is a charmer, a safe haven of luxury, nostalgia and steaks priced for the corporate crowd. But with fun to be had on the rooftop and the outdoor tables of the public bar as well, it actually is the template for the modern urban Australian pub that it says it is. The story of Sydney continues. The low-down Bistro George Vibe: Luxe city bistro with an old European vibe. Go-to dish: Rigatoni, gin, pomodoro, fermented chilli, $32. Drinks: Martini trolley, and a thoughtful list of wines from Australia and beyond from head sommelier Anais Pierre, with 36 by the glass.
Residents and holidaymakers on the states South Coast will have a nervous wait tonight to see if a wind change, which is expected about 2am, will either subdue or refuel the Coolagolite fire.

For now, an emergency warning is still in place for Cuttagee, Barragga Bay, Murrah, Bunga and Goalen Head areas.

However, if that southerly wind change does come through, the fire could be pushed north to put popular holiday spot Bermagui on high alert.

People in Bermagui who do not feel adequately prepared to defend their properties should consider relocating to a safer place such as Bega or Narooma before nightfall, the NSW RFS warned on Tuesday night.

Crews also have concerns for Wapego, where embers are causing a number of spot fires.

In total, the Coolagolite fire has already managed to burn through about 5800 hectares since it began just after 12pm on Tuesday.

All other fires are currently sitting at advice level, including the Abernethy fire which put the Cessnock region on high alert earlier on Tuesday.

As for Sydney, the city can expected tops of 29 degrees on Wednesday, but some showers are expected in the afternoon to bring some reprieve.

As strong winds continue across the state, a hazardous surf warning has also been issued for the Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast for Wednesday.

Total fire bans are also in place for the Northern Slopes, North Western, and Greater Hunter for Wednesday.

The NSW SES has also put the states south -in the Riverina region - on high alert with moderate flooding and wind gusts forecast.

As far as records went from our Tuesday, temperatures hit a top of 37.2 degrees at Sydney Airport while the citys main weather station Observatory Hill reached 35.7 degrees to beat Sundays maximum of 35.6.

Penrith, Gosford and Nowra also all cracked 35 degrees.

Thats all for our live Tuesday coverage. Keep an eye on the website on Wednesday for the latest bushfire news.
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 Named for the Greek goddess of war, nourished by data from the CSIROs Black Mountain fire lab and propelled by AI, a new weapon lies in the headquarters of the authorities presiding over a state primed to burn. The new fire modelling system Athena maps and predicts where bushfires are likely to spread, and automatically detects the lives and properties that may stand in a fires destructive path. On Sunday, the start of the bushfire season, Athenas map flashed with rippling purple pixels as the system simulated more than 85 blazes ripping through grass and bushland sapped by the hottest September on record. After a trial run last year, the NSW Rural Fire Service is firing up a fully operational Athena for the first time to prepare for the worst bushfire season since Black Summer of 2019-20. At times during that season, 200 bushfires seared the state at the same time. Athenas ability to rapidly evaluate a fires severity, behaviour and threat to homes is designed to help the NSW Rural Fire Service decide where to deploy trucks, aircraft and personnel on those horror bushfire days. The system highlights houses, nursing homes, schools and critical infrastructure such as powerlines at risk, and automatically ranks which bushfires require critical attention.

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Theres nothing like this, certainly in Australia, NSW Rural Fire Service Assistant Commissioner Ben Millington said at their state operations centre. On a recent visit to the US we worked with the US Forest Service and Cal Fire and showed them a demonstration of this system. They were really impressed  they dont have anything like this available to them. Athena also tracks firefighter trucks and aircraft while highlighting water sources, such as backyard pools, where air tankers can replenish their stores for firebombing. Weather data, vegetation maps, fire plots from crews on the ground, infrared images from line scanner aircraft and fire behaviour models developed by the CSIRO all feed into Athena. The system will continue to learn and recalibrate its prediction power as fires spark across the state. The Pyrotron: Wrangling data from the flames Athenas fire prediction is partly underpinned by the CSIROs fire behaviour model Spark, which uses data gleaned from Dr Andrew Sullivans decades of controlled incineration experiments.

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Sullivan, the leader of the CSIRO Bushfire Behaviour and Risks team, has spent decades running fire trials to test how wind, moisture and vegetation type affect how a lick of flame can roar into a deadly blaze. Many of those have taken place in the Pyrotron, a 29-metre steel tunnel with a two-tonne wind turbine that can hold batches of burning bushfire fuel under controlled circumstances to extract sterile data from one of natures most chaotic forces. The Pyrotron wind tunnel is the centrepiece of CSIROs National Bushfire Behaviour Research Laboratory. Credit: Rhett Wyman. Sullivans lab also runs field experiments. Those studies have yielded the fire danger rating system, used until its first overhaul in half a century last year, and made breakthroughs that revealed experts had drastically underestimated how rapidly large bushfires spread compared to smaller blazes. The fire lab also developed a rule of thumb firefighters could use on the ground to roughly calculate the speed of fire spread. You can approximate the spread of the fire as being a fraction of the open wind speed, Sullivan said. In forests thats about 10 per cent of the open wind speed, and in grass its 20 per cent. Decades of CSIRO fire field studies have helped shape prediction models and danger ratings, but variable weather conditions pose a challenge. Credit: CSIRO

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Despite these findings, field studies on fire are hard to replicate because scientists cannot control the weather. Varying wind, rain and humidity dashes the chance to keep variables steady in the field, a problem the Pyrotron solves. Its about providing a way to study the combustion of bushfire fuels in a safe and repeatable manner that builds statistical robustness in our results, Sullivan said. The Pyrtron is loaded with fuel with controlled variables, including moisture content, windspeed and leaflitter layout. Credit: Rhettt Wyman With the Pyrotron, the fire lab has helped pinpoint the different ways fire behaves in eucalypt forests, wheat fields, paddocks and pine plantations, boosting researchers capacity to simulate bushfire spread with mathematical models. The fastest fire weve had in the Pyrotron over a five-metre length was 13 seconds, go to whoa. It was very, very fast and the wind speed wasnt overly quick, Sullivan said. It was a bit of a blow because it was in standing grass that wed been growing for months, and it was over and done with in a blink of an eye. Together, the field work and the laboratory work help us build the foundational knowledge necessary to improve our operational models that people like the RFS use. Fire behaviour predictors first time in the field Dr Mahesh Prakash has overseen the CSIROs bushfire simulator Spark develop over six years, in collaboration with Sullivans team.

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Once only useful for mocking up theoretical fires or planning hazard reduction burns, the model is now ready to map live bushfires and peer into the future of the flames. Its transitioned from a research tool, to a risk assessment tool, to an operational tool. Now it can be used during a real bushfire. This is the first fire season where the agencies are going to use it in anger, Prakash said. To predict what a bushfire might do in 12 hours, Spark considers four main inputs: live weather data from the Bureau of Meteorology, the slope of terrain, the type of vegetation fuelling the fire, and the ignition point. Nearby fires are drawn towards each other. Here, a Spark simulation (white line) is overlaid on actual fire behaviour in the Pyrotron. Credit: Data61, CSIRO It can predict how fast the bushfire is going, where its going, the flame height, intensity and radiative [heat] effect as well, Prakash said. Think of Google Earth and fire progression across that map. Thats the kind of visualisation we get. In January, the South Australian Country Fire Service used Spark to recreate a 45-hectare bushfire in steep terrain in the Adelaide Hills that injured two firefighters, to help analyse the consequences of the blaze. About 90 per cent of most of the behaviour that they saw in the actual fire was replicated by Spark, Prakash said.

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The first in-person meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in four years has seen African heritage celebrate a notable success.

Five new sites located across Sub-Saharan Africa were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and two were extended following a rigorous evaluation process at the extended 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This celebration of cultural and natural heritage showcases the largest number of inscriptions from Africa in a single World Heritage Committee session since 1982, matched by 2006.

From some of the most ecologically significant rainforests in the world in Nyungwe, Rwanda, to the alpine moorlands of the Bale Mountains in Ethiopia  the rich history and biodiversity of the continent is on full display.

Sub-Saharan Africa now has 112 sites on the World Heritage List, out of a total of 1,199.

The host country recognising the heritage of Africa, and the monumental work by the stewards of these sites  the teams from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Benin, Togo, Congo, and Madagascar worked to achieve these esteemed designations. We understand the planning and research that goes into a successful inscription on the World Heritage List.

The UNESCO gathering reminds every nation that culture and heritage unite, shape and define us. They form the backbone of identity and provide a point of focus we can gather around.

Of course, some aspects of culture, such as a great monument, can be more easily preserved than other, less tangible, aspects such as language and folklore. Which is why a comprehensive approach to protecting culture and heritage requires accurate preservation of tangible and intangible cultural assets.

New technologies, such as the Saudi-funded UNESCO Dive Into Heritage platform, can support documentation and improve access to heritage data, but they also require significant investment and capacity building. Governments should partner with bodies such as UNESCO in initiatives such as the Dive Into Heritage to promote culture and heritage protection in Africa.

Saudi Arabia has expanded its partnership with UNESCO over US$ 10 million will be provided across three years in the framework of the Fund-in-Trust Agreement signed in January 2020 between UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In Africa, four of these projects align with UNESCOs Priority Africa vision, aimed at fostering peace and sustainable development across the continent through culture, education and science.

These projects involve creating sustainable heritage ecosystems for economic development, protecting intangible cultural heritage, and supporting measures against illicit trafficking of cultural property. The funding also allows UNESCO to respond to the needs expressed and opportunities identified by its Member States in heritage safeguarding, including capacity building.

These projects will cultivate sustainable development in Africa and also contribute to the long history of Saudi-African relations, which are deeply rooted due to the geographic proximity of the Arabian Peninsula and the African continent.

Cultural and civilisational ties have been characterised by profound knowledge exchange and are well documented. These relationships have grown over recent years, indicating the depth of ties, cooperation and the importance of these relations and common interests.

The positive results from the UNESCO World Heritage Committee reiterate the optimism in Saudi-African relations. This is of particular importance as we look ahead to Saudi-African Summit at the end of 2023 in Riyadh.

African-Saudi relations have a bright future ahead. The Saudi Vision 2030 anticipates continued cooperation, investment, trade, cultural and heritage partnerships between the African continent and Saudi Arabia. We look forward to celebrating many more successes together.

The seven sites located in Africa that were approved at the 45th UNESCO World Heritage Committee are:

 The Gedeo Cultural Landscape, Ethiopia

 Andrefana Dry Forests (site extension], Madagascar

 Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua, Congo

 Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

 Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero, Rwanda

 Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda

 Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba (site extension], Benin and Togo
At least one in 10 residents in many beachfront Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast suburbs moved there from NSW or Victoria during the five years to 2021 as part of an exodus from southern states into south-east Queensland.

Around 7 per cent of the Gold Coast population moved there from NSW and Victoria between 2016 and 2021. Credit: Photo: Brisbane Times

In Coolangatta, on the NSW border, 18.6 per cent of the population moved up from the two big southern states between 2016 and 2021  the highest share of any Queensland neighbourhood, according to the analysis of census figures by Brisbane Times.

Other parts of the Gold Coast attracting new residents were Mermaid Beach-Broadbeach (11.4 per cent), Currumbin-Tugun (10.4 per cent), Surfers Paradise (9.6 per cent) and Burleigh Heads (8.3 per cent).

Many traded coastal lifestyles in Sydney for warmer waters north of the border  including health insurance sales manager Michael Harris.
Former Morrison government minister Zed Seselja is considering a late run for the vacant NSW Liberal Senate position despite living in the ACT.

Senior right-wing NSW Liberals and former prime minister Tony Abbott are encouraging the 46-year-old to put his hand up to replace veteran senator Marise Payne before nominations close on Wednesday.

Zed Seselja (left) and Marise Payne pictured in 2021. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Five Liberal sources, who asked not to be named in order to discuss internal party deliberations, said leaders of the moderate and centre-right factions discussed at the weekend the prospect of supporting Seselja, who is backed by the hard right.

The leading candidate to replace Payne in the November preselection remains former NSW minister Andrew Constance, who is supported by Payne and hails from the same moderate grouping.
Who knows what those words mean though, or for how long. And thats maybe the issue. Loading The practice of political leaders tapping out midterm is almost as old as our political institutions themselves, University of Queensland political historian Chris Salisbury told me last week. But does it risk further undermining the already shaky trust we have in politicians? I certainly dont think its as damaging as the tearing down of leaders, Salisbury said, referring to the revolving door of prime ministers, both Labor and Coalition, since 2010.

Most people arent going to begrudge Andrews stepping out after nine years ... [but] in that circumstance when you do so vocally commit yourself to the cause, and then opt out, that can also have some blowback. Loading A longstanding leader who remained popular with the electorate could, perhaps, weather that. Its not like they were teetering and hes jumping off a sinking ship or anything, Salisbury said. For any who do decide to go, leaving a successor enough time ahead of an election is also viewed kindly. Such was the situation the last time Queensland Labors leadership changed outside an election aftermath. Who gets to decide the leader (the partys MPs in parliament) is another issue entirely.

While there have been past suggestions nationally to tackle membership decline by embracing broader party leadership votes, including those seen in US-style primaries, that candidate-centred politics isnt exactly exemplary. In Australia, such power has only been given to party members. But even they dont always get a say. Under Queensland rules introduced in 2013, any internal contest unable to hashed out among MPs would be decided by a drawn-out three-way vote among MPs, unions and grassroot members. However, the state party hasnt had a contested leadership fight  like the ones seen among their federal colleagues  since 1982. Such a message of unity has become almost a badge of honour.

But not for everyone. John Mickel, a former Labor minister under premier Anna Bligh, has been a critic of the state party changes since they occurred. He believes Labor MPs have a better understanding of their colleagues and should, alone, choose their leader in parliament. He describes the move to a more democratic system as instead resulting in an authoritarian one so we can avoid a ballot at all costs. If you have the parliamentarians sort it out amongst themselves, they might be able to have a contest, Mickel said. Reporting from Victoria last week suggested that, behind closed doors, the transition of power there wasnt quite as smooth as the ultimately uncontested ascension of former deputy premier Jacinta Allan appeared to show.

But with a state election now almost only a year away in Queensland, and a successor not so clearly defined by Palaszczuk, the situation is a little different. Loading Mickel said it meant the three-time election winner could rightly argue transition arrangements were not settled in the Sunshine State, and only she had the profile to win another. But things can turn quickly, he said. Be it an accumulation of media attacks or a comment from a loved one. You cant be too indifferent to the constant belt you get.

Some critical media commentary last week suggested it was time for Andrews to go  or he had even outstayed his welcome  despite his leadership being the choice of the states voters less than a year ago and no poll-shaped sign of a change of mind. Even still, nobody would be wishing for return to the days of leadership by opinion poll. The research shows voters didnt approve, and it ultimately failed to even benefit those who took the job or their parties. Loading Outside tragedy or scandal or maybe the lingering effects of a once-in-a-century pandemic, surely the right time for a leader to go is with notice at the end of their term, or when voters formally call time. Beyond that, all we really have is their will and their word  and a guess at which will win out if the pair ever face off.
Stockholm: Two scientists have the Nobel Prize in Medicine for discoveries that enabled the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 and could be used in the future to create other shots.

Katalin Kariko, a professor at Sagans University in Hungary and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and Drew Weissman, of the University of Pennsylvania, were awarded the prize for their groundbreaking findings, which have fundamentally changed our understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system, the panel that awarded the prize late on Monday said.

Dr Drew Weissman and Dr Katalin Kariko, pictured during COVID, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine. Credit: Facebook/Penn Medicine

The laureates contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times, the panel added.

Thomas Perlmann, secretary of the Nobel Assembly, announced the prize and said both scientists were overwhelmed by news of the prize when he contacted them shortly before the announcement.
There is no good polling that tests a Kennedy third-party bid. What we do know is that Republicans like Kennedy a heck of a lot more than Democrats do. That was true pretty shortly after he launched his campaign in April, and the gap has now grown into a chasm. The latest polling from Quinnipiac University shows that Republicans like Kennedy by a 30-point margin, 48 per cent favourable to 18 per cent unfavorable. ...More popular than Vivek Ramaswamy. Credit: AP Democrats, meanwhile, have developed an overwhelming distaste. The Quinnipiac poll shows just 14 per cent have a favourable opinion of him, compared with 57 per cent who have an unfavourable one. As for Republicans, they like Kennedy better than they like many of the top GOP presidential candidates. They even like him better than entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former vice president Mike Pence and about as much as former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley and Senator Tim Scott.

Only Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are clearly more popular than Kennedy. ...More popular than former vice president Mike Pence. Credit: AP Hes about as polarising (with Republicans in favour and Democrats opposed) as Ramaswamy. And hes less popular among Democrats than Haley and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie. Imagine if any of these GOP candidates were to drop out and wage a third-party campaign; we could be talking about a potential spoiler for Trumps general-election hopes, not Bidens. This comes with some caveats.

One big one is that we dont know what kind of ballot access Kennedy might get in key states  a hurdle for any third-party candidate. The New York Times previously reported that he had been in talks with the Libertarian Party, which could help with that, but running on his own would mean collecting large amounts of signatures. Loading The vast majority of states have fairly easy ballot access requirements for presidential candidates who run outside the two major parties, said third-party ballot access expert Richard Winger. But Winger added that Kennedy would have a far easier ballot access path as the [Libertarian] nominee. Another caveat is that it matters which voters might be up for grabs in a contest between Trump and Biden. While a greater percentage of Republicans than Democrats like Kennedy, indications seem to be that Kennedys potential base (conspiratorial, anti-establishment, anti-vaccine people) overlaps significantly with Trump-oriented voters. If those voters like Kennedy but already have a home, it mitigates the impact.

But even many Trump-sceptical Republicans like him. While his numbers in the Quinnipiac poll were better among Republicans who back Trump in the GOP primary  53 per cent favourable to 17 per cent unfavorable  his split among non-Trump-supporting GOP primary voters was still well in positive territory, at 40-18. Weve also seen that the number of Republican-leaning voters who are dissatisfied with Trump as their nominee rivals the number of Democrats who are dissatisfied with Biden as their option. And these numbers suggest that Kennedy has significantly more appeal to the political right than to the political left. Kennedy has so little political appeal on the left, as we recapped from a poll this summer in New Hampshire, that very few left-leaning voters see him as an option: The survey also asked people to use one word to describe Kennedy, and the most popular words [among Democratic-leaning voters] were crazy, dangerous, insane, nutjob, conspiracy and crackpot. That same poll still showed Kennedy pulling 10 per cent in the states Democratic primary (compared to Bidens 70 per cent). But Kennedy was the second choice of only 4 per cent of voters. Furthermore, the survey asked about a scenario in which Biden isnt on the ballot  there is wrangling over whether hell participate, given a dispute over the primary calendar  and only 3 per cent of Biden voters said they would instead vote for Kennedy in that case, while 65 per cent said they would simply write in Biden.
The federal government has committed to stronger privacy protections in a landmark review of the Privacy Act that brings Australias laws in line with international standards.

However, the changes could mean small businesses  including many brokerages and financial services companies  would be responsible for privacy breaches such as cyber-attacks.

With the maximum penalty for a company breaching the Privacy Act increasing from $2.5 million to $50 million last year, the industrys peak bodies have responded to the changes  with one saying small businesses are the biggest losers regarding the bill.

What is changing: The $3 million small business exemption removed

Most small businesses with an annual turnover of $3 million or less are currently exempted from the Privacy Act.

When the Privacy Act 1988 was extended to the private sector, it was considered that most small businesses posed a low risk to privacy and that compliance costs would disproportionately and unreasonably burden small businesses.

But now, as the government attempts to bring the Privacy Act into the digital age, that is about to change.

The Government has agreed in-principle that the small business exemption should be removed due to the risks to Australian customers in the current digital environment.

The feedback provided to the review is very clear  the community expects that if they provide their personal information to a small business, it will be kept safe and not used in harmful ways, the government said in its response to the Attorney Generals report delivered in February.

Responding to the governments announcement, Attorney General Mark Dreyfus said Australians increasingly relied on digital technologies for work, education, health care and daily commercial transactions and to connect with loved ones.

But when they are asked to hand over their personal data, they rightly expect it will be protected, Dreyfus said.

Of course, this is only one aspect of a much larger discussion, which will become clearer as time goes on.

Mixed response from industry

There has been a mixed response from the industry bodies over the changes.

The Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) supported the removal of the small business exemption but recognised that there may be some impact to small brokerages.

The peak body acknowledged that mortgage and finance brokers handle personal information (including credit information and sometimes sensitive information) and take their obligations to protect client information very seriously.

Therefore, our members are already well versed in ensuring the information that their clients trust them with is properly handled, is safe and is secure, said the MFAA, which has over 14,500 members.

However, it is critically important that there is deep consultation on what this will look like for small businesses, that small businesses feel properly supported and that there is a clear transition period for all small businesses to comply.

Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) president Peter White AM agreed.

"We have seen the impacts and issues caused by data hacking over the past 12 months or so, and we are all responsible to ensure we do all we can to within our means and abilities to protect the confidential data we handle," White said.

However, the Commercial and Asset Finance Brokers Association (CAFBA) said with the current exemption being removed more businesses would be exposed.

CAFBA members have always been aware of the sensitive client information they hold, however with the increasing sophistication of hackers it is always a challenge, CAFBA said. With examples of large multi-national firms succumbing, we will, through the consultation phase with Government assess the impact to small business.

The strongest response came from the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA), which estimated 30,000 real estate businesses would lose their protection from the exemption, labelling the changes regulatory overreach.

Consequentially, REIA does not support the changes and its president Hayden Groves said small businesses were shaping up to be the biggest losers.

In real estate, helping Australians be successful in their real estate goals is our business and we want to deliver on our promise of protecting both our clients and prospects privacy, Groves said.

We are another report down, with still no cost benefit analysis or sector consultation plan available on small business exemptions or clarity on day-to-day marketing practices.

The commitment to doing a cost benefit analysis is both necessary and welcome but remains an open ended and unclear exercise.

Cyber safety essential as consultation continues

From here, the consultation with the industry begins.

The Attorney-Generals Department has committed to conducting an impact analysis and work with the community, business, media organisations and government agencies to inform the development of legislation and guidance material in this term of parliament.

The government said it would also consider appropriate transition periods as part of the development of any legislation.

CAFBA noted that the proposed legislation should not be introduced until the Digital ID Bill is implemented as this would assist brokers securely identifying customers and there will be no need to hold this information.

CAFBAs Compliance Committee is looking at ways to better assist members comply with the proposed legislation with the assistance of government.

While the removal of the exemption may mean that small businesses are exposed to the Privacy Act penalty regime, the MFAA said it was important for all businesses to employ good cybersecurity practices, irrespective of whether there is a regulatory imperative or not.

Brokers should be highly cognisant of continued risk of cyber-attacks, and what that means for their businesses and for their clients information. We continue to encourage our members to utilise the resources we have available to support them in ensuring their businesses are cyber-secure.
Charlie Hebdo published its latest edition with a cover depicting Erdogan sat in a chair in his underwear and with his tongue out lifting the skirt of a woman wearing an Islamic dress. (Photo: Reuters / Murat Cetinmuhurdar)

In a swift response to a suicide attack in Ankara, Turkish warplanes have targeted and destroyed several bases of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) in northern Iraq. The attack in Turkey's capital was aimed at a ministry building and was orchestrated to coincide with the reopening of Turkey's parliament.

The initial phase of the attack saw a militant alight from a vehicle to hurl a small explosive at the ministry. This act served as a diversion, drawing the attention of security guards and enabling a second attacker to shoot at them. Following this, the second assailant detonated a suicide bomb. A thorough examination of the scene revealed an assortment of weapons, including four different types of guns, three hand grenades, a rocket launcher, and C-4 explosives.

The PKK, a Kurdish militant political entity, is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union. However, this classification is a matter of contention. Some argue in favor of supporting the PKK for its role in combating jihadist factions, including ISIS.





One of the them blow himself up and the other was killed by authorities



Turkey air strikes Iraq,destroying 20 targets of the PKK after the attack in Ankara #Turkish #Turkiye pic.twitter.com/MShcnZ0KXv Second angle of the moment 2 terrorists attacked the Ministry Buildings in Ankara,TurkeyOne of the them blow himself up and the other was killed by authoritiesTurkey air strikes Iraq,destroying 20 targets of the PKK after the attack in Ankara #Turkey  North X (@__NorthX) October 1, 2023

Post the attack, the Turkish Ministry of Defence announced retaliatory airstrikes against those believed to be associated with the PKK. These strikes reportedly obliterated 20 targets, encompassing caves, bunkers, shelters, and warehouses. The Ministry stated that a significant number of terrorists were "neutralized" in these operations.

The Turkish Defence Ministry emphasized that the operation aimed to "neutralize the PKK and other terrorist elements, prevent terrorist attacks from northern Iraq against our population and our law enforcement agencies, and ensure the security of our borders."

Turkey's Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, confirmed that two police officers were injured in the suicide explosion outside the ministry building. He further stated that both attackers, identified as terrorists, were killed - one during the suicide blast and the other was "neutralized." Yerlikaya reiterated Turkey's unwavering stance against terrorism, vowing to continue the fight until the eradication of the last terrorist.

In the aftermath of Turkey's counteraction, several of Iraq's PKK bases, specifically in Gara, Hakurk, Metina, and Qandil, were decimated. Preliminary investigations suggest that the attackers had commandeered a car in the city of Kayseri as part of their preparations. During this carjacking, they reportedly shot the driver, a 24-year-old veterinarian, in the head.

A news agency with close ties to the PKK reported that the organization had claimed responsibility for the suicide attack. The ANF news agency highlighted that the bombing was timed to coincide with the parliament's opening and was executed by a team affiliated with their "Immortals Battalion" group.

The ministry, situated in proximity to the parliament building, was targeted mere hours before its scheduled reopening post the summer hiatus. In his address marking the reopening of the parliament, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labeled the attack as "the final flutters of terrorism" in Turkey, asserting that such malicious attempts to disrupt the nation's peace and security would always be thwarted.
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Over his career span of five decades, FUTURA has built a reputation and continues to be an unrelenting innovator. He has inspired and influenced multiple generations of creative purists and polymaths while intersecting his enigmatic oeuvre with various disciplines and remains at the forefront of the cultural zeitgeist. FUTURA2000: Breaking Out is a comprehensive survey featuring paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, studies, collaborations, and archival paraphernalia. The exhibition will also feature new site-specific works. Breaking Out examines one of New Yorks most-loved artists essential themes and polyphonic output.

FUTURA2000 is the nom de plume of Leonard Hilton McGurr. In his late teens and early twenties, he was an influential figure in early New York Citys formative graffiti-meets-art scene in the 1970s and 1980s, wherein his unique combination of abstraction, pop-culture references, and traditional graffiti elements made him a generational standout in this burgeoning sub-culture. His oft-celebrated and infamous 1980 whole NYC subway car piece, Break Train, was a progressive leap for both the genreand the artist. He created album art for the iconic punk rock band THE CLASH during the same era. FUTURA was also invited on the bands 1981 Combat Rock European tour, where he painted captivating, large-scale backdrops behind the band as they performed live to fervent audiences.

In conjunction with the exhibition, The Buffalo AKG Art Museum Public Art Initiative is excited to produce a mural with the street art legend in the weeks leading up to the opening. The mural will serve as a lasting memento of this exhibition in Buffalos Elmwood Village neighborhood.

Futura is also collaborating with Buffalo-based brands New Era Cap and Oxford Pennant on limited-edition goods that will be available during the exhibition.

Opening reception for the exhibition will be held at UB Anderson Gallery on Saturday, September 23, 5-8 PM. In conjunction with UB Art Departments Speaker Series, FUTURA 2000 will give a lecture on Monday, September 24 at 6:30 pm at UB Center for the Arts.
The Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi has announced the cessation of its operations in India. The Afghan Embassy released a statement stating that all operations, barring emergency consular services, will discontinue from October 1. The statement added that this step, while regrettable, was taken after careful consideration, weighing the historic ties and longstanding partnership between Afghanistan and India.

"It is with profound sadness, regret and disappointment that the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi announces this decision to cease its operations," the Afghanistan Embassy stated in the statement released on Saturday night.

The statement cited "lack of support from the host government", and the failure to "meet expectations" to serve the best interests of Afghanistan were part of the reasons that the embassy was not able to effectively carry out its duties.

"We acknowledge our shortcomings in meeting the expectations and requirements necessary to serve the best interests of Afghanistan and its citizens due to the lack of diplomatic support in India and the absence of a legitimate functioning government in Kabul... The lack of timely and sufficient support, from visa renewal for diplomats to other critical areas of cooperation, led to an understandable frustration among our team and impeded our ability to carry out routine duties effectively."

The closure, as per Article 45 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), entails the transfer of all embassy property and facilities to the custodial authority of the host country, marking the end of an era in bilateral diplomatic relations.

Taliban takeover

The situation in Afghanistan dramatically shifted following the Taliban's ascent to power in Kabul. The new government, unrecognised by any foreign nation, including India, faced immediate diplomatic challenges. India, prioritising the safety of its own citizens in Kabul and remaining neutral, refrained from intervening in Afghanistan's internal politics. According to a report by the Indian Express, while India has a technical team present in Kabul, the Taliban regime now wants their representative in New Delhi.

India has not officially recognised the Taliban regime and closed its embassy in Afghanistan when it took over following the collapse of the Ashraf Ghani government in August 2021. The technical team in Kabul is present to coordinate humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.

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The Taliban regime has reportedly taken authority over 14 missions abroad so far with their representatives present. However, the Afghan consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad are said to have aligned with the ruling regime.

Referring to this, the three page statement from the Embassy of Afghanistan added, "It is our firm belief that any actions taken by these consulates are not in consonance with the objectives of a legitimate or elected government and rather serve the interests of an illegitimate regime."

Internal problems in Afghanistan

Former Indian envoy to the Netherlands, Bhaswati Mukherjee, shed light on the underlying reasons for this decision to ANI. According to her perspective, the closure of the Afghan embassy in India primarily results from internal problems within the Afghanistan Embassy triggered by the new government in Kabul. The internal strife, exacerbated by the divergent ideologies of the present government compared to its predecessor, led to this unexpected development. Mukherjee highlighted a shortage of funds as a significant challenge, emphasising the financial strain associated with running an embassy, including expenses such as salaries, utilities, and operational costs.

Implications of closure

One of the immediate consequences of the embassy closure is the potential impact on Afghans seeking medical treatment in India. Many individuals from Afghanistan come to India for critical medical procedures such as dialysis, organ transplants, and cardiac treatments.

Moreover, the Government of India will need to diplomatically coordinate with the country to decide what steps to take next.



(With agency inputs)


An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces late on Monday evening during a search operation in the forest area of Kalakote in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, officials said.

The Army along with police had cordoned off the Broh and Soom forest belt in the Kalakote area early on Monday following information about suspicious movement, they said.

The search operation turned into an encounter late in the evening when the terrorists hiding in the area opened fire on the forces in an attempt to break the cordon, the officials said.

Security forces retaliated and an exchange of fire between the two sides was underway. There was no immediate report of any casualty, the officials said.

Reinforcements have been rushed to the area to plug all possible escape routes, they said.

Earlier in the day, gunshots were heard during the cordon and search operation but it was later clarified that the security forces fired the probing shots to check the presence of suspected terrorists.
Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari made an announcement about the upcoming Urban Extension Road 2 during an interaction with the Indian Diaspora at the 27th World Road Congress in Prague.

"Urban Extension Road 2, a ring road will be opened in 2-3 months, normally, if you (people) come to Delhi and then go to the airport it will take 2 hours but after this road opens, you can reach the airport in 20 minutes", said Gadkari.

During his address, Gadkari shared news about the imminent opening of Urban Extension Road 2, a major ring road project in Delhi. He stated that the road would be inaugurated within the next 2-3 months, potentially revolutionizing travel times in the city.

The development of Urban Extension Road 2 is expected to significantly reduce travel time and congestion for commuters travelling to the airport and various parts of the city. This infrastructure project aims to enhance connectivity and ease traffic congestion in the Indian capital.

Minister Nitin Gadkari also said that India has set a target to become world's number one automobile manufacturing hub in the next 3 to 4 years.

Gadkari said, that in the last nine years, the size of the automobile industry in India had increased from Rs 4.5 lakh crore rupees to Rs 12.5 trillion. The minister said the Automobile industry has given jobs to 4.5 crore people of the country.

Nitin Gadkari also spoke about the government's strategy of gradually moving away from the use of diesel and petrol.

"All the vehicles in Nagpur such as tractors, buses, and cars are running through bio-CNG...I have a dream to get India rid of petrol and diesel...It's a difficult dream to achieve but not impossible" Gadkari said

Minister Gadkari was welcomed in a traditional 'Maharashtrian way' upon his arrival at Prague airport on October 1, where he was greeted by India's Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Hemant Kotalwar.

His visit to Prague is part of his official tour, which includes participation in the Ministerial session on Road Safety at the 27th World Road Congress.
Manipur's Kangpokpi-based tribal organisation, Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), on Monday threatened to launch an indefinite shutdown in the district if the Centre failed to immediately release all those arrested by central agencies over the last three days.

Condemning the arrest of four people by the CBI in connection with the killing of two Manipuri youths, COTU in a statement on Monday said, "The committee serves a 48-hour ultimatum to the Union home ministry to direct the central agencies to immediately release all the arrested tribals and initiate an investigation of Meitei criminals."



COTU's ultimatum came a day after Churachandpur-based Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) announced an indefinite shutdown in the southern district of Manipur to protest the arrest of the four persons by the CBI and Seiminlun Gangte by the NIA.

COTU also denounced the arrest of Gangte and alleged that it is "a clear indication of partisan attitude on the part of the Union home ministry."



Gangte was arrested by the NIA in connection with "transnational conspiracy by Bangladesh and Myanmar-based leadership of terror outfits to wage war against the government of India by exploiting the current ethnic unrest in Manipur" and the Kwakta car bomb blast in June which injured three.

COTU also demanded the arrest of people who looted arms and ammunition from police stations and strict punishment for those who had paraded two women naked in May.

In July, Manipur Police had arrested more than seven people for disrobing the two women and parading them naked.

On September 22, the NIA arrested one Moirangthem Anand Singh from Imphal in connection with a different case.

Singh, along with four others, was arrested by the Manipur Police for possession of weapons looted from the police armoury.

All five, however, were bailed out, but Singh was arrested by the NIA for his involvement in terror activities.

He was brought to Delhi and is facing due legal process, officials said.

With the situation in the state still tense, the state government has decided to keep all schools closed till October 5 or until further notice.

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On September 26, the Manipur government had shut all schools in view of the prevailing law and order situation.
The Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, on Sunday stated that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 would address issues related to the "legacy" of teaching and learning in English. Singh emphasised that the policy tackles the challenges associated with instruction in English and promotes all "Bharatiya languages" equally on both national and international platforms. He added that this approach would yield "optimal outcomes" by 2047, when India will celebrate its centenary of independence.

The minister's comments came at the close of the two-day Technology and Bharatiya Bhasha Summit, held as part of the Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav in New Delhi on September 30 and October 1. The summit aimed to facilitate a smooth transition from the current educational system to one rooted in "Bharatiya languages," aligning more closely with the vision of NEP 2020. Jitendra Singh presided over the valedictory session, while the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the event on Saturday.

The summit was jointly organised by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and their constituent institutions.

The summit featured three essential thematic sessions:

(i) Technology FOR Bharatiya Languages;

(ii) Technology IN Bharatiya Languages; and

(iii) Technology THROUGH Bharatiya Languages.

These sessions explored integrating technology for the promotion of "Bharatiya Bhasha" or Indian languages, covering aspects such as teaching, training, examination, and translation of educational materials.

Technical sessions on "Technology FOR Bharatiya Languages" discussed leveraging technology for Indian languages. Topics included Operating Systems and Software Localisation, Search Engine Localisation, and more. Discussions centred around the role of technology in the teaching-learning processes, utilisation of Machine Learning, language modelling for speech recognition, and the standardisation of Indian language scripts in Unicode.

The "Technology THROUGH Bharatiya Languages" session focused on skilling through these languages and leveraging technologies like Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality for immersive learning experiences.

During the event, Anil Sahasrabudhe, the Chairperson of the National Educational Technology Forum, emphasised the importance of learning in the mother tongue for realising the vision of "Viksit Bharat." Professor V Kamakoti, the Director of IIT Madras, in his wrap-up note, highlighted the necessity of ensuring that no citizen is left behind due to language barriers. He stressed the effectiveness of child education in the mother tongue, supplemented by English, as a mode of instruction.

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An exhibition showcased technology products and applications related to Bharatiya languages by industries, government organisations, and start-ups, highlighting advancements in Indian language technology.

The Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav commenced on September 28, 2023, and will run for 75 days, ending on December 11. The final date of the initiative coincides with the birth anniversary of Tamil poet and freedom fighter Mahakavi Chinnaswami Subramania Bharati, which will be celebrated by the Centre.

Various events relating to Indian languages will also be organised in schools and higher education institutions during this period.


Employees of the central and state governments from across the country on Sunday gathered at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi to demand the restoration of the old pension scheme (OPS) . Several opposition parties also extended their support to the protesters.

Among those who joined the "Pension Shankhnaad Maharally" were AAP Rajya Sabha member of Parliament (MP) Sanjay Singh, former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his Congress colleagues Arvinder Singh Lovely, Sandeep Dikshit and Udit Raj, Bahujan Samaj Party MP Shyam Singh Yadav, and farmer leader Rakesh Tikait.

What was the rally about?

The protesters gathered under the banner of the Joint Forum for Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (JFROPS) and National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) and said they were worried about their post-retirement future. They wanted the governments to restore the old pension scheme.

"The employees who joined government service after January 1, 2004, are strongly opposing the New Pension Scheme. They are worried about their future after retirement because they have been deprived of the Old Pension Scheme and forced into the New Pension Scheme," said Shiv Gopal Mishra, National Convener and General Secretary of All India Railway Men's Federation.

OPS restoration: How many participated in the rally?

The protesters said that the party that promises to restore the old pension scheme should be voted to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Holding placards and flags, the protesters raised slogans of "Inquilab Zindabad" and "Karamchari Ekta Zindabad". "We had given a call to bring back the old pension scheme (OPS) and we had successfully brought back the OPS in several states with our struggle," said Vijay Kumar Bandhu, leader of the National Movement For Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS).

"Our team believed that if the central government ratifies this (OPS), then the onus won't be on the state government. This is why we had come to Delhi's Ramlila Maidan (to protest)," he added.

What are the protesters demanding?

The rally was organised to pressure the Centre to nix the National Pension Scheme (NPS) and bring back OPS.

"The old pension scheme has been closed in the country since 2004 and since 2005 in Maharashtra. We don't want the NPS (New Pension Scheme), we don't want this share market scheme. The Constitution also says the old pension is our right..." Jitendra, one of the protesters who came from Pune, was quoted as saying in a report by ANI.

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What is OPS?

Introduced in the 1950s, the old pension scheme guarantees a monthly pension equivalent to 50 per cent of their last drawn basic salary. It also gives a dearness allowance upon retirement or an average of the wages earned in the previous ten months, whichever is more favourable.

To qualify for these benefits, employees must have completed ten years of service. There is no employee contribution required for this scheme. Moreover, income is not taxed.

What is NPS?

Under the national pension scheme , a state government employee contributes 10 per cent of his/her basic salary plus dearness allowance, with the state making a matching contribution.

The money is then invested in one of the several pension funds approved by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, and returns are market-linked. So, it does not guarantee returns.

On maturity, 60 per cent of the corpus is tax-free, while the remaining 40 per cent is taxable when invested in annuities.

Which states have supported OPS?

Several states, like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, have announced that they will bring back OPS.

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday that his party strongly supports bringing back OPS, adding that NPS is an "injustice against employees".

"We strongly support the demand of govt employees to bring back OPS. NPS is an injustice against employees. We have implemented OPS in Punjab and have written to the Centre for implementing it for Del govt employees. Some other non-BJP governments have also implemented OPS," Kejriwal posted on X.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and other party leaders said that as soon as its government is formed at the Centre, it will implement OPS in the country.

"These OPS protests show the anger of our steel frame, the government officers, against the ruling regime," AICC general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal said. "We implemented OPS in Congress-ruled states because it is their right. This crowd of 20 lakh people tells a story - the BJP's days are numbered."

Earlier, former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that if Congress returns to power in Haryana, they will implement OPS in the first cabinet meeting.

(With agency inputs)
Amid the escalating challenges of poverty and unemployment in Afghanistan, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that Australia is providing $ 5 million in humanitarian aid, Khaama Press reported.

The agency stated in a press release on Sunday that Australia has contributed more than $ 5.1 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund.

Furthermore, OCHA, the coordinating body for humanitarian aid of the United Nations, has clarified that this amount will be used in the relief and livelihood sectors.

The organization added that following the establishment of the Humanitarian Fund for Afghanistan, the Australian government sent approximately 69 million Australian dollars to the fund.

Previously, the UN OCHA stated in its latest report that an urgent budget of $ 570.7 million is required to provide essential winter necessities for people in need in Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported.

According to OCHA's statistics, 29.2 million people in Afghanistan need humanitarian assistance, including 21.3 million people enrolled in relief programs.

Additionally, the organization has mentioned that $ 3.23 billion is required for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan this year. However, as of August, only approximately $ 1 billion has been provided, leaving a shortfall of $ 2.43 billion in the budget, Khaama Press reported.

Earlier, the World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations warned that Afghanistan is one of the 10 nations where approximately two million people are suffering from severe food insecurity, adding that at least 41 million people in Afghanistan face severe acute food insecurity at an alarming level..

Afghanistan, heavily dependent on Western donor support, lost this assistance when the Taliban took over after the US and NATO withdrawal in August 2021. This led to a rapid economic collapse, pushing self-sufficient Afghans to rely on humanitarian aid for survival.

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The principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDRRC) must be at the centre of the Global Stocktake -- a periodic review of global efforts to achieve goals of the Paris Agreement -- and operationalised in its each and every component, BASIC countries have said.

In their submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) outlining their expectations from the Global Stocktake (GST) in September, the BASIC group said it should acknowledge the existing implementation gaps, particularly those related to the pre-2020 period.

The BASIC group comprises Brazil, South Africa, India, and China.

The developed nations either acknowledge their historical responsibilities, take lead in climate action or admit their failure to do so, they said.

The Global Stocktake is a two-year UN review process to evaluate collective global progress in meeting the Paris Agreement's goals. Initiated in Glasgow in 2021, the first-ever GST will conclude at the annual climate talks in Dubai in December.

According to UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, the stocktake is an opportunity for course correction, a chance to increase ambition to mitigate the most severe consequences of climate change.

The BASIC grouping emphasised that equity and the best available science should inform all aspects of the global stocktake. Equity should not only serve as an overarching principle but also be integrated into every aspect of the GST outcome, the countries said.

"The principle of CBDR-RC is ever more relevant today and for our future efforts and must be at the centre of the GST and operationalised in each and every component," they said.

The principle of equity ensures that countries' efforts to combat climate change are viewed in light of their contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, historically and currently, as well as the likely future emissions they will generate.

The CBDR-RC principle recognises that each country bears responsibility for addressing climate change, but developed countries should shoulder primary responsibilities, given their significant historical and current greenhouse gas emissions.

The BASIC countries said developed countries must honour their historical responsibilities or recognise they have failed, or have no willingness to fulfil their legal obligations of taking the lead in addressing the challenge of climate change. "Such honesty is essential for responsibly aligning narrative and action, as we cannot negotiate with the atmosphere," they said.

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They also said that CBDR-RC should not be used as an excuse for inaction. Instead, it should be utilised to ensure that climate change is addressed collectively based on both equity and science, leaving no one behind in fair and equitable transitions that engage all nations in ambitious climate action tailored to their national circumstances while reducing inequalities within and among countries.

India, in its submission on expected GST outcomes, had previously emphasised that it should prioritise addressing pre-2020 gaps, capture equity as an overarching concern, and acknowledge the serious lack of ambition among developed nations in combating climate change.

With developed countries responsible for most of the carbon utilisation historically and at present, India has stressed that developing countries need their share in the "atmosphere" to enable them to meet their development goals.
The Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Pena Rodriguez will visit India from October 3-5, the Ministry of External Affairs said.The Dominican Republic Vice President is set to visit India at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Jagdeep Dhankhar. This will be the first-ever visit of the Vice President of the Dominican Republic to India.

"The visit is significant as it takes place at a time when India-Dominican Republic bilateral relationship is entering its 25th year. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 04 May 1999," the MEA said in an official release.During her visit, Vice President Raquel Pena Rodriguez will call on President Droupadi Murmu.

She will also hold discussions with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and other Indian dignitaries, and will also deliver a lecture on India- Dominican Republic relations at the Indian Council for World Affairs.

Diplomatic relations between India and Dominican Republic were established in May, 1999. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in May 2001 in Santo Domingo to hold regular Foreign Office consultations.

Dominican Republic is an important partner of India in the Latin America and Caribbean region. The visit of the Vice President of the Dominican Republic comes closely on the heels of that of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to that country in April 2023, the MEA release added.

Indias exports to the Dominican Republic are small but growing. Training and exchange of good practices have constituted the two main axes of the cooperation between India and the Dominican Republic. Both nations have expressed their willingness to continue working together and to identify new initiatives.

Within the framework of the ITEC program, Dominican professionals have been receiving training since 1999 in Indian institutions in various disciplines. A centre of Excellence for Information Technologies set up in 2011 in Santiago, with the support of the Indian government, operated with three Indian instructors for a period of two years.

The visit of the Dominican Republic Vice President Raquel Pena Rodriguez to India will present an additional chance to carry on important conversations to further develop and widen the mutually beneficial partnership between the two nations. (ANI)
Early voting began on Monday in New Zealand for the nation's October 14 general election, with conservative contender Christopher Luxon casting his ballot.

Early voting also began in some parts of Australia in a referendum that would enshrine in Australia's constitution a mechanism for Indigenous people to advise Parliament on policies that affect their lives.

In New Zealand, the campaign of Prime Minister Chris Hipkins faced a setback on Sunday when he tested positive for Covid-19.

He said he would isolate for five days or until he returned a negative test, but planned to continue with some engagements over Zoom.

Hipkins and his liberal Labour Party have been lagging behind the opposition National Party, led by Christopher Luxon, in opinion polls..

After a rough night I woke up this morning feeling pretty unwell and just got this test result, Hipkins wrote on Instagram, and said he'd work twice as hard when he got back out on the campaign trail.

Luxon on Sunday released a 100-day action plan he said would deliver tax relief, rebuild the economy and restore law and order.

New Zealanders have waited six long years for a government that focuses on what matters to them, and gets things done," Luxon said.

In Australia, where voting is compulsory, some 98 per cent of eligible Australians have signed up to vote in the referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Early voting began in four states or territories Monday, and the remaining four will vote on Tuesday after observing a public holiday Monday.

The Yes campaign is lagging behind in opinion polls but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who supports the potential change, said he remains hopeful.

I know a lot of people have not made up their mind, and what I know is that the feedback, when people talk through these issues, they arrive at a Yes' vote pretty comfortably, Albanese told reporters in Melbourne.

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I sincerely think the key to the next fortnight is those one-on-one conversations with people to accept this request of the overwhelming majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Political opponents say the referendum effort should have been bipartisan and that many unanswered questions remain on the details of how the Voice would work in practice.

It's a coincidence the elections are taking place on the same day.
A coalition of Total Energies , Eni and Qatar Energy applied for the second licensing round to bid on oil and gas blocks 8 and 10 in Lebanese waters, an hour before the deadline on Monday, Lebanon's energy ministry said.

The consortium last month began drilling an exploratory well in Lebanon's Block 9, one of the blocks falling alongside the newly delineated maritime border between Lebanon and Israel.



The boundary was drawn last year following U.S.-mediated talks.



The deadline to bid on Blocks 8 and 10 had already been extended several times in recent years.



"Yes, these were the bids we received as part of second licensing rounds. This is positive news as it increases the number of blocks where we have engagement, even before the results of 9 are obtained," Lebanon's Energy Minister Walid Fayad said in an interview.



The government will review the bids in the next few months and negotiate with the companies, he said.



Fayad said the consortium was also considering drilling an additional well in Block 4.



The consortium - which previously included Russia's Novatek before QatarEnergy took over and expanded its share - completed exploratory drilling in Lebanon's offshore Bloc 4 in 2020 but did not find a commercially viable amount of hydrocarbons at the time.

Fayad said the consortium would decide whether it would drill again in Block 4 by Oct. 22.



He said the consortium would have results for Block 9 - where it is drilling an exploratory well - by the end of this month or in November.



"Based on this, we will evaluate scope and timing of launch of the third licensing round," he added.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has reportedly booked flight tickets to return from the UK to the country on October 21, ending a four-year "self-imposed exile", a media report said Monday.

Nawaz, 73, recently said that he is excited to return to Pakistan on October 21 to lead his party in the election likely to be held in January 2024.

Citing a source, Samaa TV reported that Nawaz, who is currently in the UK, will land at the Abu Dhabi International Airport on October 21. He is scheduled to fly to Lahore from Abu Dhabi on the same day.

He has booked a business class ticket on flight EY243 of Etihad Airways in advance, sources said. They further said the Etihad Airways flight will land at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore at 6:25 p.m.

Those accompanying Nawaz will reportedly be his staff members, personal advisers, Dr. Adnan and Senator Irfan Siddiqui.

According to sources, several PML-N leaders and former lawmakers have also booked seats on the same flight from Abu Dhabi to Lahore.

Several PML-N members from different walks of life are expected to reach the Abu Dhabi airport to welcome Nawaz, the sources added.

Meanwhile, in a bid to organise an unforgettable welcome in Lahore, a PML-N leader has announced- a unique incentive: a brand-new Honda 125 motorcycle for individuals who bring large numbers of people to welcome their leader.

A viral video circulating on social media shows a prominent PML-N worker, whose identity remains undisclosed, making an exhilarating announcement during a public gathering.

Flanked by large images of Nawaz and his daughter Maryam Nawaz, the party worker declared: "This is a big announcement. I hope my team will win. You are all being informed that whoever brings more people to welcome Nawaz Sharif on October 21 will get a Honda 125 each."



Earlier, former finance minister Ishaq Dar had claimed that the former prime minister would not have to go to jail upon his return to Pakistan, as the cases against him were fake.

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Talking to SAMAA TV in London, Dar, also the PML-N senator, said a legal strategy had been prepared to deal with the cases against Nawaz.

Nawaz stepped down as the country's prime minister in 2017 after he was disqualified for life from holding public office by the Supreme Court for not declaring a receivable salary. He has been living in London since 2019 after the LHC granted him four-week permission allowing him to go abroad for his treatment.

He was serving a seven-year imprisonment at Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail in the Al-Azizia Mills case before he was allowed to proceed to London in 2019 on "medical grounds".

In 2020, an accountability court declared him a proclaimed offender in the Toshakhana vehicles case. He is also accused of obtaining luxury cars from the treasury house by paying just 15 per cent of the price of these vehicles.

Nawaz was convicted in the Al-Azizia Mills and Avenfield corruption cases in 2018.
Mohamed Muizzu has won the Maldives' presidential election following a second-round run-off against incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The election was viewed as a barometer for the nascent democracy of the Indian Ocean archipelago, as well as its relations with China and traditional ally India.

Muizzu, 45, leads a party that previously welcomed a surge of Chinese loans and conducted a comprehensive crackdown on dissent when last in power.

Incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih conceded defeat just before midnight after the Elections Commission of the Maldives announced that Muizzu had secured 54.06 per cent of the votes in the run-off election.

"Congratulations to president-elect Muizzu," Solih wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

"Thank you for the beautiful democratic example shown by the people in the elections," he added.

Solih, 61, will serve as caretaker president until his successor is officially sworn in on 17 November.

During the first round of voting on 8 September, Muizzu emerged as the unexpected frontrunner, receiving 46 per cent of the total votes cast. Despite a poor voter turnout and internal divisions within his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Solih garnered 39 per cent.

Significance of Maldives Elections

The run-off was perceived as having substantial implications for the Maldives' foreign policy, notably affecting China and India's competition for influence in the strategically important country.

"Today's result is a reflection of the patriotism of our people. A call on all our neighbours and bilateral partners to fully respect our independence and sovereignty," Mohamed Shareef, a senior official from Muizzu's Progressive Party of the Maldives, was quoted by the Associated Press.

Muizzu, a former housing minister, was instrumental in the development programmes of a previous government, partially funded by China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Last year, he informed officials from the Chinese Communist Party that his party's return to power would "script a further chapter of strong ties between our two countries."

India-China Angle

Solih, first elected as president in 2018, was contending with allegations from Muizzu that he had allowed India undue influence in the Maldives. Solih retorted that the Indian military's presence was solely for constructing a dockyard under a bilateral agreement, and that his country's sovereignty was not compromised.

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Muizzu pledged to remove Indian troops from the Maldives and rectify the country's trade relations, which he argued were significantly biased in favour of India.

Ahmed Shaheed, a former foreign minister of the Maldives, interpreted the election outcome as a commentary on the government's failure to meet economic and governance expectations, rather than concerns over Indian influence.

"I don't think India was at all on people's minds," Shaheed said.

Solih's position was weakened closer to the election when Mohamed Nasheed, a charismatic former president, split from the Maldivian Democratic Party and fielded his own candidate in the first round. He chose to remain neutral in the second round.

"Nasheed's departure took the motherboard away from the MDP," Shaheed observed.

Yameen, leader of the Progressive Party of the Maldives, had aligned the Maldives with China's BRI during his presidency from 2013 to 2018. The initiative aims to construct railroads, ports, and highways to enhance trade and extend China's influence across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Former President Donald Trump campaigned in southeast Iowa in the middle of a fall campaign push aimed at locking in supporters with large organising events.

As he has with his other recent travels to the leadoff caucus state, Trump stumped in an area that formerly supported Democrats but has embraced him, as the influence trade unions once held has shrunk and lost voters to Republicans.

Trump headlined an afternoon event in Ottumwa, where 2,500 packed the inside of an event hall at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa. The small city is a hub in eastern Iowa and the seat of Wapello County, one of 31 counties Trump carried in 2016 that Democrat Barack Obama had won four years earlier.

It was Trump's second trip in two weeks to eastern Iowa, where he was drawing large crowds, as his campaign has sought to step up their press to urge voters to commit to supporting him in the January 15 caucuses, where more than a half-dozen other Republicans are vying to rise as a threat to his popularity within the party.

With your support on Monday, Jan. 15, we're going to win the caucuses in a historic landslide," Trump told the packed event hall in Ottumwa Sunday.

The crowd spent hours waiting outdoors to enter the Trump event, despite the sweltering heat uncommon for early October. It was a stark contrast to the roughly 200 who attended a campaign stop in suburban Des Moines Saturday by former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who has gained renewed interest in Iowa since the first two Republican presidential debates.

Trump is expected back in the Waterloo and Cedar Rapids areas next week.

Trump, the first Republican to capture the county since the Eisenhower administration, campaigned the week before in northeast Iowa.

There, he drew about 1,400 to rural Jackson County along the Mississippi River and almost 2,000 to Dubuque County to the north. Like Wapello, Dubuque County had been a Democratic stronghold for decades before 2016.

Though aides said they were not specifically targeting counties that Trump flipped in 2016, they noted that he has had success in the eastern part of Iowa where manufacturing has declined sharply in the past two decades. His administration's renegotiation of the US trade pact with Canada and Mexico remains popular.

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Rick Anderson and his wife Nancy, who were filing into the hall, are the kind of voters whom Trump's campaign would like to persuade to caucus for the candidate on January 15. They used to vote Democratic but switched in 2016 to support Trump. They have not attended Iowa's Republican precinct caucuses in the past.

Rick Anderson, a retired union millwright who co-owns a small business with his wife, is among the many long-time union members who kept Wapello County and others in Iowa's once-robust, eastern manufacturing corridor reliably Democratic-performing until Trump.

We like what he says. He says Drill, baby, drill,' and that's got my heart. Because that's what's wrong with the country energy. Solve that problem and you solve so many other problems," Anderson said. Democrats have lost touch with people like us.

Trump later travelled with his motorcade 40 miles northeast to Leighton, Iowa, where he visited a soybean farm. There, he autographed a John Deere combine and touted his administration's trade policy as a boon for farmers, even as Mexico and Canada seek to renegotiate the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

In front of the polished, green farm implement and a backdrop of amber soybeans, Trump also commented on the stop-gap government spending measure aimed at keeping the federal government from a partial shutdown. Trump said House Republicans, who hold a thin majority, got very little.

I think they could have done a much better deal, he said.

As Trump maintains a strong lead in Iowa, his Republican rivals are scrambling for backing, hoping a strong showing can help them consolidate the non-Trump support.

Trump volunteers at the site held clipboards stacked with pledge cards and asked attendees whether they would commit to supporting Trump at the caucuses.

Trump arrived in Iowa after a two-day trip to California, where he picked up 6 million of his 74 million votes in 2020 while losing the state by 30 percentage points to Democrat Joe Biden.

In a fiery speech that delighted Republicans dejected after decades of Democratic control, Trump escalated his long-standing tough-on-crime message with calls for violent retribution for against criminals.

People caught robbing stores should be shot, Trump said to applause. He raised money during his trip to Orange County, once a bastion of conservatism in Southern California that has become increasingly competitive.

While Trump's would-be Republican challengers sparred in the second primary debate earlier in the week, Trump was in another key blue-collar county in the general election battleground of Michigan.

Trump spoke during Wednesday night's debate in Macomb County, Michigan, north of Detroit at a non-union manufacturing plant, where he blasted Biden's push for electric cars amid an autoworkers' strike. Trump carried Macomb County twice after Obama did in 2008 and 2012.
The Biden administration warned Beijing of its plans to update rules that curb shipments of AI chips and chipmaking tools to China as soon as early October, a US official said, a policy decision aimed at stabilizing relations between the superpowers.



The Commerce Department, which oversees export controls, is working on an update of export restrictions first released last year. The update seeks to limit access to more chipmaking tools in line with new Dutch and Japanese rules, other sources said, and to close some loopholes in export restrictions on artificial intelligence (AI) chips.



"The PRC has been expecting an update around the one year anniversary, based on conversations with administration officials," the US official said, using the abbreviation for People's Republic of China. The original rules were published Oct. 7, 2022.



US officials provided the information to Chinese counterparts in recent weeks, the official said, which Reuters is reporting for the first time. The official declined to disclose details on the particular conversations.



Providing China with a heads up about the rules is part of a broader bid by the Biden administration to stabilize relations with Beijing. The outreach comes after a decision by the US to shoot down a Chinese spy balloon sharply escalated tensions in February.



The Biden administration has also sent a series of high-level officials to China, including Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in August. Additionally, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in September.



The restrictions released last October sought to prevent US technology from being used to strengthen the Chinese military by cutting off its access to advanced AI chips and curbing its ability to import the most sophisticated chipmaking tools from the United States.



The Department of Commerce declined comment, while a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington had "nothing to offer," when asked for comment on the warning.



"China firmly opposes the US's overstretching of the national security concept and abuse of export control measures to wantonly hobble Chinese enterprises," said spokesperson Liu Pengyu.



Former White House official Peter Harrell stressed that he did not know if the administration had warned China about the new rules, but said, if they did, it would represent "a bit of an inflection point" for the administration as it tries to avoid sending misunderstood signals.



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Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also gave Chinese officials a warning in July about restrictions on U.S. investment in China released in August.



The Biden administration is hoping to clinch Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco in November, too, an effort which also has weighed on the timing of the upcoming export rules' release.



Officials have sought to avoid publishing them in the immediate lead-up to the summit, which they saw as potentially jeopardizing Xi's attendance, sources said. Any rules not ready for publication by early October would likely be held until after the summit to avoid antagonizing China, they noted.



The Administration narrowed in on or near the one-year anniversary for a number of reasons including to establish a clear cadence, the official said.



But, the official added, the technical work needed to finalize the restrictions was not yet complete. "As of this moment, final plans are not in place," the official said on Friday.



Biden and Xi have not met in person since a G20 summit on Indonesia's resort island of Bali in November last year after Xi shunned the G20 meeting in India last month.



The United States, the Netherlands and Japan, which together control the world's top chipmaking equipment, agreed to coordinate efforts earlier this year.



The upcoming US rules could hit ASML, the world's leading chip equipment maker and Netherlands' largest company, because its systems contain US parts and components, as Reuters exclusively reported in June.



A spokeswoman for ASML declined comment.



It is not unusual for the US to modify proposals before clearing regulations, so the restrictions, like the timing, could change.
What is an MBA in Hospital Administration?

The MBA in Hospital Administration program is a postgraduate degree program that teaches students the skills and information needed to manage healthcare organizations such as hospitals and healthcare institutions. The MBA in Hospital Administration program lasts two years and focuses on the managerial aspects of healthcare enterprises. MBA Hospital Administration prepares graduates for leadership roles in the healthcare industry by combining business management principles with healthcare industry skills. The Hospital Administration curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including healthcare laws and regulations, healthcare economics, and healthcare information systems.

The MBA in Hospital Administration program teaches a variety of skills needed in healthcare administration and management, such as leadership, communication, and teamwork. The MBA in Hospital Administration program educates students on healthcare policy, finance, operations, quality management, and strategic planning. We will examine the MBA in Hospital Administration curriculum, MBA Hospital Administration colleges, MBA Hospital Administration syllabus, Master Hospital Administration eligibility, MBA in Hospital Administration prices, and MBA in Hospital Administration scope in this article.

Highlights - MBA Hospital Administration

Particulars Values Degree Name MBA Hospital Administration Degree Type Postgraduate Degree Duration 2 years Semesters 4 Entrance Exams CAT, XAT, GMAT, SNAP, NMAT, CMAT Eligibility Criteria Graduation in any discipline Admission process Entrance Exam + Group Discussion + Personal Interview (GD-PI) Fees for the entire duration Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 300,000 Average Salary Rs. 500,000 Job profiles Hospital Administrator, Medical Director, Healthcare Finance Manager, Business Manager, Blood Bank Administrator Top recruiters Apollo Hospitals, Max Hospitals, Ranbaxy, Sun Pharma, Dabur India

MBA Hospital Administration Eligibility Criteria

Most management schools have quite similar MBA Hospital Administration eligibility criteria. Few colleges have specific MBA Hospital Administration eligibility requirements. Candidates with a variety of academic backgrounds are eligible to pursue an MBA in Hospital Administration program. Students with a bachelor's degree in any stream or specialization must meet the following requirements:Candidates must have completed a bachelor's degree program from a recognized institute in any field.

Students must have a bachelor's degree with at least a 50% average.

Students must pass the entrance exams with the required cutoff provided by the institute before proceeding to

Popular MBA Colleges in India

UPES Dehradun Chandigarh University LPU Jalandhar BML Munjal University, Gurgaon SRM University Chennai Manipal University (MAHE) GD Goenka University, Gurgaon IPE Hyderabad IFIM Business School Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida

MBA Hospital Administration Admission Process

The admission process for an MBA in Hospital Administration differs by campus. Some management colleges admit students based on their performance in the entrance exam and previous qualifying examinations. Some MBA in Hospital Administration programs take into account candidates' performance in the entrance exam, group discussion, and personal interview. Students will be admitted to top MBA colleges based on their entrance exam scores.

Candidates must take the MBA entrance examinations for the college or university to which they are applying for admission to the MBA in Hospital Administration program.

To pursue the MBA in Hospital Administration, they must pass the entrance exam.

Then they must appear for the MBA in Hospital Administration admissions counseling.

MBA Hospital Administration Entrance Examinations

We have included the key MBA admission examinations below.

CAT: The Indian Institute of Management administers the Common Admission Test (CAT), a national-level entrance examination for admission to various MBA programs.

MAT: The All India Management Association's (AIMA) Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a national entrance examination. MAT is administered four times each year. The MAT is offered both online and offline.

XAT: The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a university-level entrance exam administered by XLRI Jamshedpur. It lasts three hours and is delivered entirely online.

Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP): The Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) is a university-level entrance examination administered by Symbiosis International University.

MBA Hospital Administration Skills Required

In order to enroll in an MBA Hospital Administration program, candidates must have a variety of skill sets. Individuals with these skill sets can improve their educational experience and have a better understanding of how the healthcare sector and other business elements work.

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Time Management

Flexibility

Organising Skills

Managerial Skills

Leadership Skills

Team Management

MBA Hospital Administration Fees Structure

The cost of the MBA Hospital Administration programme varies by campus. The pricing structure comprises charges for all academic services given to students, such as hostel accommodation, transport convenience, and other services, as well as tuition fees. The typical MBA Hospital Administration tuition is between Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 3,000,000.

Scope of MBA Hospital Administration

An MBA in Hospital Administration is intended for individuals who desire to advance to management positions in the hospital administration field. Those interested in furthering their studies can enroll in a PhD program. A PhD is a research-based doctoral program that lasts five to seven years. Internships are needed for those who wish to enter the workforce. MBA in hospital administration graduates can choose from a variety of positions, including hospital administrator, medical supervisor, healthcare finance manager, and blood bank administrator. There are numerous MBA hospital administration opportunities available for recent grads.

Career Options after MBA Hospital Administration

Hospital administrator: A hospital administrator is someone who oversees the operations of an entire hospital facility. He or she may also be in charge of nursing homes, drug treatment centers, outpatient clinics, and hospice facilities. A hospital administrator controls everyday operations and ensures that patients receive the best medical treatment possible.

Medical Director: A medical director is responsible for overseeing the operations of long-term policies. He or she collaborates with management and multiple interdisciplinary teams on clinic policies, systems, and agendas. He or she ensures that nursing homes, healthcare facilities, and other units run smoothly.

Healthcare Finance Manager: A healthcare finance manager is in charge of developing, reviewing, and reporting financial statements. He or she analyzes data and makes revenue-boosting recommendations to the healthcare facility's senior management. A healthcare finance manager's job entails managing clinical operations, insurance reimbursement, and assuring compliance with legal standards.

Blood Bank Administrator: A blood bank administrator leads the entire blood bank. He or she is in charge of managing and controlling the blood bank's operations. A blood bank administrator oversees the blood bank's operations and ensures that everyone does their job properly to avoid mismanagement. He or she is also in charge of donor recruitment.

MBA Hospital Administration Top Recruiters

Apollo Hospitals

Max Hospitals

Ranbaxy

Sun Pharma

Dabur India

Advantages of pursuing an MBA in Hospital Administration

An MBA in Hospital Administration opens up a world of possibilities. Candidates enrolling in the program study a variety of skills, including how to manage healthcare facilities, which includes allocating shifts, scheduling operations, ordering supplies, and other responsibilities. They learn about the business side of hospital administration.
Certified Ethical Hacking Course - CEH v11What exactly is hacking? Most individuals do not want to be linked with it. However, ethical hacking for a good purpose has become a legalized and accepted profession all around the world. Fees for ethical hacking courses in India range between Rs. 5000 to Rs. 100,000. Let us look at some of the greatest ethical hacking courses available online in this article. There is an abundance of online courses and certifications. In this article, we will look at some of the greatest ethical hacking courses.

Difference between Hacking and Ethical Hacking

Hacking is the illegal use of a computer system to carry out malicious operations. A hacker could delete system files or steal sensitive data. They may be able to empty bank accounts or exploit sensitive information to blackmail others. Or they may simply disclose sensitive material with the outside world, causing significant damage to the business/government.

Ethical hacking is hacking that is done with permission to keep the client safe from hackers. The cost of certified ethical hacking certification in India is an important factor to consider. A computer system's weaknesses are discovered by the certified ethical hacker v11. Ethical hackers are hired by reputable software businesses, as well as other commercial groups and governments, to seek for vulnerabilities and weak endpoints in the system. Ethical hacking courses online not only repair systems but also assist corporations in maintaining and protecting them in the future.

Take a look at some of the greatest ethical hacking courses with credentials available online.

Course Offered by Duration Ethical Hacker Udacity 2 months Using Python for Ethical Hacking (M) IIT Kanpur Self-paced Comprehensive Ethical Hacking Course - Beginner to Advanced (M) IIT Kanpur Self-paced Certified Ethical Hacking Course - CEH v11 Intellipaat Self-paced CEH v11 - Certified Ethical Hacking Course Simplilearn 1 month Ethical Hacking and Information Security National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology, Gorakhpur self-paced Ethical Hacking in 2020 IIT Kanpur self-paced

Ethical Hacker

One of the top online ethical hacking courses with credentials where you will investigate vulnerabilities as well as the operation of computer systems. You will also learn how to design, implement, and penetrate a requirements-based testing plan. These ethical hacking certification courses are valuable to both beginners and pros. While you may be looking for free ethical hacking classes online, this course may pique your interest despite its price. This is due to expert faculty-led instruction, a self-paced top hacking course in India, and real-time learning experiences.

Offered by: Udacity

Duration: 2 months

Ethical Hacking using Python (M)

This online course, one of the famed IIT Kharagpur's ethical hacker courses, will teach you the essential skills required to become a professional. You will learn how to hack using Python programming. With practical projects, you will be able to apply what you learned in a real-world situation. These types of ethical hacking certification courses are taught in both English and Hindi. The accreditation you receive from IIT Kanpur is really valuable. You will receive advice from industry experts as they assist you in resolving your questions.

Offered by: IIT Kanpur

Duration: Self-paced

Comprehensive Ethical Hacking Course - Beginner to Advanced (M)

This is one of the best ethical hacking courses online on this list if you want to learn hacker classes from the ground up and become a pro. With this online course, you'll learn the fundamentals of hacking, SQL injections, password cracking, and more. Along with certified certificates, you will acquire critical skills such as password breaking, cloud computing, and VPN. This 100% online ethical hacking certification course teaches you how to discern between ethical and unethical hacking.

Offered by: IIT Kanpur

Duration: Self-paced

Certified Ethical Hacking Course - CEH v11

Are you looking for a hacking certification to get your foot in the door and advance your career? You've come to the correct location! This is one of the best ethical hacking courses available online, with credentials provided by the Intellipaat platform, for obtaining a vital certification in ethical hacking. You will receive practical understanding on Vulnerability, SQL injection, sniffing, network packet analysis, penetration testing, and enumeration through forty hours of instructor-led training.

Offered by: Intellipaat

Duration: self-paced

CEH v11 - Certified Ethical Hacking Course

Simplilearn offers one of the best ethical hacking courses online for people preparing for CEH examinations. This EC-Council-accredited course will be designed in accordance with the most recent CEH v11 from the same organization. You will become an expert in network packet analysis and penetration testing techniques. You will be able to develop network security and protect your organization's systems against hacker attacks. This online ethical hacking course will teach you how to defend a system from hackers and improve your blue team skills.

Offered by: Simplilearn

Duration: 1 month

Ethical Hacking and Information Security

This NIELIT course is delivered in both English and Hindi. With instructor-led training, you develop knowledge and abilities in ethical hacking. You will discover the corrective actions needed to create a secure system, as well as the essential hacking tools. All of your learned knowledge will be polished through actual application through the medium of virtual labs. You will also have access to a special e-learning portal built by the institute where you will be able to access all of the content. Furthermore, this ethical hacking training in India is completely free.

Offered by: National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology, Gorakhpur

Duration: self-paced

Ethical Hacking

This certified ethical hacker course introduces you to ethical hacking and guides you through a comprehensive understanding of the subject. You'll learn how to configure the environment. With this ethical hacker program, you will study the fundamentals of network security and corresponding functions before progressing to more sophisticated topics.

IP subnetting, Kali Linux installation procedures, various routing protocols, IP version 6, TCP and IP protocol, how data moves across these layers, and other subjects will be covered. Others include cryptographic principles such as the Wireshark and Nmap tools. While this may not be on the list of free ethical hacking courses online, the course's value resides in its current relevance, the institute's prestige, and its superb manner of instruction.

Offered by: IIT Kanpur

Duration: self-paced

Learn Python & Ethical Hacking From Scratch

Experts offer some of the greatest ethical hacking courses available online. This course is taught by experienced ethical hackers and is available on the Udemy platform. All of the programs and operations will become clearer to you. You learn how a system works and how to find faults in it, as well as how to write a Python program, create an algorithm to solve problems, and implement it using Python. Many themes will be covered, including network hacking tools, backdoors, website hacking tools, keyloggers, and credential harvesters. While this is not one of the free hacking courses for beginners, it is reasonably priced and a viable option for many people.

Offered by: Udemy

Duration: 25 hours

The globe requires cyber security as a safeguard. After purchasing the certified ethical hacker exam expenses, you could be that professional for the job. Alternatively, you could be that expert with ethical hacker credentials who still needs to understand the fundamentals of cybersecurity. If you fall into the latter category, the fundamentals of ethical hacking can assist you and can be studied through ethical hacking certification courses. However, if you want to be a full-fledged cyber security specialist and ethical hacker, these are some of the best ethical hacking online courses for you. Choose from the best ethical hacker certification courses.
In what comes as a bit of a shock, Mazda has announced that will cease production of the CX-8 in its home market of Japan by December 2023. ...
ATLANTA  The Carter Center has deployed an international electoral expert team to Monrovia to assess key political, electoral, and legal aspects of Liberias Oct. 10 general elections.

The Center was invited to observe this years elections by Liberias National Elections Commission.

The three-person expert mission, which began its work on Sept. 25, will analyze the broader context of the elections as well as the findings and reports from other observer groups. Due to its limited size and scope, the Centers expert team will not assess the conduct of polling or counting nor make a comprehensive assessment of the election process.

The expert mission is led by J. Ray Kennedy, who headed the UNs electoral team that supported the 2005 elections in Liberia and has collaborated with the Center in Liberia on several other occasions. Dr. Kennedy currently serves as a member of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.

The Centers expert team will meet with an array of electoral stakeholders, including the National Elections Commission, political parties, civil society organizations, media outlets, national observer missions, security forces, and others.

After the conclusion of the electoral process, The Carter Center will publish a final report on key findings and recommendations for reform. The missions analysis will be based on international human rights obligations and standards for democratic elections. The Centers election missions are conducted in accordance with the 2005 Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.

The Carter Center has a long history in Liberia, dating back to the early years of the civil war and including multiple engagements by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The Center has been involved in some capacity in every election in Liberia since the civil war and deployed full observation missions for the elections in 1997, 2005, 2011, and 2017.

###

Contact: In Atlanta, Maria Cartaya, maria.cartaya@cartercenter.org

The Carter Center

Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope.

A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.
Cherat Cement's local dispatches fall while exports rise

02 October 2023

The management of Cherat Cement Co Ltd (Gulham Faruque) held a corporate briefing session on 28 September 2023 to discuss the financial performance during FY23 and its outlook. To recall, the company posted earnings of PKR4.4bn (US$15.3m) in FY23 compared to PKR4.5bn in the previous year, a decline of one per cent YoY. The annual decline was due to higher financial charges and taxation, as presumed by AKD Research and AHL Research.

Dispatches local/export

In terms of sales volumes, local sales witnessed a decline of 22 per cent to 2.539Mt YoY during the year, while exports rose by 13 per cent to 331,347t YoY sent to Afghanistan. Management expects this export growth trend to continue as the company is closest to the Torkham Border (the main Pak-Afghan transit route). Total cement export of Pakistan to Afghanistan stood at 1.070Mt in FY23, a surge of 17 per cent. The export price to Afghanistan, on average, is US$45-47/t.

Management anticipates marginal industry sales growth of 3-4 per cent YoY in FY24. Regarding pricing, it expects the industry to maintain price discipline.

Expansion programme

In FY23, the company completed balancing, modernisation and replacement (BMR) on Line I, taking the total capacity to 4.5Mta. Post BMR activity, the efficiency for Line 1 is close to Line 3. The company commissioned a 1.70MW solar power plant during FY23, taking the total capacity to 13.05MW.

On the further expansion front, the company has acquired assets (land and mining) from Saif Cement in DI Khan for ~PKR1.3bn as the requirement of the greenfield project. However, the management has not shared project capacity, costs and timelines due to significant rupee devaluation and Letter of Credit restrictions.

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New York worshippers celebrated mass at St. John the Divine Cathedral on Sunday alongside hundreds of animals -- including a camel, a pony, snakes, ostriches, geese, cats and dogs -- which all queued up for blessings of their own.
The US Congress passed an 11th-hour funding bill Saturday to keep federal agencies running for another 45 days and avert a costly government shutdown -- although the deal left out aid to war-torn Ukraine requested by President Joe Biden.
Little did Eldon Vaughn know back in 1933 he was starting a legacy that has lasted 90 years. Vaughn Funeral Home is one of the two oldest family-owned funeral homes in Rhea County. It began in 1933 by Eldon Vaughn in a house across from the current location. He and his wife Wincil ran it along with an ambulance service.

Back in those days, the funeral homes ran the ambulance service taking people to the hospital. I was brought home from the hospital as a newborn in a vintage 1955 Meteor Cadillac hearse combination by my father. He was at then Coulter Garrison and Greene funeral home in Dayton embalming a body for them when my mother went to the pre-room and told him it was time, said Donna Vaughn.

He partnered with Paul Lyons, a local businessman, and the funeral home was known as Vaughn and Lyons Funeral Home. In 1935, Alfred Tink Vaughn began working at the funeral home. A few years later, Paul Lyons was bought out by Eldon and Tinks cousin, John Vaughn, and the funeral home was then known as Vaughn and Vaughn Funeral Home until the late 1940s and then it became Vaughn Funeral Home. In 1936 the funeral home moved to its current location, and in those days, it was known as Piccadilly Avenue before it was changed to New Lake Road.

It's sad to remember, but the hearse was used in 1955 to transport the injured from the train/bus crash in Spring City, she added. In that crash, 11 children were killed, and 36 others injured. Their ages ranged from 6 to 11. The women of the PTA petitioned Governor Frank Clement to require all school buses to stop, look and listen at railroad crossings. Within a month, the State of Tennessee had adopted the law. Within a year, this became a law nationwide and since then it has been worldwide.

Eldon, along with his brother Tink, operated the funeral home until Eldons death in 1968. Tink and Mildred Vaughn operated the funeral home until 1986 when they retired and sold it to their daughter, Donna K. Vaughn. Mildred died in 1991 and Tink died in 1993.

When I started working here, my dad expected me to be here every day, said Ms. Vaughn.

Donna was featured in an article in Southern Calls magazine with a write-up on the funeral home and the work that she has done restoring the older hearse and family limousine.

Southern Calls is a funeral home industry magazine that "reflects the funeral profession in the South  the comforting voice of those who have embraced its rich traditions, a collection of compelling stories and striking photographs, revealing the heart and soul of our profession."

Donna Vaughn has been a Licensed Funeral Director in the State of Tennessee since 1974. She graduated from John A Gupton College in Nashville in June of 1975, and became a Licensed Embalmer later that year. She has been a beloved fixture in the Spring City and Rhea County communities. She served as part of the Rhea County Purchase and Finance committee in the 80s, being the north end of the county representative. She currently is serving on the board of the Rhea County Animal Shelter Association as Board President.

There was a dance being held for some of the senior citizens and they called to see if they could use the 56 Cadillac Limousine. I drove it down and took them to the dance. They were so tickled to ride in it, said Ms. Vaughn. She said that she had bought the Cadillac in Miami and brought it to Spring City and restored it. She also has restored the 55 Cadillac hearse as well.

In the inventory is a horse drawn carriage that was built in 1885. She has also restored it. It was used by a funeral home in Decatur, and I bought it along with an original wooden coffin."
A Cleveland, Tn., man has been charged with distributing large numbers of deadly fentanyl pills. Agents said he tried to swallow 65 fentanyl and some marijuana at the time he was stopped by police.

Austin Dodd was arrested by federal authorities on a charge of distributing illegal drugs.

On Dec. 1, 2022, DTF agents utilized a confidential source (CS) to make a controlled purchase of approximately 100 fentanyl pills from Dodd. Prior to the purchase, agents met with the CS at an undisclosed location to discuss the details of the operation. The agents then provided the CS with an amount of confidential funds as well as an audio/video recording device.

During this meeting, the CS attempted to call Dodd, who then called the CS and advised the CS to meet at the Keith Street Plaza in Cleveland. The agents then followed the CS to the Keith Street Plaza at 271 Keith St. Once the CS arrived, Dodd contacted the CS and advised that he was only a few minutes away.

Approximately 1-2 minutes later, Dodd arrived at the meeting location driving a Black Buick Verano. Approximately 1-2 minutes later, the CS approached Dodd's vehicle, entered the passenger side, and conducted a hand to hand transaction, exchanging the confidential funds for approximately 100 fentanyl pills.

Later, on Dec. 1, 2022, DTF agents and officers with Cleveland Police Department (CPD) decided to approach Dood in the Keith Street Plaza parking lot. Dodd was under the supervision of Tennessee State Probation and was subject to a search at any time pursuant to his probation order. Dodd and his passenger were both removed from the vehicle and detained.

As Dodd was exiting the vehicle, a CPD sergeant observed Dodd attempting to swallow an unknown item(s). Dodd was unsuccessful and was forced to release the items from his mouth, spitting them on the ground. The items he was attempting to swallow were recovered and identified as approximately 65 fentanyl pills and approximately 10 grams of mariJuana. 18.

Agents then conducted a search and located $1,191 cash.
An inmate at the Dodge State Prison in Georgia has been sentenced for setting up meth sales to individuals in East Tennessee.

Jesse Odell appeared before Judge Charles Atchley at Chattanooga Federal Court. He was given a 70-month term.

Agents said Odell would set up the details of meth sales and accept payment through CashApp.

Agents were able to access Facebook Messenger accounts where the drug deals were discussed.

Odell got 70 months in federal prison.
A home in Dallas Bay was damaged by fire Sunday afternoon.

A neighbor called 911 reporting a house fire at 7316 Shamrock Lane. At 5:30 p.m., Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department responded and arrived on the scene reporting heavy smoke and fire.

At 5:38 p.m., fire officials confirmed a two-story home with heavy fire through the roof and 50% of the house was fully involved.

At 5:45 p.m., firefighters entered the blazing home to get the fire under control. During their extinguishing efforts, firefighters reported a portion of the roof was becoming unstable so they evacuated the home. At 6:43 p.m., fire officials reported a portion of the roofline had collapsed.

Dallas Bay VFD requested Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management to respond with the air trailer to refill firefighters air bottles. No injuries were reported.

Dallas Bay FireChief Markus Fritts reported damages are around $40,000.

The cause of the fire will be under investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office.
While perusing one of the 50 snippets of happenings occurring in each of the fifty states in the good ole U.S.A. I came across the progress report on the construction of a third nuclear reactor in our Southern sister state of Georgia.

The Peach growing venue has just announced that it has just brought online at Waynesboros Powers Unit 3 at Plant Vogtle and it is providing emission free and reliable electricity.

Unit No. 4 is also approaching completion and it optimistically predicted that it too will be in operation by the end of 2023 or the first part of 2024.

It is also predicted in a glowing but cautionary press release issued on July 31, 2023 that the release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties.

Not so surprising is the data obtained from another independent source is that the project is only seven years late (of completion) and 17 billion over budget.

Fortunately the Chickamauga Dam Locks expansion project of the 1940 original structure is moving right along at record speed from its start up date in 2007 at a minor budgeted item of $757 million (prior to any unforeseen cost overruns) and completion of the project is anticipated between November 2025 and August 2027 (if no further delays).

The project is cost-share funded by the Federal Construction General funds and the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (I.W.T.F.) due to action taken in 2014 by our ever vigilant members and protectors in the nations capitol of taxpayers contributions to our balanced economy!

On a more serious note, the expansion is long overdue and when completed (whenever?) will provide significant economic benefits to the region.

Ironically the barge companies who will benefit substantially from the completed project are contributing payments from a $.29/gallon tax on marine diesel fuel.

(The only unanswered question is when can we expect all electric towing barges to eliminate the gaseous fumes that appear to contradict the goal of climate change freedom?)

* * *

You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com
Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report:

BARBEE, STEVE DOUGLAS

2414 HICKORY VALLEY ROAD CHATTANOOGA, 37421

Age at Arrest: 37 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)



BARNES, CHRISTOPHER A

3410 1ST AVE Chattanooga, 374072001

Age at Arrest: 49 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

PUBLIC INTOXICATION



BELL, IWALKER

1510 VANCE AVE, APT B CHATTANOOGA, 37404

Age at Arrest: 63 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

DOMESTIC ASSAULT



CHISM, DESIREE A

3400 JENKINS RD #305 CHATTANOOGA, 37421

Age at Arrest: 23 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



DAVIS, DEONAKA T

196 CENTRAL DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 37421

Age at Arrest: 36 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT



EDGEMAN, CHARLES HAYDEN

727 E 11TH STREET CHATTANOOGA, 373432677

Age at Arrest: 22 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

THEFT OF PROPERTY

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE



ENSLEY-PETHICK, JENNIFER LEIGH

4002 PATTON DRIVE EAST RIDGE, 37412

Age at Arrest: 51 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)



EVANS, MEGAN N

115 BLUFF ROAD WHITWELL, 37397

Age at Arrest: 28 years old

Arresting Agency: East Ridge

TAMPERING WITH OR FABRICATING EVIDENCE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

POSSESSION OF FENTANYL FOR RESALE



FORINGER, STACEY

727 E 11TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 37402

Age at Arrest: 37 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

911 VIOLATION (IMPROPER USE)



FULGHAM, SHONTIONNA A

1905 MILNE STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37416

Age at Arrest: 18 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

UNAUTHORIZED USE OF AUTOMOBILE (JOY RIDING)



GIFFORD, CHRISTY LYNN

5995 Dry Valley Ln Mc Donald, 373534100

Age at Arrest: 40 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

OFF-ROAD MOTOR VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY VIOLATION



HOOD, WALTER JAMES

727 E 11TH ST Chattanooga, 374033104

Age at Arrest: 54 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

CRIMINAL TRESPASSING



HUMPHREY, BRANDON RAJSHAUN

2806 1/2 CANNON AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374045625

Age at Arrest: 35 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



INGRAM, KENDRA LYNN

708 DAVIS AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37407

Age at Arrest: 25 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE(PROBATION VIOLAT



JONES, JASON ROBERT ALLEN

12070 CORRAL DR ST JAMES, 65559

Age at Arrest: 22 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

OPEN CONTAINER LAW



LANE, LADEDRICK JAMALL

727 E 11TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 37403

Age at Arrest: 25 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

CRIMINAL TRESPASSING

EVADING ARREST

DISORDERLY CONDUCT



LAWRENCE, KIANA N

5408 THORNHILL LANE HIXSON, 37343

Age at Arrest: 18 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

THEFT OF PROPERTY



LEAVELL, AUSTIN MATTHEW

515 FOREST AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374053979

Age at Arrest: 32 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

DOMESTIC ASSAULT



LEDFORD, ALEXIS M

930 EAST ELLIS ST.

JEFFERSON, 37760Age at Arrest: 23 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEOPEN CONTAINER LAWFOLLOWING TOO CLOSELYLETTNER, JONATHAN DWIGHT2358 LOWER COVE LOOP DAYTON, 37321Age at Arrest: 26 years oldArresting Agency: Soddy DaisyPOSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSELOVELADY, TOMMY EDWARD10922 CANYON CIRCLE SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 45 years oldArresting Agency: Soddy DaisyCONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN SCHEDULE IIPOSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIATAMPERING WITH OR FABRICATING EVIDENCEMARLER, MIRANDA LYNN2060 HAMILL ROAD HIXON, 37415Age at Arrest: 39 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)MARTIN, JACOB GREGORY314 CUMMINS BLVD CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 19 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffCONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SCHEDULE VIPOSS.HANDGUN WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCERECKLESS DRIVINGFAILURE TO REPORT ACCIDENTEVADING ARRESTLEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT W/DAMAGE TO VEHICLEMATIAS-FELIPE, JESUS1915 S ORCHARD KNOB AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374046213Age at Arrest: 40 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDFALSE REPORTSLEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT W/DAMAGE TO VEHICLEMCCURRY, DARVIN115 BLUFF RD WHITWELL, 37397Age at Arrest: 24 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgeTHEFT OF PROPERTYRESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESSEVADING ARRESTPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIAPOSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)MCWHORTER, APRIL ALISIA1725 N CONCORD RD CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 39 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEMINSHEW, BRANDON JAMAL4803 GENERAL THOMAS BLVD CHATTANOOGA, 374073147Age at Arrest: 29 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDAGGRAVATED ASSAULTDISORDERLY CONDUCTRAYMUNDO, DIEGO ARNULFO403 LAVERNE DR CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 49 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINEFAILURE TO YIELD TO EMERGENCY VEHICLERECKLESS DRIVINGDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEDRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSEDRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINERHODES, MARY LEANNA8956 DAISY DALLAS HIXON, 37343Age at Arrest: 48 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDOMESTIC ASSAULTROLLINS, CHRISTOPHER115 BLUFF RD WHITWELL, 37397Age at Arrest: 32 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgePOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIATAMPERING WITH OR FABRICATING EVIDENCEPOSSESSION OF FENTANYLFOR RESALETOMAS VASQUEZ, JOEL ELISEOROSA MEAD AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 20 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEOPEN CONTAINER LAWDRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSEDRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATIONMINOR IN POSSESSION OF ALCOHOLVISHER, ADAM DONNELL5064 Cameron Ln Chattanooga, 374112539Age at Arrest: 23 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)VOGEL, BRANDON ALLEN636 WEST 14TH STREET COURT CHATTANOOGA, 37402Age at Arrest: 23 years oldArresting Agency: Red BankVANDALISMWALSTON, JAMES LAWRENCE6106 BERMUDA AVENUE CHATTANOOGA, 37412Age at Arrest: 42 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALECONTRABAND IN PENAL INSTITUTIONSWIGFALL, EDWIN L1207 GROVE STREET CT Chattanooga, 374023762Age at Arrest: 29 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDOMESTIC ASSAULTTHEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESSEVADING ARRESTPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEWILLIAMS, JAMES LEIGHHOMELESS RED BANK, 37415Age at Arrest: 46 years oldArresting Agency: Red BankASSAULTYOUNG, COSHA A4511 HANCOCK RD Chattanooga, 374163220Age at Arrest: 46 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDOMESTIC ASSAULTPUBLIC INTOXICATION

Here are the mug shots:

BARBEE, STEVE DOUGLAS

Age at Arrest: 37

Date of Birth: 08/20/1986

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING) CHISM, DESIREE A

Age at Arrest: 23

Date of Birth: 03/02/2000

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

CUNNINGHAM, CASSANDRA CHANTEL

Age at Arrest: 41

Date of Birth: 04/23/1982

Arresting Agency: Collegedale



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

DAVIS, DEONAKA T

Age at Arrest: 36

Date of Birth: 02/17/1987

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT EDGEMAN, CHARLES HAYDEN

Age at Arrest: 22

Date of Birth: 02/25/2001

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ENSLEY-PETHICK, JENNIFER LEIGH

Age at Arrest: 51

Date of Birth: 03/01/1972

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) EVANS, MEGAN N

Age at Arrest: 28

Date of Birth: 11/28/1994

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

TAMPERING WITH OR FABRICATING EVIDENCE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

POSSESSION OF FENTANYL FOR RESALE FORINGER, STACEY

Age at Arrest: 37

Date of Birth: 10/25/1985

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

911 VIOLATION (IMPROPER USE) FULGHAM, SHONTIONNA A

Age at Arrest: 18

Date of Birth: 01/19/2005

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

UNAUTHORIZED USE OF AUTOMOBILE (JOY RIDING) GIFFORD, CHRISTY LYNN

Age at Arrest: 40

Date of Birth: 02/11/1983

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

OFF-ROAD MOTOR VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY VIOLATION

HOOD, WALTER JAMES

Age at Arrest: 54

Date of Birth: 11/01/1968

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

CRIMINAL TRESPASSING HUMPHREY, BRANDON RAJSHAUN

Age at Arrest: 35

Date of Birth: 10/17/1987

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

JONES, JASON ROBERT ALLEN

Age at Arrest: 22

Date of Birth: 04/08/2001

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

OPEN CONTAINER LAW LANE, LADEDRICK JAMALL

Age at Arrest: 25

Date of Birth: 08/18/1998

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

CRIMINAL TRESPASSING

EVADING ARREST

DISORDERLY CONDUCT LAWRENCE, KIANA N

Age at Arrest: 18

Date of Birth: 10/16/2004

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY LEAVELL, AUSTIN MATTHEW

Age at Arrest: 32

Date of Birth: 05/24/1991

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT LEDFORD, ALEXIS M

Age at Arrest: 23

Date of Birth: 08/04/2000

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

OPEN CONTAINER LAW

FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY LETTNER, JONATHAN DWIGHT

Age at Arrest: 26

Date of Birth: 09/11/1977

Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE MARTIN, JACOB GREGORY

Age at Arrest: 19

Date of Birth: 06/04/2004

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SCHEDULE VI

POSS.HANDGUN WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE

RECKLESS DRIVING

FAILURE TO REPORT ACCIDENT

EVADING ARREST

LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT W/DAMAGE TO VEHICLE MATIAS-FELIPE, JESUS

Age at Arrest: 40

Date of Birth: 03/27/1983

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

FALSE REPORTS

LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT W/DAMAGE TO VEHICLE

MCCURRY, DARVIN

Age at Arrest: 24

Date of Birth: 05/29/1999

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS

EVADING ARREST

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING) MCWHORTER, APRIL ALISIA

Age at Arrest: 39

Date of Birth: 07/29/1983

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE RHODES, MARY LEANNA

Age at Arrest: 48

Date of Birth: 01/17/1975

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT ROBINSON, SUNDAY MARIE

Age at Arrest: 57

Date of Birth: 02/03/1966

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF ROLLINS, CHRISTOPHER

Age at Arrest: 32

Date of Birth: 05/15/1991

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

TAMPERING WITH OR FABRICATING EVIDENCE

POSSESSION OF FENTANYLFOR RESALE TOMAS VASQUEZ, JOEL ELISEO

Age at Arrest: 20

Date of Birth: 05/03/2003

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

OPEN CONTAINER LAW

DRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSE

DRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATION

MINOR IN POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL VISHER, ADAM DONNELL

Age at Arrest: 23

Date of Birth: 11/08/1999

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

VOGEL, BRANDON ALLEN

Age at Arrest: 23

Date of Birth: 12/21/1999

Arresting Agency: Red Bank



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

VANDALISM WALSTON, JAMES LAWRENCE

Age at Arrest: 42

Date of Birth: 01/16/1981

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE

CONTRABAND IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS WIGFALL, EDWIN L

Age at Arrest: 29

Date of Birth: 04/23/1992

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS

EVADING ARREST

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WILLIAMS, JAMES LEIGH

Age at Arrest: 46

Date of Birth: 07/11/1977

Arresting Agency: Red Bank



Last Date of Arrest: 10/01/2023

Charge(s):

ASSAULT








For many years it was a tradition in the Freudenberg household to watch WDEF Ch. 12 and CBS on Tuesday nights. My father wouldnt miss the Red Skelton hour followed by Jack Benny. I can hear dad now, laughing at the jokes of Americas favorite clown. He would scoop out some Mayfield Ice Cream for all of us and then wed sit and laugh for the entire 90 minutes. It was the only night our bedtime was extended past 9 p.m.

Many years later I had the privilege of sitting next to the king of comedy when he came to Chattanooga in 1979. The late Clyde Hawkins was the Memorial Auditorium - Tivoli Theater manager and a good friend of WDOD where I worked. Mr. Hawkins called one day and informed me of a news conference at the Chattanooga Choo Choo in the board of directors room; I took advantage of the special invitation.

Upon my arrival Mr. Hawkins was waiting at the door. He didnt say a word but pointed to what would be my seat at the end of the large conference table. I took my place and a few minutes later, our comedy hero entered and sat down next to me at the head of the table.

There were a few minutes before the event started and so I took advantage of the opportunity to talk with one of my television favorites. We shook hands and he asked my name to which I said, Earl Freudenberg, sir. Our countrys number one clown then said, A German name, (short pause) I have many friends who are from Germany, and Ive visited there many times.

Mr. Skelton said he was very interested in the Choo Choo station and all its trains. Im looking forward to a short tour of this historic facility.

We continued to talk mostly about our beautiful city, and I remember he wanted to know about Luther who made his The Pledge of Allegiance famous on the radio. I told him Luther was number one among radio listeners to which Skelton responded, I understand he finds lost dogs, Ill call him next time mine runs off.

Mr. Skelton asked for my address and I wrote it down on a piece of paper from my reporters pad. A few weeks later he sent me a plaque of the pledge which hangs on the wall today in the barn at the Hullander Farm in Apison.

Promoter Lon Varnell called the conference to order and welcomed everyone introducing Chattanooga Mayor Pat Rose. The mayor gave the distinguished visitor a key to our city and asked the comedian to promote the scenic city every chance he got.

Mr. Skelton answered questions from those around the table for over 30 minutes talking about painting for his wife every day and his love for writing music.

According to Hello Chattanooga by David Carroll, Skelton came to Chattanooga for the evening of comedy at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial on April 7, 1979. Carrolls book said the performance was sold out.

Carrolls book said the 77 year old Skelton returned to the city again in 1991 after an extensive remodeling of the Memorial Auditorium. Those attending the show said nearly every seat was filled.

Chattanoogas First Presbyterian Church Pastor Ben Haden said he and his wife Charlene attended the show with his good friends News Free Press Editor Lee Anderson and his wife, Betsy. Rev. Haden said of the evening, Red has a God given talent to make us laugh; it was good clean comedy and an evening Ill never forget. Rev. Haden said he and Mr. Anderson met Skelton briefly back stage after the performance.

Thanks to the late Mr. Hawkins I was the only reporter who got a one on one conversation with the man who entertained generations with his comedy on radio, television and the stage. The popular entertainer died 24 years ago but my memory of that spring event will always be special and the few minutes I was able to chat with one of Americas most popular comedians at the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo. I only wish wed had telephone cameras.

I happened to save a recording of the question and answer session between the Chattanooga media and the CBS television comedian. Thanks to Ben Cagle, the historical meeting at the Chattanooga Choo Choo has been preserved. Click here to enjoy a few minutes with one of the best comedians of all time.
A vote by the city Industrial Development Board on a new PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) policy has been delayed for 90 days.

The policy sets a standard matrix for many PILOTs that would be approved by the IDB, but not go on to the City Council as they do currently.

The City Council would still review larger PILOTs.

Jermaine Freeman, the mayor's chief of staff, said more time is needed "to discuss the new policy with our community partners."

The IDB will consider the policy on Jan. 8.

If it is approved, then it goes on to the City Council.

Under the plan, PILOTs would be in order for projects adding at least 100 jobs. A manufacturing project would need to be at least $20 million and an office project $5 million.

The tax breaks would be 100 percent the first year, 75 percent the second year, 60 percent the third year and 50 percent for subsequent years.

The proposals would go to the IDB and require a public hearing. There would need to be an affidavit that the project would not go forward without the tax break.

Mr. Freeman said the plan "gives a clear, predictable path" for firms looking into a PILOT for their project. He said it would make Chattanooga more competitive with other cities on getting new developments.
The Chattanooga Area Historical Association announces Mike Loftin will speak about ''The History of Newspaper Work in Tennessee" on Monday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. Mr. Loftin is retired from the newspaper.This meeting will take place at the usual meeting place at the First Presbyterian Church, 554 McCallie Ave., located at the corner of McCallie Avenue and Douglas Street, with parking in the rear. For those who are not familiar with the area, the sanctuary is on the corner; next to the church is a tall building, and between it and the larger building, which is now owned by UTC, is a small driveway.Enter the church from the parking lot; we meet in the chapel (no steps involved).All meetings are free of charge and open to the public; come and bring a guest. Meetings are usually on Mondays, unless noted, and all meetings begin at 6 p.m.
Chattanooga Airport announced it has been awarded the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grant, totaling $750,000, from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly said, Air connectivity is critical to maintaining a prosperous and resilient local economy, which is why I have been a huge advocate for the improvements and additional air services coming to the Chattanooga Airport. People want to fly in and out of Chattanooga, and Im committed to helping unlock that latent capacity and to making the strategic investments necessary to accommodate the growth were seeing in our city and region. I am thankful for the support of the Department of Transportation and for the great work of the Chattanooga Airport in securing this grant.

The funding will be used for recruiting new air service to Denver, allowing the greater Chattanooga area easy access to the West Coast and numerous international destinations. An alternative new service option proposed is nonstop to Houston.

Chattanooga Airport continues to grow and expand to meet the needs of our region. This grant is monumental in making our strategic plans a reality, said April Cameron, president and CEO of Chattanooga Airport.

Qualifications for the SCASDP grant include being classified as a small hub airport and having insufficient air carrier service. Priority is also given to applicants whose communities provide a portion of the funds needed to deliver the proposed services. Supporters of Chattanooga Airport raised over $375,000 to go towards this potential service expansion, which brings total proceeds to over $1 million to support a new nonstop flight destination.

I also want to thank the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, the Chattanooga Airport Board of Commissioners and business leaders across the region who provided additional support, Ms. Cameron added.

This is the first time since 2005 that the Chattanooga Airport has been awarded the SCASDP grant.
Five Jewish-themed, award-winning films produced in the France, Israel, Poland and the United States will be shown in-person and virtually on five consecutive weeks beginning Sunday, Oct. 15, and continuing through Friday, Nov. 17. Each in-person screening will begin at 7 p.m. and be held at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace Road. Each virtual film screening will be available from noon on Sunday and conclude at noon on Friday.

To register to view the films in-person or virtually visit www.jewishchattanooga.com. Films are available for $12, $3 for students with ID.

All films in the series have garnered international film awards and nominations, and have received recognition at film festivals throughout the United States, Europe and Israel.

Walk-ins for in-person screenings are available and encouraged. Masks are optional. Virtual screenings must be pre-paid in advance by visiting www.jewishchattanooga.com. You will receive the login code the first morning of the screening and a link for recordings of discussions and interviews for specific films.

The Chattanooga Jewish Film Series schedule is as follows:

In-person Monday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m./ Virtually noon Oct. 15  noon Oct. 20

Farewell Mr. Haffmann Occupied Paris, 1941: all members of the Jewish community are instructed to come forward and identify themselves to authorities. Dedicated jeweler Joseph Haffmann, fearing the worst, arranges for his family to flee the city and offers his employee Francois Mercier the chance to take over his store until the conflict subsides. But his own attempts to escape are thwarted, and Haffmann is forced to seek his assistants protection. 115 minutes, French with English subtitles

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZjGjA2lXD8

In person Monday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m./Virtually noon Oct. 22 to noon Oct. 27 Matchmaking An entertaining and good-hearted romantic comedy that gives an Ashkenazi and Sephardic Orthodox twist to "Romeo and Juliet". 96 minutes, Hebrew with English subtitles Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bUtSAm7-hY

In-person Monday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m./Virtually noon Oct. 29 to noon Nov. 3

Love Gets A Room Is a musical drama, a play inside of a play, set in the Warsaw ghetto (1940), and is the story of a Jewish stage actress who must make the decision whether or not to follow her heart. The film is a romantic tale of love and survival in the face of harrowing circumstances. 103 minutes, English

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NXRhaBX3JI

In-person Monday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m./Virtually noon Nov. 5 to noon Nov. 10

The Future When Israels Minister of Space and Tourism is murdered in the lead-up to the countrys first mission to the moon, Yaffa, a young Arab university student from the occupied West Bank, confesses to the murder. Scientist Nurit asks for permission to interview the assassin. The two women face off, determined to give nothing away, over a potentially fraught series of encounters. 80 minutes, Arabic, Hebrew with English subtitles

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RdyRaGF72o&t=5s



In-person Monday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m./Virtually noon Nov. 12 to noon Nov. 17

March 68 Two young students, Hania and Janek, meet and fall in love in the midst of social turmoil and Jewish discrimination in 1960s Warsaw. While the young lovers are uninterested in politics, they find themselves unable to avoid it when Hania's father and mother lose their jobs due to the anti-Semitic purge and are forced to emigrate. Hania does not want to leave Janek. The couple participates in a protest rally where they discover freedom comes at a high price. 115 minutes, Polish with English subtitles

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSu_ZwxlJ8I

A committee of dedicated volunteers reviews an average of 35 feature films each year in order to choose six films. Films screened at major national and international film festivals, those recommended by peers throughout the United States, and those brought to the committees attention by filmmakers are included in the selection process. We appreciate our corporate sponsors: Chattanooga Allergy Clinic, Market Street Partners and Smith+Howard, Patton Albertson & Miller, Chambliss, Barnett & Company, First Horizon, Apogee Wealth Partners and Kleen-A-Matic.

The Jewish Cultural Center, funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga, offers programs, classes and exhibits, social services, and a preschoolall rooted in Jewish values. The facility enables the Jewish community to raise its visibility, foster relationships, and strengthen its identity in the Chattanooga area. Located at 5461 North Terr., the Center and its programs are open to everyone regardless of religious affiliation.
In reaction to the senseless killing of Chris Wright by the lifetime criminal Daryl Roberts, I heard our Mayor Kelly and County Mayor Wamp say they are tired of gun violence. Wrong term mayors, it is people violence. And those in power, our political class, in our county, city, state and country, have failed to keep the population safe by no locking up people like Roberts and keeping them locked up. We have a spineless group of politicians, judges and prosecutors that are giving more rights to the criminal then they are to the victims.

After 66 arrests and I am certain more than a handful of convictions, there is no way this guy should be walking around on the streets free to kill. Yet the system run by the current political class calls it gun violence instead of looking inwardly and realizing they are not taking severe action on repeat offenders.

Here is a list of things we need to do to rid the nation of this crime epidemic and we might as well get on with it before we lose complete control of our streets:

No plea bargains

No first offense probation

Prosecute on every count, not just the main charge.

Maximum sentences for repeat offenders

No early parole, for any reason

Three strikes, four strikes or five strikes (you call it) you are out, at some point you are not getting back out on the street

More jails or larger jails

Get behind our police force and stop reacting to the cry of excessive force. It is a tough job, mistakes will be made, but they need our support on every call.

Our political class should be apologizing to the Wright family for letting them down and costing this life. My condolences to the Wright family.

David D. Anderson, Sr.
State Representative Greg Martin worked to secure the appropriation of $25,000 in state funding designated specifically for Adult and Teen Challenge Midsouth graduates to attend college or a trade certificate program to improve their lives and reduce the likelihood of a relapse.Ive always been moved by Gregs passion to see lives bound by addiction permanently transformed, said Dr. McNabb, CEO of ATCM. It is refreshing to know that we have leaders who support our Christ-centered efforts to not only see men and women become productive members of society, but to have our graduates become the husbands, wives, moms and dads that God always intended them to be.Addiction is a relentless and unforgiving disease that can completely destroy a persons life if they do not seek help, Dr.Martin said. This funding will provide valuable assistance to recovery program graduates who are looking to better their lives by furthering their education. I am grateful to my colleagues in the General Assembly for their support of this important investment in our community and its future. The appropriated funds are part of a $56.2 billion balanced budget that was passed by the General Assembly in April.Adult and Teen Challenge Midsouth is a faith-based, residential recovery program for adults between the ages of 18 and 50 who are seeking freedom from alcohol and drug addiction. It offers classes, individual study, personal mentoring, work ethics training, time and money management and involvement in the Christian community.
Morning Pointe at Happy Valley, the new assisted living and memory care campus in development in Walker County, will start offering tours of the building to interested families on Monday.Associates will conduct Dusty Boot Tours leading up to the communitys opening to residents, allowing potential residents and their families to see inside the building before reserving an apartment. The address is 2989 Happy Valley Road in Rossville.We are so excited to be opening the doors to the community, starting with a sneak peek of the amazing progress the community has made over the last several months, said Kristen Weitz, community relations director at Morning Pointe at Happy Valley.Reservations are happening fast, and with each apartment type having its own unique qualities, this is the ideal time to reserve your perfect space.The new campus will offer 58 assisted living apartments and 24 memory care apartments speciallydesigned for residents with Alzheimers disease and other forms of memory loss. The senior community is part of an overall community redevelopment of the historic 300-acre Happy Valley Farms. It will be the 38th Morning Pointe Senior Living community and the companys second campus in Georgia (with the other in Calhoun).To arrange a tour, call Ms. Weitz at 706-916-2777.Building progress continues on track for a late 2023 opening, and the community is currently hiringnurses, certified nursing assistants, resident assistants, cooks and other roles.The 300-acre Happy Valley farm and estate were established in 1935 by John L. Hutcheson, Jr., andwere the site of an award-winning Jersey cattle and dairy farm, and later a world-class AmericanSaddlebred horse-breeding facility. Greg A. Vital, co-founder and president of Morning Pointe Senior Living, purchased the farm from the Happy Valley Estate in 2020 for preservation and development. The campus is located across the road from the barn, between Ridgeland High School and Rossville Middle School. Leaders at the community anticipate many intergenerational activities between the students and the residents.Clinical services at the campus will include 24/7 nursing care and personal care services, medicationassistance and reminders, periodic check-ins, personal grooming assistance, assistance with transferring to a bed or chair, escorting to meals and events, incontinence management and more. On-site physical, occupational and speech therapy services will also be offered through The Weston Group.Programming will include life enrichment such as arts and crafts, wellness offerings such as exerciseclasses and intergenerational activities, such as partnering with local schools.The Lantern memory care wing will provide an array of Alzheimers and dementia care services, including innovative therapies such as Teepa Snows Positive Approach to Care, Best Friends Approach and Morning Pointes own Meaningful Day  a purposeful memory care program providing structure to help residents feel safe and secure.The campus will also feature Morning Pointes Farm to Table program with local, farm-fresh and seasonal ingredients.We are thrilled to be able to invite interested seniors and their families to take a look inside this beautiful building on this historic site, said Mr. Vital. It wont be long now before we will be opening our doors for residents to move in and call Morning Pointe at Happy Valley home.To reserve an apartment, or to inquire about job opportunities, call 706-916-2777. Jobs are alsoposted at morningpointe.com/careers/.
Christian had a big question for Cleo at the 'Before the 90 Days' reunion tell-all episode. How did she respond?

Christian and Cleo are committed to making it work. The 90 Day Fiance pair faced some major challenges in their long-distance relationship, including his wandering eye and judgmental family members. But despite obstacles, they are still together, the couple confirmed during the 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days tell-all special that aired on Oct. 1.

Christian and Cleo from 90 Day Fiance faced challenges when they took their relationship offline

Christian, 30, met Cleo, 32, on Instagram. A friendship soon developed into a romance, and the Minnesota native decided to travel to the U.K. to meet his girlfriend in person. But the pair soon faced difficulties in taking an online romance offline.

Christians life-of-the-party personality was in stark contrast to Cleos more low-key, stay-at-home vibe. His desire to be social was tough for Cleo to manage because she is neurodivergent, she said.

Socializing can be very draining for autistic people, so I prefer not to socialize in unknown environments, she explained at one point.

She was also put off by Christians flirty behavior with other women. Those interactions triggered major insecurities in Cleo, who is a trans woman. She feared that Christian, who had previously only dated cisgender women, was ashamed to be in a relationship with her.

Cleo worried that Christian was ashamed to be in a relationship with a trans woman

Cleos fears only intensified after she and Christian were intimate for the first time, an encounter that she described as romantic and passionate. So, she was devastated when she discovered hed lied to 90 Day producers when asked if theyd had sex, telling them they only hit a couple of bases.

For Cleo, Christians lack of honesty about their experience together was baffling and hurtful.

Maybe he doesnt want people or his family to be able to know that he has been intimate with a trans woman, Cleo said at the time. He doesnt want to hear their opinions.

The couple eventually moved past that incident. But they still faced judgment from his less open-minded family members. During the Before the 90 Days tell-all episode, Cleo said shed visited Christian in Minnesota. While she hit it off with his female relatives, she didnt meet the men in his family. Thats because theyre masculine and conservative and wouldnt accept her.

Christian wants Cleo to marry him

Cleo and Christian | 90 Day Fiance via YouTube

Given the various issues theyve faced, few would have been surprised if Christian and Cleo called it quits. But during the 90 Day tell-all they confirmed that they had not broken up. In fact, they were thinking about taking the next step in their relationship.

There is a question I havent asked Cleo, Christian said. Would you be willing to marry me?

Cleo, who was appearing via video chat, was stunned, calling the moment surreal. But she seemed open to the idea  provided he got down on one knee in person.

Definitely on one of these trips I would say that she can anticipate that thats probably going to happen, he said.

So, has Christian popped the question? They havent revealed any marriage plans yet. But based on a photo of him and Cleo that Christian recently shared on Instagram, it seems like they are still together. Perhaps fans will see more of them in a future season of 90 Day Fiance.

For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, subscribe to Showbiz Cheat Sheets YouTube channel.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have always been environmental activists, but one royal expert recently slammed the couple for 'hypocrisy' for taking up to seven flights over a two-week period.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been traveling quite a bit lately due to having engagements overseas, which isnt uncommon for celebrities or royals. However, in recent years, the royal family has been slammed by the public, as well as by activist groups and anti-monarchy groups, for using excessive air travel while simultaneously being climate change activists.

Harry and Meghan are the most recent royals to feel that wrath, having traveled 19,000 miles over the course of two weeks.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took seven flights in 14 days

Harry and Meghan had busy schedules in September, mostly due to Harrys Invictus Games taking place in Germany. According to Express, Harrys flights began back on September 7, when he flew from California to London to attend the WellChild Awards. He snagged a flight to Germany from there; he and Meghan did not fly together. Meghan took two flights to get to Germany, with a stopover in London. The couple then left Germany after the Invictus Games and had a quick vacation in Portugal, where they reportedly visited Princess Eugenie, prior to returning to California. Its unclear if there were two or three flights involved in the Portugal trip; Express reports seven flights, so its possible there was a layover between flying from Portugal back to California.

One royal expert slammed the couple for taking so many flights in such a short amount of time, considering the two are often talking about the effects humans have had on the environment. If you preach about climate change, as Harry and Meghan do, you should, where possible, practice what you preach, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express. The discovery that along with flights to London and Germany for Invictus, the couple also visited Princess Eugenie, whom they are close to, in Portugal, has obviously laid them open to charges of hypocrisy.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

The royal family has come under fire for their flying habits in the past

While Harry and Meghan might not have needed to fly to Portugal, it makes sense that they took a shorter flight to stop over in Portugal as opposed to flying there all the way from California. Theyre certainly entitled to a vacation every now and then. Plus, if the couple took commercial flights (which we dont know), its possible they needed to take some layovers to make those happen; in that case, it does make sense that they flew so much in a two-week period, especially considering they havent traveled all that much in 2023. Is the criticism for this instance warranted? Probably not.

However, the royal family has come under fire in the past for their flight decisions. Harry and Meghan flew commercial back in 2019 to go to southern Africa after they were accused of hypocrisy for flying private jets on royal engagements. King Charles has been accused of taking unnecessary helicopter rides for trips that were driving distance, as has Kate Middleton. However, in Harry and Meghans most recent case, flying was essential for this charitable event, so there will inevitably be circumstances where they cant avoid taking several flights.
Meri Brown might be a good friend to Robyn Brown, but Robyn isn't a good friend to her. Kody Brown's only wife is being incredibly selfish about the departure of her sister wives.

Robyn Brown joined the Brown family in 2010. 13 years later, she is the last sister wife standing. You could point to several key moments in Sister Wives that prove Robyn is the familys biggest problem. Still, at the end of the day, Kody Brown is to blame for decimating his plural marriages. Robyn isnt entirely blameless, though. In season 18 of the controversial reality TV series, she is proving just how selfish she is. One of her worst moments came in the Oct. 1 episode.

Robyn Brown sobs over losing the stability of Meri Brown

Robyn Brown showcased her selfishness in the Oct. 1 episode of Sister Wives. In one poignant scene, Robyn Brown questions Meri Brown about her desire to move her clothing business from Flagstaff, Arizona, to Parowan, Utah.

Meri insisted she was telling Robyn because she believes Robyn is the only one who cares where she is. The statement was heartfelt and heartbreaking. Meri was kind in how she handled Robyn and her emotions. Robyn didnt return the favor.

Kody Browns fourth wife sobbed over losing the steadiness that is Meri Brown. She went on to reveal shes angry at the other wives for leaving plural marriage behind. Robyn failed to understand the heartbreak of three wives who were getting almost no attention from their shared husband because she had not experienced a lack of affection.

Robyn Brown is being pretty selfish in season 18 of Sister Wives

For the last several seasons, viewers have lambasted Robyn Brown on social media. She has been blamed for the downfall of the Brown family and called out for acting willfully obtuse about her sister wives struggles. While some of that blame might be misplaced, we can admit that she is acting incredibly selfish regarding Meri Brown.

If Robyn Brown truly sympathized with her sister wives, she would understand why they must move on. Instead of guilting Meri for making a move that best fits her, she should cheer her on. Meri has spent a decade in a loveless marriage, being bullied by her spiritual husband and her sister wives. Moving on and away from Kody is the healthiest decision Meri has made. The fact that Robyn cant celebrate that, despite insisting she and Meri are friends, is just sad.

Where are Kodys estranged wives now?

While Robyn did try to guilt Meri into staying in her troubled marriage, it didnt work. Meri has moved on from Flagstaff and does not appear to have a home base in the state any longer. She is living full-time in Parowan, Utah, and enjoys traveling. The small business owner is open to dating again at some point.

The cast of TLCs Sister Wives in key art for season 18 includes Meri, Kody, Robyn, Janelle and Christine Brown | TLC

Meri isnt the only former sister wife who has walked away entirely. Christine Brown, who left Kody in 2021, is set to marry her new love, David Woolley, later this month. Janelle Brown still maintains a residence in Flagstaff but is not interested in reconnecting with Kody. Janelle even publicly toyed with the idea of moving back to Utah to find a new polygamist family to join. Robyn and Kody remain legally wed.
So many incredibly brave people fought and worked hard during the Civil War, many of whom were women who worked as nurses who cared for wounded soldiers.

One of the bravest and most daring of those women was Anna Etheridge, a nurse who risked her life to save others during the Civil War.

Anna, or Annie, was born in Michigan in 1839. She quickly knew what it meant to take care of people at a young age when her father fell ill during her childhood, and she played a big role in helping him. Her passion for nursing grew stronger when she got a job at a local hospital.

In 1860, she married James Etheridge and moved with him to Detroit. The normal days of marriage did not last long, as later that year, the Civil War broke out, and they both knew they would be getting involved in the war effort.

By 1861, Annie and James joined the Union Army and were part of the Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, James as a soldier and Annie as a regiment nurse. Their time in the war as a couple proved to be very interesting, as James ended up deserting his post, and Annie stayed involved, serving as a nurse throughout the entire duration of the war.

As the war progressed, Annie became a vivandiere, a woman who would provide food and water to soldiers in the army. She also became a Daughter of the Regiment, which meant that in addition to nursing soldiers back to health off the battlefield, shed be providing them with medical help on the battlefield.

Annie was not only tasked with medical duties but also did laundry and cooking for Union Army soldiers. Shed also keep them company and provide emotional comfort during the dark and scary times.

Annie participated in a whopping total of 32 battles during the Civil War. She was known for her unmarked bravery, as she wasnt afraid to get her hands dirty or ride onto a battlefield on horseback to help Union Army men fight for their country. Her words and actions inspired soldiers and even gained her notoriety from some generals.

Annie certainly didnt get through the Civil War untouched. During the Second Battle of Manassas, she was almost captured, and during the Battle of Chancellorsville, she was wounded in the hand when a soldier decided to hide behind her horse.

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This essay is a special collaboration with Ekstasis, CTs imaginative NextGen project, and originally appeared in the Ecstatic Newsletter, an extension of Ekstasis on Substack. Together, were building a digital cathedral that offers space to ponder and lift our eyes to Christ in wonder.

In his final conversation with the apostle Peter, Jesus asks whether Peter loves him. Yes, Lord, says Peter, you know that I love you. Jesus replies, Feed my lambs (John 21:1519). Peter obeys by giving a faithful account of Jesus life and ministry to Jewish hearers and crosses cultural boundaries to deliver it to Gentile audiences as well. The church forms as an ethnically, linguistically, and geographically heterogeneous community, nourished by a testimony that has been translated across cultures to feed every tribe and tongue.

Modern Christians have continued the early believers project of making the testimony of Jesus assimilable to every culture, and the Western church is no exception. But we may be pushing this endeavor past its rightful limits. As Jesus and his teachings resurface in the form of spiritually-inflected home goods available from our favorite social media stars, professionally engineered worship megahits that primarily enrich their makers, and components of profitable personal brands, we would do well to ask ourselves what exactly we are accomplishing.

Our methods of bearing witness may be redirecting the devotion that should accrue to Jesus and drawing it to ourselves. We risk no longer feeding Christs sheep but feeding on them instead.

Jesus understood that our apparent acts of devotion can become covers for predation. Watch out for false prophets, he warned. They come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (Matt. 7:15). Its an evocative image, bringing to mind the many ways religious power has been creatively misused: Hophni and Phinehas collecting food and sexual favors at the temple (1 Sam. 2:1225); Pope Urban II granting indulgences in exchange for enlistment in the Crusades; Southern Baptist Convention leaders choosing self-protection at the cost of abused church members.

For wolves in sheeps clothing, ministry is attractive because of how easily the flock can be devoured.

Is there any way for us to know if we have transformed into the kind of people Jesus cautioned his hearers to avoid? The artist J. Cole wrestles with this question in his 2016 single False Prophets. He begins with an outpouring of grievances aimed at musicians he loved before their giftedness brought them the acclaim that would enable their most destructive impulses. Ego in charge of every move, hes a star, Cole laments, And we cant look away due to the days that he caught our hearts.

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For Christians with even a glancing acquaintance with the last decade of public church meltdowns, we could cast this verse with any number of people. This could be about Mark Driscoll. Or Ravi Zacharias. Or Carl Lentz or Jerry Falwell Jr. or too many other figureheads of Christian denominations or institutions, national or local, who earned, then demolished, the trust of everyone who looked to him for nourishment. In Psalm 145:15, David praises the Lord as the provider for every living thing, saying the eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. The false prophet in Coles depiction is like a perverse riff on Davids theme. He draws a following, then uses it to gorge himself.

Interestingly, Coles lyrics quickly move away from accusation and enter a mode of introspective self-indictment. Does he also want to feed on the people who adore him? He considers how difficult it is for him to escape the moral ambiguities of his position as a hip-hop icon. Do I do it for the love of the music or is there more to me? he asks. Do I want these [audiences] to worship me?

By the end of False Prophets, Cole has placed himself on a continuum with the people whose appetites have ravaged themselves and their followers, concluding that no one is exempt from the possibility of moral collapse.

This brings us back to Jesus exchange with Peter. What initially appears as a straightforward exhortation to care for those in Peters ministry begins to seem troubling. Why does Jesus tell Peter to feed his sheep not just once, but three times? Why is their exchange recorded for the church? Do we need this reminder too?

Perhaps the call to feed Jesus sheep is reiterated for us in part because it is so hard to follow faithfully. Australian academic Marion Maddox argues that few of us are immune to the pull of spiritual celebrity and the structures that support it. Even if we technically oppose the prosperity gospel or think social platforms are terrible places for discipleship, we have probably looked at images of powerful male pastors and their conventionally attractive wives, scrolled through videos of their expensively appointed homes, and wanted these things for ourselves. She posits that images of celebrity Christian couples have replaced the more conventional iconography of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in Western culture.

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Even if we hate how much religion has become an industry, with its own brands and moguls, this industry succeeds because we want what it sellsor want to succeed on its terms. Like Cole, Maddox sees all of us as vulnerable to becoming the thing we oppose. God calls people to be his sheep, but given the right opportunity, we can act as wolves.

We can accept our shared moral weakness, knowing that we are all tempted toward wolf-like behavior, but this does not make those of us who succumb less culpable. Jesus was especially harsh with abusers of religious power. Woe to you Pharisees, he says, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.  And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them. (Luke 11:43, 46). He warned that the blood of the martyred prophets, sent to correct generations of unrepentant religious leadership, would be required of them.

Yet Jesus primary message is not about the dangers we pose to one another. By reminding us to feed his sheep and to beware of wolves, he is ultimately preparing us to understand his role in our narrative.

The through line in Jesus stories of sheep, and of wolves in sheeps clothing, is the problem of their hunger. The sheep need to be fed, and therein lies their vulnerability. The wolves are ravenous, and therein lies their capacity for evil. Jesus, the Living Word, the embodiment of all that God has ever wanted to speak to humanity, interrupts the story of our insatiability and introduces himself as the Bread of Life (John 6:2240).

Jesus describes himself by saying my flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink (John 6:55). He repeats these words again before offering his body to be crucified (Matt. 26:2629). Even in his infant form, Jesus, freshly born and still wordless, tells us who he is by resting in a trough designed for the feeding of animals.

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During the early days of the Asbury outpouringthe spontaneous, student-driven revival at Kentuckys Asbury University in the spring of 2023seminary student Madison Pierce made a widely circulated Facebook post about what he witnessed in the university chapel. I find it interesting, he wrote, that God would mark this outpouring with  a leadership emphasizing protective humility in relationship with power for a generation deeply hurt by the abuse of religious power.

Pierce was one of several commentators who would remark on the atmosphere of humility cultivated on the Asbury campus with a mixture of fascination and relief. Billy Coppedge, writing about Asbury for the Lausanne Movement, confessed that one of his earliest thoughts was this could be very advantageous for [the university]. They could profit off of all these visitors and the media attention. He said it was remarkable, then, that the attitude throughout has not been, How can we bend this for Asburys purposes? but rather, How do we not touch the glory?

Pierce and Coppedges statements are both hopeful and sobering. Coppedge was delighted by the guilelessness he saw at the university because of how strongly it contrasted with his expectations for a religious institution poised to expand its power. Pierce was so struck by leadership emphasizing protective humility that he cited it as evidence of divine visitationnot because religious leadership was lacking, but because of how frequently hed seen religious leaders be exposed as abusive.

What does this tell us about the church in the West? We have made religious celebrities and institutions ubiquitous in our culture, but we have not always fed the people entrusted to our care. The backdrop in every article about the outpourings humility is the mass of people who have been scarred by the kind of leadership Jesus denounced. The subtext to these stories is sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus instructions to Peter can register as both an invitation and a challenge. Feed my sheep, says Jesus, but it is a task of cosmic difficulty. Can anyone do this without devolving into a wolf? If we are confident in our ability to do as he asks, we should think againmaybe think three times.

Yi Ning Chiu is a contributing writer to Christianity Today and a columnist for Ekstasis.
For Uwe Holmer, the question wasnt simple. But it was clear.

Did he believe what Jesus said?

The East German dictator Erich Honecker was asking for his help. Honecker had long been an enemy of the church, a powerful ideological opponent of Christianity who had worked to suppress and control people of faith in the German Democratic Republic, and he had personally harried and harassed Holmers own family for years.

But now the Communist leader had been pushed from power, driven from his home, turned out of a hospital onto the streetand he was asking the Lutheran church to take him in.

Holmer had to decide what he believed.

He knew what the answer was.

Jesus says to love your enemies, he explained to his neighbors at the time. When we pray, Vergib uns unsere Schuld, wie wir vergeben unseren Schuldigernforgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against uswe must take these commands seriously.

The evangelical minister accepted the deposed dictator into his home in January 1990 and cared for him and his wife Margot for two and a half months. The action shocked Germans, East and West. The 40-year division of the country had just collapsed, and as the Cold War came to a surprising end, the German people didnt know what was going to happen next or how they should treat those on the other side.

The until-then unknown pastor offered one bold answer: forgiveness and hospitality. Hate, Holmer said, is not a good starting point for a new beginning among our people.

Holmer, known in Germany as the man who Honecker lived with, died on September 25. He was 94.

Uwe Holmer was a person who lived out of deep piety right up to the end, said Tilman Jeremias, Protestant bishop of Northern Germany. He was able to show charity even toward a socialist and atheist like Erich Honecker.

Holmer was born in Wismar, about 150 miles north of Berlin on the Baltic Sea, in 1929.

As a child, he joined the Hitler youth, attracted by the camaraderie, optimism for the future, and the opportunity to learn about new things like car engines. He was impacted more, however, by the trans-denominational movement of evangelical Christians associated with the German Evangelical Alliance.

At an Alliance prayer meeting in Wismar, he saw pietists from his Lutheran church joining in worship with Methodists, Baptists, and other free-church Christians, all united by their trust in Christ. Later, when he had some health problems as a teenager, he was sent to a lung clinic for 10 months. There, he became close friends with an older boy who spent his time ministering to those who were suffering and telling them about Jesus. Holmer decided he wanted to be like that.

When he graduated high school in 1948, he decided to study theology to become a Lutheran minister at the University of Jena. The school had been mostly destroyed during World War II. But the Soviet Union took over that sector of the country and rebuilt and reformed the school as a model of Communist education. Despite an ideological commitment to atheism, Soviet authorities allowed theology classes, installing Lutheran professors known for their opposition to Nazism.

Holmer decided to continue his education at Jena even when his parents, concerned about the increasing authoritarianism, decided to leave their home and move to West Germany in 1950. Holmer said he thought people in the East would need pastors. He graduated and was ordained in 1955.

When he was assigned to a rural northern church, however, Holmer struggled to become an effective minister. The people didnt understand his sermons. He flailed around in the pulpit, not speaking clearly. In crisis, he picked up the works of Martin Luther and became convicted that he should only preach one thing: Your sins are forgiven.

It changed everything about his ministry.

I simply proclaimed the grace of God and how we can take hold of it by faith, he later said. And lo and behold! This offer of the gospel came alive in the hearts of many people, gave assurance of forgiveness, and made them free and joyful. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

Though he was not especially political, the young minister was committed to democracy. He ran afoul of the Communist regime in the late 1960s, when he criticized the forced collectivization of agriculture. The Ministry for State Security, known as the Stasi, put him under surveillance, noting that he could be a troublemaker. One of the people keeping an eye on him was Honecker, who was then the security secretary for the central committee of the German Communist party.

Honecker played a key role in the construction of the Berlin Wall at about that time and formally took responsibility for the policy of shooting people trying to escape to the West, called Schiebefehl, order to shoot. More than 300 people ultimately died at the wall.

When Honecker rose to the top of the Communist party and took control of the state in 1971, he made a show of liberalizing East Germany. He orchestrated the economy to provide more blue jeans for young people and allowed more freedom for authors and artists.

Honecker also worked out a deal with the Protestant church, offering them a secure place in East German life and a higher public profile, including a weekly broadcast on state-run radio, in exchange for a commitment to not criticize him or the government. The Lutheran leadership in East Germany agreed to function as a church within socialism, but the Communist dictator did not always honor his side of the bargain.

The Stasi continued to spy on Holmer, and his 10 children were denied access to higher education. They had good grades and qualified to attend the advanced high school that would prepare them for university. But when they applied, they were rejected without explanation. The education department, notably, was run by Margot Honecker, who was sometimes known as the purple witch.

When the family got angry with this treatment, however, they made a practice of giving their feelings to God and forgiving the authorities who were making their lives difficult. They understood that to be what Jesus wanted.

At one point, Holmer found himself praying for Erich Honecker. He was thinking about how much power the Communist leader had, how he was praised, flattered, and applauded everywhere he went, and how bad that must be for his soul.

He needs help, Holmer thought. I would gladly tell him about the gospel if I got the chance.

Then, to the surprise of almost everyone, the East German regime started to wobble. The Communist party attempted to restore stability by forcing Honecker out. It didnt work, and a month later people started tearing down the Berlin Wall. The state legislature moved to end one-party control, effectively removing the Communists from power, and a prosecutor opened a case against the deposed leader. Honecker was charged with treason, embezzlement, and abuse of power. He was placed under house arrest. But then the legislature started seizing the partys property, and Honecker was suddenly homeless.

After a short hospital stay, Honecker was forced out onto the street. With nowhere else to go and fearing he might be killed by a mob, he turned to the Lutheran church for help. Holmer, at the time, was overseeing an institute on the outskirts of Berlin where they cared for disabled people. He consulted with his wife, Sigrid, and the children who still lived with them, and then offered to help. They cleared two upstairs rooms and welcomed the Honeckers.

They were a helpless, rather desperate couple, he later recalled. We  thought about it for a long time, but felt that we should not start the new era with hatred and contempt, but with reconciliation.

The Holmers home was soon inundated by the countrys first media frenzy, as reporters tried to get quotes from the pastor and his strange house guest, and photographers strained to snap pictures. Protestors also arrived to yell at the minister and demand punishment for Honecker.

No grace for Honecker! one sign said.

Holmer tried to change their minds.

He reminded his neighbors of a statue of Jesus in town that quoted Matthew 11:28: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. He reminded them of the Lords Prayer, which they prayed in church every Sunday, asking God to forgive them as they forgave others.

Listen, man, one man shouted in response. That is not the point.

Holmer and his family protected and cared for the deposed dictator for 10 weeks. Holmer found that Honecker wasnt very interested in talking to him about the error of his ways, however, and how he could lay hold of Gods forgiveness through faith in Christ.

Mr. Honecker, Holmer said at one point, socialism made a mistake. Socialism means that people are good, but they are not. Everyone is an egoist. Jesus said we are sinners. Thats why Jesus wanted to change hearts. And when hearts are changed for goodfor faith, hope, and love, and also for honesty and responsibilitythen we will have the conditions for good.

In April, Honecker left and went to a Soviet hospital where he could be treated for a malignant tumor on his liver. He later fled the country, successfully fought to have his case thrown out by the Supreme Court of the new German government, and spent his last days in Chile. He never showed any interest in Holmers message, but he and his wife thanked the minister and his family for their kindness and sent them a Christmas card every year.

Holmer returned to obscurity and spent the rest of his life quietly ministering to those in need. He moved to the small town of Serrahn, where he cared for people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. He preached in local churches when their pastors were on vacation and regularly traveled to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to teach Bible school.

Holmer became a member of the board of the German Evangelical Alliance and urged Christians across denominations to unite around Christ and the core message of the gospel: Your sins are forgiven.

The world is overflowing with sin, hatred and strife, war and godlessness, he said. It so desperately needs the offer of grace and forgiveness through the cross and resurrection of Jesus.

In 2022, Holmers story was made into a documentary by Jan Josef Liefers, star of the television crime drama Tatort. The film, Honecker and the Pastor, was broadcast on German public television.

Sometimes reality is more exciting than any fiction, Liefers said. If I told you that a fallen dictator had to ask for help from the most despised of his oppressed people, you would think it was a beautiful fairy tale. But this actually happened.

Holmer was predeceased by his wife, Sigrid. He is survived by their ten children, his second wife, Christine, and her five children.

[ This article is also available in Francais. ]
FBI warns about global satanic pedophile cult seeking to destroy Judeo-Christian Western society

The FBI has issued a public warning about violent online groups that target minors on messaging platforms and encourage them to live-stream acts of self-harm and produce child sexual abuse material. The warning comes after the discovery of a satanic cult.

The FBIs advisory, issued last month, is the first formal mention of a group known as 764, an offshoot of the Order of Nine Angles, a violent, subversive amalgam of esoteric Hitler worship, satanism and Wiccan tenets, by any American law enforcement agency.

The agency learned about the group after the arrest of Angel Almeida, a 23-year-old resident of Astoria, Queens, on gun possession charges in November 2021, according to The Guardian.

The groups target minors between the ages of 8 and 17, particularly those with mental health issues, the FBI said, adding they use threats, blackmail and manipulation to get their victims to record or live-stream self-harm, sexually explicit acts, and even suicide. The footage is then circulated among members to extort victims further and exert control over them.

Members of these groups communicate mainly on Telegram but also use platforms like Roblox, Discord, Twitch and SoundCloud. They gain notoriety and rise in status within their groups by sharing violent videos and images.

Documents and sources indicate that the Order of Nine Angles is a group recognized by American authorities as having a terrorist ideology. The O9A was established in the early 1970s by British neo-Nazi activist David Myatt and has been active on social media since 2008, according to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, which says O9A followers are encouraged to commit random acts of extreme violence, sexual assaults and the culling of human victims to accelerate the breakdown of the current Judeo-Christian Western system.

The 764 group has a network of a couple of thousand participants and hundreds of highly active members who generate and disseminate the bulk of child pornography and gore videos. The group involves people around the world, including the U.K. and Germany.

ISD adds, Between April 2019 to April 2021, HOPE not Hate recorded eight neo-Nazis convicted of terror offenses in the U.K., with two further linked to O9A or in possession of O9A material pending judgement. The majority of cases involved young, male teenagers.

Almeida, who was found competent to stand trial last month, faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted. Federal prosecutors have filed a superseding indictment against him, adding charges related to child exploitation and enticement of minors.

The FBI has urged the public to exercise caution when posting personal photos, videos and identifying information online. They have also recommended looking out for warning signs indicating a minor might be experiencing self-harm or suicidal ideations.

In addition to possession of child pornography, Almeida is accused of attempting to lure two underage girls into sexual activity, the New York Post said. One of whom he allegedly targeted for the purpose of producing and disseminating child sex abuse material.

Almeidas trial is set to begin on Dec. 4.
Idaho can enforce near-total abortion ban amid Biden DOJ lawsuit, appeals court rules

Idaho can enforce a law that bans most abortions while the measure is currently facing a legal challenge, a federal appeals court panel has ruled, handing the Biden administration a temporary defeat in its effort to overturn the state law.

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last Thursday that Idaho can enforce its ban on most abortions, known as section 622, as the law continues to face a legal challenge, overturning a lower court decision.

Circuit Judge Lawrence VanDyke, a Donald Trump appointee, authored the panel opinion, concluding that the state law does not violate the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act of 1986.

The U.S. Department of Justice argued that the EMTALA, which requires hospitals receiving Medicare funds to provide necessary treatment to patients who arrive at their emergency departments while experiencing a medical emergency, preempts the Iadho law in situations where an abortion is necessary stabilizing treatment for an emergency medical condition.

"EMTALA does not require abortions, and even if it did in some circumstances, that requirement would not directly conflict with section 622," wrote VanDyke.

"The federal government will not be injured by the stay of an order preliminarily enjoining enforcement of a state law that does not conflict with its own. Idaho, on the other hand, will be irreparably injured absent a stay because the preliminary injunction directly harms its sovereignty."

The panel opinion notes that "even assuming that EMTALA did require abortions in certain, limited circumstances, it would not require abortions that are punishable by section 622."

Idaho Attorney General Raul R. Labrador said in a statement that "the Biden administration baselessly sued the State of Idaho."

"I'm proud of the work my team has done, including collaborating with the legislature's counsel, to ensure Idaho's sensible law continues to save the lives of babies and provides medical professionals with the ability to exercise their judgment to assist women who need emergency care," stated Labrador.

"We are encouraged by the Ninth Circuit panel's decision. Our office acknowledges that this battle is not yet resolved, and we will persist in safeguarding Idaho's sovereignty against federal overreach."

In 2020, Idaho passed an abortion ban slated to take effect once the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which it did in June 2022 with the Dobbs v. Jackson decision.

In August 2022, shortly after the Dobbs decision, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against what it described as Idaho's "near-total" abortion ban.

In its complaint, the DOJ maintained that "medical care that a state may characterize as an 'abortion' is necessary emergency stabilizing care that hospitals are required to provide under EMTALA."

"Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, ectopic pregnancy, severe preeclampsia, or a pregnancy complication threatening septic infection or hemorrhage," the filing read.

While Idaho's law provides exemptions for abortions performed in cases of rape, incest and to "prevent the death of the pregnant woman," the DOJ argued that the law puts the liability on abortion providers who risk jail time and losing their medical license to prove that the abortion is necessary.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement at the time that the lawsuit was part of the DOJ's effort to "work tirelessly to protect and advance reproductive freedom."

"That is what we are doing, and that is what we will continue to do," said Garland last year. "And we will closely scrutinize state abortion laws to ensure that they comply with federal law."
Kentucky, Tennessee can ban sex-change surgeries, puberty blockers for minors: appeals court

Laws passed in Kentucky and Tennessee that ban cosmetic sex change surgeries and puberty-blocking drugs for minors with gender dysphoria have been upheld by a federal appeals court panel.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 last Thursday to uphold the two state laws that prohibit sex-change surgeries and hormonal interventions for minors who identify as the opposite sex.

Chief Judge Jeffrey S. Sutton, a George W. Bush appointee, authored the majority opinion and was joined by Judge Amul R. Thapar, who Donald Trump appointed.

Sutton wrote that "Kentucky and Tennessee share an interest in regulating the medical treatments offered to children suffering from gender dysphoria," adding that whenever "the Constitution is neutral about an issue, legislatures have considerable discretion to regulate the matter."

"As long as it acts reasonably, a state may ban even longstanding and nonexperimental treatments for children. It is difficult, at any rate, to maintain that these treatments have a meaningful pedigree," Sutton continued.

Sutton also wrote that a person "cannot define, or create, a protected class solely by the nature of a denied medical benefit," or else "every medical condition, procedure, and drug having any relation to biological sex could not be regulated without running the gauntlet of skeptical judicial review."

Senior Judge Helene N. White, another George W. Bush appointee, authored a dissenting opinion, arguing that the laws "discriminate based on sex and gender conformity and intrude on the well-established province of parents to make medical decisions for their minor children."

"First, the statutes trigger heightened scrutiny because they facially discriminate based on a minor's sex as assigned at birth and on a minor's failure to conform with societal expectations concerning that sex," wrote White.

"Second, Tennessee and Kentucky do not show an exceeding persuasive justification or close means-ends fit for their classifications."

The Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group that filed an amicus brief in defense of the state laws, celebrated the ruling.

"Tennessee and Kentucky are right to protect minors from harmful, irreversible, and experimental medical procedures that can permanently alter children's bodies without any proven long-term benefit," stated ADF Senior Counsel and Vice President of Appellate Advocacy John Bursch.

"The 6th Circuit rightly agreed that Tennessee and Kentucky are free to implement laws that protect vulnerable children and give them time to flourish."

Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Tennessee and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, which helped to represent the plaintiffs, issued a joint statement denouncing the panel ruling.

"This is a devastating result for transgender youth and their families in Tennessee and across the region. The disastrous impact of Tennessee's law and all others like it has already been felt in thousands of homes and communities," the joint statement stated.

"Denying transgender youth equality before the law and needlessly withholding the necessary medical care their families and their doctors know is right for them has caused and will continue to cause serious harm."

The progressive groups are assessing their next steps and "will take further action in defense of our clients and the constitutional rights of transgender people in Tennessee and across the country."

In July, a three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit allowed Tennessee's law to take effect, reversing a lower court ruling that had placed an injunction on the measure.

Nearly two dozen states have recently passed laws or policies that prohibit sex-change surgeries and hormonal interventions for minors suffering from gender dysphoria.
Pakistani pastor charged with shooting himself, making false allegation of attack

LAHORE, Pakistan  Police in Pakistan on Friday charged a pastor with making false allegations after he admitted that a gunshot wound he had blamed on Islamic extremists was self-inflicted, sources said.

The Rev. Eleazar Sidhu, pastor of a Presbyterian church in Kukranwala village in the Khanuwana area of Jaranwala, Faisalabad District, had filed a case with police alleging that Muslim extremists on Sept. 3 ordered him to recite the Islamic creed and shot him when he refused.

On Sept. 14, however, a termination letter to Pastor Sidhu by the Rev. Altaf Khan on behalf of the Board of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan appeared on social media stating that he had been suspended from the Presbyterian Myong-Sang Nasreth Church in Kukranwala village on Sept. 13 after he voluntarily confessed to colleagues and friends that the injury was self-inflicted.

Pastor Sidhu admitted to planning this whole act without any fear, duress or pressure, Pastor Khan stated, adding that the church did not want to make any conclusions since the matter is sub-judice, but that it was ending his employment contract and any professional ties with him until the matter comes to its logical conclusion.

A video that appeared on social media the next day, Sept. 15, shows Pastor Sidhu making a confession in front of a police officer.

I did it because of stress. I wanted police protection. I threw the pistol in a canal, he says in the video.

The officer replies, Pastor you are a brother. We came when you complained. The doctor has stated that you harmed yourself.

Karachi-based human rights activist Ghazala Shafique told Morning Star News that Pastor Sidhu said police tortured him physically and mentally into confessing, but a reliable source with Faisalabad police denied it.

Sidhus medical examination showed that his arm had been administered anesthesia before he was shot, the police source said on the condition of anonymity. The bullet merely caused a three-inch deep flesh wound on his shoulder, and burn marks caused by gunpowder confirmed suspicion that the gun was fired from a very close range to avoid damage to the bone.

The officer said the trajectory and angle of the bullet wound was not consistent with the pastors statement about the alleged attack.

The pastor kept changing his statements during the investigation, but when he was confronted with the medical report, he confessed that he had planned the act, the source said. He told us that a Christian dispenser named Gulfam had injected the anesthesia while his young assistant, Johnson Masih, had held his arm in position so that he could fire the bullet.

He added that a Muslim who sold the illegal .30-caliber pistol to Pastor Sidhu had also been arrested.

We havent been able to recover the weapon yet, because Sidhu has allegedly thrown it into the canal where the supposed attack took place, he said.

The officer said that prior to his arrest, Pastor Sidhu, also known as Pastor Vicky, was being kept in protective custody in his house and hadnt yet been charged when Christian rights advocates, including two flown in from Karachi, Sindh Province, tried to take him from his home in Jaranwala.

The woman and her accomplice misbehaved with the police guards deployed at Sidhus home when they were stopped from taking him outside, the officer said. These activists started making live videos in which they instigated Christians against the police and gave the impression that Vicky had been victimized. We briefly detained the two and released them without a charge.

Rights activist Shafique said she believed Sidhus story because he took an oath on the Bible that he was saying the truth.

His family contacted me to intervene because according to them police had extracted Vickys confession forcibly and were keeping him in illegal captivity, she told Morning Star News. When I met Vicky, he looked as if he had suffered severe mental torture. He says hes innocent, and we believe him.

She insisted that their only objective was to ensure justice for the pastor and his two aides, Johnson and Gulfam.

We do not trust the medical report or police investigation, she said. Pastor Vicky told us that he was tortured physically and mentally to get a confession, which is why we raised a voice against the police brutality.

She appeared confused, however, when asked about suspicious narratives in Pastor Sidhus First Information Report (FIR) and his contradictory statements about the incident.

Lazar Allah Rakha, an attorney who specializes in criminal law and has successfully defended several people accused of blasphemy, said the FIR registered by Pastor Sidhu contains glaring loopholes.

None of his allegations, starting from the writing of Islamist slogans on the wall of his church to being threatened by unknown persons and subsequent assassination attempt, make any sense, he told Morning Star News.

Rakha said that as a Christian he was shocked when he first heard about the alleged attack on the pastor.

However, the legal practitioner in me smelled foul play after reading the story narrated by Pastor Vicky in the FIR, he said. His claims raised several questions in my mind, including why of all the clergy people, only his church walls were vandalized by Islamists?

There are 27 churches in the area, and no pastor, including Pastor Sidhu, was involved in pursuing justice for Christians attacked on Aug. 16 in Jaranwala, so he wondered why would any group target him particularly, he said.

Moreover, how did the assailants know Vicky would stop at the crime scene to pass urine and were already waiting for him? he said. His claim that the assailant only asked him to convert and outright shot him when he refused is also incomprehensible. Ive dealt with hundreds of serious cases, including murders, so I am certain that Vicky staged the attack for reasons best known to him.

The pastors false allegation, followed by unwarranted activism by a handful of Christian rights advocates on social media, diverted attention from persecution in the Jaranwala riots and endorsed the claims of hardline groups that Christians were exploiting blasphemy cases to find asylum in Western countries, Rakha said.

Christian leaders said Pastor Sidhus act bolstered criticisms by Islamist groups that Christians cite Pakistans blasphemy laws to seek asylum abroad. Hundreds of Pakistani Christians in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan and Malaysia are seeking relocation to Western countries citing threats, persecution and lack of security.

While its a fact that blasphemy laws are being grossly misused in Pakistan, its unfortunate that Christians seem to be doing the same, said Adeel Rehmat, chief executive officer of the Pak Mission Society, Pakistans leading faith-based humanitarian organization.

Endorsing Rakhas observation that hype by rights advocates on social media had badly harmed the Christian communitys struggle for justice for Jaranwala victims, Rehmat said that Pastor Sidhus fake case has helped police and Islamist groups to divert attention from the riots.

We are actively involved in the rehabilitation of the victims of the Jaranwala tragedy, so when news of the church writings surfaced, we were naturally concerned, Rehmat told Morning Star News. We got particularly worried when Sidhu claimed that he had been attacked, but upon inquiring from several credible sources, we were told that he was lying.

Pak Mission Society leaders deemed it best let the law take its course and avoid hype, assuming Pastor Sidhus case would be dismissed with a fine or some days in prison, but exposure of the case on social media appears to have heightened potential consequences.

Misplaced activism over the case has caused irreparable damage to the legal battle being fought for justice in the Jaranwala rioting, attorney Rakha said.

The community doesnt realize that all this hullabaloo over nothing has caused grave damage to all the true cases of persecution, he said. It has not only hurt our cause in Pakistan but also tainted the reputation of Pakistani Christians in the West.

On Saturday, a judicial magistrate in Faisalabad, Nausheen Umair, granted post-arrest bail on surety bonds worth 100,000 Pakistani rupees (US $347) to Pastor Sidhu, but he will remain in Faisalabad jail on judicial remand until Oct. 14 under Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order. A conviction under the false allegations charge could result in a prison term of up to seven years and a fine.

Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2023 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, up from eighth the previous year.
School board member told to stop citing Scripture at meetings: lawsuit

An Arizona school board member has filed a lawsuit claiming she has been told to stop quoting Scripture during board meetings.

The First Liberty Institute and law firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP filed a federal lawsuit against the Peoria Unified School District on behalf of board member Heather Rooks last week.

"Heather takes her responsibilities serving the parents and students in her community seriously, and quotes Bible verses as a source of courage and strength in performing those duties," First Liberty Senior Counsel Andy Gould said in a statement.

Rooks began her term as an elected member of the Peoria School Board in January. During each meeting, the agenda includes a "Board comments" period where members may offer remarks. Rooks has opened her comments by quoting Scripture since the beginning of her term.

In August, the school board chairman instructed her to stop quoting Scripture during this time, following letters from the Freedom From Religion Foundation demanding the practice cease.

The lawsuit argues that Rooks' practice doesn't violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."

"Rooks' practice accords with over 200 years of this Nation's historical practices and understandings," the legal filing states.

The Wisconsin-based FFRF sent a demand letter to the Peoria Unified School District in May on behalf of an unnamed employee, claiming that Rooks was using her position to "foist her personal religious beliefs upon district parents and community members."

"Our complainant reports that Ms. Rooks quotes from the bible at every board meeting, and that other members of the board have started to do so also," FFRF's May 25 letter reads.

"For instance, at the most recent meeting on May 11, board member Rebecca Hill recited a disturbing bible verse that threatens those who are not Christian, suggesting that non-Christians or those who lead people away from Christ should be drowned in the sea."

The letter said Rooks cited Matthew 18:6, which reads: "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in meto stumble and sin by leading him away from my teaching, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."

FFRF Attorney Christopher Line argues that board members can promote their religious beliefs outside school board meetings, but shouldn't be allowed to "commandeer the board in order to impose their personal religious beliefs on district students, parents, and employees."

In June, FFRF sent another letter urging the board to censure any member who promotes their religious beliefs during the meeting, according to the lawsuit. In a July meeting, Rooks announced that she received a letter from the school district directing her to stop citing Scripture. She stated she would "refrain from reciting Bible verses at this time and will have my attorneys at First Liberty Institute handle this matter."

The complaint states that public officials from Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to Joe Biden have routinely recited Scripture while performing their official duties.

"When President Biden addressed the nation in 2021 after withdrawing American troops from Afghanistan, he said that military members' have drawn inspiration from the Book of Isaiah, when the Lord says, 'Whom shall I send . . . who shall go for us?' And the American military has been answering for a long time: "Here am I, Lord. Send me,'" the lawsuit reads.

"When President Lincoln addressed the nation at his second inauguration in 1865, he reminded Americans that the Book of Matthew teaches '[t]he Almighty has His own purposes. 'Woe unto the world because of offences for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh,'" it continues.

"And when President Washington resigned his command of the Continental Army in 1783, he quoted Micah 6:8 in praying that 'God would have you and the State over which you preside ... to do Justice, to love mercy and to demean ourselves, with . . . the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion.'"

Rooks said that as a school board member, she understands "the weight and significance of all of our decisions, and simply find quoting Scripture out loud to be encouraging to myself and to many in attendance."
South Carolina can work with Christians-only foster care group, court rules

The state of South Carolina can partner with or fund foster care agencies that refuse to hire individuals who do not share their religious beliefs, according to a recently released court opinion.

In 2019, a Catholic woman named Aimee Maddonna filed a complaint against South Carolina and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over Miracle Hill Ministries, Inc.s refusal to let her volunteer with the foster care group because she was not an Evangelical Protestant.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Dawson III of the District of South Carolina, Greenville Division, ruled Friday that Maddonna had not been the subject of unlawful discrimination when she was barred from volunteering at Miracle Hill.

The record does not support Maddonnas claim that she was coerced to adhere to Miracle Hills religious beliefs to participate fully in South Carolinas foster care program, wrote Dawson.

Defendants did not compel Maddonna to sign Miracle Hills statement or leave her without an adequate alternative to signing it. To the contrary, Maddonna could foster the same children at any of twenty-six other private agencies in the State, including eighteen in the Upstate or with the State itself (which has the ultimate licensing authority).

Dawson also ruled that Maddonnas lawsuit was moot since Miracle Hill opted to stop receiving government funding for their foster care services effective July 1, 2021.

On the same day that he released the Maddonna decision, Dawson also ruled in Rogers v. HHS that the state can work with foster care agencies that refuse to place kids with same-sex couples.

Lori Windham, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, which helped to represent the defendants, hailed the two cases as a major victory for the children in South Carolinas foster care system who were at risk of losing out on loving homes.

The attempt to shutter faith-based foster care agencies and decrease the number of foster homes for these kids violated the law and common sense. We are glad that South Carolina stood up for foster children and faith-based agencies and that the court protected them, stated Windham.

In January 2019, the Trump administration granted a waiver to Miracle Hill, allowing the foster care agency to receive funding from South Carolina while retaining their Christians-only foster kid placement policy, provided they referred non-Christian foster parents to other agencies.

The following month, Maddonna sued South Carolina and HHS when Miracle Hill did not allow her to volunteer and foster through their program because she is Catholic rather than Protestant.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a progressive law firm that has been critical of Miracle Hill being granted a waiver in the first place, helped to represent Maddonna.

At its heart, this case is about two of our countrys most sacred principles: defending religious freedom for all and protecting vulnerable children, said Rachel Laser, president of Americans United, in a statement released back in 2019.

It is unconscionable  and unconstitutional  that an amazing mother like Aimee Maddonna and her loving family are barred from helping children in need because they are the wrong religion.

A few months after the lawsuit was filed, Miracle Hill announced that they were expanding their program to allow Catholic families to volunteer and foster, with Miracle Hill CEO Reid Lehman saying that our previous stance has wounded other followers of Jesus Christ.

Our calling as an organization is not primarily to evaluate and emphasize differences between various branches of Christianity or between denominations within Protestantism, stated Lehman in 2019. Rather, Miracle Hills spiritual identity is first and foremost that of brothers and sisters in Christ working together to minister to the needy in Christs name."
Texas LGBT group claims federal judge can't be 'fair and impartial' because he's Christian Lubbock Pride slams ruling against drag show ban at West Texas A&M

An LGBT activist group says the religious beliefs of a judge involved in a federal court ruling in favor of a Texas university presidents decision to cancel a drag performance on campus make him unfit for the bench.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ruled Sept. 22 that a ban on drag shows at West Texas A&M University put in place by university President Walter Wendler could remain in effect amid an ongoing legal challenge.

In the ruling, Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee and former attorney with First Liberty Institute, a religious liberty advocacy group, said drag performances containing sexualized expressive conduct are not protected under the First Amendment.

Following the ruling, which conflicted with court decisions in Texas, Montana, and other states blocking state and local bans on exposing minors to drag performances, an LGBT pride group based in Lubbock, Texas, voiced its extreme disappointment with the ruling, and specifically cited the judges religious beliefs as cause to suspect the ruling might not be fair and impartial.

In a Sept. 24 statement, Lubbock PRIDE spokesman Nick Harpster pointed to LGBT opposition to Kacsmaryks nomination due to his past comments on both [LGBT] and contraceptive rights, and questioning how someone with his beliefs could possibly be fair and impartial when encountering cases of this nature.

Judges are supposed to set any personal beliefs and opinions aside and rule on cases with impartiality and fairness, Harpster wrote. From this decision, it is fairly clear that this was not the case 

The group also took exception to the judge's ruling that the First Amendment does not prevent school officials from restricting vulgar and lewd conduct that would undermine the schools basic educational mission  particularly in settings where children are physically present and suggested the judges ruling could incite animosity towards the drag community.

We continue to see this type of language used in order to incite animosity towards the drag community and the [LGBT] community as a whole, said Harpster. To present drag performances as sexual in nature and to make the claim that children are in some way harmed by a drag performance, especially one that is marketed as family friendly, is ludicrous and boldly inaccurate.

He also cited Wendlers use of overt religious references in his decision to ban the performance at West Texas A&M and shared a reminder that all people are protected under the law, and your personal beliefs cannot mandate who gets to exercise their freedom of expression.

We cannot stand idly by and allow the religious beliefs or personal opinions of a judge, a legislator, or any person in the position of power to infringe on the civil liberties or human rights of an entire community of people, he wrote.

Described by The Washington Post as a devout Christian, Kacsmaryk, 45, was involved in another controversial ruling in April when he temporarily suspended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of the chemical abortion drug Mifepristone, a ruling which was later partially reversed and could ultimately land in U.S. Supreme Court.

Lubbock Pride, which hosts an annual family friendly pride event for people of all ages, held a Teen Drag Race in 2017 and has held story hour events featuring men wearing womens clothing while reading books to children.

Earlier this year, Lubbock Pride condemned Christians protesting LGBT groups at local high schools and argued for what Harpster called an exception to free speech protections.

"Speech that can lead to violence  is not protected under the First Amendment right to free speech, Harpster wrote in a Jan. 24 statement. It has even been argued that certain hate speech can be regulated due to the nature of the speech causing undue influence on the audience, by perverting their ability to autonomously develop individual beliefs and actions.

Harpster also cited the authority of the Scriptures  including Isaiah 1:17 and Philippians 2:3-4  to argue that the protesters were using religion to profess hate speech, which seems counter to the principles of the Bible.

Freedom of religion should not be allowed to eclipse the right to be free from discrimination based on sexual and gender identity, especially when certain narratives and false affirmations are presented as fact, he wrote.

The ruling on the West Texas A&M ban came just days before U.S. District Judge David Hittner ruled that Senate Bill 12, signed into law by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in June, "impermissibly infringes on the First Amendment and chills free speech."

The law, which was blocked Tuesday, seeks to prohibit venues from allowing individuals younger than 18 from attending "sexually oriented" events and performances. Businesses that violated the law would face fines of $10,000 per violation. Hittner, a Reagan appointee, argued that the bill's language was too broad and discriminated against certain viewpoints.

"The Court sees no way to read the provisions of SB 12 without concluding that a large amount of constitutionally-protected conduct can and will be wrapped up in the enforcement of SB 12," the 56-page ruling stated. "It is not unreasonable to read SB 12 and conclude that activities such as cheerleading, dancing, live theater, and other common public occurrences could possibly become a civil or criminal violation."
Woman dies from septic abortion after getting DIY pills from Planned Parenthood

The family of a Nevada woman who died after purchasing DIY abortion drugs from a Planned Parenthood facility that resulted in her having a septic abortion is suing a hospital where she was seen by a doctor prior to her death, arguing that she died due to negligence by the hospital, not the abortion clinic.

Alyona Dixon, 24, who was married and the mother of a now 1-year-old son, made an appointment at Planned Parenthood on Sept. 22, 2022, to obtain Mifepristone and Misoprostol, the two drugs used in the chemical abortion pill regimen. A few days later, the young woman died due to complications from a sepsis infection, which can be fatal.

According to the Merck Manual, "Septic abortions usually result from use of nonsterile techniques for uterine evacuation after induced or spontaneous abortion. Septic abortions are much more common after induced abortion done by untrained practitioners (or the pregnant woman herself) and without adequate surgical equipment and sterile preparation."

As the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported, Dixons family filed a complaint, alleging negligence on the part of Dignity Healths St. Rose Dominican Blue Diamond and one of the doctors there.

According to the complaint, four days after Dixon obtained the abortion drugs, she started experiencing vaginal bleeding and a sharp pain in her lower abdomen. Dr. Hayden Maag, according to the complaint, did not consult an OB-GYN before discharging Dixon, nor did he conduct a pelvic exam.

The next day, Dixon went to Desert View Regional Medical Center, where she reported suffering from abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Dixon died early the next morning before being transferred to Summerlin Hospital Medical Center.

"Providing safe, high-quality care to our communities is our highest priority, and we would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family of Ms. Dixon for their loss. Consistent with patient privacy laws and hospital policy, we do not comment on pending lawsuits," a Dignity Health spokesperson told The Christian Post.

Katie Daniel, state policy director for the pro-life organization Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, called for an investigation into the womans death.

Not only Alyona Dixons family but the American people deserve answers. Any woman considering taking abortion pills must at least receive accurate medical information, not abortion lobby PR designed to maximize profits, Daniel said in a statement to The Christian Post.

Yet Nevadas radical pro-abortion laws lack almost any protections for babies in the womb or their mothers, she continued.

According to the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute, Nevadas laws as of June 2022 allow abortion up to 24 weeks and beyond that in some instances. In May, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo codified an existing executive order that prevents medical boards and commissions from disqualifying providers who perform abortions.

In addition, state agencies are barred from helping with out-of-state investigations that could result in women facing prosecution for traveling to Nevada for an abortion.

The pro-life state policy director also demanded that the Food and Drug Administration under President Joe Biden be held accountable for eliminating safety standards for abortion drugs and allowing women to obtain them without an in-person doctor visit.

Abortion pills are dangerous and do not belong on the market, Daniel added.

As CP previously reported, in August, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Texas federal court decision to restore the FDA's pre-2016 regulations for the abortion pill while leaving the FDAs 2000 approval of the drug in place. The U.S. Supreme Court had previously allowed the abortion pill to remain on the market amid ongoing litigation.

In loosening mifepristones safety restrictions, FDA failed to address several important concerns about whether the drug would be safe for the women who use it, the court opinion, written by Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod, states. It failed to consider the cumulative effect of removing several important safeguards at the same time.

Sue Liebel, director of state affairs and Midwest regional director at SBA Pro-Life America, warned CP earlier this year that an FDA regulatory change to allow retail pharmacies to dispense abortion pill prescriptions would threaten womens health. The pro-life advocate cited a 2009 study that found chemical abortions have four times the complication rate of surgical abortions.

She also cited a 2021 peer-reviewed longitudinal study conducted by the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the research arm for SBA Pro-Life America. In the study, researchers found the rate of emergency room visits after a chemical abortion increased by over 500% from 2002 through 2015.
Christian groom and bride dead inside after wedding blaze kills more than 100

A Christian groom and his bride who lost more than 100 of their friends and family members after a fire broke out during their wedding celebration at a banquet hall in Iraqs biggest Christian town in northern Nineveh province on Sept. 26, say even though they survived the blaze, they feel dead inside.

"It's true that we're sitting here in front of you alive. But inside we are dead. We are numb. We are dead inside," the groom Revan, 27, also identified as Ivan Esho, told Sky News about himself and his bride, 18-year-old Haneen.

Iraqi Joint Operations Command Spokesperson Major General Pilot Tahseen Al Khafaji previously told CNN that there were some 1,300 guests in attendance at the event when the fire broke out at approximately 10:45 p.m. local time. Survivors told Reuters that the guests had gathered at the banquet hall following an earlier church service. They were only inside for about one hour when fireworks ignited a fire among the decorations in the ceiling as the newlyweds danced. In addition to the people who died, more than 150 others were left injured.

Revan, who says his whole family has been devastated, said he doesnt believe that fireworks should be blamed for the disaster.

"It could be a short-circuit, I don't know. But the fire started in the ceiling. We felt the heat  When I heard the crackling, I looked at the ceiling," he told the news channel.

"Then the ceiling, which was all nylon, started to melt. It only took seconds," Revan explained.

He said there was a power cut during the celebration and when the power came back, he saw fire in the ceiling. When people started to scream and run away, Revan said he grabbed Haneen and made his escape.

"I grabbed my wife, and I began to drag her. I kept dragging her and trying to get her out of the kitchen entrance, he recalled noting that his wife could not walk because of her wedding dress. As people were fleeing, people were trampling on her. Her legs are injured."

A statement from Iraqs Ministry of Interior previously noted that: Initial information indicates that fireworks were used during the wedding ceremony, which initially ignited a fire inside the hall. The fire spread very quickly, and the matter was exacerbated by the toxic gas emissions associated with the burning of the highly flammable Ecobond plastic panels, which caused casualties and injuries among families.

Revan told Sky News that he and his bride can no longer remain in their town due to the tragedy.

"That's it, we can't live here anymore. We can't live here anymore, he said. "I mean, every time we try to have some happiness, something tragic happens to us and destroys the happiness. So, it's best for us to leave.

He added: "Our relatives, our friends, our loved ones are all gone. ... Two days ago we buried her [Haneen's] uncle and his two daughters. Yesterday we buried her other uncle. Today we buried his daughter and we buried her mother. Her father is in critical condition. We don't know what his condition is."

And that doesnt cover all the close family deaths for the couple.

"My aunt died. My sister had burns. Her husband has burns all over his body. My uncle lost seven members. So many people. And every day we hear more news, Revan said.

"On the wedding night  why did this happen? he asked. What did we do? Why did this happen?"
Family of Christian teen who died after being refused treatment says they continue to be gagged

A family struggles with a legal muzzle even after the death of their daughter, whose identity and case details were suppressed for over a year. Court orders have now partially lifted the veil but maintain restrictions.

A judge last week identified the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust as the healthcare body responsible for the late 19-year-old Sudiksha Thirumalesh's care, the rights group Christian Concern announced.

Justice Robert Peel of the Family Division of the High Court made the ruling but stopped short of naming the hospital and clinicians involved, citing an eight-week "cooling" period, reported the group, whose legal arm, Christian Legal Centre, is supporting the family.

Sudiksha's case involved a rare genetic mitochondrial disease, which left her fighting for her life but fully conscious. Before her death on Sept. 12, she was unable to share her story publicly or raise funds for experimental treatment abroad, thanks to a gag order that shielded the identities of the hospital, NHS Trust and her own family.

The family said Sudiksha had full mental capacity until her death, disputing a judgment from High Court Justice Jennifer Roberts that she didn't have the capacity to make life-or-death decisions after NHS lawyers argued that she was "delusional."

Two psychiatrists had also given evidence that Sudiksha was mentally capable, contradicting the hospital's claim and Justice Roberts' decision.

Thirumalesh Chellamal Hemachandran, Sudiksha's father, expressed his frustration.

"We have been unfairly gagged by these reporting restrictions for over six months. If not for those restrictions, our daughter might well still be alive," he said in a statement. "We are very disappointed that, even now, the Court has decided to continue to gag us for another eight weeks to keep the identity of the Hospital and the clinicians secret. We cannot even name the people who, in our darkest hour, have made it worse for Sudiksha and the whole family by taking us to court and securing a gagging order against us."

CLC's chief executive Andrea Williams also criticized the ongoing legal restraints.

"Justice is done in the light. Open justice ensures the best outcomes for all," Williams said, emphasizing that there was no evidence to justify fears of harassment or violence against clinicians involved in Sudiksha's care.

The High Court ruling has drawn comparisons to other controversial end-of-life cases like Charlie Gard and Alfie Evans. These involved hospitals seeking court permission to discontinue life-saving treatments, Christian Concern noted. However, unlike those cases, Sudiksha was conscious and had instructed her lawyers to argue for her right to life.

Sudiksha's illness affected her muscles and kidneys but not her mental faculties. She required dialysis and other care but was still able to communicate. Sudiksha had told psychiatrists that she wanted to participate in an experimental treatment in Canada, offering her a chance at survival.

Her family exhausted their savings to fight legal battles against the NHS, Christian Concern reports. Sudiksha had been studying for her A-levels when her health worsened due to a COVID-19 infection last August. She had been in intensive care since then.

Daily Mail published handwritten notes from Sudiksha where she pleaded for her mother and complained about being in pain.

"I want my mum with me all the time," one of the notes reads. "I want her now, pls call," reads another.

"Please listen to me. Everyone is relying on the machine and giving pain killer," another note says, referring to her "tummy hurting." She also asked for her feeding tube to be adjusted.

One note shows Sudiksha having better days.

"I was kind of excited to sit in the chair yesterday and today." she wrote in one note.

Sudiksha's father told the Daily Mail that when his daughter was alive, she was "so upset about the ruling."

"[W]e feel like we owe it to her to fight her appeal on her behalf. She had spent some 45 minutes talking to the psychiatrists who found that she had capacity yet the judge found the opposite," Hemachandran said. "She signed all her own paperwork. She could speak, and when she grew tired, she could hold the notebook and paper and write her thoughts very well."
Lee Strobel's 'The Case for Heaven' hitting big screen in doc featuring Francis Chan, Luis Palau (trailer)

Lee Strobels bestselling book The Case for Heaven is hitting the big screen in a documentary in which the apologist explores the evidence for the afterlife alongside notable Christian leaders including Francis Chan, John Burke, Luis Palau and more.

The documentary, titled The Case for Heaven, hits theaters this April for three nights only from Monday, April 4, through Wednesday, April 6, at 7 p.m. local time. The film is from Fathom Events and Sandoval Studios and is directed by Mani Sandoval.

In the film, Strobel explores the case for the afterlife and answers some of the most pressing questions about Heaven. The documentary also features interviews with some of todays most respected Christian leaders who share biblical insights on the afterlife to challenge, encourage and inspire viewers.

The pandemic has a lot of people pondering what happens after people close their eyes for the last time in this world, said Strobel in a statement shared with The Christian Post. This film provides compelling evidence from both inside and outside the Bible to show that we will, indeed, continue to live on.

Heaven, for billions of people around the world, is an awe-inspiring place only fully known once youre there, said director Mani Sandoval. In this film, I believe audiences will experience our most ambitious attempt to sonically, emotionally and cinematically touch Heaven  even if its just for a second.

The forthcoming documentary is based on Strobels 2021 book, The Case for Heaven: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for Life After Death. In his book, the former atheist uses research on near-death experiences, philosophy and religion to deliver a compelling presentation on the afterlife.

Strobels own near-death experience almost a decade ago prompted him to write a book about life after death for this book.

My wife found me unconscious. I was taken by ambulance to a hospital. I opened my eyes to an emergency room and the doctor said, youre one step away from a coma, two steps away from dying. And then I fell unconscious again, Strobel, who also authored The Case for Christ, told CP about his close brush with death.

I had a condition called hyponatremia, which is a drop in blood sodium level. For a while there, I hovered between life and death until doctors saved me. That was kind of a wake-up call for me. Its a very clarifying experience to be hovering over that border between life and death. And thats kind of the seed that ultimately resulted in this book because, as a Christian, I believe if I died, I would go to Heaven to be with God, but I also have a skeptical nature, he said.

A recent study from Pew Research Center found that nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults say they believe in Heaven. However, roughly six-in-10 American adults (62%) say they believe in Hell  a topic Strobel doesnt shy away from.

Well, if Heaven is real, it implies that Hell is real too, Strobel said. The same kind of evidence points in both directions. I thought it was important to explore that topic. Theres a lot of aberrant teachings about Hell these days that are increasing in popularity in many churches, so I wanted to deal with those.

Watch the trailer for The Case for Heaven below.
Newsom appoints abortion activist Maryland resident to Feinstein's California Senate seat

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed a pro-abortion activist who resides in another state to Dianne Feinstein's U.S. Senate seat.

In a statement posted Sunday, Newsom's office announced the appointment of Laphonza Butler to fill the U.S. Senate seat that became vacant upon the death of longtime Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Friday.

Butler, a Democrat, will serve until at least Jan. 3, 2025, when Feinstein's term is scheduled to expire.

Newsom's office touted Butler's role as the president of EMILY's List, an advocacy group that works to elect pro-abortion Democratic women to political office as well as the fact that she is a black lesbian who will become the first openly LGBT person to represent California in the U.S. Senate.

Butler has also served as an advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris and as the president of "the largest labor union in California  SEIU Local 2015  a union representing more than 325,000 nursing home and home-care workers throughout the state."

"An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and she'll represent us proudly in the United States Senate," Newsom said upon announcing Butler as his pick to succeed Feinstein.

"As we mourn the enormous loss of Senator Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for  reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence  have never been under greater assault."

Newsom vowed, "Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C."

In a message posted on X Monday morning, Butler stated that she is honored to accept the nomination "to be U.S. Senator for a state I have made my home and honored by his trust in me to serve the people of California and this great nation."

I'm honored to accept Gov. @GavinNewsom's nomination to be U.S. Senator for a state I have made my home and honored by his trust in me to serve the people of California and this great nation. ????  Laphonza Butler (@LaphonzaB) October 2, 2023

"No one will ever measure up to the legacy of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, but I will do my best to honor her legacy and leadership by committing to work for women and girls, workers and unions, struggling parents and all of California," Butler added. "I am ready to serve."

Following the news of Butler's appointment, reports surfaced about how Butler resides in Maryland.

Ashley Zavala, the California Capitol correspondent for California-based news outlet KCRA-TV, posted a screenshot on X of Butler's biography on the EMILY's List website as it appeared before her appointment to the Senate and contrasted it with how it appears now.

It appears EMILYs list has removed the final line in Laphonza Butlers bio that states she lives in Maryland. pic.twitter.com/6wYYYJEqoE  Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) October 2, 2023

The screenshot of Butler's biography before she was appointed includes a sentence reading, "She lives in Maryland with her partner Neneki Lee and their daughter Nylah."

The screenshot reflecting the current version of Butler's digital biography shows the sentence has been removed.

Zavala followed up on her initial post by noting that "Newsom's office confirms she moved to DC area for EMILY's list, but is a CA homeowner and will reregister to vote in California before being sworn in."

Newsom's selection received pushback from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a national pro-life grassroots advocacy group.

SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser said Butler's appointment is an example of how "the abortion lobby spends millions to elect Democrats who back its agenda of abortion on demand through all nine months of pregnancy, paid for by taxpayers."

"Democrats like Newsom, in turn, are beholden to the abortion lobby," she maintained. "The pay-to-play system couldn't be more obvious, with an unelected Senate seat as the ultimate reward. Newsom even passed over staunch pro-abortion candidates who reside in California in favor of a Beltway insider and the biggest pro-abortion extremist he could find."

Butler's appointment to the U.S. Senate comes as three Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives remain in the running to replace Feinstein in next year's regularly scheduled general election, as the senior senator had planned to retire before her death.

One of the candidates in next year's Senate election, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., had previously expressed disappointment at Newsom's vow to appoint an African American woman to serve as a caretaker that would serve out Feinstein's term in an effort to remain neutral in the ongoing primary race.

Lee said, "the idea that a Black woman should be appointed only as a caretaker to simply check a box" is "insulting to countless Black women across this country who have carried the Democratic Party to victory election after election."

"[T]here are currently no Black women serving in the Senate," Lee said. "The perspective of Black women in the US Senate is sorely needed  and needed for more than a few months."

"Governor Newsom knows this, which is why he made the pledge in the first place. If the Governor intends to keep his promise and appoint a Black woman to the Senate, the people of California deserve the best possible person for that job. Not a token appointment," she contended.
Pastor allegedly tried to kill his family because they were being evicted

A Kansas pastor who attempted to murder his wife and their 5 children on Sept. 16, allegedly told police the family was scheduled to be evicted from their home that day and he thought it would have been better if they all died than find out they would become homeless.

Former Crossroads Christian Church children's pastor, Matthew Lee Richards, 41, who attempted to murder his wife and children by stabbing them and setting the house they had lost on fire with them inside, told police in an affidavit cited by Law and Crime that he thought that it would be better if they all died rather than for his kids to have to deal with the trauma, of being homeless.

The defendant said that he had not been honest with his wife regarding their financial situation and the fact that they were supposed to be evicted that very day, detectives noted in the affidavit. They had not packed anything and no one in the family knew they were being evicted.

The family appears to have lived in their four-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home in Shawnee since it was purchased in December 2016. Civil court records cited by the Kansas City Star show that in November 2022, a foreclosure petition was filed for the home.

Richards, who had been working as a seventh-grade English teacher at Christ Preparatory Academy since 2020, according to his staff biography, and his wife, Stephanie, who is the director of Crossroads Christian Preschool and Parents Day Out, owed $155,429 on their mortgage at the time.

Public records indicate the home was sold in June.

Richards, who did not want his family to find out the truth, according to the affidavit, confessed to investigators that I stabbed my family, and called himself a monster.

The Shawnee Kansas Police Department announced in a statement that the 41-year-old former Crossroads Christian Church children's pastor was charged with five counts of attempted murder and one count of aggravated arson with risk of bodily harm.

Investigators say they were called along with the local fire department to the pastor's house for a report of a disturbance and a house fire at 3:47 a.m. on Sept. 16.

They soon discovered that the pastor's children and wife suffered "laceration injuries of varying degrees." His wife and two of his children remained hospitalized, while his 19-year-old son, along with two of his other children, were released from the hospital.

According to the affidavit, police received several 911 calls about Richards attack.

One of the callers said their dad [was] chasing them with a knife and the dispatcher could hear a fire alarm sounding in the background, the affidavit said. An additional caller stated she had been stabbed.

When police got to the scene, smoke was billowing from the house and an explosion blew out the garage doors. One of the children told officers They were all in bed when dad came around stabbing everyone and they all ran outside. He stated his dad stabbed him, the affidavit said.

Investigators said after Richards was treated at the hospital for smoke inhalation, he confessed that I stabbed my family in an interview.

Crossroads Christian Church has now set up a benefit fund for the Richards family on its website but did not immediately respond to a request from The Christian Post to comment. Christ Preparatory Academy where Richards worked as an English teacher also declined to offer comment when contacted by CP on Monday.
Pregnancy center CEO speculates why DOJ hasn't charged abortion activist with violating FACE Act

A New York woman pleaded guilty to vandalizing a sign at a CompassCare pregnancy center, one of many pro-life organizations to fall victim to the wave of violence that followed the U.S. Supreme Court decision to reverse Roe v. Wade, which was leaked to the press in May 2022 and led to the onslaught of attacks on churches and pregnancy centers.

Hannah E. Kamke pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct on Sept.15, and the 40-year-old agreed to pay $2,580 in restitution as part of a plea agreement.

As The Buffalo News reported earlier this month, Kamke was initially charged with third-degree criminal mischief after she spray-painted LIARS on a sign outside an Amherst CompassCare facility, a network of pregnancy centers in New York. Kamke was also ordered to stay away from the CompassCare office she vandalized in March, according to the outlet.

In an interview with The Christian Post, CompassCare CEO, the Rev. Jim Harden, said local law enforcement and the Erie County District Attorneys Office helped secure the conviction. The DOJ, however, has not indicted Kamke on FACE Act charges.

The FACE Act is a federal law enacted in 1994 that makes it a federal crime for activists to use force or the threat of force to stop women from obtaining an abortion or destruction of a reproductive healthcare facility or place of worship.

In January and March, the DOJ indicted several abortion activists under the FACE Act for similar acts of violence against pro-life organizations in Florida. Regarding why the DOJ does not appear to have charged Kamke, Harden speculated that the motive behind the previous indictments was political.

The CompassCare CEO argued that around the time the DOJ announced the indictments, there had been news of numerous attacks against pro-life organizations, but no one appeared to have been charged.

Then, last September, a team of FBI agents arrested Mark Houck at his home on FACE Act charges due to an October 2021 incident where Houck got into a confrontation with a Planned Parenthood clinic escort who was threatening his 12-year-old son. Houck was found not guilty of violating the FACE Act earlier this year, with his attorneys noting during the trial that Houck did not obstruct access to the facility.

Another reason Harden believes the Florida cases resulted in indictments is due to questions from Republican lawmakers about a whistleblower report alleging that the FBI is biased against conservatives and pro-life advocates.

So, it looked very much like the Biden administration's DOJ had been politicized, and they were weaponizing the FACE Act specifically against politically disfavored groups, Harden said.

The CompassCare CEO believes that the lack of action from officials in the DOJ and the FBI constitutes a violation of the Third KKK Act of 1871, enshrined in the U.S. Code 42, Sections 1983, 1985 and 1986. The act prohibits individuals acting under state authority from depriving a person or a group of people of equal protection under the law or any other rights.

Harden said CompassCare had alerted the FBI about concerns of attacks weeks before the two attacks on the organizations location in Buffalo.

A vandal firebombed the office in June, which occurred around the same time radical activist groups like ANTIFA and Janes Revenge were attacking pro-life organizations and churches throughout the country. In March, the Buffalo office was vandalized again, with video footage showing Kamke defacing the facilitys sign with the word LIARS.

We contacted the FBI two weeks before the firebombing in Buffalo because we were seeing this kind of violent activity on the rise, and we were getting threats, Harden explained.

The reverend recalled the firebombing of a pregnancy center in Madison, Wisconsin, in May, which the activist group Janes Revenge took responsibility for, publicly declaring that the act was a warning. The group then demanded that all pro-life pregnancy centers disband within 30 days.

As Harden noted, shortly after Janes Revenge issued its threats of attacks, CompassCares office in Buffalo was attacked in a similar fashion. Harden highlighted the consequences that pro-life organizations are subjected to after such attacks, revealing that CompassCares liability insurance company dropped them after the firebombing in June.

Were the ones being attacked, Harden said, noting how politicians such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass, have continued to mislead the public about pregnancy centers amid the ongoing threats and vandalism.

We have right now a federal law enforcement system that is treating the law like a legal buffet, picking and choosing which ones to enforce and against those who are politically disfavored, the CompassCare CEO said. Its an unsettling situation that were in right now, and its unsettling for me to call attention to it. But weve got to if we value the rule of law.

Harden stated that the FACE Act is unconstitutional, asserting that the federal law has been used to target pro-life advocates. Earlier this month, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, made a similar argument when he introduced a bill to repeal the FACE Act following the conviction of several pro-life activists found guilty of violating the law.

In August, activists Lauren Handy, John Heather Idoni, William Goodman and Herb Geraghty were found guilty of violating the FACE Act for their involvement in a blockade of a Washington, D.C., abortion clinic in October 2020. The following month, activists Jonathan Darnel, Jean Marshall and Joan Bell were found guilty on the same counts.

While the CompassCare CEO believes the FACE Act should be repealed, he added that so long as it is the law of the land, the act must be equally enforced.

Despite the vandalism and negative rhetoric about pregnancy centers from political leaders, Harden leaned on the values of Christianity, which he noted promises followers that their faith will cost them.

And people have to make a decision now as to whether theyre going to believe that God is our protector and God is our provider, he said, contending that Americans tend to take for granted a blind justice system.

The pro-life leader encouraged his fellow Christians to continue moving forward and to trust that God desires His followers to keep speaking up for the voiceless, which includes pre-born children.

This is what He did for us, and He asked us to walk in His footsteps, no matter what kind of pressure we're going to get, he said. It's still always and everywhere, right and good people to sacrifice on behalf of your fellow man, specifically, the weak and vulnerable of society.
Savannah mourns Rev. Clarence Williams after death in crash

The congregation of Pilgrim Baptist Church of Savannah and leaders in the city continued mourning the late Rev. Clarence Williams on Monday, days after he was killed in a tragic car accident on Thursday. He was 64.

Authorities say Williams was driving in the area of Highway 67 near Anderson Cemetery Road at about 6:30 p.m. last Thursday when his car ran off the road, hit a culvert and flipped, WTOC 11 reported. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

In addition to his work leading Pilgrim Baptist Church of Savannah, Williams previously served as the moderator of Berean Missionary Baptist Association, Inc.; vice president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Music Auxiliary; state music director of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc.; and chapter representative, Gospel Music Workshop of America. He also served as chaplain of the Chatham County Sherriff's Department and the Savannah State University National Alumni Association.

Multiple videos of Williams' work as a gospel music minister are highlighted on his YouTube channel.

Among those who have been publicly reacting to the late pastors death is Savannah Mayor Van Johnson.

I went through this day in a daze, going through the motions trying to wrap my mind around the loss of my brother and friend, Rev. Clarence Teddy Williams. Twenty-four hours after our last conversation, he left us suddenly and tragically, Johnson wrote in a statement on Facebook Friday. He was a unique soul who was always unapologetically himself but loved God, his family, his city, and Savannah State University. I extend my prayers to those forever changed by his journey through our lives. This one hurts.

Thomas J. Sills, a local minister who leads Connor's Temple Baptist Church, mourned Williams as a spiritual son.

My heart is broken to hear about the passing of my friend, brother, piano instructor, and spiritual son. Pastor Clarence Williams was truly one of a kind. His contribution to the Savannah community on so many different levels will be truly missed, he wrote in a statement while sharing a video of the last time Williams was at his church on Facebook.

Georgia state Sen. Derek Mallow said Savannah lost a giant in Williams.

Yesterday we lost a giant in our community in the person of the Rev. Dr. Clarence Williams who traded time for eternity! A trade that most of us were not prepared to see him make. As I reflect on his journey, I am reminded of the profound impact he had on our lives and the lives of countless others, he wrote on Facebook.

He told me he wanted to be called Rev. Dr. C.T. Williams because he was old enough to have old preacher status! Clarence was not only a spiritual leader but also a beacon of hope, compassion, and wisdom. His unwavering faith and dedication to serving others were evident in every aspect of his life. Through his ministry, he touched the hearts of many, guiding them toward a path of enlightenment, love, and understanding, he added. He understood that true spirituality meant actively working towards a more equitable and compassionate world, and he inspired others to join him in these noble endeavors.
Bad news for God

Over the summer weve had some new polls come out on the existence of God and other spiritual matters. And as we all know, whatever a poll says is something you can take to the bank.

If by chance you missed the surveys, well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but things arent looking good for the Creator.

The first poll was done by Gallup and found that belief in God has hit a new low: Seventy-four percent now accept His existence, 16% less than what was recorded in 2001.

But wait, it only goes downhill from there.

The second poll from the University of Chicago says that less than half of Americans (49.6%) believe in God with no doubts. The rest of the responses were spread among those who were agnostic, atheistic, believed in a higher power of some kind, and believed with doubts.

My favorite group was those who believe sometimes (5.4%). Believe sometimes? If you want to know what flips their switch on and off like I do, alas, the survey doesnt say.

The prince of darkness posted even worse numbers than God in the Gallup poll with only 58% saying they believed in an actual devil.

Im sure I dont have to spell things out for you with respect to where things are headed, do I? Once a full majority eschews the idea of Gods existence, then, by the unalterable laws of the universe, God will not exist.

And with God out of the picture, people will then do only one thing: worship something else.

Incurably religious

Polls, of course, are notoriously bad at representing actual truth. What the majority of people think oftentimes conflicts with true reality.

But then thats how truth works, doesnt it? We get things wrong all the time and our errors dont swap out the really real as Francis Schaeffer called truth. Sit 100 students down in a math class, give them a problem to solve, and if 99 arrive at the wrong answer and only 1 gets it right, the laws of mathematics dont change to favor the majority.

Getting an incorrect result in math is one thing but getting it wrong where God is concerned is a different matter entirely because, whether you believe it or not (pun intended), everyone will worship something. And as history has shown time and again, we excel at loving the wrong things.

The French theologian Louis Auguste Sabatier was spot on in declaring humankind incurably religious, something called out in a different way by John Calvin who described our desire to worship as being brought on by the sensus divinitatis  the sense of divinity/deity thats imparted to us through being made in the image of God.

While this bent is in all of us, its aim is often askew. The most common swing-and-a-miss is worshipping ourselves, which is why Voltaire wrote, If God has made us in his image, we have returned him the favor.

That we do this was even acknowledged by the IRS years ago when it declared secular humanism a religion. Of course, those disavowing the idea of supernatural things balk at being thought of as religious and/or worshipping something, but they are and do.

C. S. Lewis reminds us that praise and worship flow from us in many directions: The world rings with praise  lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favorite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favorite game. I had not noticed either that just as men spontaneously praise whatever they value, so they spontaneously urge us to join them in praising it: Isnt she lovely? Wasnt it glorious? Dont you think that magnificent? The Psalmists in telling everyone to praise God are doing what all men do when they speak of what they care about.

Those actions seem tame enough, but Scripture is clear that when the elevator is taken down to the ground floor of an unbelieving heart, the lights go completely out where true worship is concerned. And weve no excuse for it.

Paul says we know God exists on our Floor Number 1 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse" (Rom. 1:1920).

The Bible says that the Gallup and Chicago polls should register 100% for acknowledging Gods existence, however, our condition is one where, even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man [hello Voltaire!] and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures (Rom. 1:2123).

In other words, we should worship God, but if we dont, well end up worshipping something else.

French philosopher and social activist Simone Vey realized this and wrote, One has only the choice between God and idolatry. There is no other possibility. For the faculty of worship is in us, and it is either directed somewhere into this world, or into another.

So, while the polls say the worship of God is on the decline, they are oblivious to the fact that the worship of other things is rising, with the rate of people worshipping always remaining constant at 100%. And whats God's reaction to such polls and false worship? Does He see it as bad news He didnt expect?

He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them (Ps 2:4).

Dont let that be you. Trust me, thats laughter aimed in your direction you never want to hear.
When 'loving your neighbor' goes horribly wrong

Have you noticed that there is a growing trend to take Jesus admonition to love our neighbor as ourselves and morph it into a leftwing policy platform?

Consider the following:

One prominent evangelical group in 2022 issued a report called Loving the Least of These: Addressing a Changing Environment, in which love our neighbors is cited as a central reason to support the Lefts thoroughly corrupt climate change agenda.

So-called faith leaders have told Americans that absorbing hordes of unvetted illegal aliens into their districts is an act of compassion and mercy. As one op-ed put it recently, Will we choose to embrace them [illegals], like the good Samaritan, or to turn them away?

Various Christian poohbahs urged believers to comply with COVID-19 mandates despite the potential for severe side effects, declaring in all caps, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, GET THE SHOT!

There are plenty of other examples, but you get the point.

The famous passage in Mark 12:31 is being used as a placeholder to baptize liberal follies with Gospel-sounding language.

Not only is this tactic lazy, but proponents of it are hoping conservatives dont ask any follow-up questions.

Questions like 

Wouldnt it also be an act of love to our neighbor to secure the border and stop the surge of human trafficking, fentanyl overdoses, and financial strain befalling resource-strapped communities due to this administrations unchecked immigration policies?

Wouldnt it be more loving to ensure that our low-income neighbors have access to cheap and abundant fossil fuels rather than forcing them into expensive electric vehicles against their will or subjecting them to ever-increasing gasoline prices and rolling blackouts by shutting off natural energy sources? Isnt rejecting the god of global warming a loving action, certainly to the working poor?

The same goes for defending the bodily autonomy of our neighbor, where he isnt required to choose between gainful employment and punitive vaccine orders from government officials  thats love, too, no?

And yet, the outward show of love regarding these politically charged topics generally falls on the left side of the debate, as if Christians are limply supposed to accept progressive overreach because a Bible verse was quoted out of context.

In fact, in the ongoing attempts to Christianize leftist causes, we are now at the stage where love your neighbor is being used to support conduct that is explicitly repudiated by Gods Word, like theft and murder.

But before we get to those details, the first step we need to take is to define love from Gods perspective. This mindset keeps us grounded biblically so we dont end up like children who are tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14).

For that definition lets examine how the Apostle Paul tackles the subject, which we find in Romans 13:8-10:

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet, and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

To love our neighbor, then, is to not steal from him, to not lie about him, to not kill him, to not defraud him, and so on and so forth. Our vertical relationship with God  represented by the first four of the Ten Commandments  guides our horizontal relationship toward others, which is embodied by the last six of the Ten Commandments.

Put differently, the foundation of biblical love is Gods holy and righteous law. Thats where the conversation ought to begin any time a politician or a pundit invokes love thy neighbor as grounds to adopt a specific proposal.

Unfortunately, that doesnt happen today, even within Christian circles.

Remember Oliver Anthonys smash single Rich Men North of Richmond?

The music artist vented frustration with D.C. elites, with onerous taxes, and with the obese milkin welfare off those taxes.

Listeners seemed to agree.

The song landed at the top of the Billboard charts.

One writer at Christianity Today was not amused by Anthonys lyrics, however.

She accused him of trafficking in easy caricatures and political tropes and opined that he didnt honor the God-given humanity of people on welfare.

The title of the article said it all: Oliver Anthonys Viral Hit Doesnt Love Its Neighbors.

For the record, food stamp fraud alone could be as high as $4.7 billion a year, according to one watchdog group. This means Anthonys instincts appear to be correct: Some people really are milkin government programs.

Forget that fact for a moment, though.

Here we have a supposedly renowned evangelical publication openly defending the welfare state as an extension of neighborly love.

This is the same welfare state that is literally built on theft and envy  the very opposite of what the Bible esteems as love.

Is it acceptable to plunder the goods of one person in order to aid another person who may be struggling financially?

Of course not.

Stealing is stealing.

There isnt a social justice exception to the Eighth Commandment, whether those actions are taken by individuals or by magistrates.

We pay taxes to civil authorities to keep the peace and maintain order, not to redistribute wealth and stir up resentment between income brackets.

When love is divorced from its scriptural underpinning, the immoral entity that is the welfare state becomes catechized as an article of faith, even though its very existence flouts Gods yardstick for what constitutes a loving deed.

Whats worse, this textual abuse has been applied to abortion  not in banning the gruesome practice but in encouraging it!

Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom paid for billboards in pro-life states that advertised California as a destination to receive unrestricted abortion care for out-of-area residents who were impacted by new laws banning or limiting the procedure.

That a radical abortionist like Newsom would pull a stunt like this wasnt news, but how he organized the stunt did make news.

His ad read: Need An Abortion? California Is Ready To Help, and it signed off with a website to visit and by quoting Mark 12:31: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these.

Obviously Newsoms message was intended to be gratuitously provocative.

Still, these distortions will happen more frequently if the Bible continues to be deconstructed through ideological dogmas that arent built upon truth.

As Christians, the best way to combat the misuse of Jesuss words is to affirm a simple reality: The nature of love cannot be captured apart from Gods expression of it, which has been revealed in Scripture.

Slimy politicians from the West Coast and cultural appeasers within the Church wont like that answer because it serves as a restraint on their progressive ambitions.

Oh well.

Originally published at the Standing for Freedom Center.
'Almost no Armenians left' in Nagorno-Karabakh; suffering mounts after Azerbaijan's takeover

(CP) Nearly all ethnic Armenians have fled Nagorno-Karabakh following Azerbaijan's military occupation. A humanitarian crisis appears to be building with rising numbers of refugees, injuries and arrests.

Nazeli Baghdasaryan, spokesperson for Armenia's Prime Minister, revealed the number of forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh reached 100,417 as of Saturday morning, about a week after Azerbaijan regained control over the breakaway region following a military offensive, according to Armen Press.

Of the displaced, 32,200 have taken up accommodation offered by the Armenian government. Many others chose to stay with friends or relatives in Armenia.

Many of the 100,000 people are hungry, exhausted and needing immediate assistance, UNHCR representative Kavita Belani said in a statement. "People are tired. This is a situation where they've lived under nine months of blockade. When they come in, they're full of anxiety, they're scared, they're frightened and they want answers as to what's going to happen next."

UNICEF has noted that 30% of the arrivals are minors, many separated from their families.

Some 405 displaced persons are receiving medical treatment in Armenian hospitals, Armenia News quoted Baghdasaryan as saying. Of these patients, 337 suffered injuries from recent military activities and explosions. Ten children are in intensive care units; five are in serious condition, while one is extremely serious.

Azerbaijani forces arrested and persecuted Armenian citizens, including prominent figure Ruben Vardanyan, former State Minister of Artsakh, according to another report by Armenia News, which said public figures in Armenia were urging the government to protect the rights and interests of Vardanyan and others.

Vardanyan is highly regarded for his contributions to Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.

At least 200 ethnic Armenians and dozens of Azerbaijani soldiers were killed during Azerbaijan's military operation, reported the BBC, adding that an explosion at a fuel depot killed at least 170 people, with an additional 105 still missing.

The World Food Programme has set up mobile warehouses and kitchens to aid refugees. The U.N. Population Fund is distributing health kits and dignity kits, including sanitary pads and soap.

Armenian villages near the Karabakh border have turned into makeshift refugee camps, reported the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Refugees arriving are traumatized but also hopeful, IFRC's Hicham Diab said.

Azerbaijan has offered to reintegrate Nagorno-Karabakh's residents as equals, a claim that an Armenian spokesman dismissed as a "lie," as per the BBC.

The region is recognized internationally as part of Muslim-majority Azerbaijan even though it has a majority Armenian population.

The conflict has its roots in the early 20th century when the region, which has a majority Armenian population, was part of the Russian Empire and later, the Soviet Union.

In the 1920s, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin established the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast within Soviet Azerbaijan. However, as the Soviet Union began to collapse in the late 1980s, ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh voted to secede from Azerbaijan and join Armenia. This led to a war between the two countries that lasted from 1988 to 1994, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of people and the displacement of over 1 million.

A ceasefire was signed in 1994, but sporadic violence continued in the region.

In 2016, a four-day war broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan, resulting in hundreds of deaths. In September 2020, the fighting broke out again, escalated rapidly and resulted in a large-scale military operation by Azerbaijan, with the support of Turkey, to retake the regions of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding areas under Armenian control.

A ceasefire was signed again in November 2020, but tensions remained high, with both sides accusing each other of ceasefire violations.

In Nagorno-Karabakh, residents had been living in dire conditions, with no electricity and limited food supplies amid a monthslong blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the only road that connects Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.

Switzerland-based human rights group Christian Solidarity International had urged U.S. President Joe Biden to propose a four-point emergency response to the monthslong blockade, including an immediate humanitarian airlift. The group also called for sanctions against Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev for policies of ethnic-religious cleansing.

"You were the first U.S. president to officially acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, thereby earning the gratitude of the Armenian people and all who abhor genocide," CSI President John Eibner said at the time. "Let it not be said that, on your watch, Azerbaijan  a strategic partner of the United States  successfully executed another phase of the historic Armenian Genocide."

Biden became the first president since former President Ronald Reagan to recognize the Armenian genocide on its 106th anniversary in April 2021. Some historians see the Armenian genocide as a precursor of genocides the world witnessed later, including the Holocaust.

In October 2020, an estimated 100,000 people marched through the streets of Los Angeles, California, to call for an end to the fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

 The Christian Post
Archbishop of Canterbury meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican

The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Pope met at the Vatican over the weekend.

During the "long, private" meeting, Archbishop Justin Welby and Pope Francis discussed migration, climate change and the peacebuilding role of churches in conflict zones.

According to details shared by the Archbishop's office after the meeting, the pair reflected on how migration "affects the poor more than any other group in the world", while the Pope said that the West is "consumed by indifference" in the face of climate change.

The Archbishop's audience with the Pope took place at the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican on the same day that 21 new Catholic cardinals were created.

During their meeting, the Archbishop and Pope recalled their historic joint peacemaking pilgrimage to South Sudan, undertaken in February with the former Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Dr Iain Greenshields.

Commenting on the meeting, the Archbishop said, "It's always a privilege to meet with my dear brother, Pope Francis. Today we shared our hopes for South Sudan, and discussed the impact of migration and climate change on the world's poorest. May our churches be united in bringing Christ's good news to a world in need."

Following the audience, the two Church leaders attended an ecumenical prayer vigil in St Peter's Square.

During his time in Rome, the Archbishop also officially opened an exhibition at the John Moorman Memorial Library at the Anglican Centre in Rome.
Archbishop unsuccessful in attempts to meet Home Secretary

The Home Secretary has reportedly ignored requests by the Archbishop of Canterbury to meet.

The House - the magazine of the Houses of Parliament - reports that Archbishop Justin Welby has "reached out a number of times" to Suella Braverman's office about meeting.

A spokesman for the Archbishop told the magazine, "The Archbishop would be happy to meet the Home Secretary to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.

"In the past, the Archbishop has met other home secretaries. It is not unusual."

Archbishop Welby has been an outspoken critic of the government's immigration policy, specifically plans to send migrants to Rwanda.

In July, Welby spearheaded an amendment to the Illegal Migration Bill forcing the government to devise a 10-year strategy on how to work with international partners in addressing the refugee crisis and human trafficking.

Speaking earlier in the debate, he called the bill "isolationist", "morally unacceptable" and "politically impractical".

Braverman has claimed that many of the people crossing the English Channel in small boats are "gaming the system" and lie about their personal circumstances, like age or religion.

"Many of these people are gaming the system. We know that they will lie about their ages," she said during an appearance on GB News.

"We know that in about 50 per cent of cases when we challenge the age, the Government is right and the claimants are wrong, and they are actually adults pretending to be children.

"They may lie about their religion, they may lie about being married to someone or having a family member here.

"So there is a lot of gaming of our system, and we need to inject more rigour and robustness into our framework. And actually deterrents - and that is why our partnership with Rwanda is absolutely central to solving this problem."
Charity and Church in Wales at odds over building

A dispute has arisen between a Christian charity and the Church in Wales over the use of a church building.

The Parish Trust was founded in 2019 by Rev Dean Aaron Roberts, Rector of the Parish of Bedwas, in Caerphilly, and has been based at St Thomas Church, Trethomas.

The charity exists to help churches respond to community needs and supported thousands of people during the Covid lockdowns.

The trust claims it was led to believe that the Church in Wales would sell the building to it and it has spent over 50,000 on improvements to the church. Now, however, the charity says the Church in Wales has approached trustees with proposed tenancy agreements instead.

The Parish Trust has refused to enter into a tenancy agreement with the Church in Wales and has instead begun the search for a new property to serve as its base, but it said it fears being evicted from St Thomas before it has found new accommodation as this would negatively affect its charitable activities in the community.

Rev Roberts has accused the Church in Wales of demonstrating a "difficult attitude" and "hostility" towards the charity.

"From the beginning, The Parish Trust has always been in favour of working with churches to help them make a difference in their communities, and the Church in Wales is no exception," he said.

"Because of my link with the Church in Wales, we naively thought that it would be only too glad to tangibly support the charity, given its recent focus on helping the vulnerable in the community.

"For a long time, we had every hope that the Church in Wales would see this opportunity for what it was and sell us the building."

Diane Brierley, Chair of the Parish Trust, said that the charity has requested a grace period from the Church in Wales while it seeks alternative premises.

"We remain committed to working with the CinW to find a solution that reflects the Christian values which we both hold, and which will demonstrate this partnership for the gospel in the communities," she said.

In response, a spokesperson for the Church in Wales said, "The Church in Wales is committed to finding a way forward that is agreeable to both the Parish Trust and the Church in Wales.

"The Bishop of Monmouth Cherry Vann wrote to the trustees of the Parish Trust on 14 September 2023 proposing further meetings in the hope of finalising an agreement for the use of St Thomas's Church by the Trust while it looks for new premises.

"We acknowledge that the Parish Trust does tremendous work to support people in the area it serves and we hope that will continue for many years.

"Our sincere desire is to find an amicable agreement that suits all parties."
Faith coalition appeals for united effort against knife crime after schoolgirl's death

A faith coalition is calling on churches, politicians and the police to redouble their efforts to end knife crime after a schoolgirl was tragically stabbed to death in Croydon last week.

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the death of Elianne Andam, 15, who was killed on her way to school last Wednesday. She came from a devout Christian family who described her as "kind" and someone who "loved Jesus".

The Synergy Network, a coalition of churches and Christian organisations working to end serious youth violence, is calling for action after Elianne became the 15th teenage homocide in London this year.

Bishop Lenford Rowe, Chair of the Synergy Network, said her death had "troubled me deeply" and was a "wake-up call that more needs to be done".

"Enough, really is enough. How long can we stand by and watch our young people die in such violent, needless circumstances," he said.

"I am calling on our churches, politicians and the police to double down on the work they are doing to address youth knife crime. We must all take responsibility and play our part in bringing it to an end."

He wants the tragedy to become a "Kairos moment" to tackle knife crime so that young people can walk the streets of Britain's cities without fear.

"While it is important to pray, there are also so many practical actions we can take as churches to address this matter," he said, pointing people to The Synergy Network's website for more information and resources.

He added: "I really do not want to be in a similar position next year; calling for us to once again to do something after a similar tragedy. Let us use this tragic event as a Kairos moment to tackle knife crime.

"Knives are ruining lives and destroying communities. Let us do something as churches; as communities to tackle this. Let us also work with the police and politicians in their efforts to address this matter and be prepared to call them to account if they are not."
India: Christian delegation meets minorities official, urges action on violence

A five-member delegation from the United Christian Forum (UCF) met with the chairman of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on September 21 in New Delhi to present their concerns regarding the persecution of Christians.

As a response to the NCM's nearly six-month-old request for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's engagement, the organisation has encouraged the UCF delegation to create a thorough report on violence against Christians.

The UCF group that met with Iqbal Singh Lalpura, the chairman of the NCM, also comprised Dr. Michael Williams, National President, Dr. John Dayal, the spokesman of the UCF and of the All India Catholic Union, Mr. A C Michael, National Coordinator, and Tehmina Arora and Siju Thomas, executive members.

After the meeting, the UCF also issued a news statement in which it was revealed that NCM had called the gathering in response to a letter sent to the Indian prime minister after his Easter Sunday visit to the Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi on April 9.

"In the meeting, NCM heard us fully and assured us to take action. Also they have asked us to submit more details of the issues we have raised in the letter to the prime minister, which they hope to conduct study within a month and put up a report to him," said the UCF press note.

The UCF, one of the organisations that monitor incidents of violence against Christians in India, contends that attacks have surged following the enactment of anti-conversion laws in 11 out of India's 28 states, most of which are governed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The UCF press note also points out that the delegation raised the matter of recent incidents that occurred closer to Delhi in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the Buddhist member of the NCM, who also oversees Christian affairs in the absence of a Christian member within the body, offered to promptly investigate them.

"The PM's response, in accordance with his usual style, originates from the lowest level of the official structure, specifically within the recently reorganised minority affairs ministry. This restructuring has resulted in the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) operating without Christian representation, with a Buddhist member now overseeing Christian affairs," noted Dayal while speaking to Christian Today.

The UCF note claims that they were assured by the Chair of the NCM that the pending appointment of a Christian member of the NCM will be done quickly.

The UCF press note also specified that Lalpura told the delegation that the "minority Commission will work together in addressing cases of persecution of citizens from the Christian faith." The Chairman of the NCM also reportedly asked for "a joint team to tour some of the areas where such communal issues are regularly occurring."

"It is worth noting," Dayal says, "that the NCM lacks its own investigating agency. The chair has proposed that Christians take the initial steps, after which the police will conduct further investigations. However, the plan doesn't clarify how data regarding communal violence will be gathered, especially in cases where government agencies may not maintain such records."

While the UCF press note maintains a hopeful tone, Dayal, himself a veteran human rights activist and a member of the delegation, shares a more realistic perspective. "Overall, it's good that there's an ongoing conversation about these issues, although it's understandable if one doesn't set their hopes very high given these circumstances," he concluded.
Memorial service held for Croydon schoolgirl

An open-air memorial service has been held in support of the family of schoolgirl Elianne Andam, who was fatally stabbed on her way to school last week.

The vigil took place in Croydon town centre and was attended by the 15 year old's grieving family and hundreds of others, including police, pastors and faith leaders.

They said prayers, sang praise songs, and took turns to share messages of solidarity with the family, who are committed Christians.

Their pastor Mark Rossell spoke movingly to the crowd about how Elianne had grown up attending New Life Croydon and was a much loved member of the church.

"It broke our hearts," he said of her death.

"Elianne was a huge part of New Life, it's personal. This really, really hurts.

"She had her whole life ahead of her, she was always laughing and really loved being part of this community. She had big dreams and was so optimistic about her goals."

He told Sky News that the family had been in church on Sunday morning before attending the memorial service and that the community would be there for them as they come to terms with their loss.

"It's our community that will build them back up and give them every ounce of support they need," he said.



The family have also been closely supported by the Bishop of Croydon, Rosemarie Mallett, who was in attendance at Sunday's memorial service.

Speaking last Friday, the bishop said Elianne's death was "deeply sad and devastating". She welcomed grieving members of the community to come into local churches for a moment of prayer and reflection.

"Our hearts are with Elianne's family, and all affected during this time. We pray that efforts to reduce crime and serious youth violence are doubled to put an end to such tragedies affecting our young people.

"Our Croydon church communities continue to offer space for prayer and reflection for those impacted.

"Our churches remain open and we continue to welcome those who wish to pray, light a candle, pay their respects or sit in quiet reflection. Churches across Croydon will be remembering Elianne and her family in their services."
South Sudanese refugees, fleeing a second civil war in Sudan, return home to bleak prospects

Sitting outside her tent with her children at the Internally Displaced Peoples camp in this northeastern town of South Sudan, Magaret Dut Wol described through tears how her family had not eaten for days and was about to die from hunger.

"There's no food for South Sudanese refugees returning from Sudan due to the ongoing civil war," said the 45-year-old mother of four, revealing that most families returning home from Sudan go for days without food. "I am always worried about food because since I came in July, I have lost a baby to malnutrition. She was very sick."

Wol and her family had fled South Sudan in 2014 after the country broke into civil war in December 2013, primarily fueled by ethnic divisions, with soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir battling those loyal to Vice President Riek Machar.

The South Sudanese civil war, which ended with a 2018 peace agreement that brought Kiir and Machar together in a government of national unity, left nearly 400,000 people dead and over 4 million displaced from their homes, including almost 2.3 million who fled to neighbouring countries, including Sudan.

But now a civil war in Sudan that began on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has forced more than 100,000 to flee the country. More than 90% of them are South Sudanese refugees who are once again escaping a civil war  this time to go back home.

"We escaped Sudan with nothing, and we have nothing here. We are going to die if any help doesn't come our way. People should think about those refugees returning home from Sudan and help them to start life again," Wol said.

Over 67,000 South Sudanese refugees returning home to escape the violence in Sudan are being settled into already congested camps in northern South Sudan. The refugees lack necessities such as food, water, shelter, clothes, bedding, sanitation and health care. The country has not recovered from the widespread destruction caused by its civil war and, for most of the returning refugees, there is no home to come back to.

The situation has prompted religious leaders in South Sudan to appeal to the international community to aid returning refugees, as well as Sudanese fleeing the bloodshed in their country that has left thousands of people dead and millions displaced.

Archbishop Stephen Ameyu of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba told Religion News Service that the conflict in Sudan left most citizens and South Sudanese refugees with nothing as they fled to escape the civil war.

"The situation on the border town of Renk and northern South Sudan is getting worse every day as refugees continue to cross the border from Sudan and enter South Sudan," said Ameyu. "Refugees and returnees, especially women and children, are tired, hungry and very weak. Most of them have not eaten anything because they have nothing, and we don't have enough food to give them.

"I want to appeal to anyone, including the international community, to donate money and basic necessities to help refugees to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. The money contributed will be used to buy basic needs such as food, water and medical care and build shelter for refugees," he said.

The bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Malakal in South Sudan's Upper Nile state, the Rev. Stephen Nyodho Ador Majwok, said the situation was worse in Malakal since most of the new arrivals from Sudan are seeking refuge in the region, which is already grappling with internal displacement.

"Most of the refugees in my diocese are suffering. They are living without food and shelter," he said, thanking Caritas and the community in Malakal for recently providing food for returnees. "We are humbly asking our partners and donors to save lives by donating anything they have to the church so that we can reach out to many people."

Pastor Majok Chol of the Pentecostal Church of South Sudan is offering counseling to returning refugees, many of whom are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. He said Pentecostal churches in the region were supporting refugees with food and helping returning South Sudanese rebuild their houses and livelihoods.

"We are dealing with returnees who have undergone serious trauma as a result of the ongoing war in Sudan," said Chol. "Women have been sexually and physically abused, children have dropped out of school, and others are pregnant because they have been raped during the war, and men are stressed because they are unable to provide for their starving families."

He noted that the churches are trying their best to meet basic needs, raise funds to help construct houses and toilets for returnees and offer mental health counseling. However, he said, their resources are limited, and they can't reach out to everyone.

"The churches and communities are appealing for funding to continue feeding thousands of refugees and those returning from Sudan," he said. "The situation is currently deplorable. It was recently heartbreaking to watch families and their children going to bed without food. Women and their children were looking thin and weak, and others were very sick."

Meanwhile, Kueth Mayout, another returning South Sudanese refugee, urged the government of South Sudan to work hard to restore peace and security across the country so refugees can go back to their homes and live without violence.

"This could be another option for the government," she said. "They should ensure we are safe when we go back to our homes so that we are able to rebuild our lives and contribute to the betterment of the country."

 Religion News Service
Caritas Cehia in Moldova anunta concurs pentru selectarea unui expert (e) care va dezvolta si coordona un set de recomandari cheie privind asigurarea sustenabilitatii financiare in sistemul social de ingrijire la domiciliu la nivel comunitar
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Britain is a charitable company that has been registered with the Charity Commission since 1999. The charitys purpose is to advance the Christian religion as practised by the body of Christian persons known as Jehovahs Witnesses.

The Commission has been interacting with the charity on the matter of safeguarding policies and procedures since 2007 when, following the conviction of an elder for the historic abuse of 13 young people over a period of 15 years, it launched an inquiry into the London Mill Hill Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses (a separate congregation charity). During the inquiry, the charity agreed to develop a safeguarding policy which was finalised and distributed to all congregations in 2011.
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Many charities are looking for ways to increase staff benefits in an efficient way. For independent schools not using the Teachers Pension Scheme, pension salary exchange can help employees save towards their retirement.

Its use can also help employees to reduce their tax burden, especially where their earnings are close to thresholds. Where there is a higher rate of income tax, it will help protect the entitlement to free childcare.

Set out below is an action plan to help put a pension salary exchange in place.

1. Creating your action plan

Consideration will need to be given to the viability of setting up a pension salary exchange, for example:

Who will be responsible for overseeing the pension salary exchange?

Who is eligible to participate in the scheme?

What are the potential National Insurance savings which can be generated?

How to ensure employees are aware of the benefits and downsides of participating in a pension salary exchange.

2. Staff participation

In terms of participation, the more employees who take part, the greater number will benefit from the savings, as will the employer.

3. Notifying employees

The employer should notify all employees regarding the intention to introduce a salary pension exchange and:

Provide details of the pension scheme you are proposing to use.

Explain why you are proposing the use of a pension salary exchange.

Explain the advantages of entering into the scheme.

Similarly, employees also need to be aware there are some disadvantages too. So, you should provide illustrations to demonstrate the pre/ post pension salary exchange position.

4. Discuss with key participants

While the employer and its employees will benefit from the arrangement, it is also important to consult with your pension scheme and payroll providers, advising them that you are proposing to set up the arrangement.

You will need to prepare the key documents, including letters and/ or emails which will help to vary the terms and conditions of employment.

5. What are the key messages?

The following provides a summary of the topics which need to be conveyed to employees:

The employee agrees to a reduction of their salary by an amount equal to their pension contributions.

The employer agrees to pay the employee pension contributions, which are added to the employers pension contributions as total employer-only contributions.

Both the employer and the employee pay less National Insurance.

It is not uncommon for the employer to share all or part of their National Insurance savings with the employees in the form of additional pension contributions.

6. Long-term participation

Employers will want to ensure long-term participation in the pension salary exchange arrangement, so the employee needs to be made aware that they will have to participate for a minimum period of 12 months. Consideration will also need to be put in place to consider any lifestyle changes which will enable the employee to stop participating in the arrangement on a temporary basis.

There are downsides too, which include the following:

The pension salary exchange must not bring an employees earnings below the national minimum wage limits.

Lower life cover is often calculated as a multiple of salary and the arrangement will make the salary figure lower.

Currently not beneficial to employees over pensionable age.

Potential impact on state-related benefits.

Generally, the positives are seen as outweighing the downsides, though.

7. Post implementation

As with many projects, a lot of work is carried out leading up to its implementation. However, it is important to consider the following:

A. Obtain staff feedback.

B. Ensure all new employees receive the same information.

C. Continue to promote the arrangement during the year. Where the employer has retained some of its National Insurance savings to help fund a staff award scheme, it can be a simple arrangement for example, providing gift vouchers where any employee has done a good job.

The employer can meet the income tax and National Insurance liabilities due on the gift via a PAYE settlement agreement.

Nick Bustin is an employment tax director at haysmacintyre
The government should ensure that the expertise and role of the voluntary community sector is fully understood when responding to emergencies, the chief executive of British Red Cross has said.

Mike Adamson, who is due to leave the charity in a few months after nine years, was speaking on building resilient communities in the UK at the Conservative Party Conference.

Adamson said emergency response plans must ensure that the expertise and role of the voluntary community sector at national and local level is fully understood.

He said civil society should be partners in the development of the plans around local resilience and around how to identify vulnerable groups, rather than simply being consulted two thirds, three quarters of the way through a process.

Speaking at the same event, deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden said he was determined that we do more, but we can only achieve it by working with organisations like the Red Cross and all those other voluntary and civic society organisations.

Statutory bodies did not have enough appreciation of the role that civil society organisations could play

Adamson said the Grenfell Tower response in 2017 was a defining point for emergencies in the UK in that new emergencies and overlapping emergencies became the new normal and it was the beginnings of what we would now call a whole society response.

Moreover, the coronavirus pandemic highlighted both the strengths of our response, but also our weaknesses, and perhaps our lack of preparedness in some key areas.

He said: It's imperative that we as a sector, as civil society organisations, with government and indeed the private sector start to think and respond differently. And our experience of the events in 2017 is that all too often, the response was highly siloed focusing on responding to one off events, using top down command approaches, with limited understanding of the communities, and how they were impacted.

Adamson reflected: The roles and responsibilities for coordinating response across national government and between national and local government was sometimes unclear. And sometimes statutory bodies didn't really also have enough appreciation of the role that civil society organisations could play in responding.

And I think, to be honest, we have to own some of the responsibility for that as our sector, because we can look a bit confusing and diverse. And also, we'd not conveyed our ability to coordinate the work that we do, and also the professionalism that we can bring to it. But I think that's really what we've been really working very hard at since 2017.

He highlighted the Voluntary Community Sector Emergency Partnership, an alliance of more than 250 mostly-local civil society organisations. It also includes government departments, and businesses in the community.

It's really about us coming together to be better prepared for emergencies, and be an effective partner to government before, during and after.

Expertise of voluntary community sector must be fully understood

The British Red Cross CEO said: Wed like to see three things. Firstly, the recognition that emergencies fall on people unequally. Therefore, theres a need to plan for the impact of an emergency, as well as the response with pre existing inequalities and vulnerabilities in front of mind. And getting this right will really help the nations resilience.

Were all in the same storm, but we're actually in different boats. And actually, that is a profound insight into the way in which we think we should be thinking about the response in the future.

Secondly, he said, the plans must devolve more powers to local government to strengthen how both preparedness and response are coordinated and delivered to the local level.

We also need to think about the roles of central and local government, he said.

My personal reflection from particularly through Covid, and trying to work across central government during that time, the central government needs to focus on creating the frameworks for the response, but actually recognise that the actual response will be from local government and civil society organisations primarily.

Theyre the people who are there, and actually, the central government simply doesn't have the information in the centre to know what the situation is on the ground.

And thirdly, plans must ensure that the expertise and role of the voluntary community sector at national and local level is fully understood. The voluntary community sector is well connected to communities and focuses on the human aspects of recovery that can otherwise be forgotten. And we are there before, during and after. And were very flexible in the way in which we work and capitalising on these strengths will strengthen the rapid deployment of resources in an emergency and strengthen our role in planning and preparedness.

He said civil society should be partners in the development of the plans around local resilience and around how to identify vulnerable groups, rather than simply being consulted two thirds, three quarters of the way through a process.

Deputy PM: Every major crisis requires collaboration between government and civil society

Dowden said at the event: It really struck me that the moment Covid really began to take off, the Red Cross were there, civic organisations were there, and voluntary organisations came together almost overnight, to help us through that crisis, whether it was at the very beginning where we're helping people that were sheltering from Covid, or through that fantastic effort that we saw during the rollout of the vaccine programme, which really gave us pride in what we can achieve together.

What we really learned through Covid was, first of all, we have to have a whole of government approach. And we have to have a whole of society approach, bringing people together to address those challenges.

Every major crisis requires collaboration between government, local resilience, civil society, business and individuals. That really is the golden thread that runs through all of our efforts to facilitate better coordination between all of these different groups.

Dowden added: We have made a lot of progress. I'm determined that we do more, but we can only achieve it by working with organisations like the Red Cross and all those other voluntary and civic society organisations.

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Modern slavery charity appoints new CEO

Modern slavery charity Causeway has announced the appointment of its CEO Helen Ball. She will succeed Ed Newton, who will be leaving the charity in November after 11 years at the helm.

She will join Causeway from Leeds Community Foundation where she has been development director since 2021.

Before this, she was CEO of Barnsley Civic Enterprise Trust Lt for over eight years.

On her appointment, she said: I am proud and excited to have been chosen as the next chief executive officer for Causeway. The charity delivers such vital support to those most vulnerable, and so often provides the lifeline that unlocks a safer and brighter future for so many. I look forward to building on the incredible success already achieved by the team and working with partners both current and new, to help build and advocate for a fairer and safer society.

Christians Against Poverty hires CEO

The debt help charity, Christians Against Poverty (CAP), has hired Stewart McCulloch as its new CEO. He will take up the role next year and take over from interim CEO Lisa Pearce.

McCulloch will join the role from Stewardship, where he has been CEO for over five years. Before that, he was a director at Kingdom Bank Ltd.

CAPs chair of trustees, Roger Hattam, said: We couldnt be more delighted to be welcoming Stewart to the CAP family. Stewarts Christian faith underpins his motivation to work with the Church in the UK to fight the effects that debt and poverty have on peoples lives.

Stewarts wealth of experience across church networks, finance and organisational development will be an important asset to CAP as we seek to grow our impact.

Charity CEO steps down after 34 years

Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland has appointed Lawrence Cowan as its new CEO. He will replace Andy Wynd, who is stepping down after 34 years at the helm.

Cowan will join from Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland where he is director of income generation. Prior to this, he was director of communications and fundraising at the charity. He was chair of MND Scotland for six years, has worked at Breast Cancer Now and the Royal College of Nursing.

Margo Whiteford, chair of SBH Scotland, said: Finding a successor was always going to be difficult. In Lawrence, however, we have found someone with a depth of experience in the sector, a real passion for driving change, and the exceptional leadership skills we need to develop and grow.

ReachOut hires CEO

Education charity ReachOut has appointed Ben Hilton as its CEO. He succeeds Bejal Shah, who led the charity for two years.

Hilton joins from Dame Kelly Holmes Trust where he worked for nine and a half years, most recently as its CEO. Before that, he was director of programmes and head of young people programmes.

Chair of ReachOut, Simon Hepburn, said: Were very excited to have Ben join ReachOut as our new CEO. Ben brings with him extensive experience supporting young people from under-resourced communities to grow in character, confidence and self-belief. Its clear he has a life-long passion for making sure young people get the chances and opportunities they deserve and were thrilled that hell be bringing that drive and determination to our next chapter at ReachOut.

Hospice charity appoints CEO

Willen Hospice has announced that Kate Broadhurst will become the charitys CEO from next year.

She replaces Peta Wilkinson, who steps down in October after six years leading the charity.

Broadhurst joins the hospice charity following a 23-year career at John Lewis. Her most recent role was head of branch for the Milton Keynes store.

Interim CEO recruited at Refuge

The domestic abuse charity has appointed Ellen Miller as its interim CEO while it looks for a permanent leader. She replaces Ruth Davidson, who leaves the role after two years.

Most recently, Miller was interim CEO at domestic abuse charity SafeLives. Previously, she has been acting chief executive of Versus Arthritis, director of Victim Support, chief executive of Empowerment and more. She is currently a board member of Together Housing Group.

Refuge chair Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, said: Im delighted to welcome Ellen to Refuge. With her breadth of experience from across the sector, she will be a great asset to the charity as she leads us through our next chapter.

Ellens appointment is for an extended period, and will ensure there is stability and experienced leadership for the charity as we continue our transformation journey.

Senior leaders appointed at FoodCycle

The national food charity FoodCycle has appointed a new head of finance and head of programmes.

Current head of programmes at the charity, Sophie Tebbetts, will be taking up the role of CEO next year. She will be succeeded by Pete McCabe, who joins from the Canal and River Trust. He has previously worked for Edge Foundation and the Princes Trust.

The newly created role of head of finance will be taken up by Marylyn McQuaide who has over 20 years experience in financial services. She has held senior roles at HSBC, Deutsche Bank and more.

New head of casework at Fundraising Regulator

Nikki Renken has been appointed as head of casework at the Fundraising Regulator. She takes over from Catherine Orr, who was in the role for six years.

She takes on the role after serving as case manager at the regulator for the past two years.

Renken will be responsible for leading on the regulators casework function to regulate charitable fundraising. She has previously worked at the Nursing and Midwifery Council, British Dental Association and churches.

She said: Im now looking forward to building on the increasing engagement the casework team has with the sector to ensure compliance with the code using a proportionate and realistic approach.

Together for Short Lives appoints trustees

Childrens palliative care charity, Together for Short Lives, has appointed three new trustees to its board to strengthen its governance, the charity said.

Rob Lightfoot is chief executive of Lifelites, which provides adaptive digital technology to children who require palliative care. He was previously CEO of Age UK Merton and is a Samaritans volunteer.

Emma Aspinall is a childrens social worker and director of care at Acorns Childrens Hospice. She has previously worked with Together for Short Lives advisory council.

Mark Smith is chief executive of Naomi House and Jacksplace hospices for children in Winchester. He was previously deputy chief executive and director of fundraising.

Turn2us recruits trustees

The anti-poverty charity Turn2us has appointed three new trustees to its board to join the current ten.

Jenny Oklikah is director of strategic growth at Dallaglio RugbyWorks. She was previously CEO of Fight for Peace and has worked at the Equality and Human Rights Commission as well as the UK Home Office.

Kaveed Ali is chief operating officer and director of EDI at UK Community Foundations. He has previously worked at the Alzheimers Society.

Richard Edgar is a broadcaster and journalist that now works in financial services in the City of London. He has worked at BBC, ITN, Reuters and the Financial Times.

Thomas Lawson, CEO of Turn2us, said: Our new trustees will play a significant role in guiding our work. Theyll help us make sure we can all afford lifes basics, but more than that, we can all thrive.



In Richard we have found someone with an understanding of the effect of monetary policy on everyday life. In Jenny we have someone with deep expertise in community strengthening and Kaveed brings a huge background in diversity, which speaks to the heart of our strategy.

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Special education teacher Robyn Young had to fight the Granite School District for benefits after she suffered a concussion and mental injuries at the hands of her students. Then she was hounded by debt collectors who demanded that she pay for treatment of those workplace injuries.

The debt collectors agreed to pay a $610,000 settlement after Young filed a lawsuit alleging they violated the federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, her lawyer said. But then the Salt Lake City school district sued her, seeking reimbursement for the $307,000 in workers compensation benefits it paid.

The Utah Supreme Court put an end to that lawsuit on Thursday, ruling that the Granite School District must make its reimbursement claim to the state Labor Commission, where her claim for permanent total disability benefits is still being litigated.

Ive never seen anything like this one before, where workers compensation has attempted to do that, Youngs attorney, Gary E. Atkin, said Friday. The only reason the bill collectors were after her is because the Granite School District wasnt paying the bills. Now they are saying they should be allowed to be reimbursed for the bills that they wouldnt pay.

Young was injured twice in tussles with her special needs students. She suffers post-concussive syndrome, mental health issues, and debilitating migraines, according to the opinion.

An administrative law judge for the Labor Commission ruled that Young suffered compensable injuries and ordered Granite to pay for her medical care. The school district disputed that some of her care was medically necessary. Young was unable to pay for all of treatment out of her own pocket. Her medical providers handed off the debt to collection agencies.

Young says those collection efforts exacerbated her mental injuries. Under the Utah Workers Compensation Act, debt collection agencies are not allowed to collect workers compensation medical debts from injured workers. Young was able to keep only about $300,000 out of the $610,000 settlement, Atkin said. The rest went toward costs and attorney fees.

Young returned to the Labor Commission claiming that she was permanently and totally disabled after the fiasco with the debt collectors. An ALJ agreed, found that Granite had not complied with the prior order and directed the school district to reimburse Young for medical expenses she had paid.

Granite appealed to the Labor Commission Appeals Board. The school district also filed a subrogation lawsuit against Young seeking reimbursement for the benefits it paid out of the settlement with the debt collectors. The 3rd District Court in Salt Lake County dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that Granite needed to take its reimbursement claim to the Labor Commission.

The Utah Supreme Court affirmed the decision unanimously. The opinion said the district court cannot decide on the school districts lawsuit until after the Labor Commission issues a final ruling in Youngs workers compensation claim.

Attorney Brett N. Anderson argued the school districts case on appeal. He said Friday that Granites request for reimbursement from Youngs settlement is no different that seeking a reimbursement from any third-party tortfeasor who caused injury. He said Young cited the mental trauma that was caused by the debt collectors efforts in her claim for permanent total disability benefits, so it is only fair that the employer receive reimbursement from the settlement monies for any expenses that were paid as a result of that trauma.

The carrier has a right to be reimbursed for third-party tort recoveries, he said.

Anderson said Granite will likely seek to recover the benefits it paid from Youngs settlement as the case continues to proceed through the Labor Commission. Atkin said the Appeals Board has asked a medical panel to issue an opinion on issues that were not resolved during hearings before the administrative law judge, but the panel has not yet issued a report.
HONOLULU (AP)  The Navy on Thursday issued written reprimands to three now-retired military officers for their roles in the spill of jet fuel into Pearl Harbors drinking water in 2021 but did not fire, suspend, dock the pay or reduce the rank of anyone for the incident.

The spill from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility poisoned thousands of military families and continues to threaten the purity of Honolulus water supply.

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro issued censure letters to the three rear admirals, the Navy said in a news release. He also revoked personal military decorations awarded to five rear admirals, three captains and one commander.

Taking accountability is a step in restoring trust in our relationship with the community, Del Toro said in a statement.

The spill was not acceptable, and the Navy will continue to take every action to identify and remedy this issue, he said.

A Navy investigation last year concluded a series of errors caused the fuel to leak into a well that supplied water to housing and offices in and around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. About 6,000 people suffered nausea, headaches, rashes and other symptoms.

The investigation concluded operator error caused a pipe to rupture when fuel was being transferred between tanks on May 6, 2021, leading 21,000 gallons (80, 000 liters) to spill. Most of this liquid flowed into a fire suppression line and sat there for six months, causing the line to sag. A cart then rammed into the drooping line on Nov. 20, releasing 20,000 gallons (75,700 liters) of fuel that entered a French drain and the drinking water well.

The spill came even though the Navy for years reassured Oahu residents their water was safe despite Red Hill`s history of leaks, including when 27,000 gallons (102,206 liters) seeped from one tank.

The water poisoning upset people across Hawaii, including veterans, environmentalists, Native Hawaiians, liberals and conservatives.

Wayne Tanaka, director of the Sierra Club of Hawaii, called the reprimands outrageous considering the damage done and the ongoing threat the leak poses to an aquifer underneath the tanks.

Just to have these written slaps on the wrist is insulting to our people, to our dignity, Tanaka said.

After months of resistance, the military agreed to an order from the state of Hawaii to drain the World War II-era tanks. It has spent the past year repairing equipment at the facility to safely remove the fuel beginning next month. It expects to finish by Jan. 19.

Three officers received letters of censure from Del Toro: Retired Rear Adm. Peter Stamatopoulos, who was the commander of Naval Supply Systems Command during the May and November spills; Rear Adm. (retired) John Korka, who was commander of the Navy Facilities Engineering Command Pacific before the two spills; and Rear Adm. (retired) Timothy Kott, who was the commander of Navy Region Hawaii during the November spill.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii, said in a statement that true accountability for the disaster would require the Navy to address systemic command and control failures, and a lack of requisite attention to infrastructure.

She noted the Navy`s investigation found that a culture of complacency, a lack of critical thinking, and a lack of timely communication contributed to the spill.

I have yet to see adequate evidence that Navy leadership is treating these service-wide issues with the seriousness or urgency they demand, Hirono said in a statement.

Hirono, who is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said she would continue pushing the Navy to make these systemic changes.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio

Drugs: Interstate 271

The Geauga County Sheriffs Office reported Sept. 27 that a breaking-and-entering suspect was believed to be traveling through the city.

Officers located and stopped the vehicle and cited the driver for no operators license and illegal window tint.

The passenger was arrested for possession of suspected narcotics and taken to jail to be held for Geauga County. Inside the jail, it was discovered that he had hidden suspected fentanyl inside his underwear.

The Cleveland man, 27, received an additional charge for conveyance of illegal drugs into jail.

Juvenile complaints: Mayfield Road

Officers received two reports Sept. 25 of two boys throwing dirt at cars at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and knocking over products at Giant Eagle on the same property.

A Giant Eagle employee said that when she followed them out of the store, one boy made the image of a gun with his hand and pointed toward her.

Officers were unable to locate the boys.

Disturbance: Monterey Drive

A drunken man reported at 1:35 a.m. Sept. 25 that his wife had taken his debit card so he could not go out drinking or to a casino.

Responding officers helped calm the situation with the man and his wife, and assured him that he was in no condition to drive.

Domestic violence: Mayfield Road

A man, 24, was arrested for domestic violence Sept. 26 after he assaulted his girlfriend in a vehicle outside the Gates Mills Place apartments because she would not explain why she was late to pick him up.

Theft by deception: SOM Center Road

Target loss prevention reported Sept. 27 that they had discovered that an unidentified man had stolen an air fryer, TV and audio sound bar from the store Sept. 17.

They said the suspect has stolen from at least seven other area Target stores in the past few weeks, with the total value estimated around $5,700.

Menacing: SOM Center Road

The middle school administration became aware Sept. 27 of a threatening text message sent from one student to another the previous night.

They worked with police and the parents of the 11-year-old girls to mediate the situation.

The incident was referred to the juvenile diversion officer for review.

Fraud: Mayfield Road

A woman reported Sept. 24 that she had been notified of two fraudulent charges on her debit card the previous day after using the card at Grand China.

The charges were for a DoorDash order and for an order through a grocery and alcohol delivery service based out of Pennsylvania.

It was not clear if the card being used at Grand China had any involvement in the fraud. Her bank is investigating.

Fraud: Mayfield Road

A manager at Sherwin-Williams reported Sept. 21 that a man, 47, had charged $3,767 to a fraudulent account at the store and a total of $18,618 at all locations throughout Northeast Ohio.

Officers learned that the suspect is undergoing criminal charges through Richmond Heights police for the fraud, which also occurred in that city.

The man had set up the account under the name of a real estate group.

Drugs: Mayfield Road

A woman working for a company that had recently purchased Ayden Healthcare said Sept. 22 that upon entering the facility for the first time, she saw a sign at the main entrance telling people which apartments drugs can be purchased from.

They visited both rooms and recovered marijuana, crack pipes, unknown drugs and other drug paraphernalia. All was turned over to police.

The company is handling the incident internally.

Theft: Aldenham Drive

A man reported Sept. 23 that his bike had been stolen from a residence while he was attending a party.

A doorbell camera captured the theft of the bike, valued at $400, by an unknown male suspect, believed to be a teenager.

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Read more news from the Sun Messenger.
NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio -- The North Ridgeville Chamber of Commerce is holding a community forum for candidates running for North Ridgeville City Council and the North Ridgeville Board of Education.

The Meet the Candidates Forum will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday (Oct. 4) at the North Ridgeville Academic Center, 34620 Bainbridge Road.

Those interested in the candidates can meet and hear from the council and school board contenders running in the Nov. 7 election. There is no charge to attend the candidates forum.

The council incumbents face challengers for Wards 1, 2 and 4, but not for Ward 3. There are three school board candidates.

The candidates are as follows, according to the Lorain County Board of Elections:

City Council

Ward 1 -- Susan Olsen, Democrat, and incumbent Holly Swenk, Republican

Ward 2 -- Robert Holub, Democrat, and Eric Todd Shaffer, Republican

Ward 3 -- Incumbent Bruce Abens is running unopposed

Ward 4 -- Incumbent Clifford Winkel, Republican, and Genevieve Flieger, Democrat

Board of Education

School board President Frank Vacha Jr. faces challengers John Gassman Jr. and David W. Hanes for two open seats.

Candidates forums are held to provide person-to-person information on those running for office. The League of Women Voters is famous for saying, When candidates dont participate in forums and share their stance on issues, its the voters that lose.

Read more from the Sun Sentinel.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  The leader of a nonprofit that supports a network of charter schools in Cleveland was among 160 people arrested in a statewide crackdown on human trafficking last week.

John Zitzner, the president of Friends of Breakthrough, was charged Thursday by Westlake police officers who are part of the Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force. He is accused of engaging in prostitution, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Westlake police said undercover officers posted an advertisement online. Zitzner responded and agreed to pay $60 for sex, police said.

The undercover officers instructed Zitzner to meet them at a hotel room on Clemons Road, where he was arrested at about 3 p.m., according to police

Zitzner agreed to let officers search his phone and car. They seized $377 and an Apple iPhone, police said.

Breakthrough Schools is a network of nonprofit, public charter schools in Cleveland. Friends of Breakthrough is a group that builds support and raises funds for the schools. Zitzner did not work directly for Breakthrough Schools. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.

Zitzner, from Cleveland, resigned from his position Friday, according to Jeff Berlin, chairman of the Friends of Breakthrough board. Susan Ertle was appointed as interim president by the schools executive committee.

Susan has been with Friends of Breakthrough since its founding and for the past 12 years, she has led the day-to-day operations of the organization. The board has full confidence in Susan and our talented staff to continue to deliver on our mission and build citywide support for high-quality public school options for all children in the Cleveland area, Berlin said in an email.

In a press release, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said law enforcement officers sought to arrest people trying to buy sex and to identify survivors of human trafficking.

Police in and around Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Akron, Youngstown, Marietta and Portsmouth participated in Operation Buyers Remorse last week.

Search warrants were conducted at 11 massage parlors suspected of human trafficking activities as part of ongoing, long-term investigations.

Over the course of the week, 149 people seeking to buy sex were arrested and charged with engaging in prostitution. Additional arrests included two individuals accused of seeking to have sex with minors and six accused of promoting prostitution.

Others were arrested on drug and narcotic charges or because there were outstanding warrants against them.

Yosts office said those charged include an EMT, nurses, educators, retirees, former law enforcement officers and delivery drivers.

The youngest person arrested was 17, and the oldest was 84.

Cuyahoga County sheriffs deputies, as well as nearly 100 law enforcement agencies around Ohio, partnered with the attorney generals office.

Law enforcement officers also interviewed 104 survivors of human trafficking, who were provided services from health care and social service organizations.

I am grateful for each and every partner who dedicated their time and resources, as we all play a key role in the fight against human trafficking, Yost said. Our message is simple: Dont buy sex in Ohio.

An earlier version of this story misidentified John Zitzners position.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Three of Ohios largest business organizations are asking Ohioans to vote no on Issue 2, citing fears that recreational marijuana could lead to more workplace injuries and make the current labor shortage worse. But proponents of legalization say those fears are unfounded.

Its a complex issue that draws many comparisons to another drug thats already legal  alcohol. Both advocates for legalization and groups that oppose it cite scientific studies that they say prove their points. But many people concede that the available research is messy and inconclusive.

Taking any of these studies as gospel is problematic, because these are moving targets that were trying to assess, said Doug Berman, executive director of Drug Enforcement and Policy Center and Ohio State University.

Issue 2 is a proposed law on Novembers ballot that would legalize recreational marijuana for Ohioans aged 21 and older. Its backed by Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol.

Marijuana is currently legal in Ohio for only medical purposes. Businesses can still prohibit workers from using marijuana, which would not change even if Issue 2 passes.

The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Business Roundtable and Ohio Manufacturers Association are opposed to Issue 2. They say theyre worried about workplace safety, people calling off work more often and increased insurance premiums. Theyre also worried that if marijuana use becomes more widespread, finding employees that can pass a pre-employment drug test will be more difficult.

Tom Haren, spokesman for group backing Issue 2, said these concerns are Reefer Madness type scare tactics. He said the claims dont reflect the reality seen in states that have already legalized marijuana.

Using these arguments against recreational marijuana is also a bad comparison, Haren said, because many of these pitfalls already exist with alcohol.

Yes, someone who is actively high on marijuana would be impaired, Haren said. So would someone drinking a beer, he said.

Look, you cant be drunk at work either, Haren said. Again, what we want to do is regulate marijuana just like alcohol.

The studies that are available say that marijuana use during work leads to more accidents. They also tend to say that using marijuana off-the-clock does not lead to a higher risk of injuries, or in some cases, studies say theres inconclusive evidence.

The business groups opposing Issue 2 have made it clear that theyre worried both about on-the-clock and off-the-clock use by their employees. The business groups contend marijuana is different from alcohol, and is much less understood.

Ohio Chamber of Commerce CEO Steve Stivers said alcohol being legal doesnt mean marijuana should be.

Alcohol is a giant risk in the workplace, and Im not trying to minimize alcohol, Stivers said. But my question is, why would you create a new risk when you dont need to?

But Haren contends that marijuana prohibition has been a failed policy, and that legalization would bring in regulation and phase out the black market that currently exists for marijuana.

Alcohol vs marijuana, and why its important

Berman, who runs OSUs Drug Enforcement and Policy Center, said its challenging to have an apples-to-apples comparison between marijuana and alcohol. But where theyre different is where concerns generally come from.

Its widely accepted that drinking alcohol on the job, especially in a field like manufacturing, is dangerous. But its also common for workers to meet after work for happy hour, or for company events like Christmas parties to be held at bars.

Berman said the nuances around alcohol are ingrained in our culture. If someone is too hungover to work the next day, or develops an addiction, its seen as a problem. But otherwise, alcohol use outside of work is seen as OK.

Many proponents of legalizing marijuana have the same view of cannabis, and Berman said there are arguments that replacing alcohol with marijuana would be better for issues like worker absenteeism or addiction. But there isnt a culturally accepted idea of what responsible marijuana use looks like.

The analogies dont stop with alcohol, either. Berman said prescription drugs and allergy pills, which can cause impairment, and cigarettes, which cause health issues and can lead to higher insurance costs, or also widely used.

The more you think about it, the more you realize how accustomed we are to a wider range of drug use, Berman said.

The analogy also highlights how marijuana and alcohol are different.

Tests like a breathalyzer can show if someone is drunk at the time of an accident or workplace injury. Ryan Marino, associate professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and a medical toxicologist, said testing for marijuana isnt as simple.

He said a urine drug test does not show if someone is intoxicated or impaired from using cannabis. And while the tests are used for workers compensation claims, they arent used in legal cases because of their limitations.

The reason for this is that urine drug screens only show that someone has used cannabis some time recently, and can remain positive for days to weeks, and even up to 30-plus days, from last use, Marino said.

Katie Mueller, senior program manager for the National Safety Council, said this issue makes it difficult to know if someone was impaired when a workplace accident happened.

She said there isnt any definitive data on workplace-related incidents, largely because of this testing problem.

Theres also not a lot of conclusive research on how long someone is impaired after using marijuana. While studies seem to show that off-work use is safe, businesses worry the effects from marijuana can last into the next day.

We are definitely concerned about use during work or right before work, but also after work because we dont know how long the effect is on motor skills, Stivers said.

Stivers said some businesses in Ohio have already stopped testing for THC, even without recreational use being legal, because it was hard to find employees who would pass a drug test for marijuana.

Berman said these fears havent manifested themselves into problems in other states. But even if the risks arent clear, businesses see no potential benefit, so the incentive is to oppose recreational marijuana, Berman said.

Stivers said the Chamber of Commerces board voted overwhelmingly, but not unanimously, in favor of opposing Issue 2. He, too, said that there isnt enough good research in the U.S. on marijuana, partly because its illegal at the federal level and is classified as a schedule 1 Drug.

He said legalization creates safety risks and workforce risks, even if they cant be exactly measured with current research. But Stivers said Issue 2 creates no benefits, either.

Theres no upside for businesses that I can see, Stivers said.

Opinions on recreational marijuana also arent clear cut on the worker side, said Leonard DiCosimo, the executive secretary of the North Shore AFL-CIO, a group of about 150 unions in Greater Cleveland. The local AFL-CIO hasnt taken a stance on the issue, as of Friday.

He said some unions are worried about the potential safety issues that businesses cited, and about how marijuana might be covered by existing bargaining agreements. Union contracts set out rules for things like medications and intoxicants, and legalization can change how marijuana fits into those categories.

The studies and data on marijuana

Robert Welch, director of the National Center for Cannabis Research and Education at the University of Mississippi, said you can find a number of studies that say one thing or another. Not much is definitive, and issues with the studies are apparent.

The types of marijuana people use, whether its an edible or the flower that people smoke, stay in someones system for different amounts of time, Welch said.

Welch and Berman said studies also tend to just ask if someone uses marijuana, and not how much of it they use. When measuring something like how often a worker calls off sick, Welch said heavy users tend to show more adverse outcomes.

And because tests only show if someone has used marijuana, and not if theyre impaired, its hard to tell if data shows correlation or causation.

Take a recent report from Quest Diagnostics, a nationwide drug testing company. In 2022, 7.3% of urine tests taken after a work accident came up positive for marijuana. Thats more than doubled from just 3.5% in 2012.

Marino, of Case Western, said this kind of data isnt definitive because, again, people can test positive for marijuana long after theyve used it.

In locations where cannabis has been legalized, it makes sense that there would be increased positive tests, however, that data cannot provide information to determine if cannabis use is contributing to workplace injuries or absenteeism, and could simply reflect legal, off-duty use, Marino said.

Some of the studies, even recently published reports, also rely on older experiments.

In its news release announcing its opposition to Issue 2, the Ohio Manufacturers Association cited a report from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine that cited a 55% increase in workplace accidents and an 85% higher injury rate for workers for tested positive for marijuana. Those same stats show up in a research report published by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health.

But these reports and several others are pulling these stats from a study published in 1990. That study looked at postal workers who tested positive for marijuana in preemployment drug tests.

A study published in July in the Canadian Journal of Public Health surveyed 2,745 Canadian workers about cannabis use and workplace injuries over a two-year period.

That study found that there was no difference in workplace injury risk among workers who used marijuana outside of the workplace. The result was the same for workers in safety-sensitive and non-safety-sensitive work.

Sean McDonnell covers business and consumer topics for cleveland.com. You can reach him at smcdonnell@cleveland.com You can read more Cleveland business stories at cleveland.com/business/.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  When you step into the neighborhoods of Jefferson and Puritas-Longmead, or to some, Bellaire-Puritas, you are immersed in community-oriented neighborhoods where everything is at your fingertips.

In middle-class, blue-collar neighborhoods, the residents pride themselves on being a close-knit community.

Were the type of people that just want to get up every morning, go to work, come home, be safe, have our garbage picked up and our streets plowed in the winter, Cleveland City Councilman Brian Kazy said while sitting in Jefferson Park, one of the most popular areas of the neighborhoods.

Thats it. Its your great, average, normal, typical Cleveland middle-class, blue-collar neighborhood.

Resident Sandy Shestina loves to visit the park frequently.

I love all the activities that go on at this park, she said. The concerts on Thursday nights (during the summer). Im kind of like the neighborhood police, keeping an eye on things.

This is part of a series of stories from cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer exploring Clevelands neighborhoods. Follow ongoing coverage at Get to Know Clevelands Neighborhoods.

Jefferson Park on Clevelands West Side.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

Shestina is proud to live in the Jefferson neighborhood and has proudly called it home for 32 years.

To Kazy, everyone who lives in either of the neighborhoods is one in the same.

The two side-by-side areas on Clevelands West Side stretch north-south from Lakewood to Brook Park. On the east is the city of Brooklyn. On the West are Clevelands Kamms Corners and Hopkins neighborhoods.

The northern portion is Jefferson, which had a population of more than 16,000 in 2020. More than half are white, with a big Irish community. About a fifth are Black. There is a sizable Hispanic component - estimated at 18%, according to the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.

As for the Puritas area, also with roughly 16,000 residents, it runs about 50% white, 25% Black, with about 15% Hispanic.

Residential growth in Jefferson occurred largely from 1910 to 1930.

Most of the Bellaire-Puritas housing dates to the years immediately following World War II.

Jefferson and Bellaire-Puritas neighborhoods of ClevelandRich Exner, cleveland.com

Homes initially were built in the neighborhoods eastern section, with development moving west. A majority of dwellings are single family, although some multi-family structures have been built along Puritas and Bellaire, according to the encyclopedia, a thorough local history and reference resource created by Case Western Reserve University History Department.

Because the two are north and south of each other, they are one unit, Kazy said.

The neighborhoods are sassy, Kazy says. They have T-shirts and everything, he added.

Sassy stands for Strong. Affordable. Safe. Stable. Youth oriented.

Thats exactly what these neighborhoods are, he said. Were extremely, extremely close-knit in that a lot of my residents watch out for one another. That was a culture that wasnt always here that I helped develop over the years.

You can be born in one of the neighborhoods or move into one of them and never have to leave, Kazy said. The only reason you would have to leave is if you need to visit a hospital.

Businesses

Any type of food you want, youre bound to run into it in the neighborhoods.

Georges Kitchen, for example, has been somewhat of a staple: Family-friendly and welcoming. People from all over come over to enjoy the ambiance of a classic diner with made-from-scratch menu items.

Try getting into Georges on a Saturday or Sunday morning, Kazy said.

George Pasalis, owner of Georges Kitchen, moved to Cleveland from Dimitsana, Greece in 1955 and has been a resident of Cleveland with his family ever since.

When we were looking for a place to start our business we were thrilled to find this spot in our old neighborhood, in responding in writing to questions about the restaurants history in advance of its 43rd anniversary a few weeks back. The people here are A number 1, the best people you could ever meet!

Home to industry

Jefferson and Puritas claim about a fourth of the citys industry. Between the two neighborhoods, there are eight industrial parks, home of Oatey products and the Kirby vacuum, among others.

Thats what makes us (neighborhoods) strong and stable, Kazy said. Its kind of, sort of like the old days. People still walk to work here. One of my big things is community involvement.

Kazy wanted a front porch environment for his neighborhoods - being friendly to one another, getting out of the house, getting to know one another and getting involved.

And thats what weve become, he said. If someones in this (Jefferson) park and theyre not from here, the residents will know. And they absolutely welcome them with open arms.

Jefferson Park on Clevelands West Side.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

Landmarks: Jefferson Park and McKinley Elementary School (closed, designated landmark).

What it should be known for: Ward 16 (includes Jefferson and Puritas-Lonmead) is an international eatery, Kazy said. There is a German restaurant, Italian restaurant, Himalayan restaurant, Lebanese restaurant, Mexican restaurant and American restaurants. Within about 2 miles of each other, almost all are on Lorain Avenue.

Best food: Georges Kitchen and Canarys Family Restaurant

Historical fun facts: If you need an instrument or you need some lessons, most everyone in the neighborhood went to Difiores Music back in the 1950s and 1960s. Any time a concert came to Cleveland, you rented your equipment from Difiores Music, Kazy said. Mr. Difiore has since passed and the business closed.

Special events: Cookouts in August on the first two Mondays and Tuesdays in either McGowan Park, Terminal Park or Jefferson Park. Concerts at Jefferson Park in July. Haunted Hollow (A safe way for children to trick or treat at Jefferson Park) happens the Friday before Halloween.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  The campaign backing an Ohio redistricting reform effort targeting the November 2024 ballot has hired a Democratic political consultant with highly relevant experience working on similar measures in Missouri.

Sean Soendker Nicholson is directing the Citizens Not Politicians campaign, according to a pair of recent web conferences posted to YouTube. Nicholson previously served in high-level roles with Clean Missouri, the campaign group that successfully passed a 2018 redistricting reform measure in the state by a comfortable margin, before unsuccessfully defending the measure in 2020, losing by a narrow margin after Republican lawmakers put up a measure reversing it.

Citizens Not Politicians hasnt publicly announced Nicholsons hiring. But Nicholson participated in a Thursday virtual call with amendment backers, and also conducted an interview in late September with Business for Democracy, a group that describes itself as the campaign arm of a sustainable small business advocacy organization.

A message has been left with Citizens not Politicians for this story. The group, a collection of voting-rights groups thats yet to share many details of their campaign plans, is proposing a constitutional amendment that would create a 15-member Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission made up equally of Democrats, Republicans and voters who are not affiliated with any party. It would replace a seven-member panel of elected officials who currently oversee the process. The current Ohio Redistricting Commission is controlled by Republicans, after the GOP won key elections in 2018 and 2022.

In addition to removing current politicians from the redistricting process, former politicians, political party officials and lobbyists also would also be barred from sitting on the commission. The proposal would require fair and impartial districts by making it unconstitutional to draw voting districts that discriminate against or favor any political party or politician. It would also require the commission to operate under an open and independent process.

Republicans, who control Ohios redistricting process thanks to their victories in the 2022 election, are likely to oppose the amendment, arguing that the commission wouldnt truly remove politics from the redistricting process, which must occur at least every decade to reflect population changes. They already began rallying around a message that Ohios redistricting process works after the commissions two Democrats joined Republicans last week in approving bipartisan state legislative maps.

The 2018 and 2020 campaigns in Missouri could offer a road map for whats in store in Ohio, should the redistricting amendment qualify for the November 2024 ballot, as its backers hope to do.

Like Ohio, Missouri is a former swing state thats drifted to the political right more recently, although the state is more Republican-leaning than Ohio. And in both of Missouris elections, the position backed by redistricting reform advocates performed strongly, out-running Democratic candidates, despite Republican officials taking the opposing side.

In 2018, the Missouri redistricting amendment, proposed by citizens groups, passed 62% to 38%, while Republican challenger Josh Hawley defeated the states then-Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, 51% to 46%, according to Ballotpedia, an open-source elections website. The measure tasked a nonpartisan map drawer with designing Missouris state legislative districts, replacing a panel of elected officials, although elected officials could amend the plan if they got enough consensus from colleagues.

Republican state lawmakers placed a related amendment on the 2020 ballot that largely reversed the 2018 measure. The second amendment barely passed, 51% to 49%. Meanwhile, ex-President Donald Trump, a Republican, won the state by 15 percentage points over Democratic President Joe Biden.

Nicholson, a former executive director of Progress Missouri, said in the September interview that redistricting reform is a popular, bipartisan issue. Missouri news reports have identified him as campaign manager for both the 2018 and 2020 efforts.

We know very clearly from across the country that Republican voters dont like being gerrymandered any more than Democratic voters and in between, he said.

The 2020 amendment campaign in Missouri was well-funded, with the campaign that failed to defend the redistricting reform measure getting contributions from some of the same deep-pocketed national progressive groups that materialized in Ohio to help defeat an August amendment that would have required future constitutional changes to get 60% in a statewide vote to pass, compared to the current 50% plus one-vote.

Among Clean Missouris largest donors that year were the National Education Association, the teachers union, which gave $1.5 million and the North Fund, a liberal dark-money group that gave $1.15 million, according to the Missouri Independent. Both groups also gave large contributions to the Ohio campaign to defeat the 60% measure.

In the Thursday call, Citizens not Politicians, the group backing the Ohio redistricting reform measure, described some of their plans for 2024 campaign, although they didnt get into great detail. The group currently is focused on the legal hurdles that amendment campaigns must clear to qualify for the ballot. Republican Attorney General Dave Yost on Monday approved the summary language that will appear on the petitions the group must circulate around the state. The group eventually must circulate the petitions, getting roughly 413,000 valid voter signatures from around the state before a deadline in July to get on the ballot the following November.

Well have a full, robust budget and and smart communication plans based on polling right and analysis as to what voters understand or what drives them, said Jen Miller, president of the Ohio League of Women Voters, one of the groups backing the redistricting reform effort, during the Thursday call.

Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer
COLUMBUS, Ohio  A campaign pushing to overhaul Ohios system of drawing political maps has cleared an initial legal hurdle, after Attorney General Dave Yost gave his OK on Monday to language that will appear on the petitions that the group must circulate to qualify for the ballot.

In a Monday letter, Yost said the summary submitted by Citizens Not Politicians fairly and truthfully describes what the groups proposed amendment to the state constitution would do if voters approve it. Yost, a Republican, had rejected two previous versions after identifying what he said were discrepancies between the summary and the amendment language itself.

Chris Davey, a spokesperson for the amendment campaign, said his group is pleased with Yosts decision. The group now is just one step away from working to collect the roughly 413,000 valid signatures it must submit before next July to qualify for the November 2024 ballot. The summary that Yost approved will appear on the petitions the group eventually will circulate, and otherwise carries no legal weight.

But first, under state law, the proposal must clear the Ohio Ballot Board, chaired by Republican secretary of State Frank LaRose. The board then will vote within the next 10 days to decide whether the groups proposal contains a single constitutional amendment, or multiple proposals that must be split into multiple amendments.

A finding that the proposal contains multiple amendments would be a major setback, since that would mean the group would have to collect 413,000 signatures for each amendment. In a video conference with supporters last Thursday, officials with Citizens Not Politicians said they tried to carefully write their proposal to avoid trouble with the Ballot Board, but were prepared to defend the measure legally if needed.

Politicians do silly things, but were fully confident that this complies with the single-subject rules of the state, said Sean Soendker Nicholson, the groups campaign director.

The proposed constitutional amendment would create a 15-member Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission made up equally of Democrats, Republicans and voters who are not affiliated with any party. It would replace a seven-member panel of elected officials who currently oversee the process. The current Ohio Redistricting Commission is controlled by Republicans, after the GOP won key elections in 2018 and 2022.

In addition to removing current politicians from the redistricting process, former politicians, political party officials and lobbyists would also be barred from sitting on the commission. The proposal would require fair and impartial districts by making it unconstitutional to draw voting districts that discriminate against or favor any political party or politician. It would also require the commission to operate under an open and independent process.

Republicans, who control the states redistricting process thanks to their victories in the 2022 election, are likely to oppose the amendment, arguing that the commission wouldnt truly remove politics from the redistricting process, which must occur at least every decade to reflect population changes. They already began rallying around a message that Ohios redistricting process works after the commissions two Democrats joined Republicans last week in approving bipartisan state legislative maps.

If approved, the amendment would require Ohio to draw new state legislative and congressional districts in 2025.

Ohio used its current redistricting system, approved by voters in 2015 and 2018, for the first time last year, leading to a dysfunctional process that saw the Ohio Supreme Court reject numerous sets of maps as illegally gerrymandered in favor of Republicans, and Republicans in turn eventually ignoring the courts orders. The key swing vote in those rulings, retired Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen OConnor, now is a leader in the new redistricting reform effort.

In the call with supporters last week, OConnor, a Republican, said she expects there could be a lawsuit filed with the Ohio Supreme Court if the group clears the Ballot Board, similar to the one that opponents of a November abortion-rights measure unsuccessfully waged earlier this month.

We know that just getting through the ballot board will not necessarily be cause for celebration, OConnor said.

Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Seventy-two Ohioans died of illnesses or accidents related to pregnancy in 2017 and 2018, up from 38 deaths the previous two years, according to a recent Ohio Department of Health report.

The surge is largely attributed to drug overdose deaths, which the state now considers when classifying whether a death is related to pregnancy. As a result of the change, the maternal mortality rate of white women has also shot up, because 94% of the overdose deaths were of non-Hispanic white women. The vast majority of pregnancy-related overdose deaths came from opioids, the report said.

In the states last pregnancy mortality report, which covered the years of 2008-2016, 59% of pregnancy-related deaths were of white women, 34% were of Black women, 3% of Hispanic women and 4% of women of other races. The state has around 81% white people and 13% Black people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

In 2017-2018, 79% of pregnancy-related deaths were of white women, 15% were of Black women and 6% were of Hispanic and women of other races, according to the latest report.

The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com reached out to the Ohio Department of Health for an explanation as to why it expanded the criteria for a pregnancy-related death to include overdose deaths.

The change in reporting could be a trend. The 2017-2018 report noted that Utah also started including some overdose deaths as pregnancy-related.

Recent research suggests that pregnant women with addiction problems are less likely to seek prenatal care, fearing their drug use would be reported to authorities and their babies would be taken away. But without prenatal health care and interventions such as methadone and buprenorphine to treat substance use disorder, womens health is at risk while and after they are pregnant.

To be pregnancy-related, the death has to be caused by a pregnancy complication, a chain of events initiated by the pregnancy, or the aggravation of an unrelated condition by the physiologic effects of pregnancy, according to the report.

Among pregnancy-related deaths in 2017-2018, the follow conditions were provided.

Condition Total Pregnancy-Related Deaths Cardiovascular and coronary conditions 6 Infections 8 Hemorrhage 4 Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia 2 Cardiomyopathy 3 Embolisms (Does not include amniotic fluid embolism) 6 Injury 2 Other (Includes cerebrovascular accident, amniotic fluid embolism, and unknown COD) 7 Mental health and addiction 34 Total 72

A committee of physicians and advocates make up a committee that examines each death that occurred during and up to a year after pregnancy and determines whether they are pregnancy-related. The committee reviews clinical notes from hospitals and police and coroner reports and sends its findings to the Ohio Department of Health.

Gathering this information can take time, said Tara Britton, director of public policy and advocacy for the Center for Community Solutions, a Cleveland-based health and social services think tank. She has studied the report, as well as national maternal mortality data.

However, Britton noted that the committee is so behind in compiling its two-year reports that any surviving children from those included in the study could now be in kindergarten. The state does not indicate in the maternal mortality report how many of the babies died or survived, even though it could include that data, Britton said.

This indicates to me more attention should be paid to this population (of people with a substance use disorder) and more so in that postpartum period, Britton said. One of the things that stood out to me in this data was that where overdose was the leading cause of death for white women, that happened further beyond the birth. Were looking at several weeks and months out when those deaths occurred.

Recent research suggests that pregnant women with addiction problems are less likely to seek prenatal care, fearing their drug use would be reported to authorities and their babies would be taken away. But without prenatal health care and interventions such as methadone and buprenorphine to treat substance use disorder, womens health is at risk while and after they are pregnant.

Pregnancy-related deaths of Black women still remain too high, Britton said.

We know with non-Hispanic Black women, its much more in healthcare settings where these deaths are occurring, Brinton said. Those are more immediate to childbirth. That says to me we need to focus more on looking at systemic racism and bias in the healthcare system as it looks at the leading causes of death for black moms and looking at some focused attention in the substance use space.

The causes of death among Black women were less likely to be mental health problems than they were physical ailments, including embolisms, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, infections and cardiovascular and coronary conditions, according to the report.

Including overdose deaths in Ohios report has lead to criticism from at least one advocate who is working to prevent Black maternal mortality.

Angela Newman-White, executive director of First Year Cleveland, an organization housed at Case Western Reserve University that works to reduce infant deaths, particularly among Black families, said shes concerned that by including overdoses in maternal mortality statistics, public health officials and politicians could overlook the promising projects throughout the state that are chipping away at the Black maternal and infant mortality numbers, which have been concerning for years.

I think theyre trying to elevate the opioid crisis, and this is just another way to do that, Newman-White said. I find in the infant mortality space when were talking about babies, and the impact it could have on babies, this might be a strategy to bring additional resources to address opioids. My concern is because they just now added this as one of the contributing factors, theres not going to be an opportunity to do any longitudinal comparisons because we havent been doing this prior to 2017. So, how are we going to access all the interventions that we have derived out of these reports as it relates to other contributing factors when were now adding a whole new group?

While many of the physical ailments that lead to womens deaths occurred during or immediately after pregnancy, 28 of the 32 overdose deaths occurred later in the postpartum period  43 days to one year after pregnancy, the report said.

According to the report:

-During pregnancy, the leading causes of death were hemorrhaging, embolisms, amniotic fluid embolisms and mental health and addiction issues.

-Within 42 days of pregnancy, the leading causes of death were infections, embolisms and mental health and addiction issues.

-From 43 days to one year after pregnancy, the leading causes of death were mental health and addiction issues, infections and cardiovascular conditions.

Newman-White of First Year Cleveland noted that the stress that Black women of all economic strata face daily is believed to contribute to health problems during pregnancy that lead to their deaths. In healthcare settings, when they complain that they dont feel well, providers too often ignore them.

First Year Cleveland has provided bias training and racial equity training for local heathcare systems. In Euclid, the Village of Healing clinic started with the goal of providing Black patients access to Black providers. Birthing Beautiful Communities is a nonprofit that trains and provides doulas at no cost to reduce the maternal and infant mortality rates. Home visiting programs, such as Moms and Babies First, help link families to resources for housing, financial assistance, job training and parenting. Theres a support network for women with college degrees, to share their experiences with stressors in life.

Newman-White said these programs could be helping reduce the rate of Black maternal mortality seen in the recent report.

And were not just focusing on mom, we want to make sure that the partners, the family members, are aware as well, and the healthcare systems and other institutions, she said.

Laura Hancock covers state government and politics for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com.
The planned transition toward renewables is still in focus for the energy industry, and technology such as hydropower, solar, biofuels and many others remain key as the world seeks to move away from a carbon-intensive system.

But it's an endeavor that requires not just the right technological capabilities, but a hefty amount of capital too, said S&P Global's Vice Chairman Dan Yergin.

And that means that some fund managers are beginning to dial back on their ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) pledges, he told CNBC on the sidelines of the ADIPEC energy conference Monday, noting that many renewables projects are being slowed down or paused.

"If you're in a money management business, you do need returns," said Yergin.

"And we've seen that with more North American funds that, yes, we want to do energy transition, we want to do ESG. But we actually need returns as well. And that has shifted  the attitude  there's kind of a more realism," Yergin said.

In the second quarter of this year, investors have pulled $635 million from U.S. sustainable funds, according to funds research firm Morningstar. That racks up a total outflow of $11.4 billion from these sustainable funds in the past year. And just recently in September, Blackrock informed regulators that it's closing a pair of sustainable emerging-market bond funds.
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks with reporters as he departs after a series of failed votes on spending packages at the U.S. Capitol in Washington ahead of a looming government shutdown, Sept. 29, 2023.

WASHINGTON  Congress and the rest of Washington buzzed Monday over the question of whether President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy cut a secret deal that could protect future aid for Ukraine as part of an agreement to avoid a government shutdown over the weekend.

The suspicion is that Biden agreed to sign a stop-gap federal government funding deal that did not include Ukraine aid he wanted to provide, in exchange for McCarthy agreeing to hold a standalone vote on that aid later.

"What was the secret side deal on Ukraine?" Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., demanded during an angry speech Monday targeting his fellow Republican McCarthy on the House floor.

The answer could determine whether Gaetz follows through on his long-standing threat to force a vote on McCarthy's speakership, which could come as early as this week. It could also tilt the outcome of that vote.

McCarthy on Monday denied that there was a secret plan for Ukraine funding.

But, McCarthy added, "in a continuing resolution, sometimes you make sure you can move money around freely during the 45 days."

Much of official Washington was stunned Saturday when Democrats backed a 45-day stopgap government spending bill that did not contain emergency funding for Ukraine, after the White House said an additional $24 billion in aid was needed.

The bill came hours before a deadline that would have seen the shutdown of many government agencies and services if that continuing resolution was not passed by Congress and signed by the Democratic president.

On Sunday, Biden said he expected McCarthy to "keep his commitment to secure passage and support needed" to fund Ukraine's defense.

"There's an overwhelming number of Republicans and Democrats in both the House and the Senate who support Ukraine," Biden said at the White House. "Let's vote on it."

At the White House on Monday, reporters pressed Biden's press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on what the president meant when he said McCarthy had made a commitment on Ukraine.

Each time she was asked, Jean-Pierre said there was bipartisan support for aid to Ukraine, that McCarthy has said he supports such aid, and, "I'm not going to go beyond what the president said."

"We want to see that McCarthy keeps his commitment to the people of Ukraine that he has said he wants to continue that funding to make sure that Ukraine gets the weapons that they need," the press secretary said. "That's what we want to see."

A standalone vote on emergency Ukraine funding would likely pass the House, but only with the help of Democratic votes.

House Republicans are increasingly divided on the question of whether the United States should continue funding Kyiv's defense against Russia.

Since the inception of Russia's invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has provided more than $43 billion in security assistance for Ukraine.

State Department spokesman Matt Miller on Monday said, "We cannot under any circumstances allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted. Our allies, our adversaries and the world will be watching."

"While we have the ability to continue to support Ukraine's ability to defend itself in the immediate term, we have already exhausted much of the existing security assistance funding, it is imperative that Congress take action," Miller added.

Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told reporters in Kyiv on Monday, "We don't feel that the U.S. support has been shattered, because the United States understands what is at stake in Ukraine."

"The question is whether what happened is an incident or a system," Kuleba said, referring to the lack of hoped-for aid in the funding resolution passed by Congress on Saturday.

"I think it was an incident."

 Additional reporting by Amanda Macias and Emma Kinery
A combine operator climbs aboard a combine as they harvest wheat at a farm near Kramatorsk, in Donetsk region on August 4, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Grain prices have been in freefall of late as investors bet on a resurgence of supply from the U.S., Russia and Ukraine  but veteran strategist David Roche disagrees.

Contrary to market consensus, Roche, president and global strategist at Independent Strategy, expects a 13-15% annual increase in wheat prices over the next two years.

"The logic is simple. Further disruptions by Russia and of Russia's own important grain supplies are a major risk, we have climate warming as a generality which we can see is cutting the water levels in crucial arteries like the Mississippi, which carries 60% of U.S. grain to ports where it can be shipped abroad, so we can have all sorts of disruptions we haven't imagined from climate change," he told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on Monday.

"And then on top of that we've got El Nino, where the evidence of crops being affected is now starting to become very clear."

His comments come as wheat prices remain down around 29% year-to-date and at their lowest levels since September 2020, with short positions  bets that prices will fall  recently hitting a three-month high, according to a report from Independent Strategy. Corn prices are also trading around three-year lows while soybeans recently notched a four-year low.

The price falls were heightened by the U.S. Department of Agriculture reporting higher production and stockpiles than analysts had expected. The data compounded downward price pressures coming from signs that Ukraine, a key grain producer, is managing to find alternative export routes despite Russian attacks on its ports.

Ukraine's deputy prime minister said Sunday that five more ships were en route to Ukrainian sea ports via a new corridor opened primarily for agricultural exports, an alternative to the Black Sea grain deal blocked by Russia in July.

Meanwhile Russia, the world's largest grain exporter, has also produced large harvests which analysts expect to get through export blockades.
The Stoxx 600 index closed 1% lower after a cautiously positive start to the session. Utilities shed 2.8% as chemicals dropped 1.8%.

The latest set of purchasing managers' index surveys on Monday revealed an outgoing downturn in manufacturing output, as new orders fell by a near-record level.

That comes after the Stoxx 600 rounded off the worst quarter of the year and two successive months of declines.

Figures published last week showed euro zone inflation fell to its lowest level since October 2021. It tumbled to 4.3% for the month of September, according to flash data. The European Central Bank hiked interest rates to a record level last month, but economists and investors expect them to have now reached their peak.

An inflation gauge favored by the U.S. Federal Reserve rose by less than expected in August, meanwhile, trimming market-based probabilities for future rate hikes.

Elsewhere overnight, Asia-Pacific stocks traded mixed after manufacturing data out of China bounced back to expansion territory.

U.S. stocks ticked down Monday even after U.S. legislators were able to come to a short-term agreement that staved off a government shutdown.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) logo is seen before the FCC Net Neutrality hearing in Washington February 26, 2015.

The Federal Communications Commission announced a settlement with Dish Network on Monday in the regulator's first penalty related to space debris.

Dish admitted it was liable for failing to properly dispose of the EchoStar-7 broadcast communications satellite, and agreed to pay a fee of $150,000, the FCC said. The FCC called the agreement "a breakthrough settlement" in the increasingly concerning realm of space debris, brought on by governments and companies launching satellites into orbit at an unprecedented rate.

"As satellite operations become more prevalent and the space economy accelerates, we must be certain that operators comply with their commitments," FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan Egal said in a statement.

Dish launched the EchoStar-7 satellite in 2002 and planned to remove it from service in May 2022. But a few months before then, Dish found the satellite did not have enough fuel remaining to navigate to a disposal location.

The company had previously agreed to an "orbital debris mitigation plan" with the FCC to relocate the satellite. Instead of retiring the satellite 300 kilometers away from where it was operating in geostationary orbit, Dish retired the satellite about 122 kilometers away, "well short of the disposal orbit," the FCC noted.

Dish did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on the settlement.
Goldman Sachs is bullish on the bioenergy sector, calling it the "largest source of renewable energy in the world." In a Sept. 28 note, the U.S. investment bank pointed out that bioenergy has the "potential to decarbonize road, marine and air travel as well as heating, industry and power generation." Specifically, the bank's analysts, led by Michele Della Vigna, foresee growth in the areas of renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, and renewable natural gas. They said all of these are seeing strong regulatory momentum and higher demand. For instance, renewable diesel  made from fats and oils processed to be similar to regular diesel  is expected to see a surge in its capacity of over 3 million metric tons in 2024, and 5-6 million metric tons of extra demand by 2030 following the EU's implementation of the Renewable Energy Direction III regulation. The new rules require the reduction of gaseous and liquid fuels used by the transport sector in particular. Sustainable aviation fuel is also touted as a way forward in decarbonizing air transport, and a few players with healthy margins are likely to dominate the market between 2025 and 2027, Goldman's analysts said. Stock picks Several global stocks are slated to benefit from this push toward sustainability and the transition to renewable energy, Goldman said. Among its top picks is Neste , which it describes as the "biggest renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel producer in the world." The bank has a buy rating on the Finnish oil refining and marketing company and expects it to have significant market share and healthy sustainable aviation fuel margins into 2025. The bank gives Neste a potential upside of over 42%  or the percentage difference between its current share price and target price of 46 euros ($48.82)  over the next 12 months. Similarly, Italian biofuel company ENI is buy-rated by Goldman, with an upside of 10.3% from a price target of 17 euros. The bank notes that the company  which has two large-scale biofuel refineries in Italy and the U.S.  currently accounts for approximately 10% of the global renewable diesel production capacity. Meanwhile, American company Darling Ingredients also received a buy rating from Goldman and a target price of $102  giving it a 95% upside from its Sept. 28 close. The company turns edible by-products and food waste into sustainable products and is the largest renewable diesel producer in North America.  CNBC's Katrina Bishop contributed to this report.
Now that the Hollywood writers' strike is over, late-night hosts are preparing their first opening monologues since May, and actors are going back to the negotiating table with studios.

After nearly 150 days on the picket lines, the Writers Guild of America struck a tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers last week, allowing writers to return to work and striking actors to start up their negotiations. WGA membership is currently in the process of voting on the contract, with expectations that ratification will come late next week.

The first people to return are late-night heavyweights Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert on Monday, followed by John Oliver, host of "Last Week Tonight," on Sunday.

Meyers, host of "Late Night with Seth Meyers," spent much of his pre-strike shows commenting on former President Donald Trump's compounding legal problems. He noted that his first show back will be an hourlong "Closer Look" segment, a recap of news items.

"I'm so excited to be back, but I didn't pay attention to the news at all the last five months ... I hope I didn't miss like three indictments," Meyers joked on "Today" Monday.

The WGA secured pay increases in each of the next three years, artificial intelligence restrictions and a new residual system for streaming based on viewership. The guild also negotiated higher contribution rates to health benefits and pensions, as well as a guaranteed number of writers in writers rooms for television shows.

Now it's the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists' turn.

The actors guild begins its negotiations with the likes of Disney, Paramount, Universal and Warner Bros. Discovery on Monday.

SAG-AFTRA is looking to improve wages, working conditions and health and pension benefits, as well as establish guardrails for the use of AI in future television and film productions. Additionally, the union is seeking more transparency from streaming services about viewership so that residual payments can be made equitable to linear TV. The guild is also looking to standardize the self-tape process.

Industry players expect the negotiations will be quick, with the WGA deal as a template.
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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella arrives at federal court in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 2, 2023. Drew Angerer | Getty Images

When it comes to online search, it's Google's web and everyone else is playing in it, according to rival Microsoft. That was the essence of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's testimony in federal court on Monday as part of the government's antitrust trial against Google . Nadella told the court that Google's dominant market share in online search means that publishers and advertisers shape their content to Google's requirements, making it harder for competitors like Microsoft's Bing to gain a foothold. "Everybody talks about the open web, but there is really the Google web," Nadella said from the stand in Washington, D.C., District Court. Nadella was referring to the way publishers often cater their content and advertising to Google's products, like by optimizing their pages for how Google ranks search results. Nadella was questioned by lawyers for the Department of Justice and a coalition of state attorneys general who are suing Google for allegedly violating antitrust laws by illegally maintaining a monopoly in the general search market. The government argues that Google locked up distribution channels for general search engines through exclusive deals with browser and phone makers to be the default choice on various devices. Perhaps the most famous of those deals is the multibillion-dollar agreement between Google and Apple to make Google search the default on Apple products like the iPhone. The government has tried to make the case that Google's dominance, aided by these exclusive deals, creates a flywheel effect, where greater exposure to users leads to more data to make Google's search results better and attracts more advertisers to the product. That, in turn, generates more revenue that can be used to fund these massive distribution deals. Meanwhile, the government argues, it becomes even harder for rivals to breakthrough to consumers, and as a result, they miss out on the opportunity for greater benefits or innovations in search. Nadella affirmed that argument in his testimony Monday, describing the obstacles a general search competitor like Bing faces to gain more market share from Google. Google declined to comment on Nadella's testimony.

Pitching a Bing deal with Apple

Microsoft was prepared to take on billions of dollars in short-term losses for Bing to pay Apple enough to make its search engine the default on Apple products, Nadella testified. Not only would Microsoft have to replace the revenue Apple currently receives from Google for default placement, which Bernstein has estimated could be as much as $19 billion this year, Nadella said it would also need to cover the risk Apple would take on by switching the default. Nadella has "focused every year of my tenure as CEO to see if Apple would be open" to accepting a default offer from Microsoft and they've had "a series of dialogues on it." The Microsoft CEO said he recognized the reputational risk of switching the default but pointed to an example from Apple's own history as to why he believed it could be overcome. When Apple first launched its maps app, it was widely panned as inaccurate or incomplete. But after a period of "turbulence," Nadella said, it's become popular, in large part due to the fact that Apple makes it the default on its phones. Williams & Connolly's John Schmidtlein, representing Google, referenced a document during cross-examination that said Bing's share on Windows was roughly 24%. Schmidtlein asked why Nadella thought that percentage would convince Apple to switch its Safari default to Bing, given Bing was able to have "100% distribution" on Microsoft Windows. Nadella said the most important thing was showing that Bing could hold on to users with defaults, despite Google's dominance. He said that argument "was the only reason they kept engaging," referring to Apple. If Apple were to strike a deal with Microsoft, it may choose to use Bing's technology while branding it as its own Apple search engine, he said. Schmidtlein also walked Nadella through past attempts Microsoft has made to make Bing the default on various mobile devices, which were met with public criticism or resulted in many consumers switching to Google anyway. For example, he brought up a 2010 Washington Post article that criticized the decision to make Bing the default search engine on a new Android phone offered by Verizon at the time. But Nadella said that kind of feedback actually informed his later conversations with Apple while seeking to make Bing the default on its devices, because he was clear-eyed about the challenges both companies would initially need to navigate should such a deal occur.

Why Microsoft stays in search

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Throughout his testimony, Nadella discussed why Microsoft has chosen to stay in search despite the difficulties, describing how the company is remaining persistent and continuing to wait for the right opportunity to shake up the market. The tech company wants to "make search more competitive," Nadella said, by running it like a "public utility." The idea that users have complete choice to switch their defaults is "complete bogus," Nadella said, adding that changing default settings on mobile platforms is difficult because "they're all locked up." Becoming the default isn't just about getting an influx of new users. It also involves getting more signals from users about what they're searching and clicking on. That sort of information can help inform decisions at the search engine to make the results more useful and tailored to users' needs. Even though Microsoft remains, as Nadella put it, a "very, very low-share player," in the general search market, he said the company still believes there's an opportunity to innovate in what he sees as the "largest software category out there." He said that when he became CEO in 2014 he focused on making Bing profitable to continue making investments, which it now is. While maintaining its low-share position, Nadella said he awaits a "paradigm shift" that could create a window of opportunity for Bing, like the one created for Google by the concessions resulting from Microsoft's own antitrust challenge from the government at the turn of the century. In the meantime, Nadella estimated that Microsoft has invested about $100 billion in Bing over the past 20 years. "It's a hard game to make any breakthroughs, but no one can accuse us of not being persistent," Nadella said. Building a new rival from the ground up is very difficult because it involves both fixed costs and costs that scale up as you gain market share, Nadella said. In Silicon Valley, internet search is considered one of the biggest "no fly zones," he added. The one place Bing has seen some success is in desktop search, in large part because it's able to set Bing as the default on its Edge browser, which many PC manufacturers choose to preinstall to receive a discount on licensing Microsoft's software. Even there, however, many users opt to use Google's Chrome browser and its search engine on Windows devices. Nadella said Google's position on Windows desktops shows how open Microsoft's own ecosystem is. He admitted, though, that Google is still the most commonly queried word on Bing. Still, questioning by Google's lawyer seemed to drive at the idea that Microsoft did not sufficiently invest in mobile search, pointing to emails where executives estimated Google had many more people working on mobile search than Microsoft did. Nadella said he focused resources where they could gain the most traction, like on desktop, and greater distribution would help justify greater expenditure. Later asked by a government lawyer why Google would pay so much if it were the case that it would retain more Safari search queries even if Bing were the default, Nadella said he'd "love an opportunity" for Google not to have to pay. "Maybe on behalf of the Google shareholders," he added.

The state AGs are also seeking to show that Google leveraged its search ad tools to disadvantage rivals like Bing by failing to make them sufficiently interoperable with other products. Microsoft has sought to make it so advertisers can move their campaigns seamlessly between Google and Bing's search ad tools, but Google hasn't been receptive, Nadella said. Though Nadella said he doesn't remember exactly where everything stands in their discussions, he summarized it as, "We keep asking for them to add some features that we want and I think they ask us to go pound sand." He said the integration issues with Google's Search Ads 360 "keeps coming up in escalations" to him. Through advertiser roundtables, Nadella said he's found that many believe there's an opportunity cost they have to weigh between investing time and money into Bing versus Google's platform, given it's not as easy as it could be to transfer campaigns, and Google has the bigger audience.

AI could create an 'even worse ... nightmare'

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly prevalent in search, Nadella said he worries that Google will leverage its position to block off even more avenues to rivals. Microsoft has begun integrating ChatGPT into its Bing search results through its partnership with OpenAI and is a leading player in the space, alongside Google. But despite the early progress, Nadella says he worried about being cut off from key datasets that could be used to train the technology. "I worry a lot, even in spite of my enthusiasm, that there is a new angle with AI," Nadella said. "I worry a lot that this vicious cycle I'm trapped in can become even more vicious." That's because Google could seek to make it so that content in its search engine and on its video platform YouTube are exclusively used to train its own AI large language models (LLMs). Competing with Google's core economic advantage will "become even harder in the AI age," Nadella said. He said he's wondered if AI will make it "even worse of a nightmare to make progress in search because there's a new avenue to lock up  the thing that basically feeds the power of these LLMs, which is content." Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. WATCH: Microsoft CEO Nadella to testify in Google antitrust trial
The growth of artificial intelligence is creating a multitrillion-dollar opportunity poised to benefit these software and technology stocks, according to Morgan Stanley. "While much of the early discussion on the use of Generative AI since the launch of ChatGPT late last year focused around the consumer opportunity, we see perhaps a more foundational opportunity in the ability for Generative AI to expand the scope of what types of work and business processes can now be automated with enterprise software," wrote analyst Keith Weiss in a Sunday note to clients. Based on its proprietary survey work, the Wall Street firm projects that 44% of labor will be affected by AI over the next three years, and $4.1 trillion in associated labor costs. That's up from an estimated 25% and $2.1 trillion at present. Some of the big winners from this transition include software vendors poised to capture about 5% of the total labor market impact and benefit from the estimated $150 billion uptick in generative AI software spending. Some IT, internet and semiconductor names also look well situated to capitalize. Here are some of Morgan Stanley's top picks to play the trend: It's no surprise that 2023's AI beneficiaries Microsoft , Alphabet and Nvidia made the cut. Nvidia shares have more than tripled this year as investors bet on the promise of its graphics processing units fueling many AI models. The firm's price target implies about 45% upside for shares. NVDA YTD mountain Nvidia shares year to date "We see the supplier concentration in the high-end training GPU market persisting for the next several years with NVDA retaining its dominant position, but as deployment scales significant opportunities should emerge for those who can provide compelling inference performance at low costs," wrote analyst Joe Moore. For Alphabet, Morgan Stanley forecasts that every 2% of AI spending could drive 5% upside to the company's cloud platform, and account for $3 billion in incremental revenue by 2026. Shares have jumped more than 50% this year as the company battles it out with Microsoft for its competing AI chatbot. The price target implies 18% upside from Alphabet's close on Friday. New AI offerings boost the firm's confidence in the "durability of long term growth and calm fears around competition" for Alphabet. Within the software space, Morgan Stanley also highlighted Adobe as a long-term beneficiary, noting that generative AI could accelerate earnings per share growth back toward the mid-high teens. "Adobe is well positioned to integrate Generative AI functionality into existing workflows of a broad base of subscribers, enabling stickier customer engagement and opportunity to monetize incremental productivity provided to users," the firm said. Other potential software winners include MongoDB and Five9 , a provider of call and contact center services.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed reporting
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez is trailed by reporters after departing the Senate Democratic Caucus, following his arraignment on corruption charges, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 28, 2023.

A federal judge on Monday scheduled the trial of Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and his wife Nadine on bribery and corruption charges to begin May 6, 2024.

The couple is charged with taking "hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes" in exchange for official acts taken by Menendez on behalf of three New Jersey business associates.

"Those bribes included cash, gold, payments toward a home mortgage, compensation for a low-or-no-show job [for Nadine], a luxury vehicle, and other things of value," the federal indictment alleges.

Menendez, his wife and the trio of businessmen will stand trial in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.

The couple is charged with three counts each: conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right. The three other defendants are charged with the first two of those counts.

Menendez insists he is innocent and has refused calls by more than half the Democratic Senate caucus that he resign. He has accused prosecutors of twisting "the normal work of a congressional office," and claims the allegations are an attack on his wife "for the longstanding friendships she had."

The indictment alleges that Menendez for years used his position as chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee to benefit the three business associates. It also alleges that the senator "provided sensitive U.S. government information and took other steps that secretly aided the government of Egypt" in exchange for bribes.

Prosecutors said in court Monday that the case involved classified information, and the process of appointing a classified information security officer was underway.

They also revealed that their case would rely in part on the contents of 50 electronic devices, phones, tablets and computers, all of which were obtained through warrants.

A June 2022 FBI raid of Menendez's Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, home resulted in the seizure of $480,000 in cash. Prosecutors said they found some of the money stuffed into coat pockets, and some still in envelopes that were later found to have the businessmen's fingerprints still on them.
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Key factors to consider before applying early

"A lot of people view early action or early decision as interchangeable," said Eric Greenberg, president of Greenberg Educational Group, a New York-based consulting firm. However, "early action, in certain cases, makes no difference in admission." Early decision, on the other hand, can "help leverage someone's admissions chances." Despite the possibility of improving your odds of acceptance, there are other factors to consider, especially when it comes to financial aid. With cost now the No. 1 factor when choosing a college for a lot of people, it's usually the early bird who benefits, because some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, or from programs with limited funds. The earlier families apply, the better the chance to be in line for that aid, according to Rick Castellano, spokesman for Sallie Mae. But pledging to one institution would mean forgoing the chance to compare different packages from other schools.

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"You are committing to attend that school if they accept you, so you don't get to shop around, you don't get to see the offers from other schools or go back and negotiate based on other offers  that's off the table if you apply early decision," Vasconcelos said. This year, there are additional challenges with a delayed Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For the 2024-2025 school year, the FAFSA filing season will open in December, two months later than in previous years. "That puts students and their families in a bind," said Robert Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review. "Almost certainly, every student who is applying early will not have the ability to file their FAFSA form, so they will be going through the process but not have this guidance when they are making their decisions." The net price calculators on college websites may also not be up to date with the FAFSA's new formula, Vasconcelos added, which was the best tool families had to compare college costs and determine what their price is likely to be if they get in.

If the school cannot meet the student's needs, it can be possible to walk away from an early acceptance. Eric Greenberg president of Greenberg Educational Group

For students who apply early without this key piece of information, there is a concession: Some colleges may let you off the hook if your early decision offer falls short of your financial aid needs. (Typically, a "better" offer includes more grant and scholarship money and fewer loans.) "If the school cannot meet the student's needs, it can be possible to walk away from an early acceptance," Greenberg said. "I think that's very fair." Still, "very few people know it," he added. "Just check with the admissions office or financial aid office for that application year  this allows many more people who don't have the means to pay full tuition to get the benefit of early decision."

Early applicants tend to be less 'price sensitive'

More often, it's college-bound seniors with assistance from expert college counseling who are using early decision to better their chances of getting in. That implies they have the means and access to navigate this route, Franek noted. "Students who are applying early are likely not as price-sensitive," he said. Although most families do not have this same level of support, books, webinars and the online tools on studentaid.gov can help level the playing field. "Look for the free resources that are out there," Vasconcelos said.

For colleges, early decision is a win-win

For schools, offering students an option to apply early has clear advantages. For starters, increasing the likelihood that a student will say yes improves a college's yield  or the percent of students who choose to enroll after being admitted  which is an important statistic for schools. In addition, getting a head start on the makeup of the freshman class helps admissions officers balance out enrollment needs with financial aid requests.

Jeff Greenberg | Getty Images

More schools  especially selective private colleges  now offer an early application, and those institutions accept more students ahead of the regular decision deadline, Franek said. Of the schools on The Princeton Review's Best Colleges list, 282 out of the 389 have an early action or early decision option in the beginning of November. (Some schools also offer another option, called Early Decision II, which is due in January.) At those schools, including Emory University, Colgate University, Swarthmore College, Tulane University, Middlebury College and Washington University in St. Louis, as many as 50% or 60% of the freshman class comes from the early application pool, Franek said, although it could be even more than that. At Middlebury College in Vermont, for example, 69% of 2022s freshman class was admitted early.

Other considerations before applying early
Tesla vehicles waiting to be loaded on board a cargo vessel at Nangang port, in Shanghai, China, on Sept. 6, 2023.

Tesla posted its third-quarter vehicle production and delivery report for 2023 on Monday.

Here are the key numbers from the electric vehicle maker:

Total deliveries Q3 2023: 435,059

Total production Q3 2023: 430,488

During the previous quarter, Tesla reported total deliveries of 466,140 and total vehicle production of 479,700. During the same period in 2022 Tesla reported total vehicle production of 365,923 and deliveries of 343,830.

"A sequential decline in volumes was caused by planned downtimes for factory upgrades, as discussed on the most recent earnings call," the company said. "Our 2023 volume target of around 1.8 million vehicles remains unchanged."

Despite its report of a nearly 7% decline in vehicle deliveries compared to the previous quarter, shares of Tesla closed nearly flat for the day at $251.60 on Monday.

On its last earnings call in July, CEO Elon Musk cautioned that Tesla would "continue to target 1.8 million vehicle deliveries this year" but expected third-quarter production to decline slightly following "summer shutdowns for a lot of factory upgrades."

The company is still not reporting on production or delivery numbers for the Semi, a class 8 electric truck, though it delivered some to an early customer, PepsiCo, which is using the fully electric trucks for some deliveries.

Wall Street was expecting Tesla deliveries to reach 461,640 for the period ending Sept. 30, according to a consensus of analysts polled by StreetAccount. An independent Tesla researcher, who uses the handle Troy Teslike on social media, was expecting deliveries of 441,000 vehicles.

Tesla's head of investor relations, Martin Viecha, sent out a company-compiled consensus to select investors, some of whom shared it publicly on social media. That number showed Wall Street was expecting around 455,000 total deliveries, with a median estimate of 453,128 deliveries for the quarter, based on 25 analysts' estimates.

Tesla groups its deliveries into two categories, Model S and X vehicles, and Model 3 and Y vehicles, but doesn't report individual model or region-specific numbers. Deliveries are the closest approximation to vehicles sold reported by the company.

Tesla slashed prices throughout the third quarter on its inventory vehicles and existing models, which put pressure on competitors to follow suit.

Tesla also revealed a revamped version of its Model 3 sedan, dubbed the "Highland," with both new exterior and interior features, and started selling it in some regions outside the U.S. The interior for the refreshed Model 3 includes touchscreen displays for rear-seat passengers and ventilated seats, among other items. The vehicle is sold with a long-range battery option that gets about 390 miles, or 629 km, per charge.

In August, Zachary Kirkhorn announced he was stepping aside as CFO, and the company said Chief Accounting Officer Vaibhav Taneja would now serve both roles. Tesla's next earnings call will be the first with Taneja in the CFO seat.
The third quarter offered stock investors few places to hide, but people who snapped up a certificate of deposit may have locked in great rates. As the third quarter drew to a close, a few banks offering high yield CDs and savings accounts boosted their rates even further, according to a Friday analysis by Stephens analyst Vincent Caintic. Banks that hiked yields in the final stretch of the third quarter include Bread Financial , which is now offering an annual percentage yield of 5.6% for a 1-year CD. Ally Financial also raised its yield to 5% for a 1-year CD. Among the banks in Stephens coverage the average rate on 1-year CDs was 4.99%, a 27-basis point (0.27 of a percentage point) increase from the prior quarter, the firm found. Rates on savings accounts averaged 4.3%, showing a quarter-over-quarter boost of 23 basis points. One basis point equals one-hundredth of a percentage point. Though the Federal Reserve held rates steady in September, policymakers indicated rates would stay higher for longer  and that could pressure banks' deposit costs, according to a Monday report from Morgan Stanley. "We expect at least one more guide up from bank management teams on deposit betas as the Fed keeps rates higher for longer," wrote Morgan Stanley analyst Betsy Graseck. "Deposit costs tend to rise until after the Fed cuts rates, and the fundamental drivers of deposit pressure should persist over the next several quarters." Those factors include competition from money market funds for depositors' dollars, and lower-yielding CDs repricing at higher rates, she added. The run-up in yields on these products occurs as consumers go through the last of their pandemic-era savings. The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco estimates that households accumulated excess savings of about $2.1 trillion by August 2021. That amount dropped off to less than $190 billion of aggregate excess savings by June. The San Francisco Fed forecast that the last of these dollars would be depleted during the third quarter of 2023.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed reporting.
Veteran emerging markets investor Mark Mobius has named Alibaba and Tencent as key stocks in any portfolio investing in developing economies. Mobius said the Chinese technology giants "could be the foundation of any portfolio" despite recent volatility. They are "still making good profits," he said, despite the "incredible" decline in their share prices over the past three years. Alibaba 's stock, also listed on the NYSE, peaked in October 2020 on the eve of new restrictions on technology companies unveiled by Chinese authorities. Shares have since declined by more than 70%. Similarly, Tencent peaked in early 2021 and has fallen by more than 60%, alongside the broader growth technology sector. BABA 5Y line Alibaba Mobius, who founded Mobius Capital Partners in 2018 after three decades at Franklin Templeton, said the "interesting aspect" of Alibaba is its potential spin-offs, "which could be very, very good for them." In March, Alibaba said it would split into six business groups , each with the ability to raise outside funding and go public, in the most significant reorganization in the Chinese e-commerce giant's history. Last week, it revealed plans to list the first of its spin-offs, its logistics unit Cainiao , on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Mobius is known for his long-term conviction picks of smaller companies, but stressed the resilience of the two Chinese tech titans. "At the end of the day, they're down incredibly, and they're still making good profits," Mobius told CNBC's Street Signs Asia Friday. Investment banking analysts also believe Alibaba's decision to reorganize into multiple independently listed divisions will "unlock value" at a time of slowing economic growth in the world's second-largest economy. "Despite facing economic uncertainty, consumption demand appears to be receptive to price discounts, driving [customer management revenue] revenue to double-digit growth. At the same time, we saw a meaningful upside in profitability as both China commerce remained efficient, while other business units narrowed losses significantly," said Mizuho Securities analysts led by James Lee in a note to clients on Aug. 10. Mizuho lifted its price target on the stock to $145, which points to a 70% upside from current levels. "With a decentralized strategy, we expect the six business units to be positioned to compete effectively and unlock value through listings," the analysts added. Chip stocks Mobius, who previously managed $50 billion worth of assets at Franklin Templeton, predicted China will "surprise the world" and make "incredible advances" in chip capabilities over time, driven by government policy priorities. "They are going to surprise the world because of the incredible emphasis they are putting on chips and on duplicating what TSMC is doing in Taiwan," Mobius said, referring to Taiwan Semi , which currently makes the high-tech chips for Nvidia and AMD . "It's not going to happen overnight. But it's going to happen, I believe, and we're going to see incredible advances in that area." Mobius said China's goal is to overtake the U.S. in semiconductors, which requires advances across the tech ecosystem. He pointed to Huawei's recent chip breakthrough as evidence of the "incredible resources" that Beijing appears to be directing toward the sector. However, the veteran stock picker revealed his current preference is for lesser-known companies involved in the semiconductor sector over TSMC and China's SMIC. The Mobius Emerging Markets Fund is invested in Taiwan-based Elite Material , which manufactures the base materials for circuit boards used in electronic devices, and Zilltek Technology, which designs and develops circuit boards. The $42 million fund's largest stock holding is South Korea's LEENO Industrial, which tests semiconductors. The fund manager said he likes the agility and profitability of smaller tech companies in the region but acknowledged geopolitical risks. "If something happens, God forbid, in Taiwan, it's all brain power. They can fly out at a minute's notice. In fact, they already have operations in California and other parts of the world. So these companies are really very interesting companies," Mobius added.
The Haimish Living, a sustainable clothing brand, has recently opened its geographical reach to other countries through its website, and is now focusing on entering the Dubai market. The brand was launched in 2023 in India and is now geared up for an international expansion, it said in a statement.

Share Market Live NSE

Currently, it is processing online orders and soon will be present in multi-designer stores across UAE and the Middle East, where the demand for Indian clothing has increased in the past few years. The brand further plans to expand its footprints to Singapore, Japan, and other markets through physical presence in multi-designer stores.

The brand's main target audience is working women who prefer sustainably made, high-quality clothing.

Preeti Sood, founder of The Haimish Living said, After getting a good response in India & UAE via our website & social media channels, we decided to expand to other markets. A lot of our online sales have come from Singapore and Dubai, apart from India."

The brand said it manufactures all garments in its in-house facility with a focus on quality and design.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)  In a landmark moment for the healthcare industry, Tamang Alaga is happy to unveil its latest venture  a strategic partnership with leading corporations to enhance employee health and wellness benefits.

This partnership aims to change how we approach healthcare within corporate settings. Companies are tying up with Tamang Alaga to offer employees a range of medicines and supplement benefits while initiating a new way to cascade health-related information.

Tamang Alaga: Where big companies turn for health benefits

With the help of Tamang Alaga, we were able to strengthen our advocacy of promoting health and wellness among our customers. Allianz PNB Life is committed to providing a holistic approach to health and wellness through Allianz Healthbox. This program supports the wellness journeys of all Allianz PNB Life policyholders by giving them perks, freebies, and discounts for prioritizing their health. Tamang Alaga is one of our most generous partners and happily supports our advocacy, states Allianz PNB Life on how Tamang Alaga transformed their companys healthcare.

Tamang Alaga is a consortium of healthcare companies that would like to offer more health benefits to employees. It includes RiteMed, MSD, Mt. Grace Hospitals, and Unilab, among others. It establishes a strategic partnership with the human resource departments of organizations that have existing medical programs, ensuring a seamless integration of its platform into their healthcare system.

At the moment, Tamang Alaga boasts prestigious partnerships with renowned companies, including Allianz PNB Life, Phil. Gold Processing & Refining Corporation, Filminera Resources Corporation, and Medicare Plus Inc.

Heres how these companies stay on top of their game:

- Allianz PNB Life is a well-established life insurance company in the Philippines. Whether individuals are starting their financial journey, preparing for retirement, or looking to grow their wealth, Allianz PNB Life offers a comprehensive range of insurance policies.

- Filminera Resources Corporation (FRC) is the largest operational gold mine in the Philippines, with mineral tenements along the branch of the Pliocene Philippine Fault System, known for several significant gold deposits.

- Philippine Gold is part of the B2Gold Corp., one of the worlds biggest operators of mines based in Vancouver, Canada.

- Medicare Plus Inc. is recognized as one of the leading healthcare providers in the country, offering accreditation with over 500 hospitals and clinics, as well as a vast network of over 10,000 medical and dental practitioners nationwide.

A shared vision in promoting employee health

While acquiring Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) coverage and securing medication benefits are undeniably crucial for employees, it is equally essential to underscore the importance of awareness. With the help of Tamang Alaga's platform, corporations can provide access to high-quality and affordable medications while promoting health literacy within their institution.

The partnership ensures employees are well-informed about health conditions, helps them manage and prevent diseases, and encourages medication compliance. Ultimately, the end goal of this collaboration is to keep the Filipino workforce healthy.

When employees are well-informed about health-related matters, they not only experience a sense of security but also make better, more informed choices for themselves and their families.

In photo (L-R): Leonardo Tan, Jr. - Chief Product Provider Officer, Allianz PNB Life; Joe Gross - President and Chief Executive Officer, Allianz PNB Life. Photo from Tamang Alaga

Co-creating an online pharmacy for employees through Tamang Alaga

Companies can have their own branded microsite where employees can conveniently purchase their medications and supplements, either partially or fully subsidized by the HMO or employers. Employers and HMOs can choose to extend a special rate for out-of-pocket medicine and supplement expenses for their employees for their personal use or for their family members. Of course, Tamang Alaga ensures rigorous quality control testing to guarantee top-quality medications from its partners.

Working together to craft exclusive employee perks

Through the platform, partner companies have the option to provide benefits. Rewards may help contribute to employee satisfaction and even boost morale. These benefits may include discounts, vouchers and other freebies.

Access to prescription medicines

Tamang Alaga makes healthcare accessible and convenient to our customers by allowing them to purchase vitamins, supplements, and even maintenance medicines in the comfort of their own homes. An online pharmacist verifies the purchase of maintenance medicine  a game-changer in healthcare, says Allianz PNB Life on how Tamang Alaga made prescription medicines accessible to their employees.

Employees or patients gain access to a wide range of prescription medications through the platform. They can conveniently upload their prescriptions for verification.

The uploaded prescriptions are promptly reviewed and verified by Tamang Alaga's Online Pharmacist, ensuring compliance with medical guidelines and safety measures.

In photo (L-R): Grazielle Anne Duenas - Assistant Business Development Manager, Allianz PNB Life; Marjowyn Vito - Business Development Head, Allianz PNB Life; Leonardo Tan, Jr. - Chief Product Provider Officer, Allianz PNB Life; Joe Gross - President and Chief Executive Officer, Allianz PNB Life; Noel Herrera Lim - General Manager and Consumer Cluster Head, RiteMed Philippines Inc.; Lhea Laurel - Business Development Manager, RiteMed Philippines Inc.; Karen Velarde - Marketing Officer RiteMED Philippines. Inc. Photo from Tamang Alaga

Tamang Alagas health advocacy

Tamang Alaga actively supports employees or patients in their healthcare journey, raising awareness about health-related matters, and contributing to better healthcare utilization and crisis response.

In addition to the benefits, Tamang Alaga remains steadfastly committed to its core values. Thus, partner companies can have confidence that they are in capable and trustworthy hands.

Here are the core values of Tamang Alaga:

1. TAMANG KAALAMAN (Right information): The foundation of our journey begins with the right understanding of disease prevention, management, and available solution options.

2. TAMANG GABAY (Proper guidance): This critical path offers guidance on supplementation and medicine compliance, ensuring that we stay on the right track to optimal health.

3. TAMANG EHERSISYO AT PAHINGA (Proper exercise & rest): Discover the balance between appropriate rest and exercise tailored to your age and condition, promoting physical well-being.

4. TAMANG NUTRITION (Proper nutrition): Nourish your body with the correct nutrition for overall health and robust disease prevention.

5. TAMANG PAGSUSURI (Knowing when to see a physician): Our journey wouldn't be complete without acknowledging the role of doctors as our partners in maintaining wellness and managing existing conditions.

Like Tamang Alagas partners, you can be part of this employee health innovation.

Join Tamang Alaga today and make a meaningful impact on enhancing healthcare access for your thriving workforce. Together, you can create valuable diagnostic and medicine packages to enhance your employees' health programs. Healthy employees are happy and more productive employees.

For inquiries, concerns, or assistance, you may reach Tamang Alaga at inquiries@tamangalaga.com.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) - The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) feted this year's awardees of its visual arts program, Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE), in a special evening that brought together influential figures in the art scene, foreign dignitaries, and business and society mavens on Sept. 21 at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The main event provided 2023 MADE awardees a meaningful debut into the art scene. They are poised to become the next contemporary masters, as MADE provides a venue for them to jumpstart their journey towards a fulfilling career as creatives.

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) chairperson Victorino "Ino" Manalo and Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Constance Cee were the guests of honor. They were joined by Metrobank president Fabian S. Dee, MBFI vice chairman and trustee Alfred Ty, president Aniceto Sobrepena, trustee and senior vice president Anjanette Dy Buncio, and vice president Alesandra Ty.

With the theme "Connect: Stronger Ties, Bolder Strides," this year's competition invited young artists nationwide to embark on daring journeys towards a boundless creative future together. It also speaks about the transformative power of creative collaborations, and how art can create linkages and transcend boundaries.

"MADE's promise, deeply rooted in empowering young artists and supporting the development of Philippine visual arts, remains the driving force behind our mission," expressed MBFI president Aniceto M. Sobrepena in his message. "MADE stands firm not just in jumpstarting artistic careers, but also in nurturing artists to realize their boundless potential," he continued.

Out of 402 entries received this year, seven up-and-coming Filipino painters and sculptors were named as this year's awardees by the esteemed Board of Judges.

Two were adjudged as Grand Awardees for the Painting Recognition Program and each of them received 350,000 worth of cash incentive. On top of this is a 150,000 worth of scholarship at the Linangan Art Residency, as part of MBFI's support for their artistic development. Another three artists for the Painting Recognition Program bagged the Special Citation with 100,000 in cash prize each.

On the other hand, one Grand Awardee for the Sculpture Recognition Program was awarded with 500,000 in cash incentive. Another artist was also awarded with a Special Citation, who received a 100,000 cash incentive. All of them received the "More" Trophy designed and created by 2007 Metrobank Foundation Prize for Achievement in Sculpture (MPAS) awardee Juan Sajid Imao. The awardees also join the MADE-Network of Winners, the alumni organization of past winners that implements pay-it-forward projects in aid of marginalized sectors.

The 2023 MADE Board of Judges was chaired by artist, educator, and consultant Sandra Palomar and co-chaired by Qube Gallery founder Maris Holopainen. Members of the Board include visual artist and sculptor Kublai Millan, painter Golda King, visual artist Raffy Napay, sculptor Richard Buxani, and heritage specialist and educator Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales.

Immersive, interactive, and intuitive: The 2023 MADE Experience

Guided by the belief that art is built on meaningful relationships, the 2023 MADE Awarding and Exhibition aimed to create an experience that bridges the gap between artists and their audience as well as between traditional and modern art. It attempted to push the envelope of storytelling, enabling the audience to be part of the narrative. Through the connections built, MADE stands by its commitment to make art accessible across various segments of society.

The MADE Awarding and Exhibition was held for the first time at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, as its venue partner. This is also a resumption of organizing a physical awarding event after holding it virtually in the last two years due to the pandemic. The awarding ceremony was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila's foyer, an ideal canvas surrounded by white light panels.

The galleries were recreated into an immersive environment, allowing audiences to be at the center of the experience. The walls of the foyer were transformed as canvases for stories, converting white walls into a dynamic universe.

Founded in 1976, Metropolitan Museum of Manila aims to amplify the Filipinos' sense of cultural and artistic heritage from the past, present, and beyond, becoming the leading hub for contemporary art by Filipino and international artists engaging in the ever-renewing contemporary discourses and experiences that shape our understanding of society. Today, with a refreshed dynamism for the 21st century, the museum re-introduces itself as The M as it reopens its new art spaces in the heart of the emerging vibrant cultural hub that is BGC. It renews its commitment to its core mission of "Art for All", with a bold curatorial direction that takes an interdisciplinary and multicultural approach to art exhibition programming in a location with greater accessibility to a wider and more inclusive audience.

This year, MADE welcomed Samsung as its co-presenter. Through Samsung's cutting-edge technology that was incorporated into the venue, this year's exhibition has been transformed into a space where audiences can innovatively experience art and enter into the world of artists.

The screens feature MADE's program history and works from former MADE Awardees, the permanent collection, as well as information about the exhibition.

With Samsung's support for the program, the MADE experience was heightened and rendered immersive for all guests and visitors.

Kaugnayan: Enduring Connection in Contemporary Philippine Art

Works of the semifinalists, finalists, MADE awardees, and select pieces from the MADE Permanent Art Collection are exhibited at the 2nd floor galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, open for the viewing public from Sept. 22 to Oct. 6 (Tuesdays to Saturdays, window hours: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.).

Titled "Kaugnayan: Enduring Connection in Contemporary Philippine Art," it reflects MADE's almost four decades of recognizing artistic excellence and cultivating the future of Philippine art. The space was divided into two sections with a curatorial design that juxtaposes the old and the new with the goal of opening alternative paths that affirm a sense of open-endedness and a desire for self-determination.

Photo from Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI)

A section of the exhibit features works by the alumni organization of MADE awardees -- MADE Network of Winners called "In Between Paths (Sa Pagitan ng mga Landas)." The exhibit highlights the career of former awardees featuring their most recent works alongside their early works as emerging artists.

It features 18 artists, among which include: Ferdinand Doctolero, Salvador Ching, Siefred Guilaran, Sam Penaso, Noel Elmido Farol, Ronald Jeresano, Jonathan Dangue, and Melvin Culaba.

The exhibit was curated by Sandra Palomar, who also served as the chairperson of the 2023 MADE Board of Judges. Palomar is a Dumaguete-based artist, educator, and consultant.

Art MADE Public: Fostering Thriving Art Communities

In the same venue, the Art MADE Public and Guided Exhibit Tour was held on September 30. The event began with a guided tour of the exhibition followed by a forum with the topic "Fostering Thriving Art Communities." Art MADE Public is an event that aims to provide artists with a platform for storytelling to highlight the ways art served as a force for good. The forum featured Emerging Islands, an art-for-ecology residency and collective growing an alternative infrastructure for Filipino artists to tell community-based island stories. Visual artist and core community member Jao San Pedro presented her journey through and within the practice of collaborative artmaking and caregiving through Emerging Islands and her own art practice. She is a visual artist exploring the generative potentials of loss and error. Her process-based practice filters data and material through transcategorial frameworks, rendering trace and surface, sound and gesture, doubles and simulacra.

The events are also made possible together with advocacy partner, Project PEARLS. More than a non-profit organization, Project PEARLS is a powerful movement driven by a heartfelt promise: to offer underserved Filipino children education, literacy, empowerment, nutrition, and healthcare, aiming to break the chains of poverty and help them achieve their highest potential. Their vision stretches beyond traditional outreach, molding brighter futures from Tondo, Manila to Zamboanga Sibugay.

Supporting the events as well are premier media partner Art+ Magazine joined by Kanto.com.ph, Esquire Philippines, The Philippine STAR, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, and CNN Philippines.

Established in 1984 by the late Metrobank Group founder and chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty, MADE has served as a platform for discovery for the most passionate and persistent creative visionaries in the country.

To date, more than 500 visual artists and design professionals have been recognized. A majority of them are now carving significant names in the local and even international art and design scenes. Past awardees include Elmer Borlongan, Mark Justiniani, Jan Leeroy New, Alfredo Esquillo, Andres Barrioquinto, Yeo Kaa, and Cedrick dela Paz.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2)  The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it has more than 7,000 unfilled positions due to the agency's low salary offer, its commissioner said.

"Our main problem is the difficulty in recruiting personnel considering the low salary that the BIR has compared with other government agencies. Like our lawyers and accountants, the salary of BIR officials compared to, for example, prosecutors, PAO, it's very not competitive," BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said on Monday during the senate deliberations on the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of Finance and its attached agencies.

"For BIR the main problems we're having, well we're addressing it right now, it's (we're) active in promotions so that we can hire more employees, we're also aggressive in HR provinces, so that the regions can hire on its own, without undergoing to the national office," he said.

Lumagui said that the provincial offices have the most unfilled positions. He said compared with other agencies like the Civil Service with 51,000 monthly for its entry lawyers, BIR offers only a 27,000 salary.

Senator Win Gachalian said that if the employees have low salaries, corruption and temptations may occur. He also said that the Bureau of Customs has 2,061 unfilled positions.

"No matter how we improve the process, if the basic attraction-which is the salary is low, it's gonna be difficult for the BIR and the BOC to attract talents especially this is an enforcement group," Gachalian said.

Lumagui then stressed that they need support for the adjustment of the salaries for the talents.

For his part, Sec. Benjamin Diokno said that the BIR should consider not only the salary adjustments but also the reclassification of the positions of tax collectors and lawyers.

"That item [tax collector position] is important kasi there's no comparable position in other government agencies eh, so puwede pong i-reevaluate 'yun, collectorSo siguro we wish to consider reclassifying the position of their tax collectors and their lawyers.

[Translation: That tax collector position is important because there's no comparable position in other government agencies like that, so we can reevaluate it. We may consider reclassifying the position of their tax collectors and lawyers.]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2)  The Commission on Elections (Comelec) inked a deal with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Public Attorney's Office on the implementation of persons deprived of liberty (PDL) voting for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

Top officials of all three agencies said this is the first time there was a memorandum of agreement on the implementation of PDL voting.

"Para maimplement natin ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema, kailangan natin ang PAO at ang BJMP para mabigyan sila ng authority na makalabas ng jails with escorts at makaboto," Comelec Commissioner in Charge for Vulnerable Sectors Aimee Ferolino said.

[Translation: To implement the Supreme Court decision, we need the PAO and BJMP so that they can authorize PDLs to leave jails with escorts in order to vote.]

PDLs who are formally charged and awaiting trial, and those serving prison sentences of less than a year, are qualified to vote in the local polls, according to the Comelec.

BJMP Chief JDir. Ruel Rivera says 56,679 PDLs from his agency will cast their vote.

"PDL under our jurisdiction will now cast their vote either through special voting centers established in the jail facilities or go to the voting precincts if their registered hometowns is in the same city or municipality where the jail is located," BJMP Deputy Chief for Operations JCSupt. Efren Nemeno explained.

Special polling centers may also be established inside jails where there are more than 50 voters. Rivera added that if there are not enough polling centers to accommodate inmates, they will be brought to voting precincts in their respective barangays with security escorts.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said 63,400 inmates will be allowed to vote in the local polls on October 30, following the Supreme Court ruling last September 2022.

The high court in 2022 dismissed a petition filed by Atty. Victor Aguinaldo in 2015 to prevent PDLs from voting in the 2016 local elections.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2)  The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Monday rolled out its 24/7 Tourist Assistance Call Center based in Angeles, Pampanga to address queries and concerns of travelers nationwide.

So far, the system has eight tourist assistance agents but DOT Secretary Christina Frasco said they may add more if needed.

"The convenience of the traveler must be the central focus of our efforts and programs," the secretary said.

"We do not wish for our tourists to just come to the Philippines or go around the Philippines once but to come back again and again because they love the Philippines, and they love their experience of visiting our destinations," she added.

Tourists may now seek travel assistance and file travel complaints through:

- Landline (151-TOUR / 151-8687)

- Mobile phone (+63995-835-5155)

- Email (touristassistance@tourism.gov.ph)

- Facebook messenger (Department of Tourism)

- Web chat (https://philippines.travel/ or https://beta.tourism.gov.ph/)

According to Frasco, agents underwent several trainings on destination policies, culture, and service excellence, among others.

Frasco added that they used live agents instead of artificial intelligence (AI) for the system because one of the Philippines' best assets is the Filipino people's rapport.

She said that before the call center's launch, tourists don't know who to reach out to when they encounter problems.

During the launch, the tourism chief tried to call the hotlines to show how the tourist assistance agents handle travel-related concerns.

On Sept. 29, the DOT recorded more than four million visitors since the beginning of the year, nearing the agency's target of 4.8 million visitors from abroad this year.

From January 1 to September 29, a total of 4,005,465 foreign nationals and overseas Filipinos have arrived in the Philippines, it added.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2)  The Sandiganbayan on Monday acquitted businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and former Rep. Edgar Valdez of plunder over the pork barrel scam, but found them guilty of other crimes.

The anti-graft court convicted Napoles of nine counts of corruption of a public official while Valdez received nine counts of direct bribery.

They each face a fine of more than P26 million and serve up to six years in prison.

In 2013, the multibillion-peso scam involving the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), or pork barrel fund, sparked public outrage and triggered nationwide protests.

The PDAF was a discretionary fund that allowed senators and congressmen to allot funds for their pet projects.

However, the supposed development funds were found to have ended up in the pockets of public officials, whom Napoles reportedly connived with funneling pork money to fake non-governmental organizations.

EXPLAINER: What you need to know about the PDAF scam

The Sandiganbaya's website is down, so a full copy of the decision is not yet accessible online.

This story will be updated.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2)  Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. asked the House committee on dangerous drugs to investigate the confiscation of illegal drugs in his province of Pampanga, with a total estimated street value of 4.9 billion, and to determine the source.

"Mexico is my town. Dalawang beses na sa Mexico yan. Una sa Lakeshore, panagalawa ito. This is the biggest so kailangan nating malaman kung sino ang mga pribadong nagpapasok from international," he said on Monday.

[Translation: Mexico is my town, it happened twice to Mexico already. First in Lakeshore, then this. This is the biggest so we need to know who lets them come in from abroad.]

"Ang tanong ko bakit Mexico ang gusto nilang puntahan at doon binababa ang masamang droga?" the lawaker added.

[Translation: My question - why choose Mexico to deliver drugs?]

Gonzales filed the still unnumbered resolution in light the Department of Justice's announcement on the confiscation of 530 kilograms of shabu (the local verison of methamphetamine hydrochloride), otherwise known as "poor man's cocaine," in a warehouse in Mexico last week. The estimated value was 3.9 billion.

Last month, authorities also reportedly seized 200 kilograms of shabu inside an abandoned vehicle in Mabalacat town with a value of 1.3 billion.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2)  The Makabayan bloc said Monday it will soon file a proposal to rationalize the joint circular regarding guidelines on the utilization and reporting of confidential and intelligence funds.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said this will be specifically on Joint Circular No. 2015-01, or the guidelines on the entitlement, release, use, reporting, and audit of confidential and/or intelligence funds.

"The Makabayan bloc is drafting now a proposal, a proposed law so that there would be a cap, there would be a limit, ma-rationalize ito at magkaroon ng (this will be rationalized and this will have) more transparency and accountability in using the confidential and intelligence funds," she said.

The lawmaker said this will be an "improved version" of the joint circular, which they plan to file in November. However, she did not mention specific details about their proposal.

This comes as Castro also urged the Commission on Audit to investigate the alleged 2.697-billion confidential funds of Davao City for the past six years, when Vice President Sara Duterte was its mayor.

Imagine more than a million a day spent for the confidential fund in a city, so I just wonder paano at saan ito ginastos (how and where were these spent)," the lawmaker said. "We want the COA to review if the city government of Davao City led by Vice President Sara Duterte by then ay talagang (really) they followed the guidelines.

She said the funds should have been used for other fruitful endeavors like allowances for teachers in Davao City. Castro said then-Mayor Duterte rejected the call of teachers for a city allowance.

Dutertes camp has yet to issue a statement on the matter.

Prior to this, Castro also criticized Duterte for spending 125 million confidential funds in only 19 days in 2022. The lawmaker also opposed allocating confidential funds to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education under the 2024 budget.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte saw double-digit declines in their approval ratings following developments in the West Philippine Sea, rising commodity prices, and concerns surrounding proposed confidential funds of agencies not directly engaged in maintaining the countrys security.

This is according to the latest survey by opinion polling firm Pulse Asia conducted from Sept. 10 to 14, with 1,200 participants.

Based on the survey released Monday, Marcos approval rating dropped 15 percentage points from 80% in June to 65% last month.

Duterte, meanwhile, also recorded an 11-point decrease from her 84% approval rating in June to 73%.

The performance rating of the vice president, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, remained higher than Marcos.

Levels of approval for the Presidents work decline in the Philippines as a whole (-15 percentage points) and in all areas and classes (-14 to -15 percentage points and -12 to -29 percentage points, respectively). As for the Vice- President, her approval ratings drop at the national level (-11 percentage points) as well as in Metro Manila (-12 percentage points), the rest of Luzon (-13 percentage points), Class ABC (-18 percentage points), and Class D (-11 percentage points), it said.

Despite the significant erosions in their recent approval ratings, Pulse Asia noted that the top two leaders continue to enjoy majority approval scores at the national level and across geographic areas and socio-economic classes.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo also posted lower approval ratings in September.

The nationwide survey has a  2.8% error margin at the 95% confidence level, while subnational estimates have a  5.7% margin of error for Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2)  The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) requested a joint task force composed of members from concerned law enforcement agencies to look into the recent cyberattack that pushed the agency to implement a temporary system shutdown.

The state-run agency's officials said the task force will be made up of members from the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, the National Privacy Commission, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

"This is not merely a concern of PhilHealth, this is a nationwide concern. And for this reason, we requested a joint task force to look into this problem," PhilHealth Chief Operating Officer Eli Dino Santos said during a briefing on Monday.

RELATED: Privacy body calls meeting with PhilHealth to tackle cyberattack

Santos said the group is also set to procure additional cyber and infra security systems to strengthen its protection against possible similar attacks.

Meanwhile, PhilHealth chief Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. said the group was "fully prepared" for the cyber-attack and response and aid from concerned agencies were immediate.

"I'm confident on our ownbut at the same time, since help is being offered, we are utilizing all the help we can get in resolving this issue. We are doing our very best and using all the options available," Ledesma said.

PhilHealth earlier resorted to operating manually after the ransomware was detected.

READ: PhilHealth website services 'likely' back to normal soon

As of Monday morning, PhilHealth said its website, member portal, and e-claims submission are back online while some application servers are currently being rebuilt.

'No data from members leaked'

PhilHealth maintained that no data from servers containing the members' private information have been affected by the attack.

"It's very clear na hindi apektado 'yung membership data (that the membership data is not affected), zero. That's the most important thing to look at," Ledesma said.

READ: No information leaked after cyberattack, PhilHealth says

The agency's technology department said only application servers and employees' work stations were affected by the detected Medusa ransomware.
Today is Oct. 2, 2023, and here's what you need to know:

When Maggie Seldeens mother died from a heroin overdose, no one called 911.

At only 15 years old, overdoses were almost commonplace in Seldeens world, surrounded by addiction, drug dealing and domestic violence in the Roaring Fork Valley. Seldeen, an injection drug user herself at the time, did not know about naloxone, or Narcan, which reverses an opioid overdose. She did not know there was anything that could be done to save her mothers life.

For the last three years, Seldeen has dedicated her life to informing others about overdose prevention. With her organization, High Rockies Harm Reduction, Seldeen travels around rural Colorado distributing Narcan, fentanyl test strips and clean syringes. She teaches everyone from drug users to high school students to jail staff about overdoses, disease prevention and how to care for people who use drugs.

This work I do, I've been touched by it in every way, Seldeen said. We're so often volunteering and serving our friends and our family and our neighbors because we want to keep them alive.  People just need to know that this exists.

These kinds of harm reduction organizations operate throughout Colorado, and now, theyre hoping to add another tool to their toolbox: "overdose prevention centers."

The threat of a federal government shutdown suddenly lifted late Saturday as President Joe Biden signed a temporary funding bill to keep agencies open with little time to spare after Congress rushed to approve the bipartisan deal.

The package drops aid to Ukraine, a White House priority opposed by a growing number of GOP lawmakers, but increases federal disaster assistance by $16 billion, meeting Bidens full request. The bill funds government until Nov. 17.

After chaotic days of turmoil in the House, Speaker Kevin McCarthy abruptly abandoned demands for steep spending cuts from his right flank and instead relied on Democrats to pass the bill, at risk to his own job. The Senate followed with final passage closing a whirlwind day at the Capitol.

This is good news for the American people, Biden said in a statement.

Colorado Republicans on Saturday voted down a proposal to opt out of the 2024 primary election in order to prevent the state's unaffiliated voters from helping pick GOP nominees.

While a majority of the party's state central committee meeting in Castle Rock voted to withdraw from the primary, the vote fell far short of the 75% majority required under state law.

The vote was 259 in support of opting out and 143.5 against, for roughly 65% in favor.

That outcome, said GOP Chairman Dave Williams, bolsters a lawsuit filed by the party in federal court seeking to overturn the voter-approved 2016 ballot measure that established the semi-open primary system, which allows Colorado's nearly 2 million unaffiliated voters to cast ballots in either Republican or Democratic primary elections.

We all understand that this kind of proves the point of the lawsuit, that the state has imposed upon the Republican Party an unconstitutional threshold, and the numbers bear that out, Williams told Republicans after announcing the results.

Republicans who want to close the party's primaries insist that voters who arent registered with the party shouldnt have a say in the party's nominations, while opponents argue that withdrawing from the primary risks ignoring the wishes of nearly half of state voters who are unaffiliated.

Colorado Democrats plan to hold a virtual state assembly and convention next year in an effort to make the party meeting more accessible to delegates across the state, party chair Shad Murib told Colorado Politics.

Im thrilled that the Colorado Democratic Party is making our most important event of the year more accessible than it has ever been for rural folks, working people, Coloradans with disabilities and young Democrats, Murib said in a statement. While Colorado Republicans are focused on limiting participation in their Party, we welcome everyone to join the Colorado Democratic Party.

The Colorado GOP is set to decide on Saturday whether to close its nominating process to unaffiliated voters next year by opting out of the state-level primary system, which has been in effect since 2018. Under the state's current system, voters who aren't affiliated with a political party  nearly half of all registered voters  can cast ballots in either the Democratic or Republican primaries.

A jury will decide whether the former Douglas County sheriff fired his subordinate for making a political Facebook post in the middle of the 2020 election, and whether the sheriff's office has raised a valid defense to terminating her without the proper process.

Holly Kluth, a 32-year employee of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, sued ex-Sheriff Tony Spurlock for allegedly retaliating against her based on her First Amendment-protected speech, and failing to provide notice of her impending termination and an opportunity to be heard.

The parties disputed whether Kluth's workplace performance was the reason for her firing, as Spurlock contended, or if Kluth's reaction to the Republican sheriff's endorsement of a local Democratic candidate motivated Spurlock's decision.
Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday.
For longtime tech industry watchers, the US Department of Justices antitrust suit against Google feels like deja vu all over again. Many of the charges in the suit have almost eerie echoes to those levied against Microsoft in 1998.

Both claim the targets used their monopoly power illegally  in Googles case, to maintain its market dominance in search; in Microsofts case, to use Windows to squash competitors. In both cases, the very core of both companies was being attacked.

Despite those similarities, the current lawsuit against Google wont be nearly as consequential as was the fight against Microsoft. While it certainly means a great deal for Googles future, it likely wont change the world and tech business the way the one against Microsoft did.

Heres why.

Googles stranglehold on search

Because of where Google and Microsoft stood in the tech world at the time each was sued, and because of the nature of the charges, the effect of current action against Google will be different. Today, it is just one tech giant among many  Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, X (the company once known as Twitter), and many others.

The DOJ contends that Google has illegally used its power to maintain a monopoly in internet search, and to kill off any potential competitors before they can even get a start. Its case against Google is relatively straightforward. It claims Google has a monopoly on the search market  more than a 90% market share  and that it maintains that monopoly by paying smartphone manufacturers and wireless carriers, including Apple, Samsung, Verizon and others, a combined $10 billion a year to make Google their default search engine.

The government contends those payments are a powerful strategic weapon to kill off and scare away rivals and make sure Google continues to keep its internet search monopoly. In opening arguments, the Justice Departments lead courtroom lawyer, Kenneth Dintzer, said, This feedback loop, this wheel, has been turning for more than 12 years. And it always turns to Googles advantage.

If the government wins, Google will likely no longer be allowed to make those payments. The effects of doing that, though, are unclear. Will people abandon Google in droves for other search engines? Keep in mind that the default search engine for PCs is Microsofts Bing, and yet Google dominates desktop and laptop search  it has more than 83% market share. (Note: the default search for Macs is Google, but Windows has a 70% worldwide operating system market share for desktops and laptops.) It may be that many people simply believe Googles search is better than that of its competitors.

And even if users do choose alternate search engines such as Bing, DuckDuckGo, or others, will that really change the way they use their computers or the internet? Unlikely. Theyll just use a different search engine to find what theyre looking for.

Will it allow a new search engine company to thrive? Also unlikely. And given that artificial intelligence AI) and generative AI are increasingly being used to improve internet search, its likely that if people switch, theyll move to Bing because of Microsofts AI prowess. And Microsoft, with its market cap at more than $2.3 trillion isnt exactly a small tech upstart.

More likely, the effect will be that the government will feel emboldened to launch even more antitrust suits against Big Tech. Thats potentially a big deal, but not at all a game-changer in the way the 1998 suit against Microsoft was.

The 1998 Microsoft antitrust suit was more consequential

Compare all that to the 1998 lawsuit against Microsoft. Back then, Microsoft essentially was the tech world, with Windows having up to 90% of market share for desktop and laptop operating systems. The Mac was a niche product.

Microsoft forced PC manufacturers to make its Internet Explorer browser the Windows default  and banned other browsers from coming pre-installed on Windows. If the manufacturers didnt agree to do that, they couldnt get the license to include Windows on their machines, which meant theyd be dead in the water.

Microsoft also went out of its way to make it difficult to install other browsers on Windows, and used dirty tactics during the trial to cover up how hard the company made it to do. The company introduced into evidence a videotape showing how easy it was to install the Netscape Navigator browser. However, the government showed that Microsoft cheated when making that videotape by skipping over several long, convoluted steps  which Microsoft then conceded it had done.

Back then, there were no smartphones, no IoT devices, no wireless routers giving you internet access. Essentially, if you wanted to get online, you had to buy a PC with Windows on it. And that meant using Internet Explorer. Microsoft was on the way to, in essence, becoming the internets gatekeeper.

There were other issues in the suit, too. Because Windows had a worldwide monopoly on operating systems, companies that made applications like word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation programs had to get technical details from Microsoft to get their software to run properly.

Microsoft made it hard for competitors to get that information in a timely way. But Microsofts Windows developers freely shared information with its own Microsoft Office developers. That allowed Office to become dominant and kill off its competitors.

All this meant that in 1998, Microsoft was on its way to having a monopoly both on getting onto the internet and on using desktop software.

In 1999, the courts ruled in favor of the government and said Microsoft had to be split in two  one company to create and sell operating systems, the other to sell application software like Office.

Microsoft appealed. The case dragged on for several years, until in 2002 the government and the company came to an agreement: Microsoft wouldnt be broken up, but it would have to share information about Windows with competitors, and PC manufacturers would have the freedom over what software to include with their hardware, including software that competes with Microsoft.

At the time, the agreement seemed like little more than a slap on the wrist. But the suit dramatically changed the tech world. Microsoft had become so embroiled in the fight and focused so much internal resources and attention on it that it took its eye off many other prizes. Its attention was so diverted that it missed out on owning internet search. (Ironically, Google launched in 1998, the year of the Microsoft trial.)

Apple launched the iPhone in 2007, well before Microsoft created a smartphone  even though Microsoft had a mobile operating system, Windows CE, before Apple had one. Microsoft also lost out by not creating a social media platform and not focusing on developing a significant online shopping presence.

Theres a reasonable chance Microsoft would have done at least some of that, and likely most of it, if the feds hadnt targeted it in a lawsuit. There might have been no Google, no Facebook, no Amazon. Microsoft could have become a dominant smartphone maker. It might have ruled the tech world today with the same iron fist it ruled the 1998 tech world with Windows.

The effects of the Google suit wont come close to being that consequential.
Ankara blast: Turkey strikes Kurdish rebels

Turkey has said it conducted a number of airstrikes on Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.

Two terrorists carry out a bomb attack in front of the Interior Ministry building in Turkey's capital Ankara.Photo Courtesy: X video grab

The raids were conducted hours after a suicide blast occurred outside the Interior Ministry building in the capital city Ankara.

The government said 20 targets were destroyed and many militants from the banned PKK rebel group were "neutralised", a BBC report said.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), banned in Turkey, has claimed responsibility for an attempted terrorist attack near the interior ministry's building.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that two terrorists had carried out an explosion near the ministry building in the Turkish capital, with one terrorist detonating himself and the other neutralised. Two police officers were wounded.

The armed conflict with the PKK began in Turkey in 1984 and then resumed in 2015.

The organisation, which seeks the creation of an independent Kurdish state, including on Turkish territory, has established bases in Iraqi and Syrian territories close to the Turkish border, where the Turkish armed forces have been targeting them on land and air strikes.
From its first season when a possessed Laraine Newman spewed pea soup all over Richard Pryor during an Exorcist parody, Saturday Night Live has leaned hard into horror. So now that were in the scariest month of the calendar year, lets revisit five of the shows funniest horror movie spoofs.

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5 The Midnight Coterie of Sinister Intruders Play Wes Anderson parodies are all the rage thanks to A.I. engines programmed to rip off his aesthetic, but the idea was pretty new when Edward Norton broke out his eerily accurate Owen Wilson. What makes this spoof rise above the algorithm-generated versions is the actual carnage wreaked throughout. The stop-motion mouse wields a bloody meat cleaver, the twee children arm themselves with an assault rifle and Tilda Swinton gets a blade in the back two seconds after shes introduced. Fangoria Magazine says, Da fuh?

4 The Unknown Caller Advertisement Advertisement Pete Davidsons oblivious Chad is a one-joke character, but its a joke that actually works in the context of a horror movie. What good is it making treacherous death threats to an idiot who doesnt understand hes in danger? So frustrating! Chads tormenter has a number of horrors in mind, but its hard to phase a potential victim whose biggest, unlikeliest fear is dick falls off. And who can listen to death warnings when youre watching a hilarious episode of Ridiculousness?

3 The Thing That Wouldnt Leave Advertisement Advertisement One of SNLs earliest horror parodies  the terror of a houseguest who overstays his welcome  could have been based on John Belushi himself. He often found himself crashing at one place or another, once nearly burning down Lorne Michaels apartment when he fell asleep smoking and the mattress caught fire. Sometimes (Belushi) would just knock on my door at three in the morning, remembered Penny Marshall in SNL oral history Live From New York. Wed know when John got up in the middle of the night to eat because thered be spaghetti sauce imprints all over the kitchen.

2 Chucky Advertisement Advertisement It probably says something about Sarah Sherman that the role of Chucky seems like a natural for her. No less an authority than Chucky creator Don Mancini endorsed the bit. Advertisement Chuckys official social account went after the sketchs Janet character. Ive done a lot of f***ed up things, says the murderous doll, but even I would NEVER eat tuna in the office.
Life may have its valleys, but it also has its peaks. At least, thats what people keep telling me. Sure, life is an unending, ichorous downpour, but sometimes youll get to eat soup dumplings, so keep on truckin! Occasionally, though, you have one day particularly jam-packed with misfortune. A layer cake of well-earned god-damnits that feels like you might have accidentally dug up some sort of sacred artifact.

Usually, thats still just something that exists within your own personal sphere. Some people, though, get so spectacularly, singularly unlucky that your extremely unlucky day is worthy of making it into public record. An L for the ages, if you will.

Here are five people that had a truly terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

5 Ann Hodges Pixabay Not QUITE as bad as these guys. As a general rule, the fewer projectiles you get hit with over the course of your life, the better. Even ones that only border on the inconvenient, like a hot bit of bird turd, are still enough to ruin a day. Ones that cause genuine and unexpected grievous injury? Those are in a category all their own. Worse yet for Ann Hodges, when hit, she was soundly napping within the confines of her own home, a place that, by definition, should be considered shelter. Unfortunately for her, one particularly exotic bit of debris disagreed, and in the middle of her siesta, a bit of space rock slammed into her side. Hodges, in November 1954, became the only known human to be injured by a meteorite. As if that wasnt enough, she then immediately found herself in a legal battle with her landlord, who claimed they owned the artifact because it hit the house they owned. After all, what is empathy but an obstacle to owning a cool space rock? Advertisement

4 George Lawrence Price Pixabay Two cute dogs you really don't want to see. Dying in World War I? For sure, not an ideal day, but far from a unique one. When youre waging war, catching a bullet is a distinct, if unwelcome, possibility. Being killed in World War I, after World War I had already ended? Now thats an incredibly unlucky oxymoron to find yourself in the middle of. Yet, it was the fate of one Canadian soldier named George Lawrence Price. It was November 11, 1918. At the crack of dawn that morning, word was sent out that the war was over, though, in some sort of weird managerial twist, not officially until 11 a.m. By business hours, the news had made its way to most everyone who needed to know. In the situation, any plan of action outside of stay exactly where the fuck you are was inadvisable, but inexplicably, George Price and a few other soldiers were still on the advance. Theres conflicting accounts of exactly why, but the end result is inarguable: George Lawrence Price was shot dead by a sniper at 10:58 a.m., exactly two minutes before the war was officially over. Advertisement

3 Aitabdel Salem Pixabay Advertisement The legal system is not kind to the layman. A Gordian knot of knowledge spread across a metric ton of densely typed books, its not anywhere close to intuitive. Thats why youve got to fork out the big bucks to a lawyer in return for them sacrificing a couple years of their life to the library. The idea is that theyll do their very best to get you through unscathed, no matter how murky things get. Aitabdel Salem is a man who almost surely wants a refund. Salem had spent five months in prison at Rikers Island, not exactly a TripAdvisor recommendation, when he learned some information that would have been highly useful: He could have left at any time by paying $2 in bail. Advertisement Salem was sent there on his arrest for three charges: assaulting an officer who arrested him for shoplifting, and an unrelated charge each of tampering and mischief. The bail for each offense was set as follows: $25,000, $1 and $1. Twenty-five grand was out of his reach, so to jail he went. What his lawyer and every failsafe beyond forgot to inform him, though, was that they failed to indict him on the first charge, meaning he was only in jail awaiting trial for tampering and mischief. If you think it sucks seeing an item go on sale the day after you buy it, try having a day where you learn you just spent almost half a year in jail for less than the cost of a fancy yogurt.

2 Denise Rossi Pixabay This wasn't the bad part. Advertisement Unlike the other people on this list, Denise Rossis worst day ever wasnt entirely faultless. A rash decision earlier came back to haunt her in dramatic fashion with a legal ruling that would empty her bank account and then some. Even worse, it was a direct result of one of the best days you can imagine: winning the lottery. She hit the jackpot in December 1996, while she had another big life change in the works  divorce from her husband Thomas Rossi. Advertisement Now, its understandable that given that they were in the final fumes of their marriage, she wasnt eager to split these winnings with her ex-husband-to-be. So, she decided to hide the winnings until the divorce was final. Concealing something like that, with a clear, government-owned paper trail, is not a recipe for success. Via a bit of incorrectly addressed mail two years later, her ex found out, took her to court and the judge did not approve of her chicanery. Instead of ending up with the worst-case scenario of half, she ended up being ordered to pay the entire sum (some of which had surely been spent) back to her ex-husband. Advertisement
At the dawn of The Simpsons 35th season, the writing staff of Fox longest running comedy series are asking pointed, poignant political questions about the role The Simpsons plays in todays society. Questions such as, What would happen if Defund the Police Twitter wrote a Simpsons storyline?

As is typical of The Simpsons in recent seasons, the premiere, titled Homers Crossing, eschews the intro sequence and couch gag and instead opens Season 35 with a LSD-induced hallucination experienced by burnout bus driver Otto shortly before he speeds off out of town in Springfield Elementarys only school bus. At an emergency meeting with the towns perturbed parents, Principal Skinner suggests that the students walk to school until the bussing situation is sorted out and asks for a parent to assume early-morning crossing guard duties, to which Homer enthusiastically (and accidentally) volunteers  he was actually just cheering at an announcement for a rebooted Revenge of the Nerds movie starring John Cena as Booger.

Already upset at his added responsibilities, a near-meltdown at the nuclear power plant reveals that, after one of Homers many on-the-job mishaps, Mr. Burns replaced Homers safety console with a decoy, giving Lenny the helm of the Real Safety Console, as it is hilariously labeled next to Homers workstation. Feeling powerless and unimportant, Homer begins his shift as crossing guard, getting bullied by the kids hes supposed to protect as he hits his lowest point in the episode. With Homer distracted by his tormentors, Ralph Wiggum begins to cross the street unattended as the distracted driver Barney barrels toward the crosswalk  but Homer leaps into action at the last second and saves Ralph from becoming low-IQ roadkill.

Homers heroism motivates Mayor Quimby to massively increase the budget for the crossing guards, which consequently inflates Homers ego as the newfound fame and funding begins its inevitable corruption of his crossing guard integrity. Homer recruits the towns other underdogs to join the crossing guard ranks and share in the groups growing power, but when Homer ignores a prescient warning from Principal Skinner, catastrophe strikes as the schools simultaneous science fair, bake sale and picture day creates a Drop-off-alypse and leads to an obligatory gratuitous explosion.

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Homer evades responsibility for the calamity at a highly publicized hearing and calls for even more funding for the crossing guards, which the city approves as Sideshow Mel remarks, Throwing money at a deeply flawed institution is bound to work! The crossing guards grow hyperbolically militarized as they eat up the majority of the Springfield city governments budget, earning enemies of Mayor Quimby and Chief Wiggum while becoming borderline fascistic in the process. Homers runaway military and political power leads him to a standoff with the Springfield Police Department, I.C.E., TSA, Parking Enforcement and Overzealous Neighborhood Watch guys in right-to-carry states before Otto returns in the school bus to splatter Homer across the pavement.

At Homers hospital bed, Lisa ends the episode with an encapsulating statement, telling her father, Once you militarized the crossing guards, they became an army in search of an enemy. And if the only tool you have is a hammer, then everything starts to look like a nail.

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Canonically, Homers Crossing establishes that, after 34 years of incompetence, Homer has finally been entirely relinquished of Safety Inspector duties and is now simply collecting a paycheck to sit on his ass while he tries not to touch anything important. We also learned that each Wednesday marks Homer and Marges scheduled sex night in a first-act scene that further established Homers literal and metaphorical impotence, prompting the iconic euphemism from Marge, Sweetie, it seems like your lightsaber doesnt want to go shwoom. Did you Han Solo earlier tonight?

However, Homers Crossing continues the tendency of contemporary Simpsons episodes to proudly emphasize topicality and political messaging, oftentimes at the expense of effective storytelling. Theres no grounding B-story to provide an important emotional counterbalance to the main plots explicit social commentary, and the impact of Homers rise to power on his family is, unfortunately, only lightly explored while the microcosmic politics of Springfield take center stage. The Simpsons take on the important and oftentimes acrimonious debate regarding unchecked police power in cities across America is a predictable one that adds little to the complicated conversation, and the jokes aimed at audience members who are already tweeting about the issue mostly fall flat  such as how the final confrontation between Homer and Quimby is sparked by the mayors suggestion that they reduce the crossing guards budget by a measly 1.1 percent.

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Despite the generally heavy-handed messaging, there were many laugh-out-loud lines scattered throughout the episode that gave Homers Crossing a necessary sense of fun. My favorite joke comes when Homer addresses a fresh batch of crossing guard recruits (including Kirk Van Houten, Disco Stu, the Sea Captain, Cletus and Hans Moleman) with a drill sergeant-like intensity. As the soldiers stand at attention, Homer barks at them, Look to your left. Now look to your right. Thats how you know a car is coming. That concludes your training.

In addition, the singular storyline felt authentically old-school in its setup  at its heart, Homers Crossing tells the story of a downtrodden Homer regaining his self-confidence with an act of selflessness, only for his repaired ego to balloon to the point where it eclipses his good deed as his tendency to become comically carried away threatens to end in calamity. That could easily be a Golden Age Simpsons plot if some subtlety was added to the overwrought political overtones.

Overall, Homers Crossing is an uneven but entertaining opening to Season 35. Though few audience members will walk away from the premiere with a new perspective on the weighty themes addressed in the episode, Homers Crossing is a worthy watch for anyone interested in seeing how the Simpsons writers managed to write 20 minutes-worth of solid street-crossing jokes without including a single chicken.

Out of 751 total Simpsons episodes, Im semi-arbitrarily ranking this one as the 325th best.
Something horror movies never address is what happens afterward, specifically in the courtroom. After all, a whole bunch of people are about to be found dead, raising a whole bunch of legal questions. Like, can supernatural creatures be charged with murder? What if the murderer was possessed at the time? What if the victim presented as a threatening entity via a trickster demon? Some of these arguments have actually been made by the worlds ballsiest lawyers.

4 Arne Cheyenne Johnson Said the Devil Made Him Do It If youve tolerated the Conjuring Universe long enough to get to the third one, you know about Arne Cheyenne Johnson, but for everyone wed trust on a jury, the movie is about the possession of Johnsons girlfriends little brother and subsequently of himself. (Theres also witches and stuff, but thats obviously Hollywood flavor.) Specifically, it depicts Johnsons stabbing of his landlord, Alan Bono, in 1981. Even more specifically, it depicts Johnson as possessed by a demon when he stabbed Bono. Its not even an implication  we see the demon pass from the boy to Johnson by way of cloudy contact lenses. All the Conjuringverse movies are based on alleged true stories from Ed and Lorraine Warrens ghostbusting days, so the stabbing really occurred, but the part where they encourage him to claim in court that he was possessed at the time? That cant be real, right? Based on the title of this article, you know it can. In what became known as the Devil Made Me Do It Case, providing a handy title for the movie, Johnsons lawyer entered a plea of not guilty by reason of demonic possession, which was struck down immediately by the judge because thats not a thing. It turns out the Warrens arent legal scholars but are enormous frauds. Johnson still only got five years in prison, though, so maybe give it a shot.

3 Roland Kashney Claimed Devil Cops Made Him Do It Before not guilty by reason of demonic possession, however, there was coercion by the demonic possession of others. After Roland Kashney signed a written confession to armed robbery and murder, he initially claimed the officers interrogating him had beaten the confession out of him. Weve all seen Making a Murderer, so we know this happens, but the courts seriously doubted it happened to Kashney, mostly because hed been asked previously if the cops had beaten him. Also, he immediately switched tacks under the slightest heat, and the tack he switched to was demons. Advertisement Kashney had been declared unfit to stand trial for a time, but once he got on the stand, he proved that he probably still wasnt by testifying that hed only signed the confession out of fear of the demons possessing the interrogating officers. The defense called expert witnesses in demonology to support this statement, though their testimony basically consisted of Yep, people believe in demons. Again, this wasnt an insanity plea, under which this tactic might work. Kashney and his lawyers were saying he didnt do it and just needed to explain why he said he did. The jury was unconvinced, and Kashney got 30 to 60 years. Should have called in Eddie and Lo-Lo. Advertisement

2 Francis Smith Claimed He Thought He Shot a Ghost In 1803, people of the village of Hammersmith in England started reporting sightings of a pale figure who appeared every night at 1 a.m. to antagonize people. That could describe most English college students, but this was 1803, so people immediately leaped to ghost. Some did suspect the Hammersmith ghost was just some troublemaker (which turned out to be true), and local men began patrolling the streets in search of them, which is how Francis Smith found himself face-to-face with a man dressed all in white on January 3, 1804. Advertisement When the man failed to respond to Smiths commands and kept walking toward him, Smith panicked and shot at the man, because even though he had become convinced that, holy shit, this was actually a ghost, he was also somehow convinced that bullets could stop said ghosts. Unfortunately, the man turned out to be a local bricklayer, Thomas Milwood, in his standard white uniform. Milwood had been warned before to cover up his clothes at night because mistaken for a ghost was a real danger in 19th-century London. Nevertheless, the judge didnt quite buy the claim, telling the jury that however disgusted (they) might feel in their own minds with the abominable person guilty of the misdemeanor of terrifying the neighborhood, still the prisoner had no right to construe such misdemeanor into a capital offense, but also, he was an idiot to conclude that a man dressed in white was a ghost. They still tried to go easy on him, convicting him of manslaughter, until the judge informed them that they actually cant invent their own charges, at which point they had no choice but to convict him of murder. Even then, Smith enjoyed so much royal support that he received a royal pardon in less than a month. Just something for the Innocence Project to keep in mind. Advertisement Advertisement
Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of opening night for the iconic Jack Black comedy School of Rock, and the now-grown actors who starred as the precocious private school rockers are opening up about the fact that, yes, making the defining movie of middle-school musicians was exactly as cool as it looked.

Last week, Rolling Stone published their retrospective on the Richard Linklater-directed cult classic titled, One Great Rock Movie Can Change the World: An Oral History of School of Rock, which featured excerpts and interviews from the entire surviving cast as well as numerous behind-the-scenes professionals who helped to make School of Rock such an enduring and endearing hit. Black, of course, spoke effusively about the entry from his impressive filmography that he calls the nearest and dearest to my heart, and the accounts from Blacks then-prepubescent co-stars explored how strange, exciting and entirely unique the experience of turning from a normal kid with a knack for music into a bona-fide rock star truly was, on-screen and off.

As for the entirely singular experience of working with Black as an 11- or 12-year-old with little to no professional acting experience, Horace Green alumni were universal in their praise of their imposter substitute teacher. He was just very, very fun, said Rivkah Reyes, who played the bands bass player Katie. And really, he does have a young spirit. He was a big kid, but not in a man-child way, more just a kindred energy.

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Already a cult icon, Linklater insisted on doing things his own way when he reluctantly accepted the directing gig on School of Rock. Chief among Linklaters demands was that the casting process would prioritize children who were musicians rather than established child stars. You do a Hollywood movie and the studio goes, Oh, we have this cute kid in this Disney show, the films cinematographer Rogier Stoffers recalled, And then Ricks like, Well, can she play the guitar? As a result, most of the children chosen to appear in the film were ordinary music-loving middle schoolers from cities and towns other than New York or Los Angeles who were excited to have their first (and, in some cases, only) experience in showbusiness.

My dad was a musician, and I was in the baby gate trying to listen in on rehearsal. I wanted to play as soon as I could. I had to let my hands grow before I could actually physically play guitar, but if I could have started earlier, I would have, explained Joey Gaydos Jr., who played the bands angsty and prominently featured guitarist Zack. The emotional arc of Gaydos Jr.s character was one of the foundational storylines of the film, and the amateur musician from Dearborn, Michigans complete lack of acting experience was his biggest hurdle. When I had to act so bummed out in the movie a lot  that was the greatest extent of my acting, Gaydos Jr. explained. Inside, I was having the best time.

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Maintaining a positive atmosphere for the underaged actors was a priority for the adults in the cast and crew, none more so than Black himself. Jordan-Claire Green, who played one of the so-called groupies Michelle, recalled the only mortifying moment when Black was inappropriately PG-13 (besides the time he called underaged girls groupies), saying The only time I ever saw Black get nervous was one night we were on set, and he said a cuss word. I think it was shit. He apologized to our parents. My mom was like, You dont think shes ever heard me say shit?

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Angelo Massagli, who played Frankie from the bands security detail, admired Blacks ability to manage the responsibilities of both substitute teacher and the lead in a movie with a horde of child-actors to entertain, saying, Now Im 30, thinking what its like to be with 20 kids all day.

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The many stories told in the Rolling Stone piece paint the picture of an entirely unique grand adventure that a pack of pre-teen musicians got to enjoy for a few short months in the early aughts that still maintained a childlike sense of fun. Each cast member emphasized a different sleepover seance, five-star meal or fireworks show that sounds straight out of an escapist Disney original movie  but the biggest takeaway was how much the remaining cast members still value the relationships they formed on set. The cast continues to connect in a group chat titled Schnayblay, and they regularly perform songs from School of Rock at reunion shows  though they are absent one key member.

Kevin Clark, who played the anarchic drummer Freddy, passed away in May 2021 when he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle. Reyes recalled Clarks lasting legacy and a key contribution he made that changed the course of rock movie history, saying, Fun fact that not many people know, but Kevin (came up) with the ending. He was like, What if we got an encore after No Vacancy won? The man won, but were going to win by getting an encore. She marveled at how much confidence it must take for a child actor to give his writer and director notes, saying, What chutzpah that takes, to come up to Mike White and Rick Linklater and be like, I think the ending is a little weird and we need to change it.

Linklater said simply, The perfect ending came from our late, beautiful drummer, Kevin.
There is a lot for sale on the dark web

Maybe not everything, but just about everything is available in the way of illicit and illegal goods including drugs, firearms, and poisons as well as exploits, vulnerabilities, access, tools, techniques and stolen data are commodities sold on the dark web.

Data is the most common commodity sold on the dark web, according to Nirmit Biswas, senior research analyst at Market Research Future. "Account credentials, credit card information, addresses and social security numbers have all been hacked. Someone might not even realize theyve been hacked, yet their company and employee information could be sold," Biswas says.

According to the Privacy Affairs Dark Web Price Index, attackers can make a lot of money from stolen personal information on anything from credit cards to Netflix accounts. Currently, the going rate for stolen credit card information with a balance of up to $1,000 is only $70, while cards with a balance of up to $5,000 cost $110. "The index shows how cheap it is to get data on the dark web," says Biswas.

Specific niches are in

What was once a small, unknown area of the internet has grown into a formidable power, according to Biswas, and attackers are innovating to stay ahead of defenders in the cat-and-mouse game.

It's become more diversified and more comprehensive, and one area that is seeing growing interest is ransomware attacks that are spurring criminal activity on the dark web.

Cybercriminal syndicates will publish the stolen data if a ransom isn't paid. They will also make it easier for other criminals to search that data for staff and customer emails. This is intended to increase the reputational harm to an organization, thereby increasing the possibility they will pay the ransom.

"And because ransomware material is so popular, hackers are taking photographs from ransomware collections and botnet log files and publishing them in the hopes of increasing their reputation and renown," Biswas says. Many marketplace sellers also provide zero-day exploits that have yet to be found or publicized. "In other cases, when companies reveal software vulnerabilities, the operational exploits become accessible on darknet forums and markets," he says.

Another area on the up is marketing lead databases, which have been available on the dark web for some time, but the aggregate amount has increased dramatically in recent years, according to Biswas. Although the data may be publicly available on social media or in business directories, it's scraped and reposted. And it may not even be 100% accurate. "But it still exposes a vast number of individuals to phishing scams, corporate fraud, and social engineering," he says.

Data breach standardization is becoming the norm, explains Sarah Boutboul, intelligence analyst at Blackbird AI, helping bad actors engage in more targeted searches for the particular information they're seeking on the dark web. It means that data breach activity has become more organized in hacking forums, chat apps, and paste sites. "Threat actors increasingly request and share data that fit specific categories, leading to a more structured landscape for illicit data trading," Boutboul says.

And you can use the dark web to buy more dark web

Not surprisingly, the dark web also sells the technical tools and information to set up another dark web. "There are many dark webs already," says Douglas Lubhan, VP of threat intelligence at BlackFog. "Basically, any network that is shielded from internet search engines and restricts access to it is a dark web. You could layer upon layer if you choose to," he says.

Dark web usage is going up

The number of users across relays has increased in 2023, and the number of relays themselves has increased, according to Tor metrics, suggesting dark web usage is on the rise.

There are a few well-known forums offering vulnerability and exploit auctioning, bartering or selling, according to WatchGuard's Estes, which include the Russian Anonymous Marketplace (RAMP), exploit[.]in and xss[.]is.

Estes says these forums are also vectors for recruitment efforts by ransomware groups and offer hacking tips for sale. "In some cases, users will sell access information to organizations in what are called IABs (initial access brokers). The dark web is a hodgepodge of cybercriminal commerce," he says.

And there are new domains coming online all the time. "We observe a handful of new ransomware double extortion pages a month; in some cases, these are rebrands of previously known ransomware groups. So, as some websites go down, others arise (rebrand). The volume of dark web domains has remained stagnant, even though the overall traffic has increased recently," Estes says.

Many are perfectly innocent

Estes agrees that there are legitimate purposes for using anonymizing tools like Tor. In some cases, some organizations create both a clear web and a dark web domain. "The most obvious reason for this is to allow users who don't use Tor to access their website," says Estes, citing FBI and X (formerly Twitter) as two examples.

In terms of malicious sites, there have been cases where a ransomware group creates a typo-squatted domain or dark web domain that mirrors a victims website. "They then provide instructions or more blackmail attempts to further coerce victims into paying. ALPHV/BlackCat and Lorenz are examples of these," Estes says.

Some of the legitimate uses of anonymizing technology like Tor, include when journalists, activists and others need to host content anonymously and protect their communications from governments or oppressive regimes. Owenson acknowledges Tor has legitimate uses for privacy and circumventing censorship; however, his research suggests the vast majority of activity is criminal in nature.

Owenson believes the problem is that those who run the Tor network, despite hosting illicit activities, do not actively police sites due to its ideological commitment to anonymity. "They've expressed that they have no interest in censoring any part of the dark web."

It's still mimicking the corporate world

The dark web is increasingly becoming corporate in various areas, such as hacking, recruitment and technology services. Cybercriminals will create look-a-like mobile applications, websites and social media profiles of executives and companies that appear exactly like the real thing.

"It could be a banking app that looks like your bank but isn't. If you download it or visit a site and submit your username and password, you will be impacted. If it's a fake social media profile, cybercriminals may share manipulated information that impacts the company brand and stock price," says Blackbird AI's Boutboul.

In addition, dark web forums are adopting enterprise-style stricter access controls due to heightened law enforcement actions. "Admins scrutinize newcomers more carefully, demanding references and verification tokens. Some platforms require significant cryptocurrency payments upfront," Boutboul says. "Cybercriminals are responding to increased law enforcement activities by enhancing their own security measures."

How can organizations combat the threats the dark web poses?

There are a range of tools and services that scan the dark web looking for organizational threats and vulnerabilities but it's a constantly moving target. "Dark web surveillance is a constantly changing field that requires continual updates and tweaks to stay successful," Biswas says.

An effective dark web monitoring system should provide broad visibility into the dark web without having to enter it. "This keeps admin users from placing themselves in danger or being exposed to provocative content. Keywords relevant to your organization should be highlighted by the solutions. You may then watch the threat as it evolves in order to respond accordingly," he says.

"There is no one dark web monitoring solution for all use cases; some are entirely automated, others require a team of specialists to manage, and some rely on machine learning and artificial intelligence to give accurate and relevant information," Biswas says.
The website of the British royal family was knocked offline by a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack yesterday morning. Russian hacker group KillNet claimed responsibility for the attack, posting about it on their Telegram channel. The site was reportedly down for around 90 minutes, although no access to the website, its systems, or its content was gained, according to The Telegraph.

Pro-Russian group KillNet known for DDoS campaigns against countries supporting Ukraine

KillNet is a pro-Russian hacktivist group that has been active since at least January 2022. It is known for DDoS campaigns against countries supporting Ukraine in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war. The attack on the royal website came just days after King Charles condemned the invasion of Ukraine. The group claimed that the takedown was an "attack on paedophiles," posting a picture of King Charles with the words "they killed our website" alongside it.

In November last year, the European Parliament website was also hit by a cyberattack claimed by KillNet shortly after lawmakers approved a resolution calling Moscow a "state sponsor" of terrorism.

UK NCSC warns of new class of Russian cyber adversary

Earlier this year, the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issued an alert warning of an emerging threat from state-aligned groups, particularly those sympathetic to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The alert stated that newly emerged groups could launch "destructive and disruptive attacks" with less predictable consequences than those of traditional cybercriminals. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden warned businesses that Russia-linked cyberattack groups want to "destroy" the UK.

"Although these groups can align to Russia's perceived interests, they are often not subject to formal state control, and so their actions are less constrained and their targeting broader than traditional cybercrime actors. This makes them less predictable," the NCSC said.
Gold (XAU/USD) Analysis, Price, and Chart

US Treasury yields remain near recent multi-year peaks.

Gold is closing in on the late-February low at $1,805/oz.

Download our brand new Q4 Gold Forecast

Recommended by Nick Cawley Get Your Free Gold Forecast Get My Guide

US Treasury yields remain within touching distance of multi-year highs head of a speech later in the session by Fed Chair Jerome Powell. While financial markets are attributing a near 75% probability that the US central bank will leave rates unchanged at the November 1st meeting, further out that probability drops to mid-50%.

CME FedWatch Probabilities Tool

Elevated US bond yields are weighing heavily on gold and silver and with yields expected to stay elevated in the near future, the going looks tough for gold. While these bond yields are high, it may be that they are close to their short-term peaks if rates are not going to move higher. A week packed full of US jobs data, and the previously mentioned speech by Chair Powell will decide the near-term direction for US government debt.

US Treasury 2yr Yield Daily Chart

US Treasury 10yr Yield Daily Chart

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DailyFX Economic Calendar

Gold continues to print bearish candles with the precious metal losing nearly 6% of its value since September 20th. The break and open below the cluster of all three simple moving averages at the start of last week accelerated the sell-off, while prior support between $1,893/oz. and $1,885/oz. failed to stem the move lower. A prior swing low at $1,805/oz. is now the next level of support before the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level at $1,794/oz. comes into play. The CCI indicator is in oversold territory due to the recent sell-off and this may slow further losses until the reading normalizes.

Gold Daily Price Chart  October 2, 2023

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Gold Bullish Data provided by of clients are net long. of clients are net short.

Change in Longs Shorts OI Daily -3% 4% 0% Weekly -3% 5% 0%

What is your view on Gold and Silver  bullish or bearish?? You can let us know via the form at the end of this piece or you can contact the author via Twitter @nickcawley1.
Last week, the nation was appalled by the murder of 15-year-old Elianne Andam, as she made her way to school in Croydon, South London. It was senseless, cruel and shocking.

Elianne, with a bright future in front of her, was the 16th teenager to be stabbed to death in London this year. It was reported that she had stepped in to defend a friend.

The police lost no time in arresting a suspect. Two days after her death, a 17-year-old boy was charged with her murder in a youth court sitting in Croydon. He remains in custody, and is due to appear at a further hearing in a Crown Court today.

Who was this youth? (I don't like describing a 17-year-old as a 'boy'.) The answer is that we don't know. Or rather, newspapers do know his name but are legally prevented from publishing it because he is below the age of majority, which is 18 in England and Wales.

I'll come later to the vexed question of whether it is right to confer anonymity on a 17-year-old in a country where Sir Keir Starmer plans to allow 16-year-olds to vote in General Elections. They already enjoy such a right north of the border in Scottish parliamentary elections.

Elianne Andam, a pupil at the Old Palace of John Whitgift school, was attacked while she made her way to school

She was the 16th teenager to be stabbed to death in London this year. It was reported that she had stepped in to defend a friend

My first concern is about the yawning disparity in the standards governing the behaviour of newspapers and broadcasters on the one hand, and of social media on the other.

By and large, newspapers behave responsibly and are normally very reluctant to break the law  unless they believe that it is clearly in the public interest to do so. No such inhibitions intrude on social media.

The identity of Elianne Andam's alleged killer is easily available on the internet. I can't name the well-known social media platform where it can be found for fear of being accused of somehow flouting legal restrictions. Take it from me that his name is out there.

Yet it is a fair bet that the same authorities that keep a watchful eye on newspapers, and are liable to pounce if any of them stray from the straight and narrow, won't lift a finger to try to rein in those wild and anarchic forces doing whatever they please on the internet.

Isn't this inconsistency in standards grotesque? Social media companies have long maintained that they aren't publishers in the sense that newspapers are, and therefore can't be held responsible for obscene, damaging or unlawful material appearing on their platforms.

In practice, they have  following pressure from Parliament, the media and public opinion  gone some way to cleaning up their act. For example, I don't think it would be easy, as it was until quite recently, to use a search engine such as Google to obtain information about how to make a bomb.

Even though they don't see themselves as publishers, social media companies are making some effort to suppress material that could be of use to terrorists or paedophiles, though critics will rightly say that they could go much further.

Police officers arrive to lay flowers at the spot where Elianne died in Croydon, South London

A large number of floral tributes have been left at the scene by police officers (pictured) and members of the public

Surely if the established media observe the letter of the law even when they may disagree with it, social media companies should accept the same obligation. The revelation of the name of the alleged 17-year-old killer is proof that they don't.

There's a further point. What if social media were to name the wrong person? Granted, newspapers sometimes make mistakes but, believe it or not, they go to enormous lengths to get their facts right.

READ MORE: Teachers want to wear stab vests and bodycams to protect themselves from violent pupils as 40% of staff say they have witnessed physical assaults in schools Advertisement

A new Netflix series called Accused deals with just this issue of misinformation spewed out by social media. A young man is wrongly identified on the internet as a terrorist, suspected of detonating a bomb on a London Tube, and subjected to a witch-hunt of online threats that lead to an invasion of his home.

The truth is that politicians haven't begun to get their heads around the enormous imbalance that exists between established newspapers and social media. The former are generally responsible and highly regulated. The latter are irresponsible and wholly unregulated. It isn't remotely an even playing field.

There is a wider question here that we should also address. It is whether the law to preserve the anonymity of anyone under the age of 18 accused of serious crimes  which, as I have stressed, is punctiliously observed by the established media  is appropriate.

Granting anonymity to children in court cases dates back to 1933, and most of us can probably see the point of it since children are obviously more vulnerable than adults and, when below the age of ten, cannot be considered criminally responsible in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Most people probably also believe that those over 18 should be identified in court cases, partly because it is right that people deemed adults should be fully answerable for crimes they have allegedly committed, and partly in the interests of open justice.

But what if the accused is 16 or, as in this case, 17? As I've said, Sir Keir Starmer believes that a 16-year-old should have the right to vote, and such a right already exists in Scotland. If young people are considered grown-up enough to vote, they are surely grown-up enough to be identified in court.

Forensic officers walk past the scene, which features several privacy screens

The victim was a pupil at Old Palace of John Whitgift School in Croydon

Scotland provides an even more extreme case since it is possible to get married there at the age of 16, as well as vote. Indeed, the age of majority north of the border is 16.

Yet the law in Scotland nonetheless prohibits 'the publication of the name, address, school or any particulars calculated to lead to the identification of any person under the age of 18 who is an accused, victim or witness in criminal proceedings'.

Legislators throughout the UK seem unable to make up their minds whether a 16 or 17-year-old person should be treated as a child or a grown-up. One moment it's one thing, the next another.

It's just possible that at the Crown Court hearing today the judge will lift the anonymity of the youth accused of murdering Elianne Andam. If the case comes to trial after he reaches 18, as seems likely, it's probable that he will be named then. But why not now?

It would be in the interests of common sense and open justice if the age at which anonymity is assured were reduced from 18 to 16. Unfortunately, things seem to be moving in the opposite direction.

Last year the Supreme Court ruled that criminal suspects have a right to privacy and must not be named by the Press before they are charged. This restricts the ability of media organisations to report on police investigations and arrests. When the media were able to publish a name, the public might supply the police with further information.

Only two weeks ago, in what would constitute another setback to open justice, the Law Commission suggested that most journalists and the public might be barred from attending parts of rape and sex assault trials.

Needless to say, such restrictions won't trouble the titans of social media. They don't care whether the age of anonymity is raised to 100 or reduced to zero. Whatever rules are imposed on the established media will have no currency in the Wild West of the internet.
Stephen Graham's Boiling Point has been labelled 'too stressful' by BBC viewers who have joked that the first episode 'was bringing on palpitations' - and some have even refused to watch the 'exhausting' chef drama.

The four-part series is the sequel to the award-winning 2021 independent film of the same name which saw Stephen's character, chef Andy Jones, endure the night from hell.

Returning to our screens last night, Boiling Point invited viewers once more behind the swing doors of a high-class eatery for a serving of nerve-jangling tension as it reunited the movies main cast members and introduced a few new ones.

The Line Of Duty's Stephen returned as Andy who, having had a heart attack and lost his restaurant, sat at home swigging beer and brooding, while The A-Words Vinette Robinson reprised her role as Carly.

Carly, Andys former number two, is now head chef of her own London restaurant, Point North, which is where the tension-filled kitchen action took place, with viewers branding the drama 'stressful'.

Stephen Graham's (pictured left) Boiling Point has been labelled 'too stressful' by BBC viewers. Pictured right, The A-Words Vinette Robinson reprises her role as Carly

One person said on X (formerly Twitter): 'I'm having to lie down. That first episode was bringing on palpitations. High stress, brilliant show.'

Another wrote: 'Wanting to watch Boiling Point but know it will cause stress, trailer was intense - wow!'

A third added: 'Too manic for a Sunday night, may watch another time but trying to relax after long day at work (in hospitality) then that's making you stressed just watching it. Back to the nature programmes for now.'

A fourth said: 'BBC Boiling Point is most definitely not light Sunday viewing. I feel stressed just watching - maybe the news will be more relaxing!'

A firth wrote: 'This so far has been 43 minutes of too much stress,' while another viewer added: 'Getting stressed out just watching the kitchen staff in Boiling Point.'

The series begins eight months after the movies ending, with the pressure of running a kitchen now falling to Carly.

In the first episode, similar to the film, it feels like everything goes wrong very quickly as the chefs prepare to serve dish after dish to a packed house which is filled with investors who've come to look at the business.

Carly is forced to leave the restaurant to check on her mother (Cathy Tyson), sous chef Freeman (Ray Panthaki) buckles under the pressure after being left in charge and junior chef Johnny nearly causes a fire.

Carly, Andys former number two, is now head chef of her own London restaurant, Point North, which is where the tension-filled kitchen action took place, with viewers branding the drama 'stressful'

The series begins eight months after the movies ending, with the pressure of running a kitchen now falling to Carly. Pictured, one of the tense scenes

In the first episode, similar to the film, it feels like everything goes wrong very quickly as the chefs prepare to serve dish after dish to a packed house which is filled with investors who've come to look at the business. Pictured, staff appeared shocked in one of the dramatic scenes

In an interview with The Mail's Weekend Magazine, Stephen, 50, says he was inspired by classic TV dramas about the working classes when he came up with the rich melting pot of characters.

The acclaimed star of Peaky Blinders co-created the Boiling Point movie and was nominated for a BAFTA for his role.

He and his wife Hannah Walters, who plays pastry chef Emily, were executive producers on both the film and the TV series.

The microcosm we created was developed from the great drama I grew up with as a kid, the likes of Boys From The Blackstuff and Clocking Off, he said. Its that social realism storytelling that I love.

Stephen relinquishes centre stage in the series, as Andys tale becomes more peripheral. I wanted to create an opportunity for other characters to step into the spotlight, he explained.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have delighted royal fans with a full round-up of their engagements for the month of September.

Taking to their Kensington Royal Twitter account, Their Highnesses posted a thread of photos documenting their happenings throughout the month, including both solo and joint engagements.

The first tweet in the thread reads: 'Welcome to the September Rewind with The Prince and Princess of Wales.'

The monthly round-up is a new feature for the royal couple and comes after they ramped up their presence on social media earlier this year with glossy videos documenting bog royal occasions, including King Charles's Coronation.

It also comes amid reports Kate and William, both 41, are looking to hire a CEO to run their household of around 60 staff.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have used their Kensington Royal Twitter account to update fans on their movements over the last month

Last month the Daily Mail's diary editor Richard Eden reported the new boss will report directly to them and won't answer to the private secretaries who have long held power behind the scenes at the palaces.

It was described as a 'revolutionary move' by a source who added: 'They are overthrowing the traditional, hierarchical structure in which staff answer to private secretaries. It has really set the cat among the pigeons. Will the King and Queen have to follow their lead?'

Kensington Palace has already hired a high-powered recruitment firm, Odgers Berndtson, to find the best candidate. It has placed an advertisement online which stresses the unprecedented nature of the position.

The round-up included both their solo and joint engagements from September, including a memorial service on the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death

'This is a unique opportunity,' it says. 'The CEO is the most senior and accountable leader for the Household, reporting directly to TRHs The Prince and Princess of Wales. They will be responsible for the development and implementation of TRH's long-term strategy and continuing to strengthen a professional and collaborative Household culture.'

In an apparent admission that there are some strong-willed, difficult characters are the palace, the job description states that the successful candidate must be 'emotionally intelligent, with 'low ego', and strong self-awareness and understanding of their impact on others'.

Anyone wanting the job must be 'able to operate as a 'servant' leader, empowering the senior team', it says.

The CEO will deal directly with King Charles and Queen Camilla's household, 'serving as the strategic interface to Buckingham Palace, to align The Royal Highnesses' priorities with those in support of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen'.

No salary is given, but it is understood that the CEO will be paid more than the couple's private secretaries.

Earlier this year, the Prince and Princess of Wales began to shake up their social media presence by posting professionally edited reels of big royal occasions, including the King's Coronation and the events leading up to it.

Speaking at the time, the Daily Mail's Royal Editor Rebecca English told Palace Confidential that the couple's 'social media blitz' would win over young people.

She noted that, while overall support for the royal family was high among the British public, there was a 'generational difference' in levels of support.

Other photos included in the September round-up are from the Prince and Princess of Wales's trips to France for the Rugby World Cup

Princess Kate's solo trip to see the England rugby team at the World Cup in France featured in the round up

One of Prince William's overseas engagements, his recent Earthshot trip to New York City, was also included

Speaking to Jo Elvin, she said: 'Support [for the royal family] is really rock solid amongst the older generation, but not so much amongst the younger generation.

'So the Waleses have been looking at this for a while and they've really ramped it up since Easter. 'How do we tell our story to these people? How do we engage them?''

She added that, as well as showing people what their lives are like as people, the videos also gave the Waleses a chance to share the work they are carrying out on issues such as homelessness.

However, she added the 'jury is still out' on whether or not the Waleses are going about this in the right way.

'These social media clips are almost too well put together, there's a lot of jazzy music that goes with it,' she said.

Jo Elvin added: 'Arguably [the videos] could be a little bit alienating for the younger generations, couldn't they? So much wealth, so much gloss.'

English said a source in the royal household had told her the Waleses had got the 'right idea' but that there was still some discussion about the slick production of the videos.

Eden joked that there might be a 'competition' between the Waleses and the King and Queen, who are now advertising for their own videographer, presumably to produce similar content.

He said: 'It's quite amusing but that's what you've got to do if you want to reach different age groups.'

The pair made the point that the royals have not yet joined TikTok, amid scepticism from the British government over its security after government workers were banned from downloading the Chinese-founded app onto their work devices.

However he joked that if the royals did join TikTok, he was looking forward to seeing King Charles and Queen Camilla involved in a 'dance-off' against the Prince and Princess of Wales.

English laughed: 'If they don't do it, AI will do it for them.'

She also revealed that the Waleses have had talks with TikTok, but it was more to gain an understanding of how the platform works.
The Dry Duck in Weymouth helps those battling loneliness and addiction

A landlord who does not sell a drop of alcohol has thanked local residents for their 'phenomenal' support.

Sam Watson manages a pub named the Dry Dock in Weymouth - but he does not sell any alcohol whatsoever.

Mr Watson came up with the idea for the booze-free pub when he realised as a recovering alcoholic there was nowhere to go in the evenings where alcohol was not being served.

As a result, the landlord created his own alcohol-free pub in a building which was formerly an opticians, and he has hailed the venture a 'success'.

Dry Dock is a community interest company, and was launched on August 5, to aid those battling mental health issues, loneliness and addiction.

Sam Watson (pictured) has hailed his pub, the Dry Dock in Weymouth, a success, even though he does not serve an ounce of alcohol

Mr Watson birthed the concept of the alcohol free pub after he realised, as a recovering alcoholic there was nowhere to go in the evenings that was alcohol free

The premises is kitted out with similar objects you would find in a usual local, including a dartboard, a pool table and even a jukebox.

Mr Watson told the BBC: 'The welcome we have had in our community has been absolutely phenomenal, the amount of people coming through the door and the positive feedback we've had has been amazing.'

He divulged that the tavern has been very successful, and they have been able to open their doors to the public every day.

The landlord also expressed that the pub is 'for the community', and they will continue to run as long as they are able to cover their expenses and pay staff wages.

He is also looking ahead to the run up to Christmas, where they have planned a range of events and hopes this will contribute to the pub's ongoing success.

A customer of the Dry Dock named Denise stated: 'There is still that expectation that when you are sitting in a bar you should be drinking alcohol, when the reality is a lot of people can't drink or don't want to.'

She elaborated that is it nice to come to attend a venue and not feel pressured to drink alcohol.

The tavern has all the items you would find in your run of the mill pub including a jukebox and a dartboard

The alcohol free tavern also has a quiet space which is available for community groups to use.

People on X, formerly known as Twitter, have been left in awe of the new alcohol-free premises, with some hoping it would even go nationwide.

One wrote: 'Absolutely love this idea of an alcohol-free pub, Dry Dock, Weymouth, as I can't stand booze and it's effects on people's physical and mental health.'

Another added: 'We have the Dry Dock in Weymouth. Its a safe space. There needs to be a shift in attitude around non alcoholic drinks.'

One person wrote in response to a TikTok video about the premises: 'Love it. Finally a place someone in recovery like myself can enjoy socialising and associated pub games without temptation.'

The success of the Dry Dock comes shortly after a Dublin airport was trolled for its alcohol-free bar.

The Dry Dock is a community interest company, and was launched to aid those battling mental health issues, loneliness and addiction. It also has a quiet area for community groups to use

Many went to social media to express their awe regarding the concept of the alcohol free pub

Many poked fun the Irish bar that serves dry version of Carlsberg, Gordon's and Guinness.

People were left baffled as many were unclear about the bars purpose, with one user posting: 'I'll tell you what'll work in @DublinAirport, an alcohol free bar...'

One commentor even posted an image of a vending machine with soft drinks suggesting it was akin to an alcohol free bar.

Another user quipped: 'And yet, it's still as expensive as normal alcoholic beverages.'
Ben & Jerry's has dropped a new flavour of ice cream for its plant-based fans - and it can be enjoyed in several different ways.

The tasty new creation a non-dairy, vegan friendly caramel coffee ice cream with caramel biscuit pieces and a marshmallow swirl.

The non-dairy ice cream tub is topped off with a creamy whipped topping, caramel sauce, and chocolate chunks.

The new flavour, called Caramel Cafe. was created to mark World Coffee Day on October 1st and can be picked up for just 5.50 in stores.

And if you aren't already salivating, the 'Flavour Gurus' at Ben & Jerry's claim the new product makes the perfect affogato, a traditional Italian dessert which involves pouring hot espresso over ice cream.

Ben & Jerry's has released a new vegan flavour - which makes the perfect Affogato by pouring espresso over it

If you feel like treating yourself to an affogato then simply pour a rich, velvety espresso over a scoop of Caramel Cafe and indulge.

The recommended measurements say to scoop 120g of the ice cream, which is made from almond milk, into a cup and pour 2oz of hot espresso over the top.

It comes after the brand unveiled a new flavour ahead of Refugee Week in June called Sunny Honey Home.

The creation was made with lemon flavour ice cream, sweet honey caramel swirls, and lemon flavour cookies.

However, what's really special about the flavour is that the ice cream giant co-created it with eight entrepreneurs from refugee backgrounds  inspired by the flavours of Morocco, Afghanistan and Syria.

The team worked together with allies from The Entrepreneur Refugee Network (TERN) and proceeds from the new flavour will fund refugee led startup businesses.

The project also gave the participants mentoring and training to improve skills in product research and development, marketing and communication.

One of the participants, Laila, told Metro: 'I have such wonderful memories with lemon from back home in Paktia, Afghanistan so I knew exactly how the Sunny Honey Home flavour would make me feel when we came up with it.

The tasty new creation is a caramel coffee non-dairy ice cream with caramel biscuit pieces and a marshmallow swirl

Ben & Jerry's unveiled a new ice cream flavour in June ahead of Refugee Week, called Sunny Honey Home

'The first time I tried the final product was emotional for me. People say when you make food with love it turns out nicer than the recipe and I think that is what happened with Sunny Honey Home.'

Meanwhile social media users went wild over the release, with one commenting: 'This sounds amazing and I love that proceeds are going to help people that need it! Can't wait to try it!'

Another wrote: 'So excited for this! Looks absolutely delicious and for a great cause.'

A third added: 'I would love to try this.'

One commented: 'When can I have this and when can I buy it?!'

'That sounds refreshing,' another wrote.
The unnamed woman questioned if she was in the wrong for wanting a divorce

She said that her spouse, 41, began acting differently after his company took off

The mom-of-two, 40, has revealed her husband asked for an open marriage

A mother-of-two has questioned if she should leave her husband who decided he wanted an open marriage after his business became successful.

The anonymous 40-year-old woman, from the US, took to Reddit to lament about her relationship woes as she shared that her husband, 41, is now looking to 'explore his sexual options' because he has garnered financial success.

She noted that she and her beau had been married for over a decade, however, their relationship hit murky waters when her spouse's company took off.

In a thread titled 'Am I the a**hole,' she asked people on the web if she was in the wrong for wanting to divorce her husband after he said he wanted to sleep with other women while remaining married.

A mother-of-two has questioned if she should leave her husband who decided he wanted an open marriage after his business became successful

In the post, she explained that she and her husband met and tied the knot when he had little money, making her the breadwinner.

She explained: 'My husband of eight years spent his twenties and early thirties building his business. Part of the reason why he turned to being an entrepreneur was because he had a tough time holding down jobs, to the point having a business was the only way he could earn money.

'Either a supervisor was too dumb or controlling. Or because my husband didn't have the degree or experience required for the jobs he could tolerate. Or the hours at the jobs he had were horrible.

'I understand his struggles with all those reasons, and when we started dating 14 years ago, I was the primary breadwinner simply by nature of the fact that I had a steady source of employment.'

And when the couple began dating all that time ago, the unnamed man doted on his now-wife and praised her for loving him despite his financial struggles.

'My husband told me that I was only the second serious girlfriend he ever had. He did have a few hookups here and there before we met, but mostly with women much older than him that never went beyond one-night stands.

'When we started dating he was the one always actively trying to pursue me and telling me how lucky he was to have me. Saying I was worth the world because unlike other New Yorkers, I noticed the 'invisible people.'

'Flash forward nearly a decade and a half and now we are married with two daughters (eight and five). Things started working out for us around age 35 and I've never been anything but supportive.

In a thread titled ' Am I the a**hole ,' she asked people on the web if she was in the wrong for wanting to divorce her husband after he said he wanted to sleep with other women while remaining married (stock image)

'I quit my job to take care of our kids after he moved us to a nice Connecticut suburb,' she said.

However, now that her spouse's business is booming, he has begun treating her as if she is a 'source of annoyance.'

She explained: 'He's a part of a bunch of professional organizations and his own company loves a good party, but I am increasingly not his date to any of them.

'When I am alone with him he at least talks to me but if a beautiful girl joins the group it's game over for me, and I'm excluded from his social interactions from that point forward.

'He talks to people within earshot about how beautiful this or that woman is. He tells me he's allowed to find other girls pretty.

'The final straw was during a company family thing where my daughters and I arrived and my husband ignored us until somebody said hi to us.

'Then he waved his hand at us like he was bashful of our presence and dismissing us.'

She noted that she is suspicious her husband has been lying to her about not bringing a date to the events, adding that she suspects he has been cheating.

The couple attempted to fix their problems with the help of a relationship therapist.

However, her husband dropped a bombshell on his wife when he revealed he wanted to test the waters by having an open marriage.

People on the web flooded the comments section as they rushed to her defense

She said: 'Now we are in therapy and my husband is saying that he wanted two years of a test open marriage.

'Where he could explore sexually in a way he was never able to in his 20s.

'He says while I had the chance to play around when I was young and attractive, and other guys that weren't him could, he never could.'

She added: 'I told him this is not what we signed up for. And that I didn't think it was the charitable thing for a wife to do.

'He accused me of liking the lifestyle he provides and said to go carve out my own life instead of complaining. I told him if he has sex it has to be with me or I'm leaving.'

At the end of the post, she questioned if she was an 'a**hole' for wanting to divorce him instead of having an open marriage.

People on the web flooded the comments section as they rushed to her defense and suggested she leave him.

One person said: 'Yep, divorce this clown and take the alimony as just payment for him jerking you around and having you pay all the bills until he thought he could do better.'

Someone else wrote: 'He sounds like a man going through a midlife crisis.'

Many people advised the woman to consult a lawyer and divorce her husband

One person added: 'Please choose yourself. He's probably already testing the open marriage route he just hasn't told you.'

Another user added: 'Classic narcissist.'

'Divorce court is not going to be kind to this man. Then again, he does not seem that smart and probably deserves what he is going to get,' someone else wrote.

'Not the a**hole. Get a lawyer and quit going to therapy with him. He's going to cheat if he hasn't already, because he's already decided that he is entitled to,' someone else commented.

Another person wrote: 'Consult a lawyer ASAP. You supported him for 14 years and now he thinks that since he has money, he can go buy women that will have him? He would be nobody without all of the support (emotional and financial) you gave him.

'You need to talk to a lawyer. You own 50 per cent of his business because you are married and you financially supported him. Did you put money into the business?

'Don't let him treat you like a doormat and think very carefully about what example you are setting for your daughters.'

One user said: 'Not the a**hole but I reckon he's probably cheated/cheating already. Get your ducks in order and get out. I honestly don't think there's any coming back from someone asking to open the relationship.'

'Quietly get a lawyer and live your life with your daughters,' one person said.

'Not the a**hole. Remember to take your half for years of supporting him,' someone else commented.
An American mother living in the UK has broken down the price difference in groceries on both sides of the Atlantic, leaving people surprised by how much cheaper food is in Britain.

Abigael Lanai, who is from Colorado but living in London, often shares videos on the differences between the two countries on her TikTok page.

However her followers were stunned to learn that many of the UK's basic food items are typically a lot cheaper than in the US.

In a video, which racked up more than 300,000 views, Abigael decided to compare the price of milk, apples, minced meat and carrots, taking into account the currency conversion.

She said: 'Before I start, just for context, I'm going to be comparing Sainsbury's here in England - which is the grocery story I go to - to the grocery store I shopped at in Colorado called King's Super, literally down to the location.

Abigael Lanai, who is from Colorado but living in London, compared food prices in the US versus the UK on TikTok and people are shocked

'This might vary depending on where you're located in the US or what store you're shopping at.'

Abigael went on to compare milk saying in the US it costs 50 cents or 40 pence more for the exact same amount.

She said: 'Let's start with whole milk. I need to buy this every few days for my daughter. It's 1.65 for 2.27 litres.'

So if you put that into a conversion, you're expecting 1.65 to convert to $1.99 in the US, if we were expecting the prices to be similar.

'You can do the math if you want to, but 2.27 litres is equivalent to half a gallon in the US and where you would expect to pay $1.99 if you were here in England, it's $2.49.

'So that's 50 cents or 40 pence more for the exact same item.'

She went on to examine the prince of apples, which can be double or even triple in the US.

Abigael added: 'One red apple 25p, that's the equivalent to 30 cents an apple if you were expecting the same in the US.

'But it's sure not - 67 cents for a small one or 95 cents for a large, so it's depending on the size.'

Moving on to the minced meat she said 500g costs 1.99 from Sainsburys however in the US the same portion would be $5.49.

In a video, which racked up over 300,000 views, Abigael decided to compare the price of milk, apples, minced meat and carrots

Her followers were stunned to learn that the content creator found the UK's food items are typically a lot cheaper than the US

She added: That's $3.09 or 2.56 more in the US for the same product.'

Lastly, Abigael said a 1kg bag of carrots is 50p in the UK, while in the states it would be $1.99, which works out as 1.15 more.

Ending the video she said: 'If you want me to compare other products please let me know in the comments. I felt like that was fairly well rounded with a dairy, a protein, a veg and a fruit.

US V UK Food Price Comparison WHOLE MILK UK price 1.65 APPLES UK price 25p MINCED BEEF UK price 1.99 CARROTS UK price 50p US price $2.49 US price 96 cents US price $5.49 US price $1.99 Difference 40p/50 cents Differnce 54p/66 cents Difference 2.56/$3.10 Difference 1.15/$1.39 Advertisement

'Obviously it's going to vary a little bit because the salary that people make out here is typically less than the salary people will make in the US so that definitely plays a role. But for my family in particular, we went from being a two-income household because I was working full-time, to being a one-income household.

'And my husband makes the same amount, so his money goes a lot further here.'

Many rushed to the comments to leave their own thoughts on the price of food.

One person said: 'Lived in the UK in 2017, I was shocked at how much cheaper food was. Restaurants seemed more expensive though.'

Another said: 'Sainsburys is expensive, but yes we are so much cheaper than anywhere in the world x

Someone else said: 'Im blown away by how expensive the US prices were compared to UK! Had no idea US was so much more expensive.'

A fourth wrote: 'America is so expensive! how are apples so affordable in England !? I usually pay $5-6 dollars for 4 apples not organic at Walmart...ridiculous.'
Months after stepping down from office, Sanna Marin is truly embracing her new found freedom.

The former Finnish Prime Minster, 37, headed to Paris Fashion Week this weekend, where she took a prime seat at Victoria Beckham's show - and shared a series of glamourous selfies from behind-the-scenes of the A-list event attended by Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Pamela Anderson, David Beckham, and Eva Longoria.

With a bright red lipstick and trendy 1024 Victoria Beckham draped mini sleeve dress, Sanna - who was previously the world's youngest leader - appeared more like an influencer than a politician.

Series of photos from her Instagram page show her posing with fashion royalty Anna Wintour - before popping on a pair of shades and snapping a selfie.

She also shared pictures and videos behind the scenes at the show, including various details of sleek black outfits - including one suit that she paired with trainers because she 'loves walking'.

Months after stepping down from office, Sanna Marin is truly embracing her new found freedom (pictured in Paris)

The former Finnish Prime Minster, 37, headed to Paris Fashion Week this weekend, where she took a prime seat at Victoria Beckham 's show - and shared a series of glamourous selfies from behind-the-scenes of the A-list event. Series of photos from her Instagram page show her posing with fashion royalty Anna Wintour - before popping on a pair of shades and snapping a selfie (left)

The new snaps come at the end of a long year for Marin, who was at one point the youngest leader of a nation, having taken high office at just 34 years old in 2019.

She stepped down from her role as chair of the centre-left Social Democrats party earlier this year, after her party narrowly lost an election in April.

She has since joined Tony Blair's Institute for Global Change, a London-based policy think-tank, as a 'Strategic Counsellor'.

She then filed for divorce in May, amicably splitting up with husband of three years, Markus Raikkonen.

The pair, who have a five-year-old daughter together, said in a statement at the time: 'We are grateful for the 19 years together and our beloved daughter. We will remain best friends.'

After her tumultuous spring, she took some time to enjoy herself, and was spotted at Flow, a music festival in Helsinki, in August.

Appearing much more like a typically 30-something than a former world leader, the 'rock star' politician opted for chunky heels with a mini skirt and bralette in a series of photos she shared to Instagram.

One outfit simply isn't enough for Sanna. On another occasion, she flaunted a festival chic look in a sheer black dress and reflective sunglasses.

The new snaps come at the end of a long year for Marin, who was at one point the youngest leader of a nation, having taken high office at just 34 years old in 2019.

She attended the ballet-themed fashion show in Paris

The A-list show saw the Beckhams, Anna Wintour and Eva Longoria attended

After she was ousted from high office, she spent several months enjoying herself

She was seen at Flow, a popular music festival in Helsinki, earlier this year

She was seen sporting a less formal look while she was at Flow

A third look saw her opt for a Barbie pink mini dress with thigh-high boots.

The former Prime Minister, who was just 34 when she took office in 2019, really let down her hair down in - what she calls a - 'proper summer vacation for the first time in a while'.

She was joined by a group of friends, including fellow MP Nasima Razmyar.

In another post, she explained how it's her first holiday 'in a while'.

'This summer I've had a proper summer vacation for the first time in a while,' she wrote.

'It has included, among other things, being busy with [her five-year-old daughter] Emma, sports, friends, good food and unforgettable trips.

'Have a lovely summer everyone. And thank you to those who are working in the summer and taking care of us!'.

After leading her country through COVID-19 lockdowns and the ensuing economic turmoil, Marin became a vocal supporter of Ukraine after Russia's invasion last year and successfully pushed to end Finland's military non-alignment in favour of NATO membership.

Marin caught dancing provocatively with Finnish influencer Sabina Sarka in 2022, which drew another round of heavy criticism

Many called her a millennial inspiration who encouraged younger people to be less apathetic towards politics

Marin was heavily criticised after she was spotted at a nightclub shortly after she had made contact with her health minister who has just tested positive for COVID-19

While many called her a millennial inspiration who encouraged younger people to be less apathetic towards politics, she was still a controversial figure in Finland.

Finnish voters concerned with issues like immigration and a growing public deficit in April handed Marin a narrow defeat to the right wing National Coalition and the far-right Finns party, triggering the government's fall.

She weathered several publicity storms while in office, including over her nightclubbing during the pandemic, hosting private parties at her official residence and voluntarily taking a drug test - which returned negative - after a party video was leaked to the media.

Marin was also heavily criticised after she was spotted at a nightclub in the small hours of the morning, shortly after she had made contact with her health minister who has just tested positive for COVID-19.

She was also caught dancing provocatively with Finnish influencer Sabina Sarka in 2022, which drew another round of heavy criticism.
A self-proclaimed 'bimbo doll' has proudly revealed they have spent a whopping $100,000 on plastic surgery  and they plan on pumping up their lips with filler until they explode.

Angel Bimbo, 24, a non-binary OnlyFans entertainer, was born and raised in Mexico, where they were assigned male at birth. They moved to Miami, Florida, with the goal of transforming themselves into a real-life blowup doll.

'I'm a piece of plastic perfection. I have spent around $100,000 in plastic surgery,' they shared on the latest episode of the Truly series 'Hooked on a Look.'

Angel Bimbo, 24, a non-binary OnlyFans entertainer, revealed on the Truly series 'Hooked on a Look' that they have spent roughly $100,000 on plastic surgery to look like a 'bimbo doll'

In their Instagram bio, they boast about having 23 ccs of filler in their lips alone, claiming their pout is the 'biggest in Florida'

'I spend around $1,500 every month just to maintain my look,' they said

Angel gushed that they love their big lips, small waist, and big butt, but they don't think they are 'extreme enough yet.'

'I will never want to be smaller. Who wants that? Being a bimbo is everything in my life, from the way that I walk, the way that I talk, the way I do my nails, the way I do everything,' they explained.

Angel recalled growing up watching plastic surgery shows with their mother in Mexico and thinking, 'Oh, wow, that's so cool.'

They said they moved to Miami because they knew a lot of people there were 'very into the plastic look' they were looking to achieve.

So far, they have gotten hairline surgery, a nose job, a chin implant and liposuction, butt and calf implants, and 'filler everywhere.'

In their Instagram bio, they boast about having 23 ccs of filler in their lips alone, claiming their pout is the 'biggest in Florida.'

'I spend around $1,500 every month just to maintain my look,' they said. 'But there's always been generous men along the way that have helped me make my plastic dreams come true.'

Angel refused to put a label on their gender identity, saying they 'simply identify as a bimbo doll.'

Angel was born and raised in Mexico, where they were assigned male at birth

Angel said they moved to Miami because they knew a lot of people there were 'very into the plastic look' they were looking to achieve

Angel got a nose job early into their plastic surgery journey

They also got hairline surgery and filler in their forehead and cheeks, among other places

Angel changed the shape of their jawline with a chin implant and liposuction

'Gender is not important in my life. I don't think about it. It doesn't mean anything to me. I am not proud of being in the LGBT community, nor [do] I feel welcome,' they explained. '

'All these new politics and ideas don't represent me. People in the LGBT want to put a label on everything. "Oh, you're gay" or "You're trans."

'If I sat here right now, and I told you, "Oh, I'm a woman," you will believe me. You will treat me as such because it's the right thing to do. But if I told you I'm a man, you will believe me, too, so what does it matter?'

They added that they have 'always felt a lot of judgment' from the LGBT community because they don't share the same ideas.

Angel stopped by a medical spa during the episode to have more filler put in their cheeks, despite the owner telling them they already looked perfect.

They admitted that they were already planning their next procedures, including filler in their butt and even more filler in their lips.

Angel noted that many people assume they are insecure because of all the plastic surgery they have gotten, but they insisted that 'you need to be 10 times more confident' when you choose to look like them because of the comments you get.

'When I'm in public, I get a lot of reactions. Everybody looks, even little kids. They're like, "Oh, mommy, look!" as if I was a real-life Barbie or something,' they explained.

'One of the assumptions that people make about me based on the way that I look is that I got these lips for sucking d**k  which is true.'

Angel is also proud of their backside after getting butt implants

They also changed the look of their legs with calf implants

Angel gushed that they love their big lips, small waist, and big butt, but they don't think they are 'extreme enough yet'

'My ultimate goal with plastic surgery is just to keep going bigger and bigger and see what happens. I don't think I'll ever stop getting surgery,' Angel said

Angel said that they get a mix of comments from strangers online, but they love the attention. Some people are supportive of their look, while others cruelly criticize them for being addicted to plastic surgery.

'When you're online, you get death threats for everything. If you haven't gotten a death threat, are you even popular?' they asked.

Angel shared that they plan on getting plastic surgery for the rest of their lives.

'My ultimate goal with plastic surgery is just to keep going bigger and bigger and see what happens. I don't think I'll ever stop getting surgery,' they explained.

'One day we're gonna age and things are gonna sag, and we're gonna need to pull them up and tuck them and suck them and whatever [else] the amazing doctors have to do.

'For the people that judge my looks, keep going. I love it. It just makes me want to go bigger.'
Todd and Julie Chrisley have shot down rumors that they are divorcing - insisting that being locked up has only made their marriage stronger since 'tragedy and pain' can 'bind' people together.

The couple were found guilty of taking part in a $30 million tax fraud scheme and sentenced to 12 and seven years behind bars respectively late last year - and when they began their sentences in early January, they were sent to prisons 650 miles apart from one another.

Last month, reports began to emerge that the reality TV stars' marriage was crumbling - especially because one of Todd's former business partners alleged that he had been embroiled in a secret gay love affair with the father-of-five during the trial.

But now, the pair's lawyer has insisted to RadarOnline that they're 'more in love than ever' and that their 'struggling and hardship' has actually made them even closer.

Todd and Julie Chrisley have shot down rumors that they are divorcing - insisting that being locked up has only made their marriage stronger

The couple were found guilty of taking part in a $30 million tax fraud scheme and sentenced to 12 and seven years behind bars respectively last year. The prisons they're at are seen above

Last month, reports began to emerge that they were splitting - especially because one of Todd's former business partners Mark Braddock (seen) alleged they had a secret gay affair

But now, the pair's lawyer has insisted to RadarOnline that they're 'more in love than ever' and that their 'struggling and hardship' has actually made them even closer. They're seen last year

'I can assure you that in no way are Todd and Julie moving toward divorce. In fact, I can confirm that Julie is more in love with Todd today than ever,' their attorney, Jay Surgent, said.

'Tragedy and pain, suffering and hardship, have a way of binding people together in ways that triumph and victory are unable to achieve.

He added that doting wife Julie, 50, 'desperately misses' her husband, 54, and worries about him not eating enough in prison

'There is something about experiencing painful and difficult times together that just has a way of forging a bond that is unbreakable.'

He added that doting wife Julie, 50, 'desperately misses' her husband, 54, and worries about him not eating enough in prison.

'She makes statements like she wishes she could just be there to make sure he is eating or wishes she could just check on him and make sure he is OK,' he continued.

'In the same regard, Todd is madly in love with Julie. His first questions on each call are about her and her wellbeing.'

Todd and Julie rose to fame after they began starring in the USA reality show Chrisley Knows Best in 2014.

It documented their day-to-day lives alongside their children, and went on for nine seasons before it was recently canceled amid the scandal.

Todd and Julie rose to fame after they began starring in the USA reality show Chrisley Knows Best in 2014, which documented their day-to-day lives alongside their children

But their picture-perfect images ripped apart when it was revealed that they had scammed the bank by submitting fake documents when applying for loans. They're seen in 2019

In the series, the couple worked hard to portray the image of devoted parents and devout Christians - but they saw their picture-perfect on-screen images ripped apart when it was brought to light that they had scammed the bank by submitting fake documents when applying for loans.

Both Todd and Julie have maintained their innocence and have since launched numerous appeal against their verdicts.

They have also denied Todd's former business partner Mark Braddock's claims that they had an affair, branding him as a 'liar' and insisting that he fabricated 'everything' in appeal documents.

In July, their appeal was denied, but they quickly filed another one - their last attempt before having to turn to the Supreme Court, something their lawyer said they are certainly willing to do if needed.

'Todd and Julie Chrisley will take this to the Supreme Court if their appeal is denied by the 11th Circuit court. Absolutely. 100 per cent,' their lawyer, Jay, said.

'If the Supreme Court agrees to hear their case, it will take anywhere from six months to 18 months. But it is very difficult to get a case there.

'And if the Supreme Court denies their appeal than that is that. They have no more options. That is how our legal system works, unfortunately.'

He said his clients' eighth amendment rights were 'clearly violated' during the appeals process, and insisted that the Chrisleys' home confinement application 'wasn't even processed.'

He also claimed that they are being subjected to 'cruel and unusual punishment' as a result of their unfavorable prison conditions, which they say include a lack of air conditioning, mold, and plumbing issues.

A source told DailyMail.com at the time that the TV stars were terrified at the idea of losing their appeal because it will 'mean at least another year of living in their hell hole' jails.

Both Todd and Julie have maintained their innocence and have since launched numerous appeal against their verdicts. One of the appeal documents is seen above

In July, their appeal was denied, but they quickly filed another one - their last attempt before having to turn to the Supreme Court. They're seen in January 2023, before heading to prison

They also said Todd and Julie were 'at the lowest point they have been yet' and were 'feeling completely hopeless about their situation.'

Earlier this month, the National Enquirer reported that Julie had 'hired a counsel to file for divorce' - something their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, quickly shot down.

'That is a lie,' she wrote on her Instagram Stories, before addressing the publication: 'Frankly, you should be held accountable for all of your lies.

'The fact that you are going out here trying to wreak havoc on people's lives with a lie is absolutely insane.

'No, my mother has not hired counsel. If she did, it would have gone through me. So, that whole story is a lie.

'I just sat with my mother in visitation this weekend and she cried about how much she missed my father.

'So, for the people giving these outlets false stories, karma's a b***h and it's going to come and bite you.

'I will find out who gave this info to the National Enquirer because it's a lie and it's just unfortunate that we live in a world that wants to tear families apart and wants to spew hate and lies and it's absolutely insane.'
Joanna McNeill's only symptoms were a light cough and fatigue when an abnormality on her lungs was found during a routine test.

But the single mum-of-two, from Melbourne, later found out she had the unpredictable and deadly lung condition silicosis, which was caused by breathing in dust particles at the quarry she worked at.

The 36-year-old had been working at the quarry for the previous six years where she would come home each day covered in a layer of dust containing silica which is present in some forms of rock, sand and clay.

Despite having worked partly as a safety officer at the quarry, Joanna told FEMAIL she was unaware of the fatal damage silica dust could cause calling it 'the next asbestos'.

Since her diagnosis in 2019, Joanna is now debilitated by the disease, unable to work and constantly in and out of hospital as her immune system gets weaker by the day.

She is fighting for change in the construction industry to make workers aware and keep them safe from the dangers of the little-known airborne substance.

Mum-of-two Joanna McNeill (pictured) developed a deadly and incurable lung condition from breathing in silica dust during her six years working at a quarry

Joanna displayed almost no symptoms when a routine medical assessment picked up an abnormality on her lungs which was discovered to be a disease called silicosis

Joanna said she went into shock when her doctor called to inform her she had silicosis, an incurable lung disease caused by breathing in tiny particles of silica.

'To be honest, he might have said a million things to me. I don't know that I was listening,' she said.

'I started Googling everything because I was digesting what he had just said to me. There was just nothing nice about it, I thought, "Wow, I actually probably shouldn't be reading this".'

Silicosis will cause Joanna's lungs to deteriorate over time. Eventually she will struggle to breathe.

She developed the illness from working at a quarry in Victoria in an office 90 metres from where machinery was crushing up rocks and releasing dust into the air.

'I could taste it in my lips. Your clothes are full of dust.' Joanna said, even though she didn't work at the actual quarry.

The 36-year-old had been working at the quarry where she would come home each day covered in a layer of dust containing silica which is present in some forms of rock, sand or clay

'I worked in a portable that had holes in the ground. Yes, we had cleaner to go through, but the dust was so thick that you couldn't even clean it.'

Part of Joanna's job at the quarry was to implement safety measures for the workers however she had never been informed or even heard of the risks silica dust can pose.

'Not once we would we talk about the hazardous stuff inside. Part of my job was also was purchasing the safety PPE but we never discussed stuff for the dust or what we could do to minimise the dust,' she recalled,.

'When you work at a quarry, you have to do inductions and there was nothing there to say anything about the site containing silica.'

Silica is an invisible, translucent mineral found in dust created from cutting, crushing, drilling, grinding or polishing certain types of rock, stone, sand and clay.

After six years of unknowingly breathing in the particles, scarring on her lungs had shown up on a scan taken during a medical assessment Joanna underwent to return to work after maternity leave.

For the next six months, while continuing to work, she had multiple appointments to monitor the abnormality before having a gruelling lung biopsy.

At the time, she had no symptoms other than a 'persistent cough' and being fatigued which she chalked down to working a lot and being a mum to her two daughters, Matilda, seven, and Charlie, five.

Joanna's silicosis is progressing slowly with her fatigue and breathlessness getting worse - but it has already 'taken her life away'

Since her diagnosis, Joanna's fatigue has 'increased immensely' has been in and out of hospital as the silicosis has made her immunosuppressed.

The mum had a stint in hospital after she picked up a virus from one of her daughters which rapidly turned into pneumonia.

'It set off an auto immune response in my body so I got arthritis and had radiation put to my blood. I didn't even realise I was in hospital for eight days, the pain was so immense that I couldn't see the light,' she said.

'I remember saying I would rather give birth 10,000 times than sit in there with the pain. I just it was just insane. These are the challenges I keep facing.'

Joanna's silicosis is progressing slowly with her fatigue and breathlessness getting worse - but it has already 'taken her life away'.

'I've got silicosis obviously, but by having this body's immunity is quite low so I'm so susceptible to infections There's silicosis that can kill you, but it's pneumonia that can kill you as well,' she said.

'It offsets so many autoimmunes in your body because your body is struggling.'

While she doesn't know how long she has before the disease 'takes her', she said she desperately wishes for at least one year where she doesn't have to go to hospital.

'It's debilitating for me and it's a massive burden on my children,' she added.

While she doesn't know how long she has before the disease 'takes her', she said she desperately wishes for at least one year where she doesn't have to go to hospital (pictured with her daughters Matilda, seven, and Charlie, five)

'They go to therapy and the therapist said to me they want to sleep in my bed every night because they're scared I'm not going to wake up.'

Not being able to find work that can accommodate her condition, Joanna has been using her energy working with unions and governing bodies to bring to light the harm the little-known yet common dust can cause and implement change on work sites.

'I believe that companies need to enforce the risk of silica. I know for fact that people still don't know what they're working with. There's so many people who probably don't even know they have silicosis,' she said.

'It definitely needs to be monitored and to be documented. And that's not just for workers, that's also for the neighbourhoods that are around these mining sites.'

Cases of silicosis are on the rise as more than 600,000 Aussie workers are exposed to silica dust and 40 per cent of tradies are unaware of the risks of exposure.

Joanna has been speaking out about the dangers of silica dust which she believes is 'set to be the next asbestos' and has been receiving a flood of messages from concerned residents.

She said anyone concerned about their risk of silicosis should consult with the Lung Foundation as the organisation starts its Another One Fights the Dust campaign.

The Lung Foundation is urging all tradies and those on work sites to do the Healthy Lungs at Work quiz to understand their risk of silicosis.
Hospitals are asking patients and visitors to wear face masks again amid Covid's resurgence.

Cases have soared to a five-month high in Britain, figures suggest.

But virologists expect cases to only spike further throughout the autumn and winter as the highly-transmissible Pirola variant continues to spread.

Although nowhere near the same threat it was two years ago, outbreaks can cause chaos in workplaces, hospitals and classrooms.

Gatwick Airport last week had to scrap dozens of flights due to staff illness, while a secondary school in Rutland reverted to virtual lessons for pupils after a cluster of teachers were sickened.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS trust has now brought back mask guidance, in scenes reminiscent of the darkest days of the pandemic.

Around 1.2million Brits were infected with the virus in the week to September 10, according to data from the ZOE Covid study, based on reports from thousands. The figure is the highest logged since early April, when the super transmissible Arcturus was sweeping the UK

Around 1.2million Brits were infected with the virus in the week to September 10, according to data from the ZOE Covid study

Bosses at the organisation, which runs three hospitals, said they have seen an uptick in the number of Covid-infected patients.

Covid absences among staff are also on the rise, the trust said.

A statement issuing the update said: 'We want to do everything we can to protect the people we care for from the risk of infection.

'We are grateful for the support and understanding of our patients and visitors.'

Masks were a major part of Britain's early lockdowns, with them made mandatory in shops, supermarkets, public transport and hospitals.

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But officials binned all remaining laws requiring them in places like schools in early 2022, as part of it's 'living with Covid' strategy.

Since then, some hospitals and other clinical settings have issue their own health messaging and advice to encourage masks when cases are on the rise.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust will be handing out masks on arrival at its sites.

Meanwhile, mask policies have been tightened at both the Royal Stoke University Hospital and Stafford's County Hospital. Patients are staff are being urged to wear coverings again.

Matthew Lewis, medical director at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which oversees both hospitals, said: 'Multiple variants of Covid continue to circulate in the population during all seasons.'

He added: 'This is a situation which is constantly under review and as a result we have re-introduced the wearing of surgical masks in some of our hospital areas.'

Data from ZOE's Covid-tracking suggests that 1.2million Brits were infected with the virus in the week to September 10.

The figure  based on self-reported test results  is the highest logged since early April, when the super transmissible Arcturus was sweeping the UK.

While marking a five-month high, it is still a fraction of the 3.8m estimated to have been infected when the virus peaked in spring 2022.

It estimated that there were 97,904 new cases of symptomatic Covid on September 30, with rates highest in Scotland (between 1,408 and 2,305 per million people).

The prevalence of Covid was also high in the South West (1,275, to 1,911 per million), Yorkshire and the Humber (1,111 to 1,972 per million) and the South East (1,104 to 1,566 per million).

However, hospitalisations in the UK flattened out in the week to September 24, according to latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Some 4.36 people per 100,000 were hospitalised with Covid, down from 4.56 per 100,000 one week earlier.

Admission rates remained stable among under-fours and those aged 15 to 44, while they have decreased among all other age groups.

The figures suggest, despite the rise in cases, that the virus remains mild for the vast majority.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS trust has now brought back mask guidance, in scenes reminiscent of the darkest days of the pandemic. Pictured: Worcestershire Royal Hospitals

Gatwick Airport (pictured) last week had to scrap dozens of flights due to staff illness, while a secondary school in Rutland reverted to virtual lessons for pupils after a cluster of teachers were sickened

The ZOE Covid data is based on virus test results and self-reported data from thousands using the app. It estimated that there were 97,904 new cases of symptomatic Covid on September 30, with rates highest in Scotland (between 1,408 and 2,305 per million people). The prevalence of Covid was also high in the South West (1,275, to 1,911 per million), Yorkshire and the Humber (1,111 to 1,972 per million) and the South East (1,104 to 1,566 per million)

Health chiefs also noted that one in three cases were detected among patients in hospital for another ailment, but who were tested on admission.

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist for immunisation at the UKHSA, said 'multiple indicators' suggest the virus has stabilised, which is 'good news'.

However, health chiefs will 'remain vigilant and monitor rates closely', he said.

The NHS last month launched its autumn Covid and flu booster jab rollout, which was brought forward by a month after officials were spooked by the Pirola variant.

The Omicron spin-off, scientifically known as BA.2.86, has more than 30 mutations that experts fear allow it to spread easier.

In a bid to 'go back to normal', invites won't be dished out to millions aged 50-64 who were eligible during the pandemic

People started getting their jabs from September 11 rather than in October as previously planned. The UKHSA said the move would lead to greater protection against illness, particularly for the most vulnerable, as well as reducing the impact on the NHS.

However, in an update last month, the UKHSA said it may pose no more reason for concern than the swathe of other Covid variants that are spreading.

'Encouraging' lab tests show immunity offered by jabs and previous infection are likely to still protect against the heavily mutated strain.

And health chiefs said there is so far 'no evidence' that the variant is more likely to trigger serious illness than other Omicron spin-off strains.

However, Dr Bernal urged those eligible to roll up their sleeves to boost their protection and reduce the risk of passing the virus on to vulnerable Brits.

The over-65s, at-risk groups, care home residents and NHS staff are among those who can get a top-up dose.

'Vaccination continues to provide the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation from Covid,' he added.

However, while Covid appears to be flattening off, the virus circulating in high levels has caused chaos in workplaces.

The spike in Covid cases is also saw Gatwick cancel 82 flights in the last week  around three per cent of those scheduled  due to three in 10 air control staff being off sick, in part due to Covid.

It has forced passengers to fork out hundreds of pounds for alternative transport and hotels.

Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline: 'As we move towards the winter we can expect to see increased numbers of Covid infections.

'But people should be aware that we're still learning about this virus and as yet it doesn't seem to be behaving exactly in the way we'd expect of a classic seasonal respiratory infection. There is still an awful lot to learn.'

The UK's total cases Pirola cases stood at 54 as of September 18

While virologists have warned it is too early to reliably pinpoint BA.2.86 specific symptoms, its ancestor BA.2 had some tell-tale signs. Experts aren't yet certain, however if it behaves like similar Omicron subvariants, the signs to watch out for include a runny nose, sore throat and fatigue

He added: 'We can expect case numbers of all respiratory viruses to climb as we hit the winter and it will likely [be] any sector that involve a high level of person-person contact that are hit the hardest by staff absences.

'Their very nature means that staff are most likely to come into contact with someone who's already infected, and staff are less likely to be able to transfer to working from home.'

Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease specialist at the University of East Anglia, told MailOnline: 'If SARS-CoV-2 follows the pattern of the other human coronaviruses then I suspect we will see infections peaking sometime December to February.

'But Covid is still taking up far fewer beds than we saw earlier this year. I don't know how high this will go but I doubt it will get close to the levels we saw last winter.'

It comes as health chiefs confirmed details of a Covid infection survey, which will be launched this winter to accurate monitor Covid cases.

The gold-standard Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey ran for nearly three years but was scrapped in March 2023 as part of the UK's move towards learning to live with Covid.

The new study will run from November 2023 to March 2024 and will involve up to 32,000 lateral flow tests being carried out each week.

Up to 200,000 members of the public will be invited to take part  a smaller number than in the original survey, but the results will be broadly representative of the population as a whole.

The study is being co-ordinated by the ONS and the UKHSA, which oversaw the original survey together with Oxford University.

Professor Steven Riley, UKHSA director-general of data, analytics and surveillance, said: 'The data we collected alongside the ONS during the pandemic provided us with a huge amount of valuable insight.

'So I am delighted that we are able to work together again to keep policymakers and the wider public informed in the coming months.

'UKHSA continues to lead the way internationally on Covid surveillance and by re-introducing a study of positivity in the community, we can better detect changes in the behaviour of the virus.'

ONS deputy national statistician Emma Rourke said 'robust data' is needed to help understand the virus and its effects during winter, adding: 'The ONS is committed to building on the experience of standing up the gold standard infection survey.

'As well as working to provide UKHSA with regular rates of positivity, we will also be looking at analysis of symptoms, risk factors and the impact of respiratory infections, including long Covid, as part of this important surveillance.'
A mother was left fearing her toddler would grow up without a parent after being rushed to hospital with vaping-related pneumonia.

Jodie Hudson, from Worksop, Nottinghamshire, swapped cigarettes for e-cigs two years ago in pursuit of a less harmful alternative.

The 26-year-old would vape 'anywhere and everywhere'  getting through a vape every day  and had no intention of quitting.

But last month she suffered severe bouts of dizziness and breathlessness that left her struggling to move, so she rushed to A&E at Bassetlaw Hospital.

Scans revealed the council worker had vaping-related pneumonia, with further tests set to determine if the devices have triggered permanent lung damage.

Ms Hudson says she will never vape or smoke again after being left terrified that she may never see her two-year-old son Dillon grow up  and is now urging others hooked on the devices to quit.

Jodie Hudson, from Worksop in Nottinghamshire, swapped cigarettes for vapes two years ago as a less harmful alternative. The 26-year-old would vape 'anywhere and everywhere' and had no intention of quitting. But last week on September 24, after suddenly experiencing severe bouts of dizziness and breathlessness leaving her unable to walk around the house, she was rushed to A&E at Bassetlaw Hospital

It was only after medics took an ECG and chest x-ray that she was diagnosed with vaping-related pneumonia. Further tests will reveal if the e-cigarettes have caused permanent damage on her lungs. While in hospital the council worker, who is mum to two-year-old Dillon, was so scared she worried she may never see her son again

She started smoking cigarettes aged 18 but quit when she became pregnant with her son.

After giving birth, Ms Hudson tried her partner's vape as it 'seemed healthier' than traditional cigarettes and she 'really liked it'.

'I actually found it to be a lot more addictive than smoking cigarettes,' she said.

'Vaping you can choose any flavour and you don't have that residual flavour on you like cigarettes. I just got hooked on them.'

Ms Hudson added: 'When I was using disposable ones I went from buying them two to three times a week to every day.

Read more: Disposable vapes to be BANNED to stop addiction among children Advertisement

'I was just smoking it anywhere and everywhere. It was like a shisha bag, it was a lot more leisurely than a nicotine addiction even though it was very much a nicotine addiction.'

But in September she developed tonsillitis and found herself struggling to do daily tasks around the house without becoming out of breath.

Ms Hudson said: 'I couldn't eat, I struggled breathing, I kept waking myself up snoring because my breathing was that bad.

'I really wasn't feeling well and had a panic attack because I was so scared of how little oxygen I was getting, I just couldn't function.

'I was walking around the house and completely out of breath.'

She went to A&E, where she was left shaking, sweating and struggling to stand due to being left severely dizzy from the walk between her car and hospital.

Ms Hudson was swiftly admitted due to having a low oxygen level and blood pressure, along with a high heart rate.

After undergoing an electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest X-ray, medics diagnosed her with vaping-related pneumonia.

She said: 'I wasn't surprised but I thought this could end up being something a lot more serious if I don't stop it now.

'My mum said to me you really do have to quit, you might die.'

Pneumonia is a type of chest infection that affects tiny air sacs in the lungs. It kills up to 25,000 Brits each year.

The condition causes these sacs to be become inflamed and fill with fluid, making it harder to breathe.

It is usually caused by bacteria or viruses, such as streptococcus pneumoniae.

However, vaping can also trigger pneumonia if the oily substances contained in e-liquid enter the lungs and spark an inflammatory response.

She added: 'My mum said do you want to go to A&E? She said you need to go, you need to help. 'I was struggling to walk - I couldn't catch my breath. Just walking from the car to A&E, I was shaking, sweaty, I had to sit down almost straight away, I felt so dizzy. I could hardly get my words out - I hardly had energy to talk. I just wanted to sleep. When you can't breathe, you can't do anything. I got there and pretty much straight away I got put into a room because of how low my oxygen was. I had low blood pressure and my heart rate was through the roof - it went up to 130bpm'

Tests on e-cigarettes confiscated from youngsters found they contained dangerous levels of lead, nickel and chromium. Some were almost 10 times above safe limits. Exposure to lead can impair brain development, while the other two metals can trigger blood clotting

Almost 1,000 serious adverse reactions to e-cigs have been logged by Britain's health watchdog including blood, nervous system and respiratory disorders, as well as cancer and injuries like burns. This includes five deaths linked to the devices. Latest figures show the proportion of adults using e-cigs in the UK increased last year to the highest rate on record, at 8.3 per cent, according to the charity Action on Smoking and Health. This accounts for the roughly 4.3million people across the country

Ms Hudson, however, is still unclear whether her vaping-related pneumonia has triggered permanent damage to her lungs.

She said: 'The doctors said it's obvious vaping is having an effect on my lungs.

'They didn't say whether there's permanent damage or anything but I've got to go back for another X-ray to check that.

'When they were considering admitting me, I thought I'm never going to get out of this hospital. I just wanted to see my son one more time.

'It was scary. I don't want my son growing up without any parents.

'They just said you've got to stop because it can get so much worse from here.'

Ms Hudson claims she has been left with asthma because of her vaping habit and faces having to reply on inhalers for the rest of her life.

She said: 'I have so many regrets. It's just been a waste of money and it's killing me. It's money I could've spent on life and now I have to spend more money on prescriptions.

'It's been such a wake-up call. Before I was struggling trying to quit vaping, now I've just done it cold turkey. I'm never smoking or vaping again.

'Now I tell everyone to just quit  you don't need any other reason than your own health, save yourself. It's a waste, you're killing yourself.'

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) last month show around 4.5million Brits vape daily or occasionally  a rise of some 500,000 in just 12 months.

E-cigs allow people to inhale nicotine in a vapour  which is produced by heating a liquid, which typically contains propylene glycol, glycerine, flavourings, and other chemicals.

Unlike traditional cigarettes, they do not contain tobacco, nor do they produce tar or carbon  two of the most dangerous elements.

Although widely viewed as safer than smoking, the long-term effects of vaping still remain a mystery.

Doctors have expressed fear there could be a wave of lung disease, dental issues and even cancer in the coming decades in people who took up the habit at a young age.

Earlier this year leading paediatricians also warned children were being hospitalised with vaping-induced breathing difficulties amid a 'disturbing' youth vaping epidemic.

In June, MailOnline revealed that e-cigarettes have been linked to five deaths in Britain.

None of the fatalities, which have all occurred since 2010, are proven to have been caused directly by vaping. No ages were mentioned for any of the deaths.

But health chiefs tasked with policing the safety of e-cigs admit there is 'a suspicion' the gadgets may have been to blame.

Two were put down to heart disorders, including one cardiac arrest.

Respiratory complications were blamed for the other three deaths, with one caused by inhalation of fat  a known potential consequence of vaping.

Almost 1,000 serious adverse reactions to e-cigs have also been logged by Britain's health watchdog including blood, nervous system and respiratory disorders, as well as cancer and injuries such as burns.

It comes as disposable vapes are set to be axed to prevent children from becoming addicted to the devices under new Government plans.

Campaigners have long called for much tougher regulations on marketing to children and a tax on disposable vapes, which are most popular among teens.

But concerns have mounted in recent weeks with ministers urged to ban predatory firms selling vapes in brightly-coloured packaging and in kid-friendly favours like bubblegum.

The proposals  which follow in the footsteps of countries including France and New Zealand.

A ban would apply in England and could allow the use of reusable vapes to continue.

The devolved administrations would set their own policy for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
READ MORE: Spending just five DAYS in an air-polluted city can raise stroke risk

New York City health officials are urging residents to 'listen to their bodies' as smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to cloud New York City skies Monday and air quality could become potentially dangerous.

Mayor Eric Adams sounded the alarm over the weekend after forecasts suggested wildfire smog could reach the city by sunrise Monday, which could cause noticeably hazy skies.

The Department of Environmental Conservation forecasted a 'moderate' air quality index (AQI) of 55, which indicates 'there may be some risk to people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.'

However, AQI monitoring website IQAir reported an index of 61 Monday morning and warned the concentration of harmful pollutants in the air was 3.3 times the safe standard set by the World Health Organization.

And the monitoring agency predicts the AQI will worsen throughout the week, rising to 71 on Tuesday and not returning to safe levels until Friday.

Smoke inhalation could lead to lasting health issues, including coughing, trouble breathing, asthma attacks, stinging eyes, headaches, irritated sinuses, chest pain, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and heart attack.

New York City was engulfed in smoke from Canadian wildfires over the summer. Pictured above, a person wearing a face mask in the haze that covered NYC in June

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoke inhalation can cause a host of health effects, including headaches, sinus issues, trouble breathing, tiredness, and asthma attacks

While the city could see smoky skies, officials said the air quality index would be nowhere near the dangerous levels residents saw over the summer, which caused orange-tinged skies that obscured famous skyscrapers and got New Yorkers to don face masks outside.

'While we continue to actively monitor potential air quality concerns for Monday morning, currently, the impacts are projected to be mild, though New Yorkers will likely see hazy skies in the morning,' Adams said Sunday.

'Throughout the day tomorrow, New Yorkers should listen to their bodies, especially if they have any preexisting health conditions and take any necessary precautions to ensure they stay safe. We will continue to update New Yorkers as forecasts solidify.'

The state has not yet issued any health alerts, though NYC emergency management commissioner Zach Iscol said 'everyone should stay informed and take appropriate precautions.'

AQI levels in some areas of the city shot over 400, an 800 percent increase of what is considered 'safe' levels.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned long-term exposure to unhealthy amounts of smoke can lead to lasting consequences like trouble sleeping and heart problems.

For instance, according to the Sleep Foundation, fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke can get into the blood and travel to the brain's frontal cortex and cerebellum  the parts that control sleep  disrupting them.

At the same time, the particles can also reduce the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen  meaning the heart has to work harder.

This extra work may also conversely make someone more tired.

Another risk is the smog could actually damage skin  and speed up the development of wrinkles.

The particle matter penetrates the skin and, when it does so, leads to an immune reaction, causing inflammation.

This can, in turn, damage skin cells and cause them to lose their structure, raising the risk of wrinkles.

A 2021 study in JAMA Dermatology found that short-term exposure to this smoke can cause flare-ups of skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema. These could even show up weeks later.

NYC's official guidance suggests limiting strenuous activity outside and wearing an N95 or KN95 face mask.

The warnings come three months after a swath of orange haze engulfed the city following a series of Canadian wildfires. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated inhaling the smog in some major cities, such as New York, was the equivalent of smoking up to 25 cigarettes.
Up to four times more Americans are planning to dodge the updated Covid booster vaccine this fall compared to last year despite guidance from the White House that every one receive the new vaccine.

Researchers at the Kaiser Family Foundation in California, found a majority of adults  52 percent  said they 'definitely' or 'probably' would not get the new shot.

For comparison, at the same time last year just 12 percent of respondents surveyed said they 'definitely' would not get that year's booster. Another 18 percent said they would 'wait and see'.

Among parents, 66 percent said they would not have their kids get the shot this winter  compared to 50 percent who said they would avoid the bivalent shot last year.

The updated Covid shots have been recommended again for everyone over the age of six months despite scant evidence they will benefit younger adults and children.

Figures from last year suggest as many as 115million bivalent Covid booster vaccines went to waste, costing the federal Government billions. Although this year, the cost is being shouldered by health insurance companies.

A poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, based in California, revealed a majority of Americans are not planning to get the updated Covid booster vaccine this year. The red dotted line above shows the 50 percent margin

Results showed those who were over 65 years old and voting Democrat were most likely to get the vaccine. For comparison, younger adults  who were at much lower risk of severe disease  were less likely to get vaccinated

Most parents say they will not get the updated Covid booster vaccine for their children

Last year, only 12 percent of American adults said they were not planning to get the updated Covid booster vaccine and 50 percent of parents said they would not ask their children to get the shot

The KFF poll was carried out late last month and involved a nationally-representative sample of 1,300 adults. It was done in both English and Spanish.

Overall, 33 percent of adults said they 'definitely' would not get the updated vaccine  while 19 percent said they 'probably' would not get the shot.

Less than a quarter, or 23 percent, said they 'probably' will get the shot and another 23 percent said they 'definitely' will sign up for it.

Those who were over 65 years old and voted Democrat were most likely to get the vaccine, results showed.

But adults in younger age groups  who are at lower risk of severe Covid  and who voted Republican were less likely to say they would get the vaccine. By age, those least likely to get the vaccine were between 18 and 29 years old.

For those who had previously been vaccinated, almost four in 10 said they were not planning to get the shot this year.

The survey also looked at the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and flu vaccines and found many more adults were planning to get both shots compared to those reporting they would get the Covid vaccine.

Of the respondents, 58 percent said they had already gotten or were planning to get the flu shot.

And for shots against RSV, 60 percent of adults aged 60 and over said they would get the new vaccine.

This year is the first ever that a vaccine for RSV  a respiratory disease  has been made available for adults over 60 years old after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the shot Arexvy for use.

RSV kills 10,000 adults every year, estimates suggest, mostly older adults. For comparison, the flu kills 52,000 individuals.

This year's updated Covid boosters, one from Pfizer and one from Moderna, use mRNA to spark protection against variants that were circulating over the summer.

New variants EG.5 and BA.2.86 sparked alarm in recent months over evidence they were the most infectious yet, with EG.5 currently being dominant in the US.

The updated vaccines are targeted at variants XBB.1.5  which are now only behind a small proportion of cases  but tests show they should still provide protection against the currently circulating strains.

The CDC has recommended the shot for everyone aged six months and over, although a top FDA adviser said it was only necessary for those aged 75 and over.

Dr Paul Offit, a pediatrician, has previously told DailyMail.com younger adults did not need the vaccine because they were already at low risk for severe disease.

And almost all Americans now have some level of immunity against Covid from either vaccination or previous infection.

The Covid wave from last month  which sparked alarm  also already appears to be receding after previously sparking alarm.

The survey also looked at the rollout for flu and RSV shots this winter. It revealed most adults were planning to get the flu shot

They also found that the majority of adults were planning to get the RSV vaccine this year

Official data showed there were 19,079 Covid hospital admissions nationwide over the week ending September 23, down three percent from the previous week.

The number was also well-below this year's peak of 44,400 admissions recorded in January.

The positivity rate  proportion of Covid tests that detect the virus  is also down one percent in a week, dropping to 11.6 percent positivity in the week ending September 23.

Fatalities were down to 607 during the same week from 1,005 the week prior.

Unlike last year, the federal Government is not covering these new Covid boosters, instead it is passing the costs to health insurance companies.

Last year's updated booster drive cost the Biden administration $4.5billion, estimates suggest, with 171million doses purchased.

But CDC data shows out of these, only 56million were ever administered  with the remaining 115million, which cost $3.05billion  thrown away.

The cost estimates are based on a March 2023 report suggesting the 105million doses of Pfizer's vaccine were sold to the Government at $30.48 per dose, while the 66million Moderna shots were sold at a cost of $26.36 per dose.

But since this year's rollout began, many people are coming forward to say they are struggling to get appointments or having to pay up to $200 out-of-pocket for the vaccine.

Among those affected is Eric Allix Rogers, 38, from Chicago, who ended up paying $155.99 for his updated Covid vaccine after the pharmacy said his insurance plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield, wasn't covering the shot.

Some coming forward for Covid shots have already faced road blocks, including costs, despite the fact the vaccine should be covered by health insurances

Mr Rogers decided to pay  rather than waiting for the plan to update  because he had a bad bout of Covid in 2021 and didn't want to take the risk .

'We are being told we have to transition to treating covid as a routine matter, and yet the people responsible for medical care have not figured out how to treat it as a routine matter,' he told the Washington Post.

'This shouldnt have been complicated.'

There are also delays with supplies, leading to hundreds of people being left stuck on the waiting list at some clinics.

America is an international outlier in recommending Covid boosters for younger age groups, with other countries previously only offering them to older adults.

But doctors in the US say the recommendation is because of the country's healthcare model, with the blanket recommendation needed to ensure health insurance companies cover the costs.

The UK, for comparison, is rolling out the updated Covid booster only to adults aged 65 years and older  saying they are the group most at risk for severe disease.

Last year, the CDC also recommended the Covid bivalent booster for everyone aged six months and over.
More than nine million Americans now live in an area where mask mandates have returned to local hospitals  amid concerns more health facilities could bring back the measures.

At least seven hospital systems have recently brought back face mask policies in areas of New York, California and New Jersey.

Most recently on Monday, New Jersey's largest hospital system  RWJBarnabas Health  became the latest to bring back the measure for patients, visitors and staff, alongside social distancing, citing concerns over rising COVID-19 cases.

But data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently shows hospitalizations and cases are dropping nationwide.

Several schools have also brought back face masks in classrooms and earlier this year one in Kentucky switched to remote learning citing a wave of sick children.

Studies have failed to show definitively that masks prevent Covid infections  despite millions of Americans being forced to abide by mandates. But experts still say it is advisable to wear them in hospitals, saying staff often come to work sick.

Despite shifts in some hospital systems, there is little evidence mandates will come back nationwide with Dr Anthony Fauci  the White House's former Covid chief medical officer  all but ruling it out last month.

On Monday, New Jersey's largest hospital system  RWJBarnabas Health  (one of its hospitals pictured above) became the latest to bring back mask mandates, alongside social distancing, citing concerns over rising cases (pictured above)

Pictured above is Lee County Elementary School in Beattyville, Kentucky. The school went back to remote learning in late August because so many children were out sick with Covid. It has now returned to classrooms

Dr Anthony Fauci (left) said that he would be 'extremely surprised' if the US would bring back nationwide face mask mandates in crowded areas. Dr Thomas Moore (right), an infectious disease expert at Kansas University, said masks did work as long as they were worn properly

The new mandates in the RWJBarnabas health system, which serves New Jersey residents in all parts of the state, will affect the network's 12 hospitals  which see nearly three million patients a year and are staffed by 37,000 medics.

A spokesman for the network said: 'This decision was made due to an increase in Covid prevalence in these communities.

'The health and safety of our team members and patients has always been and continues to be our number one priority.'

RWJ Barnabas is the largest of 12 health systems in New Jersey and made the decision days after Hackensack Meridian Health, also in the state, said it was bringing back face masks.

Official data shows Covid hospitalizations in the state are currently trending downward, with 521 patients currently hospitalized compared to 572 seven days beforehand.

The numbers remain well below the state's 2023 peak of nearly 1,800 Covid patients in January.

Champlain Valley Physician's Hospital, in Plattsburgh, New York, also just recently returned to masking after 50 of its employees were out sick with Covid and hospital admissions for Covid patients were rising.

Other healthcare facilities that have re-imposed mask mandates include Kaiser Permanente's facilities in Santa Rosa, California, which serves a county of 500,000 people. It reinstated its policies in late August.

And two hospitals in Syracuse, New York, brought back mask mandates on their units on August 17 in response to rising cases.

While facilities may be reinstating masking in the hopes to curb local spread of the virus, doctors have warned that in order for masks to work they must be worn correctly, covering the nose and mouth.

But, even then, some studies suggest wearing face coverings does not head off infections  while they can do harm to communication and education, especially in children.

One of the most comprehensive meta-analyses of face coverings carried out to date and published in February 2023 found masks made 'little to no difference' to Covid infection and death rates.

Carried out by the Cochrane Institute, the 'gold standard' of evidence-based reviews, the researchers found they cut the risk of catching 'Covid or flu-like illness' by just five percent  a number so low it may not be statistically significant.

The above graph shows Covid hospitalizations by week in the US

Covid deaths are still rising, but this is a lagging indicator because of the amount of time taken to register a Covid fatality

The researchers said harms caused by masks  including hampering children's schooling  were poorly measured in the studies, meaning any small benefit on infection rates may be outweighed.

The meta-analysis was based on 78 global studies involving more than a million people.

But earlier this year experts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) urged for masking to continue in healthcare settings to protect patients.

They said the request was because medical workers are notorious for working while sick and asymptomatic individuals can still transmit viruses.

Dr Thomas Moore, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Kansas, told DailyMail.com evidence suggests masks do help to prevent infections as long as they are worn appropriately and kept on.

He said most masks worked well at preventing Covid infections, by catching virus-laced droplets in their material, but the hospital grade N95 mask was best for preventing infections.

These newest mandates come after Dr Fauci said last month nationwide face mask mandates would not return this winter even if there was a significant rise in Covid case.

The former White House chief medical adviser said he would be 'extremely surprised' if they were reinstated.

But he could not promise masks would not be 'recommended' again.

Asked whether mask mandates would return on ABC 'This Week', Dr Fauci said: 'No, I don't see that in the future at all.

'I can see that if we get a significant uptick in cases that you may see the recommendation that masks be used under certain circumstances and indoor crowded settings.

'But I don't see there being, certainly not federal mandates  I would be extremely surprised if we would see that.'

The Covid wave from last month  which sparked alarm  already appears to be receding.

Official data showed there were 19,079 Covid hospital admissions nationwide over the week ending September 23, down three percent from the previous week.

The number was also well-below this year's peak of 44,400 admissions recorded in January.

The positivity rate  proportion of Covid tests that detect the virus  is also down one percent in a week, dropping to 11.6 percent positivity in the week ending September 23.

Fatalities were also down to 607 during the same week from 1,005 the week prior.
Patricia Swannell was many things during her lifetime  an economist, investment banker, devoted mother to her children Will, now 39, and Alicia, 37, and an accomplished artist whose intricate prints and abstract water-colours sold across the globe.

But in her last two years, she devoted much of her time to one burning issue.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, at the age of 55, and given the all-clear five years later, she learned in September 2021 that the disease had returned  to her bones, liver and abdominal lining.

But this only came after four years of repeated trips to doctors, who at one point put her symptoms down to an autoimmune condition and prescribed anti-rheumatic medication.

Highly articulate, Patricia was determined to use her own experience to expose deep flaws in the way secondary breast cancer is diagnosed and treated, somehow managing to bring grace to her own situation while also advocating for other women.

Multi-talented: Patricia designed and built the maze at Wakehurst Place, Sussex

Her grieving husband Robert, ex-chairman of M&S, reveals her life-changing legacy for other women (pictured together)

With the help of her husband of 42 years, Robert Swannell, an investment banker and former Marks & Spencer chairman, she raised more than 1 million in less than a year and led a campaign with the charity Breast Cancer Now to make sure women and clinicians understand the risks of secondary (also known as metastatic) breast cancer.

This is not the same as cancer recurring where it first started, but when it recurs elsewhere in the body.

READ MORE: I felt a lump under my skin and knew my breast cancer was back for a third time - but it CAN be cured Advertisement

Patricia had assumed that when she saw a doctor at any point after her original diagnosis, they would automatically see her medical history and be alert to any sign, however apparently trivial, that the breast cancer might have returned, either in the breast or elsewhere.

She found, to her great cost, this isn't always the case.

By the time the true cause of her tiredness and searing hip pain was identified, she had large secondary tumours in her abdomen and bones.

It is a shockingly common experience, according to research commissioned by Breast Cancer Now in 2019. Its survey of more than 2,000 patients with secondary breast cancer found that one in four visited their GP three or more times before being diagnosed.

'Twenty per cent told us they were initially treated for a different condition before being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer,' says Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive of the charity.

'There is a desperate need to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of secondary breast cancer among GPs.

'While secondary cancer isn't curable, it is treatable, and early diagnoses can mean many more years of life.'

Patricia Swannell was many things during her lifetime  an economist, investment banker, devoted mother to her children Will, now 39, and Alicia, 37

With the help of her husband of 42 years she raised more than 1 million in less than a year

Patricia died on September 8, less than two years after her secondary cancer was identified.

But rather than harbouring anger towards her doctors, Robert says he just feels 'immeasurably sad  life without her is unimaginable. She was my partner and guide in every tiny step.'

Despite losing his wife just over three weeks ago, Robert, 72, is continuing with her work. 'The issue that fired Patricia is that most women are simply not told enough about secondary breast cancer risk,' he says.

'It's clear from Patricia's personal experience and highlighted in Breast Cancer Now's research, that women are not routinely screened for secondary cancers and clinicians are not well trained in spotting the symptoms which should raise red flags. It is that simple.'

One in seven women in the UK is diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime; about 55,000 a year.

Although the five-year survival rate for primary breast cancer is 85 to 90 per cent, there's another figure you're less likely to hear.

Secondary breast cancer affects 20 to 30 per cent of women diagnosed with primary tumours and 31 die of it every day in the UK  that's almost 12,000 every year.

These figures are not trumpeted quite so loudly, nor is the fact that stray cells missed by the initial treatment (so-called micro-metastases) can lie dormant, sometimes for decades  in Patricia's case for 14 years  before reappearing in other parts of the body, causing seemingly unrelated symptoms.

Patricia's primary cancer was a lobular tumour, one that starts in the breast's milk-producing glands. While this is slow-growing, it is likely to spread aggressively, typically to the liver, bones and gastrointestinal tract  something her doctors did not make clear or mention at her annual checks.

Despite losing his wife just over three weeks ago, Robert, 72, is continuing with her work

Patricia devoted the rest of her life to making sure that every woman at every stage of cancer has information

Patricia had a mastectomy in 2007 to remove a 4cm tumour from her right breast, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. After five years, she was delighted to be told she was cancer-free, though she stayed on tamoxifen, a hormone treatment, to reduce the risk of recurrence.

She had yearly mammograms, which were clear. She kept her weight low, exercised and didn't drink alcohol.

When, four years ago, she had a series of health niggles, it didn't occur to her that these might be signs of secondary disease.

As long ago as 2017, she felt tired and had pain under her ribs. By 2019 she had recurrent pain in her right hip which got progressively worse. By the time of her secondary cancer diagnosis she was on crutches. She visited her NHS GP on numerous occasions and was referred privately to various specialists  including, in 2018, to a consultant rheumatologist who diagnosed lupus, an autoimmune disorder that causes fatigue and joint pain (for which she was prescribed the anti-rheumatic drug hydroxychloroquine).

And a cardiologist diagnosed pericardial effusion, a build-up of fluid between the lungs and chest wall sometimes found with lupus.

Patricia assumed these experts would have access to her medical notes, but found out later that the NHS uses multiple data systems, and the private healthcare system (where she received some care) yet more.

None of these experts knew her cancer history and Patricia, believing she was cancer-free, didn't think to mention it.

Finally, trying to find relief from the ache and discomfort in her hip, in September 2021 Patricia saw a physiotherapist, a family friend who, knowing her history of cancer, urged her to have an MRI scan, which she arranged privately. This showed cancer had spread to her bones, liver and peritoneum which lines the abdominal cavity  hence the pain and fatigue.

Robert gave up work on the spot. 'I knew supporting her would be the most important thing I'd ever done in my life,' he says. 'And it was.'

Due to Patricia's campaigning, NHS web pages were updated this year with new information on the symptoms of secondary breast cancer recurrence (stock image)

Patricia began treatment with fulvestrant and palbociclib  drugs used to treat breast cancer that has spread  which were not effective, and denosumab to treat the bone metastases. She also had chemotherapy, capecitabine  which worked briefly, shrinking her bone tumours  and eribulin.

'While secondary breast cancer is currently incurable, more people are living longer following a diagnosis,' says Baroness Morgan, pointing to a new generation of targeted drugs, including pertuzumab, that help slow down disease progression, offering more time.

'Timely access to treatment can relieve symptoms and have a dramatic impact on quality of life,' she adds.

Patricia felt wildly frustrated on speaking to younger women with small children on Breast Cancer Now forums whose lives had been shortened unnecessarily by a late secondary diagnosis.

'Patricia never forgot being told by an eminent oncologist [now retired] during her treatment: "Our women [patients] don't want to know the risk of their cancer returning. It would worry them,"' says Robert.

'Patricia fumed: "That attitude is patriarchal and out of date  women have a right to know."'

'Feisty and stroppy' by nature (her words), Patricia devoted the rest of her life to making sure that every woman at every stage of cancer has information  if she wants it  on the risks of secondary cancer, and every clinician has access to full patient history.

As well as fundraising, the couple used Robert's business connections to land meetings with senior people in the NHS and BUPA, but it was Patricia's focus that pushed the proposals through.

In a searing interview with the charity two weeks before her death, Patricia said: 'I kept on thinking: if only the experts had been more forthcoming about the incidence and symptoms of secondary breast cancer, and I'd been aware of them, I could have made sure every doctor I saw knew my cancer history.

'There would have been more treatment options and I could have had them earlier, giving me years longer with my family  but that was not to be for me.'

Without a trace of self-pity, she continued: 'I'm so pleased we have been able to turn this into something positive and that feels good.

'It is in my nature to shout, and we've been able to shout loud.

'Perhaps it sounds mad, but it makes me feel lucky that I was in the 20 to 30 per cent group whose cancer came back.

'I'm so glad we've been able to speak to the right people and start new conversations that have already brought change.

'Those changes won't help me, but they'll help thousands of women in future. Having a daughter and a sister, that does seem to me really worthwhile.'

Due to Patricia's campaigning, NHS web pages were updated this year with new information on the symptoms of secondary breast cancer recurrence.

Peter Johnson, a professor of medical oncology at the University of Southampton and National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England, says the NHS has now promised funding for an audit of secondary breast cancer services to improve access to, and outcomes of, treatment. Currently, there isn't even data on the number of patients whose secondary cancer is diagnosed late.

Breast surgeon Liz O'Riordan, author of Under The Knife and The Complete Guide To Breast Cancer, was diagnosed with lobular cancer in her left breast eight years ago, aged 40

'It is really important that anyone who has had breast cancer before is aware of the signs and symptoms of secondary breast cancer, which can include frequent headaches, bone pain, breathlessness, swelling or lumps elsewhere in the body, bloating and weight loss,' says Professor Johnson.

'If anyone is worried, please do get it checked  it might not be cancer, but it's better to get it ruled out quickly.'

Breast surgeon Liz O'Riordan, author of Under The Knife and The Complete Guide To Breast Cancer, was diagnosed with lobular cancer in her left breast eight years ago, aged 40.

She was treated for a local recurrence in her chest wall in 2018 and another near her mastectomy scar in July this year.

'It's really hard to know when women want to hear the news that their cancer could come back, both as a surgeon and a patient,' she says.

'But they need to know, whether they want to hear it or not. It is vitally important they know what the symptoms are, and what to do if they're worried.

'They also need to know it's important to keep checking their breasts and mastectomy scars for signs of a local recurrence. I've had two.

'I don't think I ever told my patients to do this and don't think I ever saw a guide on how to do it  which is why I did my own.'

'Surgeons and oncologists need to have that awkward conversation.'

'We need to make sure junior doctors know the signs  particularly of lobular cancer, as a small number of women, including a friend of mine, have been wrongly reassured before ending up in hospital due to metastatic disease.'

Dr O'Riordan admits she was terrified the first time she had a headache after treatment.

'I thought: could it be brain mets [metastases]? Do I need a scan? Then I got hip pain, and a cough that wouldn't shift after a bad cold. Again, I was convinced it was metastatic disease.

'I contacted my GP and thankfully my scan was normal. But the fear is real  not just of a recurrence, but of not being taken seriously.'

Consultant psychologist Frances Goodhart, co-author of The Cancer Survivor's Companion, says it's normal to fly to the worst-case scenario. 'You can't stop your mind from doing this  you live with the threat, and, in many ways, your mind is trying to keep you safe,' she says. 'The trouble is that it can become overwhelming and disruptive to your life. So how do you manage the fear?

'Firstly, speak kindly and reassuringly to yourself. Use your senses to damp down the threat in whatever way soothes you  music, perfume, going for a walk, meditation, seeing friends.

'Secondly, give yourself time. Make a note of what you are experiencing physically, so you have a record of it and you can then see if your thoughts settle.

'But if you continue to have the physical issue or feel concerned, seek advice from your oncology team or GP.

'Don't assume others will think you are making a fuss  but equally, don't assume that they know about you: they're working in a stretched service and may need your guidance with a concise summary of your medical history  having it written down can help.

'Let go of that British stiff upper lip and ask for help if you need it.'

A fifth of the 1 million raised by the Swannell family will be spent on educating women and clinicians on secondary breast cancer symptoms.

Another 100,000 will be spent on a programme at the Institute of Cancer Research developing more sensitive blood tests to detect the presence of tiny amounts of cancer cells left after treatment (molecular residual disease), which could mean treatment for secondary breast cancer begins earlier.

The remaining 700,000 will go to research into why breast cancer can lie inactive for years before reawakening and leading to secondary breast cancer. It's particularly relevant to oestrogen receptor positive (ER+) disease, the most common type of breast cancer (accounting for 80 per cent of all diagnoses, and the type that Patricia had).

Patricia was fed via a gastric tube for the final year of her life, as the tumours in her stomach meant she was no longer able to eat  something she felt could have been avoided if her cancer had been detected earlier.

In May, her oncologist told her there was little benefit in carrying on treatment. She died at home on September 8, surrounded by the family she loved so fiercely.

'She was so completely at peace,' Robert says. 'Nothing was left unsaid, she was surrounded by love and holding hands with me and our two children. If there is a perfect way to die then she achieved it, as she did with so much in life.'

Despite being in a 'tumble dryer of emotion', Robert is determined to carry on her legacy.

'I am relentless and I won't rest until this is done,' he says.

'Patricia was a remarkable, talented woman  alongside all her loving qualities and kindness she had a steely resolve. The mission to make things better for other women was so important in her last year.

'I can't imagine life without her but ensuring its success will be a great solace. It's an amazing reminder of what made her special.'

For information on the signs of secondary breast cancer, go to breastcancernow.org
Britons face even higher bills as part of efforts to clean up the country's rivers, seas and beaches, the water industry has warned.

Several of the UK's most prominent water companies have joined Severn Trent in submitting multi-billion-pound infrastructure investment proposals to slash the enormous volume of leaks and sewage discharges experienced in recent years.

Average water bills in England are anticipated to grow by an extra 7 per month by 2025, with this swelling to a 13 per month increase by 2030, corresponding to a 156 annual rise.

Plans: Industry body Water UK said the sector is committing 96billion towards enhancing the country's water and sewage infrastructure between 2025 and 2030

From 2025 to 2030, United Utilities plans to spend 13.7billion on improvements, including the installation of 900,000 smart meters and replacing 950 kilometres of pipes and mains across North West England.

Britain's largest listed water firm hopes the funding will reduce leakages by a quarter and sewage spills by around 60 per cent across its system for the decade ending 2030 and cut internal flooding of homes and businesses by nearly a third.

To fund these measures, it said customers would see their average water bills rise by around 22 per year, although it has offered a 525million support package to help those who might struggle to pay.

Over the same time frame, Pennon Group wants to invest 2.8billion on its network, partly financed by a 22 per cent real terms increase on bills for South West Water customers.

Yorkshire Water and Welsh Water have also announced investment schemes totalling 7.8billion and 3.5billion, respectively.

They follow Midlands-focused Severn Trent, which revealed a 'record' 12.9billion capital expenditure programme last Friday.

Industry body Water UK said the sector is committing 96billion towards enhancing water and sewage infrastructure between 2025 and 2030, a 'near-doubling' of current investment levels.

Should all proposals be given the green light by Ofwat, Water UK said they would lead to leakages falling by more than 25 per cent and the equivalent of 6,800 fewer Olympic swimming pools of overflow spills each year.

In addition, ten new reservoirs would be constructed, and more advanced technology at sewage works would eliminate over a million tonnes of phosphorus from rivers.

David Henderson, chief executive of Water UK, said: 'While increasing bills is never welcome, investment in our water system is essential to ensure the security of our water supply in the future.'

He added: 'Approving the plans is necessary so that we can provide the highest quality drinking water for a growing population, ensure the security of our water supply in the future and reduce the use of storm overflows as much as possible.'

Ofwat has promised to 'forensically scrutinise' the sector's blueprint to ensure the hike in bills over the five-year period is 'justified.'

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey has said 'major improvements' were required, having called for water firms to 'step up and deliver lasting changes' with its 2025-2030 submission.

Ms Coffey said she has been 'very clear' with Ofwat that 'customers should not pay the price for poor performance.'

The watchdog, which has faced questions about its ability to regulate the sector, will scrutinise the plans before a final decision is made at the end of next year.
Australian craft brewers claim Japanese giants, which own nine of our top 10 selling beers, have 'locked them out' of reaching drinkers at pubs across the country.

Sydney brewer Philter, run from the trendy inner west suburb of Marrickville, wants the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to investigate and break up what it claims is a monopoly.

The independents say popular brands owned by Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) and Lion Nathan - both now in Japanese hands - dominate the taps through contracts with pubs that lock out smaller brewers and limit choice.

Five of Australia's top-selling beers are owned by Asahi (Great Northern, Carlton Dry, VB, Pure Blonde and Asahi), while four are owned by Kirin (XXXX, Corona, Toohey and Hahn).

Because Asahi and Kirin are Japanese, most profits go offshore.

Small breweries such as Philter claim the system of giant breweries buying up contracts for the majority of taps in any given pub is unfair

All of these Aussie beers have one thing in common - they're owned byJapanese companies

The only Australian-owned beer in the top 10 sales chart is Adelaide-based Coopers.

Total annual beer sales in Australia are worth an estimated $22billion, but only 7 per cent is spent on independent breweries.

Mick Neil, co-founder of Sydney brewery Philter, said local breweries' share of sales needs to increase if they are to survive.

While the number of breweries has grown in recent years, many are battling unsustainable costs that have risen dramatically since Covid.

'Indie breweries employ 50 per cent of all workers in the beer industry but only get seven per cent of sales,' Mr Neil told Daily Mail Australia.

He claims independents such as Philter miss out on a fairer share of pub sales and wants drinkers to wake up to where the money goes.

'If you want to support your local community and brewing jobs and keep dollars in your local area, then buy a locally-made beer,' Mr Neil said.

'We're trying to have a crack. We employ 30 people in local area, all live within walking distance of the brewery.'

He believes the decades-old system of giant breweries buying up contracts for the majority of taps in any given pub is unfair and needs to be dumped to promote Australian products and keep profits on-shore.

The top ten most popular beers in Australia in 2022, according to sales data, have been revealed

READ MORE: Cost of beer to rise this year Advertisement

'For decades these guys have been locking in long term exclusive contracts with pubs inhibiting independent beer from having a fair go,' Mr Neil said.

Philter claims these tactics 'would be considered anti competition and the government would stamp it out with appropriate legislation.'

The Brewers Association of Australia, which represents CUB, Lion Nathan and Coopers, told Daily Mail Australia there's more breweries in Australia than ever.

'Craft beer has surged over the past 15 years. Thats a good thing for Australian beer and beer drinkers,' said John Preston, CEO of the BAA.

'Independent beer's share of draught beer has increased by 7 times over the past 15 years.'

Mr Neil said that growth has come from bottle store sales rather than in pubs, which are vital as that is where drinkers can decide what to buy at the bottle-o.

He claims drinkers lose out when they have to buy four or six packs of beer, or cases, instead of trying a schooner of a new beer in a pub.

'It's easier and cheaper to try a new beer at $9 or $10 a schooner instead of having to buy a six pack or larger amount for a lot more money.'

A spokesperson for Lion Nathan told Daily Mail Australia that it only does what drinkers want.

'Publicans are in the business of giving their customers what they want,' a spokeswoman said.

'In pubs where craft beer is popular, you'll usually find our beers alongside a range of independent brands.'

Philter employs 30 people, all oh whom live within walking distance of its Marrickville brewery

Mick Neil (pictured left, with his Philter co-founder Stef Constantoulas) says many small brewers are battling with unsustainable costs which have risen dramatically since Covid

But Mr Neil doubts pubs can give drinkers true choice with the traditional tap contracts in place.

'Maybe not even asking the consumer do they want something different. I'd say they're assuming than rather asking.'

A spokesperson for Asahi said publicans make independent craft beers available on tap 'in the overwhelming majority of our customers venues'.

'You only need to visit a local bottle shop or pub to see how much Australian beer culture has changed.'

The ACCC responded to Daily Mail enquiries by saying it encourages any brewers who are concerned about potentially anticompetitive behaviour to 'report it'.
EXCLUSIVE

A former leading homicide cop has revealed the next moves investigators will take in probing the fatal mushroom lunch that killed three people in regional Victoria, following claims of a significant development in the case.

Veteran Melbourne crime reporter John Silvester this week claimed police forensics had proven poisoned mushrooms caused the death of Don and Gail Patterson and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, at a lunch hosted by Erin Patterson.

Ms Patterson hosted the three and Heather's husband, Pastor Ian Wilkinson, at her Leongatha home in Victoria's South Gippsland region on July 29. Mr Wilkinson was the sole survivor and released from hospital more than a week ago.

It was hoped the lunch would be serve as a 'mediation' gathering to discuss Ms Patterson's relationship with her estranged husband Simon, who pulled out at the last minute.

Charlie Bezzina, who solved many high profile murder cases as a Victoria Police detective, said there were further twists in the case in the weeks ahead.

He said that if police had established the deaths' 'causation' - as Mr Silvester claims but Victoria Police has yet to confirm - detectives then have five vital areas of investigation to work through before any charges might be laid.

Erin Patterson is a suspect following the deaths of three guests at a July 29 lunch at her house, but an ex-cop says other persons could also be in the sights of Victoria Police

Ex Homicide cop Charlie Bezzina says there are five major parts of the investigation police have to closely examine before laying charges or turning over the case to the coroner

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting that Erin Patterson intended to harm or kill anyone, only that police are now investigating the fatal lunch to determine whether any charges should or should not be laid.

Mr Bezzina said, should the forensics tests be confirmed, 'we can put that to bed and move forward'.

'The next most paramount thing is what the pastor - and they would have spoken with him in hospital - has told investigators about a number of things,' Mr Bezzina said.

'Pastor Wilkinson can say if the guests were invited over to (Erin Patterson's) house, say, every Sunday, every fortnight or month, or if they hadn't been invited over previously.

'As investigators, we don't prove innocence or guilt, we present fact that is either inculpatory or exculpatory (tending to incriminate, or tending to clear guilt).

'If you are innocent you'd be jumping on top of the table and saying this is such an accident.

'(Erin Patterson) has provided a statement to police from her lawyer. Now it's up to investigators to prove criminal intent, or say that it is an accident, which is what her defence will be saying.'

Mr Bezzina laid out what will now be unfolding in the Homicide Squad taskforce investigating the triple poison mushroom fatalities.

1. THE LAST SUPPER

Mr Bezzina said filling in the dots between Ms Patterson and her lunch guests was necessary to determine these points: Why was the lunch held, and what historically was the customary 'course of conduct' between the hostess and her guests?

'Pastor Wilkinson could describe how the lunch was served, if he had any knowledge how it was prepared, whether it was prepared at Ms Patterson's house or elsewhere, and if there was any discussion of mushrooms and foraging.

'He could reveal if the guests were invited over to (Ms Patterson's) house, say, every Sunday, every fortnight or month, or if they hadn't been invited over previously,' Mr Bezzina said.

Erin Patterson's house, scene of the now-infamous Beef Wellington lunch after which three guests died from, it has now been proven, mushroom poisoning

Heather Wilkinson (left) died from mushroom poisoning it has been revealed as her husband, Pastor Ian Wilkinson (right) was released from hospital nine weeks after the fatal lunch



2. WAS SOMEONE ELSE INVOLVED?

Mr Bezzina said detectives would question if there was somebody else involved - another person who might have prepared the meal and given it to Ms Patterson who unknowingly served it, and if they had a motive or reason to harm the lunch guests.

He reiterated that Pastor Wilkinson's account of the lunch setting and the atmosphere would be intrinsic to the taskforce's direction.

'The investigation could take a year, two years, to prove one way or another.

'Investigators may conclude it's just an accident.'

It has been proven that Don and Gail Patterson (left) died from mushroom poisoning after attending a lunch at their daughter-in-law's house and were buried (above) in August

Police retrieved a mushroom dehydrator dumped at the local tip (above) by Erin Patterson, but would have taken items and utensils from her home and forensically tested kitchen surfaces

Erin Patterson packs up at her Leongatha home in August and has since dropped from sight amid intense interest in the case which is now entering a new phase of investigation

3. TRACING THE KILLER FUNGI

Collecting the physical evidence and determining how and why the poisonous mushrooms ended up in the pie is also highly important, Mr Bezzina said.

Police retrieved the mushroom dehydrator Ms Patterson dumped at the local tip - in a panic, she later explained, when her lunch guests went to hospital - however they would have also collected items from the house where the lunch was held.

Mr Bezzina said analysing the dehydrator may not have produced any physical evidence of mushroom traces as it may have been washed, but that the other items and Ms Patterson's house might have contained fragments.

'You need to find out how the (Death Cap mushrooms) came to being cooked in the meal, but it will be important to take samples from kitchen surfaces and cooking utensils to prove beyond doubt they were there, should this go to court,' Mr Bezzina said.

The detective said establishing if Death Cap mushrooms grow in Korumburra and surrounds was important to establish

'They would also be establishing if the areas around nearby Korumburra facilitate the growth of Death Cap mushrooms, if they grow prolifically within 30-40km.

'Foraging mushrooms is not unusual in country areas, I've been mushrooming myself as a teenager.

'But investigators would be going to Melbourne University and speaking to toxicologists and botanists.'

3. ERIN'S STORY - TRUTH OR FICTION

Any detectives will be looking to confirm or dismantle Ms Patterson's story - did she lie, or is she another victim of a terrible tragedy?

Ms Patterson said she cooked Beef Wellington which contained mushrooms and shared it with her guests. She also ate some herself, and gave 'leftovers' to her children after 'scraping' off the mushrooms which they didn't like.

police will check hospital records to corroborate Erin Patterson's (above) reported stay following the lunch, her treatment and the results of any tests she might have had.

Mr Bezzina said that police would be checking hospital records to corroborate Ms Patterson's reported stay following the lunch, her treatment and the results of any tests she might have had.

He said because Ms Patterson has stated that she bought button mushrooms at a supermarket and other mushrooms at an 'Asian grocery store', the story needed police investigation to confirm or pull apart.

'Saying she doesn't remember where the Asian shop is doesn't make her a killer, as she said, after the deaths she was feeling so devastated,' Mr Bezzina said.

'But the investigators will run rabbits down every burrow,' he said.

'The investigators would want her to say what area she believed the Asian shop was in, then get CCTV in the time-frames she went there.

Simon Patterson (above at his parents' memorial) and his two children with Erin Patterson will also be thoroughly interviewed to establish the family's past course of conduct

'They would be looking potentially through a whole week's worth of CCTV footage from the Asian shop and from the supermarket when she bought the other mushrooms, to see if her true movements back up her statement.

'That's why the police have said this investigation is long and complex, because the tentacles go in many different directions.'

4. THE EX-HUSBAND AND THE KIDS

Interviewing Ms Patterson's ex-husband and their two children is also a central part of the police probe.

'They will be looking at the whole domestic situation of family,' Mr Bezzina said.

'Ms Patterson said she loved them (the lunch guests) and what could she possibly have to gain if they died.'

Any past events or controversies will be examined by detectives, such as the bizarre 'death wall' of graffiti featuring drawings of tombstones allegedly left by the children in a room of Erin's house

Mr Bezzina said Ms Patterson's ex-husband, Simon Patterson, and their children would be interviewed at length.

Past events or controversies will be examined by detectives including the bizarre 'death wall' of graffiti featuring drawings of tombstones allegedly by the children in a room of Erin's house.

Any siblings or other relatives and close friends will also be interviewed, Mr Bezzina said.

While Erin Patterson has been the focus of media attention, detectives may be looking at one of two other persons in am investigation which could take years

5. A CORONIAL INQUEST

Mr Bezzina said the other prospect was a coronial inquest.

'There are no rules of evidence at an inquest, so while it might be long, protracted and complex we could eventually get to the bottom of why these people died,' he said.
Bank investigators suspected Hunter Biden was associated with a 'sex trafficking ring' and falsified checks to pay prostitutes, Treasury documents reveal.

Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) reviewed by DailyMail.com show the First Son's accounts were being monitored as late as December 2019, after investigators found payments from Hunter and his companies to a suspected 'Eastern European prostitution ring'.

A previously unreported document, filed to the Department of the Treasury on December 17, 2019 by financial crime investigators at Wells Fargo, picked out 25 individuals linked to the suspected ring and almost $7million of suspicious transactions, some of which included checks from Hunter that they believed may have been falsified to hide his payments to hookers from his business account.

The report, shown to DailyMail.com by a confidential source, said 'Biden has sent money to individuals who may be part of an Eastern European prostitution ring', and that investigators were monitoring 'several [Wells Fargo] customers suspected of participating in a sex trafficking ring associated with Biden'.

Others associated with the ring included women with Russian passports and a China-based company to which money was funneled.

Investigators found payments from Hunter and his companies to a suspected 'Eastern European prostitution ring,' DailyMail.com can reveal. The Treasury documents also said Hunter made nine 'peer-to-peer transfers'  such as Zelle  totaling $30,900, including to this female friend, a woman previously linked to a 'sex trafficking ring' in other Treasury reports

Hunter wrote checks disguised as medical services to escorts supplied by New York-based Ekaterina Moreva, whose website offered a 'girlfriend experience' with escorts as young as 20

In Hunter's text conversations with Ekaterina Moreva, she refers him to her website UberGFE.com, which advertises 'models' who can give clients a 'girlfriend experience' in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Miami, Washington DC, Chicago, London and Paris. Women on the site are pictured in skimpy lingerie or semi-nude

Transactions flagged in an SAR do not necessarily prove any wrongdoing or illegal activity, but are filed to the Treasury when investigators at a bank notice suspicious behavior by customers.

DailyMail.com has previously reported documents, texts and video showing Hunter spent a staggering $30,000 on escorts in just five months  including transactions documented in other SARs filed by banks to the Treasury.

Hunter's sister-in-law and former lover Hallie Biden spent time with Hunters friend who is named in the SAR as being linked to a sex trafficking ring. They are pictured together in a September 23, 2017 selfie also on the First Son's abandoned laptop

This new document flagged potentially even greater sums spent on drugs and prostitutes.

The SAR tracked $1,162,732 sent to Hunter's company Owasco from his business partner and Biden family friend, Rob Walker, a former Clinton administration official.

Walker partnered with the First Son in several of his shady overseas deals currently under criminal investigation, including a multi-million-dollar energy joint venture with Chinese government-linked company CEFC.

The Wells Fargo investigators said Hunter withdrew $105,492 in cash from Owasco and $263,978 from his personal accounts between February and November 2017 across nine states  and even made some withdrawals in Monaco.

'These cash withdrawals were conducted during a time period during which Biden publicly admits to heavy usage of drugs and prostitutes,' the SAR said.

The Treasury documents also said Hunter made nine 'peer-to-peer transfers'  such as Zelle  totaling $30,900, including to a female friend of Hunter's in her 30s previously linked to a 'sex trafficking ring' in other Treasury reports.

DailyMail.com has chosen not to name this woman.

Photos on Hunter's laptop dated September 2018 show him topless, biting the woman's ear, and pulling on her hair while she kneels on a bed at a Los Angeles AirBnB.

It appears Hunter's sister-in-law and former lover Hallie Biden spent time with the woman, as they are pictured together in a September 2017 selfie also on the First Son's abandoned laptop.

Photos on Hunter's laptop dated September 2018 show him topless, biting his female friend's ear, and in a Los Angeles AirBnB

A previoously published Suspicious Activity Report filed by JPMorgan Chase flagged Ukrainian Moreva after she received tens of thousands of dollars from Hunter's company

A senior special agent assigned to the federal agency's sex trafficking and child exploitation group in New Jersey contacted Delaware State Police in October 2020, asking about 'Hunter Biden allegations that may have a nexus to New Jersey'

A report from several years ago in a Nevada local paper said the woman was arrested after her boyfriends toddler was found wandering their neighborhood.

She and her boyfriend had been arrested for methamphetamine possession days earlier and released on bail, the article said.

It has now been taken down by the paper's website.

The Treasury document said Hunter's 'high volumes of cash transactions' were potentially linked to 'prostitution and or drugs'.

'Wells Fargo's financial crimes investigations conducted a continued review of customer Robert Hunter Biden as well as several related customers for funds derived from unknown sources, the unusual movement of funds, and unusually high volumes of cash transactions that appeared related to prostitution and or drugs,' the investigators' report said.

One suspected member of a prostitution ring Hunter sent money to was Ekaterina Pitula, the 39-year-old Russian owner of an Irvine, California retail store Victoria Rossi, the SAR said

'This investigation observed that Biden and related business accounts received unknown sources of funds, which funded cash withdrawals, outgoing transfers, and outgoing checks that appeared to be needlessly split into smaller amounts for no clear economic purpose.

'The overall activity appeared related to prostitution or drugs. The review also found that several customers suspected of participating in a sex trafficking ring associated with Biden continued to have what appeared to be an unusual movement of funds in their accounts.'

Wells Fargo Financial Crime Investigators (FCI) who wrote the SAR pointed to suspicious checks Hunter wrote from his business account that they believed could be used to conceal payments to prostitutes.

'Between October 15, 2014 and April 22, 2015, Owasco issued 13 business checks to Biden totaling $58,432 that appeared unusual in nature,' the report said.

'Specifically, Owasco issued multiple checks on the same or consecutive days that appeared to be for the same purpose. For example, on March 15 and March 16, 2015, Owasco issued three checks of $2,488, $5,000 and $5,000 to Biden, and each check had the notation 'pay period 3/1 - 3/15'.

'FCI was unable to determine a legitimate economic purpose for splitting checks into smaller amounts in this manner, which could be for the purposes of deception or concealment.'

The Wells Fargo investigators traced payments to suspected members of the prostitution ring back to a Hong Kong company.

One suspected member Hunter sent money to was Ekaterina Pitula, the 39-year-old Russian owner of an Irvine, California, retail store Victoria Rossi, the SAR said.

In 2019, Investigators spotted 25 cash deposits by Pitula totaling $18,728 in her personal and business accounts, which were then wired to a Chinese account of a company called HECNY International Ltd, to another woman's account in Russia, and to a man in Ukraine.

'Due to the unknown sources of funds, the unusual movements of funds, and a past history of transactions that appeared to be related to sex trafficking, FCI deems this activity to be suspicious,' the report said.

Documents, texts and videos obtained by DailyMail.com show Hunter Biden spent a staggering $30,000 on escorts in a five-month period

Some of the suspected prostitutes sent videos to Hunter on a train after he paid for their ticket from Boston to New York for their illicit hookup

Moreva sent photos of checks that were no good that Hunter had paid with. He spent thousands of dollars from his joint account with his ex-wife Kathleen, who divorced him in 2017

DailyMail.com has previously published texts from Hunter's iPhone showing he wrote checks disguised as medical services to escorts supplied by New York-based Ekaterina Moreva, whose website offered a 'girlfriend experience' with escorts as young as 20.

Videos and pictures from Hunter's laptop show he hired women via Moreva then helped transport them over state lines for a debauched night with him  a potential federal offense.

Moreva was named in other SAR documents leaked by Marco Polo that tracked her as part of a suspected sex trafficking ring.

The new SAR obtained by DailyMail.com was not from the right wing nonprofit.

Some of Hunter's hooker payments came just hours after he received thousands of dollars from his father.

Texts from January 2019 revealed by the Washington Examiner last June show Joe Biden sent Hunter $5,000 just hours before he got into a dispute with a prostitute he claimed he paid $10,000.

Republican House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced earlier this month he is investigating Hunter's alleged links with sex trafficking rings  including demanding records from the Department of Justice.

'The Committee on Oversight and Accountability continues to investigate whether the Department of Justice (DOJ or Department) is upholding the rights of victims who were sexually exploited by Robert Hunter Biden (Hunter Biden),' Comer wrote in a letter to the DoJ on September 8.

'These women may be victims under the Crime Victims' Rights Act and may also be afforded mandatory restitution pursuant to the Mandatory Victim Restitution Act.'

IRS whistleblower Joseph Ziegler, who ran a five-year investigation into Hunter's alleged tax crimes, told Congress that he saw evidence the First Son even tried to deduct payments to sex workers on his tax returns.

Documents provided by Ziegler and released by the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday show federal investigators interviewed a sex worker called 'Gulnora', who told them that she was paid for 'an escort job with Robert Hunter Biden'.

Gulnora told IRS agents Hunter bragged that his father was Vice President and 'showed her a picture of his father with President Barack Obama', according to a redacted interview transcript published by the committee.

Moreva followed up with Hunter over his escort debts a month after the January 2019 tryst. He texted her that he was having trouble sending money because the payments had raised a 'red flag' with his bank due to the recipient's Russian email address

On April 27, 2021, Ziegler interviewed Hunter's accountant, Jeffrey Gelfound, who said that Hunter got him to claim at least $4,200 of payments to Gulnora as business expenses, another transcript shows.

The sex worker is likely Gulnora Djamalitdinova, to whom Hunter wired $25,000 during a hooker and drug-fueled binge at a Los Angeles hotel in May 2018, DailyMail.com has previously reported.

California business records show that a woman by the same name ran a Los Angeles-based company, Emerald Fantasy Girls Inc., which registered as a 'nonprofit' before it was shut down in April 2018.

Djamalitdinova was also charged in 2019 with prostitution and escorting without a permit, and in 2016 for dealing cannabis, according to Los Angeles Superior Court records. Both charges were dropped as part of plea deals.

Hunter paid Djamalitdinova while staying in a $470-per-night room at the Jeremy Hotel in West Hollywood.

His binge only ended on May 24, 2018 when then-recently retired LA Secret Service chief Robert Savage texted him threatening to break into the room, telling him that 'DC is calling me every 10' and that he was working on 'Celtic's account'  the Secret Service codename for Joe Biden when he was Vice President.

Savage has denied having any involvement with Hunter, and the Secret Service say that they were not providing any protections for the Bidens at the time.
The discovery last week of a cannabis farm inside a former Marks and Spencer store was just the latest in a string of similar raids by police.

The find in Buxton, Derbyshire, came just three months after more than 500 cannabis plants were discovered inside a derelict Poundland store in Worcester.

There have been similar discoveries inside a former Job Centre, police stations and even a grammar school.

Now an expert has warned how the increase in shop closures on high streets - fueled by the Coronavirus pandemic and the cost of living crisis - around the country are providing criminals with the perfect cover to set up cannabis farms.

Ian Broughton, a drug crime consultant and former officer in the Metropolitan Police, told MailOnline: 'More premises are available and unoccupied and not being checked regularly.'

He said if criminals break into a disused premises with 'easy access to electricity and a water supply' then they have somewhere that is 'ticking all the boxes' for a cannabis farm.

The discovery last week of a cannabis farm inside a former Marks and Spencer store was just the latest in a string of similar raids by police. Pictured: Drugs squad officers swooped on the empty shop in Buxton, Derbyshire, and found the cannabis where shoppers had once browsed for cosmetics and clothes

The M&S store, which had been a fixture in Buxton for 85 years, closed in April 2019

Other recent police raids uncovered a cannabis farm inside a former grammar school and a mattress shop.

The raid in Buxton uncovered around 975 plants inside Buxton's former M&S outlet, which closed in April 2019.

Around 975 plants were discovered where shoppers had once browsed for cosmetics and clothes.

Lights and an irrigation system had been set up above the crops to help them flourish.

A 34-year-old man, believed to be an Albanian national, was arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation and immigration offences.

Mr Broughton said: 'Generally those types of premises have got larger rooms so you can get a larger crop inside. And it is out of the way.

Last month an Albanian man appeared in court after being accused of running a 1.9million cannabis factory above a Job Centre Plus building (above) in Gloucester

Police officers raided the upper floors of the former employment centre in August, where they found 2,300 cannabis plants growing across 16 different vacant floors

In 2019, police found a huge cannabis farm inside a former police station in Oldham

Remnants of the massive drugs farm, made up of more than 1,000 plants, were discovered when officers found the building unlocked

Last July, a large cannabis factory was found inside a former police station in East London. The drug farm was uncovered at the old precinct on the Isle of Dogs

'If you have got a commercial premises with easy access to electricity and a water supply then it is ticking all the boxes.

'And it will not be traceable back to them because they will have been breaking and entering.'

Asked how landlords can stop criminals from moving in, he added: 'One thing they could do is try to make the electricity access really difficult for those who would invade because cannabis requires a lot of electricity and power.

'If they could in any way isolate the electricity supply that would make the premises a lot less attractive.'

Last July, a large cannabis factory was found inside a former police station in East London.

The drug farm was uncovered at the old precinct on the Isle of Dogs.

Officers from the Met told how a 'large cannabis factory' was found but there had been no arrests.

Earlier this month, two men were jailed after police found more than 500 plants inside a disused Poundland store in Worcester

In June last year, police found a huge cannabis factory inside an abandoned grammar school in Walsall, West Midlands

A total of 711 plants were seized from inside Abu Bakr Boys' School (pictured). Images revealed hundreds of plants growing among old classroom equipment - including school chairs and notice boards

It followed a similar discovery inside a former police station in Oldham in 2019.

Remnants of the massive drugs farm, made up of more than 1,000 plants, were discovered when officers found the building unlocked.

Earlier this month two men were jailed after police found more than 500 plants inside a disused Poundland store in Worcester.

Officers launched the raid after staff in neighbouring shops had begun complaining about the smell emanating from the store.

Denis Voka, 24, and Gjediku Kadri, 41, were arrested on suspicion of cannabis production following the discovery.

A court heard that the pair were found covered in mud hiding underneath the building's emergency fire exit staircase.

Both men were in the UK illegally and are now facing deportation after they pleaded guilty to producing a class B drug.

Voka and Kadri, both of no fixed abode, were jailed for 33 months each at Worcester.

It came as an Albanian man appeared in court after being accused of running a 1.9million cannabis factory above a Job Centre Plus building in Gloucester.

Police officers raided the upper floors of the former employment centre in August, where they found 2,300 cannabis plants growing across 16 different vacant floors.

They had forced their way into the property after receiving a number of reports from members of the public.

And in June, officers seized 416 cannabis plants that were found growing in a disused nightclub in Torquay, Devon.

Other discoveries have been made inside a former mattress shop in Bridgend, Wales, and a disused Barclays Bank in Cornwall.

In June last year, police found a huge cannabis factory inside an abandoned grammar school in Walsall, West Midlands.

This cannabis farm was discovered inside a former mattress shop in Bridgend, Wales

In June, officers seized 416 cannabis plants that were found growing in a disused nightclub in Torquay, Devon

A total of 711 plants were seized from inside Abu Bakr Boys' School.

Images revealed hundreds of plants growing among old classroom equipment - including school chairs and notice boards.

Cannabis farms in former commercial premises are a problem north of the border too.

The Huntly Arms Hotel in the Scottish village of Aboyne was found to be hiding a cannabis farm in January.

And last April, a former Poundstretcher store in Kirkaldy was found to be the home of a 1million cannabis farm.

The following month, another farm was found in a former WH Smith store on the same street.
Intriguing, and seemingly on permanent display, the museum curiosities no doubt fired the imagination of young visitors who perhaps pictured the items coming to life.

Now it has emerged that a dolphin skull, tiger whiskers and a wolfs teeth are among hundreds of artefacts missing, lost or stolen from Scottish museums and galleries.

In the past five years, some 261 items held by the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and the Hunterian in Glasgow, National Museums Scotland and Aberdeen Art Gallery are said to have been logged with unknown locations.

It comes after the British Museum asked the public to help recover an estimated 2,000 missing items from its collection.

Artefacts including gold rings and Greek and Roman jewellery were found to have been taken from the London institution over a significant period.

Tiger whiskers are amongst the hundreds of missing artifacts

Bendor Grosvenor, the art historian who presented the BBC TV series Britains Lost Masterpieces, told The Sunday Times: Every now and then significant things do go missing from museums and its quite alarming when that happens.

[In Scotland] its not on the scale of the British Museum and we can be fairly sure that most of the objects in Scotland have just gone missing, as happens in museums with tens of thousands of objects. Not everything can be tracked all the time.

The newspaper reports that a dolphin skull was stolen from the Hunterian, and that antlers, skin, whiskers and teeth are among the treasures missing from the Kelvingrove.

The University of Glasgows Hunterian insisted it adhered to strict recognised collections management standards and systems to manage the safety and security of [its] collections.

A dolphin skull is also lost

Bendor Grosvenor, the art historian who presented the BBC TV series Britains Lost Masterpieces

National Museums Scotland is reported to have said a telephone handset from a de Havilland Comet jetliner, built in 1962 for the Royal Air Force, was stolen from public display last year.

Six smaller items were recorded as missing, including a model of a British heavy tank used during the First World War.

The largest number of misplaced artefacts was at Aberdeen Art Gallery, with a total of 245 items including necklaces, purses, hats and bags logged as missing in the past five years.

Glasgow Life, which runs the Kelvingrove, is reported to have said that recording, cataloguing and caring for the Glasgow Museums Collection has improved significantly since it was founded in the 1860s.

It added: Where historic thefts have been conclusively identified, we have robust processes in place, including notifying the police and adding the items to the Art Loss Register.
A prison guard has been killed in a brutal ambush by an inmate in Georgia.

Robert Clark, 42, died in hospital after Layton Lester assaulted him with a homemade weapon at Smith State Prison in rural Glennville, officials said last night.

Clark - who began working as a corrections officer just six months ago - was escorting two inmates from the prison dining hall Sunday when the convicted murderer attacked him from behind.

The second inmate, Marko Willingham, tried to help the officer and was also wounded. He remained hospitalized with injuries described as non-life threatening by the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC).

Robert Clark, 42, started working for the Georgia Department of Corrections in April

Layton Lester attacked Clark with a homemade weapon while he was being escorted from the prison dining hall, officials confirmed. The 32-year-old is serving a life sentence for the armed robbery and murder of his great aunt, Lorrine Bozeman, in April, 2007 in Tift County

'The entire GDC team is mourning the loss of one of our own and we collectively express our deepest condolences to Officer Clarks family and friends,' Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said in a statement.

'We will support them as they navigate this tragedy over the coming days, weeks and months.'

Lester, 32, is facing charges in Clark's death and the assault on the second inmate.

He is serving a life sentence for the armed robbery and murder of his great aunt, Lorrine Bozeman, in April 2007 in Tift County.

Lester, who was 15 at the time of his arrest, targeted Bozeman after finding out she had received a large sum of money and was planning to buy a house.

He was overheard telling a friend they could each get $5,000 from the robbery.

Lester denied the killing but was found guilty.
More than 8,000 pupils are being excluded from schools every year amid a wave of violence across Scotlands classrooms.

Children as young as five have been told to stay away from school, as a Scottish Daily Mail probe shows a litany of shocking behaviour.

Incidents include pupils attacking other children and staff with weapons, indecent exposure, and threatening teachers and pupils with sexual harm and violence.

In a sign of the changing nature of issues facing schools, disruptive pupils are also using social media to bully their victims at all hours of the day and night.

Youngsters have also set fire to school buildings and property, consumed drugs and alcohol before attending class and stalked staff and other pupils.

Teachers are dealing with a rising tide of abuse and violence

Critics say there has been a surge in violence in schools and are calling for more to be done to tackle the issue.

A spokesman for the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) said there is clear evidence of an aggression epidemic sweeping through our schools which has left many teachers feeling unsafe.

Scottish Tory education spokesman Liam Kerr said: The escalation of violence in schools, sometimes involving children as young as five, is nothing short of a national scandal which is taking a huge toll on teachers, other pupils and parents.

The SNP have really taken their eye off the ball on this issue and have only agreed to hold a summit on school violence following repeated pressure from the Scottish Conservatives.

Figures from 30 of Scotlands 32 councils show some 8,696 pupils were excluded in the past academic year. As schools are open 190 days per year, this is equivalent to more than 45 pupils a day.

The number of exclusions the previous year was 8,739. There were 13,235 incidents of exclusion  also called suspension  in the past academic year and 13,017 the year before.

The authorities can exclude pupils when they consider that allowing them to continue attending school would be seriously detrimental to order and discipline... or the educational wellbeing of other children.

The Scottish Government states that exclusion should only ever be used as a last resort.

In a survey of SSTA members, 75 per cent said that they had experienced verbal aggression, while one in eight had endured physical aggression.

Despite this, only 9 per cent reported all incidents and 13 per cent reported some incidents.

One member said: I have often asked pupils why they behave as they do and the response is always because I can.

An SSTA spokesman said: There is a denial culture in the system that fails to acknowledge how serious the situation is in schools.

Teachers are suffering and there appears to be little support to address the problem. Pressure is exerted on schools and local authorities to push the numbers down for fear of reputational damage.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr is calling for action

Many teachers see little point in reporting incidents as no action will be taken.

The Scottish Conservatives have said that they want to see the establishment of a School Violence Working Group as well as a review of the exclusion policies for pupils.

Mr Kerr added: Coupled with provision of guidance, materials and support  both practical and financial  to parents and schools, we can hopefully reverse the trend.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: Where exclusion is used, it should be as a proportionate response where there is no appropriate alternative, and the wellbeing of the child or young person should be the key consideration.

This is confirmed by national guidance.
HUMZA Yousaf is a danger to Scotland because of his alliance with the extremist Greens, according to the leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

Douglas Ross yesterday launched a strongly-worded attack on the First Minister, saying his strategy for breaking up Britain is even more rash, irresponsible and hasty than Nicola Sturgeons and that his coalition with the Greens could drive Scotland to disaster.

He vowed to back Scotlands drivers and speak up for people who have been forgotten by the SNP, and announced a general election pledge to ensure that two key roads are fully dualled as soon as possible: the A9 between Perth and Inverness and the A96, which links Aberdeen and Inverness.

He even suggested that he would support the UK Government stepping in and ensuring that the investment finally happens if the SNP/Green Government fails to get on with the job.

Douglas Ross declared the SNP/Green coalition a danger to Scotland

In a speech to the Conservative conference in Manchester, which fires the starting gun on the partys campaigning ahead of the general election, Mr Ross said: No party standing up for the majority of Scots would put Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater into government.

Yet the SNP are so obsessed with independence they are willing to ignore it all, and their extreme policies and failures in office.

And thats why Humza Yousaf is a danger to Scotland. He has learned from the empty bluster of Salmond and the false faces of Sturgeon.

We call him useless but actually hes reckless, and hes certainly more reckless than Nicola Sturgeon.

Mr Rosss blistering speech came as:

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack accused the SNP of seeking to undermine devolution;

Mr Ross said he has no issues with Tory MSP Maurice Golden voting against the party;

The Prime Minister mocked the SNPs financial problems and pledged to protect Scottish jobs in the North Sea;

Jeremy Hunt is set to launch a crackdown on benefit claimants who refuse to look for a job;

The Conservatives will announce a ban on smartphones in schools in England.

Mr Ross said that Mr Yousafs strategy for independence  which includes a pledge to claim a mandate for tearing Scotland out of the UK if the SNP wins more Scottish seats than other parties in a general election  is more rash, irresponsible and hasty than even Sturgeon was at her worst.

He claimed Ms Sturgeon would have dismissed his plan as too far, and added: He has the arrogance to try and split up Scotland with the smarmy grin, the misplaced bravado, and he thinks he can do it. But the only thing hes really capable of is damage. He could drive Scotland to disaster if were not careful.

Humza Yousaf has rebranded the SNP as a bigger version of the extremist Greens.

He said the Bute House Agreement has made the SNP become a nastier, more bitter and divisive force.

Ross declared Humza as a bigger version of the extremist Greens, while saying that no party standing up for majority of Scots would have put Patrick Harvie into government

Setting out a key theme for his general election campaign, Mr Ross said his party needs to send a strong signal to the SNP Government to abandon their independence obsession, abandon their alliance with the extreme Greens, and to focus on the real priorities of forgotten Scotland.

Mr Ross said the Scottish Tory manifesto for the election, which could happen next spring, will include a commitment to fully dual the A9 and A96 as soon as possible  after the SNP failed to deliver on its pledges on both roads.

He claimed Mr Yousafs only priorities are in his own backyard, in the Central Belt and claimed the A9 has been sacrificed because it is further away from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Mr Ross said: Last year deaths on that road reached the highest level in over a decade, and deaths on the sections still to be upgraded were three times higher than the already dualled parts of the road.

There is no way that would be allowed to happen on the M8, yet because this concerns the north of the country it is repeatedly moved down the priority list.

He said it is a total disgrace that work on the A9 and other key roads outside the Central Belt have been delayed, and claimed the SNP would far rather bring the anti-driver Greens into government than protect lives on dangerous roads.

Opposing plans to reduce car use by 20 per cent, he accused Mr Yousaf of misleading people about how much his net zero targets will cost, and accused him of being sleekit and deceitful about the impact on families.

He said: The Scottish Conservatives will always back drivers. Thats why, unlike the independence-obsessed SNP, the very first pledge in our 2024 manifesto will be to fully dual the A9 to Inverness, and the A96, as soon as possible.

We call him useless but actually hes reckless, and hes certainly more reckless than Nicola Sturgeon

Where the SNP have failed to deliver on its promises for the north of Scotland, our Scottish Conservative promise will be cast iron  no ifs, no buts.

We will make dualling the A9 and A96 and upgrading other major roads our top infrastructure priority.

Asked if his announcement meant the UK Government would intervene, Mr Ross said it already has agreed to provide levelling up funding for a ferry to the Fair Isle and that it can add pressure on the SNP to deliver.

Asked if the UK Government would consider bypassing Holyrood on funding to upgrade the A9 and A96 like it has done on council funding, Mr Ross said: I think you always have to look at that but ultimately transport is devolved to the Scottish Government and this is a failure of the Scottish Government to deliver on their promise.

Nationalist MSP Rona Mackay last night defended her partys record in government.

She said: The SNP has a strong track record in delivering for communities right across Scotland  from rolling out game-changing family and child benefits, to overseeing record staffing in our NHS, and supporting our farmers, crofters and agriculture sector. In contrast, the Tories at Westminster have ignored Scotlands interests for decades; dragging us out of the EU against our will, short-changing the Scottish Government at every turn, and attempting a power grab on our Scottish parliament by bypassing devolution.

At the conference Ross said that dualling the A9 was a priority

With independence, Scotland will get the governments we vote for  and we will not be forced to pay the price of Tory economic mismanagement and incompetence.

Scottish Greens constitution spokesman Ross Greer said: When will Douglas Ross take responsibility for his role in the decisions which led to food prices, energy bills and mortgage payments skyrocketing?

His obedient support of Boris Johnsons shambolic Brexit and then for the economic catastrophe of Liz Truss has left hundreds of thousands of Scottish families struggling to pay their bills.

Over a year since the disastrous Truss mini-budget, the people of Scotland are still feeling the consequences. That level of economic damage in such a short period of time would have been impossible without the support and cheerleading of her Tory colleagues like Douglas Ross.
The daughter of leading No campaigner Warren Mundine has come out strongly in favour of the Voice as she accused of her father of not doing what is 'morally right'.

Garigarra Riley-Mundine, 31, is one of seven children Mundine had with former wife and Indigenous educator Dr Lynette Riley during a 26-year marriage that ended in a 2008 divorce.

Ms Riley-Mundine said her father's opposition to the Voice 'goes against what I feel is morally right and how I've been raised and the family that I come from'.

She said the family values imparted by her 'staunch union man' grandfather were 'to do everything we could to make sure that future generations had it better than what we've got now'.

Garigarra Riley-Mundine, the daughter of Warren Mundine, has strongly rejected her father's views on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament

At a National Press Club speech on Tuesday Mr Mundine called the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the document that calls for the Voice, a 'symbolic declaration of war'.

Ms Riley-Mundine, who told The Guardian she does not have 'a strong relationship with her father', strongly rejected this.

READ MORE: Karen Mundine labels No campaigner uncle Warren 'inconsistent' as she backs Indigenous Voice Advertisement

'It hurt because I feel that the Uluru Statement came from a place of unity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,' she says.

'We're not trying to take over anything; we are literally just asking for a voice.

'And we just want to unite this country, because when we are empowered and our communities are strengthened, then all of Australia is empowered and strengthened.'

Ms Riley-Mundine accused her father and other No advocates of waging a two-pronged fear campaign.

She said they told non-Indigenous Australians the Voice would have negative ramifications for the wider community but also told Indigenous Australians that it would allow the government to control them and strip their sovereignty.

However, she insisted the proposal was entirely positive.

'I see the Voice to Parliament and the Uluru Statement from the Heart as an outstretched hand to say, "Help us help ourselves. We want to have a voice in our future and in the policies and programs that affect us", Ms Riley-Mundine said.

Ms Riley-Mundine also expressed disappointment over her father failing to denounce a comedy act at the right-wing CPAC event in August who 'acknowledged' the traditional owners of 'violent black men'.

'Corporate comedian' Rodney Marks also went on to describe famed First Fleet contact Bennelong as a 'woman-basher' during the 'comedy skit'.

Mr Mundine (pictured right with fellow No advocate Jacinta Price) has led the fight against the Voice

Karen Mundine, who is Mr Mundine's niece, has come out strongly in favour of a Yes vote

'(Warren Mundine) surely must have been hurt by those words. I can't imagine any black man that wouldn't have been hurt by those words,' Ms Mundine said.

'I found it really hard to hear. As a black woman, obviously I feel strongly about these things no matter who my connections are, but being surrounded by strong black men who I love, my heart hurt hearing those words.'

During a National Press Club speech on Tuesday Mr Mundine said comedians 'have freedom to have comedy and make jokes' and that the Voice referendum, to be held on October 14, had already bitterly divided the community.

Ms Riley-Mundine, who lives in Canberra with her husband and 10-week-old son, also thought the referendum debate had been divisive and she said her 'heart went out' to any struggling with mental health issues because of it.

'There have been a lot of divisive voices that have been lifted up in this referendum and I feel that as a nation, we have to go through a healing process after this,' she said.

'In having a yes vote, we can show people that this is something from love and this is something from hope and that it's nothing to be scared of.'

The Mundine family has publicly split on the Voice with Warren Mundine's niece Karen Mundine strongly backing the Yes campaign and claiming her late mother Kaye, who is Mr Mundine's sister, would also.

Karen, who is Reconciliation of Australia CEO, suggested the family could drift apart over their political views.

'Will people be as close? I don't know right now. It's hard to say,' she said.

The highest profile Mundine family member, former champion boxer and NRL superstar Anthony, who is Warren's second cousin, also plans to vote No.

He described the Voice as 'straight up trickery'.

Former boxer and NRL star Anthony Mundine supports his uncle in opposing the Voice to Parliament

Karen also claimed her mother Kaye, a champion for Indigenous rights who died in 2016 aged 69, would disagree with her brother, with whom she used to 'lock horns ... a lot'.

'She would be hating this whole debate,' she said.

Karen said her uncle had a direct impact on her childhood and 'helped raise' her and that she loved and respected him.

'He has a point of view and he stands for that, but I very much disagree with that point of view,' she said.

The increasing divisiveness of the campaign has led to abuse directed at Reconciliation Australia, the organisation she has led since 2017.

They have been bombarded with abusive calls and social media messages and even received 'an unsigned threat'.

One of her female colleagues, door knocking for the Yes campaign also had a hot cup of coffee thrown over her.

Mr Mundine, 67, previously told Daily Mail Australia the Voice hasn't impacted the relationships in the family.

'In our family there is a wide range of opinions, just like any other family,' he told Daily Mail Australia.
A Texas mom has been accused of allowing her three-year-old son to drown at a water park as she allegedly 'spent hours looking at her phone and singing along to music,' witnesses told police.

Anthony Leo Malave, 3, died May 13 after being found unresponsive in a four-foot pool at the Camp Cohen Water Park, in El Paso Texas.

The boy's mother, Jessica Weaver, 35, has been accused of negligence and was arrested in connection with the drowning on August 30 and charged with injury to a child by omission.

Seven witnesses revealed the shocking behavior of a woman matching Weaver's description the day Anthony died.

They detailed the careless and avoidable nature of the incident in a police report obtained by KFOX.

Jessica Weaver, 35, has been accused of being negligent and was arrested in connection with the drowning on August 30 and charged with injury to a child by omission

Seven witnesses at the El Paso Camp Cohen Water Park (pictured) revealed the shocking behavior of a woman matching Weaver's description the day Anthony died

Witness one said 'a woman, matching Weaver's description, was on her phone, sitting outside of a pool for over an hour.'

They added that the person 'never looked up or paid attention to anything.'

Two witnesses said that they saw the boy without his mother adding that they saw 'Weaver laying down and singing along to her phone, for approximately seven minutes before the toddler was pulled out of the water.'

Two witnesses said that they saw Anthony without supervision - adding that they saw 'Weaver laying down and singing along to her phone, for approximately seven minutes before the toddler was pulled out of the water'

Another said: 'A woman matching Weaver's description that day, encouraged the toddler to go into the pool before walking away and leaving the boy by himself.'

This same witness also said that 'it took Weaver five minutes to run to the pool after lifeguards had blown the whistle for everyone to get out.'

As the devastating drowning was unfolding one witness told police they believed 'Weaver was in the water park by herself' as they didn't see her with a child.

'Weaver did not immediately react to the situation and was surprised to learn that she was the mother of the drowning child when Weaver jumped in the water.'

Several more damning allegations were laid against the Texas mom with one witness claiming that they saw two three-year-olds swimming 'unattended and without a life vest,' before noting that the life vests were free for anyone to use.

Weaver's apathetic parenting style was also brought into question by one witness who claimed that the her son had been 'spitting chips' into the pool but was too busy on her phone to care or realize.

Weaver's apathetic parenting style was also brought into question by one witness who claimed that the her son had been 'spitting chips' into the pool but was too busy on her phone to care or realize

Despite the damning description of Weaver's lackluster parenting - images of Anthony reveal the toddler beaming in photos that have emerged in the wake of the tragedy

Weaver's legal counsel Ryan MacLeod claims that this is merely a witch hunt after the Texas mom pursued her own legal action against the city

According to the arrest report, this last witness called the police and filed a report regarding Weaver's apparent lack of concern for her child while at the water park that day.

The police document also states that the capacity at the water park is 1,460 and that there were approximately only 466 people that day and life vests were available.

Weaver's legal counsel Ryan MacLeod earlier shirked blame saying that the city was 'more concerned with filling the park for a soft opening than safety,' Fox News reported.

A press conference with El Paso District Attorney Bill Hick's was called a 'political stunt' by MacLeod when he said 'a lifeguard is not a babysitter.'

'They're a last resort in hopefully saving a life,' Hick's said in a press conference at the time of the arrest.

MacLeod believes that the city is pursuing legal action against Weaver because she filed a lawsuit against the city and said the DA should be pursuing charges against the 17 lifeguards on duty that day.

DailyMail.com has contacted MacLeod and the DA's office for comment but did not immediately here back.
In a recent poll, Trump led DeSantis by 31 points among Iowa GOP Caucus voters

'No, I'm running for president,' DeSantis said Sunday morning on FOX News

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he would not be open to being Donald Trump's vice president if the 2024 presidential hopeful were to ask him

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he would not be open to taking on the role of vice president if former President Donald Trump asked him to be his No. 2.

Talking on' 'Sunday Morning Futures' with Maria Bartiromo, the presidential hopeful from the Sunshine State said he has no plans to take on the role beside Trump.

'No, I'm running for president,' DeSantis told the FOX News host bluntly.

The curt answer comes as DeSantis is a staggering 31 points behind the former president in a recent Fox Business poll of GOP Caucus voters in Iowa.

It's the second time Gov. DeSantis has shared his hesitation in becoming the VP, after previously telling Newsmax that he's 'more of an executive guy.'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (left) says he would not be open to taking on the role of vice president if former President Donald Trump (right) asked him to be his No. 2

Talking on' 'Sunday Morning Futures' with Maria Bartiromo, the presidential hopeful from the Sunshine State said he has no plans to take on the role beside Trump

During his appearance, DeSantis stressed that he is not interested in the idea of a backseat role in the coming election.

'We need somebody that can serve two terms,' he said.

'We need somebody that can win states like Georgia and Arizona, which President Trump cannot do or did not do, even though candidates like McCain and Romney had no problem winning those states,' DeSantis continued.

McCain carried Arizona in 2008 with a margin of 8.48 percent and Georgia by a margin of 5.2 percent.

Romney won by 9.06 percent in Arizona in 2012 and 7.8 percent in Georgia.

Former President Trump won Georgia and Arizona in 2016 by smaller margins.

In 2020, however, Trump lost Arizona to President Joe Biden by .3 percent and Arizona by .23 percent.

The statement from DeSantis comes after Trump recently jabbed at his fellow Republicans by saying he didn't see a potential vice president in the race.

'They're all job candidates,' Trump said on Wednesday.

'They'll do anything, secretary of something. They even say VP. I don't know. Does anybody see any VP in the group? I don't think so,' he said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, argues a point with businessman Vivek Ramaswamy during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX Business

Polling website Five Thirty-Eight shows Trump winning a whopping 55.1 percent of the vote following the second debate

Recent polling data shows DeSantis with just 13.5 percent of the vote in the 2024 GOP race

In March, DeSantis said that he would not be open to the opportunity as he rode the high of his impending campaign announcement.

'I think that you want to be able to do things,' DeSantis said while talking about why he would run for the highest office.

He added that it is 'probably what I'm most suited for.'

On the other side of things, when asked if he would consider Trump as his running mate, he responded: 'That's interesting speculation.'

As of September 29, polls show the former president leaps and bounds ahead of his fellow Republicans vying for the presidency.

Polling website Five Thirty-Eight shows Trump winning a whopping 55.1 percent of the vote following the second debate.

DeSantis, the second most popular candidate, pulled just 13.5 percent.

Vivek Ramaswamy received 6.6 percent while Nikki Haley had just 6.5 percent.
Tens of thousands of Channel migrants will remain in 'limbo' in Britain if the Supreme Court fails to give the Rwanda asylum deal a green light, a report warns today.

Only three per cent of small boat arrivals will be removed from the UK unless judges overturn a controversial ruling blocking the scheme on human rights grounds earlier this year.

It means more than 35,000 small boat migrants a year, at current rates, will face possible 'destitution' here, predicts stark analysis by leading migrant charity the Refugee Council.

Once the Illegal Migration Act comes into force in January, small boat migrants will be barred from the asylum system  but the Home Office will not be able to remove the vast majority to their home nations over safety fears, it says.

The report, published today, says: 'Given the current lack of functioning safe third-country agreements due to the Government's agreement with Rwanda still facing ongoing legal action, nearly everyone (96.5 per cent) who crosses the channel in a small boat would be stuck in permanent limbo, unable to get on with their lives. It is highly likely these people will disappear into the margins of communities and be at risk of long-term destitution, exploitation and abuse.'

Tens of thousands of Channel migrants will remain in 'limbo' in Britain if the Supreme Court fails to give the Rwanda asylum deal a green light, a report warns today (file photo)

Once the Illegal Migration Act comes into force in January, small boat migrants will be barred from the asylum system  but the Home Office will not be able to remove the vast majority to their home nations over safety fears, it says. Migrants are pictured arriving in Dover last month

It suggests that even if the Rwanda scheme gets off the ground, it will not be able to cope with the numbers crossing the Channel. The Home Office would still be left with more than 25,000 people a year, at current rates, who cannot be removed, it predicts.

But the Home Office and Rwandan government have previously refused to put a limit on numbers who could be accommodated under the programme.

The 140 million scheme, which has stalled on legal grounds since June last year, is meant to give migrants a one-way ticket to Rwanda, where they will claim asylum there rather than in the UK.

In June, the Court of Appeal ruled that the policy is unlawful on human rights grounds.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman's appeal against that decision will be heard by Supreme Court justices beginning on Monday next week.

The report also says Channel crossings have risen by almost a fifth this year if Albanian nationals are discounted.

There were 19,400 crossings in the first eight months of this year  excluding Albanians  compared with 16,300 in same period last year  an increase of 19 per cent.

Ministers secured a returns agreement with Albania last year which has seen arrivals plummet by 90 per cent.

A Home Office source said: 'As the Home Secretary has made clear, our Rwanda partnership is crucial to the operational delivery of the Illegal Migration Act.'
A young single mom was struck and killed by an airplane while riding a lawnmower at a small Oklahoma airport.

Samantha Hayes, 27, was struck and killed by the wing of the 1972 Bonanza A36 at Broken Bow Airport on Friday.

The pilot, 70-year-old James Baxter, was preparing to land on the runway at Broken Bow Airport when he noticed Hayes, on her mower in the field.

Baxter attempted to pull up to get the wing over Hayes but failed to do so, fatally striking her in the head with the wing of the plane, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Authorities say that Hayes was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident due to head injuries.

It's unclear whether Hayes worked at Broken Bow, which is believed to be a sparsely populated municipal airport with no air traffic control.

Samantha Hayes, a 27-year-old Oklahoma woman and mother of three, was killed after being struck by the wing of a plane that tried to land at a small, municipal airport

The pilot, 70-year-old James Baxter, was flying a 1972 Bonanza A36 preparing to land on the runway at Broken Bow Airport when he noticed the woman, Samantha Hayes, on her mower in the field surrounding the runway

On Facebook, Hayes was remembered as a loving friend and devoted mother to her three children.

'Samantha Hayes was a wonderful great mom to her 3 babies! She was a single mom who worked hard to give them a safe and loving home! These babies knew they were loved everyday all day!' wrote Darlene Tadleigh, a friend.

'Them babies will know how much their momma loved them. We never know when these things are gonna happen but they can and for her it did.'

'God knew [h]is plan for her and it's hard for us to process because she was still needed here but his ways are higher than our ways even when it's hard to understand,' she added.

Carley Hayes wrote: 'You was one of the sweetest people Ive ever met, Ive never heard you say a cuss word or talk down on anyone. You was so full of life and had a whole life ahead of you with your precious babies.'

'Youve got a whole family thats gonna make sure them babies are good I promise.'

'I am so mad and upset I just dont understand at all. You was literally my best friend and Im so thankful for all of the memories we have I just feel like they wasnt enough,' Hayes added.

Authorities say that Hayes was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident due to head injuries

On Facebook, Hayes was remembered as a loving friend and devoted mother to her three children

Baxter, the pilot, was not injured. The FAA has no age limits for people to fly planes, though commercial airlines are banned from employing anyone over the age of 65.

No further information has been revealed about Baxter and no charges have been filed against him.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety for further comment.

The incident remains under investigation.
Former defence secretary Ben Wallace has said he urged the Prime Minister to increase military support to Ukraine by more than 2 billion  a rise of 50%.

The veteran Conservative argued that with extra Western weapons, Kyiv could 'end' the battle against Russia and expel the invaders.

Mr Wallace, an ally of Boris Johnson, stepped down from the defence brief in a mini-reshuffle in August, having already announced his decision not to contest the next general election.

Writing for The Daily Telegraph, the former Scots Guard lamented that the UK was no longer Kyiv's biggest military backer in Europe, having slipped behind Germany.

His call for additional resources to be sent to Ukraine comes as the debate grows in the West about the level of backing to continue offering the partially occupied nation.

The veteran Conservative argued that with extra Western weapons, Kyiv could 'end' the battle against Russia and expel the invaders

In the US, Republicans in Congress have been resisting sending more aid to the eastern European country with Democrat President Joe Biden urging politicians to 'stop playing games' in the face of the Kremlin's 'brutal aggression'.

In Slovakia, populist former prime minister Robert Fico won early parliamentary elections having vowed to withdraw his country's military support for Ukraine.

Mr Wallace said one of his final acts as defence secretary was to press for further financial backing from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and his forces.

'We have a chance to help finish this. The Russian army is cracking,' Mr Wallace said.

'We need to give Ukraine the support it requires to see this war to the end.

'Before I left office, I asked the PM to match or increase the 2.3 billion pledged to Ukraine this year, to add to the 4.6 billion we have spent already.'

Ben Wallace said he asked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to increase the UKs military support for Ukraine by 50%

The former cabinet minister urged Britain to 'help Ukraine maintain its momentum' in the counter offensive, a push that will require more munitions and storm shadow missiles and other long-range weapons, he said.

Mr Wallace said that with Kyiv's troops 'pressing forward' against heavily-mined Russian defences, it was possible the next stage of the conflict which has been raging since February 2022, could be the 'beginnings of the battle for Crimea'  the peninsula in southern Ukraine annexed by Moscow in 2014.

No 10, which said it would not be responding to Mr Wallace's remarks, has requested the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) views on future spending, according to the Telegraph.

The MoD said it would not be commenting.

The UK committed 2.3 billion of military support in 2022 and the Government confirmed it would sustain that in 2023.

Officials said Britain remains committed to providing Kyiv with long-range precision strike weapons, artillery, air defence and armoured vehicles, while also liaising with Mr Zelensky's administration about their requests for more weapons.

The funding debate comes after Mr Sunak made clear that British troops would not train Ukrainian forces in the war-torn country while its battle with Russian president Vladimir Putin's troops is going on.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who replaced Mr Wallace, had said in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph that 'eventually' he would like to conduct Britain's long-standing training 'in country' rather than in the UK.

Mr Sunak said the senior minister was expressing a 'long-term' ambition and not something for the 'here and now'.

'There are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict. That's not what's happening,' he told broadcasters during a visit to Burnley on Sunday.

The UK has trained more than 25,000 Ukrainian armed forces personnel, according to official MoD figures.
Equality watchdogs are today backing a landmark case brought by a woman who says she was badly treated at work for suffering menopause symptoms.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission said that every employer in the country should take note of the claim brought by social worker Maria Rooney, 52.

At a hearing due to start this week, her lawyers will say she was discriminated against, harassed and victimised by her employer Leicester City Council on the grounds of disability and sex.

It comes after judges at a preliminary hearing ruled for the first time in an employment tribunal case that Ms Rooney's menopausal symptoms, along with stress and anxiety, meant that she was disabled.

Last night Baroness Falkner, chairman of the commission, said: 'Menopause symptoms can significantly affect someone's ability to work.

Last night Baroness Falkner, (pictured) chairman of the commission, said: 'Menopause symptoms can significantly affect someone's ability to work'

'Employers have a responsibility to support employees going through the menopause  it is to their benefit to do so and the benefit of the wider workforce.

'Every employer should take note of this hearing.' She added: 'We will soon be launching new guidance for employers, so they have the resources to ensure they are looking after their staff who are going through the menopause, and we will encourage all employers to use it.

'As Britain's equality regulator, we will continue to intervene in cases such as this and hold employers to account by using our unique powers.'

Ms Rooney had worked as a children's social worker in Leicester for 12 years but said no one helped her when she started suffering from work-related stress as well as menopausal symptoms.

She was even given a formal warning for being off sick.

After her appeal against her manager's decision was rejected, she resigned in October 2018 and then lodged an employment tribunal claim.

'I felt let down and betrayed after working there for so long and I felt they had no compassion and understanding and awareness of the menopause,' said Ms Rooney.

A Leicester City Council spokesman said: 'As the tribunal is due to start hearing this case this week, it would not be appropriate for us to comment at this time.'
A 15-year-old boy has been killed in a horror car crash, while five other passengers - all teenagers - have been rushed to hospital.

Six teenagers were inside a white Holden Commodore ute travelling along a dirt track in Kanowna, in Western Australia's Goldfields region, on Sunday afternoon when the car rolled over.

The 15-year-old tragically died at the scene while the other passengers, three 14-year-old boys, another 15-year-old boy and an 18-year-old woman, were taken to hospital with injuries.

Six teenagers were inside a white Holden Commodore ute travelling along a dirt track in Kanowna, in Western Australia 's Goldfields region, near Kalgoorlie (pictured is Kalgoorlie) on Sunday afternoon when the car rolled over

The group had been travelling along the road just off the Goldfields Highway at about 3.40pm on Sunday when the accident happened.

Officers from the Major Crash Investigation Section are now asking anyone with information into the crash to come forward.

Those with information are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
In a bid to secure Iowa, former U.S. President Donald Trump promised a cheering Iowa rally that he'll allow gasoline engines if re-elected in 2024 but will ban 'child sexual mutilation.'

'Under a Trump Administration, gasoline-fired engines will be allowed  but child sexual mutilation will be banned, if that's OK with you,' he said to the crowd.

As he has with his other recent travels to the leadoff caucus state, Trump was campaigning in an area that formerly supported Democrats.

Trump was headlining an afternoon event in Ottumwa, where 2,500 packed the inside of an event hall at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa.

In a bid to secure Iowa , former U.S. President Donald Trump promised a cheering Iowa rally that he'll allow gasoline engines if re-elected in 2024 but will ban 'child sexual mutilation'

The small city is a hub in eastern Iowa and the seat of Wapello County, one of 31 counties Trump carried in 2016 that Democrat Barack Obama had won four years earlier.

A ban on gender affirming care, which Trump referred to as 'child sexual mutilation,' went into effect in Iowa late September.

Supporters of the law have argued minors are too young to make 'potentially irreversible decisions' about medical care, according to media reports.

While some have said gender dysphoria is a 'temporary phase' that children grow out of.

Amid a national fervor over transgender care for children, Republican leaders in Iowa passed Senate File 538, which prohibits Iowa doctors from prescribing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or gender-affirming surgeries to transgender people under 18.

Rep. Steve Holt, R-Denison, said the law protects Iowa kids from permanent changes they may later regret.

Trump, the first Republican to capture the county since the Eisenhower administration, campaigned the week before in northeast Iowa, he's seen here at Sunday's rally

Trump made a visit to the Vande Voort family farm on Sunday as part of the trail

He and other Republican supporters of the law argued there's not enough data to support gender-affirming care for transgender minors.

'We thought it was extremely important to protect children from that,' Holt said to the media on the issue.

'Again, once someone turns 18 years of age, if they want to look at the data and make that decision, they can do that.

'But we believe the data clearly showed that it was appropriate for us to protect minor children from these procedures.'

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the law March 22, giving doctors six months to taper patients off any puberty blockers or hormones they provided to transgender youth, before the ban went into effect Sept 18.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the law March 22, giving doctors six months to taper patients off any puberty blockers or hormones they provided to transgender youth, before the ban went into effect Sept 18

Gender-affirming care refers to medical interventions that affirm a transgender person's identity.

Trump's comments come amid his second trip to the region in two weeks, where he's been seen drawing large crowds amid his campaign.

Trump hopes he can drum up voter support in the Jan. 15 caucuses, where more than a half-dozen other Republicans are vying to rise as a threat to his popularity within the party.

'With your support on Monday, Jan. 15, we're going to win the caucuses in an historic landslide,' Trump told the packed event hall Sunday.

Trump is expected back to the Waterloo and Cedar Rapids areas next week.

Trump, the first Republican to capture the county since the Eisenhower administration, campaigned the week before in northeast Iowa.

There, he drew about 1,400 to rural Jackson County along the Mississippi River and almost 2,000 to Dubuque County to the north. Like Wapello, Dubuque County had been a Democratic stronghold for decades before 2016.

Though aides said they were not specifically targeting counties that Trump flipped in 2016, they noted that he has had success in the eastern part of Iowa where manufacturing has declined sharply in the past two decades.

His administration's renegotiation of the U.S. trade pact with Canada and Mexico remains popular.

Rick Anderson and his wife Nancy, who were filing into the hall, are the kind of voters whom Trump's campaign would like to persuade to caucus for the candidate on Jan. 15.

They used to vote Democratic but switched in 2016 to support Trump. They have not attended Iowa's Republican precinct caucuses in the past.

Trump's comments come amid his second trip to the region in two weeks, where he's been seen drawing large crowds amid his campaign

Trump hopes he can drum up voter support in the Jan. 15 caucuses, where more than a half-dozen other Republicans are vying to rise as a threat to his popularity within the party

Anderson, a retired union millwright who co-owns a small business with his wife, is among the many longtime union members who kept Wapello County and others in Iowa's once-robust, eastern manufacturing corridor reliably Democratic-performing until Trump.

'We like what he says. He says 'Drill, baby, drill,' and that's got my heart. Because that's what's wrong with the country is energy. Solve that problem and you solve so many other problems,' Anderson said.

'Democrats have lost touch with people like us.'

As Trump maintains a strong lead in Iowa, his Republican rivals are scrambling for backing, hoping a strong showing can help them consolidate non-Trump support.

However, recent polling from Five Thirty Eight show he remains in a strong lead at 55.1 percentage points compared to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who is trailing in second at 13.5 percent.

Trump volunteers at the site held clipboards stacked with pledge cards and asked attendees whether they would commit to support Trump at the caucuses.

Trump arrived in Iowa after a two-day trip to California, where he picked up 6 million of his 74 million votes in 2020 while losing the state by 30 percentage points to Democrat Joe Biden.

As Trump maintains a strong lead in Iowa, his Republican rivals are scrambling for backing, hoping a strong showing can help them consolidate non-Trump support

Trump arrived in Iowa after a two-day trip to California, where he picked up 6 million of his 74 million votes in 2020 while losing the state by 30 percentage points to Democrat Joe Biden

In a fiery speech that delighted Republicans dejected after decades of Democratic control, Trump escalated his long-standing tough-on-crime message with calls for violent retribution for against criminals.

People caught robbing stores should be shot, Trump said to applause.

He raised money during his trip to Orange County, once a bastion of conservatism in Southern California that has become increasingly competitive.

While Trump's would-be Republican challengers sparred in the second primary debate earlier in the week, Trump was in another key blue-collar county in the general election battleground of Michigan.

Trump spoke during Wednesday night's debate in Macomb County, Michigan, north of Detroit at a nonunion manufacturing plant, where he blasted Biden's push for electric cars amid an autoworkers' strike.

Trump carried Macomb County twice, after Obama did in 2008 and 2012.
A majority of voters back Britain pulling out of Europe's human rights treaty in order to deport more illegal migrants, according to a poll.

The survey showed 54 per cent support leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

By comparison, just 27 per cent of the 2,000 adults polled said they would oppose such a move, with the rest saying they 'don't know'.

A clear majority of those polled agreed with 'replacing the current European system of human rights laws' with 'new British laws that protect rights like free speech but enable the Government to promptly deport illegal migrants'.

Among Tory voters, support was at 86 per cent, found the poll for The New Conservatives, a group of Tory MPs aiming to shape the party's policies before the next general election.

A majority of Britons back Britain leaving the European Convention of Human Rights in order to curb illegal migration (File Photo)

Business Secretary Kemi Badencoh has said that the option of leaving the ECHR needs to be on the table

The research, by Whitestone Insight, was carried out before Home Secretary Suella Braverman made a speech last week in which she criticised the 1951 Refugee Convention for helping to create an 'absurd and unsustainable' asylum system.

Mrs Braverman went on to warn that uncontrolled immigration posed an 'existential challenge' for the West and could lead to our way of life being erased.

The New Conservatives will today call for five main policy commitments in the party's next election manifesto, including replacing Labour's Human Rights Act with a 'new British framework for rights and freedoms'.

It came as Kemi Badenoch, the Business Secretary, said the option of quitting the ECHR 'needs to be on the table'.

She told the Sunday Times: 'People present this argument as being something that's very extreme, but.... even in legal circles, a point that they make is that this convention needs updating.'
Jeremy Hunt will vow to 'make work pay' today with a boost to the minimum wage and a crackdown on benefit claimants who refuse to look for a job.

The Chancellor will use his keynote speech to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester to announce that the national living wage will rise to more than 11 an hour next April, benefiting two million low-paid workers.

But he will also warn that about 100,000 benefit claimants who refuse to look for work could have their handouts cut for months. Mr Hunt will say the reforms are designed to 'make work pay', adding: 'Those who won't even look for work do not deserve the same benefits as people trying hard to do the right thing.'

A Tory source said the changes showed 'we are on the side of the workers, not the shirkers'. In a separate announcement, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride will unveil plans for a crackdown on 'deadbeat dads' who refuse to make maintenance payments for their children.

The Child Maintenance Service will be given new powers to process 'liability orders' for feckless fathers directly rather than going through the courts. Sources said the move was expected to slash the time taken for payment orders to be issued  which can be up to several months.

The Chancellor will use his keynote speech to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester to announce that the national living wage will rise to more than 11 an hour next April

The main speech at the conference will be from Mr Hunt, who will confirm plans to boost the wages of the lowest paid on the second day of the Manchester gathering

Jeremy Hunt is set to announce a set of new policy measures aimed at addressing concerns from Tory MPs and rebooting Britain's economy

Mr Hunt will say the reforms are designed to 'make work pay' (File Photo)

The Government had already set a target for the national living wage to reach two-thirds of median hourly pay by October next year. The Low Pay Commission estimates the rate required to meet that target should be between 10.90 and 11.43, with a central estimate of 11.16  equal to a rise of 7.1 per cent.

'At the moment it is 10.42 an hour and we are waiting for the Low Pay Commission to confirm its recommendation for next year,' Mr Hunt will say. 'But I confirm today, whatever that recommendation, we will increase it next year to at least 11 an hour.'

For a full-time worker, the pay rise will be worth more than 1,000 a year. The national living wage was announced by George Osborne in 2016 as an enhancement to the minimum wage.

Mr Hunt will today say it has succeeded in lifting two million people out of absolute poverty, adding: 'That's the Conservative way of improving the lives of working people. Boosting pay, cutting tax.'

Details of the benefits crackdown are still being hammered out by ministers and will be unveiled in the Chancellor's autumn statement next month.

A Tory source said the move would be targeted at up to 100,000 benefit claimants who refuse to look for work or take a job.

The Low Pay Commission estimates the rate required to meet that target should be between 10.90 and 11.43, with a central estimate of 11.16  equal to a rise of 7.1 per cent (Stock Photo)

Home Secretary Suella Braverman's remarks last week have caused a furore among some senior Tory figures

Ms Braverman has faced disagreement from Dame Priti Patel and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch

The source said existing short-term benefit sanctions were not enough to persuade them to 'engage' with the system.

A permanent cut to benefits has been ruled out, but people could potentially face reduced payments for months.

'There are still 90-100,000 people who are completely disengaged with the system,' the source said. Mr Hunt will also warn that things have gone in the 'wrong direction' since the pandemic when it comes to people out of work, with 100,000 a year leaving the workforce 'for a life on benefits'.

The Chancellor's announcements come after a spat erupted yesterday between Home Secretary Suella Braverman and her predecessor Dame Priti Patel.

Dame Patel attacked Ms Braverman over her controversial claim that multiculturalism has failed. Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch is also expected to take a swipe at her Cabinet colleague's focus on rhetoric over delivery when she delivers her speech.

Almost a week on, the fallout continues from Mrs Braverman's speech to a think-tank in Washington D.C., in which she declared that multiculturalism is a 'misguided dogma' which allows incomers to 'live parallel lives'.

In remarks widely seen as paving the way for a future leadership bid, the Home Secretary claimed uncontrolled immigration and the failure of new arrivals to integrate was a 'toxic' combination that could end up threatening the security of societies.

Dame Patel, speaking on Sky News, responded to Ms Braverman's remarks by saying: 'I don't know what the intention was around that, it might just be to get attention, to have the dividing lines that your previous commentators were mentioning as we go into the run-up to a general election.'

Liz Truss has been leading rebellious Tory MPs demanding tax cuts

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will need to manage the revolt from Conservative MPs and fix divisions within the party

This is expected to be the last Conservative Party conference before the next general election

She added: 'This side of a general election, if I might politely suggest it is about delivery and the Government will be judged on delivery. When you make pledges, statements and promises, you have to deliver.

'But, of course, pledges are no substitute for action. And I think the public, they are sick about hearing about some of these issues and the failure to deliver. And I think it's right that everyone puts a shoulder to the wheel and cracks on and does the work.'

The Mail understands that Trade Secretary Ms Badenoch will say in her speech to the Tory conference that she is about delivery, not rhetoric, and will show how much she has got done in the job. It will likely be seen as an attempt to further set out her stall for being a potential future Tory leader.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has indicated he did not agree with Mrs Braverman's analysis.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will need to manage a revolt from Conservative MPs led by his predecessor Liz Truss demanding tax cuts. Ms Truss urged the Prime Minister to slash Corporation Tax to 'unleash British business'.

In the thinly veiled rebuke of Mr Sunak's stewardship, Ms Truss said yesterday that the Tories must become 'the party of business once again'.

The call  made at the 'Great British Growth Rally'  came as more Tory MPs signed a pledge not to vote for any increase in the overall tax burden.

Ex-party chairman Sir Jake Berry  who last week disclosed that 33 Tories had already backed the plan  told The Mail on Sunday that support for the tax vow was growing.

It commits the MPs to not vote in favour of the Government's Autumn Statement, due in November, if it raises the overall tax burden.

The revolt comes amid warnings that the UK currently has the highest taxes since records began, with the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies warning of a 'decisive and permanent shift' to a higher-tax economy.
Nicola Sturgeon has spoken of the tragic loss she endured after having a miscarriage aged 40, and how she always imagined her baby would have been a girl despite not knowing its sex.

The former SNP leader opened up in the interview on the sacrifices she has made to pursue a career in politics, months after she and her husband were arrested amid an investigation into party finances.

Having previously discussed the pain of suffering a miscarriage, Ms Sturgeon disclosed that she still thinks about the baby she lost.

'She would be in her early teens now, probably causing me all sorts of grief,' the 53-year-old said.

The ex-SNP leader made the comments in a new podcast interview with TV presenter and former Tory MP Gyles Brandreth, set to be broadcast this week.

During the interview Mr Brandreth asked if she regretted not having children. Ms Sturgeon said: 'I had a miscarriage in 2010. I didn't speak about it at the time but a few years later I spoke about the miscarriage, because for a woman in politics who doesn't have children, you get asked that question a lot.

Nicola Sturgeon with husband Peter Murrell on the Queensferry Crossing during the official opening of the new bridge

The ex-SNP leader made the comments in a new podcast interview with TV presenter and former Tory MP Gyles Brandreth (pictured together)

'I always made the observation that Alex Salmond doesn't have children. I don't think he's ever been asked that question, because he's a man. Why would he be asked that question?

'The reason I spoke out about it is to make the point. Is it a regret? It's a very simple question that doesn't have a simple answer.'

Speaking about the sadness of her loss, she said that she believes the baby was a girl.

Ms Sturgeon added: 'There have been times where I've not wanted kids and other times I thought, yeah, it might be nice.

'Then there was the period where we decided we did and it didn't happen.

'Is it a regret? I wish I hadn't had the miscarriage. I've always thought it was a girl. I've no idea why but I've always described the child I lost as 'she'.'

Ms Sturgeon's tell-all interview comes amid speculation over the state of her marriage to Mr Murrell, former SNP chief executive.

The couple were arrested separately by police probing claims of fraud within the SNP earlier this year.

Rumours that their relationship was under strain intensified when Ms Sturgeon, asked earlier this year whether she and her husband were both innocent, pointedly declared: 'I can only speak for myself.'

Ms Sturgeon has now strongly refuted that her marriage is on the rocks, insisting: 'We're still married and we will be married for a long time to come.'

Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell on their wedding day in Glasgow, 16th July 2010

Ms Sturgeon's statement is her strongest declaration of support for her husband since they were both separately arrested as part of the long-running police investigation into the party's finances.

The interview also offers a possible sneak preview of the material Ms Sturgeon is likely to include in her forthcoming memoir, for which she has reportedly been offered a 150,000 advance.

I NEEDED TO BE ON TOP FORM TO MATCH QUEEN Queen Elizabeth II (right) greets Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, July 4, 2017 She was the leader of a political party deeply divided on the subject of the monarchy. However, Nicola Sturgeon paid affectionate tribute to the late Queen, describing meetings with her as 'wonderful'. In her podcast interview with Gyles Brandreth, the former First Minister recalled regular meetings with Queen Elizabeth, who she found 'warm', 'chatty' and 'scarily well-informed'. Ms Sturgeon said: 'As First Minister you don't have a weekly audience with the Queen or King as Prime Ministers do  but I would have a private audience with her twice a year, once in the summer when she came to Holyrood and then round about the autumn in Balmoral. 'I consider myself very privileged to have had those hours of private time. She was incredibly warm and chatty, she would always put you at your ease. She was always very, very, very well-informed  scarily well-informed.' Ms Sturgeon added that she always needed to make an extra effort to prepare for her meetings with the Queen, and would ask herself, 'Do I know everything that's happened in Scotland over the last 48 hours? Because she will and she'll ask you about it'. Ms Sturgeon said: 'I used to make sure I was absolutely on top of, not just the great affairs of state, but also the things that had been happening in the communities, in Balmoral for example. The great thing about these discussions was they would go from there. 'She liked a bit of gossip; she liked to hear what was happening in the political world, so she would ask me about things she'd read in the papers and she'd ask me the real story. 'But they would go from that to her reflecting on her audiences with Churchill and meeting people like Mandela, it was incredible. These discussions were very special.' The Queen's 70-year reign endedlast year when she died at her beloved Balmoral, at the age of 96. Former First Minister Alex Salmond formed a close bond with the Queen during his time as leader of the Scottish Government, as the pair shared a love of horse racing. In the run-up to the 2014 referendum, he pledged that an independent Scotland would keep the monarch as head of state. Advertisement

Discussing her early years as a shy bookworm, she goes on to describe her first experience of romance and her first kiss  with a schoolboy nicknamed Sparky.

She spoke of her political awakening, in part thanks to the polarising policies of former Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Reflecting on her childhood, she described herself as 'shy and introverted', telling Mr Brandreth: 'I was never happier than having my nose stuck in a book.

My mum likes to tell a story of me at my fifth birthday hiding under a table and reading a book when everybody else was playing games.'

The podcast also touched on the early years before she met Mr Murrell, on her romance and her first kiss with her first boyfriend, Sparky. Ms Sturgeon said: 'He was very good-looking in those days.

I've not seen him for many years. Sparky was a lovely boy  apologies if you are listening to this, Sparky, you were a lovely boy.

'He was very gentle and kind and caring but we probably weren't that suited in the long-term.'

After splitting with Sparky, she had another relationship with a man whom she lived with before dating and ultimately marrying Mr Murrell in July 2010.

Growing up in Ayrshire, Ms Sturgeon she said she had a 'sense of destiny' that she would do something out of the ordinary. Despite not really understanding why, she was driven by the idea of growing up to become a lawyer.

She said: 'I didn't know anybody who did it and probably wouldn't know what it meant. My mum says she first remembers me saying this when I was about five.

'It was probably the kind of thing I just said when I was a kid without knowing what it meant, then being quite bloody-minded having said it, I had to see it through.'

'My uncle was a journalist. I flirted a bit with journalism then became very interested in politics in my early to mid-teens.'

Ms Sturgeon went on to qualify as and work as a lawyer until entering politics full time, an interest which developed when she was a teenager, sparked by debates with her Modern Studies teacher.

Although she was aware that her parents had been left disappointed by the outcome of the 1979 devolution referendum, which failed to gather enough votes to create a Scottish Assembly, they were not nationalists.

In fact, it was the Iron Lady, Mrs Thatcher, who persuaded Ms Sturgeon to pursue Scottish independence.

She recalled: 'Thatcher was Prime Minister at that point. If it was anybody who motivated me into politics, it was probably her.

'Not because I wanted to be like her, but at that point in the 80s there was the deindustrialisation. I grew up in a former mining village.

There was economic desolation and destruction around me. Unemployment was very high when I was growing up.'

Ms Sturgeon said that there was a real fear of her father losing his job as an electrician.

She added: 'Growing up in the west of Scotland, anywhere in Scotland I suppose, the added dimension to this was, 'We didn't vote for her, why are we having to suffer this government doing so much damage?' and that's where I suppose my support for independence came from.'

Asked if, having been the first female leader of Scotland, she has an understanding of the vilification the first female prime minister would have experienced, she said: 'Absolutely.

Having done the job, of course it gives you a completely different perspective of what it's like to be in these positions and understand a lot of the challenges and decisions you have to take, along with the impossibility of keeping everybody happy with any decision  particularly, having gone through the Covid experience, the weight of the impact of some of the decisions that you are taking.

'I suppose, looking back on it, Thatcher again, I suppose I'm still seeing this through the eyes of a teenager.

She didn't seem to demonstrate much empathy for the impact of her decisions, it was, 'This is what I'm doing, like it or lump it'.'

The former First Minister was also at pains to insist that her own career has not given her even a grudging respect for Mrs Thatcher.

But she did admit: 'There was something about the type of politician and political leader from her day... she was one of those. Perhaps we could do with more of them.'

After graduating with a law degree, Ms Sturgeon worked in the field until she was elected for the first time as a list MSP in 1999 when the Scottish parliament opened.

She recalled: 'I was euphoric and happy to be elected but it was a strange feeling. I hadn't won the constituency  it was a victory and a loss all in one.'

In 2007, she was elected to represent Glasgow Govan, which she described as 'a special feeling'. Her predecessor as First Minister was Alex Salmond, who mentored her when she joined the party.

In the years that followed the pair grew closer and in 2007, when he became leader, he appointed Ms Sturgeon as his deputy.

Following a string of allegations of sexual assault against Mr Salmond  of which he was later cleared  she admitted they are no longer on speaking terms, but conceded she had learned a lot from him and SNP stalwart Winnie Ewing.

She said: 'I was this shy, introverted person. He is not shy and introverted.

'He taught me a lot about how to engage with people in a way you could have not just a political argument with, but engage on a human level.

He taught me a lot about the media, how to deal with the media and how to be effective through the media, how to marshal an argument and how to make an argument in a way with a soundbite, to get a point across.'

Much of her time as a politician was spent canvassing, knocking on doors and trying to win voters. She recalled a particularly strange encounter when she met a man taking a bath.

She said: 'This was not actually that long ago. I knocked on a door and a woman came to the door and was chatting away. I think from memory she was quite supportive.

'She said, 'My husband's always wanted to meet you, come in'.

'I went in expecting to be taken into the lounge. But she said, 'He's in the bath'. Thankfully I didn't need to go right into the bathroom.

The door was ajar and I had to speak to this guy through the door, and all I could hear was the splashing. I think he voted for me.'

Nicola Sturgeon is congratulated by her husband Peter Murrell after being formally voted in as first minister of Scotland at the Scottish Parliament on November 19, 2014 in Edinburgh

Ms Sturgeon announced her resignation as First Minister in February and Mr Murrell stepped down from his role as SNP chief executive the following month.

Both were arrested and questioned over SNP finances and released without charge, pending further investigation.

However, Ms Sturgeon said that throughout her life and her time in politics she has developed a thick skin and the ability to deal with difficult situations.

She said: 'I've got a very deep inner resilience, deeper than I thought.

'I've got a nucleus of very good friends who have carried me through, particularly the last few months, and I still have the ability to hide under the table and hide myself in a good book.'

Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth is released every Friday on all podcast platforms - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rosebud-with-gyles-brandreth/id1704806594
Lecturers at a string of the UK's leading institutions have called for a vote of no confidence in the Universities and College Union (UCU) boss Jo Grady over the 'ineffective' strikes she led.

Lecturers from Durham, Glasgow, Keele and Leeds Beckett universities have backed motions for 39-year-old Miss Grady - who became UCU leader in 2019 - to resign.

Last month the UCU branch at Durham University also called for the union to cover the wages of academics whose pay had been cut off.

In a vote at York St John University, lecturers branded the UCU leadership 'confusing, ineffective and undemocratic' 'through industrial action in 2023'.

The UCU has led three years of hugely disruptive walkouts for students. Many students were forced to graduate without knowing their results after lecturers refused to mark this summer's exam papers and dissertations in a dispute over pay.

Lecturers at leading UK institutions have called for a vote of no confidence in Jo Grady, the general secretary of the Universities and College Union (UCU)

Students received blank certificates at their graduations and some even held placards demanding a refund on their tuition fees.

The highly controversial walkout was called off by the UCU last month, despite no pay offer being made. The UCU is set to re-ballot members to drum up backing for more strikes later this year.

The calls for Miss Grady, an employment relations lecturer at Sheffield University, to resign have sparked a huge row, with her allies telling the Sunday Times that she is being scapegoated for the failure to secure a pay deal.

A source told the newspaper that Miss Grady faced 'a relentless stream of criticism by men' on the internet, in a broader landscape that is dominated by male union bosses.

The source also pointed to previous online attacks on Miss Grady, including the editing of her Wikipedia page to describe to describe her as a 'traitor, Judas, quisling' which she later condemned as 'vile rubbish' on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Former NEC member Chris O'Donnell said: 'Jo Grady is by any measure the most successful general secretary of recent times. What we are witnessing here is an aggressive and misogynistic attack by the Socialist Workers Party and the far left within the UCU.

He added that history was being 'completely rewritten' as after a 5 to 8 per cent pay offer, Miss Grady 'openly recommended that the union bank the wins and build for a further dispute at a later point'.

He added: 'This was overturned by a then far-left dominated executive who subsequently called a marking boycott.

'Now that the employers have not backed down, they want to lay the blame at Grady's door. This narrative is untrue and both Grady - and more importantly our members - deserve better.'

Allies of Miss Grady have said she is being scapegoated for the failure to secure a new pay deal

Academics - who are being given a five to eight per cent pay uplift - are being told to mark outstanding exams and dissertations quickly so students can get their marks.

It comes as more than 140,000 students from almost 20 institutions are taking part in class action to sue for 5,000 each in compensation over the disruption to their education caused by strikes and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 17 universities targeted by the claim could face a total compensation bill of 700million according to Ryan Dunleavy, a partner at Harcus Parker, the legal firm which is handling the class action in partnership with Asserson, another firm.

Elections for a new UCU boss are set to happen next year and it is thought Miss Grady will run for re-election.
A lone soldier stands at his machine gun, silhouetted against the stars at the helm of a small vessel that appears to be hurtling relentlessly across the waves.

Seconds later, we see footage of a Ukrainian flag being attached to the walls of a single-storey wooden building. Working via torchlight, a group of breathless men whisper instructions, before posing for a brief souvenir photograph.

The 45-second film was shot before dawn on August 24, Ukraine's independence day, and released to the media by the country's defence ministry.

In a statement, they claimed it showed their soldiers setting foot in occupied Crimea for the first time in almost a decade, following its 2014 annexation by Russia.

'Our state flag flew again in the Ukrainian Crimea,' the ministry claimed after a 'special operation' in which troops had 'engaged in combat', destroying valuable military equipment and killing several enemy personnel.

'Our state flag flew again in the Ukrainian Crimea,' the ministry claimed after a 'special operation'

Six weeks later, the remarkable story behind this intriguing propaganda film can finally be told.

It involved one of the most daring commando raids in modern history, with ten jet skis used to transport 20 Ukrainian frogmen on a 265-mile round trip across a treacherous, storm-tossed stretch of the Black Sea.

Aspects of the caper recall the glory days of the SAS, whose behind-enemy-lines operations in World War II inspired the recent BBC hit Rogue Heroes. Parts also resemble the plot of a Bond movie. Indeed, Ian Fleming's novel Thunderball was inspired by the exploits of Royal Navy diver Lionel 'Buster' Crabb.

The August mission appears to have been co-ordinated by a battalion commander named only as Borghese, who told how his men struck before dawn, pitching up on a beach somewhere near the village of Olenivka, on Crimea's western tip, shortly before 5am.

Moving in silence, they then crept inland towards a Russian base while five Ukrainian support ships sped along the northern side of the peninsula, firing machine guns and rockets at enemy positions in an effort to create a diversion.

Their original plan had been to place explosives around the facility, an electronic warfare station containing radar equipment and other vital kit, before detonating them once they had safely departed.

But around 200 yards from the target, one of the Ukrainian team was spotted, forcing them instead to take part in a chaotic firefight in which they had to deploy anti-tank weapons and rocket- propelled grenades.

'We had to capture the control centre, plant explosives and blow it up, but because there was a battle going on we couldn't approach quietly,' Borghese told the Times newspaper, adding that they therefore 'decided simply to destroy the control centre from a distance with anti-tank weapons, damage the antennae and withdraw'.

During the initial battle, which lasted around 30 minutes, the group were able to cause significant damage to the main building and three military vehicles.

Ukraine said the operation had succeeded in destroying valuable military equipment and killing several Russian personnel

During the battle, which lasted around 30 minutes, the group were able to cause significant damage to the main building and three military vehicles

The unit landed at a beach somewhere near the village of Olenivka, on Crimea's western tip, shortly before 5am

At that point, the group's leader, named as Levan, gave the order to withdraw. Ten minutes later, they were able to rendezvous at the beach and board their jet skis. It's unclear whether footage of the Ukrainian flag being raised was taken seconds before they left or earlier in the mission before their cover had been blown.

Either way, getting all 20 men safely home was easier said than done. After all, they were by now being targeted by the combined might of the Russian navy and air force.

The enemy initially dispatched four high-speed Raptor patrol boats to pursue the jet skis. However, they swiftly came across a Ukrainian naval vessel that was supposed to be helping with the evacuation. It turned around and sped back to the mainland, with all four Raptors in hot pursuit.

That left the jet skis alone. But there was a second problem: not only did each machine need to be refuelled twice during the mission  since they have only a limited range  they were also highly vulnerable to air attacks.

Fortunately for Levan's team, the five Ukrainian support ships that had created an initial diversion returned to the fray and began firing Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, which repeatedly forced the enemy to disengage.

'The Russian aircraft were over us for four hours, maybe more because they were rotating,' Levan told the Times. 'There were a certain number of enemy aircraft that would enter the area, circle, hit different points, then turn around. It was like that for four to five hours non-stop.'

Luck held for the Ukrainians until dawn, at which point the weather lent a helping hand. 'Our guys are very faithful and the whole operation went like a miracle,' said Borghese. 'There were clouds at dawn, so enemy aviation and their drones couldn't work well. When we were halfway home, the sun came out and we had good weather.'

All 20 men were therefore able to escape unharmed. Had the mission taken place much earlier, or later, they might have been less fortunate, he added. 'An hour after the guys stepped ashore a hurricane began which confirms, as always, that God is with us.'

Among those said to have been surprised by the audacious raid's success are British SAS troops and intelligence officers who are believed to be operating on the ground in Ukraine, helping train the country's forces and assisting with planning and strategy.

The fate of Crimea is increasingly seen as strategically crucial

Ukraine's allies are said to have initially advised against the jet ski raid, believing that the machines were likely to struggle with the distance they would be required to travel

The fact that Western allies were proved wrong was not only a significant PR coup for Ukraine, but has helped open a new and potentially crucial front in the war

According to Levan, allies initially advised against the jet ski raid, believing that the machines were likely to struggle with the distance they would be required to travel. During a month of training, they were only able to test the craft on journeys up to 87 miles, weighing every gram of equipment to increase their fuel economy.

'At sea, they know and understand a lot, but even for our British partners this looked like an almost impossible task,' Levan said. 'Neither the Americans nor the Brits gave us much chance of success.'

The fact that Western allies were proved wrong was not only a significant PR coup for Ukraine, but has helped open a new and potentially crucial front in the war. A fortnight later, follow-up attacks on the Crimean port of Sevastopol saw British-made Storm Shadow missiles hit dry docks which Russia uses to maintain its Black Sea fleet, forcing the facility out of action for months and destroying the Russian submarine Rostov-on-Don and the landing ship Minsk.

The next day, at Yevpatoriya, on the west of the peninsula, missiles struck an air defence installation, with footage of the resulting fireball doing the rounds on social media.

And just over a week ago, Russia's Black Sea Fleet command headquarters was targeted, with Ukraine claiming to have killed dozens of senior officers.

Such developments matter because the fate of Crimea is increasingly seen as strategically crucial in determining the long-term outcome of the war.

At present, the peninsula provides a base from which Russia can mount persistent air attacks on Ukrainian positions on the mainland. Halting those attacks would make it significantly harder for occupying troops to defend their front lines.

Importantly, Ukraine last week unveiled a 20 ft long underwater kamikaze drone called Marichka. The newly-designed torpedo, which carries 450 kg of explosives, is set to be used to target the 3 billion Kerch Bridge, which Vladimir Putin had built following the annexation to allow goods and military hardware to flow between Russia and Crimea.

Its existence has allowed Russians to spend years turning the region into a fortress, protected by six air bases as well as a fleet of patrol boats, plus an extensive network of mines and submarine nets.

But as we now know, that isn't enough to stop a group of Ukrainian commandos in possession of very fast jet skis and an awful lot of derring-do.
Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil also protested in Manchester

Protestors staged a funeral outside for the 'death' of the Belfast Agreement

Masked hard-Left activists were among hundreds of protesters who yesterday tried to ambush the Tory party conference.

Activists from the Young Communist League wore face coverings as they carried a red banner past the conference centre saying 'Resist Tory Rule'.

Hundreds of trade unionists also marched carrying hateful banners saying 'F*** the Tories: rebuild our railway' and 'Guy Fawkes had a point'.

Eco-zealots from Extinction Rebellion and protesters from offshoot Just Stop Oil also marched, as well as Bully XL dog owners who chanted: 'Muzzle Rishi, not our dogs!'

The government last month announced that it intends to add XL bullies to the banned breed types listed under Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of 2023.

Activists from the Young Communist League marched outside the Conservative Party conference

Hundreds of trade unionists also marched alongside them in Manchester

At one point protesters staged a funeral outside the conference centre, which is surrounded by a ring of steel set up by police, to commemorate what they described as the death of the Belfast Agreement.

The demonstration was organised to coincide with the start of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Windsor Framework, an agreement signed with the EU earlier this year in an attempt to ease trading relations between the bloc and Northern Ireland.

In a procession outside the conference centre, the protesters carried a coffin while dressed in black and wearing white masks.

They gathered outside the conference, holding signs which read 'The Agreement: Killed by the Northern Ireland Protocol 1998-2021.
Doctors are getting paid up to 7,900 a shift by hospitals to cover for striking staff, a freedom of information request has revealed.

Bosses have said they do not have much choice but to pay 'over the odds' figures.

The Walton Centre neurology unit in Liverpool paid as much as 7,853 for a neurosurgery shift, while several other hospitals said they had spent over 3,000, the Times reported.

Fresh industrial action by doctors and consultants this week is set to see services reduced to levels usually seen on Christmas Day again with nearly all routine care cancelled, as they are joined by dentists and radiographers in taking action.

The Prime Minister has attributed strikes as the main reason he is not making his target to bring down NHS waiting lists.

Hospitals are paying doctors up to 7,900 to cover for colleagues on strike (pictured: Striking doctors on September 20)

Fresh industrial action by doctors and consultants this week is set to see services reduced to levels usually seen on Christmas Day again with nearly all routine care cancelled

Ongoing disputes are expected to offset a further 200 million investment into the NHS ahead of the winter.

Matthew Taylor, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation said he believed that trusts would have no choice but to pay over the odds to cover for striking workers.

While ministers refuse to reopen negotiations, the British Medical Association is demanding a 35 per cent uplift the junior doctors, with consultants asking for a 12 per cent rise.

The Government previously offered a deal of 8.8 per cent for junior doctors and six per cent for consultants.

Professor Phil Banfield, the chairman of the BMA said that restoring 2008 levels is a realistic demand.

The British Medical Association is demanding a 35 per cent uplift for junior doctors

The cost of covering doctor strikes is believed to have surpassed 1 billion by early August

Support for strikes among health workers, the last batch which took place between September 19 and 23, is is still high.

Both consultants and junior doctors are able to more than offset their loses from walkouts by either working overtime or doing cover work.
Working in an office without windows could make type 2 diabetes worse, research suggests.

A small study, including 13 retired people with the condition, asked the volunteers to spend almost five days in an office-style environment next to a window with daylight streaming through it.

They also spent the same period inside with no window, and only artificial electric LED lighting.

When people were next to a window, their blood sugar level stayed at a normal level 59 per cent of the time.

But under electric light, it was normal just 51 per cent of the time, 24-hour blood glucose monitors showed.

Working in an office without windows could make type 2 diabetes worse, research suggests (Stock image)

Professor Joris Hoeks, senior author of the study from Maastricht University, said: 'People shouldn't be stuck in poorly lit offices with no windows, these results suggest.

'It is likely that daylight positively affects your body clock, which is important for processes within the body like control of blood sugar.

'Although we did not see a large difference in blood sugar control linked to light, this is interesting because it is very simple for people to change their daytime routine slightly and get more natural light by sitting next to a window.'

The study, presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Hamburg but which has not been published in a journal or reviewed by other scientists, gave people the same meals and kept them under dim light in the evening, but changed the type of light they were exposed to between 8am and 5pm.

Dr Lucy Chambers, head of research communications at Diabetes UK, said: 'Daylight plays a critical role in synchronising the body's internal clock, which is known to influence many bodily functions, including the use of glucose.

'This small study hints that increasing the time spent in natural daylight could be an activity that helps some people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar levels.

'While questions remain about the duration and frequency of daylight required to help blood glucose management, we know that getting outside and being active can benefit us all.

'Going for a walk in your lunch break, travelling on foot or by bike, and enjoying green spaces, are some of the ways to increase time outside and physical activity.'

The study has not yet been published in a journal or reviewed by other scientists.
MindyKNOWS is available on four college campuses but has plans to expand

Mindy Horwitz of St. Louis, Missouri started MindyKNOWS, a mom concierge business that gives parents peace of mind when their kids are at college

A Missouri mom who said she knew first hand about the struggle of sending her kids off to college started a business that allows parent to help their children through school.

Mindy Horwitz is the founder of MindyKNOWS, which gives parents peace of mind by doing everything from delivering treats to helping assemble dorm furniture.

'When you're far away, you feel helpless,' Horwitz told Fox News. 'When you have a local mom or a team of local moms, it doesn't.'

The mom said that her service - and other similar ones like it - are essential for parents 'who are trying to help their kids from afar.

'There's no hard stop to parenting when our kids go to school,' Horwitz said.

Similar services have opened around the country with volunteers offering services like ironing, decorating, and even making home-cooked meals for college kids.

Mindy Horwitz is the founder of MindyKNOWS , which gives parents peace of mind by doing everything from delivering treats to helping assemble dorm furniture

One of the mom care packages delivered to a student by MindyKNOWS

Horwitz is a mom of three herself and said she came up with the idea for her business after her eldest son went off to school in their hometown.

In a Facebook page for parents whose kids were all attending the school, she said she found other moms and dads worrying about their kids from far away.

'I was lucky enough to be in town. Every day, they'd ask where to get a birthday cake for their student or where to get chicken soup if their student was sick,' she said.

The mom said she immediately knew there was work to be done and that she and others like her could be the ones to do it.

'It occurred to me that as local parents here in St. Louis, we had an opportunity to help,' the mom of three boys told the outlet.

She says that she likes to tell students who receive their services that it's like they 'have a really nice aunt... somebody who's just there,' and encourages them to reach out and ask for things if they need rather than feeling guilty.

The service originally began at her son's school, Washington University in St. Louis, but has now expanded to three more campuses.

Parents at Northwestern, The University of Hartford, and Skidmore College are the most recent to be able to take advantage of the paid-program.

The monthly rate goes for about $49, but may cost more based on location. Parents can also pay for a subscription for a semester, a year, and four years.

Horwitz along with one of her own sons

Students hold gift baskets and boxes sent to them from MindyKNOWS

Horwitz is adamant that her service is not meant to coddle college students, but rather, should help to give young adults extra assistance if needed.

'We're going to give them the best possible resources that we have here in town,' she said. 'We don't replace moms. We just support their moms when they need the support.'

In addition to offering a myriad of services that give students physical - or nutritional - boosts, the 'moms' are always there to answer questions like where to get hair done or which doctors in town are the best.

Some of the best situations that Horwitz told Fox about involved a police officer retrieving medication for a student during a blizzard and giving three kids a place to stay after an apartment fire.

'I do not like to say no,' to any request, Horwitz said. 'When a need comes in, I really am going to give it my best shot to help meet what the need is.'

Packages sent to students are laid out prior to delivery

'We don't replace moms. We just support their moms when they need the support,' said Horwitz (pictured right)

In the interview, she also responded to critics who say her service doesn't allow young college students to become adults by being independent.

Horwitz said she couldn't disagree more strongly with this idea and that it just allows students to focus on their grades, extracurriculars, and growing up.

'These students are becoming independent adults,' she said.

'Their needs in their first year are nothing like what they need in their last year, and we are not in any way stopping them from becoming adults. They're able to focus on the things that are most important,' the mother said.

The best part to her, however, is the real bonds that end up developing between the students and their 'stand-in moms.'

'It starts out as a relationship between us and the parents, and then little by little, our relationships with some of the students definitely grow,' Horwitz said.

'I watched them grow, and it's really a gift,' Horwitz said. 'The parents are so grateful to have us, and I am so grateful that their parents put their trust in us.'
Democrat Congressman and 'squad' member Jamaal Bowman has been ripped by many opponents on the right over his attempted explanation for pulling the fire alarm at the Capitol building Saturday.

The incident, which was caught on camera and has since circulated far and wide, has sent Capitol lawmakers and their staffs into a tizzy as they semi-seriously try to understand why Bowman would think a clearly marked fire alarm would open a door.

Bowman put out a statement claiming that, while in a rush to make it on time to vote for a stopgap spending bill that would keep the government open, he 'activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door.'

While fellow left-wing New Yorker Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leapt to Bowman's defense Sunday, Republicans have been skeptical, with many noting the huge warning signs on the handle of the alarm and on a nearby door.

'This is not confusing at all,' Justin Amash, a former anti-Trump Republican Congressman, wrote on social media. 'There's a push bar on the door below the sign. Members of Congress see these signs all the time and know exactly what they mean.'

Bowman put out a statement claiming that, while in a rush to make it on time to vote for a stopgap spending bill that would keep the government open, he 'activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door'

Amash was responding to People's Policy Project Founder Matt Bruenig, who found the sign in front of the alarm confusing and believing Bowman felt he had to pull the alarm to exit, wondering: 'What am I missing?'

Journalist Patrick Casey added: 'Jamaal Bowman pulling the fire alarm because hes incapable of reading this extremely common and not at all confusing sign is a million times funnier than him pulling it to stop the vote, just incredible stuff.'

Another X user pointed out: 'His job is to read and vote on bills written in 1000x more confusing manner.'

Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene believes Bowman is lying about the excuse.

'He knows exactly what pulling a fire alarm means,' Greene wrote. 'He did it while the Dems were trying to stall for time for the Senate and the Dem whip had just called for a motion to adjourn.'

Both Greene and former President Donald Trump have called for Bowman to be treated like the protesters who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

'His egregious act is covered on tape, a horrible display of nerve and criminality. It was a very dangerous 'Obstruction of an Official Proceeding,' the same as used against our J-6 prisoners,' Trump wrote on Truth Social.

'Actually, his act may have been worse. HE MUST SUFFER THEIR SAME FATE. WHEN WILL HIS TRIAL BEGIN???'

Both Marjorie Taylor Greene and former President Donald Trump have called for Bowman to be treated like the protesters who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021

Bowman is now being investigated after the incident that unfolded during chaotic scenes on Capitol Hill on Saturday as the deadline loomed to avert what seemed like an inevitable shutdown.

The House passed a short-term solution to keep the government funded for 45 days without additional funding for Ukraine, with Speaker Kevin McCarthy turning to Democrats to help him push it through. It went to the Senate, which was set to vote on Saturday night.

With the Republicans in disarray, Bowman quickly became the center of a firestorm over what he insists was a simple mistake that he thought would 'open a door'.

The former school principal, who would have conducted dozens of fire drills during his career, is facing a Republican threat of expulsion and an investigation by the Capitol Police.

'I thought the alarm would open the door,' Bowman told reporters about the incident.

'I was rushing to make a vote, I was trying to get to a door.'

'[Bowman] pulled a fire alarm in Cannon this morning,' a spokesperson for the Congressional Administration Committee said. 'An investigation into why it was pulled is underway.'

Bowman called the notion that he pulled the fire alarm to delay a vote 'complete BS.'

Meanwhile, Speaker Kevin McCarthy dared his conservative critics to try to oust him as they have long threatened in a press conference after the vote.

'If somebody wants to make a motion against me, bring it,' the speaker said. 'There has to be an adult in the room.'

He also said there should be an Ethics Committee investigation into Bowman's actions.

The House managed to pass a short-term solution to keep the government funded for 45 days without additional funding for Ukraine, with Speaker Kevin McCarthy turning to Democrats to help him push it through

'I'm going to have a discussion with the Democratic Leader about it, but this should not go without punishment.'

Republicans, led by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, N.Y., are now working on a resolution to expel Bowman from Congress, and Capitol Police were circulating a photo of what appeared to be Bowman pulling the alarm.

Bowman's antics led to an evacuation of the building, which came as House representatives were readying to vote on a bill that would avert a government shutdown less than 12 hours before a deadline.

The bill passed in a 335-91 vote, and now heads to the Senate. It will keep the government funded for 45 days.
Locals rushed to save the life of an avid swimmer after she was mauled by a shark during her regular morning dip at a small seaside South Australian town.

Pamela Cook, 64, was attacked at Beachport just before 8am on Monday while swimming with local community group Beachport Sea Urchins and Slugs.

The swimmers meet everyday at 7.30am at the town's rotunda before dipping into the sea near the landmark Beachport Jetty.

Ms Cook works at Beachport Hotel and a fellow employee said Ms Cook went swimming every day with her friends.

'They do it every day and they have done for 30 years,' he said. 'There has never ever been any kind of thing like this before.'

Pamela Cook, 64, was attacked at Beachport just before 8am on Monday while swimming with local community group Beachport Sea Urchins and Slugs

Ms Cook was bitten on the leg, suffering serious injuries.

She was helped to shore and given first aid by bystanders until paramedics arrived.

Greg Rae, a maintenance worker, applied a tourniquet to her leg.

'We heard the lady calling out for help,' he told ABC Adelaide.

'There was a couple of ladies running in and they were covered in a bit of blood and they mentioned a shark attack.

'We immediately just jumped in, went and grabbed our trauma gear and first aid equipment and then responded.

'I was the one who grabbed the gear, ran out quite far out on the jetty, probably a couple of hundred metres.'

Mr Rae said Ms Cook suffered multiple wounds to her thigh and a cut on her hand.

He said she was in shock from the horror attack.

'The big concern for me at the time was shock, so just keeping her talking and keeping her assured she's OK and we've got ambos coming.'

Emergency services raced to the scene of a serious shark attack near Beachport Jetty in Beachport, South Australia at 7.45am on October 2

An SA Ambulance spokesperson said Ms Cook was taken to Mount Gambier Hospital, about 85km from Beachport and about 385km south of Adelaide near the Victorian border

An SA Ambulance spokesperson said Ms Cook was taken to Mount Gambier Hospital, about 85km from Beachport and about 385km south of Adelaide near the Victorian border.

It is understood Ms Cook is now in a stable condition.

Beachport Hotel owner Geoff Wells told The Adelaide Advertiser that the small community was in 'shock' following the attack.

'We're only a small community and we're all in a bit of shock. I've been here for eight years and nothing like this has happened before,' he said.

A local said the swimmers were a 'wonderful group of ladies' who would gather at Waterfront Cafe at the jetty following their morning swim.

'They are a very close-knit group and it's really going to hit them hard,' she said.

SES South Australia is preparing to launch drones to locate and identify the shark, which is believed to be a juvenile great white.

'Our crews have been requested to assist South Australian police with a drone search,' an SES spokesman said.

'We've got two crews currently there at the moment and we are just waiting for our flight plans to be approved so our pilots can put our drones up.'

Beachport is a small town in South Australia located near the Victorian border. A woman, 64, was attacked by a shark near Beachport Jetty on October 2, 2023, just before 8am

The pilots will scour the waters with Phantom 4 drones up to 800m offshore and 500m north and south of the jetty, the spokesman said (stock image)

The pilots will scour the waters with Phantom 4 drones up to 800m offshore and 500m north and south of the jetty, the spokesman said.

The attack comes just weeks after a shark attack at Port Macquarie in NSW left surfer Toby Begg fighting for his life in hospital.

It also follows the death in May of teacher Simon Baccanello, who was believed to have been killed by a shark while surfing at Walkers Rock near Ellison on South Australia's west coast.

A witness claims he saw a shark drag Mr Baccanello underwater.
A woman has burst into tears in court after she was accused of stabbing her husband to death during a camping trip.

Ilknur Caliskan, 46, appeared at Shepparton Magistrates Court, in Victoria, charged with murder on Monday morning.

Her husband Serdar Caliskan, 50, was found inside a car with a stab wound on Spur Road at Clonbinane, north of Melbourne, at 11.30pm on Saturday.

Emergency services were called but Mr Caliskan died at the scene. Police arrested and charged his wife.

Caliskan cried as the details surrounding the death of her husband were read out.

Ilknur Caliskan (pictured), 46, faced Shepparton Magistrates Court on Monday charged with the murder of her husband

Serdar Caliskan, 50, was found inside a car with a stab wound on Spur Road (pictured) at Clonbinane, north of Melbourne, on Saturday night. He died at the scene

Her loved ones in the front row of the court were also seen sobbing, the Herald Sun reported.

Caliskan struggled to hear the case details as they were being read out due to issues with her hearing aids.

Her lawyer requested a custody nurse to assist her, claiming the battery for her client's hearing aids had died and she couldn't hear what was being said.

The court heard that it was the first time Caliskan had been arrested.

She did not make an application for bail. Caliskan was remanded in custody.

She will face court again in December.
Augusto Gerocarni, 29, who is listed as an agent for Ray White in Woollahra, was arrested at his home in Bondi Junction

EXCLUSIVE

A real estate agent who spends his time selling million-dollar mansions in Sydney's affluent east has been charged with seven offences after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend over several months.

Augusto Gerocarni, 29, who is listed as an agent for Ray White in Woollahra, was arrested at his home in Bondi Junction last Friday morning.

Gerocarni was taken to Waverley Police Station where he was charged with common assault, destroying or damaging property, attempting to stalk/intimidate intend fear of harm and four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The high-flying businessman allegedly assaulted his former partner Lindsey Bennett, 32, between November 2021 and July 2022.

An application for an apprehended violence order was also made on behalf of Ms Bennett.

Gerocarni appeared in Waverley Local Court last Friday where he was granted conditional bail.

While on bail, Gerocarni must be of good behaviour and must not contact Ms Bennett or any alleged witnesses.

Gerocarni has been charged after allegedly assaulting his former partner Lindsey Bennett (pictured together)

An application for an apprehended violence order was also made on behalf of Ms Bennett

Ms Bennett, who works as a model and nurse, had been in a relationship with Gerocarni for three-and-a-half years before ending it in June this year.

She lived with him at his unit in Bondi Junction and in another apartment in the same suburb.

At one point in their relationship, Ms Bennett moved in with a friend, but she later returned to Gerocarni's home.

Gerocarni has worked for an independent contractor to Ray White since 2016.

He's received a slew of awards during his time with the agency, including Elite Performer four times, and being crowned Chairman's Elite three times.

'Respected among colleagues in the competitive Real Estate industry as a Licensed Real Estate Agent and local market specialist, Augusto Gerocarni combines his passion, knowledge and local community presence to ensure his clients achieve their property goals,' his profile on Ray White reads.

'Augusto is a committed professional, who clearly exudes confidence and empathy when dealing with vendors.'

He was also crowned the 'No. 2 & No 10. International Salesperson' of the Ray White Woollahra and Paddington offices.

His Instagram account is filled with photos of homes up for sale, and properties he's sold.

Ms Bennett, who works as a model and nurse, had been in a relationship with Gerocarni for three-and-a-half years before ending it in June this year

Gerocarni has worked for an independent contractor to Ray White since 2016, after graduating at Sydney's prestigious boys private school Cranbrook

Gerocarni and Ms Bennett are pictured together

Last week he sold a $4.9million four-bedder in Queens Park, along with a $2million property in Darlinghurst.

Back in 2017, Gerocarni sold a $2million Paddington terrace owned by James Packer's ex-wife and Australian businesswoman Jodhi Meares.

Gerocarni will appear in court again on October 26.

His lawyer Anthony Sissian told Daily Mail Australia his client denies the allegation and intends to plead not guilty.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has chosen Laphonza Butler, a Democratic strategist and the president of the influential pro-abortion-rights group Emily's List, to step into the late Senator Dianne Feinstein's seat.

In choosing Butler, an adviser to Kamala Harris' failed presidential campaign, Newsom fulfilled his pledge to appoint a black woman if Feinstein's seat became open.

But the move comes as it emerged that Meghan Markle's name had been bandied about in Hollywood as a long-shot replacement for Feinstein, who died on Thursday at the age of 90.

Indeed, within minutes of 90-year-old Feinstein's death being announced on Friday, the Mail on Sunday was told 'phones lit up' with speculation the Duchess of Sussex could throw her hat in the ring to serve out the remaining 13 months of Feinstein's term.

A major Democratic donor who is close to Californian Governor Gavin Newsom - who will choose Feinstein's replacement - told the MoS: 'Meghan is definitely a long-shot but in the craziness that is US politics these days it's not an impossibility. Crazier things have happened.'

Feinstein's death produced a unique situation where Newsom, 55, California's charismatic Governor had free reign to pick someone to replace Feinstein until the next election is held in November 2024.

But rather than picking Markle, Newsom went for Butler, a Democrat strategist who works to elect pro-choice candidates to offices across the country.

California Governor Gavin Newsom will name Laphonza Butler, a Democrat strategist and activist, fulfilling his promise to fill the late Dianne Feinstein's seat with a black woman

Newsom told MSNBC host Joy Reid back in March that he planned to fill the seat with a black woman should it become open

But the move comes as it emerged that Meghan Markle's (pictured) name had been bandied about in Hollywood as a long-shot replacement for Feinstein, who died on Thursday at the age of 9

Newsom told MSNBC host Joy Reid back in March that he planned to fill the seat with a black woman should it become open.

'I have multiple names in mind. We have multiple names in mind  and the answer is yes,' he said when asked.

He had been facing pressure by the Congressional Black Caucus and other advocacy groups to select Rep. Barbara Lee, a prominent black congresswoman who is already running for the seat.

The caucus wrote an open letter to Newsom earlier Sunday asking that he appoint Lee, who has served in Congress since 1998.

Lee is facing off against fellow California Congressmembers Adam Schiff and Katie Porter in an attempt to win the 2024 race in a state that hasn't sent a Republican to the Senate since 1992.

Butler leads Emily's List, a political organization that supports Democratic women candidates who favor abortion rights.

She also is a former labor leader with SEIU 2015, a powerful force in California politics. Butler will be the first out gay person to represent California in the Senate and the first black lesbian, according to the LA Times.

Social media immediately jumped on the fact that currently lives in Maryland, according to her Emily's List biography, which the progressive activist group deleted within an hour of the announcement.

Federal Election Commission filings that were shared by X users showed her living in the state as recently as last month. Her LinkedIn page shows her as residing in the 'Los Angeles Metropolitan Area.'

Democrats control the Senate 51-49, though Feinsteins seat is vacant. A quick appointment by Newsom will give the Democratic caucus more wiggle room on close votes, including nominations that Republicans uniformly oppose.

Butler could be sworn in as early as Tuesday evening when the Senate returns to session.

Democrats control the Senate 51-49, though Feinsteins seat is vacant after she died on Thursday

Butler leads Emily's List, a political organization that supports Democratic women candidates who favor abortion rights

Butler's bio on Emily's List, where she serves as president, deleted a detail showing she lived in Maryland within hours of the announcement leaking that Newsom would appoint her

Though her bio and FEC filings suggested that she lives in Maryland, she lists the 'Los Angeles Metropolitan Area' as her location on LinkedIn

Feinstein, the oldest member of Congress and the longest-serving woman in the Senate, died at age 90 after a series of illnesses. She said in February she was would not seek reelection in 2024.

Lee is one of several prominent Democrats competing for the seat, including Democratic U.S. Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff.

Newsom said he did not want to appoint any of the candidates because it would give them an unfair advantage in the race.

'It would be completely unfair to the Democrats that have worked their tail off,' he told NBC News a few weeks ago. 'That primary is just a matter of months away. I dont want to tip the balance of that.'

An L.A. Times / Berkeley IGS poll this week had California Rep. Adam Schiff leading the field with 20 per cent. Schiff, a former House impeachment manager, was followed by Rep. Katie Porter at 17 per cent and Lee at 7 per cent.

His spokesman Anthony York said the governor did not ask Butler to commit to staying out of the race. December 8 is the deadline for candidates to file for the office.

Butler has never held elected office but has a long track record in California politics.

She served as a senior adviser to Harris's 2020 presidential campaign while working at a political firm filled with strategists who have worked for Newsom and many other prominent state Democrats. She also briefly worked in the private sector for Airbnb.

Barbara Lee, D-Calif., is already running for the Senate seat. The Congressional Black Caucus wrote a letter Sunday urging Newsom to appoint her

Rep. Katie Porter is battling Lee and Rep. Adam Schiff in the 2024 race for the vacant Feinstein seat

Rep. Adam Schiff is leading early polls. He served as a House impeachment manager in the Senate

The Congressional Black Caucus wrote an open letter to Newsom earlier Sunday asking that he appoint Lee, who has served in Congress since 1998

Butler called Feinstein 'a legendary figure for women in politics and around the country,' in a statement posted after Feinstein's death.

Emily's List, the group Butler leads, focuses on electing Democratic women who support abortion rights.

With the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn women's constitutional right to abortion, the issue has become a galvanizing one for many Democrats.

Its not Newsoms first time selecting a U.S. senator, after being tasked with choosing a replacement for Kamala Harris when she was elected vice president; at that time he selected California Secretary of State Alex Padilla for the post.

Newsom is a gathering force inside his own party. The Biden campaign dispatched him to Simi Valley this week as a counter spokesman for the Republican presidential debate.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has authority to appoint a successor to the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. He said amid Feinstein's health problems that he would name a black woman to the seat. Three prominent state Democrats are already battling in the primary for the seat

He is set to debate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis next month on Fox News host Sean Hannity's program. He has also repeatedly denied his own interest in running for the White House, amid polling problems for Biden, 80, and concerns by insiders that public perceptions of his age and vitality could harm his chances.

Newsom in a statement Friday called Feinstein a 'political giant' who 'broke down barriers and glass ceilings.'

He called her a 'powerful, trailblazing US senator' and a 'leader in times of tragedy and chaos.'

In words underlining the challenging of choosing someone to succeed her, he said 'there is simply nobody who possessed the poise, gravitas, and fierceness of Dianne Feinstein.'

The seat is expected to stay in Democratic hands in the 2024 election. Democrats in the liberal-leaning state have not lost a statewide election since 2006, and the party holds a nearly 2-to-1 voter registration advantage over Republicans.
Both Biden and Trump have faced questions over their mental and physical fitness should they be elected or reelected in 2024

Politico's head of news Alexander Burns wrote about the issues with the 'snark and brittleness' reporters face when asking about elderly politicians' health

A Politico writer on Sunday wrote that voters will have to face the possibility that either Donald Trump, 77, or Joe Biden, 80, will die in the White House

American voters must face-up to the fact that Joe Biden or Donald Trump could well die while in office, if either wins the 2024 election, a top pundit has warned.

Politico's head of news Alexander Burns on Friday published a piece entitled 'Feinsteins Demise is a Warning for Biden and Trump,' and argued that it's time for elderly politicians to face the music while slamming the 'snark and brittleness' reporters are often faced with when asking questions about politicians' health.

Biden, 80, faces growing questions about his health and was recently seen wandering off after presenting a Vietnam veteran with a medal. Trump, 77, seems in better physical shape - but recently claimed Biden could lead the planet into World War Two.

The article comes just days after California Senator Dianne Feinstein, 90, died while still in office following a bout with shingles, reported memory loss, and falls at home.

'Feinsteins death should be more than startling,' Burns wrote. 'It should be a warning to the people in both parties who believe they can bend their own mortality to an electoral calendar or a personal timeline for legacy-building.'

In recent years, Biden and Trump have both faced significant inquiries and concerns regarding their mental and physical well-being. Biden is already the oldest elected president in history and would be 86 if he completes a second term and exits office in January 2029.

A political pundit has warned that American voters are going to have to deal with the possibility that President Joe Biden , 80, or former President Donald Trump , 77, could die in the White House if either wins in 2024

Politico's head of news Alexander Burns on Friday published a piece entitled 'Feinsteins Demise is a Warning for Biden and Trump'

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein died on Friday at the age of 90, still in her Congressional seat

In his scathing write-up, Burns wrote that the trend of politicians staying in their office while in an 'old and infirm' state is one that needs to die out quickly.

'There is a phenomenon in politics whereby if someone is old and infirm but remains alive for a while in a diminished state, they can almost persuade people that they are immune to death,' the author penned.

Burns went on to mention several politicians and notable figures whom this phenomenon applies to, including John McCain and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

McCain - a Republican senator from Arizona - died in 2018 at the age of 81 while fighting brain cancer.

Ginsburg - a longtime Supreme Court Justice and liberal dissenter on the Court - died in 2020 at 87 after several battles with cancer.

Her death gave Trump the opportunity to clinch a more conservative-leaning Supreme Court with Amy Coney Barrett, who became Ginsburg's successor.

Burns wrote that the political world falling into peril and acting shocked when elderly politicians die - specifically mentioning Feinstein - is not shocking at all.

'There is nothing truly surprising about life coming to an end for someone in her frail condition, except maybe that it did not happen sooner,' he wrote.

Burns wrote that the political world falling into peril and acting shocked when elderly politicians die - specifically mentioning Feinstein - is not shocking at all

The Politico pundit continued, writing that with Trump and Biden looking at being on the ballot next year, it is 'likelier now than at any other point in recent memory that the next American president will expire before his term does.'

He then went on to mention Senator Mitch McConnell, 81, whose health has recently been called into question as he has seemingly 'gone blank' during press conferences.

In at least two different instances since July, the Kentucky Republican has frozen up on camera after he suffered a fall earlier this year.

He, like Biden and Trump officials, has refused to answer questions about his physical and mental state as he continues his job.

'All these men seem to resent being reminded of their own mortality,' Burns wrote.

The author then lashed at the White House for giving reporters and media members 'snark and brittleness' when they asked about the president's age.

'If anyone in American politics knows that death keeps its own calendar, it is him [Biden]. The president cannot be oblivious to the actuarial risks involved in seeking a second term  risks to himself, his party and the country,' the piece stated.

Prior to meeting First Lady Jill Biden, the president's first wife, Neilia Biden, and their one-year-old daughter, Naomi Biden, were killed in a car crash in 1972.

His son, Beau Biden, died at the age of 46 in 2015 after a battle with brain cancer.

During a recent speech , Trump (pictured) warned that Biden - if reelected - would lead the U.S. into 'World War Two' in a gaffe-laden speech

The issue of fitness for office has become a heightened topic of conversation in recent years as more elderly politicians hang onto their roles.

Both Trump and Biden have been at the receiving end of this concern.

During a recent speech, Trump warned that Biden - if reelected - would lead the U.S. into 'World War Two' in a gaffe-laden speech.

While addressing the Pray Vote Stand summit in Washington, the former president seemingly meant to say 'World War Three,' and not the conflict which ended in 1945.

'We have a man who is totally corrupt and the worst president in the history of our country, who is cognitively impaired, in no condition to lead, and is now in charge of dealing with Russia and possible nuclear war,' he said.

'Just think of it. We would be in World War Two very quickly if were going to be relying on this man, and far more devastating than any war.

'There will never be a war if that happens there will never be a war like this. It will obliterate everything there is, everybody, it will obliterate every country,' Trump said.

Similarly, Biden has seen his own fair share of gaffes in the first three years of his presidency.

In a recent incident, Biden's staff cut off his mic during a rambling Vietnam press conference that came to a sudden end.

Biden was mid-flow and answering questions from journalists when he was interrupted and forced to shuffle away and head backstage.

President Joe Biden awards the Medal of Honor to Capt. Larry Taylor, an Army pilot from the Vietnam War who risked his life to rescue a reconnaissance team

Just days before Biden's Vietnam conference, he sparked backlash after he hastily exited a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House, leaving a celebrated war hero awkwardly alone on stage.

The President quickly made his way out of the East Room after awarding the nation's highest military honor to Larry Taylor, 81, a retired Army Captain celebrated for his heroics during the Vietnam War.

But while Taylor shed a tear as the medal was pinned to his lapel, Biden appeared less moved by the moment as he was reportedly already heading out of the door before the closing benediction was read.

'Electoral politics is a contingent business and mortality is the ultimate contingency,' Burns wrote in his Politico piece.

'The only mystery is how few senior statesmen and stateswomen seem to grasp this.'
Former President Donald Trump was seen arriving at Trump Tower in Manhattan Sunday night ahead of the start of his civil fraud trial on Monday morning, while writing 'see you in court' to the prosecutor and judge in the case on social media.

Flanked by Secret Service and NYPD officers, Trump was wearing a navy blue suit, white button down shirt and going without a tie as he walked in, ahead of the first time he will appear in court for a civil trial.

Barriers were placed around the 58-story Fifth Avenue building as he arrived at around 11pm as DailyMail.com cameras saw Trump enter.

The $250million fraud case kicked off when New York Attorney General Letitia James accused Trump, his adult sons and the entire Trump organization of inflating the value of properties to fit their business's needs.

He previewed what he believed he would face in a post on Truth Social, suggesting the bias of both New York Attorney General Letitia James and Justice Arthur Engoron, who will be prosecuting and ruling over the case, respectively.

Former President Donald Trump was seen arriving at Trump Tower in Manhattan Sunday night ahead of the start of his civil fraud trial on Monday morning

'I'm going to Court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation against a corrupt and racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who campaigned on 'getting Trump,' he wrote.

He made multiple posts indicating that Engoron - whom he has called 'deranged' and 'Trump-hating' - was undervaluing his famous Mar-a-Lago estate.

'He values Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida, at 18 Million Dollars, when it is worth 50 to 100 times that amount. His valuations are FRAUDULENT in pursuit of Election Interference, and worse. THIS WHOLE CASE IS A SHAM!!! See you in Court - Monday morning,' Trump added.

He later called for both Engoron and James to resign 'for purposeful and criminal election interference.'

'She is fully aware that Mar-a-Lago, and other assets, are worth much more than what she is claiming. Both of these Democrat Operatives are a disgrace to New York, and to the United States of America!'

On Monday, the civil trial will address what Trump, his businesses, his adult sons and his business associates did with that false information. This will just be one of several trials Trump is set to face from October to May.

As he has been in a constant feud with James, he has also called out Engoron for carrying out a 'witch hunt' on him. Engoran is the judge assigned to this trial and will have the final say on what happens next for the 45th President.

Just last week, Engoron ruled to exterminate Trump's family business on the basis of widespread fraud. These properties included Trump Tower and the Trump International Hotel.

Flanked by Secret Service and NYPD officers, Trump was wearing a navy blue suit, white button down shirt and going without a tie as he walked in

Barriers were placed around the 58-story Fifth Avenue building as he arrived at around 11pm

He previewed what he believed he would face in a post on Truth Social, suggesting the bias of both New York Attorney General Letitia James and Justice Arthur Engoron, who will be prosecuting and ruling over the case, respectively

'I'm going to Court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation against a corrupt and racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who campaigned on 'getting Trump,' Trump wrote

Donald Trump arrives to Trump Tower in New York ahead of his court appearance tomorrow

Since those properties were taken away, Trump has openly spoken out about how he feels in regard to Justice Engoron's decision.

'I have a Deranged, Trump Hating Judge, who RAILROADED this FAKE CASE through a NYS Court at a speed never before seen,' Trump said on social media.

On top of attempting to delay his trial, Politico reported that Trump went a step further and 'accused the judge of failing to comply with earlier appeals' that he said altered the range of the case against him.

The former President's legal team was a bit thrown off by Engoron's abrupt decision, even after James found that Trump and his company deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

She also said he boosted valuations by up to $2 billion, inflating the value of signature assets including the Mar-a-Lago club where he now resides and his Manhattan penthouse apartment at Trump Tower.

Trump, his company and key executives repeatedly lied about them on his annual financial statements, reaping rewards such as favorable loan terms and lower insurance premiums, Engoron found.

Engoron has responded to Trump's claims with 'Decline to sign' and 'Defendants' arguments are completely without merit.'

He previously held Trump in contempt of court and ordered him to pay $100,000 after he found out that he failed to comply with the subpoena ordered by James's office.

On Monday, the civil trial will address what Trump, his businesses, his adult sons and his business associates did with that false information. This will just be one of many trials Trump is set to face from October to May

Donald Trump is set to arrive in the Big Apple on Sunday night for his civil fraud trial on Monday. He could possibly be in the city until Tuesday.

As he has been in a constant feud with James (pictured left), he has also called out Justice Arthur Engoron (pictured right) for carrying out a 'witch hunt' on him. Engoran is the judge assigned to this trial and will have the final say on what happens next for the 45th President

Trump, his company and key executives repeatedly lied about them on his annual financial statements, reaping rewards such as favorable loan terms and lower insurance premiums, Engoron found

Trump faces a number of legal hurdles in the coming months, even while running for president again and leading the 2024 Republican Primary in the polls.

On January 15, he is set to kick off his federal defamation trial that has been brought on by E. Jean Carroll.

Later that month, on January 29, a trial related to a federal class action lawsuit that accused him and his company of promoting a pyramid scheme will start.

Then Trump will face a federal criminal trial on March 4 based on the accusation that he tried to interfere with the 2020 election.

On March 25 he will be back in New York for a case brought on by his alleged mishandling with classified documents.

Engoron previously held Trump in contempt of court and ordered him to pay $100,000 after he found out that he failed to comply with the subpoena ordered by James's office

Technically, he is not required to be present for the civil trial unless he is called to testify by James, which she has said she is considering.

So far, he has not appeared in court for any of his federal civil trials from earlier this year.

Regardless, Trump's calendar is going to be tight as he looks ahead to campaigning while battling Biden's justice department.

If convicted on all charges, he faces 71 years in prison - and state charges, unlike federal, cannot be pardoned by a president.

The probe by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis began shortly after the release of a recording of a January 2, 2021, phone call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in which the then-president suggested that Raffensperger could 'find 11,780 votes'  just enough to overtake Joe Biden.

Trump has described his phone call to Raffensperger as 'perfect' and has portrayed the prosecution by the Democratic district attorney as politically motivated.

The Attorney General didn't start this feud between Trump and the judge as the two have had past history.

Trump and his co-defendants will only face Judge Engoron instead of a jury in a bench trial.

Through a court spokesperson, Engoron has declined to comment on Trump's barbs. He is barred from commenting to the news media about the case.

Engoron has been involved in Trump-related cases since 2020, when he was assigned to intervene in quarrels among Trumps lawyers and James office over demands for evidence and the direction of her investigation.

There is a chance that Trump could stay in New York City until Tuesday based on the outcome of Monday's trial.
Shoplifting will be treated as a 'high-harm' cross-border crime on par with robbery, burglary and fraud by a new specialist national police team.

The squad of intelligence analysts will be tasked with identifying the organised criminal gangs blamed for fuelling a 37 per cent increase in shoplifting in a year - with high street stores, garden centres and even charity shops targeted.

High street giants including John Lewis, Co-op, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Next are each pumping 60,000 into the operation, dubbed Project Pegasus.

The unit will see police and retailers across the UK pool their intelligence to target repeat offenders. It is part of a wider crackdown on shoplifting to be announced by ministers and police chiefs over the next fortnight.

Katy Bourne, the police and crime commissioner for Sussex and the national lead for business and retail crime, said gangs had been evading justice due to the lack of a coordinated national approach.

Bosses at nearly 90 retailers including Tesco , Sainsbury's and Boots have joined forces to call for a crackdown on brazen shoplifters bringing chaos to Britain's streets. Pictured: ITV News cameras catch thief trying to steal booze from south London store as reporter interviews shopkeeper about shoplifting epidemic

She gave the example of a gang led by two brothers that shoplifted 500,000 of goods over two and a half years across 15 different police force areas.

She said they were able to get away with their crimes because 'forces only dealt with crimes in their patches'.

Policing minister Chris Philp is today expected to reveal more details about the government's crackdown on shoplifters, the Telegraph reported.

Pegasus will form part of Opal, the national police intelligence unit for organised acquisitive crime. It has previously focused on 'high-harm and cross-border' robbery, burglary, vehicle crime, robbery, heritage and cultural property crime, metal and infrastructure crime and plant and agricultural thefts, but not shoplifting.

The lack of police manpower dedicated to tackling shoplifting became apparent when it emerged that one supermarket had 30 analysts tracking suspect compared to a police force that only had two, a source reportedly said.

READ MORE - Suella Braverman must stop the shoplifters, says RUTH SUNDERLAND Advertisement

It comes as bosses at nearly 90 retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury's and Boots have joined forces to call for a crackdown on brazen shoplifters bringing chaos to Britain's streets.

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and Dobbies Garden Centres, the UK's largest garden centre operator with more than 75 shops, have also signed the letter.

Managers say garden centres are being targeted for tools, lighting and costly gifts like scented candles - with thieves seeing them as softer targets because they have fewer security guards.

Tammy Woodhouse, managing director of Millbrook Garden Centres and chairwoman of the Garden Centre Association, told The Times: 'There are people specifically targeting garden centres. They are big spaces.

'It is easy to hide and it's hard to keep track of people. We are finding a lot of packaging from high-value items, such as secateurs, among the plants.

'We are out of town. This is a calculated decision to come to us, it is not opportunistic.

'These situations can be quite aggressive. We are starting to fight back with cameras and security guards but it takes time.'

The 88 companies, who also include WH Smith, Aldi, Primark and Superdrug, have written to the Government to demand action as Britain's shoplifting epidemic spirals out of control.

Shameless thieves have frequently been caught on camera brazenly stealing - in cases attacking staff - with retail bosses claiming they are powerless to stop criminals.

The retail giants - who are usually bitter rivals - are urging the Government to make assaulting, threatening or abusing a retail worker a specific crime - something which exists in Scotland already.

'This standalone offence would send an important signal that our colleagues will receive better protection in law and act as a deterrent to would-be offenders. This action should be taken without delay,' the letter says.

This is the moment that a man was caught on CCTV stealing clothes from a John Lewis store

This is the shocking moment a Halfords manager was kicked in the head by two shoplifters

Dramatic footage shows a masked armed robber who threatened three young women in an attempt to rob a newsagent

Retail bosses have called for a meeting with Home Secretary Suella Braverman to speak about the epidemic after a meeting with Chris Philp - the minister for crime - led to the promise of developing a plan.

It comes after retailers including the Co-op and John Lewis, highlighted that shoplifting was getting worse, while the chairman of Asda this month said stealing had essentially been 'decriminalised'.

The Mail on Sunday has launched a campaign calling on the authorities to crack down on thieves.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said this summer shoplifting had risen 27 per cent across ten of the largest cities in the UK, with some cities up as much as 68 per cent.

It estimates that shops lost 953million to customer theft last year - the greatest loss on record in recent years.

And official statistics published by the Office for National Statistics show that shoplifting rose 24 per cent between March 2022 and March 2023.

Waitrose has revealed organised gangs are targeting stores along Tube routes, while Sainsbury's, Morrisons, and Aldi are searching shoppers using self service tills amid a rise in thefts.

Co-op has also resorted to removing chocolates from their boxes and displaying empty packets in a bid to stop shoplifters.

Helen Dickinson, the chief executive of the BRC, which helped in organising the letter to the Home Secretary said: 'It is vital that action is taken before the scourge of retail crime gets any worse. We are seeing organised gangs threatening staff with weapons and emptying stores.

Co-op has previously released footage of its staff grappling with shoplifters in stores

Team leader Charlene Corbin was bottled by a shoplifter at the Co-op where she works

'We are seeing violence against colleagues who are doing their job and asking for age verification. We are seeing a torrent of abuse aimed at hardworking shop staff.

'It's simply unacceptable  no one should have to go to work fearing for their safety.

'We need government to stand with the millions of retail workers who kept us safe and fed during the pandemic  and support them, as those workers supported us.'

The rise in shoplifting and assaults on staff has forced many large retailers to take drastic action.

Tesco's Ken Murphy said last month that all the supermarket chain's frontline workers will be offered body cameras following a surge in violent attacks. He said more than 200 of its staff are victims of serious physical assaults each month.

One shocking video showed a thug lunging at a Tesco worker with a knife after a supermarket worker bravely wrestled stolen goods off him. The attacker, Josh James, was jailed for eight years following a six-moth crime spree.

Attacks on shop workers rose sharply during the Covid pandemic when some customers vented their frustration on employees, and the problem has worsened since then.

A recent survey found episodes of violence and abuse against retail workers increased from 450 a day in 2019 to more than 850 a day last year.

A shoplifter has a tug of war with a Co-op worker in Liverpool

Staff report being sworn at, subjected to racial or sexual insults, physically threatened, spat on and subjected to physical violence.

The Co-op logged almost 1,000 incidents a day of retail crime in the six months to June, an increase of 35 per cent on the same period in 2022 and its highest ever levels.

The Co-op's frontline staff now wear body cameras and headsets so they can call for help if attacked, part of a 200 million investment in security over recent years.

Footage of shoplifters being caught on camera appears to be a daily occurrence. Earlier this week, a brazen thief was caught on camera trying to steal booze while an ITV journalist interviewed the store's owner about Britain's shoplifting epidemic.

The footage was filmed in a shop in Croydon, south London, and captured the moment the brazen thief attempted to barge his way past the camera crew.

Wearing a camouflage coat, the man is caught on CCTV casually wandering down an aisle before then taking a bottle of alcohol and shoving it in his pocket.

Remarkably, as this was happening, live CCTV footage of the shoplifter was playing in the background while an ITV journalist interviewed shopkeeper Ben Selvaratnam.

'I think he's... I think he's stealing,' a woman is heard saying, before the camera pans around and films the man being confronted by shop staff.

This is the moment a blatant shoplifter was caught stealing speakers and clothes from John Lewis

Other footage over the year has been shared by retail companies of staff being robbed by armed intruders, while one Halfords manager suffered life-changing injuries after being attacked by two shoplifters.

Shoplifting is also spreading to middle-class mothers who have confessed to getting a thrill out of stealing.

Caroline, 53, who is married with two children in their 20s, admitted to the Mail last month: 'The thrill lies in getting away with it, I certainly don't do it for financial gain because I don't need to.'

Dressed in tailored trousers, heels and a jacket, with immaculately styled hair and make-up, she hardly fits the stereotypical image of a thief, but neither is she alone.

Caroline, not her real name, says it all began for her one day in 2021 in a well-known DIY superstore.

'I'd gone to collect some pre-ordered items but I also needed to buy a 150 power drill on the day,' she explains. 'I suddenly had this compulsion to peel the 'already paid for' sticker from one of my pre-ordered items and put it onto the power drill instead. To avert suspicion, I picked up a few bedding plants costing around 5, which I put through the till.

'My heart was hammering, and I fully expected to feel the hand of a security guard on my shoulder. But by the time I got to the car, I felt such a buzz. I couldn't believe I'd got away with it. I can explain it only as a sudden, impetuous two fingers up to the fact that life was - and still is - very stressful.'

One in eight shop bosses no longer report shoplifting incidents because they say police are uninterested, while criminal gangs consider stores soft targets and systematically strip them of goods.

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.
This is the tragic moment ten people were killed and 40 more injured in Mexico when the roof of a church came crashing down during a baptism.

The disaster struck the coastal town of Ciudad Madero, in Tamaulipas state on Sunday, with a Red Cross rescuer telling local media that 80 people had been in attendance at the Santa Cruz parish when the roof caved in.

'Unfortunately, ten people are confirmed dead. Of these, five are women, two men and three children,' Americo Villarreal, governor of Tamaulipas, told reporters at the scene of the disaster.

Rescue workers were attempting to recover the body of a woman from the rubble, but the death toll was not expected to rise as all of the missing had been accounted for, he added.

At least 60 people were treated for injuries, the governor said, with 23 still hospitalized. 'Two have serious injuries, their lives may be in danger,' he said.

This is the tragic moment at least ten people were killed and 40 more injured in Mexico when the roof of a church came crashing down during a baptism

A video reportedly from a nearby security camera (pictured as the collapse began) appeared to show the moment of collapse, as the church building disappears into a cloud of dust

At least ten people were killed and 40 more injured in Mexico on Sunday after the roof of a church came crashing down during a baptism, local officials said

The diocese later posted an initial list of about 50 people who had been hospitalized as a result of the accident. They included a 4-month-old baby, three 5-year-olds and two 9-year-olds. There was no immediate information on their conditions.

Church officials said a baptism was being celebrated when the ceiling collapsed.

'We are experiencing a very difficult moment... the roof of a church has collapsed during the celebration of the Eucharist,' the bishop of the local diocese Jose Armando Alvarez said in a video posted to social media.

'We lament the painful loss of people who were there celebrating the baptism of their children,' Alvarez wrote, also on social media..

At the same time, there were signs of hope.

'From underneath the rubble, thanks to Divine Providence and the work of the rescue teams, people have been pulled out alive!' Alvarez's diocese wrote in a statement posted on it social media accounts. 'Let's keep praying!'

Earlier, ambulances, patrol cars and police and military personnel had rushed to the site, in addition to numerous people in search of family members who were in the church at the time of the collapse.

Local media showed footage of dozens of people trying to hold up part of the collapsed structure with poles while others made their way through the wreckage in search of survivors.

The disaster struck the coastal town of Ciudad Madero, in Tamaulipas state, with a Red Cross rescuer telling local media that 80 people had been in attendance at the Santa Cruz parish when the roof caved in.

Church pews are seen under the collapsed roof of the church in Ciudad Madero, in Tamaulipas state, which collapsed on Sunday

In a scene reminiscent of earthquake recovery efforts, rescuers could be seen raising their fists in the air as a call for silence so they might hear any calls for help coming from people stuck under the wreckage.

'Security and civil protection forces are already dealing with the situation... to coordinate rescue plans,' Tamaulipas Governor Villarreal had said earlier on social media platform X.

A video reportedly from a nearby security camera appears to show the moment of collapse, as the church building disappears into a cloud of dust.

Walls did not appear to have been blown outward, nor was there any indication of an explosion, or anything other than simple structural failure.

The roof appeared to be made of relatively thin poured concrete, and photos distributed by state authorities showed the roof slab resting on the top of pews in some parts of the church.

The Archdiocese of Mexico posted a message on social media offering condolences.

'We join in prayer with our sister diocese Tampico to intercede for our killed and injured brothers,' it said.

Church officials said a baptism was being celebrated when the ceiling collapsed

Members of a rescue team and people work at a site where a church roof collapsed during Sunday mass in Ciudad Madero, in Tamaulipas state, Mexico in this handout picture distributed to Reuters on October 1

In a scene reminiscent of earthquake recovery efforts, rescuers could be seen raising their fists in the air as a call for silence so they might hear any calls for help coming from people stuck under the wreckage

Ambulances, patrol cars and police and military personnel had rushed to the site, in addition to numerous people in search of family members who were in the church

Local residents put out calls on social media asking for tools to aid the rescue effort, such as hydraulic lifts, wood and hammers.

Ciudad Madero is a city of just over 200,000 people on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

Building collapses are common in Mexico during earthquakes, but the National Seismological Service did not report any seismic activity strong enough to cause such damage at the time of the collapse.

Nor was there any immediate indication of an explosion.
If there's one thing the residents of Burnham Market agree on, it's that their village is one of the prettiest places you could live.

But there is a gaping divide in the community about who should live there.

Wealthy Londoners flock to the area in Norfolk to stay in weekend homes or holiday rentals, eager to take advantage of the nearby unspoiled countryside, breathtaking stretches of coastline and wildlife including seals and migrating birds.

Their patronage has seen businesses up their game, with an Fenviable selection of upmarket restaurants, gastro pubs and charming independent shops to choose from, helping to burnish the area's reputation as 'Chelsea-on-Sea'.

But there is trouble in paradise as the influx of outsiders has seen house prices soar, leaving locals unable to afford homes in the area and key workers having to commute from surrounding villages.

Wealthy Londoners flock to Burnham Market to stay in weekend homes or holiday rentals, eager to take advantage of the nearby unspoiled countryside but its popularity has led to a backlash from locals

Retired shop owner Sally Whitworth, 71, said second home owners should only be allowed to live in Burnham Market if they pay eye-watering amounts for the privilege

Nina Plumbe, 73, (left) complained: 'My daughter is 42 and lives in a three-bedroom rented cottage with four children.' But Caitline Finan, 27, the manager of a restaurant in Burnham Market, says second home owners are good for business

READ MORE - Holiday home hotspots revealed by official data: Seven areas now see more than one in 10 properties used as retreats Advertisement

And outside peak season, locals complain the village is 'hollowed out' as homes are left empty.

The situation reached boiling point last week when residents voted overwhelmingly to stop outsiders from buying second homes.

More than 80 per cent backed the ban, which will prevent existing homes being turned into holiday retreats and require all new developments to be 'principal residences'.

Dennis Clark, chairman of Burnham Market Parish Council, said: 'When we put out an early document for people to comment on, they could do so from their armchair.

'But for this they had to go out and they have made their feelings clear.'

But MailOnline research has revealed that the issue is not so cut and dried, with business owners in particular saying they couldn't survive without the wealth that has flooded in from the capital.

READ MORE - More than 80% in seaside haven where average house price is 1million back measures to curb holiday lets Advertisement

Some residents have also defended the well-off arrivals, saying many have visited for generations and are on first-name terms with locals.

Among those backing the ban was Stephanie Worsley, 76, who said: 'It's important for people to be able to buy locally so we can keep local families here.

'My children have all grown up and moved away. There are families who need to be able to buy their own houses to be able to live in the village.

'It's been a problem for a few years now. The prices have gone up because people who buy second homes can afford to pay for them.'

Nina Plumbe, 73, complained: 'My daughter is 42 and lives in a three-bedroom rented cottage with four children. They can't afford the homes around here. It's become a crisis.'

The retired farmer owns a six-bedroom property in nearby Burnham Thorpe that she rents out of 2,000-a-week in peak season - but well-to-do visitors splash out three times as much in Burnham Market.

Retired shop owner Sally Whitworth, 71, said second home owners should only be allowed if they pay eye-watering amounts for the privilege.

'We should charge them three times the council tax. They should have to pay extra for rubbish collection,' she insisted.

'I live next door to a holiday let and they put their rubbish in the general bins. They should have blue bins for commercial rubbish and pay commercial rates.

'I've lived here since 1985 and all the houses [along the high street] used to be lived in. As the old people died, they all became holiday homes. Eighty per cent of the houses along the high street are holiday homes.

'As the old people died the bungalows got knocked down and developers came along and turned them into large homes that are selling for millions.'

David Howell, 51, a shop assistant in Gun Hill Clothing shop on the high street who was born and raised in Burnham Market, said: 'I do not think second homes should be barred because they're bringing money into the village'

The village has an enviable selection of upmarket restaurants, gastro pubs and charming independent shops

A middle-aged woman, who didn't want to be identified, and who lives in a long-term second-home rental said: 'There are too many second homes and there's hardly anyone living here and it's very boring.'

But Harvey Butler, 70, a builder who lives with his partner in a large detached house near the village centre, claimed well-heeled visitors were the lifeblood of the community.

'If there were no second homes there would be no village. There would be no petrol stations, no shops, no restaurants for people,' he said.

'There used to be jobs in agriculture and fishing here. But farmers who used to employ 20 people now only employ two and there's only one fisherman left. If there were no second homes there would be no jobs.

'This Neighbourhood plan won't stop the second homes. People will just buy a new house in the name of a company. There's ways around it.'

His partner said: 'Across the road somebody who lived there died. If the family want to use it as a second home for holidays are they going to be allowed to use it? Who is going to police this?'

David Howell, 51, a shop assistant in Gun Hill Clothing shop on the high street who was born and raised in Burnham Market, said: 'I do not really think second homes should be barred because they're bringing money into the village. If we do not have these people coming in, we wouldn't have the shops.

'Some people just don't like change. The generation of locals like to keep things as they were. I can see the younger people do not have a house to live in but they sold off all the council houses and younger people have been forced to move to places where it's cheaper, like Fakenham.'

Caitline Finan, 27, the manager of a restaurant in Burnham Market, is also against the Neighbourhood plan.

Unfortunately though, the influx out of outsiders has seen house prices soar, leaving locals unable to afford homes in the area and key workers having to commute from surrounding villages

Now more than 80 per cent of residents in Burnham Market (pictured) have voted to stop outsiders from buying second homes after its popularity with wealthy Londoners saw it dubbed 'Chelsea-on-Sea'

The average house price in Burnham Market is 1million, while the average salary is 25,000

She said: 'I lived in the village for three years. I lived here with my mum and sister and moved out at the end of lockdown, when I was 24 or 25.

'I couldn't afford to live in the village. There are rental properties but they are out of my price range. I moved to Hunstanton where it's cheaper.

'I don't mind the second homes. I'm not against them because they're beneficial for business. I wouldn't have a job here without them.'

An estate agent, who didn't want to be named, warned the council could end up locked in a legal battle over the plans.

He said: 'The general feeling is that if the intention of the Neighbourhood Plan is to enable local people to buy properties locally then that's not achievable.

'The average house price in Burnham Market is 1million and the average salary is 25,000. It's a bit like turkeys voting for Christmas.

'The majority of employment is tourism and local holidaymakers make up most of it. Most of the businesses around here make money from the holidaymakers.

'This will be put to the test in the courts. Someone who is well-heeled and has the finances will put it to the test by buying a property here that they want to use as a second home.

'It's going to be difficult to enforce if you're buying a house that's always been used as a second home.'

Those targeted by the crackdown defended themselves, arguing they brought in money and were being penalised for falling in love with the village, which has been voted among the most desirable places to live in the UK in polls.

Iain Anderson, a retired chief executive officer of a business who bought a second home in the village three years ago and spent two years renovating it, was unaware of the referendum and the hostility of some locals.

A sign for the village which has been dubbed 'Chelsea-on-sea'

Told of the vote, the 68-year-old, whose main home is in Cambridgeshire, said: 'Oh dear. It's because locals can't get on the property market.

'I think a lot of the business owners need second homeowners. We spend a lot of money in the village.'

Another, who has been visiting the village for years, said: 'I feel for the people who have lived here for generations and whose children can no longer afford to live nearby.

'But gentrification is not unique to Burnham Market  think of boroughs in London where prices have gone crazy since the late 80s.

'Driving people away with money to spend in the area is just killing the golden goose, isn't it?'

The 2001 census showed 948 people living in the village but by 2021 this had fallen to 724  which locals say is a result of the unaffordable housing forcing locals out.

Many believe numbers have fallen further since then due to the boom in staycations triggered by the pandemic. Around a quarter of properties are believed to be used as second homes.

The conditions backed by the referendum will become part of the village's Neighbourhood Plan, which West Norfolk Council will refer to when considering planning applications.

Mr Clark added the new conditions were not the entire solution and said the government intervention was needed.

There are plans to allow local authorities to charge double council tax on second homes but critics have warned owners could reclassify their properties as businesses, meaning they pay business rates instead if they are let for at least 70 days each year.

As one long-term resident said: 'We have to do something. But I'm not sure we're doing the best thing. No one is really.'
Police have revealed there will be no further investigations after a Qantas flight to Singapore was forced to make an emergency landing in Darwin when a a 'drunk' man started making threats.

The Australian Federal Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that a 'medical emergency' was to blame for the incident on board flight QF81 which led to passenger's disturbing outbursts including him using the word 'explosive'.

Officers spoke with airline crew when the flight from Sydney touched down in Darwin at 4pm on Sunday.

It is understood the male passenger required 'medical assistance' and was taken off the flight and then hospitalised.

After the man was removed from the flight, police reportedly came on to search his chair (pictured)

The diverted Qantas flight to Singapore was on the ground for one hour at Darwin as the passenger was removed and hospitalised. Pictured: A Qantas plane at Darwin in 2020

The flight was on the ground for one hour then continued on to Singapore as planned.

An onlooker said the passenger taunted crew, saying 'don't you dare divert' and repeatedly used the word 'explosive'.

The NT News reported the drama began when he started downing his own bottle of wine during the flight, telling cabin crew he 'needed to' because he was an 'alcoholic'.

'He was clearly agitated, belligerent and appeared to be heavily affected by alcohol,' the witness onboard said.

'He said he was "a criminal".'

After the man was removed from the flight, police came on to search his chair.

The Qantas plane diverted to Darwin around 4pm on Sunday where the male passenger was escorted from the plane by four cabin crew

'On Sunday 1 October, 2023 the AFP was advised that an aircraft that originated in Sydney bound for Singapore was diverted to Darwin International Airport, following a medical emergency on board,' an AFP spokesperson said in a statement.

The statement said after its officers spoke with airline crew 'no further action was required'.

'The AFP has no further comment on this matter.'

'We thank our customers for their understanding and our crew for their professionalism,' Qantas said in a statement.
An elite Ukrainian sniper who claims responsibility for the deaths of 113 Russian soldiers in the last nine months has revealed how his squad hunts its targets.

The Ghost of Bakhmut, commander of the 'Ghosts of Bakhmut', revealed his unit, made up of a few dozen highly-trained soldiers, have killed 558 Russian soldiers in the same period of time.

Ghost, his call sign in the field, also claims his team has one of the furthest sniper kills in history, with its last confirmed target being 1.5 miles away, or three times the length of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

He and his team said they typically hunt high-value Russian targets from a typical distance of around 230ft and are often thrown into 'hot spots' as the vanguard for Ukraine's counteroffensive actions, which have stepped up in recent months.

'When there is an offensive or a counteroffensive planned, our task is to go in first and clear the area,' the anonymous commander told Insider.

Ghost (pictured) is the leader of the Ghosts of Bakhmut sniper squad

The commander claims that the unit has taken out more then 500 Russian soldiers in the past nine months

Kills made by the squad, which is named after their leader, are recorded electronically using the sights of their rifles

The unit's snipers often have to wait in one position for up to 16 hours a day, and have to be very well camouflaged.

Their primary weapon is the American Barrett M107A1, though members will also use the Barrett MRAD as well as some Ukrainian rifles, including the UAR-10 and the Snipex Alligator.

The effective range of the Barrett M107A1, understood to be the most powerful weapon the Ghosts use, is 1.14 miles, according to its owner's manual, while its maximum range is 2.49 miles.

Kills made by the squad, which is named after their leader, are recorded electronically using the sights of their rifles, and the unit will stay in their positions for three to five hours afterwards to make sure their quarry has been taken out.

But he said that the deadly work is gruelling, and can mentally tear people apart.

The unit's snipers often have to wait in one position for up to 16 hours a day, and have to be very well camouflaged

Ghost said the deadly work is gruelling and can mentally tear people apart

The unit's primary weapon is the American Barrett M107A1

The unit trained for ten months before being deployed in Bakhmut

'It's nothing like American films that romanticise the work of snipers and show it as very glamorous.'

He said that most of the work the unit does is survival-based.

'You learn how to calculate, you do the maths. You learn how to camouflage yourself, you learn about the environment. You can shoot perfectly well, but if you can't survive, there is no value in that.'

'We work 24 hours a day, we don't differentiate between day or night. There are no weekends. You're totally exhausted, all the juices are squeezed out of you, and when you come back from a mission, you're a complete mess.'

He said that when they come back from missions, they try to maintain some degree of normalcy.

Ghost said he tries to call his young daughter as often as he can, and writes and sings songs in his spare time.

He added that the unit keeps their morale up with the help of their pet husky Lola, described by Ghost at the unit's 'anti-depressant.'

Lola (pictured) is said to be the unit's 'antidepressant'

The team have not lost a single soldier since they were dropped into Bakhmut

The elite squad needed 10 months of training before they were deployed in Bakhmut.

Ghost, an entrepreneur in another life, says he's been working as a sniper since 2014, signing up for military service after Russia illegally annexed Crimea and receiving sniper training from British, American, Canadian and Lithuanian instructors in 2016.

Ghost says the squad's training has been put to good use, as not a single member of his team has died.

He said that only he and another sniper have so far been wounded, during a mission in which a mine exploded near him, sending shrapnel into his leg.

This injury left him in hospital for 12 days.

The unit are known to use the UAR-10, a Ukrainian rifle

The Ghosts of Bakhmut also use the Snipex Alligator in the field

The maximum range of a Barrett M107A1 is 2.49 miles

The unit often uses American-made weapons, including the Barrett MRAD

He said that the key to the unit's success is that they are a tight-knit and self-sufficient group who all wholeheartedly believe in Ukraine's cause.

'I am absolutely confident in each and every man who works with me.

'We are absolutely self-reliant. Every element of our task is fulfilled by our own members  we have our own drivers, we have our own truck repairers, everything that we do, we are doing ourselves.

'We are not relying on anyone outside of our unit. Which is probably why we are all still alive and together.'

'Bravery is something that can be nurtured. One has to be sturdy, one has to be very resilient, very focused, psychologically very resilient, and obviously patriotic.

'This aspect of patriotism is very important because a person has to understand what he or she is doing it for.'
Protesters have staged a demonstration outside Sadiq Khan's home as the campaign against the London Mayor's Ultra-low Emissions Zone (Ulez) expansion intensifies.

Furious drivers set up tents and signs outside the property in south London  with one bringing a caravan with the words 'Sack Khan' and 'No To Ulez' on it.

The Action Against Ulez organisation was out in force wearing hi-vis jackets for the 'all weekender' which they described as a 'hunger strike and protest'.

Signs plastered on vehicles parked outside on Saturday and Sunday said 'are you listening yet Mr Khan'; 'Ulez expansion justified with lies'; and 'stop the toxic air lie'.

Further messages said 'resist, defy, do not comply' and 'every penny they can screw you for matters to TfL [Transport for London] and the Dictator of London'.

Furious drivers set up tents and signs outside the Mayor of London's home in South London

The anti-Ulez campaigners are staging a protest in South London outside Sadiq Khan's house

The Action Against Ulez organisation have put up slogans and placards in South London

Others set up tents outside and branded Ulez cameras designed to catch drivers out as 'scameras' as they demanded the Labour politician steps down as Mayor.

READ MORE Moment Ulez crew is chased off by furious locals - as 'activists' continue to sabotage cameras Advertisement

In a post on social media, the group described the protest as a street party and asked for anyone to 'get down here and join the fun'.

Also over the weekend, furious locals in Biggin Hill chased away a Ulez crew, some of whom were driving the mobile 'spy' vans used to enforce the scheme.

It comes after Mr Khan expanded Ulez to cover Greater London on August 29, making the capital the world's largest pollution charging area.

People who drive in the zone in a vehicle not meeting minimum emissions standards must pay a 12.50 daily fee or risk a 180 fine, reduced to 90 if paid within 14 days.

Mr Khan has faced strong opposition with regular protests held in central London and anti-Ulez vigilantes targeting enforcement cameras installed in the new areas.

People described as Blade Runners have been filmed cutting the Ulez cameras' wires or completely removing the devices.

Ulez expansion has also become a major political issue, being blamed for Labour's failure to win the Uxbridge and South Ruislip parliamentary by-election in July.

But Mr Khan has defended the zone and set up a scheme enabling residents, small businesses, sole traders and charities scrapping non-compliant cars to claim grants.

Mayor Sadiq Khan expanded the zone to cover the whole of Greater London on August 29

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, pictured in Croydon last Friday, has vigorously defended Ulez

And TfL says all revenue is reinvested into running and improving the capitals transport network, such as expanding bus routes in outer London.

TfL has also said nine out of ten cars seen driving in outer London on an average day meet the Ulez standards, so are not liable for the charge.

But Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency figures obtained by the RAC showed 691,559 licensed cars in the whole of London are likely to be non-compliant.

This does not take into account other vehicles such as vans and lorries, or vehicles which enter London from neighbouring counties such as Essex and Hertfordshire.
Architect was commissioned for work on the 3.5m home of Robb Simms-Davies

Christopher Chapman struck off after being jailed for torching friend's 67k car

Christopher Chapman was caught on CCTV pouring petrol on Robb Simms-Davies' 67,000 car and setting it alight outside his 3.5million mansion while he was inside having dinner with his partner and children

A respected architect who was jailed for torching his friend's Range Rover and sending menacing letters to his family after being threatened with legal action in a row over 'negligent' work has been struck off.

Christopher Chapman was caught on CCTV pouring petrol on Robb Simms-Davies' 67,000 car and setting it alight outside his 3.5million mansion while he was inside having dinner with his partner and children.

The architect, who runs his own practice, returned to his address the next day and posted a letter threatening that his family would 'never be safe' unless he withdrew his complaint - and asked 'just how truly valuable' his children were.

The disciplinary hearing was told Chapman, who ran Berkshire-based Christopher Chapman Associates, was commissioned in 2019 on an 18-month contract for works on Mr Simms-Davies's home.

Chapman received a legal letter from Mr Simms-Davies, who was a 'long-term client and business friend' in March 2021, which caused a breakdown in their relationship.

The letter warned Mr Simms-Davies planned to start civil proceedings against Chapman in connection with the work he had done at his home, with allegations of 'negligence'.

He also warned Mr Simms-Davies to 'walk away' as it was a battle he would not 'ever' win.

The disciplinary hearing was told Chapman was commissioned in 2019 on an 18-month contract for works on Mr Simms-Davies's home (pictured)

In October last year, Chapman was jailed for 26 months at Slough Magistrates' Court, Berks, after admitting charges of arson, possessing a weapon and intimidating a witness.

Now, following his conviction, an Architects Registration Board committee has ruled the 'very serious' offences must result in him being thrown out of the profession.

The panel heard he poured petrol over his former friend's high end car and set it on fire - as Mr Simms-Davies was inside having dinner with his partner and children.

The next day, Chapman returned to Mr Simms-Davies's home and posted two letters.

The panel heard one was 'intimidating' and had words to the effect of: 'Withdraw your proceedings or your family will never be safe from that "tragic accident" ever.

'Try and escalate and pay severe costs. Life-changing.'

Threatening his children, he added: 'Just how truly valuable are they? This is not a battle you would ever win, so walk away now.'

The second letter from Chapman was 'not threatening in nature', instead simply setting out his response to the legal warning he had received, it was heard.

Chapman then sent a WhatsApp to Mr Simms-Davies to 'draw attention' to the letters he had delivered.

A subsequent police search of Chapman's home found two cans of pepper spray, the panel was told.

In court, the then 68-year-old architect said he had 'lost the plot' in carrying out the arson and delivering the letters.

After being jailed for 26 months at his sentencing hearing, Chapman was released on licence after serving half of that time in prison.

He was also ordered to pay a 190 victim surcharge.

Erasing Chapman from the architect register, the panel said it had a 'responsibility to protect the public and maintain the reputation of the profession'.

'The admitted allegation has the potential to diminish both [Chapman]'s reputation and that of the profession generally,' they said.

'And therefore the parties agree that [Chapman]'s conduct is sufficiently serious to require the imposition of a disciplinary order.

'In light of the very serious nature of the offences the parties agree that the imposition of an erasure order is an appropriate and proportionate disciplinary order to impose.'

Chapman, an architect for 35 years, specialised in the design of luxury homes and fine art galleries. His projects include the Clarendon Fine Art Gallery in Mayfair, London, and Whitewall Galleries in Birmingham.

The panel heard he agreed to the order and has no intention of resuming practice again.
A London tech firm has scrapped its plans for a four-day working week after discovering it made staff even more stressed.

Internet services company Krystal started the shorter week in June and planned to continue with the experiment for six months.

The company hoped to improve staff wellbeing following research saying four-day weeks could increase productivity by 40 per cent.

However the trial was axed and staff will return to a normal five-day week today after Krystal founder Simon Blackler admitted it hadn't worked as colleagues struggled to get through all their tasks in the reduced time they had.

Staff fought hard to keep on top of their workload - which they now had one less day to complete - but it became too stressful.

This also affected the usual speed and quality with which they worked.

The trial could come as a warning to other companies considering a four-day working week.

Krystal, based in London, tried the four-day working week but said it didn't work

Krystal founder Simon Blackler said the extra time off did not increase output

Where did the five-day week come from? Prior to the Great Depression, the first example of a five-day week was seen in 1908. A mill in New England, US, allowed a two-day weekend so that Jewish workers could observe the Sabbath on Saturdays. Sunday was already a work-free day due to its holy status in Christianity. In 1926, carmaker Henry Ford gave his staff both days off, and created a 40-hour week for employees. By 1932, the US had officially adopted the five-day week, to tackle unemployment created by the Great Depression. The UK followed suit in 1933, when John Boot, from Boots corporation, closed factories on Saturdays and Sundays, and made it the company's official policy the next year. Advertisement

In an email to customers published by the Times Mr Blackler wrote: 'While team members did have the benefit of an extra day off, we discovered that the extra recovery time did not increase output by the 20 per cent necessary to replace that which had been lost.'

'While the team fought admirably to keep on top of work and turned around responses as quickly as possible it came at a cost  work time was now much more stressful than before.

'During the trial you may have experienced support that was slower than you're used to or not the usual quality. If that's the case then I'd like to apologise and can reassure you that things will be returning to normal next week.'

Mr Blacker said he is still glad they tried and have improved work-life balance by shortening their working day to finish at 5pm instead of 6pm.

This comes after a poll in March found that almost two-thirds of workers would prefer working a four-day week.

A survey of 12,000 people, carried out by employment firm Hays, found that nearly two in three workers would favour the switch.

One in three employers said they would be more likely to accommodate the switch if staff spent all four days on-site.

Just under two in three workers said they would consider switching jobs if another company offered a shorter working week.

The poll followed a study which claimed a four-day working week really does work.

A four-day working week has had mixed reviews by different companies (stock image)

For a six-month period starting in June 2022, 61 UK companies reduced their employees' working hours by 20 per cent, with no changes made to their salary.

Staff who took part were surveyed throughout the trial, and 71 per cent reported lower levels of burnout than before, while 39 per cent said they were less stressed.

All the while, the majority of bosses found productivity targets continued to be met, and they even benefitted from a 1.4 per cent increase in revenue on average.

Pros and cons of a four-day week Pros: Fewer distractions at work

Longer hours does not mean more output

Increased mental wellbeing and physical health

Parents with children find themselves less stressed out

Lowered carbon footprint Cons: Not all industries can participate

It might widen existing inequalities

The cost risk for employers is expensive

Workers may put in the same hours anyways

Difficult team management Source: Adecco Group Advertisement

The programme was coordinated by campaign groups 4 Day Week Global and 4 Day Week Campaign in the UK, think tank Autonomy and academics at the University of Cambridge and Boston College in the US.

In September last year, when companies reached the halfway point of the trial, it was revealed that not all had found the transition to a four-day week easy.

On a scale of one to five indicating how smooth the shift had been, with a grade of one representing 'extremely smooth', 22 per cent did not rate the move to a shorter week one or two.

However, about 95 per cent of the companies surveyed said productivity had either stayed the same or improved since the introduction.

Claire Daniels, CEO at Trio Media, said that revenue at her business - which had 450,000 sales last year and is budgeting for 650,000 this year - had increased during the trial.

She added: 'The four-day week trial so far has been extremely successful for us. Productivity has remained high, with an increase in wellness for the team, along with our business performing 44 per cent better financially.'

The cost of living crisis - including the price of the commute - and childcare issues are major reasons why so many are pushing for fewer hours and more flexibility.

Several 'influencer' agencies are already operating a four-day working week, including Engage Hub, whose employees will have either a Wednesday or a Friday off, rotating every eight weeks.
The BBC's Clive Myrie has slammed 'intolerant' Islamists who slaughtered 52 people including a close friend in the 7/7 terrorist atrocity, claiming their attack was inspired by their failure to 'buy into the idea of a multicultural Britain'.

In his autobiography Everything is Everything, the Mastermind host revealed how he was left angry by the 'senseless' death of his friend Miriam Hyman, a picture editor who was a guest at his wedding.

Hyman, 31, had been travelling on a double-decker bus near King's Cross station when it was blown up.

'I was angry at the men's failure to have bought into the idea of a multicultural Britain, their failure as brown people to buy into the values of tolerance and freedom that underpin liberal democracy,' Myrie wrote.

It comes as Home Secretary Suella Braverman sparked a Tory row after she claimed that multiculturalism in Britain had failed, while giving a hard-hitting speech in the US calling for an overhaul of global refugee rules. She was later branded an attention-seeker by her predecessor, Dame Priti Patel.

The BBC star also noted that three out of the four bombers were British-born, second-generation immigrants 'like me' and said he felt 'overwhelming anger' towards the terrorists. Three of the bombers were British-born sons of Pakistani immigrants and one was a convert born in Jamaica.

Clive Myrie slammed the the Islamist suicide bombers who killed 52 people and injured 750 more on the 7 July 2005

Myrie, who is from Bolton, Lancashire, told The Mirror that the death of his friend Miriam Hyman (pictured), who was a guest at his wedding, left him 'angry at the senselessness of it all'

The wreck of the Number 30 double-decker bus is pictured in Tavistock Square in central London

A London Underground train that was damaged in the 2005 terrorist bombing is pictured on the tracks at Aldgate tube station

Three bombs exploded within fifty seconds of each other in what was the worst terror attack in British history.

Suicide bombers Mohammad Sidique Khan, 30, Shehzad Tanweer, 22, Hasib Hussain, 18, and Germaine Lindsay, 19, met at Luton station that morning. They took a train to King's Cross in London and separated to carry out their deadly missions.

At 8:49 am, the first exploded on a 6-car London Underground train on the Circle line, around 100 yards along the tunnel from Liverpool Street. The second device exploded in the second car of another 6-car London Underground that had just left the busy platform at Edgware Road.

A third bomb was detonated on the Piccadilly line, just under a minute after it departed King's Cross.

Almost one hour after the attacks on the Underground, a fourth bomb was detonated on the top deck of a number 30 double-decker bus.

Myrie, who is originally from Bolton, Lancashire, also wrote: 'It was the worst terrorist atrocity on British soil.

'My wife Catherine worked with one of the victims who died. Miriam came to our wedding and the beautiful pottery she gave us as a present 25 years ago still sits in our home.'

Pictured (left to right) Hasib Hussain and Shehzad Tanweer, two of the bombers

Pictured: (left to right) Jermaine Lindsay and Mohammad Sidique Khan, who also set off bombs on the 7 July 2005

Myrie also noted that three out of the four bombers were British-born, second-generation immigrants, 'like me,' and said he felt 'overwhelming anger' towards the terrorists

Miriam Hyman was one of the 52 people who were killed by the terrorist group on 7 July 2005

Ken Livingstone, who was London mayor at the time, said: 'July 7, 2005 was a day we will never forget.

'It was a day in which many people were caught up in an act of horrific criminal violence and a day when Londoners also demonstrated why this city is the greatest in the world.

'Londoners from all communities united against the appalling acts of terror and chose hope and humanity over division.

'I hope that people across London today will spare some time to reflect on what happened five years ago, the people whose lives were lost and those who were caught up in the events, and the great bravery and solidarity of Londoners we saw on and after the 7th.'
Colie can be seen pulling out a gun and shooting the YouTuber in lower chest

This is the shocking moment a 21-year-old YouTuber prankster's stunt went badly wrong when a delivery driver he was targeting pulled out a gun and shot him in the chest.

Video shows Tanner Cook, 21, who runs the Classified Goons YouTube channel, harassing Alan Colie as he picked up a food order at the Dulles Town Center mall in Sterling, Virginia, on April 2.

Cook can be seen following Colie around the mall while thrusting his phone in his face as it plays the bizarre phrase, 'Hey dips**t, quit thinking about my twinkle' multiple times using a Google Translate app.

Colie backs away from Cook and tells him to stop three times before trying to knock the phone away from his face as the YouTuber continues to advance towards him.

It was at this point that Colie's stunt went badly wrong when the delivery driver pulled out a gun and shot the YouTuber in the lower left chest.

DULLES MALL YOUTUBE PRANKSTER SHOOTING#Fox5DC obtains never-before-seen video of interaction between Alan Colie & Tanner Cook on 4/2.



Colie: NOT GUILTY of most serious charges after attorney's self-defense arguments.



Cook's dad tells me his son was not a threat.#StayAhead pic.twitter.com/h8LwERdutq  David Kaplan (@DKaplanFox5DC) September 29, 2023

Video shows Tanner Cook, 21, who runs the Classified Goons YouTube channel, harassing Alan Colie as he picked up a food order at the Dulles Town Center mall in Sterling, Virginia , on April 2

It was at this point that Colie's stunt went badly wrong when the delivery driver pulled out a gun and shot the YouTuber in the lower left chest

Cook (pictured in hospital) was left fighting for his life following the shooting and spent several days in intensive care after the bullet pierced through his stomach and liver

The shooting sparked panic as shoppers fled what they feared to be a mass shooting as police officers pinned Colie to the ground and arrested him. He was charged with aggravated malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharging a firearm inside a building.

But last week, Colie, who has a license to carry a concealed weapon, was found not guilty of aggravated malicious wounding in the shooting after he said he was acting in self defense.

He was found guilty on a lesser charge of shooting into an occupied dwelling but a judge will hear arguments to set aside this conviction at a hearing next month after his lawyer appealed against it. If found guilty of this lesser firearms count, he faces up to ten years in prison.

One of Colie's defense attorneys Adam Pouilliard said that his client felt menaced by the 6 foot 4 inches tall Cook during the confrontation, which was designed to provoke a reaction and to draw viewers to his YouTube channel.

Pouilliard said Cook 'is trying to confuse people to post videos. He's not worried that he's scaring people. He keeps doing this'.

Cook's 'Classified Goons' channel, which has more than 50,000 subscribers, is known for his controversial stunts, like pretending to vomit on Uber drivers and following unsuspecting customers through department stores.

Cook was left fighting for his life following the shooting and spent several days in intensive care after the bullet pierced through his stomach and liver.

The YouTuber insisted during the trial that he had no inkling he had scared or angered Colie during the prank - despite the delivery driver telling him to stop three times before trying to knock the phone away from his face.

Cook testified last week that he tries to confuse the targets of his pranks for the amusement of his online audience. He said he doesn't seek to elicit fear or anger, but acknowledged his targets often react that way.

Asked why he didn't stop the prank despite Colie's repeated requests, Cook said he 'almost did' but not because he sensed fear or anger from Colie. He said Colie simply wasn't exhibiting the type of reaction Cook was looking for.

'There was no reaction,' Cook said.

Prosecutor Eden Holmes had said during the trial that the facts of the case don't support a self-defense argument, as Colie's lawyer had argued.

The law requires that Colie reasonably fear that he was in imminent danger of bodily harm, and that he use no more force than is necessary. She said Cook's prank was bizarre but not threatening.

Colie was pinned to the ground and arrested. He was charged with aggravated malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharging firearm inside a building

The shooting sparked panic as shoppers fled what they feared to be a mass shooting as police officers pinned Colie to the ground and arrested him

Delivery driver Alan Colie, 31, (pictured) was acquitted in the shooting of a YouTube prankster who followed him around a Virginia mall with a camera close to his face to provoke a reaction

'They were playing a silly phrase on a phone,' the prosecutor said. 'How could the defendant have found that he was reasonably in fear of imminent bodily harm?'

Colie testified in his own defense about the fear that Cook's prank elicited.

Defense attorney Tabatha Blake said Colie didn't have the benefit of knowing he was a prank victim when he was confronted with Cook's confusing behavior.

She said the prosecution's account of the incident 'diminishes how unsettling they were to Mr. Alan Colie at the time they occurred'.

In the video before the encounter with Colie, Cook and his friends can be heard workshopping the phrase they want to play on the phone. One of the friends urges that it be 'short, weird and awkward'.

Pouilliard said during closing arguments that Colie is aware of the dangers that delivery drivers can face as they interact with the public and that he has a license to carry a concealed weapon.

Despite whatever events precipitated the shooting Cook's father, Jeramy Cook, said the incident was shocking and unnecessary.

'They were making a video at the mall and trying to have fun with people and this guy wasn't having fun,' he said.

'There was a phone that was around him and they were interviewing or talking to him, and he didn't like it and he pulled out his gun and shot my son.'

Jeramy Cook emphasised that his family's faith in God to get them through this trying time.

'We need restoration, we need healing, and we need to come together.'

'I pray for this young man and pray that he finds God in this. I believe that God saved our son's life, and he could have easily died but that's not the outcome. God has plans for my son,' he said, noting that he bears no ill will toward Colie.

The jury was initially 'divided in terms of whether the defendant acted in self defense' but eventually delivered its verdicts at the end of the day. Collie was found not guilty of aggravated malicious wounding but was convicted on a lesser firearms count.

Cook, pictured in one of his prank videos harassing staff members at a mall, insisted the incident will not deter him from continuing to make videos and has posted three videos since

Cook's 'Classified Goons' channel (pictured during a prank speaking to a staff member of a hardware store), which has more than 50,000 subscribers, is known for his controversial stunts, like pretending to vomit on Uber drivers and following unsuspecting customers through department stores

Colie's defense attorney Adam Pouilliard said the conviction on the firearms charge is inconsistent with the law, given Colie's acquittal on self defense grounds.

He asked the judge to set aside the conviction. A judge will hear arguments on the issue at a hearing next month.

Colie, who has been in custody since his April arrest, will remain incarcerated.

Cook's 'Classified Goons' channel, which has more than 50,000 subscribers, is known for his controversial stunts, like pretending to vomit on Uber drivers and following unsuspecting customers through department stores.

He spoke from his hospital bed at the time of the incident and said he was just playing a joke on Colie.

'I was playing a prank and a simple practical joke, and this guy didn't take it very well,' he told WUSA9.

Cook also insisted the incident will not deter him from continuing to make videos and has posted three videos since.

At a preliminary hearing, sheriff's deputies testified that they were well aware of Cook and have received calls about previous stunts.

Cook acknowledged during cross-examination on Tuesday that mall security had tossed him out the day prior to the shooting as he tried to record pranks, and that he was trying to avoid security the day he targeted Colie.

Cook said he continues to make the videos, from which he earns $2,000 to $3,000 a month.
Response team travelled through the night after GPS alert indicated bear attack

Two married hikers and their pet were attacked by a grizzly on Friday

A couple and their dog were mauled to death by a grizzly bear while camping in a remote part of Banff National Park, Canada.

The 'inseparable' long-term partners were able to send out a GPS alert to Parks Canada at around 8pm on Friday indicating that they had been attacked.

A team specializing in wildlife attacks was immediately sent out but poor weather forced them to abandon taking a helicopter and travel by ground instead.

The Parks Canada crew arrived at 1am the next day to find the couple dead along with their dog.

The grizzly bear was still in the area exhibiting 'aggressive behavior' and the animal was euthanized 'for public safety'.

Parks Canada said on Saturday night it had received an alert on Friday at around 8pm from a GPS device indicating a bear attack in Banff National Park (Stock image)

A married couple was mauled in the Red Deer River Valley west of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch

The response team arrived on-site at 1am and discovered the bodies in a rural part of the park

While in the area, the team came across a grizzly bear behaving aggressively, leading Parks Canada staff to euthanize the animal on-site in order to ensure public safety

The park imposes seasonal trail restrictions that require people to travel in larger groups as a safety precaution

A family member of the couple told CBC: 'They were long-term partners who loved the outdoors and were inseparable. They lived for being in the backcountry and were two of the most cautious people I know. They knew bear protocol and followed it to a tee.'

The couple was found in the Red Deer River Valley west of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, an area owned by Parks Canada that is used to raise horses for mounted park rangers.

Sundre Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrived at 5am and the victims were transported to Sundre, in central Alberta.

A family member of one of the deceased told CBC that the family received a notification via an inReach satellite communicator at 5pm on Friday that the couple had camped for the night.

'They checked in every night,' the family member said. 'This means they were not travelling after dark and they were not setting up camp when the attack happened.'

A statement from Banff National Park said: 'This is a tragic incident and Parks Canada wishes to express its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims.'

The national park, which attracts more than four million tourists every year, is home to both grizzly and black bears.

Kim Titchener, a friend of the family, described the couple as 'great humans' and 'great adventurers' while speaking to CTV News.

She said they spent a lot of time in the wilderness and had a lot of expertise, 'so it's of course a big shock to the family'.

Tichtner is the founder of Bear Safety & More Inc. and RecSafe with Wildlife, a free resource that provides education on ways to safely coexist with animals like bears.

She has worked on wildlife conflict reduction programs for nearly two decades and provides training on bear safety and bear assessments.

Tichtner said there are about 60 grizzly bears in Banff National Park and while encounters are increasing as more people head outdoors, fatal attacks are extremely rare.

'It's really just the reason why we're seeing more attacks, which is more people heading outdoors and unfortunately not being educated on this,' she said, adding that only 14 per cent of grizzly bear attacks worldwide lead to fatalities.

Kim Titchener, a friend of the family who works in wildlife conflict resolution, says fatal attacks are exceedingly rare

She described the slain couple as 'great humans' and 'great adventurers'

Banff National Park attracts more than four million tourists every year and is home to both grizzly and black bears

The last fatal attack in the park occurred in 1973, when a biologist was killed by a bear that he thought was sedated

Grizzlies are considered vulnerable in Alberta due to human encroachment on their habitat

Bear sightings increase during autumn as the animals become more active searching for food ahead of hibernating in the cold winter months.

'Often when people have encounters with grizzlies, usually the grizzly goes one direction and the people go in the other,' Titchener said.

She added that while she is as yet unaware of the details of the incident, most bear attacks tend to be caused by surprise run-ins.

'They could have surprised a bear at close range and had an encounter that led to a defensive attack,' she said.

This occurs when a bear sees people as a threat to itself, its food source or its cubs.

Titchener added: 'It's extremely rare to see predatory attacks by grizzly bears, but not unheard of.'

Banff National Park imposes seasonal trail restrictions in certain areas, requiring people to travel in groups of four or more as a safety precaution.

Noncompliant visitors may be charged under the Canadian National Parks Act and fined thousands of dollars.

However, fatal grizzly attacks in the park are uncommon, with the last one occurring in 1973.

Wilf Etherington, a biologist with the Canadian National Service, was aiding the relocation of a bear that was thought to be sedated.

The animal charged the 51-year-old shortly after being released from a trap.

One bear nicknamed 'The Boss,' formally known as Bear 122, frequents the town of Banff.

The animal weighs upwards of 650 pounds and is a legendary figure in the area, having eaten a black bear and even survived being hit by a train.

Grizzlies are considered at risk in Alberta due to human intrusion into their habitat.
Described as having a 'sallow' complexion, 'sunken' cheeks and 'brown and bushy' hair, this was the face of one of Britain's most wanted men.

William Pettit was being hunted following the murder of married Rene Brown, 48, who was found stabbed to death in a mushroom field in Chislehurst, Kent.

And on October 2, 1953 - more than 30 years before Crimewatch - he became the first man to have their mugshot shown on TV, when eight million Britons saw it on the BBC as part of a police appeal.

The 27-year-old was suffering from tuberculosis and dependent on a dwindling supply of tablets.

Less than three weeks later, the six-week search came to an end when Pettit was found dead in the 'shadows of St Paul's Cathedral' - as the Daily Mail described it - after his medication had run out.

In his pocket was a confession admitting to his love for Ms Brown and saying that he stabbed her because he could not live without her.

Pettit had gone on the run after he murdered Mrs Brown in Kent, following months where he stalked her over the phone and even allegedly entered her home without permission.

Described as having a 'sallow' complexion, 'sunken' cheeks and 'brown and bushy' hair, this was the face of one of Britain's most wanted men. William Pettit was being hunted following the murder of married Rene Brown, 48, who was found stabbed to death in a mushroom field in Chislehurst, Kent

The police description said he was 5ft 10, had 'dark brown bushy hair, sallow complextion, shrunken cheeks, brown eyes, a slight cleft on the chin, and walks with a stoop and a slight swinging gait.'

Pettit's photo was shown at 9.15pm shortly after the evening newsreel. Presenter John Snagge read an announcement that said: 'This is a photograph of William Pettit.

'Police are anxious to trace this man, who, it is believed, can assist inquiries in connection with the death of Mrs Rene Agnes Brown.'

Pettit's body was found in a bombed-out printing works in Budge Row, near Cannon Street.

His confession note - written in pencil and signed 'Bill' - was found in his pocket.

The killer's body was found to have been lying amidst plasterboard and bricks for five weeks.

On October 2, 1953 - more than 30 years before Crimewatch - he became the first man to have their mugshot shown on TV, when eight million Britons saw it on the BBC as part of a police appeal

Her husband insisted at the time that her killer had been obsessed with her.

Telling how they had known him for two-and-a-half years, he said in the Mail: 'My wife was very kind to him and did her best to help him.

'He must have fallen in love with her, but she had never given him an cause to think that she had any feelings apart from friendship for him.

Pettit was found dead with a confession note in his pocket

'He started pestering her and 18 months ago we forbade him to come to the house again.

'He would call at the house at all times of the day and night and would telephone asking for her.'

He added that Pettit went as far as entering their home uninvited, with his eyes 'wild and staring'. With his wife 'terrified', the husband managed to calm Pettit down.

Pettit was said to have also phoned up the Browns' home to tell Mr Brown: 'I love your wife'.

The devastated husband added: 'My wife was the sweetest anyone could possibly have and this murder has brought my world about my ears.'

Pettit's mother is said to have collapsed when she was told of her son's death.

Pettit's sister told the Mail: 'He knew he was dying, but he never talked of it - he thought only of developing his mind, raising himself above the level of an uneducated bov born in a council house.

'My brother's desire was to live at peace with the world. But the world seemed opposed to him.

'He was hounded by anonymous letters and thrown out from his lodgings time after time.

'He had no job so he used to, morning, afternoon and evening to Eltham public library to read history, philosophy, poetry: to argue with himself about Shaw.'

She added that she was 'sure' he wanted to die.

After Pettit's face was shown, the use of mugshots on the television news became more common.

Then, with the beginning of dedicated programme Crimewatch in 1984, viewers became particularly used to seeing the faces of wanted men and women on TV.
Group were responsible for NHS threat and Eurovision and JPMorgan attacks

The sinister Russian hackers who claimed responsibility for crashing the Buckingham Palace website yesterday also previously made threats against the NHS and have launched cyber attacks on Eurovision and JPMorgan.

Pro-Putin hacktivists KillNet targeted the Royal Family yesterday morning - just days after King Charles condemned the invasion of Ukraine - with a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, flooding an online service with an overflow of fake users.

Hacker KillMilk, the purported leader of the group, said in a Telegram post that they had attacked the Royal Family's official website on Sunday.

KillMilk regularly posts on messaging site Telegram in support of the Russian state, and cyber security experts believe this group could have links with figures at the top of Putin's regime.

KillNet is a pro-Russia group that is known for its attacks against government institutions and private companies across the world. It is understood that the group formed around March 2022, and supported Russia and its invasion of Ukraine.

Sinister Russian hackers KillNet claimed responsibility for crashing the Buckingham Palace (pictured) website yesterday morning

The pro-Putin hackers attacked the Eurovision song contest (pictured) last year in an attempt to stop Ukraine winning

The Killnet gang threatened to hit JPMorgan with a denial of service attack following its strikes against several US airport websites this week

The Five Eyes intelligence network, made up of agencies from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the US and the UK, warned in April 2022 that KillNet was one of several hacker groups that had pledged to support Russia and threatened to attack anyone who attacked Russia or supported Ukraine.

KillNet is known for its Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDos) attacks.

These types of cyber-attacks intend to make servers and computers unavailable to intended users by disrupting the services of a host connected to a network.

Hackers perform DoS and DDoS attacks by flooding servers with requests, overwhelming them and making them unusable for a time.

The group are also threatened to shut down ventilators in NHS hospitals, in retaliation against the arrest of a member, attacked the Eurovision song contest in an attempt to stop Ukraine winning, as well as US banking giant JPMorgan Chase.

After an alleged KillNet member, 23, was arrested in Tottenham, north London in May last year, after Romanian government websites were attacked, KillNet warned on Telegram: 'If he is not released within 48 hours I will destroy your Romania, Great Britain and Moldova.'

The attack took down the Royal Family's official website for roughly 90 minutes

Some visitors were redirected upon trying to access the Royal Family's website

The website was taken down for several hours in a cyberattack

The warning added: 'I will destroy your entire information structure and even your Ministry of Health. All ventilators will be attacked.

'Appropriate response. Only then will you begin to realise the mistake you have made.'

The pro-Russian hackers also tried to stop Ukraine winning last year's Eurovision song contest with an attempt to crash the livestream of the final in Turin, and disrupting the public vote by using a bot army, The Times reported at the time.

The DDoS attack was announced by the group on their Telegram channel but Italy's postal police 'were ready and able to rebuff it', the force said. The first attempt was made during the semi-final and peaked during Ukraine's performance.

And during the final hackers tried to block the stream 'all day' but the 'firewall held'.

The attempts to block support for Ukraine were in vain, as the nation's folk-rap group Kalish Orchestra won the contest after mass support from viewers casting votes.

KillNet also targeted US banking giant JPMorgan Chase in October last year in an attempt to knock its websites offline, but the bank said that it shrugged off the assault with no 'operational impact'.

The Killnet gang threatened to hit JPMorgan with a denial of service attack following its strikes against several US airport websites this week.

However, a spokesperson for JPMorgan told DailyMail.com at the time that the bank is 'aware of claims made by a threat actor group' but that it has 'not experienced operational impact from this situation.'

The Royal Family are vocal supporters of Ukraine, with the King hosting President Zelensky for talks at Buckingham Palace back in February

Prince William, who has himself served in the military, also visited Ukraine's border with Poland this year to thank troops personally

It was reported that the Royal Family's website, royal.uk, was taken down for around 90 minutes, displaying an error message from around 10.20 on Sunday morning.

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After the attack on the Buckingham Palace website on Sunday, a royal source said hackers had 'not gained access to the Royal Family's website'. 'The website went down due to a Denial of Service attack for around an hour and a half. There was no access to our systems or content,' they said.

The cyber attack came just two weeks after King Charles's condemnation of Russia's 'unprovoked aggression' was met with a standing ovation in Paris, as he declared 'Ukraine must prevail'.

It is understood that an investigation into the cyber attack is underway.

The group claimed that the takedown was an 'attack on paedophiles'. It also posted a picture of King Charles with the words 'they killed our website' next to it.

This isn't the first time KillNet has gone after the Royal Family, as in November 2022 the website was taken down for several hours by a DDoS attack.

The Royal Family are vocal supporters of Ukraine, with the King hosting President Zelensky for talks at Buckingham Palace back in February.

Prince William, who has himself served in the military, also visited Ukraine's border with Poland this year to thank troops personally.

His wife, Catherine Princess of Wales paid homage to the Ukrainian people with her performance at Eurovision and the royals have housed refugees who have fled due to the war.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment, but a royal source told MailOnline that the website was subject to a DoS attack, and its servers were not compromised.

The source added that the website was back up and running within two hours, but said that palace staff have not yet been able to identify the culprit.

Earlier this year Russian hackers took credit for taking the websites of two British airports offline.

Pro-Russia hacking collective UserSec posted in July that it had taken down the website for London City Airport

The hacking group UserSec also shared a post by Anonymous Russia in which it took responsibility for taking down Birmingham Airport's website

Two hacker groups - UserSec and Anonymous Russia - claimed responsibility for outages at Birmingham Airport and London City Airport in July.

The collectives appeared to target the airports in retaliation for NATO's support of Ukraine.

On its Telegram page UserSec, which has previously targeted Swedish airline SAS, wrote: 'We decided to put one of the largest airports in the UK to sleep. Glory to Russia!'

It also shared a post by Anonymous Russia which said: 'Anonymous Russia joins the attack on UK airports! Before your eyes, the sleeping international British airport Birmingham! Glory to Russia!'
Teachers are discussing the need for stab vests and bodycams to deal with violence in schools, the head of a teachers' union has said.

Patrick Roach, general secretary of NASUWT, said there was a 'serious' problem of violence in schools, with 40 per cent of teachers witnessing a violent incident.

He told Times Radio that although some teachers were asking for more protection, he felt the issue needed to be addressed with extra support for the children and their families rather than by 'arming' teachers.

He said: 'The reality is that even within the school gates there is a problem of violence around the carrying of offensive weapons. And I know that many teachers are trying to work very hard to address those issues.'

'Violence, our members said in our behaviour survey, has increased significantly over the course of the last 12 months. 40% of teachers are saying that they have experienced or witnessed physical violent assault in their schools. That's serious.'



Patrick Roach, general secretary of NASUWT, said there was a 'serious' problem of violence in schools, with 40 per cent of teachers witnessing a violent incident

The murder of 15-year-old Elianne Andam on her way to school last week in Croydon, south London , has refocused attention on the issue of youth knife crime

When asked whether teachers were calling for the introduction of stab vests, he said: 'We have had that being raised. I wouldn't say that it's the generality of our members have raised that as an issue.

'Whether it be stab vests, whether that be bodycams. This is part of a discussion which is taking place.

'But there's a dynamic in the relationship between teachers and pupils, which is fundamental, which we don't really want to change, which is ultimately one which is built on trust, it's built on mutual respect and we think that's an important part of the way in which schools should be functioning.

'If we reduce this to how do we deal with an individual pupil that may be carrying a weapon inside? We need to legislate for that. We need to arm our teachers. We need to give teachers staff vests. We need to give teachers bodycams.

READ MORE - Kids as young as FIVE bringing knives into school as police reveal almost 500 under 11s were caught with a weapon in last four years Advertisement

'What are we doing for the other 29 kids in that class who frankly want to get on with their learning in an environment which they feel is supportive and caring?

'I don't think that does any favours for the generality of pupils. What we need is better support for those children and their families who are at risk.'

The murder of 15-year-old Elianne Andam on her way to school last week in Croydon, south London, has refocused attention on the issue of youth knife crime.

A 17-year-old schoolboy has been charged with her murder.

The latest Met Police data shows there have been 652 knife crime offences in Croydon in the 12 months to September, 194 of which resulted in injuries.

The total number of offences in the year to August 2023 is up by nearly 30 per cent compared to the same period last year.

In London as a whole, there have been 13,140 knife crime offences in the 12 months to September - 3,472 of which resulted in injury.

That means there has been a 18.6 per cent rise in total offences in the 12 months ending August 2023 compared to the previous year.

Croydon has seen 1.7 knife offences per 1,000 people this year, putting it ninth in London. The worst hit borough was Westminster, with 3.4 per 1,000.



On Thursday, a 15-year-old boy was sent to youth detention at Bristol Magistrates' Court for 14 months for stabbing maths teacher Jamie Sansom in July this year at Tewkesbury Academy, in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.

On Thursday, a 15-year-old boy was sent to youth detention at Bristol Magistrates' Court for 14 months for stabbing maths teacher Jamie Sansom in July this year

The court heard that the youth had put on a snood and a hooded top to cover his face and taken a six-inch kitchen knife from his home.

Mr Sansom, who has taught maths at the school since 2017, was discharged from hospital on the same day he was attacked and said he was 'recovering well'.

Today, children's commissioner Anne Longfield linked a rise in knife offences among pupils to Covid lockdowns.

READ MORE - Mobile phones to be BANNED in schools: Education secretary Gillian Keegan to announce intervention today Advertisement

She told the Telegraph: 'All of those that work with young people who are in areas of high violence say that the incidents that they see, they used to see once every three months or once every six months, now happen every two or three weeks and they are much more extreme.

'We know that children who have been exploited or targeted by adults in gangs has increased since the pandemic. We know that knife crime is something that has escalated and it hasn't gone away.'

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: 'No teacher should feel unsafe or face violence in the workplace and we are taking action to improve pupils' behaviour to ensure every school has a safe and respectable environment.

'Our ongoing 10 million Behaviour Hubs programme aims to support up to 700 schools between 2021 and 2024 in improving their behaviour by partnering them with selected exemplary lead schools and multi academy trusts.

'Our updated Behaviour in Schools guidance provides advice on creating whole-school cultures which explicitly sets out what good behaviour looks like.

'This is so pupils can understand and uphold high expectations of behaviour which, in turn, establishes calm and safe environments.'
A mortified Iraqi bride and groom have vowed to leave town after their wedding ended in tragedy when a fire ripped through the venue, killing 107 people.

Bride Haneen, 18, lost ten members of her family in the devastating blaze, including her mother and brother, while her new husband Revan, 27, lost 15 relatives.

The tragedy struck the northern town of Qaraqosh, a centre of Iraq's small Christian community, on Tuesday last week.

The newlyweds had been slow-dancing when the ceiling above them caught fire, raining fiery debris down on the hundreds of people sitting below.

Officials revealed on Sunday that the hall's bungling owner plunged the venue into darkness by cutting the electricity when the flames broke out, thinking a short circuit started the fire - sparking chaos among the guests who rushed for the exits.

While the married couple were able to escape, more than 150 people were injured by the flames, the choking smoke or in the crush to flee the reception hall.

'Inside we are dead. We are numb. We are dead inside,' Revan said.

A mortified Iraqi bride and groom have vowed to leave town after their wedding ended in tragedy when a fire ripped through the venue, killing 107 people

Newlyweds Haneen and Ravan had been slow-dancing during their Christian wedding in the northern town of Qaraqosh near Mosul when their ceremony descended into chaos

Revan added that his new bride 'can't speak' following the disaster which has also left her father in critical condition.

Officials initially suggested the indoor fireworks were the cause of the inferno, but a shell-shocked Revan told Sky News it could have started in the ceiling.

'It could be a short-circuit, I don't know. But the fire started in the ceiling. We felt the heat When I heard the crackling I looked at the ceiling,' he told the news outlet.

'Then the ceiling, which was all nylon, started to melt. It only took seconds.'

He said the power cut out before their dance that then came back on. It was at this point Revan said he saw the fire coming from the ceiling.

Haneen was unable to flee because of her wedding dress, so Revan grabbed her and dragged her away from the blaze, he said.

'I kept dragging her and trying to get her out of the kitchen entrance. As people were fleeing, people were trampling on her. Her legs are injured,' he told Sky News.

'Our relatives, our friends, our loved ones are all gone,' Revan said. They couple have now buried uncles, aunts and cousins as they still wait to hear about the condition of Haneen's father.

The couple said they would no longer be able to live in their home town and that their happiness had been 'destroyed'.

The video shows one woman screaming as the large burning chandelier collapses onto a table and envelopes it with flames. The blaze killed 107 people and left dozens more injured

Haneen (left) and Ravan (right), who had initially been feared dead, managed to escape through the kitchen. But more than 100 wedding guests, including the bride's three brothers, her uncles and young cousins as well as the groom's mother, all perished in the fire

Their comments came as it was revealed the bungling owner of the venue triggered chaos by mistakenly plunging the hall into darkness when the flames broke out.

Interior Minister Abdel Amir al-Shammari told a press conference that the owner, thinking that a short circuit had started the fire, cut the electricity, provoking 'chaos, panic and a stampede'.

Al-Shammari - who announced on Sunday that a mayor and his fire chief were among five Iraqi officials sacked for 'grave negligence' over the blaze - said the hall should have had no more than 400 people inside.

That night, however, it held in excess of 900 people, he said, confirming the blaze on the night of September 26 was an accident.

Public anger has flared over the high death toll, which General Saad Faleh, head of the commission investigating the tragedy, said currently stands at 107.

Shammari said those fired include: the mayor of Qaraqosh; the municipal director; the tourism and recreation division head; an electricity official; and the chief of firefighting and security in Nineveh province's Civil Defence corps.

The Civil Defence chief will face a disciplinary committee, Shammari added.

In addition to negligence the officials were fired for 'failures in the exercise of their duties,' he said.

'The mayor was negligent: the hall was built illegally on the land, but the mayor authorised its going into service, without the approval of other public agencies,' the minister said.

Civil Defence had carried out an inspection of the site earlier this year and the owner was ordered to remove the ceiling by October because of its highly-flammable materials, he added.

The 'main cause' of the fire was four fireworks that shot showers of sparks four metres (13 feet) high, Faleh said, adding that these ignited the prefabricated panels in the ceiling and also the hall's decorations.

The blaze killed 107 people, with hundreds more gathering for their funerals in the days after

Mourners carry a coffin during the funeral of victims of the fatal fire at a wedding celebration, in Hamdaniya, Iraq, on Thursday

Volunteers search for the remains of missing bodies following a fatal fire at a wedding celebration in Iraq on Thursday

Of the 14 people arrested earlier by security forces, four, including the venue's owner, were directly responsible for installing the fireworks, Faleh said.

Both bride and groom survived the fire.

Safety standards are often poorly observed in Iraq, a country still recovering from decades of dictatorship, war and unrest that remains plagued by corruption, mismanagement and often dilapidated infrastructure.

Public discontent flared into a nationwide protest movement that began in October, 2019. Nearly 500 demonstrators gathered Sunday in Baghdad's Tahrir Square to commemorate the anniversary, which police - met with stones hurled by the protesters - dispersed with sound grenades, an AFP photographer said.
A woman was seen throwing 5,000 in cash at a man on an airport runway after the pair were kicked off the plane because the woman refused to pay for an upgrade.

Her male partner was also being so aggressive, fellow passengers had to restrain him.

Holidaymakers said that around five hours into their Eva Air flight from Heathrow to Bangkok on September 30, the 'intoxicated couple' got into a loud row, forcing the pilot to turn around and fly two-and-a-half hours to Vienna so they could be thrown off.

The as-yet-unnamed couple were then seen bickering on the tarmac of Vienna Airport.

The woman, dressed in an all-gray outfit, threw a wad of cash at her male partner. The notes were picked up by the wind and scattered across the tarmac.

The man, dressed in a similar gray outfit while wearing a neck pillow, is then forced to meekly pick up the money, which the passenger who filmed the video said amounted to 5,000.

The couple were both reportedly visibly intoxicated when they were on the flight

An Eva Air spokesperson told MailOnline that the unnamed woman refused to pay for an upgrade after she moved herself from an economy seat to a premium economy seat.

They added that her partner 'also engaged in disorderly behaviour and smoked an e-cigarette adjacent to the cabin galley.'

'Our flight attendants took quick action to stop these passengers but encountered inappropriate insults and physical abuse.

'After seeking the assistance from eight other passengers, these two unruly passengers were successfully restrained.'

Grandfather Andy Singh, 63, who was travelling to Thailand for a month-long holiday, was on the flight, said a group of male passengers restrained the unnamed man to his seat with tape.

An airport security officer was seen pushing the unnamed man

The unnamed man was forced to meekly pick up the cash that his partner threw

The man was reportedly taped to his chair by several passengers as he was being so aggressive

'Black tape, two inch wide tape, they had that around him on the seat - three hours he was tied to the chair.

'The actual help was done by the passengers, they put him in the chair and put the tape around him.'

'The lady and the man, they were already intoxicated. They kept talking about money, he would say "shes got my 5,000 in her bag".

'The captain said "we have to go back to Vienna because [of] staff safety and the passengers safety, ladies and gentleman we have got no choice but to get back to Vienna".'

Andy said: 'The police took the lady first.

[The man] decided after a couple of minutes on the tarmac to grab the bag from the lady, but the lady just threw all 5,000.

Both were put in a police van, and footage shows an officer trying to pick up some of the strewn cash.

Andy said: 'Some of the notes, they were floating away because nobody picked them up, they only picked up the nearest ones.'

The grandfather said all of the passengers were put up in a hotel and set off again at 5.30pm local time on Sunday.
The first Lady Chief Justice was sworn in today as the most senior judge in England and Wales.

Dame Sue Carr appeared at the Royal Courts of Justice in front of her family, heads of the legal profession and Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk, as well as scores of senior judges.

The Lady Chief Justice Lady Carr is the 98th person in the role - which dates back to the 13th century - and her swearing in follows the retirement of former Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett. Lady Carr picked her own title.

She said: 'It is a great privilege to assume this role. I do not underestimate the challenges that lie ahead, and I look forward to approaching the role with energy, enthusiasm, and positivity.

'The rule of law is a fundamental constitutional principle which underpins an open, fair and peaceful society, where citizens and businesses can prosper. Our judges and magistrates are its cornerstone'.

Lady Justice Carr (Dame Sue Carr) has been formally appointed Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales

'I would like to pay tribute to Lord Burnett who has demonstrated extraordinary resilience and leadership during a time of great change, including keeping the courts running during the pandemic,' she added.

'He has personally given so much to the law and to the judiciary.'

Sir Geoffrey Vos, current Master of the Rolls, described Monday's ceremony, which was livestreamed for the first time, as a 'landmark in our national life'.

He continued: 'Sue is the first woman ever to have been appointed chief justice of England and Wales.

'That is in itself both remarkable and an achievement that should be celebrated. Sue will now always be first.

'In celebrating her appointment though, we should be careful not to be complacent. A milestone, however notable, on a long road is not the end of a journey.'

Sir Geoffrey later said Lady Carr's 'generosity and voracious capacity for hard work cannot be underestimated'.

'She will be fearless in protecting the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law,' he concluded.

The Lady Chief Justice's role involves liaising with the Government, including over provision of resources to the judiciary, and being responsible for the welfare, training and guidance of the judiciary as well as the deployment of judges and allocation of work in the courts.

Lady Chief Justice Lady Carr is the 98th person in the role

The annual Judges Service was held later on Monday at Westminster Abbey in London

Lady Carr became a barrister in 1987 and took silk in 2003. She held a number of senior roles during her career as a lawyer, including chair of the Bar Standards Board conduct committee and complaints commissioner to the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

She became a criminal judge in 2009 and a High Court judge in 2013, before being appointed a Lady Justice of Appeal in 2020.

Law Society of England and Wales President Lubna Shuja said: 'We look forward to working with Dame Sue Carr as she takes office.

'This is a historic moment which I am proud to witness.

'I hope it will lead to further progress on women's representation within the judiciary.

'Around a third of judges in our courts are women, with even fewer in the senior judiciary.

'This momentous appointment is a sign that times are changing, and improvement is on the way.'
Chair of British retailer John Lewis Partnership Dame Sharon White plans to step down at the end of her five-year term.

White is said to have told the board of John Lewis, the country's biggest department store chain which also operates Waitrose supermarkets, that she will not seek a second term.

Her departure in February 2025 will make her the shortest-serving chair in the partnership's 100-year history, according to the BBC.

The former Ofcom chief joined the employee-owned business at the start of 2020 and has since led a major overhaul which has included a raft of store closures and a shift in new business areas such as rental accommodation.

JLP said she today asked the partnership board to initiate the process to appoint a successor at the end of her five-year term in role.

White said: 'The chairman of the John Lewis Partnership is a special and unique role in UK business.

Sharon White plans to step down at the end of her five-year term

'The chairman is responsible for the long-term health of the partnership's model, commercial success twinned with a commitment to first rate customer service and action in our communities.

'Having led the partnership through the pandemic and the worst of the cost-of-living crisis, it is important that there is now a smooth and orderly succession process and handover.

'The partnership is making progress in its modernisation and transformation with improving results.

'There is a long road ahead and I am committed to handing on the strongest possible partnership to my successor.'

As part of the recruitment process, she has also asked the Board to review the accountabilities of the Chairmans role to ensure that these continue to support the successful transformation of the business.

Rita Clifton, as Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Nominations Committee, will oversee the appointment process and the appointment will be approved by the Partnership Board.

John Lewis has suffered from surging inflation and the need to invest more into the business (stock image)

The company, which is owned by its employees, said last month that its turnaround would take two years longer than planned and cost more money after reporting another loss for the most recent six months.

The news of White's departure comes weeks after the retail group posted a 59 million loss for the six months to July and said the five-year transformation plan launched by the retail group in 2020 will take two years longer than planned.

The retail group posted a 234 million loss in the last financial year, forcing it to scrap its annual bonus for staff.
Iceland boss Richard Walker today claimed the Tories attempted to 'gag' him from being outspoken on issues such as food banks and sewage.

The multi-millionaire businessman fumed at being told to 'pipe down' during his efforts to become a Conservative MP.

Mr Walker delivered a blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak by quitting the Tories at the start of their annual conference in Manchester.

He claimed the party was 'drifting out of touch' with both business and voters, while he also lashed out at the 'sluggish economy' and 'high levels of regional inequality'.

But - amid claims he could now defect to Labour - it has since emerged how the 43-year-old pleaded with Mr Sunak to be a Tory election candidate just months ago.

Iceland boss Richard Walker claimed the Tories attempted to 'gag' him from being outspoken on issues such as food banks and sewage

It has emerged how the 43-year-old pleaded with Rishi Sunak to be a Tory election candidate in a letter sent just months ago

Mr Walker delivered a blow to the PM by quitting the Tories at the start of their annual conference in Manchester

There have been rumours that Mr Walker might be unveiled as a defector from the Tories when Sir Keir Starmer kicks off next week's Labour conference in Liverpool

In his letter to the PM, Mr Walker detailed his 'fervent wish' to join the list of approved Tory candidates.

He wrote that he had 'done everything' asked of him by the party 'and more'.

This included supporting the Tories in the media and 'keeping my distance from any policy area or organisation that may be at odds with the party's position',' he added.

He also complained that he had been blocked with a 'deferment notice' from the candidates committee, adding that he did not know the reasons.

Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain today, Mr Walker denied he had been 'begging' the PM for a place on the list.

He insisted he was instead 'seeking clarification' on why his efforts to become an approved Tory election candidate had been unsuccessful.

'It was a personal letter, it was private and confidential, and it was hand delivered to the Prime Minister,' Mr Walker said.

'I never received so much as an acknowledgement, but I suppose at least I now know it reached its intended recipient.

'But rather than receive a reply I note it's been leaked to the media.

'I wasn't begging, I was seeking clarification, as a very last resort because I had been banging my head against a brick wall trying to find out a reson why I was being blocked from serving the consituency where I've lived all my life.

'I got no response from CCHQ, I wrote a letter to the party chairman - that will probably be leaked next - and as a last resort I wrote to the Prime Minister.

'For me, it became increasingly clear my views on issues such as food banks and the sewage scandal... they were unwelcome.

'And I was told to pipe down - but I'm not willing to wear a gag to bag a seat.

'I'm not willing to change my values and principles to suit a party that has itself lost its way.'

The row over Mr Walker's bid to become a Conservative MP erupted publicly after the businessman declared yesterday that he was ditching the Tories.

He said: 'It has become clear to me over recent months that the Conservative Party are drifting out of touch with the needs of business, with the environment, and also the everyday people that my business touches and serves.'

There have been rumours that Mr Walker might be unveiled as a defector from the Tories at next week's Labour conference in Liverpool.
Cabin crew allegedly waited 20 minutes before they attempted to perform CPR on a woman who later died on board a Qatar Airways flight to Sydney last week.

The 60-year-old, believed to be from Campbelltown in Sydney's south-west, was travelling on Qatar Airways flight QR908 from Doha when she was found in an unresponsive state during the 14-hour journey.

Passengers Francesca and her husband Enrico, who would only provide their first names for privacy reasons, revealed that after she had died, flight crew 'just left her there' with a blanket covering her.

The airline previously said the passenger 'could not be revived' but Francesca and Enrico who were sat in front of the woman revealed 'it didn't feel like they (cabin crew) did enough'.

A 60-year-old woman, believed to be from Campbelltown in Sydney's south west, was travelling on Qatar Airways flight QR908 from Doha when she was found in an unresponsive state. She later died (stock image)

The 60-year-old, believed to be from Campbelltown in Sydney's south-west, was travelling on Qatar Airways flight QR908 from Doha when she was found in an unresponsive state during the 14-hour journey (stock image)

The couple first alerted airline air stewards after hearing the woman make a 'weird noise'.

'She looked like she was sleeping, but she was making this really loud noise,' Francesca said.

Staff tried to wake the woman up and called for other crew members who brought an oxygen mask.

'But then they just left,' Francesca claimed.

The couple say they were told by staff that 'everything was alright'.

'You could see she wasn't breathing,' Francesca said.

Then, Francesca claimed, another 20 minutes passed before a member of the cabin crew returned with another passenger to attempt to move the 'limp' woman from her seat.

They moved her to another section of the plane, where they allegedly performed CPR and used a defibrillator.

'I think at that point she was gone,' Francesca said.

Another passenger has criticised the response of the cabin crew, claiming: 'They just left her there'

'Why didn't they do that a half hour earlier?'

An announcement over the public address system then asked if there were any doctors on board.

Another half hour passed before the passengers behind Francesca and her husband were moved and the woman's corpse was moved back to the row of seats and covered with a blanket.

When the plane landed everyone was told to remain seated while emergency crews tended to the dead woman.

Francesca said the airline should have handled the situation better.

'They just left her there,' she said.

Daily Mail Australia has approached Qatar Airways for comment.
A Ukrainian military officer claims he managed to get Russia to provide tech support for a broken down tank that was captured from Putin's forces.

The tank operator with the callsign 'Kochevnik' ran into problems with his captured Russian T-72B3, and cheekily decided to call the manufacturer's helpline.

To his surprise, a person from Uralvagonzavod, the tank's manufacturer, picked up and began giving him advice and support over the phone, he claims.

The officer, who shared a video of his call on social media, said that the Russian-made tank was experiencing several major issues.

He told the Russian mechanic on the phone that the tank was spewing oil, its compressors were not working and the turret rotation mechanism kept failing, forcing his crew to rotate it with a hand crank.

'Kochevnik' ran into problems with his captured Russian T-72B3, and cheekily decided to call the manufacturer's helpline

Ukraine has so far has captured around 200 of Russia's T-72B3 tanks

The Russian man, who identified himself as Aleksander Anatolevich, was seemingly unaware that Kochevnik was a Ukrainian soldier, and promised to send his feedback to the designers of the tank.

Amazingly, he then seemingly managed to get hold of a director of the company called Andrey Abakumov.

The director asked the Ukrainian officer to share more details in a WhatsApp message, before Kochevnik revealed he was part of Ukraine's army, which had captured the tank late last year.

He cackled as he ended the call with the Russian firm's director.

Ukraine has so far has captured around 200 of Russia's T-72B3 tanks, a newer model that Ukraine's military has little experience with.

Earlier this year, Ukraine's military paraded captured and destroyed Russian tanks through the streets of Kyiv in the lead up to the country's second wartime Independence Day.

Ukrainians walked along Khreshchatyk Street in the heart of the capital staring at the charred shells of armoured combat vehicles and other bits of hardware, arranged in a long line like a military parade of the dead.

Residents in central Kyiv said they liked having the wrecked Russian hardware on display and that they hoped it would raise the fighting spirit of Ukrainians.
A foul-mouthed tradie has been captured on video unleashing a vile tirade of racial abuse at a black motorist during a road rage meltdown.

The disturbing incident unfolded on the side of the road in Melton West, on Melbourne's outskirts on September 5, leaving the victim fearing for his safety.

Anthony Littler, 62, is alleged to be the man in the video and has been charged with a string of offences including reckless conduct endangering serious injury and using abusive or indecent language, criminal damage and driving in a dangerous manner.

'I'm gonna find where you live and I'm gonna hunt you down like a dog!' Littler appears to shout.

'You f***ing black f***!'

JP (pictured), who became an Australian citizen two years ago, said he had 'never experienced anything like that'

The target of the abuse, who wished to be identified only by his initials JP, claimed he was driving home north-west of Melbourne when the trouble began.

JP, a former prison officer, alleged a man in a white Mazda ute began to tail him, before matters came to head when the pair pulled over.

Footage taken by JP, and shown on A Current Affair, shows Littler allegedly driving into his car and damaging it.

At another point Littler is seen standing outside of his car, wearing work clothes, and hurling abuse at two women who tried to calm the situation down.

As two women in another car try to speak up, telling him to 'stop it', Littler tells them 'don't get involved love, I know where you live'.

JP, who became an Australian citizen two years ago, said he had 'never experienced anything like that'.

'It definitely hurts. I only ever see it on TV, in America.

'It doesn't take much to be nice to people, regardless of their skin colour or where they are from.'

Littler is due to face Sunshine Magistrates Court on February 14.

Anthony Littler, 62, is alleged to be the man in the video and has been charged with a string of offences including reckless conduct endangering serious injury and using abusive or indecent language, criminal damage and driving in a dangerous manner
The traumatised wife of a millionaire pig farmer has beaten him in a highly 'unusual' divorce court fight for a 750,000 share of their 1million fortune after he was convicted of murder.

James Seales was convicted of the 2012 shotgun murder of Philip Strickland, despite claiming he had been at home watching Emmerdale at the time of the killing.

Seales, 66, is currently behind bars serving a life sentence, with a minimum term of 15 years, which he was handed in April 2014 although he continues to proclaim his innocence.

And now he has lost in a court fight over the assets of his marriage to estranged wife and mother of his children, Alison Seales, 55.

Judge Evan Bell has handed her the majority of their fortune rather than splitting the wealth equally after ruling that Seales' 'conduct' in 'the carrying out of a murder' should lead to him getting a lesser share of the family money.

His decision came after Mrs Seales - who was with her husband for 19 years - told the High Court judge that she is 'terrified' of her violent ex and is 'psychologically scarred from her many years of living in an abusive relationship' with him prior to his incarceration.

James Seales was convicted of murder in 2012 - he is currently behind bars serving a life sentence

Philip Strickland, 36, was blasted in the leg and face with a shotgun

Murder victim Philip Strickland, 36, from Comber, Co Down, Northern Ireland, was killed on the evening of January 11, 2012, when he was blasted in the leg and face with a shotgun.

The trial heard that following an assault on Seales in September 2011, graffiti about him appeared and comments were posted on Facebook which the family attributed to Mr Strickland.

Seales, of Raffrey, Co Down, has always denied being at the scene of the killing and said he was at home watching Emmerdale, but the jury rejected his claim and convicted him of murder and of possessing a shotgun with intent.

Still behind bars nine years after he was sentenced, Seales represented himself in a divorce hearing last month, during which his wife's KC Adele O'Grady asked Judge Master Evan Bell to hand her an unusually large share of the family fortune due to the fact her husband is a killer.

Ms O'Grady asked the judge to take into account the husband's murderous 'conduct' as well as the negative effect that Mrs Seales says living in a relationship with him has had on her.

Judge Bell, sitting in the Family Division of the Northern Irish High Court, said in his ruling that Mrs Seales suffers from symptoms linked with post traumatic stress disorder.

'Her doctor's evidence was that there was no doubt that the wife had been psychologically scarred from her many years of living in an abusive relationship,' he continued.

'She remains terrified of her husband and of the fact that he could persuade others to physically harm her.'

'This is an unusual ancillary relief application,' he continued.

'The wife had mounted what is usually described as 'a conduct case' - she submitted that there had been conduct by the husband, namely the carrying out of a murder, which would not be equitable for the court to disregard and should result in an additional portion of the assets being awarded to the wife in these proceedings.

'Both parties enjoyed a comfortable standard of living prior to the breakdown of the marriage.

'The marriage was of significant duration, having lasted some 19 years until the separation,' he said, adding that the assets of the marriage amounted to around 1m, made up of 188,000 cash and two properties.

The scene of the 2012 shotgun murder pictured, showing forensics and police tape

'The husband submitted that, given the length of the marriage, the appropriate outcome of this case was that the assets referred to above ought to be divided on a 50/50 basis.

'The husband considered that, firstly, I ought not to take into account his criminal conviction for murder and the consequences that the wife alleged flowed from it. Secondly, the husband also denied any domestic abuse of his wife'.

The judge found as a fact that the wife had suffered domestic abuse at the hands of Seales, pointing out the judge at his murder trial had been told by his sons that he was 'an angry wee man,' finding they 'both had a miserable childhood under the thumb of your bullying, domineering father.'

'This view is, of course, entirely consistent with my...finding of the husband's domestic abuse of the wife,' said Judge Bell.

Giving evidence, Mr Seales had refused to accept that having her husband convicted of murder would have had a 'devastating effect' on his wife or that she had been made a 'social pariah' in her area.

'In my view, the consequences of the husband's involvement in the murder of Mr Strickland on the life and physical and mental health of the wife have been profound,' the judge continued.

'I am also satisfied that the husband's conviction and its aftermath has had a profound impact on the wife's ability to earn a living. She gave evidence that she was not able to work due to her anxiety.

'At one stage she did get a job but said that she 'just fell to pieces.' She finds it difficult even to leave the house unless she is accompanied by someone else.

'After her husband was arrested she had a breakdown and regards herself as 'never right since then.' She told the court that life had been non-existent since then.

'The lack of gainful employment would obviously make it difficult for her to obtain a mortgage in the future. Unsurprisingly, she wants to move from the current matrimonial home.

'This case is, in my view, the paradigm example of a conduct case where the husband's conduct is so outrageous that it would be utterly inequitable to disregard it. I am therefore compelled to take both aspects of the husband's matrimonial conduct into account in the division of the matrimonial assets.

'The husband submitted that he deserved a 50 per cent split of the family assets. He told the court that he was 66 years old, had two granddaughters to look after, and wanted to move on with his life when he was released from prison. He told me that, unlike his wife, he had no benefit from any of his assets for the past 12 years.

'On the other hand, counsel for the wife submitted that the appropriate division of the assets would be a 75 per cent award to the wife and a 25 per cent award to the husband.

'I consider that, in the light of my findings of fact in relation to the conduct of the husband, the appropriate decision in this case is that the assets of the parties shall be divided on the basis of 75 per cent to the wife and 25 per cent to the husband.

'This must not in any way be regarded as further punishment of the husband for the crime of murdering Mr Strickland. His punishment for that was delivered by the criminal courts.

'In reaching this ancillary relief decision, I have taken into account the conduct that the wife has suffered for many years, its impact on her physical and emotional health, and that I do not foresee the wife ever being able to engage in gainful employment, such has been the devastation to her well being.

'I therefore order that the two properties shall forthwith be placed on the market for sale and the net proceeds, together with the funds held by the solicitor, shall be divided in the way in which I have indicated.'

The judge ordered that the 188,000 cash currently being held by solicitors ought to be released to the wife immediately.
His wife believes it was caused by toxic mould

A heartbroken wife has claimed her police officer husband died because of exposure to toxic mould at the station where he worked.

Senior Constable Justin Darney, a hard-working cop in Logan, south of Brisbane, for 20 years, died in January in his early forties after developing a rare and aggressive form of pancreatic cancer.

Now his wife, Shari Freer-Darney is campaigning to hold an inquest into his death as she believes his condition was caused by the mould he was exposed to at work.

'I still remember in the end, he said to me, "This really sucks"," Ms Freer-Darney told A Current Affair.

Senior Constable Justin Darney (pictured with his wife and children), a hard-working cop in Logan, south of Brisbane for 20 years, died in January in his early forties after developing a rare and aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. His wife believes it was caused by toxic mould at a police station where he worked

'He said, "I could understand being shot or something happening to me in the line of duty, but ... mould? Why?"'

Photos taken when Mr Darney was working at the station show mould on the ceiling and furniture, with his wife claiming it even covered his gun if he left it in his drawer.

Ms Freer-Darney said her husband complained about the issue 10 years before he fell ill but was just told to paint over it.

Her husband fell ill three years ago aged 38.

'We walked into a GP and he said, "I'm so sorry". He said, "You've got pancreatic cancer and that it's spread to your liver",' Ms Freer-Darney sad.

'I still remember the shock on his face and he said, "Oh my God, am I going to die?"'

Mr Darney was initially given seven days to live but survived three years.

Senior Constable Darney is pictured right

'I still remember at the end he spent months at home screaming in pain. He would have a shower and be screaming in pain. The kids would be in the other room,' said Mrs Freer-Darney.

Asbestos and dust diseases lawyer Sean Sweeney, from Slater and Gordon, is representing Mrs Freer-Darney in her bid for justice.

He said that antibody tests conducted by doctors found that Mr Darney had high levels of micro toxins which are produced from some varieties of mould.

'It is terrible what happened to Justin and it's sad that the truth is it could have been avoided if more had been done,' Mr Sweeney said.

A spokesperson for Queensland Police said: 'Testing throughout Logan Central Station found it to be a safe work environment and suitable for designated use.'

The coroner has six months to respond to Freer-Darney's submission requesting an inquest.
Two victims of a triple stabbing in Halifax have been named and pictured - as police launched a murder investigation following their deaths with three teenagers arrested.

Three men suffered stab wounds and were rushed to hospital after the attack outside the Victoria Theatre in Commercial Street, Halifax, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

One of the victims, aged 21, died shortly after the attack while the second victim, a 19-year-old, died late on Sunday evening.

The young men have been named locally as Joshua Clark and Syed Haider Ali Shah with heartbroken friends and family leaving tributes to them throughout the day.

The third victim in the attack is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Police have arrested three men, two aged 18 and one aged 19, following the incident. All remain in custody.

The young men have been named as Joshua Clark (left) and Syed Haider Ali Shah (right), with heartbroken friends and family leaving tributes to them throughout the day

Three men suffered stab wounds and were rushed to hospital after the attack outside the Victoria Theatre in Commercial Street, Halifax

Forensic scene of crime officers at the scene of a fatal stabbing in Halifax, West Yorkshire

Forensic officers can be seen underneath the awning at the entrance to the Victoria Theatre in Halifax, West Yorkshire, following a fatal stabbing in the early hours of Sunday

West Yorkshire police officers wearing blue gloves and face masks outside the Victoria Theatre in Halifax, where a knife attack has claimed the life of a second victim

Crime scene investigation officers gather materials from a van as they examine the scene of a triple stabbing in Halifax, West Yorkshire

The incident took place on Commercial Street, Halifax at around 3.48am on Sunday October 1

Friends were spotted gathering to pay tribute to the two young men who sadly lost their lives this weekend as lots of flowers, cards and heart-breaking messages were laid.

Amongst the tributes were pictures of the victims, including one of Joshua Clark, which read: 'In Loving Memory of Joshua Clark Meszaros Love You Forever, Auntie Maggie & Nicola xxx'

Lots of other touching messages were left at the scene where the two men tragically lost their lives, with one person writing: 'Rest in peace my beautiful brothers.'

Police remained on the scene outside the Victoria Theatre on Monday, where scene of crime officers in white overalls have been seen carrying out investigations.

Other uniformed officers, wearing blue gloves and face masks, could be seen walking down the street carrying notebooks.

Detectives have urged anyone who may have information on the incident, including CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact them as soon as possible.

Speaking after the death of the second man was announced on Monday, Detective Chief Inspector Matt Holdsworth said: 'This is an extremely serious incident which has resulted in the death of two young men and a further man injured.

'We have specialist officers supporting both of their families and are determined to get answers for them and ensure that the person or people responsible are made to face justice for their actions.

'What I would ask for now is the support of the wider public in providing any information about what has taken place or the events leading up to it.

'I understand that people were present in the area at the time of the incident, and I would urge anyone with information, dash cam or phone footage which could be relevant to our investigation to please make contact.

'I understand people locally will be rightly concerned and I want to reassure people that we are doing everything we can to investigate all possible lines of enquiry to understand the full circumstances of what took place.'

Floral tributes and balloons have been left at the scene, paying tribute to those who died in the alleged attack.

DCI Holdsworth added: 'There is still a significant scene in place this morning, with a smaller scene remaining while we conduct forensic enquiries.

'I would like to thank residents and businesses for their understanding during this time.'
Nigel Farage put on a show of political affection for Liz Truss today as he backed her move to push Rishi Sunak to cut taxes.

The former Brexit Party leader was front and centre at a rally led by the ex-prime minister at the Conservative Party conference today, in his first appearance at the event in a decade.

Ms Truss used the Great British Growth Rally to demand tax cuts, cuts to household bills and a surge in housebuilding to kickstart an economic revival.

Afterwards Mr Farage, who wore a pair of Union Jack socks, said he agreed with her ideas '100 per cent' and that her disastrous mini-Budget last year 'played all the right notes, just in the wrong order', a reference to a 1970s Morecambe and Wise gag.

'I think what they did to her was a huge, huge mistake,' he told the Telegraph. 'It's policy that interests me. I think this woman has shown that she's able to stand up, take the abuse and fight for what she believes in.'

Mr Farage, who was mobbed by fans when he arrived at the Manchester convention centre hosting the Tories, also refused to rule out a return to politics himself.

The former Brexit Party leader was front and centre at a rally led by the ex-prime minister at the Conservative Party conference today, as he made his first appearance at the event in a decade

Liz Truss demanded tax cuts to kick-start business as she delivered a dramatic speech to Tory activists at conference

The former UKIP leader quit the Tories 30 years ago over their support for the Maastricht Treaty. He has previously spoken at fringe events, including a 2013 speech to the Eurosceptic Bruges Group.

But he today came inside the secure zone reserved for paying party members, activists and business leaders, in his role as a presenter for GB News.

He tweeted: 'A huge buzz at the Great British Growth rally starring Liz Truss. I think she's going to need a bigger room!'

He was joined by Tory former ministers Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Dame Priti Patel.

There were cheers in the room when party members were reminded how Liz Truss was elected by them - unlike Rishi Sunak.

Ms Truss, appearing on stage smiling and to loud applause, called on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to cut corporation tax in November's autumn statement.

The former UKIP leader quit the Tories 30 years ago over their support for the Maastricht Treaty. He has previously spoken at fringe events, including a 2013 speech to the Eurosceptic Bruges Group.

The ex-Brexit Party leader was mobbed by fans as he arrived at the Manchester convention centre playing host to the Tories

Having quit the Tories 30 years ago over their support for the Maastricht Treaty he has previously spoken at fringe events, including a 2013 speech to the Eurosceptic Bruges Group

But he today came inside the secure zone reserved for paying party members, activists and business leaders, in his role as a presenter for GB News

The former prime minster said: 'I'm calling upon the Chancellor at the Autumn Statement to put corporation tax back down to 19 per cent. And frankly, if we can get it lower, the better.

'What we know is that economic growth and making Britain grow again is not going to be delivered by the Treasury. It's not going to be delivered by more public spending. It's not going to be delivered by more regulation.

'It is going to be delivered by giving business the freedom they need to succeed.'
The Yes23 campaign has been accused of exploiting dirty tricks outside early voting centres by using almost identically-coloured signs to the Australian Electoral Commission.

Early voting for the Voice referendum kicked off in the Northern Territory, Tasmania, Victoria and West Australia on Monday ahead of the October 14 poll.

A picture, taken outside a polling booth in Mildura Senior Citizens Club in Victoria on Monday morning, showed an official purple 'voting centre' sign sandwiched between two 'Vote Yes' signs using the same purple colouring and the same white lettering.

'I assume these colours are purely coincidental!', Bruce, who took the picture, posted on X, formerly called Twitter.

His image sparked a wave of criticism, with many accusing the Yes23 campaign of using dirty tricks to confuse voters.

A picture, taken outside an early voting centre in Mildura Senior Citizens Club in Victoria on Monday morning, showed a purple 'voting centre' sign sandwiched between two 'Vote Yes' signs using an almost identical purple colouring and the same white lettering

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) put out a lengthy statement on Monday night revealing it had asked the Yes23 campaign to remove their signage which, they claimed, 'could potentially misled voters about the source of a campaign message'.

'This combination of using purple and white colours in proximity to AEC signage could mislead a voter about the source of the signage, and by extension, the source of the message on the signage,' the statement said.

'Accordingly, when we were alerted to this signage the AEC requested the Yes23 campaign to rectify the situation by ensuring their signs are not placed within the proximity of AEC voting centre signs.'

The AEC said the Yes23 campaign complied with this request.

However, the AEC admitted it had no 'legal authority to prevent people from using particular colours - despite 'strongly' making it clear that their preference is for campaigners not to use purple and white.

In fact, the AEC doesn't have the legal authority to remove any sign that is more than six metres from the entrance to a polling booth.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) put out a lengthy statement on Monday night revealing they had asked the Yes23 campaign to remove their signage which, they claimed, 'could potentially misled voters about the source of a campaign message' (pictured: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at a Yes23 campaign event)

READ MORE: The sneaky trick that could stop your vote from counting in Anthony Albanese's Voice referendum Advertisement

This means it is likely the Yes23 campaign will be allowed to keep their purple and white signs but will just have to move them six metres away from official AEC signs.

Daily Mail Australia has approached the Yes23 campaign for comment.

It is not the first time the use of the colours purple and white by campaigners has courted controversy.

In 2019, the Court of Disputed Returns found that Liberal party campaign signage written in Chinese in Melbourne's Chisholm and Kooyong divisions were likely to mislead or deceive voters.

The court ultimately held that the signs did not have sufficient influence to affect the final election results.

Early voting centres will open in remaining states and territories on Tuesday.

Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said voters should plan ahead if they're unable to vote in person on October 14.

'Federal referendums are in-person events just like elections - this is the first time the country is coming together in nearly a quarter of a century to have their say on potential Constitutional change.' Mr Rogers said.

'If you can vote on October 14, then that's what you should do.

'However, if your circumstances might prevent you from doing that then you need to think about the early voting options available and vote according to your circumstances.

'Remember, it is compulsory to vote for all enrolled Australians.'

For the full list of early voting centre locations, opening days and hours, visit the AEC website.
He has struggled with heroin addiction in the past but told friends he was clean

His whistleblowing documentary has helped expose endemic corruption and poor regulation in the telemarketing industry

Friends of Patrick Pespas, star of HBO's breakout hit documentary Telemarketers, have appealed for help finding him after he vanished on Friday night.

The 55-year-old former Jersey salesman shot to fame this summer in the three-part series exposing scams in the telemarketing industry, including those of his own firm the Civic Development Group (CDG).

Filmed over 20 years, the programs show his employers pocketing donations meant for good causes and highlighted the chaotic lives of those making the sales calls, including Pespas himself who struggled with heroin addiction.

'Pat is missing, and (his wife) Sue, his family and friends are very worried about him' co-director Adam Bhala Lough said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

'Please put out the word that Pat is missing and help us find him.'

Pespas became a summer break-out star after the HBO docuseries was released in August detailing his work for a corrupt telemarketing company and his attempts to expose the industry

The series also documented his struggles with heroin addiction as he cared for his wife Sue

Pespas is thought to have driven off in his white Mustang from his home in Easton, Pennsylvania on Friday night

The show's star, who relies on methadone to control his addiction, was last seen in his white Mustang leaving his home in Easton, Pennsylvania at around 8pm and may have been at a bar in Pittsburgh the following night.

'The Pittsburgh lead was confirmed with both a patron and the bartender,' Bhala Lough wrote on X.

'He left around 10pm last night and could be somewhere in Pittsburgh still. Please keep an eye out. Thanks everyone for your help.'

Pespas was working for CDG in the early noughties when he became friends with colleague Sam Lipman-Stern, a high school dropout who obsessively videoed his workplace.

The firm worked on behalf of charities including police unions and children's-cancer organizations, cold-calling members of the public and soliciting donations.

But they discovered that the firm was siphoning off up to 90 per cent of donations and decided to hire a film crew off Craigslist and bring it down from within.

They interviewed former employees and industry professionals discovering endemic corruption in a poorly regulated sector.

'What we do, is we call up people and we chisel them out of money,' Pespas revealed.

Teamwork: Pat and Sam vowed to expose the industry together and brought it down from the inside

Youngster: Sam was just 14 when he began making calls on behalf of charities to get donations

Mayhem: The office dynamic was described to be like a 'big ass cook out' by a fellow employee

Lipman-Stern was just 14 when he joined the cruddy company and began making calls on behalf of charities.

Surrounded by booze, drugs, and debauchery, he had no idea his employer was stealing money from donors.

'I didn't think I was doing anything bad at all,' he admits.

He would soon discover that the telemarketing business model was defrauding the 'most vulnerable people in this country' and that the company he was working for was 'a big time scam'.

As one US official puts it in the show, 'regulating telemarketing is like regulating Somalian pirates, it just can't be done.'

'We need to show the world what this place really does,' Sam continues. 'The media and the government hasn't been able to stop them, so now it's up to us.'

'Pat and I had vowed to expose the industry,' he declares. 'It seemed to be evolving into something bigger and weirder than ever.'

Premiere: Director Benny Safdie poses with Pat at the NY premiere of the HBO docuseries

CDG was shut down by the Federal Trade Commission in 2010 but years of amateur footage was transformed into a blockbuster mini-series when Lipman-Stern handed it to Bhala Lough, his cousin-in-law who secured a development deal in 2019.

The series aired between August 31 and 27 and has been given a rating of 8.10 out of 10 on the industry website Rotten Tomatoes.

'Hold the phone! A truly stranger than fiction scandal is recounted with addictive aplomb in this gritty and farcical docuseries,' it concludes.

Dailymail.com has reached out to the Easton Police Department for comment.
The former president and his sons are accused of inflating his property values

Donald Trump has claimed in court that he is actually worth more than the billions of dollars prosecutors allege he inflated the values of his properties by.

Trump's lawyers said his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida was actually worth at least $1 billion, rather than the $18 million prosecutors suggest.

In a fiery defense opening statement Alina Habba, representing Trump, said: 'There is a person out there who will buy that (Mar-A-Lago) for over $1 billion. Thats not fraud, thats real estate.'

Trump, 77, scowled and shook his head as prosecutors accused him of 'lying year after year' to exaggerate the value of his property empire by $2.2 billion to obtain favorable bank loans.

Donald Trump raged against the 'rogue judge' before the start of his civil fraud trial in New York Monday, calling the prosecution an 'attempt to hurt me in an election'. He is seen sitting behind the defense table in the first hearing

Trump sits in court with his legal team as proceedings get underway

Delivery for Trump? Bags full of McDonald's arrive at court

Trump said Mar-a-Lago was worth '50 to 100' times what Palm Beach assessors said it was

In extraordinary scenes at the lunch break Trump called for Judge Arthur Engoron to be disbarred.

Trump said: 'The judge in this case is wrong. Let's go to trial because this is a judge that should be disbarred. This is a judge that should be out of office.

'This is a judge that some people say should be charged criminally for what he's doing. He's interfering with an election, and it's a disgrace.'

He called the judge a 'Democrat' and an 'operative' who had already made up his mind and 'was getting away with murder.'

Soon after, men in dark suits were seen entering the courthouse with a large delivery from McDonald's, which was believed to be for Trump and his legal team.

Prosecutors claim Trump fraudulently exaggerated his wealth to banks but Habba told the court those amounts were 'frankly less than what they (the Trump family) are worth.

She said the true value of Trumps net worth should include his personal brand from shows like The Apprentice.

'Theres a lot of people in this room that probably dont like that but its a fact,' she said.

Habba also claimed Trumps Florida golf course Doral was also worth over $1 billion, sparking laughter in the public gallery.

She said it was one of the best golf courses in the country, and praised the Trump Organization as a beautiful company. She added: Real estate is malleable but there was absolutely no intent to defraud, no conspiracy.

The case set a very dangerous precedent for all business owners in the state of New York, she said.

Just before entering the courtroom a combative Trump delivered an explosive tirade in which he railed against the 'rogue' judge and 'racist horror show' attorney general Letitia James, who brought the case.

After lunch, the first witness took the stand - Donald Bender, retired accountant who used to work at accounting company Mazars and did the Trump accounts for years.

Trump enthusiastically put his thumbs in the air when the judge said that the afternoon of questioning could have been a waste of time.

Judge Engoron asked whether the questioning of former accountant Bender was within the statute of limitations.

The judge asked if the two hours spent with Bender had been a waste of time, at which point Trump put both his thumbs in the air.

Judge Engoron said that they would talk about the matter in the morning.

Trump could face up to $250 million in fines and the potential loss of his licenses for buildings including Trump Tower in New York.

'This is a continuation of the single greatest witch hunt of all time,' Trump said before going into court. 'It's a scam. It's a sham. There was no crime. The crime is against me.'

Trump is accused of inflating the value of his assets by billions of dollars to secure loans from banks.

He claims the case is part of an Democrat attempt to use the justice system to torpedo his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

In court Trump sat with his lawyers - Habba, Clifford Robert and Christopher Kise.

Prosecutor Kevin Wallace, a lawyer in James' office, told the court that Trump had described his finances to banks and insurers in a "materially inaccurate way" for a decade.

Wallace said Trump did this to get better loan terms and lower insurance premiums, illegally generating more than $1 billion of financial benefits.

'This isn't business as usual, and this isn't how sophisticated parties deal with each other,' Wallace said. "These are not victimless crimes. The defendants were lying year after year.'

Wallace showed the court video clips of depositions from people including Trump, his son Eric, and Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer.

Cohen suggested Trump wanted to be 'higher on the Forbes list'.

He said: 'The goal was to use each of (Trump's) assets and increase its value in order to get to the end result number.

'It was essentially backing in numbers to each of the asset classes in order to attain the number that President Trump wanted.'

Graphics were displayed on video screens showing the values Trump had given to his properties and what prosecutors valued them at.

New York Attorney General Letitia James in court, seated a few yards from Trump

Trump sat with his arms crossed, sometimes shaking his head, and at one point muttering under his breath.

Responding to the prosecution claims Trump lawyer Christopher Kise said: 'It is one of the most highly successful brands in the world, and he has made a fortune literally being right about real estate investments.

'There was no intent to defraud, there was no illegality, there was no default, there was no breach, there was no reliance from the banks, there were no unjust profits, and there were no victims.'

He added: 'We think the evidence is going to establish President Trump has made billions of dollars building one of the most successful real estate empires in the world.'

James is seeking at least $250 million in fines, a permanent ban against Trump and his sons Donald Jr and Eric from running businesses in New York and a five-year commercial real estate ban against Trump and the Trump Organization.

Earlier, outside the courtroom, Trump said: "We have a great company. I built a great company. It's tremendous. It's got some of the greatest real estate assets in the world. And now I have to go in before a rogue judge.'

He claimed the prosecution was being driven from Washington, saying 'it all comes down from the DOJ, they totally coordinated this in Washington.'

Trump also claimed it was because of his performance in the polls in his bid to reclaim the White House.

He also defended the financial statements at issue in the case, which gave values for his properties.

'My financial statements are phenomenal,' he said.

Trump claimed there was 'no victim here,' because lenders to his company during the years in question got repaid.

'I didn't even put in the best asset, which is my brand,' Trump said, comparing the brand value of his real estate and golf empire to Coca-Cola.

He said his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, which had been valued at $18 million to $27 million by the court was actually worth '50 to 100 times' that much.

Trump, wearing a dark blue suit and light blue tie, then entered the courtroom and cameras were briefly allowed inside.

The former president could be seen looking unhappy as he sat at a table with his lawyers.

James sat on a bench a few yards behind Trump and stared at him, while the judge took his glasses off and smiled broadly at the camera.

Earlier, in the hallway Trump had said: 'You ought to go after this attorney general because shes turning off everybody for coming in.'

That was a reference to New York state's business climate.

Trump has been warned by the federal judge overseeing one of his criminal trials about attacks on prosecutors and court personnel

Trump heads into the courtroom for his civil fraud case

As Trump arrived at court surrounded by police and protesters his team blasted the 'renegade judge' deciding his fate.

'We will continue to fight in hopes that there is some level of law and order in this country,' said Trump lawyer Alina Habba.

Inside the courtroom, Judge Engoron, who had briefly allowed cameras inside, briefly took off his glasses. He opened the proceeding by telling the court how to pronounce his name.

He denied a motion from a lawyer representing various media organizations to televise the trial, however five photographers were allowed in briefly to photograph Trump.

NYPD officers set up barricades and demonstrators calling for Trump to be jailed as he prepared for the start of the case, accusing him of inflating values in his property empire by up to $2.2 billion.

'Weve got a renegade judge here whos ignoring the will of the appeals court,' Trump spokesman Jason Miller said outside the courthouse steps. 'President Trump's assets are worth way more than what the court would have you believe,' he said.

Say cheese! Judge Arthur Engoron removed his glasses during a brief photo-op inside the courtroom

Trump's son Eric, who prosecutors may call in the case, arrived before his father

'This is nothing more than election interference,' fumed Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung. 'This is the only way they can stop him.'

His son Eric and aide Margo Martin were by his side as he arrived at the downtown Manhattan court.

He prepared for his appearance by tearing into the judge and Attorney General Letitia James in a 1am Truth Social rant.

The $250 million fraud case kicked off when New York AG James accused Trump, his adult sons and the Trump Organization of inflating the value of his empire of properties by up $2.2 billion.

Judge Engoron said last week in a scorching ruling that the likely Republican Presidential candidate repeatedly violated fraud laws to get preferential loans from banks for the company and to minimize its tax liability.

The judge canceled the business certificates for some of Trumps businesses, meaning he may lose control of some of his most famous buildings.

Trump lawyer Alina Habba sat by his side in the courtroom

Trump repeatedly attacked state AG Letitia James Monday morning

Trump defended his financial statements, after the judge during summary judgement ruled he inflated assets by $2 billion in total

Trump called the case against him a 'scam,' and railed against the judge and prosecutors. He also defended his financial statements

'No matter how powerful you are, and no matter how much money you think you have, no one is above the law,' said NY AG Letitia James

Donald Trump arrived in a New York court surrounded by cops and protesters to face a judge in his $250 million civil fraud trial, after making the short trip from Trump Tower

Eric Trump, one of those accused of inflating property values, walks through the corridors of the New York court room head of the hearing

The trial, which is expected to last three months, will focus on six remaining narrow issues including how much the penalty should be.

Sitting in court Trump will have to listen as prosecutors essentially call into question his entire image, that of a self made billionaire who rose to become Leader of the Free World.

Instead they will portray him as the head of a staggering fraud which Judge Engoron concluded was full of pie in the sky valuation of properties.

They included inflating the value of his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago by up to 10 times its $18 million worth.

Trump previewed what he believed he would face in a post on Truth Social, suggesting the bias of both James and Justice Engoron.

'I'm going to Court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation against a corrupt and racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who campaigned on 'getting Trump,' he wrote.

Trump's aide Margo Martin was part of the entourage supporting him during his court appearance on Monday morning

New York Attorney General Letitia James said she had a simple message for Trump on Monday morning that 'no one is above the law'

Lawyers carrying boxes of files arrive in court ahead of Trump's heading in the fraud trial

Downtown Manhattan was swarming with cops and the media on Monday morning as Donald Trump prepared to face a judge in his $250million civil fraud trial

Former President Donald Trump was seen arriving at Trump Tower in Manhattan Sunday night ahead of the start of his civil fraud trial on Monday morning

He made multiple posts indicating that Engoron - whom he has called 'deranged' and 'Trump-hating' - was undervaluing his famous Mar-a-Lago estate.

'He values Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida, at 18 Million Dollars, when it is worth 50 to 100 times that amount. His valuations are FRAUDULENT in pursuit of Election Interference, and worse. THIS WHOLE CASE IS A SHAM!!! See you in Court - Monday morning,' Trump added.

Protesters holding placards with Trump behind bars marched outside the court ahead of his appearance

Members of the press gathered outside as the Trump circus returned to New York

Flanked by Secret Service and NYPD officers, Trump was wearing a navy blue suit, white button down shirt and going without a tie as he walked in

Barriers were placed around the 58-story Fifth Avenue building as he arrived at around 11pm

He later called for both Engoron and James to resign 'for purposeful and criminal election interference.'

'She is fully aware that Mar-a-Lago, and other assets, are worth much more than what she is claiming. Both of these Democrat Operatives are a disgrace to New York, and to the United States of America!'

James accused Trump of trying to 'cheat the system' in her own statement on Monday morning.

'For years, Donald Trump falsely inflated his net worth to enrich himself and cheat the system, she said.

'We won the foundation of our case last week and proved that his purported net worth has long been rooted in incredible fraud.

'In this country, there are consequences for this type of persistent fraud, and we look forward to demonstrating the full extent of his fraud and illegality during trial.

'No matter how rich or powerful you are, there are not two sets of laws for people in this country.

'The rule of law must apply equally to everyone, and it is my responsibility to make sure that it does.'

On Monday, the civil trial will address what Trump, his businesses, his adult sons and his business associates did with that false information. This will just be one of several trials Trump is set to face from October to May.

As he has been in a constant feud with James, he has also called out Engoron for carrying out a 'witch hunt' on him. Engoran is the judge assigned to this trial and will have the final say on what happens next for the 45th President.

Just last week, Engoron ruled to exterminate Trump's family business on the basis of widespread fraud. These properties included Trump Tower and the Trump International Hotel.

NYPD officers were seen setting up barricades outside court just hours before the president was set to make the journey from Trump Tower

Members of the press gathered outside as the Trump circus returned to New York

Flanked by Secret Service and NYPD officers, Trump was wearing a navy blue suit, white button down shirt and going without a tie as he walked in

Barriers were placed around the 58-story Fifth Avenue building as he arrived at around 11pm

He previewed what he believed he would face in a post on Truth Social, suggesting the bias of both New York Attorney General Letitia James and Justice Arthur Engoron, who will be prosecuting and ruling over the case, respectively

'I'm going to Court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation against a corrupt and racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who campaigned on 'getting Trump,' Trump wrote

Donald Trump arrives to Trump Tower in New York ahead of his court appearance tomorrow

Since those properties were taken away, Trump has openly spoken out about how he feels in regard to Justice Engoron's decision.

'I have a Deranged, Trump Hating Judge, who RAILROADED this FAKE CASE through a NYS Court at a speed never before seen,' Trump said on social media.

On top of attempting to delay his trial, Politico reported that Trump went a step further and 'accused the judge of failing to comply with earlier appeals' that he said altered the range of the case against him.

The former President's legal team was a bit thrown off by Engoron's abrupt decision, even after James found that Trump and his company deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

She also said he boosted valuations by up to $2 billion, inflating the value of signature assets including the Mar-a-Lago club where he now resides and his Manhattan penthouse apartment at Trump Tower.

Trump, his company and key executives repeatedly lied about them on his annual financial statements, reaping rewards such as favorable loan terms and lower insurance premiums, Engoron found.

Engoron has responded to Trump's claims with 'Decline to sign' and 'Defendants' arguments are completely without merit.'

He previously held Trump in contempt of court and ordered him to pay $100,000 after he found out that he failed to comply with the subpoena ordered by James's office.

On Monday, the civil trial will address what Trump, his businesses, his adult sons and his business associates did with that false information. This will just be one of many trials Trump is set to face from October to May

Donald Trump is set to arrive in the Big Apple on Sunday night for his civil fraud trial on Monday. He could possibly be in the city until Tuesday.

As he has been in a constant feud with James (pictured left), he has also called out Justice Arthur Engoron (pictured right) for carrying out a 'witch hunt' on him. Engoran is the judge assigned to this trial and will have the final say on what happens next for the 45th President

Trump, his company and key executives repeatedly lied about them on his annual financial statements, reaping rewards such as favorable loan terms and lower insurance premiums, Engoron found

Trump faces a number of legal hurdles in the coming months, even while running for president again and leading the 2024 Republican Primary in the polls.

On January 15, he is set to kick off his federal defamation trial that has been brought on by E. Jean Carroll.

Later that month, on January 29, a trial related to a federal class action lawsuit that accused him and his company of promoting a pyramid scheme will start.

Then Trump will face a federal criminal trial on March 4 based on the accusation that he tried to interfere with the 2020 election.

On March 25 he will be back in New York for a case brought on by his alleged mishandling with classified documents.

Judge rules Trump defrauded banks while building real estate empire

Engoron previously held Trump in contempt of court and ordered him to pay $100,000 after he found out that he failed to comply with the subpoena ordered by James's office

Technically, he is not required to be present for the civil trial unless he is called to testify by James, which she has said she is considering.

So far, he has not appeared in court for any of his federal civil trials from earlier this year.

Regardless, Trump's calendar is going to be tight as he looks ahead to campaigning while battling Biden's justice department.

If convicted on all charges, he faces 71 years in prison - and state charges, unlike federal, cannot be pardoned by a president.

The probe by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis began shortly after the release of a recording of a January 2, 2021, phone call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in which the then-president suggested that Raffensperger could 'find 11,780 votes'  just enough to overtake Joe Biden.

Trump has described his phone call to Raffensperger as 'perfect' and has portrayed the prosecution by the Democratic district attorney as politically motivated.

The Attorney General didn't start this feud between Trump and the judge as the two have had past history.

Trump and his co-defendants will only face Judge Engoron instead of a jury in a bench trial.

Through a court spokesperson, Engoron has declined to comment on Trump's barbs. He is barred from commenting to the news media about the case.

Engoron has been involved in Trump-related cases since 2020, when he was assigned to intervene in quarrels among Trumps lawyers and James office over demands for evidence and the direction of her investigation.

There is a chance that Trump could stay in New York City until Tuesday based on the outcome of Monday's trial.
Homeless pirates are now marauding onto houseboats in the San Francisco Bay in the latest criminal enterprise to plague California.

Residents along the Oakland-Alameda estuary told a community meeting last week that boats have been cut loose so that they drift out to sea.

One woman even recounted how she had rescued another resident on a sailboat in the middle of the night after pirates slashed his rigging lines during an argument.

The brazen thieves - whose homeless encampments have spilled out of the city - are taking small motor-powered dinghies and using them in smash-and-grab raids on larger vessels and houseboats.

During Wednesday's San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission's enforcement meeting community members spoke of having to fight off the pirates themselves as police in the Democrat-run city have failed to intervene.

Smaller vessels are seen piled up on the jetty around larger boats. Residents say the homeless people are stealing dinghies and using them to maraud onto bigger vessels

Pirates leave ransacked boats abandoned and covered in graffiti. One resident shared she rescued a man after he said pirates cut his sailboat line during an argument

Footage taken by a resident shows seafaring bandits riding off, leaving a marina in the Bay Area. Residents believe the thieves are coming from the growing homeless population

'The open shoreline of the (Oakland-Alameda) estuary is littered with sunken wrecks and derelict, end-of-life vessels, and crime has risen to truly intolerable levels,' former harbor master for the area Brock de Lappe told Fox News Digital.

One woman recounted a time she rescued a man on a sailboat in the middle of the night after he said pirates cut his sailboat line during an argument.

'If there had been any wind at the time I wouldn't have been able to go out there and rescue this young man who had no motor and no ability to sail that boat,' she said.

This summer, the Bay Area saw a rise in crime on the water. Photos and videos posted online showed seafaring bandits on dinghies speeding through the water at night following their thefts.

'Multiple vessels have been stolen and ransacked. Victims have had to resort to personally confronting the criminals to recover their property without the benefit of police support. Is this appropriate activity for a 79-year-old senior?' said de Lappe.

The former harbor master told KGO that pirates have been targeting five different locations along the channel - including Jack London Square, the Jack London Square Aquatic Center, the Estuary Channel west of the Bayside Hotel, Union Point Park West, Union Point Park East.

Kame Richards with Alameda community sailing center, an organization that teaches young kids to sail, shared that four of their eight safety boats have been stolen and police were slow to react.

The bandits are abandoning or sinking the boats after they have used them to commit their crimes

Bay Area residents have resorted to chasing off the thieves themselves since there is little police help

'We cannot imagine a way where we can just be handing off $35,000 boats to thieves and doing nothing about it,' said Richards.

Residents said the pirates are coming from the city's growing homeless population that is overflowing to the waterways.

Alameda, which is considered a suburb of Oakland, is an island with a population just under 80,000 according to the US Census.

Data from the Alameda Police Department showed that in August burglary is up 18.6 percent compared to last year, and theft over $400 is up 10.2 percent.

Crime is soaring in the surrounding cities of Oakland and San Francisco.

In the Bay Area a store clerk was set on fire after he tried to stop a serial homeless shoplifter from stealing.

The latest crime data report for the Oakland Police Department shows robbery is up 34 percent year to date, burglary is up 38 percent and motor vehicle theft is up 51 percent.

The new wave of crime involves pirates sneaking up on dinghies and stealing items from boats in the harbor

During San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission's enforcement meeting residents noted the homeless population from the surrounding cities is making its way to their shores

The surrounding cities of Oakland and San Francisco have seen waves of crime and a growing homeless population

Earlier this summer the Oakland police advised residents to reinforce their doors with braces or a security bar and install security cameras due to an increase in brazen home invasions.

San Francisco is grappling with close to 40,000 homeless people and more robberies and motor vehicle thefts reported by the police department than the same time last year.

Alameda Police Chief Nishant Joshi told Fox News Digital that his department is working with the Oakland PD and the Coast Guard to fight the marine crime.

'In the waterways, it's very difficult to draw a line, there are no roadways or fence lines, so we all have a shared interest, much like crime as a whole, to deal with this as a regional approach,' said Joshi.
The chief advisor to New York City mayor Eric Adams has called on the Biden administration to close the border, as former president Bill Clinton warns the city's right to shelter is 'broken.'

Ingrid Lewis-Martin made the comments on Sunday as she discussed the crisis that has seen over 116,000 migrants arrive in the city in 18 months, with more than 60,000 of them still in the city's care. The Adams administration is currently trying to change the city's right to shelter law to not include new migrants - a stunning reversal as both the Democratic mayor and governor first welcomed the asylum seekers with open arms.

'It would alleviate it to the extend that others wouldn't be so ready and able to come to New York City because they know, "they're not going to provide us with shelter,"' Martin said when asked changing the right to shelter law. 'We have to find a way to make them understand, we're no longer responsible for you, you need to find other means. Go to another state.'

However, Marin added that the federal government should ultimately be in control of the situation as she demanded the borders be closed: 'We need the federal government, the Congress members, the Senate, and the president to do its job: Close the borders,' she told PIX11.

Meanwhile Clinton has now backed Adams' and governor Kathy Hochul's bid to change the shelter law, telling 77 WABC radios The Cats Roundtable, 'Its broken. We need to fix it It doesnt make any sense.'

The chief advisor for New York City mayor Eric Adams, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, has called on the Biden administration to close the border

'They come here, and were supposed to shelter people who cant get work permits for six months. We need to change that,' he added. 'They ought to work. They need to begin working, paying taxes and paying their way. Most of these people have no interest in being on welfare.'

Adams has asked a judge to amend the right to shelter law, but the issue is still in courts.

Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy quickly walked back Martin's comments about the border, clarifying the mayor believes that 'of course this nation should continue to welcome immigrants  both those seeking asylum and those who are not.'

The contrasting comments from Adams staffers come as a upstate county has blocked the mayor's attempts send some of the asylum seekers in the city north.

Last week Adams announced plans to issue housing vouchers for migrants to use outside the five NYC boroughs, but Republican Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente answered with an emergency order saying he would have to approve all vouchers, and would only do so after needy locals are taken care of, as reported by the Oneida Daily Dispatch.

'This is just a veiled attempt by Mayor Adams to pass New York Citys migrant crisis on to upstate counties,' Picente said. 'This action is due to the complete failure of federal government policy and lack of leadership in Albany.'

'Were supposed to shelter people who cant get work permits for six months. We need to change that,' said former president Bill Clinton about the Right to Shelter law

Over 116,000 migrants arrive in the city in 18 months, with more than 60,000 of them still in the city's care

The NYC government has been desperately trying to tell asylum seekers to choose another city, as a record number of migrants continues crossing the US-Mexico border.

More than 200,000 migrants have been processed crossing illegally into the U.S. for September, illustrating the gravity of the border crisis the Biden administration is struggling to contain.

Adams administration announced on Wednesday it would distribute flyers at shelters and the southern border warning migrants that they will not be given free housing in the Big Apple.

Deputy mayor for Health and Human Services Ana Williams Isom showed the updated flyers during a City Council meeting, and said they would be used to combat 'misinformation' coming from social media or human traffickers about migrant services in the city.

'We'll be distributing these flyers at our shelters and intake centers in New York City, as well as through NGOs and nonprofits across the country,' she told the meeting. 'We know that there are people in our shelters that are telling their family members to come to New York City and that they'll get housing ... that has never been the case, but we want to make sure we're being clear with people that New York City is out of space.'

The city had already distributed similar flyers in July to discourage asylum seekers at the border, but the updated message is much more blunt

As the city ran out of space, landmarks like The Roosevelt Hotel have been turned into emergency shelters

More than 200,000 migrants have been processed crossing illegally into the U.S. for September

One of the messages on the flyers reads: 'NYC is one of the most expensive cities in the world; you are better off going to a more affordable city.'

It's not an accurate message - while Adams has been trying to get the Right to Shelter police amended as he deals with migrant influx, the law is still in place, which means the city must provide shelter to anyone who asks for it.

As the city ran out of space, landmarks like The Roosevelt Hotel have been turned into emergency shelters. NYC is currently paying hotels an average cost of $185 per day per room, and spending about $385 a night per migrant family that needs housing and feeding. According to Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, asylum seekers are costing the city roughly $10 million every day.

Adams has said the crisis will cost the city $12billion over three years.

Both the city and state governments first welcomed asylum seekers sent to northern sanctuary cities by Republican governors fed up with that they say are Democrat's open-arm immigration policies.

Mayor Adams and governor Hochul first said they were proud to lead the Right to Shelter city, quoting the Statue of Liberty's message about taking in the 'poor, tired and hungry.'

But over 100,000 arrivals later, both Adams and Hochul have repeatedly told asylum seekers there is no space for them in New York.

Since July, Adams has been telling migrants the city is at capacity, and warned that if the situation continues to escalate without federal help, the crisis would 'destroy' the city.

New York City's migrant crisis is expected to cost the city $4.7billion this year. Above is a list of some of the landmarks that have been turned into emergency shelters as officials struggle to house nearly 60,000 migrants in the city's care

However, the city secretly extended its contracts with the over 100 hotels being used as emergency shelters, and is planning on spending a staggering extra $1billion on hotel rooms for immigrants for three more years.

The city's contract, which was supposed to end this year, will now end in August 2026 and cost a total $1.365 billion - almost five times the original price tag of $237 million.

The new cost does not include other facilities turned into shelters such as the tent shelters set up in the McCarren Recreation Center in Queens or the Island Shores Assisted Living in Staten Island.

Mayor Eric Adams said on September 9 that spending would be slashed by 15 percent through next spring to cope with the influx of 116,000 migrants in 2023, with 60,000 of the desperate people being housed in the city.

Adams - who is up for re-election in 2025 - told city agencies that they would each need to cut spending by 5 percent by November at the latest. There will then be another 5 percent slash in January and a final hack down in April.
The family of a man who died in Vietnam hours after arriving in the country have flown out to seek answers about his death.

Darren Blair, described as a 'pillar' of Nottingham though his work with the city's music scene, passed away in Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, in the early hours of September 26.

His sibling, Catherine Nichol, says Darren's family have been given two different stories about the events leading up to his death at just 31 years old.

Catherine claims to have been initially told by the Embassy of Vietnam in London that Darren passed away at 5:30 am in hospital, after he was found unconscious but breathing outside a nightclub.

But she said the embassy later told her that staff at the nightclub tried to wake him up after fell asleep on a sofa in the club.

Darren Blair (pictured) was just 31 when he passed away in Hanoi, Vietnam

He was on holiday in the country, taking a break after spending time in Japan for work

In the second version of events, emergency services then took him to hospital and he is said to have died at 6:40 am.

The embassy reportedly told his family that the only possessions he had were his bank card and a key fob for his hotel room.

His family don't know where his phone is, or where his other possessions are.

An autopsy on his body has not yet been performed, leaving Darren's family with more questions that answers.

Catherine is one of several of Darren's relatives who flew out to Hanoi on Sunday to press authorities for concrete answers.

'There are a million things going through my head and the embassy aren't helping me, so we're flying out to sort this. We just need some answers,' she told NottinghamshireLive.

Darren, who worked for eight years with the company responsible for the worldwide Disney on Ice tour, had just finished working in Japan and decided to take a week-long break in Vietnam before the tour was due to move again.

Darren passed away in Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, in the early hours of September 26

Embassy officials gave Darren's family two different versions of the story of his final hours alive

After he arrived in Vietnam on September 25, Nottinghamshire Police visited his parents and broke the news that he had passed away the following day.

On top of the lack of answers, the family face huge financial pressures, as they may have to pay tens of thousands of pounds to repatriate his body.

The family were reportedly given an estimated cost of getting Darren's body back of 20,000 to 30,000, but they said that the final bill to sort all his affairs will likely cost 50,000.

A GoFundMe page set up to help pay for costs has raised over 22,000 at time of publication.

This is complicated by the fact that his family do not know whether he was covered by travel insurance at the time of his death.

Catherine described her late brother as a 'pillar' of Nottingham. He worked on events at Nottingham's Ice Arena from the age of 18, and managed several local bands while he worked abroad.

Comments under the family's GoFundMe page speak of his connection to the city.

One reads: 'I met Darren last year, and he was the greatest, just a great, amazing guy. Always happy and upbeat, he will be sorely missed by all who he met in his exciting life. I considered him a brother and will sorely miss him.'

Another said: 'I remember Darren very fondly from working with him at I'm Not From London. Thank you, Darren. For all your energy and enthusiasm. It was a pleasure knowing you. No doubt you'll be missed by so many people.'

MailOnline has contacted Vietnam's embassy in London for comment.
Smoke from wildfires in Canada is expected to once again reach New York City Monday, months after a haze blanketed the boroughs with unhealthy air.

Officials warned residents Sunday to expect hazy conditions come sunrise, citing northern winds set to bring several plumes smoke back into the region.

The smog is expected to remain above the surface, forecasters further warned - resulting in a distinct, visible haze similar to one New Yorkers saw in June.

While scientists say the smoke is only expected to produce some haziness this time around, those with sensitivity may still want to take heed, officials have stated - as air quality levels are expected to reach well into the 'moderate' category.

Coming from the country's air quality index, a measure of 0-50 is commonly accepted as good, while anything above 100 is widely considered unhealthy. As of 9am, New York's air quality was a 'moderate' 58 - a level still threatening to those with preexisting issues.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada is expected to once again reach New York City Monday, months after a haze blanketed the boroughs with unhealthy air. The city skyline is seen Sunday

The smoke is expected to remain above the surface, forecasters further warned - resulting in a distinct, visible haze similar to one New Yorkers were subjected to back in June, when parts of the Big Apple reached an air quality of above 480 - a level that's technically off the charts

For reference, in June, when much of the Big Apple found itself shrouded in the Blade Runner-esque fog, the index reached an eyewatering 480 - a level that's technically off the charts.

On Monday, as some slight smog could already be seen, Fox 5's resident weather authority Mike Woods said for citizens to be wary, but to not get out of sorts,

'If you are in the sensitive group, yeah, you probably want to take it easy,' he said, mentioning people with lunch ailments and afflictions like asthma.

He then added: 'But compared to what we had in June, this is pretty much nothing.'

Hours earlier, Mayor Eric Adams, after doing little to prepare the city last time around, aired his own warning on his social media, telling New Yorkers they 'will likely see hazy skies in the morning [and] throughout the day tomorrow.'

The 63-year-old added Sunday that his team was 'monitoring wildfire smoke from Canada that may pass through the Tri-state area', as blazes continue to rage throughout the Northwest Territories.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation added in its own statement that as the 'wildfires in Canada continue to produce some smoke impacts in NYS, smoke at high altitudes may be visible downstate.'

Mayor Eric Adams has warned that his team is 'monitoring wildfire smoke from Canada that may pass through the Tri-state area' Monday, as fires still rage in the Northwest Territories (a section of which can be seen here last month)

On Sunday, Mayor Eric Adams, after doing little to prepare the city last time the smoke hit, warner New Yorkers that they 'will likely see hazy skies in the morning [and] throughout the day tomorrow'

The 63-year-old added Sunday that his team was 'monitoring wildfire smoke from Canada that may pass through the Tri-state area', as blazes continue to rage throughout the Northwest Territories

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation added in its own statement that as the 'wildfires in Canada continue to produce some smoke impacts in NYS, smoke at high altitudes may be visible downstate'

As for further east and north, conditions related to breathing will be slightly more optimal, the agency said - though air quality levels Upstate will still be poor enough to warrant a 'moderate' rating.

Such warnings, especially in the city, will see citizens that have preexisting health conditions take precautions like digging out their masks due to the predicted air quality, which the State Department on Sunday predicted will be 60.

That said, if history serves as any precedent, the air quality could worsen throughout the day - with New Yorkers on June 7 initially waking up to air quality in the 151-200 range, before being hit with levels well north of 400 only a few hours later.

Even for the former, an New York AQI in that range has only been measured a handful of times in the last few decades, and the visible nature of the smoke of the smoke put more emphasis on the potential dangers of the weather event.

Per the country's air quality index, a measure of 0-50 is commonly accepted as good, while anything above 100 is widely considered unhealthy. As of 9am, New York's air quality was a 'moderate' 58 - a level still threatening to those with preexisting issues

Still, New Yorkers - with no official warning in place - continued with their daily activities undeterred, many of them donning masks to do so.

But by late Wednesday morning, smoke flowing across Lake Ontario, Upstate New York and into the city reached crisis levels, causing skies to go dark as early as 2pm. Air quality worsened throughout the evening.

By the time the sun was setting - offering even more orange accents to the eerie glow seen since early in the morning - the AQI was above 480, a measure that is so high that it even exceeds the index's 'hazardous' category.

At the time, the city's air quality was likened to large cities around the world known for their smog, such as hubs in India and China.

At that point, however, the city had even worse air - the worst in the world, as a matter of fact - causing officials to, somewhat belatedly, cancel outdoor after-school activities for the 1.1 million students in the largest public school system in the US, and prompt a pandemic-esque shift to remote learning for several days.

If history serves as any precedent, the air quality could worsen throughout the day - with New Yorkers on June 7 initially waking up to air quality in the 151-200 range, before being hit with levels approaching 500 only a few hours later

Still, New Yorkers - with no official warning in place - continued with their daily activities undeterred, many of them donning masks to do so

At the time, the city's air quality was likened to large cities around the world known for their smog, such as hubs in India and China

A hazy view of Manhattan from Brooklyn as smoke from Canadian wildfires fills the city

At that point, however, the city had even worse air - the worst in the world - causing officials to, somewhat belatedly, cancel outdoor after-school activities for the 1.1 million in the largest public school system in the US, and prompt a pandemic-esque shift to remote learning

For even the most healthy citizens, it hurt to stand outside for more than a few minutes - with residents complaining of burning eyes and coughing fits due to the air's historic toxicity.

Smoke, meanwhile, was so dense, that visibility has dropped below 1 mile in usually scenic Central Park.

To combat the more hazardous effects of the smog, local authorities - including Adams' office - advised to close windows, will adding that residents could set air conditioners to recirculate.

Ideally, though, officials instructed citizens to secure a HEPA-rated air filter indoors, which caused another pandemic-like run at local stores, this time for air purifiers, inciting a frenzy for a little over 24 hours.

However, within a day, the smog had mostly cleared - and within two, quality levels were back to normal.

This time around - as smoke continues to impact regional air quality up north in wild-fire stricken Canada - smoke could last into Tuesday, officials said, but no air quality alerts have been issued at this time.

As for the country where the smoke is coming from, Canada is currently dealing with its worst wildfire season ever on record.

In the northeast alone, there are currently more than 50 wildfires burning in Ontario and five active fires burning in Quebec - while mall spot fires continue to flare up alongside Northwest Territories highways into Hay River, Fort Smith and Yellowknife.
Rep. Dean Phillips is stepping down from House Democratic leadership after saying he's considering a primary challenge to President Joe Biden.

The Minnesota Democrat, 54, said he was not forced to resign from his position as co-chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee but was doing so because he was causing 'discomfort' among his colleagues.

'I have decided to step down from the DPCC & Democratic Caucus leadership. While politics & official work do not mix, it's clear my convictions about 2024 are incongruent with the position of my colleagues & that was causing discomfort. I was not pressured or forced to resign,' he said in a statement posted to X.

Phillips said last month he is 'thinking' of taking on Biden in the Democratic presidential primary next year. Biden has yet to face a serious challenge from his own party despite his age, alarm among Democrats at his recent gaffes, and voters saying they'd like an alternative candidate.

Rep. Dean Phillips is stepping down from House Democratic leadership after saying he's considering a primary challenge to President Joe Biden

'I am thinking about it. I haven't ruled it out,' Phillips said in an interview last month with Steve Schmidt's podcast The Warning.

'I'm concerned that there is no alternative,' he noted, pointing to Biden's age. 'I'm concerned that something could happen between now and next November that would make the Democratic Convention in Chicago an unmitigated disaster.'

'And for a party that is acting as the adults in the room, thank goodness, I'm concerned that we are not as it relates to our electoral strategy. So I'm considering it,' he added.

Phillips is a three-term moderate Democrat from the Minneapolis suburbs. He previously worked in corporate marketing and branding. His grandmother was Pauline Esther Phillips, better known as the advice columnist Dear Abby.

He started floating the idea of a challenge to Biden in July.

However, he's also conceded he may not be in the best position politically or well-known enough on the national stage to challenge the sitting president.

He's urged other Democrats to consider running in the presidential primary.

'Democrats are telling me that they want, not a coronation, but they want a competition,' Phillips told CBS' Face the Nation in August.

'If we don't heed that call, shame on us. And the consequences, I believe, are going to be disastrous,' Phillips said.

Biden is currently facing Democratic challenges from self-help author Marianne Williamson and environmental attorney and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Neither is presenting a strong challenge in the polls even as voters say they'd like a different choice, citing Biden's age.

Polls show voters would like an alternative candidate to President Joe Biden

Additionally, the president has made a series of gaffes that raised concern among some Democrats.

In the past few weeks alone Biden repeated the same story twice in minutes, confused a black group with a Hispanic one, and mangled LL Cool J's name, also calling him 'boy'.

This summer, on Take Your Child to Work Day, Biden appeared to forget how many grandchildren he had when he spoke to the children of White House staff.

'So, let me see. I got one in New York, two in Philadelphia  or is it three? No, three, because I got one granddaughter who is  I don't know. You're confusing me,' he said.

He also couldn't name the last country he had visited or his favorite movie.

Biden underwent his last annual physical exam at the Walter Reed National Medical Centre in Maryland in February and was declared healthy, but his cognitive abilities were not assessed.

White House aides have defended the president as sharp and engaged.

However, they also have him doing balancing exercises, wearing sneakers and using the shorter stairs on Air Force One to avoid tripping and falling, something that has happened to him frequently.

In June, Biden tripped over a sandbag at the Air Force Academy's graduation ceremony, leaving him sprawled on the ground and getting helped up by officials.

Democrats Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (left) and Marianne Williamson (right) are already running longshot bids for the Democratic nomination in 2024

Polls show voters are concerned about Biden's age. At 80 he is the oldest president in U.S. history. If he won a second term, he would be 86 when it was completed.

Those concerned include many Democrats.

A Wall Street Journal poll this summer showed 75 percent of voters think Biden is too old to run for a second term. Those who feels Biden is too old includes a whopping two-thirds of Democrats.

Biden has joked about his age. He's also argued it means he has the experience to do the job.

'A lot of people seem focused on my age. Believe me, I know better than anyone,' he said at a fundraiser in New York recently. 'When this nation was flat on its back, I knew what to do.

'I am more optimistic about the future of this country than in the 800 years I've served,' he added to laughter.
The creator of Father Ted has claimed he has been dropped by his TV agent after branding David Tennant an 'abusive groomer' on social media.

Graham Linehan criticised Doctor Who star Tennant in July on X - formerly known as Twitter - for wearing a T-shirt that read 'Leave trans kids alone you absolute freaks'.

Mr Linehan, 55, who also described Tennant as 'disgusting', 'ignorant' and 'reckless', told a Conservative Party Conference event in Manchester that he had since been dropped by London-based agency Independent Talent.

He said yesterday afternoon: 'I guess the other interesting thing that happened to me is I just lost my TV agent because I criticised David Tennant.

'I only found this out later, because I looked at the list of people Independent Talent represented and David Tennant was at the top. And he's making slightly more money than me at the moment, so I had to go.'

Mr Linehan belongs to a controversial school of thought that believes those who support the gender transition of youngsters are child abusers. He previously tweeted in January: 'Telling children they have the wrong bodies is child abuse.'

Graham Linehan spoke at a meeting at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester yesterday, jointly hosted by the Institute of Economic Affairs and TaxPayers' Alliance

Mr Linehan rose to fame in 1995 for creating the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted which ran until 1998. He then went on to pen Black Books and The IT Crowd.

But he has more recently become known for standing up to transgender activists, which led to a Twitter ban and his show at the Edinburgh Fringe being shut down.

The latest row began in July when Tennant appeared at the press launch in London for the second series of his Amazon Prime fantasy comedy show Good Omens.

He was wearing the T-shirt in question - and although the words were partly obscured by his blazer, internet sleuths soon tracked it down and found the full slogan on items sold by the retailer Crooked.

A user called 'K Carnelian' with the handle '@authenticterf' posted a picture of Tennant in the T-shirt and said 'FFS'. Linehan replied: 'Disgusting, ignorant, reckless'.

David Tennant with co-star Michael Sheen in July at the press launch in London for the second series of his Amazon Prime series Good Omens - wearing the controversial T-shirt in question

The account Bad Writing Takes then replied to this, saying: 'Disgraced former comedy writer Graham 'Glinner' Linehan calls much loved icon David Tennant 'Disgusting' after Tennant is photographed wearing a T-shirt opposing child abusers. Tennant's shirt reads 'Leave Trans Kids Alone You Absolute Freaks'.'

But Linehan then also replied to that post, saying: 'Only disgraced among the ranks of abusive groomers like yourself and Tennant.'

Although this was back in July, it is only now that Linehan has revealed that his criticism of Tennant saw him dropped by the agency.

Yesterday's event at The ThinkTent in the Manchester Central Convention Complex was called 'Is the UK a safe space for free speech?' and was jointly hosted by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA).

It also featured Baroness Fox, University of Kent politics professor Matthew Goodwin, TPA chief executive John O'Connell and IAE head of cultural affairs Marc Glendening.

Linehan posted a series of comments about David Tennant and his T-shirt on X in July

Last month Mr Linehan claimed he was blocked by police from attending the conference over his supposed anti-trans views.

The Irish sitcom writer complained to the party after he was denied access to the conference in Manchester, which resulted in a U-turn as chairman Greg Hands apologised and ensured he could attend.

Mr Linehan was not told the grounds for the refusal, but in 2018 he received a warning from West Yorkshire Police after an argument with a transgender activist on X.

He ended up performing outside the Scottish Parliament in August after two Edinburgh Fringe venues cancelled his appearance.

MailOnline has contacted Independent Talent for comment today.
He is asked to walk in a straight line and struggles to stand on one leg

Video footage has emerged showing the moment Texas Senator Charles Schwertner was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

The politician was pulled over with State Rep. Claudia Ordaz D-El Paso just before 1am on February 7.

He was eventually arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and initially said he had 'made a mistake'.

The charge was later dropped because there was 'not enough evidence' according to the Texas Tribune. Travis County Attorney Delilah Garza also told the outlet that Schwertner, who was involved in a sexting scandal in 2018, 'voluntarily submitted to alcohol counseling and alcohol monitoring with no violations.'

Now bodycam footage has emerged showing the senator failing to complete a field sobriety test.

The video shows Austin police pulling up behind the senator's SUV. An officer approaches the vehicle and says: 'The reason I stopped you is you were splitting two lanes, you were driving in between two lanes.'

Georgetown Republican Sen. Charles Schwertner was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of drunk driving

The senator, accompanied by Ordaza, apologizes and says: 'Oh I'm sorry, we were switching channels and stuff. I apologize,' while gesturing to his car's console.

The officer reminds him to keep his hands on the steering wheel and asks where they have been.

Schwertner says he had been picking Ordaz up from the airport before they went to dinner at Whataburger and that they have pulled up outside her home.

The officer then asks the senator for his license details and reiterates his concern that he had been drifting between two lanes.

Belinda then says: 'These lanes are honestly terrible', before the officer asks if they are blaming the size of the lanes for the senator's driving.

Belinda replies that they are 'super narrow', but the officer says: 'Y'all were taking up the whole street pretty much, I have it on camera you were driving the middle of the two lanes.'

The couple says they were unaware and apologizes again before the officer asks if they have had even a single drink, to which they both say no.

After reviewing the documentation the officer asks the senator to step out of the vehicle.

Schwertner was forced to perform a series of field sobriety tests after officers smelled a 'strong' alcoholic smell coming off him after he was pulled over

The senator eventually managed to walk in a straight line after the Austin police officer repeated the instructions several times

He says: 'So here is the deal, I have a strong smell of alcohol coming from your breath and you told me didn't drink anything, so you lied to me because there is a strong smell coming from you and the way you were driving is consistent with someone who has been drinking. So let's try it again, how many drinks have you had tonight?'

Schwertner replies: 'I haven't had anything to drink sir. I have not had anything to drink.'

But the officer remains unconvinced and informs the senator he will have to perform a series of tests to prove his sobriety, before conducting a search for any weapons.

He asks Schwertner to approximate the time and his location without looking at his watch and the senator manages to state both.

The officer asks him to rate his intoxication on a scale of zero to ten and the senator insists he is at a zero, adding 'I'm sober'.

Next he asks the senator to walk along the straight line of a parking bay, however the senator appears to have trouble understanding and the officer must repeat his instructions several times before he completes the exercise.

The final test sees the senator asked to stand on one leg until the officer tells him to stop.

He shakily lifts his right leg up before wobbling and placing it back down and asking the cop to repeat his instruction.

Married father-of-three Schwertner initially said he had 'made a mistake' after being released from Travis County Jail

The married father-of-three boys was caught up in a sexting scandal in 2018 which saw his wife Belinda (pictured center) file for divorce before the couple appeared to reconcile

The officer obliges and he tries again but this time can only hold the pose for a couple of seconds before placing his foot back down.

By this point the cop warns him he will only repeat the instruction once more. The senator tries again, but stops after just six seconds and before he has been told to.

At this point he begins to argue with the officer about how long the exercise is taking. He asks 'Will that be enough? Is that sufficient?'

The officer informs him it is not and he sighs and says: 'I've done it how many times now? I've walked in a straight line, I've done what you asked me to multiple times.'

The cop reminds him that he has had four attempts at standing on one leg and says, 'you need to understand what we are asking you to do, will you please go ahead and do that?'

Schwertner holds the pose for eight seconds this time before putting his foot down and asking, 'Are you done now officer?'

He is told again that he has failed to follow the instructions. At this point Schwertner accuses the police officer of conducting 'an interrogation'.

He says: 'I've followed your instructions, I've done both exercises, have you made your determination? May I go?'

The senator was handcuffed and placed into the back of a police car before asking if he could ride up front

The officer asks if he is done with the exercise and explains again he must maintain the pose until he is told to stop.

But the senator fumes: 'I feel like a trained seal, you're acting inappropriately and you're being an individual that is not..'

A second officer explains they are simply following protocol. Schwertner is allowed a final attempt, but once again fails to hold his leg up until the police tell him to release it.

He is then walked to the cop car and they explain that he is not being treated any differently to any other traffic stop.

The police then offer a 'completely voluntary' preliminary breathalyzer test before explaining it is not admissible in court or usable in any arrest decision.

But the senator declines and is immediately arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

His hands are pinned behind his back and handcuffed while police conduct a more thorough search, including emptying out his boots.

Police inform the senator he will be taken to Travis County jail before placing him into a cop car. Schwertner asks if he can be allowed to sit in the front of the vehicle but the officers decline and explain he must go in the back.

The senator claimed the reason he might have been drifting between lanes was because he was changing the channel in his car

He sighs again and says: 'I have done so much for you guys'. The officers say they appreciate it, but state once again they are just following protocol.

The rest of the clip shows Schwertner interacting with police including having his handcuffs adjusted after complaining they were too tight.

The video ends with him being taken to jail, where he was released later the same day and told reporters he 'made a mistake'.

Following his release the charge was dropped over concerns there was not enough evidence to secure a conviction.

Perry Minton, Schwertners lawyer, told the Texas Tribune it was the 'right decision based strictly on the evidence' and said the video had been reviewed as part of the decision to reject charges against the senator.

Meanwhile State Rep Ordaza told the outlet: 'I had no involvement in this matter other than being a passenger at the time of this incident and was fully cooperative with authorities at all times. I regret this incident occurred, and in the future, I will use more caution to prevent this type of unfortunate circumstance.'

Schwertner previously hit headlines in 2018 when he was caught up in a sexting scandal.

The senator was accused of sending an image of his genitals that was taken in the shower to an unnamed woman he met at a University of Texas event.

He was giving the woman career advice over Linkedin before the two began texting and he allegedly sent the image, an accusation he denied.

Hi wife Belinda filed for divorce shortly after the story broke but the two appear to have since reconciled.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has told hundreds of 'No' supporters in Perth she 'didn't need a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament' to achieve what she has.

The Northern Territory Country Liberals Senator, and prominent 'No' campaigner, stepped off a plane on Monday evening and headed straight to the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC), where she headlined a major campaign event less than two weeks from the October 14 referendum.

'We do not want a future where our children aren't proud to call themselves Australian ... that's not the Australia that we've grown up with,' Senator Price said, after receiving a standing ovation in the PCEC's Riverside Theatre.

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price speaking at Voice to Parliament No rally at Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, on Monday night. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Philip Gostelow.

'These corporations are being funded to push through reconciliation, while the rest of us are just wandering around being reconciled,' she said, referring to companies like the major supermarkets and sporting codes that have thrown their support behind the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Senator Price went on to list her achievements, most notably Alice Springs Town councillor, and her current role as Shadow Aboriginal Affairs Minister under Peter Dutton.

'We sure as hell didn't need a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament to achieve those things,' she said.

'We've got to fix the structures that already exist instead of muddying the waters and adding more bureaucracy and shoving it into our constitution.'

Senator Price finished her address to another standing ovation.

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Warren Mundine (right) closed their event by getting a group picture with their supporters. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Philip Gostelow.

REFERENDUM 'MOST IMPORTANT' IN AUSTRALIA'S HISTORY: MUNDINE

Earlier, fellow prominent 'No' campaigner Warren Mundine branded the upcoming vote as the 'most important in Australian history.'

'Do we want a country that's divided by race? Or do we want a country that's all coming together ... to be the better self, an Australia that welcomes people from all over the world?' Mr Mundine asked the crowd, speaking ahead of Senator Price.

'The Yes campaign focus on the past ... but we're talking about now.

'I encourage everyone to follow Australians, to help on the day, and vote no to division.'

Protesters outside Voice to Parliament rally at Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Philip Gostelow

'YES' PROTESTERS ROCK RALLY

A mighty but modest group of 'Yes' protesters showed up to demonstrate against the rally before it started.

A group of at least 40 mostly young 'Yes' supporters berated rally-goes as they walked to the PCEC ahead of the main event, with slogans such as 'two, four, six, eight, racist rubbish, racist hate.'

Most of the 'No' crowd were unfazed by the noisy barrage directed their way, but there was a sizeable counter-protest trying to drown out the 'Yes' protesters, with a line of about 10 police officers between them.

I guess not pic.twitter.com/8dgoWfurYv  Anthony Anderson (@newsguyanthony) October 2, 2023

'You don't know what you're on about ... you don't have the numbers!' yelled one man in a 'No' shirt, who had inexplicably been handed a bullhorn.

Among those standing guard for the 'No' side were at least three members of the nationalist Australia First Party.

However, the numbers of 'Yes' demonstrators so far hasn't matched their Adelaide and Brisbane counterparts at similar 'No' events.

No vote supporters with police face-off against the largely student protesters. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Philip Gostelow

The rally has been organised by Fair Australia, which is the branch of conservative lobbying group Advance Australia pushing the 'No' vote.

The event also coincides with pre-poll voting opening in Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

Hundreds of 'No' voters filed into the PCEC's Riverside Theatre to hear Senator Price and Mr Mundine speak, numbers nearly rivalling those of similar rallies held in Adelaide and Brisbane.

At the Brisbane event on Wednesday night, a crowd of 'Yes' supporters also turned up to protest, chanting and branding attendees as 'racist.'

Senator Price told the cheering crowd of more than 1000 then that the country should never have been subjected to 'such a divisive referendum.'

'Our Prime Minister should never have put us on this path in the first place,' she said.

'For some time, we as a nation have come under attack from those who want to believe that we're made up of two kinds of people, that we are either oppressed, or we oppressors.

'We're told we're a terrible, racist country ... these are absolute lies.'

Despite a loud show of force from both sides, there wasn't any violence. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE/Philip Gostelow

Similar scenes were witnessed at Fair Australia's Adelaide rally on September 18.

WA Police wouldn't be drawn on their operational plans should there be protests at the Perth rally.

'Members of the community have the right to protest peacefully and lawfully, however, should any breaches of the law be identified, police will respond accordingly,' a police spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, a volunteer army of 'Yes' campaigners are expected to target Perth in the remaining days before the referendum.

More than 120 'Yes' events are planned across the metropolitan area, including doorknocks, cold-calling, roadside sign-holding, and handing out flyers at major public transport locations.

Pre-poll voting opens in NSW, Queensland, the ACT and South Australia from Tuesday, due to public holidays in those states on Monday.
The California 'super mom' who faked her own kidnapping so she could shack up with her ex has walked out of jail and into a new legal battle over a $3,200 Best Buy credit card bill, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.

Until Friday, Sherri Papini, 41, was Federal prisoner number 89446-509 and had served just over 10-months of an 18-month sentence  the final six weeks in a halfway house in Oakland, California.

Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show the moment beaming Papini skipped out of the 67-bed facility in the Bay Area city clutching her release papers in a brown envelope.

The former jailbird, who was dressed in a black cardigan, jeans and shearling boots, then flipped the chalet-style building off as she was driven away in a white RAM 1500 TRX pick-up truck.

Sherri Papini was seen gleefully skipping out of an Oakland halfway house on Friday September 29 after officially completing her sentence

The 41-year-old, who served just over 10 months of an 18-month sentence for faking her abduction in 2016, had spent the last six weeks in a re-entry facility

Keith  with whom she shares children Tyler, 11, and Violet, 9  filed for divorce in April 2022 and is seeking to maintain sole custody after she officially completes her prison sentence at the end of September

Blonde Papini is now planning to make a fresh start following her stint in medium-security FCI Victorville and is setting up home in the small town of Red Bluff  30 miles south of her previous residence in Redding, California.

But first, she is due to face estranged husband Keith in court later this month over the unpaid credit card bill and her bid for a share of the insurance payout he received following the Fawn Fire that scorched large swathes of Shasta County  including Redding  in October 2021.

According to Keith, Papini went on a spree spending $3,238.10 over 15 days in August 2022 with no means of paying it back on a card that he had obtained for her to try to boost her credit score.

A statement included in court papers shows she racked up a $571.72 tab on an Airbnb in Montague, California, made a $254.79 splurge at a local branch of Walmart and paid two bills of $149.08 and $218.53 at a branch of Kohl's in Chico.

She also made multiple payments to Amazon, including on Prime membership, spent $933 on legal fees and splashed out $161.15 at upscale Northern California grocery store Raley's.

According to her ex, Papini went on a spending spree of more than $3,000 over 15 days in August 2022 with no means of paying it back on a card that he had obtained for her

The filings included copies of account statements in which Keith highlighted a $1,821 balance he owed before his estranged wife racked up a hefty bill

A statement shows she racked up a $571.72 tab on an Airbnb in Montague, California, made a $254.79 splurge at a local branch of Walmart and paid two bills of $149.08 and $218.53 at a branch of Kohl's in Chico

The filing demanding repayment and penned by lawyers acting for Keith adds: 'By the time these bills come due, Sherri will be safely shielded from nasty debt collectors by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

'This is who Sherri Papini is  Sherri comes first, consideration of others second, if at all, and truth, integrity and morality of no consequence.'

Unemployed Keith, 39, filed for divorce shortly after she was arrested in front of their children Tyler, 10, and Violet, eight, in March 2022.

He had believed Papini's story  that her three-week disappearance in November 2016 was due to her being kidnapped by 'two Hispanic women' and repeatedly appeared on TV while she was gone to plead with her to come home.

In reality, as DailyMail.com revealed at the time, the mom-of-two had disappeared to be with ex-boyfriend James Reyes in Costa Mesa, California  later enlisting him to help create the bruises and branding she showed off as evidence that her tall tale was true.

Papini had served most of her sentence in a low-security women's camp at FCI Victorville, 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles

Papini, dressed in a black cardigan, jeans and shearling boots, was seen leaving the 67-bed facility clutching her release papers in a brown envelope

Papini is now planning to make a fresh start in the small town of Red Bluff  30 miles south of her previous residence in Redding, California

The mom-of-two was seen flipping off the chalet-style building as she was driven away in a white RAM 1500 TRX pick-up truck

On her return home, Papini continued to lie to Keith and her two children, and even claimed more than $30,000 from a fund for California victims of crime  but was eventually forced to confess it was all a hoax following her arrest.

Keith filed for divorce immediately afterwards and told court that he wanted sole custody of his children  writing in an October 2022 filing that he had been 'victimized' by his wife.

He said: 'On April 11, 2022, I learned that I and my children had been victimized, that my wife was a skilled liar, an accomplished thief, a manipulator of others without empathy for their pain and loss.'

Keith added that Papini has never apologized for the hoax to him or her family, and claimed she had 'isolated' the children, put up blackout blinds in her home and failed to homeschool them properly.

He also said she had routinely worn a wad of cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol around her neck so she could breathe in the fumes  telling her children that it was a treatment for injuries.

As a result, he said he does not trust her to run off with the children and has asked the court to order a full psychiatric evaluation for Papini following her release from jail and before she sees the children again.

Papini (seen left leaving a federal courthouse in 2022) is now set to face estranged husband Keith Papini, 39, (pictured right in 2017) in court. He filed court papers last month to have her formally declared unfit to parent their two children

Police and the world were on the lookout for Sherri when she went missing in 2016. She was arrested on fraud charges and lying to law enforcement in March 2022

Sherri with her husband Keith on their wedding day. The mother of two told her ex-lover she had to run away because Keith was abusing her

Keith has already won a series of legal battles in the divorce  including having his ex-wife declared an 'unfit parent' and gaining sole legal and physical custody of Tyler and Violet.

Papini is allowed only supervised visits with the children which take place at a court building in Redding and voice and video calls at Keith's discretion.

He also saw off an attempt by Papini earlier this year to overturn a postnuptial agreement signed in 2012 that agreed both would keep their own separate property and would waive the right to make any demand on the other.

From her cell at Victorville in April this year, Papini told court she had been 'coerced' into signing it  claiming she had suffered a 'violent relationship' with Keith, despite having no witnesses to corroborate it.

But in a ruling made at the start of May, Judge Summer Ryan said Papini was not a credible witness, enforced the postnuptial agreement and ordered her to pay her own credit card bill  a ruling that she is still contesting and will take to trial later this month.
A so-called vigilante pedophile catcher was fatally shot over the weekend in Michigan following a confrontation with a young man he had accused of being a sexual predator.

'Boopac Shakur,' 40, whose legal name was Robert Wayne Lee, conducted extrajudicial investigations performed for his tens of thousands of social media followers.

He posed online as a 15-year-old girl to lure alleged sexual predators into meetings and expose them to authorities. He posted videos of his exploits, some of which appear to show him engaging in violent confrontations with some alleged predators.

Lee, of Pontiac, Michigan, was killed Friday night around 10.30pm at the Universal Coney Island restaurant after confronting two teenagers.

The teenagers were 17- and 18-years-old. Lee punched one of them and accused him of being a pedophile.

The teen who was punched then reportedly pulled out a knife, and the other one - believed to be the 17-year-old - pulled out a gun and shot Lee several times.

Robert Wayne Lee aka 'Boopac Shakur' was a vigilante child predator catcher before being fatally shot over the weekend

The social media crusader was taken to the hospital where he later died of his injuries.

The teens fled, but were arrested by police on Saturday afternoon. Their names have not yet been released.

Though Lee's past crusades have led to the arrests and criminal charges being filed against several men, police maintain that on the whole people like Lee should leave the investigations to the professionals.

Vigilante predator catchers have sometimes caught those meaning to cause genuine harm to children. However, some have also been seriously injured or destroyed the lives of innocent people.

Lee had, prior to his death, been urged to stop hunting pedophiles on the internet.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard told The Oakland Press early this year that Lee's videos had a concrete, positive impact. They led to four arrests.

The men apprehended due to Lee's handy work include Jared Salisbury, 33, who was charged with accosting a child for immoral purposes; Nathanuel Chestnut, 41, who was arraigned on charges that include child-abuse; Jacob Kile Gooden, 36, who was charged last year with accosting a child for immoral purposes; and Randall Ray Fain, 51, who was charged with accosting a child for immoral purposed and is now on the sex offender registry.

In January, Lee identified himself as a 'concerned citizen.'

He said he was doing 'police work without a badge.'

'Theres a lot of kids out here, and a lot of pedophiles. They could be people sitting next to you. I want to uncover as many as I can,' he told the Oakland Press.

A memorial for Boopac Shakur sprung up outside the Pontiac restaurant at which the 40-year-old father was killed

Lee was shot by a teenager at around 10.30pm Friday at the Universal Coney Island restaurant after accusing a young man of being a pedophile

Two of the men who were arrested and charged because of Lee's vigilante work

Randal Fain, 51, who is now on a sex offender registry in Texas after being charged with accosting a minor for immoral purposes. He served jailtime in Oakland County, Michigan

Tributes and kind messages have flooded Lee's social media pages, where tens of thousands of people watched and admired his vigilante work

He said he was inspired to begin his vigilante mission after coming across videos by a group called Dads Against Predators, a group operating in the vein of Chris Hansen, who became famous for his 'To Catch a Predator' segments on Dateline.

One of Lee's successful targets wound up being an Oakland County sheriff's deputy who was working at the county jail.

But even then, Bouchard warned against the practice because it could ruin a prosecution that was in development and 'most importantly it can be dangerous.'

Indeed, in January, Lee told the Oakland Press that 'there are people on my Instagram account who say they'll be following me home, that they know what I look like and where I live and will kill me if I don't take the video down in six hours. It never happens.'

Following Lee's death, Bouchard maintained that vigilantes are on balance not helpful to law enforcement authorities.

'While we certainly understand his desire to hold child predators accountable, many times well intentioned individuals who engaged in this dont know the standard of evidence required for convictions and often underestimate the potential for violence confronting a suspected predator,' he said in a Saturday statement.

The Universal Coney Island restaurant in Pontiac, Michigan, where Lee was killed

Lee's vigilante behavior, though discouraged by law enforcement authorities, led to the arrest of at least four alleged child predators

Detectives are expected to turn the case over to prosecutors for charges against the teens on Monday.

According to a GoFundMe page established for Robert's daughter, he 'successfully exposed' 132 predators.

'Robert dedicated his life to protecting the innocence of our children from those with malicious intentions ... He leaves behind a legacy of bravery and service that has forever impacted our lives,' it reads.

The page has raised nearly $7,300 of a $30,000 goal.
A bomber blew up a homemade explosive device in a taxi outside a Liverpool women's hospital after his asylum claim was rejected, a police investigation has found.

Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, detonated the device while in a taxi outside Liverpool Women's Hospital just before 11am on November 14, 2021.

CCTV footage showed how the explosion propelled ball bearings forward through the vehicle to the extent the front windscreen was forced out and travelled 16 metres, where it hit a tree, and damage was caused to the windows of the hospital building.

Taxi driver David Perry managed to escape from the Ford Focus taxi following the blast, which killed Iraqi-born Al Swealmeen.

The bomber spent 20 months planning the attack, which he intended to carry out with makeshift firearms. But when Al Swealmeen's 'technical skills fell short', he turned to bomb-making, a report into the attack revealed.

Photographs show how investigators found two makeshift rifles, magazine clips and 90 dummy cartridges were found hidden beneath floorboards at a house he had shared with other asylum seekers in Liverpool since 2019.

This is the shocking moment a bomber detonated a homemade explosive outside Liverpool Women's Hospital just before 11am on November 14, 2021

Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, detonated the device while in a taxi outside the hospital. A police investigation has found that the bomber had a grievance against the British state because his asylum claim was rejected

The explosion, captured on hospital CCTV, propelled ball bearings forward through the vehicle to the extent the front windscreen was forced out and travelled 16 metres, where it hit a tree, and damage was caused to the windows of the hospital building. Pictured: Items found in Al Swealmeen's flat believed to been used to make the device

It was believed Al Swealmeen intended to go into the hospital and detonate the device, but it was likely that it exploded earlier than planned. Pictured: Items found in Al Swealmeen's flat believed to have been used to make the device

Al Swealmeen abandoned his plan to use makeshift firearms in the attack after being unable to get them to work, anti-terror officers revealed.

Using ingredients he bought under a false name, Al Swealmeen later built an explosive device in a flat he rented. He bought the supplies with cash for the 'sole purpose' of building the bomb, the report said.

It was from that property - where he kept a prayer mat and Qur'an - that he was collected by Mr Perry, who worked for a local private hire firm, and asked to be taken to the hospital.

Al Swealmeen died when his bomb detonated 'earlier than planned' in the taxi just before 11am on Remembrance Sunday 2021.

The device was intended 'to inflict multiple casualties' and contained 'several hundred' ball bearings, police said. It propelled the taxi's windscreen 16 metres into the air, while shrapnel peppered the hospital frontage.

READ MORE - Christian couple who opened their home to asylum seeker who converted from Islam tell of their shock after he blew himself up Advertisement

A police investigation has found that Al Swealmeen had a grievance against the British state because his asylum claim was rejected.

Detective Superintendent Andy Meeks, of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, told a briefing today that it was believed Al Swealmeen intended to go into the hospital and detonate the device, but it was likely that it exploded earlier than planned.

Mr Meeks said it was 'extremely fortunate' Mr Perry escaped and the forecourt was deserted. He claimed the fact Al Swealmeen sat in the taxi's near-side rear seat instead of behind Mr Perry, with the bomb detonating directly forwards, may have saved the driver.

The report added the bomber's motivation was 'most likely... grievance against the British state for failing to accept his asylum claim compounded by mental ill-health'.

A police report on the investigation said there was no evidence Al Swealmeen held extremist views.

Mr Meeks added: 'There are lots of gaps in our information unfortunately and the only person who knows the answers to those questions is Al Swealmeen, who obviously died during the incident, so we'll probably never truly know exactly why he did it or what his intentions were.'

The investigator said there was 'no evidence he had been radicalised' or that others were involved.

The report added: 'It seems most likely that Al Swealmeen's grievance against the British state for failing to accept his asylum claim compounded his mental ill health which in turn fed that grievance and ultimately a combination of those factors led him to undertake the attack.'

Al Swealmeen, who was born in Iraq, went to considerable lengths to stay in the country, including converting to Christianity, although the authenticity of his conversion was in doubt, Mr Meeks added.

Police also found three mobil phones in the bomber's flat that had been wiped clean using 'specialist software to conceal his activities and cover his tracks'.

Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, detonated the device, which he had made himself, while in a taxi outside Liverpool Women's Hospital just before 11am on November 14, 2021

Al Swealmeen arrived in the UK several years ago, and mostly lived in Liverpool, where he was being supported by Christian volunteers from a network of churches who help asylum seekers

Driver David Perry managed to escape from the Ford Focus taxi following the blast, which killed Al Swealmeen. The car is seen being taken away

Police outside Liverpool Women's Hospital after the explosion in November 2021

An aerial view of the scene outside Liverpool Women's Hospital following the blast

Al Swealmeen, who relocated from Iraq to Jordan in the 1990s, came to the UK in 2014, having applied for a visa in Abu Dhabi claiming he wanted to travel for a holiday and to watch the filming of Britain's Got Talent in Belfast.

He falsely claimed to be a Syrian national when interviewed by Home Office officials but his asylum claim was rejected.

Mr Meeks said Al Swealmeen began a conversion to Christianity in 2015, when his asylum appeal rights were exhausted, and was baptised at Liverpool Cathedral in November that year.

He forwarded letters of support from members of the church community to the Home Office to support his asylum claim in 2017.

In January 2020, a further asylum claim was rejected on the basis that he had not truly accepted the Christian faith and rejected others.

Mr Meeks said Al Swealmeen's deterioration in mental health coincided with developments in his asylum case.

He was twice sectioned duing his time in Britain, had previously been arrested after 'carrying a knife in public' and was on anti-depressants.

Police found Al Swealmeen rented a flat with the 'sole purpose' of building the bomb

Police found Al Swealmeen rented a flat in Rutland Avenue with the 'sole purpose' of building the bomb.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside Emily Spurrell said it was important to try to understand what influenced Al Swealmeen.

She said: 'Today's report raises more concerns around the effectiveness of our asylum system, the way claims are processed, support available to asylum seekers and what procedures are used to monitor those individuals who are refused permission to live in the UK.'

Mr Perry declined to comment on the incident. His wife, Rachel, previously described his survival as an 'utter miracle'.
Donald Trump would opt for electrocution over becoming shark bait if he had to perish at sea, the former president said in a bizarre rant during a campaign speech in landlocked Iowa.

Trump made the shocking comment during a long diversion about the downside risks of electric batteries and boats.

'But if I'm sitting down, and that boat's going down, and I'm on top of a battery, and the water starts flooding in  I'm getting concerned,' Trump said Sunday.

'But then I look 10 yards to my left and there's a shark over there. So I have a choice of electrocution or shark, you know what I'm gonna take? Electrocution. I will take electrocution every single time. Do we agree?' Trump said, stumbling over the pronunciation of 'electrocution' the first time he said it.

Former President Trump said he would choose electrocution over shark attack 'every single time'

'Every single time,' he underlined, in a clip shared by Twitter critic Ron Filipkowski.

He made the comments a day before he faced a different kind of threat  the prospect that Judge Arthur Engoron would take a bite out of his real estate empire during the penalty phase of his civil fraud trial.

Trump went after the 'rogue' judge while attacking state AG Letitia James.

Trump's grim diversion about which trip he would take to Davey Jones' locker came days after his prime time speech from Michigan opposite the Republican primary debate, where he also railed against electric cars, complaining about drive times and the need for a recharge.

'People have no idea how bad this is going to be also for the environment. You know, those batteries when they get rid of them and lots of bad things happen. And when they're digging it out of the ground to make those batteries, it's going to be very bad for the environment,' Trump said, in a claim the New York Times fact-checker called 'misleading.'

Trump, who unloaded his 281-foot superyacht Trump Princess in 1991, is a critic of electric motor technology

Trump says he would prefer electrocution over being eaten by a shark 'every time'

Trump turned down a role playing the president in Sharknado 3, it was reported in 2017

Earlier, he went after what he called the 'ridiculous all-electric car hoax' in remarks tied to a United Auto Workers strike.

'Crooked Joe sold them down the river with his ridiculous all Electric Car Hoax,' Trump posted. 'Within 3 years, all of these cars will be made in China.'

Trump has demonstrated a longer-term interest in boats  and sharks.

In 1991, Trump unloaded his 281-foot superyacht Trump Princess while digging himself out of debt.

In 2017 during his first year in office, the Hollywood Reporter revealed that before he announced his candidacy Trump had signed on to play the president in Sharknado 3.
Yevgeny Prigozhin's 25-year-old son is set to inherit most of his wealth, documents on social media suggest.

Pavel Prigozhin has also reportedly taken over command of the Wagner Group, according to leading US think tank the Institute for the Study of War, which cited a Wagner-affiliated Telegram channel.

The ISW said Pavel is negotiating with Rosgvardia, the Russian National Guard, over Wagner - which has had no clear leader since Prigozhin's death - rejoining fighting in Ukraine.

A photo of what appears to be Prigozhin's will suggests Pavel is set to be the sole inheritor of his properties and the private militia, The Times reports.

Prigozhin amassed a fortune through catering contracts before he founded the Wagner Group, which played a key role in Moscow's war in Ukraine, spearheading the capture of Bakhmut in May after months of fierce conflict.

Violetta Prigozhina, 83, visiting the St Petersburg cemetery where her son, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Wagner mercenary army, is buried. Pavel Prigozhin is stood beside her

In this handout image taken from a video released by Prigozhin Press Service on May 5, 2023, head of Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin stands in front of multiple bodies lying on the ground in an unknown location

Yevgeny Prigozhin's plane on fire after the crash in Tver region, Russia, on August 23, 2023

On August 23 one of his private jets crashed, a month after he headed a mutiny against the Russian military. Russian investigators later confirmed that he had died in the incident.

The cause has not yet been established and Vladimir Putin has strongly denied any involvement.

The document shared online suggests that Pavel will inherit around 100 million.

It says: 'All my property as well as property that may be acquired by me in the future I bequeath to Pavel Evgenyevich Prigozhin.'

Should Pavel pass away the inheritance would be split between Prigozhin's widow, Lyubov, Pavel's two sisters and the Wagner leader's grandson.

The paper indicates that the grandson is Pavel's child, but the existence of a grandson has not been independently confirmed.

Pavel said in September that he accepted the inheritance and its 'parameters'.

He will be required to support the family under the alleged terms of the will.

Assets include a three-storey house in St Petersburg, the Wagner Group, and shares in Concord, the catering firm, and its offshoots, as well as nine joint stock companies.

The Telegram channel suggested Pavel would aim to recover 680 million in debts that the Russian defence ministry was believed to owe Concord.

The will was notarised on March 2 and it has not been independently verified.

Pavel Prigozhin. A photo of what appears to be Prigozhin's will suggests Pavel is set to be the sole inheritor of his properties and the private militia, according to a report

Men in military uniform pay tribute to PMC Wagner Group's late chief Yevgeny Prigozhin at an informal memorial on the 40th day since his death, near the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on October 1, 2023

The ISW said in its assessment yesterday: 'The status of the Wagner Group remains unclear amid reported negotiations about the Wagner Group's future cooperation with the Russian government.

'The Wagner Group's main combat elements are split across several countries, including Belarus, the Central African Republic, Libya, and Mali, and there is no clear unified leader for the Wagner Group.'

It added: 'Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly embraced former Wagner Group commander and current Ministry of Defence (MoD) employee Andrey Troshev on September 29 and stated that he and Troshev discussed how Troshev would be involved in the formation of new volunteer detachments that perform combat missions primarily in Ukraine.

'Some Wagner group elements reacted negatively to Putin's embrace of Troshev and have now put forward an alternative leader.

'A prominent Wagner-affiliated Telegram channel announced on October 1 that Yevgeny Prigozhin's 25-year-old son Pavel Prigozhin has taken over "command" of the Wagner Group, and that Pavel Prigozhin is negotiating with Rosgvardia about having the Wagner Group rejoin combat operations in Ukraine.'

At memorials on Sunday to Prigozhin, who was killed exactly 40 days ago, dozens of mourners hailed the mutinous mercenary chief as a patriotic hero of Russia who had spoken to truth to power.

At his grave in the former imperial capital of St Petersburg, his mother, Violetta, and his son, Pavel, laid flowers.

Supporters waved the black flags of Wagner, which sport a skull and the motto 'Blood, Honour, Motherland, Courage'.

In eastern Orthodoxy, it is believed that the soul makes its final journey to either heaven or hell on the 40th day after death.

At memorials in Moscow and other Russian cities dozens of Wagner fighters and ordinary Russians paid their respects, though there was no mass outpouring of grief. Russian state television was silent.

'He can be criticized for certain events, but he was a patriot who defended the motherland's interests on different continents,' Wagner's recruitment arm said in a statement on Telegram.

People pay tribute to PMC Wagner Group's late chief Yevgeny Prigozhin at an informal memorial on the 40th day since his death, near the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on October 1, 2023

'He was charismatic and importantly he was close to the fighters and to the people. And that's why he became popular both in Russia and abroad,' it said.

Mourners spoke of their respect for Prigozhin.

'He was a real authority, a leader,' Mikhail, a serviceman in Russia's armed forces who refused to give his second name, told Reuters.

Moscow resident Marta, who also refused to give her surname, said the people believed in Prigozhin but that Wagner had been 'decapitated' by the deaths of him and co-founder Dmitry Utkin.

'Hope for justice died with him,' she said.

Pro-Wagner groups posted a video of Prigozhin flying to Mali where, after a thunderstorm, he met a senior commander known by his call sign 'Lotus' - Anton Yelizarov - who has also been reported to be leading the group.

Opponents such as the United States cast Wagner as a brutal crime group that plundered African states and meted out sledgehammer deaths to those who challenged it.

Last week, Putin ordered one of the top commanders of the Wagner military contractor to take charge of 'volunteer units' fighting in Ukraine, signalling the Kremlin's effort to keep using the mercenaries after the death of Prigozhin.

In remarks released on Friday by the Kremlin, Putin told Troshev that his task is to 'deal with forming volunteer units that could perform various combat tasks, primarily in the zone of the special military operation' - a term Moscow uses for its war in Ukraine.

Wagner fighters have played no significant battlefield role since the mercenary company captured the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in the war's longest and bloodiest battle and then withdrew to march towards Moscow in a brief insurrection.

People visit a makeshift memorial for Wagner private mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in central Moscow on October 1, 2023

After the aborted mutiny in late June, speculation has been rife about the future of the mercenary group that provided one of the most capable elements of Russian forces fighting in Ukraine.

Many observers expected it to be folded into the Defence Ministry, and Putin's comments appeared to confirm that process was underway.

Since Prigozhin's death, Wagner troops in neighboring Belarus, where they had moved following their mutiny, have reportedly been packing up and dismantling their camps.

Troshev is a retired military officer who played a leading role in Wagner since its creation in 2014 and faced European Union sanctions over his role in Syria as the group's executive director.

Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov was present late on Thursday at Putin's meeting with Troshev, a sign that Wagner mercenaries will likely serve under the Defence Ministry's command.

Speaking in a conference call with reporters on Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Troshev now works for the Defence Ministry and referred questions about Wagner's possible return to Ukraine to the military.

The meeting appeared to reflect the Kremlin's plan to redeploy some Wagner mercenaries to the front line in Ukraine following their brief mutiny and the suspicious deaths of Prigozhin and the group's senior leadership in the August 23 plane crash.

The private army that once numbered tens of thousands of troops is a precious asset that the Kremlin wants to exploit.

The June 23 to 24 rebellion aimed to oust the Russian Defence Ministry's leadership that Prigozhin blamed for mishandling the war in Ukraine and trying to place Wagner under its control.

His mercenaries took over Russia's southern military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don and then rolled toward Moscow before abruptly turning back.

Putin denounced them as 'traitors,' but the Kremlin quickly negotiated a deal ending the uprising in exchange for amnesty from prosecution.

The mercenaries were offered a choice to retire from the service, move to Belarus or sign new contracts with the Defence Ministry.

Putin said in July that five days after the mutiny he had a meeting with 35 Wagner commanders, including Prigozhin, and suggested they keep serving under Troshev, who goes by the call sign 'Grey Hair,' but Prigozhin refused the offer.
Chair of British retailer John Lewis Partnership Dame Sharon White plans to step down when her five-year term comes to an end in February 2025.

White is said to have told the board of John Lewis, the country's biggest department store chain which also operates Waitrose supermarkets, that she will not seek a second term.

But who exactly is Sharon White? What is her net worth and how did she make her fortune?

Read on below for everything you need to know about Sharon White.

Chair of British retailer John Lewis Partnership Dame Sharon White plans to step down when her five-year term comes to an end in February 2025

Who is Sharon White?

White, 56, was born in Leyton, east London after both her parents emigrated from Jamaica in the 1950s.

After attending Connaught School For Girls, she graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA in economics.

In 1989, she joined the British Civil Service, first working at the Treasury before relocating to Washington DC to work for the British Embassy.

While in the US capital, she met her husband Robert Chote, with the pair marrying in 1997.

What is Sharon White's net worth?

Topping the 2023 Powerlist, which aims to provide professional role models for young people of African and African Caribbean heritage, White has had an impressive career across politics and business.

Along with her work in the States, she has also worked at the World Bank and on government policy during Tony Blair's tenure as Prime Minister.

Other positions related to UK politics include stints as the director-general of the Department for International Development, as well as positions in the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Work and Pensions.

In March 2015, White became chief executive of Ofcom, which saw her earn a salary of around 341,700 according to data released by the regulator.

While exact figures on her net worth have not been published, her salary was almost tripled, totalling the sum of 990,000 per year, after assuming the position as the Chair of renowned department store John Lewis in 2019.

The 56-year-old was given a damehood for public service in the 2020 New Years Honours List.

White's departure from John Lewis comes after the retail group posted a 59 million loss for the six months to July 2023 and said the five-year transformation plan launched by the retail group in 2020 will take two years longer than planned.

John Lewis posted a 234 million loss in the last financial year, forcing it to scrap its annual bonus for staff.

Speaking about her departure from John Lewis, White said: 'The chairman of the John Lewis Partnership is a special and unique role in UK business.

Topping the 2023 Powerlist, which aims to provide professional role models for young people of African and African Caribbean heritage, White has had an impressive career across politics and business

'The chairman is responsible for the long-term health of the partnership's model, commercial success twinned with a commitment to first rate customer service and action in our communities.

'Having led the partnership through the pandemic and the worst of the cost-of-living crisis, it is important that there is now a smooth and orderly succession process and handover.

'The partnership is making progress in its modernisation and transformation with improving results.

'There is a long road ahead and I am committed to handing on the strongest possible partnership to my successor.'
The tent shelter for migrants at Randall's Island in New York was inundated on Friday after record rainfall overwhelmed the city, with migrants and advocate groups describing inhumane conditions.

Footage shared online of the tent shelters shows rain leaking into the facility, coming in from the floorboards and the temporary roofs, forcing the asylum seekers inside to cover their sleeping areas with plastic sheets as heavy rain caused flooding across the region and sparked a state of emergency.

The tent shelter at Randall's Island is the largest emergency tent shelter built by the city as it struggles to deal with over 60,000 asylum seekers in the city's care; it's built to house up to 3,000 people and has a cost of $20million a month.

Migrants housed at the site and advocates told Gothamist that water started leaking into their sleeping areas at about 8am on Friday, as remnants from Tropical Storm Ophelia flooded the tri-state area.

'The water accumulates right underneath [the tent facility], so they're basically swimming, volunteer Anna Jaffe told the outlet. 'It's basically a ship.'

The tent shelter for migrants at Randall's Island in New York was inundated on Friday after record rainfall overwhelmed the city

Asylum seekers inside were forced to cover their sleeping areas with plastic sheets

Footage shared online of the tent shelters shows rain leaking into the facility, coming in from the floorboards and the temporary roofs

Advocate groups like the South Bronx Mutual Aid group and Colectiva de Ayuda Mutua NYC spoke up about the situation on social media and shared footage of the grim scene.

'People have scrambled trying to get their belongings off the floor and covered with garbage bags to protect them from water damage- including immigration documents,' said the South Bronx Mutual Aid group.

The NYC ACLU, on its part, posted: 'Its raining inside the Randalls Island shelter. People are covering their beds w/ trash bags & weve heard reports some are leaving what should be a place of refuge b/c of conditions. Where is @NYCmayor?'

The tent shelter was also overwhelmed by rainwater last week, when water was 'falling from every possible hole and corner,' according to Jaffe.

Because the bathrooms at the facility are in trailers outside, there was no way for the migrants to stay dry throughout the day, according to the statements of a Russian asylum seeker who went by P.P.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Adams' office for comment on this story.

Reports of the precarious situation at the tent shelter come as the NYC government continues telling asylum seekers to choose another destination as it looks to amend its Right to Shelter policy - with one senior Adams official even asking the federal government to 'close' the border.

'It would alleviate it to the extend that others wouldn't be so ready and able to come to New York City because they know, "they're not going to provide us with shelter,"' Martin said when asked changing the right to shelter law. 'We have to find a way to make them understand, we're no longer responsible for you, you need to find other means. Go to another state.'

Even former president Bill Clinton has backed backed Adams' and governor Kathy Hochul's bid to change the shelter law, telling 77 WABC radios The Cats Roundtable, 'Its broken. We need to fix it It doesnt make any sense.'

The tent shelter at Randall's Island is the largest emergency tent shelter built by the city as it struggles to deal with over 60,000 asylum seekers in the city's care

Adams has asked a judge to amend the right to shelter law, but the issue is still in courts. The tent shelter at Randall's Island seen above

As the city ran out of space, landmarks like The Roosevelt Hotel have been turned into emergency shelters

'They come here, and were supposed to shelter people who cant get work permits for six months. We need to change that,' he added. 'They ought to work. They need to begin working, paying taxes and paying their way. Most of these people have no interest in being on welfare.'

Adams has asked a judge to amend the right to shelter law, but the issue is still in courts.

The NYC government has been desperately trying to tell asylum seekers to choose another city, as a record number of migrants continues crossing the US-Mexico border.

More than 200,000 migrants have been processed crossing illegally into the U.S. for September, illustrating the gravity of the border crisis the Biden administration is struggling to contain.

Adams administration announced on Wednesday it would distribute flyers at shelters and the southern border warning migrants that they will not be given free housing in the Big Apple.

Deputy mayor for Health and Human Services Ana Williams Isom showed the updated flyers during a City Council meeting, and said they would be used to combat 'misinformation' coming from social media or human traffickers about migrant services in the city.

'We'll be distributing these flyers at our shelters and intake centers in New York City, as well as through NGOs and nonprofits across the country,' she told the meeting. 'We know that there are people in our shelters that are telling their family members to come to New York City and that they'll get housing ... that has never been the case, but we want to make sure we're being clear with people that New York City is out of space.'

The city had already distributed similar flyers in July to discourage asylum seekers at the border, but the updated message is much more blunt
A 27-year-old mom was killed in Brazil when she at a chocolate spiked with pesticides given to her by a palm reader who warned her she only had 'a few days to live'

Fernanda Silva, 27, died August 4, a day after she accepted a candy on a street from an elderly woman who introduced herself as a fortune teller and told her she was soon going to die.

Silva ate the chocolate and fell sick at her home after she had returned from paying a bill, her cousin, Bianca Cristina, told G1 news outlet.

She recalled that Silva's vision became impaired for a couple of hours and felt better the following day.

Police in the Brazilian city of Maceio are investigating the death of Fernanda Silva as a homicide after the 27-year-old mother died August 4, a day after she ate a chocolate that was given to her by an elderly woman who presented herself as fortune teller on a street and told her she would soon die

An autopsy report revealed that Fernanda Silva at a chocolate that was poisoned with sulfotep, a pesticide, and terbufos, a chemical found in pesticides

The family initially thought she was dealing with another bout of gastritis and ulcers, which she had previously been diagnosed with. But they became worried as she vomited, bled from the nose and foamed at the mouth, her aunt Maria Gomes told Globo.

A family member rushed her to Santa Casa de Misericordia Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

'As the (chocolate) was packaged, it didn't occur to her (that it could pose any danger),' Bianca Cristina said. 'And as she was hunger, she decided to eat it.'

The autopsy report, which was released last Wednesday, showed that the candy was laced a 'high concentration' of sulfotep and terbufos.

Fernanda Silva, who died August 4 after eating a poisoned chocolate, leaves behind a nine-year-old daughter with special needs

Sulfotep is a pesticide that is used in greenhouses to fumigate. Terbufos a chemical found in pesticides.

Both are easily accessible in Brazil, although the medical examiner said they have not been found in people who had died over the last five years.

Texts messages obtained by Brazilian media outlets revealed Silva told a family member: 'Can you believe that just now I went to wash and hang Mel's clothes, and I felt so dizzy?'

She then texted lost her balance and almost crashed to the ground.

'I leant on the water tank. I almost fell. I almost met God,' Silva wrote. 'I don't know why I'm like this, sis. I've been feeling bad all day.'

She claimed that she accepted the candy from the alleged fortune teller because 'she was an old lady. I ate it because it was well sealed, right? But I've been feeling so weak since then.

'My heart is racing. I've thrown up. But I have this taste in my mouth. So bitter. Bad. My vision is blurry. I'm so weak.'

Silva's cousin, Lumenita Valoz, was confused as to why anyone would want to kill the mother of a nine-year-old girl with special needs and who didn't have any enemies.

'I just know that Fernanda wasn't a person involved I parties, chaos, anything like that,' Valoz said. 'I don't see anyone having a reason to do this to her, but we don't know anyone's heart. If it was someone who ordered the killing or if the (fortune teller) killed her because she wanted to, only the police will find out.'

The Civil Police's homicide squad is investigating Silva's death, but have not made any arrests.
Grant Shapps waded into Elon Musk's war of words with Ukraine today, attacking the multi-billionaire's 'unhelpful' row with the country's government.

The Defence Secretary said Ukraine needed 'strong and steady friends' after Mr Musk lashed out at Kyiv on X (formerly Twitter) last night, mocking its demands for US aid to help push Russian invaders from its territory.

He sparked anger in Ukraine by posting a meme showing a photoshopped image of the Ukrainian leader and the caption: 'When it's been 5 minutes and you haven't asked for a billion dollars in aid'.

It was the latest development in a row which has seen the South Africa-born businessman accused of throttling the use of his Starlink satellite system for attacks on Russian forces.

Last year he tweeted a 'peace plan' that proposed handing chunks of Ukrainian territory to Russia, prompting then ambassador Andreij Melnyk tell him to 'f**k off'.

At the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, Mr Shapps said: 'I think it is unhelpful, to be blunt. I thought it was very welcome, his initial stance. He then withdrew capacity from Starlink to our Ukrainian friends which I thought was very unfortunate.

'I can't speak for him or his motivations, he is a free individual, we live in a free world and he can tweet or X what he likes. But what Ukraine really needs is strong and steady friends  that is what you need when you are alone, the only country being attacked and you looking to maintain what is a long-term war which may continue for a long time.'

The Defence Secretary said Ukraine needed 'strong and steady friends' after Mr Musk lashed out at Kyiv on X (formerly Twitter ) last night, mocking its demands for US aid to help kick the Russian invaders from its territory

Musk sparked anger in Ukraine by posting a meme showing a photoshopped image of the Ukrainian leader and the caption: 'When it's been 5 minutes and you haven't asked for a billion dollars in aid'

Elon Musk escalated his feud with Ukraine last night with a tweet (pictured) mocking the country's president Volodymyr Zelensky for his pleas for wartime assistance

Outrage grew over Musk's tweet, and Kyiv was quick to hit back at the billionaire by posting a derisive reply of its own.

On its official page on X, Ukraine's parliament accused Musk of spreading Russian propaganda, posting its own version of the meme with a picture of Musk and the caption: 'When it's been 5 minutes and you haven't spread Russian propaganda'.

Musk's meme was in reference to the fact that Zelensky and his top lieutenants have often appealed to their allies throughout the war to secure billions of dollars of military aid to weather and push back Russia's invasion.

Ukrainian officials criticised Musk earlier in the war for suggesting that they should consider giving up land for peace, a position that Kyiv has staunchly rejected.

Such a move would only benefit Russia and leave thousands of Ukrainians living under Moscow's rule, they argue.

Any such attempt at appeasement would likely be short-lived, as analysts believe Putin's ambitions to control the whole of Ukraine would not be satisfied.

The meme was not the only time Musk commented on Ukraine over the weekend.

Kyiv was quick to hit back at the billionaire, posting a derisive reply of its own. On its official page on X, Ukraine's parliament accused Musk of spreading Russian propaganda, posting its own version of the meme with a picture of Musk and the caption: 'When it's been 5 minutes and you haven't spread Russian propaganda'

On Friday, commenting on the US funding situation, Musk wrote on X: 'Why do so many American politicians from both parties care 100 times more about the Ukraine border than the USA border?'

The speaker of Ukraine's parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, also hit back at Musk's jibe.

'The case when ... [Elon Musk] tried to conquer space, but something went wrong and in 5 minutes he was up to his eyeballs in s**t,' an apparent reference to SpaceX's failed rocket launch in April.

Mariana Betsa, ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia, accused Musk of lacking empathy, pointing to the thousands of Ukrainian civilians killed in Russia's invasion.

'Elon, dont you have empathy? Ukrainians are killed daily by Russia. We are fighting for our lives, for our families, for our country, for our freedom #StandWithUkraine,' she wrote on X.

Roman Sheremeta, a Ukrainian academic, wrote that he once admired the Tesla chief executive 'but he became a mouthpiece of the Russian propaganda and just indecent human being.'

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, who has criticised some of Musk's statements in the past, said in a post on X that being silent or ironic about Ukraine played into the hands of Russia and boosted its propaganda.

'Unfortunately, not everyone and not always, while being significant media figures, but being thousands of kilometres away from the war's epicentre, is able to realise what the daily bombardments and cries of children losing their parents are.'
Police will be ordered to check CCTV from all thefts against official government photo databases in a 'game-changing' crackdown on crime.

Police minister Chris Philp said all cases of shoplifting, burglary and other thefts with security camera footage should be compared against the Home Office's passport and immigration databases.

Advanced facial recognition technology can now provide a match with even a blurred or partial images of an offender's face, he said.

It means police will  theoretically  be able to solve every theft where there is footage of an offender, such as shoplifting.

It will also apply to doorstep thefts and burglaries where homeowners have images from video doorbell systems or CCTV security systems.

ITV News cameras catch a thief trying to steal booze from a south London store just a reporter was carrying out an interview about shoplifting

A masked armed robber threatens three young women in an attempt to rob a newsagent

Police minister Chris Philp said all cases of shoplifting, burglary and other thefts with security camera footage should be compared against the Home Office's passport and immigration databases

'I'm going to be asking police forces to search all these databases not just for shoplifting but for crime generally,' Mr Philp said.

READ MORE - New national police intelligence unit to crackdown on shoplifters Advertisement

'It could be game-changing.'

There are no legal barriers preventing tens of millions of ID photos held on file by the government being used for crime detection, Mr Philp told the Conservative party conference in Manchester.

The minister said he had been given a demonstration of the facial recognition technology by Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

Forces will be expected to carry out the database searches under new guidelines which require them to follow up 'all reasonable lines of inquiry'.

The College of Policing announced in August that officers in England and Wales will have to consider all potential evidence  including CCTV - if it could lead to a suspect or stolen property.

Ministers believe that carrying out facial recognition checks as part of the investigation process could create a highly significant deterrent.

However, it is unclear how successful the database searches will prove if thieves are wearing masks, or whether it would drive wider use of masks by criminals.

A man is caught on CCTV stealing clothes from a John Lewis store

The databases which can be searched and compared with crime footage include the Passport Office's records of all British nationals who hold travel documents, which is already used for facial recognition at border e-gates.

The Home Office's Immigration and Asylum Border System also holds digitised photos of foreign nationals.

READ MORE - Revealed: The brazen shoplifters now targeting charity shops Advertisement

The minister said the move came as part of the Government's new 'zero tolerance' crackdown on shoplifting.

The crime results in 1billion a year in losses, with retailers spending an additional 700million a year on security measures.

Mr Philp said: 'I think it's essential we clamp down hard and early on this.'

He said he wants police to turn up more quickly to shoplifting reports  including the highest category of immediate responses when storeworkers or security guards have detained a suspected thief.

The Co-Op's Paul Gerrard told a fringe meeting at the conference that the huge cost of shoplifting now amounts to a 6p 'transaction tax' on every purchase.
A wheelchair-bound man has been landed with a criminal conviction after branding a police community support officer a 'part-time copper' during an angry rant.

John Hinton, 58, found himself in court after branding Dave Mahon a 'f****** waste of space' and telling the experienced PCSO: 'Get back on your boat and go home.'

Mr Mahon  who has patrolled a stretch of Cheshire for 17 years  was said to have been 'offended' by the abuse, sparked by allegations of dangerous driving involving Hinton's stepson.

Lawyers for Hinton said his choice of words 'might not be appropriate in polite company' but insisted the words used were not illegal and uttered during a 'heated exchange.'

However he was convicted of using threatening behaviour with intent to cause the PCSO harassment, alarm or distress following a trial and fined 180.

John Hinton (above) delivered a foul-mouthed tirade to a police community support officer who dropped by his house to discuss allegations that his son had been driving dangerously

PCSO Dave Mahon said he had heard of the expression 'part-time copper' before - but added that he did not become a community support officer 'to be abused'

John Hinton admitted he should not have been so 'abrupt' with the PCSO but was convicted of using threatening behaviour with intent

Following their introduction by David Blunkett when he was Home Secretary in 2002, PCSOs were widely ridiculed 'plastic police'.

The incident occurred on October 3 last year when Mr Mahon called at Hinton's home in Warrington after claims that his partner's son was speeding around the area in his BMW.

Police bodycam footage of the encounter played to Warrington magistrates court showed Mr Mahon saying concerns had been expressed that his partner's son 'was going to kill some children.'

What are PCSOs? Police community support officers (PCSOs) do not have powers of arrest, cannot interview prisoners, and are intended as a visible reassurance for local communities. One piece of research suggested that a pair of full-time PCSOs could prevent 86 assaults over the course of a year. However their numbers have more than halved since 2010 to around 7,800 across England and Wales. Advertisement

But Hinton was heard replying: 'Bulls***.

'You have come to my front door giving my stepson grief. You are not even a copper, you are a PCSO, a part-time copper.

'Get away from my door, you are trespassing on my property. Get back on your boat and go home.'

As the officer backed away uttering a 'nervous laugh', Hinton then shouts 'You are a f****** waste of space, go away', before slamming his front door.

Mr Mahon accepted he had heard the expression 'part-time copper' before and said he was 'fairly resilient' about expletives being used.

But he said he had joined Cheshire Police 'to help my community and not to be abused'.

Giving evidence, Hinton he had been asleep when the PCSO called round that afternoon and was awakened by 'banging on the door'.

'I do not appreciate it when I am woken up with something that has nothing to do with me,' he added.

Hinton admitted he should not have been so 'abrupt', but said: 'People are getting robbed on the estate and bodies are getting found in the woods, and he was coming to my house about a car.'

His lawyer, Gary Schooler, told magistrates that swearing at a police officer, or arguing with them, was not illegal.

'He did not do anything that could cause the officer to fear for his own safety,' he added.

After being found guilty, Hinton was also ordered to pay 310 in costs and a 72 victim surcharge.

The court heard his stepson was issued with a warning about his driving.

Afterwards local beat manager PC Ann Muldowney said Mr Mahon was 'much-loved' in the area 'and for him to be subject to verbal abuse whilst serving his community will not be tolerated, and nor should it be.'
Jeremy Hunt's speech to the Tory conference today was overshadowed by fresh reports he and the Prime Minister are about to scrap the northern leg of HS2.

The Chancellor failed to mention the beleaguered rail line in his address to the Conservative conference despite weeks of speculation over its future.

Mr Hunt appeared in front of Tory members moments after reports stated Rishi Sunak had decided to drop plans for HS2 to extend from Birmingham to Manchester.

According to Sky News, the billions of pounds saved from shelving the rail line's northern leg could instead be poured into a package of alternative projects being drawn up by the Department for Transport.

The claims sparked a fresh row over the future of HS2 during the Tory conference, which is being held in a converted former rail station in Manchester.

Downing Street denied reports the PM is poised to hold an emergency Cabinet meeting tomorrow for his senior ministers to sign off on the HS2 plans.

A No 10 spokesman said: 'These reports are incorrect. No final decisions have been taken on Phase 2 of HS2.'

Andy Street, the Tory mayor of the West Midlands, staged an impromptu press conference at the Manchester conference as fresh Conservative infighting over HS2 broke out.

He vowed not to 'let HS2 go without a fight' as he warned the PM would be damaging Britain's 'international reputation as a place to invest' if he scrapped the rail line's northern leg.

'You will be turning your back on the opportunity to level up - a once-in-a-generation opportunity,' Mr Street said.

Jeremy Hunt failed to mention the beleaguered HS2 rail line in his address to the Conservative Party conference despite weeks of speculation over its future

Mr Hunt appeared in front of Tory members just moments after various reports stated that Rishi Sunak, who was in the audience for the Chancellor's speech, had decided to scrap plans for HS2 to extend from Birmingham to Manchester

The claims threatened to spark a fresh row over the future of HS2 during the Tory conference, which is being held in a converted former rail station in Manchester

Mr Hunt's address to the Conservative Party conference came after Transport Secretary Mark Harper also conspicuously failed to mention HS2 in his own speech to Tory members.

The Chancellor, who flew from London to Manchester to attend the conference, instead focused on welfare reforms and efforts to shrink the size of Whitehall.

As Mr Sunak watched on in the audience, Mr Hunt pushed back at concerns about the health of the UK economy.

'Our friends at the Office for National Statistics have recently changed their mind about the size of the British economy,' he said.

'They had been saying we were the worst performing large European economy since the pandemic.

'But we weren't the worst, we were one of the best. Since the pandemic, we have recovered better than France or Germany. We've grown faster than both of them since we left the single market.'

The Chancellor added: 'So, to all the pessimists and decliners who have been talking us down, we say this: don't bet against Britain. It's been tried before and it never works.'

Mr Hunt also appeared to take a swipe at those in the Tory party, such as former PM Liz Truss, who are demanding tax cuts and a greater focus on economic growth.

'It's easy to support higher growth, better public services and lower taxes. Harder to make it happen,' he said.

'It's time to roll up our sleeves, take on the declinists and watch the British economy prove the doubters wrong.'

Andy Street, the Tory mayor of the West Midlands, staged an impromptu press conference at the Manchester conference as fresh Conservative infighting over HS2 broke out

Mr Street's notes were on display as he vowed not to give up the fight to keep HS2 on track

There have been weeks of intense speculation about the future of HS2 as senior Cabinet ministers - including Mr Hunt and Mr Sunak - repeatedly refuse to confirm the rail line will run as planned from central London to Manchester

There have been weeks of intense speculation about the future of HS2 as senior Cabinet ministers - including Mr Hunt and Mr Sunak - repeatedly refuse to confirm the rail line will run as planned from central London to Manchester.

As well as claims the PM will scrap a planned northern leg of the train line from Birmingham to Manchester, it has also been suggested he could shorten the Birmingham to London leg so that it ends seven miles short of its planned terminus at Euston station.

The leftover rump would see high-speed train services run between Old Oak Common in west London and Birmingham, but no further.

Critics have dubbed the mooted scaled-back HS2 line a 'railway to nowhere'.

It would represent a serious downgrading of the project's initial aim of linking Manchester, Leeds, the Midlands and London together.

Under current plans, Phase One of HS2 involves the railway being built between London and Birmingham, with the line extended from the West Midlands to Crewe in Phase 2a.

Phase 2b will connect Crewe to Manchester and the West Midlands to the East Midlands.

A planned extension to Leeds was controversially scrapped in November 2021.

Responding to the fresh reports about HS2, Labour's shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said: 'This fiasco shows the Conservatives are too divided and too distracted to take this country forward.

'After weeks of chaos and indecision on the biggest infrastructure project in the country, Rishi Sunak's relaunch is now coming off the rails.

'This shambolic conference is showcasing precisely why working people cannot afford five more years of the Conservatives.'

Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, the party's transport spokesperson, said: 'Rishi Sunak using a conference in Manchester to cancel the northern leg of HS2 would make Liz Truss look like a political genius.

'Yet again, a Conservative Party conference has become mired in chaos while the country suffers.'
Incredible photographs show the moment two RAF 'Top Gun' pilots appeared to narrowly miss each other as they practised dogfighting 18,000ft in the air.

Anthony Helcoop snapped pictures showing the Typhoons getting very close during the mission over West Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire at around 5pm last Thursday.

The photographer says he regularly sees planes from RAF Coningsby practising skilful fighting manoeuvres - but this one appeared 'quite close for comfort.'

Mr Helcoop, from Spalding, said: 'I spend a lot of time taking photos of aircraft over West Pinchbeck.

'I love watching the pilots from RAF Coningsby practise combat manoeuvres.

'We get F15's and F35's flying over the air space here, its where they come to practise and they are a regular sight in the skies around here.

'Just before 5pm on Thursday I snapped these two Typhoons and thought 'wow that seemed very close'.

Dogfighting is where at least two fighter aircraft engage in an aerial battle at close range.

Anthony Helcoop snapped pictures showing the Typhoons getting very close during the mission over West Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire at around 5pm last Thursday

The photographer says he regularly sees planes from RAF Coningsby practising skilful fighting manoeuvres - but this one appeared 'quite close for comfort'

Mr Helcoop says he 'loves' watching the pilots from RAF Coningsby practise combat manoeuvres

'They are Top Guns. Makes you feel secure that these pilots are protecting our skies.

'You see them doing all sorts of manoeuvres but this one seemed quite close for comfort. They did appear to get very near on this occasion.

'Obviously from the ground due to the angle you can't tell how near it was for sure - but from my perspective they certainly looked in close proximity.

'The skies have been unusually quiet since this happened, so I don't know if that is connected in any way or not.

'I understand some Typhoons have been deployed to Poland to help them out so they may have been training for that.

'I keep track on a radar and they were flying between 15,000ft and 18,000ft at the time. It's incredible to watch them.

'I shared the photos online and people just can't believe I was so lucky to get that moment on camera.

'I'm not a professionally-trained photographer at all, I just do it as a hobby, so I was just in the right place at the right time really.'

At the end of last month, RAF Typhoon fighter jets took off and landed from a road for the first time. Two frontline jets took off and landed on the single lane road in Tervo, Finland.

The strip is usually used for normal road traffic but had been designed for an emergency landing to sustain aircraft activity.

Vladimir Putin declaring war on Ukraine in a show of 'Russian aggression' in Eastern Europe was one of the reasons given for the test as it shows the 'need to be able to disperse our aircraft and be more unpredictable'.

The RAF is currently focusing on ways to outmanoeuvre an adversary, to survive an attack, disperse to remote locations and continue operating with minimal support.

The amatuer photographer also called the talented pilots 'Top Guns'

Two RAF 'Top Gun' pilots appeared to narrowly miss each other as they practised dog fighting 18,000ft in the air

It was the first time RAF jets have flown during the Finnish Air Force's annual flying training, Exercise Baana.

The Officer Commanding of 41 Test and Evaluation Squadron was one of the two pilots to take part.

He said: 'This is an opportunity to work with one of our newest NATO partners on an exercise in Agile Combat Employment.

'The Finnish have worked hard for decades on disparate operations should they be attacked and need to disperse their aircraft.

'Once we landed on the strip we stopped to refuel before taking off again, I couldn't help but look around and think "I am sitting in a jet on a road in the middle of a forest in Finland".

'That was pretty crazy and definitely a first.'

The second pilot, Jim, declared it as 'a great step forward for RAF Typhoon capability'.
Cops are hunting ten more Philadelphia looters who broke into a Dunkin' Donuts to steal a safe and merchandise as 72 people were charged over a huge raid on the city's Apple Store the same night.

Philadelphia businesses suffered two nights of looting which stretched from the city center to its northeastern and western districts on Tuesday and Wednesday last week, and cops have now revealed Dunkin' also fell victim to thieves.

Dozens made a smash and grab raid on the Apple store in Walnut Street on September 26 while pharmacies, liquor stores, pawnbrokers and even a hairdresser were among at least 80 businesses that fell victim.

Among the hours of security footage now released by police is one video taken at the Dunkin on North 52nd Street where raiders stumbled across the heavy iron safe after at least nine broke their way into the store.

Video shows the group furtively approaching the shuttered store through the empty car park in the early hours of Wednesday morning before forcing their way inside.

Looters rifle through cupboards after breaking into the Dunkin store at North 52nd Street

Close-ups of he suspects and the car released by the Philadelphia Police Department

One of them appears to wave at a second security camera inside before pulling down his hoodie top as his friends rifle through cupboards, throwing their contents on the floor.

Their excitement grows as they spot the 3-foot security box which they struggle to shove out into the car park.

An hour and 20 minutes after they approached the store a white Jeep SUV pulls up outside and the group hauls the safe up into its trunk, throwing in a handful of other looted items before it races off with its tailgate still open.

Philadelphia Police Department is now seeking to identify ten people caught on the Dunkin' security camera that night - several of whom did not bother to cover their faces.

Five minors and 67 adults have been charged in connection with the other raids, Assistant DA Clint Orem revealed on Monday morning.

Among them is Dayjia Meatball Blackwell who became the poster girl of the crimewave after livestreaming the city center raids on her Instagram page, complete with a jubilant commentary.

'Tell the police if they lock me up tonight it's going to be lit, it's going to be a movie! Everybody's gotta eat!' Meatball, 21, told her 181,000 followers.

But she wept as officials booked her and her grandmother spoke of her shame after helping raise her.

What goes through my mind, as a grandmother, is I'm very ashamed, Vashti Fields told FOX 29.

Security camera footage captures he moment one of them stumbles across the heavy safe in a back office

They called for reinforcements after heaving the safe out of the building and a white SUV helped them escape with their haul

Some were masked and some did not bother as they scouted out their target

The Dunkin store at North 52nd Street was dark and deserted when approached by the Looters in the early hours of Wednesday morning

I'm very ashamed to see my child there, at that time. Number one, she could have gotten hurt, she added.

'When I see someone of my blood, that has been there while this is happening, and they are saying they are an influencer, that hurts me deeply,'

Blackwells lawyer Jessica Mann has slammed coverage as an all-out assault on black and brown people, as their character and actions are mercilessly vilified.

But her client is due in court on October 17 to face charges of burglary, conspiracy, criminal trespass, riot, criminal mischief, criminal use of communication facility, receipt of stolen property and disorderly conduct.

This person incited a lot of other individuals to do at one point, what we know, is coordinated a caravan of individuals to go across the city hitting multiple locations, ADA Orem said yesterday.

More than a dozen looters forced their way into the Apple store on Walnut Street, snatching high-spec devices, only to find they had been disabled

Police officers did their best to contain the violence and detain suspects outside the Lulemon store in the city center

The aftermath of an attack on one of at least 18 liquor stores ransacked in the violence

Images shared on social media show a large group storming the Apple store in the city, raiding it in the process

Eighteen state-run liquor stores were broken into, leading the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to close all 48 of its Philadelphia retail locations and one in suburban Cheltenham on Wednesday.

More footage on social media captured officers trying to physically remove the thieves, some of whom were wearing Halloween masks, as they pillaged through the shelves.

Several firearms were also seized during the violent looting scene after it is believed that the planning for the incident took place on social media.

'We were able to link some things on social media,' said Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford.

'We had a group that was making their way through the city. Quite naturally, you have followers who are going to see this and start to come out, and think they have an opportunity to get something.'

Benjamin Nochum, the pharmacist and store manager at Patriot Pharmacy on North 22nd Street said it was the third time since 2020 his business had been hit.

'When looters steal from us, what they don't seem to understand is that they are also stealing from our neighbors,' he added.

'It makes you question how much longer you can hang on.'
More than 500 migrants crossed the Channel by small boat over the weekend

Dozens of migrants have arrived in the UK today as an individual was intercepted while trying to row across the Channel in an inflatable dinghy.

This morning, the nautical brigade of Police Nationale in France stopped the unidentified person off the coast of Gravelines near Dunkirk, who was attempting to row across the Calais Strait.

The rower, wearing a yellow coat and a black hat, was photographed at sea in a small grey inflatable dinghy with a pair of oars.

Two ships could be seen in the background of the picture, which Police Nationale shared on social media site X.com, formerly known as twitter, alongside the caption: 'This morning, the nautical brigade of the Police Nationale of Pas-de-Calais fished out an individual off the coast of Gravelines who was trying to row across the North Sea in a makeshift boat. Our goal: to save lives.'

Dozens more migrants arrived in Dover, Kent shortly after 11am today after being intercepted in the Channel by UK officials.

'This morning, the nautical brigade of the Police Nationale of Pas-de-Calais fished out an individual off the coast of Gravelines who was trying to row across the North Sea in a makeshift boat'

Dozens more migrants arrived in Dover, Kent shortly after 11am today after being intercepted in the Channel by UK officials

The mostly-male group, wearing orange and red lifejackets, could be seen disembarking a Border Force vessel and being led along the former jetfoil terminal to be taken for processing.

The latest arrivals made the treacherous journey across the 21-mile Dover Strait in foggy conditions.

This comes after more than 500 migrants crossed the Channel by small boat over the weekend.

A total of 537 asylum seekers were intercepted off the Kent coast in nine boats on Saturday - an average of 60 people crammed into each dinghy.

Sunday saw a further 28 asylum seekers make the perilous journey in one vessel.

A total of 24,858 migrants have reached the UK in 524 boats so far this year, according to official government figures.

In September alone, 4,729 people arrived in 85 inflatable dinghies or other small craft.

Last month also saw the record day for the year so far - with 872 people reaching the Kent coast over a 24-hour period on September 2.

In 2022, a record 45,755 migrants crossed the Channel, 60 per cent higher than the previous year when 28,526 asylum seekers arrived in the UK.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to stop the Channel boats - one of his five commitments to the electorate ahead of a likely general election next year.

Last week, ahead of the party conference, Home Secretary Suella Braverman gave a speech to a centre-right think tank in Washington DC, warning that the West faced an 'existential' threat if countries were not able to control their borders in the face of unauthorised arrivals.

She also argued that being discriminated against for being gay or a woman should not grant a person refugee status in the UK, which prompted a backlash, including from her own party.

Speaking from the Conservative Party conference on Monday, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt appeared to distance himself from Ms Braverman's migration speech as he told Talk TV he 'wouldn't use her words'.

Meanwhile, a study by the Refugee Council released on Monday found that three-quarters of people who have crossed the Channel on small boats this year would be recognised as refugees if their application had been processed.
A former British soldier who fought alongside Ukrainian troops before being captured and tortured by Russian soldiers is suing the Kremlin for compensation for his treatment.

Top London lawyers, as well as Ukrainian lawyers, for Shaun Pinner, 50, filed a suit to a judge in Solomyanskiy District Court in Kyiv on Friday, claiming that Russia owes him money for the way he was treated while a prisoner of war.

He signed up to be a contracted soldier in Ukraine's military in 2018, rising through the ranks after serving with the British Army for nine years, fighting in both Bosnia and later as a volunteer against ISIS.

He was captured by Russian forces during the siege of Mariupol in April 2022.

A 'supreme court' in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic initially sentenced the former soldier and two others to death, but he was freed in a prisoner swap last year, along with three other UK fighters.

Shaun Pinner (pictured) was a British Army soldier for nine years before he joined Ukraine's army

He was captured by Russian forces during the siege of Mariupol in April 2022

Pinner, who currently lives in Dnipro, Ukraine, with his wife, and Aidan Aslin, 28, said last year they were forced to lie about being terrorists in the Russian-backed court, after they 'admitted' that they were 'undergoing training with the aim of carrying out terrorist activities', believing they would get lighter sentences as a result.

Then-foreign secretary Liz Truss slammed the ruling as a 'sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy', declaring that the men were prisoners of war.

Pinner says he was deeply mistreated by Russian force, who repeatedly stabbed, starved, shocked him with electricity, made him drink dirty water and put him in stress positions, all of which is illegal under the Geneva Conventions.

His legal team, who are representing him for free, admit that while they recognise that it is unlikely for the Kremlin to concede to a Ukrainian order for compensation, Russia's murky relationship with the High Court may backfire on it.

In the years since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russian oligarchs have routinely use English courts to settle legal disputes in all parts of their lives.

A 'supreme court' run by the Russian-occupied territory of Donetsk sentenced him to death

He was freed following a prisoner swap last year

Pinner currently lives in Dnipro with his wife, Larysa

Cases include commercial disputes and even divorce settlements.

As a result, Pinner's lawyers at Hogan Lovells say that there is a decades-long precedent for Russian judges following orders made by English courts.

Pinner said that the lawsuit is about more than just money: 'It's not just about financial compensation. I want to send a signal that the Russian state is culpable for its treatment of prisoners of war.'

Earlier this year, he revealed how badly he was hurt by his Russian captors, claiming his 'muscles were popping out of [his] body' and blood poured from his legs after his captors attached clips to him before running 200 volts of electricity through his body, leaving him unable to walk.

He recalled how Russian soldiers drove him 45 minutes to a wet room in an office, tied him up, stabbed him, cut off his clothes and beat him while calling him a Nazi and ignoring his pleas of innocence.

There, he endured several 'excruciating' shocks that caused his legs to inflate. When he took off his thermals, he found he was bleeding from the damage to his body.

'I was screaming,' he said. 'And then I had 200 volts go through me on the chair. I couldn't feel my leg anymore.

'As soon as I got there they sellotaped my hands and legs to the chair and then I felt the clips go on to my little fingers... and then I knew exactly what that was.'
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a new effort to help connect Venezuelan migrants with workplaces that will employ them.

Made at a nonprofit taking part in the initiative Monday, the announcement saw Hochul tout how 18,000 jobs are now available to select migrants recently given Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by the Biden Administration - and praise more than 350 other employers who signed up to take part.

Officials two weeks ago moved to grant temporary protected status to tens of thousands of Venezuelans - a decision Hochul, 65, on Monday hailed as brave and distinctly American.

Only pertaining to migrants from Venezuela, the move was designed to authorize them for work more quickly, as cities continue to deal with an influx of newcomers.

The announcement comes hours after Hochul - who refused advances from Eric Adams that would see state suburbs serve as a relief valve for the city - complained the border is 'too open,' and that there needs to be more done to limit daily arrivals.

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Made at a nonprofit taking part in the initiative Monday, the announcement saw Gov. Hochul tout how 18,000 jobs are now available to select migrants recently given Temporary Protected Status by the government - and praise more than 350 employers who signed up to take part

The announcement comes hours after Hochul - who refused advances from Eric Adams that would see state suburbs serve as a relief valve for the city - complained the border is too open, and that there needs to be more done to limit daily arrivals, specifically to New York City

In a speech where the politician praised her own work to keep struggling restaurants operating during early pandemic lockdowns - an effort she called 'innovative' - she began by stating how 'for months, [she's] been saying the key to solving the asylum seeker crisis... is so simple, it's so crystal-clear.'

Specifying that it 'is a crisis because of the volume of people', she aired her so-called solution: 'They came to work, so let's put them to work.'

Speaking from one of the 'nearly 400 employers' she said signed up for the program - the all female-staffed Hot Bread Kitchen - Hochul went on to herald the boroughs' history as an immigrant destination, before revealing a portal constructed for the asylum seekers will be up and running by tomorrow.

'Tomorrow the window opens for people to start applying for TPS, and luckily for me - because I tested it out, the app is simple,' the Democrat explained to a crowd gathered at the restaurant in Chelsea Market.

'It's not cumbersome, it's easy to do, and we're going to have hundreds of people trying to identify them.'

She continued by citing a preconceived notion she said was on her and others mind while coming to the decision to connect Venezuelans with potential hirers: ''Will the employers be interested in this program?''

'Well, guess what,' she told audience members of the anticipated event, billed as a much-needed update to the state's current action on the now 15-month long crisis.

'We already have nearly 400 employers, who stood up, who said, 'Yes. Yes  we will embrace them. We'll hire them. We'll give them that shot of the American Dream that they wanted for themselves and their families.''

Rounding up the number of willing participants to the nearest hundred, she asked aloud: 'How many jobs does almost 400 employers equate to?'

She triumphantly provided her own answer, stating: '18,000 jobs are already available, waiting for people who signed up in the portal.'

The speech was held at Manhattan's Chelsea Market - where at least one of the roughly 350 participating businesses is set

Speaking from one of the 'nearly 400 employers' she said signed up for the program, Hochul went on to herald New Yorks' history as an immigrant destination, before revealing a portal constructed for the asylum seekers will be up and running by tomorrow

The self-serving seen earlier in the speech, meanwhile, continued: 'That's incredible. That can help solve our problems, [or] at least be a start toward reducing the number of people who need shelter in our city.

'I'm really proud of these individuals who said yes  sort of leaping into the unknown.'

She went on to provide some, sparse specifics about the effort - without revealing names of the participating businesses.

'Over 50 percent [of the participating businesses] are from New York City  [but] Upstate New York has responded as well,' Buffalo-born Hochul revealed, before adding: 'This is not just city-driven.'

She went on the event praise the event's host in Hot Bread Kitchen - an all female staffed bakery that has a workforce comprised predominantly of immigrants - thanking the nonprofit for 'stepping up to help their neighbors in their time of need,'

She further specified of the businesses set to take part in what appears to be the state's first attempt to address the crisis, after multiple failed ones from the city: 'Twenty-five percent are in hospitality, 21 percent are in health and social services, 10 percent are manufacturing, 5 percent retail and 5 percent construction.

'So,' she added, before looking up at the audience, 'that's where people can work.'

The Democrat said the jobs will be solely available for Venezuelans given they are the only ones now being granted TPS, due to current conditions in their country, which she went on to describe.

'Don't assume these our all low skill individuals,' she said, in an apparent attempt to quell potential concerns about the arrivals' ability to do and adapt to the wide range of jobs set to be offered.

The Democrat - who has done little to address the state of her state's most populous city the past 15 months - said the jobs will be solely available for Venezuelans given they are the only ones now being granted TPS, due to current conditions in their country

She did not add any planned course of action to address the thousands of other immigrants currently sleeping on the city's streets not of Venezuelan nationality - a sample set believed to be 60 percent of the number of New York arrivals

Moreover, the temporary protected status applies to all Venezuelans who came to the US before July 31 of this year, and extends an earlier TPS already in place for thousands of Venezuelans who arrived before March 2021

Hochul, meanwhile, has done little else to address the state of her state's most populous city

'Venezuela was once a very prosperous country,' she continued. 'Their economy is based on oil. They sent oil around the world  they used to send to the US until the embargo.

'But once they had a change in leadership,' she continued - calling current president Nicolas Madura a 'dictator' - 'crime, gangs took over the streets, political chaos, economic decline, and the loss of oil, their country spiraled, and that's why people are fleeing.'

She did not add any planned course of action to address the thousands of other immigrants currently sleeping on the city's streets not of Venezuelan nationality - a sample set believed to be 60 percent of the number of New York arrivals.

Moreover, the temporary protected status applies to all Venezuelans who came to the US before July 31 of this year, and extends an earlier TPS already in place for thousands of Venezuelans who arrived before March 2021.

Hochul, meanwhile, has done little else to address the state of her state's most populous city.

As for Adams - who months ago touted New York as a sanctuary city and publicly challenged Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott to send over arrivals - has said the crisis will cost the city $12billion over three years.

The city is currently paying hotels an average cost of $185 per day per room, and spending about $385 a night per migrant family that needs housing and feeding. According to Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, asylum seekers are costing the city roughly $10 million every day.

New York's mayor, meanwhile, has warned that the city's services will be affected by the incredible additional expenses on the budget. He has previously stated the city is planning on cutting services such as library hours, meals for senior citizens, and free, full-day care for three-year-olds.

Adams has recently ramped up pleas to Hochul to issue an emergency order to command counties Upstate and in Long Island to shelter migrants, a demand Hochul - who initially sought to steer clear of the city's migrant crisis - has repeatedly rebuffed

A record 260,000 migrants flooded across the border last month alone, causing chaos not only in border states that are ill-equipped to stomach such massive population influxes but in sanctuary states like New York.

'We want [Congress] to have a limit on who can come across the border,' said Hochul During a Sunday appearance on CBS' 'Face the Nation,' in which the politicians said she feels the country's border is currently too much of a free-for-all.

'People coming from all over the world are finding their way through, simply saying they need asylum, and the majority of them seem to be ending up in the streets of New York, and that is a real problem for New York City,' she added, echoing what Adams had been saying for months.

'It's in our DNA to welcome immigrants. But there has to be some limits in place.'

The comments came as Hochul has faced widespread criticism for failing to intervene on the city's crisis, and refusing to ship travelers off to nearby communities and counties in Long Island and Upstate.

Many of the areas Hochul does not want migrants sent - Long Island and The Hudson Valley - serve as two regions vital for Democrats' bid to secure House control in 2024.

Adams, apparently unconcerned by public opinion in those areas, has recently ramped up pleas to Hochul to issue an emergency order to command counties in both areas to shelter migrants, a demand Hochul has repeatedly rebuffed.

The lack of cooperation shows the collision course the two politicians seem to be embarking on ahead of the upcoming election - one that many anticipate will be extremely contentious and be a rematch of Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Initially seeking to steer clear of the city's migrant crisis, Hochul's recent actions show how city efforts are still failing as arrivals continue.
This is the shocking moment a 'boy racer' smashed into a bus stop after clipping a traffic island, narrowly avoiding a pedestrian.

Ismail Adan, a 19-year-old driver from Grangetown, has avoided jail after the incident on Bute Street in Cardiff, which occurred at around 10pm on March 30.

Adan was driving a Vauxhall Mokka, apparently on the wrong side of the road, before he swerved to avoid another vehicle heading directly for him.

He moved back into the correct lane but clipped a traffic island, before taking out a post box and crashing into a bus stop - all while narrowly missing a pedestrian.

The teenager, who has no previous convictions, told police at the time that another car had come out of nowhere and caused him to swerve.

This is the shocking moment a 'boy racer' smashed into a bus stop after clipping a traffic island, narrowly avoiding a pedestrian

However he later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving with no insurance.

Recorder Christian Jowett sentenced Adan to 12 months in prison suspended for 18 months at Cardiff Crown Court, meaning that he avoids jail.

Shocking video footage shows the moment he crashed into the bus stop, after tearing along the pavement.

Before hitting the post box, the CCTV clip shows Adan completely demolishing a post box at a fast speed, while the impact with the bus stop knocks out the glass panels and one of the seats.

The court also heard that Adan had a passenger in the car at the time.

Recorder Jowett said the defendant lacked maturity in the incident due to his young age.

He was also disqualified from driving and given costs of 420.

He was ordered to carry out a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

Shocking video footage shows the moment Adan crashed into the bus stop, after tearing along the pavement

The impact with the bus stop knocks out the glass panels and one of the seats
Kemi Badenoch became the latest minister to set out their leadership aspirations today as she gave a tub-thumping speech to the Tory faithful.

The Trade Secretary, seen as one of the frontrunners to replace Rishi Sunak if the Tories lose the next election, made a thinly-veiled pitched for the job from the main stage at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.

In a wide-ranging address she lashed out at trans rights, Remainer defeatism over Brexit and the pace of green changes such as with electric cars.

She also raised eyebrows by suggesting that the modern Tories were like civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King because they believed 'people should be judged by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin'.

It was the latest in a series of eye-catching performances from figures on the Right of the party, including Home Secretary Suella Braverman, prompting claims that an unofficial race to succeed Mr Sunak is underway, more than a year before the election is expected to take place.

Others thought to be considering a challenge include Priti Patel, the former home secretary who lashed out at Ms Braverman this week, and Penny Mordaunt, who was beaten to the top job by Mr Sunak last year.

But a Cabinet Minister told MailOnline the apparent jockeying for position between Ms Braverman and Ms Badenoch was not helpful when the party was lagging in the polls behind Labour.

The Trade Secretary - seen as one of the frontrunners to replace Rishi Sunak if the Tories lose the next election - made a thinly-veiled pitched for the job from the main stage at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester

It was the latest in a series of performances from figures on the Right of the party, including Home Secretary Suella Braverman, (pictured at a visit to the US Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters in the state of Maryland) prompting claims that an unofficial race to succeed Mr Sunak is underway, more than a year before the election is set to take place

'People need to look outwards. Labour is connected to militant unions, they would unwind all the reforms since the 1980s,' they said.

'We need to focus on building the shining castle on the hill. It will be a disaster if we don't get this right and win.

'We can't be talking to ourselves. Voters are not convinced by Keir Starmer at all and we need to show we are a team and have a plan to make their lives better.'

The Business Secretary, who is also the minister for women and equalities, told the Conservative Party conference: 'Conservatives want young people to be proud of their country when others want them to be ashamed.

'It wasn't a tough decision for us to reject the divisive agenda of critical race theory. We believe, as Martin Luther King once said, people should be judged by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin.

'If that puts us in conflict with those who would re-racialise society, who would put up the divisions that have been torn down then, conference, all I can say is bring it on.

'Let Labour bend the knee before this altar of intolerance, we will keep building a country that is in every way stronger and fairer for all.'

Ms Badenoch also backed Mr Sunak's decision last month to slow the move towards Net Zero emissions by 2050, including delaying a ban on petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035.

Hailing his decision as 'brave', she said: 'We can't deliver our net zero targets with magical thinking, expecting those who can least afford it, to not have cars or heat their homes.'

Others thought to be eyeing up a challenge include Priti Patel (above), the former home secretary who lashed out at Ms Braverman this week, and Penny Mordaunt (top), who was beaten to the top job by Mr Sunak last year

The minister also lashed out at Remainers, saying: 'The people who tell you that Brexit is the cause of every problem, do so because they think the answer to everything is the EU.

'Listen to what Keir Starmer says His answer to the global challenges we face is to tax more, regulate more and ask the EU what to do next.

'This is not someone who believes in the UK's ability to think for itself.'

And in an acknowledgement of the row over trans ideology and medical procedures carried out on children, she added: 'The Left accuses us of fighting a culture war. But we will not apologise for fighting for common sense.

'I will not apologise for fighting for a society that knows what a woman is.'
A celebrity chef who was Gordan Ramsay's best man has been forced to shut his award-winning restaurant after a married couple stole 150,000 from him and splashed out on luxury holidays to Disneyland.

TV chef Stephen Terry, most famously known for representing Wales on BBC programme the Great British Menu, has announced the closure of The Hardwick, in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, after 18 years.

His financial administrator and mum-of-five Nicola Nightingale, 48, stole 150,000 from the restaurant while transferring another 46,000 into her 50-year-old husband Simon's bank account.

The couple used the stolen cash to splash out on luxury holidays to Disneyland in Paris, Disneyworld in Florida, and for anniversary stays in Morocco.

He posted a photo announcing the move reading : 'The final "Family" last breakfast supper. Thank you to all our staff and customers from the last 18 years. It's been emotional. Onwards and upwards.'

Celebrity chef Stephen Terry employed Nicola Nightingale as a financial administrator at his restaurant The Hardwick in Abergavenny

Nicola Nightingale, 48, and Simon Nightingale, 50, pictured at DisneyWorld. Nicola stole 150,000 from the restaurant and transferred 46,000 into her husband's account

Mr Terry trained under Marco Pierre White at Harveys and became best friends with Gordon Ramsay when they worked together.

The restaurant has won multiple awards including a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide, being named the best restaurant in Wales in consecutive years and named the 19th best gastropub in the coveted Estrella Damm 50 Best Gastropubs list in 2020.

The father-of-three ran the restaurant with his wife Joanne after her family helped fund the purchase. They added plush rooms to the restaurant - but he always steered away from getting a Michelin star because he didn't want to sound 'posh and expensive'. He beat Angela Hartnett in the Great British Menu in 2008.

Cardiff Crown Court heard he trusted Nightingale to run the finances before she roped her husband into her fraud.

The alarm was raised when suspicious Mr Terry saw money was missing and discovered two 40,000 loans had been taken out in his name along with a 10,000 shortfall in the pension pot.

Prosecutor Tom Roberts said Nightingale 'generated fake invoices from fictitious suppliers' after she was employed at the country inn.

The court heard she began working at the restaurant in February 2018 before she started to pay herself inflated wages and create bogus invoices.

The Hardwick in Abergavenny, Wales was one of the country's best restaurants. Mr Terry has announced its closure after 18 years

Mother-of-five Nicola walking hand-in-hand with Simon outside Cardiff Crown Court. The couple were both handed suspended sentences and ordered to repay just 1

Mr Roberts said: 'She gave the impression that the business was running smoothly but she had in fact run it into significant debt.'

The total money stolen from the restaurant was 150,234.63 between February 2018 and February 2020.

Nightingale, of Deal, Kent, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position. Her husband was found guilty of acquiring criminal property after a trial.

The couple were handed two year sentences suspended for two years at Cardiff Crown Court in May this year.

A Proceeds of Crime hearing has now been told a 'thorough' examination of their finances revealed no releasable assets.

Judge Shomon Khan handed out 1 confiscation orders to be made for Mr and Mrs Nightingale.

He said: 'There has been a lot of interest in his case but there has been a thorough investigation and that's where we are in terms of the recoverable amount and this is as far as the courts can take it.'

After their sentence, Mr Terry said it was an 'absolute joke' that the couple walked free after defrauding his restaurant.

He said: 'I am disappointed there was no custodial sentence for what they have put myself through. For someone to come and do that I think she practically got away with it.

'They had a holiday we could have only dreamed of and all of a sudden you find out you're paying for it. For them to result in getting a suspended sentence is a travesty.

Gordon Ramsay with TV chef Stephen Terry (right), who was fleeced out of 150,000. Mr Terry was Ramsay's best man

'What kind of message does that sent out? It's a joke, an absolute joke.'

A source close to Mr Terry said the amount of money lost to the business when it was swindled by the Nightingales was partly to blame for The Hardwick's demise.

But diners who have bought 100 vouchers to dine there in recent days, or booked rooms, today began bombarding the restaurant and demanding to know whether they will receive refunds.

The source said: 'It's been a tough time to run a restaurant and there are numerous issues affecting the business, but without losing so much money it could have just about scraped by.'

The Hardwick said it will be 'calling future bookings and reservations ASAP'.
An NHS Trust is set to give male staff up to 12 months of paid leave if they suffer menopausal-like symptoms.

East Midlands Ambulance Service chiefs have reportedly been told to give consideration to 'male menopause' - which is triggered by a drop in testosterone levels.

Managers at the Trust have been told they should provide additional uniforms, portable fans and change shift patterns to assist male staff members experiencing this.

Male menopause, which doctors admit is a bit of a misnomer, is medically known as the andropause. Unlike the menopause experienced by women, andropause is marked by a more gradual change.

As with women, the term is used to describe the period in an adult man's life when his hormone levels crash, causing a host of symptoms including erectile dysfunction, depression, anxiety and rapid fat gain.

Managers at the Trust have been told they should provide additional uniforms, portable fans and change shift patterns to assist male staff members (file image)

In written guidance, hosted online by NHS Employers - the health service's employment body - the trust says that male staff should not be made to feel embarrassed about suffering menopause-like symptoms.

In contrast to the menopause women experience, andropause can happen throughout large periods of a man's adult life.

Tina Richardson, deputy director of human resources at East Midlands Ambulance Service, told The Telegraph that male workers are eligible for up to a year of paid leave for andropause symptoms.

She said: 'As well as having menopause guidance we also support anyone within the organisation who is affected directly or indirectly by the andropause.

'We provide occupational sick pay for up to 12 months based on service length. That will support absences which may result from symptoms of the andropause or where time off for medical appointments is required.'

East Midlands Ambulance Service chiefs have reportedly been told to give consideration to 'male menopause' (file image shows an East Midlands Ambulance Service vehicle)

The entitlement to sick pay comes despite a senior NHS source telling the newspaper that male menopause was 'not clinically recognised'.

They also said there was no national guidance on how trusts should support those facing andropause.

While menopause symptoms have been well documented in recent campaigns, including by celebrities such as Davina McCall and Louise Minchin, andropause is less openly discussed.

East Midlands Ambulance Service has been approached for comment.
Watch seller Anthony Farrer, 38, revealed he has been living a 'facade' and living beyond his means

A luxury Beverly Hills watch dealer has revealed he is millions of dollars in debt after selling off his customer's watches and using the cash to fund his high-end lifestyle.

Anthony Farrer, who is known as The Timepiece Gentleman, admitted to operating a Ponzi scheme which has left him in a '$5 million hole'.

The 38-year-old is currently being sued after several clients claim they gave him watches worth up to $100,000 each which were sold without them seeing a penny.

Now in a confessional video posted on TikTok Farrer, 38, who once leased an $100,000 penthouse in LA, revealed he has been 'spending peoples money, living above my means'.

He added: 'Ive been digging myself this hole and its a five-million dollar hole. About three million of that debt is to two big clients of mine. One who acted as an investor and I used his money to fund my lifestyle.'

Anthony Farrer, who trades as The Timepiece Gentleman, admitted to 'dumb decisions' including living beyond his means which has left him in millions of dollars of debt

Farrer would often share content of him showing off his luxe lifestyle which often saw him driving supercars and sporting watches worth tens of thousands of dollars

At the peak of his success the Beverly Hills watch dealer rented this $100,000 a month penthouse on South Hill in Los Angeles

Farrer built his business selling luxury timepieces such as diamond encrusted Rolexes and Patek Philippes on consignment and scooping a commission.

In just a few years he built up a loyal customer base and social media following, largely thanks to his online videos which showed a behind the scenes look at the horology world, as well as his lavish lifestyle.

One video posted online shows Farrer enjoying dinner at an upmarket Dallas steakhouse. Another shows his flexing a Rolex on his watch in front of a row of supercars.

At one point, Farrer leased one of the most expensive penthouses in Los Angeles, 825 South Hill Street, a $100,000 a month, 11-bedroom apartment.

His Facebook page indicates that he has dealt with watches worn by the likes of Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg.

Farrer's success increased during Covid-19 when watch prices began to soar, but when they eventually cooled he was allegedly left around $3 million of stock which was deprecating every day, according the the LA Times.

He told the outlet: 'Almost overnight, prices dropped 20 per cent. I was still living lavishly, still going out and buying cars.'

But he added: 'No one ever brought me a watch and I immediately sold it and then pocketed that cash for personal use.'

However, several clients who had given Farrer their watches on consignment noted they were not listed on his website and nor had not been notified of a sale.

Farrer, 38, made his name selling on luxury timepieces for commission and documenting his sales on social media

Among them is Liron Levi, 33, who allegedly lost around $350,000 after handing over a Rolex and a Richard Mille to Farrer.

Levi told the LA Times he signed a consignment agreement, but never received any money, and that Farrer admitting he no longer had them in his possession. Levi later saw the Rolex up for sale on another watch dealer's site in New York.

In one instance a customer recorded Farrer promising to 'rob Peter to pay Paul' after he confronted him about not receiving any money for his watches.

Bob Schober, 50, had previously bought from Farrer and gave him two watches including a Rolex to sell which he claims he never saw again.

He said that Farrer sent him a Rolex Sea-Dweller watch instead to try and cover the debt but he became suspicious that it belonged to someone else.

Schober posted about the watch online and another of Farrer's customers, Frank Lucente, came forward to claim it.

Lucente alleges he handed over the luxury item to Farrer, but it disappeared without trace from his website.

The dealer is also the subject of at least two lawsuits. Artin Massihi has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging that Farrer stole his $40,000 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 44mm.

Farrer documented his fast-pace lifestyle which featured expensive steak dinners and flashy cars in a series on YouTube called South Hill which appears to have been deleted

Massihi claims just weeks after he handed over the item Farrer admitted over the phone he had 'sold the watch and kept the entire funds for his own [personal] purposes' according to the lawsuit.

Farrer is currently not facing any criminal charges, but is under investigation. He has admitted to using the proceeds of one sale to pay back another customer.

He already has a conviction for a DUI which saw him imprisoned for a year. At one point he advertised his services as a male masseur on a gay website.

His meteoric rise saw him found his business in Dallas, Texas before moving the operation to Los Angeles. However its understood he has since shuttered his Beverly Hills showroom amid the controversy.

Addressing the controversy swirling around his business he said in the TikTok: 'I got a little taste of success and never wanted to forget that feeling.

'When I did make dumb decisions I would write them off or I wouldn't address them because if I addressed something that didn't work then that was a failure and my ego was too big [...] I got accustomed to this lifestyle'.
Just half of Britons support sending UK troops to the Ukraine to train Kyiv's forces, a new poll has revealed, after Grant Shapps' push to boost support for the war-torn country sparked a row.

The new Defence Secretary recently held talks with army leaders and suggested troops could be sent to Ukraine for the first time to train soldiers.

Rishi Sunak this week rowed back on his defence minister's comments saying they weren't for the 'here and now' while the suggestion from Mr Shapps sparked a warning from Russia that UK instructors sent to Ukraine would become 'legitimate targets' and face 'destruction'.

And according to a new YouGov poll, just half of Britons would support UK soldiers being sent to the war-torn country, while 31 per cent said they were against the idea.

The survey suggests support for Ukraine is wavering, while further cracks have started to appear across pond today when the US Congress dropped a $6billion aid package for Kyiv.

Thousands of Kyiv's military personnel have been trained in the UK, including on NATO tactics, tanks and Western fighter jets.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps' push for support in war-torn Ukraine sparked a row this week

However, Mr Shapps suggested that could go further by saying he would like to see 'training and production' operations take place in the war-torn country.

Although there was no suggestion of British troops taking part in combat operations, such a move would constitute a major ramping up of support.

In a post on Telegram, Putin ally Dmitri Medvedev delivered a furious response, saying the move would 'turn their instructors into a legal target for our armed forces'.

He added: 'Understanding perfectly well that they will be ruthlessly destroyed. And not as mercenaries, but namely as British NATO specialists.'

On a visit to Burnley as the Tory conference gets under way in Manchester, Mr Sunak said he wants to be 'absolutely clear' about the situation.

He said that Britain has been training Ukrainian citizens and soldiers 'for a long time' within the UK.

'And what the Defence Secretary was saying was that it might well be possible one day in the future for us to do some of that training in Ukraine,' the Prime Minister said.

'But that's something for the long term, not the here and now, there are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict. That's not what's happening. What we are doing is training Ukrainians. We're doing that here in the UK.'

So far, the UK and other NATO members have avoided deployments of troops to Ukraine in any official capacity to avoid being drawn into direct confrontations.

While there is no suggestion of British troops taking part in combat operations, such a move would constitute a major ramping up of support

The new Defence Secretary meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said he wants to move 'training and production' operations into the war-torn country itself, mainly in Western areas away from the frontline

A Ukrainian serviceman carries an unguided missile for a launcher of a military Mi-8 helicopter, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an undisclosed location in Eastern Ukraine

Rishi Sunak insisted the idea floated by the Defence Secretary was 'not happening' and not something for the 'here and now'

In March 2022 Vladimir Putin's regime launched a cruise missile strike at a base near the Polish border housing foreign fighters, killing more than 35.

READ MORE: Rishi Sunak slaps down Grant Shapps over push to send British troops to Ukraine to train Kyiv's forces Advertisement

Mr Shapps also also told the Telegraph that he is encouraging British defence firms to set up factories in Ukraine, and is discussing ways the British Navy could help to defend commercial vessels in the Black Sea.

Mr Shapps told the Telegraph: 'I was talking today about eventually getting the training brought closer and actually into Ukraine as well.

'Particularly in the west of the country, I think the opportunity now is to bring more things in country - not just training, but also we're seeing BAE [the UK defence firm], for example, move into manufacturing in country, for example.

'I think there will be a move to get more training and production in the country.'

Since the start of 2022, more than 20,000 recruits from the Ukrainian armed forces have received basic British Army training in the UK as part of the British-led Operation Interflex.

Basic training involves surviving in a hostile environment; troops are taught skills like basic fieldcraft and medical care, as well as marksmanship and weapon handling.

The training has also been adapted to reflect what is needed on the ground - essentially trench warfare.
America's retail apocalypse is gathering pace with as many as 3,200 stores set to shut for good by the end of the year.

Bankrupt brands such as Bed, Bath & Beyond, Rite Aid pharmacy, and Tuesday Morning are shuttering hundreds of branches, while household names including Gap, Target, and CVS are closing major city stores as part of 'restructuring' projects.

A staggering rise in shoplifting rates, low store inventory, and a switch from in-person shopping to the online sphere are among the chief causes behind the slow death of the shopping mall in 2023.

This comes despite a gradual rise in retail sales in the US overall - with the sector raking in $7 trillion in 2022 - up from $6.58 trillion in 2021 and $5.58 trillion in 2020, per Statista.

At least 20 major brands have announced closures which will take effect by the end of 2023, at a combined total of 3,193 locations, according to Insider.

Bankrupt brands like Bed, Bath & Beyond, Rite Aid pharmacy, and Tuesday Morning are shuttering hundreds of branches, while household names including Gap, Target, and CVS are closing major city stores as part of 'restructuring' projects

America's retail apocalypse is gathering speed with as many as 3,200 stores set to shut by the end of the year. This includes 896 Bed, Bath & Beyond stores, after the beleaguered brand went bankrupt and retreated to an online-only marketplace

A staggering rise in shoplifting rates, a switch from in-person shopping to the online sphere, and low store inventory are among the chief causes behind the slow death of the shopping mall in 2023

This includes 896 Bed, Bath & Beyond stores, after the beleaguered brand went bankrupt and retreated to an online-only marketplace under the new leadership of Overstock.com.

Foot Locker is also closing 420 stores by 2026 as part of a scheme to 'reset' the company - with plans to open more than 300 'new concept' stores over the same period.

Pharmacies are not immune to the retail apocalypse, including Rite Aid which has said it's likely to close at least 400 of its 2,100 drugstores as part of a bankruptcy deal with creditors, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Competitor CVS is in the second year of a three-year proposal to cut 900 stores by the end of 2024, turning to the digital marketplace instead.

Walgreens is also closing 150 of its 9,000 US stores, along with 300 more in the United Kingdom.

Target is among the most recent big names to announce the closure of flagship stores in major cities across the US including New York, Seattle and San Francisco due to an uptick in crime.

Retailers lost almost $80 billion to shoplifters last year - an increase of nearly $13 billion compared with 2021 - amid a frightening rise in violent thefts, particularly in Democrat-led cities.

The National Retail Federation said the sector is under an 'unprecedented' threat from crime and violence, with store owners fearing for their livelihoods as well as their safety.

Foot Locker is also closing 420 stores by 2026 as part of a scheme to 'reset' the company - with plans to open more than 300 'new concept' stores over the same period

The annual trade survey collected data from 177 brands across the country, accounting for more than $1.6 trillion of annual sales.

'Retail crime, violence and theft continue to impact the retail industry at unprecedented levels,' the report stated.

'The effects of these criminal acts are not isolated to large national brands or large metropolitan cities. Daily media reports show that no business is immune, and these issues touch retailers of all segments, sizes and locations across the United States.'

Rising crime rates are also responsible for 70 percent of 'inventory shrink' - which is unaccounted losses of stock - with the remainder due to administrative errors, vendor fraud and damage.

According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, inventory shrink cost American retailers an estimated $112 billion in 2022, or around 1.6 percent of their total sales.

Rising crime could also be driving the trend toward online shopping rather than in-store.

Pharmacies are not immune to the retail apocalypse, including Rite Aid which has said it's likely to close at least 400 of its 2,100 drugstores as part of a bankruptcy deal with creditors, according to the Wall Street Journal

An employee workers in a CVS store in 2018. The chain is in the second year of a three-year proposal to cut 900 stores by the end of 2024, turning to the digital marketplace instead

Online retail sales in the United States are projected to rise exponentially over the next few years, inline with the current trend toward digital purchasing.

In 2021, more than $360 billion worth of goods were purchased online in the US - and this figure increased to $431.4 billion in 2022, according to Forbes.

It's expected to balloon further to a projected $511.8 billion in 2023, $604.5 billion in 2024 and $710.42 billion in 2025 - making it an increasingly larger slice of overall annual sales in the retail sector.
Gaetz's critics have slammed him for siding with Democrats

Matt Gaetz has again threatened to try and oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House and accused him of conspiring with Joe Biden in a bitter fight over Ukraine funding and government spending.

The Florida Republican accused McCarthy of setting up a 'secret side deal' with Joe Biden over money being sent to Kyiv as he stopped short of filing a 'motion to vacate' the Republican leader.

McCarthy denied the side deal, telling reporters he was only asked about weapons 'transferability.'

'I was asked to make sure that the transferability  that if the continuing resolution doesnt do that we will fix that. Its something we do all the time,' he said.

He said he suggested he might formally introduce the bid later this week, and hinted he has support from colleagues.

The firebrand lawmaker has been critical of McCarthy during negotiations to avert a government shutdown and has led a conservative GOP rebellion.

'It is going to be difficult for my Republican friends to keep calling President Biden "feeble" while he continues to take Speaker McCarthy's lunch money in every negotiation, Gaetz said on the House floor.

Matt Gaetz has again threatened to try and oust Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House - but said he would wait until later this week.

'It is becoming increasingly clear who the speaker of the House already works for, and it's not the Republican conference,' he added.

Only one member has to introduce a motion to vacate, and Gaetz would only need four Republicans and all the Democrats to join him to be successful.

The lower standards to oust the speaker were part of a deal cut by McCarthy's critics during his 15 votes to take the gavel.

Gaetz had previously said if McCarthy put a continuing resolution, or a bill to buy more time to work on a longer-term spending plan, on the House floor, he would introduce the motion to vacate.

McCarthy did exactly that on Saturday, but now Gaetz is focusing in on the alleged Ukraine 'secret side deal' instead of the continuing resolution.

Colleagues have fumed at hardline Gaetz, and reports suggest his colleagues want to speed up the ethics investigation into him to try and expel him from Congress.

California Republican Rep. Tom McClintock said on Monday: 'I cannot conceive of a more counterproductive and self-destructive course of action.'

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich also asked: 'Is Gaetz secretly an agent for the Democratic Party? No one else is doing as much to undermine, weaken and cripple the House GOP.'

McCarthy slapped back at Gaetz on Monday morning and said he was concerned by reports he wants to give Democrats subpoena power.

McCarthy slapped back at Gaetz on Monday morning and said he was concerned by reports he wants to give Democrats subpoena power

He told Fox and Friends the move would 'destroy' the impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden's involvement in Hunter's shady business deals.

'Matt has been going to Democrats and offering them subpoena power, which will just destroy any Biden impeachment inquiry we have, if they would vote along with him...My point is, bring it on.

Gaetz also sent out a fundraising email just moments before he announced, with the subject line 'vacate McCarthy'.
A New York business arts student has been jailed for a year in Dubai after she tapped an airport security officer on the arm during a strip search as they checked her medical waist binder and left her half-naked.

Elizabeth Polanco De Los Santos, 21, who attends Lehman College in the Big Apple was heading to New York from Istanbul with a friend when they were detained during a ten-hour layover at Dubai International Airport on July 14.

But what she thought would be a short stop in the UAE has turned into a months-long nightmare, after airport security was alerted to a brace De Los Santos was wearing with underwiring on it. She told airport officials she had recently had surgery and was mandated to wear the surgical brace around the clock.

She was carted off to a private room and instructed to remove the brace, leaving her semi-naked and feeling 'violated'. She was eventually cleared to go, but since she was unable to get the brace back on herself, she 'gently' touched one of the female customs officer's arm to get her friend to help her.

The female officers accused De Los Santos of 'assaulting and insulting' them, which Santos denied. She was forbidden to travel home, and this week was sentenced to a year behind bars despite paying a AED 10,000 ($2,722) fine.

Elizabeth Polanco De Los Santos, 21, and a friend were heading to New York from Turkey and were detained by airport security during a 10-hour layover at Dubai International Airport

Pictured: Dubai's Al-Awir Central Prison located in the United Arab Emirates

Dubai International Airport where the July 14th incident took place

Judges had ordered De Los Santos to pay the fine on August 24, but instead of being allowed on her way, customs officials appealed the sentence.

She has now undergone a months-long ordeal and had to fork out $50,000 to afford accommodation in the expensive nation along with lawyers costs.

Since mid-July, De Los Santos has had to move from one hotel to another and was waiting for court hearings before she learned of her sentence.

It's unclear where she is currently being held, but Radha Stirling, the CEO of Detained in Dubai, the nonprofit advocating for the young woman's release, said De Los Santos fears she will be held in the notorious Al Awir prison, and won't (as promised) be allowed to leave the country.

The organization has made urgent representations on her behalf. They have also called on officials to put safeguards in place to prevent any other visitors to the country facing lengthy and unfair detention.

'People could end up detained in the UAE for years on bogus or minor charges and wants to warn Americans Dubai is 'a dangerous place to visit,' Stirling said in a press release.

'Elizabeth faced degrading, painful and humiliating searches when she transited through the international hub from Istanbul to New York but the nightmare has not ended,' she said, in part.

'She's now been told she has a one year prison sentence, but that if all 'goes well', she will only be detained until she can book a flight out of the UAE.'

She said De Los Santos is extremely worried.

'Even if she is allowed to be deported tomorrow, she will remain in prison until then, not knowing whether there will be further delays or whether in fact, she will end up forced to serve the whole sentence.'

'This is an extreme situation for a 21 year old to go through,' she added.

Stirling said a 'mere allegation' is enough to secure a conviction whether there is evidence of wrongdoing or not.

She referenced the case of TikTok influencer Tierra Young Allen who was held in the same country for three months earlier this year for 'shouting' at a car park employee.

A doctor shows a hallway at the medical center of Dubai's Al-Awir central prison in the United Arab Emirates

De Los Santos pictured with her 44-year-old father who passed away, in this undated photo

'One thing these Americans have in common is that they regret the day they ever decided to visit Dubai and they all continue to intensely warn other citizens to avoid the region,' Stirling said.

At the time of her detention, De Los Santos said: 'We thought it would be a more modern and futuristic city, but we were completely wrong.'

She also claimed her mother has been left in 'shock and suffering. She is really worried and keeps crying.'

US Representative Ritchie Torres's office told DailyMail.com on Monday, 'were doing everything we possibly can to work with American officials in the UAE to make sure Elizabeth can return safely home.'

De Los Santos next court date is October 24.
Jamie Dimon said artificial intelligence is already being used in most parts of JPMorgan and that it will eventually likely shorten the work week to 3.5 days.

In a Monday interview with Bloomberg TV, the Wall Street titan spoke about the development of AI is impacting his bank and what sorts of effects it will likely have on the working world in the future.

'We already have thousands of people (inside JPMorgan) doing it,' Dimon said of AI.

'Every single process ... every app, every database,' has been touched by the technological developments offered by the emerging field.

He added that AI programs are already 'doing all the equity hedging for us, for the most part,' and called the technology 'critical to our company's future success.'

When asked whether AI will eventually replace some human jobs, he reflexively said, 'of course, yeah.'

For the jobs that still exist at his firm, and it is not clear that AI has so far eliminated any at JPMorgan, Dimon has famously been bullish on his employees returning to the office five days a week. In the future, that could be just 3.5 days, he said.

But, he added that technology has long replaced certain functions that were formerly performed manually, and has ultimately 'done unbelievably things for mankind.'

'But you know, planes crash, pharmaceuticals get misused,' he continued, noting that all major technological developments have downsides.

'Your children are going to live to 100 and not have cancer because of technology,' he said. 'And literally they'll probably be working three-and-a-half days a week.'

Dimon has previously said he believed AI will help advance his firm's products, customer engagement, risk management, and productivity.

The downside of AI, Dimon said, is the potential for bad actors to use it. He specifically mentioned cyber warfare.

In terms of job replacement, Dimon expects AI will replace some jobs, but said that anyone whose job is replaced, 'we hope to redeploy' elsewhere in the company.

In his annual shareholder letter, Dimon devoted an entire section to AI, in which he wrote about JPMorgan's efforts to incorporate AI into bank operations.

Despite the progress that AI is making at JPMorgan, and even his claim that in the not-so-distant future, some people will be working 3.5 days a week, Dimon made his position very clear last summer that he wants his bankers in the office five days a week.

As the banking giant continues construction on a $3billion 70-story office tower on Park Avenue, Dimon wants to ensure that the building is not sitting empty when it officially opens in 2025.

The building in the center of Midtown Manhattan will fit 15,000 employees.

'Your children are going to live to 100 and not have cancer because of technology. And literally they'll probably be working three-and-a-half days a week,' Dimon said

JPMorgan has been gradually calling employees back to the office five days a week as the bank continues building its massive Park Avenue office tower

At one point, Dimon was also reportedly concerned that the lack of employee presence at the office would drive down asset value and ultimately impact shareholder prices.

This spring, JPMorgan ordered all of its executives back to the office five days a week, and installed a system in which bonuses will be tied to office attendance.

A memo sent out in the spring explained that the bank needs its senior leaders to be in the office every day. 'We need them to lead by example, which is why we're asking all managing directors to be in the office five days a week,' the memo states.

Last year, Dimon also warned of a 'hurricane' that was moving toward striking the US banking system.

Amid a struggling economy, that has not meaningfully changed since last year, Dimon said that bracing for a financial storm is a necessity, 'we just don't know if it's a minor one or Super Storm Sandy.'
Over 8,000 cases were reported last year, costing victims an average of 11,500

More than 92million was lost to romance fraudsters across Britain in the last financial year, figures reveal.

There were 8,036 reports of romance fraud made to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) - with an average loss of 11,500 per victim.

Almost two-thirds of those targeted are women, with older victims likely to suffer larger financial losses.

And though the total sums lost were down 3.8 per cent on last year, the losses are still up 40 per cent on 2019 and is hugely underreported due to victims embarrassment at being scammed.

Romance fraud is when people are duped into sending money to criminals who have used fake personas and narratives to convince them they are in a genuine relationship.

In the last year, 8,036 cases of romance fraud have been reported to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, with women and older victims most likely to be scammed

Career conman Emmanuel Scotts, 56, was jailed last year for scamming four women of more than 320,000

Career conman Emmanuel Scotts, 56, was jailed last year for scamming four women of more than 320,000 by persuading them to invest savings and returning small sums as interest to convince them to keep giving.

One of his victims, named only as Vicky, began speaking with who she thought was a single man interested in a relationship via a dating website three years ago.

Scotts skilfully gained Vickys trust before he persuaded her that he would be able to guarantee her financial future if she transferred him cash to invest on her behalf - money he then used to fund his own extravagant lifestyle.

Vicky said: They look for your weaknesses and mine is my son and not having his dad around.

He made a point of being interested in everything my son did. Taking time to talk to him when we were on the phone together and praising him. He praised me constantly on what a great job I was doing bringing him up on my own, telling me he wanted to take care of me. Scotts was jailed for 12 years last December at Kingston Crown Court after he was found guilty of four counts of fraud and admitted one count of possessing articles used in fraud.

Romance scams are one of the top five most commonly reported frauds to Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Romance scams are one of the top five most commonly reported frauds to Action Fraud

Detective Superintendent Gary Miles, from the City of London Police, said: Despite being a 6.7 per cent reduction on last years reports of 8,710, romance fraud continues to have devastating emotional and financial consequences for victims across the UK.

Many victims of romance fraud are meant to feel that they are alone and that they are at fault, however the reality couldnt be further from the truth.

Romance fraudsters rely on the kindness and compassionate nature within us all, where highly manipulative and coercive techniques are used to exploit this for their own gain.

Romance fraud can result in people having their hard earned savings wiped out, in tens of thousands of pounds in debt and also, in some extreme cases, having to remortgage their homes.

We endeavour to continue the fight against romance fraudsters both in the UK and overseas, so people can not only protect their money but also prevent long-term emotional psychological damage from callous criminals.
He was last seen in the water at Wildcat Beach in the Point Reyes National Park

It is believed he was attacked by a shark while swimming on Sunday

Authorities are searching for a missing person who was reportedly attacked by a shark off a northern California beach.

The swimmer was last seen in the water at Wildcat Beach in the Point Reyes National Park on Sunday.

Marin County firefighters determined that three men had gone for a swim and encountered a shark which attacked one of them, according to CBS News Bay Area.

The men said they had been swimming 25 to 50 feet from the shore when they saw the shark.

Two of the swimmers made it back to shore and told first responders they saw a large pool of blood in the water.

Authorities are searching for a missing swimmer who was reportedly attacked by a shark in the water at Wildcat Beach (pictured) in Point Reyes National Park

The search continues for a missing person last seen in the water at Wildcat Beach this morning. On scene are personnel from NPS, Marin County/ Stinson Beach Fire, engines and UTVs, Reach 3 medical helicopter and a US Coast Guard helicopter and Cutter.  Point Reyes NPS (@PointReyesNPS) October 1, 2023

It is reported that the missing swimmer is approximately 50-years-old and his name has not been released.

The three men were camping with a group of about 10 to 15 people above the beach in an area called Wildcat Campground.

The Point Reyes National Park Service posted that multiple agencies are involved in the search and rescue efforts.

'On scene are personnel from NPS, Marin County/ Stinson Beach Fire, engines and UTVs, Reach 3 medical helicopter and a US Coast Guard helicopter and Cutter.'

Point Reyes National Seashore, which is located north of San Francisco, contains approximately 80 miles of shoreline.
The chief executive of Spotify has suggested that Harry and Meghan's 18million podcast deal collapsed because it failed to make consumers happy after the Sussexes made just 12 podcasts in two-and-a-half years.

Daniel Ek, who was making a rare media appearance almost four months after it was announced that the Archetypes podcast would not be renewed for a second season, admitted that some of Spotify's innovative ideas have not gone to plan.

Meghan's multi-million-pound Spotify deal was axed in June following a 'mutual' decision between the streaming giant and Archewell Audio  the Duchess and Prince Harry's company.

Sources close to the multi-million pound deal  which was signed by the couple in 2020  said it was was dropped after the pair did not produce enough content to warrant the full payout.

Shedding new light on the decision not to renew Harry and Meghan's deal, Spotify boss Ek told the BBC: 'We thought new innovation was needed to happen here. We thought we can come in and offer a great experience that both makes consumers very happy and allows new creators new avenues.'

He added: 'And the truth of the matter is some of it has worked, some of it hasn't. We're learning from those and we are moving on and we wish all of the ones we didn't renew with the best of success they can have going forward.'

Meghan's multi-million-pound Spotify deal was axed in June . It was officially said to have been a 'mutual' decision between the streaming giant and Archewell Audio  the Duchess and Prince Harry's company

Daniel Ek (pictured) suggested that Harry and Meghan's 18million podcast deal collapsed because it failed to make consumers happy

Ek was speaking to the BBC's Zoe Kleinman who had questioned him on whether 12 podcasts across two-and-a-half years from the Sussexes was worth 18million. She said his response had been 'very diplomatic'.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle pulls the plug on Archetypes podcast after withdrawing her application to trademark the title Advertisement

Meghan's podcast was one of the most high-profile casualties at the time. It came after Spotify's deal with Barack and Michell Obama's production company also ended last year.

On a conference call with financial analysts earlier this year, Ek conceded mistakes were made during a spree of more than $1billion as it attempted to establish itself as the top competitor in the industry.

After it was revealed that Harry and Meghan's podcast would not be renewed, Spotify exec Bill Simmons described the couple as 'f****** grifters', an Americanism for swindlers.

Simmons, Head of Podcast Innovation and Monetization at Spotify, condemned the pair in an episode of his own podcast.

'The f***ing grifters. That's the podcast we should have launched with them,' he said.

'I've got to get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. It's one of my best stories.'

It was reported in June that Harry was hoping to interview Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Pope Francis and Mark Zuckerberg about their upbringing and childhood traumas on a Spotify podcast.

Meghan's (pictured on the podcast) Archetypes podcast only aired 12 episodes before it was axed

Meghan Markle's Spotify podcast had guests including Paris Hilton, Mindy Kaling, and Serena Williams as it looked to 'examine and subvert the labels that seek to limit women'

Despite the podcast not being renewed, applications lodged with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) reveal that Archewell 'revived' its trademark bid for the Archetypes podcast title even after the Spotify deal had already been dropped.

It was confirmed late last month, however, that the Duchess had dumped her dreams of trademarking the podcast after an application was withdrawn following an unsuccessful 17-month battle to have the title protected.

Meghan's quest to trademark the name began in March last year when the application was first lodged. But in January USPTO rejected it because of the 'likelihood of confusion' with an existing trademark of the same name.

Archetypes - a word which first appeared in the English language 470 years ago - was already registered by US-based company Project Miracle IP Holdings in May 2018.

Project Miracle registered the name for 'providing a website featuring blogs and nondownloadable publications in the nature of articles in the field(s) of nutrition, fitness, sexuality, psychological self-improvement, personality identification and matching, personal relationships and dating, spirituality, horoscopes and astrology, fashion, music, and reviews and recommendations for books.'

The Sussexes' attorney in the matter then applied for an 'extension' to provide a response, which gave them until July 18 to respond to USPTO's 'non-final action' of rejecting the trademark.

Harry and Meghan were seen rubbing shoulders with Hollywood A-listers Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres at Kevin Costner's fundraiser in September

They made a guest apearance at Costner's benefit concert for Santa Barbara first responders in Montecito

During this time it was announced that Spotify would not renew the podcast for another season and dropped the couple.

Yet, on July 24 USPTO received a 'petition to revive' the trademark application.

It was argued that the Archewell 'respectfully disagrees that there is a likelihood of confusion' and 'requests that the refusal be withdrawn'.

The application was revived shortly after before the couple decided to put an end to the battle last month once and for all when they withdrew by filing an 'express abandonment'.

The podcast, which aired 12 episodes in total, had guests including Paris Hilton, Mindy Kaling, and Serena Williams as it looked to 'examine and subvert the labels that seek to limit women'.

It also won the People's Choice Award for Pop Podcast of 2022.

Harry and Meghan put on an extraordinary red carpet-style display of flirting and affection during the Invictus Games last month in their first official public engagements together since May.

Body language expert Judi James told MailOnline that the tactile royals were reasserting themselves as a global 'celebrity power couple.

Harry and Meghan put on an extraordinary red carpet-style display of flirting and affection during the Invictus Games last month

Body language expert Judi James told MailOnline that the tactile royals were reasserting themselves as a global 'celebrity power couple

Their public displays of affection, after it emerged Meghan has taken off her engagement ring because a setting came loose, came after friends of the couple had torn apart speculation about their future in Hollywood and rumoured strains behind the scenes.

Ms James said: 'Meghan and Harry's body language really does seem to signal that the Harry and Meghan roadshow is back in the room.

'Its been a while since the fans have been treated to some of their signature rituals of togetherness as a couple and as a professional double act but they appear here taking the applause like celebrities with Harry back in his proud, protective tow-along pose, hand-in-hand with a very excited looking Meghan.

'Their hand clasp is mutual, with Harrys hand on top in a gesture of dominance and Meghans fingers are curled upward to show reciprocal affection as Harry leans to talk to her.'

Harry had travelled to Dusseldorf alone after a stopover in London. He and his wife have carried out a large number of solo events separately this summer.

Their last public engagement was in New York in May when Meghan was given a Women of Vision Award. Doria Ragland also attended.

In early August Harry embarked on a boys-only Asian tour with best friend Nacho Figueras while his wife partied with friends watching Taylor Swift in LA and stayed at home to care for Archie and Lilibet.

But during the Invictus Games, Meghan and Harry cosied up to one another.

It came amid rumours Meghan is enforcing a brand separation from her husband after his best-selling book Spare, containing many brutal attacks on his family, seemingly damaged their popularity in the US and UK.

The Sussexes also made a surprise appearance as special guests at Kevin Costner's star-studded One805 Live! event at his $26million polo field in Santa Barbara last month.

The Sussexes' warm reception at the event echoed their success at the Invictus Games in Germany, when crowds in Dusseldorf were eager to meet Harry and Meghan while they watched different events at the 2023 tournament.

The Duke and Duchess mingled with Hollywood royalty at the star-studded event, and posed for photos with Costner, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia Di Rossi, and Oprah Winfrey.
Los Angeles' controversial zero-bail policy went into effect on Sunday after a judge ruled that the old cash system discriminated against minorities and the poor.

A person's bail amount was previously based on the severity of the allegations against them - but critics argued this benefited those who could pay.

Now those accused of non-violent or non-serious crimes will be released. Defendants accused of more serious crimes will appear before a magistrate who will determine alternative 'appropriate non-financial pre-arraignment release terms.'

Officially known as Pre-Arraignment Release Protocols, the zero-bail policy has been slammed by cops who believe it will undermine crime fighting. Zero bail was first introduced to combat overcrowding in the city's jails during the pandemic but expired last summer.

The new law comes as officials in LA say organized crime and the pandemic-era zero cash bail is to blame for a recent spate of smash-and-grab raids, with robberies jumping 10 percent last year and nearly 580,000 larcenies reported to the police.

Los Angeles controversial zero-bail policy went into effect on Sunday. LA alw enforcement officials have blamed the policy for a recent series of robberies. In August, a gang of more than 30 made off with $300,000 in goods from a Nordstrom

Deputy Police Chief Alan Hamilton, pictured here, has said that a recent robbery of a Nordstrom store was ran by crime groups

Twelve counties, including Glendora, Lakewood, Arcadia and Santa Fe Springs, sued the city on Friday in a last-minute attempt to block the law, and more are expected to follow.

Glendora Mayor Gary Boyer said: 'Our big hope would be to overturn the zero-bail policy or at least put a pause on it so that we have the ability to take a harder look at it and find out whether or not this is the right thing to do.'

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore has also spoken out about the policy, saying 'that approach offers little to no deterrence to those involved in a range of serious criminal offenses.'

'The elimination of cash bail for these types of offenses is really an invitation to these kind of folks who are inclined to break the law and inclined to do it so brazenly,' warned Tom Saggau of the LA Police Protective League.

LA county supervisor Holly Mitchell has defended the new law, saying, 'It's really dangerous for us to conflate bail with accountability... Bail means I have the resources to pay my way out of jail.'

Rapper 50 Cent warned the city was 'finished' after it announced it would reintroduce the policy earlier this summer.

He spoke out after a judge in the Democrat-run city ruled that holding inmates to cash bail when they can't afford to pay was a violation of their constitutional rights.

'LA is finished watch how bad it gets out there. SMH [shaking my head],' the hip hop star wrote on social media.

Governor Gavin Newsom has been a fierce defender of the move claiming it would help 'root out racial inequity and structural bias.'

'We will once again have the opportunity to make California a national leader in the unfinished fight for equity and justice,' he said as he campaigned for the measure.

An organized gang of female looters was arrested last week after the latest in a series of brazen daylight raids targeting stores in southern California

Deputy Police Chief Alan Hamilton said that a September robbery of a Nordstrom store, which resulted in the theft of $300,000 in luxury good, was ran by crime groups.

A gang of more than 30 had made off with $300,000 in goods in the robbery of a Nordstrom in Topanga Mall in the city.

Videos circulating online show the thieves grabbing luxury goods from brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Burberry and Bottega Veneta.

The gang had also deployed bear spray to attack two security guards at the store, allowing them to cause chaos.

Last week, a 14-year-old girl was among an organized gang of female looters arrested after the latest in a series of brazen daylight raids targeting stores in southern California.

She and her mentors did not even bother to disguise themselves as they ransacked the Nike store in Irvine, grabbing armfuls of clothes as they sauntered around before strolling unchallenged into the street.

Flashmobs involving as many as fifty people attacking stores in the Golden State, have prompted the LAPD to form a taskforce.

At the end of August the taskforce, named the Organized Retail Crime Taskforce, said they had made eleven arrests in connection with four cases.
A Cabinet minister today said that Brits needed help to have more children to bring down the need for foreign workers.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said the country needed a 'higher birth rate' to deal with the ageing population in Britain.

He made the remarks in a debate on immigration at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester today, admitting that a shortage of housing was forcing people to delay starting families.

He was responding to comments by academic Professor Matthew Goodwin, who called for a 'mature conversation' about how state policy intervention could be used to trigger a baby boom.

In response to his words at a fringe event organised by the Policy Exchange think tank, Mr Jenrick said: 'I agree strongly with the last point about families. We do need to encourage more families to have children.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said that the country needed a 'higher birth rate' to deal with the ageing population leaving shortages of domestic workers

He was responding to comments by Right-wing academic Professor Matthew Goodwin, who called for a 'mature conversation' about how state policy intervention could be used to trigger a baby boom

London is the only region with an average age of less than 40, according to ONS figures

There are more older people than ever, with 11.1million now over 65  one in six  equating to around two million more pensioners compared with 2011. Despite the Covid pandemic, there has also been a huge rise in the number of people aged 90 or over. There are now more than half a million over-90s, up a quarter in a decade. It means there are now more pensioners than children for the first time in recorded history, with 10.4million under- 15s. For comparison, there were 9.2million over-65s and 9.9million under-15s a decade ago

'And that's why the Prime Minister's intervention earlier in the year on childcare was important - that's why we need to build more homes so that young people can settle down and have a family life.

'And there's a lot of evidence that the lack of housing is one of the reasons people are settling down and having kids later on in life.'

Afterwards he told The Guardian: 'We want to have a higher birth rate as a country. With an ageing society it is critically important.

'There are lots of reasons we're not unique as a country for that. It is across the western world. The things that Government can do is improve childcare, and above all housing, because there's a massive link between how late people eventually settle down and the ability to have kids.'

Prof Goodwin had told the event: 'We need to have some immigration  but I do think we need to be able to talk in a more mature fashion about how we might tackle that issue through policy, through changing social norms, through investing in family development, through many of the things that conservatives elsewhere in the world are talking about but we as a country seem incapable of talking about family policy without everybody losing their marbles.

'Id like to see a mature conversation about how we could encourage families to have more children and how the state could have a role in that.'

Earlier this year, official figures revealed London is now the only region of the country where the average age is under 40.

The UK's population is advancing to middle age across all regions except the capital city, census data showed in May.

The number of people aged 65-74 has risen by 20 per cent over the past decade, while those aged 35-49 has fallen by 16.5 per cent, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

At 54, the average median age in North Norfolk is 14 years higher than the national average. The South West, Scotland and Northern Ireland have an average age of 44, while London has an average median age of just 35 - up two years since the 2011 census.

While on average the nation is one year older than it was in 2011, Richmondshire in North Yorkshire has seen the median age rise by six years in that period - from 40 to 46.
Hotel group Travelodge has apologised to a young disabled woman after she was left sleeping on a cafe sofa because staff were unable to accommodate her wheelchair.

Bethany Handley, 24, informed hotel staff that she required an accessible hotel room in order to be able to access the toilet.

But she claims she was told that 'it doesn't matter', and was left without a room and lying on the sofa in the hotel cafe instead.

Travelodge said a travel agent had booked the wrong room and an accessible room was not available.

Ms Handley, from Monmouth, was booked into the hotel in Farringdon, London on September 26.

Bethany Handley was left sleeping on a sofa while staying at a Travelodge in London, after staff didn't accommodate her wheelchair

Ms Handley, 24, had requested an accessible room in order that she could use the toilet but ended up on a couch in the hotel cafe after being given a standard room

The writer and poet was staying at the group's hotel in Farringdon, London (pictured) having travelled to the capital for a hospital appointment the following day

She said: 'The hotel made me feel like I was the problem for being a wheelchair user.

'I'm not disabled by having to use a wheelchair. I'm disabled by Travelodge not having a safe place for me to stay.'

Ms Handley, a writer and poet, had checked into the hotel in the capital ahead of a hospital appointment the following day.

But she was told the adapted room she had asked for was not available and was offered a regular room instead.

She said: 'I couldn't get through the bathroom door.'

Her mum eventually found her a different hotel on the other side of London.

Ms Handley said: 'Travelodge showed complete disregard to disabled people. Access should be a right, but in this case it seems to be an afterthought.

'Everyone should have a right to safe accommodation. Our rights are being violated.

'Staff need disability awareness training so they don't blame customers who have access requirements and offer better service to disabled people.'

Ms Handley said that Travelodge had shown 'complete disregard' to her accessibility requirements which she said were an 'afterthought' for staff

Travelodge apologised to Bethany, saying the wrong room had been booked by a travel agent and insisted that the hotel did 'everything possible to accommodate her needs'.

A spokesman added: 'While we were not able to provide an accessible room in this hotel for the first night of the booking, we were able to allocate an accessible room for the second night of Ms Handley's stay.

'We understand this room did not meet her specific requirements and have offered Ms Handley a full refund which she has accepted.'
Humza Yousaf faces a rebellion that could bring down his alliance with the Greens as angry Nationalist MSPs launch secret talks with the Tories.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross yesterday revealed that multiple SNP backbenchers have approached him to discuss how to stop unpopular policies.

He claimed the discussions may even develop into a full-scale rebellion that could scupper the Bute House Agreement between the SNP and the Greens.

It comes as former SNP leadership contender Kate Forbes yesterday launched a strongly-worded attack on her partys approach to the Highlands and Islands.

Mr Ross, said: I have spoken to members of the SNP who have raised concerns with me about the direction of their government and would look at ways that parliament can hold the SNP to account.

Douglas Ross has spoken to members of the SNP about their concerns with the Greens

That clearly shows a frustration with some members of the current governing party in Scotland, that their own leadership is not listening to them.

I think you just have to look at the interview Kate Forbes gave today. She is saying that the Highlands have been ignored by Holyrood  well thats exactly the message I have been giving.

Kate Forbes and others who have raised serious concerns about the SNP leadership and the direction of this Scottish Government have to ultimately decide what is more important: is it backing Humza Yousaf and the SNP to continue to be in office  to agitate for independence at every opportunity  or is it standing up for their constituents, who even the SNP can now see have been let down after 16 years in power?

Mr Ross refused to reveal which MSPs had approached him, but said: I am saying I have been contacted and I have had discussions with backbench members of the SNP.

Theyve come to me and weve had this discussion. I think it shows that what Ive been articulating here at the Conservative Party conference about the areas of Scotland which have been forgotten by the SNP is clear  not just to me, but even SNP members.

But theyve got to make that choice. At the moment, largely they are still backing Humza Yousaf and his SNP/Green Government who are putting independence above all else.

The SNP has 64 MSPs, one short of a majority. Its support from seven Green MSPs gives the coalition a convincing majority.

But there is growing concern within the SNP about the coalition. When Nationalist MSPs voted for former rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing to be suspended for one week after he backed a vote of no confidence in Green minister Lorna Slater, nine opposed the sanction and four abstained.

Asked if he could see the rebels bring down the coalition, Mr Ross said: I hope so because the Green SNP coalition has been one of the worst things for Scotland. This current administration following the route Nicola Sturgeon had taken by inviting the Greens into government has had really damaging effects in Scotland and there is a growing concern among many... about the Bute House Agreement.

Ive made it very clear, if I can see there is an opportunity to have a vote in the Scottish parliament to end the Bute House Agreement then I hope some of these dissenting voices in the SNP would get behind that and vote the Greens out of office.

Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie's Green party is losing the faith of some of their coalition partners

Mr Ross said that SNP rebels are frustrated and can see that after 16 years this is a Government which does not stand up for many parts of Scotland and ignores their needs and concerns.

He added: It is interesting that elected SNP politicians are keen to speak to not just me but other opposition members in Holyrood, because there is clearly a frustration about the way government is taking Scotland forward at the moment and the communities that have been forgotten by the SNP.

One Nationalist MSP told the Mail: There is certainly growing disquiet amongst MSPs about the damaging effect the link with the Greens is having.

It is true, certainly, that this is a growing concern not just within the group but within the wider SNP membership.

Over half did not actually choose Humza [in the leadership contest], they chose two other people who got more than half of people in the first round.

Theres very few SNP MSPs that would be willing to work with the Tories on this, but a growing number of them would like to see either a renegotiation or scrapping of the deal altogether.

There is definitely a growing malaise about the relationship with the Greens.
Said judge overseeing his case should be 'charged criminally'

He accused him of having 'contempt for his own court system'

Former President Donald Trump delivered an angry attack on the state Supreme Court judge overseeing his case  saying Judge Arthur Engoron should be disbarred and 'charged criminally' amid adverse rulings.

Trump blasted the judge for an earlier summary judgement ruling in the case that has him facing potential penalties of $250 million, although his team had sought summary judgement in the case.

'This is a judge that should be disbarred. This is a judge that should be out of office,' Trump said.

'This is a judge that some people say could be charged criminally for what he's doing. He's interfering with an election, and it's a disgrace,' Trump fumed.

Then, just about two hours later, Trump came to the cameras to declare a partial victory in the case, praising a 'very fair' statement by the judge on a major statute of limitations issue that Trump said would bump all transactions before 2014 from the case. Trump said that means 'about 80 per cent of this case would be over.'

Trump made the extraordinary statement during a lunch break just steps outside the courtroom, with reporters and cameras staked out inside the New York courthouse.

Trump said Judge Arthur Engoron, could be 'charged criminally' for his handling of the case

Engoron attended Columbia University, got his law degree from New York University, and worked as a litigator and a law clerk

He repeated a claim that Justice Department officials were pulling the strings in the Empire State, while once again attacking state AG Letitia James, special counsel Jack Smith, and even a clerk he claimed is in Judge Engoron's 'ear.'

'This guy's getting away with murder. And his clerk should not be allowed to be in his ear with every single question,' Trump said.

'You should take a look at her. She hates Trump even more than he does,' he suggested.

His attacks come despite being warned in unrelated criminal cases about attacks on court personnel.

Smith's team sought a gag order from U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan by citing many of his previous attacks on prosecutors, even citing his attacks on the judge herself. She also ruled against a motion by Trump's team that she should recuse herself.

'Take a look at Jack Smith. Take a look at these people. This is called election interference and worse than that, much worse than that,' he said.

In the New York case, with massive fines and licensing of parts of his real estate empire on the line, Trump is balancing courtroom strategy with an electoral one, with his poll performance rising despite a series of criminal indictments.

He called Judge Engoron a 'Democrat club politician' and a 'Democrat operative.' After Enogoron's summary judgement ruling, Trump called him 'deranged.'

Engoron attended Columbia University, got his law degree from New York University, and worked as a litigator and a law clerk. In his rulings he has mentioned taking part in a Vietnam War protest and driving a taxi cab, according to an AP profile.

He was elected unopposed to the state Supreme Court.

Trump blasted the judge while standing just steps from his courtroom

Earlier Trump called AG Letitia James 'racist.' He called her a 'disgrace,' and said in a pre-trial tirade, 'You ought to go after this attorney general'

Trump tore into special counsel Jack Smith, who has sought a partial gag order in a criminal case against him

Trump also tore into New York AG Letitia James, calling her a 'disgrace to our country. Take a look at Jack Smith. Take a look at these people,' he said.

Judge Engoron is barred from hitting back at Trump in the press, although he has decision-making authority in the non-jury trial.

He also erupted over the valuation for Mar-a-Lago that the judge cited in a ruling that Trump inflated assets by $2 billion.

Trump cited articles quoting real estate experts who were shocked by the low valuations. He then said the private club was worth $1.5 billion.

'Anybody that does business in New York State is crazy,' said Trump, who moved his official domicile to Florida.

Trump used the valuations to make his best case with the media. 'Ive got a lot of respect for you  not all of you but a lot of you,' he said.

Asked why he decided to come to court in person, he skipped the trial where he was found liable for sexual abuse of E Jean Carroll, Trump said: 'Because I want to watch this witch hunt myself.'

Trump had earlier gone after Engoron on his Truth Social platform as a 'ROGUE, OUT OF CONTROL, TRUMP HATING JUDGE.'

A five-judge appeals court last week denied a motion by Trump's lawyers to postpone the trial. It also lifted another judge's order that had put the trial on hold.

In his ruling, Engoron hit close to home by noting that Trump had misstated the size of his Trump Tower triplex, listing it at 30,000 square feet rather than 11,000.

'A discrepancy of this order of magnitude, by a real estate developer sizing up his own living space of decades, can only be considered fraud,' he wrote.

Trump's team have argued that a June appeals court ruling puts some of Trump's conduct outside a statute of limitations.

The judge decided he could go ahead with the trial.
The countdown to the most important by-election in modern Scottish political history is under way  and the writing is on the wall for the SNP.

Rutherglen and Hamilton West is the seat of former Nationalist MP Margaret Ferrier  or Margaret Covid, as Nicola Sturgeon memorably called her.

Ferrier  who disgraced herself by breaching coronavirus regulations  was ousted by voters in her own constituency, outraged at her flagrant abuse of the law.

At this Thursdays by-election, there will be another opportunity for the electorate to deliver its verdict on the SNP  and it is likely to be damning.

Mr Yousaf has been a hopeless minister in every portfolio he has ever held

Shona Robison, the Deputy First Minister, claims that a victory for her party would send shockwaves through Westminster  but it would also be a shock for the SNP hierarchs, who are bracing themselves for a less than optimal result.

Lunacy

Either way, Humza Yousaf is living on borrowed time, presiding over a party in meltdown with one of the worst track records of any government at any time, anywhere in the world.

His enemies are lining up against him, including former stalwarts such as Fergus Ewing  an ex-minister who was suspended last week for the crime of speaking his mind, a cardinal error in Nationalist circles.

An avowed enemy of the SNP/Green axis, which he rightly identifies as an electoral liability, Mr Ewing is dismissed at least privately by the separatist top brass as a dinosaur whose time has passed.

But anyone who has been paying attention would have noticed Kate Forbes standing next to Mr Ewing as he delivered a broadside against his bosses  the former Finance Secretary who narrowly lost out to Mr Yousaf in the race to replace Ms Sturgeon.

Douglas Ross, who correctly called the First Minister a danger to Scotland, predicts a backbench rebellion lies ahead  possibly led by Ms Forbes  as disillusioned Nationalists begin talks with the Tories about how to stop some of the SNP/Green Governments policies.

Shona Robison claims victory will send shockwaves through Westminster

Its that poisonous coalition of chaos which has helped to sow the seeds of disharmony within the SNP, putting an abrupt end to years of clone-like obedience.

While locked in a partnership with a crew of hardline Marxists, Mr Yousaf seeks to convince us that hes a recent convert to the cause of economic growth  and presumably expects to be taken seriously.

He threatens further progressive tax hikes in a country where anyone who has the temerity to want a better life for themselves and their families is either weighing up getting out now before the next assault on their bank balances  or has already gone.

To placate the eco-zealots propping up his enervated regime, Mr Yousaf and his colleagues wax lyrical about the supposed virtues of heat pumps  even though theyre expensive, inefficient and entirely unsuited to the vast majority of homes in the most densely populated areas of Scotland.

And this lunacy is being forced upon us at a time when most Scots are battling sky-high household bills and mortgage payments.

Together with their predecessors, Mr Yousaf and his group of time-servers and placemen have taken incompetence to vertiginous new heights.

Drug addicts are dying in the street  and the death toll is the highest in Europe.

The relatively straightforward task of assembling a couple of ferries has now cost the taxpayer almost as much as the 400million Scottish parliament building  itself one of the most controversial public sector construction projects in history.

On any measure, the SNP has utterly failed to live up to its promises of reform, most strikingly on education and health  two key public services which are now effectively on life support.

Drug addicts are dying in the street  and the death toll is the highest in Europe.

But the only big idea is to plough more than 2million a year into a clinic where they can inject their own heroin and cocaine under medical supervision, consigning them to a grim cycle of dependence, as NHS waiting lists continue to spiral.

The only growth industry in Scotland apart from the public inquiry  get-rich-quick schemes for lawyers, even if the conclusions they reach are routinely ignored  is quango-land, which flourishes as your taxes creep ever higher to support its fat-cat overlords.

Mr Yousaf said he was determined to honour the legacy of Ms Sturgeon, though the immediate stumbling-block was that no one could work out what it was, including him (and possibly even her).

Mutiny

That ambition rapidly turned sour as Operation Branchform got under way, with detectives probing allegations of 600,000 of donations missing from party coffers  an investigation which led to the arrests of Ms Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell, the SNPs former chief executive.

Both were subsequently released without charge pending further enquiries, but Mr Yousaf has been left to mop up the mess  though in reality he has contributed to it.

He was tasked with steadying the ship but instead has overseen a mutiny  and each day we see fresh evidence of his partys true colours.

Last week, Nationalist MP Lisa Cameron accused her own colleagues of leaving her suffering panic attacks after she endured months of group bullying. She revealed the full extent of the mental health trauma she has suffered as a direct consequence of being ignored and sidelined by her fellow MPs.

Ms Cameron said she was ostracised after suggesting the party should be supporting the harassment victim of shamed MP Patrick Grady after the former chief whip was found guilty of sexual misconduct by the Westminster standards watchdog  and suspended from the SNP for six months.

For years, the SNP and its online acolytes presented it as a modern, progressive, 21st-century political movement.

Chiding

The truth is much uglier, and now its tearing itself apart in a way that would have been unthinkable only months ago.

Mr Yousaf has been a hopeless minister in every portfolio he has ever held, including justice, where he let out hundreds of criminals during the Covid pandemic, only for scores of them to re-offend  committing attempted murder, serious assault, robbery and sex offences.

In the vital health brief, he brought his reverse Midas Touch into play again, and is remembered chiefly for falling from his knee-scooter as he rushed to the Holyrood debating chamber  then, in a fit of pique, chiding those who dared to mock him on social media.

Margaret Ferrier was ousted by voters in her own constituency

It is one of the great mysteries of our time that Mr Yousaf has found himself in the highest office in the land, where he remains hopelessly out of his depth.

When Scotland needs a dynamic, visionary reformer, it has been saddled with a dud  whose own party is starting to lose confidence in him.

His only philosophy, like the former First Minister, is to cling on to power at all costs, while trying to con SNP voters that there is still a route to independence  a dream that died some time ago.

Thursday may represent the end of the road for Mr Yousaf  and the beginning of the end for the SNP hegemony after 16 years of failure and division.
'It would hurt his support in the conference, and I think it would hurt his support across the country,' she said. 'So I don't think he wants to cross that line'

She also warned him against putting a bill that includes Ukraine aid on the floor

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she is 'fed up' with Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his leadership team over the weekend's spending chaos - but warned Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz against his bid to oust the speaker.

Over the weekend McCarthy drew the ire of House conservatives when he put a 'clean' continuing resolution, or a bill to extend government funding on the House floor.

That was after a chaotic back-and-forth proved they would never get through a party-line continuing resolution that cuts spending with the votes of only Republicans.

'It's a system of failure and I'm fed up with it,' she told DailyMail.com in an interview, arguing the House should have been working out a spending plan long before the 11th hour of the shutdown deadline - September 30.

She also fired off a warning shot to McCarthy thhat his support across the House GOP conference would 'waiver' if he allowed a vote on Ukraine aid to come to the floor.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she is 'fed up' with Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his leadership team over the weekend's spending chaos - but warned Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz against his bid to oust the speaker

'It would hurt his support in the conference, and I think it would hurt his support across the country,' she said. 'So I don't think he wants to cross that line.'

On Monday morning Florida Republican Matt Gaetz fired off another warning shot to McCarthy's speakership as he accused the GOP leader of cutting a 'secret side deal' with President Biden to get more money to Ukraine.

Though she credited McCarthy for stripping Ukraine aid from the defense spending bill, she tore into House GOP leadership for going up against the 11th hour and then passing a continuing resolution (CR).

'We have intentional, systemic failure every single year because of a calendar that sets Congress up for a failure no matter which party is in charge. And, and you know what? That's our current leadership's fault as well.'

'Congress goes home for all of August and half of September. And that makes me so angry because I never would run my company that way. I have a construction company. We run on deadline. It's ridiculous. So I am angry about things.'

Greene went to bat for McCarthy during the frenzied speaker's race and developed a close relationship with the House speaker. But these days she's seemingly become more open to criticism of the California Republican.

'I supported McCarthy to be speaker and I'll be the first one to hold him accountable when he's not doing his job.'

Still, she warned GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz against filing a motion to vacate because it would 'throw our entire Congress into chaos.'

Over the weekend McCarthy drew the ire of House conservatives when he put a 'clean' continuing resolution, or a bill to extend government funding on the House floor

She warned Gaetz: 'Stop trying to make the internet pitch fork and tiki torch mob happy because you can never make them happy.'

'I'm telling you. I hate drama,' Greene went on. 'I don't want to get in the drama. I just I want everybody to get to work.'

But she also vowed to defend Gaetz against anyone who tried to threaten his job.

'I will absolutely not allow that to happen,' she said.

The congresswoman said that 45 days is 'probably not going to be enough to finish all 12 appropriations bills and work with the Senate to get them through.

'It's always, "Oh no. The government's going to shut down panic mode, pass the car, and then you get the Christmas omnibus which I call a lump of coal for the American people. So it's a system of failure and I'm fed up with it. I'm not going to be a part of it.'

If Congress does not pass 12 single-subject spending bills to fund each agency of government, they usually resort to an over-arching omnibus bill that puts funding for every government agency in one up-or-down vote.

Greene brushed away any suggestion that her relationship with McCarthy might have soured in the midst of the spending debate.

'The proof that Kevin McCarthy does listen to me is the fact that the $300 billion for Ukraine was taken out of the defense bill, she said,. 'That is a good thing. That's not a bad thing. So people need to give Kevin McCarthy credit there instead of demanding his head on a platter.'

Greene warned McCarthy against violating the Hastert Rule - an arcane and unwritten rule that the speaker does not bring a bill to the floor unless it was the support of the majority of the majority.

Last week a vote on $300 million in funding to train Ukrainian soldiers passed the House but did not garner support from a majority of Republicans - 100 voted for it, 117 voted against it.

That money had originally been included in the defense appropriations bill - drawing the ire of Republicans like Greene. McCarthy went back and forth on removing it from the bill and voting on it separately but ultimately did just that.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refused to say if President Joe Biden was telling the truth when he said there was a deal with Republicans in Congress on funding for the Ukraine.

On Sunday, Biden said he had a deal with Speaker Kevin McCarthy to send more money to Kyiv.

His remarks led to Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz accusing the speaker of making a 'secret deal.' McCarthy, however, told reporters there was no deal.

The White House didn't offer any clarity on Monday.

'There's obviously bipartisan support to continue the funding to Ukraine,' Jean-Pierre said when asked if there was a specific deal.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refused to say if President Joe Biden was telling the truth when he said there was a deal with Republicans on funding for the Ukraine

'What we're seeing currently from Congress is there has been  there has been overwhelming support,' she added.

She declined to say what exactly Biden was referring to when he told reporters he'd made a deal with McCarthy on Ukraine.

'I'm not going to go beyond what the president said,' she said. She said more aid would be announced 'soon.'

Biden, on Sunday, when talking about the bill to fund the government through mid-November, when he was asked if he would be able to trust McCarthy on the next deal.

'We just made one about Ukraine. So, we'll find out,' he replied without giving any details on what he meant.

His remark left room for interpretation that there was a new deal made with McCarthy on funding for the war effort - despite opposition from hardline Republicans.

He didn't clarify matters when asked about it repeatedly on Monday.

'I fully expect the Speaker and the majority of Republicans in Congress to keep their commitments to secure the passage of the support needed to help Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression,' he said at a Cabinet meeting but declined to answer questions from reporters about a deal with McCarthy.

Congress averted a government shutdown by passing a short-term funding bill over the weekend, but it was passed without any funding for the war effort in Ukraine.

And the Pentagon warned Congressional leaders that it was running low on money to replace weapons the U.S. had sent to Kyiv, according to a letter to them obtained by the Associated Press.

Biden and his administration have pushed to keep funding Ukraine's fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But the speaker denied any deal was made.

'There is no side deal, so I don't know who is bringing that up,' McCarthy told reporters on Capitol Hill on Monday.

President Joe Biden on Sunday indicated he had a deal with Speaker Kevin McCarthy on funding for the Ukraine

Speaker McCarthy denied he had a deal with Biden on funding for Kyiv

McCarthy's remarks came after Gaetz, who is threatening to push for a vote to remove McCarthy from the speakership, took to the House floor to rail against McCarthy, accusing him of making a 'secret deal' with Democrats on funding for Ukraine.

'It is becoming increasingly clear who the Speaker of the House already works for and it's not the Republican Conference.'

Funding for Ukraine has become an issue for the conservative Republican base, which has been vocal of its opposition of it.

Gaetz berated McCarthy to 'tell us what was in the secret Ukraine side deal' as he railed against him. The conservative wing of House Republicans also opposed doing a temporary deal to fund the government.

So McCarthy went around them, using the votes of Democrats to pass the funding measure.

Meanwhile, despite heavy lobbying from the administration - which included personal appeals from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin - funding for the Ukraine was left out of the measure.

Pentagon Comptroller Michael McCord told House and Senate leaders in the letter on Monday there is $1.6 billion left of the $25.9 billion Congress provided to replenish U.S. military stocks that have been going to the Ukraine.

McCord said the U.S. has completely run out of long-term funding for Kyiv.

'We have already been forced to slow down the replenishment of our own forces to hedge against an uncertain funding future,' McCord said in the letter. 'Failure to replenish our military services on a timely basis could harm our military's readiness.'

Biden, meanwhile, is planning to call allies to reassure them that US support for Ukraine will continue, according to Bloomberg News.

The calls could begin as soon as Tuesday.
A woman who allegedly stabbed her husband to death while on a camping trip with friends doesn't remember anything about the incident, her lawyer has claimed.

Serdar Caliskan, 50, was found with a stab wound in a car on Spur Road at Clonbinane, near Mount Disappointment north of Melbourne, at 11.30pm on Saturday. He died at the scene.

His wife, Ilknur Caliskan, 46, was arrested at the scene and charged with murder on Sunday afternoon.

Caliskan appeared at Shepparton Magistrates Court on Monday where her lawyer Marcus Denning said his client did not understand what had allegedly unfolded on Saturday night.

'She doesn't recall anything to do with any type of violence,' he said, the Herald Sun reported.

Serdar Caliskan, 50, was found dead with a stab wound inside a car on Spur Road at Clonbinane, north of Melbourne, at 11.30pm on Saturday. His wife, Ilknur Caliskan, 46, was arrested at the scene and charged with murder on Sunday afternoon

'It's an unusual case with no evidence of intention to commit homicide, no motive, and no evidence of prior violence.'

Caliskan and her husband, who were married for 25 years, had been on a camping trip with three other couples over the weekend.

Their two adult children have been left shocked by the alleged attack, and say their parents were 'very happy', and had recently enjoyed an overseas trip to Turkey together.

It's understood the group had been sitting around a campfire when Mr Caliskan was injured.

Mr Denning said the couple's children were supporting their mother and 'will help as much as they can to get her the treatment she needs'.

Caliskan has no criminal history and lives at home with her son and daughter in Craigieburn.

The 46-year-old will undergo a forensic psychiatric assessment at the end of the month.

She wept during her court appearance, as did members of her family who said she and her husband loved each other unconditionally.

Caliskan did not make an application for bail and was remanded in custody.

She will face court again on December 19.
He has been wanted for homicide charges in Brazil since February 2022

A Brazilian fugitive wanted for murder has been arrested nearly 7,000 miles away on Martha's Vineyard, living among America's rich and famous.

Hiago Ornela-Da Silva was captured by federal agents in Edgartown, Massachusetts on Thursday.

Ornela-Da Silva went on the run in February last year after being named as a murder suspect in Barra de Sao Francisco in the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo.

It is not clear how the illegal immigrant made his way to Martha's Vineyard, but US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said he had entered the country illegally on multiple occasions dating back to 2007.

The billionaire enclave was last year a destination for migrants who were sent north by Republican Florida Governor Ron de Santis in a bid to highlight the Democrats disastrous border policy.

Hiago Ornela-Da Silva, 31, was arrested in Martha's Vineyard Thursday

Authorities say he as illegally entered the country several times since 2007 and they do not know when he last entered the US and how long he has been living on the island

Ornela-Da Silva has been wanted in Brazil for homicide charges since February 2022

'The arrest of this Brazilian noncitizen demonstrates our commitment to prioritizing enforcement and removal efforts against unlawfully present noncitizens who are wanted for crimes in their home countries,' said Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons.

The agency said the fugitive first illegally entered the US as a minor in December 2007 and was removed by a judge in June 2008.

He filed to rescind that removal in July 2008, which was granted in August 2008. But was again ordered to leave the country in January 2009.

In August 2009 he left the US through the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

Officials said he then unlawfully reentered the country at an unknown date and location without being inspected. He will remain in custody pending his extradition.

Noncitizens placed into removal proceedings receive their legal due process from federal immigration judges in the immigration courts, which are administered by the Justice Departments Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).

EOIR is an agency within the Department of Justice and separate from the Department of Homeland Security and ICE.

In September 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis flew 50 migrants to Martha's Vineyard in what some called a political stunt

In September 2022, DeSantis flew 50 migrants to the affluent island.

The move sparked outcry from the liberal leaders of the small island in Massachusetts who branded it 'inhumane.'

The median house in Martha's Vineyard is worth over $800,000, according to the census, and the median household income is $77,392.

In fiscal year 2022, ERO arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories.

This group had 198,498 associated charges and convictions, including 21,531 assault offenses, 8,164 sex and sexual assault offenses, 5,554 weapons offenses, 1,501 homicide-related offenses and 1,114 kidnapping offenses.
A gunman remains on the run after a drive-by shooting in a suburban street in Sydney's west.

Emergency services were called to Henry Street in Guildford shortly after 4am on Tuesday morning after multiple shots were fired at a parked vehicle.

Three men were sitting in the white Mercedes Benz when the vehicle was peppered with several bullets.

The driver and his two passengers, all aged in their 20s, were shaken but escaped uninjured.

The unknown gunman fled the scene and remains at large.

Police examine a Mercedes Benz that was shot at in Guildford early Tuesday morning

Henry Street in Guildford remains cordoned off as forensic officers examine the scene

Multiple police crews attended the scene and remained there throughout the morning.

Part of Henry Street remains cordoned off as forensic officers collect and scour for evidence.

Detectives were also seen examining the Mercedes Benz that was shot at.

'A crime scene has been established, and police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident,' a NSW Police statement read.

Police are investigating whether a burnt-out vehicle found 15km away in Cartwright shortly afterwards is linked to the drive-by shooting.

Anyone with information is urged to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.

Detectives have blocked off a Guildford street following an early morning drive-by shooting
A journalist and advocate who rose from homelessness and addiction to work social media for his city's mayor was shot and killed at his home early Monday.

The incident happened overnight in Philly, and left 39-year-old Josh Kruger collapsed on the street outside his Point Breeze home, police said.

An incident report further revealed how Kruger, at about 1:30am ET, was shot a total of seven times during the home invasion, and that the suspect - or suspects - are still at large.

It also revealed how Kruger - who worked for five years in his city's government from 2016 to 2021 - survived the initial encounter, and was able to make it outside to seek help before succumbing to his wounds about a half hour later at a local hospital.

Kruger is now being remembered by both the city's DA and his old boss, who issued a statement recalling how the writer - who was once addicted to drugs and homeless - 'cared deeply about our city and its residents' as the communications director for the city's Office of Homeless Services.

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Josh Kruger, 39, was shot seven times in his Philadelphia home around 1:30am buy at least one unknown assailant

The incident happened overnight in Philly, and left the 39-year-old collapsed on the street outside his Point Breeze home (seen here), police said

At the time of his death, Kruger was back doing journalism, crafting words for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Weekly, Philadelphia City Paper, and more for the past two years.

In turn, Kenney, a Democrat who took office in 2016, crafted his own statement that he is 'shocked and saddened' by Kruger's death.

'Josh cared deeply about our city and its residents, which was evident both in his public service and in his writing,' Kenney said, recalling the years Kruger handled social media for him and the city's homeless humanitarian effort simultaneously.

'His intelligence, creativity, passion, and wit shone bright in everything that he did - and his light was dimmed much too soon,' Kenney added, revealing how Kruger left city government to focus on writing projects for news and causes he deemed important.

One such cause commonly covered by the journalist was the prevalence of homelessness and drugs in urban settings - something he himself was all too familiar with before getting off the streets and back on the straight and narrow.

During his stint living rough, though, he was infected with HIV - an affliction he had since conquered with medication and a healthier lifestyle.

The accomplished writer, several friends and officials added, was also openly gay, and regularly wrote about displaced peoples on the margins of society.

Such work was not lost on the city's District Attorney Larry Krasner Monday, who remembered Kruger by praising his years of contributions to the city.

'As an openly queer writer who wrote about his own journey surviving substance use disorder and homelessness... Josh Kruger lifted up the most vulnerable and stigmatized people in our communities,' said Krasner.

Mayor Jim Kenney, a Democrat who took office in 2016, said he is 'shocked and saddened' by Kruger's death, citing how the journalist used to work for him as both a social media manager and the head of the city's Office of Homeless Services

'Particularly unhoused people living with addiction,' he added.

'Josh deserved to write the ending of his personal story.'

Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore, meanwhile, told The Philadelphia Inquirer that officers from his department responded to reports of gunshots and screams, and arrived at the residence to find Kruger lying in the street outside.

Vanore told Kruger's former employer that his investigators believe Kruger was shot at the base of the interior stairs, and then collapsed after running outside to get help.

Kruger's former employer further reported that police believe the door to the residence had been unlocked or the shooter knew how to get in, with Vanore telling the outlet: 'Either the [front] door was open, or the offender knew how to get the door open.

'We just don't know yet.'

He was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later, cops said, with an incident report putting the time of death at 2:13am.

No arrests have been made and no weapons have been recovered, cops from Vanore's force said Monday - as they continued to search for any leads.

Authorities have yet to speak publicly about the circumstances surrounding the killing - which as of Monday at 5pm was still being investigated.

As for Kruger, he previously won awards for his poignant and often humorous style, and described himself as a 'militant bicyclist' and 'a proponent of the singular they, the Oxford comma, and pre-Elon Twitter' on his website.

His death is one of at least 330 homicides that have occurred in Philadelphia since the start of the year, per publicly available Philadelphia police data.
Elyassnia, who is married to a plastic surgeon but allegedly had an affair with Lee, flashed her huge wedding ring outside the court on Monday

Lee, 43, the founder of Cash App, suffered fatal stab wounds after allegedly being stabbed by Momeni, 38, a tech consultant charged with his killing

Khazar Elyassnia supported her brother, Nima Momeni, along with several other relatives during a court hearing at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco

The sister of the man accused of killing tech entrepreneur Bob Lee has appeared in court wearing a huge wedding ring - defying claims she had an affair with the murdered Cash App founder.

Khazar Elyassnia supported her accused brother, Nima Momeni, along with several other relatives during a court hearing at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco.

She wore an all black outfit, including large black sunglasses, and flashed a huge wedding ring as she paused briefly on the steps outside court.

Elyassnia is married to a prominent plastic surgeon, Dr Dino Elyassnia, but was allegedly having a sexual relationship with Lee.

Lee and Elyassnia are are alleged to have been part of an underground scene of drugs and casual sex - she could appear as a witness at the trial.

Khazar Elyassnia supported her accused brother, Nima Momeni, along with several other relatives during a court hearing at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco

Elyassnia is married to a prominent local plastic surgeon, Dr Dino Elyassnia, but was allegedly having a sexual relationship with Lee

She wore an all black outfit, including large black sunglasses, and flashed a huge wedding ring as she paused briefly on the steps outside court

The hearing comes after Lee's family were in court in San Francisco for another hearing in July, when they listened tearfully to a police officer detailing how he attempted to resuscitate him as he lay dying from stab wounds

Momeni was denied bail Monday, with the judge rejecting the defense argument that he presented no danger to society because he was, at worst, an inept killer.

Lawyer Saam Zangeneh, representing Momeni, argued that his client was not the cold-blooded, premeditated killer depicted by prosecutors.

Rather, he suggested that the evidence suggests this was a sudden interaction, carried out in the heat of passion.

Judge Bruce Chan rejected her son's application to be released on $1 million bail in the April killing of the Cash App founder.

Momeni, wearing orange jail fatigues, whispered, and waved to his sister Khazar Elyassni and mother Mahnaz Momeni, who were sitting about 20 feet behind him in the courtroom.

As he was led out by guards, his mom openly wept and was handed a tissue to wipe away her tears.

Zangeneh made his long-shot pitch during a hearing Monday afternoon. The defense's initial application was for $250,000 bail but Zangeneh said they'd go as high as $1 million.

Momeni sat silently as his lawyer insisted that his client presented no danger to the community.

He has no criminal record and he didn't flee when he had the chance. Instead he hired legal representation 'showing his commitment to wanting to fight this case,' Zangeneh told the judge.

Lawyer Saam Zangeneh, representing Momeni, argued that his client was not the cold-blooded, premeditated killer depicted by prosecutors

Momeni, wearing orange jail fatigues, whispered, and waved to his sister Khazar Elyassni and mother Mahnaz Momeni, who were sitting about 20 feet behind him in the courtroom in the Hall of Justice in San Francisco

Zangeneh also disputed prosecution claims that the killing was premeditated, saying there's no evidence his client harbored any animosity toward Lee.

He also told the court that the killing didn't take place on a dark, secluded block, as alleged, but rather on a well-lit street around a tourist area.

The size of the knife blade, under 4', came into question and the fact that Lee was only stabbed three times suggests this was hardly premeditated.

Prosecutor Omid Talai said Momeni's 'incompetence' is hardly a mitigating factor. He reminded the judge that the murder weapon contained only Momeni's DNA on the handle and Lee's on the blade.

The judge wasted no time in rejecting the application.

The trial could also hear from a drug dealer, Jeremy Boivin, who allegedly sold drugs to Elyassnia the day before Lee's murder.

Tony Brass, an attorney on Momeni's legal team, said that the defense planned to give the 'complete story' of the timeline leading up to Lee's murder.

'We are not trying to hide anything,' he said in comments reported by the San Francisco Standard. 'If anything, we are trying to tell a complete story about how this incident came about.'

Prosecutors claim Momeni killed Lee following a dispute about the alleged relationship with Elyassnia. Brass said Elyassnia's husband could also be called as a witness.

The hearing comes after Lee's family were in court in San Francisco for an earlier hearing in July which included testimony from a police officer who detailed how he attempted to resuscitate him as he lay dying from stab wounds.

The account was part of evidence being formally introduced in the case by Assistant District Attorney Omid Talai and included photos of a knife prosecutors say Momeni used to stab Lee.

San Francisco police officer Cedric Hood was one of two officers who attempted to save Lee's life after he was found bleeding on Main Street in the early hours of April 4.

SFPD Officer Hood explained how he found a silver knife with a black handle inside a locked parking lot.

Investigators later found it to be a 4-inch, Joseph Joseph brand kitchen knife.

The San Francisco prosecutor's office started laying out its murder case against a tech consultant charged in the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee

At the preliminary hearing in July, San Francisco police officer Cedric Hood, seen in the dock, described how he was one of two officers who attempted to save Lee's life after they found him bleeding on Main Street

Lee got into a heated row with Mrs Elyassnia's brother, a tech entrepreneur named Nima Momeni (pictured in May). He is alleged to have stabbed Lee to death with a kitchen knife

Cash App tech mogul Bob Lee (pictured), 43, dubbed 'Crazy Bob' was knifed to death in April

While he was on the scene, a homeless man was found to be sleeping some 40 feet away from where Lee collapsed.

The man was resting close to some garbage cans and was also questioned by police at the scene - but he made little sense when officers spoke to him.

Crime scene investigator Rosalyn Check also described how Lee had left a trail of blood following the fatal stabbing.

Drops of blood stretched all the way from the parking lot along Main Street, right outside to the Portside apartment complex in which Lee was later seen in video footage desperately banging on the doors as he searched for help.

Blood was found on the side of the apartment block and also on a phone box directly outside, which Lee had also tried to use, reports The Standard.

A courtroom sketch of testimony being given during the preliminary hearing for Nima Momeni at San Francisco Superior Court

Lee was later seen in video footage desperately banging on the doors to an apartment complex as he searched for help

Assistant DA Talai also showed other pieces of evidence including the trail of blood left by Lee as he staggered for help.

He also showed video footage that showed Lee and Momeni leave his sister's condo building before the stabbing took place.

District Attorney Talai said previously explained during a May hearing that the knife was part of a unique kitchen set belonging to Momeni's sister and that analysis showed Momeni's DNA on the weapon's handle and Lee's DNA on the bloody blade.

Saam Zangeneh, one of Momeni's lawyers, questioned why the rubber handle of the knife was tested for only DNA and not fingerprints.

Check said that it is difficult to get prints off rubber.

'When you want to see if someone's touching something, you do fingerprint analysis, right?' Zangeneh later said to reporters. 'And they weren't done on the handle, which is the most important, relevant portion of who, if any, was handling that item.'

The Portside on Main Street, San Francisco where Cash App founder Bob Lee collapsed and died after being fatally stabbed on April 4th

Attorneys for Momeni said in court that the two men had a cordial relationship and Momeni had no reason to kill him.

The comments from Momeni's lawyers came during a preliminary hearing, where the prosecution presents its evidence and a judge decides if there is enough to move ahead to trial.

Prosecutors have said that Momeni, 38, planned the April 4 attack that left Lee dying on a desolate San Francisco street.

Lee created Cash App, a mobile payment service, and was the chief product officer of the cryptocurrency MobileCoin.

Momeni is pictured in his Albany High School yearbook photograph

Lee and Khazar Momeni (above), the wife of a respected plastic surgeon, are alleged to have been part of an underground scene of drugs and casual sex

Flowers sit at a tree in front of the building where a technology executive was fatally stabbed outside of in San Francisco, on April 6, 2023

Momeni, who has been in jail since his arrest April 13, has pleaded not guilty. He faces 26 years to life if convicted.

His arrest came more than a week after Lee was found bleeding in the early morning hours of April 4. He later died at a hospital.

Surveillance video of Lee's final night shows him entering the posh Millennium Tower downtown, where Momenis sister lives with her husband, a prominent San Francisco plastic surgeon.

Video footage then shows Lee and Momeni leaving the building together shortly after 2am and driving off in Momeni's car.

Lee was found shortly after 2:30am in the Rincon Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, which has tech offices and condominiums but little activity in the early morning hours.
She came to widespread attention playing the part of English character Amanda - the vicars love interest in ITV drama Grantchester.

Now Scots actress Morven Christie has revealed she consciously shuns her true accent when auditioning as she thinks it would work against her.

Christie was forthright in discussing what she sees as the limitations of being an actor based in Scotland and the relative lack of work opportunities that entails.

She told The Radio Times: If you dont live in London, youre not [seen as] part of the top level.

The 42-year-old actress, born in Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, said that even when dramas do shoot in Scotland, the leads always come from outside Scotland, particularly the women.

Morven Christie shuns her true accent during auditions

She added:  If its a Scottish drama, theyll cast Martin Compston as the lead and an English actress as his wife. Because they cant deal with the idea of a Scottish woman in a leading role with a Scottish accent. I never do Scottish accents because of that.

Christie is starring in another ITV drama - Payback - alongside fellow Scot Peter Mullan.

She plays Lexie Noble, an accountant whose financial-advisor husbands dodgy dealings put her at the mercy of Mullans crime lord.

When asked if he has ever noticed his accent counting against him, Mullan, 63, answered: Not that I was aware of, but it most definitely must have.

He added: In the bad old days, I was told, The problem with you Scots is, you cant do accents.

Christie is currently starring alongside Peter Mullan in the ITV drama, Payback

Christie first came to attention in the ITV drama Grantchester, alongside James Norton

Then, among the male actors in the 90s, there was a couple who came along who really changed things: Bobby Carlyle and Ewan McGregor. They made it very sexy to be Scottish. So they broke whole new territory for Scottish actors. But there was definitely active discrimination against the Scottish accent.

Filmed in Edinburgh, Christie said she welcomed the opportunity to work at home, not just for the ease of the commute, but the opportunity to film in Scotlands two biggest cities.

She said: Edinburgh has that facade of being really well-to-do. And its got that royal connection. Glasgow is almost the anti-that. In terms of this story, that sets up this environment where things look lush, old money and established. Its a powerful way to examine a criminal underworld, if you have that contrast.
Divers searching for missing Hazel Nairn who was swept away in floods have failed to find any trace of her.

The 71-year-old disappeared after losing her footing and falling into the swollen River Don at Monymusk, Aberdeenshire, as heavy rain battered the country last November.

Police search teams and kayakers scoured more than 30 miles of the Don as well as coastal areas in challenging conditions after a months rainfall fell in just 24 hours.

The search resumed at the weekend, as divers with specialist sonar equipment focused on areas where the grandmothers body may have been trapped.

Hazel Nairn disappeared after losing her footing and falling into the swollen River Don at Monymusk last Novemeber

A spokesman for the Lancashire group Beneath the Surface said there was a greater probability of her still being in the river due to its length, bends and entrapment areas.

But the voluntary search and recovery dive team were unable to find any sign of Ms Nairn, 11 months after she was swept away.

In a statement, Beneath the Surface said: As our second day searching for Hazel Nairn comes to a close we wish to continue to raise awareness of Hazel being missing. While our weekends search efforts have come to an end, we will be returning to continue further searches, and planning for that has begun.

It added: We would like to say a huge thank you to Aberdeen Sub Aqua Club BSAC 67, Aberdeen Diving Services Ltd, Aberdeenshire Drone Services and every other volunteer who has joined us this weekend in an effort to locate Hazel.

Ms Nairns daughter Anneka Gray told BBC Scotland: My mum just has to wait a little longer to be found.

It is understood that Ms Nairn parked her car in the village after discovering the Don had burst its banks and blocked the road to her house.

Volunteers scour the river near Kemnay

Carrying her West Highland terrier, Rory, to keep him out of the water, she set off on the ten-minute walk home but lost her footing due to the strong current.

Ms Gray, 38, spoke to her on the phone less than an hour earlier asking her to message her when she got home.

The body of Ms Nairns dog was found days later.

Ms Gray previously criticised the police for their initial search, which she believes was hampered by insufficient resources as well as adverse weather conditions.

Police Scotland said it carried out thorough searches in challenging weather conditions.
Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman has sparked more fury just two days after setting off a fire alarm during a crucial Congressional vote.

His office sent out a memo criticizing 'Nazi' Republicans - as members of the GOP circulate a bid to have him expelled from Congress.

Bowman has now apologized, and insists the memo was sent without his 'consent'.

But the progressive lawmaker from New York is still the target of Republicans who claim he deliberately set off the fire alarm to delay a vote to avoid shutting down the government.

Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman has sparked more fury just two days after setting off a fire alarm during a crucial Congressional vote

His office sent out a memo criticizing 'Nazi' Republicans - as members of the GOP circulate a bid to have him expelled from Congress

Bowman's office sent out the memo to other Democrats on Monday, giving suggestions for how they should rally around him.

It included the prompt that they should say to the media: 'I believe Congressman Bowman when he says this was an accident. Republicans need to instead focus their energy on the Nazi members of their party before anything else.'

The Democratic congressman later said: 'I just became aware that in our messaging guidance, there was inappropriate use of the term Nazi without my consent.

'I condemn the use of the term Nazi out of its precise definition. It is important to specify the term Nazi to refer to members of the Nazi party & neo-Nazis.'

Republicans have said Bowman should get the same treatment as January 6 defendants as the Capitol Police investigates.

He insists it was a simple mistake, and that pulling the alarm would open an emergency exit covered with signs.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., left, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., argue on the steps of the Capitol in May

Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis has introduced the resolution to have Bowman kicked out of the House of Representatives.

'Its not just the act of pulling a fire alarm. It was during an official proceeding. That is the same thing that they have gone after those individuals who walked into the Capitol on Jan. 6th,' she told Fox and Friends on Monday.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has defended her Democratic colleague, saying he had a 'moment of panic'.

Ocasio Cortez said: 'I think there's something to be said that the government's about to shut down, there's a vote clock that's going down, the exits that are normally open in that building were suddenly closed...'

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said her colleague had a 'moment of panic'

The incident happened at about 12:05 p.m. Saturday and the U.S. Capitol Police are still investigating.

Police said it led to people being evacuated 'floor-by-floor' from the Cannon Building, an office building connected to Congress.

A spokesman said: 'A man was seen trying to exit the door in the Cannon Building and then pulling the fire alarm that prompted the evacuation.'

They said the officers 'had previously placed signs with clear language that explained the door was secured and marked as an emergency exit only.'

The congressman said: 'As I was rushing to make a vote I came to a door that is usually open for votes but would not open.

'I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door. I regret this and sincerely apologize for any confusion this caused.'
Reporting tittle-tattle about the state of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's marriage is important, because it will serve as a historical record of what people are talking about, declares television historian Dame Mary Beard.

'I've been reading that they are going to get a divorce,' the Cambridge classicist says.

'Maybe they are, maybe they're not, but that's very much the same sort of gossip' [as in Roman times].

Promoting her new book, Emperor Of Rome, she adds: 'Before anyone thinks I'm trivialising it, gossip is very important... from a historical point of view.' Hear, hear...

Dame Mary Beard (pictured) says reporting tittle-tattle about the state of Harry and Meghan's marriage is important because it will serve as a historical record

'I've been reading that they are going to get a divorce,' the Cambridge classicist says

Promoting her new book, Emperor Of Rome (pictured), she adds: 'Before anyone thinks I'm trivialising it, gossip is very important... from a historical point of view.'

Vogue's top of the class

Model Vogue Williams, who co-presents a podcast, was surprised  and delighted  when it picked up an award.

'I got suspended from school for talking sh**e all the time and now I've got an award for it,' she tells me in London's Soho, where she won the Podcast Champion trophy for My Therapist Ghosted Me, which she presents with Joanne McNally.

'I'm going to dedicate this award to my teacher,' adds Vogue, who was 38 yesterday.

Model Vogue Williams, who co-presents a podcast, was surprised  and delighted  when it picked up an award

Dame's married to the job

She is Britain's highest-paid female boss of a FTSE 100 company, with an annual pay packet of 8 million, yet Dame Emma Walmsley surprised young women at Cliveden Literary Festival hoping to learn the secret of her success with some seemingly old-fashioned advice.

'Marry well,' declares the GlaxoSmithKline chief executive, 54, who has four children with entrepreneur David Owen, 58. Dame Emma did not, however, mean women should marry a man from a higher social class.

'Be careful about the company that you keep because work is a human endeavour and you want colleagues that teach you, support you and you learn from,' she explains. 'So pick culture carefully. And my other top, not very feminist, advice is: marry well. I mean that, if you want a career.'

Strange but apparently true: Queen Elizabeth II was anointed with holy oil at her Coronation in 1953 that had been stored in a Chanel No 5 bottle.

Justine Picardie, author of Coco Chanel: The Legend And The Life, reveals: 'We had a letter last week from someone whose family were the pharmacists to the Royal Family. They made holy oil for anointing new monarchs. Unfortunately Westminster Abbey was bombed during the war and the holy oil got lost.

'Luckily her aunt, Mabel, had saved some in an empty Chanel No 5 bottle.

'She liked to think that when the Queen was crowned she smelled not only of holy oil but also of Chanel.'

Rosie brings the sparkle to party in Paris

Her hugely popular lingerie ranges for Marks & Spencer have helped turn round the fortunes of the previously struggling High Street retail giant, yet Rosie Huntington-Whiteley showed off underwear made by someone else at Paris Fashion Week.

The Devon-born model, 36, wore a diamante bra by Valentino beneath an oversized black jacket to the event at Raspoutine nightclub in the French capital.

She also wore a 2,700 maxi skirt by the same Italian brand and carried a silver handbag that matched her sparkly bra.

Rosie, who has two children with Hollywood hardman Jason Statham, was there to support her friend, the photographer Mert Alas, who gave the party.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, 36, wore a diamante bra by Valentino beneath an oversized black jacket to the event at Raspoutine nightclub in the French capital

He endured the Blitz in South-east London during the war and rationing as he was growing up, but nothing could prepare Bill Wyman for the squalid Chelsea flat he shared with his Rolling Stones bandmates in the early 1960s.

'The flat was a nightmare,' the bass guitarist, 86, says at a Chelsea History Festival event promoting his new book, Bill Wyman's Chelsea: From Medieval Village To Cultural Capital.

'The kitchen was disgusting: they had all kinds of bottles with different amounts of mildew in them. They had written dirty lyrics on the ceiling. It was a particularly cold winter, 1962 to 1963; you had to put a shilling in the gas meter to keep warm.'

Wyman left the Stones more than 30 years ago, but plays on the track Live By The Sword on the band's new album, Hackney Diamonds.

He adds of living with Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards: 'For people they didn't like, they had a chair with three legs and they would invite them to sit down there.'
As one of two Secret Service agents assigned to safeguard the wife of President John F. Kennedy, Paul Landis was never far behind Jackie Kennedy wherever she went.

That was the situation on November 22, 1963, when the Kennedys embarked on what should have been a routine motorcade through the streets of Dallas, Texas.

As excited crowds clamoured to catch a glimpse of America's golden couple in their open-top limousine, 28-year-old Landis was one of four agents keeping watch from the jumpboard of a Cadillac immediately behind.

It meant that when shots rang out, he had a ringside view of one of the most shocking  and defining  events of the 20th century.

Yet for almost 60 years Landis has remained largely silent, traumatised by what he witnessed after the limousine passed by the Texas School Book Depository and bullets struck the President's neck and head. It is only now, in his 88th year, that he feels able to fully recall the day President Kennedy was assassinated in front of him.

This month, Landis publishes his book, The Final Witness, a compelling account of his time in the Kennedy detail, the elite team whose mission was to protect the President and the First Lady.

Why did it take him so long to tell his story?

As one of two Secret Service agents assigned to safeguard the wife of President John F. Kennedy, Paul Landis was never far behind Jackie Kennedy wherever she went (pictured front, wearing sunglasses, on the morning of JFK's assassination

President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy, and Texas Governor John Connally ride through Dallas moments before Kennedy was assassinated

'I had nightmares for years about the President's head exploding in front of me, so I tried to remove myself from the whole situation,' Landis told the Mail, speaking exclusively from his home in Cleveland, Ohio.

Intriguingly, however, his memories throw doubt on the official Warren Commission account of what happened at 12.30pm that sunny autumn day.

In particular, Landis's recollections are at odds with the Commission's finding that one bullet  the so-called 'magic' bullet  was able to pass through John F. Kennedy then hit Texas Governor John Connally in multiple places before emerging undamaged.

Over the years, many have found this unconvincing, arguing that the trajectory wasn't possible, and that one bullet wouldn't have been able to cause so much damage and remain unscathed.

But the magic bullet theory was formed, in part, because a bullet was found next to Connally on his hospital stretcher and was assumed to have come from his body.

However, Landis is insistent this was the same 'pristine' bullet that he found at the back of the presidential limousine, resting on the top of the seat, and which he placed next to the President on his stretcher  a fact that he has only recently made public. He thinks that in the chaos it must have got moved.

It might seem like an insignificant detail, but to those who believe that the full truth of the assassination has never been told, this could be a major development.

The Warren Commission eventually concluded that three bullets were fired by a single shooter  Lee Harvey Oswald  from the Mannlicher-Carcano rifle found on the Book Depository's sixth floor.

One bullet missed, and was thought to have hit a sign, as fragments were found nearby.

The second  the infamous 'magic' bullet  hit JFK near the base of the back of the neck, slightly to the right of the spine.

It is only now, in his 88th year, that Landis feels able to fully recall the day President Kennedy was assassinated in front of him

The Warren Commission eventually concluded that three bullets were fired by a single shooter  Lee Harvey Oswald

It then exited from the front of JFK's neck, from where they concluded it went on to hit Governor Connally  sitting directly in front of JFK, next to his wife Nellie  injuring his back, chest, wrist and thigh.

Another reason why the magic bullet theory made sense was that the inquiry determined the time lapse between the President and Governor Connally being hit was too tight for Oswald to have reloaded his weapon in time.

The third bullet struck President Kennedy in the head.

Yet if, as Landis says now, the bullet on Connally's stretcher was the one he found elsewhere in the car (he thinks it must have hit the President in the back but didn't penetrate deeply and was somehow dislodged from his body) then that whole theory was based on a false premise.

And if the Governor wasn't struck by that bullet, then how did he come to be shot?

Theories that a second shooter was involved have persisted over the years. In particular, some witnesses said they heard shots from a nearby 'grassy knoll', made famous in the Oliver Stone movie, JFK.

Predictably, opinions about this development are divided in the U.S.

'If true, it makes it much more likely that there were other shooters,' says presidential historian and author James Robenalt.

However, Gerald Posner, who wrote the 2003 book Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald And The Assassination Of John F. Kennedy, comments: 'It could help solve the riddle of the magic bullet, but it doesn't go further than that.'

What is certain is that Paul Landis was there when it all happened.

He remembers hearing the first shot ring out from behind his right shoulder and turning to look at the President.

The State Funeral of President Kennedy: Jackie Kennedy and Robert Kennedy prepare to depart the US Capitol building

A portrait of John F. Kennedy taken in the Oval Office in the White House

'He was leaning slightly to his left, towards Mrs Kennedy, and I thought he was turning around to see where the noise came from.

'I didn't realise he had been hit by a bullet at that time,' he says.

'I heard the second shot. From my position, standing on the running board of the follow-up car, I didn't see any reaction in the President's car, so I thought that shot had missed.'

Meanwhile, Landis's colleague, Clint Hill, who had also been in the follow-up car, had leapt into action and sprinted forward to clamber aboard the limousine as the motorcade approached an underpass.

'I heard the third shot and I saw the President's head explode in a mist of blood and flesh and brain matter  and I ducked to avoid getting splattered,' continues Landis.

'The third shot came fairly quickly after the second... and then we raced to Parkland Memorial Hospital.'

Landis found the First Lady cradling her husband's head in her lap. Her pink suit, which she wore with a matching pillbox hat, was stained with her husband's blood.

'I asked Mrs Kennedy if I could help her up and she said: 'No, no. I want to stay with him.'

'I followed Clint Hill into the back seat area of the limousine and saw two bullet fragments in a pool of blood next to Mrs Kennedy.

'Mrs Kennedy, at that point, was standing up to follow the President's body, which was being removed. And where she was seated, right behind her, on the top of the seat, there was an intact bullet resting there.

'Everybody was concentrating on getting the President's body out of the car and people were beginning to converge on the limousine, so I was afraid this bullet might disappear with a souvenir hunter, or that it might get lost.

Jacqueline Kennedy, widow of President John F. Kennedy, holds her children's hands outside St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, after funeral Mass for the president

Members of the Kennedy family leave the US Capitol follwing a brief service, leaving the President's body to lie in state

'There was nobody to secure the scene, so I made a snap decision to put the bullet in my pocket.'

Landis recalls the pandemonium in the hospital's trauma room, where doctors were working on the catastrophic head injury suffered by the 46-year-old President.

Connally  who recovered from his wounds  was being treated nearby

'The doctors were saying: 'Please! Please! Everybody! Make room so we can work!'

'People started to leave, and I reached into my pocket and I put the bullet next to the President's body.' He then followed Mrs Kennedy out and stood guard as the First Lady sat on a chair outside the trauma room.

'There was a blank expression on her face. No tears. I remember Mrs Johnson (the wife of vice president Lyndon B. Johnson and soon to become First Lady) coming over and talking to her.

'Mrs Kennedy was in shock. I was in shock. I was afraid I'd break down.'

Shortly afterwards came the news that the President was dead.

Landis accompanied JFK's body and Mrs Kennedy back to Washington DC aboard Air Force One; he also attended the state funeral.

He was never interviewed by the Warren Commission or the FBI, instead providing two statements to the Secret Service in the week after the assassination in which he now admits he did not mention the intact bullet. 'When I wrote my report, I was under pressure and hadn't had much sleep for days,' he says.

Tormented by images and memories, Landis left the Secret Service just seven months later.

'I didn't read anything about the assassination, and I refused to think or talk about what I had done. I just assumed that whatever the Warren Commission came up with, that was the answer to the assassination.'

Whatever the truth, for Landis the assassination brought to an end what had been his dream career.

Lee Harvey Oswald, assassin of President John F. Kennedy, reacts as Dallas night club owner Jack Ruby, foreground, shoots at him from point blank range in a corridor of Dallas police headquarters

President Kennedy and Mrs. Kennedy at the entrance to the White House

He had joined the Secret Service in 1959, aged 24, thinking it sounded like 'the coolest job in the universe'. Physically slight, Landis only just made the minimum height requirement of 5ft 8in.

After President Kennedy was elected in 1960, Landis  code name Debut because he was the youngest agent at the White House  was assigned the job of protecting the Kennedy children  Caroline, then aged four, and John Jnr, 10 months.

'The children were delightful and well-behaved. Mrs Kennedy wanted them to have as normal a life as possible, so we tried to stay in the background,' he says.

'One day, I was leading Caroline around the White House grounds on her pony, Macaroni, and she said she wanted to go and see her Daddy and I thought: 'Why not?'

'We trotted over to the Oval Office and I peeked through the screen door and President Kennedy was sitting at his desk, writing. I opened the screen door and the three of us  Macaroni, Caroline and I  walked in.

'I'll never forget the expression on President Kennedy's face. His jaw literally dropped open. Then he relaxed, had a big smile on his face, got up from his desk and walked around and said: 'Mr Landis, I really don't think this is a good idea.' By then, I was thinking the same. I was worried about Macaroni suddenly deciding to relieve herself on the rug decorated with the Presidential Seal, so we went back outside.'

On another occasion, he had to loan the President a penny to allow Caroline to purchase a sweet from a gumball machine.

'The President turned to me and said: 'I don't have any money  do you have a penny?'

'This was the most powerful man in the world, and I had to solve his financial crisis.'

Eventually, Landis was moved on to Mrs Kennedy's protection detail, along with senior agent Clint Hill.

'Mrs Kennedy was young and vivacious and charming, and she had an impish sense of humour,' he says. 'The Kennedys created such a friendly atmosphere with all the agents, it was like we also lost a family member that day.'

In the decades after he left the service, Landis became a businessman, married and had a son and a daughter, before divorcing in 1984. He now works as an ambassador at his local historical society.

In 2013, Landis says he was given the book Six Seconds In Dallas, by author Josiah Thompson, and was dismayed when he learned for the first time about the 'magic bullet' found with Governor Connally.

'I was like 'No! That was my bullet!' My mind was spinning, and I thought that I had to correct this,' he says.

President Kennedy speaks at a dedication ceremony a day before his assassination

James Robenalt says that he was sceptical about Landis's revelation at first, but now he feels his account needs to be investigated.

'If President Kennedy was hit by a bullet that was ejected from his back and landed in the limo, then it means Governor Connally was hit by a second bullet  not the first one that hit Kennedy. And then a third or maybe more [bullets] hit Kennedy in the head.

'The Warren Commission assumed that one of the three shots missed President Kennedy, but this is now in doubt because of the Landis revelation.'

But Gerald Posner suggests the bullet could still have been ejected from Governor Connally's body.

'The Governor was over 6ft tall and was slumped over in the jumpseat, which was a very small space,' says the author.

'It is possible that the bullet came out of the Governor's body, as the Secret Service agents were pulling him out, and that was the one Landis found.'

Another theory, Posner says, is that Landis's recollection of putting it on the President's stretcher is simply wrong, and that in the chaos at the hospital, he put it on another stretcher.

Landis is aware that his revelation will spark speculation but he says he feels relief that his story is out in the open.

'It took me 60 years... working my way through the mental process, questioning things and then starting to feel guilt  not about what I'd done, but guilt that I hadn't said anything,' he says.

Of theories that Oswald  who was himself shot and killed not long after his arrest  didn't act alone, Landis insists to me: 'I know there are crazy conspiracy theories out there, and I find them entertaining, but that's all'.

But it's clear he's also had moments when he's been less certain, saying recently: 'Now I begin to wonder.'

Certainly, as the 60th anniversary of the assassination of JFK approaches, the circumstances around the killing of the 35th President of the United States remain as intriguing as ever.
A social media influencer has been shot dead in Brazil after gunmen ordered her to stop her motorcycle.

Samya Silva, 21, was attacked after she left a club with two friends in the northeastern city of Teresina on Sunday.

Silva and her friends were all riding on her motorcycle when two men on a moped asked her to pull over, the municipal police said.

The mother-of-one refused and sped away before coming to a stop and abandoning the bike, as she and her friends took off running, police delegate Francisco Costa said.

Brazilian influencer Samya Silva was shot dead by two gunmen who chased her and two friends while she was riding her moped on Sunday. The assailants fired six shots at the 21-year-old woman, who leaves behind a two-year-old son

Authorities have not made any arrests in connection with the murder that took place Sunday in the city of Teresina

The gunmen fired six shots at Silva, who was declared dead at the scene. No arrests had been reported as of Monday evening.

One of her friends, Yrla Lima, took to Instagram to share a photo of her shattered cellphone which had been struck by a bullet.

'Not being able to do anything,' she wrote. 'Just try to save myself.'

She also shared a series of photos of her and Silva together with a caption that read, 'We had so much fun today.'

Lima and the other woman aboard the motorcycle, whose name has not been released, were not injured.

Yrla Lima (left) shared one of the last posts on Instagram by influencer Samya Silva (right), who was shot dead Sunday in Teresina, Brazil after they and another woman were chased on the victim's motorcycle and ordered to stop by two gunmen, who opened fire on the social media figure

Lima revealed her broken cellphone after it was struck by gunfire directed at her friend Samya

Samya Silva was known to her 62,000 Instagram followers as Samynha and regularly posted controversial content on the social media platform

It is unclear what provoked the murder although she did post a video on Instagram in which she made reference to an argument she had at a party on Saturday.

'She was murdered on a public street. Police officers from the homicide and personal protection department immediately took steps to begin investigations,' the Piaui State Civil Police said in statement to Brazilian news outlet UOL.

Silva, who leaves behind a two-year-old son, had more than 62,000 followers on her Instagram account @samynha_sillva.

Silva was known for posting controversial content on her account.

In August, she drew the ire of some followers after she uploaded a video showing her support for the legalization of marijuana.

'I'm going to smoke 'one' in the square and I'm going to be able to be free because I'm not going to be called a naughty stoner,' she said.

She had also shared a video in which she flashed hand signals in reference to a local gang.
A New Jersey man faces decades in prison after driving his SUV into the home of a woman as revenge for hypnotizing him, before crashing into a local police station to the tune of Guns N' Roses' 'Welcome to the Jungle.'

John Hargreaves, 34, drove into the Independence Township police headquarters on September 20 and caused significant damage while blasting the band's 1987 smash hit.

As he got out of the vehicle, prosecutors said Hargreaves put his hands in the air and appeared to be celebrating while loudly playing the Guns N' Roses song - an anthem for bad behavior - on his car stereo as officers took him into custody.

That crash happened just minutes after Hargreaves had driven into the garage door of a home in Liberty Township, an act prosecutors said was intended to harass the homeowner, who is known to Hargreaves.

According to reports, Hargreaves was attempting to get revenge on a woman that he claimed hypnotized him.

In this image taken from video released by the Warren County Prosecutor's Office, police detain John Hargreaves, 34, after he drove his SUV through the police headquarters in Independence Township, N.J. on September 20

'He was not happy with the way that was handled, and even though it was last year, for some reason, he decided he was going to make it an issue,' said Warren County Prosecutor Jim Pfeiffer.

No one was injured in the crashes, the Warren County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. However, at least one officer narrowly escaped being struck.

Independence Township Police Officer Khilian Bernard was just beginning his shift as Hargreaves' vehicle came to rest in the department's squad room.

'I thought maybe somebody just accidentally put their foot on the gas instead of the brake,' Lieutenant Chris Prell told WFMZ.

'[Bernard] said, 'there's a car in the patrol room,' and I was like, come on ... it's hard to believe.'

Police said that he admitted to driving through the woman's garage and will eventually face charges for that as well.

He then drove to the Independence police station because it was closest to the home and because he knew he was going to jail anyway, prosecutors said.

Hargreaves was charged with burglary, criminal mischief and a weapons count in both crashes.

John Hargreaves, 34, drove into the Independence Township police headquarters on September 20, causing significant damage while blasting the band's 1987 smash hit

As he got out of the vehicle, prosecutors said Hargreaves put his hands in the air and appeared to be celebrating while loudly playing the Guns N' Roses song on his car stereo as officers took him into custody

Independence Township Police Officer Khilian Bernard was just beginning his shift at their offices t as Hargreaves' vehicle came to rest in the department's squad room

He also faces counts of terrorism, aggravated assault and causing widespread injury or damage stemming from the police station crash.

The most serious charge could see Hargreaves sentenced to 30 years in prison.

County prosecutors said they did not know if Hargreaves had retained an attorney. A telephone number for Hargreaves could not be located.

Hargreaves remains imprisoned as the Independence Police Department begins work rebuilding their station.
Portland's public safety commissioner has told people to not call 911 unless they're at risk of death - as the Democrat-run city continues to struggle with rampant drug use and a slew of overdoses.

Commissioner Rene Gonzalez told locals that its emergency service hotline was overwhelmed with people calling about members of the public suffering fentanyl overdoses. Oregon decriminalized hard drug use three years ago.

As a result, he urged people to only call 911 in a life or death emergency, as it was revealed paramedics had been called to deal with eight suspected fentanyl overdoses in the city's once-tony Pearl District.

Portland's neighborhoods have been overrun with crime, homelessness, and drugs since the pandemic - and despite pouring funds into relief initiatives, little change is occurring on the streets of the city.

Commissioner Rene Gonzalez wrote on X today: 'Our 911 system is getting hammered this morning with a multiple person incident - multiple overdoses in northwest park blocks.

A group of drug users on NW Davis St in downtown Portland. The city has seen a spike in deaths from fentanyl overdoses since the use of hard drugs was decriminalized in 2020

'Please do not call 911 except in event of life/death emergency or crime in progress (or chance of apprehending suspect).'

The warning came hours after eight people, who were seen snorting cocaine, suffered overdoses within just blocks of one another.

It's understood that the cocaine they were taking was likely laced with fentanyl.

Portland Fire and Rescue confirmed that eight people overdosed near Northwest Park Avenue and West Burnside Street just after 10am Monday.

Four people were rushed to hospital to be treated for the overdose.

The remaining four had Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal medicine, administered at the scene.

Portland's neighborhoods have been overrun with crime, homelessness , and drugs since the pandemic - and despite pouring funds into relief initiatives, little change is occurring on the streets of the city

According to the Portland Police Bureau, there were a total of 104 homicides in the city between August 2022 and August 2023. The majority occurred downtown.

In the same time period, there were 529 arrests made for 'drug and narcotic offences.'

The number of murders in Portland since January currently sits at 59.

In July, Portland opened its first sanctioned homeless 'park' and shocking images showed drug abuse and illegal campsites continuing to plague its streets.

Oregon's largest city is in the midst of a devastating humanitarian crisis, with its homeless population up almost 50 percent since 2019 to more than 5,000.

The uber-woke local government is pinning its hopes of reversing the trend on a raft of costly new shelters.

Distressing images showed rows of disheveled tents taking over the streets, while the left-behind inhabitants openly abused hard drugs on sidewalks.

The city's push for official homeless shelters appeared to have done little to end scenes such as this one, where addicts openly abuse drugs on NW Broadway in downtown Portland

Chris, 28, smokes crack cocaine in broad daylight on the streets of downtown Portland

Some among the homeless population are reluctant to move into city-sanctioned campsites because of a ban on drug use, whereas they can continue to take substances on the streets

Around 2,000 of the city's homeless population are sheltered, leaving approximately 3,000 sleeping rough, according to official data.

The crisis has been fueled by the pandemic and a 2018 court ruling that meant cities across much of the West, including Portland, could not prevent people from sleeping outside if alternative shelter wasn't available.

Public scenes of flagrant drug abuse were then sent into overdrive after Oregon voters approved a 2020 ballot measure that effectively decriminalized possession of hard drugs like meth and opioids.

In a bid to end the crisis, Portland has approved $27million in funding for three temporary alternative sites, with plans for a further three to be funded by Multnomah County, while passing a ban on daytime camping, which came into effect on July 7.

And Portland residents are more than fed up - as local and state politicians duke it out as recent polls show they want the issues resolved quickly.

In a poll by People for Portland, a conservative advocacy group, more than two-thirds of voters wanted to clear the streets by forcing drug addicts into rehab.

Three-quarters of voters called the city's homelessness 'an out-of-control disaster.'
One resident - who was not even living in the building when he received his bill due to sewage backup in his condo - received a bill for $14,000 over the summer

Residents in San Francisco's Millennium Tower have been slapped with bills as high as $14,000 each following a project to stabilize the leaning building

Residents of the notorious 'leaning tower of San Francisco' condo building have been slapped with a huge bill for fixing its tilt - even though the work filled their homes with sewage.

Homeowners and renters at the Millennium Tower have been shocked to receive the bills, which make them liable for $6.8 million of the $120 million spent on righting a 29-inch tilt.

Mehrdad Mostafavi, who owns a condo on the third floor of the building, recently received a bill for $14,000, which amounts to $10 per square foot of the apartment.

To add insult to injury, the work which Mostafavi was being asked to pay for resulted in his home being ruined with a sewage backup.

'It's a luxurious building and famous building, but unfortunately it is not like this for me as an owner,' Mostafavi told NBC Bay Area. 'I am really suffering.'

The Millennium Tower - designed by Gary Handel and Handel Architects - is still tilting at 29 inches but the sinking has stopped following a stabilization project. Apartments in the 58-floor building were originally listed for up to $14 million.

Residents within the luxury Millennium Tower - dubbed the 'leaning tower of San Francisco ' - are being slapped with bills up to $14,000 to fix the building's issues

Sewage overfill has caused damage and headaches in some residents' apartments

Mostafavi was just one of a number of residents to find a bill from the Tower owners' association and asked to pay it by October 1.

He told the Bay Area outlet it may be the final nail in the coffin for him.

'I don't know what to do with this place, because it is costly  I cannot live in it,' said Mostafavi.

The San Francisco resident had already moved out in June after a sewage backup in his kitchen sink, which some engineers had warned could happen due to the tilt.

At the time that he received the bill, he was already in the middle of trying to figure out who should pay to clean up the sewage mess in his place.

He also told NBC that he had already had to tap into his retirement savings to cover the costs of the kitchen issues.

'I'm really having a hard time seeing how can I leave for the retirement - how to get out of this apartment and do my retirement' Mostafavi said. It is very costly.'

'They keep asking for more money and this is not acceptable for me,' he said.

DailyMail.com reached out to management for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

According to Harry Poulos, a tall building expert, efforts to stop the building from sinking were successful but the tilt has not been fixed.

'Their objective of correcting that tilt to a significant extent  I fear that expectation has not been met,' Poulos told NBC in September.

'I don't know what to do with this place, because it is costly  I cannot live in it,' said third floor condo owner Mehrdad Mostafavi in an interview with NBC Bay Area

Workers repair crumbling walls that have been the result of leaking water in the garage of the Millennium Tower in San Francisco

A stress gauge is seen on a wall with floor-to-ceiling cracks in the parking garage of the Millennium Tower

Overall, residents of the building have been saddled with $6.8 million of the roughly $20 million extra the project ended up costing over the original budget.

It had originally been calculated as costing some $100 million.

During construction, however, the tower experienced more sinking and leaning.

Along with the bills sent to homeowners, the Tower owners' association included a letter that said residents are being compensated for lost property value.

In total, the association was allotted $150 million to pay for securing the high-rise, pay for legal bills, restore reserves and pay for other expected costs.

It ended up costing more than that, the association said.

'The delays and the city's heightened requirements resulted in significant unforeseen project cost increases,' the association's letter to residents said.

The Millennium Tower was designed by Gary Handel and Handel Architects

By 2016, the building (to the right of the tallest building) had sunk nearly a foot-and-a-half into the soft soil and landfill upon which it was built. Residents of the building subsequently sued the developer and designers

Earlier this year, lead engineer of the project, Ron Hamburger, told NBC data taken from rooftop measurements regarding the lean are prone to weather fluctuations.

He also said that and that data on the building's foundation was more reliable.

That data indicated that the tilt was more significant than previously noted, only by about of a quarter of an inch, however.

Hamburger at the time claimed the number was 'negligible.'

'We are fully confident that following transfer of the remaining design load to the piles,' said Hamburger, adding that 'there will be no further  movement of the roof to the west,' he said.

The luxury 58-story tower opened in 2009 and quickly sold out its 419 apartments, with buyers including former San Francisco 49er Joe Montana and former Giants outfielder Hunter Pence.

By 2016, the building had sunk nearly a foot-and-a-half into the soft soil and landfill upon which it was built in San Francisco's financial district.

It was also leaning, creating a two-inch tilt at the base, and a 6-inch lean at the top. Residents of the building subsequently sued the developer and designers.

A confidential settlement reached several years ago included $100 million to install 52 concrete, 140,000-pound piles to anchor the building to bedrock located 250 feet below ground, with the idea that the piles would provide foundational support to the leaning, sinking tower.
Britain is the best country in the world to be black in, Kemi Badenoch told the Tory party conference today.

The Business Secretary used a tub-thumping speech to blast Labour over its 'woke' views and for using Brexit to repeatedly talk down Britain.

She lashed out over trans rights, Remainer defeatism and the pace of reaching green targets.

Mrs Badenoch rejected the 'narrative of hopelessness' for ethnic minorities that suggests 'British society is against you and you're better off asking for reparations'.

She said the Tories were in line with civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King because they believe 'people should be judged by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin'.

Britain is the best country in the world to be black in, Kemi Badenoch told the Tory party conference yesterday

Tory delegates give a standing ovation to Kemi Badenoch, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, after delivering her speech

Seen as one of the frontrunners to replace Rishi Sunak if the Tories lose the next election, Mrs Badenoch told grassroots activists in Manchester: 'The Left accuses us of a culture war.

'But we will not apologise for fighting for common sense. I will not apologise for fighting for a society that knows what a woman is.

READ MORE: Liz Truss demands tax cuts to kick-start business at Tory conference rally with Priti Patel Advertisement

'It was this Conservative Government that stopped shameful SNP and Labour politicians in Scotland pursuing a self-ID policy that let convicted rapists pretend that they were actually women so they could be housed in a women's prison with potential new victims.

'Next week, Labour will tell the country that it is ready for government. But let me ask you this: if Labour MPs can't tell us what a woman is, what else aren't they telling us?'

Mrs Badenoch, who is also the minister for women and equalities, hit out at Labour for creating a victimhood narrative around race.

She said: 'Last year I published a report that told the truth about race in the UK. Labour didn't like it. They want young people to believe a narrative of hopelessness. A narrative that says there is no point in trying, because British society is against you and you're better off asking for reparations.

'A narrative that tells children like mine that the odds are stacked against them. I tell my children this is the best country in the world to be black  because it's a country that sees people, not labels. Conservatives want young people to be proud of their country when others want them to be ashamed.

'It wasn't a tough decision for us to reject the divisive agenda of critical race theory. We believe, as Martin Luther King once said, people should be judged by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin.

The Business Secretary used a tub-thumping speech to blast Labour over its 'woke ' views and for using Brexit to repeatedly talk down Britain

'If that puts us in conflict with those who would re-racialise society, who would put up the divisions that have been torn down then, conference, all I can say is bring it on.

'Let Labour bend the knee before this altar of intolerance, we will keep building a country that is in every way stronger and fairer for all.'

Mrs Badenoch also backed Mr Sunak's decision last month to slow the move towards net zero emissions.

And she hit out at Labour for being 'obsessed' with using Brexit to relentlessly talk down Britain, saying it was 'economically illiterate' to claim that leaving the EU had drastically affected growth. She accused Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of turning to Brussels as 'the answer to everything'.

Mrs Badenoch said: 'Ministers in other countries tell me about supply chain issues affecting everything from getting car components to stocking supermarket shelves.

'They tell me about how they are coping with unfilled vacancies as societies from Germany to Japan get older.

'But it is only when I am back in the UK that l am told that all these issues are down to Brexit. Our political opponents are obsessed with viewing every problem as Brexit, relentlessly wanting to talk down our country.

'They tell you Brexit is costing Britain 4 per cent of GDP per year. Wrong. The UK's recovery from Covid has outpaced France and Germany.'
The ballroom of the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester was the scene for a Tory peer's extraordinary call for donors to de-fund the party. Even more astonishing was the attendance of more than a dozen Conservative MPs.

Lord Cruddas gave his startling speech at a black-tie dinner on Sunday evening hosted by the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO), with 15 Tory MPs present  including former home secretary Priti Patel and party deputy chairmen Jack Lopresti and Lee Anderson.

Founded in October last year by Cruddas, the CDO is demanding that party members be given the power to determine Conservative policies. The peer had stumped up 4.5 million before closing his chequebook after the toppling of Boris Johnson.

With an in-tray already groaning, the very last thing the Prime Minister needs is an insurrection among party donors.

'Proper representation for party members means a party no longer controlled, manipulated and corrupted by a handful of vested-interest people,' said Cruddas.

Lord Cruddas gives a speech during the Conservative Democratic Organisation conference at Bournemouth International Centre in May

'The party is heavily reliant on donors. I know  I used to be one. So I'm asking all Conservative Party donors, big or small, to stop funding the Conservative Party because it is the only way they are going to listen.'

So what will Rishi Sunak and the leadership make of Cruddas's entreaty to starve their party of funds?

Jeremy Hunt kicked off his speech with a customary roll call of ministerial colleagues and aides, including one Anthony Mangle. What he should have said is Anthony Mangnall, MP for Totnes. But somehow the Chancellor managed to mangle it.

Is Rishi in the doghouse?

At an event hosted by Women2Win, a group promoting women in the Conservative Party, Rishi Sunak confessed he had bought a dog for his wife, Akshata, and daughters Krishna and Anoushka in order to make up for his long absences from home.

Nova, a fox red labrador, was the result. But Rishi felt a little hard done by.

'I found myself at Pets At Home buying stuff for a brand new labrador puppy that I didn't want in the first place,' he said.

Oh dear! Has no one told the Prime Minister that Britain is a nation of incurable dog lovers?

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has bought a dog for his wife, Akshata, and two daughters to make up for his long absences away from home

At his first Tory Party conference since the 1980s, the former Brexit Party MEP and leader Nigel Farage. Could he be hatching a plan to rejoin the Conservative Party he left after the fall of Margaret Thatcher? 'Absolutely not,' insists Farage.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross was one of the first Conservatives to call for Boris Johnson to stand down as PM last year.

But is he now gunning for Rishi Sunak? At the Tory Scottish reception, Ross announced: 'I am the final speaker before the PM comes. I have some small housekeeping duties to do. As the PM will be coming up on the stage I need to sort this out.'

Ross then lowered the adjustable microphone to waist height.

Philip Collins, a former speechwriter for Tony Blair and now part of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's inner circle, complained in an article yesterday that Rishi Sunak ought to 'accept defeat' and stop coming up with new policies.

Hang on a moment. Only three weeks ago, the Labour leader was trying to lampoon the PM as 'Inaction Man'. Has Rishi's fightback in the polls started to sow panic among Starmer's people?

At the Conservative Home reception, Rishi reserved his best joke for Sir Keir  the third successive Labour leader to make his home in the metropolitan idyll of north London: 'Starmer thinks that the Angel of the North is a Tube station in north London.'
He accused him of having 'contempt for his own court system'

Donald Trump has claimed '80 percent' of his $250million fraud trial will be thrown out because the statute of limitations has expired.

The former president praised the judge for being 'very fair' at the end of a blockbuster first day in the New York case where he is accused of inflating property prices in his empire by $2.2billion.

Trump celebrated after Judge Arthur Engoron told prosecutors it may have been a 'waste of time' to bring in his former Mazars accountant Donald Bender to testify.

Bender spoke at length about Trump's finances in 2011 - even though a New York appellate court ruled that only allegations after 2014 were allowed to be presented.

'I trust that you can relate the 2011 documents to something that happened later,' Engoron told prosecutors. 'Or this has all been a waste of time.'

In response, Trump gave a thumbs-up in court, just hours after claiming the judge should be disbarred and put under criminal investigation.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to Trump Tower after attending the first day of his civil fraud trial. He gave 'credit' to Judge Arthur Engoron for making a 'very fair' statement  just hours after saying he should be disbarred

'The judge's last statement was very fair,' Trump said, after previously railing against Justice Engoron as a Democratic 'operative.'

'The way I interpret that ... the statute of limitations is a very real thing in this country and that would kick out 80 per cent of this case would be over,' Trump said. He characterized the statement as a welcome and unexpected development.

'But this was a big, big  I say surprise  but it was a great credit to the court that the judge was willing to do this sort of overruled himself and I greatly respect that,' Trump said.

Trump's lawyers agreed with the judge's statement, and Trump gave a thumbs up. But the judge himself did not go so far as to say the majority of the case was being tossed. He appeared to recognize how the appeals court had decided the issue. Trump's team had sued Sept. 14th and accused Engoron of ignoring the appeals court's decision.

Engoron made the statement in court in response to testimony by Bender, a longtime accountant for Mazars, which cut ties with Trump last year saying it could no longer vouch for his company financial statements. He spoke about his process of accepting valuations provided by his client, while discussing used for Trump Organization returns in 2011.

Trump has said his financial statements were prepared by top firms, and that banks relied on their own experts to prepare valuations.

The judge then made an acknowledgement of the appeals court decision  the subject of a procedural court fight  that the law governing the statute of limitations for the fraud that Engoron found occurred applied only back to 2014.

'I trust that you can relate the 2011 documents to something that happened later,' Engoron said told prosecutors, 'Or this has all been a waste of time.'

It was not immediately clear whether the comment constituted a substantial win or merely an inkling of where the judge might be headed.

Trump took the rosier view, saying that 'something that we won on appeal but was not accepted by this court now seems to be accepted by this court.'

He gushed, 'We very much appreciate the decision today or at least taken today on the statute of limitations,' then once again defended his 'very strong company' and property valuations he said were accepted by banks with lawyers even 'better than my attorneys.'

It was a stark turnaround form just two hours earlier, when Trump delivered an angry attack on the state Supreme Court judge overseeing his case  saying Engoron should be disbarred and 'charged criminally' amid adverse rulings.

Trump blasted the judge for an earlier summary judgement ruling in the case that has him facing potential penalties of $250 million, although his team had sought summary judgement in the case.

'This is a judge that should be disbarred. This is a judge that should be out of office,' Trump said.

'This is a judge that some people say could be charged criminally for what he's doing. He's interfering with an election, and it's a disgrace,' Trump fumed.

Trump made the extraordinary statement during a lunch break just steps outside the courtroom, with reporters and cameras staked out inside the New York courthouse.

Trump said Judge Arthur Engoron, could be 'charged criminally' for his handling of the case

Engoron attended Columbia University, got his law degree from New York University, and worked as a litigator and a law clerk

Trump touted a comment by the judge at the end of the day in court, using it to declare a partial victory

He repeated a claim that Justice Department officials were pulling the strings in the Empire State, while once again attacking state AG Letitia James, special counsel Jack Smith, and even a clerk he claimed is in Judge Engoron's 'ear.'

'This guy's getting away with murder. And his clerk should not be allowed to be in his ear with every single question,' Trump said.

'You should take a look at her. She hates Trump even more than he does,' he suggested.

His attacks come despite being warned in unrelated criminal cases about attacks on court personnel.

Smith's team sought a gag order from U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan by citing many of his previous attacks on prosecutors, even citing his attacks on the judge herself. She also ruled against a motion by Trump's team that she should recuse herself.

'Take a look at Jack Smith. Take a look at these people. This is called election interference and worse than that, much worse than that,' he said.

In the New York case, with massive fines and licensing of parts of his real estate empire on the line, Trump is balancing courtroom strategy with an electoral one, with his poll performance rising despite a series of criminal indictments.

He called Judge Engoron a 'Democrat club politician' and a 'Democrat operative.' After Enogoron's summary judgement ruling, Trump called him 'deranged.'

Engoron attended Columbia University, got his law degree from New York University, and worked as a litigator and a law clerk. In his rulings he has mentioned taking part in a Vietnam War protest and driving a taxi cab, according to an AP profile.

He was elected unopposed to the state Supreme Court.

Trump blasted the judge while standing just steps from his courtroom

Earlier Trump called AG Letitia James 'racist.' He called her a 'disgrace,' and said in a pre-trial tirade, 'You ought to go after this attorney general'

Trump tore into special counsel Jack Smith, who has sought a partial gag order in a criminal case against him

Trump also tore into New York AG Letitia James, calling her a 'disgrace to our country. Take a look at Jack Smith. Take a look at these people,' he said.

Judge Engoron is barred from hitting back at Trump in the press, although he has decision-making authority in the non-jury trial.

He also erupted over the valuation for Mar-a-Lago that the judge cited in a ruling that Trump inflated assets by $2 billion.

Trump cited articles quoting real estate experts who were shocked by the low valuations. He then said the private club was worth $1.5 billion.

'Anybody that does business in New York State is crazy,' said Trump, who moved his official domicile to Florida.

Trump used the valuations to make his best case with the media. 'I've got a lot of respect for you  not all of you but a lot of you,' he said.

Asked why he decided to come to court in person, he skipped the trial where he was found liable for sexual abuse of E Jean Carroll, Trump said: 'Because I want to watch this witch hunt myself.'

Trump had earlier gone after Engoron on his Truth Social platform as a 'ROGUE, OUT OF CONTROL, TRUMP HATING JUDGE.'

A five-judge appeals court last week denied a motion by Trump's lawyers to postpone the trial. It also lifted another judge's order that had put the trial on hold.

In his ruling, Engoron hit close to home by noting that Trump had misstated the size of his Trump Tower triplex, listing it at 30,000 square feet rather than 11,000.

'A discrepancy of this order of magnitude, by a real estate developer sizing up his own living space of decades, can only be considered fraud,' he wrote.

Trump's team have argued that a June appeals court ruling puts some of Trump's conduct outside a statute of limitations.

The judge decided he could go ahead with the trial.
Rep. Matt Gaetz filed a motion to vacate that will trigger a vote that could oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy within the next two days.

After threatening to do so for weeks, the Florida Republican filed his motion on the House floor Monday night.

GOP leadership now must hold a vote within the next 48 hours.

McCarthy had a brief response for Gaetz's measure: 'Bring it on,' he wrote on X.

The House has not had to contend with a motion to vacate since 1910 with then-Speaker Joe Cannon. Former Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., drew one up for then-Speaker John Boehner but he never filed it and Boehner resigned.

Asked who he could support for speaker, Gaetz mentioned Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who is currently battling blood cancer.

Meanwhile, Speaker Kevin McCarthy refused to rule out cutting a deal with Democrats if his job is in peril thanks to his own party.

Asked directly if he would refuse a deal with Democrats to avoid being ousted, McCarthy sidestepped: 'I think this is about the institution. I think it's too important.'

Gaetz spoke on the House floor Monday where he accused McCarthy of a 'secret side deal' to offer more funding to Ukraine and teased the motion to vacate may come 'later this week.'

McCarthy has long said that Gaetz has a personal vendetta against him because the Ethics Committee is currently probing Gaetz for several allegations, including illicit drug use, sexual misconduct and misusing campaign funds.

'Anytime somebody has an ethics complaint and they cant get the way they want about it ... I believe Nancy Pelosi said this isn't good for the House.'

The Florida Republican predicted McCarthy would cut a deal with Democrats, where enough would vote against the motion to offset any Republican opposers.

'One thing I'm at peace with is when we stand here a week from now, I won't own Kevin McCarthy anymore. He won't belong to me. If the Democrats want to adopt him, they can adopt him,' Gaetz said after filing the motion.

The speaker has seemed confident that he would survive such a motion in comments to the press. Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he has not spoken yet this week with McCarthy and did not say if Democrats would help the speaker out.

Gaetz previously said a motion to vacate would come 'shot, chaser' if McCarthy put a continuing resolution on the House floor.

That's exactly what happened over the weekend - the speaker realized there would not be a consensus to pass a Republican-only continuing resolution and put up a bipartisan one that passed at the 11th hour to avert a government shutdown.

McCarthy slapped back at Gaetz on Monday morning and said he was concerned by reports he wants to give Democrats subpoena power

Matt Gaetz has again threatened to try and oust Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House - but said he would wait until later this week.

The deal did not include money for Ukraine, but now Gaetz is honing in on a 'secret side deal' he accuses McCarthy of having cut with President Biden.

McCarthy denied the side deal.

'I was asked to make sure that the [weapons] transferability  that if the continuing resolution doesnt do that we will fix that. Its something we do all the time.'

He hinted that Ukraine aid could be used as leverage to get border security concessions.

'I have always supported arming Ukraine, thats not sending money to Ukraine, thats arming Ukraine the weaponry to defend. But I think its very important with the number of Americans who are dying that we get the border done.'

It's expected that between 20 and 30 Republicans could vote to oust the speaker.

Reps. Chip Roy and Byron Donalds, both members of the right-wing Freedom Caucus that is frequently at odds with McCarthy, both said it isn't the time for the motion.

Roy said on radio with Sean Hannity that it's only the 'third quarter.' 'I think that the speaker deserves the ability to finish this process,' Roy added, referring to the effort to pass spending bills.

Donalds called the the motion to vacate threat a 'major distraction.'

'I understand where Matt is, but I just think it's the wrong fight at the wrong time.'
Fears are growing that Russia is poised to test a new 'miracle' nuclear missile which is capable of flying for weeks on end as it probes weaknesses in Western defences.

If so, it will be the 14th test of the Burevestnik - dubbed the Flying Chernobyl. The other 13 attempts are deemed to have so far failed.

One unconfirmed theory is that it is being readied as a 71st birthday present for Vladimir Putin this week.

Satellite images at a remote Arctic base shows launch preparations, The New York Times reports. A test may even have happened.

'U.S. surveillance planes have also been tracked in the area over the last two weeks, and aviation alerts have warned pilots to avoid nearby airspace,' reported the newspaper.

Fears are growing that Russia is poised to test a new 'miracle' nuclear missile. Pictured: Russian dictator Vladimir Putin

The Russian state news agency in 2019 released a video claiming to show a test of the Burevestnik missile (pictured)

The other 13 attempts are deemed to have so far failed. Pictured: An engineer working on the missile at Russia's top secret facility in 2019

A 2019 test led to the deaths of seven people who attempted to salvage the crashed top secret missile. Putin dubbed them 'national heroes' without explaining details of their deaths.

READ MORE: Vladimir Putin appears in public with unexplained dark mark on his forehead as he says nothing and no one' will stop Russia winning Ukrainian war Advertisement

The Burevestnik is viewed by the Russian dictator as a game-changing 'doomsday' weapon with an unlimited range.

It is seen by the Kremlin as a low-flying 'stealth' cruise missile incapable of interception by existing Western air defences and delivering nuclear warheads anywhere around the globe.

Putin has called it 'a radically new type of weaponry' with 'unlimited range and unlimited ability to manoeuvre'.

'It is exotic  it is dangerous in its testing and development phase,' said Daryl G. Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, according to The New York Times.

A report by the Nuclear Threat Initiative - a nonprofit arms control group - said Russia had conducted 13 known tests between 2017 and 2019, all of which were unsuccessful.

Putin went public with the weapon in 2018, one of five game changing missile systems he claimed were superior to Western models.

The Moscow Times said the Burevestnik had been nicknamed the 'Flying Chernobyl'.

'Previous launch attempts ended unsuccessfully,' said the news outlet.

A 2019 test led to the deaths of seven people who attempted to salvage the crashed top secret missile. Putin dubbed them 'national heroes' without explaining details of their deaths

'According to American intelligence, the rocket never managed to fly more than 35 km [22 miles], its longest flight lasted only two minutes.'

The seven who died in 2019 were all from Sarov, a closed nuclear city from which foreigners are banned.

The missile is believed to be launched by a solid-fuel rocket motor.

Then a small nuclear reactor activates in flight, which potentially allows it to stay aloft threatening Western countries almost indefinitely.

The test site is believed to be Novaya Zemlya. Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu visited the Arctic archipelago last month

Putin, who marks his 71st birthday on Saturday, is seen as likely to announce he will stand in for a new six year term in an election scheduled for March.

Russian elections are routinely rigged, meaning his re-election is a foregone conclusion.
Noel Pearson, a leading advocate for a Yes vote in the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, has said that being Indigenous is not a race.

Mr Pearson had a testy exchange of views on ABC's Q&A program on the issue on Monday night with conservative and No vote advocate Wesley Aird.

The two prominent Aboriginal men also clashed over whether or not a Voice would be needed even if there was no longer any Indigenous disadvantage.

'What the Voice is going to do is (to) lock disadvantage into the constitution in perpetuity. And I really struggle with that, as an Indigenous person,' Mr Aird said.

'I think it would make more sense to fund need over race and I think there are other ways to value (people).'

Noel Pearson had a testy exchange of views on ABC's Q&A program on Monday night. Program host Patricia Karvelas is pictured

Q&A host Patricia Karvelas jumped on that comment and put it to Mr Aird, who is a director of Indigenous training and previously advised former Liberal prime minister John Howard on Aboriginal issues, that being 'Indigenous isn't a race.'

A confused Mr Aird asked 'How is it not?', before Mr Pearson answered that 'It's people who pre-existed colonisation.

READ MORE: Nathan Cleary backs Indigenous Voice Advertisement

'There are blond and blue-eyed people in the Arctic Circle.'

'We're not in the Arctic Circle,' Mr Aird said.

But Mr Pearson said 'It doesn't matter. It's a question as to whether there were peoples who pre-existed colonisation by the British.

'They were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and (the Voice) is a recognition of that historical truth,' he said.

Mr Aird replied that 'OK, so the races we're talking about are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.'

Mr Pearson then expanded on his point, saying 'Recognition is not just about disadvantage, it's about our languages, our culture, our history, recognition of our art, of all of the good things we can contribute to the country.

'It's not just about disadvantage. I hope the day comes very quickly when we're over our disadvantage.'

Mr Aird then asked 'So we won't need a Voice then?'

An annoyed Mr Pearson said 'Why would we not? We've got lots to contribute to the country of as a positive.'

MrPearson said 'It's a question as to whether there were peoples who pre-existed colonisation by the British'

But Mr Aird shot back that Indigenous people already do that, saying: 'We are very much a part of our national fabric.'

The leading Yes campaigner retorted that The Voice succeeding in the referendum on October 14 would be 'a massive opportunity for the country'.

'I hope the day comes when we actually are out of our disadvantage and our culture is a real contribution to the rest of the nation.

'We will still be Indigenous people then, though,' Mr Pearson said.
Crosby, who is a former Miss California and finalist in Miss Teen USA, has claimed it was her that the star had sat down with, telling DailyMail.com that he was in 'good spirits'. Other diners said the duo sat for over an hour and a half before leaving together, with the actor largely ignoring his food as he was immersed in his glamorous guest, according to TMZ . Investigations into Perry's death are still ongoing, however officials have said there are no indications foul play was a factor. He is believed to have drowned, although an official cause of death has not been announced.
Police have appealed to the public as they desperately search for an 11-year-old girl who was last seen walking home from school in Manchester.

Named only as Tia, the schoolgirl was last seen on Bradfield Road in Urmston at around 3.20pm.

The little girl was wearing a dark purple jacket with a black fur hood, grey skirt, black tights, black shoes, black blazer, blue jumper and a red and white tie.

She wears glasses and is described by police as being from a mixed ethnic background, around 4ft 2in tall, of slim build. She has black afro shoulder-length hair which is tied back.

Greater Manchester Police officers are said to be 'becoming increasingly concerned' about Tia and 'want to make sure she is safe and well', The Manchester Evening News reports.

Named only as Tia, the schoolgirl was last seen on Bradfield Road in Urmston, Manchester at around 3.20pm

The force urged anyone who might have any information on her whereabouts to come forward.

They should contact police on 0161 856 7527 or 0161 856 7621 quoting log 2635 of 02/10/23.
Her husband is one of the star attractions at this year's Conservative party conference.

But it was Susie Cleverly, the wife of Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who drew the attention as she arrived for yesterday's sessions looking radiant in red.

A beaming Mrs Cleverly, 50, wore a John Lewis spot-print tea dress from a previous season with a matching red clutch bag and croc effect high heels.

It is less than two years since she was hit by a shock diagnosis of aggressive breast cancer. She underwent gruelling treatment, including chemotherapy, which came with dreadful side effects that she described as a 'tsunami of horror coming towards me', immunotherapy and a mastectomy.

Speaking of her post-cancer philosophy, Mrs Cleverly said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph last year: 'I've never been a great worrier, but now I embrace everything.

Susie Cleverly, the wife of Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, drew the attention as she arrived for yesterday's sessions at the Tory party conference in Manchester looking radiant in red

A beaming Mrs Cleverly, 50, wore a John Lewis spot-print tea dress from a previous season with a matching red clutch bag and croc effect high heels

The Foreign Secretary spoke movingly last year about her battle with breast cancer, saying he 'could not speak or sleep' when she was first diagnosed at the end of 2021

'You can always be waiting for something better or something different to be around the corner, but anything can happen in the blink of an eye that changes everything. And that made me think, this is my life.

'Even if I'm cancer-riddled for the rest of it, I've got to embrace what I've got. I have beautiful children, a loving husband... I should just enjoy it.'

She met Mr Cleverly, 54, when they were both studying at the University of West London. They married in 2000 and have two adult sons, Freddy and Rupert.

The Foreign Secretary spoke movingly last year about her battle with breast cancer, saying he 'could not speak or sleep' when she was first diagnosed at the end of 2021.

He also told the Mail at the weekend that his wife is helping him shed the pounds piled on during a year of diplomatic dinners.

'We are in a much, much better place,' he said. 'The chemotherapy and radiotherapy has now been completed. As far as the medical profession is concerned there are no live cancer cells in her body.

'She's getting her energy levels back. She's joined a gym, dragged me down there  it's brilliant.

It is less than two years since she was hit by a shock diagnosis of aggressive breast cancer. She underwent gruelling treatment, including chemotherapy

She met Mr Cleverly, 54, when they were both studying at the University of West London. They married in 2000 and have two adult sons, Freddy and Rupert

Mr Cleverly announced at the Tory conference that he will visit the Falkland Islands to show his fervent support for the territory's self-determination and assert the UK's control of them

The Foreign Secretary will be the first Cabinet minister to visit the archipelago since 2016

'It was designed to help her get her fitness and energy levels up but I've actually managed to lose a few pounds off the back of it.'

Mr Cleverly announced at the Tory conference that he will visit the Falkland Islands to show his fervent support for the territory's self-determination and assert the UK's control of them.

He has been locked in a dispute with his Argentinian counterpart after Buenos Aires pulled out of a cooperation pact in March.

The Foreign Secretary will be the first Cabinet minister to visit the archipelago since 2016.

He told a late-night reception at the Conservative Party conference on Sunday: 'Some of you may have noticed that because they have an election coming, they are trying to do a bit of flexing of their muscle when it comes to the people of the Falklands.

'Now, I believe in the right of people having self-determination and the people of the Falklands have made their position clear and we need to return a Conservative government to make sure they and others around the world are protected.

'And just to hammer home that point, I am going to take the opportunity to visit the Falklands because I think it is my job to make it absolutely clear that a Conservative government, as I said in my speech, it is only a Conservative government that can be trusted to look after the best interests of this country and those others around the world who rely on British good governance including, of course, the wonderful, brave people of Ukraine who are currently defending themselves against Russian aggression.'

The 2016 agreement between Argentina and the UK pledged to 'improve co-operation on South Atlantic issues of mutual interests'.

It meant the two would agree to disagree on the sovereignty of the territory but work together on issues such as energy, shipping and fishing, and on identifying the remains of unknown Argentine soldiers killed in battle.

But at the G20 talks in New Delhi earlier this year, Argentinian foreign minister Santiago Cafiero informed Mr Cleverly his Government were abandoning the pact.
A trio of beachside properties have hit the market for 5million - including the studio of a famous British painter, John Miller.

The new owner of the property will have the option to sleep in nine different bedrooms across the three houses.

All three homes front the picturesque Porthkidney Beach, near St Ives, in Cornwall, where some luxurious house prices shoot up into the millions.

Ferryman's Rest is the largest property out of the group and it has four bedrooms with an impressive view of the Cornish seaside and spans 1,425 sq ft.

English artist John Miller lived at Ferryman's Rest and he became famous for painting idyllic beach scenes in Cornwall.

A trio of beachside properties have hit the market for 5million - including the studio of a famous British painter, John Miller

The Ferryman's Rest faces the beach and also comes with its own hot tub

The dining room in the Ferry House, which is the largest out of all three homes

He is particularly know for painting the Penwith Peninsula and the Isles of Scilly. He died in 2002.

The large kitchen, which is kitted out with modern appliances leads out onto a sun terrace. The property also comes with its own hot tub.

The second largest house - which is a detached cottage - boasts three bedrooms. The stunning property is dubbed 'The Ferry House', and it spans a total of 947 sq ft.

Although it faces the beach and is just metres away from the sea, it also comes with its own swimming pool and has a large open plan kitchen and dining room.

There are also three spacious bedrooms but there is also room for a smaller bedroom in the downstairs 'snug.'

Last month it was reported that the price of London flats, country pads, coastal retreats and Cornish cottages have dropped by up to 25,000 in the last year.

In Cornwall, a 'second home' hotspot, the average house price is now 310,700 - this has decreased in the last year by 4,490, or -1.40%.

The smallest property in the trio is called The Beach House and it has two bedrooms. It is famed for being an art studio for Miller.

All three homes front the picturesque Porthkidney Beach, near St Ives, in Cornwall

The new owner of the property will have the option to sleep in nine different bedrooms across the three properties

Although the The Ferry House faces the beach and is just metres away from the sea, it comes with its own swimming pool

The trio of properties overlook the picturesque Porthkidney Beach, near St Ives, in Cornwall

The watercolour artist is known for his works, 'Beach' and 'Midsummer Day' - both of which were painted inside the property.

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The two-floor property has its own flight of steps down to the beach.

It also has two separate sitting out areas which enjoy the views and offer a good deal of privacy from the main house.

All three properties have private access to the beach. They are being sold together by estate agent Lillicrap Chilcott.

There are many other stunning properties which have popped up to buy in the area, such as an ex-ferry terminal.

The waterfront house went for 750,000 and sits directly on the banks of the River Tamar at Saltash, Cornwall, with steps leading directly to the water.

Another property, which overlooked Perran Bay, went on the market for 2.25million in July.

In August it was reported that a widow cashed in after winning a luxurious Cornish mansion in a 25 raffle.

June Smith, 74, was given the keys to the huge three-storey house overlooking the Fowey Estuary. But she decided to sell the property and said the money from the sale of the 4.5m-valued property will make 'a huge difference' to her six grandchildren.

But locals in a Cornish seaside village that has seen a string of Hollywood A-listers snap up properties have previously said their idyllic area is being 'destroyed' by the influx.

Residents of Mawgan Porth, located just four miles north of Newquay, revealed how unaffordable 'out of touch' million-pound homes are being built and clueless tourists are complaining about the smell of cow dung.

Pictured: One of the bedrooms at the Ferry House, the second largest property

Pictured: Outside seating in the Ferryman's Rest

The three properties are on the market for a whopping 5million

Pictured: The living space at The Ferry House, which overlooks the coast
An entire shopping centre in Wales has sold for less than the price of an average family home in London in the latest sign of a crisis in retail.

The troubled Kingsway Shopping Centre in Newport, Gwent, went for 615,000 - nearly 400,000 below its guide price weeks after going into receivership.

The city centre site - which houses a Starbucks and formerly a Wilko - was put on the market after its previous leasehold owners were placed into liquidation due to financial difficulties.

The leasehold for the centre was now been sold to an unnamed buyer for well below its 1m guide price.

Meanwhile the average London house price is now a staggering 685,200, Rightmove revealed earlier this year.

The troubled Kingsway Shopping Centre in Newport, Gwent, went for 615,000 - nearly 400,000 below its guide price weeks after going into receivership

Bargain shop Wilko, which had a premises in Kingsway, announced last month that all of its 400 stores would close for good

In May the shopping centre was put into property receivership and in August liquidators were appointed.

Jemma McAndrew, receiver and partner at Cushman & Wakefield, the difficulties for the Kingsway 'reflected changes that occurred in the retail sector over the past few years'.

'By nature of the retail environment at the moment running shopping centres and enticing tenants requires a significant injection of capital,' she said.

'Any new owner is going to need the cooperation of the council in respect of a grace period on the head rent in some shape or form. The asset's income profile will be challenged even more with Wilko leaving.'

A spokesman for the council has said it will 'work with any new developer to ensure ongoing viability' and has 'offered a range of business rate relief to retailers in the city centre and will work with any developers to ensure ongoing viability'.

The city centre site - which houses a Starbucks and a Sainsbury's - was put on the market after its previous leasehold owners were placed into liquidation

The retail sector has been hit hard in recent years by the cost of living crisis, with rising overheads and faltering customer spending forcing a number of high street giants to shutter.

Bargain shop Wilko, which had a premises in Kingsway, announced last month that all of its 400 stores would close for good.

Administrators at PwC had agreed a 13 deal to sell 51 Wilko stores to B&M and Poundland snapped up around 71 shops.

But a buyer couldn't be found for the entire business and it has since announced that all shops will close in the next few weeks.
An alien-like sea creature with sperm-shaped organisms in its 'belly' and small 'appendages' has been identified after biologists first saw an image of it in 2018.

The tiny swimmer, captured off the coast of Japan, stumped experts who were unsure if it was a worm, mollusk or crustacean.

Upon deeper analysis, researchers at the University of Vienna determined the animal was a colony of two parasitic larvae worms swimming as one.

The appendages were found to be individual organisms, dubbed 'sailors, anchored to a blob that carried more than 1,000 passengers.

The two parasites created a prey-like swimmer that would infect the intestines of an unsuspecting host.

The tiny swimmer, captured off the coast of Japan, stumped experts who were unsure if it was a worm, mollusk or crustacean

The colony was discovered by Japanese underwater photographer Ryo Minemizu, who spotted the ladybug-sized creature 52 feet below the surface while swimming off the shore of Kiyan Cape in Okinawa.

Minemizu posted the images to his Instagram account, sparking interest from hundreds of biologists who all failed to identify it correctly.

Igor Adameyko, a developmental neurobiologist at the Medical University of Vienna, contacted Minemizu for a sample and unraveled the mystery.

Adameyko analyzed the specimen, determining the passengers and sailors belong to the digenean family Acanthocolpidae, likely genus Pleorchis.

Pleorchis is a species of flatworm which typically infects the intestines.

The scientist conducted a DNA test that confirmed the sailors and passengers belonged to the same species.

Upon deeper analysis, researchers at the University of Vienna determined the animal was a colony of two parasitic larvae worms swimming as one

The appendages were found to be individual organisms, dubbed 'sailors, anchored to a blob that carried more than 1,000 passengers

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'The passengers' body is stumpy with collar-like thickening in the anterior part, while the sailors' body is dorsoventrally flattened,' reads the study published in Current Biology.

It seemed the passengers were the infecting agent, and the sailors just propelled them to a host.

Adameyko found the sailors had different collective activity regimes, as they could beat their tails in synchrony, causing aggregate pulsing or jumping movements.

This created the idea that it was one swimming animal.

The sailors carry the passengers through the water, looking for a suitable host, but lack penetration organs, and their destiny is questionable.

Scientists have proposed two hypotheses about their fate.

'They sacrifice themselves to provide the transmission of passengers,' according to the study.

'This scenario would imply a strong division of labor between sailors and passengers.

'Another option is that sailors continue their life in the fish that has eaten an aggregate.

'As penetration organs are absent, cercariae may go directly to the digestive system and develop into a sexual adult worm.'
Google will pull back the curtain on Pixel 8 at Made by Google event this week

Could Google have taken inspiration from Apple for its upcoming smartphone?

Photos leaked to Facebook show the Pixel 8 Pro will have a matte glass finish on the back  mimicking the design of the new iPhone 15 from its rival.

The images also suggest the Pixel 8 series will have curvier edges and more rounded edges than the Pixel 7, released last year.

Google  which just celebrated its 25th birthday  has acknowledged the existence of Pixel 8 with an image and a short teaser video, but it's yet to go into details.

However, the firm will reveal all there is to know about the flagship phone at its 'Made by Google' unveiling event, scheduled for Wednesday (October 4).

Google has acknowledged existence of the Pixel 8 with an image on its website and official social media channels - but it's yet to go into details

Photos leaked to Facebook show the Pixel 8 Pro will have a matte glass finish on the back  mimicking the design of the new iPhone from rival Apple

READ MORE Google celebrates 25 years A new Google Doodle celebrated the milestone Advertisement

The new photos were posted to the Facebook page Vat Vo Studio, a Vietnamese fan site, and published by 9to5google before they were removed.

They show the Pixel 8 Pro  the more expensive of the two options  and its packaging in a 'factory setting' with a staff member wearing protective gear.

This has fueled speculation that the snaps were taken recently, likely during final quality checks prior to the official Pixel 8 launch.

Images show the packaging of the new Pixel, with a USB-C to USB-C cable included inside and a Quick Switch adapter, which easily lets users transfer data from another phone.

Rumored colors for the Pixel 8 series include 'Licorice' (black), 'Hazel' (gray), 'Sky' (blue), and 'Porcelain' (off-white)  and the new pictures all but confirm the grey Hazel colour will be an option for the new Pixel 8 Pro.

Just like Apple's promo teaser has revealed, the Pixel 8 retains the line's iconic 'cyclops-style' camera bar that spans the width of the device.

They show phone and its packaging in a 'factory setting' and were likely taken during final preparation for the device's launch

Images show the packaging of the new Pixel, with a USB-C to USB-C cable included inside and a Quick Switch adapter, which easily lets users transfer data from another phone

The new pictures suggest the grey Hazel colour will be an option for the new Pixel 8 Pro (pictured)

It's thought the Pixel 8 series will have curvier edges and more rounded edges than the Pixel 7, released last year (pictured)

READ MORE Google releases its most expensive phone ever When unfolded it looks much like a standard smartphone, with a 5.8-inch screen on one side and multiple cameras on the back Advertisement

Rumours also suggest the regular Pixel 8 will have a smaller display  6.17-inch instead of 6.3 inches  while the Pro screen will stay the same at 6.7 inches.

Both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are expected to be fitted with Google's new processing chip, Tensor G3, which 9to5Google has said will allow for 'massive upgrades' in performance and ability.

Tensor G3 will power AI and machine learning capabilities on the Pixel 8 cameras, which already feature prominently in the tech giant's phone adverts.

These capabilities include Photo Unblur, which uses machine learning to remove blur and 'visual noise' from photos, whether they're new or old, with a few taps.

Meanwhile, Magic Eraser, which arrived with Pixel 6 in 2021, removes unwanted subjects in photos, like a random stranger in the background.

Despite being a proud feature of Google's advertising campaigns, people have called these AI tools 'Orwellian' because they distort reality.

One X user said: 'If anything is Orwellian, it is the Google Pixel that alters photos to provide a false perfect memory.'

At its unveiling event in New York on Thursday Google has finally lifted the lid on its new Pixel 7 smartphone and its first ever smartwatch

Another posted: 'Revisionist History Sponsored by Google Pixel.'

Regardless, with the Pixel 8 series, Google is expected to double down on its love for AI-powered image editing with some brand new tools, made possible by the new, more powerful chip.

As for pricing, Pixel 7 started at 599/$599 and Pixel 7 Pro at 849/$899, but unfortunately for Pixel fans the new line is expected to get a price rise.

Pixel 8 will cost 699/$699 while the Pro model will stay the same, according to a report from Android Authority, but this is far from its most expensive phone.

In June, the tech giant released its first foldable phone, the Pixel Fold, which has an eyewatering price tag of 1,749.

As for pricing, Pixel 8 is expected to get a price rise, although it won't be as much as the firm's priciest smartphone ever

The foldable opens up along a 'mirror polished' metal hinge to reveal a tablet-sized 7.6-inch screen, while the smaller exterior screen measures 5.8 inches across.

The launch of Pixel Fold means Apple is now the only major smartphone maker that is yet to launch a foldable phone, although some iPhone fans made a prototype of what this might look like.

Although Samsung was one of the first to embrace the hinge in 2019, the first ever foldable smartphone was actually the FlexPai from a Chinese company called Royole, first released in 2018.

Rather than the two halves of its 7.8-inch screen coming together, the FlexPai folded outwards with a bizarre convex edge.
Dust devils  vertical columns of hot air and particles  may seem like a weather phenomenon found only on Earth.

But new footage captured by NASA's Perseverance rover shows one measuring a whopping 1.2 miles high on the Martian surface.

Perseverance captured the dust devil as it was moving east to west at about 12 miles per hour at Thorofare Ridge, located on the western rim of Mars' Jezero Crater.

It was about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away from the six-wheeled rover, which landed on Mars in February 2021 after a nearly seven-month journey through space.

As well as collecting rock samples and making oxygen, Perseverance acts as a pair of eyes on Mars so scientists can learn about the planet's weather from 230 million miles away.

The dust devil (circled) was filmed by Perseverance from about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away

READ MORE Mars rover finishes making oxygen MOXIE, a small, gold box-shaped instrument on Perseverance, uses electrolysis technology to generate oxygen Advertisement

The clip  which has the speed altered to show the devil's progress  is composed of 21 frames taken four seconds apart, according to NASA.

In a blog post, scientists at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) explained that the dust devil was captured by one of Perseverance's 'Navcams'.

These black-and-white navigational cameras, mounted at the top of the rover's long 'neck', use visible light to gather panoramic 3D imagery.

Although only the bottom 387 feet (118 meters) of the swirling vortex were visible in the camera frame, scientists used the dust devil's shadow to estimate its full height as 1.2 miles (2 kilometers).

'We don't see the top of the dust devil, but the shadow it throws gives us a good indication of its height,' said Mark Lemmon, planetary scientist at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and a member of the Perseverance science team.

'Most are vertical columns; if this dust devil were configured that way, its shadow would indicate it is about 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) in height.'

The dust devil is shown in the background with regolith - a blanket of loose dust, broken rocks and other Martian fragment - in the foreground

The six-wheeled rover is on Mars to search for signs of ancient life, look for water and gather samples of Martian soil and rock to one day return to the Earth

What are dust devils? A dust devil is a funnel-like chimney through which hot air moves, both upwards and in a circle. They are usually noticeable by dust, sand and debris it picks up from the ground. They form when hot air rises quickly through the cooler air above it. If conditions are right this can cause a spinning effect as the air rises. The dust whirls are normally found in arid conditions when sunlight is particularly strong. Source: American Meteorological Society Advertisement

The sped-up clip was captured on August 30, the 899th Martian day, or 'sol', of the Perseverance mission.

One sol consists of 24 hours and 37 minutes  so slightly longer than one Earth day.

As on Earth, dust devils form when rising cells of warm air mix with descending columns of cooler air, carrying dust and debris as they go.

But the Martian versions can grow to be much larger than those found on Earth, due to the lower gravity and abundance of dust on our neighbouring planet.

Dust devils are also most prominent during the spring and summer months when temperatures are warmer.

This is because the hot air near the ground rises quickly through the cooler air above, which can trigger the upward current of air.

Mars' northern hemisphere, where Perseverance is located, is currently in summer.

Perseverance has been tasked to look in all directions for dust devils to help scientists on the ground track Martian weather.

It's taking images in black-and-white to reduce the amount of data sent to Earth, which means less of a wait to see what Perseverance is seeing.

Dust devils are also most prominent during the spring and summer months when temperatures are warmer. This is because the hot air near the ground rises quickly through the cooler air above, which can trigger the upward current of air. Mars' northern hemisphere, where Perseverance is located, is currently in summer

A full scale test model of the Perseverance rover currently on Mars is displayed during a press conference for the Mars Sample Return mission in the Mars Yard at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California on April 11, 2023

But the rover's key objective is to seek traces of fossilised microbial life and gather rock specimens for return to Earth.

For more than two years it has been busy trundling around the Jezero Crater collecting rocky samples and placing them in a titanium tube.

Jezero Crater was the chosen location as scientists believe the area was once flooded with water and was home to an ancient river delta.

Secrets about this body of water, if it did exist, could be locked away in the rock samples, ready for scientists on Earth to unravel.

However, Perseverance is not bringing the samples back to Earth  the rover is stashing the tubes in certain locations for them to be collected by a highly ambitious retrieval mission.

Samples are being captured from the Jezero Crater near a fossilised four billion year old river delta that could contain signs of ancient life

This joint mission between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) is currently in development  although reportedly it's not making much progress.

A report released last week by NASA's Institutional Review Board suggested it is danger of not launching due to costs and 'complexities'.

It said: 'There is currently no credible, congruent technical, nor properly margined schedule, cost and technical baseline that can be accomplished with the likely available funding.'
But, to their horror, one of their group wound up ordering a plate of lobster pasta

The content creators, from Wisconsin, chartered a yacht for a day in Eze, France

American tourists have issued a stark warning to others after being hit with a $529 bill for a single plate of lobster pasta while traveling in the south of France.

Twin sisters Cassidy and Leah Armbruster, who hail from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, regularly share their travel adventures on TikTok.

Most recently, the duo, along with some college friends, decided to charter a yacht for a day in the harbor around the town of Eze.

To their horror, one of their group wound up ordering a plate of lobster pasta without checking the price, which proved to be an incredibly expensive oversight.

Cassidy and Leah Armbruster, along with a group of their college friends, decided to charter a yacht for a day in the harbor around the town of Eze in the South of France

One member of their group ordered a heaping plate of lobster pasta - without realizing the dish would set her back more than $500

The twin sisters, who hail from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, regularly share their travel adventures on TikTok

A six-second TikTok captured the moment one of the friends appeared on deck with a heaping plate of spaghetti and lobster meat as the gang laughing excitedly - apparently blissfully unaware as to the cost of the feast at the time.

'POV: Your friend orders lobster pasta on a boat & the bill is FIVE HUNDRED EUROS [about $529],' the text overlay in the clip declared, with the caption adding: 'You live and you learn.'

Other TikToks filmed over the excursion and subsequently shared by the twins included one offering the background story: 'POV: You and your college friends rent a yacht in France and pretend money isn't a thing for a day.'

Another showed off a decadent-looking cheese plate the friends also consumed while out on the water.

According to boat-rental website ClickandBoat.com, renting a yacht docked near the Eze harbor for a day can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000.

Commenters were quick to call out the young women for being short-sighted when it came to the cost of yachting - specifically the lobster pasta meal.

'Girl negotiate,' a top-voted comment chided before the creators responded: 'My friend paid before telling us the price aahahha lesson learned.'

'About $20 in ingredients,' another naysayer added.

According to boat-rental website ClickandBoat.com, renting a yacht docked near the Eze harbor for a day can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000

Another clip showed off a decadent-looking cheese plate the friends also consumed while out on the water

Commenters were quick to call out the young women for being short-sighted when it came to the cost of yachting - specifically the lobster pasta meal

'$500 and paper plates,' someone else skeptically pointed out.

'Omg $500 I would have fainted!' another wrote, to which the twins responded, 'Hahahaha we wanted to.'

Still, other feedback in the comments section was marginally more positive.

'Well YOLO,' one optimist quipped, while another also echoed, 'YOLO I guess?' - to which the twins responded: 'My thought exactly.'

Cassidy and Leah are not the first American tourists to get duped into buying hugely overpriced meals abroad.

Last year, honeymooners Alex and Lindsay Breen took to social media to spotlight the horrible experience they had endured at Mykonos' DK Oyster, where they were forced to pay up more than $400 for a beer, a cocktail and a dozen oysters.

And, back in June, Bar Moretto, a cafe near the iconic Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, went viral thanks to dissatisfied customers calling the spot out on social media for similarly roping tourists into paying exorbitant prices for mediocre fare.
Britons like a good book so it's no surprise this is the number one item they cannot travel without on holiday, according to a new 12-country survey.

Almost a third (31 per cent) of Brits quizzed say a good book is their travel must-have compared to only 27 per cent of French, 25 per cent of Italians, 23 per cent of Germans and 23 per cent of Spaniards.

For many French travellers (15 per cent) in the poll, the top travel essential is hand and face cream.

While in the U.S, Australia, India and China, respondents say a pair of headphones is the one thing they cannot travel without, with this being the most popular answer in each country, at 19 per cent, 20 per cent, 39 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

The study also looked at holiday plans, with more than half (57 per cent) of those polled saying they intend to travel more in the coming 12 months than they did over the past year.

Britons like a good book so it's no surprise it is the number one item they cannot travel without on holiday, according to a new study

And more than twice as many people (42 per cent) are planning to holiday abroad during this time compared to the past year (20 per cent), according to the report.

'The German traveller leads the "international only" charge, with more than half ticking this box,' it says.

'While the Chinese traveller has made the biggest jump, from 13 per cent to 48 per cent, year on year.'

Space travel is another topic covered by the study, with around half (52 per cent) of participants saying they are likely to try this when it becomes financially viable.

In the U.S, Australia, India and China, a pair of headphones is the one thing people cannot travel without on their dream holiday, according to a new study

Among them, British travellers are the most sceptical, with only 27 per cent saying they would holiday in space.

However, this rises just above the average to 54 per cent when looking at answers from Britain's younger Gen Z travellers aged 26 and under.

The study is based on responses from more than 10,000 travellers surveyed across 12 countries for SiteMinder's Changing Traveller Report 2023.
Big Brother's new hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best have claimed the new series will 'reflect 2023' and concerns about reality contestants' mental health.

The duo, who are fronting the ITV2 reboot following in the footsteps of Davina McCall and Emma Willis, admitted the 'world has moved on' since the show's early 00s heyday.

AJ, 35, insisted she was 'very mindful' of the participant's wellbeing and would 'put her arm around' the unlucky ones on eviction night.

Speaking ahead of the show's premiere she said: '[The housemates] are people who haven't been on TV before and this is a real experience. They're going to come out to maybe a baying audience, who will receive them well or not.

'But I think it's up to me and Will to really put our arm around them.'

Back with a bang! Brother's new hosts AJ Odudu, 35, and Will Best, 38, have claimed the new series will reflect 2023, admitting the 'world has moved' since the show's early 00s heyday

Get them out! AJ said she will 'put her arm around' the unlucky housemate on eviction night, even though the live audience will still be allowed to boo (Former host Emma pictured during an eviction in 2013)

Will agreed that while 'nobody is going to be stopped [from booing]' he wondered if the crowds would even want to in this modern age.

He said: 'The world has changed and moved forward, people are endeavouring in every industry to make people's working experiences, and lives better, and that will obviously be reflected in in a show like this, more so than any.'

The TV host later gushed about the reality show which he said had 'always been a mirror to society'.

'This is Big Brother 2023, so it's going to represent the UK 2023 and that's I think what's going to make it interesting and and exciting and it's not going to be like any series before.'

Despite the concerns, AJ insisted she would still be leaving no stone unturned when interviewing the booted contestants.

'I'm the nosy neighbour, so at the end of the day I'm gonna be naturally inquisitive. I'm gonna be asking the questions, I want the tea!'

And it seems the pair have been kept in the dark with what to expect from the new series.

AJ said: 'We know just as much as everyone else! We dont know who the housemates are or what the house looks like yet,' while Will explained: 'Well be finding out about the new series along with the viewers!'

Moving with the times: With AJ, 35, insisting she will 'put her arm around' the unlucky housemates on eviction night, even though the live audience will still be allowed to boo

Unsure: Will agreed and said that while 'nobody is going to be stopped [from booing]' he wondered if the crowds would even want to in this modern age

However, the pair are excited to be a part of the comeback, insisting the reality show has a special connection with the viewing audience.

Will said: 'The fact that it's real people, who properly represent a snapshot of the UK right now, means there is so much more for an audience to connect with. Its unfiltered and unpredictable which makes for unbelievably engaging telly.'

AJ added: 'Big Brother lets us dive into the psyche of the human mind and connects the audience to people from all walks of life that you might not ever normally meet.

'I remember watching Brian Dowling and he was the first openly gay man Id ever seen - what a joy! And Nadia Almada who was the first trans person on the show, which was so insightful as growing up in Blackburn I didn't see that diversity in my day-to-day life.

'It really is the people and their stories.'

And on their favourite housemate of all time, AJ shared: 'Alison Hammond. She was funny, positive, and always a joy. No wonder we still see her on our screens to this day, the UK couldn't let her go.'

Will said: 'Its impossible just to choose one! So Im going to have to choose my favourite group of housemates, and Im going old school - BB3.

'Huge names in there, and especially nostalgic for me because that was the first series I was properly obsessed with.

Star quality: Both AJ and Will said This Morning host Alison Hammond was among their favourite former housemates after she took part in Big Brother in 2002 (pictured this year)

'Kate Lawler, Jade Goody, Spencer, Alex Sibley, Alison Hammond, Adele Roberts, PJ, Sandy (who weed in a bin then climbed the fence never to be seen again), Lee the bodybuilder - I loved them all.'

It comes after reports the reboot would feature some of the reality show's most iconic former housemates.

According to The Sun 'Nasty Nick' Bateman, Chanelle Hayes and Nadia Almada are just some of the names producers are hoping will return to 'recapture the magic' of the original series.

A source told the publication:'It won't be a reboot full of old faces, it's likely to be a smattering rather than a deluge of BB veterans'.

'The one thing [producers] don't want to do is deliver a show which is essentially a Love Island-style contest full of beautiful people.

Before adding: 'They actually want the quirky, often controversial characters that are going to stir things up and make things interesting  and many of the names in the frame have proven track records in that respect.'

Nick, now 55, made headlines during the show's first season in 2000 when he slyly attempted to turn his fellow housemates against each other, before being caught and booted from the show.

Meanwhile Chanette, 35, appeared on the show in 2007 where she struck up a romance with fellow housemate Ziggy, and Nadia, 46, won the 2004 series.

Other possible returnees include Makosi Musambasi, who famously claimed to have fallen pregnant in the house, despite not having sex in 2005.

As well as Kinga Karolczak who drunkenly showed viewers at home an X-rated party trick with a wine bottle.

MailOnline contacted ITV for comment.

Meanwhile legendary narrator of Big Brother Marcus Bentley reportedly signed up for the job once again on the upcoming reboot of the show.

Shock return! Back for more? ITV2's reboot will feature some of the reality show's most iconic former housemate ('Nasty' Nick Bateman pictured)

Back? Other possible returnees include Makosi Musambasi, who famously claimed to have been fallen pregnant in the house, despite not having sex in 2005

Gateshead-born voice-over artist Marcus, 55, became synonymous with the programme after it launched on Channel 4 in 2000 and he stayed with the reality series up until its last run on Channel 5 in 2018.

Booming 'day one in the Big Brother house' at the start of each series, Marcus would describe the action as it played out on screen for viewers, and he is set to do the same when it makes a comeback on ITV2 later this year.

It has also emerged the famous live feed will return after it previously enabled viewers to watch the housemates 24 hours a day from the first series in 2000 before it was stopped in 2009.

It was brought back the following year for a fee but it was dropped again when Big Brother moved to Channel 5 in 2011, before it was once again brought back in 2013 for two hours a night.
Erin McNaught has been seen in public for the first time with her new boyfriend following her divorce from English musician Example.

The model, 41, was spotted arriving in Queensland's Townsville Airport on Monday alongside record producer Stace Cadet, whose real name is Stasi Kotaras.

The couple were a picture of new love as they walked hand-in-hand through the terminal.

Erin looked comfortable yet chic wearing a short black dress with white sneakers and socks, while he hair was worn down and flowed elegantly as she walked.

She held a grey jumper in the crook of her arm until she reached the exit and put the jumper on the crisp North Queensland air.

Erin McNaught (pictured left) has been seen in public for the first time with her new boyfriend following her divorce from English musician Example

The model, 41, was spotted arriving in Townsville Airport with record producer Stace Cadet, real name Stasi Kotaras (pictured right) on Monday. The couple were a picture of new love as they walked hand-in-hand through the terminal

Erin looked comfortable yet chic wearing a short black dress with white sneakers and socks, while he hair was worn down and flowed elegantly as she walked. She held a grey jumper in the crook of her arm until she reached the exit and put the jumper on the crisp North Queensland air

Stace meanwhile wore a white T-shirt and shorts, white sneakers, and a canary yellow cardigan, with a black backpack over his shoulders.

The pair haven't made any formal announcement of their relationship, but last month shared a number of flirty exchanges on Instagram.

'Last little chunk of life. It's been good to me,' McNaught captioned a slew of photos, with a love heart emoji.

Stace meanwhile wore a white T-shirt and shorts, white sneakers, and a canary yellow cardigan, with a black backpack over his shoulders

The pair haven't made any formal announcement but they have shared a number of flirty exchanges on Instagram

'Yes it has,' Stace Cadet replied, with a wink and two heart emojis.

The mother-of-two left a fire and heart emoji on his post about doing a 'little mix' for the 'legends at Triple J'.

Erin and her ex-husband, rapper Example, real name Elliot Gleave, announced their split in October last year.

Erin McNaught has been caught in a flirty exchange online with dance music producer Stace Cadet last month. Pictured

Stace, real name Stasi Kotaras, was spotted cuddling up to the model and sharing a kiss in an intimate photo together. Pictured

The pair were married from 2013 to 2022.

The rapper is now seeing art advisor Daisy Cox, who has relocated to Australia to be with him.

Example wrote that their romance came to a 'natural end' after 11 years together and said that he and Erin will still be happily co-parenting their sons Evander, aged seven, and Ennio, aged five.

Erin and her ex-husband, rapper Example, real name Elliot Gleave, announced their split in October last year. The pair were married from 2013 to 2022. Pictured

In a joint Instagram statement, the couple explained: 'At the start of the UK summer we decided to separate. We have had an amazing 11 years together, but just a few too many adventures.

'Obviously we spent a lot of time behind the scenes trying to figure things out, but we came to the realisation that perhaps our time as a couple had just come to a natural end.

'So we have decided to go our separate ways whilst there is still an abundance of love and respect for one another.

The rapper is now seeing art advisor Daisy Cox, who has relocated to Australia to be with him. Pictured

'We have been co-parenting happily and effectively now for almost half a year and our boys are surrounded with love.'

Continuing his statement, he penned: 'Due to Elliot's busy summer schedule over 14 weeks in Europe, Erin and the boys flew to London for 4 weeks so Elliot wouldn't have to go months without seeing Evander and Ennio.

'We had an amazing family holiday, and look forward to more in the future. We have had incredible support from our closest friends and family, who are proud of how are handling this separation.

'We have turned off commenting to protect ourselves, our children and closest friends and family. Please do not feel the need to text or DM us whoever you are.'
On the heels of the fashion weeks in New York and Milan, Paris Fashion Week is now in day seven of nine day extravaganza.

And o Sunday Kris Jenner and longtime partner Corey Gamble were among the stars and high-profile people at attend Le Defile - Walk Your Worth event at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

The event, which is the 6th L'Oreal Show as part of Paris Fashion Week, is a tribute to women's empowerment that features historic runway show on the Esplanade of the Eiffel Tower.

The show will 'embody LOreal Paris unique vision of inclusion and sisterhood, connecting with audiences around the world and making a bold feminine and feminist statement,' according to the LOreal website.

The sixth edition of Le Defile Walk Your Worth is being described as a 'perfect synergy between state-of-the-art beauty and fashion' that features a diverse lineup such as Jenner's supermodel daughter Kendall Jenner, Eva Longoria, and Helen Mirren, to name a few.

Chic: Kris Jenner, 67, stunned in a glistening black jacket dress alongside partner Corey Gamble, 43, at Le Defile - Walk Your Worth event at the Eiffel Tower during Paris Fashion Week

Jenner, 67, came dressed for success for the glitzy event in a long black jacket dress with a double-breasted design.

Glistening under the harsh lights of all photographers, the striking number, which fell to her ankles, appeared to be a cross between a blazer and a duster coat.

The reality star and entrepreneur matched the sparkling garment perfectly by wearing a pair of gorgeous black heels.

Rounding out her overall look, the so-called momager for the Kardashian and Jenner brood had her black tresses in her trademark short style, over her ears, with a left side part.

Gamble, 43, opted for a more casual-cool look in black slacks, a matching t-shirt and white sneakers.

He also accessorized with cool dark sunglasses, a silver bracelet, and matching wrist-watch.

Rounding out his look, the Atlanta, Georgia native had his head shaved down to a stubble, while also sporting a well-manicured beard and mustache.

After strutting their stuff on the red carpet, the couple eventually made their way into the posh event, where the crowd was buzzing with anticipation.

Elegance: The Kardashian and Jenner momager, who also showed off her fashion sense in black heels, struck a few more poses solo for the adoring photographers

Glowing: Jenner appeared to be soaking in all the attention when she and Gamble made their way from the red carpet area into the event

Proud momager: Jenner's supermodel daughter, Kendall Jenner, was among the beauties taking part in the runway event that's being described as 'a tribute to women's empowerment'

The couple first met back in August 2014 at designer Riccardo Tiscis 40th birthday party in Ibiza, Spain.

At the time, Jenner was undergoing a divorce from Caitlyn Jenner, whom she was married to for 22 years.

Soon after, they began their romance that appears to still be going strong more than nine years later.

Gamble was working as a business executive and talent manager when he first started dating Jenner, which included being employed by Scooter Braun as Justin Bieber's tour manager, according to People.

In a 2021 interview for WSJ Magazine, Jenner called Gamble her 'sounding board,' saying, 'He's the greatest guy, and he's just an amazing support system for me, and he really gives me a lot of strength and insight.'

After having kicked off on Monday, September 25, Paris Fashion Week goes on through Tuesday, October 3.
Jennifer Garner and her 11-year-old son Samuel Affleck stocked up on fresh flowers and produce at a farmer's market not far from her $7.8M four-bedroom Brentwood Park home on Sunday.

The 51-year-old actress certainly had her hands full carrying two dozen white roses and brown-eyed Susans as well as several bags filled with orange juice, peaches, and apples.

Jennifer - whose hair was pulled back into a ponytail - was dressed for the gym in a grey sweatshirt, darker grey camouflage leggings, and red sneakers.

Little Sam nursed a strawberry smoothie while dressed comfortably in a patch-covered blue hoodie, plaid PJ pants, and white Crocs.

Garner is also mother to two teenage daughters - Violet, 17; and Seraphina, 14 - from her decade-long marriage to her two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Ben Affleck, which ended in 2018.

Quality time with her youngest child! Jennifer Garner and her 11-year-old son Samuel Affleck stocked up on fresh flowers and produce at a farmer's market not far from her $7.8M four-bedroom Brentwood Park home on Sunday

'I just had a passel of debaters come and go. Last night, my daughter said, "Can you please make bagels, make muffins, make popcorn for debate tomorrow?" And I was like, "Yeah!" the twice-divorced mother-of-three told Peloton yoga teacher Chelsea Jackson Roberts in a Saturday morning conversation.

'I did it. I just got it all out of the oven. My hands are still warm. It's all out of the oven and in a bag and it's on its way to tournament, so check! There's nothing that makes me happier than a request from someone! "Would you please make me...?"

'Especially when your kids and their friends want you to bake for them. It's like, "Uh yes, I will do that for them! That is a yes from me." I mean, it can't always be, but I love when it can be!'

On Sunday, Jennifer - who boasts 27.4M social media followers - Instastoried a video of herself performing the nineties 'Running Man' dance while inside the produce department of Target in Fontana, CA.

Garner was simply promoting the new Refrigerated Oat Bars from Once Upon a Farm, an organic food company she co-founded in 2017 with John Foraker, Ari Raz, and Cassandra Curtis.

The $2.49 bars ($9.49 for a multi-pack) - available in strawberry, banana chocolate, and apple cinnamon - average 180 calories each with 11 grams of sugar and eight grams of fat.

The four-time Emmy nominee will next produce and star as married mother-of-three Jess Walker in director McG's body-swap comedy Family Switch, which premieres November 30 on Netflix.

The small-screen adaptation of Amy Krouse Rosenthal's 2010 book Bedtime for Mommy also stars Rita Moreno, Ed Helms, Emma Myers, Matthias Schweighofer, Brady Noon, and the K-pop boyband Seventeen.

Ritual: The 51-year-old actress certainly had her hands full carrying two dozen white roses and brown-eyed Susans as well as several bags filled with orange juice, peaches, and apples

Athleisure attire: Jennifer - whose hair was pulled back into a ponytail - was dressed for the gym in a grey sweatshirt, darker grey camouflage leggings, and red sneakers

Loves of her life! Garner is also mother to two teenage daughters - Violet (L, pictured in 2020), 17; and Seraphina (R), 14 - from her decade-long marriage to her two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Ben Affleck, which ended in 2018

The twice-divorced mother-of-three told Peloton yoga teacher Chelsea Jackson Roberts in a Saturday morning conversation: 'I just had a passel of debaters come and go. Last night, my daughter said, "Can you please make bagels, make muffins, make popcorn for debate tomorrow?" And I was like, "Yeah!" I did it. I just got it all out of the oven. My hands are still warm. It's all out of the oven and in a bag and it's on its way to tournament, so check!'

Jennifer continued: 'There's nothing that makes me happier than a request from someone! "Would you please make me...?" Especially when your kids and their friends want you to bake for them. It's like, "Uh yes, I will do that for them! That is a yes from me." I mean, it can't always be, but I love when it can be!'

Showing off her moves! On Sunday, Garner - who boasts 27.4M social media followers - Instastoried a video of herself performing the nineties 'Running Man' dance while inside the produce department of Target in Fontana, CA

'Delicious!' The four-time Emmy nominee was simply promoting the new Refrigerated Oat Bars from Once Upon a Farm, an organic food company she co-founded in 2017 with John Foraker, Ari Raz, and Cassandra Curtis

Premieres November 30 on Netflix! Jennifer will next produce and star as married mother-of-three Jess Walker in director McG's body-swap comedy Family Switch alongside (from L-R) Emma Myers, Brady Noon, and Ed Helms

These days Jennifer is every bit the influencer with frequent paid partnerships for brands like Capital One, Neutrogena, and Virtue Labs.

On July 7, THR revealed Garner will reprise her MCU role as billionaire heiress-turned-mercenary Elektra Natchios in Shawn Levy's upcoming three-quel Deadpool 3 alongside Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.

The Texan-born, West Virginia-raised actress' sai-swinging seductress in Daredevil (2003) and its sequel Elektra (2005) famously brought her to former leading man on and offscreen, Ben Affleck.

An insider exclusively told DailyMail.com last week that it was the 51-year-old actor's second wife Jennifer Lopez who helped him and Garner 'get to a better place' to co-parent their kids.

'Ben is healthy. The drama of the past and the emotions of divorce are long gone and they are all making it work,' the source said.

They added that Lopez and Garner are 'friendly' with one another and that all of their kids 'love each other.'

'It is really a very happy co-parenting situation,' dished the insider.

'Everything is really good right now and should be the same in the near and distant future.'
Olivia Colman transformed into a nun as she filmed new scenes for Paddington 3 in north east London on Sunday.

The actress, 49, will play the Reverend Mother in Paddington in Peru and was seen beaming away on set as she got to work.

She wore a white and blue tunic covering her hair and a wooden cross as she got into character.

Antonio Banderas, Rachel Zegler and Emily Mortimer will also star in the upcoming instalment.

Banderas, 62, will portray Hunter Cabot, and 22-year-old Rachel Zegler will play Gina, Cabot's daughter.

On set: Olivia Colman transformed into a nun as she filmed new scenes for Paddington 3 in north east London on Sunday

Character: The actress, 49, will play the Reverend Mother in Paddington in Peru and was seen beaming away on set as she got to work

The film is due to released in November 2024 so fans still have a whole year to wait.

Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin have already been cast in the movie.

Ben Whishaw will return to voice Paddington and Imelda Staunton will once again play Aunt Lucy.

Meanwhile, Mortimer, 51, will replace Sally Hawkins, 47, as Mrs. Brown.

Hawkins explained about moving on from the franchise, 'For me it has felt the right time to hand the reins over to another, and one cant get much better than the truly wonderful Emily Mortimer, she is extraordinarily special.

'She will embody the essence of Mary Brown and yet make it utterly her own. However, I am, and will always be in love with Paddingtons world.

'I already greatly miss my on and off-screen family  the experience of making the first two films has truly been some of the best and most creative times I have had in the world of film.'

She added, 'They both gave me so much joy. I will forever hold them so very close to my heart indeed.'

It was announced last September Paddington In Peru would start filming in London and Peru this year.

Outfit: She wore a white and blue tunic covering her hair and a wooden cross as she got into character

Great cast: Antonio Banderas , Rachel Zegler and Emily Mortimer will also star in the upcoming instalment

Exciting times: The film is due to released in November 2024 so fans still have a whole year to wait

The movie will trail Paddington as he returns to Peru to visit his Aunt Lucy, who lives at the Home for Retired Bears.

The trip takes Paddington and the Brown Family on an unprecedented trajectory through the Amazon rainforest and up the mountains of Peru.

The upcoming film was penned by Paul King, who directed the first two films.

For the third iteration of the movies, Dougal Wilson will take the reins as director, marking his debut.

Wilson shared, 'I am absolutely delighted to be working with such a wonderful cast on the next installment of the Paddington story.

'I was already an enormous fan of our returning actors, but for them to be joined by Olivia, Antonio, Emily and Rachel is beyond thrilling.'

Anna Marsh, the CEO of Studiocanal told the publication that 'with Dougal at the helm, Paddington in Peru will encapsulate all of the heart, humor and warm chaos of the beloved Paddington 1 and 2 films while taking Paddington and the Brown family on a brand new adventure.'

She added that it 'seems only fitting that we welcome some new cast and locations to this  a new adventure for us all.'

Michael Bond, author of the Paddington books, did send his bear back to Darkest Peru  in 1964, when he took a trip to celebrate his Great Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday (an event that featured in Paddington 2).

On his way home, by boat, Paddington dreams he's being chased by a giant biscuit and has to seek refuge with the ship's doctor.

Busy schedule: It was announced last September Paddington In Peru would start filming in London and Peru this year

Travel: The trip takes Paddington and the Brown Family on an unprecedented trajectory through the Amazon rainforest and up the mountains of Peru

At the helm: For the third iteration of the movies, Dougal Wilson will take the reins as director, marking his debut

Plot: The movie will trail Paddington as he returns to Peru to visit his Aunt Lucy, who lives at the Home for Retired Bears

Role: Meanwhile Antonio Banderas, 62, will portray Hunter Cabot

New gig: Rachel Zegler will play Gina, Cabot's daughter

Scoop: Mortimer, 51, will replace Sally Hawkins as Mrs. Brown

Earlier Paddington flicks pulled in substantial profits, with the 2018 sequel raking in $227.9 million worldwide.

And 2015's Paddington saw a gross profit of $282.3 million after a budget 'in the $50 million range.'

Heyday Films will produce - David Heyman and Rosie Alison will serve as producers and Rob Silva will serve as co-producer.

King is an executive producer alongside Marsh, Ron Halpern and Dan MacRae from Studiocanal and Tim Wellspring and Jeffrey Clifford.
Elle Fanning walked the runway during the L 'Oreal Spring/Summer 2024 womenswear collection show, which took place in Paris on Sunday.

The 25-year-old actress cut an eye-catching outfit in a form-hugging outfit as she took part in the fashion-forward event, which featured appearances from figures including Kendall Jenner and Eva Longoria.

The performer, who recently attended a charity event alongside her older sister Dakota, also held Helen Mirren's hand as they strolled down the runway together.

Fanning wore a sleeveless light yellow and sequin-covered dress that featured a plunging neck and showed off her toned arms during the show..

Va va voom: Elle Fanning walked the runway during the L 'Oreal Spring/Summer 2024 womenswear collection show, which took place in Paris on Sunday

Her voluminous blonde locks remained free-flowing and cascaded onto her chest and back.

Fanning was also seen in the company of Andie MacDowell, who also walked the runway during the show, in its backstage area.

The performers appeared to be enjoying each other's company as they screamed and shot their hands outward while posing for a photo.

The actress also shared a tribute to the creative director of Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton, on her Instagram account on Saturday.

The fashion industry personality announced that she would be departing the brand after 26 years this past September.

Fanning went on to share a collection of images showing her wearing a Burton-designed outfit during a trip to Paris.

The actress also wrote a lengthy message to express her affection and admiration for the designer.

Making an impression: Fanning wore a sleeveless light yellow and sequin-covered dress that showed off her toned arms during the show

Good company: The performer, who recently attended a charity event alongside her older sister Dakota, also held Helen Mirren 's hand as they strolled down the runway together

Good company: Fanning was also seen in the company of Andie MacDowell, who also walked the runway during the show, in its backstage area

She began by writing that Burton never failed to to 'amaze me with your kindness and out of this world talent. But most of all your kindness.'

Fanning went on to write that she was excited about what the fashion industry personality had planned for the future.

'McQueen will miss you and never be the same but I know your butterfly is only just emerging from its cocoon with the creativity we have yet to see,' she stated.

She concluded: 'I love you and I loved wearing one of the looks from one of your most unforgettable collections.'
Bryan, 41, breached terms of his release after he forgot to keep his ankle monitor charged with energy, his lawyer said

Home Improvement actor Zachery Ty Bryan was arrested Thursday in connection with a technical violation linked to his domestic violence arrest two months ago.

The 41-year-old actor was taken into custody at the Lane County Jail in Eugene, Oregon Thursday, jail officials confirmed to TMZ, and released Sunday after posting bail.

The Aurora, Colorado-born actor's lawyer John J. Kolego said that Bryan was taken in because of a breach to his terms of release after he forgot to keep his ankle monitor charged with energy.

Kolego said that paperwork the outlet reviewed of the latest arrest - indicating Bryan had been charged with two counts fourth-degree felony assault - was erroneous, as did multiple other sources to the outlet.

Bryan, who played Brad Taylor on the ABC series from 1991-1999, had been taken into custody when he visited the court office, and no judge was involved.

In trouble: Home Improvement actor Zachery Ty Bryan was arrested in Eugene, Oregon Thursday in connection with a technical violation linked to his domestic violence arrest two months ago; seen in his mugshot from October 17, 2020

The arrest was not tied to alcohol consumption, Kolego told the outlet, adding that the actor 'is looking forward to exonerating himself at trial' over the charges stemming from his domestic violence arrest in July, which was his second in three years.

The actor was arrested July 28 in connection with fourth-degree felony assault in Eugene, Oregon, TMZ reported at the time, noting that Bryan was accused of getting physical with a woman who was not named by authorities.

Bryan was charged with a pair of felonies and a misdemeanor in connection with the July incident: assault, robbery and harassment.

In October of 2020, Bryan was arrested on accusations he assaulted and strangled his fiancee Johnnie Faye Cartwright, and in February 2021, he entered guilty pleas to two misdemeanor domestic violence charges in connection with the incident.

Cartwright, who got engaged to the actor in November of 2021, shares three young children with him: one-year-old daughter Kennedy, and four-month-old twins Parker and Sequoia.

Cartwright told US Weekly in a statement in August: 'I ask everyone to please be respectful of our privacy for the sake of the children and our families so the healing process can begin.'

'I'll always want what's best for the father of my children,' Cartwright told the publication of Bryan, adding that 'trauma can bring struggles in many shapes and forms,' while giving her take on the reporting of the recent incident.

'It's a horrible situation that's going to be spun in so many ways,' she said. 'I've learned firsthand the truth will never align with what's been put out there.'

Details: The actor was taken into custody at the Lane County Jail in Eugene, Oregon Thursday, jail officials confirmed to TMZ , and released Sunday after posting bail. Pictured in 2018

Details: The fiancee of embattled actor Home Improvement actor Zachery Ty Bryan said in July that she'll 'always want what's best' for the actor following his domestic violence arrest

Out of juice: The Aurora, Colorado-born actor's lawyer John J. Kolego said that Bryan was taken in because of a breach to his probation after he forgot to keep his ankle monitor charged with energy; seen in 2016 in Santa Monica, Calif.

The latest charge appears to indicate that he is accused of attacking someone who had previously obtained a domestic violence restraining order, though the alleged victim has not yet been named.

Members of the Eugene Police Department told TMZ that police received a call about a physical altercation between and man and a woman at a local residence.

However, once officers responded to the scene Bryan was nowhere to be found.

They reportedly were able to track him down, though, and he was transported to the jail and booked on the felony assault charge.

It remains unclear if his fiancee Cartwright, who was the target of his 2020 attack, was also the victim of the recent alleged altercation.

Bryan's latest alleged domestic violence incident comes just more a month after he claimed that his previous arrest in 2020 was a 'wake-up call' as he tries to rebuild his life.

The former child star, claimed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that the physical altercation in October of that year started because his girlfriend at the time, Johnnie Faye Cartwright, was upset he was 'living a double life' and was still married  even though he had announced his divorce two weeks earlier.

He later pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of menacing and assault in the fourth degree and was sentenced to a three-year probation and attendance in a violence intervention program, and was ordered to have no further contact with the victim.

More trouble: Police responded to a call about an altercation between a man and a woman, but Bryan was gone at that point; seen with his fiancee Johnnie Faye Cartwright

Background: His charge indicates he's accused of attacking someone who previously had a domestic violence restraining order, though the alleged victim hasn't been named; pictured in 2009 with his ex-wife Carly Matros

Bryan said he now tries to stay away from alcohol, and he and Cartwright were still together and were now raising their children.

Bryan rose to national fame in the 1990s as the eldest child on Home Improvement, which also starred Tim Allen and future teen heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas.

After the show ended in 1999, Bryan turned to film roles and earned guest spots on television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Boston Public and Veronica Mars.

He then became an executive producer on independent films, and married his high school sweetheart Carly Matros in 2007.

They would go on to have four children that they raised together in a multi-million dollar home in Newport Beach, California. The youngest, a son, was born in March 2019, joining three daughters  including a set of twins.

In more recent years, Bryan has made a name for himself as a conservative commentator on platforms like FOX News and The Daily Wire.

In September 2020, Bryan announced he and Matros were getting a divorce  and in a ridiculous twist he appeared to have plagiarized Armie Hammer's divorce announcement almost word for word.

He now admits to The Hollywood Reporter: 'I was just in party freaking mode  making movies, traveling, drinking. I wasn't living the way I was raised, you know what I mean?

Glory days: Bryan had rose to national fame in the 1990s as the eldest child on Home Improvement, which also starred Tim Allen and future teen heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas

'I was not being a faithful husband, and I was not being the best me,' he continued. 'I thought I would be able to go out and do whatever I wanted, have fun, come home and be a family man with my kids. That's not how the real world works.'

Just 16 days after the divorce announcement, in October of 2020, Bryan was arrested in Oregon and charged with felony strangulation, fourth-degree assault, coercion, menacing, harassment and interference with making a police report.

The most serious charges, including felony strangulation, were later dropped and he pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors.

He was also ordered by the court not to 'buy, possess or consume alcoholic beverages' or be in any place that sells or serves alcohol as its primary purpose.

It was his second arrest of 2020, after being booked for DUI that May. He pleaded guilty in that case as well, and was sentenced to five years probation and 18 months in a multiple-offender alcohol program due to a record of other DUI arrests in 2004, 2007 and 2017.

According to Oregon police records obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Cartwright claimed that on the night of the alleged assault, Bryan, with whom she had been in a 'sexually intimate' relationship for two years, woke her up demanding to know what happened to his cellphone charging cables.

She alleged that he 'pulled her hair' and punched her in the face multiple times.

The two then fell on a set of stairs, at which point, the police report says, Bryan 'grabbed Cartwright's neck with both hands and choked her' for about 45 seconds.

Responding officers said they saw multiple injuries on Cartwright, who claimed Bryan became abusive a month earlier. But Bryan claimed Cartwright woke him up and bit him in the groin.

He alleged that her injuries were self-inflicted in an effort to set him up because she 'wanted to ruin his career' after he said he wanted to break up and stop paying her rent.

'I heard her tell dispatch, "This is the guy from Home Improvement. He's the famous guy,"' Bryan reportedly told officers on the scene.

Looking back, he says the arrest 'got so blown out of proportion' by the media, and claims it was not as physical as the police report states.

Trying to stay afloat: After the show ended in 1999, Bryan turned to film roles and earned guest spots on television shows. He is pictured here on Home Improvement with Tim Allen

Rightward turn: In recent years, he has become a conservative commentator on FOX News and The Daily Wire

He explained that he and Cartwright began seeing each other when he was still married and there were times she would get upset over his 'double life.'

And even though he announced his divorce, Bryan claimed the fight escalated that night because they had both 'been drinking too much.

'We didn't even really get that physical,' he said. 'We got really loud. We were screaming and because we were in a townhome that had [thin walls], everybody could hear.'

He continued to say Cartwright 'was at the time just really upset about my situation.'

And, he claimed, 'At the end of the day, [the police] throw a bunch of counts at you because they ultimately want you to plead something,' noting that cops nicknamed him 'Country Club Zach' and seemed to poke fun at his fame.

'I could've fought it... but that's more stress and drama,' Bryan explained. 'I got two misdemeanors and called it a day.'

But he said he now thanks God for his arrest, describing it as a 'wake up call.'

'I went through a situation that I'm pretty sure plenty of people across the globe experience with their partners, and that was a learning experience,' Bryan said.

He acknowledged he 'definitely [has] an issue with drinking' but does not believe the term 'alcoholic' applies to him.

'Dude, I started drinking when I was 14,' he said. 'Back then I was going to nightclubs and they would just let me in because I was the kid from Home Improvement.'

Now, he says, he tries to stay away from alcohol, explaining: 'I'm not going out and getting lit, and that takes away a lot of my problems.'

He and Cartwright were still together prior to his latest arrest.

In November 2021, just one year after his arrest, Bryan revealed that he and Cartwright were engaged to be married.

Based on the timeline of his now private Instagram account, The Hollywood Reporter found, Cartwright was already pregnant with a girl at the time.

He announced the birth on the social media platform in spring 2022.

That November, Bryan also revealed that he and Cartwright were expecting twins, and she gave birth in May.

More trouble: Bryan continues to face scrutiny for his role selling tokens for an ag-tech company that never materialized; seen in 2016 with his ex-wife Carly Matros

But the actor/producer continues to face scrutiny from some who considered him one of their closest friends.

In 2018, they explain, Bryan linked up with Producers Market, an ag-tech startup focused on farmers and the global food chain.

The company aimed to empower farmers by removing the middleman and putting profits more directly in their tokens using a QR code that would allow them to tip farmers.

It explored using tokens to fund growth, and brought Bryan  who had made millions in the early days of Bitcoin  on as an adviser to help develop relationships within the crypto community.

He then invested in the money in the company, and asked others to do the same.

But the plans for a token system never materialized, and in 2019 the company officially decided to end Bryan's role as an advisor.

Executives learned just one year later that Bryan was selling the nonexistent tokens to other investors.

'Mr. Bryan misrepresented our company without our knowledge, participation or permission,' a spokesperson said. 'When we found out, we immediately issued a cease and desist demand to him.

'This activity is unacceptable and not a reflection of our mission to support the well-being of farmers and our food systems.'

But Bryan denies he was 'running some shady scam deal  that's just not me.'

'What people don't understand is that you take risks, nothing is for sure,' he said, vowing that if the company ever goes public, he will personally distribute his Producers Market stock to those who are still waiting on their money.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been inundated with complaints about the current season of The Block.

In just one week, ACMA registered a total of 28 complaints.

A spokesperson from ACMA told The Australian: 'The majority of the inquiries related to allegations of bullying, harassment and promotion of anti-social behaviour between contestants.'

This comes in the wake of many articles and discussions regarding the heightened drama between contestants during this season.

Producers look eager to intensify this drama, especially considering that the homes featured in this season were smaller compared to those in the 2022 season.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been inundated with complaints about the current season of The Block. Pictured: cast for the 2023 season

With the exception of occasional competition from Seven's MKR, this strategy has translated into higher ratings for Nine.

Michael Healy, Nine's Director of Television, has been unapologetic about the approach, saying that this season's ratings speak for themselves.

'The Block is an unrivalled powerhouse on Australian television. The fact that more than 40% of the country has tuned into this series is a phenomenal achievement.

In just one week, ACMA registered a total of 28 complaints. A spokesperson from ACMA told The Australian : 'The majority of the inquiries related to allegations of bullying, harassment and promotion of anti-social behaviour between contestants.' Pictured: hosts of The Block Shelley Craft and Scott Cam

We never take the loyalty of our viewers for granted and look forward to delivering a cracking crescendo to the current season, before an unprecedented 20th series in 2024.'

When similar criticisms were directed at Married at First Sight, the network responded by stating that they would have intervened if there had been a credible risk of domestic violence occurring on the show.

'We understand meeting and marrying someone at first sight and living with them for eight weeks can be a potentially daunting experience and we would not persist with a scenario where someone does not feel safe,' MAFS producers said after they received the complaints.

This comes in the wake of many articles and discussions regarding the heightened drama between contestants during this season

Producers look eager to intensify this drama, especially considering that the homes featured in this season were smaller compared to those in the 2022 season

ACMA has since cleared Nine of the MAFS complaints.

Meanwhile, one of The Block's judges Darren Palmer recently responded to his Instagram followers about some of the behaviour on the show.

'It's fortunate we don't hear about or see anything that happens during the week. Keeps judging fair and subjective. I do not condone bullying,' he said.

It is understood that competitors on the show have access to welfare and mental health expertise.

Nine will have a 60-day window to address and respond to the complaints.
Just months after he was charged with reckless driving for crashing his car into a Beverly Hills home, Pete Davidson has gotten into another fender bender.

The 29-year-old comedian was leaving a stand-up comedy show at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on Saturday, when witnesses saw him, 'swipe his car against the side of a wall while exiting the venue' at around 10 PM, according to Page Six.

The black GMC SUV Davidson was driving also featured several swipe marks from scraping against the wall.

Eyewitnesses added that they didn't know Davidson was driving, with sources claiming people screamed, 'Oh s**t, that was Pete!' after he got out of the car.

Davidson was seen driving the black SUV with four other unidentified passengers in the vehicle with him.

Another crash: Just months after he was charged with reckless driving for crashing his car into a Beverly Hills home, Pete Davidson has gotten into another fender bender

Swipe: The 29-year-old comedian was leaving a stand-up comedy show at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on Saturday, when witnesses saw him, 'swipe his car against the side of a wall while exiting the venue' at around 10 PM, according to Page Six

There were other A-listers such as Machine Gun Kelly and Ruby Rose at the stand-up performance, but they left prior to Davidson's departure.

Back in March, Pete and his then-girlfriend Chase Sui Wonders were driving through Beverly Hills when they were involved in a car crash.

Davidson was driving a Mercedes-Benz at an allegedly fast speed when he lost control of the car and crashed it into a home.

Sources also claimed that he hopped a curb and struck a fire hydrant before ramming into the side of the home.

'Luckily, no one was seriously injured as a result of this collision. We know that reckless driving can have devastating consequences,' a spokesperson for the L.A. District Attorney's office said.

'In 2022, traffic fatalities in Los Angeles have reached the highest levels seen in 20 years. This is an alarming trend that we cannot ignore. As a result, it's crucial that we take all allegations of reckless driving seriously and hold those responsible accountable,' the statement added.

The homeowner said that, while his 16-year-old daughter was a bit 'traumatized' by the accident, he wasn't planning on filing a lawsuit against him.

The comedian was charged with reckless driving in June, with the home he struck needing to be demolished due to damage to the home's foundation.

A-lister: There were other A-listers such as Machine Gun Kelly and Ruby Rose at the stand-up performance, but they left prior to Davidson's departure

Pete and Chase: Back in March, Pete and his then-girlfriend Chase Sui Wonders were driving through Beverly Hills when they were involved in a car crash

No injuries: 'Luckily, no one was seriously injured as a result of this collision. We know that reckless driving can have devastating consequences,' a spokesperson for the L.A. District Attorney's office said

Reckless: The comedian was charged with reckless driving in June, with the home he struck needing to be demolished due to damage to the home's foundation

Police said at the time that drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the crash.

Incredibly, no one was injured either inside or outside of the home, but the police were called to the scene and an investigation is now ongoing.

The crash occurred after a tiring day for the pair. Earlier Davidson and Sui Wonders had been photographed enjoying the beach in Hawaii on Saturday, returning to Los Angeles shortly afterwards.

Following a five hour flight from Hawaii back to LA, Davidson later presented at the Kids' Choice Awards that night.
Quinn had Laurent kidnapped in order to get Isabelle back

Daryl Dixon rescued Laurent while sparing the life of the boy's father on Sunday's episode of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon on AMC.

The spin-off series titled La Dame de Fer opened with Daryl [Norman Reedus] who was last seen falling through a roof while being chased by Codron [Romain Levi].

Daryl from behind a locked gate called out for Laurent [Louis Puech Scigliuzzi] who was surrounded by 'les affames' (the hungry ones), but the boy clasped his hands in prayer and was not bothered by the zombies.

Laurent smiled as he walked away ignoring Daryl's pleas and then suddenly Daryl opened his eyes underwater as a zombie clawed at him.

Daryl stabbed the zombie and swam for the surface in the sewers underneath Montmartre.

Spin-off series: Daryl Dixon rescued Laurent while sparing the life of the boy's father on Sunday's episode of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon on AMC

Codron meanwhile interrogated Sonia [Sabine Pakora] and learned how Daryl was working with the Union de L'Espoir to bring Laurent to safety.

'He's not some ''kid''. He has a greater purpose,' Sonia said.

The leader of Pouvoir des Vivants, Madame Genet [Anne Charrier], joined the questioning.

'I heard about a special boy. From Lourdes. His birth was deemed a miracle. I thought it was a rumor. A foolish tall-tale you all desperately wanted to believe,' Genet said.

'The fools are the ones who put their faith in you. Because Laurent will save us all. Even you,' Sonia shot back.

Genet laughed and told Sonia it was weak people like her who got them all into trouble.

She then took a crying baby as Godron asked if Laurent was dangerous.

'He gives them false hope. It's a disease. That must be rooted out,' Genet said.

Messianic figure: Laurent ran away to the Eiffel Tower where he was kidnapped

Locked in: Daryl from behind a locked gate called out for Laurent [Louis Puech Scigliuzzi] who was surrounded by 'les affames' (the hungry ones)

Walked away: Laurent smiled as he walked away ignoring Daryl's pleas and then suddenly Daryl opened his eyes underwater as a zombie clawed at him

Paris streets: Daryl swam to the surface and made his way to the streets of Paris

Codron vowed to find both Laurent and Daryl.

Daryl ran into pigeon trainer Antoine [Dominique Pinon] who informed him that the Guierrer were looking for Laurent.

'They came back later in the night. They took people, and the rest, we run. We are their... what's the word? Enemy. Et Laurent is our hope. You must go to them,' Antoine said.

Daryl asked for directions to Rue Manuel to meet up at Isabelle's old apartment, but two Guierrer showed up and grabbed Antoine's birds.

Antoine was gunned down over the birds, but Daryl quickly killed both of the soldiers before rushing to Antoine's side.

'The birds, free. Let them free,' Antoine said while dying, so Daryl opened their container and let them fly away.

Daryl met up with Isabelle at her apartment and he figured that Laurent went to the Eiffel Tower, also known by its old nickname La Dame de Fer (The Iron Lady).

'Paris kinda sucks,' Daryl said as they maneuvered through the city.

Pigeon man: Daryl ran into pigeon trainer Antoine [Dominique Pinon] who informed him that the Guierrer were looking for Laurent

Their hope: 'They came back later in the night. They took people, and the rest, we run. We are their... what's the word? Enemy. Et Laurent is our hope. You must go to them,' Antoine said

Being honest: 'Paris kinda sucks,' Daryl said as they maneuvered through the city

Laurent made it to Eiffel Tower, but was attacked by a horde of zombies at the base of the landmark.

Daryl and Isabelle arrived and tried to save him, but two men kidnapped Laurent among the mayhem.

Isabelle and Daryl captured one of the kidnappers, Armand, and interrogated him.

'They told me that it's a real party with 'ol Issa,' Armand said while in their custody. 'Nonstop. But all I'm getting is bullshit about God and Jesus. But the joke is, I know you're just a thieving little slut.'

Armand by mocking Isabelle for her past party girl lifestyle helped her figure out that he worked for her ex Quinn.

Daryl forced Armand to reveal a back entrance to the Demimonde and they reunited with Fallou, Sylvie, Emile and other members of Union de L'Espoir to devise a plan to rescue Laurent.

Fallou rallied the group with a spirited pep talk.

'A threat to one of us is a threat to all of us. And so, we go into this fight as a unit. Working in defense of l'Union de l'Espoir. Go in as one, come back as one. Go in as one, come back as ONE!,' Fallou shouted.

Party girl: 'They told me that it's a real party with 'ol Issa,' Armand said while in their custody. 'Nonstop. But all I'm getting is bullshit about God and Jesus. But the joke is, I know you're just a thieving little slut'

Smart interrogation: Armand by mocking Isabelle for her past party girl lifestyle helped her figure out that he worked for her ex Quinn

Fallou then took a group that included Emile to attack Demimonde's main entrance, while Daryl took Armand to a back entrance.

Isabelle and Sylive were tasked with securing a boat to take Laurent out of Paris to the Nest and Sylvie admitted to her that she wanted to stay in Paris with Emile.

Quinn at his Demimonde club spoke with Genet and Codron about terms for the capture of Daryl. Genet offered a stash of weapons, 20 bushels of corn and a case of fine brandy. Quint countered that he wanted her Monet painting.

'Impressionism, it's degenerate art,' Genet said as she agreed to his terms.

Anna turned on Quinn after realizing that he was just using the boy to get Isabelle back.

Armand attacked Daryl in the tunnels and tried to run away but hurt his leg while escaping.

'Damn, you're an idiot,' Daryl told him.

Armand cursed at Daryl and begged for help while giving him direction out.

Talking terms: Quinn at his Demimonde club spoke with Genet and Codron about terms for the capture of Daryl

'Bon appetit,' Daryl said as he left him behind to be devoured by zombies.

The Demimonde main entrance attack largely worked, but Emile got shot in the upper leg.

Quinn tasked Anna [Lukerya Illiashenko] with protecting Laurent and she talked to the boy as Daryl made his way inside the club.

'You're nice, but you don't want people to know that,' Laurent told Anna.

'You're a good kid. But I bet everyone knows that,' Anna replied.

Daryl then found Laurent and Anna drew a gun on them before letting them go.

Quinn realized the attack on the main entrance was a diversion and found Daryl.

They fought as Laurent watched and Daryl smashed Quinn's head into a rail and pulled his knife on him.

Good kid: 'You're a good kid. But I bet everyone knows that,' Anna replied.

Diversion tactic: Quinn realized the attack on the main entrance was a diversion and found Daryl

Daryl put his knife to Quinn's throat but saw Laurent was watching and knocked him out cold instead of killing him.

They met up with Isabelle who was warned by Fallou that Genet was posting guards around the city limits.

Isabelle told Daryl that she wasn't joining them on the boat out of Paris and was going back with Quinn.

'The Guerrier are overtaking the city. I need someone with influence. Someone who can make sure that they let him pass,' Isabelle explained. 'He knows how to make things happen. He'll do it for me. He'll do it for me if I stay.'

Daryl declared that he would stay also and deal with Quinn.

'This isn't about you. It's not about me,' Isabelle said. 'It's about Laurent.'

Daryl protested, but Isabelle stood her ground.

Knife drawn: They fought as Laurent watched and Daryl smashed Quinn's head into a rail and pulled his knife on him

Looking on: Daryl put his knife to Quinn's throat but saw Laurent was watching and knocked him out cold instead of killing him

Staying put: Daryl declared that he would stay also and deal with Quinn

Main mission: 'This isn't about you. It's not about me,' Isabelle said. 'It's about Laurent'

'I know this isn't your fight. I know you should be on your way home by now. But there's no one else who can take him to The Nest safely. Please,' she said.

Isabelle promised she would found a way out once she knew that Laurent was safe.

Daryl and Laurent then left on the boat as Isabelle returned to the Demimonde. She admired The Water Lilies alone in Quinn's club as Daryl and Laurent sailed past the Statue of Liberty replica.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon will return next week on AMC.
Chrissy Teigen was pictured while spending time with her children in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon.

The 37-year-old social media personality cut an eye-catching figure in a brightly-colored outfit as she stepped out with her daughters Luna and Esti, seven and 8 months, and her son Miles, five.

The model, who recently spoke about her one regret from her first wedding, was also joined by her mother, Vilailuck, who remained close to her second grandchild for much of the outing.

Teigen wore a bright green cardigan sweater on top of a low-cut black bra top as she spent time with her loved ones.

The cookbook author paired her outerwear with light blue jeans, which were contrasted with jet-black sandals.

Doting mom: Chrissy Teigen was pictured while spending time with her children in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon

Standing out: The 37-year-old social media personality cut an eye-catching figure in a brightly-colored outfit as she stepped out with her daughters Luna and Esti, seven and 8 months, and her son Miles, five

Maternal support: The model, who recently spoke about her one regret from her first wedding, was also joined by her mother, Vilailuck, who remained close to her second grandchild for much of the outing

The entrepreneur accessorized with a sizable pair of sunglasses and kept a sizable bag slung over her left shoulder.

Her gorgeous brunette locks remained tied into a loose bun while she enjoyed the company of her children.

Teigen shares Luna, Esti and Miles, as well as her youngest son Wren, three months, with her husband, John Legend.

The happy couple initially met while working on a music video in 2006, and they tied the knot in 2013.

The two went on to start their family with Luna's birth in 2016, and Mile arrived two years later.

The model became pregnant for the third time in 2020, although she ultimately had to terminate her pregnancy for medical reasons.

Teigen and Legend, 44, subsequently welcomed Esti, who was conceived with the aid of IVF, this past January.

The two shocked many when they revealed that they had added Wren, who was born via surrogacy, to their family in June.

Staying warm: Teigen wore a bright green cardigan sweater on top of a low-cut black bra top as she spent time with her loved ones

Staying comfortable: The cookbook author paired her outerwear with light blue jeans, which were contrasted with jet-black sandals

Completing the look: The entrepreneur accessorized with a sizable pair of sunglasses and kept a sizable bag slung over her left shoulder

Beautiful: Her gorgeous brunette locks remained tied into a loose bun while she enjoyed the company of her children

Proud parents: Teigen shares Luna, Esti and Miles, as well as her youngest son Wren, three months, with her husband, John Legend

The model spoke about parenthood during an interview with PopSugar, where she offered a bit of advice to prospective mothers.

The cookbook author advised her fans to 'always expect that everything's going to change and evolve.'

Teigen went on to state that, while she, as well as her husband, were initially put off by the idea of adding a third child to their family, they soon embraced the notion of having a considerably more active household.

She stated: 'Three is just like, "Oh my God, we're so outnumbered, and they're going to survive somehow, and we're just going to go in. We're going to dive head first and it's going to be crazy, but everything's going to work out."'
The 5th annual Daytime Beauty Awards, founded by CEO Michele Elyzabeth, went off at the Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Sam Asghari was among the celebrities and high-profile people to attend the event and strike a few poses on the red carpet.

The Daytime Beauty Awards recognizes science behind beauty and spotlights health and wellness professionals in the fields of medicine, health and fitness, aesthetics, skincare, color and styling, CBD & cannabis, and beauty innovation.

The model, actor, and fitness trainer is a past honoree, winning Outstanding Achievement in Fitness at the 2nd annual Daytime Beauty Awards in 2019.

This is among the first red carpets he has taken part in since his much-publicized split from Britney Spears after six years together, that includes 14 months as husband and wife.

Newly single: Sam Asghari, 29, put his best fashion foot forward at the 5th Daytime Beauty Awards honoring science behind beauty, health and wellness at Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles on Sunday

Asghari, 29, began his career as a model when he was 21, appearing in an array of different magazines such a GQ and Men's Health.

He would put some of those skills on display in front of the photographers gathered along the red carpet area.

The Tehran, Iran native looked handsome in a black double-breasted suit with red buttons that he matched with a blue and white-patterned shirt and white sneakers.

The fitness expert had his dark hair cut short and close to the scalp with a slight part on the left.

News of Asghari and Spearss split first broke in mid-August, when a source told TMZ that they had a 'huge fight' over cheating allegations that led to Asghari moving out of the home they shared home in Los Angeles.

The publication reported that Asghari confronted his wife over rumors she stepped out on him, which led to their fight.

Soon after, it was confirmed that the couple had separated three weeks earlier, and that Asghari had since filed for divorce from Spears.

TMZ had been reporting that the male model wasn't sleeping at their shared home very much, leading up to their separation, and that the Toxic star had gotten physical with him in blowout fights that include frequent screaming matches.

Cool: The Tehran, Iran native looked handsome in a black double-breasted suit with red buttons that he matched with a blue and white-patterned shirt and white sneakers

Single and ready to mingle: This appears to be his second red carpet appearance since his split from estranged wife Britney Spears after 14 months together and six years as a couple

Past honoree: The model, actor, and fitness trainer is a past honoree, winning Outstanding Achievement in Fitness at the 2nd annual Daytime Beauty Awards in 2019.

Spotlight: Asghari joined Ryan Clady on stage to speak during the 5th Daytime Beauty Awards

Asghari would end up confirming their split in an Instagram Story post on August 18.

'After 6 years of love and commitment to each other my wife and I have decided to end our journey together,' he began.

'We will hold onto the love and respect we have for each other and I wish her the best always. S**t happens. Asking for privacy seems ridiculous so I will just ask for everyone including media to be kind and thoughtful.'

It's over! Asghari, who has filed for divorce, confirmed their split after 14 months of marriage in August in an Instagram Story post

Four-legged family: Asghari showed off one of the pet pooches he and his estranged wife shared in an Instagram Story photo he posted on Sunday

The estranged couple first met when Spears selected Asghari to star in her music video for Slumber Party featuring Tinashe in 2016.

Soon after they began dating and fast became an exclusive item, which led to their engagement in September 2021.

They would end up officially tying-the-knot at their home in the Thousand Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles in June 2022.

Asghari and Spears signed a prenuptial agreement to protect Spears' fortune, estimated at approximately $60 million as of June 2022, according to US weekly.
She's been wowing in an array of stunning looks at Paris Fashion Week.

And Rosie Huntington-Whiteley continued her fashion parade as she attended Mert Alas and Seventy One Gin's secret party at Raspoutine on Sunday.

Showing off her supermodel figure, the 36-year-old actress wowed in a tiny silver bra that she layered beneath an oversized black jacket and paired with a maxi skirt.

Adding another pop of colour she toted a sparkling, silver Valentino handbag and sported a slick of rosy red lip gloss.

She looked sensational as she posed for the cameras alongside the likes of Ashley Graham, who dazzled in a blazer dress.

Stunning: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley continued her fashion parade as she attended Mert Alas and Seventy One Gin's secret party in the capital on Sunday

Chic: Ashley Graham dazzled in a blazer dress and put her long legs on display in the garment, which featured a large floral embellishment on the shoulder

The model, 35, put her long legs on display in the garment, which featured a large floral embellishment on the shoulder.

The event was packed full of models, with Naomi Campbell, 53, making a stylish entrance in a long black gown adorned with silver chains.

Paris Fashion Week kicked off last week and runs to October 3, with 107 brands presenting, of which 67 are giving runway shows.

One of the first big names was Pierre Cardin, which has returned to the official Paris lineup this year for the first time in a quarter-century.

Its show was full of retro space-age outfits that harked back to its glory days, but the relatives of Cardin, who died in 2020, are currently tearing each other apart in court over the inheritance.

'My uncle gave me the mission to perpetuate the house and its style,' Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin, who is currently overseeing the label, said backstage.

'If the brand is sold, it will be the end of the house. I am confident the court decisions will ensure continuity,' he added.

Among the other highlights so far was the latest collection from Dior on Tuesday, which saw the walls of the show plastered with mock sexist slogans from old adverts, such as 'Save your marriage - iron properly'.

The collection by Maria Grazia Chiuri, who recently dressed Queen Camilla for her state dinner at Versailles, was a largely monochrome affair with comfortable, breezy items alongside straight masculine jackets, pleated skirts and plenty of knitwear.

Gorgeous: Showing off her supermodel figure, the 36-year-old actress wowed in a tiny silver bra that she layered beneath an oversized black jacket and paired with a maxi skirt

Blonde bombshell: Adding another pop of colour she toted a sparkling, silver Valentino handbag and sported a slick of rosy red lip gloss

Two's company: Rosie posed alongside fellow model Doutzen Kroes at the bash, who cut a stylish figure in flared jeans and an oversized blazer

Stunning: The event was packed full of models, with Naomi Campbell, 53, making a stylish entrance in a long black gown adorned with silver chains (pictured with Mohammed Al Turki)

Beautiful in black: Victoria's Secret model Taylor Hill wowed in a plunging black mini dress while Soo Joo Park sizzled in a racy cut out gown

Blue-tiful: Amelia Gray Hamlin made a bold style statement in a hooded velour mini dress

Strike a pose: Amelia worked her angles for the camera at the star-studded event

Top of the crops: Emma Weymouth, Marchioness of Bath showed off her toned figure in an ab-flashing crop top and mini skirt

Two's company: Emma posed for snaps with legendary designer Christian Louboutin

Sheer delight: Tina Kunakey showed off her incredible figure in a skintight black gown

Cute couple: Paul Wesley and Natalie Kuckenburg cosied up for snaps at the party

Rosie recently attended the Valentino show, where she joined the likes of Paris Hilton, Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield.

She left fiance Jason Statham, who is 20 years her senior, and to whom she has been engaged since 2016, at home with their children.

The couple share son, Jack, 5, and daughter, Isabella, one, and are notoriously protective of their children's private lives.

'We've been so focused on our work for so long and Jack came along.' Rosie told Extra TV. '[Marriage is] also not a huge priority for us. We're so happy.'

Regardless of their relationship status, Rosie and Jason and fully committed to each other, having been together since 2010.

Jason recently resumed his role as Lee Christmas in Expend4bles, the fourth film in The Expendables series, but the film unfortunately isn't doing too well.

His latest project, The Beekeeper, an action film also starring Jeremy Irons and Josh Hutcherson, is in post-production.

Rosie and Jason do not frequently make public appearances together. However, they were seen looking loved-up at the Burberry fashion show during London Fashion Week.

Denim darling: Amber Valletta paired a white cami top with loose fitting jeans

Two of a kind: Elena Ora and Isamaya Ffrench looked in high spirits as they posed together

Stunning: Mary Charteris looked incredible as she worked her angles at the party

Racy: Dani Pontes showed off her sensational figure in a barely-there top

Three's company: Arnaud Vaillant, Camille Rowe and Sebastien Meye posed for snaps

Here come the boys: Jared Leto made a bold style statement in a leopard print jacket and silver boots while Tyrone Dylan Susman took the plunge in a black sequinned suit

Afterparty: Following the bash, Ashley was seen heading for dinner at Caviar Kaspia
Hugh Bonneville's wife Lulu broke down in tears at the pub as she told friends that the Downton Abbey star had sat her down and abruptly ended their 25-year marriage, it emerged last night.

Just weeks later, Bonneville was seen giggling without his wedding ring at his co-star Michelle Dockery's wedding.

It has emerged that the actor's wife Lulu Williams, 55, wept in a pub near their home in West Sussex and told friends that Bonneville sat her down one evening in July and said it was over.

'She got incredibly emotional talking about the break-up,' one local revealed last night.

It isn't known if there is a new lady in his life but those close to Ms Williams have spoken in support of her, with one saying: 'It's clear that Lulu feels as if 20-odd years of marriage counts for nothing.'

At the weekend, a spokesman for Bonneville confirmed that the couple, who have a 20-year-old son, Felix, had indeed separated.

While it came as a shock to some, there had been murmurs within showbusiness circles over the years that all was not well in the relationship. However, Ms Williams regularly supported her husband at premieres as well as accompanying him on film sets across the world.

Hugh Bonneville and wife Lulu Williams attending the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016

Bonneville giggling at Michelle Dockery's wedding on September 24, 2023

It is not known whether Ms Williams visited him on the set of Paddington In Peru, Bonneville's latest film and the third movie in the Paddington franchise, shot this summer.

Five years ago, to mark their 20th wedding anniversary, the couple renewed their vows in Las Vegas.

Back in 2012, Ms Williams insisted that she had been unfazed by her husband's fame. She said: 'I don't take any notice. I don't notice women fawning over him  although I know everybody talks about it. Don't forget we met as teenagers and we have a lot of history.

Hugh Bonneville and wife Lulu Williams attending the Downton Abbey premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square in London on September 9, 2019

Hugh shot to superstardom for his portrayal of the Earl of Grantham on ITV period drama Downton Abbey. Pictured: Hugh on the show

A source claimed that Hugh, pictured here in London in October last year, 'lost a bit of weight this summer, he was looking trim, tanned and relaxed'

Hugh Bonneville and Lulu Evans at the Viceroy's House, film premiere, London, UK - 21 Feb 2017

Bonneville and Lulu were last seen together in public at the Old Vic Theatre in London for a gala in April

'We are not fazed by the showbusiness world. We are just home-loving people.'

Recently, however, Bonneville had been spending time away from the family home in in the sleepy town of Midhurst, West Sussex, which he and Lulu bought some years back.

It is thought that Ms Williams will remain there.

Sources close to the now estranged couple say the decision to split is a 'fairly recent' one. In fact, Bonneville was still wearing his gold wedding ring when he fronted the Coronation Concert on May 7.

Hugh Bonneville has announced he is splitting from his wife of 25 years Lulu Williams. Pictured: The couple at the world premiere of Downton Abbey: A New Era in April last year

Pictured: Hugh as The Reverend Roland Wise in BBC series Rev

Hugh Bonneville has confirmed a split from his wife of 25 years Lulu Williams. Pictured: Hugh at the premier of Downton Abbey in New York in September 2019

Hugh Bonneville and Lulu Williams pose for photographers at the world premiere of Paddington in November 2014

Just weeks before, he and Ms Williams were seen at a gala at London's Old Vic Theatre.

Now the pair's friends are warning not to expect any sort of reconciliation, with one saying: 'Divorce is looking to be the most likely outcome.'

In seven weeks, Bonneville will turn 60. Having once called his wife his 'bedrock', he will now go into his seventh decade a bachelor, something he confessed he thought he would always be before he met Lulu.
Andie MacDowell looked nothing short of sensational as she took to the runway during the L'Oreal show during Paris Fashion Week on Sunday.

The actress, 65, showcased her midriff in a black bra and leather suit as she strutted down the star-studded catwalk with a host of other famous faces.

Andie put on an age-defying display in the ensemble as she gave the younger models a run for their money during the prestigious showcase.

The Maid star styled her all black look with a pair of towering platform heels, while otherwise going accessory free.

She was sporting dramatic Gothic make-up, including a smoky eye and nude lip, while her naturally curly locks were worn loose.

Wow! Andie MacDowell looked nothing short of sensational as she took to the runway during the L'Oreal show during Paris Fashion Week on Sunday

Edgy glam: The actress, 65, showcased her midriff in a black bra and leather suit as she strutted down the star-studded catwalk with a host of other famous faces

The French cosmetics brand launched its latest catwalk presentation at the bi-annual event, as Fashion Week draws to a close.

With the Eiffel Tower serving as a suitably dramatic backdrop, celebrity brand ambassadors assembled in the French capital for the Walk Your Worth show - an empowering celebration of womanhood.

Andie put on a high-energy display as she waved her arms in the air and made her way down the runway.

She was joined by fellow ambassadors Eva Longoria and Cindy Bruna as the group held hands during the finale of the show.

Kendall Jenner, Dame Helen Mirren and Elle Fanning were also among the A-listers who walked for the brand.

Viola Davis and Bollywood legend Aishwarya Rai Bachchan also made welcome appearances.

Accentuating her slender physique in an elegant silver gown, Kendall, 27, inevitably claimed the spotlight as the event got underway.

With metallic colours proving to be a dominant theme on the night, Dame Helen, 78, matched the American model in her own sweeping silver gown - complete with tastefully cinched waist.

Killing it: Andie put on an age-defying display in the ensemble as she gave the younger models a run for their money during the prestigious showcase

Wahey! Andie put on a high-energy display as she waved her arms in the air and made her way down the runway

High spirits: Andie and Elle looked to be having a great time together

Meanwhile actress Elle, 25, commanded attention in a plunging gold evening dress with a semi-sheer detail.

Bucking the trend, Four Weddings And A Funeral star Andie opted for an edgy black PVC coat over a matching bralette and high-slung PVC trousers.

The actress, 65, rounded off her runway look with a pair of chunky silver heels, while dramatic make-up drew further attention to her delicately proportioned features.

Indian actress Aishwarya, 49, was on hand to co-present Sunday's event, and she was appropriately dressed for the occasion in a heavily embellished gold gown with cascading overlays.

Eva, 48, was also on hand to add some additional glamour to the catwalk, and the Latina star looked stunning in a layered sheer dress as she joined her fellow ambassadors.

Stunning: The Maid star styled her all black look with a pair of towering platform heels, while otherwise going accessory free

Elegant: She was sporting dramatic Gothic make-up, including a smoky eye and nude lip, while her naturally curly locks were worn loose

Girl power: She was joined by fellow ambassadors Eva Longoria and Cindy Bruna as the group held hands during the finale of the show
Emma Sheppard is head over heels in love with her new fiance Liam Sheppard.

The pair, who have been together for five years, announced their engagement last week.

The Port Moresby born star, 29, shared photos of the sweet moment Liam got down on one knee at Sea World's Bar and Grill to Instagram.

'Something like magic. A day we will never forget,' she captioned one post, adding to another, 'Still in shock that Liam asked me to marry him'.

Emma old The Courier Mail that the location of the proposal was originally meant to happen in America.

Emma Sheppard is head over heels in love with her new fiance Liam Sheppard. The pair, who have been together for five years, announced their engagement last week. Both pictured

'We were meant to be flying to Hawaii on the 26th and Liam had planned to propose on top of Diamond Head, where we had our first holiday and do the hike,' she said.

'But then plans changed and we ended up staying here, before going to Nashville.

'And then SeaWorld was great place to have it and they made it so special for me as well.'

The performer told the paper that the pair, who started dating in 2016, were mad about each other from the start.

'We pretty much moved in after two weeks together,' she admitted.

The Port Moresby born star, 29, shared photos of the sweet moment Liam got down on one knee at at Sea World's Bar and Grill to Instagram

'We were meant to be flying to Hawaii on the 26th and Liam had planned to propose on top of Diamond Head, where we had our first holiday and do the hike,' she said

The indie pop star recently sold the four bedroom, three bathroom Sunshine Coast property she shares with Liam for $1.45million.

She purchased it in 2021 for $780,000 and spent the past two years significantly renovating it with the help of her partner.

The semi-rural property features gorgeous nature views and is close to a variety of amenities, including a shopping centre, schools and a medical clinic.

Emma plays bass in the indie pop band Sheppard, which is fronted by her siblings George and Amy.

They are best known for their hit song Geronimo, which reached number one on the ARIA charts.

The property sale comes ahead of Emma relocating to Nashville, Tennessee with her siblings to further their musical career.
Katie Price has revealed her experience with Russell Brand as the comedian faces a wave of sexual assault allegations.

In the past two weeks Brand has faced serious accusations from a series of women. He was accused of one rape and sexual assault when four women made allegations to the Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches programme, and then a slew of further claims emerged as women told their stories to newspapers and the BBC. At least ten have made public claims so far.

The comedian, 48, has strenuously denied wrongdoing, and says he has evidence to refute allegations. He has called the claims a conspiracy by the 'mainstream media'.

Speaking to G2 magazine about her own encounter with the star Price, 45, revealed she met Brand 'a few times' and that her bodyguard went on to work for Brand.

While she thought Brand was 'quite a nice guy, actually, quite funny', she recalled one incident of his that she didn't approve of.

Recollection: Katie Price has revealed her experience with Russell Brand as the comedian faces a wave of sexual assault allegations

Accusations: Brand has faced serious accusations from a series of women. He was accused of one rape and sexual assault and then a slew of further claims emerged

Price revealed she and the comedian spent time together in the Noughties when she was with Peter Andre and Brand was with a girlfriend.

She recalled: 'We were stuck in LAX airport with him once. He had his girlfriend with him and I was with Pete. He was trying to pull my stylist when his girlfriend was out there standing with her, so to me that says a lot.

'The truth always comes out in the end.'

While Price may not have approved of his antics back then, she asked Brand for relationship advice when they were reunited on Loose Women in 2017.

Brand was on the daytime panel show to talk about his own experiences with addictions and his pre-fatherhood lifestyle while plugging his book, Recovery.

Price then asked him for advice on her husband Kieran Hayler's alleged addiction to sex - something that she struggled with since she married him four years prior.

She told the comedian: 'I've said to Kieran - you need to go away for two months. And he said "I'm not going, because I'm not leaving you". What do I say to that?'

'He has to surrender and accept help,' Brand - who publicly battled sex addiction as well as alcohol and drug abuse issues - advised. 'You have to tell him he no longer has the right to be in control of the situation after what he's done to you. Tell him "you need to turn your life around".

'You have to be continually tuned in to them because a habit is a tendency. If hes not working towards his recovery, hes working towards his addiction.

'He has to admit you are the other component and as a society we need to stop propping them up. If it is causing you pain, let go of yourself.'

Brand stressed: 'Make it clear with him!' to which Price responded 'I'm going to. Watch out Kieran!'

While it's not known if Price took all of Brand's advice on board, her relationship with Hayler didn't work out and the couple split the following year.

Speaking out: While Price may not have approved of his antics in a past meeting, she asked Brand for relationship advice when they were reunited on Loose Women in 2017

Price's comments come as a second police force have begun investigating claims about Brand.

After Scotland Yard launched a criminal probe, Thames Valley Police confirmed yesterday it was investigating 'information in relation to the harassment and stalking allegations' made by a woman.

In the latest allegation, the Mail has seen police logs claiming that the woman accused him of being a 'sexual predator'.

She lived near Brand and became friendly with him in 2015, before they each accused the other of harassment.

Police are understood to have looked into her claims previously, and dismissed them. Now officers are re-examining the case.

On Saturday, Thames Valley Police said it had been contacted by the woman last week 'with new information in relation to the harassment and stalking allegations'.

It added: 'This information is being investigated, as such it would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing investigation.'

Thames Valley Police covers Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, where Brand  now a self-styled lifestyle and political guru  lives with his family.

He moved to the area in 2015 and bought The Crown pub in nearby village Pishill in 2020.

The pub went 'into lockdown' when the allegations emerged, with locals reporting that the venue was sealed by fencing and had security guards inside and out.

Brand was forced to remove the fencing when South Oxfordshire District Council said it was 'unauthorised' and launched a planning enforcement investigation.
Chris Hemsworth is on a daddy and daughter getaway in Iceland.

On Sunday, the Australian actor took India, 11, on a fishing trip, with the preteen landing a massive fish that the pair planned to eat for dinner.

In a series of images shared to Instagram, the 40-year-old and his little girl, who were rugged up in warm coats, stood on the edge of a lake and cast their lines.

India came up victorious, showing off the spoils of her hunt in an image in which she proudly held up a giant fish.

'Dinner sorted thanks Indi!' proud father Chris wrote in the caption alongside the images.

Chris Hemsworth (pictured) is on a daddy and daughter getaway in Iceland

On Sunday, the Australian actor took India, 11, (pictured) on a fishing trip, with the preteen landing a massive fish that the pair planned to eat for dinner

The Marvel star in Iceland with his daughter, while his wife Elsa Pataky has taken their twin boys Tristan and Sasha, nine, on an adventure-filled trip to Tokyo, Japan.

Chris earlier showed himself with India on a quad bike as they pair explored the rugged landscape of Iceland his daughter behind the wheel.

The Hollywood megastar offered a thumbs-up as they drove on a gravel track while looking at low, snow-capped mountains. .

'Day three in Iceland, started a bikey gang with my daughter. Currently we're only two members and that's how we'll keep it for now,' he wrote.

India came up victorious, showing off the spoils of her hunt in an image in which she proudly held up a giant fish

'Dinner sorted thanks Indi!' proud father Chris wrote in the caption alongside the images

Chris earlier showed himself with India on a quad bike as they pair explored the rugged landscape of Iceland with his daughter behind the wheel

Elsewhere, Chris was seen riding ponies with his daughter along a track as well as trekking on the country's glaciers.

Meanwhile, Elsa opted for a city break with her taking the twins for an action-packed break in Tokyo with the trio seen enjoying the sights and sounds.

The trio were seen at Asakusa Temple as well as Shibuya crossing, which has an estimated 3000 people cross at any one time.

'Holidays in Tokyo,' the star captioned the post.
Ross Kemp's new prison show has been forced to halt filming midway through following an incident.

The former EastEnders star, 59, was filming his new Channel 5 series Ross Kemp: 72 Hours In, which will investigate what it's like to be imprisoned alongside killers, gang members and drug barons globally.

But Deadline reports that not only has filming 'halted,' 'conversations are taking place between the Paramount UK network and the producers of Ross Kemp: 72 Hours In following an incident'.

The site reports that the crew were due to head on the next leg of their filming in Colombia, which would have taken them close to Christmas.

A spokeswoman for Channel 5 told MailOnline: 'A Channel 5 spokesperson said: Filming had begun on the series, but due to unforeseen production challenges, we have made the practical decision to halt filming at the moment.

What is going on? Ross Kemp's dangerous prisons show, Ross Kemp: 72 Hours In, has been forced to stop filming after 'an incident' on Channel 5 show, (stock image)

Family man: Ross pictured with his second wife, Australian Renee O'Brien - they tied the knot in 2012

MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Channel 5 for comment.

The series will follow BAFTA award-winning documentary maker, actor and author Ross Kemp go behind bars in some of the worlds most high-security, high-risk prisons housing gang leaders, serial killers, violent criminals, drug lords and mass murderers to discover first-hand what its like to live life inside amongst societys most dangerous.

From the notorious prisons of Latin America to the uncompromising penitentiaries of South-East Asia, Ross will be on the frontline of law enforcements fight against gangs, ruthless killers and organised crime.

Hell find out what it takes to be part of the teams that often risk their lives to keep the peace and run these complex institutions.

The actor previously said of the show: 'Ive been to some of the toughest prisons in the UK and all around the world.

'I thought Id experienced it all, and taken every adventure, but this time were going even further than before!

'Im looking forward to my first documentary series with Channel 5 and taking you all on this journey with me.'
Alicia Vikander and husband Michael Fassbender made a rare appearance together during a date night in Paris, on Sunday.

The Tomb Rader actress, 34, was chic in an oversized mini dress as she strolled out of Caviar Kaspia wearing pointed ankle boots.

The Swedish beauty carried her belongings in a 2,750.00 two-toned Louis Vuitton Dauphine MM handbag.

Her husband, 12 Years A Slave star Michael, 46, looked equally stylish in a skinny pair of indigo jeans, which he smartened up with a navy blazer.

Michael and Alicia tied the knot in October 2017 - three years after they began dating, following meeting on set of The Light Between Oceans.

Glam: Alicia Vikander, 34, was chic in an oversized mini dress as she and husband Michael Fassbender, 46, made a rare appearance together during a date night in Paris, on Sunday

Smart: 12 Years A Slave star Michael looked equally stylish in a skinny pair of indigo jeans, which he smartened up with a navy blazer, for dinner at Caviar Kaspia

The Tomb Raider actress revealed in September 2021 that she had quietly welcomed a baby son - with Michael, earlier that year.

Last year, Alicia opened up about the pain she went through after suffering an 'extreme' miscarriage before getting pregnant with her first child.

Alicia spoke out about the 'painful' struggles she faced on her journey to becoming a mother, admitting to The Times that 'it took time' for the couple to conceive their first baby together.

'We have a child now, but it took us time,' she said, before revealing that she had suffered a 'painful, extreme' miscarriage before she got pregnant with her son.

She also compared her experiences to her 2016 movie The Light Between Oceans in which she starred opposite Michael, with the pair playing a childless couple who experience two miscarriages and ultimately adopt a baby girl who is lost at sea.

Alicia added: '[The miscarriage] was so extreme, painful to go through and, of course, it made me recall making that film [The Light Between Oceans]. That film has another meaning now.'

The Ex Machina star added: 'Sometimes you go through things that are tough in life and if you have an office job you can step away for a bit.

She has avoided discussing her and Michael's child publicly but in an interview with Harper's Bazaar in 2022, the Oscar-winning star opened up about motherhood, stating she always puts her 'little family' first.

She said: 'In my little family, with my husband and my child, we travel together, always. That's the rule. We do jobs so one of us can always be with the baby.'

During that same interview, Alicia shed some light on her fertility struggles, telling the publication that she'd 'struggled for a while'.

'I tried to get pregnant for a while,' she said. 'So I had tough times during lockdown. I struggled for a while. For a while I didn't think that I could get pregnant.'

She added she decided to talk about her issues to help other women going through similar experiences.
Kim Kardashian has risked backlash again as she is featured in a Balenciaga campaign for the first time after refusing to cut ties with the brand following last year's pedophilia scandal which rocked the fashion world.

The 42-year-old SKIMS mogul was one of the models showcasing the Summer 2024 collection for the Paris-based fashion brand as she showcased her signature curves in a black latex dress.

It is interesting to note, however, that Kim did not rock the runway or even sit front row at Balenciaga's Paris Fashion Week show which was attended by her mother Kris Jenner and longtime pal Paris Hilton.

Nylon France contributing editor Louis Pisano explained the reality star's absence as they wrote in X (formally Twitter): 'Re. Kim Kardashian at Balenciaga: Demnagram just told me at the afterparty Kim is actually not not in Paris anymore, she left after VB show & party and they just shot her for the lookbook since she wasnt here.'

Kim had attended pal Victoria Beckham's Paris Fashion Week Show on Friday where she was accused of 'snubbing' Vogue editor Anna Wintour despite a years-long friendship.

Interesting: Kim Kardashian was featured in a Balenciaga campaign for the first time after refusing to cut ties with the brand following last year's pedophilia scandal which rocked the fashion world

As for the mother-of-four's latest campaign with Balenciaga, she was featured in the lookbook wearing a relatively edgy ensemble including a figure-hugging shiny black midi dress featuring an asymmetrical hemline.

She teamed the sleeveless number with a pair of black clinging thigh-high boots as she oddly carried a shimmering silver stiletto heel.

Her signature raven-colored locks were wet and worn down in a middle-part as she wore minimal make-up in nude tones to accentuate her looks.

In November 2022, Kim had refused to cut ties with Balenciaga, despite a controversy that saw the company linked to a shoot that placed children alongside BDSM-themed items.

Kardashian, who has been in business with the company for several years spoke out days after it had already apologized for the scandal.

The reality TV star said that while she was 'shaken' and 'disgusted' to see the images in the controversial ad campaign, she had wanted to speak with officials at the designer to understand how it came to be.

Clearly embarrassed by their ill-judged campaign, Balenciaga took the drastic step of wiping its social media pages clean.

'I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven't been shocked and outraged by the recent Balenciaga campaigns, but because I wanted an opportunity to speak to their team to understand for myself how this could have happened,' the Los Angeles-born celebrity said in a statement on her Instagram page at the time.

Hmm: It is interesting to note, however, that Kim did not rock the runway or even sit front row at Balenciaga's Paris Fashion Week show which was attended by her mother Kris Jenner (left) and longtime pal Paris Hilton

Awkward! Kim had attended pal Victoria Beckham's Paris Fashion Week Show on Friday where she was accused of 'snubbing' Vogue editor Anna Wintour despite a years-long friendship

Simply stunning: As for the mother-of-four's latest campaign with Balenciaga, she was featured in the lookbook wearing a relatively edgy ensemble including a figure-hugging shiny black midi dress featuring an asymmetrical hemline

She continued: 'As a mother of four, I have been shaken by those disturbing images. The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and anything against it should have no place in our society - period.'

She subsequently reissued the statement that saw some of the wording changed using stronger language adding: 'any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society - period.'

However, on balance, Kardashian said that she is comfortable with how the company reacted to the scandal.

'I appreciate Balenciaga's removal of the campaigns and apology. In speaking with them, I believe they understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this to never happen again.'

In an additional post, to both Instagram and Twitter, Kardashian said she was reconsidering her relationship with the fashion brand but had not yet many any firm decisions.

'As for my future with Balenciaga, I am currently re-evaluating my relationship with the brand, basing it off their willingness to accept accountability for something that should have never happened to begin with -- & the actions I am expecting to see them take to protect children.'

Kardashian was often seen wearing Balenciaga to major events and has featured in several of the brand's campaigns in the past.

Essentially the fashion face of the company, Kardashian is Balenciaga's biggest supporter and the brand's most famous model, appearing to walk on water in the fashion house's fall 2022 campaign.

Made a stand: In November 2022, Kim had refused to cut ties with Balenciaga, despite a controversy that saw the company linked to a shoot that placed children alongside BDSM-themed items; she is seen in Paris on Friday

The reality TV star said that while she was 'shaken' and 'disgusted' to see the images in the controversial ad campaign, she had wanted to speak with officials at the designer to understand how it came to be as she posted this statement in November 2022

She subsequently issued a second statement that changed some of the wording, noting that 'any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society - period'

In an additional post, this time to both Twitter and Instagram, Kardashian said she was reconsidering her relationship with the fashion brand

She was famously introduced to Balenciaga Creative Director Demna Gvasalia by her ex, Kanye West with the couple's daughters also sporting the brand, too, having recently been spotted carrying four-figure bags from the brand.

She acknowledge the role her ex-husband had played in the relationship in December 2021 as she spoke at the People's Choice Awards where she accepted an award for fashion.

'To Kanye, for really introducing me to the fashion world,' she said. 'I fell in love with fashion and I'm so inspired by so many people. But again, this is like a dream that I get to wake up and wear these amazing clothes and try new things and take a risk. I'm so humbled.'

Around the time of controversy Balenciaga had apologized for the photoshoot with a child holding a teddy bear dressed in a BDSM outfit that outraged hundreds of people online.

Balenciaga, a globally-renowned Spanish fashion house which dresses the likes of Kim in addition to Beyonce and Nicole Kidman, apologized for the set that featured the stuffed animals.

Perhaps even more bizarrely, a Twitter user discovered that one of the photos in a separate shoot contained an excerpt from the 2008 US Supreme Court opinion in United States v. Williams, which upheld part of a federal child pornography law, which Twitter's own fact-checkers confirmed.

The ruling determined that offering or requesting to transfer, sell, deliver, or trade child pornography did not violate the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, even if a person charged under the code did not in fact possess child pornography with which to trade. The late Justice Antonin Scalia noted specifically that offers to engage in illegal transactions are categorically excluded from First Amendment protection.

Balenciaga released the statement on November 23, 2022 apologizing for both photoshoots and seemingly suggested they would take legal action against anyone else involved.

The statement reads: 'We sincerely apologize for any offense our holiday campaign may have caused. Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms.

'We apologize for displaying unsettling documents in our campaign. We take this matter very seriously and are taking legal action against the parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items for our Spring 23 campaign photoshoot. We strongly condemn abuse of children in any form. We stand for children safety and well-being.'

They later clarified in a statement to DailyMail.com that neither Galimberti - nor photographer Chris Maggio, who shot the photos with the Supreme Court brief - would be part of any legal action. A spokesperson said they would be suing the creatives who were hired for the Spring 23 collection photos.

Balenciaga told DailyMail.com: 'Balenciaga is not taking any legal action towards Gabriele Galimberti, the photographer of the Holiday campaign, that includes a child holding a teddy bear bag.

'Gabriele Galimberti was not involved in any way with the Spring 23 campaign involving unsettling documents in an office.'

A young girl is pictured holding a teddy bear in bondage style gear was taken down from the gift shop section of the Balenciaga website

Fashion brand Balenciaga is apologizing for what many believe is a photoshoot that amounts to child pornography, with a child holding a teddy bear dressed in a BDSM outfit

The bondage-clad teddybears are actually handbags that appeared on the runway earlier this year

Gabriele Galimberti, the photographer on the shoot, has disavowed any connection with the ideas behind the shoot

Perhaps even more bizarrely, a Twitter user discovered an Easter egg in the shoot, with one of the photos containing an excerpt from the US Supreme Court opinion in United States v. Williams, which upheld part of a federal child pornography law, which Twitter's own fact-checkers confirmed

The photographer Galimberti promoted the images as part of a project series he called 'Toy Stories,' in an apparent reference to the Disney/Pixar film series, according to the Daily Dot.

He writes of the project on his website: 'For over two years, I visited more than 50 countries and created colorful images of boys and girls in their homes and neighborhoods with their most prized possessions: their toys.'

'From Texas to India, Malawi to China, Iceland, Morocco, and Fiji, I recorded the spontaneous and natural joy that unites kids despite their diverse backgrounds. Whether the child owns a veritable fleet of miniature cars or a single stuffed monkey, the pride that they have is moving, funny, and thought provoking.'

Galimberti has been featured in National Geographic, The Sunday Times, Stern, Geo, Le Monde, La Repubblica and Marie Claire, according to his website.

His work has also been displayed in museums in England and Switzerland.

Galimberti had never addressed the controversy, though Instagram commenters had swarmed some of his photos, harshly criticizing the photo sets as child pornography.

Balenciaga previously had two images of young children cuddling up with the plush handbags on their website that now appear to have been wiped.

The first photo on the online store shows a young ginger-haired child standing on a plush pink bed while holding a white teddy bag by its leather strap.

As well as having spiky leather bracelets around the bear's arms and legs, the soft toy is dressed in a mesh crop top with a chain and padlock around its neck.

The gift shop section of the website features another image of a child standing on a sofa and holding a purple furry toy bag.

The Italian photographer Galimberti promoted the images as part of a project series he called 'Toy Stories,' in an apparent reference to the Disney/Pixar film series

Outraged parents branded the images 'creepy and wrong' on social media

Along with a leather S&M get-up, the plush toy is also wearing what looks like a black lace thong.

In the background of the image, a blue toy bag has been placed on a side table and is wrapped in more studded leather bands.

Although the bags are not available to purchase on their website yet, the images have been produced to promote the items in their gift range - including reusable coffee cups and a dog harness.

Unsurprisingly, the campaign images have caused a stir among parents on social media - who branded them 'creepy' and 'uncomfortable'.

'Frightening how many adults must have been involved in this,' one Twitter user mused. 'Parents, photographers, creative directors, copywriters, design agency staff, producers, managers, advertisers... and not one of them thought, "hang on a minute?"'

Parents were amazed that the photoshoot got the sign-off, with some labelling the images 'uncomfortable'

Mumsnet users were up in arms at the images and accused the brand of trying to 'shock' people

Another raged: 'Jesus, that's just creepy and wrong.'

Over on Mumsnet, parents took issue with the 'highly inappropriate' photoshoot.

One wrote: 'B****y typical of Balenciaga. They shock to get attention for there overpriced rubbish. It's like a social experiment on how ridiculous there products are but yet people buy the rubbish.

'This though is disgusting and verging on depraved. What possessed the parents of this child to think this is any sort of normal I cannot fathom.'

'That is a very uncomfortable image,' another added.

Conservative commentator Candace Owens called on Kim Kardashian and sist
Jenna Ortega cut a stylish figure in a vintage green jacket on Monday as she roamed around Soho, London with a friend.

The Wednesday star, 20, looked trendy in her casual outfit as she explored the area after a week of attending star-studded runways during Paris Fashion Week.

The actress slipped into a checkered mini skirt and flashed her midriff in a white crop top for the outing.

She teamed her ensemble with a pair of burgundy knee-high boots and a black crossbody bag.

Jenna looked autumnal chic and flashed her toned legs during her city stroll and shielded her eyes with black sunglasses.

Chic: Jenna Ortega, 20, showed off her toned tummy under a cropped white shirt wornw with a vintage green jacket on Monday as she roamed around Soho in London

Stylish: The Wednesday star looked trendy in her casual outfit as she explored the area with a friend after a week of attending star-studded runways during Paris Fashion Week

It comes after Jenna shut down the 'ridiculous' speculation that both she and fellow actor, Johnny Depp, are dating as she recently took to Instagram.

The actress who was seen filming scenes for the anticipated Beetlejuice 2 before the SAG-AFTRA strike, responded to rumors that circulated after the gossip account, DeuxMoi, reported the two were spotted together.

However, the actress wasted no time to set the record straight about whether she is in a relationship with the Pirates Of The Caribbean actor, 60.

'This is so ridiculous I can't even laugh,' Ortega wrote on her Instagram Story. 'I have never met or worked with Johnny Depp in my life. Please stop spreading lies and leave us alone.'

Last year, in June, unconfirmed rumors spread that Depp would be taking on a role in Beetlejuice 2 when he appeared on the cast list on Google searches, leading to fans excitement.

The speculation arose shortly after his defamation trial ended with ex-wife, Amber Heard, which resulted in the actor being awarded $15million in damages from the Aquaman actress.

In May, Variety reported that the official premiere date of Beetlejuice 2 would be on September 6, 2024 - 36 years after the original Tim Burton film was released back in 1988.

Jenna is known for taking on the role of Wednesday Addams in the hit Netflix series, Wednesday, with four of the eight episodes being directed by Burton.

'Ridiculous': It comes after Jenna shut down the 'ridiculous' speculation that both she and fellow actor, Johnny Depp, are dating as she recently took to Instagram

'Appalled': The actress wasted no time to set the record straight about whether she is in a relationship with the Pirates Of The Caribbean actor, 60 (pictured)

In July, the actress took to her Instagram page to celebrate the show receiving a whopping 12 Emmy nominations , including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (for Ortega), Outstanding Comedy Series, and also Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series for Burton.

'What wonderful news to hear the Wednesday team has received twelve Emmy nominations,' Jenna excitedly penned in the caption at the time, alongside a photo of herself in character with co-star, Gwendoline Christie.

'Ive been so fortunate to witness first hand the incredible time/effort being put in by our cast, crew, writers, and directors, and feel so excited to be able to share this with them,' and further expressed her gratitude for the 'honor.'
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The Queens Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy tied the knot with musician Malcolm McRae in a lavish ceremony held in Venice this weekend, with a host of all-star guests attending the stunning day.

The Netflix actress, 27, who has also featured in dramas Peaky Blinders and Last Night In Soho, married in front of just over 150 guests including Cara Delevingne and Julia Garner at the ceremony while sporting a beige gown.

At the start of the day, the blonde beauty was seen on the balcony in preparation mode, as she sported a white silk robe and sipped coffee while going make-up free, ahead of her swan-like transformation.

Her unconventional dress comprised a princess shape in a beige shade with embroidery and embellishments - including images of birds and flowers across the bodice, while she wore a bright white veil.

Cara, 31, was putting on a busty display in a tuxedo with a waistcoat underneath the pinstriped suit while Julia, 29, borrowed from the Twenties in a sensational black velvet gown with beading a plunging neckline.

Wow: The Queens Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy tied the knot with musician Malcolm McRae in a lavish ceremony held in Italy this weekend

Spectacular: Her unconventional dress comprised a princess shape in a beige shade with embroidery and embellishments and was debuted on her balcony, shortly after Malcolm was seen in preparation mode earlier in the day

All set: Malcolm had a bag slung over one shoulder as he arrived at the Venice venue ahead of his wedding

Stunning: She was pictured earlier in the day getting ready for the nuptials looking fresh-faced and beautiful

Who's that girl? At the start of the day, the blonde beauty was seen on the balcony in preparation mode, as she sported a white silk robe and sipped coffee while going make-up free, ahead of her swan-like transformation

Nuptials: The couple are pictured in April just months before their glamorous wedding

Stunning: The Netflix actress, who has also featured in dramas Peaky Blinders and Last Night In Soho, married in front of just over 150 guests including Cara Delevingne and Julia Garner at the incredible ceremony while sporting a beige gown

Starring role: Cara looked chic in a tuxedo with just a waistcoat underneath

Snap happy: A team were on hand to capture the perfect moment of the star

Time to go! Ahead of her prep, she was seen in one of the boats before tying the knot

Steady on: Anya was seen gingerly climbing from her water taxi with the assistance of a female friend

Let's do this: Assistants waited or the actress as she climbed from the boat ahead of her glamorous wedding

That's it: Anya eased herself onto dry land while friends ensured she didn't topple into the Venice canal

Special day: Anya looked fresh-faced as she prepared for her wedding to Malcolm McRae in Venice over the weekend

Don't mind me: But the actress was hard to miss as she sipped a drink on the balcony

Nicholas Hoult and his stunning girlfriend Bryana Holly put on a typically glamorous display, with the actress dropping jaws in a one-shouldered pink dress while he looked sharp in a black suit.

Nicholas - who shot to fame as an adorable child star opposite Hugh Grant in About A Boy - looked dapper in a sleek black suit and matching shirt.

Lingerie model Bryana was gorgeous in a light pink one shouldered floor-length silk gown with cut-out sides and a sexy split as the couple were taken to the wedding destination on a small boat.

The couple - who share son Joaquin, five - were spotted wearing wedding bands as they they attended the lavish nuptials of Nicholas' former The Menu co-star.

Miles Teller's wife Keleigh Sperry looked radiant as she headed to the event with Julia, having previously shared a snap while zipping along the water alongside Julia.

Evan Ross was looking sharp in a suit with nothing underneath while rocking bold bleached hair.

It was revealed before the big day that the couple were spotted looking at wedding venues in Venice earlier this year, including Palazzo Pisani-Moretta, a 15th century palace, and Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista di Venezia, a 14th century church before the big day arrived over the weekend.

The couple - who have been dating since May 2021 - instructed firm The Wedding Boutique Italy to organise their nuptials which looked sensational.

The luxury event planners host weddings located across Italy, also including Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Sicily and Lake Como, set in idyllic destinations including romantic castles and rustic farmhouses. The wedding firm budgets for weddings costing over 250,000 and not only plan the nuptials but also design the entire experience.

Anya has rarely spoken about her relationship with Malcolm, 28, since they began dating, having been first spotted together in New York.

They have managed to maintain a healthy relationship despite living on opposite sides of the Atlantic, with Anya largely based in London, while Malcolm, who also acts as well as being in a band, lives in the US.

Stunning: The Palazzo Pisani Moretta on the Grand Canal in Venice served as the venue for Anya, Malcolm and their guests

Preparation mode! Anya went from fresh-faced to an elegantly dolled up bride

Bride-to-be: The actress was easy to spot as she relaxed on a balcony ahead of her wedding over the weekend

Close: Anya was seen embracing a loved one as she prepared for her romantic wedding in Venice

What a place: The stunning location, which overlooks the Grand Canal, was the ideal spot for celebrity wedding

Cool dude: Evan Ross was looking sharp in a suit with nothing underneath while rocking bold bleached hair

Smart: Nicholas Hoult and his stunning girlfriend Bryana Holly pulled out all the stops for the event

Going for gold: The couple - who share son Joaquin, five - were spotted wearing wedding bands as they they attended the lavish nuptials of Nicholas' former The Menu co-star

Smart: Nicholas looked appropriately dapper in a black double-breasted suit following the wedding ceremony

Glam: Julia was beaming as she climbed on to a boat with actress Keleigh Sperry, who is married to Miles Teller

All aboard! The group zipped around on river taxis to get to and from the venues

Glamorous guests: Julia, Kayleigh and a host of guests looked sensational in their finery as they headed to the star-studded bash

Here the come: The group stood in the rear of their water taxi as it made its way across the Grand Canal in Venice

Picture perfect: The group huddled together for a snap, with the Grand Canal serving as a picturesque backdrop

Upbeat: Julia and Kayleigh greeted onlookers with a smile as they arrived at the Italian venue

Hard to miss: Julia and Keleigh caught the eye as they made their way across the Grand Canal

Here they are! Cara and Evan shared a laugh as they headed to the event

Let's talk: The pair were seen chatting as they made their way to the romantic venue over the weekend

Here we come: Cara and Evan moved along the Grand Canal as they made their way to the wedding ceremony

Looking good: Cara caught the eye in a cropped pinstripe blazer and matching trousers ahead of the ceremony

They look familiar: Nicholas Hoult was joined by Bryana Holly (left) while Cara Delevingne arrived with Evan Ross (right)

Very nice: Lingerie model Bryana was gorgeous in a light pink one shouldered floor-length silk gown with cut-out sides and a sexy split

Ready for action: Cara and Evan were joined by fellow guests after arriving at the Venice venue

In she goes! Julia's alabaster skin stood out boldly against her black gown and bleached locks

Easy does it: Keleigh got a helping hand as she alighted the boat with husband Miles Teller over the weekend

Walk this way: Guests helped one another from their boats as they arrived at the stunning venue

Here they come: Boat after boat arrived at the Palazzo Pisani Moretta, each of them filled with wedding guests

I've got you: A male guest assisted an attractive redhead as she climbed from her boat ahead of the ceremony

All you need to know about Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae's wedding venue The 15th century Palazzo Pisani Moretta is a palace based on the Grand Canal in the Venice subdivision of of San Polo, nestled between Palazzo Tiepolo and Palazzo Barbarigo della Terrazza. With interior rooms decorated in the Baroque tradition by revered artists such as Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Jacopo Guarana, Gaspare Diziani and Giuseppe Angeli, the sprawling venue was once the residence of the House of Pisani, a Venetian patrician family, originally from Pisa. The exterior features ogival arches flanked by two single windows, while the ground floor has two central pointed arched doorways that open on to the canal. Since 1994 it has hosted Il Ballo del Doge - an annual masquerades ball. Advertisement

Their busy work schedules also make it difficult, as Anya spends weeks on end in filming locations, while Malcolm regularly tours for his music.

Speaking about their relationship to British Vogue in March 2022, Anya said: 'I said to my partner the other day that he was my hobby. I see reading as something that I have to do. He loved it because hes the same.

'Ive finally found someone who will happily sit in silence with me reading. Were basically 80 years old and seven at the same time and it works really well.'

Speaking about the distance, she added: 'Yes, it is [hard], but its also kind of great because when youre together youre really valuing the time that you have.

'Everyday mundane activities are so full of joy. I love going to the petrol station with him and filling up.'

Anya was born in Miami, Florida and moved to Buenos Aires as a toddler before relocating to London at the age of six 'for political reasons' with her parents, banker father Dennis - a Scot born in South America - and Spanish-English mother Jennifer who hails from Zambia.

Her role as orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon in the Netflix series The Queens Gambit elevated her into one of the most in demand actresses in Hollywood, having bagged a Golden Globe for Best Actress and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie.

She received another Golden Globe nomination for her role in black comedy movie The Menu, starring alongside Nicholas Hoult and Ralph Fiennes, and is playing the lead in blockbuster action movie Furiosa, the prequel to 2015s Mad Max: Fury Road.

By invitation only: Guests milled about as an assistant checked names ahead of the wedding ceremony

Incredible venue: The Palazzo Pisani Moretta is a stunning 15th century palace, decorated by Baroque painters

All eyes on me! She looked radiant in the gown, which boasted delicate yet bold adornments

Over here Anya! The actress posed for photos in her bridal gown as a cameraman stood on the opposing balcony

Suits you! Cara shunned a typical gown for the wedding, instead looking sleek in a suit

And we're off! Water taxis were the mode of transport of choice for the guests on board

Main man: Malcolm McRae (back to camera, in blue) was seen arriving ahead of his wedding over the weekend

Exciting: A hoard of female guests were seen arriving by boat ahead of the wedding service, among them Julia Garner (far left)

Here we go: Julia, Keleigh Sperry and a group of friends readied themselves as their water taxi prepared to dock

Dressed to impress: Julia looked stunning ahead of close friend Anya's wedding over the weekend

We are sailing: A water taxi, one of many, ferried smartly dressed wedding guests across the Grand Canal in Venice

All hands on deck! Aides were seen carrying the dress into the event

Here come the girls! The outfits for the wedding were bold and beautiful with stunning guests all around while planners were seen with earpieces in

Say cheese: Guests were seen taking selfies on the balcony during Anya's wedding at the Palazzo Pisani Moretta on the Grand Canal

Cheers! Attendees were seen quaffing glasses of champagne and taking pictures following the romantic ceremony

Delightful: Numerous guests were seen admiring the spectacular view across the Grand Canal

Greetings! One guests was seen filming the photographers from his vantage point on the balcony

Celebrity guests: Eva Ross, Julia Garner and Keleigh Sperry made their way out of the Palazzo Pisani Moretta following the service

Plenty to talk about: Friends and family members chatted among themselves outside the ornate stone entrance

Smoking hot: One stylish guest puffed on a cigarette while chatting to fellow guests outside the venue

Engaging sight: Guests appeared to be distracted by something off-camera as they relaxed following the service

All together now! Guests huddled together for a photo after making their way out of the incredible wedding venue
Julia Garner stunned in a glitzy plunging dress as she arrived with her husband Mark Foster at Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae's wedding in Italy this weekend.

The Ozark actress, 29, oozed style in the polished black garment which featured a navy and silver sequinned detailing.

Joining her at the star-studded nuptials was her musician husband Mark, 39, who wore a crisp black tuxedo.

The Queens Gambit star Anya tied the knot with musician Malcolm in a lavish ceremony, in front of just over 150 guests including Cara Delevingne at the incredible ceremony while sporting a beige gown.

Julia, who tied the knot with Mark in December 2019, looked the epitome of chic as she showcased her short blonde curly tresses against the classy gown.

Gorgeous: Julia Garner, 29, stunned in a glitzy plunging dress as she arrived with her husband Mark Foster, 39, at Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae 's wedding in Italy this weekend

Stunning: The Ozark actress oozed style in the polished black garment which featured a navy and silver sequined detailing

A real queen: The Queens Gambit star Anya tied the knot with musician Malcolm in a lavish ceremony held in Italy in front of a strong 150 guest list

Spectacular: Anya's unconventional dress comprised a princess shape in a beige shade with embroidery and embellishments and was debuted on her balcony, shortly after Malcolm was seen in preparation mode earlier in the day

Julia, who is also famed for her role in Netflix's Inventing Anna, looked elegant as she hoped on board the water taxi.

The actress posed for photos alongside Keleigh Sperry, 30, the wife of Miles Teller, who stole the show in a feathered turquoise gown.

Three time Emmy winner Julia appeared to be in great spirits as she sat with pals on the lavish boat to get to the wedding.

The actress and Keleigh captured golden hour perfectly as the sun shined on their faces before they headed off to Anya and Mark's nuptials.

In 2020, Julia spoke about starting out on married life during a pandemic during an interview with WSJ Magazine.

'Honestly, its been great,' the she gushed. 'We were both going to be super busy after we just got married. Now I understand why people have to have honeymoons.'

In December, the star marked her third wedding anniversary by sharing a throwback from their wedding day.

'3 years today,' she captioned a blurry image, which showed her wearing a furry white coat.

A helping hand: Joining her at the star-studded nuptials was her musician husband Mark, 39, who wore a crisp black tuxedo

Beaming: Julia, who is also famed for her role in Netflix's Inventing Anna, looked elegant as she hoped on board the water taxi

Wow: The actress posed for photos alongside Keleigh Sperry, 30, the wife of Miles Teller, who stole the show in a glamorous feathered turquoise gown

Sweet: Julia appeared in great spirits as she sat with Keleigh, who also attended the wedding, on the lavish boat

Glam girls: Julia and Keleigh captured golden hour perfectly as the sun shined on their faces before they headed off to Anya and Malcolm's nuptials

Loved-up: Julia and Mark posed for a sweet photo arm in arm and showed off their glamorous outfits

Anya, who has also featured in dramas Peaky Blinders and Last Night In Soho looked incredible in her glamorous wedding attire.

They were spotted looking at wedding venues in Venice earlier this year, including Palazzo Pisani-Moretta, a 15th century palace, and Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista di Venezia, a 14th century church.

The couple - who have been dating since May 2021 - instructed firm The Wedding Boutique Italy to organise their nuptials which looked sensational.

The luxury event planners host weddings located across Italy, also including Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Sicily and Lake Como, set in idyllic destinations including romantic castles and rustic farmhouses.
Gwyneth Paltrow looked effortlessly chic as ever as she posed in a $575 Otto minidress from the latest G. Label by goop collection drop on Monday.

The 51-year-old Shakespeare in Love star's platinum blonde locks were styled loosely around her shoulders for the simple photo shoot, which the Goop Instagram page shared for their 1.8 million Instagram followers.

'Wear it solo now, then layer it over tights and boots later  the Otto Minidress is in it for the long haul,' the caption under the photo set read.

Demonstrating the versatility of the classic staple piece, the Shallow Hal star struck a pose wearing it with an elegant $895 blue G Label Rafalea peacoat draped over her shoulders.

Letting the dress speak for itself, Gwyneth chose only a few gold accessories to add the the ensemble, including a chunky Cartier bracelet.

Beauty in a black dress: Gwyneth Paltrow posed in a black minidress from the latest drop from her G. Label by goop collection, which the Goop Instagram shared on Monday

Understated elegance: The Iron Man star showed how the dress could be layered by striking a pose wearing a sophisticated blue peacoat over her shoulders

Rounding out the ageless beauty's look were a pair of simple black Mary Jane shoes.

According to the Goop website, the inspiration for the latest drop was the label's 'love of monochrome.'

'This months collection is the wearable manifestation of that love,' the description for the Gwyneth's current fashion line drop reads.

In addition to promoting looks from her collection, the Sliding Doors star also recently celebrated her five-year wedding anniversary with her husband Brad Falchuk, 52.

Proving that she was willing to support other women-run businesses, Gwyneth shared a snap of herself wearing a nude Skims leotard earlier this month, tagging Kim Kardashian's shapewear brand in the sizzling pic.

She also gave her seal of approval for her ex-fiancee Brad Pitt's new skincare line, Le Domaine.

Speaking to The New York Times, Gwyneth sang praises for Le Domaine, telling the outlet, 'Yeah, it's really beautiful.'

Despite her status as an A-list actress and business mogul, the 5'9 stunner proved she was relatable in a Wellness Wednesday story where she admitted to her followers that she didn't really feel like working out.

She's also been embracing her gray roots more, even going out to eat in Beverly Hills makeup free without touching up her signature blonde hue for her hair.

Mixing beauty and business: The Academy Award winning actress has also made time to attend goop pop launch parties across the country; seen in Dallas in November 2014

Green with envy: Proving that she's been able to do more than just act, Gwyneth even appeared on Shark Tank as a guest shark due to her successful business ventures

In Goop we trust: In addition to Goop's wellness products, the Los Angeles born beauty's business also has the successful G. Label by goop fashion collections

Natural beauty: In addition to promoting the latest looks from her fashion line, Gwyneth has also been embracing her natural beauty and grey roots

It's certainly been a busy month for the household name, who also celebrated her 51st birthday on September 27.

She also gave a shoutout to her fellow Hollywood heavyweight best friend Cameron Diaz on her 51st birthday, calling the Shrek star her 'ride or die.'

Staying completely candid with her fans and demonstrating she can be relatable, the perpetually fit star shared a rare photo of her eating something other than bone broth at her favorite Italian restaurant in New York City earlier this summer.

'We call this Gwyneth crushing spaghetti,' the triple threat star cheekily captioned the post of her digging into a plate of pasta.
Nicholas Hoult has sparked speculation he has married Bryana Holly, as they made rare appearance together in Venice, on Sunday.

The British actor, 33, and his longterm love, 30, were amongst the stars at the wedding of Anya Taylor-Joy, 27, and Malcolm McRae, 28, in the beautiful Italian city.

Nicholas - who shot to fame as an adorable child star opposite Hugh Grant in About A Boy - looked dapper in a sleek black suit and matching shirt.

Lingerie model Bryana was gorgeous in a light pink one shouldered floor-length silk gown with cut-out sides and a sexy split as the couple were taken to the wedding destination on a small boat.

The couple - who share son Joaquin, five - were spotted wearing wedding bands as they they attended the lavish nuptials of Nicholas' former The Menu co-star.

Couple goals: Nicholas Hoult, 33, and Bryana Holly, 30, were amongst the stars at the wedding of Anya Taylor-Joy, 27, and Malcolm McRae, 28, in Venice, on Sunday

Going for gold: The couple - who share son Joaquin, five - were spotted wearing wedding bands as they they attended the lavish nuptials of Nicholas' former The Menu co-star

Nuptials: Queens Gambit star Anya, 27, tied the knot with musician, 28, in a lavish ceremony held in the beautiful Italian city this weekend (Pictured in April)

MailOnline has contacted Nicholas Hoult's representatives for comment.

Back in 2018 Nicholas became a father for the first time after welcoming his first child - son Joaquin - with Bryana, after just one year of dating.

Nicolas told the Evening Standard in 2019 his levels of tiredness are extreme after he became a father for the first time.

He said: 'No one warns you about it! But the level of love that comes with it outweighs everything. Its phenomenal.

'Im loving it. And it evolves all the time. They change so much, every day is different. It fills you up as a human completely.'

The actor is understood to have embarked on a relationship with the model at the beginning of 2017.

The About A Boy actor famously dated Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence on and off for four years before they broke up in 2014.

Jennifer later reflected on their split during an interview with Diane Sawyer, revealing it happened as they completed filming X Men: Days Of Future Past.

Looking good: Nicholas - who shot to fame as an adorable child star opposite Hugh Grant in About A Boy - looked dapper in a sleek black suit and matching shirt

Spotted: Going strong: British actor Nicholas and his longterm love Bryana made rare appearance together as they attended the lavish nuptials of his former movie co-star

In style: Lingerie model Bryana was gorgeous in a light pink one shouldered floor-length silk gown with cut-out sides and a sexy split

Setting sail: The couple were taken to the wedding destination on a small boat in the Italian city of Venice which is famous for its waterways

She explained: 'I was also in a relationship with somebody for five years and that was my life. So my life was this person and these movies and we broke up around the same time that I wrapped those movies.

'Being 24 was this whole year of, "Who am I without these movies? Who am I without this man?"'

Meanwhile, Bryana previously dated Five Seconds of Summer star Aston Irwin and Brody Jenner, the step-brother of American socialite Kim Kardashian, with whom she regularly featured on Kim's popular fly-on-the-wall reality show.

The couple dated for several months in 2013 before a dramatic falling out at the annual Playboy Mansion Halloween party.
Cara Delevingne looked typically stylish on Sunday as she and her girlfriend Minke attended the wedding of Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae in Venice.

The model, 31, looked sensational in a plunging black waistcoat, which showed off a glimpse of her ample cleavage.

She teamed it with a pair of black pinstripe trousers and carried a matching blazer in her hand.

The actress added a gold chain necklace and hid her eyes behind a pair of black sunglasses.

Cara wore her short blonde tresses down and pinned back behind black hair grips as she was helped into a water taxi.

Looking good: Cara Delevingne looked typically stylish on Sunday as she and her girlfriend Minke attended the wedding of Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae in Venice

Daring: The model, 31, looked sensational in a plunging black waistcoat, which showed off a glimpse of her ample cleavage

Loved-up: She was on hand to see actress Anya, 27, (left) tie the knot with her musician boyfriend Malcolm, 28, (right) in front of just over 150 guests

She was joined at the nuptials by her partner Minke, whose real name is Leah Mason, who was spotted sitting in the boat.

Cara was followed into the water taxi by Evan Ross, who looked fashion forward in an oversized black blazer.

The actor wore nothing underneath, showing a peek at his bare chest and added several gold layered necklaces.

The son of Diana Ross added a pair of black trousers and also sported a pair of black sunglasses.

Actress Anya, 27, married her musician boyfriend Malcolm, 28, in front of just over 150 guests including Julia Garner at the Italian ceremony, while sporting a gorgeous beige gown.

At the start of the day, the blonde beauty was seen on the balcony in preparation mode, as she sported a white silk robe and sipped coffee while going make-up free, ahead of her swan-like transformation.

Her unconventional dress comprised a princess shape in a beige shade with embroidery and embellishments - including images of birds and flowers across the bodice, while she wore a bright white veil.

It was revealed before the big day that the couple were spotted looking at wedding venues in Venice earlier this year, including Palazzo Pisani-Moretta, a 15th century palace, and Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista di Venezia, a 14th century church before the big day arrived over the weekend.

Stylish: She teamed it with a pair of black pinstripe trousers and carried a matching blazer in her hand

Shady lady: The actress added a gold chain necklace and hid her eyes behind a pair of black sunglasses

Stunning: Cara wore her short blonde tresses down and pinned back behind black hair grips as she was helped into a water taxi

Couple: She was joined at the nuptials by her partner Minke, whose real name is Leah Mason, who was spotted sitting in the boat

Trendy: Cara was followed into the water taxi by Evan Ross , who looked fashion forward in an oversized black blazer

Wow! The actor wore nothing underneath, showing a peek at his bare chest and added several gold layered necklaces

Cool: The son of Diana Ross added a pair of black trousers and also sported a pair of black sunglasses

The couple - who have been dating since May 2021 - instructed firm The Wedding Boutique Italy to organise their nuptials which looked sensational.

The luxury event planners host weddings located across Italy, also including Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Sicily and Lake Como, set in idyllic destinations including romantic castles and rustic farmhouses.

The wedding firm budgets for weddings costing over 250,000 and not only plan the nuptials but also design the entire experience.

Anya has rarely spoken about her relationship with Malcolm since they began dating, having been first spotted together in New York.

They have managed to maintain a healthy relationship despite living on opposite sides of the Atlantic, with Anya largely based in London, while Malcolm, who also acts as well as being in a band, lives in the US.

Their busy work schedules also make it difficult, as Anya spends weeks on end in filming locations, while Malcolm regularly tours for his music.

Big day: At the start of the day, Anya was seen on the balcony in preparation mode, as she sported a white silk robe and sipped coffee while going make-up free, ahead of her swan-like transformation

Showstopper: Her unconventional dress comprised a princess shape in a beige shade with embroidery and embellishments - including images of birds and flowers across the bodice, while she wore a bright white veil

Sight set: It was revealed before the big day that the couple were spotted looking at wedding venues in Venice earlier this year

Stunning: The couple - who have been dating since May 2021 - instructed firm The Wedding Boutique Italy to organise their nuptials which looked sensational

Expensive price tag: The wedding firm budgets for weddings costing over 250,000 and not only plan the nuptials but also design the entire experience

Private: Anya has rarely spoken about her relationship with Malcolm since they began dating, having been first spotted together in New York

Long distance: They have managed to maintain a healthy relationship despite living on opposite sides of the Atlantic, with Anya largely based in London, while Malcolm, who also acts as well as being in a band, lives in the US

Tricky: Their busy work schedules also make it difficult, as Anya spends weeks on end in filming locations, while Malcolm regularly tours for his music

Speaking about their relationship to British Vogue in March 2022, Anya said: 'I said to my partner the other day that he was my hobby. I see reading as something that I have to do. He loved it because hes the same.

'Ive finally found someone who will happily sit in silence with me reading. Were basically 80 years old and seven at the same time and it works really well.'

Speaking about the distance, she added: 'Yes, it is [hard], but its also kind of great because when youre together youre really valuing the time that you have.

'Everyday mundane activities are so full of joy. I love going to the petrol station with him and filling up.'
Greta Gerwig made history as the director of Barbie, becoming the first female director to helm a billion dollar film.

The writer and director, who penned the script with her partner, Noah Baumbach, turned to some of history's greatest movies for inspiration when shooting Barbie.

In an interview with Letterboxd, the Oscar nominee wrote down 32 films, but actually shared 35, some famous and some not so famous, that she paid homage to in her own masterpiece.

One of the first film the 40-year-old filmmaker drew inspiration from was 1939's The Wizard of Oz when creating Barbie World.

'I think of the painted backdrop of the Emerald City as they go towards it. In our movie, we have the Pink Brick Road instead of the Yellow Brick Road,' she explained, 'We also have beautiful painted backdrops of horizons.'

Inspiration: Greta Gerwig turned to dozens of movies for inspiration in writing and directing her history making film Barbie. The movie is the first helmed by a female director to make more than $1 billion

'We executed it like they wouldve done in the 30s and 40s and 50s soundstage musicals. It was something that we kept returning to,' she explained.

The Gene Kelly musical An American in Paris contributed to opening scene of Barbie.

Greta's list of movies that inspired Barbie 1) The Wizard of Oz (1939) 2) The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) 3) The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) 4) Model Shop (1969) 5) An American in Paris (1951) 6) Singin' in the Rain (1952) 7) The Red Shoes (1948) 8) A Matter of Life and Death (1946) 9) All That Jazz (1979) 10) Heaven Can Wait (1978) 11) Oklahoma! (1955) 12) Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988) 13) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) 14) His Girl Friday (1940) 15) The Philadelphia Story (1939) 16) Gold Diggers of 1935 (1935) 17) Twentieth Century (1934) 18) The Ladies Man (1961) 19) Rear Window (1954) 20) And the Ship Sails On (1983) 21) Wings of Desire (1987) 22) The Earrings of Madame de... (1953) 23) Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) 24) Modern Times (1936) 26) Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985) 27) Grease (1978) 29) The Truman Show (1998) 30) Mon Oncle (1958) 31) Playtime (1967) 32) Splash (1984) 33) Saturday Night Fever (1977) 34) The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (2020) 35) The Godfather (1972) Advertisement

'There was something so satisfying about watching him go through his morning routinethat was one of the morning routines I loved. Even though Barbie has much more of an expanse, I was like, This is a great opening.'

Greta said she asked Margot Robbie to watch Katharine Hepburn's starring turn in The Philadelphia Story to craft her performance.

'Katharine Hepburn describes herself as being a Grecian statue or something shes unflappable and then she starts falling apart, and thats actually where she finds herself,' the Critics Choice Award winner said.

'It was actually already one of Margots favorite movies; she already had that in her back pocket, as it were.'

For Ken-spiration, the admitted movie buff looked to Drew Barrymore's grandfather, John Barrymore in 1934's Twentieth Century.

'Ryan reminds me of John Barrymore in how funny he is,' Greta declared.

'There are scenes (in Twentieth Century) where theyre just screaming at each other; I was like, This is perfect. Theres a heightened, dramatic thing that John Barrymore does that I showed to Ryan, then he took that and put it in our movie. It was amazing.'

To portray Barbie's idealistic world, she looked 1998's The Truman Show.

'I had to include The Truman Show both because I watched it again before I made this movie, and because Peter Weir very generously got on the phone with me before I started shooting,'

'He talked to me for a long time about how he shot it and how they made it work. They shot it actually outside, but they hung lights, so it would feel like it was in a studio. He told me, "I dont suggest that. It was very hot."'

Little details in Barbie included nods to Catherine Deneuve's The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, and Jerry Lewis' Ladies' Man.

'They built this house that was cut out, and then they moved around the rooms with a camera in this one continuous shot with all these girls getting ready. Its incredible.'

'Thats where I got the idea for the mirror that has nothing in it that you look through, and its just her.'

Musical such as Grease, Singin' in the Rain and Oklahoma and Gold Diggers of 1935 and The Red Shoes contributed to the vibe.

'The Red Shoes [is] all over the movie,' Greta explained.

'Theres a shot of her walking up to that house, which I wanted it to feel like that when Barbie walks up to [Weird Barbies] house.'

Oz: Greta drew inspiration from 1939's The Wizard of Oz when creating Barbie World

The Philadelphia Story: Greta asked Margot Robbie to watch The Philadelphia Story to craft her performance. 'Katharine Hepburn describes herself as being a Grecian statue... shes unflappable and then she starts falling apart, and thats actually where she finds herself'

Ken-spiration: For Ken-spiration, the admitted movie buff looked to Drew Barrymore's grandfather, John Barrymore in 1934's Twentieth Century. 'Ryan reminds me of John Barrymore in how funny he is'

Morning routine: The Gene Kelly musical An American in Paris contributed to opening scene of Barbie. 'There was something so satisfying about watching him go through his morning routine. Even though Barbie has much more of an expanse, I was like, This is a great opening'

The Red Shoes: Greta said the Oscar winning The Red Shoes is 'all over' Barbie. 'Theres a shot of (the ballerina) walking up to that house, which I wanted it to feel like that when Barbie walks up to [Weird Barbies] house'

'Ryan Gosling wears a pair of glasses that are the cat-eye glasses that the director wears in it, because I was like, How stylish and bold that that mans wearing cat-eye glassesits so fun. Then Ryan was like, Can I wear cat-eye glasses? and I was like, You definitely can, and then he had two on. '

Greta was also inspire by the richness of the storytelling in what many consider the best film of all time.

We all know why The Godfather was in there, because its a triumph of Robert Evans and [Francis Ford] Coppolas aesthetic genius.'

'It was so fun to watch again. Its the best ever; its a masterpiece.'
Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith have split after nearly four years of marriage.

The British actress, 37 - who shares a three-year daughter Juno Rose Diana with the Dawson's Creek star, 45 - filed for divorce and cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the split, reports TMZ.

Celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser is representing Smith in the divorce, with the actress asking for joint custody of their daughter.

The date of separation is listed as September 13 - just one day after the pair attended NYFW together.

She does not want spousal support for either her or Jackson, with the pair not having a prenup in place.

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for the pair for comment.

Over: Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith have split after nearly four years of marriage (pictured March 2023)

What happened? The pair looked loved-up at NYFW on September 12 - one day before their separation date

In September 2022 the pair sparked split rumors after they unfollowed each other on social media - after previously sharing multiple loved-up posts.

They then refollowed each other with Jackson brushing off split speculation as he gushed about his wife in a chat with E!News.

He said: 'She is undeniably one of the most beautiful women on the planet. And she always smashes it when shes on the red carpet. That is truly a wonder to behold.

'But I will tell you, that there is nothing like waking up in the morning, opening my eyes and seeing her face in the morning.'

Jodie and Joshua married in 2019 after meeting through mutual friends in 2018 and initially insisting that their romance was just 'casual'.

She has previously revealed their romance started as a one-night stand.

In 2021 Jodie made an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers and joked about how despite getting off to a quick start, their relationship was still going strong.

'When I first met my husband, we had a one-night stand,' she told the host. 'We're in a two, three-year one-night stand now.'

She went on to tell Seth the story of how they met at a party and both felt an instant connection.

'First of all, I saw him before he saw me and when I saw him, I was like, "I want that," she said. 'And then when he saw me, I just pretended like I didn't see him.'

While she seemed unimpressed with Joshua's opening line, she explained how he came over and did his 'cute and charming thing.'

'All night he followed me around the party,' The Last Ship actress added. 'He felt the energy. He felt it.'

Happier times: The British actress, 37, who shares a three-year daughter Juno Rose Diana with the Dawson's Creek star, 45, filed for divorce and cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the split - Seen in 2020

Last seen: The pair stepped out in Santa Monica in August - with Jodie sans ring

The pair began dating in October 2018 and tied the knot in December 2019 after the actress proposed during a New Year's Eve holiday in Nicaragua, with Joshua 'instinctively' saying yes.

Jodie was a banker before meeting Pharrell Williams who convinced her to become a model and move to Los Angeles. She made her acting debut in 2013 when she played a siren in the HBO series True Blood.

Turner-Smith rose to prominence after starring in the 2019 film, Queen & Slim.

She previously told People magazine that she appreciated being married to someone who has so much experience in the industry.

Joshua has been acting since 1991 and starred as Pacey Witter in the hit teen show, Dawson's Creek, from 1998 to 2003.

'He has a wealth of experience to offer and advice to offer that's based on experience,' Jodie said. 'And I love that. I just love picking his brain about things. I'm somebody who's just beginning. So that energy of someone who's just beginning, that excitement, that just everything and anything is possible, I think that I really inspire him with that.'

Ex: Before meeting Jodie, Joshua was in a decade-long romance with Diane Kruger, which ended in 2016 (pictured 2015) She is now in a relationship with Norman Reedus and shares a daughter with him

The Nightflyers actress told Seth that she watched Dawson's Creek when she was growing up and she was 'Team Pacey'.

One of the show's major storylines was the love triangle between Pacey, Joey(Katie Holmes) and Dawson(James Van Der Beek). It caused fan wars between those who were rooting for Pacey and those who were 'Team Dawson.'

'No offense to Dawson but it was all about Pacey,' she said.

Prior to his relationship with Smith, Jackson was in a decade-long romance with Diane Kruger, 47, which ended in 2016.

Diane started dating Josh after she split from her husband of five years, French director Guillaume Canet.

Diane is now in a relationship with The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus and the pair share a daughter, Nova, four.
Florence Pugh and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley showed off their chic senses of style as they arrived back in London on Monday after Paris Fashion Week.

Actress Florence, 27, went braless beneath a white top which she teamed with a pair of loose-fitting black trousers and a matching jacket.

She wore some comfortable white and grey trainers and shielded her eyes behind a pair of dark sunglasses as she made her way across the concourse at St Pancras Station after stepping off the Eurostar train.

Meanwhile, model Rosie, 36, wore a long beige raincoat over a grey top which she teamed with some navy blue trousers.

She too opted for some dark sunglasses and carried a black handbag on her arm while she wheeled a silver suitcase alongside her.

Chic: Florence Pugh (left) went braless under a shirt and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (right) looked chic in a raincoat as they arrived back in London on Monday after Paris Fashion Week

Catching the eye: Actress Florence, 27, went braless beneath a white top which she teamed with a pair of loose-fitting black trousers and a matching jacket

The fashionista completed her look by wearing some white trainers for her arrival in the UK.

It comes after Florence recently defended having her nipples on show in a sheer pink gown at Valentino's haute couture show in Rome.

In an interview with ELLE, Florence shared her candid reaction to others who scrutinise her appearance.

She said: 'When everything went down with the Valentino pink dress a year ago, my nipples were on display through a piece of fabric, and it really wound people up.

'It's the freedom that people are scared of the fact I'm comfortable and happy. Keeping women down by commenting on their bodies has worked for a very long time. I think we're in this swing now where lots of people are saying, 'I don't give a s**t.'

'Unfortunately, we've become so terrified of the human body that we can't even look at my two little cute nipples behind fabric in a way that isn't sexual.

'We need to keep reminding everybody that there is more than one reason for women's bodies [to exist].'

In July last year, Florence was cruelly trolled for wearing a sheer gown at the Valentino fashion show in Rome.

In style: She wore some comfortable white and grey trainers and shielded her eyes behind a pair of dark sunglasses

International: Florence was seen making her way across the concourse at St Pancras Station in London after stepping off the Eurostar train from Paris in France

Speaking out: It comes after Florence recently defended having her nipples on show in a sheer pink gown at Valentino's haute couture show in Rome

Staying strong: In an interview with ELLE , Florence shared her candid reaction to others who scrutinise her appearance

Pushing the boundaries: She said: 'When everything went down with the Valentino pink dress a year ago, my nipples were on display through a piece of fabric, and it really wound people up'

At the time, she hit back at the comments she received from 'vulgar' men as well as those who chose to 'publicly destroy a woman's body' with their remarks.

She wrote in an impassioned post on Instagram: 'What's been interesting to watch and witness is just how easy it is for men to totally destroy a woman's body, publicly, proudly, for everyone to see.

'So many of you wanted to aggressively let me know how disappointed you were by my 'tiny t**s', or how I should be embarrassed by being so "flat chested". I've lived in my body for a long time. I'm fully aware of my breast size and am not scared of it.'

The Don't Worry Darling star started her post by telling fans she knew the dress would provoke a reaction, but she was 'excited' to wear the gown.
Bella Thorne made the most of a break between catwalk presentations on Monday as she ventured out in the French capital on the penultimate day of Paris Fashion Week.

The American actress looked typically stylish in a tasteful cream sweater and generously cut slacks while enjoying the sights after leaving her hotel.

She added to her look with matching cream heels, while a sweeping black top coat with distinctive red lining rounded things off.

Accessorising tastefully, the former child star opted for a statement earrings, with a silver handbag giving the overlook an extra splash of colour.

Thorne, 25, who is in Paris with producer fiance Mark Emms, appeared to be alone as she mingled with pedestrians during the brief outing.

Here she comes: Bella Thorne made the most of a break between catwalk presentations on Monday as she ventured out in the French capital on the penultimate day of Paris Fashion Week

The previous evening she displayed her curves in a form fitting gown and leather jacket as she joined Emms, 44, at Sinner Paris for an amFAR party,

Thorne oozed sex appeal in the black and white floor length dress, which featured flashes of gold, with her biker jacket adding an unexpected twist.

She teamed the one-shouldered frock with pointed patent leather heels and accessorised with chunky rings and colourful bangles.

Entrepreneur and Bad Vegan producer Emms, looked dapper in a sleek suit, which he wore with a plain black tee and smart shoes.

The couple confirmed their engagement in May, a year after meeting on the beach in Ibiza during Cara Delevingne's birthday party.

Emms, who also owns the New York City hotspot The Mulberry, actually popped the questions at Bella's house in California on Mother's Day earlier this year.

American Horror Stories star Thorne and her fiance posed together in a sweet photo announcing the news on social media.

The actress made sure to include the 10-plus carat emerald cut diamond engagement ring prominently in the photo.

Looking good: The American actress looked typically stylish in a tasteful cream sweater and generously cut slacks while enjoying the sights after leaving her hotel

Couple goals: The previous evening she displayed her curves in a form fitting gown and leather jacket as she joined fiance Mark Emms at Sinner Paris for an amFAR party,

'It was love at first sight as the sun rose,' she told Vogue Weddings.

Thorne told the publication she'd like to have the wedding at a country manor in the United Kingdom, but has not announced a wedding date.

'Every bride does not need one gown,' she said hinting at multiple wardrobe changes, 'but four!'
The family of former James Bond star Sir Roger Moore gathered at Bonhams auction house on Monday evening as the late actor's personal collection of memorabilia from the iconic franchise prepared to go under the hammer.

Moore, who passed away aged 89 in 2017, played womanising secret agent Bond seven times between 1973 and 1985 - a record that is yet to be beat.

And he accrued an impressive collection of highly sought-after mementoes from his time on set, including the tuxedo he wore while scaling the Eiffel Tower - aged 58 - in A View To A Kill, his final outing as 007.

The collection of more than 180 possessions is now up for sale, and has been given an overall estimate of 420,000.

Attending the event on Monday evening, Moore's actor sons Geoffrey and Christian were joined by an assortment of extended family members, as well as legendary Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.

No time to buy: (left to right) Roger Moore's eldest son Geoffrey, Bond producer Barbara Broccoli and youngest son Christian were at Bonham's on Monday as his collection of 007 memorabilia went under the hammer

Iconic: The dinner suit Sir Roger Moore wore in A View To A Kill is set to fetch up to 30,000 at auction as the late actor's possessions are sold off by his family. Above: The Eiffel Tower scene where Bond wore the suit

Licence to chill: (left to right) Lara Sidawi Moore (wife of Christian) Christian Moore, Ambra Moore (daughter of Geoffrey), Geoffrey Moore and his wife Loulou and young family members pose for a photo at the event

Down the hatch old boy: Guests were treated to Martini cocktails - Bond's favourite tipple - at the event on Monday evening

The auction also includes a collection of 20 Swatch wristwatches that come in a 007-themed brown suitcase, made to mark the 40th anniversary of Bond on film.

Moore's silk ties and cravats - which he wore to dozens of showbusiness events in his career - could sell for up to 1,000.

A pair of skis made by supercar firm Lamborghini could also fetch up to 1,000.

Moore was also a keen artist and a large portfolio of his drawings, sketches and studies is among the collection being sold by his family.

They are expected to sell for up to 8,000.

Also on offer is a large collection of photographs of Sir Roger portraying Bond and a contacts book featuring the addresses and phone numbers of famous figures including Princess Margaret and Sir Paul McCartney.

The auction is being headed by Sir Roger's son Geoffrey, to mark the 50th anniversary of his father's first Bond film, 1973 hit Live and Let Die.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to charity.

Special occasion: Geoffrey Moore poses with his wife Loulou Moore (right) and daughter Ambra (left)

Delicate: Gallery assistants adjust a Bogner white ski suit purchased for Roger Moore in A View to a Kill in 1985

Memorable: Also being sold is the ski suit Sir Roger wore in A View To A Kill, which was released in 1985 and marked his final appearance as Bond after six previous outings. The suit could sell for up to 15,000

Impressive: A set of skis, believed to be used by Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me, have been immaculately preserved

Legendary: Gallery assistants adjust a double-breasted mohair dinner suit believed to have been made for Sir Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me in 1977

Special guests: Eva Rice and Tim Rice (left) and Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott and Michael Pare (right) attended the event at Bonham's on Monday evening

For your eyes only: A collection of blazers, once owned by former Bond Sir Roger Moore

Try this for size: A single breasted suit, once owned by Moore, features among the 180 pieces up for sale

Legendary: This poster showing Sir Roger as Bond up against Grace Jones's villain in A View to a Kill could sell for up to 700

All yours: This portrait of Sir Roger sporting a beard that was signed by the photographer could sell for up to 1,500

Remember this? Geoffrey Moore, son of Sir Roger Moore, stands with a James Bond mohair double-breasted dinner suit worn by Sir Roger for the Eiffel Tower scene in A View to a Kill

Out of this world: Another poster in the sale is one for Moonraker, which was released in 1979 and was Sir Roger's fourth outing as Bond

Suits you: A pair of gold cufflinks also feature among the 180 items in the lot

Sir Roger, who passed away aged 89 in 2017, was a passionate Unicef ambassador.

Harvey Cammell, Bonhams' global director for valuations and private collections, said: 'Sir Roger Moore was a true icon of the silver screen, best known for bringing his natural charm and panache to the role of 007.

'Bonhams is honoured to be offering his personal collection for sale and giving this unique opportunity for Bond fans to get a little closer to the man himself.'

Deborah, Geoffrey, and Christian Moore, Sir Roger Moore's children, added: 'We know how much our father meant to so many people across the globe.

'For many he was James Bond as well as The Saint, but he was also a kind and generous individual, as understandably proud of his charitable work as his acting career. We are delighted to be able to share his legacy with his many fans.'

The sale takes place on Wednesday.

No time to buy: A gallery assistant holds an Omega 50 years of 007 limited edition automatic calendar bracelet watch, with the inscription 'To Roger love from Michael and Barbara'

Lovely: Also on sale is Moore's Gucci contacts book, which features the addresses and phone numbers of famous figures including Princess Margaret and Sir Paul McCartney. It could sell for up to 1,500

Quids in: Moore's personal black leather wallet containing international cards and currency. It could sell for up to 800

Three's company: (left to right) Ambra Moore, Sir Roger's daughter Deborah Moore and Barbara Broccoli

Award: A glass UNICEF award from the German committee presented to Sir Roger Moore

It could be yours: Another memento from the 80 piece collection, which will go on sale from Wednesday

Side by side: (left to right) Paul McKenna, Lara Sidawi Moore and Christian Moore posed for a photo at the event on Monday evening
Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith have split after nearly four years of marriage and a five year relationship.

The British actress, 37 - who shares a three-year daughter Juno Rose Diana with the Dawson's Creek star, 45 - filed for divorce and cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the split, reports TMZ.

The pair enjoyed a famously whirlwind romance after first meeting at Usher's 40th birthday party in October 2018, getting engaged just months later during a New Year's trip to Nicaragua.

Smith fell pregnant the following year with the pair welcoming their only child in April 2020.

Now, as the pair go their separate ways, DailyMail.com looks back at their romance...

Over: Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith have split after nearly four years of marriage - DailyMail.com looks back at their whirlwind romance (pictured March 2023)

OCTOBER 2018 - FIRST MEETING

The pair first sparked romance rumors when they were seen 'all over each other' at Usher's 40th birthday party at LA's Delilah on October 14, 2018.

An insider told US Weekly at the time: 'They were all over each other. Super smitten and gazing into each others eyes as they danced together their whole night.'

Smith has previously revealed their romance started as a one-night stand.

In 2021 she made an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers and joked about how despite getting off to a quick start, their relationship was still going strong.

'When I first met my husband, we had a one-night stand,' she told the host. 'We're in a two, three-year one-night stand now.'

Moving fast! The pair first sparked romance rumors when they were seen 'all over each other' at Usher's 40th birthday party at LA's Delilah on October 14, 2018 - Smith later revealed their romance started as a one-night stand on Late Night With Seth Meyers

She went on to tell Seth the story of how they met at the party and both felt an instant connection.

'First of all, I saw him before he saw me and when I saw him, I was like, "I want that," she said. 'And then when he saw me, I just pretended like I didn't see him.'

While she seemed unimpressed with Joshua's opening line, she explained how he came over and did his 'cute and charming thing.'

'All night he followed me around the party,' The Last Ship actress added. 'He felt the energy. He felt it.'

JANUARY 2019 - JODIE PROPOSES

Before: The pair jet off to Nicaragua to mark the New Year - where their romance is confirmed after they share separate Instagram snaps showing the same skyline (pictured May 2022)

The pair jet off to Nicaragua to mark the New Year - where their romance is confirmed after they share separate Instagram snaps showing the same skyline.

Jackson later revealed in July 2021 that Smith had proposed to him during the trip.

He told Jimmy Fallon: 'It was very beautiful, incredibly romantic. We were walking down the beach, and she asked me to marry her.

'There was like a preamble. There was a lead-up to it. I did not know [about it beforehand], but she was quite adamant, and she was right. This is the best choice I ever made.'

JUNE 2019 - JACKSON SEEN KISSING MYSTERY WOMAN

Five months after the proposal, Jackson was seen passionately kissing a mystery woman in the LAX parking lot.

The pair looked smitten as they locked lips before enjoying a cigarette together - days after he was said to have put on a 'cozy' display with Smith at his 41st birthday party.

It is not known what the status of Jackson and Smith's relationship was at the time of the photos - but the next month the pair were seen packing on the PDA while running errands.

AUGUST 2019 - MARRIAGE RUMORS AND PAIR GO INSTAGRAM OFFICIAL

Wedding bells: Less than six weeks later, Smith and Jackson are seen picking up a marriage license in Beverly Hills in August 2019

Cute: Ten days later, the couple go Instagram official, with Smith posting a snap of the pair gazing into one another's eyes

Less than six weeks later, Smith and Jackson are seen picking up a marriage license in Beverly Hills.

The pair seemed loved up as they waited, with the actor wrapping his arm around her.

Ten days later, the couple go Instagram official, with Smith posting a snap of the pair gazing into one another's eyes.

She captioned the snap: 'Two people who only fancy each other a little bit.'

NOVEMBER 2019 - RED CARPET DEBUT

PDA: The pair made their red carpet couple debut at the premiere of Smith's film, Queen & Slim in November 2019 - Jodie was pregnant at the time

The pair made their red carpet couple debut at the premiere of Smith's film, Queen & Slim.

The pair were both seen wearing rings on their wedding fingers as they proudly posed together.

Sources reported that the former Dawson's Creek star was 'so supportive' of his lady love.

'Joshua looked so thrilled to be there to support [Jodie],' an insider said. 'He was all smiles and doting on her and her family all night. A total gentleman.'

DECEMBER 2019 - MARRIAGE CONFIRMED AND PREGNANCY REVEAL

It was confirmed the couple had secretly tied the knot and were expecting their first child together just one month later.

Jodie and Joshua had been spotted at the airport in Berlin where she showed off a growing baby bump.

MARCH 2020 - SMITH CONFIRMS PREGNANCY AND GENDER REVEAL

Happier times: Smith confirmed her pregnancy just one month before her due date as she shared a Instagram story video of her sonogram - Seen in February 2020

Smith confirmed her pregnancy just one month before her due date as she shared a Instagram story video of her sonogram.

Revealing the couple were set to welcome a daughter, she wrote: 'Can you see her dancing in there? Every time I try to record she stops.'

She would later show off her bump in a nude shot from a maternity shoot.

Jackson would later gush: 'The whole process has been amazing and now Im just ready to meet my baby girl.'

APRIL 2020 - BABY JUNO ARRIVES

Smith gives birth to the couple's daughter Juno Rose Diana on April 13, 2020.

A representative for the pair says: 'Both mother and baby are happy and healthy.'

MAY/JUNE 2020 - COUPLE MARK MOTHER'S/FATHER'S DAY

In awe of her: To mark her first Mother's Day in May, Jackson posts a first snap of her with their newborn daughter with a loving caption

One month later, Smith shares a sweet snap of Jackson for Father's Day. She wrote: 'big soulmate energy. daddy. just checking in to say that us girls are so lucky to have ya.'

To mark her first Mother's Day in May, Jackson posts a first snap of her with their newborn daughter with a loving caption.

He wrote: 'Dear Jodie, On this most special of mothers days I want to thank you for the being the light that you are. For the the passion with which you threw yourself into nurturing and protecting our child when she was in your womb. For the dedication and will you showed bringing her into the world.

'I have never witnessed a more powerful being than you through those moments. Thank you for the depth of grace you have found since our daughter has arrived. The commitment that you make look so effortless but I know is anything but. Thank you for making me a father.

'For trusting me enough to embark on this journey together. I am humbled more and more every day by that. I love you. I love seeing you enter the pantheon of mothers. And I look forward to walking this path by your side as we nurture this little engine of joy you have blessed the world with.'

One month later, Smith shares a sweet snap of Jackson for Father's Day.

She wrote: 'big soulmate energy. daddy. just checking in to say that us girls are so lucky to have ya.'

SEPTEMBER 2020 - PUBLIC DECLARATIONS OF LOVE

'You are adored': In June 2021 Jodie took to Instagram to mark Father's Day in a touching tribute to husband Joshua - which showed him embracing her bump as she lay naked

Jackson posted another loving tribute to his wife on her 34th birthday, writing: 'Happy Birthday my beautiful wife. Thank you for choosing to share your light with me. Thank you for walking this path of life as my wife.

Jackson posted another loving tribute to his wife on her 34th birthday, writing: 'Happy Birthday my beautiful wife. Thank you for choosing to share your light with me. Thank you for walking this path of life as my wife.

'Thank you for bringing our daughter into the world. This last year has been the happiest whirlwind of my life. I cant wait to see what all the years to come bring our way.'

That same month, Smith told Net-A-Porters Porter magazine about how much she loves Jackson.

She said: 'Im really in love with my husband. That might be weird for people, but Im doing a pretty good job of not shouting that from the rooftops as much as I would like to. Hes a really amazing dude.

'I feel so grateful for that. Thats why I share it sometimes, because I love him. I think hes hot, I think hes smart and hes incredibly talented. I feel so lucky to be in a relationship with somebody who feels the same about me, who is not shy about telling me that or uplifting me.'

APRIL 2021 - JODIE OPENS UP ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP AGAIN

Smith lauded 'supportive and loving' Jackson in an interview with People.

She said: 'I think it's really beautiful to be with someone who is so supportive and so loving. We're so similar in so many ways. We're like mirrors for each other. And I just really love that human being.

'We high-five each other all the time about how great we chose. We're like, 'You did a great job choosing,' and then we're like, 'Yeah, you too.'"

In July, Jackson says of his family life 'There is nothing that is not better off than being married to her and having that baby. It's everything.'

MARCH 2022 - JODIE POSES NAKED WITH JOSH

Jaw-dropping: Jodie left little to the imagination as she took to Instagram to share a slew of racy snaps posing naked with her husband in March 2022

Meow! Jodie cheekily captioned the photos: 'The cat that got the cream,' as Joshua replied: 'Youre talking about me right? Im the cat that got the creambecausewow'

Jodie left little to the imagination as she took to Instagram to share a slew of racy snaps posing naked with her husband.

The actress flashed her pert behind wearing just a diamond hair piece as her actor husband gently caressed her bottom.

The pair posed up a storm for the balcony shoot before they attended the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards in Los Angeles.

Jodie cheekily captioned the photos: 'The cat that got the cream,' as Joshua replied: 'Youre talking about me right? Im the cat that got the creambecausewow'.

SEPTEMBER 2022 - THE COUPLE GUSH ABOUT THEIR LOVE (BUT LATER UNFOLLOW EACH OTHER!)

Candid: The couple opened up about their love story in a joint interview with Forbes - but later unfollowed one another (pictured August 2023)

The couple opened up about their love story in a joint interview with Forbes.

Jackson says: 'The joy it is to watch her be in the process and be becoming a mother and how honored I feel to get to be next to thatto witness it, to watch it grow, to hopefully nurture it in its growth.

'I love how empowered my wife is inside of that fashion spacehow much it is a source of joy and that bleeds into her home life, as well. I love watching my wife be able to be uplifted and celebrated and seeing how fed she is by that makes me a very, very happy man when I get to see that.

Smith adds: 'When I met Josh and one of the biggest reasons why I married him, wanted him to be my husband, is because of how loved and supported I felt by him.

'I had never been with anyone who I thought was wanting to lift me up the way that I felt that he was lifting me up. That is one of my favorite things about him.

'It has been so magical to just see him be a dad. I mean, I can't think of a person in the world who doesn't have some form of 'daddy issues,' so when you see someone fathering in this really beautiful way and think to yourself, 'Wow, I'm actually setting my daughter up for such a beautiful life because look at this wonderful relationship that she has with her father and is going to have,' and that really gives me a lot of comfort.'

In September 2022 the pair sparked split rumors after they unfollowed each other on social media - after previously sharing multiple loved-up posts.

They then refollowed each other with Jackson brushing off split speculation as he gushed about his wife in a chat with E!News.

He said: 'She is undeniably one of the most beautiful women on the planet. And she always smashes it when shes on the red carpet. That is truly a wonder to behold.

'But I will tell you, that there is nothing like waking up in the morning, opening my eyes and seeing her face in the morning.'

APRIL 2023 - JACKSON SAYS SMITH CHANGED HIS VIEW ON MARRIAGE

Speaking to The Times, Jackson said: 'Partially, it's age. I'm old enough to be able to do this. Partially it's about finding somebody in the right moment of life. If we had met five years earlier we probably would have had a torrid affair, but all the rest of this stuff, I was just not ready. I didn't think I ever wanted to get married.

'Six months [after the proposal], she was pregnant and we were on our way. And now we have this beautiful baby who is literally the manifestation of that love. It is impossible for me to look into the face of my child without feeling love for my wife.'

The next month the pair make their Met Gala debut together.

SEPTEMBER 2023 - PAIR ATTEND FINAL EVENT TOGETHER BEFORE SPLIT

The pair looked loved-up as they attended their final public event together on September 12 - just one day before they separated.

The former couple looked happier than ever as they attended the COS Autumn/Winter 2023 event aboard a boat - posing up together and holding hands just hours before their union ended.

Joshua cut a dapper figure in an oversized double-breasted suit jacket and matching trousers, as he posed with Jodie,

Meanwhile Jodie showed off her impeccable sense of style in an edgy look.

The actress sizzled in a blazer featuring a plunging neckline drawing attention to her cleavage.

What happened? The pair looked loved-up as they attended their final public event together on September 12 - just one day before they separated

Next day split: The former couple looked happier than ever as they attended the COS Autumn/Winter 2023 event hand-in-hand - before splitting the next day

Celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser is representing Smith in the divorce, with the actress asking for joint custody of their daughter.

She does not want spousal support for either her or Jackson, with the pair not having a prenup in place.

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for the pair for comment.

Jodie and Joshua married in 2019 after meeting through mutual friends in 2018 and initially insisting that their romance was just 'casual'.

The pair began dating in October 2018 and tied the knot in December 2019 after the actress proposed during a New Year's Eve holiday in Nicaragua, with Joshua 'instinctively' saying yes.

Jodie was a banker before meeting Pharrell Williams who convinced her to become a model and move to Los Angeles. She made her acting debut in 2013 when she played a siren in the HBO series True Blood.

Turner-Smith rose to prominence after starring in the 2019 film, Queen & Slim.

She previously told People magazine that she appreciated being married to someone who has so much experience in the industry.

Joshua has been acting since 1991 and starred as Pacey Witter in the hit teen show, Dawson's Creek, from 1998 to 2003.

'He has a wealth of experience to offer and advice to offer that's based on experience,' Jodie said. 'And I love that. I just love picking his brain about things. I'm somebody who's just beginning. So that energy of someone who's just beginning, that excitement, that just everything and anything is possible, I think that I really inspire him with that.'

Ex: Before meeting Jodie, Joshua was in a decade-long romance with Diane Kruger, which ended in 2016 (pictured 2015) She is now in a relationship with Norman Reedus and shares a daughter with him

The Nightflyers actress told Seth that she watched Dawson's Creek when she was growing up and she was 'Team Pacey'.

One of the show's major storylines was the love triangle between Pacey, Joey(Katie Holmes) and Dawson(James Van Der Beek). It caused fan wars between those who were rooting for Pacey and those who were 'Team Dawson.'

'No offense to Dawson but it was all about Pacey,' she said.

Prior to his relationship with Smith, Jackson was in a decade-long romance with Diane Kruger, 47, which ended in 2016.

Diane started dating Josh after she split from her husband of five years, French director Guillaume Canet.

Diane is now in a relationship with The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus and the pair share a daughter, Nova, four.
Sam Frost's ex-boyfriend Sasha Mielczarek welcomed a daughter with his wife Carly Cottam in August.

And over the weekend, the former Bachelor star went on his first family holiday with baby girl Stevie and Carly.

The 43-year-old shared a sweet family photo to Instagram on Monday as he enjoyed a day at the beach with his wife and daughter.

In the image, Sasha was all smiles as he posed alongside Carly, who held Stevie in a baby sling.

'What a weekend! First family holiday with our little princess and some cracker games of footy! Feeling truly blessed,' he captioned the image.

Sam Frost's ex Sasha Mielczarek enjoyed a beach day with newborn daughter Stevie and wife Carly Cottam during first family holiday

The couple announced they had welcomed their daughter in August on Instagram, alongside a gallery of images with their newborn.

'Introducing the new love of our life, Stevie Marie Mielczarek (good luck spelling that my little angel). Born 01.08.2023 and already has more hair than Dad,' wrote Sasha at the time.

'To my amazing wife Carly, you continue to show me a resilience like no other and words cant express how much I love you.

'What a weekend! First family holiday with our little princess and some cracker games of footy! Feeling truly blessed,' he captioned the image

'I am in awe of everything you do and will be forever grateful for the sacrifices you have made for this family! Get ready for some baby posts,' he continued.

Sasha added the hashstags #realhousedadsofburleigh #dadlyf and #shesnotdatinguntilshes40.

Sasha and Carly married in an intimate ceremony in Italy in July 2022, surrounded by family and friends.

He proposed during a romantic holiday in Queensland.

Sasha debuted his relationship with Carly in December 2020, admitting at the time he was 'punching' above his weight.

The couple announced they had welcomed their daughter in August on Instagram, alongside a gallery of images with their newborn

'Weekends away with this one. Can't wait for many more to come,' Sasha captioned the snap, which was taken at Brunswick Heads, near Bryon Bay.

Sasha rose to fame on The Bachelorette Australia in 2015, where he met and fell in love with Sam Frost.

The couple had an acrimonious split and are believed to no longer be in contact.

Since their split, Sasha has largely remained out of the limelight.
Deep in the dark of a Soho screening theatre in London, I am watching a preview of the new Frasier show through my fingers. Why? Because I can hardly bear to look. Is it going to be terrible? Is it going to be terrific? Is it going to be a pale imitation of the greatness that went before?

There are millions of viewers around the world who believe that Frasier was perhaps the greatest sitcom ever made and I am one of them. For the 11 years it ran, from 1993 to 2004, Frasier was certainly one of the funniest, cleverest, most perfectly drawn and hilariously scripted television shows of all time.

Set in Seattle, it featured a ship of lovable fools played by a pitch-perfect cast, with a loving but fractured family dynamic at its heart. There was Frasier himself, the pretentious psychiatrist and radio host, played by the great Kelsey Grammer. Then there was his equally pretentious psychiatrist brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and their salt-of-the-earth father, retired policeman Martin Crane (John Mahoney).

Support came from Martin's carer Daphne (Jane Leeves), man-hungry radio producer Roz (Peri Gilpin), and Frasier's ex-wife Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth). Everyone was funny. Even Martin's dog, Eddie, was funny.

I still fondly remember classic episodes such as The Ski Lodge  22 minutes of pure, delicious farce  and The Innkeepers, where Frasier and Niles buy a posh restaurant where they argue about the souffles and flambe the Cherries Jubilee, with predictable consequences.

The reboot of Frasier has been picked up by Paramount+. It finds the eponymous psychiatrist relocated in Boston after leaving his home in Seattle, and charts his attempts to restart his relationship with his grown son Frederick 'Freddy' Crane

The original series was based in Seattle and was broadcast on NBC. It ran for 11 seasons between 1993 and 2004

Laughs could even be mined deep from an everyday Crane brothers discussion about the price increase despite the lack of pistachios in the biscotti at Cafe Nervosa.

'Fewer nuts, more money  something I've been aspiring to my entire professional life,' bawls Frasier, a line which perhaps wouldn't pass the censors in these grey days of wokedom and hurty feelings.

READ MORE: Kelsey Grammer reprises iconic psychiatrist role alongside new cast members - as premiere date for the highly anticipated series is revealed Advertisement

Is that one reason why Frasier should have been left to rest in peace, its magic safely stored in our collective memory banks? Too late. A brand new Frasier begins streaming on Paramount+ next week and there is no going back now.

The opening scenes find Frasier complaining to his old university friend Alan Cornwall (Nicholas Lyndhurst) about the lack of female company they had to endure when studying for their English degrees at Oxford all those years ago. 'The only women we could curl up with were the Bronte Sisters,' he bellows, which did make me laugh. And, more importantly, gave me hope.

For these reboots of once-popular television series, these reruns that play on our nostalgic affection for the familiar and the cosy, are almost always a mistake. Over the years, revamped versions of popular television series such as Dallas, The Bionic Woman, Charlie's Angels and Gossip Girl have all flopped miserably.

The BBC's 2015 revival of Poldark, starring Aidan Turner as the ravishing Cornishman, was an honourable exception to the rule, going on to become a bigger success than the 1975 original.

More typical is a recent reboot of Sex And The City, a cynical and sad exercise in creative defeatism, which was no match for the energy and verve of the original.

As the great Dr Frasier Crane himself once said, perhaps wearing his breakfast robe while playing the piano and contemplating a reviving glass of mid-morning sherry in his humble Seattle penthouse: 'It may be an unwise man who doesn't learn from his own mistakes, but it's an absolute idiot that doesn't learn from other people's.' And now this.

Kelsey Grammar has returned in his role as Dr Frasier Crane. The new show finds Frasier back on the east coast of America  via two profitable decades as a television star in Chicago

The opening scenes find Frasier complaining to his old university friend Alan Cornwall (Nicholas Lyndhurst) about the lack of female company they had to endure when studying for their English degrees at Oxford all those years ago

The new show finds Frasier back on the east coast of America  via two profitable decades as a television star in Chicago  and he seems a little more relaxed than before, uncharacteristically willing to adapt to his surroundings. 'What is it about the city of Boston that makes me want to forgo the pleasures of the fermented grape?' he says in the first episode, forsaking his beloved sherry for a glass of beer.

This is one of the many Easter eggs seeded throughout the new show; the in-jokes and throwbacks that refer to Frasier's complicated hinterland. The beer was a reference to Cheers, the original Boston bar-based sitcom in which the character of Frasier first appeared back in 1984. Grammer's Dr Crane popped up in the third series and stayed for years, before becoming a spin-off character with his own hit series.

The question is, can the magic happen again? To be honest, the show's producers, which include Grammer himself, are asking a great deal from the audience; perhaps more than any audience might be willing to give.

For a start, there are two hurdles for Frasier fans to overcome. One is that Frasier himself is the only major returning character, except for his son Frederick, but even he is played by a different actor (the deeply dimpled Jack Cutmore-Scott) now that he is an adult.

Roz and Lilith will be making cameo appearances but there is no Niles, which is a disaster. No Niles! We are talking Hardy without his Laurel, Seinfeld without George, a fish out of water without his chips on both shoulders.

David Hyde Pierce, the actor who played neurotic Niles so brilliantly, apparently had no interest in returning to the role.

David Hyde Pierce, the actor who played neurotic Niles so brilliantly, apparently had no interest in returning to the role

Frasier was a pretentious psychiatrist and radio host in the first offering but it appears more relaxed in the reboot

The original cast of the show received 108 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, with 37 wins

A shame, as his way of delivering a line was peerless. In one old episode, Frasier tries to reassure his younger brother of his love for him. 'I would shave my head for you,' he says. 'A gesture which becomes less significant with each passing year,' replies Niles, beadily eyeing Frasier's receding hairline.

In Niles's place comes David (Anders Keith), Niles's and Daphne's son who is merely camp and confused and rather a weak spot in the new set-up. John Mahoney, who played patriarch Martin Crane, died in 2018 and there is an affecting tribute to him at the end of the first episode which, I must confess, made me cry.

READ MORE: How Only Fools and Horses star Nicholas Lyndhurst is returning to work for Frasier reboot after tragic death of his 19-year-old son from brain haemorrhage Advertisement

Also the neighbourhood bar in the new series is called Mahoney's Tavern, a nice touch. His spirit also lives on in the character of Frederick, a fireman who has inherited much of his grandfather's peppery loathing of fancy and fuss.

The mutually exasperating but essentially loving relationship between Frasier and Martin lives on between Frasier and Frederick.

Secondly  and this is the big one  British audiences have to somehow get their head around the fact that Rodney Trotter from Only Fools And Horses is now Frasier's best friend. Not only that, he is a Harvard professor, complete with a lavish vocabulary and a taste for expensive whiskies.

Nicholas Lyndhurst tries his best and perhaps with time the shadow of Rodders will fade, like the elbows on his tweed jackets.

His boss Olivia (Toks Olagundoye), the chairman of the Harvard psychology department, treats him with energetic disdain. 'The only woman on your arm would be someone putting a blood pressure cuff on,' she tells him.

Yes, there are signs of life  despite the fact that the younger members of the cast just aren't funny and Frasier is the only truly comic character, a star turn instead of being what he should be; part of a terrific ensemble. And is it me or are there are worrying signs he is going soft in his old age?

'If there is anything I have ever wanted to be in life, more than anything else, it is to be a good father,' he blubs to Freddy at one point. In another scene he urges a young mother not to 'blink and miss the day that you held your child in your arms and rocked them to sleep'.

How one longs for Roz to tell him to stop being a 'titmouse' or 'a big doily' and pull himself together. But, most of all, how one longs for Niles.
Adam DeVine revealed his wife, Chloe Bridges, is pregnant with their first child together.

On Monday, the soon-to-be father, 39, took to Instagram to make the exciting announcement that he and the actress, 31, are expecting and suggested they will be welcoming a baby boy.

He shared a sweet photo of him wrapping his arms around the Camp Rock 2 star and caressing her baby bump as she leaned back against him.

The Pitch Perfect star  who witnessed a man get gunned down outside of his home in Hollywood earlier this year  also posted a cheeky photo of himself holding his own belly while posing back-to-back with his wife of two years.

In the caption of his post, DeVine exclaimed: 'Look we're pregnant!'

Exciting news: Adam DeVine revealed his wife, Chloe Bridges, is pregnant with their first child together. On Monday, the soon-to-be father, 39, took to Instagram to make the exciting announcement that he and the actress, 31, are expecting and suggested they will be welcoming a baby boy

Playing off their funny snap, he quipped, 'Well, I'm just fat now but Chloe is all preggo with a human baby!'

In a joking manner, he said his social media page will now be dedicated to his child and alluded to the fact that they will be having a baby boy.

'Obviously, very exciting stuff,' he added. 'This will mostly be a baby page now, as I will be dedicating my life to my child in hopes he doesn't use my decades of recorded dirty jokes against me.'

In the photos, the Workaholics alum donned a checkered polo shirt teamed with denim jeans to monochromatically match the Freddie alumna's chic, patterned maxi dress.

Bridges showcased her blossoming baby bump in a satin dress, which highlighted her figure.

Bridges also shared two photos of the pair posing on a pier in the front of the water at Newport Beach, California.

'We have news,' she wrote in her caption. 'Can't wait to get this lil family started'.

Many of their celebrity pals, including Francia Raisa and AnnaSophia Robb, took to the comments section to congratulate the pair on the happy news.

Big smiles! The Pitch Perfect star also posted a cheeky photo of himself holding his own belly while posing back-to-back with his wife of two years. In the caption of his post, DeVine exclaimed: 'Look we're pregnant!'

Parents-to-be: In their own posts, both DeVine and Bridges alluded to the fact that they will be welcoming a baby boy

Meet-cute: The pair originally first met on a flight to film their 2015 flick, The Final Girls, in Louisiana but apparently did not hit it off right away because DeVine was 'scared of Chloe's beauty'

Longtime couple: The longtime couple tied the knot at an intimate resort wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in December 2021 after six years of dating

'OH MY GOSH!!!!!! Chloe!!!! I can't wait! Congratulations,' Raisa, 35, gushed.

Bridges seemingly confirmed they will be having a boy when she replied and said, 'He's gonna have the very best tias.'

The pair originally first met on a flight to film their 2015 flick, The Final Girls, in Louisiana but apparently did not hit it off right away.

DeVine told Vogue in 2021 that he was mesmerized and 'scared of Chloe's beauty' at the time. Shortly after and as they made a connection during filming, the couple started a romantic relationship.

The longtime couple tied the knot at an intimate resort wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in December 2021 after six years of dating.
Kim Kardashian tried to put focus on a different luxury brand after she risked backlash for working with Balenciaga again following last year's pedophilia scandal.

The 42-year-old mother-of-four took to Instagram on Monday to share some very risque snaps of herself posed up in sexy Gucci ensemble in four grainy, vintage-feel snapshots.

Kim put on an eye-popping display in a tiny shimmering metallic bikini top from the Italian fashion house.

She paired the ensemble with what looked to be much more comfortable garments including a silk pajama set featuring Gucci's iconic monogram print all over it in brown.

Kim's signature raven-colored tresses were pulled back in a very long braid which ran down her neck to her lower back.

Wow factor: Kim Kardashian took to Instagram on Monday to share some very risque snaps of herself posed up in sexy Gucci ensemble in four grainy, vintage-feel snapshots

Eye-popping: As if the look wasn't already racy enough she also put on some very provocative poses including one of her sitting on the floor with her hands strewn across the foot of the bed

Kim's complexion shined as she no doubt wore plenty of highlighter on her face as she topped off her make-up with a swipe of nude, semi-glossy lip.

As if the look wasn't already racy enough she also put on some very provocative poses including one of her sitting on the floor with her hands strewn across the foot of the bed

The stunner captioned the set of snapshots to her 364million followers: 'Its all Gucci.'

This comes as the star has risked backlash again as she is featured in a Balenciaga campaign for the first time after refusing to cut ties with the brand following last year's pedophilia scandal which rocked the fashion world.

The SKIMS mogul was one of the models showcasing the Summer 2024 collection for the Paris-based fashion brand as she showcased her signature curves in a black latex dress.

It is interesting to note, however, that Kim did not rock the runway or even sit front row at Balenciaga's Paris Fashion Week show which was attended by her mother Kris Jenner and longtime pal Paris Hilton.

Nylon France contributing editor Louis Pisano explained the reality star's absence as they wrote in X (formally Twitter): 'Re. Kim Kardashian at Balenciaga: Demnagram just told me at the afterparty Kim is actually not not in Paris anymore, she left after VB show & party and they just shot her for the lookbook since she wasnt here.'

Kim had attended pal Victoria Beckham's Paris Fashion Week Show on Friday where she was accused of 'snubbing' Vogue editor Anna Wintour despite a years-long friendship.

Bling bling: The 42-year-old star put on an eye-popping display in a tiny shimmering metallic bikini top from the Italian fashion house

Selfie time! She paired the ensemble with what looked to be much more comfortable garments including a silk pajama set featuring Gucci's iconic monogram print all over it in brown

As for the mother-of-four's latest campaign with Balenciaga, she was featured in the lookbook wearing a relatively edgy ensemble including a figure-hugging shiny black midi dress featuring an asymmetrical hemline.

She teamed the sleeveless number with a pair of black clinging thigh-high boots as she oddly carried a shimmering silver stiletto heel.

Her signature raven-colored locks were wet and worn down in a middle-part as she wore minimal make-up in nude tones to accentuate her looks.

In November 2022, Kim had refused to cut ties with Balenciaga, despite a controversy that saw the company linked to a shoot that placed children alongside BDSM-themed items.

Kardashian, who has been in business with the company for several years spoke out days after it had already apologized for the scandal.

The reality TV star said that while she was 'shaken' and 'disgusted' to see the images in the controversial ad campaign, she had wanted to speak with officials at the designer to understand how it came to be.

Clearly embarrassed by their ill-judged campaign, Balenciaga took the drastic step of wiping its social media pages clean.

'I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven't been shocked and outraged by the recent Balenciaga campaigns, but because I wanted an opportunity to speak to their team to understand for myself how this could have happened,' the Los Angeles-born celebrity said in a statement on her Instagram page at the time.

Interesting: Kim was featured in a Balenciaga campaign for the first time after refusing to cut ties with the brand following last year's pedophilia scandal which rocked the fashion world

Hmm: It is interesting to note, however, that Kim did not rock the runway or even sit front row at Balenciaga's Paris Fashion Week show which was attended by her mother Kris Jenner (left) and longtime pal Paris Hilton

Awkward! Kim had attended pal Victoria Beckham's Paris Fashion Week Show on Friday where she was accused of 'snubbing' Vogue editor Anna Wintour despite a years-long friendship

Simply stunning: As for the mother-of-four's latest campaign with Balenciaga, she was featured in the lookbook wearing a relatively edgy ensemble including a figure-hugging shiny black midi dress featuring an asymmetrical hemline

She continued: 'As a mother of four, I have been shaken by those disturbing images. The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and anything against it should have no place in our society - period.'

She subsequently reissued the statement that saw some of the wording changed using stronger language adding: 'any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society - period.'

However, on balance, Kardashian said that she is comfortable with how the company reacted to the scandal.

'I appreciate Balenciaga's removal of the campaigns and apology. In speaking with them, I believe they understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this to never happen again.'

In an additional post, to both Instagram and Twitter, Kardashian said she was reconsidering her relationship with the fashion brand but had not yet many any firm decisions.

'As for my future with Balenciaga, I am currently re-evaluating my relationship with the brand, basing it off their willingness to accept accountability for something that should have never happened to begin with -- & the actions I am expecting to see them take to protect children.'

Kardashian was often seen wearing Balenciaga to major events and has featured in several of the brand's campaigns in the past.

Essentially the fashion face of the company, Kardashian is Balenciaga's biggest supporter and the brand's most famous model, appearing to walk on water in the fashion house's fall 2022 campaign.

Made a stand: In November 2022, Kim had refused to cut ties with Balenciaga, despite a controversy that saw the company linked to a shoot that placed children alongside BDSM-themed items; she is seen in Paris on Friday

The reality TV star said that while she was 'shaken' and 'disgusted' to see the images in the controversial ad campaign, she had wanted to speak with officials at the designer to understand how it came to be as she posted this statement in November 2022

She subsequently issued a second statement that changed some of the wording, noting that 'any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society - period'

In an additional post, this time to both Twitter and Instagram, Kardashian said she was reconsidering her relationship with the fashion brand

She was famously introduced to Balenciaga Creative Director Demna Gvasalia by her ex, Kanye West with the couple's daughters also sporting the brand, too, having recently been spotted carrying four-figure bags from the brand.

She acknowledge the role her ex-husband had played in the relationship in December 2021 as she spoke at the People's Choice Awards where she accepted an award for fashion.

'To Kanye, for really introducing me to the fashion world,' she said. 'I fell in love with fashion and I'm so inspired by so many people. But again, this is like a dream that I get to wake up and wear these amazing clothes and try new things and take a risk. I'm so humbled.'

Around the time of controversy Balenciaga had apologized for the photoshoot with a child holding a teddy bear dressed in a BDSM outfit that outraged hundreds of people online.

Balenciaga, a globally-renowned Spanish fashion house which dresses the likes of Kim in addition to Beyonce and Nicole Kidman, apologized for the set that featured the stuffed animals.

Perhaps even more bizarrely, a Twitter user discovered that one of the photos in a separate shoot contained an excerpt from the 2008 US Supreme Court opinion in United States v. Williams, which upheld part of a federal child pornography law, which Twitter's own fact-checkers confirmed.

The ruling determined that offering or requesting to transfer, sell, deliver, or trade child pornography did not violate the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, even if a person charged under the code did not in fact possess child pornography with which to trade. The late Justice Antonin Scalia noted specifically that offers to engage in illegal transactions are categorically excluded from First Amendment protection.

Balenciaga released the statement on November 23, 2022 apologizing for both photoshoots and seemingly suggested they would take legal action against anyone else involved.

The statement reads: 'We sincerely apologize for any offense our holiday campaign may have caused. Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms.

'We apologize for displaying unsettling documents in our campaign. We take this matter very seriously and are taking legal action against the parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items for our Spring 23 campaign photoshoot. We strongly condemn abuse of children in any form. We stand for children safety and well-being.'

They later clarified in a statement to DailyMail.com that neither Galimberti - nor photographer Chris Maggio, who shot the photos with the Supreme Court brief - would be part of any legal action. A spokesperson said they would be suing the creatives who were hired for the Spring 23 collection photos.

Balenciaga told DailyMail.com: 'Balenciaga is not taking any legal action towards Gabriele Galimberti, the photographer of the Holiday campaign, that includes a child holding a teddy bear bag.

'Gabriele Galimberti was not involved in any way with the Spring 23 campaign involving unsettling documents in an office.'

A young girl is pictured holding a teddy bear in bondage style gear was taken down from the gift shop section of the Balenciaga website

Fashion brand Balenciaga is apologizing for what many believe is a photoshoot that amounts to child pornography, with a child holding a teddy bear dressed in a BDSM outfit

The bondage-clad teddybears are actually handbags that appeared on the runway earlier this year

Gabriele Galimberti, the photographer on the shoot, has disavowed any connection with the ideas behind the shoot

Perhaps even more bizarrely, a Twitter user discovered an Easter egg in the shoot, with one of the photos containing an excerpt from the US Supreme Court opinion in United States v. Williams, which upheld part of a federal child pornography law, which Twitter's own fact-checkers confirmed

The photographer Galimberti promoted the images as part of a project series he called 'Toy Stories,' in an apparent reference to the Disney/Pixar film series, according to the Daily Dot.

He writes of the project on his website: 'For over two years, I visited more than 50 countries and created colorful images of boys and girls in their homes and neighborhoods with their most prized possessions: their toys.'

'From Texas to India, Malawi to China, Iceland, Morocco, and Fiji, I recorded the spontaneous and natural joy that unites kids despite their diverse backgrounds. Whether the child owns a veritable fleet of miniature cars or a single stuffed monkey, the pride that they have is moving, funny, and thought provoking.'

Galimberti has been featured in National Geographic, The Sunday Times, Stern, Geo, Le Monde, La Repubblica and Marie Claire, according to his website.

His work has also been displayed in museums in England and Switzerland.

Galimberti had never addressed the controversy, though Instagram commenters had swarmed some of his photos, harshly criticizing the photo sets as child pornography.

Balenciaga previously had two images of young children cuddling up with the plush handbags on their website that now appear to have been wiped.

The first photo on the online store shows a young ginger-haired child standing on a plush pink bed while holding a white teddy bag by its leather strap.

As well as having spiky leather bracelets around the bear's arms and legs, the soft toy is dressed in a mesh crop top with a chain and padlock around its neck.

The gift shop section of the website features another image of a child standing on a sofa and holding a purple furry toy bag.

The Italian photographer Galimberti promoted the images as part of a project series he called 'Toy Stories,' in an apparent reference to the Disney/Pixar film series

Outraged parents branded the images 'creepy and wrong' on social media

Along with a leather S&M get-up, the plush toy is also wearing what looks like a black lace thong.

In the background of the image, a blue toy bag has been placed on a side table and is wrapped in more studded leather bands.

Although the bags are not available to purchase on their website yet, the images have been produced to promote the items in their gift range - including reusable coffee cups and a dog harness.

Unsurprisingly, the campaign images have caused a stir among parents on social media - who branded them 'creepy' and 'uncomfortable'.

'Frightening how many adults must have been involved in this,' one Twitter user mused. 'Parents, photographers, creative directors, copywriters, design agency staff, producers, managers, advertisers... and not one of them thought, "hang on a minute?"'

Parents were amazed that the photoshoot got the sign-off, with some labelling the images 'uncomfortable'

Mumsnet users were up in arms at the images and accused the brand of trying to 'shock' people

Another raged: 'Jesus, that's just creepy and wrong.'

Over on Mumsnet, parents took issue with the 'highly inappropriate' photoshoot.

One wrote: 'B****y typical of Balenciaga. They shock to get attention for there overpriced rubbish. It's like a social experiment on how ridiculous there products are but yet people buy the rubbish.

'This though is disgusting and verging on depraved. What possessed the parents of this child to think this is any sort of normal I cannot fathom.'

'That is a very uncomfortable image,' another added.

Conservative commentator Candace Owens called on Kim Kardashian and sist
Married at First Sight UK viewers branded Brad 'gross' and 'controlling', and accused him of 'love bombing' his wife Shona during Monday's episode of the show.

Groom Brad and bride Shona appeared to have got on very well together during the first few instalments of the series and had been extremely tactile with each other.

However, things took a turn when Brad went behind Shona's back and approached the programme's other couples to discuss his relationship with her, branding her 'naive', 'immature' and 'selfish'.

Shona admitted she was disappointed with Brad, saying she thought they started off brilliantly but was left to believe she had fallen out of favour with him, prompting viewers to accuse Brad of 'love bombing' Shona.

She told Brad: 'I am feeling really rubbish today. I saw you talking to Laura and I thought you guys were having a good chat so to hear that my husband was just kind of like ripping into me, that's what it felt like.

Unimpressed: Married at First Sight UK viewers branded Brad (pictured) 'gross' and 'controlling', accusing him of 'love bombing' wife Shona during Monday's episode of the show

Troubles: Brad went behind Shona's back and approached the programme's other couples to discuss his relationship with her, branding her 'naive', 'immature' and 'selfish'

'It was hurtful for me to hear you saying like, "Shona's naive, she's selfish or she's childish. She's 31 but she's forgetful".

'You sat and told people really intimate things about us. I feel so flat.'

Brad replied: 'It was more of a case of just venting to people because there was just things that I was noticing a lot that I'd mentioned to you in the past, that was continuing to happen. Sometimes it's nice to speak to friends about things.'

Shona interjected: 'Just not everyone in the room.'

'I can understand where you're coming from in respect of you don't want everybody to know our business and I'll take that on board because I didn't know that was something you'd be uncomfortable with,' said Brad.

He continued: 'I apologise for ever making you feel a certain way, negatively, because I never want to do that.'

Shona told him: 'I feel like you just have to try and love my imperfections a bit. Don't get so irritated by them.'

To which Brad said: 'I've got to learn to love the... they're not imperfections... but the way I feel about you is more important.'

Tacics? Shona was disappointed with Brad, saying she thought they started off brilliantly but was left to believe she had fallen out of favour, with viewers to accusing Brad of 'love bombing'

However, viewer's weren't buying Brad's response to Shona, with many taking to Twitter to express their views.

One person wrote: 'Brad love bombed Shona and now Shona is under his finger, is switching to the controlling and manipulative side. Were literally watching the beginning of an abusive relationship.'

Someone else shared: 'Can see where this Brad/Shona thing is going. Intense love-bombing followed by diminishing her and if she complains she'll be insulted in an underhand way or told she's not (fill in the blank) enough. He fits a template. Hope she gets wise.'

'Wow Brad what a snake.... He's really belittled Shona there...I always suspected he wasn't a nice guy,' wrote another show fan.

Another person remarked: 'Brad. Think hes a secret control freak. Shona should run and dont turn around.'

Opinion: Viewer's weren't buying Brad's apology to Shona, with many taking to Twitter to express their views

While someone else commented: 'Brad is a [red flag emoji - very controlling and manipulating behaviour.'

'Brad does give off controlling cult leader energy,' tweeted another viewer.

While someone else predicted: 'Shona and Brad will be one of the first to split up.'

Married at First Sight continues on Tuesday at 9pm on E4.
Eva Longoria looked incredible in a white layered gown as she graced the catwalk of L'Oreal on Sunday evening amid Paris Fashion Week.

The actress, 48, showed off her age-defying looks as she sizzled in the semi-sheer feathered number.

The Flamin' Hot film director put on a sultry display as she flaunted her sculpted legs under a racy thigh-high split.

Eva towered herself in a pair of silver strappy Santoni heels, as she gleamed under the spotlight.

The Desperate Housewives sensation oozed confidence on the catwalk of Walk Your Worth show - an empowering celebration of womanhood.

Wow! Eva Longoria looked incredible in a white layered gown as she graced the catwalk of L'Oreal on Sunday evening amid Paris Fashion Week.

Turning heads: The actress, 48, showed off her age-defying looks as she sizzled in the semi-sheer feathered number

The star donned a smokey eyes and pouted her lips with a nude glossy lipstick to complete her impeccable look.

Kendall Jenner, Dame Helen Mirren, Elle Fanning and Viola Davis were among those to walk the runway on a mild night in Paris, while Andie MacDowell and Bollywood legend Aishwarya Rai Bachchan also made welcome appearances.

Eva beamed as she greeted onlookers at the event, as she joined her fellow ambassadors, and flashed a peace sign while gracing the runaway.

Evidently in high spirits, the Latina actress waved to guests while making her latest promotional appearance on behalf of the cosmetics brand.

Accentuating her slender physique in an elegant silver gown, Kendall, 27, inevitably claimed the spotlight as the event got underway.

With metallic colours proving to be a dominant theme on the night, Dame Helen, 78, matched the American model in her own sweeping silver gown - complete with tastefully cinched waist.

Meanwhile actress Elle, 25, commanded attention in a plunging gold evening dress with a semi-sheer detail.

Bucking the trend, Four Weddings And A Funeral star Andie opted for an edgy black PVC coat over a matching bralette and high-slung PVC trousers.

Toned: The Flamin' Hot film director put on a sultry display as she flaunted her sculpted legs under a racy thigh-high split

Fashionista: Eva towered herself in a pair of silver strappy Santoni heels, as she gleamed under the spotlight

Sultry: The Desperate Housewives sensation oozed confidence on the catwalk of Walk Your Worth show - an empowering celebration of womanhood

Bombshell: The star donned a smokey eyes and pouted her lips with a nude glossy lipstick to complete her impeccable look

Celebrating womanhood: Kendall Jenner, Dame Helen Mirren, Elle Fanning and Viola Davis were among those to walk the runway on a mild night in Paris, while Andie MacDowell and Bollywood legend Aishwarya Rai Bachchan also made welcome appearances

Joyful: Eva beamed as she greeted onlookers at the event, as she joined her fellow ambassadors, and flashed a peace sign while gracing the runaway

The actress, 65, rounded off her runway look with a pair of chunky silver heels, while dramatic make-up drew further attention to her delicately proportioned features.

Indian actress Aishwarya, 49, was on hand to co-present Sunday's event, and she was appropriately dressed for the occasion in a heavily embellished gold gown with cascading overlays.

Making a surprise appearance at the event, Rochelle Humes walked the runway in a form-fitting sequinned gown with a thigh-high slash.

The This Morning co-host, 34, added to the look with a pair of strappy black heels, while her hair was side-parted and pushed away from her face.

Each of the brands spokespeople walked the runway, with other guests including Marie Bochet, Cindy Bruna, Camila Cabello, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Luma Grothe, Liya Kebede, Katherine Langford, Aja Naomi King, Soo Joo Park and Yseult.

Confirming the Eiffel Tower event in a September 12 press release, a L'Oreal Paris representative said: 'In the heart of the worlds fashion capital, the esplanade of the iconic Iron Lady will set the stage for a spectacular tribute to womens empowerment  the first major event ever hosted at this monumental site.'

It is the sixth Walk Your Worth catwalk show to take place at Paris Fashion Week - to whom L'Oreal serves as an official partner - since 2017.

The representative added that it will celebrate sisterhood as well as the synergy between state-of-the-art beauty expertise and fashion."
Naomi Campbell showed off her impeccable sense of style in a glamorous black gown as she stepped out amid Paris Fashion Week.

The fashion icon, 50, made a typically glamorous exit in a chenille halter turtleneck dress, boosting her jaw-dropping figure.

The supermodel exuded class as always, as the incredible number featured a very eye-catching silver string with rhinestone embellishments on her bust.

The dazzling detail displayed a slew of long strings as they dangled down by her waist.

The runaway queen matched the dominant colour of her incredible look, and wore black stiletto heels.

Fashion icon: Naomi Campbell showed off her impeccable sense of style in a glamorous black gown as she stepped out amid Paris Fashion Week

Glamour queen: The fashion icon, 50, made a typically glamorous exit in a chenille halter turtleneck dress, boosting her jaw-dropping figure

Naomi also carried a PVC black shoulder bag in her hands, while making her way out of the luxurious hotel.

The catwalk sensation accessorised with a diamond bracelet and matching drop earrings.

The fashion legend continued to show off her sense of style as she rocked black purple-tinted squared shades, and wore her long tresses loose straight.

Naomi was among a whole host of legendary supermodels who were featured in an iconic Vogue issue that aimed to question the 'mythology of beauty'.

She joined the likes of Helena Christensen, 54, Cindy Crawford, 57, Eva Herzigova, 50, Carla Bruni, 55, and Claudia Schiffer, 53.

Naomi looked absolutely breathtaking as she posed in a dramatic black feather headpiece and ensemble from Dolce & Gabbana.

Arguably stealing the show was Helena, who stripped off to reveal her nude body and wore just a pair of sheer gloves as she commanded attention in front of the camera.

Cindy, who slipped into a lace bodice with thigh-high stockings and sheer gloves, proved why she is still one of the sexiest women alive while throwing her head back for a jaw-dropping shot.

Model fever: Naomi was also front and center on Vanity Fair's latest issue , in a shimmery maroon dress, alongside other stars including Kristen McMenamy, Elisabetta Dessy, Christy Turlington, Shalom Harlow and Penelope Tree

Fashion legend: Naomi is captured on the Vanity Fair's latest issue, which covers models who were at the height of their fame between 1960 and 1990.

In the black and white image, the mother-of-two, who welcomed her second child, a baby boy, in June, looked wistfully into the distance as she sported a classic winged eyeliner and a creamy matte lipstick.

The undisputed queen of the catwalk wore a pair of lace opera-length gloves for an elegant flair.

Naomi was also front and center on Vanity Fair's latest issue, in a shimmery maroon dress, alongside other stars including Kristen McMenamy, Elisabetta Dessy, Christy Turlington, Shalom Harlow and Penelope Tree.

Completing the line-up was Lauren Hutton, Iman, Milla Jovovich, Amber Valletta, Pat Cleveland, Stephanie Seymour, Carolyn Murphy, Kirsten Owen and Paulina Porizkova.

The issue covers models who were at the height of their fame between 1960 and 1990.

Speaking about the models on the cover, Vanity Fair Italy's editor Simone Marchetti said: 'In retrospect, their departure from the fashion landscape and the arrival of less perfect beauty represented the beginning of a change.

'For the first time, fragility trumped perfection, vulnerability over power. And this is where we are today: the return of models is the last act of a revolution which is finally making peace with its own history.

'After having learned over the last decade to appreciate bodies, shapes and ages different, a new idea of beauty is finally making headway: that of freedom, respect and diversity.'

Earlier on Saturday, Naomi lit up the runway with a sizzling look at the Alexander McQueen show during Paris Fashion Week.

The supermodel made sure all eyes were on her as showed off her age-defying looks in a knockout piece from the collection.

The star-studded front row - which included the likes of Cate Blanchett, Letitia Wright and Elle Fanning  were hooked as Naomi put on a stunning display strutting her stuff.

The mother-of-two looked incredible in a strapless metallic top that featured a plunging neckline.

The bottom half of it stuck out like a mermaid's tail, which really captivated the whole look.

A string skirt made up the lower half of the ensemble, flashing her toned pins, while she gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of pointed silver heels.

Her makeup was flawless, highlighting her high cheekbones and impeccable jawline, whilst her raven hair hung loose behind her back.

After the show, the fashion icon enjoyed a dinner at The Costes Hotel and made her way through a large crowd of onlookers and fans.

She stunned in a bright patterned top and accessorised with a bold black collar hat really made her stand out from the crowd.

She scraped her hair back behind her ears from a side parting and accentuated her stunning cheekbones with some blusher, while opting for a smokey eye.

The outing comes as a clip of the supermodel appearing on the Graham Norton show in 2014 has picked up traction again and gone viral.

Naomi owned her true self and personality during an interview from series 14 on the famous BBC show.

Whilst sat on the red couch alongside Ant and Dec, Jamie Dornan and Aaron Paul, she told host Graham that if he was intimidated by her, than that was all on him and nothing to do with her or her reputation of being a diva.

Graham said: When I meet you youre very friendly and nice, but at the same time, there is a kind of intimidating thing

Quick to hit back, Naomi pointed out: But thats on you. Thats not on me.

Turning up the heat: Naomi lit up the runway with a sizzling look at the Alexander McQueen show during Paris Fashion Week on Saturday

Sensational: The mother-of-two looked incredible in a strapless metallic top that featured a plunging neckline and a daring string skirt which showcased her toned legs

Witty Graham joked: Well its coming from you, though, leaving the audience in fits of laughter.

Naomi stood her ground and said: Thats coming from you. You feel. Im just a girl from South London..

To which Graham quipped back: Maybe thats it.
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Zendaya looked the epitome of chic at the Louis Vuitton show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday.

The actress, 27, made a stylish arrival alongside Ana de Armas, Cynthia Erivo and Cate Blanchett.

Zendaya showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a plunging white gown with gold straps and a daring thigh-high split.

She elevated her height in matching stilettos and accessorised with gold hoop earrings.

Meanwhile, Ana looked incredible as she flashed her abs in a bronze sequin ensemble and a bra.

Wow! Zendaya made a stylish arrival alongside Ana de Armas, Cynthia Erivo and Cate Blanchett at the Louis Vuitton show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday

Incredible: The actress, 27, showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a plunging white gown with gold straps and a daring thigh-high split

Incredible: Zendaya posed for a series of sizzling snaps inside the lavish venue

Cynthia put on a very leggy display in a blue and black bodysuit, teamed with a colourful cape and platform heels.

Cate looked typically stylish in a retro black jumpsuit with a chunky belt which cinched in her waist.

Chloe Graze Moretz stood out in an all-black leather ensemble which included figure-hugging trousers and a jacket.

Elsewhere, Jennifer Connelly looked incredible when she was pictured at the Louis Vuitton show with Paul Bettany.

The Hollywood power couple remain very much in love and it's easy to see why.

Jennifer, 52, looked incredible wearing a colour-blocking mini dress which had a dusky pink top section which had a cowl neck design.

The bottom half was an orange bell-shaped mini skirt which she teamed with chunky flat black boots.

Paul, also 52, looked equally cool wearing an all-black ensemble which consisted of a black leather aviator jacket, black jeans and Adidas trainers.

He completed his look with a pair of designer sunglasses as he flashed a cheeky smile.

PFW: Paris Fashion Week kicked off on Monday and runs to October 3, with 107 brands presenting, of which 67 are giving runway shows

Stunning: Zendaya showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a plunging white gown with gold straps and a daring thigh-high split

Unreal: Her long brunette locks were styled poker straight and she sported a glamorous makeup look

Happy: The outing comes after Zendaya celebrated her 27th birthday earlier this month

Stylish: Ana looked incredible as she flashed her abs in a bronze sequin ensemble and a bra

Eye-catching: Cynthia put on a very leggy display in a blue and black bodysuit, teamed with a colourful cape and platform heels

Glowing: The star carried a pale blue handbag and accessorised with dainty silver jewellery

Chic: Cate looked typically stylish in a retro black jumpsuit with a chunky belt which cinched in her waist

Beauty: Her short blonde tresses were styled to one side in loose waves and she opted for a soft glam makeup look

Incredible: Phoebe Dynevor turned heads in a plunging black leather mini dress, while boosting her height in heeled boots

Pretty: Her auburn tresses were styled straight and she sported a natural bronzed makeup look

Wow! She oozed confidence as she stepped out of her private vehicle

Racy: Chloe Graze Moretz stood out in an all-black leather ensemble which included figure-hugging trousers and a jacket

Beaming: Chloe shielded her eyes behind a pair of black sunglasses

Looking good: Gemma Chan donned a green and white mini dress with a stylish cape detail

Pretty: Alicia Vikander rocked a chic autumn look which consisted of a white patterned coat and skirt, teamed with brown knee-high boots

Jennifer and Paul have been married for 20 years after tying the knot in a private family ceremony in Scotland.

The couple are parents to two children - Stellan, 19, and Agnes, 14 - while Jennifer also has an older son Kai, 26, with her photographer ex David Dugan.

Paris Fashion Week kicked off on Monday and runs to October 3, with 107 brands presenting, of which 67 are giving runway shows.

One of the first big names was Pierre Cardin, which has returned to the official Paris lineup this year for the first time in a quarter-century.

Its show was full of retro space-age outfits that harked back to its glory days, but the relatives of Cardin, who died in 2020, are currently tearing each other apart in court over the inheritance.

'My uncle gave me the mission to perpetuate the house and its style,' Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin, who is currently overseeing the label, said backstage.

'If the brand is sold, it will be the end of the house. I am confident the court decisions will ensure continuity,' he added.

Among the other highlights so far was the latest collection from Dior on Tuesday, which saw the walls of the show plastered with mock sexist slogans from old adverts, such as 'Save your marriage - iron properly'.

Chic: Lea Seydoux showed off her sensational figure in black and white patterned trousers, teamed with a bodysuit and leather jacket

Power couple: Jennifer Connelly looked incredible in a colour-blocking cowl neck dress as she joined husband Paul Bettany, both 52, at the Louis Vuitton show

Striking: Jennifer, 52, looked incredible wearing a colour-blocking mini dress which had a dusky pink top section which had a cowl neck design

Happy: Ana DuVernay put on an animated display outside of the star-studded show

Stylish: Pharrell Williams donned a denim jacket and trouser co-ord with dazzling chunky white shoes

Louis Vuitton: Stray Kids star Felix looked smart in a white blazer and black leather trousers

Looking good: Jaden Smith looked typically stylish in a white patterned gilet, teamed with blue baggy jeans and black boots

PFW: Paris Fashion Week kicked off on Monday and runs to October 3, with 107 brands presenting, of which 67 are giving runway shows

Amazing: US tennis player Venus Williams was pictured at the star-studded event

Pose: Venus put on a busty display in a plunging black bodysuit, teamed with beige shorts

Turning heads: Jurnee Smollett stood out in bold red trousers and a black zip-up top

Smart: Emma Chamberlain donned a black suit and chunky boots

Chic: Regina King attends the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2024 womenswear fashion collection

Bold: Lauren Wasser flashed her washboard abs in a white tank top and a fur coat

Strike a pose: Este Haim, Danielle Haim and Alana Haim posed for a group shot

Bold: French fashion editor Carine Roitfeld donned a leather black midi skirt and a graphic T-shirt

Toned: Kelly Piquet donned a plunging grey blazer with a belt which cinched in her waist

Looking good: Phoebe Dynevor attends the Louis Vuitton Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show

Nice: Cate Blanchett attends the Louis Vuitton Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show

Pretty: Gemma wowed in a pretty green and white dress

Out there: Robyn wore a bright blue coat and black skirt

Quirky: Savanah Leaf commanded attention in a dazzling black dress and matching dress

Event: Chloe Grace Moretz posed inside the venue

Striking: Zendaya was commanding attention while inside

Looking good: Jessica Aidi and Marco Verratti posed for a cosy snap

Protest: A protester was pictured being led away by police after orange paint was thrown before the Louis Vuitton Show

Vandalism: Activists from Dernier Renovation sprayed orange paint on the Louis Vuitton window on Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris

Chaos: Some protesters were arrested by police at the event

Fashion: Designer Nicolas Ghesquiere appears at the end of his Spring/Summer 2024 Women's ready-to-wear collection show for fashion house Louis Vuitton

Confident: A model presents a creation by Nicolas as part of his Spring/Summer 2024 collection

Show: The models oozed confidence as they strut down the runway, while celebrities watched from the front row

The collection by Maria Grazia Chiuri, who recently dressed Queen Camilla for her state dinner at Versailles, was a largely monochrome affair with comfortable, breezy items alongside straight masculine jackets, pleated skirts and plenty of knitwear.

Coming later this week are final shows for two big-name designers.

Gabriela Hearst is leaving Chloe after fewer than three years.

Her focus on sustainable fashion was critically acclaimed but did not bring a major boost to sales.

It will also be the last show for Sarah Burton, who took over at Alexander McQueen following the founder's suicide in 2010.
It comes months after the DOT urged airlines to make such commitments

JetBlue has committed to seat children under 13 with a parent without a charge

JetBlue has become the fourth airline to adopt a policy of allowing children and at least one parent to sit together without having to pay to choose their seats.

It comes after the Department of Transportation in July launched a website tracking whether airlines would commit to seating children aged 13 and under next to a parent for free.

At the time the Department urged all airlines to guarantee family seating, adding it was 'not satisfied' with responses so far.

But JetBlue has now joined Frontier, United and Alaska Airlines in adopting the policy. Of the main US airlines, Allegiant, Delta, Hawaiian, Southwest, Spirit and United are all yet to implement the change.

'We are glad to see that JetBlue has joined Alaska, American, and Frontier in committed to guaranteeing fee-free family seating  all other airlines should do the same. DOT is also pursuing a rulemaking that would require all airlines to do so,' a spokesperson for the Department said in a statement.

JetBlue has become the fourth airline to adopt a policy of allowing children and at least one parent to sit together without having to pay a fee to choose their seats

Department of Transport in July launched a website tracking whether airlines would commit to seating children aged 13 and under next to a parent for free

Announcing the new policy, JetBlue's president and chief operating officer Joanna Geraghty said: 'We know traveling with young children can add challenges, and we want to do everything we can to put parents and families at ease by providing a smooth trip each time they choose JetBlue.

'This enhanced family seating policy reflects our commitment to continue to meet the needs of our customers and provide exceptional service.'

A statement, published on September 27, noted that a child would be able to sit next to 'at least one' accompanying adult.

The Department of Transportation has previously urged all US airlines to adopt similar policies. It added it was unsatisfied by the response of some firms which said they would 'make efforts' to seat families together.

The airline claims that its booking system will identify bookings with children and assign seats together for at least one accompanying parent as long as adjacent seats are still available when the flight is booked.

If there were no seats next to each other at the time of the booking, JetBlue says it will still attempt to accommodate families but that it would need to be done at the gate.

The new policy will apply to passengers travelling on all of the airline's fare options.

A JetBlue statement published on September 27 noted that a child would be able to sit next to 'at least one' accompanying adult

Allegiant, Delta, Hawaiian, Southwest, Spirit and United are all yet to implement the change proposed by the Department of Transport

The DOT campaign was launched as the Biden administration has launched an attack on junk fees more broadly - charges that are tacked onto everything from concert tickets and food delivery orders to airline tickets and car rentals.

They are deployed in almost all consumer industries and designed to lure customers in with an appealing price, only to charge them more at the last minute.

The White House estimated in January that they cost Americans around $65 billion every year.
Have YOU been through an inheritance nightmare? Please email: money@dailymail.com

Most families might be forgiven for thinking a well-executed will is enough to ensure their fortune is handed over fairly to their heirs.

But experts warn this is increasingly not the case as America's growing number of financial accounts risks invalidating their estate plans.

For example, an individual may have a will that states their wealth should be divided between their children. But a long forgotten about form on a life insurance policy could list an ex-spouse as a beneficiary - sparking nasty legal battles.

Florida financial planner Paxton Driscoll told DailyMail.com: 'The most important thing for older people to make sure is that their affairs are all aligned.

'Lawyers love to charge money wherever they can so families have to be crystal clear on who the beneficiaries of their estates are.'

Florida financial planner Paxton Driscoll told DailyMail.com that he regularly saw clients who didn't realize they had an account with an ex-spouse listed as a beneficiary

Adults expecting to inherit in the next decade estimate they will receive over $700,000 on average, a report by life insurer New York Life found

America is about to embark on a 'great wealth transfer,' experts say, with the average adult expecting to receive over $700,000 in the next decade, according to New York Life.

But financial planners warn inheritance planning is increasingly complicated by the sheer number of accounts that Americans now own that have beneficiary forms attached.

These include life insurance policies, retirement pots and even some bank and brokerage accounts.

If these accounts have the wrong beneficiary listed, their whole value can be transferred to that person - no matter what your will or other estate plans claim.

Driscoll added: 'I constantly have people come to me and find out that their ex-wife is actually listed as a beneficiary on some kind of financial account.

'Most assume the bank will let them know if something is wrong but it's up to you to keep on top of these things.'

Dr James Rocconi's family is among those to have suffered an ugly court battle as a result of an outdated beneficiary form.

Dr Rocconi changed all of his estate plans after his third wife left him and handwrote an alteration to his life insurance policy which was faxed over to the insurer.

The note changed the beneficiary on his policy from his former partner to his children.

But after he died in 2017, his family discovered the insurer had not accepted the faxed change because it had not been signed by the deceased.

It sparked a six-year legal battle between the children and his former spouse over the payout.

His son Dr Tony Rocconi told the Wall Street Journal: 'He told me what he wanted. I wasnt going to let her win. I just wanted him vindicated.'

The children eventually got their share of the life insurance money and donated it to his father's church, the WSJ reported.

They won in court because their case was helped by the fact there were voice recordings stating the father's wishes. A recording heard the deceased state: 'I've got to get her off,' according to the WSJ.

The Arkansas Supreme Court said he had 'substantially complied' with the insurer's policy change requirements.

However, many families are not so lucky. And the issue is complicated by different beneficiary rules for different accounts.

For example, laws around 401(K)s mean the spouse of a deceased owner is automatically entitled to the funds unless they formally waive it. Any waiver must be notarized.

But with Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), an owner can name somebody other than their spouse as a beneficiary without securing a waiver.

Meanwhile the beneficiary on a life insurance policy depends on the insurer's own rules.

If the policy was purchased through an employer, the employer-plan documents also dictate the rules of the payout.

Driscoll recommends families consider putting their money in a trust when trying to organize their affairs before they die. He says trusts 'go one step further' than a will and offers greater legal protection.

The biggest difference between a will and a living trust is that the former comes into action after death and must go through the probate process.

However a living trust comes into effect when the owner is still alive and does not have to undergo probate.
The serene waters of Ceuta's southern bay have witnessed in recent days a sustained increase in the number of migrants trying to reach land by swimming. In the last few hours, this crossing route has not stopped being traveled either during the day or at night, putting the Maritime Service of the Civil Guard in check.

Only yesterday morning, sources consulted by this newspaper reported the rescue of 20 people, all men who were equipped with tire tubes as floats. Despite the efforts of the patrol boats, many managed to reach the shore on their own. Others were not so lucky. At least one of them disappeared at sea, so a search effort was launched that included Maritime Rescue and ground patrols from the armed institute, which continued at the time of going to press.

Unfortunately, this week there have already been three fatalities due to drowning in attempts to cross to the autonomous city. According to knowledgeable sources, in the last two days, the Civil Guard managed to rescue at least a hundred migrants. And the number of people attempting this dangerous crossing is expected to continue to rise in the coming hours, putting security forces and rescue services under extreme pressure.

One of the most striking data is the nationality of these migrants. 90% of those who try to reach Ceuta and those who succeed are Algerians. Morocco, for its part, has shown reluctance to accept these citizens, which further complicates the management of the problem. The sources consulted suggest that the increase in crossings is not coincidental. "When there is an increase in these types of situations it is because Morocco allows it," they point out.

Although the Benzu area also suffers migratory activity, the Moroccan Navy is more active at that point. On the other hand, in the southern bay, if the migrants are not Moroccans, they generally advance without impediments.

The usual protocol is for Civil Guard maritime patrols to guide Moroccan teams to the migrants in the water to pick them up. However, when they see that the Spanish patrol boat is locating them, they try to swim faster to avoid being sent back to the Moroccan area.

In addition, migrants are trying to swim further from the coast so as not to be seen and to be able to enter by taking a long detour, which makes the journey more dangerous. In these cases, once they enter Spanish waters, the Civil Guard has the obligation to rescue them.

This migratory pressure has continued throughout the summer. In July, an operation against the jet skis that traffickers use to transport migrants from Morocco resulted in the intervention of many of these vessels. The Government delegation activated a device from the GRS - Reserve and Security Groups of the Civil Guard -, which were deployed on the coast to prevent these arrivals on motorcycles and small boats.

Collaboration on immigration with Morocco is decisive and the coming weeks will be crucial to establish how the authorities will address this crisis and what solutions they will propose to guarantee the safety of migrants and manage the migratory flow on Europe's southern border. Before weather conditions worsen in the autumn, security services predict that attempts to swim across will increase.
The AIADMK-BJP split does not augur well for the BJP which is trying hard to get a foothold in southern India

Could the split between the AIADMK and BJP be permanent? If so, this could hurt the BJP's chances of winning in Tamil Nadu since the AIADMK had supported them since J Jayalalithaa's passing in 2016. The decision to end its partnership with the NDA on a national and state level may put the BJP at a disadvantage.

The future political landscape could have an impact on the upcoming 2024 elections. It could cause a shift in power among Tamil Nadu parties and their alliances. This may result in the AIADMK losing the support of the Modi government, which has acted as a powerful ally.

According to experts, the separation between the BJP and AIADMK is expected to be temporary. The leaders of both parties have advised their members to refrain from making negative comments about each other. The BJP seeks more support in the Southern region and hopes to secure additional seats through partnerships.

Last week, former AIADMK minister Munuswamy announced that his party is severing ties with the BJP and NDA. He accused the BJP state chief, Annamalai, of deliberately tarnishing the reputation of respected party members, including former Chief Ministers CN Annadurai and Jayalalithaa.

The decision may have a significant impact on state and national politics. AIADMK is the lone major partner of the BJP at the national level. Previously, NDA included bigger parties like Shiv Sena, Akali Dal, Telugu Desam, and AIADMK. Still, now only AIADMK remains in the alliance. For the BJP, the loss is more significant. Despite earnest efforts, it has not established a substantial presence in Tamil Nadu  the power switches between the DMK and AIADMK since 1967. The AIADMK has ruled 30 out of their 50 years.

Tamil Nadu has two main political parties: AIADMK and DMK. AIADMK is a popular party with a large membership of two crore people, and it offers an alternative to DMK. The DMK and AIADMK, the two main Dravidian parties, have both supported the BJP at different times.

For decades, The BJP has faced a tough challenge in winning over voters in Tamil Nadu. The Dravidian movement started by EV Ramaswamy Naicker has taken deep roots in the form of DMK and AIADMK parties. The party only secured 3% of the vote in the last Lok Sabha elections. In comparison, the two Dravidian parties had a solid 25% base.

Since 2016, the AIADMK party has experienced continuous defeats in all elections. It has no charismatic leaders like Jayalalithaa or founder MG. Ramachandran  both matinee idols. The party's performance in the most recent Assembly polls in 2021 decreased the seats won, from 136 to 75. The DMK-Congress coalition took control of the government. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, AIADMK only secured one seat, a significant drop compared to their previous 37. Meanwhile, the DMK coalition's seats increased from 0 to 39. Consequently, AIADMK cadres view their connection with the BJP as a hindrance. The BJP's attempt to win over voters in Tamil Nadu failed due to differing ideologies. The Dravidian parties are non-believers, while BJP's primary election strategy is centred around Ram Temple in Ayodhya earlier and Sanathan dharma now.

The upcoming Lok Sabha elections are significant for the BJP, while the AIADMK focuses on the 2026 Assembly polls. The outcome will largely depend on the coalitions formed by the two Dravidian parties. Prime Minister Modi is determined to secure a third term in the 2024 elections.

Insiders suggest that Annamalai's behaviour was not the main reason for the split.

Despite numerous complaints, AIADMK is unhappy that the BJP has not taken action against Annamalai. There is a more significant disagreement over seat sharing. Both parties failed to win seats in Tamil Nadu in the 2019 elections due to a lack of shared ideology. Annamalai has suggested running independently in the election, and some BJP members are considering the idea. Annamalai wants to form a coalition with smaller parties.

AIADMK chief Edapadi Palaniswamy has successfully united the party and worked with senior leaders to prevent the re-entry of Sasikala, TTV Dhinakaran, and former Chief Minister O. Pannerselvam. It is a no-no for him even if the BJP provides them seats under its quota. Palaniswamy was able to remove them from AIADMK and now holds complete control. He apprehends that once they entered, his authority would diminish.

The ruling DMK coalition apprehends it could be affected, and some suggest that Congress may ally with the AIADMK. The results will depend on the number of seats won by each alliance.

The upcoming Lok Sabha elections are crucial for the DMK, AIADMK, Congress and BJP. Among them, the BJP stands to gain or lose the most. Factors such as caste, financial resources, and political influence will also play a significant role in the election. The BJP needs to perform well in the Fice States Assembly polls. While BJP is ahead, in politics, a week is a long time, and anything can happen in the next six months leading up to the Lok Sabha elections.

(The writer is a popular columnist; views expressed are personal)
Thathera metal craft has been on the UNESCO list for almost a decade now, but the struggle of the artisans making these utensils continues

Despite the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage inscription of the 'Thathera' craft of Jndiala Guru since 2014, the financial and social condition of the craftsmen has not improved much. Recognising the cultural heritage worth of the thathera metal craft in Jnadiala Guru, in its 9th session held in Paris in 2014, UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage decided to inscribe the craft on its list. This is the first metal craft from India to find a place in UNESCOs Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Thus, not only Punjab but India should be proud of it. But just the pride cannot feed the craftsmen and keep the craft vibrant, says a craftsman seeking anonymity. S Hardev Singh of the Thatera community says, The younger generation is opting out of this family profession because it neither earns money nor respect.

Although Ayurveda recognises the advantages of eating in copper, bronze and brass utensils, the use and throw cheaper alternatives are pushing it out of use. Instead of popular cosmetic measures, the government should take concrete steps of waiving taxes and continuing the old quota system of issuing scrap as the raw material directly and only to the working craftsmen to reduce the cost and prices of objects to face the competition.

Further, it can help market the products as art pieces and utilitarian objects. The government can check the entry of middlemen who buy raw materials from the Indian Army on auction and then distribute them among the craftsmen to produce objects for them at low labour rates. In the current practice, a craftsman has no claim of ownership of the product and after the day-long hard work earns only 500-600 a day, a craftsman quips. He asks, Is this the value of skill or the wage of labour? How would my son like to pursue this profession? Recently, the Punjab government has declared the Thathera Bazar a Heritage street and built a gate at the street entry symbolising the value of the craft, but has neither waived off its share in GST nor taken any serious steps to help them improve their condition.

The question is how the gate and the heritage street status would help if there were no craftsmen in the street. The UNESCO recognition has, of course, created some hype in the media. Some agencies have succeeded in getting the study projects sanctioned adding to their profiles and justifying their jobs but have not advocated the case forcefully enough to deliver at the ground. Some art and craft dealers have tried to reap benefits by tagging the products with UNESCO recognition to sell them at premium prices while the craftsmen continue to work as labourers at low rates. This is where the shoe pinches and the government should step in to save the craft, the craftsmen and the cultural heritage of the state.

The Thathera craft is practised at several other places in India but the uniqueness of the craftsmen in Jandiala Guru is their continuance as a community to practice the family tradition of handmade copper and brass utensils. The ten to twelve-generation tradition of Thateras in Jandiala Guru and their craft is a journey of place and people in and through time. The knowledge systems transmitted from generation to generation and the continued relevance of their products to the people make the craftsmanship a living tradition, fulfilling the three-tier criterion of people, place and time to identify the craft as the Cultural Heritage.

According to the Amritsar District Gazetteer of 1883, Besides the city [Amritsar]...the only trade centre worthy of notice is the town of Jandiala, which is known for its manufacture of brass and copper vessels in which it has a brisk export trade(p.117).

If so, the trade perfected worthy of export must have started during the days of Maharaja Ranjit Singh or before. While the utensils are tangible objects, traditional knowledge, skills and art are intangible. Both the craft and its knowledge conventions have been recognised in the UNESCO inscription.

The craftsmen of Jandiala Guru use the conventional knowledge and skills of forging instead of casting metal to shape it as a utensil. Using the method of forging, they hammer the metal plates with the help of a mallet. After heating the plates in a small hand-driven furnace, they consistently thump and beat a plate to make it malleable and ductile. Then the parts of a utensil are made by cutting, heating and curving the metal sheet; then these parts are joined with each other. There are five methods for joining of metals: soldering, brazing, flux, riveting and welding. The Thateras of Jandiala Guru use brazing and riveting. Brazing is a process of joining two or more metals by pouring a molten filler metal into the joint. The utensils made from the metal sheets are then cleaned with diluted acid and scrubbed with tamarind water and sand. The whole process of polishing is carried out with hands and feet. This final process brings out the rich texture and colour of the metal.

Finally, the utensils are ornamented with hand-engraved designs with patterns of delicate dents of small size and round shapes looking like small stars. Utensils are art objects produced not only for their use but also for their beauty possessing an artistic image which expresses their function.

Thus the contribution of craftsmen to the development of culture and civilization, on the one hand, and to the fulfilment of utilitarian and aesthetic needs, on the other, has been great in human history. Eating and cooking in the mud, copper, brass and bronze utensils is good for health and taste. The science of Ayurveda in India recognizes the relevance of these metals for health. The references to Bronze for health healing can be found in several tracts like Ashtanga Samgraha/ Hridaya, Rajtarangini and Bhavprakasha. In contrast with glass, plastic and steel, bronze shows nil microbial presence one hour after being washed in hot water.

Copper is said to kill harmful bacteria and viruses. It helps prevent cell damage and slow ageing due to its antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties. As copper, which is well known as a biocide, is the major content in alloy metal of brasses, utensils made from brass have the beneficial effect of restricting the growth of microorganisms. While the craftsmen must be acknowledged as educated and skilled worthy of social respect and honour; their craft must be supported and promoted as our precious cultural heritage.

(The writer is a retired professor from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar; views are personal)
In a breakthrough against the Pune ISIS module, the Delhi Police arrested three Islamic State terrorists on Monday. One of them is Mohammad Shahnawaz, also known as Shafi Uzzama, who had a reward of `3 lakh on his head. Shahnawaz was on the most wanted list of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

According to the Delhi Police, the trio had been planning to carry out terror incidents in north India, taking instructions from handlers based abroad.

Addressing a Press briefing, Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) HS Dhaliwal, said, Last month NIA declared award on three persons allegedly involved in blast cases. Among them, Mohammad Shahnawaz, the main accused, has been arrested with his two associates  Mohammad Rizwan Ashraf and Mohammad Arshad Warsi.

Shahnawaz was arrested from Southeast Delhis Jaitpur area on Sunday night. Ashraf and Arshad were nabbed from Lucknow and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, respectively. All the three suspected terrorists, who are engineers and have expertise in assembling bombs, were produced in a court earlier in the morning and have been sent to seven days of police custody.

While responding to media queries, Dhaliwal said, Shahnawaz is a mining engineer from Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, and he had knowledge of blast mechanisms. He hails from Hazaribagh in Jharkhand. His wife, Basanti Patel, is converted to Islam and is now known as Mariam. She is currently on the run.

Dhaliwal added that bomb making literature sent from Pakistan-based handlers and other incriminating materials were recovered from Shahnawazs hideouts.

He said initial interrogation revealed that these people conducted elaborate reconnaissance in Western Ghats, southern India, including Hubbali, Dharwad, and Ahmedabad in Gujarat to establish their hideouts.

They wanted to make their base in Western Ghats, the police said. During the investigation, it was revealed that they had been instructed to procure all items they needed locally so that external role in their work is not exposed.

Shahnawaz had managed to escape from the custody of the Pune Police. Last month, the NIA had released pictures of Shahnawaz, who was wanted in the Pune ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) module case.

The arrests were made following a tipoff from an arrested accused of another ISIS module in Delhi. Elementary plastic tubes, iron pipes, different types of chemicals, timing devices, etc, which could have been used in making explosive devices, were seized from Shahnawaz, along with a pistol and cartridges, the police alleged.

Dhaliwal said the ongoing crackdown has exposed the pan-India reach of the ISIS module. Their aim was to target well-known people and inflict maximum casualties, he said, adding that they have also uncovered the funding trail behind such activities.

Warsi, police said, is also from Jharkhand. He had completed a BTech in Mechanical Engineering from Aligarh University and was pursuing a doctorate from Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi. Ashraf holds a BTech in computer science. Originally from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, he had also trained as a cleric.

Earlier this month, the NIA had announced `3 lakh each for information about Shahnawaz and three other terror suspects: Rizwan Abdul Haji Ali, Abdulla Faiyaz Shaikh alias Diaperwala and Talha Liyakat Khan.

Shahnawaz, Abdulla and Rizwan were radicalised into joining the ISIS mission over Telegram app, it is learnt. It is alleged that they were linked to an ISIS module at Pune in Maharashtra.

Initially dismissed as petty thieves, further questioning revealed their association with ISIS as part of a sleeper cell.

Shahnawaz, along with two accomplices named Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yunus Khan and Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yakub Saki, faced arrest by the Kothrud police in Pune on July 18 after attempting to steal a two-wheeler. While the police were en route to their residence in Kondhwa, Pune, for a search operation,

Shahnawaz made a daring escape by leaping out of the police vehicle. Police uncovered that Khan and Saki, who originally hailed from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, were purportedly implicated in a different terrorism case registered in Rajasthan.

In this case, explosives were found inside a car back in March 2022. Both Khan and Saki carried a reward of `5 lakh each for information leading to their capture. On July 22, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad assumed control of the investigation. As part of their probe, the ATS detained more individuals, including an IT engineer named Qadir Dastagir Pathan and SN Kazi in Kondhwa.

The agency applied sections of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against Khan, Saki, and the other individuals implicated in the case.

The course of the investigation took a significant twist when Khan and Saki disclosed that Shahnawaz had stored acid in the vicinity of Bopatghat near Kondhwa.

To secure the acid and various chemicals employed in the creation of explosives, the NIA enlisted the help of the Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad. In addition, the ATS seized various other materials and discovered 500 gigabytes (GB) of data on the laptops and mobile phones of the suspects.

According to sources, Abdulla ran a diaper store at Pune that was used to assemble explosive devices. Rizwan Ali is from Delhi. He and his younger brother were arrested in 2018 for alleged ISIS links, but security agencies could not find evidence against them.

He was released after a de-radicalisation programme. He went to Pune again after two years and told his family that he is running a computer business. He married and lived there with his wife. The couple returned to Delhi after Rizwans father started keeping unwell. Two months back, he left his home.

The Delhi Police Special Cell is among several agencies working with the NIA to crack down on terror networks across several States.
It is often questioned if Mahatma Gandhi was an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannath.

While many believe that Gandhi never visited the Jagannath Temple in Puri in his entire life due to his discontent over the restriction on entry of dalits into the temple, a few researchers have now cleared the air.

As per an evidence-based research on Mahatma Gandhi by writer Gouranga Charan Parida, Gandhi used to give example of Lord Jagannath while speaking on national unity. In his book, Parida mentions how Gandhi cited the example of nondiscrimination inside Puri Shreemandir while addressing Indians at a conclave in South Africa and called upon them to discard any kind of discrimination on religion, caste and class and unite as Indians.

Gandhi had also mentioned the same in his newspaper Indian Opinion. In an article published in the newspaper on August 29, 1904 with title The Uses of Adversity, Gandhi described the Lord as the epitome of cultural integration.

During his visit to Puri on March 27, 1921 for a conclave, Gandhi visited the Shreemandir along with his wife Kasturba and other family members. After paying obeisance, he had signed in the devotees register and expressed how he felt immensely blessed to have darshan of the deities.

However, Gandhi could not accept the fact that dalits were not allowed to enter the temple. The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Volume 66 mentions that since Gandhi had expressed his discontent over the discrimination at the temple, a senior servitor of the temple attended Gandhis conclave held at Beraboi village in Puri district and told Gandhi that he was misinformed about the temple.

Stating that Harijans (dalits) were also in the service of the Lord inside the temple, the servitor invited Gandhi to visit the shrine with dalits. However, Gandhi could not get time to visit the temple since it was his last day in Puri. After that, he never visited Odisha.
In the 5th AMARC Asia-Pacific Community Radio Conference in Bangkok, the highly-anticipated book, "Community Radio: 100 Answers to Make Waves," authored by NA Shah Ansari was officially unveiled. The conference witnessed a gathering of over 500 community radio broadcasters, experts, and policymakers from diverse countries across the Asia-Pacific region.

The book "Community Radio: 100 Answers to Make Waves" is a groundbreaking publication poised to provide comprehensive insights into the world of community radio. The book serves as an invaluable resource for practitioners, aspiring broadcasters, experts, and policymakers, offering a deep dive into the transformative realm of community radio.

President of AMARC-AP Dr Ramnath Bhat extended a warm welcome to the attendees and highlighted the pivotal role community radio plays in fostering dialogue, diversity, and participatory communication. Commissioner of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) in Thailand, Thanapant Raicharoen emphasized the significance of community radio as a catalyst for amplifying local voices and fortifying democratic values.

Njuki Githethwa, representing the Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET), shared valuable insights into the African community radio landscape, underlining its contribution to social change and development.

Assistant Chief Executive Officer and Acting Director Benjamaporn Limpisathian lauded the collective efforts of the community radio community in advancing communication for positive change.

The event also featured esteemed figures in the field, including Suman Basnet, coordinator of AMARC, Manmohan Singh and Dr R Sreedher, Community Radio experts from India. Collectively, they stressed the need for continued growth, innovation, and collaboration in community radio practices.
Total 60,426 acres of land has been earmarked in the name of Lord Jagannath in 24 districts of the State which records of rights for over 38.061 acres have been procured by the Shreemandir administration, informed Law Minister Jagannath Saraka in the State Assembly on Saturday.

He was responding to a query by Salipur MLA Prasanta Behera.

Besides, there are 395.252 acres of land is in the name of Lord Jagannath in six States outside Odisha, he informed.

Dismissing any illegal sale of land, Saraka said all transactions by the temple administration or monasteries having custody of the lands in the name of the Lord, have been done in accordance with the State Governments uniform policy at concessional rates.

Regarding encroachment, Saraka said 974 patches of land have been identified by the Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA) and cases have been filed under Section 16A (1) of Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955 under supervision of respective tehsildars.
Cornering Punjab Governor and UT-Chandigarh Administrator Banwarilal Purohit regarding drugs, Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday alleged that a large amount of illegal liquor is being smuggled from Chandigarh to the state every day.

AAPs Punjab units chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang, questioning the Governor, said that the Governor constantly questions the Punjab Government every day on the issue of drugs, but hes not saying or taking any action to stop liquor smuggling from Chandigarh to Punjab.

He said that a large quantity of illegal and adulterated liquor is being smuggled into Punjab every day from Chandigarh. Due to this, the liquor mafia is getting encouraged and Chandigarh is also facing economic loss, Kang said.

Since the Governor of Punjab is the Administrator of Chandigarh, it is his responsibility to stop this smuggling, he said while appealing to the Governor that being the Administrator of Chandigarh, he should take appropriate measures to stop liquor smuggling.

He said that there is a big difference between questioning others and correcting oneself. Therefore, now the Governor should improve the administration of Chandigarh and curb the liquor mafia before questioning the Punjab government on the same matter, Kang added.
Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, along with party leaders and workers, sat on a dharna at the Rajghat on Mahatma Gandhis birth anniversary on Monday demanding the release of funds for West Bengal by the Centre. The Lok Sabha member, accompanied by party leaders including MPs, MLAs and state ministers who had arrived from West Bengal to take part in the protest, paid tributes to Gandhi at the memorial and sat in protest for two hours, sporting black armbands and displaying placards, after which they were escorted out by security personnel.

They are scared that is why they are doing this... They talk about being a big party, but it is now visible that they are scared, Banerjee told media persons outside Rajghat before he was stopped by the police and the TMC protesters were asked to clear the area.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee was scheduled to attend the programme in New Delhi, but is unlikely to do so as she has been advised ten days of rest by doctors after she suffered an injury in her left knee during a recent trip to Spain and Dubai. The chief minister held a two-day sit-in in March this year against the Centres alleged move of not releasing funds to the state for MGNREGA and other welfare schemes.

The TMC lashed out at the central government for stopping it from holding a peaceful protest and alleged that the protesters were heckled and manhandled by the security personnel. Banerjee later visited Lal Bahadur Shastris memorial Vijay Ghat and paid tributes to the former prime minister on his birth anniversary.

At Gandhis samadhi, Banerjee held a placard demanding that the Centre release fund for Bengal. Another placard read Bengal Deprived: 1 lakh 15 thousand crore families, `15,000 crore owed.

The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal has accused the BJP-led NDA government of withholding `15,000 crore in dues to the state under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and PM Awas Yojana.

The demonstration was held for about two hours, after which the TMC leaders were escorted out by security personnel. Banerjee addressed the media outside Raj Ghat but loudspeakers were used by police to ask the TMC leaders and supporters to move out of the area.

Our leaders peacefully protesting for the rights of the people were abruptly asked to leave by the police. All Abhishek Banerjee asked for was ten minutes, but was ungracefully refused. What is the BJP-led Central Government scared of? the Trinamool Congress said in a statement. They also shared a video on social media of a police official asking the TMC leaders to leave.

The party leaders alleged that derogatory remarks were made by an IPS officer about the peaceful protest and that women leaders were manhandled by police. It is deeply disheartening to witness such a lack of respect for the democratic process and the voices of the people under the BJP-led central government, Trinamool Congress said.

Raising our voice for peoples rights is labelled as Tamasha. On Gandhi Jayanti, all we sought was a peaceful dharna for the betterment of our people. However, the anti-people BJP-led central government chose to silence us, the party alleged. Speaking to the media before leaving the venue, Banerjee said the BJP government is scared. The TMC leaders and supporters will stage a protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday over the issue.

The party claimed that over 50 lakh letters have been brought by the protesters from West Bengal that are addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the non-payment of dues. TMC sources said letters will also be brought from BJP-ruled Assam, Goa, Tripura and Meghalaya highlighting alleged corruption in central schemes.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Universitys walls were defaced with anti-India and anti-Modi slogans on Sunday. The objectionable slogans like Azad Kashmir (Free Kashmir) Bhagwa Jalega (saffron will burn), Modis grave will be dug, were found written on the walls of the university.

This comes after similar slogans were written on the walls of the educational institution in December last year. In a video going viral online, it is seen that several walls on the JNU campus were defaced with slogans like, Free Palestine, Free IOK, and Modi Teri Kabr Khudegi (Modi, your grave will be dug) slogans.

However, the university administration does not yet have any information about the people who wrote the slogans. The administration says that it is currently being investigated who wrote these slogans and what is the whole plan behind this. So far, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the incident.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad said it has written to the Jawaharlal Nehru University administration for an inquiry into a recent incident of anti-national slogans being scribbled on the walls in the campus.The students outfit has also demanded that the administration take immediate action to identify those responsible and fix accountability for not being able to stop such cases.

Being a student organisation, we are gravely concerned about the frequent anti-Bharat slogan-writing incidents on the JNU campus. Yesterday, some students captured pictures of slogans like Indian-Occupied Kashmir, Free Kashmir, Bhagwa Jalega, etc. On the School of Languages building wall, the letter read. The administration painted the walls clean on Sunday morning after it was brought to its notice and photos of the walls went viral, Vikas Patel, ABVP secretary for JNU, told PTI.

The students body has demanded that the chief security officer of JNU should be held responsible for failing to prevent such cases.

According to JNU students, the matter first came to light on Sunday morning when some students saw controversial slogans written on the walls of JNUs School of Languages. On looking carefully, it looks like the names written in the controversial sentence, in blue ink, have later been covered with red ink.

University students have shared pictures of objectionable slogans written on the JNU campus walls. In these pictures, it can be seen that objectionable slogans like Free Kashmir and IOK (Indian Occupied Kashmir) are written on the wall in JNUs School of Language campus. At some other places, these slogans have also been written on the floor with blue paint.

All these pictures with hate slogans are being said to be from School of Language of JNU.

It is noteworthy that controversial slogans have been seen on the walls of JNU earlier as well. Last year, caste-based slogans were written on the walls here. The name plates of some professors were blackened. As Jawaharlal Nehru University is one of the best universities of the country, a lot of conflict of political ideologies is seen here.

University student Amit says Till now conflicts, debates and discussions on political ideologies were seen. But this type of abusive language and sloganeering against the country shows mental frustration.

In February this year, the portrait of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was damaged inside the university. Then there was violence between two groups of students. Before that, there was a lot of uproar in JNU regarding the screening of BBC documentary in January 2023.

In December last year, a similar incident was reported from Delhis JNU wherein controversial slogans were written on the walls of several buildings located on the university campus, including the offices of several professors. Slogans against Brahmin and Vaishya communities were written on the walls of the School of International Studies-II building on the university campus.
An army helicopter had to make an emergency landing at 9 am on Sunday in a farm in Dugaria village of Berasia, about 60 km from the state capital Bhopal. This emergency landing has been done due to technical fault. There were five crew members including the pilot in the helicopter who escaped unhurt.

According to the villagers, the helicopter was circling around the dam and then landed in the field. After this, when the villagers asked questions and answers, the army personnel refused to answer anything.

Berasia police station in-charge Dilip Jaiswal said that an emergency landing of the army helicopter was made in village Dugaria at around 9 am on Sunday morning. In which there were five crew members including a pilot. They were going from Bhopal to Jhansi.

Suddenly the helicopter saw a red tail vibration (emergency signal visible), after which an emergency landing of the helicopter was made in a field on the banks of the dam. All 6 army personnel have informed their officers about the matter. The technical fault of the helicopter is being investigated. After which he will leave for further progress.

This helicopter came carrying engineers, supporting staff and technical team. Dropped the team here and left again. Now the engineer and technical team is investigating the fault in the helicopter.

Earlier on the 91st foundation day of the Air Force, an air show was organized on September 30 at the Upper Lake in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh.

The helicopter had also come to participate in this air show. He was flying back towards his destination from Berasia.
Demanding the resignations of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Education Minister Atishi for their false claims, Leader of the Opposition in Delhi Assembly, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, on Sunday claimed that the number of students in the Government schools has decreased this year. Bidhuri said there has been a reduction of more than 30,000 students this year .

The Leader of Opposition said that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Education Minister Atishi are continuously claiming that there has been an increase in the number of students in government schools, misleading the public.

Bidhuri stated that while the Chief Minister and Education Minister boast about their education model being world-class, they are claiming that children are leaving public schools and enrolling in government schools.

They assert that four lakh students have enrolled in government schools, whereas the truth is that in the academic year 2022-23, the total number of students in government schools was 17,89,385, which has decreased to 17,58,986 in the year 2023-24, a reduction of 30,399 compared to the previous academic session,said Bidhuri citing RTI reply from the education department.

The Opposition leader mentioned that in the government schools of East Delhi, the number of students was 2,06,027 in 2022-23, which has reduced to 1,99,730 in 2023-24.

Similarly, in the government schools of North-East Delhi, the number of students was 2,86,298 in the year 2023-24, whereas it was more than three lakhs in 2022-23. Except for North West A and Central Delhi, there has been a decline in the number of students in government schools across all districts and regions. In the government schools located in North West A, the number of students in the year 2023-24 is 1,87,596, while it was 1,81,450 in 2022-23. In Central Delhis government schools, the number of students was 27,580 in 2022-23, which has increased to 28,922 in 2023-24.

He further stated that there is also a decrease in the number of students in the 12th grade in all subjects. In the Science subject, the number of students was 21,285 in 2022-23, which increased to 21,465 in 2023-24.

In the Commerce subject, the number of students was 33,006 in 2022-23, which decreased to 26,721 in 2023-24. The most surprising figures are in the Arts subject, where in the entire Delhi, the total number of students was 1,74,419 in 2022-23, which has decreased to 1,06,785 in 2023-24.




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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leaving no stone unturned as it gears up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, aiming to secure its position at the helm for the third consecutive time as it is diligently working on a strategy to win over the crucial Dalit vote bank, recognising its potential to significantly impact the electoral outcome.

In recent history, be it the elections of 2014, 2017, 2019, or 2022, the Dalit vote bank has consistently supported the BJP, leading to the partys triumph in both Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. As the 2024 elections loom on the horizon, the BJP is revisiting the same blueprint for victory.

At a high-profile gathering of the Scheduled Caste Morcha at the BJP headquarters in Lucknow, senior Dalit leaders from BJP held a brainstorming meeting. A similar congregation was held before the 2022 assembly elections. Now, with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Dalit leaders have once again united at the party office.

The BJP has 17 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats from Scheduled Caste (SC). Three Rajya Sabha members from the BJP also represent the SC. The partys dominance extends to the state assembly as well, where 84 seats are reserved for the SC.

In the 2022 assembly elections, the BJP won 63 of these reserved seats, securing an overwhelming majority for the second consecutive term.

However, in the recent Ghosi by-election, the BJP lost to SP by over 40,000 votes, primarily because of the Dalit vote banks tepid response. This setback has prompted the BJP leadership to re-evaluate its outreach to the Dalit community. In the recent meeting, discussions centered around how to rekindle the trust of the Dalit community and garner their support once again in the 2024 elections.

UP boasts of a Dalit population of approximately 22%. Jatavs comprise 54% of the total Dalit population. The remaining 46% population comprises Pasi, Dhobi, Kori, Khatik, Dhanuk, and others.

The BJP acknowledges that the Dalits have consistently supported the party since 2014, leading to its continuous ascent to power. As for the Jatav vote bank, it is perceived as a core stronghold of Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

In the 2022 assembly elections, despite securing only one seat, BSP garnered 12% of the vote share, with Jatavs bank being its predominant voters. Consequently, the BJP is particularly keen on winning over this critical vote bank.

To garner the Dalits support, the BJP has devised a plan to organise meetings throughout the state. Representatives from various SC communities will be invited to attend these conferences which will be addressed by the chief minister, deputy chief ministers, Central government ministers, state president, and senior party officials.

Another significant decision made during the office meeting is to encourage Dalit MPs, MLAs, and ministers to allocate the majority of their development funds to Dalit settlements. This includes prioritising concrete roads, installing hand pumps, improving solar lighting, and enhancing the electricity infrastructure in these areas.

These improvements are expected to be highlighted when the party representatives seek votes during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Furthermore, the meeting also stressed on the importance of organising special programmes on the birth and death anniversaries of prominent Dalit leaders, with the active participation of public representatives.

Presently, as part of the Seva Pakhwada (Service Fortnight) initiated by the BJP, the Scheduled Front has commenced the Basti Sampark Abhiyaan (Settlement Outreach Campaign), which aims to engage with the residents of Dalit settlements.

Notably, MPs, MLAs, ministers, and senior party officials are actively participating in this campaign, with a goal of reaching 2,000 Dalit settlements daily over the course of seven days.

BJPs Scheduled Morcha state president Ramchandra Kanojia said that the party officials would strive to visit approximately 30,000 Dalit settlements, including the participation of MPs, ministers, MLAs, Legislative Council members, and Rajya Sabha members. The objective is to connect with the residents of these settlements, understand their concerns, and address them effectively, thus strengthening the BJPs appeal within the Dalit community.
In an achievement for the Yogi Adityanath government, British Member of Parliament Virendra Sharma sent a postcard congratulating the chief minister for the changed perception of Uttar Pradesh.

It is noteworthy that the members of the Parliament in Britain are appreciating the peace that has come in Uttar Pradesh due to the strong law and order system under the Yogi government.

In the postcard, the British MP wrote, Honorable Yogi Adityanath, I would like to congratulate you for achieving great successes in UP and bringing peace to the state.

Besides, Shantanu Gupta, the biographer of the life of Yogi Adityanath, was invited to the International Conclave organised at the House of Commons of the British Parliament and was honoured with the Global Gandhi Award 2023.

On this occasion, Shantanu presented his best-selling graphic novel, Ajay to Yogi Adityanath, as a gift to British MP Virendra Sharma.

Speaking at the House of Commons, author Shantanu Gupta discussed the developmental journey of Uttar Pradesh. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had created Brand India across the world, because of which Indians were given more importance across the world today. Brand UP had become a strong brand across India.

Shantanu further said that the same Uttar Pradesh, which was once known for anarchy, corruption and inefficient governance, is now a top investment destination under the Yogi government. In the ranking of Ease of Doing Business, UP had jumped from 14th place before 2017 to second position.

Uttar Pradesh is currently ranked number 1 in the implementation of more than 40 schemes of the Central government. Today, Uttar Pradesh is known for its achievements such as the Uttar Pradesh Expressway, new airports, 24-hour electricity, and a strong law and order situation, he said.

Shantanu also shared some fascinating conversations between himself and Yogi Adityanaths father, Anand Singh Bisht. The author told the participants in the British Parliament that during his research for the book, Anand Ji revealed that a small blue one-and-a-half-room house in Panchur village was his only possession in life. This was all he could earn in his lifetime from the humble job of a forest guard.

Shantanu mentioned that Anand paused for a while, grabbed his hand, and with great pride, said that his most valuable asset in life was his honest Chief Minister son.

Although Anand Ji is no longer with us, the sentiment of Honest Chief Ministers son still resonates in my mind, and its safe to say that this feeling echoes throughout all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh today, he added.
The Punjab National Bank (PNB) on Sunday organized a nationwide cleanliness campaign here.

PNB Regional Manager V Shriniwas said: Let us all take out time for the cleanliness campaign. You can join this campaign in your street, neighbourhood, park or public place.

He said this was a time to ensure a garbage-free India.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan offered shramdaan in the Swachhata Hi Seva - Cleanliness is the Real Service Campaign in Bhopal Haat Bazaar. He participated in the Ek Tareekh-Ek Ghanta-Ek Saath programme. He cleaned the premises. TheChief Minister Chouhan gave a message of cleanliness to the people saying that Cleanliness is the Real Service. He saidthatGod Resides Where Cleanliness Prevails.

Underlining the importance of cleanliness, Chief Minister Sheri Chouhan said that cleanliness brings good health and happiness. Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi always laid emphasis on cleanliness. The Prime Minister Sheri Narendra Modi also launched the Swachha Bharat Abhiyan after becoming the Prime Minister in 2014.

On the call of Prime Minister Sheri Modi, he offered shramdaan for cleanliness. Madhya Pradesh is the cleanest state of the country. Bhopal is the cleanest capital of the country. The state stands top in cleanliness. Even in rural areas, efforts have been made for cleanliness with public participation. It is our endeavour to engage every citizen in the cleanliness campaign. Efforts are being made for effective implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Swachha Bharat Andolan by engaging the people, public representatives, social workers and every section of the society.

Sheri Chouhan has appealed to the people to be particular about cleanliness. Maintaining cleanliness is not just a programme. It is an essential civic practice. Madhya Pradesh has become a model state in cleanliness pursuing the vision of the Prime Minister Sheri Modi.

The Prime Minister Sheri Modi on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Swachhata Hi Seva Abhiyan has been launched countrywide from 15 September to 2 October 2023. Swachhata Pakhwada is being celebrated under the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign. The theme of Garbage-free India. In the 105th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Sheri Modi had appealed to spare one hour for shramdaan for cleanliness in the Ek Tareekh-Ek Ghanta -Ek Saath campaign. He said that on the eve of Bapus birth anniversary, the people should engage in the cleanliness campaign and offer him Swachhanjali.

Minister for Panchayat and Rural Development Sheri Mahendra Singh Sisodia, Mayor Smt. Malti Rai along with public representatives, departmental officers, Safai Mitras and a large number of people were present.




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Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gifted development projects worth over Rs 550 crore for Sitapur on Sunday. He inaugurated 29 projects worth Rs 91 crore and laid the foundation stones for 45 projects worth Rs 460 crore.

Addressing the cleanliness awareness programme and public meeting organised at Naimisharanya near Maharishi Ved Vyas Dham in Sitapur, the chief minister appealed to people to make Sitapur clean and beautiful.

The government will guarantee minimum wages to all the sanitation workers. A committee has been formed and its report will be implemented by the government, he said.

The chief minister said that it was a matter of good fortune for him to visit the pilgrimage site whose glory had been sung by Saint Tulsidas in Ramcharit Manas.

He acknowledged the historical significance of the land, where Maharishi Dadhichi made a selfless sacrifice against demonic forces and where Sut ji narrated ancient tales to 88,000 sages like Shaunak, preserving Indias knowledge tradition as a cherished legacy for future generations. However, after independence, this sacred land, including the Ashram of Maharishi Ved Vyas and other holy pilgrimage sites in the area, was neglected.

The chief minister said that today the entire Naimish Teerth was shining. We have to keep our pilgrimage sites clean and beautiful not only during festivals but always. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has encouraged the spirit of cleanliness and transformed it into a mass movement, he said.

Earlier, several diseases used to occur in this season. There were outbreaks of malaria, cholera, diarrhoea, chikungunya and encephalitis. However, due to widespread cleanliness malaria, filariasis, dengue or chikungunya and other diseases are on the verge of extinction, he added.

The chief minister made special mention of the beneficiaries of public welfare schemes of the government without any discrimination in Sitapur and emphasised that no one can now claim to be left out of these initiatives. The double-engine government is ready for cooperation at every level.

He noted that over 2,34,800 families have received housing under the PM Awas Yojana. Furthermore over 7,16,500 families have been provided with toilets, 2,17,000 families have received tap connections in their homes, while over 5,78,900 free cooking gas connections have been distributed through the Ujjwala Yojana and 55,000 daughters have benefited from the Kanya Sumangala Yojana.

The chief minister also discussed the broad range of beneficiaries under various welfare schemes, including free electricity connection, Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, SVANidhi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and Soil Health Card, reaffirming that these schemes are being implemented without any discrimination.

The chief minister said that it was the time of Pitra Paksha, during which it was essential to express gratitude to our ancestors through cleanliness.

We should express our gratitude to our ancestors by keeping rivers, pilgrimage sites, monasteries, temples, roads, schools, hospitals, parks etc clean and in good shape, he further urged.





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The chief minister conducted a review of the ongoing projects and developmental works under Naimisharanya Dham Teerth Vikas Parishad.

During the review, he assessed the progress of projects related to the renovation, reconstruction, and beautification of Naimisharanya Dham and the adjacent tourist attractions.

CM Yogi set a time limit for every project and gave instructions to complete it in a timely manner, ensuring quality. He collected information from the officials about the arrangements at major places like Chakratirtha, Maa Lalita Devi Temple, Vyas Gaddi, Soot Gaddi etc. and gave necessary guidelines.

The Chief Minister said that after the inauguration of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, the arrival of tourists and devotees from the country and across world to Naimishdham would increase rapidly. Sitapur district would be prominently marked on the tourism map.

On this occasion, state government ministers Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh, Suresh Rahi, MP Rajesh Verma, BJP regional president Kamlesh Mishra, MLAs, Legislative Council members, former MLAs and BJP officials were present.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to hold review meetings from district to zonal levels in order to improve the law and order situation in the state.

These meetings will encompass discussions on criminal occurrences as well as pending cases and action should be taken against those who are negligent, the chief minister said during a law and order review meeting on Sunday.

He emphasized that each incident serves as a lesson, urging field officers to be vigilant in order to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the state, enabling timely intervention.

Directives were also issued to run the Anti-Romeo campaign again in the state to prevent crimes against women. Simultaneously, Yogi also gave instructions to form a cyber crime police station at the district level and a cyber cell at the police station level across the state.

Furthermore, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued instructions to the SSP/SP of each district to conduct a weekly review of every police station, aiming to reduce criminal incidents across Uttar Pradesh, achieve 100 per cent resolution of complaint letters, expedite the processing of charge sheets, and address pending cases.

Additionally, he directed the scheduling of fortnightly reviews with ADG IG Range and monthly reviews with DGP ADG Zone.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that regular meetings of the District Monitoring Committee (comprising DM, SP/SSP, Commissioner and District Judge) were encouraged to ensure timely filing of chargesheets. Special attention should be devoted to cases involving POCSO violations and crimes against women, the chief minister said. He stressed the importance of taking stringent action in cases related to Love Jihad under the new law.

Yogi said that most police stations in the state now have CCTV cameras and instructed officers to finish installing the remaining ones within a week.

Currently, cybercrime police stations have been established at the range level, and the process to establish them at the district level should be started, he further added.

Similarly, the operation of cyber cells at the district level should be extended to the police station level and appropriate training for police personnel should be provided.

Furthermore, he emphasised that even after the operation of the cyber cell at the police station level, the operation of the cyber help desk does not stop.

The chief minister also directed the officials to keep a close watch on negative news on social media to maintain peace in the state. With the festive season approaching, there tends to be increased activity by some anti-social elements on social media, the CM said, asking officers to make a list and take action against such individuals.

The chief minister also instructed officials to closely monitor negative social media content to maintain peace in the state.

With the upcoming festive season, some anti-social elements tend to become more active on social media. The police should compile a list and take action against such individuals, the chief minister said.

Furthermore, recognising the favourable investment climate in the state, the chief minister stressed the importance of ensuring a hassle-free experience for investors. To achieve this, he proposed deploying Nivesh Mitras in every police station to promptly address any concerns or issues raised by investors.










The three day AJSU (Party) convention concluded on Sunday in the State Capital. On the concluding day AJSU (P) Chief, Sudesh Mahto said that from the very first day of the historic convention of AJSU would play an important role in changing the current scenario of Jharkhand. He said that the suggestions and guidance that have emerged from this auditorium for the development of Jharkhand should be welcomed.



On the last day, Sudesh Mahato was elected President of AJSU Party unanimously. After becoming the party President, Mahato took an oath of dedication towards the people and following the principles of the party. During this, he expressed his gratitude to the people from all over Jharkhand and the guests from all over the Country for making the convention a success. Mahato said that even in adverse weather, people from every corner of Jharkhand have reached Morhabadi ground in Ranchi. All this is going to boost my morale. I express my gratitude to the intellectuals, writers and experts and experts on various subjects who have come from all over the country in this Binod Bihari Mahato Auditorium of said Morhabadi Maidan, he added.



Attacking the State Government, AJSU (P) Chief said, If the governance is weak, unaccountable, involved in corruption and playing into the hands of unbridled administration, if the common man, Panch and village chaupal do not participate in power, then the talk of good governance will be meaningless. This is the picture of Jharkhand that has emerged under Hemant Soren's Government. Consensus and accountability are important in good governance and self-governance. We and our party have set the goal of moving from self-governance to good governance with nine resolutions of Navnirman. Jharkhandi rights and entitlements will be ensured in this. AJSU Party has moved ahead to awaken the dreams of the State.



Mahato expressed his gratitude to the people, workers and newly elected representatives who came from the village chaupal. He expressed regret that he could not provide the required facilities to the people and his guests during the convention. Along with this, he thanked the people of print and electronic media. Thanks to whom the objective of the convention could reach the people of the State and the entire Country. During this, he also expressed his gratitude to his workers and other people who helped in decorating the premises of the convention.
From 2nd October 2023 onwards for a week each day , we will have the names of the personalities or organisations , who have been chosen for the coveted and most sought after award on this planet called THE NOBEL PRIZE for the year 2023 !

This award is conferred each year in the month of October since its inception in 1901 and continues nearly uninterrupted in the fields of Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace and Economic Science .

The man behind this prize was non other than Alfred Nobel who was an inventor, scientist, entrepreneur and businessman par excellence who also excelled in poetry and dramatics ! .

Born on 21 st October 1833 in Stockholm, Sweden , Alfred Nobel held 355 patents himself including that of Dynamite , which fetched him millions of dollars during his life time. Just a year before his death , in the year 1895 on November 27 th he willed 31 million SEK ( about 265 million dollars today) for Nobel prizes in three branches of science , Literature and Peace to Those who , during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind  as quoted from Alfred Nobels will . Since then The Nobel foundation has been given the task to manage Nobels fortune and fulfil his vision as specified in his Will .

Prize for Economic science was added much after the death of Alfred Nobel by Nobel foundation in the year 1968 constituted and funded by Swedens Central Bank called  Sverings Riksbank  awarded on behalf of Nobel foundation .

Mathematics , Music and lately computer science , are considered important omissions!

The Story behind the inception of Nobel prize, is indeed very interesting. It all started when Alfred Nobels lesser known elder brother died in the year 1888 the obituary notes which appeared in French newspapers where he was staying at that time and mistook him for the elder brother and harsh words were expressed such as  Merchant of death  referring to his discovery of Dynamite as agent of mass destruction . This pained Alfred Nobel immensely and made him to introspect and do something to assuage the feelings of his fellow countrymen and friends all over the world. Death of his younger brother while carrying out experiments in making of dynamite with him in an explosion also added to his frustration.

NOMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS OF NOBEL LAUREATES

There is no system of self nomination . Nominators are carefully chosen and invited individually to suggest their choice with elaborate details . The entire process of short listing and the names under consideration are kept closely guarded secrets for the next 50 years ! Each year thousands of members of academia, University professors, Scientists, previous Nobel prize laureates and members of parliamentary assemblies and others, are carefully chosen for each speciality to submit the details about candidates , their specific achievements for the Nobel prizes for the coming year. These nominators are chosen in such a way that as many countries and experts from universities and academia are covered over time . This is done by different organisations for different specialties as specified for each field.

A Nobel prize can be shared by up to three individuals only and in case of Peace prize , can be awarded either to an organisation or an individual.

There is no age limits for the awardees however ,they have to be living at the time of announcement of the award. There is no place for posthumous award how so ever it may appear justified .

Youngest person ever to get the award till date remains Malala Yousafzai in the year 2014 for Peace and the oldest laureate has been Youngest person ever to get the award till date remains Malala Yousafzai in the year 2014 for Peace and the oldest laureate has been John B. Goodenough of University of Texas, USA at the age of 97 for the pioneering work in development of Lithium ion batteries in 2019 along with Britains Stanly Whittingham and Akira Yoshino from Japan !

Till date 989 individuals and 30 organisations have been conferred with Nobel prizes of which 400 have gone to USA followed by UK with 137 and 111 for Germany .

INDIANS AMONGST AWARDEES

There has been only 11 from India ( 4 Indian citizens and 7 of Indian ancestry or Residency ) . Amongst the recipients of Nobel prizes from India ,the first Indian who got this coveted prize was Rabindranath Tagore in 1913 for his much acclaimed collection of poems named GEETANJALI . Mother Teresa is the only woman from India who received Peace Nobel prize in the year 1979 . Kailash Satyarthi also received Peace Nobel in 2014 . Sir C V Raman got physics Nobel in 1930 for his pioneering work in the field of light scattering called Raman effects.

Dr S Chandrashekhar was the other notable physicist to have been recipient of physics Nobel prize in 1983 for his work in the field of Astrophysics.

Dr Amartya Sen was awarded economics Nobel in the year 1998 . In 2019 Abhijit Bannerji also received Economics Nobel prize.

Sir Hargobind khorana was the only Indian to have been conferred with Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine for his path breaking work on structure of DNA way back in 1968 .

CONTROVERSIES

Controversies as expected always greeted this august prize committees choices however , it was never overwhelming enough and thus it could maintain its authenticity despite all odds till date.

Sri Aurobindo, the Indian poet philosopher was nominated twice for the award for literature in 1943 and for Peace in 1950.

On 1 December 1999 , the Norwegian Nobel committee confirmed that Mahatma Gandhi was unsuccessfully nominated for peace prize five times. In 2006 Geir Lundested , the secretary of Norwegian Nobel peace committee cited it as the greatest omission in our 106 years history 

( Professor Jha is former head, Department of Medicine at RIMS, Ranchi )
In a shocking case, a 22-year-old woman from Noida, who went to visit Sai Upvan city forest in Ghaziabad with her 23-year-old fiance, was allegedly sexually harassed for hours and subjected to extortion by a constable, a home guard who were on duty at a police response vehicle (PRV) of the Ghaziabad police during an incident on September 16.

An FIR was registered on the basis of the womans complaint as the suspects continued harassing her by way of phone calls and even visited her house after the incident. The incident came to light when the woman underwent a series of ordeal and dialled the police emergency number for help.

The police identified the three suspects as constable Rakesh Kumar, Digambar Kumar  a home guard, and, one other unidentified man who allegedly held the couple captive and harassed them for about three hours.

The police man pressured the young woman to engage in sexual activity and also demanded Rs 10,000 from the couple, deceitfully promising their release. The couple endured the torture for about three hours before finally managing to leave only after transferring Rs 1,000 to the officer via the Paytm platform. The accused even touched my private part, the woman alleged in her complaint.

The incident occurred on September 16, but came to light on September 28, after the couple struggled for 12 days to get the FIR registered against the accused cops. The couple are engaged and the two had met in the park for a quiet moment which turned into a nightmare.

The couple, a woman from Noida and her fiance who had come to meet her from Bulandshahr, went for an outing together to Sai Upvan city forest on September 16. They were sitting together in Sai Upvan, which is adjacent to the Hindon River metro station and alongside the GT Road.

Finally, an FIR was officially filed at the Kotwali Nagar Police Station, resulting in the immediate suspension of the constable from 112-PRV at Sai Upvan. The woman in the FIR said that Rakesh Kumar also called her on September 19 of which she has a call recording and they also visited her house on September 22 when they heard that she had given a complaint against them.

Further actions are being pursued to hold the implicated home guard accountable and to investigate the third individual involved in this disturbing incident.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police (Kotwali Nagar police station) Nimish Patil, while divulging the details said that on September 28, an incident was reported in which a woman informed that within the jurisdiction of the Sai Upvan located in the police stations area, two police men from PRV 112 engaged in misbehavior, harassment, and demanded illegal money from her and her fiance.
The Industries and commerce Association (ICA ) has expressed deep concern over neglecting attitude of both state and union governments as well as the coal ministry towards hardcoke industry has pushed it on death throes..

Addressing the 90th annual general meeting here on Saturday evening association president BN Singh said , "post Covid-19 pandemic

stimulus packages announced by the union Finance Minister though provide

some relief to many sectors but the hardcoke industry was left high and dry despite fact that this industry is a major employer of this region and a strategically important industry. The industry faces severe crisis due to the policies of Ministry of Coal, Government of India, Coal India Limited and its subsidiary Bharat Coking Coal

Limited( BCCL)".

The industry is on death throes but ministry of coal appears not to be interested in helping this industry to survive.

"All our requests to the Prime Minister, Coal Minister, Coal India Limited and Bharat Coking Coal Limited has yielded no redults. Though protecting this industry is in the interest of all stake holders as can generate huge revenue for government",he claimed.

Singh said , valuable national resource of coking coal is wasted by supplying it to thermal power plants that do not need coking coal for power generation .

He claimed, this industry once was the second largest employer of the Jharkhand State and provided livelihood to the poor, tribal and other deprived sections of the society.

But the scenario has changed with one policy change after the other starting from the then Congress Government to the present BJP government that converted linkage coal policy to fuel supply agreement (FSA) and later this too was withdrawn .

He also exprssed concern that state government has failed in increasing the level of ease to doing business to make the state truly industry friendly. Electricity, road and other infrastructure requirements are still not of the level required for rapid industrial growth.

Dhanbad also remains are deprived of air services and this also a shortcoming for industries , he added.

He requested both from union and state government to announce package to bailout this industry from crisis.

Association senior vice president SK Sinha said future of hard coke industry lies in green coke and one should remain prepared for taking up changes keeping in mind the environmental requirements.

Several senior members of the association were present during the AGM held at headquarters of the association .
The Crime Branch of Bhopal have taken action against liquor smugglers and arrested 12 liquor smugglers in the last 48 hours from different areas of the city and 339.27 liters of illegally transported and sold liquor has been seized from the possession of the accused.

The price of the seized liquor is around Rs 3.50 lakh. Additional DCP Shailendra Singh Chauhan said that the Crime Branch campaign against liquor smugglers will continue.

During the action bootleggers from different areas were caught carrying liquor illegally.

The nabbed accused were identified as Sanjay Tiwari(40) and Rao (48) of Barkheda of Barkheda near Nehru Market who works as labourer and has been booked for 5 crimes he was carrying 24.93 liters of liquor and 14.70 liters of country made liquor.

Dashrath Masle(46) of Anna Nagar was nabbed and 9 liters of country liquor was seized from his possession.

Among the other accused Pappu alias Rehman Ali (54) of Rahul Nagar Bairagarh, works as a labourer and 18 liters of country made liquor was seized from his possession.

Kamlesh alias Mosiya( 50) of Katara Hills and Arun Ahire(28) of Panchsheel Nagar were nabbed and a total of 111 litres of liquor was seized from their possession.

Ajay Londe (32) of Panchsheel Nagar and Sandeep Patel(35) of Anna Nagar were seized with 72 liters of liquor.

In the same manner Vijay Rai,Deepak alias Kallu Kuchhabadia,

Roop Singh Kushwaha, Mukesh Gondane were also arrested with illegally transported liquor. A total of 339 litres have been seized.








Ruling party of the State, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha launched a scathing attack on Raj Bhavan and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), ON Monday, for removing the photograph of Chief Minister Hemant Soren from the Aryabhatta Auditorium program of Ranchi University.



JMM General Secretary, Vinod Kumar Pandey said that this is not an insult to just any Chief Minister, it is an insult to all the tribals. He said that action should be taken on whose instructions this happened. He said that today this news is in the headlines.



This is not a good sign for any State. The Chief Minister had to participate in the program but it is unfortunate that his picture was removed when he did not arrive. It is not appropriate to remove the photograph at the behest of anyone in any program, be it the Governor or the Chief Minister. Action should be taken against such people on whose orders and instructions this happened. The Chief Minister was supposed to attend that program, but removing his photograph just before the program is a big conspiracy somewhere. Whether this happened at the behest of someone, be it at the behest of Raj Bhavan or at the behest of the University, action should be taken against all those who are guilty. JMM is not going to remain silent on this, , said Pandey.



The Party General Secretary said that this is not just a question of the head of the state. This is an attack on the entire tribal society which we will not tolerate. Very soon we will organize a program and will soon expose the attitude of Raj Bhavan towards the Government, towards JMM and towards the local people, he added.



Pandey said that Babulal Marandi along with the people of BJP in Jharkhand have in Hemant fovea. Governor CP Radhakrishnan has also suffered from Hemant fovea. His Excellency is even scared of Hemant Soren's picture. Aryabhatta was scared of the picture of Chief Minister, Hemant Soren which had been hanging in the auditorium for years. Due to which he reached the program only after getting his photo taken down. This is unfortunate for the State. There is anger among JMM workers due to this matter. They are angry. The party is taking it seriously, he added.



It is known that on October 1, a program regarding Bharat Swachhta Abhiyan was organized in Aryabhatta Auditorium of Ranchi University. Governor, CP Radhakrishnan was the Chief Guest. According to the information, before the arrival of the Governor, Raj Bhavan officials took stock of the venue and the photographs of the Chief Minister were removed. Later it was reinstalled.
Amidst the controversy surrounding the arrest of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira on the charges related to drug trafficking and possible threat to the INDIA bloc at the national level, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday expressed his support for the Punjab Government's recent crackdown on drug offenders.

Kejriwal, addressing the gathering, emphasized the need for unity across political lines when it comes to combating the drug menace. Our fight is not against any party or leader; its against drugs. Drugs have destroyed our youth and our entire generation. We will not tolerate drug abuse, and there will be no compromise on this issue.

Citting a recent high-profile arrest related to drug trafficking, Kejriwal questioned why certain political parties had criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns actions in this regard. He urged all parties to take a strong stand against drug offenders within their ranks and hand them over to the police.

Delhi Chief Minister continued by saying, I appeal to all political parties that if anyone within your party is involved in drug abuse, expel them and hand them over to the police. We will not tolerate drugs, and there will be no forgiveness, regardless of whether it's our party leader or not.

Khaira, a three-time MLA, was arrested by the Fazilka police in connection with a drug trafficking case dating back eight years. He was initially taken into custody in Chandigarh and subsequently presented before the Jalalabad court, where he was remanded in two days of police custody. Later, Khaira was shifted to the Faridkot and then Nabha jails.

Khaira is accused of aiding a drug trafficker in evading arrest by making several calls to police officers. His arrest has generated considerable attention and sparked a debate on the government's determination to combat drug-related issues in Punjab.

Kejriwal's visit to Patiala and his vocal support for a stringent stance on drug offenders signal the AAP's commitment to addressing the critical issue of drug abuse in the state. The Delhi Chief Minister's message was clear: no political affiliation should protect those involved in drug-related crimes, and unity is essential in the fight against drug abuse that has plagued Punjab for years.
A superannuated Reader from the Department of Odia Language & Literature, Bhima Prusty is a prolific writer, who has bagged this years coveted Sarala Award. He has tried his pain in very many Odia literary genres like short story writing, novel writings, childrens literature and the like. Prusty took to writing as a fish takes to water. His first short story collections entitled as Nirbachita Galpa Samkalan was published in the year 1980. It was followed by a quick succession of creations like Ho Manisa Mane (2002), Peta O Petatala (2003), Adhe Manish (2003), GaparaHataGoda (2008), Lachhamania (2008), MananiyaSrijukta, (2017), collected short stories Nirbachita Galpa Samkalan (2017), Chalis Barsa Chalis Gapa (2021), Nabakalebara (2022). His novels are Muhana, Chandrabhaga (2002), KabitaraUpanyasa (2002), Priyanari (2004), Samudra Manisa (2006), Omm (2009), Kuade Chalichha Ruha Panchabhuta (2011), Jambuloka (2017), Chari Upanyasa (2019). His children literature creations include his collections as Hira Moti Manika (poetry collection), (2020). Awards and accolades poured upon him like Chandrabhaga Kanhei Katha Puraskar-1994, Nirmata Puraskar-1998, Bibartana Samman-1998, Odia Juba Lekhaka Samman-1999, Gokarnika Samman-1999, Adwaita Katha Samman-2002, Swara O Swakshar Samman-2002, Bhubaneswar Behera Sahitya Samman-2003, Sibaram Patra Smruti Samman-2006, GopabandhuSaraswata Samman-2007, Anandapur Sahitya Samman-2007, Galpika Chintamani Sahoo Puraskar-2008, Akhila Katha Samman-2008, Odia Sahitya Academy-2008, Birupa Sahitya Sansad-2010, Paschima Upanyasa Samman-2014, Fakir Mohan Sahitya Sansad Sambardhana-2016, Rangaraj Puraskar-2016, Kadambini Galpa Samman-2017, Anwesha Sahitya Samman-2018, Tapasya Srujan Puraskar-2018, Kadambini Bibhuti Pattnaik Upanyasa Samman-2021, Utkal Sahitya Samaja Sukadev Sahoo Upanyasha Samman-2021, Akshya Mohanty, Sahitya Samman-2022, Abani Baral Sahitya Samman-2023. He believes that the hitherto future generation of Odia writers should explore the Odisha locales, Odia local habitations and colour by providing them a transforming touch to the otherwise film of our familiarity in order to take Odia literary creations to dizzy heights of glory while not to lag behind other pan-Indian literary scenario. In an interview to The Pioneer, Prusty spoke to Sugyan Choudhury on his literary journey and on the many issues concerning his creations.

Could you please share with us your feelings after having won the 2023 Sarala Award?

I am delighted. Sarala Award is prestigious and the previous awardees are all stalwarts in Odia literature. Some of them are trendsetters and have created their own narrative styles. The award comprises cash of Rs 5 lakh, which is one of the highest payments in the country.

What are the trends and styles in the contemporary Odia fiction? Do they match their pan-Indian counterparts?

There are different kinds of novels being written in Odia such as historical, psychological, realistic, moralistic, sentimental, romantic, based on nostalgia about recent past and rarely political or philosophical. We can hardly find novels about diaspora or immigration or dystopia. But the number of novels produced here is comparatively no less than those in vernacular literature of different regions in India.

How do your writings stand apart from those of your peers?

It depends what I plan to write. It may be about a few characters or a place or a journey to explore about a legacy or autobiographical. I do participatory research, undertake background study and construct the narrative painstakingly over a few years. Usually, I take much care about the choices of my subjects.

How do you appreciate the writings of Odia novelists who have received national recognition?

Many of them belong to the neo-classical tradition. A few writers are modern with a focus on an individual's angst and predicament. Seldom do we find award-winning writers dealing with contemporary social or political issues. My favourite writers are Gopinath Mohanty, Jagdish Mohanty.....

Which novels of yours have earned for you the coveted Sarala Award? Could you please elaborate on your award-winning creations?

Jambuloka (The Land of No Return) won the Sarala Award for 2023. This book is about the Bangladeshi refugees and their settlement (illegal) on an island, Jambudwipa, not far from the Paradip Port on the shore of Bay of Bengal. Most of the refugees are Hindus who were forced to leave their home and motherland and finally got anchored in a seaside place seeking shelter and certified recognition from an alien government. This book is about their perilous journey and new life they adapted. The narrative was based on exhaustive interviews, reports, recorded observations spanning many years and personal involvement and anecdotes that perhaps spice up a radical way of storytelling.

My other novel, a short one, Samudra Manisha (The Sea Man) got Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award in 2008. This book is about two villages and its memorable and mind-blowing characters who are on the verge of disappearing into the sea where its level is rising every year by few inches due to sever climatic change in our atmosphere.

What are your messages for the future generation of Odia writers?

One can only say to fellow upcoming young writers: Continue learning about your mother land Odisha and your mother tongue Odia in its myriad variants and colours and tastes and local flavours. Let's explore communities. Let's venture into landscapes, old and challenging. Let's discover humanity once again among the people about whom we choose to write. Let's participate in the life process about which we intend to write. Let's do research, collect data, listen to the people's stories and invent a style of narrative of our choice and imagination.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Madhya Pradesh has stood first in cleanliness. While staying ahead in development, it is important to note that Madhya Pradesh would be brought in top three states. It is currently among top 10 states.

Modi addressed a public meeting at Gwalior's Mela Ground on Monday. He inaugurated and laid the foundation for several development projects in Madhya Pradesh valuing at Rs 19,000 crores. Modi said that with modern infrastructure and good law and order, development becomes faster in every sector. There was a time when Madhya Pradesh, especially the Gwalior-Chambal region was known for crime and corruption. Now, life is comfortable here. The path to progress has become easier. In the social sector as well, development is being witnessed. The government has resolved people's issues and strengthened their voice assuring them social justice. Today's youth have not seen the difficult times, they have seen the progressing Madhya Pradesh.

Modi said that Gwalior region, which has given many revolutionaries to the country, is a source of inspiration. Patriots from this region dedicated themselves to the service of the nation. Nearly two lakh beneficiaries have been fortunate enough to have their homes before Diwali and Dhanteras from this land. Modi said that new job opportunities will open up for the youth. Soon, India will be included in the top three economies in the world, he added.

Prime Minister Modi said that the Central Government has ensured the well-being of the people in every region. About four crore people have received their own homes. In Madhya Pradesh, lakhs of people have got the opportunity to fulfill their dream of having their own house. The important thing in housing construction is that the beneficiary gets the opportunity to build a house according to their dreams. As the construction of houses is completed, the work of depositing money in the account of the beneficiary has become easier. Along with these houses, toilet facilities, electricity, Ujjwala gas connection, and the benefit of water through pipelines are also being provided. The registration of houses in the Prime Minister's housing scheme is mostly in the names of women. It should be hoped that after coming to these houses, all families will educate their children and give them skills.Guarantee to bring Madhya Pradesh to the top in development. Modi said that today, the foundation stone is being laid for new projects in various places across the state, including the Gwalior region.

While the Vikrampuri Industrial Township has been inaugurated in Ujjain, the foundation stone for the Multi-Model Logistics Park in Indore has also been laid. In addition, the inauguration of a 244-kilometer stretch of the Delhi-Vadodara Expressway, the Malanpur Bottling Plant of the Indian Oil Corporation, and additional services at the Ratlam Terminal of the Indian Oil Corporation are of great significance. Groundbreaking ceremonies have also taken place for road projects such as Raghavgarh-Indore-Harda, Bakaner Ghat construction, Jeerapur-Pachor, Astha Bypass, and Khilchipur Bypass. Along with this, the inauguration of the academic building, hostel building, and lab complex at IIT Indore will benefit the students.

The Prime Minister described the groundbreaking ceremony for the Jal Jeevan Mission projects in Gwalior and Shivpuri districts as an important gift for this region.

Modi mentioned that the foundation stone has been laid for the construction of Critical Care Health Blocks with a capacity of 50 beds each in various places, including Vidisha Medical College. This will provide citizens with better healthcare facilities.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, along with his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, on Monday marked a new chapter in healthcare by launching the ambitious Sehatmand Punjab Mission worth Rs 550 crore. The transformative initiative aimed at enhancing the well-being of the people of Punjab and elevate the state's healthcare infrastructure.

The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Mata Kaushalya Hospital in Patiala  a pioneering hospital equipped with cutting-edge facilities. The hospital, set to serve a population of approximately 20 lakh people in and around the historic town of Patiala, boasts 300 beds with plans to add an additional 66 beds, making it a prominent healthcare institution in the region. The hospital has undergone extensive strengthening at a cost of Rs 13.80 crores and is equipped with essential facilities such as ICU and NICU, among others.

Mann emphasized the revolutionary changes happening in Punjab's healthcare sector. He declared that emergency services will be operational in all state hospitals within a year, underscoring the government's commitment to saving lives. Mann also announced the launch of the Electronic Intensive Care Unit (eICU) system, an initiative aimed at providing critical health services to remote and rural areas.

The Chief Minister commended the Aam Aadmi Clinics for their pivotal role in revitalizing the healthcare system across the state. Over 59 lakh patients have benefited from these clinics, bringing quality healthcare closer to the people. Mann urged the replication of the Aam Aadmi Clinic and CM Di Yogshala concept throughout India.

Highlighting the importance of the Sehatmand Punjab Mission, Mann said that it would rejuvenate government hospitals across the state. He unveiled the Sehatmand Punjab App, which enables citizens to locate nearby Aam Aadmi Clinics effortlessly. Additionally, the government plans to establish Ayush pharmacies in all government hospitals, mirroring the services offered by Aam Aadmi Clinics.

Mann passionately shared that Punjab aspires to emerge as a model state for providing high-quality medical treatment. Underlining the government's commitment to accessible healthcare, he announced that medicines are distributed free of cost at Aam Aadmi Clinics and that patient facilitation centers would be introduced in government hospitals.

Kejriwal, also the Aam Aadmi Partys national convener, praised the Mann-led state government for igniting a healthcare revolution. He said that these facilities would bridge the gap between private and public healthcare, ensuring that everyone receives equal access to quality medical services.

He also shared plans to expand hospitals like Aam Aadmi Clinics and Schools of Eminence across Punjab, while noting the transformation of government hospitals, which have been modernized with advanced technology.

During their visit to the hospital, both Chief Ministers interacted with patients and their families. Patients expressed their satisfaction with the facilities, highlighting that government hospitals now offer services on par with private healthcare institutions.

Punjab to Witness Healthcare Revolution: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister and AAPs national convener Arvind Kejriwal, after inaugurating a special unit at the Mata Kaushalya Hospital in Patiala as a part of the Sehatmand Punjab mission, heaped praises on the revolutionary changes taking place in Punjab under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Expressing surprise, Kejriwal noted that many district hospitals in Punjab lacked intensive care units (ICUs). He asserted that a healthcare revolution is starting on Gandhi Jayanti, emphasizing that its impact would be visible within the next two to three years.

Under the AAP's promises for the health sector, Kejriwal announced that 40 government hospitals in Punjab would be equipped with ICUs, operation theaters, and emergency wards, offering services on par with private hospitals  all free of cost. The Mann Government has allocated Rs 550 crore for these hospitals.

Emphasizing the transformation of government hospitals in Punjab under Manns administration, Kejriwal said: Education and health revolution has started in PunjabPunjab is changing. In just one-and-a-half years of the AAP government, there has been a revolution in every field in the entire Punjab.

Also criticizing the previous governments in Punjab, he alleging massive corruption. Nothing used to work without money, said Kejriwal, highlighting that the AAP government had created 37,000 government jobs in a short span, emphasizing the importance of clean intentions.

Kejriwal also pointed out the shift in industries investing in Punjab, signaling a change in the state's economic landscape. Punjab has attracted investments worth Rs 50,000 crore, he added.

AAP supremo reaffirmed the Government's commitment to fighting corruption, promising to use funds recovered from corrupt individuals to build hospitals and schools. He also announced plans for doorstep delivery of government services in Punjab, mirroring Delhi's successful model.

Kejriwal concluded by assuring that the government would continue to prioritize the welfare of its citizens, including timely payments to farmers, the construction of schools and hospitals, and efficient utilization of funds.
In a shocking incident, a minor Dalit boy was killed in Hardoi district just for allegedly stealing sugarcane from a field in the village. The accused was arrested. The superintendent of police (SP) has announced a cash reward of Rs 10,000 to the team that worked out the murder case.

As per reports, the victim, who was a Class V student, had gone to his school on September 25 but did not return home until late evening. While searching for him, his parents found his body lying in the sugarcane field of Shahabuddin, who is a resident of Mujha Mahra Para.

The victim was identified as Mukesh, who was the son of Rambachan, and a resident of Nai Basti area that falls under the Manjhila police station area. The police registered a case on the basis of a complaint by the father of the deceased and started an inquiry.

The police scanned CCTV footage in the area and also deployed a team to investigate the case. Four teams were deployed, as was a SWAT surveillance team, to investigate the case and nab the accused.

After a thorough investigation, the police zeroed in on a suspect, Ismail Khan. The police took him into custody and interrogated him on Saturday evening. The accused confessed to have murdered the child. Ismail said that he clubbed the kid for stealing a sugarcane from the field.

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy was smothered to death in Rajpur Khampur village on Friday allegedly by his friend after he asked him to return Rs 30, borrowed a few days ago.

Ritik Kumar, a student of Class XI living in Baghpat, had requested the accused to return his Rs 30 and it led to an argument between them. The incident occurred on a crowded road in Rajpur Khampur village under Baraut police station. Initially, the accused, accompanied by his uncle and two others, attacked Ritik. According to witnesses, the accused later ran away from the scene.

We were having dinner when Ritik left the house and went to the shop of his friends uncle. By the time we came to know about the situation, it had turned ugly. They grabbed Kumars neck and allegedly killed him, Ritiks uncle Ghanshyam said.

Baraut SHO Devesh Kumar said, Although no injuries were visible on the body, autopsy reports confirmed strangulation as the cause of death. An FIR under IPC Section 302 (murder) was lodged against the accused following a complaint by the victims family.

Of the four accused, the minor was detained, and two were arrested. One person is yet to be identified, the SHO said.










Private Schools and Children Welfare Association (PASWA), on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, paid homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi by lighting 1001 lamps in front of his statue at Bapu Vatika in the capital Ranchi this evening. On this occasion, Finance Minister of Jharkhand Government, Dr Rameshwar Oraon, who was present as the Chief Guest, along with State PASWA Chief, Alok Kumar Dubey.



On the occasion talking to media persons, Dr Rameshwar Oraon said that Gandhiji provided freedom the Country from slavery and he was not only a social reformer but also a Nation builder and an individual reformer. He said that while explaining the meaning of Nationalism, Gandhiji had said that humanity and all-round development is possible only through humanity. Today the whole world is imbibing the path shown by Satyagraha, he added.



Dubey said that the thoughts and ideals of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, who inspired the entire world to follow the path of truth, non-violence and peace and was the pioneer of the Indian freedom struggle, are relevant for us even today. He led important movements like Quit India Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Non-Cooperation Movement and worked to drive away the British by leading the Quit India Movement through Dandi March and Salt Satyagraha. He added.



Meanwhile, Bharatiya Jan Kalyan Parishad paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by organizing a grand tribute ceremony at Gandhi Ashram Sector 2, Dhurwa, while on the other hand, eye check-up camp was organized by Iris Hospital, free health check-up camp was organized by Samford Hospital and health counseling camp was organized by Berlin Hospital. Various types of free tests were conducted on the people.



Finance Minister of Jharkhand Government, Dr Rameshwar Oraon, Special Guest Editor, Harinarayan Singh, former Vice Chancellor, Dr Suresh Prasad Singh, newly elected President of FJCCI, Kishore Minister were present in the tribute ceremony organized under the chairmanship of Mokhtar Singh, a follower of Gandhian ideology.



Senior committee leaders Alok Kumar Dubey, Ajay Singh, Dr Subodh Kumar Singh, Kali Prasad Singh, Bharatiya Welfare Council President, Bhanu Pratap Singh garlanded the statue of Bapu, lit the lamp and paid homage to Bapu.

On this occasion, Dr Rameshwar Oraon honored the women sanitation workers, also distributed books among the children and distributed food.
The president of Uttarakhand chapter of National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS) Jeetmani Painyuli has claimed that the success of the Pension Maha rally at Ramlila Ground in New Delhi on October 1 has given a wake-up call to the government. He said that those in power must have understood the writing on the wall and the intention of the employees. Painyuli added that the vote for restoration of OPS campaign will be launched soon.

On Monday the executive committee of Uttarakhand OPS went to the Raj Ghat in New Delhi to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. Later in the day the members of the committee visited the Rampur Tiraha in Muzaffarnagar district to pay homage to the martyrs of the statehood movement.

A meeting of the executive was organised in Dehradun in the afternoon in which the members expressed gratitude to the employees for making the Pension Maha rally a success. The employees are demanding the abolition of the New Pension Scheme (NPS) which was started in the year 2004. Under the NPS a portion of the salary of the employees is deducted every month and the government makes an equal contribution. The employees are finding the NPS non lucrative and are demanding the restoration of OPS in which the retiring employee gets 50 per cent of his last drawn salary as pension. In the OPS the employees also get the benefit of Dearness Allowance (DA), family pension and commutation.
A week after the alleged rape of a Class-III student by a school peon in Rayagada district, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the police administration to conduct an impartial investigation and give justice to the family members of the victim.

This complaint be transmitted to the concerned authority for such action as deemed appropriate. The case is closed, the NHRC stated in a letter to the district Superintendent of Police (SP).

The order was passed after president of Nyay Pain Ladhei Parivar (NPLP) Subrat Kumar Dash filed the complaint seeking stern action against the accused and a compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the family members of the victim.

Last week, the eight-year-old Dalit girl, who is a day scholar at an ashram school run by the ST, SC Development Department at Dangasil village under Kashipur block of the district, was allegedly raped by the peon. While the accused Shiba Prasad Mishra has been suspended and taken into police custody, the incident has triggered widespread rage among locals. The villagers resorted to road blockade and some of them even set a police vehicle on fire when the cops tried to intervene and pacify them. They were demanding that the accused be handed over to them.

Official sources informed that the accused lured the minor to an empty room of the school after she came from home post lunch and then raped her. The victims family came to know from her friends about the incident after they saw her crying in pain and bleeding profusely. The victim had been admitted to the local hospital but later shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital after her condition deteriorated. She is currently stable, they said.
In a significant development, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday claimed that Punjab has successfully attracted investments exceeding Rs 50,000 crore in the past 18 months. These investments are a result of the determined efforts of the State Government to create an environment conducive to business growth, he said.

Mann, addressing a gathering at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of a cutting-edge cattle feed plant worth Rs 138 crore set to be established by the Dutch-based company De Heus, underscored the importance of diversification in agriculture. He highlighted the need for farmers in Punjab and Haryana to explore avenues beyond traditional crops, such as horticulture, dairy, poultry, fishery, and piggery, to enhance their income prospects.

De Heus, one of the world's top 10 global animal feed companies from the Netherlands, is venturing into Punjab with this state-of-the-art plant, raising hopes for farmers in the region  marking the first major investment by a Dutch company in the State.

The Netherlands is renowned as the second-largest exporter of agricultural products globally, making this collaboration a promising prospect for both parties. The newly-established plant is set to produce a comprehensive range of livestock products, including compound feed, concentrates, base mix, and dairy mineral mixes.

In the initial phase, which is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2025, the plant will manufacture 180 kilo metric tons (KMT) of animal feed, with plans to increase production to 240 KMT. The factory will feature two dedicated production lines for efficiency.

Mann emphasized his commitment to attract investments to Punjab, noting that the State has already secured significant commitments from various companies. Tata Steel has made the most substantial investment in the state, followed by companies like Jindal Steel, Virgio, Class, Tafe, and Hindustan Unilever. These investments are set to generate employment opportunities for approximately 2.25 lakh youths in the state.

The Chief Minister celebrated the fact that the Dutch investment is a testament to Punjabs potential, countering the skeptics who doubted the states ability to attract investments. He highlighted the industrious nature of Punjabis, emphasizing their entrepreneurial spirit and leadership qualities.

Mann described the collaboration between Punjab and Netherlands as an opportunity for both nations to excel and script a new success story of economic growth. He urged industrialists to capitalize on Punjabs business-friendly environment, citing excellent infrastructure, reliable power supply, skilled human resources, and a favorable industrial and work culture as key advantages.

Punjab is not only a land of opportunities but also a gateway to the country, making it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs from around the world. The state's communal harmony, industrial peace, and congenial atmosphere for industrial growth have contributed significantly to its overall development and prosperity, he said.

The Chief Minister extended a warm welcome to the industrialists, expressing the government's openness to new ideas and innovations to further boost industrial growth in Punjab. He concluded by affirming that the state is rapidly scripting a new success story across various sectors.
Congress former national president Rahul Gandhi on Monday embarked on a spiritual journey to Sikhs holiest shrine Golden Temple in Amritsar. His visit was marked by prayers, volunteer service, and an atmosphere of subdued political tensions.

Rahul Gandhi arrived at Amritsar International Airport at 11:15 am. The state party chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, described it as Rahul Gandhis personal visit, in a tweet, while urging the party workers to respect the national leaders privacy during this spiritual visit and not be physically present, emphasizing that the visit was a personal, and spiritual one.

Amid a crowd of devotees, Rahul Gandhi was seen offering heartfelt prayers at the sanctum sanctorum of the revered Golden Temple. Following this, he paid a visit to the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikh community, and engaged in sewa, (voluntary service) by cleaning water bowls used by the temples devotees. Rahul Gandhi humbly sat among other devotees, washing utensils as a gesture of devotion.

It is expected that Rahul Gandhi will continue to perform sewa at the shrine and may also participate in the palki sewa ritual scheduled for Tuesday morning.

Congress leader Bhagwantpal Singh Sachar had previously shared that Rahul Gandhi would pay his respects at the Darbar Sahib and engage in volunteer activities like washing utensils. Rahul Gandhi has reserved accommodations at a private hotel in close proximity to the Darbar Sahib, with only a single room being reserved at the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Inn specifically for him. Sachhar clarified that alternative arrangements for Rahul Gandhi's security personnel have been arranged at the private hotel.

Rahul Gandhi's visit to the Golden Temple comes amidst ongoing political disputes between the Congress' state unit and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the arrest of party MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in a 2015 drug case. Some party leaders have also expressed their opposition to the alliance with AAP for the upcoming 2024 general elections.

The visit also coincides with a period of heightened sensitivity for the Sikh community as allegations of deliberate attempts to spread hate propaganda against Sikhs have arisen amid India-Canada tensions related to the murder of alleged Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

In contrast to previous visits, Rahul Gandhi plans to stay in Amritsar for an extended period, choosing to spend the night in the holy city. During the day, he immersed himself in gurbani kirtan inside the Darbar Sahib and continued to perform volunteer service in the community kitchen.

Congress leaders visit to the Golden Temple has been low-key and non-controversial. Having a history of visits to the shrine starting from 2008, he has frequently made personal trips since then. However, his most recent visit in January was considered politically significant as it coincided with his Bharat Jodo Yatra when he wore a kesari turban.
Sanitation workers of the Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (BMHRC) on Monday were honored under the Swachhta Hi Seva Fortnight and on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

A cultural program was also organised, in which the students of the nursing college also staged a dance drama to convey the message given by Gandhiji regarding cleanliness. Along with this, the students also presented Gandhiji's two favorite bhajans by singing 'Vaishnav Jan Te Tene Kahiye' and 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram.'

BMHRC Director Dr. Manisha Srivastava while addressing the sanitation workers of BMHRC said that We are not only honoring you for the show, but we respect you from the bottom of our heart. The work you guys are doing, no one else can do it. Dr. Srivastava told the employees that we should have respect for the sanitation workers. We should help them. It should not be the case that we spread garbage irresponsibly and expect the sweepers to keep the entire campus clean.

He said that it is even more important to take care of cleanliness in hospitals, because infected waste comes out of hospitals. If this contaminated waste is not disposed of properly, it can adversely affect the health of the person exposed to it.Director, BMHRC, while remembering Mahatma Gandhi, said that Gandhiji was a great proponent of cleanliness.

He was the first to spread the message of cleanliness among the common people in our country. It is not easy for any other person to do what Gandhiji did for himself. We should take inspiration from Gandhiji and take a pledge to keep not only our house but also outside the house and our office clean.

Intensive cleanliness drive in BMHRC : Earlier on Sunday, an intensive cleanliness drive was carried out in the premises of the entire BMHRC as a part of a call given by the Central Government. BMHRC employees went to different places and cleaned the area. A WhatsApp group was formed to monitor cleanliness at the institute. Any employee will report any litter or litter on the premises and the responsible person will take immediate action.
In commemoration of Gandhi Jayanti, a solemn ceremony unfolded at Mango Gandhi Maidan as Minister Banna Gupta, District Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri, Senior Superintendent of Police Kishore Kaushal, Deputy Development Commissioner Manish Kumar, and Rural SP Rishabh Garg gathered to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. The dignitaries adorned the statue of Mahatma Gandhi with garlands, emphasizing the enduring relevance of Bapu's principles.

Minister Banna Gupta expressed, "Bapu's path of truth and non-violence is still relevant for us today. His sacrifices in the freedom movement continue to inspire us." District Deputy Commissioner Bhajantri acknowledged Gandhi's ideals as a profound source of inspiration, highlighting the administration's commitment to empowering women and promoting cleanliness.

In a gesture of recognition, 10 female sanitation workers from Mango Municipal Corporation were honored during the ceremony. Additionally, 10 women from the primitive Sabar tribe were draped in sarees as a symbol of appreciation. The event also showcased the empowerment of five self-help groups that received a credit of Rs 9 lakh from the Bank of India under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission.

This program witnessed the participation of various officials, including City Manager, CMM, Junior Engineer, Computer Operator, CO, CRP, and numerous members from self-help groups, emphasizing a collective commitment to Gandhian ideals and community development.
More than nine lakh patients have received free treatment under the Ayushman scheme in the State so far. Health minister Dhan Singh Rawat informed that the government has so far spent Rs 1,700 crore on providing free treatment under the scheme. The maximum number of patients have availed the benefit of this scheme in Dehradun district with more than 2.47 lakh getting free treatment.

It will be recalled that the facility of free treatment costing upto Rs five lakh is provided per family in one year under the Ayushman scheme in the State. Rawat said that since the start of the scheme till the present, more than nine lakh people have received free medical treatment under it. The feedback being received from all the districts from the treated patients and their caretakers is satisfactory. Stating that the government has spent about Rs 1,700 crore on providing free treatment to beneficiaries under this scheme, the minister said that the State government is committed to addressing the issues of public health. Every person is being provided proper treatment with strict instructions being issued to the officials concerned to ensure this, he claimed. Rawat further averred that the work under the scheme is being executed in a better manner, for which the Central government has also awarded the State.

The chief executive officer of the State Health Authority Dr Anand Srivastav said that all attempts are being made to ensure that the benefit of Ayushman scheme reaches all the people. Targets have also been set for preparing Ayushman cards and Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) cards in the State, he added.

According to official data, 2,47,350 patients have received free treatment under the scheme in Dehradun district, 24,063 in Almora district, 10,396 in Bageshwar district, 32,033 in Chamoli district, 14,874 in Champawat district, 1,53,791 in Haridwar district, 78,617 in Nainital district, 75,687 in Pauri district, 27,798 in Pithoragarh district, 53,573 in Tehri district, 1,32,633 in Udham Singh Nagar district and 30,134 in Uttarkashi district. A total of 9,00,493 patients have received free treatment under the scheme so far.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that a separate State of Uttarakhand was created due to the struggle and sacrifice of the statehood activists. Terming the incident of October 2, 1994 in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh as an unfortunate event the CM said that brutal force was used on the statehood activists on the day which resulted in martyrdom of many activists. The CM was addressing a programme organised to pay homage to the martyrs of statehood movement at Muzaffarnagar in UP on Monday. Dhami said that the State government is committed to the development of the State on the lines of the commitments and dreams of the statehood movement. He added that the government has made a commitment to provide honour and authority to the statehood activists and it has decided to provide 10 per cent reservation to them. The government has also increased the pension of statehood activists and has decided to provide pension to their dependents after their deaths. The CM said that a uniform pension will be provided to all the statehood activists.

He said that the State government is committed to make Uttarakhand the best State in the country under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Union minister for State Ajay Bhatt said that Uttarakhand was created due to the sacrifice of statehood activists. He said that during the tenure of PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Uttarakhand was carved out of UP and it was he who gave a special industrial package to the State.

The BJP Uttarakhand president Mahendra Bhatt said that the foundation of development of the State is being laid in accordance with the aspirations of the statehood activists. Union minister of State Sanjeev Baliyan, UP minister UP Kapil Dev Agarwal, MLA Pradeep Batra and others were present on the occasion.
In commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi's 153rd birth anniversary, the Central Government launched the nationwide Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign. In this initiative, the State Bank of India (SBI), recognized for its commitment to cleanliness and societal well-being, played a pivotal role.

Kaliasot Dam has been identified for SBI's cleanliness endeavors, encompassing regular clean-up activities and the installation of informative cleanliness-promoting billboards.

To rekindle public awareness and dedication to cleanliness, SBI introduced new billboards and dustbins in the vicinity. These additions aimed to encourage responsible waste disposal and maintain the area's cleanliness.

The initiative was spearheaded by Deputy Managing Director Binod Kumar Mishra, showcasing its uniqueness. Under his leadership, the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2023 was launched across the SBI Bhopal circle, which includes Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, spanning 358 locations. Bank officers and local residents actively joined this campaign, demonstrating their unwavering commitment.

Continuing their dedication, Binod Kumar Mishra, alongside Ajitav Parashar, GM NW 2 LHO Bhopal, led a cleanliness drive at Bus stand Katni and RBO Katni. They were joined by district Collector Mr. Avi Prasad, Superintendent of Police Mr. Abhijeet Kumar Ranjan, and other bank officials.

This collective effort garnered appreciation from the attending general public, acknowledging the bank's role in promoting cleanliness awareness. During the event, all officials and staff members pledged to uphold cleanliness principles, striving to make Bhopal the cleanest city in the country.

In a post-event gathering, General Manager Kundan Jyoti and Neeraj Prasad reaffirmed their commitment to making Bhopal the top-ranked clean city in India. DGM & Circle Development Officer Deepak Jha, along with Deputy General Managers, officers, and bank employees, were also present. They collectively vowed and took oath to transform these efforts into a sustainable movement, with active public participation ensuring enduring success.


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A semi-nude body of a woman, with knife marks on her stomach, was found in the courtyard of a house in Raipura in Chitrakoot on Monday.

The police said that the woman had an illicit relationship with a youth, which resulted in frequent disputes in her house.

According to the information, Ram Bahadur, a resident of Denudha village in the Raipura police station area, works as a security guard in Rajkot, Gujarat. His wife, Rinki Gupta (30), used to reside at home with their three sons and brother-in-law Basant. On a fateful day, her sons had gone to a neighbours house to play.

The police recovered the knife and sickle lying at the spot and sent the body for postmortem. The police are expressing suspicion on the family.

Meanwhile, in a horrific incident, the body of a 30-year-old woman was found in three pieces in a field on Sunday. The torso was wrapped in a mattress and stitched with a plastic rope, while the legs were found in two trolley bags in a nearby paddy field.

The villagers, after experiencing a foul smell, informed the police. The Barhaj circle officer reached the spot and sent the body for post-mortem. The victims identity is yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, in another killing in Aligarh, a man died after being allegedly assaulted by his neighbours, whom he had accused of molesting his daughter, according to the police.

In another incident, a man killed his wife after she refused to transfer her ancestral land in his name. The police said that Akhilesh (27) of Nehru Nagar in Lalitpur, was detained for killing his wife Aarti (24) on Sunday.

According to Lalitpur Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mushtaq, Aarti refused to transfer the land on Akhileshs name. In a fit of anger, he struck Aarti with an iron tawa, leading to her death. The SP mentioned that the body was sent for a post-mortem, and the accused was subsequently arrested.
Amidst escalating political turmoil in Punjab and growing dissent over the proposed alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, senior Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday made a strong and symbolic statement likening the pan-India opposition INDIA bloc to an unyielding mountain, signifying its strength and stability even in the face of occasional storms.

Sidhu's statement resonates with the ongoing internal discord within the Punjab Congress, where prominent leaders like state party chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa have openly opposed the idea of forming an alliance with AAP. The recent arrest of Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira on drug-related charges, dating back to 2015, has further ignited tensions within the party.

In a tweet posted on Sunday, Sidhu boldly declared, The I.N.D.I.A alliance stands like a tall mountaina storm here and there will not affect its Grandeur!!! Any attempt to sabotage and breach this shield to safeguard our Democracy will prove futile. Punjab must understand that this is an election to choose Indias Prime Minister and not Punjabs Chief Minister.

Sidhu's message underscored the significance of the INDIA alliance, emphasizing the broader national context of the 2024 elections. Punjab Congress former president urged his party leaders to put aside their differences and rally behind the alliance, reinforcing the idea that this election is about selecting India's Prime Minister, not Punjab's Chief Minister.

The ongoing turmoil within the Punjab Congress has been exacerbated by the recent arrest of Khaira, who was taken into custody by the Punjab Police on charges related to drug trafficking, stemming from a 2015 case. Following his arrest, Khaira was produced in a court in Fazilka's Jalalabad and remanded in police custody for two days, followed by 14-day judicial custody.

Khairas arrest triggered a swift and strong reaction from the Congress leaders, who directed their frustration towards the AAP, currently in power in both Punjab and Delhi. The arrest has become a flashpoint in the ongoing political drama, with various factions within the Punjab Congress taking positions on the issue.

RaGa on personal Amritsar visit today

In contrast to the internal discord within the Congress, partys former national president Rahul Gandhi will be on a personal visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Monday. The visit is notable for its timing, as it occurs against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the Congress and AAP leaders in the border state.

There are ongoing discussions about the two parties contesting the Lok Sabha polls together as a part of the INDIA bloc, a coalition aimed at challenging the ruling BJP on a national level.

Sources close to Rahul Gandhi have clarified that his visit to the Golden Temple is entirely personal and unrelated to any party-related meetings. Rahul Gandhi's visit is expected to be a spiritual one, focusing on paying his respects at the iconic Golden Temple, a symbol of religious and cultural significance for the Sikh community and India as a whole.

Rahul Gandhis arrival is anticipated at around 10 am on Monday, immediately following his landing at the airport. During his visit, he has expressed a desire to engage in sewa (service) at the Golden Temple, which may include tasks like assisting in the kitchen or participating in the langar (community kitchen) service  a communal meal that embodies the spirit of Sikh hospitality.

It is worth noting that this visit is not Rahul Gandhi's first to Amritsar. He had previously visited the city during his Bharat Jodo yatra, and had paid his respects at the sanctum sanctorum, underscoring the personal significance of the sacred site for many Indians.

Sidhu, who had been relatively less active in politics following his release from jail earlier this year, has been gaining prominence once again. His recent statements and actions indicate a renewed commitment to shaping the political landscape in Punjab.

The previous week, he addressed the people of Punjab, advocating for a governance system based on principles of merit, fairness, opportunity, and sustainability. Sidhu also stressed the importance of a government relying on revenue rather than borrowing and indirect taxes.

In a surprising turn of events, Sidhu made an unannounced visit to the headquarters of the Punjab Government's Civil Aviation Department in Chandigarh last Wednesday. During his visit, he reportedly sought detailed information regarding the public expenditure related to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's helicopter rides and air travel.

As political dynamics continue to evolve in Punjab, Rahul Gandhi's visit to the Golden Temple takes on personal significance while the state's political landscape remains fluid, marked by ongoing discussions and alliances that will shape its political future.
The police arrested four people from Punjabs Rupnagar district in the wee hours of Monday for having allegedly embezzled crores of rupees from investors and banks in Dehradun a decade ago. The accused committed this fraud purportedly to get loans and provide flats to investors in Dehradun. All the accused are shrewd criminals and 12 cases under different acts are registered against them in various police stations of the district, said the Dehradun senior superintendent of police Ajai Singh. He said that the accused Prem Dutt Sharma and Arun Sagan along with their wives Sunita Sharma and Aradhna Sharma respectively belong to Punjab. They scammed people in 2013 in the name of selling flats in a multi-storey residential complex in the name of Artigo Residency in Rajpurs Malsi area. The four accused were working as an organised gang to embezzle people's money and seven cases of fraud are already registered against them in Rajpur police station, the SSP said. He said that the accused were absconding in various cases and the court had also issued non-bailable warrants against them. The police had also raided all possible places in the past but could not nab them despite all these efforts. However, SSP added, the police team continued secretly collecting information about all accused and finally arrested them from Punjab in the wee hours of Monday. Singh said that the accused were living a luxurious life in Punjab and the police will ensure they are brought to justice for their crimes.
The Uttar Pradesh government distributed 69,726 foodgrain packets and 4,65,048 lunch packets in the flood-affected districts of Uttar Pradesh and set up 1,310 flood relief centres across 84 tehsils in 20 severely affected districts. Additionally, over 2,647 medical teams were formed to provide essential healthcare services to people in the flood-hit districts.

Yogi had held a review meeting even before the onset of monsoon to prepare the administration for floods and conducted aerial and ground inspections later on to assess the damage and provide relief to people living in the flood-affected areas.

According to the data of the Indian Meteorological department, 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh have experienced excessive rainfall this year, exceeding 120 per cent of the expected rainfall, between June 1 and September 15. Most of these districts are situated in western Uttar Pradesh.

Additionally, more than normal rainfall (120 to 80 per cent) has been recorded in 24 districts of the state, including those in western and central UP, and Bundelkhand.

Meanwhile, 31 districts have received normal rainfall, ranging from 40 to 80 per cent. On the contrary, seven districts have received less than normal rainfall, amounting to less than 40 per cent.

Relief commissioner GS Naveen Kumar said that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had held a review meeting on flood relief efforts even before the onset of monsoon. During the meeting, the CM emphasised on the need for being prepared to provide comprehensive assistance to both people and livestock in the flood-affected areas.

Yogi further directed the officials to make thorough preparations in advance to minimise the loss of life. All these efforts resulted in massive relief works in the 37 flood-affected districts of the state, leading to minimal loss of life.

The relief commissioner said that 37 districts experienced higher-than-normal rainfall, with 34 districts being directly impacted by floods.

Among these, 20 districts faced particularly severe flooding, prompting urgent relief efforts. These heavily affected districts comprised 14 of western Uttar Pradesh, including Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Farrukhabad, Saharanpur, Agra, Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Mathura, Shamli, Badaun, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Shahjahanpur, and Ghaziabad.

Additionally, five districts in the Awadh region, including Barabanki, Kheri, Hardoi, Gonda, and Sitapur, were affected by floods. Purvanchals Basti district also witnessed significant flooding.

In order to provide relief to five lakh people residing in 1,287 villages across 84 affected tehsils in these districts, a total of 1,310 flood posts were established.

Additionally, 2,647 medical teams were deployed to address medical-related issues. To ensure that flood victims did not face food shortages, 69,726 food packets were distributed during this period, along with 4,65,048 lunch packets.

Among the districts heavily affected by floods, Farrukhabad ranked first, with 75,453 people from 116 villages affected by it. In response, 52 flood posts were established and 1,003 medical teams were formed, he added.
A teenager from Uttar Pradesh and a young man from Delhi died after drowning in the Yamuna and Ganga rivers in the Dehradun district in two separate incidents on Monday. The officials said that a boy named Asiyan (17) who belonged to UPs Sitapur area had gone to Dakpatthars Katapatthar area along with his friends to take a bath in the Yamuna river. According to his friends, the strong current of the river swept him away when he was bathing in it, said the officials. The local police called the rescue teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to conduct the search operation. The team retrieved the victims body after an intensive search operation and handed it over to the police. In another incident, Shivam Singh (24) from Delhi drowned in the Ganga river in Rishikesh near Neem beach while bathing along with friends. The officials said that according to his friends, they decided to bathe in the river after rafting. The leg of the victim slipped and the river swept him away. The police called SDRF who retrieved the body from 15 feet depth in the river with the help of divers. The police will hand over the bodies of both victims after completing the necessary procedure, added officials.
The Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) employees will be on a one-day strike at the Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) in Dehradun on Tuesday as part of their planned phased protest against the corporation management. The members of the Uttarakhand Roadways Sanyukt Morcha (URSM) said that they will be on a one-day strike at Haldwani bus station and Tanakpur bus station on Thursday and Friday respectively. The union members will march to the secretariat in Dehradun on the morning of October 10 and if the government still takes no action on the demands of the employees, they will go on an indefinite strike from midnight the same day. All major transport unions have come together under URSM against the corporation management to unanimously present their demands before the government. The URSM mainly consist of four major unions which are Roadways Karamchari Sanyukt Parishad, Uttaranchal Roadways Karmchari Union, Uttarakhand Employees Roadways Union and SC ST Workers Union. Their main demands are the regularisation of hundreds of employees and the purchase of 500 new roadways buses. Besides this, they are also demanding strict action against illegal operations of private buses in cities affecting the business of roadways buses. The employees also want immediate job appointments in UTC for the dependents of the deceased. They are also demanding arrear payment of the seventh pay scale and a raise in dearness allowance to all employees from January 1, 2023 along with the commencement of the house rent allowance. Their demands further include uniforms in winter and summer. The employees have also raised an objection to the hiring of employees via agencies and demanded direct recruitment from UTC besides regularising drivers and conductors. The union members said that they had informed the UTC administration regarding the plan of their protest in advance while making it clear that they will commence indefinite protest from October 10 if the government fails to fulfill their demands.
The driver of a Delhi Government schools vice-principal duped him of over Rs 4 lakh after taking the victims mobile phone on some pretext. Police said the accused has been arrested and identified as Sandesh Chaudhary aka Sunny Chaudhary (23), a resident of Lal Kuan, Ghaziabad.

The official said that the accused after doing fraudulent transactions from his employers mobile phone used to delete messages so to not get caught. The matter came to light after, the complainant, Mahesh Kumar Sharma (55), a resident of Babarpur, presently appointed as Vice Principal of a government school, Mandawali reported at Cyber northeast district police station that he received an SMS on his mobile phone regarding debit of Rs 33068 from his savings bank account with Punjab National Bank, Kamla Nagar, Delhi.

On suspicion, he obtained statement of his bank account from which it emerged that, since March to June 2023, 18 such transactions amounting to Rs 4,44,630 have been fraudulently made by some unknown person. During detailed examination of the complainant, it emerged that the complainant often sought help of his driver namely, Sandesh for online transactions and other networking related jobs, but due to his suspected activities, he was terminated from the job in the end of June, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast), Joy Tirkey.

During investigation, information was obtained from Punjab National Bank, Kamla Nagar and Flipkart from which it came out that the fraudster had used that amount for purchasing of various items including 14 mobile phones, one LED TV, one refrigerator, one washing machine, bluetooth speakers & one wooden TV unit from Flipkart.

Further, technical surveillance was mounted and on the basis of information collected, a raid was conducted at the possible hideout and team was successful in nabbing Sandesh, said the DCP. During interrogation, Sandesh revealed that he clandestinely obtained the ATM number of the complainant.

For online payment, OTP is essentially required. For obtaining OTP, he used to take mobile phone of his employer on some pretext and after successful payment of the ordered items from Flipkart, he deleted all the SMSs related to transactions, said the DCP.

In this way, the accused made 18 such transactions of total amount for Rs 4,44,630 for shopping on Flipkart. He further disclosed that in order to avoid detection by the delivery agents, he used to give the vague address of his nearby locality and took delivery near some famous landmark near his rented house, said the DCP.




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Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that development of Naimisharanya on the lines of Ayodhya was the priority of his government.

During his one-day visit to Chakratirtha in Naimisharanya Dham, the chief minister also emphasised that there was no dearth of funds for the development of Naimish Tirtha.

Yogi also offered prayers and performed havan as per the rituals during his visit. The chief minister visited the ancient Bhuteswarnath temple and Maa Lalita Devi temple.

Besides, the chief minister performed shramdaan at Chakratirtha along with the saints, mahants and priests of various monasteries and temples of Naimish Teertha.

Earlier, during the conversation with the saints and saints, the chief minister urged them to maintain cleanliness and ensure that monasteries and temples are completely plastic-free.

This was Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths fifth visit to Naimish Tirtha, the holy abode of 88,000 illustrious sages including Maharaj Manu, Ved Vyas and Maharishi Dadhichi, after taking charge of the state of Uttar Pradesh.

The saints praised the unprecedented development in Naimish Tirtha during their meeting with the chief minister. They expressed special gratitude to Yogi and said that Naimish Teerth held an invaluable place among the Sanatani devotees of the entire country and its beauty had been enriched by the development works carried out in this government. They also invited the chief minister to visit their respective temples and monasteries.

Addressing the saints and priests, the chief minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given a call to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. It is our responsibility to make cleanliness a mass movement instead of making it a one-day programme. Cleanliness is the first necessity of life. Especially in places of pilgrimage, monasteries, temples and every place that people visit, we have to be sensitive towards cleanliness, he remarked.

Yogi said that the government was committed to restore the Vedic and mythological glory of this region. He pointed out that earlier the place was neglected and denied development despite being located near the capital Lucknow.

Today, work is going on at a fast pace to provide electric bus service and helicopter service as well as to widen the roads here. However, the development that has happened here so far is only a small glimpse of the larger picture. A lot of work still remains to be done here, he further added.

The whole country wants to come to Naimisharanya today. After the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, the number of devotees will increase further. Therefore, we have to create a conducive environment, which can be achieved only with cleanliness. Along with this, we have to ensure that the visitors and tourists coming here are treated well, the chief minister stated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has already "accepted defeat" by requesting him not to stop schemes initiated by the Congress in Rajasthan, and gave a guarantee that the BJP will not stop any scheme but only try to improve it.

Addressing a public rally in Chittorgarh, Modi also gave a clear indication that no chief minister face will be projected in the poll-bound state.

The BJP, he said, will contest the assembly election on the party's symbol 'lotus'.

Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, BJP state president CP Joshi, leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore, union minister Arjun Meghwal were among the political leaders present at the rally.

There has been much speculation whether Raje will be declared the chief ministerial face by the BJP in Rajasthan.

On Gehlot's demand that Modi should give a guarantee that no scheme initiated by the Congress government be stopped if the BJP comes to power, Modi said, Gehlot knows that the countdown of the Congress government has started. He in a way has congratulated the BJP by publicly requesting that the schemes should not be stopped. I assure you that BJP will not stop any scheme of public interest but will try to improve it. This is Modi's guarantee".

Gehlot had recently demanded that Modi should guarantee that Congress government's schemes will not be discontinued if the BJP comes to power in the state.

Attacking the Gehlot government over the issue of corruption and women's safety, the prime minister said he is pained when atrocities take place against daughters anywhere in the country but charged that the Congress has made this a tradition here.

Modi also said that the alleged paper leak mafia in the state will be held accountable and given the harshest punishment.

Referring to tailor Kanhaiya Lal's brutal murder in Udaipur last year, Modi asked whether the people of the state had voted the Congress for this.

Had you imagined what happened in Udaipur? People come on the pretext of getting clothes stitched, slit the throat of the tailor without any fear and make a video and make it viral, and Congress gets worried about votes in that too, he said.

Lal, 48, was killed with a cleaver inside his shop in Udaipur on June 28 last year. The assailants claimed they hacked Lal to death to avenge an alleged insult to Islam.

The prime minister also said that it is not possible to celebrate any festival peacefully in Rajasthan because of the "anti-development" environment created by the Congress.

Modi said the BJP will bring prosperity, employment and development in the state besides ensuring safety of women.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will offer prayers at the Golden Temple here on Monday.

The former Congress president landed at the airport here at 11:15 am.

Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said Gandhi is on a personal visit to the city.

Shri @RahulGandhi ji is coming to Amritsar Sahib to pay obeisance at Sachkhand Shri Harmandir Sahib. This is his personal, spiritual visit, let's respect his privacy. Request all party workers to not be physically present for this visit. You all can show your support in spirit & meet him the next time. Satnaam Shri Waheguru, Warring posted on X.

Gandhi's visit to Punjab comes at a time when there is tension between the Punjab Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party over the arrest of party MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in a 2015 drugs case.

Some of the party leaders are also opposed to the alliance with the AAP in Punjab for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said the Samajwadi Party government was responsible for opening fire on people protesting for a separate Uttarakhand in undivided Uttar Pradesh at Rampur Tiraha, Khatima and Mussoorie in 1994.

Dhami also targeted the then Congress government at the Centre, accusing it of being a mute spectator during the firings.

"On this day in 1994, the Samajwadi Party government of undivided Uttar Pradesh opened fire on people agitating peacefully for statehood at Rampur Tiraha and subjected them to the cruelest atrocities," Dhami said addressing a function at Rampur Tiraha in Muzaffarnagar to commemorate the martyrdom of statehood agitators.

"Rampur Tiraha firing has left a deep wound in the hearts of every Uttarakhandi that has not healed even 29 years after the incident," Dhami said.

Recalling the Khatima and Mussoorie firings, which also happened around a month before the Rampur Tiraha firing, Dhami said the Congress government at the Centre remained just a mute spectator to these atrocities.

He credited the BJP government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee for granting statehood to Uttarakhand.

The chief minister said both the Centre and the state government are working towards making Uttarakhand in accordance with the vision of those who fought for its statehood.

Dhami highlighted steps taken by his government for the welfare of statehood agitators and their dependents, including bringing a legislation in the state assembly, granting 10 per cent horizontal reservation to them in all government services as well as increasing their pension.

The bill has been referred to a select committee of the state assembly after being tabled in the house during a session last month.
Suzano (NYSE:SUZ  Get Free Report) is one of 16 publicly-traded companies in the Paper mills industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Suzano to similar businesses based on the strength of its valuation, profitability, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

2.6% of Suzano shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.0% of shares of all Paper mills companies are held by institutional investors. 6.0% of shares of all Paper mills companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Suzano and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Suzano 0 0 1 0 3.00 Suzano Competitors 72 570 279 40 2.30

Earnings & Valuation

As a group, Paper mills companies have a potential upside of 34.05%. Given Suzanos competitors higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Suzano has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

This table compares Suzano and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Suzano $9.65 billion $4.53 billion 3.14 Suzano Competitors $4.41 billion $623.73 million 30.70

Suzano has higher revenue and earnings than its competitors. Suzano is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Dividends

Suzano pays an annual dividend of $0.32 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Suzano pays out 9.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Paper mills companies pay a dividend yield of 3.6% and pay out 78.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Suzano has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

Volatility & Risk

Suzano has a beta of 1.16, indicating that its share price is 16% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Suzanos competitors have a beta of 1.33, indicating that their average share price is 33% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Suzano and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Suzano 47.44% 64.65% 17.21% Suzano Competitors 7.80% 19.45% 6.84%

Summary

Suzano beats its competitors on 8 of the 15 factors compared.

Suzano Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Suzano S.A. produces and sells eucalyptus pulp and paper products in Brazil and internationally. It operates through Pulp and Paper segments. The company offers coated and uncoated printing and writing papers, paperboards, tissue papers, and market and fluff pulps; and lignin. It also engages in the research, development, and production of biofuel; operation of port terminals; power generation and distribution business; commercialization of equipment and parts; industrialization, commercialization, and exporting of pulp and standing wood; road freight transport; biotechnology research and development; and commercialization of paper and computer materials. In addition, the company is involved in the business office, production packaging, and financial fundraising activities; research, development, production, commercialization, and distribution of wood-based textile fibers, yarns, and filaments produced from cellulose and microfibrillated cellulose; and research and development of wood raw materials for the textile industry. Suzano S.A. was formerly known as Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A. and changed its name to Suzano S.A. in April 2019. The company was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Salvador, Brazil.

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Mativ (NYSE:MATV  Get Free Report) is one of 16 publicly-traded companies in the Paper mills industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Mativ to similar companies based on the strength of its profitability, earnings, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership, risk and analyst recommendations.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

91.3% of Mativ shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.0% of shares of all Paper mills companies are owned by institutional investors. 2.0% of Mativ shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 6.0% of shares of all Paper mills companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Mativ and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mativ 0 0 1 0 3.00 Mativ Competitors 72 570 279 40 2.30

Profitability

Mativ currently has a consensus target price of $32.00, indicating a potential upside of 124.40%. As a group, Paper mills companies have a potential upside of 14.49%. Given Mativs stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Mativ is more favorable than its rivals.

This table compares Mativ and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mativ -1.21% 9.73% 3.06% Mativ Competitors 7.80% 19.45% 6.84%

Dividends

Mativ pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Mativ pays out -65.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Paper mills companies pay a dividend yield of 3.6% and pay out 78.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Mativ and its rivals revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Mativ $2.68 billion -$6.60 million -23.38 Mativ Competitors $4.41 billion $623.73 million 30.70

Mativs rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Mativ. Mativ is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Volatility & Risk

Mativ has a beta of 0.8, meaning that its share price is 20% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Mativs rivals have a beta of 1.33, meaning that their average share price is 33% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Mativ rivals beat Mativ on 10 of the 15 factors compared.

Mativ Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Mativ Holdings, Inc. operates as a performance materials company. The company operates through two segments, Advanced Technical Materials and Fiber-Based Solutions. The Advanced Technical Materials segment manufactures and sells polymer, resin and fiber-based substrates, nets, films, adhesive tapes, and other nonwovens. This segment serves filtration, protective solutions, release liners, healthcare, and industrials end-markets. The Fiber-Based Solutions segment provides packaging, printing, and specialty papers; and various paper-based products for the consumer channel, such as bright papers, cardstock, stationery paper, envelopes, journals, and planners. It also offers combustibles products comprising conventional papers and filter wraps, low-ignition propensity papers wrappers for small cigars, and hemp-based alternatives; noncombustibles; and lightweight papers. This segment serves cigarette and cigar manufacturers, and commercial print and combustibles end-markets. The company sells its products in the United States, Europe and the former Commonwealth of Independent States, the Asia Pacific, the Americas, and internationally. The company was formerly known as Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. and changed its name to Mativ Holdings, Inc. in July 2022. Mativ Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia.

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China Zenix Auto International (OTCMKTS:ZXAIY  Get Free Report) and Holley (NYSE:HLLY  Get Free Report) are both small-cap auto/tires/trucks companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, earnings, risk and valuation.

Profitability

This table compares China Zenix Auto International and Holleys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets China Zenix Auto International -41.87% -40.07% -24.13% Holley 5.12% -1.10% -0.37%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings for China Zenix Auto International and Holley, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score China Zenix Auto International 0 0 0 0 N/A Holley 0 1 8 0 2.89

Volatility and Risk

Holley has a consensus target price of $9.00, indicating a potential upside of 80.36%. Given Holleys higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Holley is more favorable than China Zenix Auto International.

China Zenix Auto International has a beta of 2.6, meaning that its share price is 160% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Holley has a beta of 1.65, meaning that its share price is 65% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares China Zenix Auto International and Holleys top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio China Zenix Auto International $271.18 million 0.20 -$61.16 million ($2.23) -0.46 Holley $688.41 million 0.86 $73.77 million $0.29 17.21

Holley has higher revenue and earnings than China Zenix Auto International. China Zenix Auto International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Holley, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

78.4% of Holley shares are held by institutional investors. 0.9% of Holley shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Holley beats China Zenix Auto International on 12 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About China Zenix Auto International

(Get Free Report)

China Zenix Auto International Ltd. engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of steel wheels for commercial vehicles. It operates through the following segments: PRC Aftermarket Sales, PRC OEM Sales, and International Sales. The PRC Aftermarket Sales segment produces and sells steel and aluminum wheels to distributors. The PRC OEM Sales segment produces and sells steel and aluminum wheels to vehicle manufacturers. The International Sales segment manufactures wheels to distributors and vehicle manufacturers outside China. The company was founded on July 11, 2008 and is headquartered in Zhangzhou, China.

About Holley

(Get Free Report)

Holley Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets automotive aftermarket products for car and truck enthusiasts in the United States, Canada, Europe, and China. The company's products include carburetors, fuel pumps, fuel injection systems, nitrous oxide injection systems, superchargers, exhaust headers, mufflers, distributors, ignition components, engine tuners, automotive performance plumbing products, and exhaust products as well as shifters, converters, transmission kits, transmissions, tuners, and automotive software. It also offers wheels, chassis and suspension products, helmets, head and neck restraints, seat belts, fire suits, and electronic control and monitoring systems. The company sells its products under the Holley, Holley EFI, APR, MSD, Flowmaster, Powerteq, Accel, and Simpson brands to retailers directly, as well as through distributors and online platform. The company was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) had its price objective cut by Barclays from $625.00 to $585.00 in a research report report published on Friday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

A number of other analysts also recently issued reports on TMO. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $505.00 to $520.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Credit Suisse Group upgraded Thermo Fisher Scientific from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $620.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 13th. Raymond James boosted their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $595.00 to $630.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $662.00 to $698.00 in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $660.00 to $670.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $627.13.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of TMO opened at $506.17 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $195.36 billion, a PE ratio of 34.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.77. Thermo Fisher Scientific has a 52-week low of $475.77 and a 52-week high of $609.85. The firms fifty day moving average is $535.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $538.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The medical research company reported $5.15 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.43 by ($0.28). Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 18.59% and a net margin of 13.14%. The company had revenue of $10.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.99 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $5.51 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Thermo Fisher Scientific will post 22.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 13th. Investors of record on Friday, September 15th will be given a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.28%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics payout ratio is currently 9.57%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Gianluca Pettiti sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $557.77, for a total value of $1,673,310.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 17,556 shares in the company, valued at $9,792,210.12. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CFO Stephen Williamson sold 14,100 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $550.00, for a total transaction of $7,755,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 27,393 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,066,150. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Gianluca Pettiti sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $557.77, for a total transaction of $1,673,310.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 17,556 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,792,210.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 28,700 shares of company stock worth $15,799,270. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Thermo Fisher Scientific

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Baystate Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 214.7% during the 2nd quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 321 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $168,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. IMS Capital Management grew its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. IMS Capital Management now owns 1,261 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $658,000 after acquiring an additional 25 shares during the period. CGC Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 2nd quarter valued at $188,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 28.2% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,156 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $603,000 after purchasing an additional 254 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC increased its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 1.5% in the second quarter. Scarborough Advisors LLC now owns 1,585 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $827,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.06% of the companys stock.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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StockNews.com cut shares of TransDigm Group (NYSE:TDG  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Friday morning.

Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on TDG. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of TransDigm Group in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. They set a buy rating and a $1,001.00 price objective for the company. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on TransDigm Group from $960.00 to $1,013.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 9th. Bank of America raised their target price on TransDigm Group from $980.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 15th. Susquehanna increased their price objective on shares of TransDigm Group from $820.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 9th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of TransDigm Group from $870.00 to $1,044.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 21st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $926.29.

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TransDigm Group Price Performance

TDG opened at $843.13 on Friday. TransDigm Group has a 1 year low of $499.63 and a 1 year high of $940.00. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $874.85 and a 200-day moving average price of $824.04. The firm has a market cap of $46.52 billion, a PE ratio of 44.92, a P/E/G ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.39.

TransDigm Group (NYSE:TDG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The aerospace company reported $7.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.87 by $1.38. TransDigm Group had a net margin of 18.41% and a negative return on equity of 39.57%. The company had revenue of $1.74 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.69 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $4.36 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 24.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that TransDigm Group will post 23.14 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at TransDigm Group

In related news, Director W Nicholas Howley sold 3,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $890.04, for a total value of $2,892,630.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 21,548 shares in the company, valued at $19,178,581.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, Director W Nicholas Howley sold 3,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $890.04, for a total transaction of $2,892,630.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 21,548 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,178,581.92. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Kevin M. Stein sold 11,833 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $884.27, for a total value of $10,463,566.91. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 73,961 shares of company stock valued at $65,346,077 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 7.18% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On TransDigm Group

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Lavaca Capital LLC bought a new stake in TransDigm Group in the second quarter worth about $11,624,000. Alberta Investment Management Corp lifted its stake in shares of TransDigm Group by 14.8% during the 2nd quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp now owns 3,100 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,772,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System grew its position in TransDigm Group by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 87,863 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $78,564,000 after acquiring an additional 2,332 shares during the last quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC increased its stake in TransDigm Group by 20.4% in the second quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 407 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $363,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the period. Finally, Imprint Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in TransDigm Group in the second quarter worth $1,252,000. 95.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

TransDigm Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TransDigm Group Incorporated designs, produces, and supplies aircraft components in the United States and internationally. Its Power & Control segment offers mechanical/electro-mechanical actuators and controls, ignition systems and engine technology, specialized pumps and valves, power conditioning devices, specialized AC/DC electric motors and generators, batteries and chargers, databus and power controls, sensor products, switches and relay panels, hoists, winches and lifting devices, and cargo loading and handling systems.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of U.S. Physical Therapy (NYSE:USPH  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning.

USPH has been the subject of several other reports. CJS Securities upgraded U.S. Physical Therapy from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of U.S. Physical Therapy in a report on Friday, September 22nd. They set an overweight rating and a $108.00 price objective for the company. Barrington Research boosted their target price on shares of U.S. Physical Therapy from $116.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, August 14th. Finally, Bank of America began coverage on shares of U.S. Physical Therapy in a research report on Friday, June 30th. They set a buy rating and a $138.00 price target on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, U.S. Physical Therapy has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $123.33.

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U.S. Physical Therapy Price Performance

USPH opened at $91.73 on Friday. U.S. Physical Therapy has a twelve month low of $75.82 and a twelve month high of $124.11. The firm has a market cap of $1.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.53, a PEG ratio of 4.51 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a current ratio of 2.82, a quick ratio of 2.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $103.92 and a 200 day simple moving average of $106.55.

U.S. Physical Therapy (NYSE:USPH  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The company reported $0.76 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.02. U.S. Physical Therapy had a return on equity of 9.22% and a net margin of 5.25%. The company had revenue of $151.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $151.06 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.90 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that U.S. Physical Therapy will post 2.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

U.S. Physical Therapy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 18th were given a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 17th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.88%. U.S. Physical Therapys payout ratio is currently 89.12%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Edward L. Kuntz sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.60, for a total transaction of $107,600.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 8,280 shares in the company, valued at $890,928. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other U.S. Physical Therapy news, COO Graham D. Reeve sold 4,114 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.99, for a total value of $452,498.86. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 7,577 shares in the company, valued at $833,394.23. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Edward L. Kuntz sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.60, for a total transaction of $107,600.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 8,280 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $890,928. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 6,114 shares of company stock valued at $670,049. Company insiders own 1.80% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of U.S. Physical Therapy

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of USPH. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of U.S. Physical Therapy by 10.8% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 957 shares of the companys stock valued at $116,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp grew its holdings in U.S. Physical Therapy by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 9,657 shares of the companys stock worth $1,172,000 after buying an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System increased its position in U.S. Physical Therapy by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 3,767 shares of the companys stock valued at $369,000 after acquiring an additional 98 shares during the period. Great Lakes Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of U.S. Physical Therapy by 0.3% in the second quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 37,219 shares of the companys stock worth $4,518,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank raised its stake in shares of U.S. Physical Therapy by 71.8% during the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares in the last quarter.

U.S. Physical Therapy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates outpatient physical therapy clinics that provide pre-and post-operative care and treatment for orthopedic-related disorders, sports-related injuries, preventative care, rehabilitation of injured workers, and neurological-related injuries.

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United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS  Free Report) had its price target decreased by Raymond James from $205.00 to $200.00 in a research report released on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. Raymond James currently has a strong-buy rating on the transportation companys stock.

UPS has been the topic of a number of other reports. Stephens reaffirmed an equal weight rating and set a $195.00 price objective on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Tuesday, September 12th. Atlantic Securities assumed coverage on United Parcel Service in a research note on Tuesday, June 6th. They set a neutral rating and a $162.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $200.00 to $180.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 12th. TD Cowen cut their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $190.00 to $185.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, September 14th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $204.00 to $194.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 9th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have issued a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $185.57.

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United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UPS opened at $155.87 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $133.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.52, a PEG ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.09. United Parcel Service has a one year low of $150.54 and a one year high of $197.80. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $169.36 and a 200 day simple moving average of $176.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 8th. The transportation company reported $2.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.49 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $22.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $23.04 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 10.41% and a return on equity of 51.28%. The businesss revenue was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.29 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that United Parcel Service will post 9.41 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 31st. Investors of record on Monday, August 14th were given a $1.62 dividend. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.16%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 11th. United Parcel Services dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 56.20%.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In related news, insider Nando Cesarone sold 22,825 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.70, for a total transaction of $3,919,052.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1 shares of the companys stock, valued at $171.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UPS. Baystate Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 115.5% in the second quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,138 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $204,000 after buying an additional 610 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its position in United Parcel Service by 66.4% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,890 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $339,000 after purchasing an additional 754 shares during the period. Prosperity Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the second quarter valued at about $229,000. Dechtman Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter worth about $526,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter valued at about $265,000. 58.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About United Parcel Service

(Get Free Report)

United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States.

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Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta (NYSE:VTMX  Get Free Report) is one of 77 public companies in the Real estate industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its competitors? We will compare Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta to similar companies based on the strength of its institutional ownership, dividends, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation and earnings.

Dividends

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta pays an annual dividend of $0.15 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.5%. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta pays out 3.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Real estate companies pay a dividend yield of 4.3% and pay out 120.1% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta $178.03 million $243.63 million 7.54 Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta Competitors $1.44 billion $62.97 million 27.65

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vestas competitors have higher revenue, but lower earnings than Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

7.1% of Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 46.4% of shares of all Real estate companies are held by institutional investors. 17.9% of shares of all Real estate companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta 149.56% 17.81% 9.83% Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta Competitors -282.56% -3.02% 0.14%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta 0 1 1 0 2.50 Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta Competitors 231 1060 1161 27 2.40

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta currently has a consensus price target of $39.00, indicating a potential upside of 18.65%. As a group, Real estate companies have a potential upside of 27.53%. Given Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vestas competitors higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

About Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta

(Get Free Report)

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta, S.A.B. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, develops, manages, operates, and leases industrial buildings and distribution centers in Mexico. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico.

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River Road Asset Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 5.2% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 379,354 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 20,718 shares during the quarter. River Road Asset Management LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $24,260,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of BMY. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. GoalVest Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. purchased a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Live Oak Investment Partners purchased a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, First Personal Financial Services raised its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 67.8% in the 1st quarter. First Personal Financial Services now owns 495 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Up 0.0 %

NYSE:BMY opened at $58.05 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $60.82 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $64.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $121.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.44, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1 year low of $57.61 and a 1 year high of $81.43.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.99 by ($0.24). The business had revenue of $11.23 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.81 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 50.51% and a net margin of 17.62%. The companys revenue was down 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.93 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 6th will be issued a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.93%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 5th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 60.64%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bristol-Myers Squibb

In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, EVP Ann Powell sold 17,986 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.25, for a total value of $1,101,642.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 27,868 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,706,915. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Ann Powell sold 17,986 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.25, for a total transaction of $1,101,642.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 27,868 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,706,915. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Robert M. Plenge sold 732 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.14, for a total value of $44,754.48. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 6,584 shares in the company, valued at approximately $402,545.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.08% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BMY has been the topic of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, September 1st. Morgan Stanley reissued an underweight rating and set a $59.00 price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Bank of America lowered their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $64.00 to $62.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $78.00 to $65.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 28th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $69.64.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report).

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Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS  Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Reduce from the ten research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $16.00.

Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Credit Suisse Group in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. They set a hold rating on the stock.

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Credit Suisse Group Trading Up 1.0 %

Institutional Trading of Credit Suisse Group

Shares of NYSE:CS opened at $0.89 on Wednesday. Credit Suisse Group has a 12 month low of $0.82 and a 12 month high of $6.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.79. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $0.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $0.90. The firm has a market cap of $2.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.27.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. boosted its holdings in Credit Suisse Group by 102.1% in the 1st quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. now owns 155,399 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $138,000 after purchasing an additional 78,509 shares during the period. QCM Cayman Ltd. bought a new stake in Credit Suisse Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $50,000. Hilltop Partners LLC bought a new stake in Credit Suisse Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $70,000. Emfo LLC acquired a new position in shares of Credit Suisse Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $60,000. Finally, Levin Capital Strategies L.P. raised its position in shares of Credit Suisse Group by 414.4% in the 4th quarter. Levin Capital Strategies L.P. now owns 55,860 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $170,000 after buying an additional 45,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 11.20% of the companys stock.

About Credit Suisse Group

(Get Free Report

Credit Suisse Group AG is a holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following four divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Bank, Swiss Bank and Asset Management and four geographic regions: Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific, and Americas.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Xerox: A B S Digital Limited, Acorn Business Machines (Holmfirth) Limited, Alloy Acquisitions Corp. LLC, Altodigital Networks, Altodigital Networks Limited, American Photocopy Equipment Company of Pittsburgh LLC, Amici, Arena Group, Arena Group Holdings Limited, Arena Group Limited, Arizona Office Technologies Inc., B 2 Business Systems Limited, Back2Business Limited, Bessemer Insurance Limited, Bessemer Trust Limited, Boise Office Equipment Inc., Bright Ceramic Technologies Inc., Bryte Com Incorporated, Bunch CareSolutions, Business Systems (North Wales) Limited, CPAS Systems, CREDITEX - Aluguer de Equipamentos S.A., CTX Business Solutions Inc., Capital Business Systems Inc., Capitol Office Solutions LLC, CareAR Holdings LLC, CareAR Inc., Carolina Office Systems Inc., Carr Business Systems Inc., Chicago Office Technology Group Inc., Citrus Digital Limited, Citrus Digital Limited, Citrus Digital Limited, Citrus Digital Limited, ComDoc Inc., Competitive Computing, Competitive Computing Inc., Concept Group, Concept Group Limited, Conestoga Business Solutions, Connecticut Business Systems LLC, Consilience Software, Continua Limited, Continua Sanctum Limited, Conway Technology Group LLC, Copyrite Business Solutions (Holdings) Limited, Copyrite Business Solutions Limited, Copytrend Limited, Criterion IT Limited, Customer Value Group, Dahill Office Technology Corporation, Digitex, Digitex Canada Inc., DocuShare LLC, Docucentric Holdings Limited, Document Systems, Document Systems, Eastern Managed Print Network LLC, Elan Marketing Inc., Elan Office Systems, Electronic Systems Inc., Eloque Investor LLC, Eloque Investor LLC, Eloque Investor LLC, Eloque LLC, Eloque LLC, Eloque LLC, Eloque Limited, Eloque Limited, Eloque Limited, Eloque Pty Ltd., Eloque Pty Ltd., Eloque Pty Ltd., Fovia (Innovation) Limited, G-Five, G-Five Inc., GDP Technologies Inc., Gestion Sabely Inc. (Holding company), Gestion Sabely Inc. (Holding company), Gestion Sabely Inc. (Holding company), Global Imaging Systems, Global PR Corporation, Go Inspire, Groupe CT, Groupe CT Inc., Groupe CT Inc., Groupe CT Inc., Gyricon LLC, Healthy Communities Institute, Heritage Business Systems, Heritage Business Systems Inc., ITEC Connect Limited, ITEC Connect Limited, ITEC Connect Limited, ITEC Connect Limited, ITEC Group, Image Technology Specialists Inc., ImageQuest Inc., Imagetek Office Systems, Impika, Inland Business Machines Inc., Institute for Research on Learning, Integrity One Technologies Inc., Intrepid Learning, Invoco Group, Irish Business Systems, LRI LLC, Laser Resources, LaserNetworks, LaserNetworks Inc., Lateral Data, Learn Something, Les Equipments de Bureau de la Monteregie, Les Equipments de Bureau de la Monteregie, Lewan & Associates Inc., Limited Liability Company Xerox (C.I.S.), M & S Reprographics Limited, MCP of California II Inc., MRC Smart Technology Solutions Inc., MT Business Holdings Inc., MT Business Technologies, MT Business Technologies Inc., MWB Copy Products Inc., MagicLens Inc., Mail A Doc Limited, Merizon Group Incorporated, Michigan Office Solutions Inc., Minnesota Office Technology Group Inc., Mitral Systems Limited, Mr. Copy Inc., Nemo (AKS) Limited, NewField IT, NewField Information Technology LLC, NewField Information Technology Limited, Northeast Office Systems LLC, Osprey Business Systems Limited, PARC China Holdings Inc., Pacific Services and Development Corporation, Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, Platinum Digital Print Solutions Limited, Powerland, Precision Copier Service Inc., Quality Business Systems Inc., Quilver Business Services Limited, R. K. Dixon Company, RRXH Limited, RRXIL Limited, RRXO Limited, RSA Medical, Rabbit Copiers Inc., Rabbit Office Automation, Reflex Digital Solutions (UK) Limited, Reprographics Egypt Limited, Saxon Business Systems Inc., Smart Data Consulting, SoCal Office Technologies Inc., Stem Networks Limited, Stewart Business Systems LLC, Stewart of Alabama, Stewart of Alabama Inc., StrataCare, Sunshine Subsidiary Corp, Talegen Holdings Inc., Tektronix - color printing, Text Comm Limited (in receivership), The Xerox (UK) Trust, The Xerox Foundation, Time Business Systems Limited, Triton Business Finance Limited, Una-Stem Limited, Veenman B.V., Veenman Financial Services B.V., WDS, WaterWare Internet Services, XC Asia LLC, XC Global Trading B.V., XC Trading Hong Kong Limited, XC Trading Hong Kong Limited, XC Trading Japan G.K., XC Trading Korea YH, XC Trading Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., XC Trading Shenzhen Co. Ltd., XC Trading Singapore Pte Ltd., XEROX CZECH REPUBLIC s r.o., XESystems Foreign Sales Corporation, XFS Secured Borrowing 2020-1 LLC, XHC Acquisition Corp., XMPie, XMPie Inc., XMPie Ltd., XRI Limited, XRO Limited, Xerox (Europe) Limited, Xerox (Europe) Limited, Xerox (Ireland) Limited, Xerox (Nederland) BV, Xerox (Romania) Echipmante Si Servici S.A., Xerox (UK) Limited, Xerox (Ukraine) Ltd LLC, Xerox (Ukraine) Ltd LLC, Xerox A/S, Xerox A/S, Xerox AG, Xerox AS, Xerox Argentina Industrial y Comercial S.A., Xerox Austria GmbH, Xerox Bulgaria EOOD, Xerox Business Equipment Limited, Xerox Business Services Bulgaria EOOD, Xerox Business Solutions LLC, Xerox Business Solutions Southeast LLC, Xerox Buro Araclari Servis ve Ticaret Ltd. Sti, Xerox Canada Inc., Xerox Canada Ltd., Xerox Canada N.S. ULC, Xerox Capital (Europe) Limited, Xerox Capital LLC, Xerox Computer Services Limited, Xerox Comercio e Industria Ltda, Xerox Comercio e Industria Ltda, Xerox Corporation, Xerox DNHC LLC, Xerox Dienstleistungsgesellschaft GmbH, Xerox Distributor Operations Limited, Xerox Egypt S.A.E., Xerox Equipment Limited, Xerox Equipment UK Limited, Xerox Espana S.A.U., Xerox Exports Limited, Xerox Finance AG, Xerox Finance Leasing S.A.E., Xerox Finance Limited, Xerox Financial Services B.V., Xerox Financial Services Belux NV, Xerox Financial Services Canada Holdings Limited, Xerox Financial Services Canada Holdings Limited, Xerox Financial Services Canada Holdings Limited, Xerox Financial Services Canada Ltd., Xerox Financial Services Danmark A/S, Xerox Financial Services Finland Oy, Xerox Financial Services Holdings LLC, Xerox Financial Services Holdings LLC, Xerox Financial Services Holdings LLC, Xerox Financial Services International Limited, Xerox Financial Services International Limited, Xerox Financial Services International Limited, Xerox Financial Services LLC, Xerox Financial Services Norway AS, Xerox Financial Services SAS, Xerox Financial Services Sverige AB, Xerox Foreign Holdings LLC, Xerox Foreign Sales Corporation, Xerox GmbH, Xerox Health Care LLC, Xerox Hellas AEE, Xerox Holding Deutschland GmbH, Xerox Holdings (Ireland) Limited, Xerox Holdings Corporation, Xerox Holdings Inc., Xerox Hungary Trading Limited, Xerox IBS Limited, Xerox IBS NI Limited, Xerox India Limited, Xerox International Joint Marketing Inc., Xerox Investments Europe B.V., Xerox Israel Ltd., Xerox Italia Rental Services Srl, Xerox Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Xerox Latinamerican Holdings Inc., Xerox Leasing Deutschland GmbH, Xerox Leasing GmbH, Xerox Limited, Xerox Luxembourg SA, Xerox Mailing Systems Limited, Xerox Manufacturing (Nederland) B.V., Xerox Maroc S.A., Xerox Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Xerox Middle East Investments (Bermuda) Limited, Xerox N.V., Xerox Overseas Holdings Limited, Xerox Overseas Inc., Xerox Oy, Xerox Pensions Limited, Xerox Polska Sp. z o. o, Xerox Portugal Equipamentos de Escritorio Limitada, Xerox Portugal Equipamentos de Escritorio Limitada, Xerox Products Limited, Xerox Products UK Limited, Xerox Professional Services Limited, Xerox Realty Corporation, Xerox Renting S.A.U., Xerox Reprographische Services GmbH, Xerox S.A.S., Xerox S.p.A., Xerox Secured Borrowing 2020-1 LLC, Xerox Servicios Compartidos Guatemala y Compani Limitada, Xerox Servicos e Participacoes Ltda, Xerox Shared Services Romania SRL, Xerox Sverige AB, Xerox Technology Services India LLP, Xerox Technology Services SAS, Xerox Telebusiness GmbH, Xerox Trading Enterprises Limited, Xerox Trinidad Limited, Xerox UK Holdings Limited, Xerox Ventures LLC, Xerox XHB Limited, Xerox XIB Limited, Xerox Xf Holdings (Ireland) DAC, Xerox de Chile S.A., Xerox del Ecuador S.A., Xerox del Peru S.A., Zeno Office Solutions, Zeno Office Solutions Inc., Zoom Imaging Solutions Inc., and inVentiv Patient Access Solutions.

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International Assets Investment Management LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Shopify Inc. (NYSE:SHOP  Free Report) (TSE:SHOP) by 1.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,711 shares of the software makers stock after selling 261 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLCs holdings in Shopify were worth $1,015,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its stake in Shopify by 17.1% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 28,790,842 shares of the software makers stock valued at $1,380,234,000 after buying an additional 4,193,801 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in Shopify by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 14,167,758 shares of the software makers stock valued at $679,218,000 after buying an additional 300,160 shares during the last quarter. ARK Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Shopify by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. ARK Investment Management LLC now owns 13,985,791 shares of the software makers stock valued at $670,479,000 after buying an additional 706,688 shares during the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. increased its stake in Shopify by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 13,018,056 shares of the software makers stock valued at $623,567,000 after buying an additional 85,400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Shopify during the 4th quarter worth about $414,365,000. 60.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Roth Mkm restated a buy rating and set a $73.00 price objective (down from $76.00) on shares of Shopify in a research note on Tuesday, August 29th. Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded shares of Shopify from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $60.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 31st. Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded shares of Shopify from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $60.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 31st. StockNews.com lowered shares of Shopify from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, September 8th. Finally, Oppenheimer lifted their target price on shares of Shopify from $70.00 to $80.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty-one have assigned a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $65.37.

Shopify Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:SHOP opened at $54.43 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $59.33 and a 200-day moving average of $57.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $69.80 billion, a PE ratio of -34.54 and a beta of 2.08. The company has a current ratio of 6.71, a quick ratio of 6.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. Shopify Inc. has a 12 month low of $23.63 and a 12 month high of $71.43.

Shopify (NYSE:SHOP  Get Free Report) (TSE:SHOP) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 2nd. The software maker reported ($0.08) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.06) by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $1.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.63 billion. Shopify had a negative net margin of 32.13% and a negative return on equity of 5.36%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Shopify Inc. will post -0.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Shopify

(Free Report)

Shopify Inc, a commerce company, provides a commerce platform and services in Canada, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company's platform enables merchants to displays, manages, markets, and sells its products through various sales channels, including web and mobile storefronts, physical retail locations, pop-up shops, social media storefronts, native mobile apps, buy buttons, and marketplaces; and enables to manage products and inventory, process orders and payments, fulfill and ship orders, new buyers and build customer relationships, source products, leverage analytics and reporting, manage cash, payments and transactions, and access financing.

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International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 27.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,909 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,711 shares during the quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $772,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Stone House Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Philip Morris International in the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. bought a new position in Philip Morris International in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Barrett & Company Inc. bought a new position in Philip Morris International in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. FSC Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Philip Morris International by 75.0% in the 1st quarter. FSC Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 350 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 127.0% during the first quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 370 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 207 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.70% of the companys stock.

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Philip Morris International Trading Down 0.4 %

NYSE:PM opened at $92.25 on Monday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1 year low of $83.74 and a 1 year high of $105.62. The stock has a market cap of $143.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.91, a PEG ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.71. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $95.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $95.76.

Philip Morris International Increases Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The company reported $1.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.50 by $0.10. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 127.84% and a net margin of 11.63%. The firm had revenue of $8.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.76 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.48 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.12 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 27th will be paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.64%. This is a boost from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.27. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 26th. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is presently 100.58%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on PM shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating for the company. Citigroup upgraded Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $109.00 to $117.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. Bank of America dropped their target price on Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $111.00 in a research report on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on Philip Morris International from $113.00 to $111.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 22nd. Finally, 22nd Century Group restated a reiterates rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Tuesday, June 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $110.67.

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Philip Morris International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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International Assets Investment Management LLC decreased its position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 4.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 7,669 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 361 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $836,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 97,996.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 2,101,555,797 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $229,111,613,000 after buying an additional 2,099,413,455 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 38,966,499 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $4,278,132,000 after buying an additional 4,886,954 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 31,196,788 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,151,497,000 after buying an additional 598,164 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 104,649.4% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 30,247,436 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $3,320,866,000 after purchasing an additional 30,218,560 shares during the period. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 40.5% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 20,820,152 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,108,249,000 after purchasing an additional 6,003,997 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.70% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ABT has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a buy rating for the company. Wolfe Research raised shares of Abbott Laboratories from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Friday, July 21st. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, July 21st. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $127.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an equal weight rating and set a $112.00 target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Friday, July 21st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $120.82.

Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

Shares of ABT opened at $96.85 on Monday. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $93.25 and a twelve month high of $115.83. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $104.14 and its 200-day simple moving average is $105.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $168.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.05, a PEG ratio of 4.32 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.08 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $9.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.71 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 12.83% and a return on equity of 20.50%. The companys revenue was down 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.43 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Investors of record on Friday, October 13th will be given a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.11%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 12th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 69.62%.

Insider Activity at Abbott Laboratories

In other Abbott Laboratories news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.76, for a total transaction of $5,688,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,775,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $770,759,948.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 10,400 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.03, for a total transaction of $1,092,312.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,829,785.81. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.76, for a total transaction of $5,688,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,775,316 shares in the company, valued at $770,759,948.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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KMD Brands Limited (ASX:KMD  Get Free Report) announced a final dividend on Monday, October 2nd, MarketIndexAU reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 19th will be paid a dividend of 0.023 per share on Thursday, October 19th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 3rd.

KMD Brands Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 48.40, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 1.78.

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Insider Transactions at KMD Brands

In other KMD Brands news, insider Philip Bowman purchased 150,000 shares of KMD Brands stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 22nd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of A$0.76 ($0.49) per share, for a total transaction of A$114,450.00 ($73,365.38). Company insiders own 13.53% of the companys stock.

About KMD Brands

KMD Brands Limited, together with its subsidiaries, designs, markets, wholesales, and retails apparel, footwear, and equipment for surfing and the outdoors under the Kathmandu, Rip Curl, and Oboz brands in New Zealand, Australia, North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Brazil. The company was formerly known as Kathmandu Holdings Limited and changed its name to KMD Brands Limited in March 2022.

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LaFleur & Godfrey LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV  Free Report) by 0.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 87,829 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 811 shares during the quarter. AbbVie accounts for about 1.8% of LaFleur & Godfrey LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. LaFleur & Godfrey LLCs holdings in AbbVie were worth $11,833,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in AbbVie by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 34,045,021 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,414,143,000 after buying an additional 292,512 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its position in AbbVie by 17.9% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 31,571,750 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,102,311,000 after buying an additional 4,785,277 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in AbbVie by 89,097.0% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 29,203,106 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,719,514,000 after buying an additional 29,170,366 shares during the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its position in AbbVie by 85,216.7% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 28,082,858 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,783,603,000 after buying an additional 28,049,942 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in AbbVie by 138.7% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 21,536,656 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,432,297,000 after buying an additional 12,515,744 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.86% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on ABBV shares. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on AbbVie from $163.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, July 28th. William Blair started coverage on AbbVie in a research report on Tuesday, July 25th. They set a market perform rating on the stock. StockNews.com started coverage on AbbVie in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. TheStreet raised AbbVie from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Monday, August 28th. Finally, Piper Jaffray Companies boosted their price target on AbbVie from $163.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, AbbVie currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $166.53.

AbbVie Stock Performance

ABBV opened at $149.06 on Monday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $149.64 and a 200 day simple moving average of $147.48. The company has a market capitalization of $263.10 billion, a PE ratio of 30.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.56. AbbVie Inc. has a 1 year low of $130.96 and a 1 year high of $168.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.33, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.77.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The company reported $2.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.79 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $13.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.52 billion. AbbVie had a return on equity of 151.29% and a net margin of 15.50%. Research analysts expect that AbbVie Inc. will post 11.03 EPS for the current year.

AbbVie Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 13th will be given a dividend of $1.48 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 12th. This represents a $5.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.97%. AbbVies payout ratio is 121.81%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Richard A. Gonzalez sold 18,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.15, for a total transaction of $2,759,275.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 625,294 shares in the company, valued at approximately $93,262,600.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock.

About AbbVie

(Free Report)

AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune, intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, and ulcerative colitis; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat hematological malignancies.

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Lazari Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Lennar Co. (NYSE:LEN  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund purchased 1,679 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $210,000.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Sanders Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Lennar by 3.5% during the first quarter. Sanders Capital LLC now owns 3,067,185 shares of the construction companys stock worth $322,392,000 after buying an additional 102,601 shares in the last quarter. Smead Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Lennar by 3.2% during the first quarter. Smead Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,057,384 shares of the construction companys stock worth $321,362,000 after buying an additional 94,694 shares in the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Lennar by 111.4% during the first quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 2,467,501 shares of the construction companys stock worth $259,359,000 after buying an additional 1,300,163 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Lennar by 551.1% during the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,824,684 shares of the construction companys stock worth $191,793,000 after buying an additional 1,544,432 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nordea Investment Management AB lifted its holdings in shares of Lennar by 10.9% during the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,598,433 shares of the construction companys stock worth $198,797,000 after buying an additional 156,691 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.87% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Lennar

In related news, EVP Jeffrey Joseph Mccall sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.48, for a total value of $1,264,800.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 141,386 shares in the company, valued at $17,882,501.28. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Jeffrey Joseph Mccall sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.48, for a total value of $1,264,800.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 141,386 shares in the company, valued at $17,882,501.28. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Amy Banse bought 859 shares of Lennar stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 17th. The stock was bought at an average price of $117.65 per share, for a total transaction of $101,061.35. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 8,972 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,055,555.80. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have purchased 2,469 shares of company stock worth $301,842 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 9.53% of the companys stock.

Lennar Stock Performance

NYSE:LEN opened at $112.00 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $32.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a current ratio of 7.09, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The stocks 50-day moving average is $119.59 and its 200-day moving average is $115.75. Lennar Co. has a 1-year low of $69.90 and a 1-year high of $133.24.

Lennar (NYSE:LEN  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, September 15th. The construction company reported $3.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.52 by $0.39. The company had revenue of $8.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.49 billion. Lennar had a return on equity of 16.41% and a net margin of 11.66%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $5.18 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Lennar Co. will post 13.33 earnings per share for the current year.

Lennar Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 12th will be issued a $0.375 dividend. This represents a $1.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 11th. Lennars payout ratio is presently 11.12%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on LEN shares. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on Lennar from $161.00 to $164.00 in a report on Monday, September 18th. Wedbush reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $123.00 price target on shares of Lennar in a research note on Monday, September 11th. UBS Group boosted their price target on Lennar from $150.00 to $159.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, September 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Lennar from $141.00 to $142.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Finally, JMP Securities boosted their price target on Lennar from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 19th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Lennar presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $134.25.

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Lennar Company Profile

(Free Report)

Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The company's homebuilding operations include the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the purchase, development, and sale of residential land; and development, construction, and management of multifamily rental properties.

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International Assets Investment Management LLC cut its holdings in Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU  Free Report) by 8.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 15,263 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,472 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLCs holdings in Prudential Financial were worth $1,306,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Aspire Private Capital LLC acquired a new position in Prudential Financial during the 1st quarter valued at about $18,699,240,000. Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in Prudential Financial during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in Prudential Financial during the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Prudential Financial in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Finally, Riverview Trust Co lifted its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 109.3% in the 2nd quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 314 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 164 shares during the period. 54.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on PRU shares. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Prudential Financial from an underperform rating to a hold rating and upped their price target for the stock from $70.00 to $93.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 13th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and issued a $100.00 price target on shares of Prudential Financial in a research note on Friday, September 8th. Raymond James raised shares of Prudential Financial from a market perform rating to a strong-buy rating and set a $125.00 price target for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 24th. TheStreet upgraded shares of Prudential Financial from a c rating to a b rating in a report on Tuesday, August 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Prudential Financial from $89.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, August 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $102.80.

Prudential Financial Stock Up 0.0 %

PRU stock opened at $94.89 on Monday. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 52-week low of $75.37 and a 52-week high of $110.96. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $95.42 and its 200-day simple moving average is $88.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.06 and a quick ratio of 0.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.63, a P/E/G ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.38.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The financial services provider reported $2.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.04 by ($0.10). Prudential Financial had a net margin of 1.82% and a return on equity of 15.73%. The firm had revenue of $12.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.68 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.74 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 11.83 EPS for the current year.

Prudential Financial Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 14th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 22nd were given a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.27%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 21st. Prudential Financials payout ratio is presently 166.67%.

Prudential Financial Profile

(Free Report)

Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Annuities, Individual Life, Assurance IQ, and International Businesses segments.

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Shares of Ralph Lauren Co. (NYSE:RL  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the eighteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $135.94.

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on RL shares. Guggenheim upgraded Ralph Lauren from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $166.00 target price for the company in a research note on Monday, September 18th. TheStreet upgraded Ralph Lauren from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research note on Thursday, August 10th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $155.00 target price on shares of Ralph Lauren in a research note on Wednesday, September 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Ralph Lauren from $127.00 to $128.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, August 11th. Finally, Wedbush restated a neutral rating and set a $125.00 price objective on shares of Ralph Lauren in a research note on Friday, August 11th.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on RL

Insider Buying and Selling

Institutional Trading of Ralph Lauren

In related news, CEO Patrice Louvet sold 9,272 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.00, for a total value of $1,159,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 193,060 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $24,132,500. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . Company insiders own 39.09% of the companys stock.

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC increased its position in Ralph Lauren by 4.5% in the 1st quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 4,600 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $537,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Xponance Inc. increased its position in shares of Ralph Lauren by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 8,001 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $987,000 after purchasing an additional 256 shares during the period. Natixis increased its position in shares of Ralph Lauren by 1,187.0% during the 4th quarter. Natixis now owns 44,735 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $4,727,000 after purchasing an additional 41,259 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ralph Lauren during the 1st quarter valued at $657,000. Finally, Amalgamated Bank increased its position in shares of Ralph Lauren by 37.2% during the 4th quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 21,213 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $2,242,000 after purchasing an additional 5,756 shares during the period. 67.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ralph Lauren Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:RL opened at $116.09 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.58 billion, a PE ratio of 14.85, a P/E/G ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 1.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 2.18 and a quick ratio of 1.43. The business has a 50-day moving average of $119.49 and a two-hundred day moving average of $117.83. Ralph Lauren has a 12 month low of $82.23 and a 12 month high of $135.76.

Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 10th. The textile maker reported $2.34 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.15 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $1.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.48 billion. Ralph Lauren had a return on equity of 24.97% and a net margin of 8.24%. The firms revenue was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.88 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that Ralph Lauren will post 9.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Ralph Lauren Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 13th. Investors of record on Friday, September 29th will be issued a $0.75 dividend. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 28th. Ralph Laurens dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.36%.

Ralph Lauren Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Ralph Lauren Corporation designs, markets, and distributes lifestyle products in North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The company offers apparel, including a range of men's, women's, and children's clothing; footwear and accessories, which comprise casual shoes, dress shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, eyewear, watches, fashion and fine jewelry, scarves, hats, gloves, and umbrellas, as well as leather goods, such as handbags, luggage, small leather goods, and belts; home products consisting of bed and bath lines, furniture, fabric and wallcoverings, lighting, tabletop, kitchen linens, floor coverings, and giftware; and fragrances.

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The Grandmaster is moving his pieces once again, this time inflaming tensions in Kosovo with his pawns the Serbs doing his bidding. Putins long game is becoming more apparent daily. NATO may be concentrating its efforts in Ukraine, but this is a weakness that Putin and his cronies are counting on.

By opening up a further front in Kosovo, the master strategist will split NATO and increasingly unveil the blocs vulnerabilities. This escalation is a fulfilment of Moscows aspirations. Inflaming tensions in the Balkans to distract the West from its war in Ukraine is what Serbia and Russia have been doing for months. Propaganda from Russia has been flooding the area for the past couple of months with items claiming that Kosovo belongs to Serbia and that the UK is preparing for war in the region. The purpose of such inflammatory rhetoric is to create ethnic violence and destabilise the region once more. This is a key Russian tactic that has worked time and time again.

Putin essentially is playing with NATO and the EU like a cat plays with a mouse, and he is looking for vulnerabilities in every direction. Could be Georgia, could be Poland, but for now it is Kosovo.

Putins economy is also going from strength to strength thanks to his friends in Greece, who are also closely tied to the Serbs. The so-called Western oil embargo is a sham, and Greek shipping magnates are making billions by aiding Russia in its war effort against NATO.

The long game is where its at, and as the economically faltering West is more concerned with transgender rights and political correctness, Putin is digging deep and moving around freely with his precise military manoeuvres and destabilising propaganda tactics.

Putin was provoked into action in the first place, but now he is doing the provoking.
Even in popular culture, Gandhi has inspired playwrights and film makers to build narratives.

The Gandhanian tenets of non-violence, an unshakeable commitment to truth, non-violence and compassion have inspired generations and also leaders like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. In 2019, to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, referred to Gandhi as a global icon of peace and an advocate for the most vulnerable. Even in popular culture, Gandhi has inspired playwrights and film makers to build narratives around the futility of hate and the primacy of humanism and love.

We showcase five such enlightening stories on Bapu's birth anniversary.

1. Shobhayatra (Zee Theatre teleplay)



This Zee Theatre teleplay follows the lives of six professionals who are all set to enact the roles of Gandhi, Bose, Tilak, Nehru, Rani Laxmibai and Babu Genu in an Independence Day ceremony. However, as the story progresses, we see the difference between their reality and the heroic historical figures they are aspiring to play. The narrative also establishes subtly the relevance of Gandhian values even today and reminds us how far we have travelled from the idealism of our freedom fighters to arrive at a crucial juncture in history. When Chirag Vohra who plays Gandhi says, 'Manav jaati ek nirnayak mod par aa pahunchi hai', it is a reminder to us to reconnect once again with non-violence, honesty, truth and courage. Directed for stage by Ganesh Yadav and filmed by Attar Singh Saini, the play also stars Anand Alkunte, Ayaz Khan, Mansi Multani, Nikhil Ratnaparakhi and Sumukha S. It will be aired on 2nd October on Airtel Theatre, Dish TV & D2H Rangmanch Active.



2. The Making of the Mahatma (Film)

Directed by Shyam Benegal, this 1996 biographical film is based on the book 'The Apprenticeship of a Mahatma' by Fatima Meer. It narrates how 21 momentous years in South Africa profoundly impacted Gandhi, shaped his political ideology, created in him a passion for justice and equality and made him into the Mahatma that the world came to respect. The film was an international co-production between India and South Africa. It begins in 1893 when a young Barrister Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is invited to South Africa to settle a case for a wealthy Indian. He was to go back to Britain but soon gets embroiled in the issues of the Indian diaspora and eventually stays on for 21 years. The film starred Rajit Kapoor,

Pallavi Joshi, Paul Slabolepszy and others and can be watched on Mubi.



3. Hey Ram (Film)



The film pits the twin ideas of revenge and forgiveness through the story of Saket Ram, whose wife is raped and killed. Crazed by grief and anger, he sets out to kill Gandhi as he believes , he is responsible for the violence that has been unleashed in the country. However when as an 89-year-old Indian living in free India, he retells his story, he delineates how he left the path of rabid hate and embraced Gandhian philosophy. The story traverses through many important chapters of history and Saket 's life including his friendship with a Muslim archaeologist and his discovery of what Gandhi truly stands for.

The film shows that any crisis between opposing views can be overcome through acceptance and non-violence. Directed by Kamal Haasan who also stars as Saket Ram, the film also features Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Vasundhara Das, Girish Karnad, Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri. It can be watched on Amazon Prime and Jio Cinema.



4. Lage Raho Munna Bhai (Film)



Gandhi manifests in interesting ways in the life of Munna, an aimless street thug and as he tries to reform himself to win the love of a beautiful radio disc jockey (Vidya Balan), Gandhian values empower him to deal with every crisis with a smile and a little doze of 'Gandhigiri'. What began as a random exploration of Gandhi in history books becomes a way of life for Munna as he begins to help people, defuse situations and spread love and peace. The film created a sensation when it was released and stars Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Dilip Prabhavalkar, Jimmy Shergill, Dia Mirza, Boman Irani and others. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the film is available on Amazon Prime.



5. Gandhi (Film)



This acclaimed biographical drama directed by Richard Attenborough portrays the definitive turning points in Gandhi's life from his days in South Africa to when he returns to India, travels across its length and breadth to understand its people and their issues, gives up all worldly possessions and dedicates himself to the freedom struggle. How the frail man in a loincloth shakes up the world in a gentle way, becomes an international icon and tries to bridge religious divides post independence makes for an unforgettable watch. Ben Kingsley won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Gandhi while India's very own Bhanu Athaiya took home an Oscar too for costume design. The film also starred Candice Bergen, Edward Fox, John Gielgud, Trevor Howard, John Mills, Martin Sheen and Rohini Hattangadi. You can watch it on Jio Cinema and Netflix.
Delhi Police on Monday arrested three suspected Islamic State (IS) terrorists, wanted by the National Investigation Agency (Representational image)

New Delhi: Delhi Police on Monday arrested three suspected Islamic State (IS) terrorists, wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), after a massive search operation.

According to Delhi Police, the module was planning to carry out terror incidents in North India, taking instructions from foreign-based handlers.

"Incriminating material recovered including materials suspected to be used for IED fabrication," police said.

One of the suspected terrorists has been identified as Shahnawaz and has been arrested by Delhi Polices Special Cell, just days after NIA announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh on him.

"Delhi Police Special Cell arrests NIA's most wanted terrorist Shahnawaz alias Shafi Uzzama. NIA had placed a reward of Rs 3 lakhs on the arrested terrorist Shahnawaz, who was wanted in the Pune ISIS case," Delhi police said.

Last month, the NIA released pictures of four terror suspects, including that of Shahnawaz, wanted in the Pune ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) module case and declared a reward money of Rs 3 lakh each for credible information on them leading to their arrest. The agency has said that the identity of the informant will be kept confidential.

An engineer by profession, Shahnawaz had escaped from Pune police custody and was living in Delhi, police said.

Delhi Police Special Cell has also detained some other people.

Further investigation is underway.

Shahnawaz was briefly caught by Pune Police on the intervening night of July 17-18 when he was trying to steal a motorcycle in the Kothrud area of Pune.

During investigation, it had came to light that a foreign-based handler had possibly put Shahnawaz in touch with two other terror operatives with instructions to execute a terror strike.
Sources said Narasimhulu's custodial interrogation is expected to yield information about Maoist conspiracies. (DC Representational Image)

HYDERABAD: The NIA on Monday raided 62 locations across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in connection with its probe into the alleged illegal arms manufacturing by Maoists and arrested one Chandra Narasimhulu, a state executive committee member of the Pragathisheela Karmika Samakhya (PKS), from Satya Sai district of AP.

Sources said Narasimhulus custodial interrogation is expected to yield information about Maoist conspiracies.

NIA officials seized Rs 13 lakh and Maoist literature from the residences of members and leaders of the Civil Liberties Committee (CLC) and served notices, asking them to appear at the NIA office on October 6 for questioning.

The raids started at 6 am, at the residence of alleged Maoist sympathiser Bhavani in Subhashnagar, Uppal, here. She and her husband, Krishna, were questioned about links with Maoists, which they denied. NIA seized 25 books of Maoist literature from their residence, sources said.

"We informed the NIA officials that we were not indulging in any unlawful activities. My wife is associated with martyrs relatives association and I am working in a private office. Bhavani's brother and my brother died in police encounters a few years ago, but we never indulged in any Maoist activities," Krishna said.

The NIA raided the residence of advocate Suresh in Vidyanagar, and questioned him. He was learnt to have denied any link with the Maoists.

In Warangal, the NIA teams raided the residences of Mahila Chaitanya Mandali leaders Anita and Shantamma on Hunter Road, questioned them and seized Maoist literature, before asking them to appear for questioning.

A report from Adilabad raided the house of a Praja Kala Mandali activist in Laxmipur in Talamadugu mandal in Adiabad district. The NIA served him notice to appear for questioning.

An NIA unit, led by inspector C. Prasanth, assistant investigation officer at NIA-Hyderabad, raided the houses of leaders associated with civil rights activism in Tirupati and Nellore, including at the residence of advocate K. Kranthi Chaitanya in Tiruchanoor.

The NIA served him notices under the AP Public Security Act, Arms Act and and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and instructed to appear at the NIA office in Hyderabad before November 1.

NIA officials also searched the Ellanki Venkateswarlu, president of the Civil Liberties Committee at Usman Saheb Peta as also Mahila Sangham leaders Annapurna and Anusha in Rythu Bazaar in Nellore city.

A report from Vishakhapatnam said the NIA raided the house of Human Rights Foundatuon functionary K. Sudha, who is assistant professor in the Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University in Sabbavaram, Anakapalli district. HRF office-bearer V.S. Krishna was present at that time. After six hours of searches, the NIA seized her mobile phone, hard disk and some pamphlets.
BRS Party Working President K.T.Rama Rao. (DC Image)

HYDERABAD: BRS Party Working President KTR attacked the Congress party and its Telangana Chief Revanth Reddy, he said that the Congress party was in the hands of a thief who was earlier caught in the vote for note case. He added that the same person was selling seats/tickets at different prices to the leaders. He is selling seats today, tomorrow he will sell Telangana state if he comes to power.

KTR stated that Congress leader Komatireddy Venkat Reddy worked as a Minister in the Congress Government but he did not do anything for Nalgonda. Let alone an IT company, he could not even get a computer for anyone here, he said.

While expressing apprehensions on six guarantees, KTR said if Congress is given a chance to govern, three things would happen for the guarantee, and that included - a three-hour power supply in a day, a change of CM every year, and a lot of scams in the state. "No one knows who will become the Chief Minister if Congress wins the election. Electing Congress means inviting a power crisis, said KTR.

"CM KCR is giving pensions to senior citizens, widows, and physically challenged persons, helping them to live with self-esteem," said KTR. He stated that no Congress or BJP-led state government is giving pension amounts to physically challenged persons which is on par with Telangana.

BRS Working President KTR gave a counter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said BRS is a family party. "BRS is a family of four crore people in Telangana and CM KCR is the head of the family." He added that CM KCR took the place of a son while providing pensions to the elderly, and stood as a brother to the farmers by giving Rythu Bandhu and Rythu Bheema. "KCR is a member of every family in Telangana," he said.

In response to BJP leaders' comments on BRS indulging in dynasty politics, KTR said that BRS functions on the ideology of Queen Rani Rudrama Devi from the Kakatiya dynasty and constructs temples and develops water bodies.

Furthermore, he said BRS believes in the Jal Jangal Zameen slogan of revolutionary leader Komaram Bheem, works for the upliftment of weaker sections like Sarvai Papanna, sets up Gurukula Schools, prioritizing education like Social reformer Bhagya Reddy Varma. He also added that BRS works for the interests of the people of Telangana as per the ideology of Telangana martyrs like Srikanth Achari and many more.

Thus, mentioning Gandhi Jayanthi, KTR said BRS follows the ideas of Gandhi while BJP does politics based on Godse ideology.

Lashing out the statement of PM Modi on CM KCR not weaving off farm loans in Telangana, KTR said that the CM had waived off farm loans twice in the State and asked the Prime Minister to not make baseless comments.

Minister KTR made the above comments during his visit to Nalgonda and Suryapet where he inaugurated IT Towers and also participated in various other development programs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during an event organised for laying of foundation stone of various developmental projects, in Gwalior, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. (PTI Photo)

BHOPAL: Accusing the Congress of seeking votes by exploiting the sentiments of the poor and dividing the society on the caste lines, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday observed that Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had already conceded defeat in the upcoming state elections.

"Gehlot knows that the countdown of the Congress government has started. He in a way has congratulated the BJP by publicly requesting that the welfare schemes should not be stopped. I assure you that the BJP will not stop any scheme of public interest but will try to improve it. This is Modis guarantee," Modi said, reacting to the Rajasthan Chief Ministers demand that Modi should give a "guarantee" that the Congress governments schemes will not be discontinued if the BJP comes to power in the state.

Addressing a public rally in Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, the Prime Minister indicated the BJP will not project its chief ministerial face right now. "The BJP will contest the Assembly election on the partys election symbol, the lotus," he said. Before the public rally, the Prime Minister also offered prayers at Sanwaliya temple.

He also attacked the Gehlot government over corruption and womens safety, and said that it "pained" him whenever atrocities took place against daughters anywhere in the country. "But the Congress has made this a tradition here," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister alleged that it is not possible to celebrate any festival peacefully in Rajasthan because of the anti-development environment created by the Congress. "The BJP will bring prosperity, employment and development to the state, besides ensuring the safety of women," he asserted.

Addressing a public rally in Gwalior, Modi observed that "the Congress vision that its future lies in the glorification of one family has remained unchanged in the last six decades."

He said that the Congress had an anti-development mindset and the party had no roadmap for development. The party was not able to digest the growing stature of the country in the world.

"When the world sees the future in India, they (Congress) see their future in politics. They (Congress) appear not comfortable with the growing stature of the country at the international level", he said.

Modi said that his government has developed the country as the fifth largest economy in the world in the last nine years and set a target to make it to the top three economies in the world in the coming five years.

"They (Congress) got the opportunity (to rule the country) for 60 years. What they could not do in 60 years, we did it in nine years", he said.

He said that corruptions, scandals, crimes and atrocities on women and scheduled caste and scheduled tribe people marked the six-decade-rule of Congress in the country. He cited the housing scheme of the previous Congress government at the Centre to drive his point home.

Modi said that the previous Congress government in Madhya Pradesh had pushed the state to backwardness, reducing it to a Bimaru (laggard) state. But, the BJP government in the state has turned the Bimaru MP into one of the ten best developed states in the country.
PM Modi is expected to address a massive rally in Nizamabad. (Image: Twitter)

NIZAMABAD: After announcing the National Turmeric Board on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Nizamabad on Tuesday to launch multiple developmental projects worth Rs 8,021 crore, on his second visit to Telangana within three days.

On Sunday, Modi was in Mahbubnagar to launch developmental projects worth over Rs 13,500 crore.

Modis announcements and public meetings have buoyed BJP leaders and cadre, by serving as a launchpad for the partys Assembly election poll campaign.

While the official machinery made arrangements for the inauguration of the NTPC power plant in virtual mode, the BJP leadership made arrangements for a public meeting at the Girraj Government Degree College ground. Modi will arrive by helicopter at 2.55 pm and lay foundation stones and dedicate to the nation various projects.

Sources said that 700 people will attend the official programme, following which the Prime Minister is will address around 1.5 lakh people, mostly farmers, from 14 Assembly constituencies in Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Jagtial and Nirmal districts.

BJP state president G. Kishan Reddy, MP Dharmapuri Arvind, senior leader G. Premender Reddy and Assembly constituency incharges are actively coordinating to make the arrangements for the Indur Jana Garjana public meeting.

This will also mark Modis first visit to Nizamabad as the Prime Minister, as his previous visit, for the first time in 2014, was for canvassing voters for the Lok Sabha elections.

Nizamabad city was splashed in saffron as BJP leaders set up flexi boards, banners and flags in and around the city, highlighting portraits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. For the past three days, Central and state security agencies have been making arrangements for the Prime Ministers visit. Choppers also made trail visits several times, as Narendra Modi is expected to reach Nizamabad from Bidar in neighbouring Karnataka.

MP Dharmapuri Arvind appealed to the public to make the Indur Jana Garjana public meeting a "grand success", saying that Modi sanctioned crores of rupees projects for Telangana state.
Maldives' President Abdulla Yameen and China's President Xi Jinping. (Photo by Fred DUFOUR / AFP)

The Opposition candidate Mohammed Muizzu has won the second round run-off in the Presidential elections in Male with 54.04 per cent of the vote to incumbent Ibu Solihs 45.96 per cent. The Indian Ocean archipelago is ready to spin back into the China orbit.

The democratic verdict in free and fair elections may not be to the liking of India, one of Maldives closest neighbours, which in the past five years had brought the Maldives back fully into the Indian sphere of influence with big investments in infrastructure and other material and moral support after Solih had become a runaway winner in the 2018 polls and had ushered in the "India First" policy.

A drop in tourism with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 in a nation wholly dependent on tourist inflow thanks its year-round sunshine and picture postcard perfect beaches, infighting in Solihs party, MDP, and the Opposition PPM partys emotional call for ousting Indian troops from the islands that had once helped deal with civil unrest caused by political turmoil, had all contributed to a result that presages a huge geopolitical swing.

Maldives may have been and may still become another victim of Chinas debt diplomacy, of which another neighbour, Sri Lanka, is a classic example. But, in a bipolar world, this swing from one bloc to the other is the "new normal" and India may just have to deal with it, as it did with alacrity in bolstering the Lankan economy in the wake of its worst crisis or learn to live with it.

In which direction the wind is swinging was already made clear in the jailed former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen being transferred from prison, where he was serving an 11-year term for corruption, to house arrest, with unseemly haste it would appear, but only on the outgoing Presidents order, under the prompting of the poll winner of course, as a regime change became certain in the polls, with Muizzu to take office on November 17.
As the clock ticks down to October 1, the United States faces the looming threat of a government shutdown. While political gridlock and funding disputes may seem like a distant concern to the average citizen, the potential consequences of such an event on national defense are a matter of critical importance. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks and Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh have both voiced their concerns, emphasizing the potential damage a shutdown could inflict on the nations security and military readiness.

The impending government shutdown results from Congresss inability to pass a funding bill or a continuing resolution by the end of the fiscal year. Failure to do so will trigger a shutdown on October 1, with far-reaching implications. Kathleen Hicks stresses the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that the shutdown must be averted to prevent disruptions not only to the Defense Department but also throughout the federal government.

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The Defense Departments preference is for a full-funding bill to be passed. However, a continuing resolution becomes the more favorable option in the event of a government shutdown. This resolution would maintain appropriations at the previous fiscal years level for a specified duration, preventing a complete funding halt.

A government shutdown would have severe repercussions for national defense efforts. During a shutdown, the Department of Defense (DOD) is still obligated to defend and protect the United States and continue ongoing military operations. However, it would be operating with limited resources, potentially hindering its ability to respond effectively to various threats.

One major concern is the impact on DOD civilians, including over 800,000 employees. Furloughs would be inevitable for those not involved in excepted activities, significantly affecting their livelihoods. Additionally, military personnel on active duty may be required to carry out their duties without pay, which can pose significant financial challenges for them and their families.

The consequences of a government shutdown extend beyond the immediate financial strain. Troops may continue to protect the nation, but their training operations could be curtailed, jeopardizing long-term readiness. Training plays a pivotal role in maintaining combat readiness and national security. Any interruptions in training schedules can have lasting effects on the armed forces preparedness.

Furthermore, efforts to support allies and partners, such as Ukraine, may face obstacles during a shutdown. While approved funding remains accessible, the Departments ability to allocate and deliver resources could be impeded, potentially affecting critical international relationships and strategic interests.

As the U.S. faces a complex geopolitical landscape and emerging global challenges, the stability and readiness of our defense forces are paramount. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks and Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh both emphasize that avoiding a shutdown is imperative. The consequences of a lapse in funding could have far-reaching effects on national security, military readiness, and the well-being of those who protect our nation.
Allworth Financial LP lowered its position in Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR  Free Report) by 6.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,395 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 229 shares during the quarter. Allworth Financial LPs holdings in Entergy were worth $331,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Entergy by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 12,524 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,219,000 after buying an additional 114 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in Entergy by 67.7% in the 2nd quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,373 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $523,000 after buying an additional 2,170 shares during the period. Keel Point LLC increased its stake in Entergy by 9.0% in the 1st quarter. Keel Point LLC now owns 3,026 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $326,000 after buying an additional 250 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers increased its stake in Entergy by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 364,537 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $39,275,000 after buying an additional 1,205 shares during the period. Finally, DAVENPORT & Co LLC bought a new position in Entergy during the 1st quarter worth about $2,036,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.52% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ETR has been the topic of several recent research reports. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of Entergy from $120.00 to $114.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 30th. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of Entergy in a report on Wednesday, August 23rd. They set an equal weight rating and a $98.00 target price on the stock. Guggenheim lowered their price target on shares of Entergy from $124.00 to $110.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Entergy from $94.00 to $97.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, September 21st. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Entergy in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $113.75.

Insider Activity at Entergy

In other Entergy news, EVP Marcus V. Brown sold 13,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.40, for a total transaction of $1,287,900.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,251 shares in the company, valued at $882,545.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.37% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Entergy Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of ETR opened at $92.50 on Monday. Entergy Co. has a 52-week low of $91.33 and a 52-week high of $120.78. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.84. The firms fifty day moving average is $96.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $100.91. The stock has a market cap of $19.56 billion, a PE ratio of 14.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.65.

Entergy (NYSE:ETR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.69 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $2.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.26 billion. Entergy had a net margin of 10.22% and a return on equity of 10.22%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.78 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Entergy Co. will post 6.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Entergy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, August 11th were issued a $1.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 10th. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.63%. Entergys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 65.24%.

Entergy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Utility and Entergy Wholesale Commodities. The Utility segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.

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Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE:HP  Free Report)  Analysts at Atb Cap Markets lowered their Q4 2024 EPS estimates for shares of Helmerich & Payne in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, September 28th. Atb Cap Markets analyst W. Syed now forecasts that the oil and gas company will post earnings of $0.98 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $1.03. The consensus estimate for Helmerich & Paynes current full-year earnings is $4.11 per share. Atb Cap Markets also issued estimates for Helmerich & Paynes Q1 2025 earnings at $1.06 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $1.03 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $4.37 EPS.

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Helmerich & Payne (NYSE:HP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 26th. The oil and gas company reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.20. Helmerich & Payne had a net margin of 14.14% and a return on equity of 14.98%. The company had revenue of $723.96 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $702.05 million.

Several other equities analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an underweight rating and set a $42.00 price objective on shares of Helmerich & Payne in a research note on Monday, July 31st. Barclays reduced their target price on Helmerich & Payne from $52.00 to $44.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded Helmerich & Payne from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and dropped their price target for the company from $53.00 to $45.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Helmerich & Payne in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Piper Sandler boosted their price target on shares of Helmerich & Payne from $45.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, July 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Helmerich & Payne has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $49.09.

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Helmerich & Payne Price Performance

Helmerich & Payne stock opened at $42.16 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.07 and a beta of 1.72. Helmerich & Payne has a one year low of $30.41 and a one year high of $54.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 2.29 and a quick ratio of 2.06. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $42.87 and a 200-day moving average price of $37.68.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Helmerich & Payne

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in shares of Helmerich & Payne by 1.8% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,910,973 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $640,317,000 after buying an additional 319,188 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Helmerich & Payne by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 11,891,665 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $439,634,000 after acquiring an additional 86,545 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Helmerich & Payne by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,990,631 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $178,415,000 after purchasing an additional 284,938 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Helmerich & Payne by 7.7% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,335,243 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $154,985,000 after purchasing an additional 310,770 shares during the period. Finally, Earnest Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Helmerich & Payne by 406.4% during the second quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 2,815,763 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $99,819,000 after purchasing an additional 2,259,679 shares in the last quarter. 96.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Helmerich & Payne

In other news, SVP Raymond John Adams III sold 6,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.48, for a total value of $254,880.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 71,525 shares in the company, valued at $3,038,382. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Helmerich & Payne news, SVP Raymond John Adams III sold 6,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.48, for a total value of $254,880.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 71,525 shares in the company, valued at $3,038,382. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Hans Helmerich sold 25,627 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.46, for a total transaction of $1,088,122.42. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,340,288 shares of the companys stock, valued at $56,908,628.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 34,127 shares of company stock worth $1,455,502 in the last ninety days. 4.16% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Helmerich & Payne Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 20th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 17th. Helmerich & Paynes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.25%.

About Helmerich & Payne

(Get Free Report)

Founded in 1920, Helmerich & Payne, Inc (H&P) (NYSE: HP) is committed to delivering industry leading levels of drilling productivity and reliability. H&P operates with the highest level of integrity, safety and innovation to deliver superior results for its customers and returns for shareholders.

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Landmark Financial Advisors LLC decreased its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 20,578 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 196 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. makes up 1.2% of Landmark Financial Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. Landmark Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $2,993,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P lifted its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 81.1% in the first quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P now owns 222,422 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,321,000 after purchasing an additional 99,636 shares during the period. BCK Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 1st quarter valued at $2,455,000. LSV Asset Management boosted its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 35.6% in the first quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 37,300 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,085,000 after buying an additional 9,800 shares during the period. Wsfs Capital Management LLC raised its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 70.8% during the first quarter. Wsfs Capital Management LLC now owns 4,221 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $575,000 after buying an additional 1,749 shares during the period. Finally, Lumature Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 1,451.4% during the 1st quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC now owns 3,770 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $514,000 after acquiring an additional 3,527 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.94% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, General Counsel Stacey Friedman sold 4,310 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.86, for a total transaction of $624,346.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 53,425 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,739,145.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.79% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Performance

Shares of JPM stock opened at $145.02 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $421.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.33, a PEG ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 0.90. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $150.02 and a 200 day simple moving average of $142.34. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 52 week low of $101.28 and a 52 week high of $159.38.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 14th. The financial services provider reported $4.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.62 by $0.75. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a net margin of 23.45% and a return on equity of 17.29%. The firm had revenue of $42.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $38.66 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.76 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 34.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 15.65 earnings per share for the current year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 6th will be issued a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.90%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 5th. This is an increase from JPMorgan Chase & Co.s previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio is 25.74%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

JPM has been the subject of several research reports. HSBC started coverage on JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a report on Thursday, September 7th. They set a hold rating and a $159.00 price target for the company. Citigroup lowered shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $160.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, July 12th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $158.00 target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research report on Friday, September 8th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the company from $149.00 to $165.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their price target on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $158.00 to $168.00 in a report on Monday, July 17th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, JPMorgan Chase & Co. currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $167.00.

Read Our Latest Research Report on JPM

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Profile

(Free Report)

JPMorgan Chase & Co operates as a financial services company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB), Commercial Banking (CB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). The CCB segment offers deposit, investment and lending products, cash management, and payments and services to consumers and small businesses; mortgage origination and servicing activities; residential mortgages and home equity loans; and credit cards, auto loans, leases, and travel services.

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The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report)  Stock analysts at Seaport Res Ptn reduced their Q4 2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report issued on Friday, September 29th. Seaport Res Ptn analyst J. Mitchell now forecasts that the investment management company will post earnings per share of $9.85 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $10.33. The consensus estimate for The Goldman Sachs Groups current full-year earnings is $25.39 per share.

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Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. UBS Group upped their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $385.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 24th. Credit Suisse Group reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $410.00 price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Thursday, July 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $415.00 to $398.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. HSBC began coverage on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Thursday, September 7th. They set a buy rating and a $403.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Oppenheimer decreased their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $461.00 to $450.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 26th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $394.32.

The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE GS opened at $323.57 on Monday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $335.51 and its 200-day moving average price is $330.08. The Goldman Sachs Group has a 52-week low of $287.75 and a 52-week high of $389.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 0.81. The company has a market cap of $106.67 billion, a PE ratio of 13.80, a P/E/G ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.40.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The investment management company reported $3.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.25 by ($0.17). The company had revenue of $10.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.61 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 8.27% and a net margin of 9.74%. The Goldman Sachs Groups revenue for the quarter was down 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $7.73 EPS.

The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 31st were paid a dividend of $2.75 per share. This is a boost from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $2.50. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 30th. This represents a $11.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.40%. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is 46.93%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO David M. Solomon sold 4,200 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.28, for a total transaction of $1,496,376.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 124,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $44,457,330.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CEO David M. Solomon sold 4,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.28, for a total transaction of $1,496,376.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 124,782 shares in the company, valued at $44,457,330.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO David M. Solomon sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $345.71, for a total value of $3,457,100.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 128,982 shares of the companys stock, valued at $44,590,367.22. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Goldman Sachs Group

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. BROOKFIELD Corp ON lifted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 3,411.6% in the second quarter. BROOKFIELD Corp ON now owns 53,728 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $17,329,000 after purchasing an additional 52,198 shares during the last quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 10.4% during the second quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 372 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $120,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 100.0% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 510 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $164,000 after purchasing an additional 255 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the second quarter worth about $551,000. Finally, Manhattan West Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 23.0% during the 2nd quarter. Manhattan West Asset Management LLC now owns 5,308 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,712,000 after buying an additional 991 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.06% of the companys stock.

The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile

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The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in resale agreements.

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Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. (NYSE:SSD  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Monday, July 31st, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 5th will be paid a dividend of 0.27 per share by the construction company on Thursday, October 26th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.72%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 4th.

Simpson Manufacturing has increased its dividend by an average of 4.3% annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 3 consecutive years. Simpson Manufacturing has a payout ratio of 12.5% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Simpson Manufacturing to earn $8.86 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.08 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 12.2%.

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Simpson Manufacturing Stock Down 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE:SSD opened at $149.81 on Monday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $155.00 and its 200 day moving average is $134.64. The stock has a market cap of $6.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.82 and a beta of 1.24. Simpson Manufacturing has a 52-week low of $75.25 and a 52-week high of $166.02. The company has a quick ratio of 2.14, a current ratio of 3.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34.

Insider Activity

Simpson Manufacturing ( NYSE:SSD Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, July 24th. The construction company reported $2.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.13 by $0.37. Simpson Manufacturing had a net margin of 15.78% and a return on equity of 23.43%. The company had revenue of $597.60 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $553.23 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.16 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Simpson Manufacturing will post 8.22 EPS for the current year.

In related news, EVP Roger Dankel sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.00, for a total transaction of $387,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 32,202 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,991,310. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, EVP Roger Dankel sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.00, for a total value of $387,500.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 32,202 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,991,310. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Philip E. Donaldson sold 675 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $157.94, for a total transaction of $106,609.50. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,549 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,034,349.06. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 4,215 shares of company stock valued at $656,495. Insiders own 0.65% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Comerica Bank purchased a new position in Simpson Manufacturing during the second quarter worth about $2,374,000. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky boosted its position in shares of Simpson Manufacturing by 10.7% in the second quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 7,321 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,014,000 after acquiring an additional 708 shares during the last quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC purchased a new position in Simpson Manufacturing during the second quarter worth approximately $269,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its holdings in shares of Simpson Manufacturing by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 588,416 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $81,496,000 after purchasing an additional 8,792 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State of Tennessee Treasury Department grew its stake in shares of Simpson Manufacturing by 57.8% during the 2nd quarter. State of Tennessee Treasury Department now owns 5,593 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $775,000 after buying an additional 2,048 shares during the period. 89.45% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Simpson Manufacturing in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a buy rating for the company. DA Davidson boosted their price objective on Simpson Manufacturing from $135.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, July 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Simpson Manufacturing from $176.00 to $190.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 25th.

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Simpson Manufacturing Company Profile

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Simpson Manufacturing Co, Inc, through its subsidiaries, designs, engineers, manufactures, and sells wood and concrete construction products. The company offers wood construction products, including connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shearwalls, and pre-fabricated lateral systems for use in light-frame construction; and concrete construction products comprising adhesives, specialty chemicals, mechanical anchors, carbide drill bits, powder actuated tools, fiber-reinforced materials, and other repair products for use in concrete, masonry, and steel construction, as well as grouts, coatings, sealers, mortars, fiberglass and fiber-reinforced polymer systems, and asphalt products for use in concrete construction repair, and strengthening and protection products.

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In a bold move to bolster its domestic defense capabilities and supply its ongoing counteroffensive against Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has unveiled ambitious plans to transform Ukraine into a large military hub. This vision involves establishing partnerships with Western weapons manufacturers to produce high-quality military equipment and weapons within the country.

Speaking at the International Defence Industries Forum, President Zelenskyy emphasized the critical importance of advancing without retreat, highlighting the daily need for results on the front lines. He expressed a keen interest in localizing the production of essential defense equipment and advanced systems used by Ukrainian soldiers to ensure the best possible outcomes in the field.

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Air defense and de-mining were identified as immediate priorities, along with plans to boost domestic production of missiles, drones, and artillery ammunition. These initiatives aim to equip Ukraines armed forces with the necessary tools to effectively counter security threats.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry reported that approximately 20 agreements have been signed with foreign partners for joint production, technology exchange, or the supply of components to manufacture drones, armored vehicles, and ammunition. While the companies involved were not disclosed, it underscores the willingness of Western arms manufacturers to collaborate with Ukraine in this endeavor.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg voiced his support for Ukraines efforts, emphasizing that heroism alone cannot intercept missiles and stressing the need for capabilities, high-quality products, and swift production. He underscored that a strong defense industry is vital for a nations security.

Ukraines journey to reclaim territories and fend off aggression includes recapturing the southern city of Kherson and a counteroffensive launched in early June to reclaim seized territories. Despite significant advances, Moscow still controls approximately 18% of Ukrainian territory.

Ukraines allies have extended significant financial and military support, amounting to tens of billions of dollars, to aid in pushing back Russian forces. The development of Ukraines domestic defense industry not only bolsters its security but also holds the potential to boost the countrys economy, which contracted by about a third in the wake of the war.

Notably, several leading Western arms manufacturers, including Germanys Rheinmetall and the United Kingdoms BAE Systems, have already expressed plans to collaborate with Ukrainian producers.

To attract Western defense investment, Ukraine is set to introduce new incentives, including tax breaks, preferential access to government contracts, and assistance in securing financing. Additionally, Ukraine is open to sharing its military technology with Western partners, potentially facilitating the exchange of designs for new weapon systems and access to Ukrainian military research facilities.

The establishment of a large military hub in Ukraine presents mutual benefits. Ukraine would reduce its reliance on foreign arms imports, strengthen its domestic defense industry, and enhance its security capabilities. Western partners, in turn, gain access to a reliable source of weapons production in Eastern Europe.

The appointment of Defense Minister Rustem Umerov underscores Ukraines commitment to producing essential military services and products domestically. Umerovs vision aligns with the overarching goal of developing world-class military products to meet the needs of Ukraines armed forces.

As Ukraine sets its sights on becoming a global military hub, the nations determination and partnerships with Western arms manufacturers promise to reshape its defense landscape and contribute to regional security.
Ulster University Business School has today announced the launch of the Talent Hub, an innovative initiative co-designed with core industry partner FinTrU and in collaboration with Londonderry Chamber of Commerce.

It focuses on connecting talented students with Derry employers to help them build their professional networks whilst committing future talent to the North West region.

Supporting the transition from education into the working world and as part of the Global Business and Enterprise degree offered at Ulster University, around 100 second-year students will complete four workshops delivered by academic experts and FinTrUs team of professionals, who will host two sessions within their newly renovated offices on Patrick Street.

The series of workshops has been created to empower students with the skills, knowledge, and networking opportunities they need to enhance their potential for future employability, whilst ensuring the next generation of talent is aligned with employer needs.

Each session will focus on a different aspect of essential career development themes, helping students to develop and advance their confidence and professional skills, build networking skills and business acumen, including what to expect during a job application process, from crafting compelling CVs to sharpening their interview skills.

Dr Aisling Reid, Lecturer in Business Enterprise at Ulster University said: The Talent Hub programme has successfully grown in recent years with the support of incredible local businesses leaders in the North West such as FinTrU, Alchemy Technology Services, Fujitsu and Moore NI, who are committed to raising up and championing the next generation of talent and actively participate in activities to authentically network with students.

Were delighted to partner with FinTrU on this initiative and would express our thanks and appreciation for their outstanding efforts in curating this dynamic workshop series and for their commitment to offering students exceptional opportunities.

A grand finale event in December will raise the profile of future leaders and the next generation of talent, where students will take to the stage to pitch for placement seeking to impress a captive audience of local employers and inspiring business leaders who may be compelled to offer a valuable work placement opportunity.

Local businesses still have time to get involved with Talent Hub and we would welcome them to register to come along for the finale event. Our expectation is that they will find this a refreshing and innovative approach to engaging with potential placement students.

This is exactly how Ulster University graduate Siobhan McCafferty secured her placement role at Alchemy Technology Services in 2018, where she now works permanently as a Human Resources Advisor. Siobhan explains: Taking part in the Talent Hub allowed me to develop skills that would contribute to my success as an HR professional.

"By participating in this experience, I learnt about the wealth of opportunities available in the North-West and beyond, which ultimately led to a rewarding placement experience and a successful career at Alchemy.

Business with Education Ulster University student, Craig Millar is looking forward to seeing what the Talent Hub has to offer, he said: Im excited to see FinTrUs partnership with the 2023 Talent Hub. Their dedication to student empowerment and the opportunities they bring is a game-changer for us. FinTrU's partnership brings connections and confidence to students, placing us in a unique position, with experience of why professional skills, is so important in today's workforce"

Speaking on the Talent Hub collaborative partnership, Kathleen McDermott, FinTrU, Executive Director said: Earlier this year we announced our plans to invest over 20m with Invest NI by 2027 into our North West operation, with the creation of 300 new jobs in the area.

"We are delighted to be partnering with Ulster University Business School for the 2023 Talent Hub and playing our part in helping to guide and advise aspiring local business students as they look towards building their future careers.

"Our Placement Programme is now open for applications and we welcome interest from students who wish to supercharge their career at FinTrU  right here in the North West.

Anna Doherty, Chief Executive of The Derry Chamber of Commerce added: Londonderry Chamber of Commerce have facilitated this fantastic collaboration between two of our corporate partners, Ulster University and FinTrU, to the benefit of everybody involved  the businesses who are providing the skills and expertise, the educators who are shaping the programming and the students taking part. We are proud to see the university and business working together to provide tangible results and a confident talent pipeline.

Local businesses can contact Dr Aisling Reid, Ulster University to get involved with the Talent Hub or register to attend the finale pitch for placement event by emailing ar.reid@ulster.ac.uk

PICTURED ABOVE: Pictured at the launch of Ulster Universitys Talent Hub an innovative initiative focused on connecting talented students with Derry employers, are second-year Global Business and Enterprise students alongside core partners FinTrU and The Londonderry Chamber of Commerce.
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A Derry based cancer charity is bringing a poignant photographic exhibition to the city this week as part of its Breast Cancer Awareness Month programme.

Seen to be Heard, by award winning Belfast photographer Jennifer Willis is being hosted by Hive Cancer Support (formerly Pink Ladies Cancer Support Group) and features photographs of 24 women who are living with secondary breast cancer.

Among them is Derry woman Thersea Kelly, who also lost her sister Sarah to secondary breast cancer last August.

Secondary Breast Cancer originates in the breast and spreads to other parts of the body. It cannot be cured, but the aim of treatment is to control symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.

Theresa was drawn to the Seen to be Heard project because it highlights the need for better treatment and provision for women with a secondary breast cancer diagnosis.

Both my sister Sarah and myself were diagnosed with breast cancer within 18 months of each other, she explained.

At the time, we just thought breast cancer was breast cancer and that it could be cured.

We didn't know the difference between primary breast cancer and secondary breast cancer.

In fact we had never heard those terms before, so when Sarah was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer and we realised it was incurable it was a complete shock.

Various sources told us that treatment could give her a couple of years but we lost her a few short months later, something which changed my life and lives of our family and friends forever.



Theresa is now living with secondary breast cancer herself and her condition is currently stable.

She has dedicated herself to fundraising for several cancer charities, including Hive Cancer Support, and raising awareness of secondary breast cancer.

I became involved with Seen To Be Heard to raise awareness of secondary breast cancer through the fantastic people at Hive Cancer Support.

Sadly the care, treatment and support offered by the NHS to women in Northern Ireland living with secondary breast cancer is sadly lacking and in many cases, non-existent. We deserve and demand better.



Photographer Jennifer Willis began the Seen to be Heard project after her good friend Cheryl Graham was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer and asked her to document her journey.



The project grew from there and she went on to photograph 24 women from across Northern Ireland.



I would describe the exhibition as raw and powerful yet sensitive and revealing, said Jennifer.

Because of this, building a trusting relationship with the women before lifting the camera was vital to ensure an authentic and respectful piece of work.

None of the women bare their bodies for their own sakes, but for those coming after them.

The exhibition and advocacy around it have already produced tangible change but there is

so much more to achieve.

There is a real need to raise awareness of secondary breast cancer so that both patients and clinicians are aware of the symptoms of secondary breast cancer and for the adequate provision of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) particularly in Northern Ireland. Currently, there is only one CNS in the whole of the north.

In addition to the photographs, the exhibition features moving video testimony where the women discuss their lives and their treatment within the health care system.

We hope that many will visit, view the images and hear their voices, added Jennifer.

Seen to be Heard launched at the Playhouse on Monday October 2 with a panel discussion from Jennifer, Theresa, and Cheryl and Michelle McLaren, Development Worker at Hive Cancer Support, chaired by Derry based journalist Jeananne Craig.

Michelle urged people to drop in and see the exhibition, which is open until Friday October 6.

I knew as soon as I saw this ground breaking exhibition that I wanted to bring it to Derry.

It has changed the way secondary breast cancer is perceived in Northern Ireland and become a platform for peoples voices to be heard.

We are so proud of Theresa for taking part for raising awareness of secondary breast cancer and the current lack of provision for women living with it.

The exhibition will be open to the public at the Playhouse, Artillery Street, Derry Tuesday 10am-5pm, Wednesday all day, Thursday all day, Friday 10am-3pm.
School pupils from across the Causeway Coast and Glens have taken part in the Mountsandel Field School Project.

Organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Museum Services and in partnership with, Mountsandel Discovery and Heritage Group, The Rotary Club of Coleraine, and Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, the week of visits to Mountsandel Wood demonstrated the importance of the sites local history and heritage.

Each day included exciting workshops and activities designed to bring Mountsandels pre-historic past back to life. Mountsandel is the site of the earliest known settlement on the island of Ireland, dating back almost 10,000 years. It was occupied by Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) people who lived by hunting and gathering along the Bann and in the surrounding woods.

Key Stage 2 pupils took part in four interactive activities at stations throughout the wood, engaging with the settlement site itself with Grace McAllister of the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, handling original stone tools with Museum Services officer Nic Wright, as well foraging in the woods and playing hunting games with facilitators Aubrey Beggs and Jim Allen.

Groups were also joined by post-primary History student teachers from the School of Education, Ulster University, for part of the week.

This year, the schools taking part in the programme were Bushvalley Primary School, Damhead Primary School, The Irish Society Primary School, St Malachys Primary School Coleraine, St Patricks Primary School Portrush, Dunsevereick Primary School, St Peters and St Pauls Primary School Foreglen, St Canices Primary School Feeny, Rasharkin Primary School and Armoy Primary School.

Mayor of the Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Steven Callaghan, who visited the site during the week said: Its wonderful to see such a historic site in our borough being enjoyed and shared by so many children from across the area during this week of activity.

"Thanks are due to all those who helped organise this fantastic programme, and especially to those who volunteered their time marshal at these events.
The Loughs Agency recently welcomed a delegation from Korea to the North West as part of a two-day workshop focusing on transboundary cooperation for sustainable ocean and coastal areas.

The workshop was organised and sponsored by Queens University Belfast and the Korea Maritime Institute, to discuss transboundary maritime issues in both the Korean peninsula and the island of Ireland.

The theme of the workshop was Reflections on Transboundary Cooperation for Sustainable Ocean and Coastal Areas, with the opening day in the prestigious Lanyon Building at Queens University Belfast incorporating speakers from a range of organisations, including Queens University Belfast, Loughs Agency the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Marine Institute, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and Trinity College Dublin.

On day two, the Korean delegates visited Derry, where they explored Ebrington Square and the Peace Bridge, enjoyed some local cuisine and visited Loughs Agencys Headquarters in Prehen.

There, the delegates engaged with Agency staff members, discussing the role and operational systems of Loughs Agency as a North South Implementation Body with responsibility for transboundary aquatic systems.

Sharon McMahon, Loughs Agency CEO, said: "I was privileged to have been part of the workshop and had the opportunity to welcome the Korean delegation to Derry to discuss the work and challenges that face Loughs Agency as a North South Implementation Body managing transboundary waters.

"We were delighted to be able to share valuable insights and information, further supporting transboundary cooperation, and continuous improvement of transboundary environmental and ecosystem-focused issues within our catchment areas and in particular within the two sea loughs.

"I sincerely hope the delegation found the visit to be beneficial and that it will help inform a maritime strategy for Korea."
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Samsung has been pushing investments in Vietnam and India and is expected to continue doing so for the next several years as the tech competition between the US and China is worsening.

Abstract

South Korea's manufacturing sector sustains an impact from the US-China tech war with the COVID-19 pandemic also disrupting its supply chain operations. In response, South Korean manufacturers have built production bases abroad in recent years.



In particular, those making electronics components, computers, imaging devices and base station equipment are stepping up their investments in Vietnam and India.

Based on DIGITIMES Research's observations, the investments by South Korean manufacturers of electronics components, computers, imaging devices and base station equipment in Vietnam and India are ongoing. Especially, their investments in India have continued to show steady growth since 2019, unaffected by COVID-19, but still cannot compare to those in China and Vietnam.

South Korea's investment in Vietnam exhibited a moderate decline from 2020 through 2021 due to COVID-19 but surged to US$928 million in 2022, soaring 116% from US$430 million in 2021. South Korea's investment in Vietnam was still smaller than its investment in China but it's growing rapidly. The 2022 amount already exceeded the 2019 amount.

Table of contents
Weekly news roundup: US pressures will lead to 'golden decade' for China and other top stories

Here are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories during the week of September 25-29:

US pressures will lead to 'golden decade' for China's semiconductor industry: experts

Among the attendees at the 2023 Beijing International Seminar on Micro-Electronics and IC World Conference on September 25 were Ye Tianchun, director of the IC division of the China Semiconductor Industry Association (CSIA), as well as Tsinghua University professor and CSIA deputy director Wei Shaojun. According to Ye, mounting pressure from US authorities has only led China's tech industry to become self-sufficient, and a golden decade is on the horizon for the semiconductor industry in China as new pathways arise.

With frequent layoffs at US semiconductor companies, could chip talents be returning to Taiwanese companies?

In Taiwan, Google, which previously scooped up a lot of Taiwanese IC design talent, has already undergone several waves of small-scale layoffs. Memory maker Micron has also reportedly included Taiwan in its global personnel reduction plan. Qualcomm announced during its last financial report conference that it would be laying off staff across all departments worldwide as part of its cost-cutting measures. This includes the recently expanded team in Taiwan. The key point to follow from now on is whether Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturers will have the opportunity to attract talent back as a result of these layoffs by American companies.

Made-in-China quality not good enough? Huawei buying up IDM memory products

After being sanctioned by the US in 2020, Huawei has never stopped using DRAM and NAND Flash products from integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) such as Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Kioxia, and even Micron. What made that interesting is that memory products from local brands such as YMTC and CXMT have never been found inside any Huawei devices.

South Korean semiconductor firms advised to change China market strategy in face of US guardrail final rules

Since currently 85% of the output of the Korean semiconductor company's mature-node capacity in China is sold to be used in end products assembled in China, they will receive less negative impact on this part of their business. A South Korean microelectronics and packaging expert pointed out that South Korean semiconductors should reconsider changing the product portfolios in their China fabs to meet the local market demand.

US restricts legacy chip production for quantum in China, but is it too late?

The US Department of Commerce announced the final rule implementing the national security guardrails of the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act on September 22, classifying quantum chip production in "countries of concern". However, in January 2023, China media reported that Origin Quantum Computer's first quantum chip production line was in full swing and invited local media to visit. China's newest quantum computer "Wukong" was originally scheduled to launch in July 2023. But so far there has not been any update about the device as Information about China's tech progress has become more opaque.

Huawei building its own OS to break away from reliance on US software, said Ren Zhengfei

Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei previously stated that with the US expected to expand its sanctions, tough times are still ahead for Huawei. In response, it will focus on building a non-US alternative ecosystem by making its self-developed HarmonyOS and EulerOS available to more partners. Ren Zhengfei emphasized that Huawei will continue to invest tens of thousands of personnel and billions of US dollars annually in the development of these two major operating systems, despite both of them being open source.

Smartwatches with satellite connectivity catching eyes on Huawei autumn product launch

During Huawei's autumn product unveiling, in addition to the Mate 60 RS smartphone and an array of smart devices; it also showed on its latest smartwatch, equipped with dual-way BeiDou satellite communication. This marks Huawei's second venture into devices with satellite communication capabilities following their initial smartwatch launch in early 2023.

Credit: DIGITIMES
Europe reportedly targets Nvidia with anti-competitive practices in AI

Amid rising demands for AI chips, France's competition authority announced it had raided a company in the graphics cards sector, implying a potential regulatory scrutiny faced by Nvidia.

According to WSJ, the French competition authority disclosed a dawn raid was launched on September 27 targeting a player in the graphics card sector, with sources telling WSJ that Nvidia was the target. The development came after a broader inquiry by the French authority into the cloud-computing sector, which sources huge amounts of chips from Nvidia.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg also quoted sources saying that the European Commission had been informally collecting views on potentially abusive practices to see if intervention is needed in the AI chip sector.

Despite the rumors, Bloomberg received no formal responses from Nvidia, the European Commission, the French competition authority, or officials of the French finance and digital ministries. Sources told Bloomberg that the early-stage investigation by the European Commission may not necessarily lead to formal anticompetitive accusations.

Nvidia saw its income triple quarter-on-quarter to US$6.8 billion in the fiscal second quarter of 2024 and surpassed Intel, becoming the top data center chip provider in the calendar year of 2023. Nvidia is estimated to have an over 80% market share in the AI chip sector, and Citi estimated in June that Nvidia's market share could be more than 90% in the future.

If the raid by the French regulator and the inquiry by the EU are credible, Nvidia is facing stricter scrutiny amid the AI wave that leads to a surge in demands for Nvidia's chips. WSJ quoted the French competition authority report saying that increased use of AI will drive growth in demand for cloud services, adding that the regulators must ensure that established players do not hinder the development of smaller or new players.
Irelands welcoming of 3,000 new citizens is an important reciprocation over the millions of Irish who emigrated over previous centuries, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said.

There were celebrations at the National Convention Centre in Dublin on Monday as three ceremonies took place across the day.

Irelands newest citizens come from 131 countries across the globe and are living across the 32 counties of Ireland.

Most of them came from India (421) followed by the United Kingdom (254), Brazil (181), Poland (169), Nigeria (153), Romania (143), Philippines (137), Pakistan (128), China (85) and South Africa (80).

The ceremonies on Monday come after three which took place in Killarney in July and two at the RDS in Dublin in March.

More than 11,000 people have been conferred with Irish citizenship so far this year, with more ceremonies planned before the end of 2023.

Ms McEntee said she was delighted to be there.

We have people from 131 different countries who will become Irish citizens by the end of the day  you can just see how happy an occasion it is for them, for their family, their friends, and I just want to wish them all well in the next chapter of their life, she said.

These (ceremonies) are so important, not just for the people themselves but for us as a country to show that we welcome inward migration, that we value the contribution that they make.

Just under 20% of the people living in this country were not born in this country, and they themselves bring their culture, their heritage, their traditions, and its really important that we take them on board.

Its a really important day, and I think sends a strong message that they are welcome and a country where millions of our own people sought refuge and new lives in other shores, it shows that we can reciprocate and that we see the value in them contributing to our country as well.
The Justice Minister has warned that social media is a dark place at times, as elected politicians have been urged to report incidents of harassment to gardai.

Helen McEntee also urged people to understand the impacts of what they said on social media.

The Irish Daily Mail reported on Monday that gardai were examining threats to ministers after mocked-up videos of Ms McEntee and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar emerged online.

It comes after a demonstration was held at Leinster House to mark the return of the Dail, which saw entrances blocked and included a mock gallows featuring both government ministers and opposition TDs.

Asked about the Mails story, Ms McEntee said: Im not going to comment on something that is being looked at at the moment, but social media can be a dark place at times, and I suppose its important that people realise what they say and do on social media does have an impact in the same way as if they were to say and do it in person.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said in the aftermath of the protest  which was criticised across the political spectrum  that the vitriol towards politicians was getting more dangerous, and that the behaviour of some people was fascist-like.

Some politicians have voiced concerns that recent events could escalate to a Jo Cox moment, referring to the UK MP murdered in 2016.

An Garda Siochana said in a statement that it was aware of content circulating online, but did not comment on such content or unverified material posted on online platforms or messaging apps by third parties.

It also said it did not comment on the security of individuals or groups.

The Garda statement said that the threat of violence against a named person was a matter of serious concern and encouraged anyone who had experienced harassment to report it to gardai.

An Garda Siochana considers any suggestion in respect of the threat to use violence and/or perpetration of violence or intimidation in any general sense or against named individuals or organisations as a matter of serious concern and could potentially be subject to criminal investigation in respect of such matters, the statement said.

Should any member of the public, or elected representative or member of the Oireachtas experience harassment or be subject of any crime they are advised to report this to An Garda Siochana.
One of Irelands oldest seafood businesses, Morgans Fine Fish, has been awarded the Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Seafood Innovation Award for 2023.

The Louth based company scooped the prestigious award for its popular salmon darne product, topped with garlic and herb butter and wrapped with Irish chorizo ribbon, which is sold under the Dunnes Stores premium Simply Better range.

BIM CEO, Caroline Bocquel, announced the 163-year-old company, which is based in Omeath, as the winner of the prestigious award at the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards in Dingle, Co. Kerry.

The Award recognises excellence in seafood innovation through the entire supply chain from product creation to the use of process technology to developing new markets.

Presenting the award, Ms Bocquel said: In what is a very competitive space it is vital that our seafood processers are encouraged to be more innovative and to incorporate new technologies which result in a seafood product that attracts new markets and increases sales.

Morgans Fine Fish is a company with a rich heritage and with knowledge and experience passed down from generation to generation.

But they have also embraced innovation and new technologies to create fantastic new products which are giving them a competitive advantage.

She added: In winning this award Morgan's clearly demonstrated knowledge of the basic concepts of food product development, supported by a dynamic business and marketing plan.

They built a strong partnership with Dunnes Stores that allowed them reach high market penetration via Dunnes Simply Better premium food range.

The company has a significant production capacity, with strong financial and sales growth.

Sales manager of Morgans Fine Fish, Gillian Morgan, said the company was honoured to win the prestigious award.

Blas na hEireann is a true showcase for all Irish food producers and a celebration of the best of Irish food. To win here is fantastic. Gillian, a 5th generation of Morgans to work in the company, also thanked Dunne's Stores for their support. Morgan's has been selling various products in Dunne's under the 'Simply Better' range for almost a year.

This award is the culmination of hard work. It is important to keep innovating in what is a very competitive space, said Gillian.

In the last year Morgans Fine Fish has invested in an energy improvement scheme and packaging and smoking technologies with funding support from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, which is implemented by BIM.

Morgans Fine Fish were presented with a cheque for 800 and they also won 4,000 worth of BIMs Seafood Innovation Hub assistance.
EBRD signs a risk-sharing facility of up to 12 million with Raiffeisen Bank Albania

Ten per cent investment incentives directed to sub-borrowers in the agribusiness and tourism sectors

The agreement, first established for agribusiness, has been extended to the tourism sector

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is boosting its support for agribusiness and tourism in partnership with Raiffeisen Bank Albania, the government of Albania and the European Union (EU). The Bank is providing a 12 million risk-sharing facility under the Albania Agribusiness and Tourism Support Facility (AATSF).

The AATSF is a unique framework tailor-made for Albania to support two vital but under-financed sectors of the countrys economy. It aims to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises and corporates in collaboration with commercial banks in Albania. The AATSF also includes an investment incentive of 10 per cent directed to sub-borrowers in the agribusiness and tourism sectors, funded by the government of Albania and the EU, respectively. The government will back the facility with a First Loss Risk Cover.

This risk-sharing facility is an amendment to an agreement already in place with Raiffeisen Bank Albania for the agribusiness sector, under the former Albania Agribusiness Support Facility (AASF), which was signed in 2019 for a portfolio of up to 35 million. A tranche of 12 million has been committed, under the portfolio. The agreement has also expanded to include the tourism sector, a valuable source of income for the country.

Ekaterina Solovova, the EBRD Head of Albania, said: We are proud to build on our successful partnership with Raiffeisen Bank Albania, expanding to such an important sector as tourism. We believe in the potential it represents for the Albanian economy, as recently demonstrated by one of the most successful tourism seasons for the country. With the right support, such as tailor-made financial products like the AATSF, the sector can flourish further.

Elona Mullahi (Koci), Raiffeisen Bank Albanias Board Member for Corporate, added: We are pleased to expand our partnership with the EBRD and, through this facility, to reaffirm our customer-centric approach. We are particularly excited about extending this support to the thriving tourism sector, acknowledging its significant role in Albania's economy. Raiffeisen Bank Albania is committed to empowering local businesses, operating in sectors that contribute significantly to economic growth. Our partnership with the EBRD demonstrates our dedication to these vital sectors and our customers.

As well as better access to finance, sub-borrowers under this facility will receive advisory services on business and know-how from the Banks Advice for Small Businesses programme.

Since 2016, when the AASF was launched, more than 110 million in loans has been committed, benefiting more than 6,200 local agribusiness SMEs. More recently the facility was extended to include tourism SMEs.

The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Albania and has been active in the country since 1991. To date the Bank has invested 2 billion in over 140 projects in the country.
EBRDs annual Literature Prize opens for entries

Competition extended to North American publishers for the first time

Award celebrates new translated literature from countries where the Bank invests

Prize money shared equally between author and translator

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is delighted to announce the launch of the EBRD Literature Prize 2024.

The Prize is awarded to a work of fiction originally published in a language of a country where the Bank invests, translated into English and published for the first time in the past year by a European (including UK) or  in a new development for 2024  North American publisher.

Submissions are invited until 30 November 2023 and will be considered by an independent panel of judges, who will select a shortlist in March 2024, then three finalists. The eventual winner will be announced at an awards ceremony and reception at the Banks headquarters in London in June 2024.

Prize money of 20,000 will be awarded to the winning book, divided equally between author and translator. The two other finalists will receive prize money of 4,000, again divided equally between the authors and translators.

The judging panel for 2024 will be chaired by the award-winning writer, critic, cultural journalist and artistic director, Maya Jaggi. Dr Jaggi is a contributing art critic to FT Weekend and was a profile writer and fiction critic for the Guardian Review for a decade, interviewing hundreds of writers on five continents, including 15 Nobel laureates in literature. She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2023 and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Open University for extending the map of international writing. Dr Jaggi is Critic at Large for Words Without Borders in New York. In 2022, she was Writer in Residence at Writers House of Georgia in Tbilisi.

Dr Jaggi will be joined by Philippe Sands, Professor of Public Understanding of Law at University College London, and Samuel and Judith Pisar Visiting Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. Professor Sands book East West Street: On the Origins of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity won the 2016 Baillie Gifford Prize for non-fiction and the 2017 Prix du Meilleur Livre Etranger (France) and has been translated into over 30 languages.

The third judge is American author and academic, Maureen Freely. Professor Freely teaches on the writing programme at the University of Warwick and has translated widely from Turkish, including books by 2006 Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk. Her fourth novel set in Istanbul, My Blue Peninsula, has just been published. She is a former International Booker Prize judge.

The EBRD Literature Prize champions the literary richness of the Banks diverse regions of operation across three continents. It also celebrates the role of translators as bridges between cultures. Since it was first awarded in 2018, the Prize has helped introduce English-language readers to a broad range of literature from countries such as Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, the Slovak Republic, Turkiye, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

The 2023 Prize was awarded to The Lake by Bianca Bellova, translated from Czech into English by Alex Zucker and published by Parthian Books. The runners-up were Mister N by Najwa Barakat, first published in Lebanon, translated from Arabic by Luke Leafgren and published by And Other Stories, and The Books of Jacob by Olga Tokarczuk, translated from Polish by Jennifer Croft and published by Fitzcarraldo Editions.

Eligibility

Submissions for the EBRD Literature Prize 2024 may only be made for books translated into English for the first time and published between 15 November 2022 and 14 November 2023 by a European (including UK) or North American publisher with a European or North American ISBN.

Works must consist of literary fiction (including collections of short stories by a single author) originally written in any language, official or minority, of a country in which the Bank is currently investing, by an author who is, or has been, a citizen of an EBRD country of operation.

Works cannot be self-translated or self-published, and both the author and translator must be living at the time the book is submitted.

Entries sent to LiteraturePrize@ebrd.com should be accompanied by a statement giving the date of publication and a contact address and telephone number for the publisher. A brief description of the book and a plot summary should also be included. Entrants must submit six hard copies of each book, which will not be returned.
MONTYS is a backstreet cafe and sandwich bar in Midleton, popping with a pink and grey exterior and oozing with a friendly, elegant charm.

There are 20 or so plant pots arranged out the front and many were in bloom when I visited. I met with owner, Lisa OBrien.

The plants now are all my mam and dad, said Lisa. And the painting on the wall was my sister. So its a family affair!

The retro pop art mural was done six-months into Lisa taking over the building, by her art teacher sister, and is still in beautiful condition.

Lisa took over Montys nearly nine years ago. Their decade anniversary is approaching.

I know sure, but you dont feel it or dwell on it too much. The time flies by when youre in it.

Lisa grew up just a short distance from where Montys is now. Her mother, Marian Wall, used to work in Johnny Barrys bakery in Midleton and baking was a permanent fixture in her home growing up. Most Saturdays would be spent baking, helping her mom bake Queen cakes, Chester cakes, scones, and loaves of bread.

Upon finishing school, Lisa was unsure of what her next step would be, so she did a course in Travel and Tourism. This took her on adventures to different parts of Ireland. The work was seasonal so she and her friends took whatever jobs they could find in the off season, and even worked in a salmon smoking factory at one point.

Monty's in Midleton. Pictures: Richard Gordon

Lisa wanted a change from that seasonal kind of work and had a natural leaning towards food.

I always enjoyed food and kitchen-related jobs. I worked a few jobs around town, like SuperValu and Mace in the deli sections, and then found myself working in Montys. The place was actually open for two-and-a-half years before I took it over, said Lisa.

Well, the family who started Montys were flat out with it and they would have the kids and the parents in there and it all got a bit much, I think, but they were lovely people! And they just threw the question out there one day would you like to take it over?

Lisa knew that this was a huge decision.

I talked to my husband and my parents who were supportive and I just went for it! And Ive never looked back!

Shes clearly thrived in this role as Montys has become a top mention for quality coffee and food, with Marian, Lisas mom, helping out with the baking still.

You know, Im biased, and I have Caroline as well whos amazing and she deserves so much credit, but theres still something about moms baking

Staff, Jillian O'Donovan, Lisa O'Brien. Front, Jenny Fogarty, Shauna O'Brien, Caroline Hegarty, at Monty's. Pictures: Richard Gordon

When Lisa started, she had a small team with one downstairs and one upstairs. Now she has six staff on when its busy, and eight in total. Hearing about how local people start businesses and employ people from their community is always heart-warming.

Why not change the name, Montys? I asked.

It was established, and they had all the online stuff, and all the equipment was inside, I just felt at the time that a rebranding wasnt necessary, I was happy with it and the more I think back, I often say to my husband, Billy... Talk about right place, right time.

Theres something very humble and modest about Lisa, as she took credit away from her self and gave it to her staff. Although, she strikes me as a leader to her team.

For the critical coffee lovers, her cafe is top drawer, which isnt easy to achieve.

We use Stone Valley, and I must say this, John is like my knight in shining armour, he is so much help to me and to the girls inside if they have questions. He and Tom helped us get all our equipment sorted and theyre just amazing!

Behind the scenes at Montys. Pictures: Richard Gordon

She ran me through some of her local suppliers like Arbutus Bread, Rostellan Chocolate, Toonsbridge, and meats from the English Market. There is a local community and family feel to the business, with her daughter, Shauna, cranking out espresso shots when I visited.

I was given a little gander at their tiny prep kitchen upstairs also, packed with delicious bowls of diced foods for salads that change every day. For a small and compact space, Lisa has certainly made the best of it.

Her Instagram is where all their online activity occurs and if you want to know more you can find them @montyscafe.
ALMOST 540 adults accessed emergency accommodation in Cork at the end of August, an increase on the number reported the previous month.

According to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritages Monthly Homeless Report, 538 adults accessed emergency accommodation in Cork during the week of August 21 to 27, up from the figure of 519 reported during the July reporting period.

Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould raised concerns about the latest figures.

While the Government claims to have turned a corner on housing, more and more adults and children are stuck sleeping in emergency accommodation, he said.

The latest report shows that 100 families accessed emergency accommodation in Cork and Kerry (South West region) in the same reporting period including 195 child dependents.

Mr Gould said that the impact of staying in emergency accommodation on children cannot be underestimated.

195 children in Cork and Kerry left for their first day back to school from a hotel room.

Some of these children had been staying in this accommodation for long periods of time. They will have spent an entire summer crowded with their families. We cannot underestimate the impact this is having on child development and wellbeing, Mr Gould added.
REPRESENTATIVES of six Belgian and Dutch tour operators have been exploring Cork city and county in recent days as guests of Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland.

The aim of the visit is to familiarise the travel professionals with Cork, so that when they return home, they will be better informed about Cork and Ireland, when advising their clients about planning and booking their holidays here.

Tourism Ireland is continuing its twinning initiative this year, which involves each overseas market twinning with a specific region or area on the island of Ireland  placing a special focus on the area. The Netherlands is twinned with Cork.

Karen van der Horst, Tourism Irelands Manager for Northern Europe, said: There really is no substitute for being able to come here and experience what Ireland has to offer at first-hand. Our aim is that when they return home, they will be even more enthusiastic about the destination, helping to secure a greater share of their business for Cork, Ireland in 2024 and beyond."

The groups action-packed itinerary includes places like Bantry, Mizen Head Visitor Centre kayaking on Lough Hyne, and an Irish farm experience with West Cork Farm Tours in Rosscarbery.

The group also visited Cobh Heritage Centre, Spike Island, Cork City Gaol, Nano Nagle Place and Rebel City Distillery.
A third man has appeared in court after being charged in relation with the seizure of almost 160 million euro of cocaine on a bulk cargo ship off the coast of Ireland.

Soheil Jelveh, 50, an Iranian national of no fixed abode, appeared before Wexford District Court on Monday morning.

Jelveh, who was referred to in court as a ship captain, was charged with being in the possession of cocaine on September 24 and further charged with being in possession of the controlled drug for the purpose of selling or supplying it in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to 2019.

He was also charged with importing cocaine on September 24 in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017-2019.

A total of 2,253kg of cocaine was found on the MV Matthew cargo ship after members of the Irish Army Ranger Wing captured the vessel off the Co Cork coast by abseiling from a helicopter earlier this week.

An Garda Siochana said the seizure was the largest in the history of the state.

Gardai believe the cocaine, seized on the cargo ship after the dramatic military operation at sea, was destined for distribution beyond Ireland, potentially into the UK and continental Europe.

Detective Garda Liam Mangan, from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau told the court that Jelveh was arrested at 2.21pm on Sunday and charged at 3.31pm.

He said the accused had been airlifted from the cargo vessel on September 25 after reports that he was injured were received.

He had been transferred to Waterford Hospital where he was searched by gardai.

Gardai objected to bail application from Jelvehs solicitor Lana Doherty.

BAIL APPLICATION

Judge John Cheatle rejected the bail application: The allegations against the defendant are so serious and his links to the jurisdiction are so tenuous it renders bail impossible, in my mind, in this situation. Jelveh was remanded in custody to appear again at Wexford District Court via videolink on October 9.

Additionally, Ms Doherty said Jelveh did not need medical attention but asked for consideration that he receive protection in prison, which gardai agreed to.

He was also granted legal aid.

Jelveh was remanded in custody to appear again at Wexford District Court via videolink on October 9.

A fishing trawler that grounded off the coast of Co Wexford late on Sunday was also being monitored as part of the operation, amid suspicions it was en route to rendezvous with the cargo ship.

Two men who had been winched from that vessel also appeared before Wexford District Court on Monday.

Jamie Harbron, 31, of South Avenue, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, UK, and 60-year-old Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, of no fixed abode, were charged with conspiracy to import drugs.

Appearing via videolink, they were further remanded in custody to appear again on October 16 awaiting direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Five other men have been arrested in relation to the case.

One has been released without charge while the other four remain in custody.
Criminal damage charges were brought against a Cork man charged with using a hammer and chisel to break into lockers at a hostel and hotel in Cork to steal suitcases and haversacks belonging to tourists.

The accused man had been charged in May with four counts of burglary. Now at Cork District Court, Detective Sergeant Kieran OSullivan charged 40-year-old Michael OKeeffe with two new charges. Both are counts of causing criminal damage to locks  one between March 24 and 25, and the other on March 25.

Michael OKeefe secured bail on the burglary charges and he was remanded on continuing bail on those counts now, together with the additional criminal damage charges.

One of the bail conditions on Michael OKeeffe of 57 Mount Farran, Cork, requires him to abide by a curfew to be at home between 10pm and 6am each night.

Judge Olann Kelleher adjourned the case until November 13, on the application of Sergeant Gearoid Davis to allow time for preparation and service of a book of evidence.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis previously outlined the allegations in respect of four separate burglaries at the Glenvera hotel and Sheilas hostel: On June 24 2022, two were men captured on CCTV entering Glenvera Hotel, going upstairs and entering a room where they removed clothing and rucksack containing 2,400.

On March 23 there were three more counts of burglary.

A man was seen entering Sheilas hotel and making his way to the luggage area and using a hammer and chisel to break the lock off a locker and taking a suitcase and contents. The clothing and personal items to the value of 2,000. That was just after 9pm.

The man re-enters the same property at 10.30pm and again using a hammer and chisel he removed the lock and took the contents of locker  a backpack and suitcase. The suitcase was recovered but 1,100 American dollars were stolen from it.

Before midnight he comes back to the luggage storage and using the same method he broke into a locker and stole a laptop computer and two sets of wireless headphones.

When the allegations were first outlined, Judge John King refused jurisdiction and commented that the victims were tourists visiting Cork who were a long way from home.
CORK South West TD Christopher OSullivan TD has called on the Government to invest more into roads in Cork in budget 2024, particularly in the West.

The Fianna Fail TD and former Mayor of County Cork told the Taoiseach in the Dail: Cork has the longest road network in Ireland, I think thats a well-known stat at this stage.

In total kilometres, Cork has almost twice the length of primary and regional roads than the county in second place, Galway, and nearly three times longer than Dublin.

OSullivan continued: Probably a stat that is less well known though is that last year, Cork had the highest number of road fatalities.

There was 14 fatal incidents in Cork last year, 11 of those were in the western division, in West Cork. However, despite those statistics that Ive just rattled off, Cork has the third lowest ranking in terms of funding for our road network.

It has on average 1,000 per kilometre less than the average county.

Its high time that Cork started getting the investment that it deserves in terms of our road network, its high time that really important roads like the N71 serving areas like West Cork are funded.

He added: Its all well and good talking about reducing speed limits, Ill tell you this on the N71 on most sections you cant even reach 80km an hour, so that would make no difference.

We need substantial investment in our roads in Cork and Im asking that you would make that a priority in the upcoming budget, he concluded.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar responded that its shocking to see the amount of road fatalities in the last year after so many years of progress, referring to the 136 deaths on Irish roads in 2023 so far, up 23 from the full 12 months of 2022.

He added that the quality of our roads was definitely part of the problem but said that driver behaviour and enforcement were much more significant and we shouldnt lose sight of that.

The Taoiseach added: In terms of the grants from government, I agree that they should be increased in the forthcoming budget, but we will have to decide how much we can afford to do.
Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould has called on Cork City Council to publish a timeline for completing the Cork City North West Quarter Regeneration programme.

This follows a parliamentary question submitted by Mr Gould to the housing minister requesting an update.

Minister Darragh OBrien said he had been advised by the council that significant progress has been made in the advancement of the programme which involves demolition of 450 houses and their replacement by 656 new housing units as well as a range of social, environmental and economic interventions.

He said his department has been advised Phase 1C (41 units) and Phase 2B (38 units) have recently commenced with projected delivery in Q2 2024. Phases 3B (62 units) and 4A (43 units) received Part 8 Planning approval in 2022 and are at the detailed design phase and are expected to complete in Q2 and Q3 of 2025.

He said that Phase 3 demolition works are substantially complete at Knocknaheeny Avenue and Harbour View Road and the Council advises they are engaged in an ongoing decant of homeowners and tenants in Phases 3 and 4.

The Minister said his department awaits funding submissions and programme dates for the remaining phases. He said the programme would run until 2027 and it is envisaged projects will be ongoing until this date.

However, Mr Gould said there is huge concern in Knocknaheeny at this stage with the progress and said only 99 homes have been built in 12 years. He said while the minster indicated the regeneration would be complete by 2027, there are no plans for the 339 homes that will need to be built after 2025 and called for a timeline of when the regeneration will be completed.
THREE men who appeared in court by video link from prison following the seizure of over 4m worth of cocaine in Dunkettle were remanded in continuing custody today.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis said directions were awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Judge Olann Kelleher remanded all three accused in custody for a fortnight at Cork District Court.

Gentjan Dodaj, aged 39, and 22-year-old Donatel Dodaj, who are brothers with an address at Paradise Road, Athlone in Co Westmeath, were represented in court by solicitor Shane Collins-Daly.

Daniel Afedoaei, of Sli an Aifreann in Athlone, who is also aged 22, was represented by barrister Cliodhna Buckley.

One of the three accused, Gentjan Dodaj, is in custody with consent to bail as set by the High Court. He was also remanded in custody, but only until Wednesday, October 4, and he will be released if he can meet the bail conditions as set by the High Court.

He succeeded in an appeal for bail on conditions at the High Court, having previously been refused at district court level.

The other two men  Donatel Dodaj and Daniel Afedoaei  were remanded in custody until October 16.

All three men are charged with possession of cocaine, and having cocaine for sale or supply on Sunday, August 6, at L2998 in Richmond, Dunkettle, Co Cork.

The seizure of the drugs occurred following an intelligence led operation targeting persons suspected of involvement with organised crime, a joint operation conducted by the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau and personnel attached to the Revenue Customs Service. During this operation, Revenue officers seized approximately 60kg of cocaine with an estimated value of 4,200,000.
Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Tanaiste Micheal Martin is in Ukraine for an an extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv.

EU foreign ministers will discuss how to strengthen and advance the EUs response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in direct consultation with the Ukrainian government.

It is expected that Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba and prime minister Denys Shmyhal will meet with EU foreign ministers during the one-day visit.

While in Kyiv, the Tanaiste will also have bilateral engagements with UN partners whose work in Ukraine Ireland is supporting, as well as members of the Irish community.

Mr Martin said: It is a testament to the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people that now, over a year and a half since Russian troops tried and failed to capture this city, we are able to hold a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv.

We stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the European Union is unwavering in our commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people as they defend their homeland.

Our support for Ukraine is multifaceted, and it is important we ensure that it continues to be relevant, flexible and fit for purpose.

EU Member States will continue to take active measures to deter Russian aggression against Ukraine and I anticipate a wide-ranging, open exchange of views with our EU partners and Ukraine today on how best to do that.

The Tanaiste added: I was pleased to be able to recently announce a further 23 million in humanitarian and institutional support for Ukraine.

This brings to 210 million our total support for Ukraine since the launch of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

I am happy to have the opportunity today to meet with our partners here on the ground for an update on the important work they are doing and to meet the small Irish community here, all of whom are engaged in vital work supporting humanitarian, civilian security and rule of law programmes.
The only thing any of us can predict about life with 100% certainty is that it will end someday.

Yet even though we know this, were all a bit guilty of pushing that one guaranteed scenario to the back of our minds. Thinking about the end can seem an incredibly scary task at first  while it may feel even harder still to picture what should come after the end! Making plans for our legacy and what we leave behind can be a huge thing to contend with  but with Cork Simon, it neednt be an insurmountable decision.

Through their latest campaign, the charity is empowering local people to take control of their own legacy. By leaving a gift to Cork Simon in their Will, donors have the opportunity to leave behind a lasting impact not only on Cork city, but also on the most vulnerable citizens within its community.

Cork Simon does invaluable work to help men and women across Cork and Kerry who are at risk of, or are experiencing, homelessness. Last year alone saw 1,370 people turning to the charity for help  a 33% increase from 2021. After noticing this rising demand for their services, donor Neil OConnor felt compelled to support Cork Simon in helping as many people as possible, and so he decided to leave the charity a gift in his Will.

Ive lived in Cork all my life and have been blessed with my wonderful family and children, to have always had a roof over our heads and food on the table, Neil shares. It breaks my heart to see people on the streets who dont have those things. I was born in 1945, so I grew up in Ballinlough during the late 40s and early 50s when there was very little money around in Cork. We had a happy childhood and never wanted for anything, but Ive always been sensitive to the fact that there were many people around us who were less fortunate.

Throughout the decades hes spent in Cork, Neil has seen that disparity become more and more prevalent. While Cork has become a much more modern and, in many ways, better city today, the numbers of people struggling and sleeping on streets here continues to rise. Seeing Cork Simon rising to the challenge and growing their efforts alongside the homelessness crisis has been a source of great hope for Neil.

Cork Simon are definitely making a difference. I believe very much in what they do and how they go about it, because they ensure people still have their dignity. Cork Simon helps people in a way that doesnt strip their independence away, but gets them off the street and into a home of their own, back on their own two feet. I think their approach is very Christian, which resonates strongly with me. After all, I believe the charitys name comes from the man who helped Jesus carry his cross when he had trouble carrying it himself.

As a Christian myself I believe its our duty to help those who dont have what we have, but the other reason I wanted to leave a gift in my Will was to show an appreciation for the people in Cork Simon who are doing a wonderful job and are incredibly selfless. All of the staff Ive met and spoken to from the charity have been very positive, encouraging and supportive. Im very happy to be engaged with them and to support their work, they are incredibly good people.

For people like Neil who have lived in Cork all their lives, the work that Cork Simon has done over the decades has been a source of hope.

This ease in dealing with the Cork Simon staff was especially important to Neil whilst he was sorting out the logistics of leaving a gift in his Will  a process the charity made as easy as possible. My wife Annette and I found the whole thing very straightforward. Over the past couple of years, weve always read the various appeals wed get from Cork Simon, so once we decided to get involved it was very easy to arrange the donation through our solicitor. I responded to this appeal in particular because it gives us an opportunity to continue the help were giving Cork Simon now, even after were gone.

Both Annette and myself are very happy weve made that change to the Will and that we made the decision together. Its peace of mind in a way. Im 78 years of age now and thanks be to God I have reasonably good health at the moment, but it is important to have a plan in place! So long as Im alive Im happy to continue supporting Cork Simon, but when Im gone hopefully what weve left in the Will can help them as well.

Neils gift certainly will make a difference to the charity. As Leona Walsh, Cork Simons Legacy Manager points out, each and every donation can go a long way in these tough times. The cost-of-living-crisis has been very difficult for us, she shares. Theres more pressure on our services than there has ever been before  the numbers of rough sleepers are increasing all the time, as well as the number of people presenting to us who need other supports. Obviously, same as everyone else, weve also struggled with our gas and electricity bills increasing all the time. While its been difficult, were so lucky to have such incredible support here in Cork, and donors who dig deep and support us as much as they can. Whether thats a very small amount or a large amount, it varies, but it all means a lot to us and helps us in a big way. Our donors support is what gets us through.

Cork Simon's Outreach Team is out in all weathers  needed now more than ever as rough sleeping continues to increase.

We understand that people are really squeezed for money at the moment and its a difficult time for people to give us cash gifts, so our Legacy campaign is a way that our supporters can still help us without paying anything for the time being. Its a really powerful way for people to pledge their support to Cork Simon by leaving a gift in their Will, but it wont affect them in their day to day.

It's also very easy to set up, Ive done it myself. If its your first time making a Will, then its just a question of asking your solicitor to add a clause in there that you want to leave something to Cork Simon. What were finding is more and more donors are actually opting to leave us a set percentage of whats left over in their estate. For example, they might say once everything else and their loved ones have been looked after, theyll leave 5% of whatevers left to Cork Simon. Thats a really straightforward option, but we'll take gifts of any size  big or small! They're all hugely welcome and appreciated.

With very little work from your end to make arrangements with a solicitor, you will be helping Cork Simon to continue their own vital work, providing food and shelter for those in need. Leaving a donation in your Will can be much more than just a gift to Cork Simon, however. In many ways, Leona explains, it can also be a gift to Cork city itself.

Cork Simon's CEO, Dermot Kavanagh with Declan who recently moved into one of the Community's high-support houses as he continues his journey out of homelessness.

Ive spoken to many donors recently who have left us gifts in their Wills and one very powerful message that came across is how good Cork city has been to them, what a great place it is to live in. Even if theyre not originally from Cork, there are donors who have a real affinity with the place and feel very fortunate that theyve had a good life here. A gift left in their Will is, of course, a way they can support people who are homeless and in desperate need of help, but theyre also helping the city of Cork. A homelessness problem is a very serious thing for any city to have, and in a small city like Cork its especially marked. You can see the people huddled under doorways at night if you were to walk around town, theres so many people sleeping rough. So if people have an affinity with Cork and a love for their home county, they dont want to see that happening and they dont want to see people in dire straits like they are at the moment. Leaving behind a donation helps people who are in need but its also going to help Cork city on a wider scale, which I know from talking to our donors means so much to them.

To find out how you make a difference, and learn more about leaving a gift for Cork Simon in your own Will, contact Leona Walsh in confidence at 021 4929 418 / leona@corksimon.ie or visit www.corksimon.ie/gifts-in-wills
Two businesswomen from Cork have been honoured at Network Irelands Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2023. Helen Wycherley of the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery was named Networker of the Year and Susan Dunlea of DePuy Synthes was named Stem Professional of the Year.

The results were announced at the organisations annual Businesswoman of the Year Awards at Lawlors Hotel, Nass, Co. Kildare on Friday night, 29th Septembe.

Around 350 guests attended the gala ceremony which was hosted by businessman and social entrepreneur Aubrey McCarthy.

The National Business Networking Group, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, received an overwhelming response to the awards this year with 370 applications from members of all its branches.

The winners of the eight categories were:

Emerging Businesswoman: Donna Reilly, Donna Reilly People & Wellness, Dublin

Solo Businesswoman: Katie Mugan, Nursing Mama, Kildare

Established Businesswoman: Roisin Leacy, Eikon Beauty, Wexford

Creative Professional: Heidi Higgins, Fashion Designer, Tipperary

STEM Professional: Susan Dunlea, DePuy Synthes, Cork

Employee Rising Star: Danielle Markham, EisnerAmper Ireland, Limerick

Employee Shining Star: Aisling OConnor, Dooley Insurances, Kildare

Helen Wycherley of Celtic Ross Hotel was named Networker of the Year at Network Irelands Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2023. Picture: Jill OMeara

Networker of the Year (a new award to mark the 40th anniversary of Network Ireland): Helen Wycherley, Celtic Ross Hotel, Cork

The awards ceremony followed Network Irelands annual conference which was hosted by film producer, entrepreneur, human rights campaigner and former Dragons Den judge Norah Casey. Norah was honoured with the Trisha Murphy Memorial Award on the night.

Guests were treated to lively panel discussions around the themes of Key To Success and Celebrating Leadership. Among the panellists were business consultant Blaise Brosnan, Jacqueline ODonovan of ODonovan Waste Disposal, Sinead Lonergan of Enterprise Ireland, Sonia Deasy of Pestle & Mortar, Denis Doolin of AIB, Tammy Darcy of The Shona Project, Lorraine Bowen of The Entrepreneurs Academy and Michelle Vance of Lily OBriens.

Oonagh OHagan, owner of Meaghers Pharmacy Group, delivered a keynote outlining her incredible business journey from her first premises on Dublins Baggot Street, while Leinster and Ireland rugby star Linda Djougang shared her inspirational story about moving to Ireland and discovering her love for the sport.

National President of Network Ireland Emma Early Murphy said; I would like to congratulate the eight winners who are an inspiration to so many women around the country. The competition this year was really strong and it was a difficult decision for the judges to make. Id like to express my sincere gratitude to all our members who took the time to apply for the Businesswoman of the Year Awards this year. We were blown away by the response and its a great reflection on where the organisation is, 40 years after being established.

Our theme this year is about celebrating success and I have met some really great business women this year who are doing tremendous things and it has been a great opportunity to celebrate with them at our flagship event.

Id also like to thank all our sponsors who helped to make the conference and awards ceremony such a memorable occasion. Proceeds of a raffle held on the night are going towards this years charity partners IMNDA.

Network Ireland is celebrating 10 years of its official partnership with AIB and Elaine Downey, Head of Products, Retail Banking at AIB, said; AIB are delighted to be Network Ireland's official partner for 10 years. It is a privilege for us to be involved with the organisation which has offered support to so many women around the country, from those who are starting out in business to those who are established and a leader in their field.

"It has been an honour for us to meet all of the finalists and to hear their remarkable stories of success and I would like to congratulate the winners and wish them the very best in their future endeavours.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

Over 100 Amazon river dolphins were found dead in Lake Tefe over the past week, the Mamiraua Institute for Sustainable Development, a social organization under Brazils Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, reported. Thousands of dead fish were also found, with experts concerned that the record-breaking high water temperatures and ongoing drought in the region could be connected to the deaths.

According to World Wildlife Fund, of the six species of river dolphins around today, all are considered endangered or critically endangered. River dolphins face many threats, including dams, water pollution, illegal fishing and bycatch.

While increasing water temperatures may also be threatening these vulnerable species, the exact cause of the deaths of more than 100 Amazon river dolphins is still under investigation.

Its still early to determine the cause of this extreme event but according to our experts, it is certainly connected to the drought period and high temperatures in Lake Tefe, in which some points are exceeding 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit), Mamiraua Institute said, as reported by CNN.

In addition to high water temperatures, scientists are investigating other potential causes, including contamination from sewage or disease. But they cant ignore the high water temperature, which has been described as feeling like hot bathwater, The Guardian reported.

While this time of year is typically drier for the Amazon river, the rivers water levels have dropped about 30 centimeters per day for the past two weeks, causing the part of the river in Manaus, Brazil to deplete by 7.4 meters lower than the level during the rainy season, far more than than the average 4.4 meters that the river drops by in the dry season.

The past month in Tefe has seemed like a science-fiction climate-change scenario, Daniel Tregidgo, a researcher from the UK who lives in the area, told The Guardian. Regular sightings of pink river dolphins are one of the great privileges of living in the heart of the Amazon. Pretty much every time I go to the market to have breakfast I see them come to the surface and it reminds me why I live here. To know that one has died is sad, but to see piles of carcasses, knowing that this drought has killed over 100, is a tragedy.

The drought is expected to continue for at least a couple of weeks, which could lead to more deaths of the Amazon river dolphins and other aquatic wildlife.

Researchers and volunteers are trying to rescue surviving river dolphins by transferring them to a cooler part of the river, CNN reported. But this can be challenging because of how remote the area is, and researchers need to first identify whether there is a disease at play that could impact other aquatic life after the transfer.

The prolonged drought has also made the levels of some local waterways too low for boats carrying food and fuel to pass. Further, the drought is impacting local communities abilities to fish. At least 15 municipalities have issued a state of emergency, USA Today reported.
China on Tuesday urged all parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina to enhance political mutual trust,gala poker no deposit bonus promote national reconciliation, resolve differences through dialogue in order to achieve greater progress in all areas.

Wang Min, Chinese deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the call when addressing an open meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

China respects the independence, sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the choice made by its people for the future of their country, Wang said.

We hope that all ethnicities in Bosnia and Herzegovina will proceed from the well-being and long-term interest of the country, adopt practical measures to enhance mutual political trust, promote national reconciliation and resolve their differences through dialogue, implement comprehensively Dayton-Paris Peace Accord, and work towards greater progress in all areas,  he said.

Wang noted that the issue of Bosnia and Herzegovina is very complex and sensitive, urging the international community to exercise prudence when dealing with the issue and listen attentively various views and concerns of relevant parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Chinese diplomat also expressed the hope that the European Union Force Althea (EUFOR) will increase its support for the capacity building of the armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina and enable the government to take over the full responsibility of maintaining national sovereignty, security and stability at an early date.

Xinhua

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China on Thursday voiced its grave concern over Israels large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip,thebes casino no deposit sign up bonus urging Israel to maintain maximum restraint.

We are highly concerned with the operation and strongly condemn any action that causes civilian casualties, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said while commenting on the massive airstrikes launched by Israel on the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, which caused deaths and injuries of people, including Ahmed al-Jaabari, head of Ezz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, an armed group under Hamas.

Hong urged all relevant parties, especially Israel, to maintain maximum restraint to avoid an escalation of the tense situation.

The conflict between Israel and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has been escalating in recent days. On Saturday, Palestinian militants fired an anti-tank missile at an Israeli Defense Forces patrol jeep, wounding four soldiers.

In retaliation, the Israeli Air Force carried out several airstrikes on Palestinian targets in Gaza. Hamas launched more than 150 rockets and mortar shells into southern Israel in return.

The current regional situation highlights the importance and urgency of resolving the Palestinian issue. The international community should attach high importance and make greater efforts to this end, Hong said.

Xinhua

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Thebest cryptocurrency to invest for daily trading Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Monday called for the dissolution of the UN Command (UNC) and a peace treaty to replace the Armistice Agreement (AA), the official news agency KCNA reported.

A DPRK foreign ministry memorandum said whether the United States dismantles the UNC or not could be seen as a measurement of Washingtons willingness to maintain its anti-DPRK policy.

The document argued that the United States is against replacing the AA with a permanent peace treaty because it wants to hold onto the armistice regime and the UNC.

The DPRK will maintain and strengthen its war deterrent capabilities until the United States decides to make the right choice, said the ministry.

The ministry added that political talks at a level higher than military commanders are the only way to ensure a lasting peace.

The Korean War came to a ceasefire on July 27, 1953, when the AA was signed in Panmunjom on the border of the DPRK and South Korea. But the war is not officially over because no peace treaty has ever been signed.

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Taiwan Ministry of the Interior passed amendments to the Regulations Governing Visiting, Residency, and Permanent Residency of Aliens Sept. 27 in a move to enhance Taiwans competitiveness and attract more foreigners.

The stipulation that white-collar workers in professional fields should leave within 15 days after their employment contract has ended has been relaxed to 90 days, the MOI said in a news release.

To increase incentives for foreigners to invest in Taiwan, aliens who have invested in government bonds worth NT$30 million (US$1 million) for three years will be granted permanent residency, the ministry said.

Foreigners who have legally resided in Taiwan for five consecutive years, with each trip abroad under three months, will not have to submit health certificates or criminal records when applying for permanent residency, the MOI added.

Separately, to enhance private commercial exchanges between Taiwan and mainland China, the MOI loosened restrictions on the number of mainland Chinese businessmen that enterprises can invite to take part in local business activities.

According to the old regulation, firms established less than one year or with annual turnover under NT$10 million could invite no more than 50 mainland Chinese businessmen per year, the MOI said, noting that now these enterprises can invite up to 100 every year, while companies with annual turnover between NT$10 million and NT$50 million can invite 200.

To make it more convenient for inbound mainland Chinese engaged in business negotiations, those who have come to Taiwan for such occasions three times or more within 12 months can apply for multiple entry and exit permits, the ministry said.

In addition, mainland Chinese spouses of Taiwan nationals will not have to be fingerprinted to check their identities upon re-entering the nation, the MOI noted.

Current regulations stipulate that mainland Chinese spouses applying to get together with their families in Taiwan must be fingerprinted every time they enter, the MOI explained, noting that the amended law aims to bring more convenience. It will also apply to other mainland Chinese with special residence permits.

But as plastic surgery has become more popular, fingerprinting will still be implemented when there is cause for doubt, as when a travelers appearance does not match document photos, or the visitor has a record of smuggling or identity fraud.

Grace Kuo

Taiwan Today

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Two senior leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Sunday emphasized adherence to the spirit of the 18th CPC National Congress held in November last year.

Liu Yunshan and Zhang Gaoli, both members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, championed efforts to adhere to the congress spirit when lecturing a high-profile workshop attended by new CPC Central Committee members and alternate members elected at the November congress.

Liu asked CPC members to deepen both their confidence in and awareness of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

To deepen confidence, one has to have firm faith and be confident of victory in the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

To deepen awareness is to improve ones understanding in the path,theories and system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, to grasp by depth the gist of socialism with Chinese characteristics and take initiatives and assume responsibilities in developing the cause, according to Liu.

CPC members were told to make self-improvement. By this, Liu meant that based on the actual circumstances and relying on oneself, members should unswervingly follow their own path, strive to achieve national prosperity and rejuvenation as well as promote peoples well-being.

(We shall) always bear in mind that reform and opening up is a crucial choice that sealed the fate of modern China, (we need) greater political courage and wisdom and shall lose no time to deepen reform in important sectors, Liu said.

In a separate lecture delivered by Zhang Gaoli, he analyzed the significance, development opportunities as well as the risks and challenges to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects in China.

The building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, which is an important reflection of the Chinese dream, is both inspiring and feasible, according to Zhang.

China has entered a crucial stage to build a moderately prosperous society and the coming five years are a key period, he added.

(We should) promote steady and healthy economic growth, optimize and upgrade economic structure, implement a development strategy that is bolstered by innovation, actively yet prudently advance urbanization, effectively ensure and improve peoples livelihood, comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, and strive to realize the goals set at the 18th CPC National Congress, Zhang said.

The high-profile workshop opened in Beijing on Saturday and will end on Monday.

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Dialogue among different civilizations is luxor hotel in vegasof great importance, a senior UN official said Saturday, calling for harmony amid world diversity and replacement of confrontation with dialogue.

I believe that dialogue on world civilizations is of crucial importance. We must replace confrontation with dialogue, said Wu Hongbo, UN under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs.

Through dialogue on an equal footing, we should seek harmony amid world diversity, he said.

Wu made the remarks in his message, delivered by Jerry Hultin, president of the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, to the New York Forum on World Civilizations held at UN headquarters.

He also noted that dialogue among different cultures has entered a new era with clearer purpose, better organization, larger scope and greater sustainability.

The paradigm of dialogue among civilizations requires that we give up cold war mentality and power logic, and build a new culture of peace, empathy, compassion and understanding, he added.

The New York Forum on World Civilization is organized by China Energy Fund Committee (CEFC), a non-governmental and non-profit Chinese think-tank registered in Hong Kong, which has special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Titled Harmony based on shared values  beyond national identities and beliefs: a dialogue between Confucianism and Christianity, the forum aims at promoting shared values from both civilizations and providing a good opportunity to enhance understanding between them.

Xu Jialu, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress of China, said in his opening speech to the forum that if people analyze the origins of various beliefs by historical study, they may find out that all humankind shares the same wishes and goals.

This is the beginning of finding a way to solve problems, he said, adding that from this starting point, people can achieve peace and cosmopolitism in the world.

The forum will last two days, during which dozens of religious leaders, scholars and experts from different countries will discuss the relations and relevancy of Confucianism and Christianity in the modern age.

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Thebest video poker app for iphone serious law violation case involving Bo Xilai, former member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has been transferred to judicial organs, according to the CPCs Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

A total of 4,698 county-level cadres or higher-level cadres were punished by the CPCs discipline watchdogs in 2012 and 961 cadres at the county-level or above have been transferred to judicial organs, CCDI spokesperson Cui Shaopeng revealed on Wednesday.

Among them are Liu Zhijun, former minister of railways, Huang Sheng, former vice governor of east Chinas Shandong Province, and Tian Xueren, former vice governor of northeast Chinas Jilin Province. Their cases have been transferred to judicial organs, according to Cui.

Another two high-ranking provincial-level officials are under investigation for alleged discipline violations, Cui revealed.

Zhou Zhenhong, a former Standing Committee member of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the provincial Party committee, was removed from office for suspected serious discipline violations in January last year.

Li Chuncheng was removed from the position of deputy secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee for suspected serious discipline violations in December last year.

Nearly 73,000 people were punished for corruption or dereliction of duty in 2012, official figures released on Wednesday showed.

From January to November last year, discipline inspection and supervision authorities launched investigations into more than 11,000 cases in the construction sector, a hotbed of corruption.

Nearly 5,000 officials were found to have breached relevant Party discipline and laws in these cases, according to Huang Xiaowei, spokesperson with the Ministry of Supervision.

Among those officials, 3,780 received Party or political disciplinary penalties, while another 1,097 have been handed over to judicial authorities.

In the same period, discipline watchdogs uncovered 27,500 violations of regulations and laws involving land use and mine exploitation. Altogether, 3,891 people received Party and political disciplinary penalties related to these violations, Huang said.

In the first 11 months last year, 305 people were punished for their wrongdoing in environmental pollution cases, she said.

Xinhua

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Bean geese fly over Wuxing white crane conservation area by the Poyang Lake in Nanchang,tambola online cash game east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 10, 2022. The first batch of migrant birds have arrived at Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, to spend their winter time. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)

Swan geese fly over Wuxing white crane conservation area by the Poyang Lake in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 10, 2022. The first batch of migrant birds have arrived at Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, to spend their winter time. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)

Oriental white storks are seen at the Poyang Lake Nanji national wetland reserve in east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 11, 2022. The first batch of migrant birds have arrived at Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, to spend their winter time. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Migrant birds are seen at the Poyang Lake Nanji national wetland reserve in east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 11, 2022. The first batch of migrant birds have arrived at Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, to spend their winter time. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

White cranes fly over Wuxing white crane conservation area by the Poyang Lake in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 10, 2022. The first batch of migrant birds have arrived at Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, to spend their winter time. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)

Bean geese fly over Wuxing white crane conservation area by the Poyang Lake in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 10, 2022. The first batch of migrant birds have arrived at Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, to spend their winter time. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)

Migrant birds are seen at the Poyang Lake Nanji national wetland reserve in east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 11, 2022. The first batch of migrant birds have arrived at Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, to spend their winter time. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

White cranes fly over Wuxing white crane conservation area by the Poyang Lake in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 10, 2022. The first batch of migrant birds have arrived at Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, to spend their winter time. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)

Swan geese fly over Wuxing white crane conservation area by the Poyang Lake in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 10, 2022. The first batch of migrant birds have arrived at Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, to spend their winter time. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)

Swan geese fly over Wuxing white crane conservation area by the Poyang Lake in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 10, 2022. The first batch of migrant birds have arrived at Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, to spend their winter time. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)

Oriental white storks are seen at the Poyang Lake Nanji national wetland reserve in east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 11, 2022. The first batch of migrant birds have arrived at Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, to spend their winter time. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

White spoonbills fly over the Poyang Lake Nanji national wetland reserve in east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 11, 2022. The first batch of migrant birds have arrived at Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, to spend their winter time. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

White cranes fly over Wuxing white crane conservation area by the Poyang Lake in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 10, 2022. The first batch of migrant birds have arrived at Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, to spend their winter time. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)

Migrant birds fly over the Poyang Lake Nanji national wetland reserve in east China's Jiangxi Province, Nov. 11, 2022. The first batch of migrant birds have arrived at Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, to spend their winter time. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Six people, including five German nationals and a Chinese, died and 14 others were injured after a tourist bus rear-ended a container truck and caught fire Monday near Beijing, police said.

The bus, whose had a license plate from Beijing, was carrying a group of German tourists and was driving on a pivotal expressway linking Beijing with Shanghai when the accident happened at 8:30 a.m., said police authorities in Tianjin.

Police said the tour group was organized by the Beijing-based China Youth Travel Service.

It said the identities of the victims were not immediately known.

It was also unclear how many people were traveling in the bus. Witnesses said they saw a few people escaped from the flames.

A photo posted by witnesses on the web showed the whole vehicle was engulfed in flames and dark smoke.

The municipal government of Tianjin has demanded urgent treatment of the injured. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Xinhua

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Chinese Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd opened a flagship store in Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers oil in the city center (KLCC) Wednesday.

It is a symbol of improvement of Huawei products in the Malaysian market.

This is Huaweis third flagship store in Malaysia and also the first Chinese store in KLCC, landmark of the city.

China is the largest trade partner of Malaysia since 2010 and Malaysia is the largest trade partner to China in ASEAN since 2008, Malaysias vice-minister of International Trade and Industry Li Zhiliang said during the opening ceremony.

He hopes the KLCC store could be a fresh start of Huawei in the Malaysian market, and will make more contributions to the economy and trade exchange and development of the two countries.

The flagship store is not only for Huawei to expand its market in Malaysia, but also represents the Chinese brand in Malaysia, Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy Wu Zhengping said.

He added, Huawei has promoted the development of high-end industries and also created a large numbers of employment opportunities in Malaysia since it stepped into the Malaysian market and pushed the trade volume between the two countries.

CEO of Malaysia Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. Wang Hui said, we believe that everything is possible. Over the past few years hard work, Huawei now has more and more influence in Malaysia.

He said we will keep working to provide more reasonable price and good quality products to local people.

Huawei entered the Malaysian market in 2001. It has opened three flagship stores and 271 retail stores. The company plans to set up 1,000 retail stores to focus on smart phones, PCs selling in Malaysia this year.

Fu Peng

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Thekingbilly10 media center in Beijing has begun its reception service, it will serve as the news center for Chinas 18th National Party Congress.

The center has set up separate reception areas for reporters from different countries and areas. It will also provide a broadcasting room for reporters to receive live signals from the Congress.

The center has internet services and reference books in 9 languages, covering more than 300 areas. Meanwhile, the center has opened a dining hall for the first time, providing both Chinese and foreign foods. During the Congress, the press center will arrange dozens of interview activities.

It will also invite delegates from the congress to take part in online activities pertaining to hot issues.

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Chinese president Xi Jinping on Monday met CY Leung and Chui Sai On,big dollar casino bonus no deposit chief executives of Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions(SAR), fully endorsing their work and that of their respective governments.

Xi told the two executives that the fate of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao are closely linked. Mutual development and complementation are needed to achieve the Chinese dream, which is the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Xi said Leungs policy idea, seeking change while maintaining stability, has been widely recognized by Hong Kong citizens. He urged Leung and the Hong Kong SAR government to fully implement the idea. Xi said he hoped Hong Kong society can unite together and support Leung and the government.

As for Macao, Xi urged local government and various social circles to study major problems that hinder its development despite the current sound period, in order to lay the groundwork for its long-term development.

The two executives came to Beijing to attend the closing ceremony of the 1st session of the 12th National Peoples Congress (NPC) on Sunday.

Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhang Dejiang, vice president Li Yuanchao and state councilor Yang Jiechi joined the meeting.

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Chinese reform researchers are still unsure about whether the country should create a financial super-regulator to oversee the banking,prediction site for gg and over 2.5 securities and insurance sectors, an official involved in drafting Chinas latest cabinet reshuffling plan said Monday.

The issue is quite complicated, Wang Feng, deputy director of the State Commission Office for Public Sector Reform (SCOPSR), said at a press conference while explaining why the central government has refrained from reforming its current financial regulatory bodies in its latest institutional reform package.

He said policymakers have noticed that a financial regulator with mixed operations is a trend in other countries, compared with a single regulator supervising the banking, securities and insurance sectors, respectively.

China currently has the China Banking Regulatory Commission to oversee the banking sector, the China Securities Regulatory Commission to supervise the equity markets and the China Insurance Regulatory Commission to regulate the insurance sector.

Should we change the existing method of regulation? We dont know. Is it the time now? We dont know, Wang said, So lets take a cautious attitude and have a look first.

He said resistance from groups with vested interest is inevitable in any reform.

SCOPSR has been widely involved in drafting a plan to restructure ministerial-level departments inside Chinas cabinet. However, the possible creation of mega-ministries in the energy, culture and finance sectors is not on the State Councils reform agenda.

The State Council on Sunday announced a plan to dismantle the Ministry of Railways, integrate the Ministry of Health and the National Population and Family Planning Commission and merge the countrys press and broadcasting regulators to oversee the press, publication, radio, film and television sectors, as well as reorganize the existing State Food and Drug Administration, the State Oceanic Administration and the National Energy Administration.

If the restructuring package is approved by the top legislature, the State Council will cut its ministerial departments to 25 from 27, as it has acknowledged that the government focused too much on micromanagement.

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JD Vance: Big Tech is the biggest threat to American democracy

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Ohio U.S. Senate candidate JD Vance explains why he is concerned about Big Tech's role in America's election process.

Republican Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance took aim at Big Tech during Fox News' town hall on Tuesday, just one week before the 2022 midterms.

Vance was asked about his past comments calling the 2020 presidential election "stolen," something he told the Ohio audience he "won't run away from."

The GOP hopeful first pointed to a lower court decision in Pennsylvania that critics say did not follow the state's own constitution regarding election changes that were made due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He then pivoted to the national discussion over "threats to our democracy."

TIM RYAN DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM DEM PARTY LEADERS, ADMITS CRIME IS AN ISSUE AHEAD OF OHIO SENATE ELECTION

"I happen to think the biggest threat to American democracy today is Big Technology companies in bed with the communist Chinese who are censoring information about American politics," Vance said, which was welcomed by applause from the audience.

Republican Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance participates in the Fox News Town Hall on November 1, 2022. (Fox News Channel)

"This is really, really important because look, Facebook, Twitter, you know, all these companies are now the digital public square. If those companies, which some of them have financial stakes in Communist China, if those companies are censoring information in a way that helps one political party or hurts another political party, I dont care if its my political party being helped or hurt, I dont want these companies interfering in our elections and I think that happened in 2020," Vance added.

AS VANCE AND RYAN SHARE THE STAGE AT FOX NEWS TOWN HALL, OHIO'S SENATE RACE REMAINS CLOSER THAN EXPECTED

Republican Ohio Senate candidate J.D. Vance. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar, File)

Vance also took a swipe at the media for describing Republicans like himself as "election deniers" for supporting election reform efforts like implementing voter ID laws.

"I think advocating those common sense measures does not mean, as some folks in the media say, that you are somehow an election denier. I want our elections to be as good as they possibly can be. Ohio is a great model, but I think other states could do a lot better," Vance said.

OHIO NEWSPAPER ACCUSED OF RACISM FOR POLITICAL CARTOON MOCKING JD VANCE, HIS INDIAN AMERICAN WIFE

A town hall attendee asked Vance if he believed in the integrity of Ohio's elections and what his message would be if he lost his race. Vance responded by giving full-throated praise for Ohio's elections and said he would accept the results if does not win.

JD Vance speaks on stage during CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) Texas 2022 conference at Hilton Anatole. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Ohio Senate race is one of the most-watched contests in the country. The RealClearPolitics average of polls has Vance two points ahead of his Democratic opponent, Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, who also participated in the Fox News town hall.

Fox News' final Power Rankings analysis shows the Ohio Senate race as "Lean Republican."

Joseph A. Wulfsohn is a media reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn.
US President Joe Biden. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - US President Joe Biden admitted on Monday that he did not expect Democrats to have enough votes in the next Congress to codify abortion rights.

"I don't think there's enough votes to codify,bet 365 england italy unless something happens unusual in the House," Biden told reporters in Bali, Indonesia.

The remarks came as control of the US House of Representatives remains uncertain, nearly a week after the 2022 midterm elections across the country.

As of Monday afternoon, Republicans have won 212 seats out of all 435 House races this year versus 204 for Democrats, according to CNN projections.

Nineteen elections in states including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado and Maine have yet to be called.

It takes at least 218 seats to claim control of the lower chamber of the US Congress, where Democrats have a slim majority this term.

"I think we're going to get very close in the House," Biden said on Monday. "I think it's going to be very close, but I don't think we're going to make it."

Exit polls released last week showed that abortion was a major motivating issue for American voters in the midterms.

The US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade this summer, which eliminated the constitutional protection of abortion rights for women.

Without the 1973 landmark ruling, states are able to impose their own legislation on abortion, which has been one of the most divisive issues in the United States.

In this year's midterms, 35 of the US Senate's 100 seats were up for grabs.

Democrats have been projected to retain majority status with at least 50 seats despite Georgia's race headed to a runoff next month.

The upper chamber is currently divided 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris able to cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of Democrats.
BEIJING,waterfall wash basin taps Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's annual investment in water conservancy projects is expected to top 1 trillion yuan (about 142 billion U.S. dollars) for the first time in 2022, Vice Minister of Water Resources Liu Weiping said on Wednesday.

In the first ten months of this year, China completed investments worth 921.1 billion yuan in water conservancy projects, including 97.5 billion yuan in October alone, Liu told a press conference.

Since the beginning of this year, China has started construction on 24,000 water conservancy projects with a combined investment of 1.15 trillion yuan, among which a record-setting 45 are major projects, Liu said.

Water conservancy construction projects created 2.26 million jobs during the first ten months, including 1.83 million for rural workers.

The country will continue to advance such construction while ensuring quality and safety to help consolidate economic recovery, Liu said. 
Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) leader Yu Zhengsheng met with visiting Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua Milano on Saturday,5 euro minimum deposit pledging to further promote cooperation between China and Venezuela.

Yu, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, applauded the robust growth of bilateral cooperation in fields such as energy, finance, agriculture and infrastructure, noting that the cooperation serves not only the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also the peace, stability and prosperity of the world.

China greatly values its ties with Venezuela and will work together with the Venezuelan side to bring the bilateral strategic partnership to a higher level, Yu said.

He also relayed Chinese President Hu Jintao and General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinpings greetings to Venezuelas ailing President Hugo Chavez, wishing him a speedy recovery.

Echoing Yus views on bilateral relations, Jaua said his country regards its relationship with China as one of the most important.

Through the direct support of the two countries leaders, Venezuela-China cooperation has yielded remarkable results in various fields, and political mutual trust has been further increased, Jaua noted.

He also expressed his appreciation for Chinas long-term support for Venezuelas national development, vowing to continue to actively work to push forward the Venezuela-China strategic partnership.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also met with Jaua on Saturday.

Xinhua

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China hopes the World Trade Organizations panel will lead to the proper settlement of its trade disputes with the United States about the latters countervailing probes into Chinas exports, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Tuesday.

The panel was appointed on Monday by the WTO, after the United States failed to resolve Chinas concerns in a consultation held between the two countries on Nov. 5, said Shen Danyang, a spokesman for the MOC.

On Sept. 17, China filed a complaint to the WTO Dispute Settlement Body on the United States amendment to the Tariff Act of 1930, or the GPX bill, that passed earlier in the year.

The bill allows for a retroactive application period that goes back to 2006, when the United States started to launch more than 30 countervailing probes against China without legal support, the MOC said.

The practices have landed Chinese enterprises in an uncertain legal environment and violate WTO rules, Shen said.

Xinhua

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The exercise ZAPAD/INTERACTION-2021 kicks off at a combined arms tactical training base of the PLA Army in Qingtongxia City of West China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on August 9, 2021. Pictures show that the participating troops from China and Russia parade at the launch ceremony in 13 ground phalanxes, together with two air echelons. Photo: eng.chinamil.com.cn

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has dispatched forces to join the upcoming Vostok-2022 in Russia, with PLA ground and air forces having already arrived at the designated drill region and naval forces being rendezvoused with Russian warships at sea. This is the first time the PLA has sent three of its forces to participate in a single Russian drill, observers said.Based on the annual China-Russia military cooperation plan and consensus reached by the two sides, the PLA has dispatched some of its troops to Russia to take part in the Vostok-2022 exercise, Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of National Defense, said at a regular press conference on Thursday.Chinese ground and air forces have arrived at designated positions, as they have completed forces assembly, field camp establishment and site checks, with adaptive flight training missions underway, and the Chinese naval forces carried out communications exercises after having rendezvoused with Russian warships at sea, Tan announced.This is the first time the PLA has sent its Army, Navy and Air Force at the same time to an exercise organized by Russia, observers said.The Chinese armed forces' participation in the Vostok-2022 exercise aims to deepen practical and friendly cooperation with the militaries of other participating countries, enhance the level of strategic coordination and strengthen the ability to deal with various security threats, Tan said.China's participation in the drills shows that the Chinese military can decide when to hold what kind of exercises with whom, based on its own security needs and training arrangements, regardless of interferences from the external situations, Zhang Xuefeng, a Beijing-based Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Thursday.It has nothing to do with the current international and regional situations, Zhang said, and the West should not over-interpret it.The first Russian drill participated by all PLA ground, naval and air forces also reflects the continued deepening of China-Russia military cooperation, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Thursday.China and Russia will learn from each other, as both militaries have their own advantages, Song said.As two major military powers in the world, China and Russia's military cooperation will also contribute to peace and stability in the region, deterrence buildups against external forces with evil intents and the fight against hegemony and power politics, Song said.
Gucci, the main luxury brand of PPR could open more than ten stores next year.

Nanning, capital of the Guangxi region on the border of Vietnam, is the thirty-second Chinese city in which Gucci is settled in a few weeks. After opening nine stores in mainland China last year, and as much this year, Gucci will have 48 stores in late December, seven times more than in 2005.

At the time, Francois-Henri Pinault, PPRs CEO, decided to focus on China so that Gucci will catch up with Vuitton. We still have room for significant expansion for store openings, says Francois-Henri Pinault. And to establish ourselves in cities where we are still not present. If Beijing and Shanghai seem saturated with luxury boutiques, the potential is huge elsewhere in China.

New consumption

According to McKinsey, nearly 80% of the Chinese luxury market growth, which will reach 19.5 billion euros in 2015 (against 7.4 billion in 2008), comes from new consumers of luxury goods. And three-quarters of the 2.8 million new wealthy families (annual disposable income above 25 000 euros) will be living outside Chinas major cities. Gucci could increase the number of openings next year, and opened more than ten stores, including several in new cities. A figure that PPR declined to comment, but said a plan to finish Hothot (Inner Mongolia) in 2013.

In some mining towns, just 2,000 wealthy individuals to establish a customer, provides Mimi Chang, the owner of the luxury division for Asia. We offer a VIP service to everyone. 

Gucci is present in cities (Guiyang, Hefei, Changzhou, Jinan, Shijiazhuang), where Louis Vuitton, the worlds leading brand of luxury, has not printed the monogram. The subsidiary of LVMH has instead decided to take a break from the pace of openings in China, preferring to expand some existing shops (38 in 28 cities in mainland China), to present all its collections, with, Also bags and luggage, ready-to-wear, shoes and watches, sometimes more than 1000 square meters. One way to avoid repeating the mistake made by some brands in the 1990s in Japan.Gucci has not enough history to be strong in all categories of products and open many flagships, says Francois-Henri Pinault. But perhaps we will open in the future. Gucci prefer open shops only 400 square meters, with only the supply of leather goods, as well as outlets that are only offering men and children. We prefer not very large and welcoming shops to huge and cold stores, said Francois-Henri Pinault.

The strategy is complicated to implement. Not only because it is difficult to find sites for boutiques in secondary cities. But also because consumer habits are different. If the Chinese fans prefer the luxury of more and more high-end pieces, leather and discreet, the new rich want to see success with products at affordable prices in fabric and adorned with logos.

Customers of Gucci China, who go five times a year in Florence, the birthplace of the brand, to make their selection, must therefore realize the large gap. The range varies from store to store. Gucci to retain a large offer to please all tastes of luxury, design special pieces for the Chinese market and seasonal products. Objective: To deter the Chinese to postpone their purchases while traveling in Europe, where prices are 15-20% lower due to the lack of import tax.

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At Cambodia gatherings,woo casino login bloc will avoid taking sides, promote recovery: experts

At the ASEAN summit and associated meetings this month the bloc is likely to try to maintain its centrality, avoid taking sides between major powers and promote global recovery and reconciliation, experts say.

As chair of the 10-nation bloc for 2022, Cambodia is hosting the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit and related summits in Phnom Penh from Nov 10-13. A notable issue is the competition among major powers, especially Russia, the US and its allies over the Ukraine conflict, said Chheang Vannarith, president of the think tank the Asian Vision Institute in Cambodia.

US President Joe Biden will be in Cambodia on Nov 12 and 13 for the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit, the White House said on Oct 28. Russia's President Vladimir Putin has been invited to attend related summits of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Cambodian media reported.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is expected to visit Cambodia for the signing of the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen talked by phone with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier.

Chheang said Cambodia had put the Russia-Ukraine conflict on ASEAN's agenda because of the close attention it has received from the bloc's member states, dialogue partners and the media, even though Cambodia wanted to focus more on economic recovery.

"The geopolitical  storm is very strong now," he said.

ASEAN summits are usually good for a show of unity and reaffirming common goals, but underlying tensions among the bloc's dialogue partners have been growing, said Joel Ng, a research fellow and deputy head of the Centre for Multilateralism Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

"ASEAN inherently trusts its external partners, but some of these external partners don't trust each other," Ng said. Whether ASEAN can put together strongly worded statements and persuade those external partners that distrust in each other is destabilizing for all will be among the key things to watch, he said.

Nisit Panthamit, director of the Center of ASEAN Studies at Chiang Mai University in Thailand, said that with many sensitive issues to be dealt with at this challenging time it is important for the regional grouping to find ways to enhance collaboration, including in security, and promote a healthy recovery and social reconciliation.

Implementation plans

For example, Nisit said, the bloc may put forward implementation plans for the five-point consensus, a road map agreed to in April last year for a peaceful resolution of the Myanmar crisis.

Experts said there is a strong ASEAN consensus on putting more pressure on Myanmar, and that political representatives from Myanmar will continue to be excluded from the ASEAN summits.

For the incoming ASEAN chair of Indonesia, Ng said, the biggest challenge will be maintaining the bloc's relevance beyond its shores as ASEAN's centrality is predicated on being useful to the most powerful countries.

Ng said it is increasingly common to see some powers sidestep ASEAN to pursue other goals because some of the goals  usually related to the strategic competition where the intention is to exclude others  cannot be reconciled with the bloc's values of inclusivity and openness.

ASEAN's method of resolving disputes remains a valuable model amid increasing tensions, and the bloc can raise the bar of entry for those wanting to take part in ASEAN-led processes, he said.

"Finding the middle powers who support this and are also wary of destabilizing superpower rivalry will be the key," Ng said.

Tang Zhimin, director of China ASEAN Studies at the Panyapiwat Institute of Management in Bangkok, said he expects to see various statements and declarations from the summits on new rules and norms on strengthening the ASEAN centrality and ASEAN unity to push back great power confrontation, and build up trade architecture such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

"ASEAN must endeavor to remain an attractive and dynamic hub for trade and investment," Tang said.

The bloc may promote economic recovery and collaboration with its partners, especially China, in areas such as enhancing connectivity and narrowing development gaps.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will be among the heads of government and state to be in Cambodia for leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of ASEAN and the first year of building the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership.
Chinas exports accounted for 11.1 percent of world trade during the first three quarters of 2012,oxt crypto reddit word wipe online up 0.6 percentage point from the same period last year, the Ministry of Commerce said Wednesday.

Exports grew faster than those of other major economies during the first nine months despite global economic uncertainties, according to a ministry statement.

During the first ten months of 2012, exports of high-energy-consuming products and products which cause pollution during production, such as non-ferrous metals and steel, fell 7.3 percent year on year to 89.2 billion U.S. dollars, the statement said.

The export volume of energy-intensive and high-polluting products slid 5 percent from one year earlier to 96.03 million tonnes during the ten-month period.

Meanwhile, Chinas capital goods exports accounted for 30.2 percent of the total exports during the January-October period, up 1.1 percentage points from 2007, according to the statement.

The ministry also said general trade grew while the weighting of processing trade dropped.

General trade amounted to 1.83 trillion U.S. dollars during the first 11 months, accounting for 52.1 percent of the countrys total imports and exports.

The processing trade accounted for 34.9 percent of the total imports and exports, down from 45.4 percent one year earlier, according to the statement.

Xinhua

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Chinas latest railway reform must be tested and accepted by the public before it can be considered a success.

China has dismantled the controversial Ministry of Railways,utah jazz game sunday which was founded on the same day as the Peoples Republic of China in 1949. The former ministry will be divided into two parts to carry out administrative and commercial functions, respectively.

The former Railways Ministry was both a policy maker and service provider, and has long been criticized for the difficulties travelers faced in securing tickets, bureaucracy and deadly rail accidents.

Though praise has been heaped on the dismantling, the result of the reform is pending the peoples approval. As the ultimate beneficiaries, the public should make the final judgement.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has called on officials to regard peoples satisfaction as the ultimate goal of the Party and governments power.

On March 6, while attending the annual session of Chinas top legislature, Wen Jiabao said whether the people are satisfied, happy and supported is the basis for testing everything the government has done.

To satisfy the people, substantial improvements should be tangible and realized after the reform, such as greater convenience in purchasing train tickets.

Above all, railway transport safety must be improved and maintained, because Chinese peoples patience has been tested by a series of tragedies and scandals exposed in the former railway system.

At the end of 2012, Chinas railway lines in operation extended 98,000 kilometers across the country, including 9,356 kilometers of high-speed lines.

However, its railway density and per capita line length still lag far behind that of developed countries, which makes buying train tickets a trying experience for Chinese people during holidays.

The public will not be pleased if they still have to queue for a whole day, or be fleeced by scalpers, for a single ticket, like they did prior to the reform.

They are also likely to pin the blame on the government if the new railway administration and the market-oriented railway corporation fail to keep ticket prices at a rational level.

Xinhua

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The German bank Deutsche Bank on Thursday posted a study with a slower growth in China, which amplified the decline in Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

The growth of gross domestic product (GDP) in China should slow from 10.3% year over year in 2010 to 8.9% in 2011 and 8.3% in 2012, mainly because of the impact of monetary tightening said the financial institution in a study.

This is a slight slowdown compared to 2008, but more so compared to the average annual growth before the crisis, 11% between 2002 and 2008, said Deutsche Bank.

This slight tap on the brakes will weigh on Chinese giants trading partners. Imports from Germany, Japan and the United States should continue to grow but at a slower pace, according to the study.

In a more pessimistic scenario, the bank is even considering a Chinese growth below 8% in 2011 and below 6% in 2012.

In the first half, growth of the Chinese economy has reached 9.6%.

This note from Deutsche Bank, and that of the U.S. bank Morgan Stanley has lowered its expectations on the global economy, has exacerbated the downward trend at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, said Markus Huber, operator in ETX Capital.

Other stock markets were also in trouble, fearing the slowdown of the global recovery.

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Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson shake hands after a news conference at the Presidential Palace in Ankara,casino casino free spins Turkiye, Nov 8, 2022. [Photo/Agencies]

ANKARA - Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Tuesday promised to meet Turkish security demands in an effort to get Turkiye's approval of his country's bid to join the NATO.

"We will fully implement the trilateral memorandum," Kristersson said at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the capital Ankara.

"Sweden will take important steps with regards to the fight against terror," he added.

Sweden plans to introduce new legislation by 2023 to fight terror groups, whether they pose risk to Sweden or Turkiye, the Swedish leader noted.

Kristersson said his country has designated the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) as a terrorist organization and his government was willing to support Turkiye in its fight against the group.

"Joining this alliance is a vital security issue for us. Being a NATO member means taking (security) responsibility for other allies," he added.

Kristersson held talks with Erdogan on Tuesday in a bid to convince the Turkish leader to approve Sweden's bid to join the NATO.

"Sweden wants NATO membership for its own security, and we want to see a Sweden that supports our own security concerns," Erdogan said.

Finland and Sweden's NATO bid was initially blocked by Ankara, which accused them of supporting anti-Turkiye groups as they rejected Ankara's extradition requests for the suspects affiliated with the PKK and the Gulen movement.

On June 28, Turkiye, Sweden and Finland reached a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) ahead of the NATO Madrid summit.

Sweden and Finland pledged to support Turkiye's fight against terrorism and agreed to address Ankara's pending deportation or extradition requests for terror suspects expeditiously and thoroughly.

Turkiye remains one of the two NATO members yet to ratify their accession, as Ankara has been complaining that the two countries have moved too slowly in fulfilling their commitments over the Turkish security concerns.

The PKK, listed as a terror organization by Turkiye, the United States and the EU, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than three decades.

The Gulen movement, led by the US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, has been accused by the Turkish government of masterminding the 2016 failed coup to topple Erdogan's rule.
A local resident rides a bike near destroyed houses in the village of Arkhanhelske,jackpot city iphone Kherson region, Ukraine Nov 8, 2022. [Photo/Agencies]

KYIV - Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said that Kyiv could resume dialogue with Moscow only after the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, the presidential press service reported Tuesday.

In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Podolyak said that a potential ceasefire deal at the current stage of the conflict would provide Russia with time to strengthen its positions.

"The ceasefire for Russia is a tactical pause for reinforcement," Podolyak said.

While commenting on the reports that the representatives of the US Pentagon and the Russian Defense Ministry are involved in talks, Podolyak said that "there are no negotiations between Russia and Western countries regarding Ukraine".

"Our partners adhere to the principle of 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.' Neither side will be able to ensure the implementation of agreements without the support of the Ukrainian people," he said.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict started on Feb 24.

Ukrainian and Russian negotiators held the latest round of face-to-face peace talks in Istanbul, Turkiye, on March 29.
China on Friday called on the UN Security Council and the international community to promote the role of women in all stages of peace process.

Addressing a Security Council open debate on women,virtual bingo near me peace and security, Wang Min, Chinas deputy permanent representative to the UN, said women are vulnerable in conflict and post-conflict situations, but they are also important participants in the prevention and mediation of conflicts as well as in the post- conflict reconstruction.

It is important that the Council not only focus on protecting womens security and safeguarding their rights in conflict and post-conflict situations, but also recognize and promote the unique role of women in peace process, finding a way to bring them on board in advancing world peace and security, he said.

In his speech, Wang placed special stress on the necessity to value and enhance the status and role of women in all stages of the peace process.

In preventing conflicts, maintaining security and building peace, it is important to pay attention to womens special needs and concerns, and ensure that they enjoy the full right to participation and decision-making in the peace process, he said. So doing will help improve their disadvantageous status and effectively protect their rights.

According to the envoy, China supports the UN in appointing more female senior officials, special representatives of the secretary-general and special envoys, and especially in increasing female representation from the developing countries.

Wang also noted that national governments bear the main responsibility for protecting womens rights in the conflict and post-conflict situations.

In safeguarding the rights and interests of women and enhancing their role in peace and security, national ownership of the government concerned must be respected, he said.

Wang further called on the international community to increase its attention and support to the development of women, which is the foundation of achieving genuine women empowerment.

The international community should effectively respond to the appeals of developing countries, raise the levels of assistance to the development of women in developing countries on the basis of full respect for national ownership, he said.

In addition, the Chinese envoy pointed out that in implementing its commitments to women, peace and security, the Council should, in accordance with its mandate, focus its attention on conflict and post-conflict situations.

The Security Council is not an appropriate platform for establishing universal standards with regard to the issues of women or human rights, he added.

Xinhua

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ORLANDO,best uk poker genesis spins bonus Fla.  Three billionaire donors have moved on and others are actively weighing their options. A number of former allies are staying on the sidelines. A long list of potential rivals  from popular governors to members of Congress  are seriously assessing their chances for 2024. Even his own daughter has declined to get involved.

Within hours of Donald J. Trump announcing his third presidential bid on Tuesday, some of his former aides, donors and staunchest allies are shunning his attempt to recapture the White House, an early sign that he may face difficulty winning the support of a Republican Party still reeling from unexpected midterm losses.

While Mr. Trump has long faced opposition from the establishment and elite quarters of his party, this round of criticism was new in its raw bluntness, plainly out in the open by Wednesday and focused on reminding voters that the Trump era in Republican politics has led to the opposite of the endless winning Mr. Trump once promised.

The message he delivered last night  which was self-serving, which was chaotic  was the same one that lost the last election cycle and would lose the next, said Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, a Republican and Trump critic who spoke Wednesday from Iowa, where he is testing the waters for a presidential run in 2024. We need alternatives.

A growing chorus of Republican officials, lawmakers and activists blame the former president for their failure to regain control of the Senate and for what will be a narrow margin in the House.

The scope of the Republican losses has prompted some of his allies to publicly voice complaints they have long kept private about the former presidents ability to win the White House. For those who have been more vocal, their concerns have morphed into far more direct attacks as they try to seize what they see as a chance to move past Mr. Trump and embrace a new class of party leaders.

At an annual gathering of Republican governors in Orlando, donors and lobbyists mingled with governors past, present and future while weighing ways to wrest Mr. Trump from the partys base. Their main complaint was not over policy or even style, but losses the party has taken since Mr. Trump won the White House in 2016.

Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, a Republican often mentioned as a potential 2024 candidate, said she did not believe Mr. Trump offered the best chance for the party in 2024.

If we narrow our focus there, then were not talking to every single American, Ms. Noem said in an interview as she sat across a mahogany table from her political adviser, Corey Lewandowski, who served as campaign manager for an early portion of Mr. Trumps 2016 bid. Our job is not just to talk to people who love Trump or hate Trump. Our job is to talk to every single American.

Representative Mo Brooks of Alabama, a former Trump ally who spoke at the Jan. 6, 2021, rally that preceded the attack on the Capitol, put it more bluntly in a phone interview: In 2020, there was no other option. In 2024 we will have candidates who are vastly superior and will do much, much better competing against the Democrat nominee than the loser Donald Trump has proven himself to be.

Image A Trump rally in Illinois in June.Credit...Jamie Kelter Davis for The New York Times

Whether the complaints filter down to a Republican Party base that has long stuck by Mr. Trump remains to be seen. Predictions of his demise among the partys rank and file have long been undone by primary results, particularly in this years Senate contests. Officials who are closest to the partys base  state legislators and county G.O.P. leaders loyal to Mr. Trump  said Wednesday that they had not seen the sort of defections predicted by the Republican elite gathered in the swanky conference rooms of a Waldorf Astoria hotel within a stones throw of Disney World.

I havent had anybody express their dissatisfaction with Trump since the midterms, said Terry Brand, the Republican chairman in Langlade County in rural northern Wisconsin. The people that supported Trump in 2016 and 2020, the real supporters, theyre going to support him again.

The Aftermath of the 2022 Midterm Elections Card 1 of 6 Card 1 of 6 A moment of reflection. from New York.

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What Are Incidental Expenses (IE)?ruby red casino codes

Incidental expenses, also known as incidentals, are gratuities and other minor fees or costs incurred in addition to the main service, item, or event paid for during business activities.

Incidental expenses ancillary to the costs of transportation, meals, and lodging are common when an employee travels for business. An employee that takes a taxi from the airport to a hotel will incur expenses for taxis and hotels and, if it is locally customary, will incur incidental expenses of tips to the taxi driver and hotel staff. Incidental expenses for items or services such as hair cuts or toiletries are likely to be categorized as personal since they would have been needed and paid for at home anyway.

Key Takeaways

Incidental expenses, also known as incidentals, are gratuities and other minor fees or costs incurred in addition to the main service, item, or event paid for during business activities.

Incidental expenses ancillary to the costs of transportation, meals, and lodging are common when an employee travels for business.

Incidental expenses and the policies and procedures governing them are often set forth in a companys employee handbook.

Company procedures for reimbursement may require incidental expenses to be paid by employees out of pocket or by a company credit card or petty cash.

Incidental expenses paid by employees' personal funds should be reimbursed by stand-alone checks so that it is clear that the payments are reimbursements and not income to the employees.

Understanding Incidental Expenses

Incidental expenses and the policies and procedures governing them are often set forth in a companys employee handbook. Therein, incidental expenses will be defined, categorized as business or personal, and limited as to the quantity, quality, or dollar amount. Or a per diem rate may be established and any costs above it must be borne by the employee. Company procedures for reimbursement may require incidental expenses to be paid by employees out of pocket or by a company credit card or petty cash.

Per diem rates are set each year by the General Services Administration (GSA) for destinations within the Continental U.S.; non-foreign rates (e.g., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam) are set by the Department of Defense and foreign rates (anywhere outside the U.S. and its territories) are established by the State Department.

These procedures should facilitate the tracking of incidental expenses for accounting and tax purposes. Employees should keep detailed records of every purchase. Employees should summarize these records in an expense report backed by actual receipts evidencing payment and submit them to the company. Incidental expenses paid by employees' personal funds should be reimbursed by stand-alone checks so that it is clear that the payments are reimbursements and not income to the employees.

Meals and Incidental Expenses

Incidental expenses are deductible, subject to the 50% limit when paid without reimbursement in connection with travel for business, for investment or income-producing property, or for qualifying educational, medical, or charitable purposes.

Five methods can be used to figure meal and incidental expenses (M&IE) costs:

The actual cost method Standard meal allowance method The per diem travel allowance under the accountable plans method High-low method The incidental expenses only method.

The availability of a method depends entirely on the specific facts and circumstances. The first method, actual cost, provides a straight reimbursement for substantiated out-of-pocket travel expenses. The four remaining methods provide inclusive per diem rates to cover specified costs.

The standard meal allowance rate covers the cost of all meals, room service, laundry, dry cleaning, and pressing of clothing, and fees and tips for persons who provide services, such as food servers and luggage handlers. The per diem allowance at the federal per diem rate and the high-low at an IRS-established rate cover all meals, lodging, and incidental expenses. The incidental expenses only rate of $5 per day covers incidental expenses and may be used only when no meal expenses were paid or incurred and the standard meal allowance was not used.

For purposes of the meal and incidental expenses (M&IE) deduction, incidental expenses are fees and tips given to porters, baggage carriers, hotel staff, and staff on ships. Incidental expenses dont include expenses for laundry, cleaning, and pressing of clothing, lodging taxes, costs of telegrams or telephone calls, transportation between places of lodging or business and places where meals are taken, or the mailing cost of filing travel vouchers and paying employer-sponsored charge card billings.

Tax Treatment of Incidentals

The tax treatment of incidental expenses paid or reimbursed by businesses varies by type and taxpayer. As a general matter, incidental expenses may be deductible if they are ancillary to business expenses that are ordinary and necessary to their respective business activities, if they are locally customary and expected, and if they are reasonable in amount.

Business Gifts

Incidental expenses ancillary to the costs of gifts are common when a company gives gifts to its customers. A company that gives such gifts will incur incidental expenses of wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, and delivery in addition to the cost of the underlying gifts.

Deductibility of Business Gifts

Incidental expenses of business gifts such as gift-wrapping, engraving, packaging, mailing, insurance, or other related costs that don't add substantial value to the gift are not counted when figuring the deduction limit for business gifts. That's a good thing since business gift deductions are limited to $25 per recipient during each tax year. Any expense above $25 of any gift given to a recipient cant be deducted.

Casualty or Theft

Incidental expenses ancillary to the cost of damaged or stolen property are common when a company experiences a business casualty or theft. If a factory burns down, the company that owns it will have to pay to repair or replace the factory and could also incur incidental expenses like medical treatment for personal injury, moving and storage costs, or rent for temporary factory space.

Deductibility of Casualty or Theft

Incidental Expenses from a casualty or theft, such as medical treatment for personal injury, temporary housing, fuel, moving, or rentals for temporary living quarters, are not deductible as casualty losses.

National Guard and Reserve Travel

National Guard and Reserve members may claim an above-the-line deduction from gross income up to the federal per diem rate for meals, lodging, and incidental expenses of travel over 100 miles with an overnight stay to attend Guard or Reserve meetings.

Tax Return Forms for Incidentals

Employees deduct job-related travel expenses on Schedule A of Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ as job expenses and miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to the 2% of AGI Limit. National Guard and Reserve members report the 100-mile travel expenses on Line 24 of Form 1040 as an above-the-line deduction from gross income.

Self-employed individuals deduct job-related travel expenses as business expenses on Schedule C of Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ. Businesses, depending on entity classification, deduct travel expenses as business expenses on Form 1120 or 1120S or Form 1065.

Incidentals FAQs

How Much Do Hotels Hold on a Credit Card for Incidentals?

In addition to the price of the room, most hotels hold $50 to $200 per night on your credit card for incidentals. This credit card hold should be removed within 24 hours after you check out of the hotel. Only the final charge will affect your credit utilization; a credit card hold won't.

How Much Money Should I Budget for Incidentals on a Vacation?

The General Services Administration, a U.S. government agency, provides a location-based guide to spending on lodging and meals during the business travel of federal employees. Private companies are not obligated to use this guide, but they may choose to.

What Are Incidental Costs in Construction?

Incidentals are common in the construction industry. They typically include certain expenditures related to the site purchase, grading or improvement of the site, original furnishings, equipment, machinery, or apparatus, or professional design or legal fees, insurance during construction, and general administrative costs.
TUNIS,live bingo bingo Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Tunisia on Wednesday donated a batch of medical supplies to a hospital in Gafsa Province in southern Tunisia.

Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia Zhang Jianguo and the embassy staff visited the Houcine Bouzaienne regional hospital in Gafsa to donate the batch of medical supplies. They also donated some cash for the hospital to purchase urgently needed medical equipment and items.

Gafsa Governor Abdelhalim Hamdi thanked China for its assistance, vowing to further consolidate and develop friendly cooperation with the Chinese side.

Zhang also met with members of the Chinese medical team in Tunisia who are working at the Houcine Bouzaienne regional hospital.

The Chinese ambassador stressed the need to promote medical cooperation between China and Tunisia and welcomed Tunisian health workers to visit and study in China.

He also encouraged the Chinese and Tunisian health workers to exchange their knowledge, experience and skills, adding the Chinese medical team should help to train more local health workers.

The Chinese embassy has made donations to public medical services in the provinces of Jandouba, Tunis and Sidi Bouzid this year. 
DHAKA,best new slot sites au Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's Daffodil International University (DIU), a recognized 20-year-old private university based in Dhaka, is working to promote research on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The Daffodil International University Belt and Road Research Center (DIUBRRC) was established in May, and with academic research, international exchange, and talent training, it is regarded by some as the first think tank fully focused on the China-proposed BRI in the South Asian country.

Among its latest highlights was the Chinese Corner, an event held with the slogan of "We Are One". "Currently we are collaborating with (China's) Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics and arranging the Chinese Corner once in a month," said Afnan Hossain Priyo, head of the DIUBRRC Chinese Corner Club.

According to him, the research center's work is expected to help more people around the world to better understand the benefits of the Belt and Road.

Masum Iqbal, professor and dean of the Faculty of Business and Entrepreneurship at Daffodil International University, said, "As a university we're giving emphasis on teaching and research," adding the BRI is their prime focus as it represents a very popular concept.

"So we think that we can take some initiatives regarding the BRI and we see that there are some priorities of the BRI, such as policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, financial integration, unimpeded trade and connecting people," said the professor.

At present, the center's research work will focus on the two areas of policy coordination and people-to-people connectivity, according to him. "We're trying to do some good researches which would be helpful for policymakers in our country as well as China."

Student exchange programs have also been introduced with some of China's leading universities. "We're having cultural exchanges and a lot of interactions between students," he added.

The professor expressed hope that the research center's work will benefit Bangladesh and other countries. "So throughout all these studies probably we can get some good findings which would be useful for business entrepreneurs as well as the government authorities."

AKM Mohsin, the convener of the DIUBRRC, said the BRI works to encourage the positive development across the world, and Bangladesh has been engaged in many projects under its framework.

It is good that many developing countries are connected with the Chinese economy as the initiative helps boost infrastructure and economic development, he noted.

The BRI brings many opportunities in terms of infrastructure, education, trade, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, he said, adding China has been supporting other developing countries' efforts towards sustainable development.

"China has made huge significant investments in developing countries like Bangladesh," said Mohsin, citing the Padma bridge project. "So far we've seen a lot of progress and achievements in Bangladesh driven by this initiative."

"I believe Bangladesh will achieve more from this initiative," he said. 
China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian speaks during a regular news conference,casino roulette wheel Nov 9, 2022. [Photo/fmprc.gov.cn]

Beijing expressed its firm objection on Wednesday to the investment ban on China's enterprises imposed by the United States, saying the move was politically motivated and undermines the order of global financial markets.

Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, made the remark after the White House issued a notice on the continuation of the national emergency with respect to the so-called threat from securities investments that finance certain Chinese companies. The notice prohibits US citizens from investing in Chinese companies allegedly associated with the Chinese military.

Disregarding the facts and real situations of the companies concerned, the current US administration continues to carry out the erroneous practices of the last administration, Zhao said at a daily news briefing.

Such moves seriously damage the rules and order of the market, and hurt the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and those of global investors, he said, and called on Washington to respect the rule of law and correct its misdeeds.

"China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and support them in upholding their rights and interests in accordance with the law," he added.

The investment ban is the latest case of the US resorting to every possible means of deploying its domestic and external resources to contain and suppress China.

Referring to the notice, Zhang Tengjun, deputy director of the China Institute of International Studies' Department for Asia-Pacific Studies, said it has nothing to do with national security but is an excuse to contain China and preserve US hegemony and economic interests.

It is absurd that the White House has made accusations against China's military-civilian integration policy, as it is a common international practice to promote integrated development of the military and civilian sectors, Zhang said.

The US allegation against China also laid bare its "double standards", he said, noting that the US has a history of "military-civil fusion" dating back to the period before World War I and is good at leveraging the strategy.

"Acts by the current US administration to continuously engage in a trade war with China and abuse export control measures are like lifting a rock only to drop it on its own feet," Zhang said, adding that such actions hurt the interests of people in the US and relevant industries.
Webb Space Telescope allows us to 'look into the past': Theoretical physicist

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Theoretical physicist Dr. Michio Kaku explains the significance of new images provided by NASA's Webb Space Telescope on 'Sunday Night in America.'

New images from the James Webb Space Telescope are helping scientists peer back at the early universe.

In data that has not yet been peer-reviewed, astronomers said the observatory's mirror used a galaxy cluster's gravity to examine a background galaxy.

NASA that notes background galaxies can be magnified and appear multiple times in different parts of the image.

However, the European Space Agency's Dan Coe said research suggests Webb might be viewing two galaxies while observing the distant galaxy MACS0647-JD, which Coe discovered using the Hubble Space Telescope.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION MOVES TO AVOID ORBITAL DEBRIS

The massive gravity of galaxy cluster MACS0647 acts as a cosmic lens (Credits: SCIENCE: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, and Tiger Hsiao (Johns Hopkins University) IMAGE PROCESSING: Alyssa Pagan (STScI))

"With Hubble, it was just this pale, red dot. We could tell it was really small, just a tiny galaxy in the first 400 million years of the universe," he said. "Now we look with Webb, and were able to resolve TWO objects! Were actively discussing whether these are two galaxies or two clumps of stars within a galaxy. We dont know, but these are the questions that Webb is designed to help us answer."

NASA explained that the gravity of the galaxy cluster acts as a cosmic lens to bend and magnify light from the more distant MACS0647-JD system, lensing the into three magnified images.

The James Webb Space Telescope seen on March 5, 2020. (NASA/Chris Gunn)

The image was taken from Webbs Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) instrument.

THE LAST SOLAR ECLIPSE OF 2022 STUNS SKYWATCHERS

Johns Hopkins University's Tiger Yu-Yang Hsiao pointed out that the colors between the two objects are different, with one appearing bluer and the other redder.

The massive gravity of galaxy cluster MACS0647 acts as a cosmic lens to bend and magnify light from the more distant MACS0647-JD system. It also triply lensed the JD system, causing its image to appear in three separate locations. (Credits: SCIENCE: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, and Tiger Hsiao (Johns Hopkins University) IMAGE PROCESSING: Alyssa Pagan (STScI))

The red object is older and has more dust inside, while the blue one has young star formation and nearly no dust.

"Its really interesting that we see two structures in such a small system. We might be witnessing a galaxy merger in the very early universe. If this is the most distant merger, I will be really ecstatic!" he said.

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Studying the galaxies in the early universe will help to understand how they evolved, as well as how the universe has evolved.

Julia Musto is a reporter for Fox News and Fox Business Digital.
Thecasino dice game crossword gross revenue of Chinas social insurance funds totaled 2.04 trillion yuan (323.68 billion U.S. dollars) in the first nine months, up 24.6 percent from the same period last year, official data said on Thursday.

Gross expenditure of social insurance funds increased 23.2 percent from the same period last year to reach 1.59 trillion yuan, according to figures revealed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS).

Chinas social insurance funds contain five parts, the basic endowment insurance for the old-ages, basic medical insurance, unemployment insurance, work-related injury insurance and maternity insurance.

As of September this year, 449 million Chinese people were covered by the nations pension system with about 124 million receiving their basic pensions monthly, according to the MOHRSS.

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Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo applauded China-Africa relations on Saturday,is crypto worth investing in reddit while also vowing to back the African Unions (AU) role in African affairs.

China highly values its ties with the AU and will continue to support the significant role played by the AU in African affairs, Dai said in his meeting with visiting AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

He also pledged that China will actively work to facilitate the process of African integration and development.

Calling Africa a reliable friend of China, Dai noted that Chinese people will never forget the support and help given by the African people.

We firmly believe that Africa will remain on the right track of development, as long as African countries can remain stable and united, Dai stressed.

Dlamini-Zuma, who is here for the fifth China-AU strategic dialogue, spoke highly of Chinas contributions in promoting African peace and development, vowing to expand future cooperation with China in a bid to further development.

She is visiting China from Feb. 14-17 as a guest of the Chinese government.

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Shortly after dawn, there was another outbreak of deadly force. France Mournsand Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Andy Serkis, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Do you want to be on the wrong side of history, Academy? Oscars 2015: The Daily Beasts Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to Boyhood|Marlow Stern|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST

I mean, the reality of it was, I had to go out and get on a horse, and ride in, shoot the gun  how hard was that, right? The Story Behind Lee Marvins Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Photo: Courtesy of China Southern Airlines

China Southern Airlines had a chartered flight from Guangzhou in South Chinas Guangdong Province to Singapore on Monday,carrying 160 entrepreneurs heading for Cosmoprof Asia 2022.It is the second charted flight the airline has operated carrying businessmen overseas in a month. On October 30, China Southern operated a flight from Guangzhou to Kuala Lumpur for the Malaysia-China Trade Expo 2022, carrying 47 businessmen. China Southern told the Global Times that it will launch more charter flights to serve overseas business.Chinese airlines have been offering more chartered flights to and from China in recent months.China Eastern Airlines started a charter flight from Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang Province, to Budapest in Hungary in July, the first charter flight in China backed by the local government to help local entrepreneurs explore the European market. China Eastern Airlines has also operated flights carrying foreign traders from South Korea and India to Yiwu, Chinas hub for small goods.In the current winter flight season, China Southern plans to operate 654 routes  607 domestic routes and 47 international, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan routes. The carrier will be providing 320,000 services with an average of over 2,000 daily flights.China is to end COVID flight suspensions on Friday, as the health authorities said that inbound flights to China will no longer be cancelled if positive cases are found on board, part of a range of 20 measures released by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council.China is likely to see a doubling in the number of international flights as the new flight season approaches, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said in October, forecasting that inbound and outbound flights are likely to reach 420 services per week during the coming season, which runs from October 30 to March 25, 2023.
China on Wednesday reiterated its opposition to the Philippines taking the South China Sea dispute to an Arbitral Tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

At a daily press briefing,advanced blackjack strategy chart Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said, We do not agree with the Philippine Foreign Ministrys move of filing international arbitration, and we have clearly expressed our stance of opposition.

His remarks came in response to the Philippine Foreign Ministrys statement on Tuesday saying Chinas action will not interfere with the process of Arbitration initiated by the Philippines on 22 January 2013.

Hong said, Both China and the Philippines are signatories to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and have a commitment to seriously fulfill the declaration.

He continued, China advocates that the dialogue framework currently endorsed by most regional nations should be maintained.

Hong added that China will continue its efforts to protect peace and stability in the South China Sea, and unswervingly safeguard sovereignty and interests.

China rejected and returned the Philippines Notification and Statement of Claim concerning the case on Tuesday.

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Volkswagen wants to establish a new Chinese brand Tantus () with its partner in Shanghai and develop an electric car under that brand. A spokesman for Volkswagen in China said on Wednesday that the request for the new brand with Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) has been approved by the Ministry of Industry (MIIT) in Beijing. The license, the concept of an electric car had been filed.

Chinas government has been calling for more foreign carmakers to set up independent brands with their counterparts in China. Europes biggest carmaker therefore established two Chinese brands with joint venture partners in Shanghai and Changchun.

In May, Volkswagen has already received the license to build an electric car for the middle class together with First Automotive Works (FAW) in Changchun, under the new name of Kaili ().

The detailed timetable for the electric cars is still unclear. The giant foreign car manufacturers want to start with the production of electric cars in China in 2013 or 2014.

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Top legislator Wu Bangguo arrived in Macao on Wednesday for a three-day visit to mark the 20th anniversary of the promulgation of the Macao Basic Law.

Wu,474 live online casino who is chairman of the National Peoples Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech, attend celebration activities and meet with Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao Special Administration Region.

The Macao Basic Law was promulgated on March 31, 1993 and took effect on Dec. 20, 1999, when the government of the Peoples Republic of China resumed exercising sovereignty over Macao. It has acted as the cornerstone of the regions political and legal systems.

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Russia will vote against a new draft U.N. resolution on Syria,bhagyamithra lottery result bm6 the Foreign Ministry said Saturday.

The document, prepared by a number of countries and to be voted soon at the U.N. General Assembly, is obviously biased and full of conflicting terms, said the ministry in a statement.

The resolution blames only the Syrian government for the crisis, completely ignoring external military, logistical and financial support for the opposition and terrorist activities of armed opposition groups, said the ministry.

The authors of the new resolution seek approval from the U.N. General Assembly of its unilateral plan for Syria with the single purpose of regime change, said the statement, adding it ignores regional and political implications of such a scenario.

Russia noted that the two previously adopted U.N. General Assembly resolutions with almost identical content only served to complicate the process of peaceful settlement. Moscow, therefore, will not support such a document in the vote, it said.

Meanwhile, Moscow is concerned about the prospect of a new discharge of tension and confrontation over the Syrian issue to the U.N., and urges relevant players to consolidate all parties in Syria to implement the formerly-adopted Geneva Communique, which serves as the only viable platform for Syrian settlement, said the ministry.

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Shanghai General Motors Co. is kl rahul betting app play star777recalling 5,744 Buicks and Cadillacs in China starting Monday due to a potential problem with the gear information transfer, Chinas quality watchdog said.

The company will recall 5,008 Buick LaCrosse sedans manufactured between July 13, 2012 and March 8, 2013, and 736 imported Cadillac SRX cars made from July 11, 2012 to Feb. 18, 2013, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said Monday in a statement.

Shanghai GM said those vehicles may have a lag in the gear information transfer, which can lead to a drop in the engines braking efficiency in extreme cases, the statement said.

The company will fix the problem by updating related software free of charge for relevant car owners.

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China said on Wednesday it welcomes and attaches importance to Irans latest stance of banning development of nuclear weapons.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at a daily press briefing here.

Hong said that Iran is kata kata judi slot fox bet 76ersa signatory of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. We hope that all relevant parties can enhance talks and cooperation, increase mutual trust, and seek a comprehensive, long-term and proper solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, with progress as soon as possible.

Irans Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Tuesday that a religious decree (fatwa), issued earlier by the countrys supreme leader, regarding a ban on nuclear weapons is binding for the Islamic republic, and that it is ready to register it as an international document.

The Iranian spokesmans comments came a day before the new round of talks between Iran and a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Tehran.

In February 2012, Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the country considers seeking and acquiring nuclear arms as a sin.

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SHANGHAI,candy crush soda best coins reddit Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Global cosmetics giant Shiseido Group will enhance investment to boost its innovation capabilities in China, the company said in a statement.

The company will continue to invest in building its second-largest research and development center in the country to cater to the demands of its largest overseas market, according to its new growth plan released Tuesday at a reception marking the company's 150th anniversary.

The company will see more investment in local innovation in China, bolstered by the establishment of an innovation fund worth up to 1 billion yuan (about 142.12 million U.S. dollars).

To accelerate its green growth and support China's circular economy, the company plans to have over 150 refillable products on the Chinese market by 2023, the statement said.

"We are full of confidence in the huge potential in China and are even more committed to our long-term investment in the market," said Shiseido Group CEO Masahiko Uotani, calling China "a key growth engine" of the company's growth. 
A growing Chinese middle class is robinhood petition for shiba inunot only good for China, but for the world, Dalton McGuinty, premier of Canadas Ontario province, told press in an interview Saturday.

It is McGuitys fourth trade mission to the country and his fifth China trip. Asked about the most impressive changes he had seen in China since his first traveled here, he said every time he came, there were more highways, more subways, more airports, and the cities were getting bigger.

There is a mass migration of people from the countryside and into the cities. This creates challenges for leaders who are trying to manage this migration to ensure there is an economic opportunity, and to ensure there is a distribution of wealth, he said.

So I see growth and I see challenges of growth, but I also see more Chinese becoming part of the middle class, making a bit more money and enjoying a better quality of life, he said.

McGuinty and his team came to China to seek more business opportunities for companies from his province.

According to a press release from his office, Canadian companies from Ontario have signed new business agreements worth 800 million U.S. dollars with Chinese partners.

Yet, the premier also said the two sides could tap even more potential in the agri-food business.

Canada has very high quality standards for our food. They are highly trusted internationally, the premier said, adding they wanted to bring to the Chinese market safe, trusted and nutritious infant formula, as well as chicken and beef products.

Speaking of the problems facing two-way trade, the Canadian official said China was excluding poultry products from Ontario, adding the two sides had been in communication over the issue.

I hope that within the next several months China will open the door to Ontario poultry products, he said.

When asked about his administrations efforts to promote the development of clean energy resources, McGuinty said 25 percent electricity generation in his province was coal-based nine years ago when he first became premier. Now it was less than 1 percent.

We have secured 27 billion dollars of new investment in clean energy industry that creates tens of thousands of new jobs in the clean sector, he said.

He also said people in Ontario had accepted nuclear power as an important part of their energy plan, adding that harnessing the power of wind and the sun was good but it was not enough, and Ontarios half-a-century experience could prove that nuclear power was safe and stable.

On bilateral energy cooperation, McGuinty said the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding for science and technology on Friday, and hopefully that would lead to joint investment in clean energy research.

There are all kinds of opportunities for us to participate in clean energy cooperation because, ultimately, there is just one air shed  one water basin  we all have an interest in it, to do what we can to protect the environment, he said.

Last year, two Chinese students were killed in Canada, triggering concerns over students safety in the North American nation as more and more Chinese students choose Canada for further studies.

The premiers response was: We have strong laws in Canada and these laws are enforced. It is very unfortunate that there was a loss of life, and I know that the Canadian authorities will do everything they can to deal with the criminal involved, to prosecute the case and to make sure that a proper penalty is there.

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Citizens lay flowers to commemorate the victims of a bomb attack on the Istiklal avenue near Taksim Square in Istanbul,woo casino promo code no deposit Turkiye, Nov. 16, 2022. Turkiye has detained 50 suspects over the deadly bomb attack in central Istanbul earlier this week, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said Tuesday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

ANKARA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye has detained 50 suspects over the deadly bomb attack in central Istanbul earlier this week, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said Tuesday.

The detainees include a Syrian woman who was caught soon after the incident for suspectedly planting the bomb that exploded on Istiklal avenue, Bozdag told the parliament.

"Afterward, many people who assisted this terrorist and were considered in contact with this terrorist were also detained," he said.

Turkish police said on Monday that the Syrian woman confessed that she had received the attack order from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its offshoot in Syria, the People's Protection Units (YPG). Both are listed as terrorist organizations by Turkiye.

The explosion on Sunday afternoon hit a crowded avenue, leaving six dead and 81 wounded. Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted on Tuesday that 58 of the injured had been discharged from hospitals, while 17 were still receiving treatment and six in intensive care. 
WARSAW,spin hill casino review Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Polish government confirmed on Tuesday night that two Polish citizens were killed in explosions in the Polish city of Hrubieszow near the Poland-Ukraine border, amid media reports over missiles hit there in the afternoon.

"We are increasing the readiness of some military units and other uniformed services," Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller said after a meeting at the National Security Bureau, which was urgently convened after the incident.

Poland is verifying whether there is ground to launch the procedures under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), he added.

Article 4 of NATO's founding treaty allows members to bring any issue of concern, especially related to the security of a member country, to the table for discussion within the North Atlantic Council.

The cause of the explosions has been unclear. TVP, TVN, among several mainstream Polish media outlets, said earlier that the blasts were reportedly caused by Russian rockets falling on eastern Poland, but no confirmed information has been given.

Russian Defense Ministry denied the reports by saying in a statement that "Polish mass media and officials commit deliberate provocation to escalate the situation with their statement on alleged impact of 'Russian' rockets at Przewodow."

Russia has launched no strikes at the area near the Ukraine-Poland border, it said, adding that "the wreckage published by Polish mass media from the scene in Przewodow have no relation to Russian firepower."

Polish President Andrzej Duda has spoken over the phone with U.S. President Joe Biden, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, respectively on Tuesday evening, said Jakub Kumoch, head of the International Policy Bureau of the cabinet.

After the incident, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also convened the Defense Council Tuesday night and the Hungarian government was monitoring the developments, according to Hungarian media reports.

The U.S. Defense Ministry said it cannot yet confirm or deny the information about the alleged fall of Russian missiles in Poland. 
Whats needed to sustain a space station: Former astronaut

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Former NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson reacts to Russias plans to quit the International Space Station after 2024 and China and Russias space presence on Your World.

The International Space Station moved Monday to avoid orbital debris.

In a blog post, NASA said the ISS Progress 81 thrusters fired for over five minutes in what it called a Pre-Determined Debris Avoidance Maneuver (PDAM).

The ISS shifted an "extra measure of distance away" from the predicted track of a fragment of Russian Cosmos 1408 debris.

The thruster fired at 8:25 p.m. ET.

THE LAST SOLAR ECLIPSE OF 2022 STUNS SKYWATCHERS

The International Space Station is pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during a fly around of the orbiting lab that took place on Nov. 8, 2021. (NASA)

There was no impact on space station operations.

Without the maneuver, it was predicted that the fragment could have passed within about 3 miles of the station.

The PDAM increased the stations altitude by two-tenths of a mile at apogee  the ISS is in low Earth orbit  and eight-tenths of a mile at perigee. The apogee is the point in the elliptical orbit path of a satellite at which it is farthest from the Earth.

The International Space Station photographed by Expedition 56 crew members from a Soyuz spacecraft after unlocking Oct. 4, 2018. (NASA)

According to NASA, Cosmos 1408 was a Russian ELINT Tselina-D satellite launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome.

NASA TEAM TO STUDY UFOS, RELEASE REPORT TO PUBLIC IN 2023

It was designed to determine the precise location, activity and other details of radio emitters. That data would be stored on board and downloaded to Russian ground stations.

The International Space Station photographed by Expedition 56 crew members from a Soyuz spacecraft after undocking on Oct. 4, 2018. (Credits: NASA/Roscosmos)

On Nov. 15, 2021, Cosmos 1408  no longer operational  was destroyed in a Russian kinetic anti-satellite test.

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That test generated a cloud of debris, including some 1,500 pieces of trackable size.

Julia Musto is a reporter for Fox News and Fox Business Digital.
Las Vegas table-game and systems developer and distributor Galaxy Gaming touted an extended license with partner Evolution and posted second-quarter earnings that reversed a year-earlier loss.

A key cash flow measure and revenue also rose year to year. Thehome and away win prediction company raised its revenue guidance for the year.

In a Monday 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Galaxy Gaming said its net income was $331,489, or 1 cent per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, reversing a net loss of $1.2 million, or 5 cents per diluted share, a year earlier.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, a cash-flow measure that excludes one-time costs, rose 33% to $3.2 million from $2.4 million.

Revenue rose 31.2% to $7.5 million from $5.7 million.

In a statement Monday, Chief Executive Officer Todd Cravens touted Galaxys 10-year license extension with Evolution, its largest customer. Under the deal, Stockholm, Sweden-based Evolution will distribute Galaxys table-game content. Financial terms werent disclosed.

Cravens added that in September, his company will become the exclusive distributor of the Talisman Groups EZ Baccarat in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom, as well as on the internet. Cravens said the deal can yield several million dollars in revenue. Financial terms of the distribution deal also werent disclosed. Talisman Group is based in Las Vegas.

It has been a very busy six months for us, Cravens said.

On Aug. 2, Galaxy said it and Spirit Gaming delivered their first blackjack progressive machine at Spielbank Hannover, a casino under Casinos Austria International  Lower Saxony Casinos  Spielbanken Niedersachsen.

Chief Financial Officer Harry Hagerty said Galaxy raised its 2023 revenue guidance from a range of $27.5 million to $28.5 million to a range of $29 million to $30 million.

Galaxy Gaming shares rose 15 cents, or 5.17%, Monday to close at $3.05 on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board. Galaxys share price has risen 30.9% in 2023.
China will advance the publication of key economic indicators,playland slot8899 while government officials are subject to an investigation for disclosing some of the figure before the public release.

Politically sensitive, the figure of consumer prices index for June will be released on Saturday with six days in advance, said Thursday the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Analysts said the rise could reach 6%, the highest figure in almost three years.

Reducing the time between production and publication of the figures will help reduce the risks they are released before their announcement, said a statement from the NBS.

The growth figure for the second quarter, as well as those of industrial production, fixed investment and retail sales for June will be released Wednesday, two days ahead of schedule originally planned.

For the rest of the year the timetable for publication of economic indicators has also been advanced a few days each month.

In the future, the main monthly figures will be released within 24 hours of production, according to the NBS.

The Bureau of Statistics also announced that it reduced the number of people with access to confidential information.

The announcement comes as several government economic officials are the subject of an investigation into leaks of economic data.

Chaoming Wu, a researcher at the Central Bank and the assistant section chief of the NBS named Sun were arrested recently.

Mr. Wu is suspected of having provided economic data prior to publication to brokerage firms for payment.

Indicators of the second world economy are closely watched by banks and governments around the world, and move financial markets.

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Illustration: Chen Xia/Global Times

Recently,a small heart-warming gesture went viral on the Chinese internet. After a team of firefighters from Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, completed a rescue mission, they went to a restaurant for dinner. But when the firefighters wanted to pay for their meals, they were surprised to find out that four young people had quietly paid for them. In fact, such heart-warming gestures can be found everywhere in the Chinese society. Giving and receiving always work both ways. Reciprocity is an important part of the Chinese culture. Behind every city, there are people guarding ordinary citizens as "unsung heroes." They deserve the acts of kindness, gratitude and respect from ordinary people for their contribution to society.
China on Tuesday called for efforts to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula when responding to a joint military drill between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States.

It is odds checker aintree 12bet appin the fundamental interests of all parties to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and northeast Asia. We expect all parties to do more to ease tensions on the peninsula and promote regional peace and stability, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing.

Hua made the remarks when asked to comment on an ongoing ROK-U.S. military exercise and a possible exercise by the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Regarding the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)s discussion of the DPRKs latest nuclear test, Hua said China supports the UNSCs response in which it showed its opposition to the test.

The DPRK conducted its most recent nuclear test on Feb. 12, marking its third test following nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009, respectively.

Hua called for the UNSCs response to be prudent and moderate.

It [the UNSCs response] should be able to help realize the peninsulas denuclearization, prevent nuclear proliferation and safeguard peace and stability in northeast Asia, Hua said.

Hua said China has maintained close communications with related parties at the UNSC and other occassions.

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Thejoker slot game online casino free U.S. government on Tuesday played down the threat by the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) to nullify the Korean War Armistice Agreement.

The DPRK will achieve nothing by threats or provocations, which will only further isolate North Korea and undermine international efforts to ensure peace and stability in Northeast Asia, said White House spokesman Jay Carney at a briefing.

He urged Pyongyang to heed President Obamas call to choose the path of peace and comply with its international obligations.

The supreme military command of the DPRK said Tuesday that the country would nullify the Korean War Armistice Agreement on Monday, the same day when a U.S.-South Korean military drill is set to kick off.

Meanwhile, the DPRK has also decided to halt from Monday the work of its delegation at Panmunjom, where DPRK and South Korean delegates usually meet for communication and negotiations.

The upcoming two-week war game, Key Resolve, will involve 10, 000 South Korean troops and 3,500 U.S. troops in exercises to improve defense readiness.

These provocations are not newbut, you know, they certainly are not helpful to the North Korean people and theyre not helpful to the effort to bring North Korea into compliance with its international obligations, Carney told reporters.

The DPRK conducted its third nuclear test on Feb. 12, which drew condemnation from the international community. The United States and some other countries are pressing for stricter sanctions against Pyongyang at the UN Security Council.

Signed in 1953 to end the Korean War, the armistice agreement is designed to insure a complete cessation of hostilities and of all acts of armed force in Korea until a final peaceful settlement is achieved.

However, the DPRK has not signed a peace treaty with either South Korea or the United States.

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Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

TheUS seems to have ants in its pants after a growing number of European leaders have started to make rational, interest-oriented remarks on their ties with China, as well as with the US.On Wednesday local time, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the US must prevent China from "weaponizing" trade as a tool of geopolitical coercion. On the surface, the rhetoric is another US smear against China. But deep down, it reveals underlying US concerns - US fearing that the EU will no longer let itself be brainwashed by the US. Yellen's remarks came on the heels of the changes in mainstream European politicians' rhetoric. Earlier in the week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said "decoupling" from China would be a wrong path. EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis then made similar remarks that "decoupling" from China is not an option for companies in the EU. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire then publicly stated that "We must not allow the conflict in Ukraine to result in American economic domination and a weakening of Europe."European politicians' voices not only put the brakes on declining China-EU ties, but also send a signal that EU will try to keep a distance from the US, in trade, as well as in strategic autonomy.Eight months into the Ukraine conflict, some Europeans have started to think about where their interests lie. After rounds and rounds of EU sanctions against Russia have done almost all harm and no good to the continent, especially to the people on it, some politicians may finally sober up to the reality, observers note.There is only one reason behind the changes in the European tone - the law of the market. Sanctions against Russia are carried out based on geopolitical interests, which are poles apart from the law of supply and demand. But all Washington wants is to overwhelm the law of the market by geopolitics, so as to lead the EU by the nose. However, no one can completely leave economic activities, where forcibly distorting the law of the market by geopolitics is a lost cause, Yang Xiyu, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times.This means China has an opportunity now in its ties with the EU - to promote and strengthen their economic and trade exchanges based on market law, as counteract to the US, which itself has been the one that manipulates or even weaponizes trade. It is also believed that China will stress further opening-up to promote market law in the international community, according to Yang.Moreover, both China and EU pursue globalization and multipolarization, while the US chases only after ways to maintain its own hegemony and a unipolar world. China and the EU share the same goals for the world's future outlook, there is thus much room for the two to cooperate.Those rational voices may not necessarily represent a possible fundamental change in EU's China policy, but at least a signal that the EU will make a turn from being US tool to safeguard the US' hegemony to seeking its own strategic autonomy.In June, the National Interest published an article entitled "European Strategic Autonomy Is Dead." This is to some extent exaggerated. But EU's efforts of pursuing strategic autonomy have always been constrained and held back by the US, either explicitly or implicitly. It is an open secret that the US is not a fan of European integration and the existence of the euro, because the US is far from welcoming Europe's strategic autonomy. It simply wants Europe to completely rely on Washington, Sun Keqin, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times.Nevertheless, things may not turn out the way the US wants this time. The awakening of the EU sheds light on the decline of US leadership. Brussels and Washington will still be on the same page in politics. But if economy is touched upon, the EU has learned its lesson - the US does not and will not take the interests of the entire West into consideration, but only cares for Washington's own perspective.The rejection of US demands by Saudi Arabia to delay its oil production cut is a good example. When facing the choice between geopolitics and market law, Saudi Arabia chose to respect the latter. Similar episodes will likely occur between the US and EU, especially when it comes to the supply and industrial chain that involve the vital interests of Europe, Yang told Global Times.If the US continues its current practice of using geopolitics to twist everything else, alienation from its allies will come sooner or later. In other words, the harder Washington promotes its hegemonic policies, the deeper the discord will be.However, European strategic autonomy requires not only the unity from within Europe, but also cooperation with more countries from around the globe, so as to shape a conducive external environment to seek autonomy and break loose from the US.If China, Russia and other major powers are one day suppressed by the US in real sense, Washington will become the biggest rival of Europe. It means EU's strategic autonomy needs collaboration between Germany and France. It needs China-EU cooperation as well.The author is a reporter with Global Times [email protected]
Theboyle bingo online city government of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, said Monday evening that absolutely no one was killed during protests against the expansion of a massive oil refinery in the citys Zhenhai district over the past few days.

The official announcement was made after the public security bureaus Sina Weibo posting Monday afternoon that they have found Zheng Chunping, the student who was rumored to have been killed during protests was alive and well.

The police said Zheng is a student at the Ningbo University of Technology.

A Weibo posting on Saturday declared Zheng, 24, was a student at Ningbo University and had died during a confrontation during the demonstration. Photos posted online purported to show people holding a wreath and grieving for Zheng.

A posting on Ningbo Universitys Weibo Monday said no student by the name Zheng Chunping was enrolled at the school and none of its student had died.

Calls to the Ningbo University of Technology where Zheng is a registered student went unanswered late Monday.

Ceng Xiongying, deputy director of Ningbo Universitys press office, confirmed to the Global Times that the school had conducted an exhaustive search of the student database. We are concerned about the safety of our students as much as the netizens are. We definitely would not conceal any information.The local police in Ningbo said on its Weibo late Monday they had detained the person they accused of spreading the rumor. The woman, surnamed Shi, who posted the rumor, is from Anhui Province.Police also said one protestor has been put in criminal detention after he was discovered carrying a knife and red chili powder into the demonstration Sunday night.

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Autumn is royal ace casino apk downloada harvest season. Farmers beam with delight if the yield is good.

But this year's harvest wasn't easy. Last autumn's flood and the extreme high temperature and drought this summer put too much pressure on food production. How did China overcome these difficulties?

China has managed to feed one-fifth of the global population with 9 percent of the world's arable land. What lies behind this achievement? What role do science and technology play?

China's achievements have reached beyond its borders. Its agricultural technology has even helped fighting tribes in Papua New Guinea sign peace agreements. What's the secret to this success?

Watch our video to find out.
The government of Jamaica is looking to fast-track the regulation of online gambling, officials revealed during the recently held Caribbean Gaming Show and Summit. The Caribbean island nation thus wants to capitalize on the advancement of technology and the rapid growth of the iGaming sector.

Jamaican Minister of Finance and Public Service Hon. Audley Shaw said during the gaming conference that online gambling is happening in his country and that their intention is to facilitate the provision of this type of offering in a regulated and well-monitored environment.

Jamaican officials hope that a piece of online gambling legislation will be crafted and approved before the planned three-way mergerof the countrys gambling regulators  the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC), the Jamaica Racing Commission, and the Casino Gaming Commission.

The regulatory bodies are to be combined into a single entity  the Jamaica Gaming Commission, and the process is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The move comes in a bid for the sun-kissed island nation to improve its monitoring capabilities.

Mr. Shaw told Caribbean Gaming Show and Summit attendees that the BGLC is working on the establishment of a new framework under which Jamaicas online gambling industry will be regulated. The new regime will allow interested gaming and betting operators to apply for a licenseand thus operate in the country. According to the Finance Minister, the provision of licensed services will, among other things, bring much-needed additional funds to the island nations coffers.

The official further pointed out that he and his colleagues are well-aware of the threat for online gambling to be used as a medium for money laundering and other illicit activities. Minister Shaw explained that the government has been working with banks to address the issue in an effective manner.

The regulation of Jamaicas online gambling market was discussed on previous occasions but there was not much progress made by the government. In 2014, the Ministry of Finance revealed that officials were considering the introduction of a new set of regulationsthat would allow licensed iGaming and betting operations in the country. The effort failed back then, but as it seems the idea of a regulated market was not scrapped completely.

Jamaica has also been in the process of expanding its casino industry by bringing integrated resort experiencesince 2014. The government approved back then the establishment of two such resorts. Construction on both projects was supposed to begin in mid-2016, but obstacles of different nature have delayed the process by a whole year.
Russia and China hold a unified position on Syria, in which both parties are opposed to foreign intervention and violent change of power, said the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Weimin.

Liu stressed that Moscow and Beijing insist on an immediate cessation of violence in Syria and the establishment of political dialogue with the opposition government. The spokesperson also said that both Russia and China believe the crisis in Syria should be resolved through consultation between the parties involved in the conflict. This approach meets the basic interests of the Syrian people. He added that Russia and China in their own way played a positive role in resolving the situation in Syria.

Earlier, Moscow and Beijing blocked the adoption of UN Security Council resolutions that called for tougher sanctions against Syria.

An armed confrontation between supporters of incumbent President Bashar al-Assad of Syria and the opposition continued for over a year. According to the UN, the war has killed at least 10 thousand people.

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HONG KONG,best real money casinos Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong, as a participant, contributor, and beneficiary of the Belt and Road Initiative, will get more support in leveraging its unique advantages to participate in and contribute to the building of the initiative, according to the speakers at the seventh Belt and Road Summit that opened here Wednesday.

Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng said in his speech via video link at the summit that the central government will fully support Hong Kong in participating in and contributing to the development of the Belt and Road.

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said holding fast to the "one country, two systems" principle, the central government will also support the special administrative region in maintaining its unique status and advantages in the long run.

While strengthening practical cooperation with nations along the Belt and Road, Hong Kong should improve its professional services for Belt and Road development in the fields of the law, shipping, finance and counseling, and step up cultural exchanges with relevant countries, Han said.

In his opening address at the summit, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee said that the Belt and Road is built on collaboration and covers a wide spectrum of connectivity.

Lee said that as a global city, an international financial and trade center, and the business bridge between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world, Hong Kong is ready to partner with Belt and Road companies and economies by providing essential project financing and professional services support, innovation and technology, capacity building, cultural awareness, wide-ranging connections and much more.

China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said via video that the ministry will continue to support Hong Kong in leveraging its unique advantages for participation in the joint building of the Belt and Road.

While continuing to help Hong Kong in consolidating and promoting its status as the international trade, financial and shipping center, Wang said that the ministry will also support Hong Kong's early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) so as to expand regional economic cooperation.

Hao Peng, chief of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, said in a video that the commission will fully support the country's centrally-administered state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in working with the HKSAR to foster growth in the joint building of the Belt and Road with high quality.

"We hope to leverage Hong Kong's free and open environment as well as its advantages in finance, law, accounting, design, and supervision to promote more qualified central SOEs to issue bonds, set up regional headquarters and trade platforms in Hong Kong," Hao said, adding that the moves would help the central SOEs enhance capabilities in risk management, corporate governance, and international operation.

Hong Kong is an international financial, shipping and trading center, as well as a key gateway for China, and it can contribute in many ways to the vibrancy of the region now beyond trade connectivity, said Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat during a panel discussion at the summit.

Yazrin Syakhairi, trade commissioner of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, said Hong Kong is an important trading partner and also the connector.

"We are seeing Hong Kong as the heart or the connector towards connecting all the countries and dots within the initiative," said the commissioner on the sidelines of the event.

Over 6,000 senior government officials and business leaders from more than 80 countries and regions signed up for the seventh Belt and Road Summit to discuss business and collaboration opportunities associated with the Belt and Road Initiative.

The two-day event, themed "Heralding a New Chapter: Collaborate and Innovate" and held in a hybrid format this year, is one of the major events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. 

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee delivers an opening address at the seventh Belt and Road Summit at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 31, 2022. Hong Kong, as a participant, contributor, and beneficiary of the Belt and Road Initiative, will get more support in leveraging its unique advantages to participate in and contribute to the building of the initiative, according to the speakers at the seventh Belt and Road Summit that opened here Wednesday. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2022 shows the seventh Belt and Road Summit at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in Hong Kong, south China. Hong Kong, as a participant, contributor, and beneficiary of the Belt and Road Initiative, will get more support in leveraging its unique advantages to participate in and contribute to the building of the initiative, according to the speakers at the seventh Belt and Road Summit that opened here Wednesday. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

A guest speaks at the seventh Belt and Road Summit at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 31, 2022. Hong Kong, as a participant, contributor, and beneficiary of the Belt and Road Initiative, will get more support in leveraging its unique advantages to participate in and contribute to the building of the initiative, according to the speakers at the seventh Belt and Road Summit that opened here Wednesday. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)
XI'AN,bovada not available in my area Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Sixth Silk Road International Exposition opened Sunday in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, with deeper Belt and Road cooperation high on the agenda.

With a theme of strengthening interconnectivity and integration for common progress, shared benefits and win-win results, the expo has attracted participants from over 70 countries and regions, including the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Singapore. Uzbekistan serves as the guest country of honor.

The five-day expo also features meetings and forums that cover topics such as RCEP regional economic and trade cooperation, smart manufacturing and green development.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and beyond along the ancient Silk Road trade routes for common development and prosperity. There has been substantial progress in trade and investment under the initiative.

From 2013 to 2021, the total volume of trade of goods between China and the Belt and Road countries was nearly 11 trillion U.S. dollars, while two-way investment exceeded 230 billion dollars, said Li Fei, assistant commerce minister of China.

By the end of 2021, China had built 79 zones for economic and trade cooperation in 24 countries along the Belt and Road, investing 43 billion dollars and creating 346,000 local jobs, added Li.

In addition, participants at the expo believe that the Belt and Road Initiative is showing more vitality and stronger attractiveness.

Guo Rui is a sales representative for Shaanxi Sunrise Import and Export Trade Co., Ltd., a company that sells Russian products including food, wine, toiletries and tea transported to China by China-Europe freight trains.

According to Guo, domestic consumers have been enthusiastic about Russian products these years, with the company's sales growing continually since its establishment in 2019 and expected to exceed 100 million yuan this year (about 14.83 million U.S. dollars).

In about nine years, trade between China and countries along the Belt and Road has reached a new high, with new progress made in investment cooperation.

"The Belt and Road Initiative is very important to us. I hope that by participating in the expo, more people will learn about Armenia and visit Armenia," said Davit Mkhitaryan, vice president of Armenian Chinese Partnership Center, at the expo's international pavilion.

The expo is a vivid demonstration of deepening international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and promoting the development of an open global economy, said Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

"We hope that companies from the countries will work hard to create new development opportunities, explore new models of cooperation, carry out cooperation in new areas such as health and innovation, build landmark projects for people's well-being, and produce more fruits of cooperation that are shared by people of all countries," Ren said. 
China is pragmatic demo joker 247blackjackready to work with the Republic of Korea (ROK) to deepen bilateral cooperation, the Foreign Ministrys spokeswoman said here on Monday as Park Geun-hye was sworn in as the ROKs first female president.

China congratulates Park on taking office, Hua Chunying said at the ministrys daily press briefing.

The spokeswoman said that continuing stable and healthy development of China-ROK relations is not only conducive to the interests of the two countries and peoples but also conducive to regional peace, stability and development.

China attaches great importance to its relations with the ROK, she said, noting that the relationship is currently developing well.

Under the new situation, China is willing to make further joint efforts with the ROK to constantly deepen bilateral friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation in various fields so as to enrich the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership, according to Hua.

Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong, a special envoy of President Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Monday attended Parks inauguration ceremony in Seoul.

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New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said Monday that he wants a government inquiry into the Fonterra contamination scare to allay consumer fears in China,jazz game 3 possibly with a Chinese representative.

His announcement came as two other inquiries  one by Fonterra and one by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  were formally announced to look into how 38 tons of whey protein was contaminated with a bacterium that can cause botulism.

One possibility is that if we can find an eminent Chinese scientist with a specialization in this area we may well put them on because it would hopefully give them more confidence in their market, Key told Television New Zealand.

The terms of the inquiry and other details had yet to be settled, but he said he wanted the inquiry be completed before he goes to China.

I need the answers of the inquiry so I can look down the barrel of their cameras and say Have confidence in our product; weve fixed this, Key said.

MPI said Monday it had begun an investigation into whether Fonterra complied with its regulatory obligations in informing the authorities of the contamination, which is believed to occurred in May last year.

This compliance investigation will determine whether regulatory requirements under the Food Act and the Animal Products Act were met by all parties involved, or whether any parties may have committed any breaches or offences, MPI Acting Director- General Scott Gallacher said in a statement.

The investigation will include decisions made by all parties and their response, including during production of the whey protein concentrate, and from when anomalies in testing initially arose.

The probe, which could involve a team of up to 20 people, would likely be completed in three to six months.

Maximum penalties for breaching regulations under the Food and Animal Products Acts range from 100,000 to 500,000 NZ dollars (80, 438 to 402,188 U.S. dollars), and up to 12 months imprisonment, depending on the nature of the offence.

Also Monday, Fonterra Chairman John Wilson announced that the companys board had set up an inquiry committee charged with overseeing an independent review into how the contamination occurred and the subsequent chain of events.

Wilson said he had complete confidence that Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings had made the right decisions and was continuing to do everything to manage this complex issue, but serious lessons needed to be learned.

It is critical that we identify these lessons quickly so our farmers, governments, customers, consumers and unit holders can again have full confidence in Fonterra and its products, he said in a statement.

A retired New Zealand High Court judge had been appointed to the committee as an independent member and an eminent scientist would also be appointed, he said.

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NEW YORK,idn slot betting gameslol fnaf Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The recent bankruptcy of heavyweight cryptocurrency derivatives exchange FTX slammed confidence in the nascent industry, with pressure mounting for more regulation in the crypto space, according to industry insiders.

The fall of FTX means a setback for the industry for at least one cycle, which usually lasts four years, said Wilfred Daye, chief executive officer of Securitize Capital, a San Francisco-based alternative investment manager of digital asset funds.

"This is a quite significant event. I don't think people recognize how deep it goes to the whole industry," Daye said in an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of The Chinese Finance Association 28th Annual Conference.

FTX's announcement for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a U.S. court on Nov. 11 sent shockwaves across the crypto space and financial markets and triggered governmental probes and reports of losses by several institutional investment houses.

Following the FTX fiasco, demands for more regulation are growing within the crypto community and broader society, said Gengsheng Lu, executive director with Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management.

A centralized crypto exchange must be well regulated and given the current trade-off between fees and counterparty risks in the choice of exchanges, said Roland Li, co-founder and head of equity investments with hedge fund management firm Bizantine Capital.

He said that proof of reserves is needed for the industry by an independent audit conducted by a third party, which seeks to ensure that a custodian holds the assets it claims on behalf of clients. The idea has the support of some crypto exchanges already.

Li said the big lesson from all of this is that the major exchanges need reserve requirements, which the industry or government could enforce.

The most efficient way is to enforce proof of reserves which could happen much faster, said Andrew Bakst, co-founder and managing partner with Bizantine Capital.

According to Li and Baks, the government could be the key to protecting retail investors.

Headquartered in the Bahamas, FTX once had a valuation of 32 billion U.S. dollars and suffered a liquidity squeeze a few days ago after it was revealed that the exchange had a shortfall of around 8 billion U.S. dollars resulting from the misuse of client funds and losses in its trading arm Alameda Research Limited. 
What Is Income Tax?rivers online sportsbook

The term income tax refers to a type of tax that governments impose on income generated by businesses and individuals within their jurisdiction. By law, taxpayers must file an income tax return annually to determine their tax obligations.

Income taxes are a source of revenue for governments. They are used to fund public services, pay government obligations, and provide goods for citizens. In addition to the federal government, many states and local jurisdictions also require that income tax be paid.

Certain investments, like housing authority bonds, tend to be exempt from income taxes.

Key Takeaways

Income tax is a type of tax that governments impose on income generated by businesses and individuals within their jurisdiction.

Income tax is used to fund public services, pay government obligations, and provide goods for citizens.

The federal government and many states, as well as local jurisdictions, require that income tax be paid.

Personal income tax is a type of income tax that is levied on an individuals wages, salaries, and other types of income.

Business income taxes apply to corporations, partnerships, small businesses, and people who are self-employed.

Income Tax

History of Income Tax

1:32

The United States imposed the nations first income tax in 1862 to help finance the Civil War. After the war, the tax was repealed, but it was reinstated after passage of the Revenue Act of 1913. That same year, Form 1040 was introduced.



Most countries, including the U.S., employ a progressive income tax system in which higher-income earners pay a higher tax rate compared with their lower-income counterparts. The idea behind progressive tax is that those who earn high incomes can afford to pay more tax. In 2022, federal income tax rates range from 10% to 37%.



How Income Tax Works

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) collects taxes and enforces tax law in the United States. The IRS employs a complex set of rules and regulations regarding reportable and taxable income, deductions, credits, etc. The agency collects taxes on all forms of income, such as wages, salaries, commissions, investments, and business earnings.

The personal income tax that the government collects can help fund government programs and services, such as Social Security, national security, schools, and roads.

Types of Income Tax

Individual Income Tax

Individual income tax is also referred to as personal income tax. This type of income tax is levied on an individuals wages, salaries, and other types of income. This tax is usually a tax that the state imposes. Because of exemptions, deductions, and credits, most individuals do not pay taxes on all of their income.

The IRS offers a series of income tax deductions and tax credits that taxpayers can use to reduce their taxable income. While a deduction can lower your taxable income and the tax rate that is used to calculate your tax, a tax credit reduces your income tax by giving you a larger refund of your withholding.

The IRS offers tax deductions for healthcare expenses, investments, and certain education expenses. For example, if a taxpayer earns $100,000 in income and qualifies for $20,000 in deductions, the taxable income reduces to $80,000 ($100,000 - $20,000 = $80,000).

Tax credits exist to help reduce the taxpayers tax obligation or amount owed. They were created primarily for those in middle-income and low-income households. To illustrate, if an individual owes $20,000 in taxes but qualifies for $4,500 in credits, their tax obligation reduces to $15,500 ($20,000 - $4,500 = $15,500).

Taxable income is your adjusted gross income (AGI) minus any itemized deductions or your standard deduction.

Business Income Tax

Businesses also pay income taxes on their earnings; the IRS taxes income from corporations, partnerships, self-employed contractors, and small businesses. Depending on the business structure, the corporation, its owners, or shareholders report their business income and then deduct their operating and capital expenses. Generally, the difference between their business income and their operating and capital expenses is considered their taxable business income.

State and Local Income Tax

Most U.S. states also levy personal income taxes. But eight states dont impose personal income taxes on residents: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Tennessee repealed its Hall tax, which taxed dividends and interest, on Jan. 1, 2021.

New Hampshire also has no state tax on income, but residents must pay a 5% tax on any dividends and interest that they earn. The state passed a bill in 2018 that would phase out the state 5% tax on interest and dividends on Jan. 1, 2024. This will bring the number of states with no income tax to nine by 2024.

Keep in mind, though, that it may not necessarily be cheaper to live in a state that does not levy income taxes. This is because states often make up the lost revenue with other taxes or reduced services. What's more, other factors determine the affordability of living in a state, including healthcare, cost of living, and job opportunities. For instance, Florida residents pay a 6% sales tax on goods and services, while the state sales tax in Tennessee is 7%.

To further complicate matters, states continually tinker with their tax systems in ways both large and small, making it impossible to predict what sort of tax burden their residents will face in the years to come. In the 2022 U.S. midterm elections, for example, Massachusetts voters narrowly approved (51.9% yes) an additional 4% tax on taxable income over $1 milliona so-called Millionaires Tax. California voters, meanwhile, rejected a measure that would have raised their state's highest marginal tax bracket from 13.3% to 15.05% to raise money to subsidize the electric vehicle industry.

If you dont have a complicated tax situation, a tax calculator can give you an idea of how much income tax you might owe.

What percent of income is taxed?

The percent of your income that is taxed depends on how much you earn and your filing status. In theory, the more you earn, the more you pay. The federal income tax rate ranges from 10% to 37%.

How can I calculate income tax?

To calculate income tax, youll need to add up all sources of taxable income earned in a tax year. The next step is calculating your adjusted gross income (AGI). Once you have done this, subtract any deductions for which you are eligible from your AGI.

Which states have no income tax?

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming do not collect state income taxes. New Hampshire doesnt tax earned wages, but it does tax income earned from interest and dividends. At the end of 2023, New Hampshire will begin phasing out these taxes, and all personal income in the state will be tax free by 2027.

The Bottom Line

All taxpayers pay federal income tax. Depending on where you live, you may have to pay state and local income taxes, too. The U.S. has a progressive income tax system, which means that higher-income earners pay a higher tax rate than those with lower incomes. Most taxpayers do not pay taxes on all of their income, thanks to exemptions and deductions.
The French automotive group PSA, which owns the Peugeot and Citroen, has opted for the diesel hybrid technology to create, the first model goes on sale later this year. However, the manufacturer is investigating hybridization with a gasoline engine to sell these models in China.

The PSA group has always been a pioneer in diesel engines. Its HDi models, the most efficient on the market, are examples of this. This know-how has weighed on the French manufacturer in developing a hybrid technology that combines an electric motor with another diesel engine, becoming the manufacturer who opts for diesel, not gasoline. However, it is not the first diesel hybrid engine, as Toyota has developed one that sells in small quantities.

The result of this research is the 3008 Hybrid4, Peugeots first hybrid model that has two engines, one electric and one diesel, which will go on sale in Europe in December this year. It will be followed by two new models for high-end range of the French brand, the 508 RXH, which will arrive in spring, and the 508 Hybrid4.

However, diesel is not widespread in other parts of the world and in Europe. For this reason, the PSA group, engaged in a strategy of internationalization, is currently investigating the hybridization with a gasoline engine for the Chinese market, as confirmed by the head of Peugeot communication, Marc Bocque in the world premiere of the 3008 Hybrid4 in Brittany (France).

The structure of the hybrid model developed by PSA, where electric and diesel engines work independently, becomes a kind of puzzle that facilitates the replacement technology for a diesel engine. Thus, the development of the new hybrid engine for Chinese market would not be a major technological problem.

Bocque, who refused to unveil the date of hybrid engine to China, said that Peugeot is making a great effort to emerging markets like Asia or Brazil. Currently, 46% of sales of the brand and are made outside Europe. Within this policy, the French brand manager also revealed that the group will invest 650 million euros in a factory in India.

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NASA releases stunning Webb Space telescope images

closeVideo

Former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino breaks down images from NASA's newest telescope.

After years in the making, NASA has captured audio of space rocks slamming into the surface of Mars.

Between 2020 and 2021, the agency's InSight Lander detected seismic waves resulting from multiple impacts on the red planet since 2018. All the crashes appeared to be near the planet's Elysium Planitia plain, ranging from 53 to 180 miles away from each other.

The discovery allowed NASA to release recorded seismic and acoustic activity on Earth's neighbor for the first time. The meteoroids entered Mars' atmosphere in September 2021 where it exploded into three-piece that left craters in their wake.

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter confirmed the location of the impacts and took photographic evidence with a black-and-white context camera, according to the agency. A High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera was used to provide a closer and in-color look at the craters left behind.

NASA FUNDED TECH THAT HELPS RELIEVE MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS

"After three years of InSight waiting to detect an impact, those craters looked beautiful," said Ingrid Daubar of Brown University in a statement.

Moreover, a clip of the impact was released to the public on Monday. Three different "bloop" sounds can be heard as the meteoroids or space rocks entered the planet's atmosphere. Researchers were able to confirm three separate dates of the impacts: May 27, 2020; February 18, 2021; and August 31, 2021.

Mars is right next to the asteroid belt which scientists suspect may be where the asteroids originated. The planet's atmosphere is just one percent thicker than Earth's, meaning more space rocks may easily pass through it intact.

JAMES WEBB TELESCOPE CAPTURES 'COSMIC TARANTULA' IN STUNNING NEW IMAGE

Additional years of data may allow InSight to find more instances of impacts on Mars and capture their seismic activity. Other impacts may not have been discovered due to wind or planetary weather obscuring the noise.
WASHINGTON,burning hot 40 slot free Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Mitch McConnell was re-elected as Republican leader in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday.

A longtime Senate Republican leader from Kentucky, McConnell defeated U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida reportedly in a 37 to 10 vote.

McConnell, 80, tweeted on Wednesday afternoon that he's honored to have been re-elected to lead Republicans in Senate.

He vowed to fight what he called "Democrats' recklessness" and "promote our commonsense conservative vision."

McConnell's reelection came days after Democrats were projected to retain majority status in the upper chamber after the 2022 midterm elections.

Senate Majority Leader and Democrat Chuck Schumer on Tuesday accused Republicans of running with "extreme MAGA candidates" in the Nov. 8 races.

MAGA stands for Make America Great Again, a political campaign slogan popularized by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

A Republican, Trump announced Tuesday night that he would run for the White House again in a speech that critics said was full of false and misleading claims.

McConnell, who has had a tense relationship with Trump, told reporters on Wednesday that he's going to "stay out of" the 2024 presidential primary season.

"I think it's going to be a highly contested nomination fight with other candidates entering," he predicted.

All 435 seats of the U.S. House of Representatives were contested this year, with the control of the lower chamber still undetermined.

Republicans have won 217 seats, only one seat away from securing the House majority, versus 207 for Democrats with 11 seats still too close to call, according to media projections.

House Republicans nominated Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California congressman, on Tuesday to be the chamber's speaker next term.

It remains unclear who will lead House Democrats in the coming two years.

The new Congress will convene for the first time on Jan. 3, 2023.

In this year's midterm elections, 36 out of 50 states, as well as three U.S. territories, elected governors.

Numerous other state and local elections were also contested. 
Chinese government on Monday reiterated its support for Irans right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes within the framework of talks on Irans nuclear program between Tehran and the 5 +1 Group  comprising the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany.

Iran is part of The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and has the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, said the spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry, Hong Lei.

The NPT aims to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons, countries that already have nuclear power have to provide help to countries that do not have it if they choose to use this energy for peaceful purposes.

China believes that dialogue and cooperation are the only effective means to resolve the conflict over Irans nuclear program, the spokesman added.

On Monday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his country will give up enriching uranium if the European countries will provide the nuclear fuel it needs. From the beginning, the Islamic Republic has made clear that if European countries provide Iran with enriched fuel, Iran will not have to enrich the nuclear material to that level, said Ahmadinejad, quoted on the website of the Presidency.

In return, the 5 +1 group has considered offering Iran fuel for experimental research reactor in Tehran and to offer support for civil nuclear cooperation, including to acquire a modern research reactor, nuclear safety and nuclear fusion research or to provide medical isotopes, according to European sources.

The Group 5 +1 also offer cooperation to Tehran in areas of interest such as fight against drug trafficking and piracy.

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Whenever a country issues new passports, someone almost always complains about the new design. But Chinas latest edition of travel logs is drawing formal criticism from countries across Asia.

The passports feature a map of China that includes areas of the South China Sea claimed by other countries, as well as territory claimed by India.

Taiwans government objected to the passports Friday, following similar protests by the Philippines and Vietnam. Officials at the Indian Embassy in Beijing are protesting in their own way, stamping Chinese visas with a map showing the disputed territory belonging to India, according to The Press Trust of India.

John Blaxland, with the Strategic and Defense Studies Center at Australian National University, called Chinas move pretty clever.

It basically forces everyone whos a claimant of South China Sea elements to acknowledge it by stamping it, he said.

As Chinas military and economic influence has grown throughout the world, Beijing has become more brazen in its claim to territories believed to be rich with oil and natural gas across the Asia-Pacific.

Chinas Foreign Ministry said the nine-dash map of the sea printed in the new passports wasnt targeted at any specific countries.

Blaxland described Chinas move as part of a long game being played by a new generation of leaders who will steer the country for the next 10 years.

Weve just seen a major transition in China  They can act deliberately and slowly, and slowly get their way. Theres really not very much anyone is seriously prepared to do about it, he said.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations discussed the territorial disputes at a summit in Cambodia earlier this week but failed to achieve a united stand on how the 10 member countries should respond to China.

Carl Thayer, a professor emeritus at the University of New South Wales, said the map in Chinas new passports may partly be in response to Vietnams passage earlier this year of a Law of the Sea. The law asserts Vietnams sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel islands, which are claimed by both Hanoi and Beijing.

Its just finding one more way of turning the screw that China has jurisdiction, Thayer said.

Although Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines have been most vocal in their opposition to Chinas moves, Brunei and Malaysia also have rival claims in the South China Sea, and Japan is embroiled in its own dispute over islands in the East China Sea. All the territorial spats have raised concerns about a potential maritime conflict, prompting the United States to wade into the controversy.

The Obama administration says it is not taking sides but is pushing for the countries to adopt a code of conduct, which China opposes.

Blaxley said the United States wants to secure its freedom of navigation in the region.

When you think back to the days of the Cold War, there was a clear code of conduct between Soviet or NATO or Western ships, that when they encountered each other, there was a protocol. Well there isnt one at the moment for the South China Sea, and that is problematic, he said.

Despite that, Blaxley said neither the United States nor any of the other countries directly affected by Chinas moves have much of an appetite to take action regarding the passports or the territorial claims.

As a result, Thayer said the passports will not change the reality on the ground, and will serve more as a political stunt than anything else. A stunt, he said, that other countries are as capable of performing.

I flew Air Vietnam, he said, and it had a map up there clearly indicating that the Paracels and Spratlys were Vietnamese.

Kate Woodsome

Additional reporting by Victor Beattie.

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China considers its trade with Argentina is fair, despite the trade deficit for the South American country, said diplomatic sources of China.

The trade balance is fair. Argentina has some deficit, but not much. The important thing is to grow the volume of trade, said Chinas ambassador to Buenos Aires, Yin Hengmin () today at a press conference, giving details of Chinese premier Wen Jiabaos coming visit to Argentina on Monday.

According to the official figures from Argentina, last year China exported to Argentina for 10573.3 million dollars, 38 percent more than in 2010. Meanwhile, Argentine exports to China amounted to 6176.2 million dollars, up 7 percent.

This made Argentinas trade deficit with China went from 1,850 million dollars in 2010 to 4,397 million dollars in 2011.

There will be more trade, said the Chinese ambassador, who avoided discussing the import restrictions.

On the visit of Wen Jiabao, the diplomat said the Chinese premier is scheduled to meet with the president of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez next Monday, to review the development of bilateral relations in all fields, especially since 2004, when Argentina and China signed a strategic partnership agreement.

According to the Chinese diplomat, Wen Jiabao and Cristina Fernandez also plan the future development of bilateral relations and exchange views on international situation.

Hengmin Yin noted that Wen Jiabao will be the first official visit of a Chinese premier to Argentina in 27 years and is of special significance for the fortieth anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, which began in February 1972.

The bilateral relationship is at its best, said ambassador Yin Hengmin.

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Taiwan should be a participant in Association of Southeast Asian Nations discussions on a code of conduct for the South China Sea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan said July 31.

Exclusion of Taiwan would render the results of any such talks incomplete and regrettable, according to James Chou, deputy director-general of MOFAs Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

MOFA has kept a close eye on related developments from the meeting of foreign ministers during ASEANs regional forum in mid-July, Chou noted.

The ministry has reiterated ROC sovereignty over the Dongsha (Pratas), Nansha (Spratly), Xisha (Paracel) and Zhongsha (Macclesfield Bank) island groups and their surrounding waters in the South China Sea, he pointed out.

The ROC advocates joint development in the region, with all disputes set aside, he added.

MOFA does not recognize any of the recent actions by certain countries aimed at enhancing their territorial claims in the region, he said.

The ROC government solemnly urges neighboring countries to act in accordance with the spirit of international law, show self-restraint by avoiding any unilateral moves that might undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea, and work to resolve disputes peacefully through rational dialogue.

Chou said the ministry has relayed its position to related countries through various channels and they all understand the nations stance on the issue.

In addition, Taiwan has taken advantage of every opportunity to explain the countrys position to officials and academics from ASEAN countries, the U.S. and other countries in the region, he said.

Taiwan Today

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China is demo slot pragmatic sweet bonanza rupiahaiming to expand its marine economy output to 10 percent of its GDP by 2015, according to a government plan issued Thursday.

The plan, issued by the State Council as an outline for Chinas marine economic development during 2011 to 2015, sets an annual 8-percent growth rate for the marine economys gross product value.

The gross product value generated by Chinas marine industry exceeded 5 trillion yuan, or 802.6 billion U.S. dollars, in 2012, the State Oceanic Administration announced last week.

The administration said the total marine output volume in 2020 is set to be double that of 2010, which stood at 3.84 trillion yuan.

According to the plan, China will advance the establishment of three key marine economic areas  the Bohai Rim, Yangtze River Delta and Zhujiang Delta  and make efforts to nurture an array of marine economic growth poles.

The plan highlights the role of oceanic technology, which is expected to account for over 60 percent of the marine GDP by 2015.

It also outlines requirements for upgrading traditional marine industries, promoting a green ocean economy and improving the overall guide for marine economic development.

China must make use of various favorable factors to maintain the long-term, stable and relatively rapid growth of the marine economy, the plan says.

Xinhua

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Output and sales of Chinese cigarettes rose less than 2.4 percent in 2012 from the previous year,skyvegas horse racing an industry official said on Thursday.

The country planted 21.18 million mu (1.51 million hectares) of flue-cured tobacco in 2012, said Jiang Chengkang, head of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration.

The crops brought 44,500 yuan (7,063 U.S. dollars) in income to each farming household on average, up 48.4 percent year on year, Jiang said.

Chinas tobacco industry paid 864.9 billion yuan in taxes in 2012, up 15.7 percent year on year, as well as handed over 716.6 billion yuan in profits to the government, up 19 percent from one year earlier, Jiang said.

The government has set a goal of implementing a public smoking ban during the 2011-2015 period. Some cities have enacted related local legislation.

Xinhua

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This tomorrow statarea nicholls betfairaerial photo taken on Nov. 8, 2022 shows the construction site of the new Phnom Penh international airport in Kandal province, Cambodia. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

KANDAL, Cambodia, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Hang Amatak, a 30-year-old Cambodian engineer, is proud of working with a Chinese company to build the new Phnom Penh international airport, saying that the job is essential to helping sharpen his skills and expertise.

Graduated with a Master's degree in civil engineering from the Harbin Institute of Technology in northeast China's Heilongjiang province in 2018, Amatak joined the China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Group Co. Ltd. to build the 4F-class airport, the world's highest class, in Kandal province, about 20 km south of the capital Phnom Penh in early 2020.

Starting his job with the post of an assembly engineer, Amatak had been then promoted to the post of an assistant to the project leader after he had performed well on the assigned duties.

"In the management of such a huge project, I feel that I will be able to help Cambodia in the future with the experience I have learned from this project," he told Xinhua. "This international airport project has provided great benefits to our Cambodian engineers, giving us jobs and invaluable experience."

The mega-project is the fruit of close cooperation between Cambodia and China under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

"I'm really proud of working for such a huge project in Cambodia and being an important part of this project," he said. "In the future, when I have children, they will be proud of me that I have helped develop this project."

Amatak also praised Chinese engineers and skilled workers for their hard work and their strong commitment to the project's success, saying that he had learned a lot from them.

Occupying 2,600 hectares in Kandal and Takeo provinces, the new airport is expected to become one of the biggest in southeast Asia.

Sin Chansereyvutha, undersecretary of state of Cambodia's State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said the new Phnom Penh international airport will play a key role in boosting Cambodia's economic growth and tourism when it is put into use.

"The new airport will be capable of handling 13 million passengers a year in the short-to-medium term to 2030, and up to 30 million passengers in the long term from 2030 to 2050," he said.

The main structure construction of the airport's terminal hall is now completed.

Xiang Haifeng, executive general manager of the China Construction Yangtze River (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., said the new airport is a key project of China-Cambodia cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

"After the project is completed, it will become an important transportation hub in southeast Asia and help Cambodia's economy take off," he told Xinhua.

"We are proud to be the general contractor of the project," he said.

Meanwhile, Xiang said, Chinese colleagues have devoted themselves to cultivating Cambodian senior management talents and skilled workers.

"We believe that they will become an important force in Cambodia's national development." 

People work at the construction site of the new Phnom Penh international airport in Kandal province, Cambodia, on Nov. 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

This aerial photo taken on Nov. 8, 2022 shows the construction site of the new Phnom Penh international airport in Kandal province, Cambodia. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

This photo taken on Nov. 8, 2022 shows the construction site of the new Phnom Penh international airport in Kandal province, Cambodia. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

People work at the construction site of the new Phnom Penh international airport in Kandal province, Cambodia, on Nov. 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

This photo taken on Nov. 8, 2022 shows the construction site of the new Phnom Penh international airport in Kandal province, Cambodia. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

This photo taken on Nov. 8, 2022 shows the construction site of the new Phnom Penh international airport in Kandal province, Cambodia. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Theextra fixed matches oxford casino first batch of Chinas emergency rescuers will depart for the typhoon-stricken Philippines on Wednesday, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said early Wednesday.

After getting the confirmation from Manila, Chinas emergency medical team and rescue team will go to the Philippines soon with the first batch of rescuers, who are from the China Red Cross, to depart on Wednesday, Spokesman Hong Lei said.

China will also send a medical boat Peace Ark, which belongs to the Chinese navy, to the Philippines, Hong said, adding the boat, which has good medical rescue capability and maneuverability, will depart soon.

Hong said China is keeping a close watch on the typhoon disaster in the Philippines and would like to follow the spirit of healing the wounded and rescuing the dying and send the rescuers for humanitarian medical assistances.

The first batch of Chinese humanitarian aid for survivors of Typhoon Haiyan arrived on Monday and Tuesday in the central Philippine city of Cebu, a center for relief goods distribution, Hong told a press briefing on Tuesday.

The relief aid, including tents and blankets, was shipped by a China Eastern Airlines cargo plane and handed over to the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development, and then will be sent to Tacloban, one of the worst-hit cities in the central Philippine province of Leyte.

The death toll from Typhoon Haiyan has increased to 3,982 as of Tuesday, and the number of the injured ballooned to 18,267, according to figures released by the Philippine government.

Xinhua

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Indonesian technicians learn assembly skills during a hand-on training session at the resource management center of the China Railway Electrification Engineering Group for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway project in Bandung,pokie spins 83 Indonesia, Nov. 13, 2022.

With a design speed of 350 km per hour, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway built with Chinese technology will cut the journey between Jakarta and Bandung from more than three hours to around 40 minutes. (Photo by Jiao Hongtao/Xinhua)

Indonesian technicians learn assembly skills from a Chinese instructor (3rd R) during a hand-on training session at the resource management center of the China Railway Electrification Engineering Group for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway project in Bandung, Indonesia, Nov. 13, 2022.

With a design speed of 350 km per hour, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway built with Chinese technology will cut the journey between Jakarta and Bandung from more than three hours to around 40 minutes. (Photo by Jiao Hongtao/Xinhua)

Wang Hao (1st R), a staff member of the China Railway Electrification Engineering Group, explains assembly skills to Indonesian technicians during a training session in Bandung, Indonesia, Nov. 13, 2022.

With a design speed of 350 km per hour, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway built with Chinese technology will cut the journey between Jakarta and Bandung from more than three hours to around 40 minutes. (Photo by Jiao Hongtao/Xinhua)
China and the United States on Tuesday held here the first-ever vice-ministerial level talks on anti-terrorism cooperation.

At the talks,bet365 link schweiz Chinese and U.S. officials exchanged views on the current anti-terror situation and reached broad consensus on deepening cooperation between the two countries in the regard.

Emphasizing the terrorist nature of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Chinese officials urged the United States to abandon double standards in addressing terrorism, and understand and support Chinas effort to strike the East Turkestan terrorists.

China and the United States jointly condemned and opposed terrorism of all forms at the dialogue co-chaired by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping and Tina Kaidanow, Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the State Department. U.S. Undersecretary Sarah Sewall delivered a speech at the opening session of the dialogue.

Tuesdays dialogue is one of the follow-up events to the sixth round of China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue held last week in Beijing.

Xinhua

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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived here Tuesday night for an official visit to Thailand.

As two friendly neighbors,nonstopbonus fair go casino China and Thailand have maintained stable and healthy relations and conducted fruitful cooperation in various fields, which have benefited the two peoples, Wen told reporters en route to Bangkok from Phnom Penh.

During the two-day visit, Wen will meet with King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, and attend the inauguration ceremony of the China Culture Center in Bangkok.

The Chinese premier believed that his visit will elevate the China-Thailand comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation to a new level.

Wen flew in Thailand after a visit to Cambodia, where he also attended a series of meetings of East Asian leaders.

Xinhua

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President Xi Jinping meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Bali,bookie7 slotomania on the Indonesia, Nov 16, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

China will work with the United Nations to push for concrete progress in implementing the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative in order to bring more stability and certainty into a volatile world, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

Xi made the remark while meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 17th G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia.

At a time when important changes have taken place across the global, Xi said all countries must put mankind's future and destiny above everything else and work together to overcome difficulties.

"In particular, major countries should lead by example, instead of creating divisions or confrontations, or even profiting from others' misfortunes," he said.

Xi expressed China's willingness to push for mankind's progress with Chinese modernization and to bring new opportunities for the world through the country's own development.

Noting that developing countries, especially vulnerable ones, have been severely affected by the unprecedented challenges facing global development, Xi said development must be put at the center of the international agenda and efforts must be made to enable the fruits of development to better benefit every country and every person in a fairer way.

To this end, all countries should act on what they say and present their achievements to the world instead of speaking empty words, he said.

Xi also said that to achieve world peace, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be observed and the legitimate security concerns of all countries must be taken seriously.

China is a staunch supporter of the international system with the UN at its core and will continue to uphold true multilateralism and support the UN's work, he added.

"I'm convinced that the historical trend of peace, development, cooperation and win-win results is irresistible and that mankind has a bright future," Xi said.

This is the second meeting between Xi and the UN chief this year. In February, Xi met with Guterres when he traveled to China to attend the opening ceremony of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.

In their meeting on Wednesday, Guterres again congratulated Xi on his reelection as general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Guterres said developing countries are facing one crisis after another regarding food, energy and climate change, and there still remains great inequality in global development.

The UN highly commends China for upholding multilateralism, he said, noting that China has played an incomparable role in helping developing countries.

Guterres also said the UN firmly supports the one-China principle, which is a red line that cannot be crossed and must be respected.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that BRICS and South American countries,cbs ncaaf expert picks as emerging states and developing countries, constitute the rising power in the international structure.

We should jointly push the international order toward a fairer and more rational direction, maintain the rights of peoples self-choice for choosing social system and development path, strengthen global governance and attract more attention to the issue of development from the international community, he said.

Xi made the remarks in a dialogue between BRICS countries leaders and presidents from 11 South American nations, a sideline event after the conclusion of the sixth BRICS summit held in Brazils coastal city of Fortaleza.

Heads of state from BRICS countries, including Xi, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and South African President Jacob Zuma attended the dialogue.

Also present were Surinamese President Desi Bouterse, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez, Bolivian President Evo Morales, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, Guyanese President Donald Ramotar, Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes, Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, Uruguayan President Jose Mujica, and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

During the dialogue, Xi said efforts should be made to strengthen the connectivity between the two large markets of BRICS and South America.

BRICS countries can actively participate in infrastructure construction, resource exploration, industrial development and fund-rising projects in South America, he said.

The two sides could also increase people-to-people exchanges for friendship among the peoples, he noted.

Xi hailed the long history of the exchanges between China and South America.

The cooperation between China and South American countries constitute one of the key directions for China to strengthen its cooperation with developing countries, he said.

We are willing to continue to be your good friend and partner for the overall growth of China-Latin American cooperation, the Chinese leader said.

China will host the informal economic leaders meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) later this year, and is working with all economies, including South American members, to foster the framework for Asia-Pacific economic integration and intra-connected network, and develop the future-oriented Asia-Pacific partnership, he said, adding that China wishes to see the active participation of South American nations.

The South American leaders present all expressed that the dialogue offered an opportunity to share development experiences and blueprint future development.

They believed that the two sides boast huge cooperation potentials and should push forward pragmatic cooperation for advancing regional economic integration.

They welcomed the BRICS countries establishing a development bank and creating a contingent reserve arrangement, and hoped the mechanism could provide fund-rising support and increase capabilities of relevant countries to cope with financial risks.

They believed that BRICS-South American cooperation is not only conducive to eachs growth but also to the democratization of international relations and to the peace, stability and prosperity of the world.

Xinhua

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Space Shuttle Challenger debris found on ocean floor nearly 37 years after disaster

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Fox News' Neil Cavuto reports on NASA confirming that a piece of the Space Shuttle Challenger was found by divers off the coast of Florida on 'Your World.'

A large submarine volcano is likely erupting deep beneath the Pacific Ocean.

However, scientists don't know for sure because the Ahyi Seamount is so inaccessible.

Located in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Geological Survey said Monday that all indications point to the volcano beginning to erupt in mid-October when hydroacoustic sensors at Wake Island began to record signals consistent with such activity.

In collaboration with researchers in Tahiti, combined analysis of the signals with data from seismic stations in Guam and Japan suggests that the source of the activity is at or near Ahyi Seamount.

FLORIDA'S DAMAGES FROM HURRICANE NICOLE WILL COST OVER $481 MILLION

Ahyi submarine volcano is seen in a bathymetric view looking from the Northeast with two times vertical exaggeration. It rises to within about 150 meters of the sea surface about 18 kilometers southeast of the island of Farallon de Pajaros (Uracas) in the northern Marianas. Water discoloration has been observed over the volcano and an explosive eruption was seismically detected in April 2001. (Image courtesy of Susan Merle (Oregon State University/NOAA Vents Program).)

Satellite imagery from Nov. 6 shows discoloration on the surface of the ocean at the volcano's location. Water discoloration has been observed over the submarine volcano during previous periods of activity.

While the hydroacoustic signals are ongoing at this time, the number of events being detected has declined in recent days.

The United States Geological Survey says there's nothing that presently suggests the potential eruption will intensify, mariners should avoid the immediate area.

Aerial view taken on Oct. 17, 2011, of a green and brown stain at sea off the coast of the village of La Restinga on the Spanish Canary Island of El Hierro. ((Photo credit should read DESIREE MARTIN/AFP via Getty Images))

However, there are no local monitoring stations near Ahyi Seamount  something that limits the ability to detect and characterize volcanic unrest there.

HAWAII'S MAUNA LOA VOLCANO: EARTHQUAKES RUMBLE, SENDING WARNING SIGNS OF POSSIBLE ERUPTION

Scientists will continue to monitor available remote hydrophonic, seismic and satellite data closely.

Ahyi seamount is a large conical submarine volcano that rises to within 137 meters of the sea surface about 18 kilometers southeast of the island of Farallon de Pajaros (Uracas) in the northern Marianas. (U.S. Geological Survey)

The Ahyi Seamount is a large, conical volcano that rises to within 259 feet of the sea surface.

The Northern Marianas are about 3,800 miles west of Honolulu.

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The seamount is part of the Mariana Volcanic Arc, which is a chain of over 60 active volcanoes stretching over 600 miles west of and parallel to the Mariana Trench, the worlds deepest point.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Julia Musto is a reporter for Fox News and Fox Business Digital.
Video Ad Feedback CNN Heroes: Nelly Cheboi 04:12 - Source: CNN

Editors Note: Know someone who inspires you? Click here to nominate them as a CNN Hero.

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Growing up in poverty in rural Kenya, Nelly Cheboi watched her single mother, who had only completed fifth grade, work tirelessly so Cheboi and her three sisters could attend school.

From an early age, Cheboi realized that her family, along with others like hers in their village, was stuck in a cycle that left them little hope.

She was working really hard, and I was still going to bed hungry. I was still sent home for tuition. I was still living in a house that was flooding, said Cheboi, now 29. Looking at the poverty in the household, looking at the community and suffering, it just became so clear that I needed to do something.

Cheboi attended college on scholarship in the United States, worked odd jobs to support her family, and discovered her passion for computer science. She credits computer literacy for her ability to find job opportunities and make money doing what she loves. She knew she wanted to share it with her community back home.

Today, shes giving 4,000 kids the chance for a brighter future through her nonprofit, TechLit Africa. The organization, whose name is short for Technologically Literate Africa, uses recycled computers to create technology labs in schools in rural Kenya.

I know the pain of poverty, and thats why I feel so passionate about it, said Cheboi, a software engineer who splits her time between the US and Kenya. I never forgot what it was like with my stomach churning because of hunger at night.

In 2012, Cheboi received a full scholarship to Augustana College in Illinois and began her studies with almost no computer experience. She handwrote papers and struggled to transcribe them on a laptop. She said she never felt comfortable using a computer until her junior year when she took a Java course required for her mathematics major.

When I discovered computer science, I just fell in love with it. I knew that this is something that I wanted to do as my career, and also bring it to my community, she said.

Cheboi switched to a double major and earned a bachelors degree. Yet she says skills like touch-typing that came seamlessly to some were still a steep learning curve for her. At one point after college, she had to practice for six months before she could pass a coding interview. Its a skill that is now a core part of the TechLit curriculum.

I feel so accomplished seeing kids that are 7 years old touch-typing, knowing that I just learned how to touch-type less than five years ago, she said.

CNN Hero Nelly Cheboi

Cheboi made inroads with businesses in her profession, and in 2018 she began accepting recycled computers from them. She started small, carrying the machines to Kenya in check-on bags and handling customs fees and taxes herself.

At one point, I was bringing 44 computers, and I paid more for the luggage than I did for the air ticket, she said.

TechLit Africa now works with freight and shipping companies to transport the donated computers so its more cost efficient. The donated hardware is wiped, refurbished and distributed to partner schools in rural Kenya, where students aged 4 to 12 receive daily classes and frequent opportunities to learn from professionals and gain skills that will help improve their education and prepare them for future jobs.

We have people who own a specific skill coming in and are just inspiring the kids (with) music production, video production, coding, personal branding, Cheboi said. They can go from doing a remote class with NASA on education to music production with our artists.

Chebois organization maintains online and onsite ownership of the computers, providing tech support, software updates and troubleshooting. TechLit Africa installs new customer operating systems geared towards children, and schools are asked to pay a small fee for the services, which includes TechLit educators onsite from 8am-4pm.

The organization currently serves 10 schools, and by early next year, Cheboi hopes to be partnered with 100 more.

My hope is that when the first TechLit kids graduate high school, theyre able to get a job online because they will know how to code, they will know how to do graphic design, they know how to do marketing, Cheboi said. The world is your oyster when you are educated. By bringing the resources, by bringing these skills, we are opening up the world to them.

Want to get involved? Check out the TechLit Africa websiteand see how to help.

To donate to TechLit Africa via GoFundMe, click here
Chinas Ministry of Public Security on Monday vowed to continue its hard line in fighting rampant Internet crime.

The ministry started a nationwide campaign in March to counter illegal online conduct such as sales of firearms, explosives and citizens personal information.

So far, police forces around the country have arrested more than 19,000 suspects and deleted more than 3.85 million pieces of information concerning illegal trade and pornography on the Internet.

They will cooperate with other government agencies to conduct more strict supervision of the countrys Internet service providers including websites, microblogging and online shopping portals, according to a press release issued by the ministry.

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BUENOS AIRES,bet sites that give bonus on registration Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese path to modernization aims to seek a balance and leaves no one behind, which will lead to peaceful global development, former Bolivian President Evo Morales said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

On the sidelines of the launching ceremony of Runasur, a new regional integration mechanism promoted by Morales, held here in the Argentine capital, the ex-president stressed the importance of growth and China's experience to the region.

China always supports multilateralism and shares its development with the rest of the world, said Morales.

He added that in contrast with the Chinese way, those promoted by some Western countries "have to exploit, loot, steal and concentrate capital in a few hands," and thus bring injustice and inequality.

"Modernization is not about being able to accumulate capital. The best way to modernize is to live in solidarity, in complementarity, in community," he said.

"To do that we must fight not only for individual rights, but for collective rights ... The best way to modernize is to guarantee basic services to the people of the world, that is the best way to modernize, so that we all have some equality and some equity on planet Earth," he added.

Having visited China several times during his presidency from 2006 to 2019, Morales highlighted the unconditional cooperation China offers to the Latin American and Caribbean region.

China shares what it has through investment and without any inequitable strings attached, and that is different from some Western countries, which set conditions when they invest, "such as privatizations," said Morales. "That is the profound difference." 
Amy Sussman/Getty Images

CNN 

Burna Boy is among the Afrobeats artists that have achieved mainstream success in the West.

Afrobeats  the pulsating, fusion sound coming out of West Africa and the diaspora  has been on the rise globally for the better part of a decade. In recent years, the genre has gained a foothold in Western pop culture, and the Grammys are taking notice.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. recently said that the Grammys were considering adding an award category for Afrobeats. Speaking to reporters in Ghana over the weekend, Mason said he had been meeting with players in the genre to explore the possibility.

We called in producers, songwriters, artists, executives and we had a virtual listening session where we heard from Afrobeats creators, he said at a September 24 news conference. [We] just talked about, What are the different subgenres? What are the needs? What are the desires?

africa avant garde afrobeats_00010118.png video

How Afrobeats has become an unstoppable musical force

It would likely take a while for such a change to be made, though. Throughout the year, the Recording Academy  the group of music industry professionals that presents the Grammy Awards  accepts proposals for new categories from its members. Those proposals are then reviewed by a committee and voted on by the Recording Academy Board of Trustees.

For example, at an April 2021 meeting, the Recording Academy approved the addition of two new categories in the global and Latin music fields, but the change didnt take effect the 2022 Grammys. This year, the Recording Academy announced five additional categories, including songwriter of the year and best score soundtrack for video games and other interactive media, which will take effect at the 2023 Grammys.

My goal is to make sure that we represent all genres of music, including Afrobeats, at the Grammys. But it has to be done properly, Mason said during the news conference. I think the listening session last week was very important, very valuable, and a step towards that path.

Afrobeats artists have crossed over into mainstream pop through collaborations with Beyonce, Drake, Ed Sheeran and other stars. But theyve also achieved mainstream success on their own. Burna Boy, Wizkid and Tems have each notched Grammy nominations (though theyve typically been relegated to the global music field), while Burna Boy garnered a win in 2021 for his album Twice as Tall. CKays Love Nwantiti dominated on TikTok last year before eventually showing up on the Billboard charts.

The UKs Official Charts Company launched an Afrobeats singles chart in 2020, while Billboard debuted a US-based Afrobeats chart this year, further nodding to the genres growth outside of Africa and the diaspora.
by Yosley Carrero

HAVANA,power ball winning number Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The China International Import Expo (CIIE) contributes to building an open global economy featuring innovation and inclusion, a Cuban business leader has said.

"China is a huge country, which makes the Chinese market very attractive for exploring business opportunities," Antonio Carricarte, president of Cuba's Chamber of Commerce, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The expo is the world's first import-themed national-level expo, and in Carricarte's view, the annual event demonstrates China's efforts to boost multilateral cooperation.

"The CIIE clearly attests to the Chinese government's commitment to supporting multilateral cooperation," he said, adding that the expo offers Cuba a platform to diversify its exports and services to the Chinese market.

At this year's CIIE, the fifth edition of the event that concluded in China's economic hub Shanghai on Thursday, Cuba is showcasing a wide variety of products, ranging from fast-moving consumer goods such as cigars, honey, coffee, and rum, to health services, tourism destinations and biopharmaceutical products, he said.

Over the past few years, Cuban exports of sugar and lobster to China have significantly increased as new areas of collaboration between Cuban and Chinese companies have been explored, said Carricarte.

"China is a strategic trade partner for Cuba, playing a fundamental role in the implementation of social and economic development plans in our country," he said.

Stressing the importance of China-Cuba relations, the business leader voiced confidence in the capacity of China's Belt and Road Initiative to bring economic prosperity to the Caribbean nation.

In addition, the expo offers Latin America and the Caribbean an opportunity to import high-quality goods and state-of-the-art technology from China, said Carricarte, adding that "the Chinese market offers clients lower prices than other international markets." 
Chinas quality watchdog on Monday said it has asked New Zealand authorities to present a detailed risk assessment report on dairy products after potentially harmful chemical residue was found in them.

Thewsop free big chips bet265 mobile latest development came after milk produced by New Zealands dairy giant Fonterra Cooperative Group was found to contain residue from dicyandiamide (DCD), a chemical used on pastures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to keep nitrogen from entering waterways.

Although New Zealands Ministry of Primary Industries has assured consumers that the very low levels of DCD found in the countrys dairy products do not pose food safety risks, the news has prompted concern among sensitive Chinese consumers, as New Zealand dairy products account for nearly 80 percent of Chinas import market.

In response to consumers concerns, Chinas General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said it has met with New Zealands Ambassador to China Carl Worker and asked for a more detailed report from New Zealand authorities.

Fonterra Cooperative Group was once a shareholder of Chinese brand Sanlu, which became the center of a notorious scandal in 2008, when Sanlus melamine-tainted protein powder resulted in the deaths of at least six babies and sickened 300,000 others.

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Taiwan was ranked Asia-Pacifics No. 7 in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index released Dec. 5 by Transparency International,poker games 3 dota 2 boom esports a Germany-based organization that fights corruption worldwide.

Under the new evaluation system launched this year, Taiwan, with a score of 61 out of 100, followed its neighbors New Zealand at 90, Singapore, 87, Australia, 85, Hong Kong, 76, Japan, 74, and Bhutan, 63. All are among the top 40 out of 176 countries and territories evaluated.

South Korea obtained a score of 56, while mainland China got 39 points.

Compared to the previous 0-10 scale, the updated methodology with a 0-100 scale better captures changes in perceptions of corruption in the public sector of a country over time, the report said.

The index draws on 13 surveys covering expert assessments and surveys of businesspeople.

Liao Ran, the organizations program officer for South Asia and China, said in an interview with Taipei-based Central News Agency that each country was reviewed by at least three independent institutions such as the Economist Intelligence Unit, World Bank and World Economic Forum.

The reports reflect opinions on a nations implementation of anti-corruption regulations, information transparency and efforts in preventing conflict of interest, he said.

Denmark and Finland also received the highest score of 90, while other countries above 80 points were Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, the Netherlands, Iceland and Luxemburg, in that order.

The Corruption Perceptions Index is the leading indicator of public sector corruption, offering a yearly snapshot of the relative degree of the corruption problem by ranking countries from all over the globe, the Transparency International website said.

Grace Kuo

Taiwan Today

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Thedaffa betting application for residential free major European low cost airline Ryanair signed at Paris Air Show Tuesday a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese aerospace group Comac on the development of future short-medium haul aircraft.

While analysts see this agreement a new way for the Irish company to put pressure on the two current market leaders, Boeing and Airbus, such a partnership can also prefigure the termination of new entrants along with the American and European giants.

The company, whose fleet is currently composed exclusively of Boeing, announced in May have met with officials of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China and Russias United Aircraft Group.

Discussions with the U.S. manufacturer of an order of about 200 aircraft had overturned in 2009, Ryanair had not completely closed the door to an agreement when Boeing was struggling financially.

The agreement reached Tuesday with Comac consulation provides a mutual program of C919, a device still in draft form but China plans to deliver the first model in 2016.

The Chinese group, has signed two agreements Monday at Le Bourget, with Safran for wiring and C919 with CFM International for the operation of the aircraft.

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Putting pressure only on one party wont help resolve the Syrian issue,casinos with the best payouts instead, it will only derail the issue from the track of political settlement, Wang Min, Chinas deputy permanent representative to the UN, said here Friday after the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the Syrian government.

What has happened proves that imposition of pressure only on one party will not help resolve the Syrian issue, on the contrary, it will only derail the political settlement of the issue, cause further escalation of turmoil, and let the crisis spill over to other countries in the region, thus jeopardizing regional peace and stability, Wang said after voting against the resolution, which is not legally binding.

The UN General Assembly adopted on Friday a resolution condemning the Syrian authorities increasing use of heavy weapons as well as continued widespread and systematic gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Drafted by Saudi Arabia with support of other Arab nations, the resolution received 133 votes in favor, 12 against and 31 abstained.

China opposes and condemns all forms of terrorism and violence against innocent civilians. We urge all parties concerned in Syria to immediately and completely cease violence and create conditions for a political settlement to the crisis, said the Chinese envoy.

Wang also stressed that the Syrian issue must be resolved through political means, and military means would go nowhere.

According to him, China has all along maintained that the future and destiny of Syria should be independently determined by the Syrian people themselves, and the political settlement of the Syrian issue should only be led by the Syrian people and be accepted by all relevant parties in the country.

To impose a solution from outside will not help defuse the Syrian crisis, Wang said. China is opposed to any action forcing a regime change in Syria, and sanctions can only make the situation more complicated.

He emphasized that China has no self interests in the Syrian issue and its purpose is to safeguard the interests of the Syrian people and Arab countries, and the interests of all countries, the small and medium-sized countries in particular, as well as the basic norms governing international relations, including sovereign equality and non-interference in other countries internal affairs.

This is Chinas consistent position on international affairs. It is not targeted at a particular incident or at a certain time, said Wang.

The Chinese diplomat also expressed Chinas regret over former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annans resignation as international peace envoy for Syria.

Fridays resolution is the second one that the UN General Assembly has adopted concerning the situation in Syria, which has plunged into a political crisis since March 2011. The first resolution, endorsed on Feb.16, voiced support for political transition in Syria, which was accused by some member states of pushing for a regime change in the conflict-plagued country.

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More independent mainland Chinese tourists are set to begin visiting Taiwan later this month following the latest regulatory easing announced Aug. 8 by the Taiwan government at a cross-straits tour cooperation forum in Kaohsiung City.

Qualified residents of Fuzhou, Jinan, Shenzhen and Xi-an can visit Taiwan from Aug. 28, said David W. J. Hsieh, director-general of the Tourism Bureau. This brings the number of mainland Chinese cities participating in the independent tourism program to 13.

Launched in June 2011, the program permits a maximum 1,000 mainland Chinese to enter Taiwan per day for visits of just over a fortnight. Currently, residents from Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Xiamen are eligible under the agreement.

Hsieh, who doubles as chairman of the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association, also said that from Aug. 28 residents from 11 additional mainland Chinese cities will be allowed to visit the Taiwan islands of Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu under the three links scheme. This change brings the total number to 20 and is expected to significantly boost economic activity across the outlying regions.

The move, made by the TSTA and its mainland Chinese counterpart the Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association, is expected to boost Taiwans tourism industry and promote cross-strait exchanges.

Over the first six months of the year, Taiwan welcomed more than 10,700 independent mainland Chinese visitors for an average of 266 per day. The bureau has set a 2012 target of two million arrivals and 7.26 million in two-way visits.

Hsieh said the bureau plans to achieve this goal by offering more in-depth and tailor-made travel packages to enhance the tourism experiences of mainland Chinese visitors taking part in the program.

Rachel Chan

Taiwan Today

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CNN 

Video Ad Feedback 'The day war came back to all of Ukraine:' Russia's deadly missile attacks 02:50 - Source: CNN

The relative calm in Ukrainian cities far from the countrys battlefields was shattered by two painfully familiar sounds this week: the ominous ring of the air raid sirens, and the eruptions of Russian attacks.

A wave of missiles, rockets and drones has struck dozens of locations across Ukraine since Monday, according to officials, targeting civilian infrastructure in several major cities, including Kyiv, located hundreds of miles from the front lines in the east and south.

The wide bombardment echoed the early days of Russias scattershot initial invasion in February, but also underlined that the conflict in Ukraine, which for months appeared to be descending into a slow and painful grind in the Donbas, has erupted once again as winter nears.

Not for the first time, the war is teetering towards an unpredictable new phase. This is now the third, fourth, possibly fifth different war that weve been observing, said Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow at Chatham Houses Russia and Eurasia Programme.

Defense MInistry of Ukraine

LIVE UPDATES: Russia's war in Ukraine

The strikes followed weeks of Ukrainian ground gains and began two days after a huge explosion damaged the Kerch bridge, the only crossing between the annexed Crimean peninsula and Russia. That blast, which was used by the Kremlin as a justification for Mondays onslaught, bruised the Russian psyche and handed Ukraine a significant strategic boost.

With the cold months nearing and likely bringing a slowdown in ground combat, experts say the next weeks of the war are now expected to be vital, and another potential spike in intensity looms over Ukraine as each side seeks to strike another blow.

What seemed a distant prospect for anything that could be convincingly described as a Ukraine victory is now very much more plausible, Giles said. The response from Russia is likely to escalate further.

Playing for the whistle

Mondays attacks, and further strikes throughout the week, were evidence of Russian President Vladimir Putin lashing out after a series of setbacks in the war that have put him under pressure domestically.

And the airborne strikes distract from what has been a dismal stretch for Russia in the ground war.

Oleksii Hromov, a senior Ukrainian military official, said last week that Kyivs forces have recaptured some 120 settlements since late September as they advance in the Kharkiv, Donetsk and Kherson regions. On Wednesday, Ukraine said it had liberated more five settlements in its slow but steady push in Kherson.

Russia said Thursday its forces would help evacuate residents of occupied Kherson to other areas, as Ukraines offensive continued to make gains in the region. The announcement came shortly after the head of the Moscow-backed administration in Kherson appealed to the Kremlin for help moving residents out of harms way, in the latest indication that Russian forces were struggling in the face of Ukrainian advances.

These counter-offensives have shifted the momentum of the war and disproved a suggestion, built up in the West and in Russia during the summer, that while Ukraine could stoutly defend territory, it lacked the ability to seize ground.

@AndriyYermak/Twitter

Ukrainian troops hoist the country's flag above a building in Vysokopillya, in the southern Kherson region, last month. Ukrainian officials say they have liberated hundreds of settlements since their counter-offensive began.

The Russians are playing for the whistle  (hoping to) avoid a collapse in their frontline before the winter sets in, Samir Puri, senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studiesand the author of Russias Road to War with Ukraine, told CNN.

If they can get to Christmas with the frontline looking roughly as it is, thats a huge success for the Russians given how botched this has been since February.

Faced with growing setbacks, the Kremlin appointed a new overall commander of Russias invasion. But there is little sign that Gen. Sergey Surovikin can lead his forces back onto the front foot before the end of the year, given the pace and cost of the Ukrainian counter-offensives.

DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images

TOPSHOT - Investigators examine a crater next to a damaged bus, following a missile strike in Dnipro on October 10, 2022, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. - The head of the Ukrainian military said that Russian forces launched at least 75 missiles at Ukraine on Monday morning, with fatal strikes targeting the capital Kyiv, and cities in the south and west. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP) (Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Russia's hit-and-miss missile blitz forces a frantic race to shore up Ukrainian defenses

Ukrainian troops are focused primarily on pushing Russian forces eastwards, having crossed the Oskil River in late September, with Moscow likely preparing to defend the cities of Starobilsk and Svatove in the Luhansk region, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Landing a major blow in Donbas would send another powerful signal, and Ukraine will be eager to improve on its gains before temperatures plummet on the battlefield, and the full impact of rising energy prices is felt around Europe.

There are so many reasons why there is an incentive for Ukraine to get things done quickly, Giles said. The winter energy crisis in Europe, and energy infrastructure and power being destroyed in Ukraine itself, is always going to be a test of resilience for Ukraine and its Western backers.

NATO leaders have vowed to stand behind Ukraine regardless of how long the war takes, but several European countries  particularly those that relied heavily on Russian energy  are staring down a crippling cost-of-living crisis which, without signs of Ukrainian progress on the battlefield, could endanger public support.

Recent days have meanwhile shown that sites beyond the current theater of ground fighting are far from immune to attacks. It remains unclear exactly how the Kerch bridge bombing was carried out  and Kyiv has not claimed responsibility  but the fact that a target so deep in Russian-held territory could be successfully hit hinted at a serious Ukrainian threat towards key Russian assets.

Russia scrambles for manpower

Russia is struggling on the ground and has failed to achieve supremacy in the air, but Mondays attacks may have achieved one goal  sending a signal of strength towards the growing list of Putins internal critics.

The assault damaged civilian infrastructure in cities all across Ukraine, killing multiple people and knocking out power in pockets of the country. They were an indication of the nature of the threat from Russia, Giles said. For many months now, the Russian objective has been to destroy Ukraine rather than possess it.

Ukraines national electricity company, Ukrenergo, says it has stabilized the power supply to Kyiv and central regions of Ukraine after much of the countrys electricity supply was disrupted by Russian missile attacks on Monday and Tuesday. But Ukrainian Prime Minister has warned that there is a lot of work to do to fix damaged equipment, and asked Ukrainians to reduce their energy usage during peak hours.

Experts believe it remains unlikely that Russias aerial bombardment will form a recurrent pattern; while estimating the military reserves of either army is a murky endeavor, Western assessments suggest Moscow may not have the capacity to keep it up.

We know  and Russian commanders on the ground know  that their supplies and munitions are running out, Jeremy Fleming, a UKs spy chief, said in a rare speech on Tuesday.

That conclusion was also reached by the ISW, which said in its daily update on the conflict Monday that the strikes wasted some of Russias dwindling precision weapons against civilian targets, as opposed to militarily significant targets.

Ed Ram/Getty Images

A crater left by a missile strike next to a children's playground in Kyiv on Monday.

Russias use of its limited supply of precision weapons in this role may deprive Putin of options to disrupt ongoing Ukrainian counter-offensives, the ISW assessed.

Exactly how much weaponry and manpower each side has left in reserve will be crucial to determining how the momentum will shift in the coming weeks. Ukraine said it intercepted 18 cruise missiles on Tuesday and dozens more on Monday, but it is urging its Western allies for more equipment to repel any future attacks.

The barrage of missile strikes is going to be an occasional feature reserved for shows of extreme outrage, because the Russians dont have the stocks of precision munitions to maintain that kind of high-tempo missile assault into the future, Puri said.

Some help for Putin may be on the way, however. An announcement by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that Belarus and Russia will deploy a joint regional group of troops raised fears of deepened military cooperation between the close allies and that Belarusian troops could formally join Russia in its invasion. Belarus has been complaining of alleged Ukrainian threats to its security in recent days, which observers say could be a prelude to some level of involvement.

The impact of such an intervention in terms of pure manpower would be limited; Belarus has around 45,000 active duty troops, which would not significantly bolster Russias reserves. But it would threaten another assault on Ukraines northern flank below the Belarusian border.

The reopening of a northern front would be another new challenge for Ukraine, Giles said. It would provide Russia a new route into the Kharkiv oblast (region), which has been recaptured by Ukraine, should Putin prioritize an effort to reclaim that territory, he said.

Any further Belarusian involvement in the war could also have a psychological impact, Puri suggested. Everyones mind in Ukraine and in the West has been oriented towards fighting one army, he said. Inside Russia, Belarus joining the invasion would play into Putins narrative that this war is about reuniting the lands of ancient Rus states.

A plea to the West

By flipping the narrative of the conflict over the past two months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has achieved one of his own key objectives: showing Ukraines Western allies that their military aid can help Kyiv win the war.

Now Zelensky will hope for more supplies in the short-term as he seeks to drive home those gains. The leader has sought to highlight Ukraines success in intercepting Russian missiles, saying more than half of the missiles and drones launched at Ukraine in a second wave of strikes on Tuesday were brought down.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that Ukraine needed more systems to better halt missile attacks, ahead of a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.

These air defense systems are making a difference because many of the incoming missiles [this week] were actually shot down by the Ukrainian air defense systems provided by NATO Allies, he said.

But of course, as long as not all of them are shot down, of course there is a need for more, Stoltenberg added.

Biden promises Ukraine 'advanced air defense systems' after Russian missile strikes

Justin Bronk, a military expert with the London-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), agreed with that assessment, telling CNN that, Ukrainian interception success rates against Russian cruise missiles have risen significantly since the start of the invasion in February.

Ukraine badly needed modern systems such as the IRIS-T that arrived this week from Germany and the NASAMS expected from the United States, Bronk said.

Beyond weapons supplies, Ukraine will be watching to ensure that Western resolve stays firm if Russia tightens energy supplies even further.

There are many things Russia can do to make the war personal, not just for people of Ukraine but around Europe, to try to force pressure on governments to remove their support for Ukraine, Giles said.

This weeks air strikes may point towards that endeavor; Ukraines Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko told CNN that around 30% of energy infrastructure in Ukraine was hit by Russian missiles on Monday and Tuesday. The minister told CNN that this was the first time from the beginning of the war that Russia has dramatically targeted energy infrastructure.

The coming weeks are therefore crucial both on the battlefield, as well as in Europe and around the globe, experts suggest. As ever, where Putin goes next depends on how the rest of the world is responding, Giles said. Russias attitude is shaped by the failure of Western countries to confront and deter it.

It means that, as winter approaches, the stakes of the war have been raised once more. Theres no doubt Russia would like to keep it up, Giles said. But the Ukrainian successes of recent weeks have sent a direct message to the Kremlin, too. They are able to do things that take us by surprise, so lets get used to it, Giles said.
Passenger numbers at Tibets airports surged by 21.1 percent year on year to about 2.22 million in 2012,best pokemon card in the world according to regional civil aviation administration figures available on Thursday.

The five airports in the autonomous region in southwest China handled about 21,000 flight landings and take-offs last year, an annual growth of 30.6 percent. This was due to a boost in tourism, a spokesman for the aviation administration said.

More than 10 million tourists visited Tibet last year and the administration opened eight new air routes, the spokesman said.

He added that a new airport is expected to start construction in Nagqu in the north of Tibet this year. This will further improve the aviation network of airports in the vast plateau region.

Seven airline companies are operating 37 routes linking the region dubbed the roof of the world with 21 Chinese cities, as well as Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.

In 2012, the regional government announced the establishment of special funds to bolster civil aviation in Tibet, with 100 million yuan (16 million U.S. dollars) to be pooled annually to support the maintenance and expansion of airports and airline companies in Tibet.

In June 2012, the Tibet regional government reached an agreement with the China Civil Aviation Administration to launch air routes to southern and western Asian countries. Tibets airports are expected to handle 4 million passengers in 2015, which will double the figure in 2012.

Xinhua

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MOSCOW/KIEV,50 free spins no deposit 2019 uk Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments in the Ukraine crisis:

Russian experts have confirmed from pictures of the wreckage of the projectile falling in Poland that it was a Ukrainian missile, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

The rocket was an anti-aircraft guided missile of the S-300 air defense system of the Ukrainian air forces, the ministry said in a statement.

- - - -

Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, said in Brussels on Wednesday that the explosion at the Polish village of Przewodow near the border with Ukraine on Tuesday night was likely not an attack by Russia but was caused by a Ukrainian air defense missile.

Addressing a press conference in Warsaw following a meeting of his country's National Security Bureau on Wednesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda echoed Stoltenberg's statement on the deadly blast that killed two people.

"We have no proof at this stage that it was a missile launched by Russia. There are many indications that it was an air defense missile that unfortunately fell on Polish territory," Duda said.

- - - -

Commenting on a rise of anti-Russia campaign after missile landed in Poland, Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, "We see this mayhem as a deliberate effort made as part of a systematic anti-Russia campaign conducted by the West around Ukraine."

"The Western organisations held 'consultations' which gave rise to a new wave of unsubstantiated accusations, which, however, quickly subsided," the ministry said in a statement, accusing a number of NATO countries and some media of spreading fake and unfounded allegations about Russia "without looking into the situation."

- - - -

U.S. Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Wednesday there's a possibility for "a political solution" to Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"In terms of probability, the probability of a Ukrainian military victory, defined as kicking the Russians out of all of Ukraine to include what they defined, or what they claim as Crimea, the probability of that happening anytime soon, is not high, militarily," he told a news conference at the Pentagon.

- - - -

On Tuesday, the Russian armed forces carried out massive strikes with long-range air and sea-based high-precision weapons against the military command and control system and energy facilities in Ukraine, and all the missiles hit exactly their intended targets, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told a daily briefing on Wednesday.

He said that the strikes were carried out only against targets on Ukrainian territory and at a distance of no closer than 35 km from the Ukrainian-Polish border.

- - - -

About 7 million households in Ukraine were left without power after a massive missile attack carried out by Russian forces, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported Tuesday, citing Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian president's office.

Tymoshenko said 15 facilities in several regions across Ukraine were damaged by the missile strikes, describing the situation as "critical."

Ukrainian power engineers, together with the experts from the State Service for Emergencies, are carrying out repair work to resume power supply, Tymoshenko said. 
A scandal that ruined the career of prominent Chinese Communist Party leader Bo Xilai,boomerang hanna barbera and led to murder charges against his wife, has widened to include four of his former security chiefs being charged with covering up the crime.

A statement from the court in eastern Chinas Hefei city said it will hold a trial on Friday for the four men, who held senior security roles in the central city of Chongqing while Bo served as its Communist Party chief.

James Feinerman, the co-director of Georgetown Law Schools Asia program, said drawing the police into the case could lead to Bos own indictment.

If you want to conclusively nail down the lid on Bo Xilais coffin, one of the things that you would do is admit in open court to having conspired to do this, and then the obvious implication is that Bo Xilai was overseeing this, or at least was informed of what they were doing, he said.



Implicated in Cover Up

Bos wife, Gu Kailai, appeared at a brief trial Thursday on charges she conspired with a family butler to poison British businessman Neil Heywood in a Chongqing hotel room last November. The court said the four Chongqing security officials have been charged with covering up Gus role in the incident and bending the law to achieve personal benefit.

There was no verdict announced after the trial of Gu and the butler, Zhang Xiaojun, at the Hefei court. Heywood was a business partner of Gus, and prosecutors said she killed him after a financial dispute. A court official later said Gu did not deny the allegations against her, but she has never publicly given her side of the story.

The disclosure of charges against Bo Xilais former security chiefs is the first time the Chinese government has publicly implicated them in the scandal. The central government removed Bo from his Chongqing post in March for unspecified offenses after his wife was accused of murder. But he has not been publicly charged in the case.



Security Chiefs Linked to Bo

The four men due to stand trial on Friday include the former deputy chief of Chongqings Public Security Bureau, Guo Weiguo, the former chief of the bureaus criminal section, Li Yang, and former security officials Wang Pengfei and Wang Zhi. The defendants had served under former public security bureau chief Wang Lijun, who first revealed the murder allegations against Gu to U.S. diplomats in February.

Wang and his deputies had worked under Bos authority for years, dating back to Bos tenure as governor of the northeastern province of Liaoning in the early 2000s. They followed Bo to Chongqing after he became municipal party chief in 2007.

Bo and Wang carried out a so-called smash black campaign against corruption and crime in Chongqing, a crackdown critics say included unlawful practices like framing suspects, forcing confessions and extorting potential targets.



Containing the Case

Jacques deLisle, a China legal expert with the University of Pennsylvania Law School, says the Chinese Communist Party is likely looking for a way to hold Bo accountable for some misbehavior without examining all of his practices.

The easiest charge to bring against him politically is covering up Gus crime because thats a one-off. If you get into things like he used the police to systematically go after enemies and highly corrupt activities, then you [raise the point that] that goes on with a lot of Chinese officials, he said.

Chinese officials are not commenting on the trial, and state media has done little reporting, leaving much open to speculation.

Feinerman says there is also a chance the police officials could say they acted on their own will. Whichever direction the trial takes, he says Chinese officials are looking to clean up the police administration in Chongqing, which was called into question after its chief, Wang, fled to a U.S. consulate.

They had to go back through it and try and see up and down who was allied with Wang Lijun and who was taking orders from Bo Xilai, and make sure they had people who were going to be more loyal to the center, he said.

Getting the police and Bos allies in line is crucial to ensuring a smooth leadership transition during Novembers Communist Party Congress, according to Feinerman.

The problem that they [Chinese leaders] face is there are still people who were allied with Bo Xilai or leftists who took heart in what seemed to be his coming rise who need to be tamped down to make sure there will be a smooth transition without a lot of factionalism, he said.



Security Tight in Hefei

During the one-day trial of Gu Kailai and her co-defendant, uniformed and plainclothes police were deployed in neighborhoods and even shopping malls around the courthouse.

Reporter Shannon Van Sant said a group of about 20 people showed up at the courthouse in Thursday morning and spoke with reporters about their support for Bo Xilai, whom they saw as an alternative to what they referred to as Chinas current corrupt leadership.

Initially there were some undercover police and thugs tried to block cameras with their umbrellas, Van Sant said. Eventually some other police came over as the people started speaking more forcefully and more passionately of their support for Bo Xilai. Van Sant said the police beat several protesters, and eventually forced at least two men inside one of their cars.

Bo Xilai was previously widely expected to be in line for a seat at the Standing Committee of the partys Politburo. During his tenure in Chongqing, he led a controversial revival of Communist themes and tried to clean up the city by planting trees and cracking down on organized crime. He was considered a popular politician among residents.

Michael Lipin, Kate Woodsome

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Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (left) and Thailands Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Monday attend the handover of project photographs at the Prime Ministers Office in Vientiane. The Thai PM arrive in Vientiane on Monday for an official visit to Laos in response to an invitation by Premier Sonexay.









Representatives of the Ministries of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos (right) and Thailand (left) on Monday sign a Memorandum of Understanding on cultural exchanges, witnessed by PM Sonexay Siphandone and Thai PM Srettha Thavisin.
Theted megaways slot oddsportal today ancient sages advised adjusting to difficult events as they happen to achieve maximum results with least effort. Trying to go against the tide will accomplish little, despite herculean exertions. In the last 20 years Taiwan has seen many examples of this lesson. A crucial one involves how Taiwan will fit into the new geopolitical order in East Asia.

In the first half of the 1990s, former President Lee Teng-hui took advantage of the end of the global Cold War and third wave of democratization to push for democracy in Taiwan, cross-strait rapprochement and pragmatic diplomacy, creating a promising new state of affairs.

During the same period, the Chinese communists exploited 9/11 to direct U.S. attention to the war on terror, gaining 10 valuable years in which to grow rapidly. In the last four years the Ma Ying-jeou administrations policy of reconciliation with Beijing has relieved outside pressure to some extent, but the two sides of the strait are no longer comparable in terms of the clout they pack.

A new order is coming together in East Asia, one even more complicated than before, making future developments hard to predict.

New leaders are emerging throughout the region. Mainland China will see a complete turnover in the party, government and military. In Taiwan the president was re-elected, but a significant number of party and government aides have been replaced; circumstances are similar in the U.S. Elections next month in Japan and South Korea could bring in all new faces as well.

Relations between the U.S. and mainland China will be the key factor determining the future political climate of East Asia. With the Chinese communists worldwide influence growing daily, Washington will have to take Beijings views on regional and global issues even more seriously.

Another cause for concern is the nationalistic fervor now permeating East Asia. Historical complexes, the economic downturn and domestic political infighting have together given rise to a number of territorial disputes. But countries in the region are also speeding up free trade talks, hoping to use economic integration to maintain growth momentum amid the global recession. These variables could impact Taiwans economy and international standing.

But developments in mainland China are the most intimately related to Taiwan. Xi Jinping was democratically nominated by more than 400 people, and his policies will have to differ from those of Hu Jintao.

Starting in 2008, Hu managed to stabilize cross-strait relations and establish a foundation for peaceful development in just four years. This is why he was amenable to passively going along with the Ma administrations 1992 consensus; its policies of no unification, no independence and no use of force; diplomatic truce; shelving disputes; and economy before politics.

Hu was also content to allow Taiwan to benefit from the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA).

Xi, on the other hand, worked for 22 years in Fujian, Zhejiang and Shanghai, and is sure to have his own systematic approach to cross-strait relations. His electors would not be happy to see mainland China, which has already risen dramatically on the world stage, continue to act so passively. With the prospect of 10 years in power, Xi will not be satisfied with maintaining the status quo and merely carrying on with Hus modus operandi.

When Xi will make his move, and how forceful it will be, cannot be foreseen at this time. Taiwan must be prepared.

Faced with these new conditions, nations in the region are forging new alliances and relationships. But Taiwan, the most internationally isolated country and the one most in need of adjusting to the new order, seems content to persist with its internal dissension and squandering of resources.

It is the collective responsibility of Taiwans political parties to create the greatest good for the country. Unfortunately, after democratization, party heads appear more and more concerned only with votes and opinion polls. Their outlook is myopic and parochial, and they have forgotten the true nature of their job. As a result, those who love money are unable to bask in luxury; those who seek fame have none; those who love power cannot get hold of the reins.

If party leaders continue to look out only for their own interests, making no concessions to the greater good of the nation, the democratization of which Taiwan is so proud may turn out to be a bad example for East Asia.

Su Chi is a former secretary-general of the ROC National Security Council, professor at Tamkang Universitys Graduate Institute of China Studies and chairman of the Taipei Forum.

Copyright  2012 by Su Chi

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Vice President Xi Jinping and Beninese President Thomas Boni Yayi pledged to boost cooperation between the two countries on the sidelines of the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on Friday.

Xi said China and Benin are good friends and that both sides have insisted on equality, cooperation, mutual trust and benefit.

China will make more efforts to accelerate economic development and improve peoples livelihoods in Benin, as well as extend cooperation in more fields, Xi said.

Xi spoke highly of the efforts made by Yayi, who is also the current chairman of the African Union, to maintain peace and stability in Africa.

China is confident in the prospects for Africas development and will support economic development in African countries and safeguard their interests in international affairs, Xi said.

Yayi said Benin and China are good friends and have developed a solid relationship on the basis of mutual trust.

Yayi said the FOCAC is an important platform to boost cooperation between China and African countries, as well as promote world peace and stability.

The new measures proposed by President Hu Jintao have been deeply welcomed by African countries and will further cement friendship and cooperation between the two sides, Yayi said.

Yayi said Benin and other African countries welcome more investment from China and will cooperate with the country in more fields, including agriculture, infrastructure construction, education and human resource development.

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Typhoon Haikui has left six people dead and forced more than 2.17 million people to be relocated in four provincial-level regions in east China,book a bet9ja card counting rules the Ministry of Civil Affairs said Friday.

In Anhui Province, Haikui killed three people and affected nearly 2.17 million residents, as well as destroyed more than 2,400 houses, the ministry said in a report.

In Shanghai, the typhoon killed two people and affected 361,000 others, the ministry said, adding that more than 50 houses were destroyed.

The typhoon also killed one person and forced 126,000 others to be evacuated in Jiangsu Province, as well as forced the relocation of nearly 1.55 million people in Zhejiang Province, according to the ministry.

Haikui, the 11th typhoon of the year, is the third typhoon to wallop Chinas eastern coast in a week after storms Saola and Damrey hit the region over the weekend.

Xinhua

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Air China will play the role of hosting and chairing the 68th Annual Conference of International Air Transportation Association (IATA) and the World Civil Aviation Summit to be held in Beijing,does ftx have trading fees China, in 2012. Major airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers and service providers worldwide will attend the conference.

Air China is the most profitable airline in the world and has the largest market capitalization. With a brand value set in 40,630 billion yuan, it is the only airline in China that appears in the list World Brands 500. Air Chinas success is due to the revival of the global airline industry, the economic boom of China and support from customers.

IATA has 230 member airlines and holds an annual conference in different cities each year in order to exchange important economic information from the industry. The decision of inviting Air China to host the annual conference next year reflects the growing importance of Chinese airline industry in the world.

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Chinas investment climate for foreign companies is cryptocurrency list price in indiadifferent now from what it was a decade ago, but it is far-fetched to say the investment climate has become worse, world business leaders has told Xinhua.

Chinas investment climate has changed in the last decade, and requires a different investment approach, but different doesnt mean worse, said James S. Turley, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of corporate audit giant Ernst & Young.

The remarks were made by Turley in an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the ongoing annual World Economic Forum (WEF).

He said investing in China is still an important part of many Western companies strategies, but valuations of Chinese companies and a changing regulatory environment mean that investors need to think about things differently.

Ten years ago, there was great opportunity for multinationals seeking to buy Chinese companies to access low-cost manufacturing. Now China has moved up the value chain and Chinese companies and policy makers are also more sophisticated in their dealings with foreign investors.

Turley highlighted the need for foreign investors to be thinking about smaller acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures and minority stakes, that is, taking a portfolio approach rather than looking for single large deals.

Mark Spelman, global head of strategy at Accenture, one of the worlds largest technology consulting company, said there is no such a consistent picture where Chinas investment environment has been fundamentally worsening.

Concerning the so-called worsening investment climate, Spelman said, Its not a consistent picture, but thats very true of what is going on in the global economy.

Speaking to Xinhua on the sidelines of the ongoing WEF, he added that, The answer is that it is mixed, but it is mixed in many countries.

So I dont see there is a fundamental problem between what is happening in China relative to what is happening in Indonisia, India or other countries, he said.

Spelman pointed out that the investment climate varied by sector, and suggested investors to recognize that regulatory structures moving at different rates in different countries. 

While concerns had been expressed in certain sectors, I still think there is plenty of evidences you got western companies continuing to invest in aircraft, in cars, leisure industry, he said.

Xinhua

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Portland sues Louis Vuitton store over unpaid taxes

closeVideo

Civil rights attorney Robert Patillo and trial and family law attorney Lexie Rigden joined 'Fox News @ Night' to discuss the city of Portland suing Louis Vuitton for more than $42,000 in back taxes.

The Paris home of Louis Vuitton luxury fashion empire heir Benoit-Louis Vuitton was broken into and looted for "millions" worth of luxury goods, including unreleased bags, according to French media.

It happened overnight Sunday into Monday at a swanky home in the high-end Seventh District of Frances capital, Agence France-Presse reported Monday, near the Eiffel Tower, Invalides military museum and Napoleon's tomb.

The French news outlet Actu17 reported that the thieves entered around midnight and stole "some bags that are prototypes of great value" along with watches, jewelry and other goods. No one was home at the time., and Vuitton's most recent Instagram posts have been shared from New York.

Paris gang unit is investigating, according to authorities.

ARMY OF MASKED ROBBERS ENTER LOUIS VUITTON STORE, STEAL OVER $140K OF MERCHANDISE IN MINUTES

Benoit Vuitton attends Breast Cancer Research Foundation's Boston Hot Pink Party Honoring Bill Belichick, Linda Holliday at InterContinental Boston on April 23, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Paul Marotta/Getty Images for BCRF)

Benoit-Louis Vuitton is the sixth-generation grandson of the brands namesake founder, who died in 1892. Louis Vuitton is now part of LVMH, based in Paris after the 1987 merger that combined Louis Vuitton and Moet et Chandon.

The company's products range from luxury accessories to wine and spirits, media and more.

LOUIS VUITTON STORE IN SFS UNION SQUARE EMPTIED OUT BY THIEVES; 8 ARRESTED: REPORT

Benoit-Louis Vuitton attends the "I Smile Back" dinner party during the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival at Byblos on September 16, 2015, in Toronto, Canada. (Sonia Recchia/Getty Images, iStock)

According to a profile in Prestige, the 45-year-old scion is the companys director of art, culture and patrimony. He previously led the company's watch and jewelry design.

A Louis Vuitton store in Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Shui, Kowloon. (iStock)

Luxury Louis Vuitton bags are both expensive and iconic  coveted by thieves and counterfeiters alike.

The sought-after products have also been targeted by retail theft rings across the U.S.

WATCH: WOULD-BE LOUIS VUITTON THIEF KNOCKS SELF OUT RUNNING INTO PLATE GLASS WINDOW

Video

AMERICAN TOURIST IN PARIS RAPED BY HOMELESS MAN IN PUBLIC RESTROOM AT NOTRE DAME, PROSECUTORS SAY

Last week, a Washington state teen knocked himself out trying to flee a Louis Vuitton store in Bellevue with an estimated $18,000 worth of stolen handbags.

Video shows he ran into a glass window, bumped his head and fell flat to the floor before a security guard took control of the scene. His name was not released because he is a juvenile, but police said they suspected he was part of a retail crime ring.

This photograph taken October 18, 2022, shows the Invalides in Paris. (Geoffroy Van der Hasselt/AFP via Getty)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In April, a group of masked thieves entered a Louis Vuitton store in Ohio and walked out with more than $100,000 in products within minutes.

Michael Ruiz is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @mikerreports
Taiwan issued a sea warning on Sunday as Typhoon Tembin was expected to return towards the island,horse racing on betway two days after it caused substantial damage to eastern and southern parts of the island.

Tembin had moved away from Taiwan since making landfall on Friday, but it appeared to be coming back under the influence of Typhoon Bolaven on Sunday.

Taiwans weather forecasters said that Tembin could pose a threat to the southern Taiwan Strait and other areas.

At 2 p.m. local time, Typhoon Temblin was packing winds of 126 km per hour, with gusts reaching 162 km per hour.

The winds are expected to be at their strongest on Tuesday and Wednesday.

It is possible Taiwan weather forecasters could issue a land warning as soon as Sunday evening.

According to weather forecasts, under the influence of Tembin, parts of Hengchun Peninsula on the southern tip of the island and southeastern areas in Taiwan could see heavy rains on Sunday. Some of the southern mountain areas could also see heavy rains after noon.

Local media reported that Tembin had brought heavy rains to parts of eastern and southern Taiwan in the past couple of days, causing power outages, road closures and floods in some areas.

Xinhua

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Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Thursday met with Bouthaina Shaaban, the Syrian presidents special envoy and political and media advisor, on the current situation in Syria.

During the meeting, Yang said China is deeply concerned about the situation in Syria, which has become more and more severe recently.

China urges the Syrian government and parties concerned to implement UN Security Council resolutions, Annans six-point proposal and the Geneva communique agreed by the Action Group meeting of major world powers on June 30, immediately cease fire, stop violence and launch political dialogue, the foreign minister said.

He said China calls on the Syrian government and the opposition to start dialogue at an early date, initiate and push forward a political process led by the Syrian people so as to bring the nation out of its difficulties.

The international community and other parties involved need to play a positive role on the issue, according to Yang. The Syrian government must take substantial measures to meet the reasonable needs of the Syrian people to seek reform and safeguard their own interests, he added.

China hopes the Syrian government and the opposition coordinate with the international mediation efforts, Yang said.

He also briefed Shaaban on contact between China and the opposition groups in Syria and those dialogues mediation efforts, as well as Chinas humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees.

Shaaban introduced the current situation in Syria. She said Syrias government will coordinate with international mediation efforts, and is ready to work with relevant parties to seek ways to make the government forces and the opposition forces stop violence at the same time.

She said the Syrian government is willing to launch an inclusive dialogue with the opposition so as to promote a Syria-led political process and restore security and stability in the country.

Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun also met with Shaaban on Thursday.

Xinhua

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A Tanzanian commercial flight operated by Precision Air crash-landed in bad weather in Lake Victoria on Sunday, killing 19 people.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said officials believe all bodies have been recovered from the airplane.

Were starting to pull out the luggage and personal items from the aircraft. A team of doctors and security agencies have started the process of identifying the dead and notifying the families, Majaliwa said.

The airline confirmed the death toll and amended the number of survivors down to 24 in an updated statement on Sunday evening. Earlier, the carrier as well as local officials had said that 26 of the 43 people on board had been rescued.

Sitide Protase/AFP/Getty Images

The Precision Air plane is seen partially submerged in Lake Victoria.

Precision Air extends its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the passenger and crew involved in this tragic incident. The company will strive to provide them with information and whatever assistance they will require in their difficult time, the airline said.

The names of passengers and crew on board the aircraft will not be released until all next-of-kin have been notified, it added.

The flight, including 39 passengers and four crew members, had taken off from Tanzanias commercial capital of Dar es Salaam and was headed to the town of Bukoba before it plunged into Lake Victoria as it was preparing to land.

Video circulating on social media taken by onlookers on the shores of Lake Victoria showed the aircraft submerged in the water with emergency responders coordinating rescue efforts from nearby boats.

Precision Air CEO Patrick Mwanri appeared visibly distressed while speaking to reporters in Dar es Salaam Sunday.

Mwanris voice broke and he had to pause to wipe away tears as he said the plane had departed around 6 a.m. local and had been expected in the northwestern lakeside town of Bukoba at 8.30 a.m.

But at 8.53 a.m. our Operations Control Center got a report that that aircraft had not arrived, he said in a televised statement.

Sitide Protase/AFP/Getty Images

The crash killed 19 people, while 24 survived.

The accident is believed to have happened on the final approach to the airport whose runway begins right next to Lake Victoria, Africas largest freshwater lake.

Local officials suggested bad weather may have played a part in the accident, saying the area had been under heavy rainfall and strong winds at the time.

Preliminary reports showed the weather conditions at 8 a.m. yesterday morning was good, Transport Minister Makame Mbarawa said during a funeral service for victims of the crash in Bukoba on Monday.

However, at 8:25 a.m. there was a sudden change of weather conditions  at the time the precision airline pilot was on the final descent towards Bukoba airport, there were heavy rains and strong winds i.e. down drafts, he added.

The airline has opened a Crisis Management Center and established information areas in Bukoba and Dar es Salaam to communicate with families of the passengers.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan called for calm while rescuers worked at the site of the crash. I have received with sadness the information of the crash of the Precision Air flight at Lake Victoria, in the Kagera region, she tweeted Sunday. I send my condolences to all those affected by this incident. Lets continue to be calm as the rescue operation continues and we pray to God to help us.

On Monday, Prime Minister Majaliwa sought to reassure the public about his countrys air safety record during the funeral service in Bukoba.

I want to ensure to everyone that [our] air transport is the safest, he said on Monday in Bukoba, Tanzania. Yesterday is a tragic accident that we believe will never happen again.
Authorities in the southern Mozambican province of Gaza said that a group of Chinese businessmen is pokerstars online blackjackinvesting 250 million U.S. dollars in agriculture in the Limpopo Valley.

The investors are from the Chinese Hubei province, and working on agricultural project covering 20,000 hectares on lower Limpopo Irrigation System, Radio Mozambique reported on Monday.

According to the provincial government, the project is to be developed in three phases. According to Armando Ussivane, chairperson of the Board of Lower Limpopo Irrigation System, the dynamism in the project guarantees a good agricultural campaign for food production in Gaza in the coming months in the first phase of the implementation of the scheme.

The first phase of the project covers 6,000 hectares in the lower Chicumbane region.

Ussivane said at least 30 km of a drainage system for agricultural irrigation has been completed and that more than 15 km of roads along the irrigation area have been built.

The Lower Limpopo Irrigation System was not operating for more than 30 years due to lack of funds and the civil war, waged by former rebels of Renamo.

Now, conditions are ripe to revive the project, said Ussivane.

He said working with the Chinese agronomists is very important, because Mozambicans are to learn the Chinese technology on agricultural production.

The lower Limpopo has a fertile potential and conditions for water for irrigation, he said, calling on Mozambican farmers to make use of the presence of the Chinese in the project, aimed at producing more food to fight hunger in Gaza.

For Ussivane, the involvement of the Hubeis agronomists strengthens cooperation between Mozambique and China.

The lower Limpopo is meant to produce rice, vegetables and potatoes, according to Ussivane.

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Experts from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan met at a cross-strait forum on Monday,beta alanine benefits dosage highlighting the service industrys new opportunities arising from the mainlands drive to stimulate domestic consumption in the wake of the global financial crisis.

Song Xiaowu, president of the mainland-based China Society of Economic Reform, said the mainland and Taiwan can work together to explore the potential of the service sector.

He said that the island can use its expertise to tap the vast mainland market, including offering home care services for the rapidly aging population.

Wu Chung-Shu, president of Taiwans Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, said the mainland and Taiwan should be more open to economic cooperation.

It is wrong to think that the transfer of technological know-how from Taiwan to the mainland will dent the competitiveness of Taiwans companies, he said.

The Chinese mainland has vowed to boost the contribution of the service sector to the overall economy from 43 percent in 2010 to 47 percent by 2015.

The mainland economy, which has long relied heavily on exports and investments in infrastructure, is now facing the challenges of excessive energy consumption and environmental degradation as a result of its rapid growth.

Economists believe that a more developed service sector will lessen the adverse effects of fast economic growth and help improve the welfare of the people.

Cross-strait trade and investment relations have developed steadily in recent years. The two sides have signed numerous agreements guiding business ties since 2008.

Many mainland and Taiwanese businesses have called for closer cross-strait trade and investment ties to dodge the global economic crisis and stimulate economic growth.

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Thesloto legends no deposit bonus codes 2021 World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled Tuesday unfair restrictions on the export of certain raw materials used by China.

A WTO panel agreed with the opinion of the United States, the European Union and Mexico, all of whom had filed complaints alleging that China is inflating the prices of raw materials such as bauxite and zinc by setting taxes and export quotas.

The committee rejected the arguments by China that export restrictions were necessary to protect its environment, and argued that these measures should be withdrawn.

Judges of the WTO concluded that export taxes in China are contrary to the commitments of the country when it enters the organization in 2001.

The Chinese export restrictions have resulted in the depletion of stocks of certain raw materials worldwide, making up prices and an emphasis on the use of manufacturing facilities in China.

The WTO ruling could help the United States and the Europeans to support another trade complaint against attempts to restrict Chinese exports of rare earths used in several high-tech products, argued the EU Trade Commissioner, Karel De Gucht.

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Theslot machine with real money distributor YGM Trading (0375.HK) plans to acquire European luxury brands to expand its portfolio in China, a promising market that may well become the first in the world within 10 years.

YGM, which already holds licenses on Aquascutum Asia and the French brand Guy Laroche, said Tuesday aimed unlisted companies, European, preferably already in the Asian market.

We really think our strength is in Asia, and it is a growing market, said the CEO Shirley Chan.

Immediately after the announcement, the action group YGM  with a market capitalization reached $ 435 million (300.4 million euros)  has jumped from 9.3% to its highest since December.

YGM, which distributes mens suits, evening dresses and leather goods from a range of brands wanted to expand more aggressively in China in coming years.

According to analysts, YGM has ample cash to engage in acquisitions, or 54.85 million dollars last fiscal year, nearly double the previous year.

Last week, YGM has reported an annual profit increase of 42.4% for the fiscal year ended in late March, to 36 million. Buoyed by strong demand in China, its sales came out up 16.4%.

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Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images

Abu Dhabi and Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt CNN 

Egyptian activist and blogger Alaa Abd El-Fattah gives an interview at his home in Cairo on May 17, 2019.

For some political detainees in Egypt, a second nationality can be a matter of life or death, especially when pressure from Western governments becomes the last hope for possible freedom.

In Egypt, the plight of a prominent British-Egyptian activist currently on hunger strike in prison is the talk of the COP27 climate summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. The family of Alaa Abd El-Fattah has been working tirelessly to secure his release  and is hoping that his recently granted British passport will give him rights they say are denied to him as an Egyptian national.

While authorities claim that foreigners and nationals are treated equally before the law, critics say that a foreign  and particularly Western  nationality usually affords the holder stronger guarantees of rights and freedoms.

During a press conference held by the sister of Abd El-Fattah on Tuesday, two Egyptian men identifying themselves as a lawyer and a parliamentarian raised concerns about what they say are double standards exercised by his family, who hope that pressure from the British government might secure the activists release.

I am greatly concerned that whenever someone holds a foreign nationality, we ask for their release, said the man who identified himself as a lawyer, in Arabic. This is a double standard.

In response, Abd El-Fattahs sister Sanaa Seif said that the Egyptian regime is very aware that when it comes to dual nationalities, the standards change.

Gehad Hamy/picture-alliance/dpa/AP

08 November 2022, Egypt, Sharm El-Sheikh: Sanaa Seif, sister of Egyptian-British jailed activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah, who is on a hunger and water strike, speaks during a press conference on Alaa situation during the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 at the International Convention Center. Photo by: Gehad Hamdy/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

'We don't know if he's alive.' Sister of jailed British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah fears the worst.

Unfortunately, all Egyptians know that Egyptian citizenship makes you worth less, said Seif. And there is a way out for Alaa that does not require clemency.

Deport him to his other country of residence and let him face a fair trial over there, she said.

Following Seifs press conference on Wednesday, Egyptian pro-government lawyer Tarek Mahmoud said that he had filed a case against Seif with the public prosecutors, petitioning that she be charged with conspiring with foreign organizations that are hostile to the Egyptian government, resorting to foreign forces and inciting against the Egyptian state, as well as spreading false news.

Imprisoned for much of the past decade and sentenced to a further five years in 2021, Abd El-Fattah was granted British citizenship earlier this year, through his British-born mother, in what his family said was part of the campaign to secure his release and shed light on the struggle of his fellow inmates.

Abd El-Fattah was found guilty of spreading false information for sharing a Facebook post, a charge frequently used against activists and those of suspected of dissent. He stood trial in a state security court where his lawyers didnt have access to the case files.

Abd El-Fattah has been on a hunger strike for more than 200 days and on Sunday stopped drinking water.

He started the hunger strike to demand consular access as a British national and in protest over prison conditions.

On Thursday, another of Abd El-Fattahs sisters, Mona Seif, said that the family had been informed by the prison officers that medical intervention was taken with Alaa, with the knowledge of judicial entities. Mona Seif also demanded that his mother or a representative from the British embassy be allowed to see the activist to understand his real health status.

International pressure

Other political prisoners in Egypt have been able to secure their release using their dual nationalities, following strenuous campaigns by their supporters and strong international pressure. Such efforts often come after all legal options have been exhausted in the domestic courts.

Their success often depends on where the second nationality is held, says Hossam Bahgat, a prominent Egyptian human rights advocate and head of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR).

Leon Neal/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: A man holds signs and placards as he stands with supporters during a protest calling for his release at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office on October 18, 2022 in London, England. The Egyptian/British writer, blogger and pro-democracy activist has spent eight out of the last ten years in jail on a range of charges, including spreading false news and terrorism. He was an icon of the 2011 Arab Spring demonstrations and jailed in 2019 and has been on hunger strike for the last five years. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Hunger strike of jailed Egyptian-British activist may dominate the COP27 summit, Amnesty chief warns

If it is a European passport, it entitles an Egyptian citizen to better protection, more rights, and at least the possibility of deportation, none of which are rights guaranteed to an ordinary Egyptian, Bahgat told CNN.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday said that he had raised the case of Abd El-Fattah while attending COP27. We will continue to press the Egyptian government to resolve the situation, Sunak told the UK parliament.

In January, Egyptian-Palestinian activist Ramy Shaath was freed following more than 900 days in detention after he renounced his Egyptian nationality. His French wife, Celine Lebrun, had lobbied the French government for his release.

Upon arriving in Paris, Shaaths family released a statement saying that no one should have to choose between their freedom and their citizenship.

And in 2015, Egyptian-Canadian Al Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy, who was sentenced to three years in prison for reporting without a press license and broadcasting material harmful to Egypt, was given a presidential pardon only months after the Canadian government issued him a passport. Fahmy regained his Egyptian nationality in 2016, according to Egyptian state media, which reported that he was under exceptional pressure when he renounced his native nationality.

The option to resort to dual nationality in order to be released from detention goes as far back as Egypts 2014 law on foreign nationals. Pushed for by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Law 140 stipulates that the president is allowed to repatriate convicted foreigners to their home countries to either serve their time or stand trial through their own court systems.

Legal routes exhausted

The family of Abd El-Fattah, desperate to see him freed, has expressed openness to this law being used in his case.

Legal routes were exhausted for nine years, Sanaa Seif told reporters on Tuesday. There was a law issued, and it was issued specifically for these cases.

But there may be significant hurdles to clear. Speaking to CNNs Becky Anderson on Monday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that Abd El-Fattah has not applied to be recognized by the Egyptian government as being a British citizen.

His citizenship was conferred while he was serving his sentence and there is a procedure within our rules and regulations and laws for any Egyptian who acquires dual nationality to fulfill, Shoukry told CNN.

Not going through the proper legal channels risks opening a loophole for anyone to commit a crime and then claim dual nationality, said Shoukry.

Asked whether Abd El-Fattah could die while the British Prime Minister was in Egypt, and whether the activist would be given consular access, Shoukry said there were misconceptions with regards to his health status and insisted that the penal code in Egypt ensured proper healthcare for all inmates.

Bahgat, the human rights advocate, told CNN that bureaucratic obstacles had held up efforts by Abd El-Fattahs family to gain authorization from the Egyptian interior ministry for his second nationality.

This is a process that is granted very frequently, except in Alaas case, Bahgat said, which appears to have hit a more sensitive note with Egyptian authorities.

The only explanation his supporters have, Bahgat said, is that Abd El-Fattah was one of the most prominent and influential voices of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings.

The generation of the Arab Spring has been stuck paying the heavy price of this uprising for nine years now, Sanaa Seif told reporters on Tuesday.

It is a generation that has languished in prisons and in morgues, she said. Enough.
Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan left Beijing on Tuesday afternoon for trade talks with the United States.

Wang will co-chair the 23rd China-U.S. Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Washington with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank and trade representative Ron Kirk.

Established in 1983,tab super rugby odds nz the JCCT is a platform for China and the United States to promote trade relations and address issues of mutual concern.

The 22nd China-U.S. JCCT was held in Chinas southwestern city of Chengdu from Nov. 20 to 21, 2011.

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Irans defense minister, Ahmad Vahidi, says that Tehran has tested a new version of its Fateh 110 short-range missile. He claims the newer missile can hit enemy targets in neighboring countries, and targets at sea in the Persian Gulf. Lebanons Hezbollah reportedly has stockpiles of an earlier version of the missile.

The reported test of the Iranian short-range missile with a new guidance system was announced on government TV Saturday, accompanied by video of rockets being launched. It was impossible to verify if the rocket launch video is recent or from archives.

Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi described the upgraded missiles at a press conference, lauding his countrys technological prowess:

He stresses that the specificity of this missile is its ability to hit targets with precision. He also praises Irans talented scientists and home-grown defense industry.

Irans Fars News Agency reported that the new version of the Fateh 110 missile has a range of about 300 kilometers and can carry a 250 kilogram warhead. The short-range surface-to-surface Fateh missile uses solid fuel and has an improved guidance system to increase accuracy.

Defense Minister Vahidi said that the fourth-generation missile was designed to target and destroy land and sea targets, enemy command and control centers, as well as missile launch pads, weapons depots, radar bases etc.

The Israeli press reported that Lebanons Hezbollah militant group possesses a large stockpile of an earlier version of the Fateh 110 missile.

Analyst Alex Vatanka of the Middle East Institute notes that the upgraded short-range missile, along with a host of other recent Iranian military developments, is intended to dissuade potential enemies from attacking:

These military-related steps, war games, launching of new missiles, are meant to act as a deterrent, both against the United States and the West in general, but also towards Irans immediate Arab neighbors, he said.

Vatanka argues that Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, does not appear to take the prospect of an outside attack on his country seriously, nor is he extremely worried about the prospect of new sanctions. The [ongoing] process of brinkmanship, he says, [prompts] Iran to flex its military muscle on a periodic basis, and Im sure it will continue.

The West suspects Iran wants to build nuclear weapons although Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. However Iranian officials have in the past threatened to wipe Israel off the face of the earth.

The former head of Israels Mossad spy agency told the New York Times several days ago that if he were Iranian, he would be fearful of the next 12 weeks, alluding to a possible attack on Tehrans nuclear facilities.

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China has lashed out at the United States for remarks by a U.S. official blaming Chinas restrictive policies in Tibet for a rise in self-immolation protests.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Friday called the remarks disgusting and said the Tibet issue has nothing to do with human rights,bet betting tips offline poker app ethnicity or religion.

Hong repeated Chinas position that Tibets spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and his supporters are inciting the immolations allegedly to press for lifting Chinas control over Tibet.

Earlier this week, U.S. Undersecretary of State Maria Otero expressed concern about the self-immolations and urged China to let Tibetans express their grievances freely. She said China has responded to the protests with measures that tighten strict controls on Tibetans on freedoms of religion, expression and assembly.

In other news, a Chinese Communist Party newspaper is reporting that China is enforcing a new law aimed at curbing self-immolation by prosecuting those who burn themselves in public places.

The Global Times says authorities also will arrest people who gather to watch the immolations without trying to stop them, or who parade a corpse through the streets.

According to the newspaper, the law stipulates that to incite and help others commit self-immolation is a criminal act depriving people of their lives.

There has been a recent spike in immolations in Tibetan areas of China.

At least 92 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in western China since 2009, with 28 cases reported in November alone. The acceleration has coincided with several anti-China rallies and a corresponding security crackdown.

From his exile home in India, the Dalai Lama has denied any involvement in the immolations. He has said repeatedly he is not pushing for Tibetan independence, but for greater autonomy.

China views Tibet as a non-negotiable part of its territory.

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NANNING,40 super hot slot game Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- When Gill Toh first came to China to pursue his flute dream, the Malaysian man had never expected that his dream could take root in China.

On the stage, Toh, 36, is a Chinese bamboo flute performer. Offstage, he is a teacher of Chinese bamboo flute at Guangxi Arts University.

Toh's love for the Chinese bamboo flute began in elementary school when his elder brother joined the Chinese orchestra in middle school to learn to play the musical instrument. "The clear sound of the bamboo flute guided me onto the road of flute learning," he said.

As he got older, Toh went to Singapore for further study. "Back then, I thought it would be a path with few travelers, like a concert without fellow musicians," he said.

According to Toh, there were few professional Chinese bamboo flute teachers in Malaysia, and the environment for cultivating bamboo flute players was limited.

In 2005, Toh made a bold decision. He applied for retention of his admission qualifications to the university he was already enrolled in, and set off for Beijing. "I decided to apply for the Central Conservatory of Music," he said. A new chapter of his life thus began.

"The masters that I once saw from videos stood right in front of me," Toh said, adding that studying in China has broadened his horizon, enlightened him with a new level of performance, and encouraged him to keep going on.

After getting his bachelor's degree, Toh started to teach Chinese bamboo flute in Malaysia and Singapore. "It felt that I could see the end of the life at a glance," he recalled. His desire to improve his performance skills and his yearning for knowledge drove him back to the Central Conservatory of Music for postgraduate studies.

Toh had planned to return to Malaysia after graduation, but upon graduation, Guangxi Arts University offered him a job. "At that time, it was rare for Chinese universities to hire foreigners as folk music teachers. The job offer gave me a chance to stay in China," he said.

"Guangxi and ASEAN countries are geographically close and culturally connected. The university also has many students from ASEAN," he said.

Since 2012, the China-ASEAN Music Festival, sponsored by Guangxi Arts University, has been held. Over the past decade, there were shows of operas, symphonies and orchestras, as well as ASEAN folk songs and dances. "I can feel the charm of cultural openness and communication," Toh said.

During his stay in China, he has also joined teams and performed in countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, and Cambodia. "We tried to combine Chinese bamboo flute and local musical instruments in an ensemble," Toh said. "Communication and innovation promoted the development of diverse art culture and enriched the cultural connotation and layers of art."

In recent years, Toh would return to Malaysia during holidays to promote the art of Chinese bamboo flute. "When I was young, I was a flute performer on the stage. Years later, I have the opportunity to pass on my experience to children who share the same love for bamboo flute," he said.

Having been in China for more than a decade, Toh's love for the country has long been rooted in his heart, and he is looking forward to the prosperity and development of cultural industries in China.

"China's opening up has given me great opportunities in my career, and I love my current work and life here," Toh said, hoping that in the future, more young people from ASEAN countries will seize the opportunities of China's opening up and realize their self-value in China. 
Chicago corn, wheat and soybeans futures all rose in trading on Wednesday, as the continued hot and dry weather conditions supported the grains.

The most active corn contract for December delivery rose 16 cents, or 2 percent, to close at 8.165 U.S. dollars per bushel. September wheat gained 10.25 cents, or 1.15 percent, to settle at 8.9925 dollars per bushel. November soybeans rose 15.5 cents, or 0. 99 percent, to close at 15.8125 dollars per bushel.

Agricultural commodities reversed their losses from the previous session, and all closed moderately higher on Wednesday, as particular strength in the corn market helped boost trading in other crops.

Corn posted a new high at the close, as traders continued to worry about heavy crop losses due to U.S. drought conditions. Fridays U.S. Department of Agriculture report will show the latest projected crop yields, and some traders fear the corn crop yield could be as low as 127 bushels an acre.

Soybeans also saw some support from weather concerns, as early August is a crucial period for the crop to set its pods. Insufficient rainfall could push the soybean crop quality down to new lows, and with temperatures as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit predicted for parts of the U.S. Midwest next week, soybeans broke a two-session losing streak and rose on the session.

Wheat also gained from the recent weather conditions. Traders believe the high corn prices are driving farmers away from using corn as a feeder crop, which will make wheat a substitute. Ideas of this increased demand pushed wheat to close just short of nine dollars a bushel.

Wheat also continued to see support from hot and dry weather conditions in the Black Sea region and Australia, which would boost demand for the U.S. crop.

Xinhua

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Thebonanza 777 slots Thailand-based Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) has bought HSBCs shares in Pingan Insurance Co., replacing the latter as the insurers largest stock holder.

The China Insurance Regulatory Commission on Friday gave the go ahead for CP Group to buy all of HSBCs stakes in Pingan, or 15.57 percent of stock in the countrys second-largest insurer.

The deal worth 72.74 billion HK dollars (9.39 billion U.S. dollars) is expected to be completed on Feb. 6, according to the Shanghai Securities News.

The stocks of Pingan closed higher on Friday after the news, with its A-shares up 5.29 percent and H-shares up 1.87 percent.

HSBC said in a statement on Dec. 5 that HSBC Insurance Holdings and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, two indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of HSBC Holdings plc, would sell their entire shareholdings in Pingan Insurance Co. to CP Group at 59 HK dollars per share.

HSBC Chief Executive Stuart Gulliver said in the statement that HSBC would put more focus on its core business.

Led by board chairman Dhanin Chearavanont, CP Group is a multinational conglomerate with major business in agriculture.

HSBC began to hold stakes in Pingan in 2002 and has increased its shares several times since then.

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Wang Zhen,agen bandar ceme dca crypto reddit the deputy director of the Shanghai Mental Health Center, shares his research results with his colleagues.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Award-winning psychiatrist is spearheading efforts to develop the sector, Xu Xiaomin reports in Shanghai.

To many people, obsessive-compulsive disorder might seem like a relatively harmless condition characterized by the unusual need for cleanliness and orderliness, but such misconceptions cannot be further from the truth.

In fact, some people with OCD never display such inclinations. Rather, the disorder manifests itself in other ways, such as an irrational fear of contracting an illness or harming through violent means. Such obsessions and compulsions can become so time-consuming and distressing that they cause immense stress to an individual.

In China, OCD affects around 1.5 percent of the population, but the impact of this condition has been profound-an investigation in 2019 revealed that OCD results in 33 billion yuan ($4.78 billion) in economic losses every year.

Wang Zhen, the deputy director of the Shanghai Mental Health Center, knows this all too well. For the last 20 years, he has dedicated much of his time and effort toward a better understanding of this condition that has been labeled "the cancer of mental diseases" by the medical community concerning the long-term prognosis, low rate of full recovery and unknown definitive cause of this mental health condition.

Over the past few years, Wang, who also specializes in research into anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder, has been focused on researching clinical studies of treatment technique instead of pathogeny theories.

This shift in focus, he says, was partly due to one patient he saw in 2014.

The patient, who was from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, started a conversation by saying that Wang's clinic would be his last stop as he had experienced little to no improvement in his condition after visiting numerous medical establishments in the country.

"As a psychiatrist, I knew that when he mentioned the words 'last stop', it was likely he would never visit a doctor again and might even give up on life should things fail again," says Wang.

His team's research on treatment techniques has also led to the development of a new solution-an enhanced form of deep brain stimulation surgery for treatment-refractory OCD patients.

Unlike the conventional DBS procedure now practiced in other countries which involves using one electrode to stimulate one location in the brain to regulate abnormal impulses, Wang believes his clinical trial through simultaneously stimulating two locations with one electrode could be more effective.

"We are in the process of clinical trials at present. If we succeed, this will be an exciting step forward that could rewrite the guidelines for the treatment of OCD," he says.

"I derive much happiness from research not just because of the breakthroughs it may bring, but because important findings can bring less pain to people. This is the charm of scientific research."

For his relentless efforts in this field, Wang has been awarded by the city government several times. He is also the recipient of a national award for his outstanding efforts during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, Hubei province, in 2020.

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Themid ohio slot machines Chinese search giant may use the Open Source Android to compete in the largest domestic market in the world. Baidu, the search leader in China, seems motivated to roll out its own mobile operating system, Qiushi, from the latest version of the AOSP (Android Open Source Project). This competition could break the ambitions of Google and Apple in Chinese mobile market.

Baidu understands that the battle for advertising plays in mobility. Since last July, it has already released a keyboard, a mobile reader, a browser or a mapping service, all compatible Android and Symbian.

Qiushi, more than OS, is primarily the name of an advertising agency dedicated to mobile, as the Google AdMob or Apple iAd. Clearly, Baidu adopt a similar strategy to that of Google, based on its conceptual and software efforts.

According Ren Xuyang, vice president of Baidu, the company intends to play a key role in the mobile Internet space, in partnership with operators, content producers, vendors and software developers to push the development of the industry.

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Ten people were killed and two others injured when a van crashed into a truck Sunday afternoon in southwest Chinas Sichuan Province,about block chain local authorities said.

The van, with 12 people on board, hit the truck at around 1:30 p.m. on the Hurong Expressway in the city of Guangan, said officials with the Sichuan Provincial Administration of Work Safety. The expressway connects Shanghai Municipality in the east coast with the city of Chengdu in southwest China.

The injured people have been sent to hospital, officials said.

Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

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China added 123 temporary trains to cope with an increase in rail traffic on Monday as the week-long Chinese Spring Festival holiday enters its third day,william hill free bet no deposit according to railway authorities.

It is estimated that travellers will make 4.07 million train trips on Monday, up from 2.37 million on Sunday, the day of the Chinese Spring Festival, the Ministry of Railways said in a statement on its website.

On Sunday, 4,193 trains were employed, including 109 temporary trains, with the Beijing and Shanghai railway bureaus registering 222,000 and 504,000 passenger trips, respectively, the ministry said.

Spring Festival, an important occasion for Chinese family reunions, marks the worlds largest annual human migration. This years peak travel season kicked off on Jan. 26 and will last until March 6.

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Chicken salad in cooked oil,best poker starting hands chart a well-known dish in Sichuan province, has attracted countless foreign tourists for its mouthwatering spicy flavor.

Jordan from Canada, who fell in love with the city of Chengdu because of the famed dish, decided to stay in Chengdu to provide a vital link between foreign friends and the people in Sichuan.

Video provided by Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism

Related: Spicy Sichuan: Italian chef and mapo tofu
Shiyan-13 satellite is launched on January 17, 2022 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in North Chinas Shanxi province. Photo: Xinhua

Staff at the Xi'an Satellite Control Center successfully launched a new satellite, China's first in 2022, refuting doubts over the Chinese aerospace industry's 2022 schedule amid outbreaks of COVID-19 throughout the country.China launched a new satellite on Monday from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in North China's Shanxi province. The Shiyan-13 satellite was launched by a Long March-2D rocket at 10:35 am, local time, and entered the planned orbit.In China's first launch this year, the satellite developing teams could not go to Xi'an to complete the launch together with staff at the Xi'an satellite control center."According to the normal procedure, the satellite developing teams would come to Xi'an about two weeks before the launch to make preparations with staff at the Xi'an center. They will stay until the satellite enters working orbit and starts operations," Wei Jun, senior engineer at the Xi'an center and leader of the control team of Monday's launch, told the Global Times.However, Xi'an is still under lockdown due to the epidemic and all public transportation connecting the city with the outside has been suspended. For this reason, the satellite developers could not enter the city on this occasion.This is the first time this has happened in decades, a staff at the Xi'an center who wished to remain anonymous, told the Global Times .To guarantee a successful launch, Wei and his colleagues checked a list of 32 potential problems during blastoff and dealt with them one by one.The staff in Xi'an also built a special network with developers to secure safe data transmission, according to Zhang Hanyong, network engineer at the Xi'an center.China eyes 40-plus launches in 2022, which will include six major flights to the space station, two cargo ships, two manned ships and two experimental modules, according to the state-owned space giant, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.The six major lunches to the space station will determine whether China can finish the construction of its space station by the end of the year as planned.The latest outbreaks of COVID-19 across China have triggered doubts over the schedule but the success of Monday's launch broke them.
BEIJING,double down casino coupon codes Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Under global gaze, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, had on Monday a candid and in-depth exchange of views on a wide range of issues concerning bilateral ties and global priorities in their meeting ahead of the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia's resort island of Bali.

The high-profile talks came at a time when the China-U.S. relationship has arrived at a critical juncture. The past years have seen bilateral relations at a low ebb since the establishment of diplomatic ties: the reality of their interdependence has been ignored; the successful practice of bilateral win-win cooperation misrepresented; and channels of dialogue and communication blocked. For such setbacks Washington should take the blame.

The Bali meeting, the first vis-a-vis sit-down between the two heads of state since Biden assumed the U.S. presidency, has provided an important opportunity for the two sides to jointly steer the deeply-troubled bilateral relationship out of the current predicament.

History is the best textbook. The past 50 years of exchanges between China and the United States have testified to the fact that the two gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. And the world as a whole has largely profited from stable and healthy China-U.S. ties.

Take bilateral trade, which has brought immense benefits to both sides over the decades. Even under the mixed impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and additional U.S. tariffs on Chinese exports, two-way trade topped 750 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, and two-way investment reached 240 billion dollars. That speaks volumes for the resilience of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

On the world stage, the two countries have once joined hands to push for the ratification of the Paris climate deal, worked together in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial tsunami, and jointly tackled the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Today, China and the United States share more, not less, common interests. And their relationship is of even greater significance for the world. Global recovery from the pandemic-induced recession can hardly be achieved without the synergy between the world's top two economies. Safeguarding a peaceful and healthy planet for future generations also requires joint efforts from the two.

However, as Xi told Biden at Monday's meeting, the current state of China-U.S. relations is not in the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and is not what the international community expects.

China and the United States need to have a sense of responsibility for history, for the world and for the people, explore the right way to get along with each other in the new era, put the relationship on the right course, and bring it back to the track of healthy and stable growth to the benefit of the two countries and the world as a whole, Xi said.

To this end, Washington should join Beijing in moving towards the same direction.

For starters, Washington must bear in mind that the one-China principle is non-negotiable. The Taiwan question is at the heart of China's core interests. Washington has promised to follow the one-China policy, yet it has repeatedly and purposely challenged Beijing's first red line. Its dangerous provocations are eroding the bedrock of the political foundation of bilateral ties.

Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese and China's internal affair. The U.S. side must match its words with action, stop playing the Taiwan card and making further provocations, and abide by the one-China policy and the three China-U.S. joint communiques.

Besides, the United States must respect China's development path. These days a group of China hawks in the United States have been framing a false narrative of "democracy versus authoritarianism." They scheme to stir up ideological confrontation between the two countries and hostilities between the two peoples.

There is always competition in the world, but competition should be about learning from each other to become one's better self and make progress together, not about taking others down in a zero-sum game. Thus it is imperative for Washington to recognize and respect differences between the two countries, and do not let such differences become an obstacle to growing China-U.S. relations.

Moreover, Washington should drop its misconceptions about China's development. China-U.S. relations should not be a zero-sum game where one side out-competes or thrives at the expense of the other. Also, China's advancement or American's progress stands to present opportunities, rather than pose challenges, for each other.

Just as Xi urged at the meeting, the two sides should respect each other, coexist in peace, pursue win-win cooperation, and work together to ensure that China-U.S. relations move forward on the right course without losing direction or speed, still less having a collision.

It is also hoped that Washington will honor its commitments with concrete action instead of talking in one way and acting in another, work with Beijing to promptly follow up and implement the important common understandings reached during the meeting, maintain dialogue and communication, manage differences and disagreements, and promote exchanges and cooperation, so as to bring bilateral relations back on the track of healthy and stable growth to the benefit of the two countries and the world as a whole. 
Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) CY Leung Wednesday extended welcome to the new director of the Liaison Office of the Central Peoples Government in the HKSAR.

On the State Councils appointment Zhang Xiaoming as the director of the Liaison Office in place of Peng Qinghua,4kingslots casino Leung said in a statement that under the leadership of Peng, the Liaison Office has actively cooperated with the HKSAR government and supported its work in accordance with the Basic Law.

He said that the Liaison Office has spared no effort in building a closer relationship between the Mainland and Hong Kong and exploring cooperation opportunities for the two places.

On behalf of the HKSAR government and the people of Hong Kong, I express my sincere thanks to Mr. Peng for his significant contribution to Hong Kongs prosperity and stability, said Leung. I wish Peng every success in his new post. I also wish him good health and happiness.

He added, the HKSAR government and I would like to extend a warm welcome to Mr. Zhang Xiaoming on his assumption of the new post.

Zhang has been engaged in Hong Kong and Macao affairs for a long time and is very familiar with the situation in Hong Kong, he noted.

I believe that under the leadership of Mr. Zhang, the Liaison Office can further promote exchanges and communication between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The Liaison Office will also continue to support the work of the HKSAR government in accordance with the Basic Law and the One Country, Two Systems principle, to help maintain and contribute to Hong Kongs prosperity and stability, said Leung.

Xinhua

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Chinas drug safety watchdog has ordered traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) maker Yunnan Baiyao to boost awareness of one of its drugs side effects and remind patients to use it properly.

Yunnan Baiyao manufactures a drug of the same name that is mega cash slot crypto dice faucetused to treat open wounds and muscle pain. The composition of the drug is under state-level protection.

The Department of Health of the Hong Kong special administrative region on Tuesday recalled the drug after finding that it contained an undeclared amount of aconitum alkaloids.

Aconitum alkaloids can be toxic. If ingested improperly, they can cause numbness of the mouth and limbs, nausea, vomiting and peripheral weakness, and even lead to life-threatening conditions like breathing difficulties and cardiac arrhythmia, according to the department.

An official from the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) said Wednesday that the administration has followed related cases concerning the drugs safety.

The SFDA also ordered the drug maker to warn patients that they should not use the drug without authorization, increase their dosage or prolong the duration of use, the official said.

Yunnan Baiyao responded in a Wednesday statement, saying that through special production processes and techniques, the toxicity of the aconitum alkaloids contained in the drug can be removed or alleviated.

According to statistics from Yunnan Baiyao, the company detected a total of 28 adverse reactions to its product between 2010 and 2012, mostly skin allergies and itching. No serious adverse drug reactions were found.

Xinhua

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More than 120,000 foreigners have subscribed to Chinas social security system so far, Hu Xiaoyi, Chinas vice minister of human resources and social security, said Monday.

Hu said at a press conference that local governments have been actively promoting the work since China offered to cover foreign employees by its social safety net last year.

The social insurance scheme that took effect Oct. 15 last year allows foreigners with work permits in China to receive the same retirement, unemployment, medical, work injury and maternity benefits as Chinese citizens.

The ministry has maintained communication with foreign organizations and enterprises in China to solve problems in the detailed implementation of the scheme, he said.

The ministry is also negotiating with 13 countries and regions on bilateral social insurance agreements, Hu added.

There are more than 200,000 foreigners with work permits living in China, according to the ministry.

Xinhua

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Gleb Garanich/Reuters

CNN 

A destroyed Russian tank is seen as Ukrainian serviceman rides a tractor and tows a Russian military vehicle near the village of Dolyna, Ukraine, on September 23, 2022.

A Zambian student, jailed in Russia was killed during a battle in Ukraine, Zambias foreign ministry said Monday.

The student was a 23-year-old student the Zambian government had sponsored to study nuclear engineering at the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute.

The man was identified as Lemekhani Nathan Nyirenda by Zambias Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo in a statement.

Google Earth, Getty Images, Reuters

Russia dangles freedom to prisoners if they fight in Ukraine. Many are taking the deadly gamble.

Nyirenda was convicted in 2020 of unspecified crimes in Russia and sent to prison for nine years and six months. He was serving his sentence at the Tyer Medium Security Prison on the outskirts of Moscow, according to the statement.

The Zambian foreign ministry said it was informed of his death on 9th November, 2022 at the battlefront of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The ministry said it had urgent questions for Moscow about how the Zambian ended up fighting for Moscow.

In view of this very sad development, the Zambian Government has requested the Russian authorities to urgently provide information on the circumstances under which a Zambian citizen, serving a prison sentence in Moscow, could have been recruited to fight in Ukraine and subsequently lose his life.

In August, a CNN investigation discovered Russia was recruiting prisoners into its military in exchange for their freedom.

WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Refugees from many diffrent countries - from Africa, Middle East and India - mostly students of Ukrainian universities are seen at the Medyka pedestrian border crossing fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, in eastern Poland on February 27, 2022.

Foreign students fleeing Ukraine say they face segregation, racism at border

Hundreds of inmates were believed to be approached in Russian jails as Moscow raced to bolster its troops, which has suffered heavy casualties since the war began.

It remains unclear how many Africans have been enlisted into the Russian army since its months-long invasion of Ukraine.

The ministry says the remains of the man were transported to the Russian town of Rostov-on-Don to be repatriated to Zambia.

CNN has contacted the Zambian foreign ministry for more information.

Thousands of Africans, mostly students fled the attack by Russian troops as they marched into Ukraine in February.

However many foreign students reported facing segregation and racism at borders. Many of the fleeing students were later evacuated to their various countries by their governments.
SHARM EL-SHEIKH,sbo slot 333 hours of Egypt, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israel looks forward to deepening its cooperation with China in climate innovation, Israel's special envoy for climate change has said.

"We are seeking to strengthen cooperation in climate innovation between Israel and China as both countries can benefit a lot," Gideon Behar, Israel's special envoy for climate change and sustainability, told Xinhua at the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change being held in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

He said climate cooperation provides "a huge economic opportunity" and helps uncover new ways, technologies and ideas to mitigate climate impacts and achieve an energy transition.

Behar noted the existing cooperation between Israel and China in water and agriculture.

"We want to extend this cooperation to other areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart mobility, energy storage, and other energy fields," he said.

Regarding Israel's participation in the meeting, he said the Israeli pavilion "showcases practical solutions to the climate crisis, and we believe that only through collaboration (can) we make ourselves more resilient to climate change."

Behar said Israel has been sharing its experiences dealing with climate change with other countries for years.

"We have our international aid agency that works, for instance, in Africa for more than 60 years in aiding and transferring technologies," he added.

The official said Israel supports the Egyptian stance on climate change, conveyed by the slogan for the meeting -- "together for implementation."

The COP27 opened on Nov. 6 in Sharm El-Sheikh in hopes of turning global climate finance pledges into action. During the two-week conference, more than 40,000 participants from over 190 countries and dozens of international and regional organizations will seek possible solutions to one of the biggest global challenges. 
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Editors Note: A version of this story appeared in CNNs Meanwhile in China newsletter, a three-times-a-week update exploring what you need to know about the countrys rise and how it impacts the world. Sign up here.

Hong Kong CNN 

It was a crowning moment for Xi Jinping when he stepped onto a red-carpet stage on Sunday to begin his norm-shattering third term as Chinas supreme leader.

Xi, 69, has emerged from the ruling Communist Partys five-yearly congress with more power than ever, stacking his partys top tiers with longtime proteges and staunch allies.

That loyal inner circle has not only strengthened Xis hold on power  but also tightened his grip over Chinas future. To an extent unseen in decades, the countrys trajectory is shaped by the vision and ambition of one man, with minimal room for discord or recalibration at the partys apex of power.

In the eyes of Xi, China is closer than ever to achieving its dream of national rejuvenation and reclaiming its rightful place in the world. But the path ahead is also beset with high winds, choppy waters, or even dangerous storms  a dark warning Xi made at both the start and the end of the week-long congress.

The growing challenges have stemmed from a grim and complex international situation, with external attempts to suppress and contain China threatening to escalate at any time, according to Xis work report to the congress.

Observers say Xis answer to that darkening outlook is to intensify the fierce defense of Chinas national interests and security against all perceived threats.

Xi is likely to tightly control and be involved in all major foreign policy decisions. His packing of the top Chinese leadership with loyalists will allow him to better control and exert influence, said Bonny Lin, director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) China Power Project.

What he decides to do  and how he goes about doing it  will have a profound impact on the world.

China and the West

Xi steps into his next era in power facing a significantly different landscape to his previous two terms. The relationship between China and the West has changed dramatically with US-China relations cratering over a trade and tech war, frictions over Taiwan, Covid-19, Beijings human rights record and its refusal to condemn Russias war in Ukraine.

Xis work report, a five-yearly action plan delivered during the congress, pointed to drastic changes on the international landscape, including external attempts to blackmail, contain, blockade, and exert maximum pressure on China  terms often used by Chinese diplomats to decry US actions.

Tingshu Wang/Reuters

The new Politburo Standing Committee members assemble in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

It is clear that Xi sees China having entered a period primarily of struggle in the international arena rather than a period of opportunity, said Andrew Small, author of No Limits: The Inside Story of Chinas War with the West.

An expectation that ties will deteriorate further is resulting in a China that is far more openly engaged in systemic rivalry with the West  greater assertiveness, more overtly ideologically hostile positions, more efforts to build counter-coalitions of its own, and a bigger push to shore up Chinas position in the developing world, he said.

These pressures are also likely to impact Beijings close relationship with Moscow. While China has sought to appear as a neutral actor in the war in Ukraine, it has refused to condemn Russias invasion and instead blamed the West for the conflict  a dynamic that also may be unlikely to change.

(Xi) already seems to have written off many of the costs that result from (that relationship) for Chinas relations with the West, and Europe in particular, Small said.

Threat posed to Taiwan

At the opening of the congress on October 16, Xi won the loudest and longest ovation from the nearly 2,300 handpicked delegates inside Beijings Great Hall of the People when he vowed to reunify the mainland with Taiwan  a self-governing democracy Beijing claims as its own, despite having never controlled it.

Video Ad Feedback Hear the grim warning that got Xi Jinping a roaring applause during speech 03:00 - Source: CNN

China would strive for peaceful reunification, Xi said, before giving a grim warning that Beijing would never promise to renounce the use of force.

The wheels of history are rolling on towards Chinas reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Complete reunification of our country must be realized, Xi told the congress to thundering applause.

Under Xi, Beijing has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan, sending warplanes and conducting military drills near the island. Following Chinas tacit support for Russias invasion of Ukraine, concerns have only grown over Beijings plans for Taiwan.

Li Bingyu/AP

Chinese warplanes conduct exercises close to Taiwan in August 2022.

Lin at CSIS said Xis work report does not reveal any major change in Beijings policy toward Taiwan, but the leadership reshuffle in the Chinese military could provide clues about his desire to make more progress on unification with the island.

He Weidong, former commander of the Peoples Liberation Armys Eastern Theater Command, which oversees the Taiwan Strait, was unexpectedly promoted to vice chairman of the Central Military Commission  despite having never served on the body before.

Video Ad Feedback See why China's threat to Taiwan is 'huge and immediate' 05:05 - Source: CNN

This suggests Xi is taking very seriously the possibility of a military crisis or conflict and wants to ensure that the PLA is ready, Lin said. I do not believe Xi is set on using significant force against Taiwan, but he is taking steps to prepare to do so.

Xis work report also outlined an ambition for China to become more adept at deploying its military forces on a regular basis, and in diversified ways, to enable it to win local wars.

Xi evidently wants the PLA to be capable of winning a war to seize control of Taiwan if he chooses to do that, whether or not his calculations are that this is actually a risk worth taking. That is always the top priority, said Small, who is also a senior transatlantic fellow with the German Marshall Fund think tank.

Small pointed to a number of risk junctures for an escalation in the Taiwan Strait in the coming years, including the islands next presidential election in 2024.

The fact remains, though, that the PLA has not been seriously battle tested in decades, and one of the issues in the period ahead will be whether they can effectively prepare themselves for this, he said.

The economy

Speaking in a televised address on Sunday after announcing his new leadership team  the partys Politburo Standing Committee  Xi pledged that Chinas door to the world would only get wider and the countrys development would itself create more opportunities for the world.

China cannot develop in isolation from the world, and the world also needs China for its development, he said.

Video Ad Feedback China's once vibrant private sector suffocating under Xi's crackdown 03:20 - Source: CNN

But China today is more physically closed off than its been in decades. Xi continues to back a costly zero-Covid policy that keeps borders heavily restricted and regularly sends its cities into lockdown  dragging down Chinas economic growth.

Xis pledge also seems to have done little to assure investors. On Monday, the Hong Kong stock market  where many of Chinas biggest companies are listed  had its worst day since the 2008 global financial crisis. Alibaba and Tencent, Chinas two leading tech giants, both plummeted more than 11%, wiping out a combined $54 billion in their market caps.

The stakes are high for how the worlds second-largest economy navigates these challenges, especially at a moment where the risk of global economic recession looms.

Xis apparent interest in integrating domestic and international security could translate to policies like sanctions against foreign companies, (and) more red tape when there is foreign investment in Chinese technology companies, according to Victor Shih, an expert on elite Chinese politics at the University of California San Diego.

And while Xi has said that furthering Chinas international standing and influence, including by backing global development, is among his main objectives for the next five years, Beijing may no longer be able to rely on the same level of economic engagement to do so in a more divided world.
Wu Chien-shiung and her husband C.L. Yuan (center) visit a laboratory at Nanjing University,acropora hyacinthus accompanied by Feng Duan (second from right), academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. [Photo/China Daily]

Anniversary marks birth and celebrates achievements of physicist who was 'forever a Chinese', Yang Yang reports.

At the end of May, events were held both online and offline in Nanjing and Taicang, Jiangsu province, to honor the 110th anniversary of the birth of nuclear physicist Wu Chien-shiung. In mid-September, a global online symposium will be held also to mark this anniversary.

Compared with physicists such as Marie Curie or Richard Feynman, Wu is not a household name in China, where she was born and grew up, or in the United States, where she spent most of her life, but she was one of the most influential nuclear physicists of the 20th century, one that "radically" changed human's view of the universe.

Wu was born on May 31, 1912, in Liuhe town, Taicang, where the Yangtze River flows into the East Sea. It was a time when the feudal system in China, which spanned more than 2,000 years, came to an end and new thoughts rushed in as people sought to find ways to rejuvenate the country.

Wu's father, Wu Zhongyi, received a modern education in Shanghai, and in 1913, founded the first school for girls in Taicang. He aimed to break the old sexist advocacy that it was women's virtue to have no talents. Now, the school has become Mingde Senior Middle School.

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CNN 

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It is a moment that for many observers has come to define strongman leader Xi Jinpings tightening grip on China: his visibly frail predecessor, Hu Jintao, being escorted out of a key Communist Party meeting during a five-yearly leadership reshuffle  apparently at Xis behest.

Images of two men ushering the 79-year-old from his seat and toward the exit were beamed across the world as the partys National Congress came to a close Saturday, leading to days of speculation over whether Hu was the victim of a deliberately public power play.

This week, those rumors have only grown  despite a claim by Chinese state media on Twitter that Hu left due to ill-health  and the intrigue is likely to grow further still with the release of footage showing the 90 seconds leading up to his sudden removal.

Tingshu Wang/Reuters

Former Chinese leader Hu Jintao leaves his seat next to leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, during the closing ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China on Saturday.

Former Chinese leader Hu Jintao unexpectedly led out of room as Party Congress comes to a close

The footage, released by Singapore broadcaster CNA on Tuesday, shows a series of high-level exchanges between senior party leaders, in which Hu is repeatedly prevented from looking at official documents in front of him.

It shows Li Zhanshu, the partys outgoing number-three official, who is sitting next to Hu at the front table on stage, take the documents from Hus hand and place them under a red folder. When Hu then reaches for the documents, Li pulls them away.

Xi, who is sat on Hus other side, glances at the exchanges and summons a senior aide to whom he speaks briefly. Moments later, a second aide hurries over, receives an instruction from Xi, then speaks to an apparently nonplussed Hu.

As per the footage that circulated on Saturday, Hu  who appears reluctant to leave  is then lifted from his chair, taken by the arm and escorted out.

Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

China's former leader Hu Jintao is lifted from his chair by a young aide at the closing of the Communist Party Congress on Saturday.

None of the footage  either that released on Saturday or Tuesday  has been broadcast in China. Neither has the incident been reported in Chinese language media, or discussed on Chinese social media, where conversations around senior leaders are highly restricted.

Late on Saturday night, Chinas official Xinhua news agency tweeted in English that Hu insisted on attending the closing ceremony despite his poor health and was escorted out after feeling unwell. However, within China, where Twitter is blocked, the incident was not mentioned.

On Weibo, censors even restricted the search results for vague keywords such as escorted away or leaving the meeting, in an apparent effort to prevent users from making veiled references to the incident, according to Eric Liu, a censorship analyst with China Digital Times.

Tuesdays footage has fueled fervent speculation about what was in the document and why Hu was not allowed to see it  and left observers divided over what sparked his exit.

Some maintain it was likely due to Hus poor health or mental state  after retiring in 2013, he has been seen in public looking increasingly frail. Others suggest it could be a deliberate power play by Xi to show his unrivaled authority.

Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Symbol of a new era

Former Chinese leader Hu Jintao is taken by the arm and escorted out.

Like many unexplained episodes in the black box of elite Chinese politics, the true reason behind Hus unexpected departure may never be known. But experts say the symbolism  unintended or otherwise  is hard to miss: Having eradicated any vestige of influence from party elders or rival factions, Xi has ushered in a new era of one-man rule surrounded by only staunch loyalists.

Meanwhile, gone with Hu are the many hallmarks that had defined his decade in power during which he presided over a period of double-digit economic growth and comparative openness.

Hu also relinquished both his party and military posts when he retired in 2012 after two terms in power  earning him praise from Xi for his broad mind and noble character.

Video Ad Feedback Xi's broken almost all norms: CNN Beijing Bureau Chief reacts to China's new leadership 03:02 - Source: CNN

While Hu was never as powerful as Xi is now  owing in part to the model of collective leadership and the balancing influence of multiple party factions and elders, including his predecessor Jiang Zemin  he was associated with a faction connected to the Communist Youth League, a once powerful grouping whose influence has diminished considerably during Xis rule.

Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London, said the latest footage suggests Hus dramatic exit was likely not planned.

For whatever reasons, Xi ordered Hu to be escorted out when he must have thought that Hu might not behave exactly as Xi would have wanted, he said.

Ju Peng/Xinhua via Getty Images

Xi Jinping and China's top Communist Party leaders attend the closing session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party in Beijing on October 22, 2022.

Xi Jinping enters third term as China's most powerful leader in decades surrounded by loyalists

The new video has been interpreted by some as a sign of Hus supposed displeasure with the outcome of the Congress, which saw Xi consolidate his power by stacking the new leadership team with his loyal allies and proteges.

Premier Li Keqiang and Wang Yang, head of Chinas top advisory body, both retired from the partys supreme Politburo Standing Committee, despite being one year below the unofficial retirement age of 68. Both Li and Wang are seen as closer to Hus sphere of influence.

In an even more surprising revelation on Sunday, Vice Premier Hu Chunhua, another protege of the elder Hu (the two are not related), was dropped from the new 24-member Politburo. Once seen as a rising star being groomed for the top leadership, Hu Chunhuas political future has dimmed under Xi.

But Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist at the Australian National University, said a planned public purge at the closing of the congress was unlikely, given the partys emphasis on unity.

Video Ad Feedback China's leader is set for a third term. One expert weighs in on what to expect 09:27 - Source: CNN

The Chinese Communist Party prizes the image of unity and control, and more so than ever during the Xi era, said Sung.

If Xi had wanted to purge Hu to prevent the former leader from raising objections in public, he would have done so before foreign press were allowed into the auditorium, Sung said.

A high-profile purge of Hu at a critical juncture like the 20th Party Congress shows the presence of dissent, and the notion that Xi is at least challengeable, he said. Neither is great for Xis image of invincibility.

No empathy

Many observers were also struck by the apparent coldness of the other leaders on the stage. Few showed any concern for Hu, and many avoided looking in his direction.

Theres no empathy, said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.

To rise through the party, officials have learned to hide their personal emotions and characteristics, Wu said, They just try to be like a machine in the party machinery.

On his way out, Hu patted the shoulder of his protege, Premier Li, who nodded and turned briefly to watch him walk away. Next to Li, Wang sat upright and stared straight ahead, seemingly frozen in motion.

Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images

Former Chinese leader Hu Jintao pats the shoulder of his protege, Premier Li Keqiang.

Further down the edge of the stage, Hu Chunhua did not even cast a glance toward the party elder as he passed by. Instead, he looked straight ahead with a notable frown and arms folded across his chest.

But even if the real reason for the elder Hus departure never becomes clear, the incident has nevertheless sent an unequivocal message about Xis absolute hold on power, analysts say.

Hus undignified exit showed that Xi had reduced the once powerful (Communist) Youth League faction to insignificance, said Tsang at the University of London.

With no successor in sight, and the previous leader humiliated, Xi had projected to the party thatno one in the party should look over his shoulder for another leader, be him the future or the past leader, Tsang said.

Now there is only one leader in China.

Video Ad Feedback Here's Xi Jinping's vision to make China great again 03:04 - Source: CNN
Beijing is signaling it will not give in to U.S. pressure to allow the value of Chinas currency to rise.

Chinese media quoted Premier Wen Jiabao Saturday as saying Beijing favors a basically stable exchange rate in order to protect Chinese exporters.

The Chinese leader has been attending an import and export fair in the southern city of Guangzhou. Chinese media said he called for increased efforts to combat a rise in protectionism that has hurt global trade.

The United States has long accused China of manipulating its currency, making the yuan cheaper, in order to make its exports less expensive than similar products made in the U.S.

During an economic speech Friday in New York, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized China for what she described as efforts to game the global trading system. She said Chinas actions are hurting not just the U.S., but economies around the world as well.

U.S. President Barack Obama has also accused China of gaming the global trading system.

The U.S. Senate passed legislation earlier this week threatening higher tariffs against China if the currency imbalance continues.

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Chinas Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday encouraged Chinese and Canadian enterprises to strengthen cooperation for mutually-beneficial development.

Li made the remarks as he met with Pierre Beaudoin,bet9ja sporting selection page president and chief executive officer of Bombardier Inc. Bombardier, headquartered in Montreal, is the worlds only manufacturer of both planes and trains.

Hailing the increasing cooperation between China and Canada, Li said Chinas industrial transformation and upgrade, as well as Canadas developed manufacturing, high-technology and service sectors hold great business opportunities for cooperation.

Li said any insightful entrepreneur can see the opportunities and will not ignore them.

The Chinese side is ready to make joint efforts with the Canadian side to create favorable environments for fair competition and facilitation for investment. It also encourages enterprises from both countries to boost long-term cooperation in accordance with business principles for mutually-beneficial development and to open up markets beyond the two countries.

Beaudoin said Bombardier, which has witnessed and benefited from the development of the economic relationship between Canada and China, has confidence in the prospects of the Chinese market and hopes to enhance cooperation with its Chinese partners on the research and development, manufacturing and management of transportation equipment.

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A logo of the COP 27 summit. [Photo/Agencies]

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for multilateralism and diplomacy to make the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference 2022 (COP27) in Egypt "turning points for hope".

"COP27 must be the place to rebuild trust and re-establish the ambition needed to avoid driving our planet over the climate cliff,royal ace casino promo codes" the UN chief said in a press encounter.

In the last few weeks, report after report has painted a clear and bleak picture -- emissions are still growing at record levels, Guterres said, adding that temperatures are also on course to rise by as much as 2.8 degrees.

"And that means our planet is on course for reaching tipping points that will make climate chaos irreversible. We need to move from tipping points to turning points for hope," he said.

It is time for a historic pact between the developed and emerging economies -- a pact in which developed countries deliver on the commitment made in Paris -- to help emerging economies speed their renewable energy transition, said Guterres.

"COP27 must be the place to close the ambition gap, the credibility gap and the solidarity gap. The world must come together to support developing countries and vulnerable communities," he said.
WASHINGTON  A new study by Moderna suggests that its updated coronavirus booster strengthens a key component of the immune systems defense against the Omicron subvariant that accounted for most infections in the United States in recent months.

Thesquid game crypto scammers company announced the findings in a news release on Monday. The underlying data has not yet been published or peer-reviewed, but it has been reviewed by federal regulators.

The data indicates that Modernas new booster generates significantly higher levels of neutralizing antibodies against the subvariant, BA.5, and another Omicron subvariant, BA.4, than the previous booster, the company said. The federal government replaced the original boosters from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech with updated shots in September.

The study is the largest to date of one of the new shots, comparing hundreds of people who received either the updated booster or the original one.

While federal officials said they were heartened by the findings, the data underscored the problem in chasing a virus that invents new defenses against immunization faster than vaccine manufacturers can design and produce modified shots. The government is confronting a crowded landscape of fast-moving Omicron subvariants that threaten to evade the populations immunity from vaccinations and previous infections.

When the government first decided on the makeup of the new booster this past summer, it targeted BA.4 and BA.5. The latter of those subvariants was responsible for a vast majority of infections in the United States in the summer and early fall, and it still accounts for about 30 percent of cases. Another fast-growing Omicron subvariant, BQ.1.1, could become dominant by Thanksgiving, said Dr. Stephen Hoge, the president of Moderna.

Dr. Hoge said the companys lab tests suggested that the new booster also produced robust levels of antibodies against that surging subvariant, although far fewer than against BA.4 and BA.5. He cautioned that the BQ.1.1 tests were preliminary and involved only 40 participants.

Shifting Attitudes: Most offices, restaurants and schools are back to business as usual, but the coronavirus has not gone away.

Most offices, restaurants and schools are back to business as usual, but the coronavirus has not gone away. Long Covid: People who took the antiviral drug Paxlovid within a few days after being infected with the coronavirus were less likely to experience long Covid months later, a study found.

People who took the antiviral drug Paxlovid within a few days after being infected with the coronavirus were less likely to experience long Covid months later, a study found. Updated Boosters: New findings show that updated boosters by Pfizer and Moderna are better than their predecessors at increasing antibody levels against the most common version of the virus now circulating.

New findings show that updated boosters by Pfizer and Moderna are better than their predecessors at increasing antibody levels against the most common version of the virus now circulating. Personality Changes: New research suggests that Covid's disruption of social rituals and rites of passage have made people less extroverted, creative, agreeable and conscientious.

Pfizer announced similar findings this month about the antibodies produced by its updated booster against BA.4 and BA.5. But neither Pfizer nor Moderna can say whether the revised shots result in less disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is overseeing studies of the vaccines effectiveness, but those take significantly more time than studies of antibodies that form the bodys first line of defense. Results are not expected for months.

Public acceptance of the new boosters has been dismal: Only 10 percent of Americans ages 5 and older have received updated doses since the government began offering them in September. The lack of interest deeply worries federal and state health officials as winter approaches and people spend more time indoors and gather for the holidays. The Biden administration is now intensifying efforts to persuade Americans to get one of the new shots before Thanksgiving.

Influenza shots are updated every year in much the same way as the coronavirus boosters were. But some outside scientists have questioned whether federal officials gambled correctly in buying billions of dollars worth of updated doses, suggesting that the previous boosters might have protected equally well against severe disease and death.

The previous boosters were called monovalent because they targeted the original version of the coronavirus; the new boosters are called bivalent because they target the original version as well as the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.

We still do not have a single shred of evidence that the bivalent vaccine works better than the monovalent vaccine, said Dr. Paul A. Offit, the director of the Vaccine Education Center at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and a member of the Food and Drug Administrations panel of outside vaccine experts.

The only evidence we have today has been neutralizing antibodies, and that hasnt been particularly supportive, Dr. Offit said. You could argue we never needed to include these circulating strains, until a circulating strain arises that is resistant to protection against severe disease.

While Modernas new findings are unlikely to resolve the scientific debate, Dr. Peter Marks, the F.D.A.s top vaccine regulator, saidit was very encouraging to see the high degree of consistency between Modernas and Pfizers findings. He said the updated boosters were the best existing shield against Covid-19 and urged all eligible Americans, especially older ones, to consider getting a new shot.

Moderna said its researchers had studied levels of neutralizing antibodies in more than 800 people adults who had received three shots: the original vaccination series and a first booster. One group of about 300 people received the original booster again, and a group of 511 people received the updated booster, Dr. Hoge said.

Among those who had a prior coronavirus infection, the company said, the updated shot produced about five times the level of antibodies against BA.4 and BA.5 as the old shot produced. Among those with no prior infection, the new shot induced more than six times the level of antibodies as the old shot. The results were consistent among both older and younger adults, Moderna said.

Those findings seem to dovetail with Pfizers study. Among 76 participants over age 55, the company said that the level of antibodies in those who had received its updated booster was four times as high as in those who had received the original one.

In Modernas study, Dr. Hoge said, the group that received another dose of the original booster and the group that received the new booster were comparable in age and rates of prior infection.

But there was a difference in when the two groups received their shots. A majority of those who received a second dose of the original booster got it in the spring, about four months after their last shot, Dr. Hoge said. Most of those who received the updated booster got it about nine months after their last shot.

Some outside scientists have questioned whether that factor could account for the higher antibody levels in people who received the updated booster  a criticism they also leveled against Pfizers study.

Neither company controlled for length of time after the last dose, Dr. Offit said, adding, There are a lot of problems with that. He said the longer interval after the third dose could have strengthened the immune system of participants who received the updated booster, leading to higher antibody levels.

Dr. Hoge said a detailed analysis of the data showed that the difference in timing of the doses did not explain the difference in antibody levels.

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Thedeposit The get nztc Chinese government has been of great service to the 13,800 Chinese Muslims making the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, via chartered flights that have departed the country since Tuesday.

Theres nothing to worry about. The government arranges everything: food, travel and hotel, said Ma Chunshan, a Chinese Muslim taking his first journey to Mecca with his wife.

The couple from Guazhou County in northwest Chinas Gansu Province are both in their sixties, and now is the time for the life-long farmers to travel to Mecca and realize their dream.

A total of 332 Chinese Muslims from Gansu departed for Mecca on a chartered flight Tuesday evening, and a second flight is scheduled to take off from Gansu at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday. A brief departure ceremony was held for the first group of pilgrims at Zhongchuan Airport in Lanzhou, the provincial capital of Gansu.

Forty chartered flights will carry the remaining pilgrims to Mecca from Yinchuan, Urumqi, Kunming and Beijing.

For this journey, all the clothes, the travel bags, and even bowls and cups have been provided by the government, Ma said.

A total of 2,721 Muslims from Gansu will head to Islams holiest city this year in eight groups, the most in the past five years, said Ma Youcheng, deputy head of the provincial pilgrimage group and general secretary of the Gansu Provincial Islamic Association.

From Sept. 25 to Oct. 2, one flight will depart from Lanzhou for Mecca each day.

Pilgrims were offered four levels of training covering travel tips, Hajj procedures and health knowledge ahead of their trips, said Ma Youcheng, who has travelled to Mecca many times and is an experienced pilgrim.

Each provincial pilgrimage group has been organized by experienced pilgrims, like Ma Youcheng, and each group has its own Muslim organizers, doctors and chefs.

The entire group has been divided into smaller groups of 40 people. And each smaller group has an organizer on standby for any problems that travelers may encounter, said Li Zheng, deputy director of the pilgrimage office of the Gansu provincial bureau of religious affairs.

Each pilgrim was given about 40 yuan (about 6.3 U.S. dollars) worth of medicine to treat illnesses they may develop during the long journey, said Zhou Ming, head of the medical care team of the pilgrimage group.

Pilgrims with illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes alerted doctors on their conditions prior to their trips, Zhou said.

Medical care stations will be set up in Mecca to provide 24-hour services, Zhou said.

Preparation work was carried out by three groups of people who flew to Mecca before the first flight of pilgrims departed, and all the pilgrims visas were secured with the help of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Beijing, said Jin Rubin, deputy general secretary of Islamic Association of China.

The pilgrimage will finish on Nov. 21, when the last chartered flight will return to China, Jin said.

The pilgrimage to Mecca, also known as the Hajj, is a Muslim religious tradition that specifies that all able-bodied Muslims who can afford to travel to Saudi Arabia must visit Mecca at least once in their lives.

China has more than 20 million Muslims, about half of whom are from the Hui ethnic group. Chinese Muslims mainly live in the western provinces of Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan, and Ningxia Hui and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions.

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Theniagara fallsview casino resort Chinese will have legal music download service online. Baidu, the most popular search engine of the country, has a contract with leading international figures in the music industry: Universal, Sony and Warner.

Baidu balance its conflicts with record companies in the West. Tuesday, the search engine announced the signing of an agreement with One-Stop China, a joint venture between Universal Music, Warner Music and Sony BMG, to legally operate catalog service. Some 500,000 songs, of which 10% in Mandarin and Cantonese, will be offered in streaming or download at launch.

All their catalogs are made available to the Chinese population in offering paid downloads. In an era of globalization and increased democratization of the web tool in China, the regulation is imperative to avoid the risk of jeopardizing the entire music industry. Considering the illegal attempts of online music and Baidu redirects to sites of illegal downloading, an agreement was inevitable for the protection of the music industry in the area.

This two-year agreement between Baidu and the big brands ends six years of litigation. Music majors accusing the search engine of providing links to Internet for downloading pirated music. Universal, Warner and Sony BMG had sued in February 2008, claiming at least 63.5 million yuan for violation of their intellectual property rights. A Chinese court had ruled against them in February 2010, finding these links legal.

With this agreement, Baidu promises to remove links to illegal music downloading. This means that all traffic will be directed to legal sites, welcomed Andrew Chan, spokesman for One-Stop China. According to estimates by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), 99% of online music in China is illegal, legal services are virtually absent. Earlier this year, the U.S. Trade Representative had held Baidu notoriously responsible for this situation.

According to Baidu, the search for music now accounts for 10% of its traffic, against 30% in 2004. The search engine has a market share of 75.9% in China, according to latest figures released by the Chinese firm of consultants Analysys International. China amounted to 485 million Internet users, a penetration rate of 36.2%, with growth continues but slows down, announced today the Centre for Information on the Internet in China (CNNIC).

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China Thursday called on the United Nations General Assembly (GA) to further strengthen its authority and efficiency in order to better implement the mandate entrusted in the UN Charter.

Wang Min, Chinas deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the statement as he addressed the 67th session of the General Assembly on the theme of revitalization of the work of the organization.

Wang said that revitalization of the GA concerns the fundamental interest of all member states with important and far- reaching influence on enhancing UN authority and reputation.

The GA should, based on the development of the world situation and challenges in all areas faced by the UN, focus on discussing and dealing with major issues that are of common concerns of member states, especially those involve the vital interest of the developing countries, he said. The GA should also increase efforts and attention to the development issue in order to play a bigger role in promoting international development cooperation.

Wang noted that the GA should enhance its division of work and coordination with organs such as the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council so that each can give full play of its own strength and step up information exchange and interaction.

China supports improving the GA working methods, simplifying its decision-making procedures and enhancing its efficiency. China also supports the strengthening of the GA presidents office in terms of man power and budget, particularly aimed at resolving actual difficulties faced by the developing countries when carrying out the function of the presidency, Wang said.

China is willing to work with other member states for positive progress on this agenda item of GA revitalization during this session of the GA, he added.

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People attend the opening ceremony of the 44th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) in Cairo,true fortune casino no deposit Egypt, Nov. 13, 2022. The 44th edition of the CIFF kicked off on Sunday evening at Egypt's Cairo Opera House with the participation of about 108 films from over 50 countries and regions. (Photo by Mohamed Asad/Xinhua)

CAIRO, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The 44th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) kicked off on Sunday evening at Egypt's Cairo Opera House with the participation of about 108 films from over 50 countries and regions.

Egyptian veteran movie star Hussein Fahmy, also president of the 44th CIFF, said that holding the festival amid current global conditions, including the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and the economic recession, was such a challenge.

"There were big challenges and we did our best and managed to get strong and good preparations, and we'll hopefully present a good and a successful edition as we always do," the CIFF president told Xinhua on the red carpet during the opening ceremony.

Fahmy added that the festival adopts eco-friendly policies as it coincides with the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, currently being held in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

"We greatly reduce paper publications and the use of plastic in the festival, and avoid whatever harms the environment to support the COP27," the festival's president added.

The International Competition category of the festival gathers this year 14 films from countries including Egypt, France, Poland, Mexico, Argentina, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Brazil.

Maher Khamis, an actor in the Egyptian featured film 19 B, which competes in the International Competition category, said that participating in the CIFF represents a milestone in his new acting career.

"I feel blessed that my first film is competing in the CIFF. It's a big step for any actor to stand where I am now, so I really appreciate this moment," the Egyptian actor told Xinhua.

Mexican filmmaker Joaquin del Paso, whose film The Hole in the Fence won last year's top award at the 43rd CIFF, came to the festival this year as a member of the International Competition jury.

He said that the difficult global conditions inspired filmmakers to address those issues through art and creativity.

The Mexican filmmaker said that cinema, in general, is an art that represents resistance and struggle.

"To do a film festival and to put so much interest in it means that people want to keep fighting for beauty and for things that are good for humanity," he said.

The Fabelmans by American renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg was screened as the opening film of the 44th CIFF.

The festival honors this year Hungarian filmmaker Bela Tarr, Egyptian filmmaker Kamla Abu Zekry and Egyptian veteran actress Lebleba for their achievements throughout their long artistic careers.

Launched in 1976, the CIFF is the oldest and the only internationally accredited annual film festival in the Arab world, Africa and the Middle East.

This year's CIFF will run from Nov. 13 to 22. 

Egyptian veteran movie star Hussein Fahmy poses on red carpet at the opening ceremony of the 44th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) in Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 13, 2022. The 44th edition of the CIFF kicked off on Sunday evening at Egypt's Cairo Opera House with the participation of about 108 films from over 50 countries and regions. (Photo by Mohamed Asad/Xinhua)
Lu Weiding (right),vortex casino no deposit bonus CEO of Wanxiang Group, and Ni Pin, president of Wanxiang America Corp stand by an engraving of Lu Guanqiu's signature at the Automotive Hall of Fame (AHF) in Detroit on Wednesday. Lu Guanqiu, late father of Lu Weiding, is the first Chinese person inducted into the AHF. His signature was placed on permanent display at the AHF. MINLU ZHANG / CHINA DAILY

Few Chinese companies have been in the US as long as Wanxiang, more than 20 years. When Lu Guanqiu started with $600 to open a tractor-repair shop in East China's Zhejiang province, it was hard to imagine that this farmer's son would one day build a global company with more than 40 auto-manufacturing plants worldwide.

When Lu died in 2017 at the age of 72, he was worth an estimated $7.4 billion, and Wanxiang Group Co, the auto-parts company Lu built, has become a global company with $25 billion in revenue.

Lu also became the first Chinese to be inducted into the US Automotive Hall of Fame (AHF)  the top award in the automotive industry  on July 21. Previous honorees include Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Co;, Karl Benz, a German inventor and engineer; and Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of Porsche AG.

With international customers including Ford and General Motors, Wanxiang provides parts for 1 in every 2 vehicles made in the US, the company says. It has operations in 26 US states and employs more than 13,500 people.

Wanxiang's growth comes amid a wave of global expansion by Chinese companies. By the 1990s, Wanxiang America, based in Elgin, Illinois, was expanding rapidly by snapping up struggling auto firms in the American Rust Belt.

"Wanxiang's main contribution to the US local community is that we have restored many factories and we have saved many workers' jobs. At our peak, we had over 19,000 workers," Lu Guanqiu's son Lu Weiding, the current CEO of Wanxiang Group, told China Daily. "Of course, there are also taxes and other contributions to the US government."

In 2002, to prize Wanxiang's contributions in the local economy, the state of Illinois proclaimed Aug 12 "Wanxiang Day".

From the farm to the boardroom, Lu's life journey is now being repeated for many other Chinese entrepreneurs. Like Wanxiang, many Chinese companies are expanding their business in the United States today.

As of March 31, 2022, there were 261 Chinese companies listed on major US stock exchanges, with a total market capitalization of $1.3 trillion, according to data from US-China economic and security review commission.

However, with the ongoing political tension between China and the US, Chinese companies in the US today are facing more challenges amid a complex and changing environment.

China General Chamber of Commerce-USA(CGCC), a nonprofit chamber of commerce representing Chinese businesses in the US, in June released its annual business survey report shows that surveyed Chinese companies saw decreased optimism about their opportunities in the US.

The "Annual Business Survey Report on Chinese Enterprises in the US" found that three-quarters of surveyed Chinese companies see "US-China bilateral relations at a stalemate" as the biggest challenges for them to conduct business in the US.

Only 10 percent of respondents see bilateral relations improving in the upcoming year, the lowest since 2018.

The survey, conducted through March and April 2022 of 111 Chinese corporations in the US, found that about half, or 49 percent of the companies, forecast an increase of revenue over the next two years. And 27 percent of respondents expect more business investments will be made in 2022.

"Our business community have a lot of expectations for the cooperation between China and the United States. Because the better the relationship between the two countries, the better the development of the world and the enterprises of the two countries will be," Lu Weiding said.

The survey also noticed that Chinese companies in the US are taking actions on societal issues to raise brand awareness and earn market trust, and more than half of the companies are addressing climate issues.

Today, Wanxiang is also one of the companies taking action in tackling climate change and committing to sustainable and clean energy development.

In 2013, Wanxiang acquired an ailing auto-battery maker, A123 Systems Inc. A year later, the company purchased a failed US electric-car startup, Fisker Automotive Inc, which later transformed into Karma Automotive, a luxury electricity vehicles producer.

Lu Weiding sees the possibility of commercial cooperation between China and the US in terms of sustainable energy development.

"In the field of automobiles, especially in the field of clean energy automobiles, I personally think clean energy is a very important connection point for China and the US. I feel it is lucky that the two countries have a lot in common in this regard," Lu Weiding said.

"Both countries are advancing clean energy, and both countries are interacting with each other on this field," he added.
What Is a Qualified Reservist?casino free spins no wagering

A qualified reservist is a member of the military reserve who is not active, but when called to duty, is eligible to make an early withdrawal from a retirement account without incurring the usual early distribution penalty.

Under most circumstances, the IRS imposes a penalty of 10% on the taxable amount withdrawn from a retirement account by a taxpayer younger than 59 years old. Qualified reservists are rare exceptions to this rule. Still, their withdrawals are subject to federal and state taxes.

To qualify, reservists must be ordered or called to active duty after Sept. 11, 2001, for more than 179 days or an indefinite period. Distributions need to be either from an individual retirement account (IRA) or from employees elective deferrals to a 401(k), 457, or 403(b). Also, distributions must be during the period of active duty.

Certain rules allow reservists to repay retirement account distributions during the two-year period when active duty ends, even if the repayment contributions exceed annual contribution limits.

Key Takeaways

Qualified reservists, when called to duty, can thereafter make tax-free withdrawals from certain retirement accounts.

Qualified reservist rules are fairly recent, enacted as part of the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Initially, the rules only applied to active reservists on Dec. 30, 2007, or before.

Many service people take their distributions early because of this, but it can have long-term negative effects on a retirement nest egg.

Retirement benefits that are taken are still subject to certain state and federal taxes.

Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of the qualified reservist rules is that missing even a single year of savings in a 401k or IRA can make a difference in retirement.

Understanding Qualified Reservists

Qualified reservist rules are fairly recent, enacted as part of the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Initially, the rules only applied to active reservists on Dec. 30, 2007, or before. However, the 2008 HEART Act, or Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act, extended the rules for qualified reservists going forward.

The HEART Act gave U.S. service members and their families many forms of financial assistance as a further means of thanking and compensating them for their service. The HEART Act contains several provisions designed to allow service members and reservists to make a smooth financial transition both into active duty and then back into their civilian lives.

Pros and Cons of Being a Qualified Reservist

Serving in the reserves can present financial hardships. Married couples with kids, for instance, face unexpected childcare costs when one or both adult family members are called into active duty overseas. As with many of the HEART Act provisions, qualified reservist rules provide additional financial flexibility for reservists.

If there is a trade-off, its that there are important restrictions. For example, service-member employees cannot make further elective contributions to their retirement plans after the date of distribution. This can have a negative impact on a potential retirement nest egg.

Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of the qualified reservist rules is that missing even a single year of savings in a 401k or IRA can make a difference in retirement. This is especially true early in the retirement-savings process, as the money taken out will not have a chance to compound over multiple years. For this reason, even a withdrawal of a few thousand dollars, as allowed for qualified reservists, can cost $10,000 or more over several decades.
A Chinese construction worker was on Friday shot dead in Nigerians northeastern city of Maiduguri by gunmen.

Thebest hands in hold em Chinese, according to witnesses, was shot dead at a construction site around the Lagos street at about 1 p.m. local time.

The man was brought to the hospital (University of Maiduguri Teaching) mortuary dead from gun shots, a staff at the hospital confirmed.

The attack came barely three weeks after a Chinese cook working with a construction company and a Nigerian employed by the Chinese firm were killed in the troubled city of Maiduguri.

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Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay To-day I'm more dead than alive, as we had a lesson from him yesterday that lasted four hours. Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay

Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay It is a fearsome thing for a man to be left alone in the dead of night with a young baby. The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke

The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke If they are Ancients and dead then let them be buried and left to the archological excavator. The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Questiondeadening, deadeye, deadfall, dead fingers, dead firing, dead freight, dead from the neck up, dead hand, deadhead, Dead Heart, dead heatDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
Energoatom prepares to launch in-house manufacture of nuclear fuel components

On March 16, 2023, President of SE "NNEGC "Energoatom" Petro Kotin and Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Halushchenko paid a working visit to the unique production facility in Ukraine, where nuclear fuel components for domestic nuclear power units will be manufactured.

"Ukraine is one of the first countries that diversified the supply of nuclear fuel, and this allowed abandoning its purchase from russia. Our joint task with our American partners is to produce the appropriate types of fuel as soon as possible in order to displace russia from the nuclear fuel market," Herman Halushchenko emphasized.

Currently, Energoatom is completing the process of nuclear fuel components licensing, and as early as 2023 the Company plans to launch their industrial manufacture.

"Two years ago, Energoatom set a course for in-house manufacture of nuclear fuel. Therefore, on the production line of the enterprise, the Company's professionals will manufacture fuel components using Westinghouse technology," Petro Kotin said.

These components will be utilized for the production at the Westinghouse plant in Vasteras (Sweden) of nuclear fuel used by Energoatom NPPs. Now next in turn the production launch of frames for fuel assemblies for nuclear reactors and the launch of an assembly line for domestically manufactured nuclear fuel.

"It is planned that in three years we will start a full cycle of nuclear fuel manufacture in Ukraine. 2026 is the date when we will be able to fully produce our Ukrainian fuel from components manufactured here. And the components that we will not be able to produce, we will purchase from our partners," Energoatom CEO stressed.

Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of the production of nuclear fuel for VVER-440 reactors, which was previously manufactured only by russia. For this reason, Ukrainian specialists are now "working in Vasteras, providing assistance to Westinghouse."

In such way, Ukraine is implementing a strategy of transition to the use of "clean" energy and a decarbonized energy future, in which the nuclear industry will play a key role.

Finally, Petro Kotin noted that for other states that still operate Soviet-style power units, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Finland and Bulgaria, Energoatom may eventually become an alternative supplier of nuclear fuel together with its strategic partner, the U.S. company Westinghouse.

For reference: cooperation between Energoatom and Westinghouse on the production of nuclear fuel started in August 2018. It was then that the American partner began pursuing a qualification of one of the separated subdivisions of Energoatom as a supplier of RWFA top and bottom nozzles. During 2019-2020, work was organized on their production for Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB fuel assemblies.

In April 2022, the first batch of top nozzle components was manufactured and shipped to the Westinghouse facility for pursuing a qualification.
Appeal for information on damage to bronze bust of Captain John Quilliam RN

Manx National Heritage has reported ongoing damage to the bronze bust of Captain John Quilliam RN in Castletown.

The bronze sculpture depicts Captain Quilliam in uniform and commemorates his role as the most famous Manxman to have participated in the Battle of Trafalgar.

Kirsty Neate, Head of Collections for Manx National Heritage said: Information has been provided to the Police in relation to instances of senseless vandalism to this important piece of public sculpture.

Manx National Heritage are assessing the impact of the vandalism and the potential costs to the charity of further repair to the statue. The public are asked not to try to remove the damage themselves as this may cause further harm to the sculpture.

Neate added: This damage to the statue is particularly upsetting, as Captain Quilliam was only very recently returned to the Quarterdeck following extensive conservation work. Manx National Heritage is dependent upon charitable donations to support our conservation undertakings and the work on the statue was funded by a donation from the Friends of Manx National Heritage.

It does not send out a positive message to visitors to Castletown and our Island to see such prominent heritage objects from the national collections vandalised in this way.

Anyone who has information about the incidents should contact Police Headquarters on 01624 631212.
Grant of 30,000 awarded to Manx charity

Manx registered charity the One World Centre has been awarded the International Development Education & Awareness Raising (IDEAR) grant from the Isle of Man Government.

The grant of 30,000 is part of the Governments international development funding and is to go towards educating islanders on the importance of a fair and sustainable world for all.

Over the past year, the Islands international development donations have made contributions to humanitarian endeavours worldwide, supporting regions like Ukraine and East Africa.

The One World Centre is delivering the education programme over the next 12 months which will include a Charity Challenge in schools and the Global Village at Tynwald Day 2024.
Steam Packet Company say there is no comparison to P&O

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is responding to suggestions it is doing a P&O.

P&O Ferries admitted to breaking the law when it sacked 800 workers without notice, as acknowledged by their CEO at the House of Commons Business and Transport Select Committee in March 2022.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has said its negotiated with the unions for over two years, made a number of concessions and followed due process throughout.

As a result, one union, representing about 70% of the sea going staff, has accepted the amended terms and conditions in exchange for a compensation package that includes:

 increased manning levels on Manxman to spread the workload

 an option of either one week on/one week-off or two weeks on/two weeks-off

 an additional 6 days annual leave

 a 5% live on-board bonus for the first year

The Steam Packet have said that when it became clear that further negotiation would be unproductive, the Company continued to follow due process in informing Nautilus of its intention to enter a 30-day consultation period.

It says this provides Nautilus members with time to make a final decision on whether to accept the change in terms and conditions and the compensation package on offer.

The Company says it does not want to put any of its staff in this position, but cannot ignore the strong business case for making changes that will benefit the whole of the Island and its visitors.

It added that it has no intention of reducing pay, employing cheaper agency labour or changing any of the other terms and conditions.
New short film celebrates Peel Engineering and the P50

A short documentary film by Culture Vannin has been released about Peel Engineering and the Peel P50 car.

The company, which was based by Peel harbour in the 1960s was well known throughout the world for having created the smallest production car ever made - the famous Peel P50.

Peel Engineering was founded by Cyril Cannell in the late 1940s and saw the opportunities of fibreglass, adapting it to boat building and then to motorcycle fairings. Cannell then moved on to fibreglass cars, which included the P50, and even a hovercraft.

James Franklin, Online & Educational Resources Officer at Culture Vannin, said: Many Manx people wont realise how important these cars created in Peel are for people all over the world. We hope that this film will be a way for many to get a better understanding of this and the immense creativity and innovation involved.

Peel Engineering: From bubble cars to hovercraft is now available on the Culture Vannin website and YouTube channel.
Its been a few years since Mr. Robot dropped its mind-bending final episode, and now series creator Sam Esmail is back with a film that explores similar themes of cyber security and paranoia. Leave the World Behind is a dual-release Netflix film that hits theaters on November 22 and the streaming service on December 8. Here's a new trailer to wet your whistle for the cyber-apocalypse thriller.

Leave the World Behind stars Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali and Kevin Bacon, which is a whole lot of star power. As for the plot, this is an Esmail joint, so its likely best to go in fresh, but Netflix did drop a tantalizingly simple story premise: a familys vacation is upended when two strangers arrive at night, seeking refuge from a cyberattack that grows more terrifying by the minute.

The synopsis calls to mind M. Night Shyamalans Knock at the Cabin, and both films do have something in commonTheyre based on books. The similarly-named Leave the World Behind novel was penned by renowned author Rumaan Alam and has been praised by publications like NY Times, USA Today, Esquire and many more. On the plus side, we know the movie will have a proper ending to work with. On the down side, spoilers will be tough to avoid, so exercise caution when surfing the endless web.
Elon Musk is looking to new video features, including game streaming and live shopping, as part of his attempt to turn X into an everything app. The company formerly known as Twitter is experimenting with basic, Twitch-like game streaming capabilities, which are currently accessible to X Premium subscribers.

Musk showed off the feature Sunday night in a 54-minute Diablo IV stream posted from an anonymous Twitter account with the handle @cyb3rgam3r420. Musk later replied to the account and confirmed the company was testing the feature. An engineer at X, Mark Kalman, also shared a video explaining how Premium subscribers can set up game streaming from their accounts by connecting Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) to their Twitter account via X Media Studio.

Just a quick test of X video game streaming https://t.co/5NCsDczpT4  Gamer (@cyb3rgam3r420) October 2, 2023

For now, its unclear how serious X is about courting streamers.The feature seems to support viewer comments in the streams, but for now lacks most of the creator-centric features of other platforms. But it is one of the latest examples of how X is turning to creators and new video features in an effort to lure more users to the platform.Separately, the company also said it would begin experimenting with live shopping features through a new partnership with Paris Hilton . Variety reports that Hilton has signed on to create four original video content programs per year that include live-shopping features.

Its also unclear if Xs infrastructure will be able to keep up with new live video features. The company, which shed many of its site reliability engineers in layoffs last year, has struggled with large live audio and video streams, particularly those boosted by Musks account. When Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appeared in a chat on Spaces in May to announce a presidential run with Musk, the stream repeatedly crashed .
Scientists led by the University of Witwatersrand (South Africa) have found that the ancestors of crocodiles began growing slowly during the Late Triassic and not the Early Jurassic, millions of years earlier than previously thought. Their results are published in Current Biology.

Todays crocodilians (including crocodiles and alligators) all grow slowly, taking years to reach maximum size. In contrast, birds are crocodilians closest living relatives and they can reach adult size in less than a year (~150 days for a chicken!). When, how, and why crocodilians evolved to grow so slowly has eluded researchers for years. The new study sheds light on this question.

By investigating the internal structure of fossil bones of 200 million-year-old fossil crocodile ancestors (known as crocodylomorphs) from South Africa at the ESRF, a team of researchers has shown that they grew slowly, similar to their living descendants. Unlike todays sprawling ambush predators, these early crocodylomorphs were active, fully terrestrial animals with upright limb postures.This research finding casts doubt on prevailing wisdom that slow growth in living crocodiles is linked to the evolution of their sedentary, semiaquatic lifestyles.

Kathleen Dollman, post-doctoral researcher at the ESRF and co-author of the publication, explains the importance of the research at the facility: Early evolving crocodilians are extremely rare in the fossil record and classical histology requires destructive sampling of these fossils by cutting them. Being able to image these rare fossils at the ESRF allowed us to view internal bone microstructures in high resolution to study how these animals grew, without ever having to damage the fossil. Study co-author Bailey Weiss, a PhD student at the University of the Witwatersrands Evolutionary Studies Institute, spent more than a month scanning fossils for this study at the ESRF under the supervision of Dollman. Experiments and student exchanges between Wits-ESI and the ESRF are funded in part by the South African National Research Foundation as part of a cooperative agreement.

The team during the experiment on BM05. Credits: ESRF.

The researchers also studied fossils of a gigantic new crocodilian ancestor that lived 210 million years ago, discovered by Dollman in the village of Qhemegha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. They combined this with data from specimens previously collected and held in South African museums. By cutting the bones and examining their features under a high-powered microscope, they could assess the age at death, the amount of annual growth, and the bone tissue characteristics of these extinct crocodilian forebears. Professor Jonah Choiniere of the University of the Witwatersrand, and co-author of the paper adds: This fantastic specimen is one of dozens of new fossils weve recovered from our excavations in Late Triassic rocks at Qhemegha Village. The fossil area was initially discovered by local people and has developed into a superb example of integrating local knowledge with scientific enquiry.

Researchers excavating the fossils from Qhemegha Village, at the BP/1/8484 site. Image credit: K. Chapelle.

They found that the gigantic new species grew more slowly than other large reptiles of its day (such as dinosaurs), and that other crocodylomorph species that evolved more recently retained this slow growth strategy, decelerating it even further. The strategy of slow growth became a characteristic of all known crocodylomorphs descending from their ancient ancestor. Soon after slow growth first appeared in the crocodilian stem lineage, the world faced a mass extinction event at the end of the Triassic Period, and only the slower-growing members of the group managed to survive through it. In contrast, dinosaurs are hypothesised to have survived the extinction event by growing fast. After the extinction, the world was left with fast-growing dinosaurs and slow-growing crocodylomorphs, building a foundation for the stark growth differences in their descendants - the birds and crocodilians alive today.

Reference:

Botha, J., et al, Current Biology, In press, Corrected Proof, 14 September 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.057
The Australian to US Dollar (AUD/USD) exchange rate is forecast to break below the 0.62 mark, echoing a trend observed last year when the USD/JPY reached 150.

Currently trading at 0.6414, this prediction suggests potential headwinds for investors banking on the Aussie Dollar's strength.

Significant expansion in the US-Japanese yield differentials over the last year plays a pivotal role in this forecast.

At present, these differentials surpass their levels from 11 months ago, when the USD/JPY exchange rate temporarily surged past 150.

"US-Japanese yield differentials, real or nominal, five or ten years, are wider today than they were when USD/JPY spiked briefly above 150, 11 months ago," says Kit Juckes, FX strategist at Societe Generale.

The Japanese Yen's current position is upheld by concerns over possible policy changes.

Any shift could have wide-reaching repercussions, particularly exerting downward pressure on the Chinese Yuan, an action that Chinese authorities are fervently resisting.

The broader Asia/Pacific currency landscape is also susceptible to this shift.

"Only fear of a policy reaction is holding the yen here. A break would complicate things, adding downward pressure to the yuan (which the Chinese authorities are resisting vigorously) and the rest of the Asia/Pacific currencies as well," says Juckes.

In the event of Japan intensifying its intervention strategies, it could drive up US yields.

This upward pressure emerges from the spotlight on two prominent US debt holders being inactive during a period marked by substantial supply.

"...if the Japanese start intervening in earnest, that will add to upward pressure on US yields too, as it highlights again the fact that two of the biggest holders of US debt are out of action at a time of considerable supply," says Juckes.

Potential disruptors, like a US debt ceiling-induced shutdown, might further exacerbate the situation.

Yet, amidst this complexity, two projections are evident.

The first envisions USD/JPY surpassing the 150 threshold in the coming weeks, possibly by October.

The second casts doubt on the recent slight uplift of the AUD, hinting that it might not be its lowest valuation.

"He first is that USD/JPY will probably break 150 in October and the next week or so and the second is that this mornings small AUD bounce is unlikely to represent a low," says Juckes.

Drawing from historical patterns, a resemblance between anticipated trends and last year's events becomes apparent.

An exploration into the past reveals a similar descent below 0.62 for AUD/USD following USD/JPY's ascent to 150, suggesting that we might witness a similar trajectory this year.

"Last October we saw a break below 0.62 shortly after USD/JPY reached 150 and we expect a repeat this year," the analyst adds.
Sunday, October 1, 2023

Evolving business and employee needs around hybrid work are driving the rapid adoption of flexible working arrangements, according to The Society for the Advancement of Consulting (SAC). Employers who shift quickly benefit from better talent retention, happier employees, and increased productivity.

Executives and Hybrid Workers: Both Sides Need Balance

"Hybrid is here to stay, as it's common sense," points out Lisa Anderson, president of Claremont, CA-based LMA Consulting Group, Inc and manufacturing expert known as the Strongest Link in Your Supply Chain. "Manufacturers still struggle to find talent across the board. Whether a planner, buyer, or maintenance technician, qualified candidates are sparse.

"People want to contribute to success, yet have flexibility in their daily lives," Anderson adds. "So hybrid is a commonsense solution. It's likely to come in many forms, depending on the situation. In manufacturing, hybrid is feasible with the use of advanced technologies. But other solutions will be required. Four-day workweeks are more attractive, so that employees can achieve work-life balance. Leaders will have to step up to figure out how to position their companies for the future instead of dictating the past."

Talent Scarcity is Pushing Employers Toward Flexibility

"Flexible working arrangements are a fact of life these days," says Kathleen McEntee, president of Kathleen McEntee and Associates Ltd, who provides a full range of marketing services to privately held organizations. Their messages are straightforward, targeted and cut through the clutter to distinguish their clients from the competition.

"For the most part, they can be practical for both the worker and the employer. Put aside the customer-facing jobslike in a store and some office jobsand many employers are realizing the benefits of remote work. Life is complex and busy. A flexible employer retains and attracts the best of the best especially when good talent is at a premium," McEntee notes.

"Hybrid arrangements can provide a good balance with benefits to both sides," she explains. "Yet, managing remote workers requires a different mindset and different skills. Set expectations and guidelines. Maintain accountability. And be flexible. The idea behind hybrid is flexibility and balance. The peace and quiet of working remotely can result in higher productivity, enabling employers to meet tight timelines while having happier employees."

A Win-Win Situation

The move to hybrid work environments is an opportunity for organizations to explore more productive work models while building employee loyalty, which in turn builds greater customer satisfaction and loyalty, says Linda Popky, president of Redwood Shores, CA-based strategic firm marketing firm Leverage2Market Associates, and author of the book Marketing Above the Noise: Achieve Strategic Advantage with Marketing That Matters.

"We know that it's impossible to have happy customers when you have unhappy and frustrated employees. How employees are treated is reflected in their interactions with customers. Those employees who feel an organization values them and is flexible enough to consider their needs will pass that goodwill to customers," she says.

"There's no one solution to every work situation. However, the pandemic exposed us to productive ways of working that weren't even considered possible before. The world is not going back to 2019. Organizations have the ability to build a new working environment that combines the best elements of technology and human interaction. It's a win-win for everyone," Popky adds.

The Math Behind Hybrid: 3 Needs over 1 Label

"We need to stop thinking 'hybrid,' which is an arbitrary label, and simply thinking about 'people,' " notes SAC Founder Alan Weiss, PhD. "Where they work will be determined by company need, personal need, and customer interactions. That shouldn't be complicated math. If you can't manage that, you shouldn't be running a business."
HELENA, MT- Former Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer will return to the capital in Helena, a place where he made headlines for vetoing bills with a brand, but this time he intends to host a rally - on October 2 regarding property taxes.

The former governor has become an outspoken critic of current Governor Greg Gianforte, recently writing a multi-page op-ed in the Helena Independent Record.

Schweitzer takes aim at legislative Republicans and the governor's apparent decision to allow property taxes to increase unmitigated despite warnings from the Montana Revenue Department more than a month before the 2023 legislative session began.

Montana had a 2.5 billion budget surplus, the largest in history supplied by the Trump and Biden administrations, Schweitzer said via text. Republicans are in control of all branches of government and decided to raise taxes for all of Montana homeowners by 18% (200$ million) and cut taxes for all Corporations by 120$ million.

Just recently Gianforte spoke at an event in Great Falls, at Hoven Equipment Company, where he spoke in support of changes to taxes, his office says that the reforms to equipment taxes will make it possible for over 5,000 small businesses to thrive and grow.

Governor Greg Gianforte did, for his part, offer tax rebates for eligible taxpayers and the deadline to collect those rebates was extended to October 2, but Schweitzer says that is not enough.

The Montana Republicans have now raised taxes by the greatest amount in Montana history. We want them to reverse this historic mistake, Schweitzer said.

The former governor outlines that, well its true, many people are eligible for the tax rebates from the current administration, the people who will ultimately suffer will be renters and ranchers.

The way the rebate system works, if eligible, youll receive a $675 rebate check on your property taxes from the years 2022-23 on your main residence.

For people who own multiple properties and or renters, they will not see a return by way of that rebate on their additional properties, Schweitzer believes the trickle-down effect could be, increased rent prices to cover the new taxes.

The former governor believes that the immediate need is a change from the legislature on property taxes, he believes that the governor should call a one-day special session to pass a bill to stop the property tax increase.

The event will take place on Monday, the second from noon to one, with the former governor, commissioners, and the other elected officials.

It should also be noted that former Governor Brian Schweitzer is eligible to run for governor again, the former governor has expressed he has no interest in running for office, he has also formally announced his endorsement of current democratic front runner Ryan Busse.

Information on how to file for a rebate can be found here.
Minette Batters has announced her intention to step down as NFU president next year after six years in the role.

The Wiltshire mixed farmer will step down as president of the union in February 2024, according to a report by The Grocer.

Elected in February 2018, she has guided the NFU through pressing issues such as Brexit, the Covid pandemic and the current cost-of-living crisis.

Before becoming the union's first female president, she served as the NFU's deputy president from 2014 to 2018.

She was then elected president in 2018, and again in 2020 and 2022.

Mrs Batters told The Grocer it was a 'tough decision' to step down from the role.

She said: Ten years is a long time and I know Ive given it my all but its time for someone else to take the lead.

But in the meantime, theres a huge job to be done and I remain determined to deliver whats needed for you, our members.

Mrs Batters runs a diversified, mixed farming business that includes horse livery, cattle, sheep, a wedding and corporate events venue and a catering business specialising in home grown produce within 300 acres in Wiltshire.

She co-founded campaigning initiatives like 'Ladies in Beef', highlighting that more women were coming through wanting to be 'farmers of the future.'

The NFU's officeholder elections will be held in February 2024.
Food and farming needs to be a priority for all parties ahead of the general election, the NFU has said as the Conservative Party conference gets underway.

The union said today (2 October) that it was 'more important than ever' for political parties to back British food and farming.

All parties should 'carefully consider' the long-term future of the industry and how they would help boost homegrown food production.

UK food security has rarely been more prominent than in the past few years following challenges such as Brexit, the pandemic and the Ukraine war.

Farmers have also had to endure soaring production costs, global market instability, extreme bouts of weather and delays to new farm payments.

At this years party conferences, including Labour's which takes place in Liverpool on 8 October, the NFU said it would be showcasing why farming needs to be a priority.

The union currently has a presence at the ongoing Conservative conference in Manchester, where delegates can pledge their commitment to British farmers.

NFU President Minette Batters said it was 'more important than ever' for political parties to back the industry.

"This is a sector which forms the backbone of our rural communities, our much-loved countryside and our food and drink industry," she said.

Party conferences are a chance for the NFU to showcase all that British farming delivers, but also for MPs, peers, councillors and party members to show their support for a sector which gives so much to the nation.

With a general election fast approaching, all parties need to carefully consider the long-term future of farming and how they will help boost homegrown food production.

The recent Liberal Democrat conference saw the party pledge to provide an extra 1 billion into Defra's budget if it were to achieve power.

The funding would be used to support farmers in their move away from BPS, encouraging them to sign up to the UK's new agri-environmental schemes.
A group of farming and research organisations are teaming up to better understand the research and innovation priorities for UK farmers and growers.

Farmers will be asked in a series of workshops what research would be most useful to their business, now and in the long term.

It is part of an initiative taking place this autumn by groups such as the NFU, AHDB, Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF), and Innovative Farmers, among others.

They will hear views from all major agricultural sectors and across a wide diversity of farming systems.

Researchers say the need for on-farm innovation has never been more urgent, with the industry grappling with rapid changes in policy and trade, as well as heightened volatility, and the climate crisis.

Professor Tom MacMillan, of the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), and one of the organisers, said: "Research is vital to help understand these challenges and find ways to address them.

"As researchers, there is certainly more we can do to make sure our work is truly relevant on the ground.

The workshops are supported by organisations including Innovate UK and the Agricultural Universities Council (AUC), which brings together 16 UK universities that carry out research in agriculture.

In May, the AUC published its joint research strategy setting out how the universities would work together to help address challenges facing farming.

Top of the list was working more with farmers to understand their priorities and shape the research agenda.

Dr Helen Ferrier, chief science advisor for the NFU, is part of the commissioning group for this work and will be hosting workshops.

She said: It is so important that the voices of farmers and growers are heard when research strategies are developed.

"These are the people who will be turning scientific knowledge into practice in their businesses and they therefore play a key role in enabling government funding to show a return on investment.

The positive impact of innovation in our sector can be extremely significant if the research and development and knowledge exchange system works well."
A survey of UK farmers, contractors and agronomists has shown resilience among oilseed rape growers, as risk management strategies continue to evolve.

Growers have indicated a preference for longer rotations and a stronger focus on either early drilling or a flexible approach which prioritises sowing seeds into moist soils wherever possible.

Corteva Agrisciences survey received 250 replies and revealed that companion cropping is continuing to gain popularity, with nearly 50% of farms surveyed using the technique.

Buckwheat and berseem clover were highlighted as the most popular companion cropping options.

Unsurprisingly, the most popular reason given for why farmers grow oilseed rape was its function as a break crop  74% of respondents said this.

Clare Stapley, OSR herbicides marketing manager at Corteva, said this showed that oilseed rape was still an integral part of rotations, but it's not without its risks and challenges.

She said: "The information gathered in this years survey has helped to shine a light on how growers are going about successfully establishing and protecting crops.

Most growers plan to drill in August, with fewer than 20% opting for July or September. But rotations including the crop are generally becoming longer  68% of growers leave a gap of at least five years.

Flexibility on drilling is the number one measure farmers said they were using in the battle against pests such as cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB), with options including drilling early, late and/or adopting a no-till approach.

Of those surveyed, the majority of growers (70%) said min-till or no-till is their preferred approach.

The past two seasons have seen challenging conditions which have resulted in pressure from CSFB and tricky sowing conditions.

To reduce the risk of crops being written off or performing poorly, many have shifted from pre-emergence herbicide strategies to post application sprays.

This tactic enables farmers to see the crop establish before making any decisions and reduces the up-front investment in crop protection products.

The way we grow oilseed rape is changing and that means farmers and agronomists are looking at weed control from a new angle, Ms Stapley added.

If you can delay your herbicide investment until you can judge the quality of the crop and the weeds present, you are reducing risk.

Respondents listed blackgrass and cleavers as particular concerns. Ms Stapley said Cortevas post-emergence autumn applied herbicide Belkar was highly effective at treating key weeds, such as cleavers, cranesbill, fumitory, poppies and shepherds purse.

Propyzamide-containing products were identified as being key to effective grassweed control.

Stewardship of these products is extremely important, and it is timely to be reminded of this as we go through the autumn," she said.

"Applications should be made at the right time, at the right rate, and in the right conditions to avoid the product entering water courses and allowing it to work most effectively.

Encouragingly, nearly all the respondents who took our survey said they were aware or very clear on the best practice advice for using propyzamide.

"But we would still urge all oilseed rape growers to refresh their memories before applications this autumn or winter.
An outbreak of bluetongue in the Netherlands has triggered a reminder for British farmers to take measures to minimise the risk of disease spread in the UK.

The disease was reported on four sheep farms in the Netherlands on 5 September, the first outbreak in the country since 2009.

However, up to 600 farms might now be contaminated with the disease, according to Agriculture Minister Piet Adema.

Dutch vets are reporting severe illness in sheep, with high fever and lesions around the coronary band, udder, face and mouth.

Bluetongue has the potential for rapid spread, with significant production losses for sheep and cattle, and is of major importance to the international trade in livestock.

The last outbreak of bluetongue in the UK was in 2007, meaning it has been officially free of the virus since 2011.

AHDB said the case in the Netherlands "serves as a timely reminder" of the disease's clinical signs and the precautions that farmers should take.

The levy board said: "The bluetongue virus is spread by wind dispersal of infected biting midges and through the import of affected animals, their germplasm (sperm and eggs) and foetuses.

"Sheep are more likely to show clinical signs of bluetongue than cattle or goats. Some animals may show no clinical signs  these animals pose a risk for spreading the disease to new areas and countries.

"If you are importing livestock, sperm or eggs, speak to your vet before deciding to import them and ensure you are following the latest guidance and legislation."

The disease affects all ruminants and camelids and has the greatest production impact on dairy cattle due to the drop in milk yield.

It does not affect humans or have an impact on food safety, but the disease can cause serious illness and death in affected animals.

Bluetongue is a notifiable animal disease; therefore, any suspicion of disease must be reported immediately.
Sonam Kapoor most recently made an appearance at the illustrious Business of Fashion 500 Gala on Saturday in Paris. The occasion was attended by a number of famous people, including Troye Sivan, Naomi Campbell, Jared Leto, Kris Jenner, and others. Sonam wore a beautiful white outfit. This gorgeous dress had a plunging neckline with elaborate orange embellishments, a flowy style, full sleeves that beautifully cascaded to the hem, and a long, sweeping train. She selected a set of gaudy, lengthy, brilliant earrings that shone bright.



Sonam wore sparkly eyeshadow, mascaraed lashes, winged eyeliner, darkened brows, flushed cheeks with loads of highlighter, and various hues of glossy nude lipstick for her glam makeup look. She finished her head-turning image with her lush, long locks, which were left open at the centre and fell gracefully down her shoulders.



Take a look:
Mahira Khan Wedding Look: Pakistan's heartthrob, actress Mahira Khan, got hitched to her longtime beau, entrepreneur Salim Karim, in an intimate ceremony in the country's hill town of Bhurban. The wedding was nothing short of a fairytale. Social media is abuzz with the Raees actress's videos of her walking down the aisle towards her husband.

In the videos shared by Mahira's manager, Anushay Talha Khan, and the actor's brother, Hissan Khan, the beautiful couple can be seen embracing each other in an emotional hug while the wedding guests cheer.

The adorable clip was captured by Izzah Shaheen Malik, meanwhile, the outdoor venue added a serene touch to their special day, which was attended by only close friends and family. While fans are gushing over Mahira's bridal look, let's decode the specialty of her outfit and other details.

Mahira Khan wedding dress

Staying loyal to her minimal style, superstar Mahira Khan opted for a muted-tone ensemble for her dreamy wedding with partner and businessman Salim Karim. As per the Pakistani outlet Tribune, the actress's wedding outfit was designed by Dubai-based Pak renowned fashion designer Faraz Manan.

Mahira Khan Wedding: Who Is Salim Karim? Pak Business Tycoon & Raees Stars 2nd Husband; All You Need To Know

The Humsafar actor dressed in a beauteous white lehenga choli with a matching dupatta and a gorgeous veil that covered her head. The elaborate skirt was adorned with sequins and heavily embellished, while the blouse had a square neckline, full-length sleeves, and a plunging back.

The high-rise waist lehenga came with an A-line layered ghera, intricate embroidered patterns, and a floor-length hem. She styled her attire with two dupattas, one on her head with its pleats on the shoulder, and the other as a veil.

Mahira Khan wedding accessories & makeup

For her accessories, Mahira wore a gorgeous diamond choker necklace with matching jhumkas and a mang tika. She chose to go for soft makeup with gelled-back brows, mascara-filled lashes, blush-pink lips, and centre-partially parted hair tied in a back bun, adding more charm to her bridal look.

Whereas Salim Karim complimented Mahira in a completely contrasting look as he wore a black bandhgala jacket, matching kurta, and churidar pants. He finished his look with an ice blue tulle pagdi, a sleek watch, and black mojaris.

Mahira Khan is a well-known face in Pakistan showbiz and is known for her shows and films like Bol, Shehr-e-Zaat, Humsafar, Bin Roye, Sadqay Tumhare, and many more.

Pakistani Actress Mahira Khan Set To Get Married Again To Beau Salim Karim Next Month? Here's What We Know
Mahira Khan-Salim Karim: Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, known for her roles in hit dramas like Humsafar and her appearance in Bollywood film Raees, has once again tied the knot. The actress reportedly got married to her boyfriend Salim Karim on October 1.

Mahira who is known for her versatile acting prowess got married to Salim in an intimate ceremony. The wedding ceremony took place on a Sunday, and the first video from the event, shared by Mahira's manager, confirmed the joyous union.

While Mahira enjoys massive popularity, Salim Karim isn't a popular Pakistani industry face; he is a successful businessman. The duo started dating a few years ago, and Mahira confirmed their relationship in 2020.

Now, with their wedding, many online users are also curious about the background of Salim Karim. Here are some lesser-known facts about Mahira Khan's Humsafar.

Who Is Salim Karim?

Salim Karim is a businessman who has been reportedly dating Mahira Khan for over five years. While not much is known about his personal life, it is reported that he is the CEO of a renowned startup company called Simpaisa. This company allegedly provides services to merchants across more than 15 countries.

In an interesting twist, Salim Karim is not only a businessman but also a professional DJ.

Mahira & Salim's Love Story

Salim Karim and Mahira Khan's love story began at an event hosted by Tapmad TV, a television application. Despite being in the public eye, Mahira has managed to keep her love life away from the spotlight. However, she made her relationship official in 2020.

Further, during an episode of 'Rewind with Samina Peerzada,' Mahira Khan confessed to her relationship with Salim. Meanwhile, during an Instagram Live session with fashion mogul Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, Mahira said, "I must have done something good in my life that God has sent him my way."

Mahira Khan's Previous Marriage

Prior to her marriage to Salim Karim, Mahira Khan was married to Ali Askari, her childhood sweetheart. They exchanged vows in 2007 and welcomed a son shortly after. Their marriage lasted for eight years before they decided to part ways in 2015. Despite their separation, they continue to co-parent their son and maintain a cordial relationship.
Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia New Show: Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, initially known for her victory in Femina Miss Manipur (2018) and reaching the top 12 of Femina Miss India 2018, has made significant strides in her career, now standing among the most prominent television celebrities.

Her breakthrough came with her portrayal of Meher, the lead character in Colors TV's Choti Sarrdaarni, which garnered widespread recognition. However, it was her participation in Bigg Boss 16, the controversial reality show hosted by Salman Khan, that catapulted her to stardom.

Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia exited the Bigg Boss house in February of this year, securing the sixth position just before the finale week. Since then, her devoted fans have eagerly anticipated updates on her upcoming projects. While in Bigg Boss 16, Ekta Kapoor signed her for a segment in Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2, though further details are still pending from Nimrit's side.

WILL NIMRIT KAUR AHLUWALIA PARTICIPATE IN JHALAK DIKHHLA JAA 11?

Gandhi Jayanti EXCLUSIVE | Bhagya Lakshmi Star Aishwarya Sharma Give Tribute To Gandhiji: He Was A True...

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Despite maintaining silence about her next venture, Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia remains highly active on social media, consistently attracting attention from her fans. Now, the latest buzz suggests that Nimrit has been approached for another big-ticket reality show after Bigg Boss 16. Well, we're talking about the upcoming season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. Yes, you read that right!

For those who are unaware, the immensely popular celebrity dance reality show is set to make its return to Sony TV after being broadcast on Colors TV for several years. The anticipated premiere of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11 is scheduled to commence this month. According to a Tellychakkar report, the makers have now approached Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia for JDJ 11.

Reportedly, the talks are currently going on and there's still no confirmation about the actress' participation.

NIMRIT VS SHIV THAKARE VS SUMBUL TOUQEER IN JHALAK DIKHHLA JAA 11?

Interestingly, Nimrit's Bigg Boss 16 buddies Shiv Thakare and Sumbul Touqeer Khan are also in advanced talks to participate in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11. If things work out then the fans of BB 16 mandali will see the trio competing against each other once again.

Keep watching this space for more updates!
Shama Sikander is gorgeousness and beauty personified in the true sense of the term. She's a classic example of 'beauty with brain' and no wonder, on many occasions in the past as well, she's proven the same on many occasions. Shama Sikander is someone who likes to literally walk the talk and that's why, anything that she preaches and strongly believes in, she ensures that she herself takes the onus to set an example regarding the same in the right way. Shama has always been very open about her positive thoughts and beliefs around cleanliness and no wonder, she's one of the most suitable celebrities for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Well, once again, Shama Sikander decided to take the onus and be a part of a beautiful cleanliness campaign that spread awareness about the importance of cleanliness and good hygiene. Shama joined Mumbai's special initiative, "Swachhata Hi Seva" where she joined hands with several young college students and BMC workers to do her bit around cleanliness. Shama joined all of them to clean the streets of Mumbai and with her vibrant presence, she inspired everyone in a positive way. She's seen happily posing as she became a part of such an important cause that's a learning curve for many.

Regarding the same, Shama comments,

"Well, the importance of cleanliness and hygiene can never be underplayed by any means. I strongly believe that environmental cleanliness begins with each individual's desire to be clean. Everyone knows about the importance of cleanliness. It's been spoken about for years. But still we throw garbage on roads, create mess for the environment , unfortunately not many realize is that just talking about it is not enough it's important to awaken the the right spirit and passion within to keep our roads and cities clean. Only then, we can succeed in that department. That's why I always believe in international practice in doing what I say. Hence, I ensured I am physically present with all my fellow BMC workers and young students to motivate their thought process in whatever way I could. I thoroughly enjoyed cleaning the road with them and also while doing it , I realized how much heat, rainstorms these BMC workers go through every day to give us a clean city and most of us are so unconcerned and unconscious of it. My arms started to heart in an hour , i was sweating like crazy, and so this is a very important initiative for people to realize that it is easy to throw garbage on roads but very difficult to clean. I salute our BMC officials and workers who are at it everyday. I am glad I fulfilled my commitment towards this initiative and I could actually go out there on the streets and be a part of the drive physically to spread awareness. I believe we are headed in the right direction when it comes to this."
Tokyo, Japan--(Newsfile Corp. - October 1, 2023) - Elsevier, a global leader in scientific information and data analytics, today announces the successful delivery of a solution on the e-CSTI platform through a collaboration with The Cabinet Office (CAO), Government of Japan, for robust decision-making on Japan's research-related policies founded on evidence-based information and data.

e-CSTI is a portal developed by CAO and launched in 2020 to promote and strengthen evidence-based decision- and policymaking in funding scientific and technological research as part of Japan's Fifth Basic Science and Technology Plan. The platform is continuously enhancing and upgrading its analytic scope and capability in response to the evolving needs of Japan's scientific and research priorities.

Accessible to policy makers, research funders, university leaders and the public, e-CSTI analyzes the relationship between research input and output to assess the outcome and impact resulting from investments into researcher and university activities.

By integrating bibliometrics data from Scopus, the world's leading abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature with journal records from J-STAGE, an online journal platform for Japanese learned societies developed and managed by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, Elsevier is able to deliver a more comprehensive, objective and accurate view of researcher profiles over the e-CSTI platform.

Naoaki Kashiwabara, Director of Cabinet Office, Japan, said: "The integration of Scopus and J-STAGE databases is a landmark development for e-CSTI, which has been in operation for three years. We believe that the upgraded database will make significant contribution by providing essential inputs for evidence-based policy making and corporate management to Japan's science, technology and innovation communities."

M'hamed Aisati, Vice President of Analytical and Data Services, said: "We are thrilled to extend our collaboration with CAO. Japan stands at the forefront of evidence-based decision-making, thanks to its e-CSTI platform. As a global leader in digital information solutions, we are poised to bolster CAO's efforts in shaping strategic priorities, guiding investment decisions, and shaping the landscape of research development policies."

The solution involved the integration of 1.4 million records that generated about 0.8 million new researcher profiles, enriched 1 million existing profiles and created 9 million new citation links.

The enhanced e-CSTI platform delivers the following capabilities and benefits to key stakeholders engaged in the Japanese research ecosystem:

Provide government ministries, university leaders and administrators as well as research funders with insights into the impact of university research and the contribution from each unique stakeholder.

Analyze how the underpinning components are contributing to the research ecosystem, i.e., the contribution arising from inputs into research (e.g., funding), the outputs of research (e.g., research papers, patents); as well as providing an understanding as to how these components can be optimally managed.

Provide stronger evidence regarding the research ecosystem, thereby enabling a more effective and transparent process for improved policymaking. For example, using more comprehensive information to support the allocation of funding to future research activities.

--

About e-CSTI

Raising the research, educational, and fundraising capabilities of universities and other research institutes is extremely important to improving Japan's science and technology capabilities. Thus, the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI) has collected and analyzed evidence on the status of research, education, and fundraising at universities and other research institutes. e-CSTI (an evidence data platform) was then constructed as a means of sharing this evidence with relevant parties at the governmental, university, and research institute levels. It is expected that such parties will utilize e-CSTI data to pursue evidence-based policy making (EBPM) and evidence-based corporate management (EBMgt).

About Elsevier

As a global leader in information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making for customers across the global research and health ecosystems. In everything we publish, we uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity. We bring that same rigor to our information analytics solutions for researchers, academic leaders, funders, R&D-intensive corporations, doctors, and nurses.

Elsevier employs 9,000 people worldwide, including over 2,500 technologists. We have supported the work of our research and health partners for more than 140 years. Growing from our roots in publishing, we offer knowledge and valuable analytics that help our users make breakthroughs and drive societal progress. Digital solutions such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath support strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and health education. Researchers and healthcare professionals rely on over 2,800 journals, including The Lancet and Cell; 46,000+ eBook titles; and iconic reference works, such as Gray's Anatomy. With the Elsevier Foundation and our external Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Board, we work in partnership with diverse stakeholders to advance inclusion and diversity in science, research and healthcare in developing countries and around the world.

Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.

Media contact

Jason Chan

+65 6349 0240

j.chan@elsevier.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182210
LONDON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hemophilia Disease burden is witnessing a significant rise across a globe. This rare genetic disorder may occur at an early age and progress with time. Epidemiology study indicates that presently, more than 1.1 million individuals are affected with haemophilia and the statistics are reckoned to increase in the coming years. This disease is known to primarily impact men. Rigorous efforts are being taken by medical researchers, biotech and pharma firms, along with healthcare professionals to find effective haemophilia management, diagnostic, and treatment solutions.

Haemophilia is a rare hereditary condition that predominantly impact's an individual's capacity to clot blood. It is characterized by the deficiency of certain proteins known as clotting factors. It is worth mentioning that blood clotting is an essential biological function that primarily prevents excessive bleeding in case of severe injuries. It is a lifelong condition, but proper management may alleviate the symptoms to a large extent. Haemophilia A and Haemophilia B are the two sub-types of this ailment.

How is Haemophilia turning into a global concern?

Haemophilia epidemiological data suggests that more than 400 babies are born with haemophilia each year. This concerning data has escalated the demand for efficient haemophilia healthcare solutions. Once diagnosed, the patient is required to stay under complete medical surveillance throughout their lives. The fact that this ailment has no permanent cure makes it highly dangerous. Even minor injuries and cuts may be life threatening for haemophilic patients. Haemophilia patient care has become a top priority for numerous healthcare organizations worldwide.

Price and Market Access

Delving into the causes and symptoms of this rare disease:

There are two primary haemophilia causes namely genetic inheritance and spontaneous mutation. Also, this disease mainly occurs in men because the genes responsible for clotting factors are located on the X chromosome. But women can be the carrier of this disease by carrying one copy of the mutated gene but have a normal gene on their other X chromosome. Females do not experience any symptoms, but they pass the mutated gene to their offspring, making them highly prone to this genetic disorder.

Haemophilia symptoms may vary from person to person depending on the severity of their conditions. Prolonged bleeding even in case of minor injuries, easy bruising, swelling, joint pain, nose bleeds, blood in stool or urine, and intracranial bleeding are mainly experienced by the affected patients.

How to detect Haemophilia?

Early diagnosis plays a significant role towards ensuring proper haemophilia management. This disorder can be detected through a combination of various tests which are specified below-

Medical history and physical examination- Here the doctors enquire the patient about their personal and family medical history, including any instances of prolonged bleeding after injury or surgery. On the other hand, physical examination involves the proper evaluation of signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of haemophilia.

Blood Tests- Clotting factor tests and activated partial thromboplastin time test are performed to measure the clotting factors in the blood and the time it takes for the blood to clot respectively.

Learn More About the FDA NDA & BLA Approval (NME) Drugs for Hemophilia Disease @

https://www.diseaselandscape.com/requestsample/postid/79

Genetic Testing- Through this testing, doctors can confirm the presence of the specific genetic mutation responsible for haemophilia. It allows them to easily determine the severity of the condition, identifying carriers among family members, and providing genetic counselling.

Apart from the aforementioned diagnostic techniques, differential diagnosis and certain specialized tests can be performed to detect this dreadful disease.

Navigating through the treatment landscape

Haemophilia patient care involves the administration of various drugs and therapies, along with physical and emotional support. A permanent cure for this ailment is yet to be developed but various drugs and therapies to alleviate the symptoms have successfully been introduced.

Here is a glimpse of the Haemophilia treatment vertical:

Clotting Factor Replacement therapy:

In this therapy, the deficit clotting factor is replaced through intravenous infusion of clotting factor concentrates. For haemophilia A (factor 8 deficiency), factor VIII concentrates are administered.

Emicizumab:

This monoclonal antibody has immense potential to treat Haemophilia A. It is primarily administered to prevent bleeding episodes in the patients.

Gene therapy:

Gene therapy aims to correct the genetic mutation responsible for hemophilia, potentially providing a long-term or even permanent solution to the condition.

Apart from these, several other FDA and EMA approved drugs and therapies are also prescribed by doctors for the effective treatment of this inherited disorder. DiseaseLandscape Insights has been a frontrunner when it comes to the research & development of advanced treatment entities against Haemophilia. It has been empowering the concerned bodies within depth disease market analysis which in turn assists them with treatment gaps identification tactics. DLI has also been supporting them with clinical trial management, regulatory compliance, and drug pricing strategies while offering them deep dive market access consultancy.

Discover More About Pricing and Reimbursement, Epidemiology Study, and Healthcare @

https://www.diseaselandscape.com/downloadsample/postid/79

Role of DLI in post launch scenario:

Many players seek healthcare consulting services from DLI during their drug development and launch stages. By leveraging DLI's product development services and product launch services, they successfully solidify their presence in the market. But their efforts do not end here. Even after the successful launch of the treatment products, it is crucial for them to engage in activities and adopt strategies through which they can ensure long time profits from these products.

DLI empowers them with post launch services that include commercial strategy analysis, product portfolio extension strategies, product pipeline analysis, along with other pharma consulting services. This allows players to get in depth insights about the efficacy of their drugs, thereby helping them with their long-term pricing and reimbursement decisions.

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Final Words:

Haemophilia is a rare genetic disorder than predominantly affect men. Although women can be the primary carriers of this disease. Patients affected with this condition lose the ability to clot blood. It means that in case of injuries, the bleeding won't stop automatically without medical intervention. Medical researchers and other healthcare professionals are making huge R&D investments to improve the diagnostic and treatment landscape pertaining to this ailment. DLI has been assisting them in their endeavours by providing them with disease overview, drug insights, and other related consulting services. The ongoing research activities may result in the development of a permanent cure for this devastating ailment in the coming years.

Search more about Genetic Diseases

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About Disease Landscape:

Disease Landscape, a pioneering company specializing in Disease Intelligence, Pricing, and Market Access. Utilizing the power of data analytics, Disease Landscape Insights is dedicated to healthcare sector with invaluable, finely crafted insights and recommendations regarding global pricing and market access strategies. As a specialized firm, we are committed to delivering unparalleled insights into pricing and market access, custom-tailored to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Our data-driven solutions and cutting-edge technology position us as your trustworthy partner, offering swift, adaptable, and evidence-based alternatives to traditional market access and pricing research methods.?

Our core competencies encompass Market Research Services, Consulting Services, Global Pricing and Market Access, Epidemiology Studies, as well as Product Portfolio and Pipeline Services. Our expertise lies in furnishing comprehensive data intelligence throughout every phase of drug and device research.?

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/navigating-hemophilia-disease-market-healthcare-consulting-services-disease-insights-unmet-needs-and-market-access--disease-landscape-insights-301944116.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 2, 2023) - Defiance Silver Corp. (TSXV: DEF) (OTCQX: DNCVF) (FSE: D4E) (WKN: A1JQW5) ("Defiance" or the "Company") is pleased to share that new sampling of historic drill core has revealed previously unrecognized zones with high grade and wide widths within the San Acacio project area. Defiance geologists successfully used advances in our deposit and district knowledge to identify and target favourable structural positions and mineralization styles that were overlooked in historic sampling campaigns. Significant results are reported in holes SAD-15-05, SAD-15-06, SAD-15-07, SAD-15-08, SAD-17-14, SAD-17-15, and SAD-17-16; these holes were drilled during the 2015 and 2017 drilling campaigns. Notable silver mineralization over wide widths was encountered.

The company is encouraged by the success of this campaign, as it supports a growing resource on the Veta Grande vein system as well as validates the geological modeling and understanding of the mineral system potential. The company will continue to evaluate additional drill holes from the extensive district-wide drill core library.

Chris Wright, Chairman & CEO, commented: "Multiple years of technical analysis have outlined and confirmed that resource building targets exist in the hanging-wall and footwall of the main Veta Grande structure. Our team has diligently built a comprehensive geologic model that has led to the intersection of wide intervals and high-grade mineralization."

Highlights:

SAD-17-14 - discovered wide widths of appreciable grades including 6.83m of 157 g/t AgEq (from 283.21 - 290.04m) including 2.30 m of 376 g/t AgEq (from 284.65 - 286.95m) with a high-grade sub interval of 1180.00 g/t Ag and 2.23 g/t Au or 1369 g/t AgEq (from 284.65 - 285.00m).





SAD-17-15 - returned a significant interval of silver mineralization of 36.70m of 154.80 g/t Ag or 162 g/t AgEq (from 191.30 - 228.00m) when composited with the previously released results (See October 25 th , 2017 News Release). Other notable results in this wide interval include 6.81m of 296 g/t AgEq (from 203.01 - 209.82m), including a high-grade sub-interval of 629 g/t AgEq over 2.82m (from 207.00 - 209.82m). A further wide sub-interval of 15.00m of 137.91 g/t Ag or 145 g/t AgEq was encountered from 213.00 - 228.00m.





, 2017 News Release). Other notable results in this wide interval include 6.81m of 296 g/t AgEq (from 203.01 - 209.82m), including a high-grade sub-interval of 629 g/t AgEq over 2.82m (from 207.00 - 209.82m). A further wide sub-interval of 15.00m of 137.91 g/t Ag or 145 g/t AgEq was encountered from 213.00 - 228.00m. SAD-17-16 - encountered 2.31m of 202 g/t AgEq (from 219.40 - 221.71m) in the Veta Navidad zone.





SAD-15-06 - returned 2.50m of 127 g/t AgEq (from 155.00 - 157.50m) in a hanging-wall (HW) veinlet-array splay zone.





SAD-15-07 - intersected 1.12m of 267 g/t AgEq (from 156.35 - 157.47m), as well as a 3.77m interval of 123 g/t AgEq from 166.07 - 169.84m. The deeper intercept is located on the same structure as the reported intercept in SAD-15-06.





SAD-15-08 - a 1.63m interval returned 165 g/t AgEq (from 97.65 - 99.28m) and a 1.54m interval of 212 g/t AgEq (from 131.15 - 132.69m) in the Veta Navidad zone.

Table 1: Select table of results

H ole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Ag g/t Au g/t Pb % Zn % AgEq g/t QAQC SAD-15-05 98.00 99.00 1.00 98.30 0.10 0.01 0.03 107 a SAD-15-05 105.15 109.80 4.65 91.40 0.15 0.08 0.28 114 a Including 105.15 106.00 0.85 307.52 0.06 0.05 0.16 319 a SAD-15-05 127.76 130.48 2.72 153.46 0.02 0.05 0.13 161 a SAD-15-06 155.00 157.50 2.50 117.88 0.08 0.03 0.04 127 a SAD-15-07 156.35 157.47 1.12 235.00 0.30 0.07 0.16 267 a SAD-15-07 166.07 169.84 3.77 88.94 0.16 0.13 0.51 123 a Including 169.00 169.84 0.84 283.08 0.26 0.12 0.52 324 a S AD-15-08 97.65 99.28 1.63 157.74 0.06 0.02 0.07 165 a SAD-15-08 131.15 132.69 1.54 200.74 0.10 0.02 0.09 212 a SAD-17-14 283.21 290.04 6.83 128.60 0.25 0.06 0.18 157 a Including 284.65 286.95 2.30 318.78 0.59 0.08 0.22 376 a Including 284.65 285.00 0.35 1180.00 2.23 0.07 0.18 1369 a SAD-17-15 191.30 228.00 36.70 154.80 0.02 0.06 0.14 162 a,b Including 195.00 211.85 16.85 200.07 0.02 0.07 0.19 210 a,b Including 203.01 209.82 6.81 279.32 0.03 0.12 0.32 296 a Including 207.00 209.82 2.82 594.60 0.07 0.27 0.65 629 a Including 208.44 209.82 1.38 854.00 0.06 0.28 0.27 876 a Including* 209.82 213.00 3.18 285.04 0.02 0.05 0.17 294 b Including 213.00 228.00 15.00 137.91 0.02 0.07 0.11 145 a, b Including 221.41 228.00 6.59 228.10 0.03 0.14 0.19 241 b Including 225.00 228.00 3.00 435.00 0.06 0.28 0.37 460 b SAD-17-16 219.40 221.71 2.31 191.98 0.10 0.02 0.05 202 a Including 219.40 219.75 0.35 810.00 0.44 0.07 0.10 851 a

Table 1 - Silver equivalent is calculated using the following formula: Silver-Equivalent AgEq g/t= (Au_ppm x 61.71492) + (Ag_ppm x 0.761168) + (Pb_% x 22.44413) + (Zn_% x 24.40404)/(0.761168). Metal price assumptions are Au: $1919.55, Ag: $23.67, Pb: $1.02 Zn: $1.10. A 30-day price average is used to determine USD metal prices, and 100% recovery has been assumed for all metals. At this stage of the project, reliable metallurgy has yet to be completed, and the reader is cautioned that 100% recoveries are never achieved. True thickness is assumed to be 50% -- 80% of downhole width. *previously reported intercept (See October 25th, 2017 News Release)

Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC):

a-2023 sampling QAQC procedures discussed at the end of this news release.

b-2015 and 2017 sampling QAQC procedures discussed at the end of this news release.

Figure 1: Overview Map of San Acacio Drill Holes Reported in this Release

Figure 1. Plan map of drilling at the San Acacio project. Drill holes reported in this release, which are historic holes with new assay results from unsampled intervals, are shown in yellow. Drill holes with pending (to be reported) results from recent drilling are shown in green. Coordinates are in UTM WGS84 Zone 13N.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2950/182594_efde9b87e4aae995_002full.jpg

Figure 2: Cross Section of Hole SAD-17-15

Figure 2. Cross-section of hole SAD-17-15, looking northwest. Results from the new assays of historic Defiance Silver drill core are highlighted in the red boxes.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2950/182594_efde9b87e4aae995_003full.jpg

Figure 3: Cross Section of Holes SAD-15-05 and SAD-15-06





Figure 3. Cross-section of holes SAD-15-05 and SAD-15-06, looking northwest. Results from the new assays of historic Defiance Silver drill core are highlighted in the red boxes. Recent Defiance drill holes are show on section, as well as a new hole, DDSA-23-69, with pending results.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2950/182594_efde9b87e4aae995_004full.jpg

Discussion of Results:

Re-logging and sampling of historic drill holes was designed to identify and subsequently sample mineralization that was not analyzed during previous drill campaigns. The updated geologic models and new assays confirm and expand upon the mineralized vein splays and veinlet zones that were identified during recent drilling campaigns. These zones of high-grade silver veinlets and stockwork zones are significant ongoing exploration targets and are actively being incorporated into the deposit model. Reported intervals were dominantly found in the hanging-wall (HW) of the main Veta Grande structure. The technical team believes that understanding the splays and veinlet zones as well as the structural controls on grade distribution are key to expanding the San Acacio resource.

The following drill holes are discussed in spatial order, beginning in the northwest (NW) and moving towards the southeast (SE). SAD-17-16, SAD-15-07, SAD-15-08, SAD-15-05, SAD-15-06 are part of the NW zone where significant HW grade is found in unassuming veinlet array zones. Holes SAD-17-14 and SAD-17-15, in the central to SE portion of the San Acacio resource area, begin to delineate vein splays, including the historically identified Veta Intermedio; grade is dominantly located in more formal HW structures and associated veinlet swarms. These learnings are being incorporated into the current grade and geologic model to guide future drilling at the project.

SAD-17-16 encountered 2.31m of 191.98 g/t Ag or 202 g/t AgEq (from 219.40 - 221.71m) in the Veta Navidad zone. The Veta Navidad zone is in the NW extent of the San Acacio resource area, and this style of mineralization has been encountered in nearby holes. Structural review and modelling are currently underway to define this zone, and future oriented core drilling is planned for this area.

SAD-15-07 and SAD-15-08 were drilled from the same pad. SAD-15-08 intersected the Veta Navidad zone high in the hole. During re-logging, additional mineralized veinlet zones in the HW and FW were noted and sampled. These intercepts returned 1.63m of 165 g/t AgEq from 97.65m, and 1.54m of 212 g/t AgEq from 131.15m. The central portion of the Veta Navidad zone in SAD-15-08 was previously reported (See October 25th, 2017 News Release). The new reported intervals in SAD-15-07 are from the recently identified mineralized HW veinlet splay zones. The shallower splay zone returned 1.12m of 267 g/t AgEq from 156.35m, while the lower zone returned 3.77m of 123 g/t AgEq from 166.07m. The new sampling expands the footprint of the mineralized zone in this location, and structural modelling is underway to incorporate this data into the resource model and design future drill targets.

SAD-15-05 and SAD-15-06, shown in the Figure 3 cross-section within this news release, were drilled from the same pad. Both holes intersected multiple HW veinlet-array splay zones, which continue to build the continuity of mineralized zones in the Veta Grande hanging wall. In this portion of the Veta Grande, three mineralized HW splays are known. SAD-15-06 previously reported intercepts on the main Veta Grande and the first splay above the Veta Grande (See October 25th, 2017 News Release). Recent sampling of additional splay zones has yielded further intercepts of interest, and oriented structural data collection and detailed geologic cross-sections continue to guide interpretation and modelling of these mineralized zones.

SAD-15-06 encountered 2.50m at 127 g/t AgEq from 155.00m, and SAD-15-05 returned 2.72m at 161 g/t AgEq from 127.76m; these two intercepts demonstrate down-dip continuity along the same HW splay (Fig 3). SAD-15-05 intersected two reportable intercepts on the third interpreted splay above the Veta Grande, including 4.65m of 114g AgEq from 105.15m.

SAD-17-14 encountered a high-grade zone in a hanging-wall vein splay above the historically identified Veta Intermedio, 6.83m of 157 g/t AgEq from 283.21m, which includes 0.35m of 1369 g/t AgEq from 284.65m. This intercept further demonstrates the high-grade potential of the HW vein splays in the central zone of the San Acacio resource area.

SAD-17-15 encountered wide widths of significant mineralization from the Veta Grande HW through to the Veta Intermedio HW zone (Figure 2). This hole intersected a well-mineralized shoot with historic workings, and the majority of the mineralized shoot remains in the ground. Re-logging and sampling suggest that high-grade silver is hosted in veinlet swarms and vein splays that were previously unrecognized. These observations and results will be incorporated into the geologic model and used for future drill targeting.

Wide widths of significant silver mineralization are outlined in SAD-17-15. This hole encountered 36.70m of 162 g/t AgEq from 191.30m, including 6.81m at 296 g/t AgEq from 203.01m. The mineralogy is dominantly primary silver, lead, and zinc sulfides (argentite-acanthite-galena-sphalerite) and quartz as gangue material. This mineralization style is representative of both the historically and currently mined material in the Ag-dominant epithermal vein systems of the Zacatecas district.

Table 2: Collar Information for Reported Drill Holes

HoleID Total Depth (m) Azimuth Dip Easting Northing Elevation (m) SAD-15-05 245.00 35 -75 751462 2526424 2548 SAD-15-06 250.80 22 -85 751461 2526422 2548 SAD-15-07 274.70 35 -80 751400 2526468 2565 SAD-15-08 358.65 215 -85 751399 2526469 2565 SAD-17-14 423.00 35 -80 751781 2526133 2608 SAD-17-15 308.00 35 -71 751884 2526089 2589 SAD-17-16 428.84 35 -65 751222 2526349 2621



Table 2. Drill collar details. All coordinates in WGS84 UTM Zone 13N

Discussion of Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QAQC) and Analytical Procedures:

a-QAQC for 2023 drill core sampling: Samples were selected based on the lithology, alteration, and mineralization characteristics; sample size generally ranges from 0.25 - 2.00m in width. All altered and mineralized intervals were sent for assay. One blank, one standard, and one duplicate were included within every 20 samples. Standard materials are certified reference materials (CRMs) from OREAS and CDN Resource Laboratories Ltd (CDN); the suite of standards contains a range of Ag, Au, Cu, Pb, and Zn values. Blanks, standards, and duplicates have been used to confirm the validity of the analytical results.

Samples were analyzed by ALS Limited. Sample preparation was performed at their Zacatecas, Mexico, prep facility, and analyses were performed at the Vancouver, Canada, analytical facility. All elements except Au and Hg were analyzed by a multi-element geochemistry method utilizing a four-acid digestion followed by ICP-MS detection [ME-MS61m]; mercury was analyzed after a separate aqua regia digest by ICP-MS. Overlimit assays for Ag, Pb, and Zn were conducted using the OG62 method (multi-acid digest with ICP-AES/AAS finish). Gold was measured by fire-assay with an ICP-AES finish [50g sample, Au-ICP22].

b-QAQC for 2015 and 2017 drill core sampling: Samples were selected based on geologic breaks; sample size generally ranges from 0.50 - 1.50m in width. A minimum of one blank and one standard was submitted with each sample batch. Various reference materials from CDN were used as standards and blanks. The standards contain a range of Ag, Au, Cu, Pb, and Zn values, while the blanks contain very low levels of these elements.

All analytical work, including sample preparation and analyses, was performed at the Activation Laboratories Ltd (Actlabs) facility in Guadalupe, Zacatecas, Mexico. Trace element geochemistry was completed using a 4-acid 'near total' digestion with an ICP-OES finish [method 1F2]. Base metal overlimit assays were conducted using a 4-acid digest with an ICP-AAS finish, while overlimit silver assays were analyzed using the 8-Ag method (30g sample, fire assay with gravimetric finish). Gold was measured by fire assay with an AAS finish [30g sample, 1A2].

Shares for Debt Transaction Update:

Defiance also announces an update to the Shares for Debt transaction (See News Release dated May 3rd, 2023), regarding consulting services rendered for the company by an arm's length party, Rhea Advisors, LLC ("Rhea") and General Research GmbH ("General Research"). The scope of these services was related to in-house marketing, communications, and project-based consulting with management. Defiance reports that it intends to settle CDN$35,600 of debt through the issuance of 192,432 common shares of the Company to Rhea at a deemed price of $0.185 per share and CDN$30,000 of debt through the issuance of 162,162 common shares of the Company to General Research, at a deemed price of $0.185 per share. The shares for debt transaction are subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange").

Investor Relations Activities - Tarik Dede:

Defiance also announces an update to its relationship with Tarik Dede ("Dede") an arm's length party engaged to provide investor relations services, as defined in accordance with the policies of the Exchange (See News Release Dated March 16th, 2023). Pursuant to his agreement, Dede was retained to provide blogging services on a per transaction basis, for a cash fee of 750 per month and would not be issued any stock options for the services. The Company confirms that the engagement has now terminated, and no funds were paid to Dede.

Shares for Services - Corporate Secretary :

The Company announces that on May 1, 2023, it entered into an Administrative Services Agreement (the "Agreement") with Meraki Corporate Services Inc. ("Meraki"), for which Lisa Thompson, our Corporate Secretary is a founder. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company will pay Meraki $2,500 per month and issue shares in the amount of $1,330 per month (the "Compensation Shares"). The Compensation Shares will be accrued at the market value of the common shares on the last day of each month and will be issued semi-annually and will be subject to a statutory hold period. The shares services transaction is subject to approval of the Exchange.

Lisa Thompson is a "Non-Arm's Length Party" (as such term is defined under the policies of the Exchange) of the Company and the issuance of the Compensation Shares to Ms. Thompson constitutes a related party transaction as defined under MI 61-101. Such transaction is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the monthly fee, nor the fair market value of the Compensation Shares issued to the interested party exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

About Meraki Corporate Services

Meraki Corporate Services ("Meraki") has been involved in the public company sector for over 25 years providing a strong background of corporate compliance, corporate secretarial, and bookkeeping services. Meraki offers extensive experience in the management and administration of both public and private companies.

About Defiance Silver Corp.

Defiance Silver Corp. (TSXV: DEF) (OTCQX: DNCVF) (WKN: A1JQW5) (FSE: D4E) is an exploration company advancing the district-scale San Acacio Deposit, located in the historic Zacatecas Silver District and the Tepal Gold/Copper Project in Michoacan state, Mexico. Defiance is managed by a team of proven mine developers with a track record of exploring, advancing, and developing several operating mines and advanced resource projects Defiance's corporate mandate is to expand the San Acacio and Tepal projects to become premier Mexican silver and gold deposits.

Mr. George Cavey, P. Geo, is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information concerning the Company's material mineral properties contained in this press release.

On behalf of Defiance Silver Corp.

"Chris Wright"

Chairman of the Board

For more information, please contact: Investor Relations at +1 (604) 343-4677 or via email at info@defiancesilver.com .

www.defiancesilver.com

Suite 2900-550 Burrard Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 0A3

Canada

Tel: +1 (604) 343-4677

Email: info@defiancesilver.com

Disclaimer

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Information contained in this news release which are not statements of historical facts may be "forward-looking information" for the purposes of Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking information. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "contemplate", "plan", "intends", "continue", "budget", "estimate", "may", "will", "schedule", "understand" and similar expressions identify forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things: the Company's expectations regarding the ability of the Mining Bureau of Mexico City to reinstate ownership of the concessions to the Company, cooperation with the Mining Bureau relating to such reinstatement and the potential for any successful solution resulting therefrom.

Forward-Looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Defiance, are inherently subject to significant technical, political, business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Factors and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: the inability of the Company to regain possession of its concessions; political risks associated with the Company's operations in Mexico; the failure of the Mining Bureau in Mexico City to take any coercive action to reinstate ownership of the concessions to the Company; and the inability of the Company and its subsidiaries to enforce their legal rights in certain circumstances. For additional risk factors, please see the Company's most recently filed Management Discussions & Analysis for its quarter ended March 31, 2021 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

There can be no assurances that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as many factors and future events, both known and unknown could cause actual results, performance or achievements to vary or differ materially from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained herein or incorporated by reference. Accordingly, all such factors should be considered carefully when making decisions with respect to Defiance, and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Forward-Looking information in this news release is made as at the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182594
KARPACZ, Poland, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 5-7, 2023, the 32nd edition of the Economic Forum took place at the Golebiewski Hotel in Karpacz. The Institute of Eastern Studies Foundation, in the partnership formula with the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, the commune and city of Karpacz, the city of Wroclaw, the Wroclaw Airport and the Lower Silesian Economic Cooperation Agency, once again organized the largest and most important conference of this type in Central and Eastern Europe, whose motto was: year was: "New values of the Old Continent - Europe on the threshold of change"

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/9207151-summary-32nd-economic-forum-karpacz/

The 32nd Economic Forum was attended by almost 5,400 guests from Poland, Europe and around the world, which is another record for participation in this event. About 550 events were held during the Forum, including plenary sessions, special sessions, discussion panels, debates, report presentations, special events, workshops, press briefings, galas and concerts. The panels discussed topics that the contemporary world lives and debates on. The total number of people involved and participating in the Forum exceeded 8,000 people.

The culminating part of the Economic Forum was the presentation of awards to outstanding personalities and distinguished business entities whose activities influence the political and social life in our country. This year, the Program Council of the Economic Forum awarded distinctions in three categories: Person of the Year, Company of the Year and Non-Governmental Organization of Central and Eastern Europe. The winner of the most important distinction - the Economic Forum Award in the Person of the Year category was the United States Ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski. The laudation for the winner was given by Zygmunt Berdychowski, Chairman of the Program Council of the Economic Forum, who emphasized that the award was given to a man who has recently been constantly working for American involvement in defending the freedom of this part of Europe. The Economic Forum Award in the Company of the Year category was awarded to Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, and the Warsaw School of Economics Award went to Czeslaw Lang.

Contact:

o.khvatov@isw.org.pl

mob: 532 693 178

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Preserving Biodiversity and the Urgency for Action

MILAN, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a powerful letter penned for World Habitat Day 2023, Niccolo Calandri, CEO of 3Bee , the leading climate-tech company in preserving biodiversity through technology, delivers a compelling message highlighting the importance of biodiversity preservation and the need for immediate action. As we reflect on this critical issue, here are three key takeaways from his impactful letter.

1. Biodiversity: The Heartbeat of Our Planet

Calandri underscores that biodiversity is the lifeblood of our planet, an essential element for ensuring climate resilience and the survival of human existence. Recent global catastrophes, increasingly frequent and devastating, serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for a paradigm shift. The letter echoes the sentiment that the loss of biodiversity is one of the most pressing emergencies of our time.

2. Regenerating and Monitoring 10,000 Biodiversity Oases

One of the central initiatives highlighted in the letter is 3Bee's ambitious project " Biodiversity Oases ". With the aim of regenerating 10,000 low-biodiversity areas across Europe, this project seeks to transform urban and agroforestry habitats by reintroducing native flora and providing refuges for pollinators. What makes this endeavor remarkable is its reliance on technology for traceable and measurable impact, ensuring that actions taken align with the goals of preserving biodiversity.

3. Amplifying the Message for Change

Calandri's letter resonates with the call for action from the renowned biologist E. O. Wilson, who advocates for the restoration of 50% of the Earth's natural habitats. It urges individuals, organizations, and companies to join 3Bee in amplifying the message of biodiversity preservation. This collective effort is essential to bringing biodiversity to the forefront and ensuring a sustainable future for our planet. Aiming to raise awareness of the important issue of biodiversity protection to as many people as possible, 3Bee is currently onair with two Out Of Home and omnichannel campaigns, " Voices from the Oases " in Milan, Italy and " Siehst du mich jetzt ?" in Berlin, Germany.

In conclusion, Niccolo Calandri's letter for World Habitat Day 2023 serves as a rallying cry for the preservation of biodiversity. It emphasizes the critical role of biodiversity in maintaining our planet's resilience and highlights the urgency of taking tangible actions. Through initiatives like the "Biodiversity Oases", 3Bee is leading the charge, and the call to action is clear: unite in the effort to protect our planet's biodiversity for the well-being of current and future generations.

Contact details:

Lisa Santillo - Communications Manager

lisa.santillo@3bee.com

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The documentary outlines China's contribution to vaccine science, research, and production since the COVID-19 pandemic and includes a call for science and infectious disease research to be borderless.

BEIJING, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- China Review Studio, in collaboration with Chinese Red Cross Foundation recently released a documentary on YouTube named Generation Vax. Directed by internationally renowned director Mitchell Farkas, the film focuses on the theme of China's Covid-19 vaccine by deeply diving into the safety, effectiveness, and publicity of China's vaccines.

The film tells a series of touching COVID-19 vaccine scientific research stories from three perspectives, namely, China's vaccine research, production, and science, and features interviews with numerous key personnel from world-leading institutions, including Zhong Nanshan, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Ben Cowling, an epidemiologist of School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, as well as production experts and scholars around the world related to Covid-19 vaccine research and development.

The key challenge that China's vaccines are facing is the focus on using tried and tested inactivated vaccine technology and overall concern from the public in domestic and overseas. A lot of other countries around the world has begun to use the activated vaccine and the film delves into various aspects of the global response to China's vaccine initiatives.

The film also reveals the story of how clinical phase III of China's vaccine has been conducted in Brazil. Back in May 2020, when vaccine research and development entered the third phase of clinical trials, it was discovered that China did not have access to large-scale Covid infection data, leading to a collaboration between Sinovac Biotechnology and Brazil's Butantan Institute to implement what was called the S-Project, to vaccinate all adults in the city of Serrana, a small town in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, with the Sinovac vaccine in order to study and test the effect of mass vaccination on controlling the spread of the virus.

In the film, the vaccine clinical trial that has been conducted by China Sinopharm Group in the United Arab Emirates has also been highlighted with over 44,000 volunteers from 125 countries vaccinated with the Sinopharm vaccine. Zhang Yuntao, Chief Scientific Officer of Sinopharm CNBG, commented that it was China's fastest and largest Phase III clinical study of COVID-19 at the time, which also marks a milestone in how China's vaccine has been applied for massive-scale protection.

The second half of the film documents China's calls for the world to work together to face down public safety incidents together.

The documentary will be translated and broadcast internationally in the coming weeks and months on multiple platforms, including Salve TV in Germany, ATV in Hungary, BFC in Italy, TVT in Brazil, Soweto in South Africa, RED MEDIA's TV stations, SPB in Russia, SEA in Indonesia, TODAY TV channel, and Genflix.

For more information about the Documentary, please visit https://youtu.be/XKc5nu-mUO

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DHAKA, Bangladesh, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nagad, a popular mobile financial service provider based in Bangladesh, has scooped prestigious "Visa Excellence Awards 2023" for its remarkable contribution to boosting digital payments within the country.

Visa, a leading digital payment entity, recently recognised its partner Nagad in the category of "Excellence in CyberSource - Payouts" for its "Credit Card Bill Payment" and "Transfer Money to Visa Debit Card" products at the "Visa Leadership Conclave-2023". The event - themed "Towards a Cashless, Smart Bangladesh" - took place at Sheraton Hotel in Dhaka.

On behalf of Nagad Ltd., its Executive Director Mohammad Aminul Haque, Chief Commercial Officer Md Shihab Uddin Chowdhury, and Head of Product Development Golam Jamil Ahmed proudly received the award.

Nagad is now working towards helping the country accelerate its digital transformation. The world's fastest-growing fintech company's move to launch the much-awaited digital bank bears evidence of its rigorous efforts in making cashless Bangladesh a reality.

Founder and Managing Director of Nagad Ltd. Tanvir A Mishuk said, "It is an honour for us to have been recognised by our partner, VISA. Such acknowledgment serves as an inspiration for us to make bigger moves in terms of introducing more customer-centric products and services."

Keeping in mind that the government targets to make 75 percent of transactions cashless by 2027, Nagad has already chalked up plans to bring in disruptive products and services tailored to the changing needs of our customers, thus accelerating our country's digital transformation, he pointed out.

"We express our heartfelt gratitude to all our customers, regulators, and partners for their continued association with Nagad," he added.

At this year's annual conclave, Visa also recognised its other partners, including banks, fintech companies, merchants, and other members of the ecosystem - for their contribution to digital payments in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Government's Planning Minister MA Mannan, MP, graced the occasion as the chief guest, while Md Sharafat Ullah Khan, director of the Payment Systems Department at Bangladesh Bank, was the guest of honour at the programme. Soumya Basu, country manager in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, Visa, also attended the event.

Mentionable, in 2022, Nagad, as the first MFS company in Bangladesh, was conferred with the "Excellence in Fintech Product Innovation 2022" award by Visa.

The company has won many more local and international awards for its outstanding contribution to the expansion of Bangladesh's financial market. Such accolades include WITSA Global ICT Excellence Award 2020, Inclusive Fintech 50, and Mastercard Excellence Award 2022 in two categories for digital innovations in Bangladesh's financial industry.

About Nagad Ltd (https://www.nagad.com.bd/)

Nagad Limited is one of the leading MFS operators in Bangladesh's payment industry with 80 million registered customers and an average daily transaction of about USD 112 million. The digital payment platform, known as a successful public-private partnership between Bangladesh Postal Department and the private sector, was inaugurated in 2019 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the people's republic of Bangladesh.

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Citi has launched its latest Global Perspectives Solutions (Citi GPS) report titled: 'SKILLS THAT PAY The Returns from Specific Skills as Demanded in Job Adverts.' The report is the result of a collaboration between Citi, the London School of Economics, and the Oxford Martin School. Leveraging data from job advertisements, the authors examine the skills that are rising and falling in demand and explore how wages for these skills are changing.

"In the face of rapidly changing labor markets due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, understanding the demand and reward for skills is crucial for firms," says Dr Grace Lordan, Director of The Inclusion Initiative at LSE. "Hiring has evolved from very specific education and experience criteria towards detailed skills requirements. Notably soft skills including inclusive leadership are rising in demand-with more novel ways being utilised to assess whether a candidate possesses these skills during hiring."

Overall, we found that collaborative leadership increased in importance over time in terms of demand and hourly wages. Earlier research shows occupations that require such skills are less likely to be automated. Collaborative leadership also fosters individual and company performance both directly and indirectly through fostering inclusion.

Our findings also demonstrate that data science is constantly evolving, causing certain data science skills to attract a wage premium in one period, then lose it in the next. "Technology is constantly evolving and hence demanding an evolving skill set," says Helen Krause, Managing Director and Head of Data Science at Citi Global Insights. "This underlines the importance of continuous learning and upskilling for professional data scientists."

We further find a complementarity between soft skills and cognitive skills; concretely between collaborative leadership and research skills. This finding is in line with past research that focused on the interaction of social skills and cognitive skills and the fact that non-linear thinking becomes key for the future of work. Professionals require soft skills but also need to understand the implications of numerical calculations.

The report also looks at the demand and supply of AI skills by breaking AI job data into two groups: Tech-AI jobs, relating to technological skills necessary to "run, train and test" AI models and Broad-AI jobs, requiring an understanding of AI technologies but not the "hard" tech-skills found in Tech-AI jobs. Since 2015, we observe a fivefold increase in the demand for these groups as a percent of all U.S. jobs. Globally, the number of AI jobs advertised grew ninefold for Tech-AI jobs and over elevenfold for Broad-AI ones, while IT sector jobs nearly quadrupled, and the number of total jobs advertised nearly tripled.

The supply of these hard-to-find professionals is skewed across the U.S., with California hosting almost a third of the country's total. "With some states having more than 10 job ads per AI professional, wage implications are also important, making the quest for talent a global endeavor that builds on remote and hybrid arrangements," says Pantelis Koutroumpis, Director of the Programme on Technological and Economic Change at the Oxford Martin School.

Our findings shed light on the skills that are valuable in today's labor market. This information is useful in terms of hiring, planning, training, and upskilling workers for daily tasks, but importantly, it can also help firms attract and retain talent. Furthermore, our work provides information to firms on the volatility of prices for specific skills.

Finally, our work also provides a new lens through which investors can view firms. Investors can analyze the skills being demanded by a company they are contemplating investing in and determine if this company is seeking the skills that are most relevant in today's economy for a specific occupation as a pulse point for their innovation and future readiness.

The digital copy of the report is available here

About Citi Global Perspectives Solutions (Citi GPS)

As our premier thought-leadership product, Citi Global Perspectives Solutions (Citi GPS) is designed to help readers navigate the most demanding challenges and greatest opportunities of the 21st century. We access the best elements of our global conversation with senior Citi senior professionals, academics, and corporate leaders to anticipate themes and trends in today's fast-changing and interconnected world.

About Citi

Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services.

www.citigroup.com Twitter: @Citi www.youtube.com/citi http://blog.citigroup.com www.facebook.com/citi www.linkedin.com/company/citi

About The Inclusion Initiative at the London School of Economics and Political Science

The Inclusion Initiative (TII) at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) launched in November 2020. TII leverages behavioural science insights to advance our understanding of the factors that enhance inclusion at work. Our first area of focus is the financial and professional services. Over the next three years we aim to build an open source research repository that houses rigorous and relevant research related to inclusion at work, in the financial and professional services and beyond. The TII brings industry, academics and other stakeholders together regularly to exchange ideas, highlight new findings and build partnerships.

www.lse.ac.uk/tii

About The Oxford Martin School

The Oxford Martin School is a world-leading research department of the University of Oxford. Its 200 academics work across more than 30 pioneering research programmes to find solutions to the world's most urgent challenges. It supports novel and high-risk projects that often do not fit within conventional funding channels, with the belief that breaking boundaries and fostering innovative collaborations can dramatically improve the wellbeing of this and future generations. Underpinning all our research is the need to translate academic excellence into impact from innovations in science, medicine and technology, through to providing expert advice and policy recommendations.

www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk Twitter: @oxmartinschool Facebook: /oxfordmartinschool https://www.linkedin.com/company/oxford-martin-school

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Contacts:

Media:

Citi, Citi GPS: Francesco Meucci (francesco.meucci@citi.com)

Oxford Martin School: Amjad Parkar (amjad.parkar@oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk)

LSE The Inclusion Initiative: Joanna Bale (j.m.bale@lse.ac.uk)
Press Release - October 2, 2023

New Scientific Beta Study Shows that Sustainable Investing Underperforms Standard Index Funds

Findings show that 'real-world' ESG performance is unremarkable

A new study from Scientific Beta, entitled "Sustainability Alpha in the Real World: Evidence from Exchange-Traded Funds," assesses the performance of sustainable investing from a value-weighted portfolio of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that follow systematic Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing strategies in the US equity market.

The study finds that sustainable investing did not deliver higher returns than standard index funds. Widely commented periods of outperformance, such as the year 2020, can be explained in large part by industry effects, such as a tilt towards technology stocks. Over the past decade, such periods of outperformance are offset by corresponding periods of underperformance, leaving ESG investors with returns of -0.2% compared with the market index and -0.7% compared with a benchmark with matching industry exposure.

Commenting on the study, Felix Goltz, co-author, and Research Director at Scientific Beta, said, "For investors looking to integrate ESG objectives in their investment process, it is crucial to question what impact this would have on their portfolio's financial performance. The existence of numerous methodologies to integrate sustainability, which may not be representative of actual practice, has made it challenging to assess this impact empirically. Our study provides an assessment of the 'real-world' performance of sustainable investing, drawing on information from the market of exchange-traded funds. We encourage investors to consider such 'real-world' results and be aware of the limitations of analysis that selects particular funds or creates stylised strategies that may not reflect the real world of sustainable investing."

The Scientific Beta study can be accessed here:

Sustainability Alpha in the Real World: Evidence from Exchange-Traded Funds, Scientific Beta Publication, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 2, 2023) - BluMetric Environmental Inc. (TSXV: BLM) ("BluMetric" or "the Company"), a full-service environmental consulting and engineering cleantech firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Hilton to the role of Chief Financial Officer effective October 1, 2023, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

Mr. Hilton has a proven track record as a finance leader in both fast-growing and established technology companies. He was most recently CFO at Fully Managed Inc. (formerly Careworx), where he played a strategic role on the executive team and board. He successfully contributed to the growth of the managed IT services business, overseeing its expansion to over 500 employees and ultimately orchestrating its profitable sale in 2022.

"We are excited to welcome Dan, a seasoned and strategic finance executive, to help us write the next chapter of BluMetric," said Scott MacFabe, CEO of BluMetric. "With over 35 years of experience as an executive and board member at numerous private and publicly listed SMEs, where he oversaw rapid expansion and acquisitions, Dan brings invaluable expertise to our executive team. Our shared vision is aligned in propelling BluMetric towards becoming the environmental solutions and water cleantech company of choice."

Before joining Fully Managed Inc., Mr. Hilton served as CFO of Datawind Ltd. and Enablence Technologies Inc. (TSXV: ENA). He currently holds board positions at Clarity IOT Services & Technology Inc. and UpSnap Inc.

Mr. Hilton is a Chartered Accountant and a graduate of the University of Ottawa with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce. Additionally, he holds an Executive MBA from the Smith School of Business at Queen's University and an MBA from the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University.

Effective October 1, 2023, the Board has granted options for 400,000 common shares to the Company's newly appointed CFO, Dan Hilton, pursuant to his employment agreement. The options vest over three years and are exercisable into common shares of BluMetric at a price of $0.30 per share for five years.

About BluMetric Environmental Inc.

BluMetric Environmental Inc. is a publicly traded environmental consulting and engineering company with expertise across professional and trade disciplines and technologies that allow for the design, fabrication and delivery of sustainable solutions to environmental and water challenges. BluMetric has more than 180 employees operating in ten offices and over 40 years of expertise. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, BluMetric's team of industry experts serves Commercial and Industrial, Military, Mining and Government clients.

For more information, visit www.blumetric.ca or please contact:

Scott MacFabe, CEO

BluMetric Environmental Inc.

Tel: 1-877-487-8436

Email: smacfabe@blumetric.ca

Brandon Chow, Principal & Founder

Otis Investor Relations Inc.

Tel: 1-647-598-8815

Email: brandon@otisir.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this press release, including those relating to the Company's quarterly and annual results, future products, opportunities and cost initiatives, strategies, and other statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from current expectations. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Company's most recent annual MD&A and the Company's continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182602
With recreational legalization on the ballot in Ohio's general election in November 2023, this proposed transaction will position Vext with a meaningful footprint in the state and the scaled retail presence necessary to generate sustainable long-term returns as the market matures.

Pro Forma for this announcement and the previously announced Appalachian Pharm acquisition, Vext will have an operating Tier I cultivation facility, an operating manufacturing facility, and four retail dispensaries in Ohio.

Vext will raise $10 million via a private placement of common shares, the majority of which is expected to be conducted with an existing institutional shareholder, senior management and members of the Company's board of directors.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 2, 2023) - Vext Science, Inc. (CSE: VEXT) (OTCQX: VEXTF) ("Vext" or the "Company"), a U.S.-based cannabis operator with vertical operations in Arizona and Ohio1, is pleased to announce the execution of a letter of intent (the "LOI") with the members (the "Sellers") of Big Perm's Dispensary Ohio, LLC ("Big Perm") to acquire two cannabis dispensaries located in Ohio (the "Dispensaries") owned by Big Perm, as well as all licenses and assets related to the business of the Dispensaries (the "Acquired Assets"), for aggregate consideration of approximately $9.8 million, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances (the "Ohio Expansion Transaction").

The Company also announced a non-brokered private placement of common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") to raise up to $10 million (the "Offering"). Vext anticipates that one institutional shareholder, as well as certain members of the Company's senior management team and board of directors will participate for over 60% of the Offering. Unless otherwise noted, all currency references used in this news release are in U.S. currency.

Management Commentary

Eric Offenberger, CEO of Vext, commented, "The addition of two dispensaries to our growing vertical footprint in Ohio represents a critical step toward achieving scale and ensuring long-term returns on capital in this attractive growth market. The overall market environment, particularly from an equity perspective, remains challenging, but now is the right time for Vext to build a platform that will generate growing profitability and cash flow. We appreciate the support of our long-term shareholder base and insiders who have stepped up to support what I am confident will lead to significant value creation."

Mr. Offenberger continued, "Vext has a proven track record of operating profitably in the limited-license Arizona market and we were early to understand that fully integrated operations and matching long-term cultivation with owned retail demand, is the route to capturing sustained margins and value. Upon closing this transaction, along with the previously announced Appalachian Pharm acquisition, Vext will be positioned for success in the limited license Ohio market through four strategically located dispensaries, bringing us closer to the state cap of five locations."

Terms of the Ohio Expansion Transaction

Under the terms of the LOI, in consideration for the Acquired Assets, Vext is anticipated to pay cash consideration equal to $9.8 million, subject to adjustments in certain circumstances.

In addition, Vext has agreed to fund approximately $3.4 million of construction costs related to the Dispensaries, which are payable upon closing of the Ohio Expansion Transaction.

The Ohio Expansion Transaction remains subject to a number of customary conditions, including, without limitation: the satisfactory completion of due diligence, the receipt of any required regulatory and third-party approvals, as well as the negotiation of definitive transaction documents. There can be no guarantees that the Ohio Expansion Transaction will be completed as contemplated or at all.

The Company is at arm's length from Big Perm and each of the Sellers. The Company currently expects that definitive agreement with respect to the Ohio Expansion Transaction will be executed prior to the end of October 2023 and that closing of the Ohio Expansion Transaction will occur in 2024.

About the Ohio Market

The Ohio medical cannabis market continues to grow with a 15% increase in number of patients and 82% increase in number of operating dispensaries over the past 12 months.2

Concurrent Private Placement

Pursuant to the Offering, the Company will offer up to 58,823,529 Common Shares at a price of $0.17 per Common Share (the "Offering Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $10 million. The Offering is subject to an over-allotment option, allowing the Company to increase the number of Common Shares sold by up to 8,823,529 additional Common Shares for additional proceeds of up to $1.5 million (the "Over-Allotment Option"). The Company may pay finders' fees to eligible arm's length third-parties in connection with the Over-Allotment Option.

Proceeds from the Offering, including the Over-Allotment Option (if any), are expected to be used to fund part of the purchase price for the Ohio Expansion Transaction and certain other obligations of the Company in connection with the Ohio Expansion Transaction. Closing of the Offering is expected to occur as soon as practicable, subject to certain customary conditions precedent.

The securities issued pursuant to the Offering, including the Over-Allotment Option (if any), will be subject to resale restrictions, including a hold period of four months and one day pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws and further restrictions which will be set forth in the Shareholders Agreement (as defined below).

In connection with the Offering, the Company intends to enter into a shareholders agreement (the "Shareholders Agreement") with certain management shareholders and other subscribers under the Offering (collectively, the "Subject Shareholders"), pursuant to which the Company and the Subject Shareholders will agree to a number of rights and restrictions applicable to the Company and the Subject Shareholders, including, without limitation, the following: (i) an agreement to vote their shares of Vext in favour of the election of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and a nominee (the "SSOFL Nominee") of Sopica Special Opportunities Fund Limited ("SSOFL") to the board of directors of the Company; (ii) the grant of a right of refusal to the other Subject Shareholders for the transfer of any shares of Vext held by the Subject Shareholders; (iii) an agreement, in certain circumstances, to vote their shares of Vext in favour of any sale of the Company proposed by SSOFL and (iv) certain matters which must be approved by the board of directors of the Company (including the SSOFL Nominee), including, without limitation, (a) a liquidation of the Company; (b) the issuance of additional securities of the Company; (c) the incurrence of certain additional debt; (d) certain related party transactions; and (e) amendments to executive compensation arrangements. In connection with the Shareholders Agreement, the Company expects that the SSOFL Nominee will be appointed to the board of directors of the Company on, or as soon as practicable after, closing of the Offering. The Shareholders Agreement, when signed, will constitute applicable shareholder approval, in respect of the Offering and the Shareholders Agreement, for the purposes of the requirements of the Canadian Securities Exchange, as the Subject Shareholders hold greater than 50% of the outstanding votes associated with shares of the Company.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described in this news release in the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Such securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and, accordingly, may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, "U.S. persons" (as those terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

Certain insiders of the Company, including SSOFL (collectively, the "Offering Insiders"), are expected to acquire securities under the Offering. Each of the Offering Insiders may be considered a "related party" as such term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Accordingly, the Offering may be a "related party transaction" as defined in MI 61-101. The Company anticipates relying on the exemption from the formal valuation requirement at Section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 and the exemption from minority approval requirement at Section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, in respect of participation by the Offering Insiders in the Offering, as neither the fair market value of the securities to be acquired by the Offering Insiders nor the consideration for such securities is anticipated to exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

Update on APP Acquisition

As previously announced, the Company has received the approval of the Ohio Department of Commerce for the ownership transfer of Appalachian Pharm Processing, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies (collectively, "APP"), for a total consideration of approximately $12.5 million, with $11 million paid in cash or promissory notes and $1.5 million through the issuance of Common Shares (the "APP Acquisition"). The Company is working with APP to satisfy the remaining conditions of closing and currently expects that closing of the Ohio Acquisition will occur imminently, subject to the terms of the definitive purchase agreements. For further details about the terms of the APP Acquisition, see the Company's news releases dated December 15, 2022, and August 23, 2023. As a result of closing of the Ohio Acquisition, Vext will also obtain the right to acquire ownership of a cannabis dispensary in Columbus, Ohio. The Company has applied to the Ohio Board of Pharmacy for an ownership transfer of such dispensary and expects to receive approval this year and to close promptly after receipt of regulatory approval.

Advisors

Eight Capital acted as financial advisor, McMillan LLP and Bianchi & Brandt acted as legal counsel and LodeRock Advisors provided capital markets communication services to Vext.

About Vext Science, Inc.

Vext Science, Inc. is a U.S.-based cannabis operator with vertical operations in Arizona and Ohio. Vext's expertise spans from cultivation through to retail operations in its key markets. Based out of Arizona, Vext owns and operates state-of-the-art cultivation facilities, fully built-out manufacturing facilities as well as dispensaries in both Arizona and Ohio. The Company manufactures Vapen, one of the leading THC concentrates, edibles, and distillate cartridge brands in Arizona. Its selection of award-winning products are created with Vext's in-house, high-quality flower and distributed across Arizona and Ohio, as well as through Vext's partnerships in other states. Vext's leadership team brings a proven track record of building and operating profitable multi-state operations, with the Company having operated profitably since 2016. The Company's primary focus is to continue growing in its core states of Arizona and Ohio, bringing together cutting-edge science, manufacturing, and marketing to provide a reliable and valuable customer experience while generating shareholder value.

Vext Science, Inc. is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol VEXT and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol VEXTF. Learn more at www.vextscience.com and connect with Vext on Twitter/X and LinkedIn.

For more details on the Vapen brand:

Vapen website: VapenBrands.com

Instagram: @vapen

Facebook: @vapenbrands

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in Vext's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements related to the Offering including the timing and completion thereof, the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, the use of proceeds of the Offering, Offering Insider participation in the Offering, statements related to the Shareholders Agreement, including the receipt of applicable shareholder approval, statements regarding the Ohio Expansion Transaction, including negotiation and execution of the definitive transaction agreements, the anticipated closing date and receipt of regulatory approvals related thereto, and other statements regarding future developments and the business and operations of the Vext, market projections of the cannabis industry in Ohio, and the Company's business plans in Ohio, all of which are subject to the risk factors contained in Vext's continuous disclosure filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Although Vext has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; being engaged in activities currently considered illegal under U.S. Federal laws; change in laws; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; hindered market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry and; regulatory or political change.

There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. Because of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. Vext disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and Vext does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

Eric Offenberger

Chief Executive Officer

844-211-3725

For further information:

Jonathan Ross, Vext Investor Relations

jon.ross@loderockadvisors.com

416-244-9851

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO A U.S. PERSON, OR ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

SOURCE: Vext Science, Inc

1 Vext has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Appalachian Pharm Processing, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies. Subject to the terms of the definitive purchase agreements, this proposed acquisition (the "APP Acquisition") is expected to close imminently.

2 Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182591
MONACO, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Over 2 thousand meters. It is the sum of the linear metres, 2,207m to be precise, of the yachts flying the YCM flag belonging to the hundred owners invited by the Ycm at the traditional Owners Lunch on the opening day of the Monaco Yacht Show. On this occasion an agreement was signed with The Explorers Club, founded in 1904 to promote scientific exploration. "This agreement reflects yet again our Club's commitment to environmental issues, as well as the bond that unites Monaco and The Explorers Club," says Bernard d'Alessandri, Yacht Club de Monaco General Secretary. He adds: "Our wish is to bring together all those who are witnesses to climate change and those working to combat the problem." "It means we share the same missions, one of which is to preserve the planet in every way possible or imaginable. We are joining forces in the noble quest for innovation, paving the way to a brighter more sustainable future for our oceans and the world," adds Sir William Roseman, Executive Director at The Explorers Club which has 4,000+ members from over 60 countries. In 1921, Prince Albert 1st was made an honorary member while in 2017 YCM President HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco received the prestigious Lowell Thomas Award from The Explorers Club.

Also present as a guest at the Owners Lunch was Dr Nina Lanza, Team Leader for Team Lead for Space and Planetary Exploration in Space Remote Sensing and Data Science (ISR-6) at the Los Alamos Laboratory. "The ocean has long captured our imaginations. We have always considered it to be an eternal, unlimited resource. But appearances can be deceptive. Oceans are much more ephemeral than we often think they are," explained the researcher. "Oceans are probably the cradle of life. That's why exploration is so important: it teaches us to know ourselves and know the future."

The attendance of these two leading figures echoes the 13th Environmental Symposium, due to be held 21st March 2024 before the YCM Explorers Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts, two initiatives under the aegis of the collective 'Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting' approach. "We reward people who genuinely care about sustainability. We need to understand that our impact on the planet is disproportionate and that we can actually alter our environment. This event is an opportunity to recognise those who are doing their best to maintain these sustainable explorations," believes Dr Nina Lanza. A sentiment shared by Sir William Roseman for whom this meeting is essential. As he says, "we would not be here today discussing these issues if YCM and its members did not share the same objective." It is through these international events that YCM is establishing itself as a proactive stakeholder in the environmental transition of yachting, positioning itself as a communication platform for all those involved in building the yachting sector of tomorrow.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/84288c17-68af-458c-b3e4-2067b71901f1
JENA, Deutschland and INGELHEIM, Deutschland, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ZEISS Medical Technology and Boehringer Ingelheim announce today a long-term strategic collaboration to develop predictive analytics to enable early detection of eye diseases and more personalized treatments to prevent vision loss for people with serious eye diseases. The partnership brings together their leading expertise in ophthalmological technology, data analytics, algorithms and the development of first-in-class treatments to detect early and treat retinal diseases before irreversible vision loss occurs.

More than 300 million people worldwide are at risk today of losing their eyesight due to diseases leading to functional loss of the retina.* The number of people suffering from vision loss is rising due to aging populations and widening health inequity gaps. Undiagnosed and untreated retinal diseases have a profound impact on people's lives, potentially leading to isolation, loss of independence, depression and reduced quality of life. Unfortunately, diagnosis often occurs too late to prevent vision loss, and for many conditions, no treatment is available at all.

The new partnership will focus on identifying markers of early stages of retinal diseases by leveraging ZEISS Medical Technology's cloud-connected devices and AI-assisted analysis of massive image data sets. This will provide a basis for clinical studies for development of more personalized and precise treatments of early stages of chronic retinal disease as well as earlier detection and prediction capabilities to preserve vision through new treatment pathways.

"At ZEISS, we have long understood that where collaboration thrives, innovation emerges," said Euan S. Thomson, Ph.D., Head of the Ophthalmology Strategic Business Unit and Head of the Digital Business Unit for ZEISS Medical Technology. "With our announcement today with Boehringer Ingelheim, we're building on our strategy to innovate through partnerships in order to make breakthrough discoveries to combat vision loss and improve people's lives. Enabled by our ZEISS Medical Ecosystem and the platform's ability to aggregate massive data sets for analysis, we're strongly positioned to establish new partnerships in pursuit of research yet to be investigated, to accelerate access to future technologies and markets, and to help clinicians provide earlier detection and more personalized and precise care for their patients."

"Our partnership with ZEISS Medical Technology will allow us to develop precision therapies delivering the right treatment for the right patient at the right time to prevent vision loss by intervening before irreversible damage occurs. It is part of our commitment to champion early detection and treatment and will contribute to transforming the lives of people with serious eye disease," said Ulrike Graefe-Mody, Ph.D., Head of Retinal Health at Boehringer Ingelheim.

As a leading pioneer of science in optics for more than 100 years, ZEISS's medical expertise and digital leadership is foundational to the ZEISS Medical Ecosystem and its digitally connected workflows, which are generating millions of data points every day. This connected and secure architecture integrates diagnostic and therapeutic devices supported by a cloud-based platform in which data aggregation, automation and AI analytics can be harnessed to help drive new discoveries to address the clinical challenges facing healthcare professionals and ophthalmologists today. The ZEISS Medical Ecosystem is powered by the ZEISS Health Data Platform, designed to facilitate massive data aggregation at scale, enabling new forms of partnerships focused on leveraging that data to generate new, transformative insights.

Boehringer Ingelheim has a leading understanding of disease biology aiming at a paradigm change in retinal health through earlier detection and intervention to achieve meaningful improvements in patient outcomes. Over the past decade, Boehringer Ingelheim has built a diverse pipeline, which focuses on three priority areas to address retinal conditions - the preservation of vascular function, targeting inflammation and neuroprotection.

* World Health Organization, World Report on Vision, Executive Summary,October 8, 2019, https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/world-report-on-vision

Not all products, services or offers are approved or offered in every market and approved labelling and instructions may vary from one country to another. For country specific product information, see the appropriate country website.

Contact for investors:

Sebastian Frericks

Head of Group Finance & Investor Relations

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG

Phone: +49 3641 220 116

investors.meditec@zeiss.com

Contact for the press:

Frank E. Smith Head of Global Communications Ophthalmology

Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc.

Phone: +1 925 487 3036

frank.smith@zeiss.com

About Carl Zeiss Meditec AG

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (ISIN: DE 0005313704), which is listed on the MDAX and TecDAX of the German stock exchange, is one of the world's leading medical technology companies. The Company supplies innovative technologies and application-oriented solutions designed to help doctors improve the quality of life of their patients. The Company offers complete solutions, including implants and consumables, to diagnose and treat eye diseases. The Company creates innovative visualization solutions in the field of microsurgery. With approximately 4,224 employees worldwide, the Group generated revenue of 1,902.8m in fiscal year 2021/22 (to 30 September).

The Group's head office is located in Jena, Germany, and it has subsidiaries in Germany and abroad; more than 50 percent of its employees are based in the USA, Japan, Spain and France. The Center for Application and Research (CARIn) in Bangalore, India and the Carl Zeiss Innovations Center for Research and Development in Shanghai, China, strengthen the Company's presence in these rapidly developing economies. Around 41 percent of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG's shares are in free float. The remaining approx. 59 percent are held by Carl Zeiss AG, one of the world's leading groups in the optical and optoelectronic industries.





About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that transform lives, today and for generations to come. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term, sustainable perspective. More than 53,000 employees serve over 130 markets in the two business units Human Pharma and Animal Health. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com??

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/546786/ZEISS_v1_Logo.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2236277/ZEISS_Medical_Ecosystem.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2236278/Boehringer_Ingelheim.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zeiss-and-boehringer-ingelheim-join-forces-to-develop-early-detection-of-eye-diseases-and-prevent-vision-loss-301944203.html
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Sappi North America

Sappi North America's trio of change-making women leaders strengthens its global impact

While all of us at Sappi are working relentlessly to unlock the power of trees for a low-carbon economy, leading the charge is a trio of change-making women with a fierce determination to succeed.

For over 30 years, Beth Cormier has been unlocking the power of trees at Sappi, rising to Vice President of Research, Development and Sustainability in North America. She is the first woman to hold this position in Sappi's nearly 170-year history. "I believe that the solutions to some of our thorniest problems are discoverable in nature," Beth says. "And that by unlocking the power of trees, we can create a more sustainable every day-our purpose at Sappi- for people and the planet we all share."

Beth has overseen all sorts of portfolios for Sappi, but none excite her more than this latest generation of circular products. "We're showing what's possible with our diversified portfolio of commercial printing papers, packaging paper-even moving wood-based fibers into spinning operations that go into textiles."

When Beth and Tracy Wessels talk trees, sparks fly. With a Ph.D in organic chemistry, Tracy explains the science involved in unlocking the power of trees with clarity and contagious energy. As Group Head of Sustainability and Investor Relations, she defines and explains our global mission from her base in South Africa.

"Trees are truly nature's gift to the world," Tracy says. "They contain the three most abundant natural polymers on Earth: cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose. Sappi has become a global leader in unlocking these polymers to create a whole new generation of renewable, biobased products that can speed the transition from fossil-fuel-derived products."

As Director of Sustainability in Europe and a Yale-trained forester, Sarah Price is the third powerful voice in the trio. Whether she is advising mill directors in Germany on their carbon targets or discussing forest policy with decision-makers in Brussels, Sarah's message is consistent: responsible companies like Sappi are essential to grow, manage and expand the forests we need to fight climate change. For her, unlocking the power of trees must start in forests with responsible, sustainable practices. Ensuring Sappi delivers on this promise with relentless ambition is her focus.

These three women have been an instrumental part of building the Sappi we see today and will continue to play a role in shaping our future. As we strengthen our global impact, these are the leaders we'll look to for support in meeting our goals.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Sappi North America on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Sappi North America

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/sappi-north-america

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Sappi North America

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/789166/the-women-at-sappi-are-harnessing-the-power-of-trees
Acquisition expands Gradiant's portfolio of industrial water technologies and creates springboard for growth in EMEA.

Gradiant, a global solutions provider for advanced water and wastewater treatment, today announced its acquisition of H+E Group (Hager+Elsasser), an established European water solutions provider with over 100 years of experience in providing end-to-end solutions to advanced manufacturing. This acquisition underscores Gradiant's commitment to delivering leading-edge solutions for the semiconductor sector and represents the company's first footprint in Europe.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002596134/en/

The acquisition of H+E Group underscores Gradiant's commitment to delivering leading-edge solutions for the semiconductor sector and represents the company's first footprint in Europe. (Graphic: Business Wire)

By combining H+E Group's domain expertise in semiconductor and industrial water with Gradiant's broad suite of end-to-end water treatment solutions, Gradiant is in a prime position to deliver innovative and tailored solutions to address the unique challenges faced by semiconductor manufacturers. H+E Group's long history and extensive 30,000 reference installations reflect its track record of successfully delivering high-quality water solutions. This acquisition allows Gradiant to leverage these achievements and further establish itself as a leader in water solutions for the global semiconductor and industrial water market.

"We are thrilled to welcome H+E Group into the Gradiant family. This acquisition aligns with our strategic vision of becoming a comprehensive solutions provider for the semiconductor industry," said Prakash Govindan, COO of Gradiant. "H+E Group brings to Gradiant deep experience in ultrapure water and wastewater treatment for the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sector and establishes a firm foundation in the EMEA region. This synergistic collaboration doesn't just combine our strengths, it accelerates our ability to innovate and adeptly navigate the ever-changing needs of the global industrial water market."

"This is the right next step for H+E Group's fast-growing industrial wastewater and ultrapure water business to be acquired by Gradiant," said Jennifer L. Wick, Co-Founder of Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) I and SGF II and Chairman of the Board of Aquarion AG and Geschaftsfuhrer of H+E GmbH. "The acquisition enables the company to continue to grow at a rapid pace in many geographies including Asia, Middle East, and the United States, fueled by Gradiant's global reach and differentiated technology portfolio."

The announcement is part of a larger transaction where SGF I and II has sold a majority stake in Aquarion, a Swiss-based industrial water and wastewater treatment company that provides end-to-end solutions to the industrial sector, including semiconductor, energy, food beverage, and pharmaceuticals.

About Gradiant

Gradiant is a global solutions provider for advanced water and wastewater treatment. With a full suite of differentiated and proprietary end-to-end solutions, powered by the top minds in water, the company serves its clients' mission-critical operations in the world's essential industries, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, food beverage, lithium and critical minerals, and renewable energy. Gradiant's innovative solutions reduce water used and wastewater discharged, reclaim valuable resources, and renew wastewater into freshwater. The Boston-headquartered company was founded at MIT and has over 900 employees worldwide. Learn more at gradiant.com.

About H+E Group

Based in Stuttgart, Germany for more than 100 years, H+E Group is a global leader in industrial water treatment, wastewater treatment, and water reclamation. H+E Group has delivered 30,000 projects in industrial water and is supported by a global network of offices across Europe and Asia. Companies across diverse industries worldwide trust H+E for their critical water solutions. Learn more at he-water.group.

About SGF

SGF is an SCSp, SICAV-SIF private equity fund based in Luxembourg with a mandate to invest in mid-cap sustainable companies. SGF II, an Article 9 fund, is the successor fund and has already received several Impact Fund of the Year awards. Learn more at www.sustainablemanagement.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002596134/en/

Contacts:

Felix Wang

Gradiant, VP of Marketing

fwang@gradiant.com
MEADVILLE, PA / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Green Mountain Energy:

The classroom seamlessly connects students to nature through both materials and environmentally friendly design.

The Learning Center K-8 School is celebrating this school year with a new timber-framed outdoor classroom, thanks to a $109,000 sustainability grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. Project preparation and student programming for the Meadville school classroom started in fall 2021, and a community classroom raising event took place in May 2023.

The Learning Center, an independent school in Meadville, was founded 12 years ago by Dana and Scott Yeager with the mission of hands-on authentic education through the arts and sciences. The school focuses on students 'learning by doing' to expose them to real world problems and challenging them to use their agency to find potential solutions.

This one-of-a-kind classroom was distinctively designed to fit harmoniously into the wooded ravine adjacent to the school building. Timber craftsman, David Yasenchack, designed and built the classroom from sustainably harvested timber from the school site and surrounding area. The Learning Center's educational programming, in partnership with the Foundation for Sustainable Forests, allows its students to learn about local forests in Western Pennsylvania and sustainable forestry. However, involvement with the outdoor classroom goes beyond student curriculum.

Students from the Learning Center and Meadville community members have played a vital role in the outdoor classroom project. Students were introduced early on with a puzzle to understand how the classroom would work, and they witnessed the transformation of a living tree becoming a beam in the classroom. Each student also carved individual pegs that now hold the classroom together. Community member involvement heightened at the classroom raising event on May 20 to help lift heavy timbers and assist with ropes to guide the classroom's structural components into place.

For Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, the Learning Center's outdoor classroom is the first outdoor, sustainably-sourced classroom the program has funded.

"Green Mountain Energy's goal with Sun Club grants is to promote sustainability in the community and support important causes," said Mark Parsons, Green Mountain Energy vice president. "We are honored to have been a part of this innovative project to connect sustainability and education, and we look forward to watching the Learning Center continue its expansion of nature-based learning initiatives in the Meadville community."

Since 2002, Green Mountain Energy Sun Club has been empowering local communities by donating nearly $13 million to 156 nonprofit organizations across Texas and the Northeast. Sun Club supports projects promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, education and awareness, clean transportation, and sustainable agriculture.

"Active, hands-on, authentic learning is a foundational principle of The Learning Center," said Dana Yeager, Education Director, Learning Center K-8 School. "This entire project put that principle into action - from felling the first tree to driving the last peg, our students integrated math, science, art, and nature to experience the journey from idea to creation. Our beautiful outdoor classroom will host countless opportunities for students to learn to be thoughtful, reflective, and intentional in their interactions with our natural world. We're so thankful for Sun Club's partnership in making our vision of sustainability education a reality."

A community dedication event took place at the school Friday, September 29, to commemorate the completion of the sustainably funded classroom.

About The Learning Center K8 School

The mission of the Learning Center K8 School is to create an intergenerational learning community which fosters natural curiosity, the individuality of the child, high academic achievement, and lifelong learners while engaging students in an exploration of the creative process to help individuals find their expressive voice. Founded in 2011, the Learning Center K8 School now services over 80 students. To learn more about our school and our unique approach to education, please visit our website at www.learningcenterk8.org.

ABOUT GREEN MOUNTAIN ENERGY SUN CLUB

Green Mountain Energy is changing the way power is made and advancing sustainable communities through the work of Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club has donated more than $13 million to 156 nonprofit organizations across Texas and the Northeast. Sun Club collaborates with nonprofit organizations on projects that focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship. To learn more about Green Mountain Energy and Sun Club or to apply for a Sun Club grant, visit greenmountain.com/sunclub.

Media:

Green Mountain Energy

media@greenmountain.com

713-537-5735

Dana Yeager (The Learning Center) and Johnny Richardson (Green Mountain Energy Sun Club) smile with students as they "Flip the Switch" on The Learning Center's new outdoor classroom for the school year.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Green Mountain Energy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Green Mountain Energy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/green-mountain-energy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Green Mountain Energy

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/789167/the-learning-center-k-8-school-begins-school-year-with-new-outdoor-classroom-from-green-mountain-energy-sun-club
Rightmove Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, October 02

2nd October 2023

Rightmove plc

Share buy-back programme

Rightmove plc - transactions in own shares

Rightmove plc ('Rightmove'), announces that today it purchased 122,000 of its 0.1p ordinary shares at a volume weighted average price paid per share of 554.897p. The highest price paid per share was 558.400p and the lowest price paid per share was 552.600p. Rightmove purchased these shares through Numis Securities Limited.

The number of shares purchased represented 0.0151% of the voting rights attributable to the total ordinary shares in issue prior to such purchase. The purchased shares will be cancelled.

Since announcing a share buy-back programme on 28 December 2007, Rightmove has purchased in aggregate 498,045,181 ordinary shares.

The total number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding treasury shares) following this announcement is 809,010,473. Rightmove holds 11,998,426 shares in treasury.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as amended by The Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the 'UK MAR'), the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the buyback programme.

Contact: Michelle Palmer, Assistant Company Secretary

CompanySecretary@rightmove.co.uk

Schedule of Purchases - Individual Transactions
LONG BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Oshyn, a digital experience implementation agency specializing in Sitecore, Optimizely, and Adobe Experience Cloud, announced today that its Ecuador office has been recognized as a Best Place to Work in Technology for 2023.





Oshyn Team Trip to Banos

"We're very proud to be ranked in the top 10 as a Best Place to Work. This recognition is evidence of Oshyn's commitment to the professional development and well-being of our employees," says Maria Isabel Ramirez, Oshyn's VP of HR and Finance. "We strive to provide a workplace culture that values innovation, diversity and employee satisfaction."

Great Place to Work Ecuador provides feedback to organizations by using employee surveys to gather insights and quantify the experience that staff has with their workplace. They define a great workplace as, "One where employees trust the people they work for, have pride in what they do, and enjoy the people they work with."

As one of the first technology companies to establish a presence in Ecuador, Oshyn has been at the forefront of shaping the country's tech landscape for over 15 years. Its inclusive environment allows employees to thrive and contribute to the tech industry.

Oshyn prioritizes creating a culture of growth and positivity, which is reflected in a commitment to providing employees with a multitude of opportunities for career development. These opportunities include:

To promote professional growth, Oshyn encourages employees to build technical and business skills by participating in training courses and obtaining certifications.

To increase team cohesion, Oshyn provides opportunities to connect outside the office including regular lunches, dinners, and excursions to beautiful locations around Ecuador.

To help employees build their professional profiles, Oshyn organizes events and facilitates attendance to relevant trade shows. These events offer employees the opportunity to network, learn, and give presentations on topics related to their career.

About Oshyn

Oshyn partners with some of the best brands and creative agencies in the world to create exceptional digital marketing solutions. For over 20 years, Oshyn has worked closely with dozens of marketing, design, and IT teams to deliver countless effective customer experiences in line with their business objectives. With over 60 developers, trainers, and analysts on staff certified in Sitecore, Optimizely, and Adobe Experience Cloud, they've built a stellar reputation working with top brands and creative talent.



Contact Information

Patrick Wirz

VP of Marketing

pwirz@oshyn.com

213-483-1770



SOURCE: Oshyn

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/789023/oshyn-named-by-great-place-to-work-r-ecuador-as-a-best-place-to-work-in-technology
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, October 02

For immediate release

2 October 2023

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 100,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 838.65 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company.

The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 17 January 2023.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 20,571,869; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 204,419,434.

The figure of 204,419,434 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For and on behalf of

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Hale

Frostrow Capital LLP

Tel: 020 3 170 8732
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

WHITE ROCK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / TDG Gold Corp (TSXV:TDG) (the "Company" or "TDG")has arranged a non-brokered private placement of up to 16,176,470 common shares (each, a "Share") at a price of C$0.17 per Share to raise proceeds of up to C$2.75 million (the "Offering"). TDG has received a firm commitment from a new institutional resource sector investor to acquire 11,600,000 Shares through the Offering and is expected to own approximately 9.9% of TDG's issued and outstanding common shares upon completion of the Offering.

Dr. Fletcher Morgan, CEO & Director of TDG commented, "TDG is pleased to welcome the investment of our new cornerstone institutional investor and the validation of our systematic evaluation of the potential of our Toodoggone properties. The proceeds from the offering will allow us to follow up on our exciting results from Mets, putting TDG in a strong position to complete our existing field programs at our properties in the Toodoggone mining district, setting us up for an exciting 2024."

The Shares issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four-month and a day hold period. In addition, the Offering is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Finder's fees may be payable on the Offering.

Use of Proceeds

The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering to fund the cost of the ongoing exploration programs at the Company's projects, with a particular focus on defining the potential of the high grade Mets gold system (see news releases dated September 7 & 11, 2023) and possible extensions; continuing to evaluate the potential for a porphyry-style bulk-tonnage copper-gold system at Baker (see news releases dated July 25, August 15 and September 6, 2023); defining a significantly larger Greater Shasta-Newberry ("GSN") gold-silver system (see news release dated March 20, 2023); and for general working capital purposes. Work currently underway includes detailed ground-based geophysics at Mets; continued re-logging and sampling of historic core and analysis of >225 detailed, system-wide geochemical sampling at Baker; and re-logging and sampling of historic core from the GSN area outside of the defined mineral resource (see news release dated May 1, 2023). Results from these programs will continue to be announced as they become available over the coming months.

Caution to US Investors

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About TDG Gold Corp.

TDG is a major mineral tenure holder in the historical Toodoggone Production Corridor of north-central British Columbia, Canada, with over 23,000 hectares of brownfield and greenfield exploration opportunities under direct ownership or earn-in agreement. TDG's flagship projects are the former producing, high-grade gold-silver Shasta and Baker mines, which produced intermittently between 1981-2012, and the historical high-grade gold Mets developed prospect, all which are all road accessible, and combined have over 65,000 m of historical drilling. The projects have been advanced through compilation of historical data, new geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys and, at Shasta, 13,250 m of modern HQ drill testing of the known mineralization occurrences and their potential extensions.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved Steven Kramar, MSc., P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for TDG Gold Corp., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fletcher Morgan

Chief Executive Officer

For further information contact:

TDG Gold Corp.,

Telephone: +1.604.536.2711

Email: info@tdggold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "anticipate", "continue", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "potential", variants of these words and other similar words, phrases, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. In particular, this press release contains forward looking statements concerning the anticipated completion of the Offering, the potential for extensions to the Mets mineralization; the potential for bulk tonnage porphyry-style copper gold at Baker; and defining a larger gold-silver system at Greater Shasta-Newberry. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with the state of financial markets and metals prices, and receipt of regulatory approvals. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: TDG Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/789249/tdg-gold-corp-announces-private-placement-and-welcomes-new-99-institutional-investor
From startups to the Fortune 500, the event will showcase the leaders and technologies changing the world of work

Speakers include senior HR and business leaders such as L'Oreal Deputy CEO, Barbara Lavernos, JB Academy Founder, Josh Bersin, Spotify CHRO, Katarina Berg, and Sodexo CHRO, Annick de Vanssay, as well as England Rugby legend, Jonny Wilkinson CBE

Imagine a future where the boundaries of HR are redefined, and business is transformed. That future becomes a reality this year at UNLEASH World 2023, as 5000+ HR leaders from 100+ countries will arrive for the industry gathering of the year

LONDON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UNLEASH, the fastest-growing HR events across Europe and the US, returns to Paris for its 11th year on 17-18 October, 2023. Organised by UNLEASH, a global digital media and events business dedicated to HR, technology, learning and recruitment leaders, the flagship UNLEASH World conference has been the epicentre for HR, recruitment, learning expertise and tech influence for the last decade. This year, it returns to explore the transformative power of technologies such as AI in shaping the future of work.

Set across 12 theaters, UNLEASH World attendees will hear from visionary keynote speakers including CEOs from L'Oreal, Aliaxis and Roullier Group, CHROs from Airbus, Spotify and Sodexo, and Rugby legends, Jonny Wilkinson, CBE and Serge Betsen. With a diverse range of keynote speakers, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, UNLEASH World provides cutting-edge insights and best practices for everyone - from CEOs to HR leaders and executives.

"UNLEASH is the most influential HR event in the world, where attendees are given the opportunity to meet the who's who of the industry from some of the most exciting brands and employers in the world - under one roof, over two days of face-to-face meetings," said Marc Coleman, CEO and Founder at UNLEASH. "Massive thanks too to our Headline Sponsors who are the heartbeat of the HR Industry and help ensure UNLEASH is the go-to global event for HR Leaders, including: AWS, Bob, Deloitte, Eightfold, Phenom, Qualtrics, SAP SuccessFactors, Visier, Workday, and Workhuman".

Through keynotes on the main stage and further breakout stages, attendees will gain on some of the most pressing topics including:

Creating an Exponential Organization in the Modern Era

The Adaptive Enterprise - HR Technology in the Age of AI

Tech & Human Harmony in a Hyper-Connected World

Harnessing the Power of Resilience and Reinvention

Mastering Employee Connection and the Social Contract in Today's Talent Landscape

The speaker roster itself is star-studded with 200+ of the best in the HR industry with speakers including:

Jean-Claude Le Grand, CHRO, L'Oreal

Katarina Berg, CHRO, Spotify

Josh Bersin, Founder & CEO, The Josh Bersin Company

Natalia Wallenberg, CHRO, Ahold Delhaize

Salim Ismail, Founder, OpenExO

Anika Grant, CPO, Ubisoft

Thierry Baril, CHRO, Airbus

Beatriz Rodriguez, Chief Talent and DEIB Officer, Bayer

Reza Moussavian, VP of People Products, Zalando

Maud Alvarez-Pereyre, Chief People & Transformation Officer, LVMH

Andrew Elston, Global Head, Workforce Strategy Enablement, HSBC

Laura Hingel, Global Head of Talent & Employer Branding, Christian Dior

Henrik Hansen, VP Global Head of Integrated People Services, Philips

Denise King, Vice President, Global Benefits and Payroll, Medtronic

Artur Nejmark, Head of HRIS Operations, Volvo Group

Introducing the UNLEASH World Startup Program: A veritable launchpad for trailblazing entrepreneurs in the HR and Future of Work. UNLEASH has been the launchpad for the future of HR Tech, this high-impact platform has already seen its network of startups raise an astounding 10 billion in funding. 2023 UNLEASH World Startup Award offers an unparalleled opportunity for early-stage companies to break through. Established in 2011, this accolade has proven to be more than just a trophy; it's a gateway to funding and exponential growth. Our last four champions and runner-up's secured game-changing funding within months. Those interested in entering the award can find out more here.

For more information, including the agenda and how to register for the event, visit https://www.unleash.ai/unleashworld.

About UNLEASH

UNLEASH is the go-to marketplace for human resources and breakthrough technologies that shape the future of work, and is an essential source of news, analysis and market trends that inspire and empower organisational leaders worldwide. UNLEASH is a platform to share ideas that work, network and do business, and its mission is to be the world's number one destination and marketplace for human resources, recruitment and learning leaders globally. UNLEASH is headquartered in London, UK with operations across Europe and the United States.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/unleash-world-returns-to-showcase-fortune-500-companies-transforming-the-future-of-work-301944735.html
Iraq Assyrian Wedding Tragedy: Groom Says Fireworks Not Cause of Fire

Rivan, the groom of the Assyrian wedding fire. The groom whose wedding celebration catastrophically ended in over a hundred deaths told Rudaw English on Sunday that fireworks were not the cause of the fire that burned down the hall, contradicting investigation findings of the Iraqi interior ministry. He blamed the hall's owner for the blaze.

Rivan, 27, feels he has "nothing to talk about" after a deadly blaze during his wedding party in the Christian town of Hamdaniya in Iraq's northern Nineveh province. He said that fireworks were not the reason for the tragedy and called for an international investigation to determine the reason.

"It is not true. We demand for an international committee to investigate this, for international organizations to help us," Rivan told Rudaw English in Hamdaniya, contradicting a Sunday conclusion by the Iraqi interior ministry that malfunctioning fireworks resulted in the inferno.

Rivan's father, Esho, said he lost at least 20 members of his family in the fire and that the bride Haneen's family has lost at least 35 people.

Tragedy struck the Assyrian Christian town of Hamdaniya in Nineveh province, also known as Qaraqosh or Bakhdida, on Tuesday night during a joyous wedding when scenes of celebration and laughter soon derailed into a hellish nightmare when the banquet hall caught on fire. At least a hundred died and over 150 were also injured.

"There is nothing left. We are seeing greater and greater sufferings every day, more and more victims," Rivan said. He also stated that the tragedy has made it impossible for the newly-weds and their families to remain in Hamdaniya. "How can we stay after what we saw?" he said.

"My wife is shocked. Nine people from her house passed away. She cannot talk. She can barely get up and walk and needs to be supported by one or two people to walk. How can she handle this? She is just an 18-year-old girl," he said, visibly distraught and powerless.

Asked about how they are being treated, Rivan said that "thankfully the people are all by our side" but that "it is the people's right" to treat them poorly because "their hearts are broken."

"We demand the rights of those whose blood was spilt. Why did their blood have to be spilled? We demand their rights and we demand the perpetrator of this action, him and all who are behind him. We demand an international investigation, not a local or federal investigation," he said.

In war-scarred Iraq, safety standards are often ignored as sub-standard buildings, such as Hamdaniya's Haytham Hall, lack adequate fire extinguishers and emergency facilities such as evacuation doors.

Authorities are also often criticized for failing to conduct impartial investigations and hold the perpetrators of crimes accountable.

Rivan's father Esho said that he can no longer face his community anymore and is too grief-struck to "go out in the streets and see that one lost his brother, one his wife, and one his daughter."

"Everywhere you go there are victims. So how will we face them? We have to stay at home, but staying at home is not a solution. Our life has become very difficult," Esho said.

Devastated, Rivan said that he and Haneen would have never considering leaving Hamdaniya if the tragedy had not struck.

Hamdaniya is one of Iraq's only Christian-majority districts, located in the Nineveh Plains near Mosul, a historic Assyrian region. Like many Christian towns in the Nineveh Plains, it was taken over by Islamic State (ISIS) jihadists during their brazen sweep of northern Iraq, where they declared a so-called "caliphate" and inflicted grave atrocities on minority groups, including Christians.

"Life here for us is no longer suitable for living," he said.
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MORTSEL, BELGIUM / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / In Chicago, AGFA HealthCare will demonstrate delivering imaging without barriers, increasing the day-to-day performance and job satisfaction of radiologists by leveraging inter-departmental, cross-geography image management - helping radiologists to stay in their clinical flow whilst enabling a community of care.





Empowering Imaging Without Barriers

At RSNA 2023, AGFA HealthCare showcases the power of Enterprise Imaging innovations and the Imaging Health Network





Especially developed to enable location-agnostic, quick management of images, AGFA HealthCare will show how its Imaging Health Network brings a unique approach to clinical imaging practice, offering a newly orchestrated flow within the next level of Enterprise Imaging. At RSNA, the radiology community will see new features - such as Workflow Orchestration and Streaming Client - as fully integrated components that deliver images to radiologists in seconds - enabling them to focus on the patient, and the healthcare provider, to enhance the standards of their care delivery.

By harnessing the power of Enterprise Imaging Workflow Orchestration and Streaming Client technologies, AGFA HealthCare's web-based, one-click approach displays information in seconds - streaming pixels to you when and where you need them. Equally, our intelligent workflow orchestration technology will enable health systems to gain freedom in tailoring the solution to their specific needs and goals. Supporting RSNA's theme of "Leadership through Change," visitors will discover how AGFA HealthCare's Enterprise Imaging breakthroughs will empower health systems to navigate and pioneer in the dynamic landscape of modern healthcare.

Nathalie McCaughley, President of AGFA HealthCare, elaborates on AGFA HealthCare's solution-rich offerings, and what the imaging community can expect to see at the world's largest radiology event:

"Radiologists see hundreds of patient studies every day. In their high-volume workflow, productivity is paramount. That's why our AGFA HealthCare Enterprise Imaging Platform is designed to enhance their flow by eliminating barriers and disruptions. Our pioneering Enterprise Imaging Platform enables health systems to benefit from an Imaging Health Network across specialties, sites, geographies and time zones. We help them by providing 'imaging without barriers' by reducing complexity, improving clinical collaboration, and enabling workflow efficiencies."

AGFA HealthCare's AI innovator and Global Chief Medical Officer, Dr Anjum Ahmed, comments on a continuing hot topic, Artificial Intelligence, and emphasizes the significance of the Enterprise Imaging strategy.

"Care providers are beginning to realize that a platform strategy with Enterprise Imaging makes sense - because it builds a secure, modular and scalable ecosystem. With RUBEE, we offer best-of-breed AI packages that are helping our customers break down barriers to implementing innovation and enable clinicians to become powerhouses of evidence-based analytical intelligence. This makes their departments more productive and staff more data efficient. Our customers have shared key metrics with us on how they are improving their clinical operations by leveraging the RUBEE AI strategy, which is helping us innovate further."

Let us demonstrate life in flow in Chicago from November 26-30 2023 at AGFA HealthCare booth #2552 or contact us for a conversation at your convenience. Want to get involved sooner? Discover more about our latest innovations by attending two pre-RSNA Webinars: Oct 03 "Pixel Streaming" and Oct 18 "Radiology Workflow Orchestration: More Than Meets the Eye".

Book your appointment with the AGFA HealthCare team here.

Read more about clinical innovations that deliver "life in flow" from the Enterprise Imaging Platform below.

Workflow Orchestration*: This transformative solution intelligently orchestrates tasks, helping radiologists to stay in the flow of their daily working routines and unleashing remote resources across borders.

Streaming Client: Radiologists need images that display in seconds, not minutes - wherever they are. With this web-based technology, AGFA Enterprise Imaging makes images available in seconds, empowering all members of the care team to collaborate seamlessly. By enabling radiologists to break free from geographic constraints, it supports imaging without barriers.

RUBEE AI packages: AGFA HealthCare is showcasing its expanded portfolio of AI packages, demonstrating the power of embedded AI into Enterprise Imaging workflows, and how our customers are leveraging these innovations into their daily practice and being more productive.

SaaS: With Software as a Service (SaaS), healthcare providers can enjoy a myriad of benefits including faster deployment, lower costs, reduced hardware and maintenance, enhanced scalability and integration, ease of use, remote accessibility, and more.

Cloud Services: these customizable services seamlessly close the image management infrastructure gap, delivering a solution that is secure, scalable, and accessible; easy to maintain and use; at a predictable cost.

*Work in progress.

About AGFA HealthCare

At AGFA HealthCare, we are transforming the delivery of care - supporting healthcare professionals across the globe with secure, effective, and sustainable imaging data management. As a company, we are dedicated to our customers, and we have harnessed a value framework of Mission, Vision and Customer Delivery Principles into our routine operations. Through these principles, we commit a consistent high-yield code of conduct to our associates - channeling our experience and aspirations to all of our stakeholders. Our Empowerer profile supports our focus on creating an exceptional experience through the power of technology and is an integral foundation to our company standards. AGFA HealthCare is a division of the Agfa-Gevaert Group. For more information on AGFA HealthCare, please visit www.agfahealthcare.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

AGFA and the Agfa rhombus are registered trademarks of Agfa-Gevaert N.V. Belgium or its affiliates. RUBEE is a registered trademark and Imaging Health Network is a trademark of Agfa HealthCare N.V. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. All information contained herein is intended for guidance purposes only, and the characteristics of the products and services described in this publication can be changed at any time without notice. Products and services may not be available for your local area. Please contact your local sales representative for availability information. AGFA HealthCare diligently strives to provide as accurate information as possible but shall not be responsible for any typographical error.



Contact Information

Jessica Baldry

Marketing Communications

jessica.baldry@agfa.com

+447583203971



SOURCE: AGFA HealthCare

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/789014/empowering-imaging-without-barriers-at-rsna-2023-agfa-healthcare-showcases-the-power-of-enterprise-imaging-innovations-and-the-imaging-health-network-tm
EQS-Ad-hoc: Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 Designated Activity Company / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

MAR Notification - Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 Designated Activity Company



03-Oct-2023 / 21:00 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



02-Oct-2023



MAR Notification - Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 Designated Activity Company



The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Disclosure of insider information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014

Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 Designated Activity Company (the "Issuer") issuance of up to 20,000,000 Participating Term Certificates due 2024



Dublin, October 2, 2023 - Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 Designated Activity Company (Vienna MTF, ISIN: IE000R49VZ64), a designated activity company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of Ireland and established to, inter alia, acquire, manage, hold, sell, dispose of, finance and trade in all forms of financial assets and to carry on the business of a qualifying company within the meaning of section 110 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (as amended) of Ireland.



Pursuant to the terms of the warehouse deed originally dated 10 May 2021 (as amended from time to time) entered into between, among others, HPS Investment Partners CLO (UK) LLP and the Issuer (the "Warehouse Deed"), certain consents have been received in relation to the sale of all of the Portfolio Investments (as such term is defined in the Warehouse Deed).



- End of Insider Information -



Contact:

The Directors

Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 Designated Activity Company

32 Molesworth Street

Dublin 2

Ireland

Telephone: +353 697 3200

Email: mfdublin@maples.com



Disclaimer

This release may contain forward-looking statements and information concerning Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 DAC and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and certain assumptions, which may be subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. The results actually achieved by Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 DAC may substantially differ from these forward-looking statements. Aqueduct European CLO 8-2022 DAC assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements or to correct them in case of developments, which differ from those, anticipated.







End of Inside Information



03-Oct-2023 CET/CEST News transmitted by EQS Group AG. www.eqs.com




TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Metalite Resources Inc. (CSE:METL)(OTC Pink:JNCCF)(Frankfurt:5VHA) ("Metalite" or the "Company") announces today it will be seeking the Canadian Securities Exchange's (the "CSE") approval to consolidate all of its issued and outstanding common shares (the "Common Shares") on the basis of 10:1, with each ten (10) pre-consolidated Common Shares being consolidated into one (1) post-consolidated Common Share (the "Share Consolidation"). In accordance with the Company's articles, shareholder approval will not be required for the proposed Share Consolidation. The proposed Share Consolidation has been approved by the Company's board of directors.

The proposed Share Consolidation would result in the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares being reduced from the current outstanding 145,219,150 Common Shares to approximately 14,521,915 Common Shares. The Company also has outstanding warrants to purchase 51,023,910 Common Shares reserved for issuance, equal to 5,102,391 Common Shares on a post consolidation basis and also has outstanding stock options to purchase 6,825,000 Common Shares reserved for issuance, equal to 682,500 Common Shares on a post consolidation basis.

No fractional shares will be issued as a result of the Share Consolidation. Any fractional shares resulting from the Share Consolidation will be rounded down to the next whole Common Share, and no cash consideration will be paid in respect of fractional shares.

The Company's board of directors believes that the Share Consolidation will provide the Company with greater flexibility for the continued development of its business and the growth of the Company, including financing arrangements. There is no change of business associated or being effected with respect of the Share Consolidation. In addition, the Company will not be changing its name in connection with the proposed Share Consolidation.

The Company will be obtaining a new CUIP and ISIN number for common shares in connection with proposed the Share Consolidation. The record date and effective date of the Share Consolidation and the new CUSIP and ISIN numbers will be disclosed in a subsequent news release. Generally, with respect to a consolidation, the shares would commence quotation on the CSE on a consolidated basis on the first trading day prior to the record date, being the effective date and the CSE would issue a bulletin to dealers advising of the share consolidation and effective date of trading on the consolidated basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Share Consolidation is subject to regulatory approval, and the board of directors may, at its discretion, determine to amend the terms or to not to move forward with the Share Consolidation.

Furthermore, David Kol, principal of Next Generation Resources Inc. ("Next Gen"), acquired by the Company earlier this year, has agreed to tender for cancellation 12,400,000 common shares of the Company in connection with the execution of a mutual release with the Company. The total number of pre and post-Consolidation number of common shares referenced above do not reflect this cancellation.

The Company wishes to further advise that, in accordance with its press release dated July 27, 2023, it is commencing efforts to wind up Next Gen and it has abandoned all operations in Liberia. To this end, the Company has terminated the employment of its VP Exploration, Efdal Olcer.

About Metalite Resources Inc.

Metalite Resources Inc. is a Canadian junior mineral exploration issuer with a precious metals-focused project in NSW, Australia. along with various indicator minerals that occur along with these precious metals.

For further information please contact:

info@metaliteresources.com

To learn more, please visit https://www.metaliteresources.com/ .

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements." All statements, other than statements of historic fact, that address activities, events or developments that Metalite believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate, "expect," and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may," "will," "can," "should," "could," or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of Metalite based on information currently available to Metalite. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of Metalite to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on Metalite. Forward looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the proposed Share Consolidation and the timing thereof. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, failure to obtain all necessary approvals for the completion of the proposed Share Consolidation. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Metalite disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although Metalite believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

SOURCE: Metalite Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/789324/metalite-resources-announces-proposed-10-for-1-share-consolidation
LD Micro 16 th Annual Main Event Conference in Los Angeles on October 3, 2023

Emerging Growth Virtual Conference on October 5, 2023

Investor Summit Virtual Conference on October 19, 2023

Austin, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - October 2, 2023) - Citizens, Inc. (NYSE: CIA), a leading diversified financial services company specializing in life, living benefits, and final expense insurance, today provided additional information on the Company's participation in upcoming investor conferences.

LD Micro 16th Annual Main Event Conference in Los Angeles on October 3, 2023

Citizens will present and participate in one-on-one meetings at the LD Micro Conference in Los Angeles on October 3. The live, interactive webcast and slide presentation will be on October 3 at 11:30 AM ET, Track 4, accessible on the Company's Investor Relations website under the Events tab HERE. The webcast will be archived on the website for future viewing.

Emerging Growth Virtual Conference on October 5, 2023

Citizens plans to present at the Emerging Growth Virtual Conference on October 5 at 3:10 PM ET. The live, interactive webcast and slide presentation will be accessible on the Company's Investor Relations website under the Events tab HERE. The webcast will be archived on the website for future viewing.

Investor Summit Virtual Conference on October 19, 2023

Citizens plans to present and participate in one-on-one meetings at the Investor Summit Virtual Conference on October 19. Conference attendees are encouraged to register and request a one-on-one meeting with Citizens management HERE. The live, interactive webcast and slide presentation will be on October 19 at 10:30 AM ET, accessible on the Company's Investor Relations website under the Events tab HERE. The webcast will be archived on the website for future viewing.

About Citizens, Inc.

Citizens, Inc. (NYSE: CIA) is a diversified financial services company providing life, living benefits and final expense insurance and other financial products to individuals and small businesses in the U.S., Latin America, and Asia. Through its customer-centric growth strategy, Citizens offers innovative products to address the evolving needs of its customers in their native languages of Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin. The Company operates two primary segments: Life Insurance, where the Company is a market leader in US Dollar denominated life insurance and accident and health insurance in growing niche markets in the United States, Latin America, and Asia and Home Services, which operates primarily in the U.S. Gulf coast region. For more information about Citizens, please visit the website at www.citizensinc.com and LinkedIn.

Citizens, Inc. Investor Relations Contacts

Darrow Associates Investor Relations

Jeff Christensen and Matt Kreps

Email: CIA@darrowir.com (Jeff and Matt)

Phone: 703-297-6917 (Jeff) and 214-597-8200 (Matt)

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182660
Bringing Collaborative, Global Expertise and Strategy to Energy and Convenience Retail Clients

LEXINGTON, KY / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Impact 21, a global consulting firm that enables specialty retail, convenience, and energy clients to deliver seamless customer experiences, has signed a collaboration agreement with The Retail Marketeers, a Hamburg, Germany-based consulting firm, specialized on business development in convenience retail - merchandise, foodservice, and fuel. They also serve as the NACS strategic relationship partner in western continental Europe and host the annual, prestigious NACS Convenience Leaders Exchange for the German-speaking markets.

Impact 21 & The Retail Marketeers Alliance

Impact 21 and The Retail Marketeers have formed an international collaboration to better serve Convenience Retail and Energy clients.

Both companies are highly engaged in convenience retail, serving as recognized thought leaders with a broad reach to retailers, suppliers, service providers, media, and trade associations across North America and Europe.

"This new alliance will add a lot of value to both our domestic and global clients in their ongoing transformation to becoming a true go-to destination for retail and food," said Impact 21 Co-owner, President and CEO, Lisa Biggs. "Together we will bring insights, strategies, and expertise from both sides of the pond. The Retail Marketeers bring a deep background in format development with what they call 'Foodvenience' to the table."

"We are excited to cultivate business transformation with Impact 21, a partner with a unique reputation for retail and food expertise in the global marketplace," states Christian Warning, founder and CEO of The Retail Marketeers. "Serving the Convenience and Energy Industries has been a natural bond between both companies. We share the same values and approach to delivering transformational strategies and thought leadership to the industry."

About Impact 21

Impact 21 is a consulting firm that enables specialty retail, convenience, and energy clients to deliver seamless customer experiences that drive new revenue growth and increased shareholder value. Serving as your business transformation team, Impact 21 brings a proven methodology to drive engagement and manage change. As the catalyst inspiring companies to achieve peak performance, Impact 21 empowers businesses to drive results through the alignment of people, systems, processes, and data.

About The Retail Marketeers

The Retail Marketeers are the first point of contact for the transformation of a gas station into a mobility hub. Based on one of the widest global networks in the industry, The Retail Marketeers have a proven track record in guiding market entry processes. Joint study market tours deepen the know-how transfer in a very "hands-on" way and ensure long-term friendships beyond business relationships. Global players, hidden champions, and local heroes use the available know-how at all stages of the value creation of the convenience retail market and value. The Retail Marketeers' strategic partnership with NACS adds to its know-how across its convenience and energy network.

Contact Information

Diane Frechette

Impact 21

dfrechette@impact21.com

Christian Warning

The Retail Marketeers

warning@foodvenience.org

SOURCE: Impact 21

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/789343/impact-21-and-the-retail-marketeers-form-strategic-alliance
FORT WALTON BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Step One Automotive Group is excited to announce its annual "Drive Out Breast Cancer" campaign, an impactful initiative to support breast cancer research, awareness, prevention, and support in the Southeast. The month-long campaign runs from October 1st through October 31st, 2023.

Event Highlights

Duration: October 1st to October 31st, 2023.

Location: Various community events near Step One locations throughout Georgia, Central Alabama, Florida, and Andalusia, Florida.

How It Works: Pink vehicles will be present at local community events. Participants are invited to sign these cars, trucks, and SUVs as a symbol of unity in the fight against breast cancer.

Make Every Signature Count

For each signature collected, Step One Automotive Group will donate $1 to local non-profit organizations dedicated to fighting breast cancer. The specific donation cap varies per market: $2,500 in Central Alabama, $5,000 in Georgia, and $7,500 in Florida and Andalusia. The donations will benefit the following charities:

Georgia: St Joseph Candler Telfair Mammography Fund

Central Alabama: Pink Topps

Florida: Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation

Andalusia: Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer Center

The Vehicles

Central Alabama: A Chevy Sierra truck, wrapped in pink with breast cancer ribbons.

Georgia: A Jeep Cherokee L, adorned similarly.

Florida/Andalusia: Another Jeep Cherokee L, designed to attract attention to this crucial cause.

For more information about Step One Automotive Group and upcoming events, please visit www.steponeautomotive.com.



About Step One Automotive Group

Step One Automotive Group is an American company based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, built on a singular dedication to empowering lives through smarter and easier ways of accessing mobility. Step One Automotive Group owns 20 new car dealerships in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, representing 17 brands, including Chrysler, Dodge Jeep, Ram Fiat, Volkswagen, Subaru, Kia, Hyundai, Nissan, Genesis, Ford, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati. Step One Automotive Group also owns two standalone pre-owned operations, three wholesale parts operations, and one rental car operation. Out of 18,000 dealerships in the United States, Step One ranks in the top 90 dealer groups in the United States and the top 10 in Florida. Step One employs 787 team members across three states and six cities.

For more information, please visit https://www.steponeautomotive.com.

Contact Information

Shantelle Dedicke

President, Frances Roy Agency

shantelle@francesroy.com

307-631-7644

SOURCE: Step One Automotive Group

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/789370/step-one-automotive-group-launches-drive-out-breast-cancer-campaign-throughout-october-2023
albo, a Mexico City, Mexico-based neo bank providing a platform for personal and business finances, raised US$40M in Series C funding.

The round was led by Morpheus Ventures with participation from previous investors such as US-based Valar Ventures and Mexico-based Nazca Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach.

Led by Angel Sahagun, CEO and Founder, albo offers a personal debit account, a business account for business, credit for individuals and businesses, all at no cost and with no commissions. Its goal is to provide financial freedom for people everywhere in the world.

In August 2023, the company acquired delt.ai is, a Y-Combinator fintech company with experience in the Mexican market, specializing in financial services and management tools for SMBs. Its product portfolio includes business loans, credit cards, and a financial platform for SMBs. Currently, it has completed more than 130,000 transactions through its platform, granting over US$90M in business loans and credit lines.

The acquisition of delt.ai aligns with albos strategic vision to offer high-quality financial products and services to promote healthy financial habits.

FinSMEs

02/10/2023
Cellply, a Bologna, Italy-based biotech company providing an end-to-end single cell potency characterization platform, raised 3.6M in funding.

The round was led by Recomec, Liftt, and Schia Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts.

Founded in 2013 by Massimo Bocchi and Roberto Guerrieri, led by CEO Emiliano Spagnolo, CellPly is a life-science company developing analytical tools for the immune system and enabling rapid and effective development of immunotherapies and cell-based therapies. Its solution combines proprietary microfluidic technology to capture functional and phenotypic information from thousands of single cells, with the automated VivaCyte analytical instrument, integrating robotic solutions and AI for image analysis.

Short-term objectives include consolidating the research and development market, entering the U.S. market and establishing Cellply North America, while strengthening its presence in the European market. In the long term, the goal is to become the leader in analytical tools for research and quality control within the Cell Therapy sector.

FinSMEs

02/10/2023
Qube Technologies, a Calgary, Canada-basedprovider of continuous emissions monitoring technology, received a Series B funding from Riverbend Energy Group.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The company intends to use the funds for:

Advanced Technology Development: it will invest in research and development to enhance its emissions monitoring solutions and release new product lines. Global Expansion: it plans to expand its international presence by increasing sales, marketing, and support efforts in key markets. New Industries: it will leverage its existing technology and further develop its algorithms to address the need for continuous monitoring in additional primary industries, such as waste treatment, renewable natural gas, and mining. Talent Acquisition: it will hire talent to accelerate its growth and innovation.

Led by Alex MacGregor, CEO, Qube is a technology company that has developed environmental surveillance technology to help primary industries, such as oil and gas, detect, quantify, and reduce methane and other emissions. It is currently working with operators across Canada and the US and has support from a wide range of investors and government bodies.

FinSMEs

02/10/2023
Veritas Management Group, an Alpharetta, GA-based management consulting firm serving government and commercial sector organizations, acquired ASAP Talent Services, an IT executive search firm based in Houston, TX.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

With the acquisition, Veritas Management Group (VMG) will enhance its competitive position and provide expanded services for its clients. In the information technology space, the combined company will now be able to provide more comprehensive support in IT, data analytics, cybersecurity, and other related fields. The two companies comprise nearly 100 employees in 19 U.S. states and locations in four other countries.

Led by Jeremy Sisemore, CEO, ASAP Talent Services is an IT executive search firm which specializes in C-Suite executive search, SAP and cybersecurity recruiting, contract-to-hire (C2H), and staff augmentation services.

Led by Melanie Cook, Founder and CEO, Veritas Management Group is a management consulting firm offering solutions for public health, technology, and military domains. The company serves government and commercial sector organizations, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations domestically and globally.

FinSMEs

02/10/2023
Love it or hate it, like the way you could never ignore The Kashmir Files, in the same way you cannot ignore The Vaccine War. In an interview with Firstpost, Vivek Agnihotri spoke on the difficulties of making The Vaccine War, working with Nana Patekar and most importantly how some media houses promote fake news for their personal benefits.

Vivek Agnihotris lens not merely captured the chaos and despair; his film was a spotlight on the resilience of humanity, the spirit of innovation and the power of unity. In a world where countries struggled to find solutions, The Vaccine War showcased Indias remarkable journey from crisis to recovery. The best thing about The Vaccine War is that being Indias first bio-science film, a lot of time was spent on research and in trying to show the trials over mice and monkeys in NIV (National Institute of Virology) labs. There was no effort made by Agnihotri to glamorize the film. And that is a big plus point for a bio-science movie.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

You made the entire media look like a villain in The Vaccine War. Why did you do that?

No, not the entire media. Only certain groups of the media. In fact, the media played a very important role in subduing vaccine hesitancy.

Has media come to such a standard there is no difference between those frivolous content creators/ influencers and journalism?

Yes, it is true. Up. You see, most of the headlines, most of the click bates or headlines on social media. Sadly, now news is consumed through social media. Except for a few, I dont think the new generation now reads the newspaper. Now everybody wants to sit from the comfort of their office and give lectures and make their own narratives. There is no on-ground reporting or talking to people to take interviews. I have also been a journalist and I am from Indian Institute of Mass communication, so I know how things work. But now what we get to see or read is not journalism. Whatever I write on social media, somebody tweets that and it becomes news. How is that journalism?

The hard work and the research that went behind making The Vaccine War What was the process and method used by you?

The minute research was done at a micro level when the lockdown started., then we did the macro research. We didnt stop at all and we worked 24/7. In fact, when my film The Kashmir Files was released, we were at the peak of our research and did all that time you were researching. And I was also promoting Kashmir Files. So you can say that almost three years went behind research.

I had brilliant actors for my film, who were very intelligent and great in their craft, so fifty percent of my job was done. They did a lot of practice under the supervision of the scientists.

And getting in touch with the scientists again, getting the whole community together for this special film that youve made, how difficult was it? It must have been a huge, tedious job getting them together, especially the scientists.

It was a tedious job. But then we like to make hard kinds of films, we like filmmaking, which is tough. But yes, it was difficult, but then, once the process started, then everybody got interested. We did a thorough research with ICMR. Everybody was thinking about death because of the virus, the virus which was killing you, and 9 months later there was a vaccine which saved us and gave us a new life. So this between death and life, the two things thats important is discipline of science. Nobody knew that the discovery of this vaccine came under virology.

We also thought that this film can perhaps inspire the younger generation and create awareness like the way Aamir Khans Dangal made us aware about women wrestlers and their struggles. Before Dangal nobody took women wrestlers seriously, but now they get a lot of respect in the society.

And I am sure after watching Dangal, lots of young girls must have got inspired to join wrestling. Similarly, here, even if this film can inspire one dozen young kids to join virology. For me that is the true success of the film, The Vaccine War. So, meeting these scientists was not so difficult but what they were telling us in their interviews to understand science was difficult. We had to read a lot of books to try and understand what they were trying to make us understand about the virus. As we warmed up, they realised what language we can understand. And we also started understanding a little bit of their language. It was a difficult process, but definitely very enriching and enlightening.

How did you manage to get Nana Patekar for the project?

Nana is a very tough actor to work with, and he interferes a lot. But on my set he surrendered to me completely. Never, not even once he asked me why, what? Whatever I told him he kept doing it and he enjoyed it thoroughly. He also enjoyed it, because I think for him also because I wanted to do justice to his craft. It was very challenging to remain so subdued and nuanced, you know, and yet look like a leader whos leading an army of just a few scientists to save the lives of the entire population of India.

You know how Nana is not, he is not one of those elitist, sophisticated people, but here he had to be like a scientist and he did a great job. When Dr Balram Bhargava met him, he held his hands and had tears in his eyes.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Ravi Kishan and Pavan Malhotra are all geared up for their upcoming film Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue that also stars Akshay Kumar and Parineeti Chopra. Based on a true event of what remains one of the greatest stories ever to unfold in India about the escape of 57 minor workers, Kumar plays the role of Jaswant Singh Gill, the man who built a capsule to free those miners from their claustrophobic miseries.

Kishan plays one of the workers trapped beneath and Malhotra too plays a crucial role. In an exclusive interview with Firspost, the two veterans opened up about the experience of essaying this story on the big screen, working with Akshay Kumar again, and what they have taken away after playing their respective characters.

Edited excerpts from the interview

How was the prep for the two of you like for the film?

Ravi: I never played a miner before. I have worked in over 700 films and been directed by everyone, from Shyam Benegal to Mani Ratnam to Anurag Kashyap, but this was a role I never played so it got me really excited. I had to understand their psyche and how they approach death everyday in their lives. I am claustrophobic in real life so I used to think how they manage to go 350 feet below and survive in such less oxygen. I was also fascinated to see the mines of Jharkhand being recreated in London.

Pavan: I was asked to wear a wig, which I was avoiding. I used to wear my wig from the hotel itself and report on the sets 30 minutes in advance. In my 40 years as an actor, this is how I have always worked.

This is your second film with Tinu Desai after Rustom. How was this story pitched to you?

Pavan: I was in Delhi for some family work and got a video call from the director. He waited for a very long time to make his next film after Rustom and also may have waited and tried for producers and actors, but he stuck to it. He told me a brief of the storyline and spoke about my character. He also told me I was his first and last choice for the role. I liked the story and also thought why a story like this wasnt told before, even I was unaware of it. Its a story on heroism, they say if you make a difference to one life, you have achieved something in life. This man, Jaswant Gill, made a difference to 57 lives, he rescued those miners when anything could have happened, the gas had started leaking. A journalist informed me the other day this incident is enlisted in the Guinness Book of World Records.

How was your experience of working with the director?

Ravi: This film wouldnt have been possible without him, and Vashu Bhagnani. Such films are made only once in every 20 years, so the credit goes to both of them, to make a film like this amid the pandemic when everything was shut.

Pavan: From Rustom till now, theres no growth in him and hes still the same, and its a good thing; Ill tell you why. He knew exactly what he wanted, and even Akshay Kumar was supposed to follow what he instructed all of us on the sets. Im not exaggerating but nobody has ever seen him sitting on the sets, he keeps running from one corner to another and is always very meticulous. And I like working with such people as Im also the same.

Ravi, you have done so many films with Akshay Kumar. How do you see his growth as an actor?

Hes amazing, the way he has honed himself in fitness and even acting. People used to call him a non-actor but he has completely changed himself as an artist. He proved himself and became such a big star, he delivered such a beautiful performance in OMG 2. Theres a lot to learn from him.

Pavan Malhotra, how do you see your journey in Hindi cinema?

In my body of work, I have always told stories that are important to the society or stories that shouldve been told. Mission Raniganj is one them. After making a critically acclaimed and commercially successful film like Rustom, Tinu still took seven years to make his next film, maybe because actors may not have said yes to the script. Finally, when Akshay Kumar said yes, Vashu Bhagnani said yes, the film eventually got made. Its a big film. This is my third film with Akshay after Rustom and OMG 2, and all of them are some of the most important films of our respective careers. Akshay Kumar is very grounded and a positive person. The same is with Shah Rukh Khan, I really enjoyed working with them. My journey has been very good, right from Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro to Black Fridays Tiger Memon to playing Punjabi characters in Tabbar and Mubarakan, I really work on my characters.

What do you have to say about the way content has evolved post the advent of OTT?

Ravi: It gave spotlight to a lot of actors that were in the dark for long. I just did Khakee on Netflix, Im also doing a couple of other shows, so this platform has helped actors like me a lot.
King Charles will not accept Prince Harrys request for an apology, according to a friend of the monarch. The Duke of Sussex has demanded his father apologise to him before any return to the Royal Family is considered. According to reports, King Charles will not accept Prince Harrys request for an apology, according to a friend of the monarch. The Duke of Sussex has demanded his father apologise to him before any return to the Royal Family is considered.

The friend of the King told the Daily Beast: It has been reported that Charles wants an apology from Harry, but thats far from the case. [Charles] wouldnt expect that. Dont forget that Charles authorized Jonathan Dimbleby to write a book which attacked his parents, but ultimately they all basically forgot about it, chalked it down to experience and moved on.

Harry demanded that his father should apologise

In an interview with the Telegraph earlier this year, Harry said, The way I see it is, Im willing to forgive you the Royal Family for everything youve done, and I wish youd actually sat down with me, properly, and instead of saying Im delusional and paranoid, actually sit down and have a proper conversation about this, because what Id really like is some accountability. And an apology to my wife.

Charles wants to hit the reset buttonbut not at any price. The friend added that the King hopes to reconcile with Harry in the future, but he is not ready to compromise on his principles or values. He said: Charles loves Harry dearly and would do anything for him, but he wont be bullied into doing something he doesnt believe in.

The relationship between Harry and his father has been strained for a long time, but it worsened after Harry and Meghans explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.

Charles wants to reconcile with Harry

The friend further added that the King hopes to reconcile with Harry in the future, but he is not ready to compromise on his principles or values. He said: Charles loves Harry dearly and would do anything for him, but he wont be bullied into doing something he doesnt believe in.

The relationship between Harry and his father has been strained for a long time, but it worsened after Harry and Meghans explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.

What made the relationship between Harry and King Charles so bitter?

Harry also claimed that his father and his brother Prince William were trapped in the system of the monarchy and that he had to break free from it.

I was trapped but I didnt know I was trapped. My father and my brother, they are trapped. They dont get to leave, he said.

Harrys comments have reportedly hurt and angered his father and his brother, who feel that he is betraying the family and damaging its reputation. According to sources, Harry is not on speaking terms with most of the senior royals, including Charles, William, Camilla, and Kate.

Harry has said that he still loves his family and wants to heal the wounds of the past, but he also wants them to acknowledge their mistakes and apologise to him and Meghan.

Harry and Meghan has made a lot of money through the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan and Harrys controversial memoir Spare. They knew that they wouldnt have made this money has they been members of the royal family. It is very demeaning that Harry and Meghna are prostituting their titles to make more money.

Money-minded Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are prostituting their titles and the Royal Family to make more money, says Talk TV contributor Esther Krakue. What is really odd is the fact that Harry and Meghan felt insulted when they found out at the time that their children wouldnt be eligible to be Prince and Princess, she told Sky News host Caroline Di Russo.

Where was Harry when King Charles needed him the most?

Well, Harry and Meghan were busy prostituting their titles. Leaving all the fights and disagreements to the side, a royal biographer had earlier claimed that King Charles needs Dianas boys in his corner to succeed as a monarch. However, the rift between the Firm and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex changed the new monarchs ground, who had always envisioned leading the country and the Firm with Prince William and Prince Harry at his side, royal commentator Christopher Anderson said.

Firstpost reported earlier, the author of The King: The Life of Charles III claimed to Express.co.uk: Its a quivering tightrope the King walks when it comes to Meghan and Harry. He always envisioned both sons and their families up there beside him on the balcony at Buckingham Palace once he became King, and he knows that this what the British people wanted as well. As a practical matter, King Charles really needs all hands on deck if he is to succeed as monarch.

(With added inputs from agencies)

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Canada has banned just two pro-Khalistani groups operating in the country, according to a new report.

This despite New Delhi urging Ottawa to ban a number of pro-Khalistan outfits including the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and Khalistan Tiger Force.

Relations between New Delhi and Canada have deteriorated following the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus sensational accusation of an Indian hand behind the death  a charge New Delhi has denied as absurd.

But what happened exactly? And what do we know about the outfits India wants banned?

Lets take a closer look:

What happened?

As per Economic Times, Canada has banned two pro-Khalistan outfits  the Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation.

The home ministry first proscribed the International Sikh Youth Federation under the Prevention of Terrorism Act on 22 March, 2002.

Canadas counter-terrorism division first inducted the two groups in its designated terror outfits list in 2003.

In 2018, it upheld the decision after a review, as per the newspaper.

As per the home ministry, nearly a dozen pro-Khalistani leaders remain at large in Canada, Pakistan and Europe.

BKI is a Sikh terrorist entity that aims to establish a fundamentalist independent Sikh state called Khalistan in what is the Indian state of Punjab. BKI activities include armed attacks, assassinations, and bombings. BKI has members outside India, in Pakistan, North America, Europe, and Scandinavia, Canada said while designating BKI as a terror group.

Meanwhile, Ottawa upholding the ban on IYSF, said, The International Sikh Youth Federation was founded in 1984 in the United Kingdom as an international branch of the All India Sikh Students Federation, with centres in several countries, including Canada. ISYF is a Sikh organization whose aim is to promote Sikh philosophy and establishment of an independent Sikh nation called Khalistan. Since 1984, its members have been engaged in terrorist attacks, assassinations and bombings primarily against Indian political figures, but also against moderate members of the Sikh community. ISYF collaborates and/or associates with a number of Sikh terrorist organizations, including Babbar Khalsa International.

What about the outfits India wants banned?

A senior North Block official told the Economic Times that India has exhorted Canada to ban a number of outfits including the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF).

All these outfits have already been proscribed in India.

Khalistan Tiger Force

The Centre in February 2023 declared the KTF a terrorist organisation under the provisions of the UAPA.

The KTF is a Sikh extremist outfit that aims to revive terrorism in Punjab.

The outfit challenges the territorial integrity, unity, national security and sovereignty of India and promotes various acts of terrorism, including targeted killings in Punjab.

As per the Centre, the KTF was formed in 2011 as an offshoot of Babbar Khalsa International.

As per the Khalistan Extremism Monitor website, the KTF was founded by Jagtar Singh Tara with the assistance of Pakistans ISI.

Tara, a former Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) militant was part of the 1995 murder of the then Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.

Based out of Pakistan, the group has sympathisers in France, Canada and Spain.

As per the website, the group has attempted to carry out bombings and armed attacks in Punjab. The group has also attempted to hit VIPs and enable attacks by jihadi elements in the state.

KTF chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar was on 18 June shot dead by two unidentified gunmen in Canadas Surrey.

Sikhs For Justice

The Sikhs for Justice group is a fringe outfit run by a few radical Sikhs of foreign nationality in the US, Canada, the UK.

It is headed by New York-based lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Pannun recently made headlines when he threatened Hindu Canadians to leave the country in the aftermath of Nijjars killing.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) recently stated that investigations into the SFJ revealed that the group was attempting to radicalise Indian youth and urging them to commit acts of terror.

The Centre in a 10 July, 2019, notification had deemed the group unlawful under the provisions of Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The Government of India, banning the SFJ for five years, said its primary objective was to establish an independent and sovereign country in Punjab.

The Centre added that the SFJ openly espouses the cause of Khalistan and in that process, challenges the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.

This was later upheld by an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act tribunal headed by Delhi High Court Chief Justice DN Patel.

Khalistan Commando Force

The KCF has been listed as a terrorist organisation under the first schedule of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967.

As per The Tribune, the KCF was formed in February 1986.

At the time, it was headed by Manbir Singh Chaheru  also known as General Hari Singh.

The group would finance its purchase of weapons for terrorism through bank robberies and kidnapping.

As per Indian Express, the group was responsible for the murder of General Arun Vaidya  who was chief of the Indian Army during Operation Blue Star.

The group was also responsible for several other high-profile attacks including an October 1988 bombing at Firozpur which left 10 Rai Sikhs dead as well as the murder of Major General BN Kumar at the time the chairman of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)  that same year.

As per Indian Express, the KCF was involved in the 1989 murder of 19 students at Thapar Engineering College in Patiala as well as the kidnapping and murder of Rajan Bains  son of then SSP Batala Gobind Ram.

After Chaheru was apprehended by authorities, Labh Singh aka Sukhdev Singh or Sukha Sipahi, became the KCF leader.

Post Singhs death in the 1990s, the KCF splintered into factions  one of which was taken over by terrorist Paramjit Singh Panjwar.

Panjwar was himself designated as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in July 2020.

Panjwar, who would once terrorise people in the Majha belt along the border with Pakistan, was in May shot dead by two unidentified gunmen in Lahore.

Khalistan Zindabad Force

According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal website, the KZF is made up largely of Sikhs based in Jammu.

Not much is known is about the outfits organisational structure and cadre.

The terror outfit was formed in 1993 by Ranjeet Singh Neeta  a resident of Jammus Simbal camp and a small-time smuggler.

Singh, like Panjwar, is also based in Pakistan.

As per the Union home ministry, the KZF has two top members based in Germany  Bhupinder Singh Bhinda and Gurmeet Singh Bagga.

The group is thought to have activists and sympathisers in Britain, Germany, Canada and some other European countries.

The group has been involved in several bombings including the Jhelum Express near Ambala in December, 1996 and of two buses at Pathankot in April and June, 1997,

The KZF was also involved in the attack on Rashtriya Sikh Sangat Chief Rulda Singh at Patiala in July 2009.

The attack, planned out by the KZF chief, resulted in the Sangat chief later dying of his injuries.

Khalistan Liberation Force

The MHA banned the Khalistan Liberation Force and all its iterations under the UAPA in June 2020, as per The Hindu.

As per the Khalistan Extremism Monitor website, the KLF was formed at the end of 1986.

The KLF at the time was headed by Arur Singh.

As per the website, the KLFs stated goal was to form Khalistan by triggering the secession of Punjab from India.

It aimed to achieve this goal through violence.

The KLF functioned in Punjabs Tarn Taran, Majitha, Batala, Ludhiana, Patiala, Kapurthala, Ferozepur and Sangrur. It would also operate in Mumbai, Nashik, Allahabad, Kolkata and Varanasi.

In 1992 the then KLF chief Pritam Singh Sekhon shifted the group to Pakistan.

Post 1994, the group was left extremely deteriorated by Indias counter-terror operations.

Its cadre strength by 1995 was thought to be a mere 23. The KLF was given a new lease of life by Pakistans ISI in 2009, as per the website.

The KLF was previously headed by Harmeet Singh aka Happy P.HD  who was living in Lahore since 2008.

The Pakistan-based KLF chief was killed in 2020, allegedly over a love affair with a married Muslim woman as well as a drug money dispute, as per The Tribune.

With inputs from agencies
This khadi is not just a piece of cloth but also a weapon for those with self-respect, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on National Handloom Day on 7 August, urging people to adopt swadeshi. The handspun fabric was an integral part of our freedom struggle and while it was lost in time, it is now being cherished again.

For more than seven decades, the Indian flag that fluttered atop our government buildings and heritage structures has been made from khadi. During the freedom struggle, khadi was not just a textile but a non-violent tool picked by Mahatma Gandhi.

As India celebrates Gandhi Jayanti, heres a brief history of khadi and its place in the worlds fastest-growing economy.

Gandhis tryst with khadi

The name khadi comes from the word khaddar (meaning handspun in the subcontinent) and is part of Indias ancient handmade textile traditions that date back to 400 BC, according to the Greek historian Herodotus. By the late 17th Century, Indian fabrics were a rage in Europe. Soon they became the Wests envy and were banned by the British and French to reduce competition, according to an article in Vogue.

They were lost in time. But Gandhi brought the attention back to Indian textiles. Khadi, which is handwoven from handspun cotton, silk, or wool yarn, has now become synonymous with him.

When the Father of the Nation was leading the fight to boycott foreign clothes, he turned to hand-woven khadi. Consume what you can produce, he believed. The production of home-spun was the way forward, according to him.

It was in 1915 that Gandhi started his movement for khadi, hoping it would make the poor in the villages self-reliant and at the same time create employment. He considered spinning the wheel and producing home-spun cloth as the way to the economic liberation of the masses. It was the first step to ending dependency on the West, abandoning the use of foreign raw materials and becoming self-dependent yes, atmanirbhar, as PM Modi says today.

The Mahatma realised early on that unemployment was plaguing India and saw the Khadi movement as an opportunity to create employment. During the dry season when farmers are idle, he thought spinning could keep them occupied and it required no capital. He also believed that the khadi industry could tap the potential of women and make them a part of Indias freedom struggle. I swear by this form of swadeshi (khadi) because through it I can provide work to the semi-starved, semi-employed women of India. My idea is to get these women to spin yarn, and to clothe the people of India with khadi which will take the impoverished women out of it, he said.

For him khadi was not just a cloth, he referred to it as a Livery of Freedom. In an article in The Hindu in 2010, Ragini Nayak, a former national general secretary of the National Students Union of India, wrote that Gandhiji emphasised that khadi should be worn with values which are inseparable to it.

According to him, The message of the spinning wheel is much wider than its circumference. Its message is one of simplicity, service of mankind, living so as not to hurt others, creating an indissoluble bond between the rich and the poor, capital and labour, the prince and the peasant.

Interestingly, on 22 September 1921, Gandhi gave up his often khadi-made Gujarat attire and swapped it for a loin cloth. In a third-class train compartment when we has travelling from Madras (Chennai) to Madurai, when he pleaded for khadi, peasants told him, We are too poor to buy khadi.

He was wearing his vest, cap and full dhoti. It prompted the leader to change the way he dresses. All the alterations I have made in my course of life have been effected by momentous occasions and they have been made after such a deep deliberation that I have hardly had to regret them. And I did them, as I could not help doing them. Such a radical alteration  in my dress  I effected in Madurai, he said.

However, he did not want everyone to follow him. He wrote in the newspaper Navajivan: I do not want either my co-workers or readers to adopt the loincloth. But I do wish that they should thoroughly realise the meaning of the boycott of foreign cloth and put forth their best effort to get it boycotted and to get khadi manufactured. I do wish that they may understand that swadeshi means everything.

Khadi made the Swadeshi movement of 1905-06 possible. Patriotic Indians moved away from British textiles and products; spontaneous bonfires were seen across the country in which silks and laces from England were thrown.

Years later, in May 1915, Gandhi launched the Khadi movement from the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

As hundreds and thousands of Indians started weaving their cloth, the mills of Lancashire, the cotton manufacturing hub of England, from where India was flooded with English goods, had to shut shop.

The fabric took the freedom movement to the masses and the villages. The charkha became a symbol of nationalism so much so that the original design of the tricolour featured the spinning wheel, as suggested by Gandhi.

Khadi in post-Independent India

The Khadi movement led to the creation of one of the biggest cooperatives in the world. The Indian government institutionalised the khadi industry by establishing the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) through an Act of Parliament in 1957. It aimed at providing employment and creating more opportunities in rural India. The KVIC supplied raw materials to producers, promoted research in production techniques, ensure quality control of products and promoted their sales and marketing.

But under Nehru, the focus was on industrial and mechanical production and khadi along with Indian handloom took a backseat. The countrys textile policy did not back handlooms even when it provided the second-largest source of rural employment after agriculture. Decades after independence, the powerloom sector saw a boom.

Synthetic fabrics entered the market further hurting handloom weavers and by the 1980s polyester became popular. Khadi became nothing more than a uniform of sorts of politicians.

Even today, powerlooms account for 60 per cent of cloth production in the country, while the share of handlooms is 15 per cent, reports Scroll, quoting the textile ministry reports.

Also read: Responsible Fashion: How PM Narendra Modi is promoting sustainability through his sartorial choices

Khadi back in the spotlight

The Modi-led government, with its vision for Atmanarbhar Bharat, put the focus back on Indian handloom. A year after the PM came to power, the National Handloom Day was established with the first celebration taking place on 7 August 2015. The date was picked as a tribute to the Swadeshi movement, which started on 7 August 1905 and promoted indigenous industries.

After independence, much importance was not given to strengthening the cloth industry (Khadi), which was so strong during the last centurythe situation was that it was left to diepeople who wore Khadi were looked upon with inferiority complex, PM Modi said. But he is aiming to change that now.

In the past nine years, khadi has found a place for itself in the fashion industry with brands like the Aditya Birla Group and Raymond launching their collection of khadi wear. Models dressed in the fabric are walking the ramp as designers are innovating with the fabric.

In the past 9 years, Khadi production has increased by three times and sales of khadi clothes also increased by 5 times. The handloom business turnover has increased from around Rs 30,000 crore to over Rs 1,30,000 crore and the demand for Khadi clothes increasing in foreign countries, Modi said at this years National Handloom Day.

Seventy-six after independence, khadi is cool again. And we might have yet another man from Gujarat to thank.

With inputs from agencies
The Nobel Prize season is upon us, and fresh names from around the world will be added to the worlds most elite roster of scientists, writers, economists, and human rights leaders who have provided the greatest value to humanity.

Since 1901, Nobel prizes have been awarded to men, women and organisations for work that has led to great advances for mankind, in line with the wishes of inventor Alfred Nobel.

The winners of this years prizes will be announced daily from Monday, 2 October through 9 October.

Here are five things to know about the prizes and their creator.

In absentia

Since 1901, six Nobel peace laureates have been prevented from attending the prize ceremony in Oslo.

In 1936, German journalist and pacifist Carl Von Ossietzky was detained in a Nazi concentration camp.

In 1975, Soviet leaders refused to allow Russian dissident Andrei Sakharov to travel to Oslo to pick up his prize. He was represented by his wife Yelena Bonner.

In 1983, Polish union leader Lech Walesa declined the invitation to come to Oslo for fear he would not be allowed back into Poland.

In 1991, Myanmar Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was under house arrest when she won the prize. Given permission by the junta to travel, she also declined for a fear of not being able to return to her country.

In 2010, Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo was in prison. His chair remained empty, where the prize was placed.

In 2022, Belarusian human rights campaigner Ales Bialiatski was in prison. He was represented by his wife Natalia Pinchuk.

Posthumous awards

Since 1974, the statutes of the Nobel Foundation stipulate that the prize may not be given posthumously. But a person may be awarded if she or he dies between the time of the announcement in October and the formal prize ceremony in December.

Before the change, only two people had won a Nobel posthumously.

One was Dag Hammarskjold, the Swedish secretary general of the United Nations who died in a plane crash in 1961 but was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize later the same year.

And in 1931, the Nobel Literature Prize was awarded posthumously to another Swede, Erik Axel Karlfeldt.

In 2011, the Medicine Prize committee selected Ralph Steinman of Canada, unaware that he had passed away just three days before the prize announcement.

Nevertheless, the foundation decided to give him the award.

Few women laureates

While female representation among winners has been steadily increasing in the last decades compared to the early years, the 60 women Nobel laureates still account for around just six per cent of winners.

But things are getting better. Since 2000, 31 women have been awarded all prizes combined, almost three times as many as in the previous two decades.

In 2009, five women received a Nobel prize, including the first female laureate in economics, American Elinor Ostrom  a record yet to be equalled.

Economics has had the fewest women laureates at 2.2 per cent, lower than the science prizes combined, which have seen 3.7 per cent women laureates.

While slightly more evenly distributed, literature is still largely a male affair with 14.2 per cent women among laureates, with the peace prize faring slightly better at 16 per cent.

The Nobel is an institution for men, 2022 literature laureate Annie Ernaux of France told AFP.

Nevertheless, the first person to win the Nobel prize twice was Marie Curie, in 1903 in physics and in 1911 in chemistry.

Missing mathematics

There has long been debate over why no prize was created for mathematics.

There were longstanding rumours that it was in part because Alfred Nobels lover had an affair with mathematician Gosta Mittag-Leffler  but in the 1980s, researchers were able to put that theory to rest.

So why is there no prize? There are two likely explanations.

In 1895, when Nobel wrote his will, a maths prize already existed in Sweden and he saw no need for a second one.

And at the beginning of the 20th Century, the applied sciences were in public and scientific favour. The contribution of mathematics to humanity was not as obvious as it is today.

Lavish prize ceremonies

The prizes are announced in early October, but the award ceremonies take place in Oslo and Stockholm every year on 10 December, the anniversary of the 1896 death of prize creator and inventor Alfred Nobel.

In Stockholm  where the laureates for medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and economics are honoured  the prize ceremony is followed by a glitzy banquet at City Hall for around 1,300 guests, including King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, the diplomatic corps, academics and business leaders.

Meanwhile, in Oslo, around 1,000 guests, including King Harald and Queen Sonja, diplomats and celebrities, attend the prize ceremony at City Hall followed by a smaller banquet at the Grand Hotel.

Russias ambassador has been barred from the Stockholm ceremony since 2022 due to the war in Ukraine.

Norways Nobel Institute has meanwhile maintained its policy of inviting all ambassadors.

With inputs from AFP
Sanitation is more important than independence, Mahatma Gandhi once said.

Following the footsteps of the father of the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Indias largest-ever cleanliness campaign, Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan in 2014 on the occasion of Gandhis birth anniversary.

The aim was to provide sanitation facilities to every family, including toilets, solid and liquid waste disposal systems, village cleanliness and a safe and adequate drinking water supply.

Gandhis concern for both public and private cleanliness was a cornerstone of his Satyagraha campaign ever since his time in South Africa.

According to him, a casteless and free society could not be established unless there was a strong social push for cleanliness.

Everyone is his own scavenger, Gandhi said, reiterating the fact that the need to make cleanliness a personal responsibility was key to removing untouchability.

Gandhi also saw sanitary conditions as essential in order to dispel the notion that Indians required the Wests civilising efforts.

Scavenging was carried out by Uka, a mehtar (sweeper) in his hometown of Rajkot. If Gandhi had ever touched Uka, Putlibai, his mother, made him take a bath. It annoyed Gandhi, who was typically an obedient son.

Uka serves us by cleaning dirt and filth, how can his touch pollute me? the 12-year-old kid protested with his mother. I shall not disobey you, but the Ramayana says that Rama embraced Guhaka, a chandal (a caste considered untouchable). The Ramayana cannot mislead us.

Putlibai was unable to counter his point with anything. He frequently acknowledged that he had learned sanitation from the West despite criticising many Western traditions.

Satyagraha in South Africa

His call for improved sanitation was the first made during the South African Satyagraha. His top concern at the time was to refute the claim made by white settlers that Indians needed to be kept separate because they lacked sanitation.

Gandhi argued in an open letter to the Natal legislative assembly that, with the same level of care and opportunity, Indians could uphold the same sanitary standards as Europeans.

According to Indian Express, he continued to stress, nevertheless, that Indians themselves must take up the issue of cleanliness. In every encounter he had with Indians, he brought up the subject of untouchability together with the issues of cleanliness and hygiene.

Gandhi started scavenging in South Africa and advised Indians to keep restrooms dry and clean by spreading dry dust or ashes in buckets after each use. There, his close pals referred to him as the great scavenger.

Also read: How Mahatma Gandhi used khadi to fight the British

Calls for Sanitation in India

As plague had just broken out in the then-presidency of Bombay, his attention to sanitation intensified once he returned to India. There was a possibility that it would spread to Rajkot. Gandhi came up with a quick offer of assistance for Rajkots sanitation.

He firmly insisted that Indians ought to be educated on hygiene and sanitation, saying that the scavengers work must be our special function in India.

Gandhi had brought up how our homes, streets, and roads were filthy and in poor condition, which allowed illnesses to spread in the households, during a political meeting in Gujarat.

If we could banish the plague from India, we shall have increased our fitness for Swaraj, he said.

He outlined the requirement for clean air and water as well as the precise procedure to be followed when dealing with open defecation in order to combat the pandemic in India.

Swaraj ought to begin with our streets, he said.

Following the early 1920s campaign against non-cooperation, the Gandhian movements need for cleanliness grew stronger.

Cleanliness for equality

Gandhi attended the Congress meeting in Calcutta on his second visit to India from South Africa to advocate for the rights of the mistreated Indians there. The Congress camp was in an appalling sanitary condition.

This is not our job, this is a sweepers job, the volunteers responded when he confronted them. Gandhi requested a broom and cleared the mess. He then donned a western outfit. The volunteers were shocked, however, none of them offered any help.

In the Indian National Congress camps, where the Brahmins laboured for once, volunteers organised a bhangi (sweeper) squad years later, when Gandhi was chosen as the organisations leader.

Gandhi said, So long as you do not take the broom and the bucket in your hands, you cannot make your towns and cities clean.

At the Haripura Congress, 2000 teachers and students underwent specialised training, according to MKGandhi.org. Gandhi was unable to imagine designating a group of individuals as untouchables to clean up filth and dirt.

Gandhis appeal for sanitation had already become ingrained in two separate movements at this point: the fight for independence and the desire to abolish untouchability.

Gandhi emphasised the strong connection between cleanliness and swaraj and urged Indians to learn from the West the technique of municipal sanitation and adapt it to meet their own unique requirements.

He told to a group of workers in Madras that a lavatory must be as clean as a drawing room.

He insisted that latrines should be used and that open defecation should only take place in a hidden location in a hole excavated in the ground.

Gandhi stressed that it is incredibly unjust to consider people who engage in scavenging to be of the lowest social position by drawing a connection between the issues of cleanliness and untouchability.

Gandhi emphasised the importance of providing better living conditions for people who engaged in manual scavenging and stressed that each of us should be our own scavenger. He noted that people had been ignoring sanitation since it was an unclean activity because scavengers were seen as being of low status.

In an article titled Our insanitation, Gandhi wrote, Swaraj can only be had by clean, brave people.

Gandhi had put out a framework for what he viewed as the ideal free Indian society, connecting the concerns of cleanliness, untouchability, and national autonomy.

At one public event when Gandhi was scheduled to speak while on his khadi promotion trip, sweepers were not allowed to attend. When he learnt about this, he told the organisers, You may keep your purses and your addresses. I am going to have a meeting with the untouchables only. Let all others who want, come there.

Gandhi also spent a few days in the sweepers colony in Bombay and Delhi two years before he passed away.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan

Calling upon people across the country to take part in a cleanliness drive on 1 October beginning at 10 am, PM Modi on Friday said that Swachh Bharat is a shared responsibility, and every effort counts.

1st October at 10 AM, we come together for a pivotal cleanliness initiative. A Swachh Bharat is a shared responsibility, and every effort counts. Join this noble endeavour to usher in a cleaner future, PM Modi posted on X (Formerly Twitter).

1st October at 10 AM, we come together for a pivotal cleanliness initiative. A Swachh Bharat is a shared responsibility, and every effort counts. Join this noble endeavour to usher in a cleaner future. https://t.co/tFvvDwKnzq  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 29, 2023

The PM tweeted on Monday, Today, as the nation focuses on Swachhata, Ankit Baiyanpuriya and I did the same! Beyond just cleanliness, we blended fitness and well-being also into the mix. It is all about that Swachh and Swasth Bharat vibe.

Today, as the nation focuses on Swachhata, Ankit Baiyanpuriya and I did the same! Beyond just cleanliness, we blended fitness and well-being also into the mix. It is all about that Swachh and Swasth Bharat vibe! @baiyanpuria pic.twitter.com/gwn1SgdR2C  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 1, 2023

According to ANI, earlier during his 105th episode of Mann ki Baat, PM Modi said, A big event on cleanliness is going to be organised on October 1 that is on Sunday at 10 am. You too should take out time and help in this campaign related to cleanliness. You can also join this cleanliness campaign in your street, or neighbourhood or at a park, river, lake or any other public place. Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath Campaign is a mega cleanliness drive to mark the celebration of Gandhi Jayanti. This initiative is a run-up to the Swachhata Pakhwada- Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign. This follows PM Modis appeal for one hour of Shramdaan for swachhata at 10 am on 1st Oct by all citizens.

In 2021, PM Modi launched Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 to make all Indian cities Garbage Free and Water Secure. Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-U) 2.0 was launched on October 1, 2021, for a period of five years with a vision of achieving Garbage Free Status for all cities through 100 per cent source segregation, door-to-door collection and scientific management of all fractions of waste including safe disposal in scientific landfills. It is also aimed at remediation of all legacy dumpsites and converting them into green zones.

In 2017, when we celebrated the 125th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhis birth and the third anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, PM Modi drew on Gandhis thoughts on sanitation to stress the reality that his ideal of a swachh Bharat can only be accomplished when 125 crore people come together.

The Swachh Bharat mission, according to Prime Minister Modi in 2014, is motivated by patriotism and transcends politics.

He urged everyone to make the vow, Na main gandagi karoonga, na main gandagi karne doonga (I shall not litter and wont permit anyone to do so).

With inputs from agencies
Bihars total population stands at just over 13.07 crore  63 per cent of which are made up of Other Backward Classes and Extremely Backward Classes.

Meanwhile, Yadavs, which deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs to, account for 14 per cent of the population.

Those were just some of the highlights of the much-awaited caste survey, entitled the Bihar Jaati Adharit Ganana, from the state government.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar tweeted:

                                -  !                Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) October 2, 2023



Kumar praised the officials who carried out the exercise.

He added, A meeting will soon be convened of all the nine political parties with an electoral presence in the state legislature and the facts and figures will be shared with them.

But what is the caste survey? How is it different from a census? What do these results mean? And why do they matter politically?

Lets take a closer look:

What is a caste survey? How is it different from the Census?

There has been a furore over the caste survey and its difference  or lack thereof  from the Census right from its inception.

First, lets take a brief look at the Census.

Indias Census has its origins in way back in 1881  when the British carried out a colonial exercise.

A Census, which is carried out every 10 years, basically provides a snapshot of the Indian population.

It is a tool used by the government, policymakers, academics, and others to, among other things, gain a better understanding of citizens, their makeup, the resources they have available, understand social and societal change and carry out delimitation exercises.

It was described as a large, immensely powerful, but blunt instrument unsuited for specialized inquiry by the 1941 Census Commissioner for India WWM Yeatts.

The last Census was carried out in 2011.

The next Census, which was supposed to be carried out in 2021, was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As of now, the date for the next Census remains uncertain.

A caste survey, on the other hand, refers to tabulating the population of all of Indias castes mainly OBCs.

Till 1931, the Census actually gathered data relating to caste.

However, in 1941, the data, while collected, remained unpublished.

Yeats at the time the Census commissioner was quoted as saying There would have been no all-India caste table The time is past for this enormous and costly table as part of the central undertaking

Since 1951, India has only collected caste data on Dalits and Adivasis.

India in the 1952 census published its first separate data on Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

It has since continued to publish data on SCs and STs.

The last caste survey was conducted under the UPA government at the Centre in 2011.

However, in what has since become the subject of much controversy, its details were never made public.

The Centre in 2018 said this was because certain errors have been observed during the processing of caste data.

The Bihar government ordered the caste survey last year after the BJP-led Narendra Modi government at the Centre made it clear that it would not be able to undertake a headcount of castes other than SCs and STs as part of the upcoming Census.

The caste survey kicked off in January  only for a clutch of petitions to be filed against it in the Patna high court.

In August, the Centre told the Supreme Court that only it is allowed to conduct a census.

The Centre contended that this is because the subject falls under the Constitutions Union list.

The Centres affidavit read, No other body under the Constitution or otherwise is entitled to conduct the exercise of either census or any action akin to census.

However, the Centre later modified its affidavit to read, Census is a statutory process governed by the Census Act of 1948, which was enacted in the exercise of the powers under Entry 69 of List I of the Constitutions Seventh Schedule and that the said Act empowers only the Central Government to conduct the Census.

It further said, In exercise of the powers under the said Entry, the Central Government has made the Census Act, 1948. The said Act empowers only the Central Government to conduct the census under section 3 of the Census Act, 1948

Section 3 of the Census Act states: The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare its intention of taking a census in the whole or any part of the territories to which this Act extends, whenever it may consider it necessary or desirable so to do, and thereupon the census shall be taken.

Kumar, meanwhile, has been at pains to insist that a caste survey is not the same as a Census.

It is the Central governments duty to conduct a census, we only want to conduct a survey in the state. Census is what is done at the Centre level and we cant do that. We want to gather financial information about the different people irrespective of any caste, rich or poor, Hindu or Muslim living in the state so that, we can work for their welfare, Kumar was previously quoted as saying by Livemint.

His deputy Tejashwi Kumar added, We dont want a caste census, it is a caste-based survey. The caste census is the union governments right as per the constitution This will give us the numbers, and we will get scientific data. And we will also do an economic survey. Because what we believe is that people are poor in every section. We will come up with schemes after we know where the poverty is and benefit them. How can we decide whom to get a reservation if we dont know the economic conditions

However, some argue that the caste survey is just a Census by another name.

What has the survey revealed?

According to the data released by Development Commissioner Vivek Singh, Other Backward Classes comprise 27 per cent of the state populace, while Extremely Backward Classes make up 36 per cent of the total populace.

Meanwhile, Scheduled Castes comprise 19.65 per cent of the total population, while Scheduled Tribes or Adivasis make up just 1.68 per cent of the populace.

Those belonging to the unreserved category, which denotes the proverbial upper castes who dominated politics till the Mandal wave of 1990s, comprise 15.52 per cent of the total population.

The survey also establishes that the states population is overwhelmingly Hindu, with the majority community comprising 81.99 per cent of the total population, followed by Muslims (17.70 per cent).

Christians, Sikhs, Jains and those following other religions as also the non-believers have a miniscule presence, together making up for less than one per cent of the total population.

Why is this important?

Because of the subject of reservation.

A caste-based census could ultimately result in challenging the formula used to allot quotas to communities.

As per India Today, while SCs have 15 per cent reservation in government jobs, while STs get 7 per cent and OBCs 22 per cent.

Though the first two were assigned percentages that reflected their share of the population, OBCs were given the 22 per cent figure to ensure that reservation does not exceed the 50 per cent cap as mandated by the Supreme Court.

The report also noted that no one knows exactly how many OBCs there are across the country.

The Mandal Commission had estimated the OBC population at 52 per centThe NSSO (National Sample Survey Organisation) surveys have provided different estimates between 1999 and 2007, varying from about 36 per cent to 45 per cent for OBCsThe UDISE+ [United District Information System for Education Plus] data show OBC children comprise 45 per cent students in primary schools, the report states.

As per Outlook, some have thus argued that a proper measurement of the OBC population needs to be undertaken either in states or across India in order for the Centre or state governments to better their lives and prospects.

Some have also argued that certain communities are, relative to their population, constantly underrepresented in many spheres of life  which needs to be remedied.

What about the political angle?

Now, heres where it gets really interesting.

All the political parties in Bihar including the state BJP have been demanding a caste-based survey.

Meanwhile, the Centre, as mentioned earlier, had opposed it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, responding to the Bihar government releasing the caste survey, accused the Opposition of trying to divide the nation.

They played with emotions of the poor back then and even today they are playing the same game. Earlier they divided the country in the name of caste and today they are committing the same sin. Earlier they were guilty of corruption and today they are even more corrupt, Modi was quoted as saying by NDTV.

As per The Times of India, the BJP-led Centre has been antagonistic to the caste-based survey as it fears a challenge ahead of the 2024 polls.

Rahul Gandhi, in a turn of events, has now dared the Centre to release the results of the caste survey conducted by the UPA government in 2011.

Many see the caste survey as a triumph for Kumar, who as one recalls, snapped ties with BJP a year ago and played an instrumental role in bringing various opposition parties together to form the INDIA bloc.

A piece in Indian Express contended that the survey and its results would likely strengthen Kumars image as the saviour of the EBCs, OBCs and Mahadalits.

A senior leader of the Janata Dal (United) told the Indian Express, Rahul Gandhi is today going around the country speaking about caste census. But Nitish Kumar raised it three years ago, followed it up with action, fought a court battle and got it done. As the champion of the extremely backward castes and non-Yadav OBCs, it puts him leaps ahead of other leaders in the Hindi heartland. This message is not just going to impact Bihar but even percolate to UP in the context of the 2024 polls.

The piece noted that while Kumar is not the prime focus of the INDIA bloc, he may yet find himself back again in the thick of things and underscore his continued political relevance.

With inputs from agencies
The United States has avoided a shutdown after its Congress passed a stopgap funding bill  known as a continuing resolution or CR  that keeps the lights on for another 45 days.

While this comes as a relief to many including government workers and those who rely on essential services, one man is now in the hot seat  House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

But what happened exactly? Why is McCarthy in trouble? And is his job really in danger?

Lets take a closer look:

What happened?

The House on Saturday voted 335-91 to fund the government through 17 November.

The Continuing Resolution passed by the House came after McCarthy did an abrupt U-turn on his party hardliners demand that any bill be passed in the House with only Republican votes.

In the end, more Democrats than Republicans voted for the CR.

As Sky News James Matthews explained, Kevin McCarthy has not been able to take anything forward with the support of the Republicans alone, so at the last minute he has said OK Im going to rely on Democrat support to push things forward.

The Democratic-majority Senate then voted 88-9 to pass the measure to avoid the federal governments fourth partial shutdown in a decade.

The bill was sent to President Joe Biden, who signed it into law before the 12:01 am deadline.

That move marked a profound shift from earlier in the week, when a shutdown looked all but inevitable.

A shutdown would mean that most of the governments 4 million employees would not get paid, whether they were working or not, and also would shutter a range of federal services, from National Parks to financial regulators.

Federal agencies had already drawn up detailed plans that spell out what services would continue, such as airport screening and border patrols, and what must shut down, including scientific research and nutrition aid to 7 million poor mothers.

The American people can breathe a sigh of relief: there will be no government shutdown tonight, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said after the vote. Democrats have said from the start that the only solution for avoiding a shutdown is bipartisanship, and we are glad Speaker McCarthy has finally heeded our message.

Why is McCarthy in trouble?

Because certain far-right members of the House GOP have been threatening to oust McCarthy if they did not get what they want in the bill including deep spending cuts for the government and no money for Ukraine.

McCarthy is already a weak Speaker.

He endured a brutal 15 rounds of voting in January before being elected to his much-coveted position  during which he had to make multiple concessions that increased the power of Republican hardliners.

One was the decision to allow just one member to put forward a motion to vacate the Speakers chair.

In essence, this meant that hardliners could threaten McCarthys speakership at any moment.

Shortly after the House passed a bill late on Saturday averting a partial government shutdown, hardline Republican conservatives began targeting McCarthys role as speaker, saying he had scored a victory for the Uniparty of Washington.

Should he remain Speaker of the House? Republican Representative Andy Biggs, a leading hardliner, asked on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Kevin McCarthy put a CR on the Floor that got 209 Democrat votes, since it kept in place the Biden-Pelosi-Schumer policies that are destroying the country and the spending levels that are bankrupting us, hardline Representative Bob Good said on X.

On Sunday, GOP representative Matt Gaetz on Sunday declared he would seek to remove McCarthy as Speaker.

Gaetz had threatened to file his ouster motion if McCarthy worked with Democrats and he said the spending package blew past spending guardrails that McCarthy had agreed to previously.

I do intend to file a motion to vacate against Speaker McCarthy this week. I think we need to rip off the Band-Aid. I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy, Gaetz told CNN.

Look, the one thing everybody has in common is that nobody trusts Kevin McCarthy, he added.

He lied to Biden, he lied to House conservatives. He had appropriators marking to a different number altogether. And the reason we were backed up against the shutdown politics is not a bug of the system. Its a feature.

If at this time next week Kevin McCarthy is still speaker of the House, it will be because Democrats bailed him out, Gaetz said in an interview on ABC. I am relentless, and I will continue to pursue this objective.

McCarthy has the support of a large majority of House Republicans, but because the GOP holds such a slim 221-212 majority, he may need votes from some Democrats to keep his job.

When asked how many Republicans he had on board, Gaetz said he had enough to ensure that if McCarthy retains the speakership he would be serving at the pleasure of the Democrats.

The only way Kevin McCarthy is speaker of the House at the end of this coming week is if Democrats bail him out, Gaetz said.

McCarthy decided to bring a vote on a measure that could win Democratic support, knowing full well that it could jeopardize his job. One of his advisers told Reuters the speaker believed some hardliners would try to oust him under any circumstances.

Is his job really in danger?

No Speaker has ever been removed from office through such a move. Procedural votes could be offered to halt the motion or it could trigger a House floor vote on whether McCarthy should remain speaker.

McCarthy doesnt seem to think hes in peril.

The Speaker, in the immediate aftermath of the vote, dismissed concerns that hardline Republicans could try to oust him as leader.

I want to be the adult in the room, go ahead and try, McCarthy told reporters after the passage of the bill. And you know what? If I have to risk my job for standing up for the American public, I will do that.

He said that House Republicans would push ahead with plans to pass more funding bills that would cut spending and include other conservative priorities, such as tighter border controls.

On Sunday, McCarthy reiterated his what, me worry? stance.

Thats nothing new, McCarthy said on CBS Face the Nation.

A defiant House Speaker told his critics to bring it on.

Ill survive, he continued. You know this is personal with Matt. Matt voted against the most conservative ability to protect our border, secure our border. Hes more interested in securing TV interviews than doing something.

So be it  bring it on. Lets get over with it and lets start governing, McCarthy added.

Gaetzs tactics have generated considerable scorn from many House Republicans. Representative Mike Lawler of New York spoke of Gaetzs diatribe of delusional thinking and said Gaetz was acting for personal, political reasons.

A piece in CNN stated that the GOP hardliners have an extremely hard choice to make regarding McCarthy.

Currently, there is no standout candidate to replace McCarthy who is guaranteed to be any more successful in advancing far-right goals through a divided Washington, the piece noted.

The piece argued it is possible that McCarthy, assisted by the Democrats, survives this challenge to his Speakership.

Yet the lesson of the Trump era of Republicanism is that uproar and disruption are never done. They just keep on getting more extreme, the piece concluded.

House Republicans failed

The standoff comes just months after Congress brought the federal government to the brink of defaulting on its $31.4 trillion debt. The drama has raised worries on Wall Street, where the Moodys ratings agency has warned it could damage US creditworthiness.

Congress typically passes stopgap spending bills to buy more time to negotiate the detailed legislation that sets funding for federal programs.

This year, a group of Republicans has blocked action in the House as they have pressed to tighten immigration and cut spending below levels agreed to in the debt-ceiling standoff in the spring.

The McCarthy-Biden deal that avoided default set a limit of $1.59 trillion in discretionary spending in fiscal 2024. House Republicans are demanding a further $120 billion in cuts.

The funding fight focuses on a relatively small slice of the $6.4 trillion U.S. budget for this fiscal year. Lawmakers are not considering cuts to popular benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

We should never have been in this position in the first place. Just a few months ago, Speaker McCarthy and I reached a budget agreement to avoid precisely this type of manufactured crisis, Biden said in a statement after the vote.

House Republicans tried to walk away from that deal by demanding drastic cuts that would have been devastating for millions of Americans. They failed.

Biden also declined to weigh in when asked if Democrats should help McCarthy keep his job.

I dont have a vote on that matter, Biden said at the White House on Sunday. Ill leave that to the leadership in the House and the Senate.

With inputs from agencies
Six people, including five members of a family, were allegedly killed in violence over longstanding land dispute in Uttar Pradeshs Deoria on Monday.

The incident took place in Ledha Tola locality in Fatehpur village of Rudrapur area.

Heavy police force and a company of PAC have been deployed in Fatehpur village and adjoining areas to avoid escalation of the issue.

Giving details of the crime, Special DG, Law and Order, Prashant Kumar said that former district panchayat member Prem Yadav, 50, was attacked with sharp edged weapons and killed by his rival Satyaprakash Dubey and his family when he went to the latters house.

In retaliation, Yadavs supporters from Abhaipur attacked Dubeys house and killed Dubey and five of his family, he said.

Besides 54-year-old Dubey, his wife Kiran Dubey, 52, daughters Saloni, 18, and Nandani, 10, and son Gandhi, 15, were killed in the attack.

Dubeys son Anmol was injured in the attack and has been referred to Medical college for treatment.

The violence erupted out of a land dispute the two families were locked in.

Two persons have been arrested in connection with the killings, Kumar said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General to take strict action against the guilty.

He also condoled with the bereaved members of the two families and directed officials to ensure the best treatment to the injured.

BJP MLA from Deoria Sadar, Shalabh Mani Tripathi, said he was saddened by the killings and will get the matter investigated.

Heartbroken by the brutal incident that took place in Fatehpur of Rudrapur assembly constituency of Deoria. This is a very unfortunate and sad incident. This type of incident is absolutely unacceptable, Tripathi said.

It will be thoroughly investigated and instructions have been given for strict action. The guilty will not be spared at all  accountability of people of revenue and police administration will also be fixed, he added.

With inputs from PTI
The Indian Air Force is working on Make in India schemes valued over Rs 3.15 lakh crore, making it one of the largest indigenization projects in the military industry. The force is led by Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari.

The 180 Light Combat Aircraft Mark1A, 156 Light Combat Helicopters, Light Utility Choppers, and many other weapon systems that are expected to make up a sizable portion of the service in the near future are included in the list of weapon systems and platforms.

Senior defence officials informed ANI that the LCA Mark1A alone is expected to cost over Rs 1.2 lakh crore and will have a significant impact on the growth of a domestic fighter aircraft manufacturing ecosystem.

Senior defence officials informed ANI that the LCA Mark1A alone is expected to cost over Rs 1.2 lakh crore and will have a significant impact on the growth of a domestic fighter aircraft manufacturing ecosystem.

According to the officials, developing a sizable military sector is essential to reaching Prime Minister Narendra Modis goal of a $5 trillion economy.

According to defence authorities, as the Aatmanirbharta plan of the armed forces gains momentum, the agenda of meetings relating to acquisitions is quickly becoming Indian in the true sense.

The Air Force is receiving 180 LCA Mark 1A aircraft, for which the first contract for 83 aircraft has already been inked, according to authorities providing information on the indigenous made-in-India projects.

The Indian Air Force is undertaking a significant programme to upgrade the Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet as part of a Rs 65,000 crore initiative.

A collaborative team from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Indian Air Force would handle the project domestically, and the aircraft would be outfitted with homegrown radars, avionics, and weaponry.

The project has been transferred to the Defence Ministry and is going to be the subject of important high-level discussion.

The upgrade plan would be implemented gradually on the remaining 160+ aircraft, starting with approximately 90 aircraft, bringing them very near to fifth-generation capabilities.

The Indian Air Force is focusing on constructing a spy plane that would be able to detect all enemy activity after addressing the development of the Airborne Early and Control Aircraft requirements through a few indigenous plans.

The IAF can be given a powerful tool by the intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft to improve battlefield transparency and situational awareness.

The Indian Air Force will receive a significant upgrade in terms of firepower when it comes to rotary wing capabilities, and the domestic sector will also receive a similar boost.

The services expect to spend about Rs 45,000 crore on the purchase of 156 light combat helicopters, with the IAF serving as the lead agency.

The Indian Army and Air Forces fleet of Cheetah/Chetak helicopters will be replaced with an indigenous Light Utility Helicopter with help from the Indian Air Force.

The ambitious Indian Multirole Helicopter Programme being carried out by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will also have the cooperation of the Indian Air Force.

The Indian Air Forces Project Kusha, which calls for the acquisition of five Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LR-SAM) units with capabilities comparable to those of the Russian-made S-400 air defence missile systems, three squadrons of which have already been enlisted in service, has recently received approval from the Defence Ministry.

The Project Kusha has received approval for funding totaling around Rs 21,700 crores, and it will be executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) jointly with private and public sector industry.

The Medium Range-Surface to Air Missile project has already been completed and a few missiles have already been inducted into the service. The project is worth Rs 14,500 crore.

The Indian Air Force is also seeking final approval for its over Rs 7,500 core project for Close in Weapon Systems, which is being constructed for it by the private sector industry and is intended to safeguard its key assets.

The Pralay ballistic missiles, which will be deployed by the IAF for conventional missions and warheads, are also being produced by the DRDO.

The C-295 transport aircraft has also been added to the Air Force, marking the first private sector joint venture to be established for the production of transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

Over Rs 22,000 crores would be spent on the project, which would fund the domestic production of over 40 aircraft.

Additionally, the Indian Air Force is going to get the basic trainer aircraft in the HTT-40 being built by the HAL at a cost of Rs 6,100 crores.

(With agency inputs)
Amid tribal groups accusing the NIA and CBI of high-handedness in Manipur, the central agencies on Monday said every arrest made in the restive state, which has been witnessing ethnic clashes since May, is based on evidence gathered by investigative teams.

The NIA and CBI officials working here in an ethnically charged environment have been facing the daunting task of completing investigations in various cases, including those related to attacks on Army personnel in 2015, the probe agencies said.

Refuting the allegations levelled by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Front (ITLF), an organisation claiming to represent the Kuki-Zo community of Manipur hills, officials from both agencies said no partiality has been shown against any community, religion or sect, and that only the rule book of the Indian Penal Code was abided by.

Referring to the recent arrest of Seiminlun Gangte, a tribal, the officials said he is one of the key accused in an SUV blast case that took place in the Kwakta area of Bishnupur district on June 21. Three people were injured in the blast.

He was brought to New Delhi after securing his transit remand from the competent court. In the national capital, the accused was produced before a designated court, which remanded him to NIA custody, they added.

Due course of law is being followed and the evidence collected by the anti-terror agency will be placed before the competent court, the officials further said, adding that baseless allegations were being made only to derail the probe and create confusion among the general public.

On September 22, the NIA arrested Moirangthem Anand Singh from Imphal in connection with a different case.

Singh, along with four others, was arrested by the Manipur Police for possession of weapons looted from the police armoury.

However, all five were bailed out, but Singh was arrested by the NIA for his involvement in terror activities. He was brought to Delhi and is facing due legal process, the officials said.

Similarly, the arrests carried out by the CBI on Sunday were based on preliminary evidence collected during its probe into the cases of two missing Manipuri students who are believed to have been killed, its officials said.

All four were placed under arrest in a joint operation of the CBI, Manipur Police and the Army to ensure that there was no adverse law-and-order situation, they said.

More than 180 people lost their lives and several hundreds were injured since the ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3, after a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipurs population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals  Nagas and Kukis  constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts.
NIAs most wanted terrorist Shahnawaz Alam alias Shafi Uzzama has been arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell on Monday. He was wanted in the Pune ISIS case.

In September this year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a reward of Rs 3 lakhs on Shahnawaz.

Alongwith Shahnawaz, the Delhi Police Special Cell has also detained some other people. Further investigation into the case in underway.

A manhunt was launched by the NIA on Saturday to locate three Islamic State-linked terrorists in Central Delhi. As per reports, the agency was looking for Mohammad Shahnawaz Alam alias Shafi Uzzama alias Abdullah, Rizwan Abdul Haji Ali, and Abdullah Fayaz Shaikh.

All the four were wanted in the Pune ISIS module case and a reward of Rs 3 lakh each was announced by the NIA.

To nab the terrorists, the Pune Police and NIA teams raided several locations in the Central Delhi. Later, other intelligence agencies have joined the team in the operation.

Who is Shahnawaz Alam?

According to the Delhi Police, Shahnawaz is an engineer by profession. He is a resident of Delhi and had escaped from Pune police custody and started to live in the national capital.

What is the Pune ISIS case?

The NIA, on 3 August, 2023, carried out an investigation in the ISIS Pune module case during which it was revealed that the accused had planned to carry out a terrorist conspiracy with an aim to disturb the peace and communal harmony of the country.

In this case, NIA said that it was looking for all these four accused, for which a reward has been placed on them.

Till mid of September, the agency had arrested seven people in the case. All these members of the ISIS sleeper module were working from a house in Kondhwa, Pune. They were allegedly assembly IEDs and organised as well as participated participated in a bomb training and manufacturing workshop last year. They had also carried out a controlled blast at the site to test the IED made by his team.

With inputs from agencies
At least 24 patients, including 12 infants, have reportedly died due to a shortage of medicines at a government hospital in Maharashtras Nanded in the last 24 hours.

The incident happened at the Shankarrao Chavan Government Hospital.

Dr Shyamrao Wakode told ANI, Around 12 children died in the last 24 hours12 adults also died due to various ailments (snake bites, arsenic and phosphorus poisoning etc.). Due to transfers of various staff, there was some difficulty for usWe were supposed to buy medicines from the Haffkine Institute but that also didnt happen.Also, patients come from far off to this hospital and there were many patients whose sanctioned budget also got disturbed

Senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan said that besides these deaths, another 70 patients, referred from other private hospitals in the district, are reported to be critical.

Around 24 peoples death has been reported at the Dr Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital and therefore I have come here and met the Dean. The situation is concerning and serious. The government should take this up and provide immediate helpAround 70 other people are critical. Replacement of a lot of nurses who were transferred has not been given, Chavan said.

#WATCH | Maharashtra | Congress leader Ashok Chavan visits Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital in Nanded where around 24 people died due to various ailments (snake bites, arsenic and phosphorus poisoning etc.) pic.twitter.com/5qTKbvQjOk  ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

The Congress leader also said that all required help and resources should be given because the situation is concerning.

With inputs from ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday slammed the opposition parties in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, and accused them of trying to divide the country in the name of caste.

The people of the country had given those opposing development 60 years. 60 years is not a less time. If in nine years all this development & progress can happen in the country, a lot could have happened in 60 years. Even they had a chance & it is their failure that they could not do it. Even then they used to play with the feelings of the poor & they are doing it even now. Even then they used to divide the country on the basis of caste & even now they are doing the same, said PM Modi in Gwalior.

#WATCH | Gwalior: PM Modi says, The people of the country had given those opposing development 60 years. 60 years is not a less time. If in nine years all this development & progress can happen in the country, a lot could have happened in 60 years. Even they had a chance & it is pic.twitter.com/5gBsLIeucB  ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

PM Modi was addressing a public gathering in Gwalior after laying foundation stones for projects worth Rs 19,260 crore in Madhya Pradesh.

He said that the BJP government has pulled Madhya Pradesh out of the BIMARU (laggard) category and put it in among the top 10 states in the country in terms of development.

PM Modi added that in the opposition-ruled states, crime and corruption are rampant, while infrastructure development and growth in different fields are key features of BJP rule.

They (opposition) have no vision or road map for development. They hate the countrys progress and development schemes. Due to their hatred, they forget the countrys achievements, he said.

Referring to the upcoming assembly polls which will decide who forms a new government, he said the next five years are crucial for Madhya Pradeshs development.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary and said his timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path.

The nation remembered Bapu and former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, revered freedom fighters and stalwarts of India, both of whom were born on October 2.

Modi on Monday also paid floral tributes to Shastri at Vijay Ghat memorial early in the morning.

President of India Droupadi Murmu also paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital on the occasion of 154th Gandhi Jayanti.

His thoughts were not merely idle musings, but an outcome of his sustained practice. That philosophy which is not made part of life was, according to him, dry as dust. Thoughts, words and deeds were of a piece, in his case.  President Droupadi Murmu pays tribute to Father of  President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 2, 2023

Today marks the 154th birth anniversary of Gandhi, hailed as the Father of the Nation, who led India to freedom through the path of non-violence, and continues to be a globally revered figure.

Modi reached Rajghat around 8 am and offered floral petals to the Mahatma's memorial and bowed before it.

An interfaith prayer service was held at Rajghat where Gandhi's favourite devotional songs were also played.

"I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion.

"May we always work towards fulfilling his dreams. May his thoughts enable every youngster be (sic) the agent of change he dreamt of, fostering unity and harmony all over," Modi posted on X on Monday.

I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion. May we always work towards fulfilling his  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2023

Several Union ministers and bureaucrats were present on the occasion at Rajghat, situated on the banks of Yamuna.

Modi also hailed Shastri on X, saying his iconic call for 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' resonates even today.

"His unwavering commitment to India's progress and his leadership during challenging times remain exemplary. May we always work to realise his vision for a strong India," he posted.

Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji on his Jayanti. His simplicity, dedication to the nation, and iconic call for 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' resonate even today, inspiring generations. His unwavering commitment to India's progress and his leadership during challenging times remain  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2023

Indian National Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge paid floral tributes to the 'Father of the Nation' Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary (October 2) at Rajghat.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi on Monday paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary.

In the morning, Kharge paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation at Rajghat.

Also taking to the micro-blogging site, Rahul Gandhi said: "The path of truth, non-violence and harmony, the path to unite India, was shown by Mahatma Gandhi. Tributes to Bapu on his birth anniversary."

He attached a short video from his Bharat Jodo Yatra and from the lives of Bapu to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi while recalling his contribution to the country.
The Delhi Police Special Cell had eyes on Shahnawaz Alam, who was arrested Monday morning for involvement in various bomb blasts, for a long time, Special Commissioner Delhi Police HGS Dhaliwal said.

Special Cell for a long time has been keeping an eye on the Indian Mujahideen & ISIS kingpin, said Dhaliwal, addressing a presser hours after Shahnawazs arrest.

#WATCH | On arresting NIAs most wanted terrorist & two others, Special Commissioner of Police Delhi, HGS Dhaliwal says, Special Cell for a long time has been keeping an eye on the Indian Mujahideen & ISIS kingpinA lot of such modules have been busted. In this line of action, pic.twitter.com/aFoDDQDMs2  ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

Dhaliwal informed that the special cell had declared a reward last month against three people who were accused of having an involvement in various blast cases.

While Shahnawaz and his two aides were nabbed, Mohammad Rizwan another accused is absconding, he added.

The three men arrested Monday morning were sent to a seven-day police custody.

Police claim to have recovered weapons and a manual on making explosives.

When their hideouts were raided different equipment to make explosives were recoveredPistol, cartridges & various literature to make bombs were recovered
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti and other envoys in New Delhi paid homage to the Gandhian principle of non-violence on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

US Ambassador to India, Frank Garcetti, wrote, that Mahatma Gandhis message of non-violence remains a beacon of hope for equality and justice worldwide, in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

On Mahatma Gandhis birthday, Im deeply moved by his enduring legacy. His message of non-violence remains a beacon of hope for equality and justice worldwide. #Gandhis profound influence on Dr. Martin Luther King and the U.S. civil rights movement reminds us of the power of his pic.twitter.com/wA6kcjN88H  U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) October 2, 2023

The British high commission recalled the timeless principles of non-violence, harmony and tolerance left behind by the apostle of peace.

Last month, during his visit to India for the #G20 Summit, PM Rishi Sunak joined world leaders at Raj Ghat and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. On #GandhiJayanti, we remember the timeless principles of non-violence, harmony and tolerance left behind by the apostle of peace. pic.twitter.com/uRDuUX200s  UK in India (@UKinIndia) October 2, 2023

French Ambassador-designate Thierry Mathou paid tribute to Mahatma and the values of peace, tolerance and non-violence that he staunchly upheld.
The diplomatic crisis sparked by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus accusations against India have now run their course. Both Trudeaus inability to back his allegations with intelligence and other countries unwillingness to back Canada have left Trudeau diminished in the eyes of his own people and Canadas top allies.

Speaking at the Hudson Institute, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar addressed US Secretary of State Antony Blinkens calls for India to cooperate with any Canadian investigation. The Canadian [prime minister] made some allegations initially privately, and then publicly. And, our response to him, both in private and public, was that what he was alleging was not consistent with our policy, Jaishankar explained, adding India was open to further investigation if the Canadian government had anything relevant and specific they would like us to look into. His subtext was clear: India had enough of American virtue signalling and pandering.

If no good crisis should ever go to waste, then how might India take advantage of the crisis with Canada? Already, Trudeaus miscalculation has focused an overdue spotlight on Canadian permissiveness toward Khalistani terrorism. Not only has Canada become a hub for money laundering for Khalistani groups, but there is also now a spotlight on the infiltration of Khalistani extremists into the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and into key policy jobs. The Khalistani problem is the Canadian equivalent of Mexican drug cartels corrupting the institutions of state.

Canadian negligence vs. American naivete

If negligence and malevolence toward India coloured Canadas approach toward Khalistani extremism, naivete has shaped the American approach. The 1985 Air India 182 bombing killed 268 Canadians, but no Americans. The 14 June, 1985 hijacking of TWA 847 and the resulting hostage crisis as terrorists offloaded passengers in Beirut dominated American headlines during the Air India bombing. Subsequent terror attacks on Rome and Vienna airports by the Abu Nidal group killed Americans and solidified Washingtons focus on Palestinian terror.

Americans are also unaccustomed to foreign violence on American soil. It has been almost 70 years since Puerto Rican separatists fired into the House of Representatives from the visitors gallery. Those Puerto Rican militants are the closest analogy to the Khalistani terrorists that Americans might understand. Multiple votes and referendums on Puerto Rico show the independence movement has negligible support on the island. With no outside power financing the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico or allowing them safe haven to launder money the way Trudeau does with Khalistani groups, the Puerto Rican terrorists faded into oblivion.

So too did Americas memory of the episode. Americans are not accustomed to foreign groups abusing the magnanimity and permissiveness of the American system. This is why the Trump administration was caught unprepared by the 2017 Turkish attack on protestors in Washington, DC. It also explains the shameful inaction regarding the Khalistan militant attack on Indias San Francisco consulate.

No more blind eyes towards terror

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar have been clear in what they expect from Ottawa: Canada should cease harbouring terrorists. They should crack down on terror finance. Canadian authorities must also stop pretending that freedom of speech immunises those who incite violence.

Indians are correct to complain that Washingtons concept of security cooperation too often discounts Americas partners. The United States expect New Delhi to back Americas war on terror while ignoring the terror threats India faces. In order to justify the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, for example, Trump and Biden administration Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad politicised intelligence to pretend the Taliban did not host Al Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent leaders. The entire episode and an unwillingness to consult India regularly throughout the Taliban peace process reflected Khalilzads profound disrespect for India, an attitude no American administration should have tolerated.

Unfortunately, the State Department continues to ignore or downplay other terror groups that target Indians at home or abroad. They should not. Just two months and two days after Al Qaedas 11 September, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, Jaish-e-Muhammad attacked Indias Parliament. Six Americans died during the 2008 Mumbai attacks, along with 140 Indians. Each life is equally important. Unlike the Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder, there is no question about responsibility for the Mumbai attacks: The perpetrators were members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based group trained by Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. Pakistan continues to shelter many of the suspects. During an official visit to the United States while still prime minister, Imran Khan acknowledged the presence of 30,000-40,000 militants on Pakistan soil. This alone should be enough for the United States to designate Pakistan as a state sponsor of terror. That Pakistan then dispatched Masood Khan to be Pakistans ambassador in Washington signals that Islamabad mocks concerns about Pakistani terrorism. After all, Khan openly endorsed terror groups attacking India and has met regularly with members of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Any of these reasons should have been enough for the State Department to designate Pakistan as a state sponsor of terror. Sheltering Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden should have been the last straw. The American withdrawal from Afghanistan ended Islamabads opportunity to blackmail Washington. It is time the United States hold Pakistan to account.

What New Delhi should demand from Washington

After Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990, British prime minister Margaret Thatcher famously told President George HW Bush, This is no time to go wobbly, George. Bush swallowed his uncertainty and ordered American forces to liberate Kuwait.

Modi should give a similar message to Biden, or any Republican successor. The Canada crisis provides an opportunity. On 14 September, 2021, Hudson Institute scholars Aparna Pande and Husain Haqqani released a report, Pakistans Destabilization Playbook: Khalistan Separatist Activism Within the US. It documents the ISIs close links to Khalistan activists operating in the United States. Modi should demand the US Treasury Department end to the free flow of money from the ISI to US-based activists Gofundme accounts, just as in the wake of the September 11 attacks, the Treasury Department cracked down on hawala transfers.

While India is correct to complain about past American double standards between terrorists targetting Americans and those attacking Indians, cooperation to crush the Khalistan movement in North America could make amends. After all, Pakistan-backed Khalistan terrorists now operate in the United States, as violence in San Francisco and Sacramento show. Indian officials should demand no less than an end to Pakistans Major Non-NATO ally status, support for its return to the Financial Action Task Forces blacklist, and Pakistans designation by the State Department as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.

These actions are not anti-Pakistani. Quite the opposite. Pakistanis are the greatest victims of the ISI and its terror-sponsoring policies. If Pakistan lived at peace within its own border and ceased its terror sponsorship and irredentism demands, there would be no reason for the United States to sanction it. Until that day, however, reality should trump wishful thinking in the crafting of American policy. The Canada crisis was a warning Washington should not ignore. To continue to remain blind to Khalistani terrorism would replicate Trudeaus cynicism and contemptuousness and would make a mockery of the growing security alliance between the worlds two largest democracies. India must find its voice, and America her ears.

The author is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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When Subrahmanyam Jaishankar landed in the United States on 22 September, he had more than one crisis to handle. The diplomatic tension between India and Canada had boiled over to reach a point of no return. It is now clear that no matter which turn the purported investigation into the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar takes, Canada-India relationship is unlikely to recover as long as Justin Trudeau stays in power.

From Indias point of view, however, a far more consequential development is the second-order repercussion  the fallout of the crisis on India-US ties. The controversy has introduced a degree of consternation just when it seemed that India-US ties are about to take off. The unstated worry both in Washington and New Delhi is that the momentum will take a hit. Relentless sniping in western media and testy responses from India, where the issue has galvanized a polarised polity, have added to the complications.

In India, there has been a sense of bewilderment, even grievance, at some of the comments emerging from the Joe Biden administration over what at this stage are purely allegations (based on purported intelligence) of an extrajudicial killing on Canadian soil. Intelligence is not evidence.

Trudeau has so far failed to back up his claims with any evidence or specific information regarding Indias involvement. Not a single arrest has yet been made for a crime that occurred in June. Reports indicate that the investigation, which is still under way, has been botched up by the Canadian police.

Under these circumstances, the sense of injury has intensified in India over reports that Canada received American intelligence in formulating the allegations, even as subsequent reports in American media have claimed that the crucial bit of intelligence that led to the charge was Canadas. Be that as it may, India-sceptics in the US, and US-sceptics in India have found a new lease of life.

This mutual scepticism, expressed through indignation from one side and allegations of conspiracy from another, is feeding on crucial gaps in conception and information. If India and the US are to work together, not just deal with each other, as the external affairs minister said in Washington on Friday, it is imperative that these gaps are addressed.

There is unfortunately not enough understanding in India of the nature of US-Canada relationship. Canada is not only Americas closest treaty ally, its family. History, geography, trade, commerce and shared interests form the basis of a relationship underwritten by strong a personal bond  resulting in ironclad ties whose dimensions are way deeper and more meaningful than FVYE and G7 membership.

It would therefore be impossible for the Biden administration, run by the Democrats, to ignore the nature of the allegation levelled by Trudeau without appearing to be on Canadas side. It is evident that Washington is caught between a rock and a hard place.

Regardless of its own record in extrajudicial killings, the US cannot be seen condoning the act (that it lacks the moral right to lecture on this topic is an argument I have made in my previous column, and obviously didnt relish being put on the spot by Trudeau based on half-cooked intelligence. It has therefore attempted to distance itself from the controversy by clarifying through media that Canada provided the smoking gun.

Equally, while US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have made suitably stern remarks without appearing to balance Indias concerns  triggering charges of unfairness in India  Washingtons reaction has been markedly different than what it was during the Jamal Khashoggi murder.

So far, Washington has trodden a careful path in calling for Canada to complete the investigation while urging India to cooperate. The soundbites of indignation uttered by Sullivan or Blinken should be seen in association with statements that India is not Russia (Sullivan) or their steadfast refrain from going into private diplomatic conversations despite media pressure.

In an unintended way, Trudeaus allegations against India have become a public test of allegiance for the US. If Washington fails to back its G7, FVYE and closest ally at least to a certain extent, it sends terrible signals about American commitment to relationships, and it would also carry lessons for India, its nascent strategic partner.

The second thing that has even less understanding in India is the peculiar dynamic of US-Canada relationship  that sprang as an aside during Jaishankars interaction with American columnist Walter Russell Mead at an event at Hudson Institute on Friday. The Canadians consider themselves hierarchically stationed even above their neighbours in moral superiority. Within the unstated framework of Western exceptionalism, Canadas claim to preeminence is not a military power but a normative one. This notion is problematic, as such notions inevitably are, but it is a manifestation of Western exceptionalism.

This background is essential to understand the Western argument  that may appear gratingly self-serving and hypocritical to Indian ears  that Canada couldnt have harboured a terrorist on its soil, and Indias actions (if proven) are a violation of the rules-based order. For many Americans, the perception of Canada is totally different from an Indian assessment, and value judgments are accordingly calibrated.

It wasnt a surprise to see Jaishankar making a painstaking point to the American audience to bridge this perception gap. At the Hudson Institute, a Washington DC-based think tank, the external affairs minister said, For Americans, Canada perhaps looks very different. It depends on the interests, and where the shoe pinches. But for India, Canada is a country where organised crime from India, mixed with trafficking in people, mixed with secessionism, violence, terrorism  its a very toxic combination of issues and people who have found operating space there

A bit of the indignation on display from American lawmakers are undoubtedly a result of electoral calculations, but the larger problem is that driven partly by their opinion towards Canada, and insufficient understanding of Indias serious concerns over secessionist movements and terrorism  scourges that have plagued the Indian state and left an indelible mark  American media, lawmakers and shapers of discourse have been woefully blindsided.

Jaishankar picked up the topic later in the day on Friday, this time at a much greater length at a presser in Washington.

Flagging Canadas very permissive attitude towards terrorists, extremist people who openly advocate violence, the minister said In India, it will not come as a surprise to anybody if you tell them that there are people in Canada who are advocating violence, separatism, there is a history out there. All Indians notice, I suspect very few Americans know this. I think a lot of what I said in todays meeting was new to Americans.

Jaishankar was referring to his meetings with Sullivan and Blinken, where he said the issue of Canada came up and while they shared US views and assessments, he explained to them Indias views and concerns and hopefully we came out better informed.

During the presser, he hammered the point home.

When Americans look at Canada, they see something, when we in India look at Canada, we see something else and thats a part of the problem, so its very important that we talk it out with the Americans. After all, they are very close to India, they are good friends of ours so its important they have our point of view on the matter as well

What we have taken is a very reasonable stance When was the last time that any of our missions was intimidated to a point where it could not continue with its normal functioning? If someone says this could happen in a G7 country, in a Commonwealth country, it gives you a lot to think about.

In a measure of the situation that the Indian diplomatic corps faces in Canada, Jaishankar said, My diplomats are unsafe going to the embassy, or to the consulate in Canada. They are publicly intimidated. And that has actually compelled me to temporarily suspend even visa operations.

Incidentally, reports emerged on Friday that Khalistani supporters shot at and vandalised the car of Sikh restaurant owner in London while news came from Scotlands Glasgow on the very day that Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami was prevented from entering a gurdwara by two Khalistani radicals who accosted the diplomats car and filmed the incident to spread it on social media. The UK has assured India of action against the perpetrators, according to a News18 report.

While the Canada-India crisis has drawn global attention to the Wests Khalistan problem, it is important to remember that the public statements by Jaishankar on one side, and Blinken and Sullivan on the other, are aimed at addressing and mitigating the very public nature of the diplomatic fallout.

A very different dynamic would play out in private, and every signal so far indicates that all three parties are now working hard to contain the escalation. Trudeau has visibly softened his stance and has reiterated that Canada is serious about ties with India while both the US and India have made respective calibrations with Jaishankar repeatedly stating at different fora on Friday that if there is a requirement for us to look at something, we are open to looking at it.

It is impossible to speculate on the endgame of the crisis where the denouement would happen behind firmly closed doors involving terms that we may never fully know, but as far as the bilateral ties between the US and India are concerned, its instructive to look at what the leaders are doing, not what they are saying.

At the height of the crisis, Jaishankar landed in New York for the Quad foreign ministers meeting, while the I2U2, the grouping of India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, announced a new joint space venture on the margins of the UNGA.

On 26 September, Pentagons top official Ely Ratner co-chaired the seventh US-India 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue in DC alongside US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu and Indias additional secretary at MEA Vani Rao in attendance with joint secretary Vishwesh Negi of Union defence ministry. According to a readout, the dialogue advanced a wide range of ambitious initiatives across the breadth of the U.S.-India partnership, including defense and security, emerging technologies, people-to-people ties, clean energy, and supply chain resilience. During his more than a week-long stay in the US, Jaishankar has so far met everyone there is to meet from the American side.

His talked-about meetings with Sullivan and Blinken apart, Jaishankar met US trade representative Katherine Tai to take stock of recent developments and positive momentum in the US-India trade relationship following the resolution of seven longstanding disputes at the World Trade Organization, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, to discuss progress that has been made under the US-India CEO Forum and US-India Commercial Dialogue as well as US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin at Pentagon, where both leaders discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral defense cooperation.

Incidentally, none of these readouts mentioned above carry a reference to Canada, and neither does the US Department of States readout following Blinken-Jaishankar meeting though we know that the issue did come up for discussion.

Regardless of the public posturing, the effort of both sides seems focused on isolating the Canada issue  it might be put on a slow burner  so that the trajectory of overall bilateral ties remains robust and insulated from infection. There has been considerable investment in the partnership from both sides to fritter it away from expensive moral pretentiousness.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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A hundred and fifty-four years after his birth, the people of India are still unsure about the exact legacy of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. This dilemma substantially owes to the substantial propaganda which has obfuscated vital truths that would have provided us a clear picture about the activist, the leader, the politician, the demagogue, the man, the unlikely saint and the mythology woven around these themes. In that order.

Thus, any honest attempt in this direction of Gandhian un-obfuscation will prove rewarding if it proceeds to examine the said legacy based on the aforementioned parameters. On the realistic plane, this examination will involve delving into both documented and undocumented facts about Mohandas Gandhi, the committed freedom fighter, the shrewd mass leader, the crafty politician, and the Christian moralist. After all, Gandhi himself famously declared, my life is my message. Lets take him at face value and see what emerges.

Manufacturing the Mahatma myth

One of the most durable myths that has lasted for nearly a century is single word: Mahatma. But for this myth, it is doubtful whether a single dynasty would have been able to rule over such a vast nation and mar the destiny of the Hindu civilisational state, uninterruptedly for almost 40 years. And another 15 years in spurts. And pawn off this civilisation to a foreign-born Super Prime Minister for another decade.

For more than half a century, countless careers were ruined and innumerable lives were snuffed out for daring to critically scrutinise this myth. This is in itself proof that like all myths, the Mahatma myth too, stood on sandy foundations and required opacity and obfuscation to keep it in perpetual circulation.

Mohandas Gandhi was a patriot, a tireless freedom fighter and a leader who for the first time, used a unique political technique  non-violence and Satyagraha  to mobilise the masses of India. He led the freedom struggle from the front but never let the Congress party and the people forget who was really in charge.

What is also indisputable is the fact that it wasnt Gandhi alone that delivered India her freedom. This plot point in the freedom struggle saga is both the foundation and the crux of the Mahatma Myth, which is arguably the most successful and pioneering PR exercises in recent Indian history.

In many ways, Mohandas Gandhi himself germinated this myth.

Addressing a meeting in Bengal in early 1920, Gandhi thundered, so long as you choose to keep me as your leaderyou must accept my conditions, you must accept dictatorship and the discipline of martial law, to a stunned audience of nationalists and freedom fighters hailing from Bengal and Punjab, the original homes of the independence movement. An incensed Bipin Chandra Pal wrote a furious letter to Motilal Nehru correctly cautioning that blind reverence for Gandhijis leadership would kill peoples freedom of thought and would paralyse by the deadweight of unreasoning reverence their individual conscience.

More than a decade after this speech, the iconic journalist, editor, litterateur, philosopher and Gandhis junior contemporary, DV Gundappa, wrote the following in a deeply insightful essay in his biweekly, Karnataka:

Before Gandhis advent, there was an open atmosphere in public discourse.debates, discussions and arguments on various subjectswent on unhindered. Every point of debate had two, three, even four differing perspectives. The publichad accepted this as healthy, and welcomed and examined such differing perspectives without any bias. Gokhale travelled on his own path. Tilak on his. Lajpat Rai on his. Surendranath Banerjee on his. People welcomed all of their views and pondered over the relative meritsof each. This was not limited merely to political matters but extended to economics, social reform and so on. [These] leaderscontemplated on such matters independently and voiced them openlyit was an age of discussingdisagreements in a climate of free exchange.

After Gandhiji took the stage, this culture of free and open disagreement and debates vanished. It was said that the political stand of the entire country should be one, and that Gandhijis frontal leadership should be unhindered. It was said that if Gandhiji spoke, the nation spoke. The reasoning offered was as follows: unless the nation adopted this unquestioning mentality, we would not get freedom from the British.

Therefore, from then onwards, no public meeting would begin without the chant of Gandhiji ki jai! People were prohibited from taking his name without the mandatory honorific of Mahatma. Gandhijis thought became the nations thought.

Bipin Chandra Pals letter to Motilal Nehru had little impact. Shortly thereafter, Lokmanya Tilak died and with it, Mohandas Gandhis rise to political superstardom was unstoppable.

The holy trinity

Motilal Nehru, the slick lawyer and farsighted politician spotted long-term potential for his own son Jawaharlals future in cultivating Mohandas Gandhi. It also helped that Motilal was fabulously wealthy and donated fabulously to the Congress party. He bided his time and swerved with the blowing wind. In 1923, Jawaharlal Nehru was elected chairman of the Allahabad Municipality and Motilal himself, the Leader of Opposition to the Central Legislative Assembly. Mohandas Gandhi did the backseat manoeuvring  this is a recorded fact of history carefully omitted in popular narratives. Observing this phenomenon, a foreign journalist remarked that Indian nationalism now had its Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

A game of monopoly

But it was with the Dandi March that Gandhi really consolidated his position as the Saint of the Masses. The sainthood was also accompanied by his unchallenged suzerainty over not just the Congress party but the freedom movement itself. A non-Congress (synonymous with non-Gandhian) freedom fighter had little prestige or voice  Mohandas Gandhi had transformed the freedom movement into a game of monopoly.

The road to Gandhis absolute and unquestionable consolidation of the Congress leadership was strewn with his own innovation: the much-extolled Satyagraha and the Ahimsa methods of protesting against the British colonial rule.

This was a true stroke of original genius.

With it, Mohandas Gandhi severed the past of the Indian National Congress, which till then, had been largely an organisation led by powerful provincial freedom fighters, and was in every sense a healthy melting pot of scholars, cultural doyens, artists, businesspeople in general, there was space for everybody to have their voice heard and respected.

As DV Gundappa observed, this culture of frank dissent and disagreement underscored by a genuine commitment for Indias freedom was smothered at the altar of a bizarre sainthood. The sainthood was defined by an inexplicable inner voice, and a curious spiritual power in politics whose sole custodian was Mohandas Gandhi. You could only become his blind follower. It didnt matter if your sense of ethics, scholarship, integrity, morality, and even common sense were superior to his. In its fundamental nature and tenor, the politics and leadership of Gandhi resembled that of an Abrahamic Prophet.

What became of the Indian National Congress thereafter is best narrated by RC Majumdar, one of the greatest historians of the world and himself a freedom fighter of a distinctive sort.

Gandhi combined in himself the dual role of a saint and an active politicianunfortunately, Gandhis followers did not make this distinction and gave unto the political leader what was really due to a saint. This confusion pervading all ranks of Congressmen from the highest to the lowest hasdistorted public view of Indian politics since 1920 that it has nowbecomeimpossible to make a rational historical survey of the course of eventsThis is best illustrated by the unquestioning obedience to Gandhishown by even very highly eminent persons [who]belonged to two categories. The first comprised those who willingly surrendered their conscience and judgement to the safekeeping of the political Guruthe second consisted of those who fell a victim to the magic charm of Gandhi even though they fumed athis irrational dogmas

The inevitable effect of such sentiments was that great political leaders of the Congress[regarded] Gandhi as a superman, who was infallible and acted by instinct, not logic or reason, and therefore should not be judged by ordinary standards which we apply to other leaders. [Emphasis added]

Thus, in this new monarchy of political sainthood, no more Lokmanya Tilaks, Lala Lajpat Rais or Bipin Chandra Pals would be born; those that still existed were not tolerated. Subhas Bose learned this bitter reality through personal experience. Gandhis dogged and petty backroom manipulation to expel Bose as the democratically-elected president of the INC left him with such disgust towards this saint that he quit India itself. Here is how Michael Edwardes characterises the spiteful tactics of the saint: For any aspiring rebel, the treatment of Subhas Bose was a lesson in practicalities, a brutal reminder of the authoritarian, Gandhian truth: do not fight the Mahatma. [Emphasis added]

Essential to Mohandas Gandhis Mahatma-hood were his tactics of frequent demonstrations, public marches, and flooding prisons  all without any apparent purpose. Or at any rate, these were short-term and short-lived methods which had no clear, overarching goal and timeline in sight. There is a logical case to be made for the sheer purposeless nature of Gandhis leadership of the Indian freedom struggle.

Apart from the Dandi March, not one best-laid plan or agitation of Mohandas Gandhi succeeded for the same reason: there was no precise definition of purpose or outcome.

The British had clearly seen through Gandhis tactics very early. And so, they devised perhaps the most effective counter to him: at every turn after the Dandi March, they began to humour him. But in their outward stance, they pretended to take him seriously: Gandhi was a nuisance value to be contained. But when this nuisance value tested their patience in August 1933, they decided to call Gandhis bluff when he announced a 21-day fast from the Yeravada prison heeding another call of his Inner Voice. The British simply released him unconditionally. Gandhi hadnt anticipated it. Thus, his pretext for going to prison and announcing his fast had failed: in other words, the civil disobedience movement, which is hailed as one of his greatest victories against the British had flopped. We turn to Michael Edwardes again.

No one was more shocked [by this] than Gandhi. Prison was an almost essential backdrop for his personal dramathe drama now became a farcethe trivialisation of the technique was now complete and even Gandhi was aware of it.

Yet, Gandhis self-awareness of his serial failures only made him more determined to continue on the same trajectory. The failure of the Quit India Movement is another eminent case but constraints of space prohibit me from examining it in more detail.

An even worse episode reveals Mohandas Gandhis self-righteous disdain for disagreement and dissent in a pronounced fashion.

In 1945, when the Subash Bose-led INA launched its successful offensive against the British, the event was celebrated with great patriotic fervour by the whole country. George Orwell who was then working in the war-propaganda arm of the BBC noted how the spooked British Government throttled the radio airwaves broadcasting news of the INA victory.

However, the Congress and Gandhis attitude towards Bose and the INA was lukewarm to put it mildly. It took great care not to publicise the heroism and sacrifice and victories of the INA. In a brazen exhibition of its shamelessness, the AICC in September 1945, passed a resolution declaring that it would be a tragedy if these [INA] officers were punished for the offence of having laboured, however mistakenly for the freedom of India. [Emphasis added]

The freedom struggle of a Christian moralist

From a cultural perspective, the Congress partys clean break from its past under Gandhis leadership is tied to a fundamental factor: Gandhis twofold misunderstanding. The first was his misunderstanding of the precise nature of imperial Britains global colonialism. The second is his confusion in understanding the roots of Indian philosophy, spirituality and culture.

Mohandas Gandhis predecessors and his contemporaries like Balgangadhar Tilak, Bipan Chandra Pal, Sri Aurobindo, et al., had correctly grasped the fact that British colonialism was an unqualified evil at its core and had to be dismantled root and branch. Even a White American like Will Durant  a trained Christian theologian  who visited India at the height of British colonial exploitation had grasped the reality of the diabolism that underpinned this rule: that Englishmen were in India for temporary purposes, for the continuing opportunity that it provided them for ceaseless loot and exploitation, and once the opportunity dried up, they would pack up and leave. None of the Englishmen who were in India ever intended to make it their home. Like Will Durant and Michael Edwardes, in later years, William F Buckley Jr and Christopher Hitchens working independently, arrived at the same conclusion. Writes Edwardes:

Only British-ruled Hindu India could have produced such a figure as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhione effect of his western education wasthe conviction that the British were a moral people believing in justice. If they could be persuaded to recognise the unrighteousness of their rule in India, they would willingly abdicate power. [Emphasis added]

This characteristic Gandhian naivete is actually inexplicable especially when in his pre-Mahatma days, Mohandas Gandhi had personally experienced the same British colonial horrors during his stay in South Africa. He had heard the arch-racist and White supremacist Cecil Rhodes openly applauding the virtues of the British despotism that was so successfully practised in India.

Yet, after his return to India and after plunging headlong into the freedom struggle, Gandhi genuinely thought that he could appeal to the innate goodness in the British heart and nonviolently persuade them to leave.

A contrast will help clarify this.

Aurobindo Ghosh had the benefit of a wholly English education. He had stayed in England and had lived the lifestyle of Englishmen for a brief period and had a penetrating intellect to see through their true nature.

Gandhi had also lived in England but after a few months, became guilt-stricken to enjoy even the proverbial pleasures of life. In many ways, guilt was the Aadhara Shruti (or base note, in musical parlance) of Gandhis endless experiments with truth  something he confesses in his autobiography. Guilt is also one of the base notes of Christian theology  the notion that all of us are born in sin and therefore permanently condemned. Its practical operation is seen in the debasing institution known as the Confessional  designed to reinforce guilt in the psyche of the Faithful. In this sense, Mohandas Gandhis My Experiments with Truth is a textual version of his Confessional sans a Padre.

No one better grasped this basic character trait of Mohandas Gandhi than Sri Aurobindo. In a reply to a disciple, he wrote:

Gandhi is a European  truly, a Russian Christian in an Indian body When the Europeans say that he is more Christian than many Christiansthey are perfectly right. All his preaching is derived from Christianity, and though the garb is Indian the essential spirit is Christian He is largely influenced by Tolstoy, the Biblein his teachings; at any rate more than by the Indian scriptures  the Upanishads or the Gita

Many educated Indians consider him a spiritual manbecause the Europeans call him spiritual. But what he preaches is not Indian spirituality but something derived from Russian Christianity, non-violence, suffering, etc. [Emphasis added]

In his expositions on the Bhagavad Gita and Hindu Dharma, it is clear that Mohandas Gandhi was aware of the fundamental Hindu concept of the eternal (or Sanatana) but to him, the Hindu notion of Time itself was of no significance. This is best reflected in his understanding of the conception of Dharma. In the Hindu conception, Eternity operates in the realm of Rta (the Cosmic Order). In the realm of human life, Dharma is what upholds and sustains Rta. Thus, Dharma is the verb form of Rta.

This lack of philosophical clarity is what led Mohandas Gandhi to chase, all his life, one of his pet causes: Hindu-Muslim unity at the cost of Hindu lives, and his naivete about the benevolence of the British colonial rule.

History shows us that he miserably failed at both. The Muslim community carved out a new country for itself. The British hurriedly dumped India because the Empire had become unsustainable.

The political independence of India was the victory of the Muslim League and the final triumph of British skulduggery. Mohandas Gandhi had directly and indirectly facilitated both.

Closing notes

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi would live to lament the fate of the same Indian National Congress that he had steered and monopolised by the force of his saintly spiritual power.

By the mid-1940s, when it became evident that freedom was near in sight, the same Congressmen who had fawned over him and had been subservient throughout, simply abandoned him. Here is the indubitable R C Majumdar describing the situation, as an eyewitness.

[prominent Congressmen] under Gandhis leadershipmade no secret of the fact that they adopted Non-violent Non-cooperation as a politically expedient but not like, Gandhi, as a creedGandhi himself admittedlate in lifethat none of his followers believed in Satyagraha as a creedand admitted, even 14 years of trial have failed to yield the anticipated result.

[]

[Gandhi] placed the cult of non-violence above everything elseeven above the independence of Indiato him the Congress was a humanitarian associationfor the moral and spiritual regeneration of the worldbut his followers looked upon the Congress as a purely political body

[]

The tragedy of Gandhis life was that [the] members of his inner council, who followed him for more than twenty years with unquestioned obedience, took the fatal steps leading to the partition of India without his knowledge, not to speak of his consent. [Emphasis added]

In fact, the tragic fate of RC Majumdars scholarly career after India attained independence in itself is eminent testimony to the spectacular failure and the logical conclusion of Gandhis misplaced espousal of Satya (Truth), Ahimsa (Non-violence) and Satyagraha (passive resistance of injustice).

Majumdar, the towering scholar of history, respected across the world, was banished from academia by Gandhis favourite disciple, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indias first Prime Minister. Majumdars crime? Showing the courage to write an objective and unbiased history of the Indian freedom struggle of which he was both a participant and a contributor.

But how else would it turn out? Mohandas Gandhi had himself shown the way by equating the Congress party with his own personality cult. He had defined Indian nationalism by holding up his own life and commitment as the only example to be followed. His disciple, Nehru, had merely followed the Mahatmas path. Unsurprisingly, it didnt take long before this infamous slogan was invented: Indira is India. Precedents matter.

In the final assessment, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi evokes our admiration only in parts, but getting India her freedom singlehandedly is definitely not one of them.

The writer is the founder and chief editor The Dharma Dispatch.
Violence and inter-community strife are not uncommon to Indias northeast. But what was witnessed in Manipur since early May have created a record of sorts with several episodes unfolding for the first time in the country.

The conflict that erupted on 3 May saw the two communities of the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo training their guns on each other with the result that more than 180 people have been killed and more than 60,000 people displaced so far in the unrest that has not yet subsided completely.

Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen PC Nair said that the states situation was unprecedented. He was quoted by the media as saying We have never faced anything of this kind in history. It is new to us, it is new to Manipur too.

That the violence in Manipur would engulf the disturbed state for so long with huge casualties came as a shock not only to government officials and agencies but also to many observers stationed in Imphal. I was in Moreh-Tamu and the neighbouring areas between 22-30 March to gather information on some Myanmarese resistance groups battling the Junta. We could sense the undercurrents of tension but could not envisage an eruption of this kind in the border state.

Plundered police armouries, bunkers and drones

There is no dearth of incidents in the country when weapons were snatched from police personnel as happened three years ago in Uttar Pradesh. Insurgents have decamped with weapons after ambushing patrolling squads and raiding police stations. Several episodes are found in the Maoist-affected states such as Chhattisgarh where the Communist Party of India (CPI-Maoist) is active. But nowhere in India had irate mobs looted sophisticated weapons and ammunition from the police armoury so many times as in Manipur. Former Manipur governor Gurbachan Jagat wrote, This did not happen in the worst of times in J&K, Punjab, Delhi, Gujarat, etc.

In Manipur, one such incident was on 4 August in Bishnupur district when a mob looted automatic weapons from an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) at Naransena. A complaint filed by police stated that armed miscreants and individuals who came by some 40-45 light vehicles and on foot numbering around 500 overpowered the sentry at the main gate and other police personnel. It is estimated that more than 4,000 weapons and lakhs of ammunition have been looted from police stations and armouries since the beginning of the ethnic violence only about 1,600 weapons have been recovered. In desperation, the government was prompted to paste hilarious posters never seen before that urged the looters to return the weapons in a drop box!

A functionary of a civil society organsation in Imphal Valley who hails from the Meitei community claimed on condition of anonymity that the police armouries were targeted by mobs only out of desperation as weapons were necessary to counter the militant groups among the Kuki-Zo who were armed with sophisticated weapons. Incidentally, as many as 25 rebel outfits among the Kuki-Zo have ceasefire agreements with the governments. They have designated camps authorised by the government where the weapons are supposed to be kept under double lock-and-key.

The failure to recover the looted weapons from the armouries has sparked rumours over the possibility of a partisan role by the Manipur Police that allegedly allowed a section of the populace among the Meitei to equip themselves with arms to checkmate the militants among the Kuki-Zo. Assault rifles such as the AK-47, AK-56 and M-16 were noticed by this correspondent while visiting the camps of the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) and Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) in 2008 for reports that were broadcast in Times Now and a camp of Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) two years later in Churachandpur.

Nonetheless, these efforts to acquire weapons are indicative of the volatility of the situation that has enveloped a large part of Manipur as well as the help yourself tactics adopted by members of both the warring communities as a former government official said. Many villages across several districts had established their own combat forces to ward off attacks from the rival communities. Bunkers were dug for effective surveillance and counter-attack which the government had failed to eradicate despite setting a deadline.

The fallout has been a sharp divide among the two communities in a manner not witnessed earlier in the areas in the countrys North East that had borne the brunt of ethnic riots such as the twin hill districts of Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong in neighbouring Assam. An overwhelming majority of the sparring communities in Manipur residing in areas dominated by the rivals were compelled to relocate to safer places. For instance, large sections of the Meitei living in the hill districts of Tengnoupal and Churachandpur left their homes for safer zones while the Kuki-Zo did the same by relocating from the Meitei dominated Imphal Valley comprising six districts out of a total of 16 in the state. And, for the first time, more than 2000 government officials were also transferred from disturbed zones to their respective places of origin where they would face no threats.

The Myanmar connection

Some issues in the North East had been and still are intertwined with the neighbouring countries. The best example comes from Assam on illegal immigration from Bangladesh which continues to be a burning issue despite several accords and efforts to resolve the issue. In Manipur, however, many existing phenomena in Myanmar have been linked simultaneously fueling diverse interpretations and consequences.

Among the many narratives that have gained prominence is the role of opium cultivation in the hill districts of the state and its role in triggering the conflict. Kuki-Zo farmers are involved in the cultivation but so are farmers from other communities as the government data reveal. It has been argued that the illicit cultivation is sponsored from across the border in Myanmar. Former state police chief P Doungel went on record to say that the state has been linked with the infamous Golden Triangle straddling some contiguous regions in Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.

Second, illegal immigration from Myanmar has been cropping up at regular intervals in Manipur for the past many years. Last month, Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that illegal infiltration from Myanmar had sparked the conflict in Manipur which came days after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta alleged that the unclaimed bodies in Imphal mortuaries were of illegal infiltrators.

The concern over illegal immigrants has also been raised by civil society organisations in Imphal. In February 2023, Chief Minister N Biren Singh informed the state assembly that 393 Myanmar nationals were apprehended in the first two months of the current year. The government has begun capturing the biometric details of all Myanmarese nationals residing in the state which is scheduled to be completed towards the end of the month.

Related to illegal immigrants is the widespread belief among some sections that militants from Myanmar battling the Junta are involved in the violence and killings in Manipur. A retired general of the Indian Army was quoted by the media as saying that 300 terrorists have landed in the state from the neighbouring country. Home minister Amit Shah named an outfit Kuki Democratic Front as being involved in the mayhem that started on 3 May in the state. The Burma chapter of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO-B) was quick to issue a release denying the existence of any such outfit in Myanmar.

While speculation continues to be widespread on the aforementioned issues, what appears certain is the distinct imprint of Myanmar on certain combat tactics witnessed in the state. Both sides made use of drones to monitor each others movements; some went a step further by manufacturing rockets launchers at home which were also uploaded on social media and a small group was also spotted by the media making bulletproof vests. All these were observed by this correspondent in Myanmar at some conflict zones of Chin State and Sagaing Region between January and March.

Such episodes were not discernible earlier either in Manipur or anywhere in the North East. Similarly, the flight of around 300 people belonging to the Meitei community across the border to Tamu for safety was a development that was rare if not entirely new since there are unconfirmed reports of a few families scurrying to safer locations in Myanmar during the earlier ethnic clashes in the 1990s.

Myanmar had its impact on the disinformation campaign in social media by groups belonging to both the Meitei and Kuki-Zo. One such example was of a video from the neighbouring countrys Sagaing Region showing anti-Junta rebel organisation operating drones to bomb buildings occupied by the Myanmar military. It was shared with a false claim that members of one community were using drones to attack the residents of the other community. The viral video showed two men operating the drones attached with bombs that dropped on a few houses.

Foreign governments concern over Manipur

In the past, several incidents in the country have attracted a great deal of global attention and provoked aggressive responses. The European Parliaments urgent resolution on the Manipur conflict which made a case for urgent steps to defuse the crisis and regular dialogue between the two Parliaments came as a surprise to the Indian government, claimed a senior official in New Delhi. New Delhi reacted with predictable anger saying that the resolution was unacceptable, and it reflected a colonial mindset.

Days ahead of the resolution was another statement from the US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti who said the US would be willing to offer assistance in resolving the conflict in Manipur and that it does not have any strategic concerns but human concerns over the unrest. The comment raised eyebrows and drew a response from Congress MP Manish Tewari who was of the view that it is very rare for an American envoy to issue a statement on the internal affairs of India.

Other unusual incidents

Militancy in the North East has spawned exceptional episodes that grabbed media headlines occasionally in the past. On 25 June, the army was compelled to release as many as 12 rebels of the outlawed Kanna Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) in Imphal when it was surrounded by a mob led by women who were reportedly affiliated with the Meira Paibis. In the group that was set free was Moirangthem Tamba alias Uttam who was wanted for his role in the 2015 ambush at Chandel in which 18 soldiers were killed. This incident does not seem to have any parallels in any of the states in the region that had been ravaged by insurgency.

Likewise, the FIR by Manipur Police against Assam Rifles was an extremely rare case revealing the deep animosity and mistrust between the two agencies. The polices rationale was that the Assam Rifles had allowed Kuki militants to escape from being nabbed. A colonel of Assam Rifles has denied the allegations saying that the instructions received from above were to prevent violence which were being implemented.

The list of extraordinary incidents originating from the conflict in Manipur is long some of which could also have a long-term impact in the state and region. The level of violence has diminished five months after the unrest erupted in May but the divide between the two communities continues to widen with no serious effort to bridge the gap. The Centre has ruled out a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo inhabited areas in the state. The state government has announced that it would be willing to grant more autonomy to the hill areas council. So far, there has been no positive response on the proposal from the Kuki-Zo organisations and legislators. Whats next?

The author is a senior journalist based out of Guwahati in Assam. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a scathing attack on Congress-led government in Rajasthan and said the grand old party has destroyed the roots of the state in the past five years.

Addressing a rally in Chittorgarh in poll-bound Rajasthan, PM Modi said: The Congress government in Rajasthan has destroyed the roots in the state in the past five years.

When news comes from here, I feel a lot of distress. I say this with a sad heart, today when it comes to crime, which state comes on top? Our Rajasthan! the PM said.

'Pains that Rajasthan tops in crime list'

Asking the people of Chittorgarh, PM Modi said: "Maximum number of cases of crime against women are from Rajasthan. Is this why you voted for Congress?"

He further said the Congress has left no stone unturned in looting the state.

#WATCH | At Chittorgarh, Rajasthan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "I feel pain when atrocities take place against daughters anywhere in the country but Congress has made this a tradition in Rajasthan... Every woman and daughter of Rajasthan is saying Bjp will come to power pic.twitter.com/UxkmJfPmHu  ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

'Congress formed govt in Rajasthan by misleading people'

Intensifying his attack on Congress, PM Modi said the party formed the government in Rajasthan by "misleading" people. "By deception, Congress managed to form a government but couldn't run it," he said.

'BJP aayegi, dange, patthar baazi rukwayegi'

Attacking the incumbent Congress government in Rajasthan for its lax attitude over issues like womens safety, law and order, and alleged corruption, PM Modi assured that once BJP forms government in the state, its first priority will be to stop criminal activities like rioting.

#WATCH | Rajasthan is saying with great confidence and trust - BJP will come, hooliganism will go, BJP will come and stop the riots, BJP will come and stop stone pelting, BJP will come and stop dishonesty, BJP will come, it will bring women security, BJP will come and bring pic.twitter.com/4moNI3JTHx  ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

The Prime Minister also targeted the alleged paper leak mafia in the state, and assured strictest punishment for those involved.

#WATCH | At Chittorgarh, Rajasthan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says "I want to guarantee the youth of Rajasthan that the paper leak mafia will be held accountable and punished. 'Paper leak mafia ka paataal mein bhi jakar hisab kiya jaega'..." pic.twitter.com/iTDEugR5QG  ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

Congress a kursi-bachao sarkar

The PM also called the Congress a kursi-bachao sarkar and asked if any work had been done by the party apart from saving own chair.

"Here, Ashok Gehlot was just trying to save the Chief Minister chair, and half of Congress was busy in toppling his chair," PM Modi said.

#WATCH | Rajasthan: CM Gehlot was busy securing his seat in the state and his party (Congress) was busy snatching his seat... Every corrupt person, goon, rioter, tyrant and every leader of Congress has considered himself the government of Rajasthan. Congress left no stone pic.twitter.com/gi8KETfjw3  ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

He further said that Congress indulged in in-fighting while they left public to its own devices. The Prime Minister further said the only thing the party stayed united in was in looting Rajasthan.

'Gehlot sure he is leaving'

PM Modi said the incumbent CM of the state, Ashok Gehlot himself knows he will leave, and is asking BJP government to not stop his schemes.

"Gehlot ji himself knows he is leaving CM post, which is why he has already congratulated BJP. You see what he is saying these days: that once BJP forms government, his schemes should not be stopped," PM Modi said.

#WATCH | At Chittorgarh, Rajasthan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says "...CM Ashok Gehlot is aware that the countdown for Congress's farewell has begun. Gehlot ji himself is confident that he is going and that is why he has already congratulated BJP. He is requesting that after pic.twitter.com/B1sOJPUHVB  ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

The PM went on to say that after being voted to power, BJP will continue schemes by Congress in Rajasthan and will investigate those looted poor people.

"We will continue schemes and improve them, but we will definitely investigate those who have indulged in corruption and looted poor people," he said.

Before his address, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of multiple development projects worth Rs 7,000 crore Chittorgarh on Monday.
Researchers from the University of Florida in the United States have conducted successful tests on a new drug that mimics the benefits of rigorous exercise. Their study, conducted on obese mice, demonstrated the drugs ability to increase metabolism, promote muscle gain, and facilitate weight loss.

While these results are promising, its important to note that it will be several years before the drug can be tested in human trials.

Regular exercise is known to have significant positive impacts on health, benefiting individuals with cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and certain cancers. Additionally, physical activity has been associated with improved brain health, reducing the risks of stress, depression, and dementia, according to the UK National Health Service (NHS).

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 2.5 to 5 hours of moderately intense activity per week to enjoy these health benefits. Unfortunately, a significant portion of adults and adolescents do not meet these recommendations.

In the quest to replicate the health benefits of physical activity, scientists have been exploring ways to mimic at least some of these effects.

The University of Florida research team, led by Thomas Burris, conducted a 28-day trial of a new drug called SLU-PP-332, which falls into a category of treatments known as exercise mimetics. These treatments aim to replicate the physiological adaptations associated with physical exercise.

The results, published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, showed that the mice treated with the drug experienced increased energy expenditure, meaning they burned more calories without changing their habits. They also accumulated less body fat and improved their metabolic systems.

The drugs mechanism of action involves targeting estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) found within cells, especially in energy-demanding parts of the body like muscles, the heart, and the liver. Physical exercise typically boosts ERRs, and SLU-PP-332 replicates this effect.

According to Burris, When you treat mice with the drug, you can see that their whole body metabolism turns to using fatty acids, which is very similar to what people use when they are fasting or exercising.

In the trial, the mice treated with the drug gained 10 times less fat and lost 12 per cent of their body weight compared to the control group. They also exhibited higher energy expenditure in their daily activities.

If further development is successful, this drug could hold significant potential for individuals dealing with obesity, diabetes, or age-related muscle loss. It may help maintain the health of ageing individuals. However, before human trials can commence, additional research, including investigating potential side effects, is necessary.
The European Union is currently investigating suspected anti-competitive conduct within the field of artificial intelligence chip technology, a sector where NVIDIA holds a dominant position. This development was reported by Bloomberg News on Friday, with information provided by individuals who are knowledgeable about the situation.

According to the report, the European Commission has been in the process of informally gathering feedback and opinions pertaining to potential exploitative practices in the graphics processing units (GPU) industry. These GPUs are employed not only in AI applications but also in the realm of gaming. The objective of this exercise is to assess whether there is a necessity for regulatory intervention in the future.

The preliminary inquiry currently underway may not necessarily lead to a formal investigation or the imposition of penalties, as stated in the report.

NVIDIA, a company that wields significant influence over the GPU market with an impressive 80 per cent market share, chose not to provide a comment on the matter.

In parallel, French authorities have been engaging in discussions with industry stakeholders regarding NVIDIAs prominent position in the AI chip sector. These discussions encompass topics such as NVIDIAs pricing strategies, the chip shortage, and its potential effects on market prices, as mentioned in the report.

On Tuesday, the competition authority in France carried out an unexpected operation at a company operating within the graphics cards sector. According to an individual with insider information, this company is believed to be NVIDIA, as per a report by Reuters.

NVIDIA experienced a significant surge in both its stock value and demand for its chips following the remarkable success of the generative AI chatbot, ChatGPT, last year.

NVIDIAs chips are integral components in nearly all computing systems worldwide that drive applications similar to ChatGPT. This pivotal role is a major contributing factor to NVIDIAs status as the sole trillion-dollar semiconductor company on the global stage.
After falling to a seven-month low of 1.55 million barrels per day in August, Indias imports of Russian crude oil in September jumped 18.3 per cent to 1.83 million bpd.

Also, India, the worlds third biggest oil importer and consumer, imported around around 916,690 bpd, 7.36 per cent more crude oil from Iraq in September compared to the previous month.

As per reports, Indias import of crude oil from Russia and Iraq recovered last month most likely due to their price advantage over Saudi Arabian crude grades.

The share of Russia and Iraq in Indias September oil imports stood around 43 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively, while in August, Russias share was 35.4 per cent and Iraqs was 19.5 per cent.

Crude oil imports from Saudi Arabia fell 32.87 per cent month-on-month in September to around 556,185 bpd.

Iraq was Indias biggest source of crude oil, followed by Saudi Arabia. However, after the war in Ukraine, Russia displaced Baghdad and Riyad to become New Delhis largest oil supplier, offering big discounts on its crudes.

Price competitiveness favours Russian crude and if the Indian refiners want to take term volumes from the Middle East, they seem to prefer Iraqi barrels as Basrah Medium continues to be some $2 per barrel cheaper than Arab Medium or Arab Light, said Viktor Katona, lead crude analyst at Kpler.

Katona said Indias imports from Russia would move closer to 2 million bpd mark once refiners complete maintenance turnaround of units by end-October.

Indian refiners mostly buy crude about two months ahead of processing. They mostly purchase Russian oil on the spot market, while largely relying on term contracts for middle eastern crude.

With inputs from agencies
On National Day, the Chinese military published an animated short film depicting the reunification of two portions of a scroll painting that were split in half more than 300 years earlier as a demonstration of its commitment to integrating Taiwan into the mainland.

One of Chinas most famous historical paintings, The Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains, is divided into pieces and kept in museums in China and Taiwan, the island with a democratic government that Beijing claims as one of its provinces and which it reserves the right to annex by force.

The Peoples Liberation Armys Eastern Theatre Command, notorious for its aggressive movies of military drills in Taiwan, issued an animated short film called Dreams Come True on Fuchun River on Sunday in honour of National Day, appealing to the common cultural heritage on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The movie had two elves that stood in for the two fragments of the Huang Gongwang painting, which was torn to pieces in the 17th century by one of its owners.

At the conclusion of the film, the two protagonists united and miraculously repaired the painting.

The Zhejiang Provincial Museum in Hangzhou is home to the smaller portion of the scroll, dubbed The Remaining Mountain, which is roughly 51 cm long. The 640-cm-long Master Wuyong Scroll has been held by Taiwans National Palace Museum since the 1950s.

When China loaned its portion to the Taiwanese museum for two months in 2011 during a time of improved ties as Taiwan adopted a policy of economic rapprochement with China, the two pieces were finally put back together.

However, as ties have soured in recent years, China has increased military exercises near Taiwan, including one last month that Beijing claimed was aimed at fighting separatist troops.

On both sides of the Taiwan Strait, China is simultaneously developing ambitious plans to integrate the economies of its Fujian province and Taiwan. Taiwans government has rejected these plans, which offer Taiwan enterprises the possibility to participate in joint development.

The threat of annexing Taiwan by force is constant, notwithstanding Chinas eagerness to court Taiwan with promises of economic benefits.

The Eastern Theatre Command added footage of J-20 fighter jet formations and aircraft carriers throughout the two elves voyage in the movie to serve as a visual reminder of its battlefront.

(With agency inputs)
Days after Washington enraged Beijing with claims of media manipulation, China expressed hope that the United States will do more things to promote Sino-U.S. conversation on Monday, according to the foreign ministry.

Since relations have been tense for years over topics like Taiwan, the origins of COVID-19, and claims of Chinese espionage, communication between officials on both sides has grown.

We hope the United States will meet (us) half way, do more things that are conducive to Sino-U.S. dialogue, the ministry said in a statement.

According to the ministry, China has traditionally considered bilateral relations in terms of respect for one another, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.

The response was made in response to a request for comment from Reuters over a greeting sent last week by U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken, who wished peace, happiness, and prosperity for the Chinese people ahead of Sundays National Day holiday.

Blinken commended Chinas cooperation in addressing common problems with the environment, public health, drug enforcement, food security, and global macroeconomic stability, but he made no mention of any tech-related cooperation.

The Biden administration has restricted the shipment of chips to China, claiming that their goal is to prevent Beijing from gaining access to cutting-edge technology that could assist military gains or human rights violations. In response, China levelled charges of economic coercion.

The United States was dubbed the genuine empire of lies by Chinas foreign ministry in response to a U.S. State Department report that was released on Thursday and accused Beijing of investing billions of dollars each year in efforts to manipulate information.

The earlier State Department report was not mentioned in the ministrys statement on Monday, though.

Despite a few flare-ups, anticipation has been growing that the most recent rounds of high-level negotiations may help open the door for a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden later this year.

(With agency inputs)
SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk slammed the Justin Trudeau government in Canada for crushing free speech in the country.

His remark came in wake of a recent order of the Canada government which makes it compulsory for online streaming services to formally register with the government for regulatory controls.

Musk was responding to a post by journalist and author Glenn Greenwald who was commenting on the ruling.

The Canadian government, armed with one of the worlds most repressive online censorship schemes, announces that all online streaming services that offer podcasts must formally register with the government to permit regulatory controls, Greenwald posted on X (formerly Twitter)

The Canadian government, armed with one of the worlds most repressive online censorship schemes, announces that all online streaming services that offer podcasts must formally register with the government to permit regulatory controls:https://t.co/wHOloLgnY2 pic.twitter.com/6noTYceVsg  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) October 1, 2023

Responding to this, Elon Musk stated, Trudeau is trying to crush free speech in Canada. Shameful.

Trudeau is trying to crush free speech in Canada. Shameful. https://t.co/oHFFvyBGxu  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 1, 2023

Notably, this is not the first time the Trudeau government is being accused of acting against free speech.

In February 2022, Trudeau invoked emergency powers  for the first time in countrys history  to arm his government with more power to respond to the trucker protests, who were opposing the vaccine mandates at that time.

Meanwhile, Canadian PM created an uproar after he alleged Indias role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

However, India has outrightly rejected the claims, calling it absurd and motivated.

Notably, Canada has yet to provide any public evidence to support the claim about the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
A pro-Russian candidate won the election in Slovakia, and the U.S. Congress left financing for Kyiv out of a budget bill. As a result, the EUs foreign ministers met for the first time ever outside the bloc on Monday in Ukraine.

We are convening a historic meeting of EU Foreign Ministers here in Ukraine, candidate country and future member of the EU, Borrell said on X. We are here to express our solidarity and support to the Ukrainian people.

For the first time in history, outside of existing EU borders, the summit was held in Ukraine, according to Dmytro Kuleba, the countrys foreign minister. however, within its foreseeable boundaries.

Washington maintains that despite Congress exclusion of Ukraine funding from an emergency spending agreement agreed over the weekend to avert a government shutdown, its strong military and political backing for Ukraine has not changed.

President Joe Bidens administration said it anticipates the Republican-controlled House of Representatives will pass a resolution to keep the help flowing, despite increased calls for funding of Ukraine from right-wing Republican allies of former President Donald Trump.

Biden said he was sick and tired of the political gamesmanship that had nearly cost him his job as he urged congressional Republicans to support the help on Sunday.

Kuleba, a correspondent for the Ukraine, stated that Kyiv was still confident in American support.

We dont feel that the U.S support has been shattered because the United States understands that what is at stake in Ukraine is much bigger than just Ukraine, he told reporters as he greeted Borrell.

The issue, according to him, was whether the weekend events in the US Congress were an incident or a system.

I think it was an incident, he said. We have a very in-depth discussion with both parts of the Congress  Republicans and Democrats.

In Slovakias election on Sunday, pro-Russian former prime minister Fico received the most votes and will now have the opportunity to build the countrys first administration. In his campaign, he demanded that Ukraine receive not a single round of ammunition from Slovakias stockpile.

We are not changing that we are prepared to help Ukraine in a humanitarian way, Fico said at a news conference after his victory. We are prepared to help with the reconstruction of the state but you know our opinion on arming Ukraine.

NATO member Slovakia, which shares a small border with Ukraine, has taken in refugees and contributed an unusually large amount of armaments, including being among the first to dispatch fighter jets.

Despite pressure from Hungary, whose nationalist leader Viktor Orban frequently opposes sanctions against Moscow, the EU has so far managed to retain its steadfast pro-Ukrainian attitude.

Fico would need to build a coalition with at least one other party that has a different public stance on Ukraine in order to create a government.

I think its too early to judge how these elections will impact the support of Ukraine, Ukraines foreign minister Kuleba said. We have to wait until the coalition is formed.

(With agency inputs)
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said Pakistans priority should be to fix the economy and not elections.

Pakistans National Assembly was dissolved in August and the country has been under a caretaker government since. Elections are slated for January next year, but the country continues to reel through an economic crisis that has made the common man struggle to put food on the table.

Rehman, while addressing a presser on Sunday evening, opined it was more important to address the economy to save the country from crisis. He added that all members of the Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM) were always ready for elections.

While making it clear that his party has been fighting for election for three-and-half years, the Maulana warned that an unmitigated economic crisis jeopardises the independent existence of a country.

Besides the economy, he also referred to the harsh winters in the north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in January and said that it would be very difficult to hold elections in such conditions.

Rehman launched a scathing attack on the PTI government under former PM Imran Khan. He said that Khans government was responsible for the sorry state of the economy.

He claimed that the PTI government reduced Pakistans foreign exchange to just $2 billion, and the PDM government raised it to $11 billion in the one-and-half years of its reign.

Rehman also said that former PM and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, whos expected to return home later this month, should be warmly welcomed by all.
Christian religious leaders in northern Iraq called for an international investigation Monday into a deadly wedding fire that killed more than 100 people last week and slammed the governments probe, which had blamed the blaze on negligence and lack of precautionary measures.

An Iraqi Syriac Catholic priest, meanwhile, said widespread corruption in the country and the influence of armed militias on the government was one of the factors that enabled the fire.

Father Boutros Sheeto, spoke to The Associated Press over the phone from the town of Qaraqosh, where five members of his family, including his Iraqi-American sister, were buried on Monday morning. He claimed the fire was intentional, without offering any evidence.

Scores of panicked guests surged for the exits on Tuesday night in the Haitham Royal Wedding Hall in the predominantly Christian area of Hamdaniya in Nineveh province after the ceiling panels above a pyrotechnic machine burst into flames.

Iraq released the results of its probe on Sunday saying unsafe fireworks were the main reason that caused the fire that killed 107 and injured 82. Several local officials in Nineveh were also subjected to administrative measures because of negligence.

We reject the idea that the cause of the fire was an accident, Sheeto said. We are confident that it was intentional and therefore we demand an international investigation.

Ten of his relatives, including his sister Faten Sheeto who had traveled to Iraq from her home in Arizona to attend the wedding were killed by the fire.

Iraqi media quoted Chaldean Catholic Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako from Rome as saying the blaze was the act of someone who sold his conscience and nation for a specific agenda.

In July, Sako left his Baghdad headquarters and returned to northern Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdish region after Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid revoked a decree recognizing his position as patriarch of the Chaldeans, Iraqs largest Christian denomination and one of the Catholic Churchs eastern rites.

Another Iraqi Christian religious leader, Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul Benedictus Younan Hanno said a probe should be done under the supervision of international investigators, and added that he and others among the Iraqi Christians do not accept the results of the Iraqi probe.

On Monday, the Nineveh Heath Department updated the death toll to 113, including 41 who have not been identified yet. It said 12 people who suffered severe burns were sent for treatment abroad and eight will follow.

The tragedy was the latest to hit Iraqs Christian minority, which has dwindled to a fraction of its former size over the past two decades.

The decline started before the militant Islamic State groups persecution of religious minorities after the extremists captured large parts of Iraq in 2014. Christians were among groups targeted by militants as security broke down after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that overthrew Saddam Hussein.

The number of Christians in Iraq today is estimated at 150,000, compared to 1.5 million in 2003. Iraqs total population is over 40 million.
Italian energy group Eni said Monday that it had made a significant gas find in Indonesia, off the coast of East Kalimantan.

The company said preliminary studies had put the potential of the site at 140 billion cubic metres of gas (5 trillion cubic feet).

The find came at the Geng North-1 exploration well drilled to a depth of 5,025 metres in 1,947 metres of water depth in the North Ganal PSC, around 85 kilometres (53 miles) off the coast.

The company said it had found a gas column some 50 metres thick in a Miocene sandstone reservoir with excellent petrophysical properties.

Eni added that thanks to its location and significant size, the discovery has the potential to contribute substantially to the creation of a new production hub, in the northern part of the Kutei Basin, to be connected to the Bontang LNG facilities on the coast of East Kalimantan.

Daily future production is estimated at 2.2 to 2.7 million cubic metres.

The ongoing exploration campaign, along with the recent acquisitions, is in line with Enis energy transition strategy to progressively shift its portfolio mix towards gas and LNG, targeting 60 per cent in 2030 compared to 50 per cent currently, Eni said.

Indonesia, and South-East Asia in general, play a relevant role in this strategy, it added.

The news comes after Eni announced in July the acquisition of interests, including operatorship, in three blocks in the Kutei Basin, also offshore of East Kalimantan, from US rival Chevron.

Eni, operating in Indonesia since 2001, presides over a sizable portfolio of exploration, development and production assets for the current production of around 80,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day from its Jangkrik and Merakes fields in East Kalimantan.
With the date of Nawaz Sharifs return to Pakistan closing in, his daughter Maryam Nawaz has claimed he is returning after becoming more powerful and stronger than before and his homecoming will restore the countrys fragile economy as well as eliminate the menace of terrorism.

Maryam, the Chief Organiser of Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N), recalled the former prime ministers ouster from power in the past and claimed he always returned stronger.

  ,         21            21                    pic.twitter.com/qoRpIWhcva  PMLN (@pmln_org) October 1, 2023

Hinting at the governments assurance that Nawaz wont be arrested when he lands in Lahore on 21 October, she said that he will visit Jati Umra, his family residence, upon return.

Pakistans caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, however, seemed to suggest otherwise. He recently said that he wanted the law to take its course.

Maryam addressed two gatherings, one in Lahore and another in Gilgit virtually, to organise the cadre for a big reception for Nawaz.

Spelling out PML-Ns narrative for the upcoming general elections, she claimed that Nawazs return wont just be an individuals return but that of prosperity, Dawn reported,

It will not be the return of an individual to the country. There will be the return of prosperity and hope for the country on 21 October. Peace will return and the price hike will be eliminated on 21 October, Dawn quoted her as saying in Lahore.

This comes as a change in the partys narrative in the run-up to the next polls. Earlier Nawaz insisted on making army generals and senior judges behind his ouster accountable. Now there seems to be a shift towards political and economic stability.

In a veiled attack on ex-Pakistan Army Chief Javed Qamar Bajwa and Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, she said that those who removed Nawaz in 2017 were now lying in the dustbin of history.

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. But he hasnt returned since.
On Monday, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the president of Mexico, called U.S. military spending in Ukraine irrational, intensifying his condemnation of the war effort while pleading with Washington to invest more money in assisting Latin American nations.

In order to reduce the pressures caused by migration, Lopez Obrador has long urged the United States to invest more money in aiding economic growth in Central America and the Caribbean.

During his routine daily press conference, Lopez Obrador criticised the U.S. Congress for failing to release funds for the area and then brought up the controversy over a stopgap financing package last week that excluded more aid for Ukraine.

I was just looking at how now theyre not authorizing aid for the war in Ukraine, he said. But how much have they destined for the Ukraine war? $30-50 billion for the war. Which is the most irrational thing you can have. And damaging.

The leftist Lopez Obrador has opposed western military assistance to Kiev and vowed to keep Mexico neutral in the conflict. In order to put an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, he has also suggested holding peace talks.

Two weeks ago, in response to harsh criticism that his nation had provided a platform to forces who invaded Ukraine, the president defended the participation of a Russian military contingent in a weekend parade commemorating Mexicos independence day.

However, three significant U.N. resolutions denouncing Russias involvement in the crisis have received support from his government.

(With agency inputs)
The Pentagon is warning Congress that it is running low on money to replace weapons the US has sent to Ukraine and has already been forced to slow down resupplying some troops, according to a letter sent to congressional leaders.

The letter, obtained by The Associated Press, urges Congress to replenish funding for Ukraine. Congress averted a government shutdown by passing a short-term funding bill over the weekend, but the measure dropped all assistance for Ukraine in the battle against Russia.

Pentagon Comptroller Michael McCord told House and Senate leaders there is $1.6 billion left of the $25.9 billion Congress provided to replenish US military stocks that have been flowing to Ukraine. The weapons include millions of rounds of artillery, rockets and missiles critical to Ukraines counteroffensive aimed at taking back territory gained by Russia in the war.

In addition, the US has about $5.4 billion left to provide weapons and equipment from its stockpiles. The US would have already run out of that funding if the Pentagon hadnt realized earlier this year that it had overvalued the equipment it had already sent, freeing up about $6.2 billion. Some of that has been sent in recent months.

McCord said the US has completely run out of long-term funding for Kyiv through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which providesmoney to contract for future weapons.

We have already been forced to slow down the replenishment of our own forces to hedge against an uncertain funding future, McCord said in the letter. Failure to replenish our military services on a timely basis could harm our militarys readiness.

He added that without additional funding now, the US will have to delay or curtail air defense weapons, ammunition, drones and demolition and breaching equipment that are critical and urgent now as Russia prepares to conduct a winter offensive.

President Joe Biden said Sunday that while the aid will keep flowing for now, time is running out.

We cannot under any circumstances allow Americas support for Ukraine to be interrupted, Biden said. We have time, not much time, and theres an overwhelming sense of urgency.

Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said if the aid doesnt keep flowing, Ukrainian resistance will begin to weaken.

If theres no new money, theyre going to start feeling it by Thanksgiving, he said.

The short-term funding bill passed by Congress lasts only until mid-November. And McCord said it would be too risky for the Defense Department to divert money from that temporary funding bill to pay for more aid to Ukraine.

Many lawmakers acknowledge that winning approval for Ukraine assistance in Congress is growing more difficult as the war grinds on and resistance to the aid from the Republican hard-right flank gains momentum.
Two weeks of combined naval exercises between the armed forces of Manila, Britain, Canada, Japan, and the United States began on Monday as a show of force amid escalating tension in the region.

The drills, which include more than 1,800 participants, come in response to Beijings decision last week to bar Philippine fishermen from accessing the Scarborough Shoal, the most contentious maritime feature in Asia, which is controlled by China in the South China Sea.

The southern region of the island of Luzon is the location of this years Sama Sama drills, which include naval training in search and rescue, air defence, and anti-submarine warfare.

With this show of force and active engagement of our allies and partners, Sama Sama transcends mere military exercises, Philippine navy chief Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci said at the opening event.

It is a symbol of our enduring partnerships and our shared commitment to security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Vice Admiral Karl Thomas, commander of the Seventh Fleet of the United States Navy, made the following statement during his remarks: It is important that all nations have a right to sail and operate in the West Philippine Sea, free frombeing coerced, free from being intimidated.

The area of the South China Sea that Manila claims as its own is referred to as the West Philippine Sea.

Five boats, two each from the United States, Britain, Canada, and Japan, joined the drills, which are being held in the Philippines and will last until October 13.

Additionally participating by sending observers and specialists were the navy of Australia, France, Indonesia, and New Zealand.

I am confident that no potential aggressor should be under any illusion other than this is a strong team of nations, a strong team of navies  one navy sailing and operating together, Thomas added.

(With agency inputs)
China will be launching its new robotic lunar mission, Change6, in the first half of 2024 and it will carry a Pakistani satellite named ICUBE-Q cubesat to the Moon.

A statement released by the Chinese government said after rounds of selection and talks, it has been decided that the Change 6s lander will carry scientific instruments from France, Italy, and the European Space Agency (ESA).

A Pakistani payload will be mounted on the orbiter, the release said.

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) said the mission will carry payloads and satellites from four countries to increase international cooperation.

As per reports, the Change 8 mission will conclude the Change missions that will be sent there to possibly establish a research station.

What is Chinas Change 6 mission?

The primary objective of Chinas Change 6 mission is to collect samples from the far side of the Moon. The spacecraft comprises four components: an orbiter, lander, ascender, and re-entry module.

One of the senior planner involved in the Change 6 mission, Hu Hao, said if everything goes as per plan, the spacecraft will land in the South Pole-Aitken Basin. After successful landing, it will collect dust and rock samples.

It is worth mentioning here that India became the first country to soft land near lunar south pole with the launch of Chandrayaan-3.

Hao further claimed that Change 6 mission mission could mark the first instance of samples being collected from the far side of the Moon, allowing scientists to enhance their understanding of this region and analyze the samples composition to expand lunar knowledge.

The Change 6 mission will carry a total of 10 kilograms of foreign equipment on its lander and orbiter. This includes scientific instruments from France, Italy, and the European Space Agency, as well as the Pakistani payload on the orbiter.

The French instruments which the mission will carry will test for radioactive gas, while the ESAs Negative Ion Detector and Italys Valle Brett Radar System will be taken to the Moon by this mission.

With inputs from agencies
The Maldives presidential election was won by opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu, who defeated incumbent President Ibrahim Solih in a second-round runoff, ushering in a pro-China tilt for the Indian Ocean archipelago from traditional partner India.

With nearly all votes collected, the Maldives Elections Commission said on its website that Muizzu earned 54 per cent of the votes cast in Saturdays election, while Solih received 46 per cent.

The Maldives, noted for its stunning beaches and high-end resorts, saw almost 85 per cent of its 282,000 eligible voters turn up at more than 586 voting locations spread across 187 islands.

I congratulate Muizzu for winning the election and thank the people for their exemplary democratic spirit, Solih said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Solih, who championed an India First policy during his time in power, will remain as president until Muizzus inauguration on Nov. 17.

The coalition backing Muizzu has supported Chinese loans and investment projects in the past.

Former President Abdulla Yameen, who has close links to Muizzu, is serving an 11-year prison term for corruption and money laundering. Yameens supporters say the charges against him were politically motivated.

Today the people made a strong decision to win back Maldives independence, Muizzu told reporters in the capital, Male.

All of us, working together with unity, Insha Allah, we will be successful.

Muizzu also called on President Solih to release Yameen to house arrest.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a congratulatory message to Muizzu following the announcement of his victory.

India remains committed to strengthening the time-tested India-Maldives bilateral relationship and enhancing our overall cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, Modi said on X.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has clarified that there are currently no immediate plans to send military instructors to Ukraine. This statement comes in response to comments made by the British Defence Minister, Grant Shapps, who previously suggested the possibility of British troops conducting training operations in Ukraine.

The UK and its allies have so far refrained from establishing a formal military presence in Ukraine to mitigate the risk of a direct confrontation with Russia.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who assumed his role just last month, voiced his desire to deploy military instructors to Ukraine, in addition to offering training to Ukrainian armed forces within Britain or other Western nations. However, shortly after Shapps interview was published in The Sunday Telegraph, Prime Minister Sunak emphasized that there were no immediate plans to dispatch British troops to Ukraine.

Sunak clarified the situation, stating, What the Defence Secretary was saying was that it might well be possible one day in the future for us to do some of that training in Ukraine. But thats something for the long term, not the here and now. There are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev responded to Shapps comments by asserting that any British soldiers providing training to Ukrainian troops on Ukrainian soil would be considered legitimate targets by Russian forces.

Over the past year, Britain has provided five-week military training courses to approximately 20,000 Ukrainians and plans to continue training a similar number in the future.

During his interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Shapps highlighted the potential for offering military training within Ukraine following discussions with British military leaders. However, in his speech at the Conservative Party Conference, Shapps did not address his previous remarks. Instead, he stressed the gravity of the situation in Ukraine, where weapons and lives are being consumed at an appalling rate, while reaffirming Britains unwavering support for the country in its conflict with Russia.

Sunaks comments coincide with former Defence Secretary Ben Wallaces appeal for increased military support to Ukraine by more than 2 billion, representing a 50% increase. Wallace, who stepped down from his role in a recent cabinet reshuffle, revealed that one of his final acts was to advocate for additional financial backing for Ukrainian forces. In an op-ed for The Daily Telegraph, Wallace expressed concern that the UK had fallen behind Germany as Ukraines top military supporter in Europe.

We have a chance to help finish this. The Russian army is cracking, Wallace asserted. Before I left office, I asked the PM to match or increase the 2.3 billion pledged to Ukraine this year, to add to the 4.6 billion we have spent already.

The Prime Ministers office, No 10, declined to respond to Wallaces comments but has reportedly sought the Ministry of Defences input on future spending, according to The Telegraph.

Wallaces call for additional resources aligns with a growing Western debate on the extent of support for Ukraine. In the United States, President Joe Biden has urged politicians to secure more funding for Kyiv, while in Slovakia, populist former Prime Minister Robert Fico, who won parliamentary elections, has pledged to withdraw his countrys military support for Ukraine.
According to an excerpt from a forthcoming book published on Sunday, imprisoned former billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried discussed paying former US President Donald Trump not to seek for re-election in 2020.

In a Washington Post excerpt, Michael Lewis, author of Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon, said Bankman-Fried was planning to give $15 million to $30 million to Republican Senator Mitch McConnell to defeat the Trumpier candidates in the Senate races at the time.

On a separate front, he explained to me, as the plane descended into Washington, he was exploring the legality of paying Donald Trump himself not to run for president, Lewis wrote.

His team had somehow created a back channel into the Trump operation and returned with the not terribly Earth-shattering news that Donald Trump might indeed have his price: $5 billion. Or so Sam was told by his team.

The passage did not explain why Bankman-Fried, the founder of the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX, did not pursue the plans.

Bankman-Fried spokeswoman Mark Botnick declined to comment on the text, and Trump representatives did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Bankman-Fried has pled not guilty to seven counts of fraud and conspiracy related to the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange in November 2022.

He faces a statutory maximum punishment of 110 years in jail, however any sentence would be determined by the judge handling the case based on a variety of considerations, and he would very certainly receive significantly less.

The publication of Lewis book coincides with the opening of Bankman-Frieds fraud trial this week.
Following a gunfight in northern Kosovo that left four people dead, Serbia boosted the number of troops stationed there but has now pulled back some of them, according to army commander General Milan Mojsilovic on Monday.

Since Kosovo police engaged some 30 armed Serbs who had barricaded themselves inside a Serbian Orthodox monastery on September 24, near the northern Kosovo village of Banjska, tensions between Belgrade and Pristina have risen sharply. One police officer and three assailants were killed in that incident.

After a guerrilla rebellion and a 1999 NATO bombing campaign that drove out Serb security forces, the mostly Albanian Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, sparking fresh international anxiety for the stability of the region.

Serbia had deployed 8,350 troops near (the border)  with Kosovo,  and reduced them to 4,500 at the moment, Mojsilovic said.

He said that the army presence had reverted to normal in the so-called Ground Safety Zone, a 5 km (3 km) wide area within Serbia along the Kosovo border.

According to Mojsilovic, Serbia has not formally raised the level of readiness of its 22,500-member army.

Serbia was urged to reduce the number of troops stationed at the border by Kosovo on Saturday, while the US said it was keeping an eye on Serbias destabilising military buildup on Friday.

Pristina accused Serbia of giving the group that attacked Kosovo police funding and logistical support, which Belgrade rejected.

According to Mojsilovic, Milan Radoicic, a politician from the Kosovo Serb community who had acknowledged taking part in the fighting in Banjska, had not participated in army training.

In the northern part of Kosovo, there are some 50,000 Serbs who consider Belgrade to be their capital and who do not acknowledge Pristinas institutions. Although they have frequently clashed with the Kosovo police and foreign forces, the bloodshed on Sunday was the worst in years.

NATO announced on Friday that it had authorised additional forces to address the current situation despite the fact that it still maintains 4,500 troops in Kosovo.

(With agency inputs)
To express its displeasure over remarks made by Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russias SVR foreign intelligence service, before to the election on Saturday, Slovakias Foreign Ministry summoned a representative from the Russian embassy on Monday.

The comments, according to the ministry, were made amid a prohibition on pre-election material that may help or hurt candidates. It charged Russia with disinformation dissemination, which Russia denied.

In a statement posted to its website on September 28, the SVR claimed that the United States had given its allies orders to coordinate with regional political and business leaders in order to ensure the voting results demanded by the Americans and that the pro-Western liberal Progresivne Slovensko (Progressive Slovakia) should win.

The declaration referred to the group as U.S. proxies.

The department of diplomacy strongly protests against the false statement of Russian intelligence which cast doubt on the integrity of the free and democratic election in Slovakia, the Slovak ministry said.

We consider such deliberately spread disinformation to be unacceptable interference by the Russian Federation in the election process.

It urged Russia to stop spreading false information about Slovakia.

The Slovak accusations were denied by the Russian embassy in Slovakia.

Unlike some of Slovakias current allies, we do not interfere with internal affairs of other countries, we do not take part in regime changes and various colour revolutions, it said on Facebook.

The socialist former prime minister Robert Ficos SMER-SSD party received the most votes in the election on Saturday. Fico has vowed to stop Slovak military assistance to Ukraine and reject sanctions against Russia.

Slovakias progress was second. A request for comment to the SVR claims received no immediate response from the party.

President Zuzana Caputova gave Fico the go-ahead to start coalition government formation talks on Monday. The moderate-left HLAS party, which observers claim would temper any policy change, and a small group of pro-Russian nationalists are his most potential coalition partners.

(With agency inputs)
Several top Biden administration officials commended External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars devotion to the India-US relationship, calling him the architect of modern US-India relations.

These honors were bestowed upon External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at a special reception held by Indias Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. The event was attended by notable figures from the Biden administration, including US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, President Bidens domestic policy advisor Neera Tanden, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Dr. Rahul Gupta, and Director of the National Science Foundation Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan.

Jaishankar was in the United States from 22 September to 30 September, where he addressed the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York and met with several top US officials, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Ambassador Katherine Tai, and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Veteran diplomat Richard Verma emphasized the role of hard-working Indian Americans who have built the US-India ties and said, Its one of the most consequential relationships of this century. Do we have disagreements? You bet. Will we have bumps in the road? Of course. But two close friends aligned with these shared values, bonded together by the great ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther Kingthis is a partnership with staying power, with real impact, and that will continue to have an outside influence in the world.

The former envoy also praised Jaishankar as the architect behind the modern US-India relationship and exuded confidence that US-India strategic ties have enhanced under his watch.

I have also known (Jaishankar) for a long time over many capacities, and who I can also say, he is the architect of modern US-India relations. We would not be in the strong place that we are today, but for the external affairs minister, your leadership, Verma said in his public address.

At the Colors of Friendship event in Washington DC, Jaishankar addressed members of the Indian diaspora, underscoring the importance of people-to-people connections in building stronger bilateral ties.

Hundreds of diaspora members from across the United States also participated in the event. Giving credit to the Indian Americans, Jaishankar noted the importance of people-to-people connections in building stronger bilateral ties and that the Indian diaspora was a bridge between the two nations.

Bidens top advisor, a prominent Indian American in the White House, Neera Tandon said that its important that India and the US have a strong person-to-person, community-to-community leader relationship based on the strength of the diaspora and today the Indian Americans are throughout the administration at prominent positions.

In fact, you cant throw a stone in the White House and not hit an Indian American these days, Tandon told the diaspora.

Our community has honestly matured and recognized that we can participate and contribute in so many ways. And I think it is the strength of that relationship and the strength of the democratic participation that we are part of, that really builds on the US-India relationship. And it is an honor to be here with the foreign minister, Jaishankar, whos a great leader across so many issues and has recognized for years the important strength of the diaspora, she said.

Talking about Indian Ambassador to the US, Sandhu, Tandon said Hes one of the strongest ambassadors India has ever had. He is a real and fierce advocate for the US-India relationship and more importantly, an advocate for the US-India partnership.

Ahead of Gandhi Jayanti, Jaishankar also paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi here. The EAM and other guests made several remarks about the legacy of Gandhi.

Referring to the message of Satyagraha, Gupta said, Today were honoring the upcoming 104th birthday anniversary of whats also known as the International Day of Non-violence of Gandhiji. What becomes important to me, as think about it, is to think about where in the United States, we have had few leaders who have embodied the work of Mahatma Gandhi. But I think theres a lot more that people from the Indian diaspora can do to spread the word. So it becomes important once again to reflect upon the core values of Mahatma Gandhi, truth, Satyagraha.

US lawmakers Shri Thanedar and Rick McCormik, Democrat and Republican, were present at the event.
Hours after Kurdish militants claimed responsibility for the first bomb attack in the capital Ankara in years, Turkey claimed to have launched airstrikes on militant targets in northern Iraq and apprehended suspects in Istanbul overnight.

In Ankara, on Sunday morning, two assailants killed each other and two police officers when a device they were carrying exploded near government offices. The militant organisation known as the PKK, also known as the Kurdistan Workers Party, took ownership.

The PKKs tunnels, shelters, and depots in Iraqs Metina, Hakurk, Qandil, and Gara districts were among the 20 targets hit by airstrikes, according to the defence ministry, which claimed that several militants were neutralizeda phrase typically used to signify slain.

In recent years, Turkey has intensified military operations against the PKK in northern Iraq.

Turkey, the US, and the EU have all recognised the PKK as a terrorist organisation. In 1984, it began an insurgency in southeast Turkey, which has resulted in the deaths of almost 40,000 people.

CCTV images acquired by Reuters on Sunday showed a car pulling up in front of the interior ministrys main entrance in Ankara and one of its occupants hurriedly approaching the structure before being hit by an explosion.

According to the interior ministry, security personnel killed one attacker and the bomb killed the other. In an attack timed to the reopening of the assembly, the blast shook a neighbourhood that houses ministries and the parliament.

According to a statement from the interior ministry, one of the attackers was recognised as a PKK member, while efforts to identify the other attacker were ongoing. The statement also stated that numerous firearms, grenades, explosives, and a rocket launcher had been confiscated at the scene.

According to the report, the terrorists kidnapped the car and murdered its driver in Kayseri, 260 kilometres (161 miles) southeast of Ankara.

According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, 20 persons have already been seized in raids targeting PKK-linked suspects in Istanbul and abroad.

According to Yerlikaya on messaging platform X, those arrested include district chairmen of a sizable pro-Kurdish political organisation and a provincial Kurdish spokesman who is suspected of assisting and housing PKK members.

The website for ANF News, which is connected to the PKK, cited the militant group as saying in a statement on Sunday that a team from its Immortals Battalion unit had carried out the attack.

The bombing on Ataturk Boulevard was the first in Ankara since a wave of attacks in Turkish cities in 2016 that were carried out by Kurdish militants, the Islamic State, and other organisations.

Turkish military forces have engaged in a number of significant combat operations against Kurdish insurgents in northern Iraq and northern Syria in recent years.

On Sunday, President Tayyip Erdogan addressed parliament, saying that Turkey would continue to pursue its goal of creating a 30-km (19-mile) wide security strip outside its southern borders with Syria and Iraq and that new steps on this issue would eventually be taken.

At a reception in parliament, Defence Minister Yasar Guler said that Erdogan did not mention anything new when asked if his remarks hinted at future large-scale cross-border operations into Syria.

(With agency inputs)
After a bomb near the parliament building in Ankara injured two police officers earlier that day, Turkish jets started air strikes inside Iraqi Kurdistan late Sunday.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had already pledged in the hours following the explosion that terrorists would never achieve their goals.

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which Turkey and its Western allies have designated as a terrorist organization, claimed responsibility for the explosion. For four decades, it has conducted a lethal insurgency against Ankara.

The district targeted by the explosion houses numerous other ministries as well as the Turkish parliament, which reopened as scheduled in the afternoon with an address from Erdogan.

The villains who threaten the peace and security of citizens have not achieved their objectives and will never achieve them, Erdogan said.

The interior ministry said two attackers had arrived in a commercial vehicle around 9:30 am (0630 GMT) in front of the entrance gate of the General Directorate of Security of our Ministry of the Interior, and carried out a bomb attack.

One of the terrorists blew himself up, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told journalists outside the ministry. The other was killed by a bullet to the head before he had a chance to blow himself up.

Two police officers were lightly injured in the exchange of fire, but their lives were not in danger, he added.

The Ankara prosecutors office said it had opened an investigation and banned access to the area. Local media were asked to stop broadcasting images from the scene of the attack.

North Iraq strikes

In a statement to the ANF news agency, which is close to the Kurdish movement, the PKK said that a sacrificial action was carried out against the Turkish Interior Ministry.

On Sunday evening, an official in Iraqi Kurdistan reported Turkish army planes bombing parts of the Bradost region and the village of Badran.

Turkeys defence ministry acknowledged an air operation in northern Iraq to neutralise the PKK.

The ministry said that 20 targets used by terrorists had been destroyed.

In his opening remarks, Erdogan also slammed the European Union for stalling his countrys membership bid, stating that Turkey no longer expects anything from the European Union, which has kept us waiting at its door for 40 years.

We have kept all the promises we have made to the EU but they have kept almost none of theirs, he said, adding that he would not tolerate any new demands or conditions for his country to join the bloc.

Sweden NATO bid

This session of Turkeys parliament must also validate Swedens entry into the NATO alliance.

Hungary and Turkey in July lifted their vetoes against Swedens entry into the Atlantic alliance, but have been slow to ratify its membership.

Erdogan indicated in July that ratification by the Turkish parliament would not take place before October, but it is expected to be approved during this parliamentary year.

For months, Erdogan has been putting pressure on Sweden to take action against Koran desecrations that have strained relations between the two countries.

Swedens prime minister Ulf Kristersson was quick to pledge in a statement that his country once again confirms its commitment to long-term cooperation with Turkey in the fight against terrorism.

Numerous foreign leaders also voiced support for Turkey after the attack, with messages of support coming from Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States embassy in Ankara.

The Turkish capital has been the scene of several attacks, particularly during the years 2015 and 2016  many claimed by the PKK or the Islamic State group.

The PKK has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 in a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

In October 2015 an attack in front of a central station in Ankara claimed by the Islamic State group killed 109 people.

The most recent bomb attack in Turkey was in a shopping street in Istanbul in November 2022, where six were killed and 81 were injured.
According to government authorities, Britain has signed contracts worth 4 billion pounds ($4.8 billion) to fund a new phase of the SSN-AUKUS next-generation attack submarine project.

The accords, which involve British corporations BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and Babcock, are part of the AUKUS military alliance formed by the US, Australia, and the UK to fight China in the Asia-Pacific area.

(The) submarines will empower the Royal Navy to maintain our strategic advantage under the sea, UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said at the Conservative Partys annual conference in Manchester on Sunday.

Last March, AUKUS officials announced the collaborative submarine project, which will see Australia replace its diesel-powered submarines with nuclear-powered submarines with significantly greater stealth and range.

The concept calls for Australia to buy US nuclear-powered submarines and then create a new type using US and British technologies.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised it as the most important multilateral defence agreement for generations.

In a separate statement, BAE Systems said that the future SSN-AUKUS will be the largest, most powerful and most advanced submarine supplied to the Royal Navy.

The British military equipment maker said the investment will cover development work until 2028, and the recruitment of more than 5,000 people at its Barrow-in-Furness site in northern England.

The first examples of this submarine are due to be delivered in the late 2030s.

Nuclear-powered submarines are difficult to detect, can travel great distances for long periods, and can carry sophisticated cruise missiles.
With Russia diverting more and more resources to the Ukraine war, military expenditure will account for almost one third of Russias total budget expenditure in 2024, the governments draft plans show.

Russia also plans to ramp up state borrowing to help fund what it calls a special military operation in Ukraine in the coming years and is counting on a recovery in oil and gas revenues to pre-invasion levels to do so.

Spending under the national defence section of Russias budget will total 10.78 trillion roubles ($109 billion) next year, or 29.4% of total planned expenditure of 36.66 trillion roubles, according to the finance ministrys budget documents that outline the governments fiscal plans for 2024-2026.

In 2021, the year before Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine, defence spending totalled 3.57 trillion roubles, 14.4% of total spending. In 2022, the share of defence spending rose to 17.7%, data on Russias electronic budget page showed earlier this year.

Spending figures for 2022 were subsequently removed from the online budget portal. The most up-to-date data for 2023 was published as part of the finance ministrys 2024-26 budget plans.

The finance ministry has allocated 6.41 trillion roubles to defence in 2023, or 21.2% of total budget expenditure of 30.27 trillion roubles, but Finance Minister Anton Siluanov last week said total spending would be above plan at around 33.5 trillion roubles.

That may mean that defence spending will also be significantly higher than first envisaged.

Moscow doubled its target for defence spending in 2023 to 9.7 trillion roubles, Reuters reported exclusively in August, citing a government document.

The budgets structure shows that the main emphasis is on ensuring our victory  the army, defence capability, armed forces, fighters  everything needed for the front, everything needed for victory is in the budget, Siluanov said last week.

This is a big strain for the budget, not a small one, but it is our absolute priority.

(With agency inputs)
Russia claimed on Monday that the United States Congress decision to approve a stopgap spending package without aid for Kyiv did not portend a quick turnaround in Washingtons multibillion-dollar support for Ukraine.

They will continue their support, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, according to state news agency TASS. We should not think that anything has changed: its just a show for the public, its just noise.

Fundamentally, Washingtons focus on supporting its client in Kyiv is not changing, Ryabkov said.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has provided more over $43.9 billion in security aid, including missiles, artillery, ammunition, and information.

President Vladimir Putin has prepared the Russian economy for a protracted conflict by stepping up weapon production and defence spending. He claims that the West will fail in its attempt to defeat Russian forces in Ukraine.

Additionally, Ryabkov warned that American-made missiles previously covered by the INF treaty, which is no longer in effect, might be seen in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

In 2019, Washington withdrew from the agreement. Since then, Russia has declared that it wont use these weapons as long as Washington doesnt.

(With agency inputs)
Top Republican Kevin McCarthy said on Sunday that he expects to withstand a challenge to his speakership after a hardline critic within his party called for his resignation following the passing of a stopgap government funding package that received more Democratic support than Republican support.

Hardline Republican Representative Matt Gaetz told multiple US media outlets he would file a motion to vacate, a call for a vote to remove McCarthy as speaker of the House of Representatives, which his party controls by a narrow 221-212 margin.

Ill survive, McCarthy said on CBS. This is personal with Gaetz.

Former President Donald Trump, who had encouraged Republicans in Congress to work for a government shutdown unless their budget demands were met, on Sunday said. Republicans got very little out of the temporary government-funding deal reached this weekend and that they needed to get tougher.

Asked at a campaign stop in Ottumwa, Iowa, whether he would support a move by Gaetz to strip McCarthy of his speakership, Trump said, I dont know anything about those efforts but I like both of them very much. Trump added that McCarthy has said some very great things about me.

Gaetz is one of approximately two dozen hardliners who forced McCarthy to undergo 15 rounds of voting before he was elected speaker in January, during which they extracted concessions such as a rule change that allows any House member to call for a vote to impeach the speaker.

It was unclear how many votes McCarthy would receive in such a vote, or whether any Democrats would support him. McCarthy enraged Democrats last month when he launched an impeachment investigation on President Joe Biden.

If at this time next week Kevin McCarthy is still speaker of the House, it will be because Democrats bailed him out, Gaetz said in an interview on ABC. I am relentless and I will continue to pursue this objective.

McCarthy stunned Washington on Saturday when he backed a bill to fund the government through Nov. 17, averting a partial shutdown but not imposing any of the spending cuts or changes to border security that his hardline colleagues had called for.

The bill, which was approved by the Senate on a broad bipartisan basis and signed into law by Biden, is meant to give lawmakers more time to agree on a deal to fund the government through Sept. 30, 2024.

An ouster of the speaker would complicate that process.

It is destructive to the country to put forth this motion to vacate, Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican, said on ABC. By putting this motion to vacate on the floor, you know what Matt Gaetz is going to do? He is going to delay the ability to complete that work over the next 45 days.

Gaetz had been threatening to move against McCarthy for weeks.

Republican Representative Byron Donalds, a member of the hardline House Freedom Caucus who had been nominated to challenge McCarthy for speaker in January, declined to say how he would vote.

I dont know right now, Donalds said in an interview on Fox. I gotta really think about that because theres a lot of stuff going on.

Go ahead and try

McCarthy decided to bring a vote on a measure that could win Democratic support, knowing full well that it could jeopardize his job. One of his advisers told Reuters the speaker believed some hardliners would try to oust him under any circumstances.

Go ahead and try, McCarthy said in comments directed at his opponents on Saturday. You know what? If I have to risk my job for standing up for the American public, I will do that.

The bipartisan measure succeeded a day after Republican Representative Andy Biggs, a leading hardliner, and 20 others blocked a Republican stopgap bill that contained sharp spending cuts and immigration and border restrictions, all of which hardliners favor.

The bills failure ended Republican hopes of moving a conservative measure and opened the door to the bipartisan measure that was backed by 209 House Democrats and 126 Republicans. Ninety Republicans opposed the stopgap.

Hardliners complained that the measure, known as a continuing resolution, or CR, left in place policies favored by Democrats, including Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Democratic response unclear

It was not clear what action Democrats might take if a Republican moved to vacate the chair and the House voted on the measure.

Some Democrats have suggested they could support McCarthy if an ouster attempt occurred at a turbulent time. Others have suggested they could back a moderate Republican willing to share the gavel with them and allow power sharing within House committees. Others have shown no interest in helping any speaker candidate aside from House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.

US Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, a leading progressive Democrat, said her party was unlikely to help McCarthy keep his job without receiving concessions from Republicans.

I dont think we give up votes for free, Ocasio-Cortez told CNNs State of the Union.

Asked if she would vote on a measure to oust McCarthy, Ocasio-Cortez said: Would I cast that vote? Absolutely. Absolutely. I think Kevin McCarthy is a very weak Speaker. He clearly has lost control of his caucus.
A social media influencer known for exposing alleged child sexual predators in his videos online was allegedly shot dead by two teenagers following a confrontation bid inside a Michigan restaurant.

Robert Wayne Lee, 40, aka Boopac Shakur reportedly conducted covert investigations by posing a 15-year-old girl to trap paedophiles into meetings.

According to reports, Lee had over 50,000 followers online and in the past few years, he had exposed over 132 such suspects. He was even warned by police to not get involved in such probes over concerns that he could also harm himself.

In the recent incident, which led to his untimely death, Lee approached two young men at a restaurant and accused one of them of being a paedophile.

He also punched him which prompted the man to pull out a knife, officials said. Amid the scuffle, the other man allegedly pulled out a pistol and shot Lee several times, law enforcement officials revealed.

Following the shooting, the duo fled the scene while Lee was taken to a hospital, where he pronounced dead at arrival.

The teenagers, one aged 17 and the other 18, were later arrested but their identities were withheld by police. The sheriffs office said investigators believe the 17-year-old was the shooter.

Fans and friends flooded Lees Facebook page after his death. Even though some of his encounters led to arrests, local officials said his practices put himself and others at risk.

Reports reveal that a variety of people including Lee drew his inspiration from an NBC show How To Catch a Predator, which ran from 2004 to 2008. The show, however, had ended after one of the targets killed himself.

But, the concept, however, became more and more popular on the internet, also because people were just being introduced to social media and its peculiarities.

As a result, many like lee employed the modus operandi of the show to become popular in the local community and social media.

As per cops, they never welcomed the suo-moto action of the public and ensured timely warnings against this particular kind of activism.

As per a Washington Post report, a recent uptick in the practice has been fuelled by right-wing rhetoric about people grooming children and the need to save the children.

It comes with risk. Predator catchers have caught those meaning to harm children, but some have also been shot or ruined the lives of innocent people.

Lee was just one of many whom police urged to stop hunting paedophiles online.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard told The Oakland Press in January that Lee meant and did well  Bouchard said Lees videos had led to four arrests  but the sheriff advised against the practice because it could spoil a prosecution and most importantly it can be dangerous.

One of Lees successful targets was an Oakland County sheriffs deputy working in the county jail, according to the reports. The deputy was charged with one count of accosting a child for immoral purposes.

After Lees death, Bouchard maintained his stance that the activities were, on balance, not helpful.

While we certainly understand his desire to hold child predators accountable, many times well intentioned individuals who engaged in this dont know the standard of evidence required for convictions and often underestimate the potential for violence confronting a suspected predator, Bouchard said.
An airplane struck and killed a woman who was reportedly riding a lawnmower at a small Oklahoma airport.

During a flight to Broken Bow Airport on Friday, Samantha Hayes, 27, was struck and killed by the wing of a 1972 Bananza A36.

James Baxter, the 70-year-old pilot of the plane, was preparing to land at Broken Bow Airport when he spotted Hayes in the field on her mower.

Hayes was fatally struck in the head by the wing of the plane after Baxter failed to get the wing over her, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Hayes was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident after suffering head injuries. Although Broken Bow Airport has no air traffic control, its unclear whether Hayes worked there.

Facebook users described Hayes as a single mother and a devoted friend. Samantha Hayes was a wonderful great mom to her 3 babies! She was a single mom who worked hard to give them a safe and loving home! These babies knew they were loved everyday all day! wrote Darlene Tadleigh, a friend.

Baxter, the pilot, was not injured. The FAA has no age limits for people to fly planes, though commercial airlines are banned from employing anyone over the age of 65.

No further information has been revealed about Baxter and no charges have been filed against him.

The Oklahoma department of public safety is yet to respond on the incident as a investigation is underway.
Recent events in the US and Europe, both West and the East, added to surveys conducted among the populace of these regions dont augur well for Ukraine. The mix of omens for Ukraine becomes darker when the internal political compulsions of these countries is considered. Ukraine itself has not helped matters, childishly attacking the likes of Poland on open forums, such as the United Nations General Assembly.

Opinion polls unfavourable for Ukraine

Surveys among Americans and major countries of western Europe have thrown up findings that indicate that people no more support measures to help Ukraine, especially military and monetary aid to help Ukraine fight Russia with the same enthusiasm that was seen earlier. These surveys were carried out by Bruegel. They evidence that people in countries such as Poland, Italy, Germany, France and Spain are slowly but certainly growing weary of financial aid to Ukraine.

Europes bills have grown on a number of counts, primary being the energy prices, directly attributable to the Ukraine-Russia war, which have added to the economic morass that global slowdown has slapped. The cost-of-living crisis is not over yet.

Domestic politics: lets take care of ourselves, first

This leads to the next problematic point for Ukraine. The direct fallout of this crisis is an anti-Ukraine rhetoric that Opposition parties in these countries have amped up  lets take care of ourselves, first. The narrative has started resonating with people as several significant European players and the US are heading for general polls to decide their next national leadership.

In the latest example of how internal political compulsions can wreck hitherto dominant policy stance on Ukraine is the US shutdown deal that has left Kyiv hanging out to dry. While President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was recently in Washington to drum up support for more aid, the compromise deal has dropped new funding for Ukraine amid solid opposition from hardline Republicans. Despite vehement exhortations from President Joe Biden, the wider message that has gone out to the larger world: not just Republicans, even Democrats can leave Kyiv in the cold owing to compulsions of domestic politics in the run up to the 2024 presidential elections.

I want to assure our American allies, the American people and the people in Ukraine that you can count on our support. We will not walk away, Biden tried to assuage Ukraine in an address from the White House.

Ukraine downplayed this. Simply, since, it cannot attempt to deal with the US with the same callousness as with Poland and Slovakia. Moreover, Ukraine has seen its aggressive, rather than sensitive, handling of these two countries has cost it dearly. Sentiments dont rule diplomacy. Gaffes, more so public ones, in international diplomacy never bear desirable outcomes.

Diplomatic mess with Poland, Slovakia

Zelenskyy, speaking at the UNGA, angrily said aid from some of its allies as sheer tokenism; that they were not wholeheartedly with Kyivs war effort. This did not go down well with Poland and Slovakia.

Actually, all parties here played into Russias hands. Russia pulled out to the Black Sea Grain Deal and that created a lot of tension in Europe, especially eastern. The withdrawal meant that Ukrainian grain had to travel via land across Eastern Europe. This pulled the prices of grains in these countries down as a lot of Ukrainian grain landed in their domestic markets at cheaper rates.

As a concession, the European Commission, granted some protection to these countries by allowing them to cease import of grains such as wheat and corn. Effectively, Ukrainian grains could transit through Eastern Europe, but could not be sold or stored here.

This restriction, though was lifted in September, but several countries, including Poland, decided to stick to them. This angered Kyiv, which went on to lodge law suits against these countries with the World Trade Organisation.

It was in this backdrop that Zelenskyy lost it in the UNGA. Consequently, Poland first gave a dressing down to Ukraines ambassador in Warsaw, and went on to stop military assistance to Ukraine. Polands PM said he wanted to shore up his own countrys defences.

On the other hand, Slovakias populist party headed by ex-PM Roberto Fico that wanted to stop military aid Ukraine has won the elections and come to power.

Putin and Trump are bad news for Kyiv

Analysts, therefore, believe that the West might to tiring of supporting Ukraine and bear the humungous cost it puts on it. This, they believe, is also Russian President Vladimir Putins planthe long game, wherein he protracts the war longer and longer, with no end in sight. This would exhaust Wests patience and fray military and monetary assistance to Ukraine.

The Trump factor has further rounded this problem off to a seemingly bad end for Ukraine. Trump, everyone knows, is no fan of funding the war. His comeback is now being seen, domestically as well as in Europe, as a possible outcome of the US presidential polls, and this is generating bad vibes globally against Kyiv.

The author is News Editor, Firstpost. He tweets from @SiddharthaRai2. Views expressed are personal.
Khalistan supporters on Monday gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London and staged a protest. British security forces were deployed at the scene, and the protesters were restricted to the opposite side of the High Commission.

Watch:

#WATCH | Khalistan supporters have gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London, UK staging a protest. Heavy presence of British security forces at the High Commission. The protesters have been restricted to the opposite side of the High Commission. pic.twitter.com/RfIGXlneHi  ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

This comes days after the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, was stopped by Khalistani activists from entering a Gurdwara in Scotlands Glasgow.

Also Read: Khalistani activists stop Indian high commissioner from entering UK gurudwara

India promptly reported the incident to the the British government, urging them to take decisive measures against those responsible for the incident.

On Sunday, the General Secretary of Glasgow Gurudwara, Prabhjot Kaur, issued a public statement condemning the radical Sikh activists.

Certain unknown individuals from outside the Glasgow area attempted to disrupt this visit. Following this, the visiting party decided to leave the premises. After the departure of the visitors, these unruly individuals tenured to disturb the Gurdwara congregation, Kaur said.

With inputs from agencies
Narcolepsy, cancer, or mRNA vaccine research could win the Nobel Medicine Prize on Monday, when a week of announcements begins, but there is no clear frontrunner for the Nobel Peace Prize, according to analysts.

The Nobel Prizes were established in 1901 by Swedish inventor and philanthropist Alfred Nobel in his 1895 will to honor people who had conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.

The Medicine Prize will be announced first, around 11:30 a.m. (0930 GMT) on Monday, followed by the awards for physics on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday, and literature on Thursday.

The Peace Prize, the most awaited Nobel and the only one announced in Oslo, will be announced on Friday, followed by the Economics Prize on October 9.

Over the years, the Medicine Prize has recognized important discoveries such as the X-ray, penicillin, insulin, and DNA, as well as now-discredited prizes for the lobotomy and the insecticide DDT.

Several Nobel watchers believe this years prize will go to narcolepsy research and the discovery of orexin, a neuropeptide that helps regulate sleep.

It could potentially go to Hungarian-born Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman of the United States for research that led directly to Pfizer and Modernas first mRNA vaccines against Covid-19.

Their finding has already received a plethora of important medical accolades, but the Nobel committee now frequently waits decades to bestow its honors in order to ensure that the science stands the test of time.

Maybe the Academy thinks it needs to look into it more, but someday they should win, predicted Annika Ostman, science reporter at Swedish public radio SR.

Gene engineering and IceCube telescope

But Ostman said her guess for this year was on Kevan Shokat, an American biologist who figured out how to block the KRAS cancer gene behind a third of cancers, including challenging-to-treat lung, colon, and pancreatic tumours.

T-cell therapy for cancer treatment and work on the human microbiome could also be contenders, said David Pendlebury, head of the Clarivate analytics group which identifies Nobel-worthy research.

There are more people deserving of a Nobel Prize than there are Nobels to go around, he told AFP.

Lars Brostrom, Ostmans colleague at SR, singled out two American biologists, Stanislas Leibler and Michael Elowitz, for their work on synthetic gene circuits which established the field of synthetic biology.

It enables scientists to redesign organisms by engineering them to have new abilities.

But Brostrom noted the field could be seen as controversial, raising ethical questions about where to draw the line in creating life.

For the Physics Prize, twisted graphene or the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica were seen as possible winners, as well as the development of high-density data storage in the field of spintronics.

Peace Prize to Iranian women?

For Wednesdays Chemistry Prize, Pendlebury suggested next-generation DNA sequencing could get the nod, or research into how to target and deliver drugs to genes.

Brostrom said he would love to see it go to US-based chemist Omar Yaghi for his work into porous materials known as MOFs, which can absorb poisonous gases or harvest water from desert air, and is an important field for the future with enormous potential for the environment.

Criticism over a lack of gender and geographical diversity has plagued the Nobels over the years.

US-based men have dominated the science fields, while women account for just six percent of overall laureates  something the various award committees insist they are addressing.

Among the names making the rounds for Thursdays Literature Prize are Russian author and outspoken Putin critic Lyudmila Ulitskaya, Chinese avant-garde writer Can Xue, British author Salman Rushdie, Caribbean-American writer Jamaica Kincaid and Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse.

But for the Peace Prize, experts have been scratching their heads over possible winners, as conflicts rage around the globe.

Some have pointed to the Iranian women protesting since the death in custody a year ago of Mahsa Amini, arrested for violating Irans strict dress code imposed on women.

Others suggest organisations documenting war crimes in Ukraine, or the International Criminal Court, which could one day be called upon to judge them.

I think that climate change is a really good focus for the Peace Prize this year, Dan Smith, the head of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, told AFP after a year of extreme weather around the world.

For the Economics Prize, research on income and wealth inequality could be honoured.
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. eclair



Originating in France in the 19th century, the eclair's name itself means "flash of lightning" in French, possibly alluding to the quickness with which one can devour this delicious treat. The pastry is characterized by its elongated shape, made from choux pastry dough that is baked until it becomes light and airy, creating a hollow interior. After baking, eclairs are typically filled with rich, velvety pastry cream, which can come in a variety of flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, or coffee.



The exterior of the eclair is often coated with a glossy icing made from chocolate or flavored glaze, adding a sweet and slightly crunchy contrast to the creamy interior. The result is a blend of textures and flavors. Eclairs are enjoyed worldwide and can be found in many bakeries and patisseries, often served as a delightful dessert or indulgent snack. Originating in France in the 19th century, the eclair's name itself means "flash of lightning" in French, possibly alluding to the quickness with which one can devour this delicious treat. The pastry is characterized by its elongated shape, made from choux pastry dough that is baked until it becomes light and airy, creating a hollow interior. After baking, eclairs are typically filled with rich, velvety pastry cream, which can come in a variety of flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, or coffee.The exterior of the eclair is often coated with a glossy icing made from chocolate or flavored glaze, adding a sweet and slightly crunchy contrast to the creamy interior. The result is a blend of textures and flavors. Eclairs are enjoyed worldwide and can be found in many bakeries and patisseries, often served as a delightful dessert or indulgent snack.

2. streusel



Streusel is a pastry topping renowned for its sweet and crumbly texture that adds a burst of flavor to a variety of baked goods, and the goods themselves are often referred to colloquially as "streusel". The topping originated in Germany, where it was traditionally used with coffee cakes and fruit-filled desserts. The name "streusel" itself comes from the German word "streuen", which means to sprinkle, reflecting its application as a sprinkled topping.



The taste of streusel is characterized by its buttery richness, combined with a sugary sweetness and a subtle hint of cinnamon or spices, depending on the recipe. To make streusel, a simple mixture of flour, sugar, and cold butter is combined and crumbled by hand or with a pastry cutter until it forms coarse, crumbly clumps. Sometimes, chopped nuts, oats, or spices are added for extra flavor and texture. This streusel mixture is generously sprinkled over muffins, pies, or coffee cakes before baking, creating a crispy golden-brown color.

3. scone



Scones are a delicious pastry renowned for their delicate and crumbly texture, often enjoyed as an addition to afternoon tea or breakfast. These baked goods have their origins in the United Kingdom, particularly Scotland, where they have been a staple since the early 16th century. The term "scone" is believed to have originated from the Dutch word "schoonbrot", which means "beautiful bread".



Scones are subtly sweet, with a hint of buttery richness that complements their light and airy interior. Scones can be customized with various add-ins, such as dried fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips. To make scones, a simple dough is prepared by mixing flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Cold butter is then incorporated into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Liquid, typically milk or cream, is added to bring the dough together. It's then rolled out, cut into rounds or wedges, and baked until golden brown. Scones can be served plain or accompanied by clotted cream and jam, creating a classic British treat known as "cream tea".

4. madeleine



The madeleine is a delicate pastry known for its dainty shell-like shape. Its origins trace back to France, specifically to the town of Commercy in the 18th century, where a cook named Madeleine is said to have created these delectable treats. Madeleines have a unique and captivating taste profile, characterized by a light, buttery, and sponge-like texture. They offer a subtle hint of vanilla and lemon zest, providing a delicate sweetness without overwhelming the palate.



To make madeleines, a simple batter is prepared by mixing flour, sugar, eggs, and melted butter, along with a touch of baking powder and flavorings like vanilla extract and lemon zest. The batter is then chilled to enhance its texture, and it's piped into special madeleine molds, which give the pastries their distinctive scalloped shape. Once baked, madeleines develop a golden-brown crust with a tender crumb interior. Madeleines are often enjoyed as a light and elegant dessert, perfect for pairing with a cup of tea or coffee. The madeleine is a delicate pastry known for its dainty shell-like shape. Its origins trace back to France, specifically to the town of Commercy in the 18th century, where a cook named Madeleine is said to have created these delectable treats. Madeleines have a unique and captivating taste profile, characterized by a light, buttery, and sponge-like texture. They offer a subtle hint of vanilla and lemon zest, providing a delicate sweetness without overwhelming the palate.To make madeleines, a simple batter is prepared by mixing flour, sugar, eggs, and melted butter, along with a touch of baking powder and flavorings like vanilla extract and lemon zest. The batter is then chilled to enhance its texture, and it's piped into special madeleine molds, which give the pastries their distinctive scalloped shape. Once baked, madeleines develop a golden-brown crust with a tender crumb interior. Madeleines are often enjoyed as a light and elegant dessert, perfect for pairing with a cup of tea or coffee.

5. cannoli



Cannoli are an iconic Italian dessert with their origins in Sicily, where they have been enjoyed since the Middle Ages. Cannoli's name is derived from the Italian word "canna", meaning "cane" or "tube", reflecting their distinctive tubular shape. The taste of cannoli is a delightful blend of sweet and creamy, with a crunchy texture.



To make cannoli, a crispy and flaky pastry dough is rolled into thin sheets and then wrapped around metal or wooden tubes, which are later deep-fried to perfection. The result is a golden-brown, crispy shell that is airy and delicate. The filling is a creamy blend typically made from ricotta cheese, sugar, and flavorings like vanilla or citrus zest. Sometimes, cannoli are adorned with chocolate chips, candied fruits, or chopped nuts. Cannoli are often enjoyed as a dessert treat, and their sweet and creamy interior perfectly pairs the crispness of the shell.

6. mille-feuille



Mille-feuille, also known as a Napoleon pastry, is a layered French dessert. The name "mille-feuille" translates to "a thousand leaves", describing the pastry's distinctive layering. It consists of crisp and flaky puff pastry layers, alternating with rich and velvety pastry cream, often flavored with vanilla.



The making of mille-feuille involves several steps. First, sheets of puff pastry are baked until they turn golden and airy. Once cooled, they are carefully layered with generous portions of pastry cream. The top layer is traditionally dusted with powdered sugar or glazed with fondant for a touch of sweetness and pizzazz. Some variations also include fruit fillings, chocolate ganache, or almond paste. Mille-feuille is known for its elegant appearance and balance of textures and flavors. Its crispy pastry layers provide a delightful contrast to the smooth, creamy interior.

7. profiterole



Profiteroles are bite-sized wonders that find their origins in France, where they are also referred to as "choux a la creme". They have been enjoyed since the 17th century, gracing the tables of French royalty and eventually becoming a beloved dessert around the world. Profiteroles are characterized by their light and crisp choux pastry shells, which encase a luscious, creamy filling, often made from vanilla pastry cream or whipped cream.



To make profiteroles, a choux pastry dough is prepared by boiling water, butter, flour, and a pinch of salt. Eggs are then added to create a smooth, elastic dough. The dough is piped or spooned into small rounds and baked until they puff up and become golden brown. Once cooled, the pastry shells are usually filled with the creamy filling using a pastry bag, and sometimes they are drizzled with chocolate ganache or powdered sugar for an extra layer of sweetness. Profiteroles are often served solo, arranged in rows, or piled high on a plate. Profiteroles are bite-sized wonders that find their origins in France, where they are also referred to as "choux a la creme". They have been enjoyed since the 17th century, gracing the tables of French royalty and eventually becoming a beloved dessert around the world. Profiteroles are characterized by their light and crisp choux pastry shells, which encase a luscious, creamy filling, often made from vanilla pastry cream or whipped cream.To make profiteroles, a choux pastry dough is prepared by boiling water, butter, flour, and a pinch of salt. Eggs are then added to create a smooth, elastic dough. The dough is piped or spooned into small rounds and baked until they puff up and become golden brown. Once cooled, the pastry shells are usually filled with the creamy filling using a pastry bag, and sometimes they are drizzled with chocolate ganache or powdered sugar for an extra layer of sweetness. Profiteroles are often served solo, arranged in rows, or piled high on a plate.

8. churro



Churros are a beloved pastry renowned for their crispy, golden-brown exterior and salty-sweet taste. These delightful treats have their origins in Spain, where they have been enjoyed since the 16th century. The name "churro" is thought to be derived from the Spanish word "churra", which refers to a breed of sheep known for its textured, curly wool, resembling the pastry's twisted shape. Taste-wise, churros offer a perfect combination of sweetness and warmth. They are made from a simple dough of flour, water, and salt, which is piped through a star-shaped nozzle and deep-fried until they achieve a crispy, golden perfection.



Churros are typically dusted with a generous amount of sugar and often flavored with a hint of cinnamon. Some variations even include a filling of chocolate or dulce de leche. Churros are commonly enjoyed as a street food, served in paper cones or bags, and are often accompanied by a cup of hot chocolate or a sweet dipping sauce.

9. palmier



Palmiers, also known as elephant ears or palm leaves, are a cookie-like pastry known for their sweet and crunchy taste. These delightful treats are believed to have originated in France, where they were named "palmiers" due to their resemblance to palm leaves. The taste of palmiers is characterized by a delicate balance of flavors. They are made from puff pastry dough that is generously coated with sugar, which caramelizes during baking, resulting in a crisp and golden exterior with a sweet, caramelized crunch.



To make palmiers, a sheet of puff pastry dough is rolled out, and a generous layer of sugar is evenly spread over it. The dough is then folded from both sides towards the center, creating two rolls that meet in the middle. The roll is sliced into thin rounds and baked until they puff up and turn golden brown. The result is a pastry with a butterfly-like shape, featuring multiple layers of flaky pastry and a caramelized sugar exterior. Their sweet and crispy texture makes them a popular choice for a variety of occasions, from breakfast to dessert.

10. baklava



Baklava is known for its rich and sweet taste, with a history that can be traced back to ancient times. Its origins are often attributed to the Middle East, with some claiming that it dates back to the Assyrians around 8th century B.C., while others believe it has ancient Greek roots. This pastry's name likely originates from the Farsi word "baqlawa", which means "to tie" or "to wrap". It consists of layers of thin phyllo dough, brushed with butter or oil, and stacked together with a generous filling of chopped nuts, often including walnuts, pistachios, or almonds.



When making baklava, the layered pastry is cut into squares or diamond shapes before baking. After baking to a golden brown, it is drenched in a fragrant syrup made from sugar, water, and sometimes flavored with lemon juice, orange blossom water, or rosewater. This syrup soaks into the layers, infusing the pastry with sweetness and moisture. Once cooled, baklava becomes an irresistible dessert that boasts a delightful blend of crispy, flaky layers and the nutty richness of the filling, all soaked in the sweet and aromatic syrup. Baklava is known for its rich and sweet taste, with a history that can be traced back to ancient times. Its origins are often attributed to the Middle East, with some claiming that it dates back to the Assyrians around 8th century B.C., while others believe it has ancient Greek roots. This pastry's name likely originates from the Farsi word "baqlawa", which means "to tie" or "to wrap". It consists of layers of thin phyllo dough, brushed with butter or oil, and stacked together with a generous filling of chopped nuts, often including walnuts, pistachios, or almonds.When making baklava, the layered pastry is cut into squares or diamond shapes before baking. After baking to a golden brown, it is drenched in a fragrant syrup made from sugar, water, and sometimes flavored with lemon juice, orange blossom water, or rosewater. This syrup soaks into the layers, infusing the pastry with sweetness and moisture. Once cooled, baklava becomes an irresistible dessert that boasts a delightful blend of crispy, flaky layers and the nutty richness of the filling, all soaked in the sweet and aromatic syrup.

11. canele



Canele has its roots in the Bordeaux region of France, with its creation often attributed to the nuns of the L'Annonciade convent in the 18th century. It features a caramelized, crispy exterior that provides a sweet and slightly crunchy contrast to its tender, custardy interior. The filling is infused with flavors of vanilla and rum, imparting a warm and aromatic richness.



A special copper mold is traditionally used when baking canele. The batter is prepared by combining ingredients such as milk, sugar, flour, eggs, vanilla, and rum. The mixture is allowed to rest for several hours or even overnight to develop its flavors. The batter is then poured into the greased molds and baked at a high temperature until the caneles develop their signature caramelized crust and custard-like center. The result is a small, cylindrical pastry that boasts a harmonious balance of flavors and textures.

12. Berliner



The Berliner, also called "Berliner Pfannkuchen" in German, is a famous pastry celebrated for its sweet taste and cultural significance. Its origins can be traced back to Germany, specifically Berlin, where it has been a beloved treat since the 18th century. Taste-wise, the Berliner consists of a fluffy and light yeast dough, typically flavored with a hint of lemon zest or vanilla, which is deep-fried until it achieves a golden-brown, crispy exterior.



Once fried, Berliners are often filled with a variety of sweet fillings, such as fruit jam, custard, chocolate, or even cream cheese. They are then dusted with powdered sugar or coated in granulated sugar, adding a touch of sweetness. To make a Berliner, the dough is first prepared by mixing ingredients like flour, yeast, milk, sugar, and eggs. The dough is then allowed to rise before being shaped into rounds and fried until they puff up and turn golden brown. Berliners are commonly enjoyed as a breakfast pastry or as a sweet snack, and their variations in fillings provide a delightful surprise with each bite.

Source: Author trident This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor jmorrow before going online.Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2023.
As Christchurchs only purpose-built nightclub, Hide Club is an all-inclusive safe space for those looking to experience quality live electronic music. Taking inspiration from European nightclubs, Hide is equipped with a spacious dance floor, a quad-stacked L-Acoustics sound system, an in-house lighting array, and an immersive in-room performance booth. In addition to this Hide also has a second zone upstairs which provides for intimate techno sessions and/or private events/green room duties.
Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka has said that the order from a United States court directing Chicago State University to release the academic records of President Bola Tinubu to the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 presidential elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is a national disgrace.Reacting to the court order on his official social media pages, Chidoka said it is worrisome that the Department of States Services, National Intelligence Agency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Embassy of Nigeria with its staff in Washington DC could not unravel the circumstances surrounding the academic history of the President, leaving the task for the Atiku.

The former minister also said that the leadership and relevant institutions of this country should bow their heads in shame, if eventually it was discovered the occupier of the nations number one office forged his certificates.He wrote;

Quote

"The US Court Proceedings On Order Directing Discovery from CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY: A National Embarrassment



I speak as a Nigerian. That it took the courageous activism of HE. Abubakar Atiku to force the discovery of information concerning the President of Nigeria is a disgrace to our national institutions.



As a nation, we have a full retinue of staff at the Department of the State Security, the National Intelligence Agency, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Embassy of Nigeria with the full complement of staff in Washington DC and the Nigerian Judiciary that have variously ruled on matters concerning President Tinubu's academic qualifications. Yet, we can not have a definitive conclusion about whether he has the academic qualifications he claimed he had or not. Disgraceful.



That all the aforementioned institutions allowed a man to be sworn in without definitive statements about his qualifications is a national tragedy. For 23 years the issue of President Tinubu has been a recurring decimal in our national equation. Under his reign, a current youth corps member is serving as Minister, and people under investigation by EFCC and made public are sitting in the Federal Executive Council. And they all passed through security screening.



The office of the President of Nigeria is so important both in its moral authority and its strategic importance to our national security and safety that nobody who has possible blind spots that can make him or her a potential asset for foreign intelligence or governments should be allowed a mile near that office. This should be a primary burden on all our national institutions. Legal technicalities and silence by state institutions should be deemed high treason.



It highlights my previous statement that a constitutional amendment to finish all electoral cases before the assumption of office is now a matter of urgent national priority. The current disgraceful proceedings against a Nigerian President in a foreign court under election petition matters are damaging to our collective moral and legal standing as a people.



If it turns out tomorrow that our President presented a forged certificate to INEC, Nigerians will bow down their heads globally in shame. On the other hand, if it turns out that his certificate is genuine, again our reputation as a people is still in tatters because of the failure of national institutions to perform due diligence no matter who is involved. On both counts it reinforces global perceptions and prejudice against Nigerians. We all bear the burden.



A forged certificate finding leaves President Tinubu in a vulnerable position morally and legally. As he did not present primary and secondary certificates to INEC, a forged CSU certificate makes him unqualified to stand for the office of President as he does not possess the minimum qualification S.131(D) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. of course, the next issue is the case of perjury, the presentation of false documents under oath.



How INEC, accepted a university degree without the qualifying certificates would continue to be a national mystery. A language in our electoral legislation to forestall such obvious infractions is required.



The decision of the District Court and the whole proceedings is not a moment of triumphalism but a sober moment of introspection. It is a moment when as a nation we ask ourselves:



What are our national values?



Who or which institution should have ordered the full investigation of the questionable certificate?



Considering that he did not present a primary or secondary certificate should our courts be concerned with the technicality of the tendering process of the CSU certificate or the disgrace and global moral damage a forged certificate would wrought on Nigeria?



Why did our national security system not conduct a discrete investigation and advise the candidate and INEC about the status of his certificate?



A few years ago The DSS, in an act of institutional independence and courage, wrote to the Senate to reject Police Commissioner Magu as EFCC Chairman not minding his nomination by a sitting President. This was based on their intelligence report of his nefarious conduct that pales into insignificance against a possible forgery case by a President. Why the silence now?



For me, the issue is beyond legalism. If and that is a big if, the certificate is forged, President Tinubu should resign immediately. It is not a legal matter but a national honour and moral issue. If he does not, the National Assembly should do the needful to restore our dignity as a people. I also expect the Supreme Court to rise to the occasion and restore order to our electoral process.



If the certificate is not forged, the President should conduct a wide-ranging reorganisation of our national security system for failure to save the country from this needless embarrassment and reputational damage.



On either count, the National Assembly should start a constitutional amendment process to end all election judicial challenges before the assumption of office of all elected persons at all levels.



A reform of the judiciary to introduce an automated case assignment system, the introduction of a transparent process for recruitment of judges, and the public display of evaluation of judges' performance annually using the agreed framework to increase public oversight of judicial officers and improve the administration of justice. The growing unanimity in arriving at decisions in our courts is disturbing.



The bold challenge of President Tinubu by HE Abubakar Atiku in the US is the most prominent sign of state failure. It is depressing but maybe it is an inflection point to alter the character of the Nigerian state to live up to the words of the second stanza of our old national anthem



Our flag shall be a symbol



That truth and justice reign



In peace or battle honour'd,



And this we count as gain,



To hand on to our children



A banner without stain."
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People are not blind in seeing US' empire of lies: Chinese FM refuting State Department's China report

Global Times

By Fan Anqi Published: Oct 01, 2023 03:30 PM

Refuting the US Department of State's malicious report claiming that China has invested billions of dollars spreading disinformation globally, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the report itself is disinformation, and people of the world are not blind in seeing the US' ugly attempts that have proven time and again that it is an "empire of lies" through and through.

Titled "How the People's Republic of China Seeks to Reshape the Global Information Environment," the US report focuses on accusing China of information manipulation in an attempt to achieve global information dominance. It says that China's "global information manipulation" is a challenge to the integrity of the global information space.

Responding to the report, a spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Saturday the report is in itself disinformation as it misrepresents facts and truth. In fact, it is the US that invented the weaponizing of the global information space.

The relevant center of the US State Department which concocted the report is engaged in propaganda and infiltration in the name of "global engagement." It is a source of disinformation and the command center of "perception warfare."

From Operation Mockingbird that involved bribing and manipulating news media for propaganda purposes in the Cold War era, to a vial of white powder and a staged video of the "White Helmets" cited as evidence to wage wars of aggression in Iraq and Syria earlier this century, and then to the enormous lie made up to smear China's Xinjiang policy, facts have proven time and again that the US is an "empire of lies" through and through, the spokesperson said.

Even some in the US, such as Senator Rand Paul, acknowledged that the US government is the greatest propagator of disinformation in the history of the world.

Some in the US may think that they can prevail in the information war as long as they propagate enough lies, but the people of the world are not blind, the spokesperson said.

"No matter how the US tries to pin the label of 'disinformation' on other countries, more and more people in the world have already seen through the US' ugly attempt to perpetuate its supremacy by weaving lies into 'emperor's new clothes' and smearing others," the spokesperson noted.

China's response has revealed the distorted narrative of the US and fully exposed the US' use of this report as a crucial element in trying to shape public opinion and international consensus in its strategic competition with China, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

The spokesperson's remarks have unveiled the insidious intentions and deceptive nature of Washington, contributing to a clearer and more comprehensive understanding within the international community of the US' unscrupulous practices in its China policy, Li said. This includes the US's longstanding history of hypocrisy, deception, and inconsistency in its words and actions.

The US has been taking every measure to make the world hostile against Washington's rivals. Launching an information war against China is therefore a part of US containment strategy, with a goal to create an "evil" image of China in the international public opinion arena. The new report is simply a latest example in the US' long list of tactics to make the world vigilant toward China, Shen Yi, a professor at Fudan University, told the Global Times.

However, the more the US tries, the more its hypocrisy is exposed. The last thing the US cares about is public access to information, and it cares about its hegemony, including that in the information field, the expert added.

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Press release on a meeting of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan held in Kazan

29 September 2023 19:41

1917-29-09-2023

On September 29, Kazan hosted the fifth meeting of the Moscow format on Afghanistan with the participation of special representatives and senior officials from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Representatives of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye also attended the meeting as invited parties. Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi took part in the meeting.

During the meeting, the participants exchanged views on the current situation in Afghanistan with an emphasis on regional security and that country's integration into regional economic processes. The prevailing point of view was that it was crucial to immediately and unconditionally unblock the Afghan assets by Washington and its allies, who bear the main responsibility for the post-conflict reconstruction of the Afghan economy, and that any return of US and NATO military structures to the territory of Afghanistan or its neighbouring states under any pretext was unacceptable.

The participants once again called on the Afghan authorities to create a truly inclusive system of government reflecting the interests of all key ethno-political groups in the country and also to step up counter-terrorism and anti-drug efforts.

All the participants gave assurances to continue providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

At the end of the meeting, the participants adopted the Kazan Declaration of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan.

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September 30, 2023

Release

Statement From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Passage of a Continuing Resolution

I welcome congressional action tonight to avert an unnecessary and destructive government shutdown that would have had a profound impact on the lives our troops and civilians who work and sacrifice to defend this country every day. But I also urge Congress to live up to America's commitment to provide urgently-needed assistance to the people of Ukraine as they fight to defend their own country against the forces of tyranny. America must live up to its word and continue to lead.

Finally, I urge Congress to get back to regular order on appropriations. We need on-time appropriations in order to advance our National Defense strategy and position our military to meet the complex challenges of this century. I will continue to work with members of Congress to do what is necessary to defend this nation, our values and our interests.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3544231/

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Somalia: Statement by the Spokesperson on latest attack on civilians

European External Action Service (EEAS)

30.09.2023

EEAS Press Team

The recent attacks by terrorist group al-Shabaab against civilian targets in Somalia only reinforce longstanding commitment of the European Union to stand by the Federal Government and Somali citizens in their fight against terrorism.

Resorting to heinous attacks on citizens underlines the desperation of the extremists and the immense pressure they face from the Government and international partners alike.







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Iran urges more cooperation by neighbors to help Afghanistan, calls for preventing US return

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 30 September 2023 1:55 PM

A senior Iranian official has emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in the region and to prevent the United States from returning to Afghanistan, while criticizing Washington's "destructive role" in the war-torn country in the past two decades.

Iran's special representative for Afghanistan, Hassan Kazemi-Qomi, made the remarks at the Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan which was held in the Russian city of Kazan on Friday.

He went on to say that the participants agreed significantly on preventing the US from re-entering Afghanistan and holding it accountable for the damages it inflicted upon the country during 20 years of occupation.

Kazemi-Qomi further urged the neighboring countries of Afghanistan to enhance cooperation in order to help the country resolve its issues without relying on outside powers.

He also noted that the 20-year-long occupation of Afghanistan by the US and its allies and the creation of "a foreigners' front" are not in line with Afghanistan's national interests, stressing the need for regional initiatives and the formation of Afghanistan's "neighbors front".

The Iranian diplomat further praised the current caretaker government in Afghanistan in dealing with the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group and trying to improve the economic situation of the country.

He also expressed hope that the country's caretaker government pursue the plan for implementing the neighborly policy through consultations with the neighboring nations and based on protecting Afghanistan's interests, stating that the economic and industrial development of Afghanistan requires the "empathy and cooperation" of the country's neighbors in a safe environment with guarantees.

Friday's meeting was the fifth of its kind held by Russia to assess the situation in Afghanistan, with Taliban's Caretaker Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, President Rustam Minnikhanov, as well as representatives from the Russian Federation, China, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and India in attendance.

Participants discussed a range of issues including reconciliation among Afghanistan's various parties, the country's reconstruction after the US-led war, fighting terrorism and guarantees for regional security, among other topics.

The United States and its allies deployed troops to Afghanistan in 2001, saying at the time the objective was to fight al-Qaeda as part of Washington's so-called "war on terror." The pretext had taken shape in the 9/11 attacks.

In August 2021, the Taliban recaptured several provincial capitals and seized Kabul with little-to-no resistance. The unexpected fall of the capital forced the US to carry out a hasty evacuation of diplomats, nationals, and Afghan helpers.

Washington received severe criticism for its poor handling of the evacuation. After its withdrawal, Washington imposed sanctions on Afghanistan and blocked its assets.

Foreign aid has declined dramatically since then and the country's key central bank assets have been seized by the United States, compounding one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

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Yerevan says almost all ethnic Armenians flee Karabakh

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 30 September 2023 1:46 PM

Yerevan says almost the entire population of ethnic Armenians have fled Nagorno-Karabakh since Azerbaijan managed to reclaim full control of the region last week.

Nazeli Baghdasaryan, a spokeswoman for Armenia's prime minister, said Saturday that the number of refugees entering the country over the past week had reached 100,417, out of Nagorno-Karabakh's estimated population of 120,000.

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) also said that 100,000 people had fled the region. It said many of those fleeing "are hungry, exhausted, and need immediate assistance."

"At most a few hundred persons remain, most of whom are officials, emergency services employees, volunteers, some persons with special needs," Artak Beglaryan, a former separatist official, wrote on social media.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the Caucasus and lies within Azerbaijan's borders.

The region has always been internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan though it is mostly populated by ethnic Armenians, who have resisted Azerbaijan's sovereignty over the territory.

Last week, Azerbaijan launched an operation designed to seize control of the breakaway territory and perhaps end a three-decade-old conflict.

The operation ended on September 20, after the Azerbaijani military routed Armenian forces in 24 hours and made the separatists agree to lay down weapons, under a Russian-mediated ceasefire.

Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliyev said at the time that his government "began sending humanitarian aid to Azerbaijan's Karabakh region. Fuel, foodstuffs, medicines were sent."

Yerevan, however, accused Baku of conducting a campaign of "ethnic cleansing" to clear Nagorno-Karabakh of its Armenian population.

Baku has denied the claim and has publicly called on the Armenian residents of the territory to stay and "reintegrate" into Azerbaijan.

On Thursday, the separatist region's leader Samvel Shakhramanyan agreed to dissolve the government by the end of the year and become a full part of Azerbaijan. The decision marked the end of a 30-year struggle for independence from Baku.

Shakhramanyan said in his decree that "all state institutions and organizations under their departmental subordination by January 1, and the Republic of Nagorno Karabkah (Artsakh) ceases to exist."

Residents were instructed to "familiarize themselves with the contusion of reintegration presented by the Republic of Azerbaijan," it added.

Baku is now holding "re-integration" talks with separatist leaders.

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Armenian Exodus From Nagorno-Karabakh Tops 100,000; UN Readies For Visit

By RFE/RL's Armenian Service, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service September 30, 2023

Armenia says more than 100,000 people have fled Nagorno-Karabakh since Azerbaijan's seizure of that breakaway territory a little over a week ago, while Yerevan has appealed to a UN court to stop Baku from allegedly targeting ethnic Armenians there.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's office told journalists early on September 30 that authorities had registered 81,827 of the 100,437 people who had left Nagorno-Karabakh so far -- the latter representing more than three-quarters of the higher estimates of the territory's entire population.

The update came hours after Armenia said it had filed a suit with the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) to prevent the targeting of ethnic Armenians amid signs of a roundup by Baku amid the massive exodus a week after Azerbaijan seized Nagorno-Karabakh in a lightning offensive.

Armenian officials and outsiders have expressed fears of ethnic cleansing and international calls have escalated for help to avoid a humanitarian disaster.

Azerbaijan, meanwhile, has urged ethnic Armenians to stay and has invited UN agencies to send a mission "to become acquainted with the current humanitarian activities being carried out by Azerbaijan in the region."

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on September 30 that its forces were taking "retaliatory measures" after one of its soldiers was killed by an Armenian Army sniper on the border between the two countries.

Armenia denied the accusation, saying the claim "does not correspond to reality."

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said late on September 29 that the United Nations will send a mission this weekend to Nagorno-Karabakh, which is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory but was controlled by ethnic Armenians with Yerevan's support for decades since the waning years of the Soviet Union.

Dujarric said the UN mission will mainly assess humanitarian needs in a region to which it had not had access "in about 30 years."

"The government of Azerbaijan and the UN have agreed on a mission to the region. The mission will take place over the weekend," Dujarric told reporters.

Both sides have expressed hope that a more durable peace agreement between the longtime Caucasus archfoes might be reached ahead of a possible meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in connection with European-wide meetings in Granada, Spain next week.

But Azerbaijani authorities have detained several key figures from the ethnic Armenian leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh, which Armenians refer to as Artsakh.

The Artsakh leadership has already announced that it would cease to exercise authority over the territory by the end of this year, a bitter pill for Armenians who have made control of Nagorno-Karabakh a national priority.

European and other Western governments meanwhile have been responding to Armenia's calls for assistance to help it deal with the influx of refugees. The office of Italy's prime minister said in a statement that Armenia has asked the EU for temporary shelters and medical supplies, adding that Rome is working to promote stabilization in the region.

European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said "urgent, continuous, unhindered humanitarian support" is needed to support the people who are still in Nagorno-Karabakh as well as those who have left.

The EU supports the work of the Red Cross, he said, saying that the European Commission announced an additional 5 million euros in humanitarian aid to help those displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh and those in vulnerable situations in the region. He also said it is important that the UN mission be able to enter the area in the next few days.

With reporting by AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/karabakh-armenian-exodis- 100000-un-visit-azerbaijan/32616962.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Investigation Shows Top Government Official's Ties To New Kyrgyz 'White House' Construction

By Aibek Biybosunov, Baktygul Chynybaeva September 30, 2023

BISHKEK -- Since coming to power in Kyrgyzstan three years ago, President Sadyr Japarov has refused to be seated in the country's historical presidential building -- known as the White House -- working instead in an old Soviet-era building nearby.

Though he hasn't given a reason, it might be because the White House has been the epicenter of revolutions and riots in Kyrgyzstan since the country gained independence 30 years ago and where the first popular upheaval sent unwanted President Askar Akaev fleeing to Moscow in 2005.

So Japarov was certainly happy to announce that a spanking new presidential building would be constructed for him and his administration along the gorgeous mountains that partially flank Bishkek.

'Not A Single Penny Will Be Spent...'

Speaking about the construction of a new building last year, Japarov said every decision about it was made "for the benefit of the people and the state" and that "not a single penny from the budget will be spent" building the new stately structure.

The 54-year-old president said Kyrgyzstan's new White House would be erected on the former site of the Issyk-Kul Hotel, which was being demolished after being abandoned for many years. The building will be approximately 30,000 square meters and serve as the headquarters for the presidential administration and the cabinet of ministers.

Most importantly, Japarov added that "we will only exchange 16 hectares of state land from the Presidential Property Management Department [to the builders] and they will build us a building [in return]. That is all. State land has been plundered [by officials] for 30 years [and] these 16 hectares would have also gone into private hands one day. Instead [of letting that happen], we decided to [use the land as payment in exchange for the] construction of a building for the country."

But that might not be "all."

In an investigation conducted by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, connections were uncovered between a top official in the government and the construction company that has now received the valuable plot of land in a coveted part of Bishkek. The ties suggest major conflicts of interest.

And it was later revealed that, instead of gifting the company -- Inshaat Stroy Building (ISB) -- the 16 hectares of state land that Japarov originally cited, the Kyrgyz government instead gave it 25.7 hectares in exchange for a new presidential building.

But no explanation was offered for the nearly 10 more hectares of extra land given to ISB. The total cost of the new presidential building has also not been made public.

Ritzy Real Estate

And the land that ISB received is not any ordinary plot of land.

According to independent experts those 25.7 hectares -- located in the picturesque southern part of the capital -- are worth an estimated $77 million.

Since that end of Bishkek is close to the mountains, it provides access to great views, nature, and fresh air -- as downtown Bishkek is one of the most-polluted cities in the world.

So real estate in that area is expensive and much sought after by construction companies.

"A hundred square meters of land above the Tushtuk Magistral (the capital's Southern Highway) ranges from $25,000 to $35,000 in value. In this neighborhood, land is costly and its value will continue to increase yearly," Konstantin Pomykalov, director of Vash Expert Company, told RFE/RL.

Parliament deputy Dastan Bekeshev has criticized the government's decision to allocate such a large tract of state property to a private company. He says the land should be provided for constructing schools, parks, and other public facilities.

"We are currently unaware of the amount of money from the budget spent on the ongoing construction and the dismantling of the Issyk-Kul Hotel. It is best for us that we remain unaware, as the information regarding the actual costs of constructing the White House is classified, otherwise you might have a heart attack," Bekeshev said. "It has become evident that the comfort of state officials and the profit of a private company take precedence over the public interest."

Since the total construction cost of the new presidential offices has not been made public, it is unclear if the some $77 million worth of land that ISB was given exceeds the costs of the new White House.

Link To The Company Getting The Lavish Land?

ISB was established in 2020 and has undergone nine reregistrations since then, resulting in changes to its name, its founders, and its managers. The most recent alteration occurred on July 28, just days before the company acquired the pricey state property.

Notably, three of its past managers have connections to Kanybek Tumanbaev, the head of Japarov's presidential administration.

RFE/RL sent a letter to Tumanbaev on August 23 asking about his links to the construction company. No response had been received at the time of publication.

On September 17, Tumanbaev conducted a live stream on his Facebook page and commented on the construction works of the new presidential offices.

"In Kazakhstan, Aqorda, [the presidential palace], was built for $652 million, and ours is being built for one-tenth of the cost. It will not be like previously [in Kyrgyzstan] where someone's company or someone's interest [will be involved]," he claimed.

"There was criticism earlier about [the houses being built in] Batken and [the Russian news agency] Sputnik was investigating the case. Dear friends, every penny of the state is under the control of our president and [the head of the Kyrgyz National Security Committee Kamchybek Tashiev]," Tumanbaev pledged.

Tumanbaev was previously named in an investigation by the independent media outlets Temirov LIVE and MediaHub regarding corruption within Kyrgyz Railways and affairs involving the country's Muftiate -- the state's Spiritual Administration of Muslims.

Another scandal emerged -- as Tumanbaev mentioned -- following an investigation on construction work after last year's Kyrgyz-Tajik border clashes, when many houses and some villages were destroyed and needed to be rebuilt. The investigation alleged that the Amanat Stroy Invest company, the main contractor that won government tenders, was involved in corruption in the building of homes and public facilities in the Batken region.

The investigation said that Tumanbaev had links to Amanat Stroy Invest.

Tumanbaev denied any connection to the company and, soon after the investigation, Japarov praised Tumanbaev as a high performer who had supervised the construction work "perfectly" and "saved every 'tyiyn' (penny) of state money."

Japarov did not address the alleged ties between Tumanbaev and the construction company.

Friends And Partners

First established as Express-Stroy KG, ISB was acquired in 2021 by Nurdin Ravshanbekovich Sabirov and Erlan Syrgabekov. Six months later it came under the ownership of Akhmadshokh Ravshanbekovich Azatov and Ermek Atantaev.

Sabirov and Azatov are the sons of Ravshanbek Sabirov, the former director of the National Investment Agency under Japarov.

Interestingly, Ravshanbek Sabirov, Tumanbaev, and former Grand Mufti Maksatbek Toktomushev are business partners. In 2019, they attended the opening ceremony of the Black Star Burger restaurant in Bishkek. Star Russian rapper Timati was the guest of honor and was greeted by Tumanbaev.

At that time, the Black Star Burger franchise was owned by Arzygul Sabirova and Baatyrbek Jantaev -- who is a relative of Tumanbaev. Media reports said Sabirova is Ravshanbek Sabirov's wife and Jantaev is a known business confidant of Tumanbaev. Ravshanbek Sabirov denies that Sabirova is his wife.

The web of connections continues.

In 2021, Atantaev was the director and owner of the construction company BKS. Prior to him, from 2016 to 2019, Tumanbaev owned the same company, as found in data on osoo.kg.

During the 2020 parliamentary elections, Tumanbaev ran as a member of the Birimdik (Unity) party and initially indicated himself as the director of BKS. However, he later transferred the management to Jantaev.

In 2020-21, both Tumanbaev and Kyrgyz Grand Mufti Maksatbek Toktomushev owned the company RIBH, with Atantaev serving as the acting director.

The Chauffeur's Chauffeur?

Tumanbaev has long been a dodgy figure in Kyrgyz politics.

He began his ascent during Almazbek Atambaev's tenure as president from 2012 to 2017, when he served as a driver for Ikramjan Ilmiyanov -- who went from being Atambaev's driver to being deputy head of the presidential administration and a power broker under Atambaev.

That initial job has led to Tumanbaev being known colloquially as "the driver's driver."

Nobody Home At ISB 'Offices'

The legal location of ISB has also raised eyebrows.

The official address of the company leads to a modest residence on Arashan Street in Bishkek's Bakai-Ata neighborhood. When RFE/RL went to the home, the family members living in the house said they had no connection to the construction company.

A resident who identified herself as Zainura -- the daughter of the house's owner -- expressed surprise when questioned about her family's involvement in the construction of the new White House.

She said the residents of the home have been actively trading goods at a local bazaar for many years and had not heard of the ISB or taken part in any of its activities. Zainura told RFE/RL on a phone call later that she has lived in the house for more than 30 years and was unaware of any connection to ISB.

"I've lived here since the Bakai-Ata neighborhood was established. We have no relatives or acquaintances involved in the construction [of the White House]. Recently, someone else also came here looking for [ISB]. I don't know why our address was indicated [as the company's legal address]," she said.

It is unclear why the ISB company is registered at the address of an ordinary citizen's home.

The alleged connections between the official overseeing construction of the presidential building and former managers of the company that received the land raises questions, such as on what grounds was ISB chosen as a constructor?

There is a law in Kyrgyzstan known as On Conflict Of Interest in which "personal interests may affect the performance of official duties, which leads or may lead to a violation of the rights and interests of citizens, organizations, or the state."

Written by Baktygul Chynybaeva in Prague based on reporting by Aibek Biybosunov in Bishkek.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan -presidential-palace-construction-white-house -funding-investors/32617001.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Romania Asks to Buy Out Moldova's Only River Port

Sputnik News

20230930

CHISINAU (Sputnik) - Romania plans to buy from Moldova the Giurgiulesti International Free Port on the Danube River to create a hub for Ukrainian grain supplies to the European Union, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Friday.

The Port of Giurgiulesti is located in southern Moldova, 133.8 kilometers (83 miles) from the Black Sea, at the Danube River's confluence with the Prut river. The port terminal was constructed in 2006, after Ukraine acceded to Romania 430 meters (1,410 feet) of the Danube and Prut banks. In 2021, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) purchased 100% of shares in the Danube Logistics company, which managed the port. The EBRD has invested 1.4 billion euros ($1.47 billion) in Moldova as of today, becoming its largest investor.

"Romania has informed the EBRD of its interest in buying and developing this port as the EBRD is the majority stakeholder in Giurgiulesti. We are waiting for the response," Ciolacu told Romanian broadcaster Digi24.

The Port of Giurgiulesti, together with the Port of Constanta in Romania, could become a key trade and transport hub in the region in light of the current situation in Ukraine, the prime minister said. Developing such a hub, through which various cargoes, including grain, could be supplied to the EU countries, is a strategic mission for Bucharest, he added.

"Romania will be one of the key hubs for restoring Ukraine after the end of hostilities. And this time, Bucharest must be logistically prepared for it," Ciolacu said.

Meanwhile, former Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin said that the selling of the Port of Giurgiulesti to Romania would mean the loss of national sovereignty.

"Clearly, if the port is sold, it can be regarded as a significant loss of the country's sovereignty. When we built this port, we resolved the issue of obtaining an outlet to the sea. All countries have waged wars for centuries to get marine access, and we managed to resolve this challenge peacefully, and are being locked out now," Voronin told Moldovan broadcaster ITV.

Earlier this year, Moldova announced a large-scale reconstruction project in the Port of Giurgiulesti. It includes the construction of a new grain depot with a capacity of about 80,000 tonnes, a new berth 150 meters long and 5 meters deep, a parking pad for trucks, an unloading station, covered warehouses as well as an additional area of 2.5 hectares (6 acres) for a new port terminal. The reconstructed port is expected to launch operations in 2028.

 Sputnik

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UN mission in Nagorno-Karabakh amid exodus of ethnic Armenians

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 October 2023 7:15 PM

A United Nations mission has arrived in Nagorno-Karabakh to deal with a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians who have been fleeing the region since the Azerbaijani army launched an operation in September to take full control of the enclave.

Azerbaijani media reported on Sunday the mission was led by a senior aid official and was the first of its kind sent to the region in nearly three decades.

The arrival came as an estimate released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday suggested that more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians had fled Nagorno-Karabakh to neighboring Armenia in recent days.

It also came after the World Court, formally known as the International Court of Justice, ordered Azerbaijan in February to ensure free movement through the so-called Lachin corridor which connects Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.

Armenian authorities have called for a tougher World Court order that would force Azerbaijan to give the UN access to civilian establishments in Nagorno-Karabakh and lead to a full withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from the region.

Areas surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh was liberated by Azerbaijan in a 2020 war with pro-Armenian forces.

The regional director of the WHO's Regional Office for Europe said in a statement on Sunday the body will continue to send experts to Armenia to help people fleeing the conflict. "The challenges are truly enormous, and we're there to do all we can," said Hans Henri P Kluge.

At least 170 people were killed this week amid the exodus after an explosion hit a fuel depot just outside the Karabakh capital, known as Stepanakert by Armenia and Khankendi by Azerbaijan.

The Armenian government told Russia's RIA news agency late on Sunday the operation to relocate people willing to leave Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia was coming to an end.

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Former PM opposed to Ukraine military aid wins Slovak elections

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 October 2023 8:36 AM

A populist party that wants to stop military aid to Ukraine and is critical of the EU and NATO has won Slovakia's election, results have showed.

The Smer-SD party led by former prime minister Robert Fico scored 23.3 percent, beating the centrist Progressive Slovakia on 17 percent, with almost all votes counted.

Experts see Fico's party's rise to power signaling a radical change in Slovakia's foreign policy, resembling that of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The 59-year-old Fico has vowed that Slovakia will not send "a single round of ammunition" to Ukraine and has called for better relations with Russia.

For Fico to become prime minister, his party needs to secure 42 seats in the 150-member parliament and so will need coalition partners for a majority.

The leftwing Hlas-SD, which emerged in 2020 when a group of Smer lawmakers quit Fico's party, is one potential partner, with an expected 27 seats.

Fico and Pellegrini are expected to team up with the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS), adding another 10 more seats to the coalition, for a parliamentary majority of 79 seats.

The SNS, which is also opposed to military aid for Ukraine, has twice in the past joined in coalitions with Fico.

Slovakia has been one of Europe's biggest donors to Ukraine since Russia launched its special military operation in Donbas in 2022.

Slovakia's Defense Minister Martin Sklenar had visited Kiev just ahead of the vote, and on election day Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky praised Slovakia for "standing with Ukraine".

Slovakia emerged as an independent country in 1993, following a peaceful split with the Czech Republic. In 2004, it joined both the EU and NATO.

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Pristina Says Evidence Shows Serbia Planned To Sieze Northern Kosovo After Attack

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service October 01, 2023

Kosovo says its investigation into an attack last weekend in a northern Kosovar village has turned up evidence showing that Serbia intended to annex northern Kosovo and that the attackers prepared at Serbian Army bases.

Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla said on October 1 during a news conference in Mitrovica that more than 90 people took part in the attack in the village of Banjska on September 24. Three of the attackers and a Kosovar police officer were killed.

"Serbia has repeatedly tried to say that it has nothing to do with this attack, but the facts that will be published show that the preparations, training, and exercises of this group were carried out at the military training base near Jagodina and in Kopaonik," Svecla said, referring to locations in Serbia.

He said images of the preparations can been seen in data obtained from drones that Kosovo seized.

The attackers also planned to open "a long underground channel" from Banjska to Serbia for "supplies from the Serbian state," he said.

Kosovo Police Director-General Gazmend Hoxha said the group that carried out the attack had been trained at Serbian bases for a long, unspecified period and the plan involved the annexation of northern Kosovo.

"In the documents we have, which we cannot share with you now, there is a plan for annexation of the north forest in an initial phase in 37 positions, from which our police units would be attacked, not only in Banjska and Zvecan but in all the northern parts," Hoxha said.

A corridor was then to be created to carry out armed resistance and "the creation of a new reality in the country," he said.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Milos Vucevic and General Milan Mojsilovic, chief of the General Staff of the Serbian armed forces, called the allegations lies and scheduled a news conference on October 2 to respond.

Hoxha said the Kosovo Police are still investigating a week after the deadly attack.

Svecla said a quantity of weapons was found in Banjska on October 1. Police had already confiscated large quantities of weapons in the days after the attack.

After initially saying the attack was on the monastery, officials now say the Serbian attackers took refuge in the monastery after attacking a police patrol in an ambush. From the monastery they continued the confrontation with police, and three of them were killed.

Hoxha said the Serbian Orthodox Church and monastery were part of the investigation "to see their possible role in the attack or whether they helped the terrorist group."

Earlier on October 1 Kosovo called on Serbia to withdraw troops from its border region, vowing it was ready to protect its territorial integrity.

Serbia's president, meanwhile, denied Western reports of a military buildup, and complained about a "campaign of lies" against Serbia.

"We call on [Serbian] President [Aleksandar] Vucic and the institutions of Serbia to immediately withdraw all troops from the border with Kosovo," Kosovo's government said. "The deployment of Serbian troops along the border with Kosovo is the next step by Serbia to threaten the territorial integrity of our country."

In a video posted to Instagram on October 1, Vucic denied the U.S. and other Western reports of a buildup.

"A campaign of lies...has been launched against our Serbia," Vucic said. "They have lied a lot about the presence of our military forces.... In fact, they are bothered that Serbia has what they describe as sophisticated weapons."

The United States on September 29 accused Serbia of massing forces along the border and urged Belgrade to pull them back. NATO, which still has 4,500 troops in Kosovo, has ordered more troops to the area "to address the current situation."

NATO again called for calm and demanded that Belgrade and Pristina resume dialogue as soon as possible, as "the only way to achieve lasting peace," alliance spokesman Dylan White said.

With reporting by AP and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-serbia- troops-border/32617825.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Slovakia's Populist, Pro-Russian Ex-PM To Receive Mandate To Form Government

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service October 01, 2023

The president of Slovakia says she will give a mandate to form a new government to the winner of the country's parliamentary elections, signaling former Prime Minister Robert Fico and his SMER-SSD can begin putting together a coalition government in the central European country.

President Zuzana Caputova made the announcement on October 1 after the party, which campaigned on pledges to end military aid to Ukraine, received 22.94 percent of the vote.

With nearly all results counted, the liberal Progressive Slovakia (PS) came in second with 17.96 percent. Five other parties also won seats.

Fico, whose victory signals a further shift in Central Europe against political liberalism, said he was ready to open talks with other parties on forming a coalition government as soon as Caputova asks him.

"We're here, we're ready, we've learned something, we're more experienced," he said.

He said it would take at least two weeks to form the government, which will replace a government that has been backing Kyiv against Russia's invasion.

Fico has said Slovakia would still be prepared to help Ukraine in a humanitarian way and with constructio but would draw the line on continued arms shipments from Slovakia, a member of NATO.

During the campaign, Fico, 59, criticized Slovakia's arms supplies to Ukraine while pledging to stop shipments to Kyiv. He also dismissed further EU sanctions against Russia, questioned the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO, and repeated Kremlin narratives that NATO caused the war.

Fico said Slovakia has bigger problems than the war in Ukraine, including energy prices and living costs, but his party would do everything possible to start peace talks.

Fico's statements criticizing continued arms shipments and insisting that liberalism has been imposed by Brussels mirror those of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who congratulated him on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

"Guess who's back! Congratulations to Robert Fico on his undisputable victory at the Slovak parliamentary elections. Always good to work together with a patriot. Looking forward to it!" he said.

Fico may look to the moderate leftist HLAS (Voice) party, which came third with nearly 15 percent of votes, as a partner. But SMER-SSD would need a third party in order to govern and may look to the pro-Russian Slovak National Party.

HLAS leader Peter Pellegrini has said ammunition supplies to Ukraine are good for Slovakia's defense industry and the party has backed the EU'sstance against the invasion.

Fico has not clarified whether his party would seek to end commercial supplies from the defense industry.

The liberal PS, which wants to stay the course on backing Ukraine, also plans to court HLAS.

"We believe that this is very bad news for Slovakia," PS leader Michal Simecka told a news conference. "And it would be even worse news if Robert Fico succeeds in forming a government."

With reporting by Reuters and AP



Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/slovakia-elections-ukraine- support/32617800.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Transportation of Nagorno-Karabakh Residents to Armenia Coming to End - Armenian Gov't

Sputnik News

20231001

YEREVAN (Sputnik) - The transportation of those wishing to leave Nagorno-Karabakh for Armenia is coming to its "logical conclusion," Armenian government spokeswoman Nazeli Baghdasaryan said on Sunday, adding that all those who wanted to leave the breakaway region after the recent escalation had already done it.

"The intensity [of the flow] has significantly decreased. We can say that the last people wishing to move to Armenia have done so and the process is coming to its logical conclusion," Baghdasaryan said.

Despite this fact, Yerevan will keep providing transportation for those wishing to leave the region.

As many as 100,514 people from Nagorno-Karabakh have arrived in Armenia since the recent escalation last week, Baghdasaryan said, adding that temporary housing had been provided for 48,649 people.

The exodus of Nagorno-Karabakh's almost exclusively Armenian population started last week, just a few days after Azerbaijan launched what it called "local-level anti-terrorist activities" in the breakaway region on September 19. With the mediation by Russian peacekeepers, Nagorno-Karabakh's authorities agreed to lay down arms and surrender all their weapons to Baku the next day. Armenia said it was not part of the talks. Azerbaijan's government pledged to make efforts to ensure the "integration" of those Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians who choose to remain in the region.

On September 28, the latest elected leader of the breakaway region, Samvel Shahramanyan, officially dropped all claims to independence from Baku, announcing that the self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, will officially cease to exist on January 1, 2024.

 Sputnik

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UN Mission Arrives in Nagorno-Karabakh for First Time in 30 Years - Reports

Sputnik News

20231001

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Members of the UN mission on Sunday drove across the Aghdam road toward Nagorno-Karabakh's capital, Stepanakert, also known as Khankendi, for the first time in 30 years, the state-run Azerbaijani news agency reported.

The mission, which includes representatives of various UN agencies, plans to get acquainted with the situation in the region and assess humanitarian needs of local residents, the news agency reported.

Azerbaijan launched what it called "local-level anti-terrorist activities" in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. With the mediation by Russian peacekeepers, Nagorno-Karabakh's authorities agreed to lay down arms and surrender all their weapons to Baku the next day. Armenia said it was not part of the talks. Azerbaijan's government pledged to make efforts to ensure the "integration" of those Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians who choose to remain in the region.

On September 28, the latest elected leader of the breakaway region, Samvel Shahramanyan, officially dropped all claims to independence from Baku, announcing that the self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, will officially cease to exist on January 1, 2024.

 Sputnik

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Slovak Opposition Party Smer Wins Parliamentary Elections Gaining 23.6%

Sputnik News

20231001

BRATISLAVA (Sputnik) - The opposition Direction - Social Democracy party (Smer), led by former Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, won the parliamentary elections with 23.58% of the vote, data from the Slovak Statistical Office showed on Sunday.

At the moment, data from 95.75% of polling stations has been processed.

The second place with 16.37% of the votes is occupied by the Progressive Slovakia party, followed by the Voice - Social Democracy party, which received 15.22% of the votes.

Official election results are expected to be announced on Sunday afternoon.

Robert Fico is known as a harsh critic of Slovakia's military supplies to Ukraine. He cites the poor condition of the Slovak armed forces and vows to stop arming Kiev. He does not hide his skepticism about Ukraine's chances to win even with NATO support and says that sending weapons to Kiev means prolonging the bloodshed.

Fico believes that the world is tired of the Kiev regime and of Volodymyr Zelensky personally, who was not even allowed to address the US Congress during his tour of Washington.

 Sputnik

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Anti-Democratic Actions in Guatemala

US Department of State

Press Statement

Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

October 1, 2023

The United States is gravely concerned with continued efforts to undermine Guatemala's peaceful transition of power to President-elect Arevalo. Most recently, the Guatemalan Public Ministry seized electoral materials under the custody of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE). This act followed earlier attempts to strip immunity of the TSE electoral officials along with raiding their offices and storage facilities that house elections results. Such anti-democratic behavior undermines Guatemala's democratic institutions and is inconsistent with the principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

The United States stands with those seeking to safeguard democracy and rule of law in Guatemala. We are actively taking steps to impose visa restrictions on individuals who continue to undermine Guatemala's democracy, including current and former members of Congress, judicial actors, and any others engaging in such behavior. These individuals will be ineligible for entry into the United States under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which restricts visas for individuals believed to be responsible for, complicit in, or undermining democracy. The United States also supports the ongoing work of the OAS Special Mission to assist with the presidential transition, as called for by the OAS Permanent Council. The Guatemalan people have spoken. Their voice must be respected.

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Maldives Election Results

US Department of State

Press Statement

Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

October 1, 2023

The United States congratulates President-Elect Mohamed Muizzu on his win in the September 30 election in Maldives. The United States and Maldives have a strong relationship based on mutual respect and shared interests. The United States looks forward to deepening our partnership with Maldives and expanding our people-to-people ties.

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INTERVIEW: Battling fake news for peace and security in DR Congo

1 October 2023 - Misinformation poses a significant risk to UN peacekeeping operations. Allowed to fester, it not only damages the perception of a mission and creates confusion about the role of 'blue helmets', it can also put their lives in jeopardy.

Bintou Keita, the UN Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and head of the UN mission there (MONUSCO), underscores that armed groups deliberately propagate falsehoods to incite discontent against the mission.

They do so because they have a vested interest in preventing MONUSCO from being a witness to their actions, she told UN News in an in-depth interview shortly after briefing the UN Security Council, which oversees all peacekeeping missions worldwide.

She described how MONUSCO is combating misinformation and disinformation in the field, and engaging with young people to empower them to prevent the spread of false information.

She updated ambassadors on the situation in the country, in light of President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo's call at the UN General Debate last week, for the mission to expedite its planned withdrawal.

The interview has been edited for clarity and length.

UN News: At the recent general debate, the President of DRC said that it was imperative to accelerate the withdrawal of MONUSCO. Do you agree with him that the current situation requires an acceleration of a withdrawal?

Bintou Keita: Just to frame the conversation, the notion of acceleration is important, but what is also important is the fact that the Mission, MONUSCO, has already been moving out of numerous provinces in DRC. For example, we have withdrawn from the Kasai province in June 2021. We also withdrew from the Tanganyika province in June 2022.

And for the size of the country, where there are 26 provinces, MONUSCO is now deployed in only three provinces, Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, and these are the three provinces where there are active conflicts with armed groups - both local armed groups and also foreign ones.

So, the acceleration of our departure or withdrawal from the DRC will be from these three provinces, and it is going to happen in conversation and dialogue with the national authorities and the provincial authorities, in order to decide, based on the hotspots where the Mission is providing protection to the population. And there are not enough army or not enough police to make sure that they are going to be present. At the moment we are withdrawing and they are going to be in charge and take over the task of protecting the population. That is going to happen pretty soon because we have an understanding that it is a joint endeavor, one is going up the national authorities; and one is going out, which is MONUSCO.

In DRC, the 26 provinces have 145 territories [administrative sub-division], of those 26 provinces and we are in three. The hotspots that we are looking at in the three provinces, when we talk about territories, it is more or less 15 to 20 territories where we have really to nail down the issue of physical protection of the population, because we also do protection through other means, which is advocacy that is the civilian component of the Mission to work with the provincial as well as the national authorities.

UN News: Demonstrations have been organized against MONUSCO. Do you think that the role of peacekeepers is misunderstood and that misinformation plays a part in the perception of the Mission's role?

Bintou Keita: I think yes, because there is a disconnect between the population's expectations regarding the implementation of the mandate and particularly the one which has to do with the Force, because this is a part that is the physical protection of the population.

The population is of the view that if any person loses his or her life or in the presence of the MONUSCO Force, it means that MONUSCO is not doing its job properly. This is of course a huge disconnect, because the reality is that physical protection is the proximity and the presence, and it is also disarming in a number of ways the armed groups to come closer to the population.

The disinformation is part of the expressions of anger and frustration from the population but it is also manipulation from a number of organizations because they have an interest to tarnish the legitimacy of the presence of MONUSCO as well as that they are interested in not having the Mission as a witness to some of the things that they are doing in the three provinces.

UN News: Do you have a specific example of actions taken by MONUSCO to fight disinformation?

Bintou Keita: Yes, since last year we have increased the way we are tackling disinformation. One of such activities is through workshops with young people where our colleagues in communication are training the young people to understand the difference between fake news, disinformation and misinformation.

We are training them to decide, to make a pause, a stop and ask - "Can I share this? Yes or no".

And when I see the reaction of the young people it looks like it is holding, they become more aware of the social media - which in a way is where everything goes, including lies and fabricated fake news.

Just to give you one example, while the high level segment of the General Assembly was going on, I was in Kinshasa when somebody decided to create fake news which was a photo of me from I think three years ago, when I was the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa [at the UNHQs], in New York and had the text which was saying basically that I, as the head of MONUSCO, was resisting the departure of the Mission. This is untrue because, first of all, I was not here at the at the General Assembly. I was in Kinshasa.

We had a discussion on what do we do, do we do we say that this is fake? What do we do at the end? I think the colleagues decided, OK, it is fake and it went.

One of the things that matters most is the monitoring of social media, and MONUSCO colleagues now have fortnightly reports each month to see the trends and the discussions related to MONUSCO and with the support of colleagues here in at UNHQs in New York, they are really helping us in shaping in a certain way, the narrative about what the Mission is doing and what the Mission is not about.

UN News: My last question is about the elections. The elections are planned for the end of this year. What kind of support MONUSCO provides to the authorities to organize these elections?

Bintou Keita: We have different roles:

One of the roles is to provide logistic support to the Electoral Commission, specifically, in the three provinces where we are deployed - in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu - which we are doing.

Second is to the advocacy to ensure that the parameters and the principles to ensure the quality of elections, which has to do with the transparency and credibility of the election, the peacefulness of the conduct and inclusivity. If we see acts, words or interventions that are not in line with those principles, we will be talking to all the stakeholders, wherever and whoever they are. And we do this not just alone, we do this with partners, the diplomatic community in the DRC and also civil society organizations, so that it is a joint and collective effort.

We are also planning, alongside the Ministry of Interior, for election security. The way we are doing this is to have our expert embedded within a technical working group under the Ministry's stewardship.

We also have a lot going on with regard to inclusion in the election, particularly in the implementation of Security Council 1325, where for us the representation of women, the participation of women, is absolutely key, be it as voter or as a candidate for the provincial or national elections for the parliament, but also as presidential candidates.

So, we are doing a lot of training for women candidates to be assertive, to go into subjects where normally people do not expect them to go.

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Xi pays tribute to national heroes on 10th Martyrs' Day, encourages martyrs' children to be loyal guardians of the people

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Sep 30, 2023 10:36 PM

Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the state attended a ceremony on Saturday morning in Tian'anmen Square in down Beijing to present flower baskets to fallen national heroes to commemorate China's 10th Martyrs' Day.

At 10 am on September 30, Xi and other leaders of the CPC aand the state sang the national anthem together with other participants and then paid a silent tribute to heroes who devoted their lives to the liberation of the Chinese people and the construction of the People's Republic of China.a

People from all walks of life - veterans, retired senior officials and the relatives of martyrs - as well as Chinese Young Pioneers offered flower baskets and bouquets in tribute to the martyrs.

In front of the Monument to the People's Heroes, the giant flower basket with the words "Bless the Motherland" was erected, as the 74th National Day is approaching.

Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, encouraged the children of martyrs to follow the examples of their heroic parents' generation and dedicate themselves to serving as the loyal guardians of the Party and the people in a letter replying to eight such children who are currently studying at the People's Public Security University of China on September 28, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

In the letter, which was issued ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day, Xi expressed his hopes for the students and extended his greetings to the family of the martyrs from the public security system.

Safeguarding national security and social stability as well as the people's happiness and tranquility is the sacred duty of the people's police, he said.

Encouraging students to follow the examples of their parents' generation, Xi asked them to maintain firm ideals and convictions, work hard in their study and training, hone their skills, and dedicate themselves to serving as the loyal guardians of the Party and the people.

Xi also encouraged them to make unremitting efforts to build a peaceful China at a higher level, and actively contribute to the great cause of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, more than 17,000 police officers have died in the line of duty, with more than 3,700 of them being honored as martyrs.

China's top legislature approved September 30 as Martyrs' Day in 2014 to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives for national independence and prosperity.

People in many cities across China held various memorial activities to commemorate the martyrs, with many people spontaneously visiting war memorial museums to lay bouquets and pay their tribute.

Over the past week, soldiers, representatives from all walks of life, primary and secondary school students descended on major memorials across the country to pay their respects to heroes.

Multiple theater commands and armed police organized officers and soldiers to participate in memorial activities at the martyrs memorial parks, inspiring them to become heroes of the new era.

On September 25, in the hinterland of Karakoram Plateau located in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, after a new snowfall, the Martyrs' Cemetery at an altitude of 4280 meters in Kangxiwa appeared even more solemn and sacred. The officers and soldiers of a border defense regiment stationed in the western frontier of Xinjiang came here to pay tribute to the martyrs.

Before September 30, martyr memorial facilities in Sichuan's Suining, Guang'an, Panzhihua, Aba, and other places completed a full upgrade and were open to the public.

The Binjiang Village Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery is the only martyr cemetery that was funded and built by local villagers in Dandong, Northeast China's Liaoning Province. Among the 33 martyrs, only five of them left their names behind. Over 70 years ago, the Chinese People's Volunteer (CPV) Army gathered and trained near Binjiang village before going abroad for combat. During the war, dozens of wounded and sick volunteers who were transported back from the front lines and died due to their serious injuries were buried on the nearby hillside of Binjiang village.

Memorial activities were held not only in China. In places where Chinese soldiers sacrificed for world peace are often accompanied by a cup of wine and a bouquet of white chrysanthemums such as in the Cemetery for Martyrs of the CPV in Anju, South Pyongan, in North Korea and the "China Yadgar," the Chinese cemetery located in Danyor, Pakistan, where Chinese workers and engineers who laid their lives in the construction of Karakoram Highway.

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China says US true 'empire of lies', hitting back at report into information manipulation

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 30 September 2023 6:05 PM

The United States is the true "empire of lies," says China in response to a State Department report that accuses Beijing of using "deceptive and coercive methods" to shape the global information environment.

The US State Department's Global Engagement Center released the report on Thursday, accusing Beijing of manipulating global media through censorship, data harvesting, and covert purchases of foreign news outlets.

"The [People's Republic of China] employs a variety of deceptive and coercive methods as it attempts to influence the international information environment," the report claimed.

It also claimed that China's "efforts will reshape the global information landscape, creating biases and gaps that could even lead nations to make decisions that subordinate their economic and security interests to Beijing's."

The Chinese foreign ministry said in response that the report is a piece of "disinformation" in itself as it "misrepresents facts and truth."

The agencies of the US State Department that produced the report "were the source of false information and the command post of 'cognitive warfare'," the ministry said in a statement.

"Facts have proven time and again that the US is an 'empire of lies' through and through," a ministry spokesperson said in a statement published by the official Xinhua news agency.

"It is the US that invented the weaponizing of the global information space," the spokesperson added.

The report, designed to convince the world that Beijing is mounting a global propaganda effort as part of an "undeclared information war," marks another US effort to counter Chinese activities that it believes threaten American influence across the world.

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Chinese Companies Reduce Sales of Drones, Their Components to Ukraine - Report

Sputnik News

20230930

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Some Ukrainians were forced to beg and smuggle drones and their components to use them on the battlefield due to the reduction in drone supplies by Chinese companies, The New York Times newspaper reported on Saturday.

On September 1, the Chinese government imposed export controls on some drones and drone-related equipment.

Chinese export controls could worsen the problems of the Ukrainian supply chain ahead of winter, the report said.

"At night we do bombing missions, and during the day we think about how to get new drones... We're examining every possible way to export drones from China, because whatever one may say, they produce the most there," Oles Maliarevych, an officer in the 92nd Mechanized Brigade of Ukraine, was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

In June, the Ukrainian deputy minister for strategic industries said that Kiev was negotiating with Western arms manufacturers about establishing the production of weapons in Ukraine, including drones, and could sign contracts in the coming months.

In late August, the newspaper reported that Ukraine was developing about six models of long-range drones, including those capable of flying more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles).

A Sputnik

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Congratulations to President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping

Vladimir Putin congratulated President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping on the 74th anniversary of the founding of the republic.

October 1, 2023

00:05

The message reads, in part:

"Under your leadership China is confidently moving forward along the path of socioeconomic, scientific and technological development, strengthening its positions on the global arena and actively participating in resolving the most important issues on the regional and global agendas.

Relations between Russia and China are developing in the spirit of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. Moscow and Beijing are fruitfully cooperating in all areas, and efficiently coordinating their efforts in international affairs.

I am confident that our upcoming talks during the One Belt One Road international forum will facilitate further extension of the entire range of constructive Russian-Chinese ties benefitting our friendly peoples and ensuring safety and stability in the Eurasian continent and the entire world.

From the bottom of my heart, my friend, I wish you good health, well-being and all the success and happiness and prosperity to citizens of the People's Republic of China."

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South Korea, Japan Aim to Stabilize China Relations Despite US Partnership

By William Yang October 01, 2023

Efforts to resume diplomatic engagement between South Korea, Japan and China, including announcement of a possible visit to Seoul by Chinese leader Xi Jinping and an agreement to resume a trilateral leaders' summit, reflect China's attempt to counter Washington's curbs on the export of advanced technologies, analysts told VOA last week.

It also shows Seoul and Tokyo's desires to restart conversation over contentious issues with Beijing, they said.

"The real catalyst for the restart of talks [among the three countries] at the vice minister-level last week comes from the Chinese side," Daniel Russel, former U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs in the Obama administration, told VOA by phone.

He says that in his view, China's efforts to reduce tension with South Korea and Japan are driven by Beijing's concerns over warming ties between Seoul and Tokyo, the two countries' strengthened trilateral relationship with the U.S., and the economic slowdown that China has experienced since the start of the year.

"One of the trends that the Chinese see and are alarmed by is the closer alignment of Japan and South Korea with the U.S. and Europeans in reducing China's access to cutting-edge technologies," Russel said. "The Chinese want to do whatever they can to discourage South Korea from following the U.S. in putting any additional curbs on semiconductor exports to China."

However, other observers say the motivation to restart diplomatic engagement comes from South Korea.

"The South Koreans are motivated by the fact that China is a big neighbor and it's a huge market for them," Dennis Wilder, a former China analyst with the CIA, told VOA by phone.

He said he believes that the agreement to resume the trilateral leaders' summit is a natural next step for Seoul and Tokyo after they improved bilateral relations and significantly advanced their partnership with the U.S.

"What South Korea and Japan want to do is to stabilize their relationship with Beijing and keep economic ties with China strong without having to concede anything on the strategic side," Wilder said.

During his meeting with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in the Chinese city of Hangzhou Sept. 23, Xi said he would seriously consider visiting South Korea, which would be his first visit to Seoul since 2014 if it happens.

Bloomberg News has since reported that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's office is working to arrange a visit.

Despite his commitment to enhance cooperation with the U.S. over the last year, some experts think Yoon is "much less of a China hawk than is widely perceived."

"Yoon has always been willing to talk with China, provided that it could be done with an appropriate level of respect and without preconditions," Joel Atkinson, an expert in East Asian affairs at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in South Korea, told VOA in a written response to questions.

He added that the more Xi Jinping is willing to compromise, such as being willing to visit Seoul before Yoon visits Beijing, the easier it will be for Yoon to participate in the trilateral leaders' summit.

Exchange views on key issues

Apart from Xi's potential Seoul visit, South Korea, Japan and China agreed to organize a summit for leaders from the three countries "as early as possible," after deputy foreign ministers from the three countries met in Seoul on Tuesday.

During a daily press briefing on the same day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said senior officials from the three countries held "in-depth discussions" on steadily resuming trilateral cooperation.

"The three parties agreed to hold a foreign ministers' meeting in the coming months and maintain communication on holding a leaders' meeting at the earliest opportunity convenient to all three countries," he said.

Wilder said he believes that Seoul and Tokyo will want to learn about Beijing's assessment of the North Korean government and its policies, including missile tests and nuclear advancement.

"They would also want to hear what the Chinese understand about the recent rapprochement between North Korea and Russia," he told VOA.

In addition to sensitive geopolitical issues, the three countries will talk about economic ties, particularly the impact of Washington's curbs on advanced semiconductor technologies.

"I imagine the Chinese would be eager to get assurances that South Korea and Japan aren't going too far with those restrictions," Wilder said.

As for Seoul and Tokyo, Wilder said he expects they would hope to get reassurance from Beijing about access to the Chinese markets for their businesses and the guarantee that business people from both countries would be treated fairly in China.

They would want Beijing to guarantee "that there won't be arbitrary detentions as we have seen in recent months," he said.

A move to unblock lines of communication

Because of the growing military threat from North Korea and China's frequent military maneuvers around Taiwan, leaders from South Korea, Japan, and the United States strengthened the trilateral security partnership during a summit at Camp David, the U.S. presidential retreat, in August.

Beijing lodged complaints against the statement from the Camp David Summit, which criticized China's aggressive behavior in the South China Sea. In April, Yoon's claims that tensions near Taiwan were caused by attempts to change the status quo by force caused a diplomatic spat between Seoul and Beijing.

With tensions high between Beijing and the two major American allies in northeast Asia, Russel, who is now the vice president for international security and diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said attempts by South Korea, Japan, and China to resume exchanges between leaders can prevent existing problems from being exacerbated.

"We are in a much more problematic, if not dangerous, circumstance in part because there has been virtually no real engagement," he told VOA. "The trilateral summit could unblock lines of communication between Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo, as well as potentially chipping away some of the persistent problems."

Despite attempts to resume diplomatic exchanges with Beijing, Russel said he thinks these efforts will not compromise the security partnership among Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington.

"I'm sure the Japanese and Korean leaders will offer some reassurance to China that their alliance with the U.S. and the trilateral coordination among them is not a hostile act intended to contain, suppress, and subvert China," he told VOA.

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DPRK Foreign Minister Issues Press Statement

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, September 30 (KCNA) -- Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the DPRK, issued the following press statement on Saturday:

On September 29 the U.S. and its vassal states convened closed-door negotiations of the UN Security Council, in which they denounced the inviolable constitutional activities of the DPRK and its measures for bolstering up the capabilities for self-defence.

I brand the illegal and outrageous acts of the U.S. and other hostile forces, which termed the exercise of the DPRK's entirely just exercise of its sovereignty a "provocation" and "threat", as a frontal challenge to the sovereignty of the DPRK and undisguised interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, and vehemently denounce and reject them.

It is the extreme double standard for the UNSC to take issue with the DPRK over the exercise of its legitimate sovereign right only, while completely overlooking the ceaseless military provocations being perpetrated by the U.S. and its vassal forces, which declared the "end of regime" in the DPRK as their national policy, to wreck peace and stability of the Korean peninsula.

The abnormal behavior of the UNSC, which pulls up a sovereign state over its legislative activities, legitimate use of space and normal development of external relations, proves that the hostile forces' insistence on the "implementation of the UN resolution" means, in essence, the complete renunciation of the sovereignty by the DPRK.

It is an inevitable result in the DPRK's historical process for bolstering up its national defence capabilities and raising its national prestige that it fixed its legal position as a responsible nuclear weapons state at the highest level.

The DPRK formulated its status as a nuclear weapons state in its constitution, which is of great significance in the fact that it guarantees the eternal foundation for its prosperity and provided a powerful legal lever for defending its sovereignty as a nuclear-armed nation, not merely the constitutional work that revised and supplemented the provisions of the supreme code of the nation.

The position and role of the nuclear weapons in ensuring the security of the DPRK accurately reflect the threats from the outside hostile forces and the ever-changing global geopolitical structure at present and in the future.

It is the undeniable stark reality that the U.S. and its vassal forces' ceaseless nuclear threats to the DPRK, which has lingered for more than half a century, have become a decisive factor and premise that triggered the DPRK's access to nuclear weapons and constant bolstering of its nuclear force.

It is the history never to be written off nor to be revised that the DPRK was compelled to arm itself with nuclear weapons as the U.S. turned the Korean peninsula into a nuclear arsenal decades before the DPRK had access to nuclear weapons, and has ceaselessly escalated its nuclear threats to the DPRK.

The DPRK is strengthening the role of its nuclear force in ensuring national security and consolidating its legal and institutional position to cope with the U.S. and its followers' moves of institutionalizing the use of their nuclear weapons against the DPRK and making it their policy. No one is entitled to take issue with this independent right of a sovereign state.

As long as the U.S., the imperialist entity, exists, it is the destiny of the DPRK to arm itself with nuclear weapons.

If the U.S. and other hostile forces try to deny the DPRK's constitutional position as a nuclear weapons state or deprive it of that position by forcing denuclearization upon it, it will be regarded as the most serious violation of its sovereignty and constitution forcing it to renounce its constitution and social system.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to warn the UNSC against its behavior of unhesitatingly employing illegal and hideous double standard, blindly following the U.S., bereft of equity and justice.

We will deter all the hostile forces' attempts to violate the inviolable sovereignty of the DPRK by launching the strongest and overwhelming counteraction and firmly defend its position as a nuclear weapons state, the supreme interests of its national security, from the outside hostile acts. -0-

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Press Statement of Im Chon Il, Vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of DPRK

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, October, 1 (KCNA) -- Im Chon Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, issued the following press statement on Sunday:

The U.S. unjust and outrageous hostility toward the DPRK-Russia traditional friendly and cooperative relations and its attempt to interfere in them have gone beyond the red line.

Recently, the U.S. groundlessly termed the development of the good neighborly relations between the two countries "violation of resolutions" of the UN and "violation of international law" in a bid to give the world public a false impression that the DPRK-Russia cooperation poses a "threat" to global peace and security.

This is a vivid expression of the U.S. hegemony-oriented way of thinking based on the Cold War-style confrontation logic.

The DPRK-Russia relations are developing onto a new high stage, according to the strategic decision of the top leaders of the two countries. They serve as a powerful fortress and strategic stronghold for preserving peace and for deterring the imperialists' high-handed and arbitrary practices, military threats and interference.

Given that the U.S. and the West have gone to the extremes in their confrontational and divisive moves for gaining hegemony, the good neighborly relations between the two countries have reached the height of development, thus ensuring the balance of the international mechanical structure and further improving the world strategic security environment.

Unlike the U.S. sophism, the relations getting more and more "dangerous" are the U.S.-led alliance which constantly threatens the security environment of independent sovereign states, assuming more evident aggressive and exclusive colors.

The U.S.-Japan-"south Korea" triangular military alliance, which has clearly betrayed hostility toward the DPRK and its neighboring countries, and NATO, the mastermind of the Ukrainian crisis, are just the cancer-like entities jeopardizing the international order based on the purpose and the principle of the UN Charter and posing a grave threat to global peace and security.

The U.S., which prioritizes the nexus with its allies to maintain its hegemony, has neither qualifications nor justification to find fault with the intensified unity and solidarity between the independent and anti-imperialist sovereign states which are exposed to an actual threat from it.

The U.S. ill-minded repugnancy toward the DPRK-Russia relations only reveals that it lacks power and wits in the showdown with the anti-imperialist independent countries.

The anti-DPRK, anti-Russia hostile remarks of the U.S., an entity typical of injustice, clearly prove once again that to develop the DPRK-Russia relations is, indeed, the just way for building an independent and peaceful new world and realizing genuine international justice.

The DPRK will further develop the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation with the Russian Federation and other independent sovereign countries and thus deter the imperialists' military threat, provocation, high-handed and arbitrary practices and firmly defend peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in the rest of the world. -0-

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Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Sends Greetings to President Xi Jinping

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, October 1 (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, sent a message of greeting to Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and president of the People's Republic of China (PRC), on Sunday.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un in his message extended warm congratulations on behalf of the WPK, the DPRK government and all the Korean people to General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC, the PRC government and the fraternal Chinese people on the 74th founding anniversary of the PRC.

After the founding of the PRC, the Chinese people have vigorously strived for building socialism and achieving the prosperity of the nation, while overcoming all sorts of challenges and difficulties, rallied close behind the CPC, the message said, and went on:

Over the last 10-odd years, the CPC with you, the general secretary, as its core has made remarkable successes in the cause of the party and state building by uniting and inspiring the entire party and people under the banner of the socialist idea with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

Our party, government and people are rejoiced over all the achievements made by the Chinese party, government and people as over our own.

I am sure that the fraternal Chinese people will make fresh success in the struggle for building a modern socialist state in all aspects and safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country under your leadership.

The DPRK and China have always and invariably supported and encouraged in the long course of defending and glorifying socialism.

I, together with you, will strive to consolidate and develop the DPRK-China friendly relations, which have entered a new historic period, in accordance with the aspiration and desire of the peoples of the two countries and to safeguard peace and stability in the region and the rest of the world.

I sincerely wish you good health and greater success in your responsible work for the party and state, the PRC prosperity and the Chinese people happiness. -0-

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Press Statement of DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, October 1 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK issued the following press statement on Sunday:

There was a grave terrorist attack on the Cuban embassy in the United States on September 24.

We strongly denounce the recent terrorist act as a wanton violation of international law and an undisguised infringement on the sovereignty of Cuba.

Lurking behind the incident is the sinister intention of the anti-Cuban forces in the U.S. to tarnish the international image of Cuba, with the final aim of overthrowing the social system of socialist Cuba.

Though the truth behind a shooting spree case against the Cuban embassy in the U.S. three years ago has not been probed yet, there took place again another case of throwing gasoline bottle bomb to threaten the lives of diplomats. This goes to prove that the above-said incidents were committed evidently at the tacit connivance of the U.S. administration.

The U.S. is keen only on putting those countries incurring its displeasure on the list of sponsors of terrorism, purposely turning away from the obligations of the receiving state stipulated in the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. This can never be justified in any case.

The U.S. arrogant and despicable anti-Cuban moves are facing the strong protest and denunciation by the international community aspiring after the respect for sovereignty of an independent and sovereign state and justice.

If the U.S., always clamoring for "observance of international law" and boasting of "law-governed state", has the slightest will to defend its "honor", it should, though belatedly, acknowledge the blame for not only the recent incident but also all the past terrorist cases and probe their truth to show its sincerity.

We have consistently and fully supported the just cause of the Cuban party, government and people for defending the sovereignty and socialism and will always stand together with the Cuban people in the struggle against all sorts of terrorism. -0-

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North Korea: NATO and US' Asian Allies are 'Cancer Tumor'

Sputnik News

20231001

North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Im Chon Il slammed NATO as an instigator of the Ukrainian crisis in a statement published by the state-run news agency.

The DPRK has described NATO and the Asian alliance between the US, Japan and South Korea as a "cancer tumor" that puts international UN-based order into jeopardy.

According to North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Im Chon Il, the US-backed blocs are becoming "more dangerous," not hiding their "aggressive and chauvinistic nature."

Im Chon Il added that the US is attempting to interfere in the friendly relations between Russia and North Korea. He stressed that American foreign policy reflects a "hegemony-oriented way of thinking based on the Cold War-style confrontation logic."

"The US' unjust and outrageous hostility toward the DPRK-Russia traditional friendly and cooperative relations and its attempt to interfere in them have gone beyond the red line. Recently, the US groundlessly termed the development of the good neighborly relations between the two countries as a 'violation of resolutions' of the UN and 'violation of international law' in a bid to give the world public a false impression that the DPRK-Russia cooperation poses a 'threat' to global peace and security," Im Chon Il said in a statement.

Despite the hostile statements of the United States, North Korea will keep developing ties with Russia to protect peace and international justice, Im Chon added.

"The DPRK will further develop the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation with the Russian Federation and other independent sovereign countries and thus deter the imperialists' military threat, provocation, high-handed and arbitrary practices and firmly defend peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in the rest of the world," diplomat outlined.

The US' approach to Russian-North Korean relations proves that the development of these relations is "the just way" for building peace and "genuine international justice," the statement read.

Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russia for the first time since 2019 and held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East. Ahead of the negotiations, the two leaders inspected the launch pad of the Soyuz-2 spacecraft. When journalists asked whether Russia planned to help North Korea develop its space technologies, Putin replied that it was the very reason they came to the Vostochny Cosmodrone.

Kim Jong Un left a brief but sincere entry in the book of honorary guests of the cosmodrome, writing, "The glory of Russia, which gave birth to the first space explorers, will be immortal."

The North Korean leader went on to visit different parts of Russia's Far East, including military facilities, and held talks with top Russian officials, including Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu.

A Sputnik

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Spokesman for Ministry of Nuclear Power Industry of DPRK Releases Press Statement

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, October 2 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Ministry of Nuclear Power Industry of the DPRK released a following press statement on Monday:

An anti-DPRK "resolution" was cooked up again at the 67th session of the IAEA General Conference on September 29 as a result of conspiracy between the U.S. and its followers.

We vehemently denounce and reject the abnormal behavior of the IAEA which has been completely reduced to a reptile organization that serves the U.S. away from its elementary mission as an international organization to maintain impartiality.

In the early 1990s, the DPRK had already withdrawn openly and squarely from the IAEA, for it had been hell-bent on hostile acts against the DPRK by openly supporting the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK. Therefore, the IAEA has neither qualifications nor justification to say this or that over the DPRK's exercise of sovereignty.

Moreover, following the promulgation of the law on the state nuclear force policy last year, the principle of state activities concerning the building of the nuclear force was stipulated in the Socialist Constitution, the supreme law of the DPRK, at the recent 9th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly. As a result, the position of the DPRK as a nuclear weapons state has become irreversible, and this is a stark reality that can never change no matter how desperately anyone may deny.

Nevertheless, the U.S. and its followers are still resorting to the fabrication of a "resolution" full of hackneyed and far-fetched assertion by abusing the name of an international organization.

Such farce of the hostile forces is a revelation of their sinister intention to cover up their criminal acts of seriously threatening the international nuclear non-proliferation system and justify their hostile policy toward the DPRK by outlawing the DPRK's legitimate nuclear activities.

What should not be overlooked is that the director-general of the IAEA is taking the lead in creating the atmosphere of pressurizing the DPRK, spreading a false story about "imminent 7th nuclear test" in the DPRK.

It is crystal-clear that such tireless "enthusiasm" of the director-general is to flatter the U.S. and the West, not prompted by his "strong sense of responsibility" for his job.

The IAEA, led by the present director-general, has come under fire from the international community for conniving at and encouraging the "AUKUS", an outcome of conspiracy between the U.S. and the West for nuclear proliferation, and Japan's discharge of nuclear-polluted water.

Taking this opportunity, we clarify once again our principled stand to the director-general who behaves like a U.S. State Department official, forgetful of his duty as director of an international organization.

As long as tyrannical nuclear weapons of the U.S. and imperialist aggression forces exist on this land, the DPRK's position as a nuclear weapons state will remain unchanged and the DPRK will never tolerate the hostile forces' acts of infringing upon its sovereignty.

If the IAEA wants to avoid international criticism as a paid trumpeter of the U.S., it would be well advised to devote itself to tackling the difficulties facing the international community such as the U.S. nuclear proliferation through "AUKUS", Japan's discharge of nuclear-polluted water and the U.S. expansion of nuclear test ground, instead of wasting time and energy for such futile work as adopting anti-DPRK reports, cooking up "resolutions" and keeping IAEA inspectors on standby. -0-

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North Korea denounces IAEA as 'paid trumpeter' for Washington

Iran Press TV

Monday, 02 October 2023 2:35 AM

North Korea has vehemently denounced the United Nation's nuclear watchdog for "cooking up" a resolution against Pyongyang's nuclear program, saying it will never tolerate any acts of infringement upon its sovereignty.

The strongly-worded rebuke came after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution on Friday, urging North Korea to suspend its nuclear weapons program and heed the UN Security Council's resolutions.

Reacting to the measure early Monday, a spokesman for Pyongyang's Ministry of Nuclear Power Industry vowed, "As long as tyrannical nuclear weapons of the US and imperialist aggression forces exist on this land, the DPRK's position as a nuclear-weapon state will remain unchanged and the DPRK will never tolerate the hostile forces' acts of infringing upon its sovereignty."

The unnamed spokesman was using the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Noting that the IAEA has no jurisdiction in North Korea because it left the organization in 1994, the spokesman described the resolution as a "result of

conspiracy" by the United States and its allies. He emphasized that North Korea's status as a nuclear-weapon state has already become "irreversible."

The spokesman also accused IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi of "taking the lead in creating the atmosphere of pressurizing the DPRK" by "spreading a false story" about an imminent nuclear test.

"If the IAEA wants to avoid international criticism as a paid trumpeter of the US, it would be well advised to devote itself to tackling the difficulties facing the international community," the spokesman said, referring to US nuclear proliferation and Japan's discharge of wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant.

"Such farce of the hostile forces is a revelation of their sinister intention to cover up their criminal acts of seriously threatening the international nuclear nonproliferation system and justify their hostile policy toward the DPRK," he added.

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Iran Navy to take delivery of new homegrown destroyer soon: Commander

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 30 September 2023 6:37 PM

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani says the force will take delivery of a new domestically-designed and manufactured destroyer in the near future, which is furnished with much more advanced and elaborate systems compared to the military vessels already unveiled.

Addressing students at Sharif University of Technology in the capital Tehran during a Saturday ceremony in commemoration of the anniversary of the 1980-88 Iraq-imposed war, Irani highlighted that the homegrown military vessel, dubbed Deylaman, will soon join Iran's naval fleet.

He described Deylaman as much more sophisticated than Dena destroyer.

Dena is reportedly the fourth Jamaran-class destroyer manufactured by the Defense Ministry's naval industries.

The Iranian destroyer is equipped with various defense and offense systems, designed to make long journeys in the oceans, and capable of detecting, tracking, and hitting various aerial, surface, and submarine targets.

Dena is also capable of carrying helicopters on its deck.

Elsewhere in his remarks on Saturday, Irani stated that the Iranian Navy plans to set up a base in the Antarctica. Iran's southeastern Makran coast is directly connected to the South Pole and the deployment of Iranian servicemen in that region would be of a practical nature, he said.

Antarctica is important from several different aspects as it is the best place to control the cruise of ballistic missiles, the high-ranking Iranian commander said.

Iran's Navy has in recent years achieved self-sufficiency in manufacturing surface and sub-surface vessels. It has also increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.

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Iran to join BRICS PAY to dodge problems caused by SWIFT

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 30 September 2023 4:47 PM

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf says the country will soon join BRICS PAY, an electronic banking system used by the BRICS alliance of emerging economies, amid plans by Tehran to dodge banking restrictions caused by US sanctions.

Speaking in an open session of the Iranian parliament on Saturday, Qalibaf said that Iran will access BRICS PAY as of January 1, 2024.

"That gives us a major opportunity to work with big countries," he said while elaborating on growing trade between Iran and original BRICS members, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Iran was invited to join BRICS on August 24 as part of a decision by the bloc to accept six new members.

Iran's membership came nearly two months after it joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a bloc also led by major economies like China, Russia and India.

Qalibaf made the remarks about BRICS PAY after a visit to South Africa where he attended a meeting of BRICS parliament speakers.

He said Iran's access to the banking system would eliminate the need for access to SWIFT, a Belgium-based financial messaging system which has banned Iran from its services over the past years because of US sanctions.

The Iranian parliament speaker said China, Russia, India and South Africa account for some 30% of Iran's entire trade, adding that BRICS PAY would be a major boost to Iran's efforts to maintain and increase its trade relations with the rest of the world.

He described the creation of the payment system as a major achievement for BRICS because it facilitates trade by reducing the need for access to Western-dominated systems like SWIFT.

A statement on BRICS PAY website says the system seeks to enable businesses and consumers within the bloc and beyond "to securely and seamlessly make and receive payments in their local currency" while trying to "reduce the cost and complexity of international payments".

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Iran Armed Forces ready for full cooperation with Pakistan in anti-terror fight: Top general

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 30 September 2023 2:21 PM

Iran's highest-ranking military commander says the country's Armed Forces are ready to improve all-out cooperation with Pakistan in the battle against terrorism.

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri made the statement in a message to Pakistan's Chief of the Army General Asim Munir on Saturday.

Baqeri condemned the "savage, anti-religious and anti-human" terrorist bombings at two mosques in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan on Friday, which killed at least 60 people and injured more than 70 others.

He expressed disappointment over the terrorist attack which killed innocent Pakistani people attending a ceremony to celebrate the birthday anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The top Iranian general expressed confidence that the perpetrators behind the crime would be identified, arrested and punished soon with the efforts of the Pakistani armed forces and the security and judicial bodies.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, from which the death toll could climb, with many people seriously injured and others having been trapped beneath the wreckage.

In a message to his Pakistani counterpart Arif Alvi on Friday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi condemned the terrorist bombings in Pakistan, saying Tehran is firmly ready to counter extremism in all its forms.

Over the recent years, Tehran and Islamabad have been working towards enhancing relations, not least bilateral economic ties and mutual efforts aimed at combating terrorism in the areas that straddle the border.

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Rights Activists Count More Detainees From Iran's 'Bloody Friday' Anniversary

By VOA Persian Service September 30, 2023

Human rights sources say the number of Baluch citizens detained during violent demonstrations Friday has risen to at least 51 in the cities of Zahedan, Khash, and Mirjaveh, as three more people were identified Saturday.

The Hal-Vash website that covers news in Sistan and Baluchistan provinces reports Saturday that, following Friday prayers, government forces detained several citizens in the cities of Zahedan, Khash, Mehrestan and Mirjaveh. The website's reporting suggests more than half of detainees are 16 to 30 years old.

Human Rights Activists News Agency also covered the events of Friday in Sistan and Baluchistan. It noted that on the one-year anniversary of "Bloody Friday in Zahedan," Zahedan residents on Friday organized protests that turned violent when law enforcement officers intervened.

Images and reports indicate that some citizens were injured by inhaling tear gas. Hal-Vash also reported at least 29 people, including eight children, were hurt in clashes between security forces and protesters.

NetBlocks, a watchdog organization that monitors cybersecurity and internet governance, reported disruptions in internet connectivity in Zahedan, describing it as a "systematic effort to suppress public protests."

Demand for punishment

Molavi Abdul Hamid, the Friday prayer Imam of the Sunnis in Zahedan, referred to the events of September 30, 2022, as a "grave tragedy" during his Friday sermon. He declared, "The general public demands the punishment of those responsible for the Bloody Friday massacre."

A year ago, demonstrations broke out across Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman who died in custody following her arrest in Tehran for allegedly flouting the country's strict hijab rules.

The incidents Friday, along with images on social media, occurred amid a backdrop where the prosecutor of Sistan and Baluchistan province has categorically denied the existence of any gatherings or confrontations. The prosecutor asserted that "in opposition to the calls circulating for days to organize gatherings in the province, people have managed the situation adeptly, refraining from participating in such calls, and nothing particular happened."

Residents take to streets

Shirahmad Shirani Naroui, the editor-in-chief of Hal-Vash, emphasized in an exclusive interview with Voice of America, "On Friday, September 29, residents took to the streets in numerous cities within the Sistan and Baluchistan province, challenging government forces. Remarkably, even as night fell, protesters persisted on the streets of Zahedan."

Naroui underscored heightened security measures in Zahedan on Friday, pointing out that "following the departure of people from Makki Mosque and the commencement of peaceful protests, government forces confronted the demonstrators using stones, slingshots, and even live ammunition, including semi-automatic firearms. Currently, no information is available regarding the potential number of casualties resulting from this incident."

Mehdi Nakhl-Ahmadi, a journalist, also discussed with Voice of America factors contributing to the yearlong endurance of protests in Sistan and Baluchistan and the enthusiastic participation of the people in the commemoration of "Bloody Friday in Zahedan." He remarked, "The ongoing protests are a consequence of unfulfilled and unaddressed demands and the wisdom of Molavi Abdul Hamid, which led to the persistence of these protests."

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Any geopolitical change in region fuels instability, crisis: Iran security chief

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 October 2023 5:29 PM

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Akbar Ahmadian says any change in the geopolitics of the region will cause insecurity and instability and escalate crisis.

In a Sunday meeting with Armen Grigoryan, the secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia, in Tehran, Ahmadian pointed to the latest developments in the Caucasus region and urged all parties to help establish peace and security in the region.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the Caucasus and lies within Azerbaijan's borders.

The region has always been internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan though it is mostly populated by ethnic Armenians, who have resisted Azerbaijan's sovereignty over the territory.

Last week, Azerbaijan launched an operation designed to seize control of the breakaway territory and perhaps end a three-decade-old conflict.

The operation ended on September 20, after the Azerbaijani military routed Armenian forces in 24 hours and made the separatists agree to lay down weapons, under a Russian-mediated ceasefire.

Ahmadian reaffirmed Iran's principled and unchanging policy on developing cooperation and interaction with the neighboring states and creating a region free of conflict.

"Frank and constructive dialogue among regional countries will prepare the ground for [improving] sustainable security, balanced development and prosperity of the nations in the region," the SNSC secretary said.

Ahmadian voiced Iran's readiness to arrange a meeting among the regional states.

He placed a premium on increasing economic cooperation and joint commercial exchanges between Iran and Armenia and said Tehran is keen to boost relations with Yerevan in all sectors.

Grigoryan, for his part, said Iran and Armenia enjoy deep-rooted relations and voiced Yerevan's readiness to enhance comprehensive relations with Tehran.

The Armenian security chief hailed Iran's effective role in establishing peace and stability in the Caucasus region and called on Tehran to proceed with its efforts in this regard. He highlighted the significance of the economic, commercial and industrial projects between the two countries.

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Iran equips Sabalan destroyer with record number of cruise missiles: Navy chief

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 October 2023 10:57 AM

Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani says his forces have managed to furnish the Sabalan destroyer with 12 anti-ship cruise missiles, breaking the record for the number of guided missiles installed on Iranian vessels.

Speaking to Tasnim news agency on Sunday, Irani said that the missile-equipped destroyer will be unveiled soon.

Sabalan is an Alvand-class frigate of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy. It was damaged in an encounter with the US Navy in the Persian Gulf during the 1980s Iraqi-imposed war.

After a few years, the 1,500-ton destroyer was repaired by domestic experts.

Previously, Sablan was furnished with 4 anti-ship cruise missiles and took part in 13 Iranian naval fleets.

Iran's Sahand and Sina frigates have each been equipped with eight cruise missiles.

Iran's Navy has in recent years achieved self-sufficiency in manufacturing equipment.

It has also increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.

On Saturday, during a ceremony in commemoration of the anniversary of the Iraq-imposed war, Irani said the navy will also take delivery of a new domestically designed and developed destroyer in the near future, which is furnished with much more advanced and elaborate systems compared to the military vessels already unveiled.

He said that the homegrown military vessel, dubbed Deylaman, will soon join Iran's naval fleet.

Irani also said that the Iranian Navy plans to set up a base in Antarctica.

Iran's southeastern Makran coast is directly connected to the South Pole and the deployment of Iranian servicemen in that region would be of a practical nature, he added, saying, Antarctica is the best place to control the cruise of ballistic missiles.

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Iran-Iraq security pact appropriate road map to eliminate destabilizing factors: Security chief

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 October 2023 2:50 PM

Iran's security chief urges "full and precise" implementation of a security agreement with Iraq that entails the complete disarmament and re-location of anti-Iran terrorist groups operating in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

In a Sunday meeting with Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji in Tehran, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Akbar Ahmadian said the agreement guarantees the border security.

He added that the pact is a "rational and appropriate" roadmap for the elimination of the factors that create insecurity in the two countries and the region.

On March 19, in Baghdad, Iran and Iraq signed a security agreement encompassing coordination in protecting the shared border.

Under the agreement, the Iraqi government had promised to disarm terrorist and separatist groups based in the Kurdistan region by September 19, vacate their military barracks, and transfer them to the camps established by the Baghdad government.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said on September 23 that his country has implemented all clauses of the security agreement.

He made the comment after Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, the Chief of General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, said the country had given Iraq several more days to fully implement the security pact, stressing that all terrorist groups in the region must be disarmed.

"What happened during this six-month respite was that [they] just distanced a bit from the borders of our country," he said while thanking the Iraqi government for its efforts to disarm the separatists.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Ahmadian pointed to agreements signed between Tehran and Baghdad to expand relations and said the two sides have ample capacities for the improvement of all-out cooperation in various fields, particularly in the economic sector.

For his part, the top Iraqi security official reaffirmed his country's determination to implement the security deal with Iran.

He said that Baghdad would take every opportunity to strengthen relations with Tehran.

Iraq sets up 12 checkpoints along border with Iran

The deputy commander of Iraq's Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Qais al-Mohammadawi, said on Sunday that his country has formed a higher committee which has been working for months on developing a mechanism to implement the security pact with Iran.

In an interview with the Iraqi News Agency (INA) published on Sunday, Mohammadawi said the committee is working under the chairmanship of the national security adviser and specialized officers from the ministries of defense, interior, advisory and security services.

He said 10 to 12 checkpoints had been set up over the past two weeks and separatist elements had been transferred from the border to specific places.

The Iraqi official said Baghdad would allow no one to use its soil as a springboard for aggression against neighboring countries, whether Iran, Turkey or other states. The commander, however, stressed the importance of respecting Iraq's sovereignty.

The presence of Kurdish terrorist groups, including the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Komala, Kurdistan Free Life Party, and the Kurdistan Freedom Party, has been a source of tension between Iran and Iraq for years, with these groups often carrying out terrorist attacks on Iranian soil.

Iran has, on countless occasions, warned Iraqi Kurdistan's local authorities that it will not tolerate the presence and activity of terrorist groups along its northwestern borders, saying the country will give a decisive response should those areas become a haven for anti-Tehran terrorists.

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Iraq's national security advisor in Tehran to advance border security pact

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 October 2023 10:42 AM

A security delegation from Iraq headed by the national security advisor has arrived in Tehran to discuss the terms of a security agreement that entails the complete disarmament and re-location of anti-Iran terrorist groups operating in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

Qasim al-Araji traveled to Tehran at the head of a security delegation on Sunday under the direction of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, the official Iraqi News Agency reported.

According to the report, the Iraqi delegation will meet with Iranian authorities to complete the implementation of the recent security agreement.

Anti-Iran terrorists occasionally attempt to use the Kurdistan region to target Iranian soil or to smuggle weapons into the country and target Iran's security.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has now and then targeted terrorists' lairs in the Kurdistan region.

Iran has repeatedly urged Baghdad and Erbil to meet their commitments toward Iran and take necessary measures to make the common border between the countries secure.

Last month, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said his country is committed to a security pact with Iran to disarm anti-Iran terrorist groups based in the Kurdistan region.

He made the remarks at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Tehran on September 13.

Hussein said the terrorist groups will be transferred to camps supervised by the United Nations.

He made clear that the Iraqi constitution does not allow any group to use Iraqi territory to attack other countries, saying the security agreement between the two neighboring countries is also based on the Arab country's constitution.

He also said the Baghdad government and the Kurdistan region are cooperating with each other in this regard and both stress the necessity of implementing the security agreement.

Amir-Abdollahian, for his part, underscored that the Islamic Republic of Iran is serious when it comes to providing the country's national security.

"Efforts are underway to disarm them and fully implement the clauses of the security agreement between the two countries," he added.

Two days before the two foreign ministers visited, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani also said the ultimatum given to Iraq to disarm anti-Iran separatist groups based in the Kurdistan region would not be extended.

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Massive rallies against Israeli regime's policies drag into 39th straight week

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 October 2023 12:34 AM

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have held massive protests across the occupied territories for the 39th straight week against the hardline Israeli cabinet's policies, including its so-called judicial overhaul scheme.

The rallies were held on Saturday across more than 100 locations throughout the occupied territories, including the coastal city of Tel Aviv, as well as the occupied city of al-Quds, Modi'in, Ariel, Rosh Ha'ayin, Haifa and Rehovot.

"On Saturday night, we will all meet at Kaplan [Street in Tel Aviv] ... in a massive solidarity rally," protest organizers said in a statement ahead of the rally in the city.

Noting that Israel's extremist prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, "is an expert in dividing people along sectarian lines, religious vs. secular, [and] left vs. right as part of his divide and conquer strategy," the statement added, "The economy is tumbling down and all we get is provocations..."

Dozens of demonstrators closed the Ayalon Expressway in Tel Aviv, raising protest banners and carrying torches. The regime's forces then moved in to disperse the crowd, arresting two demonstrators.

Former director general of Israel's ministry of military affairs, Dan Harel, addressed the Tel Aviv rally, saying that the extremist cabinet's "actions to weaken the Supreme Court have already resulted in significant damage to the reserve units" of the regime's military, "causing a loss of readiness and operational capability."

Hundreds of protesters also held a rally in front of the Israeli president's residence in the city of al-Quds.

The demonstrations started in January, when Netanyahu's far-right cabinet unveiled its plan to radically change the structure of the regime's judiciary and its Supreme Court.

The scheme primarily seeks to prevent the Supreme Court from being able to exercise its power to strike down the decisions made by the politicians.

The protests have gained momentum since the end of July, when the Knesset passed the first bill of the overhaul plan, which restricted the court's ability to declare the cabinet's decisions "unreasonable."

Saturday's rallies came after the court deliberated petitions against the "reasonableness law." A verdict, however, is due in weeks, if not months.

Proponents of the overhaul say it helps redistribute the balance of power between the politicians and the judiciary. Its opponents, however, accuse Netanyahu of trying his hand at a power grab. They say the premier, who is on trial in three corruption cases for receiving bribe, fraud, and breach of trust, is also attempting to use the scheme to quash possible judgments against him.

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Junta shells school in Myanmar's Sagaing region, injuring 18 kids

Six children were severely wounded in the attack that took place while school was in session.

By RFA Burmese 2023.09.30 -- At least 18 children were injured and receiving medical care after junta troops fired artillery shells on a village in Myanmar's northern Sagaing region during the middle of the school day, according to residents.

The incident was the latest example of casualties caused by the junta targeting a civilian area in Myanmar, where authorities have killed at least 4,131 people since the military seized power in a Feb. 1, 2021, coup d'etat and embarked on a nationwide offensive to root out its opposition.

On Wednesday, the military's Light Infantry Battalion 102, based in the town of Wuntho, fired three howitzer shells at Gyoe Taung village around 13 kilometers (8 miles) to the northeast, one of which exploded around 6 meters (20 feet) away from the village school while classes were in session.

Residents told RFA on Friday that eight boys and 10 girls between the ages of eight and 12 were injured in the shelling, six seriously.

"It's a relief that the shell exploded outside the school," said one resident of Gyoe Taung who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke to RFA Burmese on condition of anonymity, citing security concerns. "If it directly hit, the children would likely have died."

The resident said that several of the children suffered severe bruising to their chests, but that most "are doing fine" after receiving medical treatment from the People's Administrative Organization, which opened the school serving more than 100 children between the ages of four and 12 in the courtyard of the village monastery.

The school had to be temporarily closed due to damage from the shelling, he said.

According to military experts, the 155-millimeter howitzer used in the attack is typically deployed to back ground troops on the front line of a conflict and is capable of lobbing shells from up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) away.

More than 1,000 residents of villages on the eastern side of Wuntho township are currently sheltering in Gyoe Taung to avoid other fighting in the area, sources said.

Another resident of Gyoe Taung told RFA that people are "terrified" and described the children hit by the shelling as "panic-stricken" due to the random use of heavy artillery by junta troops in the township.

"The shelling hit right near the school where the children were studying and the monastery, which is unacceptable," the resident said. "The children were scared and started to cry. They panicked as their bleeding injuries were treated."

The resident said that villagers are "afraid for their lives, as [the soldiers] fire indiscriminately in the township.

"Even if they don't carry out a raid, the people here are scared," he said.

'Unprovoked' retaliation

The shelling took place a day after members of the anti-junta People's Defense Force, or PDF, paramilitary group approached and opened fire on a military checkpoint in Wuntho, killing some members of the pro-junta Pyu-saw-htee militia and capturing weapons, residents told RFA, calling the attack "unprovoked."

A member of the Wuntho PDF said that while the situation in the township is currently stable, the risk of military shelling is constant.

"The junta column is not in much of a position to leave its base to attack," he said. "As the revolutionary forces attack them jointly, whenever they leave [the safety of their base], they can only remain in close proximity to the town center."

"As the [junta troops] couldn't defeat the [opposition], they just fired [shells] randomly," he said.

In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Defense of the shadow National Unity Government, or NUG - made up of former civilian government leaders and anti-junta activists - described the Gyoe Taung village incident as a "military war crime."

"We have witnessed the junta targeting civilians without exception for children, the elderly, pregnant women and religious leaders," said NUG spokesperson Nay Phone Latt. "The NUG will make sure that all perpetrators are held accountable for these crimes and are given due punishment in the future."

Deadly Sagaing shelling

The incident follows one on Sept. 10 when an unexploded military 60-millimeter shell went off in Wuntho's Taung Boet Hla village, killing one child and seriously injuring six others who had been playing with the munition.

The situation in Gyoe Taung village also came as junta troops fired heavy artillery fire on Sagaing's Kale township on Friday, killing a civilian woman and injuring a civilian man in Dine Kone village, residents said.

Three of 10 shells fired by the military hit the center of Dine Kone, killing 30-year-old Pae Hlaw, they said. The identity of the injured man was not immediately clear.

"One of their shells directly hit the home of the victims," one resident said.

Two civilians in Kale's Tat Oo Thida ward were injured by junta shelling on Thursday night, according to township residents, while on Wednesday, a civilian home in southern Kale's Sha Pho village was hit by heavy artillery, killing four family members.

Attempts by RFA to contact Sai Naing Naing Kyaw, the junta's minister of ethnic affairs and spokesman for Sagaing region, regarding the heavy artillery fire incidents, went unanswered Friday.

Junta troops have killed at least 414 children across Myanmar since the coup, the NUG's ministry of youth and children's affairs said in a June 6 statement.

According to statistics compiled by RFA, junta airstrikes and heavy artillery fire killed a total of 462 civilians and injured 812 others during the eight months from January to the end of August.

Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Pakistan Death Toll Rises As UN Security Council Condemns Attacks On Religious Events

By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal September 30, 2023

The death toll has risen to at least 59 from an explosion at a religious gathering in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, after officials said more critically ill victims died in the hospital overnight.

Dozens more were injured in the attack that took place on September 29, when one or more suicide bombers are believed to have targeted a procession celebrating the birth of Prophet Muhammad in the Mastung district, some 60 kilometers from the provincial capital, Quetta.

It was one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in Pakistan in months and prompted officials to declare a state of emergency at Quetta area hospitals.

Police on September 30 filed a report to launch an investigation, saying they had sent DNA from the suicide bomber to be analyzed.

Pakistani Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti told reporters in Quetta that India's intelligence agency, the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW), was involved in the suicide attack but provided no details or evidence to support the claim.

Pakistani officials have long claimed that India sponsors violent groups in Pakistan. India has consistently denied the claims.

On the same day as the attack in Balochistan, at least five people were killed in explosions that targeted a mosque and a police station in the restive northwestern Khyber Pakhtuknkhwa Province bordering Afghanistan, according to police and media reports.

The UN Security Council's members issued a statement in which they "condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide terrorist attacks in Pakistan today that targeted a religious procession in Mastung, Balochistan Province, to commemorate 12 Rabi-ul-Awaal, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, and a mosque in the Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province."

They "underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice."

Pakistani caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul-Haq Kakar and President Arif Alvi along with cabinet ministers and other officials and religious leaders condemned the killings.

No group has claimed responsibility.

Dr. Rashid Mohammad Shahi, the head of the Mastung Health Department, told RFE/RL that more than 50 people were wounded in the Mastung incident at a celebration of what is known as Mawlid al-Nabi, during which Muslims usually hold gatherings and distribute free meals to the poor.

Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province that borders both Afghanistan and Iran, is regularly targeted by Islamist militants, sectarian groups, and nationalist separatists.

The most prominent militant group in the region, the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army, or BLA, routinely takes credit for attacks on Pakistani security forces.

The BLC claims that ethnic Baluchis face extortion and discrimination by Pakistani authorities, a charge that Islamabad rejects.

With reporting by AP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan- balochistan-bomb-attack-death-toll/32617057.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Report: Surge in Terrorism Kills More Than 700 Pakistanis

By Ayaz Gul September 30, 2023

Militant attacks have surged in Pakistan, killing more than 700 security forces and civilians in the first nine months of the year, according to a report released Saturday.

The Islamabad-based independent Center for Research and Security Studies, or CRSS, published the report a day after suicide bombings and insurgent raids in southwestern Baluchistan and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces killed at least 69 people. No group has claimed responsibility for Friday's deadly violence.

The report noted that the number of fatalities from terrorist attacks this year has increased by 19 percent compared to 2022, with the two Pakistani provinces bordering Afghanistan suffering 92% of all fatalities.

"Pakistan's security forces lost at least 386 personnel, 36% of all fatalities a including 137 army and 208 police personnel a in the first nine months of 2023, marking an eight-year high," the CRSS said.

The report said 33 paramilitary forces, supervised by the army, also were among the fatalities.

The military, however, has confirmed the death of 214 of its soldiers and officers so far this year in counterterrorism operations and insurgent attacks, according to data compiled by VOA from official statements by the army's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations.

Deadly day

Friday's attacks marked one of the deadliest days Pakistan has had in recent months. Most of the casualties occurred in Mastung, a volatile Baluchistan district, where a suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowd of devotees marking the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.

The powerful blast killed 59 people and injured dozens more. The rest of the deadly violence took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, targeting security forces.

The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, the regional branch of the Islamic State terrorist group, known as the Islamic State-Khorasan, or IS-K, and separatist Baluch insurgents often claim or are blamed for the violence in Pakistan.

TTP claims many attacks

The TTP, a globally designated terrorist group, has primarily claimed recent attacks in Pakistan, targeting soldiers and police personnel. The group operates out of Afghanistan and has intensified attacks since the Taliban reclaimed control of the war-shattered neighboring country two years ago, according to Pakistani officials.

Commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, the TTP is an offshoot and close ally of the Afghan Taliban. However, de facto Afghan rulers maintain they do not allow anyone to threaten Pakistan or other countries from their soil.

Islamabad has lately stepped-up diplomatic pressure on Kabul to prevent the TTP from staging cross-border terrorist attacks from Afghan sanctuaries.

Earlier this week, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani confirmed that Taliban authorities had arrested 200 TTP militants in Afghanistan for launching attacks against Pakistan. The Afghan side has so far not challenged the claims.

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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question regarding the ongoing blatant Russophobia in Sweden

29 September 2023 19:36

1916-29-09-2023

Question: Recently we have been witnessing another phase of the Russophobic campaign in Sweden, a country, which claims to support pluralism of opinion, democracy and tolerance. Can you comment on this?

Maria Zakharova: True, a new wave of the Russophobic propaganda campaign in Sweden is targeting, among others, our compatriots, with at least 20,000 Russians living in this Scandinavian country.

The associations of our compatriots in Sweden - Swedish non-governmental organisations - have for many years been engaged in broad humanitarian and educational activities, helping to preserve Russian culture and the Russian language and contributing to fostering those people-to-people contacts which Stockholm has always designated as one of its foreign policy priorities.

Amid the Russophobic hysterics, the Swedish authorities on the pretext of the undemocratic character of these associations' activities have not only stopped funding them but have also demanded that they return grants received in 2022 and 2023. The most active members of these associations are being openly harassed for their "ties with Russia". Even the Swedish State Security Service has been asked to get involved in the investigation. As things stand, an ultimatum has been issued to our compatriots to have them publicly condemn Russia.

As a result, the organisations of our compatriots have been forced to take a decision to disband, which in no way fits with the pluralism of opinion and tolerance preached by the Swedish authorities.

Small wonder then that in these circumstances Russophobia in Sweden has started to assume criminal features. For example, on February 27 of this year an act of vandalism was committed in Karlsvik, a Lulea suburb in the northwest of Sweden, against the monument to Soviet prisoners of war who were kept in an internment camp that was located in this area.

We believe this situation should be unacceptable to any democratic and law-based country.

These outrageous facts were emphasised during the conversation with new Swedish Ambassador to Russia Karin Olofsdotter at the Russian Foreign Ministry. We will continue seeking to ensure that the Swedish authorities rectify the current clearly discriminatory situation.

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U.S. Senators Demand Russia Free 'Wrongfully Detained' Americans Gershkovich And Whelan

By RFE/RL September 30, 2023

The bipartisan leadership of the U.S. Senate's Foreign Relations Committee has led the introduction of a call by 27 senators for the immediate release by Russian authorities of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who they say has been "wrongfully detained in Russia for merely doing his job."

In the draft resolution introduced this week, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (Democrat-Maryland) and Jim Risch (Republican-Idaho), who are the chairman and ranking member of the influential committee, also demand the release of another American, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.

"Evan and Paul cannot be left behind, and as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I will continue to sound the alarm about this grave injustice and do everything in my power to safely bring them home to their families," Cardin said in the text.

Gershkovich, 31, was detained six months ago and accused of espionage.

Whelan is serving a 16-year espionage sentence in a notorious Russian penal colony in Mordovia.

U.S. officials have called the charges against both men baseless and their detentions "wrongful."

Gershkovich was detained in late March in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, and few details are available as materials for the case have been classified. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said at the time of the arrest that it had opened an espionage case against Gershkovich for collecting what it said were state secrets about the military industrial complex.

Gershkovich, a U.S. citizen based in Moscow, had been in Yekaterinburg reporting about the attitude of Russians toward the Kremlin's war against Ukraine and on the Wagner mercenary group.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Gershkovich is the first American journalist detained in Russia on espionage charges since the end of the Cold War.

Arrested in 2018 in Russia, Whelan was convicted of spying charges in 2020. Both he and the U.S. government have denied the 53-year-old is a spy.

U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy has said the plight of U.S. citizens "wrongfully" held in Russia "remains a top priority for me."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-gershkovich-whelan-us- senators-free/32616968.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russia Refilling Ammunition Stocks Faster Than Expected - Canadian General

Sputnik News

20230930

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia is refilling its ammunition stockpiles faster than expected, causing concern not only in Ukraine, but also in Western countries, Canadian Chief of the Defense Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre said.

"If we look at Russia's capacity to reconstitute its ammunition stockpiles, it's happening faster than expected," Eyre was quoted as saying by the local news agency on Friday.

Canada does not produce much ammunition, and if it were to use ammunition at the same pace as Ukraine does, its stockpiles would be depleted within days, he said, while calling the situation very concerning.

After Russia launched its military operation to protect people of Donbass from Ukrainian agression, Canada, like many other Western countries, has been providing Kiev regime with military aid, which includes munitions and tanks.

A Sputnik

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Moscow Says 'Anti-Russia' IAEA Resolution Contains Unsubstantiated Accusations

Sputnik News

20230930

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The resolution adopted at the 67th session of the IAEA General Conference on "nuclear safety, nuclear security and safeguards in Ukraine" contains unfounded attacks and unsubstantiated accusations against Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

The 67th Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference took place from Monday to Friday in Vienna.

"On September 28, the 67th regular session of the IAEA General Conference, under pressure from the United States and its allies, adopted the resolution 'Nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine', containing unfounded attacks and unsubstantiated accusations against Russia, through a vote accompanied by the typical Western blackmail, intrigue and intimidation of countries," Zakharova said in a statement posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website.

Zakharova accused the United States and its allies of using international mechanisms "to achieve their opportunistic political goals, which are in no way related to the statutory purposes of such mechanisms."

"The above resolution is non-binding, and Russia is not going to act on its provisions, while citing the resolution in documents will make them politically and legally void to us," Zakharova added.

The issue of nuclear safety has drawn renewed international attention since the Ukraine conflict started in February 2022. During the hostilities, the Zaporozhye NPP, which is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe by number of units and energy output, came under the control of Russian forces in early March 2022 and has since been repeatedly shelled, raising concerns over a possible nuclear accident. The IAEA established a permanent presence of its experts at the ZNPP in September 2022.

A Sputnik

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Ground Forces: The Core of Russia's Military

Sputnik News

20231001

Andrei Dergalin

October 1 is celebrated annually in Russia as the country's Ground Forces Day. First celebrated in 2006, the holiday commemorates the creation of the Streltsi regiments by Russian Tsar Ivan IV in 1550, considered the first regular army in Russian history.

Formed in 1992 after the dissolution of the Soviet armed forces, the Russian Ground Forces are the most numerous, complex and diverse branch of the Russian military.

The Ground Forces of the Russian Federation stand as a formidable shield, comprising armored forces, artillery, infantry, air defense, logistic forces, and specialized units like hazmat and electromagnetic warfare forces. They are ever prepared to counter any land-based threat with unwavering resolve, ensuring Russia's safety.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has given a significant boost to the modernization of weapons for ground forces. Retiired Gen. Vladimir Boldyrev, former commander of this particular branch of the Russian Armed Forces, stated that at the moment there are quite powerful weapons in all ranks of the troops.

According to Boldyrev, the armaments of Russia's Ground Forces are some of the best in the world, with the T-90 main battle tank practically being unmatched on the battlefield.

Boldyrev suggests that while the T-14 Armata can be seen as the "tank of the future," Russia should prioritize increasing production of older models such as the T-90 main battle tanks, BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, and BTR armored personnel carriers. Additionally, there should be a greater focus on producing more advanced multiple launch rocket systems like Tornado-S and Uragan.

The general also highlighted the importance of unmanned aircraft:

"There are a lot of developments, very serious developments. ... UAVs help coordinate ground forces. They coordinate the work of tanks, aircraft, infantry movements, reconnaissance activities. This is really one of the most effective means of carrying out reconnaissance and means of destruction. There are a lot of opportunities for the development of this direction".

According to Alexey Podberezkin, director of the Center for Military and Political Studies at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Russia has already developed an impressive array of powerful and lethal weapons. Now, the responsibility falls upon the Russian military-industrial complex to ensure the production of an ample quantity of these armaments.

"We are currently at the stage where the Russian military-industrial complex is beginning to produce the new weapons systems that will replace the older Soviet-era weapons. This includes the high-precision weapons, cruise missiles or ballistic missiles like Iskander," Podberezkin said. "These are all new weapons systems that are replacing the Soviet weapons systems and are being produced on an industrial scale. Their mass production will begin in 2022, and this year we are already seeing a drastic increase in the number of these weapon systems, such as these upgraded T-90 main battle tanks."

He too praised the T-90 main battle tank whose superior maneuverability and lower fuel consumption give it a distinct advantage over NATO tanks such as the vaunted Challenger II, and paid special attention to certain products manufactured by Almaz-Antey, one of Russia's top defense contractors.

Specifically, Podberezkin pointed at the Tor-M2 short-range air defense system, a "completely unique" weapon that is the only one in the world capable of providing comprehensive protection for troops on the move against all types of air threats, including cruise missiles and helicopters.

He also mentioned the Zoopark counter-battery radar, also manufactured by Almaz-Antey, describing it as one of the best counter-battery radars in the world.

"The combat value of our weapons is greater (than those made in the West) because the Western powers designed their weapons for conflicts not with the industrialized and developed countries," he explained.

Boldyrev noted that the Ukrainian conflict has underscored the significance of ground forces. Regardless of how advanced an army's weaponry may be, "no objective on the ground can be achieved without infantry, without ground forces."

Meanwhile, Podberezkin postulated that in addition to improving and modernizing its arsenals, Russia should also focus its attention on developing "human capital," because no matter what kind of high-tech weapons a country has, it always depends on the personnel who operate them.

A Sputnik

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Press Statement of Russian Affairs Department Director General of DPRK Foreign Ministry

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, October 2 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Gyu, director general of the Russian Affairs Department of the Foreign Minister of the DPRK, issued the following statement on Oct. 2.

One year has lapsed since the "Nord Stream" pipelines explosion case broke out to greatly shock the international community.

The international community still clearly remembers the irrational behavior of the U.S. and the West which groundlessly shifted the blame onto Russia to incite hostility toward the country right after the outbreak of the case.

Germany, Demark and Sweden, involved in the on-going investigation, have not yet presented any convincing results and the politicians of the U.S. and the West, who were loudmouthed about "Russia's deed," now evade their comment on the case. This casts serious doubt on the hidden circumstances behind it.

It has already been fully proved in detail by influential media and experts of the world for the past one year that Russia has nothing to do with the case.

Meanwhile, it is alleged that frogmen of the U.S. navy carried out a special operation to destroy the pipelines under an order from Biden, along with the declassified data proving that the U.S. and some European countries had been notified of the Zelenskiy regime's sabotage plan three months before the outbreak of the case. Such undeniable evidence, proving the U.S. and the West were behind the case, has come to light one after another to evoke worldwide repercussions.

As a result, the significance of "Russia's deed", once hyped up by the Western media, is getting shrunken as days go by, and the international community has focused their sharper eyes on the U.S., the Zelenskiy puppet clique and other anti-Russia forces.

Against this backdrop, the U.S. and the West flatly rejected Russia's just proposal to conduct an international joint investigation, involving Russia as a directly related party, under the observation of the UN. Furthermore, they have never informed Russia of their investigation results.

This is just a petty trick to cover up the traces of their involvement in the sabotage crime.

The present situation brings to light the impudent double-standard policy and black-hearted design of the U.S. and the West working hard to demonize the independent countries by painting a black picture of them, frequently talking about "fairness" and "objectivity."

The pro-justice, pro-truth international community should voice support for the fair and reasonable demand of Russia and never pardon the unjust and outrageous arbitrary and tyrannical practices of the U.S. and the West. -0-

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Report: Area near Damascus targeted in fresh Israeli aggression

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 October 2023 5:57 AM

Israel carried out new aerial aggression near the Syrian capital city of Damascus after midnight on Sunday, according to reports by media outlets affiliated with anti-Damascus militant groups.

The reports, not confirmed by the Syrian official media outlets, said the Israeli air raids took place in the town of al-Dimas, just west of Damascus.

The strikes, the reports claimed, targeted sites belonging to the Syrian army and its allies.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage caused by the assault.

On September 13, Syria's official news agency SANA reported that two soldiers were killed and six others injured in an Israeli aggression against air defense units in the coastal city of Tartous.

Later in the day, Israeli aircraft conducted similar airstrikes on some sites in the west-central province of Hama, causing material damage.

Israel frequently has attacked the positions of Syria's military and its allies since 2011, when the Arab country found itself in the grip of rampant foreign-backed violence and terrorism.

The regime's raids mostly target the positions of Syria's allies that have been aiding the country in its uphill battle against foreign-sponsored terror groups.

Damascus has repeatedly complained to the United Nations over the Israeli assaults, urging the world body's Security Council to take action against Tel Aviv's crimes. Its demands, however, have fallen on deaf ears.

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Taiwan's 1st indigenous submarine a key step towards 'defense autonomy'

ROC Central News Agency

09/30/2023 03:18 PM

Taipei, Sept. 30 (CNA) When Huang Shu-kuang () sees Taiwan's first domestically built defense submarine the "Narwhal" displayed prominently on its launch platform, its bow neatly draped in the country's national flag, he knows he has accomplished the important mission of helping Taiwan take its first step toward "defense autonomy."

The first military officer to be promoted by President Tsai Ing-wen () to the rank of admiral second class, Huang was given a clear mission by the president -- to oversee the Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program. In September 2021, he was appointed National Security Council advisor and designated as convener of the IDS project.

In retrospect, Huang's military career seemed linked to submarines. As far back as the 1980s, he was in charge of taking delivery of two Chien Lung-class submarines ordered from the Netherlands, which were a modified version of the Dutch Navy's Zwaardvis subs.

He later captained the "ROCS Hai Shih" (Sea Lion) submarine, which was acquired from the United States in the 1970s and was formerly named the USS Cutlass. Huang was also the leader of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy's 256th Submarine Squadron, before he became the chief of the general staff in 2020.

Nicknamed "Mr. Squeaky Clean" by those close to him in the armed forces, Huang was eventually tossed into the billion-dollar business of warship building, where he had to deal with individuals who wanted a piece of the action. In a recent interview, he disclosed that certain "elected officials and high-ranking military officers" had tried to pressure his subordinates on behalf of manufacturers that were tussling for contracts.

He said he had always instructed his subordinates to steer clear of any backroom dealings, but that directive resulted in relentless lobbyists making false accusations about the IDS program, in an attempt to bend him to their will.

To tackle the problem head-on, Huang embarked on a speaking tour at universities around Taiwan, including National Taiwan University and National Taiwan Ocean University in Keelung. The tour also allowed him to explain to young people the importance of the IDS program to Taiwan's national defense.

While Huang was commander-in-chief of the IDS program, the chief executor was Cheng Wen-lon (), chairman of the project's contractor CSBC Corp.

Speaking at the Narwhal's launch at a CSBC shipyard in Kaohsiung on Sept. 28, Cheng said the submarine was a "formidable" asymmetric combat weapon, and its performance data and specifications would remain classified.

The development of the Narwhal was a "very bumpy" process, but the CSBC team pushed ahead with "unprecedented tenacity" and overcame one challenge after another, Cheng said.

The biggest challenge was the sourcing of parts and components, most of which were not available in Taiwan, he said.

That situation, however, presented an opportunity for Taiwanese manufacturers to diversify their skills and expand into making submarine parts and components, thus giving Taiwan's shipbuilding and metallurgy sectors a boost, Cheng said.

In the process, about 100 Taiwan companies and institutions such as China Steel Corp. and National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) became part of the supply chain, which resulted in 40 percent of all the parts and components for the Narwhal being made in Taiwan.

The seven-year development and building of the Narwhal involved nearly 1,000 personnel from CSBC, NCSIST, the Naval Shipbuilding Development Center, and the Navy's 256th Submarine Squadron, which Cheng likened to an extended intensive combat mission that could not have been accomplished without the understanding and sacrifice of the participants' families.

"Like the equipment and technology, not everything that occurred during the building of the Narwhal will be known to the world, but this epic project in Taiwan's history of indigenous warship building will forever be remembered," he said.

The submarine is scheduled to undergo harbor and sea acceptance tests soon, after which it will have operational testing and evaluation before being officially commissioned into the Navy, Cheng said.

The launch of Taiwan's first domestically built defense submarine represented a milestone on a long journey that was fraught with setbacks.

Taiwan's submarine acquisition history dates back to the 1960s, when it purchased a small fleet of CE2F and CT2F chariots from the Italian submarine manufacturer Cos.Mo.S. The wet sub models were decommissioned in 1973, along with two SX-404 midget submarines bought from the same manufacturer.

In 1973, the U.S. sold Taiwan two decommissioned submarines, the USS Cutlass and USS Tusk, which were then commissioned into the Taiwan Navy and renamed the "Hai Shih" and "Hai Pao" (Seal), respectively. Currently, those two submarines are being used only for training purposes, due to their age.

Under the Chien Lung Project that was initiated in 1979, Taiwan placed an order with the Dutch shipbuilder Rijn-Schelde-Verolme to procure two modified Zwaardvis submarines, which were delivered in 1987 and 1988 and named the "Hai Lung" (Sea Dragon) and "Hai Hu" (Sea Tiger) respectively. The two subs were upgraded by the Navy and are still in service.

In a bid to expand Taiwan's fleet of submarines, then President Lee Teng-hui () in 1995 established an "office for submarine development" under the Kuang Hua No. 8 Project, but by 2001 the project was shut down, after then-U.S. President George W. Bush approved the sale of eight diesel-electric submarines to Taiwan.

That sales package, however, was stymied, due to a lack of funding, as the Kuomintang (KMT), which was then in opposition but held a legislative majority, voted with the other opposition party to slash the budget for the purchase of the eight U.S. submarines.

The current IDS program was planned under the administration of former KMT President Ma Ying-jeou () and implemented by Tsai of the Democratic Progressive Party, after she became president in 2016.

In 2016, the contractual terms of the IDS program were finalized, and a test run was conducted for some equipment. After Tsai officially launched the program in 2017, her administration encountered great difficulty sourcing the "red zone equipment," including combat and sonar systems, torpedoes and torpedo tubes, which at one point almost caused the program to stall.

(By Novia Huang, Wen Kuei-hsiang, Matt Yu and Sean Lin)

Enditem/pc

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TPP's presidential nominee Ko Wen-je departs on visit to U.S.

ROC Central News Agency

10/01/2023 02:27 PM

Taipei, Oct. 1 (CNA) Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman and 2024 presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (Ya) departed Sunday morning for a four-day, technology-oriented visit to the United States.

Speaking to reporters before departing at Taoyuan International Airport, Ko said his itinerary in the U.S. would be focused on educational technology, industrial applications of artificial intelligence, and learning how to connect Taiwan's innovative industries with Silicon Valley more effectively.

The former Taipei mayor said that from a historical perspective, 2023 will be notable for the emergence of ChatGPT, which represents a milestone in how AI is used in human society.

In the coming years, these technologies will start driving "revolutionary changes" across society, he said.

Ko said that to solve Taiwan's longstanding problem of low salaries, it needs to take advantage of the current "AI wave" to help transition its economy into high value-added industries.

According to an itinerary released by the TPP last week, Ko will arrive in San Francisco on the morning of Oct. 1 (Pacific time) and attend a San Francisco-Taipei sister city welcome event and a forum on medical technology investment.

On Oct. 2, Ko will tour an educational technology company, visit a think tank, and meet with Taiwanese students, before visiting an energy company and an electric vehicle company on Oct. 3, the party said.

On the final day of his trip, Ko will travel to Los Angeles for another company visit and attend a launch event for supporters of his campaign in southern California, before departing for Taiwan early on Oct. 5.

Ko previously visited the U.S. for 21 days in April, before being formally announced as the TPP's presidential nominee the following month.

(By Wu Jui-chi and Matthew Mazzetta)

Enditem/kb



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U.S.-Taiwan defense industry meet to be held Sunday to Tuesday

ROC Central News Agency

10/01/2023 04:35 PM

Taipei, Oct. 1 (CNA) The annual US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference will take place in Virginia, United States, from Oct. 1-3 (Eastern Time), bringing together delegates from the Taiwanese and American governments, along with defense industry representatives, to discuss the future of bilateral defense cooperation, according to the organizers.

According to the US-Taiwan Business Council's press release, the 22nd annual event will feature a series of conferences, with the keynote address set to be delivered by a senior Taiwanese defense official on Monday.

Laura Rosenberger, chair of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), and Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the council, will provide introductory comments.

While the Taiwanese defense official set to attend has not been named, it has been a longstanding practice for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) to send a vice defense minister to the annual event.

Last year, the MND sent then Vice Defense Minister Wang Hsin-lung () to head Taiwan's delegation.

The AIT represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of official diplomatic ties. It is headquartered in Virginia but maintains a main office in Taipei and a branch office in Kaohsiung.

The AIT's Taipei director serves as the top U.S. envoy to Taiwan while its chair serves more of a ceremonial role.

According to the conference agenda, there will be five sessions with the first providing an updated assessment of the most serious threats Taiwan faces, looking at where key risks are originating, and examining emerging threats.

The second session will examine how U.S. policies on Taiwan's defense have changed and expanded, and how new lines of bilateral communications are emerging.

The third session will focus on the shortcomings and challenges in U.S.-Taiwan defense cooperation, including gaps in addressing economic coercion and supply chain risks, as well as a lack of cooperation in responses to political warfare, interoperability issues, and challenges in building industrial capacity.

The fourth session will take a closer look at information operations, political warfare, and cybersecurity -- a potentially crucial front in a possible cross-strait conflict.

The final session will examine Taiwan's critical infrastructure -- including transportation, energy, and telecommunications -- and how strategic paralysis might play out in a potential conflict.

Panelists will highlight how industry in the U.S. and Taiwan can cooperate to provide solutions, with the discussion focused on how to help boost Taiwan's defense by improving flexibility and enhancing resilience, according to the press release.

Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party and main opposition Kuomintang also traditionally send party representatives to the meeting.

Other big names set to attend the conference include former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver, who is now the chair of The Project 2049 Institute, a Washington-based think tank.

Two retired senior American generals, former U.S. Marine Lieutenant General Steven R. Rudder, and former Admiral in the U.S. Navy and former commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Scott Swift will also be in attendance.

Since its 2002 debut, the annual conference has aimed to facilitate engagement between the American defense industry and the U.S. and Taiwan governments on security matters.

(By Matt Yu and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/kb





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Taiwan's First Domestic Submarine: Exploring Capabilities

Sputnik News

20231001

Oleg Burunov

The island will now carry out harbor acceptance tests on its first domestically-made military submarine, which is due to enter service next year. What are the vessel's characteristics and does Taiwanese administration plan to build more such submarines in the future? Sputnik finds out.

Launching Ceremony

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen delivered a keynote speech as she presided over the launch of the advanced Hai Kun (SS-711) diesel-electric submarine on Thursday. The sub is slated to go through a slew of tests before Taiwan's Navy receives the vessel in 2024.

Speaking at the ceremony in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, Tsai said that "History will remember this day forever," stressing that "a domestically-produced submarine was considered a mission impossible [for Taiwan] in the past."

"But today, a submarine designed and built by our countrymen is in front of you. We did it. Building a submarine is not just a goal but a concrete realization of our commitment to defending our country. Submarines are important equipment for the Taiwan Navy in developing asymmetric warfare strategies," the president noted.

Cheng Wen-lon, chief executive of the Taiwanese shipbuilding corporation CSBC, told reporters that "the new vessel is fully designed by us and its performance will be better than that of its peers currently on active duty," an apparent nod to the Navy moth-balled Hai Shih class submarines.

The CSBC CEO added that after the launch ceremony, the company "will undergo the so-called HAT [harbor acceptance test] and SAT [sea acceptance test] before its commission to the Taiwanese military for further combat tests and strength-building preparation."

Name-Related Allusions and Price Tag

During the launch ceremony, the $1.54 billion submarine was officially named Hai Kun after a mythological giant fish capable of turning into a bird. The fish was singled out in the ancient text Zhuangzi, written by Chinese philosopher Zhuang Zhou during the so-called Warring States period around the fourth century BC.

The vessel's English-language name is "Narwhal," which is related to a single-tusked whale that is mentioned by a US scientific magazine as one of the weirdest creatures in the world.

Not One and Only

It's worth noting that a second submarine of the same class is currently under construction and is expected to become part of the Taiwanese Navy in 2027.

The Taiwanese Navy is expected to comprise a fleet of ten submarines, including eight Hai Kun class vessels and two upgraded Hai Lung class boats that were built in the Netherlands.

Right now, Tawain's Naval Forces has two Dutch-made boats built back in the 1980s and two more World War II-era US submarines, which are only used for training.

Design and Armament

Local media was mainly tight-lipped about the Hai Kun's characteristics, just claiming that the 260-foot-long (79-meter-long) sub has a displacement of between 2,460 and 2,950 tons. Some likened the new submarine's design to that of the Hai Lung (Sea Dragon) class vessels, the subs with streamlined hulls that are currently in service at the Taiwanese Navy.

The Hai Kun is said to have been fitted with some form of air-independent propulsion (AIP) system to help the boat significantly increase the time it can stay submerged to keep an enemy from tracking it.

As for the vessel's armament, Admiral Huang Shu-kuang, an adviser to Taiwan's National Security Council, was cited by a US media outlet as saying that the Hai Kun is equipped with a combat system developed by the American aerospace and defense company Lockheed Martin.

According to him, the new submarine can carry the MK-48 Mod 6 AT heavy torpedoes, which are now in service in the US Navy and which is capable of moving at the speed of 55 knots (62 miles, or 101 kilometers) per hour.

Huang was echoed by former US Department of Defense official Tony Hu, who told the American news outlet that the MK-48 is "a heavy torpedo" with a "very large" warhead that "can cause a lot of damage."

"Its ability to find the target and then track the target to the end is very powerful. It is a very important system even in the United States," the ex--Pentagon official emphasized.

New Sub's Goal

Most observers agree that the new submarines could significantly add to Taiwan's strategy of defenses, helping the island to repulse any hypothetical Chinese attack.

They recalled that Taiwan has long pursued an asymmetric warfare strategy aimed at creating more maneuverable defense forces that can counter larger and more well-resourced adversaries, such as China, which currently has more than 60 boats, including nuclear attack submarines, as it continues to build more.

William Chung, a military analyst at the Institute of National Defense and Security Studies in Taiwan, told a UK broadcaster that the Hai Kun submarines could help Taiwan's relatively small navy get the better of China's powerful naval forces by waging "guerrilla warfare through stealth, lethality and element of surprise."

In particular, he added, these new Taiwanese vessels could help guard the various straits and channels connecting the so-called "first island chain" - a group of islands that includes Taiwan, the Philippines and Japan, which are seen as a possible theater of operations in any potential conflict involving China.

Beijing, which considers Taiwan an essential part of China, has repeatedly touted its own peaceful plan for reunification with the island that includes a "One Country, Two Systems" arrangement.

A Sputnik

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Terrorists will never succeed in destroying Turkey's peace: Erdogan

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 October 2023 5:52 PM

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated that Turkey will continue its fight against terrorism, saying the terrorists who attempt to disrupt peace and security in the country will never succeed.

Erdogan made the remarks in his opening speech to the new legislative year of the Parliament on Sunday, after an explosion near Turkey's parliament in Ankara left two police officers injured earlier in the day.

"We have largely solved the separatist terrorism issue, which has made our country pay heavy human and economic costs for 40 years, within our borders," he said while stressing the need for solidarity in the fight against terrorism.

"We will not allow the terrorist group to direct politics or prevent the sacred march of our country," he added.

Erdogan further reiterated that Turkey will continue to fight terrorism with determination until the last terrorist at home or abroad is eliminated.

He also hailed the timely intervention of the police during Sunday's attack which he said was a "final flutters of terrorism," noting that the burden of instilling morale in terror groups with political calculations will be very heavy.

On Sunday, Turkish media reported that a loud explosion was heard near the parliament and ministerial buildings, and broadcasters showed footage of debris scattered on a street near the interior ministry. Some reports said the explosion was followed by gunfire.

One of the terrorists died in the explosion and the other was "neutralized" by authorities there. Two police officers were "slightly injured" in the fire caused by the blast.

The injured police officers are still being treated, and their injuries are not life-threatening, according to the Turkish interior minister.

Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into the terrorist attack.

The outlawed Kurdistan's Workers; Party (PKK) has accepted responsibility for the terrorist attack in Ankara, according to a news website close to the group.

The bombing, the first to hit Ankara in a number of years, comes almost a year after six people were killed and 81 wounded in an explosion in a busy pedestrian street in central Istanbul on Nov 13, 2022.

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'Terrorist attack' targets heart of Ankara: Turkey's minister

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 October 2023 9:08 AM

Turkey's interior minister says an explosion near Turkey's parliament in Ankara was a "terrorist attack" that left two police officers injured.

One of the terrorists died in the explosion and the other was "neutralized" by authorities there, Ali Yerlikaya said in a post on the social media platform X on Sunday.

Two police officers were "slightly injured" in the fire caused by the blast, he added.

Turkish media earlier reported that a loud explosion was heard near the parliament and ministerial buildings, and broadcasters showed footage of debris scattered on a street near the interior ministry. Some reports said the explosion was followed by gunfire.

Yerlikaya said a commercial vehicle carried out the bomb attack at the entrance gate of the Interior Ministry's General Directorate of Security.

The attack occurred hours before parliament was scheduled to reopen following a summer recess. All parliament members, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, were expected to be at the chamber in the afternoon around 2pm.

Media footage showed soldiers, ambulances, fire trucks and an armored vehicle gathered near the center of Turkey's capital, where security forces have surrounded the parliament building and closed roads leading to it.

Television footage showed bomb squads working near a parked vehicle in the area.

The bombing, the first to hit Ankara in a number of years, comes almost a year after six people were killed and 81 wounded in an explosion in a busy pedestrian street in central Istanbul on Nov 13, 2022.

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Turkish Defense Ministry Says Conducted Air Strikes Against PKK in Northern Iraq

Sputnik News

20231001

ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkiye has conducted air strikes against objects of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), banned in Turkiye, in northern Iraq after an attempted terrorist attack in Ankara, with 20 objects destroyed, the Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that two terrorists had carried out an explosion near the ministry building in the Turkish capital, with one terrorist detonating himself and the other neutralized. Two police officers were wounded. Newspaper Yeni Safak reported later, citing the interior ministry, that one of the attackers had been identified as a PKK member.

"Air strikes have been conducted against objects of terrorists in the areas of Metina, Hakurk. Kandil and Gara. As many as 20 objects of terrorists have been destroyed, a large number of terrorists have been killed," the ministry said in a statement.

A Sputnik

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Two Policemen Injured After Attempted Terror Attack in Turkiye's Ankara

Sputnik News

20231001

An explosion occurred near the building of the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs in the center of Ankara on Sunday. An investigation has been launched by the General Prosecutor Office.

There was an attempted terrorist attack near the ministry building in Ankara: one of the terrorists blew himself up, the other was neutralized, the head of the Turkish Interior Ministry said.

"At 09:30 [06:30 GMT] two terrorists in a car in front of the entrance gate of the Interior Ministry's General Directorate of Security carried out an explosion. One of the terrorists detonated himself, the second was neutralized," Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.

Two police officers were slightly injured in the skirmish with the terrorists, he added.

Earlier, Turkish media reported that an explosion and gunfire were heard in the center of Ankara.

"An explosion was heard in the KAzAlay district in the center of Ankara. It is alleged that the explosion occurred near the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The roads around were closed to traffic. The presidential guard arrived," the TV channel said in a statement.

According to the channel, a person was wounded as a result of the attempted attack. The roads around the scene of the attempted attack are blocked.

Ankara General Prosecutor Office has launched investigation, while police officers asked journalists asked journalists not to report from the scene of the attack.

Turkish authorities also have banned media from broadcasting at the scene of an attempted terrorist attack, the local newspaper reported on Sunday.

Turkish Parliament Resumes Work Despite Terror Attack

The Grand National Assembly of Turkiye will resume its session after the summer recess despite the suicide bombing in Ankara center. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will address the legislature, touching on the terror attack.

A Sputnik

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UK Signs $4.8Bln Deals to Develop Attack Submarines Under AUKUS Program

Sputnik News

20231001

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United Kingdom has signed contracts worth 4 billion pounds ($4.8 billion) with leading British manufacturers to develop powerful attack submarines as part of the AUKUS program with Australia and the United States, UK Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps said on Sunday.

"I can announce that we have signed contracts worth 4 billion pounds with leading British businesses to drive forward the development of the most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy," Shapps said at the 2023 Conservative Party Conference.

The UK defense chief added that the new "hunter-killer" submarines would allow the country to maintain its strategic advantage under the sea and help fund thousands of jobs in the country.

Australia, the US and the UK announced a new trilateral defense partnership called AUKUS in September 2021. The first initiative announced under the AUKUS defense pact was the development of nuclear-powered submarine technology for the Royal Australian Navy, so the Australian government decided to abandon its agreement, estimated at $66 billion at that time, with France's Naval Group company for the construction of diesel-electric submarines.

Further, Shapps said that the United Kingdom is deploying Typhoon fighter jets in Poland to protect its NATO ally from an alleged threat from Russia.

"In response to requests from our Polish friends, RAF [Royal Air Force] Typhoons are landing in Poland as I speak to support our NATO ally amid the growing threat of Russia interference," he said at the annual Conservative party conference.

A Sputnik

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Minister for the Armed Forces meets defence leaders and military chiefs in Central Asia and Mongolia

James Heappey meets counterparts in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia with talks focusing on cooperation on regional security.

1 October 2023

The Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey visited Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia this week to meet with defence leaders and military chiefs, for talks to deepen security and defence cooperation.

In Kazakhstan on Tuesday, he met with officials including Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko, Deputy Defence Minister Lieutenant General Sultan Burkutbayevich Kamaletdinov and members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security of the Mazhilis of Parliament, to discuss future cooperation on peacekeeping missions. The Minister also welcomed Kazakhstan's support for the sanctions regime against Russia in response to the war against Ukraine.

For over 20 years, the UK has assisted Kazakhstan in building the capability of the Peace Operations Centre (KAZCENT), helping to enable Kazakh deployments on peace support operations such as the UN missions in CAte d'Ivoire, Lebanon and Western Sahara. These efforts have been underpinned by military English language training delivered by the UK.

The minister then travelled to Uzbekistan on Wednesday, where he held regional security talks with the Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General Bakhodir Kurbanov, as well as the Commander of the National Guard, General Rustam Jo'rayev, and Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan Ismatulla Irgashev. He also laid a wreath at the Victory Park in Tashkent to pay tribute to Uzbek soldiers who lost their lives in World War Two.

His visit concluded in Mongolia, where he became the first British defence minister to visit the country. He met Defence Minister GArsediin Saikhanbayar and discussed cooperation on peacekeeping missions. The UK and Mongolia have an especially close relationship: our soldiers have served together in Afghanistan and as peacekeepers in South Sudan, and 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the UK becoming the first Western country to forge diplomatic relations with Mongolia.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Rt Hon James Heappey MP, said:

My visits this week form part of the approach outlined in the recent Defence Command Paper as we build our strategic international partnerships across Asia, in the interests of security and prosperity for everyone. I've held productive discussions with defence ministers and military leaders in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia, laying the groundwork for future cooperation, especially on peacekeeping operations.

As set out in the Integrated Review Refresh 2023, the UK is committed to strengthening engagement with Central Asia and Mongolia to boost their prosperity, security and resistance to Russian interference.

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RAF Fighter jets deploy to Poland for joint exercises ahead of Warsaw Security Forum

Four RAF Typhoon jets have been deployed to Poland, to conduct exercises with aircraft from Spain, Poland, and Italy

1 October 2023

Four Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets have deployed to Poland to conduct joint training exercises alongside allied aircraft from Poland, Spain, and Italy.

The deployment will provide an opportunity for RAF pilots to practice dogfighting against different types of aircraft, and develop tactics to exploit their weaknesses.

The Typhoons, which deployed to Poland today, will remain in Poland for two weeks and practice engaging targets beyond visual range, simulating various possible combat scenarios. They will be supported by a team of more than 50 RAF personnel during the deployment.

It is just one of many joint exercises conducted with Polish forces, including the UK's permanent deployment of hundreds of troops in Poland as part of our NATO commitment under Operation CABRIT.

The activity comes ahead of UK Ministers attending the Warsaw Security Forum this week. Defence Minister James Heappey and FCDO ministers Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Lord Ahmad will all use the forum to stress the need to maintain support for Ukraine and keep up the pressure on Russia.

Earlier this year, the UK and Polish foreign secretaries and defence ministers signed a strategic partnership on foreign policy, security and defence - emphasising both countries' commitment to European security and collective defence through NATO.

On Wednesday, James Heappey will visit RAF personnel deployed with the Typhoons, as well as troops deployed in eastern Poland who operate the Sky Sabre surface-to-air missile system, bolstering Poland's air defences close to the border with Ukraine.

The Warsaw Security Forum is focused on transatlantic cooperation in response to common challenges, first organised in 2014, bringing together ministers and senior officials from across defence to provide a forum to discuss challenges facing Central and Eastern Europe, and the wider international community.

The UK is the Partner Nation of this year's Warsaw Security forum and the British Embassy Warsaw has worked closely with the Polish government and conference organisers to design a programme that reflected the UK's objectives and views, as outlined in the Integrated Review Refresh 2023 and the Defence Command Paper 2023.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's greetings to newly elected heads of Russian regions

29 September 2023 20:01

1919-29-09-2023

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sent congratulations to the newly elected heads of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, noting their significant contribution to ensuring the comprehensive development of the regions and creating conditions for raising the welfare of the people. He emphasised the importance of further efforts to integrate the Donetsk People's Republic, the Lugansk People's Republic, and the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions into the legal and socioeconomic system of our country.

He confirmed the readiness of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist in establishing and promoting international relations at the regional level in line with the unified foreign policy course of the country.

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Ukraine: Remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell after visiting destroyed cultural heritage of Odesa

European External Action Service (EEAS)

30.09.2023

Odesa

EEAS Press Team

Odesa is such a beautiful city, with cultural and historical roots, it should be on the front pages of the newspapers for its cultural activities, vibrant multiethnic society, its beauty, its history. And instead of that, it is on front pages of the newspapers for this - for the barbaric attacks of Russia, its aggression, against the city - destroying the harbour, infrastructure and old churches.

I've been witnessing the consequences of this war, how Ukraine and Odesa are paying high price for it. This is a good example of how Russia is trying to destroy Ukraine.

And today's anniversary is a moment to remember that some parts of Ukrainian territory, the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson were illegally annexed to Russia, as Crimea was also illegally annexed before. And we at European Union we will support Ukraine in its fight to restore its territorial integrity.

My presence here in Odesa is to show how we are supporting Ukraine, from our military support, our economic support, through political and diplomatic activity, to look for the peace, but a just peace that preserves the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine and I want to pay homage to all men and women of Ukraine who are fighting for it.

Watch the video here: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-247033







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Medvedev says Russia will gain new regions in Ukraine

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 30 September 2023 6:47 PM

Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev has said Russian troops will gain more new regions in Ukraine, marking the first anniversary of the country's unification with the four Ukrainian regions of the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, and Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

Russia's special military operation in Ukraine will continue until the "original Russian territories" are free, Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel on Saturday.

The residents of the four territories took part in referendums a year ago and made the decision "to be with their Fatherland," he said, adding, "This choice became a symbol not only of the restoration of historical justice but also of the unity of the Russian people, their colossal will and dedication."

Medvedev, who now holds the position of deputy head of Russia's Security Council, insisted that the campaign will be continued until the Kiev regime is "destroyed and the original Russian territories are liberated from the enemy."

Russia will even add more new regions to its territory, Medvedev asserted. "Victory will be ours. And there will be more new regions within Russia."

Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson signed agreements to join the Russian state at the Kremlin on September 30, 2022.

It followed referendums in the four regions held between September 23 and 27 last year. During the votes, the number of those who supported unification with Russia stood at 99.23 percent in Donetsk, 98.42 percent in Lugansk, 87 percent in Kherson, and 93.11 percent in Zaporizhzhia.

In a speech on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the unification of the new territories was a "conscious, long-awaited, hard-won, and genuinely popular decision ... made collectively through referendums in full compliance with international norms."

Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in late February 2022, following Kiev's failure to implement the terms of the 2014 Minsk agreements and Moscow's recognition of the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Lugansk.

Putin said the goal of the operation was to "de-Nazify" Ukraine and stop NATO westward encroachment.

Prior to this, Crimea had declared independence from Ukraine on March 17, 2014, and formally applied to become part of Russia following a referendum, in which 96.8 percent of participants voted in favor of the move.

After Crimea's reunification, the United States and its Western allies in the European Union slapped sanctions on Russia, initiating a downward trend in diplomatic relations with the Kremlin which has gotten worse till this day.

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Top EU Diplomat Visits Odesa, Calls Russian Attacks On Ukrainian Port City 'Barbaric'

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service September 30, 2023

The European's Union's foreign policy chief visited the embattled Ukrainian port city of Odesa on the Black Sea on September 30, lamenting that is has been in the news not because of its beauty and historical significance but because it has been targeted by Russian missile and drone attacks.

"Odesa is a beautiful historic city. It should be in the headlines for its vibrant culture & spirit. Instead, it marks the news as frequent target of Putin's war," Josef Borrell said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

"I've been witnessing the consequences of this war, how Ukraine and Odesa are paying a high price for it," he said in a video posted on X. "This is a good example of how Russia is trying to destroy Ukraine," he added, pointing to damaged walls inside the Cathedral of the Transfiguration.

As he toured the cathedral, Borrell called the Russian assault on the city "barbaric."

Odesa's old quarter and the historic Cathedral of the Transfiguration were badly damaged by a Russian bombardment in July. Harbor infrastructure that is key to Ukraine's grain exports has also been hit in recent attacks.

Borrell noted that a year has passed since Russia's illegal annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson regions. He also mentioned the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.

The top EU diplomat promised that Europe would not abandon Ukraine in its grinding war to recapture those areas, saying further military, economic, political, and diplomatic support is needed.

He also said his visit to Odesa was meant to highlight how the EU is supporting Ukraine in multiple ways in hopes for a "just peace that preserves the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine."

Borrell again reproached President Vladimir Putin for ending the UN-brokered agreement that allowed the safe transit of Ukrainian grain exports across the Black Sea.

The deal was seen as essential to addressing global food insecurity and containing grain prices. Borrell noted that Ukraine had once been the largest supplier of grain to the UN's World Food Program.

Borrell's trip was not announced in advance for security reasons. No details were given on what else was on his agenda.

With reporting by dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine- borrell-eu-visit-odesa-russia/32617217.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Zelenskiy Unveils Industrial Alliance To Boost Military Manufacturing

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service September 30, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has announced the creation of an industrial alliance to increase weapons manufacturing and develop a more modern defense industry as Russia's ongoing 19-month-long invasion grinds on.

Zelenskiy made the announcement at an event in Kyiv, billed as the Defense Industries Forum, which he said included industry representatives from the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Turkey, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.

"We have developed an appropriate basic declaration as the basis of the alliance, which can be joined by manufacturers of weapons and military equipment around the world who share our intention to provide protection against aggression in the risky conditions of today," Zelenskiy told attendees on September 30.

Zelenskiy said later that he believes that Ukraine will become one of the world's key producers of weapons and defense systems.

"This is not just an ambition or a prospect, it is a potential that has begun to be realized," he said. "We are working to start producing the systems we need in Ukraine."

Someday Ukraine will see its "maximum armed power" through its manufacturers and its new cooperation with the world and will be able to say that its beginning "was laid right now," he said.

The Kyiv event followed unannounced visits by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and the British, French, and Slovak defense ministers.

Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine has met with fierce Ukrainian resistance since it was launched 19 months ago, but also with massive contributions of weapons from NATO and other states declaring support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"Our priority is the development of defense production using modern technologies, including the production of shells, missiles, and drones in Ukraine, in cooperation with global leaders in this field," Zelenskiy said on social media.

He added that his country is "ready to offer special conditions to companies willing to develop defense production together with our country."

Zelenskiy said the declaration had already been signed by 13 companies "which are ready to build a new arsenal for defense together with Ukraine."

NATO's Stoltenberg, British Defense Minister Grant Shapps, and French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu arrived in Kyiv on unannounced visits ahead of the forum.

On September 30, Zelenskiy also welcomed Slovak Defense Minister Martin Sklenar to Kyiv.

Sklenar's visit coincides with snap elections in Slovakia that pit a soured pro-Western alliance against a populist ex-prime minister who has vowed to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine in what could be a blow to NATO and Western unity to counter the Russian invasion.

Ukraine's war-tested officials were reportedly planning to meet with representatives of more than 160 companies from 26 countries at the defense forum in Kyiv.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-zelenskiy-defense- industry-alliance-weapons-manufacturing/32617036.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Ukraine Says Its Forces Repelled Attacks, Inflicted Losses Across Front Line

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, RFE/RL's Russian Service September 30, 2023

Ukrainian forces repelled attacks by Russian troops in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhya regions, fighting 24 combat clashes on the front, the General Staff said on September 30.

Clashes took place in areas near Avdiyivka, Mariynka, and in the Zaporizhzhya region, the General Staff said in its evening message, which said Ukrainian forces continued their offensive operations near Bakhmut, "inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the occupying troops [and] exhausting the enemy along the entire front line."

According to the message, Ukrainian aviation made 14 strikes on areas where Russian personnel, weapons, and military equipment were concentrated. They also carried out eight strikes on anti-aircraft missile systems, and used missiles to hit six Russian anti-aircraft systems and nine artillery pieces.

RFE/RL cannot independently confirm accounts by either Ukraine or Russia in areas of heavy combat.

Russian forces, meanwhile, carried out 71 air strikes and 17 attacks from rocket salvo systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas, the message said.

The regional military administration in Kherson said Russian forces dropped explosives on residential areas the region, injuring a 48-year-old man in the village of Kozatske.

Russia reported a drone attack in the southern region of Bryansk. The region's governor said one person was injured in the attack, which also damaged windows and the roof of an administrative building.

The governor, Aleksandr Bogomaz, said on Telegram that the incident occurred in the town of Trubchevsk. Bogomaz earlier reported that a village in the region had been shelled by Ukrainian forces, damaging three homes.

Earlier on September 30, a huge fire erupted at an oil pipeline in the western Ukrainian region of Ivano-Frankivsk.

"Nine people were injured," regional Governor Svitlana Onyshchuk said. "According to preliminary information, two children and three adults are in critical condition, with numerous burns," she added.

The blaze caused an oil spill spanning 100 square meters before it was extinguished. Footage shared on social media showed thick clouds of black smoke billowing out over a village, while firefighters worked to tackle the blaze.

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear, but local media outlets reported there had been a powerful explosion.

Moscow and Kyiv said earlier they had shot down dozens of airborne attacks over their respective territories overnight as the furious pace of nighttime air assaults continued.

Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces had intercepted all nine missiles that it claimed Ukraine fired into its western Belgorod region.

It said the attack was with Uragan multiple-launch rocket systems.

In Ukraine, air alert sirens blared in cities and towns across the southern and eastern parts of the country around 1:30 a.m. local time on September 30, followed by explosions far from the front lines including in the central region of Vinnytsya.

At least one explosion was also reported in Kramatorsk, where the Ukrainian military's rear base is located for the frontline eastern region of Donetsk.

A spokeswoman for Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces said on Ukrainian television that Russia had launched more than 20 kamikaze drones apparently bound for southern and central Ukraine overnight but that around 20 of them were destroyed.

Spokeswoman Natalya Humenyuk said many of the attacks appeared to target areas south of the Black Sea port of Odesa and that "the enemy's priority is still the Danube, in particular, the port infrastructure."

Authorities in Vinnytsya, a central Ukrainian city used extensively for humanitarian shipments since the start of the 19-month-old invasion, ordered an evacuation from the area around an infrastructure site that they said had been struck in the Russian attack.

Regional Governor Serhiy Borzov and the head of the local administration in the Vinnytsya-area town of Kalynivka confirmed the incident but did not provide details.

Humenyuk, the Southern Defense Forces spokeswoman, said the fire in Vinnytsya had been put out and the situation was no longer critical there.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-air-attacks- missiles-belgorod/32616904.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Iskander Missile Strike Takes Out Ukrainian Armored Vehicles, Troop Staging Area

Sputnik News

20230930

A series of Russian missile strikes resulted in extreme losses of manpower and military hardware for the Kiev regime forces.

A Ukrainian train carrying armored vehicles, as well as a deployment area where soldiers of two Ukrainian Armed Forces' (UAF) brigades were positioned, was hit by a Russian missile strike.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, this attack was carried out using Iskander ballistic missiles after reconnaissance managed to detect the area where armored vehicles of UAF's 38th marine brigade were being loaded on a train to be moved to the frontline.

"The target's coordinates were immediately provided to the crew of a ground-based missile system who then carried out a precision strike. The loading area was destroyed as a result of this strike," the ministry said.

Meanwhile, another Russian missile strike hit the staging area of UAF's 72nd mechanized brigade near the city of Kurakhovo in Donetsk Region.

This attack, also carried out by a "ground-based missile system," resulted in the destruction of "enemy armored vehicles, armaments, ammunition and personnel," the ministry noted.

A Sputnik

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Ukraine Loses Up to 690 Soldiers Over Past 24 Hours

Sputnik News

20230930

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has lost up to 690 soldiers both killed and wounded in six directions over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"The enemy's losses in this [Donetsk] direction over the past 24 hours amounted to 430 Ukrainian servicepeople killed and wounded, four armored combat vehicles and two cars. In the course of counter-battery fighting, a US-made M777 howitzer, a Polish-made Krab self-propelled howitzer and a Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer were hit," the ministry said.

Meanwhile, in the South Donetsk direction, Russian forces repelled two attacks by Ukrainian forces, destroying 120 servicepeople, two pick-up trucks, a US-made M777 howitzer and a Polish-made self-propelled gun-howitzer Krab, the ministry said.

In the Zaporozhye direction, Kiev lost up to 30 servicepeople, the ministry said, adding that a US-made M119 howitzer, a UK-made FH70 howitzer, as well as two D-30 howitzers and one Msta-B howitzer had been hit.

In addition, Ukraine lost about 40 servicepeople and three vehicles in the Kherson direction, as well as 20 troops, two vehicles, a US-made M777 howitzer, a Msta-B howitzer and a Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer in the Kupyansk direction, the ministry added. In the Kherson direction, Russian forces also destroyed three Ukrainian ammunition depots near the villages of Kiselevka, Shlyahovoe and near the city of Kramatorsk, the ministry said.

Moreover, in the Krasny Liman direction, Russian forces repelled two attacks by the Ukrainian army, destroying up to 50 soldiers and six pieces of equipment, the ministry said.

A Sputnik

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Putin Marks Reunification Day By Highlighting Unbroken Will of New Russian Regions

Sputnik News

20230930

The Russian head of state issued a video address dedicated to the anniversary of Russia's 2022 reunification with the Donetsk People's Republic, the Lugansk People's Republic, the Kherson region and the Zaporozhye region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed that the people of Donbass stand defiant against attempts to intimidate them and strip them of their culture and identity during a video address to the nation on Reunification Day this Saturday.

"Others tried to intimidate them, to take away their right to determine their own future and destiny, to take away what is dear to every person - culture, traditions, mother tongue - everything that was hated by the nationalists and their Western patrons who staged the military coup in Kiev in 2014 and then unleashed a full-scale civil war with terror against dissidents, a blockade, constant shelling and punitive actions in Donbass," Putin said.

He added that "no one and nothing can break the will of millions of people, their faith in the truth and historical justice."

Referendums on the reunification of the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions with the Russian Federation were held on September 23-27, 2022. According to the results in the DPR, 99.23% voted in favor of joining the Russian Federation, 98.42% in the LPR, 87.05% in the Kherson region, and 93.11% in the Zaporozhye region.

On September 30 that year, Putin delivered a speech in the Kremlin after which he signed agreements with the region's heads on their admission into Russia.

A Sputnik

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Air Defenses Shoot Down Aerial Targets Near Russian City of Belgorod - Regional Governor

Sputnik News

20230930

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Air defenses have shot down aerial targets near the Russian city of Belgorod, no casualties or damage have been reported, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram.

"Air defenses were activated over Belgorod and the Belgorodsky District - aerial targets were shot down on an approach to the city. Operational services are clarifying the consequences on the ground. According to preliminary data, there were no casualties or destruction," Gladkov said.

Earlier on the same day, the governor of Russia's Bryansk Region, Alexander Bogomaz, said a Ukrainian terrorist attack disrupted power supply in the locality of Pogar, adding that there were no casualties.

"As a result of an attack by Ukrainian terrorists, power supply was disrupted in the village of Pogar. There were no casualties. Response teams and emergency services are working on the site," Bogomaz wrote on Telegram.

A Sputnik

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Our state can and will definitely become a donor of global security - address by the President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

30 September 2023 - 20:53

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today we can already assess this week's key result for our defense industry. A truly new stage of the Ukrainian defense industry's development has begun.

The first Defense Industries Forum took place. It was extremely successful. And it testified to the global interest in the opportunity to work in Ukraine and with Ukraine in the production of weapons and everything necessary for the real defense of any free nation.

Our new format with defense companies - the Defense Industries Alliance - includes 38 member companies as of this evening. They represent 19 countries. These are the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Canada, Bulgaria, Australia, Belgium, our Baltic friends - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, as well as the Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Spain, Croatia and Finland. This is a very powerful start, and the work is ongoing. More companies will join.

In addition, our manufacturers signed 20 documents with partner companies at the Forum. Agreements and memoranda. Each such document then becomes a new production or an enhancement of existing cooperation.

These are agreements on joint production, exchange of technologies, supply of components. Propellant powder production, munitions manufacturing. This is the training of personnel for our defense industry. Separately, and very thoroughly, we are developing the Ukrainian manufacturing of drones, land and naval autonomous systems.

All in all, more than 250 companies took part in our Defense Industries Forum - and this forum is only the first one of its kind. Dozens of Ukrainian companies were among them.

We are also working to ensure that Ukraine produces the air defense systems we need - truly powerful ones.

When we eventually see and feel the maximum arms power of Ukraine in real action - of our manufacturers, our defense industry, our new cooperation with the world - we will be able to say that the foundation of this was laid right now, in the agreements like those reached at the Forum and during my visits, in particular to the United States, Sweden and other countries. All the most powerful countries are already cooperating or will cooperate with Ukraine.

Our country will become one of the world's key producers of weapons and defense systems. And this is no longer just an ambition or a prospect, it is a potential that is already being realized. I am grateful to everyone whose work leads to such results for Ukraine!

Currently, and we have to be honest about this, Ukraine is a recipient of security assistance. But our country can and will become a donor of global security. In particular, thanks to our defense industry. Thanks to the strength, resilience, and indomitability of our people.

Tomorrow is a very important day for Ukraine, for all our people. The Day of Defenders of Ukraine. Of the millions who have not only preserved Ukraine's decent place in human history, but also make sure that our people and our state do not lose their history, fight for their lives and freedom, and inspire the entire free world with their struggle.

Tomorrow, we will pay special tribute to all our defenders. Tomorrow we will honor the memory of those who gave their lives for Ukraine.

For the first time, this day - the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos - will be on October 1. And let's establish a new tradition for this day.

October 1. 9:00 a.m. Wherever you are - on the main street of your city or just at home - stop for a minute, honor with silence the memory of our fallen defenders and think about those who are now in combat, on combat missions, at their posts. Those who save lives. Those who protect our people and state in every sense of the word.

There would be no strength and will of Ukraine if it were not for all those who stood up for Ukraine.

We are thankful. We honor. We remember. All together.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Ihor Zhovkva met with the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Defense of Portugal

President of Ukraine

30 September 2023 - 11:40

Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva met with a delegation headed by Secretary of State of the Ministry of Defense of Portugal Carlos Pires.

Ihor Zhovkva thanked Portugal for its strong condemnation of Russia's military aggression and for its assistance in the defense, financial and humanitarian spheres.

Carlos Pires praised the initiative of the Presidential Office to hold the Defense Industries Forum in Kyiv. This format is an impetus for future fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation between Ukrainian and foreign companies by establishing joint production of weapons, repair of equipment and development of defense technologies.

Ihor Zhovkva thanked Portugal for joining the tank coalition and for supporting the establishment of the aircraft coalition.

The parties also discussed the involvement of Portugal in the implementation of certain points of the Peace Formula.

The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office called on Portugal to assist in promoting the Peace Formula in the international arena, in particular by engaging the countries of the Global South.

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President of Ukraine meets with Defense Minister of Slovakia

President of Ukraine

30 September 2023 - 10:50

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with Minister of Defense of the Slovak Republic Martin SklenAr, who arrived in Kyiv to participate in the First International Defense Industries Forum.

The President thanked Slovakia for providing military and humanitarian support to our country since the first days of Russian aggression.

"We are grateful to your country for supporting Ukraine politically and on the battlefield. This is a priority for us. I am grateful to everyone in Slovakia," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The Head of State informed the interlocutor of the situation on the battlefield and the priority needs of the Ukrainian defense forces. The President noted the high level of the defense industry of Slovakia, which is of great interest for Ukraine.

The parties discussed the needs of our country in the field of humanitarian demining and noted the potential for cooperation in the production of relevant equipment in Ukraine.

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Now is the right time to create a military hub in Ukraine - President at the meeting with representatives of international defense companies

President of Ukraine

30 September 2023 - 10:39

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with representatives of defense companies from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, TArkiye, Sweden and the Czech Republic who arrived in Kyiv to participate in the First International Defense Industries Forum.

The Ukrainian side of the event was also represented by Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine Oleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, and Deputy Heads of the Presidential Office Roman Mashovets and Andrii Sybiha.

The interlocutors discussed the prospects for partnership and joint arms production, in particular, taking into account Ukraine's war experience.

"The sky shield and demining are the two biggest priorities for us today," the Head of State stated.

According to the President, this includes both air defense means and the production of systems for warning, surveillance, etc.

"We have to do this. This will be useful not only for Ukraine, but also for Europe and our neighbors," Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced.

According to the Head of State, Ukraine is also interested in the production of long-range missiles and artillery with new capabilities.

The President believes that it is the combination of the advanced technologies and military tactics that will help Ukraine win the war against the Russian aggressor.

"That is why we prioritize the development of defense production using modern technologies, production of shells, missiles, drones in Ukraine in cooperation with global leaders in the field and using our experience in their operation. Ukraine has shown the whole world what actually works, and I think we can share this experience," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

As the Head of State emphasized, Ukraine is ready to offer special conditions to companies willing to develop defense production together with our country.

"It will be a mutually beneficial partnership. I think this is a good time and place to create a large military hub," the President summarized.

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Ukraine: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell on Russia's information manipulation in its military aggression

European External Action Service (EEAS)

01.10.2023

Kyiv

EEAS Press Team

Thank you, and good afternoon to all of you.

Yesterday, I was on the front line of the military aggression of Russia against Ukraine. I was in Odesa, where I had the opportunity to witness the way Russia is attacking civil infrastructure, churches, houses in such a beautiful city as Odesa.

Today, I had the honour to participate in the commemoration of the Ukrainian Day of Defenders, a day to honour the women and men who stand up against Russia's aggression, fighting every day, risking their lives, fighting for their country's future, and also in the defence of the international order. Yes, it has been a very moving ceremony today, and I had the opportunity to exchange with some of the soldiers injured in the combat, who were present at the ceremony.

And now, just a moment ago, I have been visiting another front line, the front line of the information war, because there is a war being fought with classical arms or warfare, and there is another war, which is the war of information.

[It is] Nothing new, the war of information has always existed, but now is being used massively and Russia's aggression against Ukraine is being accompanied by massive, what we call hybrid attacks, which means propaganda, manipulation of information, disinformation campaigns, and also cyber-attacks on the information networks.

We have to counter this hybrid war, and in particular, we have to fight against disinformation. That's a high priority for the European Union and Ukraine.

And I am happy to visit this Centre, for the people who work here in order to fight this battle against propaganda, which we see developing on a large scale. We see that in Africa, we see that in Latin America and in Asia.

Through these war of propaganda and disinformation, Russia is trying to deflect its responsibility for the war, denying the occupation, annexations, atrocities, blaming others for the consequences of the food and energy crises, and trying to make the world to believe that the same power who is blocking the export of grain from the Ukrainian ports is innocent of the hunger, and "the hunger is not created by the naval blockade of the Russian navy". [They say:] "No, no, it is [not] created by us, is created by Ukraine and is created by the West."

We have to fight against twisted narratives, which as I said is nothing new. We have been witnessing this kind of stories and narrative during the Cold War, and more recently since the annexation of Crimea. And we have to fight this battle. We have to win this battle because it is not only about the territory, it's about the minds of the people.

And that's why we have to build organisations and support entities like the one that I just visited - the Ukrainian Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security. This Centre is at the forefront of fighting against Russia disinformation.

But believe me, the disinformation ecosystem put in place by the Kremlin is [there] not only to undermine Ukraine. They try to undermine the international support to Ukraine. They try to make people consider this war [yet] another war by Europeans that has nothing to do with them. Another war that has to stop.

And yes, we want the war to stop. And the ones who want the war to stop as soon as possible, are the Ukrainians who are suffering the consequences. I was witnessing this over the past days.

But Russia has not a positive narrative agenda on cooperation, it has not a narrative on peace and that's why we have to continue the debunking and fighting against twisted and misleading narratives. We try to do that in cooperation with this Centre, supporting it, assisting Ukrainian society, which is a strong and resilient society as it proves it every day.

It is the way that we could promote the truth about Putin's aggression, exposing Russian lies to the entire world. And because we are here for that, we are here -like we are working also in Brussels - with the efforts undertaken by the European Union. On that, also the European Union and Ukraine are supporting the same purpose: Ukraine should prevail and the truth too. Thank you.

Q&A

Question: I have a question about your visit in Kiev today. You wrote on Twitter that you met with our new Defence Minister. Maybe you can tell us a little bit more about the topics that you have discussed and maybe about any decision that you have made with our new minister.

Well, it was a pleasure to meet in person your new Defence Minister. I had an opportunity to talk with him on the phone [before] - first to congratulate him for his nomination and to wish him all the best on his difficult endeavour. And today, we had had the opportunity of meeting and sharing information, discussing about the situation on the ground from military perspective, our support to the Ukrainian army from a military point of view.

I cannot tell you everything that we have exchanged [on], as you can understand, but it has been a meeting in order to identify the priorities of the Defence Minister, to tell him what we are doing, what we could do more, what are the most pressing necessities from the point of view of our ammunitions, training, providing arms and for what kind of battle.

And also to try to understand better why, in some cases, our support is not being perceived as important as it is. Because it is. And I want to stress the figures and I explained to the minister: our military support to Ukraine has reached the figure of 25 billion euros. And altogether, military, civilian and humanitarian [support] has reached the figure of 85 billion euros, which is - together from European institutions and Member States - the highest amount in the world and we are proud of it and we know how important it is. And I assured the minister that, yes, we will work for peace, but in the meantime, we have to continue supporting him [fighting]. We reviewed all the aspects of all our cooperation, and we are committed to continue working together.

Question: I have two questions. The first one is about recent news. The US Congress has approved a temporary budget but without aid to Ukraine. And I would like to ask you whether the European Union has any kind of plan in case of any delays with American aid. And the second question about military support. This March, the European Union members made an unprecedented plan to deliver 1 million rounds ammunition within 12 months. How this process is going on? Is there any information about numbers we have right now and maybe future numbers?

I understand the interest that everybody has about the recent decision in the American Congress. Well, a couple of days ago, it was another vote, in which the Democrats and part of the Republicans - part, not all, but part of it, voted in favour of allocating a300 million to the Ukrainian forces. So, we believe that we're on track.

And to tell the truth, we were surprised by the fact that in a last-minute agreement a decision was taken, that we have to regret deeply and thoroughly, and we believe is not the last word. After listening to President Biden, who made a call for the decision to be reconsidered, I have a hope that this will not be a definitive decision, and Ukraine will continue having the support of the US.

From our side, we have not waited for the [US] decision to be taken to increase our propositions to support Ukraine. Well before yesterday, the Commission announced a proposition to the Member States of a Ukrainian fund with a50 billion. And I proposed in Toledo in the last informal meeting [of EU Foreign Ministers in August], I made to my colleagues a proposition to create inside the European Peace Facility a specific fund allocated to Ukraine with up to 20 billion for the next four years.

Well, the discussion continues. The whole thing has to be considered together, but it shows that our support to Ukraine not only continues, but increases, or at least by the time being, the provision on the table shows that we want to continue increasing it. And we hope member states will decide it together with a financial perspective before the end of the year. So, let's see what'll be happening in the US but from our side we will continue supporting and increasing our support.

On ammunition. We have been asking the member States to deploy capacities in order to provide Ukrainian army with the stockpiles they have. And now we are asking European industry to increase their production capacity. And we created a plan in order for member states to go together to present their request, their demands to the industry in order to shorten the delay in producing, shorten the production time and increasing the production capacity. On the figures, by the time being I think that we are reaching almost 300,000 ammunitions [rounds] already sent to Ukraine, I talking about 155 mm, plus about 2800 missiles. It's still not everything that we have to provide, but we are, I think, on a good track

[We are] Using three tracks: asking the European armies to provide what they already have, asking the industry to increase their capacity and asking member States to go together for common procurement in order to shorten delays and decreasing prices.

Question: I need a position from you about the results of the Slovak elections. Mr. Robert Fico said before that if he wins the support of Slovakia to Ukraine is going to change. What do you think about that, please?

Well, first of all, my respect for the decision of the electors expressing their political will in free elections in any European country. It is not up to me to say whether I like or not a result of elections. The result of the elections is up to the European citizens in each member state to and we accept it, their freedom of choice. And secondly, let's see, until now and since the beginning of the war, the EU Member States have shown an incredible and quick unity and have taken decisions to support Ukraine. I think that that was Putin's first surprise seeing that European Union Member States were united and in spite of their strong energy dependency, we were able to approve one after the other, many sanctions packages and using the resources of the European Peace Facility to provide arms to Ukraine and increasing the amount of new resources day by day. And this has been possible thanks to the unanimity of all Member States, even the most reluctant [ones]. Some of them, at least one of them expressed doubts, but voted in favour, expressed doubts, but paid their contribution. So let's see what's happening with respect to this unanimity to continue.

Question: Did the Ukrainian Defence Minister tell you that Ukraine could make further gains before the end of the offensive? And if not, if there is a stalemate on the ground, how do you convince the European public not just to continue supporting Ukraine but as you just said, increase support for Ukraine?

Our support to Ukraine doesn't depend on how the war is going on in the next days or weeks. The Ukrainian soldiers are fighting with a lot of courage in front of impressive Russian defence fortifications. The satellite images show that in some cases, this fortifications run 25 kilometres deep and wide. So the counteroffensive is difficult, there you're fighting in a territory completely mined, that makes it very difficult to use mechanised warfare in order to advance quicker.

So, our support is not conjunctural, is doesn't depend on the advances of one day. It's a permanent structured support because we are facing an existential threat for Europe. An existential threat cannot be balanced by the "assault de la guerre" one day or another. The Ukrainians are fighting with all their courage and capacities, and if we want them to be more successful we have to provide them with better arms and quicker.

Question: You many times said that the European Union has a plan by the end of this year to train up to 40,000 Ukrainian soldiers. Do you have a reason to continue this mission for the next year to continue to train Ukrainian soldiers? Also, I would like to ask whether it's agreed a date in order to hold EU council in Kiev on the level of foreign ministers and do you think that European Union Member States will approve your plan for a20 billion for a period of four years, because there are some signals that this could be delayed or postponed because of some positions of specific members.

I know how decisions are taken in the European Union - it is not overnight that we decide these important issues. Ministers are discussing and I'm sure, by the end of the year when we approve the whole package of Multiannual Financial Perspective review, these will be decided, but I cannot tell you if it will be next week or next month, but it will be done in appropriate time.

Thank you.

Watch the video here: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-247044

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European Union prepares long-term security commitments for Ukraine: Eu foreign policy chief

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 October 2023 7:26 PM

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has promised sustained EU support for Ukraine amid the war with Russia.

"Ukraine needs more capabilities, needs them faster," Borrell said in a statement posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, adding that Russia's war in Ukraine is an "existential threat" to Europe.

"We are preparing long-term security commitments for Ukraine," he added.

The EU chief made the remarks after his first in-person meeting with Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerove in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, as they discussed "continuous EU military assistance."

He also called on US lawmakers on Sunday to reconsider their decision to omit financial support for Ukraine from a stop-gap budget bill Congress passed to halt a federal government shutdown.

Umerov, whose appointment by President Volodymyr Zelensky received parliamentary approval on September 6, thanked Borrell in a statement on X for "continuous support", saying the meeting was "a starting point for the great cooperation."

According to Ukraine's defense minister, their discussions of EU military aid to Ukraine covered artillery and ammunition, air defense, electronic warfare (EW), long-term support programs, training, and defense industry localization in Ukraine.

Borrell met with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Together with Ukraine's president, Josep Borrell paid tribute to the Ukrainian soldiers who died during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The EU has imposed more than 10 rounds of sanctions on Russia since the beginning of the Ukrainian war on February 24, 2022, with banks, companies and markets being hit, as well as parts of the sensitive energy sector, along with more than 1,000 officials subjected to asset freezes and travel bans.

The 27-nation bloc has already committed above 30 billion euros from its budget to support Ukraine.

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Biden urges US Congress to approve Ukraine aid left out of deal

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 October 2023 3:36 PM

US President Joe Biden has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to economic and military assistance to Ukraine as Washington itself is struggling to keep funding the government.

In a statement released on Saturday, Biden said US support for Ukraine could not be allowed to lapse, and that he expected Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy to "keep his commitment to the people of Ukraine and secure passage of the support needed to help Ukraine at this critical moment."

"While the Speaker and the overwhelming majority of Congress have been steadfast in their support for Ukraine, there is no new funding in this agreement to continue that support. We cannot under any circumstances allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted," Biden added.

The US president also said the deal to avert a shutdown was "good news for the American people" but added that "we should never have been in this position in the first place."

The statement came after a bill ensuring funding until November 17 received overwhelming support and was signed into law by President Joe Biden minutes before a deadline.

Congress approved the bill a few hours after the House of Representatives passed the measure 335-91 after Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy broke ranks with members of his party who insisted that any bill had to pass the chamber with only Republican votes.

The bill received support from 209 Democrats, far outnumbering the 126 Republicans who voted in favor, leading Democrats to consider it a victory.

But the loss of Ukraine aid was a blow to lawmakers from both parties vowing to support President Volodymyr Zelensky following his recent Washington visit. The Senate bill included $6 billion for Ukraine, and both chambers came to a standstill on Saturday as lawmakers assessed their options.

Moreover, supporters of Ukraine in the House, Senate and White House said they would not give up despite the defeat, emphasizing that most members of Congress still back the additional funding. They also noted that the stopgap spending bill approved would only fund the government until mid-November, providing another opportunity to push again for money for Ukraine.

The US has approved four rounds of aid to Ukraine in response to Russia's war, totaling about $113 billion, with some of that money going toward replenishment of US military equipment that was sent to the frontlines.

In August, Biden called on Congress to provide for an additional $24 billion. Russia has repeatedly warned against Western funneling funds into the Ukrainian conflict, which would prolong the plight of war on both sides.

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British training troops in Ukraine could be legitimate targets, warns Medvedev

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 October 2023 11:07 AM

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned that British soldiers training Ukrainian troops in Ukraine would be legitimate targets for Russian forces along with German companies building Taurus missiles.

Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, in a post on Telegram on Sunday first directed his ire towards recently appointed British Defense Minister Grant Shapps, who stated in a newspaper interview that London wants to deploy military instructors to Ukraine, in addition to training Ukrainian armed forces in the UK or other Western countries.

"(This will) turn their instructors into a legal target for our armed forces," Medvedev wrote in his post. "Understanding perfectly well that they will be ruthlessly destroyed and not as mercenaries, but namely as British NATO specialists," he added.

More than 20,000 recruits from the Ukrainian armed forces have already received training in the UK since the beginning of 2022 under the British-led Operation Interflex.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday met with Grant Shapps discussing ways to further boost Ukraine's military, including its air defenses.

"I am profoundly grateful to the UK for all the financial, humanitarian, and military support, including crucial long-range capabilities. We discussed further defense cooperation and steps to strengthen Ukraine's air defense," Zelensky said.

Medvedev also addressed Germany, condemning those pushing for Berlin to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles that have the capability to strike Russian territory.

"They say this is in accordance with international law. Well, in that case, strikes on German factories where these missiles are made would also be in full compliance with international law, he said.

"These morons are actively pushing us towards World War Three," Medvedev added.

Medvedev emphasized that such actions by the West increase the likelihood of World War Three.

Those advocating such actions are actively pushing the world closer to a devastating global conflict, he said.

With tensions escalating, his remarks highlight the growing tensions between Russia and the West in the ongoing Ukraine crisis.

The US-led Western allies began flooding Kiev with weapons and ammunition shortly after Russia launched its "special military operation" in the ex-Soviet republic in February 2022.

Moscow has repeatedly warned Western leaders against the continued supply of weapons and munitions to Ukraine, pointing out that such measures will not stop Russian troops from defending its objectives and that arming Kiev would only prolong the war.



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War In Ukraine Poses 'Terrible Threat' For Russia's Saami People, But Solutions Are Few

By RFE/RL's North.Realities October 01, 2023

He's remembered on the Russian social-media platform VKontakte as "a son, husband, father." But 43-year-old Yevgeny Stanovoi, a deputy platoon commander in Russia's elite 61st Marine Infantry Brigade, was also part of a trend -- another native of an indigenous-populated, impoverished village in Russia's Far North, Lovozero, who joined the military and was killed in Ukraine.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has taken an unknown number of men -- draftees, volunteers, and prisoners recruited by the mercenary group Wagner -- away from the Lovozero district, a land of tundra, tumble-down settlements of wooden homes, and reindeer herders on Russia's subarctic Kola Peninsula, a few hours southeast of the Barents Sea port of Murmansk.

It is an exodus that adds to the challenges clouding the future of the Saami community in Russia, where their numbers are already substantially smaller than in neighboring Norway, Finland, and Sweden.

"The war changed everything a lot," commented Lovozero resident Valentina Sovkina, a Saami activist and one of the few still willing to speak out publicly amid a spiraling state clampdown on free speech in which criticism of the war is a crime. "This is a terrible threat for everyone, and especially for minorities."

Before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Lovozero, which is known as Russia's "Saami capital," had been losing residents for at least two decades. Now below 2,000, the population of the village, where members of the Komi and Nenets communities also live, has declined by about 19 percent in the past 20 years, according to official figures.

Mentioned in the 16th century as a church burial ground, by the mid-20th century Lovozero had become the site of Soviet attempts to settle the Saami, traditionally nomadic reindeer herders.

Today, only 1,500 Saamis remain in Russia, estimates Sovkina, the speaker of the Kola Peninsula's Saami parliament, a consultative body, and a member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

"I would say that 3 percent of the adult population has died" in Russia's war against Ukraine, she said. "That may not be many for some people, but for our tiny nation, this is a lot."

The Russian news outlet Mediazona and the BBC's Russian service, which have a joint project seeking to count and identify Russian soldiers killed in the war, said that 212 people from the Murmansk region had been killed since the start of the invasion, as of September 22. The research did not specify the ethnicity or the place of residence of those killed, and the Russian military death toll is widely believed to be substantially higher than the number confirmed by journalists.

As recently as a few months ago, Murmansk region mayors and the governor, Andrei Chibis, were releasing information about soldiers killed in Ukraine and holding "pompous funerals" for them, a Lovozero resident who did not want their name published because of the sensitivity of the topic pointed out. The last announcement of a soldier's death on the regional news site Nord-News.ru dates from late July.

"Now it's like they're playing mum, trying not to advertise [the deaths]," she said.

Stanovoi's personal acquaintances in Lovozero and relatives declined to speak about his death with RFE/RL's North.Realities, but some spoke about his background.

The officer left Lozovero for Murmansk, headquarters of Russia's Arctic military forces, right after he graduated from high school, initially working as a cargo loader and driver at a meat store before enlisting in the Northern Fleet's 61st Marine Brigade in 2015. He eventually became a deputy platoon commander and took part in the war in Syria, according to acquaintances, who requested anonymity.

It was a typical career path for a Lovozero resident.

The village, its entrance marked by a rusty reindeer on a Soviet-era sign missing Lovozero's final "o," has few jobs apart from reindeer husbandry, an increasingly rare expertise. Fishing, hunting, and seasonal tourism provide some relief, but unemployment stands at nearly double Russia's official rate of 3.3 percent.

Average monthly salaries in the district of which Lovozero is the administrative center are just under 55,230 rubles ($580), only three-quarters of the national average, according to official data.

To find a living wage, locals often head to Murmansk, St. Petersburg, or, before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, found jobs on Norwegian fishing boats.

The military is another option: Its promised -- though not always paid -- salaries of 195,000 rubles ($2,535) for recruits to fight in Ukraine are over 3 1/2 times the average monthly wage in the Lovozero district.

With no medical clinic, persistent violent crime, and its first gas station only now opening for business, Lovozero could find it hard to compete.

One group of indigenous activists and community leaders expelled from Russia, the International Committee of Indigenous Peoples of Russia (ICIPR), said that the participation of indigenous soldiers was "the war's most direct and unfortunate impact" on indigenous peoples in Russia.

For Lovozero, still another controversial impact could occur within the next few years.

The mountain mass on which its district is located contains "unique reserves" of rare metals, according to local geologists. As international sanctions for Russia's invasion of Ukraine cut into imports, Russian firms are preparing to start large-scale mining of lithium, platinum, and palladium in the area by 2027.

One of the companies, Polar Lithium, a joint venture set up by Russia's state-run atomic energy company Rosatom and mining giant Nornickel, expects to add 1,000 local jobs to produce 45,000 tons of lithium carbonate and hydroxide per year at Kolmozerskoye, a lithium deposit that contains roughly 19 percent of Russia's entire reserves.

A second company, Arctic Lithium, has already begun pilot production at another lithium-deposit site, Polmostundrovskoye.

A third, Fedorovo Resources, a Murmansk-region-backed firm, plans to invest over 60 billion rubles ($618 million) in palladium mining.

Concerns about these ventures' long-term environmental impact -- like worries about the war -- exist, but are largely kept silent. Their speech stifled, some Saami activists have emigrated to Norway, which has reportedly granted them political asylum.

What public criticism persists is on social media.

Some in Lovozero fear that endangered lichens that are the principal food source for the 20,000 reindeer at the region's main employer, the agricultural cooperative Tundra, will be destroyed.

Others complain that a survey conducted by ethnologists for Polar Lithium to assess local concerns about the mining venture questioned only 50 Saami residents.

Polar Lithium has pledged to "to support and develop" the area's indigenous people and to inform and involve them, free of pressure, in decisions about its mining project.

The chief engineer of Nornickel's Department of Federal and Regional Programs, Vasily Zakharov, told RFE/RL's North.Realities that "the dialogue is constructive" and that "consultations" are ongoing with the Kola Peninsula's indigenous inhabitants.

But though public hearings have been held about these projects, one former Lovozero resident who has left Russia and did not want her name published said that residents would not share their "tensions" at such gatherings.

"People are intimidated, depressed -- it's a discussion with a gun to their heads," she said.

Written by Elizabeth Owen. This story is based in part on reporting by correspondents from RFE/RL's North.Realities on the ground in Russia. Their names are being withheld for their protection

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-komi-saami-indigenous- war-mining-threat/32618040.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Forces Keep Up Attacks In Southern Ukraine As Missiles Downed Over Crimea

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service October 01, 2023

The latest Russian attacks on the Kherson region in southern Ukraine killed at least one man, local military authorities said on October 1, while Russia said its air defenses shot down six Ukrainian drones over two western and southern regions.

The fatality occurred in Tyahynka, a town about 30 kilometers northeast of Kherson city, where a man in his 40s was killed in the yard of a house by enemy fire.

Beryslava, a city on the Dnieper River to the northeast of Tyahynka, also came under attack shortly before 5 p.m. on October 1, according to the military administration of Kherson, a region that Ukrainian troops partially recaptured from Russia last year.

As a result of the impact of two guided aerial bombs, garages in Beryslava were destroyed, the windows of a medical facility and residential buildings were blown out, and critical infrastructure was damaged, the message said.

Russian forces also attacked Vesele, a village east of the river, where a 63-year-old woman was taken to the hospital with injured limbs and a concussion, according to the report, which could not be independently verified.

Earlier on October 1, Russian forces attacked a residential quarter of Kherson city, starting a fire that trapped a mother and three children before the family managed to be saved.

Russian troops also shelled Stanislav overnight, injuring two men. Rescuers were able to pull two women out from under the rubble.

Librated parts of the Kherson region are shelled nearly every day. Despite evidence of the shelling, Moscow has denied targeting civilians.

One person was injured in the Cherkasy region as well, regional Governor Ihor Taburets said.

"Overnight, the enemy massively attacked our Cherkasy region with attack drones. Unfortunately, there were hits on industrial infrastructure in Uman," Taburets said in a post to Telegram. "As a result, fires broke out in warehouses; in particular, where grain was stored."

The city of Kryviy Rih was also hit, damaging electricity and gas lines, according to local authorities.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on October 1 that it downed two Grom-2 missiles, the fragments of which fell on the territory of the Dzhankoy district of Crimea.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed governor of Crimea, said that the debris of the rockets damaged the warehouse. There were no casualties, he said.

The Russian Defense Ministry said one drone was brought down in the southern Krasnodar region around dawn on October 1, and five more were shot down over the western Smolensk region in the following hours.

No casualties were reported and it was unclear if there was any damage on the ground. Ukraine, which has rarely claimed official responsibility for drone or missile attacks on Russian targets, had no comment.

Smolensk Mayor Aleksandr Novikov echoed the Defense Ministry, saying that five drones were shot down over the regional center and in its suburbs.

He called on city residents to "remain calm and not leave their homes unnecessarily, and also refrain from out-of-town trips."

Britain's new defense secretary said London was considering stepping up its instruction of Ukrainian soldiers by sending British trainers to Ukraine itself.

In an interview published October 1 by The Telegraph, Grant Shapps said he had spoken with top military officers about moving "more training" into Ukraine and he called on British defense firms to set up manufacturing facilities inside the country.

More than 20,000 Ukrainian soldiers have received training from Britian since the start of 2022.

Britain might also play a more active naval role in the Black Sea, where Russia has targeted Ukrainian cargo ships, Schapps said.

Dmitry Medvedev, the bombastic former Russian president who is now a top official on the country's Security Council, said that British trainers would be legitimate military targets if they traveled to Ukraine to train Ukrainian troops.

London is "perfectly aware that they'll be eliminated mercilessly, and not as mercenaries this time around, but precisely as British NATO specialists," Medvedev wrote in a post on Telegram.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-drones-us- funding/32617886.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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UK PM Sunak Says Remarks on British Soldiers in Ukraine 'Misreporting'

Sputnik News

20231001

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Sunday that British soldiers would not be sent to participate in the Ukraine conflict and that the training of the Ukrainian military by UK instructors on Ukraine's territory was currently out of the question.

On Saturday, UK Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps said that the United Kingdom was mulling the possibility of deploying its military in Ukraine to train the Ukrainian armed forces.

"There are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict," Sunak was quoted as saying by the British TV broadcaster.

Although the training of Ukrainian soldiers by UK instructors is possible in theory, it is "something for the long-term, not the here and now," the UK prime minister added.

"What the defence secretary was saying was that it might well be possible one day in the future for us to do some of that training in Ukraine," Sunak was quoted as saying by the broadcaster.

"I think there's been some misreporting about this," Sunak concluded.

A Sputnik

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Ukrainian Drone Destroyed Over Russia's Krasnodar Territory

Sputnik News

20231001

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian air defense systems have destroyed a Ukrainian drone over the Krasnodar Territory at 8:00 a.m. Moscow time (05:00 GMT), the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

"On October 1, at about 08:00 Moscow time, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack by an aircraft-type UAV on objects on the territory of Russia was stopped. The Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed over the Krasnodar Territory by air defense systems on duty," the ministry said in a statement.

Three Ukrainian drones were destroyed over the city of Smolensk.

"Today, at about 09:00 Moscow time, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack by an aircraft-type UAV on objects on the territory of Russia was stopped. Three Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed over the Smolensk Region by air defense systems on duty," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Later, the regional governor added that a total of five UAVs over Smolensk were destroyed or suppressed by electronic warfare.

A Sputnik

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On the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, the President presented state awards and took part in the oath taking by military lyceum students

President of Ukraine

1 October 2023 - 14:38

On the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented high state awards to Ukrainian servicemen, honorary titles, insignia and battle flags to military units, and took part in the oath taking by students of military lyceums.

The ceremony took place on the territory of the National Historical and Architectural Museum "Kyiv Fortress" in the presence of the military and political leadership of the state and foreign diplomats.

"Today, on a special day, we have a special mission. A mission of gratitude. A mission of loyalty. The ceremony of presenting state awards of Ukraine to those who distinguished themselves in its defense. And the solemn oath of our military lyceum students, who have yet to gain the respect of the Ukrainian people. Respect that has to be earned. But it will be absolute when you earn it with dignity," the Head of State said.

The President noted that 585 days of the full-scale Russian war and eight years of hybrid warfare claimed many brave Ukrainian lives.

"All of them have become the life of Ukraine. And we are obliged to all of them. We must guarantee freedom for our country," he emphasized.

The attendees observed a minute of silence in memory of all those who sacrificed their lives for Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy handed over the Golden Star Order to the family of Lieutenant Colonel Vasyl Bohach, who was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, the Lieutenant Colonel remained in Mariupol, personally participating in the destruction and capture of Russian soldiers. As a result of one of the enemy air strikes on the city, he sustained numerous shrapnel wounds. He died in early May 2022 in a hospital at Azovstal after the hospital was hit by a super heavy bomb.

Sergeant Ihor Kolesnichenko's family received from the President the highest state award, which was posthumously presented to him. Last May, near Novoluhanske in Donetsk region, at an observation post, the sergeant ensured the destruction of the enemy and then led the personnel out of the encirclement to more advantageous positions. He died, covering his brother-in-arms with his body during an enemy shelling.

The President also presented the Golden Star Order to the family of the deceased pilot, Hero of Ukraine Major Danylo Murashko, who had performed 141 combat missions from the first days of the war until January 2023. He destroyed a lot of armored vehicles, manpower and aggressor's depots. His aircraft was shot down by an enemy fighter jet. Danylo Murashko tried to move his aircraft away from residential buildings to the last, which is why he was unable to eject safely and died heroically.

The title of Hero of Ukraine was also posthumously awarded to Master Sergeant Maksym Stryzhak, who, in January 2023, bravely held back the offensive of Russian troops in the Bakhmut area with his brothers-in-arms. He was killed on January 15 in a battle with the enemy who was storming the city.

The Order was also presented to the family of the fallen Hero of Ukraine, Senior Lieutenant Vladyslav Skvortsov, who distinguished himself at the beginning of the war during the battles for Okhtyrka and the liberation of Trostyanets. In April 2022, he organized the evacuation of the wounded in Kharkiv region. While providing fire cover for the unit, he sustained a fatal wound.

The parents of the mortar battery commander, Senior Lieutenant Andriy Soroka, who distinguished himself last summer in the fighting near Maryinka, Donetsk region, also received the Golden Star Order. He heroically carried a seriously wounded brother-in-arms off the battlefield.

Oleksandr Fedorchenko, Chief Sergeant of the fire support company, was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. In January 2023, thanks to his actions, more than 60 wounded servicemen were evacuated in a timely manner. In March, his crew came under mortar fire in Donetsk region, and Oleksandr Fedorchenko was fatally wounded.

The order was also given to the family of military medic Yevhen Khrapko, who served as a volunteer in the ATO area in Donbas since 2014 and in the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2016. After the full-scale invasion of Russia, he defended Kharkiv and participated in the liberation of settlements in Kharkiv region, saving the lives of many servicemen. In June 2022, Yevhen's car with the crew hit a mine, and he was killed in the explosion.

The Head of State also presented the Golden Star Order to the Hero of Ukraine, army aviation pilot Major Oleksiy Hrebenshchykov, who has been selflessly defending Ukraine since the first days of the war. In March last year, in extremely difficult conditions, he performed a mission to help the defenders of Mariupol. In October 2022 - January 2023, he planned operations during the liberation of Mykolaiv region and the right-bank part of Kherson region.

Also, the highest state award was presented to Lieutenant Colonel Semen Kukharenko, who defended the settlements of Donetsk region, including Bakhmut, in the spring and summer of 2023. Thanks to the successful aerial reconnaissance of the combined group and the work of the group of kamikaze drone operators, a lot of enemy manpower and equipment was destroyed.

Lieutenant Colonel Oleksandr Marchuk, who stormed the positions of Russian troops in Zaporizhzhia region with his subordinates in July this year, was also awarded the Golden Star Order by the President. Having suffered a barotrauma, he continued to skillfully lead the unit and led the personnel through the mined area without casualties.

Lieutenant Colonel Kyrylo Peretyatko was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Golden Star Order. Under his leadership, 65 enemy air targets were destroyed between July and August 2023.

Captain Ihor Kharchenko, a Hero of Ukraine, an army aviation pilot who performed 107 combat missions during the repulsion of the large-scale Russian invasion, also received the order from the President. In March, he took part in the operation to help the defenders of Mariupol.

The Golden Star Order was also awarded to Senior Lieutenant Serhiy Kharchenko, who from the first days of the war, as part of a battalion of the National Guard of Ukraine, killed many Russian occupiers. He was seriously wounded but continued his service. During the battle, which lasted more than 10 hours, he skillfully adjusted the fire of artillery, which resulted in the destruction of almost 100 occupiers and about 20 units of armored vehicles.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also presented the Presidential Cross of Military Merit to four servicemen.

The Head of State handed over the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi I-III class, "For Courage" III class, the Orders of Merit III class, and the Order of Danylo Halytskyi to the Ukrainian defenders.

In addition, the President presented battle flags to the 47th separate mechanized brigade of the Ground Forces, the 1st separate special purposes brigade of the 9th army corps of the Ground Forces, the 37th separate marine brigade of the Marine Corps Command of the Ukrainian Navy, the 65th separate coastal missile division of the 360th separate coastal missile brigade of the Navy, the 130th separate territorial defense battalion of the 241st separate territorial defense brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Ribbons of the Presidential award "For Courage and Bravery" were presented to the 201st Hetman Pylyp Orlyk anti-aircraft missile brigade of the Air Force, the 24th separate assault battalion "Aidar" of the 5th separate assault brigade of the Ground Forces, the 21st separate brigade for the protection of public order named after Petro Kalnyshevskyi of the National Guard of Ukraine, the 24th border guard detachment named after Hero of Ukraine Senior Lieutenant Vyacheslav Semenov of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, and the Center of Special Operations "A" of the Security Service of Ukraine.

Also, the ribbons of honorary names were given to the 5th separate assault brigade of the Ground Forces (honorary name "Kyiv"), the 22nd separate brigade for the protection of diplomatic missions and consular institutions of foreign states (honorary name "Kyivan Rus") of the National Guard of Ukraine, and the 131st separate reconnaissance battalion of the Ground Forces (honorary name "named after Colonel Yevhen Konovalets").

With the participation of the President, the students of military lyceums took the oath of a lyceum student. It was read out by Vice Sergeant of Ivan Bohun Kyiv Military Lyceum Kostiantyn Nikiforov.

The oath was taken by students of Ivan Bohun Military Lyceum of Kyiv, the Military Lyceum of Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Ground Forces Academy, the Naval Lyceum, I. Kharytonenko Cadet Corps State Boarding Lyceum with enhanced military and physical training of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Yaroslav Kondratiev Law Lyceum of the National Academy of Internal Affairs.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated them on this important event.

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We must turn every opportunity into bringing our victory closer - and victory will come - Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the events on the Day of Defenders of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

1 October 2023 - 13:17

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the events on the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, which is celebrated in our country on October 1 from now on.

Political and military leadership, foreign ambassadors, Ukrainian defenders and their families, as well as lyceum students from Ivan Bohun Military Lyceum of Kyiv, the Military Lyceum of Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Ground Forces Academy, the Naval Lyceum, I. Kharytonenko Cadet Corps State Boarding Lyceum with enhanced military and physical training of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Yaroslav Kondratiev Law Lyceum of the National Academy of Internal Affairs.

Addressing the audience, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that today unites millions of Ukrainians who defend our country's freedom and independence with many generations of the Ukrainian people who fought for freedom and Ukraine at different times.

"Nowadays, modern generations of Ukrainians - you and all those who are now defending our state and people, our freedom and independence - have the opportunity to accomplish more than we have managed before. Our defense of Ukraine against the Russian invasion is based on the historically greatest unity of our society. A unity that we cherish. Ukraine enjoys the world's historically greatest support. And never again will Ukraine pay with the future of its children, its sovereignty and its will for illusory promises of peace. Ukraine has made historical conclusions," the Head of State said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed confidence that Ukrainian courage would bring peace to our country.

"The resilience of our people must guarantee the integrity of our state. And it will. Our unity must enable us to go all the way to drive the occupier out of our land. And it will. Courage, resilience, unity are the things we must not lose in order not to lose Ukraine," the President emphasized.

The Head of State expressed gratitude to all those who strengthen the new and glorious history of freedom for Ukraine and Ukrainians.

"I wish all our defenders to never lose a single opportunity for Ukraine. We need to turn every opportunity into bringing our victory closer - and victory will come!" the President of Ukraine emphasized.

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On the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, the President honored the memory of warriors perished for the homeland

President of Ukraine

1 October 2023 - 11:45

On the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored the memory of Ukrainian warriors who gave their lives defending the homeland.

The Head of State laid flowers to the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen Defenders of Ukraine on Mykhailivska Square in Kyiv.

The honor guard placed a wreath of flowers from the Ukrainian people at the Wall of Remembrance.

The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhny, representatives of the government and military leadership.

The attendees observed a moment of silence in memory of the fallen heroes.



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Address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the Day of Defenders of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

1 October 2023 - 08:45

Fellow citizens!

Dear people!

What can you do in a minute? What significance can it have for history? What momentous steps can be taken in this one minute? All these questions are evoked by both today's date and the place where I am now. Behind me is the Golden Gate. Around me is modern Kyiv. And the thousand-year-old majestic gate that protected the entrance to the capital is behind.

In front of each of us and for the sake of each of us stand our modern-day guardians, our warriors along the frontline, who are defending our land today. Above the Golden Gate, the gate church of the Most Holy Theotokos was built that served as the heavenly protection of the city. The sky above us today is protected by the air defense forces and all our warriors, whose guardian is the Intercession.

In a way, I, our people, and our country are now at the crossroads of history. On the way to tipping points. Where, with the memory of the past, we create the present and write a new page of our destiny. This is especially clear and noticeable on this day - the Day of Defenders of Ukraine. A state holiday that has become a truly national holiday. A people's holiday. A holiday of millions of Ukrainians who defend their land and do not stop for a single moment. And today, at 9 a.m. sharp, as a sign of respect and gratitude to them, Ukraine will stop for one minute.

The central streets and squares of our cities, transport, all of us, no matter where we are, should stop and honor the memory of the fallen heroes. And thank all our defenders.

This time is a good opportunity to think about the important things. To remember the important things. To recall another minute - the first minute of the full-scale war. The minute that changed everything. Divided life into before and after February 24. Changed each of us. And the proof is the answers to the questions: who were we before February 24? Who are we now? Who should we become?

February 24 began not when the clock struck midnight, but when the enemy launched an offensive. For us, the first minutes of that day were the first missiles and the first strikes on Ukraine. Addressing our defense and security forces at that moment, I said: "Stand your ground! You are all we have..."

Today we thank everyone who stood, stands and will stand strong. All those who were the first to take on a difficult battle. Our border guards, our infantry, tank crewmen, pilots, sailors, artillerymen, anti-aircraft gunners, our paratroopers, special forces, intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Guard, police, territorial defense. All those who defend the Ukrainian land, sea and sky. Whose protection we feel and whose courage we see everyday. Along the entire frontline, without a break, advancing during the ongoing counteroffensive. When Ukrainians from different regions, cities and villages are now together. In the same dugout, trench, in the same tank, aircraft, IFV. Side by side in different sectors, they are fighting for villages and towns they may have never been to before, but they are fighting as hard as they can as if those were their homes. Because that's what they all became for us in the first minute of February 24.

We thank everyone who defends our borders and frontiers, law and order and safety on our streets, protects our land from mines and shells, and our homes from fire. All those who defend Ukraine. All our security and defense forces. Soldiers, sergeants, petty officers, sailors, officers and generals who together prove that it does not matter what is on the shoulder boards, it is important what is in the minds and hearts. Those who have been doing this for the past 585 days and the past nine years. And to the question: "Where was I on February 24?" many will say: in the ATO and JFO area... I fought in Donbas. I defended Ukraine in the east, and then in all directions. I liberated Kramatorsk and later Kupyansk. I defended Donetsk airport and then the aerodrome in Hostomel.

We all remember the day of February 24 well. It's no exaggeration to say that I remember it almost minute by minute. How, addressing all Ukrainians, I said that from now on, we are all one big army of millions.

The Ukrainian people made sure that these words remained not just words. Not mere rhetoric, but actions. And today, when asked what I was doing before February 24, many people will say: I had a civilian life. I was an IT specialist, an engineer, a farmer, an actor, a lawyer. I was who I dreamed of being. But I became who I had to become. A defender and a fighter. Because there are moments when the fate of the country is only in our hands. And then we must have weapons in our hands. And the one who was a wedding cameraman now sees other shots and flies drones into the sky, "greeting" the orcs. The one who transported passengers now transports the wounded from the battlefield. The one who swapped a downtown private clinic for a field hospital near the frontline. The one who used to sew fashionable clothes and now - body armor. And someone will say that on February 24 he was in his first year of study. But shortly after, he was breaking through the first line of the occupier's defense. All those who had to grow up fast. And someone, recalling February 24, will say: I am a father, and in the first minutes I thought about my children. About the day when they will become adults and ask me where I was and what I did after February 24. And I know what I will answer: I went to defend us. And it is important for me to have this answer not only because someone will ask, but because one day you will ask yourself this question one way or another. Someone was on vacation abroad on February 24, someone was working there, someone was studying abroad. And thousands of them, traveling with many transfers and then even crossing the border on foot, returned to Ukraine to defend it. And, like millions of those who were here, they put aside all their affairs, work, and plans, saying: "'All this will wait. After the war. After the victory."

Dear Ukrainians!

The purpose of this day is to honor the bravery and heroism of the defenders of Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity, military traditions and the victories of the Ukrainian people. From the first minutes of February 24 to the present day, the whole world has been witnessing these victories every day. These are millions of Ukrainians protecting each other. All those in every region who took up arms and went to the front and to the territorial defense units. All those in every occupied city who took up Ukrainian flags and went to the squares. All those who made a rule: I will not stand aside and will do what I can every day. I will work, heal, train, teach, help, bring victory closer as best I can. I will protect and provide for the needs of the frontline, find, buy and bring everything necessary, manufacture equipment, weapons and ammunition. I will protect people's homes from darkness and cold, strengthening and repairing the power supply system even under explosions. I will protect our people and the peoples of the world from hunger, sow and reap a harvest despite the mines in the fields. I will uphold the reputation of the state in the diplomatic arena, ensure support for Ukraine, and the commitment of our international partners to our struggle. I will protect people's minds, eyes and ears from lies, disinformation, and panic. I will protect the truth. I will protect the state's capabilities, communications, infrastructure, deliver critical cargo, evacuate people, rescue people. I will protect the lives and health of Ukrainians both on the frontline and in civilian life. I will protect the future, education, knowledge, children, and teach lessons against all odds. Protect culture, faith, and each other. These are all those who stay here, in their places, all those who say to themselves every day: I can do more, I can help more. I can contribute more!

Dear Ukrainians!

Tough times have made us strong. And the strong bring victorious times closer. Step by step. Today, tomorrow, every day, every minute. No one should and no one will manage to "switch off" our resilience, endurance, grit and courage on either scheduled or emergency basis. They have no "expiration date", "end date", or final point after which we would stop resisting and fighting, except for one - our victory. As we bring it closer every day, we say: "We will fight for as long as it takes!"

We were doing it in the first minutes of February 24, we have been doing it for all these 585 days, and we will keep doing it. We stopped the invasion of a large enemy army, withstood and did not give up Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and hundreds of other cities and villages. We are driving out the occupiers. And we will continue to do so. We became stronger, hardened, better equipped and armed. And we will continue to do so. We came through a difficult winter, we endure missile attacks and terror. And we will continue to do so.

Being a defender means taking action every day. Being a defender of Ukraine means being with Ukraine every day. In Ukraine. For Ukraine.

Behind us is our history. Ahead is our victory. And a free country. Which we defended, defend and will defend.

It is important who we were.

It is important who we have become and who we are now.

It is important who we will become.

What we will ask ourselves in the first minute of victory. What we will recall and say to ourselves. And when we achieve our goal, it will be the Day of our defenders and victors.

We celebrate this day on the feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. A people's holiday that has become a state holiday. The Day of Defenders of Ukraine. A state holiday that has become a people's holiday. And when the state and the people are together, they are always victorious.

Glory to all those who are fighting and defending the homeland!

Glory to our defenders!

Glory to the Ukrainian people!

Glory to Ukraine!





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Following Russia's warning, UK says has no plans to send military instructors to Ukraine

Iran Press TV

Monday, 02 October 2023 12:08 AM

Britain says it has no "immediate" plans to deploy military instructors to Ukraine following a stern warning from Russia that British military personnel would be considered legitimate targets for its forces.

"There are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict," British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Sunday, rowing back from earlier comments by his Defense Secretary Grant Shapps.

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Shapps said he wanted to deploy military instructors to Ukraine to eventually get "the training brought closer and actually into Ukraine as well."

"Particularly in the west of the country, I think the opportunity now is to bring more things 'in country'," he added.

In his Sunday remarks, Sunak said, "What the defense secretary was saying was that it might well be possible one day in the future for us to do some of that training in Ukraine," adding, "But that's something for the long term, not the here and now."

Around 20,000 Ukrainians have already received training in the UK since the beginning of 2022 under the British-led Operation Interflex.

The British premier's remarks came shortly after former Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, warned that Britain's deployment of military trainers to Ukraine would "turn their instructors into a legal target for our armed forces."

"Understanding perfectly well that they will be ruthlessly destroyed and not as mercenaries, but namely as British NATO specialists," Medvedev, who is currently the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, added.

Ukraine's Western allies have supplied Kiev with billions of dollars in military aid since last February, when its war with Russia began.

However, they have so far avoided a formal military presence in Ukraine to reduce the risk of a direct conflict with Russia.

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Groupement Les Mousquetaires and Casino Group have completed the sale of a first set of 61 stores and extended their partnerships to include purchasing and supply

Paris, 2 October 2023

Pursuant to the memorandum of understanding signed on 26 May 2023, Groupement Les Mousquetaires and Casino Group have agreed to the:

sale of a group of 61 Casino France outlets (Hypermarkets, Supermarkets, Franprix and convenience stores) representing sales of 563 million excluding VAT (i.e., 621 million including VAT) for 2022, based on an enterprise value of 209 million, including service stations;





extension of their purchasing alliance to include private-label food products. AUXO Private Label is already up and running and will soon be launching a fresh round of calls for tenders. In addition, the term of the three existing AUXO purchasing alliances has been extended by two years to 2028;





signing of a supply agreement with Groupement Les Mousquetaires Seafood and Meat sectors, based on the know-how of Agromousquetaires.





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The above transactions were completed in Paris on 30 September 2023. Thus, Casino Group has collected the transfer price and Groupement Les Mousquetaires has already taken possession of 58 of the 61 sales outlets sold.

The stores' transfer to the Intermarche or Netto banners will take effect in October1 further to the necessary conversion work.

In addition, under the agreements signed in May 2023, Casino Group granted a call option to Groupement Les Mousquetaires, exercisable within three years at the latest, for a second group of outlets representing 510 million in sales excluding VAT.

Groupement Les Mousquetaires acquired a 49% non-controlling interest in these outlets and made an initial lump-sum payment of 140 million to Casino, the 30th of September 2023, which will be deducted from the final price calculated based on the market value of the assets.

Lastly, Groupement Les Mousquetaires granted a put option to Casino Group for an additional volume of stores representing 437 million in sales excluding VAT, exercisable over a period of three years, it being specified that Groupement Les Mousquetaires would make an initial lump-sum payment to Casino on exercise of this option, which would be deducted from the final price calculated based on the market value of the assets.

The parties state that they have consulted their relevant employee representative bodies and have complied with their obligations under competition law.

This press release was prepared solely for information purposes and should not be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell securities or related financial instruments. Likewise, it does not provide and should not be treated as providing investment advice. It has no connection with the specific investment objectives, financial situation or needs of any receiver. No representation or warranty, either express or implied, is provided in relation to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information contained herein. Recipients should not consider it as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgement. All the opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.

About Casino Group

Casino Group is a respected key player on the French retail market and an international leader in food retail, with more than 12,000 stores around the world (in France and Latin America). The Group has developed a portfolio of strong, dynamic and complementary banners, thanks to more than 200,000 employees driven by their passion for retail and customer service, and generated net sales of 33.6 billion in 2022. With a clear vision of changes in the sector, its goal is to accelerate the transformation of retail. To this end, all of the Group's distribution activities are positioned in high-potential formats: convenience, premium and e-commerce.

About Groupement Les Mousquetaires

Groupement Les Mousquetaires brings together 3,000 entrepreneurs who manage their various independent sales outlets in a commitment to enhancing the socio-economic fabric of their host communities. To meet the needs of its banners  Intermarche, Netto (food); Bricomarche, Brico Cash, Bricorama (DIY); Roady and Rapid Pare-Brise (mobility), Groupement Les Mousquetaires leverages its own network of support services, logistics hubs and 56 food plants, all located in France. Founded in 1969, it now employs 150,000 people to smoothly operate more than 3,100 convenient store locations across the country. Groupement Les Mousquetaires is also rolling out its banners in Belgium, Poland and Portugal. For more information, visit: www.mousquetaires.com

ANALYSTS AND INVESTORS CONTACTS

Christopher Welton  Tel: +33 (0)1 53 65 64 17

cwelton.exterieur@groupe-casino.fr

or

+33 (0)1 53 65 24 17

IR_Casino@groupe-casino.fr



PRESS CONTACTS

Casino Group  Communications Director

Nicolas Boudot  Communications Director - +33 (0)6 79 61 40 99

or

+33 (0)1 53 65 24 29  directiondelacommunication@groupe-casino.fr

Agence IMAGE 7

Karine Allouis  Tel: +33 (0)1 53 70 74 84  kallouis@image7.fr



Laurent Poinsot  Tel: + 33(0)6 80 11 73 52  lpoinsot@image7.fr



Groupement Les Mousquetaires

PRESS CONTACT

Source RP : Michelle Kamar  06 09 24 42 42  michelle@source-rp.com



Charlotte Rabilloud  06 62 03 28 34  charlotte@source-rp.com



1 With the exception of the Confrancon store (01) which will be transferred later  the aforementioned figures do not take this store into account.

Attachment
TORONTO, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Goliath Resources Limited (TSX-V: GOT) (OTCQB: GOTRF) (FSE: B4IF) (the Company or Goliath) is pleased to report Mr. Rob McEwen and Crescat Capital LLC have completed their strategic investments in Goliath. They both participated in tranche one of the announced non-brokered private placement that was upsized to $8,600,000 from $5,000,000. Gross proceeds from tranche one totaled $4,115,616 and the second and the final tranche of up to ~$4,484,384 gross proceeds is scheduled to close on or around October 11, 2023.



Mr. McEwen subscribed for $1,000,440 NFT units priced at $0.63 for a total of 1,588,000 units through his personal holding company. Once the second tranche closes, he will own ~2.4% (P/D) of Goliath. Mr. McEwen is the founder and former Chairman of Goldcorp where he discovered, built, and operated the Red Lake Mine in Ontario which was acquired by Newmont Mining in 2019 for US$10 billion. Mr. McEwen is currently the Chairman and Chief Owner of McEwen Mining Inc., a gold and silver producer with operations in Nevada, Canada, and Mexico.

Goliaths largest shareholder, Crescat Capital, subscribed for $500,220 for a total of 794,000 NFT units. Once the second tranche closes, they will own ~18.4% (P/D) of Goliath. Crescat Capital participated in the Offering pursuant to a pre-emptive right granted to them by the Company (see about Crescat Capital below).

~$4,484,384 (or 52%) of the up to $8,600,000 announced non-brokered private placement is priced at $1.00 per Charity Flow Through (CFT) unit which helps minimize excessive dilution based on the Companys low share price and market cap. The second tranche is entirely comprised of CFT funds and is scheduled to close on or around October 11, 2023.

The financing is closing in two tranches in a combination of: (i) 5,656,406 Non-Flow-Through units sold at a price of $0.63 per NFT unit. Each NFT unit consists of one common share of the Company and one-half purchase warrant, entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share for every whole warrant for a period of 18 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.78; (ii) 4,484,384 Charity Flow-Through units to be sold at a price of $1.00 per CFT unit. Each CFT unit will consist of one common share that will qualify as a flow-through share within the meaning of Subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) plus one-half purchase warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share for every whole warrant for a period of 18 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.78; and (iii) 824,000 Flow-Through (FT) shares sold at a price of $0.67 per one flow-through share within the meaning of Subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

The Company intends to use the gross proceeds raised from the CFT & FT offering for exploration and related programs on Goliaths Golddigger and Lucky Strike properties located in and around the Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia. The proceeds from the NFT offering be used for general working capital and administrative purposes.

The gross proceeds from the CFT and FT offering will be used for Canadian exploration expenses as such term is defined in paragraph (f) of the definition of Canadian exploration expense in Subsection 66.1(6) of the tax act, flow-through mining expenditures as defined in Subsection 127(9) of the tax act that will qualify as flow-through mining expenditures, and B.C. flow-through mining expenditures as defined in Subsection 4.721(1) of the Income Tax Act (British Columbia), which will be incurred on or before Dec. 31, 2024, and renounced with an effective date no later than Dec. 31, 2023. British Columbia Super Flow - the B.C. mining flow-through share (B.C. MFTS) tax credit allows BC Residents who invest in flow-through shares to claim a provincial non-refundable tax credit of 20% of their B.C. flow-through mining expenditures. B.C. flow-through mining expenditures are specific exploration expenses incurred by a PBC and renounced by a corporation issuing the flow-through shares.

Goliath may pay finders' fees composed of cash and warrants in connection with the offering, subject to compliance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued and sold under the offering will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from their date of issuance. Completion of the offering and the payment of any finders' fees remain subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Crescat Capital LLC

Crescat is a global macro asset management firm headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Crescats mission is to grow and protect wealth over the long term by deploying tactical investment themes based on proprietary value-driven equity and macro models. Crescats goal is industry leading absolute and risk-adjusted returns over complete business cycles with low correlation to common benchmarks. Crescats investment process involves a mix of asset classes and strategies to assist with each clients unique needs and objectives and includes Global Macro, Long/Short and Precious Metals funds.

Crescat is advised by Dr. Quinton Hennigh, its geologic and technical director on investments in gold and silver resource companies. Dr. Hennigh became an economic geologist after obtaining his PhD in Geology/Geochemistry from the Colorado School of Mines. He has more than 30 years of exploration experience with major gold mining firms that include Homestake Mining, Newcrest Mining and Newmont Mining. Recently, Dr. Hennigh founded Novo Resources Corp., and is currently serving as Co-Chairman. Among his notable project involvements are First Mining Golds Springpole gold deposit in Ontario, Kirkland Lake Golds acquisition of the Fosterville gold mine in Australia, the Rattlesnake Hills gold deposit in Wyoming, and Lion Ones Tuvatu gold project in Fiji, among many others.

Golddigger Property

The Golddigger Property is 100 % controlled covering an area of 61,685 hectares (152,427 acres) and is in a world class geological setting of the Eskay Rift within the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. The property encompasses 56 kilometers of the Red Line that is host to multiple world class deposits. The Surebet discovery has exceptional metallurgy with gold recoveries of 92.2% inclusive of 48.8% free gold from gravity alone at a 327-micrometer crush (no deleterious elements or cyanide required). Its is in an excellent location close in proximity to the communities of Alice Arm and Kitsault where there is a permitted mill site on private property. It is situated on tide water with direct barge access to Prince Rupert (190 kilometers via the Observatory inlet/Portland inlet). The town of Kitsault is accessible by road (190 kilometers from Terrace, 300 kilometers from Prince Rupert) and has a barge landing, dock, infrastructure capable of housing more than 300 people, and high-tension power. Additional infrastructure in the area includes the Dolly Varden Silver Mine Road (only 7 kilometers to the East of the Surebet discovery) with direct road access to Alice Arm barge landing (18 kilometers to the south of the Surebet discovery) and high-tension power (25 kilometers to the East of Surebet discovery). The city of Terrace (population 16,000) provides access to railway, major highways, and airport with supplies (food, fuel, lumber, etc.), while the town of Prince Rupert (population 12,000) is located on the west coast and houses an international container seaport also with direct access to railway and an airport with supplies.

About Goliath Resources Limited

Goliath Resources Limited is an explorer of precious metals projects in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia and Abitibi Greenstone Belt of Quebec. All its projects are in world class geological settings and geopolitical safe jurisdictions amenable to mining in Canada.

For more information please contact:

Goliath Resources Limited

Mr. Roger Rosmus

Founder and CEO

Tel: +1.416.488.2887

roger@goliathresources.com

www.goliathresourcesltd.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), nor the OTCQB Venture Market accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Goliaths current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the ability of the Company to complete financings and its ability to build value for its shareholders as it develops its mining properties. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Goliath. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the proposed transactions will occur, or that if the proposed transactions do occur, will be completed on the terms described above.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and Goliath is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

This announcement does not constitute an offer, invitation, or recommendation to subscribe for or purchase any securities and neither this announcement nor anything contained in it shall form the basis of any contract or commitment. In particular, this announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer would be illegal.

The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of a U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN.
CORPORATE PRESS RELEASE





Technicolor Creative Studios

Listing suspension





PARIS (FRANCE), OCTOBER 2, 2023 

Technicolor Creative Studios SA requested from Euronext Paris the suspension of the listing of its shares from today and until publication of a new press release.





***

ABOUT TECHNICOLOR CREATIVE STUDIOS

Technicolor Creative Studios shares are admitted to trading on the regulated market of Euronext Paris (TCHCS)

Technicolor Creative Studios is a creative technology company providing world-class production expertise driven by one purpose: The realization of ambitious and extraordinary ideas. Home to a network of award-winning studios, MPC, The Mill, Mikros Animation and Technicolor Games, we inspire creative companies across the world to produce their most iconic work.



Our global teams of artists and technologists partner with the creative community across film, television, animation, gaming, brand experience and advertising to bring the universal art of storytelling to audiences everywhere.

www.technicolorcreative.com

***

Investor Relations Contact:

investor.relations@technicolor.com

Corporate press:

Teneo: tcs@teneo.com

Attachment
ISTANBUL, Turkey, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sisecam, approaching its goal of becoming the world's largest soda ash producer with its investments in the USA, saw its Chairman and Fully Authorized Executive Member of The Board of Directors Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman receive the 'Glass Person of the Year' award for his contributions to the development of the global glass industry. This prestigious award  known as the 'Oscar' of the glass industry  was presented to Prof. Dr. Kirman by the Phoenix Award Committee in Como, Italy.



Sisecam Chairman and Fully Authorized Executive Member of The Board of Directors Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman received the 'Glass Person of the Year 2023' award for his long-term, significant, and valuable contributions to the global glass industry. This prestigious award, widely known as the 'Oscar' of the glass industry, was presented to Prof. Dr. Kirman by the Phoenix Award Committee at a special ceremony held in Como, Italy. Representatives of the global glass industry and the business world convened at this special event, where Phoenix Award Committee Chairman Lincoln Brown presented the award to Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman.

We can solve the world's shared problems with shared wisdom

At the award ceremony, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman delivered a speech on how the glass industry can play an active role in for solving the major challenges that the world is currently facing: Today, the world has three critical problems, and the glass industry could have a vital role to play in solving these problems. The biggest issue the world is facing today is unequal income distribution. The glass industry should adopt a more constructive and inclusive approach that enriches not only its shareholders but also its employees. We must go beyond defining everything with costs and EBITDA and step up our efforts to correct the income distribution in the glass ecosystem. Another pressing issue is that the concept of a sustainable world is not sufficiently taken into consideration for the sake of political and economic interests, in spite of being strongly voiced, especially in developed countries and at the United Nations. First of all, the glass industry needs to act together to address resource use. In order to tackle our common problems effectively, we must create a shared wisdom, free from the desire for profit, and focused on collaboration rather than competition. Another critical issue is that the world's population has exceeded 8 billion and women, who make up more than half the total, are still not offered an equitable environment despite a lot of sophisticated rhetoric. We should also work harder to provide equal opportunities for women in the glass industry at all levels and every stage of production."

Prof. Dr. Kirman also expressed his thoughts about the Glass Person of the Year Award: "It is a tremendous honor to be presented with this prestigious award. My professional journey has included roles as a judge, an academic, and a banker, culminating in my experience in the glass industry. It is very impressive both in terms of motivation and responsibility to know that what we do is followed and appreciated in this sector. I would like to thank the distinguished members of the Committee."

Phoenix Award Committee Chairman Lincoln Brown stated that they were very happy to present this award to Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman, who had made significant contributions to the development of the glass industry for 17 years. He also pointed out that Sisecam was able to become a global powerhouse under Prof. Dr. Kirman's inspiring leadership.

Sisecam will become the world's largest soda ash producer

A global player in the global glass and chemicals industry, Sisecam conducts manufacturing operations in 14 countries on four continents with 24.000 employees and reaches 150 countries worldwide with its products. Sisecam is also one of the largest Turkish investors in the USA. Sisecam's investment history in soda ash in the USA dates to 2019. Having made the strategic decision to expand its global footprint in natural soda ash production, Sisecam entered a 50-50% partnership with Ciner Group to establish a new natural soda ash production facility in the USA in 2019. During the 2-year partnership, the environmentally friendly and sustainable nature of natural soda ash became apparent. Meanwhile, soda ash demand grew rapidly, as expected. These highly favorable dynamics prompted Sisecam to further boost its investments in this promising business area and bolster its presence in the huge US market. In 2021, Sisecam increased its stake in the Pacific Project from 50% to 60%. Sisecam also decided to expand its partnership area and become a 60% shareholder in Ciner Group's Wyoming facility in the USA. In addition, Sisecam assumed a 60% interest in the Atlantic Project, which was fully owned by Ciner Group, another initiative planned for the production of natural soda ash. Today, Sisecam is the second largest soda producer in the world. Thanks to its natural soda investment in the US, Sisecam is poised to become the world's largest soda ash producer. With the US investment's phased completion scheduled for 2028, Sisecam will have a global soda ash production capacity of over 10 Million tons. The total production capacity of Sisecam's soda operations in the USA will be 7,5 Million tons.

This year, Sisecam made another investment in the USA to meet the logistics needs of its natural soda ash investment in the country. Sisecam became an equal partner in Ciners the Stockton Port Management project in California. The project is designed to establish a logistics infrastructure that will facilitate the future export activities of Sisecam's ongoing soda ash investments in the USA. Sisecam employs 513 people in the USA and contributed to the country's economy with exports totaling USD 268 Million in the first 7 months of 2023.

About Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman

Throughout his career, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman has had the opportunity to explore diverse fields such as law, banking, and academia, each contributing to his professional growth and enriching his perspective. In 2006, he joined Sisecam, and since then, he has been dedicated to contributing to the success of the global glass industry. Since 2006, At Sisecam, he served as Sisecams Chairman and Fully Authorized Executive Member from 2006 to 2011. Vice Chairman and CEO from 2011 to 2021. Chairman and CEO as of 30 March 2021. He was appointed as the Chairman on 1 July 2021 and Fully Authorized Executive Member of the Board of Directors at the General Assembly meeting held on 28 March 2022.

Sisecam set its global leadership goals and the goal of becoming one of the world's top 3 manufacturers in its main fields of activity under his leadership. He initiated a very important infrastructure transformation to prepare Sisecam for the future. This was followed by the merger of One Sisecam which was the largest merger in the history of Turkish capital markets. Since 2006 Sisecam has expanded the reach of its products to 150 countries and increased sales by 3,5 folds. By 2022, the share of international sales exceeded 60%. Sisecams annual glass production has increased by 2,3 folds, and soda ash production has increased by 4,2 folds. The number of Sisecam employees has grown from 15 thousand to over 24 thousand in 17 years.

He has been honored with the title of Cavaliere of the Order of the Star of Italy, nominated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and bestowed by the President of the Italian Republic, in recognition of strengthening economic bilateral relations and mutual investments between Italy and Turkey. President of the Republic of Tatarstan honored him with the Medal of Valorous Labor in recognition of Sisecams contributions to the development of investments and economic cooperation. He has also been honoured with the Medal of Appreciation for contributions to the economic development of the Targovishte Region in Bulgaria. He was also awarded the Chairman of the Year at the Le Fonti Awards, an award platform of one of the leading economics media organizations in Italy. In 2019, in recognition of his lifetime contributions to the glass science and technology, encouraging the exchange of knowledge and promotion of national and international glass community, he was awarded with the Presidents Award by the International Commission on Glass (ICG).

About Sisecam

Sisecam was founded in 1935 to establish Turkeys glass industry in line with the vision of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a great leader respected worldwide. Today, Sisecam is a major global player in the fields of glass and chemicals. Sisecam is the only global company operating in all core areas of glass production  including flat glass, glassware, glass packaging, and glass fiber. Currently, Sisecam ranks among the worlds top two manufacturers of glassware and the top five producers of glass packaging and flat glass. Sisecam is one of the three largest soda ash producers in the world and the world leader in chromium chemicals.

Sisecam plays a leading role in the flat glass, glassware, glass packaging, chemicals, automotive, glass fiber, mining, energy and recycling business lines. Sisecam operates production facilities in Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Russian Federation, Georgia, Ukraine, Egypt, India, and the USA in addition to Turkey.

Sisecam, who takes firm steps towards its goal of becoming one of the world's top 3 manufacturers in its main fields of activity, with its competent human resources and smart technologies, and uninterruptedly continues to transform its digital infrastructure and culture by considering the future necessities. Sisecam, who has 88 years of experience, more than 24 thousand employees, production activities in 14 countries on four continents, and a sales network of more than 150 countries, continues its growth journey in line with its "Global Excellence" strategy and with an inclusive approach that supports the development of company's entire ecosystem. Sisecam takes responsibility for protecting the planet, empowering society and transforming life with its CareForNext strategy, which is compliant with and centered around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Sisecam uses all its experience and competencies to promote sustainable development in every aspect. www.sisecam.com.tr
Cincinnati, OH, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osborne Mint- a subsidiary of Osborne Coinage- a leading name in the world of custom round design and manufacturing, is thrilled to announce a significant expansion of its product offerings. Beginning October 2, 2023, the Cincinnati-based company will officially start selling high-quality silver bullion rounds to cater to the growing demand from investors and collectors alike.

Silver has long been recognized as a valuable and stable investment, and Osborne Mint is proud to leverage its decades of experience in the minting industry to bring the same level of craftsmanship and expertise to the world of bullion rounds. Osborne Mint will offer the most popular size  a one ounce, 39mm (1.54) diameter round.

Key Features of Osborne Coinage's Silver Bullion Rounds:

Exceptional Purity: Osborne Mints silver bullion rounds are crafted from .999 fine silver, ensuring the highest level purity and quality for investors.

Exquisite Design: These one ounce, 39mm diameter rounds feature meticulously designed imagery that is not only visually appealing but also holds cultural significance, as with the buffalo nickel design.

Customization: Osborne Mint will also produce custom design bullion rounds upon request.

Packaging and Authentication: Rounds are packaged in tubes for economy and come with a bulk certificate of purity.

"We are excited to diversify our product range and offer our customers the opportunity to invest in silver bullion rounds. With our longstanding commitment to quality and craftsmanship, customers can trust that our bullion rounds will meet their investment and collecting needs," said Gibson Olpp, Marketing Director at Osborne Coinage.

As an established name in the coin industry, Osborne Mint's expansion into silver bullion rounds is a natural progression, further solidifying its position as a trusted source for precious metal products. The company's dedication to precision and innovation has earned them a reputation for excellence in numismatic design and production.

For more information about Osborne Mint's silver bullion rounds, please visit www.osbornemint.com.

About Osborne Mint:

Established in 1835, Osborne Coinage is Americas oldest continuously operating private mint. Osborne Mint is part of the Osborne Coinage family, which includes Osborne Coinage, TokensDirect, and Van Brook of Lexington. The mint, a 60,000 square foot facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, houses the development, engraving and manufacturing of numismatic quality collectible rounds, bars, and coins. Products manufactured by Osborne hold strict standards for metal purity, weight, and dimensions. Osborne Mint strikes thousands of collectible rounds annually and circulates them to the public through certified distributors.

Stay in the know, follow our hashtag: #OsborneMint

For more information on Osborne Mint visit our website: www.OsborneMint.com

Attachments
Whitby, ON, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ample research shows connecting disability inclusion to broader business objectives and the company mission is vital for continued growth and success, but a new study found most companies dont even know how many people in their workforce have a disability.

This means that, with disability on the rise as the population ages, many businesses are missing crucial data they need to strategically plan for prospering by creating an inclusive culture.

This makes the education and awareness-raising that happens during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) vital for understanding disability inclusion connections to success, affirms Jeannette Campbell, CEO of the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN).

NDEAM is an annual October campaign promoting disability inclusion in business and the workplace. NDEAM began in the U.S. following World War Two. Here in Canada, its being recognized in more communities across the country each year.

The findings of the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) study are somewhat frustrating, says Campbell, but also unsurprising. Theyre further evidence theres still a major lack of disability awareness despite the conversation about disability-inclusive hiring has been going on for decades.

Campbell is referring to a new international study published in May by BCG titled, Your Workforce Includes People with Disabilities: Does Your People Strategy?

Most businesses reported only 4% to 7% of their employees have a disability.

The survey found, however, that in actuality, 25% of employees have a disability or health condition that limits a major life activity.

BCG surveyed 28,000 employees in 16 countries.

Too many businesses are still missing out on talent and opportunities. The lack of awareness creates attitudinal barriers that hinder businesses  and the communities they serve  from experiencing the benefits of disability inclusion and innovation, Campbell says.

The findings of the BCG study are also a sign that while progress is being made, theres still a general lack of real commitment to disability inclusion in business and employment. Awareness and commitment go together. If youre committed to something, you put all your effort into it, including learning everything you can about it.

Businesses committed to disability inclusion make sure they reflect the communities they serve, Campbell points out.

Thats why its vital to make the disability inclusion connection on all its levels. Theres an integral, multi-faceted relationship between disability inclusion, and employment and business success for everyone involved.

On one level, Campbell explains, its about understanding the benefits of disability inclusion; knowing how to make connections with community-based employment service providers and the disability talent pool; understanding the need for and importance of accessibility; understanding that disability is diverse and not always visible; and realizing why disability needs to be part of the DEI conversation.

There are also links to profitability, innovation, overall business success and employee retention, she notes.

For disability-inclusive businesses, profit margins are 30% higher and revenue increases 28%, according to research by Accenture. Business leaders who make all the disability inclusion connections are six times more likely to be running high-performing companies, a Deloitte study found.

NDEAM, Campbell notes, presents an opportunity for businesses to look at how well theyre making all the disability inclusion connections, by reviewing their policies, practices and procedures, and the inclusiveness of their company culture.

Inclusion doesnt just help you keep valuable employees who have a disability, notes Campbell. Theres a lot of research that shows it helps you keep employees in general. When theres inclusion, people feel safe, welcome and valued, and they want to work for that company.

The BCG study, for example, found that when a company is people-focused with a healthy culture, all employees are 50% more likely to stay.

Another two-year study found that inclusive, high-performing companies are as much as eight times stronger at innovation, customer service and employee retention.

Businesses that dont fully embrace disability inclusion and the change its driving; that dont make all the connections, miss market opportunities and alienate a growing consumer market. Overall, they wont be well positioned for continued success, Campbell emphasizes.

People who have a disability are the worlds largest minority group, and its growing. A 2022 World Health Organization report notes the number has increased to 16% from 15% of the worlds population, or about 1.3 billion people.

Currently, 6.2 million Canadians have a disability, or about 22% of the population. By around 2035, that number is expected to reach 25% as the population ages.

This increasing disability means the disability consumer market is growing. Consumer spending by Canadians who have a disability is on the rise. By 2030, it will reach $316 billion, up from $165 billion in 2017.

Globally, there are well over five billion consumers in the disability consumer market  the over one billion people who have a disability plus their family and friends. Their combined spending power is almost US$13 trillion.

Reflecting all of this, ODENs 2023 NDEAM campaign theme is, Making the Disability Inclusion Connection .

During NDEAM, ODEN will publish a two-part article series to help businesses understand the many levels of disability inclusion connections; barriers to employment and inclusion; and strategies for successfully making all the connections. Part one will be published October 5. The second instalment is October 19.

On October 24, ODEN will release a new episode of its You Cant Spell Inclusion Without a D podcast, launching an occasional series called Making the Journey. Its a series of one-on-one conversations with business leaders whove successfully made the disability-inclusive hiring journey in their companies. The first episode is a fireside chat with Joe Hoffer. He is a partner in the London, ON, law firm, Cohen Highley LLP. The firm has been a disability-inclusive employer for several years, and sets an example for other businesses in Southwestern Ontario to follow.

Light It Up! For NDEAM TM is the flagship national event of ODENs NDEAM campaign. The fourth annual Light It Up! For NDEAM takes place Thursday, October 19. Hundreds of businesses, structures, municipal signs and world-renown landmarks across Canada will be specially lit purple and blue for one night.

Light It Up! For NDEAM is much more than a one-night, co-ordinated lighting event to raise awareness, explains Campbell. Its quickly become a national movement that ignites conversation about why businesses need to make all the connections to disability inclusion.

She adds, Theres more conversation about disability inclusion than ever before, and its good to see this happening. NDEAM continues to be a vital month because it helps raise awareness, and keep the focus on disability inclusion going year-round.

-30-

ABOUT ODEN: The Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN), created in 2008, is a professional body of more than 130 employment service providers united to increase employment opportunities for people who have a disability. Members are from every corner of the province and support people of all disability types. Beyond Ontario, ODEN (odenetwork.com) has connections with organizations in other provinces and territories of Canada. Light It Up! For NDEAMTM is a trademark of the Ontario Disability Employment

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BEND, Ore., Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Origami Solar, developers of a patent-pending steel frame for solar modules that lowers cost, dramatically reduces carbon emissions, and improves performance and value, announces the appointment of energy industry veteran, Michael Gray, to the new position of Chief Operating Officer (COO). With over 40 years of experience, Gray will lead and build out Origamis secure and transparent steel supply chain program to support the companys rapidly growing momentum.



Gray has held numerous high-level management positions overseeing global steel supply chains serving the energy sector. His most recent role was Chief Operating Officer at Infinitum Electric. Prior to that he served as Director Global Supply Chain at Array Technologies, Inc.; VP Global Supply Chain at Energy Alloys; and was President of Axiom NDT.

With the industrys transition from aluminum to steel well underway, Grays appointment will help Origami further strengthen the domestic solar ecosystem through reduced material and manufacturing costs and secure, sustainable domestic production.

Michael shares our vision of disrupting the monopolized solar supply chain that for decades has relied heavily on imported carbon-intensive Asian aluminum, said Gregg Patterson, CEO of Origami Solar. His proven expertise and well-established networks in the steel and solar industries will be critical as we bring low-carbon, U.S.-made steel module frames to market in 2024.

The majority of my career has been buying and selling steel across the globe. I am deeply motivated by Origamis innovation in steel frame design that allows us to re-shore domestic solar frame production and strengthen energy independence, said Michael Gray, COO of Origami Solar. Origami has spent the past two years developing premier partners in steel and fabrication. Im excited to build on this foundation to scale and optimize the most robust and cost-effective steel ecosystem in North America and Europe.

The Origami Solar team will be at PV Celltech USA in San Francisco from October 3-4, 2023. You can also visit the Origami Solar website here to learn more.



About Origami Solar

Origami Solar is the developer of a patent-pending steel solar panel frame that will transform the solar industry through reduced material and manufacturing cost, high-speed domestic production, and dramatically lower greenhouse gas emissions. By sourcing steel from an established industry ecosystem, solar module manufacturers can eliminate supply chain constraints, accelerate the transition to carbon-free energy, and level the global playing field for module production. In 2022, Origami Solar was awarded the grand prize in the U.S. Department of Energys American-Made Solar Prize competition, recognizing the disruptive value and potential of a high-performance steel module frame. For more information, visit www.origamisolar.com.

Contact:

Gene Hunt

Trevi Communications for Origami Solar

978-750-0333 x.101

gene@trevicomm.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/335c9439-695a-4a49-bc79-d0e2213c0599




WAYNESVILLE, N.C., Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SECU Foundation is pleased to announce the pilot of a new Disaster Response Program to address capacity building for North Carolina non-profits located in disaster areas as declared by federal or state governments. The pilot began with $55,000 grants for Haywood Pathways Center and Mountain Projects to help with recovery from the social and economic impacts caused by the permanent closure of Haywood Countys Pactiv Evergreen Mill in June 2023.

The funding model of the pilot combines the capacity building element of SECU Foundations Mission Development Grant program with financial resources for disaster relief. The program provides each grantee up to $55,000 for immediate programmatic support within a two-year period and is intended to supplement and complement other philanthropic efforts and government assistance plans for emergency economic or natural disaster conditions that may occur in communities of need across the state.

This capacity building pilot is a great opportunity to support communities experiencing disaster and proactively work with non-profit leadership to develop long-term strategies for recovery, said Jama Campbell, SECU Foundation executive director. Company closings like the paper mill in Haywood County create economic hardships with adverse ripple effects throughout the region. Our grant will help ensure that Haywood Pathways Center and Mountain Projects are better equipped to provide residents and communities with immediate support and meet the increased demand for their services.

The support of SECU Foundation not only allows Haywood Pathways to continue healthy organizational development, but also provides much-needed resources to meet the increasing demands within the Haywood community for both food and emergency shelter, said Mandy Haithcox, Haywood Pathways Center executive director. We are honored to be a part of this pilot project as we all work together for the betterment of our community.

We are grateful for the support from SECU Foundation that will assure we have the capacity to respond and meet critical needs that could arise from the mill closing, said Patsy Davis, Mountain Projects Community Action Agency executive director. Without this support, we would not be able to respond in a timely manner, which is so important when individuals and families face challenging situations.

About SECU and SECU Foundation

A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, and federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), SECU has been providing employees of the state of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 86 years. SECU is the second largest credit union in the United States with $50 billion in assets. It serves over 2.7 million members through 275 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs, Member Services Support via phone, www.ncsecu.org, and a Mobile App. The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high-impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare, and human services. Since 2004, SECU Foundation has made a collective financial commitment of over $258 million for initiatives to benefit North Carolinians statewide.

Contact: Jama Campbell, Executive Director

Office: 919-839-5562 | secufoundation@ncsecu.org

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/03bab104-ac5a-4526-9007-2ce573ec8b95
New York, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Over the past week, tens of thousands of Armenians finally concluded a long and arduous trip out of Nagorno-Karabakh to begin another journey in Armenia. That road begins in the town of Goris in the southern region of Armenia, where many evacuees will, for the first time in nearly a year, be served a fresh, warm, nutritionally balanced mealcompliments of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), working with international NGO, World Central Kitchen (WCK). To date, over 15,000 meals have been prepared and distributed with the demand increasing exponentially.

As soon as the WCK team arrived on the scene on September 29, they immediately joined forces with friend and kindred spirit Aline Kamakian, a prominent Lebanese-Armenian restauranteur and life-long member of the AGBU global network, the world's largest Armenian non-profit organization with deep experience in humanitarian relief dating even prior to the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Collaborating with WCK, AGBU is ready to tackle this humanitarian crisis of historic proportions.

With an influx of over 100,000 displaced people entering in a matter of days, AGBU is ready to provide for people who have suffered through a nine-month blockade of vital supplies, as part of the ethnic cleansing campaign of Armenians by Azerbaijan, stated AGBU President Berge Setrakian. Working with World Central Kitchen and our friend Aline Kamakian once again is a critical partnership of resources, know-how, and reach.

Kamakian and WCK had collaborated and cooperated before, in the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut Blast. That was when Kamakian found herself on the front lines of humanitarian relief, feeding hundreds of disaster victims for weeks and months on end. Working with the WCK team in person gave Kamakian and AGBU the opportunity to learn from this experienced group what is entailed in solving for massive food insecurity in a disaster zone. Now the team is back in action to bring comfort and hope to ever-growing numbers of Armenian evacuees.

Last week, within hours of the first reports of evacuees seeking refuge in Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh, Kamakian was in Armenia working with the local AGBU office and its volunteers in the Syunik region near the Azerbaijani border. In short order, they set up a command post in Goris with nearby hubs in Sisian and Ishkhanasar. Another location was then established in the historical Vayots Dzor (Vayk) region, where many evacuees are headed in the next leg of their journey to recovery. More hubs in Ararat, Massis, and Yerevan were up and running as of Sunday, as the evacuees spread out to the north, east and western regions of Armenia. Back in Goris, distribution is now focused on local hotels, hospitals, and schools, as well as private residences where evacuees are sheltering.

In all cases, hot meals are prepared in local restaurant spaces, using locally sourced ingredients and recipes. In a full-circle AGBU moment, some local restaurant owners happened to be alumni of the AGBU EmpowerHer Initiative, which offers support to Armenias women entrepreneurs.

Many of these evacuees, including the very sick and ailing, had to pack up in a hurry only to face standstill traffic for hours upon hours to cross the border to safety in Armenia proper. This only added to the trauma of the situation, explained Kamakian. The shock to the body, mind, and spirit is something we have seen before, when victims of disaster and catastrophe are in no condition to fend for themselves. Thats where a balanced warm meal made with fresh ingredientswith lots of dignity and compassion added to the mix may be the first sign of hope for them. It gives them the physical and moral strength to begin a new and uncertain chapter in their lives.

AGBU has made it possible for WCK and Kamakian to waste no time setting up the logistics of this immense effort, providing them with the resources, volunteers, and anything else she needs to ensure that her fellow Armenians have a chance to rebuild their shattered lives. With the support and generosity of WCK, she is confident that this vital aspect of humanitarian relief will make an important difference in this very difficult transition period.

Setrakian went on to say, We appreciate that WCK immediately recognized the tragic dimensions of this crisis and is able to provide free meals for an extended period to evacuees, including those in hospitals in desperate need of emergency care. We also owe our thanks to Aline Kamakian for her take-charge spirit and professional skill set that enable her to organize such an urgent and multi-faceted undertaking. Her presence here in Armenia during this critical time is both reassuring and inspiring for all.

Donations to the humanitarian effort for Armenian evacuees can be made to AGBU Global Relief Fund at agbu.org/global-relief.

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the worlds largest non-profit organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian diaspora. Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal: to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians. To learn more visit www.agbu.org.

Media Inquiries:

AGBU Press Office

55 East 59th Street

New York, NY 10022-1112

Phone: 212.319.6383

Email: press@agbu.org

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New York, NY, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Step into a world where a stained-glass masterpiece by Richard Morris Hunt, a mouthguard used by boxer Joe Louis, a 1985 street art painting by Sandra Lady Pink Fabara, a golden Tiffany & Company tea and coffee set, and a sequined Halston ensemble worn by Lauren Bacall, all come together to reveal fascinating tales of New York City. Each object represents a unique piece of the citys vibrant history and all a part of the Museum of the City of New Yorks eagerly anticipated new exhibition, People, Place, and Influence: The Collection at 100.

Opening on October 13, 2023, the exhibitionpresented as part of the Museums Centennialfeatures a selection of MCNYs 750,000+ object collection, including many rarely seen items such as a porcelain doll created in 1864, sold to benefit Civil War efforts in Brooklynone of the first objects to be accessioned into the MCNY collectionand a never-before-displayed dress worn by opera star, Marian Anderson. With unexpected juxtapositions of media and time periods, the objects spotlight singular moments in New York history, notable creative voices and urban icons, and the extraordinary stories from all five boroughs embedded within the Museums collection. The exhibition also invites the public to contribute their thoughts  via in-gallery interactive surveysabout what MCNY should collect in its next century.

For the last 100 years, MCNY has wrestled with the ambitious notion that a single institution can capture the history, physical transformation, and diversity of this complex metropolis, says Lilly Tuttle, curator at the Museum of the City of New York. People, Place, and Influence is a testament to the enduring themes that have defined our museum over the last 100 years. We are not just showcasing objects; were weaving together the incredible narratives of a city that has shaped style, politics, and business on a global scale.

Highlights from People, Place, and Influence:

PLACE: Delve into the very essence of New Yorks physical transformation through historical artifacts, paintings, photographs, drawings, and maps. Marvel at relics like the massive wrench that helped build the Brooklyn Bridge; a piece of the stage floor from the Metropolitan Opera House; and a Berenice Abbott photograph from her Changing New York series.

PEOPLE: Explore a rich tapestry of New Yorks diverse inhabitants, from the citys elite to its everyday heroes. Get a glimpse of the past with objects such as a gold engraved cigarette case belonging to Cole Porter; a 1983 photograph of a break-dancer by Martha Cooper; and Gilbert Stuarts iconic portrait of George Washington.

PERSONAL STYLE: Immerse yourself in the epicenter of fashion, theater, art, and culture. Learn about the citys influence on global aesthetics via artifacts such as a recently acquired white suit from the closet of late Bonfire of the Vanities author, Tom Wolfe; an Egyptian headdress, designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany; and a Supreme jacket based on graffiti star Lee Quinones drawing that is part of the Museums collection.

PRODUCED BY NEW YORK: Witness NYCs creative spirit come alive through a diverse range of objects produced and crafted within its confines. Experience the energy and creativity of New York through items like the jar of fairy dust from the 1954 Broadway production of Peter Pan; a seat from the pre-1973 Yankee Stadium; costumes from the original runs of Broadway classics, EVITA and Sound of Music; and a "Rosie the Riveter" summer jumpsuit, by Vera Maxwell.

Also included: A look back at the history and founding of the Museum of the City of New York -- its role as the first city museum in the U.S. and the only museum dedicated to telling the story of New York. The exhibition explores MCNYs mission to capture the essence of New York and its people, through 100 years of exhibitions and the story of its vast collection.

Were excited to commemorate our Centennial while visioning the next century of collecting at New Yorks flagship city museum, says Stephanie Wilchfort, the Ronay Menschel Director and President of Museum of the City of New York. People, Place, and Influence: The Collection at 100 explores what a collection rooted in New York City has meant over time, and how museum collecting might reflect and respond to our city in the future.

People, Place, and Influence is the latest exhibition of a year-long centennial celebration marking the Museums anniversary and its role in connecting the past, present, and future of the city. The other current and upcoming exhibitions and events tied to MCNYs 100th year include:

PROGRAMMING:

MCNY 100: Centennial Weekend

The weekend-long celebration of the Museum of the City of New Yorks 100th birthday begins on Friday night, as visitors are transported back to the Roaring Twenties, the decade the Museum was founded. Attendees are invited to don their best 1920s attire, grab their dancing shoes, for an evening of jazz-age revelry with a modern twist. Then, on Saturday morning, our Keys to the City Scavenger Hunt: On Location in New York kicks off, sending teams out and about the streets of NYC to solve cinematic clues in connection with MCNYs Centennial exhibition, This Is New York. Also on Saturday, the first hundred visitors through the doors every hour receive a special birthday cupcakecourtesy of Amy's bread. The day ends with the Scavenger Hunt teams returning to the Museum to crown and toast the winning team. The weekend culminates with the MCNY 100 Family Day Celebration on Sunday a full day of activities and creative engagement for all.



Events at the Museum :

Saturday, 10/14 - Keys to the City Scavenger Hunt: On Location in New York - and in honor of MCNYs 100th birthday, well be giving away free Amys Bread cupcakes to the first 100 people at the Museum every hour .[1]

New Permanent Installation:

Stefan Knapp installation

In 2022, the Museum accessioned a portion of Stefan Knapps dazzling tiles which were commissioned in 1960 and displayed at Alexanders flagship store until 1998. In a city associated with an ever-changing skyline of glass and steel, the installation speaks to the ways companies seek to differentiate themselves through architecture, design, and public art as seen in the Chrysler building or Apple store. The Museum has installed the largest extant portion of Knapp's sculpture on its south terrace, honoring Knapp's original intention to create public art. The new installation will be on view beginning October 11, 2023. The Museum is grateful to Barbara Jakobson for her visionary donation of these iconic tiles to our collection.

Citywide :

NYC Through the Decades: A Collaboration with LinkNYC

On view starting Friday, October 13, in honor of the Museums Birthday Weekend, selections from the Museums collection will be featured on LinkNYC kiosk screens throughout the five boroughs in a new collaboration. NYC Through the Decades highlights images from each decade of the Museums tenure, 19202020 and includes historic photography studios such as the Wurts Brothers, as well as modern artists like Sally Davies, Joseph Maida, and Harvey Wang.

New York on Film: Decade by Decade, a monthly film and speaker series featuring studio, independent, and documentary films reflecting what was going on in NYC at the time they were made. Curated by film programmer Jessica Green, the series offers a journey through New York City, decade by decade, over the last century. The full schedule and lineup here.

EXHIBITIONS:

This Is New York: 100 Years of the City in Art and Pop Culture  an interactive and sweeping exhibition examining what NYC has meant to people, including artists, writers, and other creators who have been inspired by the city. The exhibition is on view through June 21, 2024.

Byzantine Bembe: New York by Manny Vega, a retrospective exhibition honoring the visual storytelling of El Barrios own artist and mosaicist, New York City-based artist Manny Vega. Opening December 8, 2023.

LOOKING FORWARD:

CAMOC Annual Conference 2023 - Museum of the City of New York will host The International Council of Museums (ICOM) annual International Committee for the Collections and Activities of Museums of Cities (CAMOC) conference on October 16-18. This years theme is Changing Cities / Changing Museums, and the program will feature presenters from over 30 countries, across five continents. Topics for the sessions include how museums intersect with contemporary urban issues such as climate change, migration, housing, and movements for racial and social justice.

* * *

People, Place, and Influence: The Collection at 100 was curated by Lilly Tuttle and designed by Marissa Martonyi. Susan Gail Johnson served as contributing curator.

SUPPORT

People, Place, and Influence: The Collection at 100 is made possible in part by Mrs. William T. Comfort, the Havemeyer Family, Stanford and Sandra Ladner, Leon Levy Foundation, and Daryl B. Uber. For a full list of supporters of MCNYs centennial year, please visit our website.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023, the Museum of the City of New York fosters an understanding of the distinctive nature of urban life in the worlds most influential metropolis. Winner of "Best Museum" in Time Out New York's "Best of the City 2021" and multiple American Alliance of Museums (AAM) awards, MCNY engages visitors by celebrating, documenting, and interpreting the citys past, present, and future. To connect with the Museums award-winning digital content, visit www.mcny.org; or follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @MuseumofCityNY and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MuseumofCityNY.

[1] Cupcake giveaway valid only for those who arrive in person each hour to purchase a ticket or redeem their online ticket. Limit one cupcake per person.

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LEHI, Utah, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xevant, a leading provider of healthcare analytics and technology solutions, had an impactful presence at the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute's (PBMI) Annual National Conference, held September 6-8, 2023 in Orlando. The conference provided an invaluable platform for industry leaders to gather and discuss the latest developments in the pharmacy benefit management (PBM) space.



Xevant's CEO and Founder, Brandon Newman, joined the agenda of speakers for a second consecutive year as he participated in the Legislative & Regulatory Updates panel alongside esteemed industry experts. The panel featured Patrick Cooney, President of The Federal Group and PBMI's head of federal affairs; Robyn Crosson, Vice President of Government Relations at Navitus Health Solutions; and Josh Golden, Senior Vice President of Strategy at Capital RX. Together, they tackled pressing topics surrounding current legislation in Congress concerning PBM transparency. The discussion delved into legislative updates, trends, forward-looking initiatives, and the overall impact on the industry.

During the panel, Newman emphasized the importance of transparency within the PBM sector, stating, "Transparency is what PBMs need to be thinking about. We have to show we're not hiding behind something; we're not trying to keep something from our clients or the market. And that leads us to the conversation about value."

PBMI Excellence Award Winners pictured left to right: Brandon Newman, Xevant; Jessica Ringena, Vivid Clear Rx; Matthew Dinh, SCAN

In support of its mission to help its customers achieve the lowest net cost through real-time, automated technology, Xevant was recognized with a PBMI Excellence Award in the Cost Containment category for its exceptional contributions to the industry. This accolade reflects Xevant's unwavering commitment to driving innovation and efficiency in the PBM landscape.

Furthermore, Xevant demonstrated its dedication to industry advancement by maintaining a strong presence in the conference's exhibit hall, where representatives from its sales team engaged with attendees and showcased the company's cutting-edge solutions.

This marked Xevant's second year participating in PBMI's Annual National Conference, underscoring the company's ongoing commitment to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and shaping the future of pharmacy benefit management.

For more information about Xevant and its contributions to the PBM industry, please visit www.xevant.com.

About Xevant:

Xevants revolutionary pharmacy benefits platform infuses real-time automation and alerts throughout the data analysis process, accelerating and simplifying the painstaking task of report building for PBMs, TPAs, Health Plans, Brokers, and Consultants. With Xevant, critical pharmacy analysis that took weeks, months, or more can now be done instantly. The results are optimized business processes, reduced operating costs, and improved patient outcomes. Xevant is recognized as one of Modern Healthcares Best Places to Work and Americas No. 1 Fastest Growing Private Software Company on the 2022 Inc. 5000 list.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6e7ebddc-4108-4041-bd3d-f2729c067441
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- California Life Sciences (CLS), the states life sciences membership organization, announced today the finalists for the 2023 Pantheon Awards. The winners will be selected through a public voting campaign, which opens today.

Now in its 20th year, Pantheon is the largest life sciences awards celebration that recognizes scientific innovators in California who are working to solve health problems and help patients around the world live longer, healthier lives.

Award winners will be announced live on stage at the November 1 event, taking place at the Westin St. Francis, which will draw around 500 life sciences executives.

2023 Pantheon Finalists:

Academia, Non-Profit, and Research Crystal Mackall, M.D., Stanford University Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D., La Jolla Institute for Immunology

Biopharma BioMarin Pharmaceutical Day One Biopharmaceuticals Protagonist Therapeutics

Champion of Health Equity Curebound Innovative Genomics Institute Life Science Cares

Medtech, Digital, and Diagnostic AliveCor Cue Health Viz.ai

Emerging Innovation Cellares Metagenomi Verge Genomics

Leadership Nina Kjellson, Canaan Emily Leproust, Ph.D., Twist Bioscience Bill Newell, J.D., Sutro Biopharma



Elizabeth Schar Inspiring Future Leaders (Winner) John Matsui, Ph.D., Biology Scholars Program, UC Berkeley



As we mark our 20th year celebrating scientific innovation in California, we invite you to join us in recognizing these outstanding changemakers who are shaping the future of healthcare and making a profound impact on patients lives worldwide, CLS President & CEO Mike Guerra said.

People can cast their votes here until October 13. Members of the press are welcome at the awards at no cost and can RSVP to aburch@califesciences.org.

About the Pantheon Awards: For the past two decades, California Life Sciences (CLS) has recognized the states leaders from across the pharmaceutical, biotech and other allied industries to pay tribute to those making exceptional contributions to the life sciences industry. The Pantheon awards recognize excellence and celebrate the contributions and achievements of leading life sciences innovators representing therapeutic, diagnostic, medical device, and industrial biotechnology companies.

About California Life Sciences (CLS): California Life Sciences is the states most impactful life sciences membership organization, advocating for the sector and its diverse innovation pipeline. For more than 30 years, CLS has served the community by supporting companies of all sizes, from early-stage innovators and startups to established industry leaders in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology. CLS also works closely with universities, academic and research institutions, the investment community, and other critical partners that promote this vibrant sector. With offices in South San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Washington DC, CLS works to shape public policy, improve access to breakthrough technologies, educate lawmakers, and advance equity within our ecosystem by championing innovative solutions for some of the most pressing challenges of our times. In doing so, CLS fulfills its mission to protect and nurture Californias life sciences industry, empowering discoveries that lead to healthier lives around the world.

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Newark, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brainy Insights estimates that the USD 5.48 billion in 2022 global medical lasers market will reach USD 22.34 billion by 2032. The use of femtosecond lasers in ophthalmology is expected to grow. These lasers enable precise and minimally invasive procedures for cataract surgery and corneal surgeries, offering better patient outcomes and reducing the need for manual techniques. There is a rise in miniaturized and portable laser-based diagnostic devices. These devices provide rapid and accurate diagnostic information at the point of care, potentially transforming healthcare delivery in resource-constrained settings. In addition, integrating robotics with medical lasers is a growing area of interest. Robotic systems can enhance surgical precision and expand the applications of medical lasers in various specialities. Also, smart delivery systems that can adjust laser parameters in real time based on tissue conditions are under development. These systems aim to optimize treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.



Request Sample Copy of medical lasers Market Research Report: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/sample-request/13724



Key Insight of the Global Medical Lasers Market



Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest market growth over the forecast period.



Many countries in the Asia-Pacific region are experiencing rapid economic growth and urbanization. This factor has increased the healthcare expenditure by governments and private individuals, resulting in greater investment in advanced medical technologies, including medical lasers. The region is home to a significant ageing population. As people age, they are more likely to require medical interventions, including laser-based treatments for age-related conditions like cataracts and skin disorders. The region also has a growing prevalence of chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Medical lasers are essential tools for the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. Moreover, some countries in the Asia-Pacific region have emerged as medical tourism destinations due to the availability of high-quality healthcare services at lower costs. This trend has boosted the demand for medical laser treatments, including cosmetic and dental procedures.



In 2022, the surgical lasers segment held the largest market share at 55.72% and a market revenue of 3.05 billion.



The type segment is split into surgical lasers, dental lasers, aesthetic lasers and others. In 2022, the surgical lasers segment held the largest market share at 55.72% and a market revenue of 3.05 billion.



In 2022, the solid-state laser systems segment dominated the market with the largest share of 32.71% and revenue of 1.79 billion.



The product type segment includes solid-state laser systems, gas laser systems, dye laser systems and diode laser systems. In 2022, the solid-state laser systems segment dominated the market with the largest share of 32.71% and revenue of 1.79 billion.



In 2022, the dermatology segment dominated the market with the highest share of 22.35% and market revenue of 1.22 billion.



The application segment is classified into ophthalmology, dermatology, gynecology, dentistry, urology, cardiovascular and others. In 2022, the dermatology segment dominated the market with the highest share of 22.35% and market revenue of 1.22 billion.



In 2022, the hospitals segment held the largest market share at 42.08% and a market revenue of 2.30 billion.



The end-user segment is divided into specialized clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and hospitals. In 2022, the hospitals segment held the largest market share at 42.08% and a market revenue of 2.30 billion.



Get a Complete TOC of Global medical lasers Market Report 2023-2032 at: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/report/medical-lasers-market-13724



Advancement in market



In May 2023: Reveal Lasers LLC, a company specializing in energy-based technology for medical and aesthetic procedures, has disclosed its acquisition of Med Rep Meeting, a dynamic startup organizing meetings for medical representatives across various industries, including medical aesthetics. This strategic acquisition positions Med Rep Meeting to serve as the internal sales team for Reveal Lasers, thereby augmenting the effectiveness and output of Reveal Lasers' field sales representatives.



In October 2022: Sensus Healthcare introduced its sole portable hair removal laser system ('Silk') in the U.S. Silk, designed by Sensus, showcases a genuinely portable diode laser system boasting an impressive 2000W power output, a featherweight handpiece, an advanced super-cold cooling tip, and exceptional high repetition rates. This revolutionary technology integrates the capability to seamlessly combine wavelengths while emitting light in a vertical orientation towards the skin. This innovative approach enhances efficiency by sustaining laser density within the targeted area, enabling deeper penetration and a more uniform energy distribution. Notably, Silk's versatility extends to all skin types, making laser hair removal accessible to individuals of varying skin tones and types.



Market Dynamics



Driver: Minimally invasive procedures and rise in eye-related disorders.



Rising adoption of minimally invasive techniques over traditional surgeries by patients and healthcare providers due to reduced pain, shorter recovery times, and lower risk of complications. Medical lasers play a crucial role in these procedures. In addition, the prevalence of eye-related disorders, including cataracts and refractive errors, has increased with lifestyle changes and an ageing population. Lasers are widely used for eye surgeries such as LASIK and cataract surgery. Thus further fuelling the market's growth.



Restraint: Incompatibility with certain skin types and risk of adverse effects.



While medical lasers are generally safe, there is always a risk of adverse effects, scarring, or complications, particularly if the operator lacks experience or uses inappropriate settings. In addition, some laser-based dermatological procedures may not be suitable for people with particular skin types or conditions, restricting the potential patient pool.



Opportunity: Expanding applications with personalized medicine.



Medical lasers can be applied in various medical specialities, including ophthalmology, dermatology, urology, dentistry, and oncology. Continued research and development can lead to discovery of new applications and treatment modalities, creating opportunities for market expansion. Furthermore, laser technologies can be tailored to individual patient needs, allowing personalized treatment plans and better therapeutic outcomes. This trend aligns with the broader shift toward personalized medicine in healthcare.



Challenge: Lack of skilled workforce.



Performing laser procedures requires a skilled and trained workforce. The need for healthcare professionals with expertise in medical laser technology can be a constraint in certain regions. Besides, disposing of medical laser equipment and materials used in treatments can have environmental implications, leading to waste management and sustainability concerns.



Have a query before purchasing this report: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/buying-inquiry/13724



Some of the major players operating in the global Medical Lasers market are:



 Alcon

 Alma Lasers

 AngioDynamics

 BIOLASE, Inc.

 Boston Scientific Corporation

 Bausch & Lomb Holdings, Inc.

 Candela Corporation

 Cynosure

 CryoLife, Inc.

 Cutera Inc.

 Ellex Medical Lasers Ltd.

 Fujikura Ltd.

 Iridex Corporation

 Koninklijke Philips N.V.

 LASOS Lasertechnik GmbH

 Lumenis

 Lumibird Group

 Modu-Laser

 Novartis AG

 PhotoMedex Inc.

 Reveal Lasers LLC

 Stryker

 STRATA Skin Sciences, Inc.

 Sisram Medical Limited

 Syneron Medical Ltd.

 Top Corn Corporation

 Zeiss Group



Key Segments cover in the market:



By Type



 Surgical Lasers

 Dental Lasers

 Aesthetic Lasers

 Others



By Product Type



 Solid-state Laser Systems

 Gas Laser Systems

 Dye Laser Systems

 Diode Laser Systems



By Application



 Ophthalmology

 Dermatology

 Gynecology

 Dentistry

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Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. ("Hawaiian Electric" or the "Company") (NYSE: HE) investors that a lawsuit filed on behalf of investors that purchased Hawaiian Electric securities between February 28, 2019 and August 16, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period).

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy , by phone 844-767-8529 or email : lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case via www.portnoylaw.com . The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

The lawsuit alleges that throughout the defined Class Period, the Defendants provided information that was significantly incorrect and deceptive concerning the Company's operations, activities, and adherence to regulations. More specifically, the Defendants issued statements that were either untrue or misleading, or they omitted information, including: (i) the insufficiency of Hawaiian Electric's wildfire prevention and safety protocols, which were designed to address specific challenges; (ii) consequently, despite being aware of the extent of the wildfire threat to Maui, the Company's inadequate safety protocols increased the vulnerability of Maui to severe wildfires; and (iii) as a consequence, the Company's statements to the public were both materially false and misleading during all pertinent times.

Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims against caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq.

Admitted CA and NY Bar

lesley@portnoylaw.com

310-692-8883

www.portnoylaw.com

Attorney Advertising
BALTIMORE, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Royal Farms is opening a new location in Bristol, Virginia on October 16, 2023.



Our World-Famous Chicken & Kitchen will be located at 1200 Euclid Ave, Bristol, VA 24201 just 4 minutes away from the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. This location will feature a gas station with 12 fuel pumps including an ethanol free pump, a carwash, and operate 24 hours and 365 days a year to service all convenience, food, and fuel needs.

Royal Farms is thrilled to join the twin city community of Bristol and provide both Virginians and Tennesseans with access to our World-Famous Chicken. Theres no place quite like Bristol and we are thankful to able to be a part of this unique and historic community. Said Lisa Daley, District Leader.

Royal Farms will host a ticketed soft opening event where customers can check out the new store and be served one free meal from the soft opening menu. The free tickets are available on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/royal-farms-bristol-va-soft-opening-tickets-730458299437?. Be sure to follow Royal Farms on our social media for all news on store openings and events.

Royal Farms will be donating to the Out of Darkness Walk hosted by American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Bristol, VA. This event takes place on October 28th. To learn more, go here: https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&id=1370

There will be additional Royal Farms locations opening in Virginia in Suffolk, Abingdon, and Norfolk in the future.

For Virginians interested in working for Royal Farms, please visit https://www.royalfarms.com/careers/. Royal Farms offers competitive pay, medical and dental insurance, a 401(K)-retirement plan, opportunities for advancement, flexible schedules, vacation time, and our employee store discount.

Customers can sign up for RoFo Rewards on the Royal Farms mobile app or on RofoRewards.com. RoFo Rewards Members save money throughout the year, earn fuel discounts, receive rewards for everyday purchases, and redeem other surprise freebie offers.

How to Register as a RoFo Rewards Member

Download the Royal Farms app here: https://engagement.punchh.com/b/royalfarms and click "Sign Up" to create a RoFo Rewards account. You can also visit https://www.roforewards.com/register/ to create an account.

About RoFo Rewards

By registering a RoFo Rewards card or downloading our app you gain access to special member offers and can earn rewards points on purchases. Every time you visit Royal Farms and make a purchase, you'll receive 2 points for every dollar you spend, and one point for every gallon of gas you purchase. If you upgrade your card to RoFo Pay, you will also receive a discount on gas when you use your RoFo Rewards card to pay at the pump except for New Jersey Stores. You can keep track of points and offers at www.roforewards.com or by downloading the RoFo Rewards app on your phone.

About Royal Farms

Royal Farms is a renowned operator of fast and friendly neighborhood convenience stores with nearly 300 locations throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Royal Farms opened its first store in Baltimore, MD in 1959 under the name White Jug. Today, the chain has locations in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Royal Farms has been satisfying customers hunger for Real Fresh food served Real Fast. The Royal Farms Kitchen is well known for its Always Fresh, Never Frozen World-Famous Royal Farms Chicken that is lightly hand-breaded and pressure-cooked in Trans Fat Free cooking oil to golden brown perfection. Royal Farms Western Fries are hand-cut from fresh Idaho potatoes, hand-breaded, and cooked right in store. Most locations are open 24 hours, 365 days a year. For more information about Royal Farms, visit: www.royalfarms.com

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Eva Gurun Torfadottir, an engineer and former consultant at Implement Consulting Group in Denmark, has been appointed Managing Director of Bakkinn warehouse and will become a member of the Festi hf. management team. Eva Gudrun will assume the position from the beginning of next year  but she is currently on maternity leave.

Eva Gurun has worked as a management consultant for the international consultancy company Implement Consulting Group in Copenhagen since 2016. Many of her projects involved improvements in supply chains, including warehouse restructuring and procurement procedures. She was a purchasing and supply manager at Marorka from 2011-2013.

Eva Gurun holds a M.Sc. in Industrial and Management Engineering from DTU, Denmarks Technical University and a B.Sc. degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iceland.

Bakkinn is the warehouse hotel of Festi, and its function is warehouse services and distribution to all subsidiaries of Festi (Kronan, N1, ELKO) and others.

"Bakkinn voruhotel ehf. is the heart that pumps oxygen to Festi's subsidiaries in the form of supplies and services. Increased demands on efficiency, quality and speed in warehouse operations call for continuous improvements and development of operations. Eva Gurun brings experience and extensive expertise in this field, which will strengthen the progress of the company and support further the strong and experienced team that works there. We look forward to the cooperation," says Asta Sigriur Fjeldsted, CEO of Festi.
Vancouver, October 2, 2023 - Defiance Silver Corp. (TSXV: DEF) (OTCQX: DNCVF) (FSE: D4E) (WKN: A1JQW5) ("Defiance" or the "Company") is pleased to share that new sampling of historic drill core has revealed previously unrecognized zones with high grade and wide widths within the San Acacio project area. Defiance geologists successfully used advances in our deposit and district knowledge to identify and target favourable structural positions and mineralization styles that were overlooked in historic sampling campaigns. Significant results are reported in holes SAD-15-05, SAD-15-06, SAD-15-07, SAD-15-08, SAD-17-14, SAD-17-15, and SAD-17-16; these holes were drilled during the 2015 and 2017 drilling campaigns. Notable silver mineralization over wide widths was encountered.

The company is encouraged by the success of this campaign, as it supports a growing resource on the Veta Grande vein system as well as validates the geological modeling and understanding of the mineral system potential. The company will continue to evaluate additional drill holes from the extensive district-wide drill core library.

Chris Wright, Chairman & CEO, commented: "Multiple years of technical analysis have outlined and confirmed that resource building targets exist in the hanging-wall and footwall of the main Veta Grande structure. Our team has diligently built a comprehensive geologic model that has led to the intersection of wide intervals and high-grade mineralization."

Highlights:

SAD-17-14 - discovered wide widths of appreciable grades including 6.83m of 157 g/t AgEq (from 283.21 - 290.04m) including 2.30 m of 376 g/t AgEq (from 284.65 - 286.95m) with a high-grade sub interval of 1180.00 g/t Ag and 2.23 g/t Au or 1369 g/t AgEq (from 284.65 - 285.00m).





SAD-17-15 - returned a significant interval of silver mineralization of 36.70m of 154.80 g/t Ag or 162 g/t AgEq (from 191.30 - 228.00m) when composited with the previously released results (See October 25 th , 2017 News Release). Other notable results in this wide interval include 6.81m of 296 g/t AgEq (from 203.01 - 209.82m), including a high-grade sub-interval of 629 g/t AgEq over 2.82m (from 207.00 - 209.82m). A further wide sub-interval of 15.00m of 137.91 g/t Ag or 145 g/t AgEq was encountered from 213.00 - 228.00m.





, 2017 News Release). Other notable results in this wide interval include 6.81m of 296 g/t AgEq (from 203.01 - 209.82m), including a high-grade sub-interval of 629 g/t AgEq over 2.82m (from 207.00 - 209.82m). A further wide sub-interval of 15.00m of 137.91 g/t Ag or 145 g/t AgEq was encountered from 213.00 - 228.00m. SAD-17-16 - encountered 2.31m of 202 g/t AgEq (from 219.40 - 221.71m) in the Veta Navidad zone.





SAD-15-06 - returned 2.50m of 127 g/t AgEq (from 155.00 - 157.50m) in a hanging-wall (HW) veinlet-array splay zone.





SAD-15-07 - intersected 1.12m of 267 g/t AgEq (from 156.35 - 157.47m), as well as a 3.77m interval of 123 g/t AgEq from 166.07 - 169.84m. The deeper intercept is located on the same structure as the reported intercept in SAD-15-06.





SAD-15-08 - a 1.63m interval returned 165 g/t AgEq (from 97.65 - 99.28m) and a 1.54m interval of 212 g/t AgEq (from 131.15 - 132.69m) in the Veta Navidad zone.

Table 1: Select table of results

H ole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Ag g/t Au g/t Pb % Zn % AgEq g/t QAQC SAD-15-05 98.00 99.00 1.00 98.30 0.10 0.01 0.03 107 a SAD-15-05 105.15 109.80 4.65 91.40 0.15 0.08 0.28 114 a Including 105.15 106.00 0.85 307.52 0.06 0.05 0.16 319 a SAD-15-05 127.76 130.48 2.72 153.46 0.02 0.05 0.13 161 a SAD-15-06 155.00 157.50 2.50 117.88 0.08 0.03 0.04 127 a SAD-15-07 156.35 157.47 1.12 235.00 0.30 0.07 0.16 267 a SAD-15-07 166.07 169.84 3.77 88.94 0.16 0.13 0.51 123 a Including 169.00 169.84 0.84 283.08 0.26 0.12 0.52 324 a S AD-15-08 97.65 99.28 1.63 157.74 0.06 0.02 0.07 165 a SAD-15-08 131.15 132.69 1.54 200.74 0.10 0.02 0.09 212 a SAD-17-14 283.21 290.04 6.83 128.60 0.25 0.06 0.18 157 a Including 284.65 286.95 2.30 318.78 0.59 0.08 0.22 376 a Including 284.65 285.00 0.35 1180.00 2.23 0.07 0.18 1369 a SAD-17-15 191.30 228.00 36.70 154.80 0.02 0.06 0.14 162 a,b Including 195.00 211.85 16.85 200.07 0.02 0.07 0.19 210 a,b Including 203.01 209.82 6.81 279.32 0.03 0.12 0.32 296 a Including 207.00 209.82 2.82 594.60 0.07 0.27 0.65 629 a Including 208.44 209.82 1.38 854.00 0.06 0.28 0.27 876 a Including* 209.82 213.00 3.18 285.04 0.02 0.05 0.17 294 b Including 213.00 228.00 15.00 137.91 0.02 0.07 0.11 145 a, b Including 221.41 228.00 6.59 228.10 0.03 0.14 0.19 241 b Including 225.00 228.00 3.00 435.00 0.06 0.28 0.37 460 b SAD-17-16 219.40 221.71 2.31 191.98 0.10 0.02 0.05 202 a Including 219.40 219.75 0.35 810.00 0.44 0.07 0.10 851 a

Table 1 - Silver equivalent is calculated using the following formula: Silver-Equivalent AgEq g/t= (Au_ppm x 61.71492) + (Ag_ppm x 0.761168) + (Pb_% x 22.44413) + (Zn_% x 24.40404)/(0.761168). Metal price assumptions are Au: $1919.55, Ag: $23.67, Pb: $1.02 Zn: $1.10. A 30-day price average is used to determine USD metal prices, and 100% recovery has been assumed for all metals. At this stage of the project, reliable metallurgy has yet to be completed, and the reader is cautioned that 100% recoveries are never achieved. True thickness is assumed to be 50% -- 80% of downhole width. *previously reported intercept (See October 25th, 2017 News Release)

Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC):

a- 2023 sampling QAQC procedures discussed at the end of this news release.

b- 2015 and 2017 sampling QAQC procedures discussed at the end of this news release.

Figure 1: Overview Map of San Acacio Drill Holes Reported in this Release

Figure 1. Plan map of drilling at the San Acacio project. Drill holes reported in this release, which are historic holes with new assay results from unsampled intervals, are shown in yellow. Drill holes with pending (to be reported) results from recent drilling are shown in green. Coordinates are in UTM WGS84 Zone 13N.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2950/182594_efde9b87e4aae995_002full.jpg

Figure 2: Cross Section of Hole SAD-17-15

Figure 2. Cross-section of hole SAD-17-15, looking northwest. Results from the new assays of historic Defiance Silver drill core are highlighted in the red boxes.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2950/182594_efde9b87e4aae995_003full.jpg

Figure 3: Cross Section of Holes SAD-15-05 and SAD-15-06





Figure 3. Cross-section of holes SAD-15-05 and SAD-15-06, looking northwest. Results from the new assays of historic Defiance Silver drill core are highlighted in the red boxes. Recent Defiance drill holes are show on section, as well as a new hole, DDSA-23-69, with pending results.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2950/182594_efde9b87e4aae995_004full.jpg

Discussion of Results:

Re-logging and sampling of historic drill holes was designed to identify and subsequently sample mineralization that was not analyzed during previous drill campaigns. The updated geologic models and new assays confirm and expand upon the mineralized vein splays and veinlet zones that were identified during recent drilling campaigns. These zones of high-grade silver veinlets and stockwork zones are significant ongoing exploration targets and are actively being incorporated into the deposit model. Reported intervals were dominantly found in the hanging-wall (HW) of the main Veta Grande structure. The technical team believes that understanding the splays and veinlet zones as well as the structural controls on grade distribution are key to expanding the San Acacio resource.

The following drill holes are discussed in spatial order, beginning in the northwest (NW) and moving towards the southeast (SE). SAD-17-16, SAD-15-07, SAD-15-08, SAD-15-05, SAD-15-06 are part of the NW zone where significant HW grade is found in unassuming veinlet array zones. Holes SAD-17-14 and SAD-17-15, in the central to SE portion of the San Acacio resource area, begin to delineate vein splays, including the historically identified Veta Intermedio; grade is dominantly located in more formal HW structures and associated veinlet swarms. These learnings are being incorporated into the current grade and geologic model to guide future drilling at the project.

SAD-17-16 encountered 2.31m of 191.98 g/t Ag or 202 g/t AgEq (from 219.40 - 221.71m) in the Veta Navidad zone. The Veta Navidad zone is in the NW extent of the San Acacio resource area, and this style of mineralization has been encountered in nearby holes. Structural review and modelling are currently underway to define this zone, and future oriented core drilling is planned for this area.

SAD-15-07 and SAD-15-08 were drilled from the same pad. SAD-15-08 intersected the Veta Navidad zone high in the hole. During re-logging, additional mineralized veinlet zones in the HW and FW were noted and sampled. These intercepts returned 1.63m of 165 g/t AgEq from 97.65m, and 1.54m of 212 g/t AgEq from 131.15m. The central portion of the Veta Navidad zone in SAD-15-08 was previously reported (See October 25th, 2017 News Release). The new reported intervals in SAD-15-07 are from the recently identified mineralized HW veinlet splay zones. The shallower splay zone returned 1.12m of 267 g/t AgEq from 156.35m, while the lower zone returned 3.77m of 123 g/t AgEq from 166.07m. The new sampling expands the footprint of the mineralized zone in this location, and structural modelling is underway to incorporate this data into the resource model and design future drill targets.

SAD-15-05 and SAD-15-06, shown in the Figure 3 cross-section within this news release, were drilled from the same pad. Both holes intersected multiple HW veinlet-array splay zones, which continue to build the continuity of mineralized zones in the Veta Grande hanging wall. In this portion of the Veta Grande, three mineralized HW splays are known. SAD-15-06 previously reported intercepts on the main Veta Grande and the first splay above the Veta Grande (See October 25th, 2017 News Release). Recent sampling of additional splay zones has yielded further intercepts of interest, and oriented structural data collection and detailed geologic cross-sections continue to guide interpretation and modelling of these mineralized zones.

SAD-15-06 encountered 2.50m at 127 g/t AgEq from 155.00m, and SAD-15-05 returned 2.72m at 161 g/t AgEq from 127.76m; these two intercepts demonstrate down-dip continuity along the same HW splay (Fig 3). SAD-15-05 intersected two reportable intercepts on the third interpreted splay above the Veta Grande, including 4.65m of 114g AgEq from 105.15m.

SAD-17-14 encountered a high-grade zone in a hanging-wall vein splay above the historically identified Veta Intermedio, 6.83m of 157 g/t AgEq from 283.21m, which includes 0.35m of 1369 g/t AgEq from 284.65m. This intercept further demonstrates the high-grade potential of the HW vein splays in the central zone of the San Acacio resource area.

SAD-17-15 encountered wide widths of significant mineralization from the Veta Grande HW through to the Veta Intermedio HW zone (Figure 2). This hole intersected a well-mineralized shoot with historic workings, and the majority of the mineralized shoot remains in the ground. Re-logging and sampling suggest that high-grade silver is hosted in veinlet swarms and vein splays that were previously unrecognized. These observations and results will be incorporated into the geologic model and used for future drill targeting.

Wide widths of significant silver mineralization are outlined in SAD-17-15. This hole encountered 36.70m of 162 g/t AgEq from 191.30m, including 6.81m at 296 g/t AgEq from 203.01m. The mineralogy is dominantly primary silver, lead, and zinc sulfides (argentite-acanthite-galena-sphalerite) and quartz as gangue material. This mineralization style is representative of both the historically and currently mined material in the Ag-dominant epithermal vein systems of the Zacatecas district.

Table 2: Collar Information for Reported Drill Holes

HoleID Total Depth (m) Azimuth Dip Easting Northing Elevation (m) SAD-15-05 245.00 35 -75 751462 2526424 2548 SAD-15-06 250.80 22 -85 751461 2526422 2548 SAD-15-07 274.70 35 -80 751400 2526468 2565 SAD-15-08 358.65 215 -85 751399 2526469 2565 SAD-17-14 423.00 35 -80 751781 2526133 2608 SAD-17-15 308.00 35 -71 751884 2526089 2589 SAD-17-16 428.84 35 -65 751222 2526349 2621



Table 2. Drill collar details. All coordinates in WGS84 UTM Zone 13N

Discussion of Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QAQC) and Analytical Procedures:

a- QAQC for 2023 drill core sampling: Samples were selected based on the lithology, alteration, and mineralization characteristics; sample size generally ranges from 0.25 - 2.00m in width. All altered and mineralized intervals were sent for assay. One blank, one standard, and one duplicate were included within every 20 samples. Standard materials are certified reference materials (CRMs) from OREAS and CDN Resource Laboratories Ltd (CDN); the suite of standards contains a range of Ag, Au, Cu, Pb, and Zn values. Blanks, standards, and duplicates have been used to confirm the validity of the analytical results.

Samples were analyzed by ALS Limited. Sample preparation was performed at their Zacatecas, Mexico, prep facility, and analyses were performed at the Vancouver, Canada, analytical facility. All elements except Au and Hg were analyzed by a multi-element geochemistry method utilizing a four-acid digestion followed by ICP-MS detection [ME-MS61m]; mercury was analyzed after a separate aqua regia digest by ICP-MS. Overlimit assays for Ag, Pb, and Zn were conducted using the OG62 method (multi-acid digest with ICP-AES/AAS finish). Gold was measured by fire-assay with an ICP-AES finish [50g sample, Au-ICP22].

b- QAQC for 2015 and 2017 drill core sampling: Samples were selected based on geologic breaks; sample size generally ranges from 0.50 - 1.50m in width. A minimum of one blank and one standard was submitted with each sample batch. Various reference materials from CDN were used as standards and blanks. The standards contain a range of Ag, Au, Cu, Pb, and Zn values, while the blanks contain very low levels of these elements.

All analytical work, including sample preparation and analyses, was performed at the Activation Laboratories Ltd (Actlabs) facility in Guadalupe, Zacatecas, Mexico. Trace element geochemistry was completed using a 4-acid 'near total' digestion with an ICP-OES finish [method 1F2]. Base metal overlimit assays were conducted using a 4-acid digest with an ICP-AAS finish, while overlimit silver assays were analyzed using the 8-Ag method (30g sample, fire assay with gravimetric finish). Gold was measured by fire assay with an AAS finish [30g sample, 1A2].

Shares for Debt Transaction Update:

Defiance also announces an update to the Shares for Debt transaction (See News Release dated May 3rd, 2023), regarding consulting services rendered for the company by an arm's length party, Rhea Advisors, LLC ("Rhea") and General Research GmbH ("General Research"). The scope of these services was related to in-house marketing, communications, and project-based consulting with management. Defiance reports that it intends to settle CDN$35,600 of debt through the issuance of 192,432 common shares of the Company to Rhea at a deemed price of $0.185 per share and CDN$30,000 of debt through the issuance of 162,162 common shares of the Company to General Research, at a deemed price of $0.185 per share. The shares for debt transaction are subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange").

Investor Relations Activities - Tarik Dede:

Defiance also announces an update to its relationship with Tarik Dede ("Dede") an arm's length party engaged to provide investor relations services, as defined in accordance with the policies of the Exchange (See News Release Dated March 16th, 2023). Pursuant to his agreement, Dede was retained to provide blogging services on a per transaction basis, for a cash fee of 750 per month and would not be issued any stock options for the services. The Company confirms that the engagement has now terminated, and no funds were paid to Dede.

Shares for Services - Corporate Secretary:

The Company announces that on May 1, 2023, it entered into an Administrative Services Agreement (the "Agreement") with Meraki Corporate Services Inc. ("Meraki"), for which Lisa Thompson, our Corporate Secretary is a founder. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company will pay Meraki $2,500 per month and issue shares in the amount of $1,330 per month (the "Compensation Shares"). The Compensation Shares will be accrued at the market value of the common shares on the last day of each month and will be issued semi-annually and will be subject to a statutory hold period. The shares services transaction is subject to approval of the Exchange.

Lisa Thompson is a "Non-Arm's Length Party" (as such term is defined under the policies of the Exchange) of the Company and the issuance of the Compensation Shares to Ms. Thompson constitutes a related party transaction as defined under MI 61-101. Such transaction is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the monthly fee, nor the fair market value of the Compensation Shares issued to the interested party exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

About Meraki Corporate Services

Meraki Corporate Services ("Meraki") has been involved in the public company sector for over 25 years providing a strong background of corporate compliance, corporate secretarial, and bookkeeping services. Meraki offers extensive experience in the management and administration of both public and private companies.

About Defiance Silver Corp.

Defiance Silver Corp. (TSXV: DEF) (OTCQX: DNCVF) (WKN: A1JQW5) (FSE: D4E) is an exploration company advancing the district-scale San Acacio Deposit, located in the historic Zacatecas Silver District and the Tepal Gold/Copper Project in Michoacan state, Mexico. Defiance is managed by a team of proven mine developers with a track record of exploring, advancing, and developing several operating mines and advanced resource projects Defiance's corporate mandate is to expand the San Acacio and Tepal projects to become premier Mexican silver and gold deposits.

Mr. George Cavey, P. Geo, is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information concerning the Company's material mineral properties contained in this press release.

On behalf of Defiance Silver Corp.

"Chris Wright"

Chairman of the Board

For more information, please contact: Investor Relations at +1 (604) 343-4677 or via email at info@defiancesilver.com.

www.defiancesilver.com

Suite 2900-550 Burrard Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 0A3

Canada

Tel: +1 (604) 343-4677

Email: info@defiancesilver.com

Disclaimer

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Information contained in this news release which are not statements of historical facts may be "forward-looking information" for the purposes of Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking information. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "contemplate", "plan", "intends", "continue", "budget", "estimate", "may", "will", "schedule", "understand" and similar expressions identify forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things: the Company's expectations regarding the ability of the Mining Bureau of Mexico City to reinstate ownership of the concessions to the Company, cooperation with the Mining Bureau relating to such reinstatement and the potential for any successful solution resulting therefrom.

Forward-Looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Defiance, are inherently subject to significant technical, political, business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Factors and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: the inability of the Company to regain possession of its concessions; political risks associated with the Company's operations in Mexico; the failure of the Mining Bureau in Mexico City to take any coercive action to reinstate ownership of the concessions to the Company; and the inability of the Company and its subsidiaries to enforce their legal rights in certain circumstances. For additional risk factors, please see the Company's most recently filed Management Discussions & Analysis for its quarter ended March 31, 2021 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

There can be no assurances that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as many factors and future events, both known and unknown could cause actual results, performance or achievements to vary or differ materially from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained herein or incorporated by reference. Accordingly, all such factors should be considered carefully when making decisions with respect to Defiance, and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Forward-Looking information in this news release is made as at the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182594
TORONTO, Oct. 02, 2023 - Goliath Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: GOT) (OTCQB: GOTRF) (FSE: B4IF) (the "Company" or "Goliath") is pleased to report Mr. Rob McEwen and Crescat Capital LLC have completed their strategic investments in Goliath. They both participated in tranche one of the announced non-brokered private placement that was upsized to $8,600,000 from $5,000,000. Gross proceeds from tranche one totaled $4,115,616 and the second and the final tranche of up to ~$4,484,384 gross proceeds is scheduled to close on or around October 11, 2023.



Mr. McEwen subscribed for $1,000,440 NFT units priced at $0.63 for a total of 1,588,000 units through his personal holding company. Once the second tranche closes, he will own ~2.4% (P/D) of Goliath. Mr. McEwen is the founder and former Chairman of Goldcorp where he discovered, built, and operated the Red Lake Mine in Ontario which was acquired by Newmont Mining in 2019 for US$10 billion. Mr. McEwen is currently the Chairman and Chief Owner of McEwen Mining Inc., a gold and silver producer with operations in Nevada, Canada, and Mexico.

Goliath's largest shareholder, Crescat Capital, subscribed for $500,220 for a total of 794,000 NFT units. Once the second tranche closes, they will own ~18.4% (P/D) of Goliath. Crescat Capital participated in the Offering pursuant to a pre-emptive right granted to them by the Company (see about Crescat Capital below).

~$4,484,384 (or 52%) of the up to $8,600,000 announced non-brokered private placement is priced at $1.00 per Charity Flow Through (CFT) unit which helps minimize excessive dilution based on the Company's low share price and market cap. The second tranche is entirely comprised of CFT funds and is scheduled to close on or around October 11, 2023.

The financing is closing in two tranches in a combination of: (i) 5,656,406 Non-Flow-Through units sold at a price of $0.63 per NFT unit. Each NFT unit consists of one common share of the Company and one-half purchase warrant, entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share for every whole warrant for a period of 18 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.78; (ii) 4,484,384 Charity Flow-Through units to be sold at a price of $1.00 per CFT unit. Each CFT unit will consist of one common share that will qualify as a flow-through share within the meaning of Subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) plus one-half purchase warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share for every whole warrant for a period of 18 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.78; and (iii) 824,000 Flow-Through (FT) shares sold at a price of $0.67 per one flow-through share within the meaning of Subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

The Company intends to use the gross proceeds raised from the CFT & FT offering for exploration and related programs on Goliath's Golddigger and Lucky Strike properties located in and around the Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia. The proceeds from the NFT offering be used for general working capital and administrative purposes.

The gross proceeds from the CFT and FT offering will be used for Canadian exploration expenses as such term is defined in paragraph (f) of the definition of Canadian exploration expense in Subsection 66.1(6) of the tax act, flow-through mining expenditures as defined in Subsection 127(9) of the tax act that will qualify as flow-through mining expenditures, and B.C. flow-through mining expenditures as defined in Subsection 4.721(1) of the Income Tax Act (British Columbia), which will be incurred on or before Dec. 31, 2024, and renounced with an effective date no later than Dec. 31, 2023. British Columbia Super Flow - the B.C. mining flow-through share (B.C. MFTS) tax credit allows BC Residents who invest in flow-through shares to claim a provincial non-refundable tax credit of 20% of their B.C. flow-through mining expenditures. B.C. flow-through mining expenditures are specific exploration expenses incurred by a PBC and renounced by a corporation issuing the flow-through shares.

Goliath may pay finders' fees composed of cash and warrants in connection with the offering, subject to compliance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued and sold under the offering will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from their date of issuance. Completion of the offering and the payment of any finders' fees remain subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Crescat Capital LLC

Crescat is a global macro asset management firm headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Crescat's mission is to grow and protect wealth over the long term by deploying tactical investment themes based on proprietary value-driven equity and macro models. Crescat's goal is industry leading absolute and risk-adjusted returns over complete business cycles with low correlation to common benchmarks. Crescat's investment process involves a mix of asset classes and strategies to assist with each client's unique needs and objectives and includes Global Macro, Long/Short and Precious Metals funds.

Crescat is advised by Dr. Quinton Hennigh, its geologic and technical director on investments in gold and silver resource companies. Dr. Hennigh became an economic geologist after obtaining his PhD in Geology/Geochemistry from the Colorado School of Mines. He has more than 30 years of exploration experience with major gold mining firms that include Homestake Mining, Newcrest Mining and Newmont Mining. Recently, Dr. Hennigh founded Novo Resources Corp., and is currently serving as Co-Chairman. Among his notable project involvements are First Mining Gold's Springpole gold deposit in Ontario, Kirkland Lake Gold's acquisition of the Fosterville gold mine in Australia, the Rattlesnake Hills gold deposit in Wyoming, and Lion One's Tuvatu gold project in Fiji, among many others.

Golddigger Property

The Golddigger Property is 100 % controlled covering an area of 61,685 hectares (152,427 acres) and is in a world class geological setting of the Eskay Rift within the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. The property encompasses 56 kilometers of the 'Red Line' that is host to multiple world class deposits. The Surebet discovery has exceptional metallurgy with gold recoveries of 92.2% inclusive of 48.8% free gold from gravity alone at a 327-micrometer crush (no deleterious elements or cyanide required). Its is in an excellent location close in proximity to the communities of Alice Arm and Kitsault where there is a permitted mill site on private property. It is situated on tide water with direct barge access to Prince Rupert (190 kilometers via the Observatory inlet/Portland inlet). The town of Kitsault is accessible by road (190 kilometers from Terrace, 300 kilometers from Prince Rupert) and has a barge landing, dock, infrastructure capable of housing more than 300 people, and high-tension power. Additional infrastructure in the area includes the Dolly Varden Silver Mine Road (only 7 kilometers to the East of the Surebet discovery) with direct road access to Alice Arm barge landing (18 kilometers to the south of the Surebet discovery) and high-tension power (25 kilometers to the East of Surebet discovery). The city of Terrace (population 16,000) provides access to railway, major highways, and airport with supplies (food, fuel, lumber, etc.), while the town of Prince Rupert (population 12,000) is located on the west coast and houses an international container seaport also with direct access to railway and an airport with supplies.

About Goliath Resources Limited

Goliath Resources Ltd. is an explorer of precious metals projects in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia and Abitibi Greenstone Belt of Quebec. All its projects are in world class geological settings and geopolitical safe jurisdictions amenable to mining in Canada.

For more information please contact:

Goliath Resources Ltd.

Mr. Roger Rosmus

Founder and CEO

Tel: +1.416.488.2887

roger@goliathresources.com

www.goliathresourcesltd.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), nor the OTCQB Venture Market accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Goliath's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the ability of the Company to complete financings and its ability to build value for its shareholders as it develops its mining properties. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Goliath. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the proposed transactions will occur, or that if the proposed transactions do occur, will be completed on the terms described above.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and Goliath is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

This announcement does not constitute an offer, invitation, or recommendation to subscribe for or purchase any securities and neither this announcement nor anything contained in it shall form the basis of any contract or commitment. In particular, this announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer would be illegal.

The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of a U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN.
Perth, October 2, 2023 - Tempus Resources Ltd. (ASX: TMR) (TSXV: TMRR) (OTC Pink: TMRFF) ("Tempus" or the "Company") is pleased to report on the recent site visit to the White Rabbit and Cormorant lithium exploration projects in central Manitoba.

Highlights

White Rabbit Geological Visit: Confirmation of mapped pegmatites and identification of new pegmatite occurrences where physical samples were collected; currently awaiting assay results;

Cormorant Drill Core Visit: Approximately 74.81m of pegmatite mineralisation observed across a 89.79m section of the core. Pegmatite mineralisation described as white, light green and pink containing a crystalline matrix;

Successful geological visits to both Cormorant and White Rabbit warrant more extensive site visits planned for early October;

Upcoming site visits will provide more detailed rock chip sampling and geological mapping at White Rabbit whilst seeking to gain access to other historic drill core with additional pegmatite intercepts at Cormorant

Tempus geologists visited the White Rabbit and Cormorant lithium exploration projects from 17-22 September 2023 to further due diligence investigations. Based on the success of those visits, a follow-up visit to White Rabbit is now planned for early October to complete additional rock sampling and mapping.





Figure 1: Project Locations



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Tempus Resources President and CEO, Jason Bahnsen, commented, "Our geological team completed initial site visits to the White Rabbit and Cormorant lithium projects and were able to verify the presence of outcropping pegmatite dykes at White Rabbit and inspected the drill core for DH180-2 from the Cormorant Project that is stored in the Manitoba Geological Survey where wide zones of pegmatite up to 33 metres in width were observed. The team is preparing for a second visit to the White Rabbit project site during early October to complete more detailed rock sampling and mapping."

White Rabbit Lithium Project

The White Rabbit Project, with a total claim area of approximately 70 km2, is located adjacent to major railway and power infrastructure with year around access. The project is located approximately 40 km north of the Cross Lake community and approximately 100 km southeast of the mining centre of Thompson, Manitoba.

There is over 15 km of greenstone belt geology within the 70 km2 claim boundary. Historic exploration at White Rabbit is limited to surface mapping completed by Manitoba Geological Survey (MGS). The outcrop mapping survey indicates pegmatite dyke outcrops with strike lengths up to 2.5 km and widths up to 600 metres. The outcrop mapping is based on historic information and has not been verified by Tempus. Refer to Appendix 1, Table 1a for detailed locations and dimensions of outcropping pegmatite dykes.

Tempus geologists visited the White Rabbit project to verify access and the location of outcropping pegmatite dykes noted in the historic MGS mapping.

This initial site visit was limited to a few hours but Tempus geologists verified the presence of outcropping pegmatite dykes along the shores of White Rabbit Lake. Three chip samples were taken of pegmatite outcrops at locations shown in Figure 2 (See Appendix 1 Table 1b for details of the rock sample locations). The samples have been sent for assay and the results will be reported when available.





Photos 1: Granitic pegmatite outcrops at White Rabbit Project



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Figure 2: White Rabbit Project - Pegmatite Dyke Outcropping and Sample Locations



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Tempus is planning a second site trip to White Rabbit Project during the week of October 8, 2023 to complete detailed mapping and sampling of the pegmatite dyke outcrops.

Cormorant Project

The Cormorant Project, with total claim area of approximately 187 km2, is located adjacent to major railway and power infrastructure with year around access. The town of The Pas, with a population of approximately 5,000 people, is 40 km to the southwest and is a regional centre for workforce plus construction, mining and engineering services.

Tempus geologists visited the Cormorant Project to establish access and review the geology.

The project has been subject to seven historical exploration drilling campaigns between 1975 and 2006. All historic drilling on the project was focussed on the identification of base metals with no assays completed for lithium and associated elements that were focussed on the discovery of base metals (no assays for lithium). Twenty historic core drill holes have been identified on the current Cormorant Project license areas. The location of the historic drill holes is shown in Figure 3 and also refer to Appendix 1 - Table 1c for additional drill collar data.

Tempus has obtained the drill logs for six of the historic drill holes which indicate the presence of intersections of pegmatite mineralisation up to 33 metres in thickness (See Figure 4). See Appendix 1, Table 2 for a summary of the drill logs and observed pegmatite intersections.





Figure 3: Cormorant Project - Historic Drill Hole Locations



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Figure 4: Cormorant Project - Historic Pegmatite Drill Intersections



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Tempus geologists inspected the core for Cormorant drill hole 180-02 that is stored in the MGS drill core library at The Pas, Manitoba. Drill-hole 180-02 was completed by Manitoba Minerals Inc in 1979, targeting base metals discovery (size BQ 36.5mm diameter). No assays for lithium or associated elements were completed on the historic drill core from the Cormorant Project.

Tempus geologists observed three wide intersections (up to 32.73 metres) of pegmatite in the core for drill hole 180-2. In total there is approximately 74.81 metres of pegmatite in the drill core over the three intersections between a depth of 89.79 metres and 184.66 metres. The intersected pegmatite was described as white, light green and pink containing quartz, k-feldspar, biotite and muscovite.

Tempus is making arrangements with MGS to take sample of drill core 108-02 for assay. Tempus is also working on obtaining additional drill logs and identifying the storage location of further drill core from the Cormorant Project.

Table 1 - Drill hole 180-02 Core Log





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Photos 2: DH180-02 Core (108.8m to 143.9m) Showing Pegmatite Intersections



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Note: Approximately 75% of the visual drill core shown above in Photo 2 is estimated to be composed of pegmatite rock type. Visual estimates of mineral abundance should never be considered a proxy or substitute for laboratory analyses where concentrations or grades are the factor of principal economic interest. Visual estimates also potentially provide no information regarding impurities or deleterious physical properties relevant to valuations.

Competent Persons Statement

Information in this report relating to Exploration Results is based on information reviewed by Mr. Sonny Bernales, who is a Member of the Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC), which is a recognised Professional Organisation (RPO), and an employee of Tempus Resources. Mr. Bernales has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined by the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, and as a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI43-101. Mr. Bernales consents to the inclusion of the data in the form and context in which it appears.

This announcement has been authorised by the Board of Directors of Tempus Resources Ltd..

For further information:

Tempus Resources Ltd.

Melanie Ross - Director/Company Secretary Phone: +61 8 6188 8181

About Tempus Resources Ltd

Tempus Resources Ltd. ("Tempus") is a growth orientated gold exploration company listed on ASX ("TMR") and TSX.V ("TMRR") and OTC ("TMRFF") stock exchanges. Tempus is actively exploring projects located in Canada and Ecuador. The flagship project for Tempus is the Blackdome-Elizabeth Project, a high grade gold past producing project located in Southern British Columbia. Tempus is currently midway through a drill program at Blackdome-Elizabeth that will form the basis of an updated NI43-101/JORC resource estimate. On September 21, 2023, Tempus announced the acquisition of an option over the White Rabbit and Cormorant lithium exploration projects located in Central Manitoba. In addition, the Company holds two exploration projects located in located in South East Ecuador, the Rio Zarza and the Valle del Tigre projects.

Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Tempus's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein may include, but are not limited to, the ability of Tempus to successfully achieve business objectives, and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Tempus to control or predict, that may cause Tempus' actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk and Uncertainties" in the Company's Management's Discussion & Analysis for the quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2023 dated September 28, 2023 filed on SEDAR. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although Tempus believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements.

The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Tempus does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to Tempus or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice.

Neither the ASX Exchange, the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Appendix 1

Table 1a: White Rabbit - Pegmatite Outcrop Mapping Locations

Outcrop Easting UTM NAD 83 Northing UTM NAD83 Approximate Outcrop Strike Length (m) Approximate

Maximum Outcrop Width (m) WROC - 01 604607.1 6093408.6 2500 1350 WROC - 02 604736.9 6094054.0 560 750 WROC - 03 606623.9 6093720.2 2500 2200 WROC - 04 608575.2 6093643.2 500 680 WROC - 05 608870.5 6093065.5 800 1400



Note: Width and strike length of pegmatite outcrops at White Rabbit are estimates based on historical maps sourced from Manitoba Geological Service and have not been verified





Table 1b: White Rabbit - Pegmatite Outcrop Rock Sample Locations

Outcrop Sample Date Easting UTM NAD 83 Northing UTM NAD83 Elevation (m) Comment WR 296 13-Sep-23 609440 6093857 192 Chip sample; pegmatite dykelet WR 297 13-Sep-23 607364 6093930 200 Chip sample; pegmatite dykelet WR 298 13-Sep-23 609119 6093961 199 Chip sample; pegmatite dykelet

Table 1c: Cormorant Project - Historic Drill Collar Table

DDH No Azimuth Dip Easting UTM NAD 83 Northing UTM NAD83 Depth (m) 7504-76-4 85 -52 405966.61 6003911.17 239.0 7504-76-10* 122 -52 397118.74 6004813.64 258.2 7504-76-11 146 -50 402271.60 6006562.04 119.8 7504-76-12* 167 -50 398734.42 6009522.20 175.9 180-1* 300 -50 398781.03 6009153.15 146.3 180-2* 300 -45 404586.98 6010120.07 198.4 180-3 300 -45 405549.95 6007698.71 163.4 180-4 300 -50 405223.36 6006765.30 170.7 180-5 300 -50 405754.04 6006740.40 189.3 180-6 300 -50 404635.70 6005836.49 159.4 180-8A 300 -45 405772.46 6005602.83 226.2 180-11 300 -45 405772.46 6005602.83 227.4 MAW-1 295 -55 396038.30 6003222.02 195.4 MAW-2 293 -60 396038.30 6003222.02 176.2 MAW-3 305 -60 396039.21 6002754.64 176.2 MAW-31 360 -50 408140.00 6017579.00 209.0 MAW-60 288 -55 405875.34 6009302.18 218.0 MAW-76 296 -55 405653.34 6011266.18 210.0 MAW-77* 296 -55 406042.33 6012042.14 233.0 MAW-83* 302 -54 402943.44 6008641.18 233.0



Note: * indicates drill holes with available drill logs





Table 2: Cormorant Project - Significant Historic Drilling Results of Pegmatite Intersections

Drill ID Depth From (m) Depth To (m) Interval (m) Mineralisation 180-1 78.48 92.11 13.62 Granite: grey, massive with some pegmatite sections, minor garnet 124.35 132.76 8.41 Granite: grey, medium grained, massive, minor pegmatite sections 180-2 89.79 122.52 32.73 Pegmatite: orangish-grey, fine coarse-grained, sections and bands with brecciated appearance and chlorite sericite fillings (376-396 fine grain felsic material) 134.04 161.93 27.89 Pegmatites: pinkish-grey, fine to coarse-grained, massive, sections crystalline matrix 165.59 166.75 1.16 Pegmatite 170.37 184.67 14.29 Pegmatite - increase in iron rich, potash, feldspar. MAW077 131.25 133.66 2.41 pegmatite: pink to white, massive 137.37 160.7 23.33 massive pegmatite complex: pink to white, massive 166.8 170.66 3.86 pegmatite: pink to light green, massive 215.3 221.9 6.60 pegmatite: pink to light green, massive MAW083 87.22 118.22 31.00 Pegmatite: coarse grained, massive, sections grey- biotite and muscovite rich, pinkish orange sections k-feldspar and quartz rich 214.8 223.75 8.95 Pink Granite to Pegmatite: mostly coarse grained, massive with some biotite and muscovite 231.41 233 1.59 Pink Granite to Pegmatite (EOH) 7504-76-10 30.87 31.15 0.27 Pegmatite. 7504-76-12 33.25 36.79 3.54 Pegmatite: Coarse grained massive pink leucocratic pegmatite composed of white and pink feldspar, quartz and some muscovite



Note: Twenty diamond core drill holes have been completed on the Cormorant Project between 1975 and 2006. Drill core logs have been obtained for the six drill holes presented in Table 2

Appendix 2: The following tables are provided to ensure compliance with the JORC Code (2012) requirements for the reporting of Exploration Results for the Cormorant - White Rabbit Lithium Projects

Section 1: Sampling Techniques and Data

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.

Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.

Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. HQ (63.5 mm) NQ (47.6 mm) and BQ (36.5 mm) sized diamond core using standard equipment.

Mineralised and potentially mineralised zones, comprising pegmatite dikes that contains spodumene and/or petalite minerals, normally spodumene only

Samples were half core.

Typical core samples are 1 to 2m in length.

Standard industry procedure is as follows: Each sample was crushed to better than 70% - 2 mm and a 1 kg split was pulverized to better than 85% passing 75 m. All samples were analysed using SRC procedure code ICP1 using a four-acid digestion producing both total and partial digestions ICP analysis. Lithium results were reported in ppm elemental lithium and converted to Li2O using a 2.153 conversion factor Drilling techniques Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). Diamond Drilling from surface (HQ, NQ and BQ sizes) Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.

Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples.

Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. No information available on historic drilling recovery

No relationship has yet been noted between recovery and grade and no sample bias was noted to have occurred.

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.

Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography.

The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Detailed geological and geotechnical logging was completed for each hole.

All core has been photographed.

Complete holes were logged. Sub- sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.

If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry.

For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.

Quality control procedures adopted for all sub- sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples.

Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.

Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Half core was sampled, using a core saw.

Duplicate samples of new and historical core are Quarter core or half core where not previously sampled

Sample sizes are considered appropriate for the grain size of the material being sampled.

It is expected that bulk sampling will be utilised as the project advances, to more accurately determine grade. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total.

For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.

Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established. Core samples that have been sent to the lab for analysis include control samples (standards, blanks and prep duplicates) inserted at a minimum rate of 1:5 samples.

In addition to the minimum rate of inserted control samples, a standard or a blank is inserted following a zone of mineralization or visible spodumene and/or petalite

Further duplicate samples were analysed to assess variability Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.

The use of twinned holes.

Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols.

Discuss any adjustment to assay data. Re-assaying of selected intervals of historic core have been sent for analysis.

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation.

Specification of the grid system used.

Quality and adequacy of topographic control. Survey information on historic drill holes is not available.

UTM grid NAD83 Zone 14N. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.

Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.

Whether sample compositing has been applied. Most drilling is targeting verification and extension of known mineralisation.

It is expected that the data will be utilised in a preparation of a Mineral Resource statement.

Additional drilling is exploration beneath geochemical anomalies, and would require further delineation drilling to be incorporated in a Mineral Resource. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type.

If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. In general, the aim was to drill perpendicular to the pegmatite dykes, to gain an estimate of the true thickness of the mineralised structures.

At several locations, a series (fan) of holes was drilled to help confirm the orientation of the mineralised structures and to keep land disturbance to a minimum. Sample s Security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Samples from Cormorant and White Rabbit were delivered to the laboratory by a commercial transport service. Audits or Reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. Not applicable to historic data

Section 2: Reporting of Exploration Results

(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings.

The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. The Cormorant property is located in central Manitoba, 56 km from The Pas and 110 km southeast from Flin-Flon, The White Rabbit property is located in central Manitoba, the project is 40 km north of Cross Lake and 85 km south east from Thompson. The Cormorant Project is comprised of 1 mineral claim mineral claims and White Rabbit is comprised of 1 mineral claim. The mineral claims for both the Cormorant Project and the White Rabbit Project are in the application phase and have not yet been granted by Manitoba Economic Development and Trade. Tempus has an option to acquire 100% of the Cormorant Project and the White Rabbit Project. (refer to ASX announcement 20 September 2023)

A net smelter royalty of 2% NSR (1% purchasable) applies to Cormorant and White Rabbit project mineral claims. The Mineral There are currently no known impediments to developing a project in this area, and all tenure is in good standing. Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. Cormorant Property In 1961 to 1962, Noranda Exploration Co, geophysical (EM and Mag) that covers the current Cormorant property

In the 1974, Questor Surveys carried out 2890 miles (4624 km) of Input AEM survey over Mineral Reservation 154 and 155 for Shell Canada at Cormorant area. In February and March, 1975, Geoterrex carried out Turam, Vertical Loop EM, magnetic and (over selected lines) IP surveys on conductive zone. One diamond drill hole, (7504-75-1) was drilled in March 1975

The Cormorant property has been subject to 7 drill campaigns between 1975 and 2006 drilling a total of 20 diamond core drill holes completed on the current Cormorant Project license area. In the period from March 1975 to April 1976, Shell Canada completed four drill holes on the current Cormorant property, (drill holes 7504-75-4, 7504-76-10, 7504-11, 7504-76-12). In the period from November 1 to December 12, 1979, Manitoba Mineral Resources Ltd. completed eight drill holes on the current Cormorant Project license area, for a total of 1,481.1 metres (drill holes 180-01 to 180-06, 180-8A, 180-11)  During the period January 9 - 23, 1981, Hudson Bay Exploration and Development Company (HBED) completed three drill holes on the Cormorant Project license area (MAW-01, MAW-02, MAW-03) totalling 547.8 metres. Between April 5 to April 15 1988, two drill holes (MAW 31, MAW 32, MAW 32) were completed in the general area totalling 748.0 metres. Drill hole MAW-31 is located on the current Cormorant property. Between March 16, 1997 to April, 12, 1997, fifteen diamond drill holes (MAW-59 to MAW-73) were drilled by HBED, totalling 3659 meters in the general area. Hole MAW-60 is located within the current Cormorant Property. In January 18, 1998 to January 25, 1998, two diamond drill holes (MAW-76 and MAW-77) was drilled by HEBD. Both holes were drilled within current Cormorant property. In February 14, 2006 to March 7, 2006, HEBD drilled two diamond drill holes (MAW-83 and MAW-84) at the general area totalling 790 m, NQ/BQ core size. Hole MAW-83 is located within the current Cormorant property. The holes were testing geophysical (EM and Mag) anomalies. Best assay was 0.15% Zn. No assay for lithium.

White Rabbit Property Exploration work completed on the property is limited to surface mapping completed by Manitoba Geological Survey, date unknown.

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. Cormorant Property The Cormorant property cover Trans Hudson Orogenic group rocks (metavolcanics, plutonic and minor metasedimentary) stratigraphy favourable for base metal exploration. Bedrock geology indicates pillowed to massive mafic volcanic rocks in contact with granite bodies.

Historic drilling at Cormorant confirms key structural trends associated with favourable lithium, caesium, tantalum (LCT) pegmatites in close proximity to granitic bodies

Multiple Historic diamond drilling at Cormorant intersected pegmatites

The intersected pegmatites intersected at Cormorant were described as white, light green and pink with quartz, k-feldspar, biotite and muscovite are all present. White Rabbit Property Bedrock geology at White Rabbit displays a greenstone belt (Mafic volcanic rocks - pillowed basalt) enclosed by a large granodiorite to tonalite body. The unique geological setting of the greenstone belt in contact with granite/tonalite bodies Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length.

If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. Refer to Appendix 1, Table 1b for drill hole collar information

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated.

Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail.

The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. Intervals reported using several samples are calculated using a weighted average.

Calculated intervals using a weighted average did not use a top cut on high-grade samples. High-grade samples are reported as 'including'

Calculated weighted average intervals are continuous intervals of a mineralized zone and do not include unsampled intervals or unmineralized intervals. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results.

If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported.

If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg 'down hole length, true width not known'). In general, drilling is designed to intersect the mineralized zone at a normal angle, but this is not always possible.

For the reported intervals, true widths are reported where mineralized core was intact and possible to measure the orientation. Otherwise the true width is left blank Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. Refer to maps within announcement for drill hole locations. Balanced

reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. Where broader low-grade intervals are reported the high-grade intercepts are reported as 'including' within the reported interval

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. Tempus is presently conducting a due diligence on the Cormorant and White Rabbit properties. Exploration planning will be done once acquisition is completed. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large- scale step-out drilling). Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. Further exploration work will be planned for the Cormorant and White Rabbit projects following the completion of due diligence.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182494
TORONTO, October 2, 2023 - Terreno Resources Corp. (TSXV:TNO.H) ("Terreno" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the meeting of shareholders held September 29, 2023.

Shareholders representing 18,635,063 shares, or over 29% of the issued and outstanding shares, voted at the meeting.

The audited financials statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 were accepted as presented and Simone & Company was re-appointed auditor of the Company for the ensuing year by 100% of the vote.

The number of directors was set at three and Mr. George A. Brown, Mr. Joseph Del Campo, and Mr. Richard Williams were re-elected as directors of the Company.

The continuation of the existing Stock Option Plan was approved by 100% of the vote.

The special resolution to approve the issue of up to twenty million common shares over four years to obtain the remaining 40% of the Las Cucharas Gold & Silver Project was approved by 64.5% of the vote.

At the Board Meeting held subsequent to the shareholders meeting, the Directors appointed Mr. Richard Williams as President and Chief Executive Officer and Ms. Carmen Yuen as Treasurer and Corporate Secretary.

Terreno announces that Mr. George A. Brown is retiring from his position as President and CEO due to serious health issues. Mr. Brown has been battling throat cancer over this past year and he has decided to reduce his day-to-day involvement as he recovers from radiation and chemo treatments. The Board wishes to thank Mr. Brown for his years of service as CEO since June 2017.

Additional information on the Company can be viewed at www.sedar.com

For additional information, contact: Tel: (905) 467-1109

Email: georgeabrown0955@gmail.com

Suite 1102, 44 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1Y2

Neither The TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of Terreno's securities in the United States. None of the securities have been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available. Any public offering of securities in the United States must be made by means of a prospectus that contains detailed information about Terreno and its management, as well as financial statements.

This release may contain certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the transactions contemplated, any requisite regulatory approvals in respect thereof and proposed future transactions Tereno may undertake and their expected timing. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Terreno to control or predict. Terreno undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
State legislators who move on to Congress find one of their jobs unexpectedly and sometimes maddeningly difficult: the simple act of reading a bill.Scoff if you like, but the task is not as easy as it sounds, particularly for legislation that amends existing law. In nearly all state legislatures, bills show the current law right alongside the changes that the proposal seeks to make. New language might, for example, be underlined, and deleted language struck through.Congressional bills, though, dont show the existing law; they just describe the changes. So, in the 2017 Republican tax cut law, a provision states, Paragraph (3) of section 162(m) is amended in subparagraph (B) by striking 4 and inserting 3. Without a copy of the United States Code handy, theres no way to tell that the provision changes the number of top earners in a publicly traded company who will have their salary disclosed to shareholders. Provisions like that are littered throughout the 2,053-page lawand almost every piece of legislation Congress passes.U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, a Republican who served in the Georgia House of Representatives, doesnt understand why bills in Congress are so hard to read, when virtually every state makes it easier. Here in Congress, he says, there seems to be a cloak or a veil over any kind of changes to the legislative text.The situation has been so frustrating that a special U.S. House committee on which Graves serves has made changing it a top recommendation for how to modernize Congress. The committee has turned repeatedly to experts in state legislatures, among others, to deal with not just the unreadability of legislation but some of Congress other long-standing and frustrating procedural flaws.If you take a step back, it quickly becomes apparent that many of Congress persistent problems dont exist at the state level. Admittedly, Congress deals with a wider range of issues and does so under much more intense scrutiny than state legislatures do. Still, that doesnt explain why, for example, members of Congress often dont attend subcommittee meetings. Or why it takes 15 minutes or more for the 435-member U.S. House to vote on a bill, when it takes the 400-member New Hampshire House 30 seconds. It doesnt entirely explain why budget crises at the federal level seem to pop up at random, at all times of the year, or why even the regular budget and appropriations process is so much more opaque at the federal level than in most states.Theres a lot, in other words, that Congress could learn from state legislatures if its members wanted to. And youd think they would want to. As many as 45 percent of all current members of Congress once served in state legislatures. Even if state legislative practices arent perfect solutions for Congress, they can help illuminate why so many of Congress current procedures leave federal lawmakers, interest groups and the public so frequently frustrated.One of the most striking differences between Congress and state legislatures, says Bill Pound, who served as executive director of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) for more than 30 years, is how they use time. The differences are apparent in everything from their yearly calendars to the way committee meetings are conducted.Theres a certain rhythm to a state legislative session. Most legislatures meet every year, with the exception of Montana, Nevada, North Dakota and Texas, which typically meet every other year. Initially, members focus on drafting and introducing bills. Then a series of deadlines quickly winnows out bills that arent viable. When members are working to shepherd their ideas through committee, most of the legislatures attention is on hearings in those committees. Then the chambers attention turns to floor debates to consider the bills that made it through the committee process. Midway through the session, the process repeats itself, as bills that passed one chamber move across the Capitol to the other chamber. Lawmakers again focus on committee work, and then shift to the floor. The sessions may end in seeming chaos, as bargaining over the finer details of big-ticket items, often including the budget, stretches to the eleventh hour. But finally, somewhat miraculously, the gavel drops and the legislature adjourns, usually on the exact day specified by law.The congressional process is a lot more haphazard. Once a given Congress convenes, it meets pretty much all year round for two years. On paper, a 1974 law sets a framework for Congress annual schedule by imposing deadlines for the yearly budget and appropriations process, beginning with the president submitting a budget proposal in February and ending when the federal fiscal year starts in October. The process calls for Congress to establish an overarching budget blueprint, and then to pass 12 separate appropriations bills that fill out the spending details under that budget. In practice, that process has been all but discarded in recent years. Congress has turned either to omnibus legislationincorporating many, if not all, of the appropriations bills in one unwieldy packageor to continuing resolutions that simply extend existing spending authority with minor changes. The only real deadlines that drive the legislative process in Congress are usually self-imposed, as appropriations or major laws reach their expiration date and have to be extended to keep the government functioning.Congressional leaders have increasingly derailed the process for non-budgetary legislation as well. Instead of being hashed out in committee, bills are increasingly negotiated behind closed doors and unveiled shortly before a vote. Members not only have no way to understand the details of the legislation they read; often they have no time to read it at all.Committee hearings and floor votes take place simultaneously, all session long. Committees meet even when theres action on the House or Senate floor, which means that members suddenly depart their hearings in the middle of witness testimony to cast floor votes. Because committees usually meet in the House and Senate office buildings ringing Capitol Hill, members must hustle through a warren of subterranean tunnels (or take the basement subway) to get to the Capitol before floor votes close. The fact that so many members are busy with committee work during floor sessions also means that few members are actually in the House or Senate chambers when bills are up for debate.U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, a Democrat who presided over the Virginia Senate when he served as lieutenant governor, complained recently about the Houses chaotic schedule. In Virginia, he noted, work every morning would start on the chamber floor, before members broke off to handle committee work and other tasks. Instead of running back and forth and back and forth and back and forth, he says, we would come, we would focus, we would work, we would do our job, then we [would] get back to the many, many other priorities that go into being a successful legislator.There has to be a much more sensible way [than how Congress does it], Beyer says, and I suspect most of our state legislatures have figured this out. The 400-member New Hampshire House of Representatives offers one example. It is the only state legislative body that comes close to the size of the U.S. House in sheer number of members. But it operates under a completely different ethos. The New Hampshire Houses internal rules require the chamber to hold hearings on every piece of legislation introduced there and, furthermore, the full chamber must vote on every bill. And yet the legislature still usually adjourns by early July every year.Paul Smith, the clerk of the New Hampshire House, says the way the chamber operatesits rule that no bill can be killed in committee, for exampledistinguishes the New Hampshire House as much as its size. We have a very open government here in the state, he says. The transparency weve adopted stems from the publics right to know. Thats something we take seriously.Its not just frazzled federal lawmakers who suffer because of Congress poor time management; its the public, too. The hectic and unpredictable schedules on Capitol Hill are a major reason why lawmakers put committee hearings low on their list of priorities. But committee hearings are the one formal venue that ordinary citizens have in which to address their representatives.The comedian Jon Stewart excoriated members of Congress in June for not taking their committee duties more seriously, noting the seemingly sparse attendance at a House subcommittee hearing to consider funding to provide medical care for first responders after the September 2001 terrorist attacks. As I sit here today, I cant help but think what an incredible metaphor this room is for the entire process that getting health care and benefits for 9/11 first responders has come to, Stewart told the subcommittee. Behind me, a filled room of 9/11 first responders; and in front of me, a nearly empty Congress.Congressional hearings are designed to allow every lawmaker on the panel to speak, more than to gather expertise or information from the witnesses who appear before them. First, the top-ranking members of each party provide an opening statement. Then the witnesses are allowed to speak for up to five minutes apiece. After they conclude, each member of the panel gets five minutes to either question the witnesses or offer his or her own thoughts on the subject. They normally leave after their turn is over. Cameras from C-SPAN capture lawmakers remarks, even on the most mundane of subjects.The congressional hearings amount to political theater, says Pound, the longtime NCSL director. Showmanship will always be part of politics, he acknowledges, but committee hearings at the state level tend to be more focused on getting public feedback about specific proposals. At most state legislative hearings, hell, anybody can testify, Pound notes. Citizens, real citizens, can testify. Anyone can sign up at the beginning, and sometimes hearings drone on for hours. They may be limited to five minutes or something, but [lawmakers] still listen to them.Statehouse regulars sometimes opt to file witness slips instead of offering oral testimony. The slips let lawmakers know whether interest groups are supporting, opposing or staying neutral on legislation. They are usually entered into the official committee records, so the public knows where key constituencies stand. Whats more, whether they testify or quietly register their stance, lobbyists and subject-matter experts can publicly discuss the ins-and-outs of the legislation that lawmakers are considering. The meetings seem to be more about information gathering than about value signaling.In a state legislature, there are ways in which you can see the process more directly if you take the initiative, although most people dont, says Kelly Dittmar, a political science professor at Rutgers University. But with an ever-present media, vigilant lobbyists and heightened political polarization, members of Congress are wary of having frank discussions in public. In both Congress and state legislatures, a lot happens behind the scenes, Dittmar says, but even more of the policy process happens behind the scenes in Congress.Congress passes far fewer bills, both as a percentage of those introduced and as a raw number, than state legislatures. That has big implications for how both institutions work.During the last Congress, members introduced nearly 11,200 bills over two years. Only 416 of them became law. (Of the new federal laws, 83 renamed post offices.) But even including those, less than 4 percent of bills introduced became law. State legislatures, on the other hand, pass about a quarter of the bills that are offered. The percentage varies widely by state, from 5 percent in Minnesota to 86 percent in Maine, according to an analysis of 2013-2014 data from CQ State Track. But no state legislature had a lower percentage of enactments than Congress. A lot of bill introductions in state legislatures are for the purpose of policymaking and getting things done, says Andrea Hatcher, the chair of the political science department at Sewanee: The University of the South. A lot of bill introductions in the U.S. House are less a matter of actual policymaking and more for signaling purposes.With little chance that their bills will actually become law, members of Congress draft legislation to communicate with constituents, special interests and lobbyists. Members can discuss their ideas with residents of their district. They can work up short floor speeches about their pet projects. They can promote their bills and speeches on their websites, social media and even fundraising pitches. Many times, Hatcher says, thats enough of a signal to constituents or to special interests that theyre doing their job.But given Congress low output, its easy to see why outsiders sometimes talk derisively about a do-nothing Congress. The fact that the last Congress ended amid a partial shutdown of the federal government doesnt help. The numbers can be a bit misleading, though, because some of the bills that Congress passes are huge. Any bill, especially an appropriations bill, that is seen as must-pass legislation tends to attract enormous attention, and lawmakers clamor to include their long-sought changes. Everybody knows there are only a few sure trips to the presidents desk, so they all try to climb on board if they can. The added provisions are called riders.Legislative leaders can use riders to attract more votes, especially if the must-pass bill is controversial. Other times, lawmakers use their clout to get their favored causes on an easy path to the law books. The House has fairly strict germaneness requirements; the Senate doesnt. But they do not prevent riders from establishing laws ranging from restrictions on abortion to controversial new security requirements for state drivers licenses.Two common features of state government limit the proliferation of riders in legislatures (at least, compared with Congress). One is that most governors have line-item veto powers, which allows them to strike out individual parts of bills that reach their desks. But the more important one is that nearly all states have language in their constitutions that limits the scope of bills to a single subject.Changing that situation at the federal level would require amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Congress tried to give the president line-item veto power in the 1990s, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional because it gave the president powers reserved for the legislative branch. A single-subject rule would likely also need to be added to the U.S. Constitution; if it were put into place by a simple resolution or even a statute, it could easily be amended or repealed.Even with the single-subject rule enshrined in so many state constitutions, the effect of those provisions does vary widely by state. State courts must decide how much they are willing to meddle with the inner workings of the legislative branch. The implementation of the states various single-subject rules has had mixed success, at best, wrote lawyers Stanley Kaminski and Elinor Hart. Even though the rule seems plain on its face, state courts around the country have interpreted the single-subject rule in most interesting and creative ways.Still, the states are sticklers for germaneness compared to Congress, where members dont have much of a choice when it comes to playing along with the rules that allow riders if they want to get their own legislative priorities passed.Inevitably, any discussion of the inefficiency of Congress turns to the dominant role that money plays in politics. From the moment they get elected, members of Congress have to worry about raising money for the next campaign. Thats especially true in the House, where they are never more than two years away from reelection. The pressure is intense enough to detract from their other duties.Studies that look at how members of Congress spend their days make that clear. Candidates can get only $2,800 from an individual donor for any one election, so funding a campaign takes a lot of donors. The federal lawmakers spend long hours most weeks making phone calls, meeting potential contributors and attending fundraising events. None of that can happen in government offices on Capitol Hill, so members duck out to nearby private offices or residences to make their pitch. They try to stay close enough to the Capitol that they can get back in 15 minutes for a floor vote. But they are less likely to rush back for committee meetings. If you know you have to raise $100,000 a quarter for your campaign, are you going to meet with a bundler who could potentially raise $50,000 for you, or are you going to attend a subcommittee on a policy, when that hearing is one of 42 on that subject? asks Jennifer Nicoll Victor, a political science professor at George Mason University. Its more beneficial to you, if youre trying to keep your job, to meet with that bundler. So you can see why there are not that many people at subcommittee hearings.Campaign fundraising is a big deal in the states, too, but it doesnt take lawmakers away from their core duties in the same way as it does in Congress. Half of the states ban or severely restrict the campaign contributions lawmakers can receive on legislative session days.Fifty years ago, state legislatures went through their own wave of modernizations. They saw how Congress had begun professionalizing its work. States started adopting some of those same ideas: independent auditing agencies, legislative budget offices, lawyers who turned politicians ideas into legislative language. Legislatures began to meet more regularly, and for longer periods of time. NCSL was formed to help lawmakers and their staffs learn best practices and exchange policy ideas. This drive toward professionalism and transparency among legislatures still continues, even as the partisan divisions that were once emblematic of national politics have grown in state capitols, too.Congress, meanwhile, has fallen behind. When Republicans took control in 1995, they started cutting staff, particularly at the nonpartisan support units that states had tried to replicate. They eliminated an entire agency that specifically explored science and technology issues, and trimmed other agencies. Those cuts have continued, even as party control has switched hands. The Congressional Research Service, the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office lost 45 percent of their combined staffs from 1975 to 2015, according to the Brookings Institution. This is especially problematic when it comes to technology. Members complain that they cant even get Wi-Fi access in the Capitol complex.At one recent hearing on congressional modernization, members heard how the Washington state Capitol in Olympia not only has Wi-Fi everywhere, but how the entire campus is already 5G-ready. Witnesses can testify remotely from other parts of the state during committee hearings. The members of the modernization panel also heard about how the California Assembly has moved almost all of its day-to-day paperwork onto tablets. With just a few taps, legislators in California can not only compare an amendments text to current law, but also compare different versions of proposed legislation, allowing them to see, for example, how an amendment might change the underlying bill. One enthusiastic congressman asked state tech experts if there might be some kind of software that would let committee chairs see whether their members had conflicts before scheduling a hearing. What he was asking for, basically, was a Microsoft Outlook calendar, something that can be found in corporate offices all across America.There are signs of improvement. The House clerk is working on software to let lawmakers compare legislation to existing law. The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress has already started to churn out recommendations. U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, the Washington state Democrat who chairs the committee, hopes the process will continue, even though past efforts have been short-lived. It is not crazy to think that this sort of analysis could happen more regularly, he says.But any significant changes to congressional operations will ultimately depend on whether chamber leaders feel its in their best interest to shake things up. Theres no guarantee that will happen, at least not anytime soon. The overwhelming presence of ideological polarization and strong partisanship in Congress has changed the use of legislative procedure, says Hatcher, the Sewanee professor. It doesnt really incentivize a different way of doing things. It doesnt really incentivize innovation or effective governance. Its about winning the battle in the short term. Theyll focus on winning the war later.
Apple wants to take over global F1 TV rights

Apple has reportedly set its sights on a major Formula 1 deal.

Lewis Hamilton, Japanese GP 2023

 Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.

Already, Apple TV has produced a new feature documentary about Lewis Hamilton, the seven time world champion whose own production company is now in collaboration with Apple Original Films for the new F1 movie starring Brad Pitt.

And now, Apple is being linked with a massive exclusive global television rights deal to control the live online coverage of Formula 1.

Business F1 magazine says the deal could be worth a staggering $2 billion per year, eventually replacing every F1 television broadcaster once those channels' current contracts expire.

The magazine recently quoted Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei as expressing concern about television fragmentation , warning that even major players like ESPN - with a F1 rights deal until 2025 - is losing ground.

ESPN, which has been a great asset and is our partner at Formula 1, has declined from 105 million households to 75 million households, or something like that, he said at a Goldman Sachs event.

So how do you find that full reach and still get paid? In many cases, you can get an over-the-air provider who gives you full reach, and you can get a premium provider who gives you more revenue.

Formula 1 declined to comment.

(GMM)
BridgeView Resort's Edmond Ahadome named Best CEO in Hospitality

GraphicOnline Business News Oct - 02 - 2023 , 11:38

Mr. Edmond Ahadome, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BridgeView Resort, was honoured as the Best CEO in Hospitality at the prestigious 2023 Ghana CEO Vision and Awards, hosted at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel.

This accolade underscores Mr. Ahadome's unwavering commitment to job creation and his exceptional leadership in the hospitality industry.

The 2023 Ghana CEO Awards, themed "The Role of Business Leadership Towards Achieving the SDGS in Ghana," aimed to recognize and celebrate influential CEOs who are actively contributing to the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ghana.

Following the award presentation, Mr. Ahadome emphasized the vast potential of the tourism sector in generating employment opportunities for Ghanaians. He reaffirmed his company's dedication to continued investment in creating avenues for youth empowerment. Additionally, Ahadome emphasized the pivotal role of the diaspora in unlocking Africa's potential and urged strategic investments on the continent.

Expressing gratitude for the recognition of his company's humble beginnings, Mr. Ahadome hopes it will inspire others to invest in Ghana.

The event witnessed the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including H. E. Mahamudu Bawumia (Vice President of the Republic of Ghana), H. E. Harriet Thompson (British High Commissioner to Ghana), H.R.M King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II (Paramount King of the GA States), Mark Okraku (Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture), H. E. Charles Abani (United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ghana), and H. E. Javier Guitierrez (Spanish Ambassador to Ghana), among other esteemed personalities.

About Edmond Ahadome

Mr. Edmond Ahadome is an attorney and leader of the litigation practice at the Adomi Advisory Group, an international law firm based in Washington DC with offices in Accra and Lagos.

His leadership has garnered recognition from various organizations, including the Ghana Order of Merit from the Government of Ghana, Excellence in Business Award, and Startup CEO of the Year from the Ghana Business Awards.

In 2022, he was honoured as the overall winner at the Ghana 40 under 40 awards and named one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in the Law and Justice Category during the U.N. General Assembly. He also received the Presidential Award from the U.S. National Bar Association in 2022.

Mr. Ahadome holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota Law School, a Masters in Software Engineering from the University of Saint Thomas, and a PreMed undergraduate degree from Concordia College, Minnesota.
Minister Martha Brako set to launch third album

Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Oct - 01 - 2023 , 19:38

Ghanaian-UK based gospel musician Minister Martha Brako is set to release her third album this month after winning UK based Gospel Artiste of the Year at the just ended Modern Gospel Awards (MOGA).

The album titled "Mo ne Yo" has eight songs featuring renowned Ghanaian musicians.

According to Minister Martha, even though she had earlier planned to release the album, winning a MOGA award has further boosted her interest to drop her new album.

Minister Martha Brako is a versatile talent who is a writer, a backing vocalist and composer.

She was born to Mr. Samuel Brako and Madam Janet Oforiwaa, and they both hail from Kwahu, in the Eastern region of Ghana.

Minister Martha is the eleventh child of twelve children and started singing at a very young age back in primary school.

She later joined the Charles Lane branch of the Apostolic church of Ghana and was a member of the choir until she left to the UK.

During her time with the Apostolic church of Ghana, she joined a church singing group called Faithful Servants which groomed young music talents at the time. The popular music duo, Jane and Bernice was discovered from the group.

Minister Martha served under many gospel musicians including Madam Esther Quartey, who nurtured her singing abilities, and later released her first album when she travelled to live in the UK.
Study contracts well before signing with labels  Funke Akindele

Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Oct - 01 - 2023 , 20:30

Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, is urging up and coming artists to study their contracts before signing with labels and not be hungry to be seen.

The popular actress who is affectionately called Jennifer said this on the sidelines of the premiere of the Prime Video Five Part Mini Series titled: She must be Obeyed in Lagos recently.

Funke Akinedele emphasised the need for young artists to be and careful in their proceedings and not regret later.

It is extremely important for young and up-and-coming artists to ensure that they study their contracts to know the details and know what they are going through.

We put out content that affects young artists and that is why we came up with this series so that when they watch it, they would learn a lot of things and be very careful.

Young artistes need to be educated and we need to organise a lot of seminars, workshops for them to know that they are important.

The young talents are very hungry to be seen as they want to showcase their talent but unfortunately, they dont study their contracts, they dont get a lawyer or families that are experienced to educate them.

The series will teach them a lot of things that will help them grow and learn the basic things in the industry, Funke Akindele said.
Criminalising witchcraft: Impact on judiciary

Prof Daniel K. Abbiw Opinion Oct - 02 - 2023 , 05:32

By the passage of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022, it has now become an offence to accuse anyone of being a witch in this country.

The law explicitly criminalises the practice of witchcraft accusation, and proscribes the declaration, accusation, naming or labelling of another person as a witch. Offenders shall be prosecuted.

The specific concept of witchcraft is the idea of some supernatural power of which a man or woman can become possessed by, and by which s/he is exclusively used for evil and antisocial purposes.

Unlike sorcery and juju, which use the technique of magic and derives its power from medicine, witchcraft acts without rites and spells, and uses hereditary psycho-physical powers to attain its ends. It is projected from the brain.

In addition, while sorcery and juju act rapidly, witchcraft is slow but sure. Sorcery is associated with men generally, just as witchcraft tends to be associated with women.

Implication

What is the implication of this bill for the Judiciary? Would the Chief Justice set up special courts to deal with witchcraft cases or incorporate witchcraft cases within the present courts or refer witchcraft cases to the traditional courts or ahenfie (chief palace)?

The belief in witchcraft, as the cause of why misfortune occurs, was officially banned in England in the reign of James II.

In all British colonies, accusations of witchcraft, slavery, trial by ordeal, ritual murder, adultery, juju or African electronics, spiritual gun or tukpui, sorcery, curses and spells, killing of twins (it was then an abomination among some cultures), carrying the body of a dead person to determine the murderer, burning the body of a dead person as punishment because the dead was a witch or wizard or murderer were all not entertained in law court.

Nevertheless, the traditional courts or ahenfie continued to try these cases.

Let us assume a typical case of an alleged witch, who is the complainant, and the criminal, who is the respondent.

Assuming the alleged witch is not a witch, then the criminal should be heavily fined and a large proportion of the fine paid as compensation to the alleged witch to settle the case.

However, if the complainant is a witch by her own confession, then the respondent has described the witch, not insulted her in any way.

Legally

Logically and legally, there are no charges; he has not committed any crime, and, therefore, he should be acquitted and discharged.

The Judicial system at present is equipped to adjudicate both cases, but not equipped to try a self-confessed witch.

This trial should be left to the agents responsible for exposing witches and dewitching them.

The practitioner of this trial by ordeal is either a witch doctor, fetish priest or fetish priestess, who, after performing the necessary rituals and sacrificial offerings, manages to suppress the bad spirit trained by the witch to destruction.

Human beings alone can collar the witch and destroy him or her in an exemplary manner, but spiritual aid is required to collar the witch's devil, or it would get adrift and carry on after its owner's death.

Clearly, this function cannot be performed by the judicial courts; so dewitching should be referred to the local courts or ahenfie. Other dewitching agents are deities, spiritual churches and also plants.

For example, croton zambesicus, a small tree planted in villages and towns as fetish; okuobaka aubrevillei, a forest tree locally called odee in Akan, and heliotropium indicum, Indian heliotrope or cock's comb, among others, are all inimical to witches and expose them.

The writer is a retired plant taxonomist and ethnobotanist/former lecturer, University of Ghana, Legon.
Realisation of freedoms... under Constitution

Daily Graphic Opinion Oct - 02 - 2023 , 05:52

On September 21, 2023 it was widely reported that protestors who had gathered around the 37 Bus station to exercise their constitutional right to demonstrate were arrested, manhandled and subsequently detained at various police stations within Accra by the Police.

It was also reported that protestors at some point were denied access to their lawyers.

The reason for the Police response was that court processes to place an injunction on the protest had been served on lawyers of the leadership of protestors, and therefore, deemed such assembly unlawful.

Freedom of assembly (otherwise known as right to protest or right to demonstrate) is a basic right vital to an individual's personal development and political consciousness and enhances participation in the conduct of public affairs in his country.

The right by its nature also provides citizens with the tool to express their concerns and demand accountability from the government.

The right enables individuals to express themselves collectively and to participate in shaping their societies.

The right is of keen historic significance and this was duly recognised by Amua-Sekyi JSC in New Patriotic Party v. Inspector General of Police [1993-94] 2 GLR 459-509.

The freedom of assembly is guaranteed under chapter 5 specifically of the 1992 Constitution.

Additionally, article 11 of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights similarly indicates that "every individual shall have the right to freely assemble with others ..... "

The Commission learns that the leadership of the protestors had given notice to the Police several days back to facilitate discussions on the date, possible routes to use in order to ensure a problem-free protest.

The basis for the Police action as the Commission understands was that it had served some court process on the lawyers of the leadership of the protestors and therefore considered any attempt to undertake the protests as unlawful hence giving rise to arrests and detention of protestors.

The Commission sadly notes that Police response over the years against protestors have been disproportionate and leaves much to be desired.

It is in this context that the Commission deems it appropriate as the National Human Rights Institution (NHRl) with the mandate to promote and protect human rights under the Constitution and CHRAJ Act, 1993 (Act 456) and its obligations under the Paris Principles to issue an advisory to relevant state actors on matters of human rights concern.

While the right to demonstrate is recognised by the state as constitutionally guaranteed, the contention is in relation to how the right should be exercised against other competing legitimate interests, such as, public safety, national security, public health, the running of essential services often cited by law enforcement officials to justify restriction of the right.

It is important to indicate that the right in issue is a human and constitutional right and therefore any limitation placed on the right must satisfy the threshold stipulated under human rights law.

Issued by CHRAJ, on September 27, 2023.

Old Parliament House.
ECOWAS, UN Condemn political clashes leading to 3 deaths in Liberia

GraphicOnline International News Oct - 02 - 2023 , 09:28

The West African sub-regional body, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations (UN) have condemned the killing of three persons in the Foya District of Lofa County, Liberia, as a result of political clashes between supporters of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the opposition Unity Party (UP).

Liberians go to the polls on October 10 to elect a president and representatives for the lower and upper houses.

The statement commended the Liberia National Police (LNP) for promptly restoring calm and urged them to conduct speedy and impartial investigations, make public their findings and ensure that the perpetrators were prosecuted.

Farmington

It said in the spirit of the Farmington River Declaration 2023, the protection of human rights, and under the due process of the rule of law, ECOWAS and the UN call on the leaders of the UP and CDC to strongly urge their partisans to refrain from provocation and any other acts of violence.

ECOWAS and UN urged the UP and CDC to fully cooperate with the LNP in the ongoing investigations.

The statements said, ECOWAS and the UN call on the media to be responsible in their reporting so as to avoid inflaming the volatile situation.

Peace

ECOWAS and the UN called on all stakeholders and the public at large to continue upholding the values of peace, accountability, and respect for the rule of law, in order to consolidate peace and security in Liberia during this critical electoral period.

It extended deep condolences to the families of the deceased.

The CDC candidate and incumbent President since 2018, George Weah, is seeking re-election. The UP is the main opposition party led by former Vice President Joseph Boakai. There are 20 presidential candidates.
14 renal patients dead in four months due to lack of funds for dialysis - Association [VIDEO]

Getrude Ankah Nyavi Oct - 02 - 2023 , 16:10

The shut down of the Renal Dialysis Unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) to outpatients since May 2023 has been causing a lot of financial inconveniences to the outpatients, the Renal Patients Association has said.

Following that, a total of 14 outpatients have reportedly died because they could not raise the needed funding for dialysis at private facilities, the Renal Patients Association has alleged.

According to the association, the deaths were caused by the patients inability to access dialysis treatment at private facilities, which they say charges more than what is charged at Korle Bu for the treatment offered.

The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in May 2023 shut down the Renal Unit to outpatients even though in-patients have access to the facility.

The reason for the shut down to outpatients was that there was a delay in the delivery of some consumables.

Related articles:

At a press conference in Accra on Monday [October 2, 2023], a spokesperson for the Renal Patients Association, Michael Asante said As we speak, the renal unit has been closed since 22 May 2023 up to date to outpatients.

He added that Patients have gone through turbulent times as we struggle to finance our dialysis treatment at private dialysis centres across the centres. Unfortunately, during this shutdown period, we have lost about 14 of our friendsThis has left the rest of us living in constant fear for our tomorrow. This is because we do not know who among us will be next to lose their lives needlessly.

He, therefore, appealed to the government to waive the costs of dialysis treatment for renal patients and to include these cases in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Read also: Remove taxes on medical supplies for dialysis - Mahama
At Ghana CEO Awards: Bawumia urges business leaders to champion SDGs - Graphic MD is CEO of the Year, Print Media

Kweku Zurek & Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Oct - 02 - 2023 , 06:36

The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on business leaders in the country to collaborate with the government towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The Vice-President said business leaders must play a pivotal role because of the private sector's role in fostering innovation, job creation and driving economic growth.

"According to the United Nations Global Compact, the private sector accounts for 60 per cent of the world's GDP, 90 per cent of employment and 80 per cent of capital flows globally, thus the private sector's role in the promotion of sustainable development and achieving the SDGs cannot be underestimated," Dr Bawumia said.

Graphic MDs award

The Vice-President made the call in Accra last Saturday when he delivered the keynote address at the second edition of the Ghana CEO Awards which saw the Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL), Ato Afful, win the Print Media Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Year award.

Mr Afful received a plaque and a citation for his innovation, leadership, vision and outstanding practices that set him apart from the rest.

He was also acknowledged to have produced clear and compelling value towards the development of the sector and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.

The event was organised by Globe Productions on the theme: "The Role of Business Leadership Towards Achieving the SDGs in Ghana".

Poverty reduction

Dr Bawumia highlighted the progress made in reducing poverty rates in the country from 52 per cent in 1991 to 23 per cent in 2017.

He, however, pointed out that Ghana's ranking of 107 out of 193 countries in the 2021 SDG index underscored the need for the private sector's active involvement, given its substantial contribution to the nation's GDP.

Theophilus Yartey (2nd from left), Editor, Graphic, receiving the CEO of the Year-Media (Print) award on behalf of Ato Afful, Managing Director, GCGL, from Charles Ambani, United Nations Ambassador to Ghana. With them are Doreen Hamond (2nd from right), Editor of The Mirror, and Patrick Berko, Events Manager, GCGL. ELVIS NII NOI DOWUONA

To accomplish the SDGs, the Vice-President urged the private sector to promote sustainability through eco-friendly practices, collaborative efforts with stakeholders, and the adoption of innovative business models that foster social and environmental well-being.

He further called on businesses to invest in clean energy, enhance working conditions, support education and healthcare access, and contribute to community development through skills education.

While emphasising the government's commitment to providing an enabling environment for private sector businesses, Dr Bawumia stressed the importance of public sector participation in achieving the SDGs, citing areas such as macro-stability, financial inclusion and revenue mobilisation.

He gave an assurance that the government would also play its part by providing an enabling environment for private sector businesses to thrive.

"We cannot only leave it to the private sector in terms of achieving the SDGs; the public sector has an important role to play in areas such as macro-stability, address systems, financial inclusion through mobile money interoperability; digital payments, digital address systems, domestic revenue mobilisation and this is what government is very much engaged in".

He also congratulated the CEO of Globe Productions, Latif Abubakar, on putting together an event to celebrate individuals who were making a contribution to the country's drive to achieve the SDGs.

Rationale

Latif Abubakar, for his part, said the awards were the ultimate platform for celebrating visionaries who have thrived against the odds and rendered ideas into existence.

He said this year's winners were selected for their contribution to the realisation of the SDG goals in Ghana.

The Ga Mantse, King Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, encouraged businesses to invest in projects that benefit local communities, while the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, emphasised the critical role of private sector-led innovation, investment and collaboration in achieving SDG goals such as global poverty reduction.

Awards ceremony

Over 30 awards were presented to CEOs of private and public companies for their contribution towards promoting the SDGs.

The organisers said the winners demonstrated sustainable development commitment by adopting eco-friendly business practices, investing in clean energy, enhancing working conditions, improving access to education and health care, job creation, skills training and promoting financial inclusion.

Awardees

Other notable winners included the Founder and Managing Director of Zeepay, Andrew Takyi-Appiah (Private Sector CEO of the Year); the President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), George Agyekum Nana Donkor (Africa CEO of the Year); international business consultant, Dr Kenneth Kwaku, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award; MD of GLICO General Insurance Company Ltd, Andrew Achampong-Kyei (Male Outstanding Leadership CEO of the Year); and the CEO of Accra Sewerage System Ghana Limited, Florence Awaa Cobbold (Female Outstanding Leadership CEO of the Year) .

Others are the Managing Director of OmniBSIC Bank, Daniel Asiedu (Personality of the Year, Private Sector); the founder of Aquarian Records, Rocky Dawuni (CEO of the Year, Music Honour); the Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Sammi Awuku, (CEO of the Year, Public Sector); and the Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid (Personality of the Year, Public Sector); Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ghana EXIM Bank, Rosemary Archer (Public Sector COO of the Year); COO of OmniBSIC Bank Ghana Limited, Philip Oti-Mensah (Private Sector COO of the Year); MD of Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST), Edwin Alfred Provencal (Downstream Oil and Gas CEO of the Year); and CEO of Rebirth Group, Michael Kojo Asiedu (Start Up CEO of the Year).

The rest are the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey (CEO of the Year, Chamber); the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana, Samuel Dubik Masubir Mahama, (CEO of the Year, Power); the General Manager of Despite Group of Companies, Mr Kennedy Osei (Young Achiever of the Year); and the Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Professor Amin Alhassan (CEO of the Year, Electronic Media); CEO of Ghana Export and Promotion Authority (GEPA), Dr Afia Asabea Asare (Trade Facilitation CEO of the Year); and the CEO of Ghana Link Network Services, Nick Danso Adjei (Entrepreneur of the Year  Private Sector).
Bagbin welcomes colleague Speakers for 66th CPC in Accra

Nana Konadu Agyeman Oct - 02 - 2023 , 05:33

The Speaker of Ghanas Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, last Friday and Saturday received a number of Speakers and Presiding Officers of various Parliaments attending the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Accra.

Mr Bagbin, accompanied by the Clerk-to-Parliament, Cyril Kwabena Nsiah, and the Director of Parliamentary Relations and Protocol, Sheeba Nana Afriyie-Osei, also received some Clerks-to-Parliaments and legislators from the 180-member Commonwealth Parliaments.

They included the Speaker of Samoa Parliament, Papali Lio Oloipola Taeu Masipau; the Speaker of St Kitts and Nevis Parliament, Lanein Blanchette, and the President of the Australia Federal Senate, Sue Lines.

Others were the Speaker of the Sierra Leone Parliament, Dr Abass Chernor Bundu; the Clerk of the Gambian Parliament, Momodou Cisse, as well as the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Berenice Owen-Jones.

Delegates

The dignitaries are among the 700 delegates attending the conference which began at the Accra International Conference Centre in Accra from September 30 to October 6, 2023.

The annual event will be on the theme: The Commonwealth Charter 10 years on: Values and principles for Parliaments to uphold.

Being hosted by Ghanas Parliament and CPA Ghana Branch for the first time, the conference will also bring together parliamentary staff and key stakeholders in the parliamentary governance sector.

It will be held under the patronage of the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Bagbin, who doubles as the President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the President of the Ghana Branch of the Association.

Focus

The CPC offers the prospect of the CPAs global membership coming together to address the critical issues facing todays Parliaments.

The CPA is the only parliamentary association that brings together national, state, provincial and territorial legislatures, and its membership includes almost 180 Parliaments and Legislatures across the Commonwealth.

The CPA Africa Region is very active within the CPAs nine regions, and this will be the 17th time that the region has hosted the annual conference.

The delegates will explore a wide range of workshop topics from the threat of terrorism to gender quotas in Parliaments, tackling energy poverty, achieving sustainable trade and economic development to youth engagement and e-Parliaments.

There will also be a number of additional conferences and meetings including the 39th CPA Small Branches Conference, meetings of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities networks, the 66th CPA General Assembly, governance meetings of the CPA Executive Committee and the 57th Society of Clerks-at-the-Table meeting.
Employ marketing as tool for economic recovery  Prof. Amartey

Justice Agbenorsi Oct - 02 - 2023 , 05:38

The government and the business community have been urged to embrace marketing as a strategy to foster swift economic recovery.

This would also enhance the resilience of the economy and its businesses and pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Professor Abednego Amartey, who gave the advice said marketing, when mixed with other strategies could play a pivotal role in revitalising economies and helping businesses emerge stronger from challenging times.

Alongside those strategies, he said, the ecosystem must foster innovation, promote customer-centricity, create new opportunities, adapt to changing consumer behaviour, leverage digital technologies, among others, to ensure an effective economic recovery.

Prof. Amartey was speaking at the 34th Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) annual national marketing performance awards in Accra last Saturday.

Campaigns

He mentioned the Visit Japan and Invest in Greece campaigns, Dubai Expo, Explore Jamaica Campaign, among other successful marketing initiatives, as examples that had helped those economies.

To emerge from our economic challenges stronger than before, let us embrace marketing as a powerful instrument of change.

By doing so, we can foster economic recovery, enhance the resilience of our economy and our businesses, and pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future Ghana, Prof. Amartey said.

Awards

The awards ceremony was held to, among other things, create awareness of the relevance of marketing for the success of businesses, promote higher professional marketing standards and excellence among practitioners, and to also recognise organisations for showing resilience in the year under review.

It was also to celebrate marketers and serve as a testament to their resilience, adaptability and unwavering dedication to the profession.

It was on the theme: Marketing: A Tool for Economic Recovery.

Thirty-five organisations received the CIMG traditional awards, while 22 of them received the Ghana Customer Satisfaction Index awards, with three regions winning the Ghana Regional Brand Index awards.

The Director of Marketing and Corporate Relations at Absa Bank Ghana, Nana Essilfuah Tamakloe, was crowned the Marketing Professional of the Year.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodafone Ghana, Patricia Obo-Nai, and the General Manager of GBfoods Ghana, Mr David Kofi Afflu, were named the Marketing Woman and the Marketing Man of the Year.

Change

The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, commended the awardees for their sterling performance in the year under review.

He charged the professionals to use their marketing skills in the social sector by helping to market some of the governments flagship projects such as the free Senior High School programme, particularly when propaganda and fake narratives have taken centre stage.

Begin to take a look at marketing in Ghana to show Ghanaians that we are doing a good job and it is based on facts.

I have no doubt on my mind that marketing has to play a central role in the transformation of the economy of Ghana

Get people to believe that change is possible and thats what marketing should be about, he said.

Public sector

For his part, the President of CIMG, Dr Daniel Kasser Tee, underscored the need for marketing to be made the bridge between adversity and prosperity, especially in public sector organisations.

The CIMG, he said, had begun discussions with the Public Services Commission for the possibility of introducing marketing into all public sector organisations at the top level to promote the interests of customers.
Engineers critical to infrastructural devt  Roads Minister

Daily Graphic Oct - 02 - 2023 , 05:47

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, has stated that the engineering industry can play a pivotal role in helping politicians make the right decisions regarding infrastructural development in their respective countries.

He said the relationship between the consulting engineering industry and the politician was symbiotic, where politics and infrastructure provision were expected to serve the needs of the people.

Politicians might appear irrational in their decisions, while the consulting engineer will want to be rational. In the spirit of working together, therefore, the first step in persuading politicians is to build a strong foundation of understanding to find a common ground for making decisions, he said.

Mr Amoako-Atta was speaking at the 2023 FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference in Singapore at the invitation of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), who were celebrating 110 years of the organisations formation.

The conference was on the theme: Infrastructure  theres no time to lose: sustainable global (and local) strategies to build a better world and sought to highlight the urgency of the need to invest in infrastructure sustainably at both local and national levels to improve the global environment.

The minister was delivering a keynote address on the key conference session topic: Persuading the politicians  Getting the industrys message across.

The session sought to look at how best the industry could engage with politicians and other influential opinion makers to get positive messages across about the need for infrastructure investment.

Mr Amoako-Atta urged engineers to pursue effective engagement with politicians through collaboration rather than confrontation.

Instead of imposing our views, you should seek a partnership approach.

You should be willing to listen to the concerns and priorities of our elected officials.

By understanding their perspectives, you can better tailor your messages to align with their goals.

It is, therefore, important that both the politicians and industry players collaborate and engage frequently to ensure the right decisions are made, he said.

Continuous commitment

Infrastructure investment is not a one-time endeavour but a continuous commitment to our nations development.

You must work with politicians and funders to create a roadmap spanning years and even decades.

A long-term vision provides stability and ensures that our projects align with the broader goals of the government, the minister said.

Mr Amoako-Atta said roads were the dominant means of transport in Ghana, with a share of over 90 per cent of the movement of goods and people across the country.

He said the road sector currently had a network of 94,203 kilometres across the country.

He indicated that the governments interventions, over the last six years, had led to a marked improvement of Ghanas road network to 44 per cent good, 34 per cent fair and 22 per cent poor.

Pressing needs

The minister said in Ghana, road infrastructural developments were the most pressing need that Ghanaians wanted the government to address.

Year in and year out, roads continue to make the top five priorities of the Ghanaian people.

According to a 2019 report published by the Centre for Democratic Development

Ghana (CDD-Ghana), for the first time since 2002, road infrastructure topped the list of citizens priority needs, beating unemployment, which had dominated the list in all those years.

According to the report, six in 10 Ghanaians, or 60 per cent, said roads were the topmost of the three priority areas they wanted the government to immediately address.

However, considering the challenges in mobilising resources for the governments development agenda, the industry players must work together to fashion out ways to ensure investment for the benefit of our people, the minister said.

Over the past six years, Ghanas road transport sector has seen tremendous growth.

The years 2020 to 2022 were declared by the government as Years of Roads with roads throughout the 16 regions of the country witnessing significant improvement.

The result of the six-year investment has been 11,975 km of roads, 33 bridges and six interchanges, among others, he added.

He urged engineers to partner with the government to articulate ways in which improved roads and highways could enhance economic development, connect remote communities and create jobs.

FIDIC

FIDIC is the global representative body for national associations of consulting engineers and represents over one million engineering professionals and 40,000 firms in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Around 800 leaders from some of the worlds most successful and influential engineering and consultancy companies met in Singapore to discuss the future challenges facing their industry and to debate the key construction and infrastructure issues and opportunities facing the planet.

Ghanas participation at the conference was the second largest after China, with participants attending from the Ministry of Roads and Highways and its agencies, the Ghana Consulting Engineers Association, Bui Power Authority, Ghana Water Company Limited and the private sector, including some building and road contractors.
International Day of Older Persons: Pass Aged Persons Bill into law - John Mahama to Parliament

Vincent Amenuveve & Beatrice Laryea Oct - 02 - 2023 , 05:33

Parliament must speedily pass the Social Protection and the Aged Persons bills into law to give proper care and social services to the aged in the country, former President Mahama has stated.

He further called on the government to be sensitive to the plight of the aged by putting in place effective measures to avoid passing on expensive healthcare bills to the aged who are mostly affected by life-threatening diseases

Our population is ageing, and better health care should become a high priority with ageing," he stressed.

The former President made the call when he delivered the keynote address at the First Ghana Ageing Conference and Commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons in Accra yesterday.

The event was on the theme: Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations.

It was organised by the Los Abuelos Foundation (LAF) in collaboration with the University of Cape Coast.

Mr Mahama equally advocated the establishment of an independent emoluments commission to determine the salaries of every public sector worker from the lowest to the highest in rank to ensure equity, inclusion and fairness.

That, he said, was to forestall the challenges that senior citizens went through regarding the receipt of low monthly pensions, which, he said, eventually did not ensure their adequate well-being in the society.

We must ensure that the aged receive their returns on their investments, and they must have no cause to worry about their social security and their pensions.

To help improve on the economic and well-being of the older people, we must ensure their financial inclusion by facilitating easy access to micro finance services, he further advised.

Government bonds, proposals

All over the world, government bonds were supposed to be the safest investments that anyone could make.

However, the trust the pensioners had when they put their small funds into government bonds had rather not paid off, and today, they are suffering, Mr Mahama said.

He said ahead of the 2020 elections, he made a number of proposals aimed at improving the general welfare of the elderly in the country.

One of the proposals, Mr Mahama said, was the establishment of a centre of excellence for training social workers to care for the elderly.

He also called for the re-introduction of the celebration of the Senior Citizens Day on Republic Day, with the day declared as a holiday to honour the aged.

He pledged that a National Democratic Congress government would collaborate with the Veterans Association of Ghana and the Ghana Government Pensioners Association (GGPA) to reintroduce the bank and elderly welfare card to enable people above 60 years to have priority access to social services.

Mr Mahama stated that the card would enable the aged to have discount bus fares and receive priority services at the banks.

Other proposals the former President suggested were the amendment of the National Health Insurance Act to exempt all persons aged 60 years and above from paying the NHIS premium; establishment of day care centres for recreational purposes for the aged; and introduction of a senior citizen tourism programme to allow them to visit interesting domestic tourist sites that they did not have the opportunity to visit during their working lives.

Special Departments

The Founder and Chairman of the Lepers Aid Committee, Father Andrew Campbell, suggested the setting up of a special department for the aged.

He stressed the need for the NHIS to cover 100 per cent medical care for the aged, including admission, consultation, medicine and administrative costs.

Special rates for the elderly for utility bills, free public transport and food subsidy in the market for the aged.

There should be meals on wheels programme, care nurses who visit the elderly daily, day care centres, formation of grandparents association, subsidising permanent homes for the aged and increasing leap subsidy to GH200, he added.

Hospitals should have ramps instead of long stairways; lifts should always be working, and there should be specialised doctors and nurses who are trained in gerontology, Fr Campbell advocated.

The National Secretary of the GGPA, Joe Quist, called on the Department of Social Welfare to set up homes for the aged, and to resolve disparities in the salary structure to ensure that pensioners were paid decent pensions, stressing that some take home as low as GH40.

He said senior citizens should also be exempted from the payment of water and electricity bills, and be provided subsidies to avoid paying transportation fares and hospital bills.

Organisers

The Chief Executive Officer of LAF, Eunice Abban Afari, in a speech read on her behalf by the Co-founder and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Rev. Samuel Young Nyanza, urged the nation to support the aged in a number of ways to ensure their total well-being.

Those ways, he said, included promoting the healthcare and economic security, social inclusion, education and lifelong learning; prevention of abuse of the elderly, as well as legal protection and access to information and technology.
National Service postings released

Daily Graphic Oct - 02 - 2023 , 09:32

The National Service Secretariat (NSS) has released placements for 122,275 prospective national service personnel for the 2023/2024 service year.

A statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the NSS, Osei Assibey Antwi, explained that the first batch of postings for the 122,275 personnel in the one-year mandatory national service was in various sectors of the economy for the 2023/2024 service year.

Second batch

"The second batch of postings will be released in due course," it said.

All deployed service personnel, it said, were required to follow the validation and registration process.

It charged personnel to log onto the scheme's website at www.nss.gov.gh to check for placement.

Again, it said they were to print the appointment letter and proceed to the place of posting for endorsement of the appointment letter.

Moreover, it said personnel should book an appointment online for the date and time for registration after the endorsement.

The statement said students should proceed to the assigned NSS Regional Validation and Registration Centre with an endorsed appointment letter and a valid Ghana Card to complete the process.

Validation

It added that the regional validation and registration would begin on Monday, October 16, 2023 at all centres across the country.

"The 2023/2024 National Service Year will begin on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

"Management does not support change of postings, and therefore wishes to caution national service personnel to avoid getting in contact with faceless individuals or groups to get their posting changed for them.

"Management extends best wishes to all deployed service personnel as they take up their civic and patriotic responsibilities to serve Mother Ghana," it said.
No 'demo' will be allowed anywhere near BoG premises - Police to Minority

Emelia Ennin Abbey Oct - 02 - 2023 , 20:19

The Ghana Police Service has stated that no participants in the scheduled street protest against the Bank of Ghana (BoG) will be allowed anywhere near the premises of the regulator of the banking industry.

The protest being organised by the Minority in Parliament is dubbed #OccupyBOG is slated for Tuesday (October 3, 2023).

Organisers of the protest, the Minority side in Parliament, says the street protest is against some inconsistencies in the national economy recorded in the current administration of the BoG.

Describing the BoG as a security zone, the police said they were prepared to ensure security, law and order for the planned street protest and insisted the route does not include the BoG premises or the street in front of the BoG.

Adhere to route

The name of the protest does not determine the rout of the protest. We have agreed on the routes and that is the routes that will be used, said the Public Affairs Director of the Ghana Police Service, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Grace Ansah-Akrofi, during a media briefing on the preparedness of the police for the demonstration on Monday.

She reminded the demonstrators to adhere to the route, with the demonstration commencing at the Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange through Adabraka, Ridge Roundabout, National Theatre Traffic Light, High Court Complex Traffic Light and Atta Mills Highway.

From there, the protestors would then make a U-Turn at the National Lotteries and end the protest at the Independence Square.

The protestors have been further urged to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner before, during and after in line with the Public Order Act of 1994 (ACT 491).

The organisers of the demonstration had indicated that about 5,000 people would take part in the demonstration.

We have adequate number of police officers for the demonstration, the Director of Police Public Affairs said, after she commended the organisers for cooperating with the police through the process.

Road blocks

Mrs Ansah-Akrofi said as part security arrangements traffic arrangements had been put in place including a temporary blocking of the road from the Independence Square in front of the National Lotteries towards the Old Parliament Traffic Light during the course of the demonstration.

The blocked roads will be diverted through the Starlet Traffic Light through the Ministries Traffic Light to the front of the Office of the Department of Urban Roads (DUR), through National Lotteries.

Users of that route will then link the AMA office Road to the road in front of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to take a detour back to the John Evans Atta Mills Highway at the Old Parliament Traffic Light intersection.

In line with arrangements, Mrs Ansah-Akrofi said personnel of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) would be deployed at the various intersections to assist the motoring public.

Engagements

Ahead of the demonstration, there has been series of engagements between the Ghana Police Service and organisers of the protest.
PRESEC celebrates 85th anniversary: Govt committed to STEM education  President

Ebo Hawkson Oct - 02 - 2023 , 06:39

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated the governments commitment to make science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education the backbone of the nation's development.

In pursuit of that commitment, he said the government had made significant investment in STEM and was prioritising it as a central pillar in the countrys educational system.

At the 85TH anniversary celebration of the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School (PRESEC) last Saturday, the President said the investment included the construction of 10 regional STEM centres, the operationalisation of four newly constructed STEM schools and the conversion of three existing schools into STEM model schools.

The investments, the President said, were already yielding results, with the percentage of general science students in Senior High Schools (SHSs) increasing from 12 per cent in past years to 15 per cent in 2023, and was expected to increase to 24 per cent in 2024.

Anniversary

The 85th anniversary of PRESEC was on the theme: Building upon a Legacy of Excellence  come and join us.

It was attended by many dignitaries, including a former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye; the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante; the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, and the Director General of the Ghana Education Service, Dr Eric Nkansah.

Tertiary level

Giving more details on some STEM policies introduced by the government, President Akufo-Addo noted that a STEM pipeline had been created to increase STEM enrolment at the tertiary education level through pre-engineering programmes.

The policy, he said, was meant to increase the number of engineering students from the current 6,500 to 30,000 by 2030.

The pre-engineering programme has been introduced to target Senior High School Graduates in General Arts, Visual Arts and Business.

The George Grant University of Mines and Technology, the Pentecost University and the Kumasi Technical University have admitted students into this flagship programme that allows students to study subjects such as Physics, Elective Mathematics, Engineering Practice, Chemistry, Technical Drawing, Applied Electricity and ICT, he noted.

SHS level

At the SHS level, President Akufo-Addo said four newly constructed STEM Model schools had been operationalised, and three existing schools converted into STEM Model Schools.

The schools, he said, were the Ghana STEM Academy Schools as Abomosu STEM Academy, Awaso STEM Academy, Kpasenkpe STEM Academy, Bosomtwi Girls STEM Academy, Bosomtwi STEM Academy, Accra High School STEM Centre, and Koase Secondary Technical School.

These schools have been equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms, dormitories, assembly halls, dining halls and conducive environments to foster teaching and learning.

There are some 2,400 students enrolled to study General Science and STEM in the seven schools, "coupled with the introduction of new STEM pathways, including engineering science and robotics, aviation and aerospace; computer science, biomedical science, agricultural science and manufacturing, the President added.

Commendation

Rev. Prof. Mante commended the Minister of Education for the numerous innovations he had introduced in the education sector, especially STEM education, which he said would spur the growth of the country.

The Moderator further appealed to all stakeholders in the education sector to continue to effectively play their roles in improving the sector for the countrys benefit.

For his part, the Headmaster of PRESEC, David Odidja, lauded the government for the various interventions in the educational sector which had benefited PRESEC.

He, however, appealed to the government to help provide the school with a new assembly hall and a minibus to enhance effective teaching and learning.
Save democracy in sub-region - President urges ECOWAS Parliament

Daily Graphic Oct - 02 - 2023 , 07:00

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that democracy in West Africa is in danger, and has therefore charged the ECOWAS Parliament to work harder to entrench the principles of democratic accountability in the citizens.

The President said democracy in the region had been seriously subverted by the attempted confiscation of democracy by elites, who engage, through legal antics, in the manipulation of constitutional rules and the subjugation of the institutions of the republic with the sole aim of remaining in power.

He, therefore, charged members of the Parliament of ECOWAS to find solutions to the emerging re-militarisation of governance, the attempted confiscation of democracy by elites, and the wanton desire to destroy democracy by terrorist groups and armed criminal gangs in the region.

ECOWAS Parliament

Speaking at the second ECOWAS Parliamentary Seminar in Winneba in the Central Region last Friday, President Akufo-Addo said another key threat was the emerging re-militarisation of governance with the intrusion, once again, of the military on the political scene, who have neither consulted nor received any mandate from the people on whose behalf they purport to act.

The seminar was on the theme: Challenges relating to unconstitutional changes of government and presidential term limits in West Africa  Role of the ECOWAS Parliament.

President Akufo-Addo said: The wanton desire to destroy democracy by terrorist groups and armed criminal gangs through the establishment of zones of lawlessness and the absence of freedom were deliberate threats to the democratic stability of the region.

Quoting the Great British wartime leader, Winston Spencer Churchill, who said democracy is the worst form of governance, except for all the others, the President said modern history has taught us that tyranny, oppression and totalitarian government do not last long.

Economic challenges

We cannot run away from the fact that our region is confronted with a difficult economic, political, social and security situation.

As all of us know, despite the considerable progress made by the community in the areas of democracy, good governance and the rule of law since the early 1990s, which meant that four years ago, 15 leaders of ECOWAS states were democratically elected, we are, at the moment, witnessing a decline in our democratic credentials, the President added.

He said the prevailing situation was bitter and implacable, pointing out that today, four ECOWAS member states are led by military governments as a result of coups d'etat.

He described that situation as a sad and unfortunate development which had created a state of palpable anxiety and tension in every corner of the region, thereby raising the spectre of regional instability, which we thought had been banished forever.

Equally abhorrent, President Akufo-Addo said, was the culture of violence and disputes that characterised the periods of electing some of the leaders on the continent.

Niger coup

He said the coup in Niger was particularly tragic for the consolidation of democracy in the region, insisting that the election of Mohammed Bazoum in Niger was a recognition of the common will of the people.

The only legitimacy for any leader is through a mandate that is given freely by the people in a fair, peaceful and transparent election.

This is the most tangible and objective way to know and recognise the common will, which is the will of the people, the President added.

He said any attempt at the manipulation of opinion and of the rules of the democratic game for partisan political ends always led to a loss of legitimacy, which was reflected in the social tensions it created.

The true purpose of democratic governance is to obtain the objective of free government, shared prosperity and progress, equitable and accessible justice and lasting peace for the well-being of the citizenry, President Akufo-Addo said.

He further urged ECOWAS legislators to ensure that one of the expected outcomes is to help us understand even better the root causes of democratic regression and political instability in the region in order to address them and speak against the extension of presidential term limits by some leaders to strengthen their grip on power.

He also stressed that these actions tend to result in discontent among the populace, which create fertile grounds on which military interventions disingenuously feed.
Theresa Kufuor: Ghana flags fly at half mast

Chris Nunoo Oct - 02 - 2023 , 19:09

All flags across Ghana and its diplomatic missions have started flying at half-mast from Monday in honour of the late former First Lady, Theresa Kufuor, who passed away last Sunday.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who gave the directive said the flags would fly at half-mast until Sunday, October 8, 2023.

Related: Former first Lady Theresa Kufuor passes on

A statement signed by the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said Mrs Kufuor, wife of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, lived a life of compassion, unwavering dedication, and selfless service to the people of Ghana.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to President J. A. Kufuor and the family as we collectively mourn the loss of a remarkable woman who touched the hearts of many, the statement said.

President pays tribute

In another statement, President Akufo-Addo and the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, have expressed condolences to former President Kufuor and his family on the passing of his wife, Mrs Kufuor, aged 87.

While expressing sadness at the news of her passing, the said Her passing reminds me keenly of human mortality, that is that almighty God will come for each and every one of us at the appropriate time.

Announcement

Mrs Kufuors death was announced in a statement issued by Dr Kwabena Osei-Adubofour, Senior Aide and Spokesman for former President Kufuor.

It is with deep sorrow that the Office of Former President John Agyekum Kufuor announces the passing away of the former First Lady, Mrs Theresa Kufuor, in the afternoon of Sunday, October 1, 2023.

We ask that you have the former First Family in your prayers in these difficult times, the statement said.

Devoted companion

President Akufo-Addo described Mrs Kufuor as a devoted companion of President Kufuor throughout their 61 years of marriage, and said she was an invaluable and constant source of advice, encouragement and prayers for him.

She was politically astute and was a major contributor to the political success of former President Kufuor, the statement said.

She was a composed and articulate First Lady, polyglot, fluent in several languages, including Ewe, and brought great dignity to the position.

I knew several members of her family, especially her celebrated brother, and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know her too, President Akufo-Addo added, and said her warmth, kindness and grace were exceptional.

It said Mrs Kufuor bore the vicissitudes of life with great stoicism and an unshakable belief in the sovereignty of almighty God, and wished her a peaceful place of abode in the bosom of the Almighty.

Mrs Kufuor was a member of a well-known family from Odumase in the Bono Region and a sister of the renowned statesman, the late J. H. Mensah.

She was an aunt of the secretary to former President Kufuor, D. K. Osei.

NPP statement

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) said: Mrs Kufuor was a beacon for female advancement, fostering initiatives to inspire and empower both young and adult females in various facets of life. The members of the ruling NPP, together with all Ghanaians whose lives were positively touched by her, extend our deepest condolences to former President John Agyekum Kufuor, their children and the entire family.

In a statement signed and issued yesterday by its General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party said :We stand united with you in this time of sorrow, praying that the Almighty God grants all of us the fortitude to bear this great loss.

The party consequently directed all party flags across the country to be flown at half-mast for seven days.

Theresa Kufuor

Born on October 25, 1935, as Theresa Mensah, Mrs Kufuor lived most of her working life in the United Kingdom after her studies at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, and Paddington General Hospital in London.

She qualified as a state certified midwife with a certificate in premature nursing.
Theresa Kufuor: NPP flags to fly at half mast for seven days

Getrude Ankah Nyavi Politics Oct - 02 - 2023 , 18:30

The flag of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is to fly at half-mast following the death of Mrs Theresa Kufuor, wife of former President J.A. Kufuor.

The former first lady died at her home in Peduase on the Aburi mountain on Sunday afternoon [October 1, 2023].

She was 87 years old.

Related: Former first Lady Theresa Kufuor passes on

The NPP in a statement signed and issued on Monday by its General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong stated Mrs Kufuor was a beacon for female advancement, fostering initiatives to inspire and empower both young and adult females in various facets of life. The members of the ruling NPP, together with all Ghanaians whose lives were positively touched by her, extend our deepest condolences to former President John Agyekum Kufuor, their children, and the entire family.

We stand united with you in this time of sorrow, praying that the Almighty God grants all of us the fortitude to bear this great loss. In tribute to the memory of the late Mrs Kufuor, the NPP directs that all Party flags across the country be flown at half-mast for the next seven days. May her gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace until we meet again on the resurrection morning. Damirifa Due!
Ken Agyapong organises Showdown Walk in Kumasi - Pledges to address youth unemployment

Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Politics Oct - 02 - 2023 , 05:30

A flag bearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ken Ohene Agyapong, has said he stands for the youth and will work to ensure that they are gainfully employed in all sectors of the economy when given the nod to lead the NPP and subsequently voted for as the president of the country in the 2024 general election.

"I stand for the youth of this party, and in extension, the youth of Ghana, and my humble request is that you vote for me on November 4 so that I can lead the NPP and win the 2024 elections to carry out the transformation of this country," he said.

Mr Agyapong stated this while addressing his teeming supporters in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, on Saturday, September 30, 2023, after his health walk dubbed the Showdown Walk to galvanise support for his bid to lead the NPP in the 2024 general election.

High turnout

The walk, which was well attended, started from the Suame Roundabout through the principal streets of Kumasi and ended up at the Jubilee Park at Asafo where he addressed the teeming supporters who thronged the venue to listen to him.

Addressing the teeming crowd, Mr Agyapong called on them to join hands with him to work together to win the November 4 presidential primary to lead the NPP to victory in December 2024.

He said his objective of remaining in the race for the flag bearer position was to work for the interest of the youth, particularly the unemployed.

The crowd after his Showdown Walk in Kumasi

"I have been prevailed upon to step down for the Vice-President, but I am contesting to win so that I can advance the cause and interests of the youth of the country," he said.

The NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central said his vision was to see the youth being gainfully employed in all sectors of the economy.

He said one of the major challenges facing the country at the moment was graduate unemployment and added that he empathised with the teeming unemployed youth in the country.

Potentials

Mr Agyapong said the country had good arable land and the needed environment, as well as the human resources, to carry out agro-processing, large-scale farming and the production and assemblage of vehicles.

"God has been kind to us for us to have good land, raw materials and the intellect to develop our own vehicles and so I am convinced that we shall do better than the Asian countries when I am given the opportunity to lead this party and country," he stated
Remove taxes on medical supplies for dialysis - Mahama

Gertrude Ankah Nyavi Politics Oct - 02 - 2023 , 12:41

Former President John Dramani Mahama has called for the immediate removal of taxes on medical supplies needed for dialysis treatment in Ghana.

His call follows last week's announcement of an increment in the cost of dialysis treatment at the Renal Dialysis Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and the subsequent reversal of the increment by the management the hospital.

The facility increased the cost of the treatment from GH380 to GH765.

U-turn: Korle-Bu agrees to review proposed new cost of dialysis downwards

But following public reaction and the revelation that Parliament has not approved the increment in line with all fees and charges that are supposed to be approved by Parliament, the management announced that the increment was a proposal.

Mr Mahama reacting to public discussion described as insensitive the decision by the government to burden patients with high costs of treatment in the wake of the recent economic crisis.

He made the call when he delivered an address at the first Ghana Aging conference and commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons in Accra on Sunday, October 1.

He said his next administration will establish a fund to cater for capital intensive diseases such as diabetes, kidney diseases among others.

"Given the opportunity, we shall bring relief to thousands of our citizens suffering from these ailments.

The explanation I have read from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital cites the increase in taxes and duties of materials for dialysis treatment as the main reason for their decision to hike the price by a hundred percent.

As an immediate measure, I call on the government to exempt medication and kits for dialysis treatment from taxes and duties to maintain this critical lifeline for patients whose survival depends on these treatments.

Related articles:

International Day of Older Persons: Pass Aged Persons Bill into law - John Mahama to Parliament

Cost of dialysis: Its now or never to scrap taxes on consumables
Samsung Device Solutions (DS), the division in charge of the lucrative chip production business, posted a loss in the first quarter of this year, its first quarter in the red since 2009. Unfortunately, the rest of this year isnt looking good either, so Samsung is slashing production targets.

The operating loss in Q1 was KRW 4.6 trillion, which was lowered to KRW 4.36 trillion in Q2. The loss for Q3 will be around KRW 4.0 trillion ($2.95 billion), predicts analyst Kim Dong-won from KB Securities.

Other analysts are forecasting smaller loses for Q3  KRW 3.7 trillion, according to Kim Kwang-jin from Hanwha Investment & Securities, and KRW 3.6 trillion, according to Greg Roh from Hyundai Motor Securities.

In the first half of the year Samsung reduced production of DRAM chips by 20% and of NAND flash chips by 30%. For the second half of the year the cuts will grow to 30% and 40%, respectively, says Kim Dong-won.

Samsung DS is setting up a new chip production line in Pyeongtaek

The issue is low demand for chips  Samsung rivals SK hynix and Micron Technology already reduced production last year. There is still an oversupply of chips and it will take a while for supply and demand to even out.

The memory business run by the DS division is described as Samsungs cash cow. In Q2 this year it brought in KRW 14.73 trillion of the total KRW 60.01 trillion in revenues. Looking back at last years Q2, the divison brought in KRW 28.5 trillion of the total KRW 77.2 trillion in revenue and posted an operating profit of KRW 9.98 trillion.

Samsung Device Solutions is currently working on getting a new production line at the Pyeongtaek Campus up and running, which is another reason for the current losses in addition to the demand slump.

Source | Via
Guam residents will receive emergency alert warnings via television and radio early Thursday morning, beginning at 4:20 a.m., as part of a nationwide emergency alert system test.

This is according to a Monday news release from the Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, is scheduled to conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and the Wireless Emergency Alert on Oct. 4, beginning at 2:20 p.m. (EDT).

On Guam, that converts to Thursday at 4:20 a.m. (ChST), the news release said.

The Emergency Alert System test, meanwhile, will commence at 4:20 a.m. (ChST) for the continental U.S., its territories, and CNMI.

The Emergency Alert System, or EAS, is used by alerting authorities to send warnings via broadcast, cable, satellite, and wireline communication pathways. Guam and the CNMI will receive the EAS message via television and radio, the news release said.

The EAS test described is not connected to an actual emergency. The All Hazards Alert Warning System, or AHAWS, local sirens will not be tested on Thursday  only the EAS.

The Wireless Emergency Alerts test will commence at 2:20 p.m. (EDT) for the continental U.S. only. These alerts are emergency messages sent by authorized government alerting authorities through mobile carrier. Guam and the CNMI do not have U.S.-based cellular carriers that participate in WEA and will not receive the WEA notification through mobile services.

For more information, contact GHS/OCD public information officer Jenna G. Blas at (671) 478-0208 or via email at jenna.g.blas@ghs.guam.gov.
The Guam Power Authority said it applied the final $100 energy credit on Sept. 30 under the Prugraman Ayuda Para I Taotao-ta Energy Credit program, which ended last month.

The processed payment for the September energy credit was $5.27 million from the Department of Administration, GPA said in a news release Monday.

Speaker Therese Terlaje introduced a bill seeking to extend the program by three months, but theres been no major action on the bill yet.

GPA said in an ongoing effort to help its customers save money on their bills while supporting energy conservation efforts, its reminding residents that they can continue to save after the energy credit program ends.

The fifth and final increment of the Prugraman Ayuda Para I Taotao-ta Energy Credit program was posted to all active customer accounts over the weekend, which means that customers will see the credit listed in their accounts immediately and on their next bill, GPA General Manager John. M. Benavente said in a statement.

The $500 Prugraman Ayuda Para I Taotao-ta Energy Credit program started in May 2023 and ends with the September billing. The second extension of the credit was made possible by Public Law 37-16, signed into law on May 22.

GPA reminds customers that they will no longer receive the monthly $100 credit on their power bills.

In previous months, our team has been reminding customers about the programs end so they can prepare. A few of our islands legislators have expressed interest in extending the program for another term, for which we applaud and are in full support. However, we also know that many customers need to continue to keep their costs down each month, Benavente said.

He said GPA also thanks its customers who have joined in the Beat the Peak campaign that encourages households and businesses to reduce their energy consumption between the high demand hours of 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. It helps customers to save and reduces the demand of the Island-Wide Power System.

If we all work together to reduce the demand on the IWPS, we can minimize the instances of load shedding, he said.

In recent months, GPA has worked to keep baseload units Cabras 1 and 2 stable and get the Yigo Combustion Turbine generator back online to support the islands needs until the new Ukudu Power Plant is commissioned in 2026.
Several students with disabilities or special needs received additional assistance with their educational journey after P.D. Hemlani Foundation on Monday donated 10 iPads to the Guam Department of Educations Division of Special Education.

Hemlani Foundation representatives personally handed the iPads to the students and their families on Monday afternoon at the GDOE central office gallery at Tiyan.

The students are able to take the iPads home with them and keep them forever, compared to GDOE-provided devices that must be returned at the end of each school year.

This is the 11th annual donation made by Hemlani Foundation, with 110 total electronic devices donated since 2012.

Minakshi Hemlani, legal counsel for Hemlani Foundation, noted that they have been donating electronic devices in honor of P.D. and Radhi Hemlanis granddaughter with special needs, Sherina Hemlani.

She was a student during the time where you really didnt have iPads and all kinds of information that can be helpful for students, said Hemlani. Its a personal thing for us to make sure that these children have the assistive technology.

Education Superintendent Erik Swanson expressed his gratitude for the foundation and their direct support.

Im just so grateful for the Hemlani Foundation. This is really great for these students and their families, Swanson said. I hope we can expand the process a little bit more in the future.

Thomas Babauta, assistant superintendent of GDOEs Division of Special Education, said the 10 students are selected out of 1,700 students identified as having special needs.

We look through and determine based on need or their individualized education programs. We have a metric of who would benefit the most, but we do include some of the requests from parents who state that they might need assistance at home, Babauta said. Hopefully, people can get excited from this and donate to the foundation or any other families who also have kids with special needs.




Haiti - Education : 11,085 students displaced by urban violence





The Ministry of National Education informs that the Commission it created to manage the implications of the cases of displaced children and teachers and of the schools which serve as temporary accommodation has completed the first phase of its census into their displacement.



According to information collected by the Ministry's Planning Directorate with the support of several young investigators, union representatives and UNICEF, there are 43 sites which bring together children, teachers and their families.



Among these sites located in the Communes of Port-au-Prince, Delmas and Tabarre, there are 19 public schools, 17 private schools and 7 other sites such as the Vincent Gymnase, Rex-Theatre and the Faculty of Human Sciences.



This census shows that there are 11,085 students who attended school from preschool to high school 4 (5,597 girls and 5,488 boys) 2,231 are children under 6 years old already enrolled in preschool.



This information is important for planning the actions that the MENFP will undertake with the government, and with the support of other partners, to allow children in the sites to resume their school activities. Numerous efforts are also being made to allow schools that welcome displaced people to resume their activities from now on.



In the coming days, the Ministry will announce all the measures taken as part of the execution of the action plan currently being developed to allow children to return to school.



The Ministry takes this opportunity to remind you that in the coming days it will launch the radio and television educational activities of the Lycee National (Lise 2.0) to facilitate compensatory learning courses throughout the country to help children and young people to continue to prepare for their future.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40576-haiti-education-minister-manigat-meets-with-more-than-a-hundred-school-directors.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-40529-icihaiti-education-first-results-and-measurements-of-the-survey-on-displaced-children-and-teachers.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40413-haiti-insecurity-24-schools-have-been-relocated-in-the-metropolitan-area.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40382-haiti-education-the-ministry-tackles-the-problem-of-displaced-students-and-teachers.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Diplomacy : In Egypt, the Dominican Republic and Kenya discuss Haiti





Andy Rodriguez Duran, charge d'affaires of the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Egypt, met with his Kenyan counterpart, Victoria Rotich, to discuss the Haitian issue in the presence of Kenyan officials, advisor Roy Dzila, in charge of consular affairs and of the diaspora and Colonel Fred Muchera, defense attache



Within the Kenyan delegation in Cairo, Rodriguez Duran spoke with Rotich on various topics of common interest and reiterated his recognition of the desire of the African Nation to lead a joint force to promote Peace in Haiti.



Rodriguez Duran recalled the bilateral meeting within the framework of the 78th sessions of the United Nations General Assembly between President Luis Abinader and the President of Kenya, William Ruto, during which the Dominican leader defined the African country as a new friend, describing this meeting as beneficial for all, in reference to plans for a multinational mission in Haiti to facilitate a solution to the security crisis.



Furthermore, he recalled that on September 21, during the high-level meeting convened by the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, of the ad hoc Group on Haiti of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Minister of Foreign Affairs Roberto Alvarez called on the UN Security Council to approve an urgent resolution with a broad mandate for the security force in Haiti.



For his part, President Ruto had urged the United Nations to urgently prepare an adequate framework to facilitate the deployment of the multinational security force that his country is committed to leading in Haiti.



SL/ HaitiLibe


















With worldwide hunger steadily on the rise, one flaw in the global food system is particularly hard to stomach: food loss and waste.

One-third of the food produced globally for human consumption is lost or wasted every year.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that 1.3 billion tons of edible food are lost or wasted every single year, totaling a third of all human food production and $940 billion in economic losses.

Facts About Food Waste and Loss

Food loss and food waste are global challenges with enormous environmental, economic and social consequences.

In an era when sustainability and responsible management of natural resources have gained increased prominence, reducing food waste has emerged as a critical concern. Read on to learn more about this issue and how Heifer International is working to overcome it.





Reducing food waste and loss is now more important than ever. Photo by Joseph Muhumuza/Heifer International.

What is the difference between food loss and food waste?

Food loss is the decrease in quantity of food that occurs along the food supply chain before it reaches the consumer. The causes of food loss include inefficiencies in production, post-harvest handling practices, transportation, storage, processing and packaging. A staggering 14% of food produced around the world is lost before it ever reaches retail stores.

Food waste occurs at both the retail and consumer levels when edible food is discarded or uneaten in households and industries like hotels, grocery stores, restaurants and catering. Worldwide, 17% of food is wasted this way. In the United States, food makes up nearly a quarter of all solid waste in landfills.

Wasted Food Has Environmental Repercussions

Food loss and waste can have profound effects on agricultural land, natural resources and the climate. Photo by Sylvain Cherkaoui/Heifer International.

Wasted food causes irreversible environmental damage: It wastes water and energy and produces greenhouse gases, including methane and carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate change.

Nearly 30% of the worlds agricultural land is used to produce food that is never eaten due to food loss and waste, along with enough water to fill Lake Geneva three times. Global food loss and waste ranks higher than any country in the world for consumption of precious surface and ground fresh water.

Food loss and waste are heavy burdens on the environment.

Greenhouse gases are emitted throughout a foods lifecycle  from production to disposal  and global food waste has a big carbon footprint. If food loss and waste were a country, its greenhouse gas emissions would rank third in the world.

The Economic Toll of Food Loss and Waste

Beyond the ethical and environmental concerns, the economic ramifications of wasted food are substantial, affecting every country.

When food is lost or wasted, the resources invested in its production, including water, land, energy and labor, also go to waste.

Food loss along the production and supply chains not only leads to lost income for farmers but also disrupts the delicate balance of global natural resources. Reduced agricultural productivity and inefficient use of natural resources can lead to higher production costs, decreased profitability and higher prices at the retail and consumer levels, which increases food insecurity globally.

Each year, the cost of food loss and waste to the global economy is approximately $2.6 trillion.

Global Food Waste Could Feed Every Starving Person

The world produces enough food to feed everyone, yet millions still lack the food they need. The number of people facing hunger has been increasing year over year since 2014, with people in low- and middle-income countries paying the highest price. It is estimated that over half of the people without adequate food live in Asia and more than one-third live in Africa.

Children enjoy a hearty meal at a community kitchen in Rwanda, supplied with milk and vegetables from the village's producers. Helping farmers build productive, sustainable local food systems is vital to reducing waste and addressing hunger. Photo by Jacques Nkinzingabo/Heifer International.

While over a billion tons of food go uneaten every year, as many as 828 million people go hungry.

Food waste contributes to global hunger. Currently, about one-third of all food produced is wasted. This translates to 1.3 billion tons of food that could have potentially nourished those in need. According to the United Nations, cutting food waste could provide enough food to feed all malnourished people globally.

The Global Impact of Food Loss and Food Waste

The consequences of lost and wasted food extend beyond the mere squandering of resources. They have far-reaching effects on the environment, economy and society as a whole. Understanding the scope of this issue and implementing effective strategies to prevent food waste are crucial.

Environmental Impact: The resources used to produce, process and distribute food, such as water, land, energy and labor, are essentially wasted when food is lost or wasted. Additionally, decomposing food in landfills generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

The resources used to produce, process and distribute food, such as water, land, energy and labor, are essentially wasted when food is lost or wasted. Additionally, decomposing food in landfills generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Economic Consequences: Food loss and waste amount to significant economic losses at every level of the supply chain. Farmers lose income, and businesses bear the brunt of wasted investments in production and distribution. Consumers also end up paying higher prices for food.

Food loss and waste amount to significant economic losses at every level of the supply chain. Farmers lose income, and businesses bear the brunt of wasted investments in production and distribution. Consumers also end up paying higher prices Social Ramifications: While millions of people suffer from hunger and malnutrition, it is unthinkable that so much food is lost or wasted. Efficiently managing food resources could alleviate hunger and improve food security, ensuring that food reaches those who need it most.

What is Heifer Doing to Reduce Food Waste?

With support from Heifer, a farmers' cooperative in Nepal purchased a truck to take their produce to market. Dependable, affordable transportation helps food reach customers before it spoils. Photo by Narendra Shrestha/Heifer International.



Heifer partners with smallholder farmers in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States to increase productivity, improve agricultural practices and build functional, efficient agribusinesses.

We also invest in infrastructure, connect farmers to markets, and develop value chains in rural communities, helping to establish food systems that provide food and income where they are needed most.

Food loss and waste happen in every region and at every stage of the food chain, from field to landfill.

All countries lose or waste roughly the same amount of food every year but for different reasons depending on context and commodity. Sustainable production and food management practices can ensure perfectly good food reaches the plates of those who need it most.

In Uganda and around the world, a lack of efficient equipment and other challenges at the farm level cause food loss even before it can be eaten or sold. Photo by Joseph Muhumuza/Heifer International.

For example, 35% of fruits and vegetables in sub-Saharan Africa are estimated to be lost during post-harvest, processing and distribution, compared to only 15% in Europe, where infrastructure is more advanced.

Research from one district in Uganda found that 4,300 tons of beans were lost each year at the farm level alone, representing a financial loss of $2.3 million at the time of the study.

Rwandan dairy farmers deliver fresh milk to a local milk collection point. Having access to a nearby market is important for rural farmers with no way to keep milk cool. Photo by Jacques Nkinzingabo/Heifer International.

Reliable infrastructure, like irrigation, roads, electricity and refrigeration, plays a critical role in determining a regions rate of food loss or waste.

Solving the issues with food insecurity has reached a boiling point, according to Adesuwa Ifedi, Heifer Internationals senior vice president of Africa programs. Africas food systems need bold, innovative and scalable interventions to address the root causes and ensure sustainable, systemic change.

Members of a milk collection center in Rwanda tend to refrigerated tanks. The group collects and sells raw milk as well as processed products like yogurt. Photo by Jacques Nkinzingabo/Heifer International.

The biggest challenge for existing food systems in Africa is lack of access to appropriate tech and infrastructure [for farmers and workers] who are required to take food from farm to market, Adesuwa said. Technology and mechanization remain key to improving productivity and supply."

It's [about] the ability to rise beyond the conventional way to solve problems, she added, creating new ways to solve those problems.

Collaborative Solutions for Sustainable Change

Empowering Farmers : Heifer International understands that sustainable food systems begin at the source. By providing farmers with knowledge and training, Heifer empowers smallholder farmers to adopt modern, efficient farming practices. This minimizes farm-level and post-harvest losses and ensures that crops reach their intended destination in optimal condition.

: Heifer International understands that begin at the source. By providing farmers with knowledge and training, Heifer empowers smallholder farmers to adopt modern, efficient farming practices. This minimizes farm-level and post-harvest losses and ensures that crops reach their intended destination in optimal condition. Promoting Innovation : Our annual agriculture competition in Africa, the AYuTe Africa Challenge, awards cash grants and mentorship to young entrepreneurs who have launched promising new tech solutions  such as solar-powered cold storage and tractor-sharing programs  to transform smallholder agriculture across the continent.

: Our annual agriculture competition in Africa, the awards cash grants and mentorship to young entrepreneurs who have launched promising new tech solutions  such as solar-powered cold storage and tractor-sharing programs  to transform smallholder agriculture across the continent. Investing in Opportunity: Heifer Impact Capital, Heifers private investment entity, invests in building strong, equitable local agricultural value chains to create more resilient families, economies and communities. Investing in infrastructure and equipment for collection, processing and transportation expands farmer participation in the value chains they supply and supports sustainable, inclusive food systems that increase incomes for farmers while delivering food to communities.

Incorporating practices that minimize loss at every level of the food supply chain helps to create a more robust and sustainable future for our planet and its inhabitants. By implementing these strategies, we can collectively address the issue of food waste and work toward an equitable food system in line with climate goals.

Heifer International envisions a world where communities are empowered to produce and distribute food to those in need. Guided by the belief that ending hunger and poverty is possible, Heifer has been working to create lasting solutions.
The report was about Faraidun Latif Sharif , an Iraqi man who has been convicted of commissioning the murder of his Norwegian wife in Kurdistan, Iraq, in 2004.

MINISTER of Justice Leena Meri (PS) states that the government will look into possible loopholes in the legislation on extraditions following an investigative report published on Saturday by Helsingin Sanomat .

Latif Sharif, the newspaper wrote, was sentenced to death by hanging along with the two men who carried out the murder  acquaintances of him, according to local police  albeit with assurances that he would not be executed on account of his Norwegian nationality. He was one of eleven prisoners who reportedly escaped from the Zirga prison in Duhok, a northern governorate in the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq, in January 2012.

He arrived in Finland in February 2014, filing an asylum claim under a different name in which he claimed he was a Syrian national fleeing conscription in civil war-torn Syria.

Even though Finnish authorities had reason to doubt the story due to his contradictory accounts, use of forged documents and damaged fingertips, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) granted him an asylum for four years in late 2015 after determining that he is likely from Syria.

Latif Sharif lived in Finland for two years before catching the attention of authorities. The Finnish Security Intelligence Service (Supo) warned Migri in 2017 that the man could pose a threat to national security.

Such statements can be issued only if the subject has ties to terrorism, illegal espionage or other activity with ramifications for national security.

The man is unlikely to be extradited, according to Helsingin Sanomat. International treaties forbid the extradition of people to countries where they are under threat of death penalty, torture or persecution. Extradition to Norway, meanwhile, is impossible due to language in the national legislation that has been identified as needing attention for years, state prosecutor Tuuli Eerolainen estimated to the daily newspaper on Sunday.

Ill contact the ministrys department of criminal policy and criminal law as soon as today and ask for an inquiry into whether theres loophole in the legislation and what could be done about it, she said.

Neither Iraq nor Norway has called for the extradition of Latif Sharif.

Minister Meri stated to Helsingin Sanomat that she cannot comment on any individual cases.

On a general level you can say that if someone has been convicted of murder, they should have to serve their punishment in some country. You shouldnt be able to get away with murder, she underscored.

Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen (PS) said to Helsingin Sanomat that her ministry is already drafting revisions to a provision in the aliens act that pertains to the verification of identity in order to strengthen the verification duty of authorities.

[The provision] is written somewhat unclearly, and the intention is to re-write it, she told. The Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Justice must both look into what we can do to plug loopholes in legislation. If there are any loopholes, theyll be plugged.

I wont comment on an individual case, but Ill say on a general level that its absolutely clear that this kind of thing surely doesnt align with anyones sense of justice. Its good that these kind of things are brought up, she added.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
If we fix these things, we can create the necessary cost savings. Thats what the whole social and health care reform was about, but it was abandoned halfway [through the process], he stated during his regular interview on YLE Radio Suomi .

PRIME MINISTER Petteri Orpo (NCP) has urged well-being services counties to reform and improve social and health care services in Finland.

Elderly care services, for example, are almost in a crisis.

Especially home support services have elderly people who are in a worse position than before. I can assure you that well do everything in our power to make sure the elderly get all the care they need.

The interview also veered into the issue of medical doctors working for employment agencies. YLE, for example, has reported that physicians at health care centres can double their pay by moving to the payroll of an employment agency to perform the same job.

If the service structures of well-being services counties are a success, the outcome will be that we have better health care centres. I believe that stronger and better well-being areas will motivate people to find employment also in areas that have struggled to find physicians, the premier analysed.

He also reiterated that the government has no intention to call off the labour market reforms outlined in the government programme despite the criticism and opposition they have drawn from trade unions. The Industrial Union and Trade Union Pro on Sunday announced protests and walk-outs at a few dozen workplaces in central and western Finland, according to STT.

We wont compromise on this goal, but we want to move forward through discussion, Orpo said on Sunday. We have to hold on to the economic impact. We need these reforms because we want to maintain a Nordic welfare state.

Orpo was also asked about the growing fatigue toward supporting Ukraine in Europe.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in September said Poland, long one of the staunchest allies of Ukraine, will stop the provision of military aid over a widening grain-related rift between it and Ukraine. Polish President Andrzej Duda later walked back the prime ministers comments, saying they were interpreted in the worst possible way.

Elections held in Slovakia on Sunday, meanwhile, appear to have ended in the triumph of a populist party led by Robert Fico, who has pledged to put a stop to military support to Ukraine.

Orpo on Sunday said Europe and the West must remain focused on helping Ukraine to win the war instigated Russia.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
N.C. budget appropriates $12M for Saluda Grade Trail

A new rail trail along the historic Saluda Grade railroad corridor received significant funding in the newly adopted N.C. state budget.

The budget appropriates $12 million over two years to purchase the portion of the rail corridor in North Carolina. This is in addition to the $15 million appropriated in South Carolina to purchase the rail corridor in that state.

The budget states that the purpose of the funding is to take advantage of an unprecedented opportunity for the citizens of North Carolina to celebrate 2023 as the Year of the Trail and enhance the reputation of North Carolina as the Great Trails State by acquiring the Saluda Grade rail corridor for conversion into the Saluda Grade Trail.

We are grateful for this major investment in the Saluda Grade Trail, so this unused rail line can once again serve as a vital asset for our communities," Kieran Roe, executive director of Conserving Carolina, said in a news release. "Norfolk Southern is ready to sell the railroad corridor and this proposed funding would allow us to seize this opportunity for our communities and our state. The Saluda Grade Trail has extraordinary potential to benefit our local economies, outdoor recreation and health.

The funding goes toward the purchase of the rail corridor, although additional funding will be needed to complete the purchase and build the trail. Donations to the Saluda Grade Trail may be made through saludagradetrail.org.

The Saluda Grade Trail is a proposed 31.5-mile rail trail that would pass through scenic countryside and vibrant downtowns. It would extend from Inman, S.,C. and pass through Campobello, Landrum, Tryon and Saluda, before reaching Zirconia. The trail would be a destination rail trail, similar to the Swamp Rabbit Trail or Virginia Creeper Trail, as well as a treasured asset for local communities. The trail would be a linear park, accessible to people of all abilities and open for walking, running, biking and other forms of outdoor recreation.

The trail includes approximately 16 miles in North Carolina and 15.5 miles in South Carolina. The trail is spearheaded by the Saluda Grade Trail Conservancy, a coalition of Conserving Carolina in North Carolina and PAL: Play, Advocate, Live Well and Upstate Forever in South Carolina.

The Saluda Grade Trail Conservancy has begun an in-depth study of the trails economic impact and is seeking public input on the vision for the trail. The community is invited to participate in public input sessions from 5:30-7:30 on Oct. 17 at the Inman Public Library and Oct. 19 at Polk County High School. More information about the sessions and other ways to provide input can be found at saludagradetrail.org.
A COUPLE are encouraging children to take an interest in the countryside.

Clive and Veronica Leeke have rented a 34-acre field in Gallowstree Common where they host visits by school pupils who learn about

agriculture.

The trips are free to schools as part of the government-funded Countryside Stewardship Scheme to teach children about the connection between farming, the environment and food production.

The Leekes, who live in Marchwood Avenue, Emmer Green, have already hosted children from Goring Primary School, Langtree School in Woodcote and Gillotts School in Henley.

Mr Leeke has 25 years experience in rural crafts. He runs Hedgecraft, a hedge-laying service based in Kidmore End, and offers courses in countryside skills, such as Austrian scything, hedge-laying and making hurdles and puddle clay ponds in the traditional way.

Mrs Leeke used to be an industrial chemist but has always loved the outdoors.

Three years ago, the couple began to rent the field off Horsepond Road from the Eye & Dunsden Poors Land Charity, which also owns the adjoining paddock and Sonning Common Parish Council allotments.

Mr Leeke said: It had been intensely farmed for about 40 years. The soil was depleted, there was no wildlife and the hedges were non-existent.

He has worked hard to restore the land so that it is now home to a wide variety of wildlife. He grazed sheep there and last year planted 65 types of wildflower along the footpath through one end of the field thanks to funding from the Trust for Oxfordshires Environment.

Mr Leeke said: I have always worked on other peoples farms so its nice to do something under my own steam.

He teaches visiting children the basic principles of regenerative farming by comparing his land full of plant and insect life with the surrounding fields which are still used as working farmland and are monoculture.

We have been making wildflower seed bombs, he said. The children can take them home or back to school and throw them on the ground where they explode.

The pupils showed a lot of interest in the compost toilet on the site. They are very intrigued by it and all want to use it, said Mr Leeke. Last time the whole lot of them queued up.

He said the sessions had also gone down well with the schools.

A couple of them sent letters telling us how they enjoyed it, said Mr Leeke.

Langtree replied almost immediately. They had previously been going to a place run by the Earth Trust but it was very expensive.

I enjoy it a lot  you really get a buzz out of it. I get nervous before the children arrive but it has been very rewarding.

The couple would like more schools to take advantage of the scheme.

There are plenty more free visits available over the next three years until our funding runs out, said Mr Leeke.

For more information, visit www.theoldfarmyard.co.uk
A GREEN councillor has criticised Rishi Sunaks

U-turn on policies aimed to help the UK meet its target of cutting carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.

Jo Robb, who represents Woodcote and Rotherfield on South Oxfordshire District Council, described the Prime Ministers decision to row back on climate pledges as dishonest and desperate.

Last week, Mr Sunak announced he was delaying the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035 and said there would be no new energy efficiency targets on homes.

He said he remained committed to the legally binding target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

Ms Robb, who is the Green Partys prospective parliamentary candidate for Henley, said: This is a desperate and dangerous

U-turn by the Prime Minister, throwing the UK economy, the wellbeing of its citizens and the future liveability of our planet out the window to appease the Tory right, a few climate deniers and the partys donors in the fossil fuel industry.

Mr Sunak doesnt care about the consequences for ordinary people  higher energy bills, cold draughty homes, fewer jobs, dirtier air and climate chaos.

The fact these announcements came not in Parliament under the gaze of scrutiny but to the press is a disgraceful sidelining of our democratic institutions.

When government should be showing courage and leadership on climate and providing economic certainty around the transition to a low carbon economy, Mr Sunak has

U-turned and thrown industries into uncertainty.

People and industry are crying out for certainty and leadership from government. Instead we have a government stoking fear of change and undermining the good work that has already been done.

Consumers and business need a clear, consistent message from government that gives confidence rather than confusion and uncertainty.

This only serves to highlight that we need more Green MPs to stop the retreat from climate action.

John Howell, Conservative MP for Henley, said: I think shes talking out of her hat. She has no idea what shes talking about and its a great shame she is standing again at the general election.

 What do you think? Write to: Letters, Henley Standard, Caxton House, 1 Station Road, Henley or email letters

@henleystandard.co.uk
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Egypt: A huge fire erupted at a police facility in the Suez Canal city of Ismailia early on Monday, injuring at least 25 people before firefighters contained the blaze after several hours, emergency services and media reported.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Genocide Watch has published an article about the mass exodus of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh titled Genocide and Forced Deportation: Nagorno-Karabakh.

This is not the first time that the U.S. and Europe failed to act to stop an Armenian genocide, as they did during the Armenian Genocide of 1915. The U.S. and E.U. were also bystanders in 1994 during the Rwandan Genocide, the authors of the article wrote, adding that Azerbaijan is erasing Armenia's ancient history.

Below is the full article:

Two years after President Biden formally recognized the 1915 Armenian Genocide, the world is standing by as another Armenian genocide and forced deportation unfolds. Genocide Watch , The Lemkin Institute, The Save Karabakh Coalition, former ICC Prosecutor Ocampo, and Armenian organizations warned that genocide has been underway in Nagorno-Karabakh since 2022. By January 1, 2024 the independent Armenian Republic of Artsakh will cease to exist.

The forced deportation and genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh, known to Armenians as Artsakh, is the culmination of a decades-long conflict. Artsakh is the homeland of 120,000 Armenians, who have lived there since the Fifth Century.

On September 19, Azerbaijan began bombardment of Nagorno-Karabakh. In Vanq the shelling killed 16-year-old Sergey Hovoyan. His critically injured 13-year-old brother, Mkrtich, recounts that as he and his mother begin packing their bags to leave, Azerbaijani forces shelled their house and backyard, killing Sergey and 67-year-old neighbor Melsik.

Azerbaijan intentionally shells civilian towns. This is a war crime (ICC Statute (Art.8 (2b(i). When the shelling began, a group of women and children were housed in Sarnaghbyur. Their house was bombed, killing five civilians including three children. Two children are missing, and their parents cannot find their bodies. Seven-year-old Ruzan Hayrapetyan and her brother and sister were wounded. Sarnaghbyur is a village surrounded by forest and is far from any military targets.

The EUs policy chief Josep Borrell said, This military escalation should not be used as a pretext to force the exodus of the local population. But forced deportation is exactly what is happening. Forced deportation is a crime against humanity (ICC Statute (Art.7 (1d). Over 100,000 people have already fled from Nagorno-Karabakh and the entire remaining Armenian population is trying to leave.

Azerbaijani propaganda dehumanizes Armenians. Azerbaijan schoolchildrens' textbooks portray Armenians as evil, aggressive enemies. Tofig Veliyev, head of the department of History of Slavic Countries at Baku State University, claims that negative expressions are required to portray Armenians "accurately."

Azerbaijan is erasing Armenia's ancient history. Azerbaijani historians and state-run media falsely claim that Armenia and Artsakh are historically Turkic lands. Azerbaijan systematically destroys Armenian Christian churches and holy sites.

In a victory speech, Azerbaijani President Aliyev claimed that Armenians would be guaranteed rights in Azerbaijan. In reality, Azerbaijani military have already begun sharing videos of themselves shooting and killing Armenians.

Hundreds of documented Azerbaijani war crimes prove that Armenians will not be safe under an Azerbaijani government. Azerbaijani forces are detaining evacuees and have already arrested former Artsakh leader Ruben Vardanyan.

The U.S. and European Union cannot feign ignorance about Azerbaijan's forced deportation and genocide in Artsakh.

This is not the first time that the U.S. and Europe failed to act to stop an Armenian genocide, as they did during the Armenian Genocide of 1915. The U.S. and E.U. were also bystanders in 1994 during the Rwandan Genocide.

Unfortunately, Sergey is not the only child who died from the attacks this week. A fuel depot exploded and killed 68 people as they lined up to refuel their cars so they could flee from Artsakh.

The Armenians of Artsakh have endured ten months of blockade and starvation. USAID Administrator Samantha Power traveled to Armenia this week to show support for Armenias sovereignty. But she arrived too late to begin the airlift of supplies into Artsakh that Genocide Watch and The Save Karabakh Coalition have demanded since 2022.

The people of Artsakh now need emergency airlifts to transport Armenian refugees out of Artsakh. Armenia needs massive aid to cope with over 100,000 Artsakh refugees. Armenia needs a U.S., E.U., and Russian guarantee that they will be safe from more Azerbaijani aggression.
(JNS)  A 1953 coup put an end to the best hope for democratic secular politics in Iran during the 20th century, stated Nader Hashemi during a recent Alternative Radio podcast titled Iran: The Struggle for Democracy.

Hashemi, an American of Iranian ancestry, is the newly-installed director of Georgetown Universitys Saudi-established Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. Hashemi was appointed to this position after his anti-Israel conspiracy mongering made his presence on the faculty of the University of Denver untenable. His remarks refle...
(J. Jewish News of Northern California via JTA)  Two months after proclaiming that July would henceforth be known locally as American Christian Heritage Month, the board of supervisors in El Dorado County, California has reversed course.

The countys elected governing body unanimously rescinded the proclamation Tuesday following backlash from local Jews, the American Civil Liberties Union and others who said it inappropriately advanced the idea that the United States is a Christian nation.

I commend the board for reflecting on and revisiting the proclamation, and I applaud the...
Claudia Sheinbaum speaks after being named presidential candidate of the ruling Morena party for next year's presidential election in Mexico City, Sept. 6, 2023.

(JTA) - The way things stand now, Mexico is headed to elect its first woman president next year. The two leading candidates in the polls for the 2024 election are Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico City's former mayor, and Xochitl Galvez, a senator representing the center-right opposition bloc.

The polls point to another first: Sheinbaum, currently the frontrunner, could become the country's first Jewish president, too.

Earlier this month, Sheinbaum, 61, was announced as the candidate for the left-wing Morena party, which has been led by the country's outgoing president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obra...
(JNS)  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed Saudi-Israeli relations with George Stephanopoulos in New York on Wednesday on ABCs Good Morning America.

When it comes to possible normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel, this would be a transformative event, Blinken said. Weve had decades of turmoil, decades of conflict in the Middle East. To bring these two countries together in particular would have a powerful effect in stabilizing the region, in integrating the region, in bringing people together, not having them at each others throats.

That...
(JTA)  Days after a synagogue in St. Petersburg, Florida, was forced to evacuate services following a bomb threat, the local city council met to discuss a resolution about antisemitism.

The resolution was about whether to endorse a definition of antisemitism that its authors and local advocates both say can be a useful first step in fighting hatred of Jews.

Notably refusing to cast a vote: A controversial council member and member of the Nation of Islam who voiced multiple objections to the definition, questioned Jewish community leaders about who constitutes a Jew and left the chamber...
(JNS)  Nearly every notable U.S. State Department official is on pilgrimage to New York this week for the United Nations General Assemblys annual general debate.

Barbara Leaf, the Biden administrations top diplomat for the Middle East, and Dan Shapiro, senior adviser for regional integration and former U.S. ambassador to Israel, have been spotted in the Big Apple, as has Amos Hochstein, the Israeli-American U.S. energy envoy, who brokered an Israeli-Lebanese maritime border agreement.

Deborah Lipstadt, U.S. special envoy for monitoring and combating antisemitism, was also in town,...
Gemini  (21st May to 20th June) Daily Horoscope Prediction says, Let Your Dual Nature Shine! Gemini Daily Horoscope Today, October 03, 2023. Trust your instincts today and take risks in areas of life that you have been hesitant to explore.

Your natural curiosity is the fuel to your success. Trust your instincts today and take risks in areas of life that you have been hesitant to explore. Stay positive and open-minded as your duality will keep you ahead of the curve.

Gemini, your love for life and constant energy can help you overcome obstacles and succeed in whatever you choose to do. With a touch of flexibility and an open heart, you will experience the joy and fulfilment of life to the fullest. Don't be afraid to follow your passions, and know that with patience and dedication, everything will come to you naturally.

Gemini Love Horoscope Today:

Your magnetic personality will be at its peak today. Your charm and intelligence will leave an impression on someone you meet, so don't shy away from new encounters. Couples will find peace in each other's company and cherish every moment of love.

Gemini Career Horoscope Today:

A stroke of genius in the workplace will leave everyone in awe of your capabilities. Be confident and put forth your best ideas, even if they seem unconventional. Your creative approach will make you stand out in the crowd.

Gemini Money Horoscope Today:

Your finances are stable today. Use this opportunity to make some investments that align with your long-term goals. However, be mindful of extravagant spending, and stick to a budget.

Gemini Health Horoscope Today:

Your physical and emotional well-being is closely tied. Listen to your body's needs and don't ignore any signs of discomfort. It's important to take breaks from work and allow yourself time for self-care and rejuvenation. Remember, a balanced lifestyle is the key to good health.

Gemini Sign Attributes

Strength: Insightful, Wise, Smart, Pleasant, Quick-witted, Charming

Weakness: Inconsistent, Gossipy, Lazy

Symbol: Twins

Element: Air

Body Part: Arms & Lungs

Sign Ruler: Mercury

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Lucky Color: Silver

Lucky Number: 7

Lucky Stone: Emerald

Gemini Sign Compatibility Chart

Natural affinity: Aries, Leo, Libra, Aquarius

Good compatibility: Gemini, Sagittarius

Fair compatibility: Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, Capricorn

Less compatibility: Virgo, Pisces

By: Dr. J. N. Pandey

Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert

Website: https://www.cyberastro.com

E-mail: caresponse@cyberastro.com

Phone: 9717199568, 9958780857

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Indian on-demand delivery platform Dunzo said on Monday that one of its four co-founders, Dalvir Suri, would leave and the cash-strapped, Reliance Industries-backed startup also announced an organisation-wide restructuring from this quarter. Dunzo(MINT_PRINT)

Dunzo has been struggling to strike a funding deal in the past few months and has announced at least three rounds of layoffs, deferred or reduced salaries for some employees as well as reduced 50% of its dark stores.

The company's statement did not give further details on the restructuring. Dunzo will give employees details later this week, financial news website Moneycontrol reported. Dunzo did not immediately respond to a Reuters email seeking comment.

Suri joined the Bengaluru-based company in May 2015, about a year after it was founded and went on to lead its business-to-business unit, Dunzo Merchant Services (DMS).

"Dalvir has been instrumental in building out every new line of business at Dunzo ... and the DMS business has very capable leadership that's picking up directly after him," CEO and co-founder Kabeer Biswas said in a statement.

Dunzo did not say when Suri would leave nor did it name his replacement. Ankur Agarwal and Mukund Jha are the company's other co-founders.

Dunzo is in advanced talks to close a $25 million to $30 million funding round that will raise Reliance Retail's 25.8% stake in the firm, Moneycontrol reported last week.

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Indian billionaire Harpal Randhawa and his son were among six people who lost their lives after a private plane they were flying in crashed in southwestern Zimbabwe. While the police are yet to disclose the identities of the deceased, noted Zimbabwean journalist-filmmaker Hopewell Chin'ono revealed Harpal and Amer Randhawa as two of the victims. Harpal Randhawa (Twitter/Hopewell Chin'ono)

Their memorial service will take place on Wednesday, Chin'ono added, citing an invitation from the Randhawa family.

Who was Harpal Randhawa?

(1.) He was the owner of RioZim, a wholly-owned Zimbabwean company that produces gold, coal, toll refines nickel and copper. The ill-fated aircraft, that crashed on September 29, belonged to RioZim.

(2.) The Cessna that took off from Harare, the capital and largest city, was on its way to the Murowa diamond mine, also partly owned by the company. The crash took place when the aircraft was nearing its destination, and all six people on board were killed.

(3.) According to Randhawa's LinkedIn profile, he was also serving as the Chairman of GEM Holdings, founded by him in July 1993. GEM Holdings, a private equity firm, is now worth $4 billion.

(4.) As per Ajay Bagga, Chairman, Elyments Platforms Private Limited, Harpal was planning another venture in India.

(5.) Amer Randhawa, meanwhile, was a trained pilot and was travelling as a passenger on the flight.

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The much awaited two stretches on Bengaluru metros purple line, Krishnarajapuram  Baiyappanahalli and Kengeri  Challaghatta lines are likely to be operated from today, according to a Moneycontrol report. With the inauguration of these two crucial metro lines, the entire purple line will be fully operational, expected to decongest the infamous East Bengaluru traffic. Bengaluru metro's purple line likely to be fully operational from October 6

Also Read - Tejasvi Surya asks Karnataka government to reconsider carpooling ban in Bengaluru

The Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) had already inspected both the lines and KR Puram  Baiyappanahalli already received the safety nod. The Kengeri  Challaghatta line has also received CMRS approval, and the BMRCL is reportedly planning to hold the inauguration soon.

Speaking to the publication, a senior official said, If everything goes as per plan, the purple line will be fully operational starting from October 6.

Bengaluru south MP Tejasvi Surya recently slammed the Congress led state government for continuous delays in launching the KR Puram-Baiyappanahalli metro line. "About 5 to 6 lakh people use the Bengaluru metro every day. Around 50-60 per cent of this number is set to get benefits if the Baiyappanahalli-KR Puram metro section opens. The state government despite receiving all approvals and green signalling from the CMRS after its inspection, is still delaying the opening of this line, said Surya.

He further said, However, the state government is not opening the operations to the public only because it is waiting for either Rahul Gandhi or some other leader of the Congress to come and inaugurate this project.

The BMRCL earlier announced that the aim is to inaugurate the KR Puram  Baiyappanahalli line by mid-July. Once inaugurated, the purple line is expected to enhance the public transport in Bengaluru, as Whitefield has numerous tech parks and employees from various parts of the city work there. This 2 km stretch on the purple line will connect east Bengaluru to many areas in south and central Bengaluru. The traffic snarls are also likely to decrease in the Whitefield area, if people prefer the metro as a commute option to their workplaces.

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YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. At the request of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health of the State of Israel has sent two doctors to Yerevan, Armenia, to provide emergency medical assistance to the victims of the September 25 fuel depot explosion in Stepanakert, Israels Ambassador to Armenia Joel Lion said on X.

Just had a talk with our 2 #Israeli Doctors, Dr. Yaron Shoham and Dr. Adi Maisel Lotan, who upon the request of @WHO, @IsraelMOH, dispatched to #Yerevan in order to provide emergency medical assistance to the victims of the horrific fuel depot explosion (26.9.23). @MFAofArmenia pic.twitter.com/XK2OO7BrQl  Joel Lion (@ambassadorlion) October 1, 2023

The two doctors are Dr. Yaron Shoham, Director of the Burn Unit at Soroka Medical Center in Israel, and Dr. Adi Maisel Lotan, a plastic and reconstructive surgery expert at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Israel. They will be joining a team of international experts who are providing medical assistance to the victims of the explosion, the Israeli consulate in Yerevan said in a press release.

The explosion at the fuel depot caused widespread damage and resulted in numerous casualties. Many of the wounded were transported to Yerevan for treatment, and the Israeli doctors will be providing their expertise to help the local medical teams care for these patients.

The Israeli government has expressed its deep solidarity with the people of Armenia and its commitment to providing assistance in the wake of this tragedy. The dispatch of these two doctors is a testament to Israel's commitment to humanitarian aid and its support for the Armenian people, the Israeli consulate said.






Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said more than 40 miscreants have been arrested in connection with the stone-pelting incident in Shivamogga and cases booked against them. CM Siddaramaiah

Also Read - Section 144 imposed in Karnataka's Shivamogga after stone pelting incident

Creating disturbance and indulging in stone pelting during religious events of a community is against law, and his government won't tolerate such incidents and will suppress them, he said. "The situation in Shivamogga is now peaceful and under control and the police there are taking all the necessary measures to maintain peace", he told reporters here. Shivamogga BJP MLA S N Channabasappa, who visited the houses in Ragi Gudda area which were damaged due to the stone pelting last evening, alleged that some outsiders, with the support of some insiders, were behind the incident.

"Shivamogga has become a haven for those who want to spread terror," Channabasappa told reporters in Shivamogga on Monday.

In Bengaluru, Home Minister G Parameshwara termed it a minor stone pelting incident and said the police have controlled it, and suspects have been taken into custody.

Noting that the administration will not let any untoward incidents happen, he said the police have warned and dispersed the mob and the situation is peaceful now. To a question on reports that some miscreants wearing masks had indulged in stone pelting, the Home Minister said they have been arrested now and legal action will be taken against them after inquiry. Asked about stones being pelted on the police, he said, "Yes, are they happening now? Such things have happened, police are capable of controlling it and will do it. Aware that anything may happen during the procession as it is a tense area, forces including RAF were deployed in advance, so we could control it from spiraling into a big incident." The situation in Ragi Gudda area in Shivamogga, where prohibitory orders have been clamped, after tension during the Eid Milad procession and alleged incidents of stone pelting, is now peaceful and under control, police said.

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The district administration of Karnatakas Shivamogga imposed section 144 in Ragi Gudda area of the town on Monday after clashes took place between two communities on Sunday evening. A total of five people were reportedly injured in a stone-pelting incident at Ragi Gudda. Section 144 imposed in Karnataka's Shivamogga. (PTI File Photo)

Also Read - Tejasvi Surya asks Karnataka government to reconsider carpooling ban in Bengaluru

According to a media report, a group of miscreants pelted stones at a few houses and vehicles after rumours about the stone-pelting incident during Eid Milad procession. The Shivamogga Police resorted to a lathi charge and dispersed the crowd on Sunday evening. The Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed as a precautionary measure to avoid any further clashes in the town.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Shivamogga SP Mithun Kumar said, "There was a stone pelting incident in Ragigudda last evening. However, we managed to disperse the crowd and the situation is under control now. Around four to five people sustained minor injuries. Section 144 is in force in Ragi Gudda to prevent any untoward incident."

The police urged locals to refrain from spreading rumours on social media platforms and said that stern action would be taken if anyone is found circulating unverified information on any messaging platform.

The report also said as stones were pelted on the procession, the devotees reportedly ran in different directions which led to minor injuries.

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As many as 20 heritage furniture items from Chandigarh are set to be auctioned by auction house Piasa in France on October 4. The artefacts, designed by architect Pierre Jeanneret, include a desk, a sofa, lounge chairs, a set of 10 box chairs, a table, a storage cabinet, a pair of committee chairs, library chairs, a bench, a pair of easy chairs, a screen, a set of three stools, a set of three high stools, a coffee table and committee armchairs. (HT)

The artefacts, designed by architect Pierre Jeanneret, include a desk, a sofa, lounge chairs, a set of 10 box chairs, a table, a storage cabinet, a pair of committee chairs, library chairs, a bench, a pair of easy chairs, a screen, a set of three stools, a set of three high stools, a coffee table and committee armchairs.

On September 7, an easy chair, also designed by Jeanneret in 1959 for Punjab Engineering College (PEC), was auctioned in Barcelona, Spain.

Earlier, in last week of July, a pair of Kangaroo Chairs were sold by Bartons auction house in Pennsylvania, US.

In a similar auction held in April, a total of nine heritage furniture items from Chandigarh were sold off in Chicago, US, for 1.64 crore, with the most expensive item selling for 18.8 lakh.

On January 27, a French auction house had put up for sale 40 heritage items from Chandigarh, but called off the bidding process hours before the auction.

According to sources, the French Police had taken note of the auction, the biggest so far, and initiated an investigation. Thereafter, the website of the auction house was also not accessible.

Earlier on January 20, 10 heritage items from Chandigarh also went under the hammer in New Jersey, US.

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A major fire broke out at a furniture factory in Industrial Area, Phase-2, Chandigarh, on Monday. There was no casualty as the fire broke out before the factory opened in the morning, but all furniture stored there was gutted. Smoke billowing from the furniture factory in Industrial Area-Phase 2, Chandigarh, after a fire broke out on Monday morning. (HT Photo)

The cause behind the fire, which was reported at 8.30am, is yet to be ascertained. Officials said 15 fire tenders were at the site to control the blaze at Shyam Ji Trading Company, which was engulfed in thick smoke.

Also read: 20 heritage items from Chandigarh to go under the hammer in France on Oct 4

There are two chemical factories near the furniture unit. Members of the Chandigarh Industrial Association are taking precautionary measures so that there is no damage to adjoining units, said MPS Chawla, the association president. Employees of nearby factories were seen clearing the passage and removing inflammable material.

Chandigarh mayor Anup Gupta and superintendent of police (SP), City, Mridul, and station house officer of Sector 31, Ram Rattan, were at the spot.

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The bullet-ridden body of notorious gangster from Punjab Deepak Maan, who had links with the Bambiha gang, was found near fields in Harsana Kalan village in Sonipat on Sunday, police said. Wanted Punjab gangster shot dead by rivals in Haryana village

Deepak alias Maan Jaton, who was from Faridkot district in Punjab, was a close aide of Bambiha gang member Lucky Patial, who is operating the gang from Armenia.

Several cases of murder, attempt to murder, dacoity and other offences were registered against him in Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and Chandigarh.

A senior police official from Sonepat said that Maan had challenged rival gang member Goldy Brar that he along with his aides had killed his cousin Gurlej Brar in Chandigarh a few years ago. Maan was wanted in this case.

Inspector Karmjeet Singh, SHO of Sonepat Sadar police station, said that they have received information from locals that a body was lying in the fields.

The gangsters body was lying on a path near fields at Harsana Kalan village. He received several bullet injuries on head and stomach. We have taken the body into our custody and sent it to the civil hospital for post-mortem. Later, his identification was ascertained with the help of Punjab police. Gangster Goldy Brar has taken responsibility for the crime and we are ascertaining the facts. An investigation is underway, he added.

He further said that the forensic teams have collected evidence, which will be sent to the forensic science laboratory at Madhuban in Karnal.

In a Facebook post, Goldy Brar said, Maan Jaton, who was one of the shooters in killing our brother Gurlej Brar, was killed. We have given him his punishment. He had killed our brother when he was asleep, but we have killed him like a dog. He used to challenge us on Facebook and he was hit with bullets. Those who belong to his gang shall remain ready to face the similar consequences.

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The special cell of Delhi Police has arrested one of National Investigation Agencys (NIA) most wanted terrorists, Shahnawaz, carrying a reward of 3 lakh and having alleged links with an ISIS module, officials said. Uzzamas arrest is the part of the NIAs ongoing efforts to apprehend individuals linked to the Pune ISIS module case. (Representative file image)

32-year-old Shahnawaz alias Shafi Uzzama was arrested for his alleged involvement in Pune ISIS module from a place in Delhi.

Police said that the accused, a mining engineer by profession, who managed to escape from the custody of Pune police, has been arrested with three of his associates, when they were planning to carry out terror incidents in north India on the instructions from foreign based ISIS handlers.

A senior Delhi Police officer said that an alumnus of Vishwakarma Institute of Technology (VIT) Pune, Uzzamas arrest is the part of the NIAs ongoing efforts to apprehend individuals linked to the Pune ISIS module case.

Also Read: 2 years after UP cop went missing, Delhi constable held for killing her

Uzzama, along with Talha Liyakat Khan, Rizwan Abdul Haji Ali and Abdulla Faiyaz Shaikh alias Daiperwala, was among the four terror suspects wanted in connection with the Pune blast case. The NIA had released their pictures and declared a reward of 3 lakh each for credible information leading to their arrest, he said, asking not to be named.

The officer further said that the special cell has also recovered incriminating materials from the suspects, believed to be used for IED fabrication.

They were planning to carry out terror incidents in north India on the instructions from foreign based ISIS handlers. Earlier, Uzzama and two others, Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yunus Khan and Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yakub Saki, were arrested by the Kothrud police in Pune on July 18 following their attempted theft of a two-wheeler. When the police were taking them to their residence at Kondhwa in Pune for a search, Uzzama jumped out of the police vehicle and managed to escape, he added.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said Rajasthan chief minister, Ashok Gehlot, knows the countdown to his governments ouster has begun, has accepted defeat and publicly said the BJP will form the next government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Chittorgarh in Rajasthan on Monday. (ANI/X)

The PM was referring to the CMs statement a few days ago asking the BJP whether the party will continue the programmes such as Charanjeevi Scheme, restoring Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and subsidised cooking gas if it comes to power in the upcoming assembly elections.

Taking a dig at chief minister Gehlot, Modi said, Gehlot was busy trying to save his chair for five years while half of (the) Congress (party) was trying to dislodge him, adding after five years of looting the public, the Congress knows its time is over and it has accepted defeat in Rajasthan.

Addressing a public meeting in Chittorgarh, Modi said the Congress tricked the people and formed the government but could not run the government. Day and night, while sleeping or awake, Gehlot only thought of saving his chair while half of Congress was trying to dislodge his chair. The people were left on their own.

Modi said the BJP government would not stop any public welfare scheme started by the Congress government in Rajasthan.

Gehlot knows the countdown of the Congress government has started Gehlot knows he is going and in a way, he has congratulated the BJP. The Congress CM these days is insisting that after the BJP government is formed, his schemes should not be stopped, he said.

You accepted defeat and publicly said that we will form the government, I thank you... I assure the people of Rajasthan that the Gehlot government might have started schemes but after the BJP government is formed, no public welfare scheme will be stopped. We will try to improve them this is Modis guarantee, Modi said.

The PM said: On one issue all Congress leaders were hand in glove. Congress did not spare any effort in looting the public. This is what Congress has done in five years. Each corrupt person, each criminal, each Congress leader thinks he is the government.

Gehlot was quick to react on X to the PMs comments and said Modi has endorsed his welfare schemes.

Once bitten and twice shy. The people of Rajasthan realise that the popular schemes for their interests and rights are safe only under our Congress government. Congress means trust, said Gehlot. He asked the Union government to restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in the interest of social security and employees.

Also Read: Gehlot: BJP is nervous, will field parliamentarians in coming polls

For the second time in the day, after his Jaipur rally, the PM told party workers, In this election, our only face is the lotus. We have to ensure the lotus wins a heavy mandate. Our hope and candidate is the lotus. We will ensure the lotus blooms in Rajasthan.

He slammed the culture of high-handedness in the Congress, saying people had to stand with folded hands to get their due but the Modi model has ensured that each beneficiary gets their due directly.

People have to stand in line with folded hands before Congress MLAs and ministers to get their rights. But this Congress high-handedness wont continue in Rajasthan. The BJP government has ensured that beneficiaries should get their full due. In the last nine years, the BJP government has transferred lakhs of crores of rupees in accounts of beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer without any commission or middlemen this is the Modi model, to ensure that each beneficiary gets their due directly. So Rajasthan has faith that the BJP will come to power and end corruption.

Reaching out to youth voters, Modi promised strong action against the paper leak mafia.

I promise the youth of Rajasthan, trust me, the paper leak mafia will not be spared. The paper leak mafia which has destroyed the future of youth will face stringent action.

He added, I want to give you another guarantee all those who indulged in corruption and looted money from the poor will face action. These people can curse me but strong action against corruption will continue.

Modi arrived in Chittorgarh in the morning and first offered prayers at the Sanwaliya Seth temple. He then inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for infrastructure, education and tourism projects worth 7000 crore.

He arrived at the venue in an open top vehicle to an enthusiastic reception. Seeing the large crowd spilling out of the pavilion, Modi said, The pavilion is small but Modis heart is very large. You all reside in my heart.

Modi said when the Congress realises it will lose elections, it makes all sorts of promises and spends funds from the public exchequer on newspaper and television ads. This is what it is doing these days in Rajasthan. Congress thinks people will forget five years of misrule and is announcing a slew of schemes. If you were so worried, where were you in the last four-five years? You were busy saving your chair.

Modi said his government is working to empower the poor, Dalits, tribals and disadvantaged sections who have been overlooked by all past governments. He spoke about the welfare schemes such as free vaccination, free treatment up to 5 lakh in hospitals, PM Awas Yojana and piped water.

Modi slammed the Congress government on the poor law and order situation in the state. He referred to the beheading of Kanhaiyalal, a tailor in Udaipur, by Islamic fundamentalists last year and the rape cases in the state and added that only the BJP government can take care of criminals.

Modi also spoke about womens empowerment and how his government has opened new avenues for women. In this context, he referred to the 33 percent womens reservation law saying, Now in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha too Modi has fulfilled the guarantee of providing 33 precent seats to women.

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The organisational changes done by the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since August has triggered infighting and factionalism in several districts of the state, causing concern for the leadership, party functionaries said on Monday. The infightings in Bengal district units have surfaced at a time when the BJP is gearing up for the Lok Sabha polls. (File Photo)

Coming ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the infighting is troubling central leaders in Delhi as well. BJP president J P Nadda expressed concern after union minister of state for education, Subhas Sarkar, was locked up inside a party office in his own Lok Sabha constituency in Bankura district on September 12 by agitated members of a faction, a state BJP leader said on condition of anonymity.

Those who locked up Sarkar inside a room for around one hour are opposed to the new district office-bearers. Police had to rescue Sarkar, which is quite demeaning for a disciplined organisation like ours. Infighting has been reported from Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and North Dinajpur districts in north Bengal and North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, Nadia, South 24 Parganas and Kolkata in the south Bengal region, the leader added.

State BJP leaders said some party members from the south Kolkata unit recently wrote a letter to Nadda alleging that old party cadres were being sidelined.

The dissidence, which is essentially a fallout of differences between old and new leaders, is not restricted to writing letters. Two weeks ago, members of two factions at Gaighata in North 24 Parganas were injured when a quarrel ended in fisticuffs, a district leader said, requesting anonymity.

The infightings have surfaced at a time when the BJP is gearing up for the Lok Sabha polls.

Union home minister Amit Shah launched the Lok Sabha campaign in Bengal on April 14 at a rally in Birbhum district, where he said the BJP must win more than 35 of Bengals 42 Lok Sabha seats.

West Bengal has 23 administrative districts, including Kolkata. In August, the BJP increased the number of its own organisational districts from 42 to 43 and selected new presidents and other office-bearers for these units in phases.

In a bid to strengthen the organisation, seven legislators have been made presidents of organisational district units. Earlier, only two MLAs had that responsibility.

In the 2021 assembly polls, the BJP bagged 77 assembly seats while the TMC won 215. The BJPs tally has effectively come down to 69. BJP lost two seats to TMC in by-polls held after two MLAs resigned to retain their Lok Sabha seats. Five legislators joined the TMC without resigning from the BJP. The BJP MLA from north Bengals Dhupguri died recently. The TMC won this seat in a by-poll.

Bengal BJPs chief spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya admitted that his party leaders are worried.

These incidents are not at all desired. We feel concerned. Our leadership is keeping a close watch. Remedial measures will be taken, Bhattacharya said.

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Mumbai: Heated exchange and personal attacks continue on social media as Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray called out industry minister Uday Samant over his upcoming Europe tour- terming it as Swiss holiday on taxpayers money and demanded cancellation of his trip. Mumbai, India - Sep 30, 2023 : Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray addresses a press conference, at Matoshree, Bandra, in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sep 30, 2023. (Photo by Vijay Bate/HT Photo)

Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was quick to respond to Aadityas comment, calling him childish. While Samant said Thackeray is misinformed.

Both chief minister Eknath Shinde and Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar cancelled their foreign tours in the last two weeks after being criticised by the Opposition leaders and Aaditya.

In the backdrop of the scheduled hearing in the Supreme Court over the disqualification issue in October first week, Shinde cancelled his UK and Germany tour, while Narwekar called off his Ghana tour on Friday after being criticised for allegedly delaying the disqualification hearing by Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut.

Aaditya took to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday and asked questions, Just a few simple questions for the industries minister of the Mindhe-BJP illegal regime in Maharashtra, about his foreign holiday on taxpayer money Who are the participants in the so-called round table conference you will attend in London and Munich? What inspection tour will you be carrying out in Davos? Is it to do with traffic management there?... Davoss inspection visit is a pure sham and he must cancel his Swiss holiday on taxpayers money. If there is so much available money with the State Govt to spend, why not release help to farmers or speak on the Old Pension Scheme?

DCM Devendra Fadnavis slammed Aaditya and termed him childish. I do not speak on Balbuddhi (Childish people) said Fadnavis while refusing to speak on Aaditya Thackerays claim. Later while responding to the Fadnavis MLA Aaditya Thackeray thanked him for calling Bal (child) and said that this Adu Bal has shaken these leaders from the government. He also remembered that the name of his late Grandfather and Shiv Sena founder was Bal (Thackeray).

On the other hand, industry minister Uday Samant responded that Aaditya Thackeray is speaking on the basis of misinformation. I am not going on an eight-day tour. Someone has given the wrong briefing to Aaditya Thackeray. Secondly, lets see who has spent the money for my tour once I come back from the tour,  said Uday Samant. Samant also denied the claim of Aaditya Thackeray that CM had cancelled the tour due to his criticism.

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Bahujan Samaj Party MP Kunwar Danish Ali appealed to the youth to counter hate with love as he received a rousing welcome in his Lok Sabha constituency Amroha in western Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. Danish Ali addressing the gathering in his Lok Sabha constituency Amroha on Monday. (HT PHOTO)

This was Alis first visit to Amroha since the BJPs South Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri had subjected him to disparaging remarks inside the Lok Sabha in September.

Addressing public meetings across his constituency, Ali urged people to have tolerance and patience as they are the followers of Mahatma Gandhi, Baba Saheb Ambedkar and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and believe in non-violence and the rule of law.

Ali inaugurated a road constructed under the PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana) during his visit.

He told people that BJP MPs like Bidhuri are trying to build a false narrative against him.

But they have failed miserably as the truth is the truth and these are not our values to speak filthy language in the temple of democracy, he said.

We believe in the teachings of Gandhi whereas they are the followers of Godse. They have been trained in the shakhas of the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) and the pathshala of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added.

During his tenure, Amroha has been discussed in Parliament for development and sending out a positive message of tolerance, he said.

In the last four years, projects worth 250 crore have been initiated in the constituency, he added.

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YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Ruben Vardanyan's children have appealed to world leaders and human rights advocates to help achieve their fathers release from illegal detention in Azerbaijan.

The full statement issued by Mr. Vardanyans children is presented below.

As the four children of Ruben Vardanyan we respectfully call upon the world leaders, advocates for human rights, and the media to urgent help to free our father from illegal detention in Azerbaijan. We are concerned about his health and arbitrary treatment and have not been able to communicate with him since his capture. We fear for his wellbeing and risk to his life.

Over a year ago, our father made the difficult decision to live with the people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) exactly because he wanted to protect their safety and their rights. He felt so strongly about it that he left everything behind and lived in hardship alongside them under blockade, siege and war.

After the last aggression by the Azerbaijani government on September 19, resulting in mass forced displacement and humanitarian disaster, he was specially singled out and detained.

We do not want him to become yet another victim of the political tension in the region, especially as his mission has always been to reduce this exact same tension and find a peaceful solution to a long-term conflict.

Our father is a humanitarian and has never been involved in any military activities. He co-founded the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, one of the biggest humanitarian foundations, exactly to promote peace and human rights around the world. For this same reason he invested heavily in education and cultural preservation for the region over the past decades, including the restoration of churches and a mosque in Shushi. As an active and visible Armenian humanitarian leader he now finds himself victim of a long-term political conflict and an opaque justice system.

We are extremely worried for his health and we fear for his safety.

We are encouraged by the support of many who have reached out but cannot rest until our father and other Armenian prisoners are released. With every day that goes by the risk that he might never join our family again increases exponentially.

As his children we call upon you to stand for the rights of our father, and all wrongfully detained Armenians and to call for his urgent, safe, and unconditional release. No people should be detained or prosecuted for their beliefs, religion, or nationality. We pray for our father's safe return to us and urgently ask for your help.
Its too early to tell how findings of much-awaited caste survey in Bihar, which revealed that OBCs and EBCs constitute a whopping 63 per cent of the states total population, will impact the general elections due next year or the assembly elections in the state due in 2025, but its certainly opened the proverbial Pandoras box. Officials release caste survey report in Patna on Monday. (Santosh Kumar/HT)

As per the findings, the unreserved category, which denotes the upper castes who dominated the state politics till the Mandal wave of 1990s, comprise only 15.52 per cent of the total population, estimated at a little over 13.07 crore.

The rest are other backward classes (27.12%), extremely backward classes (36.01%), scheduled castes (19.65%) and scheduled tribes (1.68%).

Its also difficult to tell how the numbers have changed since 1931, when the last caste census was conducted by the erstwhile British rulers, because back then, Bihar (also consisting the present-day Jharkhand) and Orissa formed one province.

Still, the finding that castes in the reserved category constitute 84.48% of Bihars population, for whom the quota in government jobs is capped at 50% by the Supreme Court, is bound to have far-reaching ramifications in the state politics and beyond, according to analysts.

The real motive is to reignite caste politics. Figures will be used to pursue Mandal politics. And if so, it is advantage Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar, says N K Chowdhary, formerly head of economics department at Patna University. The political perception is that RSS and BJP are dominated by upper castes.

D M Diwakar, former director of A N Sinha Institute for Social Studies in Patna, is of the view that castes whose numbers have come out for the first time will definitely demand greater representation, making life difficult for all parties. Political aspirations of all these castes will increase. Even among Muslims, who constitute 17.70% of Bihars population, there are sub-groups whose numbers have increased. They will demand their pie as well, he says.

According to Diwakar, RJD and JD(U) have a strong base among Muslim, Yadav, OBC and EBC voters, which is deadly numbers.

Gyanendra Yadav, associate professor of sociology at College of Commerce in Patna, is of the view that the findings could help chief minister Nitish Kumar remain in the reckoning for power much longer.

The findings will definitely pay rich dividends to parties engaged in caste identity politics, like Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Janata Dal United. It will help consolidate political support of various caste groups, especially marginalised groups. A decisive role will be played by EBCs, a constituency well nourished by Nitish Kumar since 2005, he says.

While the next move by CM Nitish Kumar is keenly anticipated, there are sure signs of a replay of Mandal politics, called so after the then Prime Minister VP Singh, in 1990, dusted off the Mandal Commission report based on the 1931 caste census and announced 27% reservation for OBCs (Other Backward Classes) like Yadavs, Kurmi/Koeris and sections of Baniyas, which were better off than Dalits but were found sufficiently marginalised on socio-economic parameters to merit quota benefits.

The move was evidently aimed at countering the strident Hindutva politics of the BJP during the peak of the Ayodhya Ram temple movement, not very different the saffron partys current push for a Hindu Rashtra and Uniform Civil Code.

They want to revive the Mandal politics which has outlived its utility. Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar have realised this can be a big tool to oust the Narendra Modi government from the Centre. But they should remember this is not 1990, as they are facing off an OBC PM and BJP too is pursuing backward politics, says Nawal Kishore Chaudhary.

In the 2019 general election, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which then included BJP, JD(U) and Lok Janshakti Party, had won 39 of the total 40 Lok Sabha seats from Bihar. The Congress had won one, in Kishanganj.

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Navya Naveli Nanda, granddaughter of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, made her catwalk debut as she walked the ramp at the Paris Fashion Week. Taking to Instagram, Navya's mother Shweta Bachchan shared several pictures and videos from the event as she attended it with mother-actor Jaya Bachchan. (Also Read | Aishwarya Rai opts for black outfit as she attends Paris event, niece Navya Naveli Nanda shares pics from same city) Jaya Bachchan, Navya Nanda and Shweta Bachchan at the Paris Fashion Week.

Navya Naveli Nanda walks the ramp in Paris

Shweta shared a video of Navya walking on the stage. She wore an off-shoulder red dress and silver heels. Throughout her walk, Navya kept smiling and waving at her mother and grandmother. She also posed looking at the audience. Sharing the clip, Shweta Bachchan wrote, "Little miss LOreal."

Shweta and Jaya attend Paris event

In another post, she gave a blurred glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. Shweta also shared a selfie from the event which featured a distracted Jaya as well. For the event, Shweta and Jaya opted for a beige dress. However, Jaya added a printed red jacket to her outfit. She also posted several other pictures from the event.

Jaya, Shweta, Navya pose together

In a photo, Navya, dressed in a black outfit sat smiling at the camera. She wore a black top under a leather jacket and denims. In another picture, Navya posed with Jaya and Shweta. While Navya rested her head next to her mother's and held her hand, she wrapped her arm around Jaya. All of them smiled for the picture. The last photo, a selfie, featured Shweta and Jaya sitting next to each other in their hotel room.

Shweta pens a note

Sharing the post, Shweta captioned it, "All roads led to Paris this weekend. Well, at least for my mother and me. As Navya spent all her days doing LOreal things. My mother and I walked and ate (more eating than roaming to be honest) The show was an experience and so emotional - my mother and I both admitted to holding back tears as our little girl walked on all smiles!!! I remember her first steps she was just a few days past her 1st birthday - like yesterday, all parents say this Im sure, its cheesy, and annoying, but so true."

"She wore red, the Eiffel Tower turned pink, and we went home very proud, very emotional, and very hungry. I snuck in some M&Ms in my bag, though its blasphemous to eat chocolate at a fashion show, we did - because were worth it," concluded Shweta. Reacting to the post, Navya commented, "You both gave me the strength I needed." Zeenat Aman, Abhishek Bachchan, Shanaya Kapoor, and Farah Khan reacted with a hug face and red heart emojis.

About Navya

Navya is the daughter of Nikhil Nanda, who is the chairman and managing director of Escorts Limited, and Shweta. She has a brother, Agastya Nanda, who will make his debut with Zoya Akhtar's The Archies. Navya, who is an entrepreneur by profession, runs a women-centric health tech company and often posts about her work on social media. She also hosted a podcast show What the Hell Navya where her mother and grandmother talked about various issues concerning women.

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Actor Swara Bhasker and Samajwadi Party leader Fahad Ahmed held a chhathi puja (sixth day ceremony) for their newborn daughter Raabiyaa. Sharing insights from the celebrations, the actor pointed out how she has been able to find cultural similarities between her and Fahad's families. While Swara is Hindu, Fahad is Muslim. Referring to their differences, Swara called her baby mish-mash. Also read: Swara Bhasker and Fahad Ahmed perform chhathi puja with newborn daughter Raabiyaa, their families join Swara Bhasker and Fahad Ahmed are yet to reveal the face of their baby.

Inside chhathi puja for Swara Bhasker's baby

Swara shared glimpses from the festivities, where family members were seen putting kajal (kohl) on her, Fahad and the little one, to ward off evil. The actor sang songs as a part of the celebration to welcome her baby.

Sharing the video, Swara wrote, The child is a mish-mash of the mish-mash we are. So shes 62.5 percent UP. 12.5 percent Bihar. 25 percent Andhra. And Im all for representation and Im always here for celebration! Moreover since our wedding, weve been discovering common cultural practices that both Hindus and Muslims in north India share, which reinforces my belief that human beings can come from all manner of diversity but love and joy will find a common language!

Explaining the importance of the puja, which is held on the sixth day after the arrival of a baby, Swara added, Chhathhi or the 6th day of the childs birth is celebrated across UP-Bihar where the mom and child are dressed in the colour of haldi/turmeric and the aunts /bua puts kajal on the child and mom and dad to protect the child and family from nazar or the evil eye.

Swara sings for her newborn

Swara also talked about her impromptu performance. Sharing her excitement, she said, Im singing a popular sohar (songs of celebration for newborns). Traditionally sohars mostly celebrate male newborns, Ive tailored it for a newborn girl.. oh! And mothers dont sing the sohars, sisters & aunts do but I was like dholak aa gaya hai so why not! She also thanked others who were a part of the day, in her post.

Swara welcomes daughter

Swara and Fahad had Raabiyaa on September 23. Two days later, the couple, via a joint post on Instagram, shared the news of their baby's arrival. Posting the first pictures of their daughter, they revealed the little one's name. They wrote, "A prayer heard, a blessing granted, a song whispered, a mystic truth Our baby girl Raabiyaa was born on 23rd September 2023. With grateful and happy hearts, thank you for your love! Its a whole new world. Swara had previously shared photos from her intimate celebration at home.

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On Gandhi Jayanti, Kangana Ranaut and the makers RSVP Movies shared the teaser on X (formerly Twitter) for her upcoming film Tejas. Kangana will be seen playing the role of an Indian Air Force pilot in the film. Dressed in a flying suit, the actor can be seen getting ready to take off from an Air Force station in the short clip. She looks powerful as a woman in uniform. Also read: Kangana Ranaut unveils new stills from Tejas, confirms release date Tejas teaser: Kangana Ranaut will be seen playing a pilot in her upcoming film.

Watch Kangana's fierce Tejas teaser

The makers dropped the teaser and tweeted, "She is ready to take off for the love of her nation kyunki agar Bharat ko chhedoge toh chhodenge nahi (If you touch India, she will not leave you). Trailer out on Indian Air Force Day, 8th October... Tejas In cinemas on 27th October."

Kangana on Tejas

Speaking of the project, Kangana Ranaut told Mumbai Mirror in a 2020 interview, Very often, the sacrifices made by our brave women in uniform go unnoticed by the nation. Tejas is a film where I have the honour of playing the role of one such Air Force pilot who puts country before self. I hope we instill a sense of patriotism and pride in the youth of today with this movie. I'm looking forward to the journey with Sarvesh and Ronnie on this one.

About Tejas

The film was originally slated to be release in December 2020. Kangana had announced that the films release date in August 2020. At the time, in a statement, Kangana had said, Tejas is an exhilarating story where I have the privilege of playing an air force pilot. I am honoured to be a part of a film that celebrates these brave men & women in uniform who make immense sacrifices in the line of duty everyday. Our film celebrates the armed forces and its heroes Excited to take this journey with Sarvesh and Ronnie (Ronnie Screwvala, producer)."

However, the film has since been delayed several times. The film was set to release on October 20 with Ganapath. The film, directed by Vikas Bahl, stars Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon and Amitabh Bachchan in the lead. Tejas will now be released on October 27.

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French actor Gerard Depardieu has denied the rape and sexual assault allegations that were made against him in relation to a 2018 case. According to a report by Variety, the actor penned an open letter in French in the Le Figaro newspaper claiming hes 'neither a rapist nor a predator.' (Also read: Jennifer Lopez has heated exchange with Ben Affleck inside car, days after his intimate meeting with ex Jennifer Garner) Gerard Depardieu has broken his silence on the sexual assault allegations against him.

What Gerard Depardieu said

As per the report by Variety, Gerard Depardieu directed his response to a 2018 lawsuit filed by Charlotte Arnould. She had accused the actor of attacking her on two separate occasions in his home in 2018. This is the first time that the actor has directly addressed the allegations against him. In his letter, the actor claimed that he has never abused a woman in his life. "I finally want to tell you my truth. I have never, ever abused a woman. Hurting a woman would be like kicking my own mother in the stomach." he wrote in the Le Figaro newspaper on October 1.

More details

In the same letter, Gerard further added, without taking any name, "A woman came to my home a first time, lightly, and willingly stepped into (my) bedroom. She says today that she was raped there. She came a second time. There was no constraint, no violence, no protest. She wanted to sing with me the songs by Barbara at the Cirque dHiver. I said no. She filed a complaint."

Earlier this year, fresh allegations of sexual assault or harassment were directed at the actor by 13 women that allegedly occurred during the shooting of 11 films released between the years 2004 and 2022, according to Mediapart. In response, the actors legal representation at Cabinet Temime said that the actor had denied all of the accusations that could be subject to criminal law. The bombshell allegations resulted in the cancellation of his tour.

Gerard has acted in a number of French films including Lou Lou, The Dogs, La Chevre, The Woman Next Door, Les Comperes, Jean de Florette and Camille Claudel among others. The actor was last seen in the French cooking drama Umami which released in French theatres in May.

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The official teaser of Leave the World Behind is here! On Monday evening, Netflix unveiled the much-awaited teaser of the post-apocalyptic thriller directed by Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot). Based on the 2020 book of the same name by Rumaan Alam, the film stars an ensemble cast that includes Mahershala Ali, Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, and Kevin Bacon. (Also read: Chris Hemsworth and his daughter enjoy thrilling adventure in Iceland- Watch) Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke star in Leave The World Behind.

About the teaser

The teaser opens with Amanda (Julia Roberts) and Clay (Ethan Hawke) as a married couple who open their doors to G.H (Mahershala Ali) and his daughter, Ruth (Myha'la Herrold). When Amanda asks the reason for their sudden arrival, G. H. says, "In my line of work you have to understand the patterns that govern the world." They are alarmed when the television reports of a massive cyberattack on the U.S. The teaser then gives a glimpse of unnatural occurrences as the world begins to crumble around them.

About the film

The official synopsis of the film adds, "A familys vacation is upended when two strangers arrive at night, seeking refuge from a cyberattack that grows more terrifying by the minute, forcing everyone to come to terms with their places in a collapsing world." Interesting fact to note: Barack and Michelle Obama serve as executive producers on the film.

Fan reactions

Reacting to the trailer, many fans added to the comments. A fan added, "This looks amazing and what a great cast to lead it! Very much looking forward to watching this!" Another said, "Doomsdays and apocalyptic films are my jam. Plus the director is the guy who created Mr. Robot." A comment also added, "The book was incredible. This adaptation looks legit!! I can't wait." "This looks really interesting, pretty stacked cast of heavy hitters too." said another fan.

Leave the World Behind will be released in select theaters on November 22 and then released on Netflix on December 8. The film is also set to mark its world premiere before that as the opening film of AFI Fest on October 25.

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In the search for rats, who did we catch? Where are the rats? Why are they invisible? Some questions are best left unanswered in The Rat Catcher, which marks director Wes Anderson's third installment in a series of short films based on Roald Dahl stories for Netflix. Wonderfully story boarded, and clocking in just under 17 minutes, The Rat Catcher is an unsettling gem of a film, crafted by a director at full control of his craft. (Also read: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar review: Wes Anderson at his delightful best) The Rat Catcher released on Netflix on September 29.

The premise

Ralph Fiennes gives a deliciously sinister performance as a professional rodent killer who is sent by the Health Office to rid a local hayrick of its rat infestation. He also has a cameo appearance as the author himself, following his turns in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and The Swan. Here, a reporter (Richard Ayoade, doing most of the verbal weightlifting), and a mechanic (Rupert Friend), stand beside to note how the rat catcher goes about his ways. But a strategic trick doesn't work- the rats do not eat the poisoned oats that are kept beside the haystack.

The Rat Catcher is a gorgeous example of a filmmaker's vision blending boldly with the author's open-ended twists. Robert Yeoman's gorgeous cinematography complements this fantastical world with aplomb. The rest is secured in Anderson's hands, where the story takes on a sinister turn without resolving to easy answers. Notehow the rat catcher's physical appearance resembles exactly like a rat because he thinks that in order to catch them it is crucial to act like them. The undercurrent of pathos lies in how the rat catcher is basically a pariah, and an outcast who can never bridge the socio-economic barrier of his circumstances. He has been hunting for rats for so long that he himself as become like them, forced to seek hiding.

Final thoughts

Anderson is also able to integrate stop-motion animation technique to poignant effect late in the film. The silent, stoic observation he allows for the tone to suddenly shift in the later half of this short is an immediate shock, which works as a primary reminder of how we are always kept at arm's length by a director who allows his audience to be patient, and ask the right questions. The dialogues are as razor-sharp as ever, cue for instance: "Rat Catcher: This aint a sewer job, is it?/Mechanic: No, its not a sewer job./Rat Catcher: Tricky thing, sewer jobs./Mechanic: Really? I shouldnt think so./Rat Catcher: Oh you shouldnt, should you?"

The Rat Catcher works like a dark magic trick, beautifully nourished with Anderson's trademark symmetrical frames and minimalist mise-en-scene. At the end, the Rat Catcher leaves rather abruptly, without making any further plans. He has disgusted both the reporter and the mechanic. They had to draw the line somewhere. The haystack remains just as before.
Pakistani actor Mahira Khan, known for her roles in Raees and Humsafar, has tied the knot for the second time. Several pictures and videos of the actor have emerged online. Mahira got married to businessman Salim Karim. (Also Read | Mahira Khan reveals she battled depression after backlash to her role in Raees, smoking pics with Ranbir Kapoor) Mahira Khan got married to Salim Karim in Pakistan.

Mahira gets married to Salim Karim

Taking to Instagram, Mahira's manager Anushay Talha Khan shared a video as Mahira walked down the aisle towards Salim. The groom was seen wiping his tears in the clip. Salim also walked towards her and lifted her veil. An emotional Salim kissed Mahira's forehead and hugged her. The bride was also seen getting emotional as she wrapped her arms around Salim.

What Mahira wore for the wedding

For her special day, Mahira wore a pastel lehenga with a veil. She also opted for matching diamond jewellery. Salim was seen in a black sherwani and a blue turban. The duo got married in Murree, Pakistan, in an outdoor ceremony.

Fans wish Mahira

Reacting to a video shared on Instagram, a fan wrote, "I love this so much. Mahira is normalizing things that might look basic from a privileged background but I hope this gives hope to a woman rethinking marriage." "Awww congratulations to her. May Allah bless her with a beautiful married life with her husband," commented a fan.

A person wrote, "That's just graceful. Hope they find comfort." "Awwww the groom is crying. Such men still exist," said another fan. "Aww super cute mashAllah. Many congratulations to the happy couple," read another comment. "She's looking absolutely gorgeous," read a comment.

Last year Mahira confirmed her relationship

As per Tribune.com, Mahira had earlier confirmed dating Salim while speaking with Samina Peerzada. In 2022, when Mahira was asked if she was in love, she smiled and nodded her head. "Yeah, I think I am in love. I don't know, I am so shy about it," Mahira had said. She had also confirmed that he wasn't from the industry.

Mahira's projects

Mahira will be seen with Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed in the Netflix series Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo. The show, an official adaptation of Farhat Ishtiaqs bestselling 2013 Urdu-language novel, is the streamer's first Pakistan-themed original, reported Variety. The story revolves around Sikandar, a Harvard law student who experiences a life-changing incident that makes him keep others at bay, and Liza, a talented artist who is bursting with life but has had a troubled past.

Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo will also feature Ahad Raza Mir, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Bilal Ashraf, Maya Ali, Iqra Aziz, Hania Aamir, Khushaal Khan, Nadia Jamil, Omair Rana and Samina Ahmed. Momina Duraid serves as the showrunner of the series, which is being shot in Italy, the UK and Pakistan.

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Now that the rage has subsided, its time to take stock of the fall out of Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau s credible allegations and look ahead, taking into account some realities and facts. After all, this is an issue of bilateral relations only, and should not affect relations with other countries at a time of edgy international politics. In other words, its time to reflect and look for a way to move on. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (REUTERS)

Consider the facts. First, anyone with even a superficial knowledge of Canadian policies know that a variety of criminals shelter in Canada. Of the 6,913 top wanted people by Interpol, 53 are in Canada, and thats only among those notified as such. Others, like Gurpatwant Singh Panun, who has threatened murder and mayhem, remain outside the pale of the law. The hardy Sikhs set up their first gurudwara set up in 1905, and Canada is home to the largest Sikh population outside India, forming some 2% of the total. It was natural that those fleeing the 1980s Indian operations after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, would flee to Canada, where they found not only support but freedom to espouse their cause. Those freedoms were abused and lead to the Air India bombing, which killed 329, and remains the worst air tragedy to date. Canadians are justly proud of their freedoms, and cite these to justify political shelter. In fact, these are subject to reasonable limits in the Constitution's preamble. In addition, the Criminal Code (sec 319) also provides for Public/Wilful incitement of hatred with a maximum punishment of upto two years. So, when a Khalistani procession on June 4, featured a gory tableau showing the late PM Indira Gandhi being shot at by her policemen assassin, it should have led to immediate arrests. It didnt. Nor is action to yet to be taken against Panun for asking Hindus to leave Canada, nor indeed against the hundreds of incidents over the years which included threats against TV reporter, Pardeep Bains for criticism of Amritpal Singh. Bains claimed that the threats included pictures of his family's home in the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. Some of the threats were made via WhatsApp calls, with the numbers appearing to originate from Pakistan and Malaysia. Students from Punjab in particular have been harassed or alternatively offered help in getting documentation if they follow the Khalistanis. All this and more are now coming out in public. Canada has a real problem, and it could rebound on itself.

If the prevailing law was not enough, Canada could have relied on its obligations under Interpol, which had issued a red corner notice against Nijjar in 2016, according to most sources as well as 7 others wanted by India. Interpol notices are international requests for cooperation and are issued by the general secretariat at the request of a member country. A notice is published only if it complies with Interpols constitution and fulfils all conditions, to ensure the legality and quality of information, and protection of personal data. For example, a notice will not be published if it violates Article 3 of Interpols constitution, which forbids it from undertaking any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character. The request is further examined for compliance by a specialized multilingual and multidisciplinary task force comprising lawyers, police officers and operational specialists. At some point, the red corner notice- which requires a State To seek the location and arrest of persons wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence - was issued against Nijjar and made the criteria. Canada can argue that it has no extradition treaty with India, but under Interpol it was at least required to make a proper investigation. There is no indication that it did. Alternatively, it could choose to use it powerful anti-terrorism law to detain Khalistanis, who have even now, made specific threats against officers of the Indian High Commission, and earlier, threats to storm Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi to avenge arrests of its cadres. Panun had also reportedly offered a monetary reward of 1 lakh in exchange for information on families of Delhi Police officers residing in Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Italy, and Australia. It is difficult to see what else Canada is waiting for. Incidentally, the Babbar Khalsa is a listed terrorist entity in Canada, making it even easier for Toronto to act against Nijjar who headed its off shoot the Khalistan Tiger Force. There are other BKI terrorists in Canada, as well as a range of criminals whose names have been identified by Indias National Investigation Agency, who have invested ill gotten money in Canada, including in its Premier League. Apart from this are recent cases of human smuggling into Canada of Sri Lankans via Mangaluru. In short, a strong cooperation between the agencies would yield considerable benefits to both.

Heres another set of facts. Amritpal Singh literally burst on the scene last year, after the mysterious death of activist and actor Deep Sidhu, taking over the newly formed Waris Punjab de. Earlier, Sidhu who had championed farmers rights and that of Punjab had kept him at bay suspecting some hidden agenda. And so, it was. Amritpal, a shorn Sikh and truck driver from Dubai, was baptised at Rode, and virtually donned the robes of Bhindranwale, and created chaos for a while, till he was carted away to prison. But his arrest  as this author had warned  set ablaze the Khalistan issue simultaneously in the UK, the US, Australia, Canada and even New Zealand. Rather coincidentally, all were five eyes countries, an intelligence alliance that is strictly Anglo-Saxon. This series of events would undoubtedly have alarmed Delhi, especially since it also involved damage of embassy/high commission premises, in London, the US and Canada. While the first two acted with alacrity in restraining further such protests  though London could have prevented the chaos due to adequate warning  Canada did virtually nothing. Remember, that all of this happened just after the highly successful visit of PM Modi to the US. Oddly though, while Nijjar was killed in June 18, yet the G-20 visit went without a hitch, though the Khalistanis in Canada were in full cry. No overtones of this was apparent, until PM Trudeau went back to his country and went public, the same day that a controversial referendum in Brampton was held (September 18). Prior to that, Toronto had refused permission for a referendum in Surrey. Clearly, these were political moves, but set that aside for the moment. There is no way at all that these attacks were not coordinated. The question is by whom. That should concern all these countries, given their susceptibility to apparent foreign interference from their soil in the internal affairs of a third country.

Cynics everywhere, not just in India, will point at the US as a partner to be wary of, and which is at all times, intolerant of strong governments that have a mind of its own. True also that in recent days, US authorities warned prominent Khalistan supporters like Amarjit Singh and Pritpal Singh among others, of possible threats against them. A paper by US-based Hudson Institute not just outlines the extensive activities of pro-Khalistan groups but also underlines their close proximity to those espousing terrorist agendas in Kashmir and Palestine. That has long included Pakistan based groups like the Jamaat e Islami, and other openly backed Pakistani organisations like Friends of Kashmir. A curious aspect is that tax returns of these groups show highly limited funding ( the Surrey gurudwara shows sinking funds) and despite which these groups were able to stage highly effective crowds in five countries. All of this then raises the question whether the whole Khalistan issue was planned by the US and its allies, to take PM Modi down a peg or two. But the timing is wrong. The G20 saw immense cooperation from the US in terms of the final document, not to mention the steadily increasing sets of issues that the two are cooperating on. There is a growing comfort with working with the Us inside India, and the China threat is only likely to increase. Add to this the rather mild response by secretary of state Anthony Blinken in response to a series of hostile questions by the media, and the fact that military Exercises in Alaska are ongoing, and the picture is rather different. Further add to this, that support for India is bipartisan in Congress, and that scenario fades.

The who else answer may seem obvious. Pakistans envy of Indias rise is in public view. Rather like the dog that didnt bark in a Sherlock Holmes movie, there was no Khalistani activity in Pakistan at all, despite the fact that major leaders are comfortably resident there. But then neither does Pakistan have the funds for expensive spy games, at least not from obvious sources. Chinese State-controlled media is having a field day on the issue; certainly any serious rupture between India and the rest would leave the Indo-Pacific venture with a rather large hole in the middle. It seems its in the interests of all, to get to the bottom of this intricate problem. That requires sustained effort with Canada participating. That means starting at the lowest common denominator. Consider an old story. In 2019, the US OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) designated one Harmohan Singh Hakimzada, and his son Jasmeet as global narcotics traffickers. According to US officials the Dubai-based ring smuggled heroin, cocaine, ephedrine, ketamine, and synthetic opioids into the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Consequently, Indias National Investigation Agency, acted against Varinder Singh Chahal, who was part of this ring, and a member of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). Charge sheets against others linked to the Dubai gang, showed an solid link between drug trafficking and terrorism. UN Office on Drugs and Crime reported not only a huge rise in Afghan origin narcotics seizures in India, some of which was destined for Canada, but also that 29% of narcotics seized in Canada were from Pakistan. Add to that the litany of organised crime links that Indian agencies are pointing out. So, heres the beginning. Start by cooperating on narcotics trafficking, mandated by the several dozens UN resolutions on this, which might go some way to reduce the finances of these groups. Then move on to organised crime. Notice that no ones talking about the criminal Sukdool Singh, killed in Winnipeg, who like Nijjar had fled on false documents. Theres a lot of work to be done and loopholes to be closed with all concerned cooperating, even as India needs to increase its forensics capabilities to provide irrefutable proof of criminal activity.

This article is authored by Tara Kartha, Distinguished Fellow, IPCS.

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The toll in the tourist bus accident that took place in Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu on Saturday night rose to nine on Sunday with the death of one more woman, police said. Police personnel at the site where a bus fell into a gorge near Coonoor on Saturday, in Nilgiris district on Sunday. (PTI)

On Saturday, a bus carrying 60 tourists plunged into a 100 feet gorge, killing eight people. According to police, the bus was on its way from Coonoor to Tenkasi when it met with the accident. The passengers who were onboard the bus were returning home from a tour in Ooty.

According to preliminary investigation, the incident took place because the driver lost control of the vehicle and it veered off the road.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the bus accident and prayed for the recovery of the injured in the incident. Pained by the loss of lives due to a bus accident near Coonoor in Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. Those injured would be given 50,000, Prime Ministers Office (PMO) posted on X.

The deceased were identified as Nithin Kanna (15), Padmarai (58), Elango (64), Murugesan (65) Kowsalya (29), Jaya (40), Kala (42), Thangam (50) and Muppidathi (67).

Tamil Nadu health minister M Subramaniam and tourism minister K Ramachandran on Sunday handed over an ex-gratia amount of 2 lakh from the CM Relief Fund to each of the two people who suffered grievous injuries. Thet two are admitted at the government hospital in Coimbatore. The government also released 50,000 for the 32 people who suffered minor injuries. They are being treated at the Coonoor government hospital. The condition of all of them is said to be stable, the health minister said.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani military opened cross-border gunfire on October 2 at a supply vehicle carrying food for Armenian troops at an outpost, the Ministry of Defense has said.

On October 2, at around 2:25 p.m., Armed Forces units of Azerbaijan discharged fire from small arms targeting a vehicle carrying food for the personnel of the Armenian combat outposts in the vicinity of Kut, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

It said additional information on the shooting would be provided.
Bengaluru An extensive investigation led by 15 tehsildars has unveiled the illegal allocation of over 6,000 acres of government land in Mudigere, Kadur taluks of the district

The Chikkamagaluru district administration has taken a significant steps to address illegal land allocation issues by nullifying government land allocations to residents of America and Australia, and also reclaimed 80 acres of coffee plantation, officials familiar with the matter said.

An extensive investigation led by 15 tehsildars has unveiled the illegal allocation of over 6,000 acres of government land in Mudigere, Kadur taluks of the district. This effort is part of the governments strategy to reclaim such lands, officials said.

In the wake of these findings, sub-divisional magistrate HD Rajesh, who is leading further investigations into land-related illegalities, has cancelled the land ownership of seven individuals. They had illicitly registered government land adjacent to their coffee plantations in the name of overseas relatives, specifically in Hadioni village of Mudigere taluk. The revenue authorities team on September 29 and 30 recovered the land to the departments.

The government officials including tehsildars are involved in the land scam, Chikkamagaluru SDM HD Rajesh told HT. He said during investigation it was found that many fake documents were created between 2019 June and 2021 July. We have recovered a total 80 acres of coffee plantations worth over 20 crore in Hadi Oni village in survey number 21, in Balur Hobali of Mudigere taluk. A Tehsildar, B Ramesh, is on the run after the police registered a case against him in this case.

He said the investigation is going on and that the officials would cancel more fake title deeds soon.

The cancellation of illegal land accounts, including those held by foreign residents, has resulted in the recovery of 35 acres of revenue land. Furthermore, during the investigation, authorities discovered encroachments on 45 acres of forest land related to the same plantation. In a collaborative effort, officials from the revenue and forest department conducted a joint survey and seized control of these 80 acres of land .

Notably, the 80-acre plot includes a coffee plantation, which was taken over without causing harm to the plantation itself. Authorities are considering plans for the rehabilitation of Saragodu and Madhugundi refugees in this area.

There are also allegations of fraudulent activities by certain revenue employees involved in illegal land acquisitions. It has come to light that substantial properties have been acquired under the names of residents.

According to probe conducted across the state about illegal land encroachments , Chikkamagaluru district tops in the list with more than 6000 acres of land encroachment.

Forest department of Chikkamagaluru district arrested suspended Karnataka Administrative Service officer, J Umesh, who earlier worked as tahsildar of Kadur taluk, on September 1 on the charge of granting forest land (Section 4) earmarked for a tiger reserve.
The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad on Sunday said it has written to the Jawaharlal Nehru University administration for an inquiry into a recent incident of "anti-national" slogans being scribbled on the walls in the campus. The administration painted the walls clean on Sunday morning after it was brought to its notice and photos of the walls went viral. (Twitter)

The students' outfit has also demanded that the administration take immediate action to identify those responsible and fix accountability for not being able to stop such cases.

"Being a student organisation, we are gravely concerned about the frequent anti-Bharat slogan-writing incidents on the JNU campus. Yesterday, some students captured pictures of slogans like 'Indian-Occupied Kashmir', 'Free Kashmir', 'Bhagwa Jalega', etc. on the School of Languages building wall," the letter read.

The administration painted the walls clean on Sunday morning after it was brought to its notice and photos of the walls went viral, Vikas Patel, ABVP secretary for JNU, told PTI.

The students' body has demanded that the chief security officer of JNU should be held responsible for failing to prevent such cases.
Telangana will vote to change the state government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in one of his most prominent election campaign events for the state this year, a political blitz that comes at a time the region is recording an intense battle including the Congress and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Prime Minister Narendra Modi participates in a special cleanliness programme in New Delhi on Sunday. (PTI)

Modi addressed a large rally at Palamuru in Mahabubnagar, ahead of which he laid the foundation stones for several developmental projects and inaugurated some finished structures, worth altogether over 13,500 crore, according to a government release.

Telangana wants a change. The people of this region reposed their faith in the BJP in the last Lok Sabha elections, municipal elections and the by-elections to the state assembly. I am confident they will bless the party in the days to come, Modi said.

Since it was carved out of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the BRS (then TRS, or Telangana Rashtra Samiti), has only had BRS leader K Chandrasekhar Rao, whose party was steadfast on the statehood demand.

Soon after Modis public rally at Mahabubnagar, BRS working president and Telangana information technology and industries minister KT Rama Rao said it was not Telangana which was looking for a change, but the entire country wanted a change of government at the Centre.

KTR took to X (formerly Twitter), saying the people of Telangana were very much aware that NaMo stood for cheating. The steering of the BRS party is very much in the hands of KCR, but the steering of the BJP has gone into the hands of Adani, he retorted.

In an unnamed but ostensible reference to All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), the Prime Minister said though it was the Bharat Rashtra Samithi which was running the Telangana government, it was under the control of the other party. The election symbol of the ruling party is car, but its steering is in the hands of somebody else, he said.

Stating that both the BRS and its friendly party are family-based parties, Modi said they were operating like private limited companies, working for the benefits of their own families, leaving the development of the state to winds.

Their only agenda is indulging in corruption and taking commissions. These parties are of the family, by the family and for the family. The president, chief executive officer, treasurer, general manager, shift manager and manager  all belong to the same family. They hire leaders from other parties only as supporting staff, he said.

He said for these parties, democracy would mean only family enterprise. No decision can be taken by any other member of the party, other than these family members. Every decision the party takes is only for the benefit of this family, he said.

Modi said for the BJP, the entire nation was like a family and the people were its family members. Whatever the BJP does, it is meant for the welfare and development of the entire nation, he asserted.

The PM said across the country, the support in the BJP had been on the rise with all sections of the society  women, youth, students, farmers and workers showing tremendous faith in his leadership. They are aware that whatever Modi guarantees, he will implement them. So is the case with the people of Telangana, he said.

Telangana will be among five states  including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram  that will likely pick new assemblies by the end of the year. Among these, the BJP is in power only in Madhya Pradesh of its own, and in an alliance in Mizoram.

The Congress, with whom Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao once allied, is making a big political push to claim the states assembly. On September 18, the party made the promise of six guarantees if it came to power, including a cash assistance to women and farmers, and housing assistance for the poor.

On Sunday, Modi responded with his own launch of projects. Addressing a separate gathering at Mahabubnagar, Modi announced the setting up of a National Turmeric Board, a long pending demand from farmers in the state.

The Prime Minister also announced a central university will come up exclusively for tribals at Mulugu. This central tribal university will be named after tribal deities Sammakka and Sarakka and it will be set up at a cost of 900 crore, he said.

A third key announcement related to the Nagpur-Vijaywada economic corridor, for which he laid foundation stones to mark the beginning of road projects.

As part of the economic corridor, economic hubs have been identified. These included a special economic zone, five mega food parks, four fishing seafood clusters, three pharma and medical clusters and one textile park, he said, adding that they would provide employment opportunities to the youth.

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Former J&K minister who also served as speaker of the legislative assembly of former J&K state, Akbar Lone on September 5 submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court, saying he owes allegiance to the Constitution of India, a rare directive from the countrys top court to a politician. PREMIUM National Conference Member of Parliament from Baramulla Akbar Lone, who is one of the petitioners on Article 370 case in SC, will file affidavit as required by the Chief Justice of India. Whatever the directions of the Supreme Court are, they will be fulfilled in toto. The affidavit, as required by the chief justice, will be filed in the court before end of proceedings tomorrow, said former chief minister and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah. (PTI)

The 77-year-old, a senior politician and close associate of National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, was asked by the top court to pledge allegiance to the Constitution after a Kashmiri Pandit group questioned his credentials because he was one of the petitioners challenging the abrogation of Article 370, which gave special status to the former state. The petitioning group claimed Lone was a supporter of 'secessionist forces'.

The group also alleged that the Lone is a known as a supporter of secessionist forces operating in J&K, who supported Pakistan when he was a member of the legislative assembly from 2002 to 2018 and raised slogans like Pakistan Zindabad on the floor of the J&K assembly.

Those who have closely watched and followed Lones political career say he is nationalistic but add that the old  but not necessarily wily  politician gets easily provoked; they describe him as a "short-tempered" politician who often gets caught up in controversies because of his comments.

In the last two decades, he has been elected thrice to the J&K legislative assembly on the NC ticket and served not only as a senior cabinet minister but also as the speaker of the house during the NC-Congress coalition government.

A man of controversies

On at least two occasions, Lones party leadership were embarrassed because of the statements he made on the floor of the house.

The first instance was during his stint as a speaker of the house in 2011 when he used abusive language against senior opposition leader Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari. It was for the first time that an exchange of that nature had taken place in the J&K assembly, shocking the legislators as well as the people in the gallery.

Although what Iftikhar said could not be heard because of the din in the house, Lones audible response left the whole assembly aghast.

Chief minister Omar Abdullah watched and listened silently to abusive exchange but from his gestures, it was evident he too felt uncomfortable with his language.

Lone later "regretted" what he said and urged the media not to report the exchange but the abusive video clips went viral on social media. Later, the politician told close friends that he should have never used unparliamentary language against his erstwhile cabinet colleague.

The second instance when Lone made a controversial statement was in 2018.

The PDP and BJP were running a coalition government, the BJP members blamed Rohingya Muslims for an attack on an army installation in Sunjwan in Jammu and raised anti-Pakistan slogans.

The assembly session was taking place in Jammu and NC members also started raising slogans: Lone  again shocking all who were present  raised "Pakistan Zindabad" slogans, triggering another round of condemnation.

Lone defended his stance and said he would continue doing so inside and outside the Assembly as he saw no wrong in it and described this as his personal view. But for the National Conference leadership it was an awkward moment especially when BJP started targeting the partys top leadership.

A nationalist

Senior NC leader and district president, Sajjad Shafi, described Lone as a staunch nationalist leader who received frequent militant threats for speaking the truth.

"Sometimes If he gets angry, he can't control his emotions. And when he realises, he has said (something) wrong, he apologises. And when he raised slogans in assembly it was done in a fit of anger. He is as Indian as any other leader of National Conference".

Many within his party describe him as an "unguided missile" for opponents but an asset for the party who always stood by the party leadership even in the peak of militancy when everyone was afraid of speaking against militants or their supporters.

Law background and electoral popularity

Lone was a practising lawyer before joining politics. He contested assembly elections from the Sonwari constituency in north Kashmir and when insurgency started in Kashmir, he was on the hit list of not only militants but also the counterinsurgent group Ikhwan led by Kuka Parray. Lone had several narrow escapes as both militants and members of Ikhwan wanted to kill him. He was forced to migrate from his home at Naidkhai to Srinagar city where he now lives permanently.

Lone was the only mainstream politician who gave a tough fight to counterinsurgent leader Kuka Parray considered as 'de facto ruler' of Hajin and its adjoining localities in the late 90s.

However, from 2002, Lone again won three elections from Sonawari and continues to enjoy good support base in the native constituency.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he contested parliament elections from north Kashmirs Baramulla Lok Sabha seat and won and became a became a parliamentarian for the first time.

Pervez Majeed, political analyst, said that Lone has won all the elections he fought and continues to be popular in his constituency. It is obvious that he derives his strength from the people who chose to elect him repeatedly. For them, he is their effective representative and they do seem to be bothered by the controversies he gets involved into; rather perhaps they enjoy the attention their representative receives out of the controversies.

Abrogation of Article 370

After the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, when most mainstream political leaders were arrested, he and NC MP Hasnain Masoodi filed the petition against the revocation of Article 370 in the Supreme Court for which judgement was reserved after hearing the arguments from petitioners and the central government.

In the aftermath of the latest controversy, Lone has stopped making statements. Political watchers say, he is grooming his son advocate Hilal Akbar to continue his political legacy in his home constituency, part of the Bandipora district.
We are not against any leader or party, our fight is against drugs, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday clarified after tensions errupted following the arrest of Punjab Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in a drugs-related case. Notably, both the parties are members of the Opposition coalition, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal(Hindustan Times)

Tensions between AAP and Congress broke out after Khaira's arrest as well as over the contention related to seat sharing between them in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Kejriwal asked why are people abusing Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann when we are not against any leader. We are against the drug menace. drug menace has spoiled our youth.

He further appealed all parties to throw out leaders those are involved in any kind of drug menace.

Khaira was arrested from his Chandigarh residence in connection with a 2015 drugs case. Nine people were booked in the case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Khaira's name cropped up during the investigation. He was earlier arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in 2021 in connection with money laundering charge linked to the drugs case.

AAP came to power after the 2022 assembly election, defeating Congress which was ruling Punjab for five years.

Congress and AAP are in a seat-sharing battle in Punjab, contrary to the pact between them at the national level. Rift started to grow further after Congress asked AAP to bow out of the election over the seat-sharing in Chandigarh Lok Sabha constituency.
Here is what Bihars caste survey does not do. It does not tell us, yet, what will happen in 2024 and how the heartlands political coalitions will get shaped and reshaped. JD(U) supporters celebrate after the Bihar government released the caste survey report, in Patna on Monday. (ANI)

But here is what the survey does do. For the ruling alliance in Bihar, and the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) nationally, it offers an opportunity to attack and fracture the BJPs umbrella social coalition in north and central India, stitched carefully by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah over the past decade, by playing up the plank of the unity of the marginalised.

For the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), it offers a test, probably the biggest in its period of hegemony, of whether the party can continue to manage social contradictions, sustain what the late political scientist from Bihar Saibal Gupta termed as its coalition of the extremes, play up the plank of Hindu social unity while catering to its diversity, and continue its political project of inclusive Hindutva.

For both sides, while the disclosure of data in itself has created both opportunities and threats, how it will pan out will depend, first, on the interplay of the demand for a caste census on the national stage made by the national Opposition, with the possibility of sub-categorisation of other backward classes (OBCs) embedded in the Rohini commission report (a trick that remains up the BJPs sleeve).

It will also depend on the question of political messaging for different social groups, organisational outreach on the ground, and how both the BJP and the INDIA alliance translate the new arithmetic into chemistry. And till that happens, it would be premature to say that this is a new Mandal moment with the same kind of dramatic and transformative impact that the implementation of the recommendations of the BP Mandal commission had on Indian politics. After all, 2023 is not 1989-1990.

But there is no doubt that the publication of the Bihar caste survey results is an important moment in national politics. And to understand its significance, it is useful to recap how India got here, the political calculus of the two national parties, and the expectations of the regional parties in Bihar at the forefront of the census.

The shifting political and social coalitions

Historically, the Congress relied on a coalition of the so-called upper castes, Muslims and Dalits in north India for its political success. The Bharatiya Jana Sangh, and later the BJP, fought the Congress to win a slice of the upper caste vote, but its rise was limited in the first five decades of Indian parliamentary politics because it never could go beyond this narrow traditional constituency.

But the rise of the backward classes, or who in contemporary political discourse are seen as the dominant OBCs, first economically and then politically, meant there was a vacuum crying out to be filled. It was this vacuum that social justice parties, be it VP Singhs Janata Dal and/or the various avatars of the Janata Dal in Bihar and UP sought to fill. Once OBCs consolidated behind the third leg of Indian politics, and married their political assertion with the Muslims who sought security and voice, through the late 1980s, 1990s and the first decade of the 2000s, there were clear limits to the growth of the two national parties.

Through this period, the Congress decided its future rested in either going back to its upper caste-Muslim-Dalit coalition  at a time when upper castes had moved to the BJP, Muslims to regional parties, and Dalits to newer Dalit formations  or stitching temporary alliances with the same social justice parties that had broken its stranglehold over power in UP and Bihar. Neither was effective, and this explains why the Congress hasnt returned to power in UP or Bihar for close to four decades.

The BJP struggled till Modi arrived on the stage. He systematically built on the formula that had enabled the expansion of the party in the first place in the 1980s and 1990s: Hindutva with OBC characteristics. If Kalyan Singh, Uma Bharti and Vinay Katiyar, all OBCs, had expanded the base of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement under the tutelage of the then party general secretary Govindacharya, the upper castes in the BJP, led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had failed to sustain the widening of the Hindutva coalition subsequently.

Modi and Shah, however, proved to be astute sociologists who could see that Mandal era had produced its own contradictions, with some castes benefiting while others, far more numerous, were left out within the backwards. From 2014, all the way to this point, the BJP constructed its own new coalition  of upper castes who saw in it a natural home for its platform of nationalism, Hindutva and growth and return to dominance; of the extremely backwards who saw in the party a pathway for upward mobility and participation in a wider politico-religious umbrella rather than being confined to merely their subcastes; and of the poorer Dalit communities who hadnt benefited from either reservations or political power and were provided cultural resources making them feel a part of a wider Hindu identity. Along with this micro caste-political engineering, the anti-Muslim strain of BJPs politics helped sustain this coalition.

Responding to the challenge

For nine years, the Congress and other regional parties in north India have struggled to respond to this new BJP. They have the Muslim vote, and Muslims have told these parties that their vote is futile unless they can get more Hindu votes. The national Opposition believes they have found their answer with the caste census, returning to the old formula of playing on contradictions within Hindu umbrella. But break it down and the picture is more complex.

The Congress has historically been the natural party of upper castes in India. Even when it has embraced social reform, or has enhanced representation for other groups, Indias grand old party has always been careful in not alienating the upper castes of Bihar and UP. But Rahul Gandhi has made a decisive break. He appears to have calculated that upper castes will remain with the BJP, and so be it, even if it means taking positions that may alienate them further. Instead, he believes the Congress needs to de-Brahmanise and turn to other social groups, including OBCs, the set of Hindu caste groups with which the party has been historically distant. By deciding to promote Mallikarjun Kharge as party president and even as a possible PM face, the Congress believes it can recapture its older Dalit vote. But by backing the caste survey, declaring that it stands for proportionate representation (an unprecedented position for a national party) , and pointing out its most prominent chief ministers are OBCs, the Congress is sending a clear message to a group it has never wooed systematically. Whether it can indeed expand its support among backward classes and Dalits, and whether that will be sufficient without the power and support of dominant castes, is to be seen.

For regional parties, the calculation is more complex. From being seen as wider social justice formations speaking for the entire backward community, both Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal have struggled because they are now seen to have become a party of families (the Yadavs in both cases) and limited social coalitions (of Muslims-Yadavs in both cases). Even if they have attempted to widen representation by including other caste groups in their parties, the formula hasnt worked because of the baggage of the past. For its part, Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) has struggled to retain its base among extreme backward communities as the BJP has made substantial inroads among the ati-pichdas. But the self image of these parties remains that of strong forces which mobilise the majority of the dispossessed, among backwards. And they believe that the caste census, which will show that OBCs remain a much wider grouping without commensurate representation and power, will allow them to speak for a wider bloc and pose an existential political challenge to the BJP.

The BJPs options

Existential or not, there is no doubt that the BJP faces a challenge  and has a set of options to deal with it.

The primary objective of the BJP, one can assume safely, is retaining its 60% coalition (of upper castes, extreme backwards and poorest Dalits while excluding Yadavs, Muslims, and the somewhat more empowered Ambedkarite Dalits from the calculation) in states such as Bihar and UP.

This 60% is possible only when upper castes, a majority of extreme backwards, and a majority of the poorest Dalits vote for the party. It may stem from the fear of losing power, but irrespective of motivation, upper castes are uncomfortable with the caste census; to them, it speaks of even more diminished representation across educational, governmental and political institutions; and it echoes attempts to divide the Hindu vote. This is what the BJP has to deal with when it carves out its own position on the survey.

At the same time, the caste survey results also show that BJPs support base spans both segments of dominant OBCs (Kurmis for instance) as well as the larger share of non-dominant OBCs; these groups can see that their numbers are way higher than their share in power and can smell an opportunity to seek remedial justice. The BJP has to deal with this, too, when it carves out its position.

If this was the older pre-Modi BJP, one could have assumed that an instinctive, cultural, political opposition to the caste census and its results would be the default response.

But this BJP, of Modi and Shah, is extremely careful about retaining its wider social umbrella. In that case, it has either the option of using its welfarist appeal to point out that across poorer communities, the BJPs governance model has delivered and play up class instead of caste. But this may not work enough given that sub-identities can sometimes prove to be as powerful as macro-identities in a society with such deep caste fractures and the scarcity of resources and opportunities means intense competition across the axis.

It has the option of pointing out that the BJP has indeed enhanced the representation of castes and communities which didnt have a voice earlier and will continue to do so. In this context, it has the option of bringing into play the Rohini Commission recommendations, which point out that a limited number of OBC subcastes have cornered a majority of the benefits, and sub-categorise reservation benefits. But a push to implement this will reinforce the demand for a national caste census; doing this also has unpredictable consequences, for some of the dominant OBC groups who may lose out remain BJPs supporters.

Or it has the option of countering subcaste politics with even a stronger Hindutva push to project Muslims as the other and unify Hindu social groups beyond caste identities. But whether bigotry will suffice amid a cry for wider representation and power is uncertain.

Or it could do all of the above  playing on class, governance, Hindu identity, while also catering to issues of sub-categorisation.

The India of 2023 is an India with a dramatic level of connectivity and migration; where rural-urban boundaries are blurred, where caste identities remain extraordinarily powerful but are neither the basis for occupations nor necessarily the only determinants of voting behaviour; where aspirations for a better life are common across social groups even if the paths they adopt and objectives they can strive for depends on the level of privilege and deprivation; and where, to paraphrase and reverse a descriptor used for Bihar, people vote their castes but also cast their votes on other grounds.

If Bihar showed the way in pioneering anti-Indira Gandhi politics in the mid 1970s and then reshaping Indian politics through Mandal, a son of Bihari soil, in the 1980s, it has opened up Indian politics again with its pioneering caste survey. How it plays out will illustrate how Indian society has changed, or not changed, in the past three decades.

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The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar released a caste-based survey report on Monday, ahead of the Lok Sabha election in 2024. According to the survey, the extremely backward classes (EBC) comprise 36.01% of the population, the backward classes 27.12% and the general category 15.52% of the covered population. Scheduled caste comprises 19.65% and scheduled tribes 1.68% of the population covered under the survey. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav (File Photo)

Of the OBC, Yadavs constitute 14.26% of the surveyed population, while Kushwaha and Kurmi form 4.27% and 2.87% of the covered population.

The first phase of the survey was to mark houses and note the name of family members and their heads while the second phase of the survey was to fill up proforma on the 17-point socio-economic indicators, including caste, has been completed in their respective districts.

According to the data released in Patna by development commissioner Vivek Singh, the states total population stood at a little over 13.07 crore.

Notably, the survey was ordered last year after the Narendra Modi government at the Centre made it clear that it would not be able to undertake a headcount of castes other than SCs and STs as part of the census.

Around 2.64 lakh enumerators fanned out across the state, documenting the details of 29 million registered households on 17 socioeconomic criteria  ranging from employment, education, marital status, land holding and property ownership  and caste. Enumerators will have to choose between 214 pre-registered castes that have been allotted individual codes.

A bunch of petitions in the Supreme Court have challenged the August 1 judgment of the high court that allowed the government to carry out the exercise. On August 18, the top court observed that it could not restrain the Bihar government from publishing the cumulative data or findings of the caste survey unless there was a prima facie case to show the violation of any constitutional right or lack of competence on the part of the state government.

Reacting to the development, former chief minister and RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav described it as a historic moment. Despite many conspiracies of the BJP, legal hurdles and all the conspiracies, today, the Bihar government released the caste-based survey. These figures will set an example for the country in making holistic planning for proper development and progress of the deprived, neglected and poor and in giving representation to marginalised groups in proportion to the population, Prasad, whose party is in alliance with the Nitish Kumar's JDU in Bihar, said.

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said BJP does not need the votes of 'Miya' people of 'char' (riverine sandbar) areas for the next 10 years, till they reform themselves by leaving aside practices such as child marriage. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (ANI/File)

Sarma, however, said the 'Miya' people support him, PM Narendra Modi and the BJP, and they can continue to shout slogans in favour of the saffron brigade without voting for them.

"BJP will do public welfare and they will support us, but they don't need to vote for us. There is no harm in supporting us. Let them shout 'zindabad' for Himanta Biswa Sarma, Narendra Modi and BJP," he told reporters in response to a question.

The term 'Miya' is a slang used to refer to Bengali-speaking Muslims.

The chief minister said, "When elections come, I myself will request them not to vote for us. When you will follow family planning, stop child marriage and shed fundamentalism, then you vote for us."

"To complete these, it will take 10 years. We will seek votes after 10 years, not now."

He said that those voting in favour of him and the BJP should not have more than two or three children, must send their daughters to schools, cannot indulge in child marriage and adopt Sufism by leaving fundamentalism.

"When these conditions are fulfilled, I will go with you to 'char' to seek votes," Sarma told the journalists.

When pointed out that many 'chars', where predominantly Bengali-speaking Muslims live, do not have proper schools, he said that immediately schools would be set up if he is informed about the non-existence of a school in such an area.

"It can't happen that minority students won't get a chance to study. We will open seven colleges in minority areas in the coming days," Sarma said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that withstood pressure from its allies and opposition parties to agree to a caste-based enumeration, on Monday said, it does not oppose the survey and its outcome will not impact its social engineering model of bringing different castes under the wider Hindu votebank. Senior party functionaries who spoke on condition of anonymity also said the percentage of various castes as shown in the survey, illustrates that the BJPs outreach towards the other backward classes (OBC), the scheduled castes (SCs)and scheduled tribes (STs) was well-intended as it gave these castes representation commensurate with their numbers. The Bihar government on Monday released the first set of data of the caste-based enumeration-2022. (Santosh Kumar / Hindustan Times)

Even as president of the partys Bihar unit, Samrat Choudhary told news agencies that the survey findings are an incomplete report, leaders in Delhi tried to turn the findings of the caste composition in the state to their advantage, pointing out that these were not contrary to the partys electoral policies.

The BJP is the only party that gave political representation to castes that are numerically smaller within the ambit of a bigger cluster, for instance the Kushwahas (4.2%) counted as OBCs. This in turn has empowered those castes that used to be sidelined by the dominant castes or subsumed in their larger identity, said a party functionary not wishing to be named.

The leader said the party has picked representatives from various castes to ensure their inclusion. Samart is a Kushwaha; leader of the opposition in the legislative council, Hari Sahni is an EBC; and leader of the opposition in the assembly Vijay Kumar Sinha is an upper caste, the leader said.

Since it came to power at the Centre in 2014, the increase in the partys vote share and seats are attributed to the support that the BJP elicited from the OBCs, the SCs and the STs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, being an OBC gave a fillip to the BJPs outreach towards the communities in 2014, and it strengthened its position among the OBCs and the SC, STs in 2019 riding on the back of its social welfare schemes and by giving space to them on the high table.

How many Gadheria (shepherd) community members (counted among the Kurmis) have been politically empowered by the JDU? How many non Yadavs has the RJD propped? These parties have helped only specific communities and blamed the BJP for being casteist, the leader quoted above said.

A second party functionary, also speaking on condition of anonymity said most political analysts view the BJPs expansion as an outcome of the Kamandal politics, a term used to denote the consolidation of the Hindu vote bank post Ramjanamabhoomi movement in the 1990s, but the partys decision to shed its image as an upper caste (Brahmin-Baniya) entity paved the way for its growth.

Post Mandal Commission report, the BJP suffered a setback as regional parties such as the RJD in Bihar and Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh grew stronger and carved a space for themselves, dislodging even the Congress. The Ramjanamabhoomi movement helped the BJP consolidate its position, but it was the efforts made to win over the non- dominant OBCs that began in 2013 that gave the BJP a truly pan India position, the second functionary said.

While the party is reluctant to explain why it opposed the caste census, given its stress on wooing the beneficiaries of the survey, the second leader said the partys outreach towards the OBCs still needs to be strengthened as it is not uniformly supported by the larger OBC grouping.

There is no denying that the dominant Yadavs still support the RJD and the SP; just as the Kurmis support Nitish Kumars JDU. These castes have benefitted from the social welfare schemes of the Modi government, but in state elections, they still opted to stick to caste-based preference, the second leader explained.

Senior BJP leader and former minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the BJP was not against carrying out the survey and is the only party that has a much larger following among the OBCs than any other party. Gone are the days when Mandal was with the opposition and the Kamandal with the BJP, today we have both. Had the Congress not sat on the Mandal Commission report, today there would have been a much larger number of OBCs in senior government positions. It was the BJP that supported the report, he said.

Given the heft that OBCs have in states such as Bihar, UP, Gujarat among others, there has been a pressure on the BJP from its allies including the Apna Dal, the Republican Party of India  Athawale and the HAM to support caste-based enumeration. In a bid to pre-empt the opposition from taking credit for the census, BJPs spokesperson in Bihar, Kuntal Krishna said, This was supposed to be a socio-economic caste survey...where is the socio- economic data...it is an attempt to mislead the people of Bihar.

Head of the BJPs OBC Morcha, K Laxman said Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar should explain why the census does not give a complete picture of the education, social and economic status of the disadvantaged groups. He should tell us how he intends to address the problems of these groups, what policies will be drafted. They should also tell how the findings will check dynastic politics practised by the RJD and the Congress, he said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Smriti Kak Ramachandran Smriti covers an intersection of politics and governance. Having spent over a decade in journalism, she combines old fashioned leg work with modern story telling tools. ...view detail
Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said that the long-awaited Urban Extension Road II, a key ring road project in Delhi, is set to open its lanes to commuters within the next 2-3 months. The announcement came during his interaction with the Indian diaspora in Prague, Czech Republic, where he highlighted the significant impact this infrastructure project would have on travel to Delhi airport. Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari. (PTI File Photo)

Addressing the Indian diaspora in the Czech Republic capital, Gadkari said, Normally, if you come to Delhi and then go to the airport, it will take 2 hours or even more due to traffic congestion. However, after this road opens, you can reach the airport in just 20 minutes.

Gadkari's announcement was met with enthusiasm from the Indian diaspora in Prague. The minister also highlighted other infrastructure projects that have been completed under his watch, including Atal Tunnel.

It takes 3.5 hours to reach Rohtang Pass from Manali. After we constructed an underpass tunnel, people now reach there in eight minutes. In Ladakh, Leh, we have constructed the Zojila tunnel, the longest in Asia. The estimated cost on its tender was 12,000 crore and 70 per cent of the construction has been completed in 5,500 crores, he said.

Gadkari recently said that the Urban Extension Road-II connecting North Delhi with the Delhi-Jaipur highway will be a game-changer for the national capital.

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways said A majority of the traffic jam and pollution in Delhi is because of the traffic going from North India to South India via Delhi. UER-II will reduce the traffic jam, time as well as pollution.

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YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian side has suffered casualties when Azerbaijani military opened gunfire on October 2 at a vehicle carrying food to a border outpost, the Ministry of Defense has said.

There are casualties on the Armenian side in the wake of the fire by the Azerbaijani armed forces on a vehicle carrying food for the personnel conducting duties at the Armenian combat positions. The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia will provide information later. As of 4 p.m., the situation on the frontier is relatively stable, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Facebook.
Canadian MP Kevin Vuong has asked the Justin Trudeau government to provide evidence backing its allegation that the Indian government was possibly behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on its soil. A mural features the image of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, (REUTERS)

Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was shot to death in June in British Columbia (BC). India has outrightly denied Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's allegation of the Indian government's involvement in Nijjar's murder, which took place in the parking lot of a gurdwara in Surrey, BC.

However, Jagmeet Singh, the head of Canada's New Democratic Party, an ally of Trudeau's Liberal Party of Canada, said there was a clear indication of a foreign government being involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen. He also called for the inclusion of India in a probe launched in September of alleged interference in Canadian affairs by other countries, especially China.

"In my experience, as a Sikh Canadian, there have always been suspicions that India was interfering in the democratic rights of Canadians," Singh said.

Questioning Jagmeet Singh on NDTV, Kevin Vuong said if the New Democratic Party has clear evidence related to Nijjars death, he has a duty to bring it forward to the appropriate authorities.

Canada is a country of #RuleOfLaw Being the leader of a political party does not give you the right to be judge, jury & executioner, he tweeted.

Tensions flared between India and Canada following Canadian Trudeau's explosive allegations against India. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India angrily rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated" and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

What did Jagmeet Singh say on Nijjar killing?

As the Prime Minister (Traudeu) shared publicly, there is Canadian intelligence which indicates that a Canadian citizen was killed on Canadian soil and a foreign government was implicated, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh had told reporters in Ottawa.

Jagmeet Singhs NDP is the fourth largest party in the House of Commons or Lower House of the Canadian Parliament.

Describing the allegations levelled by Trudeau against India as a very serious thing, Jagmeet Singh said his views were based on the intelligence briefing he received.

This is unprecedented intelligence that has come forward and that is why were going to continue to urge that the Canadian government have a thorough investigation that those responsible are brought forward, the NDP leader said.

Responding to a question, Jagmeet Singh said the United States has been very supportive of Canadas call for transparency from India. We are going to continue to push for those things, he added.

Jagmeet Singh said he received the briefing on materials prepared by former governor-general David Johnston, who had been named as a special rapporteur to explore the issue. Johnston has now resigned from the role.

The briefings were of the nature where I can confirm what the prime minister has shared publicly, that there is clear intelligence that Canada has that lays out the following case: that a Canadian citizen was killed on Canadian soil and a foreign government was involved  That intelligence is something that I think is very credible.

(With inputs from agencies)

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MAGO (ARUNACHAL PRADESH): The Centre has for the first time sanctioned Border Intelligence Posts or BIPs at the Indo-China border to keep an eye on Beijings activities including its military and weapons buildup across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), as well as regular transgression and incursion attempts to change the status quo, people familiar with the development said on Monday. A top official said that all sensitive BOPs will have specially trained intelligence officers, who will have access to latest surveillance tools. (HT Photo)

The BIPs will exclusively have intelligence officials deployed to gather and develop inputs from the LAC in collaboration with the troops of Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), agencies such as National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), Intelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), etc, regarding any unusual activity of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).

Each BIP, which will be created along with the Border outposts (BOPs) of ITBP, would have 4-5 intelligence officers with specific duties. They will submit reports to the government regarding any unusual activity, said a top official, who didnt want to be named.

Currently there are over 180 BOPs of ITBP at the Indo-China border from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. The government had, earlier this year, also sanctioned 47 additional border outposts and 12 staging camps of the border guarding force - also known as Himveers - along the LAC for which 9,400 personnel (or seven battalions) have already been approved.

The top official cited above didnt disclose the exact number of BIPs and budget approved for it by the Centre but he said slowly all sensitive BOPs will have these specially trained intelligence officers, who will have access to latest surveillance tools.

The development comes in the wake of China flexing its muscle at the LAC, provoking India through regular attempted intrusions and its push to build up military infrastructure such as airfields and missile sites on the other side of the border.

The two sides have been in a face-off at several points at the LAC since June 2020 clash in Galwan Valley in Ladakh. On December 9 last year, PLA troops also intruded in Yangste in Arunachal Pradesh which led to a clash resulting in injuries to soldiers on both sides.

Since the Indo-China border is not fully demarcated, and both sides have different perceptions of the LAC; the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) troops often transgress into the disputed area.

Following Galwan and Yangste, the Indian government has not only ramped up its infrastructure at the LAC but has also introduced schemes for the development of the border villages.

The difference could be seen in Mago, the first village on the border with China in Chuna sector in West Arunachal, visited by HT on Monday. Till 2020, Mago had no road connectivity and the winter supplies for army and ITBP were dropped via helicopters but a black top road has since been built right till the border, allowing armed forces to move vehicles, artillery and troops.

The border villages are being developed by providing them roads, mobile connectivity and round the clock electricity through hydro power projects being built by the Arunachal Pradesh government at a large scale. This work is expected to accelerate under the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP), which was announced by Union home minister Amit Shah in April.

Speaking at a cultural function at Mago, organised to boost the troops morale, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu said that out of 665 villages in first phase of VVP, 453 are in Arunachal Pradesh only. The army and ITBP have a major role to play in developing these border villages. We are building roads till the end, we have built advance landing grounds and efforts are on to increase tourism. For troops, facilities are being reoriented like temporary sheds are being replaced with permanent structures. The army and ITBP camps will get electricity from hydro power projects.

Army officials deployed in Tawang and Chuna in Arunachal Pradesh, who didnt want to be named, said currently the situation is peaceful in the region after last years Yangste clash and they have regular commander level meetings with their PLA counterparts.

Meanwhile, both Army and ITBP are currently in the process of stocking the supplies ahead of winter season, when the entire region will be covered by snow and temperature could drop up to minus 20 degrees.

Speaking at the same function, Union minister for earth sciences Kiren Rijiju said on Monday - The country is safe when the borders are safe. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, now not a single border village is left where vehicles cannot reach. These border villages were neglected earlier. I assure you, that in next six months, all border villages will also have 4G connectivity.

Rijiju also asserted that a concept paper on how to implement the Vibrant Village Programme has already been sent to the MHA and work has already begun at large scale.

Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda, who visited Mago to encourage jawans, said Army, ITBP and state government are doing great work to secure our borders. They are standing firm against any threat.

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JAIPUR Cong MLAs in Rajasthan cant face public due to corruption, says CP Joshi

Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party president CP Joshi took over the reins of the state at a time when factionalism was rife in the party in the absence of a strong leadership. In an interview to Urvashi Dev Rawal, Joshi spoke about challenges in his six-month tenure, how he has tried to settle ruffled feathers, energise the cadres and take on the Congress government. Excerpts:

When you took over as state BJP president, the BJP was a divided house. The aim was to forge unity. Do you think you have achieved that aim?

My effort has been to take all leaders together and move forward, whether they are seniors or younger ones. My attempt was to get guidance from all senior leaders. We all have to work to strengthen the party and organisation and ensure that the party wins the 2023 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections. We are getting support from everyone.

There has been a lot of speculation about former CM Vasundhara Raje. She was present at the start of the four Parivartan yatras but not after that. Is there still a rift within the party?

No, there is no rift in the party. All leaders are onboard. Vasundhara ji is a senior leader, our party national vice president, and two-time chief minister. She is our respected leader and she is fully involved in all activities, meetings and discussions for the elections. All our senior leaders were only present at the start of the yatras and did not accompany them throughout. Also, Raje ji had a family emergency which she had to attend to.

The party took out 4 yatras under a collective leadership. Do you think a yatra under a single leader as the face would have been more fruitful?

The yatras have received massive support from the public. In many places, people turned up in thousands even late at night to welcome the yatras. The public mood on the ground is clear, they want change and they want to bring the BJP to power. These yatras became Jan Yatras or peoples yatras which reflects the anger in the public against the government of chief minister Ashok Gehlot. The party decided to take out four yatras under collective leadership due to shortage of time. We were able to cover all 200 constituencies and travelled over 9,000 km in 17-18 days.

Several surveys point to a close contest in Rajasthan. Do you think CM Ashok Gehlots welfare schemes have had a positive impact?

We are confident that the BJP will get a thumping victory in the assembly elections. Gehlot ji is announcing these schemes at the fag end of his tenure. If he is so confident of the work he has done, what is the need to dole out these freebies to woo people and empty the state treasury? A large section has been left out of the schemes which has caused resentment. There are complaints of poor quality of phones and ration. People will not be fooled. The Gehlot government has only tried to save his chair and indulged in corruption for over four years. Congress is not in a situation to face the public. The MLAs are scared to go to the people and face their anger.

The Parliament recently passed the womens reservation bill. Will the BJP give 33 % tickets to women in the assembly polls?

The BJP has always given an exalted position to women. Our party was the first to amend the party constitution and give 33% reservation to women in the organisation. We gave the post of president to a woman, the finance minister is a woman and the post of external affairs was also held by a woman. We will try to give maximum representation to women depending on social, caste and regional factors.

TheRed Diary came with a big bang but nothing much has come of it?

The party has raised the issue. Sooner or later the black deeds of the Congress government will emerge. The CM says he has nothing to do with the Red Diary. But the CM went for a birthday party to Congress leader Rajendra Gudhas house and said he saved my government. One board chairman has said the diary was retrieved from his apartment. Why was Gudha sent to get the diary from the apartment? What black deeds are they trying to hide in the diary? Why the fear. Why was Gudha sacked as minister?

How do you see the tenure of the Congress government?

The Congress government has been a total failure. It has cheated farmers after promising full loan waiver, it has destroyed the future of millions of youth by failing to prevent question paper leaks, it has a shameful record on law and order. Womens atrocities have crossed all limits. Rajasthan is number one in rape cases in the country. The ministers and MLAs are indulging in open loot and corruption. There is anarchy.

It is being said that if the BJP comes to power in Rajasthan, the government will punish all those guilty in paper leaks. What will the government do?

In BJP ruled states, we have shown by our actions that we are serious about what we promise. The PM has also said that he delivers on his guarantees. In Gujarat, UP and Assam, the BJP governments have curbed crime, given employment and brought development. We will definitely act against those who have destroyed the future of youth.

The Congress and other opposition parties accuse BJP of fanning communal strife to win elections. How would you respond?

Not BJP. They (Opposition) do acts that incites others. The BJPs slogan is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas. The welfare schemes of prime minister Narendra Modis government have reached all sections of the society. We have not discriminated against anyone. But who said the first right on resources if of the Muslims? It was the Congress party and their PM. Who gives 24-hour electricity for one festival and not for others, allows DJ for one festival and not for others? PFI is allowed to hold a rally but Hindu religious processions and saffron flags are banned... Its clear you are doing appeasement.

Do you think the infighting in the Congress will damage its electoral prospects?

This is an internal matter of the Congress but the people of Rajasthan have suffered.

You got the throne by making your masters in Delhi happy but then you use agencies that should have worked to stop corruption and crime to spy on your own MLAs and ministers. For 4.5 years, the Gehlot government has only done corruption, tried to save his chair and finish his opponents.

But CM Gehlot has accused the BJP of trying to topple his government.

That is not true. Who gave tickets to the Congress leaders who left? Its your weakness that your people left and then you called them useless and traitor.
In a major breakthrough, the Delhi Police Special Cell apprehended Shahnawaz alias Shafi Uzzama, the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) most wanted terrorist. Shahnawaz, who had a reward of 3 lakhs on his head, was wanted in connection with the Pune ISIS case. Mohammad Shahnawaz, alias Shafiuzzama Alam.

The 32-year-old engineer by profession and resident of Delhi had managed to escape from Pune police custody, triggering a massive manhunt that spanned several states.

Delhi Police Special Cell officials have also detained two other individuals in connection with the case. Details about these detainees are yet to be disclosed.

Police said that the module was planning to carry out terror incidents in North India and was taking instructions from foreign-based handlers.

Incriminating materials were recovered including materials suspected to be used for IED fabrication, ANI quoted the police as saying.

The arrest of Shafi Uzzama is part of the NIA's ongoing efforts to apprehend individuals linked to the Pune ISIS module case. The NIA had earlier released pictures of four terror suspects wanted in connection with this case and declared a reward of 3 lakh each for credible information leading to their arrest.

Shafi Uzzama, along with Talha Liyakat Khan, Rizwan Abdul Haji Ali and Abdulla Faiyaz Shaikh alias Daiperwala, was the subject of an extensive nationwide manhunt.

What is Pune ISIS module case

Shahnawaz and two others, Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yunus Khan and Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yakub Saki, were arrested by the Kothrud police in Pune on July 18 following their attempted theft of a two-wheeler. When the police were taking them to their residence at Kondhwa in Pune for a search, Shahnawaz jumped out of the police vehicle and managed to escape.

Police found that Khan and Saki, originally hailing from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, were allegedly involved in a separate terror case registered in Rajasthan, where explosives were discovered in a car in March 2022. Both Khan and Saki carried a bounty of 5 lakh each on their heads.

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) took over the investigation on July 22. During the course of their inquiry, the ATS arrested additional suspects, including Qadir Dastagir Pathan, an IT engineer, and SN Kazi, at Kondhwa. The agency invoked sections of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against Khan, Saki, and other accused.

The investigation took a critical turn when Khan and Saki revealed that Shahnawaz had stored acid at Bopatghat near Kondhwa. The NIA sought the assistance of the Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad to seize the acid along with various chemicals used in bomb-making.

ATS also seized several other materials and found 500 GB data in the laptops and mobile phones of the accused which contained links to YouTube videos on making bombs and Google images of various places.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail
Imphal/New Delhi A security official stands guard as student protest against the killing of two Meitei students. (PTI)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested four people on Sunday in connection with two Meitei students abduction and murder, which stoked a fresh wave of violent protests in Manipur, chief minister N Biren Singh and officers aware of the matter said.

The four suspects Paominlun Haokip, S Malsawn Haokip, Lhingneichong Baite and Tinnuphing were arrested from the tribal-dominated Churchandpur district and moved out of the state by a special flight, the chief minister said. He added that the government was committed to ensuring maximum punishment for the guilty, including capital punishment, for the heinous crime.

The CBI arrested four people from Henglep area of Churachandpur district for the murder of the two youths. They were taken outside the state by a special flight, Singh said while addressing a press conference.

On September 25, photos of 20-year-old Phijam Hemanjit Singh and a 17-year-old girl, both missing since July 6, surfaced on social media. One of the photos showed them sitting on the ground in what appeared to be a forest with two armed men in the background, and another showed them apparently lying dead on the ground. HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the photos.

Manipur Police said the two Imphal residents may have got trapped in an area dominated by the Kuki community while fleeing, after which they were allegedly abducted and murdered.

Hours after the photos went viral, violent protests broke out in the state with the agitators even trying to vandalise the ancestral house of the chief minister and properties linked to state BJP chief Sharda Devi. On Wednesday, hundreds of students spilled out on to the streets to protest against the killings. Several of them were injured in clashes with police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel.

As the saying goes, one may abscond after committing the crime, but they cannot escape the long hands of the law. We are committed to ensuring maximum punishment, including capital punishment, for the heinous crime they have committed, the chief minister said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Speaking on condition of anonymity, officers aware of the matter said that the four suspectsall Kuki-Zowere arrested following a joint operation by the police, army and state police.

A Manipur Police officer said Lhingneichong, is the wife of Wokkhogin Baite (36) alias Tiger, a Commander of the militant Kuki Nationalist Front (Zougam). Tiger is believed to be the one who ordered the abduction of the two youngsters, the officer said, requesting anonymity.

The police probe into the killings revealed that a day after they went missing, a new SIM card was inserted in the mans mobile phone that was activated in Lamdan, a Kuki-dominated area, on July 7. The officer said that Lhingneichong was the one who had started the phone.

The Joint Students Body, a Kuki organisation, said the central probe agency also took an 11-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl, the children of one of the accused, in their custody. A second Manipur Police officer said the agency might have take the children in their custody because they would not have found guardian for them. The arrests were made from the outskirts of Churachandpur and the CBI may have had problems in finding a guardian to hand over the children to, a Manipur police officer said on condition of anonymity. A crowd gathered outside the Churachandpur SPs office on Sunday evening to protest the detention of the minors, the officer added.

Terming the arrests as abduction, several Kuki organisations declared an indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur from 10 am on Monday.

The NIA and CBI are requested to release the abductees within 48 hours, failing which more intense agitation will follow in all hill districts of Manipur. All boundary areas with the Meitei will be sealed from tomorrow [Monday]. No one will be allowed to enter or leave the buffer zones. All government offices will be closed from tomorrow, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), a conglomerate of Kuki groups, said in a statement.

Clashes in Manipur first broke out on May 3 in Churachandpur town after tribal groups called for protests against a proposed tweak to the states reservation matrix, granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. At least 178 people have died and another 50,000 displaced in the violence.
President of India Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital on the occasion of 154th Gandhi Jayanti. PM Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 154th birth anniversary at Rajghat(Raj k Raj/Hindustan Times)

The PM also led the tributes for Mahatma Gandhi on social media saying that Gandhi's impact is global and motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion.

I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. May we always work towards fulfilling his dreams. May his thoughts enable every youngster be the agent of change he dreamt of, fostering unity and harmony all over, he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla also paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge paid the floral tributes at Rajghat and said that Mahatma Gandhi is not just an individual, but an idea, an ideology and the moral compass of our great nation.

His ideals of truth, non-violence, freedom, equality and coexistence have eternal value. We bow in reverence to Bapus ideals on his Jayanti, he wrote in a post on X.

Meanwhile, the official X handle of Congress wrote: On Gandhi Jayanti, we pay a billion tributes to the Mahatma, whose life-long dedication to the cause of freedom won India her Independence. Let us pledge that his values of peace, unity and non-violencethe bedrock of our nationcontinue to act as our guiding light.

Jharkhand governor CP Radhakrishnan, chief minister Hemant Soren, and JMM leader Mahua Manjhi can be seen paying floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi in Ranchi.

Gandhi Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and is celebrated every year on October 2. The day is also celebrated as the International Day of non-violence to honour Mahatma Gandhi's values of non-violence and tolerance that he preached.
After the Bihar Government released caste survey data, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday reiterated his demands to give people rights based on their population. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi(HT_PRINT)

He said that the caste census of the Bihar government shows the importance of knowing the caste statistics of the country.

The Bihar government released caste survey data, with the figures that have ramifications for the Lok Sabha polls next year, showing that Other Backward Caste (OBC) and Extremely Backward Class (EBC) together account for 63 per cent of the states population.

"The caste census of Bihar has revealed that OBC SC ST are 84% there. Out of 90 secretaries of the Central Government, only 3 are OBC, who handle only 5% of India's budget! Therefore, it is important to know the caste statistics of India. The greater the population, the greater the rights  this is our pledge," Rahul Gandhi posted on 'X' (Formerly Twitter).

Earlier in the day, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar congratulated the entire team engaged in the work of caste-based enumeration stating that the survey not only revealed the castes but also gave information about the economic condition of everyone.

"Today, on the auspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the data of the caste-based census conducted in Bihar has been published. Many congratulations to the entire team engaged in the work of caste-based enumeration!" Bihar CM posted on 'X'.

"The proposal for caste-based enumeration was passed unanimously in the Legislature. It was decided with the consent of all 9 parties of the Bihar Assembly that the state government will conduct a caste-based census from its own resources and its approval was given by the Council of Ministers on June 6, 2022. On this basis, the state government has conducted caste-based census from its own resources," he said.

"Caste-based census not only revealed the castes but also gave information about the economic condition of everyone. On the basis of this report, further action will be taken for the development and upliftment of all sections, he added.

He further said that soon a meeting of the same 9 parties of Bihar Assembly will be called regarding the caste-based census conducted in Bihar and they will be informed about the results of the caste-based census.

The report of the caste-based survey conducted in Bihar was released at a press conference in the state capital.

The extremely backward class is 36.01 per cent, the general category is 15.52 per cent and the Other Backward Caste (OBC) is 27 per cent," Vivek Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary said.

According to the data, Scheduled Castes make up 19.65 per cent and the Scheduled Tribes 1.68 per cent of the population of the state.

The data also said that the Hindus comprise 81.99 per cent of the population, Muslims 17.7 per cent, Christians 0.05 per cent, Sikhs 0.01 per cent, Buddhists 0.08 per cent and other religions 0.12 per cent.

The data said that Yadavs, the OBC group to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, is the largest and accounts for 14.27 per cent of the states population.

Kushwaha and Kurmi communities form 4.27 per cent and 2.87 per cent of the population, the caste survey said.

Bhumihars constitute 2.86 per cent of the population, Brahmins 3.66 per cent, Kurmis 2.87 per cent, and Musahars 3 per cent.

The total population of Bihar is more than 13 crore. (ANI)
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, a regular Rahul Gandhi baiter, on Monday again targeted the former Congress chief, this time over the latter's Golden Temple visit, during which the Wayanad MP participated in sewa (voluntary service) by washing utensils. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arriving to pay obeisance at Golden Temple in Amritsar on Monday. (Sameer Sehgal/HT)

Reminding Gandhi that his grandmother, former prime minister Indira Gandhi, ordered a military operation at the Golden Temple, Sarma mocked the Congress leader's Mohabbat Ki Dukaan (shop of love) catchphrase.

Grandmother sprayed bullets and grand child is doing sewa. This is called Mohabbat Ki Dukaan, the Assam CM, an ex-Congressman, wrote on X (formerly Twitter)

Operation Bluestar

In early June 1984, the Indian Army, on orders of then PM Indira Gandhi, stormed the Golden Temple in a bid to remove militant Sikh preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his army of fellow Khalistan (a proposed independent homeland for Sikhs) supporters, from the shrine. On October 31, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for the army raid; her killing sparked riots against the community across the country, mainly in and around Delhi.

Over the years, several Congress leaders, primarily Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, have been accused of having incited mobs to attack Sikh community members in Delhi, charges they have repeatedly denied. Even Rajiv Gandhi  Indira's son (and Rahul's father) who succeeded her as prime minister  made a speech in which, many people believe, he justified the anti-Sikh violence.

Rajiv himself was assassinated in May 1991 by LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) terrorists for sending Indian troops to Sri Lanka to battle the LTTE in the island nation's civil war.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday came down heavily on the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan and accused it of destroying the state in the past five years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to his supporters during a public meeting. (ANI Photo)

Addressing a public rally at Chittorgarh in the poll-bound state, Modi said, "The Congress government in Rajasthan has destroyed the state in the past five years. It pains me that the state tops in crime list... The maximum number of cases of crime against women are from Rajasthan... Is this why you voted for the Congress?"

Modi said Rajasthan has decided to save the state by bringing back the BJP government.

Speaking on the alleged paper leak in Rajasthan, Modi said the mafia will be held accountable and given the harshest punishment.

Taking a dig at the Rajasthan Congress infighting, Modi said, "The Congress successfully formed a government by deceiving the people of Rajasthan. However, they failed to run the government. Ashok Gehlot had been saving his chief ministerial chair, whereas half of the Congress leaders were actively trying to unseat him."

Gehlot and Rajasthan Congress leader Pilot have been engaged in a power tussle since the party formed government in the state in 2018. In 2020, Pilot led a revolt against the Gehlot government after which he was removed from the posts of the party's state unit president and deputy chief minister.

Last year, an attempt by the high command to effect a leadership change in Rajasthan had failed after Gehlot loyalists dug their heels in and did not allow a legislature party meeting to take place. Earlier this year, Pilot defied a warning from the party and went ahead with a day-long fast targeting Gehlot over his "inaction" on alleged corruption during the previous Raje government.

The BJP, he said, will contest the assembly election on the party's symbol 'lotus'.

Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, BJP state president CP Joshi, leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore, Union minister Arjun Meghwal were among the political leaders present at the rally. There has been much speculation if Raje will be declared the chief ministerial face by the BJP in Rajasthan.

Ashok Gehlot accepted defeat in Rajasthan: PM Modi

On Ashok Gehlot's demand that Modi should give a guarantee that no scheme initiated by the Congress government be stopped if the BJP comes to power, Modi said, Gehlot knows that the countdown of the Congress government has started. He in a way has congratulated the BJP by publicly requesting that the schemes should not be stopped. I assure you that the BJP will not stop any scheme of public interest but will try to improve it. This is Modi's guarantee."

Gehlot had recently demanded that Modi should guarantee that the Congress government's schemes will not be discontinued if the BJP comes to power in the state.

PM Mod attacks Gehlot govt over corruption women's safety

Attacking the Gehlot government over the issue of corruption and women's safety, the PM said he is pained when atrocities take place against daughters anywhere in the country but charged that the Congress has made this a tradition here.

Referring to tailor Kanhaiya Lal's brutal murder in Udaipur last year, Modi asked whether the people of the state had voted the Congress for this. Had you imagined what happened in Udaipur? People come on the pretext of getting clothes stitched, slit the throat of the tailor without any fear and make a video and make it viral, and Congress gets worried about votes in that too, he said.

Lal, 48, was killed with a cleaver inside his shop in Udaipur on June 28 last year. The assailants claimed they hacked Lal to death to avenge an alleged insult to Islam.

Modi also said it is not possible to celebrate any festival peacefully in Rajasthan because of the "anti-development" environment created by the Congress. Modi said the BJP will bring prosperity, employment and development in the state besides ensuring the safety of women.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Hyderabad: Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, popularly known as KCR, on Sunday skipped Prime Minister Narendra Modis public program to launch various developmental projects in the poll-bound state, as the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) hit out at the Centre and questioned its alleged apathy towards the Palamuru irrigation project. K. Chandrashekar Rao (PTI)

The ruling party in the state also reacted sharply to Modis remarks that the people of Telangana want a change, saying it is the country that is looking forward to a switch in government.

Assembly elections are due to be held in Telangana this year.

The Prime Minister was visiting the state to lay the foundation stone of multiple developmental projects worth more than 13,500 crore and address a public rally in Mahabubnagar.

KCR skipped the event and sent his cabinet colleague, T Srinivasa Yadav, to receive and see off the Prime Minister at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad.

It is not for the first time that the chief minister has given the Prime Ministers events in the state a miss. Earlier in April, Rao skipped a program despite being invited as per protocol. He did not even receive Modi at the airport upon his arrival.

As the Prime Minister, at a public meeting at Mahabubnagar after the inauguration of the projects, indirectly attacked the state government over alleged corruption and said its people want a change, the BRS said it was not Telangana but the entire country that was looking forward to a change.

In a post in Telugu on X, formerly Twitter, KCRs son and Telangana information technology and industries minister K T Rama Rao, popularly known as KTR, said: The people of Telangana know that NaMo means cheating. Not the people of Telangana, the people of the country want a change.

KTR also said the steering wheel of the BRS is very much in the hands of KCR but the steering wheel of the BJP has gone into the hands of Adani.

The state minister claimed the Modi government had given nominal financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, and it would be better for the Prime Minister to acknowledge that a smaller and newly-formed state like Telangana had credited 72,000 crore into the accounts of 7,000,000 farmers in the last five years.

He described as a million dollar joke Modis comment that there was no crop loan waiver in Telangana.

While ours is the true Jai Kisan government which waived the crop loans of farmers, yours is the Nahi Kisan government which had waived 14.50 lakh crore bank loans evaded by corporate giants, he alleged.

Earlier in the day, prior to Modis visit, KTR questioned the Centres alleged apathy towards the Palamuru irrigation project at Mahabubnagar.

The minister posted on X a purported video of Modi in 2014 questioning the then UPA government about its callous attitude towards the Palamuru project.

PM @narendramodi Ji, Back in 2014, you had questioned the UPA Govt about their indifferent attitude towards Palamuru irrigation projects and asked if they were sleeping for 10 years! Today, after seeing 10 years of BJPs apathy towards Mahabubnagar, I want to show the mirror to you, he said.

What assistance did you give to Palamuru irrigation projects in the last ten years? A Big ZERO. Thats exactly the number of seats your party will be given by people of Telangana, he added.

Veteran Congress leader and former MP V Hanumanth Rao also hit out at Modi for visiting various poll-bound states amid the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur. Modi talks about empowering women through the womens reservation bill. But he has not uttered a word about the atrocities being perpetrated on women in Manipur. He is more interested in playing politics than resolving the critical issues, he said.

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YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos.

PM Pashinyan congratulated Ambassador Maragos on his appointment as Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia and wished him success in his activities, the Prime Ministers Office said in a readout.

Prime Minister Pashinyan attached importance to the Armenia-EU cooperation in various directions, especially in the context of advancing the ongoing democratic reforms in Armenia. PM Nikol Pashinyan added that the comprehensive agenda of reforms is being successfully implemented, including through EU support. Pashinyan emphasized the need for intensifying the planned projects in the EUs 2,6-billion-dollar investment package in Armenia.

PM Pashinyan said that Armenia expects international assistance with the purpose of overcoming the situation in Armenia resulting from the forced displacement of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh.

Various agenda issues related to Armenia-EU cooperation were also discussed.
Kochi : Two men drowned when the car they were travelling in plunged into a river in Ernakulam district of Kerala early on Sunday morning, police officers said. The incident took place around 12.30am on Sunday near Gothuruth.

The deceased, Adwaith, 29, and Ajmal, 29, both doctors, were returning from a birthday party with three other friends, all healthcare personnel, at the time of the accident, officers said.

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The driver apparently reached the area following directions on Google Maps, the officers said.

The incident took place around 12.30am on Sunday near Gothuruth. They were returning to Kodungallur by car and were reportedly following Google Maps for directions. Mistaking the river for a waterlogged road, they drove on and the car fell into the Periyar river, said an officer at the Vadakkekara police station.

The visibility was very low at the time due to heavy rains, the officer said, adding that there were no barricades and signboards marking the river.

Locals rushed to the spot to help rescue the occupants of the car and informed the fire service personnel and police. Three of the passengers were pulled out alive by locals and fire and rescue personnel, officers said.

They were rushed to the nearest hospital and discharged after first aid, officers said.

The deceased doctors worked in the emergency ward at the AR Super Speciality Hospital in Kodungallur. Police registered a case under Section 174 (unnatural death) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and conducted inquest proceedings.
Bengaluru On September 29, state public works department minister Satish Jarkiholi said, to help farmers affected by drought in Belagavi district, cloud seeding operations were carried out (HT Photo)

Various Kodava community groups and Kodagu district residents have strongly opposed the cloud seeding proposal of the state government in the district.

On September 29, state public works department minister Satish Jarkiholi said, to help farmers affected by drought in Belagavi district, cloud seeding operations were carried out in Gokak and Khanapur regions, and will be done in other parts of the district . The minister said if it is successful, cloud seeding would be taken up in areas along the Cauvery basin like Madikeri in Kodagu district and Hassan by Belagavi Sugars Private Ltd, a company owned by him, if approval is given by the state government.

But the ministers statement has triggered strong opposition from various Kodava community groups. Even as the district received lower than the average rainfall this year, people are not showing interest to the cloud seeding proposal.

The district was hit by excess rainfall and landslides during August 2018 and 2019, resulting in hundreds of crores of loss of property. The people fear that if cloud seeding is taken up, people may witness heavy rainfall and landslides.

Taking up cloud seeding to artificially precipitate rain in the parched districts is not an ideal solution. Such operations must not be initiated on whims. They must be conducted only after the experts have been thoroughly consulted, said B Appu Bopanna, a social activist in Madikeri. This kind of experiment is unscientific and would cause heavy rainfall and people would be affected badly.

Although Kodagu is facing deficit rainfall, it is not a suitable time for cloud seeding as coffee and paddy is nearing harvest, Kodavame convener Chamera Dinesh Belliappa told reporters. He said the state government is trying to provide water to other districts through cloud seeding here. Though river Cauvery is born here, the people of the district have not benefitted from it, he added.

Cloud seeding in Kodagu may benefit other districts, Akhila Kodava Samaja youth wing president C Pravin Uthappa told reporters. He said the technicians who undertake cloud seeding do not know how much rain would be received in a particular area. The district is an eco-sensitive zone and the plantations would be affected due to this exercise, he added.

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Normal life in Manipurs Churchandpur district was thrown out of gear on Monday due to an indefinite shutdown called by several Kuki organisations. A security personnel stands guard as protesters gather against the killing of two Meitei students in Imphal last week. (PTI)

The shutdown was called to protest the arrests of five persons from the Kuki-dominated district on Saturday and Sunday by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and (NIA). National Investigation Agency

Terming the arrests as abduction, several Kuki organisations announced the total shutdown beginning 10 am on Monday and demanded the release of all the arrested within 48 hours.

On Monday, Kuki groups sealed entry and exit points connecting Churachandpur with neighbouring Meitei-dominated districts like Bishnupur, preventing anyone from entering or leaving.

Government offices and private establishments in the districts remained closed. Streets in the district headquarters wore a deserted look.

On Sunday, the CBI arrested four persons in connection with the alleged kidnapping and subsequent killing of two students, a boy and a girl, both Meiteis from Imphal, who were last seen together on July 6.

The four were immediately flown out of Manipur and brought to Guwahati in Assam. According to CBI, the two minors who accompanied the arrested accused were later handed over to a local child protection officials in Guwahati.

Two photos of the missing students, Luwangbi Linthoingambi Hijam (17) and Phijam Hemanjit (20), one showing them in a jungle sitting with two armed persons in the background and another allegedly of their bodies, went viral on social media on September 25, sparking protests in Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley.

Over 100 people were injured in the protests and police action leading the government to shutdown mobile internet services, withdraw curfew relaxations and shutdown schools until September 29.

We are committed to ensuring maximum punishment, including capital punishment, for the heinous crime they have committed, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday after the four were arrested.

Also Read: CBI arrests 4 in connection with abduction and killing of 2 Manipur students

On Saturday, NIA had arrested Seiminlun Gangte, a Kuki, from Churachandpur, accusing him of being part of a transnational conspiracy by Myanmar and Bangladesh-based leadership of terror outfits to wage war in India by exploiting the ongoing ethnic unrest in Manipur.

However, Kuki groups have questioned the arrests made by the central agencies and accused them of being selective in investigating cases related to the ethnic clashes between Meitei and tribal Kuki communities since May 3 which have claimed nearly 180 lives and displaced over 50,000.

If the CBI can work with such swiftness, why has it not arrested anyone in more heinous cases like the rape and murder of two tribal girls in Imphal, the burning of a seven-year-old boy along with his mother and aunt, the torture and beheading of a tribal youth and so many other acts of atrocities against tribals, Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), a Churachandpur-based Kuki group, said in a statement issued on Monday.

The ITLF also claimed that Gangte, arrested on Saturday by NIA, is a private teacher based in Kwakta, a border area between Churachandpur and Bishnupur district, and has no criminal record.

Reacting to the arrests, the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), a Kuki organisation based in Kangpokpi, another Kuki-dominated district, announced that it will impose emergency shutdown of NH37, which connects Manipur capital Imphal to Silchar in Assam, seeking immediate release of those arrested by NIA, CBI and safe release of Satthang Kipgen, a resident of the district, allegedly abducted on September 30.

If there is failure on the part of the union home ministry to heed the voices of fair intervention and there is a lapse of 48 hours, then COTU will impose indefinite shutdown in entire Kangpokpi district, COTU said in a release issued on Monday.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utpal Parashar Utpal is a Senior Assistant Editor based in Guwahati. He covers seven states of North-East India and heads the editorial team for the region. He was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times. ...view detail
PATNA: The Bihar government on Monday released the first set of data of the caste-based enumeration-2022 that put the proportion of backward and extremely backward classes (EBCs) population in the state at 27% and 36%, respectively. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said the government will take all communities along.

Releasing the report, acting chief secretary-cum-development commissioner Vivek Kumar Singh said the detailed analysis of the data would be conducted later. The data collected during the exercise, conducted in two phases, will help the state government plan developmental strategy in future, he said.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav later separately cheered the state government for taking such a historic step on a historic day. Kumar said the report of the caste survey will be presented to leaders of nine political parties in the state assembly at 3.30pm on Tuesday. Tejashwi Yadav said it was time to conduct a similar survey at the national level.

According to the data released on Monday, Bihars EBC population, which includes 112 castes, was 36.01% of Bihars population of 131 million. The backward classes, comprising 30 castes, account for 27.12% and the upper castes (comprising four Hindu and three Muslim castes) constitute 15.52% population. The scheduled castes (SC), consisting of 22 castes, are 19.65% and scheduled tribes, comprising 32 sub-castes, are 1.68%.

Among the backward classes, Yadavs constitute 14.26% of the population, while Kushwaha and Kurmi are 4.27% and 2.87%.

Nitish Kumar said the government will take all communities along and will decide the next steps after taking everyones opinion on board at Tuesdays meeting.

Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav said, ...From the beginning, our demand has been to have a caste-based census. But we have had a caste-based survey. The scientific data of the caste-based survey has been released today...We have done historic work in a short span of time and released the data...Our fight has been for social justice and economic justice. So, the government will make an effort for the same. We will try to bring in welfare schemes based on the scientific data...

Yadav said the government will now plan welfare schemes for the deprived and downtrodden sections.

Yadavs party colleague and MP, Manoj K Jha, said: The results tell you that 85% of the people belong to marginalised communities. Today, October 2, is a historic day. Today, the cause of social justice has got new strength.

Samrat Choudhary, state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on the other hand, blamed the government for putting out a half-baked report and stressed that it should also complete the socio-economic aspect and release its findings so that people get to know which community was doing better.

The Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) has been demanding that the survey should be done nationally in an effort to make it an issue on which they fight the 2024 national election.

The survey was ordered by Bihars mahagathbandhan government  an alliance of Kumars Janata Dal (United), the Rashtriya Janata Dal, and the Congress  after the Centre declined the states request for a headcount of social groups other than SCs, STs and religious minorities as part of the Census.

The union government has been ambivalent about the issue, although it did set up the Rohini Commission to sub-categorize the 27% reservation for other backward classes on the grounds that much of this was being hogged by the dominant groupings. The commission, which was appointed in 2017, finally submitted its report in August this year.

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[This interview with Drew Weissman, who has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology along with Katalin Kariko, was first published in the Hindustan Times, on August 24, 2021.] Curevac, which uses the same immunogen (mRNA wrapped in LNP) but with unmodified RNA, makes antibodies in the lower quartile -- much less than the Pfizer vaccine.

The earliest couple of coronavirus vaccines the world had access to were by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. They have high efficacy rates, and produce some of the strongest immune responses among all Covid-19 vaccines. Common among the two is also their platformmodified mRNA coated in a lipid nano-particle. This technology is the result of research by two scientists, Drew Weissman and Katalin Kariko. In a video interview with Hindustan Times, Weissman, professor at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, spoke about the platforms development and future possibilities in finding new cures, while urging the world to focus on vaccinating the global population quickly. Edited Excerpts:

Tell us a little about your journey in developing the platform.

The first time RNA was used as a therapeutic was in 1990. I moved to Penn in 1997 and thats when I met Kati Kariko. My interest at the time was in a subset of immune cells involved in vaccines. Part of the study was in developing new kinds of vaccines. Kati was working on mRNA. We met, we started talking, and started working on mRNA vaccines. What I noticed early on was RNA was highly inflammatory, and thats bad when you are trying to make a drug, vaccine, or a therapeutic. So we spent a bunch of years studying that inflammatory activity, and finally figured out how to get rid of it, and that was by modifying one of the RNA code. We published that (paper reporting the success) in 2005, and thats the technology that Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech use in their vaccines. Kati moved to BioNTech, where she developed the LNP technology (liquid nano particles  the way mRNA is delivered), which is also a crucial part of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

So essentially, the 2005 finding was a turning point for the potential of mRNA vaccines?

Definitely. Some people have continued to study unmodified RNA. They are using the same LNP (delivery mechanism) that Pfizer is using, but if you compare their results to Pfizers, Pfizer makes antibodies about five times higher than people recovering from Covid. Curevac, which uses the same immunogen (mRNA wrapped in LNP) but with unmodified RNA, makes antibodies in the lower quartile -- much less than the Pfizer vaccine. The comparison tells you the importance of modified RNA.

How did mRNA platforms role come into play with Covid-19?

Initially, what happened is companies used the tech they knew best. A big problem with science is that when a company develops a vaccine, they dont compare it with what others do because they do not want to know how much better or worse their product is. [However] what BioNTech did was a four-arm Phase 1 study and compared different RNA platforms - they looked at unmodified RNA, nucleoside-modified RNA (the method Weissman and Kariko pioneered) and self-replicating RNA. And they found nucleoside-modified worked best for Covid.

The mRNA vaccines are expensive as far as LMIC nations are concerned. How do we look at making it more accessible?

It is expensive because its brand new. The companies have just figured out how to make 100 million doses a month. Over time, I believe it is going to get less and less expensive. The other big difficulty is the freezing that it requires. We and other companies are working on how to make it stable in our refrigerators, how to freeze-dry it so that it can be stored at room temperature. All of those advances are going to come over the next few months. Many of those are issues we can address.

My lab and me, personally, have had a big issue with equality of vaccine access. So early last spring, we started working with the government of Thailand to build their own RNA vaccines and their own GMP centres (production facilities). They are going to be able to make the vaccine in Thailand and supply it to seven surrounding LMIC. I am also working with the WHO to do the same thing in Africa so that same access is available.

Is the end of the year a realistic time-frame for some of this?

With the Thai vaccine, the hope is to give it to people by the end of this year. It goes to a bunch of countries, like Vietnam, Pakistan, Malaysia and some others.

What sort of role mRNA can play in keeping up with variants?

The vaccine is literally plug and play. All you need is the sequence of the antigen. For the coronavirus, its the spike protein. The minute new variants appear that look concerning, you can take the sequence of the variant and plug it into an RNA vaccine. It will take you literally weeks to make a new vaccine. Thats because the technology is the same no matter what the sequence. [But] if you have to make an adenovirus or an inactivated virus, you have to make the virus, grow it, inactivate it -- all that takes a lot of time.

Can you share some details about the vaccine you are working on with WHO, especially issues relating to intellectual property?

Right now, it is an unknown. The IP is always an issue. People are always working on that to make the IP available. This involves negotiations. Moderna said they would not hold an IP for any Covid-19 vaccine so other companies are free to use it. I think that is a great step forward.

As far as building a facility, a GMP unit (for mRNA vaccines) costs millions of dollars to build. Then you need to get the technology transferred. Thats what we are working on with WHO to get the technology so that we will be able to go in to a GMP facility somewhere in Africa and help them set up to make an mRNA-LNP vaccine. I think thats the critical difficulty people will have. Once we give them the technology, they can start making the vaccines and that starts takes weeks.

What other doors do you think the modified RNA platform will now open?

We have five Phase 1 trials for other vaccines with mRNA before the pandemic hit. We and other companies have clinical trials that are being set up to deliver monoclonal antibodies as mRNA. We have some gene therapy clinical trials that we look forward to. We are setting up to do HIV cure studies in macaques. Theres really a huge amount of technologies and therapeutics that we are developing with modified RNA.

Where do you think we will be this time next year, April 2022?

I am a little concerned because in the United States we have fantastic vaccine roll-out, Israel has good coverage and so has UK; Europe has not done well, and then rest of the world has little access. India has access because of Serum Institute but their roll-out is not as fast as wanted and the vaccine availability isnt great.

There are two things that have to happen for us to get the pandemic under control and stop the variants from appearing. We have to vaccinate the entire world, and countries need to have a high enough percentage of people vaccinated  somewhere between 75-85% in order to reach herd immunity. When that happens, Covid wont go away but the variants wont appear quickly, and the virus wont spread. I dont know how quickly that happens, but until it does, variants will keep appearing. And they are going to keep getting scarier and scarier. The world really needs to get moving on this. Its just as much about convincing people to get vaccines  in the US, we are reaching a point where there are more vaccines than people willing to take them, and thats a big problem. What people who are hesitant do not realise is that if they dont take it, we are never going to reach herd immunity, and Covid is going to be a problem for years and years to come.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Binayak Dasgupta Binayak reports on information security, privacy and scientific research in health and environment with explanatory pieces. He also edits the news sections of the newspaper. ...view detail
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited poll-bound states Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan on Monday to lay the foundation stone for various projects in both states. PM Modi in Gwalior, MP.(YouTube/Narendra Modi)

PM Modi reached Rajasthan's Chittorgarh to launch development projects worth 7,000 crore. Modi is then expected to reach MP's Gwalior, hold two meetings and lay the foundation stone for projects worth 19,260 crores.

Modi's rallies are a part of a mega election campaign, which has been running in four poll-bound states  Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh  since Saturday. From September 30 to October 6, PM Modi is to hold as many as eight rallies in six days and is scheduled to launch various projects and several public welfare schemes.
A man allegedly killed his 92-year-old mother and then set her body on fire after a heated exchange of words in Odisha's Kandhamal district, police said on Monday. The incident took place on Sunday at Khajurisahi near Badimunda village in the district. (File)

The incident took place on Sunday at Khajurisahi near Badimunda village in the district.

The deceased mother was identified as Manjula Nayak and the accused is Samir Kumar Nayak, aged about 45, said Kalyanmoyee Sendha, Inspector-in-charge, Tikabali police station.

According to the police, Samir was released from jail a week ago after undergoing imprisonment of about three years in connection to a crime.

He had a quarrel with Manjula over some domestic issues on Saturday night while both were alone at their house. It was suspected that Samir killed his mother in a fit of anger by strangulating her and to eliminate the evidence, he set the body on fire inside the house. The villagers apprehended the accused and handed him over to the police, sources said.

"We have seized the skeleton of the lady and arrested the son who confessed the crime," Sendha said.

A detailed investigation is on and the accused is being interrogated. He will be produced in court on Monday, the inspector said.
Bhubaneswar: A 36-year-old police officer in Odishas Rourkela district who died on Sunday after being assaulted by a group of people who she tried to disperse may have been murdered, her family has told the Rourkela police in a complaint. Police said two persons have been arrested in connection with the police officers death (AFP)

Alisha Narmi Lugun, an assistant sub-inspector of Uditnagar police station in Rourkela, died on Sunday night after being allegedly assaulted by some persons whose car was scratched by a passing bus. The group were assaulting the bus driver to punish him; she came to his rescue and was targeted by them. According to reports, she was admitted to a local hospital for her injuries where she later died.

We are probing the incident. The deceased ASIs body has been sent for postmortem, said an official of Udit Nagar police station. Two persons including a woman were later arrested in connection with her death.

Luguns husband Sanjay said when he first saw his wife at the hospital, she was bleeding from the mouth. Her face was swollen. She did not have any health issues. She was beaten to death while on duty at an accident site. Her face had injury marks, he alleged.

Some reports suggested the police officer died of cardiac arrest.

But her family alleged murder, saying her death could be linked to the death of Rourkela assistant collector Susmita Minz, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances last week.

Lugun was in charge of the security of Minz till her death.

Susmita Minzs brother earlier said Lugun, who was in charge of his sisters security, knew about the danger to his sisters life. We suspect that my sister Sushmita Minj knew about the secret of officials. So, they did not help her in her difficult times and kept her alone. ASI Lugun was assigned for the safety of my sister. Where was she when my sister died, Minzs brother alleged.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a dig at Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot over his rift with Congress leader Sachin Pilot, and claimed that the CM has accepted his defeat. Addressing a rally in Chittorgarh ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, PM Modi said, CM Gehlot was busy securing his seat in the state and his party (Congress) was busy snatching his seat. (SEE LIVE UPDATES HERE) Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses rally in Rajasthan's Chittorgarh

Gehlot and Pilot have been at loggerheads over the past few years as the younger leader bids to replace the veteran in the state's top post. The tension between the two leaders worsened when three years ago, Pilot and 18 MLAs decamped to neighbouring Haryana - where the BJP is in power - sparked reports that the saffron party was trying to woo the disgruntled leader and topple Ashok Gehlot's government. The nearly month-long crisis forced the Congress' high command to intervene and remove Pilot as both deputy chief minister and state Congress chief.

Here are the top quotes by PM Modi from his rally in Chittorgarh:

Ashok Gehlot is aware that the countdown for Congress's farewell has begun, and that is why he has already congratulated BJPNowadays, he is insisting that his schemes should not be stopped after the formation of the BJP government. Every corrupt person, goon, rioter, tyrant, and every leader of Congress has considered himself the government of Rajasthan. Congress left no stone unturned in looting the state. The identity of Rajasthan is of hospitality, folk music, folk culture, bravery, and being proud of each and every heritage. But in the past five years, the Congress government has ruined the credibility of Rajasthan. It pains me that the state tops in crime list... The maximum number of cases of crime against women are from Rajasthan... Is this why you voted for Congress? It is very important to remove the Congress government which cannot protect life and property. Did you even imagine about what happened in Udaipur? In Rajasthan, which has followed the tradition of not attacking even the enemy by deceit, people come to that land on the pretext of getting clothes stitched and cut the throats of tailors without any fear or dread. We are seeing every day what insulting things the leaders of the arrogant alliance of Congress (INDIA) are saying about women. They do not want women to get their rights, and so they are making excuses and spreading confusion in the name of caste and religion. Rajasthan is saying with great confidence and trust - BJP will come, hooliganism will go, BJP will come and stop the riots, BJP will come and stop stone pelting, BJP will come and stop dishonesty, BJP will come, it will bring women security, BJP will come and bring employment, BJP will come and make Rajasthan prosperous. The message of the people of the state has reached the ears of Congress leaders. Action will definitely be taken against those who have committed corruption here and looted the money of the poor. This is also Modi's guarantee. No matter how much these people abuse Modi, strict action against corruption will continue. The development of Rajasthan is a big priority for the government of India. We have focused a lot on modern infrastructure like expressways, highways, and railways in Rajasthan. Be it Delhi-Mumbai Expressway or Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway, these are going to give new strength to the logistics-related sector in Rajasthan. Today I am giving another guarantee to every poor, Dalit, backward, and tribal family in Rajasthan. Modi will give a permanent roof to every poor. So far, four crore houses have been built, and work on the rest is going onYour permanent house will be built, this is Modi's guarantee.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday slammed the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan over the brutal killing of Kanhaiya Lal, who was beheaded on June 28 last year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Chittorgarh in Rajasthan. (ANI/X)

What happened in Udaipur was not even imagined by anyone... People come on the pretext of getting clothes stitched and cut the throats of tailors without any fear or dread... Congress saw a vote bank even in this case. I want to ask Congress, what did the Congress party do during the Udaipur tailor killing, they played vote-bank politics, the prime minister said in a rally in Chhittorgarh in poll-bound Rajasthan.



ALSO READ: PM Modi's dig at Ashok Gehlot over Sachin Pilot rift at Chittorgarh rally, claims 'accepted defeat': Top quotes



Last week, Modi had invoked the killing of Kanhaiya Lal in state capital Jaipur. "How can investment take place in an environment where incident of cutting someone's throat happens and the government is helpless? This was not an ordinary crime, it was the result of Congress' vote-bank appeasement politics," he said.



Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor in Udaipur, was killed in an ISIS-styled beheading by Riyaz Attari and Ghous Mohammed over hsi social media post supporting suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma over her alleged remarks against Prophet Mohammed. The duo filmed the killing on their mobile phones and circulated on social media. They threatened Prime Minister Modi on camera in a video which went viral. The duo was arrested hours after killing.



In December last year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) chargesheeted 11 persons including two Pakistani nationals under the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).



As per NIA chargesheet, the probe had pointed to a conspiracy by the 11 accused who were members of a terror module, and were radicalised by incriminating content circulared from within and outside the country.



Riyaz Attari is said to be linked to Karachi-based radical outfit Dawat-e-Islami. The second killer Ghous Mohammed was called to Pakistan by senior functionaries of Dawat in 2014.

The Dawat's mission is to spread the teachings of Quran and Shariah and advocates Shariah globally. It has a massive following in Pakistan and supports the blasphemy law there.

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YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

As the RA Prime Minister's office informed Armenpress, issues related to the situation caused by the forced deportation of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh, the regional situation and the Armenia-EU cooperation agenda were discussed.

It is noted that the interlocutors agreed to continue the discussions within the framework of the summit of the European Political Community to be held in Granada this week.
Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday announced that a cash award of 25 lakh would be given to each of the nine eminent space scientists from Tamil Nadu, including K Sivan and Mylswamy Annadurai, in recognition of their services to the nation. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin felicitates former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman K Sivan during a felicitation ceremony for Tamil Nadu's space scientists, in Chennai, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. (PTI Photo/R Senthil Kumar)(PTI10_02_2023_000284A)

At a function organised to felicitate the ISRO scientists from Tamil Nadu, Stalin, in his address, said that alongside the news of the success of Chandrayaan-3, the information about the Tamils associated with such missions too had spread everywhere. Recalling the words of former Chief Minister C N Annadurai, he said the late leader had wondered aloud why Tamil Nadu had not been the home of icons in the league of physicist Albert Einstein and inventor Thomas Alva Edison.

"Today, however, the state has so many stalwarts in the field of science," Stalin said, listing the names of the noted ISRO personalities who hail from the state. Former ISRO chairman Sivan, Chandrayaan (1 and 2) project director Mylswamy Annadurai and Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre-ISRO V Narayanan were among those honoured today. Director of Satish Dhawan Space Centre A Rajarajan, distinguished ISRO scientist M Sankaran and Chandrayaan-3 project director P Veeramuthuvel were also among those who were felicitated. ISRO's M Vanitha and Nigar Shaji and ISRO-Propulsion Complex Director J Asir Packiaraj are the others who were feted by the CM today.

Speaking of the Tamil language, the chief minister said it is all about scientific knowledge. He also expressed pride at the fact that of the nine scientists, six had studied in government schools in the state. They are from humble family backgrounds, born in small towns and by educating themselves, they have seen personal development, he said. First generation graduates, they became scientists and among the nine, two are women, which symbolises social justice, he added. Tamil Nadu's young generation should emulate them and grow, he said. Underlining that all three project directors for Chandrayaan 1 (Mylswamy), 2 (Vanitha) and 3 (Veeramuthuvel) hail from Tamil Nadu, he said it made the state proud. To celebrate it, Stalin said he is making two announcements. One, a sum of 25 lakh would be provided to each of the nine scientists in recognition of their hardwork.

"I appeal to you to accept it and bring more and more laurels to India," the chief minister said.

Second, a scholarship named after renowned scientists would be provided to nine postgraduate engineering students to nurture the spirit to make scientific inventions, he said, adding that a 10 crore corpus would be set up for the purpose. All expenditure including tuition and hostel fees would be borne by the government, he added.

Government school students who studied undergraduate engineering courses by availing the 7.5 per cent reservation (and received financial assistance for the UG course from government) for state-run school students are eligible for the PG scholarship. Stalin lauded the scientists for bringing laurels to Tamil Nadu and presented them with shawls and mementos. Ministers including K Ponmudi (Higher Education), Duraimurugan (Water Resources), E V Velu (Public Works), Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena and senior officials took part in the event.

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New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Central Election Committee held a meeting in New Delhi on Sunday to decide the candidates for the upcoming elections in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, people aware of the matter said. While the party has already fielded 21 candidates for Chhattisgarh and 79 for Madhya Pradesh, it is yet to announce the names of candidates for the 200-member Rajasthan assembly. (AFP)

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union minister Amit Shah, party president JP Nadda, Rajasthans former chief minister Vasundhara Raje and other CEC members, they added.

While the party has already fielded 21 candidates for Chhattisgarh and 79 for Madhya Pradesh, it is yet to announce the names of candidates for the 200-member Rajasthan assembly.

Earlier in the day, the core groups of leaders from Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, including former CMs, met at Naddas residence, people aware of the development said. The BJP lost the 2018 polls in both states and is now resting its hopes on collective leadership to wrest power from the Congress, they added. While PM Modi remains the face of the elections, the party has refrained from naming the chief ministerial candidate in any of the five states where elections are due later in the year. Even in MP, the party has been evasive on whether the sitting CM, Shivraj Singh Chauhan will be repeated.
The Trinamool Congress is set for a showdown with the Centre with a two-day protest in New Delhi beginning on Monday over the alleged delay in the release of funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to the West Bengal government. Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee speaks to the media prior to leaving for Delhi to take part in the protest. (ANI Photo)(Saikat Paul)

While the Trinamool Congress (TMC) was reportedly yet to get permission to protest at Jantar Mantar, the party will hold a peaceful sit-in by its MPs and state ministers at Rajghat on October 2, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and a peaceful rally of the MGNREGA job card holders the next day. Both the programmes will be live-streamed, news agency PTI reported.

The TMC has called for the two-day 'Dilli Cholo: A fight for our rights!' protest in the national capital to raise the chorus for the payment of alleged arrears for 100 days of work under the MGNREGA scheme.

Top points on TMC's two-day protest in Delhi:

1. While TMCs national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee reached New Delhi on Sunday, 49 busloads of his party supporters are slated to reach the national capital on Monday.

2. Banerjee said the idea of staging a protest over the alleged delay in the release of funds under MNREGA came during the Nobo Jowar Yatra in West Bengal, news agency ANI reported citing sources. They said during the yatra, Banerjee learned about the significant adverse impact on the state's residents due to the central government's withholding of funds.

3. The TMC MP has alleged that there were several attempts to block the protest by declining permissions, and cancelling trains and flights. Banerjee also said the permission for the protest at Jantar Mantar was given verbally and written permission was still pending. "Section 144 has been imposed in that area (Jantar Mantar)," he added.

4. On Sunday, the party's top leaders, including Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Chandrima Bhattacharya, Dola Sen and Babul Supriyo, met at TMC MP Sougata Roy's residence to discuss the strategy for Monday's protest. Following the meeting, Bandopadhyay said, "Tomorrow, we will be going to Raj Ghat to pay the obesience to Mahatma Gandhi. We will start our protest from there. MGNREGA, which is a vital objective of our protest, has a symbolic relation with Gandhiji. Hence we are starting the protest from there."

5. In the evening, Banerjee will hold a press conference. Following that, the party will inform about its schedule on October 3 in detail, he said.

6. The buses were mobilised by the regional party after the Indian Railways refused to rent out special trains to take the workers to Delhi pleading unavailability of rakes. The TMC claimed the denial of trains as well as cancellations of a flight to New Delhi were part of an attempt by the ruling BJP party to scuttle its demonstration.

7. Banerjee has demanded the arrest of Union rural development and panchayati raj Minister Giriraj Singh following the deaths of three children in Bankura district in a mud house collapse recently, claiming that the deaths could have been avoided if the family had received due financial aid under the government housing scheme to build brick and mortar housing. Banerjee claimed that Giriraj Singh has expressed his inability to meet the TMC representatives as he would not be in the national capital, though he is scheduled to meet BJP MPs from Bengal.

8. Meanwhile, several Trinamool Congress workers were injured when one of the 49 buses taking them to Delhi to take part in a protest met with an accident in Jharkhand on Sunday.

9. BJP West Bengal president Sukanta Majumdar claimed that while TMC leaders were travelling by aeroplanes, the protesters were being made to take buses to Delhi.

10. TMC MP Sougata Roy alleged that the ruling BJP at the Centre was trying to foil the TMC's protests by way of denial of train bookings and cancellations of flights. "People of the country should see how the BJP is trying to thwart our programme," he told reporters.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Union government has accepted Manipurs proposal of 38.06 crore compensation for the farmers affected by the ethnic conflict in the state that has since May 3 left over 175 dead and around 50,000 displaced, an official said on Monday. Ethnic conflict in the state has since May 3 left over 175 dead and around 50,000 displaced. (AFP)

States agriculture commissioner RK Dinesh said their priority now is to speed up the process of releasing the money to the farmers by November.

The protracted violence has affected paddy cultivation. Officials said farmers have been unable to cultivate at least 5,127 hectares of the states 1.95 lakh hectares of agricultural land. Bishnupur has been among the worst-hit districts.

Dinesh said the number of farmers to be compensated will be subjected to verification at the district level.

A survey of Loumee Shinmee Apunba Lup, a farmers body, found around 9,719 hectares of paddy fields faced crop failure as farmers were afraid to go into the fields because of sporadic firing.

Inadequate rainfall has also worsened the crisis. We are trying to increase the area of irrigated land as a long-term plan by introducing tube wells and ponds. For that purpose, our scheme funds have been enhanced by 70 crore by the central government.

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US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Monday shared mesmerizing photographs from his visit to the coastal town of Kanyakumari situated on the country's southern tip. Garcetti, known for his active engagement on social media, said that he witnessed the breathtaking sunrise over Kanyakumari's horizon, posting breathtaking images of the sunrise. US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti at Kanyakumari coast.

I witnessed the breathtaking sunrise at Kanyakumari, where the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and Arabian Sea meet in a mesmerizing symphony of colors, the diplomat said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

This place truly captures the incredible diversity and beauty of India! From the pristine valleys of Kashmir to the serene shores of Kanyakumari, and the bustling streets of Mumbai to the cultural heart of Kolkata, India's beauty is a tapestry of landscapes, traditions, and flavors, he added.

The tweet quickly garnered attention from netizens, who praised Ambassador Garcetti's enthusiasm for exploring and celebrating India's rich culture and geography.

You really had an incredible tour of India in the shortest possible time from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Bombay to Calcutta. Might as well be a record for an US Ambassador to India! Way to go Ambassador, replied a user.

Some users even came up with suggestions to explore the southern part of the country.

Try cashew Macrons from Thirunelveli & Banana chips from kerala, God's own country, with lemon tea,chilled  wow factor, a user wrote.

You should try some of the mountains in the South Mr. Ambassador, said another user.

With the US Mission to India surpassing its goal to process one million non-immigrant visa applications this year, Garcetti last week personally handed over the one-millionth visa to a couple. Greeting the couple as "Mr and Mrs One million", the envoy enquired about their travel plans to the US and made suggestions about what not to miss in the country as a tourist.

"I couldn't be happier today, happy for India, Indians and the United States. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and President (Joe) Biden had said lets do a better job in moving faster on the visas and so the Ministry of External Affairs here approved more bodies in places like Hyderabad...more people who can work on these visas, we changed our systems, we worked harder and smarter and we hit a million visa applications processed this year," the ambassador said.

"Our partnership with India is one of the United States' most important bilateral relationships, and in fact one of the most important relationships in the world. The ties between our people are stronger than ever, and we will continue our record-setting volume of visa work in the coming months to give as many Indian applicants as possible the opportunity to travel to the United States and experience the US-India friendship firsthand," he added.

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Five members of a family were murdered on Monday after a mob attacked their home to avenge the killing of a 50-year-old man following an argument over a disputed piece of land at Fatehpur village in Uttar Pradeshs Deoria district. The killings triggered tensions in the area. (Getty Images)

Police said one Satya Prakash Dubey and his accomplices first allegedly attacked Prem Chand Yadav, 50, with bricks and sharp-edged weapons that resulted in his death. As the news of Yadavs death spread, over two dozen residents of Yadav Tola attacked Dubeys house and killed his wife 52-year-old wife, and their three children aged between 18 and 10.

The killings triggered tensions in the area and prompted the authorities to rush police and provincial armed constabulary personnel to prevent further clashes.

District magistrate Akhand Partap was camping in the village as chief minister Yogi Adityanath directed inspector general J Ravindra Gaur and divisional commissioner Anil Dhingra to take strict action.

Assistant police superintendent Rajesh Kumar said Yadav and Dubey were involved in the dispute over the land.

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Samajwadi Party MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq on Monday questioned the Bihar government for releasing the caste census survey report. Samajwadi Party MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq,(ANI/X)

What was the need for these figures at this time? They are looking at the elections next year and doing these activities. The nation wants service, development, education, and a better Prime Minister. None of this is there. They should be asked if you are running the country, what have you done for its development, the Lok Sabha MP from Sambhal told ANI.



The Nitish Kumar government released the Bihar caste census survey which revealed that the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Extreme Backward Classes (EBC) comprise 63 per cent of the state's population. Out of the state's total populatin of 13.07 crore, EBCs at 36 per cent were the largest social segment followed by OBCs at 27.13 per cent.

Yadavs, the OBC group to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, were the largest in terms of the population, accounting for 14.27 per cent of the total. Dalits, also known as the Scheduled Castes, accounted for 19.65 per cent of the total population in the state, which is also home to nearly 22 lakh (1.68 per cent) people belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.

Those belonging to the unreserved category, which denotes the proverbial upper castes who dominated politics till the Mandal wave of 1990s, comprise 15.52 per cent of the total population.



The survey also establishes that the states population is overwhelmingly Hindu, with the majority community comprising 81.99 per cent of the total population, followed by Muslims (17.70 per cent). Christians, Sikhs, Jains and those following other religions as also the non-believers have a miniscule presence, together making up for less than one per cent of the total population.



Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said a meeting will soon be convened of all the nine political parties with an electoral presence in the state legislature and the facts and figures will be shared with them.

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Shahnawaz alias Shafi Uzzama, a suspected Islamic State or ISIS terrorist who was on the most wanted list of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has been arrested by the Delhi Police during a major crackdown by the anti-terror agency, news agency ANI reported on Monday. Shahnawaz alias Shafi Uzzama, a suspected Islamic State terrorist who was on the most wanted list of the NIA,

Shahnawaz was arrested by the special cell of the Delhi Police from a hideout in the national capital.

Four to five people, connected to the module and detained in the matter, are also being interrogated, news agency PTI reported.

Who is Shahnawaz alias Shafi Uzzama?

Shahnawaz is a mining engineer and is believed to have come to the National Capital Region after fleeing Pune and had been living.

Last month, the NIA released pictures of four terror suspects, including that of Shahnawaz, wanted in the Pune ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) module case and declared a reward money of  3 lakh each for credible information on them leading to their arrest. The agency has said that the identity of the informant will be kept confidential.

3 lakh each for credible information on them leading to their arrest. The agency has said that the identity of the informant will be kept confidential. The other three have been identified as Talha Liyakat Khan from Pune, and Rizwan Abdul Haji Ali and Abdulla Faiyaz Shaikh alias Daiperwala, both from Delhi.

Shahnawaz and two others - Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yunus Khan, 23, and Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yakub Saki, 24, - were arrested by the Kothrud police in Pune on July 18 after they were found attempting to steal a two-wheeler. While the police were taking them to their residence at Kondhwa in Pune for a search Shahnawaz jumped out of the police vehicle and managed to escape.

On questioning Khan and Saki, the police learned that they were from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh and were allegedly involved in a terror case registered in Rajasthan after explosives were found in a car in March 2022. They also carried a bounty of  5 lakh each, a police officer said.

5 lakh each, a police officer said. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) took over the probe on July 22. During further investigation, After Khan and Saki said that Shahnawaz had kept some acid at Bopatghat near Kondhwa, the agency took the help of the Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad and seized the acid and several other chemicals which were used to make bombs.

The ATS also seized several other materials and found 500 GB data in the laptops and mobile phones of the accused which contained links to YouTube videos on making bombs and Google images of various places.

During the investigation, it came to light that a foreign-based handler had possibly put Shahnawaz in touch with Imran and Yunus in February, with instructions to execute a terror strike. After 10-15 days, Shahnawaz allegedly brought the man called Rizwan from Delhi to the module, sources said.

The agency also found out that the gang had visited places in Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara, and sent teams there to check as to what they had planned to do. After the ATS arrested two more accused - Aakif Ateeque Nachan and Zulfikar Ali Barodawala in Thane district - on August 8, the case was handed over to NIA.

During the investigation, the NIA came to light that a foreign-based handler had possibly put Shahnawaz in touch in February, with instructions to execute a terror strike.

(With inputs from Manish K Pathak in Mumbai)

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Sonam Kapoor was among the long list of A-listers who attended Valentino's Spring/Summer 2024 ready-to-wear collection during the Paris Fashion Week in Paris. Amid the backdrop of Mannerist statues and the names of great artists gracing the storied walls of Les Beaux-Arts, where Valentino Garavani once honed his craft, Pierpaolo Piccioli displayed his latest collection. Sonam arrived at the show in a cream-coloured cardigan blouse and a midi skirt styled with matching accessories. Scroll through to find out the details of her stylish look. Sonam Kapoor steals the show at the Valentino Paris Fashion Week show. (Instagram)

What Sonam Kapoor wore to Valentino's Paris Fashion Week show

Pictures and videos of Sonam Kapoor arriving at the Valentino Spring/Summer 2024 show made it to social media. The snippets show Sonam entering the venue and greeting the paparazzi. For the occasion, she chose a cardigan in cream shade. It features an off-shoulder neckline, ribbed design on the neck and cuffs, an oversized silhouette, and full-length sleeves. The feather and shimmering pearl embellishments added character to the blouse.

Sonam did a French tuck to style the sweater and teamed it with a midi-length skirt featuring a flowy silhouette and a high-rise waistline. She completed the look with matching cream-coloured thigh-high boots featuring a pointed front and killer high heels. The star went for stylish sunglasses, statement rings, and a cream Valentino Garavani Loco handbag to accessorise her outfit.

Sonam Kapoor arrives at the Valentino show in Paris. (Instagram)

Lastly, Sonam opted for bold deep red lip shade, darkened brows, blushed cheekbones, beaming highlighter, mascara on the lashes, and a contoured face for the glam picks. A centre-parted sleek ponytail gave the finishing touch to her look for the Valentino show.

About Sonam Kapoor

Meanwhile, Sonam Kapoor was last seen in Blind and The Zoya Factor. The star is married to Anand Ahuja. The couple tied the knot in May 2018. The couple welcomed their son in August last year and named him Vayu. They celebrated his first birthday on August 20, 2023.

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A new type of "inverse vaccine has been shown in the lab setting to completely reverse autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes, all without shutting down the rest of the immune system, according to a study. A typical vaccine teaches the human immune system to recognise a virus or bacteria as an enemy that should be attacked. A new type of "inverse vaccine has been shown in the lab setting to completely reverse autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes. (Shutterstock)

However, the new vaccine developed by researchers at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) in the US does just the opposite: it removes the immune system's memory of one molecule.

While such immune memory erasure would be unwanted for infectious diseases, it can stop autoimmune reactions like those seen in multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis, in which the immune system attacks a person's healthy tissues, the researchers said.

The vaccine, described in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering, takes advantage of how the liver naturally marks molecules from broken-down cells with do not attack flags to prevent autoimmune reactions to cells that die by natural processes.

The team coupled an antigena molecule being attacked by the immune systemwith a molecule resembling a fragment of an aged cell that the liver would recognise as friend, rather than an enemy.

The team showed how the vaccine could successfully stop the autoimmune reaction associated with a multiple-sclerosis-like disease.

"In the past, we showed that we could use this approach to prevent autoimmunity, said Jeffrey Hubbell, the Eugene Bell Professor in Tissue Engineering and lead author of the new paper.

But what is so exciting about this work is that we have shown that we can treat diseases like multiple sclerosis after there is already ongoing inflammation, which is more useful in a real-world context, Hubbell said.

Today, autoimmune diseases are generally treated with drugs that broadly shut down the immune system.

"These treatments can be very effective, but youre also blocking the immune responses necessary to fight off infections and so there are a lot of side effects, said Hubbell.

"If we could treat patients with an inverse vaccine instead, it could be much more specific and lead to fewer side effects," he added.

Initial phase I safety trials of a antigen therapy based on this preclinical work have already been carried out in people with celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that is associated with eating wheat, barley and rye, and phase I safety trials are under way in multiple sclerosis, the researchers said.

Those trials are conducted by Swiss pharmaceutical company Anokion SA, which helped fund the new work and which Hubbell cofounded and is a consultant, board member, and equity holder.

"There are no clinically approved inverse vaccines yet, but we are incredibly excited about moving this technology forward," Hubbell added.

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People looking to rent are facing higher prices than ever before. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard and David Crosling

Rents in Perth are soaring faster than any Australian capital city, forcing some households on $160,000 annual salaries to find alternative shelter by sleeping in cars.

New data revealed advertised rents in Perth have risen 19 per cent in the past year and 4 per cent in the past three months  the highest of the capital cities.

Shelter WA, which analysed the latest SQM Research Weekly Rents Index data, found parts of regional WA were also experiencing the largest rent rises in the country.

Rent increases are up 19 per cent in Perth - the fastest growth among capital cities. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Shelter WA CEO Kath Snell said the chronic shortage of available and affordable homes was leading to the states worsening rental crisis.

From Bunbury to Broome, and beyond, the housing crisis is hitting Western Australians hard, with tenants being smashed by some of the biggest rent rises in the country, Ms Snell said.

Times are hard for many Western Australians, but its hugely encouraging to see key players across the housing sector and government come together under one roof to seek urgent solutions.

It comes as the state continues to battle keeping up with housing supply, with recent National Housing Finance & Investment Commission data forecasting WA will be 20,000 homes short of what is needed to meet expected housing demand over the next three years.



Community Housing Limited WA manager Sean Kelly told the Australian Financial Review that Western Australias housing shortage meant even households on six-figure incomes were unable to find rentals.

In that central coast, Geraldton area, were seeing people on $150,000-$180,000 a year as a household income, and theyre sleeping in their car with their kids because theres nowhere for them to rent, he said.

This is a very different cohort we are seeing approaching us for help, and for a large proportion of them, its the first time theyve come into contact with [the] support services sector.

Housing advocates say Western Australia needs at least another 20,000 houses to be built. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

The data, which analysed the weekly rents in the second week of September, found two WA regions were among the countrys top ten areas for rent rises in the past year.

Story continues

The Goldfields region takes second place (with a 30.8 per cent increase), while the Central Coast region, which covers the Mid-West and Wheatbelt took the ninth spot (24.4 per cent increase).

Urban Development Institute of Australia CEO Tanya Steinbeck said state and federal governments played a critical role in working to fix the chronic housing shortage.

WA needs to ensure it is front of the pack when seeking to secure funding support through the National Housing Infrastructure Facility and in 2024, the Housing Australia Future Fund, she said.

If we want to see successful partnerships deliver social and affordable housing where it is needed, then we need government to provide procurement pathways that provide the guardrails for public sector investment while being agile to foster innovation so that viable projects can get off the ground  and fast.

People looking to rent are facing higher prices than ever before. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Soaring rental increases have been witnessed across the country, including the southwestern Sydney local government area of Canterbury-Bankstown which recorded the highest rental jump of more than 32 per cent within the last 12 months.

Sydneys CBD ranked third highest with a 29 per cent jump.

When comparing rent increases in capital cities, Melbourne and Perth tied for the top stop, recording a surge of 19 per cent over the past year.

However, Perth saw a 4 per cent increase in rent within a three month period, compared to Melbourne which recorded a 2.8 per cent increase in rent during the same timeframe.
For the last two years, weve seen slogans such as Long live Nathuram Godse trend on social media on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. It may repeat today as well. But does it matter? Was Gandhi a hero or a villain? Is he relevant today? These questions have been debated thousands of times since his assassination. Still, arguments and counter-arguments continue. And these ideological duels are an enduring testimony to the strength of Mohandas Gandhi. He continues to stay alive in our thoughts. Gandhis funeral procession in February 1948. (Getty Images)

Gandhi may have been born in India and for India, but it was South Africa that shaped him. On June 7, 1893, he was pushed off a train at Pietermaritzburg station. This gave rise to a new Mohandas. His resolve to fight imperialist ideology and excesses strengthened that night and it laid the foundation for Gandhian philosophy.

In 1997, I got an opportunity to meet Nelson Mandela as part of then prime minister Inder Kumar Gujrals visit to South Africa. Our generation had never met Gandhi, but the man whom the Mahatma had deeply inspired was standing before us.

But while Gandhi never eyed power after Independence, Mandela chose to become South Africas president. However, Mandela implemented the policies of inclusion that Bapu professed.

During Mandelas regime, every racial group  be it black Africans, whites or South Africans of Indian descent  enjoyed equal status. That is why he could take his nation on the path of progress instead of disintegration.

Bapu has faced bitter criticism on many issues, including Partition. But his critics forget that no decision can prove to be the right decision for perpetuity.

Take the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Lenin was then popularly perceived as an apostle of change. He was the founder of the all-powerful Soviet Union. But in 1991, the Soviet Union disintegrated. Does this mean Lenins dream of equality for everybody was flawed?

Lets come back to Gandhi. The fact is he went to the Boer War to help the wounded, not the British.

Similarly, Indians fought in the two World Wars not as Indian citizens, but as members of the British armed forces. Gandhi tried to extract concessions for India considering the participation in a logical and rational manner. He wasnt completely successful but he helped the voices of subjugated people to be heard in a world trampled by colonialism.

So firm was Gandhi in his beliefs that he didnt even hesitate to ask for forgiveness for the killers of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It isnt easy to go against popular opinion and express your views in public meetings without requisite security. But Gandhi remained firm.

These days, even small-time politicians travel with an elaborate security entourage and change their colours the moment they see a TV camera.

But Gandhi never compromised on his principles and stuck to his convictions even at the cost of his life.

Ten days before his assassination, on January 30, 1948, the Mahatma was the target of a bomb attack. Vallabhbhai Patel, the then home minister, requested permission to tighten the Mahatmas security and urged him to modify his routine on the advice of his security officers. But Bapu didnt listen to this advice.

Another fact is that Nathuram Godse, the man who killed Gandhi, didnt hate him personally. He never used derogatory words against Gandhi in court. Nathurams younger brother Gopal was also an accused in the Gandhi assassination case. After his release, he visited me twice at Agra. In our long conversation that lasted several hours and two rounds, Gopal reiterated: Humne Gandhiji ki hatya nahin unka vadh kiya tha (We didnt murder Gandhi. We assassinated him).

I could never digest his justification, but Gopal wasnt a person who got easily agitated. Years of imprisonment had given him reservoirs of mental resilience. Today, when I look back and analyse what he said three decades ago, apart from absolute disagreement, one phrase that keeps recurring is ideology.

Gandhi and Godse represented disparate ideologies. Had the Father of the Nation departed due to ill-health or any other cause a few years earlier, he would still have been as revered as the Mahatma. But his murder brought Godse into the public eye. This fundamental difference between Godse and Gandhi will remain forever.

(Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. The views expressed are personal)

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By tomorrow, the Manipur violence that began on May 3 will have continued for five long miserable months. Gandhi touring Noakhali in 1946, as part of his peace mission. Courtesy National Gandhi Museum

Seventy-seven years ago  before Independence or Partition  it was in October that Gandhi, then in Delhi, learned about the Noakhali violence. Today we know of Noakhali, which is not very distant from Manipur, as a place within Bangladesh. In 1946, it belonged to the eastern half of the large and as yet undivided Indian province of Bengal, governed at the time by the Muslim League, with S Suhrawardy as the premier.

After holding a silent court within himself (to quote Pyarelal, Gandhis close companion and future biographer), Gandhi decided to proceed to Noakhali. When an esteemed but unnamed friend urged Gandhi not to go in his advanced age to a dangerous place, Gandhi evidently answered: I do not know what I shall be able to do there. All I know is that I wont be at peace with myself unless I go there. Claiming that he was journeying to wipe the tears of Bengals women and put heart into them if he could, Gandhi boarded a train for Kolkata, en route to Noakhali, on October 28.

Bringing security to Noakhalis Hindu minority was not his only objective in going there. Another Gandhi goal was to avert Indias partition. Research reveals the elements of Gandhis strategy for Noakhali, where he stayed from November 6, 1946 to March 4, 1947. One, he would meet everyone  Hindus, Muslims, Suhrawardy and ministers under him, police officers, district officers, influential citizens, anyone capable of helping. Two, he would speak frankly to everyone. Three, he would aim to instil courage in victims and contrition in attackers. Four, he would remind Noakhalis Muslim majority that Islam did not stand for attacking the defenceless. Five, he would aim to win the peoples trust by living amongst them and, where possible, by serving them, including by attending to their medical needs.

When Noakhalis Muslims told Gandhi that killings and forced conversions in the region did not add up to a large number, and that only a small minority of the Muslim population had joined in the violence, he replied that a fence-sitting majority was as guilty as the actual attackers. Even a single case of abduction, forcible conversion or forcible marriage was bad enough, Gandhi said.

On January 2, after spending six weeks in Srirampur, Gandhi, carrying a long bamboo staff, left on foot with a handful of companions to cover a village a day. Over the next two months, he and his companions would halt overnight in 47 different villages, mostly in humble homes. Their Hindu and Muslim hosts included dhobis, fishermen, cobblers and weavers.

Much of his time was spent with Hindu women stricken with fear. Nirmal Kumar Bose (who served as Gandhis interpreter) noticed what he described as Gandhis daily ministrations on behalf of love and the extreme tenderness with which he regarded each individual who related his or her woes to him.

Noakhalis Muslims asked Gandhi why he was not in Bihar, where the scale of Hindu attacks on Muslims was larger than Noakhalis attacks on Hindus. Early in March 1947, he did go to Bihar, where he soon learnt that the Congress leadership had accepted Partition.

In Noakhalis Bhatialpur village, Muslims pledged to Gandhi that they would risk their lives to protect Hindus and do their utmost to get looted properties and abducted women restored. In the presence of Muslims who had earlier broken it, an idol was restored in a Bhatialpur temple. Walking alongside Gandhi, a number of Muslim youths assured him that they would stand guarantee against a recurrence of attacks on Hindus.

Gandhis four-month Noakhali stay did not prevent Indias or Bengals partition. But remorse grew, and Muslim elders started to punish anyone committing fresh acts of harassment or looting against Hindus. Many Hindus who had fled returned. Interviews by me in Noakhali in 2000 found many residents recounting precise memories of Gandhi. Many recalling him spontaneously sang Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, Ishwar Allah Tere Naam.

Gandhi did not get all the results he desired in Noakhali, but he got some. In any case, he had confronted the problem.

Rajmohan Gandhis latest book is India After 1947: Reflections and Recollections. The views expressed are personal

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The PM Mementos Portal is currently hosting an online auction featuring mementos received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This unique opportunity for buyers to acquire rare artefacts will remain open until October 31. The proceeds generated from PM Mementos online auction will contribute to the Ganga Rejuvenation initiative.(X/@kishanreddybjp)

The array of mementoes up for grabs includes exquisite sculptures, paintings, sketches, meticulously crafted handicrafts, traditional angavastras, pagdis, swords, and more. These items are priced with base values ranging from 700 to as high as 64,80,000.

Here's the step-by-step process for buyers interested in participating in the PM Mementos Portal's online auction for selected mementoes presented to the prime minister:

Step 1: Registration

- New buyers should click the "Buyer Signup" button at the top right-hand corner of PM Mementos Portal home page.

- Provide details such as Mobile Number, Email address, and Password on the Buyer Signup Page.

- Agree to the auction terms and conditions by clicking the checkbox.

- Provide the OTP received through the registered Mobile Number and Email Id.

- Enter details like Name, Gender, Date of Birth, and Address on the Profile Details page.

- Verify the details and click "Submit."

- A success message of "Successfully Signed up" with the portal will be displayed.

Step 2: Login

- Enter the login credentials (email id or mobile number with a valid password) and log into the portal.

Step 3: Aadhaar Authentication

- The system checks for Aadhaar Authentication of the buyer.

- If Aadhaar Authentication is pending, the system navigates the buyer to the Aadhaar Authentication Page.

Step 4: Browse Item Catalogue

- After logging in, the buyer can browse the catalogue to view items available for auction, including those displayed under the 'Live Auctions' category.

Step 5: Add to Cart

- The buyer must add the desired product to the cart and specify the bid amount for the auction.

- Adding to the cart is mandatory, and the buyer can participate in the auction for items added to the cart.

Step 6: Participate in the Auction

- Once a product is added to the cart, the buyer can quote a bid and actively participate in the ongoing auction.

- Participation is allowed until the auction concludes.

Step 7: Payment

- After the auction ends and the department user approves the highest quoted (H1) bidder, the buyer can proceed with the payment through the portal. The item will be delivered to your address within the country.

Organised by the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), a division of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, this e-auction is exclusively accessible to resident Indians. The items available for bidding on this platform will be delivered within the country.

The proceeds generated from this online auction will contribute to the Ganga Rejuvenation initiative, an integral component of the "Namami Gange Programme" aimed at revitalising the Ganges River, an official statement said.

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A womans quick actions helped save the life of a sheep stuck in bog. Instagram user Lynne came across the animal in distress while on a hike and decided to help it. She also shared a video of the rescue along with a caption explaining how she came across the sheep and what happened after. The image shows a hiker rescuing a sheep. (Instagram/@adventures_with_lynne)

Following the river back down from hiking in the Mourne mountains. Suddenly hearing a shallow baa baa noise. I then turned my head to see the sheep stuck in the bog land. I quickly ran over and pulled the sheep out. I brought the sheep into the river to wash off the heavy access muck on its coat. Pulled it back up into dry land away from the bog. Thankfully the sheep gained energy back and was able to walk over to its flock. The eye connection when the sheep stood up and looked at me says it all. What a moment I will never forget, she wrote.

The video opens to show a sheep stuck in a bog. Lynne soon gets into action and starts pulling the animal by its horn. She uses all her might to help the animal get out of the sticky situation.

Along with the video, she also shared a few pictures that show the sheep going away after being rescued. In one of the photos, the animal also looks back at its rescuer as if to thank her.

Take a look at this sheep rescue post:

The post was shared on September 23. Since being posted, it has accumulated close to 1,000 likes. People posted varied comments while reacting to the video. Many also thanked Lynne for her gesture.

What did Instagram users say about this video?

Amazing footage. So lucky that you came along. Lucky sheep, praised an Instagram user. This is wild, added another. Superhero, commented a third. Superb effort. Well done, joined a fourth. My hero, wrote a fifth. A few also reacted with heart or clapping emoticons.

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Mexicos president said Monday that about 10,000 migrants per day are heading to the U.S. border, and he blamed U.S. economic sanctions on countries like Cuba and Venezuela for the influx. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador gives his daily, morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City.(AP)

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the number of migrants reaching Mexico's northern border with the United States was partly due to about 6,000 migrants per day crossing into Mexico from Guatemala over the past week.

He said many of those migrants are traveling on a route through Central America that includes the jungle-clad Darien Gap region between Panama and Colombia.

Lopez Obrador seemed to join Colombian President Gustavo Petro in blaming the situation on U.S. sanctions on countries like Venezuela and Cuba, whose citizens make up a large part of the migrant flow. Experts say economic mismanagement and political repression are largely to blame for the tide of migrants leaving those countries.

Also Read: Minor among 10 migrants killed in fatal Mexico truck accident

The United States has sanctioned both governments over what it considers the suppression of democracy. Lopez Obrador suggested the sanctions are because of ideological differences and not to uphold human rights, and said the sanctions and blockades cannot be maintained."

Petros government has been criticize d for doing little to stop the industrial-scale smuggling of migrants through Colombia. And Lopez Obrador's administration has done little to stop migrants from hopping freight trains toward the U.S. border, until the country's largest railway line complained last month and stopped some trains itself, citing safety risks.

Lopez Obrador also has slammed U.S. aid for Ukraine and said the United States should spend some of the money sent to Ukraine on economic development in Latin America.

They (the U.S.) dont do anything, he said Friday. Its more, a lot more, what they authorize for the war in Ukraine than what they give to help with poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean.

He called Friday for the U.S. to remove blockades and stop harassing independent and free countries." He said there should be "an integrated plan for cooperation so the Venezuelans, Cubans, Nicaraguans and Ecuadorans, Guatemalans and Hondurans wouldnt be forced to emigrate.

There has been a surge in Venezuelan migrants moving through Mexico in recent weeks in a bid to reach the U.S. border. Many of the migrants say deteriorating economic and political conditions in their home country led them to make the journey.

Mexico has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine but has adopted a policy of neutrality and has refused to participate in sanctions. Mexico also continues to buy 2020-vintage COVID vaccines from Russia and Cuba.
A nine-year-old schoolgirl named Charlotte Sena went missing from Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County, New York on Saturday evening. Her mysterious disappearance has led New York State Police to raise an Amber Alert in order to find her. Authorities have requested people to immediately call 911 if they spot Charlotte. Meanwhile, social media users have launched an online campaign 'Find Charlotte' in order to rescue the child unharmed. Missing schoolgirl Charlotte Sena(X(Formerly Twitter)/@901Lulu)

On Saturday evening, Charlotte was camping with family and friends at Moreau Lake State Park. She went on a bike ride around the camp along with her friends. After biking a couple of loops with her friends, she went for a round by herself and mysteriously disappeared. Almost 15 minutes after she didn't return from the bike ride, her parents called the police.

"Yesterday, 9-year-old Charlotte Sena went missing in Moreau State Park. For more than 18 hours teams from @nyspolice, @NYstateparks Police, Forest Rangers, UAS, and URT have been searching the grounds. My heart is with Charlotte's family and loved ones as the search continues," tweeted New York State Governor Kathy Hochul.

ALSO READ| British Royal Family share interesting info from King Charles' life, reveal special achievement

Meanwhile, police suspect that Charlotte might have been abducted. According to the police, Charlotte is a 4-foot-6 girl and weighs around 90 pounds. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a pink and orange tie dye Pokemon shirt and dark blue pants.

In an interaction with the media, New York State Governor Hochul said: "We are leaving no stone, no table, no branch underturned, untouched, unexamined in our search to find Charlotte."

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Attorney General Merrick Garland has said that he would resign if asked by President Joe Biden to take action against Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump. Merrick Garland, US attorney general, speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, US. on Friday, April 14, 2023. The Justice Department announced charges against several leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel and its facilitators. Photographer: Eric Lee/Bloomberg(Bloomberg)

But he doesn't think he'll be put in that position, Garland said in an interview on Sunday.

I am sure that that will not happen, but I would not do anything in that regard, he said on CBS 60 Minutes. And if necessary, I would resign. But there is no sense that anything like that will happen.

The Justice Department is at the centre of not only indictments against Trump that include an effort to overturn the 2020 election and wrongly keeping classified documents, but also cases involving Biden's son Hunter, the aftermath of the riot at the US Capitol, and investigations into classified documents found in the president's home and office. Garland has appointed three separate special counsels.

Garland has spoken only sparingly about the cases and reiterated on Sunday he would not get into specifics, but dismissed claims by Trump and his supporters that the cases were timed to ruin his chances to be president in 2024.

Well, that's absolutely not true. Justice Department prosecutors are nonpartisan. They don't allow partisan considerations to play any role in their determinations, Garland said.

Garland said the president has never tried to meddle in the investigations, and he dismissed criticism from Republicans that he was going easy on the president's son, Hunter, who was recently indicted on a gun charge after a plea deal in his tax case fell apart. Hunter Biden is due in a Delaware court this week.

We do not have one rule for Republicans and another rule for Democrats. We don't have one rule for foes and another for friends," he said. We have only one rule; and that one rule is that we follow the facts and the law, and we reach the decisions required by the Constitution, and we protect civil liberties."

Garland choked up when talking about his concerns over violence, particularly as judges and prosecutors assigned to the Trump cases got death threats.

People can argue with each other as much as they want and as vociferously as they want. But the one thing they may not do is use violence and threats of violence to alter the outcome, he said.

American people must protect each other. They must ensure that they treat each other with civility and kindness, listen to opposing views, and argue as vociferously as they want, but refrain from violence and threats of violence. That's the only way this democracy will survive, he said. (AP) RHL

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More than 1,000 people in Bangladesh have died of dengue fever this year, the country's worst recorded outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease, which is increasing in frequency due to climate change. Bangladesh Dengue: Patients suffering from dengue receive treatment at Mugda Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh.(AP)

Dengue is a disease endemic to tropical areas and causes high fevers, headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and, in the most serious cases, bleeding that can lead to death.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that dengue -- and other diseases caused by mosquito-borne viruses such as chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika -- are spreading faster and further due to climate change.

Figures from Bangladesh's Directorate General of Health Services published on Sunday night said 1,006 people had died, among more than 200,000 confirmed cases.

The agency's former director Be-Nazir Ahmed said the number of deaths so far this year was higher than every previous year combined since 2000.

"It's a massive health event, both in Bangladesh and in the world," he told AFP on Monday.

The new figures dwarf the previous highest total from 2022, when 281 deaths were recorded for the full year.

Among the dead are 112 children aged 15 and under, including infants.

- Repeat infections -

Scientists have attributed this year's outbreak to irregular rainfall and hotter temperatures during the annual monsoon season that have created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.

"It's not happening only in Bangladesh -- many tropical and sub-tropical countries are experiencing dengue this year," Kabirul Bashar, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University in Dhaka, told AFP in September.

The Aedes mosquito that carries dengue thrives at "an optimum temperature for the multiplication of the virus", he added. "Global climate change is playing a role in providing this temperature level."

Bangladesh has recorded cases of dengue from the 1960s but documented its first outbreak of dengue haemorrhagic fever, a severe and sometimes fatal symptom of the disease, in 2000.

The virus that causes the disease is now endemic to Bangladesh, which has seen a trend of worsening outbreaks since the turn of the century.

Most cases are recorded during the July-to-September monsoon season, the months which bring the vast majority of the country's annual rainfall, along with occasional floods and landslides.

However, in recent years, hospitals in Bangladesh have also begun to admit patients suffering from the disease during winter months.

Those with repeat infections are at greater risk of complications.

Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, a doctor at Dhaka's Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, said most patients admitted at his hospital were suffering their second or third cases of dengue.

"When people have dengue for the second, third or fourth time, the severity is increased. The number of deaths are also higher," he told AFP.

"Many are coming to us when it's already late in their illness," he said. "Then it's really complicated to treat them."

Dengue wards in Dhaka's major hospitals are filled with bedridden patients lying beneath mosquito nets, under the watchful and worried eyes of family members.

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China on Monday congratulated Mohamed Muizzu, the pro-Beijing winner of a recent presidential election in the Maldives. Pro-China frontrunner Mohamed Muizzu won the presidential vote in the Maldives.(AFP)

China's foreign ministry said the country "respects the choice of the Maldivian people and congratulates President-elect Mohamed Muizzu".

"China is willing to work with the Maldives to consolidate the traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and push for continuous new progress," the ministry said in a statement to AFP.

This would take place "in the future-oriented comprehensive friendly cooperative partnership between the two countries", it added.

Muizzu's victory is set to once again upend the archipelago's relationship with traditional benefactor India.

He helms a party that presided over an influx of Chinese loans when it last held power in the atoll nation, better known for its luxury beach resorts and celebrity tourists.

The Maldives sits in a strategically vital position in the middle of the Indian Ocean, astride one of the world's busiest east-west shipping lanes.

Muizzu's mentor, former president Abdulla Yameen, borrowed heavily from China for construction projects and spurned India.

Muizzu was a proxy candidate of Yameen, who is still serving an 11-year sentence for corruption carried out when he was in power between 2013 and 2018.

Yameen's turn towards Beijing alarmed New Delhi, which shares concerns with the United States and its allies about China's growing assertiveness in the Indian Ocean.

But President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's restoration of the Maldives' traditional posture itself proved controversial, with many in the archipelago disapproving of India's outsized political and economic clout.

Solih will serve as caretaker president until his successor is inaugurated next month.

Last year, Muizzu told a meeting with Chinese Communist Party officials that his party's return to office would "script a further chapter of strong ties between our two countries".

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The death toll from a roof collapse at a church in northeastern Mexico rose to 11 on Monday, with dozens more injured, as a shocked community mourned victims of the disaster. Rescuers and members of Civil Protection work amid the rubble after the roof of a church came crashing down on a baptism in Ciudad Madero, Tamapulipas state, Mexico, on October 2, 2023. (AFP)

The tragedy struck the coastal town of Ciudad Madero, in Tamaulipas state, on Sunday when about 70 people were attending a baptism at the Santa Cruz Catholic Church, according to officials.

"Unfortunately I've just received the sad news that another person has died. We have 11 deaths," town mayor Adrian Oseguera told reporters at the scene on Monday.

Several children were among those killed, while about 60 people were injured, of whom 13 remained in hospital, authorities said.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador expressed his condolences to the relatives.

The disaster had generated "a lot of solidarity from the people," he said at his regular morning news conference.

Church officials said a collective baptism was being celebrated when the ceiling collapsed in Ciudad Madero, a city of just over 200,000 people on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

"We are experiencing a very difficult moment," the bishop of the local diocese, Jose Armando Alvarez, said in a video posted to social media.

With all of the missing accounted for, workers used heavy machinery to clear away rubble, as local residents expressed sorrow.

"I'm shocked. What happens to one of us, happens to all of us, so we feel a lot of pain for the families who are going through this," said Beatriz Morales, a housewife.

- Rescue effort -

After the roof collapsed, ambulances, police and military personnel rushed to the site, in addition to numerous people in search of family members who were inside the church.

Local residents put out calls on social media asking for tools to aid the rescue effort, such as hydraulic lifts and hammers.

Local media showed footage of dozens of people trying to hold up part of the collapsed structure with poles while others made their way through the wreckage in search of survivors.

In a scene reminiscent of earthquake recovery efforts, rescuers could be seen raising their fists in the air as a call for silence so they might hear any calls for help coming from people stuck under the wreckage.

A video reportedly from a nearby security camera appears to show the moment of collapse, as the church building crumbles all at once into a cloud of dust.

The building was constructed about four decades ago and remodeled in 2010.

The Archdiocese of Mexico posted a message on social media offering condolences.

"We join in prayer with our sister diocese Tampico to intercede for our killed and injured brothers," it said.
The actress and activist was photographed attending the Isabel Marant show on Wednesday night

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Pamela Anderson at Paris Fashion Week

Pamela Anderson is adding a splash of sun to the City of Lights.

The actress and activist, 56, was photographed in a bright yellow, ankle-length dress while attending the Isabel Marant Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show during Paris Fashion Week on Wednesday.

Bare-faced with her long blonde locks worn down in a natural wave, Anderson also kept her jewelry simple with a dainty necklace, stud earrings and a couple of slim gold bangles.

A pale yellow bag and neutral-colored kitten heel sandals completed her radiant look as she smiled gracefully for the cameras.

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Pamela Anderson at the Isabel Marant show

Related: Pamela Anderson's Most Iconic Looks of All Time

Earlier this month, the mom of two attended Pandora's new Diamond District unveiling in New York City. In a nearly all-white ensemble, the style icon spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about starring with her sons in Pandora's new campaign.

"A long time ago, when people wanted to do campaigns with me, there was always some reason I couldn't do it," Anderson said.

"That was 20 years ago, and I was very tunneled with what I could work with. And now it's just fashion, and it's nice to embrace it," she continued, adding, "I love glamour. I love being bedazzled. And while I can be drawn to really expensive brands, this is more accessible, and I love that."

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Pamela Anderson at the Isabel Marant show

Related: Pamela Anderson Makes Stylish Showing at Pandora Diamonds NYFW Event with Her Sons (Exclusive)

The natural beauty has also been sporting a more subtle look these days compared to her style after rising to fame in the '90s, which skyrocketed further with the Baywatch star's highly public marriage to ex-husband, rocker Tommy Lee.

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Now advocating for other women to do the same, in an interview with Elle last month she said she's begun to stray away from her wild and uninhibited" '90s style to pursue a makeup-free lifestyle that has been "freeing and fun."

Story continues

I think we all start looking a little funny when we get older," she said. "And Im kind of laughing at myself when I look at the mirror. I go, 'Wow, this is really...whats happening to me? Its a journey."

Anderson shared that changing her personal brand has been "rebellious," but it's something she said helped her get to "a good place."



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Donald Trump went on trial for fraud in a civil case against him and his family business. In his opening statement, Kevin Wallace, a lawyer in state Attorney General Letitia James' office, said that Donald Trump described his finances to banks and insurers in a "materially inaccurate way" for a decade. Donald Trump New York Trial: Former US president Donald Trump sits in the courtroom at New York Supreme Court.(AP)

Before entering the courtroom, Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said, "This is a continuation of the single greatest witch hunt of all time. We have a great company. I built a great company. It's tremendous. It's got some of the greatest real estate assets in the world. And now I have to go in before a rogue judge."

Calling the judge who is Black, "racist," Donald Trump alleged, yet again, that the case was a part of the larger political vendetta against him.

The trial comes just a week after Justice Arthur Engoron, who presidents over the case, found Donald Trump, his elder sons and 10 of his companies liable for fraud as he sought at least $250 million in fines, a permanent ban against Trump and his sons Donald Jr and Eric from running businesses in New York and a five-year commercial real estate ban against their business.

Donald Trump faces several legal headaches as he campaigns to retake the White House in the 2024 election. Earlier, he became the first sitting or former US president to be criminally charged as he is under indictment in four separate cases. These include charges in Florida over his handling of classified documents upon leaving office, in Washington DC over his efforts to undo his loss in the 2020 elections, in Georgia over moves to reverse election results and in New York over hush money payments to a porn star.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk slammed the Justin Trudeau government in Canada for crushing free speech in the country. Twitter, now X. Corp, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.(AP)

His remark came in wake of a recent order of the Canada government which makes it compulsory for online streaming services to formally register with the government for regulatory controls.

Musk was responding to a post by journalist and author Glenn Greenwald who was commenting on the ruling.

The Canadian government, armed with one of the world's most repressive online censorship schemes, announces that all "online streaming services that offer podcasts" must formally register with the government to permit regulatory controls, Greenwald posted on X (formerly Twitter)

Responding to this, Elon Musk stated, Trudeau is trying to crush free speech in Canada. Shameful.

Notably, this is not the first time the Trudeau government is being accused of acting against free speech.

In February 2022, Trudeau invoked emergency powers  for the first time in countrys history  to arm his government with more power to respond to the trucker protests, who were opposing the vaccine mandates at that time.

Meanwhile, Canadian PM created an uproar after he alleged Indias role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

However, India has outrightly rejected the claims, calling it absurd and motivated.

Notably, Canada has yet to provide any public evidence to support the claim about the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India has suspended its visa services in Canada, following Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations of Indian involvement in the killing.

Amid strained ties, India issued an advisory for its citizens and those who are travelling to Canada to exercise utmost caution in view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence" in the country.
The coronavirus pandemic brought global renown to the mRNA technology that underpins vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, and on Monday earned a Nobel Prize for two scientists who have been key to its development. Penn Medicine scientists Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman, who won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries enabling the development of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.(via REUTERS)

Katalin Kariko of Hungary and Drew Weissman of the United States won the Nobel Medicine Prize for their work on "nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19".

These types of jabs are new but researchers have been working for decades to try to figure out how to use messenger RNA (ribonucleic acid) for other vaccinations and to treat illnesses from AIDS to cancer.

How does it work?

Messenger RNA's job in the body is to help deliver specific instructions from DNA to cells.

In the case of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna jabs, lab-generated mRNA tells human cells to create antigens -- proteins that are similar to ones found in the Covid-19 virus.

Thanks to those antigens, a person's immune system learns how to fight the virus and neutralise Covid if it enters the body.

After the cells create these proteins, the body breaks down the mRNA instructions and gets rid of them.

Such direct communication with cells is revolutionary -- classic vaccines aimed to provoke an immune response by injecting a neutralised form of a virus or antigens into the system.

ALSO READ- Nobel Prize 2023: Katalin Kariko says, My mom is listening from above

Where did this come from?

The first big breakthrough, in the late 1970s, was in using mRNA to make test-tube cells produce proteins.

A decade later, scientists were able to get the same results in mice, but mRNA still had two major drawbacks as a medical tool.

For one thing, cells in live animals resisted synthetic mRNA, provoking a dangerous immune response.

On top of that, mRNA molecules are fragile, making them difficult to deliver to the system without altering them.

In 2005, Kariko and Weissman of Penn State University published a groundbreaking study showing that a lipid -- or fat molecule -- envelope could safely deliver mRNA without negative effects.

The research caused a buzz in the pharmaceutical community and start-ups dedicated to mRNA therapies began to pop up around the world.

What else can mRNA do?

Scientists have worked on developing mRNA jabs for illnesses like seasonal flu, rabies and Zika, as well as those that have remained vaccine-resistant until now, including malaria and AIDS.

Researchers have also started testing personalised treatments on cancer patients, using samples of the proteins in their tumours to create specialised mRNA.

This then triggers the immune system to target specific cancer cells.

"The mRNA platform is versatile," University of Pennsylvania biochemist Norbert Pardi told AFP. Any protein can be encoded as mRNA so there are many potential applications.

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France on Monday began Europe's only vaccination campaign against bird flu in ducks, hoping to avoid mass culls of millions of birds that have dearly cost the industry in recent years. France Bird Flu: A farmer looks at Mulard ducks at a poultry farm in Montsoue, France.(Reuters)

"There's high pressure from the virus, but vaccination should mean we only face individual cases, avoiding the tidal wave sweeping through farms," said Jocelyn Marguerie, poultry chief at the SNGTV farm vets' association.

The two-jab course for ducklings -- starting at 10 days old -- is obligatory in farms raising more than 250 birds from October.

Producing livers for foie gras or meat, France's duck sector is especially sensitive to the virus.

The birds shed it before symptoms ever appear, allowing it to spread unchecked.

France's poultry population saw a wave of bird flu in 2015-17 and has suffered almost constant outbreaks since 2020 -- although there are currently no disease hotspots.

Discovery of a case means culling for the whole farm and others nearby, disrupting production for the long term and bringing a heavy financial toll for farmers.

"I've been caught up in four culls since 2016. I hope we'll get back to being unscathed. (Vaccination) has to work!" said Thierry Dezes, who raises ducks in the southwestern Landes region and plans to jab some 5,000 ducklings.

Vets expect a total of around 60 million ducks should be vaccinated by summer next year.

France's first 80 million doses will come from pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, meaning the government will have to invite tenders for more supply.

But the campaign is not going uncontested.

One farmer in the Landes region told AFP that she had customers "calling to tell me they don't want meat from vaccinated ducks" -- asking to remain anonymous to protect her business.

And on export markets, the fear is that immunisation could mask bird flu circulating unnoticed in the duck population.

A senior official at Japan's ministry of agriculture told AFP that Tokyo would suspend imports of French poultry products after the vaccination campaign had started.
On October 2, 1968, the National Trails System Act established the Appalachian Trail as one of the country's first National Scenic Trails. Google Doodle is celebrating the day with a doodle of the highest viewpoint of the trail. Consequently, over the years over 14,000 people have completed the trek.

Spanning across 14 U.S. states, the 2,190-mile trail is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. Traversing through dense forests, gushing rivers and peaking mountain summits along the east coast, this trail has been a hikers's favourite for over 100 years.

It was in 1921 when Benton MacKaye, a forester, and conservationist first proposed the idea. The original plan made by him, titled An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning, outlined a stretch of many self-sustaining agricultural camps along the way of the trail.

As he continued the promotion of this idea, many like-minded people joined the cause and formed the Appalachian Trail Conference.

Finally in 1937, thanks to the efforts of many trailblazers, the trail was fully connected from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.

In 1947, a hiker named Earl Shaffer reported the first complete hike from one end of the trail to another and piqued the interest of travellers.

Consequently, over the years over 14,000 people have completed the trek.

In 1968, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Trails System Act 1968, which recognised the Appalachian Trail as one of the first national scenic trails and federal land.

Various travellers and trekkers now find their way on this trail to complete the four-to-six-month thru-hike.

Social Media Reactions

Many have taken to social media to appreciate Google's Doodle of the Appalachian Trail.

"Well done Google. Look forward to being on the trail in a few weeks for my yearly section hike.

Google Doodle celebrates the Appalachian Trail," wrote an X user.

Many who were not aware of the significance of the day thanked Google for the informative doodle.

"A Google Doodle I thoroughly enjoyed.

Did not know the significance of Oct 2 until today.

On October 2nd 1968, the National Trails System Act established AT as one of the country's first National Scenic Trails."

A user on X actually shared how they've dreamt for a while of hiking through the trail. Today's Google Doodle makes me so sad because I've wanted to do a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail for over a decade now, and I don't think I'll ever get to do it between the expense and my health and the world being on fire. 
An Iranian journalist was arrested Monday in Tehran after a hospital visit to report on the condition of a teenage girl who had fainted on the subway, the Shargh daily said. An Iranian flag flutters.

"Maryam Lotfi, the reporter of Shargh newspaper, was arrested," her publication said on its website.

She had gone to Fajr Hospital in the capital "to prepare a news report on the condition of a girl who passed out on the subway" on Sunday, Shargh said.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear, with a senior official denying "rumours" of an altercation with subway workers.

The Tehran-based newspaper did not say which agency had apprehended Lotfi or what were the accusations against the journalist.

Iranian authorities have questioned or arrested more than 90 journalists since a nationwide wave of protests last year, local media reported in August.

Reporting on the subway incident, official news agency IRNA said on Monday that "a 16-year-old female student" fainted due to "a drop in blood pressure" as she tried to get on a train.

Masood Dorosti, managing director of the Tehran subway system, denied there was "any verbal or physical conflict" between the student and "passengers or metro executives".

"Some rumours about a confrontation with metro agents... are not true and CCTV footage refutes this claim," Dorosti told IRNA.

He said the teenager was "currently being treated in hospital" and "we hope that she would return to her family as soon as possible."

Of the dozens of Iranian journalists reportedly questioned or arrested since last year, two reporters, both women, have spent more than a year in prison.

Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi were arrested after covering the September 16, 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd who had been arrested for an alleged breach of strict dress rules for women.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended on Monday the use of a second malaria vaccine to curb the life-threatening disease spread to humans by some mosquitoes. A research scientist experimenting. (Representative Image)

"Almost exactly two years ago, W.H.O. recommended the broad use of the world's first malaria vaccine called RTS,S," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a briefing in Geneva.

"Today, it gives me great pleasure to announce that WHO is recommending a second vaccine called R21/Matrix-M to prevent malaria in children at risk of the disease."

R21/Matrix-M, developed by Britain's University of Oxford, will be rolled out in some African countries in early 2024 and available mid-2024 in other countries, Tedros said, adding that doses would cost between $2 and $4.

"WHO is now reviewing the vaccine for prequalification, which is WHO stamp of approval, and will enable GAVI (a global vaccine alliance) and UNICEF to buy the vaccine from manufacturers," Tedros said.

The R21/Matrix-M is mass manufactured by Serum Institute of India and uses Novavax's Matrix M adjuvant.

Tedros added the agency had also recommended Takeda Pharmaceuticals' vaccine against dengue called Qdenga for children aged six to 16 years living in areas where the infection is a significant public health problem.

Dengue, common in tropical and subtropical climates, is a viral infection spread from mosquitoes to people.

Takeda's vaccine was shown in trials to be effective against all 4 stereotypes of the virus in people who were previously infected by dengue, Hanna Nohynek, chair of WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, told journalists.

She added, however, that there remained uncertainty about its performance against stereotype 3 and 4 in people who have not been infected previously.

The WHO's strategic advisory group also recommended a simplified single dose regime for primary immunization for most COVID-19 vaccines to improve acceptance of the shots at a time when most people have had at least one prior infection

The agency added that any monovalent or bivalent vaccine could be used given that monovalent vaccines that target the XBB.1.5 variant - the dominant variant in many places this year - are not available in many countries.
A church roof collapsed during Sunday mass in a northern Mexican city killing at least nine people and injuring 40, authorities said, as rescuers worked into the night, desperately looking for another 30 people believed to be trapped under the rubble. Members of a rescue team and people work at a site where a church roof collapsed during Sunday mass in Ciudad Madero, in Tamaulipas state, Mexico. (Reuters)

Working under floodlights, military personnel supported emergency services using rescue dogs and earth moving equipment to identify and dig out survivors from the ruins of the church in Ciudad Madero, a city on the Gulf coast near the port of Tampico.

Footage on social media showed the moment the church roof caved in, puffs of gray smoke billowing into the air, followed by the toppling of yellow brick outer walls.

Nine people died and another 40 were taken to nearby hospitals, while 30 other worshippers remained unaccounted for, Jorge Cuellar, spokesman for the Security Ministry of Tamaulipas state, which borders Texas.

Speaking on Foro TV news channel, Cuellar thanked local businessmen for bringing equipment to help remove rubble and aid rescue efforts.

Bishop Jose Armando Alvarez from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tampico said the church roof crumbled as worshippers were receiving communion and asked others to pray for the survivors.

"In this moment the necessary work is being carried out to pull out the people who are still under the rumble," Bishop Armando said in a recorded message shared on social media.
American Drew Weissman and Hungarian-American Katalin Kariko won the Nobel Prize in medicine on for discoveries that enabled the creation of mRNA vaccines against Covid-19. The panel said that the scientists were awarded for contributing to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times." Nobel Medicine Prize 2023: US physician-scientist Drew Weissman along with his long time collaborator Katalin Kariko of Hungary won the 2023 Nobel Medicine Prize.(AFP)

Their groundbreaking findings ... fundamentally changed our understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system," the panel said.

Drew Weissman, 64, a professor and director of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovations, met Katalin Kariko, 68, a senior vice president at BioNTech, by chance in the 1990s while photocopying research papers, according to Penn Today, the university's news website.

On winning the prize Drew Weissman said he found it hard to believe he had won the prestigious award.

"I heard it from Katie first because they called her first and didn't have my number," he said, adding, We weren't sure if somebody was playing a prank on us.

"I am not a big celebrator but would probably go out with his family for a nice dinner, he said.

While Katalin Kariko said that her husband was the first to pick up the early morning call, handing it to her to hear the news. I couldnt believe it, she said. I was very much surprised. But I am very happy.

Before Covid-19, mRNA vaccines were already being tested for other diseases like Zika, influenza and rabies but the pandemic brought more attention to this approach, she said, explaining, There was already clinical trials before COVID, but people were not aware."

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
Mystery surrounding the disappearance of 9-Year-Old Charlotte Sena has deepened further as the girl hasn't been found even two days after she went missing. Charlotte had gone missing from Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County, New York on Saturday evening. She was camping with family and friends at the Park and suddenly went missing after going on a bike ride near her camp. Missing schoolgirl Charlotte Sena(X(Formerly Twitter)/@901Lulu)

Meanwhile, a frantic search for her is on, with FBI joining the proceedings to bring her home unharmed. New York State Police, forest rangers, UAS, and URT have already been searching for Charlotte. The search and rescue team are using latest technology including drones to find the girl. Bloodhounds and dive teams have also been deployed in the search operation.

Police suspect Charlotte might have been abducted from near the camp in Moreau Lake State Park. An Amber Alert is in place to find her and police believe that she is in "imminent danger of serious harm and/or death".

According to the police, Charlotte is a 4-foot-6 girl and weighs around 90 pounds. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a pink and orange tie dye Pokemon shirt and dark blue pants.

Earlier, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul had interacted with the media over the incident. Hochul said: "We are leaving no stone, no table, no branch underturned, untouched, unexamined in our search to find Charlotte."

I promised her parents well find their daughter. Shes all of our daughters, said Hochul.

ALSO READ| Donald Trump calls New York fraud case a 'scam' as trial begins

Meanwhile, Charlotte's aunt Jene Lucianai-Sena has appealed to people to help find the missing girl. In a TikTok video, Jene appealed, "There isn't any information that we can tell in this time but if you can keep sharing her photo and praying really, that is really the best that our family can ask at this time."

"If you know anything at all please contact the New York State Police. If you know anyone that lives around the area. Any information would help with their investigations," added Jene.

Charlotte is a 4th grader at her elementary school in the Corinth Central School District. The school said, "The district maintains its focus on the safety and the well-being of our students and staff. Our hearts go out to the Sena family."
The Pakistan supreme court scheduled the date to hear 1090 petitions against inflated electricity bills on October 16, ARY News reported on Monday. The three-member bench of the supreme court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faiz Isa heard the case.

As per the ARY News, the three-member bench of the supreme court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faiz Isa heard the case.

The court will hear arguments and decide the matter on October 16, the court announced. No video link facility will be available on Oct 16, all sides have to arrive in Islamabad to present their arguments, the court added.

Earlier, CJP Qazi Faez Isa turned down a request for time from the Attorney General. Attorney General should prepare for case in half hour, the bench said.

The AG has not been put on notice in this case, he himself wants to present arguments, AAG Aamir Rehman said while seeking time for the AG.

It is okay, if you, yourself in writing say that Aamir Rehman is ineligible to present arguments. We could not become so rude, CJP said. I see Aamir Rehman an eligible lawyer able to present arguments in case before the court himself, Justice Isa remarked.

There is a pile of cases against power prices, the CJP observed. Justice Faez Isa ordered the AAG to prepare arguments in the case within half hour while announcing to hear the case after 11:30am.

Earlier last month, businesses remained suspended in Peshawar's markets, where the traders staged rallies against inflated power bills and rising prices of essential goods and petroleum products, Dawn reported.

The protests were also witnessed in Hayatabad, Saddar, Shaheen Bazaar, Meena Bazaar, Pepal Mandi, Chowk Yadgar, Charsadda Road, University Road, Mocha Lara, Bazaar Dalgaran and other areas before converging on the Qissa Khwani Bazaar.

The traders set up a protest camp in Saddar Bazaar to ensure the markets remain closed.

They further said that they would announce their next action if the federal government did not withdraw the recent increase in prices.

Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to face economic challenges, the International Monetary Fund has made it tougher for the country to manage by rejecting the proposal for any tariff adjustment or provision of additional subsidy, Geo News reported.
More than 300 forest fires on Indonesia's Sumatra island caused hazy skies across the region prompting authorities to ask people to work from home. The military, police and local government were working together to extinguish the fires, which were burning in 316 places across South Sumatra province, but their work was complicated by the extreme dry weather, said Iriansyah, the head of the South Sumatra Disaster Management Agency. Students ride a wooden boat through the Ogan river, which is covered by smog due to wildfires, in Palembang, South Sumatra province, Indonesia.(Reuters)

The smoky haze drifted from the fires toward Palembang, the capital of South Palembang province, causing unhealthy air conditions for the area's 1.7 million people.

There is a high potential for people to suffer from respiratory tract infections, coughing, shortness of breath and eye irritation, said Iriansyah, who like many Indonesians uses only one name.

The government in South Sumatra last week called on schools to delay their opening time, as the haze tends to decrease during the day. But on Monday, the schools asked students to attend classes online, as the air quality had worsened and was categorized as dangerous."

We are worried as the haze is getting worse in Palembang. ... Many children are sick and we can only pray that this disaster will pass quickly, Umi Kalsum, a private sector worker and mother, told The Associated Press on Monday.

Forest and peat fires are an annual problem in Indonesia that strains relations with neighboring countries. Smoke from the fires has blanketed parts of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and southern Thailand. Some parts of Malaysia said they experienced smoke from the Indonesian fires since last week.

Malaysia's Environment Department chief Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar last week said the return of smog in some parts of the country was due to hundreds of forest fires in Indonesia.

Overall, air quality in the country has deteriorated, he said in a statement. Forest fires that occur in the southern part of Sumatra and the central and southern parts of Kalimantan, Indonesia have caused haze to cross borders.

But Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Indonesia's Environment and Forestry Minister, said in a statement on Monday there has been no transboundary haze from Indonesia to Malaysia.

Satellite data from Indonesias Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency shows that the haze in Indonesia was in several areas in Sumatra and Borneo islands. Wind direction in Indonesia is generally from southeast to northwest-northeast.

We continue to follow developments and there is no transboundary haze to Malaysia, she said.

She added that authorities are working on the ground and in the air to put out the fires in South Sumatra, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan provinces, including some areas in Java.

Indonesias National Disaster Management Agency in September said that there are six provinces in Indonesia where forest and peatland fires are most common, including South Sumatra province, where a big peatland fire burned for days in August.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said Monday a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv was a signal to Moscow of the bloc's determination to support Ukraine over the long term. Russia-Ukraine War: Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna in Kyiv.(AFP)

"It is a demonstration of our resolute and lasting support for Ukraine, until it can win. It is also a message to Russia that it should not count on our weariness. We will be there for a long time to come," she told reporters in Kyiv.

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Ukraine angrily responded to a social media post by billionaire Elon Musk which ridiculed the country's president Volodymyr Zelensky's repeated calls for Western military and financial aid to fight against Russian invasion. Elon Musk has provided Ukraine with Starlink satellite services- vital to the Ukrainian army. Although his statements on the Russian invasion have been criticised earlier as well. Russia-Ukraine War: Elon Musk is seen.(AFP)

Elon Musk who owns the social media platform X -- formerly known as Twitter  posted a meme of Zelensky with the caption, When it's been five minutes and you haven't asked for a billion dollars in aid.

Ukraine presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak answered on X, Any silence or irony towards Ukraine today is a direct encouragement of Russian propaganda that justifies mass violence and destruction.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk slammed the post while mocking Elon Musk's attempt to "conquer space", after his SpaceX starship blew up shortly after blasting off in April. Ruslan Stefanchuk said that the attempt had said failed in five minutes and left the billionaire up to his eyeballs in problems.

But Ukraine has also praised Elon Musk for deploying the Starlink satellites which have helped its soldiers communicate in areas where telecommunications are down.

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The son of Yevgeny Prigozhin has taken over command of Russia's Wagner group, a leading US think tank said, citing a prominent Wagner-affiliated Telegram channel. Pavel Prigozhin, 25, is negotiating with Rosgvardia, the Russian National Guard over Wagner rejoining Ukraine war, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said. Pavel Prigozhin is seen.

The mercenary group's main combat elements are split across several countries- Belarus, the Central African Republic, Libya, and Mali but there has been no clear unified leader since the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin who died in a plane crash in August.

This comes after some Wagner group elements reacted negatively to Vladimir Putins embrace of former Wagner Group commander and current Ministry of Defense (MoD) employee Andrey Troshev.

The ISW said that some Wagner personnel are interested in rallying around a Prigozhin-linked alternative to the Kremlin- and MoD-aligned Troshev.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, led an unsuccessful coup against Russian president Vladimir Putin in June. His private military force Wagner fought alongside Russia's regular army in Ukraine. After the short lived coup, the Kremlin said that he would be exiled to Belarus, and his fighters would either retire, follow him there, or join the Russian military.

Yevgeny Prigozhin died in a plane crash when he was on a flight from Moscow to St Petersburg. All 10 people on the plane, including three crew members, died in the crash, Russias emergency ministry said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
New York-based attorney general Letitia James has been gaining limelight recently. The top prosecutor has been fighting a fraud trial against former U.S. President Donald Trump which may lead to the demolishing of his enormous real-estate empire. We have compiled everything you should about the 64-year-old career prosecutor and her fight against the former president.

While for some she is a woman chasing publicity, for others she is a hero fighting for a cause.

We have compiled everything you should about the 64-year-old career prosecutor and her fight against the former president.

Letitia Ann Tish James, was born in New York in 1958. Raised in Brooklyn with her seven siblings, she attended public schools in the city before getting a law degree from Howard University in Washington.

She began her legal career as a public defender and then entered NYC politics as a council member. She later promoted herself to a public advocate. It was in 2018 that Tish became the NYC state attorney general.

It was last year on September 21, that Letitia filed a lawsuit against Donald and his family members along with associates and businesses in the New York Supreme Court.

"Mr. Trump and the Trump Organization repeatedly and persistently manipulated the value of assets to induce banks to lend money to the Trump Organization on more favorable terms than would otherwise have been available to the company," stated Letitia, "to pay lower taxes, to satisfy continuing loan agreements, and to induce insurance companies to provide insurance coverage for higher limits and at lower premiums."

According to the 65 witnesses and millions of documents that the prosecutor and her team reviewed Donald had submitted "more than 200 false and misleading asset valuations."

Last week Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization committed fraud while building his real estate empire by deceiving banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

He revoked the business licenses of Donald and his two adult sons Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, prohibiting them from doing any business in the states.

Throughout the battle, Donald has titled Letitia as a renegade and out of control prosecutor, has dismissed her as crazy and her actions as witch-hunt.

This is along with invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination a number of times.

This week Judge Arthur will be hearing arguments on a potential fine, which could make the former President liable to pay about $250 million.

Keep following HT's world news space for more updates on the matter.
In a bizarre case from Brazil, a woman named Fernanda Valoz Pinto died after consuming chocolate given by a palm reader who had predicted that she would die soon. The mysterious death of Pinto happened in August, this year. Fernanda Valoz Pinto(X(Formerly Twitter)/@raniellebsb)

The shocking incident happened in Maceio which is a hotbed for fortune tellers. When Pinto was walking through the city center, she was stopped by an old woman who asked to read her palm.

The old palm reader predicted that Pinto only had a few days to live. The woman gave Pinto a chocolate as a gift.

Recalling how Pinto died after eating the chocolate, her cousin Bianca Cristina shared the details.

She[Fernanda Valoz Pinto] vomited, her vision was a bit blurred, her body was soft it was a matter of hours, Cristina told Globo1.

As [the candy] was packaged, it didnt occur to her [that it could pose any danger]. And as she was hungry, she decided to eat it, informed Cristina.

After eating the chocolate, Pinto started feeling ill and shared her ordeal with her family through text messages.

My heart is racing. Ive thrown up. But I have this taste in my mouth. So bitter. Bad. My vision is blurry. Im so weak," explained Pinto.

I leant on the water tank. I almost fell. I almost met God. I dont know why Im like this, sis. Ive been feeling bad all day, continued Pinto.

ALSO READ| Our hearts go out to the Sena family: School district reacts to Charlotte's disappearance from New York

Meanwhile, toxicology reports generated from biosamples from her autopsy revealed high concentrations of pesticides Sulfotep and Terbufos in her body. Investigations are on to ascertain if the chocolate was the source of Pinto's poisoning. Law Enforcement authorities are also trying to find out if the fortune teller was hired to kill Pinto.

I dont see anyone having a reason to do this to her, but we dont know whats in anyones heart. Whether it was someone who ordered her to be killed or if the woman did it because she wanted to, only the police will find out, said Pintos other cousin Lumenita Valoz.

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Less than an hour before funding for federal agencies was to expire, President Joe Biden signed a bill to fund the government through mid-November and prevent a shutdown.

Late Saturday night, Biden said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that he implored Congress to immediately enact funding bills for the entire fiscal year.

Biden Signs Last-Minute Stopgap Funding Measure

In a rare weekend meeting, the US Senate approved a funding measure Saturday night, sending it to President Joe Biden for his signature and averting a widely feared government suspension. The law, which passed the Senate by a vote of 88 to 9 after receiving House approval, would fund the federal government through November 17.

According to VOA News, the bill contains $16 billion in disaster aid sought by Biden but did not include money to assist Ukraine in its conflict against Russia's invasion. Biden stated in a statement issued after the vote that the passage of the measure averted "an unnecessary crisis that would have caused needless suffering to millions of industrious Americans."

If Congress and the president had not approved and signed the measure by Saturday midnight, the federal government would have shut down. More than four million US military service members and government employees would not be paid, although essential services such as air traffic control and official border entry points would continue to be staffed.

Pensioners may not receive their monthly government payments in time to pay their expenses and purchase food, and national parks may close.

For days, everything appeared predestined. The precipitous turn of events began on Saturday when House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reversed course and introduced the funding bill that his conservative Republican caucus opposed.

The House passed the bill by a vote of 335 to 91. Even though it does not contain aid for Ukraine, a priority for Biden, Democrats, and many Senate Republicans, more Democrats supported it than Republicans.

Representative Lauren Boebert, a Republican, criticized the ratification of the short-term remedial measure. Right-wing members of McCarthy's party are poised to introduce a motion to depose him as speaker.

Read Also: Louisiana Saltwater Intrusion: Joe Biden Approves Federal Disaster Assistance-Here's How It Can Help

US Government Shutdown

Per Daily Mail, the White House is in regular contact with its personnel and agencies regarding what to expect in the event of a government shutdown. The agencies have begun to develop their own contingency plans in case of a government closure.

Two government organizations have expressed concern that the closure could last for weeks and have drafted contingency plans. One individual stated, "Hope for the best, but plan for the worst."

The impending prospect of the shutdown is already impacting planning, including possible travel next week, for cabinet members and other officials. The White House has acknowledged the "uncertainty'" encircling the situation in communications with its staff regarding closure procedures.

The closure will result in flight chaos, refuse accumulation, closed national parks, and unpaid military personnel. On Friday, twenty-one conservative Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against a last-ditch interim spending measure.

It was a crushing loss for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who has endured unrelenting criticism from his party's extreme wing. Without a last-minute agreement, 3.5 million federal employees will be forced to work without pay, including 2 million military personnel and 1.5 million federal civilian employees.

Over half of the civilian workforce will be furloughed, while the remainder will be required to report to work without pay. The Republican Party is currently scrambling to reach an agreement that will prevent widespread turmoil and disruption across the nation.

Related Article: House Fails to Pass Short-Term Government Funding Bill as Shutdown Looms

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The suspect in last week's brutal murder of a young Baltimore tech CEO was sentenced to a 30-year prison term in 2015, but he was released in 2022, not because of parole but because of a more lenient earned credit system for good behavior.

Jason Billingsley, 32, was brought into custody without incident late Wednesday in Bowie, Maryland, after being identified as the primary suspect in the murder of Pava LaPere, 26.

Jason Billingsley's Criminal Record

Per NY Post, police believe he convinced the founder of EcoMap Technologies to let him into her apartment building by claiming he lost his keys.

Billingsley, who pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and second-degree assault in 2009 and 2011, respectively, before serving time for the 2013 rape of a 25-year-old woman, applied for parole in 2020 and was denied, according to the Baltimore Banner.

David Blumberg, the longstanding head of the state parole commission, said he appealed the decision and was again denied parole.

By October 2022, he had earned enough "diminution credits" to be released from prison after serving approximately nine years and three months of a 14-year sentence.

In July 2013, the accused murderer was charged with a sex offense of the first degree and pleaded guilty in February 2015. His sentence, backdated to when he was first incarcerated after his arrest, called for a term of 30 years, but with 16 years of that term suspended.

By accruing enough diminution credits, he was able to leave the military even sooner than anticipated. The majority of states permit inmates to reduce their sentence for excellent behavior and labor program participation

The Justice Reinvestment Act, which was enacted in 2011 and adopted by many states, including Maryland, enables inmates to reduce their prison time by as much as fifty percent if they obtain these credits.

Many activists who advocated for and drafted the Justice Reinvestment Act are affiliated with organizations such as the Safety and Justice Action Fund, which campaigns for progressive district attorneys across the nation.

They are also affiliated with the Open Society Foundation of George Soros, which coined the phrase "justice reinvestment" in 2003 as part of a campaign for prison reform.

A state report from 2020 indicates that under the "diminution credit" system, inmates in Maryland can earn up to 30 days per month. Those serving time for violent crimes, narcotic offenses, or sexual offenses may receive up to 20 days per month.

They receive credit for work-related activities, education, and special initiatives, including academic programs and other work-related details.

However, even the 2020 report's author appeared to concede that the diminution credit system has some peculiarities.

Billingsley, who was released on mandatory supervision after completing a rape sentence less than a year ago, was already on the run when he was suspected of murdering LaPere, the CEO who was one of Forbes' "30 under 30" for social impact this year, police said last week.

A warrant was issued for Billingsley within hours of an attack on September 19 involving the "targeted" rape at gunpoint and arson of a woman and her companion.

According to CBS News, interim Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley stated that the 6-foot-4, 305-pound suspect knew the victims of the previous attack and had access to the apartment where the crime occurred.

Police began monitoring Billingsley's phone, financial transactions, and other potential leads on September 20; however, he evaded capture despite officers frequently coming within a few steps of his location.

LaPere was discovered battered to death on the roof of her Mount Vernon apartment building days into the search. Her body was discovered on Monday, six days after the initial assault, but detectives believe she was likely murdered on Friday.

Read Also: Missing Minors: More Than 1000 Kids Reported Disappearing This Year in Cleveland

Tech CEO Pava LaPere's Death

Meanwhile, LaPere is believed to have been murdered within a half-hour of her return home, as evidenced by the discovery of a brick, teeth, and buttons next to her corpse on the rooftop of her luxury Baltimore apartment.

New court documents seen by The Messenger indicate that Billingsley spent less than 36 minutes in her apartment building. According to the Baltimore Police Department report, surveillance footage captured LaPere's arrival at 10:32 p.m.

LaPere was then observed seated on a settee in the lobby, before Billingsley, 32, arrived and waved at her through the glass entrance before she let him in.

Billingsley reemerged at 11:08 p.m. "scramblin" for an exit after entering and entering an elevator together. Before leaving the building, Billingsley was captured on camera cleaning his right hand on his underpants, according to the police report.

After fleeing, law enforcement traced Billingsley to a train station approximately 30 miles from LaPere's apartment. The police report states that detectives located Billingsley with the assistance of a witness, who, according to police, will be identified at a later date and presented in court.

Police say LaPere was murdered on Friday night, but her body was not discovered until Monday morning, after someone reported her missing.

Earlier this week, police sources verified to DailyMail.com that LaPere's severely battered body was discovered on the roof of her apartment building.

The police report also revealed that she was discovered face-up and partially clothed, with blunt force injuries to her head, face, and body.

According to the report, the crime scene contained a brick, blood, buttons, trousers, three teeth, a broken hair clip, and a pair of red shoes that belonged to the victim.

It is unknown whether she was murdered prior to being deposited on the roof or whether she was murdered on the roof. The police have remained tight-lipped about the crime's specifics.

Billingsley is not believed to have known LaPere, who resided on the building's top floor. He is charged with first-degree murder, assault, and reckless endangerment in the death of LaPere, a 26-year-old emerging tech sensation.

Related Article: Baltimore Tech CEO Murder: Police Conducting Manhunt for 'Extremely Dangerous' Convict

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The Cayuga County Health Department is partnering with the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and local elementary schools to celebrate Walk to School Day this week.

Officially held Oct. 4 and observed across the U.S., the day raises awareness of the need for safer walking routes and emphasizes the importance of increasing physical activity in children.

Herman Avenue Elementary School in Auburn observed the day on Monday. The school will be followed by Owasco Elementary on Tuesday, Casey Park Elementary on Wednesday, Genesee Elementary on Thursday and Seward Elementary on Friday. Observing the day outside Auburn will be Millard Fillmore Elementary in Moravia on Oct. 10, Weedsport Elementary on Oct. 11 and A.A. Gates Elementary School in Port Byron on Oct. 12.
Two terrorists were neutralized after carrying out a bomb attack in front of Turkey's Interior Ministry building in Ankara on Sunday (October 1), hours ahead of the opening of parliament.

It was reported that lawmakers were to return to work after a summer recess, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was supposed to address the assembly a kilometer away from the scene.

Security footage obtained by Reuters showed the attackers arriving in a light commercial vehicle in front of the building.

Turkish interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said in a statement that two police officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries after one of the attackers blew himself up, while the other assailant was shot dead by police.

The attackers allegedly targeted a guard tower in front of the entrance to the building, which was slightly damaged in the blast.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of this writing.

Read Also: The Fall of Artsakh: Ethnic Armenian Government in Nagorno-Karabakh Announces Dissolution by End of 2023

Second Attacker Also Has a Bomb

On the other hand, CNN's Turkish affiliate reportedly showed the crime scene cordoned off and a bomb squad searching for other suspicious packages.

Officers eventually discovered an unexploded bomb on the body of the neutralized terrorist, and was safely detonated after the attack.

Turkish attorney-general Yilmaz Tunc said that an investigation into the incident is underway. He added that the attacks would not hinder the country's fight against terrorism.

Sunday's bombing attack was the latest in a long history of terror attacks in Turkey, commonplace in the mid-to late-2010s when the insecurity from war-torn Syria extended northwards.

The most significant attack was the twin bombings 2015, which targeted a peace rally near the Turkish capital's main train station. Almost 100 people were killed during the incidents.

Wider Context

Meanwhile, the US and Egyptian embassies in Ankara reportedly condemned the attack, saying that both countries were standing in solidarity with Turkey.

The international community would closely monitor Ersogan's speech for indications about the Turkish parliament's ratification of Sweden's membership application in NATO. The speech would also be watched for any statements regarding the fall of Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh and his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Related Article: US Sanctions 5 Companies Based in Turkey Aimed at Russian Economy

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Multiple reports have been made about a fire gutting a nightclub in Spain's southeastern region early Sunday morning (October 1).

There are conflicting reports on how many have died at the scene, with Reuters reporting at least nine, while the BBC estimated the fatalities at 11.

An additional four people were treated in hospital for smoke inhalation.

Murcia mayor Jose Ballesta told reporters that the fire broke out on the first floor of the Teatre nightclub in Atalayas, in the city's outskirts.

"We are devastated," he said on local broadcaster 24h, adding that rescuers were still searching for several reported missing people.

Read Also: Spanish Conservative Leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo Loses First for Prime Minister Role

Incendio EXTINGUIDO. En estos momentos, continuan refrescando la zona



Han sido movilizados un total de 12 vehiculos, 40 efectivos de los parques de El Infante y Espinardo y 18 policias locales pic.twitter.com/GYlJvWW7SD  Jose Ballesta (@Ballesta_Murcia) October 1, 2023

From Party to Peril

Murcia's fire service released footage showing firefighters working to control the blaze inside the club after it destroyed part of the roof. They alleged that the fire began at around 06:00 local time (04:00 UTC), but has since been brought under control. Ballesta also said emergency services were working to establish the cause of the fire.

Los servicios de emergencias amplian a seis los fallecidos en el incendio ocurrido en la discoteca Teatre, en Atalayas, y continuan trabajando. pic.twitter.com/FybbJFpK7H  Ayuntamiento de Murcia (@AytoMurcia) October 1, 2023

Outside the club, young people visiting the club were seen hugging each other and looking shocked as they waited for information about the missing.

In response to the incident, Ballesta declared three days of mourning for the victims who died, as flags were flown at half-mast outside the Murcia City Hall.

A press conference is scheduled for 12:30 local time Sunday (10:30 UTC), CNN reported.

This is a developing story. Please follow HNGN for more updates.

Related Article: [VIDEOS] New York Extreme Weather Causes Floods, Airport Delays, and Subway Chaos

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U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein's potential replacements now include Oprah Winfrey and Meghan Markle, who are very surprising candidates for the position.

If rumors are true, who will California Gov. Gavin Newsom likely choose between the two individuals? Here are the latest details you need to know.

Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle to Replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein?

According to CBS News' latest report, there's no doubt that Dianne Feinstein left a great legacy since she's one of the longest-serving American officials.

Aside from this, her death also left an open seat in the U.S. Senate for California. Feinstein, who died at 90 years old, had around 15 months left as a senator.

Since her remaining term is more than a year, California needs to find the right individual to replace Dianne. Surprisingly, Fox News reported that Oprah Winfrey and Meghan Markle are among the potential candidates to replace the former Californian senator.

Back in May, Oprah said that she is not considering replacing the Feinstein seat in case it becomes vacant. Meanwhile, Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, who currently resides in Montecito, California with her husband, Duke of Sussex Prince, Harry-showed interest in becoming a U.S. official.

Before the 2020 U.S. election happened, Markle allegedly considered running for the U.S. Senate. Speculations stated that she had been networking among senior Democrats to build a campaign and eventually aim for a presidential bid of her own.

She even made a close relationship with social-political activist Gloria Steinem. Because of this, the American journalist introduced the Duchess of Sussex to pivotal individuals within the party.

A major Democratic donor said that Meghan Markle is a long shot. But, since U.S. politics has the "craziness" these days, it's not impossible for Markle to get a position in the U.S. Senate.

But Oprah is also a great candidate to replace Feinstein. Recently, Newsom claimed that he would appoint a Black woman to the Senate in case of Dianne's passing.

Read Also: Gaetz-McCarthy Face Off: Republicans Have Tense Interaction Ahead of Government Shutdown

Who Will Gavin Newsom Choose?

Dianne Feinstein died on Thursday, Sept. 28, at her house in Washington, D.C. This was confirmed by her office on Sept. 29.

Ever since her passing, the burden of finding a replacement for her remaining term has been passed on to Gavin Newsom. Both Oprah and Markle are great candidates based on the statements provided above.

One of them becoming the next California senator is possible to happen. This is because Newsom has sole discretion to fill Dianne's seat with an appointee.

But, Newsom recently showed a lack of interest in making another appointment, considering he already did one with Sen. Alex Padilla.

"I don't want to make another appointment, and I don't think the people of California want me to make another appointment," said the Californian governor.

As of writing, the decision to fill the Senate position that Dianne Feinstein left behind greatly relies on Gavin Newsom's final decision.

Related Article: US Sen. Tuberville Claims US Military is Not Equal-Opportunity Employer; Dislikes New JCS Chairman Being Black

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With several air forces announcing they would eventually get rid of some of their F-16 fighter jets and transfer them to Ukraine, many defense observers notice a trend that they are replacing it with the F-35, the next-generation multirole fighter jet.

However, it is not just air forces who are trying to replace very venerable warplanes that shaped the latter half of the 20th century and influenced the 21st. Other military branches are also discerning to replace their seaborne fighters and close-air support aircraft with the F-35's carrier variants.

With this in mind, Slash Gear released an article diving deep into the F-35, the fighter jet of choice of air forces - and navies - trying to upgrade.

Overview of the F-35

The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation single-seat stealth fighter developed by Lockheed Martin in the early 2000s. With a top speed of up to Mach 1.6 (1.6 times the speed of sound) thanks to its Pratt and Whitney turbofan engine producing around 43,000 pounds (191 kilonewtons) of thrust, the company claims the F-35 to be the "most advanced fighter jet in the world" and the "most lethal, stealthy, and survivable aircraft."

It comes with three variations - A, B, and C, which have distinct capabilities despite the similarities in the airframe. All variants are capable of eluding enemy radar and surface-to-air missile (SAM) installations, as well as conducting electronic warfare sorties. It is also similar to the earlier-commissioned F-22 Raptor as the aircraft has an internal weapons bay to deny enemy radar detection further.

As for weapons, the F-35 could carry 18,000 pounds (8,165 kg) worth of internal and external missiles and bombs, depending on the mission profile. The fighter also has an internal 25mm cannon as a weapon of last resort.

While public sources put the default payload capacity of the F-35 at 18,000 pounds, the Royal Australian Air Force has flown its F-35A in what they called "beast mode" after it carried 22,000 pounds (almost 10,000 kg) of munitions in a 2021 flight test.

Development of the F-35 could be traced back to 1997 when the US Department of Defense selected Lockheed Martin to compete in a bid for the Joint Strike Fighter concept.

However, testing, development, and manufacturing of the aircraft took a few years to materialize, culminating on the first-ever test flight of the conventionally designed X35A in 2000 and the hover and vertical landing capability test of the X35B a year later.

It also took several years to integrate the fighter jet into three of the branches of the US Armed Forces, with the US Air Force first adopting it in 2011.

Read Also: Pieces of Missing F-35 Allegedly Found, Authorities Say

Right Variant for the Right Job

While the airframes of the three variants of the F-35, the payload they could carry, and the roles they could perform are similar and may overlap, their primary roles in the services they are used to vary.

The F-35A is the most basic and most conventional of the three variants. Its role is similar to the F-22 in terms of combat and stealth capabilities, and it takes off and lands like any other fighter jet. Both the F-22 and the F-35A are primarily operated by the US Air Force as a multirole fighter capable of air-to-air combat as well as airstrikes. F-35A pilots could also have a potential capability of commanding several fighter drones as "loyal wingmen" like the XQ-58A Valkyrie in the future.

Outside the US, the F35A is also used by other countries as an upgrade to the F-16, specifically within the NATO alliance, of which the US is a major partner.

A subvariant of the F-35A is also being developed by Israel as the F-35I, nicknamed "Adir," meaning "Awesome," "Mighty One," or "Magnificent." The Israeli variant is used as a testbed for the country's indigenous electronic warfare systems despite initial hesitation and refusal from Washington.

The F-35B is the most famous of the variants due to its short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capability, and was intended to be the supersonic replacement of the subsonic but venerable Harrier jump jet used by both the US Marine Corps and the British Royal Navy.

It was a US Marine F-35B that was involved in an incident a few weeks ago near Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina.

While they are mostly used by the US Marines mainly for close air support, there are also other countries that currently operate or are awaiting delivery of F-35Bs for their navies and air forces. In particular, both the UK and Japan are intending to order the B variant to fit the needs of their own aircraft carriers - the Queen Elizabeth-class and the Izumo-class, respectively.

Currently, the US Navy and Marines are the only military services that operate the F-35C in tandem with the F-18 Hornet. Unlike its sisters, the C variant meets the needs of US aircraft carriers, which operate a catapult-assisted take-off and barrier-assisted recovery (CATOBAR) system. This meant the F-35C has a larger wing and is equipped with a tail hook in order to safely land in a carrier. Like the latest variant of the F-18 called the Super Hornet, the F-35C can be outfitted to perform a variety of missions tailored for the Navy and Marines.

With all its capabilities - from stealth to air combat to bombing runs to electronic warfare - it is no wonder many air forces and navies dream of procuring the F-35 as their fifth-generation fighter jet of choice.

Related Article: 'Loyal Wingman' in Flight: AI Pilot Successfully Flies XQ-58A 'Valkyrie' drone, US Air Force Says

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Florida Republican Matt Gaetz announced Sunday (October 1) that he will challenge Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) for the US House Speakership.

Gaetz told CNN that he would file what lawmakers call a "motion to vacate" against McCarthy this week, which would challenge and unseat him from the House chair.

"I think we need to rip off the Band-Aid," he said. "I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy."

Read Also: Republicans Reject Kevin McCarthy Proposed Bill as Government Shutdown Imminent

McCarthy vs. GOP Freedom Caucus

The move represented a power struggle from within the Republican party, particularly between moderates like McCarthy and the more conservative faction political analysts call the Freedom Caucus, which currently represents 45 GOP seats in the House.

According to USA Today, the rift was evidently shown after McCarthy reportedly relied on Democrats to pass a short-term stop-gap measure called a continuing resolution to prevent a government shutdown, which was supposed to have been effective otherwise beginning Sunday.

US President Joe Biden signed the bill that would keep the government funded until November 17, with three hours to spare late Saturday night (September 30).

Gaetz has repeatedly threatened to file a motion to vacate if McCarthy relied on Democrat benches to pass a continuing resolution. He instead pushed for GOP leadership to pass the 12 appropriation bills necessary to fund the government in the long term, even if it meant leading the country into a government shutdown.

Despite the bipartisan support for the signed bill, New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told CNN Sunday that she would tactically align with Gaetz's motion to unseat McCarthy from the House chair, accusing him of being a "weak speaker."

McCarthy Brushes Off Gaetz's Challenge

Meanwhile, McCarthy told CBS that he actually welcomed Gaetz's challenge and promised he would survive such a motion. McCarthy added that his speakership was purportedly a "personal" matter for Gaetz, whom he accused of having no interest in governing, as well as criticizing him for voting against the party-line GOP short-term measure that the speaker claimed was far more conservative than the spending deal that was passed Saturday.

Related Article: Biden Signs Bill To Avert Government Shutdown, Blames House GOP for 'Manufactured Crisis'

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Democratic and Republican lawmakers, including former United States President Donald Trump and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), are arguing over Rep. Jamaal Brown's pulling off a fire alarm prior to a House vote.

The Republican businessman on Sunday said that the Democratic representative should be jailed for the "egregious act" he pulled off on Saturday. The House vote was regarding a stopgap measure to keep the American government funded past the midnight deadline.

Bowman Fire Alarm Controversy

In a post on Trump's social media platform, Truth Social, the former president questioned whether or not Bowman would be prosecuted and imprisoned for his alleged dangerous act. Trump also noted that the effort was caught on camera, which he said was a horrible display of nerve and criminality.

The Republican presidential candidate's remarks come after the New York representative acknowledged that he triggered the fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building on Saturday. The effort prompted the mandatory evacuation of people in the building. Still, Bowman said that it was an accident as he was rushing to vote on a last-minute bipartisan stopgap funding bill, as per The Hill.

Bowman said that as he was rushing to make a vote, he came to a door that was typically open for votes but at the time would not open. He said he was embarrassed to admit that he activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door.

After the incident, Republican lawmakers quickly accused Bowman of intentionally trying to sabotage the high-stakes vote. Trump also claimed that the New York representative's act was a "very dangerous" obstruction of an official proceeding, which is the same charge that dozens of lawmakers face in relation to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Hill riot.

Before the former president, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also compared Bowman to the people charged in relation to the events of the Capitol siege. On the other hand, several Democrats, including AOC, quickly came to defend the New York representative and his unfortunate accident.

Read Also: The Battle for the Chair: Matt Gaetz Plans to Kick Kevin McCarthy from US House Speakership

Vote on Stopgap Funding Bill

She said that Bowman was in a moment of panic when he accidentally triggered the evacuation of the building by pulling the fire alarm. However, AOC quickly pivoted to accusing Republican lawmakers of protecting GOP Rep. George Santos, who is currently facing a 13-count federal indictment, according to Fox News.

During a Sunday interview, the New York Democrat tried to blame the circumstances that led to Bowman accidentally pulling the fire alarm. AOC added that her colleague fully cooperated with the House administration and US Capitol Police on what she called a "misunderstanding."

Various developments in the case, including images of the signage around the exit door, have prompted some to support Bowman. However, others criticize the lawmaker, saying that the explanation was insufficient.

One image of Bowman that circulated showed him pulling the fire alarm as the full security video, which could provide further details on exactly what happened, has not yet been released, said Newsweek.

Related Article: Gavin Newsom Vetoes Bill That Would Have Given Unemployment Salary to Striking Workers

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Pro-China Mohamed Muizzu etched out a win against incumbent President Ibrahim Solih in the second-round runoff of the Maldives election.

The development could herald a pro-China shift for the Indian Ocean archipelago from traditional partner India. The opposition candidate received 54% of the ballots in Saturday's vote, while Solih got 46% after nearly all votes were counted. The Elections Commission of the Maldives revealed the numbers for the two candidates.

Mohamed Muizzu Wins Maldives' Presidential Election

The region has roughly 85% of its 282,000 eligible voters turning up at more than 586 polling stations across 187 islands. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Solih congratulated his rival and thanked the people for their exemplary democratic spirit.

The incumbent president, who championed an "India First" policy during his time in power, will remain as the region's president until Muizzu's inauguration, which is scheduled on Nov. 17. The coalition that supported the opposition candidate has also supported Chinese loans and investment projects in the past, as per CNN.

Former President Abdulla Yameen, who has close links to Muizzu, is serving an 11-year-old jail term for corruption and money laundering. His supporters argue that the charges against him were politically motivated.

In the capital, Male, Muizzu spoke to reporters, saying it was a day when the people decided to win back Maldives independence. He said that if all the people worked together with unity, they would succeed.

The opposition candidate also called on President Solih to release Yameen to house arrest. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also sent a congratulatory message to Muizzi after announcing his victory.

Read Also: Antony Blinken Meets With Indian Counterpart in Effort To Further Bilateral Ties

Pro-China Opposition Candidate

The results of the Maldives election upends Solih's attempts to revert the region's diplomatic posture towards New Delhi since taking office half a decade ago. According to The Guardian, Muizzi played a pivotal role in an earlier government's development program, which was funded partly by financial largesse from China's Belt and Road Infrastructure Initiative (BRI).

The Maldives sits strategically in the middle of the Indian Ocean, astride one of the busiest east-west shipping lanes worldwide. Yameen considered Muizzu's mentor, previously borrowed from China for construction projects and spurned India.

New Delhi shared concerns with the United States and its allies about China's growing assertiveness in the Indian Ocean. Despite Muizzu's win, Transparency Maldives, a watchdog group, said there were some "electoral violence" incidents but did not provide further details regarding the issues.

The opposition candidate's victory comes after his emergency as the frontrunner during the first round of voting on Sept. 8 took many by surprise. At the time, he took roughly 46% of the cast ballots. On the other hand, Solih, who was hurt by a low voter turnout and a split within his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP, got only 39%.

Aljazeera said the runoff was seen as having significant implications for the region's foreign policy, particularly in deciding China and India's long-running battle for influence in the strategically-located country.

Related Article: Slovakia Election: Pro-Russian Politician Wins Vote, Return to Power

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A Japanese startup based in Tokyo, Tsubame Industries, created a Gundam-like robot that goes on sale with a massive $3 million price tag. (not the actual photo)

A Japanese startup has built a rideable Gundam-like robot that can be ridden by a human and stands 4.5 meters high with a massive $3 million price tag.

The Tokyo-based company, Tsubame Industries, developed the four-wheeled robot known as ARCHAX, which is based on the avian dinosaur archeopteryx. It is equipped with cockpit monitors that receive images from cameras that are hooked up to the robot's exterior. They allow the pilot to maneuver the arms and hands with joysticks from inside the torso.

Japanese Startup's Gundam-Like Robot

The massive robot, which weighs roughly 3.5 tonnes, is set to be unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show which is scheduled for later this month. The ARCHAX has two modes; the uptight "robot mode," and a "vehicle mode." The latter allows the robot to travel up to 10 kilometers per hour.

In a statement, the 25-year-old chief executive officer of Tsubame Industries, Ryo Yoshida, said that Japan is very good at animation, games, robots, and automobiles. He said that he wanted to put together all of these into one product, as per Yahoo News.

Yoshida said that he wanted to create something that would say, "This is Japan." He also plans to build and sell five of the ARCHAX robots for the well-heeled robot fan. Additionally, he hopes that the robot can be used in the future for disaster relief or in the space industry.

The young Tsubame Industries CEO became interested in manufacturing at an early age and learned how to weld at his grandfather's ironworks and then went on to found a company that produces myoelectric prosthetic hands.

Yoshida said that he is eager to keep the Asian nation's competitive edge in the manufacturing industry alive. He added that he wants to learn from previous generations and carry on Japan's tradition, according to Reuters.

Tsubame Industries' ARCHAX robot is controlled by a human using a pair of joysticks and foot pedals. Additionally, the robot has voice intones such as "Hatch closed" and "Main switch on" during its start-up sequence.

Read Also: Twitter CEO and Musk Clash Over Fate of Election Integrity Team

Massive $3 Million Price Tag

The ARCHAX's movements are provided by the wheels located at the base of each of its four legs. The rear pair are the drive wheels and the frontal wheels are used for steering the massive robot on the go.

The massive robot has 26 points of articulation to its iron/aluminum alloy frame, with its body panels being made of FRP and ASA plastic. ARCHAX is powered by a battery, which makes it more eco-friendly than a giant robot that would run on gasoline. Tsubame Industries said that the ARCHAX can also be controlled remotely.

While the ARCHAX is now for sale, Tsubame Industries starts manufacture of the unit after an order and it is expected to have a lead time of 12 to 18 months. While this might sound like a long time, you have to be committed before purchasing one in the first place.

The $3 million price tag of the Gundam-like robot includes a year's worth of maintenance or repairs that would be covered by Tsubame Industries for no additional cost. This is reassuring as it would be difficult to find a mechanic for the massive robot, said Sora News 24.

Related Article: Meta Unveils 28 New Celebrity AI Chatbot Characters, Including Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner

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(Photo : VLADIMIR SMIRNOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

This pool image distributed by Sputnik agency shows North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un during his visit at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur region on September 13, 2023, ahead of planned talks with Russian President that could lead to a weapons deal. (Photo by Vladimir SMIRNOV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by VLADIMIR SMIRNOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

On Monday, North Korea denounced the UN atomic watchdog for joining a US-led pressure campaign and "heating up" a resolution regarding its nuclear programs, labeling it a "paid trumpeter" for Washington.

An unnamed spokesman of Pyongyang's Ministry of Nuclear Power Industry issued a statement criticizing a resolution adopted on Friday at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) general conference that urges the North to limit its nuclear programs.

North Korea Fumes at UN Nuclear Agency

The spokesman characterized the resolution as the "result of a conspiracy" by the United States and its allies, claiming that North Korea's status as a nuclear weapons state is now "irreversible."

According to state media KCNA, he said, "Such a farce by hostile forces reveals their nefarious intent to cover up their criminal acts of gravely endangering the international nuclear non-proliferation system and rationalize their hostile policy toward the DPRK."

As North Korea seeks to arm Russia in exchange for military technology, Seoul is wary. The spokesman also accused IAEA chief Rafael Grossi of "taking the lead in generating the atmosphere of pressurizing the DPRK" by "spreading a false tale" about an imminent nuclear test.

Grossi warned a year ago that the reclusive nation could conduct nuclear tests for the first time since 2017 if it resumed its isolation. Since 2009, when Pyongyang expelled IAEA inspectors and resumed nuclear testing, the IAEA has not had access to North Korea.

At the 67th IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria, last week, IAEA member states adopted a resolution urging the recalcitrant regime to suspend its nuclear weapons program and abide by its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions.

Noting that North Korea withdrew from the nuclear agency in 1994, the spokesperson asserted that the IAEA has "neither qualifications nor justification to say this or that" regarding the North's exercise of sovereignty.

Per Korea Herald, the spokesperson then attacked IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, accusing him of "pressurizing the DPRK" and "spreading a fraudulent tale" about an imminent seventh nuclear test to "flatter the US and the West."

Read Also: Taiwan Unveils First Homegrown Submarine in Defense Milestone To Bolster Defense Against China

Kim Jong Un Warns of 'New Cold War'

Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un has threatened a "new Cold War" and has pledged to expand his nuclear arsenal.

In response to American provocations, the paramount leader of North Korea stated the need to "accelerate nuclear modernization" at a parliamentary assembly.

Per DailyExpress, this comes days after the North Korean parliament revised the country's constitution to make its nuclear status permanent.

Article 58 of Chapter Four of the Constitution states that the nation "develops highly nuclear weapons to assure the rights to existence and development of the country, deter conflict, and defend peace and stability in the region and the world."

Kim Jong Un recently returned from Russia, where he and Vladimir Putin exchanged promises of military and technological assistance. North Korea could provide artillery shells, rockets, and missiles, while Russia could assist in launching a surveillance satellite into orbit.

In response to rising hostility, the United States and South Korea have dispatched aircraft carriers, nuclear-capable bombers, and nuclear submarines to conduct exercises as a display of force.

Related Article: North Korea's Nuclear Weapons to Increase; New Constitutional Amendment Adopted as Defiance to US

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(Photo : ARREN HULL/AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - The McDougall Creek wildfire burns in the hills West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, on August 17, 2023, as seen from Kelowna. Evacuation orders were put in place for areas near Kelowna, as the fire threatened the city of around 150,000. Canada is experiencing a record-setting wildfire season, with official estimates of over 13.7 million hectares (33.9 million acres) already scorched. Four people have died so far.

On Monday, New Yorkers can expect hazy skies as smoke from Canadian wildfires makes its way into the city, officials said Sunday.

According to National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Wunsch, Sunday's hazy skies indicate that Monday will be very similar.

New Yorkers Brace for Canadian Wildfire Smoke

Wunsch explained that as the smoke is carried east, a northerly wind moves it southward toward the city, NY Daily News reported.

"The gusts are very feeble due to the high pressure," Wunsch added. The smog will take some time to leave the East Coast."

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation predicts a moderate air quality index of 55, which is a far cry from the shocking 484 of 500 the city reached in early June.

In a statement, the mayor advised those who are sensitive to air pollution to be cautious about the forecast.

New Yorkers should pay attention to their bodies, particularly if they have any preexisting health conditions, and take any precautions necessary to ensure their safety.

During the summer, when wildfires in Canada transformed the city skyline into a scene from an apocalyptic film, some local politicians accused the mayor of being sluggish to act.

In July, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams stated, "There should have been a more imperative and effective method to inform people about the poor air quality."

Zach Iscol, the commissioner of New York City's Office of Emergency Management, stated that state officials have not issued health alerts in response to the most recent outbreak of wildfire smoke, which is anticipated to remain moderate.

Read Also: North Korea Criticizes UN Nuclear Agency as US Mouthpiece for Joining Washington-Led Pressure Campaign

Canada Wildfires

When scientists began analyzing data to evaluate Canada's fire season for the current year, they labored to find the appropriate superlatives. "Never before seen," "exceptional in scope and duration," and "massive long-term consequences" were common phrases.

The impact is enormous in Quebec, which has been severely affected and is less acclimated to extremely large fires than the western states. In the conifer forest of Abitibi-Temiscamingue, only a few clumps of moss survived the blazes that began in June. There is nothing but a desolate landscape as far as the eye can see.

These fires are fuelled by drier and harsher conditions brought on by global warming. In a vicious cycle, these fires contribute to global warming by emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

In comparison to other ecosystems, this northern forest emits 10 to 20 times more carbon per unit of burnt area, as per News18.

This has contributed to Canada's emissions reaching unprecedented levels this year, 473 megatons. According to data from Europe's Copernicus observatory, that's more than three times higher than the previous record.

Due to the bulk of the humus on the ground in the boreal forest, fires can continue to blaze for months.

Guy Lafreniere, the mayor of Lebel-sur-Quevillon, a small Quebec community of 2,000 people that was forced to evacuate twice this summer, says with a smile, "When we explain to people that the fires will only be truly extinguished by snow, they all become anxious for winter to arrive."

Homes were spared thanks to the adjacent lake, which halted the fire's progress. But the entire summer was ruined; no child completed the school year, and hundreds of weekend and vacation cabins constructed in the forest were obliterated.

Today, the city is surrounded by firebreaks that were constructed during the fires. A circuit of conifers, which are highly combustible, were felled.

The vast majority of Canada, including the far north, is experiencing severe drought conditions. Earlier this year, lightning storms were causing hundreds of fires per day. Firefighters, authorities, and residents were overburdened and declared summer-long emergencies.

For the first time in the country's history, almost all Canadians were directly or indirectly affected by this year's fire season. The smoke traveled thousands of miles, repeatedly polluting the air across North America and Europe.

Related Article: Canadian Bear Attack: Aggressive Grizzly Kills Couple, Prompting Officials To Euthanize Animal

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For now, there won't be a government shutdown.

As the deadline approached Saturday, Congress approved a 45-day spending bill to keep the federal government open. President Joe Biden quickly signed the measure.

After casting his vote, U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams tweeted that he "voted AGAIN to keep (the government) open and working for the American people." He counted seven times he voted to keep the government open, while accusing the "progressive-left" of voting seven times against funding bills.

But Republicans, not Democrats, control the House. It was GOP infighting that nearly led to a shutdown.

An example of the squabble occurred last week when House Republican leadership sought to advance the defense spending bill, but a small group of GOP members broke with the party to oppose the procedural resolution and halt the process.

The defense bill finally passed this week, but it's unlikely to advance in Congress because it excludes funding for Ukraine and contains what Democrats describe as "partisan riders," including a ban on military servicemembers having travel expenses covered for abortions and reproductive health care.

To avoid a shutdown in a divided Congress, there needed to be a bipartisan bill.

"If there's one thing you should start understanding, it's not just that I'll never give up," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said. "But I'm a type of conservative that wants to get things done."

McCarthy decided to move forward with a vote on the stopgap spending bill, despite opposition within the GOP. A supermajority was needed to approve the bill because it bypassed the usual rules process.

The final vote was 335-91. Republicans were split, with 126 voting for the bill and 90 opposing its passage. Democrats were united in support of the legislation, with the except of one Democrat who voted no.

Along with Williams, U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney voted for the spending bill.
Laphonza Butler, the president of EMILY's List, will be appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom to occupy the late Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein's Senate vacancy, his office confirmed Sunday evening.

Butler will become the only Black woman in Congress and the third in the United States. Feinstein, the longest-serving woman senator in US history, passed away last week at the age of 90.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom to Appoint Laphoza Butler

The selection of Butler, first reported by Politico, comes at a time when Democrats hold a narrow Senate majority and ambiguity looms over the political future of New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez in the wake of his colleagues' outrage over his federal indictment.

Butler has served as the president of EMILY's List, an organization that works to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights, since the group's board appointed her in 2021, making her the first woman of color to lead the organization.

Per CNN, Laphoza Butler previously worked as the director of public policy and campaigns at Airbnb and advised Vice President Kamala Harris' 2020 presidential campaign, but the majority of her heritage is in the labor movement, having served as the California union president.

Feinstein announced in February that she would not seek re-election, prompting a flurry of high-profile Democratic candidates to initiate campaigns to succeed her. Reps. Adam Schiff, a former House Intelligence chairman backed by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Katie Porter, a former vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Barbara Lee, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and member of the House Democratic leadership, are among them.

Newsom previously promised to appoint a Black woman to replace Feinstein should she resign before the end of her term. Many had urged Newsom to appoint Lee, a longtime Oakland representative and the sole Black candidate for the position.

However, the governor stated last month that he would not appoint any of the candidates running for the position in the upcoming election. This is Newsom's second appointment to the Senate.

The governor appointed Alex Padilla, then California's secretary of state, to succeed Kamala Harris as vice president following the 2020 election. Padilla was appointed as California's first Latino senator, but Newsom was criticized for not selecting a Black woman, leaving the chamber without a Black female senator. In the end, he appointed a Black woman to succeed Padilla as secretary.

Read Also: Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Longest-Serving Female US Senator, Dies Aged 90

Dianne Feinstein Replacement

An adviser to the governor, Anthony York, told POLITICO that Newsom will appoint a candidate for the 2024 seat without imposing restrictions or prerequisites.

The announcement was anticipated to be made on Monday. Consequently, Butler may decide to enter the vast and competitive field of Democratic candidates seeking to succeed Feinstein, with special elections now superimposed on the March primary and November runoff.

Vice President Kamala Harris is anticipated to administer Butler's oath of office on Wednesday. The selection of Butler by Newsom coincides with a time of profound change in California's political establishment, with millions of people still lamenting the loss of Feinstein, the Senate's first female majority leader.

Meanwhile the California governor, who was mentored by Feinstein, has been grappling with his own personal mourning and the political ramifications of his choice to succeed her.

Prior to the announcement, those who disclosed internal deliberations to POLITICO were granted anonymity. Butler is currently enrolled to vote in Maryland, but she plans to transfer her registration to California.

After initially pledging to appoint a Black woman to the seat, Newsom was subjected to a great deal of duress regarding his choice. Several potential nominees expressed their disinterest publicly. Others privately expressed apprehension at the prospect of accepting a short-term position and then promptly launching a five-month campaign.

The expeditious nature of Newsom's appointment prevents politicians and their allies from undertaking more sustained efforts to influence the governor and his inner circle regarding his selection. In addition, it halts pressure from interest groups, including the question of whether he would require them to serve only provisionally.

The chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Steven Horsford, urged Governor Newsom to appoint Representative Barbara Lee, a candidate for the Senate whom the governor recently ruled out due to concerns about giving someone an advantage.

Related Article: US Sen. Dianne Feinstein's Potential Replacements Now Include Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle-Who Will Newsom Likely Choose?

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CYBERSPACEHoney Play Box has announced its participation in eroFame 2023, the global trade convention held in Hanover, Germany from Oct. 11 to 13. Located at booth 26, Eingang Nord 2, Hermesallee, Honey Play Box is set to introduce the Honey Play Box app 2.0 and an innovative range of app-controlled products to the global market.

The updated app is designed with the modern individual in mind and has advanced features like pressure sensing, calorie calculation, and menstrual tracking. These enhancements are a response to the evolving needs and preferences of its diverse user base.

Attendees will also get an exclusive first look at Honey Play Box's series of new app-controlled products.

A Honey Play Box spokesperson said, "Attending eroFame gives us the opportunity to connect directly with our industry peers and consumers. We are not just showcasing products but introducing a new era of intimate technology. Our updated app and the new line of products reflect our commitment to innovation, user experience, and staying at the forefront of the market."

To learn more about the updated app, and the new product series, or to experience firsthand what Honey Play Box has to offer, visit booth 26.

To get more information about eroFame 2023, visit erofame.eu.

For further information, visit the Honey Play Box website.
Nearly 200 people added their voice to the growing clamor over the perceived inaction by the Republican-controlled Legislature on steep property tax hikes at a rally Monday afternoon in the Capitol Rotunda.

Organized by Big Sky 55+, a special interest group advocating for Montana seniors, the rally hosted speakers Brian Schweitzer, the former Democratic governor, and Jane Weber, a former Cascade County commissioner who is running as a Democrat for a legislative seat.

"What we've got going on right now is the largest budget surplus in state history, cutting taxes for the businesses and raise taxes for the homeowners. How's that make sense?" Schweitzer asked the crowd rhetorically. "Here's what you need to do today. You need to call friends and family, and you need to get them to agree to write letters to your legislator. You need them to write letters to the governor and say 'bring this legislator back in town and do the right thing. We're not asking for a tax break, we're just asking to keep our taxes the same.'"

Both Schweitzer and Weber called for a special legislative session to address the property tax increases, driven by a statewide median increase of 45% in residential property values following the latest state Department of Revenue reappraisal.

Democrats in the Capitol continue to point the finger at the Republicans who dominate state government and argue they brought bills that would have used some of the state's $2.5 billion surplus for property tax relief, but the GOP did not support their policies.

Republicans voted down several bills from Democrats, such as House Bill 280, a so-called circuit breaker bill that would have created an income tax credit based on the amount of property taxes paid or rent equivalent. The program would have cost $82 million a year and about 87,000 households would have qualified, according to legislative records.

Republicans have said Democrats want to push the tax burden onto other property owners, everything from mom and pop businesses to the states largest corporations. They also note that the value increase homeowners saw this summer doesnt necessarily mean a corresponding jump in taxes.

Big Sky 55+ Executive Director Tully Olson said in an interview after the rally that "the Legislature had opportunities to address this, but instead, other things were done, and folks will be feeling that pain for years to come," Olson said. "I really hope the next Legislature can look to find a long-term fix like a circuit breaker, but it's going to have to be a pretty big circuit breaker."

The state did afford some the opportunity to apply for a property tax rebate of $675, though it requires the applicant to do the leg work, obtaining tax information and applying for a paper check not expected to be sent out until later in the year.

"It's really hard to access that website," Olson said.

He said his grandmother does not have access to the internet, and were it not for her younger family members, she would not have been able to apply for the rebate.

"That's not fair," Olson said.

The income tax rebates sent to Montanans earlier in the year and drawn from the state's $2.5 billion budget surplus were delivered automatically to residents. GOP officials said Monday the Department of Revenue also has paper forms for people to use should they not have Internet.

Kaitlin Price, press secretary for Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, accused Schweitzer of telling "tall tales."

"In fact, Gov. Gianforte and legislators didnt raise property taxes, but instead, they provided hardworking Montanans with the largest income and property tax rebates in state history, up to $3,850," she said in an email.

She said Gianforte and GOP lawmakers provided property tax relief almost double homeowners estimated property tax increases in 2023 and 2024.

"Gov. Gianfortes and Republican legislators property tax relief measures ($383 million), from residential property tax rebates to long-term reforms, nearly double the expected property tax increase homeowners will see over the next two years ($196.9 million), according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Division," she said in the email.

Republicans passed over $500 million in property tax relief over the next five years, including nearly $400 million in property tax rebates and tens of millions in permanent, ongoing property tax cuts, said Kyle Schmauch, communications and policy manager for Senate Republicans. Democrats were nearly unanimous in opposing these Republican tax cuts as they attempted to spend the budget surplus on new government programs, he said.

Senate Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls, said in a news release Monday that he has filed a public records request with the Montana Department of Revenue seeking information about legislative Democrats tax rebates.

"Democrats were nearly unanimous in their opposition to giving Montanans property tax relief, Fitzpatrick said. Now that the window for claiming the first round of rebates has closed, Id like to know which Democrats were happy to take a tax cut for themselves while they voted against tax relief for Montanans. Im sure their constituents would like to know that information as well.

This story has been updated with comments from the governor and Senate Republicans.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,100 hotels spanning more than 95 countries, today unveiled La Quinta by Wyndham Ellerslie Auckland. The opening marks the brand's first hotel in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, ahead of the upcoming AHICE Aotearoa Conference from 10 - 11 October and joins La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown as the second La Quinta by Wyndham hotel in the South East Asia and Pacific Rim (SEAPR) region.

As a testament to Wyndham's strong partnership and high levels of trust with its existing partners, La Quinta by Wyndham Ellerslie Auckland is the 12th hotel that New Zealand's Safari Group has developed and launched with Wyndham and the fifth Wyndham property that Safari Hotels, a division of Safari Group, will manage, joining Ramada by Wyndham Queenstown Central, La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown, Ramada Suites by Wyndham Christchurch City and TRYP by Wyndham Wellington Tory Street. Expanding on its partnership with Safari Group, the third La Quinta by Wyndham property in SEAPR is already in the works and will be based in Parnell, Auckland, slated for opening in mid-2024.

Auckland continues to be a desirable destination for international travellers, particularly as international borders have reopened. According to Statista, the number of international visitors to Auckland rose to approximately 1.7 million arrivals as of June 2023, compared to just 226,000 international arrivals last year. The city also recently emerged first on the list of Expedia's trending summer destinations among US travellers.

La Quinta by Wyndham Ellerslie Auckland is stylishly designed to reflect the dynamic energy of the City of Sails, promising a memorable stay filled with warmth and high-quality hospitality. The 246-room hotel also comes with a variety of amenities for guests including a well-equipped gym, conference facilities and more.

Nestled in the quiet suburb of Greenlane, the hotel offers convenient access to Auckland's city center near plenty of lively attractions including a variety of dining and shopping options. Nature lovers can also take relaxing strolls in Auckland Domain and Cornwall Park and enjoy the many events and offerings extended throughout the city year-round. With Auckland Showgrounds just an eight-minute drive away, business travellers and conference participants can look to La Quinta by Wyndham Ellerslie Auckland for a convenient, relaxing, and comfortable stay.

Hotel website
Ultra-luxury wellness destination, Amaala, one of Red Sea Global's (RSG) flagship regenerative tourism developments is pleased to announce its partnership with Monaco Marina Management (M3) to establish RSG's Amaala Yacht Club which will become one of the world's premier yachting destinations.

Located along Saudi Arabia's north-western coast, the highly anticipated destination will be the first global integrated family wellness destination, set to welcome guests in 2025. A host of the world's most recognisable brands in the wellness and luxury lifestyle industry have already confirmed partnerships, including Clinique La Prairie Health Resort, Jayasom Wellness Resorts and Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. In total, the destination will consist of eight resorts and over 1,200 keys upon completion.

Amaala Yacht Club will be found at the heart of the destination's signature attraction, the Triple Bay Marina, a brand new state-of-the-art facility with a free-flowing structure that seamlessly integrates land and sea. Designed by leading architecture firm HKS and sitting in a 10-hectare basin, the chic four-story Amaala Yacht Club boasts a 120-berth marina and will host yachting events as well as its own sailing academy for members, cadets and youth.

The Amaala Yacht Club, with its signature architecture inspired by the rock formations that created our Triple Bay millennia ago, will be the stunning centrepiece of our marina development. With M3's support, our facilities, operations, services and amenities will ensure our Yacht Club honours the striking landscape in which it is set and makes Amaala one of the world's most distinguished yachting destinations. What excites me most about this partnership is the opportunity for training and knowledge transfer. Empowering Saudi nationals has always been at the centre of our regenerative approach, and with our marina employees receiving best-in-class training both in Monaco and at Amaala, we are confident that we are fulfilling our promise to create destinations by the people and for the people of Saudi Arabia. John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global.

The partnership was confirmed in a signing ceremony at the Monaco Yacht Show, and aims to work towards earning the destination "La Belle Classe Destinations" certification, operated by the world-famous Yacht Club de Monaco. This award recognises a deep understanding of maritime ethics, etiquette and environmental protection, a core value at Amaala which will be powered by 100% renewable energy once fully operational.

Jose Marco Casellini, CEO of Monaco Marina Management, said: "Red Sea Global's vision for regenerative tourism closely mirrors our mission to promote sustainable yachting. We're excited to help bring these ambitions to life and work together to put the Amaala Yacht Club and Saudi Arabia on the global yachting destination. Moreover, M3 being part of the collective 'Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting' approach, we are glad to spread the initiatives of the Monaco Principality as a spearhead for responsible yachting".

Hotel website
Afyaa Holding, a leading real estate development company headquartered in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, has appointed seasoned hospitality professional, Olivier Harnisch, as the Chairman of its Advisory Board.

Harnisch, a well-known hospitality leader with more than three decades of industry experience spanning operations, management, and investment, will provide strategic guidance for Afyaa Holding's real estate developments in the Al Ahsa region and across Saudi Arabia.

As the former CEO of Emaar Hospitality in Dubai and Head of Hospitality for the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, Harnisch is expertly positioned to advise on Afyaa Holding's direction as it cements its position as a hospitality leader in Al Ahsa, the largest governate in the Kingdom.

Projects already underway include three sustainable lodges to be developed in partnership with GCC-born ecolodge brand ENVI Lodges, as well as a premium city hotel, a wellness resort, and the development of several international schools.

The company, which has a development history of 35 years, is also developing several projects in the housing and healthcare sectors, details of which will be announced shortly.

Olivier Harnisch is the founder and CEO of Lunasole Hospitality, a company he established to support investors in enhancing returns on their existing and planned hospitality projects. He also serves as a board member for various companies in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain.

His educational background includes an MSc in Organisational Behaviour from the University of London, an MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, a Degree in Hotel Management from the School of Hotel Administration in Berlin, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Hospitality Real Estate from Cornell University, Ithaca, USA. He is also a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) by the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

View Olivier Harnisch's LinkedIn Profile

Olivier Harnisch is a graduate of Hotelfachschule Berlin in Berlin - Germany
Cindy Heo, PhD, is an Associate Professor of revenue management at EHL Hospitality Business School. Her scholarly research and industry consulting focus on the core strategic elements of revenue management, pricing and sharing economy. Prior to joining EHL, She taught revenue management course at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and has delivered custom executive education programs on revenue management in Asia, Middle East, and Europe.
Palma de Mallorca - The IT and corporate Receptions teams of RIU Hotels & Resorts recently presented one of their most ambitious projects in recent years: the development of their own internal app for managing tasks in hotels: Riu Staff. This new tool is the result of two and a half years of hard work, including 40,000 hours of development and the contribution of more than 50 in-house professionals, as well as an investment of 450,000 euros to purchase devices, servers and wireless networks. The new app improves guest service thanks to the speed and agility it provides, as well as the contributions of experienced employees from various hotels who proposed improvements to the tool and extra features to ensure that it perfectly fits hotel management needs.

The new app represents a considerable improvement due to the immediacy and agility it provides in the day-to-day work of the housekeeping, technical services, minibars and management departments. Whats more, it can also work completely offline in the event of a failure in the hotel's WiFi or the device's data connection, which is an unusual feature in this type of app. The app also makes it possible to considerably improve response times and reduce the amount of paper used.

 Source: RIU

The first hotel to use Riu Staff was the Riu San Francisco in September 2022 and, after the app had successfully passed all the tests, roll-out began and is currently complete in 27 hotels. The rest of the RIU chain's establishments currently use an external app that will be replaced by Riu Staff in the coming months, and all hotels are expected to be using this in-house tool before the end of 2024.

The app allows different departments to remotely manage their functions using mobile devices. This makes it significantly easier to monitor, assign and perform tasks. The app guarantees task execution and traceability, displaying real-time status information to the different user profiles. The corporate Receptions team and its in-depth knowledge of the hotel's day-to-day operation played a fundamental role in designing the app's features. In fact, the app covers many tasks that went through hotel reception before digitalisation.

 Source: RIU

The new app is integrated with RUMBO, RIU's Property Management System, an in-house system for hotel management that includes various modules to cover all areas of the company. In turn, the latter is synchronised with the Riu Guest app that is used by guests before, during and after their stay. Therefore, when a customer makes a request on Riu Guest using their mobile, it is first sent to RUMBO and this system then passes it on to Riu Staff. The staff member executes the request and the communication process is repeated in reverse to let the customer know that their request has been carried out. Therefore, this two-way communication streamlines both communication in the hotel and the resolution of incidents and tasks.

As it is adapted to RIU's management tools and thanks to the involvement of hotel operations staff, the new app is perfectly adapted to the real needs of hotel employees. The improvements include the management of services and the creation of tasks or incidents linked to customers instead of a room, as well as ambitious projects for the future that will also cover health and hygiene, preventive maintenance and construction work management.

About RIU Hotels & Resorts

The international RIU hotel chain was started in Mallorca, Spain, in 1953 as a small holiday business run by the Riu family, the founders and current owners, now in its third generation. The company specialises in holiday accommodation and over 75% of its establishments offer its renowned All Inclusive by RIU service. With the opening of its first city hotel in 2010, RIU expanded its product line with its own range of RIU Plaza urban hotels. RIU Hotels & Resorts has 96 hotels in 20 countries, with a total of 34,215 employees that welcomed 6 million customers in 2022. RIU is currently the 32nd largest chain in the world, and is second in Spain by turnover and fourth by number of rooms.

For further information please visit: www.riu.com.

RIU Press Department

+34 971 743 030

RIU
London, UK - In the tranquil corners of our world, where timeless traditions intertwine with pristine landscapes, a powerful revival is underway. Villages, often forgotten in the wake of urbanisation, are defying the odds of depopulation by breathing new life into their communities through the power of tourism. Through the lens of three extraordinary examples  Batu Puteh, Alquezar and Lekunberri  we uncover the profound impact of the United Nations World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) Best Tourism Villages initiative. These villages stand as beacons of hope, illustrating how the synergy between heritage, sustainability, and entrepreneurship can shape a brighter future for rural landscapes.

Batu Puteh - Building Resilience through Community-Based Ecotourism

Deep within the rainforests of Sarawak, Malaysia, lies the village of Batu Puteha testament to the power of community-based ecotourism in reversing the tide of depopulation. This village, once impacted by deforestation and the loss of traditional forest-based livelihoods, has emerged as an example of resilience and sustainability. By embracing community-based ecotourism, Batu Puteh has successfully harnessed its natural surroundings to drive economic growth while preserving its fragile ecosystem. Visitors actively participate in tree planting and forest restoration initiatives, making ecotourism a transformative and educational experience. Images available here.

Lekunberri - Where Tradition Meets Entrepreneurship

Nestled between the vibrant cities of Pamplona/Iruna and San Sebastian/Donostia in the Navarre region of Spain, Lekunberri defies the notion of rural decline. The village's commitment to sustainable tourism as a driver of economic growth and community empowerment has provided employment opportunities for the local population and invigorated the surrounding rural areas. Lekunberri has embraced digitalization to attract regional, national, and international visitors, expanding the reach of its tourism industry while enhancing the overall visitor experience. Images available here.

Alquezar - A Spanish Gem Embracing Cultural Heritage In the heart of Aragon, Spain.

Alquezar stands as a testament to the resilience of a community. The restoration of the village's medieval architecture and the preservation of traditional craftsmanship have not only revived its allure but also generated substantial economic growth and a growth in population. By leveraging its cultural assets, Alquezar has become a shining example of how tourism can contribute to sustainable development while preserving the soul of a village. Images available here.

The narratives of Alquezar, Batu Puteh, and Lekunberri provide a glimpse into the powerful role rural development can play in reversing depopulation trends while breathing new life into rural communities. Their success stories demonstrate how preserving cultural heritage, embracing ecotourism, and nurturing entrepreneurship are not just ideals, but viable pathways for economic growth, community empowerment and sustainable tourism.

The UNWTO's Best Tourism Villages initiative serves as example, inspiring governmentsorganizations and individuals to adopt similar strategies in rural areas worldwide. Through strategic partnerships, targeted investments, and knowledge sharing, we can unlock the economic, social, and environmental benefits that emerge when communities flourish.

About UNWTOs Tourism for Rural Development Programme

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. As part of this mission, the UNWTO launched the Tourism for Rural Development Programme to make tourism a driver of rural development and wellbeing. It is dedicated to leveraging the potential of tourism to drive sustainable development in rural areas worldwide and is driven by the belief that tourism can be a catalyst for positive change in rural areas. By supporting community-based tourism initiatives, capacity building, and destination management, the programme empowers local communities to actively participate in and benefit from tourism development.

A key component of UNWTO's Tourism for Rural Development Programme is the Best Tourism Village Initiative. This initiative recognizes and honours rural villages that stand out as outstanding examples of rural tourism destinations, with well-preserved and promoted cultural and natural assets that celebrate rural values, products, and lifestyle. The initiative also rewards villages that demonstrate a clear commitment to sustainability in all aspects  economic, social, and environmental  as they develop tourism as a driver of rural development and community well-being. By highlighting exemplary village models, the initiative aims to inspire and guide other communities in their efforts to harness tourism as a tool for positive change. The programme had its first edition in 2021, followed by the second edition in 2022, and applications for the third edition in 2023 have now been closed. To date, the Best Tourism Programme encompasses a total of 76 villages across five regions and the broader Best Tourism Villages network consists of 116 villages.

The Best Tourism Villages initiative operates on three levels: the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO, the Upgrade Programme, and the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO Network. The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO is given to villages that meet the stringent criteria set by the initiative, while the Upgrade Programme is designed to assist villages that do not fully meet the label criteria, providing them with support from the UNWTO and partners, to address areas identified as gaps in the evaluation process. The Network provides a platform for sharing experiences, best practices, and opportunities amongst the villages.

UNWTO's Tourism for Rural Development Programme, together with the Best Tourism Village Initiative, provides a platform for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable tourism growth in rural areas. Through its comprehensive approach, the programme seeks to empower rural communities, support their economic development, and ensure the preservation of their unique heritage for generations to come.

For more information about the UNWTOs Best Tourism Village initiative, visit https://www.unwto.org/tourism-villages.

About The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations specialized agency fostering tourism as a vehicle for equal, inclusive and sustainable development. Working with its Member States, international organizations and the private sector, UNWTO promotes safe and seamless travel for all. UNWTO also works to make tourism the foundation of trust and international cooperation and a central pillar of recovery. As part of the wider UN system, UNWTO is at the forefront of global efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through its ability to create decent jobs, promote equality and preserve natural and cultural heritage.

Follow UNWTO on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin.
TheHospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) today announced the results of its Fall 2023 Industry Outlook Survey. The semi-annual report updated the opinions, experiences and predictions of nearly 80 hotel asset managers from the earlier spring conference survey with a focus on budgetary predictions and potential causes of industry concern.

Conducted in conjunction with HAMA'S 2023 Annual Fall Meeting that was held in New Orleans, the results were presented to media live with a concluding Q&A session via online conferencing. In total, 77 asset managers, comprising approximately one-third of membership, participated in the survey.

2023 continues to provide positive results and optimistic outlooks from our membership, said Derrick Yee, CHAM, HAMA president and Placemakr vice president of asset management. The majority of our respondents are looking to exceed budgetary predictions for RevPAR and GOP, and many of the biggest concerns that arose during COVID, such as supply chain delays, appear to have subsided. While there is some concern surrounding issues like demand and cost increases, the overall outlook from the hospitality asset management perspective is positive.

Highlighted results include:

61% of respondents forecast RevPAR increases in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic 2019.

Wage increases, demand and labor availability are the top three concerns of hotel asset managers.

Nearly 2/3 of participants (63.64%) believe the country will avoid a recession over the next two years.

Download Survey Results

About HAMA

HAMA members are involved in asset management, acquisition, financing and disposition of hotels and resorts and are directly responsible for making decisions concerning capital investments, renovations, asset repositioning, operational policies and management selection. Its U.S. members represent more than 3,500 hotels and resorts across every major brand, accounting for 775,000 hotel rooms, 250,000 employees, $40 billion in annual revenue and $3 billion in capital expenditures. The organization boasts an additional 245 international affiliate members, as well.
The Swiss Michelin Guide has awarded for the second year in a row 1 star to Stephane Decotterd for his gourmet restaurant "Stephane Decotterd" along 1 Bib Gourmand for Le Bistro by Decotterd.

The Michelin Guide has awarded 1 star to Stephane Decotterd for his gourmet restaurant at the heart of the Glion Institute of Higher Education (GIHE). Le Bistro by Decotterd has also been awarded for the second year in a row with a Bib Gourmand from the prestigious guide. The "Maison Decotterd" complex comprises four culinary areas: the gourmet restaurant Stephane Decotterd, Le Bistro by Decotterd, the Bar and the Lounge, forming a veritable gastronomic destination in a spectacular setting. The brand-new Lounge recently opened its doors in partnership with the prestigious cognac brand Louis XIII and Champagne Telmont. Here, guests can enjoy wines and spirits with spectacular views of the Alps and Lake Geneva.

Commenting on these awards, Stephane Decotterd said: "I'd like to thank my entire team for their hard work and commitment, and I'm proud to be able to share this magnificent award with them. I'd also like to thank all the producers in the region with whom I've forged close links over the last few years of working together. They are all part of my philosophy of favoring local produce and producing regional, eco-responsible cuisine.

"We are honored to have the Maison Decotterd at the heart of our institution. This is a unique opportunity for Glion students to draw inspiration from the exceptional culinary talents of the Chef and his brigade" said Frederic Picard, CEO of GIHE. First-semester Bachelor students spend four weeks on placement at Maison Decotterd - alternating between the gourmet restaurant and its kitchen, the bistro and the bar.

About Stephane Decotterd:

Stephane Decotterd was born in Billens in the canton of Fribourg and grew up in Corseaux and La Tour-de-Peilz near Vevey. He considered becoming a chef from the age of ten and started his apprenticeship right after school at "Le Petit" restaurant in St-Legier. After working in a few other restaurants, including Le Pont de Brent, and spending two years in Quebec, Canada, he returned to Switzerland in 2005 and took up professional residence at Le Pont de Brent. In 2008, he won the "Cuisinier d'Or" competition, the award for the best Swiss chef. In 2009, he was fifth in the world at the Bocuse d'Or, an artistic cooking competition in Lyon (France). In 2011, Stephane took the reins of the "Pont De Brent" with his wife Stephanie. In 2012, the couple was awarded two stars in the Michelin Guide and an 18/20 Gault-Millau rating. In 2018, the Chef abandoned seafood, exotic fruit and other imported products to devote himself solely to eco-responsible cuisine that promotes local products and terroirs. In 2020, the Chef was awarded the "Ethical Cuisine Trophy" in London by the Relais & Chateaux Association of which is also vice-delegate for Switzerland and a member of the World Culinary Council. That same year he also received the "Swiss Culinary Merit" award for his excellence and know-how in respecting Swiss culinary heritage produce. He is also a member of the "Academie Culinaire de France".

About Maison Decotterd:

Maison Decotterd opened its doors in September 2021 in the heart of Glion Institut de Hautes Etudes, overlooking Montreux and the Vaud Riviera. Headed by Chef Stephane Decotterd and his wife Stephanie Decotterd, winners of the 2019 Michelin Swiss Hospitality and Service Award, Maison Decotterd boasts two restaurants, a bar and a lounge: the Stephane Decotterd gourmet restaurant (18 Gault et Millau points  1 Michelin star), Le Bistro by Decotterd (1 Michelin Bib Gourmand), the Bar and the Lounge by Decotterd. The two exceptional restaurants, offering breathtaking views of Lake Geneva and the surrounding mountains, reflect Chef Stephane Decotterd's vision of regional, eco-responsible and original cuisine. Maison Decotterd is a member of the Relais & Chateaux association, synonymous with excellence, while also belonging to a worldwide network of 580 top-rate hotels and restaurants.

https://maisondecotterd.com/

About Glion Institute of Higher Education:

https://www.glion.edu/about-us/

Media contact:

Anne Gorgerat Kall [email protected]

Anouck Weiss

Chief Communication Officer

Glion

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London - In a milestone event that promises to reshape the contours of the global Travel & Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today unveils the bold theme and agenda for WTTCs 23rd Global Summit taking place in Kigali, Rwanda: "Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future".

This years eagerly awaited Global Summit, set to unfold from the 1 - 3 November 2023, takes place in Africa for the first time, recognising the phenomenal growth the Travel & Tourism sector across the continent has witnessed in recent years.

This Global Summit is a rallying cry for leaders, innovators, and change-makers from all corners of the globe to come together and craft a new vision for the sector. It's an unparalleled opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping a sector that is not only resilient but is also committed to the principles of sustainability and inclusivity. Africa is the perfect venue for our Global Summit, as the sector embarks on a significant new chapter. Africa has the worlds youngest population and by 2033, $1 in every $13 created in Africa, will come from Travel & Tourism and 1 in 17 jobs will be in Travel & Tourism. This demonstrates the huge potential the continents sector has for new jobs and new economic growth for young people across Africa. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO

With sessions on resilience and sustainable growth, the growing impact of AI and understanding new and emerging markets, the Global Summit is set to cover the key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

The latest Economic Impact Research from the global tourism body reveals a staggering ten year forecast for Africas Travel & Tourism sector. In 2033, WTTC predicts that the Travel & Tourism sector will contribute more than $300BN to Africas economy and jobs in the sector will grow significantly, reaching more than 36MN in total.

In Rwanda, WTTC is forecasting that by 2033 the Travel & Tourism sector will contribute more than $2.1BN to the national economy and will support almost 568,000 jobs. This is testament to Rwandas commitment to sustainable tourism, diversifying the experiences it offers, and promoting awareness of its rich biodiversity, culture and heritage, and art.

The 2023 WTTC Global Summit seeks to be the catalyst for this change, offering a platform where vibrant ideas meet opportunity, and where the future of Travel & Tourism will be redrawn and redefined.

For more details about the summit and how to participate, please visit the wttc.org.

About WTTC

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector.
Hotel revenue management is the process of optimizing revenue by predicting demand and setting prices accordingly, most commonly found in hotels to forecast occupancy in order to maximize their room rate, hotel marketing strategy, and overall property performance. It's a complex and ever-evolving field for a revenue manager to navigate, with many channels and tools to keep up-to-date with. But it is a key function for any hotel that wants to remain competitive in today's marketplace to get a firm handle on in order to welcome more guests through their doors. Today, Artificial Intelligence is making the job of data analysis much easier in a variety of ways, this article will go into detail about how Revenue Managers can use AI to get ahead of the competition.

Why is revenue management important for hospitality businesses?

Hotel revenue management is important for a number of reasons. First, it helps hotels to maximize their profits. By setting prices that are aligned with market demand, hotels can ensure that they are generating as much revenue as possible from their rooms. Second, hotel revenue management helps to improve the guest experience. By offering rooms at competitive prices, hotels can attract more guests and ensure that they are getting the best possible value for their money. Finally, hotel revenue management helps to protect hotels from financial risk. By understanding demand patterns and forecasting revenue, hotels can make better financial decisions and avoid losses.

Revenue management in the age of AI and Big Data

A study by McKinsey Global Institute found that AI adoption by businesses could increase global GDP by up to $13 trillion by 2030. What's more, attitudes towards the technology are shifting as a survey by PwC found that 72% of business leaders believe that AI will be a significant business advantage in the future. AI is integrating many industries and professions, the lodging and hospitality industries included. Revenue Management is one of those professions that is set to reap the benefits of AI integration. Since the key to being successful in revenue management is following data trends closely and using these insights to set the right pricing at the right to the right customers, AI is perfectly suited to supporting this hotel function.

Reporting

Preparing routine reports for a revenue management team can be a time-consuming part of monitoring performance. Business analytics and data visualization tools such as Agile Business Intelligence (BI) and Power BI by Microsoft are transforming the hospitality industry in significant ways with their ability to rapidly process and analyze data, produce reports, and integrate information on one platform.

Data visualization

Data visualization makes huge amounts of data more accessible and helps communicate complex information more effectively. It also helps professionals find the core meaning of big data by displaying patterns, trends, and correlations in a visual context. Thus, it can reveal new insights allowing revenue managers to understand the key components driving demand and revenue. Todays effective BI tools combine real-time external and internal data, so revenue managers can quickly adjust in order to improve performance.

Geographic Information Systems

In addition, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be useful support tools for revenue managers since they allow them to incorporate geographic data into demand patterns and business performance. For example, GIS enables restaurant revenue managers to make informed decisions for their business. Using GIS, managers can compare the characteristics of a target area with those of surrounding areas. At the same time, GIS helps decision-makers identify differences in a visual way that cannot be seen through traditional data analysis.

The human factor in hotel revenue management

Ever heard the expression AI will not take your job. Someone who knows how to use AI will take your job. ? AI tools are not something to be feared but to be embraced. If used properly, it will only enhance the ability of the Revenue Manager to make important decisions.

The discussion around technology, including AI, versus the human touch that is so valuable in hospitality settings is becoming an increasingly heated debate. However, it's clear that the role of a competent revenue manager has never been more critical. Forecasting is a cornerstone of hotel revenue management and it can be divided into statistical forecasting and judgmental forecasting.

Revenue management systems (RMS) interact with revenue managers as follows: the methods do the complex calculations and the managers make evaluative judgments thereafter. Revenue managers judgmental forecasts can be improved by having more contextual and technical knowledge. Nevertheless, it isn't very easy to measure the result by separating the contribution of the RMS and the revenue manager. Therefore, understanding the association between human judgment and RMS is important in order to improve the accuracy of forecasting.

Effective communication between asset and revenue manager

While hotel asset managers try to have a holistic overview of the entire hotel business and work to reduce potential conflict between the hotel owner and hotel operator, revenue managers tend to focus on day-to-day pricing changes and inventory management.

The industrys professionals highlight the importance of effective communication and collaboration from both sides. Regular communication between an asset manager and a revenue manager helps to develop long-term performance strategies by keeping the companys goals and objectives in mind regarding the hotels target segment, brand image, and position in the market.

In doing so, they will help revenue management education and research in hospitality reflect more closely what is really happening in the business world. Academics and industry practitioners are kindly invited to submit their papers and practitioner cases in all areas of revenue management with particular emphasis on data analytics.

What can aspiring hoteliers do to prepare for the future of hotel revenue management?

The future of hotel revenue management is bright, and there are many opportunities for aspiring hoteliers to make a mark on the field. If you are interested in a career in hotel revenue management, there are a few things you can do to prepare:

Get educated: There are a number of educational programs that can teach you the fundamentals of hotel revenue management. You can also find many online resources and courses on the subject. Just make sure that the course you pick has classes dedicated to AI revenue management.

There are a number of educational programs that can teach you the fundamentals of hotel revenue management. You can also find many online resources and courses on the subject. Just make sure that the course you pick has classes dedicated to AI revenue management. Gain experience: Once you have a basic understanding of hotel revenue management, it is important to gain experience in the field. You can do this by working in a hotel revenue management department or by interning at a hotel revenue management company.

Once you have a basic understanding of hotel revenue management, it is important to gain experience in the field. You can do this by working in a hotel revenue management department or by interning at a hotel revenue management company. Stay up-to-date: The field of hotel revenue management is constantly evolving, so it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies. You can do this by reading industry publications, attending conferences, and networking with other professionals in the field.

EHL Hospitality Business School

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL

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Mandan Parks and Recreation is looking to build a boat ramp at a popular shore-fishing and hiking spot along the Missouri River.

The ramp is proposed in the area commonly known as Car Bodies due to old cars in the water that were used as riprap years ago to control erosion. The ramp would sit between the Travis Hilfer Memorial Archery Range and the Missouri River Natural Area and Trailhead. The park district owns the land north of an unnamed creek in the area.

The project could introduce the first public boat ramp in Mandan.

Weve been trying to do a boat ramp in Mandan for 20-plus years, Parks Executive Director Cole Higlin said.

The district is able to move forward with a boat ramp project due to an agreement with the state Department of Transportation. The DOT owns the land south of the creek and previously restricted the development of the land along the river, including the land the park district owns.

Higlin said the project would cost roughly $1.6 million, which would be paid for through local government funding and grants.

The Mandan City Commission, the Morton County Commission and Mandan Parks each donated $267,000 to the project, totaling roughly $800,000.

The park district applied for a North Dakota Sovereign Lands Water Recreation grant, which requires matching funding from local entities. Grant applicants should be notified of awards by Oct. 9.

Despite the green light from the DOT to add the boat ramp, the park district will have to keep it as a natural area with minimal improvements due to DOT requirements.

Thats why were looking at some type of gridlock (paving and gravel) system for the parking lot and not asphalt. Try to keep the integrity of the area as natural and primitive as possible, Higlin said.

Amenities to the area such as a kayak launch, fish cleaning station, toilets, picnic shelters and potentially a bridge over the creek will be considered if additional funding is available in the future.

The goal right now is to get a boat ramp built with a dock and then we will add the amenities over time, Higlin said.

He said at a recent park board meeting that the boat ramp could be ready in 2025 if everything lines up perfect.

The park district will apply for a construction permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers once grant funding is secure. The Corps manages the river. The permit process could take from 12-18 months. Bidding on the project would take place once the district has secured the permit needed for construction.

Higlin said he has received only one email from a notified landowner; 158 landowners adjacent to the boat ramp area were notified of the project. The park district also is monitoring comments on social media.

The park board will hold a public hearing at a regularly scheduled meeting Oct. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Mandan City Hall, at 205 Second Ave. NW.
Left: The site of the first meeting of the international Conference on Hotel Business Promotion September 22-24, 1927 Right: 100 years later HSMAI Foundation Leadership, Lori Kiel, Bob Gilbert, and Michelle Woodley at the site of the original meeting.

For close to a century, the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has stood as a guiding light for innovation, support, and community growth within the hotel sales, marketing, and revenue optimization fields. Now, as we begin the countdown to our momentous 100-year anniversary in 2027, were excited to unveil the Century Campaign for the HSMAI Foundation.

The Century Campaign is more than just a commemorative effort. Its our commitment to the next generation  to attract, develop, and engage the very best talent that will push our association, and the industry at large, to new heights. To build a bridge between our storied past and a future full of potential, we need your help.

Attracting Talent

Every industry, including ours, thrives on the influx of fresh talent. The donations made to the Century Campaign will directly fund initiatives to attract the brightest minds from top hospitality and business schools to our association, ensuring a vibrant future. The Foundation provides and enhances cutting-edge instructional materials for faculty who teach sales, marketing, and revenue courses. This includes showcasing pathways for successful careers in hospitality and developing research such as the HSMAI Foundation State of Talent Report.

The beauty of HSMAI has always been the unique blend of seasoned professionals guiding the next generation of talent. In the span of a century, weve seen revolutions in technology and methodology. What remains constant, however, is the need to cultivate talent. Thats our pledge with the Century Campaign.

Developing Tomorrows Leaders

But attracting talent is only the beginning. With funds from the Century Campaign, we will continue to develop these individuals into leaders. On capstone project of the HSMAI Foundation is to provide grants to fund the Rising Leaders Councils across the globe that cultivate the next generation of industry leaders. This unique opportunity provides emerging professionals the chance to advance their skill sets, shape the future of HSMAI, network with peers, and contribute to the industry and the Advisory Board via their insights and thought leadership.

Consider Taylor Baca, one of nearly 70 Rising Leaders we support globally through the HSMAI Foundations efforts.

Thanks to the HSMAI Rising Leaders Council, I found a community of peers to grow and learn with and engage my passion. HSMAI connected me with a mentor that has helped build my skills and advance my career. The Century Campaign ensures that countless others like me will have the same invaluable experiences.

Engaging for a Lifetime

Engagement is essential to any community. The Century Campaign seeks to fund programs that foster a sense of belonging, creating lifelong advocates for our industry and association. By funding collegiate case competitions, grants, faculty forms, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives and in person events for Rising Leaders, the HSMAI Foundation demonstrates and fosters commercial career paths and ensures they are open to underrepresented groups.

Dorothy Dowling, an influential industry leader and Century Campaign donor, told me, To me it is about paying it forward to the next generation of leaders in the sales, marketing, and revenue space. HSMAI has been and continues to be a foundation for my career development and learning and a rich resource for peer networking. Through our century campaign we are ensuring this resource will be available to the next generation of leaders.

Building a Bridge to Our Brightest Future

Every great journey begins with a single step. Today, as we embark on this five-year journey towards our century mark, we invite you to walk alongside us. With every donation, no matter how small, we take another step on our bridge to the future.

Michelle Woodley, HSMAI Foundations Chair and President, shares, The one thing all of us at HSMAI have in common is the invaluable support we received in our hospitality careers. The Century Campaign reflects our shared experiences, culminating in positive sentiment towards the industry, personal fulfillment, and tangible revenue for hoteliers.

This isnt just about reaching a milestone, but about launching into the next century with the same enthusiasm, dedication, and vision that characterized HSMAIs inception.

Join us, and lets build a bridge to our brightest future, together.

This article originally appeared on HSMAI.
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Women in Music: Building a Strong Music Community for Gender Equality

Freelance writer and psychologist Amber Parkin dissects gender inequality in the music industry and how we can implement ways to empower women in music.

by Amber Parkin for Byta

Music has always been an integral part of our lives, and it has the power to bring people together, irrespective of their backgrounds. However, the music industry has been plagued by gender inequality for decades, and it remains a significant challenge today.

The challenge

The representation of women and gender-expansive talent in the music industry remains very low in all European countries. According to Keychange, an EU organisation, women represent 20% or less of registered composers and songwriters. Within the business side of music, womens representation in positions of power and decision-making remains below parity.

The numbers are even bleaker globally. A recent US study found that from 2012 to 2021, 12.7% of songwriters and 21.8% of artists were women, and behind the scenes, only 2.8% of producers were women. While the Grammys and other awards appear to ride a wave of feminist success, the statistics say otherwise. Stacy L. Smith, one of the studies authors, commented, Despite industry activism and advocacy, there has been little change for women on the popular charts since 2012. Although the data reveal an increase for women of colour, these findings indicate [there] is more work to be done.

Looking at gender equality as a whole, one of the United Nations (UN) sustainability goals is to empower all women and girls by 2030. As it stands, the UN estimates at the current rate of progress, it will take another 286 years to reform legal frameworks to promote, enforce and monitor gender equality in public life. This statistic effectively renders women, girls and gender-nonconforming people virtually invisible.

Initiatives for gender equality

So, how do we overcome this invisibility? Many organisations and initiatives exist to solve gender equality in music worldwide, including educational programmes, networking opportunities, equality riders, and inclusive policies. There are brilliant ideas to address what happens in the recording studio (Soundgirls, Cactus City), support the development of artists (Saffron Music), genre-specific initiatives (Change the Conversation) and venues or even provide support for gig-goers (like the UN Women UK initiative Safe Spaces Now and Safe Gigs 4 Women).

What do all of these initiatives ladder up to? Ultimately, these all build more robust community networks and connections. For example, studies show people feel a moral obligation to help those they know, far more so than strangers or abstract others. Its the effect of putting a face to a name  youre more likely to want to help someone with a gig slot, introductions, spare gear or mastering advice.

What binds us together?

I worked at a music studio startup during the day for a few years while completing my masters degree in psychology at night. Time after time, at work, I heard references to our community  but I never could put my finger on what it meant when used in the context of the brand. On reflection, I realise the artists who used our studios werent connected by a strong enough thread other than being organised around the attendance at a physical location.

Does my dentist have a community because we all go to the same place for hygienist appointments? Id argue no. So, what binds us, then?

This question has interested me in what makes a community, particularly with an intersectional approach. Toby Lowe, a Professor of Public Management at the Centre for Public Impact, articulates the idea succinctly: A community is a group of people who share an identity-forming narrative.

It means a group of people who share a story that is so important to them that it defines an aspect of who they are. In the context of music, people see the world through the lens of shared experiences and creative output.

Criteria for a strong community

What are the criteria for a community? According to clinical and community psychologist David McMillan, there are four elements: membership, influence, reinforcement and a shared emotional connection.

These elements all contribute to the strength of a community. The first, membership, refers to belonging and personal connection among group members.

The second, influence, means that individuals matter to the group and can make a positive difference. The third element is reinforcement, which relates to the groups ability to meet the needs of its members. Finally, you need a shared emotional connection built on experiences, history, and a sense of togetherness.

A strong community can bring people together to meet others needs while they meet their own. A more diverse and inclusive music industry could lead to more innovation and opportunities for everyone involved. Not to mention better music.

A strong community starts with safety

In music, embracing these elements can foster a supportive and inclusive environment  particularly when we recognise that within the industry or even women in music, there are multiple grounds of identity. Im adding psychological and physical safety to the criteria for community, too. It would be completely amiss to ignore the role these play in the success of women.

Last year, the UK government launched an inquiry into Misogyny in Music. The inquiry was met with many submissions of how attitudes have filtered through society, impacting the treatment of women and girls in music. Its not just specific genres of music that are affected either. One anonymous piece of evidence described a negative experience in classical choirs  both within Oxford University and in external professional choirs. So much for blaming rap lyrics, then, as issues are equally prevalent throughout the popular music cultures of the working classes, folk, country and more.

While this piece of work is specific to the UK, there is no doubt that women in different regions and cultures face other similar systemic challenges in building productive, positive communities  due to societal beliefs, political or religious oppression or economic difficulties.

Future outlook

Interestingly, much of the evidence in the UK inquiry cited the existence of many grassroots, volunteer-led initiatives and groups. We know, too, that there are vast numbers of these equality projects worldwide, such as Arte Sonica Amplificada in Brazil or Women About Sound in New Zealand. There is the potential to harness network effects, with many budding organisations coming together for the greater good.

The problem, perhaps, is the lack of industry support  where womens representation in positions of power and decision-making remains below parity  and funding from various governments.

However, we must maintain an inherently optimistic attitude to tackle significant challenges like gender equality. Music in itself is optimistic, we create because we hope it will express our feelings and maybe even connect. An optimistic community believes in progress and the possibility of finding solutions, driving creativity, persistence, and shared energy throughout the problem-solving process. Approaching problems with this perspective empowers us to navigate even the most difficult situations. Plus, its much more fun when we work together.

Conclusion

A unified music community to address gender equality will not happen overnight, but it is necessary we continue. I encourage everyone to actively participate in and support initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in the industry  or step up and create the change we want to see in the world.

Amber Parkin is a freelance writer and psychologist. Shes worked in the music industry for several years, developing the artist experience for a global network of rehearsal studios. She writes at amberparkin.substack.com

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Pittsfield School Committee Calls for Shorter-Term Maintenance Solutions

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  School Committee members want to see shorter-range planning to address the condition of Pittsfield Public Schools.



Earlier this month, there were complaints of excessive heat in the some of district's classrooms and calls for the immediate implementation of air conditioning. Around this time, it occurred to Chair William Cameron that there is no plan for the maintenance and upgrading of school facilities, as it is done on an as-needed basis.



PPS is currently undergoing a restructuring study to address its educational and physical structure.



"The municipality for whatever reason has not, I think, addressed the problem of the condition of our schools," he said. "And of course, now we're engaged with the municipality in rethinking the organization of the school district and so that's what I wanted to initiate is a discussion of what we should be doing as a community about the condition of our schools."



During the winter months, Superintendent Joseph Curtis is ready every day by 5 a.m.



"And the reason for that is because I'm waiting for a call that one of our boilers doesn't start and I know that I have to be ready by that time to be able to prepare to call off school maybe for a building or two, he explained.



"And we have come very close to doing that I couldn't count on two hands."



He credited the city's director of building maintenance and custodial director's hard work and said it is not a reflection of their work. There is no physical plant manager dedicated solely to these issues.



Curtis said he would, certainly desire, as the superintendent to not have to worry about physical plant maintenance at all but it is a constant reality, even in the warmer months.



"I look forward to the results of the restructuring study because they are doing an analysis on every one of our buildings," he added.

"Because one of the real implications is if we redistrict or restructure or build a new building, we have to be able to ensure that the remaining facilities are up to par and functioning as they should."



Committee members expressed urgency to address pressing issues such as temperature control.



"Those immediate concerns were definitely taken into the larger plan, but they are immediate concerns, I think, for a reason," Alison McGee said. "And I know we don't have much longer with excessive heat from outside but the winter it's been a significant problem in some of the schools with the heaters overheating."



She pointed out that temperature discomfort can increase students' irritability if they have pre-existing factors and weak coping skills.



"I do think if there are things that are causing significant disruptions to learning that is our concern and then we need to work as a group to all address that because it is expensive," she said.



Mark Brazeau said the district has a great strategic plan but there are concerns that have immediate effects on students and staff.



"I think that's something that needs to be brought up at the municipal side of things where this has to be rectified immediately, especially going into the winter months," he said.



"We can't wait for a strategic plan and wait for this whole thing to happen. This is something that needs to be done now and there are ways to come up with this money because we do have this money. People say we don't we do have money to fix this kind of thing. So this is something that, to me, is not excusable and it's something that should be fixed. We should have efficient systems in all of our schools and municipal buildings. That's it."



Brazeau also emphasized the importance of staffing.

"We have to look at our budget and look at hiring some people to actually get this stuff done."



Vicky Smith added that there is often a perception that there is not the money to fix schools. One of the districts she previously worked for reportedly added pennies to the local sales tax and was able to build new facilities.



"Kids are worth it," she said. "This is an important investment in our future."



Curtis said he wishes he could add a penny to city taxes but that is not under his purview or the school department's in any way.



"The reason I bring awareness to the cost is I want to be sure that we are aware of the commitments that we're projecting," he said, pointing to the lively discussion about raised water rates and the funds needed for would well exceed that hike.



He asked that all community members stay informed on the restructuring study.



Daniel Elias suggested factoring the cost savings of possible outcomes to the study such as reducing the number of schools or restricting. He said it has to be a part of the discussion to make it well-rounded.



"Their demands I feel are correct. I agree with them in every way but that will require sacrifice in some way. Either higher taxes or reduction in other ways or closing some facilities, whatever it might be," Curtis said.



"Because I would assume the city, and I don't know I can't speak to it, I'm certainly not that expert, doesn't have hundreds of millions of dollars on hand so there will have to be a plan. There will have to be a well-thought-out plan and elected officials that commit to that and that's my myself speaking as a superintendent wishing for the day where I don't have to worry, the principals don't have to worry, the teachers don't have to worry, the students don't have to worry about the physical plant that they're in on a daily basis."



Sara Hathaway said the district has to find a way to solve problems and let people know they are "on the list" for improvements.



"I'm sure the superintendent would love it if he could have a penny on the sales tax that would pay for new buildings but we are very dependent on the state when it comes to major construction projects, major renovations, or new buildings," she said, reflecting on her time working for then state Senator Andrea Nuciforo before the Massachusetts School Building Authority's predecessor when it simply had a list of projects without a strategic selection process.



She commented that it used to be easier to get money from the state but a fair prioritization process is important.



"We don't want just a political decision. We want someone to evaluate where's the greatest need, how much is it going to cost, what's a fair price," Hathaway said.

"And to help make sure that the taxpayers' money is being spent wisely and fairly so we live with those rules at the state level but we still have these needs that are very real."



Curtis pointed to the projects that Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Kristen Behnke financed largely through "give backs" left at the end of the fiscal year including the replacement of the ceilings at Morningside and Conte Community Schools and new shades at Crosby Elementary.



She explained that when the district looks at its budget in the springtime and has unspent monies, these are the types of projects that they are put into. Maintenance is not a part of the district's regular budget but it gets capital budget requests.



"There are a lot of requests, there's a lot of maintenance that needs to happen and based on staffing and based on the timing of things coming in and based on the city maintenance budget, it doesn't always happen at the pace that we're hoping it would happen," Behnke said.
The chairwoman of the board of the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System refused a request from the governor's chief of staff to resign, a request made in the midst of a lawsuit that has thrown the state into budgetary chaos.

Mona Tedford Rindy said she refused the request from Gov. Doug Burgums chief of staff, Jace Beehler, to resign from the board.

The resignation request was made in a phone call on Friday, Sept. 22, and in a follow-up email Beehler sent to Tedford Rindy on Saturday, Sept. 23 -- just days before the North Dakota Supreme Court ruled last Thursday that a major appropriations bill was invalid, requiring legislators to reconvene in a special session.

The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by the Public Employees Retirement System. The suit challenged a law that added more members to the PERS board, including two more legislative members, giving legislators four of 11 board seats.

I refused to resign, Tedford Rindy told The Forum on Thursday. Its certainly not my intent to resign at this time.

In Beehlers email, he told Tedford Rindy her resignation is being requested as a change in direction is sought for the PERS board due to the significant changes and large tasks ahead of the board and to fulfill the laws as intended by the 68th legislative assembly.

When asked to comment on the resignation request, Burgum's spokesman, Mike Nowatzi, echoed Beehler's reasons as given in the email but did not elaborate.

Tedford Rindy, whom Burgum appointed to the board in 2020 and whose term expires in 2025, told The Forum that she believes the request for her to resign was motivated by the PERS lawsuit over adding more legislators to its board, which she said violates separation of powers.

Thats the issue, she said, although she added that she doesnt know the governors reasoning.

Tedford Rindy said she believes the request for her to resign was to make it possible for a new board to withdraw the PERS lawsuit, which would have made the issue moot, avoiding the Supreme Court ruling invalidating the major appropriations bill.

I am aware that some legislators have been displeased with my strictly carrying out my fiduciary duty of not interfering with a suit that had already been filed, she said. A fiduciary responsibility is a duty to act in the best interests of those you serve.

She said she was also aware that some legislators, whom she declined to name, also had called the governors office to express their displeasure over the issue.

The purpose of the suit that the PERS board filed was to assert that there was a violation of the separation of powers, she said. That is the question that the PERS board put to the Supreme Court.

Tedford Rindy believes the request for her to resign was because I have voted to maintain that the legislators have a conflict of interest on the PERS board. My assumption is to remove me and to replace me with someone who would vote differently. The only logical reason I can come up with why the governor wanted me to resign is in order to replace me with someone who would vote in line with the legislators agenda.

The appropriations bill included an amendment altering the composition of the PERS board, which is why the appropriations bill was before the Supreme Court.

In addition to the lawsuit over board membership, the PERS board and Executive Director Scott Miller clashed with legislators earlier this year after changes to the pension system for state employees.

In the August PERS board meeting, the board voted 4-3 that legislators serving on the board had a conflict of interest regarding the lawsuit, according to board minutes. All three members who voted no were among Burgums most recent board appointees, a group that included two additional legislators.

Tedford Rindy, who lives in Portland, North Dakota, spent her career working as a trust officer at banks.

I take my fiduciary responsibility very seriously, she said.
Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum Announces New Executive Director

Capuzzi began in his new role on Sept. 1

ADAMS, Mass.  The board of directors for the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum announced its new executive director, James Capuzzi, after a three year-long search.

Capuzzi, the former Director of Marketing and Communications at the Abigail Adams Institute (AAI) in Cambridge, a nonprofit dedicated to providing supplementary education for the Harvard University community and other area university students and professionals, began in his new role on Sept. 1. While at AAI he grew its community of students and professionals; led an annual guided Boston women's suffrage history sites tour; and secured a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grant.

"Capuzzi's interaction with young adults from Harvard University opened doors to a population that is often unaware of the passion and dedication of Massachusetts' own Susan B. Anthony," Carol Crossed, Birthplace Museum president, said. "Anthony's passion had no limits. She pledged her own life insurance policy to secure the final amount of funding necessary for the University of Rochester to accept women students in 1900."

Capuzzi has an M.A. degree in Sustainable Cultural Heritage Management from the American University of Rome and a B.A. degree in Classical Studies & Italian Language from Tulane University in New Orleans. He now lives in the Berkshires with his wife and one-year old daughter.

"I first encountered the Massachusetts suffrage movement when researching a walking tour of the Boston Women's Heritage Trail," Capuzzi said. "I was inspired by the Copley Square's Chauncy Hall Building, where the Massachusetts Women's Suffrage Association and the Woman's Journal were located, and the Parkman Bandstand on the Boston Common, where protestors burned copies of Woodrow Wilson's speeches to raise public awareness for women's suffrage."

Capuzzi will oversee daily operations at the Birthplace Museum, raise funds, and promote the museum's mission locally and nationally. He will also serve as liaison between the museum and its stakeholdersstaff, board members, and the publicin communicating goals and new initiatives.

"The Adams museum highlights one of the most influential and admirable women in our country's history. I look forward to inspiring our youth to be feminists as Susan B. Anthony was through encountering her as a child [Anthony lived in the Adams home until she was five years old] and educating women in every state about how her legacy has advanced their rights," Capuzzi said.

Jim Loughman, vice president of the Birthplace Museum and Adams Historical Society board member, expressed enthusiasm.

"Capuzzi promises even greater ways to grow the museum through collaboration with the state, the Berkshire community, and the Town of Adams," he said.

The previous director, Cassandra Peltier, vacated the role in the fall of 2020 to pursue a graduate degree in Archives Management and History from Simmons University.

The Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, located on 67 East Road in Adams, Mass., is open Fridays through Mondays this fall/winter from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Georgia congressperson and Vice-Presidential hopeful Marjorie Taylor Greene took a very odd path when defending fellow Republican obstructionist, and MAGA clown Matt Gaetz. In response to a rumored Republican-led threat to unseat Gaetz based on the discovery of an ongoing ethics investigation into Gaetz's sexual misconduct and drug use, Greene reminds us that Republicans also voted to impeach President Trump and to censure her.

Greene also defends Kevin McCarthy and seems to encourage Gaetz to drop his bone for now, when suggesting both a motion to vacate or one to expel would be wrong. This is defending sexual misconduct while also reminding us her colleagues voted for a statement disapproving of what she says. Also, to be clear, Greene is defending he rights of allied performative politicians, not all performative politicians.

The Hill:

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) warned that a move to expel Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) from the House "will not be tolerated" by GOP voters. "And a Republican led effort to expel Matt Gaetz absolutely will not be tolerated by Republicans across the country. I can guarantee you that. Remember when 11 R's voted against me and 10 R's voted to impeach Pres Trump? Both the [motion to vacate] and expulsion plans are wrong," Greene wrote in a lengthy thread on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Mostly, these whirling dervishes each need their time on camera every day, or something bad will happen. I saw the movie Gremlins, and I would not feed members of the Republican caucus after midnight.
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Afghanistans embassy in Delhi has announced it will shut down its operations as officials said they felt let down by a lack of support from the Indian government.

Like many Afghan diplomatic missions around the world the embassy in Delhi is still occupied by officials loyal to the former Western-backed Afghan government, which was forcefully ousted by the Taliban in 2021.

India has not recognised the Taliban government and says it will follow the UNs lead in deciding whether or not to do so, but it has also refused to back the incumbent Afghan ambassador in Delhi and has frozen access to some of the embassys accounts. It has said that a months-long power struggle between the ambassador and a would-be Taliban appointee is an internal matter for Afghanistan to settle.

Now the embassy has issued a statement saying it will be forced to close all but its emergency services, saying it can no longer meet the requirements of Afghan citizens in India due to the lack of diplomatic support in India and the absence of a legitimate functioning government in Kabul.

The embassy has experienced a notable absence of crucial support from the host government, which has hindered our ability to carry out our duties effectively, embassy officials said in a statement this weekend.

A source at the embassy said Indias refusal to extend the visas of Afghanistans current diplomats was a factor in the decision to shut down, accusing the Narendra Modi government of a growing proximity with the Taliban regime and claiming India was drawing closer to formally recognising the Islamist militants administration in Kabul.

The Chinese ambassador presented his credentials [to the Taliban] last month, India doesnt want to be left behind in this race, they said on condition of anonymity.

India has not yet responded publicly to the Afghan embassys statement on its closure. The Independent has reached out to the Indian foreign ministry for comment.

This weekends decision came after a week of media speculation over a leaked letter from Afghanistans ambassador Farid Mamundzay to Indias foreign ministry. In the letter, dated 25 September and seen by The Independent, Mr Mamundzay complained that his mission had not [been] afforded the diplomatic regard and friendly considerations befitting its rightful status, roles and responsibilities.

The lack of support for extending the visas of the diplomats has been perceived as a pressure tactic to create discord at the mission and provide access to usurpers, said Mr Mamundzays letter, referring to the Taliban.

It urged the Indian authorities to seize the embassys assets, including vehicles, computers, official stamps and documents, as well as 410,000 (Rs 40m) in the missions bank account, so that they do not fall into Taliban hands and with the understanding that they will be entrusted to a legitimate government duly elected by the Afghan people in the future.

In an interview with The Independent in May this year, Mr Mamundzay had called on India to take a stand on the issue and thereby send a message that it stands up for democratic ideals.

I hope the entire region, particularly India, will act in the spirit of enlightened self-interest on issues related to Afghanistan, he had said in New Delhi.

Recommended Afghan Embassy closes in India citing a lack of diplomatic support and personnel

Afghans will judge the policies of their friends based on the choices they make, and would certainly remember those who stood by them in difficult times, he had said.
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The family of a happy-go-lucky chappy have been left desperate for answers after he mysteriously died in Vietnam.

Darren Blairs family were told he had been found unresponsive after being asleep in a nightclub for six hours on September 26.

But the family were also told the 31-year-old was found unconscious outside the nightclub and his death certificate said he had bruises on his face.

Mr Blairs mother Margaret Mills, 65, told the PA news agency: He had a tour guide and the tour guide took him to get a drink and then apparently at 8.30 he said to Darren you must go back to the hotel and get yourself washed up, youre tired.

Then we heard a story that Darren had gone back out to meet somebody, a young girl or whatever. There have been different stories going around. We dont know what to believe.

We got another story saying he had been laying in the bar for six hours sleeping.

The police told me they found him outside the bar and he was unconscious. It was two people that found him.

They phoned the emergency services and thats when they picked Darren up.

Mr Blair was taken to the Viet Duc Hospital and he was pronounced dead on arrival, his mother added.

He had been on holiday before starting work on a production of Disney on Ice in Vietnam.

Ms Mills told PA: He was the best son you could ever ask for. He was so loving. Nothing was too big for him. He was brilliant with everybody.

He was a happy-go-lucky chappy. He was full of beans and laughter. He was fun. He was a good son I could not have asked for any more.

He was the best son you could ever ask for. He was so loving. Nothing was too big for him. He was brilliant with everybody Margaret Mills, Darren Blair's mother

He liked his sightseeing. He visited so many countries its unbelievable. We counted before he went (that) he had been to 44 countries. He had been all over.

He loved what he was doing. He has lived his dream but that has been uncompleted.

He was going to settle down and have kids. He spoke about things like that. He was looking forward to his future.

Mr Blair had sent a photo of himself at a bar with his tour guide to his family just hours before his death.

His niece Jordan Gooderham, 19, said Mr Blair had been found covered in bruises and has swelling on his face.

She said: We literally know nothing All we know is that they have been covering something because we have been told four different stories.

None of it is adding up... It's like a suspicious murder. Something is not right Jordan Gooderham, Darren Blair's niece

One of the stories was that he was asleep for six hours on the sofa in a nightclub and that he was asleep and they kept checking on him and he was snoring.

Then they checked on him again at 5 oclock in the morning and he wasnt breathing.

They said he was in the club, dead, and then they said they found him unconscious outside the nightclub on his own.

None of it is adding up. Its like a suspicious murder. Something is not right.

Mr Blairs brother and sister are on their way to Vietnam to try and find out what happened to him.

A GoFundMe page has also raised over 22,000 to bring his body back to his family in Nottingham.

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed: We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Vietnam and are in touch with the local authorities.
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Authorities in Vietnam arrested the director of an independent energy policy think-tank, in its latest crackdown on experts from the field of environment and ecology in recent years.

Ngo Thi To Nhien, director of the Vietnam Initiative for Energy Transition Social Enterprise, was arrested for allegedly appropriating internal documents relating to state-owned firm Electricity of Vietnam, according to the state media reports.

She was detained on 20 September, spokesperson for the ministry of public security To An Xo, confirmed on Monday.

The official denied that the grounds for arresting Ms Nhien were related to environmental activism.

Earlier reports claimed that the think-tanks top official was detained on 15 September.

The security investigation agency of Hanoi city police issued an arrest warrant to Ngo Thi To Nhien, Mr Xo said at a press conference late on Saturday.

If charged, Ms Nhien faced up to five years in prison, according to Vietnams criminal code.

According to a rights group, she was detained without any official confirmation.

Ms Nhien is a prominent researcher in Vietnam and has worked with a number of international organisations, including the World Bank, the European Union, the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank. She was reportedly working on an implementation plan for the countrys just energy transition partnership (JETP) at the time of her arrest.

The $15bn project will push Vietnam to wean off fossil fuels and is funded by the G7.

While the immediate reasons for her arrests are not clear, Vietnam is one of the few remaining communist single-party states that tolerate no dissent, including on environmental issues.

Human rights advocacy group The 88 Project have claimed that she has been arrested for unknown reasons.

In 2022, Human Rights Watch said that more than 170 activists had been put under house arrest, blocked from travelling or in some cases assaulted by agents of the Vietnamese government in a little-noticed campaign to silence its critics.

Environmental rights groups have also accused the authorities of politicising the environmental issues.

Ms Nhiens arrest comes just days after a Vietnamese climate activist was sentenced to three years in prison on charges of tax fraud.

Hoang Thi Minh Hong, 50, who headed the environmental advocacy group Change, which works on environment and climate issues, was also fined 100 million Vietnamese dong ($4,100) by a court in Ho Chi Minh City, the state-owned Viet Nam News reported.
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Company boards are being urged to promote an ethical culture across the business as a matter of priority.

New guidance published by the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE), which advises businesses on good practice, outlines the importance of embedding an ethical culture in recruitment, training and pay policies.

It comes as a result of a consultation that IBE held with businesses across the country this year after a poll found that just one in three Britons believe firms operate ethically.

The consultation advisory group included business leaders from Abrdn, Travis Perkins, the Co-op Group, Schroders company secretary and Serco.

A positive ethical culture supports good decision-making and allows a business to show it is committed to doing the right thing for the right reasons IBE director Ian Peters

The new guidance encourages boards to consider ethical behaviour in appointments and promotions as well as provide board members, senior leadership and the workforce with training to embed the companys purpose and values.

It also calls for boards to lead by example and ensure that ethical risks are taken into consideration in major operational and strategic decisions.

Ian Peters, IBE director, said: A positive ethical culture supports good decision-making and allows a business to show it is committed to doing the right thing for the right reasons.

Thats fundamental if youre going to retain staff, maintain a positive workplace environment, and ensure customer loyalty.

Research we conducted earlier this year shows the public is unconvinced that many companies operate ethically.

The guidance weve published, working with some of the countrys most experienced business leaders, is intended to help boards with one of their most challenging responsibilities  how to set and embed an ethical culture.

Simon Thompson, chairman of the advisory group, said: An ethical culture is a source of competitive advantage, promoting high standards of business conduct and integrity and building trust and loyalty with customers, staff and other stakeholders.

Companies face increasingly complex and varied ethical challenges as expectations about the role of business in society continue to evolve.

All the contributors to this guidance have had to manage a significant ethical issue at some point in their board careers.

The guidance is based on that experience and intended to support other board members as they seek to promote an ethical business culture within their own companies.

Mark Babington, executive director of regulatory standards at the Financial Reporting Council, said: Boards can show real leadership in embedding a positive ethical culture across their company.

This is welcome guidance that underlines the importance of culture being at the top of every boardroom agenda.

In May, the IBE found that only one in two FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies have publicly accessible codes of ethics, of which two-thirds were judged to be of good quality.

Half of the FTSE 100 codes of ethics were also found not to include written assurances of protection for staff raising concerns about ethical behaviour.
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More than 300 forest and peatland fires on Indonesia's Sumatra island caused hazy skies across the region on Monday, prompting government officials to ask people to work from home.

The military, police and local government were working together to extinguish the fires, which were burning in 316 places across South Sumatra province, but their work was complicated by the extreme dry weather, said Iriansyah, the head of the South Sumatra Disaster Management Agency.

The smoky haze drifted from the fires toward Palembang, the capital of South Palembang province, causing unhealthy air conditions for the area's 1.7 million people.

There is a high potential for people to suffer from respiratory tract infections, coughing, shortness of breath and eye irritation, said Iriansyah, who like many Indonesians uses only one name.

The government in South Sumatra last week called on schools to delay their opening time, as the haze tends to decrease during the day. But on Monday, the schools asked students to attend classes online, as the air quality had worsened and was categorized as dangerous".

We are worried as the haze is getting worse in Palembang. Many children are sick and we can only pray that this disaster will pass quickly, Umi Kalsum, a private sector worker and mother, told The Associated Press on Monday.

Forest and peat fires are an annual problem in Indonesia that strains relations with neighboring countries. Smoke from the fires has blanketed parts of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and southern Thailand. Some parts of Malaysia said they experienced smoke from the Indonesian fires since last week.

Malaysia's Environment Department chief Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar last week said the return of smog in some parts of the country was due to hundreds of forest fires in Indonesia.

A student studies at his house in Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia, Monday, 2 October 2023. Officials on Indonesias Sumatra island on Monday asked residents to work from home as more than 300 forest and peatland fires were causing widespread haze in the region. (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Overall, air quality in the country has deteriorated, he said in a statement. Forest fires that occur in the southern part of Sumatra and the central and southern parts of Kalimantan, Indonesia have caused haze to cross borders.

But Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Indonesia's Environment and Forestry Minister, said in a statement on Monday there has been no transboundary haze from Indonesia to Malaysia.

Satellite data from Indonesias Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency shows that the haze in Indonesia was in several areas in Sumatra and Borneo islands. Wind direction in Indonesia is generally from southeast to northwest-northeast.

We continue to follow developments and there is no transboundary haze to Malaysia, she said.

She added that authorities are working on the ground and in the air to put out the fires in South Sumatra, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan provinces, including some areas in Java.

Indonesias National Disaster Management Agency in September said that there are six provinces in Indonesia where forest and peatland fires are most common, including South Sumatra province, where a big peatland fire burned for days in August.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing Chipotle on behalf of Areej Saifan, an employee who claims her manager at the Lenexa, Kansas branch of the restaurant chain ripped off her hijab, the culmination of weeks of harassment.

The assistant manager continued to ask Saifan to remove her hijab, sometimes in front of other employees, about 10 to 15 times over a month, according to the lawsuit. The employee complained to a shift manager, who at least once asked the assistant manager to stop but violated Chipotle's policies by not reporting the alleged harassment to higher management, the lawsuit says. The harassment came to a head on Aug. 9, 2021, when the assistant manager allegedly "advanced on Saifan, reached out, grabbed her hijab, and yanked," causing part of it to come off and her hair to be exposed. The shift manager Saifan had complained to witnessed the incident, according to the lawsuit.

She resigned after the company failed to do anything about it, and here we are. Consider, all the obvious problems set aside, that the manager's assault would have meant she had hair down around food service: it's as if the racial and political dimensions of what he did protected him from what would normally be an unremarkable "fire the FDA regulation-breaker" situation.
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Sorry, not sorry appeared to be the overarching message from the worlds most powerful oil and gas companies at an annual industry summit in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

The largest players in the fossil fuel industry gathered at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, just along the coast from where the Cop28 climate summit is being hosted by the UAE in a matter of months.

The oil and gas executives were buoyant, even defiant, about the industry which earned a record $4 trillion last year while countries face worsening climate disasters.

Weve got to step up and prepare for the decarbonised systems of the future, Tengku Muhammad Taufik, president and group CEO of Malaysias state energy firm, Petronas, said at a panel hosted by CNBC.

So, the debate has always been posed here, Im reminded of an old saying: If you want to keep everyone happy, sell ice cream. We are not in the business of ice cream  and Im reminded, there are people who are lactose intolerant. The indication here is we have to make some tough decisions and we have to be bounded by facts, rationality, practical steps but we will get there.

Emissions from burning fossil fuels are the primary driver of the climate crisis and countless scientific groups and non-governmental bodies, including the influential International Energy Agency, have called for a rapid transition to clean energy and no new oil and gas projects, to remain at the 1.5 degrees Celsius target of the Paris Agreement. Scientists say global emissions must be cut by nearly half in the next seven years to hold to 1.5C.

At the current 1.2C of global warming, countries are experiencing worsening storms, flooding, heatwaves, fires and drought.

But while clean energy investments are expected to hit $1.7 trillion in 2023, around $1 trillion is still being invested in coal, oil and gas putting the planet far off-course in its net zero goals. The oil and gas industrys spending on operations to redue emissions was less than 5 per cent of its upstream spending in 2022, according to the IEAs latest World Energy Investment report.

A view shows the destruction, in the aftermath of the floods in Derna, Libya on September 30, 2023, which killed more than 11,000 people (REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori)

Regardless, there was a sense of optimism from the stage. Vicki Hollub, CEO of Texas-based multinational Occidental Petroleum, described really exciting times for the oil and gas industry but conceded that they must regain societys trust.

I dont see where we are today as something that is going to end our industry although there are some out there that want it to go away. As we have done in the past, we will find ways to innovate out of this situation that were in, she said.

Patrick Pouyanne, head of French oil company TotalEnergies, said that he had been naive and admitted, we will not please the activists.

We will never make enough to please the ones which are against oil and gas, but my mission is not to please them, he added. Our mission is to deliver to the society the energy we need today and tomorrow and for that I feel comfortable.

Wael Sawan, chief executive of UK oil giant Shell, described his time at the top as a roller coaster.

Its the worst of times and its the best of times, he continued.

Demonstrators during a national protest for climate justice in Bern, Switzerland, on September 30, 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)

The worst of times I think with the recognition it seems to be a time where we continue to polarise the debate more and more rather than actually converge given that we are trying to solve arguably the worlds biggest problem right now.

Sultan al-Jaber also spoke at Mondays event in the UAE capital. Mr Al-Jaber, head of the state-run Abu Dhabi Oil Company, is president of the upcoming Cop28 climate conference, a decision that has sparked anger and suspicion among activists and prominent figures including former US vice president Al Gore.

He called on oil and gas companies to be central to the solution to fighting the climate crisis, at the event.

That is our North Star. It is in fact our only destination. It is simply acknowledging and respecting the science. We must do this while also ensuring human prosperity by meeting the energy needs of the planets growing population, Mr al-Jaber said.

Abu Dhabi Oil Co. is planning to grow its operation to pump five million barrels a day.
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A woman who was critically burned while running through a field of burning grass while escaping the Hawaiiwildfires, has died after spending almost seven weeks in the ICU.

Laurie Allen died on Friday surrounded by her husband Perry Allen and other family members, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help fund the cost of her treatment.

According to the page, which had been regularly updated by her sister-in-law Penny Allen-Hood, Ms Allen slipped away peacefully at the Straub Medical Center in Honolulu after the ordeal.

Ms Allen, who was the 98th official victim of the fire on 8 August, suffered third-degree burns on 73 per cent of her body, according to The New York Times.

The blaze devasted historic Lahaina on the west coast of Maui. The fire was the deadliest in the US in more than a century and destroyed 2,200 buildings, most of them homes.

The fire began when strong winds appeared to cause a Hawaiian Electric power line to fall and ignite dry brush and grass. After being declared contained, the fire flared up and raced through the town.

Ms Allen had attempted to flee the blaze in her car with some neighbours, but found their way blocked by a burning tree which caused a wall of flames to surround her car.

According to the page, Laurie yelled for the others to run  she heard their doors open but did not see them again. She jumped into the flames and ran about 100 yards across a field of burning grass to the main road.

A fireman and policeman were about to evacuate when they saw her. They put out the flames on her body and took her to the Civic Center, being used by Red Cross as the Emergency Shelter.

Hawaii Wildfire (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Laurie paid a high price for trying to help her neighbors.

The neighbours, Conchita and Danilo Sagudang, were later listed amongst the casualties of the fire.

Mr Allen later told The New York Times that he had been able to identify his wife through the descriptions of her purple nail polish,

Over the proceeding weeks, Ms Allen endured a series of operations, including skin grafts and a tracheostomy on her throat, though in recent days her condition had worsened.

Ms Allen-Hood posted Thursday that the battle to repair and rebuild Lauries earthly body would soon be over and her sister-in-law was taken off life support on Friday.

Drone footage shows aftermath of devastating Lahaina wildfires

This ordeal touched numerous lives. For me, it was realizing how many shared concerns for Laurie  people from her childhood, her family, work colleagues, church friends, and clients at the PT Clinic she worked at, Ms Allen-Hood wrote.

This is a reminder that we never know how much our smile or even a simple greeting can leave an impression on others.

According to an interview with her husband in The New York Times, Ms Allen loved the water, snorkeling and kayaking, and attended church three times a week.

There are no words to express how deeply I will miss her, he told the outlet, via text message.
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Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae have allegedly tied the knot.

According to the Daily Mail, the 27-year-old television star and the 29-year-old musician exchanged vows in Venice, Italy, this past weekend. Pictures obtained by the outlet featured Taylor-Joy looking out from a balcony in a dusted beige gown with floral adornments and stitched birds on the bodice.

The Queens Gambit star allegedly said I do to McRae inside the famed Palazzo Pisani Moretta with an intimate group of friends and family. Taylor-Joy and her now-husband continued the celebration with a star-studded reception that is said to have included Miles Teller, Cara Delevingne, Evan Ross, and Julia Garner in attendance.

Speaking to People, a source said that the happy couple hosted a brunch at the St Regis Hotel on Sunday to cap the weekend of love. The source noted how breathtaking Taylor-Joy looked in her custom Dior wedding dress. She was a vision, they remarked.

Last year, Taylor-Joy was spotted with a ring on her finger while out with McRae in Sydney. At the time, the Hollywood regular was supposedly filming Furiosa, the Mad Max: Fury Road prequel. The pair never officially announced their engagement, but a wedding seemed to be in the works when the DailyMail caught them touring venues in Italy earlier this year.

The More band member and The Menu star were first acquainted at the premiere party for Queens Gambit in March of 2021. And it apparently had been love at first sight for McRae as he wrote and published an original song for Taylor-Joy just two days after they met.

The musical romantic took to his Instagram to share the ballad. I wrote this song for Anya two days after meeting her, his caption read. Its called Really Want to See You Again.

His lyrics were a poetic plea to get Taylor-Joy to meet with him again.

If ever we were in the same place, he sang. I think were alike in ways that I cant quite explain right, but I might, could with some time. If ever we were in the same place. I want whats right, but I want without warning now, and I think were wanting something the same.

A month later, Taylor-Joy confirmed she had a partner in her life now during a conversation with Elle. She mentioned how her partner had returned from work and was moving around all his equipment.

For the most part, the Last Night in Soho star prefers to keep her private relationship off-screen  which is why its no surprise the details of her engagement and wedding werent shared. However, in April of 2022, she opened up about her feelings for McRae.

Ive finally found someone who will happily sit in silence with me reading, she mentioned to British Vogue. I said to my partner the other day that he was my hobby. I see reading as something that I have to do. He loved it because hes the same.

Taylor-Joy hasnt had any issues debuting photos with McRae either, especially when its purpose is to encourage fans to buy tickets to his show.

On 11 May, just one month before a diamond ring was spotted on her finger in Sydney, Taylor-Joy posted a close-up selfie of her and McRae.

ALSO, if youre looking for a good time in the coming weeks, my heart(s) @moretheband are opening for the coolest sisters @haimtheband on their North American tour from May 22nd - June 14th, she wrote alongside the photo.

The Independent has reached out to representatives for both Taylor-Joy and McRae for comment.
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Costco is the wholesale retail store known for selling just about anything, from rotisserie chickens to brand new electronics, at a bargain price. Now, the wholesaler has added an unexpected item to its inventory: gold bars.

Yes, the bargain brand is currently selling one-ounce gold PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna Veriscan bars for nearly $2,000.

On 26 September, Costco chief financial officer Richard Galanti announced in a quarterly earnings call that the gold bars are selling fast too. Ive gotten a couple of calls that people have seen online that weve been selling one-ounce gold bars, he said, according to CNBC. Yes, but when we load them on the site, theyre typically gone within a few hours and we limit two per member.

The 24-karat gold bars can indeed be purchased online but theyre only reserved for customers with a Costco membership, which can cost from $60 to $120 a year. The retailer is also limiting the number of gold bars to two per membership, and the item is non-refundable.

According to the Costco website, the one-ounce bars from South Africas Rand Refinery are selling for the whopping price of $1,949.99, while the gold bars from Swiss supplier PAMP Suisse cost $1,979.99.

Costco has long held the well-deserved reputation as bargain shoppers favourite store, mainly for its affordable prices and free samples. Plus, the company recently raised its minimum wage to $16 for workers in the US.

In 2021, an employee named Natalie went viral on TikTok when she revealed just how much she makes per hour while working at Costco. When you make $29.50 just to draw smiley faces on receipts, said Natalie in the video. Some TikTok users said that Natalies pay was more than that of many other jobs, including healthcare workers.

Maam I am a nurse and you make more than I did at my staff job, one person commented.

Costco is one of the few places one can earn a living wage. This should be the rule, not the exception, another user wrote.

Not only did Natalie reveal that she makes much higher than the federal minimum wage in the US, which is $7.25 per hour, but she also reminded people about the joy of receiving a smiley face stamp from a Costco employee when checking a shoppers receipt.

Earlier this year, another employee went viral on TikTok when she explained how her life has improved after quitting her teaching job to work at Costco. Everything is better, she said in the viral TikTok. I cant believe that I ever felt so limited, that I ever thought I couldnt do something else. I am better now than I have been in my livable memory.

The Costco employee also emphasised how much her professional life has improved, despite the fact that she doesnt have winter or summer breaks like she did as a teacher.

This is my first year not having a winter break. I do not miss it at all, she wrote in the TikTok caption. My pace of my work life now is so much better, I am not sick or exhausted like I used to be when I was a teacher.
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This is the first picture of the victim of an alleged fatal race hate stabbing as a woman is charged with murder.

Hubert Brown, 61, died from a stab wound after he was allegedly attacked in the St Pauls area of Bristol on Friday afternoon.

Mr Brown, a vulnerable adult thought to be of Jamaican heritage, was described as a very friendly man, who was popular within the local community, The Independent has been told.

His family released the following tribute: During this difficult time, our family is heartbroken and deeply saddened by the loss of Hubert, affectionately known as Isaac by many.

He was a kind-hearted, harmless individual, it is truly devastating that his life ended in such a tragic manner.

A video sent to The Independent shows Mr Brown MCing at a sound system outdoor party as smiling dancers film him (Supplied)

Accepting that he is no longer with us is incredibly challenging, and we are struggling to comprehend and come to terms with the circumstances surrounding his passing.

Hubert was a beloved member of our community, and we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to those who went above and beyond to help him during that time, as well as to the police for their ongoing investigation.

As a family, we are supporting one another through this trying period, finding solace in each others presence and shared memories.

A video sent to The Independent shows Mr Brown MCing at a sound system outdoor party as smiling dancers film him.

One friend posted on Facebook: I must say you were limited edition. You were full of energy, very entertaining and I used to be able to hear you a mile away but most of all you were harmless.

Very, very sad to hear your life was taken today in St Pauls Bristol. RIP my friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, your family and your friends during this very sad and difficult time.

Another added: I knew you as not a friend but as a bloody good friend and a gentleman when needed. Sad blessings to you and your family and may you rest wherever you may be. Goodnight old friend.

One neighbour told The Independent: He lived near me and we used to say good morning and I helped him a couple of times in a local petrol station where he used to sit.

He was a harmless person who sometimes had difficulties in communicating but local people in the area liked him and respected him.

A spokesperson for Black Equity Organisation said: Were so sorry to hear of this awful, inhumane and allegedly racist attack. Sending solidarity and our thoughts to the victims loved ones. We must stand together to prevent racist crimes from happening.

Christina Howell, 36, from Easton, was remanded in custody before appearing at Bristol Magistrates Court on Monday, said Avon and Somerset Police.

Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Deepak Kenth said at the time: This is very sad news. I would like to thank members of the public that came to the victims assistance.
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Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has said his party can make gains north of the border at the next election despite poor polling numbers.

The party  which is currently meeting in Manchester for its UK conference  has struggled in polling over the past year, with Labour surging ahead.

In a YouGov poll of 1,103 Scots between September 8 and September 13, the party sits at 16%  rising from 15%  in Westminster voting intentions, behind Labour on 27% and the SNP on 38%.

I'm very confident that the Scottish Conservatives can hold on to the seats we currently have and make gains Douglas Ross

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland from the party conference, Mr Ross said he was confident of increasing their seat tally in Scotland.

Im very confident that the Scottish Conservatives can hold on to the seats we currently have and make gains, he said.

The party currently holds six seats in Scotland, concentrated in the north-east of the country and in the borders, after losing seven constituencies in the 2019 election.

We saw a recent by-election in South Ayrshire where the Scottish Conservative vote went up by 20%, he added.

The partys first preference vote in the Girvan and South Carrick council by-election rose by 19.5% last month compared to 2022.

However, two independent candidates in the last council election accounted for 37.2% of the vote, while none stood in the by-election.

People could see in these seats where the Scottish Conservatives are the main challengers to the SNP, they want to ensure that the SNP are told how poorly they are running the country at the moment and how disastrous Humza Yousafs leadership has been, Mr Ross added.

The Moray MP plans to stand down at the next election, telling the programme he has no regrets over his decision.

Mr Ross was also questioned on his stance on taxation, following comments from Chancellor Jeremy Hunt that there is no shortcut to tax cuts.

Senior Conservative Michael Gove and Liz Truss have backed pre-election tax cuts.

The Scottish leader said: Id like to see tax cuts in Scotland so we get parity with the rest of the UK.

Mr Ross said higher taxes in Scotland than the rest of the UK was one of the biggest barriers to investment in the country.

But when challenged on the tax burden currently faced by Britons, Mr Ross said that was the reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic.

There has to be some clawback of some of the funds that were spent during the Covid pandemic.

Scotland is the highest taxed part of the UK and its only going to get worse, because Humza Yousaf has said he wants to tax people more during the cost-of-living crisis.
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A man who detonated a bomb outside a hospital had a grievance against the British state because his asylum claim was rejected, a police investigation has found - as CCTV was released showing the moment of the explosion.

Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, died after the device, which he had made himself, exploded while he was in a taxi outside Liverpool Womens Hospital just before 11am on November 14 2021. Driver David Perry managed to escape from the Ford Focus taxi following the blast.

Police believe the device, which contained hundreds of metal ball bearings, only partially exploded and went off earlier than planned, but was intended to cause multiple casualties.

CCTV shows moment of explosion outside Liverpool Womens Hospital in November 2021 (Merseyside Police)

Detective Superintendent Andy Meeks, of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, told a briefing on Monday there was no evidence anyone else was involved in planning the attack.

He said: Why he did it, in terms of the motives for what he did, our best assessment, based on all the information weve looked at, is that that was due to a grievance that he had for the repeated rejections of his asylum claim combined with mental ill health which seems to have also had a factor in his action.

We didnt find any evidence that he had any extremist beliefs of any kind.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside Emily Spurrell said it was important to try to understand what influenced Al Swealmeen.

She said: Todays report raises more concerns around the effectiveness of our asylum system, the way claims are processed, support available to asylum seekers and what procedures are used to monitor those individuals who are refused permission to live in the UK.

Mr Meeks said Al Swealmeen, who was born in Iraq but moved to Jordan as a child, went to considerable lengths to stay in the UK, including converting to Christianity.

Emad Al Swealmeen died after a device, which he had made himself, exploded while he was in a taxi outside Liverpool Womens Hospital (Merseyside Police/PA Wire)

Al Swealmeen came to the country in 2014, having applied for a visa in Abu Dhabi claiming he wanted to travel for a holiday and to watch the filming of Britains Got Talent in Belfast. He falsely claimed to be a Syrian national when interviewed by Home Office officials but his asylum claim was rejected.

Mr Meeks said Al Swealmeen began a conversion to Christianity in 2015, when his asylum appeal rights were exhausted, and was baptised at Liverpool Cathedral in November that year. He forwarded letters of support from members of the church community to the Home Office to support his asylum claim in 2017.

In January 2020 a further asylum claim was rejected, on the basis he had not truly accepted the Christian faith and rejected others. A Koran and prayer mat was found at one of Al Swealmeens properties and close associates reported seeing him praying Islamically in the months before the attack, Mr Meeks said.

Officers discovered mixing bowls and bags of explosive mixture inside Emad Al Swealmeens flat (Merseyside Police/PA Wire)

He said Al Swealmeens deterioration in mental health coincided with developments in his asylum case. He was detained by police under the Mental Health Act in 2015 and was later sectioned.

Police found Al Swealmeen rented a flat with the sole purpose of building the bomb. Officers discovered mixing bowls and bags of explosive mixture inside the flat, along with a mobile phone containing instructions on how to make explosives.

A search of his other address, which he shared with other asylum claimants, uncovered two unfinished improvised firearms.

Police found contents of mobile phones belonging to Al Swealmeen had been largely erased and he took precautions to conceal his intentions.

Mr Meeks added: There are lots of gaps in our information unfortunately and the only person who knows the answers to those questions is Al Swealmeen, who obviously died during the incident, so well probably never truly know exactly why he did it or what his intentions were.
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The Foreign Secretary has announced he will visit the Falkland Islands to demonstrate support for the territorys self-determination.

James Cleverly has been embroiled in a dispute with Argentina since earlier this year, when Buenos Aires pulled out of a co-operation agreement for the Falklands.

On Sunday, Mr Cleverly told a late-night drinks reception at the Conservative Party Conference he would be visiting the archipelago following a run-in with the Argentinian government.

He said: Some of you may have noticed that because they have an election coming, they are trying to do a bit of flexing of their muscle when it comes to the people of the Falklands.

Now, I believe in the right of people having self-determination and the people of the Falklands have made their position clear and we need to return a Conservative government to make sure they and others around the world are protected.

And just to hammer home that point, I am going to take the opportunity to visit the Falklands because I think it is my job to make it absolutely clear that a Conservative government, as I said in my speech, it is only a Conservative government that can be trusted to look after the best interests of this country and those others around the world who rely on British good governance including, of course, the wonderful, brave people of Ukraine who are currently defending themselves against Russian aggression.

The visit would be the first by a British cabinet minister since 2016, when then-defence secretary Michael Fallon flew to the Falklands, prompting fears it would enflame tensions with Argentina.

A previous visit by then-Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire in 2014 brought angry comments and claims of high-handedness from the Argentinian government.

Last year, Princess Anne visited the islands to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War.

More recently, the UK complained in July that the EU had described the islands as Las Malvinas  the name used by Argentina  which Argentinian president Alberto Fernandez appeared to hail as a recognition of his countrys sovereignty.

A 2013 referendum saw 99.8% of voters on the islands opt to remain a UK Overseas Territory.

In his speech on Sunday, Mr Cleverly also claimed the Labour Party would sell out Gibraltar, saying the opposition had put on the veneer of respectability but was still the same hard left, nasty political party driven by envy.
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Vladimir Putin would be foolish to believe internal political rows in the West were a sign that support for Ukraine is beginning to crack, Grant Shapps said.

The Defence Secretary suggested the possibility of Donald Trump winning the next US election would not necessarily result in the worst case scenario of America cutting its support.

The Western alliance has suffered a series of blows in recent days, with support for Ukraine dropped from a US stop-gap budget bill, election success for a pro-Russian party in Slovakia and rows between Poland and Kyiv over grain supplies.

But speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, Mr Shapps said the Kremlin should not over-interpret domestic political wrangles.

He said: Its very easy to sit here, think about the single issue of Ukraine and frame everything in that context and forget about domestic politics. Its always a mistake to think in that way.

In the US, the prospect of shutdowns due to financial rows were a feature of the countrys politics and resulted in odd and unusual blips in their budgetary process.

The row between Warsaw and Kyiv over grain exports should also be seen in the context of Polish elections, he said.

Asked whether Mr Putin would see cracks in the Western alliance and be prepared to wait it out in the hope that support for Kyiv crumbles, Mr Shapps said the Russian leader would be foolish if he misinterpreted those signs.

With the US election next year and the possibility of Mr Trump returning to the White House, there are concerns in Kyiv about the continuation of US support in the coming years.

But Mr Shapps said: I dont think its entirely clear what would happen if indeed Trump won the nomination, if indeed Trump then won the election.

One thing we do know about Trump is he has a big issue with China.

He said that in the US, many experts would suggest that you dont want to accidentally send a message to China that force is OK to use, because it could be seen as giving Beijing encouragement to move on Taiwan.

Mr Shapps said: No, I dont think the worst case scenario is Trump because what then happens would be the real question.

But Mr Shapps stressed that whatever happened, the UK would continue to take a leadership role in supporting Ukraine.

Former defence secretary Ben Wallace has said he urged the Prime Minister to increase military support to Ukraine by more than 2 billion  a rise of 50%.

The veteran Conservative argued that with extra Western weapons, Kyiv could end the battle against Russia and expel the invaders.

Mr Wallace stepped down from the defence brief in a mini-reshuffle in August, having already announced his decision not to contest the next general election.

Writing for The Daily Telegraph, he lamented that the UK was no longer Kyivs biggest military backer in Europe, having slipped behind Germany.

We have a chance to help finish this. The Russian army is cracking, Mr Wallace said.

We need to give Ukraine the support it requires to see this war to the end.

Before I left office, I asked the PM to match or increase the 2.3 billion pledged to Ukraine this year, to add to the 4.6 billion we have spent already.

The UK committed 2.3 billion of military support in 2022 and the Government confirmed it would sustain that in 2023.

Mr Shapps said the normal budget-setting process was being followed for next years funding and he could not jump ahead of that procedure.
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Defence secretary Grant Shapps has announced 4bn worth of contracts with British firms as part of the development of the hunter-killer submarine programme.

Grant Shapps said the submarines, which are to be nuclear-powered and conventionally armed, would be the most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.

The defence secretary also announced RAF Typhoons have been sent to Poland to support the UK ally from the threat of Russian interference, and that hundreds of extra troops will be deployed in Kosovo following a request from Nato.

Speaking on the main stage of the Tory conference in Manchester, Mr Shapps said: Today, I can announce that weve signed contracts worth 4 billion with leading British businesses to drive forward the development of the most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.

Mr Shapps said these hunter-killer Aukus submarines will empower the Royal Navy to maintain our strategic advantage under the sea, and will support thousands of jobs.

The Conservative Party said the contracts have been signed with BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Babcock Marine, and will support thousands of British jobs.

Mr Shapps also told the conference: I can announce the UK has stepped up again with two deployments. First in response to requests from our Polish friends, RAF Typhoons are landing in Poland as I speak to support our Nato ally with the greater threat of Russian interference.

I authorised the full deployment of a battalion-size UK strategic reservists to Natos Kosovo peacekeeping mission.

In the days ahead, hundreds of soldiers from the 1st battalion Princess of Waless Royal Regiment will join 400 British servicemen and women already in Kosovo.

This comes as Rishi Sunak has made clear that defence secretary Grant Shapps suggestion that British troops could train forces in Ukraine is not for the here and now during the war against the Russian invasion.

The PM on Sunday ruled out UK forces going to Ukraine and said that the recently appointed political head of the Ministry of Defence was discussing possible plans for the long term.

Recommended Grant Shapps reveals military training plans inside Ukraine

Mr Shapps had said in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph that eventually he would like to get Britains long-standing training of Volodymyr Zelenskys troops in country rather than in the UK.
Celebrity Flights tracks the private flying-around of the rich and famousand the colossal carbon footprints they have. Elon Musk is the world's most jet-set person, clocking 363k kilometers in the last year and generating 1021 tons of carbon dioxide. Trump is a distant second, with less than half the footprint and a quarter of the mileage.

Welcome to Celebrity Flight, where you will find a trusted resource for uncovering the environmental impact of celebrity private jet flights. The goal is to raise awareness about the high CO 2 emissions associated with these extravagant journeys and shed light on their environmental consequences.

Most of these folks, except Trump, have boasted of their environmental credentials. Note, though, that the travel might not be personal. Private jet owners typically rent out their rides when not personally in use. Nonetheless, Zuckerberg flying from Newark to JFK is funny. I'd fly Newark to JFK to avoid the Holland Tunnel. I think Greta Thunberg would fly Newark to JFK to avoid the Holland Tunnel.
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John Lewis boss Dame Sharon White is to step down after five years, making her the shortest-serving chair in the partnerships 100-year history.

Dame Sharon has initiated talks with the firms board to appoint her successor after telling them she will not be seeking a second term.

Her current five-year term will end in February 2025 at which point she will step down as chair of the chair of the John Lewis Partnership (JLP), the firm have confirmed. It is expected her successor will be named at some point next year.

Dame Sharon said: The Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership is a special and unique role in UK business. The Chairman is responsible for the long-term health of the Partnerships model  commercial success twinned with a commitment to first rate customer service and action in our communities.

Having led the Partnership through the pandemic and the worst of the cost of living crisis, it is important that there is now a smooth and orderly succession process and handover.

The Partnership is making progress in its modernisation and transformation with improving results. There is a long road ahead and I am committed to handing on the strongest possible Partnership to my successor.

Sources told the BBC that she is leaving at a moment when she considers the worst of the cost of living crisis to be over and believes is a good time to seek an orderly succession.

Dame Sharons resignation after five years makes her the shortest-serving chair of the partnership since it began. Her predecessor Sir Charlie Mayfield served 13 years as chair and the longest serving chairman, founder John Spedan Lewis, served 26 years as chair.

The former Ofcom chief joined the employee-owned business at the start of 2020 as the first woman to lead the company with an annual salary of 990,000.

But she faced controversy last year when she considered selling a stake in the partnership to outside investors to raise funds. The plan, which would have broken the employee-owned structure of the partnership, was eventually shelved.

Last year, the partnership, which also owns Waitrose, was forced to scrap annual staff bonuses after reporting a loss of 234m. It was only the second time John Lewis failed to pay an annual staff bonus since the scheme began in 1953.

The partnership announced two weeks ago that losses had narrowed to 59m for the first six months of the year. It comes after Waitrose recently announced that they would sell off a number of stores and lease them back to save funds.

Earlier this year, Dame Sharon won a confidence vote on her leadership as chair of JLP following controversy over the companys financial losses and her consideration of outside investment.

At the time, Chris Earnshaw, president of the JLP council said: The council did not support last years performance, in which we reported a full-year loss and no partner bonus. The council, chair and board will continue to work together to ensure the long-term success of the partnership and our employee-owned model.

JLP say that as part of the recruitment process, Dame Sharon has also asked the board to review the accountabilities of the chairmans role to ensure that these continue to support the successful transformation of the business.

The firm added that deputy chairman and chairman of the nominations committee, Rita Clifton, will oversee the appointment process. As required by the partnerships constitution, the appointment will be approved by the Partnership Board.
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A new Royal Mint commemorative coin in honour of Jamaican-British nurse Mary Seacole has been revealed to coincide with the UKs Black History Month.

It is the second coin to feature a named Black female and has received a Royal Proclamation from King Charles III.

The design team at The Royal Mint recreated the portrait of Mary Seacole which is depicted in a photograph held at Winchester College.

The image was believed to have been taken by a leading photographer favoured by Queen Victoria between the late 1860s and early 1870s, according to the Winchester College archive.

Trevor Sterling, chair of Mary Seacole Trust, said: This is another significant historical moment and it pays tribute to Mary Seacole as a symbol of the NHS, diversity, social justice and also in understanding the diverse contributions that have been made to this country.

Mary Seacole served as a nurse in the Crimean War (Rex)

Im looking forward to travelling to Jamaica to honour Mary Seacole Day - 23 November - to present the coin to the new Jamaican High Commissioner and gift a coin to the Institute of Jamaica.

Its our way of saying thank you, we know that you suffered a loss as a result, and we acknowledge whats been given to us.

The ribbon featured on Mary Seacoles portrait was part of her attire as she would wear it to highlight her involvement in Crimea.

The coins edge inscription reads THE ONE WHO NURSED HER SICK, which was extracted from a quote by a War Correspondent for The Times, William H Russell in 1857.

(MSC Trust)

Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint said: We are delighted to launch the Mary Seacole commemorative 5 coin.

We hope this coin design pays tribute to her incredible legacy and celebrates her adventurous life and diligent work as a heroine of the Crimean War.

Campaigner Patrick Vernon has been at the forefront of several high-profile campaigns on cultural heritage and social justice, including one to include Ms Seacole on a 50 note, which was backed by over 100,000 people - and add her to the national curriculum.

The 50 note campaign was launched by Bank Notes of Colour and lobbied for legal tender to be more representative, showcasing Britains diverse histories. It was led by Zehra Zaidi, a former Conservative parliamentary candidate, alongside Mr Vernon - and backed by PM Rishi Sunak when he was chancellor.

Earlier this year, the Royal Mint unveiled a commemorative coin to celebrate Dame Shirley Basseys 70-year musical career.

However, to date, no non-white person has ever been featured on legal tender British coins or notes.

Mr Vernon, who launched the 100 Great Black Britons poll in 2004 where the nurse topped the list, told The Independent that her image should feature on legal tender.

Obviously its great news that Mary Seacole has been recognised by the Royal Mint. However, this is commemorative and not a legal tender, which I hoped it would be, that could be circulated and used widely among members of the public.

A collectable coin is good enough. Bank Notes of Colour campaigned for a person of colour to be on currency and thats not been achieved yet in 2023, bearing in mind that the Bank of England and all those institutions with a history of enslavement of Black people have not acknowledged our contribution to Britain. Having more Black people on legal tender would be a powerful way to do that.

No 10 has been approached for comment regarding why Ms Seacoles coin is not on legal tender, despite Mr Sunak previously calling for this.

(Patrick Vernon)

The coins reveal comes seven years after a 12-year campaign which raised 500,000 to honour her as a statue at St Thomas Hospital London - the first ever statue of a named Black female.

Sculpture Martin Jennings, who designed the Mary Seacole statue at St Thomas Hospital London, designed the heads side of the coin featuring King Charles III.

Ms Seacole was born Mary Jane Grant in Jamaica, 1805, to a Scottish soldier and a Black Jamaican woman.

Due to racism, the nurse faced civil rights limitations, including not being allowed to vote, hold public office, or pursue professional careers, while her mother ran a boarding house for sick soldiers, where Ms Seacole eventually gained nursing skills.

Ms Seacole married Edwin Seacole in 1836, a white man, but he passed away eight years later. She then began to travel extensively and studied both traditional and European medical ideas.

In 1854, she travelled to England and requested to serve as an Army nurse in the Crimea, but her request was denied.

Undeterred, she went to the Crimea anyway and established the British Hotel near Balaclava, offering comfortable accommodations for sick and recovering officers. She also courageously cared for wounded soldiers on the battlefield, often in the midst of gunfire.

As a result of her selfless work, the nurse earned nickname Mother Seacole and was highly regarded during her time, rivalling Florence Nightingale in reputation.

After the war, she returned to England in a state of poverty and poor health. In July 1857, a benefit festival was organized to raise money for her, drawing thousands of supporters - but she passed away on May 14, 1881.

Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment.

With a history spanning more than 1,100 years, The Royal Mint is Britains oldest companies and the original maker of UK coins.

The Mary Seacole commemorative 5 coin is available in Gold Proof, Silver Proof, Silver Proof Piedfort and Brilliant Uncirculated, and is available to purchase via The Royal Mint website.
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A new Royal Mint coin in honour of a 19th-century Jamaican nurse who cared for British soldiers is the first to feature a named black woman from outside the UK.

Mary Seacole, who had a Scottish father, overcame racism in her home country to nurse soldiers wounded during the Crimean War in the 19th century.

Her commemorative coin, released on Monday, comes seven years after a 12-year campaign which raised 500,000 to honour her with a statue at St Thomas Hospital London  the first statue of a named, black female in the UK.

Sculptor Martin Jennings, who designed the statue, also drew up the design for the coins reverse, which features King Charles.

The 5 coin, which is not for legal tender, has been produced to commemorate and celebrate the women of Britain, a spokeswoman for the Mary Seacole Trust said.

This is a very proud moment Trevor Sterling, Mary Seacole Trust

Trevor Sterling, chair of Mary Seacole Trust, said: This is another significant historical moment and it pays tribute to Mary Seacole as a symbol of the NHS, diversity, social justice and also in understanding the diverse contributions that have been made to this country.

This is a very proud moment, and Im looking forward to travelling to Jamaica to honour Mary Seacole Day to present the coin to the new Jamaican high commissioner and gift a coin to the Institute of Jamaica.

Its our way of saying thank you, we know that you suffered a loss as a result, and we acknowledge whats been given to us.

Mary Seacole was born in Jamaica in 1805 to a Scottish soldier and a Jamaican woman.

She considered herself to be a Creole and faced civil rights limitations, including not being allowed to vote, hold public office or pursue a professional career.

In 1854, she travelled to England and requested to serve as an Army nurse in the Crimea, but her request was denied.

Undeterred, she went to the Crimea anyway and established the British Hotel near Balaclava, offering comfortable accommodation for sick and recovering officers.

The nurse also risked gunfire on the front line to help gravely wounded soldiers, earning herself the nickname Mother Seacole.

The coin is available in gold Proof, silver Proof, and silver Proof Piedfort.
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Pupils in England are to be banned from using their mobile phones in school under plans by the education secretary aimed at improving focus in class.

Gillian Keegan will tell headteachers to enforce the ban during breaks as well as lessons. She will make an announcement at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester later on Monday.

Ms Keegan is scheduled to address the gathering this afternoon and will warn that mobiles have become an increasing distraction and are often used for bullying.

Many schools already have measures in place to restrict mobile phone access and the government encourages headteachers to limit their use.

Under the new guidance, which will not be legally binding, students will still be able to take their devices to school with them - for use on journeys there and back.

There has been an ongoing debate about the use of mobile phones, constant notifications and their impact on learning in schools. Surveys have shown that parents are broadly in favour of banning mobile phones.

A 2021 survey by the comparison website Uswitch found more than half backed a ban while 74 per cent agreed that mobiles were a distraction in class.

Finland in June this year became the latest country to ban phones in class following a decline in exams results.

Research shows mobile phones are a distraction in class (Getty Images)

France and China are among the other countries to have introduced bans.

Just a month later the United Nations published a major report recommending that the devices should be banned to improve classroom disruption and cyberbullying.

The idea of an outright ban on phones in schools has been proposed before, including by schools minister Nick Gibb in 2019.

It was floated again by former education Gavin Williamson in 2021 but never implemented.

Gillian Keegan will make an announcement later on Monday at her partys conference (PA)

In February 2022, the education department said blanket national rules were not necessary because a majority of schools in England were already taking action.

Headteachers already have the power to restrict phones on their premises and the government estimated in 2018 that 95 per cent of schools have imposed restrictions.

Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland do not currently have blanket bans in place.

A government source told the BBC they were confident that the ban would reduce mobile phone use despite many schools already taking action.

Ms Keegan is due to speak at her partys conference later.

She will deliver an address from the main stage of the Manchester Convention Centre in the afternoon following speeches by cabinet colleagues Jeremy Hunt, Kemi Badenoch, Mel Stride and Therese Coffey.

The Department for Education has been contacted for comment.
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Criminals may be released from jail early or not locked up in the first place as figures uncovered by The Independent show overcrowding in prisons is nearing breaking point.

New statistics reveal the majority of prisons are now dangerously full, with some  including Wandsworth, where ex-soldier Daniel Khalife is accused of escaping  holding 70 per cent more inmates than they should.

The shortfall prompted warnings from the chief of prison governors, former home secretary Jack Straw and former Tory prisons minister Rory Stewart, who all warned that early release may have to be considered to tackle the crisis.

Talk of the drastic measure comes as:

Latest figures show nearly two-thirds of jails in England are officially overcrowded with just 768 free spaces within the entire prison estate

A prison union threatened to take legal action if the Ministry of Justice asked governors to find extra capacity in already packed prisons

The HM inspector of prisons said prisoners were already being asked to double up in cells to avert crisis

Experts warned of the longer-term problem of accommodating prisoners, even if short-term fixes are found

The prison governors chief warned the nuclear button could be pressed very soon, as the system runs dangerously close to capacity.

Andrea Albutt, president of the Prison Governors Association (PGA), said it was common sense that the government would have to consider an early release scheme for thousands of prisons, adding: The fact is were overcrowded to the nth degree and there is no capacity left. Once we are full, we are full.

She said: We are reaching the critical point. The point of no return. In the adult male estate, there are only a few hundred spaces left, and that will be consumed in the next couple of weeks.

The UKs prison population has been rising since 2020 and there are now 87,793 inmates behind bars (Getty/The Independent)

Mr Straw, who as Labours justice secretary oversaw an early release scheme for prisoners, said although he was not updated on the current state of prisons, the government was facing a perfect storm arising from the willful neglect of the whole criminal justice system over the past 13 years.

Discussing early release, he went on: The government would find that very uncomfortable, but they may have to do it.

Rishi Sunak, Suella Braverman and Alex Chalk need to realise the state of crisis and that the government is failing in one of its fundamental duties, to keep people safe.

And Mr Stewart said those in power should have the courage to abolish short prison sentences for minor offenders in a bid to tackle the issue.

The only way of addressing this is for a political party to have the courage to reduce the prison population. They will never be able to build enough prisons to keep up.

Lets abolish short sentences in prison for minor offences and lets reduce the length of sentences. We should be learning from Europe, not the United States, and locking up fewer people.

The UKs prison population has been steadily rising since 2020 and there are now 87,793 inmates locked up. As of 29 September, capacity across the whole estate stood at 88,561.

HMP Wandsworth is at 170 per cent occupancy, according to August statistics from the Ministry of Justice. HMP Leeds is currently at 172 per cent occupancy, and HMP Durham is at 171 per cent.

The government estimates these figures will only get worse, with the prison population expected to increase to between 93,100 and 106,300 by March 2027.

Justice committee chair Sir Bob Neill has warned that even if the new prisons in the pipeline are completed on time, there would still be a shortfall in March 2025 of 2,300 places.

Justice secretary Alex Chalk (Lucy North/PA) (PA)

HM inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor warned prisons may hit a crisis point in the next six months to a year but said that temporary measures, such as using police cells under a scheme known as operation safeguard, could alleviate this. However, he expressed concern that this will eventually come to a head as the prison population grows.

Police cells have been used to house prisoners 871 times between February  when the scheme started  and June.

Mr Taylor said: In the longer term theres a much more protracted problem where we wont be able to accommodate people anymore. Youve got three choices; you either build a bigger bath, let some of the water out of the bath, or turn the taps off.

Overcrowding affects everything  it means prisons spend longer locked up, theres more pressure on showers, pressure on getting out for exercise, rising levels of violence.

A prison is classified as overcrowded if the number of prisoners held exceeds the Certified Normal Accommodation (CNA). The CNA is set by the prison service and is the number of spots available for prisoners under a decent standard of accommodation. The operational capacity is the absolute maximum number of prisoners that could fit into the prison.

Daniel Khalife has pleaded not guilty to escaping from HMP Wandsworth on 6 September (Lucy North/PA) (PA)

Analysis by The Independent shows that 78 out of 124 jails in England and Wales have a population greater than the number of CNA spaces.

The Ministry of Justice has said is it taking measures to reduce the demand pressures on the system, including increasing (within safe limits) the number of prisoners held in the existing estate, and bringing non-critical maintenance cells back online.

All non-critical maintenance work has also been paused. The department has also expanded the Home Detention Curfew scheme, allowing prisoners to be released from jail earlier under conditions such as tagging.

Internal analysis from May found this would free up 300 prison spaces. Magistrates have also been told to have an awareness of the impact of the current prison population levels when sentencing.

Ms Albutt said the situation was making work very dangerous for governors, adding: If the government further overcrowd our prisons, if they say to our members you will put more people in your already overcrowded prison, we will take legal action.

Labour MP Andy Slaughter, who has HMP Wormwood Scrubs in his constituency, has written to the justice secretary to share his concerns about the underlying problems of staffing and overcrowding.

He added that overcrowding could actually be worse than is realised. When I met with the governor of Wormwood Scrubs, she told me the Ministry of Justice had only recently asked her to increase operational capacity. How can we know the real rates of overcrowding if the government just increases the capacity of a prison at will?

David Shipley, who spent time in Wandsworth for fraud in 2020, said overcrowding has led to slipping standards: Often Wandsworth felt like a barely controlled nightmarish inner-city comprehensive.

There were so many prisoners that you would have one, two, three staff on a wing with a few hundred prisoners. Often they wouldnt have the energy or capacity to really enforce standards of behaviour.

He described one incident when he walked onto a wing to see a prisoner smoking a spliff. When the prison officer told him he couldnt smoke, the prisoner just laughed and walked away.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: We will always ensure there are enough cells to lock up dangerous criminals and keep the public safe.

Were pressing ahead with the biggest expansion of prison places in over a century  delivering 20,000 additional spaces including six new jails. Around 5,500 new places have already been delivered including HMP Fosse Way and weve created short-term capacity by doubling up cells where it is safe to do so and delaying non-urgent maintenance work.
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Residents in a picturesque seaside village dubbed Chelsea-on-Sea have voted to ban people from buying second homes, after complaining the area is being "hollowed out" by Londoners flocking to buy holiday lets.

Burnham Market, where the average house price is now 1m, has been given the nickname because of the large proportion of Londoners with property there.

Outside peak season, residents say the village is left "hollowed out" because of the number of holiday homes left empty in the winter months.

A recent referendum in the Norfolk village has now seen locals overwhelmingly back a bid to limit the number of second homes and holiday lets.

More than 80 per cent supported the introduction of new measures to curb such properties, by putting conditions on all new developments. These require them to be principal residences and ban existing homes from being turned into holiday retreats.

We need young people to be able to stay here to keep the village vibrant, council chairman says (Chris Bishop/Newsquest/SWNS)

The proposals only needed 50 per cent approval to come into force, but in reality, the final figure was much higher.

Dennis Clark, chairman of Burnham Market parish council, said: Its a positive move forward for the village because it is what the village wants.

We dont want to keep people away from Burnham Market, but we want to encourage lower-cost housing so that the people who work here can live here. We need young people to be able to stay here to keep the village vibrant.

It is estimated that one in four properties in Burnham Market is a second home, and the population has fallen by more than a fifth in just two decades.

Speaking to The Independent, Anthony Green, 49, is a carpenter and was born and raised in Burnham Market before house prices stopped him from staying there. I cant afford to live in Burnham anymore, its way out of my budget, he says. Some of the homes dont get used all year round, its a waste. I know people who visit their homes once or twice a year and the rest of the year, theyre living in Barbados.

Mr Green says he can see both sides as 90 percent of his carpentry work is for second homes, however, ultimately he agrees with the decision to stop people buying second homes in the village. Ive had no chance of buying a second home around here, so future generations definitely dont have a chance.

He says that second home owners often dont mix well and that the community hustle and bustle is now gone as pharmacies, banks, bakeries and other local businesses have shut down to be replaced by posh clothes shops and cafes.

The average house price in the village is now 1m (Chris Bishop / Newsquest / SWNS)

He describes the atmosphere as completely dead over the winter and then awful in summer where the big cars take up all the parking spots and its packed constantly.

However, Abbie Davies, 34, who is a cleaner and owns a laundry in nearby Fakenham said: A lot of my work is based in Burnham market and without these second home owners Id be out of work.

A 2021 census revealed Burnham Market has 724 residents. Of them, some 635 people were eligible to vote in the village, with 201 casting their ballot  a turnout of 32 per cent. In total 161  80.1 per cent - voted in favour and 40  19.9 per cent - voted against.

The average house price in the village is now 1m and, as in other villages in the area, locals say they are being priced out.

Those who remain have warned of the area being hollowed out by the large number of properties which are often left empty.

Now the proposals have been approved they will become part of the villages neighbourhood plan which will be used to guide West Norfolk Council when determining local planning applications.

Additional reporting by SWNS.
 Close Sycamore Gap: 300-year-old tree stars in 90s classic Robin Hood movie before vandalism

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Hadrians Wall has been damaged by the vandals who chopped down the Sycamore Gap tree, investigators have discovered.

Historic England said it found some damage had been caused to the 1,900-year-old wall, one of Britains best-known Unesco world heritage sites, in a preliminary inspection.

A spokesperson for the historical preservation body told The Independent: While we identified that Hadrians Wall has sustained some damage, we have not been able to access the site to carry out a full investigation so a further archaeological appraisal will take place once the site is considered safe.

It comes as The National Trust, which manages the land in Northumberland where the iconic tree once stood, said it has been overwhelmed with thousands of messages of support and over 150 offers of help.

The charity told The Independent its immediate priority has been ensuring the safety of the tree and it is still working on plans for the safe removal of Sycamore Gap. But the spokesperson added that The National Trust is beginning discussions with stakeholders about the future of the site.

Police previously arrested a 16-year-old boy and a man, aged in his 60s, in connection with the incident. Both have since been released on bail.
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Who cut it down and can the Sycamore Gap tree be saved?

Those are the questions still at the forefront of the minds of tree lovers everywhere from Northumberland to Newquay some four days after the iconic maple was chopped down.

Distraught celebrities and politicians were among those to express their outrage at the felling of the iconic tree, described by police as a deliberate act of vandalism.

Heres everything we know so far as officers continue to hunt for the culprit.

Why is the tree so significant?

The tree, believed to have been one of the most photographed in the country, used to sit in a gap along Hadrians Wall - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - in rural Northumberland and was a popular hotspot for tourists, walkers and others.

It is believed to have dated back to medieval times and has been excavated on two occasions - between 1908 and 1911 and again between 1982 and 1987, when Roman remains linked to Hadrians Wall were found.

The sycamore perhaps first became known around the globe after featuring in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman and Alan Rickman.

A man has been arrested over the felling of the famous tree (PA) (PA Wire)

When was it cut down?

Reports first emerged that the tree had been felled overnight on 27 September, with Northumberland police vowing to bring those responsible to justice.

The National Trust, which manages the land where the tree stood, said it was shocked and saddened to learn of the news.

It subsequently closed the site where the tree was located.

Who did it?

Police arrested a man aged in his 60s on Friday on suspicion of criminal damage but he has since been released, pending further inquiries.

A relative posted a picture of the retired lumberjack at home with his grandson as they denied his involvement in the felling.

A boy, 16, who was also arrested on suspicion of criminal damage on Thursday, was later released on bail.

On Sunday reports said officers seized a chainsaw near the site where the tree was cut down.

A chainsaw is seized in hunt for culprit (North News & Pictures Ltd)

Can the tree be regrown or will it have to be replaced?

Andrew Poad of the National Trust pointed to the health of the three as one reason to believe it could be regrown.

Its a very healthy tree, we can see that now because of the condition of the stump, he told BBC.

It may well regrow a coppice from the stump. And if we could nurture that, then that might be one of the best outcomes, and then we keep the tree.

But any effort to regrow the tree is likely to take hundreds of years, according to Mark Feather, UK estate manager for conservation charity, the Woodland Trust.

He told of his upset and warned that while it took minutes to cut the tree down it could take literally centuries to grow back.

He added that even though there is a chance of regrowth, this is not guaranteed, especially because of the great age and size of the tree. Hopefully it will, he said. But this is not a given certainty. Time will tell.

Then, if the Sycamore Gap tree does succeed in resprouting, he said it is unlikely it would return to its former statuesque shape, and would instead probably become a bushy tree with multiple stems at the base.

Tree lovers pay tribute

A woman who wrote a poem was among those to have paid tribute to the tree, describing it as a sentinel of time.

Laura Charlton, says she wrote the poem, an Ode to a Sycamore Tree, to try to capture the recklessness of the actions and the sense of bereavement the locals are feeling.

The birds sing their morning song/Wind dances through the leaves/Almost just as it once was/Yet Northumberland is bereaved, it read.

Residents across the UK - not just in Northumberland - have been expressing their anger at the felling of the three.

Stephen Gallen, from Castlederg in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, said it was horrifying that someone could destroy something as beautiful as the tree on Hadrians wall.

He also shared a picture of a stunning sycamore tree in his hometown (below).

(Stephen Gallen)

Fundraisers set up

Fundraising efforts are set up by well-wishers who want to see the area where the tree stood rejuvenated.

Some locals had complained that the area around Hadrians Wall had been overfarmed, with sheep often roaming the fields where it stands.

One fundraiser, which planned to give funds to the National Trust, had raised nearly 5,000 as of Monday afternoon.
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Former defence secretary Ben Wallace has said he urged the Prime Minister to increase military support to Ukraine by more than 2 billion  a rise of 50 per cent.

The veteran Conservative argued that with extra Western weapons, Kyiv could end the battle against Russia and expel the invaders.

Mr Wallace, an ally of Boris Johnson, stepped down from the defence brief in a mini-reshuffle in August, having already announced his decision not to contest the next general election.

Writing for The Daily Telegraph, the former Scots Guard lamented that the UK was no longer Kyivs biggest military backer in Europe, having slipped behind Germany.

His call for additional resources to be sent to Ukraine comes as the debate grows in the West about the level of backing to continue offering the partially occupied nation.

We need to give Ukraine the support it requires to see this war to the end Former defence secretary Ben Wallace

In the US, Republicans in Congress have been resisting sending more aid to the eastern European country with Democrat President Joe Biden urging politicians to stop playing games in the face of the Kremlins brutal aggression.

In Slovakia, populist former prime minister Robert Fico won early parliamentary elections having vowed to withdraw his countrys military support for Ukraine.

Mr Wallace said one of his final acts as defence secretary was to press for further financial backing from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and his forces.

We have a chance to help finish this. The Russian army is cracking, Mr Wallace said.

We need to give Ukraine the support it requires to see this war to the end.

Before I left office, I asked the PM to match or increase the 2.3 billion pledged to Ukraine this year, to add to the 4.6 billion we have spent already.

The former cabinet minister urged Britain to help Ukraine maintain its momentum in the counter offensive, a push that will require more munitions and storm shadow missiles and other long-range weapons, he said.

Mr Wallace said that with Kyivs troops pressing forward against heavily-mined Russian defences, it was possible the next stage of the conflict which has been raging since February 2022, could be the beginnings of the battle for Crimea  the peninsula in southern Ukraine annexed by Moscow in 2014.

No 10, which said it would not be responding to Mr Wallaces remarks, has requested the Ministry of Defences (MoD) views on future spending, according to the Telegraph.

The MoD said it would not be commenting.

The UK committed 2.3 billion of military support in 2022 and the Government confirmed it would sustain that in 2023.

Officials said Britain remains committed to providing Kyiv with long-range precision strike weapons, artillery, air defence and armoured vehicles, while also liaising with Mr Zelenskys administration about their requests for more weapons.

The funding debate comes after Mr Sunak made clear that British troops would not train Ukrainian forces in the war-torn country while its battle with Russian president Vladimir Putins troops is going on.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who replaced Mr Wallace, had said in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph that eventually he would like to conduct Britains long-standing training in country rather than in the UK.

Mr Sunak said the senior minister was expressing a long-term ambition and not something for the here and now.

There are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict. Thats not whats happening, he told broadcasters during a visit to Burnley on Sunday.

The UK has trained more than 25,000 Ukrainian armed forces personnel, according to official MoD figures.
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A group of Conservatives elected in 2019 will set out their own manifesto ideas, including banning gender ideology from being taught in schools and slashing taxes.

They are two points from the New Conservatives five pledges, which also demands curbs on legal migration by halving the number of visas awarded to foreign workers.

The Tory MPs are arguing for the current set of rights and equalities laws, which enshrine the freedoms in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), to be replaced with a so-called British framework.

Made up of the likes of Devizes MP Danny Kruger, Ipswich MP Tom Hunt and Miriam Cates, the MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge  as well as having the support of deputy Tory chairman Lee Anderson  the group said so-called gender ideology should be banned in schools and parents should have the right to oversee the sex education their children received.

A report in March by right-leaning think tank Policy Exchange said schools were increasingly becoming influenced by gender ideology, claiming single-sex spaces were being compromised and that gender identity beliefs were being taught unchallenged in Relationships, Sex & Health Education lessons.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was very concerned about the reports findings but the new transgender guidance he promised for schools has yet to be published.

Meanwhile, the New Conservatives, as part of their pledges, said students who fail their A-levels should not be allowed to access taxpayer-funded loans to attend university, with more money invested in apprenticeships instead.

Taxes should be cut for families, small businesses and entrepreneurs, they added.

With the Tories trailing Labour by an average 18 points in opinion polls, the MPs say they are focused on policies that could appeal to Red Wall voters who switched their allegiance from Labour to give Boris Johnson his landslide victory at the general election four years ago.

Ms Cates, in a promotional video published on social media, said the group was launching a movement to make sure those 2019 voters give us the support we need to win again next time.

The New Conservatives said the five demands, designed to mirror the Prime Ministers own five pledges to voters ahead of the next general election, ought to make up the backbone of the next Conservative Party manifesto.

The policies are due to be set out at a rally on Monday on the fringes of the Tory conference in Manchester, with senior Tories such as former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and former home secretary Dame Priti Patel expected to speak.

Ahead of the rally, the group published a survey suggesting there was support among British voters for replacing human rights laws inherited from Europe if they were replaced with domestic equivalents that protected freedoms but allowed the UK Government to more easily deport migrants who arrived without permission to reside.

Polling of more than 2,000 UK adults between September 22 and 24 by Whitestone Insight found voters supported replacing the current European system of human rights laws applied in Britain with new British laws that protect rights like free speech but enable the Government to promptly deport illegal migrants.

Some 30% of voters said they strongly supported the statement and almost a quarter said they tended to support it, giving a net support figure of 54%, compared to net opposition of 27%.

Conservative-identifying voters had a net support of 86%, while 6% opposed and 8% said they did not know what they thought.

Net support among Labour voters reached 40%, with 43% in opposition.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has kept the door open to possibly leaving the ECHR, with Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch also saying that withdrawing should remain an option as Mr Sunak looks to deliver on his pledge of stopping boats carrying migrants from crossing the Channel.

The first deportation flight to Rwanda last year was halted following intervention by the European Court of Human Rights, which interprets the convention.

The Government policy of sending migrants that arrive in Britain without authorisation to Rwanda or back to their country of origin is currently held up in the courts.

The New Conservatives announced their arrival in July with a report calling for ministers to close temporary visa schemes for care workers and cap the number of refugees resettling in the UK at 20,000.

The publication of the report, The New Conservatives Plan To Cut Migration, came after the Office for National Statistics said that legal net migration stood at 606,000 last year.

Ms Cates, speaking at the reports launch event in Westminster, said that without reforms were not going to stop the addiction to cheap labour.
Donald Trump today attended his civil fraud trial in New York: the one over lies he told lenders about the value of his properties to secure loans. He's at a disadvantage, becuase the judge already ruled him a "persistent and repeated" fraud, but he has the ineffable advantage of being Trump in an environment designed to serve people such as he.

Trump inflated his net worth by as much as $3.6 billion in three separate years between 2011 and 2021, according to the attorney general's office. Attorneys for Trump have refuted the claims, arguing that asset valuations are highly subjective and that they are still sorting through what the ruling means for the company's future.

Trump's strategy so far is to rant about the prosecutor, Letitia Jamesan endless distraction from whatever truly matters in court.
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A third man has appeared in court after being charged in relation with the seizure of almost 160 million euro (139 million) of cocaine on a bulk cargo ship off the coast of Ireland.

Soheil Jelveh, 50, an Iranian national of no fixed abode, appeared before Wexford District Court on Monday morning.

Jelveh, who was referred to in court as a ship captain, was charged with being in the possession of cocaine on September 24 and further charged with being in possession of the controlled drug for the purpose of selling or supplying it in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to 2019.

He was also charged with importing cocaine on September 24 in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017-2019.

A total of 2,253kg of cocaine was found on the MV Matthew cargo ship after members of the Irish Army Ranger Wing captured the vessel off the Co Cork coast by abseiling from a helicopter earlier this week.

The Irish police service, An Garda Siochana, said the seizure was the largest in the history of the state.

Police believe the cocaine, seized on the cargo ship after the dramatic military operation at sea, was destined for distribution beyond Ireland, potentially into the UK and continental Europe.

Detective Garda Liam Mangan, from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau told the court that Jelveh was arrested at 2.21pm on Sunday and charged at 3.31pm.

He said the accused had been airlifted from the cargo vessel on September 25 after reports that he was injured were received.

He had been transferred to Waterford Hospital where he was searched by gardai.

Gardai objected to bail application from Jelvehs solicitor Lana Doherty.

Judge John Cheatle rejected the bail application: The allegations against the defendant are so serious and his links to the jurisdiction are so tenuous it renders bail impossible, in my mind, in this situation.

Jelveh was remanded in custody to appear again at Wexford District Court via videolink on October 9.

Additionally, Ms Doherty said Jelveh did not need medical attention but asked for consideration that he receive protection in prison, which gardai agreed to.

He was also granted legal aid.

Jelveh was remanded in custody to appear again at Wexford District Court via videolink on October 9.

A fishing trawler that grounded off the coast of Co Wexford late on Sunday was also being monitored as part of the operation, amid suspicions it was en route to rendezvous with the cargo ship.

Two men who had been winched from that vessel also appeared before Wexford District Court on Monday.

Jamie Harbron, 31, of South Avenue, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, UK, and 60-year-old Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, of no fixed abode, were charged with conspiracy to import drugs.

Appearing via videolink, they were further remanded in custody to appear again on October 16 awaiting direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Five other men have been arrested in relation to the case.

One has been released without charge while the other four remain in custody.
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Chinas economy would collapse if it went to war with Taiwan, James Cleverly said, as he defended his policy of clear eyed engagement with Beijing.

The Foreign Secretary said concerns about the strength of Chinas economy were already forcing the ruling Communist Party to change course.

Mr Cleverly became the first UK Foreign Secretary to visit China in five years when he made the trip to Beijing in August.

At a Conservative Party conference fringe event hosted by the Spectator, Mr Cleverly said war between China and Taiwan would be a massive failure of foreign policy because disruption across the Taiwan Strait is everybodys business.

Taiwan is a self-governing island that China claims and tensions have been running high in recent years.

Beijing has stepped up its military exercises aimed at the island, sending fighter jets and navy vessels to patrol and hold drills in the waters and skies around it.

Mr Cleverly said huge international trade volumes go through that body of water and war would be a catastrophically bad thing for the global economy.

It would also collapse the Chinese economy and as we are now seeing, the Chinese economy is not all-powerful.

He said preventing a Taiwan conflict is an absolute core plank of UK foreign policy.

Mr Cleverly said he believed following his conversation with counterpart Wang Yi in China that Beijing was sensitive to the risk of economic disruption as a result of its policies.

I made the point that whether its the Philippines, which I visited just before going to Beijing, or the UK or the US or Australia or others, we are all taking measures which are just nudging down our trade volumes with China, and the cumulative effect is having a real impact on China.

When I had that discussion he listened very, very closely, his officials were looking very intently.

He said the Chinese people had already forced the government to change course over its zero Covid policy, in a sign of public dissatisfaction with Xi Jinpings administration.

In an illustration of the state of Chinas economy, Mr Cleverly said the UK estimates Chinas youth unemployment is running at 25% and there are more newly-built vacant properties than the population of the UK.

He said that the UK has influence when a British Foreign Secretary basically says you need to do things differently, otherwise, you will see international trade subtly, gently trending away from you at at time when China is struggling to get the double-digit economic growth it needs to fund its contract with its own society.

Mr Cleverly also said he was encouraging African nations to process more of their raw materials domestically rather than sending them to China  which creates a pinch point which can become a stranglehold over international markets.

That would not only increase the resilience of supply chains but would also help stop the boats by providing an economic incentive for people in African nations to stay rather than risk crossing the Mediterranean to Europe and, potentially, boarding a vessel in the English Channel.

Mr Cleverlys visit to China angered some on the Tory benches who want a tougher line on Beijing.

But the Foreign Secretary declined to criticise them, pointing out some had been sanctioned by the Beijing administration and therefore have legitimate reasons to be really very frustrated with the behaviour of the Chinese government.
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Jeremy Hunt has distanced himself from Suella Bravermans hardline stance on immigration after backlash to her speech claiming that multiculturalism has failed.

The chancellor, who is married to a Chinese immigrant, said he would not use her words and insisted Britain benefits massively by welcoming people from around the world.

But Mr Hunt said the UKs tolerant attitude towards immigrants depends on fairness, highlighting an abuse of the immigration system by criminal gangs smuggling thousands of people over the Channel.

The chancellor was asked about Ms Bravermans US visit last month, where she called for an overhaul of the UN Refugee Convention, arguing it had become far too generous to migrants.

The home secretary said fearing persecution for being gay or a woman should not be enough to claim asylum.

She also said multiculturalism has failed, claimed uncontrolled immigration was an existential challenge for the West and argued that fears of being branded racist were preventing leaders from reforming global asylum policy.

At the time, she was accused of indulging in dog whistle politics to appeal to the right and bolster her support ahead of a future Conservative leadership race.

A leading Tory London Assembly member, who is patron of the LGBT+ Conservatives group, said: All this chitter chatter is not government policy  its just dog-whistling to a section of people who feel that we are being flooded with gays. Its just ridiculous.

The speech sparked a backlash among Tory MPs, including ministers, who complained to the chief whip over her poisonous comments.

Ahead of the partys annual conference on Sunday, Ms Bravermans predecessor Priti Patel said the speech was an effort to get attention.

And on Monday, Mr Hunt distanced himself from the home secretarys stance.

He told TalkTV: "I am married to an immigrant and Ive always believed that we benefit massively as a country from welcoming the brightest and best from all over the world.

"Suella Braverman wouldnt use my words, I wouldnt use her words.

"But shes absolutely right that the social contract that makes Britain one of the most tolerant countries in the world when it comes to immigrants depends on fairness.

"And what were seeing at the moment with these criminal gangs smuggling thousands of people over the Channel is not fair. Its an abuse of the way the law works in Britain, its an abuse of all the public services that you get free of charge here.

"And she is absolutely right to tackle that because otherwise we will undermine that social contract, and we wont have that tolerant attitude that were so proud of having in this country."

Foreign secretary James Cleverly also criticised Ms Bravermans remarks on multiculturalism.

He told Times Radio that the fact that he, Rishi Sunak and the home secretary were from an ethnic minority showed that Britain had been brilliant at integrating people who have come to this country.

Mr Cleverly added: I do sometimes worry that when people say multiculturalism, what theyre talking about is that fragmentation rather than coming together.
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Opponents of Brexit are relentlessly wanting to talk down our country, Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch will claim.

She will warn that the benefits of Brexit risk being lost if Sir Keir Starmer gets into government, claiming the Labour leader does not believe in the UKs ability to think for itself.

In her speech to the Conservative Party conference, she will acknowledge Brexit has posed challenges but will insist we are working to fix them.

But she will claim that all major economies are facing disruption to supply chains and labour problems caused by ageing demographics.

Our political opponents are obsessed with viewing every problem as Brexit. Relentlessly wanting to talk down our country Kemi Badenoch

It is only when I am back in the UK that l am told that all these issues are down to Brexit, she will say.

Our political opponents are obsessed with viewing every problem as Brexit. Relentlessly wanting to talk down our country.

The Office for Budget Responsibility has forecast that leaving the European Union will lead to productivity being 4% lower in the long run than if the UK had not broken away from Brussels.

But Ms Badenoch will tell activists in Manchester that critics are wrongly claiming Brexit is costing Britain 4% of gross domestic product per year, saying that was not only wrong but economically illiterate.

She will also highlight an economic recovery from the pandemic which outpaced France and Germany and had seen the UK go from the worlds sixth to fifth largest exporter of goods and services.

In the City of London, far from losing jobs, they are at a record high, with 8% more than in 2019.

But Im not here to tell you that leaving the EU was without challenges, she will say.

That would not be true. People knew it would take time and there would be challenges along the way. What is true is that we are working to fix them.

She will say: We must acknowledge what we might lose if we assume the arguments are won forever.

The people who tell you that Brexit is the cause of every problem do so because they think the answer to everything is the EU.

Listen to what Keir Starmer says His answer to the global challenges we face is to tax more, regulate more and ask the EU what to do next.

This is not someone who believes in the UKs ability to think for itself.

She will also praise Rishi Sunak for his changes to net zero policies, telling Tory members: We cant deliver our targets with magical thinking, expecting those who can least afford it, to not have cars or heat their homes.

We are on your side. The side of hard-working people, and entrepreneurs who take risks with their money and livelihoods to provide jobs and services for others.
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Kemi Badenoch has warned that advocates of identity politics are seeking to re-racialise society.

The Business Secretary claimed Labour wanted to bend the knee before this altar of intolerance, and invoked the words of American civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King.

Ms Badenoch, who is also the minister for women and equalities, told the Conservative Party conference that Labour didnt like the Governments Inclusive Britain Report.

The report found many people from ethnic minority backgrounds did not feel the Government was on their side, but was criticised for not acknowledging structural racism in the UK.

Hitting out at Labour, Ms Badenoch said: They want young people to believe a narrative of hopelessness, a narrative that says there is no point in trying because British society is against you and you are better off asking for reparations, a narrative that tells children like mine that the odds are stacked against them.

I tell my children that this is the best country in the world to be black because it is a country that sees people and not labels.

She added: Conservatives want young people to be proud of their country when others want them to be ashamed.

Let Labour bend the knee before this altar of intolerance, we will keep building a country that is in every way stronger and fairer for all Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch

It wasnt a tough decision for us to reject the divisive agenda of critical race theory. We believe, as Martin Luther King once said, people should be judged by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin.

And if that puts us in conflict with those who would re-racialise society, who would put up the divisions that have been torn down, then conference, all I can say is bring it on.

Let Labour bend the knee before this altar of intolerance, we will keep building a country that is in every way stronger and fairer for all.

Elsewhere in her speech, Ms Badenoch praised the Prime Minister for taking brave decisions to delay key net-zero commitments, including moving the deadline for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to 2035.

She compared Rishi Sunak with Sir Keir Starmer, and sought to discredit the Labour leader over his past support for remain in the Brexit referendum.

The people who tell you that Brexit is the cause of every problem, do so because they think the answer to everything is the EU, she said.

Ms Badenoch added: Listen to what Keir Starmer says  His answer to the global challenges we face is to tax more, regulate more and ask the EU what to do next.

She went on: Our Prime Minister is different. He set out his five priorities in black and white. He refused to cave to the public sector union barons, or dance to the tune of the metropolitan bubble on energy policy.

What he did two weeks ago was brave, shattering a lazy consensus about the costs of net zero.

Ms Badenoch later said: Next week, Labour will tell the country that it is ready for government. But ladies and gentlemen, let me ask you this, if Labour MPs cant tell us what a woman is, what else arent they telling us?
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A woman has launched legal action against her former employer claiming the company discriminated against her when she experienced menopause symptoms in a first-of-its-kind case.

Maria Rooney, a former social worker based in Leicester, said nobody supported her when she began experiencing anxiety linked to her work and menopausal symptoms.

The 52-year-old, whose case will be heard by an employment tribunal this week, said she felt let down and betrayed as she warned her employers had no compassion or knowledge about the menopause.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHCR), which is supporting Ms Rooneys case, said she was suffering from menopause symptoms, anxiety and depression when she took periods of extended sickness leave from her job as a social worker for Leicester City Council in 2017 and 2018.

The commission said Ms Rooney received a formal warning over her absences despite disclosing her symptoms - explaining she resigned in October 2018 after claiming she experienced unfavourable treatment and inappropriate comments about the issue.

From Monday, a Leicester employment tribunal will hear Ms Rooneys case, which is expected to last 16 days and centres around claims she was discriminated against, harassed and victimised by her employer on the grounds of disability and sex.

It is the first case involving an employment tribunal where menopause symptoms are deemed to amount to a disability for the purposes of the Equality Act, the EHRC said.

Ms Rooney said: I was a dedicated childrens social worker and I worked at Leicester City Council for 12 years but when I started suffering with work-related stress and anxiety and menopausal symptoms, nobody listened or helped me.

I felt let down and betrayed after working there for so long and I felt they had no compassion and understanding and awareness of the menopause.

I was a dedicated childrens social worker and I worked at Leicester City Council for 12 years but when I started suffering with work-related stress and anxiety and menopausal symptoms, nobody listened or helped me Maria Rooney

When I received a formal warning for being off sick I felt that I had not been treated fairly so I tried to appeal my managers decision, but unfortunately my appeal was not upheld so I made the tough decision to resign from a job I loved after 12 years of loyal service.

She said she was very grateful the EHRC had chosen to back her case and she hoped it would help other people who may be being discriminated against, harassed or victimised in their workplaces.

Menopause symptoms range from heart palpitations to hot flushes, vaginal pain, anxiety and depression, night sweats, insomnia, headaches, a reduced sex drive, recurrent urinary tract infections  as well as mood changes, difficulty concentrating and issues with memory.

The EHRC said employers should support workers who are affected by the menopause and may have a duty to make reasonable adjustments where symptoms are significant and may be a disability.

Menopause symptoms can significantly affect someones ability to work. Employers have a responsibility to support employees going through the menopause Baroness Kishwer Falkner, EHCR

Ms Rooney also held an occupational health report while in her previous role, which stated that she had work-related stress and anxiety, and a health and well-being passport for perimenopause.

Following her resignation, Ms Rooney lodged claims with the employment tribunal against the council in January 2019.

The tribunal decided in February 2022 that Ms Rooney was disabled at all material times covered by her claims, by virtue of her symptoms of menopause combined with stress and anxiety symptoms.

It marked the first time an employment appeal tribunal decided that menopause symptoms could amount to a disability, setting a legal precedent.

ECHR chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner said: Menopause symptoms can significantly affect someones ability to work.

As the tribunal is due to start hearing this case this week, it would not be appropriate for us to comment at this time Leicester City Council

Employers have a responsibility to support employees going through the menopause  it is to their benefit to do so, and the benefit of the wider workforce. Every employer should take note of this hearing.

I am pleased we can support Ms Rooney with her case which she has been fighting for several years now.

We will soon be launching new guidance for employers, so they have the resources to ensure they are looking after their staff who are going through the menopause, and we will encourage all employers to use it.

She said they will continue to intervene in cases like Ms Rooneys and use their unique powers to ensure employers are accountable for their actions.

Dr Louise Newson, a GP and menopause specialist, told The Independent 14 million work days are estimated to be lost in the UK every year due to debilitating menopausal symptoms.

She added: The menopause itself isnt classed as a disability; however, some severe symptoms might constitute disabilities as women experience physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on them carrying out their day-to-day activities. This case is a landmark occasion.

Diane Danzebrink, who runs the Menopause Support network, which works with over 33,000 women, said they hear from thousands of women every year, and unfortunately they still encounter those who felt forced to leave the workplace over a dearth of support.

I can't imagine how many teachers, social workers and healthcare professionals we have lost to the workforce during perimenopause and beyond over the past few years, she added. I have been aware of Marias case for several years now and I applaud her.

She called for the government to roll out national menopause workplace guidance for all employers, as well as launch a national public health campaign centred around the menopause.

A Leicester City Council spokesperson said: As the tribunal is due to start hearing this case this week, it would not be appropriate for us to comment at this time.

Additional reporting by Press Association
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Liz Truss will call on the Tory leadership to do more to boost housebuilding, with a speech to party members set to urge a revival of Conservative values.

The former prime minister will also use an appearance on the fringes of the Tory conference in Manchester to call once again for the de facto fracking ban to be lifted.

She will urge the Conservative leadership to position itself as the party of business again by slashing corporation tax.

Her appearance at a so-called growth rally will see Ms Truss argue we need to make the case for Conservatism again and do more to revive Conservative values and show that they deliver.

It is the latest public intervention by the short-lived prime minister, whose time in office was brought to an abrupt end last year after her mini-budget received a disastrous reception.

She will say: Weve got to get better at translating growth into what it means in day-to-day terms for people, businesses and families.

This is what Conservatives are supposed to believe in: cutting red tape, lower taxes and trusting that markets will find the solutions we all want Liz Truss

It means a better standard of living so that people have more disposable income to go on holiday, buy a new car or support their children.

If we axe the tax, cut bills and build houses, we would make life better and easier for the British public, and give them the freedom to thrive.

There is no reason we cannot go into the next election with a platform that is proudly Conservative. Lets stop taxing and banning things, and start producing and building things.

Ms Truss will add her voice to calls for drastic reform of housebuilding rules, taking aim too at newt protection policies.

She will say: There are too many politicians who say we need to build more homes and then baulk at removing one line of regulation. Newt protection or bat bridge anyone?

If we really want houses to be built, weve got to incentivise it. Weve got to give local communities the freedom to create housebuilding zones with no red tape through the offer of lower taxes.

We should reduce taxes in these areas enough so that we are building something like half a million homes a year.

This is what Conservatives are supposed to believe in: cutting red tape, lower taxes and trusting that markets will find the solutions we all want.

Ms Truss will also put pressure on the Government over fracking, after Rishi Sunak swiftly moved to re-introduce a moratorium on the practice after the collapse of her premiership.

By the end of this decade, if we dont get fracking for shale, the UK is set to import over two-thirds of the gas we need  from places over which we have no control, Ms Truss will warn.

That puts our security at risk, its expensive, and its worse for the planet  you have to burn petroleum to get it here. Ive never understood why environmental activists prefer importing gas from abroad instead of producing it here at home.

Fracking here in the UK  as they do in the US  could cut family gas bills by as much as half.

In recent months, the former Tory leader has defended her record in office and her pro-growth vision for the party.

She will be joined at the rally by Boris Johnson loyalists former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and ex-home secretary Dame Priti Patel.

Asked on Sky News on Sunday whether Ms Truss could ever lead the Tories again, Dame Priti gave the question short shrift, replying: No.

In making her call for corporation tax to be lowered back to 19%, taking it down from its current 25% rate, Ms Truss will stress the need to unleash British business.

She will say: We cant stand idly by while companies like AstraZeneca move operations abroad because of our huge tax burden, or small businesses shut up shop because they are drowning in red tape.

We should be hungry to attract the worlds best businesses and encouraging people to start businesses here at home. We must not normalise the raiding of businesses coffers.

Ahead of this years Autumn Statement, we must make the Conservative Party the party of business once again, by getting corporation tax back down to 19%.

This is how we make Britain grow again. It is free businesses that will get us there, not the Treasury, not the Government and not the state.

Only free businesses can get Britain out of its 25-year economic stagnation. Only free businesses can create the economic growth and tax revenues on which our public services rely.

It comes after experts said the Tories will have presided over, during the time between the 2019 election and the next general election, the biggest set of tax rises since at least the Second World War.

Analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank said taxes will have risen to around 37% of national income, equivalent to around 3,500 more per household, even if it will not be shared equally.

Darren Jones, Labours shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said: Liz Truss has learned nothing, calling for the same fantasy economics that crashed the economy just 12 months ago.

Rishi Sunak needs to come clean. Does he agree with his predecessor?

Anything short of a full rejection shows the Prime Minister is not strong enough to stand up to this extremist ideology that led to an economic catastrophe for millions of ordinary people.

The biggest risk to the economy is another five years of the Conservatives.
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Grappling with smartphones is one of the biggest issues facing teachers, the Education Secretary said as she pushed for devices to be banned in schools.

Gillian Keegan said the Government will update its guidance to urge state schools across England to ban mobile phones throughout the school day in a bid to improve distraction, disruption and bullying among pupils.

The Department for Education (DfE) said the guidance will back headteachers in banning mobile phone use during class and break times.

Some education unions have suggested a blanket ban on pupils using mobile phones is unenforceable and may cause more problems.

We are recognising the amazing work that many schools have done in banning mobile phones and we are announcing that we will change guidance so that all schools will follow their lead Education Secretary Gillian Keegan

In England, it is currently up to individual school leaders to decide their own policies on mobile phones and whether they should be banned.

The Government will consider legislating in the future to make the guidance statutory if schools fail to implement the new guidance, the DfE has said.

Addressing the Conservative Party conference on Monday afternoon, Ms Keegan said: Today, one of the biggest issues facing children and teachers is grappling with the impact of smartphones in our schools.

The distraction, the disruption, the bullying. We know that teachers are struggling with their impact and we know that they need support.

So, today we are recognising the amazing work that many schools have done in banning mobile phones and we are announcing that we will change guidance so that all schools will follow their lead.

Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, said: If the Government introduces blanket bans that are unenforceable, this will make the behaviour crisis worse, not better.

Unfortunately, a ban on mobile phones in school can cause more problems than it solves, leading to pupils becoming more secretive about their phone use, meaning problems are hidden from staff and therefore more difficult to spot and address Paul Whiteman, NAHT

A recent survey by the NASUWT of its members in the UK on behaviour suggested that teachers biggest concerns were verbal and physical abuse.

The majority of teachers surveyed suggested poor social skills following Covid-19 restrictions had affected pupil behaviour  and a smaller number of teachers reported mobile phones caused behavioural issues in class.

Dr Roach added: This behaviour crisis has become embedded on this Governments watch. The lack of joined-up solutions, multi-agency working and properly-resourced behaviour support are just some of the systemic factors making a challenging situation worse.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders union NAHT, said they were concerned a blanket ban would not work for all schools.

He said: Unfortunately, a ban on mobile phones in school can cause more problems than it solves, leading to pupils becoming more secretive about their phone use, meaning problems are hidden from staff and therefore more difficult to spot and address.

Mr Whiteman added: Most young people wont just stop bringing their phones to school, and there could be parental opposition too, as there are practical reasons why pupils may need a mobile phone such as while travelling to and from school.

Kirsty McHugh, chief executive of the Carers Trust, has called for young carers to be exempt from a ban on mobile phones as it will make it impossible to stay in touch with family members they look after.

Where there are schools with complete bans already, we have heard from young carers who resorted to hiding in toilet cubicles to have sensitive and sometimes upsetting conversations with their family Kirsty McHugh, Carers Trust

She added that these young people often rely on their phones to find out if something has gone wrong at home, to hear how medical tests have gone, or to check in on unwell parents during breaks.

Ms McHugh said: Where there are schools with complete bans already, we have heard from young carers who resorted to hiding in toilet cubicles to have sensitive and sometimes upsetting conversations with their family.

The guidance will set out limited exemptions where necessary  for example, where children require their phones for medical reasons, the DfE said.

Tom Bennett, school behaviour adviser, said: This is a fantastic move forward for ensuring that students are able to work, learn and grow in a place free from the distracting influence of mobile phones.

Heads should now be reassured that their efforts to keep schools mobile-free will be backed by the DfE. This is a positive and progressive step forward.

A report from the United Nations (UN) in July highlighted data which suggested that mere proximity to a mobile device can distract students and have a negative impact on their learning.

In 2021, then education secretary Gavin Williamson said he wanted a ban on mobile phones in classrooms, describing them as not just distracting but also potentially damaging when misused.

Revised Government guidance on behaviour in schools  issued by the DfE in 2022  said it was up to heads to decide if mobile phones can be used during the school day.

In July, the Dutch government announced that mobile phones, tablets and smartwatches would be largely banned from classrooms in the Netherlands in 2024 in a bid to limit distractions during lessons.

It comes after France banned pupils from using mobile phones in primary and middle schools in 2018.

During her speech to party members, Ms Keegan said it was common sense that parents should be able to see what their children are being taught in schools and that girls should have separate toilets from boys.

Her comments came as schools are still waiting for ministers to publish long-awaited guidance on issues relating to transgender pupils.

In March, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a review into relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) after concerns that schoolchildren were being exposed to inappropriate content.

The DfE has said the updated guidance on sex education is due to be published for consultation in the autumn term.
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Rishi Sunak is set to use the Tory party conference to confirm he has scrapped the northern leg of HS2  weeks after The Independent revealed he had held secret talks about axeing the project.

The Independent understands that the route north of Birmingham will be shelved for seven years in a bid to ditch the project in the long term  a move that has sparked fury among northern mayors and business bosses.

A source close to government discussions said Mr Sunak was most likely to make the announcement in his speech on Wednesday, though it could now be brought forward to Tuesday.

The Independent understands that the decision to leave open the possibility that HS2 could be revived by the end of the decade was only made after this publications initial exclusive provoked a furious backlash and spooked No 10.

The move completely overshadowed the second day of the partys conference in Manchester, with chancellor Jeremy Hunt not getting the attention he would have maybe hoped.

It comes as:

Tory mayor Andy Street blasted Mr Sunak, saying he was turning his back on levelling up

The Treasury refused to confirm the move, saying it was a decision for the prime minister

Labour accused Mr Sunak of turning his conference into a shambles

Mr Sunak plotted to assemble his ministers for an emergency cabinet on Wednesday

Liz Truss was mobbed by scores of Tory MPs backing her call for more tax cuts and deregulation

Andy Street, the Tory mayor of the West Midlands, pleaded with Mr Sunak not to ditch the northern leg of HS2. The influential figure said it would mean cancelling the future and warned that Britains credibility in the eyes of global investors was now at stake.

In a fiery message to the PM outside the conference hall, he added: We must not give up. We must stay the course ... You will be turning your back on an opportunity to level up, a once-in-a-generation opportunity. You will indeed be damaging our international reputation as a place to invest.

Henri Murison, the chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, added that it was madness to leave the UKs flagship infrastructure project unfinished, and said the decision could finish the Tories levelling-up promises.

Jeremy Hunt and Rishi Sunak are set to shelve HS2s northern leg (PA)

The prime minister is expected to call his ministers together on Tuesday, but cabinet ministers told The Independent that, as yet, nothing is in their diary.

A source told The Independent that there would be some reallocation of HS2 money to the east-west rail programme known as Northern Powerhouse Rail in a bid to keep angry Tory MPs and business chiefs onside.

Mr Sunak is also expected to announce that the Birmingham to London leg of the network will end at Old Oak Common in west London rather than terminating at Euston.

The Independent first revealed the secret talks  codenamed Project Redwood  on 14 September. A cost estimate showed that shelving phase 2 of HS2 would save up to 34bn, though 2.3bn has already been lost to the northern leg. No 10 repeatedly stonewalled when approached about our story, before ministers admitted that talks were taking place.

Senior officials involved in the delivery of HS2 said they were still pushing to save the legislation needed to keep building the high-speed rail network in future, in the hope that a Labour government could revive the northern leg if the party wins power in 2024.

Scrapping HS2s northern leg will create mess and turn investors away, industry experts have warned (PA Archive)

A hybrid bill authorises the digging of the HS2 tunnel between Manchester and Crewe. Northern MPs and business chiefs are also pushing for as much money as possible to boost east-west rail links.

The Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said it looked like the Tories conference this year, which is being held in Manchester, will be remembered as the conference when they pulled the plug on us, adding: What gives them the right to treat people here ... as second-class citizens?

Mr Burnham said he could accept changes to the phasing of the project, but that HS2 must not be cancelled.

If the decision is to prioritise that northern section and wider east-west links, we could live with that  on condition, though, that they dont scrap HS2, he told a hastily arranged press conference on the fringes of Tory conference.

Theres a lot at stake here. Our reputation is at stake as a country, Mr Burnham later told an industry reception hosted by the High Speed Rail Group.

If that plug is pulled, in effect, its a statement that the north of England economy is going to be smaller in the 21st century than it might otherwise have been. Its a message to [people] here that they are second-class citizens.

Patrick McLoughlin, a longtime former Tory transport secretary under David Cameron and now the chair of Transport for the North, told the same event: This [decision] should not be made in isolation without talking to elected mayors. Weve got a system of devolution, of elected metro mayors. We shouldnt be suddenly finding out this is under consideration by the prime minister and the chancellor.

Jeremy Hunt delivers his speech during the Conservative conference (PA Wire)

Red-wall Tory MPs in the Northern Research Group have signalled their willingness to accept a long delay to the northern leg of HS2  so long as Mr Hunt and Mr Sunak commit to Northern Powerhouse Rail.

The idea of axeing HS2s northern route has been opposed by three former prime ministers  Boris Johnson, Theresa May and David Cameron  as well as former chancellors George Osborne and Philip Hammond. Mr Johnson said it would be utter madness.

But Jeremy Hunt has said the costs of building the high speed line have ballooned out of control.

The chancellor told the BBC: I have to answer the question as to why it costs 10 times more to build high speed rail in this country than across the channel in France, because it is taxpayers money.

And senior Tory MP Esther McVey, whose Tatton constituency is close to Greater Manchester, welcomed the idea of scrapping the northern leg of HS2.

Ms McVey has claimed the rail line is sucking the life out of our local transport in the north of England.

Speaking to The BBC, she said: Thank goodness that the prime minister is looking at HS2s spiralling costs, because what might have been feasible at 37bn really is not at 120bn going northwards.

She has called on the PM to stop it as soon as possible and pour the money into local infrastructure to better connect cities across the north.

Andy Bagnall, the chief executive of Rail Partners  the umbrella body for the big rail companies  said that scrapping the Manchester leg would send a shockwave through the rail industry, its supply chain and all those with a stake in the project, including the northern communities it would have served.

Sunak is now expected to confirm HS2s northern leg will be scrapped at the Tory conference (Getty Images)

Jurgen Maier, the former Siemens boss, said the government was letting future generations down. He told The Independent: Complex infrastructure projects always hit some problems. Smart people get round the table to solve them  they dont run away and cancel.

Labours Louise Haigh, the shadow transport secretary, attacked Mr Sunaks shambolic conference and said the fiasco showed that the Conservatives are too divided and too distracted to rule. She added: Rishi Sunaks relaunch is now coming off the rails.

The Lib Dems transport spokesperson, Wera Hobhouse, said that the prime minister using a conference in Manchester to cancel the Manchester HS2 leg would make Liz Truss look like a political genius. She added: We have a PM who flies around the country by helicopter, then wants to scrap high-speed rail links for the rest of us.

Recommended Sunak faces open revolt over refusal to back tax cuts

Labours London mayor, Sadiq Khan, said cutting back HS2 would be a catastrophic failure. And Bev Craig, the Labour leader of Manchester City Council, said: My phone is going wild with businesses who are very anxious. She warned that major regeneration projects in Manchester could now be at risk.

Earlier on Monday, Mr Hunt gave the clearest signal yet that he would axe the northern leg as he attacked some of the high-speed rail projects totally unacceptable costs.

A Downing Street spokesperson said no final decisions had been taken on phase 2 of HS2, but did not deny that an announcement could come at this weeks party conference.
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Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has given the clearest signal yet that he is ready to axe HS2s northern leg as he attacked some of the high-speed rail projects totally unacceptable costs.

The chancellor is under mounting pressure to spell out the future of the HS2 after The Independent revealed that he and Rishi Sunak were in talks to scrap the Birmingham to Manchester route.

Reports suggest Mr Hunt has already signed off on reallocating money for HS2s northern leg to other transport projects  but Mr Sunak is yet to approve the radical move.

Mr Hunt indicated that he want to cut costs, telling BBC Radio 4s Today programme. As chancellor, I do have to answer the question as to why it costs 10 times more to build a railway in this country than just across the Channel in France.

The chancellor told LBC: I need to have an answer why it costs 10 times more to build high speed rail in this country than it does across the Channel in France. Some of that spend youve been talking about [on public relation costs] is totally unacceptable.

It followed a report in The Sun that 167 staff in HS2s PR department costing 8m a year. Project Redwood talks involving PM and chancellor have eyed 34bn in saving from shelving the northern phase, The Independent revealed last month.

Mr Hunt teased an announcement on scaling back HS2  telling the BBC that when it was made you will see that we remain very committed to making sure we have the right economic infrastructure.

Some red wall Tories in the influential Northern Research Group have signalled they are willing to accept a delay to the northern leg of HS2  so long as Mr Hunt and Mr Sunak commit to east-west rail projects known as Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Jeremy Hunt and Rishi Sunak expected to axe northern leg (PA)

But some senior Tories and top business leaders behind HS2 want the government to commit to both. Former levelling up minister Dehenna Davison and ex-chairman Jake Berry became the latest senior Tories to call on the government to crack on with phase 2 in the north.

Earlier on Monday, ITVs Robert Peston claimed Treasury had signed off package of reallocating HS2 money to transport priorities. But the PM has not yet given his approval (or not!), he tweeted.

The Treasury did not deny the claim, but insisted no final decisions had been taken.

The row over The Independents revelation that HS2 will be cut back boiled over at Tory conference on Monday morning.

The Northern Powerhouse Partnership chief Henri Murrison  who represents businesses across the north  accused Mr Sunak and government officials of lying about the effect of cancelling the project.

Why on earth will the government not be more honest about the fact that if you cut HS2 between Birmingham and Manchester you would have to put 15bn back in the Northern Powerhouse Rail [NPR] budget to avoid cancelling NPR as well, he told the event.

Stop claiming that if you cut HS2 it has nothing to do with Northern Powerhouse Rail. Im happy to have a policy debate, but Im sick of being lied to and people being dishonest in the media.

Mr Murison was speaking at the same event Huw Merriman  the Tory minister for rail  who promised things will become clearer. He claimed HS2 was crowding out other opportunities to deliver more across the country because of its rising costs.

The problem with HS2 of course, is well documented. It has gone over budget and it has gone over time, the minister said. Its a project that has been beset with difficulties. If all the rail budget goes on HS2 and increases in cost on HS2 then it gets lost on other parts that HS2 is not going to.

Mr Sunak and Mr Hunt wer understood to be considering an option to quell a Tory backlash by delaying the Birmingham to Manchester line by up to seven years.

Mr Hunt also admitted that he flew to Manchester for the Tory conference rather than taking the train. He blamed strike action for choosing the carbon-intensive mode of transport.

On his return journey, the senior Cabinet minister said: Ill probably be driving home because I think theres another train strike on Wednesday.
For years, the Rev. Ivery Daniels was a pillar of the East Side community as pastor of White Rock Missionary Baptist Church.

But that reputation was shattered this month in State Supreme Court, where an attorney representing one of Daniels former parishioners in a Child Victims Act lawsuit persuaded jurors that Daniels was also a child molester.

Does a pillar of the community stick his tongue into the mouth of a 14-year-old girl? Does a pillar of the community sexually abuse vulnerable children? attorney Daniel Chiacchia asked in his closing argument.

Jurors believed Chiacchia and sided with his client, Collette Chappelle. The court awarded $4.5 million in damages to Chappelle for the abuse she said she suffered in the early 1980s while Daniels counseled her at the church.

Chappelle is one of the only Child Victims Act plaintiffs in the state to receive a jury verdict in a contested trial. The state Office of Court Administration said her case was the third such contested trial in the 8th Judicial District, which includes Western New York.

She is unlikely to receive a payout anywhere near $4.5 million because attorneys for the Buffalo parish and Daniels estate say neither entity has much money.

It wasnt about money, Chappelle said in an interview with The Buffalo News. I could have won $2 and I would have been happy because I got the truth out. Because I was believed.

Daniels died in 2020. Karla Tillman, his daughter and the executor of his estate, declined to comment for this story. Anthony L. Pendergrass, an attorney representing the church, also declined to comment.

Chiacchia said the $4.5 million in damages is significant because it sets a standard for the hundreds of other Child Victims Act cases working their way through the courts. Jury awards as high as $100 million have been awarded in recent months, but those were in Child Victims Act cases where the outcome was not contested, he said.

Even getting this verdict helped a lot of victims be stronger, because I talked to some of my clients after the verdict. Theyre more gung-ho now, he said. And it set a benchmark for defendants and insurance carriers for what these cases are really valued at.

The jury found Daniels estate 90% liable and White Rock 10% liable for the abuse. But after the verdict, State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Chimes ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of liability against White Rock. The estate now bears the full liability, according to an order signed by Chimes filed in court.

The abuse

Chappelle had a rough childhood and did not get along with her mother, who sent Chappelle to see Daniels for counseling when she was 13.

He would pray and tell me that I had to listen to him  because he was the closest thing to God and thats how I was going to get into heaven, Chappelle said in her deposition testimony.

She said Daniels had her sit on a lounge chair in his office in the East Side church, where he would stand over her and pray.

He told me the reason I had to take my clothes off is because I had to be in my  I had to be pure and God had to see me like Adam and Eve, she testified at a deposition.

Daniels later told her she had to place her hands on his penis while he prayed, she testified at the deposition. She testified he then forced her to hold a thick white napkin in front of him while he masturbated to ejaculation.

The routine continued for two years, she said, before Daniels told her that she  at age 15  needed to have sex with her boyfriend to please God.

He called me and said, This is your last chance for the Lord to bless you, and I need you to go and do that or the Lord will punish you,  she said.

But Daniels became enraged when Chappelle got pregnant, allegedly telling her that she disgusted him and that the angels in heaven will rain down on me, she said.

Chappelles deposition also describes a chaotic scene at the church in which Daniels got into a physical confrontation with Chappelle, her mother and other parishioners. According to her account, Daniels hit her mother in the head with a phone, so Chappelle jumped in and hit him in the face.

The pastor called Chappelle a demon and shoved her into the door of the church, she said. As a result, stitches she had on her stomach broke open. Daniels and two other people were treated by ambulances as a result of the fight, Chappelle said.

Years later, when Chappelle had a son and the boy died of sudden infant death syndrome, Daniels allegedly told her that God caused the death of her son because she told someone he had molested her. She said Daniels told her this outside of the funeral home during her sons service.

He asked me to come out to his car and he just got right up in my face, she said. And he was like, You know why this happened, right? Because you opened your mouth. He said God took my baby because I told someone what happened, and that I broke Gods promise. And if I do it again, hell take my other children, and my mother and my siblings. So I just shut my mouth.

In the years that followed, Chappelle had three sons and took in four other children who did not have homes, she said. She went into the nursing field and worked double and triple shifts to provide for them and keep her mind off the abuse, she said.

Everything I did throughout my life was hiding this horrible, horrible action, she said.

It was her children  especially her two daughters  who encouraged her to come forward and file a lawsuit after New Yorks Child Victims Act was signed into law in 2019.

I wanted to prove to my daughters that no matter how long or how hard it is, that if they stand on their truth, somebody will listen and help. I just had to do this so they can see that theres help out there.

The trial was difficult. Daniels daughter, who fired her lawyers and decided to represent his estate on her own, cross-examined Chappelle intensely, she said. But when the verdict was announced, Chappelle said she knew she made the right decision.

I said, Colette, you look 10 years younger,  Chiacchia said. It was like this black cloud was lifted from her. She said, They believed me. 
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Around 60 Conservative MPs have now signed up to Liz Trusss pro-growth group of rebels demanding tax cuts  putting Rishi Sunaks majority in parliament at risk.

The former prime minister drew a large crowd of Tory members at the party conference in Manchester on Monday as she pushed for tax cuts this year to make Britain grow again.

Ms Truss told the packed event that corporation tax should be slashed to 19 per cent as she urged members to unleash their inner conservative. She added: Lets stop taxing and banning things.

Her close ally Ranil Jayawardena MP said the Conservative Growth Group, which had thought to number around 30, had grown to include 60 MPs  roughly the same size as Mr Sunaks majority in the Commons.

Former home secretary Priti Patel, who joined the Truss rally on Monday along with Jacob Rees-Mogg, told delegates: We cannot be timid any more, we cannot be risk averse and we cannot accept the status quo.

Dozens of MPs have pledged to vote against chancellor Jeremy Hunts autumn statement if he includes any new tax hikes. I think its pretty unlikely that the chief whip will kick people out of the Conservative party if they stand by their pledge, said ex-chairman Jake Berry  one of those who have signed it.

Warning that the tax rebels had significant clout, Mr Berry added: Theres 33 whove signed already with more to come, and thats more than half of the governments majority.

Ms Truss was courting the vast support among the party membership that selected her over Mr Sunak last summer, before a disastrous spree of unfunded tax cuts at the mini-Budget led to the chaotic implosion of her 49-day premiership.

Nigel Farage was also out in support of Ms Truss on Monday, saying he absolutely 100% believes in her. He warned Mr Sunak of the rebellious mood at the conference, adding: Whats really happening this week is who and what takes over the party after we lose the next election.

Liz Truss, Ranil Jayawardena, Priti Patel and Jacob Rees-Mogg (PA)

Other groups on the right of the party were also gathering momentum in Manchester, as the New Conservatives group led by Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates set out proposals to ban gender ideology being taught in schools at a standing room-only event.

Mr Sunak and his team made a pitch to the Tory right with plans to scale back HS2, slash the civil service and impose tougher benefits conditions as the threat presented by Ms Truss and others on the right appeared to grow.

Mr Hunt said there were no short cuts to tax cuts this year  but did not rule out the idea of introducing some at the spring Budget in 2024.

And the chancellor did make offerings that will go down well with the Truss-backing right of the party. He announced a cap on Whitehall hiring to save up to 1bn a year and ordered plans to shrink the number of officials. He pointed towards cutting back on officials working on equality and diversity initiatives.

Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union, said: We now have government ministers rushing out policies at Tory conference in a desperate attempt to shore up their own support from the hard right of their party, he added.

Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union which represents senior civil servants, said the announcement was out of the playbook of Mr Rees-Mogg. He said the plan was fantasy politics of the worst kind.

Elsewhere at the conference, transport secretary Mark Harper said councils could be blocked from fining drivers, as he targeted the sinister idea of 15-minute cities. He even claimed that local authorities wanted to regulate how often people could drive to the shops.

Business secretary Kemi Badenoch promised a review of regulators so Brexit freedoms can be used to reduce bureaucracy.

Culture secretary Lucy Frazer announced new guidance to ensure statues are explained rather than torn down following the toppling of the slave trader Edward Colston statue. And education secretary Gillian Keegan took on teaching unions by suggesting minimum service levels could be extended to university staff.
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Three-quarters of people who have crossed the Channel on small boats this year would be recognised as refugees if their application had been processed, analysis of Government figures suggests.

The study by the Refugee Council also found that once the Illegal Migration Act is fully enforced, as few as 3.5% of people arriving would be returned to their home countries every year, while thousands of remaining migrants would be left in limbo and could disappear into destitution on the margins of society.

The Act, hailed by the Government as key to deterring small boat crossings, became law on July 20.

But there is currently no timeline for the implementation of the legislations main elements, including the duty to remove people deemed to have arrived in the UK illegally and block them from making asylum claims.

In a challenge to ministers claims that a majority of people crossing the Channel are not in genuine need of protection, the report found a large majority of arrivals would be granted asylum in normal circumstances.

When the Governments breakdown of the nationality of those arriving on small boats up to September this year is assessed alongside current rates of asylum approval for people from individual countries, this suggests 74% of those who have crossed the Channel this year  or 14,648 people  would be granted asylum if their applications were processed.

When this is applied to citizens of individual nations, 100% of Eritreans, 99% of Syrians and 97% of Afghans would have had their applications approved.

Overall, more than half of the arrivals this year came from countries with high rates of asylum approval.

The analysis also shows that the 20% reduction in the number of Channel crossings so far this year has been driven by the reduction in Albanians arriving since the UK secured a returns agreement with the country.

The number of Albanians arriving on small boats fell from 35% between January and August 2022 to 3% over the same period this year.

However, there was a 19% rise in people from other nations crossing the Channel in the first eight months of 2023, an increase from 16,275 last year to 19,441.

This includes an almost five-fold increase in the number of people arriving from India in 2023, while arrivals from Turkey and Vietnam have more than tripled.

The Refugee Council said its analysis shows the human and financial costs of the Illegal Migration Act when it is implemented in full.

Under the Act, if someone has claimed asylum they can only be removed to their country of origin if they are from one of the 27 member states of the European Union or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Albania. Removals of other nationals must be made to a safe third country.

Only 660 of the 19,441 people who crossed the Channel this year and declared their nationality could be transferred to their home country. These arrivals all came from Albania.

The Refugee Council estimates that if the profile of nationalities arriving on small boats remains similar when the Illegal Migration Act is fully enforced, only 3.5% of arrivals each year would be able to be removed from the UK to their country of origin.

In the absence of functioning safe third country agreements and with the Rwanda scheme still the focus of a legal action, the remaining arrivals  estimated to be up to 35,409 a year  would be stuck in permanent limbo, unable to get on with their lives.

Closing down the asylum system will simply result in vast cost, chaos and human misery with tens of thousands of people stuck in permanent limbo, likely to disappear into the margins of our communities, at risk of destitution, exploitation and abuse Enver Soloman, Refugee Council

Even with a third country agreement involving 10,000 arrivals a year being transferred from the UK, tens of thousands of people from nations with current high rates of asylum approval would fall foul of the shutting down asylum decision making caused by the new legislation, the report said.

It added: Organisations working with people in the asylum system and local authorities have told the Refugee Council they are seriously concerned about this and the impact it will have on very vulnerable people.

Enver Solomon, chief operating officer of the Refugee Council, said the UK should not slam the door in the face of those who have faced atrocities such as torture, sexual coercion, slavery and exploitation.

He added: Closing down the asylum system will simply result in vast cost, chaos and human misery with tens of thousands of people stuck in permanent limbo, likely to disappear into the margins of our communities, at risk of destitution, exploitation and abuse.

The Home Office has been approached for comment.
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The cost of school meals, Russian hackers, the Royal Family and the Conservative Party conference feature across the front pages of Mondays newspapers.

The Daily Mirror leads with school meals as the Government assesses the affordability of the public scheme which ensures children from some of Britains poorest families have enough to eat during the day.

Education is also on the front of the Daily Mail which features a possible mobile phone ban at schools across the UK.

The Daily Express reports Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt vows to turn the screw on the work shy.

The Daily Telegraph reports that former defence secretary Ben Wallace told Prime Minister Rishi Sunak the UK needs to provide an extra 2 billion to the war effort in Ukraine.

The Guardian and the i write that Tory leaders in-waiting will interrupt the partys annual conference with a range of flashy new policies designed to steal away the PMs limelight.

The NHS strike crisis dominates the front of The Times with the paper claiming one doctor was handed 7,900 to cover one strike shift.

The Sun tells the tale of a Russian hack on the Royal Family after the King condemned the invasion of Ukraine.

The Financial Times opts forr a Brexit piece, saying British exporters will face a hefty EU carbon tax after the Prime Minister weakens climate policies.

And the Daily Star concentrates nuts in crisis as freak weather has wrought havoc on conkers.
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Peak ScotRail fares are being scrapped from Monday in a six-month trial which aims to encourage people to travel by train instead of car.

The Scottish Government-funded project will allow customers to travel all day on off-peak fares from October 2 until the end of March 2024.

Scotlands nationalised rail operator ScotRail said the trial will see massive savings across the country, with the fare from Edinburgh to Glasgow via Falkirk High dropping from 28.90 to 14.90.

The price of a ticket from Perth to Dundee will fall from 14.40 to 9.90 and the fare from Glasgow to Stirling will drop from 16.10 to 9.60.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to encourage more people to choose a safe, reliable, and greener form of public transport Fiona Hyslop, Scotland's Transport Minister

ScotRail said the project, said to be the first of its kind in the UK rail industry, will support the Scottish Governments ambition to achieve net zero, providing more people with the opportunity to use trains as their primary form of transport.

Alex Hynes, Scotlands Railway managing director, said: We want to encourage more people across the country to choose rail travel instead of using the car.

Everyone at ScotRail is working hard to make sure that this six-month trial will be a success, and we will be monitoring our services and stations daily to see where we have any significant increases in customer journeys.

Some services may be busier than normal, so customers are advised to plan their journey using the ScotRail website, app, or social media channels.

We know that cost and simplicity are critical factors for people when they choose how to travel, and we are looking forward to delivering this fantastic fare reduction for our customers.

ScotRail expects that some trains will be busier and will be monitoring services daily.

There will be additional carriages on services between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk High, with every service operating with seven or eight carriages.

Extra carriages will also be added to services through Glasgow Queen Street Low Level and Glasgow Central Low Level (linking Lanarkshire to Dunbartonshire).

Scotlands Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop said: Our Programme for Government makes clear our commitment to encourage a shift towards sustainable transport.

We know that there is much to be done in encouraging people back to rail if we are to achieve our net zero targets.

This peak fare removal trial is aimed at achieving this by making ticketing simpler with off-peak fares valid all day.

During the trial period, rail travel will be more affordable and accessible while helping to identify longer-term steps to reduce car use.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to encourage more people to choose a safe, reliable, and greener form of public transport.

In a social media post on Sunday, Scotlands First Minister Humza Yousaf said: From tomorrow, we will effectively abolish peak-time rail fares for 6 months across the network.

Another benefit of the SNP-led Scottish Government taking Scotrail into public ownership.

There are some routes where no off-peak fare exists because the same price is available at any time of the day, and as such, customers will not see any change in those areas.

To encourage people on to trains and away from their cars we have to make train travel much more affordable and this is an excellent first step in the right direction Kevin Lindsay, Aslef

ScotRail said that one of the most significant impacts of the pandemic was to radically change the commuter market, with a significant drop in the number of people travelling during the traditional peak times.

That market is only around 70% of what it was before the pandemic.

Scottish Greens transport spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said: This is exactly the kind of bold, groundbreaking move that Scotland needs.

It is a ticket to fairer, greener railways and will end the two-tier system that penalises people who have no choice about when they need to travel to work or study.

He added: There are households all over our country who will save hundreds of pounds a year as a result of the action we are taking.

Every pound saved on a commute is money that can instead go towards heating, eating or other expenses.

Kevin Lindsay, Scottish organiser for train drivers union Aslef, said: To encourage people on to trains and away from their cars we have to make train travel much more affordable and this is an excellent first step in the right direction.
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An SNP win in a key by-election this week would send shockwaves through Westminster, the partys deputy leader has said.

Shona Robison said that if the party wins the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election on Thursday, it would make it clear the constituency rejects Tory Brexit and austerity measures.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie, meanwhile, urged voters to send a message to Scotlands two failing governments by voting for a fresh start with Scottish Labour.

Tory candidate Councillor Thomas Kerr called on people to vote for him as he is fully focused on Scotlands real priorities.

The by-election comes after the seat was vacated by former SNP MP Margaret Ferrier following a successful recall petition after her conviction for breaching Covid restrictions in 2020.

It is expected to be an important battleground ahead of the UK general election, which is likely next year, with the SNPs Katy Loudon taking on Labours Michael Shanks, Tory candidate Mr Kerr and others.

Ms Robison said: An SNP win in Rutherglen and Hamilton West will send shockwaves through Westminster and make it clear that we reject their Brexit and austerity measures  both of which have caused untold damage to Scotland.

Electing Katy Loudon on October 5 will be another historic by-election win for the SNP, and will secure a strong local champion for the community  forcing Labour to rethink their Tory tribute act.

Michael Shanks is nothing more than a Starmer yes-man, whereas Katy Loudon will take her orders from the people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West.

An SNP win will deliver an MP committed to delivering a fairer, wealthier society and putting Scotlands future into Scotlands hands.

Labour said it has put the cost-of-living crisis front and centre of the campaign.

It has set out plans to tackle the issue  including a clean energy plan that it said will save households up to 1,400 a year and a new deal for working people that it said would boost the minimum wage and make work pay.

Ms Baillie said: From the cost-of-living crisis to the chaos in our NHS, Scotland is being catastrophically failed by both the SNP and the Tories.

This week voters in Rutherglen and Hamilton West can send our two failing governments a message by voting for a fresh start with Scottish Labour.

This isnt as good as it gets, and on Thursday Rutherglen and Hamilton West can lead the way demanding better for Scotland.

Mr Shanks said the constituency has been left voiceless in parliament for too long.

He said: I am ready to be the local champion this area deserves, relentlessly focused on the issues that matter to our community  from the cost-of-living crisis to the NHS.

Only Scottish Labour can deliver the fresh start Rutherglen and Hamilton West deserves.

Mr Kerr said voters in Rutherglen and Hamilton West have a stark choice on Thursday.

He said: By voting for myself  and the Scottish Conservatives  they will be voting for someone who grew up in similar communities to them and a MP who will be fully focused on Scotlands real priorities.

By sharp contrast, if the SNP candidate is elected, they will only be focused on relentlessly pursuing another divisive referendum, while Scottish Labour cannot seriously claim to represent change when you can barely put a cigarette paper between them and the SNP on so many issues.

Only by voting Scottish Conservative in Rutherglen and Hamilton West can you ensure the full focus will be on peoples real prioritie,s such as the global cost-of-living crisis and reducing NHS waiting times, as well as standing up to the independence-obsessed and out-of-touch SNP-Green Government.
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Rishi Sunak has made clear that defence secretary Grant Shapps suggestion that British troops could train forces in Ukraine is not for the here and now during the war against the Russian invasion.

The prime minister on Sunday ruled out UK forces going to Ukraine and said that the recently appointed political head of the Ministry of Defence was discussing possible plans for the long term.

Mr Shapps had said in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph that eventually he would like to get Britains long-standing training of Volodymyr Zelenskys troops in country rather than in the UK.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said any British troops in Ukraine would be legitimate targets for the Kremlins forces.

But, on a visit to Burnley ahead of the Tory party conference getting under way in Manchester, Mr Sunak said he wants to be absolutely clear about the situation following some misreporting.

He said that Britain has been training Ukrainian citizens and soldiers for a long time within the UK.

And what the defence secretary was saying was that it might well be possible one day in the future for us to do some of that training in Ukraine, the Prime Minister said.

But thats something for the long term, not the here and now, there are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict. Thats not whats happening. What we are doing is training Ukrainians. Were doing that here in the UK.

Mr Shapps had said he has spoken with Army chiefs about moving more training into Ukraine and called on British defence firms to set up production in the country.

Having taken over as defence secretary from Ben Wallace at the end of August, he said he has also spoken to Mr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, about the Royal Navy helping to defend commercial vessels in the Black Sea.

He said Britain is also looking for ways to help Ukraine get in shape for membership of Nato.

Mr Shapps visited a military base on Salisbury Plain on Friday where he was briefed by General Sir Patrick Sanders, Chief of the General Staff, and other senior figures.

He said: I was talking about eventually getting the training brought closer and actually into Ukraine as well.

Particularly in the west of the country, I think the opportunity now is to bring more things in country, and not just training. Were seeing BAE, for example, move into manufacturing in country.

Im keen to see other British companies do their bit as well by doing the same thing.

More than 20,000 recruits from Ukraine have received training in the UK since the start of 2022, but Nato members have avoided training programmes in Ukraine due to the risk of personnel being drawn into combat with Russia.

The defence secretary said he had spoken to Mr Zelensky on Wednesday and hinted Britain could play a more active role in the Black Sea, where Russia has targeted cargo ships.

Britain is a naval nation so we can help and we can advise, particularly since the water is international water, he said.

Its important we dont allow a situation to establish by default that somehow international shipping isnt allowed in that water.

Theres a lot of places where Britain can help advise.

Ahead of the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, Mr Shapps told the Telegraph that Britain should reinstate former prime minister Liz Trusss pledge to increase defence spending to 3 per cent of the GDP.

I think its really important that we understand that freedom isnt free, he said.

You have to pay for it and it also keeps us prosperous, not only because we keep out invaders, but we also help shape the world around us and do good in the world.

Speaking at a fringe event at the conference, foreign secretary James Cleverly stressed that UK backing for Ukraine would continue, regardless of who wins the next US election.

It comes amid the prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House and speculation that could see an upending of Washingtons current stance on the conflict.

Weve been ahead of the curve throughout on this and weve defined our position because of our values, Mr Cleverly said.

On any future American position, he said: We will do what we believe to be right. We have made a commitment to continue to support the Ukrainians. Now they can join in or they can watch us do it, but it is going to happen.
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Theresa May has warned her party not to overinterpret last summers Uxbridge by-election as an anti-environment vote.

Tory success in Boris Johnsons former constituency, after a campaign largely focused on opposition to the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) in London, saw some backbenchers urge the Prime Minister to ditch net-zero pledges.

The months since have seen Rishi Sunak announce delays to the ban on new petrol and diesel cars as well as watering down requirements on the sale of oil and gas boilers, while saying his Government was still committed to the net-zero-by-2050 target.

He has also unveiled a slate of polices dubbed pro-motorist, in a bid to woo voters ahead of the next general election.

A lot has been made of the result of the Uxbridge by-election. That was not won on an anti-environment ticket. It was won on an anti-Ulez ticket Theresa May

Mrs May, who acknowledged and praised ministers commitments to net zero in her brief address, stressed the opportunities that come with net zero.

She also warned of the dangers of following Sir Keir Starmers net zero plans, which she said would mean bossy bureaucrats telling the public what to do.

A lot has been made of the result of the Uxbridge by-election. That was not won on an anti-environment ticket. It was won on an anti-Ulez ticket, she said.

We must ensure that we are keeping  keeping  our commitment to net zero, as the Government is. We recognise and must understand that the worst thing that could happen would be to give Labour the lead on net zero.

Thats not in our partys interest. But, more than that, it is not in the interest of this country.

Addressing a packed room of conference attendees, she said net zero was an opportunity for the UK to lead the world.

And its a target to which the party and the Government remain committed. Net zero isnt a cost to be minimised, she added.

It shouldnt be seen as that. It is the growth opportunity of the century. It isnt an act of economic harm. Because weve already showed that we can cut our emissions and grow our economy at the same time.

The ex-Tory leader avoided waiting reporters outside the reception, dodging questions about her views on the fate of HS2.
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Former defence secretary Ben Wallace has said he urged the Prime Minister to increase military support to Ukraine by more than 2 billion  a rise of 50%.

The veteran Conservative argued that with extra Western weapons, Kyiv could end the battle against Russia and expel the invaders.

Mr Wallace, an ally of Boris Johnson, stepped down from the defence brief in a mini-reshuffle in August, having already announced his decision not to contest the next general election.

Writing for The Daily Telegraph, the former Scots Guard lamented that the UK was no longer Kyivs biggest military backer in Europe, having slipped behind Germany.

His call for additional resources to be sent to Ukraine comes as the debate grows in the West about the level of backing to continue offering the partially occupied nation.

We need to give Ukraine the support it requires to see this war to the end Former defence secretary Ben Wallace

In the US, Republicans in Congress have been resisting sending more aid to the eastern European country with Democrat President Joe Biden urging politicians to stop playing games in the face of the Kremlins brutal aggression.

In Slovakia, populist former prime minister Robert Fico won early parliamentary elections having vowed to withdraw his countrys military support for Ukraine.

Mr Wallace said one of his final acts as defence secretary was to press for further financial backing from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and his forces.

We have a chance to help finish this. The Russian army is cracking, Mr Wallace said.

We need to give Ukraine the support it requires to see this war to the end.

Before I left office, I asked the PM to match or increase the 2.3 billion pledged to Ukraine this year, to add to the 4.6 billion we have spent already.

The former cabinet minister urged Britain to help Ukraine maintain its momentum in the counter offensive, a push that will require more munitions and storm shadow missiles and other long-range weapons, he said.

Mr Wallace said that with Kyivs troops pressing forward against heavily-mined Russian defences, it was possible the next stage of the conflict which has been raging since February 2022, could be the beginnings of the battle for Crimea  the peninsula in southern Ukraine annexed by Moscow in 2014.

No 10, which said it would not be responding to Mr Wallaces remarks, has requested the Ministry of Defences (MoD) views on future spending, according to the Telegraph.

The MoD said it would not be commenting.

The UK committed 2.3 billion of military support in 2022 and the Government confirmed it would sustain that in 2023.

Officials said Britain remains committed to providing Kyiv with long-range precision strike weapons, artillery, air defence and armoured vehicles, while also liaising with Mr Zelenskys administration about their requests for more weapons.

The funding debate comes after Mr Sunak made clear that British troops would not train Ukrainian forces in the war-torn country while its battle with Russian president Vladimir Putins troops is going on.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who replaced Mr Wallace, had said in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph that eventually he would like to conduct Britains long-standing training in country rather than in the UK.

Mr Sunak said the senior minister was expressing a long-term ambition and not something for the here and now.

There are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict. Thats not whats happening, he told broadcasters during a visit to Burnley on Sunday.

The UK has trained more than 25,000 Ukrainian armed forces personnel, according to official MoD figures.
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The family of a happy-go-lucky chappy have been left desperate for answers after he mysteriously died on holiday in Vietnam.

Darren Blairs family were told he had been found unresponsive after being asleep in a nightclub for six hours on September 26.

But the family were also told the 31-year-old was found unconscious outside the nightclub and his death certificate said he had bruises on his face.

Mr Blairs mother Margaret Mills, 65, told the PA news agency: He had a tour guide and the tour guide took him to get a drink and then apparently at 8.30 he said to Darren you must go back to the hotel and get yourself washed up, youre tired.

Then we heard a story that Darren had gone back out to meet somebody, a young girl or whatever. There have been different stories going around. We dont know what to believe.

We got another story saying he had been laying in the bar for six hours sleeping.

The police told me they found him outside the bar and he was unconscious. It was two people that found him.

They phoned the emergency services and thats when they picked Darren up.

Mr Blair was taken to the Viet Duc Hospital and he was pronounced dead on arrival, his mother added.

He was the best son you could ever ask for. He was so loving. Nothing was too big for him. He was brilliant with everybody Margaret Mills, Darren Blair's mother

He had been on holiday before starting work on a production of Disney on Ice in Vietnam.

Ms Mills told PA: He was the best son you could ever ask for. He was so loving. Nothing was too big for him. He was brilliant with everybody.

He was a happy-go-lucky chappy. He was full of beans and laughter. He was fun. He was a good son I could not have asked for any more.

He liked his sightseeing. He visited so many countries its unbelievable. We counted before he went (that) he had been to 44 countries. He had been all over.

He loved what he was doing. He has lived his dream but that has been uncompleted.

He was going to settle down and have kids. He spoke about things like that. He was looking forward to his future.

Mr Blair had sent a photo of himself at a bar with his tour guide to his family just hours before his death.

None of it is adding up... It's like a suspicious murder. Something is not right Jordan Gooderham, Darren Blair's niece

His niece Jordan Gooderham, 19, said Mr Blair had been found covered in bruises and has swelling on his face.

She said: We literally know nothing All we know is that they have been covering something because we have been told four different stories.

One of the stories was he was asleep for six hours on the sofa in a nightclub and that he was asleep and they kept checking on him and he was snoring.

Then they checked on him again at 5 oclock in the morning and he wasnt breathing.

They said he was in the club, dead, and then they said they found him unconscious outside the nightclub on his own.

None of it is adding up. Its like a suspicious murder. Something is not right.

Mr Blairs brother and sister are on their way to Vietnam to try and find out what happened to him.

A GoFundMe page has also raised over 22,000 to bring his body back to his family in Nottingham.

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed: We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Vietnam and are in touch with the local authorities.
 Close How New York police found missing Charlotte Sena

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The man accused of abducting nine-year-old Charlott Sena from a campsite in upstate New York is expected to appear in court to face charges on Friday.

Craig Ross Jr 46, was charged with first-degree kidnapping after Charlotte was found hidden in a cabinet in a campervan at the back of his mothers house  almost 48 hours after she was snatched while riding her bike in Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County.

More charges are expected to be brought against him.

Mr Ross Jrs arrest came after he drove to the home of Charlottes parents and left a ransom note in their mailbox. Fingerprints pulled from the note matched those of Mr Ross who was in the states database from a 1999 DUI arrest.

New York State Police has defended its handling of the case after it emerged that the trooper tasked with surveilling the Senas home didnt arrest Mr Ross when he saw him drop off the note. He was arrested 14 hours later.

A spokesperson for NYSP told Fox News Digital that the suspects presence did not seem unusual amid the visits from members of the community showing their support.
Small businesses across the City of Buffalo that are struggling still from the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic may soon get some relief.

The Common Council is set to approve Tuesday a contract with the National Development Council, Buffalo Urban League and the Exchange at Beverly Gray to roll out and administer a small and minority business grant program using $4.3 million in American Rescue Plan funds. Buffalo was allotted $331 million in ARP money.

The citys small business assistance grant fund is designed to offer financial and technical assistance to small businesses in Buffalo  many of which are minority-owned  aiding in their recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and bolstering their resilience for the future, officials said.

Of the $4.3 million, $3.5 million will be distributed to Council members to spend in the nine Council districts  $388,880 for each  to help small businesses.

The remaining $800,000 will be provided to NDC, the Urban League and the Beverly Gray center to administer the grant program. The figure includes $450,000 for technical assistance for the businesses and $350,000 for program administration and marketing costs.

In addition, a separate, optional loan fund of $2 million will be available to grant recipients.

The program will launch in mid-October, said Lisa Hicks, director of development in the citys Office of Strategic Planning.

I am pleased to see relief for small businesses across the city taking a step further, said University Council Member Rasheed N.C. Wyatt, chairman of the Councils Finance Committee. This funding represents a vital lifeline for our entrepreneurs, and we are dedicated to ensuring it reaches every corner of our community, fostering economic strength and vitality.

The grants will be made available to small businesses in the amounts of $7,500, $12,500 or $25,000, depending on the amounts of gross revenue each business earned in 2021 or 2022, just after the pandemic started.

The final funding amount will depend on the project scope, available funds and remaining need.

One of the reasons that we reduced the amount from $50,000 to $25,000 maximum is to allow for more business to be served within each district. If we kept it at $50,000 it would have been potentially only seven businesses per district, Hicks said.

To be eligible, applicants must meet specific criteria: They must reside in Buffalo and the business must operate in the city; the business must have opened before Jan. 1, 2021, and still be operating; and it must have fewer than 50 employees and an annual revenue between $10,000 and $1.5 million.

The federal Treasury Department defines small business as a maximum of $1.5 million in revenue, Hicks said.

Applicants also must demonstrate they have experienced hardship due to the pandemic, and agree to participate in a technical assistance program offered by the three partner organizations.

We tried to make it as easy as possible for small businesses to access the funding and be eligible for the funding while still following the federal guidelines for grants, Hicks said.

The grant program will stay open until the money is exhausted per district, and officials anticipate the money will be spent before the 2026 federal deadline.

The administration likely will hold a press event to launch the program, and make sure as many people know as possible, Hicks said.

Were looking forward to getting this money out there, said Niagara Council Member David A. Rivera. The American Rescue Plan was to rescue people, and its urgent that we get this money out there as soon as possible. These businesses are on the ropes. Theyre barely making it.
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It began as a family camping trip.

It then turned into every parents worst nightmare.

Charlotte Sena, 9, was visiting a campsite in upstate New York with family and friends when she decided to go on a bike ride with a group of close friends on Saturday evening.

After doing a couple of loops of the campsite with the group, the nine-year-old decided to go around Moreau Lake State Park one more time by herself. But she never returned.

What followed next was 48 hours of growing fears for her safety as law enforcement feared she was in imminent danger.

Then, on Monday night, positive news came.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the little girl had been found safe and that her alleged abductor Craig Nelson Ross Jr, 47, was in police custody.

Heres what we know so far about the case:

Last sighting

Before going missing, Charlotte was last seen at around 6.15pm on Saturday evening riding her bike in Loop A of Moreau Lake State Park, according to Lt Col Richard Mazzone of the New York State Police.

When she failed to come back, her family and friends went looking for her.

The little girls bike was found abandoned in the same area  but there was no sign of little Charlotte.

At around 6.45pm, the fourth-graders distraught mother called 911 to report her daughter missing.

Police were on site by 7pm on Saturday, Governor Hochul said in a Sunday afternoon news conference.

Charlotte Sena, 9, vanished Saturday evening from Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County, New York (New York State Police)

Last evening, she went out on a bike ride; it wasnt dark, right around dinnertime, and did a couple of loops with close friends she considers her cousins, Governor Hochul said.

And then she decided after going around True Bay, she said she just wanted to go around one more time by herself  be that big girl, do it by herself.

Literally 15 minutes later, she hadnt come back yet, the governor said. And thats really when the nightmare begins.

Amber Alert issued

Police issued an Amber Alert for the missing girl on Sunday after search teams failed to track her down.

Multi-agency search and rescue teams were deployed to find her, including aviation, canine and civilian support, Lt Col Mazzone said.

Two drones and airboat search teams, including six underwater rescue teams, were also deployed.

We also have the Schenectady Fire Office assisting with the search, given that Charlotte is the niece of one of the members of the Schenectady Fire Department, Governor Hochul said.

Police said search efforts continued through the night on Saturday.

In addition to our massive search efforts, our Bureau of Criminal Investigation has been conducting interviews with those in the park and around the region as well as pursuing all investigative leads, Lt Col Mazzone said.

Authorities issue AMBER Alert for missing 9-year-old girl in New York

Officials said they believed it was quite possible the fourth-grader was abducted.

Charlotte found safe

On Monday night, New York officials announced that the little girl had been found alive  and that a suspect had been taken into custody.

In a press conference, the governor said the break in the case came at around 4.20am ET on Monday when the suspect drove to the home of Charlottes parents and left a ransom note.

He literally drove up to the familys mailbox assuming they were not home, she said, adding that Charlottes parents were still searching the campground at the time, and officers who were monitoring the property had been sent to another call in the area.

Police later tested the note for fingerprints and searched law enforcement databases to see if they could find a match, and identified the suspect as 47-year-old Craig Nelson Ross Jr.

Investigators were able to determine Mr Ross was living in a campervan behind his mothers residence and used two SWAT teams to make entry into the campervan, Ms Hochul said.

How New York police found missing Charlotte Sena

They had what they call a dynamic entry tactical maneuver, and within the camper they located the suspect, she said.

The New York Governor said the missing nine-year-old was found hidden in a cabinet.

Governor Hochul said Charlotte appeared to be in good health, but was taken to a hospital, which is customary.

The fourth-grader has now been reunited with her parents.

Speaking about her rescue, governor Hochul said: She knew she was being rescued. She knew she was in safe hands.

Suspect charged with kidnapping

Mr Ross Jr, 47, was charged with first-degree kidnapping in the early hours of Tuesday morning and appeared for his arraignment in Milton Town Court, according to local outlet Times Union.

He was then booked into the Saratoga County jail at around 3.40am on Tuesday morning.

He is now being held there without bail.

As well as the fingerprint, the governor also told CNN that authorities used cell phone pings from people in the area where the nine-year-old was last spotted to help find the suspect.

They were checking all the different cell phones that have been in the vicinity of this park, she said.

The governor said authorities also had information from those who came to the park as campers because they had to register and people there for the day paid an entrance fee.

Saratoga County Sheriffs Office released mug shot of Craig Nelson Ross Jr (Saratoga County Sheriffs Office)

So, you could start circling around possible suspects based on the cell phone data, who is in the park and also then ultimately, the ransom note, she said.

It was extraordinary to see how they traced it down to an individuals home, the governor added. The home was surrounded by law enforcement and helicopters and they were able to bring her to safety. And not long after, she was in the arms of her parents at a hospital.

The suspect resisted being taken into custody and sustained minor injuries, the governor said.

Police are attempting to determine if the Sena family was known to the suspect.

At a press conference on Monday evening, Governor Hochul revealed the address connected to the suspects vehicle was two miles from Charlottes home in Greenfield, New York.

Police will spend Tuesday interviewing Mr Ross Jr to determine if he had the nine-year-old under surveillance, Governor Hochul said.

The governor also said the suspects home is being searched by police to make sure he is not connected to any other cases.

Over $17,000 raised

Prior to Mondays discovery, a GoFundMe page set up for the family of Charlotte Sena had raised over $17,000.

The page was originally set up to raise money for the search efforts for the missing child, but the money will now go to the nine-year-olds parents to help them transition back into some sense of normalcy.

Please donate to help the family during this difficult time, a message posted on the fundraiser page reads. Any donations will go directly to her parents to help with any expenses while they transition back into some sense of normalcy.

Amber Alert for missing girl (NYSP)

At a press conference on Sunday, before the nine-year-old was found, the fourth-grader was described as a joyful child who was recently elected a class officer for student council.

Everybody thought of her as just a really nice girl - the kind everyone wanted to be friends with, the kind that looked out for other children, Ms Hochul said. The pride of every parent.

Ms Hochul added: On a picture-perfect fall day here in upstate New York, Charlotte Senas family and friends gathered for a weekend of friendship and food and enjoying one of the last few days of good weather... so the kids could have a chance to be in nature, have a chance to be kids.

They were here to make memories - the kind that last a lifetime. But instead the day turned into every parents nightmare, said Governor Hochul.
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A couple and their pet dog have been killed in a grizzly bear attack in Canadas Banff National Park.

The man and woman were hiking at around 8pm on Friday in the Red Deer River Valley, west of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, when they encountered the bear, according to authorities.

The bear attacked the couple, who died from their injuries. Their pet dog also died in the attack.

Parks Canada said that it received an alert from a GPS device in the region, which is located three hours north of Banff town.

Harsh weather then initially hindered rescue teams from reaching the couple, according to Natalie Fay, from Park Canadas Banff field unit.

Weather conditions at the time did not allow for helicopter use, and the response team travelled through the night to the location by the ground, she said.

The response team arrived on-site at 1 am and discovered two deceased individuals.

This is a tragic incident and Parks Canada wishes to express its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

The bear was later euthanised to ensure public safety after displaying aggressive behaviour to the rescue teams.

The attack took place in Albertas famed Banff National Park (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) later transported the victims bodies to the town of Sundre in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The victims have not been publicly named but CBC News spoke to a family member who said the couple were experienced with the outdoors.

A statement from the family read: They were long-term partners who loved the outdoors and were inseparable.

They lived for being in the backcountry and were two of the most cautious people I know. They knew bear protocol and followed it to a tee.

There are believed to be just 60 grizzly bears in the national park (Parks Canada)

According to the family member, the couple checked in every night when they were away.

This means they were not travelling after dark and they were not setting up camp when the attack happened, they said.

The area surrounding Red Deer and Panther Valleys remains closed until further notice.

There are believed to be just 60 grizzly bears in Banff National Park and the population is considered to be under threat in Alberta.
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Jurors have shared their regret over the verdict in a civil trial for four Dallas police officers accused in the death of Tony Timpa.

Officers Dustin Dillard, Raymond Dominguez, Danny Vasquez and Kevin Mansell all interacted with the 32-year-old who called 911 during a 2016 mental health crisis.

Officer Dillard was accused of excessive force for kneeling on Timpas back for around 14 minutes, while the others were accused of failing to intervene.

Candice Higginbotham and Megan Williams have now spoken out after their eight-person jury awarded just $1m to Timpas 15-year-old son and denied his parents and estate anything. Lawyers for the Timpa family had asked for more than $300m.

As soon as he read the verdict, I wanted to cry, 31-year-old Ms Higginbotham told The Dallas Morning News. It just did not sit well with me from the get-go, and I felt like I should have done more.

And she added: I would have given them everything they asked for.

She said that the pair argued back and forth with the other members of the jury for more than six hours at the end of the seven-day trial.

Jurors have shared their regret over the verdict in a civil trial for four Dallas police officers accused in the death of Tony Timpa (NBCFDW)

Police body camera video showed that Timpa, who died within 20 minutes of the officers arriving at the scene, was handcuffed and pinned facedown by the officers as he cried out for help.

When he became unresponsive the officers were caught on video joking about waking him up for school.

We were in the room with those jurors, and we know that they know those cops did wrong, said 32-year-old Ms Williams.

They were just worried where that money was going to come from. They were worried about those police livelihoods when those police werent worried about Tonys.

An autopsy ruled Timpas death a homicide caused by sudden cardiac death due to the toxic effects of cocaine and the stress associated with physical restraint.

Lawyers for his family say that he died because of the position that the officers placed him in, while attorneys for the officers say that a combination of drug abuse, heart conditions and mental illness caused his death.

The jury ruled that Officers Dillard, Dominguez and Vasquez had violated Timpas constitutional rights.

But they also determined that Officers Dillard and Vasquez were covered by qualified immunity, a law that protects government officials such as police officers from lawsuits.
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Donald Trump said at a campaign rally in Iowa on Sunday that hed rather die by electrocution than be eaten by a shark.

Among his strange, meandering comments at the rally, Mr Trump claimed that farmers of Ottumwa in Iowa  some of whom were likely present among the 2,500-strong crowd  were coming up to him sobbing to praise and thank him for what hes done for them.

They were crying, many of them crying. People that had never cried before, the former US president said.

He targeted president Joe Bidens administration, which he claimed weaponized law enforcement to arrest their leading opponent on fake and phony charges.

Mr Trump also went on a nearly-20-minute rant against Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who is in the Republican primary race for a 2024 presidency nomination.

In his speech, the former US president also accused the current US government of trying to crush ethanol made in Iowa by farmers.

Crooked Joe is trying to crush Iowa ethanol, Mr Trump said, alleging that the US president was seeking to make everyone buy electric vehicles.

Lets get in our new electric vehicle. Thirty minutes later youre looking for a recharge, he said.

They want to go all-electric... The problem is their batteries are so heavy that the boats cant carry them. They would sink, the former president said.

At this point he went on a tangent, about how he would rather die by electrocution than be eaten by sharks if the boat was sinking.

But if Im sitting down and that boats going down and am on top of the battery and the water starts swelling in, am getting concerned. Then I look 10 yards to my left and I see a shark over there, he said, pointing to his left.

So I have a choice of electrocution or shark. You know what Im going to take? Electrocution. I will take electrocution every single time, Mr Trump said.

This is not the first time the ex-president went off on a tangent about sharks mid-speech.

In 2020, speaking at a rally in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Mr Trump was distracted by a mosquito that flew in front of his face and wanted to get that mosquito.

I dont like  theyll say its cruelty to animals. I dont know  no, its true! he said, before shifting his speech abruptly to sharks.

They were saying the other night, the shark. They were saying, Sharks, we have to protect them.....Im not a big fan of sharks, Mr Trump said.

I have people calling me up: Sir, we wanted to  we have a fund to save the shark. Its called save the shark. I say No, thank you. I have other things I can contribute to, he added.

Adult film actress Stormy Daniels also alleged in her memoir in 2018 that during her affair with Mr Trump in 2006, he talked about how much he hated sharks and would not mind if they all died.
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An Arizona woman is grieving her pet emu after a fatal encounter with law enforcement.

A rope was put around the neck of the female emu  named Richard  as police officers tried to put the bird into a squad car, Fox10 reported.

Stephanie Moilan said, You cant put a lasso around their neck, trying to yank on them and get them to do what you want them to do. Youre going to kill them. She added, It was so inappropriate. It was completely unnecessary.

Ms Moilan called Richard, who was six years old, awesome.

You could hand feed her. Id go out and pet her and cuddle her, said Ms Moilan.

The incident reportedly transpired after her emu escaped. Ms Moilans neighbour, Michael Davis, said he saw the bird outside of his window: He was just very calm, just wandering around. Not aggressive at all. Not threatening.

Richard was obviously in distress, and she was kicking and screaming as officers tried to put the bird in the car, Mr Davis told 12News.

Richard the emu (Stephanie Moilan / Facebook)

Then, Mr Davis said he saw the emu collapse after it seemed to choke: I dont think that it needed to happen the way that it did.

The Maricopa County Sheriffs Office told the outlet that officials arrived at the scene after they received a call about an emu on the loose. During the corralling, The bird collapsed and died, police wrote.

She was just so much fun, the grieving owner said. Im really going to miss her. However, Ms Moilan contested the sheriffs office description: There was no corralling. I dont think you need a lasso for that.

We are absolutely heartbroken and devastated, she wrote on Facebook. We loved Richard so much. She brought my family, friends and me so much joy, laughter, curiosity and love!! She didnt deserve this!!
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The last bus carrying ethnic Armenians has left Nagorno-Karabakh, bringing an end to an extraordinary exodus of more than 100,000 people since control of the region was retaken by Azerbaijan.

Fifteen passengers with serious illnesses and mobility problems were aboard the bus as it left the breakaway enclave, said Gegham Stepanyan, Nagorno-Karabakhs human rights ombudsman.

Armenian authorities said that 100,514 people  or 85 per cent of residents  have crossed into Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh, which is recognised internationally as a part of Azerbaijan but has operated as a de facto state for several decades following a war in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union.

As the last buses left, videos emerged showing eerily deserted streets inside the main city of Stepanakert, or Khankendi as it is known in Azerbaijan.

Empty prams, baby cots, childrens scooters and chairs are shown scattered across the main street, where tens of thousands of people had gathered waiting for buses and cars. Azerbaijani police checkpoints have been set up on the citys edges, and Russian peacekeeping troops are still manning their bases on the outskirts.

Former residents who had fled in recent days told The Independent it was a ghost town.

We dont know what will happen now, said Lusine Barkhudaryan, a former member of the self-declared government, who had reached the Armenian border town of Goris. She said she only knew a handful of people who had stayed behind, mostly the elderly as they had nowhere to go.

We cant go back. All the things we created for decades have gone.

The main square in Stepanakert, or Khankendi, in Karabakh (Al Jazeera/YouTube)

Thousands have been killed during more than 30 years of bloody conflict, which has seen families on both sides displaced.

Ten months ago, the government in Baku, Azerbaijans capital, imposed a crippling siege on the enclave, restricting access to food, fuel and electricity. Then, on 19 September, Azerbaijani forces launched a 24-hour military blitz. Outgunned, outnumbered, and weakened by the blockade, the separatist forces capitulated and agreed to dissolve their government by the end of the year.

Baku has pledged to respect the rights of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh as it is reintegrated into Azerbaijan. But the majority of them have fled, fearing persecution including losing the freedom to use their language and to practice their religious and cultural customs.

The arrest of several Karabakh Armenian political and security officials by Azerbaijan  including one of the former prime ministers, Ruben Vardanyan, as he tried to cross into Armenia  only increased the panic.

Mr Vardanyans family released a statement on Monday saying they had not been able to communicate with him since his arrest. They called on the international community to help.

Prams and trolleys are abandoned in the street where residents waited to board buses (Al Jazeera/YouTube)

We are concerned about his health and arbitrary treatment and have not been able to communicate with him since his capture, the statement read.

We fear for his wellbeing and risk to his life.

Azerbaijani prosecutors have also issued an arrest warrant for the former leader of Nagorno-Karabakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, who led the region before stepping down at the beginning of September.

In a speech on Monday, Azerbaijans president Ilham Aliyev said his country had put an end to the conflict.

We protected our dignity, we restored justice and international law, he added.

Mr Aliyev said: Our agenda is peace in the Caucasus, peace in the region, cooperation, shared benefits  and today, we demonstrate that.

The Armenian prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, has said the exodus of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh amounts to a direct act of ethnic cleansing and depriving people of their motherland.

On Thursday, Armenias envoy to the EU urged the bloc to sanction Azerbaijan for its operation in the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, and warned that Baku could soon attack Armenia itself unless the West takes firm action.

Tigran Balayan listed possible measures, such as a price cap on Azerbaijani oil and gas and the suspension of EU talks on closer relations with Baku. In an interview with reporters, he also urged the West to deliver bold security assistance to Armenia.

Its not only the opinion of the Armenian government, but also of many experts  also some of the EU member states  that an attack on Armenia proper is imminent, Mr Balayan said.
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Ukraine's parliament and its speaker have taunted billionaire Elon Musk after he posted a meme on his social media platform mocking President Volodymyr Zelensky's pleas for assistance from the West against Vladimir Putin's forces.

Musk owns SpaceX, which provides Starlink satellite communication services that are vital for Ukraine's defence effort, but his statements have sometimes angered Kyiv since the full-scale invasion launched by Russia in February last year.

Follow the latest in our live blog here

Early on Monday, Musk posted a meme on his platform X, formerly known as Twitter, showing Zelensky and the caption: "When it's been 5 minutes and you haven't asked for a billion dollars in aid."

The Ukrainian leader and his top lieutenants have appealed to their allies throughout the war to secure billions of pounds of military aid to weather and push back Russia's invasion.

The speaker of Ukraine's parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, hit out at Musk's jibe with his own post on X.

"The case when [Elon Musk] tried to conquer space, but something went wrong and in 5 minutes he was up to his eyeballs in s***," an apparent reference to SpaceX's failed rocket launch in April.

Ukraine's parliament, on its official page on X, accused Musk of spreading Russian propaganda, posting its own version of the meme with a picture of Musk and the caption: "When it's been 5 minutes and you haven't spread Russian propaganda".

A Ukrainian presidential adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, who has criticised some of Musk's statements in the past, said in a post on X that being silent or ironic about Ukraine played into the hands of Russian propaganda.

"Unfortunately, not everyone and not always, while being significant media figures, but being thousands of kilometres away from the war's epicentre, is able to realize what the daily bombardments and cries of children losing their parents are."

The UKs defence secretary, Grant Shapps, said the social media post from Musk about Zelensky was "unhelpful".

Speaking at an event at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, he said: "I think it's unhelpful, to be blunt." He declined to criticise Mr Musk directly, adding it's a "free world".

Shapps added: "He can tweet or X what he likes. What Ukraine really needs is strong and steady friends who won't waver."

Ukrainian officials criticised Musk earlier in the war for suggesting that they should consider giving up land for peace, a position that Kyiv has staunchly rejected.

Zelensky visited the United States in September and met top officials in a bid to secure further aid. Over the weekend, aid for Ukraine was omitted from a stopgap funding measure passed by Congress in Washington to avert a US government shutdown.

Washington has been the largest single donor to Ukraine since Russia's full invasion last year, giving tens of billions of dollars in military and financial aid.

Although right-wing Republican supporters of former President Donald Trump have increasingly called for funding of Ukraine to be halted, President Joe Biden's administration says it expects the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to pass a measure to keep the aid flowing.

On Sunday, Biden pressed congressional Republicans to back the aid, saying he was "sick and tired" of the political brinkmanship that had nearly closed the government down.

Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said on Monday that Kyiv was still confident of US backing.

"We don't feel that the US support has been shattered... because the United States understands that what is at stake in Ukraine is much bigger than just Ukraine," he said.

He added that what happened in the US Congress at the weekend was just "an incident".

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"We have a very in-depth discussion with both parts of the Congress  Republicans and Democrats," he said.

Reuters
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Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev threatened military force against British soldiers training in Ukraine, calling them legal targets for Russias forces.

The deputy chairman of Russias Security Council was reacting to remarks by British defence secretary Grant Shapps who on Saturday said London wants to send military instructors to Ukraine  a claim later clarified by prime minister Rishi Sunak who said that the plans are not for here and now.

"(This will) turn their instructors into a legal target for our armed forces... understanding perfectly well that they will be ruthlessly destroyed. And not as mercenaries, but namely as British Nato specialists," Mr Medvedev wrote on his official Telegram channel.

Mr Shapps spoke about the training in Ukraine in addition to training Ukrainian armed forces in Britain or other Western countries as at present.

The Russian official is considered to be a close aide of Vladimir Putin who has earlier issued nuclear sabre-rattling threats after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year.

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Apart from threatening British forces in his Telegram post, Mr Medvedev also said German factories producing Taurus missiles were pushing us towards World War Three.

"They say this is in accordance with international law. Well, in that case, strikes on German factories where these missiles are made would also be in full compliance with international law," Mr Medvedev said.

"These morons are actively pushing us towards World War Three," he added, repeating similar warnings he has made before. In July, Mr Medvedev said actions by the "completely crazy" West meant World War Three "is getting closer."

On Sunday, Mr Sunak rowed back from his defence secretary Mr Shappss comments and said there were no immediate plans to deploy military instructors to Ukraine.

"What the defence secretary was saying was that it might well be possible one day in the future for us to do some of that training in Ukraine," he told reporters at the start of the governing Conservative Partys annual conference in Manchester.

"But thats something for the long term, not the here and now. There are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict."
 Close Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Ukraine mail depot that killed six

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Russia bombarded 118 Ukrainian towns and villages over the course of 24 hours, the most intense day of shelling this year, the Ukrainian interior minister said.

Communities near the front lines in the east and south were targeted, with 10 out of 27 of Ukraines regions coming under attack.

Vladimir Putins warplanes have dropped explosive objects into the paths of civilian shipping lanes in the Black Sea, the regions military command said.

The occupiers are continuing to terrorise the paths of civilian shipping in the Black Sea with tactical aviation, dropping explosive objects into the likely paths of civilian vessel traffic, it said.

There were three such drops registered in the last 24 hours. However, the navigation corridor continues to function under the watch of the defence forces.

Ukraine is trying to build up a new shipping lane without Russian approval to revive its vital seaborne exports. But Russia said it would consider any vessel a potential military target after it quit UN-brokered deal allowing Ukrainian goods to pass through.

It comes as Ukrainian troops have made confirmed advances against Russia on two fronts, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
Western New York shoppers are grabbing their hankies  and one last plankie  as they say goodbye to Pulp 716, a beloved comic book store with locations in Lockport and North Tonawanda.

Power of the Plankie: Pulp 716's new dessert creation is a hit Its OK if you havent heard of Plankies. The Polish-inspired dessert didnt exist until early March, when Pulp 716 co-owner Jay Berent  who liked the idea of danishes but always came away disappointed  engineered something new to better suit his tastes. Thanks to brainstorming and trial-and-error between Berent and Jessica Trayer, owner of Tater Cakes Bakery and

The award-winning comic book shop will close Oct. 31, co-owner Amy Berent confirmed Monday.

This has been an incredibly difficult time, she said. Several factors made this decision for us, including some personal medical reasons.

Since the company announced the closure on Facebook over the weekend, the shop has been slammed.

Business has been intense since the announcement, Berent said. So much so that we may run out of product before the target date.

In addition to its expertly curated selection of comics and knowledgeable staff, the shop was known for its bubble tea, board games and period-accurate coffee styles that paid homage to different eras. The shop also sold plankies, a Polish-inspired dessert described as a cross between a pastry heart and a doughnut thats folded over.

Lockport comic book store magical for kids struggling to read The POWer Reader Group program matches 12 kids with a private literacy tutor who teaches them how to improve their reading skills using

We feel very humbled by the enormous outpouring of support we have received and will always be grateful to our community, Berent said.

For Nicole Majewski, Pulp 716 in North Tonawanda is more than a comic book store  its a piece of her heart.

This was my place, she wrote on Facebook.

Its a sentiment shared by thousands across Western New York, and the reason news of its coming closure has customers such as Justine Stevens feeling devastated.

Couple opens new shop in NT serving comics, coffee, pop culture NORTH TONAWANDA  Do you still think comics are for kids? Think again. An enterprising couple found such success in their first endeavor  establishing Pulp 716 Coffee and Comics at 45 East Ave., Lockport, two years ago  that its just opened another shop of the same name at 31 Webster St., North Tonawanda. People might think a

My favorite thing in the world is to get drinks on Saturday night and walk around the Canal, Stevens wrote. This is terrible, devastating news.

Since Pulp 716 opened in Lockport in 2015 and North Tonawanda in 2017, it has had a special place in consumers hearts. They made that loud and clear over the weekend, leaving hundreds of comments on the shops social media pages.

This is heart breaking. This is the place where my kids felt loved and accepted. Thank you for being that place for as long as you could. You left an impact on our hearts and community, wrote Kay Pete.
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Russias special military operation in Ukraine has been raging for more than a year and a half now as the conflict continues to record devastating casualties and force the mass displacement of millions of blameless Ukrainians.

Vladimir Putin began the war by claiming Russias neighbour needed to be demilitarised and de-Nazified, a baseless pretext on which to launch a landgrab against an independent state that happens to have a Jewish president in Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine has fought back courageously against Mr Putins warped bid to restore territory lost to Moscow with the collapse of the Soviet Union and has continued to defy the odds by defending itself against Russian onslaughts with the help of Western military aid.

Battle tanks from the US, Britain and Germany were supplied for the first time and Mr Zelensky toured London, Paris and Brussels in early February 2023 to request fighter jets be sent as well in order to counter the Russian aerial threat, a step the allies appear to have reservations about making, although Joe Biden has since visited Kyiv in a gesture of solidarity.

Mr Zelenskys forces have since launched a major campaign of their own to retrieve besieged territory but, as Ukraines resistance grows, Mr Putins threats of escalating the fight grow too, causing concern globally about the prospect of nuclear warfare being unleashed.

Mr Zelensky has said Russian officials have begun to prepare their society for the possible use of nuclear weapons but added that he does not believe the Kremlin is ready to use them.

The president has insisted action is needed now to avert that scenario ever coming to pass, pointing out that Russias threats pose a risk for the whole planet and that Moscow has made a step already by occupying the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europes largest nuclear station.

In response to the growing sense that his invasion has backfired, Mr Putin staged a televised address in September 2022 in which he ordered a partial military mobilisation of 300,000 reservists and reiterated his threat to use nukes against the West, a major escalation of his rhetoric in which he assured the world: Its not a bluff.

Vladimir Putin (Mikhail Klimentyev/AP)

The Kremlins faltering troops, otherwise saddled with outmoded equipment and sub-standard supplies, have employed brutal siege warfare tactics throughout the war, surrounding Ukraines cities and subjecting them to intense shelling campaigns, a strategy previously seen in Chechnya and Syria.

Ukrainian cities in the east and south have been battered by Russian missiles in pursuit of gradual gains, while the targeting of residential buildings, hospitals and even nurseries and memorials have led to outraged accusations of civilians being intentionally targeted and of war crimes being committed on a massive scale.

The discovery of mass graves in towns like Bucha and Izium have shocked the world.

Mr Biden, his European counterparts Rishi Sunak, Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz and UN secretary general Antonio Guterres have all condemned the Kremlins unprovoked and unjustified invasion and promised to hold it accountable, with the West introducing several rounds of tough economic sanctions against Russian banks, businesses and oligarchs while supplying Ukraine with additional weapons, hardware and defence funding.

The Ukrainian president has recently shown signs of frustration with allied dithering over next steps and the West has also faced criticism for not doing enough to support the millions of refugees from the conflict, who have fled their homeland for neighbouring states like Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Moldova.

Ukrainian refugees wait in front of the consular department of the Ukrainian embassy in Berlin, Germany, in April 2022 (AP)

So what are the key issues behind the conflict, where did it all begin and how might it unfold?

How did the crisis start?

Rumbling tensions in in the region first began in December 2021 when Russian troops amassed at its western border with Ukraine, creating widespread international concern but not acting until the final week of February 2022, when Mr Putin moved to officially recognise the pro-Russian breakaway regions of the Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) and Luhansk Peoples Republic (LPR) as independent states.

This enabled him to move military resources into those areas, in anticipation of the coming assault, under the guise of extending protection to allies.

That development meant months of frantic diplomatic negotiations pursued by the likes of US secretary of state Antony Blinken, Mr Macron, Mr Scholz and then-UK foreign secretary Liz Truss in the hope of averting calamity had ultimately come to nothing.

Going back even further to 2014 gives the current situation more context.

Russia annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula that year in retaliation after the countrys Moscow-friendly president, Viktor Yanukovych, was driven from power by the midwinter mass protests seen in Kyivs Maidan Square, an angry reaction to his decision to reject a treaty strengthening economic and diplomatic ties between his country and the EU, probably acting under pressure from the Kremlin.

Ukrainians return to Kyivs Maidan Square to celebrate the liberation of Kherson in November 2022 (AFP/Getty)

Weeks later, Russia threw its weight behind two separatist insurgency movements in Ukraines eastern industrial heartland, the Donbas, which eventually saw pro-Russian rebels in Donetsk and Luhansk declare the DPR and LPR independent states, although their claims went entirely unacknowledged by the international community.

More than 14,000 people died in the fighting between 2014 and 2022, which devastated the region.

Both Ukraine and the West have accused Russia of sending troops and weapons to back the rebels but Moscow has denied the allegations, stating that the Little Green Men who joined the separatists cause were not really Russian soldiers or had done so voluntarily, hence their lack of identifying insignia, an argument few believe.

A 2015 peace accord  the Minsk II agreement  was brokered by Francois Hollande of France and Germanys Angela Merkel to bring Mr Yanukovychs eventual successor Petro Poroshenko and Mr Putin to the table in the hope of ending the bloodshed.

The 13-point agreement obliged Ukraine to offer autonomy to the separatist regions and amnesty for the rebels while Ukraine would regain full control of its border with Russia in the rebel-held territories in return.

Former German chancellor Angela Merkel mediates a tense meeting between then-Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko and Vladimir Putin at a D-Day commemoration in 2014 (AP)

The agreement is highly complex and remains contested, however, because Moscow continues to insist it has not been a party in the conflict and is therefore not bound by its terms.

In point 10 of the treaty, there is a call for the withdrawal of all foreign armed formations and military equipment from the disputed DPR and LPR: Ukraine says this refers to forces from Russia but Mr Putin is adamant in his denials that his country has any of its own troops in the contested regions, despite the obviousness of the untruth.

In 2021, a spike in ceasefire violations in the east and a Russian troop concentration near Ukraine fuelled fears that a new war was about to erupt but tensions abated when Moscow pulled back the bulk of its forces.

How is the situation at present?

On Wednesday 27 September, Russia accused Ukraines Western allies of helping plan and conduct a missile strike on the Black Sea Fleets headquarters on the annexed Crimean Peninsula.

There is no doubt that the attack had been planned in advance using Western intelligence means, Nato satellite assets and reconnaissance planes and was implemented upon the advice of American and British security agencies and in close coordination with them, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a briefing.

Moscow has repeatedly claimed that the US and its Nato allies have become involved in the conflict by supplying weapons to Ukraine, providing the country with intelligence information and helping plan attacks on Russian facilities.

There were unconfirmed news reports alleging that Storm Shadow missiles provided to Ukraine by the UK and France were used in the attack on the headquarters.

As for Ukraines troops, they are now said to be enjoying success through the capture of villages near Bakhmut  a key town seized by Russian forces in May after some of the wars heaviest fighting.

Illia Yevlash, a spokesperson for Ukraines forces in the east, told national television: On the southern flank, we continue the offensive operation. In particular, we have had successes near Zaitseve, Klishchiivka, Odradivka and Ivanivske. There, our defenders continue to knock out the enemy. Under heavy fire, they are holding the defence and consolidating positions,

Volodymyr Zelensky (AP)

The Ukrainian army had killed 141 Russian troops and destroyed several pieces of Russian artillery equipment, he added.

On the southern front, Russia was meanwhile reportedly bringing in reserves as Ukrainian troops dug in and were ready to move on the village of Verbove as part of their advance to the Sea of Azov.

The battlefields successes for Ukrainian troops were cheered on by Mr Zelensky in his nightly address on the Tuesday evening as he confirmed damage to Russian logistics and headquarters.

The first is the actual situation at the front, our offensive and defensive operations. Important reports on the east and south. On the destruction of logistics and headquarters of the occupiers. There are good details. Loud details. I thank all the Ukrainian warriors who distinguished themselves! the president said.

Ukraine fired its counteroffensive back in June and is gradually progressing with gains in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky and his troops are slowly making progress in recapturing its territories in Bakhmut, Zaporizhzhia and other southern regions.

Could the war go beyond Ukraine?

It is feared that Mr Putin, humiliated by the failure of his conquest so far, could now resort to even more drastic measures given that he will be under enormous pressure to present demonstrable wins to a Russian public growing impatient with a futile conflict.

The prospect of the war finally spilling out over Ukraines borders and engulfing the rest of Europe can also not be dismissed, although Nato remains hugely reluctant to take up arms against Russia and will do everything in its power to avert that nightmare scenario.

Ukraine is not (yet) a member of the military alliance, hence Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty not having been triggered before this point.

However, the world saw a near-miss on 15 November 2022 when what appeared to be a Russian rocket crossed into Poland, killing two people when it hit a grain silo in Przewodow, Lublin, an act that might well have been interpreted as an attack on a Nato ally necessitating the entire alliance entering the fray to come to its defence.

Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and investigators concluded that the blast had actually been caused by a Soviet-era relic from Ukraines own arsenal, which had been fired in an attempt to bring down one of the aggressors projectiles targeting Lviv and drifted off course by mistake.

The West breathed a collective sigh of relief but the episode served to illustrate just how quickly matters could escalate into a much wider war over continental Europe.
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The US Coast Guard has called off a search for a missing swimmer almost 24 hours after their disappearance following reports of a shark attack.

The person was reported missing on Sunday morning near Point Reyes National Seashore, north of San Francisco, prompting a multi-agency investigation.

A spokesperson from the Coast Guard confirmed that searches by sea and air had taken place overnight, but that operations had now been halted pending further developments.

The swimmer was last seen Sunday at Wildcat Beach, part of the Point Reyes National Park.

Petty Officer Hunter Schnabel told The Independent that the Coast Guard had been contacted at around 10.40am on Sunday.

We received a report that they had witnessed someone getting attacked by a shark and that they were now missing, he said.

At this time the Coast Guard launched assets by sea and air and searches continued throughout the day yesterday and overnight.

Mr Schnabel said that the searches had been called off at around 9am local time on Monday.

He added that the next of kin process was underway and that searches would not resume unless relevant information emerged that would lead the agency to believe there was a reason to continue with efforts.

Personnel from Point Reyes National Park Service, Marin County/ Stinson Beach Fire and four helicopters had been involved in the search.

Samantha Edell, who was present at the time of the incident, said that her son had heard screaming and that a group of people had gathered by the water.

"They told me that their friend was out swimming, and he was attacked by a shark. I said, How bad is it? They said he never came out of the water," she told the San Francisco Standard.

Ms Edell said that the group in question had been backpacking in the area after having previously attended a wedding together.
Terrified families fleeing in fear of ethnic cleansing after the collapse of Nagorno-Karabakh are running out of water and fuel during the desperate two-day journey to neighbouring Armenia.

David, an 18-year-old refugee said he feels empty inside after being forced to leave his home.

Nagorno-Karabakh is an enclave of ethnic Armenians surrounded by Azerbaijan.

The area had enjoyed de facto independence for three decades despite being internationally recognised as being part of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan launched a lightning military operation earlier this month to retake the enclave.

More than 90,000 Karabakh Armenians  around three-quarters of the total population  have now left their homes, many leaving behind all their belongings.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was accused of being a crowdpleaser in a heated debate with Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain on Monday.

The Chancellor will announce today that people on state benefits could have their payments reduced if they fail to look for work or refuse a job offer, something which Ms Reid said is already in place.

She said: Youre simply reannouncing a policy that is already in place because you think it is a crowd pleaser. and people will fall for it thinking its a fantastic new policy and that youre cracking down on those not looking for work.

Mr Hunt replied: Susanna, if you are saying this is just reannouncing something, that is just wrong. Let me say that plain and simple.
Leaders of Murcias city and regions political institutions have held a moments silence and applause in honour of the victims of Sundays disco blaze.

A total of 13 people were killed as a consequence of the fire and 24 more were injured.

Firefighters and police continued to search the damaged premises for clues as to how the fire started in Murcia, a university city in southeastern Spain.

The blaze started in a nightclub around 6am on Sunday 1 October and spread to two others nearby, Spanish state news agency EFE said.

All the bodies were found in the first nightclub.
Former president Donald Trump appeared to mock Joe Biden as he took his election campaign to Iowa on Sunday, visiting farmers and delivering a speech in Ottumwa.

Footage, filmed by Margo Martin, Trumps deputy director of communications, shows Trump signing a John Deere combine harvester on a farm in Leighton, before he turns to the crowd and asks, You think Biden can do that?

He then declares: I dont think so.

His comments are met by a round of applause from his supporters.

He can later be heard saying That is some piece of equipment.
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Temperatures are set to reach 26C in parts of the UK this weekend as experts warn weather changes will only get worse if greenhouse gas emissions arent reduced urgently.

After a wet start to the week, heat of up to 24C will be notably widespread across the UK on Saturday while some regions in the south and south east of England will experience heat of up to 26C on Sunday.

A Met Office spokesperson said: In a changing climate, were likely to see more heat extremes due to our changing climate and the underlying influence of human-induced climate change.

They report that increased temperatures and weather changes will become more frequent and more severe in the years to come with the three month period covering autumn and winter, between October and December, set to be warmer than average.

Although warmer October months and natural variability in the change of weather is not unusual, the Met said they could not predict whether temperatures would be as hot every autumn but there was an increased likelihood for them to be warmer than average. The highest recorded temperature for this month in the last thirty years was in 2011 where conditions soared to 29.9C.

The news comes at the same time as a yellow weather warning was issued for parts of Scotland where persistent rainfall is expected throughout the week, with 100mm of rain expected to accumulate over a three day period.

Senior Lecturer in Climate Science at Imperial College, Dr Paulo Ceppi, said that the evidence that things would continue to get worse in the coming decade was overwhelming.

Parts of Scotland have been issued with a yellow weather warning as persistent rain is expected this week (PA)

Dr Ceppi said: For the UK, this means increasing temperatures and other extreme events including the increased severity and frequency of heatwaves.

Last year it broke 40C. We cant expect that to happen every year but it is getting increasingly likely year after year as the world continues warming.

And heatwaves arent the only concern, he says if sea levels continue to rise, we can also expect extreme rainfall leading to other effects which would include coastal changes, storms and coastal erosion. This could lead to cliffs collapsing and other coastal infrastructure being put at risk, in the worst cases.

Although it is being referred to as an autumn heatwave the Met Office said this was not technically true as high temperatures needed to last three days to be considered a heat wave. However, they did confirm that the temperatures for many regions were expected to reach heatwave level.

Experts say forecasts for the next decades are predicted to get increasingly worse as the effects of the climate crisis impact weather (Getty Images)

Dr Ceppi says that weather changes such as this demonstrate the need to to reduce emissions as soon as possible. It will continue to get warmer unless we reach net zero, he said.

Even in the most optimistic scenario, theres no way we could stop in the next ten years. But we have to reach net zero as soon as possible to stop warming. As long as we keep burning greenhouse gases, the planet will continue warming and we will continue to see these sorts of weather extremes.

The UK had its joint-warmest September on record in a series which goes back to 1884 according to provisional Met Office statistics. Mean temperatures reached 15.2C this September putting it level with 2006 which surpassed the hottest September since records began. Englands provisional figure of 16.7C this year topped the previous record of 16.5C set in 2006.

Dr Ceppi said the scientific community welcomed the governments pledge to reach net zero by 2050. But the pledge needs to be backed up by policy and delays can affect our ability to reach that goal.
Author shocked to discover ancestor was murdered by sex fiend as she brings story to book

An award-winning author has revealed how she made a shock discovery when researching her Carrickfergus ancestors  that one of them fell victim to an American serial killer.

William Patterson, of Albert Road, Carrickfergus, had emigrated to Canada in the 1920s.

In August 1926, his 27-year-old wife Emily and their sons, aged five and three, left Carrickfergus to join him.

Emily Patterson

On June 10, 1927, Emily had sent her little boys across the street to play with the neighbours children, when a stranger appeared at her gate.

That stranger was Earle Nelson, dubbed The Gorilla Killer by the press, owing to his huge hands which he used to strangle his victims. Drifter Nelson had worked his way across the USA attacking dozens of women and girls before crossing the border into Canada.

When William arrived home from work that evening, his neighbour brought the boys home but there was no sign of Emily. It was when putting his boys to bed that William spotted Emilys body stuffed under the three-year-olds bed. Emily had been strangled, sexually assaulted and horribly mutilated.

Denise Beddows

For two years, Nelson had evaded capture in numerous cities and states across America. Just days after his killing spree had taken him into Canada, the Gorilla was caught and caged.

At Winnipegs packed courthouse, Nelson was convicted of just one murder  that of the authors ancestor Emily. The following year he was hanged.

Over the years, a great deal has been written about this psychopathic necrophile but virtually nothing has been written about his victims.

Although 22 murders were officially laid at Nelsons door, author Denise Beddows research now reveals he attacked at least twice that number.

Now Buckinghamshire-based Denise hopes to put that right and to rectify misconceptions about Nelson, who was briefly married to a Tyrone woman, and his dreadful past.

Denise Beddows' book The Forgotten Forty-Four

In her latest true crime book, The Forgotten Forty-Four: Victims and Survivors of Americas First Serial Sex Killer, Beddows, whose award-winning crime/espionage thriller Shearwater Point  set in Belfast and Co Down  was an Amazon number one bestseller, presents the victims as individuals rather than as police statistics.

The authors royalties from the book will be donated to the charity Womens Aid.
Dr Cohen and her colleagues analysed data on over 700 mothers and their children. Stock image. Photo: Getty

Breastfeeding is associated with lower levels of body fat in children at the age of nine, new research reveals today.

The study has linked infant formula and the early introduction of fizzy drinks with higher levels of body fat later in childhood.

Children who were breastfed for at least six months or longer had a lower percentage of body fat by age nine compared to those who did not receive breast milk for six months  a group that includes children who were never breastfed or received breast milk for less than 6 months..

Children who were not given soft drinks before 18 months also had a lower fat mass at the age of nine.

The finding supports the theory that the way a child is fed in infancy may be linked to their susceptibility to obesity later in life.

The research will be presented today at the annual meeting of European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Hamburg, Germany.

The study was carried out by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in the US.

The finding supports the theory that the way a child is fed in infancy may be linked to their susceptibility to obesity later in life.

Catherine Cohen, the lead researcher, said :Numerous prior studies have examined the link between infant feeding and child overweight or obesity risk based on body mass index (BMI).

However, BMI is a crude measure of adiposity in childhood. In this study, we aimed to expand on this prior research by examining associations of infant feeding practices with a more precise measure of childhood adiposity, which relates to fat mass, she said.

Dr Cohen and her colleagues analysed data on over 700 mothers and their children.

During interviews when their offspring were six and 18 months old, the mothers were asked about feeding practices, including the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding versus formula feeding.

They also studied the age at which children were introduced to complementary foods, a term covering solids or any liquid other than breast milk or formula.

More than half were breastfed for at least six months, 73pc were introduced to complementary foods at 5 months or older, and 86pc were introduced to soda after 18 months.

The studys authors said : Infant feeding patterns, especially shorter breastfeeding duration, early soda introduction and their joint effect, may influence body fat levels later in childhood.

Our findings add to the larger body of evidence supporting the potential health benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and their children.

They also support the potential importance of delaying a childs introduction to soda  an energy-dense beverage with no nutritional value during this vulnerable life stage.
Fresh calls to ban disposable versions of e-cigarettes as medics criticise TikTok marketing

Disposable vapes could soon be banned in Ireland. Photo: Getty

Brightly coloured disposable vapes are causing Irish children and teenagers to become hooked on nicotine with potential risk to their not fully matured brains, two experts warn in a new report today.

The use of all vaping is increasing at an alarming rate among young people and the flavoured disposable versions that are being heavily marketed at them on TikTok and Instagram should be banned, they say.

The call is made by respiratory physician Des Cox and paediatrician Louise Kyne in a new position paper published today by the Faculty of Paediatrics at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.

They are supporting the introduction of legislation to ban disposable vapes to protect the health and wellbeing of children and young people.

A paper said disposable vapes were the most frequently used e-cigarettes among young people, and their use by children and young people posed serious health risks to them.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has signalled his intention to clamp down on disposable vapes.

Prof Cox said: Exposure of children and adolescents to nicotine can lead to long-term negative impacts on brain development, as well as addiction.

Aerosols in most vapes contain toxic substances, associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and lung disorders. Nicotine, which is highly addictive, is the major psychoactive component of vaping solution.

The potential negative health impacts of vapes include chest symptoms such as cough, wheezing, asthma exacerbations, but there is also a significant risk of dependence and neurotoxic effects on the not fully matured brain.

Doctors need to be equipped to speak to their patients about these ill-effects.

Irish data shows teenagers who vape have a three to five-fold risk of moving on to tobacco smoking.

Clever campaigns on TikTok and Instagram, and the array of flavours and colours, are making disposable vapes more desirable to young people. It reminds me of the unregulated tobacco campaigns of the 1920s, 30s and 40s, said Prof Cox.

We must adopt stronger legislation on the advertising and marketing of vapes and ban the use of flavours, other than tobacco flavour.

International research strongly suggests those vaping today will take up smoking at some point in the future.

Prof Kyne called on doctors and paediatricians to take an active role in discouraging vaping among young people and said the risks needed to be part of health education in schools.

Disposable vapes are also an environmental hazard. Even when recycled properly the process to recycle disposable vapes was labour-intensive and expensive, they said.

If something is causing environmental damage and has serious health impacts for our young people, it seems an obvious solution to ban disposable vapes entirely, they stressed.

The college welcomed the pledge by Mr Donnelly and it has also held talks with junior minister Ossian Smyth.

Prof Cox will be speaking on vaping at a free public meeting at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin on October 17 at 5.30pm  booking is required.
What to know about the week ahead

SUNY Empire State University and the New York State Department of Labor will host a job fair from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday at the Apple Tree Business Park, 2875 Union Road, Cheektowaga. Attendees are asked to dress professionally and bring multiple copies of their resume.

The New York State Department of Labor will host the Dunkirk career fair from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday at Chautauqua Works, 407 Central Ave. in Dunkirk.

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership will hold an industry leaders forum on the topic of finance and insurance from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday at 257 W. Genesee St. The event is free; registration is available online.

The Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Alliance will host Manufacturing Night, a trade show and networking event for BNMA members, from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Grapevine Banquets, 333 Dick Road in Depew.

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The ECIDA is debating clawbacks for two companies that didn't meet job targets.

A Broadway department store building is starting its makeover.

A Cuba cheese factory is getting aid from National Grid.

FeedMore WNY is launching a fundraising campaign for its expansion.

A Jamestown manufacturer is undergoing its second management buyout in 12 years.

A Buffalo transportation company plans to add 200 jobs.

More apartments are coming to a Jefferson Avenue medical project.

A local fintech startup is getting funding from Launch NY.

Taylor Swift's love life opens a New Era for sales.

Facing tough competition, officials take a regional approach to landing a federal tech hub.

Improving credit scores hailed as a path to progress in Buffalo.

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Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1. How Mighty Taco grew into a Buffalo food icon.

2. In 'tipping point,' Buffalo's tourism market emerges from Niagara Falls' shadow.

3. Kaleida wants to build a new hospital in Fredonia, but getting money for it has been difficult.

4. What the state's new cannabis rules really mean for customers, stores and growers.

5. Dr. Stacey Watt's path from standout athlete to becoming a leading regional health care advocate.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.

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Finance Minister Michael McGrath has refused to consider any repayment of the hundreds of millions taken from private pension funds in the wake of the financial collapse.

The Irish Independent has obtained a recent letter spelling out his position, which leaves hundreds of thousands of retirement savers at a continued disadvantage  and at a time when the Russian war on Ukraine has crushed returns.

Mr McGrath, through his private secretary, told a complainant who sought Budget steps to restore the shortfall, imposed by Fine Gael predecessor Michael Noonan: As you are aware, the pension levy on private pension funds was introduced in the wake of the financial crash and at a time when the economy was in serious difficulties.

The intent of the levy was to raise revenue in respect of the tax reliefs that those contributing to pension arrangements had benefited from over many years.

This is the first time it has been officially suggested that the Government was simply clawing back money it had already given to pension savers in tax incentives.

Under the legislation, the payment of the levy was treated as a necessary expense of a pension scheme and it was a matter for the trustees or insurers to decide when and how the levy should be passed on to scheme members and to what extent, given the particular circumstances of the pension schemes for which they were responsible.

In practical experience, the entire levy was skimmed off the top of personal saving funds, drawing in billions for the Exchequer. The levy was discontinued in 2016. Remarkably, the measure was never challenged in the courts by any individual, despite fears that it might actually prove unconstitutional.

The pension industry chose not to mount any resistance as a body.

Mr McGraths private secretary now writes explicitly in the September 2023 letter: The Minister for Finance has no plans to repay the levies raised on private pension funds.

It was never the intention that any levy payments would be repaid when the economy recovered, as is the case with any other tax or duty that was paid in the wake of the financial crash.

However it was pointed out to the minister that many other emergency measures have since been fully restored  including the pay of public servants.

A number of top mandarins are now on 250,000 a year, with secretary general Robert Watt of the Department Health  where the HSE has a near 2bn budget overrun  paid 294,920.

The value of the funds raised by way of the levies have been used to protect and create jobs, said Mr McGraths office on his behalf. This has helped to support the improved financial and economic position of the State.

In a final paragraph, showing no acknowledgment of the Government breaking faith with its private individual partners in prudent provision for retirement, the letter adds: Taxpayers who may have ultimately borne the impact of the levy will have since benefited from tax reductions and other measures in the last number of budgets.

Private pension provision in the Irish workforce has been dropping sharply since the snatch from pension pots  and only one worker in three is now making adequate provision for the years after their retirement.

The long-term implications for the State have caused much angst in Government in recent years, with a planned move to the auto-enrolment of new workers, although this has been bogged down in bureaucratic delays, accompanied by references to problems caused by the pandemic.

Mr McGrath will, meanwhile, on Budget Day announce a new state rainy-day fund for pension and demographic commitments, alongside a strategic investment fund to ensure major infrastructural projects are completed, even in future years of downturn.
Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail's meeting with a delegation from Azerbaijan at the Dail

A woman who fled Nagorno-Karabakh holds a child after arriving in Armenia amid fears of chaos in her homeland. Photo: Vasily Krestyaninov/AP

The Ceann Comhairle has defended his private meeting with a delegation from Azerbaijan, days after a military assault by the country led to the flight of 100,000 Armenian refugees from the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Sean O Fearghail asked members of the Dail last Wednesday to join with me in extending a very warm Cead Mile Failte  one hundred thousand welcomes  to my counterpart from Azerbaijan.

There was then a burst of applause from TDs for Dr Sahiba Gafarova and other members of a large Azerbaijan delegation who were sitting in the distinguished visitors gallery.

Asked about his private meeting in Room 2 at Leinster House, Mr O Fearghail said: It is a very reasonable question to ask. I met the Azerbaijan delegation at their request.

He added: I subsequently had a meeting with the Armenian speaker.

The latter encounter took place on Friday  outside Leinster House  as part of the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, which the Ceann Comhairle hosted in Dublin.

Mr O Fearghail said: My desire was about finding a peaceful solution to the situation that has arisen.

If east Donegal, was occupied by the British or the coloniser, what would we do?

We respect territorial integrity and are absolutely committed to the protection and promotion of human rights. Im not in any way embarrassed to have spoken with and met both speakers.

Hundreds died in a lightning war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh, a separatist ethnic Armenian enclave within its borders. Overrun, virtually the entire Christian minority has fled to Armenia.

But former Fianna Fail senator Terry Leyden, who is in line to become Azerbaijans consul here and who escorted the delegation in Ireland, said: They reclaimed their rightful territory, which is their right. If east Donegal, was occupied by the British or the coloniser, what would we do?

In welcoming the Azerbaijanis to the Dail, the Ceann Comhairle mentioned our good friend Terry Leyden, who is outside the door. You are heartily welcome. It is good to have you here.

Mr O Fearghail, a champion of Ukraine who has visited that country and seen the sites of Russian war crimes, told the Irish Independent: I spoke about the Nagorno-Karabakh situation and gave them the opportunity to outline their position.

As to whether I agree with it or not, that is another matter. I would be very careful on whether to endorse any position, other than Irish support for a peaceful resolution.

Mr Leyden said most of the 14-strong delegation flew in by private jet direct from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

He said a process is under way about his becoming the countrys consul in Ireland. It is not concluded.

We had a meeting on Wednesday with the Ceann Comhairle and the Ambassador of Azerbaijan (Elin Suleymanov, who is based in London), he said.

It was part of the 47 states of the Council of Europe holding a meeting in Dublin at the Conference Centre.

He added: It is all upfront, I am not doing anything untoward.
Wexford County Council is to appeal an employment tribunals decision to award 20,000 to a worker who claimed a colleague started to strangle him with a seatbelt at work.

The local authority will challenge the ruling by adjudication officer Niamh OCarroll at the Labour Court.

She made the decision after Patrick OConnor lodged a complaint under safety, health and welfare at work legislation.

Ms OCarroll found Mr OConnor had his overtime reduced and that his work duties were diminished after he complained following alleged assaults by a colleague.

She said his allegations were extremely serious and the council should have dealt with them immediately.

Ms OCarroll said it was arguable that the gardai should also have been informed.

Mr OConnor worked as a general operative at the council and was later regraded as a light truck driver. He alleged that he was subjected to a physical and verbal assault at the hands of another employee.

He said this employee wrapped a seatbelt around his neck and started to strangle him around November 2019. He said it was some time before this colleague released the belt and when he did, he exited the vehicle in which they were travelling, fell on to the footpath and vomited.

A few weeks later, he was at work when the same colleague approached him and asked why he didnt pick up litter. He said the machine couldnt pick it up and they argued. He said his colleague told him if he didnt shut his mouth, he would do it for him and he would meet him after work and sort him out.

Mr OConnor said when he told him he was going to report him, his colleague put his hands around his neck and performed a choking action.

He said after he reported the incidents to his employer, it failed to act immediately and after making the complaint, he was penalised.

In a decision following a hearing in March this year, Ms OCarroll said there had been two very serious incidents at work when the complainant was assaulted.

She said it was clear from the evidence that he made a complaint in writing in July 2021.

Today's News in 90 seconds - October 2nd

Whether or not it wasnt seen by HR until January 2022 is not relevant, she said.

What is relevant is that he made the complaint, and it was received by the respondent. I am therefore satisfied that the complaint meets the threshold to establish a protected act.

Ms OCarroll said there was uncontroverted evidence that his overtime hours had been reduced, and his duties diminished.

She said in assessing the level of compensation that was appropriate she took the seriousness of his allegations, the councils failure to act quickly to investigate and the detriments imposed on him.

Ms OCarroll said all of these elements were at the most serious end of the scale.

When asked for a comment on its appeal, a spokesperson at Wexford County Council said: Wexford County Council does not comment on individual cases.

The council will be represented by the Local Government Management Agency at the appeal hearing.
The High Court has dismissed a right-of-way claim over a laneway which has held up a multi-million euro plan for eight homes at the rear of three houses in Ballsbridge, Dublin.

Pamelia Smyth, who owns Haylands in Shrewsbury Park at the back of Merrion Road, had sought a declaration from the court that she was entitled to a right-of-way over the laneway.
A man is to appear before Wexford District Court charged in connection with the investigation of a 157m cocaine seizure off the Irish coast last week.

The man will be brought before the court at 10:30am in relation to the 2.25 tonne seizure, which Gardai have described as the biggest in the history of the State.
Ruthless gunman who shot at Gerry The Monk Hutchs brother and tried to kill another man is jailed for 22 years

Michael Carroll of Bride Street in Dublin 8 had 58 previous convictions, as CCTV footage of one of the incidents was described in court as terrifying

Michael Carroll

Alison O'Riordan Mon 2 Oct 2023 at 15:54







A ruthless gunman who emptied a revolver at a brother of Gerry The Monk Hutch before later running amok in Dublin city centre as he twice tried to murder another man has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court for 22 years.
A judge has granted gardai more time to get directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the case of a 17-year-old boy accused of robbery of an English tourist in Dublin's Temple Bar.

Three men in their 20s were taken to St James's Hospital after an incident at Fownes Street Upper in Dublin at about 10pm on August 11. Two of them were members of an amateur soccer club who came to Dublin for a friendly match.
Dublin criminal The Boxer linked to Hezbollah money machine

Mullen (53)  credited with flooding Dublin with heroin in the 1980s and 1990s and who was last arrested ten years ago in Spain after cops found drugs and 2m in cash  is one of the most enigmatic criminals of his generation

Thomas 'The Boxer' Mullen

Nicola Tallant Mon 2 Oct 2023 at 14:56

Secret legal documents have revealed how Dublin-born international drug dealer Thomas The Boxer Mullen was just a handshake away from Islamic terror group Hezbollahs top money man.
Daughters of woman who died after giving birth in Kerry hospital forced to leave Ireland

The four daughters of a woman who died just hours after giving birth in a Kerry hospital have had to leave their life in Ireland behind and move to the United Kingdom.

Mother-of-three Tatenda Mukwata (34) died after giving birth to her fourth child, Eva, at University Hospital Kerry in April 2022.

On Friday, the jury at the inquest into her death returned a unanimous verdict of medical misadventure, noting that it was probably preventable.

Along with her three older daughters, Rutendo, Munashe and Sherley, Tatenda had been living in one room in the Atlantic Lodge Direct Provision Centre in Kenmare.

They had recently been granted leave to remain and Tatenda was working locally in an old peoples home in Kenmare. She intended to do a pre-nursing course in the autumn of 2022, in order to begin a nursing degree as a mature student in September 2023.

Following her death, Tatendas young family have since had to move to the UK to be raised by their grandmother Catherine.

The jury found Ms Mukwatas death was probably preventable and that there had been a misdiagnosis followed by a failure to investigate other possible diagnoses.

Rutendo Mukwata recalled at the inquest how her mother was taken by ambulance from Kenmare to University Hospital Kerry in the early hours of April 20, 2022, after complaining of pain and discomfort.

Tatenda Mukwata (34) died just hours after giving birth at UHK

They stayed in contact by phone, with Tatenda saying at 4pm shed be having a caesarean section in the evening.

Rutendo recalled being phoned hours later at 1am and being asked to come to the hospital.

When the 18-year-old said she couldnt drive, she was told the gardai would collect her.

On arriving at the hospital, she was taken to a room and told her mother had died; she thought thered been a mistake, and hoped her mother would wake up.

Rutendo met her new baby sister, Eva, and subsequently took photos of the newborn with her late mother.

She phoned Tatendas mother in the UK to inform her, and waited for her grandmother to arrive before breaking the news to her younger siblings, Munashe and Sherley, who were aged 11 and 12 at the time, saying she wasnt able to do it.

Following the inquest verdict, Conor Murphy, a solicitor representing Tatenda Mukwatas family, said they had waited for 17 months for the HSE to explain what happened to Tatenda following the birth of her daughter.

We now know what happened, he said. Tatenda bled to death in a hospital in the hours following one of the happiest moments in her life.

Dr Jo Murphy-Lawless, an advocate and joint co-ordinator of campaign group The Elephant Collective, said the inquest had shone a light on maternity care for women of colour.

In all 19 maternity hospitals there is an under-emphasis on what should be done to properly support women of colour, she said.

Of the 14 women who died in hospital between 2007 and 2022, who have completed inquests, seven women are women of colour.

The Elephant Collective is a group of Ireland-based educators, midwives, midwifery students, families, birth activists, artists, and lawyers who campaigned for mandatory inquests following maternal deaths.

Dr Murphy-Lawless said the Mukwata family had been through a traumatic inquest and that Tatendas daughters had shown great strength.

Ive been to many maternal inquests and this was particularly emotional, she said. It was very traumatic for the family and Tatendas daughters have been incredibly brave. They are very strong women.

Rutendo Mukwata intends to study aviation management and commercial pilot training in the UK.

Following the inquest, she attended the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards on Friday night.

She was one of 20 young people who were presented with merit award certificates for making their communities better places to live in.
The leader of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) has denied the roster dispute has been made personal or any way driven by the fact that Commissioner Drew Harris is a Northern Irish Protestant.

Gardai are due to move from working 12-hour shifts for four days, followed by four days off, to working 10-hour shifts for six days and then four days off, from November, 6, which they oppose.

A ballot by the GRA resulted in 99pc of its 9,129 members voting no confidence in the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, with 116 saying they had confidence in him.

The Garda chief said he was "hugely disappointed" in the ballot, which he believes was a vote personally directed at him.

Speaking on RTEs Morning Ireland today, GRA president Brendan OConnor said the dispute was not personally directed at the commissioner but a dissatisfaction with the organisation under his leadership.

He added: No, it's not personal nature, but it's becoming very entrenched and some of the commentary is very unhelpful.

Pressed on whether there was any element of sectarianism or unconscious bias against Mr Harris because he was a Northern Irish Protestant, as had been suggested by one commentator, Mr OConnor said: I want to be unequivocal and 100pc clear. There is absolutely no element of sectarianism amongst our members or the GRA and to say so is actually an insult to our members.

I would condemn it [sectarianism] anywhere in society. Our members serve with distinction. We have a very ecumenical inclusive society. There is no element of sectarianism in the An garda Siochana and most members I serve.

He added that Mr Harris being a Northern Protestant is not part of the conversation, and to suggest that that would be unconscionable.

Mr OConnor added: GRA is a very progressive organisation We welcome the appointment of new hires, we welcome the new fresh set of eyes. We had great hopes for the commission and police report that a new dawn and police would emerge and that is what has led to the frustration of our members because what has materialised has actually been the denigration of the organisation.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee was asked to intervene in the dispute. Her response to the GRA was that she will not direct the Garda Commissioner or members of the An Garda Siochana as to how they should be working.

I will not direct the Garda Commissioner nor will I direct members as to where or when or how they should be working, because that is essentially what I will be doing in directing the commissioner to not implement a particular type of roster, she said yesterday on RTEs This Week programme.

I've just outlined the reasons why the commissioner has said he is going back to not his preferred roster because he's been very clear as of all the associations that the previous roster is not ideal, but it is the only agreed roster. We are working under a Covid roster, which doesn't provide the visibility and the presence on the ground that everybody wants here.

Mr OConnor said the GRA is asking for a deferral to allow the process to move forward.

So we believe our stance is very reasonable. And our request makes common sense in any industrial relations forum where there's a dispute.
To say Walter Mayer was immersed in the past is an understatement.

He oversaw some 90,000 to 100,000 artifacts at the Buffalo Museum of History for three decades.

Among them: A Bell rocket engine. The gun, and handkerchief hidden over it, that Leon Czolgosz used to assassinate President William McKinley on the grounds of the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo in 1901. And a model of the Electric Tower from the same Exposition, used by railroads to promote package tours to Buffalos Worlds Fair.

Mayer, the senior director of museum collections, retired Friday, ending a 32-year career.

Michelle Harris, former executive director of the Niagara Falls Public Library, succeeds him.

I really cant say there was a day I woke up and said I just dont want to go to work today, the 72-year-old Mayer said last week.

If youre not bogged down with paperwork, and youre actually working with the collection, youre going to learn something new, Mayer said. Theres not a day that goes by when I dont.

Mayer has been an incalculable font of knowledge at the museum, Executive Director Melissa Brown said.

Across three decades, Walt served as a steady force shaping the museum, Brown said. We have a common in-house refrain, Just ask Walt.

He knows this collection like no other, she said. The American Alliance of Museum accreditations, countless jaunts to local homes to consider donations, curatorial contributions to every major exhibit, diligent management of the systems and facilities that house our regional treasures  it is impossible to summarize his impact. We will work now to build upon his legacy.

Mayer worked in the museums Resource Center on Forest Avenue, a repository for the museums three-dimensional objects. For years, a 30-foot-tall plaster replica made from foam blocks of a female figure associated with the expositions Dreamland exhibit stood near the entrance.

Mayers fascination with the museums collection was evident as he stopped to talk about a grim-looking leather chair with restraints.

When people see this chair, they think its an electric chair, but its not, Mayer said. Its from the Buffalo Police Department, and has stocks to lock your feet in and straps to keep your arms down.

It was used in psychiatric centers in the 19th century, possibly including the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, now the Richardson Olmsted Campus, which opened in 1880.

I usually say this isnt from Puritan New England and its not from Gitmo, either, Mayer said with a laugh.

At the end of the aisle was part of a tree embedded with cannon balls and shrapnel from a Civil War battle. It was shipped to Buffalo by a Union soldier and displayed it in front of his house for years before it was donated it to the history museum.

The lineage of that artifact was traceable, Mayer said, but he and others in the collections department dont always have that kind of success as they pore through records that date back to 1862, some more complete than others.

Historical roots

Mayer was born in Chatham in the upper Hudson Valley. He graduated SUNY Brockport with a general liberal arts degree, and later studied museum collection and care at the University of Delaware.

After working until a grant ran out at the Columbia County Historical Society, southeast of Albany, Mayer left the field for several years before coming to the history museum in March 1991 as assistant collections manager.

He rose through the ranks, first to collections manager and then director of collections for three-dimensional objects. About three years ago, when that collection and the library and archives collection were merged, Mayer was named senior director of museum collections.

Many of the artifacts, especially textiles, primarily reflect those who had wealth, he said.

Museum collections take a knock because you would think women only wore silk gowns and men only wore military uniforms and tuxedos, because thats what survives, he said. We do have clothes from the working class, but most things would be passed down and passed down, and when they couldnt pass it down any more they would be used for rags.

The museum does have a collection of work uniforms, such as steel-resistant clothing used in steel mills, and tools that belonged to the men who built the houses and worked in the factories, he said.

The wow artifacts  the eye candy, the decorative arts, the fine arts  are from the 1%, he said.

Mayer told a story about a donor who gave the museum a sable muff, which wealthy women would use to warm their hands.

She told of waiting, in the 1930s or 1940s, with her mother for the driver to bring the car around, he said. After they got in the car, the driver would adjust the car blanket around their knees. I thought to myself that sounds like a nice world, but in that world I would be the car driver. I wouldnt be the 1% in the back seat.

You can romanticize about the past, he said, but then you have to think, maybe it wasnt that good.

Real history

Medical instruments in the collection drive home that point.

We have a couple of surgeon kits, and there are hacksaws in them, Mayer said. You have to remember people were wide awake when their legs were amputated in the Civil War.

Mayers favorite period of history is the Federal period  the Jane Austen period  he said, extending from 1790 to 1830. Hes fond of the decorative arts, clothing and ambience of the period, which included the War of 1812.

I dont think anybody comprehends how much there was an international war along the Niagara River that saw Buffalo burned to the ground, he said. Its a real forgotten history.

One of the most popular attractions at the museum is the gun used to kill McKinley at the Pan-American Expositions Temple of Music in 1901.

A lot of people want to see it, Mayer said. Some people want to hold it. We have had ex-FBI agents request to see it when its not out.

The gun wasnt exhibited for a century at the request of Thomas Penney, the district attorney of Erie County who prosecuted Czolgosz, Mayer said. That changed with the Pan-American centennial celebration in 2001, when the museums board of directors decided to put it on display.

One of the most recent museum acquisitions are the memorials posted near the Tops supermarket on Jefferson Avenue after the mass shooting in May 2022.

It was eye-opening and somber, Mayer said. Collecting them was pause to think about.

Overseeing Buffalo and Western New Yorks historical treasures has been a privilege that seemed to go by fast, Mayer said.

Its been a good ride, he said, and Id do it again.
Waves at high tide in Tramore in Co Waterford during Storm Agnes. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

Met Eireann said it would be willing to drop its choice of Ciaran from a list of storm names after colleagues in the Netherlands queried how they were supposed to pronounce it.

In discussions, the Met said it was with its choice of Fergus as one of the Irish names for the list and that Ciaran had been chosen as a bonus name by the Irish meteorology service.

An email said: Its pronounced Keer  [but] if you think its too complicated to pronounce, it wouldnt be a problem for us to let it go.

Forecasters in the Netherlands had said it could be very difficult for the Dutch and asked whether it sounded similar to Ciara, which had been on the list back in 2020.

They also pleaded to have the letter G to honour Gerrit Hiemstra, a renowned broadcaster in their country, who had presented the weather for 25 years before retiring in September.

Following discussions, Ciaran did ultimately make the cut and will be the third storm of the year, just after Babet and also Storm Agnes, which caused significant damage around Ireland last week.

Storm Agnes: Roof blown off building in Youghal

The names are selected in collaboration with weather services in the UK and the Netherlands, with each country putting forward seven different names.

Met Eireanns choice focused this year on eminent Irish and Northern Irish scientists.

Met Eireann also asked whether it could hold off finalising the list for a short while so it could run a social media poll on what storm A would be called.

An email said: Weather allowing (if we have no warnings in place) I could aim to throw the survey [up] end of next week and have results by the week after, still on time for an August 4 final list.

The Dublin met office ultimately put forward Annie, Alicia, and Agnes, with the latter winning 42.8pc of the public social media vote and going forward to the published list.

Other discussions also centred on UK royalty and how it wouldnt be possible to name a storm after prominent individuals from the monarchy.

An email from Dutch meteorology services said: We would also love to name a storm Harry but I guess that isnt possible because of the royal family? The same applies to William.

There were also talks over having a fully gender-neutral list of names but a decision was made that this was likely to be too limiting.

However, emails said it would be nice to have a more fluid list including at least some neutral names so that they didnt have to stick to a predictable alternating male or female list.

7 Day Weather Forecast: October 2nd - October 8th
Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin is visiting Kyiv in Ukraine today as Irelands bill in supporting the war-torn country exceeds 210m.

Europes Foreign Affairs ministers will today attend an extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv to discuss how to further support Ukraine.

Speaking in Kyiv, Mr Martin said the meeting is being held to demonstrate our solidarity with Ukraine, in its defense of its territorial integrity and sovereignty against the illegal and immoral invasion by Russia in flagrant abuse of the UN Charter.

Ministers will discuss how to sustainably support the country in the long term financially and in the medium term, through a European Peace Facility approach.

He said he will also be meeting with United Nations organisations and agencies as Ireland has pledged 23m in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

In total, Ireland has now spent 201m in its support to Ukraine, not taking into account the cost of accommodating more 70,000 refugees here since war broke out in February 2022.

Weve engaged in a number of training with EUMAM in respect of medical combat, and in terms of de-mining training, and we have a number of other programmes identified where our personnel will also provide training, and that will expand, said Mr Martin.

He said the meeting is a very powerful symbolic presence in a show of solidarity by the EU to Ukraine.

Its a very powerful symbolic presence of the entire Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union, in the context of Ukraines application to join the European Union and the Ukrainian European perspective, that is a very powerful symbolic presence by European foreign ministers here.

The surprise visit by EU foreign affairs ministers to Ukraine today will aim to put further pressure on Russia as the EU decides on its next sanction package.

Speaking before the visit, Mr Martin said the European support for Ukraine is multifaceted.

Our support for Ukraine is multifaceted and it is important we ensure that it continues to be relevant, flexible and fit for purpose. EU Member States will continue to take active measures to deter Russian aggression against Ukraine and I anticipate a wide-ranging, open exchange of views with our EU partners and Ukraine today on how best to do that, he said.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin is in Ukraine for an an extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv.

EU foreign ministers will discuss how to strengthen and advance the EUs response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in direct consultation with the Ukrainian government.

It is expected that Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba and prime minister Denys Shmyhal will meet with EU foreign ministers during the one-day visit.

While in Kyiv, the Tanaiste will also have bilateral engagements with UN partners whose work in Ukraine Ireland is supporting, as well as members of the Irish community.

Mr Martin said: It is a testament to the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people that now, over a year and a half since Russian troops tried and failed to capture this city, we are able to hold a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv.

We stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the European Union is unwavering in our commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people as they defend their homeland.

Our support for Ukraine is multifaceted and it is important we ensure that it continues to be relevant, flexible and fit for purpose.

EU Member States will continue to take active measures to deter Russian aggression against Ukraine and I anticipate a wide-ranging, open exchange of views with our EU partners and Ukraine today on how best to do that.

The Tanaiste added: I was pleased to be able to recently announce a further 23million in humanitarian and institutional support for Ukraine.

This brings to 210million our total support for Ukraine since the launch of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

I am happy to have the opportunity today to meet with our partners here on the ground for an update on the important work they are doing and to meet the small Irish community here, all of whom are engaged in vital work supporting humanitarian, civilian security and rule of law programmes.
More than 40 gardai from the public order unit are set to be deployed at Dail Eireann next week as part of a significant policing operation for Budget Day.

Large protests are expected and an operation involving 200 gardai is being put in place following more than a dozen arrests during demonstrations outside Leinster House last month when the Dail returned.

However, the public order units would be operating on overtime, and their deployment may be in doubt after the association representing rank-and-file gardai voted to refuse voluntary overtime on the five Tuesdays in October, including Budget Day and Halloween.

Garda management, meanwhile, has reassured the Policing Authority and Justice Minister Helen McEntee that adequate resources will be in place on those days.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) passed the overtime ban as part of its ongoing roster dispute with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

Mr Harris has invited the GRA to negotiations, which the union says will happen only if the deadline to return to a pre-pandemic roster in November is deferred.

A full public order deployment made up of six vans is currently scheduled for Budget Day, including more than 20 gardai from the Dublin Region and a similar allocation from the Eastern Region.

Sources said the units would operate in a low-profile soft cap capacity and would be deployed only if the protests escalated.

If the situation doesnt improve, it will be highly unlikely that this full deployment will take place because of the GRAs decision not to commit to voluntary overtime, one source said.

It is understood one possible move, if gardai refuse overtime, would be to deploy working units from the Dublin Region and outside of the capital into the city centre that day.

This could potentially leave other areas of Dublin and further afield under-resourced, another source said.

On September 20, gardai arrested 13 people when several politicians were confronted by up to 200 protesters.

Politicians, staff and journalists were also effectively blockaded in Leinster House for several hours, with Tanaiste Micheal Martin describing some of the conduct of demonstrators as fascist-like behaviour.

As a result of the protests, gardai have a revised plan for Budget Day and other future protests, but a so-called sterile zone around the Dail is unlikely.

Mr Harris last week told the Policing Authority that some people at the protests they have policed engender a situation of confrontation and abuse, a lot of which is directed at gardai but also the wider public.

Today's News in 90 seconds - October 2nd

Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail said of the threatened withdrawal of gardai next week: There is no prospect of any hiring of private security.

We are in touch with the Garda Commissioner and his senior personnel, and the expectation is that the gardai will be able to stay ahead of the situation and to provide us with cover.

In the highly unlikely event that gardai will be unavailable, we would be looking to the Defence Forces to come to our assistance. But it is expected that there will be gardai at Leinster House for Budget Day in the normal way.

Ms McEntee yesterday said she had been reassured by Garda management that there would be relevant numbers to work on the days of the overtime withdrawal.

There is a long time between now and November 6 and 10, she said, referring to the GRAs plans to withdraw all frontline services on the latter date if the roster dispute is not resolved.

What I would ask people to do, and I have said this time and time again, is the only way to resolve this is by intensifying negotiations and discussions.
New citizien Eniola Oscar and her friend Lola Olawoyin at the citizenship ceremony in Dublin

Chelsea McGrane, from Kingswood in Dublin, helps Gokce Sonmez, originally from Turkey, at the citizenship ceremony at the Convention Centre, Dublin. Photo: Collins

Rosanna Lenane, originally from Brazil now living in Doolin, Co Clare, with daughter Ella

Chelsea McGrane, from Kingswood in Dublin, helps Gokce Sonmez, originally from Turkey, at the citizenship ceremony at the Convention Centre, Dublin. Photo: Collins

Benjamin Aniujbo with wife Happiness and two sons Jidechi (2) and Jachike (3) from Nigeria

Tears of joy were seen across the Convention Centre in Dublin on Monday following the naturalisation of over 3,000 new Irish citizens.

Three ceremonies saw applicants from 131 countries around the world, living in 32 counties in Ireland, being conferred as Irish citizens, after receiving their naturalisation certificates.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee warmly congratulated Irelands newest citizens and their family members in attendance on their momentous milestone day.

Today marks the end of one journey and the beginning of an exciting new one, she said.

Those words rang out as more than true for Eniola Oscar, who through tears of relief, joy and past pain, embraced her best friend, Lola, after the ceremony, saying: It has been a long time coming.

EnIola Oscar and Lola Olawoyin

Its just that relief that its over. My new life is finally starting, she told the Irish Independent, adding that she couldnt wait to hug her son Eden, who was watching on from the crowd.

Eniola arrived in Ireland through the UK, from Nigeria, over six years ago with her husband at the time.

She credited the Government in helping her, especially in obtaining a protection order. She is now separated and just bought a new home in Portlaoise, where she lives with her son.

Everything is working out for her now. She has been through a lot, Lola said.

One man, Olu Davis, arrived as an asylum seeker 14 years ago, following unrest in his native country Sierra Leone. Now working in the security sector for a company, Mr Davis described his path to Irish citizenship as a big journey.

I was waiting for five years, as my case was complicated, coming in as a minor. I now feel more integrated in the community, I feel more welcome, Ireland is my home now, the Dublin resident said.

Presiding Officer retired Bryan MacMahon administered the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State from the 3,039 successful applicants, who can now apply for Irish passports.

One new Irish passport holder, Rka Nagy, from Budapest, Hungary, works for Google in Dublin.

Rka Nagy, from Budapest

I am here with my mom today. It means a lot. I knew from the moment I moved here that I wanted to be a citizen. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. It has given me a second home, she said.

Benjamin Aniujbo was all smiles with his wife and two sons Jidechi (2) and Jachike (3) outside the National Convention Centre.

Now a nurse working in the health sector, Benjamin and his family moved from the UK to Ireland in 2017. We just got a mortgage and a new house and are living in Portlaoise. We love it there.

Benjamin Aniujbo with wife Happiness and two sons Jidechi (2) and Jachike (3) from Nigeria

Nigerian internationals made up the fifth biggest cohort of new citizens, with India, the UK, Brazil and Poland taking up the top four spots.

Mondays ceremonies follow three previous ones held in Killarney in July and two ceremonies held in the RDS in Dublin in March. In total, 11,000 people have now been conferred with citizenship this year.

Minister McEntee gave her best wishes to Irelands newest citizens and said: Active involvement in our local communities will ensure everyone has a voice and will help strengthen our democracy.

"I give my best wishes to our new citizens and to their families as they embark on the next steps of their lives in Ireland."
Four men arrested in connection with an investigation into 157 million worth of cocaine seized on a bulk cargo ship off the Irish coast are to appear in court this morning.

The men are expected to appear at Mallow District Court in Co Cork at 10.30am.

Three other men have already appeared at Wexford District Court this week in relation to the seizure.

Another man has been released without charge.

A total of 2,253kg of cocaine was found on the MV Matthew cargo ship after members of the Irish Army Ranger Wing captured the vessel off the Co Cork coast by abseiling from a helicopter last week.

An Garda Siochana said the seizure was the largest in the history of the State.

Police believe the cocaine, seized after the dramatic military operation at sea, was destined for distribution beyond Ireland, potentially into the UK and continental Europe.

A fishing trawler that grounded off the coast of Co Wexford late on Sunday was also being monitored as part of the operation, amid suspicions it was en route to rendezvous with the cargo ship.
The family of a vulnerable Meath woman who repeatedly tried to take her own life within a short time of being discharged from hospital has expressed concern about the care provided by mental health services.

An inquest heard Linda Kennedy (56) of Cardrath, Collon, Co Meath was found dead in her home on August 26, 2021 just hours after being discharged from Drogheda Department of Psychiatry  a HSE-run facility operated as part of Louth-Meath Mental Health Services.

It was the fourth time the woman who had been classified as a "moderate to high risk" had tried to take her own life in the space of seven weeks.

A pathologist, Muna Sabah, said post-mortem results showed the mother of two had died as a result of asphyxia.

Although Ms Kennedy had a toxic level of an anti-depressant in her blood, Prof Sabah said it did not mean she had taken more than the amount prescribed as such readings can occur due to how the drug breaks down in a body after death.

In a statement read out at the hearing in Trim Courthouse on Monday, the deceaseds daughter, Sarah Kennedy, outlined how her mother had attempted to kill herself on three other occasions in the weeks before her death.

The coroner, Nathaniel Lacy, heard that each attempt occurred shortly after Ms Kennedy had been allowed to return home after seeking medical care.

The inquest heard Ms Kennedys brother, Patrick Dixon and her son, Jack Kennedy brought her to the emergency department in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth on July 9, 2021 and then to the Drogheda Department of Psychiatry.

However, she was not admitted and was allowed to return home.

Ms Kennedy took an overdose of prescription medication three days later and was brought back to the hospital on July 12, 2021 by her family but was not admitted.

The corner was informed that the reason she was not admitted on her second presentation at the hospital was because she had an appointment with the Louth-Meath Mental Health Services the following day.

Just hours after returning from Our Lady of Lourdes, Ms Kennedy took another overdose which required her to be returned to the hospital for the second time that day.

Ms Kennedy remained a patient at the hospital until she was discharged a week later on July 19, 2021.

While she was in hospital, Ms Kennedy sent a suicide-like note to her son.

Although hospital staff were informed about this, a registrar subsequently incorrectly claimed that the text had been sent before her admission to hospital.

Her daughter said she had difficulty in finding out from the hospital who had signed her discharge form.

Ms Kennedy said her mother was brought back to the Drogheda Department of Psychiatry after suffering several injuries when she threw herself off the roof of her dormer bungalow in the early hours of July 20, 2021.

She said her family had expressed concern to medical staff on August 20, 2021 that Ms Kennedy was due to be discharged back to a house where she lived on her own.

Ms Kennedy said her mother took her life within hours after she was discharged from the hospital five days later.

She noted each of four suicide attempts had occurred just hours after her mother had been discharged or allowed to go home.

Yvette Giblin, a consultant psychiatrist from Louth-Meath Mental Health Services, said she and two other consultants had assessed the patient in the two months before her death and had all concluded that she did not suffer from clinical depression.

In evidence, Dr Giblin said Ms Kennedy was suffering from a number of long-standing psycho-social stressors including concerns about her finances and divorce proceedings, while also having feelings of isolation.

However, Dr Giblin stressed that nothing could be done in an in-patient setting to address such stressors.

The psychiatrist said Ms Kennedy also suffered from stress, anxiety and weight loss, while also having a negative outlook on life but had limited coping skills.

Although Ms Kennedy was anxious about being discharged home after being in hospital following the fall incident, Dr Giblin said she was satisfied a robust care plan was put in place for her that involved her family and intensive nursing support.

The inquest heard just days before her discharge, Ms Kennedy had refused to eat breakfast as it would end things quicker.

Dr Giblin observed that Ms Kennedy admitted that she would say all sorts of things when in a panic and the comment was regarded as part of her coping mechanism.

She told counsel for Louth-Meath Mental Health Services, Rebecca Graydon BL that she felt Ms Kennedys issues were primarily linked to personality traits or difficulties.

Dr Giblin said the majority of such patients were treated in the community and not in hospital.

She pointed out to the coroner that 20pc of suicides occur within seven days of being discharged from hospital.

The psychiatrist also noted that 50pc of suicides occur among people classified as low risk.

However, she accepted she had assessed Ms Kennedy as being moderate to high risk of suicide or self-harm.

Dr Giblin testified that Ms Kennedy admitted having fleeting thoughts of suicide but had repeatedly denied having any plan or intention of killing herself.

She regarded Ms Kennedys risk as dynamic which she explained meant changeable and unpredictable.

However, the psychiatrist stressed that in-patient services could do nothing to mitigate the risk.

Dr Giblin said it was important to understand what was the cause of a persons mental distress as there were different pathways for treatment.

Under cross-examination by counsel for Ms Kennedys family, Doireann OMahony BL, Dr Giblin said a test for a personality disorder had to be done by a psychologist which was not available in an in-patient setting.

She said Ms Kennedy had agreed to having such a test.

Asked if it was safe to allow someone who might have a personality disorder to leave hospital, Dr Giblin replied: It is not a reason to keep someone in hospital. Had we done [a test], it would not have changed her discharge plan.

The coroner, Nathaniel Lacy, returned a verdict of self-inflicted death and offered his condolences to Ms Kennedys family.

Speaking after the inquest, the deceaseds daughter said she remained concerned that someone who was assessed as being a moderate to high risk was allowed to leave hospital.

Ms Kennedy said there was a glaring gap in the provision of mental health services if someone could not be tested for a personality disorder without being discharged from hospital.

Helplines: If you have been affected by the contents of this article, click here for more information
Any investigation into spinal surgeries should not be widened for other issues. Photo: Getty

I see the Irish Hospital Consultants Association is calling for a wider enquiry into the daily battles facing medical staff in the health system.

To widen the enquiry initiated for the spinal surgeries investigation would be wrong.

There certainly is a case to hold a separate enquiry into those daily battles, but to dilute the enquiry with the issues of surgeries would be wrong, and would introduce delays and uncertainty.

That enquiry needs to be focused sharply and solely on the issues which have been highlighted, relating to surgical practices and procurement procedures, so that faults in the system can be identified and eliminated, and any improvements required can be made.

David Doran, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow

Teenage discos in my era were different but not any less enjoyable for that

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mary McCarthys reminiscences about her disco days (Nothing is left unseen at teenage discos, which makes me think that we had it better  Irish Independent, September 30).

Ms McCarthy says that the discos which she attended were basic in comparison to modern-day extravagances.

My own breaking out pre-dates that of Ms McCarthy, and even though I did experience the disco era, my first introduction to the joys of dancing and timid encounters with the opposite sex was at record hops in my villages old parochial hall.

Such gatherings were held under the auspices of the local Legion of Mary and there was absolutely no chance of getting up to any shenanigans as stalwarts of the organisation were always in attendance.

There were no multiple record decks and the only source of music was a somewhat unreliable portable record player. Any flashing lights were attributable to dodgy wiring rather than hi-tech advances. Upon reflection, there wasnt even a dimmer switch. It was either full lighting or total darkness.

However, on the plus side, the record hops were not for profit and any revenue generate was used to buy new 45rpm records. Indeed it was something of an honour to be delegated to accompany a few peers on a visit to the music shop in the neighbouring town in order to select a couple of singles to enhance the record collection.

I remember acquiring such notables as Spirit in the Sky (Norman Greenbaum), Honey (Bobby Goldsboro) and In the Year 2525 (Zager and Evans). I doubt if these titles will resonate with too many of your readers.

I fully agree with Ms McCarthy that these are cherished memories of truly halcyon days. A time when the world seemed an altogether simpler place and where our expectations were tempered.

Gerard Cassidy, Derrygonnelly, Co Fermanagh

U2s Vegas extravaganza is not good for environment: could we not tone it down?

Bono has always declared that he wants to end poverty. While the homes of people who already live in abject poverty are ravaged by climate change, he joins U2 in opening the Sphere venue in Las Vegas, which announced in August that it would put off meeting its promise to use mostly solar energy until 2027.

Every spectacular show and each private jet used to get to Vegas contributes to refugees flooding into Europe to escape their homes which are no longer habitable.

Could we not tone it down for a while to help the world survive?

Would the music or show not be as good without destroying the environment?

Pauline Bleach, Wolli Creek, New South Wales

History has shown that the UN observes more than it takes any action

America has gutted its own civil service while Russia is allowed to sit on the UN Security Council. Throwing billions at Ukraine is pointless when Russia is allowed to block decisions not in its favour.

Neither Russia, nor the former USSR, ever signed the UNs founding charter in 1945. Russia has still been able to use its veto more frequently than any other member. Its getting good value for its contribution of $54.5m this year. Meanwhile, Americas capped contributions are in arrears.

Like the former League of Nations, the UN has proven itself unfit to prevent war. Since 1945, the world has seen 285 armed conflicts.

The UN has done little but observe instead of taking action, even though its annual peacekeeping budget is $6.5bn.

Dr Florence Craven, Bracknagh, Co Offaly

Please, lets think about those who depend on Merchants Quay project

Last Friday, as I got into my car near Merchants Quay in Dublin city centre, I saw a scene that sank my heart. A group of about 10 or 15 people were huddled together, but they were ghosts. They were mostly stick thin, leggings and tracksuits showing almost skeletal bodies, and I saw a syringe in one mans hand, a syringe. He lifted it up and the crowd gathered around.

As I was about to pull out, a garda car arrived and stopped in the middle of the road. It just stopped. No one had to do or say anything.

I watched on as these people dispersed. They didnt run away, as they couldnt run. They went in different directions, mostly alone, hoodies up, worn tracksuits, plastic bags, moving like shadows among the living. They were gone. Then the gardai drove away  they could do nothing.

Please, when we think of parking charges or Budget 2024 or supermarket prices, could everyone who reads this letter please remember those people and contribute even the tiniest amount per month to Merchants Quay treatment centre for drug addicted people.

I always supported this centre in a very small way, but I never saw the decimated, ravaged lives in broad daylight. These people are all someones son or daughter.

Margaret Docherty, Dublin 6W

The West must honour its pledge and offer safe sanctuary to migrants

As we celebrated International Translation Day (last Saturday) in recognition of those unsung heroes who worked assiduously to bridge the yawning divides between communities, it is time for the West to honour its pledge and offer a safe sanctuary for those who continue to take perilous journeys to reach our shores.

Those who unveil the many faces of humanity, foster cultural diversity, peace, dialogue and mutual understanding deserve a commendation.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob, London
Some of the first members of 'Oscar District' get their certificates from Dublin Fire Brigade

Oscar's Kids members get the chance to become honorary firefighters with Dublin Fire Brigade

Four children from the childhood cancer charity Oscars Kids have been made honorary firefighters for the day thanks to Dublin Fire Brigade.

The four young participants had a taste of life at the DFBs training centre in Marino, exploring a fire engine and attending an awards ceremony to receive certificates, exclusive goodies and a specially crafted medal.

Dublin Fire Brigade has teamed up with the charity to introduce the Oscar District, a new initiative aimed at making a difference in the lives of children facing cancer.

Under this program, Oscars Kids Club members will become honorary firefighters and official members of the Dublin Fire Brigade Oscar District.

Oscars Kids is a charity founded by Dublin couple Yavanna and Lar Keogh in honour of their son Oscar, who died from brain cancer in 2019.

Dublin fire Brigade has teamed up with the children's charity Oscar's Kids

Inspired by Oscars unwavering joy, the couple joined forces with actress Melissa Rauch  star of The Big Bang Theory  and her husband Winston to create an international paediatric cancer charity.

Yavanna, a writer and blogger, now focuses full-time on Oscars Kids, aiming to be a beacon of hope for families in their darkest times, while fulfilling Oscars legacy by making every moment magical for children battling cancer.

The launch of the partnership between Dublin Fire Brigade and Oscars Kids coincides with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

They hope to make a profound difference in the lives of many extraordinary young fighters battling cancer and their families.
Ciaran Molumby and Laura Carroll, Islander Architects, Minister of State Malcolm Noonan, Dr Dervla MacManus, a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at UCD, and Emmett Scanlon, Director of the Irish Architecture Foundation, at Kilmainham Mills for the launch for Open House Dublin

Dr Dervla MacManus at the programme launch for Open House Dublin, the free festival of architecture taking place from October 7 to 15

Open House Dublin kicks off this weekend with a dedicated programme of free events for children and families on October 7 and 8.

For the first time in its 18-year history, the festival is rolling out Open House Junior, a family-friendly extravaganza of interactive workshops and artistic adventures.

Its all part of a wider series of more than 150 events, presented by the Irish Architecture Foundation, running across the citys four local authorities until October 15.

Here is the list of events for families to enjoy this weekend.

Oratory in Dun Laoghaire Family Tour

Dive into the world of creativity hidden within the charming Oratory in Dun Laoghaire. This tiny chapel will inspire young minds on Saturday, October 7, with two sessions from 11am-11.45am, and 12 noon-12.45pm.

Stained Glass Workshops

Young artists can unleash their creativity at St Patrick's Cathedral and create masterpieces to take home. Sessions are available on Saturday, October 7, at 10.15am, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2.15pm, 3.15pm, and 4.15pm.

Fernhill Park Experience

Join an educational, augmented reality game that explores rewilding and reforestation at Fernhill Park in Stepaside on Saturday, October 7. Two sessions are available from 12-1pm and 2-3pm.

Trinity College Dublin Guided Activity Tour

The whole family can embark on a guided tour of Trinity College Dublin with architect Stephen Mulhall, including an Architrek activity pack. Tours are on Sunday, October 8, from 11-11.45am and 12-12.45pm.

Ciaran Molumby and Laura Carroll, Islander Architects, Minister of State Malcolm Noonan, Dr Dervla MacManus, a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at UCD, and Emmett Scanlon, Director of the Irish Architecture Foundation, at Kilmainham Mills for the launch for Open House Dublin

Obelisk on Killiney Hill

Discover the fascinating history and architecture of the Obelisk on Killiney Hill with half-hour tours on Saturday, October 7, from 2-3.30pm.

Family Workshop at the National Museum of Ireland

Debora Adachi, a talented Brazilian-Japanese Dublin-based illustrator, will help you to reimagine your dream neighbourhood. Workshops are on Saturday, October 7, from 11.30am-1pm and 2-3.30pm.

Childrens Exhibition at Tivoli Event Space

Head over to Staycitys Tivoli event space for a captivating childrens exhibition called Reimagine the Iveagh Markets, on both Saturday and Sunday, October 7 and 8, from 11am-3pm. Dive into the imaginative world of local school children who have crafted murals envisioning the future. Young visitors can even add their own vision to the exhibition with drawing facilitated by artist Lana Murray (no booking required).

The wider Open House Dublin line-up, includes the Cities Have Feelings evening on October 14 at the Light House Cinema in Smithfield and the Reimagining Elderhood exhibition and film screenings at Curved Street, Temple Bar, from October 9 to 15.

All Open House Dublin events are free, but pre-booking is required for some. For full details check out Open House Dublin.
A Canadian man with an active warrant on a sex charge has been arrested at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.

Officers said 53-year-old Patrick O'Neill, a Canadian citizen, was on his way to go shopping in Niagara Falls prior to his arrest. Upon arriving in the primary inspection area at the Rainbow Bridge, O'Neill presented CPB officers with his identification.

A check with the National Crime Information Center revealed an active warrant on O'Neill, and he was subsequently escorted to the secondary inspection area to verify the warrant. During that inspection, CPB officers verified O'Neill's identity and confirmed that he had an active felony arrest in Wellsville for a charge of first-degree criminal sexual act.

After confirming the warrant, O'Neill was turned over to the custody of the Wellsville Police Department in Allegany County.

- Harold McNeil
Ukrainian journalist visits Kerry to record stories of those forced to leave their homeland

Kerrys Ukrainian refugees will have their stories told in a documentary to be aired on national television in Ukraine.

Ukrainian journalist Mariia Horban.

Stephen Fernane Kerryman Fri 29 Sep 2023 at 16:28

Stories from Ukrainian refugees and the generosity shown by County Kerry in offering them a haven will feature in a special documentary for Ukrainian national television entitled, How are you?
Gardai believe the Iranian national was attempting to escape when he was air-lifted from mother-ship

The captain of a cargo ship which was discovered to have 157 million worth of cocaine on board has appeared before Wexford District Court on Monday.

Soheil Jelveh (50), an Iranian national with no fixed address, was brought before Judge John Cheatle charged with the importation of cocaine to the value of 13,000 or more on September 24, contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1977.

Jelveh, the first crew member from the MV Matthew mother ship to be charged and brought before the courts, was also charged with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply.

Detective Garda Liam Mangan of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau told the court that Jelveh had been arrested as part of a huge multi-agency operation aimed at targeting a transnational crime group involved in the importation of drugs from South America.

On Tuesday of last week, a huge joint task force operation involving armed gardai, the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Naval Service, Revenue Customs and the Elite Army Ranger Wing saw the Panamanian bulk cargo vessel, the MV Matthew, detained off the Cork Coast.

Warning shots were fired at the vessel before army rangers boarded by fast rope from helicopters circling above. The ship was brought back to Cork Harbour under armed escort and gardai eventually announced that they had uncovered 2.25 tonnes of cocaine on board  the biggest drugs seizure in the history of the state.

The situation had come to light after a trawler ran aground off the Wexford coast on Sunday, September 24. The newly-purchased fishing vessel had reportedly been in contact with the mother-ship and was being monitored by the joint taskforce since the previous Friday.

The two men aboard, Jamie Harbron (31) of 26 South Avenue, Billingham, Stockton on Tees, UK, and Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa (60) of no fixed address, were airlifted from the deck of the stricken trawler onto naval patrol ship the LE William Butler Yeats and into the arms of waiting gardai from the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

Outlining alleged facts of the case, Detective Mangan informed the court that the Castlemore had run aground in an effort to complete a transaction with the MV Matthew off the Wexford Coast.

He stated that the manoeuvres of the MV Matthew on the night in question were consistent with drugs trafficking and that it was the belief of gardai that both vessels were engaging in the importation of cocaine into Ireland.

Detective Mangan also confirmed that the accused, Soheil Jelveh had also been airlifted from the MV Matthew last Monday night, stating that he required medical assistance. He was brought to University Hospital Waterford where he was subsequently arrested.

Phones, satellite phones, documents and $53,298 in cash were seized and Mr Jelveh was arrested. The court were told that they believe the accused was making an attempt to evade arrest.

Jelveh stated that the money discovered on his person was his wages which had been paid on August 19. He was later released before being re-arrested for charge.

Setting out the seriousness of the charges before the court, Detective Mangan stated that 2,253 kilos of cocaine with a value in excess of 157 million had been seized.

"We are satisfied that the crew of the Castlemore were working with the MV Matthew captain to import cocaine from South America to Ireland," he said,

"He was caught red-handed and we believe he was attempting to make an escape when he was airlifted from the ship.

Solicitor Lana Doherty made an application for bail, which gardai objected to.

Detective Mangan stated that, given the value involved and the fact that Jalveh has no ties to Ireland, his family being based in Dubai, he was a significant flight risk.

He also outlined potential fears around the intimidation of witnesses.

Ms Doherty stated that her client, an Iranian national, had never come to the attention of the authorities before and is a captain of 20 years standing. She asked the court to consider a cash lodgement and said her client would adhere to any bail conditions imposed upon him.

She also stated that it was likely to take a significant amount of time for DPP directions.

Given the severity of the charges and the flight risk set out by gardai, Judge John Cheatle refused bail and remanded Jalveh in custody to appear before Wexford District Court via video link on Monday October 9.

Also appearing before the court via video-link on that date will be the two-man crew of the Castlemore trawler, Jamie Harbron and Vitaliy Lapa. They appeared on screen from Cork Prison this morning and were remanded in custody, by consent, to appear again via video-link at Wexford District Court on October 9.
In conditions more in keeping with the Mediterranean, fishermen from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland descended on the south Wexford coast for the 36th annual Rosslare Small Boats Festival. Running from September 8-15, this years competition attracted 20 boats and more than 70 anglers for an event regarded as one of the most prestigious small boat fishing competitions in Europe.

This years winners were Irish Boat, Screaming Reels 2; its crew of Joe McPeake, Siert Shultz, John Davis and Johnno Davis from Howth Sea Angling Club in Dublin caught 34 different species of fish, totalling 1,079cms in what were described as ideal boat fishing conditions. In second place was Fin Chaser (Dave Cherry, Norman Dunlop, Sean Og McShane and Gordon Darker) also from Howth Sea Angling club who caught 33 species with a length of 1194cms. In third place was Shamrock (Martin Kennedy, Dave Godwin, Arthur Beechey and Dan Lynch) from Howth Sea Angling Club in Dublin with 33 species for 1178 cms.

Able to enjoy unrestricted fishing, the crews launched their small boats from Kilmore Quay and explored and targeted the wide variety of fish species on the Wexford coastline. There were five specimen fish caught during the week, including gilthead bream, three bearded rockling, tope and corkwing wrasse. The largest of these was a gilthead bream of 46cms caught by Kevin Martland from the Wirral Boat angling club aboard the boat Shy Torque who won best specimen of the festival. The Conningbeg trophy for the longest bass of 58cm was won by Mark Rogan from Rogies Girl.

The Ken Evason Memorial trophy for the longest cod of 82cms was won by the boat Screaming Reels 2. Josh Martland won the best juvenile angler of the competition aboard the boat Shy Torque. The boat Nirvana from the Wirral Boat club won the longest round fish with a bull huss of 110cms. This fish also won the IFI perpetual trophy for the longest fish of the competition. The boat Seawitch from Wales won the longest flat fish with a flounder of 34cms.

Staff from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) assisted with boat launches and fish species identification and all fish were caught, photographed, measured, returned and then verified by IFI. This year two new fish were recorded in the competition. A golden grey mullet was recorded by Shy Torque from Wirral Boat Angling Club and a pilchard was caught by Irish boat Shockwaves, both of which were added to the already long list of species that Co Wexford offers.

The prize giving night took place in Coast Hotel in Rosslare Strand where prizes worth 30,000 including fishing equipment, cash prizes and engraved trophies, were presented to winners. Councillor Jim Moore was the festivals special guest and he said: I would like to congratulate all competitors on their success at the 36th Rosslare Small Boats festival. We kept the good weather for you. Wexford County Council has included this important festival into its municipal events for 2024 and I am here to listen to how we can support this festival further.

"Its an integral part of our annual calendar and we are open to ideas. Congratulations to all prize winners and thank you all for coming to Wexford and the community looks forward to seeing you again at the Rosslare Small Boats Festival.
Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris, to detail the projected allocation of capital funding that will be made available to the SETU Wexford campus development plan to ensure the development of new buildings and delivery of additional courses and new disciplines, whilst also ensuring the provision of adequate student accommodation to cater for the planned new campus in Wexford.

The matter was raised in the Dail on September 21.

I am delighted that we now have a South East Technological University, SETU. It is key, responded Deputy Harris. We have given a very clear commitment that, as part of that, there has to be a real and meaningful campus in Wexford.

There is also a very clear commitment in the strategic plan being published by the South East Technological University, he said. I know from talking to the president of the university, Professor Veronica Campbell, and the chair of the university who happens to hail from Wexford, Professor Paddy Prendergast, that they want to see this happen as well.

I am strongly committed to the development of a high-quality campus environment in Wexford for the South East Technological University. I am aware that it has been a long-term ambition to secure a suitable, permanent campus in Wexford to facilitate higher education progression and integration in the south east.

I have also met students in Wexford, particularly students in lifelong learning, who tell me they would not have been able to access third level education were it not for the Wexford campus. Imagine how much more we could do if we had a fit-for-purpose modern campus.

SETU, has, in recent years, been working closely with Wexford County Council to help to identify an appropriate site for a permanent home for its Wexford campus.

As part of this engagement, a preferred site, which is well known locally, was identified. Following a very lengthy negotiation process, agreement could not be reached on price and the Council is now progressing the acquisition of the site by way of a compulsory purchase order, CPO.

The process is ongoing and has been for a long time, but it is almost there, said Deputy Harris. I expect to hear a positive update next month and I will keep the Deputy informed in that regard.

My Department and the Higher Education Authority are engaging with the SETU about how it wishes to advance a number of capital projects across its campuses, including the Wexford campus.

As the Deputy will appreciate, I am not in a position to say the budget for the Wexford campus will be a certain amount because that is not how we fund these things. We identify projects and they go out to tender. I can say that we are not in the business of spending a lot of money to buy a major site only to leave it idle. I will work hand in glove with the SETU to make this a campus with a real ambition in its scale, added Deputy Harris.

Deputy Murphy said 55 acres is a substantial area for the new Wexford campus. I spoke recently with Professor Veronica Campbell. I believe she is looking for 7 million to progress the SETU planning application. I heard the Minister say to Deputy Mairead Farrell that he had allocated 1 million to further applications. Perhaps I have that wrong and the Minister might have been referring only to student accommodation.

The campus itself needs to grow hugely. There are approximately 1,100 students currently on the campus but there are no science, technology, engineering or mathematics, STEM, courses attached.

Wexford has been left behind when it comes to foreign direct investment and one of the reasons for that is we do not have immediate access to a research unit. That is what I have been told by certain investors and IDA Ireland. We need to grow the campus with STEM courses, added Ms Murphy.

Sequentially, what we need to do is to secure the site and allow the CPO process to conclude, said Deputy Harris. We need that to conclude with a degree of urgency and haste. I will then be working very closely with the SETU on its master plan for the Wexford campus. It is a matter for it to determine which courses it wishes to provide on which campus but I will work closely with its representatives.
Wicklow Green Party TD Steven Matthews joined members of Greystones Tidy Towns and the Local Authorities Water Programme (LAWPRO) to carry out sampling at a local stream, where the quality on the day was classed as moderate.

Pointing to a progressive deterioration of water quality in the county that he has witnessed over the last 20 years, Deputy Matthews said he would like to see an expansion of citizens science sampling, with more local groups being given the means to test their local streams.

The LAWPRO is a national shared service working on behalf of all the local authorities in Ireland to ensure healthy rivers and catchments support a healthy environment. Assessments are carried out to understand why water quality has deteriorated and what needs to be done to improve it.

High quality clean water is essential for our health and our natural environment. Our drinking water in Wicklow is drawn from rivers, lakes and groundwater sources and there are many negative impacts which can affect the quality of that water, said Deputy Matthews, after taking part in the community water testing event in Greystones.

It is essential that we are all aware of how clean our water is and the LAWPRO and Greystones Tidy Towns have teamed up to carry out a series of citizens science water sampling and testing in the Three Trout Stream.

I joined the group on a wet Sunday morning {September 24), where we were given a highly informative overview of water quality, what the impacts are and how we can carry out sample testing in our local streams. The LAWPRO team are led by the highly experienced Justin Ivory and Donal OKeefe and the Greystones Tidy Towns with Delgany Tidy Towns have established a community-led water sampling programme.

The water was tested using two methods, biological testing and chemical testing. Biological testing is carried out by extracting samples of aquatic insects (macro-invertebrates) through kick sampling. This test method is carried out by placing a fine net in the riverbed and agitating the substrata to collect the tiny aquatic insects that inhabit the riverbed in their thousands.

"Some insects like Mayfly can only survive in clean, highly oxygenated water whilst others like Hoglouse are much more adapted to low quality water. By identification of the insects collected, it is possible to give the water a quality rating.

The second test is a chemical test to establish the level of nitrates and phosphates in the water. A simple test kit is added to a small river water sample and after a few minutes the chemical reaction colours the water and the extent of coloration indicates the level of N or P in the water.

Our verdict on the day of the water quality in the Three Trout Stream is that it was moderate quality. Phosphates were low, nitrates were present but not excessively and the aquatic insect count showed a mix of pollutant tolerant and less tolerant macro invertebrates.

The citizen science programme is not only a good opportunity for bringing community together, to connect with their river and to understand aquatic ecology and how it is impacted by water quality, Deputy Matthews added, but it is also important to raise awareness of how important water quality is for our health. With much discussion recently surrounding EPA reports and the Nitrates Derogation, often the link to human health is missed.

I would like to see the LAWPRO work expanded and facilitated to engage with more community groups across Wicklow and to get out sampling the water in their locality. I studied Planning and Environmental Management at DIT and dedicated much of my studies to water quality testing, gaining work experience for my dissertation carrying out water testing with the Wicklow County Council laboratory team.

"That was over 20 years ago and in that that time we have seen ongoing deterioration in our water quality from various sources including agriculture, forestry and sewage treatment plants. Despite regular reports of this deterioration carried out by the excellent EPA, water quality is very rarely raised with me on the doorsteps.

"I would like to expand citizens science sampling, with useful information and educational opportunity for local groups to test their local streams and increasing awareness of the importance of clean watercourse for human health and high-quality environment. We have an abundance of water in this country, and it is in all of our interests to protect and improve it. If any groups want to get involved and join the programme, please get in touch and I would be happy to assist you to get started, he concluded.
Launching the male only Wicklow Hospice Dip in the Nip are former Irish Rugby player and Wicklow Hospice ambassador, Shane Byrne, Luca Spurling, lifeguard from Wicklow County Council, and Wicklow Hospice volunteer Steve Blount. The trio are appealing to men across Wicklow and surrounds to support Dip in the Nip on Sunday. October 8 at Greystones South Beach.

Pictured launching the male-only Wicklow Hospice Dip in the Nip is Hospice volunteer Steve Blount. Steve is appealing to men across Wicklow and surrounds to support Dip in the Nip on Sunday, October 8 at Greystones South Beach.

Wicklow Hospice is inviting men across the Garden County and beyond to register for this years male-only Dip in the Nip and take the plunge in aid of Wicklow Hospice on the morning of Sunday, October 8.

The dip will be led by former Ireland rugby international player Shane Byrne and will take place at Greystones South Beach.

Sign up today to be part of this fun and important event and dip alongside Wicklow Hospice Ambassador, Shane Byrne. The first 100 participants will receive an exclusive Dip in the Nip travel mug and goody bag, and hot drinks will be served afterwards.

Speaking about the event, Allison Ryder, Fundraising and Events Coordinator with Our Ladys Hospice and Care Services, Wicklow said: This is our fourth year hosting Dip in the Nip and we are appealing to all those who would like to support the services of Wicklow Hospice to join us and help raise much-needed funds.

All men can sign up - groups of friends and colleagues - both individuals and teams, and we are encouraging local businesses in Greystones to get behind the event to help us spread the word.

This year, the event is sponsored by Codling Wind Park. Speaking on behalf of the clean energy development, Project Director Scott Sutherland said:

We are delighted to support Wicklow Hospices Dip in the Nip event. The event is of course tremendous fun but more importantly, it raises a lot of funding for the incredible services provided by Wicklow Hospice, ensuring they can continue their vital work in the community.

We are keenly aware of how our work to deliver a cleaner, safer environment ultimately delivers a stronger community. Partnering with Wicklow Hospice is part of that vision, ensuring we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of families throughout the community here.

Participants can set a sponsorship target, and an online fundraising page will be automatically set up for you upon registration.

For those who cant take part, you could sponsor a friend or help spread the word about Dip in the Nip. Money raised will fund the outstanding bank loan, ongoing enhancements to the Hospice and the purchasing of specialised equipment.

To sign up, go to register.enthuse.com/ps/event/MaleOnlyDipintheNip2023
The seminar takes place online from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25.

Consumer behaviour is changing and online spending is increasing rapidly. There is a big opportunity for Irish businesses to grow and access a wider market, expand their business and create more jobs. Statistics suggest that only 32 per cent of small companies are engaged in e-commerce sales in Ireland and that 70 per cent of the 850,000 spent online by Irish consumers per hour is going overseas.

The Trading Online Voucher scheme, financed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, aims to encourage small businesses to develop their online presence through a website or digital marketing strategy by availing of up to 2,500 or 50 per cent of their eligible expenditure.

Businesses looking to apply for the voucher must be trading for a minimum of six months to qualify and be located in County Wicklow.

This seminar will help participants to understand and determine the best approach to establish and increase their online presence and trade online.

Applicants for the Trading Online Voucher must attend one of these TOV Information Seminars.

You can book online at localenterprise.ie/wicklow. The seminar runs from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Alison Kenny, Olivia McEvoy, Annabelle Finnerty and Izzy Richardson, who joined students from twenty-five other schools in the Dublin diocese on an annual pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Four sixth year students from Colaiste Chill Mhantain joined 25 other schools in the Dublin Diocese as they set off on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Izzy Richardson, Olivia McEvoy, Alison Kenny, and Annabelle Finnerty were joined by religious education teacher Ms Elaine Lyons.

The students were volunteering to assist sick and elderly pilgrims.

Unfortunately, their flight out was cancelled after a long wait at the airport, so they helped out before returning to Dublin Airport the next day.

On their first day in Lourdes, the girls were assigned to reception, where they helped the pilgrims put on sun cream in the sweltering heat or wrapped blankets around the colder pilgrims as they left the hospital wards to venture outdoors. The girls were also involved in a candlelit procession and vigil held later that evening.

The students rose early on the Sunday, spending the day working as hotel support, collecting pilgrims from their hotels, bringing them to the youth mass and returning them safely.

They also attended the medal ceremony, with Olivia, Izzy and Annabelle all carrying gifts to the altar. The girls also met helpers who have been coming on the pilgrimage for years, with Izzys aunt volunteering for the past 53 years.

On their final day, the students attended a farewell mass in St Bernadettes Church, led by Archbishop Dermot Farrell.

At the pilgrims farewell party in the hospital, some beautiful renditions of songs, such as 'The Rare Old Times' and 'Grace', were performed. The pilgrims played instruments, told stories and said some prayers as the students mingled and said their goodbyes to the people at the heart of the pilgrimage.
Azerbaijan issues arrest warrant for former ethnic Armenian separatist leader

UN arrives in former breakaway state Nagorno-Karabakh on first visit to region in three decades

Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh arrive in the border village of Kornidzor, Armenia on Friday. Photo: Irakli Gedenidze/File/Reuters

Avet Demuryan Mon 2 Oct 2023 at 03:30







Azerbaijans prosecutor general issued an arrest warrant for ex-Nagorno-Karabakh leader Arayik Harutyunyan yesterday as the first United Nations mission to visit the region in three decades arrived in the former breakaway state.
The Indo Daily: 'We aren't running out of compassion, we're running out of cash' - Welfare payments for Ukrainian refugees
Public defenders for the man who killed 10 people in a racist mass shooting at a Tops grocery store lost another bid Monday for a court order to force federal prosecutors to share evidence against him with lawyers hired by the victims families.

A U.S. magistrate judge in July backed prosecutors who opposed sharing their evidence against Payton Gendron, and U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo said Monday that he found no mistakes in that earlier ruling.

I dont think that theres clear error here, Vilardo said in denying the appeal of the July ruling. Lets let the civil case play out.

The U.S. Justice Departments decision on whether to seek the death penalty is not expected for at least another month.

Lawyers in the case confirmed Monday that Gendrons public defense lawyers presented mitigating evidence to the U.S. Attorney Generals Office on Sept. 18 to try to persuade the office not to seek the death penalty against the Buffalo mass shooter.

Public defenders press court to let victims' families see evidence from Buffalo mass shooting The families' lawyers would like access to a portion of the evidence for lawsuits they are pursuing against gun and body armor manufacturers and social media platforms among others.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Tripi called sharing such evidence unprecedented and called it improper to use the grand jury process to tee up a civil lawsuit.

If ordered to share the evidence, whats to stop lawyers in all other cases from prying loose criminal evidence to use in civil cases, Tripi said.

Theres a slippery slope here, he added.

Gendrons public defenders want to share access to his social media posts with the lawyers for the victims families.

They should be informed of the online path he took, said Senior Litigator MaryBeth Covert, the co-counsel on Gendrons defense team with Assistant Federal Public Defender Sonya A. Zoghlin and Supervisory Assistant Federal Public Defender Anne M. Burger.

Attorneys for May 14 gunman agree victims' families should gain more access to evidence The attorneys for Gendron in his potential death penalty case in federal court filed a motion asking U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder to allow the attorneys for the families to have copies of a large portion of the evidence.

Separate civil lawsuits have been brought by the families of slain Tops customers and survivors represented by Buffalo lawyers including Terrence M. Connors, John V. Elmore and Kristen Elmore-Garcia, as well as attorneys with the Social Media Victims Law Center and the Giffords Law Center.

Connors is among the lawyers who filed a lawsuit on behalf of seven families whose loved ones were among the 10 murdered at the grocery store, plus three shoppers and three employees hurt or in the store during the racist attack.

Their lawyers called it a landmark lawsuit against social media companies for the companies roles in the mass shooting.

The government contends the civil lawyers should be deprived of access to the social media data, Covert said in a court filing, despite its apparent inability to articulate why sharing this material would jeopardize the integrity of the criminal case.

Following the normal civil case procedures to obtain the social media posts is an illusory alternative, because the law is clear that criminal cases take priority over civil cases, she said.

Buffalo mass shooter's lawyers to meet with Justice Dept. next month over death penalty question Payton Gendron's public defense lawyers will present mitigating evidence to the U.S. Attorney General's Office on Sept. 18 to persuade the office not to seek the death penalty against the Buffalo mass shooter.

She said multiple court decisions have stayed civil discovery pending resolution of a related criminal case.

And, she said in her court filing, if the government seeks and obtains the death penalty in this case, the criminal litigation that is standing in the way of civil discovery could last for years, if not decades.

While Vilardo denied the defense team request, he did express surprise at the governments decision against sharing the social media posts.

I dont understand why the government is opposed to helping the victims, when in any other criminal case Ive had the government was all about helping the victims, he said.

The public defenders asked Vilardo to vacate the July decision of U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr. because responding to the needs of victims and their families is a legitimate and necessary part of the defense function in a capital case.

Buffalo mass shooter's lawyers want magistrate judge off federal case while awaiting death penalty decision Lawyers for Buffalo mass shooter Payton Gendron want a magistrate judge replaced in his federal case, saying they want their motions, if any, to wait until U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland decides whether to pursue the death penalty.

Federal prosecutors previously negotiated a protective order with Gendrons federal public defenders that allowed information to be shared with the state prosecution and Gendrons federal and state defense teams, which the U.S. Attorneys Office has said led to Gendrons prompt guilty plea in state court and a lifetime prison sentence.

Gendron still faces an ongoing federal prosecution for the racist shooting: a 27-count indictment includes 10 counts of committing hate crimes that resulted in death.

The protective order allows public defenders to show the discovery materials to potential witnesses and their counsel for purposes of defense and trial preparation, but only in the presence of a public defender. Notes may not be taken regarding the content of any of the evidence. Prosecutors said in their filing that the protective order does not allow for the defense team to review the evidence with civil attorneys for the purpose of investigating and preparing lawsuits.
Ukraine's parliament and its speaker taunted billionaire Elon Musk on Monday after he posted a meme on his social media platform mocking President Volodymyr Zelensky's pleas for wartime assistance from the West.

Musk owns SpaceX, which provides Starlink satellite communication services that are vital for Ukraine's defence effort, but his statements have sometimes angered Kyiv since the full-scale invasion launched by Russia in February last year.
Police cordoned off access to the city centre following the incident (Ali Unal/AP)

A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device in the heart of the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Sunday, while a second assailant was killed in a shootout with police, the interior minister said.
Vigilante paedophile hunter Boopac Shakur shot dead in Michigan

Robert Lee dedicated his life to unmasking paedophiles until he was shot and killed on Friday

Paedophile hunter 'Boopac Shakur'. Photo: Gofundme

Amelia Neath UK Independent Mon 2 Oct 2023 at 13:16







A vigilante paedophile hunter has been shot and killed in Michigan during a confrontation with a teenager he falsely accused of preying on young people.
Pavel Prigozhin (25) was in talks with the Russian National Guard over the future of the mercenary group founded by his father, Yevgeny. Photo: Getty

Yevgeny Prigozhins son has reportedly taken over command of the Wagner Group and is negotiating with Moscow on returning its fighters to the war in Ukraine, leading military analysts have said.
Representative image not related to the incident/ courtesy: Pixabay

New Delhi/IBNS: Twelve newborns and as many adults died at a state-run hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded in the last 24 hours, media reports said.

The dean of the hospital has blamed a shortage of medicines and hospital staff.

Of 24 deaths in the last 24 hours, 12 adults were suffering from "various ailments, mostly snake bites", the dean of Nanded's Shankarrao Chavan Government Hospital told the media.

"Six males and six female babies died in the last 24 hours. Twelve adults also died due to various ailments, mostly snake bites. We faced some difficulty since various staff were being transferred," he said.

"We are a tertiary-level care centre and the only such place in the 70 to 80-km radius. So, patients come to us from far-off places. On some days, the number of patients increases and it creates a problem for the budget," he said.

Refuting the dean's claims that there was a shortage of medicine and funds, the hospital, in a press release, said: "Essential medicines are available in the hospital. The hospital has  12 crore in funds. For this financial year,  4 crore has been approved. Other patients are being treated as necessary."

"There were 12 adult patients (five male and seven female) and 12 children. Among adults, four were suffering from heart disease, one from poisoning, one from gastric disease, two from kidney ailments, one from obstetric complications, and three were accident victims. Among the children, four in the terminal stage were referred from private hospitals," the statement said.

Calling the deaths "unfortunate", Chief Minister Eknath Shinde told reporters in Mumbai that more information will be sought about what happened at the hospital and action will be taken.

According to reports, a committee has been formed to probe the lapses if any.

The Opposition in Maharashtra launched a scathing attack on the Eknath Shinde government in the state, saying the "triple-engine sarkar (of the BJP, Eknath Shinde Sena and the Ajit Pawar faction of NCP) should take responsibility".

"A total of 24 lives were lost. Seventy are still critical. There is a lack of medical facilities and staff. Many nurses were transferred and their replacements were not given. Many machines are not working," former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress veteran Ashok Chavan said after visiting the hospital on Monday.

The hospital has a capacity of 500, but 1,200 patients are admitted. I will speak to Ajit Pawar (about this). The government should look into the matter keenly and take control of the situation," he said.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Nitish Kumar

Bihar released the result of a caste-based survey on Monday which showed 36 per cent of the population belong to the 'Extremely Backward Classes'.

The survey showed 27.1 per cent of people belong to 'Backward Classes'.

The population of Scheduled Castes is 2,56,89,820, which is 19.65 per cent of the total population while the population of Scheduled Tributes (STs) is 21,99,361 which is 1.68 per cent of the total population of the state.

The population of the unreserved category is 2,02,91,679 which is 15.52 percent of total population of the state.

In his post on X, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said he would soon convene an all-party meeting to discuss the issue.

Altogether 9 parties in the Assembly supported the resolution for caste census which was unanimously passed in both in Assembly and Bihar Legislative Council.

(With UNI inputs)
Photo Courtesy: Narendra Modi X page

Indian PM Narendra Modi on Monday remembered former Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary and said the countrymen should always work to realise his vision for a strong India.

"Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji on his Jayanti. His simplicity, dedication to the nation, and iconic call for 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' resonate even today, inspiring generations. His unwavering commitment to India's progress and his leadership during challenging times remain exemplary. May we always work to realise his vision for a strong India," Modi wrote on X.

Modi also visited Vijay Ghat memorial to pay floral tribute to Shastri.

Shastri, born in the year 1904 in Varanasi to Ramdulari Devi and Sharada Prasad Srivastava rose to prominence in the 1920s after joining the freedom movement.

Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji on his Jayanti. His simplicity, dedication to the nation, and iconic call for 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' resonate even today, inspiring generations. His unwavering commitment to India's progress and his leadership during challenging times remain  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2023

His slogan, Jai Jawan Jai Kisan (Hail the soldier, hail the farmer) was widely accepted by the Indians and motivated them against the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965.

He died a sitting Prime Minister in Tashkent, Uzbekistan under mysterious circumstances.

Shastri was the First Indian to posthumously receive the Bharat Ratna, the countrys highest civilian award, in 1966, the year of his death.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

A temple priest was killed and his body was thrown in nearby field by unidentified persons in Nawabganj area of Prayagraj district in Uttar Pradesh, police sources said on Monday.

The sources here said that the physically impaired Mahendra Mani Tripathi (45), a resident of Siwan district in Bihar, was serving as a priest in Ram Janaki temple inside IKM PG College in Anapur village.

"Tripathi's body was found from the field near the temple today morning. While the hands and legs were tied with the rope, a cloth was stuffed in his mouth," they said.

Police sources said that as there were no apparent injury marks on the body it is being suspected that the priest was strangled.

"A forensic team along with the dog squad visited the spot and collected the evidence," the sources said.

The sources also said that the body has been sent for postmortem examination.

"The matter is being investigated".

(With UNI inputs)
ALBANY  New York is facing dual crises, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul: An influx of migrants severely straining government resources and a workforce shortage vexing employers.

On Monday, Hochul announced the initial success of a strategy to address those problems jointly. Speaking in New York City, Hochul said that a state-run jobs portal  seeking to connect employers with asylum-seekers  had already received responses from nearly 400 employers, who have 18,000 jobs available.

We have a two-for-one solution here, Hochul said, praising the businesses that responded. You marry the two together, and you solve the problems.

On Sept. 20, President Bidens administration announced plans to grant temporary protected status to an estimated 472,000 Venezuelans who arrived in the country by July 31. The status allows those Venezuelan migrants to live and work in the United States for 18 months. They may begin applying on Tuesday for that status.

Meanwhile, New York State is allocating significant resources to getting the Venezuelan migrants paperwork processed, then connecting them to the jobs.

The jobs portal connecting employers and migrants is run by the state Department of Labor.

Hochul said she also hopes the federal government will extend similar rights to people who have emigrated from other countries. She noted there were a significant number of asylum-seekers from nations in Africa, Central and South America, Afghanistan, Iraq and Russia.

According to Hochul, while over 50% of the employer responses came from New York City, many employers from upstate also are seeking to hire asylum-seekers. Of the 400 total employers, 25% are from the hospitality sector, 21% from health or social services, 10% from manufacturing, 5% retail and 5% construction.

Before a political and economic downward spiral, Hochul noted, Venezuela was once a very prosperous country whose economy was bolstered by the sale of oil.

Dont assume these are all low-skilled individuals, Hochul said of the immigrants from the country.

Hochul recalled how, growing up in Buffalo, the unemployment rate had hovered upward of 15%. But the dynamic has shifted, she said.

The challenge for us now, theres so many jobs open, that it actually has the potential to cripple our economy if we dont find more people to take these jobs, she said. Something that is completely foreign to me as someone who grew up in an old Rust Belt area of the state.

Hochul said since she became governor in 2021, unemployment in New York had dropped from 6.9% to 3.9%. (That shift mirrors a national drop in unemployment during that period.)

She recalled how her own family had arrived in Buffalo.

Her grandparents emigrated from Ireland, fleeing poverty, and became migrant farm workers in South Dakota, then domestic servants in Chicago.

Then they found the way to the promised land of Buffalo, New York, Hochul said. Could you have found a little bit warmer place, grandma and grandpa? Thats alright. They could work in the steel industry  And my dad worked there, my uncles worked there, and that was the start of it. But it all came past that Statue of Liberty.

At the same time, Hochul cautioned that New York could not support an unlimited number of migrants, and cited the need for improved policies regulating the nations southern border.

This is not an open invitation to the entire world, she said. Our hearts are big, but sometimes we have to realize that our resources are limited.
Photo Courtesy: UNI

On September 29, 2023, at least 60 people, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), were killed while another 100 were injured in a suicide blast targeting a 12th Rabiul Awwal procession near Madina Masjid at Alfalah Road in Mastung town (Mastung District), Balochistan.

Mastung Assistant Commissioner (AC) Atta-ul-Munim said that the explosion took place when people were gathering for the procession.

The target were people of Barelvi sub-sect of Sunni Muslims. No outfit has so far claimed responsibility. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), meanwhile, has denied its involvement.

In another incident on the same day, at least five people were killed and another 12 sustained injuries, when two suicide blasts targeted a mosque located inside the premises of the Doaba Police Station in the Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). While one of the attackers was killed in a shootout with the Police outside the mosque, the other managed to penetrate the place of worship and exploded his device. Two Police officers were also injured during the exchange of fire. The target were people of Deobandi sub-sect of Sunni Muslims. No outfit has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

On July 25, 2023, one Policeman, Additional Station House Officer Adnan Afridi, was killed in a suicide blast inside Ahle-e-Hadith Masjid (mosque) in the Gharuba area of Jamrud tehsil (revenue unit) in Khyber District of KP. The Masjid belongs to the Ahle Hadees sub-sect of Sunni Muslims.

According to partial data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), Pakistan has already recorded six attacks on places of worship of different Muslim sects in the current year, resulting in 157 fatalities and 332 persons injured (data till October 1, 2023). During the corresponding period of 2022, there was only one such attack, resulting in 64 fatalities and 194 persons injured. No such attack took place in the remaining period of 2022. Year 2021 did not record any such attack.

Since March 6, 2000, 126 such attacks have been reported from across Pakistan, resulting in the death of at least 1,759 persons, and injuries to 3,897. Though 2012 was the worst year in terms of attacks, with 18 incidents, a high of 274 fatalities in such attacks, were recorded in 2010.

As the above table suggests, the current year has witnessed highest number of attacks since 2014, when there were seven such attacks, though there were six such attacks in 2015 as well. The pervious high of 159 fatalities were recorded 2013.

Some of the major attacks on places of worships of different sects of Muslims, involving 50 or more fatalities included:

January 30, 2023: At least 93 persons were killed and another 221 were injured in a suicide blast inside a mosque in the Police Lines area of Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. The suicide attacker, who was in Police uniform, was present in the front row during the Zuhr prayer (the second of the daily mandatory prayers, offered at noon). The Capital City Police Officer, Peshawar, Ejaz Khan, disclosed that around 300 to 400 Policemen usually offered Zuhr prayers at the venue.

March 4, 2022: At least 57 worshippers lost their lives and another 194 were injured when a suicide attacker detonated himself inside a Shia mosque in the Koocha Risaldar area of Peshawar, KP. The Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) claimed the attack.

February 16, 2017: At least 88 people were killed and 343 injured when a suicide bomber attacked the crowded Sufi shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in the Sehwan Sharif town of Jamshoro District in Sindh. The blast took place inside the premises of the shrine as a dhamaal (Sufi ritual) was taking place. A large number of women and children were said to be among the casualties. Devotees throng the shrine of the revered Sufi saint every Thursday to participate in a dhamaal and prayers. IS-KP had claimed responsibility for the attack.

November 12, 2016: At least 52 persons were killed and 102 were injured in an explosion at the shrine of Shah Norani in the Khuzdar District of Balochistan. The explosion took place at the spot where dhamaal was being performed, within the premises of the shrine. IS-KP had claimed responsibility for the attack.

January 30, 2015: At least 61 Shias were killed and 50 were injured in a bomb explosion at Karbala Maula Imambargah (Shia place of worship) in Lakhi Dar area of Shikarpur District in Sindh.

July 26, 2013: At least 50 persons were killed and 100 were injured in coordinated twin suicide attacks at Parachinar in the Kurram Agency of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Suicide bombers on motorcycles blew themselves up within a minute of each other outside the Imambargah.

August 19, 2011: At least 56 persons were killed and 123 injured in a suicide attack during the Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid Madina in the Ghundai area of Jamrud in the Khyber Agency of erstwhile FATA.

May 28, 2010: At least 100 worshippers were killed and 92 were injured as seven assailants, including three suicide bombers, attacked an Ahmadiyya place of worship at Model Town and the Garhi Shahu areas of Lahore in Punjab.

November 5, 2010: At least 97 persons were killed and 70 injured in a suicide attack on the Friday congregation at a mosque in the Darra Adamkhel area of Kohat District in KP.

March 27, 2009: 83 persons, including 16 Security Force personnel, were killed and over 100 injured in a suicide attack on a mosque on the Peshawar-Torkham Highway in the Jamrud sub-division of Khyber Agency in erstwhile FATA.

June 5, 2009: A suicide bomber killed 50 persons, including 12 children, at a mosque in a remote village of the Upper Dir District of the erstwhile North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

December 21, 2007: At least 50 persons were killed and 80 injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up in the midst of worshippers offering Id-ul-Adha prayers at the Markazi Jamia Masjid Sherpao in the Charsadda District of KP.

July 4, 2003: At least 53 persons were killed and 57 injured, as three Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) terrorists, including a suspected suicide bomber, attacked a Shia mosque during Friday prayers in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan.

In the sectarianism-riddled society of Pakistan, the places of worship of every sect have come under attack. Though the places of worship of the Shias, with the second largest population (estimated 10-15 per cent of the total) in the Sunni dominated nation, are the primary targets, the places of worship of other minority sects, such as Ahmadiyya and Sufi, have also been repeatedly targeted. The Ahmadis are, by law, not considered Muslims in Pakistan. In 1974, the Government led by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto passed the Second Amendment to the Constitution, declaring the Ahmadis non-Muslim. The major players carrying out such attacks are the TTP and LeJ, which aim to transform Pakistan into a Sunni state, primarily through violence. The IS-KP is a relatively new player in the bloodbath. It has claimed some of the major sectarian attacks in the recent past. Sunni mosques have faced several attacks from Sunni extremists, who consider those who do not adhere to their own narrow interpretation of Islam as murtad (apostates or deviants).

As terrorist violence continues to surge across Pakistan in the aftermath of the Afghan Talibans return to power in Kabul, and the simultaneous strengthening of terrorist formations inside Pakistan  mainly the TTP and IS-KP  attacks on places of worships, like other forms of terrorism, are likely to escalate. The existing fanaticism and deep sectarian divide will also grow, pushing the country further into chaos.
Photo courtesy: Instagram/Deepika Padukone

After mesmerising the audience with her extended cameo in Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Jawan', Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone is now busy shooting for her next film, 'Fighter', where she teams up with Hrithik Roshan for the first time on big screens.

Now on Sunday, Deepika dropped a picture on her Instagram profile with an ice-cream in her hand.

Dressed in a pair of jeans, white t-shirt and a jacket, Deepika looks stunning in the picture where she wrote, "My Cold Meal #Fighter."

Deepika's actor husband Ranveer Singh, who never misses to have fun, commented, "yummers."

On the occasion of India's 77th Independence Day, the makers of 'Fighter', which also features veteran Anil Kapoor in the lead, unveiled the motion poster.

Titled as 'Spirit of Fighter', the motion poster showcases fighter jets taking off while camera panning towards first Hrithik and then Deepika and Anil Kapoor, who all seem to be playing the air force officers.

The motion poster is treated with a rendition of India's National Song 'Vande Mataram', which plays in the background.

'Fighter' is slated for January 25, 2024 release on the occasion of India's Republic Day (January 26).

Siddharth had previously directed Hrithik in two of his films, 'Bang Bang' and 'War' while Deepika in 'Bachna Ae Haseeno' and 'Pathaan'.
Photo courtesy: IBNS File/Windows Production

Kolkata/IBNS: Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan on Monday cheered the entire team of 'Raktabeej' ahead of the mega release of the Bengali film, which is directed by filmmaker duo Nandita Roy-Shiboprosad Mukherjee.

Sharing the trailer of 'Raktabeej' on X, Bachchan said, "All best wishes .."

The film, which is produced by Windows Production, features Victor Banerjee, Abir Chatterjee and Mimi Chakraborty in the lead.

Sharing Bachchan's post, Abir said, "Thank you Sir. Means a lot @SrBachchan."

Mimi, who plays a cop in the film, shared Bachchan's post saying, "Coming from the Legend himself, I am out of words.Thank you sir."

Coming from the Legend himself, I am out of words.Thank you sir https://t.co/JvmbOIUYDH  Mimi chakraborty (@mimichakraborty) October 2, 2023

'Raktabeej' trailer out now

The trailer- spanning 2:30 minutes- shows Abir as an investigator on behalf of a central team while Mimi is seen in a never-seen-before look as the Superintendent of Police (SP), Burdwan.

Abir and Mimi, who are named Pankaj Sinha and Sanjukta Mitra respectively in the film directed by Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee, are on a duty to investigate a blast in West Bengal's 'Khoyragarh'.

Victor Banerjee as Animesh Chatterjee plays the President of India, who returns to his village for the first time since assuming the top post.

Though the makers haven't revealed much, the look and instances provide ample suggestions that Banerjee is modelled after India's former President late Pranab Mukherjee, who is the first and only Bengali to assume the top post.

Though initially the trailer shows Pankaj Sinha and Sanjukta Mitra locking horns over the probe, they later seem to accommodate each other for the "mission".

More details about the film

Apart from Victor Banerjee, Abir and Mimi, the film features Anashua Majumdar, Satyam Bhattacharya, Devlina Kumar in pivotal roles.

Inspired by the Burdwan blast in 2014, which shook up Bengal and also the nation, the film is about the homecoming of a man, who holds an important portfolio, and how an accidental blast in a firecracker unit unveils a bigger threat to his life.

On October 2, 2014, which coincided with Mahashtami that year, an explosion took place in a two-storeyed building in the Khagragarh locality of Burdwan. Locals informed the police, who sprang into immediate action.

(From L to R) Abir Chatterjee, Victor Banerjee and Mimi Chakraborty | Photo courtesy: YouTube/Windows Production

When the police arrived, two women inside the building stopped them from entering, threatening to blow up the building and destroy several documents and evidence. They were arrested and the police recovered more than 50 improvised explosive devices in that house.

'Raktabeej', which is produced by Windows Production, is slated to release in Bengali, Odia, Assamese and Hindi languages on October 19 on the occasion of Durga Puja.
Seeking to give a major impetus to its efforts to woo tourists from India, Sri Lanka Tourism recently held a string of roadshows in several Indian cities like Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Pune.

The Kolkata Roadshow was organized on September 25 in Taj, City Centre, followed by Ahmedabad on September 27 and in Pune on September 29.

Kolkata event was addressed by Nalin Perera, Board Member of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Thisum Jayasuriya, Chairman, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau.

Sri Lanka Tourism showcased its top tourism attractions during the event which was participated by 36 Sri Lankan Travel and Tourism companies and around 200 Indian Tour Operators comprised of travel agents, MICE, Hotels, corporates.

The countrys tourism industry witnessed a rise in recent tourist influx years, with Sri Lanka being named the best adventure destination in Asia and the best up-and-coming travel destination by Lonely Planet. Sri Lanka Tourism is poised to scale new heights by the year-end as the country received 1,70,247 tourists from India up to August 2023. Record number of tourists from India vising Sri Lanka was highest in 2018 with 4,24,887 arrivals, said Nalin Perera.


Photo courtesy: Trudeau FB/ Wallpapercave

It seems there's no respite for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the moment! After riling administrators of a 1.4 billion-strong nation with allegations of murder, the lawmaker has now managed to anger billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who lashed out at the politician on social media. But why is Trudeau on the Tesla CEO's radar?

It is because Canada, under the leadership of the 51-year-old, is trying to clamp down on free speech.

The development comes after the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission issued a press release with new rules, in an attempt to "modernize Canadas broadcasting framework".

According to the document, the North American country has made two decisions after "thoroughly examining all the evidence on the public record, including over 200 interventions". It added that

"Online streaming services that operate in Canada, offer broadcasting content, and earn $10 million or more in annual revenues will need to complete a registration form by November 28, 2023. Registration collects basic information, is only required once and can be completed in just a few steps.

"Second, the CRTC is setting conditions for online streaming services to operate in Canada. These conditions take effect today and require certain online streaming services to provide the CRTC with information related to their content and subscribership. The decision also requires those services to make content available in a way that is not tied to a specific mobile or Internet service," the release added.

Not surprisingly, many have started seeing red, including US journalist Glenn Greenwald, who came down hard on the decision.

Tweeting about it, Greenwald publicly berated the Canadian government for having the "world's most repressive online censorship schemes".

Trudeau is trying to crush free speech in Canada. Shameful. https://t.co/oHFFvyBGxu  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 1, 2023

Reacting to the post, Musk shared his perspective. "Trudeau is trying to crush free speech in Canada. Shameful," he tweeted. This is consistent with Elon Musk's free speech stance, which ultimately led to him buying Twitter and later rebranding the company as X.

Meanwhile, this censorship development comes just weeks after Trudeau accused India of sending agents to kill Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistan leader who was designated a terrorist in his home country a few years ago.

Nijjar was carrying his pro Khalistani activities from Canada, which has in the last decade emerged as a haven for separatists, before he was killed on 18 June 2023 in British Columbia's Surrey.

This triggered a diplomatic row between New Delhi and Ottawa, resulting in the expulsion of one diplomat each from one another's country. While Canada has received tacit support from the USA, who had urged Indian to co-operate in investigations, Sri Lanka has heavily backed the Modi regime, accusing Canada of making outrageous allegations.

India, however, has been unequivocal in its stance and has rejected claims from the Trudeau government, which has been embroiled in controversies for a long time now.

In fact, this is not the first time Justin Trudeau and his cabinet have tried to curb free speech in the country.

The government had used its emergency powers in early 2022 to end the trucker protests, which opposed the COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

It now remains to be seen how the international community reacts to new changes from CRTC.


The World Sindhi Congress (WSC) expressed solidarity with the ongoing struggle against the Marhi Jalbani Massacre in Sindh by holding a protest on on Sunday opposite 10 Downing Street, the residence of the UK Prime Minister.

A large number of Sindhi, Baloch, and other human rights advocates from across the UK joined the protest.

"On 28th September, Pakistan Rangers and the Police fired indiscriminately at innocent villagers in Marhi Jalbani, Sakrand, Sindh, resulting in many casualties," said a member of the World Sindhi Congress (WSC).

The participants chanted slogans condemning the Marhi Jalbani massacre.

The speakers emphasized that Pakistan operates as a security state devoid of a functional parliament, judiciary, or governance.

They further stated that the state of Pakistan employs fascist tactics against the Sindhi and Baloch populations, culminating in acts of genocide.

The participants urged the international community to take serious notice and exert pressure on Pakistan to halt these crimes against humanity.

They called upon the entire Sindhi nation to rise, unite, and mount a sustained resistance against these assaults, as it represents the sole path to the survival of the Sindhi nation.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

The US State Department has condemned China for handing down a life sentence to Uyghur academic Rahile Dawut.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller posted on X: "We condemn the reported life sentence handed down by the Government of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) following secret court proceedings of Professor Rahile Dawut, an anthropologist and expert on Uyghur folklore and traditions."

"Professor Dawut and other Uyghur intellectuals, including Ilham Tohti, have been unjustly imprisoned for their work to protect and preserve Uyghur culture and traditions. Professor Dawuts life sentence is part of an apparent broader effort by the PRC to eradicate Uyghur identity and culture and undermine academic freedom, including through the use of detentions and disappearances," he said.

He asked China to immediately end the genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang and to abide by its international commitments to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Chinese authorities have jailed a prominent Uyghur academic for "endangering state security", media reports said.

US-based rights group Dui Hua Foundation said it was previously informed by a Chinese official that Rahile Dawut was tried in December 2018, one year after her detention, for the crime of splittism  a crime of endangering state security  by an intermediate peoples court in Xinjiang.

She was convicted and appealed the sentence.

The most recent information confirmed that her appeal was subsequently rejected by the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region High Peoples Court, read a statement issued by Dui Hua Foundation.

Although there has been speculation that Professor Rahile Dawut was given a long sentence, this is believed to be the first time that a reliable source in the Chinese government has confirmed the sentence of life imprisonment, the foundation said.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

A human chain and a protest rally were recently held in Bangladesh's Rangpur city on Sunday to mark Uyghurs Muslim Persecution Day.

The event was held in front of the Rangpur Press Club.

This Human chain and protest rally was held to protest against the Chinese aggression in the name of development in Bangladesh, reports Daily Messenger.

They demanded the Chinese government stop persecution of Uyghur Muslims in the country.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister (CM) Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday said Lahore Police have arrested a gang, including its leader, which is involved in illegal kidney transplantation.

Addressing a press conference, the caretaker chief minister was quoted as saying by ARY News that the police team which arrested the gang would be awarded Rs500,000.

He further informed that Doctor Fawad Mukhtar and all persons of his gang have been apprehended.

The CM claimed that Fawad Mukhtar by unlawfully stealing, duping and grabbing money extracted 328 peoples kidneys and performed transplant.

The CM said the assistant of Dr Fawad gang doing operations was basically a motor mechanic and the same motor mechanic used to perform duties of administering anaesthesia to the people.

He further said the gang was more active in Lahore, Taxila and Azad Kashmir and used to perform kidney transplantation at homes instead of operation theaters.

They [the gang] used to extort Rs3 million from Pakistani patients while Rs10 million from the patients coming from abroad, he was quoted as saying by ARY News.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

The Federal Investigation Agency offloaded 16 alleged beggars in the disguise of Umrah pilgrims from Saudi Arabia-bound flight at Multan airport recently.

According to the FIA, the group, consisting of 16 persons, including a child, 11 women and four men, was initially travelling on Umrah visas, reported Dawn News.

The FIA officials during the immigration process questioned the passengers who confessed that they were going to visit the KSA to seek alms.

They also revealed that they would have to give half of their earnings from begging to the agents involved in their travel arrangements, the newspaper reported.

They were to return to Pakistan after the expiry of their Umrah visas.

The FIA Multan circle arrested the passengers for further interrogation and legal action.
The reopening of Allen Street to traffic between Elmwood Avenue and Wadsworth Street on Friday was welcomed by Allentown residents and businesses alike, after a multi-year reconstruction project designed to make the popular strip more welcoming and accessible for visitors to its shops, restaurants and bars.

At long last, said Brian Adler, as he chatted with friends outside one of the bars on Sunday. It was a huge project.

But not everyone was happy about the way it progressed, how long it had taken, how many businesses it had hurt or even the final result.

Its five years. It was awful, and it stopped everybodys business, said Julia Lombardo, who lives in the neighborhood and used to work at Greenhouse Cafe, before it went out of business during the construction. The parking situation is dumb as hell. This is stupid.

Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown announced the reopening of the final section of the street during a news conference Friday afternoon, in which he was joined by Fillmore Council Member Mitch Nowakowski and Department of Public Works Commissioner Nate Marton.

It was the third phase of sidewalk and road construction, involving the stretch from College Street to Wadsworth, and capped off a $13.4 million project that began in March 2019, a year before the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted life and delayed plans.

The Allentown Association called the project a milestone in the implementation of a new, flexible street design that is unique in the city and welcomes visitors to Allen Street between Main Street and Wadsworth Street.

Its been a long time coming. Its been a lot of waiting, said Peter Grine, a former member of the Allentown Association board 20 years ago, who was involved in early discussions about the project and design. But everybody knew about it. Everyone should have been able to plan for it.

The group noted in a press release that that the design for the Allen Street Paving and Streetscape Project was conceived by one of its former board members, architect Adam Sokol, who envisioned a street design similar to those he had seen in Europe and Asia where street design was envisioned in a holistic manner.

This is something weve been waiting for a for a long time, said Allentown Association President Patty Macdonald. Its been a challenge, no doubt about it. Having to walk down Allen Street and take a loop around the construction is always a challenge. But the benefits are incredible.

The goal of the project, which finished a few weeks early, was to improve the road and sidewalks, while also enhancing the experience for pedestrians and improving access to businesses and services along the street. But a lot of residents and businesses  while relieved now  didnt see it that way.

A lot of places didnt make it, and we barely hung on, by the grit of our teeth, said Kim Rossi, owner of Mulligans Brick Bar, which was packed with Bills fans on Sunday, but had struggled during construction. She said it took her an entire week to do the same business she used to do on a single Saturday night. If we didnt have so much success behind us in past years, theres no way we would have been able to stay.

The entire road from Wadsworth in the west to Main Street in the east now includes not only clean and repaved roads with shared lanes for cars and bicycles, but wider, raised sidewalks alongside a raised parking area with slanted curbs and movable bollards to separate the two. Those bollards can be easily adjusted to expand the sidewalks by an additional 10 feet, allowing for larger sidewalk cafes or patios for the various eateries or even pop-up retail shops.

As you look down Allen Street, you can see that it really came out well. It is very attractive, and we are hopeful that the vibrancy this street has always had will come back and that the street will become even more vibrant than ever, Brown said Friday.

The sidewalks also feature multiple colors and textures, including not only light and dark gray concrete but also terra-cotta-colored concrete and crosswalks. Thats intended to distinguish different functions and provide some character to the neighborhood. But Lombardo ridiculed it. Why does everybody have a different color sidewalk? she asked. And look how dirty it is already. Its disgusting, and they mismatched everything.

And she and others said the new parking arrangement would create confusion for drivers, and would also create hazards, especially in the winter, when snow and ice make the sidewalks and curbs slippery.

Im not particularly happy with the job that was done, but Im glad it was over, Rossi said. I just see a lot of issues with the raised parking. Ive almost fallen out of my car getting out if Im carrying packages. I cant even imagine what happens when snow and ice and winter come. Its dangerous.

Underground utility infrastructure was also improved as part of the complete roadway project, including street light wiring. This was a full reconstruction, not just the streetscape milling and paving that you see, but this is a full reconstruction of water, sewer and electrical lines, Marton said.

But the construction also tore up sewer lines, leading to a stench that lasted a while, Lombardo said.

Everybody knew it was going to be a long project, MacDonald said. But walking down Allen Street and getting a whiff of the sewer is a thing of the past.

Meanwhile, there are still a few elements of work remaining, although they do not involve the road itself.

There will be some additional work, such as trees being planted, public art being installed and lighting that will be installed in the coming weeks, Brown said. So we will be working with the businesses and residents in the community to do these additional things that the community is asking for.

News Staff Reporter Harold McNeil contributed to this story.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

DSP Jawad Khan told Dawn News that preliminary investigation made clear that the ANP leader was shot at from a very close range by the assailants.

Abbas Khan, a son of the deceased, told police that he was buying essential commodities for home in Swabi city when he received the bad news, reported the Pakistani newspaper.

He said that his father was lying dead near Swabi graveyard in Qasimkhel area.

He said that he was told by locals that two unidentified motorcyclists suddenly appeared and opening fire on him with a pistol, killing him on the spot.

The attackers fled the spot immediately.

The motive behind the attack is reportedly not known so far.


In a recent discourse, Indias External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, pointedly criticized Canada for harbouring individuals who advocate violence and terrorism due to its political leniency.

This assertive statement sheds light on an issue that can no longer be swept under the rug.

While Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau aims to fortify the ties between India and Canada, the reality on the ground seems to be telling a different story.

The allegations by the Canadian PM regarding the Indian governments involvement in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar only add another layer to this complex narrative.

Jaishankars assertions cannot be ignored. There have been instances where smoke bombs were hurled at the Indian mission, and violent confrontations occurred outside the Indian consulates in Canada. These acts of violence against diplomatic premises are not just threats to India but to the global community.

The incident on June 18, where Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in British Columbia, opens up a pandoras box of questions regarding the potential connections between the elements within Canada and global terrorist networks.

The Indian governments willingness to investigate the allegations made by Canada reflects a readiness for open dialogue, a step towards addressing the root cause of the issue.

Moreover, Jaishankars emphasis on freedom of speech not extending to the incitement of violence is a significant point that resonates beyond this bilateral tension.

Its a call for nations to introspect on how their domestic policies might be indirectly nurturing a climate of violence and terrorism.

The ongoing tension between India and Canada isnt just a bilateral issue; its a matter of global security.

The international community needs to pay heed to Jaishankars warning and work collectively to curb the menace of terrorism.

This starts by holding nations accountable for their internal policies that provide operating space for terrorists and those who incite violence.

In conclusion, the diplomatic tiff sheds light on a larger issue at hand  the inadvertent role nations might play in fueling terrorism due to political leniency.

The path to stronger Indo-Canadian ties lies in addressing these grave concerns and fostering an environment that staunchly opposes violence and terrorism.

(Image and text credit: Khalsavox.com)
Mahira Khan has married the love of her life. Unlucky in love the first time, the Pakistani actress known for her works in Humsafar and Bollywood film Raees starring Shah Rukh Khan, has found love again. On the happiest day of her life, as she walked down the aisle, her husband Salim Karim teared up.

He was super emotional seeing her. After wiping off his tears, he lifted her veil and kissed her forehead before hugging her.

Watch Mahira Khan-Salim Karim's viral wedding video below.

After all those years of being alone, she finally found the love of her life  #MahiraKhan pic.twitter.com/4xtOgPR9Ah  nim (@addictt__) October 1, 2023

The wedding ceremony took place at Bhurban in Pakistan reportedly. It was a hush-hush affair with only close friends and family members attending the event. While Salim wore a black Sherwami, Mahira's white outfit was reportedly designed by Faraz Manan.

Who is Mahira Khan's second husband S alim Karim?

As per reports, Mahira's second husband Salim Karim is the CEO and co-founder of a business called Simpaisa, an online payment facilitator. He is also a DJ.

Mahira Khan and Salim Karim's love story!

Apparently, they have been dating for several years now. It is said that she met him at the launch of a television application Tapmad TV. Eventually, they fell in love. In 2020, without revealing his name, Mahira had admitted she was in love.

Twitter

"Theres a line in Humsafar which I thought was beautiful, where Ashar says to Khirad, Pata nahi tum mujhay kis naiki ke badlay mein mili ho (I dont know which good deed of mine led to you) and I think the same about him. I must have done something good in my life that God has sent him my way."

Mahira Khan's first marriage

Twitter

Mahira Khan married her first and childhood love Ali Askari in 2007. In a podcast, the actress revealed that she moved to LA at the age of 17 for Ali, and then returned to Lahore to get married to him. "We were always supposed to go to LA since my uncles were already there, but at 17, I insisted that I go early since I was in love and he was there. But, after going there, mujhe meri naani yaad aa gayi (things got difficult for me)", she said.

Twitter

She said that after she moved to LA, they broke up. However, they reconnected again after two years and this time they took the wedding plunge. It is said that the actress' father was against their marriage but the couple tied the knot in traditional Islamic wedding. Mahira was 23 at that time. They have a son named Azlaan born in 2009. The couple however got divorced in 2005.

Why did Mahira Khan divorce her first husband Ali Askari?

In the same podcast, Mahira said, "Post Azu, I knew my marriage waseven prior I think... But I think you let it go on and you love the person, who is your childhood sweetheart... But I think that was a very painful and difficult time. I was so young at the time. I had a baby, I was scared. Professionally, I was very successful. I never knew I would become successful overnight with Humsafar. But personally, it was a tough time." She added that work helped her get over the divorce.



Talking about why she divorced him, she said, "The first few years were very painful because it was about two good people, it was not an abusive relationship. But it was like two kids had gotten married and sometimes two people evolve differently. There was a little bit of pressure to go back as well."

Who was Mahira Khan's first husband?

Twitter

Ali Askari is a popular Pakistani actor, director and producer.



Last seen in The Legend of Maula Jatt, Mahira Khan will next be seen with Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed in the Netflix series Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo.

We wish Mahira Khan and Salim Karim a happy wedding life ahead.

For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
A woman who was told by her boss that she used the menopause as an excuse for everything has won Rs 37.5 lakh (37,000) in compensation.

Solent Agency

What happened?

Karen Farquharson, a former employee at Thistle Marine, has won Rs 37 lakhs in compensation after her boss dismissed her menopausal symptoms as an 'excuse for everything'. She sued the company for unfair dismissal and harassment. She described her 72-year-old boss as a "dinosaur" who didn't move with time.

The mother-of-two then resigned from her role and took the firm to the tribunal.

Farquharson, who worked at engineering firm for 27 years, suffered heavy bleeding, anxiety and brain fog as a result of the menopause, which meant she occasionally worked from home. The condition had only begun in August 2021.

But company founder Jim Clark dismissed her medical problems as aches and pains and told her to just get on with it, an employment tribunal heard.



Farquharson began to explain why she hadnt been in the office earlier that week.

"Clark gave her a disgusted look and then walked away towards the workshop. Farquharson was very upset and angry at his behaviour and the implication that she did not have good reason to have not been at work earlier in the week," the tribunal observed.



Solent Agency

When and where did the 'harassment' begin?

In December 2022, Farquharson worked from home for two days, first due to heavy snow and then because of her menopausal bleeding. The hearing was told: "She passed Jim Clark in the corridor." He spoke to her in a sarcastic tone: Oh I see youve made it in!

The incident happened at Thistle Marine office based in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire in Scotland.

But, Farquharson says the company has always treated her like "rubbish".

The 49-year-old said, "I had known this company for 27 years and they treated me like rubbish. Clark didn't like change. He didn't like being challenged on things. He didn't move with the times. I tried to explain some issues in what you can say and what you can't say and it just fell on deaf ears."

Solent Agency

How did he defend himself?

At the tribunal, Clark said that the remarks were "innocent" and said that Farquharson was trying to get money ahead of her wedding.

Why did the tribunal finally awarded Farquharson with the compensation?

When she confronted him later over his actions, the panel was told he responded with: Menopause, menopause  abiddy [everybody] f***ing gets it, just get on wi it, thats your excuse for everything.

The panel said, "Jim Clark can best be described as a blunt, self-made man and successful businessman. He no doubt has many admirable qualities but empathy for others is not among them."

Unsplash/Representational image

"It became clear to us that he has little time or respect for those, unlike himself, who are not able to work as hard or without illness as he has." He would often refer to employees who were off sick as snowflakes, the tribunal heard.

"His remarks to Farquharson violated her dignity", the panel concluded. She was then awarded 37,379.56 in compensation.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.
In Brazil, a tragic incident unfolded as 27-year-old Fernanda Silva lost her life. It all began when she accepted a piece of chocolate from an elderly woman she met on the street.

This elderly lady, who identified as a fortune teller, delivered a chilling prediction: Fernanda had only a few days to live.

Tragically, Fernanda consumed the chocolate, and the consequences were devastating.

Just a day after this unsettling encounter, on August 4, she passed away. Her cousin, Bianca Cristina, revealed in an interview with the G1 news outlet that she became seriously ill at home after returning from a routine errand.

She remembered that Silva's eyesight got blurry for a few hours, and she seemed to improve the next day.

At first, the family believed it might be another episode of gastritis and ulcers, as Silva had experienced before.

Her aunt Maria Gomes, as quoted by Globo, claimed that their concern increased when she began to vomit, experience nosebleeds, and foam at the mouth.

A relative quickly took her to Santa Casa de Misericordia Hospital, where she was declared dead.

"As the chocolate was packaged, it didn't occur to her that it could pose any danger,' Bianca Cristina said. 'And as she was hungry, she decided to eat it."

The autopsy report, made public last Wednesday, revealed that the candy contained a significant amount of sulfotep and terbufos.

Sulfotep is a pesticide used in greenhouses for fumigation, while terbufos is a chemical found in pesticides.

Unsplash

Although these substances are readily available in Brazil, the medical examiner noted that they have not been detected in people who have passed away in the past five years.

Text messages acquired by Brazilian media outlets showed that Silva informed a family member:

"Can you believe that I went to wash and hang Mel's clothes just now, and I felt so dizzy?'

She then sent a text message, mentioning that she lost her balance and nearly fell to the ground.

DailyMail

'I leant on the water tank. I almost fell. I almost met God,' Silva wrote. 'I don't know why I'm like this, sis. I've been feeling bad all day.'



She explained that she took the candy from the supposed fortune teller because "she was an old lady. I ate it because it was well-sealed, right? But I've been feeling so weak since then."

'My heart is racing. I've thrown up. But I have this taste in my mouth. So bitter. Bad. My vision is blurry. I'm so weak.'

Silva's cousin, Lumenita Valoz, couldn't understand why someone would want to harm the mother of a nine-year-old girl with special needs, especially considering that she didn't have any enemies.

'I just know that Fernanda wasn't involved in parties, chaos, or anything like that,' Valoz said. 'I don't see anyone having a reason to do this to her, but we don't know anyone's heart. If it was someone who ordered the killing or if the fortune teller killed her because she wanted to, only the police will find out.'

The homicide division of the Civil Police is looking into Silva's death, but they have not made any arrests.

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.


Popular Pakistani actor Mahira Khan, well-known for her roles in Raees and Humsafar tied the knot for the second time, with businessman Salim Karim. The couple exchanged vows amidst the natural beauty of Murree, Pakistan, in an outdoor ceremony. Many pictures and videos capturing the blissful moment have surfaced on various social media platforms.

Mahira's manager, Anushay Talha Khan, took to Instagram to share a touching video of Mahira gracefully walking down the aisle towards her groom. The emotion-laden scene saw Salim wiping tears of joy and love, later lifting her veil, tenderly kissing her forehead, and enveloping her in a heartfelt hug. The bride herself was visibly moved, reciprocating the affection with a warm embrace.

Dressed in a mesmerising pastel lehenga paired with an elegant veil and complementing diamond jewellery, Mahira radiated elegance on her special day. Salim looked dapper in a black sherwani and a striking blue turban.

Also read: Nick Jonas shares a peek into his September adventures, featuring Jonas Brothers' concert and birthday celebrations

The news of the marriage sparked a wave of congratulatory messages from fans and well-wishers, who took to social media, expressing their joy and admiration for the couples union. Many were moved by the genuine display of emotions, emphasising the hope and grace that this union brings to those contemplating the institution of marriage.

Also read: Disha Patani pays heartfelt tribute to Sushant Singh Rajput on seventh anniversary of MS Dhoni: The Untold Story

Mahira had previously confirmed her relationship with Salim during an interview. The couples love story has garnered attention, adding to the excitement surrounding Mahira's upcoming projects, including the eagerly anticipated Netflix series, Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo.

In this adaptation of Farhat Ishtiaqs bestselling Urdu-language novel, Mahira will share the screen with Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed. The show, marking Netflixs first Pakistan original, is currently in production across Italy, the UK, and Pakistan.
The exchange comes as illegal immigration has returned to the political forefront in Germany and other European countries
A yet to be identified young man has been set ablaze by an angry mob for attempting to steal a new generator church along Atiku Abubakar Road in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the horrible incident happened on the 1st October, 2023.

According to a source, named Amb Dignity Usenekong, in an interview with Street journal, said that the culprit was apprehended over the weekend, October 1, 2023 and macheted by the mob before being set ablaze.

He said: Burning in this picture is a young man who chose to sacrifice himself today. I mean, its a thief who was caught today, 1st October 2023 while attempting to steal a generator in a new generation church in my neighborhood, Atiku Abubakar Avenue after putting off the generator that was on.

READ MORE: Angry Mob Burns Suspected Ritualist To Death In Niger

While i condemn jungle justice and advice that people should stop stealing, i have the confidence that the young man is in heaven already although too early, because he was confessing and praying the lords prayer before being finally set ablaze. Dignity added.
Garba Shehu, spokesman to former President Muhammadu Buhari, has insisted that his principal brought Nigerias economy out of crisis.

The spokesman made the remark while dismissing claims that Buharis administration threw Nigeria into myriads of problems leading to the current hardship in the country.

Information Nigeria reports that his reaction is coming after the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, noted that President Bola Tinubu inherited a damaged economy from Buhari.

She noted that Tinubu is not a magician but will work to fix the things damaged in the country.

READ ALSO: CSU Records To Be Gotten By Atiku Is Of No Value To Supreme Court  Tinubus Lawyers Fume

However, in an interview with British Broadcasting Corporation Hausa Service, Shehu said no past administration found itself in economic hardship like Buharis.

According to him, no government in the world can solve all the problems a nation faces.

Shehu said: If there were hardships or problems, these should be looked into, to know how they came about.

No administration in this country found itself in economic issues like Buharis because of our dependence on oil and prices, which went down.

We also had the Coronavirus pandemic. Nations shut their doors, and the economy plummeted. But, Alhamdulillah, Buhari brought the Nigerian economy out of that crisis.
President Bola Tinubus legal team has projected the outcome of the appeal filed at the Supreme Court by Peoples Democratic Partys 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, against the tribunal judgment upholding Tinubus election.

This is just as Judge Nancy Maldonado of the United States District Courts ruling ordering Chicago State University to turn over all Tinubus documents sends the Presidents camp into panic.

Maldonado ordered the University to release the Presidents academic credential by Monday, warning the defendant not to request any appeal again, as it will be rejected.

The former Vice President is looking to present Tinubus academic records at the Supreme Court to prove that the presidents certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission was fake and that he is unqualified to contest the election in the first place.

The attorneys of Tinubu however scoffed at the ruling, dismissing its ability to turn the legal tide against their client.

Documents to be obtained by Abubakar at the United States court will be inconsequential for his appeal at the Apex Court, one of President Bola Tinubus attorneys, Oluwole Afolabi, said.

READ ALSO: US Court Orders Chicago University To Release Tinubus Academic Records To Atiku

The Electoral Act does not allow for the introduction of new evidence on appeal. A party must provide a list of the documents he intends to rely on at the time his Petition is filed.

A party cannot spring surprise on his adversary by introducing evidence that was not filed along with the petition, he said.

In the wake of the Courts verdict, Tinubus New York-based lawyer, Afolabi, revealed the reason for his opposition.

First he noted is that the Nigerian election proceedings and the Nigerian courts have explicitly been unreceptive to the discovery.

His second reason is that Atikus request is unduly intrusive because it allows the applicant (Atiku) to conduct a fishing expedition into the intervenors private, confidential, and protected educational records.

Also, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Tinubus personal lawyer, Babatunde Ogala, echoed a similar view, saying, The headless mob is masturbating over nothing. The documents can no longer be used. It is of no value. We have passed that stage.

One is whether President Tinubu attended Chicago State University. The answer is yes. Second, what were his grades in school? The school had already provided that.
Beth Hoffmann never minded living in the shadow of the former Town of Tonawanda landfill.

From her familys backyard, they enjoyed viewing movies outdoors and watching deer wander by.

That changed, however, following work to remove thousands of tons of contaminated soil and safely cover the property.

Now, Hoffmann said, heavy rain can leave behind several inches of flooding in her yard.

I probably get the worst of it, Hoffmann said in her backyard on a recent afternoon. My entire yard will be underwater to where it goes to the lip of my garage.

Shes just one of the neighbors in the City of Tonawanda who say the landfill cleanup has left them all wet.

Homeowners along Hackett Drive and Wadsworth Court have complained to city officials about the soggy situation for several years, sharing photos and videos of flooding in growing frustration.

City officials, in turn, have pressed their town counterparts to take action.

The runoff has become so extreme that one of the first times I went to visit one of the neighbors, you could canoe across her backyard, Tonawanda Council Member David Mileham said.

The Army Corps of Engineers said its responsibilities were limited to remediation work at the property.

Town officials say they are working to help the city neighbors by, for example, constructing a berm to divert water away from their yards.

Ill put it this way: I dont feel that what we are doing with the landfill closure project is making the issue worse. It can only be making it better, Town Engineer Matthew Sutton said.

Manhattan Project waste

The town used the 55-acre site, just north of Interstate 290 and west of Military Road, as its landfill from the 1930s to 1989. Uranium and other radioactive materials dating to the Manhattan Project  the World War II-era program to produce an atomic bomb  were dumped at the site without public knowledge.

They werent discovered on the landfill property until the 1990s. An Army Corps report later linked the radioactive materials to the former Linde Air Products Division of Union Carbide, which from 1942 to 1946 processed uranium ore at its Tonawanda ceramics plant under a Manhattan Project contract.

Residents and officials from the town and city for years had prodded the Army Corps to clean up the site, which was accepted into the federal Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program, or FUSRAP, in 1992.

The landfill property borders several dozen homes on Hackett Drive and Wadsworth Court and is near the former Riverview Elementary School, all in the city. Officials and residents had sought an extensive cleanup costing an estimated $55.4 million.

Instead, the Corps after 10 years of planning in 2017 settled on a partial remediation plan that would begin sooner and cost just over $15 million to complete.

Crews removed contaminated soil and other materials to a depth of 5 feet at the former landfill before shipping it off site, a process completed by the end of 2019.

The town then took on responsibility for capping the portion of the site where the remediation work was performed. Not all of the property received radioactive waste and, in fact, an 8,000-panel solar array was constructed on 10 acres on the eastern side that wasnt contaminated.

Recent flooding issues

Residents welcomed the cleanup, as far as it went, though some complained about early-morning noise from trucks used in excavation and soil removal.

But neighbors say they didnt have flooding issues in their backyards until after the remediation and follow-up work took place at the site.

A visit to Hoffmanns home on Hackett Drive found the soil in the backyard soggier than would be expected considering the recent lack of rain.

When heavy rain does come, several inches of water can pool in the yard, wearing away the base of her shed and shifting the chain-link fences on either side of her backyard, she said.

Next-door neighbor Shauna Ramos said she, too, now sees flooding in her backyard following heavy rainfall.

She said neighbors were led to believe a drainage system would be part of the project but it was later left out.

We need some sort of drainage or some sort of solution where were not flooding out, said Ramos.

Ramos and Hoffmann said it was hard to get the attention of town officials until Council President Jenna Koch intervened on their behalf.

Mileham, whose Common Council district includes the neighborhood near the landfill, also has pushed Town of Tonawanda leaders. He said one factor in the growing runoff problem may be that the landfill mound itself is now much taller and closer to the residents backyards.

So were trying to work with the town to get the neighbors yards remediated, regraded  whatever its going to take, Mileham said. I mean, they cant use their yards. And not only that, even if they sit in the front, because its so moist, theyre getting a lot of mosquitoes and things like that. So it really hasnt been a pleasant situation for many of them.

Town pressed for fix

Mileham wrote his latest plea to Sutton, the town engineer, and Town Supervisor Joseph Emminger on Sept. 7.

He forwarded a message from Hoffmann and said it was one of two complaints he had received following the previous nights rain.

To say the frustration in the City of Tonawanda is at a peak is an understatement, Mileham wrote. Our residents have had to deal with this flooding issue for the entire length of the project.

It appears, he continued, that promises to resolve the flooding on our side of the fence wont be kept.

Mileham raised the possibility of litigation if nothing is done soon, though he clarified to The Buffalo News that any lawsuits would be brought by residents themselves.

If the Army Corps had removed all contaminated material at the site, Sutton said, the town could have installed an engineered drainage system on the landfill property. But because the Corps removed and replaced just the top 5 feet of soil, its not safe to disturb the contaminated soil underneath, he said.

The Corps Engineers authority and work at the Tonawanda Landfill site was limited to removing contaminated material under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program and returning the landfill to its original grade, spokesman Andrew Kornacki emailed. A drain pipe was not part of the Corps of Engineers remedial action.

Unable to dig down to create a diversion ditch, the town instead constructed a dirt berm along the edge of the landfill.

And so we would be significantly minimizing the amount of runoff that would get to this low-lying area between the residents backyards and the diversion berm, said Sutton, the town engineer.

He added that water flows from the residents properties toward the landfill and not the other way around. Most of the pooling of water occurred, Sutton said, in the town-owned area between residents yards and the landfill.

Now there were a couple of isolated incidents, during construction, where some runoff had bypassed the berms, Sutton said. That has been corrected.

Ramos said neighbors dont know whether the berm will help with flooding because they havent had a lot of rain since it was installed.

She and Hoffmann said they are hopeful further discussions with city and town officials  a meeting is scheduled for Monday  will lead to a solution.

We all just want to be able to enjoy our yards, Hoffmann said.
Abdullahi Adamu, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says he does not owe anyone an apology for supporting a northerner in the Partys presidential primary.

According to the former Nasarawa Governor, he pitched his tent with a northern candidate because hes a northerner, adding that he did not regret his action.

Recall that, Adamu openly supported the then Senate President, Ahmad Lawan for the presidential ticket of the Party.

But Lawan was resoundingly defeated at the primary with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu winning by a landslide.

Many however opined that Adamus decision to support Lawan, who was the least favourite to clinch the ticket, cost him his position as the partys chairman.

In a chat with Daily Trust on Sunday, he said: The party chairman has a role, but with a ruling party, I could not take it on myself to float Ahmed Lawans name.

I am curious because everybody put it on you. Well, of course, I take responsibility as party chairman, but nobody with maturity in politics and governance will say that Abdullahi Adamu, as the chairman of the party, would just get up and say this is my presidential candidate. It doesnt add up.

READ ALSO: Cry As Much As You Want, It Wont Bother Us  Wike Slams Workers Protesting Sack Of Abuja Mass Transit MD

Of course, there were processes. I dont want to go back on that. What I detested about this whole setting was that people who wanted to win favours with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu continued saying there was cold war between me and him and making so much capital out of it.

I am an established person from my root, right from birth. I come from a royal family and I am proud of it. I was born at a time when there was a northern Nigeria. I was brought into its values even though I worked mainly in the private sector. I saw myself first and foremost as a northerner in Nigeria and I have no apologies to anybody on this.

But times are changing, if you want to take a count of people with the same feeling, attitude, commitment and loyalty to the North, you would have a problem

He noted that identity politics is entrenched in Nigeria socio-political dynamics, adding that its reality is rife in the South-West where the president hails from.

But go down South, especially the South West, and you would see that people are not ashamed of beating their chests and telling you who they are and where they come from and what they stand for. Go to the East, till today, we are losing lives in the East for what they believe in, not here.

The reason I have no regret is that only what God wills will happen. God has made Bola Ahmed Tinubu the president of this country, he added.
Nigerian music executive Tunji Balogun, popularly known as Teebillz, has urged Nigerians not to cancel rapper, Naira Marley.

Recall that Naira Marley has been in the news after he was accused of having a hand in the sudden death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Olademeji Aloba, simply known as Mohbad.

Despite denying the allegations, songs by the Marlian Music boss and his record label artists have been taken off the playlists of many Nigerian media houses.

READ ALSO: I Have No Hand In Mohbads Death, Coming Back To Clear My Name  Naira Marley

Reacting via his Instagram page, Teebillz said Naira Marley is too young and talented to be thrown under the bus of cancel culture.

He said Naira Marley believed and invested in Mohbads music career when none of the after death advocates of love did.

He wrote, (Naira Marley is) Too young too talented to throw under the bus of cancel culture! One of the best writers of the new age! Guilty by association is not a deliberate crime to me. I pray ppl forgives Naira Marley off his shortcomings and I hope God gives him a 2nd chance to attain his blessings as a bonified leader and influencer! Just yesterday when everyone and their mama was a glorified Marlian Naira believed and invested in Imoles talent when none of the after death advocates of love did.!!! May our creator bless us where we lack knowledge and wisdom!
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Sunday, resolved to consider the Federal Governments offers on measures to address the dispute arising from the petrol subsidy removal.

Information Nigeria reports that following meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement, said part of the resolutions reached during the meeting was that labour unions would consider the apex government offers.

NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions, he said.

Other resolutions, he said, included, The issues in dispute can only be resolved when workers are at work and not when they are on strike.

Labour Unions argued for higher wage awards and the Federal Government Team promised to present Labours request to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration.

READ ALSO: FG Begins Verification Of National Social Register

A sub-committee to be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

The lingering matter of Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria and National Union of Road Transport Workers in Lagos State needs to be addressed urgently and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who participated virtually, pledged to resolve the matter.

According to him, Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Abdulrazak Abdulrahman, as well as Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, participated virtually in the meeting, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Joe Ajaero, NLCs President, said the labour body would take all the promises by the government to its organs for consideration.

I dont have much to say than what the Chief of Staff has said. Weve been meeting and weve looked at almost all the issues, all the promissory notes from the government and well look at how to translate them to reality and to be workable, he said.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State , has urged Nigerians to remain unshaken in their hope for the country despite todays challenges.

In an Independence Day goodwill message, Akeredolu assured Nigerians that the country is on the journey towards a prosperous and secure future.

Richard Olatunde, Akerodolus Chief Press Secretary, noted in a statement that the Governor said Nigerians must continue their efforts to ensure true federalism in the country.

READ ALSO: Independence Day: Doomsayersll Be Disappointed, Nigeriall Be Great Again, NLC Should Return To Negotiation Table  Speaker Abbas

Despite todays challenges, our hope and trust must remain unshaken. Our journey towards a prosperous and secure future has just begun.

We must continually interrogate every issue that hinders the development and greatness of our beloved nation.

We will persist in our efforts to foster true federalism. We must be dedicated to addressing the root causes of our national issues. The welfare of our people should accelerate our resolve for development.

As we celebrate Independence Day, I congratulate all Nigerians. I urge us to remain steadfast in our faith in a better and prosperous Nigeria, Akeredolu was quoted as saying.
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has renamed the states International Airport after the late literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe.

Soludo announced this on Sunday, October 1, 2023, during the Independence Day celebration at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, stating that the airport would now be called, Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri.

The governor said Achebe was not just an Anambra nor Nigerian hero, but an African and global hero and yet largely unsung at home.

Soludo added that it was heartwarming that a good number of those who contributed to the independence of Nigeria in 1960 have had varying degrees of projects named after them.

He, however, noted that almost all of those whom the projects had been named after were public office holders, adding that his government had broken away from the norm to recognise Achebe by naming the Anambra airport after him.

READ ALSO: Abuja Airport Second Runwayll Be Delivered In 12 Months  Keyamo

We must say that you dont have to hold a political position to contribute to the advancement of our civilisation, he stated.

Henceforth, we shall be deliberate in fishing out and celebrating our largely unsung heroes, as a motivation to our children and youths in terms of what matters, including distinguished teachers, medical and other professionals, persons of honesty and integrity, philanthropists with known sources of wealth, entrepreneurs/job creators, community leaders/developers, clergy with great devotion, etc.

An example of Africas unsung hero is the late Prof. Chinua Achebe. Achebe was not a president or a governor or minister. He did not build bridges or roads or airports. But he will outlive most presidents, governors or ministers

Achebe gave the African literature an identity and a voice. In a way, he rightly reconstructed and redefined who we are and we will never forget. Indeed, he was not an Anambra hero, nor a Nigerian hero. He was an African and global hero, and yet largely unsung at home

Achebe rejected Nigerias national honours twice in protest against what he perceived as injustice to his home state Anambra. Today, Anambra will finally honour him

After wife consultations, there is a broad consensus that no one is more deserving to be named after the first airport in Anambra than Anambra s all-time greatest literary gift to the world, Chinua Achebe

Consequently, we will rename the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, to Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri. Yes, it has to be an international airport, and we hope to work with the Federal Government to give full effect to its international status.

Prof Achebe, a native of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, died on March 21, 2013, at age 82, in Boston, Massachusetts.
Some vehicles and a market were reportedly burnt when gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) on Monday, attacked Ebonyi State.

It was gathered that the people were forced to scamper for safety as the gunmen struck the Ezamgbo junction, along Abakaliki/Enugu Expressway in the South-Eastern state.

The incident took place a few minutes before 8 a.m. and left two commercial buses, four motorcycles, and a shop within the Ezamgbo Market burnt.

According to an eyewitness who pleaded under the condition of anonymity said, he could not tell how they were, but upon arrival, the armed men shot in the air which led to people running for safety.

The spokesperson of the Ebonyi State Police Command Onome Onovwakpoyeya said no life was lost in the incident.

He added that the Command deployed police operatives to the scene, assuring that efforts were ongoing to arrest the gunmen.

Today 02/10/2023, Armed men suspected to be IPOB/ESN members in a Sienna car attacked commuter buses, tricycles, and motorcycles at Ezzangbo junction, the statement read.

READ MORE: Gunmen Ambush Police Patrol, Kill ASP, Inspector In Enugu

They burnt down three commuter buses, four motorcycles, and one tricycle. No life was lost. Operatives of the Command have been dispatched to the scene and its environs to fish out the perpetrators. And we believe that before the end of the day, the perpetrators will be apprehended.
Coast Guard Lt. Daniel Pereira had lived in his Mount Laurel apartment for five months when he got notice that his station was changing from Philadelphia to New London, Conn. He alerted the property manager, JAG Management Co. LLC, that hed be moving out before the lease was set to expire and shared a copy of his transfer notice. Then, he packed up and left.

Two months later, a debt collection agency started contacting him about a fee he allegedly owed the property management company. Pereira had received a $2,100 rent concession upon moving into his Mount Laurel apartment, and now the company was demanding he pay it back.

A complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleges that JAG Management violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which protects service members against early termination lease fees when they are called to serve. The complaint alleges at least nine service members who lived at the Jefferson Mount Laurel apartment complex, including Pereira, received illegal termination fees when they tried to cut their apartment leases short as they were called to serve.

Service members should not have to pay any fees  much less exorbitant fees  to landlords when they are simply complying with their military orders and protecting our country, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division said in a news release Monday.

The nine instances in which service members were asked to repay a rent concession back occurred between April 2019 and April 2022, according to court documents. Some fees were as high as $2,750 and affected members of the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Air National Guard.

JAG Management denied the allegations in the consent order, agreed to by both parties. The company will pay a total of $41,581 in damages to the nine service members and an additional $20,000 civil penalty. The consent order was filed with the complaint on Sept. 29, 2023, and is subject to court approval.

A representative for JAG Management could not be reached by deadline Monday. The company manages buildings in several states including Maryland, Virginia, and Florida.
The 2022 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Sciences went to University of Pennsylvania researchers Katalin Kariko (left) and Drew Weissman for their landmark research that set a foundation for the mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Read more

The University of Pennsylvania has reaped extraordinary financial gain from COVID-19 vaccines  approaching $1 billion since the beginning of last year  thanks to patents on a process Penn researchers developed more than 15 years ago.

It ranks among the biggest short-term royalty wins ever by a university.

Penn will use the proceeds for a $750 million expansion of scientific and medical research in Philadelphia, where it is already the main driver of a burgeoning cell and gene therapy sector. Those plans include a $350 million addition of laboratory space.

Citing confidentiality agreements, Penn officials arent disclosing the exact amount of royalties the university has collected from Modernas and Pfizer-BioNTechs COVID vaccine sales, which through March totaled $73.5 billion.

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Its a big number, said Craig R. Carnaroli, Penns senior executive vice president, referring to Penns slice of that revenue.

Already in the year that ended June 30, 2021, Penns overall royalties, not just from the vaccines, soared from $30 million the year before to $310 million. That is a huge number, said Stephen J. Susalka, CEO of AUTM, an association of university tech transfer managers.

And this years figure, based on 12 months of vaccine sales, will be even larger.

From invention to vaccine

The path to Penns bounty from COVID vaccines, which have saved an estimated 2 million lives in the United States, started with a little-noticed paper that biochemist Katalin Kariko and immunologist Drew Weissman published in 2005.

The research focused on messenger RNA (ribonucleic acid), which are molecules that carry genetic instructions for making protein. It had long been thought that messenger RNA, or mRNA, could be used to give the human body instructions that would enable it to fight off infectious diseases or fix other ailments.

The problem was that the body attacked the foreign mRNA and destroyed it before it could do its job.

The original discovery of Weissman, a professor of vaccine research in the Perelman School of Medicine, and Kariko, an adjunct professor of neurosurgery at Penn and a senior vice president at BioNTech in Germany, was that chemically modifying the mRNA enabled it to slip past the immune system so it could deliver its instructions.

No one knew where the discovery would lead. In an Aug. 23, 2005, news release, Penn said the findings could lead to new types of therapeutic RNAs for cancer [and] genetic diseases.

The years that followed are sometimes called the Valley of Death, where some university discoveries wither and die because no one advances them, according to Susalka, the expert in technology transfer.

Universities do a fantastic job of developing the technology as far as they can, but theres often a big gap between what comes out of a university research lab and what a company needs to get a product to market, Susalka said.

 READ MORE: Penn scientists play important role in making the mostly used COVID-19 vaccines possible.

In 2010, Penn followed a common practice of exclusively licensing the patent based on the original discovery, along with related patents, to a Madison, Wis., company called mRNA RiboTherapeutics, which, in turn, sublicensed it to an affiliate, Cellscript LLC.

Cellscripts CEO, Gary Dahl, and associates soon started appearing on subsequent patents with Weissman and Kariko.

That group, led by Gary, made significant and important contributions to the original technology and helped to create an even more robust portfolio of intellectual property, said John S. Swartley, Penns associate vice provost for research and managing director of the Penn Center for Innovation, which manages the universitys intellectual property.

Dahl did not respond to a request for an interview about his company, which sells kits for making modified RNAs on its website and has drawn little attention, despite the key part it played in getting the Penn mRNA technology into the hands of Moderna and BioNTech.

Those deals were signed in 2017, a few years before COVID turned the world upside down.

Estimating Penns share of vaccine sales

Without inside information, its impossible to know exactly how much revenue Penn is collecting from the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines because key financial details of licensing agreements typically are kept under wraps.

Modernas Securities and Exchange Commission filings, however, provide unusual insight. The vaccine is the Cambridge, Mass., companys only revenue-generating product, which means the company must disclose details to investors.

Each quarter, Moderna reports how much it pays to Cellscript. From the beginning of last year through March 31, the total was $848 million, or 3.5% of quarterly vaccine sales. The only exception was the first quarter of last year, when it was 5%, likely because of a one-time bump  known as a milestone payment  from the initial sales.

If BioNTech has the same terms with Cellscript, then the Pfizer-BioNTech joint venture would have paid an additional $1.82 billion to Cellscript.

BioNTech did not respond to a request for details on its Cellscript license, which calls for milestone payments of up to approximately $26 million as well as royalties in the low to mid-single digits on net sales of licensed products, according to a regulatory filing.

Experts say Cellscript likely pays Penn less than half of the royalties it receives from the vaccines.

Its still likely to be a sizable chunk, said Jacob S. Sherkow, a law professor at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who specializes in intellectual property and biotechnology.

If Penns share were as high as 40%, it would have received roughly $1 billion of the estimated $2.7 billion Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech paid to Cellscript through March 31.

 READ MORE: The future could be wide open for mRNA treatments.

That level of royalties puts Penn in rare company, but not at the top of the heap. Other universities, such as Northwestern, UCLA, and New York University, have collected far more over longer periods of time from pharmaceuticals.

Northwestern, for example, sold part of the royalty rights to Lyrica, an epilepsy and nerve-pain drug, for $700 million in 2007, but still collected more than $1 billion in royalties over the following six years.

Promising future for mRNA treatments

The COVID vaccines were the first commercial successes in the field of mRNA biology, which has vast potential not just for vaccines but many other treatments, scientists say.

Researchers at BioNTech, Moderna, and other companies are working on mRNA vaccines against influenza, HIV, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), Zika, and other viruses. Cancer is another major focus for mRNA researchers.

Because RNA is a lot like biological software, we can rapidly write the code for the proteins that are necessary, that might be deficient or dysfunctional in a cell, said John P. Cooke, medical director at Center for RNA Therapeutics at Houston Methodist. Thats an efficient way to get the body to fix itself.

I personally think the opportunity for RNA therapeutics is almost limitless, Cooke said.

But that doesnt mean Penns mRNA technology will continue in the central role it had in the COVID vaccines. Theres competition. Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology devised a circular RNA  rather than a strip  that lasts longer in the cell, giving the RNA more time to deliver its instructions, Cooke said.

Penns mRNA patents start expiring in May 2027. Its impossible to know if any of the patents that expire later will generate royalties. Whats more, odds are very long that any of the prospects will be as big as the COVID vaccines.

Carnaroli, the universitys senior executive vice president, cautioned that the huge revenue stream wont continue for long. This will have a short life to it, he said.

Jonathan Epstein, Penn Medicines chief scientific officer, suggested that many of the new treatments would appear after the expiration of Penns original patents.

The more important thing is that there could be additional cures for diseases, which is what were really interested in, he said.

Penns plan for the money

Penn cannot spend the vaccine royalties however it wants, Carnaroli said. Under 1980 federal law that allows universities to benefit financially from government-funded basic science research, Penn must put the money back into early scientific research.

In November, Penn outlined a $750 million set of investments in medical and scientific research. That is what these proceeds will fuel, Carnaroli said.

Preliminary plans include the construction of a seven-floor addition of laboratories to the top of a relatively new building at 3600 Civic Center Blvd. at an estimated cost of $350 million, he said. Penn is also considering an expansion and then what Carnaroli called a massive renovation of the David Rittenhouse Laboratory at 33d and Walnut Streets in University City, where we have incredible faculty in physics, astrophysics, he said.

The law, the Bayh Dole Act, also requires institutions to share some of the money with the inventors. Penns patent policy calls for inventors to receive 30% of the royalties  which could be several hundred million dollars split between Kariko and Weissman and possibly others depending on which patents are at play.

We are incredibly excited to see a lifetime of work be used to help people during this tragic pandemic that has affected the entire world, the two researchers said in a statement. We look forward to the application of mRNA therapeutics to new diseases through vaccines, gene therapy within the body, and protein therapies in the near future.
Josh Kruger (left), then-communications director for the Office of Homeless Services for the City of Philadelphia, speaks with Jennifer Bennetch, a protester, at a tent encampment in January 2020. Read more

 READ MORE: UPDATE: Police are searching for a 19-year-old man they believe killed Josh Kruger

A Philadelphia journalist who advocated for some of the citys most vulnerable residents was shot and killed inside his Point Breeze home early Monday in what detectives believe may have been a domestic-related killing.

Just before 1:30 a.m., police responded to reports of gunshots and screams on the 2300 block of Watkins Street. Outside, officers found Josh Kruger shot multiple times and collapsed on the sidewalk, said Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore.

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Officers rushed Kruger, 39, to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, but his injuries were severe. He died just before 2:15 a.m.

Detectives believe someone entered Krugers home, then shot him at the base of his stairs, Vanore said. The shooter fled, he said, and Kruger ran outside seeking help from neighbors.

No arrests have been made, he said, and there were no signs of forced entry into the home. Police are reviewing surveillance footage outside the rowhouse, he said.

Either the door was open, or the offender knew how to get the door open, he said. We just dont know yet.

Detectives believe Krugers death may have been the result of a domestic dispute or may have been drug-related, according to three law enforcement sources with knowledge of the case. The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, said police investigators recovered troubling text messages between Kruger and a former partner. Investigators also recovered methamphetamine inside Krugers bedroom, the sources said.

City leaders and community members took to social media Monday to grieve Krugers death and acknowledge the legacy of his work as a journalist. He loved cats and was proudly queer and openly HIV-positive. He had overcome a number of struggles in his life, including bouts of homelessness and addiction, and leveraged those experiences to fiercely advocate for and write on behalf of those communities.

He knew he had a story to tell, said Randy LoBasso, who worked with Kruger at Philadelphia Weekly. He knew his past trauma could be used to help his audience see a situation in a way that no one else could show it to them.

In recent months, hed written on social media about a variety of alarming incidents at his home.

In April, he posted that an ex-partner had broken into his home. The door was locked, so he had somehow obtained a copy of my keys, he wrote. He had allowed the man, whom hed known for years before his troubles, to stay at his house briefly after being released from jail. He said he was able to deescalate the situation and the man eventually left, and he changed his locks.

In August, someone threw a rock through his home window, he said. Then, about two weeks ago, he wrote on Facebook that someone came to his house searching for their boyfriend  a man Ive never met once in my entire life. The person called themselves Lady Diabla, the She-Devil of the Streets and threatened him, he wrote.

Kruger was a former city spokesperson who advocated for more support for some of the citys most vulnerable residents, including people experiencing homelessness, people in addiction, and the LGBTQ community.

He worked for the City of Philadelphia for about five years, overseeing the mayors social media platforms and policy campaigns, and acting as communications director and spokesperson for the citys Office of Homeless Services.

Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement that he was shocked and saddened by Krugers death.

Josh cared deeply about our city and its residents, which was evident both in his public service and in his writing, Kenney said. His intelligence, creativity, passion, and wit shone bright in everything that he did  and his light was dimmed much too soon.

In 2021, he returned to journalism and wrote freelance articles about the LGBTQ community, city and state politics, and other issues for outlets including The Inquirer, the Philadelphia Citizen, LGBTQ Nation, and Billy Penn.

He was HIV-positive and he fought to break the stigma around living with the virus. He often wrote for POZ magazine, a publication serving people with HIV/AIDS. He was an avid bicyclist, Anglo-Catholic Episcopalian, and a parishioner of St. Marks Church in Rittenhouse.

For a period of time, he was homeless and experienced a crystal meth addiction, he wrote, and relied on sex work, his Christian faith, and the kindness of others to survive.

Make no mistake: I would not be alive today and living the life I have were it not for the charity and good works of human beings, he wrote in 2017. Yet, I am convinced with absolute certainty that there were also invisible forces around, behind, and within me, too.

Kruger was never shy about his hardships, and was outspoken on social media, challenging city leaders and fellow journalists alike to be better in their responses to and reporting on various crises.

He was real with you, you always knew where you stood with him, said Dee Stanford, 32, a close friend.

Stanford said Kruger was there for her when she was going through recovery for an addiction about seven years ago. He offered thoughtful advice and was a caring listener, she said.

He was able to use his past experience to help put things in perspective, but he never did it in a way that was competitive, and he never minimized what I was going through, she said. He would use his life as an example to say, Ive been there. I dealt with the worst. I lived, I survived. So I know that you will, too, no matter what happens.

LoBasso, a former colleague, said editing Krugers work changed the way I wrote. He was a storyteller through and through, he said, and persevered through the industry even after being laid off three times over the years.

He could never quit; hed already gotten so far, LoBasso said.

Purchasing his home in Point Breeze a few years ago was one of his proudest moments, said friend George Basile, and reenergized his dedication to supporting those experiencing homelessness. To him, owning a home was a testament to the salvation we can all achieve, Basile said.

The charity others showed him during times of hardship influenced how he treated people  and pets  in his life. He often took in older, hard-to-adopt cats, including those with FIV, the feline version of HIV. His current companion and best friend was a one-toothed senior cat named Mason.

As of Monday afternoon, Krugers family and friends were working to find Mason a new home.

District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a statement that his office is working closely with police on the investigation.

Josh Kruger lifted up the most vulnerable and stigmatized people in our communities  particularly unhoused people living with addiction, Krasner said. Josh deserved to write the ending of his personal story.

Staff writers Anna Orso and Ryan Briggs contributed to this article.
Men comfort one another at the scene of a quadruple shooting on the 6100 block of Shelbourne Street in Philadelphia early Monday. Read more

Philadelphia police shot and killed the man they suspected of killing three people in a quadruple shooting inside a Crescentville home early Monday morning.

Chief Inspector Michael McCarrick said police responded to a 911 call at a home on the 6100 block of Shelbourne Street just before 5 a.m., and found a woman who was shot in the face. Inside the home, three other victims were found dead.

Police later identified the deceased victims as Denise Snead-Doram, 63, and Gregory Doram, 61, who both lived at the home, and Nina OBrien, 42, of West Mount Airy. All three had been shot in the head and were pronounced dead at the scene by medics.

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The surviving 43-year-old woman was transported to Jefferson Einstein Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition.

McCarrick said a man fled the home in a blue Honda Pilot with a Pennsylvania license plate.

Police later identified the man as Jahad Snead, 41, who also lived at the home on Shelbourne Street.

Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford told reporters that police located the Honda Pilot just after 7 a.m. on Phil-Ellena Street in Mount Airy. Inside was a driver and Jahad Snead, who Stanford said fired at officers from inside the vehicle.

An officer shot back multiple times, wounding Snead.

Snead was transported to Jefferson Einstein Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 9 a.m.

Stanford said an officer was being treated for a hand injury after being struck by shattered glass.

A gun was recovered from the Honda Pilot, police said.

The driver of the vehicle was being questioned, Stanford said, though it is unclear if he is connected to the initial shooting.

Theres a family relationship there, Stanford said. We just dont know what precipitated him shooting members of his family.

Staff photographer Alejandro A. Alvarez contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  "How would you be different as speaker, compared to Mr. Boehner?" a reporter asked then-House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy in September 2015 as the California Republican pursued, and eventually gave up, his first attempt at the speakership.

McCarthy laughed while standing next to outgoing Speaker John Boehner  who had just stepped down after facing a threat of removal  and joked that he was from a different generation and wouldn't be as tan.

Eight years later, McCarthy is finding that there are fewer differences between them as he faces a conservative revolt against his speakership.

"If somebody wants to remove (me) because I want to be the adult in the room, go ahead and try," McCarthy told reporters Saturday.

And his critics, namely Rep. Matt Gaetz, plan to do just that. On Sunday, the far-right Republican from Florida threatened to use a procedural tool  called a motion to vacate  to try and strip McCarthy of his office as soon as this week after he relied on Democrats to provide the necessary votes to fund the government.

"I think we need to rip off the Band-Aid," Gaetz said on CNN. "I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy."

Here's what you need to know about how the House can remove a speaker:

What is a motion to vacate?

The rules of the House allow for any single lawmaker  Democrat or Republican  to make a "motion to vacate the chair," essentially an attempt to oust the speaker from that leadership post through a privileged resolution.

It's a rare and strong procedural tool that has only been used twice in the past century. But in recent years, conservatives have wielded the motion as a weapon against their leaders.

In January, McCarthy, hoping to appease some on the hard right as he fought to gain their vote for speaker, agreed to give as few as five Republican members the ability to initiate a vote to remove him. But when that wasn't good enough for his critics, he agreed to reduce that threshold to one  the system that historically has been the norm.

Proponents of allowing a single lawmaker to file the motion said it promotes accountability, noting its long history in the House. The last use of the motion was in 2015, when then-Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, a Republican who later became Donald Trump's White House chief of staff, introduced a resolution to declare the speaker's office vacant. Two months later, Boehner said he would be stepping down.

No speaker has ever been removed from office through a motion to vacate.

How does a motion to vacate work?

At any point in time, a member of the House can introduce a privileged resolution a designation that gives it priority over other measures  to declare the office of the speaker of the House of Representatives vacant.

Once the motion is introduced, the lawmaker can walk onto the House floor and request a vote. Such a request would force House leaders to schedule a vote on the resolution within two legislative days.

But there are procedural motions that members of either party could introduce to slow down or stop the process altogether. If those tactics were to fail, and the resolution came to the floor for a vote, it would take a simple majority of the House  218 votes, when no seats are vacant  to remove the speaker.

While it has never been successful, a motion to vacate has been used as a political threat against several speakers throughout history, dating back to Republican Speaker Joseph Cannon  who first invoked the resolution against himself in 1910. The effort failed as his fellow Republicans voted overwhelmingly to keep him as their leader. But by calling the bluff of his detractors, Cannon was able to put them on the record and end the threats against him.

In 1997, Republicans frustrated with then-Speaker Newt Gingrich considered trying to oust him but eventually decided against it. Most recently, the mere whispers of a motion to vacate forced Boehner out of office and set McCarthy on the path to the leadership post he has today.

Who is trying to oust McCarthy and why?

Just like for Boehner, the call for McCarthy's removal began with just one man. Gaetz, a member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, has been threatening to file the resolution to remove him from the dais ever since McCarthy was nominated speaker by a majority of the conference earlier this year.

Gaetz is among 20 or so members who voted against McCarthy round after round as he fought to become speaker. While others eventually relented and voted in favor of McCarthy or present, Gaetz fought until the very end.

"This will all be torpedoed by one person who wants to put a motion to vacate for personal, political reasons, and undermine the will of the conference and the American people, who elected a Republican majority to govern," Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., a defender of McCarthy, said Sunday on ABC.

Gaetz and other critics of McCarthy say he has failed to be the conservative leader the party needs. They have railed against his deal with the White House over raising the debt limit earlier this year and have demanded the House slash spending levels to new lows. The group has also made sweeping demands to reimagine the U.S. government, which they criticize as "woke and weaponized."

Does a motion to vacate have the votes to pass?

As of right now, it is unclear, but there's reason to be skeptical. No matter how loud or disruptive they may be, the anti-McCarthy faction is only a small minority in a Republican conference that is mostly supportive or amenable to him remaining speaker.

Another problem with the push to remove McCarthy is that there is no clear, consensus candidate to take his place. And lastly, and maybe more importantly, Gaetz would need the support of most Democrats to oust McCarthy if the motion ever came to a vote  and it's far from certain that they would join him.

"The one thing I agree with my Democrat colleagues on is that for the last eight months, this House has been poorly led and we own that and we have to do something about it," Gaetz said on the floor last week. "And you know what? My Democrat colleagues will have an opportunity to do something about that, too. And we will see if they bail out our failed speaker."

Gaetz has been speaking to House Democrats from across the ideological spectrum in recent weeks trying to assess what kind of support, if any, he would have from those across the aisle if he were to file his motion and it came to the floor.

"We haven't had a discussion about any hypothetical motion to vacate," Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said at a news conference Saturday. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

If they ousted McCarthy, what would happen next?

The House would enter uncharted territory if a motion to vacate effort against McCarthy were to pass the full House.

The speaker of the House, under the rules of the chamber, is required to keep a list of individuals who can act as speaker pro tempore in the event a chair is vacated. The list, which is oddly written by the sitting speaker at any given time, remains with the House Clerk and would be made public if the speakership were vacant.

The first person on that list would be named speaker pro tempore and their first order of business would be to hold an election for a new speaker. That event requires the House to vote as many times as it takes for a candidate to receive the majority of those present and voting for speaker.

For McCarthy, that process took an unprecedented 15 rounds in January.

New candidates for speaker could emerge, but there's also nothing to stop Republicans from nominating McCarthy again.

Photos: Scenes from historic speaker vote of 118th Congress
The Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded Monday to two University of Pennsylvania scientists, Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman, who discovered how to harness the power of messenger RNA  the genetic linchpin of the first vaccines against COVID-19.

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines based on their research are credited with preventing millions of hospitalizations and deaths. The Penn duos discoveries, the first of which was published in 2005, also form the basis of potential treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Yet three decades ago, when Kariko began to study RNA for its possible uses in medicine, the concept struck many scientists as science fiction. Among other issues, the delicate molecules were quick to degrade and caused harmful inflammation in lab animals. Kariko struggled to secure federal funds for her work, and a result, in 1995 she was turned down for a tenure-track position at Penn.

Yet she stuck with it, and upon joining forces with Weissman, the two eventually cracked the code.

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At a news conference hosted by Penn, Weissman credited Kariko with having the inspiration to push back against the naysayers.

Kati lit the match, he said.

Still, others were slow to appreciate their findings. In an interview Monday with a Nobel official, she described being kicked out of Penn in late 2012 and forced to retire. She then got a job at the German drugmaker BioNTech, which collaborated with Pfizer a decade later to make the COVID vaccine.

Not only did her ideas ultimately win out, she is now a trailblazer in a field where women have been sorely underrepresented. Kariko is the 25th woman to win a Nobel in the sciences out of the 640 winners since 1901, representing just 4% of the total. At the news conference, she was all smiles.

We worked hard, she said of her collaboration with Weissman. But we enjoyed.

Waking up Monday to a surprise call

When prize administrators called from Sweden on Monday with the news, Kariko was asleep at her Abington home. Her husband answered, and handed the phone to her, she said.

Before hanging up, she gave Thomas Perlmann, the secretary general of the Nobel committee, Weissmans cell phone number  as the committee had been unable to reach him that morning.

During Mondays news conference, Weissman described the cryptic message he received from Kariko around 4 a.m., asking if a man named Thomas had called.

When he asked for more detail, Kariko wrote back: Nobel Prize.

Initially, they thought it might be a joke, Weissman said at Penns news conference. Weissman believed theyd won only after watching the Nobel committees press conference from bed with his wife and cat, who was mewing impatiently for breakfast.

While Nobel recognition often comes years, if not decades, after a discovery, the Nobel committee wanted to be more current in honoring world-changing research, Weissman recalled the committees secretary general explained.

Its a lifetime dream, and this is coming from somebody who doesnt work for or look forward to awards, he said in an interview with a Nobel official Monday morning. But the Nobel is the ultimate recognition of work.

 READ MORE: How the COVID-19 vaccines work: A step-by-step tutorial with guidance from Drew Weissman

A scientific match made at Penn

The pair met at the copy machine the late 1990s, while waiting to make copies of scientific journal articles, and took an interest in each others findings. They agreed to work together. It was a fruitful match between two areas of scientific expertise  RNA for her, the immune system for him  and two very different personality types.

In 2021, when the pair won another award, Kariko, 68, described herself as talkative and bubbling in contrast to Weissmans quiet, methodical approach.

You are coming from A to B in a straight line. And I am A to B like that, she told Weissman in a Penn Medicine video, spinning her finger around in a circle. You told me that. But we try to go to the same place.

Conceptually, their goal was straightforward. DNA is the master blueprint for life, holding the recipes for all the enzymes and other proteins in the body. Messenger RNA is a temporary copy of that blueprint, used in the process of actually making the proteins.

The pair hoped that they could deliver their own temporary RNA blueprints inside human cells, coaxing them to make customized proteins without needing to interfere with the persons master blueprint  the DNA.

But inflammation, provoked when RNA was administered to lab animals, was a stumbling block. The solution, which Kariko and Weissman published in 2005, was a slight tweak to the chemical structure supporting one of RNAs bases. The inflammation all but disappeared. And as a bonus, the cells made 10 times as many of the desired proteins.

Later, they and many other scientists would make headway against the other main issue: the fragility of the genetic molecules. They learned to package the RNA inside tiny droplets of oil, called lipid nanoparticles, protecting them for safe delivery through the membrane of human cells.

We were both completely open-minded, said Weissman, 64. Any data that we didnt understand, and there was a lot of it, we sat down. We kept doing experiments. We kept getting results. We kept getting excited by the results.

The basis of the COVID vaccine

A key advantage of mRNA-based vaccines is speed. In January 2020, when Chinese officials published the genetic code of the coronavirus, scientists used it to make prototype mRNA vaccines in a matter of days.

The vaccines contained just a small portion of that overall genetic code for the virus: the recipe for its external spike protein. When injected into the body, these blueprints prompted the recipients cells to make the spike, giving the immune system a harmless taste of the virus without the risk of infection.

Elliot Barnathan, a cardiologist who worked with Kariko at Penn before leaving for an industry job in 1997, said it took uncommon foresight for her to map out all the technical hurdles. And extreme perseverance for her and Weissman to clear them, one by one.

Its sort of like a staircase, like a pyramid, Barnathan said. It was a huge undertaking to go from the ground floor to the top. She saw the top, and said: OK, Im going to have to find all these stones and schlep them. Its a lot of time and sweat, but I can see what its going to look like in the end.

 READ MORE: Research behind COVID-19 vaccines reaps close to $1 billion in royalties for Penn

At Penns Perelman School of Medicine, Weissman is now working on RNA-based vaccines that would protect against multiple coronaviruses, including those that have yet to jump from animals to humans. He and Kariko both have continued to study the use of mRNA to combat other diseases.

One possible target is autoimmune diseases such as lupus. For that project, Weissman is collaborating with another prominent scientist, cell therapy pioneer Carl June.

Kariko's and Weissmans work changed the course of history, said J. Larry Jameson, the dean of Penns Perelman School of Medicine, at a news conference hosted by Penn on Monday.

Their pioneering work has opened the door to a new era of medicine, he said.

It also has earned Penn a lot of money. University officials have not provided an exact total, but public databases indicate the school has reaped more than $1 billion in royalties from patents on the work by Kariko and Weissman.

The two scientists will receive their awards in a Dec. 10 ceremony in Stockholm, along with the winners of Nobels in other categories to be announced this week.
Penn scientists Katalin Kariko, left, and Drew Weissman were named to the National Inventors Hall of Fame for their research on messenger RNA (mRNA), which paved the way for the COVID vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech. Read more

Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman, the University of Pennsylvania scientists whose research on messenger RNA (mRNA) paved the way for the Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccines, have been named to the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

They and 14 other innovators will be inducted into the hall, a nonprofit marking its 50th anniversary, at an Oct. 26 black-tie ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The Penn scientists have been honored many times in the two years since the rollout of the vaccines, which have been administered to billions of people and have saved thousands of lives. Their discoveries, the first of which was published in 2005, also are the basis for experimental treatments against cancer and heart disease.

But perhaps never have the pair been honored among a group with such wide-ranging talents.

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Other new members of the hall of fame include Luis von Ahn, a Carnegie Mellon researcher who co-invented those CAPTCHA programs that websites use to make sure youre not a robot; Cyril and Louis Keller, the Minnesota brothers who invented the skid-steer loaders now known as Bobcats; and Marjorie Stewart Joyner, a beauty salon executive and civil rights advocate who invented a permanent hair-wave machine in the 1920s.

With the 16 new inductees, the Inventors Hall of Fame will include 624 members, the first of whom was Thomas Edison. Based in North Canton, Ohio, the nonprofit was founded in 1973 in partnership with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It also runs a museum in Alexandria, Va.

Nominees are recommended by a panel of experts in science, technology, engineering and patents. Candidates must hold a U.S. patent for an invention that is groundbreaking or a significant advancement in their field. The inventions also must be widely used and must contribute to societal well-being.

Kariko began to study messenger RNA three decades ago for possible use in medicine, at a time when most scientists thought it was a lost cause. Among other issues, the delicate genetic molecules were quick to degrade and caused harmful inflammation when administered to lab animals.

She struggled to secure federal funds for her work, and as a result, in 1995 she was turned down for a tenure-track position at Penn. Yet she stuck with it, and upon joining forces with Weissman, the two eventually cracked the code.

In the case of the vaccines, mRNA is used to deliver instructions for the recipients cells to make a harmless fragment of the coronavirus. That enables the immune system to develop antibodies and other defenses should the person ever be infected with the real thing.

Kariko now works at BioNTech, the German company that partnered with Pfizer to make its COVID vaccine, though she maintains an affiliation with Penn. Weissman is working on next-generation vaccines that would protect against multiple coronaviruses, including those that have yet to jump from bats to humans.

In addition to Kariko, Weissman, von Ahn, the Kellers, and Joyner, the new members include:

 Rodolphe Barrangou and Philippe Horvath, who discovered a type of bacterial immune system that other scientists harnessed to invent the gene-editing technique called CRISPR.

 Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna, who built on Barrangous and Horvaths work to develop the CRISPR technique, for which they won the 2020 Nobel Prize in chemistry.

 Robert G. Bryant, a NASA chemist who developed a polymer used as an insulation material for leads in implantable cardiac devices.

 Lynn Conway, an electrical engineer who invented a new architecture for computer chips, called VLSI (very large-scale integration).

 Rory Cooper, a biomedical engineer and disabled U.S. Army veteran who made substantial improvements to manual and motorized wheelchairs.

 Angela Hartley Brodie, a biochemist who discovered a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors, which can stop the production of hormones that fuel the growth of cancer cells.

 James A. Parsons Jr., a metallurgist who invented a corrosion-resistant alloy of stainless steel.

 Roger Tsien, a biochemist who invented green fluorescent protein, a powerful tool scientists use to track the activity inside living cells  a discovery for which he shared the 2008 Nobel Prize in chemistry.
The overdose-reversal drug Narcan. The city saw 1,413 fatal overdoses in 2022, its highest ever. Read more

Fatal overdoses among Philadelphians are higher than ever. And drug deaths are rising dramatically among Black and Hispanic Philadelphians, even as fewer white residents are dying of overdoses, city officials said in a wide-ranging report on overdose deaths in 2022.

Between 2018 and 2022, health officials say, fatal overdoses among Black Philadelphians nearly doubled, from 347 to 649 deaths. Deaths among Hispanic Philadelphians increased by 43%. In the same time period, deaths among white residents decreased by 12%.

In 2022, Black men saw the highest number of overdose fatalities among any demographic group in the city.

Were at a point now where it definitely is a major crisis, said Andrew Best, the director of the Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction Division at the city health department.

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Jose de Marco, an activist with ACT UP Philadelphia, an AIDS advocacy group that also promotes strategies to reduce the harmful effects of drug use, said the scale of loss was devastating.

I cant recall how many overdoses Ive personally reversed, he said. Ive seen people die in my arms. Ive lost partners to this drug. Its the reality of it. And as with most racial and social injustices, its always Black and Latinx people that are going to rise to the top.

Best said a number of factors are behind Philadelphias 1,413 overdose deaths in 2022, a record. In 2018, 1,116 Philadelphians died of overdoses.

Factors behind the rise

While opioids, mostly the synthetic opioid fentanyl, were involved in 83% of drug deaths last year, more than half of the overdose deaths involved both opioids and stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine.

Its unclear whether people are deliberately using stimulants and opioids at the same time, or whether they unintentionally consumed them mixed together.

Opioid-stimulant deaths were particularly prevalent among Black and Hispanic victims: The number of opioid-stimulant deaths increased by 146% among Black residents between 2018 and 2022, and by 81% among Hispanic residents. By contrast, opioid-stimulant deaths among white residents increased by only 7%.

In the same time period, deaths involving only stimulants increased among Black and white residents, but Hispanic residents saw a slight decrease. Meanwhile, deaths involving only opioids increased slightly among Black and Hispanic residents and decreased among white residents.

Older Philadelphians are also dying from overdoses more often: The median age of overdose victims in Philadelphia was 48 in 2022, up from 43.5 in 2018.

Best said that some stimulant-related deaths in 2022 may have occurred among older drug users who suffer from other health issues. The citys contaminated drug supply is also to blame for the rise in deaths, he said.

Those are our two main focuses right now, and were learning about what that means, he said.

Most of the drugs sold as opioids on the street are likely illicit fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid that has replaced most of the citys heroin. Fentanyl is also usually now combined with xylazine, an animal sedative not approved for human use that causes hard-to-reverse overdoses and serious wounds. (Xylazine was present in 34% of fatal overdoses in 2022, in almost every case combined with fentanyl.)

Researchers who test Philadelphias street drugs have also found fentanyl in some samples of drugs sold as cocaine.

Prevention efforts

Its crucial, Best said, for health officials to understand the dangers of the citys drug supply, and to communicate those dangers to people using drugs. The city regularly tests street drugs through a partnership with a local forensic lab, and is also working to increase outreach in neighborhoods that are seeing rises in overdoses. While the 19134 zip code, which includes Kensington, saw 193 overdose deaths in 2022, the highest of any zip code in the city, neighborhoods in North and West Philadelphia also saw increases.

Later this month, the citys Overdose Response Unit will launch a door-knocking campaign in North Philadelphia, handing out resources for overdose prevention, including the overdose treatment drug naloxone, to as many residents as possible  not just people who use drugs.

Our past efforts around overdose prevention and education required people to raise their hand, said the units director, Noelle Foizen. Now, were going directly to peoples homes without them having to raise their hands to say theyre interested in learning more. We want to create this collective responsibility.

More than half of the $650,000 effort is being covered by opioid lawsuit settlement funds, she said.

Smaller efforts in the neighborhood over the last year have already proved beneficial  especially, Best said, when residents conduct outreach in their own communities. Weve been strategic in hiring people with lived experience and also people from these communities: someone that you know, someone who represents the demographics that are being affected, he said.

ACT UP, too, is working to organize a door-knocking campaign to promote harm-reduction measures.

Im hoping this will start to galvanize people. Drug addiction is hard for people to talk about, de Marco said. But we can make people understand harm reduction is about keeping people alive  dead people dont recover.

He added that he was frustrated that City Council had recently voted to ban supervised drug consumption sites, where people can use drugs under medical supervision and be revived if they overdose. Best and Foizen declined to comment specifically on that vote. But, they said, they support any effort to stem the tide of deaths.

The health department supports any intervention that has been proven to save lives, and well continue to find new, innovative ways to reach people, Best said.
State police have charged a 14-year-old girl with vehicular homicide following a crash on Sunday that left a 15-year-old boy dead, alleging that the girl was behind the wheel at the time of the incident.

The crash occurred just before 6 p.m. Sunday, when a trooper tried to pull over a black Hyundai Sonata, reported as stolen, that was traveling east on I-76 in West Philadelphia, according to Pennsylvania State Police. When the trooper switched on their emergency lights and siren, the driver of the vehicle immediately fled, state police said.

The driver lost control, and the vehicle crashed into a concrete barrier on the right shoulder, and hit a nearby vehicle in the left lane, police said. After swerving right, the vehicle rolled several times up an embankment before coming to a stop, police said.

The 15-year-old boy from Philadelphia, whose name was not released, was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, police said. Three other juveniles who were in the car were also hospitalized. Police did not provide information on their injuries.

Investigators determined that the girl was driving the car at the time of the crash and charged her with vehicular homicide and related offenses, police said. Police did not identify her.
The older of two New Jersey brothers accused of killing a man and dumping his body in the woods in Bucks County in 2021 pleaded guilty to murder Monday, following his younger brother, who pleaded guilty to robbing the victim last year.

Anthony Gamble, 22, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery, and now faces up to 40 years in prison for killing Kevin Rosero, 26, and dumping his body in a wooded area in Richland Township in June 2021.

Joshua Gamble, 19, pleaded guilty to robbery, theft, abuse of corpse, and related crimes in November, a spokesperson for the Bucks County District Attorneys Office said.

Accompanied by his attorney, Louis Busico, Anthony Gamble confirmed the details of the murder of Rosero as Deputy District Attorney Monica Furber read them to the court.

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The crime came to light just after midnight on June 17, 2021, when Pennsylvania state troopers noticed two cars on the side of East Pumping Station Road, north of Heller Road, and one of them had hazard lights on. As troopers approached, thinking that a driver needed help, they were met with a grisly scene.

Troopers found Joshua Gamble, then 17, lying in the grass, his shoe covered in blood, and a work glove on his left hand.

Anthony Gamble was detained shortly after, when troopers heard him try to run away through the brush of the nearby woods. He was found with blood on his shoes and shirt and was wearing work gloves.

As troopers searched the Audi A5, the cars interior was covered in blood and they found a large knife, also covered in blood, on the floor of the passenger side of the car.

A few hundred yards away, they found Roseros body, with multiple stab wounds to his head, neck, and arms. An autopsy later revealed that Rosero, of Somerset County, New Jersey, had been stabbed 28 times.

Prosecutors said the brothers drove from their home in Somerset County to Richland Township, stopping at a nearby 7-Eleven to purchase work gloves and disinfectant wipes. After investigators analyzed Anthony Gambles phone, they found several internet searches, including Can soap wash off fingerprints.

Records drawn from Joshua Gambles cell phone also showed a $400 transfer from Roseros CashApp account at 11:20 p.m. the day before, less than an hour before troopers came upon the two cars.

After Anthony Gamble pleaded guilty to the crime on Monday, Roseros family quickly left the courtroom, stifling tears.

This was their son. They loved him wholeheartedly. And I think this was devastating to them, said Furber. They are relieved that both individuals are taking responsibility for their actions, but its never going to replace their son.

Anthony Gamble is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 13 and his brother Joshua is set to be sentenced Nov. 27, said Furber.
Its been nearly three years since lawmakers in Congress first introduced legislation that would combat the rise of drug-resistant infections. In that time, superbugs have killed more than 88,000 Americans.

Thousands more will perish unless Congress gets that legislation  which was recently reintroduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers  over the finish line as soon as possible.

The bill in question is called the PASTEUR Act. It would jump-start new investment into antimicrobial research and development, which is critical for producing desperately needed medicines capable of fighting increasingly virulent superbugs.

Our current arsenal of antimicrobial drugs is rapidly losing effectiveness against a growing number of these drug-resistant pathogens  bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic. Superbugs kill one American every 15 minutes and sicken well over 2 million each year. By 2050, superbugs could claim 10 million lives annually across the globe, according to the World Health Organization.

Thats why we need a whole host of new antimicrobials that doctors can prescribe now to treat new infections, deploy where others havent worked, or hold in reserve to fight the drug-resistant infections of the future.

PASTEUR is designed to encourage development of these new antimicrobial drugs. It would do so by creating a subscription-style model where the federal government pays drugmakers a set amount for new antimicrobials, regardless of how many doses are ultimately used.

This novel approach, pioneered in Britain last year, would correct one of the key failings of the current system, which saw the number of pharmaceutical companies working on antibiotic development shrink from 18 in 1980 to just three by the end of 2019.

The average antibiotic generates just $46 million in annual sales revenue. That may sound like a lot, but its a drop in the bucket compared to the average $1.5 billion it costs a company to develop a new drug.

The PASTEUR Act will give drug developers the financial security they need to pursue promising avenues of research that would otherwise be too risky  and solve a public health crisis already claiming more than a million lives each year around the globe.

With PASTEUR, lawmakers have an opportunity to show their constituents theyre committed to protecting the United States against deadly public health emergencies. It is time to get it done.
The responsibility for funding these vital services will now be shared by the entire community, not through an impost on businesses who purchase insurance, said Macfarlane. This change will undoubtedly lead to improved insurance affordability and will encourage more businesses to insure their assets at a time when appropriate cover is needed more than ever.
AIG emerges as the largest underwriter of US coal, insuring seven mines accounting for 28.1% of the national output. Lloyds of London follows, underwriting 10 mines, constituting 22.8% of the output. While Lloyd's aims to lead the market towards a net-zero underwriting position, it does not mandate or restrict the underwriting policies of its market members.
Theres more work for New York to do on the moral and legal stain of wrongful convictions. Legislation before Gov. Kathy Hochul would make it easier for innocent people who are convicted in New York to demonstrate that they were actually innocent. There is no reason on Earth she should not sign this bill.

New York is the nations No. 3 incubator of wrongful convictions, according to a consortium of organizations supporting the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act. Perhaps thats not surprising, given a national problem and the size of New Yorks population. Its still intolerable.

Erie County residents have become painfully familiar with the tragedy of wrongful conviction. Among several cases here was the horror involving the case of the Delaware Park Rapist, attacks for which Anthony Capozzi of Buffalo was wrongfully convicted and sent to prison for 22 years. He was exonerated in 2007. In the meantime, the actual rapist, Altemio Sanchez, began murdering women. Sanchez, serving a life prison sentence, died by suicide last month.

New York has since taken valuable steps to decrease the possibility of wrongful conviction. But it needs to act on behalf of those who have, nonetheless, been declared guilty of crimes they did not commit  or who will be. In particular, it needs to join the majority of other states and acknowledge actual innocence as a reason to overturn a conviction. Texas does. Incredibly, New York does not.

The legislations improvements would also:

Allow people to apply to overturn wrongful convictions even if they had pleaded guilty, as some innocent but frightened defendants do. Again, Texas is among them.

Provide people seeking to clear their names with an opportunity to review the evidence.

Ensure the right to a court hearing if you have evidence of innocence.

Provide direction to judges about when to assign counsel in post-conviction cases.

None of this is anything but fair. Wrongful conviction may be an occasional inevitability given the facts of human nature and the impossibility of creating a system that always works perfectly. Thats why all states and the federal government need to be committed to righting these miscarriages of justice which, by some estimates, occur in 2% to 4% of cases. With some 59,000 people behind bars in New York, that adds up to a possible 2,360 souls serving time for crimes they did not occur.

Some prosecutors worry about this law, but it will help us do better. New Yorkers support it. Hochul should sign it.
Bate noted: Giulio has been a wonderful colleague, leader, and friend who brought excellence and integrity to every aspect of his portfolio. We would have loved to retain him, but we respect his personal decision and know that he will be successful in his next role.
An important part of this unification is that IPG Howden, Asia's leading high-net-worth life insurance broker, will be renamed Howden Private Wealth, effective immediately, and will continue its focus on providing bespoke high-quality life insurance and wealth planning solutions to our affluent clients across Asia and EMEA, he said. Today, as we launch this exciting new visual identity, we are setting our sights on a future with no limits. Our collective offering across retail, specialty, reinsurance, and high-net-worth capabilities will enable us to maximize the delivery of our global expertise and support our clients seamlessly across Asia.
It enables women to understand that we all face the same problems and burdens and to teach each other how to get around, how to work within that and succeed and break the glass ceiling, she said. And I must say if it was not for my community, I would not have been able to break the glass ceiling. They lifted me up and so I lift up those around me and I can see the success of paying that forward when I see my associates moving up to partner, and when I see how they can care about our clients and work tirelessly to take care of them.
Cyber insurers can sometimes feel like systemic risk is unique to them. It isnt. The COVID-19 pandemic was about as systemic as it gets. Business interruption (BI) insurers faced an avalanche of claims following the first lockdowns. And the industry failed in the eyes of thousands of small business owners. The reason was a failure to address the perennial problem of systemic risk. The cyber market mustnt repeat the same mistakes.

Insurers have always fretted about systemic risk: exposure to a single event that triggers an enormous number of claims and a colossal, accumulated financial loss. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake spawned over 100,000 claims, costing insurers over $5 billion in todays money. Nearly a century later, the 9/11 terror attacks triggered nearly $50 billion in payouts. Cyber insurers worry about similarly systemic scenarios.

In 2017, a self-propagating malware named NotPetya targeted Ukraine, but quickly spread. It infected hundreds of thousands of computers in more than 60 countries. The virus paralyzed banks and hospitals, and crippled global shipping companies. With an estimated economic impact of $10 billion NotPetya is the costliest cyber event to-date.

But COVID was a biological virus, rather than a digital one, which showed how potent systemic risk can be. The human cost of Covid was devastating with nearly 800 million recorded infections and close to 7 million deaths. It was economically unparalleled, too. The International Monetary Fund estimates the economic impact at $12.5 trillion.

As lockdowns set in around the world, nations of small business owners looked to their BI policies to plug financial holes. Mass legal action ensued. In the U.S., policyholders have filed roughly 2,500 lawsuits against insurers. Insurers also faced suits in Australia, Canada, across Europe and in the UK. Details of the legal actions are numerous and complex but they boil down to the same thing: Customers thought they had cover for an event which, according to their insurers, they didnt. The core problem was a lack of clarity.

Cyber insurers need to be careful not to fall into the same trap. The list of systemic risk exclusions in cyber policies is long and growing. They tend to be scenario-specific, which creates gaps. Technical language is being used to address complex issues like digital infrastructure failure and mass vulnerability exploitation. Brokers and underwriters  let alone policyholders  can struggle to pinpoint where cover starts and stops. The market must agree on where the lines get drawn. This means agreement on how to define systemic risk.

The U.S. property market could help on that front.

Weather events vary from the small-scale to the extreme. The wind in Florida can blow a light breeze one day or a category 5 hurricane the next. Property insurers need to be able to delineate between the two. Theyre able to do so because everyone agrees on what a hurricane is.

A group of weather experts at the National Hurricane Center in Miami identify and classify extreme weather events. They decide when a storm becomes a hurricane and assign it a severity rating of 1 through 5. Insurers use this designation to delineate between regular and extreme weather events in policies. And theyre able to buy reinsurance for the most extreme events because there is a clear and unambiguous trigger.

The digital world is in desperate need of a comparable system. We need to be able to identify and classify cyber hurricanes so that we can manage the risk they pose. An independent body set up to do this would bring many benefits. It would foster a shared understanding of what a systemic cyber event is. Existing definitions are unclear and inconsistent, and breed uncertainty around what they cover. A transparent classification system defined by an independent body fixes this problem. Events would be easier to reinsure. Clear definitions mean objective policy triggers, reducing ambiguity.

Systemic exposure would become more certain and easier to model. This would attract more reinsurance and third-party capital, creating a true cyber catastrophe market.

More accurate modeling would bring better calibrated reinsurance pricing. Insurance premiums would be reduced, bringing more customers to market. Theyd buy a simpler product because the existing systemic exclusions could be scrapped. Theyd be replaced with a single catastrophe exclusion tied to a declaration made by the body.

Most important of all, the market would be aligned on how cyber insurance responds to major events.

Topics Cyber
A fire destroyed several waterfront buildings in Maine, including an art gallery with several paintings by Jamie Wyeth and an illustration by his grandfather, N.C. Wyeth., the building`s owner said Friday.

The original paintings and illustration, along with several signed prints, books and photographs, were lost when the fire started late Wednesday and spread to several buildings including the Maine Wyeth Art Gallery, said Linda Bean, who owned both the art gallery and the Port Clyde General Store, which also burned down.

The Jamie Wyeth paintings that were destroyed were Snapper, With Green Peppers and Red Tail Hawk, and N.C. Wyeth`s illustration was from Henry David Thoreau`s book, Men of Concord.

The Wyeth family famously have ties to the area. Jamie Wyeth`s dad, Andrew Wyeth, painted his 1948 masterpiece Christinas World in nearby Cushing. His grandfather, N.C. Wyeth, had a home in Port Clyde.

The fire started in the Dip Net restaurant and quickly spread to three businesses in Port Clyde, a village that`s part of the town of Saint George, the state fire marshal said. All three buildings were destroyed, and firefighters remained at the scene until Thursday evening.

No one was hurt.

The fire left a hole in the waterfront, saddening the community. Everybody in town has at one point worked at the general store, myself included, said Magan Wallace, planning and assessing clerk.

Bean, whose grandfather founded the retail giant L.L. Bean, said Friday she intends to rebuild. My hope is to restore the premises and resume its businesses and jobs there as fully and as soon as possible, she said.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Maine
New York City began drying out Saturday after being soaked by one of its wettest days in decades, as city dwellers dried out basements and traffic resumed on highways, railways and airports that were temporarily shuttered by Friday`s severe rainfall.

While the fierce storm has moved on, some of its damage lingered into the weekend.

A power outage in a Brooklyn neighborhood caused by the storm prompted city officials on Saturday to evacuate staff and about 120 patients from a city hospital, after the region`s power company, Con Edison, said the facility`s emergency power had to be shut down so the utility can make repairs.

City officials said the repairs could take several days before the hospital in Brooklyns Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood can resume full operations.

Parts of Brooklyn saw more than 7.25 inches (18.41 centimeters), with at least one spot recording 2.5 inches (6 centimeters) in a single hour, turning some streets into knee-deep canals and stranding drivers on highways.

Record rainfall  more than 8.65 inches (21.97 centimeters)  fell at John F. Kennedy International Airport, surpassing the record for any September day set during Hurricane Donna in 1960, the National Weather Service said.

More rain was expected over the weekend but the worst was over, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Saturday morning during a briefing at a transportation control center in Manhattan.

What could have been a life-threatening event was averted, she said, because many people heeded early calls to stay put or head for higher ground before it was too late.

As a result, Hochul said, No lives were lost.

But the governor said 28 people had to be rescued from the raging water by first responders in the Hudson Valley and on Long Island.

Weve seen a whole lot of rainfall in a very short period of time, Hochul said. But the good news is that the storm will pass, and we should see some clearing of waterways today and tonight.

The deluge came two years after the remnants of Hurricane Ida dumped record- breaking rain on the Northeast and killed at least 13 people in New York City, mostly in flooded basement apartments. Although no deaths or severe injuries have been reported, Friday`s storm stirred frightening memories.

Ida killed three of Joy Wong`s neighbors, including a toddler. And on Friday, water began lapping against the front door of her building in Woodside, Queens.

Outside was like a lake, like an ocean, she said.

Within minutes, water filled the building`s basement nearly to the ceiling. After the family`s deaths in 2021, the basement was turned into a recreation room. It is now destroyed.

City officials received reports of six flooded basement apartments Friday, but all occupants got out safely.

Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams declared states of emergency and urged people to stay put if possible.

The deluge also came less than three months after a storm caused deadly floods in New Yorks Hudson Valley and swamped Vermonts capital, Montpelier.

Hochul blamed the frequency and intensity of storms on climate change.

This is the scale in terms of the water that dropped from the heavens during this torrential rain event that actually was the same as Hurricane Ida. The blessing is that we didnt have the wind associated with it that accompanied Hurricane Ida. But I remember that event like it was yesterday, the governor said Saturday.

The White House said FEMA was at the ready if needed. It said the president had been briefed on the flooding Friday and again Saturday.

As the planet warms, storms are forming in a hotter atmosphere that can hold more moisture, making extreme rainfall more frequent, according to atmospheric scientists.

For the most part Saturday, most New Yorkers returned to their usual weekend routines, strolling through still-damp pathways in Central Park and city sidewalks.

Traffic was again flowing through highways that had been at a standstill just a day before, with water above car tires and forcing some drivers to abandon their vehicles.

Flight delays at LaGuardia Airport could no longer be blamed on downpours and flooding, which forced the closure of one of the airports three terminals for several hours before resuming later that night.

While skies remained overcast, one of the culprits for the severe weather  the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia  had moved on.

Some service interruptions continued Saturday throughout the citys subway system, which had been in complete chaos the day before because of flooded tracks.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics New York
A federal agency has sued the restaurant chain Chipotle, accusing it of religious harassment and retaliation after a manager at a Kansas location forcibly removed an employee`s hijab, a headscarf worn by some Muslim women.

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleged that in 2021, an assistant manager at a Chipotle in Lenexa, Kansas, repeatedly harassed the employee by asking her to show him her hair, despite her refusal. After several weeks, the harassment culminated in him grabbing and partially removing her hijab, according to the complaint.

The manager`s offensive and incessant requests that she remove her hijab, and his attempt to physically take it off, were unwelcome, intentional, severe, based on religion, and created a hostile working environment based on religion, the complaint alleged.

Chipotle`s chief corporate affairs officer, Laurie Schalow, said the company encourages employees to report concerns, including through an anonymous hotline.

We have a zero tolerance policy for discrimination of any kind and we have terminated the employee in question, she said in an emailed statement.

The harassment began in July 2021, when the manager began asking the employee, who was 19 at the time, to remove her hijab because he wanted to see her hair. According to the complaint, he demanded to see her hair at least 10 times over the course of one month. She refused on every occasion, saying she wore it because of her religious beliefs.

The employee complained to another supervisor that the incidents made her uncomfortable, but no further action was taken against the manager, the complaint said. One night during closing in August 2021, the manager allegedly reached out and pulled her hijab partially off her head.

The following day, the employee gave her two weeks` notice. Chipotle didn`t schedule her for any shifts during those two weeks even though other non-Muslim employees who submitted their notice continued to be scheduled for work during that time, the complaint alleged.

The lawsuit claims that Chipotle violated federal civil rights law protecting employees and job applicants from discrimination based on religion, race, ethnicity, sex and national origin.

In its suit, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said it wants Chipotle to institute policies that provide equal employment opportunities for employees of all religions and pay damages to the employee.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Kansas
Guess? Inc. directors agreed to a settlement worth as much as $30 million to resolve claims they turned a blind eye to co-founder Paul Marcianos harassment of the companys models despite sexual misconduct allegations leveled by supermodel Kate Upton and others.

The board members agreed to an accord that calls for $22 million to be paid to settle a pension funds lawsuit alleging they allowed Marciano to treat the companys models as his personal harem and failed to monitor the millionaire fashion designer, according to court filings. Guess? is suing its insurers for the remaining $8 million, according to Delaware Chancery Court filings.

Directors said Friday in the filings that they agreed to pay the money - slated to go back into the companys coffers rather than to the pension fund  to eliminate the burden, expense, and uncertainties inherent in further litigation. Board members are not admitting any wrongdoing under the deal.

The allegations against Marciano surfaced as the #metoo movement was gaining momentum, as a wave of women publicly accused high-powered executives on Wall Street and in Hollywood of sexual improprieties, leading to ousters and some criminal convictions.

Fabrice Benarouche, a Guess? spokesperson in Los Angeles, didnt immediately return a call for comment Friday on the settlement.

The Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island, a Guess? shareholder, sued directors in 2022 after a string of allegations against Marciano arose involving inappropriate sexual behavior with models hired to represent the blue-jeans maker. In 2018, Upton went on Twitter  now known as X  to accuse Marciano of groping and forcibly kissing her years earlier, starting when she was a teenager.

Other models soon echoed Uptons claims, prompting Guess? directors to launch an internal probe, according to court filings. But directors didnt take the investigation seriously, failing to interview several accusers and producing a shockingly brief report that downplayed the allegations, according to the funds suit.

After Marciano stepped down as CEO in 2015, the board named him chief creative officer, leaving him in a position he could use to literally force himself on one model after another, the fund alleged in the suit.

Its disappointing that such an iconic womens brand @GUESS is still empowering Paul Marciano as their creative director #metoo

 Kate Upton (@KateUpton) Jan. 31, 2018

As part of the settlement, Guess? directors must implement changes to the companys corporate-governance policies to better address sexual-harassment allegations, according to the filings. The $22 million is slated to be paid within 10 days of approval of the settlement by Delaware Chancery Judge Lori Will, according to the filing.

Meanwhile, Guess? co-founder Maurice Marciano  Pauls brother  announced Friday he was stepping down from the companys board. In court filings, the company acknowledged the funds suit played a role in Maurice Marcianos decision to leave the board.

Its not the first settlement generated by the sexual-harassment allegations against Paul Marciano. In 2022, Guess? agreed to pay $1 million to resolve lawsuits filed by two unidentified models who accused the fashion designer of abusing them.

The case is The Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island v. Marciano, 2022-0839, Delaware Chancery Court (Wilmington)

With assistance from Michael Leonard.

Photograph: Shoppers pass a Guess? Inc. clothing fashion store inside the Khan Shatyr Shopping and Entertainment Center, in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016. Photo credit: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg

Related:

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits Carriers
Aspen Promotes Bianconi to Global Head of Cyber

Bermuda-based Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. has appointed Bobby Bianconi as global head of Cyber.

Bianconi has been with Aspen since 2016 and brings over 1o years of dedicated underwriting experience, most recently as head of US Cyber.

Prior to joining Aspen, Bianconi led the cyber portfolio for the Western United States at Allied World. Bianconi has also held underwriting positions at HCC Specialty and Valiant.

Based in Rocky Hill, Conn., Bianconi will lead Aspens Global Cyber underwriting team, overseeing its underwriting strategy and risk management capabilities. He will also maintain oversight of Aspens recently enhanced Cyber Risk Platform which provides innovative pre-incident services to primary insureds globally.

Bianconi maintains designations as a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and as a Certified Information Privacy Professional/US (CIPP/US).

***

WTWs Corporate Risk & Broking Unit NA Taps Marshs Beldy Torborg for 2 Exec Roles

WTW, the global advisory, broking and solutions company, announced the appointment of Karen Beldy Torborg to serve in a dual role as head of Strategic Growth & Portfolio Management and head of Large Accounts segment within Corporate Risk and Broking (CRB), North America (NA).

Beldy Torborg brings tremendous depth of relevant experience to WTW, with a career spanning over 30 years, particularly in M&A and private equity, while also focusing on strategic business development and client-centricity. Most recently, Beldy Torborg served as the global engagement partner at Marsh, where she provided strategic risk advice, portfolio insurance program development, and bespoke solutions to clients within the alternative asset investment sector.

Prior to that, she spent 26 years growing Marshs Private Equity and M&A Services division, serving in various leadership roles including global specialty head and North America practice leader. Beldy Torborg brings to WTW her resilient industry experience coupled with a strong educational underpinning that includes an MBA from New York Universitys Stern School of Business.

Within her role as Head of Strategic Growth & Portfolio Management with CRB NA, Beldy Torborg assumes the pivotal responsibility of identifying and evaluating acquisition opportunities for the business, aiming at contributing strategic, profitable growth to the overall CRB business. Beldy Torborg, in close collaboration with various WTW senior leaders, will proactively explore industry-specialized prospects within the broking, affinity, MGA, and personal lines sectors across the United States, Canada, and Bermuda.

In her capacity as head of Large Accounts, Beldy Torborg will collaborate closely with global client advocates and lead relationship managers, concentrated on further enhancing WTWs presence and strengthening business relationships across the Fortune 1000 landscape. Reporting directly to Mike Chang, head of CRB NA, WTW, Beldy Torborg will be based in New York and aims to deliver a seamless approach to navigating both roles.

Topics Cyber Willis Towers Watson
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to clarify the time period for which plaintiffs can recover damages over copyright claims in a case involving a Miami music producer who sued Warner Musics Atlantic Records label after hip-hop artist Flo Rida made use of a 1980s song that he claims he owns.

The justices took up an appeal by two music publishing companies  Warner Musics Warner Chappell as well as Artist Publishing Group  of a lower courts ruling that defendants in copyright infringement cases can be held liable for actions that occurred prior to the three-year statute of limitations for filing such litigation.

The two companies had challenged the lower courts decision that they may owe copyright damages that accrued prior to three years before plaintiff Sherman Nealy sued them.

Nealy has argued that his Miami record label Music Specialist owns the rights to the 1984 song Jam the Box by Tony Butler, also known as Pretty Tony. Flo Rida, whose given name is Tramar Dillard, interpolated musical elements of Jam the Box in his 2008 song In the Ayer.

Nealy sued Flo Ridas label Atlantic Records, as well as Warner Chappell and Artist Publishing Group, in federal court in Florida in 2018, arguing that these businesses received invalid licenses to use his labels music while he was incarcerated after being convicted of cocaine distribution.

Nealys label ceased operations before he started serving a 20-year prison sentence in 1989. Nealy has said the licenses provided to the defendants in the case were invalid because Butler, his former business partner, did not have Nealys permission to grant them while he was in prison.

Florida-based U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz ruled in favor of Atlantic Records on Nealys claim related to In the Ayer  the only Atlantic song at issue  and in favor of the publishers on some of Nealys other claims. Nealy in a pending motion has asked the judge to reconsider those decisions.

Ruiz also said that the period for which Nealy could recover damages should be limited to three years before he filed the lawsuit.

Nealy said he did not learn of the alleged copyright violations until 2016, and requested damages for copyright infringement that he said started as early as 2008. But the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that in February 2023, deciding that there was no bar to damages in a timely action.

Lower courts have reached contradictory conclusions on the issue. The New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals limited copyright damages to the three-year period before a lawsuit is filed. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals opted not to impose a time limit, a position that the 11th Circuit embraced in Nealys case.

The companies that Nealy sued asked the Supreme Court in May to review the case, saying the split among the lower courts was intolerable, creating confusion for parties and encouraging forum-shopping.

The case has drawn interest from music industry trade groups including the Recording Industry Association of America and National Music Publishers Association, which also encouraged the court to take up the case.

The case is due to be heard in the courts new term, which begins on Monday.

(Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; editing by Will Dunham)

Topics USA
Voters are poised to cast their ballots in a little more than a month, yet in Erie County, election district boundaries remain in limbo.

New boundaries were supposed to be ready for all 11 Erie County Legislature districts in January. Its now October and Republicans are agitated. Their point is well taken, given the mashup up of lines.

Minority Leader John Mills, R-Orchard Park said, At this point in time, I dont even know what my district looks like.

Not acceptable. On any level.

No one seems to be listening. Instead, it seems that not just two primary elections, but the general election will move forward with district lines unclear. Yet, as The News Sandra Tan reported, the population and demographic breakdown in each of these districts does not match the latest population figures submitted in legal paperwork to the court. In some cases, the population numbers are slightly off and in others, wildly so.

A lawsuit is pending, filed by the minority leader, along with a Republican challenger for the 4th District seat, and a West Seneca voter. The suit names the two county elections commissioners, and three sitting county legislators, one Democrat and two Republican, who had primary races in June. A trial has been scheduled for Nov. 21  after the election.

Seems like deja vu?

Remember when Republican Elections Commissioner Ralph Mohr sued over the errors in the boundaries earlier this year? Mohr summarized the problem when pointing out that some of the technical district boundary errors sent district lines out to Antarctica.

Mohr did not get anywhere with his challenges. The courts ruled he did not have legal standing, adding that the maps override technical language errors in the written description.

But to Mills and others, the district maps remain substantively flawed, despite technical corrections. Their demand that the lines get fixed, despite Erie County Party Chairman Jeremy Zellners consternation, is not unreasonable. Yes, it is highly regrettable, that the people of Erie County will be asked to pay the price, as Zellner said, but this is where the problem has landed. Right back in the voters laps.

This frenzy over district lines further makes the case for professional, independent redistricting, not just in Erie County but throughout the country.
Real estate interests and insurance companies that administer National Flood Insurance Program policies are heaving a sigh of relief after Congress approved a last-minute deal to temporarily fund the federal government, keeping the NFIP in business  but only until Nov. 17.

The 45-day funding move averted what the National Association of Realtors had called a harmful lapse that would have jeopardized as many as 1,300 real estate closings every day of a government shutdown.

We are thankful Congress came together in a bipartisan way to avert this shutdown, but our work isnt over. This is a short-term extension, and we will be right back here in November, the National Association of Realtors chief advocacy officer said in a statement.

Write Your Own flood insurance companies, such as Wright National Flood Insurance, which offers NFIP policies as well as its own private flood products, were sweating it last week before the funding deal was struck.

Companies like Neptune Flood, which mostly sell their own, private flood insurance products, were expecting to see a significant bump in sales if the federal flood insurance program was suspended.

But wed still prefer that the government did not shut down, said Trevor Burgess, CEO of the St. Petersburg-based Neptune.

A flood of new business could bring its own complications, including a need to secure more reinsurance, which has soared in price this year, Burgess said Friday. We can help for about 90 days, but after that we have to have a conversation with our reinsurers to increase capacity, he added.

The firm had lots of inquiries from insurance agents last week as the shutdown seemed likely.

Neptune, one of the largest private flood insurers in the country, with some 166,000 policies in force, already has seen a 20% increase in sales in the year since Hurricane Ian hit Florida. Ian brought storm surge and inland flooding to a region where relatively few property owners had carried flood insurance.

During the last federal government shutdown, which lasted for about 35 days in 2018, Neptune was much smaller, making the impact of an NFIP suspension just a blip on the screen. Now, were much larger, Burgess said.

If Congress is unable to reach agreement on longer-term government funding before the Nov. 17, private flood insurers will no doubt see an increase in business, said Craig Poulton, of Poulton Associates, which offers flood and catastrophe insurance. But repeated shutdowns, as seen in recent years, could also prompt some insurers to decide that administering NFIP policies is not worth the hassle, he noted.

Even if lawmakers come to agreement on a federal spending bill this year, questions remain about longer-term NFIP reauthorization. U.S. Sen. John Kennedy said last week that the Senate had blocked his effort to fund the flood insurance program for another three months.

And a temporary funding fix wont take care of everything, including some flood claims. NFIP has only $2.4 billion set aside to pay claims, and the East and Gulf Coasts are still in hurricane season, AM Best reported in a statement.

Once that money runs out, no more claims will be paid, the rating firm noted. Although the US is past peak hurricane season, October storms are numerous. Hurricane Michael (Florida Panhandle, 2018) and Superstorm Sandy (2012) both occurred in October. A storm of similar magnitude could exhaust current NFIP funding on existing policies.

Flood insurance has taken on new importance in recent months, as climate change brings wetter storms and more rainfall events across the country, experts have said.

Much of the floods we see today are basically sourced from rainfall. In the past it was rising rivers and storm surge, said John Dickson, president and CEO of Aon Edge, a managing general agent that writes flood policies around the US. And it turns out that it can rain anywhere.

He noted that a government shutdown will help expand the private flood insurance market, nationwide, and he expects the market to double in size in the next few years.

In the meantime, though, brokers and insurance agents should be prepared for a shutdown on Nov. 17.

Producers, theyre on the front lines, Dickson said. And they need to be aware of their options and should be having those conversations with their clients now and not wait until Nov. 17.

Top photo: Flooding after heavy rains in August, in Chesapeake, West Virginia. (Bob Aaron/WCHS-TV via AP)

Topics Flood
A Texas investment firm agreed on Friday to pay $2.51 million to settle a U.S. government lawsuit accusing it of fraudulently obtaining payments from a fund meant to compensate victims of Bernard Madoffs massive Ponzi scheme.

The U.S. Department of Justice said Fulcrum Capital Partners violated the federal False Claims Act between October 2016 and October 2022 by causing the Madoff Victim Fund (MVF) to make inflated payouts to victims, which they then turned over to Fulcrum, a non-victim of Madoffs fraud.

In a civil complaint filed in Manhattan federal court, the Justice Department said Fulcrum bought recovery rights from Madoff victims and required them to conceal from the fund how much it paid for those rights.

The Justice Department said Fulcrum specializes in trading distressed assets, including shares in feeder funds that sent investor money to Madoff.

Fulcrum is a claim buying financial firm that never lost a penny from Madoffs conduct, Richard Breeden, the former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission chairman who oversees the Madoff fund, said in a statement. The inevitable consequence of orchestrating false reports to MVF was diminishing the help that could be provided to real fraud victims.

The settlement came after the Justice Department joined a private whistleblower lawsuit filed in 2018. Most of that case remains under seal. Fulcrum also agreed not to seek further payouts from the Madoff fund.

Fulcrum fulfilled a critical need for victims of Mr. Madoffs fraud by providing immediate compensation for claims, a Fulcrum spokesperson said in a statement. We concluded that resolving this dispute to avoid the expense and distraction of ongoing litigation was in the best interests of Fulcrum and our limited partners, and we are glad to put this matter behind us and look toward the future.

The fund was created in 2013, mainly from settlements with Madoffs former bank, JPMorgan Chase JPM.N, and the estate of former Madoff investor Jeffry Picower.

More than $4 billion has been distributed by the fund. Another $14.6 billion has been recouped for former Madoff customers by the trustee liquidating the swindlers firm.

Madoff pleaded guilty to 11 criminal counts after his fraud was uncovered in December 2008. He was serving a 150-year prison term when he died at age 82 in April 2021.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Additional reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Sonali Paul and William Mallard)

Topics Lawsuits Texas Fraud
Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler sent a letter asking insurance companies and adjusters working with communities impacted by the Gray and Oregon Road fires to expedite the approval process for debris removal.

Speeding up the process will help assure people impacted by the August wildfires that debris removal is covered, so their rebuilding process can begin quickly, according to Kreidler.

I also expect insurers and adjusters to educate their insureds on how the policy impacts debris removal, Kreidler wrote. The better you can communicate with all pertinent benefits under the policy so your insureds, the less confusion and disruption will occur as the claim progresses.

The Grey and Oregon Road fires over the summer burned more than 10,000 acres each, destroyed 400 homes and resulted two deaths.

Topics Carriers Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Washington
A federal court ordered the owners of 14 Subway locations north of San Francisco to pay employees nearly $1 million in damages and back pay, and also to sell or shut their businesses, with any sale proceeds going to the Department of Labor.

Federal investigators said franchise owners John and Jessica Meza directed children as young as 14 to operate dangerous machinery, assigned minors work hours that violated federal law, and failed to pay their employees regularly, including by issuing hundreds of bad checks and illegally keeping tips left by customers.

The Labor Department also charged that the Mezas coerced employees in an attempt to prevent them from cooperating with its investigation and that an associate, Hamza Ayesh, played a role in those efforts, including threatening an employee who complained about receiving a bad check.

The Mezas did not admit to threatening or coercing employees, according to Arkady Itkin, their lawyer, who added that they did admit to issuing bad checks and violating some labor standards. He added that Ayesh did not admit to threatening an employee, but agreed to settle what Itkin called a he said, she said situation to put it to rest.

Itkin added that the Mezas are people of modest means who are very unlikely to be able to pay the sum agreed to in the court order. The settlement agreement might make it look like they`re just going to cough up a million dollars, he said. It`s not going to happen.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California
The United States is grappling with how to maintain leadership in semiconductor technology while limiting Chinas ability to use US technology against the United States and its allies militarily. The Biden Administration has a four-pronged approach: (i) invest in the science and technology ecosystem; (ii) nurture top science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) talent; (iii) protect our technology advantages; and (iv) deepen alliances and partnerships. The calculus is complicated because China is simultaneously the biggest customer for most US chipmakers and a geopolitical threat to US national security. The US has focused primarily on subsidizing domestic industry and restricting access to US technologies in China. But export controls are short-term and costly, and industrial subsidies and tax credits usually do not work. Elevating international partnerships in trade and migration could mitigate the costs for US industry and partners abroad.

The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 supports the first two prongs. It includes $53 billion to support US semiconductor manufacturing, mainly through subsidies and tax credits. Another $225 billion was authorized for STEM R&D and workforce development, but these funds have not been appropriated by Congress. Licensing requirements, export controls and investment restrictions targeting China show the heft of the third prong. Last year, the Biden Administration imposed licensing requirements on shipments of highly advanced chips to China, and export controls on semiconductors and the machines that make them.

Deepening alliances and partnerships, the last prong of the approach, is also critical for success, but tangible measures are largely absent. Expanding trade and investment with allies would enhance efficiency while promoting US technology adoption around the world. Removing restrictions on migration of highly skilled workers would allow US firms to access a broader array of talent. Such partnerships could reduce risks associated with the two prongs that have been most fully implemented  industrial policy aiding the US chip industry and export and investment restrictions related to China. Industrial policies are costly and, as history has shown, usually unsuccessful in achieving their goals. Working with partners and expanding the pool of competitive labor and capital markets would make it more likely that resources are efficiently allocated. Export controls may buy time in the short run, but could have perverse consequences of reducing US technological leadership in the longer run if trade partners follow a different approach.

The Biden Administrations strategy on computer chips is designed to drive scarce resources to semiconductor fabs, chosen not by market signals but by the government. The risk is that the companies in the sector may prove to be globally uncompetitive because the US lacks the technology, skills, or capital required for success. Those same resources spent on manufacturing that did not materialize could have instead been invested in education or infrastructure. Arguably the most notable threat to successful semiconductor fabrication in the US is the absence of skilled workers. Companies need access to talent to stay ahead of the curve. US firms need people now.

The United States has the potential to source talent from the world, while China sources talent from within China. US openness has long been a strength of its innovation ecosystem. But H1B visas that allow foreigners with special skills to work are unnecessarily capped at 65,000, unchanged since H1B was created in 1990, despite huge increases in both the size of the US economy and demand for high-skilled workers. In contrast, other countries are opening borders to the educated. The United Kingdom, for example, has a high potential individual visa that allows graduates of top universities to come for two to three years and look for work. In addition to expanding high-skilled immigration, the United States could work with allies on an agreement on the free movement of engineers and other scarce talent. With appropriate background checks, greater movement of talent could ease US labor shortages and maximize Chips Act funding returns.

Unlike the Chips Act, which aims to build up US production capabilities, export controls are designed to prevent China from using US technology for military purposes against the US or its allies. If other countries do not participate actively in the strategy, China will continue to access new technologies at the expense of US firms growth and innovation. International cooperation has at times been too little or too late. Without coordination among key suppliers, China will circumvent US export controls and access the US technologies from another source.

Given Chinas large and growing market, the effect of technological decoupling on US industry is substantial. China represents large revenue streams for US chip producers: over 60% for Qualcomm, 35% for Broadcom, 25% for Intel, 20% for Nvidia. If these US companies cannot license or export to China, their revenue streams will decrease, translating into smaller margins, fewer jobs and less R&D spending. A 2020 BCG report showed potential losses of roughly $80 billion in revenues and $20 billion in R&D spending from full US-China decoupling in the semiconductor market. With a big chunk of their sales and investment gone, export controls could threaten US leadership in chip design. In the short run, the global market leader becomes Korea, while the longer-term leader could be China under the decoupling scenario.

The intuition is that US firms have competitors that are less affected by export controls or retaliatory restrictions from China. Micron will be a critical test case because the firm was banned by China from major infrastructure projects in May 2023. SK Hynix and Samsung produce alternative products, so Microns revenue loss is anticipated to be their gain. New restrictions on Apple iPhones in China could have similar implications for its competitors, primarily local Chinese competitors, with Apples loss reverberating to its US chip suppliers.

US firms could lose market share in foreign markets apart from China if the trade dispute continues to widen, as those firms may not want to get in the middle of US-China conflict. For example, if China restricts imported cars or phones with certain US chips inside, foreign firms dependent on the Chinese market would look for substitutes to those chips. In contrast, if international partners craft policies together, there is less harm to US innovation and leadership. The risk of go-it-alone policy was made evident in the recent energy sanctions against Russia.

Fortunately, there is a big difference between oil and technology. Each product has at most a handful of substitutes  giving the United States and its allies greater market power. Working closely with allies to craft trade and investment policies could produce better outcomes  limiting access in China, creating a larger market for US firms and reliable trade partners, and making it more costly for China to retaliate. But this close coordination could still backfire by expediting Chinas efforts to advance on its own. Huawei recently released a smartphone with 5G capabilities. Time will tell if these chips can be produced affordably at high volume. While the technology is still generations behind market leaders like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, it would represent a big step forward for Chinas chipmakers. For this reason, restrictions should continue to be highly calibrated and strategically applied, with a focus on the tools to make chips.

The chipmaking business is global, and an effective strategy in limiting a military aggressors access to dual use technology likewise needs to be global. More focus on international partnerships in trade and migration could help mitigate the costs of risky parts of Bidens strategy for US industry and partners abroad.
October 2, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Investors looking to build wealth will largely overlook World Bank reports about China and east Asia facing the worst economic outlook in half a century, predicts the CEO and founder of one of the world's largest independent financial advisory, asset management and fintech organizations.

The prediction from Nigel Green of deVere Group comes as the World Bank said it now anticipates China's output would grow 4.4% in 2024, down from the 4.8% it expected in April.

It also downgraded its 2024 forecast for GDP growth for developing economies in east Asia and the Pacific of 0.2%.

He comments: "Despite the World Bank's gloomy outlook on China's and east Asia's growth and the challenges posed by factors like US protectionism and rising debt levels, global investors will continue to view the region as a highly attractive investment destination.

One of the primary reasons is the robust economic fundamentals. While growth rates may slow down, East Asian economies have demonstrated their resilience and adaptability in the face of various challenges. Countries like China, South Korea, and Vietnam have diversified their economies, focusing on innovation, technology, and export-oriented industries.

"This diversification reduces their vulnerability to economic shocks and demonstrates a commitment to long-term growth."

East Asia is home to some of the world's most populous countries, including China and Indonesia.

"This vast consumer base represents a significant opportunity for businesses to expand their market reach. Rising incomes and an emerging middle class in the region are driving consumer spending, making east Asia an attractive destination for companies looking to tap into this growing market."

While some East Asian countries, like Japan, are facing aging populations, others, such as Indonesia and the Philippines, have young and growing populations. Demographic trends play a crucial role in determining long-term economic prospects.

Younger populations can drive consumption, labour force growth, and innovation, creating favorable conditions for investment.

He continues: "The majority of east Asian countries are actively investing in infrastructure development. Projects like high-speed railways, smart cities, and ports are not only improving connectivity within the region but also creating investment opportunities for both domestic and foreign investors.

"Naturally, these infrastructure investments help to lead to long-term economic growth and stability.

"Also, something that never gets underplayed by investors, is the strategic location as a crossroads between the Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world, making it a hub for trade and investment."

With well-established supply chains and logistical networks, the region offers a competitive advantage for businesses seeking to access global markets.

Furthermore, east Asia has established itself as a global leader in technology and innovation.

Countries like China and South Korea are home to some of the world's most prominent tech companies. The region's commitment to research and development, combined with a competitive business environment, fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. This technological prowess makes East Asia an appealing destination for investors seeking exposure to cutting-edge industries.

The deVere CEO observes: "In addition east Asia boasts a highly skilled and educated workforce. Countries like China  which produces 1.4 million engineers a year - and South Korea have invested heavily in education and vocational training, producing a talent pool that is well-equipped for various industries, including tech, manufacturing, and finance."

In recent years, many East Asian governments have implemented policies to attract foreign investment. These policies include tax incentives, streamlined regulatory processes, and investment protection measures. This environment is conducive for luring foreign capital.

Nigel Green concludes: "The World Bank report says one of the world's main growth engines is facing its slowest pace of growth since the 1960s.

"However, we fully expect east Asia to remain a highly attractive destination for global investors,.

"The region's robust economic fundamentals, large consumer markets, infrastructure development, strategic location, skilled workforce, investment-friendly policies, technological advancements, diversification benefits, demographic trends, and regional cooperation all contribute to its enduring appeal for investors who are serious about growing their wealth."

t: +44 207 1220 925

e: george@priorconsultancy.co.uk

Twitter: @PriorConsults

deVere Group is one of the worldas largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients. It has a network of offices across the world, over 80,000 clients and $12bn under advisement.

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Sam Bankman-Fried will likely defend himself at his fraud trial, due to begin on Tuesday, by arguing he did not think the use by his FTX cryptocurrency exchange of customer funds was improper and by challenging the credibility of those who say otherwise.

The arguments, which defense lawyers have hinted at in court filings, could help the 31-year-old former billionaire try to defeat charges he stole a fortune from FTX customers by arguing he lacked criminal intent despite making mistakes that led to the now-bankrupt exchange's November 2022 collapse.

But any testimony from others suggesting Bankman-Fried knew his hedge fund, Alameda Research, improperly borrowed FTX customers' money to pay its debts, make investments, and lend billions to Bankman-Fried and other executives could undermine the argument that he acted in good faith, experts said.

A spokesperson for Bankman-Fried declined to comment. He is currently jailed in Brooklyn.

Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of fraud and conspiracy. He has long acknowledged failing to manage risk at FTX, but denied prosecutors' claims he stole billions of dollars in FTX customer deposits to plug Alameda's losses.

"We got overconfident and careless," Bankman-Fried wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on November 16th, five days after FTX filed for bankruptcy. "And problems were brewing. Larger than I realized."

In an interview with the New York Times two weeks later, he acknowledged Alameda had borrowed money from FTX, but said he was not aware of how large those debts had grown.

In September court papers, Bankman-Fried's lawyers said he had a "good faith belief" that the manner in which FTX and Alameda handled customer funds was permissible. They said FTX's terms of service did not restrain its use of customer deposits, as long as it honored withdrawal requests.

FTX ultimately halted withdrawals in November as customers raced to pull out their money due to concerns over commingling of funds between the exchange and hedge fund. But Bankman-Fried is likely to argue that was due to his failures running the business, not any theft of funds, said Jordan Estes, a former federal prosecutor.

"You have to set the stage that this was ultimately a run on the bank that was completely unexpected," said Estes, now a partner at law firm Kramer Levin.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan have pointed to a section of the FTX terms of service stating users retain the title to their digital assets at all times, and argued Bankman-Fried falsely said in public statements - including FTX commercials - that the exchange properly maintained customer assets.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan barred Bankman-Fried from calling an expert witness to share his interpretation of the terms of service, but did not rule out letting the defendant cross-examine witnesses about the terms.

Insider perspective

Testimony from former colleagues who were close to Bankman-Fried could challenge his claim of good faith. Three former members of his inner circle - former Alameda Chief Executive Caroline Ellison and former FTX executives Gary Wang and Nishad Singh - have pleaded guilty and are set to testify against him at trial.

"Cooperating witnesses like Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang...are able to provide an insider's perspective on what was happening behind closed doors, which can be very powerful to show intent," said Tim Howard, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan and now a partner at law firm Freshfields.

Prosecutors are seeking to play jurors a recording of an Alameda meeting in which Ellison told colleagues that Bankman-Fried approved the use of customer funds. Prosecutors say Bankman-Fried told Wang to alter FTX's code to let Alameda accrue a negative balance on the exchange, which other users could not do.

Bankman-Fried is likely to argue that his former colleagues are motivated to falsely implicate him in the hope of winning a more lenient sentence, a common tactic in criminal cases involving cooperating witnesses, experts said.

His lawyers have also argued in court papers that others in the cryptocurrency sector used customer assets in a similar way, contributing to his good faith belief that FTX's treatment of customers' deposits was appropriate.

Kaplan on September 26th declined to rule on a request by prosecutors to bar Bankman-Fried from introducing evidence of how other cryptocurrency companies used customer funds.

In a September 28th court hearing, he said that even though the case involves some "arcane" subjects such as cryptocurrency, "the issues in this case are pretty straightforward."

"Was there fraud," Kaplan said, "or wasn't there?"

Reuters
Storm Agnes was a reminder of how the weather can have such an influence on both farming and vetting. Luckily, it fell on a Wednesday so it meant the extreme sport of "Storm TB testing" was avoided.

The farm is still standing, apart from a few stray branches, the fields on the other hand got a real hammering. It is looking like the rain is adamant on continuing, which indicates it could be an early housing year for 2023.

Next week, the weanlings' booster injection for pneumonia is due to ensure they are covered for housing; if you havent discussed pre-housing vaccination with your vet this could be the time.

Making sure the lungs are clear of lungworms at housing is something I preach about; I think the lower risk of lung damage is one of the key components of pneumonia prevention at housing, alongside vaccination and environment monitoring.

Lungworms on the farm

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Speaking of lungworms, they have raised their little larval heads again in my cows this week with a symphony of coughing in the parlour and the waiting yard.

As I have said before, a coughing cow in the parlour is something that, unfortunately, on our farm, is a regular summer occurrence and now is creeping into autumn.

And talking of storms, September has been the perfect storm for lung worms, we had our lovely long overdue heat wave followed by copious amounts of rain.

The warm weather allows a fungus called Pilobolus to form on the dry cow dung and when the rain comes the fungus (plus its lungworm larva passenger) gets fired into the air to reach the lush tasty grass.

These cows are suffering from a condition referred to as Reinfection Syndrome and it becoming more common in practice. It occurs when the burden of larval infection overwhelms the cows six-month immunity to lungworm larva and causes the immune system to overreact in response to the infection.

Coughing cows may not be lungworm, and a test called a Bronchiolar lavage (BAL) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of respiratory disease in cows. A tube is placed by the vet into the lungs, sterile water is infused and immediately extracted again.

The contents of the lavage fluid can contain the lungworm larva themselves, immune cells and mucus. It can then be sent for culture and PCR for pathogens such as viruses. I have never been lucky enough to get larva back on a sample however I have seen examples from colleagues many times, and it is very satisfying to see them as a diagnosis is confirmed.

In a previous case of a recurrent coughing cow issue in practice, I performed a BAL on four cows, I found no larva and on sending it to the lab they confirmed this. Interestingly, the fluid contained many parasite-bias immune cells called Eosinophils that indicated an allergic response to a parasite.

Re-infection syndrome was suspected in this case as the immune system was launching an excessive response to the larva, which was causing initiating the coughing. BALs are an excellent option for the investigation of a cough that isnt dose-responsive or makes a rapid return; contact your vet if you think your cows need to be investigated further.

My cows were dosed using an eprinomectin pour on in July; the persistent action of this product is four weeks against lungworm larvae. As mentioned before, the larval immunity lasts for six months, so with normal exposure to further larva, the cow should be able to eliminate the parasite without the aid of dosing.

Unfortunately, due to large burdens and this immunity being overwhelmed, a further dose is required. This frustrates me as I am trying to make a conscious effort to reduce dosing on the farm.

The only consolation is that this late September dose will also do as their housing dose for worms, and we will wait until our last of four liver fluke results on bulk milk testing to decide on their need for a liver fluke dose.

Prevention of lungworm going forward on the farm will involve a more strategic pasture rotation plan when it comes to cows grazing potentially heavy-burden pastures post calf grazing. For any autumn-calving herds, the lungworm vaccine HuskVac could be a great option, as these calves will have the 14 weeks necessary for the vaccine to be administered correctly.

It is an oral vaccine, calves need to be eight weeks old for the first dose, and a booster is given four weeks later and turns out to be two weeks later.

It can also be an option for this years weanlings to boost immunity for next year's grazing season, to complete the same regime but again will need 14 weeks of housing; we may have to think about using this as an option going forward. If you are having issues with coughing cows or other animals on the farm contact your vet to discuss treatment options and further prevention.

Like the Ireland vs. South Africa match, our battle with lungworms on our farm is far from over.

In other news, the samples I took for Neospora from my two late repeating cows came back negative, which is good news however, 'Detective Mullins' is not best pleased with the lack of answers.

October is upon us now, I am looking forward to the cosy evenings enjoying my new home, not the impending drying off-season.
The discovery of Martian remains in Mexico didn't surprise me one bit. I cannot understand what all the fuss is about.

Sure, I met a whole legion of aliens up the field behind the yard last October, only I forgot to tell you about it.

I have been very busy since, you see, and farming always comes first.

Anyhow, I remember the morning in question very well. It was a murky, dirty one, which might explain why I didn't hear their craft landing.

Suffice to say, the cattle were a bit flighty as a result, so I decided to investigate further.

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Well, low and behold, soon I was face to face with at least a dozen of these small alien-like creatures.

They were wearing covid masks, so 'twas hard to make them out entirely. My eyesight too isn't what it used to be. I probably need new glasses. But that's a story for another day. Anyhow, back to my close encounter...

"Are ye leprechauns or fairies?" I asked. And 'twas a fair question to ask, for it was a misty old day, and I was a little worse for wear after a previous night of drink.

"We are neither Leprechauns nor fairies," the leader of the pack said, "Only aliens from planet Pluto."

"Very good," says I, before telling them it was OK to remove the covid masks. "We're all friends now," I declared.

Anyhow, the leader of the alien force told me that they were on planet Earth to learn more about farming from Irish farmers. For back home, they were making an awful bags of everything.

I told him they had come to the right place.

Over the next few months, I showed them how to pike out dung, lift heavy rocks and drink porter as fast as you fill.

I showed them how to do the paperwork for the department, how to whitewash walls and give generously at mass on Sunday.

On days off, I showed them how to rest up on reeks of hay and how to toss off their boots outside the back door.

I showed them how to hide from cars and avoid answering the phone.

By the end of it all, I had the Martians turned into first-class farmers. The Martians were trained better than any graduates of Moorepark.

Naturally, and as you might expect, given the expert tutoring, they thanked me profusely for my guidance and said that if ever I went to Pluto, I would be welcomed in the airport like a foreign dignitary.

Flags would be flown and anthems played.

I thanked them for this and said I might indeed head up there one fine day when my working days are behind me here on planet Earth.

They then told me that another group had years previously gone to Earth to learn about farming in Mexico.

Alas, only to discover that the Mexicans were a poor substitute for the farmers they had heard about in Ireland.

And so, after that doomed trip to Mexico, the aliens vowed if ever they returned, it would be to Ireland, where the grass is greener and the best beef and milk in the world is produced.

"Well," says I, to my little green friend, as I shook his little hand, "you did the right thing in coming here to Ireland.

"A good dose of reality is what everyone receives here in Ireland," I declared to the fuzzy creature.

"What you get here is what you see," I said. I was talking sense, of course, and I could see the alien was all ears. He must have had at least thirteen.

Anyhow, with that, they flew off up into the sky, burning a hole in the ground with the height of flames and smoke.

Back into space or somewhere they went and to make a long story short, I never saw them again.
Bob Geldof has insisted that a new musical based on the story of Live Aid is not a tribute thing.

The musical, titled Just For One Day, will tell the story of the Live Aid concerts in London and Philadelphia on July 13 1985, which were organised by Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for the Ethiopian famine.

Dunleary-born Geldof, 71, who was given an honorary knighthood in 1986, told BBC News: This isnt a tribute thing. I wouldnt have anything to do with that. So, there isnt a person dressed up as Freddie wearing a crap moustache. The songs drive the drama along.

The plot of Just For One Day, which take its name from a line in David Bowies song Heroes, will combine a behind-the-scenes look at how Band Aid and Live Aid came together, with a love story inspired by real events.

Just For One Day: a new musical begins this Jan, written by @mrjohnofarrell (Mrs Doubtfire, Something Rotten) and directed by @LukeJ_Sheppard (& Juliet, The Little Big Things). Priority booking opens today, with general sale on Fri 06 Oct, 12 noon #OVJFOD https://t.co/7a0XDh6zjH pic.twitter.com/ptsNkc7Ewy  The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) October 2, 2023

Geldof said: The story is based on actual testimony from the day.

Its real people telling their story throughout this. So its complex theatre.

The show will include songs from stars Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bowie and Queen that featured during the original performance.

The stage adaption, written by British author John OFarrell, will premiere at The Old Vic theatre in London on January 26 until March 30 2024.

It will be directed by Luke Sheppard and will also feature music from Bob Dylan, The Who, U2, The Police and The Pretenders, as well as The Cars, Status Quo, Bryan Adams and Diana Ross.

Geldof said OFarrell and Sheppard were not very confident when they approached him with the idea for the show.

He said: They came and said, We know you are going to say no, but we want to do it because our dads have never stopped talking about this day. And we think its theatre.

Bob Geldof sings at the Live Aid Concert in 1985 (PA)

However the Boomtown Rats singer agreed to attend workshops for the musical with the other Band Aid Trustees, including Live Aids promoter Harvey Goldsmith and former BBC boss Lord Michael Grade, to make sure that they liked what they saw, before deciding to endorse the production.

Geldof recalled: We were blown away. I have to say there was not a dry eye in the house.

Despite this, the star has mixed feelings about seeing himself portrayed on screen.

Let me be completely blunt. Its bad enough being Bob Geldof. Its slightly worse seeing someone else pretending to be you, he said.

Geldof with Diana, Princess of Wales backstage at the concert (PA)

The one upside for me is that hes got an amazing voice, stage Bob, so that people will think I actually sing as good as that.

And he got the language right, he added, referring to his swearing during the live broadcast.

The musical will be performed at Londons Old Vic Theatre from January 26 2024 to March 30 2024.

Tickets will go on sale October 6 at midday.
Pretend, for a moment, that Stanley Plotkin had been the news anchor reporting on Covid-19 developments at your favorite television station the past two years.

What he lacked in showmanship, he would have made up for in scientific credibility.

Plotkin, active at age 91, is credited with developing in 1964 the vaccine for rubella (German measles)  which infected 12.5 million people including an estimated 20,000 babies born in the United States with birth defects such as blindness, deafness, heart defects and intellectual disabilities.

There is no telling how many lives Plotkin and his vaccine saved.

Like Covid-19, rubella is a contagious disease that can be transmitted via breathing in droplets in the air.

Like his Covid-19 scientist colleagues, Plotkin is keenly aware of ill-informed vaccine skeptics.

In August 2021, when it was his turn to speak at a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory committee meeting, Plotkin had harsh criticism for some of the skeptics. He began a public statement, as follows, after listening to several anti-vaccine comments: After hearing some of the prior comments, I would move to remind you that there is no vaccine against stupidity.

Plotkins colleagues are now recommending an updated Covid-19 vaccine for the fall that would target the currently circulating Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5. (Plotkin disagrees with the characterization of the updated vaccine as a booster because, he says, the word insinuates failure by the previous shots.)

If pattern holds true to form, thousands of Americans will choose not to take the updated Covid-19 vaccine in the fall  many of the same thousands who received the measles-mumps-rubella (aka MMR) combination vaccine when they were school age.

Most disturbing is that todays questioning of the safety and value of vaccines has shifted away from Covid-19 to vaccines that have been afterthoughts to most Americans. There are now proposals  and signed laws  that oppose all vaccines.

The experts are fearful the so-called antivaxxers could begin to reverse a century of progress made against diseases.

If you (challenge) all of the childhood vaccinations that are required, we could be in a really serious situation with outbreaks of diseases that long ago should have been eliminated in our society. We just cant have that, said Anthony Fauci in an interview at the 2021 STAT Summit.

Plotkin, when answering a question during an interview at the fourth Conference on Vaccines in Dubrovnik, Croatia, in September 2017, hinted at the mainstream media being partially responsible for some of the misinformation.

What the press does, and I can understand this, they always feel that they have to present both sides of the story and give them equal value, he said. It means, no matter how crazy you are, you can get a hearing.

So in order to be balanced, Plotkin the news anchor would be asked to give equal time to the crazy science opinions.

No, that would not work for Plotkin.
"A handmade object always has more depth and warmth - the decorations on a hand-crafted watch are like the brushstrokes on an oil painting, - John McGonigle, Master Watchmaker.

Wrist watches are an ancient technology but they are in full revival mode. Sales of luxury watches in Ireland increased by 26% in the first six months of 2023 and have increased by 60% overall since 2021 according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry.

We now rank 24th in the world, ahead of countries like Belgium and Portugal.

In our digital ephemeral world, a watch is a beating heart on your wrist - it is where engineering, history, art and craft collide (to quote watch YouTuber Britt Pearce).

Yes, a mechanical watch is not cheap, but remember it can last several lifetimes - those springs and levers can endlessly be repaired even after the apocalypse.

The wristwatch is the ultimate in sustainability as you never need to throw one away, it can always be repaired and should increase in value.

Switzerland still dominates luxury watch sales worldwide and employs thousands, but did you know that a handful of Irish watchmakers are among the most lauded in the Swiss industry?

McGonigle Watches

Perhaps Irelands two best-known master watchmakers are Stephen and John McGonigle who are originally from Athlone and trained at the Irish/Swiss Institute of Horology in Dublin (sadly now closed).

Both worked for a number of high-horology brands such as Breguet, Audemars Piguet, Girard-Perregaux and Cristophe Claret before setting up their own brand, McGonigle Watches.

McGonigle watches have included a tourbillon watch where the escapement that powers the watch is encased in a delicate rotating cage, and a minute repeater that chimes out the exact time should you ever be in a dark place where you cant see the dial of the watch.

John has since stepped away from McGonigle Watches and created Oilean Watches. John was at Waterford showing variations of his watch which is painstakingly hand-decorated and tuned by him.

Beauty is as important as function, he told me. John also spoke movingly about his professions place in the modern world.

I sometimes worry that I am just making baubles for rich people, but when I see the incredible passion these collectors have for my watches, how they are sometimes moved to tears when I present them with their watch, I cant help but have pride in my work and be pleased that these collectors allow me to continue to practice my craft,.

We lost something extremely valuable when the Irish Swiss Institute of Horology closed - we didnt just lose watchmaking we lost access to a range of skills that are incredibly useful in several industries from engineering to mechanics. In the recession and emigration blighted 1980s when I graduated all my classmates got jobs, he says.

Stephen McGonigle

Ceol WG, by watchmaker Stephen McGonigle.

Johns brother Stephen McGonigle meanwhile is now solely in charge of the McGonigle brand which focuses on haute-horlogerie pieces.

Next up for Stephen is the Ogma which is still in development but as already begun selling. I dont have a picture to show you (none exists yet) but the Ogma will be a limited edition watch of just 20 pieces in Tantalum. Tantalum is rarer than gold, super difficult to decorate and work with but can retain its lustre beautifully.

There are still a few spaces left on Stephens waiting list but dont delay - www.McGonigle.ch.

Stephens other passion is rugby and In 2021 Stephen set up his own affordable brand called Magon Watches which are considerably more affordable and have a subtle rugby theme - Irish International Robbie Henshaw is a Magon Ambassador.

At c. 10,000 they cost less than most Rolex but are not made entirely by machine in lots of 50,000 either.

Stephen McDonnell

Another Irish master watchmaker to know about is Belfast-based Stephen McDonnell who has worked most notably with MB&F, perhaps the most extraordinary of modern watch companies.

McDonnell created a revolutionary new movement for their Legacy Machine perpetual calendar which takes a brand new approach to the impossibly difficult task of creating a movement that can take account of leap years but is also robust.

Most perpetual calendars are highly fragile, McDonnells is as sturdy as it is beautiful.

Sidereus Watches

Sidereus Watches' Newgrange Moon Phase Special Edition timepiece

Sidereus Watches was created by Carlow-based Bryan Leech who trained as a Product Designer and has worked all over the world creating everything from ceramics and silverware to telephones and Apple Keyboards.

As part of the Product Design Course I teach at South East Technical University in Carlow I began setting a 4th year project to have my students design watches as I had always been interested in Horology, says Leech.

Sidereus references Galileos treatise on astronomy Sidereus Nuncius (starry messenger), and the watches draw on what some have called the worlds first clocks - Newgrange and Dowth.

The Special Edition Sidereus Newgrange Moon Phase has a hand-engraved bezel featuring symbols from Neolithic rock art found in Cairn T at Loughcrew in County Meath and is limited to 50 pieces.

Each watch features a branded crown and buckle with leather straps from Irish Dexter cattle or a Magee Tweed strap. Prices begin at 3000.

47 Zero

Cormac Hanley moved from Dublin to France with his wife and 3 kids in 2007 and was working as a successful advertising photographer.

Then in 2017 at age 47 he had a stroke - I literally went back to zero and had to learn it all again - speech, movement, walking - hence the name of my watch company - 47Zero.

Speaking about his designs Hanley said: there's plenty of rugged tool watches out there, but I'm drawn to designing a watch with a quirk or a story. Hanleys watches feature references to the brain and to everyday life from his Dinner at 8 series which have the date at the 8 oclock position or Le Cognative which has a hand-created image of Einsteins asymmetric brain - a reference to his own brains recovery.

Festival of Time

Pictured on the opening day of the Waterford International Festival of Time at the Irish Museum of Time are Rosemary Ryan, Curator/Manager of Waterford Treasures, Albert Edelmann, Founder of Zeitwinkel watches and Johnny McElherron, Festival Organiser.

The Waterford International Festival of Time ran from the 22nd-24th September last, and Irish and International watchmakers were there with their beautiful hand-crafted pieces.

What sets independent watchmaking apart is their handcrafted nature with hand-decorated dials and movements, decorations often achieved with little more than what is effectively a chisel. Many of the best-known Swiss watch brands are almost entirely machine-made in large quantities and with little personality. Independent watchmakers on the other hand offer something much more personal and bespoke and in very limited quantities.

The Festival of Time attracted watch enthusiasts from all over Ireland and abroad and was organised by Waterford Treasures which includes several museums including the Irish Museum of Time which displays Irish-made watches and clocks from past centuries as well as contemporary pieces. The Museum of Time is one of the most popular museums in their collective and is open all year round.

Names like Kari Voutilainen, Paul Gerber, Andreas Strellher and John McGonigle may not be household names here but in the watch world, these are legends.

Cyril Brivet-Naudot - Breton watchmaker.

Cyril Brivet-Naudot from Brittany makes just one watch a year, and when I say makes a watch I mean he makes everything from screws and springs to the case to the hands.

At a more affordable and accessible level, the funky and cool designs of Schofield watches created by designer Giles Ellis cost half the amount of an entry-level Rolex. The hand-etched Buddhist prayers on the cogs of Sherpa watches work like a Buddhist prayer wheel and dont cost much more.

Master watchmaker Paul Gerber was in attendance with his protege Anny Weber. Gerber is sometimes described as the father of Independent Watchmaking and between himself and his apprentice Anny, they created a one-of-a-kind watch which will be auctioned for charity with the proceeds going to the Our Boys charity, towards Annys watchmaking career, and to the Festival of Time itself to help ensure its continued existence.

The Waterford Festival of Time is expected to return in 2024 - the watchmakers have demanded it - likely in early summer.
A professor at UCC has said that the donation of human remains to science is essential for teaching and cannot be replicated using other methods.

Aideen Sullivan, head of the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience at University College Cork, was speaking as new figures from the Medical Council show 107 bodies were left to science in Ireland last year.

Despite advances in technology, the practice of working on a deceased person's remains continues around the world. There are five medical facilities across the Ireland that study anatomy.

Last year, 14 remains were donated to the University of Galway, while Trinity College received 15 donations, University College Dublin was given 22 and 15 bodies were left to the laboratory in UCC.

The largest number of donations was to the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, where 41 human bodies were received in 2022.

Prof. Sullivan told the Irish Examiner that while the college is currently receiving enough donations annually to fulfil its teaching needs for undergraduate students, other courses have training demands.

Research and postgraduate training are always expanding. We do require increased numbers of donors to meet these training demands.

We are very grateful to our donors as training and research would not be possible without them," she said.

Anatomical examination is only possible in this country when a person makes a request to donate their whole body for medical education after they die.

A person who wishes to donate their body to science after their death is advised to contact one of the five colleges directly because each medical school has its own procedures and agreements.

Prof. Sullivan said there are many reasons why a person decides to donate. Although we do not require an explanation from those who donate their bodies, donors tend to do so for altruistic reasons she said.

Sometimes donors do offer a reason, and this is often that they feel a strong desire to give something back in return for receiving exceptional medical care.

She added, Others may have received a diagnosis of a rare medical condition and feel that it would be useful for our future doctors and scientists to receive more knowledge in this area, which may lead to future developments in treatment options.

Colleges advise that a next of kin is made aware of any decisions regarding a loved ones remains, and it can also be written in a will. Donors have the option of either donating for up to three years or permanently donating their remains, added Professor Sullivan.

Each college holds the remains for different periods of time, in UCC that can be for between six months and three years, depending on the consent given by the donor when they complete the paperwork. The average time is approximately two years.

Burial

The remains of a person can then be returned to their family, or the college can organise a burial in accordance with the persons wishes. Donors may choose whether they wish to be cremated, buried in the University plot or in a private family plot said Professor Sullivan.

In the case of three-year donations, the donors family will be notified, and they communicate with the department of anatomy to arrange the release of the donors remains. The university is responsible for organising burial and cremation in the Island Crematorium.

However, when a donor chooses permanent donation, their remains are not returned to their family. For permanent donations the university will not contact the family at the time of release. The remains will be cremated and interred in the university plot, she said.

Every year, the donors are remembered in the different colleges around the country. UCC, which provides anatomy education to more than 600 students holds a biannual thanksgiving service in the Honan Chapel to acknowledge those who have donated their remains to them.

The Medical Council is the licensing authority for the practice of anatomy in the State in accordance with the Anatomy Act 1832 as outlined in Section 106 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007.

More information can be sought by emailing anatomy@ucc.ie.
A coroner has said he is firmly committed that an inquest into the murder of GAA official Sean Brown will take place despite being told that a substantial amount of police material has recently been uncovered.

Justice Patrick Kinney said it was amazing that the PSNI seemed to have misplaced 18 folders of sensitive material about the killing which have now been made available.

Mr Brown, 61, was abducted and killed by loyalists as he locked the gates at Bellaghy Wolfe Tones Club in Co Derry in May 1997.

No-one has been convicted of his murder.

His inquest began in March and is scheduled to resume next January.

The hearing took place at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

The inquest proceedings are taking place against the backdrop of the British governments new legacy act, which states that any legacy inquests which have not reached the point of verdict by May 1 2024 will be discontinued.

Members of Mr Browns family attended the latest review hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast on Monday.

Opening the hearing, counsel for the coroner Joseph Aiken KC updated the court on the disclosure process for sensitive material from state agencies.

He said: The aspect that has been causing the most problems in this inquest is the PSNI sensitive material.

You were told at the last review there was further material that your representatives needed to consider, that it was three folders and possibly a fourth and work was ongoing to make that material available to be considered.

Mr Aiken said he had gone to view the material on Friday.

It was something of a shock for me to find that it wasnt three or four folders of material, but in fact 18 folders of material that I needed to deal with, he added.

He said work was continuing to review the material as quickly as possible ahead of a public immunity interest (PII) application.

Bridie Brown, the widow of murdered GAA official Sean Brown (Liam McBurney/PA)

Representing the police, PSNI barrister Mark Robinson KC said: On the last occasion it was indicated that further searches may produce one further folder.

Due to the broad nature of the searches further material was gathered through that process.

Representing the Brown family, Des Fahy KC said every time a stone was turned over in the case, more material was uncovered.

He said: Obviously our desire is that all available material is disseminated to all the properly interested parties to this inquest.

But clearly there has to be some finality to this. We cant come to each preliminary hearing and be told a significant body of further material has been identified and uncovered otherwise we are going to run into timetabling difficulties.

He added: It seems that up to this point the searches that have been conducted have not been sufficiently comprehensive.

What I am asking on the familys behalf is that you are given the appropriate assurances that an endpoint to this process is reached otherwise we are in a hamster wheel whereby every time we come there is more work to do.

He said the January date for the inquest resumption must be set in stone.

This inquest is listed. I am firmly committed to making sure this inquest will take place

Mr Justice Kinney said he was not entirely sure whether he should be criticising or congratulating the police service.

He added: I did say at the last review that I wanted to have any further documents disclosed and I expressed some incredulity that it has taken so many years, to be still so unsure as to what material and information is being held.

There is a context to all of this. It was accepted by all the parties that this would be ready for PII by early September and now we have moved into October and I am finding that frankly the police seem to be taken as much by surprise as the rest of us by the volume of materials that they are now finding.

How you misplace in terms, 18 folders, is amazing.

The coroner added: I need to know this is the end of the line and I need an assurance by the next review that there has been appropriate due diligence and there are no further materials which are as yet undiscovered.

This inquest is listed. I am firmly committed to making sure this inquest will take place.

There will be another review in the case on October 16.
A third man has appeared in court after being charged in relation with the seizure of almost 160m of cocaine on a bulk cargo ship off the coast of Ireland.

Soheil Jelveh, 50, an Iranian national of no fixed abode, appeared before Wexford District Court on Monday morning.

Jelveh, who was referred to in court as a ship captain, was charged with being in the possession of cocaine on September 24 and further charged with being in possession of the controlled drug for the purpose of selling or supplying it in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to 2019.

He was also charged with importing cocaine on September 24 in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017-2019.

A total of 2,253kg of cocaine was found on the MV Matthew cargo ship after members of the Irish Army Ranger Wing captured the vessel off the Co Cork coast by abseiling from a helicopter earlier this week.

Gardai said the seizure was the largest in the history of the state.

Gardai believe the cocaine, seized on the cargo ship after the dramatic military operation at sea, was destined for distribution beyond Ireland, potentially into the UK and continental Europe.

Detective Garda Liam Mangan, from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, told the court that Jelveh was arrested at 2.21pm on Sunday and charged at 3.31pm.

He said the accused had been airlifted from the cargo vessel on September 25 after reports that he was injured were received.

He had been transferred to Waterford Hospital where he was searched by gardai.

The MV Matthew

Gardai objected to bail application from Jelvehs solicitor Lana Doherty.

Judge John Cheatle rejected the bail application: The allegations against the defendant are so serious and his links to the jurisdiction are so tenuous it renders bail impossible, in my mind, in this situation.

Jelveh was remanded in custody to appear again at Wexford District Court via videolink on October 9.

Additionally, Ms Doherty said Jelveh did not need medical attention but asked for consideration that he receive protection in prison, which gardai agreed to.

He was also granted legal aid.

Jelveh was remanded in custody to appear again at Wexford District Court via videolink on October 9.

A fishing trawler that grounded off the coast of Co Wexford late on Sunday was also being monitored as part of the operation, amid suspicions it was en route to rendezvous with the cargo ship.

Two men who had been winched from that vessel also appeared before Wexford District Court on Monday.

Jamie Harbron, 31, of South Avenue, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, UK, and 60-year-old Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, of no fixed abode, were charged with conspiracy to import drugs.

Appearing via videolink, they were further remanded in custody to appear again on October 16 awaiting direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Five other men have been arrested in relation to the case.

One has been released without charge while the other four remain in custody.
Cheques for Blind Welfare Allowance being sent to an elderly woman in Cork were still being cashed every month  19 months after her she died.

This situation was described on Monday at Cork District Court although the matter was discovered by the HSE more than five years ago.

The facts of the matter are that Margaret Quilligan died in May 2016 at the age of 72 but the welfare payments were still being paid out and cashed until March 2018.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis said the cheques were lodged to a number of accounts.

Now at Cork District Court, one woman who had two of the cheques lodged to her own account in that period pleaded guilty to theft by deception in respect of those two cheques.

Judge Olann Kelleher imposed a sentence of eight months suspended on Teresa Quilligan, of 5 Mount St Josephs Close, Cork, in respect of those two counts. Ms Quilligan is a daughter of the deceased.

Judge Kelleher said: It was a terrible breach of trust, taking advantage of the fact that her mother was deceased  it is appalling.

Imposing the sentence, the judge said he was taking into consideration the limited number of the defendants previous convictions.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the 507 taken was being repaid in court now.

She was a carer for her mother, who was substantially challenged in relation to her eyesight. Two of the cheques were encashed by my client [towards paying her mothers funeral expenses].

"She did the wrong thing, maybe for a reasonable motive. She is a 54-year-old lady with very limited circumstances, Mr Buttimer said.

Outlining the background to the case, Sergeant Gearoid Davis said the late Mrs Quilligan was in receipt of Blind Welfare Allowance since November 2014.

A payment of 253.50 was paid by cheque each month and posted to her address.

The HSE discovered in March 2018 that Mrs Quilligan had died in May 2016. The monthly payments had continued during the period May 2016 to March 2018 as the department had not been notified of the death.

The overall loss to the HSE was 5,194.70.

Detective Garda Anne Flynn investigated the matter and obtained financial records relating to 19 cheques which had been issued and lodged to bank accounts during the period in question.

Some cheques issued were lodged to a bank account of Teresa Quilligan, daughter of the deceased.

Teresa Quilligan was obviously aware that her mother had passed away but continued to benefit from these cheques. She stated that she used the money for funeral expenses. Two of the cheques were lodged to her account which amounted to 507.

"She accepted she knew that by lodging the cheques that she was committing an offence.

While reference was made to the lodgement of cheques to other accounts, only Teresa Quilligan has appeared in court in relation to the case so far.
The only way to resolve the dispute over bus rosters in Limerick is to return to the Workplace Relations Commission, National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) general secretary Dermot OLeary has said.

All bus services out of Limerick bus station have been cancelled after a number of drivers took unofficial industrial action in a row over new spare driver rosters.

Bus Eireann said it had to cancel all city and county services out of Limerick bus station after a number of drivers placed a picket at Limerick bus station on Monday.

Mr OLeary told RTE radios Morning Ireland that the union had not known in advance of the unofficial action. He said he was not prepared to lambast workers for their actions, but there were procedures to handle such concerns.

The NBRU did not have an official dispute with Bus Eireann at present, he said. But it had warned the company a number of weeks ago its members would take umbrage at being forced to do something they say is not part of their conditions, despite the fact they agreed on a report to be commissioned in and around spare duties.

The only way to find a solution was to return to the WRC where this whole issue started, to sit down and come up with some way of resolving the issue.

Mr OLeary said he had written to the company on September 19, warning there could be issues in relation to the unilateral implementation of changes in the terms and conditions of its workers and if the changes were introduced on October 1, then the union would have no option but to issue ballot papers.

Thats the way we do business, through official channels. And I will do that as of today, I will issue ballot papers to our members, but I would rather sit down around a table to resolve the issues.

Mr OLeary said he would encourage the members in Limerick to go back to work and operate under protest.

We issued a notice yesterday morning to that effect that people should work in the normal manner and allow us, officialdom if you like, to discuss the issues with the company through the WRC.

I would impress on our members that they should be at work, under protest if necessary. Unofficial actions will not get us where we need to get, which is a resolution of the issues.

I would hope that common sense will prevail.

Mr OLeary said the problems needed to be solved through the proper industrial action channels. His union would not use megaphone tactics or use media organisations to issue statements.
The Chinese ambassador to Ireland has said there is a financial opportunity for the Irish dairy industry with milk products aimed at Chinas ageing population.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Irish Examiner, Mr He Xiangdong hit back at comments made by Tanaiste Micheal Martin, and described how the housing crisis here is impacting Chinese students and trade between both countries.

Mr He said due to various issues including a low birth rate in China  as well as a more saturated market  exports of baby formula have dropped.

Irish exports of infant formula to China accounted for 266m of the countrys 722m exports in total to the country last year.

However, this is down from a peak in 2017 at 618m.

Mr He said there is an opportunity for Ireland to produce specialised nutrition products aimed at its ageing population. He urged the Irish dairy industry to examine and adapt to changes in the Chinese market.

I strongly recommend [the dairy industry] to read the change of Chinas market more closely because the baby formula is just one dairy product.

For adults, for senior citizens, they need other formulas with nutrition, so maybe I think the dairy producers here in Ireland will adapt to the change of the market in China which I think will also promote more Irish dairy products to export into Chinas market, he said.

Mr He gifted the Irish Examiner a copy of the 2019 autobiography by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

Mr He said China is exploring ways with the Irish Government and businesses to further promote bilateral trade and its economic cooperation. Ireland is one of the major trading partners for China in the EU and China is Irelands fourth-largest trading partner.

Over 40 Chinese companies are operating in Ireland and the total Chinese direct investment here is over 9.2bn, the ambassador said. The total Irish investment in China is 2bn.

The ambassador dismissed reports of a downturn in beef exports into the Chinese market this year after exportation was suspended in 2020 due to a case of atypical BSE .

He said between April and June this year, almost 2,000 tonnes of beef was delivered into the Chinese market from Ireland and it will increase in the coming months.

Speaking at his residence on Raglan Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin, Mr He told how Chinese students in Ireland are being hit by the housing crisis.

He said Chinese students are the best seller to attract Chinese tourism to Ireland as the majority return home once they complete their studies. However, he said a number of pupils have been in contact with the embassy over the lack of affordable housing and issues with landlords.

I do hear some Chinese students complaining that they are facing housing problems because it is quite difficult for them to find housing, and especially affordable prices in the convenient communities and from time to time, my embassy has received some complaints from Chinese students about the relationship between the owner of the house.

I think this is a problem for some of the Chinese students because not all of them are from a rich family, so affordable housing is important for them.

Affordable housing is an important factor to attract more Chinese students coming to study in Ireland, he said.

However, he noted that Chinese students are facing similar issues in other countries such as Australia and the UK.

He said 5,000 Chinese people are studying here, contributing 40,000 per head annually to the Irish economy.

He said students strengthen the mutual communication and understanding between Chinese and Irish people and learn about Irish culture and history which they take back to China.

This is why he is confused about Tanaiste Micheal Martins comments urging Government agencies and the private sector to be clear-eyed about Chinas intentions in Ireland as well as the need to asses their relationship with the country and examine areas where they need to de-risk.

When we talk about de-risking, [the] first thing we need to know, to understand, to figure out is what are those risks?

Where are those risks? So I dont think theres any fundamental risk from the economic and trade between China and Ireland, he said.

When asked if he was insulted by Mr Martins comments, the ambassador said he wouldnt use the word insulted, adding: But I do hope the Irish Government and Irish politicians will look into the bilateral relationship between China and Ireland in the more objective way.

On a number of occasions during the interview, Mr He blamed American or European fever for decisions made by governments including Ireland in taking action to remove TikTok from Government officials phones following security advice.

Mr He said that the Chinese government has never spied on other countries.

The secret of that [is] somebody is trying to cast their own shadow over the others because they are spying so they think everybody else is also spying, he said while gifting this journalist the 2019 autobiography by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

So it tells a story of certain countries spying [on] the world. I would say that [the] Chinese company or Chinese government has never spied [on] other countries, say to monitor the telephone conversation of the heads of the other governments here in Europe and we never use the Chinese telecommunication equipment to spy on other countries, the ambassador said.

He blames misinformation for the reason why he thinks some members of Government think the Chinese Government is involved in espionage. Some people are getting American or Europe-fever, he added.

I do hope that, with communication, we can have a better mutual understanding on a lot of issues including this issue. Mr He said broadly the relationship between the two governments is good and hes satisfied currently.

But we can do much more and we can do a better job to further promote that good relationship to a higher level because I think that progress will benefit our two countries and two people, he said.

When asked if there was anything hed like to raise, Mr He again returned to remarks made by the Tanaiste in which he said China and Irelands different world views, values, and interests will inevitably shape how we engage with one another.

I think that nowadays people are talking about the polarisation of the world in the past few years, Mr He said.

Mr He encourages the Irish dairy industry to investigate specialised nutrition products for China's ageing population.

People are focused more on differences among countries and, take an example as China and Irelands relationship.

Some people are talking about the differences between our two countries will inevitably shape our relationship so I would say that differences make the world a better place, a more interesting place to live, he said, before reciting a quote from the speech former SDLP leader and peace campaigner John Hume gave in Oslo in 1998 while delivering his Nobel Peace Prize lecture.

Difference is of the essence of humanity. Difference is an accident of birth and it should therefore never be the source of hatred or conflict. The answer to difference is to respect it. Therein lies a most fundamental principle of peace  respect for diversity.
Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin will attend an extraordinary meeting of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv today.

EU Foreign Ministers will discuss how to strengthen and advance the EUs response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal will meet with EU officials during the one-day visit.

A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said the Tanaiste will also have bilateral engagements with UN partners whose work in Ukraine Ireland is supporting, as well as members of the Irish community.

It is a testament to the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people that now, over a year and a half since Russian troops tried and failed to capture this city, we are able to hold a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv," Mr Martin said.

We stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the European Union is unwavering in our commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people as they defend their homeland.

The Tanaiste said it is important that EU support for Ukraine continues to be "relevant, flexible and fit for purpose".

"EU Member States will continue to take active measures to deter Russian aggression against Ukraine and I anticipate a wide-ranging, open exchange of views with our EU partners and Ukraine today on how best to do that."

Mr Martin said that, following the recent announcement of a further 23 million in humanitarian and institutional support for Ukraine, Ireland had provided 210 million in support for Ukraine since the launch of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

"I am happy to have the opportunity today to meet with our partners here on the ground for an update on the important work they are doing and to meet the small Irish community here, all of whom are engaged in vital work supporting humanitarian, civilian security and rule of law programmes," he added.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. File Picture: AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert

Ukrainian Foreign Minister said that the fact the EU meeting was taking place in the Ukrainian capital was "a message in itself" arguing it was proof of Ukraines gradual accession to the EU.

"The message is that Ukraine is becoming a member of the European Union, the process is taking place right as we speak and hold these meetings," he said.
Donald Trump has denounced a civil fraud case over his business practices as a politically motivated scam as he arrived for a trial in the lawsuit, which could cost him control of Trump Tower and other prized properties.

This is a continuation of the single greatest witch hunt of all time, the former president said as he made a voluntary trip to a New York court for a trial that has high stakes for him.

Its a scam. Its a sham, the Republican said, reiterating claims that the suit is a politically motivated attempt to thwart his return to the White House.

Donald Trump speaks to the media outside the New York Supreme Court (Seth Wenig/AP)

New York attorney general Letitia Jamess suit accuses Trump and his company of deceiving banks, insurers and others by habitually lying about his wealth in financial statements.

What we have here is an attempt to hurt me in an election, Trump claimed, adding: I dont think the people of this country are going to stand for it.

He looked away from Ms James as he passed her on the way into court, with a disgusted look on his face.

Judge Arthur Engoron has already ruled that Trump committed fraud in his business dealings. It is a non-jury trial, so the judge will decide on six other claims in the lawsuit.

Ms James, a Democrat, is seeking 250 million dollars (206 million) in penalties and a ban on Trump doing business in New York.

The judges ruling last week, if upheld on appeal, could force Trump to give up New York properties including Trump Tower, a Wall Street office building, golf courses and a suburban estate.

New York attorney general Letitia James (Brittainy Newman/AP)

Trump, the Republican front-runner in the 2024 presidential race, has denied wrongdoing. He says Ms James and the judge are undervaluing such assets as Mar-a-Lago, and that it did not matter what he put on his financial statements because they had a disclaimer that said they should not be trusted.

In posts overnight on his Truth Social site, Trump said he was going to court to fight for my name and reputation, denounced the case as a sham and called on the attorney general and judge to resign.

Before the trial on Monday, Ms James reiterated her position that Trump for years engaged in persistent and repeated fraud.

No matter how powerful you are, and no matter how much money you think you have, no one is above the law, she said on her way into the courthouse.

Trump is not expected to give evidence for several weeks.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) is facing criticism from the industry for its poor service delivery, leading to customs clearance delays that result in daily losses for businesses.During an online meeting with Zimra officials, Amiel Matindike, the vice-chair of the Harare chapter of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, expressed concerns about clients experiencing downtime at ports of entry, often attributed to connectivity issues and staff shortages within the revenue collector's system. Clients frequently encounter slow or non-functional systems, causing disruptions.Matindike also mentioned that Zimra audits, which can be lengthy and disruptive, create fear among members, and he requested that Zimra specify the type and duration of audits in advance to allow for normal operations.Additionally, Matindike highlighted the problem of porous borders, leading to an influx of smuggled goods that threaten the formal business sector.In response, Zimra's Commissioner Customs and Excise, Batsirai Chadzingwa, explained that the institution was working on tightening security at points of entry through a multifaceted project set to be completed in 2024, which occasionally leads to delays.Regarding staff shortages at border posts, Mathias Chinanayi, Zimra's Head of Technical Services, cited accommodation challenges as the reason for employees staying in lodges, as Zimra has yet to build its staff housing.Participants in the meeting suggested that Zimra consider using Starlink internet services to enhance connectivity, and Zimra officials confirmed that a recent management meeting had tasked the revenue collector to investigate the feasibility of transitioning to Starlink.
A 104-year-old woman is hoping to be confirmed as the oldest person to skydive after making a tandem jump and landing 13,500ft later at a US airport.

Age is just a number, Dorothy Hoffner told a cheering crowd moments after touching the ground at Skydive Chicago Airport in the Illinois town of Ottawa, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The record for oldest skydiver was set in May last year by 103-year-old Linnea Ingegard Larsson from Sweden, but Skydive Chicago is working to have Guinness World Records certify Ms Hoffners jump as a new record, WLS-TV reported.

Dorothy Hoffner walks out to the plane with tandem jumper Derek Baxter (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/AP)

She first skydived when she was 100, and on Sunday she left her walking frame behind at the airport and was helped up the planes steps to join others waiting inside to skydive.

Lets go, lets go, Geronimo! Ms Hoffner said after she was finally seated.

When she first skydived she had had to be pushed out of the aircraft, but on Sunday, tethered to a US Parachute Association-certified instructor, Ms Hoffner insisted on leading the jump.

She looked calm and confident when the plane was aloft and its aft door opened to reveal crop fields far below, shortly before she shuffled to the edge and leaped into the air.

Dorothy Hoffner waves to the crowd at Skydive Chicago in Illinois (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/AP)

The dive lasted seven minutes, and the plane beat Ms Hoffner to the ground after her parachute opened for a slow descent.

Finally, the wind pushed her white hair back as she clung to the harness draped over her narrow shoulders, picked up her legs as the ground neared and plopped on to a grassy area at the airport.

Friends rushed in to share congratulations, while someone brought over Ms Hoffners red walking frame. She rose quickly and a reporter asked her how it felt to be back on the ground.

Dorothy Hoffner comes in for landing (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/AP)

Wonderful, she said. But it was wonderful up there. The whole thing was delightful, wonderful, couldnt have been better.

Ms Hoffners mind quickly turned to the future and other challenges. The lifelong Chicago native, who will turn 105 in December, said she might take a ride in a hot-air balloon next.

Ive never been in one of those, she added.
Tom Kelly

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A media friend told me about one of his greatest nightmares during a live outside broadcast. The link-up to the streets of Newry was from a studio in Belfast and the intrepid interviewer was asked [...]
YANGONMyanmars junta has lashed out at close ally China over a blockbuster film on human trafficking and scam compounds that has tarnished its reputation, state media reported on Friday.

Chinese thriller No More Bets tells the story of a computer programmer who is trafficked to an unnamed Southeast Asian country and forced to work as an online scammer for a syndicate.

It does not mention Myanmar by name but its setting resembles the countrys lawless northern reaches, where Beijing says its citizens are regularly lured or trafficked and forced to work scamming their compatriots online.

The scams anger Beijing  a major ally and arms supplier for the internationally isolated junta.

The juntas consul-general in southwest Chinas Nanning raised the tarnishing of Myanmars image in the film which was shot by China and released in China and around the world, according to state newspaper the Global New Light of Myanmar.

The storylines are related to Myanmar, and there are reports that Chinese nationals are worried about visiting Myanmar, he told government officials in Guangxi region earlier this week.

Despite only being released in August, No More Bets has become the third-most-popular film in China this year, raking in 3.8 billion yuan ($521 million) and super-charging online discussion about the dangers of visiting Southeast Asia.

The month before the films release, China told Myanmars junta to root out online scam centers in its lawless borderlands that target Chinese citizens.

The film has not been shown in Myanmar cinemas.
Myanmar resistance forces claim to have killed around a dozen junta soldiers during a clash in Depayin Township, Sagaing on Saturday.

Fighting broke out near Aye Thar Yar village in western Depayin on Saturday evening, when combined forces of the Burma National Revolutionary Army, Shwebo District Battalion 12, and local Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) confronted a junta unit of around 100 soldiers.

Thousands of civilians have fled the area after being targeted by junta troops in recent days, according to local reports.

Saturdays clash decimated the regime force and left many soldiers wounded, Shwebo District Battalion 12 said. The resistance groups retreated when a junta Mi-35 helicopter gunship arrived and strafed the area.

The helicopter opened fire for 15 minutes, but no casualties were reported. However, the junta ground troops raided nearby villages and killed residents, a spokesperson for Shwe Bo District Battalion 12 told The Irrawaddy.

The same day, regime troops beheaded a civilian and arrested two others in Lat Tee village, while wounding a resident of Aye Thar Yar village with artillery, according to locals.

On Monday, troops stationed in Aye Thar Yar village launched a raid on Bagan village, where they torched houses. In neighboring Na Bae Hla village, they killed a 50-year-old civilian and arrested another man, aged 37, the Depayin Refugee Support Group reported.

The two villagers were challenged by the troops as they fled. The arrested man is disabled so was unable to escape, a representative of Depayin Refugee Support Group told The Irrawaddy.

The group estimates that over 10,000 civilians have fled from a dozen villages in western Depayin amid heavy rain in recent days.

Some villages have been abandoned in the last five days. The displaced civilians are facing growing hardship as the days go by, especially from hunger and food shortages, the representative told the Irrawaddy.

Junta troops left for Depayin Town on Monday afternoon, but the villagers have not yet dared to return to their homes.

Frequent junta raids and arson attacks have left Depayin with among the highest number of torched houses in Sagaing Region.
A meeting between Myanmar military regime leaders and the former chair of the Karen National Union (KNU) held over the weekend would not have any effect on the Karen peoples ongoing armed uprising against the junta, a KNU official said.

On Saturday, former KNU chairman Saw Mutu Say Phoe met with military coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw for what the junta described as peace talks. He was accompanied at the talks by former KNU Central Committee member Saw Roger Khin and Padoh Shwe Moung, the current chairman of KNUs Dooplaya District.

Dooplaya District is one of the most restive areas within the KNUs territory, and the scene of frequent clashes between the groups fighters and the military regime.

In response to the meeting, KNU spokesperson Saw Taw Nee told the media on Sunday that the group led by the former chairman did not represent the KNU.

The meeting has nothing whatsoever to do with the KNU. So, it cannot have any effect. I want to urge people not to worry too much, he said.

Speaking to Karen National Media, the KNU described Dooplaya District chairman Padoh Shwe Moung as irresponsible, adding that the vice chairman and the chief of the KNU brigade in the district, as well as the district general secretary, were dealing with day-to-day military and political affairs in the area.

The countrys oldest ethnic revolutionary organization, the KNU has two armed wings: the Karen National Liberation Army and the Karen National Defense Organization. It signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in October 2015, but the groups leadership announced in August that it was no longer part of the agreement, which it said was rendered void by the 2021 coup.

Since the coup, the KNU has provided shelter to thousands of anti-coup activists including politicians, lawmakers, striking government staff and artists fleeing arrest by the junta.

The ethnic group has also provided military training to several thousand anti-regime youth activists who have gone on to become members of Peoples Defense Force groups (PDFs) under the civilian National Unity Government (NUG).

Currently, the KNU is the countrys most active ethnic armed group, fighting the military junta alongside the PDFs not only in Karen and Mon states, but also in Tanintharyi and Bago regions.

Alongside the PDFs, the group has also stepped up attacks in and around the regimes administrative capital Naypyitaw, threatening the military junta in its seat of power.

According to a statement released by the junta, Saw Mutu Sae Phoe and his delegation said during their meeting with regime leaders that they have stood firmly for peace since signing the NCA, which they said was a legal agreement that would last forever.

A political analyst told The Irrawaddy that while the meeting between the KNUs former leaders and the junta chief might cause some complications, it did not pose a serious concern as the delegation members do not represent the KNU.

He said it was inconsiderate of the former KNU leaders to act against the wishes of their former organization.

Mutu Say Phoe and Saw Roger Khin were top leaders of the KNU for years. Leaders of a group must be loyal to their organization. They should not create complications for their former organizations, the analyst said.
At least 30 Myanmar junta forces were killed in the last three days as Peoples Defense Force groups (PDFs) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) continued to attack regime targets across the country.

Incidents were reported in Kachin, Mon and Karen states and Mandalay, Magwe and Sagaing regions.

The Irrawaddy has collected the following reports of significant attacks from PDFs and EAOs.

Some military casualties could not be independently verified.

Regime forces killed, arrested in Kachin State

A junta soldier was killed and five others including a captain were arrested in Momauk Township, Kachin State on Saturday when the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) ambushed a military unit from a junta base on Shan Htung Bum mountain, according to local media reports.

The regime troops were ambushed while descending the mountain to obtain rations.

Junta vehicle ambushed outside military headquarters in Mon

The office of the civilian National Unity Government (NUG)s Military Region 3 said one of its armed wings, the Ye Belu group, ambushed a military vehicle just 450 meters from the headquarters of the junta militarys Light Infantry Battalion 591 in Ye Township, Mon State on Saturday, killing three junta soldiers including a captain.

Military outpost attacked in Karen

The resistance group Cobra Column 2 Venom said it and other resistance groups including the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), attacked a military outpost on a hill in Shwe Aye Myaing Village in Myawaddy Township, Karen State on Sunday.

Military casualties were unknown.

Regime forces bombed in Magwe



Resistance drones chase and bomb regime forces in Myaing Township on the weekend. / Myaing PDF

Around 20 regime forces were seriously injured in Myaing Township, Magwe Region when four resistance groups used drones to drop several dozen bombs on two military units raiding and looting houses in two adjacent villages, Kyauk Sauk and Ywar Thit, for two days on Saturday and Sunday, said Myaing PDF, which coordinated the attack.

During the raids, regime forces tortured some civilian detainees, the resistance groups said.

Junta troops killed in sniper ambush in Magwe

Joint resistance fighters during a sniper ambush against regime forces in Pakokku Township on Sunday / Southern YSO PDF

Southern Yesagyo PDF claimed to have killed a junta soldier when the groups snipers ambushed regime forces stationed at the Technology University in Pakokku Township, Magwe Region on Sunday morning.

After being attacked, the regime forces responded by indiscriminately firing both small firearms and heavy explosives.

Police station bombed by drones in Mandalay

 Resistance fighters engage in a clash with regime forces after using drones to bomb them in Natogyi Township last Friday. / Natogyi PDF

Five junta police officers were killed in Natogyi Town, Mandalay Region when Natogyi PDF used drones to drop bombs on the township police station on Sept. 29 and 30.

It also conducted drone strikes against regime forces stationed at the construction department office in the town.

Last Friday, Natogyi PDF and several other resistance groups used drones to drop bombs on a military unit of 22 troops stationed in Na Buu Taw Village in Natogyi Township.

After the drone strikes, a two-hour firefight broke out. Military casualties were unknown.

Fierce clash erupts in Sagaing

At least 15 regime forces were killed in Depayin Township, Sagaing Region on Saturday evening when several local resistance groups jointly attacked a military unit of 100 troops between two villages, said Burma National Revolutionary Army (BNRA), which coordinated the attack.

During the clash, a Russian-made Mi-35 helicopter gunship attacked resistance forces but withdrew after just 10 minutes after coming under fire, the BNRA claimed. No resistance casualties were reported.

Pro-regime militia camps raided in Sagaing

Myanmar Defense Force (Shwebo) said it and 16 other resistance groups jointly raided three regime sentry posts and pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia members outside the pro-military village of Myin Chin in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region at 3 a.m. on Saturday.

Three regime forces were killed at the sentry posts and others fled into the village. Resistance forces retreated from the area when regime reinforcements arrived.

Military unit bombed in Sagaing

Two regime troops were killed and seven injured in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region on Saturday when Darr Ma Sai Army, which forms Yinmabin District PDF Battalion 28 under the command of the NUG, triggered three land mines to ambush a military unit at the entrance of Salingyi town.

The military unit was hit while returning to the town after raiding villages.

Military flotilla ambushed in Sagaing

Joint resistance forces attack a military flotilla on the Chindwin River in Monywa Township on Saturday. / Monywa District PDF Battalion 23

Several resistance groups attacked a military flotilla of eight vessels and a gunboat along the Chindwin River while traveling upstream to Monywa Township, Sagaing Region on Saturday, according to the PDF groups involved in the attack.

Videos show resistance groups attacking the flotilla with firearms and heavy explosives. Military casualties were unknown.

Last week, a military flotilla of 15 vessels and three gunboats faced a series of resistance attacks for two days in the same area while traveling downstream from Monywa to Salingyi Township along the Chindwin River.
Monday, Oct 2nd, 2023 (11:28 am) - Score 2,592

Network access provider CityFibre has updated on the progress of its work to roll-out a new 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband ISP network across the city of Glasgow in Scotland, which started in 2021 and is costing c. 270m. The project is currently still due to be substantially completed by the end of 2025.

The operators 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network currently covers 3 million UK premises (up from 2.5m in January 2023) and 2.6m of those are considered to be Ready For Service by a supporting broadband ISP (up from 2.2m). But they have an ambition to reach up to 8m premises (funded by c.2.4bn in equity and c.4.9bn debt)  across over 285 cities, towns and villages (c.30% of the UK)  by the end of 2025 (here).

The companys build across Glasgow was one of the first locations they announced and is also one of their largest projects  supporting contractors include Glenevin, IMS Scotland, PMK and possibly others. Most of the city is now covered by their full fibre network, with the roll-out being well underway between Thornliebank, Newton Mearns, Clarkston and Cambuslang. In the north of the city, work is also progressing in Gilshochill, Blackhill and Clydebank.

Paul Wakefield, CityFibres Senior Partnership Manager for Glasgow, said: Strong digital connectivity has become the cornerstone of our daily lives, so we feel incredibly proud to be transforming the citys access to lightning-fast and super reliable broadband. We appreciate that a project of this scale can be disruptive for residents and business owners, but would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support and patience. This state-of-the-art network will future-proof Glasgows digital infrastructure for the years ahead, bringing with it a host of productivity, innovation and investment gains.

CityFibres main gigabit-capable network competitors in the city are Virgin Media, Openreach and Hyperoptic  all have significant levels of local coverage. Some smaller alternative networks, such as FibreNest, are also present and there are others operating in outlying areas (e.g. Netomnia).

UPDATE 12:31pm

Weve been informed by CityFibres PR agency that an error was made on the original press release and the build is in fact still due to be substantially completed by the end of 2025, rather than by 2029.
1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

THE demand for lithium is rising as it has become a critical component needed in electric vehicle batteries.In 2021, the world produced 540 thousand metric tons of lithium and by 2030 the World Economic Forum projects the global demand will reach over 3 million metric tons.Reserves of lithium have been discovered throughout the entire African continent with Zimbabwe, Namibia, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mali all having notable supplies.The price of lithium has skyrocketed. In May 2022, the price was seven times higher than it was at the start of 2021.Mineral-rich nations like Zimbabwe are taking note.Zimbabwe has been mining lithium for 60 years and the government estimates that its Chinese-owned Bikita Minerals Mine, which is located 300 kilometers south of the capital Harare, has about 11 million metric tons of lithium resources.The country is the sixth largest producer of lithium, and the International Trade Administration projects that once it fully exploits its known resources it could potentially meet 20% of the world's demand."We've seen a lot of investments within the mining sector over the past few years," said Prosper Chitambara, a development economist for the Labor and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe."For us to realize the full potential from the mining sector, it means we have to move up the value chain."In December 2022, Zimbabwe passed the Base Mineral Export Control Act that banned the export of raw lithium.However, companies that are in the process of developing mines or processing plants in Zimbabwe are exempt from this ban. That includes Chinese firms Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt which have invested $678 million into lithium projects in Zimbabwe."Any government in the world is bound to react when your resources are just flying in all directions," said Farai Maguwu, director of Zimbabwe's Center for Natural Resource Governance."However, the lithium concentrate is still being exported lawfully out of the country. I think the government simply wanted to control the lithium that was being extracted by artisanal miners, which was not being accounted for and it was being smuggled out of the country."Artisanal mining, or small-scale mining, is a largely informal method where individuals use basic tools to extract minerals. The Zimbabwean government estimates that artisanal mining plays a critical role in the livelihood of over 1 million Zimbabweans."Artisanal miners were the most affected by the ban," said Joseph Mujere, a lecturer in Modern African History at the University of York."They had already accumulated loads of raw lithium that they were preparing to sell," he said.The Center for Natural Resource Governance estimates the government has lost nearly $2 billion in minerals smuggled across the border through artisanal mining leakage."There are two narratives," Maguwu said."The political narrative that mining is the savior of the economy. Then the grassroots narrative, which says mining is undermining our livelihoods. We sit in between. We want to see mining contribute to the economy, but not at the expense of the Zimbabwean people."While artisanal miners were affected by the export ban, the Chinese have benefited from its exemptions. Both the Bikita mine, which is the largest lithium mine in the country, and the Arcadia Lithium mine are Chinese owned.In 2022, Chinese mining companies Tsingshan, China Nonferrous invested nearly $1.5 billion in Zimbabwe and in the same year, Sinomine Resource Group announced its plans to expand its current production at the Bikita mine by investing $200 million into building a new lithium plant."When we invest in the Chinese and allow them to come and do what the Zimbabweans are capable of doing, we are building China, not Zimbabwe," Maguwu said."Zimbabweans are saying leave room for the Zimbabwean people."The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe declined to comment on this statement.China accounts for over 70% of global EV battery production capacity, and with over 20 years of consistent commitment to African nations it has placed itself in the right position to access the resources needed to continue this trend."The Chinese have played for keeps," said Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "The United States, our relationship is not always permanent. The Chinese are just consistent in that way," he said.In December, President Joe Biden welcomed 49 African leaders to Washington, D.C., for the country's second U.S.-African Leaders Summit and its first since the Obama administration."The United States is all in on Africa's future," Biden remarked at the summit.The summit was seen as an important step in trying to restore relations, which were rocky during the Trump administration. Notably missing from the event, however, was Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has been under U.S. travel sanctions since 2002. Foreign Affairs Minister Frederick Shava attended in his place."The fact that he came is also still a signal that the U.S. is interested in keeping the door open with Zimbabwe," Dizolele said.While the U.S. has made its intentions clear when it comes to engaging in African business, the reality is China has sunk its roots in the continent.It will be tough for the U.S. to make up for the lost time. In 2009, China overtook the U.S. as Africa's largest trading partner.The country has grown from $121 million in total traded goods with Africa in 1950 to $254 billion in 2021, compared to the U.S. which sat at $64 billion in 2021."America has not been consistent in the way it engages with Africa," said Dizolele. "If you leave and come back 10 years later, that void you left will be filled by somebody else, so it's important that we be consistent."
Perhaps most disturbing is the states increasingly invasive eye into private spaces: the cars and walking routes of private citizens.

A chilling testament to this is the fact that, within a mere span of three months, almost a million women were texted warnings from the nations police force. Their crime? Being captured by ever-watchful cameras without a hijab, as detailed by a harrowing report from Amnesty International.

According to the report, the police issued 133,174 SMS messages requiring the immobilization of vehicles for a specific duration, confiscated 2,000 cars, and referred more than 4,000 repeat offenders to the judiciary across the country.

From Iran to the world: An international call to action

Digital rights are, at their core, human rights. A society where individuals cannot communicate freely, privately, and securely is one where fundamental freedoms are under assault.

Digital rights exist alongside the right to peaceful protests in multiple ways. Encrypted communication tools can offer activists and protesters a way to communicate without the fear of government interception or retribution. When mainstream media is censored or muzzled, social media platforms can allow for the rapid dissemination of information, rallying supporters for a cause. Furthermore, the digital realm offers an expansive library of resources on peaceful protest tactics, rights awareness, and international solidarity efforts.

Iran is far from being the only regime restricting digital freedoms while using technology to suppress dissent or co-opting its surveillance. In India, for example, police have made use of an app which allows them to access privately-gathered CCTV footage.

In China, mass surveillance has been used to gather information about the movements and activities of private individuals in a form of predictive policing. Across all these examples, there is evidence that surveillance and infringement on privacy rights disproportionately target individuals and groups whose identities make them vulnerable, such as women or minorities, or whose political activities challenge the status quo.

But here lies the challenge: As governments like these become more adept at quelling online dissent, how can activists stay a step ahead?

The international community can play a crucial role. Tech companies must be pressured to safeguard user data and prioritize end-to-end encryption. Digital rights organizations and civil society should be consulted on the threats posed by state-led digital surveillance and censorship and the implications of the technology being produced.

Most importantly, the global community should consistently spotlight abuses, ensuring governments understand that the world is watching. And regulation of the digital space along human rights principles will ensure that this does not become a new environment in which Iranian women, or any others, are vulnerable to abuse and harm.

While the Iranian governments tactics are emblematic of a more significant global issue, the world must remember and uplift the unique bravery of Irans women, who stand tall even when shadows loom large. For Mahsa Amini and countless others like her, we must persist in our shared fight for digital and human rights. Their courage deserves nothing less.
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Review of Avi Shlaim, Three Worlds: Memoirs of an Arab-Jew (London: Oneworld, 2023).

Munich (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  Avi Shlaim is an Israeli-British scholar who has authored six books on the history of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the role played in it by the Kingdom of Jordan. His work has earned him a reputation, alongside other authors such as Ilan Pappe and Tom Segev, as one of the leading New Historians that challenged the official Zionist historiography on the creation of Israel and the occupation of Arab lands.

Shlaims seventh and latest book is very different from his previous works but equally enlightening. With the title Three Worlds: Memoirs of an Arab-Jew, the book fits the memoirs genre in a loose sense, as it covers Shlaims life only until he arrived at Cambridge University to read History.

In Three Worlds, the historical background of Shlaims first two decades of life is at least as important as the particular story of Shlaim and his family. Shlaim was born in Baghdad in 1945 as the second of three children in an upper-middle-class Jewish family. His father, Yusef, was a prosperous businessman and twenty-three years older than his wife Saida. Their marriage was arranged against Saidas will. The Shlaims left Iraq for Israel in 1950. Down to only four Jews according to recent reports, in the 1940s the Jewish population in Iraq had over 130,000 members, perhaps even 150,000. Shlaim describes this Jewish community as integrated and Arabized, with Jews having a major role in the national economy.

By 1951, however, less than five percent of Iraqi Jews remained in the country, and most had migrated to Israel. For a majority of Iraqi Jews, the migration to the newly created state of Israel was not the fulfillment of a wished-for return to Zion as the standard Israeli narrative would have it. Rather, their departure represented a profoundly traumatic experience. As Shlaim writes, when the Jews left Iraq an entire community was uprooted from a world in which it felt at home to one in which it had to make painful adaptations.[1]

What happened between the early 1940s and the early 1950s that introduced such a dramatic change to the lives of Iraqi Jews? Firstly, in 1941 a military coup by pro-Nazi Iraqi officers unseated the British-backed Iraqi government. British troops quickly regained control of Iraq and the mutinous officers fled. In a futile attempt to disguise what was obvious to everyone, namely that the deposed pro-British government had been returned to power on the shoulders of British soldiers, Britain stopped its troops from entering Baghdad.

Defeated Iraqi soldiers who remained in Baghdad vented their frustration on the Jewish population, widely perceived as pro-British, and engaged in property destruction, pillage, and rape, killing 179 Jews and leaving hundreds injured. Known as the farhud in Arabic (which Shlaim translates as the breakdown of law and order), the pogrom left a deep feeling of insecurity in the Iraqi Jewish population. Still, the desire to migrate to the Jewish colonies in Palestine remained rare and migration was illegal.

After the Nakba that accompanied the creation of Israel in 1948 and the new states victory against the Arab armies, the climate for Jews in Iraq significantly worsened. The defeat of the Iraqi army in Palestine was a deep humiliation for a nation that expected an easy military success. It was in this context, Shlaim remarks, that the distinction between Jews and Zionists, so crucial to interfaith harmony in the Arab world, was rapidly breaking down.[2] Ella Shoat, who has researched the history of Arab Jews and provided feedback to Shlaim for his book, captures another side of the same problem when she writes that as the Palestinians were experiencing the Nakba, Arab Jews woke up to a new world order that could not accommodate their simultaneous Jewishness and Arabness.[3]



Three Worlds: Memoirs of an Arab-Jew.

By Avi Shlaim. Click here.

In March 1950, the Iraqi parliament passed a law that allowed Iraqi Jews to legally leave the country if they renounced their nationality and never returned to Iraq. One year afterward, the uncertain status of the property held in Iraq by those Jews who had renounced their Iraqi nationality was resolved in favor of the Iraqi state, which froze these assets and claimed for itself the considerable Iraqi Jewish wealth. These are well-established facts. What remained contested over decades, however, was the authorship of five bomb attacks carried out in Iraq against the Jewish community between 1950 and 1951.

In the worst of these attacks, a grenade was thrown at a synagogue and four Jews died while another twenty were injured. Over the years, Shlaim has sought to establish who was behind these attacks. Within Shlaims family and the broader Iraqi Jewish community, it was a widespread belief that Zionist Iraqi Jews could be responsible for the attacks. Only recently Shlaim was able to confirm this, and he presents his findings in the book.

In 2017, Shlaim interviewed an Iraqi Jew, Yaacov Karkoukli, who had been a member of the Iraqi Zionist organization Hatenua. Karkoukli explained that he personally knew that the man responsible for three of the five bomb attacks was a fellow Hatenua member named Yusef Ibrahim Basri who was in contact with the Mossad. Karkoukli showed Shlaim an Iraqi police report that confirmed it.

According to Karkoukli, Basri was not guilty of the attack on the synagogue, the only one where there were casualties. The person responsible for the deaths at the synagogue was an Iraqi policeman who had been bribed by the Iraqi Zionists through another police officer to strike the synagogue. This explains four of the five bombs. The remaining one, writes Shlaim, was probably thrown by members of the Iraqi nationalist Istiqlal Party driven by their anti-Semitism.

The bombs achieved their main goal. Although the general environment for Iraqi Jews was already hostile, these terrorist attacks had an additional frightening effect, spurring many Jews to visit the Zionist offices operating in Iraq to organize their leaving for Israel. Shlaims family followed a similar course, although they had an additional reason for concern. Just a few years before, a gang had threatened to kidnap Shlaims elder sister Lydia if the family did not pay a ransom. The Iraqi police had intervened and captured those responsible for the threats, but the members of the gang were about to be released from prison and the family feared retaliation.

Once in Israel, the majority of Iraqi Jews were convinced that Israel had been partly responsible for uprooting them from their homeland, whereas the Israelis that received them believed that the Arab Jews should be thankful for having been saved from annihilation in Iraq. The Shlaims were relatively lucky as they managed to settle down in Ramat Gan, close to Tel Aviv, unlike many other Iraqi Jews who were given no other choice but to work in moshavim and kibbutzim in the desert.

Nevertheless, for the Shlaims their new life in Israel represented a move down the social and economic ladder.[4] Shlaims father tried his luck with some business deals that eventually failed, and he remained unemployed until he died in 1970. In Israel, he was a shadow of the man he had been in Iraq.[5] Shlaims mother, who had had a leisurely existence in Iraq thanks to several servants, was now not only in charge of the family home but also took a job as a telephonist. At school, Shlaim struggled to get good grades and felt discriminated against for being a Mizrahi (Easterner) Jew in a society politically and economically dominated by Ashkenazi Jews, whose origins lay in Europe.

This feeling of alienation, the author explains, might be what temporarily led him to feel interpellated by Menachem Begin, the leader of Herut (later renamed as Likud), who would become the first right-wing Prime Minister of Israel after the 1977 election. Although Begins economic liberalism was hardly in the interests of the Arab Jews, who normally had a lower socioeconomic status than the Ashkenazim, the Herut politician knew how to appeal to the Mizrahims feelings, explains Shlaim, who attended some of Begins speeches as a teenager.

Shlaims limited interest in his education shifted to enthusiasm and a sense of duty towards his family when his mother organized his departure to study in England, where he studied in a Jewish high school for three years. Here, it is clear that one of the most commendable traits of Three Worlds is the honesty of its author.

Shlaim reflects on how he was privileged over his sisters in terms of education opportunities because of him being the only son. Whereas Shlaims mother had been saving and planning for him to continue his studies abroad, his sisters were forced into the job market. Moreover, one can hardly argue that Shlaim was in any way advantaged in England, having arrived there as a teenager who knew little English. Still, Shlaim explains that he continues to feel a certain guilt about the fact that his history teacher at high school, who had acquaintances at Cambridge University, interceded for him to secure a spot in such a renowned university.

Before returning to England to study at Cambridge, Shlaim had to complete more than two years of military service in Israel. He describes this period in the army as the moment when he felt closer to Israeli nationalism. Unlike before in Israel, he did not have the feeling of being out of place.[6] During the following decades, however, Shlaim would dedicate his research to debunking some of the core elements in Israels standard historical narrative. The Israeli-British scholar now espouses support for a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Three Worlds is a captivating book. Shlaim is equally skillful in introducing to the reader the history of his family as he is when adopting the more detached perspective of the historian, which shines the brightest in his research about the bombings against Jewish targets in Baghdad. Three Worlds, together with the recently published The Loneliest Revolution: A Memoir of Solidarity and Struggle in Iran, written by the sociologist Ali Mirsepassi, are proof of the special value to be found in the memoirs of experienced scholars that combine their personal stories with broader history.

[1] Avi Shlaim, Three Worlds: Memoirs of an Arab-Jew (London: Oneworld, 2023), p. 7.

[2] Ibid., p. 101.

[3] Ella Shohat, Seventy Years since the Departure of Iraqi Jews. Orient XXI, October 22, 2020. https://orientxxi.info/magazine/seventy-years-since-the-departure-of-iraqi-jews,4187.

[4] Ibid., p. 170.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid., p. 292.
VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Nevada King Gold Corp. (TSXV: NKG) (OTCQX: NKGFF) ("Nevada King" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results from three, vertical reverse circulation ("RC") holes recently completed at its Atlanta Gold Mine Project located 264km northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, in the prolific Battle Mountain Trend. These holes were drilled northwest of the Atlanta pit to fill-in drill hole gaps across the northern part of the West Atlanta Graben Zone ("WAGZ") identifed in Section 22-15N initially reported on April 27, 2023. The three holes reported today are plotted on plan and section in Figures 2 and 3.

Highlights:

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AT23WS-44 214.9 323.2 108.2 11.64 17.4 Includes 274.4 303.4 29.0 37.16 34.4 Includes 283.5 286.6 3.0 162.6 15.6

Table 1. Highlight hole released today. This hole is interpreted to have intersected a sub vertical feeder zone cutting through a flat-lying horizon of mineralization that generally dips westward. For discussion of true thickness, see detailed interpretation section and accompanying discussion below.

11.64 g/t Au over 108.2m , including 37.16 g/t Au over 29.0m in AT23WS-44 is the most gold rich drill hole ever recorded at Atlanta and contains the highest-grade individual drill assay interval ever reported from the project of 169.8 g/t Au over 1.5m . See Table 2 below for a detailed breakdown of the full 29m high grade interval and Table 3 for the complete detailed breakdown of the 108.2m intercept.





in AT23WS-44 is and contains the . See Table 2 below for a detailed breakdown of the full high grade interval and Table 3 for the complete detailed breakdown of the intercept. AT23WS-44 was sited 120m northwest of the Atlanta pit to locate and test the West Atlanta Fault #1 (WAF1) and was collared 20m west of previously reported AT22WS-5C (1.08 g/t Au over 112.7m ) and 22m east of previously reported AT23WS-20 (3.04 g/t Au over 61.1m ).





northwest of the pit to locate and test the West Atlanta Fault #1 (WAF1) and was collared west of previously reported AT22WS-5C (1.08 g/t Au over ) and east of previously reported AT23WS-20 (3.04 g/t Au over ). The Company's new geological model supports the presence of very high-grade zones or 'jewelry boxes' that can occur at the juncture between sub-vertical feeder zones and flat-lying horizons of replacement-type ( Carlin -type) mineralization. Figure 1 below depicts a conceptual cross section across the high-grade feeder zone hit in AT23WS-44 based on a generalized Carlin -type geological model.

Figure 1. Conceptual cross section across high-grade feeder zone hit in AT23WS-44 utilizing a well known, generalized Carlin-type geological model. Gold is preferentially deposited within the 70m to 100m thick replacement horizon consisting of receptive carbonate beds, while the high-grade core forms around the structural intersection of this near-horizontal replacement horizon with the West Atlanta Fault #1 that served as the feeder structure that channeled mineralizing fluids into the receptive horizon. Figure adapted from: Robert et al (2007), and Zhou (2009), "Multi-scale integrated application of spectral geology and remote sensing for mineral exploration," Conference Exploration 17, Toronto, 2017.

As shown above, AT23WS-44 is interpreted to have penetrated the mineralized zone near the middle of a high-grade zone close to and possibly intersecting the WAF1. AT23WS-20 intersected the western portion of the +3 g/t Au high-grade zone while AT23WS-5C on the east narrowly missed the high-grade domain.





Now with WAF1 firmly located, the Company is planning to follow up on AT23WS-44 with closely spaced vertical holes east and west to better determine the lateral extent and grade distribution in and around the feeder structure, while also following it along strike, where it remains open to the north and south.





Mineralization in this high-grade interval is strongly oxidized as demonstrated by the Au cyanide solubility analyses in Table 2 below. Visible gold has not been observed in the cuttings. The absence or paucity of coarse-grained gold is supported by the consistent results from duplicate fire assays of all high-grade intervals (see Table 7).

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) AuCN (g/t) Ag (g/t) AT23WS-44 274.4 275.9 1.5 25.92 22.23 14.3 AT23WS-44 275.9 277.4 1.5 22.52 18.81 13.7 AT23WS-44 277.4 279.0 1.5 16.60 16.06 17.6 AT23WS-44 279.0 280.5 1.5 30.00 25.08 21.3 AT23WS-44 280.5 282.0 1.5 57.15 43.99 14.2 AT23WS-44 282.0 283.5 1.5 34.57 28.12 13.4 AT23WS-44 283.5 285.1 1.5 169.80 >100 13.2 AT23WS-44 285.1 286.6 1.5 155.40 >100 18 AT23WS-44 286.6 288.1 1.5 47.95 41.80 40.2 AT23WS-44 288.1 289.6 1.5 13.20 11.78 27.5 AT23WS-44 289.6 291.2 1.5 13.88 11.97 23.5 AT23WS-44 291.2 292.7 1.5 6.68 5.31 33.2 AT23WS-44 292.7 294.2 1.5 11.92 9.60 46.6 AT23WS-44 294.2 295.7 1.5 18.05 15.87 42.8 AT23WS-44 295.7 297.3 1.5 13.55 11.02 42.9 AT23WS-44 297.3 298.8 1.5 11.22 10.17 75.8 AT23WS-44 298.8 300.3 1.5 13.37 11.50 47.3 AT23WS-44 300.3 301.8 1.5 19.60 14.73 64.3 AT23WS-44 301.8 303.4 1.5 25.12 20.05 83.6

Table 2. Assay results for 29m thick high grade oxide interval averaging 37.16g/t Au in AT23WS-044 on a 1.52m basis. Gold grades being reported are based on averaging the 30gm ICP analyses with the corresponding gravimetric analyses.

Cal Herron, Exploration Manager of Nevada King, stated, "Today's high-grade interval in AT23WS-44 gives us another starting point for tracking higher-grades proximal to high-angle feeder structures cutting up through the flat lying horizons that correlate to stratigraphy hosting most of the gold at Atlanta  namely the silica breccia and overlying silicified volcanic horizons. As seen in Figures 1 and 3, the rhyolitic intrusive breccia hosting the highest grade mineralization in the hole probably intruded along the WAF1 and will be easy to visually track in the up-coming offset holes of AT23WS-44 that will be drilled to further expand upon this "bonanza grade" mineralization. It is important to note that the high-grade "core" mineralization seen in AT23WS-44 (29m @ 37.16 g/t Au) is not related to a narrow vein that was drilled down, but rather occurs within the same flat-lying replacement horizon penetrated in surrounding holes at similar elevation  i.e. 1741m1770m a.s.l (above sea level). For example, nearby holes in the northern portion of the WAGZ intersected the following high-grade mineralization 

AT23WS-20, located 20m west of AT23WS-44, returned 27.6m @ 4.67 g/t Au from 1730m - 1758m a.s.l.

west of AT23WS-44, returned @ 4.67 g/t Au from a.s.l. AT23WS-22, located 68m west of AT23WS-44, returned 7.6m @ 28.5 g/t Au from 1743- 1750m a.s.l.

west of AT23WS-44, returned @ 28.5 g/t Au from a.s.l. AT22WS-2, located 41m north of AT23WS-44, returned 33.6m @ 4.10 g/t Au from 1746m - 1780m a.s.l.

north of AT23WS-44, returned @ 4.10 g/t Au from a.s.l. AT23WS-23, located 63m northwest of AT23WS-44, returned 12.2m @ 8.78 g/t Au from 1745m - 1757m a.s.l.

Elsewhere within the Atlanta resource zone we see very similar elevation control over high-grade mineralization. Examples near the East Atlanta Fault within the AMFZ include 

AT21-62 returned 10.7m @ 11.19 g/t Au from 1942m - 1953m a.s.l.

@ 11.19 g/t Au from - a.s.l. AT23NS-116 returned 4.6m @ 7.31 g/t Au from 1937m - 1942m a.s.l.

@ 7.31 g/t Au from - a.s.l. AT22NS-81T returned 5.3m @ 10.73 g/t Au from 1925m - 1931m a.s.l.

The same pattern is apparent across the southern portion of the WAGZ 

AT22-8T returned 13.4m @ 7.65 g/t Au from 1879m - 1893m a.s.l.

@ 7.65 g/t Au from - a.s.l. AT22SE-42 returned 13.7m @ 4.05 g/t from 1864m - 1888m a.s.l.

@ 4.05 g/t from - a.s.l. AT23HG-28 returned 12.2m @ 7.59 g/t Au from 1841m - 1854m a.s.l.

@ 7.59 g/t Au from - a.s.l. AT23HG-34 returned 27.4m @ 4.50 g/t Au from 1841m - 1870m a.s.l.

@ 4.50 g/t Au from - a.s.l. AT22HG-13 returned 12.2m @ 17.59 g/t Au from 1875m - 1887m a.s.l.

The high grade intercepts cited above occur within discrete groups or clusters located across the entire resource zone, with holes in each cluster sharing the same elevation ranges. This argues strongly for the high-grades being hosted within near-horizontal replacement horizons versus narrow, high-angle faults/veins. If these intercepts occurred along high-angle fault surfaces, we would not see a uniform horizontal geometry, instead the intercept elevations within an individual cluster of holes proximal to each other would indicate a steeply dipping plane. Close-spaced drilling along suspected high-grade zones has now provided Nevada King with enough information to concentrate on drill-defining these relatively narrow (<20m wide) but very high-grade, linear intersection zones involving high-angle "feeder" faults and flat-lying replacement horizons."

Figure 2. Location map for holes reported in this news release along drill Section22-15N(2) relative to the perimeter of the historical Atlanta Pit and footprint of the Gustavson 2020 NI 43-101 resource. Shallow drillholes on the mine dumps have been removed from the plot for clarity.

Figure 3. Cross section 22-15N(2) looking north across the northern portion of the Atlanta Mine Fault Zone and West Atlanta Graben Zone.

Additional Details:

Holes AT23WS-25A ( 24.4m grading 1.19 g/t Au from 318.6 to 343.0m ) and AT23WS-41 ( 22.9m grading 0.293 g/t Au from 335.4 to 358.2m ) were drilled west of previously reported hole AT23WS-22 ( 42.8m @ 5.64 g/t Au) in order to define the western boundary of the WAGZ. Both of these new holes hit deeper, lower grade mineralization on the west side of the West Atlanta Fault #2 (WAF2), which bounds the western margin of the WAGZ. Gold grade in this area clearly decreases westward from the WAF2.





were drilled west of previously reported hole AT23WS-22 ( @ 5.64 g/t Au) in order to define the western boundary of the WAGZ. Both of these new holes hit deeper, lower grade mineralization on the west side of the West Atlanta Fault #2 (WAF2), which bounds the western margin of the WAGZ. Gold grade in this area clearly decreases westward from the WAF2. The high grade intercept in previously reported hole AT23WS-22 ( 42.8m @ 5.64 g/t Au) is attributed to close proximity to the WAF2. Now that we know where this fault is located, we will be drilling along strike of it to the north and south in order to further extend the higher-grade mineralization.





@ 5.64 g/t Au) is attributed to close proximity to the WAF2. Now that we know where this fault is located, we will be drilling along strike of it to the north and south in order to further extend the higher-grade mineralization. Additional in-fill drilling is needed between AT23WS-5C and AT23NS-104 in order to fill a large 88m gap that currently exists between AT23WS-5C and the West Atlanta Fault (see Figure 3).

Detailed Interpretation:

The Company's interpretation of today's highlight interval is that gold mineralizing fluids have migrated laterally from the high-angle WAF1 (the feeder structure) into a larger receptive, flat-lying breccia horizon with gold grades generally decreasing gradationally with horizontal distance from the feeder structure (Figure 1). The Company does not have sufficient data to accurately estimate true width of the high grade feeder structure, but true thickness of the high grade zones within the overall flat-lying mineralized horizon is far more apparent. As an example, simply comparing the 29m-thick high grade intercept (37.16 g/t Au) in AT23WS-44 with the 27.4m high grade intercept (4.67 g/t Au) in AT23WS-20 illustrates the flat-lying nature of the high grade horizon connecting these two holes. The mineralized zone in AT23WS-44 starts at an elevation of 1770m a.s.l. (above sea level) while the same mineralized horizon in AT23WS-20, located 21m to the west of AT23WS-44, starts at an elevation of 1758m a.s.l. This flat-lying geometry to the replacement horizon is noted throughout the Atlanta deposit as discussed above.

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AT23WS-44 214.9 216.5 1.5 1.47 <0.5 AT23WS-44 216.5 218.0 1.5 1.51 <0.5 AT23WS-44 218.0 219.5 1.5 2.72 <0.5 AT23WS-44 219.5 221.0 1.5 1.70 <0.5 AT23WS-44 221.0 222.6 1.5 0.85 <0.5 AT23WS-44 222.6 224.1 1.5 0.40 <0.5 AT23WS-44 224.1 225.6 1.5 0.26 <0.5 AT23WS-44 225.6 227.1 1.5 0.27 <0.5 AT23WS-44 227.1 228.7 1.5 0.72 0.8 AT23WS-44 228.7 230.2 1.5 0.76 0.9 AT23WS-44 230.2 231.7 1.5 0.33 2.1 AT23WS-44 231.7 233.2 1.5 0.24 2.9 AT23WS-44 233.2 234.8 1.5 0.39 2.5 AT23WS-44 234.8 236.3 1.5 0.22 2.5 AT23WS-44 236.3 237.8 1.5 0.24 5 AT23WS-44 237.8 239.3 1.5 0.51 8.1 AT23WS-44 239.3 240.9 1.5 1.26 8 AT23WS-44 240.9 242.4 1.5 1.83 9.2 AT23WS-44 242.4 243.9 1.5 3.41 9.1 AT23WS-44 243.9 245.4 1.5 5.85 15.5 AT23WS-44 245.4 247.0 1.5 3.84 9 AT23WS-44 247.0 248.5 1.5 3.57 7.1 AT23WS-44 248.5 250.0 1.5 1.82 4.9 AT23WS-44 250.0 251.5 1.5 2.15 6.9 AT23WS-44 251.5 253.0 1.5 6.68 11.6 AT23WS-44 253.0 254.6 1.5 9.88 18.3 AT23WS-44 254.6 256.1 1.5 5.72 12.7 AT23WS-44 256.1 257.6 1.5 3.23 12.2 AT23WS-44 257.6 259.1 1.5 0.35 7.5 AT23WS-44 259.1 260.7 1.5 0.09 6.3 AT23WS-44 260.7 262.2 1.5 0.13 6.1 AT23WS-44 262.2 263.7 1.5 0.15 5.8 AT23WS-44 263.7 265.2 1.5 0.31 14.6 AT23WS-44 265.2 266.8 1.5 0.54 12.2 AT23WS-44 266.8 268.3 1.5 0.81 25.2 AT23WS-44 268.3 269.8 1.5 0.98 20.6 AT23WS-44 269.8 271.3 1.5 1.35 25.7 AT23WS-44 271.3 272.9 1.5 1.54 11 AT23WS-44 272.9 274.4 1.5 8.96 12.1 AT23WS-44 274.4 275.9 1.5 25.92 14.3 AT23WS-44 275.9 277.4 1.5 22.52 13.7 AT23WS-44 277.4 279.0 1.5 16.60 17.6 AT23WS-44 279.0 280.5 1.5 30.00 21.3 AT23WS-44 280.5 282.0 1.5 57.15 14.2 AT23WS-44 282.0 283.5 1.5 34.57 13.4 AT23WS-44 283.5 285.1 1.5 169.80 13.2 AT23WS-44 285.1 286.6 1.5 155.40 18 AT23WS-44 286.6 288.1 1.5 47.95 40.2 AT23WS-44 288.1 289.6 1.5 13.20 27.5 AT23WS-44 289.6 291.2 1.5 13.88 23.5 AT23WS-44 291.2 292.7 1.5 6.68 33.2 AT23WS-44 292.7 294.2 1.5 11.92 46.6 AT23WS-44 294.2 295.7 1.5 18.05 42.8 AT23WS-44 295.7 297.3 1.5 13.55 42.9 AT23WS-44 297.3 298.8 1.5 11.22 75.8 AT23WS-44 298.8 300.3 1.5 13.37 47.3 AT23WS-44 300.3 301.8 1.5 19.60 64.3 AT23WS-44 301.8 303.4 1.5 25.12 83.6 AT23WS-44 303.4 304.9 1.5 8.11 93.3 AT23WS-44 304.9 306.4 1.5 7.41 66.1 AT23WS-44 306.4 307.9 1.5 2.38 10.0 AT23WS-44 307.9 309.5 1.5 1.79 8.8 AT23WS-44 309.5 311.0 1.5 1.67 12.6 AT23WS-44 311.0 312.5 1.5 0.88 8.7 AT23WS-44 312.5 314.0 1.5 1.29 5.4 AT23WS-44 314.0 315.5 1.5 1.22 6.3 AT23WS-44 315.5 317.1 1.5 6.38 12.8 AT23WS-44 317.1 318.6 1.5 6.81 20.0 AT23WS-44 318.6 320.1 1.5 2.01 11.2 AT23WS-44 320.1 321.6 1.5 2.09 15.5 AT23WS-44 321.6 323.2 1.5 1.39 11.4

Table 3. Assay results for 108m thick high-grade oxide interval averaging 11.65 g/t Au in AT23WS-44 on a 1.52m basis.

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Notes AT23WS-44 214.9 323.2 108.2 11.65 17.4 Includes 274.4 303.4 29.0 37.18 34.4 Includes 283.5 286.6 3.0 162.6 15.6 AT23WS-25A 318.6 343.0 24.4 1.19 11.7 Bottomed in Mineralization AT23WS-41 335.4 358.2 22.9 0.29 15.1

Table 4. All holes reported today along Section22-15N. Mineralization occurs along flat-lying horizons generally dipping gently westward; true mineralized thickness in vertical holes is estimated to be between 85% and 95% of reported drill intercept length.

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Notes AT23WS-22 288.0 330.8 42.8 5.64 6.7 Bottomed in Mineralization Includes 292.7 300.3 7.6 28.5 10.7 AT23WS-21 280.5 343.0 62.5 0.31 3.3 AT22WS-4 279.0 346.0 67.0 2.07 12.1 Includes 317.1 333.8 16.7 3.63 12.6 AT23WS-20 275.9 337.0 61.1 3.04 21.4 Bottomed in Mineralization Includes 286.6 291.2 4.6 15.84 19.8 AT23WS-5C 207.3 320.0 112.7 1.08 14.8 Bottomed in Mineralization AT23NS-104 198.2 244.0 45.8 0.35 5.0 AT23NS-103 192.1 202.7 10.6 0.37 3.4 AT23NS-102 129.5 141.8 12.3 0.41 23.4 And 166.2 190.5 24.3 0.40 5.2 AT23NS-101 71.6 111.3 39.7 0.17 19.1

Table 5. Previously reported holes used along updated Section 22-15N. AT22 series holes were drilled by Nevada King in 2022 and the AT21 series holes were drilled in 2021. True thickness of gold mineralization interpreted in today's release is 95% to 100% of the reported intercept length in vertical holes. *Denotes holes that bottomed in mineralization. ^Denotes angle hole.

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Notes DHRI-11-NRC4 317.1 353.7 36.6 1.71 6.8 KR98-21* 242.4 262.2 19.8 1.19 1.6 Bottomed in Mineralization

Table 6: Historical holes used in Section 22-15N. KR98 series hole was drilled by Kinross in 1998. DHRI series hole was drilled by Meadow Bay in 2011. Mineralization occurs along flat-lying horizons generally dipping gently westward; true mineralized thickness in vertical holes is estimated to be between 85% and 95% of reported drill intercept length.

*Denotes angle hole.

QA/QC Protocols

All Reverse Circulation (RC) samples from the Atlanta Project are taken at 1.5 m intervals, split at the drill site and placed in cloth and plastic bags utilizing a nominal 2kg sample weight. Certified Reference Material (CRM) standards, blanks, and blind duplicates are inserted into the sample stream on-site on a one-in-twenty sample basis, meaning all three control inserts are included in each 20-sample group. Samples are shipped by a local contractor in large sample shipping crates directly to American Assay Lab in Reno ("AAL"), Nevada, with full custody being maintained at all times. At AAL, samples were weighed then crushed to 75% passing 2mm and pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns in order to produce a 300g pulverized split. Prepared samples are initially run using a four acid + boric acid digestion process and conventional multi-element ICP-OES analysis. Gold assays are initially run using 30-gram samples by lead fire assay with an OES finish to a 0.003 ppm detection limit, with samples greater than 10 ppm finished gravimetrically. Every sample is also run through a cyanide leach for gold with an ICP-OES finish. For Au values above 10 g/t, AAL routinely re-assays samples using a 30gm gravimetric fire assay. For the 29m high grade interval in AT23WS-44, AAL inserted three lab duplicates that results in percent differences of 1.80%, 2.48%, and 2.59%. No visible gold was logged in this hole. Sample weights were consistent.

Table 7 contains the complete assay report for the interval 195.1m to T.D. at 330.8m for AT23WS-44 showing sample weights as received at American Assay Lab plus lab blank, duplicate, and CRM standards along with Nevada King's inserted field blanks, duplicates, and CRM standards. The high grade intervals were assayed by 30gm fire with ICP finish and then check-assayed via 30 gm gravimetric fire assay. Gold cyanide solubility assays were performed on every sample. As seen in Table 6, the 30gm ICP analyses match closely with the gravimetric analyses, indicating minimal nugget effect and high reproducibility. The consistent Au cyanide analyses indicate strong oxidation and little evidence of significant sulfide encapsulation. Fairly consistent sample weights indicate good, overall RC recovery, particularly within the very high grade intervals, to the extent that down-hole contamination from upper high grade intervals is unlikely. When 10m to 20m lengths of low sample weights occur, or sustained lack of sample recovery occurs, then down-hole contamination is more likely to occur. This is not the case with AT23WS-44.

Wt Au Au Au BRPP2KG FAPB30-ICP GRAVAu30 AuCN30 0.01 0.003 0.103 0.01 SAMPLES Comments From (m) To (m) Weight (kg) ppm ppm ppm 1880368 195.1 201.2 5.30 -0.003 -0.01 1880368-X AAL dup of 1880368 0.003 -0.01 1880369 201.2 207.3 7.90 0.011 0.01 1880370 207.3 213.4 6.50 -0.003 -0.01 1880371 213.4 214.9 1.30 0.047 0.05 1880372 214.9 216.5 4.40 1.470 1.46 1880373 216.5 218.0 6.70 1.510 1.12 1880374 218.0 219.5 2.00 2.720 2.44 1880375 NKG dup of 1880374 1.20 3.490 2.63 1880376 219.5 221.0 7.90 1.700 1.29 STD- OxC168 AAL STD (0.213 g/t Au) 0.223 0.22 1880377 221.0 222.6 0.90 0.848 0.65 1880377-X AAL dup. of 1880377 0.832 0.64 1880378 222.6 224.1 5.80 0.399 0.37 1880379 224.1 225.6 3.20 0.260 0.24 1880380 NKG blank 0.70 0.005 -0.01 1880381 225.6 227.1 4.60 0.271 0.24 1880382 227.1 228.7 3.60 0.720 0.65 1880383 228.7 230.2 6.50 0.759 0.60 1880384 230.2 231.7 5.40 0.325 0.26 1880385 NKG STD (1.081 g/t Au) 1.110 0.96 1880386 231.7 233.2 6.60 0.243 0.20 1880387 233.2 234.8 1.60 0.390 0.32 1880388 234.8 236.3 3.70 0.220 0.17 BLANK AAL blank -0.003 -0.01 1880389 236.3 237.8 2.70 0.236 0.23 1880390 NKG dup of 1880389 4.00 0.319 0.23 1880390-X AAL dup of 1880390 0.306 0.24 1880391 237.8 239.3 7.70 0.508 0.46 1880392 239.3 240.9 2.70 1.260 1.07 1880393 240.9 242.4 3.40 1.830 1.52 1880394 242.4 243.9 7.60 3.410 2.76 1880395 243.9 245.4 6.20 5.850 5.04 1880396 245.4 247.0 3.50 3.840 3.39 1880397 247.0 248.5 6.20 3.570 3.06 1880398 248.5 250.0 5.70 1.820 1.57 STD- CDN-CM-47 AAL STD (1.13 g/t Au) 1.140 1.06 1880399 250.0 251.5 7.60 2.150 1.73 1880399-X AAL dup. of 1880399 2.210 1.67 1880400 251.5 253.0 2.70 6.680 6.44 1880401 253.0 254.6 7.10 9.880 8.29 1880402 254.6 256.1 5.80 5.720 5.62 1880403 256.1 257.6 4.30 3.230 2.97 1880404 257.6 259.1 1.60 0.348 0.30 1880405 NKG dup. of 1880404 3.00 0.213 0.20 1880406 259.1 260.7 4.60 0.088 0.07 1880406-X AAL dup. of 1880406 0.090 0.07 BLANK AAL blank -0.003 -0.01 1880407 260.7 262.2 0.90 0.128 0.10 1880408 262.2 263.7 2.50 0.146 0.08 1880409 263.7 265.2 2.50 0.311 0.30 1880410 NKG blank 0.60 0.003 -0.01 1880411 265.2 266.8 5.60 0.542 0.42 1880412 266.8 268.3 4.90 0.808 0.67 1880413 268.3 269.8 2.10 0.975 0.75 1880414 269.8 271.3 3.70 1.350 1.30 1880415 NKG STD (0.056 g/t Au) 0.071 0.05 1880416 271.3 272.9 1.30 1.540 1.43 1880417 272.9 274.4 2.20 8.960 7.45 1880417-X AAL dup of 1880417 8.800 7.17 1880418 274.4 275.9 3.20 25.500 26.333 22.23 1880419 275.9 277.4 2.70 22.500 22.533 18.81 1880420 NKG dup of 1880419 3.80 20.900 22.200 18.81 1880421 277.4 279.0 2.80 16.200 17.000 16.06 1880422 279.0 280.5 1.40 29.800 30.200 25.08 STD - SK120 AAL STD (4.075 g/t Au) 4.030 3.95 1880423 280.5 282.0 6.90 57.100 57.200 43.99 1880423-X AAL dup of 1880423 55.700 42.47 1880424 282.0 283.5 6.30 34.600 34.533 28.12 1880425 283.5 285.1 7.30 >100 169.800 >100 1880426 285.1 286.6 5.60 >100 155.400 >100 1880427 286.6 288.1 6.80 47.600 48.067 41.80 1880428 288.1 289.6 4.30 12.600 13.400 11.78 1880429 289.6 291.2 1.20 13.500 14.000 11.97 1880430 291.2 292.7 8.20 6.680 5.31 1880431 292.7 294.2 7.00 11.700 12.133 9.60 1880431-X AAL dup of 1880431 11.400 9.50 1880432 294.2 295.7 0.90 17.900 18.200 15.87 1880433 295.7 297.3 5.50 13.300 13.800 11.02 1880434 297.3 298.8 4.50 11.100 11.333 10.17 1880435 NKG dup of 1880434 3.40 11.900 12.267 10.07 STD - OxC168 AAL STD (0.213 g/t Au) 0.222 0.22 1880436 298.8 300.3 1.00 13.400 13.333 11.50 1880437 300.3 301.8 3.70 20.000 19.200 14.73 1880438 301.8 303.4 1.20 24.500 25.733 20.05 1880439 303.4 304.9 1.30 8.110 7.09 1880440 NKG blank 0.60 -0.003 -0.01 1880441 304.9 306.4 1.00 7.410 6.03 1880441-X AAL dup of 1880441 7.180 6.07 1880442 306.4 307.9 1.70 2.380 1.96 1880443 307.9 309.5 1.50 1.790 1.54 1880444 309.5 311.0 6.00 1.670 1.38 1880445 NKG STD (0.056 g/t Au) 0.062 0.05 1880446 311.0 312.5 4.20 0.875 0.70 BLANK AAL blank -0.003 -0.01 1880447 312.5 314.0 1.60 1.290 1.02 1880447-X AAL dup of 1880447 1.280 1.04 1880448 314.0 315.5 4.80 1.220 1.00 1880449 315.5 317.1 1.80 6.380 5.44 1880450 NKG dup of 1880449 2.10 6.460 5.16 1880451 317.1 318.6 2.20 6.810 5.61 1880452 318.6 320.1 4.00 2.010 1.75 1880453 320.1 321.6 5.40 2.090 1.79 1880454 321.6 323.2 5.50 1.390 1.10 1880455 323.2 324.7 3.90 0.195 0.16 1880456 324.7 326.2 3.40 0.286 0.20 1880456-X AAL dup. of 1880456 0.277 0.20 STD - CDN-CM-47 AAL STD (1.13 g/t Au) 1.150 0.93 1880457 326.2 327.7 5.30 0.110 0.09 1880458 327.7 329.3 3.30 0.460 0.39 1880459 329.3 330.8 3.70 0.292 0.24

Table 7. Assay report table from American Assay Lab (AAL) for RC hole AT23WS-044 with AAL's CRM (STD), blank, and duplicate (dup.) sample inserts and Nevada King's (NKG) field inserts.

AAL-inserted CRM Standards:

CDM-CM-47 1.13 g/t Au +/- 0.11 g/t Canadian Resource Lab. Ltd., Langley B.C.

OxC168 0.213 g/t Au +/- 0.002 g/t Rock Labs, Auckland NZ

SK120 4.075 g/t Au +/- 0.03 g/t Rock Labs, Auckland NZ

NKG-inserted CRM Standards:

Batch # 75226 0.056 g/t Au +/- 0.003 g/t Klen International Pty. Ltd., Neerabup Western Australia

Batch # 73915 1.081 g/t Au +/- 0.03 g/t Klen International Pty. Ltd., Neerabup Western Australia

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Calvin R. Herron, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

About Nevada King Gold Corp.

Nevada King is the third largest mineral claim holder in the State of Nevada, behind Nevada Gold Mines (Barrick/Newmont) and Kinross Gold. Starting in 2016, the Company has staked large project areas hosting significant historical exploration work along the Battle Mountain trend located close to current or former producing gold mines. These project areas were initially targeted based on their potential for hosting multi-million-ounce gold deposits and were subsequently staked following a detailed geological evaluation. District-scale projects in Nevada King's portfolio include (1) the 100% owned Atlanta Mine, located 100km southeast of Ely, (2) the Lewis and Horse Mountain-Mill Creek projects, both located between Nevada Gold Mines' large Phoenix and Pipeline mines, and (3) the Iron Point project, located 35km east of Winnemucca, Nevada.

The Atlanta Mine is a historical gold-silver producer with a NI 43-101 compliant pit-constrained resource of 460,000 oz Au in the measured and indicated category (11.0M tonnes at 1.3 g/t) plus an inferred resource of 142,000 oz Au (5.3M tonnes at 0.83 g/t). See the NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources titled "Atlanta Property, Lincoln County, NV" with an effective date of October 6, 2020, and a report date of December 22, 2020, as prepared by Gustavson Associates and filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

Resource Category Tonnes (000s) Au Grade (ppm) Contained Au

Oz Ag Grade (ppm) Contained Ag Oz Measured 4,130 1.51 200,000 14.0 1,860,000 Indicated 6,910 1.17 260,000 10.6 2,360,000 Measured + Indicated 11,000 1.30 460,000 11.9 4,220,000 Inferred 5,310 0.83 142,000 7.3 1,240,000

Table 8. NI 43-101 Mineral Resources at the Atlanta Mine

Please see the Company's website at www.nevadaking.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operations and activities of Nevada King, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's exploration plans and the Company's ability to potentially expand mineral resources and the impact thereon. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Nevada King, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work given the global COVID-19 pandemic, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Nevada King does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Vancouver, B.C.  January 6, 2023  MOONBOUND MINING LTD. (the Company) is pleased to announce that the Companys common shares have been approved for listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange, with trading in the shares to commence under the symbol  MML  on Monday, January 9, 2023. About... Read More
News / Local

by Staff reporter

SELF-EXILED former Zanu-PF national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere claims President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration is out to grab his ConCorpia Farm in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central province, following a foiled bid to contest for presidency in the just-ended harmonised elections.Kasukuwere, who has sought refuge in neighbouring South Africa since the November 2017 coup which toppled long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, claims his properties are being targeted for takeover by government.He claims a recent "suspicious" veld fire which razed a citrus plantation at the farm was part of efforts to force him out of the property.Kasukuwere is currently locked in a bitter legal wrangle over ownership of the farm with a war veteran identified as Ephanos Madzimunyi who has "invaded" the property.The former Cabinet minister also accuses police of refusing to enforce an eviction order granted by the High Court.But national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi last week said they were not aware of the alleged arson."I am not aware of what you are asking and what has been happening," he said.However, Kasukuwere's spokesperson Jaqueline Sande said the inferno was a result of lawlessness and failure by government to uphold the rule of law."The burning of that property is a result of the lawlessness and failure of Mnangagwa's government to uphold the rule of law," she said.Sande also confirmed the invasion of the farm by an unlawful occupant who is currently occupying a portion of the citrus plantation."He has made it very difficult for operations to continue and there is failure to maintain the place he has occupied which has resulted in the burning of the entire citrus plantation.Sande also said Zesa cables, electric polls and the irrigation equipment were destroyed while the entire citrus crop was lost to the fire."This is a direct result of the failure by Mnangagwa's government to uphold the rule of law and enforce the court order which ordered the unlawful occupant to vacate the premises."When president Kasukuwere tried to enforce the court order through the Messenger of Court, the office did not get the support from the police that is required in order to evict this man, who is violent, and who has got weapons on him at all times."As a result he has continued to occupy that portion of the land to destroy and in the end that is how the fire erupted and caused the damage to all the property on the premises."The Bindura police refused to enforce this order, in spite of this order having been issued by the High Court. So if orders are to be ignored, it shows that there is impunity and there is lawlessness in the country," she said.Kasukuwere was barred from contesting as an independent presidential candidate in the August 23 harmonised elections.His appeal at the Supreme Court was also unsuccessful.
VANCOUVER, BC , Sept. 16, 2020 /CNW/ - Victory Metals Inc. (TSX-V: VMX) (" Victory " or the " Company ") announces it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement offering for proceeds up to $2,000,000 through the issuance of up to 5,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the... Read More
Both cases have been on the desks of Swiss judicial authorities for a decade or more. In mid-August, Switzerland unveiled an international arrest warrant for Rifaat al-Assad, uncle of the current Syrian president, for alleged crimes against humanity committed in 1982. On August 28 came an indictment against former Algerian defense minister Khaled Nezzar for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in his countrys civil war of the 1990s.

Geneva-based NGO TRIAL International, which brought the complaints that launched these cases, hailed both announcements. It called on Swiss authorities to swiftly indict Assad and bring him to trial. It says that if Nezzar is brought to trial in Switzerland, he will be the highest-ranking military official ever tried for crimes based on the principle of universal jurisdiction that allows some domestic systems to prosecute international crimes committed outside the country by non-citizens.

TRIAL International stresses that time is running out. In the case of Assad, it says it is regrettable that we had to wait until his return to Syria before demanding he appear before Swiss courts. Assad had previously been in France. In the case of Nezzar, TRIAL Internationals legal advisor Benoit Meystre notes that the defendants health has deteriorated over the almost twelve years of proceedings and that bringing him to trial is the only  but also the very last  opportunity to deliver justice for the victims of the Algerian civil war, owing to an amnesty law in Algeria.

According to the NGO, Nezzar is reportedly dying in Algeria. He is now 85, whilst Rifaat al-Assad is 86.

Algeria is absolutely furious

Meystre admits that the chances of either man being brought to trial in Switzerland are low. They are both old and if they pass away, the case will be closed, he told Justice Info. Both of them are currently being protected by their respective countries. It is difficult to foresee any possibilities that Syria would accept to extradite Rifaat al-Assad, and its the same for Nezzar. Algeria will most probably refuse to force him to come to Switzerland to be heard or tried. And its pretty clear they wont come of their own free will, because there is too much at stake.

Marco Sassoli, professor of international law at the University of Geneva, also points out that in the case of Nezzar Algeria is absolutely furious, because it undermines the narrative of the current regime that they saved Algeria from the Islamist threat.

Meystre says trials in absentia are possible. We are hoping for a trial in any case, he continues. The first objective is that they be here to answer personally to the charges brought against them, but a trial in absentia would be an alternative, as it would still have some meaning for the victims, he said.

Detained only briefly

Nezzar was arrested in Geneva in October 2011, following criminal complaints from TRIAL International and victims of torture during Algerias Black Decade. Following 48 hours of questioning by the federal Office of the Attorney General, he was released on condition that he attend subsequent hearings. He came to Switzerland for a final hearing in February 2022. However, at the end of his final hearing, Mr. Nezzar was not detained, TRIAL International noted at the time. This is a cause of concern for the organisation, as the risk of flight, collusion and pressure on witnesses and victims remains important.

The Assad case dates back almost as long. The case started in 2013 and Rifaat al-Assad was not heard at the time, explains Meystre. He came back in 2015, was heard briefly, and then he basically fled for ever. The arrest warrant aims at forcing him to be brought to Switzerland to be heard. There is not yet any indictment.

Assad fled Switzerland to France, where a court sentenced him in 2020 to four years in jail for money-laundering and embezzlement of public funds in Syria. This was confirmed on appeal in 2021, but he managed to escape back to Syria in October that year.

Lack of will and political interference

Switzerlands Office of the Attorney General has also taken years over other universal jurisdiction cases. Former Liberian warlord Alieu Kosiah spent nearly seven years in pre-trial detention before being convicted and sentenced to 20 years in jail for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Gambian ex-interior minister Ousman Sonko has been remanded in custody since January 2017 but was not indicted until April this year. He is to be tried for crimes against humanity, but no date has yet been set.

Sassoli says there were several factors for the delays, including difficulties to obtain the necessary evidence, lack of will and allegedly political interference. Algeria put a lot of pressure on Switzerland. According to the UN Special Rapporteurs on torture and on the independence of judges, the Swiss authorities allegedly tried to influence the prosecutor. The prosecutor finally  and this was not totally unreasonable  came to the conclusion after years that this was not an armed conflict and tried to dismiss the war crimes case. But victims appealed to the Federal Criminal Court, which reversed the decision and ordered the prosecutors office to reopen its investigations. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis denied allegations of political interference in the case.

Meystre believes that the Office of the Attorney General suffers from lack of resources, and the investigation is even more difficult because they cannot rely on Syria or Algerias cooperation on these cases, he says.

Blattler, a more active prosecutor

Sassoli said that previous Attorney General Michael Lauber had not made universal jurisdiction cases a priority, but that his successor Stefan Blattler, who took up the post at the beginning of 2022, has reversed this and asked parliament for more resources. Meystre agrees that the new prosecutor seems to be more serious about pursuing international crimes based on universal jurisdiction.

TRIAL International is also raising questions about the timing of developments, says Meystre. The Attorney Generals office issued an international arrest warrant for Assad in November 2021, just after he fled France back to Syria. The Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) refused to unveil it, saying Switzerland was not competent to do so since Assad was neither a citizen nor a resident in the Alpine country and no Swiss were among the victims of a 1982 massacre in Hama, Syria, in which he is accused of playing a leading role. Such a refusal from the FOJ was outside its competence, according to Meystre. Indeed, the Federal Criminal Court ruled in August that Switzerland did have jurisdiction, on grounds that prosecutors first opened an investigation in 2013 when Assad was staying in a Geneva hotel, and it ordered that the arrest warrant be unveiled.

Asked if it might not be a coincidence that the latest developments have come just as the chances of Switzerland getting the accused to trial are slim, Sassoli said he has no information to make him believe that. But if they are doing this only for show, that would be very serious  although the deterrent effect for others would subsist.
Azerbaijan denied accusations of ethnic cleansing to clear the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh of its ethnic Armenian population, and told AFP its inhabitants were free to stay or go.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has several times accused Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing since the enclave's decades-long push to break away from Azerbaijani rule ended in sudden defeat on September 20.

On Saturday, Pashinyan said more than 100,000 of Nagorno-Karabakh's estimated 120,000 inhabitants had fled to neighbouring Armenia.

"We cannot accept accusations of ethnic cleansing or genocide," Hikmet Hajiyev, diplomatic advisor to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, told AFP in an interview Saturday.

"Ethnic cleansing is a forceful action, when somebody is using force against civilians -- (which is) what exactly Armenia used against us, 30 years ago."

"But it doesn't mean we will repeat the same. There was no single case of violence or atrocity against civilians. They attest this themselves," Hajiyev claimed.

"And there were no 'Armenian' civilians in Karabakh," he added.

"We always considered them as Azerbaijan civilians but unfortunately an illegal separatist entity didn't allow us to have direct communication with them," he said, of the ethnic Armenian separatists who governed the enclave for three decades.

He said Azerbaijan had "engaged internal security troops to coordinate with the so-called local Armenian authorities".

"They are still in control of the cities," he said.

- 'Re-integration' talks -

Nagorno-Karabakh's ethnic Armenian authorities agreed on Thursday to dissolve their government and allow the mainly Christian enclave to become a formal part of majority-Muslim Azerbaijan by the end of the year.

Baku and the separatist leaders are to hold talks on the transition in Stepanakert on Monday.

Hajiyev said discussions with the ethnic Armenians were productive and centred on disarming its military.

Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of illegally arresting people and says the enclave's inhabitants are fleeing out of fear of reprisals.

Hajiyev said Azerbaijan had detained "five to six" people who it accused of "war crimes".

"We know that there were concerns in Armenia and international media that we will arrest all militaries," he said.

"They are free. If somebody puts downs his gun, they are free and they have decided on their own choice to go to the republic of Armenia."

As for civilians, "we opened the gate and respected their freedom of movement, freedom of choice".

"The majority of them are saying: 'I can't live under the flag of Azerbaijan'. I can't justify it, but I can understand and respect that.

"If they accept Azerbaijan citizenship, we will protect and ensure their rights and their security and we will establish a municipality system so that they can govern their affairs at a local level, and religious and cultural rights will be assured."
Azerbaijan denied accusations of ethnic cleansing to clear the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh of its ethnic Armenian population, and told AFP its inhabitants were free to stay or go.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has several times accused Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing since the enclave's decades-long push to break away from Azerbaijani rule ended in sudden defeat on September 20.

On Saturday, Pashinyan said more than 100,000 of Nagorno-Karabakh's estimated 120,000 inhabitants had fled to neighbouring Armenia.

"We cannot accept accusations of ethnic cleansing or genocide," Hikmet Hajiyev, diplomatic advisor to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, told AFP in an interview Saturday.

"Ethnic cleansing is a forceful action, when somebody is using force against civilians -- (which is) what exactly Armenia used against us, 30 years ago."

"But it doesn't mean we will repeat the same. There was no single case of violence or atrocity against civilians. They attest this themselves," Hajiyev claimed.

"And there were no 'Armenian' citizens in Karabakh," he added.

"We always considered them as Azerbaijan citizens but unfortunately an illegal separatist entity didn't allow us to have direct communication with them," he said, of the ethnic Armenian separatists who governed the enclave for three decades.

He said Azerbaijan had "engaged internal security troops to coordinate with the so-called local Armenian authorities".

"They are still in control of the cities," he said.

- 'Re-integration' talks -

Nagorno-Karabakh's ethnic Armenian authorities agreed on Thursday to dissolve their government and allow the mainly Christian enclave to become a formal part of majority-Muslim Azerbaijan by the end of the year.

Baku and the separatist leaders are to hold talks on the transition in Stepanakert on Monday.

Hajiyev said discussions with the ethnic Armenians were productive and centred on disarming its military.

Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of illegally arresting people and says the enclave's inhabitants are fleeing out of fear of reprisals.

Hajiyev said Azerbaijan had detained "five to six" people who it accused of "war crimes".

"We know that there were concerns in Armenia and international media that we will arrest all militaries," he said.

"They are free. If somebody puts downs his gun, they are free and they have decided on their own choice to go to the republic of Armenia."

As for civilians, "we opened the gate and respected their freedom of movement, freedom of choice".

"The majority of them are saying: 'I can't live under the flag of Azerbaijan'. I can't justify it, but I can understand and respect that.

"If they accept Azerbaijan citizenship, we will protect and ensure their rights and their security and we will establish a municipality system so that they can govern their affairs at a local level, and religious and cultural rights will be assured."
Egyptian authorities' "widespread and systematic" use of torture is "a crime against humanity", rights groups said Monday in an appeal to the United Nations to review Egypt's rights record.

The report, submitted to the UN Committee against Torture, tracked the use of methods including "beatings, electrical shocks, sexual violence" and denial of access to medical care by members of the security services.

Egyptian authorities' "use of torture is so widespread and systematic as to amount to a crime against humanity under customary international law," the coalition of six rights groups said.

Torture has been used "as a political tool to curtail dissent" in Egypt's long-running practice of targeting "human rights defenders, minorities, journalists, academics and opposition politicians," according to Mohamed Lotfy, the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms' executive director.

The coalition submitting the report included the ECRF, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) and London-based human rights organisation REDRESS.

In November the UN committee will review Egypt's record under the UN Convention against Torture.

Cairo has long been criticised for its rights record during the decade-long rule of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who oversaw a crackdown on dissent. Rights groups estimate the country has around 60,000 political prisoners.

Many of them, according to rights groups, have been subjected to brutal conditions in overcrowded cells and regularly mistreated by prison authorities.

"Torture is dismissed as merely isolated acts of misconduct instead of being seen for what it really is: a deliberate attack on Egypt's citizens that is a crime against humanity," said Rupert Skilbeck, director of REDRESS.

According to Monday's report, the use of torture is "part of a state policy," enabled by "emergency laws, 'counter-terrorism' laws and policies, and rampant impunity" for violations.

Cairo has regularly denied torturing people in detention.

- US military aid -

The United States has repeatedly criticised Egypt's human rights record, accusing authorities of torture and "life-threatening prison conditions".

Despite such persistent concerns, the administration of President Joe Biden last month approved most military aid to Cairo, in a total package which exceeds $1.2 billion and includes $235 million subject to human rights conditions imposed by Congress.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, citing national security interests, waved those restrictions but withheld a separate $85 million over rights issues.

However, the new chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Commitee, Ben Cardin, threatened to block the military funding, in a move rights groups applauded on Sunday.

"This decision is a needed first step... to hold the Egyptian regime accountable for its egregious human rights violations," 14 rights organisations said in a joint statement applauding congressional efforts to pull support from Egypt.

Cardin replaced Senator Bob Menendez, who on Wednesday pleaded not guilty in New York to bribery and extortion allegations involving the Egyptian government.

Since last year, Sisi's administration has made apparent overtures to the decimated opposition, launching a "national dialogue", pardoning political prisoners and releasing detainees.

But ahead of a presidential election in December that Sisi is widely expected to win, experts say the government has done little to actually advance its rights record.

Despite the release of nearly 1,000 political prisoners in the past year, rights groups recorded almost three times as many detained over the same period.
Armenian separatists from Nagorno-Karabakh said Monday their officials would stay in the region after Azerbaijan's offensive for rescue operations, as Yerevan reported "casualties" in a border shoot out with Baku's forces.

Separatists says over 200 people were killed in fighting Azerbaijan late last month and that a further 170 died when a fuel depot exploded as scores of civilians fled Karabakh over fears of ethnic cleansing.

After three decades of Armenian control, the separatist authorities have agreed to disarm, dissolve their government and reintegrate with Azerbaijan in the wake of Baku's one-day military operation in late September.

Almost all of the around 120,000 residents of the mountainous region fled after Baku's offensive.

The separatist government however said leader Samvel Shahramanyan will stay in Karabakh's main city of Stepanakert with a group of officials "until the search and rescue operations for the remainder of those killed and those missing" were completed.

"The government continues to focus on the issue of those citizens who want to move to the Republic of Armenia," the government added in a statement.

Separatist official Artak Beglaryan said "a few hundred" Armenian representatives remained in Karabakh.

He said they included "officials, emergency service, volunteers, some persons with special needs."

Separatist official Artak Beglaryan said "a few hundred" Armenian representatives remained in Karabakh.

He said they included "officials, emergency service, volunteers, some persons with special needs."

- Separatists in jail -

Yerevan reported "casualties" on its side, saying Azerbaijani forces had fired on "a vehicle carrying food" for its soldiers in a border region.

Armenia said the incident took place near the eastern village of Kut. Azerbaijan rejected the claim.

Yerevan has accused Azerbaijan of conducting a campaign of "ethnic cleansing" to clear Karabakh of its Armenian population.

Baku has denied the claim and called on Armenian residents of the territory to stay and "re-integrate" into Azerbaijan, saying their rights would be guaranteed.

AFP journalists on Monday saw a convoy carrying water and communications workers that was allowed to enter Stepanakert.

The convoy was escorted by the Azerbaijani army.

They also saw a bus carrying officials who planned to open a "re-integration" office in the city for any ethnic Armenians wishing to register with Azerbaijani authorities.

Azerbaijan is holding "re-integration" talks with separatist leaders.

Several senior representatives of its former government and military command have been detained, including Ruben Vardanyan -- a reported billionaire who headed the Nagorno-Karabakh government between November 2022 and February.

His four children released a statement on social media Monday demanding his release "from the illegal imprisonment on the territory of Azerbaijan", saying they "feared for his life and health."

Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev said criminal investigations had been initiated into war crimes committed by 300 separatist officials.

"I urge those persons to surrender voluntarily," he told journalists on Sunday.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

While the government in Harare has been diligently working to address the chaos surrounding the general elections, the Sadc region remains steadfast in its scrutiny of Zimbabwe's problematic polls, which were marred by numerous significant irregularities, according to information obtained by The NewsHawks.The bloc has firmly stood against harsh attacks on its election observer mission, which, in an unprecedented move, produced a damning report on the disputed Zimbabwean elections.This report has prompted Zimbabwean leaders to launch a fierce criticism campaign against Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema for appointing the country's former vice-president, Nevers Mumba, as the head of the mission that produced the report highlighting flaws in the contested election.In a recent extraordinary meeting of the Sadc organ troika ministerial committee, the regional group staunchly defended its election observer mission and its report. They asserted that the election held on August 23 did not meet the criteria outlined in Zimbabwe's constitution, the Electoral Act, and the Sadc Principles and Guidelines governing Democratic Elections.The ministers strongly criticized the behavior of Zanu-PF and Zimbabwean government officials, stating that it had severely damaged Sadc's reputation and credibility and distorted the electoral observation processes within the region.Effectively, Sadc advised the Harare authorities to cease their disruptive actions, as they risked discrediting the regional organization and its future election observer missions in other countries scheduled for elections, such as Eswatini, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, and the Comoros Islands."The EO-MCO Troika noted the personal attacks and threats on the media that have been directed at the SEOM Head of Mission Dr. Nevers Mumba and the Chairperson of the Organ, His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema since the Zimbabwe SEOM released its Preliminary Statement on 25th August 2023," read the report by Stanley. K. Kakubo, Zambian Foreign Minister and Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee of the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation."The EO-MCO Troika further noted that such attacks undermine the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections and might have a negative bearing in the future elections, especially with another election coming on the 29th of September in the Kingdom of Eswatini; and reiterated that SEOMs are in line with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, and that reports are produced by a collective of the Member States' observers, led by the Organ Troika and supported by the Secretariat."The EO-MCO Troika noted that there is a risk that if unchecked, further attacks on the leadership of the Organ and of the SEOM have the potential to damage the credibility of SADC as an institution."According to Sadc's electoral calendar, Eswatini began its elections on Friday, while Madagascar is holding the first round of its presidential election in November and the second round in December this year. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is also set to hold its presidential, legislative, and provincial elections in December this year.Sadc guidelines were violated by Zimbabwe's flawed election, which contradicted the Sadc guidelines promoting regular, free, and fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful democratic elections, leading to disputes.As a member of the bloc, Zimbabwe is obligated to adhere to regional instruments that outline a clear delimitation process. According to these guidelines, a SEOM (Sadc Election Observer Mission) must assess various aspects, including the electoral system, the Electoral Management Board, the Electoral Act, and regulations, as well as civil and political rights during the pre-election period. During the electoral period, SEOM must evaluate polling station locations, the production and distribution of ballot papers, voting and vote-counting processes, and safeguards against inaccuracies. In the post-electoral period, SEOM should also assess the development of changes to electoral-related laws, rules, regulations, and administrative procedures following elections and whether effective remedies for violations of electoral-related rights are available.The regional mission also highlighted several concerns regarding the delimitation process, which raised doubts about the credibility of the election itself. The SEOM preliminary report stated that the delimitation exercise carried out by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in 2022 was marred by controversy. Stakeholders claimed that the report submitted by ZEC failed to meet constitutional requirements and alleged that it constituted gerrymandering. The report also noted divisions among ZEC commissioners regarding the accuracy of the report.The final report, gazetted by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in February, retained a population threshold for wards and constituencies exceeding 20%, a violation of the constitution. It also failed to declare ward and constituency boundaries, contrary to the constitution.Concerns were raised by stakeholders, particularly the main opposition Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC), about the delayed release of the voters' roll in a searchable and analyzable format. The CCC went into the election without an analyzable copy of the voters' roll, as ZEC had released it in PDF format, violating the Electoral Act. It was suspected that ZEC was manipulating the voter register in favor of Zanu-PF.The campaign period was marked by a significant bias toward the ruling Zanu-PF, with other opposition parties facing bans on their campaign rallies. The SEOM reported controversy surrounding the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA), which outlined the process for notifying the Zimbabwe Republic Police about the intention to hold rallies.Logistical challenges plagued the voting process, causing voting to start as late as 4 pm in some wards and constituencies known for opposition support, contrary to the Electoral Act's stipulation that voting should begin at 7 am.In August, ZEC faced controversy for changing the deadline for postal votes through Statutory Instrument 140A of 2023, citing delays caused by electoral court challenges. This change piled pressure on ZEC to print and distribute postal ballots to over 17,000 registered voters who qualified for postal voting.
After her back-to-back success with television dramas "Moonshine" and "May I Help You," idol-actress Hyeri returns with a new high scale acting project this 2023.

Hyeri To Make Silver Screen Return With 'Victory'

Earlier this 2023, it was announced that Girl's Day Hyeri is finally coming back to the big screen much to her fans' delight.

Alongside rising stars Jo Ah Ram and Choi Ji Su, she is set to headline the period youth film "Victory" which tells the stories of high school girls who form a cheerleading dream team.

Set in 1999, Hyeri gives life to high school student Pil Sun who has an admirable passion for dancing. With her perseverance, she leads her own team to achieve their dreams in life.

Unlike her previous dramas where she portrayed vivacious and likable characters, Pil Sun is said to showcase Hyeri's emotive and mature acting.

YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS: Lee Se Young & Bae In Hyuk To Offer Cider-Like Romance In Upcoming Drama 'The Story of Park's Marriage'

Attention is given to the idol-actress who will return to the big screen to show off her unique charm that the audiences haven't seen before.

In addition, "Victory" will also deliver engrossing narratives about womanhood, female friendships and more.

Led by "Single in Seoul" director Park Bum Soo, expectations for the show are through the roof. Filming began earlier this March with the intention to release the work in early 2024.

Girl's Day Hyeri Shares Future Career Plans

In her personal YouTube channel, Hyeri released a video where she talked about her future plans as an actress.

She confessed that turning 30 made her more conscious of the projects she takes on. Hyeri said, "I reflected on so many things now that I'm older. I realized that there are a lot of things that I'm scared of."

To overcome her irrational fear, Hyeri took on new hobbies that help her better herself such as reading books, taking herself out on dates and even eating greener and healthier.

According to her, her goal this 2023 and 2024 is to be stronger physically, mentally and emotionally. With this, she plans to face new challenges without fear and inhibitions.

This also applies to her career which continues to flourish with her back-to-back acting projects. Hyeri's new film "Victory" is set to showcase her improved self and acting, which fans shouldn't miss.

ALSO READ: Yura Dishes On Relationship With Girl's Day - Are Idol-Actors Still Friends?

Do you miss Hyeri's television presence? Tell us about your thoughts on her upcoming film in the comments below!





KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
Bong Ye Bun (Han Ji Min) and Moon Jang Yeol (Lee Min Ki) joined forces for the last time to bring peace to Mujin in "Behind Your Touch" episode 16.

'Behind Your Touch' Episode 16: Shaman Trades Moon Jang Yeol for His Freedom

In "Behind Your Touch" episode 16, Bong Ye Bun bravely kept a knife near the Shaman's neck and dragged him out of the police station. She demanded Moon Jang Yeol to drive the car and run away from the detectives.

It was revealed that Ye Bun acted that way on command of the Shaman as he promised to reveal Ok Hee's whereabouts if he got free from the station.

The trio went to an isolated area and had a short confrontation.

Unfortunately, before they can even find Ok Hee, Jang Yeol's enemy Baek Sun Gil came with his gang and attacked the detective.

Since the Shaman had read Jang Yeol's memories, he contacted Sun Gil and made a deal.

RELATED ARTICLE: 'Behind Your Touch' Episode 15: Han Ji Min Finally Identifies the Real Serial Killer

The Shaman was able to escape through the arranged boat going to China, while Jang Yeol was taken away to a mad doctor and Ye Bun stuck to evade the other gang members. She followed Jang Yeol's instructions and was able to save the detective.

Jang Yeol then single-handedly fought with Sun Gil's men and made him surrender.

Bong Ye Bun & Moon Jang Yeol Arrest the Shaman

Dok Hee, Jang Mook, and Ok Hee's backup friends joined forces to search for her. Luckily, Kim Young Myeong was able to locate Ok Hee and saved her in time.

Meanwhile, Ye Bun and Jang Yeol stuck with Sun Gil to catch the Shaman.

The next day, through Ye Bun's powers the duo made a secret move to locate the Shaman. Unfortunately, he began to stab random strangers as a threat message. Later on, the Shaman met Ye Bun and took her hostage.

Before he could escape, Jang Yeol came and was able to execute a plan and successfully arrested the Shaman.

The duo solved the mysterious murder case and the town of Mujin returned to normal.

Mujin Village Returns to Normal

Jang Mook fixed his wedding with Jung Hyeon Ok and rekindled their love for each other.

Moon Jang Yeol then concluded his service in Mujin and finally left for Seoul, but missed the bus to stay for Ye Bun.

The two had a warm conversation and he asked her to meet him when she visited Seoul. Eight months later, Ye Bun became a rising television star known for her insane skill of communicating with animals.

Bong Ye Bun & Moon Jang Yeol's Romance Interrupted By Riot

After the show, she met Jang Yeol and spent time together. Due to his busy schedule, Ye Bun asked him if she could help him would he spend more time with her.

Another romance sparks between them and Ye Bun instantly went to the women's prison and was assigned to read their memories.

She complained to Jang Yeol for putting her in such a position. She tried her best to be close with them but almost ended up in chaos. Before a woman could hurt her, Jang Yeol came and protected Ye Bun.

He asked for more details about the woman's memories, and Ye Bun shared it. She was startled when Jang Yeol said that her job was done and they should finally go on a date.

The woman interrupted during the romantic scene.

The finale episode ended with Ye Bun and Jang Yeol running away from the group of thug ladies.

ALSO READ: 'Moving,' 'Song of the Bandits,' More Hailed Most Popular OTT K-Dramas

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.
Rogers Communications Inc. says customers of all of the major Canadian wireless carriers can connect to its high speed 5G wireless network in the busiest sections of the Toronto subway system Monday. Riders take a subway train on the Toronto Transit Commission station in downtown Toronto, Saturday, April 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
A Quebec provincial police emblem is seen on an officers uniform in Montreal on Aug. 22, 2023. A search is underway in Quebec's Mauricie region for a five-year-old child who fell in a river while playing with his brother on Sunday evening. The two boys, who are both under 10 years old, were playing close to the St-Maurice river near Grandes-Piles, Que., when the younger child fell in. Quebec provincial police deployed a helicopter to search for the child, while firefighters, officers and local volunteers searched from the ground. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
News / Local

by Staff Contributor

Trust Fidelis Mdluli Nyathi, a Bulawayo socialite, has died. Ishmael Nyathi, his younger brother, confirmed the news on Facebook where he wrote, "It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my brother Trust Fidelis Nyathi."Trust was regarded as someone who enjoyed and promoted the Bulawayo cultural scene. Back in the day, he began a movement called #15SecondsCulture which was crafted to drive and inspire arts creators to engage with their fans. The initiative led to the discovery of a number of previously unknown artists."Very sad to hear of the passing of Fidelis Mdluli," wrote Bruce Ncube, an active Bulawayo artist based in the UK.Trust was one of the few genuine voices that encouraged and supported Bulawayo musicians. MJ Sings, Ntandoyenkosi Moyo, and Mzoe 7 are among the celebrities who have expressed their condolences so far.The circumstances surrounding his death are still unclear, however, sources say that he committed suicide.We, the Bulawayo24 family, mourn alongside the families and friends.May his soul rest in peace.More to follow
In a recent podcast conversation with Kevin Pho, MD, we talked about the importance of assertiveness in health care, including the ability to say No and the significance of culture in supporting it.

One of the topics we touched on was the influence of both top-down and bottom-up factors, which I want to elaborate on here.

Organizational culture refers to how and why things are done at work and the rules that guide them. The culture can be either healthy or toxic, and the rules can be implicit or explicit. The way people interact, how tasks are accomplished, and the emotions evoked by observers are all by-products of workplace culture. The quality of communication in an organization reflects the quality of the culture.

In an ideal health care culture, such as in a hospital or primary care practice, individuals give their best, teams function with a clear and common purpose of providing safe, quality care, and everyone has the resources and skills to succeed. Communication, emotional intelligence, and behavior among staff are characterized by:

Open, honest, respectful exchange of ideas.

Requests for help, offers of assistance, or setting appropriate boundaries.

Timely and compassionate responses to patient needs and requests.

Maintaining healthy professional and therapeutic boundaries.

Actively giving and receiving constructive feedback.

Taking ownership of mistakes and showing a willingness to teach and learn respectfully.

In such a culture, professionals can freely seek input because they trust that their opinions will be respected, and ongoing learning is an organizational-wide expectation. Interactions contribute to everyones knowledge base, critical thinking, and moment-to-moment decision-making. Power dynamics within the hierarchy are healthy, and a culture of respect prevails.

On the other end of the spectrum, a toxic culture refers to one where the opposite qualities prevail. For instance, communication may involve gossiping, bullying, or other disrespectful patterns. Theres a tendency to blame rather than learn from mistakes, unhealthy boundaries exist among professionals and/or with patients, and conflicts are avoided, contributing to resentments and fears.

In such a culture, professionals may choose to ignore some colleagues while favoring others, information exchange is limited based on personal alliances, and trust is selective. Symptoms may include door slamming, talking behind others backs, and passive-aggressive or aggressive behaviors that hinder cooperation and teamwork. Informal and formal power dynamics influence the hierarchy in unhealthy ways, and disrespect is pervasive.

Whether healthy or toxic, the difference is palpable to all stakeholders.

Ultimately, leaders of an organization are responsible for creating clear and consistent expectations for communication and behavior in a culture. However, for success, all staff must possess the skills and emotional intelligence to contribute to and sustain it. Leaders who have attempted to change a culture where unhealthy informal power dynamics (passive, passive-aggressive, or aggressive interactions) are pervasive can likely attest to the limitations of a top-down approach that doesnt include a foundation for healthy bottom-up work as well.

Medical improv training is an effective way to build such communication skills and emotional intelligence. Therefore, it can be a valuable tool for leaders who aim to reinforce a healthy culture or provide support for a culture change initiative.

Beth Boynton is a nurse consultant and author specializing in research, training, and writing about emotional intelligence, communication, teamwork, and complexity leadership. Shes a pioneer in developing medical improv as a teaching modality for health care professionals and the founder, Boynton Improv Education. Find out more about upcoming open events, videos, and articles related to medical improv. She can also be reached on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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Join Ruchi Thanawala, a cardiothoracic surgeon, as we explore the transformative power of technology in surgical training. Discover how innovation is reshaping the way we educate future surgeons, improve feedback, and address critical issues of equity in health care. From web-based accelerated learning platforms to AI and virtual reality, Ruchi provides valuable insights into the future of surgical education and its global implications.

Ruchi Thanawala is a cardiothoracic surgeon.

She discusses the KevinMD article, How accelerated learning platforms are pushing surgical education forward.

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Police officers are required to undergo second-victim counseling before returning to duty. Should physicians also undergo such counseling before resuming their work? This question arises, especially in light of the ongoing shortage of health care professionals. It prompts us to consider whether the prerequisites for returning to work are deemed more critical for police officers than for doctors. Perhaps physicians should establish specific scenarios where taking time off before returning to work becomes mandatory.

The most recent model policy established for law enforcement can serve as a model for national and international medical associations. They could create their own tailored policies, taking into account that guidelines for police officers have been in place since the 1980s and 1990s. In the face of critical incidents, we should ask: Should doctors also have well-defined policies and procedures in place? Should health care institutions involve qualified mental health professionals and peer support personnel for physicians immediately and mandatorily? Should institutions promptly initiate investigations following internal administrative protocols? Should doctors engage their personal attorneys if litigious investigations are a possibility? Should second-victim counseling extend to other health care staff who may not be directly involved but are part of the proceedings and their aftermath? Should doctors be placed on mandated administrative leave for defined periods before returning to work? Should some undergo psychological fitness-for-duty evaluations prior to returning? Will doctors recognize the varying boundaries of privacy, confidentiality, and privilege during post-event communications? Will they agree to psychological services, even if they believe they understand the pathophysiology involved? Will doctors consent to regular training on updated policies and procedures to prepare for such situations and their consequences? Should their families be involved in these procedures, recognizing potential early signs and managing accordingly? Should doctors consent to audio-video recordings of their formal statements? Instead of personal social media campaigns, should doctors support public awareness through mainstream media about transparent policies and procedures? Will the general public understand that non-judgmental policies and procedures are not necessarily disciplinary but rather address human performance factors that are often, if not always, at play? How can doctors prepare to handle any disciplinary actions or litigious investigations? How can they cope with resulting sleep problems, stress reactions, memory issues, and post-traumatic stress disorders?

In essence, while the Lethal Weapon movie franchise from the 1980s and 1990s may have raised awareness about the need for post-incident psychological services for police officers, physicians should not wait for Hollywood to romanticize or sensationalize professional issues in medicine. Instead, they should proactively develop customized model policies for their return to work after critical incidents.

Deepak Gupta is an anesthesiologist.
As the country marks World Habitat Day today, the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development is urging all stakeholders to address the challenges hindering access to affordable housing in Uganda.

According to Minister Judith Nabakooba, all players in the housing and urban development sector and the general public have to reflect on the housing delivery systems and plan better for the coming housing year.

Nabakooba was this morning addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala ahead of the 2nd Housing Symposium slated for Thursday this week in Kampala.

The first National Housing Symposium was held last year in October and stakeholders endorsed that a national level forum be jointly convened annually to bring all key actors together to address the escalating housing deficit, Nabakooba said on Monday.

She said her Ministry has partnered with Habitat for Humanity and other key stakeholders to provide an opportunity to reflect on the state of human settlements and the basic human right to adequate shelter.

The World Habitat Day 2023, is being marked under the theme; Resilient urban economies; Cities as drivers of growth and recovery.
By Priscilla Maloba

The Ministry of Health has banned Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) paternity relationship testing centres from advertising their services.

According to the ministry, any DNA centre that will be found advertising its services will have its licence revoked.

There should not be any form of advertising or promotion of a DNA sample collecting centre. Failure to comply will result in automatic cancellation of license,the ministry said in a four-page document.

The ban, according to the ministry, applies to laboratories that collect samples and do paternity relationship testing as well as facilities that intend to do sample collection only and send samples for testing in another laboratory.

The ministry made the revelation last week during the national laboratory sector performance review meeting in Kampala. Speaking at the event, Dr Suzan Nabadda, the commissionerin-charge of laboratory services at the Ministry of Health, said the guidelines are meant to control the quality of DNA results.

We want to control right from the person that collects the DNA sample and the considerations are in the level of capacity, the level of human resources, the documentation and the different standards of the facility going to carry out a DNA test, for example, you need to make sure you are using the right machines to do that test,she said.

Dr Nabadda named three laboratories in the country that are accredited to do DNA testing as Government Analytical Laboratory, the Uganda Police Forensic laboratory in Naguru, and MBN Clinical Laboratory.
By Tausi Nakato

Jinja City has been cited as an area with high cases of online gender-based violence (GBV)

This is according to new research findings from a study conducted by Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET).

According to the research conducted in 2020, 99.7 percent of females were impacted by online GBV compared to 0.3 percent of males.

The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) defines online gender-based violence as acts of violence that are committed, abetted, or aggravated, in part or fully, by the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as mobile phones, the internet, social media platforms, and email.

It includes, but is not limited to, verbal and graphic threats, abusive comments and harassment, sexual assault, and rape photos and videos.

Esther Nyapendi, a technical support officer at WOUGNET, says in the five districts where research was carried Jinja topped the list followed by Kampala, Kabalore, Lira and Kabale.

According to Nyapendi, most online victims are female politicians, musicians, and university students because they are considered vulnerable, while most of them remain anonymous for fear of being stigmatized.

Nyapendi explains that cyberstalking and cyberbullying, are the most common modes of sexual violence, while others include; non-consensual intimate images, online sexual harassment, impersonation, doxing, trolling, hacking, and hate speech among others.

Pascaline Bahati says she lost her journalism career after her ex-boyfriend shared her nude photos.

As an intervention, Nyapendi said they have trained 40 women from Jinja to ensure that they are aware of the measures for digital safety and security while using online platforms.

These include; having strong passwords on their email accounts, encrypting their data, and not sharing their private images with their partners, among others.
By NTV-Kenya

Eighteen students from Cardinal Otunga Girls High School in Bungoma County, Kenya were sent home recently for alleged involvement in lesbianism and for possessing mobile phones. The incident has sparked a contentious debate within the community, as parents are concerned about their daughters education and the schools handling of the situation.

The students in question, most of whom were KCSE candidates, were expelled during a disciplinary meeting on September 28, 2023. The decision has left parents worried about the impact it will have on their daughters academic progress. They argue that the students should have been given clear dates for when they can resume their studies, but the school has failed to provide any such information in the dismissal letters.

NTV-Kenya attempted to contact the school principal, Christine Sifuna, for comment. However, she claimed to be busy with a board meeting and later denied having said so through a text message. This raises concerns among parents that the school is not being transparent about the situation and its handling of the disciplinary actions.

The wider community is divided on the issue. Some parents support the schools decision, believing that it is necessary to maintain discipline and ensure a conducive learning environment for all students. However, others argue that the punishment is too severe and that alternative methods of addressing the issue should have been explored.

Local organizations advocating for human rights have also weighed in on the matter. They argue that the students sexual orientation should not be used as a reason to expel them and deny them access to education. They call for an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation.

As the controversy continues to unfold, parents anxiously await a resolution and hope that their daughters can resume their studies soon. Many believe that a comprehensive dialogue addressing the concerns of all parties involved is necessary to ensure a fair and just resolution to the situation.
The National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) party, has opposed the proposal by the Uganda Land Commission Acting Chairperson who advised government to take over land ownership in in the country.

According to Prof. Nyeko Pen-Mogi, this will help government carry out development projects on land with ease as many land owners have been a challenge as they raise compensation fees and others are not willing to give in their land.

However, speaking to journalists at the partys head offices in Rubaga, the Secretary General of NEED, Asuman Odaka, said this will only fuel land-grabbing issues in the country.

People who are roadblocks to serious government projects are not ordinary people, we know who they are. They are government officials. For example, during the construction of Entebbe Express Highway, they went and manufactured land titles in the swamps, and eventually, they were paid huge sums of money, Odaka said on Monday.

He noted that according to the Constitution, a citizen has a right to own property including land.
By AFP

DR Congos Denis Mukwege, a surgical gynaecologist who won the 2018 Nobel Prize, announced a presidential bid Monday ahead of elections in the central African nation planned for December.

Speaking to a packed auditorium in the capital Kinshasa, the 68-year-old told supporters he was standing in order to put a stop to insecurity and poor leadership.
Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland (SFMI), the national association representing solid fuel retailers, gathered recently to present their Budget 2024 Submission to members of the Oireachtas.

During the briefing, SFMI members engaged with TDs and Senators to underscore the need for government support on key industry issues. The Oireachtas Briefing served as a vital platform for SFMI to articulate the industry's concerns and emphasise the urgency of addressing these challenges in the upcoming budget.

Key points addressed during the briefing included:

Tackling Solid Fuel Smuggling: SFMI members passionately advocated for increased funding to enhance enforcement measures aimed at combatting the ongoing problem of solid fuel smuggling into the state. The illicit trade not only undermines the legitimate industry but also poses significant environmental and health risks. SFMI underscored the need for greater resources at a local level to tackle this issue effectively.

Inclusion in Just Transition Funding: SFMI made a compelling case for the inclusion of the solid fuel industry in any Just Transition funding scheme. As the world transitions to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, SFMI members stressed that support for affected workers and communities is essential to ensure a fair and equitable transition for all.

EPA Registration for Solid Fuel Retailers: SFMI called attention to the importance of registering solid fuel retailers with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This registration would help regulate the industry, ensure compliance with environmental standards, and foster responsible practices among retailers.

Speaking at the briefing, Kilkenny man Colin Ahern, Chairperson of SFMI and owner of Marble CIty Fuels, said: "Today's Oireachtas Briefing was a critical opportunity for us to engage directly with policymakers and convey the challenges our industry faces.

"We are committed to working collaboratively with the government to ensure a sustainable and responsible future for the solid fuel sector. Our Budget 2024 Submission is a call for action, and we hope our concerns will be seriously considered in the upcoming budget deliberations."

SFMI says it remains dedicated to its mission of representing and advocating for the interests of solid fuel merchants in Ireland, while also promoting the industry's alignment with Ireland's environmental goals.
A hypnotist and self-proclaimed Irish Derren Brown who was once a journalist making 1,000 a week now earns 1,000 an hour helping his clients lose weight, give up smoking and overcome their fears.

Jason OCallaghan can even make people believe they have lost the ability to talk and read, which he says is purely jaw-dropping.

The 50-year-old, who lives in Dublin with his wife, Carina, 44, and their three children: Camille, 11; Ethan, nine; and Stephanie, six; was a gossip columnist until 2006, often rubbing shoulders with stars such as Boyzone and Pierce Brosnan.

After having to work long hours seven days a week, Jason decided to quit and do an undergraduate degree and masters degree in psychology, becoming fascinated with hypnotherapy and how it can help people with issues such as mental health and obesity.

He then set up his own clinic, now the biggest hypnotherapy clinic in Ireland, and helps people all over Ireland and the UK. His most memorable session was with a groom who had a fear of flying, but after a round of hypnotherapy in the airport, he was able to go on his honeymoon.

Jason also does stage events for weddings and makes the wedding party howl like wolves after drinking, convinces the bride there is a celebrity in the room, and makes people feel like they have lost the ability to talk.

Jason shares these comedic routines with his 17,000 TikTok followers, with his videos often earning more than a million views, which has boosted his business dramatically.

Jason told PA Real Life: I hypnotise people by repeating certain words or phrases and they get in a relaxed state  Im like an Irish Derren Brown.

People in their day-to-day lives dont realise that theyre hypnotised, like when you drive a long distance and zone out  thats a state of hypnosis.

Up until 2006, Jason was a gossip columnist for the Sunday Independent newspaper in Ireland and decided to make a career change in order to have a better work-life balance.

He said: I was going to parties almost every night to meet celebrities, and it was a very litigious job  it was highly pressurised and with working seven days a week for 10 years, I was exhausted so I quit.

Jason decided to enter the music and events industry as he had built up many celebrity contacts, including Pierce Brosnan, B*Witched and Boyzone.

In 2008, he did an undergraduate degree in Psychology at Dublin Business School, and three years later, he did a masters degree in Applied Psychology at Trinity College Dublin, alongside hosting events at night.

He said: I had always wanted to study psychology, and it felt like the perfect time.

In my masters, I was training in counselling, mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy and clinical hypnotherapy.

They were my stepping stones to become a clinical psychologist, that was my plan, but I found hypnotherapy fascinating and got really heavily involved in that so I abandoned my plans to do hypnosis instead.

Since graduating in 2012, Jason set up the D4 Clinic, the biggest hypnotherapy clinic in Ireland, and has had his research published in the Mayo Clinic.

He has also been featured on This Morning and has helped a lot of people throughout the UK with weight loss and quitting smoking through hypnotherapy.

Jason explained: Ive had a number of people come in not being able to eat anything other than chicken nuggets and yellow food for 20, 30 or 40 years.

After 20 minutes of hypnosis, theyre eating fresh fruits, strawberries, and pasta.

Things that are not biological, purely psychological, people can overcome once they have been given the confidence, which hypnosis does.

For weight loss, we often teach people to eat off a blue dinner plate  historically, there is no blue food in nature.

You will actually eat less food because the brain associates the colour blue with the colour of food when it goes off.

To date, Jason thinks his most memorable client was when he helped a groom, who feared flying, get on an aeroplane to go on his honeymoon.

He said: He had a breakdown at the airport, and I hypnotised him, and he was able to enjoy his honeymoon.

He was going on a three-week trip to America, and it felt really, really rewarding to help someone like that.

As well as doing very serious hypnotherapy, Jason also does fun stuff such as performing at about 150 high-profile weddings a year all over the world.

He said: Some of the most common things I do is take away peoples ability to read, take away their ability to speak, so we give them the tongue of a cow or a camel, and we get them to ride invisible horses.

I also get people to believe there are celebrities in the audience or that someone in the wedding party is a celebrity, like Harry Styles, and we get brides thinking their Uncle Joe is Madonna  its purely jaw-dropping to watch.

At the end, when the show appears like its over, I get the whole room to do something like howl like wolves after taking a drink.

Jason explained how he hypnotises such a huge amount of people at the same time, saying: It works on the principle of what we would call a bell-shaped curve  so imagine a wedding with 100 people, 10% wont want to be hypnotised, 80% will want to be hypnotised, and 10 to 15% of any population are highly suggestible.

They will pay attention to something so much so that when we put them in a hypnotic trance, they actually believe its real  a bit like somebody whos drunk thinking theyre a great dancer.

In 2022, Jason began posting videos of hypnotising people at events and has now built up more than 17,000 followers, with some videos getting more than a million views.

He said: Since then, Ive been getting inquiries from all over the world  its amazing.

On whether he is glad that he made the switch from journalism to hypnotherapy, he said: I found that journalism with celebrities got harder as social media came in  they can report on their lives themselves.

I find hypnotherapy a lot more enjoyable and rewarding, and dont regret my decision.
FRANKFURT, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Germany's top financial regulator is appointing a special monitor to Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) to oversee the lender's handling of consumer service problems at its Postbank unit, a blow to the reputation of the nation's top bank.

The head of the regulator BaFin has termed as "unacceptable" the disruptions experienced in Postbank's online offerings, the difficulty clients had in reaching its customer service and in long processing times.

The issue has been a setback for Deutsche Bank's effort to restore credibility after fines for lapses in money laundering controls, raids by authorities and other penalties.

BaFin already had a monitor in place at Deutsche to oversee money laundering controls since 2018.

"We are making progress in improving processing times at Postbank as part of the action plan agreed with BaFin," Deutsche Bank said in a statement. A spokesperson said the issue was of the "highest priority".

Deutsche began the acquisition of Postbank, with its millions of clients and roots in the country's postal system, in 2008 during the global financial crisis but struggled for years to integrate it.

The bank said in July it had completed a final phase of the integration, but in September, BaFin in an unusual rebuke said it had seen "considerable disturbances" at Postbank.

In 2019, Deutsche, which ranks as one of the world's most important banks, embarked on a four-year, nearly 9-billion euro ($9.5 billion) turnaround plan after years of losses.

The effort helped restore profit, but the bank's share price has languished and reputational issues have continued to surface.

The U.S. Department of Justice last year extended the stay of its own separate monitor at Deutsche.

Deutsche Chief Executive Officer Christian Sewing has said Deutsche had made mistakes on Postbank and that it had devoted hundreds of additional workers to tackle the issues.

"We have not lived up to our responsibility here  and now we have to work all the harder to fix the problems quickly and completely - and regain trust," Sewing said last month.

BaFin said the special monitor would report back regularly and remain until the deficiencies are "fully remedied".

"The aim of the measure is to quickly restore normality for customers," a spokesperson for the regulator said.

($1 = 0.9451 euros)
NAIROBI, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Kenya's government has picked Citi and South Africa's Standard Group to advise it on how to handle a $2 billion Eurobond that is maturing in June 2024, a senior finance ministry official said on Monday.

The East African nation needs to repay or refinance the 10-year bond at a time when a surge in yields has effectively locked many frontier economies out of the market.

Its debt load and weakening shilling currency has also fuelled concerns about the maturing bond. Kenya's total public debt was 67.4% of gross domestic product at the end of last year, according to World Bank figures.

Finance Minister Njuguna Ndung'u has sought to downplay the situation, saying it is not a "big deal".

Citi and Standard will help the Kenyan government deal with the maturity, Haron Sirima, the director of debt management at the Treasury told Reuters, without providing more details.
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(Kitco News) - TRX Gold (TSX: TNX) (NYSE: TRX) announced Monday that the new 1,000 tonne per day capacity ball mill has arrived on site at the Buckreef gold project in Tanzania.

Targeting an expected commercial production delivery date in the second half of fiscal 2024, TRX Gold said that its management team is on track and on budget towards delivering its third mill expansion within a 24-month period.

The mill expansion is expected to increase processing capacity from 1,000 tpd to 2,000 tpd, and on an average annual basis, increase ore throughput from 75% to 100%.

According to the company, the near doubling of milling capacity is expected to enable Buckreef Gold to increase gold production beyond the companys fiscal 2023 annual guidance of 20,000-25,000 ounces of gold.

CEO Stephen Mullowney commented, We are very pleased with the on-time arrival of the new ball mill at Buckreef Gold. Other long-lead items have also been ordered and we will be focused on getting the 2,000 tpd operation online as soon as possible so that we can reap the benefits of increased gold production.

TRX Gold is advancing the Buckreef gold project in Tanzania. The project currently hosts measured and indicated mineral resources of 35.88 mt at 1.77 g/t gold containing 2,036,280 ounces of gold and inferred mineral resources of 17.8 mt at 1.11 g/t gold for 635,540 ounces of gold.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The head of the homicide division in Harare's police department was assaulted and disarmed by patrons as he left a nightclub early on Saturday, according to witnesses.Detective Inspector Alexander Jachi became involved in a confrontation in the nightclub's parking lot after it closed around 2 AM. During the altercation, Jachi fired his weapon, injuring one of the attackers in the leg.Three individuals are currently in police custody, assisting with the investigation into the incident.The dispute began when Jachi, standing beside his beige Toyota Fortuner, refused to allow a group of patrons to pass between his vehicle and another one. Verbal exchanges occurred, leading Jachi to draw his pistol and fire shots into the air before ultimately shooting one of the men. The group retaliated by attacking Jachi with bottles and bricks, ultimately disarming him.Jachi was quickly taken to a local hospital, and as of Monday, his condition was reported to be stable by national police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.On Sunday night, anti-riot police reportedly descended on the Jongwe Corner nightclub in Hatfield, beating up patrons, as per witness accounts.Nyathi stated, "The Zimbabwe Republic Police investigations team was on a follow-up of suspects after the attack on Detective Chief Inspector Jachi. If there is anyone who was attacked or assaulted by police officers, the concerned persons are free to report for investigations to be conducted."
NEW YORK, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Sam Bankman-Fried will likely defend himself at his fraud trial, due to begin on Tuesday, by arguing he did not think the use by his FTX cryptocurrency exchange of customer funds was improper and by challenging the credibility of those who say otherwise.

The arguments, which defense lawyers have hinted at in court filings, could help the 31-year-old former billionaire try to defeat charges he stole a fortune from FTX customers by arguing he lacked criminal intent despite making mistakes that led to the now-bankrupt exchange's November 2022 collapse.

But any testimony from others suggesting Bankman-Fried knew his hedge fund, Alameda Research, improperly borrowed FTX customers' money to pay its debts, make investments, and lend billions to Bankman-Fried and other executives could undermine the argument that he acted in good faith, experts said.

A spokesperson for Bankman-Fried declined to comment. He is currently jailed in Brooklyn.

Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of fraud and conspiracy. He has long acknowledged failing to manage risk at FTX, but denied prosecutors' claims he stole billions of dollars in FTX customer deposits to plug Alameda's losses.

"We got overconfident and careless," Bankman-Fried wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Nov. 16, five days after FTX filed for bankruptcy. "And problems were brewing. Larger than I realized."

In an interview with the New York Times two weeks later, he acknowledged Alameda had borrowed money from FTX, but said he was not aware of how large those debts had grown.

In September court papers, Bankman-Fried's lawyers said he had a "good faith belief" that the manner in which FTX and Alameda handled customer funds was permissible. They said FTX's terms of service did not restrain its use of customer deposits, as long as it honored withdrawal requests.

FTX ultimately halted withdrawals in November as customers raced to pull out their money due to concerns over commingling of funds between the exchange and hedge fund. But Bankman-Fried is likely to argue that was due to his failures running the business, not any theft of funds, said Jordan Estes, a former federal prosecutor.

"You have to set the stage that this was ultimately a run on the bank that was completely unexpected," said Estes, now a partner at law firm Kramer Levin.

Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, arrives at court as lawyers push to persuade the judge overseeing his fraud case not to jail him ahead of trial, at a courthouse in New York, U.S., August 11, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan have pointed to a section of the FTX terms of service stating users retain the title to their digital assets at all times, and argued Bankman-Fried falsely said in public statements - including FTX commercials - that the exchange properly maintained customer assets.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan barred Bankman-Fried from calling an expert witness to share his interpretation of the terms of service, but did not rule out letting the defendant cross-examine witnesses about the terms.

'AN INSIDER'S PERSPECTIVE'

Testimony from former colleagues who were close to Bankman-Fried could challenge his claim of good faith. Three former members of his inner circle - former Alameda Chief Executive Caroline Ellison and former FTX executives Gary Wang and Nishad Singh - have pleaded guilty and are set to testify against him at trial.

"Cooperating witnesses like Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang ... are able to provide an insider's perspective on what was happening behind closed doors, which can be very powerful to show intent," said Tim Howard, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan and now a partner at law firm Freshfields.

Prosecutors are seeking to play jurors a recording of an Alameda meeting in which Ellison told colleagues that Bankman-Fried approved the use of customer funds. Prosecutors say Bankman-Fried told Wang to alter FTX's code to let Alameda accrue a negative balance on the exchange, which other users could not do.

Bankman-Fried is likely to argue that his former colleagues are motivated to falsely implicate him in the hope of winning a more lenient sentence, a common tactic in criminal cases involving cooperating witnesses, experts said.

His lawyers have also argued in court papers that others in the cryptocurrency sector used customer assets in a similar way, contributing to his good faith belief that FTX's treatment of customers' deposits was appropriate.

Kaplan on Sept. 26 declined to rule on a request by prosecutors to bar Bankman-Fried from introducing evidence of how other cryptocurrency companies used customer funds.

In a Sept. 28 court hearing, he said that even though the case involves some "arcane" subjects such as cryptocurrency, "the issues in this case are pretty straightforward."

"Was there fraud," Kaplan said, "or wasn't there?"
NEW YORK, Sept 29 (Reuters) - A Texas investment firm agreed on Friday to pay $2.51 million to settle a U.S. government lawsuit accusing it of fraudulently obtaining payments from a fund meant to compensate victims of Bernard Madoff's massive Ponzi scheme.

The U.S. Department of Justice said Fulcrum Capital Partners violated the federal False Claims Act between October 2016 and October 2022 by causing the Madoff Victim Fund (MVF) to make inflated payouts to victims, which they then turned over to Fulcrum, a "non-victim" of Madoff's fraud.

In a civil complaint filed in Manhattan federal court, the Justice Department said Fulcrum bought recovery rights from Madoff victims and required them to conceal from the fund how much it paid for those rights.

The Justice Department said Fulcrum specializes in trading distressed assets, including shares in "feeder funds" that sent investor money to Madoff.

"Fulcrum is a claim buying financial firm that never lost a penny from Madoff's conduct," Richard Breeden, the former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission chairman who oversees the Madoff fund, said in a statement. "The inevitable consequence of orchestrating false reports to MVF was diminishing the help that... could be provided to real fraud victims."

The settlement came after the Justice Department joined a private whistleblower lawsuit filed in 2018. Most of that case remains under seal. Fulcrum also agreed not to seek further payouts from the Madoff fund.

Fulcrum fulfilled a critical need for victims of Mr. Madoffs fraud by providing immediate compensation for claims," a Fulcrum spokesperson said in a statement. "We concluded that resolving this dispute to avoid the expense and distraction of ongoing litigation was in the best interests of Fulcrum and our limited partners, and we are glad to put this matter behind us and look toward the future."

The fund was created in 2013, mainly from settlements with Madoff's former bank, JPMorgan Chase (JPM.N), and the estate of former Madoff investor Jeffry Picower.

More than $4 billion has been distributed by the fund. Another $14.6 billion has been recouped for former Madoff customers by the trustee liquidating the swindler's firm.

Madoff pleaded guilty to 11 criminal counts after his fraud was uncovered in December 2008. He was serving a 150-year prison term when he died at age 82 in April 2021.
Sept 30 (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Saturday blocked a venture capital fund from moving forward with a program that awards funding to businesses run by Black women in a case by the anti-affirmative action activist behind the successful U.S. Supreme Court challenge to race-conscious college admissions policies.

The Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on a 2-1 vote granted a request by Edward Blum's American Alliance for Equal Rights to temporarily block Fearless Fund from considering applications for grants only from businesses led by Black women.

Blum's group asked the court to do so while it appealed a judge's Tuesday ruling denying it a preliminary injunction blocking Fearless Fund from moving forward with its "racially exclusive program." Grant applications were due Saturday.

The judges in the majority, U.S. Circuit Judges Robert Luck and Andrew Brasher, agreed with Blum's group that Fearless Fund's "racially exclusionary" grant program likely violated Section 1981 of the 1866 Civil Rights Act, a Civil War-era law that bars racial bias in contracting.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Thrash earlier this week concluded that under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment's free speech protections, Fearless Fund had a right to express its belief in the importance of Black women to the economy through charity.

But the appeals court's majority, comprised of two appointees of Republican former President Donald Trump, said the First Amendment "does not give the defendants the right to exclude persons from a contractual regime based on race."

Blum in a statement said his group was "gratified that the 11th Circuit has recognized the likelihood that the Fearless Strivers Grant Contest is illegal." Defense lawyers said they planned to seek further appellate review.

"We remain committed to defending our clients meaningful work," said Jason Schwartz, a lawyer for Fearless Fund.

Fearless Fund describes itself as "built by women of color for women of color."

The lawsuit is one of three that Blum's Texas-based group has filed since August challenging grant and fellowship programs designed by the venture capital fund and two law firms to help give Black, Hispanic and other underrepresented minority groups greater career opportunities.

A different group founded by Blum, who is white, was behind the litigation that led to the June decision, powered by the Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority, declaring unlawful race-conscious student admissions policies used by Harvard University and the University of North Carolina.

According to the Fearless Fund, businesses owned by Black women in 2022 received less than 1% of the $288 billion that venture capital firms deployed.

The fund aims to address that disparity, and counts JPMorgan Chase (JPM.N), Bank of America (BAC.N) and MasterCard (MA.N) as investors. It has invested nearly $27 million in 40 businesses led by minority women since its founding in 2019.

It also provides grants, and Blum's lawsuit took aim at its Fearless Strivers Grant Contest, which awards Black women who own small businesses $20,000 in grants and other resources to grow their businesses.

The fund argued Blum was trying to "turn a seminal civil rights statute on its head" by suing it under a Civil War-era law enacted to protect formerly enslaved Black people from racial bias.

U.S. Circuit Judge Charles Wilson, an appointee of Democratic former President Bill Clinton, in a dissenting opinion on Saturday called it a "perversion" of Congress' intent to use that law against a remedial program like Fearless Fund's.
The US Supreme Court will in the new term hear major cases concerning the intersection between the First Amendment and social media, gun rights, racial gerrymandering and the power of the executive branch when it comes to regulation.
Nobel Prize in medicine won by two scientists for findings on mRNA Covid-19 vaccines
The Supreme Court said Monday declines the challenge to Donald Trumps eligibility to run for president because of his alleged role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
Addenda Capital Inc. lowered its stake in Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:GPN  Free Report) by 17.7% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 63,829 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 13,754 shares during the quarter. Addenda Capital Inc.s holdings in Global Payments were worth $6,288,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of GPN. Glassman Wealth Services lifted its stake in Global Payments by 94.3% in the 1st quarter. Glassman Wealth Services now owns 239 shares of the business services providers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Global Payments during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Global Payments in the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. MV Capital Management Inc. raised its position in Global Payments by 166.7% in the 1st quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 296 shares of the business services providers stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares during the period. Finally, Vigilant Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Global Payments in the 1st quarter worth about $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.23% of the companys stock.

Get Global Payments alerts:

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Global Payments news, CAO David M. Sheffield sold 2,016 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.47, for a total transaction of $240,851.52. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 25,045 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,992,126.15. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CFO Joshua J. Whipple sold 37,096 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.28, for a total value of $4,721,578.88. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 39,772 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,062,180.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CAO David M. Sheffield sold 2,016 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.47, for a total transaction of $240,851.52. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 25,045 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,992,126.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

GPN has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Redburn Atlantic lowered shares of Global Payments from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and set a $105.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Monday, September 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Global Payments from $126.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 22nd. Credit Suisse Group restated a neutral rating and issued a $135.00 target price on shares of Global Payments in a research note on Friday, September 8th. Susquehanna dropped their target price on shares of Global Payments from $190.00 to $180.00 in a research note on Monday, June 5th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Global Payments from $128.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and nineteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Global Payments presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $148.09.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Global Payments

Global Payments Stock Up 0.5 %

Global Payments stock traded up $0.61 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $116.00. 832,117 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,982,794. The company has a market cap of $30.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.46, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 0.98. Global Payments Inc. has a twelve month low of $92.27 and a twelve month high of $129.70. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The company has a fifty day moving average of $121.94 and a 200-day moving average of $109.96.

Global Payments (NYSE:GPN  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The business services provider reported $2.62 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.43 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $2.45 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.19 billion. Global Payments had a net margin of 8.65% and a return on equity of 10.98%. The companys revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.23 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Global Payments Inc. will post 9.68 EPS for the current year.

Global Payments Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Investors of record on Friday, September 15th were given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.86%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 14th. Global Paymentss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 33.33%.

Global Payments Profile

(Free Report)

Global Payments Inc provides payment technology and software solutions for card, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through three segments: Merchant Solutions, Issuer Solutions, and Consumer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization, settlement and funding, customer support, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security, and consolidated billing and reporting services.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GPN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:GPN  Free Report).

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The poster for Block Party / Courtesy of Block Party

By Jon Dunbar



Seoul's multicultural Haebangchon neighborhood had been gearing up for three multi-venue live music festivals over the next month  sarcastically referred to as "Rocktober" by one participating musician in light of the confusion over the different events  but the number has now been reduced to two.



The first festival coming to the neighborhood is Block Party , happening this month on Sept. 24. It's the work of Platform Magazine, a locally made English-language magazine that's released four issues so far.



The event is happening close to the birthday of Platform co-founder Jamie Finn, who confided that he thought it was the only way to get a good group of people out to celebrate his birthday.



"Please don't tell anyone that I don't have any friends," he told The Korea Times.



But Finn certainly has no lack of friends, looking at the lineup of 40 acts playing at five venues across Haebangchon and nearby Gyeongnidan in Itaewon, as well as the army of volunteers helping out.



"Through our work on Platform Magazine, covering music and art, we've made connections with so many great musicians," Finn said. "When we told them our plans to do a music festival, they were eager to get involved. Acts like Billy Carter, OhChill, Yangbans, Love X Stereo and more are all playing this event after being featured in our magazine."



The festival also includes several acts that are better known in the area.



"There are so many great musicians already working in the area  some of whom appear on our lineup," he said, "but the aim of Block Party is to grow the scene. We wanted to invite performers who maybe don't play here that often who will bring a bigger audience to the area. It's an admittedly small step, but one that we hope will help lead to a bit of a rejuvenation of the HBC music scene."



Finn started Platform with Ella Kail and Sam Choi early in the pandemic.



"We originally started Platform Magazine because of COVID-19  which is partly why we never ever mention the pandemic in the magazine!" Finn said.



The three of them make up the core team for both Platform and Block Party.





Jamie Finn holds a copy of Platform Magazine. / Courtesy of Jamie Finn

"We all share an insatiable enthusiasm for music, art and films outside the mainstream," Finn said. "Our goal throughout all of this is to help give a platform  ahem  to artists and performers who might not get that much coverage, especially English-language coverage."



Finn struggles to hide his excitement for Block Party.



"It's so hard to choose," he said when asked which musicians he's most excited to see. "I love so many of the acts on here but gun to my head  Hyangni. She's a genius. She makes really eclectic, forward-thinking electronic music and her performances are supposed to be absolutely wild."



He also namedropped the newly formed punk band Sailor Honeymoon, as well as Hongbi and Pop Ents.



But, he added, he's not sure if he'll see any of them, due to his duties during the day-long festival which runs late into the night. "There's every chance I'll miss most of the performances because I'll be running around putting out fires," he admitted.





The members of Pop Ents, an indie/alt-rock/post-punk band that will be playing at Block party / Courtesy of Pop Ents



Before Finn came to Korea, he was already publishing similar magazines, starting with No-Wave Magazine in his university town of Kent in the U.K. In 2014 he moved to Korea, first living in the southwestern city of Gwangju where he started the blog Keun Soli.



"The first acts I ever wrote about were Say Sue Me, Lang Lee and Aseul, which are still among my favorites," he said.



He kept the project going until about 2018, and moved to Seoul in 2019.



"Everywhere I go, I always get drawn into local music," he said. "For me, that's where my love for music comes from  the grassroots. The Korean alternative scene is full of incredible talent who deserve recognition."



Finn has settled in the Haebangchon area, and DJs regularly at local venues, as well as putting on shows locally as well as in other parts of Seoul.



"I love HBC! It's a little creative hub with some amazing venues and a crazy diverse group of musicians, poets, painters, performers, whatever! There are relatively few franchises here compared to the rest of Seoul, and the rent is cheap," he said. "I'm glad that places like this exist."





The members of Gorymurgy, the "lo-est-fi band in South Korea," who will be playing at Block Party this weekend / Courtesy of Gorymurgy



Tickets to Block Party cost 30,000 won, which is a departure from other festivals in the area, which tend to be no-cover, high-volume and heavy traffic, while also not taking any sponsorship money or government funding.



"Doing so has allowed us to attract some big, exciting names to the event. Acts who are doing international tours and picking up millions of hits on YouTube and Spotify are playing at Block Party, and that wouldn't be possible without selling tickets," he said.



"Our focus right now is getting this year's event done and making it a great day for both ticketholders and performers. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been already thinking about next year's Block Party, though. I'd love to grow the event  maybe more venues, maybe a multi-day event? But let's see."



The number of tickets to be sold is limited to 350, calculated based on the capacity of the five participating venues. Finn stressed that the money from tickets will be used to pay the musicians.



'Rocktober'?



The local music scene has been mired in confusion for the last couple weeks, after conflicting information came out about two more possible music festivals to be held a month from now.



Ryan Goessl, conductor of Camarata Chorale and Camarata Chamber Orchestra as well as owner of live music venue The Studio HBC, had introduced an upcoming festival titled Haebangchon Indie Music Festival advertised for the second-last weekend of October.



But many people mistook this event for Hae Bang Chon (HBC) Festival, which has been held twice annually in the area since 2006. Goessl posted on social media trying to explain that this was a separate new event, with many differences to set it apart from HBC Festival.



Meanwhile, HBC Festival co-founder Lance Reegan-Diehl also announced the return of his own event. He said he has been planning for the last couple years to hold a belated 15th anniversary. The festival had been put on hold due mainly to the pandemic. As well, he had moved away a few years ago to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. But he hasn't disappeared, still operating Deeleebob Music , which includes space for studio recording and practice in the Haebangchon area. Reegan-Diehl added that he has already obtained permission from local police to operate the festival, as it is known to create high volumes of foot traffic in the area requiring police control of the main road.





Lance Reegan-Diehl, co-founder of HBC Festival, performs at Choi's Place in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Sept 17. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar
North Korea denounced the U.N. atomic watchdog, Monday, for joining a U.S.-led pressure campaign and "cooking up" a resolution over its nuclear programs, calling the agency a "paid trumpeter" for Washington.

An unnamed spokesman for Pyongyang's Ministry of Nuclear Power Industry released a statement criticizing a resolution adopted on Friday at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) general conference that calls for the North to curb its nuclear programs.

The spokesman described the resolution as a "result of conspiracy" by the United States and its allies, saying North Korea's status as a nuclear weapons state has already become "irreversible."

"Such farce of the hostile forces is a revelation of their sinister intention to cover up their criminal acts of seriously threatening the international nuclear non-proliferation system and justify their hostile policy toward the DPRK," he said, according to state media KCNA.

DPRK refers to the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The spokesman also accused IAEA chief Rafael Grossi of "taking the lead in creating the atmosphere of pressurizing the DPRK" by "spreading a false story" about an imminent nuclear test.

Grossi warned last year that the reclusive country could resume nuclear testing for the first time since 2017.

"If the IAEA wants to avoid international criticism as a paid trumpeter of the U.S., it would be well advised to devote itself to tackling the difficulties facing the international community," the spokesman said, referring to what it calls U.S. nuclear proliferation and Japan's discharge of wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant.

The IAEA has had no access to North Korea since Pyongyang expelled its inspectors in 2009 and then restarted nuclear testing. (Reuters)
Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho has warned that North Korea's vicious cycle of receiving assistance and breaking off agreements will "no longer work" under the current administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Kim made the remarks at a conference hosted by the Berlin Chapter of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, Sunday (local time), stressing that Pyongyang's s nuclear threat has persisted for 30 years.

"Whenever North Korea has threatened with various provocations, dialogue has occurred, and after countries have engaged in this dialogue and provided assistance to the North, the country ends up breaking off the agreement and turning its back," he said.

"Such wrong behavior will no longer work," he added, emphasizing that the Yoon administration has made it clear it will respond to North Korea's provocations based on principle.

Kim is currently on a seven-day trip to Britain and Germany. On Tuesday, he is set to visit Hamburg to attend a ceremony marking the reunification of Germany in 1990 and meet government officials to gain support for Seoul's policy goal of building a reunified Korean Peninsula. (Yonhap)
By Baek Byung-yeul

Korea has gone all-out to win its bid to host the World Expo 2030 in Busan, with the host city selection coming up Nov. 28. The government and business community are making a last push by mobilizing all available resources to ensure that the southern port city will get to host the international event, according to administration and industry officials, Monday.

Busan, Korea's second-largest city, is competing with Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Italy's Rome, to host the 2030 event. The BIE, the organizing body, will hold its General Assembly in Paris, Nov. 28, and its 181 member countries will vote for the host city.

Foreign Minister Park Jin visited Paris, Sept. 28, to promote Busans bid. During the visit, he held a luncheon with Dimitri Kerkentzes, secretary general of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), and representatives from various countries to ask for their support.

During the meeting with the secretary general, the foreign minister emphasized that the theme Busan is trying to show at the World Expo is timely as international solidarity is needed to respond to global challenges such as climate change and digital transformation.

Industry Minister Bang Moon-kyu also traveled to the African nation of Cabo Verde, Sept. 29, to win support for Busan's bid. There, Bang met with Jose Maria Pereira Neves, president of Cabo Verde, and delivered a letter from President Yun Suk Yeol requesting support for the Expo bid. The ministers also discussed agricultural, economic and energy infrastructure cooperation.

The Yoon Suk Yeol administration has prioritized hosting the event as one of its primary tasks and has actively worked on promoting Busan's s bid to the international community. If we are convinced that the global market and the World Expo is ours and throw ourselves into it, they will be ours, the president said during a Sept. 25 cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), co-chairs of the bid committee, have vowed to mobilize all the country's capabilities over the next two months to garner support from BIE members.

"As the competition for candidate countries is becoming increasingly fierce, the efforts of the remaining two months will have a decisive impact on the final outcome," Han said during the bid committees meeting Sept. 26, calling on the government to implement a customized bid strategy for each country, and for the private sector to work harder on the bid.

Chey also pledged active support from the private sector, saying, "If we do not neglect any country and pay close attention to every BIE delegate, we will be able to achieve our goal.

To counter Riyadh and Rome, Korea is touting its experience in successfully hosting many global events. Also, it suggested the Busan Initiative, which promises to address issues such as digital inequality and climate change that require joint international action through the World Expo 2030.

The bidding committee plans to actively promote Busan's bid by holding a symposium in Paris, Oct. 9, inviting ambassadors from BIE member countries; and a meeting with international journalists.

In addition to the government's efforts, the private sector is also planning to promote Busan's Expo bid.

SK Group will hold a CEO Seminar in Paris from Oct. 16 to 18 with CEOs of the group's affiliates and other key executives. The seminar is a yearly event where the group looks back on business and prepares strategies for the coming year. Through this event, not only Chairman Chey but all the group's CEOs will gather in Paris to promote Busan's Expo bid.

CJ ENM, the entertainment unit of CJ Group, will hold a K-pop concert called Mcountdown In France in Paris, Oct. 15, to promote Busan's Expo bid.
By Baek Byung-yeul

Lee Jae-yong, executive chairman of Samsung Electronics and de facto leader of Samsung Group, visited Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Israel during the Chseok holiday to explore new business opportunities.

He also inspected ongoing projects in the Middle East run by Korea's s largest conglomerate, the group said Monday.

The executive chairman used this years Chuseok holiday, the Korean thanksgiving festival, to visit the three Middle Eastern countries. Since 2014, when he began spearheading the groups management, Lee has traveled to overseas sites every holiday to inspect local businesses and meet with leaders of global companies, Samsung said.

Lees visit to the Middle East comes a year after he visited the construction site of the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) shortly after taking over as Samsung Electronics executive chairman seat last year.

In Saudi Arabia, Lee inspected a tunnel construction site for NEOM, a mega-city in which Samsung C&T is participating, in the northwestern province of Tabuk.

NEOM is a futuristic new city being built as part of Saudi Arabias massive national reform project, Vision 2030, and Samsung C&T is participating in the construction of an underground railway, a key transportation and logistics tool for NEOM.

Last year, Samsung C&T began tunneling a section of the Spine, the underlying transportation network and infrastructure of THE LINE, a residential area in one of the four districts of NEOM. The company is responsible for a total of 12.5 kilometers of tunnel construction.

In a meeting with employees working in Saudi Arabia, Lee said, the Middle East is a treasure trove of opportunities for future growth and innovative technologies.

Even though we are away from our families, lets challenge ourselves boldly with the mindset that we are at the forefront of securing the future of global Samsung, the executive chairman added.

Lee also sent gifts of seafood to employees homes in Korea to thank them for their family members' hard work overseas, even though Korea is celebrating the Chuseok holiday.

Prior to his visit to Saudi Arabia, Lee visited Samsung Electronics factory in Beni Suef, central Egypt, where he inspected TV and tablet PC production sites and discussed Samsungs business strategy in the region.

Egypt is a bridgehead for the Middle East and Africa, and Samsung has been producing TVs, monitors and tablet PCs there since 2012.

Samsung Electronics plans to build an additional smartphone production plant in Egypt to target the Middle East smartphone market, the company said.

On Sept. 28, the Samsung chief inspected the status of investments in innovative startups and new technologies at Samsungs R&D center in Israel and examined ways to secure innovative technologies.

Dubbed as a startup nation, Israel has more than 7,000 innovative technology startups, including AI, semiconductors, bio and autonomous driving, and Samsung operates the Israel R&D Center and Samsung Research Israel to secure new technologies.
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Lou Ann Homan-Saylor lives in Angola at the White Picket Gardens where you can find her gardening or writing late into the night under the light of her frayed scarlet lamp. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com.
News / National

by Staff reporter

As the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) continues to call for a fresh election, the participation of Members of Parliament (MPs) in the opening of the 10th session of the national assembly remains uncertain.President Mnangagwa is scheduled to deliver his State of the Nation Address (SONA) and open the 10th Parliament at the New Parliament Building in Mt. Hampden on Tuesday.The opposition, similar to the 2018 situation, refuses to acknowledge Mnangagwa's presidency, citing a "flawed" election.After a contested 2018 general election, then MDC-Alliance MPs walked out during Mnangagwa's SONA to protest the Constitutional Court's decision on the presidential election.In the recent polls, Mnangagwa defeated CCC leader Nelson Chamisa in last month's elections, which the opposition has described as a "gigantic fraud."CCC legislators, who boycotted the election of the Speaker of Parliament last month, arrived late for the national assembly session, stating their intention to defend "areas of their autonomy."Opposition chief whip Amos Chibaya was tight-lipped about their MPs' attendance for Tuesday's session, saying, "You wait until we cross the bridge."CCC MPs have been actively lobbying the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to support a fresh election in Zimbabwe, a proposal that has been rejected by Zanu-PF, leaving the country in a political deadlock.Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya believes that attending the opening of the 10th session on Tuesday does not indicate the opposition's concession of defeat."MPs were directly elected by citizens. While electoral rigging by Zanu-PF may have influenced numerical outcomes, it did not affect the legitimacy of the MP office. Rigging was more evident in the presidential vote, but Nelson Chamisa is not expected to attend Parliament anyway. So those who were elected must attend Parliament. Attending does not imply that they acknowledge legitimacy. It's an entitlement, a token of our confidence in their leadership," Ngwenya stated.
On SNS, THIS Chinese actress raised brows after voicing out her thoughts on BLACKPINK Lisa's performance in Crazy Horse de Paris.

'CJ7' Actress Xu Jiao Accuses BLACKPINK Lisa's Crazy Horse Stage of Sexualizing Women

Amid mixed reactions to BLACKPINK Lisa's R-19+ performances for Crazy Horse Paris, Chinese actress Xu Jiao also commented on the K-pop idol's stage, but she ended up being criticized instead.

On September 30, Xu Jiao took to her Weibo to upload a screenshot of an audience who saw and described one of Lisa's shows in Crazy Horse de Paris Cabaret.

ALSO READ: BLACKPINK Lisa's Reason for Joining Crazy Horse Paris Revealed, K-Netz Aren't Impressed

In particular, the stage was titled, "Crisis? What Crisis?" featured Lisa portraying an office worker where she was seen wearing a mini-skirt, a white fitted shirt, and glasses. She was reading some documents when she suddenly pushed all of them on the table to the ground, grabbed a chair and started dancing.

She later started stripping her uniform until only her underwear was left.

Reading this, Xu Jiao left a comment:

"I've only seen professional women being sexualized."

Lisa's show It is still a hot trend in China. Xu Jiao, who previously played the role of Cheng Yang, Zhao Lu Si's older sister, in the series Galaxy of Love, Lam Nam Jai. posted on Weibo harshly criticizing Lisa's performance, saying, "I've only seen prostitutes [do this]." pic.twitter.com/OPJpB74I5j  Jessica (@Jessica3032428) September 30, 2023

Probably jealous of Lisa who can earn so much money from cabaret dancing Cabaret is an art not a sexual one but Xu Jiao wearing a bikini for a photoshoot is not as famous as Lisa Lisa is a world-class diamond XuJiao you should shut your damn mouth# #xujiao #Lisa pic.twitter.com/e5q8BM8cqw  Kenji  (@Akira_inone) October 1, 2023

Xu Jiao just riding the Lisa issues on Weibo to get popular. It is not like she never wore exposing clothes before. C-ent is full of fake & greedy people waiting for opportunities to get popular using any way possible.  WangYiboFan (@fanofwangyibo) September 30, 2023

Upon her post, she gained over a million likes on Weibo, and a lot of Chinese netizens admired her courage to call out the performance. They stood up for her and proceeded to criticize Lisa's stage for "promoting" the sexualization of women.

Although some reminded her that she should be careful as she's a public figure, many think she did well for using her voice to call out Crazy Horse.

On the flip side, international fans of Lisa did not let other people criticize the BLACKPINK member's hard work and effort. They went on to counterattack Xu Jiao.

Fans explained that rather than women's sexualization, the aim of the show was to instill women's freedom, confidence, and the right to make decisions for their own bodies.

Chinese fans of Lisa also counterattacked Xu Jiao after they dug the actress's photo where she was wearing a bikini as well. But surprisingly, when she received criticism in the past for it, the actress responded:

"It's 2023, is it abnormal for girls to wear swimsuits? I love my body, so why shouldn't I proudly show it to all?"

People then called her out for "blatant hypocrisy" and continued by asking the Chinese to stop minding Lisa's businesses.

BLACKPINK Lisa Sparks Concern of Women Commercialization Following Crazy Horse Stage

Unlike other stars who appeared on the show before, Lisa decided to become a member of the existing dancer and play the existing show's repertoire as it is.

However, it was known that she did not dance naked like other dancers and that she prepared a separate costume to take off her top.

Despite this, some K-pop fans expressed their regret and concern about Lisa's global influence. Since the show's focus from the beginning is on the "nude of a woman taking off her clothes," controversy over women's commercialization and sexualization arose, pointing out that it was a "strip show" rather than an art performance.

Lisa has yet to address this issue.

READ MORE: What's Happening to BLACKPINK? Group's Image Sparks Concern After Lisa, Jennie's 'Obscene Stage' Issues

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dawson.
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Rising Star Communication

New Delhi [India], October 2: In a glittering ceremony attended by prominent figures from the real estate industry and beyond, Honeyy Group was bestowed with the prestigious Times of India Award for Best Quality in Construction for the year 2023 by Indian Actress Sriya Saran on the 29th September, 2023. This recognition stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of Honeyy Group in delivering superior quality homes that redefine luxury living.

Also Read | Gandhi Jayanti 2023: India Has Strayed From Mahatma Gandhi's Ideal of Love, Tolerance, Says PDP President Mehbooba Mufti.

The Times of India Awards are highly coveted in the real estate sector and are known for acknowledging excellence, innovation, and dedication to quality in the construction industry. Honeyy Group's latest accolade solidifies its position as a pioneering force in the real estate landscape.

A Legacy of Excellence

Also Read | Manipur: CBI, NIA Refute Allegations of High-Handedness, Say Arrests Based on Evidence.

Honeyy Group, founded by visionary entrepreneur Mukka Obul Reddy, has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence since its inception. With a portfolio of projects that seamlessly blend aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability, the group has set a new benchmark for quality in the construction industry.

Quality Assurance at Every Step

One of the distinguishing features of Honeyy Group's approach is its rigorous quality control measures. From the selection of premium construction materials to the implementation of cutting-edge construction techniques, every aspect of their projects undergoes meticulous scrutiny to ensure that the highest standards are met.

A Visionary Leader

Mukka Obul Reddy, the driving force behind the group, has been instrumental in shaping its ethos of quality and innovation. Her leadership and unwavering commitment to providing affordable luxury homes without compromising on quality have not only earned the admiration of industry peers but have also made a positive impact on the lives of countless homeowners.

Community-Centric Development

Honeyy Group's projects aren't just about buildings; they are about creating vibrant communities. Each development is strategically located to offer residents easy access to essential amenities, schools, transportation hubs, and green spaces. This holistic approach to community-centric development has resonated with homebuyers.

A Bright Future Ahead

As Honeyy Group basks in the glory of the Times of India Award for Best Quality in Construction, it is clear that they are poised for even greater achievements in the years ahead. Mukka Obul Reddys vision of making luxury living accessible to a wider audience without compromising on quality continues to shape the future of the real estate industry.

In a world where quality and affordability often seem like opposing forces, Honeyy Group's success story is a beacon of hope. They have not only demonstrated that it is possible to achieve the highest standards of quality in construction but also that these standards can be accessible to a broader demographic. The Times of India Award for Best Quality in Construction for 2023 is a well-deserved recognition of their dedication to excellence.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by Rising Star Communication. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

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PRNewswire

Geneva [Switzerland], October 2: Swiss-based medical technology company MedAlliance has been acquired by Cordis for a 2022 investment of USD 35M and a 2023 upfront closing payment of USD 200M, together with regulatory achievement milestones of up to USD 125M and commercial milestones of up to USD 775M through 2029, for a total consideration of up to USD 1.135 Billion.

Also Read | Ganpati Saves Surat Boy: 14-Year-Old Lakhan Devipujak, Who Drowned in Arabian Sea, Miraculously Survives; Found Alive Floating on Immersed Ganesh Idol Platform.

Cordis is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of interventional cardiovascular and endovascular technologies. MedAlliance's innovative and revolutionary sustained sirolimus drug-eluting balloon (DEB) program, SELUTION SLR (Sustained Limus Release), has provided a flagship product family which complements Cordis' existing product portfolio, together with their sales, marketing and distribution expertise. Cordis customers will benefit from the extensive clinical study program and publication plan that have been executed by MedAlliance to further Cordis' heritage of bringing innovative products to patients.

"The Cordis acquisition will accelerate access to this breakthrough technology for patients around the globe suffering from coronary and peripheral disease," said Jeffrey B. Jump, Founder, Chairman and CEO of MedAlliance. "I want to thank our entire MedAlliance team - including physicians, distributors and clinical patients - who have succeeded in disrupting the coronary and peripheral markets to provide a safe and effective new technology. The arsenal of SELUTION SLR DEB clinical data is designed to change medical practice and improve patient outcomes."

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"Nearly twenty years ago, Cordis introduced CYPHER , the first drug-eluting stent, transforming cardiovascular treatment for patients around the world," said Shar Matin, Cordis CEO. "As a newly independent company, we are beyond proud to further our legacy of innovation and market disruption with MedAlliance and the first MicroReservoir sirolimus drug-eluting balloon, SELUTION SLR."

"We are excited to report on the positive SELUTION SLR data to date, with first-hand experience of the impressive clinical outcomes from patients treated with SELUTION SLR in Japan, India, Europe, and South America. We are now leading the effort to emulate these results in the United States. This technology has the distinct opportunity to change the treatment paradigm for patients suffering from cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease," commented George Adams, Steering Committee member of both the US SELUTION4SFA and SELUTION4BTK IDE studies; Director, Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Research, Rex Hospital Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina, United States.

SELUTION SLR was awarded CE Mark Approval for the treatment of peripheral artery disease in February 2020 and for the treatment of coronary artery disease in May 2020. MedAlliance was the first drug-eluting balloon company to receive FDA Breakthrough Designation status. In addition to the BTK and superficial femoral artery (SFA) indications for which the company received FDA IDE approval in May and August 2022 respectively, MedAlliance received coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR) IDE approval in October 2022 and de novo coronary artery lesions approval in January 2023.

Subsequent to achieving IDE Status, three FDA studies involving SELUTION SLR are currently enrolling with a fourth, involving patients with coronary de novo artery disease, planned to start in the next few weeks. The latter will complement the substantial experience gained with the ground-breaking SELUTION DeNovo trial in Europe, which has now enrolled over 1,700 patients, half way towards a planned 3,326 patients. SELUTION DeNovo compares the treatment strategy using SELUTION SLR versus any limus drug-eluting stent [DES] [ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04859985]. This study is designed to change medical practice, as the majority of de novo coronary lesions are currently treated with a permanent metallic stent.

MedAlliance's unique DEB technology involves MicroReservoirs which contain a mixture of biodegradable polymer intermixed with the anti-restenotic drug sirolimus applied as a coating on the surface of an angioplasty balloon. These MicroReservoirs provide controlled and sustained release of the drug for up to 90 days. MedAlliance's proprietary CAT (Cell Adherent Technology) enables the MicroReservoirs to be coated onto balloons and efficiently transferred to adhere to the vessel lumen when delivered via expansion of the balloon.

SELUTION SLR is commercially available in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas (outside USA) and most other countries where the CE Mark is recognized. Over 40,000 units have been used for patient treatments in routine clinical practice or as part of coronary clinical trials.

About Cordis

Cordis is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacturing of interventional cardiovascular technologies with a more than 60-year history of pioneering breakthrough therapies to treat millions of patients. With a reputation for clinical acumen, training, and service, Cordis has a legacy of innovation in high-quality and minimally invasive cardiovascular products, building a strong global footprint with operations in more than 70 countries around the world.

Media Contact:Richard Kenyonrkenyon@medalliance.com+44 7831 569940

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2236013/MedAlliance.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1196864/4316239/MedAlliance_Logo.jpg

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Chandigarh, Oct 2 (PTI) Three sisters were found dead inside a trunk in their house in Kanpur village of Jalandhar district, police said on Monday.

The three girls were reported missing Sunday night at Maqsudan Police Station by their parents when they did not find them home after returning from work, an officer said.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Shocker: 34-Year-Old Woman Kidnapped, Gang-Raped in Ashoknagar; Search on for Accused.

The family of the migrant labourer had five children, said police.

The sisters were identified as Kanchan, 4, Shakti, 7, and Amrita, 9, they said.

Also Read | Punjab Shocker: Bodies of Three Missing Minor Sisters Stuffed in Trunk Found in Jalandhar, Police Suspect Honour Killing.

All three bodies were sent for post mortem to ascertain the cause of the death, the officer said.

Police said the matter unravelled when the father of the girls was shifting household items Monday and found the trunk heavier than usual.

When he opened the trunk, he found his three daughters inside, police said.

According to police, the father of the girls had recently received an ultimatum from his landlord to vacate the house over his drinking habit.

Investigation has been launched into the matter.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
East Godavari (Andhra Pradesh) [India], October 2 (ANI): Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu's wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari joined party workers on a hunger strike at Rajamahendravaram in East Godavari district against Naidu's arrest.

Nara Bhuvaneshwari paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti before starting her day-long hunger strike. A large number of women from across Andhra Pradesh have also joined the strike extending their support for Nara Bhuvaneswari.

Also Read | Rajasthan Assembly Election 2023: PM Narendra Modi Promises 'Pakka Ghar' and Tap Connection to Each Poor if BJP Government Comes Back To Power in State.

TDP is staging a hunger strike across the state against the arrest of the former CM.

TDP national general secretary and Naidu's son Nara Lokesh have joined the protest in Delhi.

Also Read | Maharashtra Road Accident: Speeding Trucker Mows Down 10 Sleeping Roadside Workers in Buldhana, Five Killed.

The hunger strike in Delhi comes one day ahead of the Supreme Court hearing which is scheduled on Tuesday in which the SC will hear a plea of TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu challenging the Andhra Pradesh High Court order in dismissing a petition for quashing the FIR against him in the Andhra Pradesh skill development scam which was filed by Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Andhra Pradesh based on the complaint filed by the ruling YSR Congress MLA A Ramakrishna Reddy.

Chandrababu Naidu approached the Supreme Court against the High Court order which declined to quash the FIR last week.

He sought the quashing of the FIR registered by AP-CID in the alleged Rs 371 crore skill development scam on the ground that the police did not obtain prior sanction from the Governor as mandated under the Preventionof Corruption (PC) Act.

In his plea, Naidu contended that the Andhra Pradesh High Court had rejected his petition by ignoring his pleading that under Section 17A of the PC Act, which came into force on July 26, 2018, no FIR against a public servant could be registered without prior sanction of the appropriate authority.

The FIR against Naidu was registered on December 9, 2021, and he was added as accused number 37 in the case. on September 7, 2023. Section 17 A of the PC Act was not complied with as "no permission was obtained fromthe competent authority", the plea stated.

Naidu, presently the Leader of the Opposition, the national president of the Telugu Desam Party called the action against him "an orchestrated campaign of regime revenge and to derail the largest opposition in the state.

Naidu was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on September 9 in connection with the multi-crore skill development scam case. (ANI)

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Mumbai, October 2: A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) official was seriously injured after being allegedly hit by a car at the checkpost of Mumbai International Airport, police said on Sunday. Mumbai Police said that the injured official, Rahul Sharma was checking cars at a checkpost on the airport premises when a car came at full speed and hit him. Video: BMW Hits Truck at Speed of 230 KMPH on Purvanchal Expressway, Car-Owner Goes Live on Facebook Before Mishap.

"Rahul Suresh Sharma, a CISF official, was seriously injured after being hit by a BMW car at the checkpoint of Mumbai International Airport. Five people in the car were handed over to the Sahar police station," police said. "The injured official was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment," it added. BMW Car Accident in Mumbai Video: Drunk Man Crashes Luxury Vehicle Into Truck in Juhu; One Killed, Three Injured.

Police said that the accused driver has been detained and a case has been registered against him under IPC sections 279,338 and Motor Vehicle Act.

Further investigation is underway.

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New Delhi [India], October 2 (ANI): Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday hit back at Union Minister Anurag Thakur, saying, "How much money has the central government collected from West Bengal?"

"Anurag Thakur says that they gave Rs 2 lakh crore. But the question is, how much amount have they taken from West Bengal? They have been in power for nine years, and they have taken at least Rs 5-7 lakh crore from West Bengal. You have taken money from the state and are keeping it deprived of rights," Banerjee said.

Also Read | Goa Road Accident: One Killed, 22 Injured As Hyderabad-Bound Bus Overturns in South Goa After Driver Loses Control.

Speaking about the protest at Raj Ghat, the TMC leader said, "The way they misbehaved and manhandled it clearly shows that BJP is scared...If the people feel that those who we elected to power have stopped the funds and there is a need to change the government, no one can stop that from happening..."

"The central government has withheld the money of various job card holders for over two years now...You are taking money from West Bengal but not giving it to the state. The money belongs to the people of the state...You have deliberately stopped the release of money because the people of Bengal did not elect you and rejected you...This is not a party's protest but the people's protest..." he added.

Also Read | Earthquake in West Bengal: Moderate Tremors Felt in Several Districts of North Bengal; No Damage Reported.

Banerjee also alleged that the police manhandled women protesters at Raj Ghat.

"The police lathi-charged women protesters. They tried to turn the protest violent. They were continuously asking us to get up when we were sitting there peacefully. They were treating us as a commodity. We did not engage in any political sloganeering, nor did we speak. Only MPs and MLAs were present there. At first, some of our supporters reached the place, but then on requesting they went away," Banerjee said.

Speaking on the alleged CBI enquiry called by Union Minister Giriraj Singh, Banerjee said, "Today, all of a sudden Giriraj Singh said that he has called for a CBI enquiry. What is the result of the CBI enquiry in Bengal so far? In the last two years, 26 cases have been transferred to the CBI. If handing over the case to the CBI will ensure that ordinary people get their money then I welcome it. Those who invested in Sarada, did anyone get it back?"

Questioning the CBI enquiries going on in the state, Banerjee said, "What is the outcome of the Gyaneshwari investigation? What is the outcome of Nobel theft? Of Rose Valley? Has anyone who was aspiring to be a teacher got the job?"

"If CBI starts an enquiry, the person to be arrested should be Giriraj Singh for stopping MGNREGA funds to the state government," he added.

Earlier in the day, speaking on Trinamool Congress (TMC) protests, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said, "There was no action on corruption in West Bengal but they are sent here for whitewashing... I want to speak in detail about this. A central team did an inquiry in 2019... The observation by the team revealed that huge corruption was divided into small parts... Then the existing works were presented as new works... They also did a scam in a scheme named after Mahatma Gandhiji..."

The TMC is holding a mega protest in the national capital against the central government stopping the disbursement of MGNREGA funds to the state government. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Baked pasta with basil - Static Media / Shutterstock

There is nothing better than pulling piping hot baked pasta out of the oven on a cool evening. What's not to love about tender noodles, hearty sauces, and melty cheese? Every element is a crowd-pleaser, and the perfect cheese pull from that first slice has "love" written all over it.

Thankfully, there is a baked pasta recipe to suit every palate, from veggie-heavy and cheese-free to gooey, rich, and totally nostalgic. It checks all the boxes and easily transforms from a convenient weeknight solution to the main event of a celebratory meal. Plus, those piles of pasta can help stretch more expensive ingredients like meat and cheese, making baked pasta a handy tool for a cook on a budget or one who is looking to feed a crowd. And, of course, this freezer-friendly dish is a go-to if you're hoping to fill your freezer for the winter or want to feed new parents still in the haze of life with a newborn. So bust out your baking dish (ceramic or glass, please), put some water on to boil, and preheat your oven: There's baked pasta on the menu tonight.

Read more: 44 Types Of Pasta And When You Should Be Using Them

Lasagna

Lasagna with meat sauce - Maria Tebriaeva/Shutterstock

Lasagna is an iconic dish that has been coming out of Italian kitchens since the Middle Ages, when one of the earliest cookbooks, a 14th-century manuscript called "Liber de Coquina," instructed cooks to layer thin sheets of boiled pasta with grated cheese and spices. We may never know who decided to add sauce and stick it all in the oven, but our tables  and our freezers  are forever grateful for their ingenuity.

Wide noodles are what set lasagna apart from other baked pasta. Ambitious cooks can show off by rolling out paper-thin homemade noodles rich with egg yolks and cutting them into wide rectangles. If making homemade pasta isn't your cup of tea, let the magic of no-boil noodles save you a lot of time and still deliver major results.

Lasagna bolognese is by far the most popular iteration, combining velvety bechamel and rich, meaty bolognese sauce in each layer. Ricotta adds creaminess and mozzarella provides the cheese pull, though if you're not a fan of cooked ricotta you'll definitely want to explore mornay sauce  bechamel with cheese stirred in  on your next lasagna adventure. It gets cheesy goodness into every bite without the sometimes crumbly texture.

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Of course, bolognese isn't your only choice. Substitute meat for mushrooms or braised greens, trade red sauce for an extra dose of mornay, or go totally vegan with a veggie-heavy red sauce and nutritional yeast instead of Parmigiano Reggiano to give a punch of umami to all those veggies.

Baked Macaroni And Cheese

Baked macaroni and cheese - harexape/Shutterstock

Any busy parent (or college student) will tell you instant mac and cheese has its place, and they're not wrong. Sometimes, though, you need to kick it up a notch and get the oven involved.

When whipping up such a seemingly simple dish, give every step a once-over to avoid any mac and cheese mistakes. Choose a smaller pasta with nooks and crannies designed to hold onto sauce. Elbows and shells are a go-to whether you're using a box or going homemade, while cavatappi, campanelle, or radiatore will give the finished product a grown-up look. When it comes to the cheese in mac and cheese, let flavor be your guide. Start with mild melting cheeses like cheddar and Gouda to create a creamy base when stirred into the roux, then get creative and add in small amounts of punchy flavors (think goat cheese or feta) for a personal twist.

The crowning glory of baked macaroni and cheese is the crispy crust, and there's more than one way to make it your own. Melted butter and Panko will brown beautifully into a light, crunchy lid. Small toasted cubes of bread would be right at home at a classic barbecue restaurant, giving your baked macaroni and cheese a little extra chew. Or you can get really creative with crushed potato chips in fun flavors or cheese crackers for a salty finish with serious crunch. However you top it, get ready for a textural match made in heaven.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Tuna noodle casserole with peas - AS Foodstudio/Shutterstock

Whether you call it casserole or hotdish, there's something super comforting about this Midwestern icon. All that comfort was born out of convenience, as canned food producers began developing easy-to-follow recipes featuring items like canned soup or vegetables to help home cooks get dinner on the table in record time. Even James Beard wrote a book on the subject, publishing "Casserole Cookbook" in 1955. And tucked in those pages is none other than tuna casserole. And if you've never tried this American classic before, maybe Beard's endorsement can convince you.

At its simplest, tuna noodle casserole is a meal of pantry staples, combining egg noodles, canned cream of mushroom soup, and canned tuna. Most recipes call for tuna in water (just be sure to drain it), but tuna packed in oil can help add extra moisture and rich flavor to the final dish. The humble beginnings make it the perfect baked pasta dish to dress up. Make it a one-pan meal by stirring in diced peppers or peas for a serving of veggies. And if you're feeling ambitious, you can swap the canned soup for a homemade gravy -- which is equally at home in green bean casserole come Thanksgiving. Top it all off with crushed Saltines or your favorite flavor of potato chips (might we suggest salt and vinegar for a nod to classic fish-n-chips?). You'll be potluck-ready in no time, and your grandmother will be so proud.

Baked Ziti

Baked ziti with basil - Ezume Images/Shutterstock

Are you longing for the flavor of lasagna, but not interested in all that effort? Enter baked ziti. It is Carmela Soprano's specialty and, just like the fictional mob wife, the dish does have Italian roots. Ziti is a long, tube-shaped pasta that originated in Sicily  just like the Soprano family. There, baked ziti was traditionally served at weddings, though it has now expanded to be a feature on any celebration table.

Unlike lasagna, which requires painstakingly layering thin sheets of pasta with sauces and cheese, making baked ziti is a walk in the park. Stir cooked pasta with sauce, meat or vegetables, and cheese, then pour it into a casserole dish. Top with Parmesan and mozzarella, then slide it into the oven and bake until everything is warm and melty.

So why use ziti when we know ridged pasta like penne rigate and rigatoni are ideal for holding sauces? Size-wise, ziti is right between the two (penne is smaller, rigatoni is bigger), so the center hole will trap sauce and small, crumbled fillings. And while the ridges on penne and rigatoni are great for catching sauce in un-baked pasta dishes, the weight of the fillings and time in the oven can cause ridged pasta to crack (especially if they're over-cooked before going into the oven), while smooth and rigid ziti can hold its own.

Stuffed Shells

Stuffed shell pasta - Lauripatterson/Getty Images

These ocean-inspired noodle shapes come in a wide variety of sizes, with the smallest appearing in soups (or boxed macaroni and cheese) and the largest begging to be stuffed and baked. The smooth interior and ridged exterior make them ideal for holding fillings and grabbing sauce, which is exactly how they're used in the southern Italian region of Campania.

Baked stuffed shells are all about presentation. Each shell is a pretty all-in-one package that's delicious as the main event or a side dish. The spacious interior has ample room for a hearty amount of filling, so stuff away. Fill them with cheese and veggies, meat and red sauce, or whatever your heart desires. Just don't forget to top them with extra cheese for a melty, gooey finish.

The hardest thing about cooking stuffed shells is ensuring each shell stays intact during the stuffing and baking process. Stir gently while you're boiling the pasta to keep the shells from sticking without being broken by the spoon. Since you'll be giving the noodles time to finish cooking in the oven once they're filled and sauced, remove them from the water when they're molto al dente so they're still strong enough to hold up to being filled  and ensure a perfect al dente pasta once your dish comes out of the oven.

Sheet Pan Gnocchi

Sheet pan gnocchi with tomatoes - Rudisill/Getty Images

Baked pasta is often a labor of love, but you'll be thrilled to know it can also be synonymous with a quick weeknight dinner -- and sheet pan gnocchi is proof. You don't even have to boil water.

Sheet pan dinners are always a fast way to get dinner on the table, but in this dish, the real timesaver is the gnocchi itself. These bite-sized, hand-formed Italian dumplings didn't see potatoes added to the recipe until the late 19th and early 20th centuries, though squash was used in northern Italy before potatoes became common crops. Today, potato gnocchi is a common grocery store item (found in shelf-stable and refrigerated varieties), and you never know what new flavor you'll spot in the Trader Joe's freezer aisle.

Whether packaged, frozen, or homemade, gnocchi cooks in just a few minutes when dropped in boiling water. Since it cooks so quickly, the 20 minutes it takes to roast your entire sheet pan dinner is more than enough time for the steam from the veggies and liquid from your sauce to get the dumplings nice and tender, and for them to develop a crave-worthy crispy crust.

Spaghetti Pie

Slice of spaghetti pie - Alleko/Getty Images

Though spaghetti pie sounds like an American fever dream, it is as Italian as they come. Marcella Hazan herself featured a recipe for frittata di spaghetti in her 1978 book "More Classic Italian Cooking," giving it some serious clout.

Hazan notes that this dish is the perfect way to use up leftover spaghetti but, in true Italian fashion, leftover pasta is not something she often found in her kitchen. So boil some water, because if Marcella Hazan says it is worth it, you better believe it. Spaghetti pie can be whatever you'd like it to be. The simplest version is dressed with butter and cheese and held together with a few beaten eggs, giving serious cacio e pepe vibes. For a one-dish meal, spaghetti pi can become a hearty entree when laden with sausage, veggies, and mountains of cheese. It's surprisingly stunning, great for feeding a crowd, and makes for fantastic leftovers if you, unlike Marcella Hazan, find yourself with day-old spaghetti pie in your refrigerator.

Timballo

Timballo pasta baked in pastry - Banana Productions/Shutterstock

Timballo (also called timpano) is a baked pasta that can really hold its own as the centerpiece at a dinner party. And who better to sing its praises than Stanley Tucci, who loves the dish so much that he sought out multiple versions while visiting Sicily for his CNN show "Searching for Italy." While making handmade pasta florets with Princess Stefania di Raffadali's longtime chef, Tucci describes the dish as pasta, sauce, meat, and cheese tucked into a pastry crust and baked. The showstopper is then turned out onto a serving platter and cut into wedges for diners to enjoy. 

Endless variations can be found in every Sicilian kitchen, with some cooks using lasagna sheets or thin slices of eggplant to wrap the central pasta. And, of course, the filling is up to you! Meatballs, ground meat, and vegetables are all fair game. However you fill it, timballo is a baked pasta truly worthy of its place on your celebratory table.

Pastitsio

Greek pastitsio pasta with bechamel - from my point of view/Shutterstock

What do you get when you give Italian baked pastas a Grecian twist? Pastitsio, Greece's answer to lasagna absolutely deserves a spot in your baked pasta repertoire. In 1910, Greek chef Nikolas Tselementes began publishing a magazine called "Cooking Guide"  and he changed Greek cooking forever. In fact, Tselementes is so instrumental in the development of modern Greek cooking that Greek folks use his last name as a synonym for cookbook to this day.

With pastitsio, Tselementes combined tubular pasta with bechamel and ground meat then topped it all with more bechamel before putting it in the oven. The beautifully browned crust, reminiscent of moussaka, was the ultimate goal, as Tselementes was known for highly valuing the appearance of food, sometimes even over the flavor.

Some modern chefs prefer to layer the ground meat above the pasta and bechamel for a more dramatic appearance in each slice. However you choose to assemble it, the addition of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and allspice help bring this cousin of lasagna out of Italy, into Greece, and onto your table.

Baked Feta Pasta

Feta with cherry tomatoes - sweet marshmallow/Shutterstock

Okay, so this one isn't technically baked pasta, but how could we skip over one of the original TikTok recipe phenomenons? If you haven't tried baked feta pasta yet, it's time. It's super simple, quick to get on the table, and a total crowd-pleaser  the recipe for a viral sensation, and all the more reason to add this to your meal plan.

Simply toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a baking dish, then nestle a block of feta cheese in the middle. Let it hang out in the oven while you cook your pasta of choice, giving the tomatoes time to soften and burst while the cheese starts to melt. Stir the burst tomatoes and melted feta together, mix in some fresh basil, then add the cooked pasta (you saved pasta water to thin the sauce if needed, right?).

That's it. You can dress it up with additional spices like Italian seasoning, oregano, or red pepper flakes, or add protein to round out the meal. Or keep it simple and know you've got a delicious dinner memorized and on the table in about 30 minutes.

Noodle Kugel

Slice of sweet noodle kugel - Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Anyone who has participated in a Jewish celebration like Rosh Hashanah has probably had kugel. These casseroles can be served for any meal, at any temperature, and are either sweet or savory  a broad definition if we've ever heard one.

Noodle kugels  which first began appearing in the 16th century as Jews made their way from Italy to France and Eastern Europe and brought noodles with them  are chock-full of dairy, often featuring sour cream, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and butter alongside eggs, sugar, and cinnamon. Kugel made its way to America as Jews emigrated from Poland and Hungary (where sweet noodle kugel is called rakott teszta) to the United States, and has found a welcome home on seder tables across the country. The dish is kosher, and many cooks replace standard egg noodles with a gluten-free variety in order to serve the dish on Passover.

What does it taste like? Imagine the love child of bread pudding and buttered noodles. It's sweet, creamy, and mildly crunchy from the baked top. It can be served as a side dish, or saved as a hearty dessert. If you've never had the joy of tasting a sweet noodle kugel, it is high time you whip one up at home. Mix-ins like raisins and toppings like cornflakes and brown sugar vary from recipe to recipe, but there's one constant: You'll want to invite a lot of friends to share.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 2 (ANI): Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh on Monday said a caste-based census would be done here if Congress is voted to power in the state in the forthcoming assembly polls slated later this year.

Reacting to the caste-based census report released by Bihar Government, Singh told ANI, I have always supported this. If we come to power here, we will also get a caste-based census done in Madhya Pradesh.

Also Read | Gandhi Jayanti 2023: India Has Strayed From Mahatma Gandhi's Ideal of Love, Tolerance, Says PDP President Mehbooba Mufti.

The Bihar government on Monday released caste survey data, with the figures that have ramifications for the Lok Sabha polls next year, showing that Other Backward Caste (OBC) and Extremely Backward Class (EBC) together account for 63 per cent of the states population.

Speaking about Sanatan row, Singh said, We follow Sanatan Dharma, there is no hatred in Sanatan Dharma which they (BJP) spread.

Also Read | Cryptocurrency Fraud in Himachal Pradesh: Thousands of People Lose Over Rs 200 Crore in Series of Crypto Rug-Pulls in State; Police Yet to Catch Kingpin.

When asked about Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhans statement people will miss him when he is gone, the former CM said, Because he has accepted his defeat (referring to in the upcoming assembly polls).

the Congress leader also said that only brokers would remember him (CM Chouhan) and nobody else would remember him.

Notably, CM Chouhan made the remark while addressing a program in Sehore district on Sunday evening. He said, Will never find a brother like this, you (referring to women in the program) will miss me when I am gone.

Earlier in a post on X Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan claimed that the BJP would return to power and work for the people with greater vigour.

"I will give development in the state a new vigour, I will give your faith a new strength, this is my promise toyou. With the blessings of Maa Jageshwari and the blessings of the people the BJP (/topic/bjp) will again formthe government in Madhya Prasesh and the state will move forward with a new resolve" the Chief Ministerposted on X

Madhya Pradesh is scheduled to go for the assembly polls later this year. Through the polls, the state will elect legislators from 230 Assembly constituencies.

The last state assembly polls in 2018 saw the Congress coming to power, with veteran leader Kamal Nath taking oath as the Chief Minister.

Nonetheless, a political upheaval rocked the state in 2020, after the then Congressman Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with 22 loyalist MLAs, switched over to the saffron camp. The Congress government fell after being reduced to a minority and the BJP formed the government, with Shivraj Singh Chouhan returning as chief minister. (ANI)

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Chittorgarh, October 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed his pain at the incidents of crime in Rajasthan and said Congress "has destroyed the state" in the past five years. Addressing a rally here, the Prime Minster turned emotional and said the maximum number of cases of crime against women are from Rajasthan.

It pains me that the state tops in crime list, in incidents of crimewhich state comes on top, in riotswhich state is on top, in incidents of stone-pelting which state is on top, in incidents of atrocities against women and Dalit, which state has worst nameis this why you voted for Congress? he asked. He said only Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can bring all-round development in Rajasthan. Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2023: PM Narendra Modi Offers Prayers at Sanwaliya Seth Temple in Chittorgarh, Inaugurates Projects Worth Rs 7,000 Crore (Watch Videos).

PM Narendra Modi in Rajasthan

#WATCH | At Chittorgarh, Rajasthan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "I feel pain when atrocities take place against daughters anywhere in the country but Congress has made this a tradition in Rajasthan... Every woman and daughter of Rajasthan is saying Bjp will come to power pic.twitter.com/UxkmJfPmHu  ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

The development of Rajasthan is the biggest priority of the central government, he said. Attacking the Congress in the poll-bound state, the Prime Minister said that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had accepted defeat.

Expressing confidence of BJPs victory, he said it will continue the welfare-oriented policies of Congress while taking action over corruption. PM Narendra Modi Lays Foundation for Development Projects Worth Rs 7,000 Crore in Poll-Bound Rajasthan (Watch Video).

PM Modi unveiled various development projects worth over Rs 7,000 crores in Chittorgarh, earlier in the day. He said BJP will ensure womens safety in Rajasthan. Rajasthan and four other states will go to the polls by the end of this year.

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Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], October 2 (ANI): Actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan's JanaSena Party on Monday announced that it will contest 32 seats in the upcoming assembly elections in Telangana.

The JanaSena is a major political party in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, and according to party leaders, it will be contesting a majority of the seats located in and around Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits and Khammam district.

Also Read | Goa Road Accident: One Killed, 22 Injured As Hyderabad-Bound Bus Overturns in South Goa After Driver Loses Control.

The elections for the 119 assembly assembly elections are slated to be held later this year.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), previously known as the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has been in power in the state ever since its formation in 2014. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had on August announced the names of its candidates for 115 constituencies.

Also Read | Earthquake in West Bengal: Moderate Tremors Felt in Several Districts of North Bengal; No Damage Reported.

The Telangana polls are expected to witness a three-pronged contest between the BRS, Congress, and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The results will apparently set the tone for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)

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Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 2 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his government will take necessary steps to increase the pension for senior citizens in the next state budget.

Speaking in this regard, he said that his cabinet colleague Lakshmi Hebbalkar's request to give a Rs 2,000 pension to the elderly will be seriously considered.

Also Read | CNG Price Cut in Mumbai: Prices of CNG, Piped Cooking Gas Slashed, Check Revised Rates Here.

A decision on this will be taken in the next budget, he said on Sunday while honouring the seniors who received state awards in various fields.

Currently, eligible elderly people in the state are getting Rs 1,000 on a monthly basis.

Also Read | Gandhi Jayanti 2023: INDIA Bloc To Hold 'Main Bhi Gandhi' Rally in Mumbai Today Against BJP's 'Divide and Rule' Politics.

Treating elders with respect and adopting their life values is the respect we give to elders, he said, adding it was better to live a meaningful life as long as we have it.

In July, Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented the state Budget for 2023-24. The Congress government which recently came to power in the southern state had increased the budget size from Rs 265,720 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 327,747 crore in 2023-24, a Rs 62,027 crore increase with a growth rate of 23 per cent.

It was Siddaramaiah's seventh budget as a Chief Minister, having presented six during his tenure as Karnataka CM from 2013 to 2018.

The state government termed the budget to be their 'Guarantee Budget' and asserted that it fulfils all the five key promises it made to the people ahead of the assembly polls. For the implementation of those pre-poll promises, a total of Rs 35,410 crore has been allocated in the budget.

The Congress party's five "guarantees" mentioned in the manifesto were 200 units of free power to all; Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family; 10 kg of rice free to all members of a BPL family; Rs 3,000 every month for graduate youth; Rs 1,500 for diploma holders (age group of 18-25) for two years; and free travel in government buses for women.

Congress bagged 135 seats in the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly ousting the then-ruling BJP, which got 66 seats while the Janata Dal (Secular) secured 19 seats. (ANI)

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Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 2 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office at Bengaluru on the occasion of their birth anniversary.

CM Siddaramaiah said that both Gandhi and Shastri are role models adding that Gandhis model of development is still the greatest today while Shastri was an exemplary leader.

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi on Personal Visit to Punjab, Pays Obeisance at Golden Temple (Watch Video).

It was Mahatma Gandhi who gave us the simple and scientific economic policy that the growth and development of villages is the real development of the country. Gandhi's model of development is still the greatest today. His aim was that even the most marginalized person in society should live with dignity and respect. Thus, he used to dress semi-naked like a person from the lower end of society. Gandhi's life was to walk as he spoke, the Chief Minister said in a post on X.

He further said, Mahatma Gandhi was a rare saint. His non-violent freedom movement was different. Gandhi was not in Delhi on the day Nehru was sworn in as Prime Minister. In Kolkata, he was wiping the tears of people suffering from the calamities caused by the partition of the country. Rabindranath Tagore called Gandhi Mahatma. Every step of Gandhi's life on the path of truth, his search for truth led Tagore to call him the Mahatma.

Also Read | Kerala Shocker: GPS Leads Two Young Doctors to Death as it Depicts Running River as Road in Ernakulam.

CM Siddaramaiah added that former Prime Minister D Lal Bahadur Shastri was a sincere leader who fully embodied the simplicity and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.

He was an exemplary leader who resigned taking responsibility for the train accident. Thus both Gandhi and Shastri are role models for us, he added.

CM Siddaramaiah participated in Mahatma Gandhi's 154th birth anniversary program organized at the KPCC office.

KPCC President and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa, Chief Whip of the Legislative Council Saleem Ahmed, and Chief Minister's Political Secretary Naseer Ahmed were present at the event. (ANI)

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Kolkata, Oct 2 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his birth anniversary saying that his ideals of "inclusivity, social justice and equality" have remained "relevant even today".

She urged the people to reaffirm commitment to Gandhiji's values for  peace, love and unity and build a society where every citizen would have equal rights.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Shocker: 34-Year-Old Woman Kidnapped, Gang-Raped in Ashoknagar; Search on for Accused.

"On the hallowed occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, my heart swells with reverence for the man who not only led our nation towards freedom but also forged the path towards justice and righteousness," Banerjee posted on X.

She said, "Gandhiji's ideals of inclusivity, social justice and equality remain as relevant today as they were in his time".

Also Read | Punjab Shocker: Bodies of Three Missing Minor Sisters Stuffed in Trunk Found in Jalandhar, Police Suspect Honour Killing.

"As we pay tribute to the Father of our Nation, let us also reaffirm our commitment to the values he stood for  peace, love and unity. Let us strive to build a society where every citizen's rights are upheld and no one is left behind!" she said on X.

The nation is celebrating Mahatma Gandhi's 154th birth anniversary also called Gandhi Jayanti.

On June 15, 2007, the United Nations declared October 2 as "International Day of Non-Violence".

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New Delhi, October 2: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday carried out searches at more than 60 locations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) or Naxal case. The raids are still underway at the premises and hideouts of suspects in both the states. Separate NIA teams started conducting raids in close coordination with state police forces since morning following inputs.

"A total of 60 locations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are being searched in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) or Naxal case," a top NIA source told ANI.

The raids are learnt to be conducted at Telangana's Hyderabad, and in Andhra Prdesh's Guntur, Nellore and Tirupati districts. Manipur Violence: Delhi Court Sends Accused Seiminlun Gangte in Transnational Conspiracy Case to Two-Day NIA Custody Till October 3.

The places being searched are houses of several leaders of civil rights sympathizers who are suspected of having links with Naxal sympathizers.

On September 9, the NIA also conducted a series of raids and searches in Telangana and Chhattisgarh in connection with an August 2023 case involving the recovery of explosive materials, drones and a Lathe machine involving the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) for use against security forces. Suspected ISIS Terrorist Shanawaz Arrested by Delhi Police.

The NIA had registered the case against 12 accused after the explosive materials, drones and a Lathe machine were seized from three of them in the month of June in Cherla mandal of Kothagudem.

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Raipur, Oct 2 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting in Jagdalpur city in poll bound Chhattisgarh on Tuesday and also dedicate to the nation and lay foundation stones of several projects worth Rs 26,000 crore, including the NMDC's steel plant.

Incidentally, the Congress has called for a 'bandh' (shutdown) in the region during the PM's visit alleging the Modi government wants to privatise the steel plant, which is located in Nagarnar village, some 22 kilometres from Jagdalpur in Bastar district.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Now Among India's Top 10 Progressive States Due to Efforts of BJP's Double-Engine Government, Says PM Narendra Modi in Gwalior.

It will be Modi's fourth visit in the last two-and-half months to the Congress-ruled state, where Assembly polls are likely to be held at the end of the year.

"The PM's programme will be held at 11 am at Lalbag Maidan in Jagdalpur, the headquarter of Bastar district. He will dedicate to the nation the greenfield NMDC Steel Ltd Steel Plant built at a cost of more than Rs 23,800 crore in Nagarnar," a PIB release said.

Also Read | Manipur Violence: Life Cripples in Churachandpur District After Tribal Body Calls Indefinite Shutdown in Protest Against Arrest of Four Kuki-Zo People.

"It will produce high quality steel and will provide employment opportunities to thousands of people in the plant as well as in ancillary and downstream industries," the Press Information Bureau (PIB) release added.

The PM will also dedicate a new rail line between Antagarh and Tadoki and a rail line doubling project between Jagdalpur and Dantewada.

He will lay the foundation stone of Boridand-Surajpur rail line doubling project and redevelopment of Jagdalpur station under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, as well as flag off the Tadoki-Raipur DEMU train service, it said.

"The Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation a road upgradation project from Kunkuri (Jashpur district) to Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border section of National Highway-43," it said.

The PM will subsequently address the 'Parivartan Mahasankalp rally' of the Bharatiya Janata Party at the same venue from a different stage.

A police official said a multi-layered security blanket, involving personnel of the state police and contingents of Special Protection Group (SPG), has been put in place in the area, located around 8 kilometres from Raigarh town.

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Latur, October 2: Members of the Maratha community in a village in Latur in Maharashtra launched a relay hunger strike seeking quota in jobs and education. Residents of Gadhwad village said the strike, which began on September 14, has now progressed into a movement about boycotting polls if the demands are not met. Maratha Reservation Protest: This Government Is Sensitive About Giving Reservations to Marathas and Is Working Seriously for It, Says Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde (Watch Video)

Residents of 34 villages have pledged support and have also banned the entry of political leaders till the issue is solved. Maratha Quota Protest in Maharashtra: Eknath Shinde-Led NDA Government Is Shameless, Says Uddhav Thackeray After Police Lathi-Charge Protesters in Jalna

The state government is procrastinating and is not serious about the woes of the community, these villagers said.

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New Delhi, Oct 2 (PTI) The Congress on Monday took a dig at the Centre over the National Medical Commission stating a majority of colleges it assessed in 2022-23 had ghost faculty and senior residents, saying this is what happens when "the PM chases headlines and self-glory".

The National Medical Commission (NMC) said this recently in a reply to the Associations of Emergency Physicians of India (AEPI) over its grievance regarding the exclusion of emergency medicine speciality as a requirement for setting up new medical colleges. The NMC also said that none of the institutes met the requirement of 50 per cent attendance.

Also Read | Punjab Horror: Bodies of Three Minor Sisters Found Stuffed in Trunk Near Jalandhar City, Parents Arrested.

"This is exactly what happens when the PM chases headlines and self-glory momentarily. It is shocking that NONE of the 246 medical colleges sanctioned with great fanfare by the National Medical Commission had adequate faculty or residents and ALL failed to meet minimum 50% attendance requirement. This is revealed by the Commission itself," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on X'.

The NMC further said it found that none of the doctors visit the emergency department regularly "because there is no one in the emergency medicine department to interact with them other than the casualty medical officer".

Also Read | Goa Police Book One for Posting Objectionable Remarks Against Lord Ram on Facebook.

"The posting in the emergency medicine department is supposed to be a break period for the students," the Under-Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the NMC said.

In a recently notified regulation, the NMC excluded the requirement of an emergency department for setting up new medical colleges. Earlier, in its June 23 draft, the emergency medicine department was among the 14 departments that new medical colleges approved for undergraduate admissions must have.

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Darren Blair died on holiday in Vietnam leaving his family desperate for answers (Family handout/PA)

The family of a happy-go-lucky chappy have been left desperate for answers after he mysteriously died on holiday in Vietnam.

Darren Blairs family were told he had been found unresponsive after being asleep in a nightclub for six hours on September 26.

But the family were also told the 31-year-old was found unconscious outside the nightclub and his death certificate said he had bruises on his face.

Mr Blairs mother Margaret Mills, 65, told the PA news agency: He had a tour guide and the tour guide took him to get a drink and then apparently at 8.30 he said to Darren you must go back to the hotel and get yourself washed up, youre tired.

Then we heard a story that Darren had gone back out to meet somebody, a young girl or whatever. There have been different stories going around. We dont know what to believe.

We got another story saying he had been laying in the bar for six hours sleeping.

The police told me they found him outside the bar and he was unconscious. It was two people that found him.

They phoned the emergency services and thats when they picked Darren up.

Mr Blair was taken to the Viet Duc Hospital and he was pronounced dead on arrival, his mother added.

He was the best son you could ever ask for. He was so loving. Nothing was too big for him. He was brilliant with everybody

Margaret Mills, Darren Blair's mother

He had been on holiday before starting work on a production of Disney on Ice in Vietnam.

Ms Mills told PA: He was the best son you could ever ask for. He was so loving. Nothing was too big for him. He was brilliant with everybody.

He was a happy-go-lucky chappy. He was full of beans and laughter. He was fun. He was a good son I could not have asked for any more.

He liked his sightseeing. He visited so many countries its unbelievable. We counted before he went (that) he had been to 44 countries. He had been all over.

He loved what he was doing. He has lived his dream but that has been uncompleted.

Story continues

He was going to settle down and have kids. He spoke about things like that. He was looking forward to his future.

Mr Blair had sent a photo of himself at a bar with his tour guide to his family just hours before his death.

None of it is adding up... It's like a suspicious murder. Something is not right

Jordan Gooderham, Darren Blair's niece

His niece Jordan Gooderham, 19, said Mr Blair had been found covered in bruises and has swelling on his face.

She said: We literally know nothing All we know is that they have been covering something because we have been told four different stories.

One of the stories was he was asleep for six hours on the sofa in a nightclub and that he was asleep and they kept checking on him and he was snoring.

Then they checked on him again at 5 oclock in the morning and he wasnt breathing.

They said he was in the club, dead, and then they said they found him unconscious outside the nightclub on his own.

None of it is adding up. Its like a suspicious murder. Something is not right.

Mr Blairs brother and sister are on their way to Vietnam to try and find out what happened to him.

A GoFundMe page has also raised over 22,000 to bring his body back to his family in Nottingham.

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed: We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Vietnam and are in touch with the local authorities.
Prague [Czech Republic], October 2 (ANI): Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari made an announcement about the upcoming Urban Extension Road 2 during an interaction with the Indian Diaspora at the 27th World Road Congress in Prague.

Urban Extension Road 2, a ring road will be opened in 2-3 months, normally, if you (people) come to Delhi and then go to the airport it will take 2 hours but after this road opens, you can reach the airport in 20 minutes", said Gadkari.

Also Read | AC Blast in Chennai: Mother, Daughter Die of Asphyxiation After Air Conditioner Explodes and Fills House With Smoke in Ambattur.

During his address, Gadkari shared news about the imminent opening of Urban Extension Road 2, a major ring road project in Delhi. He stated that the road would be inaugurated within the next 2-3 months, potentially revolutionizing travel times in the city.

The development of Urban Extension Road 2 is expected to significantly reduce travel time and congestion for commuters travelling to the airport and various parts of the city. This infrastructure project aims to enhance connectivity and ease traffic congestion in the Indian capital.

Also Read | UP BJP MLA Lokendra Pratap Singh Claims He is Being Targeted With Black Magic and Conjuring, Shares Pic on Facebook.

Minister Nitin Gadkari also said that India has set a target to become worlds number one automobile manufacturing hub in the next 3 to 4 years.

Gadkari said, that in the last nine years, the size of the automobile industry in India had increased from Rs 4.5 lakh crore rupees to Rs 12.5 lakh crore. The minister said the Automobile industry has given jobs to 4.5 crore people of the country.

Nitin Gadkari also spoke about the government's strategy of gradually moving away from the use of diesel and petrol.

"All the vehicles in Nagpur such as tractors, buses, and cars are running through bio-CNG...I have a dream to get India rid of petrol and diesel...It's a difficult dream to achieve but not impossible" Gadkari said

Minister Gadkari was welcomed in a traditional 'Maharashtrian way' upon his arrival at Prague airport on October 1, where he was greeted by India's Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Hemant Kotalwar.

His visit to Prague is part of his official tour, which includes participation in the Ministerial session on Road Safety at the 27th World Road Congress. (ANI)

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Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], October 2 (ANI): Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami garlanded the statue of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 154th birth anniversary at Dehradun's Gandhi Park on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. 'Long live Mahatma Gandhi, Long live India', slogans were raised during the occasion.

"Long live India, Long live Mahatma Gandhi, Long live Lal Bahadur Shashtri. On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti & Lal Bahadur Shastri's birth anniversary, I give my best wishes to each one of you. We always remember these freedom fighters who gave their lives for the country, we will keep taking inspiration from these people" said the Uttrakhand Chief Minister

Also Read | AC Blast in Chennai: Mother, Daughter Die of Asphyxiation After Air Conditioner Explodes and Fills House With Smoke in Ambattur.

"Like, yesterday we also initiated the work of Swacchata in bus stations, railways stations, and Taxi stands under the 'Seva Pakhwada' campaign, in Uttarakhand as well as the country", Pushkar Singh Dhami said while addressing the people.

Dhami also remembered Lal Bahadur Shastri and the famous slogan given by him 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, on his birth anniversary.

Also Read | Shastri Jayanti 2023: PM Narendra Modi Pays Tribute to Former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri, Says Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan Resonates Even Today (Watch Video).

"The India, Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri dreamt of is being fulfilled under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Today India is heard by the world" he added.

Uttarakhand CM also urged the students to walk on the pathway of renowned leader and Former Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri.

"Greetings on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti! Come, let us all take a pledge to spread awareness about cleanliness today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi lets us make sure to contribute in making the 'Clean India Campaign", Dhami posted on X

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also garlanded the paintings of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Late Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversary at the CM's residence in Dehradun.

Tributes from across the country poured in on the occasion of 154th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Several leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the 'Father of the Nation' at Rajghat. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Oct 2 (PTI) TVS Motor Company on Monday reported a 6 per cent year-on-year increase in total sales to 4,02,553 units in September.

The company had dispatched 3,79,011 units to dealers in September 2022.

Also Read | Lal Bahadur Shastri Birth Anniversary 2023: Interesting Facts About Former Prime Minister of India Who Gave Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan Slogan.

The total two-wheeler sales grew by 7 per cent year-on-year to 3,86,955 units last month against 3,61,729 units in September 2022, the company said in a statement.

Domestic sales increased to 3,00,493 units, up 6 per cent from 2,83,878 units in the year-ago period, it added.

Also Read | Gandhi Jayanti 2023: Interesting Facts About Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi on His 154th Birth Anniversary.

On the export front, the company said, its overseas shipments stood at 1,00,294 units last month compared to 92,975 units in September 2022, with two-wheeler exports at 86,462 units against 77,851 units in the year ago-month.

Three-wheeler sales declined to 15,598 units last month from 17,282 units in the same month last year.

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Abidjan, Oct 2 (PTI) Cote d'lvoire, the world's largest cocoa producer and exporter, is keen to explore the Indian market for direct marketing of cocoa and cocoa-based products, and the sector regulator will visit the Asian country next month.

Cocoa regulator Le Conseil du Cafe-Cacao not only wants market access in India for cocoa products, but is also looking for investors and partnerships for processing cocoa in Cote d'lvoire.

Also Read | Hamish Ogston Sex Scandal: British Millionaire Accused of Trafficking Thai and Filipina Women Into UK for Sex; Denies Allegations as Probe Begins.

Currently, much of the cocoa produce in Cote d'lvoire -- also known as Ivory Coast located in West Africa -- is marketed through middlemen and third parties, leading to lower returns for farmers.

"Until now, our colonisers (France) built a system of dependency on Europe for cocoa trade. But we are open to selling our products to other countries. We are ready to sell directly to Indian manufacturers," Cocoa regulator Le Conseil di Cafe-Cacao Managing Director Yves Brahima Kone told PTI in an interview.

Also Read | Mexico: Nine Killed, Over 50 Injured After Church Roof Collapses During Mass in Tamaulipas (Watch Video).

"We are going to India in November and meet potential partners and government leaders to explore direct marketing of cocoa. We will be able to sell cocoa products or semi-finished products," he said.

Asked whether the high duties on the import of cocoa will be a subject of discussion, the regulator said it would be one of the issues slated for discussion.

"It is going to be a win-win situation for both sides," he said.

The regulator said the consumption of cocoa products in India is increasing, and that will drive the trade strategy during the discussion with Indian leaders.

It is the first time that the cocoa regulator from Cote d'lvoire will be visiting India -- which imports around 1 lakh tonne of cocoa products -- for the promotion of the cocoa trade.

At present, Cote d'lvoire is focusing more on processing and transformation of cocoa into products like cocoa powder and cocoa butter, among others, to ensure better returns to the farmers and expand its cocoa economy. It has capped annual domestic production at 2.5 million tonne.

"We are promoting processing of the commodity (as value addition will get us more income) before selling it. We are looking for partnerships and setting up processing facilities," said Colulibaly Siaka Minayaha, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Le Conseil du Cafe-Cacao.

He said the country aims to achieve a processing level of 49 per cent in the current year.

To encourage the processing of cocoa, the regulator has taken several steps to organise farmers and establish cooperatives of smallholding growers, he added.

The regulator also said the country is in the process of complying with European norms on sustainability, deforestation and child labour.

International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) Executive Director Michel Arrion said India is an emerging market for the consumption of cocoa, used largely in the manufacturing of chocolates and should become a member of the inter-governmental body.

Out of 5 million tonne of global cocoa production, Cote d'lvoire alone produces about 2-2.5 million tonne annually and exports almost the entire quantity, including value-added products like cocoa butter.

Cote d'lvoire, located in West Africa, harvests cocoa twice a year, with the first crop picked during October-March, and the second crop in April-September. PTI LUX

The PTI journalist is in Abidjan on invitation from the cocoa regulator.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Alberta, October 2: Two people have been killed after a grizzly bear attacked them in Banff National Park, located in the west of Sundre, in central Alberta, reported CBC News. The incident happened on Friday night, said Parks Canada. A family member of one of the deceased said that the people who died were common-law partners. Moreover, their dog, who was also with them at the time of attack, was also killed, CBC News reported.

"They were long-term partners who loved the outdoors and were inseparable," a family member noted. "They lived for being in the backcountry and were two of the most cautious people I know. They knew bear protocol and followed it to a tee," he added. Bear Attack in Canada: Grizzly Bear Attacks and Kills Couple, Their Dog at Banff National Park in Alberta; Wild Animal Now Euthanised.

Natalie Fay, external relations manager for the Banff field unit said, Perks Canada received an alert from a GPS devise in the Red Deer River Valley west of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch around 8 pm on Friday, indicating a bear attack, according to CBC News. Fay added that a team specially trained in wildlife attacks was immediately mobilized, however, their response time was hindered due to weather conditions.

"Weather conditions at the time did not allow for helicopter use, and the response team travelled through the night to the location by the ground," she said. "The response team arrived on-site at 1 a.m. and discovered two deceased individuals." Brave Mother Protects Son as Bear Gatecrashes Family Picnic in Mexico, Video of Duo Sitting Calmly as Wild Animal Devours Their Food Goes Viral.

Meanwhile, Fay said that the response time encountered a grizzly bear showing aggressive behaviour, which forced them to destroy the animal on-site for public safety, CBC News reported. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrived at the incident site at 5 am to shift the victims to Sundres, she added. "This is a tragic incident and Parks Canada wishes to express its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims," the statement read.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
London, Oct 2 (PTI) Chief Justice of India Justice D Y Chandrachud on Monday said that Mahatma Gandhi's legacy extends far beyond the boundaries of India. His ideas have inspired countless individuals and people's movements around the world.

Justice Chandrachud, who is in the UK for a service at Westminster Abbey to mark the start of the legal year in England and Wales, delivered a special address at the annual celebrations at the Gandhi statue at Tavistock Square in central London.

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"Today, on his 154th birth anniversary, we remember Mahatma Gandhi for his teachings, wisdom, and compassion for humankind, he said.

"Bapu's legacy extends far beyond the boundaries of India. His ideas have inspired countless individuals and people's movements around the world, transcending cultural and geographical barriers. His philosophy continues to influence and guide those who strive for a more equitable and just society, he said.

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Reflecting upon the core Gandhian philosophy of non-violence and universalism, the Chief Justice said these enduring principles are grounded on the fact that the world is one and there is a need for harmony and fraternity among the people.

"As we navigate through complex global challenges, it is essential that we preserve and promote Bapu's legacy. His principles of understanding each other and empathy are more important than ever. By embracing and practising these values, the world can foster a culture of inclusivity and acceptance, he said.

"Bapu's lessons on sustainability are a guiding light for today's world. As we face the pressing issue of climate change and environmental challenges, his emphasis on living in harmony with nature and practising sustainable lifestyles provides us with valuable guidance, he noted.

The Chief Justice highlighted Mahatma Gandhi's commitment to social justice and equality, which continues to inspire people to fight against injustices.

"Bapu's life has left an indelible mark on humanity. His understanding of non-violence as the foundation for the search for truth, his vision of a united and harmonious world, and his advocacy for sustainability, social justice, and equality continue to guide us in our pursuit of a better future. His belief in Vasudev Kutumbakam, (which means the entire world is one family) encourages us to believe that we all are citizens of one world, and that we must remain conscious of global issues, he added.

Justice Chandrachud later made his way to the annual service marking the start of the legal year in England and Wales, which dates back to 1897 and was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle.

At the event, attended by judges and members of the legal profession, the UK's Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Alex Chalk and the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, Dame Sue Carr, delivered readings.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], October 2 (ANI): The Pakistan supreme court scheduled the date to hear 1090 petitions against inflated electricity bills on October 16, ARY News reported on Monday.

As per the ARY News, the three-member bench of the supreme court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faiz Isa heard the case.

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The court will hear arguments and decide the matter on October 16, the court announced. No video link facility will be available on Oct 16, all sides have to arrive in Islamabad to present their arguments, the court added.

Earlier, CJP Qazi Faez Isa turned down a request for time from the Attorney General. Attorney General should prepare for case in half hour, the bench said.

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The AG has not been put on notice in this case, he himself wants to present arguments, AAG Aamir Rehman said while seeking time for the AG.

It is okay, if you, yourself in writing say that Aamir Rehman is ineligible to present arguments. We could not become so rude, CJP said. I see Aamir Rehman an eligible lawyer able to present arguments in case before the court himself, Justice Isa remarked.

There is a pile of cases against power prices, the CJP observed. Justice Faez Isa ordered the AAG to prepare arguments in the case within half hour while announcing to hear the case after 11:30am.

Earlier last month, businesses remained suspended in Peshawar's markets, where the traders staged rallies against inflated power bills and rising prices of essential goods and petroleum products, Dawn reported.

The protests were also witnessed in Hayatabad, Saddar, Shaheen Bazaar, Meena Bazaar, Pepal Mandi, Chowk Yadgar, Charsadda Road, University Road, Mocha Lara, Bazaar Dalgaran and other areas before converging on the Qissa Khwani Bazaar.

The traders set up a protest camp in Saddar Bazaar to ensure the markets remain closed.

They further said that they would announce their next action if the federal government did not withdraw the recent increase in prices.

Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to face economic challenges, the International Monetary Fund has made it tougher for the country to manage by rejecting the proposal for any tariff adjustment or provision of additional subsidy, Geo News reported. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], October 2 (ANI): The police detained 800 Afghan refugees in the suburbs of Islamabad, out of which 375 face deportation due to a lack of proper documentation, ARY News reported on Sunday.

Islamabad police launched a search operation in Bara Kahu, Trinol, Mahar Abadian, Golra and Shams Colony and arrested 800 Afghan nationals, police said.

Also Read | Serial Sex Offender Caught on Camera Roaming Near Park Frequented by Children in US City of Fairfax, Arrested While Running Half-Naked (Watch Video).

Four hundred Afghan nationals were later released on producing the proof of residence, officials said. 375 other Afghan nationals had no identity papers, while 25 remaining Afghans have been detained till verification of their identity documents, police further said.

Lists of Afghans were compiled on the basis of secret information before the operation, police said.

Also Read | Zimbabwe Plane Crash: Indian Tycoon Harpal Randhawa's Son Among Six Killed in Mashava Aircraft Accident.

Several criminal Afghan residents have also been pointed out and the operation will further step up in coming days, officials said.

Police said that the authorities have decided to deport 375 arrested Afghan nationals from Pakistan.

According to a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the population of Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan has surged to 3.7 million as of June this year, with a mere 1.3 million of them officially registered with the authorities.

Approximately 775,000 unregistered Afghans are currently residing in the country, ARY News reported.

As per the Pakistan media outlet a major 68.8 percent of afghan citizens in Pakistan have settled in urban or semi-urban areas, while the remaining 31.2 percent are disturbed across 54 different regions including villages.

Earlier, Iran deported 43,000 Afghan illegal immigrants back to their country in the past month, the Taliban-led Refugees and Repatriation Department said, TOLONews reported.

Meanwhile, some citizens who recently returned to the country asked the Taliban to provide them with work. Nizamuddin, 42, who returned to the country three days ago from Iran, spoke of the challenges he faces.

After the Taliban's return to power, new waves of Afghan refugees shifted to Iran and Pakistan due to various reasons, including fearing death threats and persecution by the Taliban.

In July, over 4,700 Afghan migrants were deported within 24 hours through the Milak border crossing in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported.

Officials mentioned "illegal entry, stay, and passport expiration" as the main reasons for deporting the migrants.

Parviz Ghasemzada, Irans border commander for the area, said people from other countries must enter, remain and leave Iran legally, Khaama Press reported citing Tasnim News Agency.

He asserted that anyone trying to enter Iran illegally would be taken to authorities and deported from the country. Ghasemzada further said, "Combating the illegal residence of unauthorized foreigners in Sistan and Baluchistan is seriously on the agenda." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Vatican City, Oct 3 (AP) Pope Francis has suggested there could be ways to bless same-sex unions, responding to five conservative cardinals who challenged him to affirm church teaching on homosexuality ahead of a big meeting where LGBTQ+ Catholics are on the agenda.

The Vatican on Monday published a letter Francis wrote to the cardinals on July 11 after receiving a list of five questions, or dubia, from them a day earlier. In it, Francis suggests that such blessings could be studied if they didn't confuse the blessing with sacramental marriage.

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New Ways Ministry, which advocates for LGBTQ+ Catholics, said the letter significantly advances" efforts to make LGBTQ+ Catholics welcomed in the church and one big straw towards breaking the camel's back in their marginalisation.

The Vatican holds that marriage is an indissoluble union between man and woman. As a result, it has long opposed gay marriage. But even Francis has voiced support for civil laws extending legal benefits to same-sex spouses, and Catholic priests in parts of Europe have been blessing same-sex unions without Vatican censure.

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Francis' response to the cardinals, however, marks a reversal from the Vatican's current official position. In an explanatory note in 2021, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said flat-out that the church couldn't bless gay unions because God cannot bless sin.

In his new letter, Francis reiterated that matrimony is a union between a man and a woman. But responding to the cardinals' question about homosexual unions and blessings, he said pastoral charity requires patience and understanding and that regardless, priests cannot become judges who only deny, reject and exclude.

For this reason, pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of benediction, requested by one or more persons, that do not transmit a mistaken conception of marriage, he wrote.

Because when a benediction is requested, it is expressing a request for help from God, a plea to be able to live better, a trust in a father who can help us to live better.

He noted that there are situations that are objectively not morally acceptable. But he said the same pastoral charity requires that people be treated as sinners who might not be fully at fault for their situations.

Francis added that there is no need for dioceses or bishops' conferences to turn such pastoral charity into fixed norms or protocols, saying the issue could be dealt with on a case-by-case basis because the life of the church runs on channels beyond norms.

Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, welcomed the pope's openness.

"The allowance for pastoral ministers to bless same-gender couples imply that the church does indeed recognise that holy love can exist between same-gender couples, and the love of these couples mirrors the love of God," he said in a statement.

Those recognitions, while not completely what LGBTQ+ Catholics would want, are an enormous advance towards fuller and more comprehensive equality.

The five cardinals, all of them conservative prelates from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, had challenged Francis to affirm church teaching on gays, women's ordination, the authority of the pope, and other issues in their letter.

They published the material two days before the start of a major three-week synod, or meeting, at the Vatican at which LGBTQ+ Catholics and their place in the church are on the agenda.

The signatories were some of Francis' most vocal critics, all of them retired and of the more doctrinaire generation of cardinals appointed by St. John Paul II or Pope Benedict XVI.

They were Cardinals Walter Brandmueller of Germany, a former Vatican historian; Raymond Burke of the United States, whom Francis axed as head of the Vatican supreme court; Juan Sandoval of Mexico, the retired archbishop of Guadalajara; Robert Sarah of Guinea, the retired head of the Vatican's liturgy office; and Joseph Zen, the retired archbishop of Hong Kong.

Brandmueller and Burke were among four signatories of a previous round of dubia to Francis in 2016 following his controversial opening to letting divorced and civilly remarried couples receive Communion.

Then, the cardinals were concerned that Francis' position violated church teaching on the indissolubility of marriage. Francis never responded to their questions, and two of their co-signatories subsequently died.

Francis did respond this time around. The cardinals didn't publish his reply, but they apparently found it so unsatisfactory that they reformulated their five questions, submitted them to him again, and asked him to simply respond with a yes or no.

When he didn't, the cardinals decided to make the texts public and issue a notification warning to the faithful.

The Vatican's doctrine office published his reply to them a few hours later, though it did so without his introduction in which he urged the cardinals to not be afraid of the synod. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
By Reena Bharadwaj

Washington DC [US], October 2 (ANI): Terming the India-US ties one of the most defining partnerships, several top Biden administration officials praised External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars commitment to this bond, calling him the architect of modern US-India relations.

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These accolades came during a special reception hosted by India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, in honor of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The event was attended by notable figures from the Biden administration, including US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, President Biden's domestic policy advisor Neera Tanden, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Dr. Rahul Gupta, and Director of the National Science Foundation Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan.

Jaishankar who is on a visit to the US from September 22-30 during which he addressed the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York and in Washington the EAM met with several top US officials including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Ambassador Katherine Tai and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

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Veteran diplomat Richard Verma emphasized the role of hard-working Indian Americans who have built the US-India ties and said, Its one of the most consequential relationships of this century. Do we have disagreements? You bet. Will we have bumps in the road? Of course. But two close friends aligned with these shared values, bonded together by the great ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther Kingthis is a partnership with staying power, with real impact, and that will continue to have an outside influence in the world.

The former envoy also praised Jaishankar as the architect behind the modern US-India relationship and exuded confidence that US-India strategic ties have enhanced under his watch.

I have also known (Jaishankar) for a long time over many capacities, and who I can also say, he is the architect of modern US-India relations. We would not be in the strong place that we are today, but for the external affairs minister, your leadership, Verma said in his public address.

At the "Colors of Friendship" event in Washington DC, Jaishankar addressed members of the Indian diaspora, underscoring the importance of people-to-people connections in building stronger bilateral ties.

Hundreds of diaspora members from across the United States also participated in the event. Giving credit to the Indian Americans, Jaishankar noted the importance of people-to-people connections in building stronger bilateral ties and that the Indian diaspora was a "bridge between the two nations.

Bidens top advisor, a prominent Indian American in the White House, Neera Tandon said that its important that India and the US have a strong person-to-person, community-to-community leader relationship based on the strength of the diaspora and today the Indian Americans are throughout the administration at prominent positions.

In fact, you can't throw a stone in the White House and not hit an Indian American these days, Tandon told the diaspora.

Our community has honestly matured and recognized that we can participate and contribute in so many ways. And I think it is the strength of that relationship and the strength of the democratic participation that we are part of, that really builds on the US-India relationship. And it is an honor to be here with the foreign minister, Jaishankar, who's a great leader across so many issues and has recognized for years the important strength of the diaspora, she said.

Talking about Indian Ambassador to the US, Sandhu, Tandon said He's one of the strongest ambassadors India has ever had. He is a real and fierce advocate for the US-India relationship and more importantly, an advocate for the US-India partnership.

Ahead of Gandhi Jayanti, Jaishankar also paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi here. The EAM and other guests made several remarks about the legacy of Gandhi.

Referring to the message of Satyagraha, Gupta said, Today we're honoring the upcoming 104th birthday anniversary of what's also known as the International Day of Non-violence of Gandhiji. What becomes important to me, as think about it, is to think about where in the United States, we have had few leaders who have embodied the work of Mahatma Gandhi. But I think there's a lot more that people from the Indian diaspora can do to spread the word. So it becomes important once again to reflect upon the core values of Mahatma Gandhi, truth, Satyagraha.

US lawmakers Shri Thanedar and Rick McCormik, Democrat and Republican, were present at the event. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Im not willing to wear a gag to bag a seat: Iceland boss speaks out on Conservative party exit

The executive chairman of Iceland supermarket has spoken out on his decision to quit the Conservative Party.

Richard Walker, who had held ambitions of becoming a ToryMP, sent a letter of resignation to Rishi Sunak, which has since been leaked to the press.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Monday, Mr Walker said: For me, it became increasingly clear that my views on issues such as food banks and sewage issues were unwelcome.

I was told to pipe down. I am not willing to wear a gag to bag a seat and I am not willing to change my values and principles to suit a party that itself has lost its way.
Honolulu, Oct 2 (AP) A woman who escaped Hawaii's Lahaina wildfire by running through a flaming field has died after spending more than seven weeks in a hospital burn unit.

Laurie Allen died on Friday at Straub Medical Center in Honolulu, according to a GoFundMe page set up for her and her husband, Perry Allen.

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Laurie slipped away peacefully. Her heart was tired, and she was ready, her sister-in-law, Penny Allen Hood, wrote on the website.

Allen's husband, two brothers, a sister, and other relatives were at her side.

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Allen was among at least 98 people killed by the fire on August 8 that devastated historic Lahaina on the west coast of Maui. The fire was the deadliest in the US in more than a century and destroyed 2,200 buildings, most of them homes.

The fire began when strong winds appeared to cause a Hawaiian Electric power line to fall and ignite dry brush and grass. After being declared contained, the fire flared up and raced through the town.

Perry Allen, an artist, lost a lifetime of work when their home burned, according to Hood. He was working 24 km away when the fire hit.

Laurie Allen, a physical therapist's administrative assistant who worked from home, was in her house when the fire erupted. She fled with others in a vehicle, but a fallen, flaming tree blocked their way.

Allen got out of the car and fled 91 metres across a field of burning grass. A policeman and fireman met her, and she was taken to an emergency shelter.

At the hospital, Allen endured infections and a series of operations, including skin grafts, and was brought into and out of consciousness. She had difficulty communicating but at one point raised hopes by being able to wiggle her toes when asked.

Her prognosis worsened in recent days, however, and Hood posted on Thursday that the battle to repair and rebuild Laurie's earthly body would soon be over. Allen was taken off life support on Friday.

This ordeal touched numerous lives. For me, it was realising how many shared concerns for Laurie  people from her childhood, her family, work colleagues, church friends, and clients at the PT Clinic she worked at, Hood wrote on Friday. This is a reminder that we never know how much our smile or even a simple greeting can leave an impression on others.

Some Lahaina residents whose homes burned began returning to the devastated town last week. Authorities urged them not to sift through the ashes for belongings out of concern they could stir up dust containing asbestos, lead, arsenic, or other toxins.

Returnees were given water, shade, washing stations, portable toilets, medical and mental health care, and transportation help. Non-profit groups also offered personal protective equipment, including masks and coveralls.

Nearly 8,000 displaced residents are living in hotels and other accommodations around Maui. Economists have warned that, without zoning and other changes, housing costs in already expensive Lahaina could be prohibitively costly for many after rebuilding. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, October 2: Honda is set to launch its future electric SUV car, Honda Prologue, in 2024. The all-electric 2024 Honda Prologue is said to deliver an excellent driving experience with all its new interior and exterior features. The new car is likely to have more space, a more extensive interior with a tech-rich cabin, and a stylish look. The new e-SUV from Honda offers a new-age neo-rugged design with multiple colour options. The future Honda Prologue electric SUV will be equipped with more performance and capability.

Honda Prologue is the new electric car set to be launched in early 2024, but before that, the company may introduce its teaser video, photos, and other details online. Honda will make its way to the global market by introducing 'Prologue', its first all-electric SUV that will likely provide higher range and powerful charging capability. Here are the known specifications of the new Honda Prologue launching next year. Tesla Launches New 'Y' EV Model in China With Updated Design and Performance Tweaks at Same Price: Report.

New 2024 Honda Prologue E-SUV Unveiled:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Honda (@honda)

Honda Prologue Details So Far:

As per the official website, the all-electric 2024 Honda Prologue is said to launch with 136.9 cubic feet of room inside the cabin, 21-inch muscular wheels with on-par wheelbase, rugged looks and sizeable capability. According to the reports, the new Honda electric car will have a panoramic roof, all-wheel drive technology, single or dual-electric motor setup, 11-inch fully digital driver display, 11-inch audio and connectivity display and other features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support.

The reports further say that the new 2024 Honda Prologue will launch with up to 482 kilometres range on a single charge with its 85 kWh battery. As per the reports, the AWD versions will likely generate 288 bhp power and 451 Nm peak torque. The features listed on the website are a wireless Phone Charger, Blind Zone Steering Assist, AWD Dual Motors, Bose Premium 12 Speaker Audio System, Automatic Climate Control, Parking Assist, Leather-trimmed Interior, 21-inch Aluminium Alloy Wheels, and other features. Maruti Suzuki India Posts Highest Ever Monthly Sales in September 2023 at 1,81,343 Units.

2024 Honda Prologue Expected Price:

The 2024 Honda Prologue may introduce DC Charging capabilities for fast charging, sporty and neo-rugged design, and class-leading refinements. Honda's electric SUV car lineup may compete with other electric models coming out next year. The reports say a mid-sized SUV with such features and specifications will be priced between Rs 37 Lakh to Rs 50 lakh. As per reports, the Honda Prologue 2024 all-electric car will be globally unveiled; however, Honda may be less likely to introduce its new car in India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 02, 2023 02:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Shimla, October 2: Police are yet to nab the cryptocurrency fraud kingpin who may have swindled thousands of people across Himachal Pradesh of more than Rs 200 crore since 2018, the year the crypto fever reached its peak. The gang lured people by promising high returns in a short span of time in crypto investments and created a network of investors.

The initial investors then were baited to reel in other people in a ponzi-style scheme. The matter was raised in the Vidhan Sabha by Independent MLA Hoshyar Singh who pegged the amount of money swindled from people in Kangra and Hamirpur alone to be upwards of Rs 200 crore. FTX Collapse: British Indian Sunil Kavuri Loses USD 2.1 Million in Cryptocurrency As Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Goes to Trial for Multiple Fraud Charges.

In the wake of Singh's assembly speech, a special investigation team was formed to probe into the matter. The exact amount defrauded is yet to be ascertained, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Northern Range, Abhishek Dhullar, who is heading the SIT, told PTI on Monday.

The frauds used a combination of misinformation, deception, and threats to maintain control over their scheme and continued to extract money from unsuspecting investors by manipulating the prices of their coins, he said. The first coin they launched was 'Korvio Coin' or KRO coins.

They charged the buyers an initial activation fee and promised them substantial returns. In their five-year-run, the frauds used three to four cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrency is a digital currency designed to work as a medium of exchange through a blockchain-based computer network that is not dependent on any central authority, such as the government or bank to uphold or maintain it.

Once their accounts were activated, the investors were encouraged to rope in more members into the scheme, police said. The criminals used a Ponzi scheme pattern -- a type of investment scam in which returns are paid to earlier investors from the capital contributed by new investors rather than from any legitimate profits.

Investors were encouraged to keep recruiting new members, a practice which created a cycle where money from new investments was used to pay returns to earlier investors. These initial investors got huge returns and became brand ambassadors of the scheme. The scammers built fake websites to list their coins and manipulated their prices.

They later launched a new coin called 'DGT Coin.' After enough people had purchased these coins at a higher rate, its price was deliberately brought down causing a massive rugpull. The accused introduced new coins and investment plans under different company names, such as 'Hypenext' and 'Aglobal.' Each time a new coin was introduced, it was marketed as a yet another investment opportunity, police said. Binances Bitcoin Trading Volume Dips 48% in September Amid Reintroduced Fees.

According to police, they have received 50 complaints about such frauds this year alone. During their investigation, police found that the modus operandi across these frauds was similar and names involved common, SP Cyber Crime Rohit Malpani said. Since then, five people have been arrested and chargesheeted in connection with these frauds and eight FIRs filed, police said.

"We are close to nabbing the kingpins of cryptocurrency scams in Himachal Pradesh and have mapped their assets and are conducting financial investigation," Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu told PTI. "My advice to people is not to fall prey to the cryptocurrency fraudsters," he said.
Jammu, October 2: The security forces on Monday started a massive anti-militancy operation in J&Ks Rajouri district. Uttar Pradesh Shocker: BJP Leader Slaps Elderly Shopkeeper For Not Giving Free Cigarette in Kanpur, Video Surfaces

Official sources said that the security forces, including army, J&K Police and the CRPF have started a cordon and search operation in the villages under the jurisdiction of Kalakote police station in Rajouri district. Bihar Caste Survey Report Out: OBCs, EBCs Comprise More Than 63% of Sate's Population, Says Census Data

Further details are awaited.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 02, 2023 03:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Bengaluru, October 2: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday that more than 40 persons were arrested in connection with the stone pelting incident reported from Shivamogga city. He underlined that his government wont tolerate incidents of stone pelting, stating that Shivamogga city is peaceful.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah stated, More than 40 miscreants who were responsible for the violence and who pelted stones have been arrested. We are slapping cases on them because pelting stones while taking out a religious procession is against the law." Karnataka: Stone Pelting in Shivamogga During Eid Milad Un Nabi Procession, Authorities Impose Section 144.

Our government will not tolerate these activities and they will be reined in, he stated. "Shivamogga City is completely normal now. The police are taking all possible actions there. The peace has been established in the city after the stone pelting incident. We will take up all possible measures to maintain peace in Shivamogga, he stated.

"In Shivamogga when the Eid Milad procession was taken up, miscreants had pelted stones in the Ragi Gudda area located on the outskirts of the Shivamogga city. The stones were pelted at police as well and the police had resorted to lathi charge inevitably, he added.

Karnataka Police extended curfew to the entire city of Shivamogga on Monday after tension escalated. The IPC 144 prohibitory orders were clamped in the Ragi Gudda area of the city on Sunday following violence during the Eid Milad procession.

The situation continues to be tense all across the city. The security arrangement had been tightened at sensitive points. The shops were asked to close down. At least 12 platoons of District Armed Reserve (DAR), two platoons of Rapid Action Force (RAF), two platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and 2,500 policemen have been deputed across the city to thwart any untoward incident. Karnataka CM Mulls Raising Pension for Senior Citizens to Rs 2,000.

The murder of Bajrang Dal activist -- Harsha -- which made national news had taken place in Shivamogga city in February 2022. The city had also witnessed a series of stabbing incidents over the erection of banners and posters of BJPs freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 02, 2023 02:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Chandigarh, October 2: In a horrific incident, the bodies of three minor sisters, reported missing a day before, were found stuffed in a trunk in a village near Punjab's Jalandhar city on Monday, police said. Police arrested the parents, who were blamed for poisoning them and stuffing their bodies in the trunk, before going for their daily routine. The family of the migrant labourer had five children, police added. Punjab Shocker: Bodies of Three Missing Minor Sisters Stuffed in Trunk Found in Jalandhar, Police Suspect Honour Killing

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kartarpur, Balbir Singh, said the three sisters were found dead in a trunk in the house. "We got the information from Kanpur village about the disappearance of three sisters around 11 p.m. (on Sunday). The family is from Bihar and they are migrant labourers. Yesterday (Sunday), their parents went to work and when they returned home, their three children were missing. Police went to the spot. This morning a Sub-Inspector went to the spot again. He found the bodies in the trunk." Odisha Shocker: Man Kills Elderly Mother, Sets Body on Fire at Badimunda Village in Kandhamal, Arrested

The bodies were found when neighbours opened the trunk that was lying outside the house. The bodies were sent for post-mortem. House owner Surinder Singh told the media that the murder suspect, who was staying at his residence for nearly two and a half months, was a habitual drinker and had been told to vacate the accommodation.
Hours after Bihar government released the case based census, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday once again reiterated his demand of the greater the population, the greater the rights.
Scotland, October 2: A woman who was told by her boss that she used the menopause as an excuse for everything has won Rs 37.5 lakh (37,000) in compensation. 49-year-old Karen Farquharson from Scotland used to work at Thistle Marine, an engineering firm, since 1995 and had been earning Rs 38 lakh. However, she left her job after certain events unfolded.

Farquharson's boss Jim Clark, managing director of Thistle Marine, in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire dismissed her medical problem and told her to "just get on with it, reported Times Now.

She sued the company for unfair dismissal and harassment. She described her 72-year-old boss as a "dinosaur" who didn't move with time. China: Bike-Borne Stuntman Catches Fire as 'Globe of Death' Motorcycle Stunt Goes Horribly Wrong at Five-Nation Royal Circus in Jinzhong, Terrifying Video of Accident Surfaces.

Farquharson, aged 49, expressed her disappointment with the company she had known for 27 years, stating, "They treated me like rubbish. Mr Clark didn't like change. He didn't like being challenged on things. He didn't move with the times. I tried to explain some issues in what you can say and what you can't say and it just fell on deaf ears." She also revealed that Clark often referred to employees who took sick leave as 'snowflakes'. Bone Smashing Trend Goes Viral on TikTok; Know All About Dangerous Social Media Challenge Making People Hit Their Faces With Hammers.

It all started in August 2021 when she informed her boss that she was having menopause symptoms and was experiencing anxiety and brain fog. In December 2022, she opted to work from home for two days as she was suffering menopausal bleeding. Not just this but there was also heavy snow near her house.

When she returned to work on the third day, her boss passed a sarcastic comment saying Oh, I see youve made it in."

Despite telling him about her situation, she was dismissed and told that everyone suffered from aches and pains. This is when Karen decided to backoff and sued the company.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 02, 2023 05:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Laphonza Butler takes a selfie with Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom during his campaign for governor in June.

When Laphonza Butler announced in October that shed depart her leadership post in Californias largest labor union, a role she held for nearly a decade, the news set off a whirl of speculation among the states politicos about what shed do next.

An administration post with Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom? A stint as national president of Service Employees International Union, where shes worked in various roles since 2001? A consensus pick to lead the California Democratic Party, in the wake of Chairman Eric Baumans recent resignation amid misconduct allegations?

Instead, Butler is making the leap from advocate to operative, joining forces with some of the states highest-profile consultants in a move that could have implications for California and national politics.

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Butler will be a partner in the newly rechristened firm SCRB Strategies, along with veteran strategists Ace Smith, Sean Clegg and Juan Rodriguez. Their clients include Newsom, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), a frequent subject of speculation in her own right about 2020 presidential ambitions.

The firm, which has worked with the senator since her days as San Francisco district attorney, is expected to play a central role in Harris presidential bid, should she decide to run. That means Butler, a political ally of Harris since her first campaign for attorney general, could soon be in the thick of 2020 jockeying.

Harris has played coy about her aspirations for higher office, telling MSNBCs Mika Brzezinski recently that shed make a decision over the holidays. In an interview with The Times, she described Butler as whip smart, a sentiment echoed by a soon-to-be colleague.

Laphonza is one of the national talents of a generation, Clegg said. Shes almost universally respected and trusted as somebody who is motivated by the right things, who has a moral compass and follows it.

Kamala Harris challenge in a 2020 presidential bid? Defining herself before her opponents do 

Butler lives in Los Angeles with her partner, Neneki Lee, and their 4-year old daughter, Nylah. Its a long way from where she grew up  tiny Magnolia, Miss.  as the youngest of three children. Her father, a small-business owner, was hobbled by heart disease for much of her childhood and died when Butler was 16. During his illness and afterward, her mother was largely the households sole provider, working as a classroom aide, a home care provider, a security guard and a bookkeeper, among other things, to keep the family afloat.

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In college at Jackson State University, Butler studied under civil rights organizers. Her dorm building still had bullet holes in its facade from a 1970 state police shooting that left two students dead.

That was my socialization for doing the right thing, said Butler, 39.

She was a national organizer for SEIU before moving to California in 2009, after she asked the unions leaders to let her lead a local representing home healthcare workers. The local, the biggest in Los Angeles, had been stung by controversy after a Times investigation detailed corrupt financial practices by its leaders.

The in-home care workers remind me so much of my mom, Butler said. Their kids remind me so much of me.

As leader of the home care workers local and in a four-year stint as president of SEIU California, Butler was in the mix for major policy initiatives, such as the efforts to raise the minimum wage to $15 in L.A. County, and then statewide.

She also was heavily involved in statewide initiatives, including union-backed measures to increase income taxes in 2012 and 2016 on the wealthiest Californians.

Dustin Corcoran, chief executive of the California Medical Assn., said he witnessed Butlers political acumen while working with her on initiatives including the 2016 effort to boost the states tobacco tax.

She can put competing organizations in a room and find a way to get everybody a win, he said. Watching her in a political meeting was like watching Neo in The Matrix. You could tell she saw the world differently than everybody else.

She sparred with Govs. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown over the future of the state In-Home Supportive Services program, which enables low-income elderly and disabled people to receive home care. Now, with IHSS being framed less as a welfare program beset by fraud  as it was portrayed in the Schwarzenegger years  and more as a healthcare program, with a new crop of labor leaders eager to take the reins, Butler said the time felt right to leave SEIU.

State Sen. Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) said she wasnt surprised when her friend decided to leave her job in search of something that could further test her chops.

Mitchell said she gave Butler some hip-hop inflected counsel.

Youre a baller, shot caller, Mitchell recalled telling her. Youre very young. I dont want it to be a situation where you peaked early. How do you strategically position yourself so you continue to be a major influencer?

Butler landed on joining the consulting firm, formerly known as SCN, which has deep ties to Harris.

Can you imagine if we have a President Kamala Harris, what that would mean for Laphonza Butler? Mitchell asked.

Butler and Harris share a years-long history. They met in 2010 when Harris was mounting an uphill campaign for California attorney general. Butler was impressed, but her SEIU colleagues had long-standing relationships with the other Democrats running in the primary. Butler helped negotiate a rare triple endorsement by the union in the primary  Harris was one of the candidates it backed. She won the primary and eked out a narrow win against Republican Steve Cooley, then the district attorney of Los Angeles County.

Early in that race, there were a lot of naysayers who didnt think I could get elected, Harris said. Laphonza stuck with me from the beginning through the end.

Butler and her colleagues arent the only ones primed for Harris possible presidential run. Dan Newman, a former partner in SCN, along with longtime Harris consultant Brian Brokaw, are in discussions to run an independent super PAC to bolster her bid, according to a source with knowledge of the conversation.

Butler, for her part, said she plans to stay focused on California. Shell remain a University of California regent, a job she was appointed to by Brown in August for a 12-year term. She said shed like to stay engaged on criminal justice and tax reform issues in the state.

But that work, too, can ultimately have national implications, she said.

We all say, As California goes, so goes the nation, Butler said, adding that politics elsewhere in the country can similarly affect the Golden State. I dont know if theres a real distinction beyond borders on a map.

Coverage of California politics 

melanie.mason@latimes.com

Follow @melmason on Twitter for the latest on California politics.
On 1 October United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the US State Department, and the European Unions foreign policy chiefexpressed concern at recent raids by Guatemalas attorney generals office (AG) targeting the countrys top electoral authority (TSE).

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On 29 September Mexicos main automobile industry association (Amia) called on authorities to address the migration crisis due to its impact on international trade.

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Saint Lucia, a quintessentially Caribbean island nation, embodies the vibrant spirit and climate that characterizes life in this region.

It boasts a variety of annual celebrations that truly reflect the local way of life.

Saint Lucia festivals offer a dynamic and immersive experience for locals and visitors alike. They are a vibrant reflection of the island's culture, music, dance, and way of life, making them a captivating aspect of any trip to this stunning Caribbean destination.

These festivals are not only lively celebrations but also offer a window into the island's traditions and way of life. Below are some of the key Saint Lucia festivals that every tourist must see.

Saint Lucia Jazz Festival

Each year, the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival graces the Caribbean island with an enchanting melody of saxophones, trumpets, and bass guitars, all skillfully played by celebrated musicians, according to Best Travel.

Previous festival line-ups have featured the talents of R&B and jazz artist Ledisi, the accomplished trumpeter Etienne Charles, and the six-time Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride.

This captivating event is a collaborative production with Jazz at Lincoln Center, a renowned hub for concerts, educational programs, and cultural gatherings. The festival unfolds over the course of several days and spreads its musical magic across various venues throughout the island, offering ample opportunities for music enthusiasts to dance and groove to the rhythms.

READ NEXT: Saint Lucia: Best Travel Destinations

Saint Lucia Carnival

Saint Lucia's most revered and eagerly anticipated occasion is the annual Saint Lucia Carnival, a month-long extravaganza that bursts with vibrant colors, rich culture, and boundless creativity.

The carnival's dynamic schedule is a whirlwind of activities, featuring J'ouvert street celebrations, exhilarating boat rides, electrifying concerts, and so much more. It all crescendos with a two-day parade, which is the highlight of the festival.

The pulse of the carnival is set by live bands and DJs, who provide the rhythmic backdrop for locals and adorned dancers to sway and groove to the melodies, uniting in a jubilant celebration of Caribbean culture. This is an event that truly encapsulates the spirit and vivacity of the island.

Saint Lucia Flower and Creole Festivals

In Saint Lucia, two distinct festivals take place, one in August and the other in October, both dedicated to celebrating the rich culture and traditions of the country, per iExplore.

These Saint Lucia festivals typically commence with a solemn religious service, setting the tone for the festivities that follow. The heart of the celebrations lies in the lively street parades, where participants don regal attire resembling kings and queens, as well as outfits mirroring doctors, nurses, and police officers, all adorned in historical costumes.

The October festival carries a strong Creole influence, aligning with the observance of National Creole Day.

Independence Day

Saint Lucia commemorates its independence from Great Britain, a significant milestone achieved in 1979 when it became a sovereign nation. The people of Saint Lucia take immense pride in their relatively young nation, a sentiment they express through the celebration of a special public holiday held on February 22 each year.

This holiday serves as a powerful reminder of the nation's independence and a time for reflection on its growth and accomplishments as a sovereign state.

READ MORE: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: 5 Famous Festivals

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: St.Lucia Carnival 2022 - From Caribbean Beach Cleaning
Despite the turmoil happening in the country, Nicaragua has started booming with visitors from around the world. Among those attracting tourists is its food, as Nicaraguan cuisine, though underrated, is gaining some popularity from abroad.

According to Culture Trip, self-described foodies are heading to Nicaragua to sample some of its more traditional foods. They often flock to high-end restaurants, hole-in-the-wall eateries, local markets, and street corner grills to try and get a taste of this Central American country.

5 Traditional Nicaraguan Food You Must Try

There are plenty of great dishes to try in Nicaragua, and we have picked five dishes that we think are definitely must-try foods:

Gallo Pinto

Of course, whenever we talk about traditional Nicaraguan food, we must always start with the country's national dish, Gallo Pinto. Basically, this is beans and rice but with a Nicaraguan twist.

The name means painted rooster, and it is made with red beans, white rice, and diced onions. These are fried together before adding in the water that the beans were boiled in. This gives the rice its reddish color, thereby making it look "painted" and explaining the name.

Naca Tamales

Naca Tamales, or Nacatamal, is translated to "Meat Tamales." The name originated from the Nawat language of Nicarao people who live in Nicaragua's South Pacific Coast, according to L'Academie.

Much like tamales from other parts of the world, Nacatamal's main ingredient is corn dough. However, instead of getting wrapped in corn husks, this one is stuffed with chicken or pork and then wrapped in banana leaves. Some versions also have other ingredients stuffed inside, such as rice, bell peppers, raisins, and olives.

READ MORE: Nicaragua Culture: A Mix of Spanish and Indigenous Cultures

Vigoron

This dish's name roughly translates to yuca and cabbage salad. It is a classic Nicaraguan dish made of boiled yuca mixed with a cabbage salad and topped with chicharones, aka crispy pork skin. The dish itself is said to have only been developed in 1914 but has now become one of Nicaragua's most popular foods.

Cosa de Horno

While the three dishes above are straight-up meals, this dish is often served as either a snack or as an appetizer. It is often enjoyed with a delicious freshly brewed cup of coffee, according to Chef's Pencil. So what is Cosa de Horno? It is actually a Nicaraguan pastry of sorts, made of corn dough that has cinnamon, milk, and sugar mixed in before getting baked.

Bunuelos

Of course, we have to end the list with a dessert, right? Bunuelos is a popular holiday dessert in Nicaragua, typically enjoyed every Easter and other national holidays. It is often sold in street stalls and is quite cheap and nutritious, too. This dessert has a base of cassava and cheese. It is then deep-fried until golden and crispy. It is known for being crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and is flavored with cheese and cassava before getting topped with honey syrup or powdered sugar.

READ NEXT: Daniel Ortega Net Worth

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: HOW TO MAKE GALLO PINTO // Typical Nicaraguan Cuisine - Mimicita's Kitchen
The US government shutdown was averted after President Joe Biden signed a funding bill that would extend government funding for 45 days. This came after the Republican-controlled House finally passed the funding bill before it was passed in the Senate. It then arrived at President Biden's desk with the POTUS signing it into law, averting a catastrophe.

The funding bill was done through a bipartisan effort that had all but one of the Democrats support the bill along with a majority of the Republicans to avert a crisis that would have been brought about by in-fighting within the GOP.

The bill arrived at Pres. Joe Biden's desk with little time to spare, with both sides placing some of the less contentious subjects in the bill, such as aid to Ukraine, a White House priority opposed by a lot of Republicans. It did, however, have one of Biden's top priorities get increased funding. This is an additional $16 billion increase in federal disaster assistance, according to the Associated Press.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy also had to abandon some of his own agendas, including demands for steep spending cuts, which were spearheaded by his far-right opposition. To pass this spending bill, he had to rely on the Democrats and somehow managed to pass the bill with their help.

The government will stay afloat until November 17, 2023. This gives both sides more time to negotiate a much more in-depth spending bill while also getting to pay the salaries of US government workers and keep national parks open.

"This is good news for the American people," said the president as he released a statement after averting a crisis that would have stopped the government from functioning. He added that the US "cannot under any circumstances allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted" and expected McCarthy "will keep his commitment to the people of Ukraine and secure passage of the support needed to help Ukraine at this critical moment."

The Republican Infighting That Almost Led to the US Government Shutdown

Speaker Kevin McCarthy received much opposition from his Republican peers, especially from ultra-conservative far-right members of the extremely pro-Donald Trump House Freedom Caucus. While most Republicans voted for the bipartisan package, 90 still opposed it.

Donald Trump had been reportedly encouraging his allies at the House to fight hard for their priorities and even to "shut it down." As for McCarthy, he had been trying to placate them by making multiple concessions in the previously rejected spending bill. This includes returning to the spending limits the conservatives demanded back in January.

READ MORE: Joe Biden Impeachment: 5 Key Facts You Need To Know About Open Hearing

Americans React to Joe Biden Averting a US Government Shutdown

As the US government narrowly avoided a shutdown, it drew mixed reactions, with many Trump supporters blaming the Democrats for the shutdown as usual, rather than the actual cause, while many celebrated not getting furloughed. There were also a lot of people blasting the Republicans for holding the government hostage for their infighting.

How many times should Democrats be the compromisers, problem solvers and sympathetic and empathetic person before you'll see MAGA is the problem here?????#GovernmentShutdown #sundayvibes https://t.co/PfydiZZJCX  V.R. -The Voice Of Rican- (@portarican_RT) October 1, 2023

This is a clip of one of the MS Crime Lab's top scientists explaining to a Senate committee this year that she finally decided to quit and move to a private employer because Mississippi refused to offer competitive pay.



Joe can govern. Tate can't.pic.twitter.com/aPD7RxyWnv https://t.co/uE6Uw3BTIn  CONFIRM JUDGE SCOTT COLOM  (@jallen1985) October 1, 2023

Thank you for ALWAYS doing your job - while Republicans attempted to play politics with the livelihood of Americans by trying to shut down the government YET AGAIN. Sick stuff. Democrats came to the rescue and bailed out incompetent dumbass Kevin McCarthy. https://t.co/KvjEFQbHaT  Nancy Pelosis Heels (@bidonkules) October 1, 2023

Summary: Get it together Kevin https://t.co/MGQGj9igDN  Qondi  EPA Baes Salt and Pepper Beard (@QondiNtini) October 1, 2023

In a single day, a shutdown went from seemingly inevitable to avoided, with the presidents signature sealing the deal with less than an hour to go.



Things to watch now:

- what will the new agreement be

- will McCarthy face a speaker challenge from GOP for working with Dems https://t.co/OeJe1DG4Dw  Perry Elyaderani (@Perry_Ely) October 1, 2023

 47 Days:



Aid for 

Changes to border policy

Military service members are PAID

NO federal workers are furloughed

Food assistance progs. cont. UNINTERRUPTED

National parks remain open

Travel NOT impactedhttps://t.co/B6lehXyDWx#ResistanceUnited #ONEV1 #wtpBLUE https://t.co/jEfAqbGN4e pic.twitter.com/yiHR7EXsqv  Carmen GoodwinPhDby@MorningAnswer (@TCRG2012) October 1, 2023

We've averted a government shutdown thanks to Democrats prioritizing the American people. A shutdown would've hurt essential workers, national security, and our economy. Disappointed Ukraine funding wasn't included, but I think it will be added in November. MAGA failed again! https://t.co/LQYjF0fOUd  Jakhari (Jay)  (@goldenpanther21) October 1, 2023

READ MORE: Donald Trump Co-Defendant Jenna Ellis Turns On Ex-POTUS, Calls Him a 'Malignant Narcissist'

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: How an Imminent Government Shutdown Was Triggered by GOP Infighting | WSJ - Wall Street Hournal
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that aimed to provide unemployment benefits to striking workers despite receiving strong support from labor unions and fellow Democrats in the state legislature, according to Reuters.

He explained his decision to reject the bill. Gavin Newsom cited the state's substantial unemployment trust fund debt, nearing $20 billion.

The state's unemployment trust fund is already grappling with more than $18 billion in debt.

This debt accumulated during the pandemic when the fund was depleted due to the mandated closure of most businesses and the resultant surge in unemployment.

Moreover, the fund was marred by significant levels of fraud that cost the state billions of dollars.

READ NEXT: California: Gavin Newsom Approves Bills To Protect LGBTQ

Numbers of Employees Won't Impact Unemployment Trust Fund, Said Labor Unions

The proposed bill would have permitted workers engaged in job strikes in California for at least two weeks to receive unemployment benefits from the state, potentially amounting to $450 per week, AP reports.

Typically, only workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own are eligible for such benefits.

Labor unions contended that the number of workers involved in strikes exceeding two weeks is relatively small and would have had an insignificant impact on the state's unemployment trust fund.

According to Democratic state Sen. Anthony Portantino, the bill's author, only two out of 56 strikes in California over the past decade lasted longer than two weeks.

The veto decision drew criticism from labor unions, with Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, executive secretary-treasurer of the California Labor Federation, asserting that it "punishes workers who exercise their fundamental right to strike" and favors corporations and CEOs.

California Senator Slams Gov. Gavin Newsom Veto

Sen. Anthony Portantino expressed his disappointment with the veto, emphasizing that the bill would have offered much-needed security to working families.

Proponents of the legislation argued that the expansion of unemployment benefits, which offers a maximum of $450 per week, would have provided a safety net during labor disputes, per DEADLINE.

In comparison, striking workers in New York and New Jersey are eligible for unemployment benefits after two weeks, a provision that the California bill sought to adopt.

Additionally, the legislation aimed to enshrine in law the eligibility of workers locked out by their employers during labor disputes.

The bill's effective date was scheduled for January, making it unlikely that the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA would have benefited unless their strikes extended into the new year.

However, the recent WGA agreement that concluded the strike and renewed SAG-AFTRA negotiations make it plausible that the labor disputes will have ended by then.

Support for the bill came from various unions and guilds, including Actors Equity and IATSE, while business groups, such as the state Chamber of Commerce, opposed it.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, although remaining publicly neutral on Hollywood labor disputes, expressed his willingness to engage in negotiations if requested, maintaining contact with representatives from both sides.

READ MORE: New York Flooding: State of Emergency Declared

READ MORE: Donald Trump's Reaction to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Dating Rumors

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: California Gov. Newsom rejects bill to give unemployment checks to striking workers - From KTLA 5
The US government shutdown may have been temporarily averted but the feud between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and ultra-conservative Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz continues as the Florida man is now pushing to oust the embattled California congressman from the speakership.

According to USA TODAY, Gaetz vowed to file a motion to vacate against McCarthy this week. This will remove the California representative from the House leadership position.

"I think we need to rip off the Band-Aid," said the Florida Republican representative during an interview. "I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy."

McCarthy is under fire from the more hardline conservatives who do not want to make any concessions to Democrats despite only having a razor-thin majority in the House and the Democrats having both the Senate and the White House. The Speaker has since made concessions to the far-right Republicans, led by Gaetz, but those were not enough to placate them.

The move to oust McCarthy is considered an intense escalation of the feud between the more moderate Republicans in the House and the more radical ones that embrace former President Donald Trump much more. The feud was shown when McCarthy was forced to turn to Democrats to avert the government shutdown rather than his fellow Republican colleagues.

The Republican hardliner from Florida threatened to file a motion to vacate against McCarthy should the House Speaker reach across the aisle to keep the government afloat. He wanted to pass 12 appropriation bills necessary to fund the government long term. However, these bills would not have passed the Democrat-controlled Senate and would have made the government shutdown even more possible.

READ MORE: US Government Shutdown Prevented as Joe Biden Signs Funding Bill; Americans React

Kevin McCarthy Pushes Back Vs. Matt Gaetz's Effort To Oust Him as House Speaker

Kevin McCarthy hit back against Matt Gaetz, saying that the Florida man is a showman who is "more interested in securing TV interviews" than keeping the government functioning, according to The Guardian.

"I'll survive," McCarthy said in an interview before pointing out that Gaetz endangered his own constituents with the shutdown he was causing. "You know, this is personal with Matt. He wanted to push us into a shutdown, even threatening his own district with all the military people there who would not be paid."

The California Republican was standing defiant against Gaetz, adding, "So be it. Bring it on. Let's get it over with it, and let's start governing. If he's upset because he tried to push us into shutdown and I made sure the government didn't shut down, then let's have that fight."

Democrats May Side With Kevin McCarthy Regarding Motion To Vacate

To save his job, Kevin McCarthy may have to rely on House Democrats to save him this time, as they are likelier to side with him rather than ally with the Pro-Trump hardliners.

According to Axios, some Democrats might not be on board with saving McCarthy from his own Republican colleagues.

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has so far declined to weigh in on a motion to vacate, though some of the more moderate Democrats may be inclined to help save McCarthy. Meanwhile, other Democrats have adopted the "wait and see" approach on whether to help the embattled House Speaker keep his job.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Co-Defendant Jenna Ellis Turns On Ex-POTUS, Calls Him a 'Malignant Narcissist'

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Crockett blasts Gaetz' vote to oust McCarthy: 'We are on an absolute roller coaster' - MSNBC
A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Mexico as the roof of the Santa Cruz church in Ciudad Madero gave way, resulting in the loss of seven lives and leaving 30 individuals trapped, BBC reported.

The calamity occurred during a gathering where roughly 100 people had assembled for a religious service, believed to be a baptism. Among those trapped, several are reported as children.

Distressing images shared on social media depicted the church reduced to ruins, with concerned onlookers diligently sifting through the debris in search of survivors.

Many arrived at the scene equipped with shovels and pickaxes to assist in clearing the rubble. Emergency services eventually arrived, responding to the collapse that transpired at approximately 2:30 PM local time.

In a touching display of solidarity, appeals were made on social media for medical and rescue supplies to aid those involved in the search for survivors.

Authorities requested silence from the assembled crowd to better hear potential cries for help from those trapped inside.

READ NEXT: Mexico: Train Company Halts Operations Due to Migrants Jumping, Climbing on Trains

Mexico Church Collapses While Parishioners Receive Communion

Bishop Jose Armando Alvarez of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tampico conveyed that the roof gave in while parishioners were partaking in communion at the Santa Cruz church in Ciudad Madero, situated along the Gulf coast near the port city of Tampico, according to AP.

He communicated his commitment to ongoing rescue efforts and expressed gratitude for the safe retrieval of some individuals from beneath the rubble.

As the community grapples with this challenging moment, Bishop Alvarez appealed to anyone possessing wood to contribute it to fortify the church's roof while rescue teams operate within.

Authorities initiated a massive response to the incident, involving units from the National Guard, state police, state civil defense office, and the Red Cross, all converging on the scene to undertake rescue operations.

Photographs shared by state authorities showed the substantial concrete roof resting on top of pews in various sections of the church, suggesting the possibility of air pockets where survivors might be found.

Cause of Mexico Church Roof Collapse Is Undetermined

While building collapses in Mexico are often linked to seismic events, the National Seismological Service had not reported any significant earthquakes during the time of the incident.

Furthermore, there was no immediate indication of an explosion, Dimsum Daily noted.

Governor Americo Villarreal Anaya swiftly directed government officials and health sector authorities to coordinate assistance for affected families and oversee rescue efforts.

Ten injured individuals have been successfully rescued and transferred to hospitals, with three sent to the Civil Hospital and the remaining seven to the General Hospital Dr. Carlos Canseco.

Federal and state security forces, civil protection units, and rescue organizations mobilized to provide support at the scene.

The process of removing debris is ongoing as part of the rescue efforts, ABC News noted.

Ciudad Madero, located approximately 310 miles (500 kilometers) south of Brownsville, Texas, has faced its share of challenges associated with drug cartel violence, though it has experienced fewer incidents compared to other parts of Tamaulipas state.

The city's relative stability, despite its proximity to Veracruz, Mexico, has contributed to this situation.

READ MORE: Brazil President Lula da Silva's Successful Hip Replacement Surgery

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Dozens trapped after church collapses in Mexico - From KHOU 11
The Guatemala election drama is far from over as police once again tried to raid the Guatemala Electoral Tribunal on Saturday. However, the justices pushed back, literally.

According to the Associated Press, police were involved in a shoving match against the justices of Guatemala's top electoral tribunal. They were seeking to seize the tally sheets of votes from the August presidential elections, which was won by president-elect Bernardo Arevalo by a landslide.

Local and international observers have all stated that they saw no evidence of any fraud during the Guatemala election runoff last August but prosecutors under the Attorney General's Office have claimed that they are investigating "reports" of voter fraud happening.

This led to scenes of the electoral tribunal's justices trying to tightly hold on to the ballot boxes as police tried taking them away. Photos and videos of 70-year-old Justice Maynor Franco refusing to give up his grip on a ballot box against a younger agent trying to wrestle it away have gone viral.

Meanwhile, Justice Blanca Alfaro was seen pleading with officers not to take the boxes, which represented the will of the voters. She was reportedly shoved and briefly fell to the floor during the confrontation.

Guatemala Attorney General and Prosecutor Face Criticisms Over Raid Into Electoral Tribunal

The investigation into the claims of fraud regarding the Guatemala elections is led by Attorney General Consuelo Porras and prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche, both of whom are part of a US watchlist for corruption and have been subjected to US sanctions.

Porras has been investigated and accused of being an undemocratic actor and undermining investigations into corruption. Meanwhile, Curruchiche, who has also been accused of corruption, called the raid "a rescue operation for democracy, a rescue operation for sovereignty."

READ MORE: Guatemala: US and Brazil Warn of Attempts To Stop President-Elect Bernardo Arevalo From Taking Office

Curruchiche accused the European Union and the Organization of American States of interfering in the internal affairs of Guatemala over their criticisms of his investigation. However, Justice Blanca Alfaro in a tearful voice, pointed out, "The election result has already been officially declared, this cannot be changed."

Critics have said that the investigation and the raids are trying to undermine the will of the voters and damage Arevalo before he takes office, according to DW. The move is seen as trying to protect the country's entrenched political elite.

US Blasts Guatemala Ministry For Interfering With Election

The US State Department expressed that it is "gravely concerned" that Guatemala's Public Ministry is trying to undermine the results of the election as investigations continue to hamper what was supposed to be a peaceful transfer of power to center-left anti-corruption crusader Bernardo Arevalo.

"The United States is gravely concerned with continued efforts to undermine Guatemala's peaceful transition of power to President-elect Arevalo," said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller in a statement. The US, together with other countries and international organizations like the EU and OAS have decried what is happening in Guatemala.

So far, the Guatemala government has not yet responded to the US statement.

READ MORE: Guatemala Elections: Observers Say Political Parties and Justice System Interfered

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: VIDEO 3 El Ministerio Publico secuestro actas electorales en la sede central del TSEGuatemala
In a heartbreaking incident, the Omaha Police Department's Homicide Unit has launched an investigation into a shooting in north Omaha, Nebraska, during the early hours of Sunday morning.

The incident resulted in the loss of a young life and injuries to several others, WOWT reported.

At approximately 2:30 AM, law enforcement responded to a shooting report near 24th and Clark streets. Officers discovered Lamarantae Swift, a 16-year-old, at the scene, receiving CPR.

Tragically, Swift succumbed to his injuries at Nebraska Medicine. Additional victims surfaced in the aftermath of the incident.

Three individuals arrived at Creighton University Medical Center, while two more sought treatment at Nebraska Medicine, all transported via private vehicles.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer expressed his deep sadness over the violent loss of a young person's life and the injuries sustained by multiple individuals.

He emphasized the allocation of additional police resources to conduct an intensive investigation.

Preliminary information suggests that a substantial gathering of individuals occurred when the tragic shooting occurred.

As of now, the conditions of the other victims remain unknown.

The Omaha Police Department urges anyone to contact the Homicide Unit at (402) 444-5656 or submit tips through Omaha Crime Stoppers.

Tips that lead to the arrest of a homicide suspect are eligible for a significant reward of $25,000.

READ NEXT: Teen Arrested in Drive-By Shooting

Community Responds to Tragic Loss of Nebraska Teen

Omaha police officers and detectives have gathered information indicating that the incident occurred during a birthday party hosted at the location, as relayed by Lieutenant Nicholas Andrews of the Omaha Police, WOWT noted.

In the aftermath of this violence, nearby community members are uniting and calling for a change in response to this tragedy.

Reverend Dr. Wallace Powell of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, across the road from the scene, expressed profound sorrow at the loss of a 16-year-old and the pain inflicted upon the community.

He highlighted the urgent need for unity and an end to gang-related violence. He emphasized the importance of coming together as a unified community, transcending differences, to stop such violence.

While it remains uncertain if the shooting was gang-related, the Omaha Police Department asserts that there is no current threat to the surrounding community despite no arrests being made yet.

Authorities are actively seeking additional information from the community to advance the investigation.

Reverend Powell hopes to transform his church into a positive influence in the community and a sanctuary for all. He is committed to active involvement in the community, striving to convey a message of love and unity.

Nebraska Woman Shot 24 Hours Before the Teen's Shooting Death

In an unrelated incident, a 55-year-old woman suffered critical injuries after being shot in North Omaha early Saturday morning, per Journal Star.

The police responded to the incident near 30th Street and Meredith Avenue at 2:45 AM, where they found Felicia Johnson with a gunshot wound. She was promptly taken to the Nebraska Medical Center for treatment.

Individuals with information about this incident are urged to contact Omaha Crime Stoppers at 402-444-STOP (7867), through the website at www.p3tips.com, or by using the p3tips mobile app.

Anonymous tips leading to the arrest of a shooting suspect can result in a reward of up to $10,000.

READ MORE: Man Pleads Guilty to Human Smuggling and Trafficking

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: One dead, several injured in 24th and Clark shooting - From KETV NewsWatch 7
Donald Trump promises to appear in his own fraud trial that might decide the fate of his business dealings in the state of New York.

"I'm going to Court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation," wrote the former president on his Truth Social page. He also lashed out against New York Attorney General Letitia James who led the civil case against him, as well as Judge Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over the non-jury trial.

"THIS WHOLE CASE IS SHAM!!!" he wrote on Truth Social. "See you in Court - Monday morning."

Judge Engoron has already made a ruling before the trial even began, stating that evidence against Trump and his two adult sons, Eric and Don Jr., are sufficient enough. The hearings for the trial will only be to determine the punishment made for the Trumps and their company, the Trump Organization.

James, meanwhile, accused Trump, his children, and the Trump Organization of habitually lying about his wealth in financial statements. She has been targeted by attacks from Trump and his allies since starting the investigation.

Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, known as "Trump's Moneyman," previously pleaded guilty to tax evasion. He falsified documents and hid that the company was paying him extra under the table. However, as the Associated Press pointed out, this Civil trial against Trump will have much higher stakes than Weisselberg's case.

James is seeking $250 million in allegedly illegal profits which Trump allegedly earned illegally by falsifying his net worth and the value of his properties. It also seeks to ban former President Trump, Don Jr., and Eric from participating in any real estate transactions for five years. The lawsuit also seeks to ban the ex-president and his family members from being involved in his business enterprises in the state, as well as barring them from serving as directors and officers in any New York-based corporation or any business licensed in New York.

READ MORE: Trump Organization Convicted of 17 Felonies, Gets Maximum Punishment

Donald Trump Fraud Trial Will Determine How Much He and His Sons Will Pay

If the judge already decided that Donald Trump and his adult sons are liable for fraud, then why should there still be a trial?

The trial would be needed to determine how much Trump would be losing. The minimum might be what James is asking for, $250 million.

According to The Guardian, Trump could not rely on the support of his followers to save him this time, as there will be no jury. His lawyers will have to work to win the judge over. However, Trump attacking the judge on social media certainly would not help them win the case for him.

Judge Ridiculed Donald Trump's Explanations Why He Inflated His Assets' Values

Judge Engoron has already canceled the Trumps's business certificates and wrote in his decision that they committed fraud through "pure sophistry," a "fantasy world" of real-estate valuations that "can only be considered fraud."

The judgment was so scathing that, according to USA Today, Engoron quoted the Marx brothers to ridicule the ex-POTUS's excuses. "Well, who ya gonna believe, me or your own eyes?" quoted the judge in a reference to a line said by Chico Marx in the movie "Duck Soup."

Engoron stated that he found Trump to have valued Mar-a-Lago at 20 times the tax assessment while Trump Park Avenue gained millions of dollars on his corporate balance sheet, much more than its appraised value. He also wrote that the former president nearly tripled the square-footage of his own Trump Tower penthouse apartment.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Co-Defendant Jenna Ellis Turns On Ex-POTUS, Calls Him a 'Malignant Narcissist'

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: BREAKING: Trump gets legal news he's been DREADING in New York - Brian Tyler Cohen
Local branch campuses for the University of Wisconsin have seen a drop in 2023 enrollment while Chippewa Valley Technical College shows an increase in enrolled students this fall. In Chippewa County, the public school district has also seen a drop in enrollment in the last year.

Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District business manager Chad Trowbridge said elementary, middle and high schools all have seen a drop in student population. Only early childhood special education numbers increased by one student.

4-K numbers are down 24 students. Overall, at the elementary level we're down 86 students, 23 students at the middle school, seven students at the high school, Trowbridge said. So overall, we're down 135 students.

Trowbridge said part of the drop in enrollment was expected.

Since the Chippewa Falls High School graduated a larger class than we had coming in, that attributes for almost 100 of those. That's where we're at as of today. Hopefully well add a couple more in the coming days and weeks, Trowbridge said at the Sept. 24 school board meeting.

McDonell Area Catholic Schools

McDonell Area Catholic Schools has seen an enrollment increase of about 3% from 2022 to 2023, according to president Molly Bushman.

Its not a huge increase, but its something, Bushman said.

Bushman said K-12 enrollment sits at 564 students, up from 545 students a year ago. Total enrollment if K-4 students are included in the count is now 589 students.

Oftentimes we have additional students come from the Catholic schools in the surrounding communities, Bushman said. A lot of their students, once they age out of those lower grade levels, come here. So that kind of impacts us. They're coming from other Catholic schools that either end at sixth grade or eighth grade.

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Chippewa Valley Technical College has seen an increase in students. The overall student count increased by 2% this year. It rose from 7,452 in 2022 to 7,588 students in 2023. That count includes full-time and part-time students.

Chippewa Valley Technical College reports its full-time student enrollment this fall as 2,102, which is a 3% increase over the 2,043 full-time student enrollment in 2022.

University of Wisconsin System

Based upon numbers from the first day of classes, the University of Wisconsin System enrollment increased this fall compared to the previous year for the first time since 2014, according to a statement by the system.

While official fall enrollment numbers, which are calculated based upon 10th day enrollment, wont be available until later this fall, the first day of class numbers indicate that new freshman enrollment increased by 3% overall across the state. The estimates show University of Wisconsins total enrollment in the fall of 2023 to be 161,322. For new freshman students, the estimates indicate an increase of 592 students in the fall of 2023 at UW System universities not including UW-Madison, which deliberately sought to reduce the number of incoming first-year students after last years incoming class was slightly larger than anticipated.

Wisconsin is in a war for talent, and our universities play a key role to help build the vibrant future we all want here, said UW System President Jay Rothman. Todays enrollment announcement shows a continuing rebound of new freshman students making college plans for their future. This is a great sign for all of Wisconsin because freshman enrollment is a leading indicator of future enrollment.

While statewide numbers show growth, the majority of branch campus enrollments are lower for fall 2023 than the previous year, including UW-Stout and UW-Eau Claire. In Menomonie, UW-Stouts total enrollment on the first day of the semester stood at 6,972, down 3.5%, or 254 students, from last year.

However, UW-Stouts retention rate among first-year students has risen for the third year in a row and its seeing a record high number of first-year students, international students and student-athletes.

The university has seen an important increase in first-year students and a double-digit increase in international students, the latter for a second straight year, a recent UW-Stout media release reported. Nearly 250 international students from 43 countries are enrolled.

At UW-Eau Claire, enrollment data from the first day of the fall semester shows that the campus has 9,907 students attending in the fall of 2023, which is a drop from the 10,060 enrolled in the fall of 2022. Thats a loss of 1.5%.

But this years freshman class has increased by 2.3% from last year, and UW-Eau Claire has seen rising enrollment numbers in 2023 in the areas of transfer, graduate and international students.
DEAR ANNIE: Im conflicted, just as I am sure many grandparents are in my situation. I have one child, a son, who is married with four children, my grandchildren. In spite of poor health, I have been a hands-on grandmother, taking them on trips, paying ones way to Hawaii as a graduation gift, etc.

The only time I hear from these kids is if there is a fundraiser and they want a donation. I give birthday money and Christmas gifts. I never get a response or a thank you. My question is, should I continue giving under these circumstances or stop altogether any gift giving?

This is very difficult for me, as I love these kids very much. -- Feeling Unappreciated

DEAR UNAPPRECIATED: No one likes to feel used or like their presents were not appreciated. Speak with your son about asking his kids to say thank you once in a while to their grandmother. It will serve them well in life to learn the value of showing appreciation when someone does something kind for you.

You definitely should not cut them off. Do you only give to get a thank you, or does it feel good to give? Have you enjoyed the trips with your grandkids? Dont let the bad manners of your grandkids make you and them miss out on quality family vacations. That is time you cant get back. You can look at their mistakes as teaching moments.

***

MORE FROM DEAR ANNIE:

Dear Annie: Too often we dont think about asking meaningful questions until its too late

Dear Annie: My husband has a new way of breathing and Im afraid he might die in his sleep

Dear Annie: Woman wonders how to handle awkward encounters with former friend

Dear Annie: Good riddance to ex who emptied bank account

Dear Annie: Woman questions her decision to end friendship with companion who was verbally abusive

***

How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner? is out now! Annie Lanes second anthology -- featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation -- is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM
A Dream of Opposites

Mercury in practical Virgo opposes Neptune in Pisces, presenting a dream of opposites. Nothing can be seen without being offset. As the Taoist philosopher Lao Tzu suggested, When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). This day is flowing. The moments of getting snagged in the branches or stuck in the weeds are brief, mostly because you are constantly course-correcting to steer the action where it naturally wants to go.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Emotional wellness can be akin to fitness. It makes no sense to berate yourself for your current level. You get stronger when you lift heavy feelings. You can only lift what is possible. Its better to go up increments.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A word is a portal. Each word you process links to a part of your brain connected to other parts, which is why a single word can tap your feelings or open an entire world. Youll choose words carefully.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You dont feel like confronting your fears, so dont. Life has a way of sorting it out. Whatever worries you now will be a nonissue to future you. To mature is to become a different person over and over again.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Youll argue with yourself, which is very good for developing sound ideas. As the German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel proposed, ideas develop through a conflict of opposites, and their eventual resolution into a synthesis.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There are no difficult people today. There are only people who communicate in ways that require translation or adaptation in order for the others to hear and understand their meaning.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You dont have to be the best in the whole world to win the hour. Your effectiveness and impact will depend on keeping things in perspective. Dont let perfectionism stop you from sending yourself into the day.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your ideal strategy will be the ancient one used by master martial artists through the ages. Give your opponent nothing to resist. Yield to overcome. This is the actionless activity that requires little energy but much awareness.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Fast friends are good friends, too. You dont have to know someone a long time to be extremely connected in a moment. You never know what bright mind youre standing next to until someone takes the initiative.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). There are many ways to tackle unsettling emotions including working them out physically, socially, intellectually. Youll connect with a sense of your own essence and a spirit beyond temporal feelings, and bring lightness and healing into being.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). People talk about someday. Speaking its name is like inviting it to a party where it never shows up, possibly because it doesnt really exist. There is only today -- plans made today, actions taken today, love shared today.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). When youre self-conscious, its a comfort to believe nobody is thinking about you. But when youre particularly up or down, the same adage is a disappointment. Today, youll blend or shine at will.

TODAYS BIRTHDAY (Oct. 2). Your solar return empowers your mission, as ambitious as it is, mostly by fueling the study and practice that is so key to your success. More highlights: Youll celebrate a relationship that stands the test of time. Your colleagues respect and collaborate with you better. Youll get obedience from those you most need it from. Scorpio and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 1, 4, 33, 2 and 39.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Kelly Ripa returns to host the second season of Generation Gap, a game show where different generations of family members compete with their knowledge of pop culture. Ripa shines up each new project with her never-ending Libra enthusiasm and sparkling sense of fun. Her natal chart features Sun and Uranus in breezy, balanced Libra, and four luminaries in scintillating Scorpio.

Holiday Mathis debut novel, How To Fail Epically in Hollywood, is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and ebook. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information.

Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM
The longest-serving president of Bethlehems United Steelworkers Local 2599 Sunday evening was officially sent off before a crowd of hundreds that came to praise his decades of union activism.

Jerry Green, 68, was honored during a dinner celebration at the Steelworkers Union Hall, along East Lehigh Street. It followed his retirement announcement last month at the unions Labor Day parade. Tim Rehrig, the local vice president, has been named Greens successor until the next election.

I tried to do as much as I could over my tenure, you know?, Green told lehighvalleylive.com in a recent interview. I always felt that I was fair and worked hard to protect the rights of working people.

Green spent 50 years as a steelworker. His retirement on Sept. 29 marked 23 years to the day he was initially sworn in to what would become his first of eight terms.

Greens role in union leadership went on to put him on the front lines during the decline and end of the Steel, and the citys rise from the ashes of its industrial titan. He said many folks have the misconception that without Bethlehem Steel, there arent any steelworkers.

The union, however, represents 15 companies in the Lehigh Valley. The roster includes Victaulic, Lehigh Heavy Forge, as well as maintenance workers in Williams Township and registered nurses at Gracedale in Upper Nazareth, a Northampton County-owned nursing home.

All are Steelworker members, Green had said, which are comprised of around 1,100 members. In its heyday, there were 30,000 workers, backed in the tri-local union, he said.

Were always fighting the entities out there that want to put out legislation that hurts the working people, Green had said. Weve got to continue to fight. We stay very active in the political arena.

Green now plans to become a snow bird, spending the colder months in Florida and warmer months in the Lehigh Valley. He told lehighvalleylive.com his hope is the local union continues the traditions set forth during his administration.

Workers, also, can bet on still seeing his face and support when it comes to important issues.

If they have a rally or something like that, or protest and they call me and let me know, I will definitely come out to help them, Green had said.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
Mack Trucks and the United Auto Workers Union have announced theyve come to a tentative labor agreement, which now avoids any potential striking among thousands of Lower Macungie Township workers.

The two sides reached the agreement sometime Sunday evening. The union had authorized a strike to begin Monday if the agreement hadnt been met, as the previous contract was set to expire, according to the companys website about the 2023 labor negotiations.

Sticking points included better wages and benefits. All Mack Truck employees, which included 2,500 people regionally in 2021, are set to return to work Monday.

Scott Wolf, president of the UAW Local 677, couldnt immediately be reached for comment Monday morning.

The regional site on Aug. 28 reached a tentative agreement for the Local 677 Lehigh Valley Operations Office, Shop, and Engineering Bargaining Units. The next day, the company and the United Auto Workers kicked off bargaining in the Lehigh Valley for the Mack Master Contract, according to bargaining updates.

When no agreement was reached on that contract, the union authorized the strike last month among Mack workers at various facilities. It would have marked the second time in four years workers have gone to strike at the Lower Macungie plant.

Mack representatives state in the bargaining update on their website the tentative agreement would deliver significantly increased wages and continue first-class benefits for Mack employees and their families. It also would allow the company to successfully compete in the market, as well as invest in its people, plants and products, and be a sustainable employer, they say.

The five-year collective bargaining agreement now must be ratified by union members.

Had they went on strike, Mack Trucks employees wouldve joined another 25,000 United Auto Workers Union workers already striking against two of the Big Three automakers, according to Reuters. These include General Motors and Ford Motor Company.

UAW president Shawn Fain in multiple published reports states the union will not expand its strike against the third company, Stellantis. The automaker formerly known as Chrysler was spared from additional strikes because of recent progress in negotiations with that company, published reports state.

That historical strike is reportedly entering its third week with similar sticking points as Mack for better wages and benefits.

Founded in 1900, Mack trucks are sold and serviced in nearly 30 countries worldwide. The company is one of North Americas largest manufacturers of medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks, proprietary engines and transmissions. The company in 2020 completed an $84 million overhaul of its Lehigh Valley Operations site.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
A proposal to harness the flow of the Lehigh Canal to generate electricity took a step forward last week in Easton.

The city council introduced for a vote as early as Oct. 11 a contract for the project with New England Hydropower Co. LLC, based in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts.

City and Northampton County officials have been in talks with the company for years, with concerns about the proposed lease dominating discussions in January.

According to these previous discussions, its proposed in the area of Lock 47, also known as the Abbott Street Lock, in Hugh Moore Park near the intersection of Canal Street and Brother Thomas Bright Avenue on South Side Easton. The hydropower system would generate an estimated 4,800 megawatt hours of electricity annually, for sale within Pennsylvania, the proposed lease states.

It remains to be seen if New England Hydropower is on board with Eastons lease proposal, city solicitor Joel Scheer said. A representative from the company declined to comment last week.

The proposal would be subject to city planning and zoning approval, as well as permitting from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

If its approved by FERC, the company would responsible for inspection, repair and maintenance of the canal and nearby Chain Dam on the Lehigh River that runs parallel to the canal, according to the citys proposed lease.

The proposal spells out that consistent flows in the canal must be maintained for the mule-drawn barge rides offered by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor at the parks National Canal Museum.

The lease term is proposed for 25 years, from 2023 until 2048, with the company having the option to renew for another 25 years. If the project is not constructed by May 1, 2026, however, the lease would automatically terminate, according to the proposal.

The lease also would require that the property remain open for public access and recreation, except for within the boundaries of the generator.

Under the proposal, New England Hydropower would be required to pay $35,000 annually into a maintenance escrow account  an amount increased by $10,000 every 10 years of agreement.

The proposal has already won a $1.4 million state grant and matching funding from Northampton County.

Lock 47 historically was home to a hydroelectric plant. The Lehigh Canal itself was built between 1827 and 1829 connecting Easton 47 miles north to what was then Mauch Chunk and today is Jim Thorpe in Carbon County. From Easton, the manmade waterway connected with the Delaware Canal to Philadelphia and Morris Canal to New York.

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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
UPDATE: Hellertown library dispute still festering between borough, Lower Saucon Township

Hellertown Borough Council faces a deadline this month to make a decision on an offer extended by Lower Saucon Townships council at its Sept. 20 meeting.

During the meeting, Lower Saucon Township Council President Jason Banonis announced that, in an executive session, the council discussed an offer to make to the borough to settle an ongoing dispute over the Hellertown Area Library and the Saucon Valley Compost Center.

The borough councils next public meeting is Monday night, Oct. 2.

Among the details of the offer:

The township would provide the borough with $125,000 of funding a year for two years beginning on Jan. 1, 2024, and would receive proportionate seats on the librarys board.

All Lower Saucon Township residents would be able to receive access cards to the library.

The Hellertown Area Library must commit to exploring partnerships with other area libraries.

The township would buy the compost center and provide compost services to Hellertown residents at the same rate Hellertown is currently charging township residents for the same service, for 10 years with the option to renew the agreement.

Lower Saucon Township residents would be able to use the Hellertown Pool for the resident rate, and the township would donate to the pools upkeep $25,000 per year for two years.

Hellertown Borough must provide a statement to the Lower Saucon Township Council summarizing the boroughs next five years of funding.

Lower Saucon Township residents began using the Hellertown Area Library in 2014, and by 2021, township residents that were library card-holders outnumbered borough resident card-holders. Township residents checked out over 50% more books from the library than those from the borough, too. Hellertowns library board ended its agreement with the township beginning in 2023 after the township council voted to slash the funding it provided to the library, prompting legal action.

The Saucon Valley Compost Center became a part of the dispute at the beginning of 2023. Hellertown filed a civil suit in early January against the township in Northampton County Court, alleging Lower Saucon had not released almost $30,000 in shared funds for the center and failed to pay a $12,500 grinding bill with the money.

As Banonis read the offers terms, he noted that the Hellertown council would have until Oct. 12 to accept or decline the offer. If borough council members declined, or a decision wasnt reached, all terms of the offer would be rescinded.

Couched at the end of Banoniss remarks was an informal condition tied to another ongoing dispute.

I would encourage that when (township solicitor B. Lincoln Treadwell Jr.) and (township Manager Mark Hudson) have communications with Hellertown Borough that they encourage Hellertown Borough to consider the financial cost to its taxpayers if they proceed in opposition to the (Bethlehem Landfill) rezoning and expansion, Banonis said.

The encouragement wasnt explicitly tied to the townships official offer.

For months, the Lower Saucon Township Council has been moving ahead with the rezoning of land adjacent to the Applebutter Road landfill for its possible expansion, despite opposition from residents and lawsuits over the rezoning.

In August, Hellertown Borough Council authorized its own solicitor to take legal action against the township if the township council voted for the rezoning, alleging the rezoning would violate conservation easements that had previously been put in place. On Aug. 30, after a six-hour public meeting, the Lower Saucon Township Council voted for the rezoning. Lower Saucons planning commission on Thursday took a first look at the landfill expansion proposal.

A representative for Hellertown declined to comment on how the borough council was generally feeling about the offer ahead of Monday nights meeting. Council members were also planning to meet with the library on Thursday. The Oct. 2 meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., and residents can watch the meeting in person or via the boroughs Facebook page.

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Connor Lagore may be reached at clagore@njadvancemedia.com.
The initial allegations against Eridson Rodriguez in September 2020 were substantial.

Two young women accused him of sexually assaulting them while they were intoxicated and incapacitated during gatherings at his Liberty Street home in Hamilton in early 2019.

Detectives charged the 26-year-old with four felony sex assault crimes after investigating him for over a year.

After the Mercer County Prosecutors Office publicized the initial two cases, four additional women came forward accusing Rodriguez of sexual assault. A judge ordered him detained pending the outcome of his case.

In June 2021, the case against Rodriguez looked formidable, on paper. Prosecutors obtained a 20-count indictment. The bulk of the charges were sexual assault or criminal sexual contact. Two charges were first-degree aggravated sexual assault of a helpless or incapacitated victim, court records show.

In February, Rodriguez accepted a plea bargain on a single charge of aggravated criminal sexual contact. The deal called for him to serve 882 days behind bars, or the time hed been in the county jail, whats known as time served.

Rodriguez will be subject to the states Megans Law sex offender registry and conditions of parole supervision for life.

A mother of one of the accusers followed the case intently, and watched it dwindle as it proceeded through Superior Court in Mercer County, all the way to the sentencing in June, when she was allowed to speak.

Its not even a slap on the wrist, the woman said recently. NJ Advance Media not naming her, as it would identify her daughter.

Over several emails and phone conversations, the woman said shes still in shock and furious at how a case that started so strong ended with Rodriguez getting time served.

Between the February guilty plea and the June sentencing, Rodriguez was released from jail and one of his accusers spotted him at a bar, she said.

This has caused a lot of pain, and I still cant believe how little justice was served for these young women, the mother said.

It takes my breath away, she said. It makes me feel like we havent evolved, that women are not important in the state of New Jersey.

The Mercer County assistant prosecutor who handled the case, Tim Ward, declined to discuss it through an office spokesperson.

Rodriguezs lawyer, Robin Lord, said she knows why the case ended this way. She said overzealous police work led to false allegations.

She said police and the prosecutors office specifically asked in press statements for anyone to come forward with allegations against her client. And when they did, the allegations did not hold up.

Lord said her investigation uncovered photos of Rodriguez in his home with the alleged victims - after the supposed assaults. Rodriguez was against taking the plea bargain, Lord said.

He wanted to go to trial, but he also wanted to get out of jail, so he compromised, Lord said.

Nevertheless, the accusers mother said she does not blame the prosecutors office or the assistant prosecutor. He did his level best, with the tools he had, and she now has an appreciation for the criminal justice systems realities, she siad.

For example, she was initially satisfied Rodriguez will be subject to Megans Law, but he currently does not appear on the internet registry, which only lists tier 2 and tier 3 offenders. Rodriguezs current classification is not known.

He also uses the name Erickson Rodriguez, and is not listed under that name either, records show.

Prosecutors need better tools, the mother said.

Women matter. Young girls matter. They do not get enough justice, she said.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com.
The search for a New Jersey former telemarketer at the heart of the HBO documentary series Telemarketers has shifted from Easton into New Jersey, an Easton police lieutenant said Monday afternoon.

Patrick J. Pespas, 54, was last seen in Easton about 8 p.m. Friday, according to Telemarketers directors Sam Lipman-Stern and Adam Bhala Lough.

City police on Monday morning confirmed they were seeking Pespas, but Lt. Matthew Gerould told lehighvalleylive.com on Monday afternoon that new information received in the last couple of hours leads investigators to believe he is now somewhere in western New Jersey.

According to Gerould, he might not be driving the car that the documentary directors initially said he was driving  a 2002 white Ford Mustang with the license plate N74KUB. It was not immediately clear if authorities suspected Pespas was on foot or using a different vehicle.

The lieutenant said the investigation so far has turned up a number of tips, including an unsubstantiated one about Pespas being in the Pittsburgh area.

Investigators are still concerned about his well being, but would not elaborate. They asked anyone who knows of his whereabouts to call 9-1-1.

Pespas recently moved to Easton, but was previously living across the Delaware River in Phillipsburg, according to Gerould.

The longtime telemarketer became a freelance investigative journalist through Telemarketers, a three-part documentary that was filmed over the course of two decades and premiered in August.

As of Sunday afternoon, Pespas hadnt checked in with his wife, Sue, for more than 40 hours.

Pespas, who has long coped with drug addiction and takes Methadone to treat the addiction, previously disappeared during the filming of the documentary series.

Lehighvalleylive.com contributor Tony Rhodin contributed to this report.

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Chad Thies, a Rushville native originally, started a company called Zelle HR 10 years ago because he felt people didn't understand the full extent of what human resources (HR) could be for companies. Now, many do thanks to them.

"(Zelle HR was started) to help share all the cool things HR can do and help businesses understand the impact HR makes and can make on an organization," Thies said. "Now, we have 24 full-time employees, a few part-time, and growing that has been exciting as well."

And it's recently opened an office in Columbus.

HR, Thies said, is more than most people realize and his company approaches it from an internal angle where they can. Being involved in and understanding the companies and communities they work with, he said, is a key part of their process.

"It's full-serve HR, anything they need, we do for them. We're also present within the organization, too, so we're not just a virtual partner," Thies said. "It's important to us as an HR firm and we feel to be the most effective for people, you have to have a presence."

Presence, Thies added, also means having local people working for you, which is why the Columbus location has people from the Columbus and Leigh areas in the office. Having worked with Platte County, he said, the company was already familiar with some of the local culture, so moving in felt like a good fit.

"We knew it was a great location. I spent some time there after college. Platte County is an amazing partner. We've done some amazing things together," Thies said. "We're very thankful for the opportunity to work with Platte County, the supervisors and elected officials, we think we can do special things together. There's a lot of economy in the Columbus area."

The other side of the business, Thies said, is recruitment. A local angle there helps them identify the right people for the right workplace cultures.

"We want a partnership, not a transactional relationship. We want a couple things to happen, attributing the best person we can find to that company's culture, the right person that matches that skill set," Thies said. "If we can do those two things, that means they're going to stay with that company and be a good contribution while they're there."

On that end, Thies said, they're effectively selling the job and the community to prospective recruits, which is why they want someone who lives in the community to sell it for them. Not to mention, Thies said, their employees largely being from farming communities across Nebraska, they have an in-built strong work ethic.

"I've worked with (companies) in big cities, trying to bring people to my organizations in Nebraska and they've never even been to Nebraska," Thies said. "Our person in Columbus (Chantel Vanosek), it's effective for her to recruit for Columbus, because she can sell the community she lives in."

Jake McMullin, head of recruiting for Zelle, originally from Leigh, said Zelle's recruiting is focused on not just finding people, but the right people, which companies are all looking for nowadays.

"They want to find good people. Most companies you see are looking for people and we fill and recruit across all industries," McMullin said. "If we can help a client find a person that's going to help them continue to grow their business, that's really cool if you think about it."

Zelle HR's Columbus location is open right behind the Platte County Courthouse marking its third location alongside Cozad and Lincoln, with an Ogallala location in the works as well. McMullin said he finds, oftentimes, people consider HR to be the number you call when there's a problem, such as payroll or benefits issues. The "nontraditional" side, he said, is much more than that.

"We're here to help you grow in your roles. How can we provide some leadership guidance? Is there training we can provide? Are there things our team can clean up in terms of handbooks or compliance?" McMullin said. "(Our job is) being able to touch on all those aspects of HR in a positive light, helping a place grow."
Laois coffee fans can soon get their fix on the go in Portlaoise, with the approval by planners for a drive-thru service.

British based international coffee company Costa Coffee has been granted permission by Laois County Council to install the drive-thru at its cafe in Portlaoise Retail Park.

The approval was granted this week, after the applicant, MBCC Foods (Ireland) Ltd., gave Further Information regarding road safety.

They have agreed to install an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing, including streetlighting.

The plan requires the removal of 18 parking spaces next to the cafe, which is in the centre of the carpark for the retail park.

The drive-thru will also include a canopy and service hatch, a height restrictor/entrance barrier on the access lane, directional signs, an order station, menu board, advertisement signs and totem signs of 6 and 8 metres in height respectively.

The cafe opened in 2018, with a second in Laois Shopping Centre and a third in Portarlington.
Laois food and drink makers have won an incredible 13 awards in the Irish Blas na hEireann 2023 final.

The county's finalists included The Village Dairy, Mueller & O'Connell, Aghaboe Farm Foods, Abbey Farm Foods, Ion Oil, Ballykilcavan Brewing Company and Temptation Chocolates, all members of Laois Taste, as well as Cocoa Couture from Mountmellick.

The Village Dairy in Clonmore, a father / daughter team of Noel and Shelley Barcoe, won an incredible 5 medals including 3 Golds - one Gold for their Dunnes Stores Simply Better Single Source Jersey Cream and 2 Golds in the Milk category for their Village Dairy Jersey Milk and Simply Better Jersey Milk.

They won a joint Gold medal and also a Bronze Medal for their Village Dairy Organic Milk in this same Dairy - Milk category. Their fifth medal was a Bronze medal for their Village Dairy Fresh Cream.

Noel and Shelley Barcoe, The Village Dairy, receiving their 5 medals.

Ballykilcavan Brewing Company won the Best in Laois Award along with a Gold Medal for their Blackwell Stout in the Beers, Porters & Stouts category.

Mueller & O'Connell bakery in Abbeyleix won a Silver for their Lemon Meringue Cruffin and Niamh Maher from Aghaboe Farm Foods won for her fabulous creation of a Trio of Christmas Cakes.

The Gee Family, led by the famous Helen (below), was up for more awards again this year for their preserves and conserves under the Abbey Farm brand.

Helen and Roy Gee with Brian Brennan, chairman of Laois Taste.

Abbey Farm Foods won a Silver and Bronze too, for their Grainne's Raspberry Conserve and Lidl Deluxe Mixed Fruit Preserve 350g.

Ion Oils from Portarlington won a Silver and a Bronze, for their Hazelnut Oil and Sunflower Oil.

Cocoa Couture owner Catherine Callaghan won a Silver medal for her delicious handmade chocolates.

The Blas na hEireann awards take place in Dingle every year as part of the Dingle Food Festival. Blas na hEireann is a great event for finalists to network among fellow food and drink producers in Ireland, both Republic and Northern Ireland, where Buyers from the main retailers and specialist stores come to meet the producers and to taste their products.

The event also attracts food writers, chefs and keynote speakers from various parts of the food and drinks industry.

Liz Kennedy is from Laois Taste.

"It was a super event for Laois Taste producers to be part of. Laois food and drink is a really great place and the results of the Awards highlight the quality of the food and drink products produced in Laois. The products are available in many supermarkets, retailers, specialist shops and direct from the producers online. Hampers are also available for purchasing at any time of the year," she said.

Laois Taste was also well represented by all its producers in the Eat Ireland in a Day Pavillion which hosted food and drink producers from around the country over the 3 days, organised in the Provinces of Ireland.

Markus and Andreas Milley from Ion Oil worked tirelessly over the 3 days showcasing Laois Taste products and doing tastings for their product, meeting consumers, Buyers, Chefs and Food Writers showcasing their many cold pressed oils.

Laois Taste's presence in the Pavillion was sponsored by Laois Local Enterprise Office and Laois Partnership.

Mark Clancy is from the Laois Local Enterprise Office.

"It is so important to support these local food and drink enterprises, many of whom have come through LEO's Enterprise development programmes and different training on offer. The Start Your Own Business course is particularly useful for people wishing to develop a business idea and are unsure as to how to develop the idea into a business plan and ultimately into a business. The course includes a number of training sessions and invaluable in person mentoring sessions to further tailor content to individual needs," he said.

Mark and the team at LEO in Laois can be contacted on localenterprise@laoiscoco. ie or by phone on 057 866 1800

For more details on Laois Taste producers, products, hampers and suppliers can be found on laoistaste.ie and on their Laoistaste.ie social media platforms of Instagram and Facebook.
Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has presented the Tanaiste with a prestigious award for services to Ukraine.

Micheal Martin received the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise award today (October 2) while in Kyiv for an extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

He joined other EU foreign ministers in the war-torn country to discuss how to strengthen and advance the EUs response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in direct consultation with the Ukrainian government.

Recipients of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise award reportedly receive the honour for their "distinguished services to the state and people of the Ukrainian nation" in the fields of state building, strengthening the international prestige of Ukraine, development of economy, science, education, culture, art, health care, and for outstanding charitable, humanistic and public activities.

Posting about receiving the award on X (formerly Twitter), the Tanaiste said, "An honour to receive the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise award from [President Zelensky] in Kyiv. Ireland and the EU remain steadfast in solidarity with Ukraine and its people."

Earlier today, he said he was "pleased to be in Kyiv" and reaffirmed Ireland's commitment to continue providing financial contributions to Ukraine.

He stated, "A powerful symbol to have the EUs Foreign Ministers here to stand with the people of Ukraine. We will discuss Ukraines EU pathway, and ongoing supports. Ireland recently announced 23m in humanitarian aid, part of 210m in total support so far."

Martin joins the Leas-Chathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann, Mark Daly, who also received an Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise award (II degree) in 2022.

Senator Daly, who was Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann at the time, was one of 12 speakers of parliamentary assemblies to be granted the honour by President Zelensky for significant personal merits in strengthening interstate cooperation, support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and a significant contribution to the popularization of the Ukrainian state in the world".

Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the United States House of Representatives was also honoured.

Speaking at the time, he said, "As Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann, it is a great honour to be awarded the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, II Degree by President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The Irish people and the Houses of the Oireachtas have been steadfast in their support of Ukraine and its people since the brutal and illegal invasion by Russia eight months ago.

"During my visit to Kyiv with the Ceann Comhairle in May when we met President Zelenskyy and saw for ourselves the devastating impact of Russias horrific actions in Ukraine, I told him that the Irish people stood with Ukraine. Ireland, our partners in the European Union and our friends in the United States and the United Kingdom are unyielding in our support for democracy and the rule of law over tyranny and brutality."
A male juvenile allegedly involved in a cross-county car chase appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court on Thursday, September 28.

The teenage boy was allegedly involved in the incident as a passenger, along with one adult (the driver of the vehicle) and another juvenile (another passenger).

However, these two defendants were not present in court on the date in question.

The male juvenile was accompanied by his grandfather and stepfather during the court session.

Garda Sergeant Brian Jacob told the court that gardai saw a car speeding on a road at night-time in County Kildare, and that the car failed to stop when the gardai indicated for the driver to do so.

It was also heard that the car was 'driving against the flow of traffic.'

Sgt Jacob added that 'a long pursuit' took place, and that it carried over into at least two different counties.

He further said that the chase came to an end when gardai managed to seal off a part of the road that the defendants were travelling on.

Judge Zaidan refused jurisdiction over the case; he explained that, in his view, 'these are not minor allegations.'

He adjourned the case to November 2 to allow time for a book of evidence to be presented against the juvenile, and also for the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider his judgement over refusing jurisdiction in the case.
Lidl has announced a major supply deal with Kildare-based cooked meats producer, OBrien Fine Foods, valued at 60 million. This new deal will see OBrien Fine Foods supply to Lidl stores across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and across mainland Europe including Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Romania and Slovenia.

Established in 2000, OBrien Fine Foods is a family-run business based in Timahoe, County Kildare and operates from two dedicated facilities in Kildare and Westmeath. OBrien Fine Foods have supplied Lidls own brand sliced ham and beef lines since 2011, bringing their 100% Irish, Bord Bia Quality Assured products to Lidls customers every week. The longstanding partnership with Lidl has been key to OBrien Fine Foods growth journey and has contributed to the expansion of their workforce from 250 to 600 employees in recent years.

With the school season in full swing, Lidls Glensallagh and Deluxe range developed by OBrien Food Foods is bursting with flavour, ensuring households across Ireland can enjoy tasty, high quality lunchbox staples at an affordable price, including:

 Glensallagh Cooked or Crumbed Irish Ham Slices

Deluxe Butcher Style Traditional/Smoked Ham, Crumbed Ham or Cured Shaved Ham

Deluxe Butcher Style Turkey Breast Slices

Deluxe Premium Chicken Slices

Commenting on the new deal, Claire Mulrennan, Senior Buyer for Lidl Ireland said:

At Lidl Ireland, we are committed to offering our customers locally sourced products at the best value in the market. Our Glensallagh and Deluxe range developed by OBrien Food Foods brings high-quality sliced ham, beef and poultry products to homes across Ireland without compromise on taste or price. We are proud to be part of OBrien Fine Foods growth journey, placing their premium products in Lidl stores not just in Ireland and Northern Ireland but in stores across the globe."

John OBrien, Managing Director, OBrien Fine Foods, commented:

Our partnership with Lidl, which started in 2011, has helped our family-run business in County Kildare thrive immensely. It has enabled us to invest in our business and grow our team substantially. Lidl has given us the opportunity to enter new international markets for the first time and bring our quality Irish products to customers across Europe. We are grateful for their continued support and look forward to working with Lidl for many years to come.

OBrien Fine Foods is one of Lidls growing network of more than 400 Irish suppliers. In 2022, Lidl procured more than 1 billion worth of goods from the Irish agri-food industry and of that, 318 million was exported internationally through Lidls expansive store network across the globe. Lidl has also invested more than 8 million to date in its annual Kickstart Supplier Development Programme which gives small to medium sized Irish food and drink suppliers the opportunity to have their products sold in Lidl stores across the island of Ireland.

For further information and to view our range of products and instore offers please visit www.lidl.ie
Two businesswomen from Kildare have been honoured at Network Irelands Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2023. Katie Mugan of Nursing Mama was named Solo Businesswoman of the Year and Aisling OConnor of Dooley Insurances was named Employee Shining Star.

The results were announced at the organisations annual Businesswoman of the Year Awards at Lawlors Hotel, Nass, Co. Kildare on Friday night, September 29. 350 guests attended the gala ceremony which was hosted by businessman and social entrepreneur Aubrey McCarthy.

The National Business Networking Group, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, received an overwhelming response to the awards this year with 370 applications from members of all its branches.

The winners of the eight categories were:

Emerging Businesswoman: Donna Reilly, Donna Reilly People & Wellness, Dublin

Solo Businesswoman: Katie Mugan, Nursing Mama, Kildare. (Pictured above furthest left in front row)

Employee Shining Star: Aisling OConnor, Dooley Insurances, Kildare (Pictured centrally in front row)

Established Businesswoman: Roisin Leacy, Eikon Beauty, Wexford

Creative Professional: Heidi Higgins, Fashion Designer, Tipperary

STEM Professional: Susan Dunlea, DePuy Synthes, Cork

Employee Rising Star: Danielle Markham, EisnerAmper Ireland, Limerick

Networker of the Year, a new award to mark the 40th anniversary of Network Ireland, Helen Wycherley, Celtic Ross Hotel, Cork

The awards ceremony followed Network Irelands annual conference which was hosted by film producer, entrepreneur, human rights campaigner and former Dragons Den judge Norah Casey. Norah was honoured with the Trisha Murphy Memorial Award on the night.

Guests were treated to lively panel discussions around the themes of Key To Success and Celebrating Leadership. Among the panellists were business consultant Blaise Brosnan, Jacqueline ODonovan of ODonovan Waste Disposal, Sinead Lonergan of Enterprise Ireland, Sonia Deasy of Pestle & Mortar, Denis Doolin of AIB, Tammy Darcy of The Shona Project, Lorraine Bowen of The Entrepreneurs Academy and Michelle Vance of Lily OBriens.

Oonagh OHagan, owner of Meaghers Pharmacy Group, delivered a keynote outlining her incredible business journey from her first premises on Dublins Baggot Street, while Leinster and Ireland rugby star Linda Djougang shared her inspirational story about moving to Ireland and discovering her love for the sport.

National President of Network Ireland Emma Early Murphy said, I would like to congratulate the eight winners who are an inspiration to so many women around the country. The competition this year was really strong and it was a difficult decision for the judges to make. Id like to express my sincere gratitude to all our members who took the time to apply for the Businesswoman of the Year Awards this year. We were blown away by the response and its a great reflection on where the organisation is, 40 years after being established. Our theme this year is about celebrating success and I have met some really great business women this year who are doing tremendous things and it has been a great opportunity to celebrate with them at our flagship event. Id also like to thank all our sponsors who helped to make the conference and awards ceremony such a memorable occasion.

Proceeds of a raffle held on the night are going towards this years charity partners IMNDA.

Network Ireland is celebrating 10 years of its official partnership with AIB and Elaine Downey, Head of Products, Retail Banking at AIB, said, AIB are delighted to be Network Ireland's official partner for 10 years. It is a privilege for us to be involved with the organisation which has offered support to so many women around the country, from those who are starting out in business to those who are established and a leader in their field. It has been an honour for us to meet all of the finalists and to hear their remarkable stories of success and I would like to congratulate the winners and wish them the very best in their future endeavours.
A Senator based in County Kildare has praised a motion which she says will 'improve the lives of family carers, and for those they care for.'

According to Fianna Fail Senator, Fiona O'Loughlin, who is also the Chair of the Oireachtas Womens Caucus (OWC), the motion is a cross-party one.

Commenting on the ambitious motion, she said: "The OWC decided to focus on the review and renewal of the current national carers strategy.

"We sought submissions from care organisations and those with lived experience from a variety of caring backgrounds. From national advocacy organisations to family carers who are the front line of our care sector."

"Following a request for submissions to the OWC's work, we received 38 submissions."

The Senator said that the OWC brought together ten different organisations together to consult with OWC members: "Shine, Family Carers Ireland, Care Alliance Ireland, Westcare Homecare, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Diabetes Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, Sage Advocacy, the Irish Hospice Foundation, special schools, and classes and, as I mentioned, individuals who came in to give us information about their lived experiences."

She continued: "Our existing national carers strategy was published in 2012 and set out 42 actions to be undertaken by the Government to improve the lives of family carers; those actions covered the needs of family carers and those for whom they care, including the need for access to home care and respite, adequate financial supports, transport, information, advocacy, housing, training, employment, and the right to a life of their own away from their caring role.

Fianna Fail Senator Fiona O'Loughlin. File photograph.

"Every year, following the publication of that strategy, the Department of Health has produced an annual progress report since 2012.

"However, this ceased after 2018 and it was acknowledged that this needed to be revisited.

"I understand from the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, that work is ongoing on the review."

In particular, Senator O'Loughlin said that one of the areas that was reflected in the stakeholder engagement was the high prevalence of loneliness and social exclusion among carers: "I acknowledge that the government have committed to holding a referendum in 2023, which has now been extended to early 2024, to implement the recommendations of the citizens' assembly and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Gender Equality."

She concluded: "Carers play a hugely important role in our society, and I am glad to see the owc championing a rights-based approach to caring and will continue to work with colleagues to advocate for our carers and those they care for."

The Kildare-South politician also welcomed the news that 170,000 in further education capital grants would be allocated to the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (ETB).

Commenting on this announcement, Senator O'Louglin said: "The 170,000 in new funding is part of a wider increase of 5.4 million across 14 ETBs in further education capital grants announced by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

"The funding announced is in respect of 127 ETB projects, covering health and safety issues, small-scale energy efficiency measures, equipment and requests relating to positive improvements for learning spaces."

She addedl "The new funding is in addition to 8 million issued in April under the Devolved Capital Grant to the 16 ETBs to invest in small-scale FET investment priorities at a local level under Project Ireland 2040."

In the context of the Kildare and Wicklow ETB, she said: "The Kildare Wicklow ETB is a driving force of education and training in the local community.

"This additional funding is hugely welcome and will benefit both current and future students here in Kildare."

"Im committed to ensuring the best possible education outcomes for people in our community and Im glad to continue to strongly support the work of our local ETB," she concluded.
COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be available in more than 850 pharmacies across the country from this week, including Leitrim.

Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) is urging people to register for a vaccination early this year, stating that the earlier people get vaccinated, they will protect themselves and the wider community from spreading the illness.

Speaking in anticipation of the upcoming winter season, Dr Susan ODwyer, IPUs Head of Professional Services, said, It is important that we top up our winter protection. By protecting yourself, you are protecting those around you.

Everyone should be aware that the flu vaccination, for instance, is required annually and that there is no guarantee that you will gain any protection from previous vaccinations. Annual vaccination is important because flu viruses are constantly changing, and immunity from vaccination declines over time.

Equally, the protection from previous doses or a COVID-19 infection may weaken over time. Booster doses help boost your antibodies and give you good protection from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if you get COVID-19.

Dr Susan said that respiratory infections, including flu, each year cause significant pressure on the Irish health service. Last year, 4,604 people were hospitalised, with a sizable percentage of those coming from medically vulnerable and over-65 age groups. In addition, 198 people died last year alone from influenza-related illness.

By receiving your flu and COVID-19 vaccines, you can reduce your risk of complications from these infections and also help alleviate pressure on our health system, she said.

Childrens Vaccines

This year, IPU is also urging parents to register children for the nasal flu vaccine, free of charge for all children aged 2 to 12 years and those aged 13 to 17 who are more at risk of flu.

IPUs Head of Professional Services says that flu is a severe respiratory infection, and what many people do not realise is that it disproportionately affects children.

Children are twice as likely as adults to catch the flu, and in the past ten years in Ireland, almost 5,000 children have been admitted to hospital with flu complications. Sadly, almost 200 children have had treatment in intensive care, and 40 children have died.

Flu vaccines for children have been available free of charge for several years, but uptake has been low. Parents or children concerned about the vaccine should speak to their pharmacist, who can provide advice and guidance. The nasal flu vaccine is given as a simple spray in each nostril. This quick and easy procedure is not distressing for children.

Dr Susan concluded by re-emphasising the importance of children receiving the vaccine.

Children with chronic health conditions are at risk of serious complications from the flu. In some cases where a child catches the flu, it can lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

Please take the opportunity to avail of the flu vaccine for your child to minimise these risks, she said.
Two Leitrim Pubs are shortlisted as finalists for the Finals of the Irish Pub of the Year 2023 in two different categories: McHughs Bar, Carrick-on-Shannon as Innovative Pub of the Year sponsored by BOI Payment Acceptance and Dunnes Bar, Carrick-on-Shannon as Best Digital Innovator sponsored by Heineken.

Now in its fifth year, the Irish Pub Awards, jointly presented by the Licenced Vintners Association (LVA) and the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI), are acknowledged as the definitive industry standard and have gained recognition throughout the trade as the most credible and comprehensive assessment of the best in Irish Pubs.

All 63 regional winners will be showcased as best in class in their region and will receive a prize package of management training to help them progress their business further in addition to avail of comprehensive media coverage, including a profile piece in the special Awards Supplement in the Irish Independent on the day of the National Awards presentation on November 15.

The awards media partners are Irish Independent and Drinks Industry Ireland.

The Irish Pub Awards is now firmly established as the pre-eminent award for the Irish pub sector.

VFI President John Clendennen says: Im delighted to see so many fantastic pubs from around Ireland on the list of Irish Pub Awards regional winners. For any publican, getting on this list is a real sign your pub is one of the very best in the country. For those publicans that didnt make it, I would say to benchmark yourself against the winners and come back stronger next year.

Im really looking forward to the national awards night in November when well find out which pubs are the best of the best and, of course, which pub is the overall national pub of the year, he said.

Chair of the LVA, Laura Moriarty, added: The collaboration between VFI and LVA is core to the success of the Irish Pub Awards. The Awards play a big part in acknowledging the role great publicans play in employing people across Ireland, investing in their premises and in acknowledging the wonderful contribution pubs make to their local communities, to Irish social life and to Irish tourism.
Three men arrested in connection with an investigation into 160 million euro of cocaine seized on a bulk cargo ship off the coast of Ireland are to appear in court on Tuesday.

The men are expected to appear at Mallow District Court in Co Cork at 10.30am on Tuesday.

Three other men have already appeared at Wexford District Court this week in relation to the seizure.

Another man remains in custody, gardai confirmed on Monday, while another man has been released without charge.

A total of 2,253kg of cocaine was found on the MV Matthew cargo ship after members of the Irish Army Ranger Wing captured the vessel off the Co Cork coast by abseiling from a helicopter last week.

An Garda Siochana said the seizure was the largest in the history of the state.

Police believe the cocaine, seized after the dramatic military operation at sea, was destined for distribution beyond Ireland, potentially into the UK and continental Europe.

A fishing trawler that grounded off the coast of Co Wexford late on Sunday was also being monitored as part of the operation, amid suspicions it was en route to rendezvous with the cargo ship.
Brazil to Issue Digital IDs for Its 214 Million Citizens Using Blockchain Technology

Source: f11photo/Adobe

Brazil is set to issue digital identification documents for its more than 214 million citizens using blockchain technology.

The states of Rio de Janeiro, Goias, and Parana will be the first to adopt this new system, utilizing a private blockchain developed by Serpro, Brazils national data processing service, according to an official announcement by the government.

The announcement says that the entire country should be able to issue identity documents through blockchain technology by November 6.

The decision to leverage blockchain technology for digital identity stems from its inherent properties of immutability and decentralization.

Alexandre Amorim, president of Serpro, said that blockchain technology is crucial for protecting personal data and preventing fraud.

He claimed that the b-Cadastros blockchain platform significantly enhances the security and reliability of the National Identity Card project, offering a more secure digital experience for Brazilian citizens.

Blockchain technology plays a critical role in protecting personal data and preventing fraud, offering a more secure digital experience for Brazilian citizens, Amorim said in a statement.

Utilizing the b-Cadastros blockchain platform significantly enhances the security and reliability of the National Identity Card project.

Digital IDs Could Be Used to Combat Crimes

The Brazilian government views the national ID project as a vital tool in combating organized crime and facilitating collaboration between government sectors.

It will also simplify access to services and streamline administrative records.

Brazil has been working towards unifying identity issuance across its nearly 30 states for several years.

The adoption of blockchain technology will enable secure data exchange between the Federal Revenue and various government departments, improving efficiency and data integrity.

Brazils move aligns with a similar initiative in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where residents can access their identity documents through a digital wallet.

Likewise, the Commonwealth of Dominica partnered with Huobi last year to issue Dominicas national token, Dominica Coin (DMC), and its Digital Identity (DID).

At the time, the island nation said that holders of its digital identity could open a bank or financial account, apply for loans, register companies that provide digital services, claim digital currency airdrops, and use it for Know Your Customer (KYC) verification.

In October last year, banking giant JP Morgan also announced that it is developing a digital identity offering empowering users to choose identity credentials you want to share throughout your interactions online, across the web3, the metaverse, DeFi, and beyond.

Brazil Pushing Forward with CBDC Plans

In addition to the digital identity project, Brazil is also making strides in the development of a central bank digital currency (CBDC).

In August, the government provided more details about the project, which has been rebranded as Drex.

The CBDC aims to expand business access to capital through a tokenization system associated with the Drex.

More recently, the central bank of Brazil vowed to tighten rules and strengthen its oversight of crypto platforms amid growing crypto adoption in the country.

Roberto Campos Neto, the governor of Brazils central bank, said last week that cryptocurrency imports by Brazilian residents have risen 44.2% in the period between January and August 2023 compared to the same period last year.

We understand that a lot is connected to tax evasion or linked to illicit activities, Neto said while stressing that oversight of the crypto sector in Brazil will be strengthened going forward.
Trcaire thanked Leitrim people for their donations, which helped support 1.58 million people in 23 countries in 2022/23, according to its Annual Report published today.

Trcaire is an agency of the Irish Catholic Church that supports people living in poverty, conflict and injustice with long-term programmes in 15 countries worldwide.

Caoimhe de Barra, Trcaire CEO, said the past year was dominated by hunger in the Horn of Africa, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and a global cost-of-living crisis threatening to plunge an additional 71 million people into poverty.

"Years of recurrent droughts fuelled by climate change has caused extreme, life-threatening hunger for more than 20 million people in the Horn of Africa," Caoimhe said.

"At a health centre run by Trocaire in Gedo, Somalia, I spoke with a mother who had just arrived with a critically ill baby. The infant girl was given the very best of care by our health team. But she died within two days. I will never forget that mother's grief."

"Unfortunately, this is just one tragic story of many this year from Somalia and the Horn of Africa."

The Trcaire CEO said other challenges, such as the earthquake in Syria and Turkey and Cyclone Freddy in Malawi, happened suddenly and with devastating human impact.

"Despite all of the challenges presented in 2022/2023, Trocaire  with the support of donors such as Irish Aid and with the extraordinary generosity of the people of Leitrim  worked with local partners to help change the lives of 1.58 million people in 23 countries. This is something we can all be proud of," Caoimhe de Barra said.

She added that Trocaire also noted some great successes this year, including Ireland's performance on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

"We can look back with pride on our contribution to global affairs at the UNSC. For a small state, we exceeded expectations and were agile in responding to the unexpected. Ireland held the line where it mattered, putting its stamp on international relations.

"It was also a historic year for the women of Sierra Leone with the passing of two ground-breaking gender equality acts. Women's participation in local and national governments soared in June 2023 due to a new Gender Empowerment Women's Equality Act 2022, which established a 30 per cent quota for women's participation in government for both appointed positions and elected positions.

"For the first time, women were also guaranteed equal rights and access to land thanks to the Customary Land Rights Act 2022. The passing of these Acts is a proud moment for Trocaire and our partners who advocated for these laws and empowered the women of Sierra Leone to know their rights."

Caoimhe used the report's launch to issue a dire warning on the climate catastrophe ahead of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in November.

"The climate emergency is a catastrophe for the communities in which Trocaire works. This year at COP28, global leaders must push for an agreement to phasing out all fossil fuels and establish a loss and damage fund," the Trcaire CEO added.
Enerflex Ltd. Announces Chief Financial Officer Transition





CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enerflex Ltd. (TSX: EFX) (NYSE: EFXT) ("Enerflex" or the "Company") today announced that Rodney D. Gray has resigned from his role as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") to pursue other opportunities. Enerflex has initiated a search process to identify the Company's next CFO and has retained an executive search firm to assist with the process.

"We thank Rod for his meaningful contributions to Enerflex and wish him success in his future endeavours," said Marc Rossiter, Enerflex's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Rossiter added, "The Board of Directors and management team remain committed to shaping our business for long-term success. To that end, we are actively working to improve Enerflex's overall capacity for free cash flow generation to reduce debt by capturing synergies from the Exterran acquisition, minimizing foreign currency impacts, and enhancing operational efficiencies. We are now focused on finding a CFO to take our organization to the next level."

The Company will provide details regarding its financial results and progress on its strategic priorities in connection with its third-quarter 2023 earnings announcement in November.

ABOUT ENERFLEX

Transforming Energy for a Sustainable Future. Enerflex is a premier integrated global provider of energy infrastructure and energy transition solutions, delivering natural gas processing, compression, power generation, refrigeration, cryogenic, and produced water solutions.

Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Enerflex, its subsidiaries, and interests in associates and joint ventures, operate in over 90 locations in: Canada, the United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Kuwait, India, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

Enerflex's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "EFX" and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EFXT". For more information about Enerflex, visit www.enerflex.com .

For investor and media enquiries, contact:

Marc Rossiter

President and Chief Executive Officer

E-mail: [email protected]

Martha Wilmot

Investor Relations

E-mail: [email protected]

1 october 2023 at 17:05

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Advancing Cancer Treatment: Leo Cancer Care and THERYQ Collaborate on Innovative FLASHDEEP Patient Positioning





PEYNIER, France, Oct. 1, 2023 /CNW/ -- The collaboration between Leo Cancer Care and THERYQ brings together the extensive expertise of both organizations to create an integrated solution that promises to revolutionize the treatment of deep-seated tumors. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and precision engineering, this collaboration seeks to provide radiation oncologists and patients with a new level of confidence and accuracy in cancer treatment.

FLASH radiotherapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy that delivers extremely high doses of radiation in a fraction of a second, reducing treatment time and damage to surrounding healthy tissues. This technique has shown promise in targeting cancer cells more effectively while minimizing side effects, making it a potential breakthrough in cancer treatment.

Developed in collaboration with CHUV (Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland) and based on CERN technology (European Laboratory of Particle Physics), FLASHDEEP represents a major leap forward in cancer radiotherapy, offering ultra-fast treatment delivery with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues. By addressing the challenge of patient positioning in the treatment of deep tumors, this collaboration aims to further enhance the therapeutic benefits of VHEE (Very High-Energy Electron) FLASH radiotherapy. Leo Cancer Care's novel upright patient positioning solution will be integrated into the first unit installed at CHUV.

Key collaboration highlights:

- Improved Patient Comfort: Innovative upright patient positioning minimizes discomfort during cancer therapy, enhancing patient experience.

- Enhanced Treatment Precision: Leo Cancer Care and THERYQ's tech integration enables precise targeting of deep-seated tumors, minimizing harm to healthy tissues.

- Faster Treatment: FLASHDEEP's ultra-fast delivery is optimized for shorter setup times and improved treatment efficiency.

- Improved Clinical Outcomes: Through this collaboration, challenging cancer diagnoses may see enhanced patient outcomes by addressing the complexities of deep tumor treatment.

Both Leo Cancer Care and THERYQ are committed to pushing the boundaries of cancer care, and this collaboration marks a significant milestone in their joint mission to transform the landscape of radiation therapy. The teams at both companies are excited to embark on this journey together and look forward to sharing more details about the project's progress in the coming months.

Stephen Towe, CEO and co-founder of Leo Cancer Care, adds "FLASH has been one of the most exciting research areas within radiation therapy for a number of years now, so we are very excited to be partnering with THERYQ, helping them to bring FLASH radiotherapy into mainstream clinical practice."

"Together, we are pioneering the future of cancer treatment, where precision meets speed, and patients receive the best care possible. This collaboration reaffirms our commitment to advancing FLASH radiation therapy systems, bringing hope and healing to those in need.", says Ludovic Le Meunier, CEO of THERYQ.

About THERYQ

THERYQ is an innovative medical device company specializing in the design, manufacture, and commercialization of FLASH radiotherapy systems.

THERYQ aims to expand the use of radiotherapy in oncology and unlock new treatments for patients with cancer. We want to improve patient care and have a positive impact on patients' lives, expectancies, and quality of life by providing efficient, precise, ultra-short radiation treatments.

www.theryq.com

About Leo Cancer Care

Leo Cancer Care aims to challenge the norms in Radiation Therapy to deliver improved patient care and patient experience. Built on a team with extensive scientific and research experience, our innovative products are based on the clinical benefits of upright patient positioning. Combining this with a shift from machine rotation to patient rotation, Leo Cancer Care is set to change the face of radiation therapy for good.

www.leocancercare.com

Media Contact

THERYQ: Fatine Slaoui ? [email protected] +33 4 42 53 13 13

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2236091/THERYQ.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2236090/THERYQ_AforHEALTH_Logo.jpg

SOURCE THERYQ; Leo Cancer Care

1 october 2023 at 17:30

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Huawei provides reliable networks for safe, efficient Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway





JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023 /CNW/ -- Today, Indonesia's Jakarta?Bandung high-speed railway, known as the WHOOSH, officially entered service. The railway reduces travel time between Jakarta and Bandung from 3.5 hours to just 40 minutes, which will boost economic development along the route. Huawei has partnered with China Railway Signal & Communication (CRSC) and China Telecom to build a dedicated railway network for the WHOOSH. This network facilitates real-time communications, control, and dispatching of the trains, providing reliable and robust technical support for intelligent, safe, and efficient train operations.

As the first high-speed railway in Southeast Asia, the WHOOSH spans 142.3 kilometers between the capital city of Jakarta and the popular tourist destination of Bandung in Indonesia. The maximum operating speed of the trains is 350 kilometers per hour. The WHOOSH is also the first project that applies China's high-speed railway system, including all elements of the industry value chain, outside China. The WHOOSH marks Indonesia's entry into the high-speed railway era.

The WHOOSH is equipped with the Chinese Train Control System Level 3 (CTCS-3), which was independently developed in China. Due to the high speed at which the trains travel and their short departure intervals, a stable and reliable dedicated communications network that provides high security, large bandwidth, and simple O&M is crucial for the train control system. This guarantees that the trains run safely, smoothly, and efficiently.

According to Lai Chaosen, Vice President of Huawei Indonesia, the WHOOSH's train-to-ground wireless network adopts Huawei's mature solution and employs interleaving in networking for seamless coverage. By achieving up to 99.99% availability, the network ensures the stable transmission of train control signals and the intelligent orchestration and scheduling of train numbers and function numbers.

The data network uses Huawei's next-generation data communications equipment, which guarantees 100% secure networks through native hard pipes. Every link is protected by redundancy, and redundancy switchover can be completed within just 35 ms.

The transmission network uses Huawei's Hybrid MSTP equipment, which provides the large bandwidth and high stability required by over 20 high-speed train systems, such as scheduling and command, disaster prevention, video surveillance, passenger ticketing, and power telecontrol systems. The network is also capable of addressing the growth and evolution requirements of future railway services.

Liu Jieping, CRSC's Deputy Chief Engineer of the Jakarta?Bandung Project, explained that the launch of the WHOOSH represents a major landmark in China's going global strategy for high-speed railways. The train-to-ground wireless network, transmission network, data network, and other system solutions provided by Huawei have built a high-quality dedicated communications network for the WHOOSH, and provided reliable technical support for safe and efficient train operations.

Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, President Director of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), stated, "We would like to thank all stakeholders, especially Huawei and CRSC, for their contributions in preparing technology solutions and railway infrastructure that are instrumental in supporting the operation of the Whoosh high-speed train. The shared implementation of proven technology solutions and operational solutions of the Whoosh high-speed train can serve as a reference and benchmark for the development of other high-speed rail infrastructure in Indonesia and similar projects in other ASEAN countries."

SOURCE Huawei

2 october 2023 at 02:00

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CHANGING Revolutionizes Digital Authentication with Cutting-Edge Solutions and Zero Trust Architecture Certification





TAIPEI, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CHANGING, the Taiwan-based leading innovator in the field of digital authentication and cybersecurity, is proud to announce its breakthrough advancements in identity and device authentication solutions.

The company's pioneering approach seamlessly integrates the principles of Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) into practical applications, earning them certification from the Taiwan National Institute of Cyber Security in June 2022. This certification reaffirms CHANGING's commitment to aligning with the government's stringent zero-trust identity authentication requirements.

Fortifying IT security beyond identity

CHANGING 's holistic approach to digital authentication extends beyond identity verification, encompassing dedicated device authentication solutions designed to fortify IoT security. The company's comprehensive suite of offerings includes IoT products and solutions, cybersecurity software, multi-factor authentication, and a robust platform that secures data at the network and device layer.

The key features of CHANGING 's digital authentication solutions include:

IoT Device Lifecycle Management: CHANGING provides end-to-end security for IoT devices throughout their lifecycle, ensuring the integrity of data and communications. Private Key Embedding: Security is enhanced through the embedding of private keys into various hardware components, fortifying the authentication process and safeguarding sensitive information. CA/RA Certificate Management/Registration System: The company offers a cutting-edge Certificate Authority/Registration Authority system to manage digital certificates efficiently, enhancing security and trust. SS Signature Encryption System: CHANGING 's SS Signature Encryption System is a vital component of its robust digital authentication solutions, protecting data from unauthorized access. HSM Hardware Security Module: The use of Hardware Security Modules ensures the highest level of security for cryptographic operations and sensitive data.

In addition to their groundbreaking technology, CHANGING has established itself as a trusted partner for both the public and private sectors. The company holds a remarkable 90% market share in the financial industry, demonstrating its dedication to safeguarding sensitive financial data. Notable private sector clients, including TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), rely on CHANGING 's advanced authentication solutions to protect their critical assets.

CHANGING CEO Anderson Yang added "CHANGING utilizes certified secure chips and device software integrity checks to enhance device security and reliability, providing defense against hacker attacks. Part of our unique solution is that we offer physical isolation from device operating systems and applications, something that not every company in this space is able to do. Overall, our goal is to offer clients a safer and more secure environment."

CHANGING 's commitment to enhancing digital authentication and cybersecurity has set a new standard in the industry. With a strong focus on Zero Trust Architecture and dedicated solutions for IoT security, CHANGING is poised to continue its trajectory as an industry leader.

To learn more about CHANGING and its innovative digital authentication solutions, please visit www.changing.com.

About CHANGING

CHANGING focuses on "information security" and "identification authentication of users, transactions, and devices", with 25 years of expertise in identity authentication technology. All our solutions are developed in-house, which is our core value. We are committed to creating safer and more convenient online business processes for various industries. Through continuous innovation, we provide diverse products and services to meet customer needs. Our offerings include zero-trust digital authentication systems, Fintech security solutions, and digital transformation applications.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2234204/CHANGING_IoT_security_solution_offers_comprehensive_protection_machine_identity_areas.jpg

2 october 2023 at 05:30

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AmbioPharm Appoints Industry Veteran Brian Gregg as CEO





AmbioPharm, a worldwide leader in peptide active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) services, announced the appointment of industry veteran Brian Gregg as Chief Executive Officer, today. Mr. Gregg, who has more than 30 years of experience in the peptide CDMO industry, succeeds Tim Nieters, who will be stepping down after 7 years with the company.

Mr. Gregg joins AmbioPharm following a 32-year career at Bachem Americas, where he was Chief Operating Officer for nearly a decade and was responsible for driving business and operational growth with the strategic acquisition and integration of a competing peptide CDMO. During his earlier years at Bachem, Mr. Gregg led the quality and regulatory function for Bachem Americas before serving as site manager for Bachem's GMP manufacturing location in Torrance, California. Mr. Gregg will play a pivotal role in expanding AmbioPharm's leadership role in the fast-growing peptide CDMO market and growing the company's global customer base.

Dr. Juncai (Chris) Bai, Chairman of the Company, said, "We are excited to welcome Brian to our executive team. He has both the leadership experience and necessary background to be immediately effective in growing our business in the U.S. and globally, and we look forward to working with him as we continue to expand on our service offerings and global customer base."

Ms. Ling Yang, Managing Director of Carlyle and member of the Board, commented, "The industry sector continues to demonstrate significant growth, driven by end-market innovation globally, and we believe Brian has a demonstrated and proven industry track record to lead AmbioPharm in its next phase of growth. Carlyle has worked with AmbioPharm since our investment in 2018 to help transform the company and build out its operational capabilities, and we continue to provide unwavering support to the company as it seeks to expand its leading position in the CDMO market."

Mr. Gregg said, "AmbioPharm has invested significant effort and capital building out its systems, organization, buildings, and equipment, and the company is well-positioned to capture the opportunities in the global peptide CDMO market. It is an exciting time to take the reins of the company and I look forward to working with the leadership team to capitalize on these opportunities as well as to deliver high-quality products and service excellence for AmbioPharm's customers."

Mr. Gregg holds an MBA from the San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from the University of California at San Diego.

About AmbioPharm

AmbioPharm, a global peptide CDMO, was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in North Augusta, South Carolina, USA, specializing in developing highly efficient manufacturing processes for peptide-based Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) at small to very large scales. Its manufacturing facilities in South Carolina, USA and Shanghai, China, manufacture New Chemical Entities (NCEs) and generic peptide APIs under cGMP for clients worldwide. The company currently has over 600 employees in North America, Asia and Europe.

2 october 2023 at 06:05

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RobotLAB Proudly Renews Longstanding NAO & Pepper Agreements With United Robotics Group





RobotLAB, the premier robotics integrator that has delivered impactful robotics business innovations and solutions for more than 15 years, has renewed its agreement with United Robotics Group (URG), the new owner of Aldebaran, a former entity of SoftBank Robotics. RobotLAB has been the master distributor for URG's NAO and Pepper robots since 2009, boasting nearly 7,000 and 600 deployments, respectively. The renewed agreement will extend RobotLAB and URG's partnership for the foreseeable future, ensuring NAO and Pepper will be equipped with top tier software and curricula, and sold, integrated, serviced, and repaired via RobotLAB's best-in-class processes ? which will be critical as demand for robotics and AI integration grows exponentially.

"RobotLAB is on the cutting-edge of robotics technology, and we're confident in our ability to identify truly innovative products like NAO and Pepper, which are two of the most impressive, game-changing robots available today," said Elad Inbar, founder and CEO of RobotLAB. "We are excited to extend our partnership with the same group of people under the new ownership of URG, as this has been a longstanding and valued alliance fueled by the growing demand for AI-based business efficiencies. Our continued partnership will ensure NAO and Pepper benefit their sectors with intelligent software solutions, full-service deployment, and our own deep knowledge of robotics."

As URG's strategic partner, RobotLAB is the only provider of standard operating procedures, onsite deployment, annual service packages, consultation, learning management systems, curricula and training for Pepper and NAO ? as with all robots in RobotLAB's diverse portfolio. RobotLAB has integrated NAO into K-12 schools and universities across the country and is currently deploying more than 150 STEM carts, which include NAO robots, to every public school in American Samoa as part of a landmark edtech deal designed to educate students on robotics and AI developments and reinforce career and college readiness. The company also developed the exclusive NAO AI-Edition, which uses chatbots and other tools to make AI accessible through robots. Providing a myriad of business solutions, Pepper is a versatile customer service robot that can be tailored to meet the needs of banks, hospitals, assisted living centers, cannabis retailers, hotels and more. As labor shortages persist and businesses look for new ways to innovate, Pepper offers a friendly face and versatile programming options that fit businesses of any scale and specialty.

"We are thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with RobotLAB, a company that shares our vision of advancing robotics technology in various sectors," said Jason Panella, VP Education at United Robotics Group. "RobotLAB's extensive experience in distributing and supporting robotic solutions makes the company an ideal partner. This collaboration will allow us to continue bringing our innovative products to a wider range of customers, thus accelerating the adoption of delivery robots in education and business sectors."

For more than 15 years, RobotLAB has provided turnkey robotics solutions to companies of all sizes in industries including foodservice, hospitality, banking, education, assisted living, education, cleaning, delivery and hospitals. The company's talented team of roboticists has effectively deployed more than 10,000 robots that have provided an impressive array of businesses with a clear path to the successful and highly specialized integration of robotics solutions. RobotLAB oversees all aspects of the robotics integration process ? from sales, tailored programming, onsite integration and repairs ? to ensure businesses can access and understand solutions that will dramatically improve their performance.

For more information about RobotLAB's tailored integration and business solutions, visit www.robotlab.com.

About RobotLAB

Since 2007, RobotLAB has guided businesses to dramatic bottom-line increases by helping them harness and leverage the immense power of automation. Catering to an array of economically critical industries that span education, finance, healthcare, delivery and hospitality, RobotLAB provides robotic business solutions that improve ROI and enhance the user experience. With a multitude of in-house teams and department specialists, the company remains focused on a seamless integration process that begins with an in-depth assessment of client needs. Sales and delivery experts ensure proper product immersion while implementation and installation professionals ensure peak performance. In a world replete with business uncertainties, RobotLAB ensures operational consistency through technology. In 2023, RobotLAB launched the first robotics integration franchise program to best serve growing demand for robotics across the U.S. in nearly all business sectors. To franchise with RobotLAB, visit www.robotlab.com/franchise.

About United Robotics Group

United Robotics Group brings together leading robotics companies to create a singular ecosystem that combines hardware and software expertise under one roof. Our team of robotics experts from both the social and industrial sectors work together with a shared goal to empower humanity with technology. Otherwise known as the CobiotX company who created this 3rd generation of robotics ? robots for humans, the United Robotics Group is committed to developing standardized and customized solutions to meet social and business challenges in the life science, health and care, hospitality, education, intralogistics, maintenance and surveillance sectors with quality, data protection and sustainability as key driving forces. All planning humans in the center of all.

RSBG SE, the investment entity of RAG-Stiftung, focused on technology and engineering driven companies is majority shareholder of United Robotics Group. SoftBank Robotics Group is minority shareholder of United Robotics Group.

To learn more about United Robotics Group: www.unitedroboticsgroup.us

2 october 2023 at 06:05

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Kensho Technologies Streamlines Client Data Management by Integrating its Link AI Solution with S&P Global Market Intelligence's Cross Reference Service Dataset, BECRS





Link and BECRS work together to provide precise entity mapping and data enrichment, allowing customers a complete view of their data landscape

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kensho Technologies , a company of S&P Global, today announced a significant enhancement to its Kensho Link solution with the integration of S&P Global Market Intelligence's Business Entity Cross Reference Service (BECRS) dataset. Customers can now use Kensho Link to map company entities to identifiers using both S&P Global Market Intelligence's Capital IQ (CIQ) identifiers and BECRS identifiers. The integration will significantly simplify the user data management & linking workflow via a one-step process supported by both programmatic API and simple drag-and-drop user interface access.

Kensho Link helps organizations with the first step of data standardization as a machine learning (ML) service that maps entities in a user's database to unique ID numbers from S&P Global's company database. Link uses an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm trained to return high quality links, even when the data inputs are ambiguous or contain errors. Once mapped to these unique IDs, a user's database becomes more powerful and standardized. Link compares user's submitted data to S&P Global's Capital IQ database, a leading company database with over 26 million (and growing) entities.

BECRS provides users with immediate cross-reference capabilities for millions of public and private entities using standardized and proprietary identifiers. Users take advantage of BECRS for timely and accurate data mapping to update and maintain. For example, relationships within a corporate hierarchy and an array of different identifiers like LEIs and national tax IDs, and avoiding the time-consuming and costly endeavor of manually maintaining user's linkages of mapping entities to issuers.

"I am excited for the next level of Kensho Link. As S&P continues to lead in the industry in allowing our client to enrich their data with S&P content, this enhancement of combining Kensho Link with Business Entity Cross Reference Service and its Global identifiers from around the world will enable clients to streamline the integration process easier and faster," said Lance Risi, Global Product Director of Cross Reference Services at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

"We're very proud to enhance Kensho Link with S&P Global Market Intelligence's BECRS," said Jonathan Leibowitz, Commercial Lead for Kensho Data Management & Linking Solutions. "This integration strengthens Kensho Link by providing users with further data enrichment capabilities and additional disambiguation, all in one centralized output. This is significant for our users and we're excited to take Link to the next level."

By leveraging both Kensho Link and BECRS datasets in a single workflow, clients can connect more to data and produce higher quality downstream decision-making insights. Leveraging the API or User Interface, Kensho Link users can:

Enrich Data: Receive an output that contains 10+ entity data points including a CIQ ID, legal entity name, a link score, company foundation data (address, city, state, zip, phone number, url, aliases) and third party identifiers from the BECRS dataset. Kensho Link can now equip users with more data than ever before, ultimately serving as the key facilitator in downstream workflows.

Receive an output that contains 10+ entity data points including a CIQ ID, legal entity name, a link score, company foundation data (address, city, state, zip, phone number, url, aliases) third party identifiers from the BECRS dataset. can now equip users with more data than ever before, ultimately serving as the key facilitator in downstream workflows. Disambiguate: Leveraging S&P Global's robust data ecosystem, Kensho Link's premier disambiguation capabilities drive our client's efforts to make continued data connections more efficient.

Leveraging S&P Global's robust data ecosystem, premier disambiguation capabilities drive our client's efforts to make continued data connections more efficient. Embrace Data As-a-Service: Instead of two separate products that necessitate client-side data table joins, this integrated data-as-a-service solution centralizes entity data, improving the efficiency and ease with which clients upload and manage their data.

The integration is available today at Kensho.com/Link . For a free trial signup, visit: https://kensho.com/solutions .

About Kensho Technologies Inc.

Kensho builds solutions to uncover insights in messy and unstructured data that enable critical workflows and empower businesses to make decisions with conviction. Kensho's products are powered by state-of-the-art Machine Learning techniques that allow customers to unlock insights faster using Artificial Intelligence, including voice-to-text transcription, data extraction from documents and natural language processing that gives computers the ability to comprehend and analyze human language. The company was acquired by S&P Global in 2018 and continues to operate independently, retaining its distinct brand and culture. For more information, visit www.kensho.com .

About S&P Global

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) provides essential intelligence. We enable governments, businesses and individuals with the right data, expertise and connected technology so that they can make decisions with conviction. From helping our customers assess new investments to guiding them through ESG and energy transition across supply chains, we unlock new opportunities, solve challenges and accelerate progress for the world. We are widely sought after by many of the world's leading organizations to provide credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help the world's leading organizations plan for tomorrow, today.

Media Contact

Suzanne Block on Behalf of Kensho

[email protected]

Commercial Inquiries

[email protected]

SOURCE S&P Global

2 october 2023 at 06:30

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Global Mobile Air Transfer Mats Market to be Driven by Growing Demand for Patient Transfer Devices in Healthcare Settings Globally | FMI





The mobile air transfer mats market is set for substantial growth between 2023 and 2033, primarily fueled by the rising patient population and the increasing demand for advanced patient transfer devices within healthcare facilities worldwide.

NEWARK, Del., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2022, the global market stood at USD 632.8 billion, and analysts project that it will expand to US$ 1.2 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 6.0% over the forecast period (2023 to 2033).

The global market for mobile air transfer mats is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by several factors, including the overall increasing healthcare expenditure.

Mobile Air Transfer Mats Market Overview 2023 ? 2033:

Key Market Attributes Key Insights Mobile Air Transfer Mats Market Size, 2022 US$ 632.8 Million Mobile Air Transfer Mats Market Size, 2023 US$ 670.3 Million Mobile Air Transfer Mats Market Size, 2033 US$ 1.2 Billion Value CAGR (2023 to 2033) 6.0 %

Request to Download Sample Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-17911

The growing healthcare spending is a significant growth driver for the mobile air transfer mats market. As healthcare budgets grow, so does the capacity for healthcare facilities to invest in new solutions that improve patient care and safety. Mobile air transfer mats, designed to promote seamless and secure patient transfers, align with the industry's emphasis on improving patient outcomes.

According to the article by the World Health Organization on August 2023 , Sharp growth in government health spending at all income levels drove health spending to a new high of USD 9 trillion (about 11% of global GDP).

Rising healthcare spending allows hospitals and healthcare organizations to invest in modern equipment such as mobile air transfer mats. These mats not only help to reduce patient handling injuries, but they also help to increase operational efficiency by lowering physical strain on caregivers. Healthcare facilities are more likely to invest in technology that matches these goals when there is a greater awareness of patient safety and a commitment to providing excellent care.

Likewise, rising healthcare costs are frequently associated with technology developments and improved standards of care. Mobile air transfer mats, pushed by continuing research and development, align with these trends and can be considered essential components of modern healthcare infrastructure. The financial ability to invest in such patient-centered technologies eventually drives mobile air transfer mat adoption, helping to market growth and presenting them as significant assets within the healthcare sector.

Key Takeaways from the Market Study

The regular mattress segment contributed around USD 288.9 million by-products in 2022. Tailored for healthcare, these specialized mattresses promote seamless patient transfers, prioritizing comfort and reducing friction for enhanced mobility and care.

by-products in 2022. Tailored for healthcare, these specialized mattresses promote seamless patient transfers, prioritizing comfort and reducing friction for enhanced mobility and care. By usage segment, the disposable segment contributed around USD 378.9 million in 2022 due to its convenience, hygiene focus, and widespread use across industries, driving high sales and contributing significantly to global revenue and growth. The disposable category is flourishing.

in 2022 due to its convenience, hygiene focus, and widespread use across industries, driving high sales and contributing significantly to global revenue and growth. The disposable category is flourishing. By end users, hospitals contributed around USD 372.5 million in 2022. Due to the demand for surgical procedures and the use of sophisticated medical facilities, hospitals dominate the market for mobile air transfer mats.

in 2022. Due to the demand for surgical procedures and the use of sophisticated medical facilities, hospitals dominate the market for mobile air transfer mats. By region, North America held the dominant share in the world in 2022, contributing around USD 210.1 million . The North American region dominates the mobile air transfer mats market due to advanced healthcare infrastructure and high adoption rates.

"The market is witnessing significant growth driven by specialized healthcare mattresses, convenient disposable usage, and advanced healthcare infrastructure," says Sabyasachi Ghosh (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.).

Market Competition

SPH Medical and HoverTech International are key players leading in the mobile air transfer mats market. These companies participate in innovation and get investment for accelerated growth to gain a larger market share.

In September 2021 , SPH Medical offered a cheap Air Transfer Mat for nurses with musculoskeletal conditions, preventing injuries and lowering risks in healthcare facilities.

, SPH Medical offered a cheap Air Transfer Mat for nurses with musculoskeletal conditions, preventing injuries and lowering risks in healthcare facilities. In July 2019 , Nordstjernan's Etac invested 70% in HoverTech International, a US patient-handling company, accelerating growth and aligning with its ambition to develop qualitative healthcare and medtech companies.

Gain a Strategic Advantage in the Industry by Buying this Report and Gaining Instant Access to the Competition Dashboard: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/17911

What Does the Report Cover?

In the latest study, Future Market Insights, offers a unique perspective and actionable insights into the mobile air transfer mats market. It presents a historical demand assessment of 2017 to 2022 and projections for 2023 to 2033. The global mobile air transfer mats market is segmented in detail to cover every aspect of the market and present a complete market intelligence approach to the reader

The analysis covers products (regular mattress, split-leg mattress, and half Mattress), usage (disposable and reusable), and end-users (hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and others) across seven key regions around the world.

Get the detailed research methodology of the report, access it here!

About Healthcare Division at Future Market Insights

Future Market Insights facilitates corporates, government, investors, and associated audiences in the healthcare sector to identify and accentuate vital aspects applicable to product strategy, regulatory landscape, technology evolution, and other crucial issues to achieve sustainable success. Our unique approach to gathering market intelligence equips you to devise innovation-driven trajectories for your business. Know more about our sector coverage here .

About the Author:

Sabyasachi Ghosh (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.) holds over 12 years of experience in the Healthcare, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceutical industries. His curious and analytical nature helped him shape his career as a researcher.

Identifying key challenges faced by clients and devising robust, hypothesis-based solutions to empower them with strategic decision-making capabilities come naturally to him. His primary expertise lies in areas such as Market Entry and Expansion Strategy, Feasibility Studies, Competitive Intelligence, and Strategic Transformation.

Holding a degree in Microbiology, Sabyasachi has authored numerous publications and has been cited in journals, including The Journal of mHealth, ITN Online, and Spinal Surgery News.

Explore FMI's Extensive Coverage in Healthcare Domain:

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The global central venous catheter market size is slated to attain a valuation of US$ 5,314.5 million by 2033. Our healthcare analysts opine that central venous catheter manufacturers can expect a modest CAGR of 5.1% through 2033, with a current valuation of US$ 3,238.1 million in 2023.

The 3D cell culture market size is projected to be worth US$ 1.26 billion in 2023. The market is likely to reach US$ 3 billion by 2033. The market is further expected to surge at a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period 2023 to 2033.

In 2023, the vascular closure devices market is valued at around US$ 1,468.4 million , reflecting the growing demand for vascular closure devices. Looking ahead to 2033, the market is projected to expand even further, reaching a substantial US$ 2,466.5 million .

About Future Market Insights (FMI)

Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the market. FMI stands as the leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals markets. With a vast team of over 5000 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries.

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2 october 2023 at 06:50

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CloudMD Invites Investors to Attend Upcoming Investor Day





VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CloudMD Software & Services Inc. (TSXV: DOC, OTCQX: DOCRF, Frankfurt: 6PH) (the "Company" or "CloudMD"), an innovative health services company transforming the delivery of care, is pleased to invite investors to join October 5th at 10:00 am to watch the Company's investor day online.



Upcoming Investor Day Webinar Details:

Date: Thursday, October 5, 2023

Time: 10:00 am ? 12:00 PM EDT

Pre-register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8192318635144140127

About CloudMD Software & Services

CloudMD is an innovative North American healthcare service provider focused on empowering healthier living by combining leading edge technology with an exceptional national network of healthcare professionals. Every day, our employees and health care providers live our values of delivering excellence, collaboration, connected communication and accountability to solve complex health problems. CloudMD' s industry leading workplace health and wellbeing solution, Kii, supports members and their families with a personalized and connected healthcare experience across mental, physical and occupation health. Kii delivers superior clinical health outcomes, consistent high engagement, and measurable ROI for payers such as employers, educational institutions, associations, government, and insurers. CloudMD is also a market leader in workplace absence management through data-driven prevention, intervention and return to work programs.

In addition, the Company sells health and productivity tools to hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare service providers to empower them to deliver better care. Visit www.cloudmd.ca to learn more about the Company's comprehensive healthcare offerings.

"Karen Adams"

Chief Executive Officer

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Investor Relations

[email protected]

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, including statements about the Company's growth strategy and profitability. These statements are based upon information currently available to CloudMD's management. All information that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward?looking statements. In some cases, forward?looking statements may be identified by the use of terms such as "forecast", "assumption" and other similar expressions or future or conditional terms such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "will", "would", and "should". Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on certain factors and assumptions made by management of CloudMD based on their current expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs regarding their business and CloudMD does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. While management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to them, they may prove to be incorrect. Such forward?looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance and by their nature involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those risks described in the Company's MD&A (which is filed under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedar.com), that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward?looking statements. Although CloudMD has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward?looking statements, other factors may cause actions, events or results to be different than anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could vary or differ materially from those anticipated in such forward?looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward?looking information. CloudMD does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

2 october 2023 at 07:05

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September 2023 Marks Record-High Crypto Exploits with $329 Million Stolen: Report

Source: Pixabay

On September 30, CertiK confirmed that a total of approximately $332 million had been lost to various exploits, hacks, and scams throughout September.

#CertiKStatsAlert 



Combining all the incidents in September weve confirmed ~$332M lost to exploits, hacks and scams.



Exit scams were ~$1.9M



Flash loans were ~$0.4M



Exploits were ~$329.8M



See more details below  pic.twitter.com/DMFN9LWU8V  CertiK Alert (@CertiKAlert) September 30, 2023

September 2023 has emerged as the most concerning month for crypto-related exploits, as reported by CertiK. In September, the crypto space witnessed various types of incidents. Exit scams accounted for around $1.9 million in losses, while flash loans led to losses of approximately $400,000. The most significant contributor to the months total, however, was exploits, which amounted to roughly $329.8 million in losses.

One notable event was the Mixin Network attack on September 23. The Hong Kong-based decentralized cross-chain transfer protocol suffered a substantial breach, resulting in a loss of $200 million due to a breach of its cloud service provider.

Another major incident occurred on September 12, when CoinEx, a cryptocurrency exchange, experienced a suspected attack following a substantial outflow from four of its hot wallets. This breach led to losses exceeding $53.1 million across the hot wallets.

Additionally, on September 4, stake.com experienced an attack resulting in a loss of $41 million. During this incident, different cryptocurrencies worth that amount were received by an account before being distributed to multiple addresses.

September Records Several Crypto Incidents, Contributing to Yearly Losses of Over $1.34 Billion

September also saw several other major incidents in the crypto space. A phishing incident resulted in a loss of $24.2 million, while HTX Global experienced a loss of $7.9 million. Additionally, entrepreneur Mark Cuban reported a personal loss of $900,000 during the month.

In August, losses amounted to $45 million in digital assets, bringing the year-to-date total to $997 million. Notably, July was the second-highest month for exploit losses, accounting for $285.8 million pilfered. This brings the total lost in 2023 to exploits, scams, and hacks to a staggering $1.34 billion.

The total losses from hacks, phishing scams, and rug pulls in Web3 reached $889.26 million in Q3 2023.



Losses in Q3 even exceeded the combined sum of the first two quarters ($330 million in Q1 and $333 million in Q2).



Read the full pdf version of Q3 2023 Global Web3 Security https://t.co/aoPWOrRBeZ pic.twitter.com/5f3uYpG27e  Beosin Alert (@BeosinAlert) September 27, 2023

Additionally, a report from BeosinAlert highlights that losses stemming from hacks, phishing scams, and rug pulls in the Web3 sector reached an alarming total of $889.26 million in Q3 2023. This quarterly figure surpasses the combined losses from the initial two quarters, amounting to $330 million in Q1 and $333 million in Q2.

Lazarus Group, Linked to North Korea, Blamed for Multiple High-Value Crypto Attacks in 2023

Reports indicate that the Lazarus Group, a North Korean hacking collective, has been responsible for most of the recent crypto-related attacks in 2023, including the stake.com attack and the CoinEx exchange hack. Other attacks attributed to the group include the $620 million theft from Sky Mavis Ronin Bridge, a $100 million theft from Harmonys Horizon Bridge, and a $100 million theft from Atomic Wallet.

According to the US government, approximately half of North Koreas funding for its missile program comes from cybercrime and crypto theft. Efforts are ongoing to understand how a nation like North Korea is so adept at cybercrime and crypto-related activities.

Data from Dune Analytics suggests that the group currently holds approximately $45.6 million in crypto assets. Additionally, a report from institutional crypto platform provider 21.co reveals that wallets linked to the Lazarus Group contain around 1,600 Bitcoin, 10,810 Ether (ETH), and 64,490 Binance Coin (BNB), totaling $47 million in cryptocurrency. This data was compiled from a Dune Analytics dashboard tracking 295 wallets identified by the US government as belonging to the Lazarus Group.

Notably, the amount of crypto held by the group has decreased from the $86 million it held on September 6, shortly after the Stake.com hack in which Lazarus was implicated.
Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability Announce Intent to Requisition a Special Meeting of Shareholders to Restore Value and Reconstitute the Board at Quisitive Technology Solutions, Inc.





Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability have Attempted to Engage Constructively with Quisitive but have been Disappointed by the Board's Entrenchment Tactics and Pattern of Bad Faith Interactions





Immediate Board Leadership Change is Required to Address Massive Value Destruction and Chronic Underperformance Plaguing Quisitive





Quisitive's Board has left the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability with No Choice but to Take Action to Prevent Further Value Destruction

TORONTO, Oct. 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Quisitive Technology Solutions, Inc. ("Quisitive" or the "Company") (TSXV: QUIS) (Other OTCQX: QUISF) shareholders (the "Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability", "We", "Us" or "Our"), including Shawn Skelton, Elmcore Group Inc. c/o Felix Danciu, Jason Hardy and Scott Hardy, announce that they intend to requisition a special meeting (the "Meeting") of shareholders ("Shareholders") for the purpose of removing and replacing David Guebert, Philip Sorgen and Amy Brandt as members of the board of directors (the "Board") of Quisitive. Shareholders will have the opportunity to take back control of their Company from an entrenched Board that has presided over a period of massive value destruction with little regard for Shareholder interests. The Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability anticipate announcing a slate of highly qualified directors concurrent with delivery of the requisition to the Company.

With the right leadership on the Board, we believe Quisitive can be turned around and return to growth. The Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability believe that the Board, as currently constituted, has failed to be responsive to Shareholder expectations and has no coherent strategy for value creation. We urge the Board to refrain from taking any actions at this time and to heed the views of its Shareholders before making any key decisions on the future of Quisitive. The Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability, together with their joint actors, exercise control or direction over approximately 133.1 million Quisitive shares representing approximately 33% of Quisitive's shares1 and have made it clear to the Board that there is overwhelming support for Shareholder led Board renewal at the Company. Given this significant support for immediate change and the Board's track record of value destruction, the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability will request that Quisitive arrange for the Meeting to be held as soon as possible.

_________________________________

1 After giving effect to the issuance of the second earn-out shares by Quisitive in connection with the acquisition of BankCard USA Merchant Services, together with shares issuable in satisfaction of interest accruing thereon through the date hereof, the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability, together with their joint actors, will exercise control or direction over approximately 148.6 million shares representing approximately 36% of the issued and outstanding Quisitive shares.

Quisitive's Board is Entrenched

We have lost all faith in the current Board during the course of our recent engagement. We no longer trust the current Board to make any material decisions on Quisitive's future that reflect the best interests of its Shareholders. Our attempts to reach a cooperative framework were met with a pattern of disingenuous interactions. We were provided with assurances that the Board was agreeable to our proposals for Board renewal and prepared to work with us expeditiously and in good faith to implement them in a non-disruptive manner. We no longer believe that to be the case.

We are not prepared to accept superficial change and have been disappointed by interactions with the Board that appear to have been conducted with a view to entrenchment. The Board has stalled, withdrawn, and ultimately reneged on commitments we view as fundamental to an effective turn-around. The Board continues to engage in a strategy of wasting corporate resources to protect their positions rather than engaging collaboratively to reconstitute the Board with directors who are focused on creating shareholder value.

Our view, which is consistent with what we have heard from other major Shareholders, is that the case for change at Quisitive is urgent. It is time for a fresh start for Quisitive and its Shareholders under truly aligned, experienced, highly qualified and reinvigorated Board leadership. Our engagement with Board members to date indicates that they are not in touch with Shareholder sentiment, do not recognize the extent of under-performance at Quisitive and are unwilling and unable to take the steps necessary to fix the operational and other issues facing the Company.

The Quisitive Board Must be Held Accountable for its Failures

The Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability only determined to proceed with the requisition following the Board's continued resistance to meaningful change. The unwillingness or inability of the current Board to take the steps necessary to change the leadership at the Board and fix the operational issues plaguing the Company has led us to conclude that urgent change is needed.

Our campaign to refresh the Quisitive Board is driven by this Board's abysmal performance and significant deterioration in the Company's stock price; importantly, however, it is also a referendum on good corporate governance.

We urge the Board to consult with its major Shareholders. Given our views and theirs, the urgency of the situation and the likely disruption, distraction and costs of fighting to entrench certain positions, we ask the Board to reconsider and do what is right for Quisitive and its Shareholders. It is our hope the Board as a whole will facilitate an orderly, expeditious board renewal process, but given our considerable investment, we are committed to taking the necessary steps to effect meaningful change and drive value creation at Quisitive.

The Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability remain willing to engage directly and constructively with the Board to ensure Quisitive delivers on the significant turnaround opportunity we see.

Additional Information

The information contained in this press release does not and is not meant to constitute a solicitation of a proxy within the meaning of applicable corporate and securities laws.

Although the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability intend to requisition a meeting of Shareholders, such a requisition has not yet been submitted, there is currently no record or meeting date and Shareholders are not being asked at this time to execute a proxy in favour of the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability's nominees or any other resolutions that may be set forth in the requisition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability are voluntarily providing the disclosure required under sections 9.2(4) of National Instrument 51-102 ? Continuous Disclosure Obligations in accordance with corporate and securities laws applicable to public broadcast solicitations.

This press release and any solicitation made by the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability in advance of the Meeting is, or will be, as applicable, made by the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability and not by or on behalf of the management of Quisitive. In connection with the Meeting, the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability may file an information circular in due course in compliance with applicable corporate and securities laws.

As noted above, the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability are not soliciting proxies in connection with the Meeting at this time, and Shareholders are not being asked at this time to execute proxies in favour of the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability's nominees (in respect of the Meeting) or any other resolution that may be set forth in the requisition. Proxies may be solicited by the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability pursuant to an information circular sent to shareholders after which solicitations may be made by or on behalf of the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability, by mail, telephone, fax, email or other electronic means as well as by newspaper or other media advertising, and in person by directors, officers and employees of the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability, who will not be specifically remunerated therefor. The Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability may also solicit proxies in reliance upon the public broadcast exemption to the solicitation requirements under applicable corporate and securities laws, conveyed by way of public broadcast, including through press releases, speeches or publications, and by any other manner permitted under applicable Canadian laws. The Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability may engage the services of one or more agents and authorize other persons to assist in soliciting proxies on behalf of the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability.

All costs incurred for any solicitation will be borne by the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability, provided that, subject to applicable law, the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability may seek reimbursement from Quisitive for their out-of-pocket expenses, including proxy solicitation expenses and legal fees, incurred in connection with a successful reconstitution of the Board.

The Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability are not requesting that Shareholders submit a proxy at this time. Once the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability have commenced a formal solicitation of proxies in connection with the Meeting, a registered shareholder of Quisitive that gives a proxy may revoke it: (a) by completing and signing a valid proxy bearing a later date than the proxy being revoked and returning the newly completed and signed proxy in accordance with the instructions contained in the form of proxy; (b) by depositing an instrument in writing executed by the shareholder or by the shareholder's attorney authorized in writing, as the case may be: (i) at the registered office of Quisitive at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting at which the proxy is to be used, or (ii) with the chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting; or (c) in any other manner permitted by law. A non-registered holder of common shares of Quisitive will be entitled to revoke a form of proxy or voting instruction form given to an intermediary at any time by written notice to the intermediary in accordance with the instructions given to the non-registered holder by its intermediary.

None of the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability or, to their knowledge, any of their respective associates or affiliates, has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter proposed to be acted on at the Meeting other than as set forth herein.

Quisitive's registered office address is Suite 2200, HSBC Building, 885 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3E8. A copy of this press release may be obtained on Quisitive's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Disclaimer

The information contained or referenced herein is for information purposes only in order to provide the views of the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability and the matters which the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability believe to be of concern to Shareholders described herein. The information is not tailored to specific investment objections, the financial situations, suitability, or particular need of any specific person(s) who may receive the information, and should not be taken as advice in considering the merits of any investment decision. The views expressed herein represent the views and opinions of the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability, whose opinions may change at any time and which are based on analyses of the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability and their respective advisors.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In general, forward-looking information refers to disclosure about future conditions, courses of action, and events. Forward-looking information in this press release may include, but is not limited to, statements of the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability regarding (i) the Meeting, including the intention of the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability to requisition the Meeting, (ii) how the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability intend to vote on the resolutions to be proposed by the requisition, (iii) the proposed replacement of directors, (iv) the nominees for election as directors of Quisitive, and (v) matters relating to Quisitive, including its business, operations and financial condition. All statements contained in this press release that are not clearly historical in nature or that necessarily depend on future events are forward?looking, and the use of any of the words "anticipates", "believes", "expects", "intends", "plans", "will", "would", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of the Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability and currently available information. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. The Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

SOURCE Quisitive Shareholders for Accountability

2 october 2023 at 07:00

News published onand distributed by:
PrecisePK's Bayesian Precision Dosing Solutions Gain Trust of Premier Health System- Setting the Gold Standard for Clinicians in South America





SAN DIEGO, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, PrecisePK proudly unveils yet another impactful partnership in Chile, solidifying its position as the foremost Bayesian-based TDM (Therapeutic Drug Monitoring) solution trusted by the healthcare community. This 2-year collaboration with Clinica Andes Salud Concepcion marks another significant stride toward elevating the standard of clinical outcomes and patient experiences in South America. PrecisePK, with its long list of other partnered Chilean institutions, is ushering in a new era of personalized patient care by committing to precision dosing.

Chilean healthcare endorses PrecisePK to accelerate its precision medicine in both academic and clinical settings.

Through this transformative partnership, Clinica Andes Salud Concepcion is embracing cutting-edge model-based drug dosing solutions that have been proven to optimize clinical treatments and streamline patient care. By leveraging this collaboration to transition out of an in-house, weight-based calculator, the institution strives towards personalized dosing tailored to individual patient data, ultimately freeing up valuable time for delivering top-tier patient care. Clinicians are empowered by PrecisePK with the tools that compute dosing regimens in real-time adjustable to patients' renal function. The research-validated methods used in the software also allow for effortless full compliance with the 2020 Vancomycin AUC Guidelines. The transition at Clinica Andes Salud Concepcion becomes even more seamless with PrecisePK's inclusion of Spanish language support.

Servicio de Salud Talcahuano, another distinguished Chilean healthcare system encompassing three esteemed hospitals, has yielded exceptionally positive results from their utilization of PrecisePK's model-informed dosing tools, with notable clinical and financial benefits achieved through the Bayesian dosing method. "As a team of clinical pharmacists at HPL, we are very satisfied as we have made progress in personalizing treatments, reducing stays and optimizing antibiotic therapies, improving the care and well-being of patients. Secondarily, the cost for public attention has also been reduced," Cindy Sanheuza, Head of Pharmacy at Hospital Penco-Lirquen of Servicio Salud Talcachuano remarked.

Building upon a successful track record in adapting to the Chilean healthcare system, PrecisePK has been able to tend to the needs of clinicians in Chile to advance treatment decisions at an affordable cost to their hospitals and medical institutes. With the ever-growing number of hospitals and medical institutions in Chile currently using PrecisePK, this advanced technology promises to revolutionize the healthcare landscape by introducing data-driven, evidence-based practice into clinical workflows whilst positively impacting the hospital's financial performance. Overall, Hospital Las Higueras, Hospital de Tome, Hospital Penco Lirquen, and other Chilean hospitals are achieving a swift transition, taking an average of just four months to progress from initial trials to full clinical implementation of PrecisePK.

Moreover, PrecisePK's impact also reaches into academic settings in Chile, where it is employed in clinical pharmacology courses offered by Chilean universities. Universidad Autonoma de Chile joins PrecisePK with a student license access for use during their rotations at the hospital. Universidad San Sebastian trusts PrecisePK with its teaching partnership at Hospital Clinico Felix Bulnes, a 523-bed public hospital facility belonging to the healthcare network of the Western Metropolitan Health Service. Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile also has been utilizing PrecisePK for its students, professors, and researchers, since 2016.

"I have worked with PrecisePK for years with postgraduate students, doctors, and pharmacists who work directly with patients in hospitals. My undergraduate students, during their stay in the hospital, have benefited and have learned to work, proposing dosage adjustments for specific patients. The students are surprised by the potential of the program? the use of Bayesian methods represents a strength that, together with the population models that the program incorporates, allows for dosage adjustments aimed at specific patients. The web version of Precise PK is very user-friendly, which makes it a fundamental tool for making robust dosage adjustments that benefit the entire clinical team and especially the patients," says Dr. Claudio Paulos, Associate Professor at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile School of Chemistry and Pharmacy.

In conclusion, PrecisePK's unwavering dedication to advancing global healthcare through precision medicine in South America stands as a testament to the transformative power of Bayesian Precision Dosing solutions. With influential partnerships in clinical settings and a profound impact on academic progress, PrecisePK has set a gold standard for clinicians and researchers alike. By adopting these model-informed precision dosing solutions, Chilean hospitals continue to ensure medication safety and promote adherence to responsible antibiotic stewardship principles.

About Clinica Andes Salud Concepcion

Clinica Andes Salud Concepcion is a leading healthcare institution dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate medical care to the community. The clinic excels in a variety of care, including Traumatology, Neurology, and Preventive Medicine to name a few. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, the clinic continually seeks to enhance patient outcomes and experiences through advanced medical practices and personalized treatments.

About PrecisePK

PrecisePK is a leading global provider of therapeutic drug monitoring software for Bayesian model-informed precision dosing. By leveraging real-time bedside assistance in drug dosing, therapeutic analytics, local populations model, AKI predictor , and other resources, the software is designed to streamline the work necessary to achieve individualized treatment and safeguard patient care, at the point of care. In addition to its robust vancomycin AUC software, PrecisePK offers a wide array of drug modules that aid in the workflow of infectious diseases as well as several other therapeutic areas including neurology, oncology, cardiology, and pulmonology. Visit PrecisePK's website for a free trial.

Media Contact

Christy Xie

[email protected]

SOURCE PrecisePK

2 october 2023 at 07:08

News published onand distributed by:
New Edition of Esri's ArcGIS Pro Guide Is Revised and Streamlined for Learning Latest Workflows





For nearly a decade, ArcGIS Pro has been an essential desktop application for GIS users to explore, visualize, and analyze data in a spatial context. To support these professionals, as well as users new to the software, Esri, the global leader in location intelligence, has released GIS Tutorial for ArcGIS Pro 3.1. Fully updated for ArcGIS Pro 3.1, the book features new datasets, exercises, and instructional text guiding readers step-by-step through the latest tools and workflows.

Examples in the book use current, real-world scenarios demonstrating how to make maps and find, create, and analyze spatial data while using ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online.

GIS Tutorial for ArcGIS Pro teaches core skills through progressive learning, enabling readers to

Share their work in ArcGIS StoryMaps and visualize data in ArcGIS Dashboards.

Create simple expressions in SQL and Python.

Understand how to use street networks for routing.

Learn to analyze satellite imagery.

Develop skills to turn maps into animations.

Both authors, Carnegie Mellon educators Kristen Kurland and Wil Gorr, integrate methods from their own teaching experiences into this book and their other books from Esri Press, including the GIS Tutorial 1?3 series, GIS Tutorial for Crime Analysis, and GIS Tutorial for Health. Downloadable video lectures and teaching slides that complement this latest guide are also available.

GIS Tutorial for ArcGIS Pro 3.1 is available as an ebook (ISBN: 9781589487406, US$119.99) and paperback (ISBN: 9781589487390, US$119.99). This book can be purchased from most online retailers worldwide. Interested retailers can contact Esri Press book distributor Ingram Publisher Services.

About Esri

Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in hundreds of thousands of organizations globally, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofit institutions, and universities. Esri has regional offices, international distributors, and partners providing local support in over 100 countries on six continents. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial technology and analytics, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions that leverage a geographic approach to solving some of the world's most complex problems by placing them in the crucial context of location. Visit us at esri.com.

Copyright  2023 Esri. All rights reserved. Esri, the Esri globe logo, ArcGIS, StoryMaps, The Science of Where, esri.com, and @esri.com are trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of Esri in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of their respective mark owners.

2 october 2023 at 08:15

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EY and Microsoft expand social impact collaboration and advance sustainability education worldwide with Green Skills Passport





Supports joint EY-Microsoft social impact initiative, which aims to positively influence more than 5 million lives by 2025





Addresses the skills gap in sustainability by helping equip young people with employable green expertise needed to thrive in the new green economy

LONDON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the EY organization and Microsoft announce the launch of Green Skills Passport, which helps learners aged 16 and over develop skills to find green jobs and pursue opportunities in the growing green economy. The free online program is part of an ongoing social impact collaboration focused on sustainability, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and upskilling for young people.

The International Labor Organization is forecasting the creation of 24 million green jobs by 2030. Green Skills Passport will position learners to thrive in this evolving market and provide non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with a platform to empower underserved communities with new employable skills.

Through a 10-hour virtual course, participants can work at their own pace and learn about key topics such as sustainability, entrepreneurship and skills for employment. Green Skills Passport offers a detailed approach to skills development, providing learners with EY-curated learning paths built and delivered on the Microsoft Community Training platform.

EY and Microsoft already launched successful Green Skills Passport pilot programs in the United States, India and Bangladesh. Highlights include:

More than 1,400 course completions and certificates awarded.

61% plan to apply for green jobs.

43% plan to enroll in a university degree in sustainability or take more related classes.

Together, EY and Microsoft have collaborated on a multitude of programs to empower job seekers with the skills needed for the digital future, furthering the EY Ripples ambition to impact 1 billion lives by 2030. This program also supports Microsoft's focus on building a more inclusive, equitable, sustainable and trusted future for everyone.

Other high-impact EY and Microsoft social programs include:

Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact : A Microsoft program aimed to accelerate the growth of impact-first, tech startups. EY and Microsoft ran a series of four upskilling workshops on key growth challenges identified on investment strategies, financial planning, environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy and business resilience.





: A Microsoft program aimed to accelerate the growth of impact-first, tech startups. EY and Microsoft ran a series of four upskilling workshops on key growth challenges identified on investment strategies, financial planning, environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy and business resilience. Future Skills Workshops (FSW) : An EY offering to upskill young or underserved groups equipping them with knowledge to navigate a changing world. The workshops include a variety of topics such as financial literacy, environmental sustainability and emerging technology. Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit who, through EY and Microsoft's collaboration, is disseminating FSW content across Latin America . Beneficiaries in multiple LATAM countries access training materials that are available on Microsoft's Community Training (MCT) platform completing the workshops in either classroom settings or virtually.





: An EY offering to upskill young or underserved groups equipping them with knowledge to navigate a changing world. The workshops include a variety of topics such as financial literacy, environmental sustainability and emerging technology. Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit who, through EY and Microsoft's collaboration, is disseminating FSW content across . Beneficiaries in multiple LATAM countries access training materials that are available on Microsoft's Community Training (MCT) platform completing the workshops in either classroom settings or virtually. EY STEM App: An innovative gamified mobile platform for girls ages 13-18 that aims to support the next generation of girls in STEM. The EY STEM App will host a channel with Microsoft MakeCode, where users can develop block coding skills.

Andy Baldwin, EY Global Managing Partner ? Client Service, says:

"The collaboration between EY and Microsoft extends beyond a traditional alliance, showcasing our shared dedication to generating social impact. These programs are a testament of our desire to continue equipping young individuals with the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world."

Jean-Philippe Courtois, EVP and President, National Transformation Partnerships at Microsoft, says:

"We're proud to continue growing our collaboration with EY to offer these unique programs that bridge the gap between education and employability. Through these programs, we are taking steps toward social equity and empowering leaders of the future."

Learn more about the EY-Microsoft Green Skills Passport here.

About EY

EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform, and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.

About EY Ripples

The global EY Ripples program aims to positively impact one billion lives by 2030. EY people, together with clients and other like-minded organizations, use their skills, knowledge and experience to bring positive change across three focus areas: supporting the next generation workforce, working with impact entrepreneurs and accelerating environmental sustainability. Learn more at ey.com/eyripples.

Media Contact:

Barbara Dimajo

EY Global Media Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE EY

2 october 2023 at 09:00

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Bath Depot Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary: A Decade and a Half of Innovation and Success





BLAINVILLE, Quebec, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bath Depot, a major player in the Canadian bathroom and kitchen products industry, proudly celebrates its 15 years of existence. Founded in 2008, the company has experienced exceptional growth since its inception, becoming an indispensable reference in its field. Today, we reflect on our remarkable journey by highlighting the key moments in our history.

The Origins of Bath Depot:

Bath Depot was founded in 2008 by its four brothers driven by a clear vision: to fill a gap in the market by offering superior-quality bathroom products not available elsewhere. In the face of competition from large retailers, we stood out by offering specialized and high-quality products. This vision allowed us to earn the trust of our customers from the very beginning.

The Evolution of the Company Over the Years:

A media snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking the image or link below.

Bain Depot/ Bath Depot: General Overview

Over the past 15 years, Bath Depot has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of its customers. We expanded our product range by adding a category of lighting, thus providing an even more comprehensive selection for bathrooms and kitchens. Additionally, we expanded our logistics center, incorporating new systems to improve efficiency in our services. We take pride in surpassing the milestone of 300 employees, a testament to our ongoing growth.

Key Highlights of Bath Depot's Expansion:

Our geographic expansion was a significant milestone in our journey. We opened markets in Quebec, Ontario, and the Maritimes, expanding our presence across Canada. Our catchy jingle has become iconic and has contributed to strengthening our brand image. We bolstered our team and are preparing to launch a new website to further enhance the customer experience. Furthermore, our commitment to evolving and strengthening our brand image remains unwavering.

Future Outlook:

In the years ahead, Bath Depot has ambitious plans. We intend to further develop our presence in the Western Canadian market, increase brand awareness, and solidify our position in the bathroom products market. Our commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation remains at the core of our vision.

On this 15th anniversary, Bath Depot extends warm thanks to its customers, employees, and partners for their unwavering trust and support. We look forward to the exciting next stage of our journey and remain determined to continue offering exceptional products and services to our customers.

For more information about Bath Depot and our products, please visit our website at: www.bathdepot.ca

1200, boul. Michele-Bohec, Blainville, QC J7C 5S4

[email protected]

2 october 2023 at 12:50

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ISS EDUrecruit International Job Fairs Are Back





Job-seeking K-12 educators can meet with international schools around the globe that are hiring at an upcoming job fair.

PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past 10 years, there has been a 52% increase in international schools around the globe, reaching over 6.5 million students each year. With this drastic increase in schools, there has also been a significant increase in the need for teachers. Teacher job fairs remain one of the best ways to network and discover new teaching opportunities.

ISS EDUrecruit International Job Fairs Are Back

International Schools Services (ISS) is offering six new opportunities to connect directly with school staff and school recruiters from international schools around the globe. Through both in-person and virtual job fairs, educators looking for new opportunities will be able to network with other international education professionals, interview directly with school recruiters for active, open positions, and gain access to several professional development workshops run by experts in the field.

Candace Roundtree, a previous ISS job fair attendee, states, "There's a great variety of schools to choose from and a great mix of teaching and leadership positions as well."

The first fair is right around the corner, beginning October 23, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. This in-person event will connect applicants with schools such as Shekou International School, Yangon International School, and many more. ISS is also offering in-person events in Atlanta (December 8-9, 2023) and New York City (February 8 - 11, 2024). These are unique chances to gain valuable face-to-face time with school recruiters and set yourself apart from the crowd.

In addition to the in-person job fairs, ISS will be hosting three virtual fairs spanning from November 2023 to March 2024. iFairs are the perfect opportunity to access all of the benefits of ISS EDUrecruit International Job Fairs without the need to travel away from the comforts of home.

ISS EDUrecruit International Job Fairs are a great opportunity for educators interested in teaching internationally to connect directly with school recruiters. Interested attendees can attend all job fairs for free as part of a $75 annual ISS EDUrecruit membership. For a full listing of ISS job fairs, please visit eduplatform.iss.edu/s/edu-recruit/ifairs .

About International Schools Services (ISS)

International Schools Services (ISS) works with more than 1,200 international schools and tens of thousands of educators each year across its suite of services, creating one of the largest global footprints in international education support. Since its inception in 1955, ISS has promoted innovative best practices. Core services include starting and operating student-centered, future-oriented schools; recruiting world-class educators and leaders; providing cutting-edge professional learning opportunities; sourcing essential school supplies; administering school foundations; and encouraging more diverse leadership in international schools. As a nonprofit organization with offices in Princeton, NJ USA and Shenzhen, China and staff located across the globe, ISS invites all to join in making a world of difference. For more information, visit ISS.edu

SOURCE International Schools Services

2 october 2023 at 14:30

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GREY WOLF ANIMAL HEALTH TO PRESENT AT THE SMALLCAP DISCOVERIES 2023 INVESTOR CONFERENCE





TORONTO, Oct. 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Grey Wolf Animal Health Corp. (TSXV: WOLF) ("Grey Wolf" or the "Company"), a Canadian diversified animal health company, today announced that Angela Cechetto, CEO, is scheduled to present a corporate update at the Smallcap Discoveries 2023 Investor Conference on Wednesday October 11, 2023 at 1:00pm PT in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Ms. Cechetto will also be available for one-on-one meetings in Vancouver, British Columbia on October 11-13, 2023. Investors interested in meeting with Grey Wolf during that time should contact the conference coordinator or email [email protected].

About Smallcap Discoveries

Smallcap Discoveries is a leading investment platform and independent research service. Smallcap Discoveries specializes in delivering subscribers' exclusive insights and access to undiscovered and undervalued small and microcap opportunities.

To learn more about Smallcap Discoveries, visit our website at www.smallcapdiscoveries.com.

About Grey Wolf Animal Health Corp.?

Grey Wolf Animal Health Corp., headquartered in Toronto, Canada, is a diversified animal health ?company founded by a veterinarian to bring to market a broad portfolio of products that meets the ?unmet needs of veterinarians, clinics and pets. The Company's strategy is to in-license, acquire or develop innovative prescription and non-prescription products for commercialization in the veterinarian channel ?in Canada. For additional information, please visit: www.greywolfah.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements." All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could," or "should" occur. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements related to the Company's attendance at the Smallcap Discoveries 2023 Investor Conference. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE Grey Wolf Animal Health Corp.

2 october 2023 at 17:00

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France on Monday, October 2, began Europe's only vaccination campaign against bird flu in ducks, hoping to avoid mass culls of millions of birds that have dearly cost the industry in recent years. "There's high pressure from the virus, but vaccination should mean we only face individual cases, avoiding the tidal wave sweeping through farms," said Jocelyn Marguerie, poultry chief at the SNGTV farm vets' association. The two-jab course for ducklings  starting at 10 days old  is obligatory in farms raising more than 250 birds from October.

Producing livers for foie gras or meat, France's duck sector is especially sensitive to the virus. The birds shed it before symptoms ever appear, allowing it to spread unchecked. France's poultry population saw a wave of bird flu in 2015-17 and has suffered almost constant outbreaks since 2020  although there are currently no disease hotspots.

Discovery of a case means culling for the whole farm and others nearby, disrupting production for the long term and bringing a heavy financial toll for farmers. "I've been caught up in four culls since 2016. I hope we'll get back to being unscathed. (Vaccination) has to work!" said Thierry Dezes, who raises ducks in the southwestern Landes region and plans to jab some 5,000 ducklings.

Vets expect a total of around 60 million ducks should be vaccinated by summer next year. France's first 24 million doses will come from pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, meaning the government will have to invite tenders for more supply.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes French government postpones bird flu vaccination deadline to fall 2023

But the campaign is not going uncontested. One farmer in the Landes region told Agence France Presse (AFP) that she had customers "calling to tell me they don't want meat from vaccinated ducks"  asking to remain anonymous to protect her business. And on export markets, the fear is that immunization could mask bird flu circulating unnoticed in the duck population. A senior official at Japan's ministry of agriculture told AFP that Tokyo would suspend imports of French poultry products after the vaccination campaign had started.
FOURTEEN education and training boards (ETBs) nationwide have been allocated a total of more than 5.4m in additional funding, it has been announced.

Limerick and Clare ETB will receive the 275,403 in the latest bout of funding which has been announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD.

The new funding is in addition to 8m issued in April this year under the Devolved Capital Grant to 16 ETBs, to invest in small-scale investment priorities at a local level under Project Ireland 2040.

Minister Harris says that the funding is going to help deliver ambitious plans for the future.

Over 120 projects across the country have been approved. Each will have a meaningful impact on students and their learning experience, Minister Harris said.

The funding announced is in respect of 127 projects across 14 ETBs with a combined value of 5.4 million.

Projects approved cover health and safety issues, small-scale energy efficiency measures, equipment and requests relating to positive improvements for learning spaces.

SOLAS will distribute the Devolved Capital Grant to the individual ETBs as set out in the following table.

This funding in the form of devolved capital grants for the ETBs across the country will go a long way towards improving the facilities available to learners in the Further Education & Training sector, and to work towards achievement of the sustainability targets set forward in the Climate Action Plan, Chair of SOLAS, Sean Aylward said.
IT MAY still be four years away, but the public are being invited to register their interest in attending the Ryder Cup in Adare Manor.

The biennial tournament's 2023 edition ended on Sunday night, with Europe again emerging victorious.

The immediate focus of the USA-Europe contest's organisers is the 2025 edition set for New York.

But then all roads lead to Limerick as Adare Manor plays host to the blue-riband tournament for the very first time.

This Monday morning, a web portal opened, in which the public are being asked to register their interest in attending that tournament at the five-star resort.

People are being asked to fill out a questionnaire with their contact details, date of birth, whether they'll be a neutral or backing the USA or European sides.

On top of this, they are asked to indicate what kind of ticket they'd be interested in availing of - general admission, an enhanced general admission ticket, a premium experience, or all of the above.

The questionnaire also seeks information on any applicant's projected daily budget, from 50 to more than 1,750, and whether they'd be interested in accommodation and packages involving travel to and from Adare Manor.

To this end, information is also sought around how much they would budget for this, per person, per-day. And indeed, how many people are in a group.
UBS Tokenized Money Market Fund Goes Live on Ethereum Blockchain

Source: YouTube/UBS

Leading Swiss asset management bank UBS has announced the debut of its first live pilot of a tokenized Variable Capital Company (VCC) fund on the Ethereum blockchain in Singapore.

In the published press release , the company stated that the money market fund is part of a wider VCC umbrella built to integrate various real-world assets into the blockchain.

The UBS pilot is part of Project Guardian , a collaborative industry initiative to tokenize real-world assets. It is controlled by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the city-states central bank and financial watchdog.

The VCC fund represents a legal entity for investment funds in Singapore, initially introduced in January 2020 to solidify the city-states position as a hub for fund management operations.

Thomas Kaegi, the Head of UBS Asset Management for Singapore and Southeast Asia, highlighted that the launch of the live VCC marks a significant milestone in the exploration of fund tokenization.

He also expressed the firms commitment to partnering with traditional financial institutions and fintech providers to enhance market accessibility for investors.

These collaborations will contribute to gaining insights into improving market liquidity for their clients.

According to the public announcement, the asset management bank rolled out the controlled pilot of the tokenized money market fund through its in-house tokenization service dubbed UBS Tokenize.

Through smart contracts deployed on the Ethereum public blockchain, the live pilot enables the firm to process various activities such as subscriptions and redemptions.

UBSs Entry Into the Tokenization Space May Propel More Growth

Following the successful rollout of UBSs first pilot transactions, the asset management firm intends to expand its offerings under Project Guardian and engage in partnerships involving various investment strategies.

However, the firm has already made significant strides toward exploring potential decentralized finance (DeFi) use cases through tokenization services.

On November 3, UBS launched the worlds first digital bond to be traded on public markets. This was followed closely by an issued $50 million tokenized fixed rate note in December.

#JPMorgan has executed its first #DeFi transaction on #Polygon under the pilot program organised by the Singapores regulator "MAS".



Meanwhile, #UBS has launched the worlds first digital bond that is publicly traded and settled on both #blockchain and traditional exchanges  Rick Huckstep (@rickhuckstep) November 8, 2022

On June 9, the UBS Tokenize platform was used in Hong Kong to issue digital structured notes by the Bank of China Investment (BOCI), which amounted to CNH 200 million ($27.3M).

These tokenized notes were created and deployed on the Ethereum blockchain.

Although relatively new, UBS tokenized service and VCC fund can reshape the digital asset landscape and the broader financial system in the coming years.
IT HAS been recorded that 114 patients are waiting on trolleys this Monday at University Hospital Limerick (UHL). This figure, from Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) Trolley Watch, comes as the group describes the ongoing trolley crisis in national hospitals as "alarming".

UHL recorded 2,174 patients without a bed in September, contributing to over 10,018 patients, 202 of them children, without beds nationally in September, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

So far in 2023, 2,523 children across the country, under the age of sixteen, have been treated on a trolley or chair.

This situation has raised serious concerns about patient safety and has prompted a pressing call for a fundamental shift in mindset to address the persistent crisis.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha expressed grave concerns about the current state of healthcare, stating: "September has always been a reliable indicator of how the winter is going to look for healthcare staff, and the situation that our members are predicting based on these figures, as was the case in August, indicates a huge red flag."

Other heavily affected hospitals include Cork University Hospital (1,024 patients), Sligo University Hospital (775 patients), St. James' Hospital (532 patients), and University Hospital Galway (516 patients).

Ms Ni Sheaghdha stressed the gravity of the situation, particularly for children, stating: "The number of children on trolleys this September is also really alarming. Knowing what we do about how trolley waits negatively affect patient outcomes, and how rapidly children can decline when they are sick, the risks that children are being exposed to in our hospitals are too high."

The INMO is urgently calling for immediate action and a shift in mindset. Ms Ni Sheaghdha emphasised: "At this point of crisis in any other industry, a risk assessment would be carried out and risk mitigation measures put in place; this is even more necessary in the delivery of human healthcare services."

The INMO expressed dissatisfaction with the response from the Health Service Executive (HSE) following their recent engagement at the Emergency Department Taskforce meeting. They believe that the HSE is not willing to implement the necessary measures to address the crisis effectively.

Ms Ni Sheaghdha added: "Our members are very worried for themselves and the people in their care. Without real action, the State is basically just asking staff and patients to lower their expectations for their health service. We need risk reduction measures to be introduced now - not when it is too late and an inevitable adverse incident occurs.

"The current situation is not sustainable, and the impact on vulnerable people, including children, is not something the government should be prepared to accept."
THE INSTALLATION of fixed and off-shore wind turbines in the Shannon Estuary can produce more opportunities for farmers, according to Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment, Simon Coveney.

Minister Coveney met with the Limerick Leader to discuss the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce (SEET) which was launched in July and outlines the potential the estuary has for a green energy hub, largely consisting of offshore wind turbines.

By 2050, the Irish Government are hoping to create up to 37 gigawatts of power from offshore wind on the east, west and south coasts of Ireland. The countrys current electricity grid uses about five gigawatts.

Solar and wind energy are both opportunities for farmers according to the minister whether it be microgeneration or allowing their land to be used for larger scaled projects.

It is possible to put solar panels on your farm and to continue grazing underneath them and theyd also be able to do a deal with energy companies so its quite lucrative for farmers, Minister Coveney said.

I think all of those opportunities will start to develop as we get more used to the technology and as the technology advances around microenergy generation, he added.

The minister also believes that we will be looking at more anaerobic digestion in the future, turning agriculture waste products into biogas, which will be a new opportunity for farmers with herds of cattle in the future.

In terms of the marine industry, it is important that the fishing communities are engaged. Minister Coveney says the large scale of physical infrastructure that is hoped to be installed in the Shannon Estuary will impact fishing interests.

We need to work with fishing organisations to make sure that they are a part of the conversation. Our marine resource needs to be shared for energy, for shipping, for fishing, for marine leisure and of course doing all of that we need to protect our marine ecosystem.
LIMERICK poet Gabriel Rosenstock has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to childrens books.

Originally from Kilfinane, the poet, author and translator is the 2023 recipient of the Annual Childrens Books Ireland Award for his endeavours.

The announcement, made at the Childrens Books Ireland International Conference, recognised his lifelong work to provide Irish children with access to stories in their native language.

Receiving the award, Gabriel said: In a recent bilingual volume of poems Garsun: Boy (Arlen House), I reminisce on how the tales of Hans-Christian Andersen opened up my heart to the sufferings and the aspirations of others.

This has been one of the guiding principles of my own original work for children, as well as countless translations and adaptations for such platforms as Leigh Leat and Free Kids Books, and it's in this spirit that I accept the award, gratefully.

CEO of Childrens Books Ireland, Elaina Ryan said: For years, Gabriel Rosenstock has been a vital force in Irish childrens publishing, working across languages and disciplines to share illuminating and spellbinding stories.

In 2015, his book Haiku, Mas e do thoil e! was recognised by the Childrens Books Ireland Awards for the Judges Special Award, and we are thrilled to present him today with this award on behalf of Childrens Books Ireland, and the wider Irish childrens books community, for his tireless work in bringing excellent literature to his readers.

Gabriel has written several collections of poetry and stories for children in Irish and English. He has also worked extensively on translating popular books and television series for children into Irish.

Gabriel was nominated for the award by Jane Landy, Tadhg Mac Dhonnagain and Amanda Bell, who describe him as having revolutionised Irish poetry for youngsters.

They also pointed out that his generosity in widening access to storytelling is most evident in his publishing of his titles for free through platforms such as Leigh Leat and FreeKidsBooks.
Jenny Schaben |

Lincoln University of Missouri held its annual LU Hemp Field Day event on September 6, 2023. Attendees were able to get a first-hand look at Lincoln University's hemp field trials while also learning about genetics, breeding, pest management, planting methods, climate-smart agricultural practices, biofuel and renewable energy applications, economic projections, market opportunities, and Lincoln University's hemp initiative through their nationally recognized, groundbreaking programLU Hemp Institute.

Participants get an up-close look at industrial hemp being grown at Carver Farm.

Over 60 participants attended the event, presented by the Lincoln University Hemp Institute. Interested parties included potential growers, established producers, legislators, educators, stakeholders, and community residents. Introductions were made by Lincoln University President Dr. John Moseley, Vice President Dr. Stevie Lawrence, College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences Dean Dr. Douglas LaVergne, Cooperative Research Director Dr. John Yang, and Cooperative Extension Associate Administrator Yvonne Matthews, who stated "hemp is the way to the future" in her opening remarks.

Knowing this plant's potential has undoubtedly helped Lincoln University become a forerunner of sustainable agriculture and the industrial hemp market. The LU Hemp Institute was created in 2020 after legislation passed, allowing Missourians to grow industrial hemp with a permit that same year. Over three years later, the LU Hemp Institute has made great strides with research and outreach. During the event, LU Hemp Institute Chair and Assistant Professor of Genetics and Genomics Dr. Babu Valliyodan stated that Lincoln University is "a landmark in the national hemp highway."

Dr. Babu Valliyodan leads educational tours throughout LUs hemp fields.



The LU Hemp Institute is undoubtedly paving the way to a better understanding of this contemporary commercial crop. However, hemp is not newit has a deep history within our natural planet, providing communities with resources essential for growth and progress. The first hemp crop in Missouri was planted in 1835, but the industry for this substantial plant declined in 1937 with the Marihuana Tax Act, eventually leading to the ban on the product over 50 years ago. Due to this, there are not any U.S. genetic resources, such as seed materials and DNA sequences, that have been maintained for the purpose of plant breeding. However, Lincoln University Hemp Institute is looking to change this.

"Some of our most important aims are to develop superior genetics for the Midwest and evaluate industrial hemp cultivars under Missouri's growing conditions, leading to improved yields and quality of the industrial hemp crop for a better economic profit to the Missouri agricultural industries and farmers," stated Dr. Valliyodan.

Valuable research like this helps educate growers and processors, especially for private stakeholder Jeff Limbugh, chief operating officer and co-founder of Midwest Natural Fiber in Sikeston, Missouri. He works closely with Lincoln University to find the best-suited strains for industrial hemp production in his area. Limbugh spoke at LU Hemp Field Day and told participants about his collaborations with the LU Hemp Institute, the economic benefits Midwest Natural Fiber has had working with hemp fiber, and the company's success in the animal bedding business.

"Hemp is an alternative, sustainable product with multiple uses in different industries: construction, health, automotive, personal care, beauty, and textiles. As the demand for hemp products increases, the expected industrial market value will also increase," stated Dr. Eleazar GonzalezLU State Extension Specialist for Small Sustainable Farms and Ranches. He reported that farmers who are making industrial hemp profitable have large, multi-acre farms in order to make a positive return on their investment at this time because economies of scale.

Lincoln University Innovative Small Farmers Outreach Program Director and Integrated Pest Management Specialist Dr. Clement Akotsen-Mensah commented, However, the LU Hemp Institutes goal is to allow small farmers to be a part of the hemp program, so they can grow it themselves. He further stated that he does not want small farmers to be left behind with this new opportunity, informing participants of Lincoln Universitys excellent Cooperative Research and Extension departments, which are aimed at helping underserved populations.

LUs Dr. Clement Akotsen-Mensah collaborates with visiting guest speaker Dr. Raul Villanueva from the University of Kentucky.

Dr. Gonzalez also spoke on his presentation, "Industrial Hemp Markets and the 2023 Hemp Farm Bill," during the event's classroom sessions. He reported that the USDA requires compliance testing for growers' hemp crops, which cannot have a THC level higher than 0.3%. The difference between marijuana and hemp is the THC level dividing line.

Another informational session that took place was presented by Dr. Raul T. Villanueva from the University of Kentucky's Entomology Department. His presentation was titled "An Overview of Insects and Mites Affecting Hemp and Their Management in Kentucky." Dr. Villanueva discussed some of the major pests affecting hemp in the Midwest region, like hemp russet mites and corn earworms. He also spoke on detection methods for the airborne fungus Hirsutella thompsonii.

Assistant Professor of Research for Forest Hydrology and Watershed Management Dr. Sean Zeiger showcased a weather station deployed to monitor climate-smart hemp at George Washington Carver Farm. It is part of a state-wide network of weather stations supported by Lincoln University Cooperative Extension and funded by the USDA through a climate change effort to provide climate-related information. Zeiger stated, "With those tripods, they're monitoring all the big climate variables, including precipitation, air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, wind speed and direction, soil temperature, and soil moisture."

Dr. Sean Zeiger displays one of Lincoln Universitys weather stations, which has free and public data available on Weather Underground.

Other field activities included a drone demonstration by Taylor Geospatial Institute, an interdisciplinary community of preeminent scientists located in St. Louis, Missouri. Taylor Geospatial Institute collaborates with LU Hemp Institute on drone work to collect aerial data and analysis for carbon, nitrogen, and biomass content. The primary objective is to measure variables in the soil and hemp using computer vision techniques.

A drone demonstration was presented through Taylor Geospatial Institute.

After the event, participant Heather DeRose said, "Attending the educational Hemp Field Day at Lincoln University and getting the opportunity to tour a thriving industrial hemp field was an incredibly enriching experience. I enjoyed meeting fellow hemp producers and researchers while connecting with a passionate community dedicated to the future of sustainable agriculture. The event provided valuable insights into the latest research, innovations, and technological advancements in the field."

As a community member, regenerative farm owner of Kind Living Farm, and certified USDA hemp sampling agent, DeRose knows the benefits that outreach and this powerful plant have to offer. "It's clear that hemp is not just a valuable crop, it's a bridge to a more sustainable future, offering solutions in various industriesfrom textiles to health and wellness. Lincoln's event showcased the collaborative spirit of those involved with the hemp community and their shared commitment to harnessing the potential of this remarkable plant. It was truly an inspiring experience, reminding me of the boundless possibilities for hemp in Missouri and beyond."

For more information on the LU Hemp Institute, please contact Dr. Babu Valliyodan at (573) 681-5533 or ValliyodanB@LincolnU.edu.
Airbnb Inc. CEO Brian Chesky hasnt had an easy 2023. First there was the Airbnbust" frenzy in March, in which hosts took up arms on Twitter (now X) about shrinking profit margins and a potential short-term rental bubble. Then competitor Vrbo beat Airbnb to a feature that customers have long requested with a loyalty program.

And in September, New York City vastly tightened its rules on short-term rentals, nearly squeezing Airbnb out of a market that in the early days represented roughly 80% of its business. Never mind the increasing strictness of return-to-office policies, which has hampered the flexibility that spurred Airbnbs business in the pandemic years.

By mid-September, when he rolled out a handful of site improvements, it seemed as if Chesky had found himself in a Catch-22, caught between the conflicting demands of guests and hosts. Top of mind among them: Guests want to spend less money and be guaranteed a better product, while hosts are worried about potential declines in bookings and their bottom lines.

The new improvements are incremental and largely designed to benefit guests. They revolve around five common pain points, from affordability to customer service. On the cost side, the promise is to show consumers total prices per listingincluding transparent and lower cleaning fees, a subject of particular irewhile giving hosts insights that ensure competitive nightly rates. Moreover, a new listing verification system is reducing calls to customer service by identifying and removing fake listings, and search was improved with new filters for king-size beds and pet-friendly homes.

Chesky, who co-founded the company in 2008, has been prone over the years to hyping up small updates as major features. But the CEO I spoke with recently over Zoom was grounded and realistic, confessing that the latest improvements are, in fact, patches over deep cracks in Airbnbs foundation.

We need to get our house in order," he says. We need to make sure the listings are great, were providing great customer service and were affordable. And Ive told our team that we can get back to creating new and exciting things once weve fixed that foundation."

Here are six takeaways from a candid chat with Airbnbs founder, ranging from his AI ambitions to the companys future in New Yorkand how he plans to rebuild the proverbial house.

Airbnb still hasnt nailed the core aspects of its service.

If you havent had the experience yourself, youve likely heard the horror stories: Someone shows up to their Airbnb and finds the pool is overgrown with algae. The heat doesnt work. Or a booking gets canceled at the last minute leaving travelers without a place to stay. Consistency and reliability have become an enormous Achilles heel for Airbnb, an issue that Chesky has long described as a managerial crisis that requires wrapping his arms around millions of hosts in hundreds of thousands of locationsand not stripping them of their individuality.

Our system," says Cheskyreferring to the disruptive tech platform where adventurous travelers" could buy and sell products (in this case, rooms or homes), process secure payments and leave reviewswas designed for a much smaller company which grew like crazy."

To use a precise metaphor, its kind of like we never fully built the foundation. Like, we had a house and it had four pillars when we needed to have 10."

Math aside, there are three core pillars Chesky says would add up to a really great service": affordable prices, reliability and proper customer support when things go wrong. But retrofitting a large house isnt easy. The bigger you are, the more effort it takes to increase quality," Chesky says. And thats what weve been really focused on."

Lowering prices isnt a liability for hosts. Its their competitive advantage.

Consumers have shown an enduring willingness to splurge on travel, Chesky saysbut the limit to that may be slapping a $300 cleaning fee onto a weekend house rental that asks you to also take out the garbage, run the laundry, and clean the toilets. A lot of people were introduced to our service from a pricing standpoint," he says. And it remains a key business driver. The more affordable Airbnbs are, the more bookings we get."

Chesky walks a delicate tightrope as he tries to motivate profit-hungry hosts by encouraging (some of) them to shrink their margins.

But affordability has to be a competitive advantage, especially in markets that have robust hotel scenes. We want prices to move and to be more competitive vis-a-vis a hotelsthat is really important," he asserts, adding that hotel prices went up 10% in the last year but that prices for one-bedroom Airbnbs declined 1%. When our hosts provide better deals, they tend to make more money."

He suggests the solution is in giving hosts dynamic pricing insights. Were [currently] giving tools to hosts to compare the prices of their listings to others in their neighborhoodand while we dont yet have a hotel comparison, we do encourage them to look at rates for hotels in their area just so they have a sense of what travelers are getting on other platforms," Chesky says.

AI is the key to quality control.

While many companies are using generative AI to power customer service chatbots, Airbnb is applying the technology for quality control purposes.

AI is the first line of defense were using to verify listings," Chesky says. He says that for each listing, hosts are being asked to submit both interior and exterior photosthese are put into a system that uses computer vision technology to read the photos and match them up with other databases to create a confidence score. If the photos dont match the exterior of the house at the same address on Google Earth (or similar satellite imaging services), for instance, the score will be lower, and the listing will be submitted for human review.

Purging fake listings will help stem some of the sites most challenging customer service situations, which happen when a guest shows up to an address where no short-term rental property actually exists.

The AI technology can be used to vet guests, too: Throwing house parties in Airbnb rentals violates the platforms policies, yet remains a common issue for hosts. Weve used machine learning techniques to look at the last billion and a half guest arrivals and see which yielded a party and which didnt," Chesky says. If you try to do this through a human eye, you might not notice any patterns, but AI can look through over a billion data points, find a lot of similarities and create a rule set." If an attempted booking raises flags, he adds, we either stop them or we ask them for more information, until we either get comfortable with you or we dont get comfortable with you."

Chesky says more AI developments are on the way before the end of the year, hinting that verifying the legitimacy of a listing is just the first step. When I ask if there will be an effort to verify a listings amenities, he stops short of revealing the next iteration. Guests have left over 300 million reviews on Airbnb," he says. In November we will have a really big update to what youre talking about."

If and when Airbnb creates a loyalty program, it will have nothing to do with points or free stays.

Ive always believed at the most fundamental level, the best loyalty program is to build a product that people completely love and that you should first focus on that," Chesky says. And then maybe on top of that you could build some type of program."

He calls this a longer-horizon thing."

If and when it does happen, he says, it would probably be more novel than a standard points programnot like a subsidy program, which is what most of the programs are, but something where when you use it, the service actually gets better."

Experiences, not homes, will be the way forward in New York.

New York was the very first city we started having challenges in," begins Chesky, with a rare tinge of bitterness, and I thought it would be the first to figure this out. Its turned out New York might be one of the last.

But heres the important point," he says, with a characteristically upbeat spin. In 2009, 2010, New York was like 70%, 80% of our business. Now no city comprises more than one-half percent of our business."

That said, a half-percent still represents a $42 million slice of the pie for a company that reported $8.4 billion in earnings in 2022and Chesky isnt about to let that evaporate entirely.

There are other services we could launch in New York," he says, referring to experiences" the platform has started facilitating, where people post not rooms but services such as guided tours, bar crawls or photo shoots. Theres a lot of opportunity there." He also points to the option of visiting Manhattan but sleeping in New Jersey, which for many consumers would equate to a real sacrifice in convenience. He insinuates that this may be necessitated if the absence of Airbnbs drives up demandand by extension, pricesfor hotels in the city.

If you take a lot supply off the market, and you dont build proportionately more, then what happens to prices?" he asks. Theyre gonna go up. That means itll be less affordable to visit New York, and thats very unfortunate."

Cheskys big solutions are well underway.

Were about ready to turn the corner," Chesky says of his Airbnb retrofit journey. This year has been the year of perfecting our core service, with over 50 upgrades in May, five important updates now, and another series of upgrades coming in November."

And yet it may take a little longer than that for the jokes and memes to subside.

Hopefully by next travel season itll be a materially better service," he says, referring to next summer. And then youre gonna start to see many new things from Airbnb."

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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella is expected to testify today (2nd October) as part of the US Justice Departments antitrust trial against Google.

The US government has argued that search engine giant Google, illegally paid $10 billion annually to smartphone makers like Apple and wireless carriers like AT&T and others to be the default in search on their devices in order to stay on top.

The clout in search makes Google a heavy hitter in the lucrative advertising market, boosting its profits.

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But the US government hopes to use testimony from Nadella and other executives from Microsoft to show how even a company of its size and resources couldnt unlock Googles hold on the search market.

The US Justice Department will ask Nadella about Microsoft's efforts to expand the reach of Edge and Bing, its browser and search engine, and the obstacles posed by Google's dominance.

Last week, Microsoft business development executive Jonathan Tinter testified that the Redmond, Washington-based software giant failed to secure a deal to put its Bing search app on Apples products, even though it was willing to offer far better terms than Google and lose multiple billions of dollars on the agreement.

Also read: Apple defends decision to set Google as default search engine on iPhones, Macs, says no viable alternative

Alphabet insisted that Microsoft place a Google search widget on the main screen of its Surface Duo touchscreen smartphone device in order to license the Android operating system, rejecting the software companys request to use its own search engine, Bing, said Tinter, who negotiated the deal in the spring and summer of 2020.

Google also prohibited Microsoft from instructing users how to switch the default search engine to Bing.

In the end, Apple signed a fresh deal with Google. Tinter also told the court that Microsofts Surface Duo smartphone was required to use Google Search in order to license the Android mobile operating system and was limited from using Bing on its own devices.

Microsoft began taking orders for the $1,400 dual-screen folding Duo in August 2020. While it had some fans, the Duo fared poorly and within months Microsoft was already offering discounts on the product.

Microsoft's Bing has gained share on desktop computers, where it was integrated with Microsofts Internet Explorer and later Edge browser but has lagged on mobile devices where people overwhelming use Google.

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It is kinda like the Nineties are back, crowed Satya Nadella, the boss of Microsoft, at a product launch in New York on September 21st. He was referring to the glory days of the software giant, when its Windows operating system was ubiquitous, profits were soaring and revenues routinely grew by more than 30% a year. For a while Microsoft became the most valuable company in the world. But success bred complacency. By the early 2010s sales growth had slowed and profit margins had shrunk.

In the 2020s Microsoft has enjoyed a new heyday. Mr Nadella has put cloud computing at the centre of the firm, rather than Windows, which has helped trim costs and boost profits. The companys operating margin has fattened from 29% in 2014 to 43%, the highest among Americas biggest 50 non-financial firms by revenue. Investors seem happy. Since the prospect of tighter monetary policy triggered a sell-off in tech stocks in November 2021, Microsofts share price has beaten all its big rivals bar Apple.

Now Mr Nadella is charging ahead with another bold reorganisation, this time around artificial intelligence (AI). Thanks in large part to its investment in OpenAI, the startup behind ChatGPT , Microsoft has become the go-to firm for AI tools. A year ago most observers would have said that was Alphabet, Googles parent company, or Meta, Facebooks parent. And ai may propel Microsoft higher still, helping it reclaim the crown as the worlds biggest company from Apple. Its remarkable reinvention holds wider lessons for businesses.

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One is to be paranoid. When Steve Ballmer took over from Bill Gates in 2000, Windows was sacrosanct at the firm. As a result, Microsoft failed to exploit big shifts in technology, such as the emergence of the smartphone and cloud computing. It could have easily gone the way of Kodak or BlackBerry. But under Mr Nadella, who was painfully conscious of the companys laggardly status, Microsoft became hyper-alert to promising new technologies. That prepared it to move quickly on ai.

Another lesson is that firms do not need to do the inventing themselves. Microsoft has been adept at working out how to bundle and sell technologies created elsewhere. At the event in New York the firm launched Copilots", ChatGPT-like assistants, for various software offerings. At their core sit the capabilities of OpenAIs tools combined with a cloud-computing business model pioneered by Amazon.

Microsoft now wants to apply a similar formula to its gaming business. It plans to combine its cloud technology with the gaming assets and expertise of Activision Blizzard, its acquisition of which seems more likely now that Britains trustbusters have signalled that they are happy with the deal.

Compare this approach with that of invention-obsessed Google, which has made a cumulative operating loss of $24bn in its moonshot Other Bets" business since 2018. Amazon, too, has invested heavily in technologies that have sci-fi appeal, but have so far failed to win over customers. Three-dimensional screens for its smartphone were a flop, and take-up of its palm-scanning technology at its grocery stores is sluggish. Both it and Google have thrown money at delivery drones.

A final lesson is that exposure to the stockmarket creates the discipline needed to rein in founders. Mark Zuckerberg, the boss of Meta, has already lost $40bn building his virtual-reality dreams and plans to spend even more. He can do this because dual share classes give him 61% of voting rights. Similarly the founders of Google, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, hold 51% of the voting rights at Alphabet, which may explain why the company has struggled to thrive beyond search. Apple and Microsoft, by contrast, are older, no longer dominated by their foundersand far more valuable.

There are, inevitably, counter-examples. Sometimes a founders obsession turns into a money-spinner. And too much paranoia can be a distraction. Yet Microsoft is the rare example of a behemoth that has already carried out one successful reinvention andif its bet on ai pays offcould yet pull ahead further still. Its remarkable comeback is worth studying.
The promoters of VIP Industries Ltd are considering selling their stake in Indias largest luggage and travel accessories maker, two people familiar with the development said.

The deal, including a potential open offer, could be worth as much as $1 billion and see the promoters completely exit the business, one of the people said. The promoters have hired the investment banking team of InCred Capital to manage the sale, the people cited above said, requesting anonymity.

The Dilip Piramal-led promoter group owns a little over 50% of VIP Industries, the owner of luggage brands such as VIP, Carlton and Skybags. The market value of VIP Industries is around 9,310 crore, valuing the promoters stake at about 4,650 crore.

View Full Image Graphic: Mint

Private equity (PE) firms are most likely to be interested in the asset, given that VIP Industries is much larger than its Indian rivals, except Safari Industries, the first person cited above said.

Rising incomes, an expanding travel infrastructure, and online bookings have fuelled a surge in travel among Indians, resulting in heightened demand for luggage. VIP Industries, which holds a substantial market share in this rapidly growing sector, offers a lucrative opportunity for PE firms to tap the burgeoning demand for travel-related products from Indias increasingly mobile middle class.

Indians are travelling more. Having a single suitcase or satchel for travel at home will no longer suffice for the growing Indian middle class. PE firms interested in the Indian consumer will consider this aspect when bidding for the asset," an investment banker aware of the deal said, adding that it may take a few months to complete the transaction.

In September 2021, funds managed by Premji Invest acquired a 1.66% stake from the promoters of VIP Industries.

VIP has close to 44% market share in the organized luggage category, according to an ICICI Securities analyst report.

VIP acquired the London-based Carlton brand in 2004 and merged with Aristocrat Luggage Ltd in 2007, and has been selling luggage under these brands since then. The company reported a profit of 160.93 crore on revenue of 2,019.53 crore in the year ended 31 March.

Dilip Piramal did not respond to emails and text messages requesting comments on Monday. A mail sent to InCreds spokesperson did not elicit any response.

In August, VIPs managing director, Anindya Dutta, resigned effective from the close of business hours on 13 November, the company said. The company elevated its chief financial officer, Neetu Kashiramka, as managing director starting 14 November.

We believe VIP Industries has to resolve some near-term hurdles in the coming quarters, such as supply constraints, inventory optimization and regaining lost market share. With the managements strategic planning towards brand building and developing a strong distribution network to support future growth, we believe the companys structural long-term growth story still remains intact," a report by Axis Securities said on 4 August.
Amid cash crunch in the hyper local delivery platform, Dunzo, its co-founder Dalvir Suri will step down from his position. In addition to this, the Reliance Industries-backed startup will also undergo an organisation-wide restructuring from this quarter.

Also Read: Dunzo lays off 30% of its workforce while securing $75 million funding: Reports

Till now, there has been no clarification on the exact date when Dalvir Suri will step down from his position. Moreover, there was no announcement related to who will replace him in the company.

The recent exit has come at a time when the local delivery platform is struggling to generate fund and is trying all sorts of measures to cut its spending.

Also Read: Dunzo pushes pending June, July salary payments to October

The company has been struggling to strike a deal in the past few months and has announced at least three rounds of layoffs. Other than trimming its workforce, the company also deferred or reduced salaries for some employees as well as reduced 50% of its dark stores.

Also Read: Reliance, Google backed Dunzo delays 50% salary this month, employee says, rumours of restructuring

There was not much detail about the restructuring of the firm. Dalvir Suri joined the firm in May 2015, about a year after it was founded. Later he began leading its business-to business unit, Dunzo Merchant Services(DMS).

"Dalvir has been instrumental in building out every new line of business at Dunzo ... and the DMS business has very capable leadership that's picking up directly after him," CEO and co-founder Kabeer Biswas said in a statement.Ankur Agarwal and Mukund Jha are the company's other co-founders.

Dunzo is in advanced talks to close a $25 million to $30 million funding round that will increase Reliance Retail's 25.8% stake in the firm, reported Reuters citing Moneycontrol report.

Amid cash-crunch, Dunzo employees face delay in salary payment

Amid its struggle to secure funding, the company is failing to provide salary to its employees on time. The quick-commerce startup further delayed paying August salaries after promising to clear them by the end of September's first week.

In July, the company had assured its employees of paying 12% yearly interest on their held-back salary component, and had also committed them to clear all dues by September 4. However, the company failed to do so on time. The company also faced legal notices from seven of its partner vendors for their unpaid dues.

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   :      Pradowo Subianto ()   Gibran Rakabuming Raka.               Gatot Subroto                        270   .       14 .AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim
IF GLOBAL WARMING is to be limited, the world must forget about fossil fuels as fast as possiblethat much almost everyone agrees upon. How to do so is the complicated part. Economists have long favoured putting a price on carbon , a mechanism that Europe introduced in 2005. Doing so allows the market to identify the cheapest unit of greenhouse gas to cut, and thus society to fight climate change at the lowest possible cost. Others, including many American politicians , worry that such schemes will provoke a backlash by raising consumer costs. Under President Joe Biden, America is instead doling out hundreds of billions of dollars to nurture green supply chains.

Yet, remarkably, the rest of the world is now beginning to look more Europeanwith carbon prices spreading in countries both rich and poor. Take Indonesia, the worlds ninth-biggest polluter. Although it releases 620m tonnes of carbon-dioxide equivalent a year, with almost half its soaring energy consumption coming from coal, the country has green ambitions. On September 26th, at the launch of its first carbon market, Joko Widodo, the president, talked up its prospects as a hub for the carbon trade, and local banks duly snapped up credits from a geothermal-energy firm. The country also introduced a local emissions-trading scheme in February, which requires large coal-fired plants to buy permits for emissions above a threshold.

View Full Image Carbon-Pricing Initiatives

In short, even in countries better known as polluters than as green leaders, things are shifting. By the start of 2023, 23% of the worlds emissions were covered by a carbon price, according to the World Bank, up from just 5% in 2010 (see chart). The spread will only accelerate over the coming years as more countries come around to the advantages of carbon pricing, and existing schemes expand their reach. On October 1st the EU launched a groundbreaking policy under a dreary name. The carbon border adjustment mechanism" (CBAM) will, by 2026, start to levy a carbon price on all the blocs imports, meaning that European companies will have a strong incentive to push suppliers around the world to go green.

The spread of carbon prices is happening in three ways. First, governments are creating new markets and levies. Indonesia is one example. If all goes to plan, its market will eventually be combined with a carbon tax. In April Japan launched a voluntary national market for carbon offsets, which will work alongside an existing regional cap-and-trade policy in place in Tokyo. Participants, accounting for 40% or so of the countrys pollution, will be required to disclose and set emissions targets. Over time the scheme will become stricter, with auctions of carbon allowances for the energy industry due to begin in 2033. Meanwhile, Vietnam is working on an emissions-trading scheme to be established in 2028, in which firms with emissions above a threshold will need to offset them by buying credits.

Second, countries with more established markets are beefing up their policies. On September 24th Chinas National Climate Strategy Centre announced that its emissions-trading scheme, which is the worlds largest, will move from only focusing on the carbon intensity of coal power plants, to focusing on both their intensity and total emissions. The scheme will be linked with a dormant carbon-credit market, allowing plants to meet their obligations by purchasing credits for renewable power, planting forests or restoring mangroves. Australia, which scrapped its original carbon price in 2014, has reformed a previously toothless scheme known as the safeguard mechanism". Since July large industrial facilities that account for 28% of the countrys emissions have had to reduce emissions by 4.9% a year against a baseline. Those that fail must buy carbon offsets, which trade at a price of around $20 a tonne.

The final way in which carbon markets are spreading is through cross-border schemes. The EUs programme is by far the most advanced. In CBAMs pilot phase importers of aluminium, cement, electricity, fertiliser, hydrogen, iron and steel will need to report embodied" emissions (those generated through production and transport). Then, from 2026, importers will have to pay a levy equivalent to the difference between the carbon cost of these embodied emissions in the EUs scheme and any carbon price paid by the exporter in their domestic market. Free permits for sectors will also be phased out, and the housing and transport industries will be brought into the market.

Many of these schemes will take time to have an impact. Lots in Asia are flimsy, with prices set too low to produce meaningful changewell below the EUs current price of 80-90 ($85-95), which is itself only approaching climate economists estimate of the social cost of carbon. For instance, half the coal plants covered by Chinas emissions-trading scheme face a negative carbon price, meaning that they are in effect paid to burn the dirty fuel, since their emission intensity is below the national average, says Lauri Myllyvirta of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, a think-tank. The scheme also fails to create an incentive to shift from coal to other sources of power, he notes.

Across the world, activists criticise the ability of firms to use offsets to indulge in what they term greenwashing", where companies falsely present themselves as environmentally friendly. Some schemes also struggle to prove they have led to emissions reductions. In 2022 a team of academics, led by Andrew Macintosh of Australian National University, argued that reforestation used as carbon credits in Australias scheme either did not happen or would have happened irrespective of payments for offsets. An independent review has since recommended changes to how the scheme works.

Yet even carbon-pricing programmes that are limited will still help change behaviour, for the simple reason that they encourage the monitoring of emissions. After its launch two years ago, Chinas emissions-trading scheme was dogged by fraud, with consultants alleged to have helped firms produce fake coal samples. A crackdown was announced by officials earlier this year, who are now satisfied with the quality of data. Despite the absence of a carbon price, American firms also face incentives to monitor emissions. President Biden has proposed a rule that all businesses selling to the federal government must disclose their emissions and have plans to reduce them. Many large firms have set voluntary net-zero targets as part of their marketing efforts. Apple, the worlds largest, has pledged to make its supply chain entirely carbon neutral by 2030.

And manufacturers around the world now face a still greater incentive to accurately track their carbon footprints: CBAM. The EUs ultimate goal is to tackle carbon leakage". Before CBAMs introduction, Europes carbon price meant that domestic industries faced an extra cost compared with those in countries with less ambitious decarbonisation plans. This gave importers an incentive to source material from abroad, even if these inputs were dirtier. To compensate for this, the EU handed out permits to industrial producers. These will now be phased out as CBAM is phased in.

During the pilot phase, CBAM simply presents an extra hurdle (what economists call a non-tariff barrier") for exporters to the bloc. To comply, European firms must report the embodied emissions of their imports. If such data do not exist, importers must use reference values provided by the EU. In order to nudge foreign companies to change their behaviour and prove that their emissions are lower, these are based on the emissions of the dirtiest firms in the bloc. From 2026 importers will have to pay the difference between the amount embodied emissions would be charged under the EUs emissions-trading scheme and whatever carbon price the products pay at home.

Carbon border tariffs may themselves multiply over the coming years. In Australia the government recently announced a review into the countrys carbon leakage", which will examine such an option. In 2021 America and the EU paused a trade dispute, begun by President Donald Trump, by starting negotiations over a Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium". America wants the two trading partners to establish a common external tariff on more polluting steel producers. Since America does not have a domestic carbon price, such a policy would flout the rules of the World Trade Organisation. But if the EU and America do not come to an agreement, the Trump-era tariffs and the EUs retaliatory measures will be reinstated.

There is a domino effect to carbon pricing. Once an industry is subject to a carbon price its businesses will naturally want their competitors to face the same rules. Therefore owners of coal power plants will lobby to ensure that gas power plants operate on a level playing-field. Governments in exporting countries also have an incentive to ensure that their domestic firms pay a carbon price at home rather than a tariff abroad. If Asias factories are pressed to reduce their emissions anyway by schemes such as CBAM, then its governments are leaving money on the table by not levying a carbon price of their own.

The question is whether the dominoes will fall fast enough. Almost no emissions-trading schemes are aimed at emissions from residential property or cars, for instance, where consumers would really feel the pain. In choosing to introduce carbon-pricing schemes, and then to make them broader and more muscular, policymakers have most economists firmly on their sideand are proceeding much faster than is commonly realised. But future policymakers will need to make such policies even more intrusive if the effects of climate change are to be minimised. For that to happen, they will have to win over voters, too.
THE RANKS of foreign businesspeople in Shanghai are much depleted these days. Those who remain closely monitor the comings and goings of multinational executives. So all eyes were on the Bund Summit, a globally minded economic and financial forum held in the city from September 22nd to 24th. In previous years the forum brought in A-list chief executives from around the world. The latest gathering, the first since China lifted its draconian covid-19 restrictions and declared itself open for business, was expected to draw high-powered crowds once again.

Not so. Nearly ten months in, President Xi Jinpings grand reopening from his zero-covid fiasco has been a big disappointment. Foreign investors believed that 2022, when quarantines threw China into a deep freeze, would mark the bottom for gloomy sentiment. Instead the Chinese economy is creaking and cross-border investment flows have weakened. Several foreign businesses have been raided by the authorities. On September 25th the Financial Times reported that Charles Wang Zhonghe, the chairman of Chinese investment banking at Nomura International, a Japanese bank, had been banned from leaving China. Many foreign investors are skipping trips and, more damagingly, putting off investment plans.

Those who are showing up in Beijing and Shanghai this year say the damage wrought by zero-covid is palpable. Some of this, like the deteriorating English-language skills of hotel workers, is superficial. Other problems cut to the bone. Local staff have been deprived of foreign travel for years, and so from mingling with colleagues, engineers and scientists. Chinas legions of well-trained white-collared workers appear less prepared to engage with the rest of the world than they did a few years ago, the visitors lament.

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Communication between the government and foreign investors is even more stilted. Chinese officials are less willing to have open discussions with visitors from abroad. Most queries from foreigners are met with boilerplate responses. A lack of specifics is particularly unhelpful at a time when dizzyingly complex new compliance rules for things like data transfers pose big legal risks for companies.

Perhaps as a consequence, few foreigners bother coming. Travel remains shockingly depressed. The number of passengers entering and leaving the country on international flights dropped by more than three-quarters in the first half of the year, compared with the same period in 2019. As late as July the figure was still languishing at just over 50% (see chart). Western tourists have been almost entirely missing from China in recent months, depriving the country of useful interpersonal connections. Group travel from America was down by about 99% in the second quarter of the year, compared with 2019.

Business travel, which ground to an almost complete halt in 2022 as China issued few visas and required up to three weeks of quarantine, is far below Chinese expectations and increasing only at a snails pace. Harrington Zhang and colleagues at Nomura warn in a recent report (published before their colleagues predicament came to light) that the lack of business contacts and civilian exchanges between China and the outside world may have more profound implications for Chinas economic growth potential in the years ahead". The flow of inbound foreign direct investment has already collapsed. In the second quarter it was just $4.9bn, down by 94% from the same period in 2021, according to Nomura. Just $4.4bn in foreign venture capital flowed into China in the first half of the year, down from about $55bn for all of 2021, reckons PitchBook, a data provider.

Those who stuck it out during the punitive zero-covid years are re-evaluating their commitment to China. According to a survey of American companies in the country by the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, released on September 19th, just 68% were profitable last year. Only 52% think this year will be better. Roughly as many were optimistic about the next five years, a record low. Some 40% of companies say they are moving investments elsewhere or planning to do so.

The chamber noted that 2023 was supposed to be the year investor confidence and optimism bounced back." But, it added grimly, that rebound has simply not materialised". Instead, business sentiment has continued to deteriorate". Merely flinging the door to the world open has not worked. Meanwhile, the window to meaningfully re-engage with the West is closing.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
New Delhi: The European Unions much-debated carbon tax on imported goods, which has industrial goods manufacturers worried about a potential dampening of margins on their exports, entered into a transitional phase on Sunday. The EU is seeking to impose this first-of-its-kind tax  called the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism  on the import of carbon-intensive goods as it looks to become a climate-neutral or net-zero carbon economy by 2050.

European companies from seven carbon-intensive sectors  steel, cement, fertiliser, aluminium, iron, electricity and hydrogen products  will have to share data about their carbon emissions with the EU. Importers will be required to send quarterly CBAM reports, and any neglect or misreporting will lead to stiff penalties.

Mint delves into the complexities of the carbon tax and how well India is prepared for it.

A carbon tax, you say?

The CBAM is aimed at helping the EU achieve its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. It looks to address the problem of carbon leakage"  that is, carbon-intensive goods entering the EU through imports.

With it, the EU is trying to make importers of such goods bear a burden equivalent to the costs of European producers. In other words, the EU is doing this to ensure that the EU industries dont lose any competitiveness because of their transition to more sustainable ways of producing energy.

It will require the importers of carbon-intensive goods to buy enough CBAM certificates to cover the emissions embedded in their products. In doing so, it puts a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of such goods and encourages cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries.

The gradual introduction of the CBAM is aligned with the phasing-out of the allocation of free allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to support the decarbonisation of European industry.

Whats the timeline for this tax?

The transitional phase of the CBAM will last from 1 October 2023 to 31 December 2025. During this period, Indian firms will have to provide extensive production and emissions data for products exported to the EU. The tax collection phase begins on 1 January 2026, with more items being added before then. By 2034, all goods imported into the EU are to be included in CBAM.

The objective of the transition period, the EU said, is to serve as a pilot and learning period for all stakeholders (importers, producers and authorities) and to provide useful information on embedded emissions to refine the methodology.

Where do Indian companies stand?

Indias carbon emissions in the steel sector stand at around 2.55 tons of CO2 per ton of steel produced  far higher than the industry standard. But in the global cement industry, which accounts for about 8% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, the Indian cement industry has the lowest carbon emissions.

According to the Indian governments Third Biennial Update Report submitted in early 2021 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the agriculture sector contributes 14% of the countrys greenhouse gas emissions. India also ranks second in the production of nitrogenous fertilisers and third in phosphatic fertilisers.

Large steel producers have already started transitioning to making steel in a more environmentally sustainable way. The main challenge for companies will be to monitor and report the carbon emissions of every product they make. This will drive up the costs for Indian manufacturers even as they continue to compete with Chinese steel.

A lack of data could cause the EU to calculate taxes based on default or maximum values. Additionally, failure to submit the required data may result in penalties, which could be especially disruptive for small enterprises.

Under CBAM, the seven chosen sectors will also face an additional tariff of between 20-35% from 2026. This will also hamper Indian industry, which has significant export interests in Europe. The EU was the destination for nearly 17% of Indian exports in 2012-2021.

Certainly, most Indian exporters are unprepared for CBAM. Many small manufacturers are hoping for a last-minute deal between the Indian government and the EU that allows them to continue business as usual.

What is New Delhis stance?

CBAM has been criticised as a trade-restrictive policy, especially by developing countries such as India, which has a target of becoming carbon-neutral by 2070. New Delhi may also find it imperative to take its case to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The ministries of the various seven affected sectors, along with the finance minister, are currently discussing how to tackle the situation. Simultaneously, they reportedly want all affected companies to start reducing their emissions and comply with the regulations.

The impact of the EUs carbon tax on Indian manufacturers and exporters will only be known once it is implemented, but according to cabinet minister Piyush Goyal the government will make sure to limit any adverse impact on Indian exporters.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Bollywood actress and former miss world, left everyone awestruck when she returned at 'Walk Your Worth' fashion show organised by cosmetic giant L'Oreal as part of the Paris Fashion Week on Sunday. She had flown a day before with her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan to the city. Several videos and pictures of the gorgeous actress are going viral on social media.

For the special event, the former miss world chose to wear a golden shimmering cape gown. Her golden hair looked absolutely stunning. It had a see-through cape fastened to the rear. Aishwarya kept her makeup simple only opting for soft pink lips and letting her hair cascading down, mirroring the shades of her attire. In addition, she sported diamond rings, earrings, and golden high heels. View Full Image Aishwarya Rai Bachchan presents a creation for L'Oreal Paris during a show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 (AFP) The entrance of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was nothing short of spectacular as she walked the ramp winking and sending flying kisses that effortlessly stole hearts and added a touch of magic to the event. View Full Image The entrance of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was nothing short of spectacular as she walked the ramp winking and sending flying kisses (Photo: Reuters) Another viral video featured Aishwarya Rai posing with Kendall Jenner. The two were seen chatting and giggling.

Aishwarya was among the famous celebrities who walked the ramp for the L'Oreal Paris Fashion Show, joining Kendall Jenner, Eva Longoria, Andie MacDowell, Helen Mirren, Aja Naomi King, Viola Davis, and others.

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L'Oreal organises this showcase every year and Aishwarya made her Paris ramp debut in 2018, and she has been a regular since then.

View Full Image Yseult Onguenet, Eva Longoria, Cindy Bruna, Andie MacDowell, Viola Davis and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan attend a public show named 'Walk Your Worth' organised by French cosmetics group L'Oreal (REUTERS)

Also gracing the show were renowned celebrities such as Anya Taylor Joy, Yara Shahidi, academy winner producer and actress Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson and Tennis player Emma Raducanu. Popular singers Rosalia and Jeesu along with Thai superstars Mile and Apo were also present on the red carpet.

Navya Naveli Nanda,Aishwaryas niece and granddaughter of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, also made her debut at the Paris Fashion Weekin a stunning red dress. Her mother Shweta Bachchan Nanda and grandmother Jaya Bachchan were present at her show to support and cheer for her.

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Government employees across the country on Sunday gathered at Delhis Ramlila Maidan to protest against the New Pension Scheme and demand the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). PSU workers from more than 20 states participated in the Pension Shankhanaad Rally, organized by the National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS).

AAP leader Sanjay Singh said that he will raise the Old Pension Scheme issue in Parliament when his membership in the Rajya Sabha is revoked. He questioned the system where MLAs and MPs receive pensions for their entire lives while employees who have worked for 40 years are denied such benefits.

MLAs and MPs get pensions for their whole life even if they work for 40 days. Why no pension for an employee who has worked for 40 years? I will raise this issue before Parliament after my membership gets revoked. Arvind Kejriwal's slogan is Where AAP rules there is an old pension," Singh said while addressing a rally in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that his party strongly supports OPS and said that the New Pension Scheme is an injustice against employees. States like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh have announced the bringing back of OPS.

Opposition parties have backed the protesters' demand and asked the BJP-led central government to bring back the OPS. Old pension is the right of employees."

Our policy regarding this is clear  employees must get their rights. Modi government should restore the old pension, and honor the workers who serve the country," the Congress had earlier said.

Under the old pension scheme, a government employee is entitled to a monthly pension after retirement which is typically half of the last drawn salary of the person. The new pension scheme stated that employees contribute a portion of their salaries to the pension fund. Based on that, they are entitled to a one-time lump sum amount on superannuation.

The old pension scheme was discontinued in December 2003, and the new pension scheme came into effect on April 1, 2004.

(With ANI inputs)

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Gandhi Jayanti 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said, His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path."

I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion," the Prime Minister said. He added, May we always work towards fulfilling his dreams. May his thoughts enable every youngster be the agent of change he dreamt of, fostering unity and harmony all over."

UP CM Yogi Adityanath also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary today, October 2. Humble tribute to the 'Father of the Nation' Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. Best wishes to the people of the state on 'International Day of Non-Violence'."

On this auspicious occasion, let us resolve to continuously move forward in the development of the country and society with the concept of 'Ram Rajya' by imbibing the values of truth, non-violence, love and cleanliness," Adityanath wrote on X.

Mahatma Gandhi, born on October 2, 1869, is a revered figure in the history of India and the world. His birthday is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti, a day dedicated to honoring his life and legacy. His philosophy of truth, nonviolence, and simplicity, often referred to as "Satyagraha," continues to inspire generations worldwide.

On Gandhi Jayanti, India will commemorate 'Swachh Bharat Diwas' or 'Swachhta Diwas' on Monday. The extensive nationwide effort on Sunday was spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who collaborated with fitness influencer Ankit Baiyanpuriya for a cleanliness initiative.

Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including politicians and students, took part in the 'Swachhata hi Seva' campaign. Multiple ministries, government agencies, and social organizations were also observed participating in the campaign to champion the cause of cleanliness.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah actively participated in a cleanliness drive in Ahmedabad, symbolically using a broom. Likewise, BJP chief JP Nadda also joined the cleanliness initiative, taking part in the drive in Delhi's Jhandewalan area.

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Which EU nations are against CBAM?

Poland and Germany are two countries that appear concerned. Poland is the most dependent on fossil fuel for its energy security in Europe, producing around 70% of its power from coal. In August, Poland challenged the legal basis for CBAM at the Court of Justice of the European Union. The Polish government opposed the law on the grounds that it imposes a cost of energy transition on those who are less well-off". Poland would receive the biggest share of the 17.5 billion EU transition fund but still feels that CBAM could widen social inequality and job losses. Similar concerns have been flagged by the developing world.

Why is Germany concerned?

A recent report in Financial Times said CBAM could face risks after Germany, the EUs largest economy, sought exemptions for its micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), imported and locally produced goods should be treated equally. Granting exemptions to German MSMEs could force the EU to extend similar sops to MSMEs in developing countries such as India and China, rendering CBAM less effective. The majority of firms in the big export markets of the EU are small. India has also requested the bloc to make easy norms for its MSMEs.

Does WTO have a view on the matter?

WTO says environmental measures such as CBAM would result in a 20-35% tax on some imports into the EU. This is a key concern also flagged by other member countries. India, China and others have moved papers saying its discriminatory and penalizes developing countries more even though rich nations are historically responsible for higher carbon emissions.

How has Indian industry responded?

The actual levy comes into effect from 2026. But exporting countries are required to share emission data starting 1 October 2023. The Indian industry has flagged concerns around the complexity of the process. And CBAM has norms to fine non-submission or incorrect or incomplete submission of data. The penalty is as much as 10 to 50 per tonne of unreported emission. It goes further up when more than two incomplete or incorrect reports are submitted in a row. This is taxed at the marginal rate of tax.

What is Indias strategy on the tax?

India is using a multi-pronged strategy to try and mitigate the impact of CBAM on its slowing manufacturing sector. At WTO, it has opposed CBAM along with other developing nations. India is also drafting its own norms so that the taxes payable on Indias carbon emission stay within its borders. India has begun working on a domestic carbon tax along the lines of the EU to tax imports from developed countries and charge them for their historical emissions. Meanwhile, discussions between the EU and India are ongoing.
In the wake of upcoming assembly polls in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the two states on Monday and will lay the foundation stone for various development projects.

Modi will lay the foundation stone for various development projects worth about 7,000 crore in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.

To promote a gas-based economy, the Mehsana-Bhatinda-Gurdaspur Gas Pipeline will be dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister.

The pipeline has been built at a cost of about 4,500 crores. Prime Minister will also dedicate the LPG Plant of HPCL at Abu Road. This plant will bottle and distribute 86 lakh cylinders per annum and will also result in a net reduction in the running of trucks carrying cylinders per annum by around 0.75 million Km, which will help reduce about 0.5 million tons of CO2 emission per annum. He will also dedicate additional storage at Ajmer Bottling Plant, IOCL," said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Modi will dedicate a 4-lane road on NH-12 (New NH-52) on the Darah-Jhalawar-Teendhar section, which has been constructed at a cost of more than 1,480 crore.

The railway projects to be dedicated to the nation by the prime minister include -- doubling of the Chittorgarh-Neemuch railway line and the KotaChittorgarh electrified railway line.

Modi will also dedicate tourism facilities developed at Nathdwara under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Nathdwara is the major centre of faith for millions of followers of the Pushtimarg propagated by Saint Vallabhacharya.

On Monday afternoon, Modi will go to Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior.

Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple development initiatives worth around 19,260 crores in Madhya Pradesh," the PMO said.

In MP, the prime minister will dedicate to the nation the Delhi-Vadodara Expressway, developed at a cost of about 11,895 crore. He will also lay the foundation stone for five different road projects worth over 1,880 crore.

Grih Pravesh of over 2.2 lakh houses built under PMAY Gramin will be initiated by Modi. He will also dedicate houses constructed under PMAY Urban at a cost of around 140 crore.

Modi will lay the foundation stone of Jal Jeevan Mission projects worth over 1,530 crore in Gwalior and Sheopur districts.

Under Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, Modi will lay the foundation stone of 9 health centres.

Among others, he will dedicate the academic building of IIT Indore and lay the foundation stone for the hostel and other buildings on the campus.

On Sunday, a Central Election Committee meeting was held at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi.

The meeting was held to finalise candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

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Delhi Police has arrested a suspected terrorist named Shahnawaz, who was listed as one of the most wanted individuals by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

As reported by PTI, an engineer by profession, Shahnawaz was arrested by the Delhi Police's Special Cell and is currently being interrogated, officials said. Shahnawaz, who had a reward of 3 lakhs on his head, was sought after in relation to the Pune ISIS case. This apprehension marks a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and maintain security in the region, said Delhi Police.

As reported by ANI citing the Delhi Police Special Cell, the module was planning to carry out terror incidents in North India, taking instructions from foreign-based handlers. Incriminating materials were recovered including materials suspected to be used for IED fabrication.

Also Read: Manipur News: NIA arrests two in transnational conspiracy by Myanmar and Bangladesh terror outfits

Further investigations will be conducted to gather additional information regarding Shahnawaz's involvement and potential connections to terrorist activities.

The individual in question, a 32-year-old engineer residing in Delhi, had managed to escape from police custody in Pune, triggering an extensive manhunt spanning across multiple states.

Also Read: NIA's wanted accused: Terrorist Uncle Javed ran fake currency racket to damage India's financial stability

So far, three people including Shahnawaz alias Shafi Uzzama have been arrested by Delhi Police Special Cell.

Know about the Pune ISIS module case

Shahnawaz, along with two accomplices named Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yunus Khan and Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yakub Saki, faced arrest by the Kothrud police in Pune on July 18 after attempting to steal a two-wheeler. While the police were en route to their residence in Kondhwa, Pune, for a search, Shahnawaz made a daring escape by leaping out of the police vehicle.

Police uncovered that Khan and Saki, who originally hailed from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, were purportedly implicated in a distinct terrorism case registered in Rajasthan. In this case, explosives were found inside a car back in March 2022. Both Khan and Saki had a reward of 5 lakh each offered for information leading to their capture.

On July 22, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) assumed control of the investigation. As part of their probe, the ATS detained more individuals, including an IT engineer named Qadir Dastagir Pathan and SN Kazi in Kondhwa. The agency applied sections of the strict Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against Khan, Saki, and the other individuals implicated in the case.

The course of the investigation took a significant twist when Khan and Saki disclosed that Shahnawaz had stored acid in the vicinity of Bopatghat near Kondhwa. To secure the acid and various chemicals employed in the creation of explosives, the NIA enlisted the help of the Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad.

In addition, the ATS seized various other materials and discovered 500 gigabytes of data on the laptops and mobile phones of the suspects. This data included connections to instructional videos on bomb-making available on YouTube, as well as Google images of different locations.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Lal Bahadur Shashtri on the occasion of his birth anniversary on Monday. Taking to X, PM Modi said, Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji on his Jayanti. His simplicity, dedication to the nation, and iconic call for 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' resonate even today, inspiring generations. His unwavering commitment to India's progress and his leadership during challenging times remain exemplary. May we always work to realise his vision for a strong India." Also Read: Gandhi Jayanti 2023 LIVE Updates: 'Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global,' says PM Modi Modi on Monday also paid floral tributes to Shastri at Vijay Ghat memorial early in the morning. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar joined in honouring the memory of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Congress national president and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, paid his respects to Shastri and remarked that Shastri's simplicity continues to serve as a source of inspiration for all.

"From land reforms to laying the foundation of milk and green revolution, from abolishing the third class in railways to providing seats for women in buses, from the 1965 war to serving the country with our Gandhian ideas  our ideals, We remember the unprecedented contribution of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri ji. The simplicity and simple life of Shastri ji, who was rich in high thoughts, will always be an inspiration for us.'Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan'," Kharge said in a post on X.

Also Read: Gandhi Jayanti 2023: 'His timeless teachings continue to', PM Modi pays floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

Lal Bahadur Shastri, born in Uttar Pradesh in 1904, assumed the role of India's second Prime Minister, serving from 1964 to 1966.

He passed away in Tashkent on January 11, 1966, at the age of 61, shortly after finalizing the Tashkent Pact with Pakistan. Shastri was a visionary leader who had a profound understanding of the needs and aspirations of the people, guiding the nation towards progress. His political philosophy was strongly influenced by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

(With inputs from ANI)

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After her 23-year-old son was sentenced Friday to more than three years in jail for a 20-day episode involving drugs, burglary, auto theft and a 100-plus mph car chase, an Albemarle County mother has a message for others.

I want to call out the youth to stay away from drugs, Sylvia Lopez told The Daily Progress through a Spanish-to-English translator.

Lopez expressed gratitude to police and court personnel, she said, for rescuing her son, Carlos Alfredo Dupon-Lopez.

Albemarle Circuit Judge Cheryl Higgins sentenced Dupon-Lopez to an active sentence of three years and four months with more than 45 years suspended. He has pleaded guilty to eight charges, including eluding police, drug possession, burglary and grand auto larceny.

What the prosecutor called a rampage and a drug-fueled crime spree neared its end on the night of May 17, 2022. That evening, Dupon-Lopez allegedly entered a home, found a set of car keys, and drove off with a 2020 Honda.

Later that night, a state trooper clocked the vehicle going 88 mph in a 65 mph zone on Interstate 64, according to prosecutor Richard Farley. The pursued vehicle reached a speed of 103 mph and then attempted to elude the trooper by driving through a rest area at 80 mph, Farley said.

Then he slams his brakes, said Farley, asserting that the driver then crossed the median and began heading the wrong way on the highway.

At that point, the trooper called off the pursuit, said Farley. Thankfully, nobody was killed.

Investigators quickly found the car wrecked in a ditch with methamphetamine inside, according to court documents, but the driver was gone. A tracking dog was summoned but grew tired before finding the driver, Farley said.

The next morning, however, a Crozet-area homeowner discovered Dupon-Lopez asleep on their front porch, Farley told the court. Investigators found not only stolen items in the wrecked Honda, but now they had a suspect for multiple unsolved cases in jurisdictions including Charlottesville and Madison County.

It was a reign of terror, and there has to be consequences, Farley told the judge.

Defense attorney Mike Hallahan, however, downplayed the situation, including the allegation of wrong-way driving.

It was a U-turn made in a ditch, so it probably didnt affect any other vehicles, said Hallahan.

Urging lenience, Hallahan noted that by all accounts Dupon-Lopez cooperated with investigators and took responsibility for his crimes, something that his client indicated when the judge asked if he had anything to say.

I just want to apologize to society and to the community, he said through an interpreter, noting that drugs were his downfall.

Im not excusing what I did, he continued. I just know that I wouldnt have done it without the drugs.

Through the interpreter, he told the court that he has a 2-year-old daughter and has completed his GED, a graduation equivalency diploma, during the 16 months hes been at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.

Both counsel make very good points, said Higgins.

Mr. Farley is correct; it was somewhat of a reign of terror on the community, she continued. However, as Mr. Hallahan points out, his client is young and did take responsibility.

The three years and four months sentence that Higgins chose was above the midpoint but below the maximum recommendation in the sentencing guidelines. Higgins also imposed two years of probation, ordered about $2,900 in restitution, and mandated that Dupon-Lopez remain on good behavior for 45 years.

Testifying as his sole sentencing witness, his mother said Dupon-Lopez will have a good job with her older sons painting company waiting for him when he is freed and that shed make sure he steers clear of drugs and other trouble.

I already told him, she warned, that I myself would turn him in.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Man, on Sunday, laid foundation of a 138 crore cattle feed plant in Rajpura. During the foundation laying ceremony, he said that the state has received investments of more than 50,000 crore in the past one-and-a half years.

Notably, the recent cattle feed plant is the first major investment by a Dutch firm in the state. Farmers in Punjab and Haryana cultivating traditional crops are looking for ways to diversify their crops, or shift to horticulture, dairy, poultry, fishery, piggery and others for better earnings, said Mann during the ceremony.

The plant, set to be established by De Heus, will produce a full live stock product portfolio of compound feed, concentrates, base mix and dairy mineral mixes. The plant will produce around 180 kilo metric tonne (KMT) of animal feed, with a potential to increase it to 240 KMT.

He said the factory will have two dedicated lines for the production. In the first phase, to be realised in the first quarter of 2025, the animal plant will produce 180 kilo metric tons (kmt) of animal feed, with a potential to increase it to 240 kMT, said Bhagwant Mann.

He also reminded his last year's commitment to rope in investment and due to concerted efforts of the state government the captains of investment are coming in state.

Punjabis are born entrepreneurs, says Bhagwant Mann

The Chief Minister said that Punjabis are born entrepreneurs and leaders due to which they have proved their mettle across the globe. He said that the hard work and resilience of the Punjabis is unmatched due to which they excel in every sphere. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is making all out efforts to utilise this spirit properly for progress of the state.

The Chief Minister said that due to concerted efforts of the state government investment worth 50840 crore has been roped in for the state. He said that Tata Steels has made biggest investment in the state after Jamshedpur adding that other companies like Jindal Steel, Virgio, Class, Tafe, Hindustan Liver and others are making investment in state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that with this 2.25 lakh youth will get employment in the state adding that the project is a big slap on the face of those who used to say that state will not get any investment.

The Chief Minister said that now the state has industrial friendly government with real single window system. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this system was earlier a sham as no one utilised it in real sense. He said earlier the MoU were signed with families but now with the state and its people.

The Chief Minister envisioned that this plant will act as a catalyst to supplement the income of the farmers. Striking an emotional chord with the people, he said that like Punjabis, the Dutch people are hard working and resilient. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this collaboration will help the people of both the countries to excel in this field and script a new success story of economic growth.

The Chief Minister envisioned that these industrialists will become the brand ambassador of state for emerging it as an industrial hub across the globe. He said that the state government has provided the most Conducive environment to the industry in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a Punjabi is a born entrepreneur and everyone of us must make efforts to put state on high orbit of industrial growth trajectory.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab is a land of opportunities and the gateway of the country. He said that entrepreneurs from across the world will also be immensely benefited by investing in the state, which is rapidly emerging as the industrial hub of the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab has complete communal harmony, industrial peace coupled with congenial atmosphere for industrial growth, which are giving impetus to its overall development, prosperity and progress.

The Chief Minister said that the industrialists should make optimum use of this congenial atmosphere backed by excellent infrastructure, power, skilled human resources and best industrial and work culture to spread the business of their companies in the state.Extending a red carpet welcome to the industrialists, he said that the state government is always open for new ideas and innovations to boost up the industrial growth in Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to concerted efforts of the state government Punjab is rapidly scripting a new success story in every sphere.

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Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs and state ministers will hold a peaceful sit-in at Rajghat on Monday (October 2) to protest against denial of MGNREGA and housing scheme funds to Bengal government. The party will also organise a peaceful rally of the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme) job card holders on Tuesday.

Both the programmes will be live streamed, the party said. "The agitation will continue till the rightful dues of the people of Bengal are released by the Centre," TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said, who reached Delhi on Sunday ahead of the partys planned protest. Nearly 49 buses, which left Kolkata and other districts of West Bengal on Saturday night, would start reaching the national capital by early Monday, the party added. "Tomorrow, we will be going to Raj Ghat to pay obesience to Mahatma Gandhi. We will start our protest from there. MGNREGA or Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, which is a vital objective of our protest, has a symbolic relation with Gandhiji. Hence we are starting the protest from there," TMC MP Sudip Bandopadhyay said after a meeting of top TMC leaders at Sougata Roy's residence to discuss on the strategy for Monday's protest. "In the evening Abhishek Banerjee will hold a press conference. Following that we will inform about our schedule on October 3 in detail," he added. The party Sunday claimed that buses were mobilised after the Indian Railways refused to rent out special trains to take the workers to Delhi pleading unavailability of rakes. The TMC general secretary said that there were several attempts to block the protest by declining permissions, and cancelling trains and flights. The BJP govt shamelessly denied to provide a special train after accepting the deposit. This blatant obstruction of WB's right to protest for their rightful dues is a glaring testament to their FEAR," Banerjee posted on X.

"Time and again, permissions were denied for the protest. Trains and flights were denied or cancelled," ANI reported Banerjee as saying.

Banerjee claimed that the Centre was trying to "crush" the movement of the poor people of West Bengal in Delhi by cancelling trains and "deploying the ED and CBI".

He said the permission for the protest at Jantar Mantar has been given verbally and written permission was still pending. "Section 144 has been imposed in that area (Jantar Mantar)."

The TMC general secretary said though the state government had sent verified lists of beneficiaries in December 2022, the Centre is yet to make payments. "It is established that the BJP is forcibly stopping payment of dues of the people of Bengal," the Diamond Harbour MP added.

Whereas, the BJP has been asserting that the payments were stopped due to "irregularities".

"Refusal to allot a special train, cancellation of flight, denial of permission for holding the protest meeting in Delhi, all indicate their attempt to stop the voice of the state's people," he said.

Earlier on saturday, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien claimed that a Delhi-bound flight of party leaders, who wanted to join the MGNREGA protest in the national capital on October 2 and 3, has been cancelled.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the TMC leader said, First, they abruptly cancel special train services from Kol to Del to prevent those who were to travel to participate in protests on Oct 2 & 3, demanding 10s of 1000s of crores owed to Bengal by BJP Union govt."

Now a flight gets cancelled! Try as you might, we WILL TAKE YOU ON," Derek O'Brien further wrote on the microblogging site.
Ujjain rape case: I gave her my khaki shirt, an autorickshaw driver who was detained by the police after blood stains were found in his vehicle, is in deep regret for not taking the victim to a hospital and leaving her on the road.

Rakesh Malviya, the detained auto driver spent around four nights in police custody in the Ujjain teen rape case as the cops suspected that he could be the accused, according to NDTV reports.

Now, the cops said that Malviya should have taken the girl to hospital and reported the matter immediately.

She (victim) wanted to go home. But I was so confused that I left her there and didn't take her to the hospital. I faced this situation for the first time. I didn't know whom to tell. But now, I regret it a lot," the auto driver told police as quoted by NDTV.

The police told the news outlet that those who did not help the girl may be charged under child sex abuse laws. In addition, those people can also face strict action under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act for not reporting the crime.

The girl went door-to-door and knocked for help after she was allegedly raped in the temple city of Madhya Pradesh. She passed by more than 500 houses, and dhabas, however, nobody helped her, except a temple priest who reported the incident to police and gave his clothes to the victim.

The Madhya Pradesh Police had gone through a total of seven hundred CCTV footage and talked to dozens of people in order to zero in on the prime accused-Bharat Soni, an auto-rickshaw driver.

A CCTV footage even revealed that a man standing outside a house was seen talking rudely to the girl. It was all a misunderstanding", the man's brother clarified, as per NDTV reports.

The Special Court in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain has sent the prime accused in the minor rape case, Bharat Soni, to a seven-day judicial remand, on Saturday. He was presented before the Special Court under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain.

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Union Minister of Road and Transport, Nitin Gadkari, has revealed the government's strategy of ending the usage of petrol and diesel in India. Gadkari, who is on an official tour to the Czech Republic, interacted with the Indian Diaspora community in Prague on Tuesday.

Speaking about the Delhi pollution caused by burning of rice straw in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, the minister said, "...We have designed 186 plants that can make bio-CNG and bio-LNG from rice straw. Of the 186 plants, 36 are active currently". Gadkari added, "All the vehicles in Nagpur such as tractors, buses, and cars are running through bio-CNG...I have a dream to get India rid of petrol and diesel...It's a difficult dream to achieve but not impossible". Gadkari said that a new Indian Oil's industry has come up in Panipat that will create bitumen and ethanol out of rice straw. "...Can get 1,00,000 litre of ethanol from rice straw and 150 tonnes bio bitumen. India requires 80 lakh bio bitumen of which the 50 lakh tonnes target is achieved from Indian refineries and 30 lakh tonnes is imported...Now our farmers will not just feed us but will also help in energy generation," Gadkari said.

Further Gadkari shared details about the Urban Extension Road 2 which is likely to be launched in the next 2-3 months. He said the new route in Delhi will reduce the time to reach Indira Gandhi Internal Airport from 2 hours to only 20 minutes. "We have made another tunnel road that passes under the airstrip to T3 of IGI airport," he added.

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The new Urban Extension Road 2 in Delhi is similar to the Atal tunnel.

"The travel time used be to over two hours from Manali to Rohtang pass but because of the Atal Tunnel, the travel time has shortened to 8 minutes".
Since 1901, Nobel prizes have been awarded to men, women and organisations for work that has led to great advances for mankind, in line with the wishes of inventor Alfred Nobel.

The winners of this year's prizes will be announced daily from Monday, October 2 through October 9.

Here are five things to know about the prizes and their creator.

In absentia

Since 1901, six Nobel peace laureates have been prevented from attending the prize ceremony in Oslo. In 1936, German journalist and pacifist Carl Von Ossietzky was detained in a Nazi concentration camp. In 1975, Soviet leaders refused to allow Russian dissident Andrei Sakharov to travel to Oslo to pick up his prize. He was represented by his wife Yelena Bonner. In 1983, Polish union leader Lech Walesa declined the invitation to come to Oslo for fear he would not be allowed back into Poland. In 1991, Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was under house arrest when she won the prize. Given permission by the junta to travel, she also declined for a fear of not being able to return to her country. In 2010, Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo was in prison. His chair remained empty, where the prize was placed. In 2022, Belarusian human rights campaigner Ales Bialiatski was in prison. He was represented by his wife Natalia Pinchuk.

Posthumous awards

Since 1974, the statutes of the Nobel Foundation stipulate that the prize may not be given posthumously. But a person may be awarded if she or he dies between the time of the announcement in October and the formal prize ceremony in December. Before the change, only two people had won a Nobel posthumously. One was Dag Hammarskjold, the Swedish secretary general of the United Nations who died in a plane crash in 1961 but was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize later the same year. And in 1931, the Nobel Literature Prize was awarded posthumously to another Swede, Erik Axel Karlfeldt. In 2011, the Medicine Prize committee selected Ralph Steinman of Canada, unaware that he had passed away just three days before the prize announcement. Nevertheless, the foundation decided to give him the award.

Few female laureates

While female representation among winners has been steadily increasing in the last decades compared to the early years, the 60 women Nobel laureates still account for around just six percent of winners. But things are getting better. Since 2000, 31 women have been awarded all prizes combined, almost three times as many as in the previous two decades.

In 2009, five women received a Nobel prize, including the first female laureate in economics, American Elinor Ostrom -- a record yet to be equalled. Economics has had the fewest women laureates at 2.2 percent, lower than the science prizes combined, which have seen 3.7 percent women laureates. While slightly more evenly distributed, literature is still largely a male affair with 14.2 percent women among laureates, with the peace prize faring slightly better at 16 percent. The Nobel is an institution "for men", 2022 literature laureate Annie Ernaux of France told AFP. Nevertheless, the first person to win the Nobel prize twice was Marie Curie, in 1903 in physics and in 1911 in chemistry.

Missing mathematics

There has long been debate over why no prize was created for mathematics. There were longstanding rumours that it was in part because Alfred Nobel's lover had an affair with mathematician Gosta Mittag-Leffler -- but in the 1980s, researchers were able to put that theory to rest. So why is there no prize? There are two likely explanations. In 1895, when Nobel wrote his will, a maths prize already existed in Sweden and he saw no need for a second one.

And at the beginning of the 20th century, the applied sciences were in public and scientific favour. The contribution of mathematics to humanity was not as obvious as it is today.

Lavish prize ceremonies

The prizes are announced in early October, but the award ceremonies take place in Oslo and Stockholm every year on December 10, the anniversary of the 1896 death of prize creator and inventor Alfred Nobel. In Stockholm -- where the laureates for medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and economics are honoured -- the prize ceremony is followed by a glitzy banquet at City Hall for around 1,300 guests, including King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, the diplomatic corps, academics and business leaders.

Meanwhile, in Oslo, around 1,000 guests, including King Harald and Queen Sonja, diplomats and celebrities, attend the prize ceremony at City Hall followed by a smaller banquet at the Grand Hotel. Russia's ambassador has been barred from the Stockholm ceremony since 2022 due to the war in Ukraine. Norway's Nobel Institute has meanwhile maintained its policy of inviting all ambassadors.

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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
Sixteen people were offloaded from a Saudi Arabia-bound flight and arrested this week for intending to seek alms. The group  allegedly Pakistani beggars  had obtained Umrah visas and disguised themselves as pilgrims. However they confessed that they were going to Saudi Arabia to seek alms.

The incident took place two days ago and the group comprises 16 people including one child, 11 women and four men. During the immigration questioning they told the Federal Investigation Agency that they were planning to indulge in begging.

Local media reports said the group also told the FIA that half their earnings would be given to the agents involved in making their travel arrangements. They were to return to Pakistan after the expiry of their Umrah visas.

The Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year.

The travellers  on board a Saudi-bound flight in the Multan area of Punjab province  were deplaned and interrogated after the revelation. They were arrested by the FIA Multan circle for further questioning and legal action.

The developments came a day after Pakistani officials told the Senate Committee on Overseas Pakistanis that a significant proportion of beggars are trafficked abroad through illegal channels. The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development said that a staggering 90% of beggars apprehended in foreign countries belong to Pakistan.

Pakistani beggars travel to the Middle East under the guise of ziyarat (pilgrimage). Most people visit Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas and then indulge in begging-related activities," Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Zeeshan Khanzada told a meeting of the Senate's standing committee last month.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Amid the ongoing India-Canada row, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk has slammed the Justin Trudeau government in Canada for crushing free speech in the country. His remark came in wake of a recent order of the Canada government which issued an order to make it compulsory for online streaming services to formally register with the government for regulatory controls.

Also Read: Canadas charges against India had poor credibility at UNGA While responding to a post by journalist and author Glenn Greenwald who was commenting on the ruling. The Canadian government, armed with one of the world's most repressive online censorship schemes, announces that all "online streaming services that offer podcasts" must formally register with the government to permit regulatory controls," Greenwald posted on X (formerly Twitter) Responding to this, Elon Musk stated, Trudeau is trying to crush free speech in Canada. Shameful".

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This is not the first time the Trudeau government is accused of acting against free speech. Last year, in February 2022, Trudeau had invoked emergency powers for the first time in countrys history to arm his government with more power to respond to the trucker protests, who were opposing the vaccine mandates at that time. Three days later he invoked the War Measures Act, the predecessor to the Emergencies Act, and sent troops into Quebec and other provinces. The crisis ended, but only after the separatist group killed the cabinet minister.

Also Read: BIG relief for Canada work permit applicants as IRCC decides to fast track processing with automation

Meanwhile, Canadian PM has created an uproar since he alleged Indias role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India, however, has outrightly rejected his claims, calling it absurd and motivated.

Notably, Canada has yet to provide any public evidence to support the claim about the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has suspended its visa services in Canada, following Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations of Indian involvement in the killing. Canada is home to about 770,000 Sikhs, the highest population outside India's Punjab.

Amid strained ties, India issued an advisory for its citizens and those who are travelling to Canada to exercise utmost caution in view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence" in the country.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Kevin Vuong, a Canadian MP from SpadinaFort York, has asked the Justin Trudeau government to provide evidence backing its allegation that the Indian agents were possibly behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, in June 2023 in British Columbia (BC).

Earlier, Jagmeet Singh, the head of Canada's New Democratic Party, an ally of Trudeau's Liberal Party of Canada, said there was a clear" indication of a foreign government involvement in the killing of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen. The NDP, the fourth largest party in the House of Commons, chief also called for the inclusion of India in a probe launched in September of alleged interference in Canadian affairs by other countries, especially China. "In my experience, as a Sikh Canadian, there have always been suspicions that India was interfering in the democratic rights of Canadians," Hindustan Times reported quoting the NDP chief. Questioning the NDP chief on NDTV, Kevin Vuong said, If Jagmeet Singh has clear evidence" related to Mr. Nijjars death, he has a duty to bring it forward to the appropriate authorities" Canada is a country of #RuleOfLaw Being the leader of a political party does not give you the right to be judge, jury & executioner," he tweeted.

Tensions flared between the two countries following Trudeau's explosive allegations against New Delhi. India angrily rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated" and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

Jagmeet Singhs evidence on Nijjar killing?

NDP chief Jagmeet Singh told reporters in Ottawa, As Prime Minister Traudeu shared publicly, there is Canadian intelligence which indicates that a Canadian citizen was killed on Canadian soil and a foreign government was implicated."

His views were based on the intelligence briefing he received, the NDP leader said.

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This is unprecedented intelligence that has come forward and that is why were going to continue to urge that the Canadian government have a thorough investigation that those responsible are brought forward," the NDP leader added.

Jagmeet Singh said he received the briefing on materials prepared by former governor-general David Johnston, who had been named as a special rapporteur to explore the issue. Johnston has now resigned from the role.

The briefings were of the nature where I can confirm what the prime minister has shared publicly, that there is clear intelligence that Canada has that lays out the following case: that a Canadian citizen was killed on Canadian soil and a foreign government was involved  That intelligence is something that I think is very credible."

Jagmeet Singh further said the US has been very supportive of Canadas call for transparency from India. We are going to continue to push for those things," he added.

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Former US President Donald Trump will appear in court on Monday, October 2, for a civil fraud trial in which he is accused of a years-long scheme to inflate the value of real estate and financial assets, according to a report published by AFP.

In a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, the 2024 Republican White House candidate wrote, I'm going to Court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation."

He also called the New York attorney general "corrupt" and the judge in the case unhinged." The decision to keep the schedule of the trial as it is was taken by a five-judge panel of the Appellate Division, a mid-level appeals court in Manhattan.

The court also lifted a September 14 order by Justice David Friedman to put the trial on hold while it considered Trump's motion. Friedman was part of Thursday's panel.

The ruling was made two days after state court Justice Arthur Engoron found that Trump and his family business persistently and fraudulently overvalued his assets and net worth in order to obtain better terms on loans and insurance.

In 2022, Donald Trump was sued by state Attorney General Letitia James, who accused him, his adult sons, the Trump Organisation, and others of staggering fraud" in how they valued properties to seek loans and insurance,

In the suit, James is seeking at least $250 million in penalties, a ban against Trump and his sons Donald Jr and Eric from running businesses in New York, and a five-year commercial real estate ban against Trump and his firms.

Lawyers for Trump and the other defendants were not immediately available for comment. James' office had no immediate comment.

The case is unrelated to the four criminal indictments that Trump faces, including for trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all, and cast litigation against him as part of a politically-motivated, Democratic witch hunt as he seeks a return to the White House. James is a Democrat.

Despite his legal woes, Trump holds a commanding lead for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

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Google Doodle on 2 October is celebrating the Appalachian trail which is known as the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. On 2 October, 1968, The National Trails System Act established the Appalachian Trail as one of the countrys first National Scenic Trails. Former US President Lyndon B. Johnson had signed the National Trails System Act in 1968 which declared the Appalachian Trail as one of the first national scenic pathways and acknowledged it as federal land.

The Appalachian trail is a 2,190-mile footpath that spans across 14 US states and served sightseeing hikers for nearly 100 years now.

The Trail which travels through fourteen states along the crests and valleys of the Appalachian Mountain Range, from its southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia, to the northern terminus at Katahdin, Maine. As per Appalachian trail conservancy website, people from across the globe are drawn to this trail for various reasons including reconnecting with nature, escaping the stress of city life, meeting new people or deepening old friendships, or experiencing a simpler life.

As per Google description, "Benton MacKaye, a forester, conservationist, and lifelong outdoorsman had first proposed the idea in 1921. His original plan, titled An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning, outlined a stretch of several self-sustaining agricultural camps along the way. Many like-minded people started joining his cause, and the community eventually became known as the Appalachian Trail Conference."

Later in 1937, the combined efforts of many trailblazers, the Appalachian Trail became fully connected from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.

Here's all you need to know:

-Hiking the full trail takes about five to seven months and require careful preparations and supplies.

-Annually about 3 million people visit the trail and 3000 attempt to complete it end-to-end.

-As per Google, the viewpoint at McAfee's Knob is one of the most photographed spots on the trail.

-The trail is home to thousands of plants, animals including 2000 rare and endangered species.

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The nations first Black elected governor was recently recognized for his work strengthening democracy at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.

Former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder was honored as the recipient of the Defender of Democracy Award on Sept. 29. The award highlights Wilders achievements while serving in high political positions throughout his life.

Im very flattered and feel so honored to be recognized for doing things that we all want to see done in moving America forward and maintaining the progress, but not being satisfied with what we have and resting on any laurels continuing to move ahead, Wilder told The Daily Progress.

Wilder graduated from Virginia Union University in 1951 with a degree in chemistry. He later received his juris doctor degree in 1959 from the School of Law at Howard University.

The former governors career in politics kicked off in 1969, when he was elected as the first Black state senator in Virginia since Reconstruction.

Remembering those before is important when becoming a trailblazer in the Black community, according to Roger L. Gregory, the first Black judge to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Many broad shoulders helped you get there, generations way before me, their blood, sweat and tears. Gregory said. Remembering that my job is to do the best I can, but also leave rope behind so other people can come along and make their achievements, no matter their color, faith or religion, is whats important.

The two trailblazers were law partners at their law firm, Wilder, Gregory and Associates, in 1982.

He [Wilder] is awesome, Gregory said. Listening to him today, I was saying thank God for being able to be in the same room to hear this legend. He just loves the people. Thats his secret. He loves the people, and hes always led that way by listening to the people. Thats been his driving force, and its just a pleasure to be a part of that.

Wilder served as state senator for more than 15 years. After completing his term, he was elected lieutenant governor of Virginia in 1985. From 1990 to 1994, Wilder took on the role of Virginias 66th governor, and became the first Black elected governor in the United States. Roughly 10 years later, he further decorated his political background and became Richmonds popularly elected mayor.

After finishing his time as mayor, Wilder continued his position as a distinguished professor at the school bearing his name, the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Being told he couldnt do it is what kept him pushing, Wilder said.

Whenever youre told you cant do something, you need to examine yourself first to see if youve done all that you can do, Wilder said. If you have, then you need to do something else. If you havent, then you need to examine yourself.

The Defender of Democracy Award honors and recognizes individuals whose positive actions help improve or strengthen democracy, according to a statement from UVas Center for Politics.

Last years award recognized nine U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who protected the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.

Wilder was honored and presented a plaque on Grounds at the Rotunda. The event included a luncheon with the Center for Politics staff, students and Wilders family and friends.

The center received award recipient suggestions from those who support the center and come to their events, according to Larry J. Sabato, director of UVas Center for Politics.

We really did have a lot of nominations for Douglas Wilder, Sabato said. We were given a lot of good suggestions, but hes an institution. When I saw his name, I thought, Thats the one.
The US House has passed a stopgap funding bill to fund the government for the next 45 days, averting the shutdown, according to media reports. The Senate also passed a last-minute spending bill on Saturday night, and then it was signed by President Joe Biden.

Kevin McCarthy, the top US House Republican could face an untimely end to his role as speaker if party hardliners oust him, for averting a costly government shutdown on Saturday with a stopgap bill that drew more support from Democrats than Republicans.

Soon after the House approved the bill, the Republican conservatives began targeting McCarthy's role as speaker, claiming he had scored a victory for the "Uniparty" of Washington.

"Should he remain Speaker of the House?" Republican Representative Andy Biggs, a leading hardliner, asked on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

McCarthy decided to bring a vote on a measure that could win Democratic support, knowing full well that it could jeopardize his job. Go ahead and try."

Some Democrats have suggested they could support McCarthy if an ouster attempt occurred at a turbulent time. Others have suggested they could back a moderate Republican willing to share the gavel with them and allow power-sharing within House committees.

However, some also showed no interest in helping any speaker candidate aside from House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, as per Reuters reports.

A shutdown would arrive at a tenuous moment for Biden, who already faces low poll numbers and concerns about the economy as he seeks a second term in office, partially on the pitch that he offers steady stewardship in Washington.

Asked on Friday if Biden should bear any responsibility for the shutdown, White House budget director Shalanda Young said absolutely not" and accused Republicans of being cavalier with people's lives, AP had reported.

The guy who picks up the trash in my office wont get a paycheck," she said. "Thats real. And thats what makes me angry."

The current crisis is a sequel to the standoff over raising the debt limit earlier this year.

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The White House Monday rejected claims by Russia that Western fatigue on aid for Ukraine would grow after a deal to avoid a US government shutdown left out funds for Kyiv.

"If Putin thinks he can outlast us he's wrong," AFP quoted press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre as saying, adding that there was a large Western coalition supporting Ukraine against Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion.

Earlier today, Russia said Western fatigue over Ukraine "will grow", as the future of the US aid for Kyiv hung in the balance. A compromise struck in the US Congress over the weekend left out fresh funding for Ukraine due to opposition from hardline Republicans, the report said.

"Fatigue over this conflict -- fatigue from the completely absurd sponsorship of the Kyiv regime -- will grow in various countries, including the US," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was reported as saying.

Washington would nonetheless continue its involvement in this conflict," Peskov added.

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US President Joe Biden Sunday vowed to "not walk away" from Ukraine in an attempt to reassure Kyiv as Russia's offensive drags on for a 20th month.

We cannot under any circumstances allow America's support for Ukraine to be interrupted," AP reported Biden as saying after Congress averted a government shutdown by passing a short-term funding package late Saturday that dropped assistance for Ukraine in the battle against Russia.

Look at me," the US president said turning his face to the cameras at the White House. Were going to get it done. I cant believe those who voted for supporting Ukraine -- overwhelming majority in the House and Senate, Democrat and Republican -- will for pure political reasons let more people die needlessly in Ukraine" the report said.

Moscow has long counted on Western countries growing tired of supporting Kyiv and on divisions arising within Western alliances.

"Fatigue will lead to the fragmentation of the political establishment," Peskov said.

(With inputes from agencies)

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Mahatma Gandhi, a key figure in India's struggle for independence from British rule, received five Nobel Peace Prize nominations. These nominations occurred in the years 1937, 1938, 1939, and 1947, and shortly before his assassination in 1948.

As per media reports, despite his noteworthy efforts in promoting peace and non-violence, Gandhi never received the Nobel Peace Prize, a subject that has generated considerable discussion and conjecture over time.

Also Read: Gandhi Jayanti 2023 LIVE Updates: Mahatma practised complete transparency, says Jairam Ramesh

The exclusion of Mahatma Gandhi from receiving the Nobel Peace Prize is a result of intricate and diverse factors. One of the main challenges was that Gandhi did not conform to the conventional criteria established by the Nobel Committee for potential awardees.

The committee's perspective was that he did not fall into the categories of a politician or advocate for international law, and he was not primarily involved in humanitarian relief efforts or the organization of international peace gatherings.

The approach Mahatma Gandhi took toward peace and non-violence was distinct and innovative. This uniqueness might have presented a challenge for the Nobel Committee when assessing his contributions within their pre-established framework.

Also Read: Gandhi Jayanti 2023: Four quotes erroneously attributed to Mahatma Gandhi

Moreover, the Nobel Committee had reservations regarding Mahatma Gandhi's pacifist stance and his role in the India-Pakistan conflict of 1947. Some committee members held the view that Gandhi displayed a pronounced allegiance to one side of the conflict, and there were uncertainties regarding his unwavering rejection of war. These considerations probably played a part in the committee's choice not to grant him the Nobel Peace Prize.

In contrast to the contemporary approach, the Nobel Committee did not have a history of using the Peace Prize as a means to encourage peaceful resolutions of regional conflicts at that time.

Additionally, a substantial concern stemmed from the absence of established guidelines for awarding posthumous Nobel Prizes. Mahatma Gandhi's assassination occurred just two days before the deadline for the 1948 Nobel Peace Prize nominations.

Also Read: Gandhi Jayanti 2023: Interesting facts you need know about the Father of the Nation

While the Nobel Foundation's regulations at that point did permit posthumous awards in specific situations, Mahatma Gandhi's case presented a unique challenge. He was not associated with any organization, and he hadn't designated a recipient for the prize money in his will.

This lack of clarity about the prize's beneficiary led the committee to opt against a posthumous award, as it was deemed to go against the intentions of the Nobel Prize's founder.

Also Read: Who is Ales Bialiatski? Why Belarus sentenced 10-yr jail term to Nobel laureate?

The decision to not award Mahatma Gandhi the Nobel Peace Prize has been publicly acknowledged with regret by subsequent members of the Nobel Committee. For instance, in 1989, when the Dalai Lama received the Peace Prize, the committee's chairman mentioned that the award was, in some measure, a way to honour the memory of Mahatma Gandhi.

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NEW DELHI : Speaking in Washington, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar declared its difficult to put a limit on Indias relations with the US. I can promise you that this relationship, like the Chandrayaan, will go to the Moon, maybe even beyond," he was cited as saying.

The bit about limits seemed to echo the no limits" partnership that Moscow and Beijing declared on the eve of Russias invasion of Ukraine, a declaration taken to signal the start of a renewed Cold War, this time with China angling for global power.

Although lunar analogies havent been made by US diplomats, Jaishankars words sound crafted as a reminder of two points.

One, India is a remarkable spacefaring success. And two, the logic of India playing Chinas counterweight in Asia remains as compelling as ever.

Given voices in the West asking for the US to re-evaluate ties with New Delhi over Canadian allegations, those points needed articulation.

Equally, with US President Joe Biden having framed todays global divide as one between democracies and autocracies, Western scrutiny of Indian democracy shouldnt really surprise us.

It is the cause of liberty, after all, that the US claims its out to uphold.

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The year 2023 has been a great year for Brand India. It began by bagging two Oscars, followed up by sending an indigenous rocket to the moon, and hosted a successful G20 summit, all this while being among the fastest growing economies in the world. As a result, India does seem to be everywhere these days. But has its global influence really increased in a meaningful way? One way to decide is by assessing Indias soft powerits ability to influence and persuade other nations rather than coerce them via economic or military action.

The Global Soft Power Index", run by a UK-based brand valuation consultancy called Brand Finance, ranks nations by scoring public perceptions on key attributes that create an international image. These include familiarity with a nation and its brands, positive reputation, influence in the respondents country as well as globally, and eight additional pillars that drive soft power. In 2023, India was ranked 28th out of 121 nations, one spot up from its 2022 rank. The top five spots have gone to more-or-less the same countries since the index was launched in 2020.

India made it to the top 20 in four of the components of the index. It is perceived to have a rich cultural heritageespecially in the arts and foodand excels in science and innovation. Under the business pillar, India was ranked second in terms of future growth potential. But it lags behind in perceptions of governance, sustainability, and people and values. However, it is ranked only 65th in global reputation.

Soft power, hard strategy

Achieving soft power takes deliberate and well-strategized efforts spread over many years. Western nations have long relied on foreign aid to project soft power. Another tool is the use of government scholarships to support education, training, or exchange programmes for overseas students. Cultural diplomacy also boosts soft power. For example, the immense popularity of K-pop and K-dramas owe a great deal to support from the South Korean government. China has set up Confucius schools all over the world to promote the Mandarin language, and has an increasing focus on Africa and West Asia, where it wants to expand its influence. The British Council and Alliance francaise use language, food, wine tasting, art and cinema as soft power tools.

India has belatedly realized the need for a soft power strategy. Recently a Parliamentary panel made several recommendations to this end, including higher resources for international outreach, adoption of international best practices, and better collaboration between government agencies.

Economic impact

Soft power can be leveraged to generate economic benefits because familiarity with a nations products make people more likely to buy them. South Korea has successfully used the Korean wave to boost exports: a $100-million increase in K-content exports resulted in a $180-million rise in exports of consumer goods, found a 2022 report from the state-run Export-Import Bank of Korea. Cultural attraction also pulls in tourists, who bring in foreign exchange and support multiple sectors ranging from airlines to hotels. All tourism is not about scenic locales: Singapore markets itself as a prime location for conferences and conventions, with its soft power being that it offers a well-connected, efficient and secure location for global business travellers. Finally, rising global influence attracts foreign direct investment. For example, Netflix is expected to spend $1.9 billion on local content in the Asia-Pacific, because Japanese anime, Korean dramas and Indian movies are globally streamed and watched.

Smart power

Soft power is derived from a nations ideals, culture, institutions, quality of life, societal values and anything else that builds its international image. Hard power refers to the use of economic or military strength. A combination of the two"smart power"is an ideal strategy. For instance, China has cumulatively invested over $1 trillion under the Belt and Road Initiative, mainly to burnish its global image. Half of the current world leaders were educated in the US or the UK, yet instead of becoming complacent, these countries constantly strive to upgrade their university systems.

India is doing well in terms of hard power; it needs to work on soft power. A good starting point is to make Indian cities safer, cleaner and more attractive to visit, work and live in. Nations with sustainable cities and stable economies have a positive global reputation, and the ultimate soft power: they are role models for others.

The author is an independent writer on economics and finance.
Amid criticism for the arrest of MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira of ally Congress, AAP' chief Arvind Kejriwal said that his party is fighting against drugs and not against any party or a leader.

MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira was arrested by the police for his involvement in 2015 drugs case. During his two-day visit to Patiala, Kejriwal also appealed to all politcial parties to support AAP in its war against drugs. Three-four days back, a very big person was caught who was facing an accusation of drug trafficking. All the parties are targeting Bhagwant Mann, asking him why he did it. I want to ask whether drug traffickers should be arrested or not. Whether drug traffickers should be put behind bars or not?" Kejriwal said while addressing a gathering in Patiala on Monday.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also made it clear that his fight is not against any party or leader, but against drug addiction.

I want to tell all these parties that we have no fight against any party. Our fight is not against any leader. We are not against anyone. We are against drugs," he said.

He also highlighted the rampant menace of drugs in Punjab and how it is destroying youth and an entire generation. He also said that drug trafficking in the state will not be tolerated at any cost. He also appealed to all the political parties to unite on the issue and also requested them to take action against any leaders who is found doing drugs. I appeal to all parties to support us in a war against drugs," he said.

Arvind Kejriwal also indicated how Punjab was earlier notorious for the rampant drug addiction among its youths. Many movies were also made on the issue, he said. Later, he applauded Bhagwant Mann for his government's work to curb the drug menace in the state.

Congress MLA Khaira was arrested by the Punjab Police on Thursday in connection with the 2015 drugs case from his Chandigarh residence. The Congress leaders had called the police action against the Bholath MLA as political vendetta.

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Additional Chief Secretary of Bihar, Vivek Kumar Singh on Monday informed that the report of the caste-based census conducted in Bihar has been released. "Backward class in Bihar is 27.13%. The extremely backward class is 36.01%, General category is 15.52%. The total population of Bihar is more than 13 crores,' Singh added. Also Read: Census or survey? All you need to know as Bihar govt, Centre spar over caste-based scrutiny Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar wrote on Twitter, Today, on the auspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the data of caste-based census conducted in Bihar has been published. Many congratulations to the entire team engaged in the work of caste-based enumeration!"

Bihar CM noted that the proposal for caste-based enumeration was passed unanimously in the Legislature. It was decided with the consent of all the 9 parties of Bihar Assembly that the state government will conduct caste based census from its own resources and its approval was given from the Council of Ministers on 02-06-2022. On this basis, the state government has conducted caste based census from its own resources."

Also Read: Explained: Why Opposition parties are demanding caste census ahead of 2024 general elections?

Nitish Kumar stated that that the caste-based census not only revealed the castes but also gave information about the economic condition of everyone.

He stressed that further action will be taken for the development and upliftment of all sections.

Nitish Kumar has shared that a meeting will be convened with the same 9 political parties from the Bihar Assembly to discuss the outcomes of the caste-based census conducted in Bihar, where they will be briefed on the findings.
Pro-Beijing leader Mohamed Muizzu has won the Maldives presidential election, beating incumbent president Ibrahim Solih in the second-round of the contest. This shift may raise alarms in New Delhi, apprehensive of China's growing influence in the traditionally Indian-aligned Maldives. Mint delves into the implications.

Key players

Outgoing president Ibrahim Solih heads the Maldivian Democratic Party while his challenger, president-elect Mohamed Muizzu, led a group of opposition parties. Solih, who has been in office since 2018, was seeking re-election. However, Muizzu won a run-off election with just over 54% of the vote.

Prior to running for the presidency, Muizzu served as mayor of Male, the national capital. He was also a cabinet minister under former president Abdulla Yameen, whose tenure saw an uptick in tensions between India and the Maldives.

What is at stake for India?

Strategically located in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives' partnership is vital to India's regional dominance, especially amid China's growing influence. Their strong defence relationship dates back decades, highlighted by India's intervention to prevent a 1988 coup. Additionally, India has invested heavily in Maldivian development and infrastructure.

Why Muizzu's win concerns India

Muizzu is considered a protege of Abdulla Yameen, who pushed for closer ties with China. Yameen signed a free trade agreement with Beijing and joined the controversial Belt and Road Initiative. Maldivian debt to China also rose during his time in office.

He has had a tense relationship with India, which criticised him for his increasingly authoritarian style of governance. Yameens party also led the India Out" campaign, which tried to drum up anti-India sentiment, questioning New Delhi's role.

During the election, Muizzu expressed concerns about the presence of Indian troops in the Maldives and about development contracts awarded to Indian firms. India believes that Muizzu may look to build a closer relationship with China.

Fake news directed against India was one of the main ingredients in the first round of the campaign. Events in India, including the treatment of Indian minorities were massive propaganda points for the PPM. In fact, the communal violence in Manipur and the anti-Muslim rant of a BJP member of Parliament, Ramesh Bidhuri, were among the WhatsApp messages that was sent out to voters in Maldives," writes RK Radhakrishnan for Frontline.

What now?

It isnt immediately clear what will happen. Some observers insist that Muizzu will remain sensitive to New Delhis concerns given its proximity to the Maldives. They say that Muizzu's victory is not a referendum on ties with India. They also argue against seeing a closer Maldivian relationship with China as a zero sum game.

Others have expressed concerns about what might happen to Indias presence in the Indian ocean archipelago and the possibility of a greater Chinese role in the region.
I dont run the government. I run a family. You all are my family. You will not find such a brother. You will miss me when I am gone, " said an emotional Shivraj Singh Chouhan amid speculations of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sidelining him in the upcoming assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh.

Also Read: 'PM troubled by MP CM's lies..' Kamal Nath mocks Shivraj Singh Chouhan

While addressing a gathering at Ladkui in Sehore's Budhni, Shivraj Singh Chouhan opened his heart and said that he had always kept politics next to worshipping God.

I changed the definition of politics in Madhya Pradesh. Our poor brothers and sisters, farmer brothers and sisters, you have seen the rule of Congress for years. Tell me, was there ever such concern for the public? What used to happen...? I dont run the government. I run a family. You all are my family," Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.

Also Read: Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Chouhan announces 5% quota in medical colleges for students from govt schools

If my flesh and bones are useful to you (the public) and children, then my life will be successful," he said during his address.

Notably, in his multiple addresses, Shivraj Singh Chouhan was spotted claiming to treat his government as family. On a number of occasions in his recent speeches, Shivraj Singh Chouhan also turned emotional.

Also Read: Madhya Pradesh polls: Rajnath Singh hails Shivraj Singh Chouhan as 'Dhoni' of politics, says he knows to win the match

Till now, the BJP hasn't announced current MP CM, Shivraj Singh Chouhan's name in any of the candidate lists in the state assembly elections. The delay has raised eyebrows among political experts and made them question Shivraj Singh's position in the elections.

In response to reports claiming his seclusion in the party, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that all senior leaders in the BJP will contest the Assembly election. This has ensured BJP's big victory. All our senior leaders will contest...," he said.

However, the BJP has denied any reports of sidelining Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Till now, the party has announced some big names for Madhya Pradesh Assembly election such as Kailash Vijayvargiya, and others. The schedule of MP Assembly election, likely in December 2023, has not yet been announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

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A top Google executive had once called the company's search advertising business as worlds greatest business model' rivalled by only illicit businesses like cigarettes or drugs'.

Also Read| Apple defends decision to set Google as default search engine on iPhones, Macs, says no viable alternative

Google Vice President for Finance Michael Roszak made the remarks during a training offered by the company on communications in July 2017.

In the document released online by the Justice Department, Roszak said, "Search advertising is one of the worlds greatest business models ever created there are illicit businesses (cigarettes or drugs) that could rival these economics, but we are fortunate to have an amazing business"

We've essentially been able to ignore one of the fundamental laws of economics - supply and demand. We could mostly ignore the demand side of the equation (users and queries) and only focus on supply side of advertisers, ad formats, and sales"

Roszak noted that Google made smart marketing/distribution investments to get our product everywhere, but we could essentially tear the economics textbook in half"

Justice Department has used the document in the Google antitrust case against Google where the government is trying to prove that Google's anticompetitive tactics have helped it maintain a dominant position in the search business.

Google lawyers have objected to the document being used in the Antitrust case noting that it wasn't a business record and does not reflect the opinion of the company. A Google spokesperson told Bloomberg that the document was drafted for a public speaking class where the instructions were to say something hyperbolic and attention-grabbing.

What is Google Antitrust case?

Search giant Google is being sued by the US Justice Department over allegations that the tech giant smothered over the competition by paying companies like Apple, Verizon and others in order to make its search engine the first that users see when they open their devices, AP reported.

Google has argued that it dominates the search engine market because it is better than the competition while noting that users have the option of switching to other search engines with a couple of clicks.

The antitrust case is the biggest suit brought by the Justice Department since the body targeted Microsoft's dominance over the Windows operating system around 25 years back. The case was first filed during the Trump Administration in 2020 and the trial began on September 12 at the US District Court in Washington DC.

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Blue Mountain Brewery has Oktoberfest through Oct. 8. German menu specials every day and live German music on some days. bluemountainbrewery.com.

Devils Backbone Brewing Company is serving an Ofest Lager. dbbrewingcompany.com.

Shenandoah Valley

Oktoberfest/Saturday, Oct. 7 (9AM7PM)  (Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton) This year we will be joined by the Stonewall Brigade Band, SGTEV Hirschjager, and the Edelweiss Band for non-stop music and fun. Venture into the museum to learn how 18th century Germans brewed beer and cooked for festivals and special feast days. Explore the American exhibits and see how German culture continued in the descendants of those who immigrated to the American colonies. Beer will be available for purchase at the Lee S. Cochran Pavilion. Brats and More will be on-site, as well as Ricks BBQ & Catering, serving up traditionally styled German food. This is a special ticketed event. For more information and tickets visit www.frontiermuseum.org/2023-events/oktoberfest

Oktoberfest-adjacent fundraiser:

History Alfresco 2023

October 19, 5:00-9:00 PM

Liberty Hall Plantation

18255 Plantation Loop, Rixeyville, VA 22737

The Museum of Culpeper Historys fall fundraiser will celebrate the museums successes and highlight whats in store for 2024. This years event will be held at historic Liberty Hall Plantation, notable for being part of one of the earliest land grants in the county, dating back to 1710. The property also witnessed extensive activity during the Civil War. Experience local music, enjoy an Oktoberfest themed dinner catered by the Bavarian Chef restaurant in Madison, show off your mastery of Culpeper history with our trivia contest, bid on an assortment of exciting products and experiences in our silent auction, and learn about the historic people and events that have touched historic Liberty Hall. Guest speaker and owner of Liberty Hall Dan Coleman will discuss his research on the house and grounds. For tickets and more information, visit the museums website at www.culpepermuseum.com or call 540-829-5954.

Oktoberfest at The Good Sport

October 14 ; Tickets: $5

Join us for a fun-filled Oktoberfest celebration at the Kimpton The Forum Hotel in Charlottesville, VA! Get ready to indulge in delicious German inspired snacks and raise a glass of your favorite beer. Put on your lederhosen or dirndl and come celebrate Oktoberfest with us!

Tickets available at: www.allevents.in/charlottesville/oktoberfest

Oktoberfest menus at local restaurants:

Melting Pot, the premier fondue restaurant, is joining in the Oktoberfest fun with a craveable Oktober FondueFest limited-time menu!

Every Monday through Thursday, from September 25-October 26, guests will experience a 3-course menu like never before with Bavarian Beer Cheese Fondue perfectly paired with premium dippers like hot-off-the-grill bratwurst, braised short rib, pretzels, and more, along with choice of salad and decadent Black Forest Chocolate Fondue. Known for offering a variety of fondue cooking styles, guests can also enjoy a new Oktoberfest Cooking Style to enjoy with an entree as part of a four-course meal.

And whats Oktoberfest without drinks? Guests can also enjoy German-inspired sips like the new Black Forest Fashioned and St-Germain Spritz cocktail along with seasonal beer  Sam Adams Octoberfest.

For more information, visit https://www.meltingpot.com/oktober-fonduefest.aspx.

Fall Festival

Fall in love with Twin Lakes State Park at the annual Fall Festival that will take place on Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Discovery Area.

There will be snacks, drinks and pumpkins available for purchase as well as smores kits so guests can roast marshmallows by the campfire.

Event activities include pumpkin decorating, face painting and a leisurely hayride.

For more information visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/twin-lakes
Potential Boost for Thai Exports

Thailands new Prime Minister Srettha has pledged to expand the countrys free trade agreements (FTAs) in a bid to lure major foreign investors. This could have a significant financial impact on Thailand, as FTAs can lead to lower tariffs on exports, making Thai goods more competitive in international markets.

According to a recent study by the World Bank, Thailands exports could increase by up to 10% if the country were to negotiate FTAs with all of its major trading partners. This would boost Thailands GDP by an estimated 1.5%.

Increased Foreign Investment

FTAs can also make Thailand a more attractive destination for foreign investment. This is because FTAs can reduce the costs and risks associated with investing in Thailand. For example, FTAs can lower tariffs on imported inputs, which can reduce the costs of production for foreign companies operating in Thailand.

A study by the Thai Chamber of Commerce found that FTAs have been associated with an increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) into Thailand. The study found that FDI inflows increased by an average of 10% per year in the five years following the signing of the Thailand-Japan FTA.

Improved Access to Capital

FTAs can also help Thailand to improve its access to capital. This is because FTAs can give Thai businesses greater access to foreign financial markets. For example, FTAs can allow Thai businesses to issue bonds in foreign markets, which can provide them with a new source of funding.

A study by the Asian Development Bank found that FTAs have been associated with an increase in the availability of credit to Thai businesses. The study found that the availability of credit increased by an average of 5% per year in the five years following the signing of the Thailand-Japan FTA.

Overall Financial Benefits

The expansion of Thailands FTAs could have a number of financial benefits for the country. These benefits include:

Increased exports

Increased foreign investment

Improved access to capital

These benefits could boost Thailands GDP, create jobs, and improve the lives of Thai citizens.

Challenges

While the expansion of Thailands FTAs could have a number of financial benefits, there are also some challenges that the government will need to address. These challenges include:

Competition from other countries: Thailand is not the only country that is seeking to expand its FTA network. Other countries, such as Vietnam and Indonesia, are also actively negotiating new FTAs. This means that Thailand will need to compete with other countries in order to attract foreign investment and trade.

Thailand is not the only country that is seeking to expand its FTA network. Other countries, such as Vietnam and Indonesia, are also actively negotiating new FTAs. This means that Thailand will need to compete with other countries in order to attract foreign investment and trade. Protectionist measures: Some countries may impose protectionist measures in response to Thailands efforts to expand its FTA network. This could lead to higher tariffs on Thai exports and make it more difficult for Thai businesses to compete in international markets.

Some countries may impose protectionist measures in response to Thailands efforts to expand its FTA network. This could lead to higher tariffs on Thai exports and make it more difficult for Thai businesses to compete in international markets. Domestic reforms: In order to fully benefit from FTAs, Thailand will need to undertake domestic reforms. These reforms could include improving infrastructure, reducing bureaucracy, and strengthening the rule of law.

Overall, the expansion of Thailands FTAs has the potential to generate significant financial benefits for the country. However, the government will need to address a number of challenges in order to realize these benefits.

Conclusion

Sretthas focus on FTA expansion is a positive development for Thailands economy. FTAs can help Thailand to boost exports, attract foreign investment, and improve access to capital. However, the government will need to address a number of challenges in order to fully realize the benefits of FTAs.
Inside the cult of Buc-ees: How a Texas gas station became the peoples pump
Two witnesses from the night of the incident were asked to watch surveillance footage from outside Patten Towers and share what they remembered.
Sheriff Joe Guy says 38-year-old Melissa Blair has been indicted second time by a grand jury on June 21, after nine more victims came forward following her first indictment in February.
Hundreds of people filled Short Street in Orange on Saturday afternoon to welcome fall and enjoy some of Virginias finest craft beers.

The second Orangetoberfest featured 15 breweries, three cideries, food trucks, live music and lederhosen, in what beer aficionados and the Orange Downtown Alliance (ODA) hope will become an annual tradition.

Orangetoberfest came about because it would be great for local business, great for community and would also help these breweries get their name out there, ODA president Cameron Hamilton told The Daily Progress. Like, Wow, that one amber ale was great. And you can go check it out later.

The event was the brainchild of Steve and Zach Speelman, the father-son duo of Oranges own Iron Pipe Alewerks. Steve Spellman helped put on a similar event in Culpeper.

It was sort of a no brainer for me. I know what it did in Culpeper and how much it meant to help Culpeper, so I was like, Hey, how do we make this happen in Orange? Steve Speelman told The Daily Progress.

Orangetoberfest drew a big crowd despite a last-minute change; the event was originally scheduled for Sept. 23 but had to be postponed due to weather. That kept two brewers from being able to attend, and perhaps limited the number of people.

Zach Speelman said he was expecting upwards of 1,300 people to attend the event before they had to change the date. Still, as many as 1,000 people flocked to Orange on Saturday, with some coming from as far as Kentucky.

It also attracted brewers from Madison, Culpeper, Warrenton, Charlottesville and even Fairfax.

These are your local crafts. These are guys down in the weeds making beer every day, selling it to tap rooms and trying to make a name for themselves, Steve Speelman said.

Youre not going to find them on the shelves of Walmart, his son Zach, who is in charge of the brewery at Iron Pipe, chimed in.

The only way to get this beer is to go to their tap rooms, so this event brings it all to one spot, Steve Speelman said.

Jeremy Sparks and Lorraine Cline made the trip from Culpeper after hearing about Orangetoberfest on Facebook.

They hadnt tried any of the ciders by the time they spoke with The Daily Progress. They were saving those for dessert.

But all the Oktoberfest beers that weve had out here have been really good, Cline said.

Their favorite beers were from Random Row, but they also enjoyed Bunnyman, the brewery from Fairfax.

Oktoberfest is a good time of year for beer festivals and we have a good number of fall options, Bunnyman brewer Jack Ohman said. Bunnyman has been open for more than two years, and Ohman says festivals are a good way to introduce his beers to new markets.

We dont get down here very often so its nice to see the other breweries and make connections we havent made before, he said.

Thats true for Charlottesville brewers too.

Charlottesville is a little bit of a bubble, Peter McMindes of Rockfish Brewery said. Id say the question I get the most at these festivals that are a little bit outside of Charlottesville is Where are you?

Orangetoberfest helps Rockfish introduce its brews to beer drinkers in the more rural areas around Charlottesville, McMindes said.

Its slightly for exposure but also the collaborative part of the industry, helping each other out and supporting each other, said Scott Burton of Decipher Brewing, another Charlottesville brewer. His Grodziskie beer, made with 100% smoked wheat malt, recently won third place at the Great American Beer Festival.

Iron Pipe is technically the ones putting this on, and were just here to help them and make sure that this is a successful event, Burton said.

And successful it was.

Hundreds of people wandered Short Street listening to live music and sipping from their five-ounce tasting glasses that were included with the $45 ticket ($35 for pre-sales).

The funds will cover the cost of putting on the event, and whatever remains will be used by the Orange Downtown Alliance to continue its three-pronged mission: economic vitality, beautifying the neighborhood, and putting on fun events for residents.

We want to bring new businesses into town and help the ones that are still here, said Zach Speelman, who does promotion for the ODA.

Were looking to spur economic development, Steve Speelman said. And we just felt that we had a platform that would contribute to a vibrant downtown.

For the second straight year, the Orangetoberfest has been a win for organizers, brewers and residents alike. Zach Speelman expects it not just to become an annual tradition but to grow.

Last year after we did it, people all the time would ask, Are you guys doing that again next year? Whens the date? he said.

The next question may be what happens if future crowds get too long for Short Street, which Zach Speelman called a personable and intimate location for the festival.

But organizers will have plenty of time to figure that out.

This is something we want to do every year, Zach Speelman said.
Two former students of Mean Scoil Mhuire, Longford, Faeza Ahmed and Tabitha Richard Akinyemi were recently presented with J.P. McManus sponsored All Ireland Scholarship Awards.

The awards ceremony was held at the University of Limerick on Saturday, September 16.

The ceremony acknowledged and recognised the outstanding results of 130 students and recipients of the All Ireland Scholarship Awards, from 2020, 2021 and 2022, who due to COVID, did not get an opportunity to attend the awards ceremony traditionally held annually.

Ms Lyons, who attended the ceremony, praised Faeza and Tabitha for their dedication, diligence and ambition.

In the programme for the ceremony, Faeza fondly recalled her days on the Green Schools Committee and stated that her best achievement in Mean Scoil Mhuire was the work she undertook on the committee. Tabitha also recalled her days in the school and commented on how the school was a major formative experience in her life.

Both Faeza and Tabitha are currently studying medicine in Trinity College.

We wish them all the best in their studies and are immensely proud of their achievements and their success.

Caption: Former students of Mean Scoil Mhuire, Longford, Faeza Ahmed and Tabitha Richard-Akinyemi, JP McManus All Ireland Scholarship Award recipients, pictured with Ms Mairead Lyons, at University of Limerick on September 16

Faeza Ahmed

Faeza is from Longford, where she grew up with four brothers, Muhib, Talha, Razi and Wafi and her parents, Maqbool and Tayyaba. She attended Mean Scoil Mhuire in Longford and says her best achievement was her involvement in the school's Green Flag committee. She is currently studying pharmacy as she has a great interest in healthcare and science. In the future she hopes to contribute to the healthcare sector, helping those in need.

Faeza enjoys reading, cooking and baking. She is very inspired by His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, whose words of wisdom motivated her to work hard in pursuing education. Faeza is very grateful to have won an All Ireland Scholarship and hopes to utilise it to further her education and learning.



Tabitha Richard Akinyemi

Tabitha is the oldest of four children and her parents are Richard and Feyisayo. She attended Mean Scoil Mhuire in Longford and credits the school as a major formative experience in her life. She is now in her first year of studying medicine at Trinity College Dublin. This is a career path she has pursued for as long as she can remember, as it combines her love for science and fascination with people along with her desire for a highly rewarding career.

Tabitha is not completely certain of her speciality area yet, but at present she has a particular interest in psychiatry. She enjoys both listening to and playing music, as well as reading, especially poetry. Tabitha says that finding out she had been awarded an All Ireland Scholarship was an extraordinary moment. It symbolises for her the culmination of her efforts thus far, and the abundance of opportunities available to her in the future.
Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney two filmmakers from Longford have signed with US talent company Berwick & Kovacik.

The two Longford men are the writer ,directors and producers of the multi award-winning film LAKELANDS. The feature was filmed in their hometown of Granard and Gowna, Cavan.

The film is based on the world of Small town GAA and explores this topic from the inside. The film has picked up a number of awards including Best Irish Film and the Bingham Ray New Talent Award for its lead actors at the Galway Film Fleadh, Best Film at the Kerry Film Festival and the Bankside Marketplace award at the Galway Film Fair.

It had its international premiere at Santa Barbara Film Festival and its UK premiere at Glasgow Film Festival before winning awards in France and the United States during its festival run. It was nominated for 4 IFTA including Best Film.

Robert Higgins expressed his delight at signing with the US talent company, stating that they are "very excited to be working with Berwick & Kovacik on our upcoming slate of projects alongside our UK representation at Curtis Brown, we really clicked from the first meeting and cant wait to see what the collaboration might bring.

Patrick McGivney added that Its always been a goal of ours to work within the US film sector and we hope that working alongside Berwick & Kovacik will help make this happen".

The duo are currently working on a number of projects with Screen Ireland , which includes working on their script for the feature 'Bonfires' and are also developing a number of projects as producers .
Longford people are being invited to vote for a local and housing and tenancy support project which has been shortlisted for an award at the Irish Council for Social Housing Allianz Community Housing Awards.

The Cara Project is a service delivered by the Housing Association for Integrated Living (HAIL). The service supports people who have been residents in HSE accommodation, by providing them with their own home under a HAIL tenancy. Fifty-six new tenancies have been provided nationwide through the project, with a further six due to be provided this year. The Cara Project also provides support to people in local authority and social housing who have a mental health diagnosis and need help maintaining their tenancy. HAIL provides this support across Longford, to people who have been referred to them by the council or local HSE mental health team.

HAIL CEO Martina Smith, said: We are delighted that the Cara Project has been shortlisted for an award at the upcoming Irish Council for Social Housing Allianz Community Housing Awards. She added that they are "pleased with the positive impact the Cara Project has had in Longford. "

Voting is open from Monday 2 October to Monday 16 October. To vote for this project visit the ICSH website https://icsh.ie/awards/community-housing-public-choice-award-2023/ .
Spencer Matthews has described the Irish audience at the live show of his and wife Vogue Williams hit podcast as amazing.

The former Made In Chelsea star appeared on Irish TV and radio star Doireann Garrihys The Laughs Of Your Life podcast, after appearing at Dublins 3Olympia Theatre with Williams to present the stage adaption of their podcast Spencer & Vogue! which sees the married couple debate topical issues.

Matthews, 35, said: I dont feel nervous before it, I just love it, I just really like it. It is really different from the podcast.

Were coming back to Ireland next year to the Gaiety Theatre and were all over the UK.

My one reservation about it is I hope that the UK crowd is as great as the Irish crowd.

He continued: Theyre amazing. Obviously the show is great, but they seem quite easy to please. Theyre loose.

The pair will continue touring next year, including dates at the Waterfront Hall Auditorium in Belfast and Cork Opera House in Cork in March.

Matthews said he was thankful for his relationship with Irish model and media personality Williams, who he married in 2018 and shares three children with.

He said: Shes more empathetic than me. Were both pretty busy and we just try and stay on track and support each other, I would say that were a great couple.

Im very thankful for the relationship that I have with her.

I couldnt be much happier with our marriage.

When asked who is the person you always laugh with, he said: Not to be boring, but I have a great time with my wife, we enjoy each others company I think and obviously we work together on a comedy show so we are constantly trying to make each other laugh.

Matthews also spoke about his time on British reality show Made In Chelsea, calling it a different dimension to his life as a father of three and a husband.

He also hosts the Big Fish With Spencer Matthews podcast and 6 Degrees From Jamie And Spencer  with former Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing.
A third man has appeared in court after being charged in relation with the seizure of almost 160 million euro (139 million) of cocaine on a bulk cargo ship off the coast of Ireland.

Soheil Jelveh, 50, an Iranian national of no fixed abode, appeared before Wexford District Court on Monday morning.

Jelveh, who was referred to in court as a ship captain, was charged with being in the possession of cocaine on September 24 and further charged with being in possession of the controlled drug for the purpose of selling or supplying it in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to 2019.

He was also charged with importing cocaine on September 24 in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017-2019.

A total of 2,253kg of cocaine was found on the MV Matthew cargo ship after members of the Irish Army Ranger Wing captured the vessel off the Co Cork coast by abseiling from a helicopter earlier this week.

The Irish police service, An Garda Siochana, said the seizure was the largest in the history of the state.

Police believe the cocaine, seized on the cargo ship after the dramatic military operation at sea, was destined for distribution beyond Ireland, potentially into the UK and continental Europe.

Detective Garda Liam Mangan, from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau told the court that Jelveh was arrested at 2.21pm on Sunday and charged at 3.31pm.

He said the accused had been airlifted from the cargo vessel on September 25 after reports that he was injured were received.

He had been transferred to Waterford Hospital where he was searched by gardai.

Gardai objected to bail application from Jelvehs solicitor Lana Doherty.

Judge John Cheatle rejected the bail application: The allegations against the defendant are so serious and his links to the jurisdiction are so tenuous it renders bail impossible, in my mind, in this situation.

Jelveh was remanded in custody to appear again at Wexford District Court via videolink on October 9.

Additionally, Ms Doherty said Jelveh did not need medical attention but asked for consideration that he receive protection in prison, which gardai agreed to.

He was also granted legal aid.

Jelveh was remanded in custody to appear again at Wexford District Court via videolink on October 9.

A fishing trawler that grounded off the coast of Co Wexford late on Sunday was also being monitored as part of the operation, amid suspicions it was en route to rendezvous with the cargo ship.

Two men who had been winched from that vessel also appeared before Wexford District Court on Monday.

Jamie Harbron, 31, of South Avenue, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, UK, and 60-year-old Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, of no fixed abode, were charged with conspiracy to import drugs.

Appearing via videolink, they were further remanded in custody to appear again on October 16 awaiting direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Five other men have been arrested in relation to the case.

One has been released without charge while the other four remain in custody.
Music, Movies & Entertainment

By Catherine Eve Published: October 02 2023

Hicksville native Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium, is returning to television next year with a new Lifetime series, Theresa Caputo: Raising Spirits.

Hicksville native Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium, is returning to television with a new Lifetime series, Theresa Caputo: Raising Spirits. The show, premiering in 2024, will follow Theresa as she explores the next phase of her personal life and embarks on a tour for Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience.

The three-time New York Times bestselling author will share her unique ability with viewers while balancing new family dynamics like divorce and becoming a grandmother. The show will also feature Theresa's surprise readings, which she is known for giving to people she encounters while running errands or at the drive-thru.

"It is an honor to help others reunite with loved ones who've passed and help so many people find closure while restoring their faith," said Theresa Caputo in a Lifetime press release. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share so many stories on Lifetime and excited to explore this new era with devoted fans and new audiences alike."
Family & Parenting, Music, Movies & Entertainment, Travel & Local Attractions, Seasonal & Current Events

By Catherine Eve Published: October 02 2023

The RISE of the Jack O Lanterns returns to LI, featuring 8-foot tall Taylor Swift and Rodney Dangerfield sculptures, and over 7,000 other hand-carved jack o' lanterns.

Where can you find an 8-foot tall Taylor Swift sculpture made of 25 pumpkins or an 8-foot tall sculpture of Rodney Dangerfield made of 27 jack o lanterns? The answer is the RISE of the Jack O Lanterns, the world's longest jack o' lantern trail. This year the event is celebrating its 10th season and takes place on the grounds of Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts in Wheatley Heights on the Nassau/Suffolk border.

The RISE features 10,000 illuminated objects including over 7,000 hand-carved jack o' lanterns, over 3,000 brand new specialty lights, and handmade Halloween-themed lanterns all designed and arranged by the events in-house team of local artists. In addition to the returning fan-favorite classics, there will also be over 70 brand new never-before-seen elaborate multi-jack o' lantern displays. The RISE is a self-guided tour and typically takes 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes to walk through the trail that has a paved footpath. The event runs through November 5.

Prizewinners return

The RISE is also bringing back its 100+ pound Pennsylvania and New York-grown prizewinner pumpkins, all hand-painted, hand-carved, and hand-gutted on-site by the art pumpkin team.

Flexible ticket policy

The event allows ticket holders to exchange tickets for any other open time slot, meaning if you have a ticket and it rains on that night, you can exchange for another day or time depending on availability.

Promo code available



Visit the RISE of the Jack O Lanterns website to request an immediate promo code, purchase tickets, and to get more information on dates and hours of operation. Find additional details, updates, and photos on the RISE Facebook page. Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts is located at 185 Colonial Springs Road in Wheatley Heights.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: October 02 2023

Both Defendants Allegedly Coerced Victims to Engage in Prostitution and Subjected Them to Violence.

Earlier today in federal court in Central Islip, an 11-count indictment was unsealed charging Lamont Young, also known as Paper, with sex trafficking by force, sex trafficking of a minor and interstate prostitution. Young was arrested today on Long Island and was arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge James M. Wicks. Young was ordered detained pending trial.

Earlier this week, on September 26, 2023, a six-count indictment was also unsealed in federal court in Central Islip charging Michail McKen, also known as Kells, with sex trafficking by force and interstate prostitution. McKen was arrested this morning in Arizona. He will make his initial appearance in federal court in Phoenix later this afternoon.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Rodney K. Harrison, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the indictments.

As alleged, Young and McKen each ran a national sex trafficking business, including on Long Island, forcing vulnerable females into commercial sex work for the defendants financial benefit, stated United States Attorney Peace. These indictments demonstrate that the United States Attorneys Office is committed to working with both local and federal partners to ensure that sex trafficking on Long Island is not tolerated, and those who engage in such violent, cruel crimes are held accountable.

Mr. Peace also expressed his thanks to the New York City Police Department for their assistance with the Young case, and to the Greater Phoenix Human Trafficking Task Force and the FBI Phoenix Violent Crimes Task Force for their assistance with the McKen arrest.

The commercial sexual exploitation of women is a heinous act that causes long-lasting harm to victims and their families, stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith. Combating sex trafficking and violence in our communities is one of the top priorities for the FBI and our law enforcement partners across New York.

This pair preyed on and recruited vulnerable young women for years using violence and other measures to force them to engage in sex acts for their own financial gain, stated SCPD Commissioner Harrison. The Suffolk County Police Department remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners throughout the nation to bring justice to victims of human trafficking.

As set forth in Youngs indictment and other court filings, between 2011 and at least 2021, Young recruited his victims online, sold them a dream of stability and financial wellbeing, and then once they accepted his invitation to work for him, he used violence, fraud and coercion to cause them to engage in commercial sex acts for his benefit. At least one of his victims was a minor, who engaged in numerous sex acts on Long Island in 2016 and 2017 at Youngs direction. Young referred to the women that worked for him as a program or a movement, had numerous rules and inflicted violence on the victims when he perceived they disobeyed him. Young also had some of his victims brand themselves with tattoos, including the letter P for his street name Paper, which is a reference to cash.

As alleged in McKens indictment and other court filings, between 2019 and 2022, McKen used violence and threats of violence to compel multiple women to engage in commercial sex acts for his financial benefit. McKen often recruited sex workers in Virginia, and then caused them to travel to Long Island, where McKen is originally from, to engage in commercial sex acts. McKen sent his victims all over the country to work, including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Kentucky, Alabama and Oregon. Of the individuals that he trafficked, McKen separated them into two tiers  high-end, experienced females, for whose services he could charge large sums of money, and lower-end, less competitive females, who often struggled with drug addiction, and for whose services McKen would charge less. McKen maintained leverage over those suffering with drug addiction by forcing them to engage in commercial sex acts in exchange for a rationed supply of narcotics that would prevent them from going through complete withdrawal. At the time of his arrest, law enforcement recovered a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun from the Mercedes Benz vehicle he was driving.

The charges in the Young and McKen indictments are allegations and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, they face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to life in prison.

If you are a victim of traffickingwhether by Young, McKen or someone elseand have information to provide, please contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is prepared to help regardless of your immigration status, at tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
2nd October 2023

Runtime 17:35





Critical Materials Crisis

Stefan Bernstein, CEO of GreenRoc Resources (GROC), discusses why he believes demand for critical battery materials, particularly for graphite, is set to outstrip supply over the next decade.

Stefan explains to investors whilst demand for all critical battery materials, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese and graphite is expected to increase significantly over the next ten years, demand for graphite in particular, is set to outstrip supply.

Investors will hear why the graphite supply industry will need to build approximately 100 new graphite mines, at the current average mine size, to meet demand as it increases from 1m tonnes today to approximately 4m tonnes by 2035.

GreenRoc Resources is therefore well placed to meet this demand with its World Class graphite resource in Greenland to supply both Europe and the US.

Reasons to add GreenRoc Resources (AIM; GROC) to your Watchlist:

* EV market set for exponential growth

* Critical battery materials set for four-fold increase in demand over the next decade

* GreenRoc has a World Class Graphite resource

* Well positioned in Greenland to supply both Europe and the US

* Preliminary Economic Assessment ('PEA') on Amitsoq anticipated to be published in October 2023

* PEA will enable GreenRoc to firm up a work programme for the coming year focused on fast-tracking the Project towards development status

* Ongoing discussions with several potential off takers, with the Company expecting to send new graphite concentrate samples to interested parties in 4Q23
(Alliance News) - Turkey said Monday that an Iraqi oil pipeline that ceased operations in March because of a complex payments dispute involving the Kurdish autonomous region will resume pumping crude this week.

Turkey closed the pipeline after an arbitration court ordered Ankara to pay about USD1.5 billion in damages to Baghdad for transporting oil from the Kurdistan region without Iraq's approval.

Ankara contested the decision and sought damages of its own.

The autonomous Kurdish region was exporting roughly 450,000 barrels of crude per day prior to the pipeline's closure.

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar told an energy forum in Abu Dhabi that the dispute has been settled and "we will start to operate (the pipeline) this week".

He did not disclose details of the agreement.

Turkey had previously said it was conducting repairs to its section of the oil link in the wake of a major February earthquake.

The Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan autonomous region signed their own temporary oil accord in April.

The deal signalled the end of independent oil exports by northern Iraq's Kurdish regional government.

On London's equity markets, shares in Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd jumped 23% to 126.30 pence on Monday. Gulf is the operator of the Shaikan Field, one of the largest developments in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

Shares in Genel Energy PLC, an oil producer with assets in Iraq's Kurdistan region, rose 10% to 88.10p.

source: AFP

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(l-r) Butler, Neal Download Image: Web

When Allison Butler visited Lycoming College as a high school senior, she saw a display about the Colleges Rural Alaska Teaching Program and said to her parents, Wouldnt that be cool? Fast forward four years, and Butler 24, a native of Pine Grove, Pa., majoring in biology-ecology and working toward a teaching certification for grades 7-12, is currently completing her student teaching requirement on the Alaskan tundra. Madisyn Neal 24, a biology major from Roaring Branch, Pa., earning a grade 7-12 teaching certification, is also student teaching in Alaska.

"These prestigious scholarships have provided me financial support to pursue this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and given me the chance to create memories that will last forever.

Lycoming Colleges education department truly embraces the tradition of a liberal arts education by offering a wide variety of enriching academic experiences and an opportunity to explore a liberal arts major to augment a teaching certification. Education faculty create intimate and engaging discussion by keeping up-to-date with contemporary teaching trends, and numerous research, scholarship, and study abroad opportunities make Lycoming students competitive in the teaching field and highly regarded in the classroom.

Butler and Neal were drawn to the program to experience something new and to gain insight into different cultures not available to them in Pennsylvania. They traveled by plane to Alaska and then headed to separate neighboring villages: Butler to Nunapitchuk (Nunap for short) with a population of about 500, and Neal to Kwethluk with a slightly higher population of 700-800. Both women are living and teaching in villages inhabited by nearly 100% indigenous Yupik people where the primary language is Yugtun.

The program is not for the faint of heart and requires copious preparation. I spoke with my connections here in Alaska, as well past program participants, to a gain an understanding of what I should do to prepare before traveling to Alaska, said Neal. Since the students arrived during the rainy season, pricy rain boots, pants, and jackets were a necessity, as was two weeks of supplies, shipped ahead of time.

The whole experience has been full of surprises and culture shocks, but the biggest shock of all occurred upon arrival in neighboring Bethel. We had this moment of realness, when it all set in. We knew once we got off of the plane in Bethel that there was no turning back, said Neal.

Butler said that they both looked at each other with feelings of excitement. It felt like we were teleported into a completely different world, she said. The biggest shock has been adjusting to the life here on the tundra. When I arrived, the sun didnt start to set until midnight, so catching up on sleep was extremely hard! I came in not knowing anyone and feeling for the first time what its like to be alone in the world and having to make decisions for myself.

Butler added, Another big challenge is that the beginning of our school year was put on remote learning because our schools infrastructure was deemed unsafe after parts of the school fell in. The first three weeks were spent making packets for students to complete, but since then we have placed partition walls and temporary support to make it safe for all students and staff to return to in-person learning. This made it challenging to start my student teaching in that situation, but it has taught me a great lesson in flexibility!

For Neal, culture shock set in after realizing the lack of resources in this part of the world. You really have to work with what you have or be willing to wait 3-4 weeks for a shipment of supplies to come in, she said, noting that a can of fruit can cost $10-12 dollars in Kwethluk, but the alternative is waiting 2-4 weeks for an Amazon grocery order to arrive. We live in a society where we have almost immediate access to what we want. The biggest challenge for me has been forming lessons that are appropriate for the skill of the students and culturally relevant. Almost all the students are 2-3 years behind in grade-level.

Student teaching in the far reaches of such a remote area does not come without financial expense, and Butler and Neal were able to help offset the costs of the experience with merit awards. Both students are recipients of the Wertz Scholarship and the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship.

I am honored to have received both awards. These prestigious scholarships have provided me financial support to pursue this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and given me the chance to create memories that will last forever, said Butler. The experience has challenged me to push beyond my limits and accomplish something that I never thought I could. It has given me skills and life lessons I could not have gotten from anywhere else. I am growing and learning every day as I step into the classroom, and it is shaping me into the educator I strive to be! These awards inspire me every day to work hard toward my dreams, and the Rural Alaska Student Teaching Program was possible because of them.

Being a Noyce Scholar and a Wertz Scholar were integral to my decisions to attend Lycoming, and to pursue student teaching in Alaska. The Noyce Scholarship has allowed me to be in classrooms at high-need schools and to experience a community where many families live well below the poverty level. My Wertz Scholarship has been extremely helpful in an area where everyday supplies and foods are expensive and not very accessible. Its provided me with the funds to make travel and short-term living arrangements possible, said Neal.

But with these great challenges, come even greater rewards. The most rewarding part has been the ability to participate in the community. When I go for walks I always run into my students or children in the village who want to talk to me and get to know who I am, said Neal.

Butler agreed, explaining that The Yupik community has been very kind and welcoming to me, and I have loved every second of being able to experience a glimpse into their lives here. The students are awesome. I have learned so much from them about their culture and their excitement to teach me those things has propelled my excitement in the classroom. I will miss the relationships I made here, and the genuine connections you make in an area like this. I also have experienced some of the most beautiful landscape out here. The things Ive gotten to do will be some the coolest things I have ever done, like moose camping and salmon fishing, and berry picking on the tundra!

Eligible students interested in the Wertz Scholars Program must apply and be admitted to Lycoming College by Feb. 1. Upon admission, eligible students will receive an invitation from Lycomings President to interview. More information on the Wertz Scholars Program at Lycoming College is available at https://www.lycoming.edu/financial-aid/wertz-scholars-program.aspx.

The competitive Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship is awarded to high-performing junior and senior students majoring in biology, chemistry, mathematics or physics at Lycoming College, who are simultaneously earning a secondary teacher certification. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Noyce Scholars are eligible to receive a two-year scholarship of up to $20,000 per year, and commit to teaching in a high-need school district, full-time for two years for each year that they receive the scholarship. The Noyce Scholar Program was established in response to the critical need for highly effective K-12 STEM teachers in high-need school districts. More information about the Noyce Scholar Program is available at https://www.lycoming.edu/financial-aid/noyce.aspx.

More information about Lycomings education program is available at https://www.lycoming.edu/education/.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is planning to expand its modular construction system to two more airports across the country, following the completion of Borongan Airport in Eastern Samar.

The system aims to create more spacious, efficient, and passenger-friendly environments that meet international standards and accommodate the increasing passenger volume of airports.

The modular construction system, initially piloted at Borongan Airport, offers a sustainable approach to constructing terminal facilities with passenger amenities, minimizing construction waste and using pre-fabricated structural steel.

The additional modules will integrate seamlessly with existing structures, creating a cohesive and modern terminal space.

CAAP has identified two additional airports for the system: Laguindingan Airport, set to begin construction by December 2023, and Ozamis Airport, under consideration to augment passenger movement.

CAAP Director General Manuel Antonio Tamayo expressed enthusiasm for bringing the benefits of the modular construction system to more airports nationwide, prioritizing sustainability in development projects.

CAAP also aims to ensure that airports across the country are equipped to meet the changing demands of air travel while maintaining sustainability and innovation.
The Philippine government is investigating the death of a Filipino domestic worker who was found dead with stab wounds in Saudi Arabia, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Monday.

The DMW identified the victim as Marjorette Garcia, 32, a domestic worker deployed to Saudi in 2021.

The department, through its Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) are working with the Philippine Embassy as well as local police authorities in an ongoing investigation into the circumstances behind Garcias death.

Both MWO-Al Khobar and OWWA are coordinating arrangements as well with Garcias family for the return of her remains at the soonest possible time.

We assure them of our continuing support during their time of grief and in the ongoing investigation, the DMW said.
Lachin, Azerbaijan  A United Nations mission visited Nagorno-Karabakh on Sunday, Azerbaijan said, after almost the entire ethnic-Armenian population fled since Baku recaptured the breakaway enclave.

An Azerbaijani presidency spokesman told AFP that a UN mission arrived in Karabakh on Sunday morning  mainly to assess humanitarian needs.

It marks the first time in about 30 years that the international body has gained access to the region.

Later on Sunday, an Azerbaijani foreign ministry spokesman told AFP that the mission had visited a checkpoint at the Karabakh border with Armenia.

He said the mission  headed by the UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Vladanka Andreeva  was expected to hold a press conference on Monday.

Armenian separatists, who had controlled the region for three decades, agreed to disarm, dissolve their government and reintegrate with Baku following a one-day Azerbaijani offensive last week.

The end of Karabakhs separatist bid dealt a heavy blow to a centuries-old dream by Armenians of reuniting what they see as their ancestral lands, divided among regional powers since the Middle Ages.

Nearly all of Karabakhs estimated 120,000 residents have since fled the territory, sparking a refugee crisis.

 Border crossing quiet 

An AFP journalist at a border crossing along the Lachin corridor that links Karabakh with Armenia, saw only one car arrive from the now-deserted enclave.

Sergei Astsaryan, 40, said he was among the last Armenians to leave the region.

I have no idea of where to go, maybe Europe, he told AFP, adding however that he hoped many of the refugees would return if Azerbaijan gives guarantees, provides help.

Ive talked to Azerbaijani police and they said there would be no problems if we want to return, that we can live in our homes, he said.

The Azerbaijani presidency said Bakus migration service began operating in Karabakhs main city of Khankendi (Stepanakert in Armenian) to register Armenian residents to ensure their sustainable reintegration into the Azerbaijani society, promising them the patronage of the Azerbaijani state.

The statement also said that central government has started providing appropriate medical services in the city of Khankendi.

Nazeli Baghdasaryan, spokeswoman of the Armenian prime minister, said transportation of forcefully displaced persons from Karabakh is nearing its end as 100,514 refugees arrived in Armenia by Sunday evening.

She added that 47,322 refugees were now in temporary accommodation.

 Sacred land 

On Sunday, Armenia observed a national day of prayer for the region.

Bells rang in churches across the country, and the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Karekin II, led a service in the nations main cathedral Echmiadzin, close to the capital Yerevan.

As our sacred land of Karabakh is deserted, we pray for our sisters and brother of Karabakh who are going through terrible suffering, said the pontiff.

Hundreds attended the religious service in the church of Saint Sarkis, in Yerevan.

One of the most tragic pages of Armenian history is being written today, 28-year-old Mariam Vartanyan told AFP, standing in the crowd of worshippers.

In the Vatican City, Pope Francis said he was following in recent days the dramatic situation of the displaced people in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Following his Sunday Angelus prayer to the faithful at St Peters Square, he called for dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia to end the humanitarian crisis with the support of the international community.

 Ethnic hatred 

Yerevan has accused Baku of ethnic cleansing  an allegation that Baku rejected  calling on Armenians not to leave their homes and reintegrate with Azerbaijan where their rights would be respected.

Armenia, a country of 2.8 million, faces a major challenge housing the sudden influx of refugees.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on Friday announced an emergency appeal for 20 million Swiss Francs ($22 million) to help those fleeing.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she would travel on Tuesday to Armenia to reaffirm Frances support to Armenias sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Azerbaijan is now holding re-integration talks with separatist leaders while at the same time detaining some senior figures from its former government and military command.

Azerbaijans Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev said criminal investigations had been initiated into alleged war crimes committed by 300 separatist officials.

I urge those persons to surrender voluntarily, he told journalists on Sunday.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan are set to meet Thursday in the Spanish city of Granada for Western-mediated talks aimed at ending their historic enmity.

With the two countries relations poisoned by ethnic hatred ensuing from three wars in as many decades, numerous rounds of negotiations mediated by Brussels and Washington have so far failed to bring about a breakthrough.
Tucked away on Main Street in Andover is the current home for not only the oldest independent bookstore in Massachusetts but also the oldest independent bookstore in the United States.

Established in 1809, the same year Abraham Lincoln, Charles Darwin and Edgar Allan Poe were all born, the Andover Bookstore has gone through different owners and been housed in a couple of different locations over the centuries.

Almost a quarter of the way into the 21st century, the store name, with shelves and shelves of books, still stands.

General manager Sarah Klock was once a teacher who could not have imagined working at a bookstore until all the stars aligned and this job opened up right when I was looking for work ... it has been the most wonderful, fun, satisfying experience.

She moved to Andover from New York City in 2018. Over two years later, isolation hit hard in her new home as the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the world. With a life revolving around books, she landed the job in 2022 to find a long, long history behind her new place of employment.

Speaking with MassLive, Klock said the bookstores origins go back to when it was located at Philips Academy and used as a publishing house. The location moved over the years as its ownership changed, eventually landing in the current location that was once the home of a town doctor. The parlor of that English Tudor-style home built in 1811 now serves as the first room customers walk in when they visit the bookstore.

The interior of the Andover Bookstore features English Tudor-style woodwork, which was originally part of a parlor that belonged to a doctor's home. The building was built in 1811. Ryan Mancini/MassLive

People come in and tell me stories and stories of the history of the bookstore in this town, Klock said. This was a bridal shop, a floral shop, this was an apartment. A 90-plus-year-old woman came in one time and said that when she was a little girl, this was her great-grandmothers house. She said, I used to sleep over in front of the fireplace with my brother.

Then in 1992, Bob Hugo purchased the bookstore, according to the store website. A lifelong bookseller, he operated bookstores in Florida, Alaska and at least two in Massachusetts, one in Reading and one in Marthas Vineyard. In 2004, his son John joined him as a partner and is now the sole owner.

Inside, many newer titles sit on the shelves of the Andover Bookstore. Perhaps most prominently displayed, and one area Klock said customers take exceptional note of, are the staff picks. Given that the booksellers are readers themselves, they offer a smattering of genres, recent releases and impactful stories covering a wide gamut of issues.

Booksellers at the Andover Bookstore display copies of impactful books they've read with the hope people might check them out. General Manager Sarah Klock noted that these shelves are what people come for. Ryan Mancini/MassLive.

From books about being Black in America, like Claudia Rankines Citizen: An American Lyric, to Spain and Chiles falls into dictatorship in Isabel Allendes A Long Petal of the Sea, the shelves with the staff picks were sparse when MassLive visited and in need of restocking. That same day, boxes with titles to replenish those shelves arrived while speaking with Klock.

Klock talked about three picks of her own, including The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid. Released in 2022, its a novel about race and whiteness, and you think its going to be hard and conflicted and fraught, as race in this country is, she said. It tells the story of a white man who wakes up to find his skin has darkened, one of many people suddenly awakened to this discovery.

What I love so much about Hamids writing is its such a beautifully lyrical prose, but its so joyful, Klock said. Its about what we gain when we lose whiteness as a way to differentiate us, people from each other. What we gain when we lose this category. Its so freeing. I think its such a smart, beautiful book.

She also recommended A Swim in the Pond in the Rain by novelist and educator George Saunders, which takes readers on a journey through Russian short stories before halting into several classroom-esque breakdowns of the reading.

Klock also recommended The Postcard by Anne Berest, a metafiction work about Berest receiving a postcard of her great-grandparents and their children before they were killed at Auschwitz.

We are a staff of readers and we have a wide range of reading among the staff, Klock said. If I cant recommend sci-fi because I dont read sci-fi generally, I know somebody on staff who does. I think thats really important to the life of this store.

General Manager Sarah Klock stands with the latest arrivals to go on the booksellers' picks shelves for Andover Bookstore customers. Ryan Mancini/MassLive

The bookstore has seen many ups and downs over the years. Artists and entertainers like poet Julia Alvarez and actor Henry Winkler have stopped by, according to their website. Local artists continue to showcase their work, with homemade quilts and canvases seen from postcards on racks in the store.

I feel like people who tend to be creative types, artist types, gravitate toward books and bookstores too, Klock added. We tend to have very talented people.

Downs have ranged from large to local, from the American Civil War to the 2018 Merrimack Valley natural gas explosions, to the recent pandemic. The bookstore persevered in the months and years after lockdown, Klock said, with employees either leaving bags of books outside for loyal customers or driving them out to drop off purchases.

Klock said the gravest crisis impacting bookstores now comes from Amazon. Its strategy of making books a loss-leader  a tactic where a company loses money on sales so customers become attracted to buying higher prices, according to the Milford Daily News  may have made books easier to get, but left independent bookstores to struggle, she said.

Amazon loses hundreds of thousands of dollars on books a year and can, she said. People oftentimes think, Why is your book $28? I can get it on Amazon for $14 ... Its not because we overprice things, its because Amazon underprices everything. So many bookstores have closed because of that strategy, that business strategy by Jeff Bezos.

While the solution, Klock said, is to lobby Congress and break up monopolies (MassLives interview took place before the FTCs antitrust lawsuit against Amazon), she is heartened to know consumers can keep a bookstore in their town who actively buy to help us survive.

Klock also emphasized the need for independent bookstores at a time when book bans are part of the political discourse. By selling a variety of books from across the political spectrum, Klock said it has given the booksellers a chance to meet and connect with new people.

From race in America to growing up as an indigenous Spokane teenager to speaking truth to power, the Andover Bookstore offers a heavy dose of timely and timeless reads. Ryan Mancini/MassLive

When you have this new wave of book-banning happening across the country, bookstores are where you can still find a wide variety of representation and a diversity of public life, she said. No one can tell you that you cant have books in the store.

I think that the way our country has become so divided, I feel like working here and meeting people  its a place where people can really come and be readers and be interested and curious and well get any book in for anybody, Klock continued. People are reading. Its been heartening, politically, to be face to face with people who we would probably be voting totally differently but we actually like each other.

I think bookstores are important, they do real cultural work and so do books. We all want the store to survive because we really love bookstores.
For all our Topsfield Fair coverage, click here.

The Topsfield Fairs hot dog eating contest winner set a new record on Saturday.

Brandon Wood, of Warren, Massachusetts, won the fifth annual Topsfield Fair Hot Dog Eating Contest on Saturday, Sept. 30.

Wood had set a record in 2022 by eating 10 quarter-pound hot dogs in 7 minutes  a record he topped this year.

This year, Wood ate 11 quarter-pound hot dogs and buns in 7 minutes, which is the equivalent of 22 standard hot dogs.

For his winnings, Wood received $205  to celebrate the 205th Topsfield Fair  from Marc Freedman, who runs the Bnai Brith Booth at the Fair and sponsored the contest.

132 1 / 132 Topsfield Fair Fall 2023 Opening Night

The fair, which has been running since 1818, is one of the oldest agricultural fairs in the country. This years fair runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 9. It includes a demolition derby, a hot dog-eating contest, pageants, livestock showcases and the 39th annual All New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off. Performances for this year include Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Clay Walker, the Flying Wallendas, visits by the Budweiser Clydesdale horses and more.
(This is the second in a series about wineries visited this year by the author in Santenay and Gevrey-Chambertin in Frances Burgundy region.)

BEAUNE, France  Only 29 miles separates Gevrey-Chambertin and Santenay.

But these two French winemaking villages in Burgundy sometimes feel worlds apart.

Gevrey-Chambertin is one of the jewels in the crown of Burgundys world-famous Cote De Nuits wine region, which produces graceful wines that simply get smoother with age.

Directly south in the Cote De Beaune wine region, Santaney remains relatively unknown but makes equally fascinating, complex wines that deserve far more attention.

Fortunately, some winemakers understand the differences between these two villages and create outstanding wines that vividly express each villages distinct character.

That small list includes a winery located in between both villages  Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune.

Whats the secret to their success?

The Drouhin style.

And what is that?

Elegance and balance, Maison Joseph Drouhin CEO Frederic Drouhin said earlier this year during a tasting at the winery for this column.

That tasting marked the third time since 2018 that I have visited Maison Joseph Drouhin.

The first tasting in 2018 focused on their wines in general in Burgundy and Oregon.

The second tasting in 2019 focused on Maison Joseph Drouhin red wines from Chambolle-Musigny and white wines from Meursault.

This past January, I returned to Maison Joseph Drouhin to taste several of their red wines from Santenay and Gevrey-Chambertin.

Each time, all of the wines were extraordinary.

To achieve the winerys elegant, well-balanced style, Maison Joseph Drouhins head winemaker Veronique Drouhin (Frederics sister) uses a delicate touch, according to Frederic Drouhin.

Were not looking for too much technique when we vinify the wine because the work is done properly at the vineyard level, he said. You are just a guide at the winery level.

That method might sound simple. But a lot of time, care and attention goes into making Maison Joseph Drouhins exceptional wines. And thanks to their painstaking approach, each wine perfectly expresses the unique nature of each village.

We dont like too much to standardize the wine and make wine according to a standardized parameter, Drouhin said.

Maison Joseph Drouhin also realizes the importance of different vintages from one year to the next.

Some vintages are warmer and getting warmer vintage after vintage, Drouhin said. Some are a little lighter with more freshness and acid and we respect the differences. This is also what consumers look for.

A good example would be the 2021 vintage compared to the 2020 vintage, he added. I love the 2021 vintage. I wish it would have produced more, but the frost its frustrating. But what we get out of the vineyard, what is left was purely delicious.

The vintage, 2021, its seductive and singular, Drouhin said. It has the balance, its lighter, its very floral more than fruity. And singular because of the weather profile of the year. Fineness is another word I would add to the vintage profile.

As for the 2020 vintage, Burgundy wines made with grapes grown that particular year were rather luminous, bright and warm, Drouhin said, adding, We had the richness, the color and the ripeness.

This past January, I tasted Maison Joseph Drouhin wines from both vintages  2020 and 2021  from Santaney and Gevrey-Chambertin.

Below, you can learn more about these wines, Maison Joseph Drouhin as well as their approach towards making wines from Santaney and Gevrey-Chambertin.

Hope you enjoy.

ABOUT MAISON JOSEPH DROUHIN

Joseph Drouhin founded Maison (French for house) Joseph Drouhin in 1880 at the age of 22. His goal was to offer wines of great quality that would bear his name, according to the winerys website.

His son, Maurice, succeeded him and began purchasing land in some outstanding appellations such as Clos des Mouches and Clos de Vougeot. Then in 1957, Robert Drouhin took over and continued buying more vineyards, especially in Chablis.

Today, Roberts four children - Veronique, Frederic, Laurent and Philippe - oversee the operation of Maison Joseph Drouhin. The winery encompasses 229 acres throughout Burgundy and produces more than 90 different wines. Maison Joseph Drouhin is also one of Burgundys larger negociants, the word used to describe wine merchants who sell wine made with grapes purchased from independent farmers.

SANTENAY WINES

Santenay is a village we have almost always been producing, Frederic Drouhin said. As negotiants, its always good to remind that we dont buy wine, we buy grapes. Were probably one of the earliest negotiants to process the grapes. First, we commit to the grower to buy the grapes every year. We know they do a good job in the vineyards. Then we can control the vinification to produce a Santenay in the Drouhin style, which is different than other negotiants in Burgundy.

In the case of Santenay wines, Maison Joseph Drouhin achieves Drouhin-style wine by blending together grapes from different vineyards in Santenay, Drouhin explained.

When we buy grapes at the village level, we also buy grapes at the premier cru level to bring some complexity, he said. Very often, we think the village level wines have a good prettiness, a good terroir but lacks a little bit of high tones and complexity and that will come from a selected premier cru. So usually, depending on the vintage, 20 to 30 percent premier cru is classified into the cuvee.

Burgundy is getting more expensive for the prestigious appellations, Drouhin added. But there are still entry-level village wines like Santenay that deserve more recognition.

GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN WINES

Its a vast area, Drouhin said. Gevrey is the largest village of the Cote DOr, I believe. Its a very large diversity of style. If you go down in the Gevrey those Gevrey to me are lighter. They dont have a great complexity but they have a great fruitiness.

As you go higher on the slope toward the good premier cru there we have very good Gevrey Its a large cuvee for Drouhin. We have different plots, plus the premier cru. So its like a puzzle with maybe five, six pieces.

Gevrey-Chambertin is always on the black fruit style, the plum, some licorice, some spices. I dont like when the Gevrey are too earthy To me, I like gamey.

WINE TASTING NOTES

(Frederic Drouhins comments and the writers tasting notes about six pinot noir wines tasted at the winery this past January.)

2020 Maison Joseph Drouhin Santenay

Here we have the earthiness. The floral scent is more dried petal than fresh petal, more spices like cinnamon, clearly more earthy. With this, you would go more grilled salmon, grilled ribeye steak. And the finish, the consistency, its not sweet or jammy. It has delicious freshness. This is why we use 20, 30 percent premier cru on average to bring the complexity up.

Writers notes: Earthy, dry aromas. Spicy, lively, fresh-fruit flavors with peppery notes. Big, well-structured wine that tastes great now and will age beautifully for at least 3 to 5 years.

2020 Maison Joseph Drouhin Santenay Beaurepaire Premier Cru

The cuvee (premier cru) is much smaller than the Santeney (village wine). We have maybe five, six barrels so 1,800 bottles You have the variation of the slope on exposure. This part (of the vineyard) its one of the best To me, this is the terroir signature of Santenay  it has structure, it has backbone. It has a gentle earthiness floral scent in the nose raspberry The finish is fresh, its lively, its not jammy. The finish to me is a little licorice. Its a little tart. Its a little dry also and to me thats the signature terroir for Santenay.

Writers notes: Floral, light, raspberry aromas. Elegant, soft, lively fruit flavors, including hints of raspberry and blackberry. Beautifully well-rounded wine.

2021 Maison Joseph Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin

This was very recently bottled 20 percent premier cru To us, with the Gevrey, to offer to our consumers, a good picture of the village Gevrey. Its not just one plot. Its five plots more or less. So depending on the location, each location brings its identity. To me, its a great Gevrey.

Writers notes: Delicate, light floral aromas. Spicy, black licorice flavors that somehow manage to be light and intense. Long finish with hints of plum and blackberry. Delicious.

2020 Maison Joseph Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin

The origin of the vineyards is the same. The vintage is 2020 but its the same origin of location (as 2021) Here you have the influence of a vintage, the fruit is bigger and riper. You have that finish of licorice, also a little pepperiness which I like, but also a mintiness, a freshness I think consumers will love it. It delivers immediate pleasure.

Writers notes: Bright, floral aromas. Pepper flavors softer and more rounded than the 2021 wine. Plum and blackberry flavors softer but last longer. Beautiful, pleasurable wine.

2020 Maison Joseph Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur Premier Cru

Its a small appellation in acreage just below Mazis-Chambertin To me, its the first league of Gevrey-Chambertin This is what I call a serious wine. Its packed with many things. It has weight. It has concentration. The finish again has the freshness, the lift You have a mix of licorice, black chocolate, a bit of tobacco like a cigar. Even when its young, you have the freshness, the meatiness at the end. Theres a lot to it Were very proud of this premier cru.

Writers notes: Soft, floral aromas. Intense, black licorice, spicy flavors with hints of raspberry as well. Lively, well-rounded wine with long, bright finish. Perfect now and for years to come.

2020 Maison Joseph Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin Cazetiers Premier Cru

Cazetiers is the northern part of Gevrey, considered one of the best premier cru of Gevrey. Its interesting because essentially the same vintage, the same grape, more or less the same vinification (as the previous wine) and yet the terroir is not the same With this wine, its more open Theres a lot of energy, the freshness is great A lot of freshness and balance More tannins, the soil in Cazetiers is quite rocky, more minerality Thats to me is a wine that could be kept for our children because it has a lot of complexity.

Writers notes: Bright, lively floral aromas. Intense, mineral-like flavors with a long finish and slight sharpness, which indicate this wine will develop into a masterpiece. Truly magnificent.

Cheers!

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republicans Weekend section every Thursday.

Other Stories In This Series:

Wine Press: A visit to Domaine Duroche in Gevrey-Chambertin

Wine Press: Tasting with winemaker at Domaine Jessiaume in Santenay, France
SPRINGFIELD  Animal environments at the Springfield Science Museum will be improved thanks to a $45,000 grant.

The money comes from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourisms Destination Development Capital Grant Program.
ENFIELD, Conn.  Connecticut wants the public to weigh in on its plans for a new train station in Enfield on the CTRail Hartford Line approximately nine miles south of Springfields Union Station.

The station, expected to cost $45.5 million and begin construction in the spring of 2025, depends on permitting and right-of-way acquisition. It would be part of the ongoing Bigelow Mills redevelopment district on the Connecticut River in the Thompsonville section of town, according to the town and the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
In the category of they probably didnt teach that at the academy, a new state trooper and his supervisor found themselves wrangling a couple of swans that found their way into the middle of Interstate 495 in Westborough Saturday.

Massachusetts State Trooper Jared Layman, a recent police academy graduate, and his field training officer, Trooper Ryan Shepherd, had to get creative to remove a couple of swans from the median of I-495, according to a press release from the State Police Monday.

The troopers devised a plan to get the swans safely into the back seat of a police cruiser and drove the birds to a nearby lake where they were released, the release said.

Mass. State Troopers rescue swans from Route 495 median in Westborough. (Photo courtesy of Massachusetts State Police)

State Police photos show the troopers considering their options as the swans stood in the median. At one point, a line of cars made its way around the swans, which were standing in the southbound fast lane.

The troopers somehow got a hold of the swans and covered them with their jackets in the back of the cruiser, according to one photo. Another photo shows a trooper carrying the swan with a jacket over its head on a beach.

The final photo shows the swans hightailing it out of there, flying over an unidentified body of water.

Despite their ride in the back of a cruiser, it does not appear the swans face any charges.

Mass. State Troopers rescue swans from Route 495 median in Westborough. (Photo courtesy of Massachusetts State Police)

This was the second swan rescue in the last week, the release said.

The other incident happened earlier in September when two troopers found a swan on Interstate 195 in Fall River, and brought it to a safer location after a few tries of trying to rescue the swan, according to a Mass. State Police Facebook post from Sept. 25.

This marks the second swan rescue in the last week, said the release. Great job troopers!

Mass. State Troopers rescue swans from Route 495 median in Westborough. (Photo courtesy of Massachusetts State Police)
A Middleborough police officer died after more than two years of battling stage 4 metastatic head and neck cancer, the police department said Sunday.

Lieutenant Angelo AJ Lapanna III, 48, joined the Middleborough Police Department in July 2001 as a patrol officer. In 2019, he was promoted to sergeant. And in 2023, he was promoted to lieutenant.

He served for 23 years in the Army National Guard, 10 years in the military police, and 13 years in the Army Special Forces. He served two combat tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. And he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal, the police department said.

But in April 2021, Lapanna was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic head and neck cancer.

Doctors removed 38 Lymph nodes and he had chemo-radiation.

The treatments left him unable to work until January of 2022, a GoFundMe for the family stated. In March of 2022, after his first 3-month CT scan, a nodule was discovered in his right lung.

Doctors confirmed the cancer had spread to the right lower lobe of his lung and his right humerus, according to the GoFundMe.

AJs cancer is likely related to exposures during military deployments. It is unknown if he will ever return to work, the GoFundMe said at the time. ... AJ has spent over two decades serving his country and his community. Now he needs your help.

The GoFundMe is continuing to raise money for his wife, Traci, and two children stating that in addition to emotional support, AJs family will need financial assistance to get through this difficult time.

It has raised more than $50,000 since it was started in 2022.

The police department remembered Lapannas more than 22 years to the department and his community.

We thank him and his family for his dedication and sacrifice, the police department said.
A second former curator at the Worcester Art Museum has accused Director Matthias Waschek of inappropriate conduct, according to a report by The Boston Globe.

The outlet reported that Natalia Vieyra filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) in August.

That complaint comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed by another former curator, Rachel Parikh, accusing Waschek and the museum of discrimination and creating a hostile work environment.
Editors note: This commentary was prepared by members of the Western Massachusetts Housing Coalition. The group is made up of over 50 municipalities and organizations that seek to address the regions housing challenges.

We see the depth and breadth of our housing crisis every day. We hear the stories, from families living in our shelters unable to find an apartment to rent. From seniors with disabilities on fixed incomes facing hundreds of dollars in rent increases. From couples who have worked and saved and cant find an affordable home to buy.

In western Massachusetts, homes of all kinds are hard to come by, especially affordable or starter homes. New homes are too expensive for most people. Old houses are increasingly too run down to fix. In the Pioneer Valley alone, there is an 11,000-unit housing shortage that will swell to 19,000 by 2025, according to research by the UMass Donahue Institute.

Housing is the crisis of our time.

It is also the opportunity of our time because investing in housing provides far more than shelter. Increased housing is essential to stimulate the economy, create diverse communities, revitalize urban areas, promote environmental sustainability, generate tax revenue, foster social integration, and support local businesses. By recognizing these benefits and taking measures to increase housing supply, we can work toward building stronger, more inclusive communities, and improving the quality of life for all residents.

We applaud Gov. Maura Healeys focus on housing, including reinstituting the first cabinet level housing secretary in over 30 years, investing in the new $97 million HousingWorks program to spur housing development, preservation and rehabilitation, and launching the states Community Climate Bank, the nations first green bank focused on affordable housing.

We appreciate the leadership of Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Secretary Ed Augustus in driving forward solutions around the Commonwealths housing issues.

And this is why we call upon the governor and legislature to put forward a strong and robust housing bond bill. Since 2018, the current housing bond bill has provided at least $78 million to nearly 110 development projects in western Massachusetts, helping create hundreds of new affordable units.

The housing bond bill provides an opportunity to increase housing supply and ensure that state programs meet our regional needs. Western Massachusetts has unique housing challenges that require  and deserve  tailored solutions to leverage state investments most effectively. This includes building in a market where incomes and rents are lower, but construction and operating costs are just as high as other parts of the state, and working across the diversity of our towns: urban, suburban and rural.

Within the bill, the following programs represent our highest priorities: the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Housing Stabilization Fund, Housing Innovations Fund, Facilities Consolidation Fund, and the Workforce Housing initiative.

For these programs, we must not only substantially increase the total amount of funding, but also the maximum amount of funding allowed for each project or unit. We need higher subsidies to make these projects feasible in western Massachusetts.

We also support the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund, providing funding for zero carbon and energy efficiency improvements. Western Massachusetts has some of the oldest housing stock in the Commonwealth (and the country), requiring significant reinvestment to meet climate and energy efficiency goals.

Finally, we strongly support increasing the Massachusetts State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. This tax credit program is a critical source of funding for housing development in our region and was instrumental in contributing nearly $20 million towards 14 projects in the past five years.

On behalf of the people we serve, our communities and region, we urge our leaders to invest more in housing. More homes mean stability for individuals and families, stronger and thriving communities, and a better future for all Massachusetts residents.

For more information on the coalition, and to learn about its housing bond bill priorities, visit: bit.ly/wmasshc.
Bey is back and  sleepin real good at night!

In 2022, the Third Ward Houston, TX pop star Beyonce Giselle Knowles-Carter returned to announce the Renaissance era with lead single Break My Soul, a track paying homage to House music, Ballroom, Black LGBTQIA+ liberation and expression, and a nod to her southern roots with a sample from New Orleans Big Freedia. As the Renaissance album hit streaming platforms, fans communed to listen, receiving catharsis, joy, and a moment of reflection whether they were feeling Cozy, Thique, or a Church Girl trying to cut loose. Not long after, Beyonce invited the world to her gratitude tour, a celebration of the over 25 years of support from her BeyHive.

Now a year later, as she wraps tour and announces the release of Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce debuting in theaters Dec. 1, Reckon spoke with a few Black queer fans as they reflect on what this era has meant to them.

JaQuarious Wimberly, 25

JaQuarious Wimberly, attends the Renaissance World Tour in Tampa, FL

Pronouns: She/they

Based: Orlando, FL

Attended RWT: Tampa, FL

The earliest memory JaQuarious has of falling in love with Queen Bey is when The Pink Panther came out alongside the Check Up On It music video; the iconic pink visual would go on to inspire her Renaissance World Tour outfit. Witnessing Renaissance has been pivotal for me, especially starting my transition. Having queer artistry be broadcast and given center stage, especially in times like this when its needed now more than ever, seeing fellow ballroom participants gracing the stage and ICONS in the songs has warmed my queer heart. The song that instantly and to this day ( TS Madison voice) connects to my inner FQ (Femme Queen) would be Heated. A song about not allowing someone to have you f*cked up and being unforgiving in your reclamation of your peace, they say. For Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce premiere, she tells Reckon they may pull her cowgirl dress combo back out or pull a last-minute outfit change.

Mya Abraham, 29

Mya Abraham attends the Renaissance World Tour on night 1 of the Los Angeles tour stop.

Pronouns: She/Her

Hometown: Queens, NY

Based: Los Angeles, CA

Attended RWT: Night 1 of LA (9/1)

Mya has admired her fellow Virgo since she could remember, falling in love with Beyonce's IT factor. From the moment [Renaissance] was released, Mya knew her inner child needed it. The little girl who innocently kissed her best friend during pre-school at nap time  and was chastised for it  needed that. For most of my life, it seemed like sexual exploration was frowned upon, and being forced into heterosexuality was incredibly draining. However, with Renaissance, I found myself. The tour was the visual I neededseeing us as a community being as bold, daring, and expressive as we wanted to be. That freedom, acceptance, found family was what Id been searching for all along, she says. As for the upcoming film, she hasnt picked her premiere fit yet but might do a silver/chrome look or black sparkles.

Chiugo Akujuobi, 24

Chiugo Akujuobi attends the Renaissance World Tour in Houston, TX.

Pronouns: They/Them

Hometown: Houston, TX

Attended RWT: Houston, TX

Chiugo has listened to Beyonce's music since they were a child, but Beychella solidified their standom of the Queen. On Feb. 5, Beyonce won her 29th Grammy and thanked the queer community for creating the genre that helped her win. All I could feel as a queer artist was my battered heart wailing and sobbing with gratitude for all the people who believe in me, see me, appreciate my difference, and seek to understand it. Beyonce, the greatest artist of our time, made me feel like I mattered. She helped me see that I deserve to be celebrated in all my queerness, that I am THAT GEWRLL! I am cozy in my skin! Comfortable with who I am, they say. For the forthcoming Renaissance film premiere, they tell Reckon they will be on theme again and slay.

JNeia Stewart, 28

J'Neia Stewart attends the Renaissance World Tour in Los Angeles on Beyonces birthday.

Pronouns: She/They

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

Based: San Diego, CA

Attended RWT: LA birthday show

JNeia has been a fan her whole life, but it grew after self-titling and attending the Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. This Renaissance era has given me so much joy as a Black queer woman and helped me feel freedom and self-love even [through hard times]. I knew I could turn on the album and conquer my day with Im That Girl and listen to Cozy when I was having body issues or put on Heated on the ride home after a rough day at work and feel the weight of the day lift off me. This album is something I can constantly return to and find something new to love about it. This era has been so formative and freeing for me, and I cant wait for the movie to come out so everyone else can finally experience what I did on her tour, she says. She plans on being on theme for her premiere fit with slightly less pressure this time.
Blaze Jordan is a prospect on the rise. The 20-year-old corner infielder is the No. 12 prospect in the Boston Red Sox system and got called up to Double-A this year.

But at this point two years ago, Jordan was at a point where anxiety and depression left him unable to enjoy the experience of living his dream -- and left him hospitalized.

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Over the weekend, Jordan posted a long message on social media opening up about his battle with anxiety and depression. The Red Sox prospect said that he decided to share his story after seeing so many others like him open up, stressing that other athletes dealing with similar issues are not alone.

I myself dealt with anxiety and depression for a couple of years before I finally hit a breaking point that ended up putting me in the hospital for 4-5 days and caused me to (miss) the last two weeks of my first professional season in 2021, Jordan wrote.

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The 20-year-old said that his anxiety had gotten so bad that he couldnt eat or drink without vomiting. He says he lost about 25 pounds because he could eat nothing but a couple of crackers each day.

Jordan said that doctors checked to make sure that nothing was physically wrong with him before telling him that severe anxiety and depression were the causes. He says that he got the help he needed after talking to a therapist and getting help through the team.

Jordan wrote that hes definitely doing better today, but still has ups and downs -- and struggles with weight gain issues.

I wanted to come on here and give my story so whoever is dealing with something knows theyre not alone and will learn from my story to reach out to someone way sooner than I did, he wrote.

Jordan started the 2023 season by dominating in Single-A ball before being promoted to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs in July. MLB.com projects that Jordan is on pace to reach the majors in during the 2025 season.
Red Sox outfielder Adam Duvall will be a free agent this offseason. On the latest episode of MassLives Fenway Rundown podcast, co-hosts Sean McAdam and Chris Cotillo discussed the factors that will impact whether or not the 35-year-old will re-sign with Boston  as well as whether Justin Turner and James Paxton are likely to return as well.

To hear about the free agent decisions the Red Sox face this offseason and more, you can listen to the full podcast here and subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

SEAN MCADAM ON DUVALL:

(Duvall) wants to be more of an everyday presence. I think you and I have talked about how he would be a nice extra guy, a fourth outfielder, backup first baseman. Hes played there some in the past. Maybe if he got some work in spring training, he could play 25 games there. Give them a right-handed option to pair with (Triston) Casas.

Theres a lot to like there. You talked about his numbers. You stretch those out over a full year and hes at 30 (home runs) and 95 (RBI) or so. Thats not to be dismissed out of hand, we know that he has a good approach and swing for Fenway. I just think that there are so many moving pieces. Its hard to see how they could guarantee him being an everyday fixture. And I think thats what he expects and wants to do at this point.

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CHRIS COTILLO ON DUVALL:

I think the one way to do it is, you trade Alex Verdugo probably or maybe they package either (Wilyer) Abreu or (Ceddanne) Rafaela and a trade for pitching and all of a sudden, it gets lighter. I could see them DFA-ing Rob Refsnyder before his extension even kicks in and maybe you have Duvall as your right handed outfielder, lefty masher guy.

Theres just a lot would have to happen. A lot would have to shake out. Hes not a natural fit with all the guys. And so with that, I would say its unlikely on him (returning).

But one of the nicer guys, I think, thats come through the Red Sox clubhouse in the last couple years.
After nearly breaking the annual attendance record two years after being shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 Big E was thwarted by rain, increased prices and parking woes, decreasing the number of people who attended the 17-day fair.

Overall, 1,427,234 people attended the fair, Big E officials reported the day after the fair closed.

While thats no small number, its less than recent years.

Nearly a decade ago, The Big E set a record of 1,498,605 fairgoers. However, it was beat in 2017 when the fair welcomed 1,525,553 guests.

The following year it continued growing, welcoming 1,543,470 people.

And in 2019, it set a new attendance record for the third straight year in a row as 1,629,527 people visited The Big E.

But the COVID-19 pandemic put the growth to a halt, closing the 17-day fair in 2020. The fair started in 1916 and had only been closed or put on hold twice before, once during World War I and when it was canceled for five years during World War II.

Please know that this decision was not made lightly. In fact, it was one of the hardest decisions we, as an organization, have had to make in modern times, Gene Cassidy, president and CEO of the fair, said at the time.

When the fair returned in 2021, it was named the third-largest fair in the U.S. with 1,498,774 people attending that year. Although it was a dip from where the fair was at in 2019, with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing and a mask requirement at the fair, Cassidy was impressed.

Astoundingly, we beat Minnesota this year, Cassidy said in the announcement. The Minnesota State Fair is a benchmark in our industry and attracts visitors from all over the state and beyond. We have waited 105 years for this.

Cant see the above graph? Click here.

A year later, numbers were continuing to get back on track as 1,603,354 people attended The Big E. But for 2023, the numbers fell again.

Some fairgoers were turned off by rain this year, others werent interested in paying more expensive admission prices and some turned back after getting stuck in hours-long traffic.

This year was likely the rainiest Big E in recent memory, only seconded by the fair of 1989 when it rained 10 out of the 12 days (the fair expanded to 17 days a few years later).

Pat Hawkins, of Glastonbury, Connecticut, went on Sunday, one of the sunny days.

I was supposed to come yesterday, but we put it off because of the rain, she told The Republican.

Others told MassLive they didnt go or limited the amount of times they went due to the increase in costs. Previously tickets cost $15. However, this years admission tickets cost $20 each, which was the first ticket hike in 13 years. Season tickets also increased from $50 to $70.

One Springfield resident told MassLive between the increased parking cost, increased admission costs and increased concession costs, their Big E trips went from upwards of five times per year to not going at all. Veronica Heroux, of Agawam, typically went five or six times a year. She also didnt attend this year. And Wanda Diaz, of Springfield, told a similar story.

Katie Faust, of West Springfield, said she would buy a season pass and go multiple times a year. Now, she said, shes going less due to the increased prices.

Attendees over the weekend also had traffic and parking woes. After waiting more than an hour, many arrived to find gate 9 operating at a third of the capacity due to muddy conditions.

Be prepared to seek alt. parking, the website warned.

Some parking spaces outside of the fairgrounds were being sold for $40-60 on Saturday and Sunday.

Fewer fairgoers doesnt just mean fewer people got to enjoy things like cream puffs, rides and shopping, it also means the Eastern State Exposition can do less over the next year, Eugene J. Cassidy, president and chief executive officer, told The Republican.

54 1 / 54 Seen@: Night life at The Big E, from bars to beer gardens and everything in between

Keeping the fair alive and thriving is especially vital for farmers, since the awards they receive means they can sell and breed their cattle at a higher price and helps improve the lineage of the animals.

The value is they can share and exchange best practices, he said.

About 87% of the Eastern States Exposition budget comes from the fair and after 30 years working there, Cassidy predicted on Sunday the nonprofit would end up with a net income of $2.5 million. In a good year, it will top $4.5 million, he said.

Still, The Big E managed to break four daily records for the biggest first Tuesday, second Wednesday, second Friday and the last Thursday, said Catherine Pappas, spokesperson for the fair.

An overview of The Big E fairgrounds in West Springfield. (Bridget Peery / The Republican)

2023 daily attendance:

Friday, Sept. 15  86,212

Saturday, Sept. 16  95,541

Sunday, Sept. 17  91,287

Monday, Sept. 18  16,549

Tuesday, Sept. 19  57,802*

Wednesday, Sept. 20  72,849

Thursday, Sept. 21  69,963

Friday, Sept. 22  97,477*

Saturday, Sept. 23  69,042

Sunday, Sept. 24  70,549

Monday, Sept. 25  37, 981

Tuesday, Sept. 26  63,688

Wednesday, Sept. 27  95,689*

Thursday, Sept. 28  108,962*

Friday, Sept. 29  46,674

Saturday, Sept. 30  176,498

Sunday, Oct. 1  170,471*

2023 total: 1,427,234

* Daily attendance record
It might appear to be cloudy in New England Monday but its actually a milky haze from wildfires, the National Weather Service said.

The weather service shared a photo from Springfield Sunday showing the hazy day.

Stark contrast in sky color between Springfield, MA and Smithfield, RI, the weather service wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday. The thickest smoke will continue to shift SE today, allowing those beautiful blue hues to expand across southern New England.

[Smoke] What is seen on satellite vs what is seen on the ground. Stark contrast in sky color between Springfield, MA and Smithfield, RI. The thickest smoke will continue to shift SE today, allowing those beautiful blue hues to expand across southern New England. pic.twitter.com/Fm5SKxheJT  NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) October 1, 2023

The photo of Rhode Island was a clear, sunny day.

The weather service said there will be another day of milky haze across southern New England due to the wildfire smoke on Monday.

Will see another day of milky haze across southern New England today with wildfire smoke moving through. #mawx #ctwx #riwx pic.twitter.com/iZymxFybYI  NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) October 2, 2023

Still, air quality remains between moderate and good throughout the state.

Western and Central Massachusetts has good air quality. While areas like Boston and Cape Cod have moderate air quality.

Overall, the day is expect to be sunny and a high of around 72 degrees.
WESTFIELD  The Breast Oncology Fellowship at UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate is a yearlong program that offers specialty training in breast surgical oncology. Dr. Katie Stutz, this years fellow, comes all the way from the West Coast. She mostly works at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield but also performs operations at Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield.

Stutz grew up in Seattle and went to medical school in Kansas City, earning a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree. She completed her general surgery residency in Oregon in June. Several factors led her to Western Massachusetts, including family nearby and the ability to experience work at a larger medical center.

Most of all, I wanted to be a breast surgeon and I felt that doing a fellowship and learning more of the intricate details of the comprehensive care we provide is important, she said.
Three Mayo businesses have been shortlisted for awards at the Irish Pub of the Year awards 2023.

Flannerys Bistro, Ballinrobe has been nominated in for the Best Food Pub category, sponsored by Musgrave Market Place. Melletts Emporium, Swinford has been nominated in the Outstanding Customer Service category, sponsored by Edward Dillon, and The Towers Bar and Restaurant in Westport is shortlisted in the Best Outdoor Space category, sponsored by Bulmers.

Now in its fifth year, the Irish Pub Awards, jointly presented by Licenced Vintners Association (LVA) and Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI), are now acknowledged as the definitive industry standard and have gained recognition throughout the trade as the most credible and comprehensive assessment of the best in Irish Pubs.

All 63 regional winners will be showcased as best in class in their region and will receive a prize package of management training to help them progress their business further. All regional winners will also avail of comprehensive media coverage, including a profile piece in a special Awards Supplement in the Irish Independent on the day of the National Awards presentation on November 15. next. The awards media partners are Irish Independent and Drinks Industry Ireland.

The Irish Pub Awards is now firmly established as the pre-eminent awards for the Irish pub sector. VFI President John Clendennen, says: Im delighted to see so many fantastic pubs from around Ireland on the list of Irish Pub Awards regional winners. For any publican, getting on this list is a real sign your pub is one of the very best on the country. For those publicans that didnt make it I would say to benchmark yourself against the winners and come back stronger next year.

Im really looking forward to the national awards night in November when well find out which pubs are the best of the best and, of course, which pub is the overall national pub of the year.

Chair of the LVA, Laura Moriarty added: The collaboration between VFI and LVA is core to the success of the Irish Pub Awards. The awards play a big part in acknowledging the role great publicans play in employing people across Ireland, investing in their premises and in acknowledging the wonderful contribution pubs make to their local communities, to Irish social life and to Irish tourism.
PEOPLE who were issued with a jury summons will be asked to attend Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court tomorrow as scheduled despite barristers indicating they will go on strike.

Criminal barristers in Mayo have indicated that they will join their colleagues across the country in strike action tomorrow (Tuesday, October 3) which will mean the criminal courts will not be able to do their normal days work.

Tomorrow is the first day of Michaelmas term, the first full day of the legal year, with four weeks of criminal business scheduled to take place in Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court. A number of jury trials are scheduled to take place over the next four weeks with 15 defendants listed for trial tomorrow morning.

Over 300 people in Mayo were issued with jury summons for the trials to take place over the next month and the empanelling of juries is due to begin tomorrow afternoon.

A spokesperson for the court service in Castlebar Courthouse told The Mayo News that despite the anticipated strike action, people are asked to answer their jury summons and attend tomorrow's sitting as scheduled.

The jury panels are being asked to attend as normal but we have no idea what will happen until the judge is on the bench tomorrow morning, the spokesperson said.

It is expected that the sitting circuit court judge will be informed that the business of the day can not be able to go ahead due to the strike action and the jury panel will be asked to return on Wednesday for the empanelling of the juries.

Criminal barristers across the country are due to withdraw their services for one day on Tuesday, October 3 as part of a major escalation of the Council of the Bar of Ireland's campaign for fee restoration.

The current dispute is over the fees paid to barristers by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and under the Legal Aid scheme which were cut in the wake of the financial crisis in 2008. Criminal barristers argue that they have suffered a pay cut, in real terms, of more than 40 percent in the last 20 years.

The Mayo Solicitors Bar Association backed the strike and in a statement called on the Government to try to resolve the issues relating to criminal legal aid.

Catherine Bourke, President of the Mayo Solicitors Bar Association (MSBA) stated that the rates in legal aid are 20 years old and do not represent the true cost of providing legal services to clients.

Demand for solicitors providing services to the States criminal legal aid system is increasing. However, many practitioners are choosing to leave the profession to work in other areas of law or to work for the State, because the remuneration provided in this area is not commensurate with the demands of the role.

The lack of investment by Government is creating an unviable criminal legal aid system with clear consequences for access to justice. Legal aid deserts are already emerging in some parts of the country where there may only be one solicitor available to take legal aid cases, or in in some cases none at all. In this context, the case for restoration of criminal legal aid fees is irrefutable, she stated.

The Bar of Ireland said that it had engaged with consecutive Governments on the issue, but that no progress had been made 'despite barristers delivering at least the same level of reform and flexibility delivered by other professional groups for whom cuts have been reversed'.

Ms Bourke said that criminal legal aid work is the only part of the public sector not to have pay cuts reinstated and called on the Government to invest appropriately.

The MSBA believes in the rule of law and the effective and fair administration of justice. Solicitors who undertake work on behalf of the State in the defence of their clients have a critical role to play in the administration of justice and must be paid a fair rate for the work that they do. We call on the Government to invest appropriately in the criminal legal aid system and to act urgently to prevent the withdrawal of legal services on October 3 next, she concluded.
THE Chief Superintendent for the Mayo, Roscommon and Longford division has admitted that dealing with people with mental-health challenges is an issue for gardai, who are not qualified to deal with such cases.

Chief Supt Ray McMahon was responding to a query from Michael Loftus, who said that the London Metropolitan Police spend 40 percent of their time dealing with mental health.

Speaking from London, Cllr Loftus said he was told by a senior London police officer that, from October 1, a significant amount of this work is to be handed over to the countrys health services.

This is something that is really affecting all police departments, and when we hear of situations of trying to save funding, this is an area that has to be looked at, said Cllr Loftus, who was speaking at the recent meeting of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee.

Chief Supt McMahon said that the Gardai are currently conducting research to quantify the amount of time spent dealing with mental-health issues.

We are looking at what best way we can combine various agencies to come and tackle this problem, particularly the out-of-hours problem, he said.

A lot of these mental-health issues take a lot of garda time to actually deal with, and then theres the question of whats the safest for those vulnerable people.

Chief Supt McMahon said gardai were awaiting the results of a Limerick-based pilot programme involving a Community Access Support Team (CAST).

Former acting Minister for Justice Simon Harris said in May that: It is intended that the development of the CAST approach will enhance diversionary practices for those experiencing crisis and situational trauma that leads to mental-health difficulties.

The pilot project is due start before the end of year.
TWELVE hardy swimmers completed the three mile crossing from Roonagh Pier to the beach at Clare Island as a special fundraiser for Ger Brady from Claremorris and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND Ireland).

It was an emotional occasion as islanders and supporters and friends of the swimmers who undertook the daunting venture greeted them as they came ashore. Among those waiting on the beach were Gers parents, Margaret (nee Kavanagh) and Gerry Brady from Barnacarroll who were earlier at Roonagh to watch the swimmers leave the pier.

Brendan Fitzpatrick from Claremorris (son of Billy and Catherine) was the chief organiser of the swim and was also one of the twelve that fulfilled a special ambition by completing the crossing.

Anne Marie Gilmore from Aughervilla, Claremorris, formerly Tiernan from Dougmakeon which is very close to Roonagh, lent considerable help and advice in the planning stages of the event. Anne Marie was also thrilled to be one of the twelve to swim form shore to shore.

The twelve who undertook and completed the swim were Ivan Dixon, Sarah Ryan, Gavin Brennan, Karl Coyne, Caroline Kean, Eileen OMalley, Anne Marie Gilmore, Ciaran Reaney, Edel Reilly, Tanya Woolmer, Shane Timothy and Brendan Fitzpatrick.

The combination of Claremorris and Castlebar masters swimmers were joined by safety kayakers Paddy Gallagher, Claire Higgins, Lauren Gallagher, Kevin Walsh, David Walsh, Russ Woolmer, James Brennan, and Alan Campbell on their glorious, calm crossing on the neap tide.

The organisers have expressed grateful thanks to sponsors and support people: OMalley Ferries Clare Island, boat men Eoghan Cunningham, John, and Seamus Geraghty; Safety crew Paul Gleeson (Claremorris Leisure Centre), Eimear Walsh, Anne Mitchell, and Marina Cawley; Maureen Pinder at Clare Island Community Centre for the use of their function room, Donal Byrne of Big Red Barn, Johnny Mulkeen with Corrib Oil for food and beverages, Jimmy Corrigan and Peter Snell with Louisburgh Order of Malta for support at Roonagh Pier, Melissa Walsh at MW Signs Claremorris and Call of The Wild for the swim hats.

The swim has raised 8,000 reflecting the generosity of the community and so many friends of all associated with the venture.
by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, September 29, 2023

Microsoft met with Apple executives in 2020 to discuss the possibility of selling its search engine Bing, but the talks never progressed further.

Bing was the default search engine on Apple products from 2013 to 2017. Google took over after Apple chose Alphabets search engine as its preferred partner for iPhones, iPads, and other products.

The news came out in the ongoing testimony in Federal Trade Commission (FTC) antitrust suit against Google.

Apples relationship with Bing was used as a bargaining chip, a Microsoft executive said this week during testimony in U.S. District Court.

It is no secret that Apple is making more money on Bing existing than Bing does,'' Mikhail Parakhin, Microsoft's chief of advertising and web services, said during the trial, which began earlier this month. The U.S. Department of Justice accuses Google of using similar agreements to lock out search engines such as Yahoo, as well as smaller companies.

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Google lawyer Ken Smurzynski questioned Parakhin, seeking to discredit one of the governments key arguments -- Googles existing market dominance allows it to collect massive amounts of user data to improve search results and widen its lead over competitors.

Artificial intelligence (AI), he alluded, lets search engines can improve results without relying on user data, reported the Associated Press. Marketers inherently know this is not true, and that data, even first-party data, is the backbone of the way AI processes information.

Branch Metrics Co-Founder Alexander Austin testified that Google's exclusive contracts with phone companies and manufacturers impeded his company's attempts to market a search engine, called Discovery, for apps on smartphones.

Austin said that in meetings with Samsung, the Android phone maker was worried Branch's tools would cause conflict with Google. Reuter reports Austin was later contacted by Samsung during a launch in 2019 and told, "Oh, we need to cut this functionality because Google says it's, like, in conflict or there's a risk to the contract.

Austins company, Branch, had to ensure its searches remained within apps and never linked to the web. The company was forced to scale back on things its product could do to avoid interfering with lucrative agreements Google had with companies like Samsung and Verizon that had made Googles search engine the default choice on digital devices.

Branch Metrics had hoped to do for smartphone apps what Google had done for searching the internet -- and to collect advertising revenue when users clicked on apps such as DoorDash, according to the Associated Press.

It meant that Branch Metrics could not monetize its search engine app, which Austin called an injustice to stop products like his companys from not seeing the light of day.

The U.S. Department of Justice accuses Google of using agreements to lock out rival search engines and stifle innovation.
by Fern Siegel , October 2, 2023

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company kicked off a multimillion-dollar global marketing campaign that focuses on travel as enriching and enlightening.

Created by agency partner Team One, the Leave Better campaign invites guests to revel in the transformative experiences and comfort offered by the luxury chain.

The promotion rolls out in several languages and countries, including the United States, Japan, China, Germany, the UAE and Saudi Arabia via a special partnership with the Conde Nast network. It will be viewed across digital video, print, digital display and paid social.

Jamie Kerr, senior director global marketing, The Ritz-Carlton, says the campaign reflects our commitment to not only honoring our heritage as a luxury hospitality icon, but embracing the desires of our discerning guests. We invite travelers to journey with The Ritz-Carlton to places, moments and spaces that are marked by genuine care only we can deliver, staying with them long after they depart.

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Five spots comprise the new push, aimed at a younger demographic. They include Bud Bloom, "Symphony and Closed Open. The campaign's central question: How will a stay leave you?

The answer could be enriching classes, cultural programming or hands-on culinary experiences. The ads highlight the brands commitment to a personal experience.

"Leave Better" is the latest phase in the brands evolution, which has seen the high-end hotel brand expand into new markets  Mexico City, Melbourne, Australia, and Fukuoka, Japan. It also launched The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and revamped its site.

"We really wanted to amplify the before-and-after moment of how The Ritz-Carlton changes you, said Julie Michael, CEO Team One.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is part of Marriott International.

Team One is part of the Publicis Groupe. Client work includes Lexus, Barclays, Chateau Ste. Michelle and Expedia.
Indonesian fintech firm Yokke has formed a strategic partnership with Japans SB Payment Service Corp, a unit of SoftBank.

The partnership will further complement Yokke's comprehensive payment solution in Indonesia, which since its foundation in November 2015 has grown to encompass over 350,000 merchants and over 20 banks and financial institutions nationwide. Indonesia is predicted to contribute 42% of digital payment transactions across SEA by 2025, with the Bank of Indonesia reporting that digital banking is growing rapidly, driving economic activity.

Yokkes partnership with SBPS is aimed at making secure, customer-friendly and efficient payment solutions available throughout Indonesia. This may include integration of advanced technologies into Yokkes ecosystem, including AI for fraud detection, as well as growing the merchant network through digitalization.

Niniek S. Rahardja, President Director of Yokke, claimed that the partnership would bring greater value to Indonesias growing payments industry, noting that it combined Yokkes established payments ecosystem with SBPS access to global corporations as well as advanced technology.



The aim is to capitalize this partnership to further expand while also bringing more innovative solution in order to encourage the development of digital payment solutions in Indonesia. The support from SBPS will make our business scalability even stronger, said Niniek.

Jun Shimba, Representative Director and CEO of SB Payment Service, added: we aspire to provide Yokke's payment solutions to customers worldwide and support its business expansion in Indonesia. Yokke offers a wide range of payment methods and has the capability to provide both online and offline payment solutions, making it a company capable of meeting the needs of all customers. In the future, we plan to leverage SBPS's the latest technology and expertise in digital payments to drive business expansion.

Through this partnership, SBPS aims to provision Indonesian payment services for Japanese companies and other global companies and, in the future, create a modern, cashless society by providing user friendly, secure, and efficient payments. Yokke and SBPS partnership is in line with Indonesia's government mission of National Noncash Movement (Gerakan Nasional Non Tunai - GNNT) which ultimately aims to create a cashless ecosystem in Indonesia.
by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, October 2, 2023

"I am very excited to be back at OMD again," Suhaila Hobba wrote in her LinkedIn profile after the Omnicom Media unit named her Chief Media Officer, reporting to Chrissie Hanson, CEO, OMD USA."

She fills a role that has been vacant since George Manas was promoted to global CEO of OMD two years ago.

Hobba, who previously served as East Coast Director of Digital at OMD between 2005 and 2008, rejoins the agency from Amazon where she was global head of digital for the past year.

She joined Amazon following an eight-year stint as global head of agency partnerships for IPG, and previously held senior positions at IPG Mediabrands' Initiative, Publicis Media's Spark Foundry, GroupM's Mediacom, and others.

"I will be overseeing the agency's holistic media practice -- bringing together strategy, planning, investment, activation and measurement through a performance marketing mental model that will accelerate business growth for clients and OMD," she said.

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Hobba, who previously worked in Amazon's in-house media operation, joins just as Amazon has put its massive $5 billion media account into review.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, October 2, 2023

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Monday took the witness stand in the U.S. Justice Department's antitrust fight with Alphabet's Google, saying that the company tried to make Bing the search engine of default on Apple devices, but was refused.



Nadella dismissed an argument Google has made, calling it "bogus." Google testimony suggested it is easy to change defaults on devices.

"Changing defaults today is easiest on Windows and toughest on mobile," according to Nadellas testimony.

The U.S. government in the trial set out to prove Google, worth more than $1 trillion with about 90% of the search market share, illegally paid $10 billion annually to smartphone makers like Apple and wireless carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and remain the default search engine on their devices. Google claims it can keep a dominate position based on the quality of its products.
by Ray Schultz , October 2, 2023

Guardian US has created its first investigations team, appointing Michael Hudson, most recently senior editor at the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), to lead the unit, effective immediately.

The new team will focus on corporate and government misconduct, attacks on human rights and other challenges facing the United States.

Joining Hudson in the new group is Stephanie Kirchgaessner, UK investigations correspondent, who will serve as deputy head of investigations for the US.

In addition, Will Craft, most recently of American Public Media has been named data editor. And Oliver Laughland, U.S. southern bureau chief, will be investigative correspondent while continuing his multimedia and narrative reporting.

Guardian US is also searching for an investigative reporter and a senior investigative reporter.

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Hudson has spent two stints as a senior editor at the ICIJ, working as a reporter, writer and editor on the ICIJs Pulitzer Prize-winning Panama Papers probe.

He has also served as global investigations editor at The Associated Press and has worked as a reporter for the Center for Public Integrity, The Wall Street Journal and The Roanoke (Va.) Times.

Hudson has dedicated his talent and passion to uncovering facts that powerful institutions would prefer to keep hidden, says Betsy Reed US editor at The Guardian. He has trained his sights on the biggest abusers of power from Wall Street to Washington.

Reed adds that Kirchgaessner has already produced a string of important scoops for The Guardian, from the Pegasus project to her recent stories on the Supreme Court.
EUFAULA  A Eufaula man was killed overnight in a single-vehicle crash on Taylor Road, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Willie Paige, 23, was fatally injured when the 2008 BMW 528I he was driving left the roadway, struck several trees and overturned approximately four miles northwest of Eufaula.

Paige was not using a seatbelt at the time of the crash in Barbour County. He was ejected and pronounced deceased at the scene, Senior Trooper Kendra McKinney said.

Timia Curshavia Quenzettie Lewis of Phenix City, the 19-year-old passenger, was transported to Southeast Health for medical treatment.

Nothing further is available at this time as state troopers continue to investigate the incident.
Dothan City Schools announced Monday that its Bright Key Initiative has expanded to Jerry Lee Faine Elementary and Girard Intermediate School after parents and facility gave the green light on bringing the program to the schools.

After thriving at Highlands and Selma Street Elementary Schools during its pilot years, Bright Key, which is now in its third year, was offered to Heard and Morris Slingluff Elementary Schools.

Bright Key data is evaluated annually by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. The evaluation continues to reinforce the notion that stakeholder-guided programs and services support the child and improve student achievement, academic growth, attendance and behavior.

Community partnerships play a crucial role in the Bright Key initiative as the programs offered are free of charge for students and families thanks to a self-sustaining model. Businesses, organizations and individual volunteers meet the stakeholder-identified needs by giving their time and resources.

Each Bright Key school needs a devoted resource coordinator to listen to stakeholders, form partnerships within the community, and facilitate programs that stakeholders want for their schools.

Kezwann Edwards, a Faine Elementary graduate, was selected to be the research coordinator for the school. Most recently employed as a prevention specialist at SpectraCare, he is excited to use his skills and experience to influence positive changes for students.

As an alumnus of Faine Elementary, I am back here where it all started to provide hope, resources, and to create a safe space for our students, families, teachers, and community, Edwards said in a press release. My goal here at Faine is to produce positive, successful outcomes for our school.

Shortly after obtaining her masters degree in marketing, Victoria Saffold was hired to be the resource coordinator for Girard Intermediate School. She is optimistic about what the future holds for students at the school.

I intend to instill in every student that failure is not a rejection but rather a redirection for new opportunities for achieving whatever goals you wish to achieve in life, Saffold said. Betty Jean King once said, Champions keep playing until they get it right. I am excited to help shape the educational vision of the future generation.

Finally, Anne Katherine Phillips is the new resource coordinator at Selma Street Elementary. With experience in social services and business, Phillips will continue to facilitate established programs and develop new ones at the direction of the schools stakeholders.

I am so excited to continue the amazing Bright Key programs at Selma Street, Phillips said. We have only just begun, and I can already see the enthusiasm that surrounds our Mentoring and Tutoring Program from the students.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held for the Bright Key Academic Dream Room at Jerry Lee Faine Elementary on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 10:30 a.m. The event will officially kick off programs at the school and recognize First Baptist Church of Dothan and AAA Cooper Dove Family Foundation as the schools Bright Key partners.

In early 2024, another ribbon cutting will take place at Girard Intermediate. The room, sponsored by Calvary Baptist Church, is currently being furnished and supplied. The official grand opening date will be announced soon.

For additional information about the Bright Key program, contact Brittany Shepard at 334-589-9148 or brshepard@dothan.k12.al.us
RICHMOND, Va. -- A U.S. Army lieutenant who was struck, pepper-sprayed and handcuffed during a traffic stop in Virginia asked a federal appeals court on Monday to overturn rulings by a trial judge after jurors found mostly in favor of the two police officers he sued.

Video of the December 2020 encounter between Lt. Caron Nazario and Windsor police officers was viewed millions of times and highlighted Black drivers' fears of police mistreatment.

In a legal brief filed Monday, Nazario argues that the court erred when it found in a pretrial ruling that Officers Joe Gutierrez and Daniel Crocker had probable cause to believe Nazario committed the crimes of eluding police, obstruction of justice and failure to obey an order.

Nazario also contends that the court erred when it dismissed his claims of unreasonable seizure, excessive force and First Amendment retaliation. He also claims the court gave two erroneous jury instructions and is asking for a new trial. He filed his appeal with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond.

"We believe that the jury's verdict was in part influenced by some of the rulings the trial court made, and we are asking the 4th Circuit to review those rulings," said Jonathan Arthur, Nazario's lawyer.

Anne Lahren, one of Crocker's attorneys, said the trial court "was correct in its rulings on every issue that is now up on appeal."

"The Judge and the jury saw the videos, heard witnesses, and overwhelmingly ruled in favor of the officers," Lahren said in a statement.

The Associated Press sent emails seeking comment to attorneys representing Gutierrez.

In January, a federal jury in Richmond largely sided with the police officers, finding in favor of Gutierrez on Nazario's claims of battery, false imprisonment and an illegal search. The jury also found in favor of Crocker on claims of assault and battery and false imprisonment.

The jury did find Gutierrez liable for assault and awarded Nazario $2,685 in compensatory damages. Jurors also found that Crocker had illegally searched Nazario's SUV and awarded Nazario $1,000 in punitive damages.

Nazario, who had sought $1 million in damages, asked for a new trial, but U.S. District Judge Roderick Young rejected that request in May, finding that Nazario had not shown "that the jury's findings were not within their discretion."

The confrontation between police and Nazario began on Dec. 5, 2020, when officers pulled Nazario over in Windsor, a rural town of about 3,000 in southeast Virginia. The officers said Nazario's Chevrolet Tahoe did not have a rear license plate. Nazario's lawyers said the car dealer had placed temporary tags in the upper right-hand corner inside the rear window.

Video showed Crocker and Gutierrez pointing handguns at a uniformed Nazario, who sat behind the wheel of his SUV while parked at a gas station. The officers repeatedly ordered Nazario to get out of his vehicle, with Gutierrez warning at one point that Nazario was "fixing to ride the lightning" when he didn't get out.

Nazario, who is Black and Latino, held his hands in the air outside the driver's side window and repeatedly asked why he was being stopped.

Gutierrez went on to pepper-spray him through the open window. Once Nazario got out of the vehicle, the officers ordered him to get on the ground, with Gutierrez using his knees to strike Nazario's legs, Nazario's lawsuit states.

Nazario has developed anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to his lawsuit.

Crocker is still on the force, but Gutierrez was fired in April 2021.

Last month, in a separate settlement with Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, the town of Windsor agreed to independent reviews of any misconduct allegations against its police force and additional officer training. The Attorney General's Office said its investigation found that while about 22% of Windsor's population is Black, it accounted for about 42% of the department's traffic stops between July 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021. The department also searched more vehicles driven by Black motorists than by white drivers.

"The Town of Windsor has worked diligently within its police force to enhance training, improve policies and procedures, and ensure the public that its law enforcement operates without prejudice and within the law," the town said in a statement after the settlement was announced.
A Texas jury has awarded $2.49 million to an Army reservist who lost his job as a Texas state trooper when he developed a debilitating illness caused by exposure to burn pits while serving overseas.

Former Army Capt. Le Roy Torres, who together with his wife Rosie led a decade-long fight for recognition of burn pits as a health risk and landmark legislation to provide benefits for sickened veterans, won a lawsuit Friday against the state of Texas for violations of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act.

Torres first filed a lawsuit in 2017 charging that the state denied his request to remain on the force in an administrative capacity -- an accommodation for his service-related disability. Instead, he said, he was forced to retire and then denied a disability retirement pension from the state.

Read Next: After Recruit Death, Navy SEAL Community Will Impose Forcewide Urinalysis to Root Out Performance Enhancing Drugs

The Texas Department of Public Safety argued that it couldn't be sued in the case without giving consent to being sued -- permission that is granted only by the state legislature.

The case made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which sided with Torres, sending the case back to Texas.

In a statement to Military.com on Monday, Torres described his fight over his job as "grueling" and said he felt vindicated by the ruling.

"As citizen soldiers, we deserve to keep our professions when we return from serving our nation such as a deployment, subsequently accommodating the injured veteran if they return with certain limitations," Torres said.

"We should not have to bear the burden alone due to illnesses or injuries caused by the instrumentality of war," he added.

The six-person jury ruled unanimously in Torres' favor.

"After Dec. 16, 2011 ... no one from the Department of Public Safety contacted Le Roy to tell him what was going on and there was no evidence at all (literally none) that DPS looked for another position for him to fill, despite their lawful, affirmative duty to do so," said Torres' attorney, Brian Lawler of San Diego-based Pilot Law, in a statement to Military.com.

The Texas Department of Public Safety did not respond to a request for comment by publication.

Torres deployed in 2007 to Iraq, where he was assigned to Joint Base Balad, site of one of the largest burn pits used by U.S. forces to dispose of waste generated by the facility, from everyday trash to medical waste, electronics, batteries, plastics and more.

Torres developed constrictive bronchiolitis, a condition that destroys the smallest airways in the lungs, causing difficulties breathing and leaving those affected exhausted. He later was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and an autoimmune disorder.

As a result of his health conditions, which weren't recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs as service-related, the Torreses founded Burn Pits 360, an advocacy group focused on raising awareness of the dangers of burn pits and veterans sickened by them.

In the early days of their organization, the Torreses traveled to Washington, D.C., often joined by just a handful of other veterans with illnesses they believed were caused by burn pit exposure. As more veterans became sick, however, Burn Pits 360 began documenting their illnesses and pushing for health care and benefits for those former service members.

Their fight caught the attention of comedian Jon Stewart and construction worker-turned-activist John Feal, who had successfully pushed for extension of benefits for first responders and their families at the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, many of whom were exposed to and sickened by many of the same chemicals emitted by burn pits.

Presenting a united front together with many veterans service organizations, the burn pit advocates were able to pass the PACT Act, also known as the Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act.

More than 1 million disability claims have been filed under the PACT Act since it was signed in August 2022. The legislation designated nearly two dozen illnesses as presumed to be related to exposure to burn pits and other battlefield environmental pollutants, making those afflicted with the illnesses eligible for expedited health care and disability benefits.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com.

Related: This Veteran Was Forced to Resign from a State Job Over a Sickness Caused by Burn Pits. Now the Supreme Court May Take Up His Case
It wasn't an emergency landing, but a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey recently experienced a mechanical issue that caused the pilot and several others onboard to land at Baldwin County Regional Airport.

They were there for several days until repairs could be made, according to Bruce Hood, general manager of Sinclair Aviation, which manages day-to-day operations at the local airport.

He said the pilot never declared an emergency.

The pilot was alerted by a warning sensor that something was wrong, Hood said.

The helicopter was traveling from North Carolina to Arizona, Hood told The Union-Recorder during an interview Wednesday morning. They were all active-duty Marines. When the aircraft got close to Milledgeville, it developed a vibration sensor in one of its rotors and the pilot decided to land here at our airport as a safety precaution.

Once they landed, some of the crew members did some troubleshooting.

We loaned them some tools to do their troubleshooting, Hood said. They ended up calling in a second unit to come help them. They later found out they had a bigger problem than they originally thought, so they had to actually remove the rotor on the right-hand side of the aircraft and replace a few parts before they could get that aircraft repaired and flying again.

During that time, they had numerous other MV-22s fly in with support equipment to repair the bad rotor. Other mechanical and technical support personnel arrived to help make the necessary repairs.

Hood said he talked with the commander of the squadron and asked if it would be OK if he called a couple of people from Qarbon Aerospace in Milledgeville to come out and take a look.

They were ecstatic about that idea and told me to bring them on out to the airport, Hood said.

Several people from the company that happens to manufacture parts for the MV-22 Osprey came out and toured the aircraft.

And I thought that was a wonderful thing, Hood said.

Gifts of appreciation were presented to personnel by Matt Grubb, one of the officials at Qarbon Aerospace.

You could tell it really meant a lot to those who received those trinkets, Hood said.

Several local residents also came to the airport to see the helicopters, he recalled.

The aircraft remained grounded for nearly a week.

During that time, the 16 active-duty Marines stayed at motels in Milledgeville, Hood said.

And so did several others who came in to work on the Osprey.

Hood said Sinclair Aviation also loaned them its courtesy SUV so they could journey back and forth from the motel to restaurants and back to the airport.

We were more than glad to assist them in any way we possibly could, Hood said. We took the opportunity here at Sinclair Aviation on two different occasions to feed them. We fed them Jersey Mike sub-sandwiches one day, and another day, we fed them pizza.

Before they departed the airport earlier this week, Hood recalled them saying that of all the places to break down, Milledgeville was probably one of the best places it could have happened because of the warm hospitality they received.

It wasn't just from us here at Sinclair Aviation, it was from our community at-large, Hood said. It was really nice to help them in their time of need because they have always been first to help our country in time of need.

(c) 2023 The Union-Recorder (Milledgeville, Ga.)

Visit The Union-Recorder (Milledgeville, Ga.) at unionrecorder.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A Marine from Beaufort's Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) faces several felony charges of animal cruelty for reportedly neglecting five pets she was hired to watch during a Hilton Head man's vacation, leaving one dog to die of starvation after not visiting the owner's house for a five-day period.

Victoria Marie Spencer, 20, was arrested Thursday morning at MCAS Beaufort and released on bond just a few hours later, said Maj. Angela Viens, a spokesperson for the Beaufort County Sheriff's office.

Spencer was hired via the online pet-sitting service Trusted Housesitters to watch two dogs and three cats belonging to the islander, who lives in Hilton Head Plantation, Viens said. Investigators say the woman agreed to pet-sit for a nine-day period in the beginning of September, with regular visits to the home to feed the animals and let the dogs out of their kennels.

After not hearing from Spencer a few days into his vacation, the homeowner checked the footage from his doorbell camera at the home's front entrance  only to discover Spencer appeared not to have visited the house for the past five to six days, according to Viens. He frantically phoned a neighbor, who checked the house to find the animals in a heart-rending state of neglect.

Both dogs' kennels were "cluttered with feces" and tattered bedding, according to a Sheriff's Office report, and one dog had died due to a lack of food and water. The other was suffering visible hair loss, with injuries to its snout, paws and nails from trying to escape its cage, Viens said. The dogs had reportedly been left for over five days, with food and water in their direct line of sight from the kennels.

Left to roam inside the house, the homeowner's cats were not visibly injured but had also not been fed or checked on, police say. Their litter box was "completely full," with feces and urine found throughout the house.

Using the doorbell footage as evidence, Sheriff's Office investigators charged Spencer with five counts of animal cruelty  three misdemeanor counts for the cats, and two felony counts for the dogs.

"We are incredibly sorry to hear of this terrible incident," a spokesperson from Trusted Housesitters wrote in a statement to The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette Friday morning. "We have offered our deepest condolences and our fullest support to the owners and we are liaising with the Sheriff's Office to provide whatever assistance we can in their investigation."

The statement emphasized that pet safety is the company's "absolute priority" and that team members will be reviewing the incident "to ensure that our systems and vetting procedures are as strong as possible."

According to their website, Trusted Housesitters requires all sitters to complete an intensive background check, including criminal history, ID checks, external references and email and phone validation. Spencer's account on the site could not be found and appears to have been removed.

___

(c)2023 The Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.)

Visit The Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.) at www.islandpacket.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
ANKARA, Turkey  Turkish warplanes carried out airstrikes on suspected Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq on Sunday following a suicide attack on a government building in the Turkish capital, Turkey's defense ministry announced.

Some 20 targets of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, were destroyed in the latest aerial operation, including caves, shelters and depots, the ministry said, adding that a large number of PKK operatives were neutralized in the strikes.

Earlier on Sunday, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device near an entrance of the Interior Ministry, wounding two police officers. A second assailant was killed in a shootout with police.

The PKK, which maintains bases in northern Iraq, claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing, according to a news agency close to the rebel group. Turkey's Interior Ministry also identified one of the assailants as a member of the outlawed group. It said efforts were still underway to identify the second attacker.

The attack happened hours before Turkey's Parliament reopened after its three-month summer recess with an address by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The two assailants arrived at the scene inside a light commercial vehicle, which they seized from a veterinarian in the central province of Kayseri, according to the Interior Ministry. The pro-government daily Sabah reported that they shot the man in the head and threw his body into a ditch by the side of the road. They then drove the vehicle to Ankara, roughly 300 kilometers (200 miles) away.

Our heroic police officers, through their intuition, resisted the terrorists as soon as they got out of the vehicle, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters. One of them blew himself up, while the other one was shot in the head before he had a chance to blow himself up.

Our fight against terrorism, their collaborators, the (drug) dealers, gangs and organized crime organizations will continue with determination, he said.

Police found plastic explosives, hand grenades and a rocket launcher at the scene, a ministry statement said.

Erdogan gave his speech in Parliament as planned and called the attack the last stand of terrorism.

The scoundrels who targeted the peace and security of the citizens could not achieve their goals and they never will," he said.

The president reiterated his government's aim to create a 30-kilometer (20 mile) safe zone along Turkey's border with Syria to secure its southern border from attacks.

Turkey has conducted numerous cross-border offensives against the PKK in northern Iraq. It has also launched incursions into northern Syria since 2016 to drive away the Islamic State group and a Kurdish militia group, known by the initials YPG, and controls swaths of territory in the area.

Turkey views the YPG as an extension of the PKK, which is listed as a terror group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. The PKK has waged an insurgency against Turkey since 1984. Tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict.

Last year, a bomb blast in a bustling pedestrian street in Istanbul left six people dead, including two children. More than 80 others were wounded. Turkey blamed the attack on the PKK and the YPG.

Security camera footage on Sunday showed the vehicle stopping in front of the Interior Ministry, with a man exiting it and rushing toward the entrance of the building before blowing himself up. A second man is seen following him.

Earlier, television footage showed bomb squads working near a vehicle in the area, which is located near the Turkish Grand National Assembly and other government buildings. A rocket launcher could be seen lying near the vehicle.

Turkish authorities later imposed a temporary blackout on images from the scene.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said an investigation has been launched into the terror attack.

These attacks will in no way hinder Turkey's fight against terrorism, he wrote on X. Our fight against terrorism will continue with more determination.

Police cordoned off access to the city center and increased security measures, warning citizens that they would be conducting controlled explosions of suspicious packages.

The two police officers were being treated in a hospital and were not in serious condition, Yerlikaya said.

Egypt, which has normalized ties with Turkey after a decade of tensions, condemned the attack. A terse statement from the Foreign Ministry offered Egypts solidarity with Turkey.

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara and other foreign missions also issued messages condemning the attack.

Erdogan in his speech did not provide any indication as to when Turkeys parliament may ratify Swedens membership in NATO.

Stockholm applied for NATO membership alongside Finland following Russias invasion of Ukraine last year. While Finland has since joined, Turkey blocked Swedens membership in the military alliance, accusing it of not doing enough to tackle groups like PKK from operating on its soil. In a posting on X, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Stockholm strongly condemns todays terrorist attack in Ankara."

"We reaffirm our commitment to long-term cooperation with Turkiye in combating terrorism and wish for quick and full recovery of the ones injured, he wrote, using the Turkish government's preferred spelling for the country.

___

Associated Press writers Cinar Kiper in Bodrum, Turkey, Robert Badendieck in Istanbul, and Jari Tanner in Helsinki, Finland contributed.
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
Sprint Electric expands into AC with regenerative drive

The UK DC drives manufacturer Sprint Electric is expanding into the AC drives market with the launch of a range of regenerative AC drives at the SPS 2023 exhibition in Germany in November. The company describes its new Generis drive as the next generation of AC drive technology, delivering cost-effective and reliable AC motor control combined with energy regeneration and low input current harmonics.

The drive uses a unique patented switching technology without a DC link. It gives full four-quadrant control as standard, as well as unity power factor and minimal input current distortion. Four-quadrant control avoids the need for active front-end drives or braking resistors, simplifying the control of AC motors in complex applications.

Removing the DC link massively reduces harmonic distortion to the mains supply as well as improving drive efficiency. The drive will control all types of AC motor in open- or closed-loop configurations, maximising its range of potential applications.

Sprint has been developing the new drive over the past five years in partnership with Nottingham University as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership  the part grant-funded scheme that helps UK businesses to innovate using expertise from UK universities. The company has attracted 2.5m of funding, with 2m of this coming from trusts managed by the Foresight Group private equity business, and 500,000 from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), which is supported by the European Union via its European Regional Development Fund.

The Generis drives will be available from February 2024 in ratings up to 22kW. More sizes will be introduced over the coming three years, eventually spanning ratings up to 200kW. Sprint has yet to decide whether to build the drives in-house or to sub-contract their manufacture, but says that they will be built in the UK.

This release has been a long time in the making, and the team has worked exceptionally hard to produce this leap in drive technology, says Sprints managing director, Gary Keen. Generis represents a new level for AC drive technology.



The drive, he adds, boasts simplified mechanics and does not use electrolytic capacitors, so it has no life-limiting components which degrade with time and temperature. This results in exceptionally high levels of reliability as well as minimising total cost of ownership.



Constant-torque and variable-torque profiles are easily selected, so offering full energy efficiency with short payback periods, Keen continues. Generis also includes extended frequency output  a feature often sought in constant-power applications.

The new drive has been designed to simplify control without compromising performance. It is aimed at industries such as converting, metals, print and packaging, and applications such as presses and test rigs. Four pushbuttons and a two-line, 40-character display simplify commissioning, reducing the need to refer to a manual. The simple setup means that Generis can be up-and-running within minutes with a full autotune capability to maximise motor performance and efficiency.

Sprint Electric directors Gary Keen (left) and Mark Gardiner with one of their new regenerative AC drives

Sprint remains committed to the DC drives market but Keen points out that the AC regen market is about 40 times the size of the DC market that Sprint currently addresses. Sprint reckons that regen drives account for around 7.5% of the 16bn global AC drives market.

Sprint will be offering similar graphical programming software to that used for its DC drives. The new drives can be connected easily to multi-drive networks with advanced application functions that reduce the need for a PLC.

There will be a series of technical presentations on the new drive at its launch at the SPS show next month.

Founded in 1987, Sprint Electric designs and manufactures digital motor controls up to 1MW for single-phase, three-phase, regenerative and non-regenerative applications. It currently employs around 20 people and is expanding. It had sales worth 3m in 2022. More than 80% of its production is exported to more than 75 countries, including digital and analogue DC drives, digital AC slip-ring drives and small DC-DC drives.

Keen expects that most of the initial sales of the new regen drives will be in the UK, with systems integrators being a target sector. But he thinks that export sales will eventually come to dominate. In the longer term, Sprints AC and DC drives ranges will probably share technologies.
CHIPPEWA COUNTY, MI -- A jury convicted a 49-year-old former priest Thursday on a charge of child sexually abusive activity after he arranged to meet an underage boy for sexually intercourse over a social media app. According to Chippewa County Prosecutor Robert Stratton, the jury found Aaron Nowicki guilty of the charge following a trial that included testimony from multiple police officers, a forensic computer expert and Nowicki.

The charge stems from a 2021 sting operation conducted by the the Sault Ste. Marie Police Department, the Sault Tribe Police Department and the Ghost team from the Genesee County Sheriffs Office. During the sting, officers posed an underage boy and arranged to meet with multiple individuals -- including Nowicki -- to engage in sexual intercourse. When the men would arrive at the motel to meet the boy, they were arrested.

During the course of the trial, Nowicki testified that hed been an active user of the dating app Grindr for around 11 years. Over that time, Nowicki said he had met several people through the app and engaged in intercourse with them, but admitted he didnt verify their age. Although the app requires all users to be 18 or older to be on the platform, Nowicki admitted to knowing that some people on the app were underage and that he didnt verify their ages when meeting in person for intercourse.

The jury eventually found Nowicki guilty because he did not take proper precaution to verify the age of the person he was meeting for intercourse, Stratton said.

The protection of our children ultimately falls to the parents and community, though law enforcement will continue to do everything in their power as well, Stratton said in the statement. Parents need to be aware that these social media platforms exist as they pose a very real danger to teenagers who are looking to spread their wings, and may accidentally fall straight into the arms of a predator. The undercover operation revealed that our small community is not free of those would prey on children.

In 2019, Nowicki resigned and was removed from priestly ministry at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette after he was accused of an improper, but not illegal relationship with an adult.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- A 60-year-old man from Milan was killed on Saturday in a motorcycle crash, according to police.

Deputies from the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office responded to a motorcycle crash on Michigan Avenue near Harris Road in Ypsilanti Township around 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, Derrick Jackson, spokesperson for the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office, said in a release.

When deputies arrived, they found a man had been riding his motorcycle westbound on Michigan Avenue at Harris Road when a vehicle traveling eastbound on Michigan Avenue attempted to turn onto Harris Road, police said. The driver turned in front of the motorcyclist, and the man struck the vehicle.

Police have identified the man on the motorcycle as Mark Riley, 60, of Milan. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the vehicle was an 86-year-old man from Ypsilanti, police said. No arrests have been made and no one else was injured.

The investigation is ongoing, police said.

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:

Street construction to bring significant interference to downtown Ypsilanti

Woman found dead in Saline basement was killed in domestic-related homicide, police say

Jurors convict man in fatal Burger King shooting
YPSILANTI, MI - More Eastern Michigan University students will see free tuition next fall, university officials said.

The university has announced the expansion of its Eastern Tuition Advantage for the fall 2024 semester, officials said.

In addition to an expansion of merit-based scholarship awards, the free tuition programs help eligible students with need who perform well in the classroom.

By expanding this program we are reaffirming our commitment to accessibility and ensuring that financial considerations dont have to stand in the way of our students pursuit of a quality education, Eastern Michigan University Vice President of Enrollment Management Katie Condon-Martin said in a statement.

To be eligible for the free-tuition program, a student needs to be admitted on the Ypsilanti campus by March 15, 2024 and have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. In addition, the student must eligible for a Pell Grant or have an adjusted gross family income of less than $60,000 per year as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid.

Eastern Tuition Advantage covers full tuition when including federal and state aid, officials said.

The program, in place for more than a decade, used to be based on just gross family income, but Pell Grant eligibility is now taken into account.

The University expanded access to the program to include Pell Grant eligibility to ensure that EMU removes financial obstacles for students who need it the most, officials said.

First-year students are also eligible for the Emerald Scholarship, which ranges from $4,000 to $8,000 a year. Eligible students will have at least a 2.75 cumulative high school GPA, and students may renew the scholarship as long as they maintain their academic standing, officials said.

Learn more about the scholarship program at emich.edu/admissions/scholarships/index.php .

If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.

Read more from The Ann Arbor News:

No state university is bigger than the University of Michigan, data shows

Booze in the Big House? Feedback wanted on alcohol sales at Michigan Stadium

Persecuted Mexican journalist granted asylum after recharging soul on Dexter farm
SALINE, MI -- A woman found dead in a Saline basement is believed to have been killed by a suspect who later turned a gun on themselves, according to police.

Saline police were called to a residence within the city around 2:45 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, for a welfare check, Saline Chief of Police Marlene Radzik said in a release. Although the incident was originally thought to be a missing endangered person, officers found the woman, 49, dead in the basement.

Police have identified the woman as Cindy Gochis.

The suspect, a 55-year-old man from Indiana, left the residence in the victims vehicle, according to police. Police found the suspect in Indiana suffering from self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, according to the press release.

He was charged with open murder and felony firearm on Saturday, Sept. 30, although has not yet been arraigned, Radzik told MLive/The Ann Arbor News on Monday, Oct. 2. MLive/The Ann Arbor News does not release the name of suspects until they have been arraigned.

Police have not released the cause of death.

The death is believed to be a domestic incident, police said. Investigation is ongoing.

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:

Ann Arbor must relocate tennis courts built on water reservoir, officials say

Party barns or a sacred space? Conflict over event venues near Ann Arbor heats up

Meet Peanut, the worlds oldest living chicken
FLINT, MI  The case of a Flint man accused of stabbing and sexually assaulting a woman at her Grand Blanc Township home before getting in a standoff with police has been bound over to circuit court for trial.

Derrick Black is charged with single felony counts of torture, first-degree home invasion, second-degree criminal sexual conduct, unlawful imprisonment, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

On Thursday, Sept. 28, Black appeared before District Court Judge William H. Crawford for a preliminary examination.

Following testimony by witnesses called by Genesee County prosecutors, Crawford bound Blacks case over to circuit court. Now that the case is in the higher court, Black can either plead as charged, proceed to trial or accept any possible plea agreement offered to him.

He remains lodged at the Genesee County Jail without bond.

Authorities on March 27 said Black forced his way into the home of his 37-year-old ex-girlfriend and held her against her will.

The woman was assaulted several times before escaping from the home, police said.

Black stayed inside the home armed with a gun, according to police. He refused to exit the home prior to being taken into custody.

Proceedings were delayed earlier this year when Black was referred to the Center for Forensic Psychiatry for a competency evaluation, which ultimately determined he was competent to stand trial.

Read more at The Flint Journal:

Grand Blanc Township police close residential roadway due to emergency situation

Man arrested after Grand Blanc Township woman stabbed, held against her will

Man faces multiple charges after standoff with Grand Blanc Township police
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Police are investigating a stabbing that happened early Monday, Oct. 2, outside of My Place Bar.

The injured man suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The stabbing was reported around 2:40 p.m. outside of the bar at 1410 South Division Avenue just north of Fair Street SE, police said.

Police are seeking two people in the stabbing.

Related: 1 dead, 1 seriously injured in shootout, officer fires gun but no one hit

The stabbing follows a fatal shootout outside My Place Bar early Friday, Sept. 29. One man was killed and another seriously injured by gunfire as over 100 people gathered outside the bar.

The shootings happened around 2:10 a.m.

Two Grand Rapids police officers arrived at the scene during the shootout, with one of them firing gunshots that did not hit anyone. Chief Eric Winstrom said the officers actions likely prevented others from being shot.

Police asked anyone who has information to call detectives at 616-346-3380 or anonymously through Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or www.silentobserver.org

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Ex-service manager sentenced in scheme to alter emissions controls on diesel engines

Wallet Watch: Hundreds of childcare providers, already running on thin margins, lost federal aid

Three injured in Holland Township car crash
GRAND RAPIDS  The annual Grand Rapids Santa Parade is canceled, according to its organizers.

The parade, planned for November, is canceled due to a recent unplanned leadership change and capacity constraints within the Grand Rapids Junior Chamber (GRJC), which puts on the parade.

The Santa Parade has been a cherished holiday tradition in our community for many years, bringing joy a festive spirit to families and individuals alike, stated GRJC President Brandon Diller in a news release Friday. However, the GRJC is currently undergoing a leadership and organization transition, which has posed significant challenges in organizing and executing this beloved event at the high standards our community expects.

Diller said he understands not having the parade may disappoint Grand Rapids residents, but that the decision to cancel the parade was not taken lightly. He also said the GRJC is committed to bringing the Santa Parade back in 2024 stronger and more vibrant than ever.

The Grand Rapids Junior Chamber remains steadfast in its mission to contribute positively to our community and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth for our members, Diller said. We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who have been instrumental in making the Santa Parade a success in past years and look forward to working with you in years to come.

RELATED: Crowds gather for 101st Grand Rapids Santa Parade

Last year, the Santa Parade celebrated its 101st anniversary, returning after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. The parade began in 1919 as the Wurzburgs Santa Claus Parade and has since grown to the second-largest parade in the state, according to the events website.

The parade normally includes high school marching bands, holiday floats, special guests, reindeer, a hot cocoa station, food trucks, and performances in the Rosa Parks Circle bandshell.

Last year, organizers expected 30,000 attendees for the parade.

The 2024 Grand Rapids Santa Parade is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. For those interested in volunteering to help plan the parade, Diller has opened an online sign-up sheet. He said it takes 200 volunteers to successfully put on the event.

If you are looking to take a larger part in the planning process of the Santa Parade next year, we welcome you to join our organization now as the planning process for this parade starts at the beginning of the calendar year, Diller said.

To sign up to volunteer for the 2024 Santa Parade, visit the sign-up sheet here.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter.

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KENT COUNTY, MI  Retired Wyoming Police Chief Lowell Henline, who had a 35-year law-enforcement career and was the pillar of his large family, has died.

He was 90.

He died Wednesday, Sept. 27, in Grand Rapids.

He retired in 1995 after serving 35 years at the Police Department  the last 22 years as chief of police.

Our father was the pillar of our family, a daughter, Beverly (Henline) Bosserman, of Grand Rapids, said. He showed us unwavering love and taught us perseverance and how to work hard. He lived a long and big life and will be dearly missed by us all.

A son, Lowell Chip Henline II, of Byron Center, said: Everyone knew what was important to dad - God first, then family, and country. We are blessed that he was able to pass those values on to three generations.

Lowell Henline was Wyoming Police Department's first motorcycle patrol officer. (Photo provided by Henline family)

Henline was the first motorcycle officer in Wyoming. He established the citys first EMS-paramedic program and was elected president of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police in 1978-79.

He was in charge when the Police Department bought its first computers.

Henline joined the U.S. Army in 1953, spending nearly two years in Korea. After he was honorably discharged, he worked for Coca Cola in Grand Rapids then had a successful career selling Beech-Nut gum and Life Savers candy.

He was hired as a Wyoming police officer in 1959. He continued to run his own company, Henline Enterprises, which included eight service stations and an ice-delivery business, until he was named chief of police in 1973.

He and his wife, Joan, who survives, were married 43 years. They moved to Sebring, Florida, during retirement but returned to Grand Rapids last year to be near family.

Henline had six children, 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Services are set for late October. For a full obituary, go here.

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Crashes are more common at roundabouts but there are benefits
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  A serious crash on Monday, Oct. 2, has closed Riley Street between 152nd and 160th avenues in Park Township.

A vehicle crashed into a tree before noon, Ottawa County sheriffs deputies said.

The road has been shut down while police investigate. Police asked motorists to avoid the area.

Park Township firefighters also responded to the scene.

Police expect to provide updates later Monday.

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Did you start your career with the idea of climbing the corporate ladder? Or did you find a business with the idea that youd eventually employ levels of hierarchy  senior management, middle management and hands-on workers as your business grows?

If the answer is yes, Id say youre in the majority.

Organisational hierarchy and prescribed job descriptions are embedded in our workplaces, despite being derived from a time when workers were valued for their ability to complete a manual task or repeatedly follow simple instructions, rather than to think for themselves.

I recently completed a two-year piece of research into whether or not people are consistently doing their best work, and was sadly not surprised to discover that more than 60% of participants said they werent. This was across a wide range of industries and roles.

Digging deeper into the findings, it became clear that were expecting people to thrive in structures that are designed to constrain, rather than motivate and empower them to be truly exceptional.

The evolution of work

As a society, weve made incredible progress in the way we work. In my working life weve gone from paper-based work in 9-5 office settings, to flexible, free-range digitally-empowered work uninhibited by geography and circumstances.

But we havent evolved the way we organise people and work to the same extent, and top-down leadership is stifling creativity, leaving people feeling disconnected and undervalued. The exact opposite of the conditions required for people to truly thrive and contribute to the best of their abilities.

By truly valuing the people who are delivering the work in our businesses  whether its a frontline worker in aged care, a call centre operator or a knowledge worker sitting at a desk  were recognising that each person has unique and worthwhile insights and experiences to share.

So, how might businesses create environments where people are encouraged to contribute, where they feel valued, and connected to a shared purpose?

Its time to rethink our organisations and to take incremental steps to building businesses where ideas can flourish, and innovation becomes the norm.

Bold ideas need bold leadership

In the right conditions, our people can contribute to a state of continuous improvement in our businesses, as well as being given permission to be innovative and to think big picture. To ask  what could we be doing differently? What other problems could we be solving?

These big ideas wont flourish if senior leaders insist on gatekeeping an organisations strategy and decisions.

In my research, leaders voiced frustration over extensive meetings, protracted decision-making, inefficient systems, and a risk-averse culture often stifling innovative ideas. One respondent noted: There is an inertia from the immune system in organisations that comes from rigid structures and lack of openness to change. Leaders want control and dont want to let it go.  Entrepreneur and Consultant, Professional Services.

This kind of inertia is leading to missed opportunities, missed contributions and missed potential.

Take a moment to imagine what your people might contribute with the right climate and permission to share their ideas?

Autonomy, purpose and mastery

This kind of change isnt going to happen overnight. Its not about suddenly throwing out structures and creating a free for all where people can run with any idea they want to work on.

Connecting people to a shared purpose and giving them more autonomy will ultimately enable them to do meaningful work that delivers value to the business.

Back in the 90s, I was one of the strategists who delivered the 2000 Sydney Olympics. As a team of mostly Olympic rookies, it was a daunting prospect  we had a roadmap, but we had no playbook on how to plan, prepare and deliver events for 10,000 athletes across 28 sports. But we did have a bold, inspiring purpose, the freedom to bring big ideas to the table, and permission from the executive team to make things happen, without being restrained by bureaucracy and organisational silos.

The result was a global event that earned the title of the best Games ever, and our playbook was acquired by the International Olympic Committee to share with future Olympic cities.

For people in your business, the permission to collaborate across different parts of the business, and knowing their leaders trust them to do the right thing, could also provide fertile ground where ideas can flourish.

Daniel Pink, best-selling author and expert in business and behaviour, noted that there are three key elements for people to do their best work: purpose, autonomy and mastery.

This mastery is about getting people to work on something thats a challenge, while ensuring guidance and support is available if they need it. Its the idea of being in a zone of proximal development, where your team can stretch themselves outside of their comfort zone, while knowing you have their back. It means they can enjoy the challenge of something new, but not to the point of feeling out of their depth.

Steps toward change

Whether youre in an established business or youre a startup ready to scale, there are accessible ways to challenge traditional structures and encourage collaboration.

You could start by:

Defining your purpose, which is about the impact you want to have in your community or beyond, and making it visible, both internally and externally. Every organisation should have a meaningful purpose beyond simply making a profit, so get clear on yours and then help your people connect with it.

Encouraging ideation  create forums and channels that are safe spaces for ideas to evolve.

Embracing agility  through more collaboration and regular checkpoints to reflect and adapt  is this still working or are there ways to evolve it along the way?

Acknowledging and rewarding people who show initiative with learning opportunities  so that they feel valued and are also encouraged to further develop their skills and knowledge.

As one executive I surveyed noted, as a leader they value: Autonomy and continuous learning. Set the goal and define the metrics then empower people to achieve it without being prescriptive. People thrive when they are constantly learning something. Its not about failing, its about creating a culture of learning. Executive, Technology. Are you ready to create a culture that values sharing and learning, and evolve beyond a hierarchy that keeps people in their box? Its never too late to start.

As we look to the future, Im convinced that purpose will be paramount for all organisations, which is why I love this quote from Minouche Shafik, Director of the London School of Economics: In the past jobs were about muscles, now theyre about brains, but in future theyll be about the heart.

Read the full whitepaper resulting from my global research at: Rethinking the future of work in a fragile world.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
KALAMAZOO, MI -- Three candidates so far have announced plans to run for the Democratic Party nomination to represent Michigans 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The winner of the nomination next August will likely face incumbent Republican Bill Huizenga in the Nov. 5, 2024, general election.

Chris Glasser, Joseph Alfonso and Jessica Swartz have registered to compete for the nomination.

The 4th District includes all of Allegan and Van Buren counties and portions of Ottawa, Kalamazoo, Berrien and Calhoun counties, including the cities of Kalamazoo and Holland.

Chris Glasser

Glasser, 27, works for the state of Michigan as a children services specialist. He is the president of Kalamazoos Eastside Neighborhood Association.

There are a lot of people who feel disenfranchised by our political system, Glasser said in an interview Thursday, Sept. 28. Many people feel not enough changes have been made in government, he said.

He is happy to speak with voters about any issue, Glasser said, and he thinks it is important to talk about topics beyond some of the more standard or bedrock issues.

Glasser said he is running as a Democrat, but said he considers himself to have a nonpartisan scope.

Im not running for Democrats to win and Republicans to lose, Im running to pass policy that has a positive impact, regardless of the partisan affiliation, Glasser said.

He believes in bold policies and progressive change, but not from a partisan lens, he said.

Glasser of Kalamazoo said he believes in social liberty and that people should be allowed to live their lives and do to their own bodies what they wish as long as theyre not harming anyone else.

He also wants to see economic accountability for corporations.

The actions of corporations effect more than just their bottom line, he said on his website, and corporations can impact workers, consumers, the environment and the community where they reside.

Joseph Alfonso

Alfonso, 33, was born to a Puerto Rican mother and immigrant father in New York City, he said. He now lives in Holland.

He served in the United States Marine Corps, where he helped organize infrastructure for bases and create action plans for Aid Assistance in East and Southeast Asia, according to his website. In Michigan, he has worked as an electrician, sales attendant and banker, and put his career on hold to focus on the campaign, he said.

I was raised to fight for my community, and Im running to do just that, Alfonso said on his site. I want to give West Michigan a strong voice in Congress by bringing jobs back to our state, protecting your health care rights and keeping toxic chemicals out of our pipelines.

He would like to push for a program to provide Medicare for minors so young people can get needed care, Alfonso said.

Making sure kids are healthy and safe, I think that is something a lot of people are good with, Alfonso said in a Sept. 28 interview.

Alfonso won the Democratic nomination in 2022, and was defeated by Huizenga in the general election. Unofficial results showed Huizenga had 183,978 votes (54.5%) to Alfonsos 142,866 votes (42.3%).

Swartz announced she was entering the race for U.S. Congress in July.

Swartz is attorney at Miller Johnson in Kalamazoo and is a Kalamazoo resident. She has worked as an appellate attorney for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and has waited tables on nights and weekends to pay down her student loans and mortgage, she said.

Im running for Congress to safeguard our democracy, bring down costs for working people and protect abortion rights from Washington politicians like Bill Huizenga who are attacking women in Michigan and across the country, Swartz said in a message to MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette.

Democrat Jessica Swartz has announced her campaign for Congress in Michigans 4th District.

Swartz said she will fight for good jobs, clean air and water and abortion rights, among other issues.

Instead of the extremism, the people here in West Michigan, we just want to put food on the table and work hard and solve the problems, Swartz said.

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EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated with a statement from Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting.

PORTAGE, MI  A Portage man accused of killing and burying his parents in February 2021 pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder on Monday, Oct. 2.

Nicholas Alexander Johnson, 30, pleaded guilty Monday to killing Gary Johnson, 65, and Laura Johnson, 64, the Kalamazoo County Prosecutors Office confirmed with the Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive.

After three days of searching for the missing couple, police found the couple buried in the Gourdneck State Game Area on Feb. 12, 2021. Johnson was arraigned six days later on two counts of open murder, two counts of felony firearm and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Related: Bodies unearthed in Portage woods those of Gary and Laura Johnson

After multiple competency hearings over the past 2 1/2 years, Johnson had been scheduled to begin trial in the two murder cases on Monday, Oct. 2. The cases were to be tried at the same time.

According to terms of the plea agreement, Johnson will serve a minimum of 29 years in prison, Kalamazoo County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Williams said. While the defense had withdrawn its intent to pursue an insanity defense, Williams said the defendants mental health was a consideration when making a plea offer.

Johnson will be sentenced on Wednesday, Nov. 1 by Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge Gary Giguere.

A welfare check at Johnsons parents home on Feb. 9, 2021, almost immediately turned into a missing persons case as police searched the property around the clock for nearly three days.

Within two days it had become a homicide investigation and Johnson quickly became a person of interest.

Related: Son of missing Portage couple now considered person of interest in pairs suspicious disappearance

Police had located the then 27-year-old son of the missing couple the same day they went missing.

The younger Johnson was found hiding in the storage area of an apartment complex. When found, he was in possession of a loaded gun, prosecutors said later they believed to be the murder weapon. Also in his possession was his mothers cellphone that police used the signal off of to locate the suspect.

After 2 1/2 days of searching around the clock at Gary and Laura Johnsons Romence Road home, police moved the search to the woods at Gourdneck State Game Area on the night of Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021.

On Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, at an area near Angling Road and Vanderbilt Avenue, a cadaver dog led investigators to the remains of both Gary and Laura Johnson.

Both individuals were found wrapped in tarps and buried in shallow graves.

First, I want to again extend my sympathy and condolences to the family and loved ones of Gary and Laura Johnson, Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said. To lose someone in this way is terrible.

The prosecutors office is grateful for the support of the victims family in reaching a resolution for both of these murders. The defendant will now serve decades in prison for his actions. Knowing that he has been held accountable, and that there will be severe consequence helps the family of the victims to move forward. This outcome also protects the public from someone who obviously was a danger to our community.

Laura Johnson, prior to being killed, had just recently retired after spending the previous 17 years of her career working for the West Michigan Cancer Center in Kalamazoo.

Gary Johnson had been an employee of TowerPinkster for over 25 years. His employer had made the initial contact with police on Feb. 9, 2021, after Gary Johnson had not logged into work in over a week.

The couple had been married for 32 years and had begun dating in the mid-1980s, about 10 years after they both graduated from Kalamazoo Loy Norrix in 1974, Gary Johnsons brother, David Johnson told MLive.

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KALAMAZOO, MI -- Responding to accusations in a federal lawsuit blaming them for pollution that has impacted Kalamazoo neighborhoods, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other government officials have asked for the lawsuit against them to be dismissed.

An attorney for Graphic Packaging International, a paper mill in Kalamazoo, also denied allegations against the company in a separate court filing.

A federal lawsuit filed by current and former Kalamazoo citizens claims actions of government and company officials are to blame for pollution that has impacted neighborhoods north of downtown.

The suit makes a range of accusations and mentions systemically racist practices, like segregation that created communities in Kalamazoo. It says a redline-zoning custom caused Black Kalamazoo residents to live next to polluters in neighborhoods where hazardous air has been found.

It alleges there was a conspiracy to hide concerns about air quality as GPI expanded.

The Graphic Packaging International paper mill at 1500 N. Pitcher Street in Kalamazoo, Mich. on Aug. 29, 2021. Work was happening at the site as part of an approximately $600 million expansion. (Garret Ellison | MLive)

The response filed on behalf of state officials argues Whitmer and others did not violate the Environmental Protection Agencys Clean Air Act, which is the federal law that regulates air emissions.

The Sept. 29 response, written by Assistant Attorneys General Rebecca M. Smith and Laura LaMore, argues Whitmer, and defendants State Sen. Sean McCann, and state employees Andrea Keatley have immunity to virtually all of the claims raised against them. Andrea Keatley is a unit manager with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Aaron Keatley is chief deputy director at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Plaintiffs description of Graphic Packagings operations, the minority community surrounding its Kalamazoo plant and the states handling of air pollution emissions in this community is grim. But it is also untrue, the states legal filing claims.

Michigan is a leader among states in controlling air pollution, the legal document says, and the state emphasizes making sure vulnerable and environmental justice communities have protections.

Michigans Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy carefully evaluates each air pollution permit based on the unique circumstances of the facility and the community in which it sits, and its enforcement staff takes complaints and violations seriously, particularly in urban areas where residential neighborhoods abut industrial facilities.

The state announced in May the air surrounding GPI and the city wastewater plant regularly contains amounts of a toxic chemical that is hazardous to human health. The lawsuit with citizens as plaintiffs was filed the next month, in June.

Graphic Packagings court filing says, Plaintiffs make a variety of specious and wholly conclusory claims against GPI that are barred as a matter of law.

Simply put, all of Plaintiffs claims against GPI fail, the companys attorney, Charles M. Denton, wrote.

GPI said allegations that it released chemicals late at night and in the early mornings to conceal reckless and dangerous activities are untrue.

The company calls the citizen lawsuit a shotgun complaint and does not satisfy the pleading requirements for a conspiracy. It asks the court to dismiss all the claims in the lawsuit.

Plaintiffs complaint is woven from conclusory factual allegations that are completely baseless, Graphic Packagings attorney wrote.

Tom Olstad, a manager at Graphic Packaging in Kalamazoo listens to Kalamazoo residents speak at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services town hall at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, May 18, 2023. Olstad is named as a defendant in a federal lawsuit focused on pollution in Kalamazoo. (Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com)Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com

McCann denies the allegations in the lawsuit that claim he has a brother named Paul McCann who works at Graphic Packaging, and that they conspired to push for an expansion of GPI and to limit its regulation.

I do not have a brother or any other relative who works at Graphic Packaging; I am not related to Paul McCann and I am not acquainted with him in any capacity. I have never conspired with anyone at Graphic Packaging to limit regulation of emissions from the Kalamazoo plant, nor have I received any payments from anyone related to any such efforts, McCann wrote in a sworn statement in the lawsuit response.

The states response says Whitmer and McCann made no decisions regarding Graphic Packagings mechanics, operations or emissions.

Their only direct relation to the Kalamazoo facility was strictly political and related to encouraging job retention at the facility, an overall benefit to the community, the lawsuit argues.

City officials are also defendants named in the federal lawsuit, which asks the judge to award $600 million in damages. An attorney for the city responded to the allegations and said they are unfounded in fact and law, asking for a dismissal.

Editors note: The article has been updated to reflect Aaron Keatley is an employee of EGLE.

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SAGINAW, MI  The 2023 Saginaw Comic-Con at the Market will bring cosplay, a gaming bus and more to downtown Saginaws SVRC Marketplace this weekend.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at the marketplace, 203 S. Washington Ave. Admission is free.

This day-long event will feature free face-painting with Squishy Face, balloon superheroes with Poppin Balloon Decor, a cosplay contest for kids and adults and the Cruise Control Mobile Gaming bus.

Rachel Caudy, general manager of the SVRC Marketplace, said this is the first comic-con event at the marketplace since before the pandemic.

We do have lots of activities for kids and families, she said. We will have Saginaw Comic-Con swag with our logo created by Raymond Torrez.

For more information about Saturdays event, find Saginaw Comic-Con at the Market on Facebook. And for more information about the marketplace and other upcoming events, find SVRC Marketplace on Facebook.

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SAGINAW, MI  Was a U.S. Army soldier playing with a gun before he shot himself and his pregnant wife? Thats the issue to be determined before a judge can sentence the Saginaw County resident.

Cameron H. Zuzula, 31, on Aug. 24 pleaded guilty as charged to the lone count he faced, that of careless discharge of a firearm causing injury or death. The charge is a high court misdemeanor punishable by up to two years incarceration and a $2,000 fine.

Beside attorney Russell J. Perry Jr., Zuzula on the morning of Oct. 2 appeared before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Manvel Trice III for sentencing. Rather than impose a sentence, however, Trice adjourned the matter.

Since taking Zuzulas plea, Trice received a presentencing investigation report that indicated Zuzulas wife said her husband was playing with a gun when it went off and shot her, the judge said.

Zuzula gave a different picture of what happened when he pleaded, Trice said.

The court has concerns over what the word playing means or entails, the judge said. To clear this up, he stated he wanted the Thomas Township police officer who took the initial report subpoenaed to testify. Perry said Zuzulas wife, who was sitting beside him in the courtroom, also wished to testify.

Its very important for the court to hear from the alleged victim, Perry said. Shes been by his side the entire way through this.

Trice previously indicated he would sentence Zuzula to a term of probation with no incarceration. If Trice opts not to follow this after hearing future testimony, he will allow Zuzula to withdraw his plea.

Trice said the sentencing hearing would take place in a couple of weeks.

The day after Zuzulas 30th birthday of May 23, 2022, he and his 25-year-old pregnant wife were in their home at 100 block of East Stark Road in Thomas Township when he fired a Glock 48 9mm he had recently purchased.

The bullet took a finger off Zuzulas left hand then struck his wife in her upper abdomen. The fetus survived the shooting.

Zuzula initially called his mother, who in turn called 911, according to police reports.

Interviewed by police, Zuzula said he and his wife had been eating dinner at their kitchen table as he played with the Glock.

I went to go do a dry fire and it wasnt so dry, Zuzula told police. He said he thought the gun was unloaded when he pulled the trigger.

This is the second time in a handful of years that Zuzula shot one of his hands. The first instance happened Jan. 15, 2016, in Grayling Township in Crawford County. The couples infant son was in another room at the time.

Zuzula was charged with careless or reckless discharge of a firearm, but in April 2016 received a delayed sentence and the charge was subsequently dismissed. He was court-ordered to forfeit the Glock 19 he used.
Roundabouts are generally associated with a greater number of vehicle crashes when compared to traditional stop- and signal-controlled intersections.

However, the crashes are less severe and there continue to be benefits to roundabouts, including reduced traffic delays and fuel savings, according to a recent study commissioned by the state.

The two-year, $210,000 analysis was conducted to assess the safety, operational and environmental effects of the states 180 existing roundabouts in comparison to the traditional intersection. The Michigan Department of Transportation sought the study to determine if roundabouts are worth the investment, as well as to inform future planning and design efforts.

What were seeing is roundabouts are a very good alternative, said Jason Ealy, a state transportation engineer and the studys project manager. Theyre not necessarily best in every context, especially as we look at triple-lane roundabouts, but the simple one- and two-lane roundabouts are very positive in terms of both safety and operations.

Michigan conducted a pair of similar studies in 2011, but since then the states roundabout count has nearly doubled. Design standards have evolved over time, and more drivers are interacting with these traffic mechanisms.

We wanted to see if the initial results of that first study still apply; how have the safety benefits or operational benefits changed over time as people have adapted to driving roundabouts? And we were really looking at a little bit broader of data than we did in the first one, Ealy said.

Related: Roundabout construction in Grand Rapids may not be finished until next year

Researchers looked at 15 years worth of crash data at the states roundabouts and, for comparison, nearby intersections. They also evaluated driver behavior and measured travel speeds at 18 selected roundabouts.

Locations with single-lane roundabouts had similar crash totals compared to stop- or signal-controlled intersections, but they saw a dramatic decrease in severe crashes.

Reduced intersection approach and entry speeds contribute to the decrease, according to the study.

Researchers found that crash totals increased with the addition of more lanes within the roundabout. Triple-lane roundabouts were the worst performers. (Although its a small sample size with only eight.)

Its not that we shouldnt use them (triple-lanes), but we need to be careful in their application and we should generally look at, maybe other options first, Ealy said.

The study didnt look at why crashes are more likely to occur in intersections. But Ealy said more problematic roundabouts tend to be those with more options for drivers to make

Ideally, drivers change lanes prior to entering the roundabout  not while in the roundabout. Planners have tried to improve design and signage over the last decade to reduce driver confusion, thus the potential for driver error.

The more choices you have for the driver as theyre approaching and the more information youre asking them to take in, the more difficult it becomes for them to choose the right solution where they want to go, Ealy said.

Compared to traditional intersections, roundabouts were found to reduce traffic delays by more than 63% on average. Fuel savings were estimated at more than $69 per vehicle per year, and the conversion of an intersection to a roundabout generally resulted in benefits six-times greater than the cost of the conversion, according to the study results.

Drivers were more likely to yield to pedestrians and other vehicles at roundabouts with pedestrian hybrid beacons, traffic control devices designed to help pedestrians safely cross higher-speed roadways at midblock crossings and uncontrolled intersections, compared to those without. Roundabouts at interchanges, which tend to have higher speeds, had the lowest yield rates.

Roundabouts arent ideal for every intersection. For example, intersections with high through volume and low turning volume are better fits for signal-controlled intersections. Similarly, theyre not ideal if theres an imbalance of traffic volume between the two intersecting roads, or if there are simply space constraints.

Ealy said the study was exhaustive and exceedingly comprehensive. He expects project planners to use the data in the future when helping determine how to design new roundabouts, and which intersections would be good fits to be converted into traffic circles.

The full 146-page study can be found online through the MDOT website.

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BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI  A water plant which grows rapidly, disperses readily and can choke a lake with dense weedy mats has made its way to Michigan.

Hydrilla, which state experts call one of the worlds most invasive aquatic plants, was found in two residential ponds last month in Berrien Springs, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).

Its the first hydrilla detection in Michigan.

This is the aquatic plant we didnt want here, said Bill Keiper, EGLE aquatic biologist.

Hydrilla has been called by some experts the perfect aquatic weed due to its ability to grow in difficult and low-light areas, as well as reproduce from small fragments, flowers, turion growths and root tubers that can persist in a lakebed for years.

Once established, hydrilla forms dense mats that choke a water body and block sunlight from reaching other plants below, degrading water quality and fish habitat.

If youre familiar with Eurasian milfoil, you know how dense that can be and the problems that can create, Keiper said. This is way worse than that.

Keiper said the plant was found Sept. 18 by a Berrien County invasive species management team that was monitoring several residential ponds which were previously treated for different invasive plants, parrot feather and milfoil, that were found there in 2020.

The ponds are connected to the St. Joseph River through a small stream and EGLE is attempting to determine whether the plant escaped the ponds via that route.

Thats our biggest concern  that its not only in these ponds, but it can escape. Thats why we want to try to get it out of there as quickly and efficiently as we can.

Exactly how long the plant has been in the ponds isnt clear, Keiper said. The infestation isnt large and the suspicion is that it hitchhiked on ornamental water lilies that were planted before the invasive parrot feather appeared in the pond.

Hydrilla was introduced into Florida in the 1950s and has spread across the southeast. A separate strain was first detected in Delaware in 1976 and has since made its way through the Atlantic states and several Great Lakes states.

This is the one weve kind of been waiting for, honestly, in Michigan, said Jo Latimore, an aquatic ecologist and outreach specialist at Michigan State University.

Ive been surprised we havent had it before.

Hydrillas long stems may look like common native and invasive aquatic plants in Michigan. Differences are found in the number of leaves per whorl and the smooth versus serrated leaf edges. It has the ability to grow an inch or more per day. Because it grows underwater, its usually getting into lakes before people actually know its there, she said.

It can really get established before someone notices it. Its sneaky that way.

Latimore said water bodies which have become infested with hydrilla have required extensive and expensive treatment to eradicate the plant. In 2006, a hydrilla infestation hit Lake Manitou in Rochester, Ind., resulting in a chemical treatment that destroyed most life in the lake over a decade. The long-term treatment has been successful, but they have to be continuously vigilant that it doesnt spring back up again.

They had to shut down the lake completely, said Latimire. No boats in or out because they were so concerned about the spread. And since then, theyve invested well over a million dollars in that single lake.

In Berrien Springs, Keiper said the hydrilla infestation thus far appears to be contained to two of three ponds.

Teams have been combing the ponds for hydrilla fragments and plans to take sediment core samples to see whether its been present for multiple years. Genetic testing is planned to try and trace the plant to other existing populations.

The reality is this was only a matter of time, Keiper said. Its just unfortunate.
Austin Blair had only one regret before his final day as Michigan governor.

It was parting with the fleet of soldiers who made Michigan a force in the Unions war effort to end slavery. Blair was a devout abolitionist who dedicated majority of his life to the cause.

Again and for the last time, I commend the Michigan troops to your continued care and support. They have never failed in their duty to the country or to the state. Upon every battle field of the war their shouts have been heard and their sturdy blows have been delivered for the union and victory, reads Blairs final message as governor on Jan. 4, 1865, months before the Civil Wars end.

The words are among the three Blair quotes etched on a bronze statue of his likeness near the state Capitol entrance in Lansing. The legislature dedicated the statute on Oct. 12, 1898, in honor of his commitment to the state and its prosperity. It depicts his left hand resting on a Civil War battle flag atop a small stand.

With the 125th anniversary of the statues unveiling next month, a series of talks surrounding his life and legacy are planned at the Capitol. The event is open to the public, although details have yet to be announced.

That speaks to how highly esteemed he was in both the state legislature and in the state in general that they would commission, at taxpayers expense, a statue of him when no other statue on the grounds honors an individual to this day, said Capitol Education Director Matt VanAcker, a self-proclaimed Blair fan.

The man who would become known as Michigans Civil War Governor began his political career when he served as Eaton County Clerk from 1842 to 1844.

Blair was elected a Whig member of the state House of Representatives from 1845 to 1849. He championed the movement to end capital punishment in 1846, making Michigan the first democratically elected government in the English-speaking world to ban the death penalty, VanAcker said.

That same year, he authored bills that would have eliminated the word white from the Michigan Constitution, according to VanAcker. Although unsuccessful, it would have given Black residents in Michigan the right to vote less than a decade after Michigan received statehood.

Blair was unhappy with his political affiliation in the Whig Party, formed in opposition to then President Andrew Jackson in the 1830s, because he felt they didnt have a strong anti-slavery stance. He became a member of the Free Soil Party in 1848. Fast forward six years later, Blair joined the group that would form the Republican Party.

As a new Republican, Blair fought to prevent the expansion of slavery into new U.S. territories. He worked, while state senator from 1855-1856, to pass Michigans Personal Liberty Law, which guaranteed personal liberty to all Michigan residents regardless of race and nullified the Fugitive Slave Act.

Blair was chosen as the Republican candidate for governor in 1860. He went on to defeat Democratic candidate John S. Barry by about 20,000 votes.

The war broke out a year into his tenure, testing the countrys strength and Blairs leadership. He directed over 90,000 men, well over the 50% eligible male population in the state at the time, to help fight in the war, VanAcker said.

The personal energy that he expended during the war to promote ending slavery, to promote enlistments. The man was everywhere, and he was attending governors conferences, he was going... to the battlefields where the Michigan boys were fighting, VanAcker said.

Upon leaving the governors office, Blair next served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1867-1873. He was a member of the University of Michigan board of regents from 1881-1889.

Blair died on Aug. 6, 1894 at age 76. Governors at the time were only paid about $1,000 a year  or about $19,555 today  and, because he spent so much of his personal fortune pursuing the war effort, he was destitute when he died. He is buried in Mount Evergreen Cemetery in Jackson, where he spent most of his life.

One year after his death, the state legislature almost unanimously voted to appropriate $10,000 to have a statue erected in his honor.

There was no debate about whether... it was appropriate to put his statue on the grounds, VanAcker said. Somewhat ironically, the only debate had was where should it go.

Some legislators suggested offsetting his statue with the idea that another historical figure may later earn a similar honor on Capitol grounds. That plan never came to fruition, and the statue of Blair was placed front and center before the Capitol in 1898.
LANSING, MI  Research laboratories would have to offer dogs and cats up for adoption once they are no longer needed for testing under proposed state legislation named Teddys Law after a beagle who was rescued from euthanasia.

The House agriculture committee heard testimony but did not vote on Senate Bills 148 and 149 during a Wednesday, Sept. 27 meeting. The bills would require a lab to first offer animals that would otherwise be euthanized to a shelter for adoption.

The Senate passed the bills June 6 on vote of 31 to 6. The tie-barred legislation was introduced in March by Sens. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia.

Its genesis was the 2019 rescue of more than 30 beagles, including Teddy, who were being used to test pesticide at a laboratory near Kalamazoo. At least 13 states, including Minnesota, Illinois, and Virginia, have passed similar laws.

An average of 600 dogs and 100 cats used in medical research are euthanized each year in Michigan, say bill sponsors.

We want to make sure that dogs and cats utilized for lab testing in the state of Michigan are adopted out to loving families, testified Hertel.

The legislation is opposed by the Animal Health Institute, a trade group which represents companies that develop veterinary medicines, as well as Charles River Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company which operates the Mattawan facility from which Teddy was rescued.

Rob Stachlewitz, general manager at the Charles River lab, said the company opposes new state reporting requirements which mandate facility submit an annual report to the state with information about the animals and their release.

Stachlewitz said the bill language also does not grant facility veterinary staff enough discretion to disqualify an animal for adoption. As written, the attending veterinarian at a research facility would determine if euthanasia is necessary for an animal only for health or safety reasons.

Stachlewitz said the bill doesnt account for behavior as a disqualifying reason. Some animals are too aggressive after their research usage to be offered for adoption, he said.

Under questioning by Rep. Emily Dievendorf, D-Lansing, Stachlewitz deferred on providing specific additional reasons that euthanasia is a better option than adoption.

In some cases, animals can be somewhat destructive and actually dont fit into a home, Stachlewitz said. Its not the beagles, actually. For us, theres a certain breed of dog thats used in a small number of research studies thats a mongrel hound. These are very large animals. They have the potential in some cases to jump 8- to 10-foot fences. They actually, in some cases, can be relatively destructive in a home environment.

Disruptive dogs sometimes cycle back into the shelter system and the company want animals to be successful adoptees, Stachlewitz said.

Stachlewitz said Charles River would like to be able to support this bill after some changes but, nonetheless feels its unnecessary because some employees already adopt lab animals and the laboratory already works with an adoption shelter through a voluntary program.

Our animals are played with. Our animals are socialized. Our animals are group housed. Our animals do see grass. We have an outside play area, Stachlewitz said.

We think that animals in research that have served their research purpose should be adopted out and should go to healthy, happy homes, he said.

The proposed legislation comes a year after Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued an opinion stating the animal testing industry needs more oversight, and more than four years after the Mattawan lab was heavily criticized over its treatment of research animals following the release of undercover video by the U.S. Humane Society.

The laboratory was performing a study for Corteva Agriscience, the agriculture division of DowDuPont, which involved testing pesticide on beagles using a tube-based force-feeding method called oral gavage.

Beagles are often used by labs because they are docile and forgiving. Corteva and the Charles River lab halted the research under pressure and released the beagles for adoption.

In 2022, several dozen beagles were adopted through the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor after being surrendered by a different lab, in Virginia, which investigators found was failing to provide humane care and treatment.

Hertel and Polehankis legislation is a second attempt to get Teddys Law through the Michigan Legislature. A similar bill package did not make it out of committee under the previous Republican-controlled legislature last year.

David Rubello, a St. Clair Shores city councilman who adopted Teddy, testified via Zoom on Wednesday and cast doubt on Stachlewitzs rosy description of the Mattawan facility.

It cant be exactly Xanadu in there because when we did get Teddy, he was afraid of grass, Rubello said. Teddy saw the grass as a very unusual thing.

More Michigan legislative news:

Dems advance internet voting bill that worries security experts

Whitmer signs final bill outlawing child marriage in Michigan

Air pollution fines would benefit local areas under bill

Lead testing requirement for kids nears approval in Michigan
If SCOTUS recent ruling striking down President Bidens relief plan still has you reeling, then the Broke & Bothered newsletter is for you. Join Reckons Alexis Wray as she questions the legitimacy of student loans, gives you tools to take action and shares stories from real people most impacted: Enter your email to subscribe.

For a lot of people, resuming student loan debt payments will mean their lives are turned upside down and inside out. In short, people are worried about their finances, future, family and more.

Understanding the weight of this debt, Reckon has asked readers to tell us what debt relief would mean for them and how paying back their loans would shake up their world. They appear weekly in the Broke & Bothered newsletter and regularly on our site.

Victoria D. is 30 years old, lives in Maine and has $70,000 in student loan debt.

A student loan debt story, as told by Reckon.

The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I think its unfair when I hear the rhetoric, You didnt have to go to college or You took out the loans, so you need to pay it back. As a person who has been told since kindergarten that I was going to college, I dont know what people expected me or a lot of other borrowers to do, especially when we cant afford to pay them back.

When the Trump administration started the pause, I was in forbearance while working to get my masters degree in fine arts.

But quickly into the deep of COVID, I lost all of my income from the university and moved back home to Oregon. I felt like I couldnt finish my degree and that I didnt know how to get a job in this climate, so I started working in a restaurant.

I didnt have to panic about some bills like student loan debt that I knew were gonna come down the pipeline eventually as we left the emergency mode of COVID.

For the first time, I was able to save $200 to $300 extra a month for emergencies  almost the same amount I would have been paying on my student loans.

Meet Victoria D. a 30 year old, living in Maine with $70,000 in student loan debt.

What money I did save, was swiftly depleted after my wrist was injured working at the restaurant. Regardless of my health insurance and workers compensation, medical debt and my inability to meet my same earning potential with an injury ate into my savings.

Living frugally, saving money and moving back home is great in theory but nothing really prepares you for an emergency even if you have saved for it.

After landing a new job in Maine  a lot less expensive place to live than Oregon - and moving in with my partner, I was given the freedom again to save and even put more time and money into my art.

Right now Im able to save about $100 a month for emergencies with my new job, which is why things like brake replacements, new tires and doctor appointments feel only moderately traumatizing and scary.

When loan payments start back, Ill go back to living paycheck to paycheck, which really means skipping preventative care and living in a generally unsafe way.

That little bit of money every month is the difference between me breaking into tears every time I go to the doctor, having to live off of the same prescription for glasses for three years at a time, or when I am forced to drive my car knowing that it might break down on me.

Its also just a general loss of the future.

Right now I can see a world in which I can buy a home or start making money from my art, but those things seem so unlikely. My whole life is rolled out ahead in a cycle of work and bills and stress when repayments resume.

-

Want to read more student loan debt stories like Victorias? Click here to read real stories of people most impacted by the student loan debt crisis.
Small businesses are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, with 43% of such attacks targeting them.

Norton has introduced Norton Small Business, an all-in-one cybersecurity solution designed to help protect small businesses in todays digital landscape.

Small businesses represent nearly 90% of all businesses worldwide, with 97.5% of them in Australia alone. Unfortunately, many of these businesses lack the resources and expertise needed to secure their digital environments effectively. Norton Small Business aims to address this gap by providing accessible triple-lock protection for small businesses, safeguarding their online activities, devices, and customer data within a user-friendly, comprehensive cybersecurity solution.

Massimo Rapparini, General Manager & Head of Small Business Safety at Gen, emphasized the unique challenges faced by small business owners. Owning a very small business often means each member of the team wears different hats, and usually, cybersecurity expert isnt one of them, he said. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are aware of this and often target such businesses. For entrepreneurs and small businesses, falling for just one phishing email can have a devastating impact.

Small businesses are frequent targets of scams and phishing threats, despite being the lifeblood of economies. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) reports that 62% of SMBs in Australia have experienced cybersecurity breaches, with phishing being the most common attack vector. With fewer than 10 employees, many of these businesses lack dedicated IT support, leaving them vulnerable to cyberattacks that can result in significant financial losses.

Norton Small Business aims to help these businesses protect their critical data, minimize the risk of financial loss, and ensure their continuity. As entrepreneurs strive for financial freedom and invest their time and savings in their ventures, the impact of cyberattacks on small businesses becomes increasingly concerning. Surprisingly, approximately half of businesses with fewer than 50 employees have no cybersecurity budget at all.

Norton Small Business simplifies cybersecurity for small businesses with an all-in-one solution that offers 24/7 protection and a range of features, including:

Secure Browser, Password Manager, and VPN for everyday online security

Automated PC cleaning and optimization for better device performance

Secure Cloud Backup for data protection

Software and driver updaters to reduce vulnerabilities

IT coverage and maintenance for up to 20 devices

A 100% Virus Protection Promise for peace of mind

Weve built our small business products and services with the same approach as our consumer portfolio, ensuring that entrepreneurs dont need to become cybersecurity experts, Rapparini stated. Norton is here to make cybersecurity accessible and easy so they can focus on building thriving businesses.

In an era when cybersecurity is increasingly crucial, Norton Small Business offers a lifeline to small businesses, allowing them to operate securely in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Norton recommends these top 10 tips to protect your small business:

Learn to spot signs of phishing and teach your employees Only click links or download attachments from known sources Avoid sharing personal information or private company data over email Always keep your operating system, applications and drivers up-to-date Make sure your WiFi network is protected with a strong password Regularly back up your data Require employees to use a VPN when doing company work on a public WiFi network (think airports and coffee shops) Always use multi-factor-authentication for an extra layer of protection Dont neglect mobile devices  make sure they are password protected and use security software Invest in a cybersecurity solution such as Norton Small Business

Norton Small Business is available now with prices starting at $89.99 for the first year with options for 6, 10 or 20-device plans.

For more information, please visit norton.com/products/small-business.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Tickets are still available to see the #2 ranked Michigan Wolverines take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers Saturday, Oct. 7, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.

Stubhub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster have tickets to Saturdays highly anticipated game.

Ticket prices range from $65 to $342 but prices will fluctuate and tickets are selling fast.

The Wolverines are 5-0 overall (2-0 Big Ten) coming off a 45-7 win at Nebraska while Minnesota is 3-2, overall (1-1 Big Ten) after a 35-24 win over Louisiana.

Stubhub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster have tickets to Saturdays game.

Fans can still get home and away game tickets for all Wolverines games at Stubhub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster.

With Michigan-Ohio State tickets already going for more than $500 and both teams on a collision course for the Big Ten title, fans might want to snatch them up now before they go higher. If youre looking for tickets for the annual rivalry game with Michigan State, those prices are hovering around $158.

Check out the MLive Wolverines shopping page for deals on the latest Michigan Wolverines styles.

Heres where to find tickets for Michigan vs Minnesota and every game on the Michigan Wolverines 2023 regular season schedule.

Michigan Wolverines vs Minnesota Golder Gophers, Saturday, Oct. 7, at Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN

Stubhub

Vivid Seats

SeatGeek

Ticketmaster

Heres where to find tickets for every game on the Michigan Wolverines 2023 regular season schedule.

Stubhub

Vivid Seats

SeatGeek

Ticketmaster

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Michigan another double-digit favorite vs. Nebraska, oddsmakers say

Michigans defense answers the bell vs. Bowling Green

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How to get season tickets for Michigan football starting for less than $800
Former President John Dramani Mahama has been approached by the leadership of customers of the now-defunct Menzgold Company Limited, seeking his help in retrieving their funds locked up in the illicit gold dealership and investment company.

The customers have suffered since the company was shut down in 2018, with 217 people dying and some suffering from blindness and mental illness.

The customers are now appealing to the former President to lead them in seeking a bailout from the state to alleviate their plight.

During a meeting with the former President in his Cantonments office on Friday, Mr Fred Forson, leader and spokesperson for the group, made an emotional plea to Mr. Mahama, stating that their situation was dire and that they desperately needed a state bailout.

We believe that when Your Excellency adds your voice, it will help. Where we are now, we need a bailout from the state, so we humbly call on you to lead us in calling on the state to give us a bailout plan. Because life is very, very unbearable for us, he cried out.

The Menzgold customers convener added, The state has wasted over four years on this small matter. There was no action. I am sure everybody will attest that it was the resilience of the customers  we kept on pressing, pressing  and now the Attorney-General has moved the matter from the lower court to the High Court. However, the civil aspect, which is the retrieval of our money, is still pending.

President Mahama offered his condolences to the victims, calling it one of the most unfortunate incidents in the countrys history. He believed that such fraudulent schemes often succeed due to government's weak regulatory oversights, and therefore, it is responsible for citizens who fall prey.

He also wondered why the government is yet to take control of the company's accounts, confiscate the companys assets and auction them off, with the proceeds used to pay a portion of customer investments.

In response to the plea of the Menzgold customers, President Mahama pledged to join them in bringing attention to their plight. He urged the government to provide them with all the necessary information regarding its efforts to alleviate their situation.

The customers are hopeful that with the support of the former President, they will be able to retrieve their funds and recover from the losses they have suffered.

-3news.com
Kennedy Agyapong, a vociferous flagbearer hopefuls of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has levelled serious allegations against Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia, accusing him of causing divisions within the party.

Mr Agyapong claims Dr Bawumia's entry into the NPP's political landscape has left the party more divided than ever before in its history.

It is only the vice president who has set out to hand over his campaign to regional executives and constituency executives of the party in history, he noted.

Mr Agyapong alleges that during Dr Bawumia's campaign for the party's flagbearer position, Ministers and Chief Executive Officers were allegedly compelled to openly declare their support for his candidacy.

This, according to Mr Agyapong, is an unprecedented move within the party, where Constituency and Regional Chairmen are allegedly coerced into supporting a specific candidate in a presidential race.

Agyapong further accuses Dr Bawumia of orchestrating these actions, leading to a sharp division within the party going into the 2024 general elections.

According to him, party officials are now afraid to openly declare their support for their preferred candidates out of fear of retaliation from Dr Bawumia's camp.

Speaking at a gathering in Kumasi, Ashanti region, after a march organised by his supporters dubbed Showdown Walk, Mr Agyapong expressed concern that Dr Bawumia's actions could potentially undermine the unity of the governing party.

He also claimed that Dr Bawumia and his team were allegedly intimidating party members who did not align with his candidacy.

Mr Agyapong's supporters, including many residents of the Ashanti region, turned out in large numbers to march in solidarity with him.

Their primary motivation for supporting Agyapong appears to be concerns about the current economic situation in the country. These NPP sympathisers believe that Kennedy Agyapong is the candidate best positioned to lead the party to victory in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

-Classfmonline
A United Nations mission arrived in Nagorno-Karabakh on Sunday, Azerbaijan said, after almost the entire ethnic-Armenian population fled since Baku recaptured the breakaway enclave.

An Azerbaijani presidency spokesman told AFP that a "UN mission arrived in Karabakh on Sunday morning"  mainly to assess humanitarian needs.

It marks the first time in about 30 years that the international body has gained access to the region.

Armenian separatists, who had controlled the region for three decades, agreed to disarm, dissolve their government and reintegrate with Baku following a one-day Azerbaijani offensive last week.

France has lashed out at Azerbaijan for only allowing the mission in after most residents had already fled.

The end of Karabakh's separatist bid dealt a heavy blow to a centuries-old dream by Armenians of reuniting what they say are their ancestral lands, divided among regional powers since the Middle Ages.

Nearly all of Karabakh's estimated 120,000 residents fled the territory over the following days, sparking a refugee crisis.

Nazeli Baghdasaryan, spokeswoman of the Armenian prime minister, said "100,483 forcefully displaced persons arrived in Armenia" by Sunday morning.

She said 45,516 refugees were now in temporary accommodation.

Day of prayer

On Sunday, Armenia observed a national day of prayer for the region.

Bells tolled in churches across the country, and the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Karekin II, lead a service in the nation's main cathedral Echmiadzin, close to the capital Yerevan.

Clergymen in ornate robes sang ancient chants at an open-air altar outside the imposing cathedral built in a pale pink limestone.

Hundreds attended the religious service in the church of Saint Sarkis, in Yerevan.

"One of the most tragic pages of Armenian history is being written today," 28-year-old Mariam Vartanyan told AFP, standing in the crowd of worshippers wrapped in the smoke of burning incense.

Architect Artur Hayrapetyan, 25, said: "I am praying for the end of this disaster in Karabakh, for Armenia's survival."

Yerevan has accused Baku of "ethnic cleansing"  an allegation that Baku rejected  calling on Armenians not to leave their homes and reintegrate with Azerbaijan where their rights would be respected.

Emergency appeal

Armenia, a country of 2.8 million, faces a major challenge housing the sudden influx of refugees.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on Friday announced an emergency appeal for 20 million Swiss Francs ($22 million) to help those fleeing.

Azerbaijan is now holding "re-integration" talks with separatist leaders while, at the same time detaining some senior figures from its former government and military command.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan are set to meet on Thursday in the Spanish city of Granada for Western-mediated talks aimed at ending their historic enmity.

With the two countries' relations poisoned by ethnic hatred ensuing from three wars in as many decades, several rounds of negotiations mediated by Brussels and Washington have so far failed to bring about a breakthrough.

(AFP)
01.10.2023 LISTEN

Mr. Emmanuel Addai, the Knowledge Management Expert for the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area and Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project (GAMA SWP), has urged the media to question landlords on their failure to provide households with toilets.

Mr. Addai stressed that neglecting households toilets and focusing on communal ones would not solve Ghanas sanitation and open defecation issues.

He said this when speaking on the topic The media and promotion of communal and public toilets" during the Media Coalition against Open Defecation (M-CODe) National Working Group (NWG) empowerment summit sponsored by World Vision Ghana.

The M-CODe Empowerment Summit forms part of the "M-CODe 2023 Anti-Open Defecation Nationwide Advocacy efforts to build the capacity of media practitioners to fight against open defecation and develop and strengthen networks with strategic stakeholders.

Mr. Addai said that the media report extensively and advocates for the provision of communal toilets instead of questioning why landlords refuse to follow the building code and provide toilet facilities for their households.

He explained that communal toilets are facilities constructed in a residential area meant for communal use, adding that they serve residential communities in the absence of household toilets and are useful for visitors during festive occasions.

He added that communal toilets sometimes become a nuisance when developers or landlords refuse to build household toilets or when they interfere with the promotion of household toilets by district authorities and other organizations.

The GAMA Knowledge Management Expert indicated that the media refuse to assess the absence of household toilets, refuse to attack landlords for failing to provide toilets at home, trumpet the absence of communal toilets in communities, and attack political leaders and government for their failure to provide a communal toilet.

Mr. Addai, due to that, political leaders and the government succumb to the media-induced pressure and provide communal toilets, leaving landlords to continue to refuse to provide household toilets.

Provision of toilets continues to become a government burden; instead of landlords, open defecation and its associated dangers continue to be entrenched, he added.

He said sanitation workers and experts expect that the media will continue to advocate for toilets in public places, cleanliness in public toilets, and de-emphasize promotion of communal toilets.

Shift attention to landlords who refuse to provide households with toilets and advocate for support for households that cannot afford a decent toilet, he stated.

Mr. Francis Ameyibor, M-CODe National Convenor, urged journalists to speak out and put the spotlight on communities notorious for open defecation.

Mr. Ameyibor said the coalition needs to challenge leadership and relevant authorities at all levels to take action while calling on assembly members to desist from taking money from squatters to put up wooden structures that are inconvenient.

He said M-CODe is building alliances with strategic stakeholders, including the Regional Coordinating Council, Environmental Health Department, Ghana Education Service, Ghana Health Service, Community Water and Sanitation Agency, and the Department of Community Development, to revitalize advocacy against open defecation.

Other stakeholders include the Department of Gender, the National Commission for Civic Education, Regional Environmental Officers, the Environmental Protection Agency, World Vision, and civil society organizations.

The remainder consists of Regional Officers from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ministry of Sanitation, and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, among others, who work to revive and maintain the activism to alter the rules and build a society free of open defecation.

As part of national efforts to put an end to the practice, Mr. Ameyibor noted that empowerment through capacity building, connecting key players in the battle against open defecation, and developing a forum to expose communities still engaging in the practice are all important.

Other speakers include Mr. Yaw Attah Arhin, World Vision Ghana Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Technical Specialist, and Mr. Wisdom Aditsey, Tema Metropolitan Health Officer.
Former First Lady Mrs Theresa Kufuor is reported to have passed on.

She died today, Sunday, October 1 at age 88.

Credible sources from the family and the presidency confirmed her demise this Sunday evening.

She died around 1600 hours, the sources said.

She was a retired nurse and midwife.

Mrs Kufuor married the Former President when he was at age 23 after they met at a Republic Day Anniversary Dance in London in 1961.

They reportedly got married in 1962 and have five children.

She was a devout Roman Catholic and founded the Mother and Child Community Development Foundation (MCCDF), a non-governmental organisation operating in Ghana and Canada that supports work in prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV.

She was born on 25 October 1935.
Check out this insightful piece on Boobs and Financial Wellness. #DroSS #CostOfBreastCancerTreatnent #FinancialSupportForCancers

02.10.2023 LISTEN

Ladies and gentlemen, gather 'round. Cos the Pink month has arrived. Its October and the boobs health and playability promotion is on. Yes, its that time of year when we dust off our pink ribbons, flex our empathy muscles, and shout from the rooftops that we're here to wage war against breast cancer! But wait, there's more. We're about to dive into a topic that's often overlooked, a topic that has husbands worldwide nodding in agreement: the importance of maintaining your wife's breast health whilst keeping your finances in ambush!

You see, cancer treatment isn't just a push to the ground; it can be a hefty kick in the wallet, like the liver punch in the ring that brings many boxers down  in most cases. Medical bills start piling up faster than you can say "insurance go-pay", and suddenly you're in a confusing financial maze. That's where the Flicotrust financial welfare swoops in like a financial superhero.

Financial wellness isn't just about planning for your retirement or that dream vacation in Dubai; it's about preparing for life's unexpected circumstances. And cancer, well, it's the condition nobody wants but only God knows when lifes gonna throw it your way. So, fellas, it's time to put on your financial capes and consider the importance of your family's financial well-being.

More here:

Joining a financial welfare community typical of FlicoTrust is like having a financial wizard on speed dial. We provide you with the support you need when the medical bills start marching in like an army of well-dressed financial zombies. When the need arises for that cruel weekly expense during treatment, the flames of your worries are doused financially in real time! Flicotrust offers disposable income support that can keep the financial stress at bay while you focus on fighting the big C.

And let's get one thing straightjoining a financial welfare community isn't about being financially needy. It's about being financially ninja-ready, even when life decides to throw a fire-breathing dragon named Cancer at you. It's about taking control of your financial future and having the resources to weather any storm, dragon or not.

Life is like a scoop of peanuts in your mouth. Sometimes you bite into a nasty rotten one, or sometimes your tooth crashing into an uninvited little stone called Cancer. Having a financial welfare community by your side is like having the ultimate dental plan for life's tough bites. You don't have to bear the financial burden alone; you have a support system in place that cares for your well-being.

So, as we whip out our pink ribbons and remind ourselves to check our boobs for any suspicious lumps, let's also remember the importance of the financial aspect of this battle. Belonging to a financial welfare community that offers ongoing financial support is like having a financial keyholderit's versatile, it's handy, and it's there when you need it most.

For husbands and wives alike, securing your family's financial wellness isn't just a choice; it's a duty. It's about being the financial superheroes your family needs, ensuring they're protected no matter what punches life throws at them.

Remember this: financial wellness isn't really about wealth; it's about well-being, - like the ability to happily respond to all the incessant little financial queries. Say "yes" to financial financial welfare community that offers you security and peace of mind when life decides to play its cruel jokes on you. And, as we focus on fighting breast cancer this month, let's also focus on the importance of family finance and the joy of belonging to a supportive financial welfare community.

Because, when it comes to life's unexpected trials, having a strong financial foundation can be the metallic hat that makes all the difference. It's a choice that makes a life better, and the lives of those you hold dear. So, fellas, grab that metallic hat, join the Flico financial welfare community, and be the hero to your wife's breasts. They need you, but its your wallet that will do the talking!
Pastor Mensah Otabil, Founder and General Overseer, International Central Gospel Church, has urged Christians against paying others to pray and fast on their behalf.

It was wrong for Christians, he said, to seek to buy the power of God  money for power, influence, access and opportunities for greatness.

They should not be like Simon, the sorcerer, according to the New Testament account in Acts of the Apostles 8:924, who after becoming a Christian, offered to purchase from the Apostles Peter and John the supernatural power of imparting the Holy Spirit.

He was condemned by the Apostles because his heart was not right for the Ministry of Christ as he sought the power for personal and financial gain.

Dr Otabil was delivering a sermon to open the 2023 Experience Conference of The Maker's House Chapel International, (TMHCI), at the Destiny Arena, in Accra.

Addressing the topic, 'How Do You Work the Works of God?, alongside the theme of the Conference: Jesus the Miracle Worker, Dr Otabil emphasised that believing in Jesus, as the son of God, was the only way to godly success and miracles.

Some of you men, who are very well positioned in life, sometimes you feel you can buy your way to God's glory and grace, he explained.

Some of you have got all kinds of boys and girls who we call prophets and prophetesses, and they are yours.

You purchase them, you pay them, you feed them, they pray in your house. Once you are working, they pray all day and night for you.

The General Overseer reminded the faithful that it was not possible for one to outsource his or her spiritual life.

It does not work that way. So, if you think somebody you pay can pray for you for God to hear, you need to check your whole thinking process, he advised.

It was imperative that every Christian had his personal encounters with God through Christ.

Many in the bible, he said, received their miracles upon believing in Christ as the Godsent son.

Jesus emphasised this in an answer to some of his followers who wanted to do the works of God, having been impressed with his miracles of feeding the 5,000 and walking on water.

Sharing some of his teething experiences in ministry, Dr Otabil advised Christians to operate in their unique gifts of the Holy Spirit but not be counterfeits of other men of God to become fruitful.

They should also aspire for excellence in Ministry, their professions and every endeavour of life.

He, therefore, lauded Dr Michael Boadi Nyamekye, founder and senior pastor of the TMHCI, for his visionary leadership and also their state-of-the-art worship centre to the glory of God.

He said the world-class edifice should motivate the members to distinguish themselves in every area of their lives.

He prayed for God's grace to make the eight-day conference an impactful and life transforming programme.

The Conference, which is resuming after the 2019 break over the COVID-19 pandemic, will see the ministrations of leading charismatic ministers of Ghana and beyond.

They will take turns to preach, pray, heal and impact the participants with their diverse giftings.

They include Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams, the Presiding Archbishop and General Overseer, United Denominations of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, the President, Agyinasare World Evangelism, and the Rev. Dr. Ebenezer S. M. Markwei, the Founder and General Overseer, Living Streams International.

Others are the Presiding Archbishop and the Founder and General Overseer of the Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry (CEM), Dr Steve Mensah, General Overseer of the Global Revival Ministries, Rev. Dr Robert Ampiah-Kwofi and the Founder and Senior Pastor of All Nations Church in Atlanta, Georgia and General Overseer of the Living Springs International Churches, Dr Frank Ofosu-Appiah.

Leading gospel artistes will also minister alongside the host choir and artistes.

GNA
Ghanaians nationwide are mourning the demise of former First Lady Theresa Kufuor, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 88.

She served as First Lady between 2001 and 2009 during her husband John Kufuor's two terms rule as President of Ghana.

Mrs. Kufuor died at home surrounded by her family, including President Kufuor and reportedly President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who had travelled to pay them a visit.

The cause of death was reportedly related to declining health condition in recent years. She would have celebrated her 89th birthday later this month.

The daughter of a nurse, Mrs. Kufuor pursued her own career in nursing after studying in London.

She worked as a registered nurse and midwife in both the UK and Ghana.

In the 1960s, she met and married then young lawyer John Kufuor in London. They returned to Ghana where he entered into politics.

As First Lady from 2001 to 2009, Mrs. Kufuor advocated for education and maternal health, founding the non-profit Mother and Child Community Development Foundation which supports programs to prevent mother-to-child transmission of diseases.

She also pushed for free universal kindergarten education and helped reform Ghana's educational system.

Despite her elevated position, friends and aides say Mrs. Kufuor maintained a low profile and devotion to her faith as a Roman Catholic.

She is survived by her husband, five children and eight grandchildren, who are mourning the loss of a virtuous woman who devoted her life serving others.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
On the occasion of International Day of Older Persons, former President John Mahama is urging Ghanaians to make caring for the elderly a priority in society.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Mr Mahama shared an inspirational message he received from Reverend Father Andrew Campbell, 77, at the 1st Ghana Ageing Conference in Accra.

Mr Mahama wrote "On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, I want you to remember that we will all grow old one day, and any investment we make in caring for the elderly is an investment in ourselves."

The former president then quoted a Bible passage from Sirach 3:1-13 shared by Reverend Campbell, which emphasizes our duties to care for parents in their old age.

Part of the passage says "Help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives; even if his mind fails, be patient with him; because you have all your faculties do not despise him."

Reverend Campbell, a respected Catholic priest, is known across Ghana for his decades of service supporting children, the sick, and the poor.
Government officials and EVN leaders are seen at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Monsoon - Thanh My project, Sept. 30, 2023. Photo by EVN

National utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) will spend VND1.1 trillion ($45.26 million) to connect a power plant in Laos with Vietnams grid to import electricity.

Construction of the 45-kilometer line, which connects Monsoon wind power plant with Thanh My substation in the central province of Quang Nam, began on Sept. 30.

Agribank is providing loans for the project, which is set to be operational by the end of 2024 and add 2,500 megawatts to the grid.

Vietnam and Laos established a partnership in 2019, in which Vietnam would buy 3,000 megawatts from Laos annually towards 2025 and 5,000 megawatts from 2026 to 2030.

EVN has recently proposed that the government speed up the procedures of importing from Laos to prevent a power shortage in northern Vietnam next summer.
As Nigeria marks 63 years of independence, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has called on Nigerians not to despair over the country's challenges but to remain hopeful that a new Nigeria is still possible.

In a series of tweets on Sunday, October 1 Nigeria's independence day, Mr Obi acknowledged that "at 63, Nigeria is still faced with so many sad realities that continue to keep the nation on the path of retrogression."

However, he urged Nigerians to "not despair over the agonizing situation in the country, but to remain resolute and hopeful that a new Nigeria is still possible."

Mr Obi notes that "the challenges we face today as a nation are occasioned by the successive failure of leadership."

But he says "the situation is still not hopeless" if Nigeria gains "independence from the evils that have continued to hold us down as a nation."

"From the vast fertile lands of Northern Nigeria to the commercial and industrial settlements of Southern Nigeria, we have the right combination of human and natural resources needed to move our nation forward," Mr Obi said.

The presidential hopeful believes that "With ethical and responsible leadership, Nigeria will claim its position among the progressive nations of the world."

He adds that "Our struggle for a better and New Nigeria is to ensure that every Nigerian benefits from the nation."
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his dedication to faithfully serving the nation throughout his term in office on the 63rd anniversary of Nigeria's independence.

In a statement shared on Twitter on Sunday, October 1, President Tinubu described Nigeria as "a broad and dynamic blend of ethnic groups, religions, traditions and cultures" that are bound together by "a common thirst for peace and progress."

He stated that the country's path ahead "will not be navigated by fear or hatred" and emphasized that Nigeria "can only achieve our better Nigeria through courage, compassion and commitment as one indivisible unit."

The President then reassured Nigerians, promising that "I shall remain committed and serve faithfully."

He invited "all to join this enterprise to remake our beloved nation into its better self," adding confidently that "We can do it, We must do it. We shall do it."

Since assuming office on May 29 this year, President Tinubu has continuously expressed his commitment to ending the countrys economic challenges.
The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Reverend Mathew Gyamfi says the Akufo-Addo led administration has been a terrible disaster in the area of church-state partnership in education delivery.

Most Reverend Mathew Gyamfi has observed that, the New Patriotic Party NPP has worsen the already toxic relationship between government and missions in the management of schools in the country.

"Beginning of this year, the Ghana Education Service Council, has canceled the representation of the Catholic Church, the Methodist, the Presbyterian and the Islamic Mission on the Council where we meet to discuss issues on education.

"Most educational reforms of the state have consciously sidelined the church, and deliberately eroded her influence in the schools the church has founded and manage for many years, the question is, what harm has the church caused?" he quizzed.

Most Reverend Mathew Gyamfi said this while delivering a keynote address at the 10th anniversary of Our Lady Graces Senior High School at Mamponteng in the Kwabre East Municipality of the Ashanti Region on Saturday September 30, 2023.

Establishment of Mission Schools

As part of its missionary objectives during the colonial era, churches established many of Ghana's senior secondary schools, several of which are now branded elite schools.

But a 1984 take-over of their schools, placed its administration and management under government control.

Ghana has 872 second cycle schools of which 66% are government controlled. Churches would control a huge majority of the 575 schools now under the state's management.

Failed Government Promises

Prior to the 2016 presidential polls, calls for a return of mission schools to churches intensified as churches complain about negative effects of secularization on school children.

Following the calls, President Akufo-Addo in November, 2017 promised to return all mission schools to the churches when voted into power.

Seven years after of being in office President Akufo-Addo is yet to honor the end of his bargain for the churches.

"President Akufo-Addo in 2017 promised a historic handing over of mission schools across the country to its original administrators, the churches, seven years in office as the president and nothing has been done about the pledge," he stated.

Most Reverend Mathew Gyamfi added that, indeed government's withdrawal of management of mission schools from its control would delight traditional churches like Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican and Catholic churches, as it will help the church to instill discipline among the students.

He expressed worry over governments continues move to push the churches away from schools the churches founded.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has attacked Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in his campaign to become the flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Speaking to supporters at a campaign rally, the outspoken MP said Dr. Bawumia has brought intimidation into the NPP, insisting that the Vice President will collapse the party.

Im telling you for a fact that Bawumia will collapse the NPP party. Bawumia is collapsing NPP. He has brought intimidation into this party, Ken Agyapong told his followers.

Meanwhile, Ken Agyapong has warned that he is not like Alan and wont allow intimidation from anyone.

He implored NPP delegates to vote for him to lead the party to victory in the 2024 General Election to use his vision to make Ghana better.

Im not like Alan who is so gentle. Let them try and they will see what will happen. The national council is now known for hooliganism. When Alan spoke about it he was insulted. Boakye Agyarko did same and he is being insulted. Ive also spoken about it and I have been insulted. Lets vote for a man with vision, Ken Agyapong indicated.
02.10.2023 LISTEN

Flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong has hit out at the partys Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Bosiako over his attack on former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen.

Popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the NPP chairman in the Ashanti Region last week vowed to deal with Alan after he announced his decision to run for president in the 2024 General Election as an Independent Candidate.

Alan Kyerematen is one of the people who have benefited well in NPP. When President Kuffour appointed him as Minister of Trade and Industry he really enjoyed with his wife, Children, and his family. We will not shut up. I will speak even though our general secretary has directed we shouldnt speak about his resignation. I will deal with Alan, Chairman Wontumi said in an interview on his Radio station.

Speaking at a campaign rally, Ken Agyapong expressed displeasure about the attacks from Chairman Wontumi.

He dared the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP to make a mistake and attack him and he will see there are men in this country.

He argued that while he has no problem if Chairman Wontumia wants to support Bawumia, he will kick against all insults against the elderly.

I dare you to make a mistake and you will see. They will see men in this country. I dare Wontumi to make a mistake and you will see men in this country. He has set up a radio station and a tv station and is using it to insult the elderly. He was a supporter of Alan. I convinced him to join the camp of Akufo-Addo. I dont have a problem if you support President Akufo-Addo. If you support Bawumia no problem. But dont insult, Ken Agyapong said.

Meanwhile, Ken Agyapong has accused Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of using intimidating tactics to champion his flagbearer ambition.

He insists that the Vice President is gradually collapsing the country.
Former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ningo-Prampram constituency, ET Mensah has died aged 77.

Born Enoch Teye Mensah, the deceased who served as a Council of State member in the past gave up his last breath on Monday, October 2.

Information gathered indicates that he passed away in South Africa where he was receiving treatment for an illness.

Speaking to Citi FM on the demise of ET Mensah, Cletus Avoka who is MP for Zebila said it is a big loss for the country.

He said although the late ET Mensah died at age 77, he was very strong and active and could have offered his services to the country for at least five more years.

Its a big loss to Ghana. He was still very strong and active and Im confident he could have served Mother Ghana for at least five or ten more years. He has done his part and the young one should learn from him on grounds of loyalty and service to the nation, Cletus Avoka said.

ET Mensahs passing comes after it was confirmed on Sunday that former First Lady Theresa Kufuor has died.

She joined her ancestors on Sunday, October 1, at the age of 88.
President Nana Akufo-Addo says Ghanas vision of becoming the preferred destination for medical care in West Africa by 2030 is on course.

He said the country is working successfully towards that goal with substantial investments to strengthen health system performance, infrastructural growth, and access to quality healthcare.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, inaugurating the St. Michaels Specialist Hospital (SMSH) at Lapaz in Accra, said the nations health target has been buoyed by the progress of work on the Agenda 111 initiative.

The initiative is to provide 100-bed standard district hospitals with accommodation for doctors and nurses, the construction of new regional hospitals for the six newly created regions, as well as two new psychiatric hospitals.

Giving a breakdown of the percentage of work done so far, the President hinted that the average completion rate of the 89 ongoing projects is 52%, with work on some of the sites being 70% to 80% complete. These comprise 86 district hospitals, two regional psychiatric hospitals, and the Western Regional Hospital.

The President lauded the founder of the Specialist Hospital, Mr. Michael Banahene, for his vision and for complementing the Governments efforts at achieving universal health coverage.

The Hospital is a multidisciplinary state-of-the-art facility providing patient-centered healthcare services, including surgery. It deals with plastic and neurosurgery, cardiology and mental health consultations, surgical care, paediatrics, dental and interventional cardiology care, antenatal and delivery care, amongst others.

Beyond the building of these new healthcare facilities, my vision is to help our country become the Centre of Excellence in medical care in West Africa by 2030, the President assured.

The relevance of the countrys vision, he said, was reinforced by the fact that the sub-region is projected to have a population of half a billion people by the said year. Consequently, the authorities are leveraging Ghanas status as the most peaceful country in the Region to upgrade its health facilities and human resource development, he stressed. The agenda is to derive maximum benefits from the health sector for accelerated economic growth.

The first wealth is health. Good health is fundamental to all we do and hope to do, President Nana Akufo-Addo noted.

He reiterated the Governments commitment to working with the private sector in achieving the nations health goals, especially as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor described the SMSH project as monumental and commended the authorities for the initiative.

Mr. Banahene, the Founder, said achieving universal health coverage was a shared responsibility and urged the Government to work effectively with the private sector to achieve that goal.

Source: GNA
Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ing. Kwabena Agyepong is rooting for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to become the flagbearer of the party.

The former presidential hopeful of the NPP marked the 10-year anniversary celebration of his late mother at Asokore Mampong Roman Catholic Church on Sunday, October 1.

He was joined by family, friends, NPP officials, as well as Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Second Lady, Mrs. Samira Bawumia.

Appreciating the presence of the Vice President, Ing. Kwabena Agyapong said he is confident Dr. Bawumia will beat his competitors to become the flagbearer of the NPP later this year.

I would like to thank Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for making time to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of my late mother and making us proud. We play for Gods fullness over his life responsibilities as the Vice President of Ghana to make his dreams and good thoughts for Ghana a reality. Theres a big victory before you! God bless the Vice President, Kwabena Agyapong prayed.

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia faces competition from Assin Central MP Ken Agyapong and two other aspirants following the decision by Alan Kyerematen to withdraw from the flagbearer race.

The crucial election is scheduled to be held on November 4.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) branch in Germany has accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NPP) of orchestrating protests against the ruling government abroad.

Some Ghanaians abroad have recently come together to protest against hardships back home.

Last week, protestors stormed Ghanas High Commission in the United Kingdom to fuel the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest organised by the Democratic Hub in Ghana.

In a press release to react to the protest, NPP Germany said it is the doing of the NDC.

The release said the protests have been paid for by the opposition party.

We are witnessing the emergence of a kind of political impudence being fueled by the evil cults of the main opposition NDC for the sake of expediency. To NDC and their allies, democracy is political loose talk, simplistic characterizations, arrogant malice and bravado.

NDC represents a complete contradiction from traditional political rhetorics," parts of the NPP Germany release said.

The NPP Germany noted that the protestors reflect the extent to which individual interests, have replaced the collective good of Freedom and Justice with the clear intent to help the NDC to acquire the upper hand in political and economic matters.

The group further called on Ghanaians to treat NDC and the whole John Mahama team as a walking contradiction and disposable trash bags.

Read the release from the NPP Germany below:

NPP GERMANY

PRESS RELEASE

01---10---2023

NDC Shamelessly Behind Paid Ghana Protests In Parts Of Europe---NPP Germany

Another hot pot of fire agenda with the ultimate mission to make the NPP and the Akufo-Addo-led Government seemingly unpopular to cement the wrestling of power in 2024 has been activated in full gear by the main opposition party NDC.

The NDC once again is at its peak of propaganda and dirty furtive machinations.

As matter of fact, it is not surprising at all, because we know the fruits of the NDC tracing them from their roots.

The NDC led by John Mahama has on several occasions incited Ghanaians against the ruling NPP.

Reports on Ghanaweb that now the OccupyJubilee House protest has entered Berlin, Germany is indeed undiplomatic, unpatriotic and smacks of political chicanery and lamentably psychopathic.

Several tweets have emerged, showing photos and videos of what is happening in the city of Berlin.

As can be seen in some of the videos, police in Berlin are seen restricting some of the Ghanaians who poured out to protest.

This comes, three days after protest by the OccupyJubileeHouse in Ghana.

Similarly, some Ghanaians also in London took up the street protest, making their presence felt at the entrance of the High Commission of Ghana in the city.

https://twitter.com/peratov/status/1708091328800661965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

We are witnessing the emergence of a kind of political impudence being fueled by the evil cults of the main opposition NDC for the sake of expediency

To NDC and their allies, democracy is political loose talk, simplistic characterizations, arrogant malice and bravado.

NDC represents a complete contradiction from traditional political rhetorics.

These protestors, reflect the extent to which individual interests, have replaced the collective good of Freedom and Justice with the clear intent to help the NDC to acquire the upper hand in political and economic matters.

Ghanaians should treat NDC and the whole John Mahama team as a walking contradiction and disposal trash bags.

We will continue to urge the good people of Ghana to vote NPP and break the 8 in order to retain the NPP so that the next NPP administration in the helm of governance will continue to give off its best.

We Say KUDOS to Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government!!!

Let The Truth Confound The Wise

Long Live Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo!!

God Bless Our Homeland Ghana!!!

Long Live the Elephant Party!!!!

Kukruduuuu Eeeessshiii!!!!

Signed:

Nana Osei Boateng

NPP Germany Branch

Communications Director
The suspect

02.10.2023 LISTEN

A 33-year-old Chinese national is in the firm grips of the Ghana Police in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital.

Ju Jing Ying was nabbed in possession of quantities of wrapped whitish substances, suspected to be cocaine.

The Asokore Mampong Police, acting upon a tip off, apprehended the suspect on September 30, 2023.

The arrest, according to a police document sighted by DAILY GUIDE, took place at Sepe Junction, in the Greater Kumasi Metro.

The Chinese national is said to have admitted to having bought the illegal substances from Kumasi Abattoir during police interrogation.

Ju Jing Ying is, however, yet to disclose his supplier to the police to assist in police investigation.

On 30/09/2023 at 1800hrs, Asokore Mampong Police upon a tip off arrested suspect Ju Jing Ying, aged 33, a Chinese national and resident of Ahodwo at Sepe Junction in possession of quantities of wrapped whitish substances suspected to be cocaine.

Upon interrogations, suspect told police he bought the exhibit from an unknown person at Kumasi Abattoir, the police report said.

The police document also disclosed that the suspect has been detained and exhibits retained for further investigations.

It further stated that the suspect would be handed over to the DLEU/Ash for further investigations into the case.

Daily Guide
Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt, Angelina Jolies Vietnamese-born adopted son, appeared on the cover of Vogue with Jolie and his younger sister Zahara Jolie-Pitt to promote his mothers new fashion brand.

The Vietnamese-born Pax Thien and Ethiopian-born Zahara, two of the famous actress three adopted children, graced the cover of Vogues October issue with Jolie to promote her new fashion brand Atelier Jolie.

(From L) Angelina Jolie, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, and Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt shooting for the October issue of Vogue. Photo from Pax Thien Fanpage Instagram

Jolie donned various outfits throughout the photoshoot, while Zahara wore an elegant white dress and Pax Thien was in a shirt, trousers, and sneakers. The young man also brought a camera with him to capture moments he shared with his mother and sister.

According to Jolie, Zahara and Pax Thien were assisting her in preparing her fashion brand, with the former accompanying her around New York to find a place for her office and the latter participating in decoration processes. The actress said the fashion brand is a family project.

Jolie also proudly gave Vogue reporters a white canvas with her brands logo on it. The canvas was made by Pax Thien.

"That was my son practicing," she said while pointing at the canvas.

She told the magazine about her journey as a mother as well.

"I was 26 when I became a mother," Jolie said. "My entire life changed. Having children saved meand taught me to be in this world differently."

The actress said she was the kind of mother who always lets her children decide everything in their lives instead of controlling them. She has let her kids choose their outfits on their own ever since they were young, she said.

She added that her kids have played an important role as her motivation to live.

"I think, recently, I wouldve gone under in a much darker way had I not wanted to live for them," she said. "Theyre better than me."

Jolie, 48, has six children with her ex-husband film star Brad Pitt, 60: Maddox, Pax Thien, Zahara, Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox Jolie-Pitt. Maddox, Pax Thien, and Zahara were adopted from orphanages in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Ethiopia respectively. Meanwhile, Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox are the couples biological children.

Jolie and Pitt have been embroiled in a custody battle following Jolies initial divorce filing in 2016. Jolie was granted physical custody of the kids, while Pitt was given joint custody in 2021. However, it is reported that the tug-of-war is still not completely settled.
02.10.2023 LISTEN

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission Womens Association in Ghana (Lajna Imailla Ghana) has climaxed its national centenary anniversary celebration in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital.

The theme for the yearlong celebration is Building Resilience in Self-Reformation: A Path to Peace and Sustainable Development.

It was held on the campus of T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School (T. I. AMASS, Kumasi) from Thusrday, 28 September to Saturday, September 30, 2023.

The celebration was attended by the members from the 167 circuits, 43 zones in the 16 regions across Ghana and representatives from Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Benin and Togo.

It was graced by the Queenmother of Ashanti (Asantehemaa), Nana Konadu Yiadom III, who was represented by her Gyaasehene, Nana Abena Achiaa.

The 100 years celebration included activities such as donations to hospitals, orphanage homes, street children, cleanup exercises and tree planting.

The Sadr President of Lajna Imaillah Ghana, Hajia Anisah Nasirudeen Iddrisu, in her speech underscored the importance of Muslim women to be empowered.

She said if women are given the opportunity to be educated, it can enhance their knowledge and be able to nurture the children in the right way to develop society.

Hajia Anisah Nasirudeen Iddrisu added that if women are empowered, then we are able to grasp the opportunity to perform our duties very well to assist the men.

If women are not empowered; given the opportunity to be part of the development of the society, then a quite number of women population will be left behind , and only the men will be fronting, she stressed.

On the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission Womens Association in Ghana, she said it was formed as a platform to deliberate on issues that affect women, and also for the spiritual, moral, educational and physical development of women.

Giving a brief history of Lajna Imaillah which means the maidservant of Allah, Hajia Anisah Nasirudeen Iddrisu said it was established on December 25, 1922, by Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmed, the second Caliph in Qadian, India, to give women a voice in the administrative affairs in the community.

In Ghana, she said the association started in the Central region and as of March 2023 the membership stands at 43,115, in the 167 circuits in the 43 zones across the 16 regions in Ghana.

The special guest of honor for the occasion, Alhajj Ahmad S. Anderson, who is the 2nd Ameer for the Ahmadiyya Mission in Ghana, noted that with the advancement of materialism, religion, and spirituality are fast deteriorating which has led to cancerous growth of immorality.

He reminded them that the world is going through dangerous times and as Ahmadi Muslims, we are raised for the good of mankind exhorting people to do good while we refrain from evil ourselves in order to lead the world to salvation.

Alhajj Ahmad S. Anderson also used the platform to urge Ahmadis to lead the country to peace and development.

I want to remind all of us that the country we live in today is on path to destruction and it requires a reformed Community like ours (Ahmadiyya group) to lead the country to peace and development, he said.

He added that in Ghana we are busy destroying our environment through all sorts of pollution including illegal, making it difficult to get portable water to drink in our homes.

Alhajj Ahmad S. Anderson cautioned that the country may soon import water for cooking and bathing if nothing is done to stop illegal mining activities.
Several opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs from the Volta Region are expressing growing concerns over the rapid deterioration of the coastline within the region. They argue that the government appears indifferent to the extensive damage occurring along the coast.

Since the start of the year, strong ocean currents have swept away both businesses and residential properties, rendering thousands of southern Volta Region residents homeless.

A group of MPs, led by Emmanuel Bedzrah, the leader of the Volta NDC MPs, and Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minority Chief Whip, conducted visits to affected communities in the Anlo, Keta, and Ketu South Municipalities, emphasizing the urgent need for action.

During an interview, Kwame Governs Agbodza, a Member of Parliament for the Adaklu constituency, declared that the NDCs support for the government hinges on its commitment to include the Keta Sea Defense Project in its 2024 budget.

Bawumia is busily looking for votes and does not even care about the people that are going to vote for him and God willing, he will not be a presidentif we dont see anything in the 2024 budget, then forget it, he will not get our support for anything at all.

Additionally, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the member of parliament for the Ketu South constituency, appealed to the government to activate the West African Coastline Management Area Resilient Fund to expedite the completion of the sea defence project.

I am told that the World Bank and the IMF have some arrangements with Benin and Togo for the West African Coastline Management Area Resilient Fund, Gomashie said. Why is our country not participating in that exercise, why are we not applying for it so we save the coastline of our shores?

citinewsroom
02.10.2023 LISTEN

Government Spokesperson, Kofi Tonto, has opined on the recent resignation of Alan Kyerematen from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), suggesting that the former Trade Minister played it too safe during his days in the party.

During an interview on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Kofi Tonto encouraged Alan Kyerematen to engage more with Ghanaians.

He argued that in a country like Ghana, which values oral communication, political leaders need to actively engage with the public.

Kofi Tonto noted that Alan Kyerematen may have shied away from the public to avoid criticism and negative comments, but it didn't serve him well.

He stated, Ghana is an oral society...So, if you want to be President in this country for 8 years, you don't engage any Ghanaian - you are playing it or you played it too safe.

You didn't want any dirt on you. You didn't want any person to insult you; you didn't want anybody to talk about you. You played it too safe."

Kofi Tonto urged Alan Kyerematen to change his approach and engage the public more on national issues.

"What has made me Kofi Tonto today is because I sit here and speak. Our father (Alan) sat home for too long.

If you say you want to be a President and lead Ghanaians, for seven years since 2007, we can count the number of times that Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has engaged Ghanaians.

"Do self-introspection and ask yourself what you also did not do right? he added.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament to actively engage in addressing the growing insecurity and coups d'etat in West Africa by identifying the root causes and propose concrete measures to combat them.

During the 2nd ECOWAS Parliamentary Seminar held in Winneba, Ghana, the President emphasized the importance of understanding the underlying causes of military insurrections and security challenges facing the ECOWAS region.

He stressed that addressing these issues is crucial to maintaining peaceful democracies within the ECOWAS bloc.

President Akufo-Addo conveyed his belief that the entire African continent should not regress in terms of its commitment to democratic values.

He encouraged the participants of the seminar to brainstorm and seek solutions to the pressing challenges, including political insecurity and democratic regression, facing the region.

He stated, "One of the expected outcomes is to help us understand even better the root causes of democratic regression and political instability in the region in order to better address them.

This seminar, over the next three days, must propose measures to ensure the anchoring of democratic and republican values, both on the level of political elites and citizens of the community.

President Akufo-Addo assured the ECOWAS Parliament that the heads of state and governments within ECOWAS would be receptive to their proposals and would eagerly await their recommendations.

This will help preserve the peace and stability of the region. I can assure you that the authority of heads of state and governments of ECOWAS will be receptive to all your proposals and await them with great interest, he added.
Four environmental groups have taken legal action against French giant TotalEnergies on claims of "climaticide" over a controversial oil project in Tanzania and Uganda, their lawyers said Monday.

The groups -- Darwin Climax Coalitions, Sea Shepherd France, Wild Legal and Stop EACOP-Stop Total -- filed their action on September 22, saying that TotalEnergies "must no longer continue to knowingly, freely and with impunity fuel climate change", lawyers William Bourdon and Vincent Brengarth said.

"It is time to hold the company responsible for its activities," they said, adding that the court action is unprecedented by seeking a criminal Judgment "for facts resembling a climaticide, which until now had their place only before civil courts".

The groups say that with its East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), TotalEnergies is liable for charges including destruction, damage or deterioration of property belonging to others likely to create a danger to persons, and failing to deal with a disaster.

Under construction: An oil well at Murchison Falls National Park in western Uganda. By BADRU KATUMBA (AFP/File)

Human Rights Watch (HRW) in July urged a halt to the project after TotalEnergies and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation last year signed a $10 billion deal to develop Ugandan oilfields and ship crude through a 1,445-kilometre (900-mile) pipeline to Tanzania's Indian Ocean port of Tanga.

Rights activists and environmental groups have slammed a deal that has also faced criticism in the European Parliament.

TotalEnergies says an estimated 100,000 people displaced by the project have been fairly compensated, and measures have been taken to protect the environment.

The project involves drilling around 400 oil wells in Murchison Falls Nature Park, a biodiversity reserve and Uganda's largest national park.

The company said Monday that it was unaware of the latest legal action and what it hoped to achieve, telling AFP that it "conducts operations in accordance with its operating standards and with laws and regulations".

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline aims to take oil from western Uganda to a port on the Tanzanian coast. By (AFP)

A French civil court earlier this year dismissed on procedural grounds a landmark case against the firm over the project after several NGOs filed a suit seeking to suspend it.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has vowed to proceed, syaing the landlocked poverty-riven country will enjoy an economic boost from the project.

In the latest allegations, the associations say the pipeline would entail "a major impoverishment of local populations" and severely impact the local environment.

French NGO Les Amis de la Terre launched a first judicial broadside against the project in 2019.

Saying that the pipeline did not respect the 2015 Paris accord on cutting global carbon emissions, the lawyers in the latest case warned of "chaos" resulting from rising temperatures if such projects went ahead.

They urged French authorities to "force TotalEnergies to radically change its investment strategy to drastically reduce fossil investments and massively develop renewable energies".
In the 2020 elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana committed the greatest crime conceivable in a constitutional democracy when citizens in four communities in the Volta Region (Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe and Lolobi, collectively called SALL) were denied their constitutional right to vote.

The disenfranchisement affected over 17,000 voters who, based on previous voting patterns, would have largely voted for the NDC. The denial enabled the NPP candidate to win the Hohoe parliamentary seat by about 5,000 votes.

That was a state-sponsored organized injustice against the citizens of SALL and the NDC.

That overt subversion of constitutional rights of citizens is discussed here to demonstrate that the balance of evidence is on the side of those who charge the EC with the subtle but grievous offense of voter suppression with respect to its actions around voter registration. The accusation is that the Jean Mensah-led EC has become an electoral instrument for the NPP.

Voter suppression involves the deployment of various strategies to reduce voting, or registration to vote, of targeted populations. It is often masked as legitimate acts of ensuring the integrity of the voting process. In the United States, the Democratic Party, not without warrant, has accused election officials in Republican controlled states of using voter suppression tactics to obstruct and prevent Democratic-leaning groups (racial minorities, immigrants, and younger adults) from voting. A textbook strategy of voter suppression is restricting voter registration (shortening registration periods, reducing voter registration centers, aggressive voter roll purging, and introduction of policies that require not-easy-to-acquire documents as proof of citizenship).

Intimidation by way of heavy presence of law enforcement personnel or self-appointed poll vigilantes is another tactic that is commonly used to suppress registration and voting.

Unlike the US where elections are overseen by state elected officials, in Ghana, the EC is an apolitical constitutional body from which electoral impartiality of the finest breed is expected.

But as soon as the Akufo-Addo government assumed office, it jettisoned conventions, norms, and processes sanctioned by the authority of the framers of our constitution and relied on bogus charges of malfeasance to haul out a cohort of duly appointed heads of the commission, replacing them with known NPP activists and sympathizers. The EC has since failed the test of neutrality.

And leading up to the 2020 elections, the Jean Mensah-led EC insisted on compiling a new voters register despite resistance from opposition political parties, civil society groups and policy institutes.

The chief reason the EC gave was that it wanted a credible and efficient voter register (a line of argument taken out of the voter suppression playbook). But the actual outcome of that exercise was the striking out of eligible voters in NDC strongholds.

During the exercise, there were widespread news reports that the inhabitants of the Volta Region felt intimidated and lived in fear owing to the unusual heavy presence of military personnel. It is therefore not surprising that, compared to the previous 2016 register, the Volta Region (Oti Region included) gained only 508 voters after the 2020 registration exercise was completed.

Conversely, the Central and Brong Ahafo regions, which are comparable to the Volta Region in terms of population, gained 160,085 and 148,316 voters respectively. Even the least populous region, the Upper West Region, added 54,730 voters. The only acceptable explanation for such an outlier would be that the Volta Region has a fertility rate similar to that of European countries.

A few months ago, the EC sent a constitutional instrument (CI) to parliament to make ID cards issued by the National Identification Authority, the so-called Ghana Card, the sole proof of eligibility to register to vote. There is credible evidence that it is relatively cumbersome to acquire the Ghana card in historically NDC learning areas. Passing the CI would have amounted to an act of voter suppression; the evidence lies in the number of people who have relied on the guarantor system compared to the Ghana Card in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.

The most glaring voter suppression effort is the ECs recent decision to limit the limited voter registration exercise to its district offices (268 centers) instead of the usual electoral areas (over 6,000 centers). This gives unfair advantage to the ruling party, with unrestrained access to state resources, to transport people from remote places in its strongholds to registration centers. Also, younger voters are more likely to vote for the opposition party than the incumbent; hence, making it difficult for those who turned 18 years to vote benefits the ruling party.

The right to vote is a fundamental democratic principle, a constitutive good of justice, and an entitlement that must be guaranteed to all irrespective of where they reside in the country.

The inviolability of the right to vote must be ensured by enhancing citizens capabilities through institutional arrangements and public policy to exercise it. That is the fundamental role of the EC.

The Secretary of NDC USA, Thomas Elleamo Yankey, is right on point when he argues in his recent article that the NDC and Ghanaians must resist any attempt by the ruling government, working collaboratively with the EC, to rig the upcoming 2024 elections.

Resisting such an attempt must be our call to duty!

Source: NDC USA Communication Bureau

Signed by:

NDC USA Communication Officer

HAJIA Rukaya Abubakari
Renal Patients Association has disclosed that 14 outpatients of the renal unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital lost their lives after the unit was abruptly closed to them in May 2023.

The closure of the unit led to a tragic situation where these patients were unable to access crucial dialysis treatment, ultimately resulting in their untimely deaths.

The spokesperson for the Association, Mr Michael Asante, shared the news during a press conference held in Accra on Monday.

He explained that the deaths were primarily attributed to the patients' inability to afford the cost of dialysis treatment at private centres, which is significantly more expensive compared to the services provided at the public hospital.

As we speak, the renal unit has been closed since 22 May 2023 up to date, to outpatients, Mr Asante revealed during the press conference.

He added: Patients have gone through turbulent times, as we struggle to finance our dialysis treatment at private dialysis centres across the centres".

"Unfortunately, during this shutdown period, we have lost about 14 of our friends... This has left the rest of us living in constant fear for our tomorrow. This is because we do not know who amongst us will be next to lose their lives needlessly.

The association, therefore, appealed to government to include dialysis treatment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and cede the cost for dialysis treatment.

-classfmonline
Prince Kamal Gumah(right)

02.10.2023 LISTEN

Mr. Prince Kamal Gumah, a former NPP youth organiser aspirant, is urging the Party Chairman, Mr. Stephen Ntim and General Secretary, Lawyer Justice Kodua, to summon Hon Kennedy Agyepong, a presidential hopeful over alleged ethnic outbursts and insults on NPP delegates in Kumasi.

According to Mr Prince Kamal Gumah, nobody in the NPP is above the party and it is important for the leadership of the party to call Hon. Kennedy Agyapong to order for his alleged careless tribal comment.

In a statement issued by the former youth aspirant, he said "Sadly, now that the wind of the Party is blowing towards a Northern candidate, Hon Kennedy Agyepong is unfortunately playing the tribal card.

"History has proven that the NPP Delegates have never voted on tribal considerations and has never subscribed to tribal bigotry which is alien to the Party and we should not entertain any semblance of it in any way or manner" he added.

The former NPP youth organizer aspirant calls on the NPP party leadership to at times protect the sanctity of the party and must not entertain any loose talk coming from any member of the party go unchecked

Below is the statement by Prince Kamal Gumah:

It should be made succinctly clear that the NPP, which he aspires to lead historically does not elect its Presidential Candidates on tribal lines.

In 1992, there were as many as 3 aspiring candidates of Northern descent, and yet the delegates from the North believed that Prof Adu Boahen was most qualified to lead the party and voted accordingly.

In 1996, Hon Malik Alhassan, from Yendi and a Northerner, was among the Presidential Aspirants, but he was also not voted for in favour of President Kuffuor because he was deemed as most qualified by all delegates.

Also in 2007, even with the candidature of the two-term sitting vice President, the delegates voted President Akufo Addo to lead the party and did same in the subsequent elections with 92% and 98%.

Sadly, now that the wind of the Party is blowing towards a Northern candidate, Hon Kennedy Agyepong is unfortunately playing the tribal card.

History has proven that the NPP Delegates have never voted on tribal considerations and has never subscribed to tribal bigotry which is alien to the Party and we should not entertain any semblance of it in any way or manner.

This historical record shows that the delegates of NPP always knows who is the right person to lead and they never make a mistake.

It's upon this that I am calling on the Chairman and General Secretary and all well meaning party voices to call he, Kennedy Agyapong to order for this careless tribal commentary. It should be noted that nobody is above the Party no matter your status and therefore the Party's interest must always reign supreme. It is this Party that boldly suspended its former Chairman and General Secretary - Mr Paul Afoko and Mr Kwabena Agyepong. It should not allow any loose talk to go unchecked to protect the sanctity of the Party.

Long Live the NPP. Long live Ghana.

Prince Kamal Gumah.
A flagbearer aspirant of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a former Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has suspended his intended campaign tour of the Ashanti Region, following the death of Theresa Kufuor, former First Lady and wife of the former president, John Agyekum Kufuor.

The former Agriculture Minister noted that a new date will be announced to commence his campaign tour of the Ashanti Region before the November 4 election of the NPP.

Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto made the announcement at his residence during a news conference in Kumasi, where he appealed to the delegates of the party to elect him as the flagbearer to lead the party to victory in the 2024 general elections.

We have suspended our Ashanti regional campaign tour as a sign of respect for the loss of the first lady Theresa Kufuor. We will come back at the appropriate time, and we will be informed. But I want to take this opportunity to convey my deepest respect to the delegates of NPP who have been called upon to make a decision for the party. The real contest is on November 4. Im calling on the delegates to vote for me, he said.

Mrs Kufuor died at her home in Peduase surrounded by her family on Sunday, October 1. She was 87.

-citinewsroom
02.10.2023 LISTEN

Flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has issued a strong warning to the party ahead of the November 4 primaries.

The Assin Central Member of Parliament (MP) asserted that no form of intimidation would stop him from becoming the flagbearer of the party.

He accused some party members of attempts to rig the elections in favor of the establishment candidate.

The outspoken legislator believes he is the right leader to bring finality to the sufferings of Ghanaians.

Kennedy Agyapong said at his Kumasi Showdown walk on September 30, 2023, that he would do all in his power to prevent any orchestrations or manipulations in the primaries.

Let them try, I'm not like Alan who is gentle, Ken gave the warning.

Mr. Agyapong was making reference to Alan Kyerematen, a former Minister of Trade and Industry who recently left the NPP due to an alleged intimidation and unjust treatment at him and his supporters during the NPP's flagbearer contest.

As an independent candidate for 2024 Presidential elections, Mr. Kyerematen has also established a Movement for Change to rally youth to power.
Miss Universe Vietnam 2023 Bui Quynh Hoa denied having known her interview question, explaining that her answer shared similarities with Google search results because she had researched the topic.

Miss Universe Vietnam 2023 Bui Quynh Hoa. Photo from Hoa's Instagram

When being asked to define the beauty of confidence during the 2023 Miss Universer Vietnam contest final on September 29, Hoa almost instantly provided her answer, saying that the concept could be defined as a woman being confident in herself and thus, being able to lead her own life.

A "confident beauty," according to her, is also someone that can acknowledge others successes and get over her own failures in order to improve and become a better version of herself.

It was discovered in the time since that this answer shares similarities with a top result appearing on Google when users search for the phrase "what is the beauty of confidence."

More specifically, Hoas answer was partially identical to a 2012 article published on the official website of the Vietnam Womens Union which wrote: "Confident people are willing to cooperate with others and acknowledge others successes."

"They are not worried about those who are better than them. They are humble, as they never become arrogant when they win nor get discouraged when they lose. They consider failures the foundation of their future successes, and see challenges as chances for them to improve their capabilities and determination." This made the pageants viewers raise doubts that the beauty queen had known in advance the interview question asked, and thus provided a smooth answer for it.

Hoa denied the accusation during the contests press conference on October 1. She said her smooth answer was the result of her thorough preparation for the contest, as she had competed in the Miss Universe Vietnam contest twice before finally being crowned as the pageant winner this year.

Responding to allegations that her answer was similar to Google results, Hoa said she had done online research about "the beauty of confidence" before the contest, as the topic is also the main theme of the Miss Universe pageant itself.

"There is nothing wrong with looking around and gathering information from different sources," she said. "My answer shared similarities with Googles suggestion since I had done online research, gathered the information for myself, and I wanted to share it with others."

Hoa had also denied during the press conference following the contests final night rumors about the contest organizers having already chosen her as the winner even before the pageant.

"I believe you all have seen my efforts and my thorough preparations for the contest," she said. "And I believe you all see how I deserve the title."
02.10.2023 LISTEN

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, 2020 running mate for former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has embarked on a tour of the Western Region to monitor the ongoing limited voter registration process.

Her visit comes in response to the NDC's Presidential candidate for the 2024 polls, Mr Mahama, appealing to all eligible Ghanaian young people who have attained the age of 18 and above to register for voter Identity (ID) cards.

A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency said that Prof. Opoku-Agyemang visited various registration centres at the Electoral Commission offices to monitor the process of registration.

She interacted with electoral officers and prospective voters, as well as encouraged the youth to exercise their constitutional privilege and democratic right to vote and acquire a voter ID card.

Particularly, all young people who have turned 18 years and older were encouraged to act and obtain their voter ID cards, which would enable them to exercise their democratic rights and make informed choices in national elections.

She also urged prospective new voters to participate in political activities and contribute to national development and progress, emphasising the importance of their active participation in the electoral registration process in shaping Ghana's future.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also interacted with party executives from the region ahead of the upcoming voter transfer process, set to take place from October 3rd to October 9th, 2023.

The voter transfer process seeks to facilitate eligible voters and allows individuals to conveniently update their registration information and transfer their voting location.

Earlier, as part of her tour to monitor the registration process, she engaged party executives in the Central.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemangs visit emphasises the appeal made by the NDC's 2024 flagbearer, Mr Mahama, for the youth and Ghanaians, in general, to actively participate in the national voter registration for their voter ID cards to enable them to exercise their constitutional voting rights.

Meanwhile, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang attended the one-year anniversary of the tragic loss of Mabel Quayson, former Women's Organiser of NDC for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem constituency (her home constituency).

She similarly attended the one-week memorial service of the late Araba Tagoe, former Western regional women's organiser, who until her death was also a member of the Functional Executive Committee of the NDC.

On Monday, she will resume her trip to the Western Region to monitor the electoral process.

GNA
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged members of the ECOWAS Parliament to find ways of dealing with the emerging re-militarisation of governance and the attempted confiscation of democracy by elites in the region.

Addressing the 2nd ECOWAS Parliamentary Seminar in Winneba, Ghana last Friday, President Akufo-Addo admonished members of the Community to also deal with the wanton desire of terrorist groups and armed criminal gangs to destroy democracy in the region.

Speaking on the theme, Challenges Relating to Unconstitutional Changes of Government and Presidential Term Limits in West Africa, he stressed that democracy in West Africa was in danger and that the regional fraternity must work even harder to entrench the principles of democratic accountability in the citizenry.

Democracy in the region has been seriously subverted by the attempted confiscation of democracy by elites, who engage, through legal antics, in the manipulation of constitutional rules and the subjugation of the institutions of the Republic with the sole aim of remaining in power.

President Akufo-Addo indicated that another key threat was the emerging re-militarisation of governance with the intrusion, once again, of the military on the political scene, who had neither consulted nor received any mandate from the people on whose behalf they purport to act.

He disclosed that modern history had taught all that tyranny, oppression and totalitarian governments do not last long. No matter how a people reject democracy and civil liberty, circumstances would always force them back to embrace them.

We cannot run away from the fact that our Region is confronted with a difficult economic, political, social and security situation, the President indicated.

Despite the considerable progress made by the Community over the years in democracy, good governance and the rule of law, which four years ago, ensured that all 15 leaders of ECOWAS States were democratically elected, the region currently is witnessing a decline in its democratic credentials.

Today, four ECOWAS Member States are led by military governments as a result of coups d'etats. This sad development has created a state of palpable anxiety and tension in every corner of the region, raising the spectre of regional instability, which we thought had been banished forever.

Equally abhorrent, President Akufo-Addo indicated, was the culture of violence and disputes that had characterised the periods of elections in some ECOWAS countries.

The only legitimacy for any leader, according to President Akufo-Addo, is through a mandate that is given freely by the people in a fair, peaceful and transparent election. This is the most tangible and objective way to know and recognise the common will, which is the will of the people.

That is why, he said any attempt at the manipulation of opinion and the rules of the democratic game for partisan political ends always leads to a loss of legitimacy, which is reflected in the social tensions it creates.

We must distinguish between legality and legitimacy because our region will only experience genuine stability if our powers are imbued with both legality and legitimacy.

The true purpose of democratic governance is to obtain the objective of free government, shared prosperity and progress, equitable and accessible justice and lasting peace for the wellbeing of the citizenry, he added.

He called on the ECOWAS legislators to ensure that one of the expected outcomes at the meeting is to understand even better the root causes of democratic regression and political instability in the region to better address them.

President Akufo-Addo urged them to speak against the extension of presidential term limits by some leaders to strengthen their grip on power.

These actions tend to result in discontent amongst the populace, which create fertile grounds on which military interventions disingenuously feed, he observed.
The Parliament of Ghana, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), is hosting the prestigious 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) from September 30 to October 6, 2023.

The conference, themed "The Commonwealth Charter 10 Years on Values and Principles for Parliament to Uphold," promises to be a significant occasion for advancing democracy, responsible leadership, human rights and economic development.

The inaugural ceremony is set for Wednesday, October 4th at 10:00 am at the AICC and the keynote presentation will be given by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Vice-Patron of CPA, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

The 66th CPC promises a week of discussions, collaborative efforts and knowledge exchange. Participants will explore topics that are crucial to the progress and development of nations within the Commonwealth, ensuring that parliamentary institutions continue to be pillars of democracy and governance.

Ghana's role as the host nation reflects its commitment to fostering international cooperation, promoting democracy and strengthening the bonds of friendship among Commonwealth member states. The conference is expected to provide a significant boost to Ghana's international profile.

The Annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference provides speakers, presiding officers, members, and officers of parliament from more than 180 branches in nine Commonwealth regions with distinctive forums to exchange experiences and best practices that advance democracy, good governance, human rights, and economic development.
Cletus Apul Avoka, the Member of Parliament for Zebilla, pays tribute to ET Mensah, a former legislator.

On October 1, it was confirmed that Mr. Mensah passed away in South Africa.

In reaction, Mr. Avoka described the former Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament as a politician without a fault.

He hailed Mr. Mensah as a brave and confident politician whose absence will be felt in the political space.

The Zebilla lawmaker stated on Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM that He [ET Mensah] joined us in the second Parliament and the time I got to know him more was in 2009 when he was Chief Whip, and I was Interior Minister. During that time, I called him every morning to find out what was happening in Parliament and when I needed to be in Parliament. I later went to the House as Majority Leader and ET became Minister for Labour Relations, and we became very close when we were brought together to help Mahama on special initiatives as members of the presidential special drive that eventually became the Three Wise Men."

He is bold, confident, and results-oriented, and he was very close to Rawlings and one could only be too close to Rawlings when he was good and if there was any difficult job, and you gave it to ET, he would do it well, Cletus Avoka stated.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Yakubu, has urged the farmers in the region to take advantage of the Planting for Food and Jobs Phase 2.0 (PfJ).

The Minister said that would ensure food security and improve the living standards of the people.

Mr Yakubu, who spoke at a meeting organised by the Regional Coordinating Council, said 80 per cent of the people in the region engage in agricultural-related activities.

He explained that the second phase of Planting for Food and Jobs would not supply direct subsidised inputs to farmers, rather it was a smart agriculture input credit system linked to structured market management.

The Chief Director of the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), Alhaji Inusah Abubakari, charged the Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) to gazette their byes laws.

On this score, he emphasised the fees-fixing resolutions, saying it would help them to prosecute defaulters.

He also acknowledged development partners like the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP), Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA), United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA), Korea International Corporation Agency (KOICA) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for helping to improve upon the living standards of the people.
Dr. Kwabena Osei-Adubofour, a special aide and spokesman for former President John Agyekum Kufuor, has disclosed that the octogenarian is recovering after the demise of his wife, Theresa Kufuor.

In an interview with Citi News, Dr. Osei-Adubofour said the former president is gradually recovering and is asking the general public to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers.

It was very sad and shocking, and it happened yesterday late in the afternoon and the old man [former president Kufuor] did not take it kindly at all because it was a shock to him but this morning, Ive seen that he has recovered to some extent from the shock, Dr. Osei-Adubofour said.

You know, he is old enough to understand death and normally when people come to inform us about the bereavement of other people, he kept on saying death is a journey everyone will embark on, and so he understands and had tuned his mind to it despite that the initial occurrence was very serious and shocking.

Dr. Osei-Adubofour further pleaded with persons wishing to visit to commiserate with the family to start doing so from Tuesday in order to afford the family some time to put in the necessary logistics to receive them.

We welcome people coming to show their love and condolences, but I will plead with them to start it tomorrow because it happened less than 24 hours ago and we need to do some logistical work like putting up some canopies and all that so let them give us free time today, and then they can start coming tomorrow.

The Office had earlier issued a press release announcing the former First Ladys passing.

Below is the press release:



-citinewsroom
The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) "deeply mourned" the passing of former First Lady Theresa Kufuor, the wife of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, which sad event occurred on October 1, 2023.

Mrs. Theresa Kufuor, who served as Ghana's First Lady from January 7, 2001, to January 6, 2009, "dedicated her life to supporting her husband throughout his political career and to the service of humanity", the party said in a statement signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua.

The party said, "inspired by her profession as a nurse, Mrs Kufour championed the cause of improved healthcare in our country".

"Notably, she established the Mother and Child Community Development Foundation (MCCDF) that supports the prevention of mother to child transmission of diseases, including HIV/ AIDS", the party said.

"Mrs. Kufuor was also a beacon for female advancement, fostering initiatives to inspire and empower both young and adult females in various facets of life".

"The members of the New Patriotic Party, together with all Ghanaians whose lives were positively touched by her, extend our deepest condolences to former President John Agyekum Kufuor, their children, and the entire family. We stand united with you in this time of sorrow, praying that the Almighty God grants all of us the fortitude to bear this great loss", the party said.

In tribute to the memory of the late Mrs Kufuor, the NPP "directs that all Party flags across the country be flown at half-mast for the next seven days. May her gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace until we meet again on the resurrection morning".

-classfmonline
After two months of pressure and ultimatums from France against the new government of Niger and neighboring countries that supported it, Paris decided to end military cooperation with the African country and recall its ambassador and embassy staff.

Shameful withdrawal of the French military contingent on the terms of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, formed by the rebels, became a serious warning for Macron's allies from ECOWAS. The irreconcilable rhetoric of Paris, demands to return power to the president Bazoum and preparation of military intervention to put the end to the putschists resulted in a painful loss for the Fifth Republic and de-facto recognition of the government of Abdourahmane Tchiani, as well as the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States consisted of Niger, Mali and Burkina-Faso.

In Niamey they are already talking about a new stage of sovereignty and a historical moment indicating the firm determination and will of the Niger people, but Paris and the capitals of its African allies talk about terrifying recognition of the weakness of France and fear of the unreliability of government's assurances, given the fate of the Bazoum's government, as well as the failed French-backed attempt of ECOWAS to invade Niger which resulted in complicated relations with neighbors.

Actions of the French leader put an end to the interaction of France only with the legitimate governments of countries of the African continent. Paris itself acknowledges the failure after the putschists has officially agreed on the schedule and deadlines for the withdrawal of the French military contingent from Niger.

Salif Kobena

Cote d'Ivoire, Bouake
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has extended his condolences to former President John Agyekum Kufuor after the passing of his wife, Theresa Kufuor.

The former First Lady of the Republic passed away on Sunday, October 1, at the age of 88.

In a statement today, President Akufo-Addo described the late Theresa Kufuor as a woman who bore the vicissitudes of life with great stoicism and an unshakable belief in the sovereignty of Almighty God.

According to him, he has no doubt he will miss the former First Lady dearly.

I knew several members of her family, especially her celebrated brother, and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know her too. Her warmth, kindness, and grace were exceptional.

My wife, Rebecca, the First Lady, and I will miss her a lot. We extend our deepest condolences to President Kufuor, their children, grandchildren, and members of their family on their irreplaceable loss, parts of the statement from President Akufo-Addo said.

It continued, We wish her a peaceful place of abode in the Bosom of the Almighty, as she deserves, until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again. Amen.
In Slovakia, a populist party that wants to stop military aid to Ukraine and is critical of the EU and Nato will be tasked with forming a new government after winning weekend elections. Meanwhile, Poland is about to go to the polls, with the opposition rallying hard to try and oust the anti-EU government.

In Slovakia, the Smer-SD party led by former prime minister Robert Fico won 23 percent in Saturday's vote, beating the centrist Progressive Slovakia at 18 percent, but did not gain an absolute majority.

During his campaign, the 59-year-old Fico vowed that Slovakia would not send "a single round of ammunition" to Ukraine and called for better ties with Russia  raising concerns in many EU member states that staunchly support Kyiv's war efforts.

But Andrej Skolkay, Research Director with the School of Communication and Media (Skamba) in Bratislava, contacted by RFI, points out that as Fico's party doesn't have the absolute majority, he will be forced to find a coalition government, possibly with Peter Pellegrini's Hlas (Voice) Social Democracy Party, which will have "a moderating influence".

Playing on fears

He also says Fico's campaign promise to stop delivering military hardware to Ukraine was basically playing on "fears and emotions".

"We have no weapons or armour left in this country. Only [material] from the old Soviet era," he says, indicating that Slovakian arms supply to Ukraine would have come to an end regardless which party would take the helm.

Last July, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Slovak President Zuzana Caputova in Bratislava and members of the now outgoing government. Support for Ukraine may now be in doubt.

However, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Monday his country respected the "choice of the Slovak people".

Speaking at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv, he also insisted it was "too early to say how the election result will affect Slovakia's position," he said, adding that "first conclusions" could only be drawn after a coalition has been formed in Slovakia.

Fico, a leftist former lawyer, said Sunday that Slovakia's foreign policy focus would not change as "we are naturally EU members".

"That of course doesn't mean I can't criticise things in the EU that I don't like".

Hungary's leader Viktor Orban, whom analysts see as a potential ally of Fico within the EU ecosystem, congratulated Fico on social media, "on his indisputable victory at the Slovak parliamentary elections".

The eastern EU member state is seen as somewhat of a troublemaker, frequently criticised by Brussels for rule-of-law issues and hampering EU and NATO efforts to help Ukraine.

But others, like Marcin Swiecicki, president of the European Movement Poland and a former Polish Minister for Foreign Economic Relations, have expressed concerns.

"Fico is known for his pro-Russian stance in the conflict with Ukraine. And we are afraid that the support of Slovakia to Ukraine can be much weaker," he told RFI.

He points out that many EU decisions - from sanctions against Russia and on financing of arms for Ukraine - must be taken unanimously for them to function.

"We are afraid that a small country can block the entire European Union in supporting Ukraine," he says, pointing out that the 18 billion budget for financial support to Ukraine "was delayed due to resistance from Hungary."

Possible EU or Nato membership for Ukraine could be slowed down in a similar fashion, he thinks.

"Million hearts march"

Meanwhile, Poland is up for elections on 15 October, with the nationalist ruling PiS party keen to hang on to power.

Around a million people gathered on Sunday at a rally in Warsaw to protest against the conservative government.

Organised by the leader of the opposition Civic Platform (PO) Donald Tusk, the "Million Hearts March" sought to mobilise the electorate ahead of the vote.

Tusk, a former European Council president, has said PiS could aim to take Poland out of the EU, something the party denies, and has framed the election as crucial for minority and women's rights.

PiS denies accusations from Brussels that it has subverted democratic norms and says its reforms of the judiciary are aimed at making the country fairer.

"Democratic opposition is very strong, people are not alone," says Swiecicki of the demonstration. "It will help mobilise the electorate, since the turnout in Poland is [usually] relatively low".

He says the present government "wants to take votes of the extreme right that is opposing support for Ukraine, more or less similar tones as in Slovakia and Hungary."

"In order win these votes, the ruling party announced that new weapons will not be delivered to Ukraine."

(With agencies)
Over the past month, landlords in Hanoi's Thach That District have felt like they were sitting on a bonfire after spending billions renovating rental properties while occupancy rates barely reach 20%.

Nguyen Thi Tuoi, a 64-year-old woman living in the district, recently finished a five-story building with 41 rooms for rent after a year of construction.

In order to meet the high standards of renters, she decided to fully furnish the rooms with beds, closets, desks, chairs, air conditioners, and private bathrooms. She also installed a fire alarm system that is up to standards inside the building. She plans to fix the price of rent at VND3 million (US$123) per month.

The idea of starting a rental business came to her at the beginning of 2022, when she saw that there was high demand from students of FPT University and Vietnam National University Hanoi, especially because many nearby rentals were nearly full.

The five-story building with 41 fully furnished rooms belonging to Tuois family in Hanoi's Thach That District, the morning of Sept. 12, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/ Quynh Nguyen

"My family had a few hundred square meters plot of land right next to the road, near the schools and local markets, so we decided to invest more than a few billion to build this building. We just hope to make more money to help us when we get older," she said.

However, from the time the students receive their test results to when they finish the admission process, only one out of her 41 rooms is occupied. Tuoi asked her relatives to post advertisements on social media, she lowered the rent, and even let renters stay free for a month, but the situation has not improved.

About 2km away from Tuoi, a seven-story building with 40 rooms owned by Vu Thanh was completed at the end of August. But Thanhs place is now also suffering the same fate as Tuois.

Thanh built her building according to the mini apartment model. Each room is 30-35 sq.m., fully furnished, with a private bathroom, and a private balcony where tenants can cook. Tenants are allowed to use the elevators, Wi-Fi and washing machine, and fingerprint locks are installed on the doors.

Vu Thanh checks empty rooms in her newly built seven-story building in Hanoi's Thach That District, which remains devoid of renters, the morning of Sept. 12, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Nguyen

The building has been open for business for half a month, but only two customers have paid their deposits, and the occupancy percentage is under 20%. In an effort to bring more customers in, Thanh lowered her rent to VND2.8 million per month and is willing to pay the real estate agents an additional VND500.000-1 million if they can find customers for her.

"Every day, my husband and I have to clean the 40 rooms, and thinking about finding renters is enough to make us sick," she says.

Thanhs and Tuois families are two of hundreds of families operating rental properties in Thach That District that have fallen on hard times.

Many landlords are handing out flyers, advertising via large billboards in front of universities, and having cars pick up potential customers to tour the rooms for free, all in an effort to jumpstart demand.

Landlords use every method of advertising, from flyers to using electric poles to making large billboards in front of FPT University in hopes of finding renters. Photo by VnExpress/ Quynh Nguyen

Thanh Tung, a 40-year-old taxi driver often found in front of FPT University, said that when students begin to arrive from the end of August to the beginning of September, both sides of the sidewalk were filled with landlords setting up tables to talk to customers.

Some families are not hesitant to pay taxi drivers VND1 million a day to bring customers to their buildings for free or to use the drivers car to paste their advertisement banners.

Cao Nguyen, a 22-year-old student at FPT University, said that in 2022, he had to arrive one month early to find a place to rent because the number of places available was limited.

"But now, many online groups are filled with advertisements for rooms with low rents," according to Nguyen.

In a private 6,000-member group founded in 2022 to find rooms for rent in the Thach Thats Hoa Lac area, a user can find 70 posts on average per day about private rooms or mini apartments for rent.

Many posts advertise discounts on the first months rent as well as many other services for free for half a year, along with other offers, but few people have shown interest.

Many students who have houses in the inner city are willing to go back and forth 40-60km every day to cut back on costs.

Not wanting to spend VND2 million per month on rent, Minh Duc, a 21-year-old who lives in Dong Da District, parks his motorbike at My Dinh bus station and then takes bus number 74 to FPT University before returning home at lunch every day.

"Although I have to wake up early, this route is convenient for me and it also lessens the financial burden for my family," he says.

A survey by VnExpress conducted in the Thach That District towns of Tan Xa, Binh Yen, and Thach Hoa  all of which are near university campuses  revealed that new rental buildings have anywhere from a few dozen to hundreds of rooms, 5 to 6 times more rooms than last year.

However, most buildings are only 20% occupied. Meanwhile, many other similar construction projects are in the process of completion.

A government leader in Tan Xa Town said that several years before, the supply of rooms did not meet the high demand of students. Recognizing this demand, many families in the area and other investors came to Hoa Lac to build their properties, causing a sharp rise in supply that has led to the current excess.

Nguyen Van Dinh, president of the Vietnam Association of Realtors, says that this situation of an overabundance of rooms without renters reflects the reality that people are choosing their business models according to trends, without any knowledge of how to predict the market. This has led them to waste their money.

Noticing a potential customer coming to tour the rooms on Sept. 18, Thanh Loan, 50, hurriedly opened the door, making sure to bring her ring of keys to open up any room they wanted to see.

To this day, her four-story building containing 12 rooms that were completed at the beginning of September, has only two rooms occupied.

"Nowadays, you see a rental advertisement every hundred meters or so, so landlords with small rental businesses like my family have to find customers through any way possible," Loan says.
Some group of traders from the central, Kejetia and Race Course markets in Kumasi are rallying support for the Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumai to be elected at the flag-bearer of the NPP in the 2024 general elections.

The traders, who have come to identify themselves as NPP Identifiable Groups of Kumasi Central Market, Kejetia and Race Course, said if Dr Bawumia was not elected as the flag-bearer in the November 04, 2023, NPP presidential primaries, they would not vote in the 2024 general elections.

We will not vote in the December 2024 general elections, if Dr Bawumia is not elected as the flag-bearer, Hajia Hawa Abdallah, Women's Organizer of the group told a press conference in Kumasi on Monday morning.

Despite the scuffles going on in the NPP, there should still be a hardworking leader to lead the Party. We knew all the ongoing scuffles in the party were bound to happen. We are not surprised at all.

We are just pleading with delegates to vote for Dr. Alhaji Bawumia as the flag bearer of the NPP, he is our choice of men, she told the media.

Hajia Abdallah, added that, the traders had in the past weeks observed and interrogated people who frequented the market to do business with them.

Our observation has been that whoever comes to the market to buy says the delegates must vote for Dr Bawumia to lead the party, if not, they will also not vote in 2024 general elections, she emphasized.

Hajia Abdallah noted that we are members of the NPP, and if we want to Break the Eight, we should stay united, there should be no violence from anywhere in, or around the party.

She told the media that, other aspirants were going around making tribal campaigns, which were not the best, and called on all such persons to desist from the acts.

The party is for Ghanaians but not a particular tribe, we should do away with tribal bigotry and forge ahead for victory in 2024, she stated.

GNA
Abu Kasangbata, a former Deputy Upper West Regional Minister has called on the government to give Ghanaians a listening ear in the face of economic challenges and other issues on development.

With an upcoming demonstration on the horizon, various stakeholders, including political parties, people in creative industries, market women, fishermen, fishmongers, civil society organizations, taxi drivers associations, the Ghana Hotel Association, GPRTU (Ghana Private Road Transport Union), and Road Contractors Association, have come together with shared concerns.

In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday, the former Deputy Minister said the government should not only respect the concerns but also address them through effective policies and programmes.

These measures are seen as vital in mitigating the growing suffering experienced by Ghanaians and their businesses.

He also raised concerns on consistent increment of utility bills every three months, a situation that had impoverished many Ghanaians and threatened their livelihoods and businesses.

Mr Kasangbata appealed to Organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), other diplomatic communities, and other external development partners, to take an interest in the countrys growing economic meltdown as a crucial step in safeguarding the image of Ghanas multi-party democracy and participatory government.

He said the harsh economic policies were detrimental and could erode the gains of democracy over the years.

While Ghana has long been hailed as a beacon of democracy in Africa, recent events have raised questions about the direction in which the nation is heading.

In some countries, the erosion of democratic values and the emergence of leadership paralysis have led to dire consequences. It is a stark reminder that no nation, regardless of its democratic heritage, is immune to such challenges.

The former Deputy Minister urged the government to respect the opinions of opponents and ordinary people as that could inure to the benefit of all and reminded that the preservation of democratic values and principles transcended partisan lines and should unite citizens in their commitment to a thriving democracy.

On the Inspector General of Police, he expressed some disappointments in the police service in law enforcement and their handling of public demonstrations.

Despite the challenges and disappointments, the former Deputy Minister underscored the unwavering will of the Ghanaian citizenry. This collective resolve remains solid and consolidated, symbolizing a determination to push for positive change in the nation.

He said Tuesday's Occupy BoG demonstration was framed as a wake-up call, an opportunity for the government to address the economic challenges that had impacted negatively on the country.

The road ahead is challenging, but it is a road that many believe must be taken for the betterment of Ghana and its citizens.

GNA
Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has vowed to report the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Ernest Addison and his deputies to the Office of the Special Prosecutor over the contracts awarded for the construction of a new head office for the central bank.

The lawmaker in a letter dated October 2, 2023 and addressed to the Governor warned that he would take such action because the leadership of the apex bank have not been forthcoming on details of the contracts awarded.

I write to inform you that I will refer you and your deputies to the Office of the Special Prosecutor for investigation and possible prosecution. This is in relation to the matter of the award of a contract for the construction of a new head office building for the Bank of Ghana. I suspect that your team, in collusion with the contractors, overpriced the project with a possible view to obtaining personal gain. I reject your use of national security considerations as a reason to refuse to answer my questions properly. My decision to report you is in view of your refusal to provide a proper response to my request for information pursuant to the Right to Information Request, Mahama said in the letter.

He warned that he will pursue the BoG Governor until he comes clean on the contract awards to Messrs. Goldkey Properties Limited.

Let me assure you that we will pursue you until you come clean on how a project which you yourself had originally priced at USD100,857,924.48 for 73,000sq.m got awarded to Messrs. Goldkey Properties Limited, in the same year, at USD121,807,8517.94 and how a variation in scope of works of about 36.9% increase has led to a project cost escalation of 84% increase which has resulted in the 107,737sq.m now costing USD 222,799,760.55. This is a project priced in United States Dollars. This we do for the love of country and in pursuit of A Better Ghana, he stated.

Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament will on Tuesday, October 3, stage a demonstration against the Governor for allegedly mismanaging the central bank which has led to the loss of GH60 billion.

-citinewsroom
The military junta took over Ghana on February 24, 1966, when the president of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah, was on an official visit to China. In a letter to US President Johnson regarding these events, US National Security Council employee Robert Comer wrote: "The coup in Ghana is another example of luck, Nkrumah has done more than any other black African to undermine our interests." It is well known that the CIA played a significant part in Nkrumah's removal, but little is known about Franklin H. Williams, the first US ambassador to Ghana, who offered the military 13 million dollars to topple him.

Nkrumah was adamant from the start that the aim of the national liberation movement was not only to achieve independence but also to build a socialist democracy and improve the welfare of the populace. However, at the time, he did not associate socialism with class conflict, which he at first did not even acknowledge existed among Africans. Nkrumah stated that continuing the fight against imperialist exploitation was necessary for achieving full national independence in both the economy and politics.

The first US ambassador to Ghana, Franklin H. Williams, offered Nkrumah's generals 13 million dollars to assassinate him, but they couldn't, so they waited for him to leave the country to plan his removal.

In Nkrumah's opinion, imperialism poses the greatest threat to African people. He examined strategies for reestablishing imperialist dominance in the form of neocolonialism in his 1965 book Neocolonialism as the Last Stage of Imperialism, including imposing defensive agreements and opening military bases, backing puppet governments, economic control through financial and technical aid and loans, unfair trade terms, and suffocating local economies with international sanctions.

As we can see, the exploitation of African nations by the West and the US government continues in numerous ways even though all African nations have achieved freedom. Nkrumah asserted that to achieve true national independence in politics and the economy, it was necessary to maintain the fight against imperialist exploitation and restrain bourgeois elements' egotistical ambitions. Uniting the revolutionary forces across the continent is necessary to win this conflict.

Even in the early years of Nkrumah's stay in the United States, he was aware of the mission of liberating Africa before him. After a ten-year stay in the United States, Nkrumah arrived in London in May 1945, where African nationalists lived abstract nationalist dreams and of his contemporary intellectuals, he was most significantly influenced by Marcus Garvey, W. E. B. Dubois, and George Padmore.

Kwame Nkrumah had to cope with tribalism in addition to the main challenge of freeing his nation from the colonial yoke. Nkrumah wrote in his book "Dark Days in Ghana": "I had to fight not only against tribalism, but also against the African tradition that holds that a person's first duty is a duty to his extended family and, therefore, nepotism is the greatest virtue. Tribalism's negative impacts are still quite strong, even though I believe it has largely been eliminated as an active force, he added.

Nkrumah had escaped many assassination attempts by the beginning of the 1960s, which certainly involved both internal and overseas foes. In October 1965, he issued a paper titled "," without any fear or intimidation. The book provoked the US government and the Ghanaian Ambassador in Washington received a strong protest" from Assistant Secretary of State, G. Mennen Williams, over the publication of Nkrumahs report, and he issued a warning about the unavoidable repercussions that will undoubtedly become apparent in due course.

The intense political upheaval occurred two days after the US Secretary of State's announcement on November 20, 1965, refusing to accede to Nkrumah's request for $100 million in food supplies. The US Embassy in Ghana informed the CIA's Deputy Director of developments regarding the Nkrumah assassination plot on February 10, 1965, and in January 1966, the first American Ambassador to Ghana, an African-American named Franklin H. Williams, who graduated from Lincoln University in 1942, the same university Nkrumah was a student.

The ambassador made a $ 13 million assassination or overthrow offer to Nkrumah's generals. Afrifa and Kotoka should have received the lion's share, but only their cowardice out of fear of failure stopped the killing, according to Nkrumah, who was aware of the conspiracy. They, therefore, waited until Nkrumah left the nation for China and was deposed. The former Ghanaian leader was in exile in Guinea, until he passed away in Bucharest, Romania, on April 27, 1972, while undergoing medical attention due to poor health.
The President, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has instructed that all Ghana flags across the country and at the countrys diplomatic missions fly at half-mast until Sunday, October 8.

This is an act to pay tribute to the late former First Lady Theresa Kufuor.

The wife of former President John Agyekum Kufuor as reported by Modernghana News passed away on Sunday, October 1.

On the instructions of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, all flags across the nation and at Ghana's diplomatic missions shall fly at half-mast from Monday, October 2nd 2023 to Sunday, October 8th 2023.

This is in tribute to former First Lady Mrs. Theresa Kufuor, who passed away on the 1st of October 2023, parts of the release from the Ministry of Information said on Monday, October 2.

On behalf of the Ghanaian people, government has extended heartfelt condolences to President J.A. Kufuor and the family as we collectively mourn the loss of a remarkable woman who touched the hearts of many.

The release signed by Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said Mrs. Kufuor lived a life of compassion, unwavering dedication, and selfless service to the people of Ghana.

Below is a copy of the release:
03.10.2023 LISTEN

ASA Savings and Loans Ltd on Friday, September 29 extended a helping hand to Juaben Marilyn Boham Presbyterian Primary School in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

In a donation to the school, the savings and loans company handed over 100 pieces of dual desks to the school.

The donation led by the Effiduase Business Centre of ASA Savings and Loans Ltd forms part of the companys Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.

Divisional Manager for ASA Savings and Loans, Mr. Khalilur Rahman was joined by Mr. Alex Ayitey Opoku, the area manager, and Samuel Otoo, the branch manager of Effiduase BC to make the presentation of the furniture to the school.

Receiving the furniture on behalf of the Juaben Marilyn Boham Presbyterian Primary School, Kingsley Osei Antwi who is the Headteacher of the school extended massive appreciation to ASA Savings and Loans.

He said the dual desks would definitely go a long way to enhance teaching and learning in the school.

He assured that the school will make good use of the furniture and see to it that they are properly maintained.

Kingsley Osei Antwi was joined on Friday by the District Minister of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Aboronoma Nyarko Anti to receive the furniture.

The donation of the furniture is just one of many CSR activities undertaken by ASA Savings and Loans this year.

Since the beginning of 2023, the Savings and Loans Company has organised many free eye and health screening exercises.

The company has also donated medical equipment to various health facilities across the country.

Brilliant but needy school children have received scholarships from the company.
Deputy Majority Leader of Ghanas Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has stressed that never should any country on the African continent choose a coup d'etat over democracy.

Africa, particularly the West African region in recent years has experienced coups which saw democratically elected governments overthrown.

In some cases, the military behind the coups has argued that it was necessary due to the failure of the government to deal with insurgencies that threaten the safety of citizens.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the barbaric onslaught from jihadists and terrorists should not be justification for a coup in any African country.

Yet, it is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge another glaring crisis that tears at the fabric of our communities - the barbaric onslaught from jihadists and terrorists. With their crude weapons of horror, they continue to bring death and despair to many parts of West Africa. But we must staunchly assert that these activities should in no way provide a justification for military coups to overthrow democratically elected regimes, Alexander Afenyo-Markin stressed.

He was delivering a speech as Leader of Ghana's Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, at the University of Education, Winneba, at the Opening Ceremony of the High-Level Interactive Seminar and the Extraordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament on Friday, September 29.

The Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency argued that there is the need to fervently insist that the answer to these acts of terror lies within democratic institutions, standing as bastions of hope and fortitude amidst the turmoil.

He said West Africa stands at a juncture where the road it chooses will dictate the future of the great region.

Alexander Afenyo-Markin in his address stressed that all the coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, and Gabon must be condemned.

The recent resurgence of military coups threatens to drag us back to an era we have fought tirelessly to transcend. We must firmly CONDEMN the coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, and Gabon, along with the hostilities in Sudan. These actions are a betrayal of the democratic principles we hold dear, and we demand a swift return to constitutional rule. We must affirm, unequivocally, that regression is not the solution. Our golden age lies ahead of us, not in the shadows of the 1960s to 1980s, Alexander Afenyo-Markin emphasised..
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AXL  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,880,000 shares, a growth of 35.8% from the August 31st total of 2,120,000 shares. Approximately 2.6% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 1,180,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.4 days.

American Axle & Manufacturing Trading Down 1.4 %

Shares of American Axle & Manufacturing stock traded down $0.10 on Friday, reaching $7.26. 1,188,380 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,271,719. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $7.85 and a 200-day moving average price of $7.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $849.86 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 2.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.43. American Axle & Manufacturing has a fifty-two week low of $6.61 and a fifty-two week high of $11.19.

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American Axle & Manufacturing (NYSE:AXL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 4th. The auto parts company reported $0.12 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.08 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $1.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.59 billion. American Axle & Manufacturing had a return on equity of 6.07% and a net margin of 0.72%. American Axle & Manufacturings quarterly revenue was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.22 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that American Axle & Manufacturing will post 0.28 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AXL has been the topic of a number of research reports. StockNews.com downgraded American Axle & Manufacturing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday. UBS Group initiated coverage on American Axle & Manufacturing in a research note on Tuesday, September 12th. They issued a neutral rating and a $9.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on American Axle & Manufacturing from $12.00 to $10.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Axle & Manufacturing presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $9.00.

View Our Latest Report on AXL

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP Terri M. Kemp sold 40,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.00, for a total value of $320,000.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 216,961 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,735,688. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 2.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of AXL. Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in American Axle & Manufacturing by 20.7% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 46,317 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $371,000 after buying an additional 7,940 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its stake in American Axle & Manufacturing by 95.9% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 61,060 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $474,000 after purchasing an additional 29,891 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its stake in American Axle & Manufacturing by 14.1% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 98,332 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $763,000 after purchasing an additional 12,124 shares in the last quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. purchased a new position in American Axle & Manufacturing in the first quarter valued at about $466,000. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its stake in American Axle & Manufacturing by 2.0% in the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 105,521 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $843,000 after purchasing an additional 2,040 shares in the last quarter. 91.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Axle & Manufacturing Company Profile

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American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, engineers, and manufactures driveline and metal forming technologies that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. It operates through Driveline and Metal Forming segments. The Driveline segment offers front and rear axles, driveshafts, differential assemblies, clutch modules, balance shaft systems, disconnecting driveline technology, and electric and hybrid driveline products and systems for light trucks, sport utility vehicles, crossover vehicles, passenger cars, and commercial vehicles.

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Enfusion, Inc. (NYSE:ENFN  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,750,000 shares, an increase of 36.7% from the August 31st total of 1,280,000 shares. Currently, 4.1% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 421,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.2 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently issued reports on ENFN. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Enfusion from $12.00 to $11.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on Enfusion from $11.50 to $10.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Enfusion currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $11.00.

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Enfusion Stock Performance

NYSE:ENFN traded up $0.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $8.97. The stock had a trading volume of 202,229 shares, compared to its average volume of 432,050. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 112.14, a PEG ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.88. Enfusion has a twelve month low of $7.37 and a twelve month high of $14.61. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $9.01 and a 200 day simple moving average of $9.29.

Enfusion (NYSE:ENFN  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 8th. The company reported $0.02 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.02. The firm had revenue of $42.72 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $44.58 million. Enfusion had a net margin of 3.61% and a return on equity of 8.10%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Enfusion will post 0.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Enfusion news, CTO Dan Groman sold 3,877 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.31, for a total transaction of $43,848.87. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer now owns 108,841 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,230,991.71. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, major shareholder Tarek Hammoud sold 1,000,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.70, for a total transaction of $10,700,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 386 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,130.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CTO Dan Groman sold 3,877 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.31, for a total value of $43,848.87. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer now directly owns 108,841 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,230,991.71. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 1,014,944 shares of company stock valued at $10,838,485. 39.18% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Enfusion

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ENFN. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Enfusion during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $128,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of Enfusion by 1,435.5% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 762,883 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,704,000 after acquiring an additional 713,201 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. lifted its position in shares of Enfusion by 24.2% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 7,139 shares of the companys stock valued at $91,000 after acquiring an additional 1,390 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Enfusion by 55.4% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 14,206 shares of the companys stock valued at $181,000 after acquiring an additional 5,065 shares during the period. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in shares of Enfusion by 33.6% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 21,723 shares of the companys stock valued at $276,000 after acquiring an additional 5,468 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.43% of the companys stock.

About Enfusion

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Enfusion, Inc provides software-as-a-service solutions for investment management industry in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company provides portfolio management system, which generates a real-time investment book of record that consists of valuation and risk tools that allows users to analyze aggregated or decomposed portfolio data for chief investment officers (CIOs) and portfolio managers; and order and execution management system that enables portfolio managers, traders, compliance teams, and analysts to electronically communicate trade orders for a variety of asset classes, manage trade orders, and systemically enforce trading regulations and internal guidelines.

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PetroChina Company Limited (OTCMKTS:PCCYF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,915,300 shares, a decrease of 26.3% from the August 31st total of 8,026,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 227,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 26.0 days.

PetroChina Stock Performance

OTCMKTS:PCCYF traded down $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $0.74. 107,541 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 243,183. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $0.73. PetroChina has a 1-year low of $0.37 and a 1-year high of $0.77.

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About PetroChina

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PetroChina Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in a range of petroleum related products, services, and activities in Mainland China and internationally. It operates through Oil, Gas and New Energy Resource; Refining, Chemicals and New material; Marketing; and Natural Gas Sales segments.

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It did not take long for a court in Ho Chi Minh City to sentence prominent Vietnamese environmental activist Hoang Thi Minh Hong to three years in prison. After a brief one-day trial, the founder of the now shuttered NGO Change VN, which focused on the dangers of pollution, wild-life trafficking and climate change, is the fifth environmental campaigner to be sentenced to prison in Vietnam in the last two years.

Hong was charged with tax evasion. She had closed Change VN in October of 2022, after the Government of Vietnam arrested other environmental activists and charged them with the same crime. When Hong was arrested in May, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said, The chilling effect of such cases brought under tax laws is palpable among civil society in Viet Nam, and risks stifling debate on issues of importance to society as a whole.

The United States is deeply concerned by the conviction and sentencing of prominent environmental activist and NGO leader Hoang Thi Minh Hong to three years imprisonment, said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller in a statement. We call on the Vietnamese government to ensure its tax law is enforced in a transparent, impartial manner that ensures nongovernmental organizations can operate without fear of undue targeting or prosecution.

Environmentalists are not the only members of Vietnams civil society being targeted by the government. The State Departments most recent human rights report on Vietnam estimates that there are over 170 imprisoned political prisoners and activists in Vietnam, including journalists, academics, members of religious communities, as well as individual citizens exercising internationally recognized human rights, such as the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.

State Department Spokesperson Miller said, We reiterate our call on Vietnam to release all those unjustly detained and to respect the right of freedoms of expression and association for all persons in Vietnam. ... We further urge Vietnam to ensure its actions are consistent with the human rights provisions of Vietnams constitution and its international commitments, including to consult with non-government stakeholders as part of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

NGO leaders like Hoang Thi Minh Hong, said Spokesperson Miller, play a vital role in tackling global challenges, proposing sustainable solutions in the global fight against the climate crisis, and combating wildlife and timber trafficking.
Activest Wealth Management grew its position in shares of Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX  Free Report) by 245.2% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 1,039 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after buying an additional 738 shares during the quarter. Activest Wealth Managements holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $52,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Boston Scientific during the first quarter worth about $54,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Prudential PLC acquired a new position in shares of Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,076,000. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 24.0% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 28,793 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $1,275,000 after purchasing an additional 5,581 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter worth approximately $230,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.11% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Boston Scientific

In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 15,867 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.00, for a total value of $872,685.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 197,992 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,889,560. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 11,671 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.95, for a total transaction of $629,650.45. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 57,058 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,078,279.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 15,867 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.00, for a total transaction of $872,685.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 197,992 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,889,560. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 217,635 shares of company stock worth $11,566,176. 0.71% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently issued reports on BSX shares. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Boston Scientific from $58.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, September 21st. Oppenheimer lifted their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $58.00 to $59.00 in a research note on Friday, July 28th. Raymond James lifted their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $60.00 to $61.00 in a research note on Friday, July 28th. BTIG Research boosted their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 21st. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $63.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $60.10.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific Stock Up 0.0 %

BSX stock traded up $0.01 during trading on Monday, reaching $52.81. The stock had a trading volume of 4,669,357 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,061,832. The company has a market capitalization of $77.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 88.00, a PEG ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.78. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $52.36 and a 200 day moving average price of $52.03. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Boston Scientific Co. has a 1-year low of $38.79 and a 1-year high of $55.38.

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.53 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.49 by $0.04. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 6.81% and a return on equity of 15.16%. The business had revenue of $3.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.50 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.44 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Boston Scientific Co. will post 1.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Boston Scientific Company Profile

(Free Report)

Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through MedSurg and Cardiovascular segments. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions; devices to treat various urological and pelvic conditions; implantable cardioverter and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators; pacemakers and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers; and remote patient management systems.

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Veris Residential (NYSE:VRE  Get Free Report) and Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE:ABR  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends, risk, institutional ownership and valuation.

Risk & Volatility

Veris Residential has a beta of 1.16, meaning that its share price is 16% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Arbor Realty Trust has a beta of 1.95, meaning that its share price is 95% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Insider & Institutional Ownership

86.9% of Veris Residential shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 53.0% of Arbor Realty Trust shares are held by institutional investors. 15.0% of Veris Residential shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.4% of Arbor Realty Trust shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Veris Residential $355.02 million 4.28 -$52.07 million ($1.32) -12.50 Arbor Realty Trust $948.40 million 2.99 $325.78 million $1.72 8.83

This table compares Veris Residential and Arbor Realty Trusts gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Arbor Realty Trust has higher revenue and earnings than Veris Residential. Veris Residential is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Arbor Realty Trust, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Veris Residential pays an annual dividend of $0.05 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. Arbor Realty Trust pays an annual dividend of $1.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 11.3%. Veris Residential pays out -3.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Arbor Realty Trust pays out 100.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Arbor Realty Trust has increased its dividend for 9 consecutive years. Arbor Realty Trust is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Profitability

This table compares Veris Residential and Arbor Realty Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Veris Residential -37.28% -8.68% -3.02% Arbor Realty Trust 28.35% 19.65% 2.85%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Veris Residential and Arbor Realty Trust, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Veris Residential 0 2 3 0 2.60 Arbor Realty Trust 2 1 3 0 2.17

Veris Residential currently has a consensus price target of $18.80, suggesting a potential upside of 13.94%. Arbor Realty Trust has a consensus price target of $15.33, suggesting a potential upside of 1.01%. Given Veris Residentials stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Veris Residential is more favorable than Arbor Realty Trust.

Summary

Arbor Realty Trust beats Veris Residential on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Veris Residential

(Get Free Report)

Veris Residential, Inc. is a forward-thinking, environmentally- and socially-conscious real estate investment trust (REIT) that primarily owns, operates, acquires, and develops holistically-inspired, Class A multifamily properties that meet the sustainability-conscious lifestyle needs of today's residents while seeking to positively impact the communities it serves and the planet at large. The company is guided by an experienced management team and Board of Directors and is underpinned by leading corporate governance principles, a best-in-class and sustainable approach to operations, and an inclusive culture based on equality and meritocratic empowerment.

About Arbor Realty Trust

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Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. invests in a diversified portfolio of structured finance assets in the multifamily, single-family rental, and commercial real estate markets in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Structured Business and Agency Business. It primarily invests in bridge and mezzanine loans, including junior participating interests in first mortgages, and preferred and direct equity, as well as real estate-related joint ventures, real estate-related notes, and various mortgage-related securities. The company offers bridge financing products to borrowers who seek short-term capital to be used in an acquisition of property; financing by making preferred equity investments in entities that directly or indirectly own real property; mezzanine financing in the form of loans that are subordinate to a conventional first mortgage loan and senior to the borrower's equity in a transaction; junior participation financing in the form of a junior participating interest in the senior debt; and financing products to borrowers who are looking to acquire conventional, workforce, and affordable single-family housing. Further, it underwrites, originates, sells, and services multifamily mortgage loans through conduit/commercial mortgage-backed securities programs. The company qualifies as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes. It generally would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Uniondale, New York.

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Ares Acquisition Co. (NYSE:AAC  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 32,400 shares, a growth of 33.3% from the August 31st total of 24,300 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 309,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Ares Acquisition Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:AAC remained flat at $10.76 during trading on Friday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 31,370 shares, compared to its average volume of 61,493. Ares Acquisition has a 52-week low of $9.91 and a 52-week high of $10.79. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.68 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $10.53.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Verition Fund Management LLC increased its position in shares of Ares Acquisition by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 447,563 shares of the companys stock worth $4,391,000 after purchasing an additional 4,501 shares during the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ares Acquisition during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $53,000. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ares Acquisition during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $165,000. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new position in shares of Ares Acquisition during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $174,000. Finally, Trexquant Investment LP increased its holdings in shares of Ares Acquisition by 185.3% during the 3rd quarter. Trexquant Investment LP now owns 29,702 shares of the companys stock worth $295,000 after acquiring an additional 19,291 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.07% of the companys stock.

Ares Acquisition Company Profile

Ares Acquisition Corporation does not have significant operations. The company intends to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Ares Acquisition Corporation was incorporated in 2020 and is based in New York, New York.

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BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Inc. (NYSE:BKN  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 9,900 shares, a growth of 33.8% from the August 31st total of 7,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 48,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days.

BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Trading Up 0.1 %

BKN stock traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $10.12. The companys stock had a trading volume of 95,441 shares, compared to its average volume of 71,313. BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust has a 12 month low of $10.11 and a 12 month high of $13.31. The company has a 50 day moving average of $11.02 and a two-hundred day moving average of $11.38.

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BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be paid a $0.0395 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $0.47 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.68%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Company Profile

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. bought a new position in BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $53,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP bought a new position in shares of BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $124,000. Virtu Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $134,000. Raymond James & Associates boosted its position in shares of BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust by 16.2% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 11,821 shares of the companys stock valued at $137,000 after acquiring an additional 1,646 shares during the last quarter. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. bought a new position in shares of BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $140,000. 19.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

(Get Free Report)

BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It invests primarily in investment grade municipal bonds municipal obligations exempt from federal income taxes.

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Commercial Metals (NYSE:CMC  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,610,000 shares, a growth of 16.5% from the August 31st total of 2,240,000 shares. Currently, 2.3% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 763,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.4 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have issued reports on CMC. StockNews.com downgraded Commercial Metals from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, September 4th. UBS Group began coverage on Commercial Metals in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. They issued a buy rating and a $63.00 price target for the company. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Commercial Metals from $56.00 to $58.00 in a report on Friday, June 23rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Commercial Metals currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $57.83.

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Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on CMC

Commercial Metals Stock Down 0.6 %

Insider Activity

Shares of NYSE:CMC traded down $0.31 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $49.41. 918,030 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 882,551. The company has a quick ratio of 2.34, a current ratio of 3.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The company has a market cap of $5.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.11 and a beta of 1.32. Commercial Metals has a one year low of $35.22 and a one year high of $58.09. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $54.37 and its 200-day simple moving average is $50.16.

In other news, SVP Ty L. Garrison sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.96, for a total transaction of $264,800.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 111,408 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,900,167.68. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Barbara Smith sold 1,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.45, for a total value of $95,965.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 332,085 shares in the company, valued at $18,746,198.25. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Ty L. Garrison sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.96, for a total value of $264,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 111,408 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,900,167.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 92,004 shares of company stock valued at $5,108,426 over the last 90 days. 1.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CMC. Natixis Advisors L.P. grew its holdings in shares of Commercial Metals by 12.5% during the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 12,638 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $526,000 after buying an additional 1,402 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its position in Commercial Metals by 14.9% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 13,282 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $547,000 after purchasing an additional 1,727 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its position in Commercial Metals by 11.4% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 44,522 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,853,000 after purchasing an additional 4,540 shares during the last quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. acquired a new position in Commercial Metals during the first quarter valued at approximately $2,188,000. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its position in Commercial Metals by 9.9% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 69,545 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $2,980,000 after purchasing an additional 6,259 shares during the last quarter. 82.64% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Commercial Metals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Commercial Metals Company manufactures, recycles, and fabricates steel and metal products, and related materials and services in the United States, Poland, China, and internationally. The company processes and sells ferrous and nonferrous scrap metals to steel mills and foundries, aluminum sheet and ingot manufacturers, brass and bronze ingot makers, copper refineries and mills, secondary lead smelters, specialty steel mills, high temperature alloy manufacturers, and other consumers.

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Sanchez Energy (OTCMKTS:SNEC  Get Free Report) and Permianville Royalty Trust (NYSE:PVL  Get Free Report) are both small-cap oils/energy companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, valuation and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Sanchez Energy and Permianville Royalty Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sanchez Energy 2.22% -18.15% 3.09% Permianville Royalty Trust 23.82% 23.97% 23.97%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Sanchez Energy and Permianville Royalty Trust, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sanchez Energy 0 0 0 0 N/A Permianville Royalty Trust 0 0 0 0 N/A

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Sanchez Energy and Permianville Royalty Trusts revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Sanchez Energy $1.06 billion 0.00 $85.21 million N/A N/A Permianville Royalty Trust $62.15 million 1.35 $13.48 million $0.43 5.91

Sanchez Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Permianville Royalty Trust.

Volatility and Risk

Sanchez Energy has a beta of 1.71, suggesting that its stock price is 71% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Permianville Royalty Trust has a beta of 1.33, suggesting that its stock price is 33% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

0.6% of Sanchez Energy shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 5.5% of Permianville Royalty Trust shares are held by institutional investors. 11.1% of Sanchez Energy shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

About Sanchez Energy

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Sanchez Energy Corporation, an independent exploration and production company, focuses on the acquisition and development of onshore unconventional oil and natural gas resources in the United States. It engages in the horizontal development of resources from the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas. It also holds an undeveloped acreage position in the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale (TMS) in Mississippi and Louisiana. As of December 31, 2018, the company had assembled approximately 271,000 net acres in the Eagle Ford Shale; and owned approximately 34,000 net acres in the TMS. Sanchez Energy Corporation was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

About Permianville Royalty Trust

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Permianville Royalty Trust operates as a statutory trust. It acquires and holds net profits interest representing the right to receive 80% of the net profits from the sale of oil and natural gas production from properties located in the states of Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico. The company was formerly known as Enduro Royalty Trust and changed its name to Permianville Royalty Trust in September 2018. Permianville Royalty Trust was incorporated in 2011 and is based in Houston, Texas.

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Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:DWAHY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 26,700 shares, a decrease of 29.7% from the August 31st total of 38,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 34,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.8 days.

Daiwa House Industry Trading Down 1.0 %

Daiwa House Industry stock traded down $0.26 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $26.84. 18,407 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 28,557. The firm has a market cap of $17.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.23 and a beta of 0.43. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $27.35 and a 200 day moving average of $26.04. Daiwa House Industry has a 12 month low of $18.86 and a 12 month high of $29.23.

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Daiwa House Industry (OTCMKTS:DWAHY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, August 7th. The company reported $0.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $8.85 billion for the quarter.

About Daiwa House Industry

Daiwa House Industry Co, Ltd. engages in the construction contracts business in Japan and internationally. It operates through six segments: Detached Houses, Rental Housing, Condominiums, Commercial Facilities, Business Facilities, and Environmental Energy. The Detached Houses segment engages in custom-ordered housing and sales of detached houses and lots.

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Empire Company Limited (OTCMKTS:EMLAF  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 308,000 shares, a decline of 27.3% from the August 31st total of 423,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 24,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 12.6 days.

Empire Stock Performance

Empire stock remained flat at $27.17 during mid-day trading on Friday. 26,661 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,388. Empire has a fifty-two week low of $24.21 and a fifty-two week high of $28.68. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $26.67 and a two-hundred day moving average of $26.37.

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About Empire

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Empire Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the food retail and related real estate businesses in Canada. It operates through two segments, Food Retailing, and Investments and Other Operations. The company owns, affiliates, and franchises retail stores under various retail banners, including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy, Longo's, and Lawtons Drugs; and operates grocery e-commerce stores under the banners, such as Voila, Grocery Gateway, IGA.net, and ThriftyFoods.com.

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Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE:GPK  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 13,700,000 shares, a growth of 16.7% from the August 31st total of 11,740,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,590,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.8 days.

Graphic Packaging Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE GPK traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $22.28. The stock had a trading volume of 3,682,836 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,436,681. The firm has a market cap of $6.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.31 and a beta of 0.98. Graphic Packaging has a twelve month low of $19.57 and a twelve month high of $27.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 1.36. The companys 50 day moving average price is $22.65 and its 200 day moving average price is $24.06.

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Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The industrial products company reported $0.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.73 by ($0.07). The firm had revenue of $2.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.49 billion. Graphic Packaging had a return on equity of 37.35% and a net margin of 7.30%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.60 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Graphic Packaging will post 2.84 EPS for the current year.

Graphic Packaging Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 5th. Investors of record on Friday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.80%. Graphic Packagings payout ratio is presently 17.54%.

GPK has been the topic of several research reports. Bank of America lowered shares of Graphic Packaging from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the company from $35.00 to $29.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $31.00 price target on shares of Graphic Packaging in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. 888 reaffirmed a downgrade rating on shares of Graphic Packaging in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Graphic Packaging from $28.00 to $26.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of Graphic Packaging from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price target for the company from $30.00 to $26.00 in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $29.44.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A acquired a new position in shares of Graphic Packaging during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Private Trust Co. NA raised its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 177.3% during the first quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 1,109 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 709 shares during the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new position in Graphic Packaging during the second quarter worth $29,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 369.6% during the first quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,174 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 924 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AllSquare Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Graphic Packaging during the second quarter worth $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.67% of the companys stock.

About Graphic Packaging

(Get Free Report)

Graphic Packaging Holding Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based packaging solutions to food, beverage, foodservice, and other consumer products companies. It operates through three segments: Paperboard Mills, Americas Paperboard Packaging, and Europe Paperboard Packaging. The company offers coated unbleached kraft (CUK), coated recycled paperboard (CRB), and solid bleached sulfate paperboard (SBS) to various paperboard packaging converters and brokers; and paperboard packaging products, such as folding cartons, cups, lids, and food containers primarily to consumer packaged goods, quick-service restaurants, and foodservice companies; and barrier packaging products that protect against moisture, hot and cold temperature, grease, oil, oxygen, sunlight, insects, and other potential product-damaging factors.

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Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:IQI  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 17,800 shares, a growth of 33.8% from the August 31st total of 13,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 112,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Trading Down 0.1 %

NYSE:IQI traded down $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $8.39. 125,667 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 125,416. Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust has a 12 month low of $8.34 and a 12 month high of $10.38. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $9.09 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $9.39.

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Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Investors of record on Friday, September 15th were given a $0.0358 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $0.43 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.12%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust

About Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Rivernorth Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 5.7% in the 2nd quarter. Rivernorth Capital Management LLC now owns 1,535,314 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $14,678,000 after acquiring an additional 83,349 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley lifted its position in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 20.1% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,338,095 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $12,605,000 after buying an additional 223,807 shares in the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC lifted its position in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 16.0% in the 2nd quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 1,073,175 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $10,260,000 after buying an additional 148,135 shares in the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 52.8% in the 1st quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 658,521 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,572,000 after buying an additional 227,487 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 630,287 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,026,000 after buying an additional 4,757 shares in the last quarter.

(Get Free Report)

Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Invesco Ltd. The fund is co-managed by Invesco Advisers, Inc, INVESCO Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, INVESCO Asset Management Limited, INVESCO Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Hong Kong Limited, INVESCO Senior Secured Management, Inc, and Invesco Canada Ltd.

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Twelve years into a civil war, Syria is in ruins and peace remains remote, according to UN Special Envoy on Syria Geir Pedersen. Gaps of political will, the distance between substantive positions of the parties, deep distrust, and the challenging international climate - all play a part in the deadlock.

The growing sense of hopelessness and frustration among Syrians is deepening. Indeed, thousands of demonstrators blaming the Bashar-al-Assad regime for a failing economy and government repression have been protesting in al-Sweida governorate since mid-August. At the same time, fighting between various factions; infighting among pro-Government units; skirmishes between the Syrian Free Forces and terrorist groups; as well as terrorist encroachment on Syrian territory, continue.

One bright spot is the resumption in mid-September of humanitarian deliveries from Turkiye into north-west Syria through the Bab al-Hawa crossing. Since then, 65 trucks have crossed, and more are expected.

The United States welcomes the resumption of UN humanitarian assistance convoys through the Bab al-Hawa crossing  a crucial access point that allows aid to reach millions of vulnerable Syrians, said United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

As the single largest humanitarian donor to the Syrian response effort, the United States supports aid through all modalities to reach Syrians in need  including cross-border and cross-line aid  to all areas of Syria, she said.

On the political front, we are monitoring reports about popular protests in Syria, and we continue to support the Syrian peoples call for peace, dignity, security, and justice, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.

The United States also supports the Syrian peoples ability to exercise the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The renewed protests in Syria underscore the need for a Syrian-led political solution, she said.

We urge the Syrian regime to engage meaningfully in the political process  by returning to the Constitutional Committee, which has not met in over a year. We believe the regimes participation would be an important signal of its intent to return to the political process, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.

We must not let Syria fall to the wayside. Not as humanitarian needs continue to spike; not as peace efforts continue to stall."

When I traveled to the border of Turkiye and Syria last year, a Syrian refugee told me that she was worried the world would forget about the plight of her people. And I told her the United States would not let that happen.
KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR  Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,760,000 shares, an increase of 33.0% from the August 31st total of 3,580,000 shares. Currently, 3.6% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,140,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.2 days.

KBR Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of KBR stock traded down $0.53 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $58.94. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,171,035 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,366,441. KBR has a one year low of $42.88 and a one year high of $65.87. The company has a market capitalization of $7.95 billion, a P/E ratio of -63.38, a P/E/G ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 1.11. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $60.83 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $59.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.05.

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KBR (NYSE:KBR  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The construction company reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.70 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $1.75 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.75 billion. KBR had a negative net margin of 1.46% and a positive return on equity of 24.94%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 8.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.76 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that KBR will post 2.89 earnings per share for the current year.

KBR Dividend Announcement

Insider Activity

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be issued a $0.135 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $0.54 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.92%. KBRs dividend payout ratio is currently -58.06%.

In other news, insider William Byron Jr. Bright sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.68, for a total value of $1,213,600.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 57,986 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,518,590.48. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 1.03% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of KBR

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Prosperity Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of KBR by 6.5% in the second quarter. Prosperity Financial Group Inc. now owns 4,039 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $263,000 after purchasing an additional 247 shares during the last quarter. Portside Wealth Group LLC purchased a new stake in KBR during the second quarter worth about $3,551,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in KBR during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky increased its holdings in KBR by 8.0% during the second quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 55,964 shares of the construction companys stock worth $3,641,000 after buying an additional 4,130 shares during the last quarter. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new stake in KBR during the second quarter worth about $257,000.

Analyst Ratings Changes

KBR has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of KBR from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday. DA Davidson increased their target price on shares of KBR from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 31st. TheStreet lowered shares of KBR from a b+ rating to a c rating in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of KBR from $68.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 24th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of KBR from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $69.71.

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KBR Company Profile

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KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. The company operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

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Meyer Handelman Co. lowered its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR  Free Report) by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 281,294 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 6,200 shares during the quarter. Meyer Handelman Co. owned 0.07% of Ingersoll Rand worth $18,385,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Essex Savings Bank raised its position in Ingersoll Rand by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter. Essex Savings Bank now owns 4,837 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $316,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 68,645 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,994,000 after acquiring an additional 199 shares during the last quarter. Field & Main Bank grew its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 42.3% in the 1st quarter. Field & Main Bank now owns 673 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 9,277 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $540,000 after acquiring an additional 202 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Czech National Bank grew its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 47,887 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,130,000 after acquiring an additional 207 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.54% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on IR shares. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $61.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $76.00 to $74.00 in a report on Thursday, September 7th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $67.00 to $75.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $65.00 to $71.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Finally, Cfra boosted their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, August 3rd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $69.18.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Vikram Kini sold 169,153 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.43, for a total transaction of $11,744,292.79. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 47,917 shares in the company, valued at $3,326,877.31. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.83% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Ingersoll Rand Stock Performance

Shares of IR traded down $0.12 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $63.60. 2,576,895 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,362,428. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a current ratio of 2.29. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $66.87 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $62.22. Ingersoll Rand Inc. has a 1 year low of $43.52 and a 1 year high of $70.65. The stock has a market cap of $25.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.15, a P/E/G ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 1.43.

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. The industrial products company reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.54 by $0.11. Ingersoll Rand had a net margin of 10.89% and a return on equity of 11.20%. The firm had revenue of $1.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.58 billion. Equities analysts anticipate that Ingersoll Rand Inc. will post 2.67 earnings per share for the current year.

Ingersoll Rand Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 21st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.02 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 22nd. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.13%. Ingersoll Rands payout ratio is 4.65%.

Ingersoll Rand Company Profile

(Free Report)

Ingersoll Rand Inc provides various mission-critical air, fluid, energy, specialty vehicle, and medical technologies in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through two segments, Industrial Technologies and Services, and Precision and Science Technologies.

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National Australia Bank Limited (OTCMKTS:NABZY  Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 208,300 shares, a decrease of 17.9% from the August 31st total of 253,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 257,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.8 days.

National Australia Bank Stock Performance

Shares of National Australia Bank stock traded down $0.02 on Friday, hitting $9.31. 85,958 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 116,839. The firms 50-day moving average is $9.28 and its 200 day moving average is $9.10. National Australia Bank has a 52-week low of $8.17 and a 52-week high of $11.45.

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About National Australia Bank

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National Australia Bank Limited provides financial services to individuals and businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. It operates through Business and Private Banking; Personal Banking; Corporate and Institutional Banking; New Zealand Banking; and Corporate Functions and Other segments.

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Olo Inc. (NYSE:OLO  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 7,530,000 shares, a drop of 17.3% from the August 31st total of 9,110,000 shares. Approximately 7.6% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,300,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.8 days.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, General Counsel Robert Morvillo sold 4,421 shares of OLO stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.20, for a total transaction of $27,410.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 78,638 shares in the company, valued at $487,555.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, General Counsel Robert Morvillo sold 4,421 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.20, for a total transaction of $27,410.20. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 78,638 shares of the companys stock, valued at $487,555.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CRO Diego Panama sold 37,766 shares of OLO stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.41, for a total transaction of $279,846.06. Following the completion of the sale, the executive now directly owns 637,235 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,721,911.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 111,831 shares of company stock worth $742,106. 39.12% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On OLO

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in OLO. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of OLO by 43.6% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 13,657 shares of the companys stock worth $182,000 after buying an additional 4,144 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in OLO by 50.1% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 499,588 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,619,000 after purchasing an additional 166,839 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in OLO by 2,469.3% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 713,763 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,458,000 after purchasing an additional 685,983 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of OLO by 12.3% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 16,036 shares of the companys stock valued at $213,000 after buying an additional 1,758 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Citigroup Inc. raised its position in shares of OLO by 130.0% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 12,328 shares of the companys stock valued at $163,000 after buying an additional 6,969 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.79% of the companys stock.

OLO Trading Down 0.7 %

NYSE:OLO traded down $0.04 on Friday, reaching $6.06. 746,168 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,193,710. The company has a market capitalization of $989.36 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.36 and a beta of 1.24. OLO has a 12 month low of $5.62 and a 12 month high of $9.55. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $6.55 and its 200 day simple moving average is $6.93.

OLO (NYSE:OLO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported ($0.04) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.05) by $0.01. OLO had a negative net margin of 26.19% and a negative return on equity of 4.19%. The firm had revenue of $55.25 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $53.22 million. Equities analysts anticipate that OLO will post -0.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently commented on OLO. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of OLO from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of OLO from $9.00 to $10.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on shares of OLO from $9.00 to $10.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. BTIG Research began coverage on shares of OLO in a research note on Thursday, June 15th. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of OLO from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $10.42.

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OLO Company Profile

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Olo Inc operates an open SaaS platform for restaurants in the United States. The company's platform enables on-demand digital commerce operations, which cover digital ordering, delivery, front-of-house management, and payments. Its solutions include Order, a suite of solutions powering restaurant brands' on-demand commerce operations, enabling digital ordering, delivery, and channel management through ordering, dispatch, rails, switchboard, network, virtual brands, kiosk, catering, and sync modules; Engage, a suite of restaurant-centric marketing solutions optimizing guest lifetime value by strengthening and enhancing the restaurants' direct guest relationships, through the guest data platform, marketing, sentiment, and host modules; and Pay, a frictionless payment platform that enables restaurants to grow and protect their digital business through customer payment experience that offers advanced fraud prevention to improve authorization rates for valid transactions, and increase basket conversion through its Olo Pay module.

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Panasonic Holdings Co. (OTCMKTS:PCRFY  Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 328,100 shares, an increase of 28.7% from the August 31st total of 255,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 267,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.2 days.

Panasonic Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:PCRFY traded down $0.34 during trading on Friday, hitting $11.32. 128,945 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 153,716. Panasonic has a 1-year low of $6.66 and a 1-year high of $12.75. The company has a market capitalization of $26.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. The businesss 50 day moving average is $11.62 and its 200-day moving average is $10.89.

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Panasonic (OTCMKTS:PCRFY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, July 31st. The company reported $0.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.21 by $0.42. Panasonic had a return on equity of 11.36% and a net margin of 4.97%. The business had revenue of $14.79 billion during the quarter. Equities analysts forecast that Panasonic will post 1 earnings per share for the current year.

About Panasonic

Panasonic Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, research, develops, manufactures, sells, and services various electrical and electronic products worldwide. It operates through five segments: Lifestyle, Automotive, Connect, Industry, and Energy. The Lifestyle segment offers refrigerators, microwave ovens, rice cookers, washing machines, lighting fixtures, vacuum cleaners, air-conditioners, air to water heat pump system, air purifiers/sterilizers, and freezing or refrigerating showcases, as well as ventilation and perflation equipment.

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PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund (NYSE:PDI  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 299,500 shares, a decrease of 16.7% from the August 31st total of 359,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,207,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days.

PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund Stock Up 2.3 %

Shares of NYSE PDI traded up $0.39 during trading on Friday, reaching $17.28. 1,223,677 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,174,970. PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund has a 52-week low of $16.77 and a 52-week high of $21.15. The company has a 50-day moving average of $18.27 and a 200-day moving average of $18.29.

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PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 11th will be paid a $0.2205 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 8th. This represents a $2.65 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 15.31%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund

About PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of PDI. CWM LLC grew its position in PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund by 11.8% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,387 shares of the companys stock worth $101,000 after acquiring an additional 567 shares during the last quarter. Gateway Advisory LLC grew its position in PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Gateway Advisory LLC now owns 36,379 shares of the companys stock worth $656,000 after acquiring an additional 574 shares during the last quarter. Kaizen Financial Strategies lifted its holdings in PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Kaizen Financial Strategies now owns 51,215 shares of the companys stock worth $970,000 after buying an additional 596 shares during the period. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC lifted its holdings in PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 25,602 shares of the companys stock worth $460,000 after buying an additional 616 shares during the period. Finally, Visionary Wealth Advisors lifted its holdings in PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund by 5.0% in the 2nd quarter. Visionary Wealth Advisors now owns 13,722 shares of the companys stock worth $257,000 after buying an additional 648 shares during the period.

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PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. It is co-managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets across the globe. It invests in multiple fixed-income sectors, including non-agency residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and below investment-grade securities.

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Acadia Realty Trust (NYSE:AKR  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,750,000 shares, a growth of 33.5% from the August 31st total of 2,060,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 782,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.5 days.

Institutional Trading of Acadia Realty Trust

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AKR. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its position in shares of Acadia Realty Trust by 3,220.4% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,793 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 1,739 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC lifted its position in shares of Acadia Realty Trust by 46.3% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,174 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 688 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in shares of Acadia Realty Trust during the first quarter valued at about $45,000. State of Wyoming purchased a new stake in shares of Acadia Realty Trust during the second quarter valued at about $59,000. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Acadia Realty Trust during the first quarter valued at about $75,000.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

AKR has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Truist Financial restated a buy rating and issued a $17.00 price target on shares of Acadia Realty Trust in a report on Monday, August 21st. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Acadia Realty Trust in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $16.33.

Acadia Realty Trust Stock Down 0.9 %

NYSE:AKR traded down $0.13 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $14.35. The companys stock had a trading volume of 976,508 shares, compared to its average volume of 850,287. Acadia Realty Trust has a 1 year low of $12.28 and a 1 year high of $16.36. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $15.17 and a 200-day moving average of $14.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.37 billion, a PE ratio of -42.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82.

Acadia Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 13th. Investors of record on Friday, September 29th will be paid a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 28th. Acadia Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -211.76%.

About Acadia Realty Trust

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Acadia Realty Trust is an equity real estate investment trust focused on delivering long-term, profitable growth via its dual Core Portfolio and Fund operating platforms and its disciplined, location-driven investment strategy. Acadia Realty Trust is accomplishing this goal by building a best-in-class core real estate portfolio with meaningful concentrations of assets in the nation's most dynamic corridors; making profitable opportunistic and value-add investments through its series of discretionary, institutional funds; and maintaining a strong balance sheet.

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Telefonica Brasil S.A. (NYSE:VIV  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,690,000 shares, a decrease of 17.0% from the August 31st total of 5,650,000 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,050,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.5 days.

Telefonica Brasil Trading Down 0.1 %

NYSE:VIV traded down $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $8.55. The stock had a trading volume of 1,802,635 shares, compared to its average volume of 821,365. Telefonica Brasil has a one year low of $6.49 and a one year high of $9.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.87. The company has a market cap of $14.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.13, a P/E/G ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.57. The businesss 50 day moving average is $8.71 and its 200-day moving average is $8.44.

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Telefonica Brasil (NYSE:VIV  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 25th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Telefonica Brasil had a net margin of 8.98% and a return on equity of 6.54%. The company had revenue of $2.57 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.53 billion. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Telefonica Brasil will post 0.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Telefonica Brasil Cuts Dividend

Institutional Trading of Telefonica Brasil

The firm also recently announced a  dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 1st were issued a dividend of $0.0273 per share. This represents a yield of 4.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 1st. Telefonica Brasils payout ratio is 47.17%.

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. lifted its stake in Telefonica Brasil by 65.4% in the second quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 13,523,067 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $123,466,000 after acquiring an additional 5,346,959 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 11.9% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 6,755,785 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $61,680,000 after buying an additional 718,907 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its stake in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 962.9% during the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 5,672,238 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $40,557,000 after buying an additional 5,138,597 shares during the last quarter. Ariel Investments LLC lifted its stake in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 32.4% during the 4th quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 3,632,025 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $25,969,000 after buying an additional 889,221 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE lifted its stake in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 75.6% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,480,847 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $26,350,000 after buying an additional 1,499,024 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 5.40% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VIV has been the topic of several recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Telefonica Brasil from $10.00 to $11.40 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. StockNews.com cut shares of Telefonica Brasil from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 18th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Telefonica Brasil in a research report on Tuesday, September 19th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Itau BBA Securities reissued an outperform rating and set a $11.00 target price on shares of Telefonica Brasil in a research note on Friday. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of Telefonica Brasil from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $11.13.

View Our Latest Analysis on Telefonica Brasil

About Telefonica Brasil

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Telefonica Brasil SA, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mobile telecommunications company in Brazil. Its fixed line services portfolio includes local, domestic long-distance, and international long-distance calls; and mobile portfolio comprises voice and broadband internet access through 3G, 4G, 4.5G, and 5G, as well as mobile value-added and wireless roaming services.

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Derrick Sinyon's manufactured house was not designed for the harsh Alaska climate and has roof, foundation, and moisture problems, like many homes across the region. Photo by NREL

Chris Gene flipped a switch inside his old family home in Gakona, Alaska, filling the entryway with bright light.

"All this lighting can run off this switch here," the electrician said, explaining the three-way system he had just installed.

"That's good, you can see the whole room now," Gene said. "My grandkids always wonder how come I have no lights."

Gene is one of seven homeowners in Gakona getting health, safety, and energy-efficiency improvements through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) Healthy Homes program, designed to reduce environmental hazards in underserved communities. The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) from its Alaska Campus in Fairbanks, previously the Cold Climate Housing Research Center has worked with seven other Alaska communities on similar Healthy Homes projects everywhere from the Arctic community of Buckland to the Yukon village of Galena and to small village of Gakona along the Tok Cutoff Highway in southern Alaska.

The Native Village of Gakona sits in a wide valley boxed in by mountains. To the north, the Alaska Range curves across the sky; to the south, the Chugach Range walls off the coast; and to the east, the 16,000-foot peaks of Blackburn and Sanford tower on the horizon. Weaving through these giants, the Copper River holds one of the world's richest runs of wild red salmon. This region has been home to the Ahtna Athabascan people for thousands of years. While they used to travel in small groups from place to place, today they have mostly settled in eight villages scattered between the mountains.



The Native Village of Gakona sits alongside the Copper River, a glacial river in south-central Alaska and one of the richest red salmon fisheries in the world. The Ahtna Athabascan people have subsisted on these local resources for thousands of years. Photo by NREL

"I'm an Udzisyu-Caribou clan, the biggest clan around here," Gene said.

Despite their rich culture and knowledge of the land, Alaska Native communities face enormous challenges when it comes to energy, housing, and health. More than 3,000 households in rural Alaska still lack running water and wastewater, and Alaska Native elders and children suffer from the highest rates of upper respiratory distress in the United States, thanks in part to poor housing. While Alaska Native people traditionally lived in seasonal shelters built from log and other local materials, in the late 20th century they moved into homes provided by the federal government. These homes, however, were largely prefabricated outside of Alaska and were not designed for the extreme environment or frozen ground.

For example, Gene's house sits on unstable soils in a low point in the valley.

"Every spring, water comes down and goes right underneath this house," he said. "Kills off all the mice and stuff, but it makes my house tilt."

It is even harder because Gene is paraplegic and uses a wheelchair to get around.

"I have to put my brakes on every time I get water, make coffee, otherwise I'll roll all the way down here," he said, letting his wheelchair coast down the floor.

Through the Healthy Homes program, workers upgraded lighting and ventilation in Gene's home and also installed a handicap-accessible ramp so he could come and go safely.



Workers install steel beams under the compromised wood beams to stiffen the foundation and level the house. Photo by Matt Irinaga, NREL

While many NREL researchers are doing groundbreaking R&D to chart the nation's path to clean energy, the Alaska Campus focuses on deploying these technologies in frontline communities. Sometimes that means creating new housing designs like a demonstration house in Unalakleet, working with ARPA-E and tribal partners to manufacture local, sustainable building materials, or helping entire villages like Newtok relocate due to coastal erosion.

While new technologies play a key role in the clean energy transition, it is also critical to improve what is already there, said Vanessa Stevens, a scientist at NREL's Alaska Campus who is overseeing the Gakona Healthy Homes project.

"In Alaska, there is a lot of substandard housing, so retrofits will always be part of the solution," Stevens said. "Our team tries to make sure the buildings at the bottom end of performance also receive attention, research, and remediation."

Many rural Alaskans do not have the financial resources or knowledge to address the housing deficiencies they inherited. When new homes were introduced, with modern building materials and mechanical systems, most Native families received no training on how to operate or maintain them.

"It takes a lot of skill, learning how to maintain a home. A lot of people didn't really realize that," said Derrick Sinyon, environmental coordinator for the Native Village of Gakona, NREL's partner on the project.

Sinyon has had to learn many of these skills himself at the home he shares with his wife and 3-year-old daughter. The double-wide trailer was manufactured outside Alaska and was not designed for 40-below temperatures or heavy snow loads. Over time, this has led to moisture problems in the roof and drains that freeze every winter, preventing them from using the shower.

He has structural problems, too, as climate change warms the permafrost. While typical homes on permafrost are elevated, the homes in Gakona sit directly on the ground. This allows heat from the building to leak into the ground and disrupt the thermal regime of the soil, which can thaw permafrost and set off a cascade of other problems.



Derrick Sinyon, Environmental Coordinator for the Native Village of Gakona, hosts the Youth Environmental Summit for kids from the region every summer. Photo by NREL

Last winter, Sinyon noticed that the air coming through the heating vents was not as hot as it should be. When he went down to the crawl space to check the furnace, it turned out one of the ducts had fallen off and was blowing hot air into the crawl space. This heat loss had likely been going on for weeks, not only wasting costly energy but warming up space under the house that was supposed to stay cold.

"It got hot enough down there that my house shifted and left a crack in my ceiling. It even cracked my window," Sinyon said.

Through the HUD Healthy Homes program, Sinyon was able to upgrade lighting, add vents to the roof to prevent mold growth, install heat trace on his water lines to prevent freezing, and make other retrofits.

Down the road, Roselyn Neeley is having even bigger foundation problems at the three-bedroom house she lives in with her husband and three children. As the ground underneath the house has thawed and settled, her foundation walls have sunk and slumped inward, creating a bow in the middle and throwing everything out of level.

"The settling is pretty constant. It can be all quiet, then suddenly you hear it start settling again. It sounds like something is rolling down the ceiling," Neeley said.



Roselynn Neeley's house, built in 2010, has had settling problems from the beginning. As the ground underneath the house has thawed and settled, her foundation walls have sunk and slumped inward, creating a bow in the middle and throwing everything out of level. In Summer 2023, a crew leveled the house. Photo by NREL

She led a team of NREL researchers through her house, which was almost like hiking on the uneven tundra that blankets the Copper River basin. Because the floor is off level, none of the doors closed properly. In the bedroom, she pointed to mold and rot surrounding a window, which was stuck in the open position. "In the winter, it gets about this much ice on it." She held up a fist. "So we have the fire going, the furnace going, and it's still cold. In springtime it's like a big puddle, we have to keep a towel down here on the floor. It's crazy."

In July, as part of the Healthy Homes work, a crew releveled Neeley's house. In the crawl space, they found wooden beams that had rotted and concrete footers that had been smashed by the moving ground. They jacked up the foundation and installed steel beams under the house to stiffen the foundation. Neeley is hopeful the improvements will help her house, but she still worries about the health of her family living there.

While fixing homes in Gakona and other Healthy Homes communities makes an immediate difference for the families living in them, it has research value as well. The techniques being used to stabilize foundations, improve air quality, and reduce energy use will inform the next generation of technologies that will be deployed in rural communities and extreme environments nationwide.

NREL has worked with eight rural villages across Alaska on HUD Healthy Homes projects to improve the health, safety, and energy efficiency of homes in extreme climates. See a full list of Healthy Homes projects. And learn more about NREL's Alaska Campus.
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Pineapple Energy Inc. ("Pineapple"), a leading provider of sustainable solar energy and backup power to households and small business, today (Sept 29) commented on the extension of the battery bonus program on Oahu in the state of Hawaii.

"We applaud the extension of the deadline to a program that has contributed to one of the largest and most successful fleets of residential batteries being used to meet peak demand on an American Grid," said Kyle Udseth, CEO of Pineapple Energy.

"The extension of the battery bonus program on Oahu to February 29th, 2024, will significantly add to the current pipeline of projects already signed under the popular battery bonus program. The extension allows more people to participate in the program while extending the application and build out periods into a new tax credit year," said Chris DeBone, Hawaii Energy Connection President and Founder.

Under the Battery Bonus Program, Hawaiian Electric will pay a cash incentive and provide bill credits for customers on Oahu and Maui to add energy storage (a battery) to an existing or new rooftop solar system. These perks will help move Hawaii towards its goal of 100% clean energy by 2045 and add more renewable resources to the grid as Hawaiian Electric retires generators fired by fossil fuels.

Residential solar and battery storage have played a larger role than anticipated in the energy transition in Hawaii due to continued delays of large-scale solar and battery plants. Hawaiian Electric reported more than 100,000 distributed energy systems hooked up in its territory as of mid-August; these small customer-sited devices produced 46.6% of the utility's renewable generation last year. Large wind trailed at 19.1% and large solar only made 13.8%.

"Pineapple has been fortunate to have experienced 40% organic growth in revenue year-to-date through the second quarter of 2023. The battery bonus program in Hawaii has contributed to this growth. The extension of the battery bonus program gives us more confidence in our ability to continue to generate strong organic growth in Hawaii moving forward," said Eric Ingvaldson, CFO of Pineapple Energy.

Contacts:

Kyle Udseth

Chief Executive Officer

+1 (952) 996-1674

Kyle.Udseth@pineappleenergy.com



Eric Ingvaldson

Chief Financial Officer

+1 (952) 996-1674

Eric.Ingvaldson@pineappleenergy.com
The Arunachal Pradesh government on Wednesday (Sept 27) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) to explore feasibility of harnessing geothermal potentials that the state's numerous hot springs offer.



The MoU was signed by state science and technology secretary Repo Ronya and Dr Rajinder Bhasin, technical expert from NGI, in presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Science and Technology Minister Honchun Ngandam, chief secretary Dharmendra and senior advisor of Norwegian embassy in New Delhi, Dr Vivek Kumar.



Congratulating the NGI and the department of science and technology, Khandu termed the signing of the MoU as a right step towards green and clean energy production especially in the light of global warming concerns.



"It is a great coincidence that this MoU is being signed on World Tourism Day as its theme this year is Tourism & Green Investment' that perfectly goes in tandem with this new initiative," the chief minister said.



He expressed optimism that the study would lead to development of renewable geothermal sources in the state and increase energy supply to meet present and future demands.



"Many of the hot springs are located in mountain areas where generators run on fossil fuel for electricity and heating. These can be replaced by geothermal energy with no CO2 emissions," Khandu said.



Admitting that this is completely a new technology for the state, the chief minister expressed hope that NGI, with its expertise in the field and experience in successfully implementing a project in Ladakh, will give a new direction to energy production that would be beneficial not only to the local populace residing in the high mountains, but also to the army personnel posted there.



Khandu also expressed hope that Arunachal's relation with NGI will go beyond harnessing geothermal resources, especially in the fields of road construction and tunneling.



"Arunachal Pradesh is geographically and geologically completely different from rest of the country. Therefore, a tailor-made technology is needed for construction of roads and tunnels here. As Norway, with similar geological features, has one of the world's best road infrastructure and world class tunnels, we can benefit from its technology," he said.



Dr Bhasin agreed with the chief minister and informed that Norway, despite being a small country, has about 7000 km of tunnels that shorten road distances eventually enhancing government revenue.



Dr Bhasin, who visited a few places in West Kameng, said the state has tremendous potential for development of infrastructure to make it one of the best tourism states in the country.


LBBW will provide new loans of up to 350 million on favourable terms to companies building wind farms and solar plants.

The EIB Group is providing a guarantee on a mezzanine tranche of 175 million in a synthetic securitisation operation, thus freeing up new lending capacity for LBBW.

The agreement shows how green securitisation can support the REPowerEU objective of ending dependence on fossil fuels.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group is providing a 175 million guarantee to support LBBW's lending in the renewable energy sector. The synthetic securitisation transaction will free up capital that will then be used to channel 350 million in new financing from LBBW for clean power projects, thus contributing to the decarbonisation of the German economy and to Europe's energy independence. This is one of the first transactions of its kind in Germany.

The underlying reference portfolio amounts to 3.2 billion and consists of loans to small and medium-sized companies and other corporates originated by LBBW in its ordinary business. Guaranteeing this existing portfolio will provide capital relief for LBBW, freeing up additional lending capacity. The transaction is structured with a two-year replenishment period and falls under the simple, transparent, and standardised (STS) securitisation framework approved by the European Parliament.

Through a retrocession agreement, LBBW undertakes to convert this additional lending capacity into a new portfolio that is at least double the size of the mezzanine tranche guaranteed by the EIB, or 350 million. Renewable energy projects like wind farms and photovoltaic plants often have a maturity of 20 years or more. By generating a new portfolio fully dedicated to climate action and energy security-eligible financing backed by capital that is released on a standard corporate loan portfolio, this green securitisation shows how the use of proceeds concept can be applied to securitisation.

The amount allocated under this operation is expected to result in the development of about 340 MW of new electricity generation capacity from renewable sources, equivalent to the energy use of more than one million homes. The beneficiary companies will be in Germany, other EU Member States and Switzerland. The operation is fully in line with the EIB Group's commitment to support the REPowerEU programme.

The EIB Group consists of the EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF), which provides smaller companies with financing under favourable conditions. The new guarantee will be provided by the EIF to LBBW. A (back-to-back) counter guarantee from the EIB will fully mirror the EIF's obligation, so that the EIB takes on the mezzanine tranche risk.

EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle, who is responsible for operations in Germany, said: "Transactions like this one with LBBW support the decarbonisation of the energy sector and help the green transition to become a reality. I am glad that we can rely on LBBW as a trusted partner to provide the financial means needed by businesses in Germany in these challenging times."

EIF Chief Executive Marjut Falkstedt added: "The EIF is pleased to be working with LBBW and the EIB to provide additional access to finance for renewable energy projects. The combination of the EIF's investment and structuring expertise and the EIB's efficient deployment of its own funds offers a competitive financing solution for LBBW that will serve to boost the green transition."

Member of the Executive Management Board of LBBW Dr Christian Ricken said: "LBBW sees itself as a shaper of transformation. We want to support and advance the sustainable transformation of our economy. Synthetic securitisations are an excellent instrument to decisively expand the possibilities of our balance sheet for this purpose. We will now use the scope to significantly expand our activities in renewable energies."

Background information:

The European Investment Bank (EIB)'s activities focus on the following priority areas: climate and environment, development, innovation and skills, small and medium-sized businesses, infrastructure and cohesion. The EIB works closely with other EU institutions to foster European integration, promote the development of the European Union and support EU policies in over 140 countries around the world.

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe's micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by helping them to access finance. The EIF designs and develops venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments that specifically target this market segment. In this role, the EIF contributes to the pursuit of key EU policy objectives such as competitiveness and growth, innovation and digitalisation, social impact, skills and human capital, climate action and environmental sustainability and more.

The EIB and energy security

Over the past decade, the European Investment Bank Group has channelled more than 100 billion into the EU energy sector. These timely investments in energy efficiency, renewables, grids and storage are now helping Member States weather the crisis triggered by the abrupt cut in Russian gas supplies. In October 2022, the EIB Board of Directors decided to raise the Group's clean energy financing volumes in support of the REPowerEU objective of ending Europe's dependency on Russian fossil-fuel imports. As announced in July 2023, an additional 45 billion will be invested over the next five years, on top of the EIB's already robust support for clean energy. It is estimated that the REPowerEU package will mobilise an additional 150 billion by 2027, thus making a substantial contribution to Europe's energy independence and the EIB Group's target to mobilise 1 trillion in climate financing this decade.

Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg (LBBW) is both an SME-minded universal bank and the central bank of the savings banks in Baden-Wurttemberg, Saxony and Rhineland-Palatinate. With total assets of 324 billion and 10 000 employees (as of 31 December 2022), LBBW is one of the largest banks in Germany. Its core activities are corporate customers particularly small and medium-sized enterprises and private customers, as well as savings banks. Further emphasis is placed on real-estate financing and customer-oriented capital market business with banks, savings banks and institutional investors.
ELKO  An Elko man was arrested for burglary and petit larceny on Thursday after stealing more than $300 worth of cigarettes from a convenience store. The man was held by customers until police arrived.

Wayne Maupin Jr., 34, was booked in Elko County Jail for burglary and petit larceny after Elko police were called by Dispatch to an Idaho St. gas station on a report of a man attempting to steal merchandise and leave the store.

According to court documents, when officers arrived, they saw customers holding down Maupin on the floor. Employees told police Maupin had tried to steal cigarettes from behind the counter and was prevented from leaving the store by citizens.

Two customers told police they were standing at the cash register when they saw Maupin walk behind the counter and take three cartons of cigarettes and run out the door.

One customer caught Maupin as another customer helped hold Maupin to the ground until police arrived.

The citizens reported Maupin was trying to bite and punch them as they held him down, but did not want to press charges for battery.

Police reported they reviewed video surveillance footage of the incident that showed Maupin wandering around the store and said he appeared to look for an opportunity when the employees were busy or distracted.

The camera also showed Maupin go behind the counter where customer access is prohibited, grab the cigarettes and run out the exit. Customers at the register were also filmed leaving and chasing after Maupin.

The three cartons of cigarettes totaled $310.91.

After being placed in custody, Maupin claimed he was going to pay for the cigarettes. Police said a search of Maupins person showed he did not have any money or his wallet on him.

Maupins bail was $50,355.
President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Do Van Chien (L) has sent a letter of congratulations to Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Wang Huning in a photo taken in July. (Photo: VNA)

In the letter, Chien lauded great achievements the Chinese Party, State and people have recorded over the past 74 years, and noted his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping as the nucleus, Chinese people will successfully complete targets and tasks set in the resolution adopted at the 20th National Congress of the CPC for the 2022-2027 tenure, with the CPPCC playing a crucial role.

The VFF leader thanked Wang and officials of the CPPCC for their warm welcome to him and his entourage during their visit to China in July, and expressed his hope that the two organisations will step up cooperation, especially coordination in organising the upcoming second friendship exchange, thus contributing to promoting the Vietnam-China traditional friendship.

Chien wished Wang and officials of the CPPCC good health and happiness, and that they will outstandingly fulfil tasks assigned by the CPC and Chinese people./.
Sacramento, CA  Governor Gavin Newsom has picked who will fill the seat left vacant by the late Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Laphonza Butler, President of the group Emilys List, is the choice. Newsom says Butler has been a trusted advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris and will become the first black lesbian member of Congress.

She was previously a member of the California Board of Regents, as appointed by former Governor Jerry Brown.

An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and shell represent us proudly in the United States Senate, said Governor Newsom. As we mourn the enormous loss of Senator Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for  reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence  have never been under greater assault. Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C.

Republicans are criticizing the move as Butler, who spent years working in California, now lists her home residence as Maryland, after relocating in 2021.

Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher says, Out of 40 million California residents, Gavin Newsom seriously couldnt find one to serve in the Senate? Heck, if he wanted someone with California roots and legislative experience, he could have given me a call. Californians deserve real representation, not a political favor for a well-connected campaign operative who doesnt even live here.

The Governors Office says Butler will re-register to vote in California prior to filling the seat.

Butler received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Jackson State University. Butler is married to her wife, Neneki, and they have a daughter, Nylah.

Feinsteins term runs through 2024.
The state-owned enterprise Restoration Project Management Group will undergo anti-corruption certification and will operate on a fee-based model (the fee depends on the budget), head of the agency Mustafa Nayyem said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

We believe in our strengths and capabilities to create a transparent institution in the implementation of restoration projects according to international procedures. One of our missions is to prove this through the example of specific projects. For this, we have created the Project Management Group of the Reconstruction Agency in the form of a state enterprise, whose team has many years of experience in supporting such projects, he said.

According to Nayyem, the main task of the group is to manage projects with international funding, prepare and conduct all procedures according to international rules.

It is important that such institutional capacity is formed within the agencys system and that qualified personnel are further trained and experience is accumulated. We are already in the negotiation process with various donors, so that after approval in Brussels or Washington, all further procedures for project implementation take place in Kyiv. The ultimate goal to create an institution that will become a support for all international financial institutions in the implementation of reconstruction projects in any area, in any region, on any scale. This ability must be proven with real steps to the government leadership, civil society, and donors," Nayyem noted.

He gave the example of the European Commission's Connecting Europe Facilities (CEF) program with a budget of EUR60 million, which are divided into five countries - Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine joined this instrument for the first time.

According to him, the structure of the group has already been created, the functional responsibilities and staffing structure are now being approved, and certification according to the international anti-corruption standard ISO 9001 has begun.
State and local organizations across Connecticut are working to establish and bolster harm reduction strategies to prevent drug-related deaths and promote education on overdose and infectious disease transmission.

About 692 Connecticut residents have died from an overdose from January to the first week of July of this year, according to the state Department of Public Health. Last year, there were 1,464 confirmed fatal drug overdoses.

The true best practices of harm reduction are found when you get out into the community, find out what the people youre trying to help save need  all the while connecting them to services and resources that have value to the people youre serving, said Mark Jenkins, founder and CEO of the Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance.

The idea is to listen to their needs and provide those needs. It's not a cookie cutter."

What is harm reduction?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration defines harm reduction as a series of community-based public health strategies that engage with individuals who use drugs to prevent overdose, reduce infectious disease transmission and empower individuals who use drugs to improve their well-being.

Services can include connecting individuals to education on overdose and infectious disease transmission as well as distributing drug use basics, such as clean needles and syringes. These strategies significantly prevent drug-related deaths and increase access to health care, social services and treatment.

Harm reduction is most commonly associated with drug addiction; however, Jenkins said that harm reduction services are a "laundry list" and can be a lot of things to a lot of people. Jenkins compared harm reduction to wearing a seatbelt while driving, using a life preserver out at sea or assigning designated drivers before a night out drinking with friends.

Jenkins said the heart of harm reduction is engaging with at-risk people several times without judgment or the expectation they will eventually get treatment.

For example, harm reduction services at the alliance include helping individuals access other necessities, such as suitable housing and nutritious food. By addressing these necessities, Jenkins said this can help lessen the barriers associated with basic daily living.

Jenkins also emphasized that harm reduction strategies for drug addiction should be available without expecting an individual to recover. He explained that addiction services and treatment are successful for a limited number of individuals.

So, instead, he explained that harm reduction "finds [the] ways and means to keep you safe in your use to help reduce or prevent fatalities by means of overdose."

What does harm reduction look like?

The Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance helps serve more than 3,500 people across the state, according to its website.

Services at the alliance include overdose prevention training, drug treatment referrals, syringe exchange, HIV and Hepatitis C screenings and housing referrals. The alliance also regularly distributes free Narcan, fentanyl test strips, wound care supplies, condoms and food to their Hartford and New Haven offices and mobile outreach units.

"We are a social justice movement. We're about education," Jenkins said.

At the state level, there are several new initiatives for harm reduction to ensure that "there are no wrong doors" when seeking out harm reduction equipment, said Marie Buchelli, public health services manager for the state Department of Public Health TB, HIV, STD and Viral Hepatitis section.

Buchelli explained that to reduce the risk of human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, harm reduction means teaching about the risk of blood-borne infections caused by injecting drugs with contaminated needles, how to take care of an injection wound and providing access to HIV and hepatitis screenings. She added that they also hand out condoms and provide education on adequately using them.

Similarly, the Department of Public Health announced the upcoming arrival of new vending machines with harm reduction necessities, such as Narcan, in late August.

Buchelli explained that the department partners with local organizations to place and stock a vending machine outside. The goal with the vending machines is to have essential supplies available at all hours and is not monitored.

The department is also expanding their services with harm reduction "rovers," said Ramon Rodriguez-Santana, epidemiologist for the state HIV Prevention Program. He described the rover as a toolbox with huge wheels that carries different items for harm reduction. The rover gives the harm reduction units more mobility and allows them to expand their reach because it can be taken on rough terrain, such as sand and wood.

The Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance has similar rovers at community locations throughout New Haven. Their rovers have supplies like xylazine test strips, Narcan and fentanyl test strips.

Rodriguez-Santana added that harm reduction work often results in a network between clients and staff with an open door policy that empowers clients to reach out whenever they need assistance.

"We don't only serve people who inject drugs. We also serve the crack-smoking population and sex workers  to reduce their harm," Rodriguez-Santana said. "Whenever they're ready to change behavior, we have them in a network so we could easily help them navigate a system that sometimes can be difficult."

Empathy & understanding

Dr. Jody Terranova, the deputy commissioner of the state Department of Public Health, often visits Hartford and New Haven harm reduction sites. She described the staff at locations as "engaged and passionate" whenever they are trying to help the walk-up clients, answer any of their questions and provide them with immediate help in whatever form that takes.

From giving out snacks to helping take care of open wounds, Terranova said that the staff at harm reduction locations are willing to listen to a client's situation and educate them.

"Letting individuals know that there is someone out there that cares about them and understands that even though they're choosing right now to do something that is not in their own best interest, we're here for you when you're ready to make a change," Terranova said.

Health Equity reporter Cris Villalonga-Vivoni is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. They can be reached at cvillalonga@record-journal.com and 203-317-2448. Support RFA reporters at the Record-Journal through a donation at https://bit.ly/3Pdb0re.
MERIDEN  A motorcyle operator was killed early Monday morning when he collided with a car at the intersection of Colony and Camp streets.

City police, fire and emergency medical technicians arrived after receiving numerous calls to the citys dispatch center about 5:50 a.m. They found the motorcycle operator with serious head injuries. The motorcycle was a 2008 Honda VTX 1800 and was traveling north on Colony Street. The operator was transported to MidState Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

A 2003 Nissan Altima was traveling west on Camp Street making a left turn onto Colony Street when the motorcycle hit the drivers side of the Nissan.

The female operator of the Nissan was taken to the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain with non-life-threatening injuries.

Meriden police are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to call the Meriden Police Department at 203-630-6201. Officer Joe Vasquez is the investigator assigned to this crash or Sgt. C. Griffin.

mgodin@record-journal.com

203-317-2255

Twitter: @Cconnbiz
In a distressing incident yesterday, a lecturer from the University of Zimbabwe fell victim to a robbery along Kirkman Road.

Scot Scot, a 35-year-old resident of Tynwald North, had boarded a grey Toyota Probox at the Engen Service Station in Belvedere. His intention was to travel to the Westgate shops.

Unbeknownst to Scot, there were two individuals already inside the vehicle posing as fellow passengers. Shortly after commencing the journey, one of the men suddenly grabbed Scot by the neck and demanded that he hand over all his valuable possessions.

In a harrowing turn of events, the robbers managed to snatch Scots Infinix cellphone, national ID card, drivers license, and a sum of cash. Regrettably, the victim was unable to capture the registration number of the vehicle. Once the thieves had obtained their loot, they callously abandoned Scot and swiftly fled the scene.

Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, the spokesperson for the Harare provincial police, confirmed the incident. He stated that the victim suffered a loss of US$150 in addition to the stolen items.

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Awake Grace Ministries Church suffered a devastating blow when it was engulfed in flames after being struck by lightning on Saturday night. The incident occurred while Pastor Nicholas Mavhondo, the church leader, was away in northern Zambia conducting religious crusades.

Expressing his dismay, Pastor Mavhondo revealed that he received the distressing news of the lightning strike while he was away. He lamented the unfortunate situation, pointing out that the fire brigades efforts to extinguish the fire were hampered by a lack of water. This wasnt the first time such a predicament had occurred, as last year they faced a similar issue when the fire brigade was unable to assist due to lack of water during an emergency in Niasha.

The church had only recently celebrated its official opening and dedication on July 30th, making the fire that erupted on September 30th an even greater setback. Pastor Mavhondo emphasized that the incident was not a result of human error but rather a natural disaster caused by lightning.

In light of the devastating loss, Pastor Tafadzwa Mafukidze, the chairperson of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe in Mashonaland West, called upon the community to come together and support the restoration of the destroyed church. He acknowledged the efforts made by individuals who managed to salvage some equipment, including chairs and a PA system, from the fire. Pastor Mafukidze expressed solidarity with Pastor Mavhondo and the entire Awake Grace Ministries family, acknowledging the schemes employed by the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy. He remained hopeful, believing that God would eventually restore all that was lost.

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A man from Lupane in Matabeleland North has been arrested by the police for allegedly murdering his parents and then fleeing to Botswana.

Clever Ngwenya, 35 years old, is accused of stabbing his elderly parents, Mildress Ngwenya (71) and Simon Shoemaker Ngwenya (73), two weeks ago in Gwalubha village under Chief Mabhikwas jurisdiction.

The incident was so horrifying that the suspects siblings sought refuge at a police station for three nights due to fear of being attacked.

The motive behind Ngwenyas merciless act remains unclear. However, he had informed one of his brothers that he needed to discuss something with their parents. Tragically, he ended up using a kitchen knife to fatally stab his mother before proceeding to attack his father. Last Wednesday, the suspects parents were laid to rest.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed Ngwenyas arrest, revealing that he had been apprehended on September 25 in Botswana after crossing the border. Cooperation between the Zimbabwe Republic Police and their Botswana counterparts, facilitated through their membership in Interpol and the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Coordination (SARPCCO), played a crucial role in the successful operation.

Asst Comm Nyathi expressed concern over the rising incidence of violent crimes, particularly within families. He cited a previous case in Mangwe where another individual had killed their parents, emphasizing the need for peaceful conflict resolution among family members.

The arrest of Ngwenya was met with relief by Acting Chief Mabhikwa, who acknowledged the fear prevailing in the Gwalubha village following the gruesome incident. He called for the police to take further action to alleviate the communitys concerns, suggesting that parading the suspect could help restore faith in the justice system.

Acting Chief Mabhikwa urged the family to investigate the underlying causes that may have led Clever to commit such a heinous crime. He also highlighted the general increase in violent crimes within the community, urging residents to refrain from carrying weapons and emphasizing the need to address the high crime rate.

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US neocon efforts to stir up trouble in the Caucasus via Armenia will likely only force other countries in the region closer together and isolate Armenia. Neocon think tanks in Washington like the RAND Corporation and Middle East Media Research Institute have long advocated for stirring up trouble in the South Caucasus as another way to weaken Russia and Iran and potentially cause a rift between the two. Instead the opposite is likely to happen. This is an absolute worst case scenario for Armenia as it has allowed itself to become a proxy battleground between world and regional powers and will almost certainly end disastrously for the country.

To quickly recap recent events: Azerbaijan launched an anti-terrorism offensive against the long-contested region of Nagorno Karabakh on September 19. Azerbaijan has been blockading the lone road that leads to the region of Nagorno-Karabakh since December. Ever since the breakup of the USSR, Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in a dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave recognized as Azerbaijani territory by the international community but mostly populated by ethnic Armenians.

Azerbaijan taking the region by force comes after months of miscalculations or purposeful maneuvering by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Under Pashinyans direction Armenia recently hosted military exercises with the US, invited the EU and Washington into the peace process with Azerbaijan (traditionally handled by Russia), the prime ministers wife visited Kiev to deliver humanitarian aid, and on Thursday the Armenian parliament moved closer to adopting the Rome Statute, which Moscow calls a hostile move.

Was Pashinyan making loud overtures to the West in an ill-fated attempt to coax more support from Russia in the long conflict with Azerbaijan or was he simply maneuvering to blame Russia for the loss of Nagorno Karabakh and move Armenia closer to NATO, the EU, and Washington?Either way, he got in over his head. He has now given away Nagorno Karabakh with nothing to show for it.

Its possible that Pashinyan was caught up in magical thinking that he had more support from Washington despite the fact the US has no real way to project power into the Caucasus. After all, Secretary of State Antony Blinken was demanding in July that Azerbaijan immediately reopen the Lachin Corridor, which is the sole road that connects Armenia to Nagorno Karabakh. Nancy Pelosi went to Armenia last September and pledged the strong and ongoing support of the United States. Members of Congress had also been making noise about more support for Yerevan and stronger opposition to Azerbaijan. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov recently said, We have information that they [the West] are signaling to the Armenians, Come to us, kick the Russians out of your territory, remove the [Russian] military base and border guards too, the Americans will help to ensure your security.

Well, Armenia is still waiting for the US support, and for now Pashinyan is left holding the bag and flailing about. While he blames Russia, hes also tried to downplay claims of mass casualties and backed the ceasefire brokered by Moscow. Pashinyan will now meet with his Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev October 5, potentially for a wider peace deal. The blaming of Russia for the loss of Nagorno has unleashed widespread anger in Armenia.

Lavrov is a bitch. Putin is a dickhead protesters shout in Yerevan right now https://t.co/E8aWwGOpee  Anton Barbashin (@ABarbashin) September 19, 2023

Armenian MP Lusine Badalyan says that Armenia is looking into blocking Russian state propaganda channels Yet another sign of the collapse of relations between Russia and Armenia under Nikol Pashinyan  Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) September 30, 2023

Ironically, Pashinyan who came to power via a color revolution with a more nationalist message, now might be deposed via a color revolution by more nationalist forces. Who that might be remains to be seen, but the mood in Armenia  stirred up by Pashinyan  is now one of anger over betrayal and not just by Russia.

Pashinyan has managed to alienate Armenias two allies in the South Caucasus (Russia and Iran) while emboldening the two hostile countries on opposite sides (Turkiye and Azerbaijan).

Events have spun out of control for the Armenian prime minister, which begs the question: What were his intentions to begin with? If goal was to offload the Nagorno issue and go all in with the EU, NATO, and Washington, he got his wish. Did he not anticipate the domestic backlash?

Armenians are certainly upset with Russia, as Pashinyan and friends have tried to direct popular anger in the direction of Moscow. But Armenians are also furious with Pashinyan for ceding Nagorno in his statements earlier this year and then standing by while Azerbaijan took control. Thousands have been protesting in Yerevan calling for Pashinyans resignation. His ruling party failing to win a majority in recent municipality elections has only added to questions about Pashinyans legitimacy.

Polling earlier this year after Pashinyan recognised Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan showed that more than 80 percent of Armenians viewed that decision in an unfavorable light, and more than 70 percent viewed his overall performance as negative. Those numbers are likely even higher now after Azerbaijans takeover of Nagorno Karabakh.

In such an environment, a new Western-backed color revolution to install someone that could take advantage of the current popular anger to push even more anti-Russian policies is not out of the question.

Outlook for the Region

While some analysts have declared that 30 years of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is now ending because the latter has taken control of Nagorno Karabakh, theres also a strong possibility that this is just the beginning of a new awful chapter. Because Armenia has thrown in with the West thereby alienating its two backers in the region (Russia and Iran), its concerns will no longer be given much weight as transportation and trade deals are worked out.

That could result in more lost territory for Armenia or a bypassing of the country altogether. Because the US overplayed its hand, alarming others in the region, it will force Russia, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the table to iron out wrinkles in regional security and bring them closer together.

A major sticking point between Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey ever since the 2020 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been a transportation corridor between Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan exclave wedged between Armenia, Turkiye, and Iran.

The problem for Azerbaijan and Turkiye, which also wants the corridor in order to fulfill a long dream to connect Central Asias Turkic republics to Turkey proper via Azerbaijan, had been that Russia restrained these ambitions, but the actions of the Pashinyan government have made that position less tenable.

There is also the issue of Iran, however. Tehran has said such a corridor is a red line, as it would mean goods and energy could flow freely between Azerbaijan and Turkiye without having to be rerouted through Iran, thereby eliminating the lucrative fees Tehran charges for such transfers. This is part of the reason Iran is so opposed to such a plan and has beefed up its presence along its border with Armenia.

The nine-point ceasefire agreement signed under Russian mediation that ended the 2020 war included a stipulation that Armenia is responsible for ensuring the security of transport links between the western regions of Azerbaijan and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, facilitating the unhindered movement of citizens, vehicles and cargo in both directions. Azerbaijan and Turkiye have latched onto that point, insisting they have the right to set up transportation links through southern Armenia.

Turkeys Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure recently noted that Turkey will start work on the opening of the Zangezur corridor in the coming months. Baku and Ankara will likely move cautiously, as noted by bne Intellinews:

One hypothesis advanced by analysts is that Aliyev is wary of putting too much pressure on Armenian leader Nikol Pashinyan in the wake of Azerbaijans crushing of what was left of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh (the name the ethnic-Armenians gave to their internationally unrecognised breakaway state) because he does not want to see Pashinyan toppled amid Armenian outrage over the fate of the enclave and replaced by a revanchist administration that might have designs on launching an attempt to take back the lost lands.

But it is clear that Azerbaijan and Turkiye are determined for the corridor to become a reality sooner rather than later. Both have proceeded since the 2020 war as if the corridor is on the verge of becoming a reality. Since then, they have been working on highways and rail lines where the only missing link is the roughly 10-mile stretch through Armenia. Back in January Aliyev declared that the project will happen whether Armenia wants it to or not.

Last week, Erdogan and Aliyev met in Nakhichevan to discuss the corridor. Erdogan told the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday the following:

We expect a comprehensive peace agreement between the two countries (Azerbaijan and Armenia) as soon as possible and for promises to be quickly fulfilled, especially on the opening of the Zangezur (land) corridor.

Should Pashinyan and Aliyev fail to come to an agreement, it is now more likely a deal will be worked out between Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia regardless of what Armenia wants. Pashinyans actions have provided the impetus for a solution to what had previously looked like an intractable problem. According to Erdogan, Tehran is already signaling that it is open to negotiation with Ankara and Baku on the Zangezur issue.

No doubt, Turkey and Iran have work to do to reach some level of understanding on influence in the Caucasus. For example, in response to the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, Tehran is proposing that talks be held in the 3+3 format (the three Caucasus countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia and the three periphery power players: Russia, Turkey, and Iran). Erdogan is instead pushing 2+2 meetings that would involve Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

But at the end of the day, Ankara and Tehran will find common ground because all parties, save Armenia, want the West to play no role in any negotiations, nor do they want the West meddling in the region in general.

In a September 21 call between Putin and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, the Russian president said that Russia will continue pushing for a lasting peace in the region, as well as the unblocking of regional transport links. That is almost certainly referring to the Zangezur Corridor. While Turkey and Azerbaijan push for the East-West route, Moscow is also determined to see a North-South route that will provide quicker transport of goods to and from India. From Russia Briefing:

One of the priorities of India and Russia is the development and uninterrupted operation of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) connecting Russia, Iran, and India, and which is a priority for Moscow, Tehran and New Delhi. The corridor is seen as a secure way for Russia to link with the Global South. With three branches of the corridor running through the Caspian region, Moscow intends to connect with Iran and India. The recent signing of the financing agreement for the last remaining connectivity of the Rasht-Astara railway between Moscow and Tehran is expected give a major boost to India-Russia trade. It should finally be operational towards the end of 2024 Compared to the traditional route through the Suez Canal, the route along the north-south corridor is 40% shorter and 30% cheaper.

Azerbaijan is a key player in the INSTC, and Russia, which remains the big player in the Caucasus despite Western media claiming otherwise, wants stability in the region, as it is also vitally important to Moscows route to the Middle East. It had tried to maintain the peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia with the latters wishes forming part of its calculus. Recall that it was Russia that ended the 2020 war and imposed an agreement on Armenia and Azerbaijan, which preserved the fragile status quo. Without Russias support, Azerbaijan, which enjoyed the military advantage, could have mostly taken what it wanted from Armenia.

Despite that, Pashinyan has tried to make Russia the scapegoat for the loss of Nagorno Karabakh, which makes zero sense. Moscow had been trying to facilitate a fair peace agreement for Yerevan despite Nagorno Karabakh being already internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan and the fact Baku held a military advantage.

And it was Pashinyan who went off script and declared during his May 17 address at the Fourth Council of Europe summit in Reykjavik that his government was ready to recognize Azerbaijans sovereignty over Nagorno. This announcement came three days after his latest EU-mediated meeting with Aliyev.

During the recent annual Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin argued that the current situation in Nagorno is a direct result of that decision by Pashinyan:

The President of Azerbaijan is now telling me, well, you know that Armenia has admitted that Karabakh is ours, that the issue of Karabakhs status is closedWhat should we say? There is nothing we can sayIf Armenia recognized that Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijanthen what are we talking about? This is the key component of the whole problem. The status of Karabakh was decided by Armenia itself.

What Does the West Gain from Armenias Defection?

The spook-run Middle East Media Research Institute gloats that this is some sort of symbolic victory against Moscow as it proves Russia doesnt uphold its end of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which is made up of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. Presumably Washington will now tell other former Soviet states that Russia cannot be trusted, etc. Will that carry any weight? Its unlikely.

In reality, its just more short-term thinking by Washington with attempts to weaken Russia at any cost. We see how well that worked for Ukraine. Armenia hopefully wont suffer a similar fate, but it will be isolated in the region and weakened. Its economy could suffer a major blow. It was profiting handsomely from being a go between the West and Russia. If Armenia continues to move West, its position in the Eurasian Economic Union could be tenuous.

Additionally, this will prove to be another major miscalculation by Washington neocons in the long run. It will be another effort to foment conflict that instead will intensify cooperation. Hopes of an Iran-Russia split over the issue have been dashed. And it looks like the dreams of using an Azerbaijan-Iran conflict to destabilize the latter are also dead.

In the end, its a temporary media-narrative victory that means absolutely nothing other than pain for Armenians. Then again, thats the neocons chief export so what else could we expect?
Yves here. This post makes one of the several points that Green New Deal and other Disney-colored no/low pain energy transition types pointedly avoid: that rising energy costs are not only unpopular but also cause political instabilty. Normura looked at food and energy costs as a percentage of total household costs in the Middle East around the time of Arab Spring, and them rising to an unaffordable level for too many on the bottom was a good predictor of large-scale protests.

Here, Larry Fink of BlackRock points out that greener energy sources are often higher cost in to less affluent citizens and countries. Even if the running rate might be cheaper, the cost of new equipment, starting with electric vehicles, is a hurdle many cant surmount. And as we saw before UK energy subsidies kicked in, the cost of charging a car in the UK was higher at points in later 2022 than gassing up its internal combustion engine counterpart.

Mind you, yours truly is no fan of BlackRock. But Fink has been attempting to be out in front of the so-called ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing fad. And as a fund manager, running overwhelmingly index funds.So BlackRock gets fees and is agnostic as to what it owns. If the end investors want a simple index, BlackRock can sell them that, or it it wants one with a tilt, such as fossil fuel companies excluded, BlackRock can make that for them too.

Fink uses the example of emerging economies likely to use more coal rather than convert much to green energy at current cost levels. He also alludes to the fact that one of the reasons the expected energy crunch didnt materialize last winter was many households in Poland used their coal burning stoves.and apparently burned even more wood and other combustibles than usual. Note that in Poland, until 2022, the government subsidized newer gen coal stoves as environmentally friendly. Admittedly, households that took up the Clean Energy program were more likely to convert to gas furnaces and heat pumps, but still

The article also depicts the EU as more able to bear the [presumed higher until Something Is Done] costs of clean energy which is narrowly true but conveniently sidesteps the big cost, that of deindustrialization. And there is seldom enough talk of current inadequate grid capacity and the question of the environmental costs of battery storage and other critical components of the presumed green buildout.

By Julianne Geiger, a veteran editor, writer and researcher for Oilprice.com. Originally published at OilPrice

There will be no energy transition unless we can find new technologies that bring down the cost of renewables, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink told Bloombergs Dani Burger on Friday at the Berlin Global Diague forum.

We are not going to have a transition unless we can find technologies to bring down the competitive cost of renewables. We cannot do that. Fink said, adding that BlackRock conducted a survey that showed 57% of their global investors are planning to put more money into decarbonization technologies.

We saw what happened with elevated energy prices just two years in Germany and in Europe. You cant have a transition. Fink argued that when energy prices go up, emerging nations use more coalbecause life is more important than the future.

We need to reimagine finance, Fink said, so finance can find ways of bringing billions and even trillions to emerging nations to help them decarbonize.

On the point that energy insecurity can be impossible for emerging nations to manage, other financial firms seem to agree. In late 2022, during Europes energy crisis, Europes energy security issues drove near energy poverty in the emerging world, Credit Suisse energy analyst Saul Kavonic said. While European countries and others may be able to pay a premium for energy, emerging nations cannot, and some already choose blackouts on a fairly regular basis because they cant afford even todays energy prices. And if they can afford some form of energy, its the lowest cost energy, such as coal, despite any green ambitions they might have.

Larry Fink oversees $10 trillion in assets for BlackRock, the worlds biggest asset manager. BlackRock was ridiculed by some late last year for calling on companies to invest through an environmental, social, and governance lens.
The OKKO group of companies, as part of business diversification, began buying industrial solar power plants and plans to build Energy storage with a total capacity of 40 MW, its CEO Vasyl Danyliak said.

"We buy ready-made solar stations from the market. We have already bought one, three more are in the process. We are buying at a feed-in tariff. We remain in the balancing group of Guaranteed Buyer," he said in a commentary to Energy Reform on the sidelines of the Business Energy forum from Forbes.ua.

Danyliak explained that as long as the feed-in tariff is maintained (until the end of 2029), and Guaranteed Buyer "will at least pay somehow," it will make sense to work in such conditions, and after that the company intends to sell electricity from solar power plants on the market through its own trading division.

As for the total capacity of the solar power plants that the company plans to purchase, then, according to Danyliak, "we will buy as much as we can buy in the price range that we have approved." At the same time, he refused to name the amount of funds that the company is ready to allocate for the purchase of renewable energy generation.

At the same time, the head of the OKKO group of companies shared plans to build Energy storage in Ukraine - two stages of 20 MW each.

"We want to build Energy storage. We won't finally design it until the end of this year, but perhaps we'll do it before the end of the first quarter of next year. And if we hold all the tenders and the equipment arrives on time, then, approximately, next summer we will start building it. We are planning the first and next stages of 20 MW each," he explained.

Danyliak noted that such energy storage systems would work "both in the ancillary services market and in the arbitrage market, when we charge at peak production and supply electricity at peak consumption."

During his speech at the forum, Danyliak explained the company's plans for work in the renewable energy sector, including interest in wind generation, by the need to diversify the business, since the fuel market no longer implies growth.

"Our market has a growth problem, including due to the development of electric vehicles. Therefore, we needed to look in some direction that would organically continue the business of our industry. And this is the market for production, storage and transmission of electricity. We started analyze different types of generation and storage," he said.

In addition, Danyliak noted that international financial institutions stopped lending to the fuel business, and the company, having extensive lending experience and a vote of confidence, began to look for opportunities to attract financing in other areas. At the same time, according to him, if the terms of lending to the main business were seven-nine years, then for renewable energy sources they reach ten-18 years.

The head of the OKKO group of companies explained the purchase of ready-made objects by the long development period of the projects, noting, in particular, that "land issues are being resolved from scratch for a very long time."
WATCH as Dr. Astrid Stuckelberger exposes secret global health DICTATORSHIP agenda of UN and WHO

An insider who spent decades working in the "belly of the beast" over at the United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO), and who knows full well how utterly corrupt these two globalist bodies have become, is coming forward to tell all about what she observed while working behind the curtain.

Dr. Astrid Stuckelberger of AstridStuckelberger.com joined the Health Ranger this week to discuss various matters related to the true secret agenda of the UN and WHO, which have veered greatly from their original stated mission of helping to lift the poor and lowly out of their poverty.

A true expert with a variety of multidisciplinary skills, Dr. Stuckelberger dealt with mental health issues at the WHO before eventually joining the faculty of medicine in Geneva, Switzerland, which she says is ground zero  even more so than New York City  for the UN and the WHO to plot out their goals for what we now know to be world domination.

Dr. Stuckelberger spent about 30 years conducting research in public health and preventive medicine, as well as three years at the WHO specifically dealing with pandemic preparedness management and the implementation of global health regulations that came into effect between 2008 and 2013.

She has seen it all, and after dealing with both the good and the bad within these two globalist bodies, Dr. Stuckelberger has a whole lot to say about what she described to the Health Ranger as "many contradictions at the UN" concerning the differences between its stated mission and its true secret mission  watch the interview in full from Brighteon.com below:

(Related: Did you know that communist China is all ready to go in unleashing COVID 2.0?)

Around 2016, says Dr. Stuckelberger, there was a big push in academia and the UN to eliminate all ethical people and replace them with EVIL people who ended up developing COVID jab "biotech weapons"

One of the things Dr. Stuckelberger really seemed to focus on throughout the interview is the fact that throughout her tenure at the UN and the WHO, she observed plenty of good, ethical people with a lot to offer get canned and replaced with "devilish" people who are not only incompetent but also evil when it comes to their vision for the world.

Dr. Stuckelberger saw first-hand how, especially beginning around 2016 when Donald Trump was running for president, there was a big push both at the UN and throughout academia to remove all the good guys and replace them with bad guys  these same bad guys, she revealed, are the ones who were allowed to develop and sell Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines," or what she described as "biotech weapons."

Over time since 2016, the UN and the WHO have been slowly rooting out everyone with good intentions and replacing them with the worst of the worst. Dr. Stuckelberger explained that one of the ways they do this is by harassing and discriminating against the good guys by never allowing them to teach or rise to the top.

"They cut off all my courses," she explained about what she is personally having to endure because of her stance, "but I don't mind because it's more important to go with your gut and your spirit than to be with the devil."

"Never could I accept their offer" to turn to the dark side, she added, "and they know that very well."

Be sure to watch the full interview above, and also check out Dr. Stuckelberger's website: AstridStuckelberger.com.

The latest news about the ongoing globalist operations of the UN and the WHO can be found at Tyranny.news.

Sources for this article include:

Brighteon.com

NaturalNews.com

AstridStuckelberger.com
Former cop, detective reveals that HALF of all SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) cases occur within 48 hours after babies get VACCINATED

Investigator Steve Kirsch recently interviewed a former police officer and detective named Jennifer who told him that more than half of all the SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) cases she handled while working law enforcement in a major U.S. city occurred in babies who had just been vaccinated within 48 hours of their untimely and sudden deaths.

Jennifer revealed to Kirsch that she worked more than 250 SIDS cases while on the force  Kirsch says he was able to privately and independently verify Jennifer's employment within the department she claims, though for her own protection she is only sharing her first name with the public.

According to Jennifer's records, about 50 percent of the SIDS cases she handled occurred in babies who had been vaccinated within two days prior, while 70 percent occurred in babies who got the government's chemical shot schedule within the previous week.

"This can only mean one thing: that the childhood vaccines are the leading cause of SIDS deaths," Kirsch writes. "There is no other explanation."

"Even her pediatrician acknowledged this, but they arent allowed to talk about it. She said that the American Academy of Pediatrics trains the pediatricians in how to gaslight parents who seek to blame the vaccine."

Be sure to watch below the roughly 15-minute interview that Kirsch conducted with Jennifer:

(Related: The larger the government's childhood vaccine schedule gets, the more children are dying.)

Parents: Save your children from possible SUDDEN DEATH by keeping them unvaccinated for life

According to Kirsch, this is the first time these types of verifiable statistics have ever been made public, citing independent research he says he conducted by looking through police records.

"Also, I am working with the police department to make these statistics public directly from the police department itself (I cannot compel the production of these records because the FOIA laws in the state exempt these records)," Kirsch further says about the matter.

Based on the length of Jennifer's tenure at the department, she saw between three and four SIDS cases every month. This means that every month, she learned that at least two, and more like three, out of every four babies that dies from SIDS was recently jabbed with the childhood vaccine schedule.

"Assuming kids are vaccinated every month (which is the most conservative assumption), the chance of this happening by chance is 1.23e-64," Kirsch notes. "This means the cases were caused by the vaccine since there is no other viable hypothesis that can explain the evidence."

While Kirsch says he understands why the police department in question cannot fulfill his FOIA request as he requested it, he says he is still going to try to push for it since official police policy is to "leave no stone unturned," according to Jennifer.

"Standard police policy was to ask about ANY pharmaceuticals," Jennifer wrote in a correspondence to Kirsch about the matter.

"So while no detective is given a script per se, they are trained on ANY death investigation, of any age, to ask about pharmaceuticals so I guess you'd say unwritten policy only because the official training is 'leave no stone unturned.'"

It would seem, though, that part of that unofficial policy is to overlook cases in which a person took pharmaceutical drugs "legally," such as in the case of a parent getting his child vaccinated in accordance with government guidelines.

"It will take decades for the medical community to acknowledge this," Kirsch says about the reality that SIDS is primarily caused by childhood vaccines.

The latest news about the dangers and ineffectiveness of childhood vaccines can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

VigilantNews.com

NaturalNews.com
FDA insists that free COVID-19 tests provided by Biden admin are still OK to use despite being EXPIRED

The free Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) tests provided by the Biden administration a year ago have expired, but can still be used  according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The regulator reportedly extended the expiration date of some COVID-19 test kits. It appeared to be a move to assuage concerns among the general public that the free COVID-19 tests would be useless. The Biden administration first procured the free test kits  actually charged to the taxpayer dime  in January 2022.

"To help ensure Americans have tests on hand if a need arises, the Biden administration is purchasing one billion at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests to give to Americans for free. A half-billion tests will be available for order on Jan. 19 and will be mailed directly to American households  within seven to 12 days of ordering," the White House said in a Jan. 14, 2022 statement. (Related: Biden's free COVID tests found to be not helpful as false positives skewed pandemic picture.)

The FDA's move followed remarks by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that related hospitalizations have increased by over seven percent in the past month. According to the CDC, the COVID-19 tests currently in circulation will work with the BA286 Pirola and EG5 Eris strains of SARS-CoV-2.

The move also coincided with a $600 million investment by the Biden administration to bolster domestic manufacturing of COVID-19 tests. This amount would be distributed among 12 domestic test makers, according to a Sept. 20 statement by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It also announced the reopening of the COVIDTests.gov website for those wanting to obtain the free test kits.

"These critical investments in U.S. manufacturing will improve preparedness for COVID-19 and other pandemic threats of the future; strengthen the nations capacity to manufacture tests; and secure approximately 200 million new over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for future federal government use," the HHS statement said.

Expired tests are best avoided, professor advises

Despite the FDA guidance assuring that the expired tests are still safe to use, many medical professionals advise against doing so. Professor Nam Tran, a senior director of clinical pathology at UC Davis Health, warned that continuing to use test kits beyond the indicated expiration date would give false results.

According to him, the public is better off using brand-new tests, adding: "Would you drink milk that expired months ago?"

Tran explained that most home COVID-19 test kits are antigen-based lateral flow assays. These tests use antibodies from the manufacturer to capture proteins of interest  in this case, SARS-CoV-2 proteins. The kits also come with a liquid solution that can break the virus apart.

"For some tests, this [liquid] helps kill the virus and releases viral proteins that are essential for detection," the professor explained. "This solution also helps move the protein along the test strip to enable the tests to detect the unique antibodies."

If even one of these components is compromised as the kit ages, the test could produce unreliable results.

"Chemicals can go bad. The antibodies used to detect the virus can degrade due to time, heat and air exposure. Even humidity getting into the test kit can impact the paper strip, among other issues," said Tran.

"The risk is that you get a false negative and then spread the disease. Alternatively, a false positive may prevent you from going to work or other functions. Essentially, if you get a false answer  you may be worse off than if you didn't test at all."

Visit Pandemic.news for more stories related to COVID-19.

Watch this NewsNation report about the dangerous chemical sodium azide present in rapid COVID-19 test kits, which the Biden administration is issuing for free.

This video is from the Pain Coming channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Study: Taxpayers are spending millions on "free" COVID tests.

Rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 running out ahead of holidays.

Over 2M at-home COVID-19 test kits recalled due to false positive results.

Biden regime's "free at-home COVID test kits" are coming from China, proving again first family's ties to Beijing run deep.

Biden administration halts free at-home COVID tests due to insufficient funding but there's plenty of money to send to Ukraine.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

WhiteHouse.gov

HHS.gov

Health.UCDavis.edu

Brighteon.com
Kyivs ex-defense minister stole $1 billion then fled the country; but Western media conceals the story to protect Biden

Ukrainian journalists unified to reveal that their former Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov took with him $1 billion of the government's money before fleeing abroad.

Reznikov was dismissed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier in September, citing the administration's "new approaches" in the department. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Reznikov confirmed that he had submitted his resignation letter to the country's parliament. (Related: Zelensky dismisses seven top defense officials in bid to "reboot" his corruption-ridden Defense Ministry.)

The 57-year-old has become a well-known figure since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. He has regularly attended meetings with the Western allies and played a key role in lobbying for additional military equipment.

Some #Ukrainian journalists claim that former Ukrainian defence minister Aleksey Reznikov stole $1 billion before fleeing abroad.#UkraineWar #RussiaUkraineWar pic.twitter.com/FmlqhcWNey  Aryan Pankaj Vivaswan (@AryanVivaswan) September 25, 2023

According to local media, the former defense minister said that if Zelensky offered the opportunity for him to work on another project he would probably agree. "His legacy is that he has convinced ministers of defense around the world that the impossible is possible," Ukrainian Defense Advisor Yuriy Sak said in reference to Reznikov's constant push for requesting weapons from foreign governments.

But for observers, the cabinet reshuffle that included the dismissal of Reznikov came amid a wider anti-corruption drive in Zelensky's administration. These steps have been seen as essential to Ukraine's ambitions to join Western institutions like the European Union.

Though he was not directly accused of corruption, there have been a number of scandals at the ministry that involved the procurement of goods and equipment for the army at inflated prices. Earlier this year, his deputy, Vyacheslav Shapovalov, resigned due to a scandal. It was widely reported at the time that Reznikov almost lost his job. Moreover, the ministry has been rocked by several recent arrests at regional recruitment offices, where officers have been accused of taking bribes to allow men to avoid Ukraine's military draft.

Meanwhile, a recent social media also exposed Reznikov for buying a seven-million-euro villa in Cannes, France as a small wedding gift for his daughter. But as per the context added by other readers, the mansion in the shared video post is still for sale and the photo of him with his daughter was from 2013 and not recent.

Be they true or not, critics are still concerned about the amount of money that Zelensky's former ally stole. A Citizen Watch Report article pointed out that it had been deemed politically incorrect to say that Reznikov stole American dollars as "he only stole Ukrainian money." To Reznikov's rescue is his president, who tried to put off the fire thrown at his former defense chief by agreeing that Reznikov did not steal Western money. "He stole Ukrainian ones, but this is different, and not scary at all," he said.

Zelensky calmed everyone down He says that former Defence minister Reznikov did not steal Western money. He stole Ukrainian ones, but this is different, not scary at all. pic.twitter.com/HqnfnIGm9r  MARIA (@its_maria012) September 17, 2023

However, "Ukraine doesn't have any money, it is all coming from U.S. taxpayers," the independent news outlet cited fact checkers' findings.

White House writes to Ukraine to impose reforms it needs to implement to continue receiving aid

Amid issues of Ukrainian officials pocketing money from their Western friends, President Joe Biden's administration still continues to funnel money into their "self-inflicted war"  but with adjustments so that experts would not notice the money laundering.

Ukrainian online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda reported that the White House Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics Mike Pyle has sent a letter to the Donor Coordination Platform, with a list of reforms that Ukraine must implement in order to continue receiving military assistance. It was also sent to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Zelensky's office.

The reforms focused on the functioning of the supervisory boards of state-owned businesses, anti-corruption bodies (the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, National Agency for Corruption Prevention, etc.), the High Council of Justice, and the judiciary in general. It also outlined courses of action in order of priority with a timeline, such as 0-3 months, 3-6 months, one year, and 18 months.

A disclaimer was included in reports that the letter is a preliminary working draft and is subject to consideration. Meanwhile, Ukraine ranks 116th out of 180 on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).

Corruption.news contains more stories related to big government's money-making schemes covered up by the mainstream media.

Sources for this article include:

CitizenWatchReport.com

BBC.com

News.Yahoo.com
INSANITY: New York State deploys National Guard to help ILLEGALS with PAPERWORK

Amid the ongoing migrant crisis in New York, the state has deployed its National Guard  not to enforce border security, but to help illegal aliens with their paperwork

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the deployment, adding that 150 guardsmen will help Venezuelan border crossers apply for federal employment authorization. She explained that the additional manpower will aid illegal immigrants in attaining legal work status and exiting taxpayer-funded shelters.

"It is critical that we help secure work authorization for asylum seekers and migrants in New York [State]," Hochul argued. "We need to ensure individuals can navigate the paperwork necessary to get them established here so they can work and start making their American Dream a reality."

According to Just The News, the 150 guardsmen to be deployed will supplement the roughly 2,000 guard members already assigned to the migrant crisis. Guardsmen had been deployed to 51 hotels and two emergency centers in New York City (NYC) as of writing.

Back in August, Hochul directed the New York Department of Labor to connect employers with illegal aliens with work permits. She said at the time that more than 70 state personnel have been assigned to help with processing of work authorizations. The Empire State has provided $50 million to help with "case management" for these illegal aliens that should not have been in the country in the first place.

The governor's action follows President Joe Biden's decision a week prior to extend the federal government's temporary protection status (TPS) to about 475,000 Venezuelans who entered the country illegally. The illegal aliens reportedly arrived before July 31, and the TPS extension permitted them to work in the U.S. legally.

Hochul herself personally lobbied Biden to extend the TPS designation to the Venezuelan contingent, arguing that it would help relieve pressure on the Empire State's already beleaguered shelter system. But New York Republicans begged to differ. They have long argued that TPS and "sanctuary" policies are encouraging illegal aliens to travel to the Empire State.

Illegals will destroy NYC, Mayor Eric Adams warns

The Big Apple has seen more than 110,000 illegal aliens arrive, concurrent with a surge of border crossers along the southern border over the past year. The self-proclaimed "sanctuary city" is providing housing, food and other necessities for more than 60,000 migrants. But this isn't enough, forcing NYC to open more than 200 shelters and tighten rules on its emergency housing program.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams has issued a grim warning that the Big Apple's migrant crisis will eventually destroy the city. He also exhorted Washington, D.C. to help address the crisis by providing more funding or resources. According to Adams, caring for these illegal immigrants will cost taxpayers $12 billion in the next two years.

"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." (Related: NYC Mayor Eric Adams admits mass illegal immigration is inherently destructive for the Big Apple.)

According to the former police officer-turned-city mayor, a "broken" nationwide immigration system and Republican states busing illegals from their territories also contribute to the problem. But he also took aim at the federal government, saying: "We're getting no support on this national crisis."

Head over to Collapse.news for more stories about New York's migrant crisis.

Watch this Newsmax report about NYC Mayor Eric Adams' warning that the migrant crisis will destroy the Big Apple.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

NY Gov. Hochul announces EMERGENCY ORDER to deal with surge of illegals.

NYC Mayor Adams blasts Biden admin for burdening Big Apple with ILLEGALS.

REPLACEMENTS: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to issue work permits for ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

Hypocrite NYC Mayor Eric Adams declares 'state of emergency' as migrants bussed from Texas flood 'sanctuary city.'

Finger-pointing Biden admin officials blame NYC Mayor Adams for migrant crisis, say city lacks "exit strategy" for illegals.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

JustTheNews.com

DailyMail.co.uk

Brighteon.com
The Nova Posta group of companies launched a Nova Post branch in Hamburg, which became the third branch in Germany and the first outside Berlin, according to a press release on Monday.

"The first branch in Hamburg and already the third branch of Nova Post in Germany. Now Ukrainians in Hamburg and surrounding communities can send things to their homes and quickly receive parcels from Ukraine," the group said in a statement.

At the new branch you can send and receive documents, parcels and cargo up to 100 kg from Monday to Saturday. Delivery time to Ukraine is from five days.

It is noted that by the end of 2023, the group plans to open 17 branches in different cities of Germany and provide customers with the opportunity to receive parcels from Ukraine at parcel terminals and pick-up points in stores.

"By the end of the year, we will open 17 more branches in Munich, Frankfurt am Main, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Dresden, etc. In addition, in the near future we plan to provide customers with the opportunity to receive parcels from Ukraine at parcel terminals and pick-up points in stores," Serhiy Simonov, CEO of Nova Post in Germany, said.

As reported, the first Nova Post branch in Germany was opened in Berlin on June 30, 2023.

Nova Poshta already operates in Poland, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Germany, Moldova and Romania.

At the beginning of July this year, the Nova Poshta network in Ukraine included more than 10,000 branches and more than 14,000 parcel terminals.
TRANS hormone treatments may be creating a wave of violent, deviant, mentally ill pedophile monsters who prey on children

An entirely new race of "people" is emerging out of the transgender movement as the hormone pharmaceuticals these mutants take as part of their "transition" often turn them into deviant, mentally ill

Take the female-to-male transexuals who undergo testosterone therapy in order to become "men." Many of them report a marked increase in sex drive and aggression after being put on testosterone and undergoing sex reassignment surgery (SRS).

A citizens group called SF Public Safety News reported on one such case in which a female daycare worker took testosterone shots to turn into a "man." She ended up seeing a massive surge in her libido that resulted in her proceeding to sexually abuse the children under her care.

Put another way, this female-to-male transitioner essentially became a pedophile after undergoing the LGBT treatments she was prescribed as part of her transition.

The daycare worker in question, by the way, ended up being sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually abusing numerous children at daycare centers in both San Francisco and Livermore where she worked.

"Jace Wong, 28, born Robyn Danielle Wong, had earlier pleaded guilty to seven counts of production, distribution and possession of child pornography," reports explain. "She was described by prosecutors as 'a systematic predator of toddler and preschool aged children' whose conduct was 'among the worst imaginable.'"

(Related: Did you catch that new study showing that at least one in three transgenders who takes puberty blockers ends up becoming a serious mental case?)

There is nothing natural or normal about transgenderism  and many trannies appear to be child predators

Wong reportedly filmed naked and partially dressed boys and girls in her care before proceeding to share the footage with other pedophiles in internet chat rooms, many of them LGBTs themselves.

"She manipulated children's genitals and encouraged them to touch her inappropriately, describing in graphic detail further abuse she wished to perpetrate," reports further explain. "Her phone contained videos created by others which included footage of the gravest possible sexual abuse of young children."

All of this was blamed in the court, anyway, on the testosterone injections that Wong received as part of her "gender transition." Wong also reportedly received a congenital diagnosis of Triple X syndrome, a made-up health condition associated with an unnatural increase in sexual urge and libido.

"It is arguable that the medical professionals involved in [Wong's] gender transition should have exercised greater oversight and provided more guidance to this, at the time, young woman about the potential biological interactions of testosterone and [her] genetic disorder," attorneys wrote on Wong's defense.

"This is a horrific case," commented U.S. District Judge James Donato about the case.

"In nine years on the bench, this is the first case I've had that involved the actual physical abuse of children and, in that sense, it is the gravest and the most serious and most reprehensible crime that I have seen with respect to child pornography."

Wong was first taken into custody back in April 2021 during COVID following an undercover sting linking her to a video involving a chat with a girl aged between four and six, who in the footage had her pants down and privates exposed.

Upon searching Wong's phone, law enforcement agents discovered an eight-minute-long video depicting sexual activity between a grown man and an underage girl.

"Makes you wonder what else is hiding in those testosterone shots," one commenter wrote, speculating as to a more devious agenda taking place with these hormone reassignment therapies.

"Don't blame the shots for this," responded another. "They may increase your sex drive, but they will not turn you into a pedophile. She was one of those before the hormones."

The transgender movement is a covert depopulation effort disguised as "living your truth." Learn more at Transhumanism.news.

Sources for this article include:

Revolver.news

NaturalNews.com
UNICEF: Unaccompanied children forced to flee Ukraine are at risk of CHILD TRAFFICKING

According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), children escaping war-torn Ukraine are at increased risk of human trafficking , especially since traffickers often try to exploit "the chaos of large-scale population movements."

UNICEF warned that the threat children face is "real and growing" because more than 1.5 million children have left Ukraine as refugees since the start of the conflict, while many others have been displaced by the violence in the country.

Children account for 28% of victims trafficked globally

A recent analysis conducted by UNICEF and the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking (ICAT) revealed that 28 percent of identified victims of trafficking globally are children.

UNICEF child protection experts are worried that children could account for an even higher proportion of potential trafficking victims because children and women represent nearly all of the refugees who have fled Ukraine to date.

Afshan Khan, UNICEF's regional director for Europe and Central Asia, explained that the war in Ukraine is causing "massive displacement and refugee flows" and that these conditions could result in a big spike in human trafficking and "an acute child protection crisis."

Khan added that displaced children are at high risk of being separated from their families, exploited and trafficked. Governments in the region must step up and enforce strict measures to keep these children safe, warned Khan. (Related: Right Now with Ann Vandersteel: Several NGOs are involved in CHILD TRAFFICKING, reveals Carlos Arellano  Brighteon.TV.)

From Feb. 24 to March 17 of this year, more than 500 unaccompanied children were identified crossing from Ukraine into Romania.

However, experts are concerned that the actual number of separated children who have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries could be much higher since they are more vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation.

Khan said children fleeing the war in Ukraine must be screened for their vulnerability as they cross into a neighboring country and that all efforts must be made to improve screening processes at refugee border crossings.

Protecting the vulnerable with "Blue Dots"

UNICEF and UNHCR, together with governments and civil society organizations, are setting up "Blue Dots," a one-stop safe space for children and women that will help protect and support children and families who have fled Ukraine.

Blue Dot hubs provide key information to traveling families. The hubs also assist with the identification of unaccompanied and separated children, ensure their protection and provide a hub for essential services.

Blue Dots have already been established in countries hosting Ukrainian women and children. The hubs are also set to be scaled up in the coming days.

UNICEF is calling for the governments of neighboring countries and other countries of destination to improve child protection screenings at border crossings, especially those with Ukraine, to better identify at-risk children.

The organization has also implored governments to strengthen "cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange between and among border control, law enforcement and child protection authorities and to quickly identify separated children, implement family tracing and reunification procedures for children deprived of parental care."

The organization said additional screening for protection risks must be enforced in shelters, large urban train stations and other locations where refugees are gathering or passing through. National and international law enforcement must also make changes to effectively monitor the movement of women and children, and actively address the risks these vulnerable groups face.

Go to Trafficking.news for more news about child trafficking in Ukraine and the rest of the world.

Watch the video below to learn about human trafficking in other areas like Nigeria.

This video is from the Tommy's Podcast channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Evil child trader CAUGHT trying to abduct 11-month-old baby out of Ukraine to sell for organ transplants.

California legislators BLOCK bill to make child trafficking a serious felony.

Biden DOJ erases child sex trafficking language from government website after losing track of 85,000 migrant children.

Sources include:

HumanEvents.com

UNICEF.org 1

UNICEF.org 2

Brighteon.com
Want to know whats REALLY in COVID jabs? WATCH as Dr. Astrid Stuckelberger explains

There is still a lot of confusion out there about what Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines" actually are  hence why the word "vaccines," in this context, is in quotes. And here this week on the Health Ranger Report to discuss in further detail what these injections actually are was Dr. Astrid Stuckelberger, an expert and insider who knows more than many of us do because she worked at the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations where these deadly bioweapons were developed, at least in part.

In speaking with the Health Ranger about the dangers of 5G and other electromagnetic frequencies (EMF)  this particular segment begins around the 22:30 mark in the following video  Dr. Stuckelberger revealed that the contents of COVID jabs are, in fact, bioweapons that were specifically developed for the purpose of harming people, not protecting them against a deadly virus.

"If you're not vaccinated, if you didn't get this BioNTech  and you know Pfizer called it BioNTech, it's bio-nano-tech, or bio-neural tech  and mRNA is mode-RNA," Dr. Stuckelberger explained in response to a question from the Health Ranger about the interface between the injections, 5G, and other EMFs.

"It's a computer program, and it is really about  let me start with this: we are humans, and we are bio-electro-magnetic; we have electroencephalogram; we know that our brain functions with +/- electricity impulse stimulus response neural network ... they have mapped the brain ... they can target your brain, and they can also target those who are vaccinated because they have oxide graphene, and metal, chrome, nickel, aluminum in all vaccines ... and they have parasites, and it is all synthetic  nothing biological."

"It is a receptor, it's an emitter, and it is like a small micro-computer nanocircuit that turns on and off ... if the 5G is on, it puts and triggers this nanocircuit, and if you turn it off it liquifies it. But it can really bio-code" disease, Dr. Stuckelberger warned.

(Related: As part of the COVID sham, Tony Fauci was smuggled into CIA headquarters to help "influence" the agency's pandemic investigation in an ulterior way.)

WHO, UN used to warn people against EMF dangers  but not after 2016

All of this and more, as explained by Dr. Stuckelberger in the powerful interview above, explains why the WHO and the UN quietly removed all information from their respective websites about the dangers of 5G and other EMFs.

It used to be that these agencies were more in the business of trying to help protect people from the dangers of our modern world while providing them with information and tools to overcome the onslaught and age gracefully while preventing serious disease. Now, the UN and the WHO are in the business of mass genocide, it would appear.

"It is a bio-code mimicking a disease," Dr. Stuckelberger further added about the contents of COVID jabs  and likely many other jabs from the past as well  that allow the powers that be to sicken people who have been injected with it simply by blasting them with deadly EMFs that control an on and off switch, so to speak, of these bio-codes.

As she states at the onset of the interview with the Health Ranger, Dr. Stuckelberger has witnessed first-hand this shift at the UN and the WHO from helping people to hurting people. And COVID jabs would seem to be one of these globalist bodies' most nefarious hurting people schemes to date.

A whole lot more information about Dr. Stuckelberger and her work can be found on her website.

You will also discover the latest news about the dangers and ineffectiveness of COVID jabs  at healing people rather than hurting them, anyway  by visiting ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

Brighteon.com

NaturalNews.com

AstridStuckelberger.com
The latest weather forecast showed that Central Canada can expect this week a relief from the heat after residents experienced the unusual and prolonged warmer temperatures in the region.

The cooler weather outlook can be favorable for people with travel plans in Central Canada. Recently, NWN reported the cooler to freezing weather outlook in the Alberta Foothills, Banff, and Kananaskis.

Last week, the forecast noted that Ontario, Quebec and the Toronto Area could experience prolonged warmth due to the ridge of high pressure.

Cooler Weather Outlook in Central Canada

As of October 2, the weather forecast showed that cloudy conditions are expected in the following areas in Canada:

Calgary

Ottawa

Saskatoon

St. Johh's

Toronto

Vancouver

Victoria

Whitehorse

Yellowknife

This week, a chance of light rain can unload in Prince George and Winnipeg. People with travel plans should monitor the weather due to possible rainy conditions.

In addition, an upper-level pattern brought a ridge of high pressure in Canada last week. However, residents can expect on Monday a cooler weather outlook.

Ontario can experience the weather pattern changes this week. According to the latest forecast, Eastern Ontario can anticipate a cooler outlook as temperatures can drop 15 to 20 degrees.

In the Toronto Area and Southern Ontario, a temperature drop is also expected. The arrival of the Fall Weather can unleash cooler air and chances of snow in Canada, which can unfold snowy conditions in Northeastern Ontario.

Chilly conditions will also occur in Quebec, Moosonee, Sudbury and Windsor.

Also Read: Canada Snow Weather: Cooler Temperatures, Potential Snow to Unload in Alberta Foothills Region

Canada wildfires to bring moderate smoke to US

Canada has experienced raging wildfires that brought unhealthy levels of air to the US. This week, reports showed that Northeastern US and New York City can ancipate moderate smoke.

Record-challenging wildfires have emerged in Canada, causing health concerns to nearby communities. Portions of Nova Scotia, Western Canada, British Columbia and Northwest Territories have suffered from the raging fires.

On Monday, New York City can see visible smoke at high altitudes. The smoke can reach parts of Southern New England and Boston.

In addition, poor air conditions can become challenging for older adults and people with medical conditions. Americans with heart and lung risks can be vulnerable to wildfire smoke.

Homeowners should check for the latest air quality alerts, especially if it could stay midweek in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, limiting outdoor activities is recommended to prevent exposure to poor air quality in the US.

The dry conditions and vegetation helped to spark the dangerous fires in Canada. Climate change also played a crucial role in the unusual heat and lack of rain, bringing more fire risks.

Meanwhile, residents are advised to strictly observe fire bans and safety while in dry grass and forests to avoid potential fires.

Related Article: Atlantic Canada Prolonged Dry Conditions: Lack of Rainfall Likely Until October Due to High Pressure

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
Every year, thousands of reindeer embark on a remarkable journey across the rugged landscapes of northern Norway.

They are accompanied by their human caretakers, the Sami people, who have been living in harmony with these animals for centuries.

The reindeer migration is a spectacular sight that showcases the resilience and adaptability of both the reindeer and the Sami.

The challenges of migration

The reindeer migration is not an easy feat. It involves crossing mountains, valleys, rivers, glaciers, and fjords, covering hundreds of kilometers in a span of weeks.

The reindeer have to face harsh weather conditions, predators, and human interference along the way. They also have to find enough food and water to sustain themselves and their calves.

One of the most difficult parts of the migration is crossing the Jokelfjord glacier, the only one in Europe that drains into the ocean.

The reindeer have to climb over the ice and snow, avoiding crevasses and avalanches. They also have to swim across the fjord, which can be several kilometers wide and very cold. They typically form a single file and dive into the water, grunting as they swim in sync.

The Sami herders follow their animals on quad bikes, on foot, or by boat. They use whistles, bells, and dogs to guide them and keep them together.

They also have to deal with various challenges, such as securing permits, negotiating with landowners, avoiding traffic, and protecting their animals from poachers and diseases.

Also Read: Reindeer Shrinking in Size, Starving Due to Climate Change

The significance of the migration

The reindeer migration is not only a physical journey but also a cultural and spiritual one. It is a way of life for the Sami people, who have been practicing reindeer herding for generations.

The Sami have a deep connection with their animals, which they consider as family members and partners.

The reindeer provide them with meat, milk, fur, leather, antlers, and bones, as well as companionship and identity.

The migration is also a way of preserving and passing on the Sami culture and traditions. The Sami teach their children how to herd, care for, and respect the reindeer.

They also share their stories, songs, crafts, and rituals related to the reindeer. The migration is a rite of passage for many young Sami, who learn how to become responsible herders and community members.

Migration is also a way of adapting to the changing environment and society. The Sami have to cope with the effects of climate change, which are altering the patterns and availability of snow, ice, vegetation, and water.

They also have to balance their traditional lifestyle with the demands of modernity, such as education, health care, technology, and tourism.

The migration is a way of maintaining their connection with nature and their heritage while embracing innovation and diversity.

The reindeer migration is a remarkable phenomenon that showcases the beauty and strength of nature and culture.

It is a testament to the bond between the reindeer and the Sami people, who have been coexisting for centuries in harmony with their environment.

It is also a source of inspiration and hope for anyone who values diversity, sustainability, and resilience.

Related article: Scientists Reveal Why Rudolph Reindeer has a Red Nose
Over a hundred dolphins have been discovered dead in Lake Tefe in the Brazilian Amazon in the last week, which alarmed scientists.

This corresponds with a severe drought and record-breaking water temperatures, which have reached 39 degrees Celsius in certain locations.

Highly Unusual Deaths

This alarming occurrence of dolphin mortality was reported by the Mamiraua Institute, a research facility financed by the Brazilian Ministry of Science. A large number of deaths among these aquatic creatures is unusual and causes concern.

The predominant view is that these fatalities are linked to Lake Tefe's record-high temperatures and the Amazon's severe dryness.

Ayan Fleischmann, a geoscience researcher at the Mamiraua Institute, said there are numerous potential causes, including sickness and sewage contamination, that are also being explored.

He did, however, say that water depth and temperature were "certainly a main component" of the mass fatality.

Researchers and activists are attempting to save the remaining dolphins by relocating them from lagoons and ponds on the periphery to the main body of the river, where the water is cooler, but the operation is difficult due to the remoteness of the location.

"Transferring river dolphins to other rivers is not that safe because it's important to verify if toxins or viruses are present [before releasing the animals into the wild]," Andre Coelho, a researcher at the Mamiraua Institute said.

Residents of this little community in the state of Amazonas described the scene as apocalyptic.

"The past month in Tefe has seemed like a science-fiction climate-change scenario," said Daniel Tregidgo, a British researcher living in the area. "Regular sightings of pink river dolphins are one of the great privileges of living in the heart of the Amazon. Pretty much every time I go to the market to have breakfast, I see them come to the surface and it reminds me why I live here."

Brazil, like the rest of the world, has experienced abnormally severe weather in recent months as a result of human-caused climate disruption and an El Nino.

The south of the country has been flooded by heavy rainstorms, while the north has been parched by an abnormally harsh dry season.

Over the last two weeks, the Amazon, the world's largest river, has dropped by 30cm every day.

The average depth in Manaus at this time of year is 4.4 meters (14 feet) lower than it was during the rainy season. It has already dried up by 7.4 meters this year, which local biologists have termed "absurd."

Read Also: Dolphin Deaths Increase in France, Activists Call Halting of Atlantic Fishing

Dolphins as Indicator of River's Health

Dolphins are seen to be an indicator of a river's health, which is important for those who live along its banks.

Dolphins have been struggling elsewhere in the Amazon.

Fishermen in Marechal Thaumaturgo, Para State, rescued two of the mammals that became caught when water levels in the Jurua River dipped to 2.3 meters, the lowest in five years, earlier this month.

Many other species are in distress. This month, social media videos showed a deceased newborn manatee being placed inside a canoe.

Daphne Willems of the conservation group WWF said that this extraordinary species is already endangered, meaning losing so many individuals in such a short space of time is disastrous.

She stated that this tragedy deserved an immediate response and emphasized the significance of the global river dolphin declaration, which is set to be signed on October 24.

Related Article: Over 100 Bottlenose Dolphins Stabbed to Death as Faroe Islanders Continue Their 'Traditional' Dolphin Hunt

Related Video:
Experts said that European countries would continue to experience unseasonably high temperatures in the month of October.

Countries such as Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, and Switzerland have all experienced their hottest temperatures last month.

Earlier, the EU climate monitor said that global temperatures in September in the northern hemisphere summer were the hottest on record.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service also forecasted that 2023 would be the hottest year, which the humanity has experienced.

Heat dome

Experts noted that a strong heat dome would develop anew over Western Europe, with a new heatwave for countries underneath.

Temperatures will be back into the upper 30s over Iberia and mid-30s in France.

Meanwhile, temperatures that are up to mid-20s will be observed over the southern United Kingdom.

Based on initial observation, the heatwave will first develop into southwestern Europe then it is seen to gradually spread into western and central Europe as the heat dome expands across a large part of the continent.

Weather experts warned that in the next several days, residents will encounter extremely high temperatures for some parts of the continent.

French weather agency, Meteo-France, noted that as 31C (88F) was forecasted in south-west France and 28C in Paris, the country's average temperature was 21.5C, between 3.5C and 3.6C above the norm for the 1991-2020 reference period.

This recorded temperature has made it the hottest September - by more than 1C - since records began in 1900.

Meteorologists said that in several regions, the deviation from the September average of the past three decades had exceeded 4C, or sometimes 6C.

On the other hand, Germany's weather office, DWD, said that the month of September had also been the hottest since national records started, which was almost 4C higher than the 1961-1990 baseline.

For its part, Belgium's 19C average temperature was also almost 4C warmer than what was considered as normal.

Authorities also said that Poland's September temperatures was 3.6C higher than average, and the hottest for the month since records began more than 100 years ago.

This was similar to what was encountered in Austria and Switzerland.

The heat dome is defined as a weather pattern that brings high and sometimes record-challenging temperatures for the region.

It is often blamed for being responsible for deadly heatwaves worldwide as scorching and excessive heat lasts for a long period of time.

Meanwhile, a heat wave, associated with a heat dome, is seen to create stable weather and often arid air mass with minimal chances for precipitation or even clouds.

This is because the sinking air parcels in the center of the heat dome result in rising temperatures.

Read Also: Warming Temperature in Europe Increased More Than Twice Over the Past 30 Years, New Report Reveals

Climate change

Scientists said that climate change driven by human activity has been pushing global temperatures higher, with the world at around 1.2C of warming above pre-industrial levels.

According to the MET Office, the main cause of climate change is burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal.

When burnt, these fossil fuels release carbon dioxide into the air, which will later cause the planet to heat up.

This has resulted to extreme weather events such as intense heatwaves, drought, wildfires and storms.

Related Article: Cerberus Heatwave Threats Southern Europe

Related Video:
A US fisherman caught a weird-looking fish with almost perfect human teeth. The fish is known as Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus), which is very difficult to catch.

It is not always people can see rare fish with seemingly human-looking teeth. From afar, the fish is recognizable by its unusual appearance.

According to recent reports, Brian Summerlin, 38, accidentally found the bizarre fish while he was in the Tangier Sound near Maryland.

Weird-Looking Fish With 'Human Teeth' in US

Catching the weird-looking fish was difficult because it was elusive for many fishermen. They found that the fish weighed about 16.6lbs, which could set a new record.

Despite the cryptic look, Summerlin explained that his daughter wanted to keep the fish teeth under the pillow for the tooth fairy.

Summerlin explained that the unique fish managed to adapt to their food source. The teeth they have are used to crush crustaceans.

Furthermore, the Sheepshead fish is popular in many public aquariums, eating small plants, fish and vertebrates. They have an oval-shaped appearance, a horizontal mouth and dark vertical stripes, with a size of up to 29 inches and 22 pounds.

The said fish can also be found in Texas, Louisiana, Florida's Gulf Coast and Nova Scotia in Canada. The fish is also safe to eat, according to reports.

Regarding habitat, the sheep's fish roam around mangroves' roots, grassy areas, tidal creeks and rock pilings. They are also spotted in salty brackish water and freshwater during winter.

In addition, the newly caught fish can break the recent records of Sheepshead discovered in August 2020.

Also Read: Unknown Virus Unearthed in deepest Mariana Trench in Pacific Ocean

Unique-looking Species With 20 Arms in Antarctica

Researchers recently discovered a rare and new aquatic species with 20 arms in Antarctica. It is known as the Strawberry Feather Star (Promachocrinus fragarius), which belongs to the class of sea urchins and starfish species.

The research results were published in the Invertebrate Systematics. With advanced technology and DNA assessments, the study discovered it was a new species.

At first glance, the species doesn't look like strawberry-looking aquatic animals. However, a closer view will show it is indeed a strawberry in appearance.

With the strawberry feather stars' 20 arms, it can quickly catch potential prey in the ocean. In addition, discovering new species can help protect them from potential decline.

The ocean is yet to be fully explored because of the difficulty of searching the deep sea. However, experts explained the deep sea is an unknown species to science.

Furthermore, researchers found an unknown virus in the deepest portions of the Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench.

The report added that it was the deepest isolated siphovirus or phases unveiled in the deep sea. The study results were published in the Microbiology Spectrum journal.

Related Article: Unique Strawberry Feather Star: New Aquatic Species Has 20 Arms Discovered in Antarctica

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
Taiwan's naval defense industry has consistently prioritized maintaining a credible defense posture, especially given the strategic importance of its maritime domain. The island nation has significantly invested in its naval defense, with a focus on indigenous shipbuilding capabilities. On September 28, 2023, Taiwan officially launched its first Hai Kun class (Indigenous Defense Submarine) diesel-electric submarine Hai Kun.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Artist rendering of the first Taiwanese indigenous submarine Hai Kun. (Picture source: Graphic News)

This emphasis is evident in the development of platforms like the Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) and the Tuo Chiang-class corvettes, both of which are designed and built in Taiwan.

The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) has been instrumental in Taiwan's defense R&D, developing a variety of naval systems, including anti-ship missiles, radars, and electronic warfare systems.

While indigenous development is a priority, Taiwan also collaborates with foreign defense industries for technology transfer and joint ventures, ensuring its naval platforms are equipped with advanced systems.

Modernization is another key aspect of Taiwan's naval defense strategy. This involves not only the construction of new platforms but also the upgrading of existing assets, retrofitting older ships with contemporary weapons systems, sensors, and communication equipment.

However, the industry faces challenges, primarily from political pressures exerted by the People's Republic of China (PRC). These pressures have sometimes made it difficult for Taiwan to procure advanced technologies from other countries, pushing the nation to further invest in its indigenous capabilities.

The recent launch of the Hai Kun-class submarine, Taiwan's first diesel-electric submarine developed under the IDS program, is a testament to these efforts.

The submarine, with a displacement of approximately 2,500 tonnes and a length of around 70 meters, incorporates advanced Lithium Ion battery technology. Its design draws inspiration from various international models, with some similarities to Japan's Soryu-class submarines and certain features echoing Dutch Zwaardvis and Walrus submarines.

In the broader strategic context, the Hai Kun-class submarine can operate covertly, making it a valuable asset for intelligence gathering and surveillance, especially in the Taiwan Strait.

In potential confrontations, the submarine's discreet operation can serve as a deterrent, complicating adversary risk calculations. The submarine's armaments, including the MK48 Mod6 AT torpedoes and UGM-84L Harpoon missiles, further enhance its operational capabilities.

Looking ahead, Taiwan's naval defense industry is poised for growth, with plans for new submarines, advanced surface combatants, and unmanned maritime systems.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, during which he discussed export of Ukrainian grain and support of Ukraine, the press service of the head of the Ukrainian state reported.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The Head of State expressed gratitude for holding the offsite meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers in Kyiv, a message posted on the official website of the President of Ukraine on Monday says.

"This is an important signal of unity between the EU and Ukraine," he emphasized.

As the message reads, the interlocutors coordinated positions on the eve of upcoming international events. In addition, Zelenskyy and von der Leyen discussed alternative export corridors for Ukrainian agricultural products.

The parties agreed to maintain constructive dialogue on lifting unilateral restrictions on the export of Ukrainian agricultural products by EU member states and to seek ways to support Ukrainian farmers, the message reads.

As noted, the President commended the initiative of the European Commission to prepare a financial instrument to help our country  the Ukraine Facility worth EUR 50 billion for a four-year period and noted the necessity of its further endorsement by all EU member states.
The Road Fund has financed work worth UAH 11.5 billion in 2023, which is half the requirement, head of the agency Mustafa Nayyem said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"In 2023, only UAH 11.5 billion was financed. The need is twice as much - UAH 22 billion. During this time, almost 4,000 km of highways of national importance and 142 bridges located on them were destroyed in the controlled territory alone. Some 25 bridges are in extremely poor condition and are not suitable for use. The cost of restoring these bridges is UAH 3.3 billion, but this year we have UAH 2.1 billion (for these works)," Nayyem said.

In general, during the war, in 2022-2023, transport links were resumed at 85 sites, temporary crossings and detours were arranged. More than 917 km of emergency roads, important for military needs and evacuation routes, were repaired.

Nayyem emphasized that the Agency supports the government's decision to increase resources for the needs of the Armed Forces, however, the abolition of the Road Fund could have a negative impact specifically on military logistics.

According to him, modernization, repair and maintenance of the 29 most critical checkpoints, which were transferred to the Agency, and other work, which was partially planned to be carried out at the expense of the Road Fund, are also at risk.

The abolition of the Road Fund could also affect the market for contractors, most of who "worked on loans" during the war, and there is a possibility that some of them could freeze their activities.

"But I hope that we will be able to avoid this. I am sure that both the government and parliament will realize this and will find the optimal solution to maintain critical road infrastructure without diverting resources from defense needs," Nayyem noted.
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EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell announced the preparation of long-term security commitments for Ukraine.

"Russias war against Ukraine is an existential threat for all of us," Borrell said on the X social network.

He said his first personal meeting with Defense Minister Rustem Umerov took place in Ukraine. "We discussed continuous EU military assistance. Ukraine needs more capabilities and needs them faster. We are preparing long-term security commitments for Ukraine," Borrell said.
Ujwal Jalali By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: In what is being termed a major breakthrough, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police has arrested three suspected ISIS terrorists, including one who was on the most wanted list of the National Investigative Agency (NIA) and was also carrying a reward of Rs 3 lakh on his arrest.

The suspected terrorist, identified as Shahnawaz Alam alias Abdullah alias Md. Ibrahim alias Prince (31), an engineer by profession, was hiding in Delhi after fleeing from Pune, Maharashtra. The other two were identified as Mohammad Rizwan Ashraf (28) and Md. Arshad Warsi (29).

All three alleged terrorists were produced before a Special UAPA Court in Delhi which sent them to a 7-day police custody remand.

Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) HGS Dhaliwal, in a special media briefing, said the Special Cell was keeping surveillance through all possible means on the activities of suspect operatives of ISIS and their contacts with a special focus on Delhi-centric suspects.

He said that credible inputs revealed that in order to carry out terror activities in India, while simultaneously trying to hide its role and to circumvent scrutiny by international agencies, Pak-ISI has created a facade of India-focused ISIS by using PAK-based and protected terrorists who are fugitive from India, namely Farahtullah Gauri and his son-in-law Shahid Faisal.

Both absconding accused, Gauri and Faisal, were involved in the Akshardham Temple attack case and are presently hiding in Pakistan while working for the spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

"One such module was identified with footprints in UP, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand & Maharashtra. While developing the information, two ISIS operatives namely Imran Khan and Yunus Saaki were arrested in Pune, Maharashtra by Pune Police. However, one of the arrested persons namely Shahnawaz Alam managed to escape from the police custody," the Special CP said.

The case was later transferred to NIA for further investigation, who later declared a reward of Rs 3 lakhs on the arrest of absconding terrorist Shahnawaz Alam and three other accused.

The senior official said that they got specific information that Shahnawaz Alam is moving along with one Rizwan Ali, a resident of Delhi, and they have been planning to carry out a terror attack in India.

"It was learnt that they were in an advanced stage of preparations and had procured Arms, Ammunition and Explosives for this purpose and had also set up a base in Delhi," the senior officer said, adding the cops kept developing further information on them and on October 1, coordinated multiple raids were carried out in three states -- Delhi, UP and Uttarakhand -- with the assistance Central Intelligence Agency and concerned state police.

According to the officer, Md. Arshad was the first to be arrested from Delhi and he disclosed that he is an accomplice of Shahnawaz Alam in the conspiracy to carry out terrorist activities in Delhi. He also revealed that Alam had procured Arms, Ammunition and Explosives and taken a rented room in Delhi in furtherance of their criminal conspiracy.

The second suspected ISIS terrorist Mohammad Rizwan Ashraf was also arrested in the present case from Lucknow, UP. He disclosed that he is a member of ISIS and is in communication with foreign-based handlers and remaining members of this module.

"He further said that Shahnawaz Alam and Rizwan took pledge (Baith) into ISIS through him," the officer said. Thereafter, on October 1, a raid was conducted in Delhi on the instance of accused Md. Arshad and the prime accused and most wanted terrorist Shahnawaj Alam were arrested from a rented accommodation after a brief scuffle with the police team.

Notably, the cops found components that are used in making IEDs at the rented accommodation from where Alam was nabbed.

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NEW DELHI: In what is being termed a major breakthrough, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police has arrested three suspected ISIS terrorists, including one who was on the most wanted list of the National Investigative Agency (NIA) and was also carrying a reward of Rs 3 lakh on his arrest. The suspected terrorist, identified as Shahnawaz Alam alias Abdullah alias Md. Ibrahim alias Prince (31), an engineer by profession, was hiding in Delhi after fleeing from Pune, Maharashtra. The other two were identified as Mohammad Rizwan Ashraf (28) and Md. Arshad Warsi (29). All three alleged terrorists were produced before a Special UAPA Court in Delhi which sent them to a 7-day police custody remand. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) HGS Dhaliwal, in a special media briefing, said the Special Cell was keeping surveillance through all possible means on the activities of suspect operatives of ISIS and their contacts with a special focus on Delhi-centric suspects. He said that credible inputs revealed that in order to carry out terror activities in India, while simultaneously trying to hide its role and to circumvent scrutiny by international agencies, Pak-ISI has created a facade of India-focused ISIS by using PAK-based and protected terrorists who are fugitive from India, namely Farahtullah Gauri and his son-in-law Shahid Faisal. Both absconding accused, Gauri and Faisal, were involved in the Akshardham Temple attack case and are presently hiding in Pakistan while working for the spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). "One such module was identified with footprints in UP, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand & Maharashtra. While developing the information, two ISIS operatives namely Imran Khan and Yunus Saaki were arrested in Pune, Maharashtra by Pune Police. However, one of the arrested persons namely Shahnawaz Alam managed to escape from the police custody," the Special CP said. The case was later transferred to NIA for further investigation, who later declared a reward of Rs 3 lakhs on the arrest of absconding terrorist Shahnawaz Alam and three other accused. The senior official said that they got specific information that Shahnawaz Alam is moving along with one Rizwan Ali, a resident of Delhi, and they have been planning to carry out a terror attack in India. "It was learnt that they were in an advanced stage of preparations and had procured Arms, Ammunition and Explosives for this purpose and had also set up a base in Delhi," the senior officer said, adding the cops kept developing further information on them and on October 1, coordinated multiple raids were carried out in three states -- Delhi, UP and Uttarakhand -- with the assistance Central Intelligence Agency and concerned state police. According to the officer, Md. Arshad was the first to be arrested from Delhi and he disclosed that he is an accomplice of Shahnawaz Alam in the conspiracy to carry out terrorist activities in Delhi. He also revealed that Alam had procured Arms, Ammunition and Explosives and taken a rented room in Delhi in furtherance of their criminal conspiracy. The second suspected ISIS terrorist Mohammad Rizwan Ashraf was also arrested in the present case from Lucknow, UP. He disclosed that he is a member of ISIS and is in communication with foreign-based handlers and remaining members of this module. "He further said that Shahnawaz Alam and Rizwan took pledge (Baith) into ISIS through him," the officer said. Thereafter, on October 1, a raid was conducted in Delhi on the instance of accused Md. Arshad and the prime accused and most wanted terrorist Shahnawaj Alam were arrested from a rented accommodation after a brief scuffle with the police team. Notably, the cops found components that are used in making IEDs at the rented accommodation from where Alam was nabbed. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Pronab Mondal By

Express News Service

KOLKATA: Pressing Centre to release pending dues of central schemes to Bengal, All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday left from Kolkata for New Delhi along with fathers of three children aged between three and five years, who were killed when part of the wall of their mud-house collapsed in Bankura on Saturday, to participate in a protest on October 2-3.

The two-day protest in the national capital is aimed at pressing for the Centres release of funds due to Bengal which include wages under the Centre-funded Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme and grants for constructing houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

Claiming that the families of the three children were enlisted in the list of beneficiaries for a concrete house under the Centre-funded PMAY, Abhishek alleged they were forced to live in the mudhouse as they had yet to receive the money to construct houses.

As the Centre has stopped the release of funds under the scheme, their houses could not be constructed. The three children died after being trapped under the mud wall of their house which collapsed during rain. Who is responsible for their death? Union minister for Rural Development Giriraj Singh must answer it, Abhishek alleged while speaking to mediapersons at Kolkata airport.

The childrenRohan Sardar(5), Ankush Sardar (3) and Nisha Sardar(4)were killed when they were playing in the courtyard of their house. After permission for a special train to transport TMC workers to Delhi was denied by the railway authorities, over 2,000 job-card holders under the Centres rural employment guarantee scheme left Kolkata on Saturday to participate in the protest.

However, one of the buses met an accident at Kodarma in Jharkhand after the driver lost control and hit a heap of soil dumped beside the thoroughfare for the repairing of the road. Eight party supporters received minor injuries.

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KOLKATA: Pressing Centre to release pending dues of central schemes to Bengal, All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday left from Kolkata for New Delhi along with fathers of three children aged between three and five years, who were killed when part of the wall of their mud-house collapsed in Bankura on Saturday, to participate in a protest on October 2-3. The two-day protest in the national capital is aimed at pressing for the Centres release of funds due to Bengal which include wages under the Centre-funded Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme and grants for constructing houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Claiming that the families of the three children were enlisted in the list of beneficiaries for a concrete house under the Centre-funded PMAY, Abhishek alleged they were forced to live in the mudhouse as they had yet to receive the money to construct houses.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); As the Centre has stopped the release of funds under the scheme, their houses could not be constructed. The three children died after being trapped under the mud wall of their house which collapsed during rain. Who is responsible for their death? Union minister for Rural Development Giriraj Singh must answer it, Abhishek alleged while speaking to mediapersons at Kolkata airport. The childrenRohan Sardar(5), Ankush Sardar (3) and Nisha Sardar(4)were killed when they were playing in the courtyard of their house. After permission for a special train to transport TMC workers to Delhi was denied by the railway authorities, over 2,000 job-card holders under the Centres rural employment guarantee scheme left Kolkata on Saturday to participate in the protest. However, one of the buses met an accident at Kodarma in Jharkhand after the driver lost control and hit a heap of soil dumped beside the thoroughfare for the repairing of the road. Eight party supporters received minor injuries. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: The release of Hurriyat Conference leader and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from over four years of house detention was under active consideration by the government for the last six months and finally the senior separatist leader was released on September 22.

Sources said with the improvement in the ground situation including near zero street protests and a drop in militancy violence in Valley, the authorities had been actively considering for the last six months releasing Farooq from house detention.

The process of his release was going on for the last six months and after taking feedback from all the concerned security agencies, Mirwaiz was released on Friday last week, they said.

Mirwaiz was placed under house detention at his Nageen residence in Srinagar on August 4, 2019, a day before the abrogation of J&Ks special status and bifurcation of erstwhile J&K state into two Union Territories  Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).

Sources said a lot of back-channel talks were held between the concerned quarters and Mirwaiz and that the successful and meaningful conclusion of these talks led to his release. They said lots of people were involved in these back-channel talks.

During these back-channel talks, Mirwaiz would have been clearly told that there was no room or space for separatist politics anymore in Jammu and Kashmir and he should use his public reach and influence as a religious and political figure for positivity to bring positive changes in the lives of people here, they said.

They said during the house detention of four years, there might have been some change in thought of Mirwaiz and his mind would have been diverted to positive things as he must have also realised that the situation has changed on the ground.

If his release can make people bind and good senses prevail, then it is good. If his release can bring positivity on the ground, then it is good. During the back channel talks all things would have been made clear to him, sources said.

They said authorities would be keeping a close watch on the movement and activities of Mirwaiz. A senior BJP leader said there is no scope for separatist politics in J&K anymore and if Mirwaiz continued with the separatist politics, then he could be detained again.

The separatist politics is unacceptable and wont be allowed, he said.

House detention

Mirwaiz was placed under house detention at his Nageen residence in Srinagar on August 4, 2019, a day before the abrogation of J&Ks special status and bifurcation of erstwhile J&K state into two Union Territories  Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).

He was among the 18 separatist leaders, whose security cover was withdrawn after the February 14, 2019, militant attack on a CRPF convoy at Lethpora, Pulwama.

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SRINAGAR: The release of Hurriyat Conference leader and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from over four years of house detention was under active consideration by the government for the last six months and finally the senior separatist leader was released on September 22. Sources said with the improvement in the ground situation including near zero street protests and a drop in militancy violence in Valley, the authorities had been actively considering for the last six months releasing Farooq from house detention. The process of his release was going on for the last six months and after taking feedback from all the concerned security agencies, Mirwaiz was released on Friday last week, they said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Mirwaiz was placed under house detention at his Nageen residence in Srinagar on August 4, 2019, a day before the abrogation of J&Ks special status and bifurcation of erstwhile J&K state into two Union Territories  Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature). Sources said a lot of back-channel talks were held between the concerned quarters and Mirwaiz and that the successful and meaningful conclusion of these talks led to his release. They said lots of people were involved in these back-channel talks. During these back-channel talks, Mirwaiz would have been clearly told that there was no room or space for separatist politics anymore in Jammu and Kashmir and he should use his public reach and influence as a religious and political figure for positivity to bring positive changes in the lives of people here, they said. They said during the house detention of four years, there might have been some change in thought of Mirwaiz and his mind would have been diverted to positive things as he must have also realised that the situation has changed on the ground. If his release can make people bind and good senses prevail, then it is good. If his release can bring positivity on the ground, then it is good. During the back channel talks all things would have been made clear to him, sources said. They said authorities would be keeping a close watch on the movement and activities of Mirwaiz. A senior BJP leader said there is no scope for separatist politics in J&K anymore and if Mirwaiz continued with the separatist politics, then he could be detained again. The separatist politics is unacceptable and wont be allowed, he said. House detention Mirwaiz was placed under house detention at his Nageen residence in Srinagar on August 4, 2019, a day before the abrogation of J&Ks special status and bifurcation of erstwhile J&K state into two Union Territories  Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature). He was among the 18 separatist leaders, whose security cover was withdrawn after the February 14, 2019, militant attack on a CRPF convoy at Lethpora, Pulwama. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Amid speculation that the BJP may release the names of party candidates for assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh on Monday, the partys apex decision-making body, the Central Election Committee (CEC) brainstormed over the final selection of candidates on Sunday.

The CEC, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance at the party headquarters, went through the details of candidates, including their profiles and winnability factors.

According to sources, the CEC, which comprises Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda among others, discussed the names of probable candidates and held wider deliberations on the electoral strategy for the three states.

The crucial meeting of CEC lasted more than 45 minutes, during which Modi also dwelt upon the strategy to be adopted for winning elections in the three states, sources said. The PM emphasised the need for fielding candidates who have deep people connections.

The list of candidates for the remaining seats of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh was also placed before the PM for approval. The list for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh has been finalised for the upcoming assembly elections after wider deliberations on the contestants. The party may also release the first list of candidates for Telangana. It might have been discussed by the CEC, said a BJP leader.

It is learnt that the party may drop some sitting MLAs in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh again and field some Union ministers and MPs with deep electoral experiences in their respective states.

The focus of the meeting was primarily on the preparedness for Rajasthan polls since senior party leaders from the state, including former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, attended it.

The BJP has so far named 79 candidates for the polls to the 230-member Madhya Pradesh assembly and 21 for elections to the 90-member House in Chhattisgarh. Prior to the CEC meeting, top BJP leaders also had a meeting at party chief Naddas residence to discuss preparations for the assembly polls.

At the meeting, according to sources, the BJPs core group leaders shared their strategies and opinions on the names of probable candidates. This meeting was also attended by Union minister Pralhad Joshi, who is also BJPs election in-charge for Rajasthan; co-in-charge Kuldeep Bishnoi; former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje and party state unit chief C P Joshi.

Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and BJP national general secretary and in-charge for Rajasthan Arun Singh were also present at the meeting. Union minister and partys Chhattisgarh election in-charge Mansukh Mandaviya, state unit president Arun Sao, state organisation secretary Nitin Naveen and leader of opposition in state assembly Narayan Chandel also attended the meeting at Naddas residence. The list for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh seats on which candidates have not been announced so far, are likely to be out tomorrow or Tuesday.

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NEW DELHI: Amid speculation that the BJP may release the names of party candidates for assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh on Monday, the partys apex decision-making body, the Central Election Committee (CEC) brainstormed over the final selection of candidates on Sunday. The CEC, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance at the party headquarters, went through the details of candidates, including their profiles and winnability factors. According to sources, the CEC, which comprises Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda among others, discussed the names of probable candidates and held wider deliberations on the electoral strategy for the three states.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The crucial meeting of CEC lasted more than 45 minutes, during which Modi also dwelt upon the strategy to be adopted for winning elections in the three states, sources said. The PM emphasised the need for fielding candidates who have deep people connections. The list of candidates for the remaining seats of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh was also placed before the PM for approval. The list for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh has been finalised for the upcoming assembly elections after wider deliberations on the contestants. The party may also release the first list of candidates for Telangana. It might have been discussed by the CEC, said a BJP leader. It is learnt that the party may drop some sitting MLAs in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh again and field some Union ministers and MPs with deep electoral experiences in their respective states. The focus of the meeting was primarily on the preparedness for Rajasthan polls since senior party leaders from the state, including former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, attended it. The BJP has so far named 79 candidates for the polls to the 230-member Madhya Pradesh assembly and 21 for elections to the 90-member House in Chhattisgarh. Prior to the CEC meeting, top BJP leaders also had a meeting at party chief Naddas residence to discuss preparations for the assembly polls. At the meeting, according to sources, the BJPs core group leaders shared their strategies and opinions on the names of probable candidates. This meeting was also attended by Union minister Pralhad Joshi, who is also BJPs election in-charge for Rajasthan; co-in-charge Kuldeep Bishnoi; former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje and party state unit chief C P Joshi. Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and BJP national general secretary and in-charge for Rajasthan Arun Singh were also present at the meeting. Union minister and partys Chhattisgarh election in-charge Mansukh Mandaviya, state unit president Arun Sao, state organisation secretary Nitin Naveen and leader of opposition in state assembly Narayan Chandel also attended the meeting at Naddas residence. The list for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh seats on which candidates have not been announced so far, are likely to be out tomorrow or Tuesday. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

GUWAHATI: The Centre has come up with a Rs 38.06 crore crop compensation package for the ethnic violence-affected farmers in Manipur.

The package will cover 5,127.08 hectares of severely affected agricultural areas identified as areas likely to remain uncultivated due to present (ethnic violence) situation.

The states agriculture commissioner, R K Dinesh revealed the estimated loss for the 5127.08 hectares is calculated as Rs 38.06 crore using average crop yield for the affected districts for the last three years and areas where cultivation may not be possible.

Earlier, a survey, conducted by the farmers body 'Loumee Shinmee Apunba Lup (LOUSAL)', stated that around 9,719 hectares of paddy fields in the Imphal valley might face crop failure as farmers are afraid of going to their fields due to sporadic firing by the miscreants from the foothills.

It is estimated that the total loss of income for the state in the agricultural sector this year could be around Rs 226.50 crore. Of this, the highest loss will be in rice production to the extent of Rs 211.41 crore which accounts for 93.36% of total agriculture and allied activities, followed by livestock farming, the survey said.

Of the five violence-hit valley districts such as Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching and Thoubal, Bishnupur is the worst affected in terms of agricultural land area.

Farmers of Phubala, Sunusiphai, Naranseina, Khoirentak, Kumbi, Sagang, Torbung, Wangoo and Khoijuman Khunou, all in Bishnupur, are among the worst hit. Some had even sustained bullet injuries.

Our farmers are back to square one. Despite security arrangements made by the government, they are afraid of going to their fields, LOUSAL president Mutum Churamani said.

He also said that since the outbreak of the violence, the farmers were uncertain about going to the fields as they are located mostly near the foothills from where incidents of intermittent firing were reported.

By July, with security arrangements, we somehow managed to send our farmers to initiate tilling and prepare for sowing, he added.

To mitigate the crisis in the farm sector, a state-level monitoring committee was formed under the initiative of the state government along with five other organisations of farmers.

As advised by it, the government started providing security cover to farmers during the monsoon kharif season for agricultural work.

Some 2,000 security personnel were diverted by downgrading VIP security cover with the district commissioners of affected districts appealing to the farming community not to venture out for farming activities without security arrangements given the volatile situation.

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GUWAHATI: The Centre has come up with a Rs 38.06 crore crop compensation package for the ethnic violence-affected farmers in Manipur. The package will cover 5,127.08 hectares of severely affected agricultural areas identified as areas likely to remain uncultivated due to present (ethnic violence) situation. The states agriculture commissioner, R K Dinesh revealed the estimated loss for the 5127.08 hectares is calculated as Rs 38.06 crore using average crop yield for the affected districts for the last three years and areas where cultivation may not be possible. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Earlier, a survey, conducted by the farmers body 'Loumee Shinmee Apunba Lup (LOUSAL)', stated that around 9,719 hectares of paddy fields in the Imphal valley might face crop failure as farmers are afraid of going to their fields due to sporadic firing by the miscreants from the foothills. It is estimated that the total loss of income for the state in the agricultural sector this year could be around Rs 226.50 crore. Of this, the highest loss will be in rice production to the extent of Rs 211.41 crore which accounts for 93.36% of total agriculture and allied activities, followed by livestock farming, the survey said. Of the five violence-hit valley districts such as Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching and Thoubal, Bishnupur is the worst affected in terms of agricultural land area. Farmers of Phubala, Sunusiphai, Naranseina, Khoirentak, Kumbi, Sagang, Torbung, Wangoo and Khoijuman Khunou, all in Bishnupur, are among the worst hit. Some had even sustained bullet injuries. Our farmers are back to square one. Despite security arrangements made by the government, they are afraid of going to their fields, LOUSAL president Mutum Churamani said. He also said that since the outbreak of the violence, the farmers were uncertain about going to the fields as they are located mostly near the foothills from where incidents of intermittent firing were reported. By July, with security arrangements, we somehow managed to send our farmers to initiate tilling and prepare for sowing, he added. To mitigate the crisis in the farm sector, a state-level monitoring committee was formed under the initiative of the state government along with five other organisations of farmers. As advised by it, the government started providing security cover to farmers during the monsoon kharif season for agricultural work. Some 2,000 security personnel were diverted by downgrading VIP security cover with the district commissioners of affected districts appealing to the farming community not to venture out for farming activities without security arrangements given the volatile situation. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Ujwal Jalali By

Express News Service

GHAZIABAD: A police constable in Ghaziabad was suspended pending investigation for allegedly sexually harassing and abusing a couple at a public park in the city, the administration said on Sunday.

The incident took place on September 16 but only came to light on September 28 after the couple allegedly

struggled for 12 days to get an FIR registered against the policeman.

According to the FIR filed by the couple, accessed by this newspaper, the couple had to endure abuse by the accused for almost three hours before finally managing to make good their escape, and that too only after transferring `1,000 to him through a digital payment platform.

The policeman touched my private parts and pressured me to engage in a sexual act with him. Another person, who was with them, demanded Rs 5 to 6 lakh from us, the FIR read. The FIR was filed at the Kotwali Nagar Police Station and led to the immediate suspension of the constable from 112-PRV at Sai Upvan.

Furnishing details, Nimish Patil, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), PS Kotwali Nagar said that the incident was reported on September 28. A couple reported that in Sai Upvan, located within the jurisdiction of the police station, two policemen from PRV 112 engaged in misbehaviour, harassment, and extortion, abusing and demanding money from her and her fiance, he said.

The police promptly registered a complaint in accordance with the relevant sections upon learning of the incident. Further investigation revealed that two police personnel were deployed on PRV 4757, one of whom was a constable, and the other a home guard, Patil said.

The constable was suspended pending investigation while the concerned department was notified for disciplinary action against the accused home guard, he said.

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GHAZIABAD: A police constable in Ghaziabad was suspended pending investigation for allegedly sexually harassing and abusing a couple at a public park in the city, the administration said on Sunday. The incident took place on September 16 but only came to light on September 28 after the couple allegedly struggled for 12 days to get an FIR registered against the policeman. According to the FIR filed by the couple, accessed by this newspaper, the couple had to endure abuse by the accused for almost three hours before finally managing to make good their escape, and that too only after transferring `1,000 to him through a digital payment platform.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The policeman touched my private parts and pressured me to engage in a sexual act with him. Another person, who was with them, demanded Rs 5 to 6 lakh from us, the FIR read. The FIR was filed at the Kotwali Nagar Police Station and led to the immediate suspension of the constable from 112-PRV at Sai Upvan. Furnishing details, Nimish Patil, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), PS Kotwali Nagar said that the incident was reported on September 28. A couple reported that in Sai Upvan, located within the jurisdiction of the police station, two policemen from PRV 112 engaged in misbehaviour, harassment, and extortion, abusing and demanding money from her and her fiance, he said. The police promptly registered a complaint in accordance with the relevant sections upon learning of the incident. Further investigation revealed that two police personnel were deployed on PRV 4757, one of whom was a constable, and the other a home guard, Patil said. The constable was suspended pending investigation while the concerned department was notified for disciplinary action against the accused home guard, he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Ramashankar By

Express News Service

PATNA: Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) patron and former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Sunday asserted that he would not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election as he was already 79.

Manjhi told media persons that no person should contest elections after 75 years of age although it was another matter some people even after attaining this age did not hesitate in entering the electoral fray.

I am 79 years old, and contesting elections in such a situation will be against my principles, he remarked while announcing his retirement from electoral politics.

Manjhi who returned to NDA in June this year had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi last week. After the meeting, he claimed before the media that he had not met Shah in connection with the Lok Sabha election.

It is being speculated that Manjhi wanted his son Santosh Kumar Suman, who is also the president of HAM, to be given a ticket in the Lok Sabha election.

Suman was the minister in the Grand Alliance government but he had resigned from his ministerial post, making allegations of Nitish exerting pressure on him to merge his party with his party, JD (U). Later, he announced to join the NDA.

On the possibility of Nitish returning to the grand alliance, Manjhi said that RJD chief Lalu Yadav and deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav had already called Nitish a Palturam so it was difficult to say when he would again switch sides.

Manjhi said that his party was a small ally of NDA and it had not much of a big role in welcoming or opposing somebody joining NDA. He said that HAM would oppose if Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Shah wanted to bring Nitish back to the NDA.

Manjhi also took a different stand from NDA on the issue of RJD MP Manoj Jha allegedly making controversial remarks on the Thakur community by contending that Jha did not say anything wrong, nor did he comment on any particular caste.

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PATNA: Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) patron and former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Sunday asserted that he would not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election as he was already 79. Manjhi told media persons that no person should contest elections after 75 years of age although it was another matter some people even after attaining this age did not hesitate in entering the electoral fray. I am 79 years old, and contesting elections in such a situation will be against my principles, he remarked while announcing his retirement from electoral politics.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Manjhi who returned to NDA in June this year had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi last week. After the meeting, he claimed before the media that he had not met Shah in connection with the Lok Sabha election. It is being speculated that Manjhi wanted his son Santosh Kumar Suman, who is also the president of HAM, to be given a ticket in the Lok Sabha election. Suman was the minister in the Grand Alliance government but he had resigned from his ministerial post, making allegations of Nitish exerting pressure on him to merge his party with his party, JD (U). Later, he announced to join the NDA. On the possibility of Nitish returning to the grand alliance, Manjhi said that RJD chief Lalu Yadav and deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav had already called Nitish a Palturam so it was difficult to say when he would again switch sides. Manjhi said that his party was a small ally of NDA and it had not much of a big role in welcoming or opposing somebody joining NDA. He said that HAM would oppose if Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Shah wanted to bring Nitish back to the NDA. Manjhi also took a different stand from NDA on the issue of RJD MP Manoj Jha allegedly making controversial remarks on the Thakur community by contending that Jha did not say anything wrong, nor did he comment on any particular caste. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

GUWAHATI: Kuki-Zo organisations in strife-torn Manipur registered a protest on Monday against the arrest of five tribals by central agencies and demanded their release within 48 hours.

Normal life came to a grinding halt in the Kuki-majority hill district of Churachandpur during an indefinite shutdown which was called by some tribal organisations. All shops and business establishments remained shut while vehicles were off the road.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had arrested four tribals, including two women, from Henglep in Churachandpur on Monday by intercepting a Bolero. The arrests were made in connection with the abduction and killing of two Meitei students.

Two minor girls  daughters of one of the arrested women and travelling in the vehicle  were also taken into custody. After the six persons were flown out of Manipur to Guwahati in Assam by the evening, the two children were handed over to the District Child Protection Officer, Kamrup Metro district in Guwahati for their care.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had also arrested another tribal in a case related to a transnational conspiracy by insurgent groups based in Myanmar and Bangladesh to wage a war against India by exploiting the unrest in Manipur.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) and the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) condemned the selective haste of the central agencies in arresting the persons.

If the CBI can act with such swiftness, why has it not arrested anyone in more heinous cases, like the rape and murder of two tribal girls in Imphal, burning of a 7-year-old tribal boy along with his mother and aunt, torture and beheading of a tribal youth, and so many other acts of atrocities against tribals? the ITLF asked.

The CoTU condemned the CBI and the NIA for their alleged attempt to bring one-sided justice. The tribal organisation said it was compelled to impose an emergency shutdown on National Highway 37  the lifeline of Manipur  till the authorities expedite the safe release of one of the abducted persons Satthang Kipgen.

Further, the organisation served an ultimatum on the home ministry to direct the central agencies to release the arrested persons within 48 hours, initiate a probe against Meitei criminals and convict them for natural justice.

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GUWAHATI: Kuki-Zo organisations in strife-torn Manipur registered a protest on Monday against the arrest of five tribals by central agencies and demanded their release within 48 hours. Normal life came to a grinding halt in the Kuki-majority hill district of Churachandpur during an indefinite shutdown which was called by some tribal organisations. All shops and business establishments remained shut while vehicles were off the road. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had arrested four tribals, including two women, from Henglep in Churachandpur on Monday by intercepting a Bolero. The arrests were made in connection with the abduction and killing of two Meitei students. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Two minor girls  daughters of one of the arrested women and travelling in the vehicle  were also taken into custody. After the six persons were flown out of Manipur to Guwahati in Assam by the evening, the two children were handed over to the District Child Protection Officer, Kamrup Metro district in Guwahati for their care. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had also arrested another tribal in a case related to a transnational conspiracy by insurgent groups based in Myanmar and Bangladesh to wage a war against India by exploiting the unrest in Manipur. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) and the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) condemned the selective haste of the central agencies in arresting the persons. If the CBI can act with such swiftness, why has it not arrested anyone in more heinous cases, like the rape and murder of two tribal girls in Imphal, burning of a 7-year-old tribal boy along with his mother and aunt, torture and beheading of a tribal youth, and so many other acts of atrocities against tribals? the ITLF asked. The CoTU condemned the CBI and the NIA for their alleged attempt to bring one-sided justice. The tribal organisation said it was compelled to impose an emergency shutdown on National Highway 37  the lifeline of Manipur  till the authorities expedite the safe release of one of the abducted persons Satthang Kipgen. Further, the organisation served an ultimatum on the home ministry to direct the central agencies to release the arrested persons within 48 hours, initiate a probe against Meitei criminals and convict them for natural justice. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Jitendra Choubey By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Most Indians believe the condition of public toilets is worse and impaired, and it makes them continue to defecate in the open, according to a survey by the social media platform LocalCircles.

India marks nine years of the Swachh Bharat Mission on Gandhi Jayanti. The Central government pledged to make the country Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2019 while launching the scheme in 2014. However, the poor management of public toilets defeated the sole objective of the mission, according to the survey.

The survey shows that around 58 per cent of Indians believe that public toilets constructed under the mission in markets, at religious sites, tourist hubs, railway stations, bus terminals and hospitals are in bad condition. Over one-fourth of Indians went in but came out without using public toilets, said the survey, adding, Only 18 per cent of Indians use free public toilets.

Among those who use public toilets, only 10 per cent find them usable. Most urban Indians prefer to use toilets located in commercial complexes. LocalCircles conducted the survey in 340 districts across the country, which included Tier-1, 2, and 3 cities and towns with over 39,000 respondents. Recently, the Delhi High Court had rapped the Central and Delhi governments, besides civic authorities, on the poor condition of public toilets. The court had said that the cleanliness of public toilets is fundamental, along with the availability of clean water and power.

Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Modi government provided funds to various urban local bodies on a cost-sharing basis and constructed 6.36 lakh public toilets against the target of around 5 lakh. Till now, 4,355 urban local bodies have been declared ODF, while 3,547 are ODF+ and 1,191 are ODF++. The ODF categorisation is based on the availability of water, maintenance, hygiene, and sludge and septage management.

The survey reveals that hardly 3 per cent find free public toilets usable, whereas the majority (68 per cent) of urban Indians prefer visiting a commercial establishment (restaurant, hotel, petrol pump, etc). Moreover, the survey finds only 15 per cent of the public find usable toilets at petrol pumps. The survey found that 53 per cent of Indians feel the public toilets are either barely functional or in terrible state and 12 per cent found them so bad, that we went in, but came out without using it.

Sachin Taparia, founder of LocalCircles, who led the survey, said that the government should take these findings to change its policy to improve public toilets. The need of the hour is to prioritise maintenance of existing public toilets over building newer public toilets, said Taparia. He said these findings should serve as an eye-opener for the Swachh Bharat Mission as well as urban local bodies, that maintain public toilets.

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NEW DELHI: Most Indians believe the condition of public toilets is worse and impaired, and it makes them continue to defecate in the open, according to a survey by the social media platform LocalCircles. India marks nine years of the Swachh Bharat Mission on Gandhi Jayanti. The Central government pledged to make the country Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2019 while launching the scheme in 2014. However, the poor management of public toilets defeated the sole objective of the mission, according to the survey. The survey shows that around 58 per cent of Indians believe that public toilets constructed under the mission in markets, at religious sites, tourist hubs, railway stations, bus terminals and hospitals are in bad condition. Over one-fourth of Indians went in but came out without using public toilets, said the survey, adding, Only 18 per cent of Indians use free public toilets. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Among those who use public toilets, only 10 per cent find them usable. Most urban Indians prefer to use toilets located in commercial complexes. LocalCircles conducted the survey in 340 districts across the country, which included Tier-1, 2, and 3 cities and towns with over 39,000 respondents. Recently, the Delhi High Court had rapped the Central and Delhi governments, besides civic authorities, on the poor condition of public toilets. The court had said that the cleanliness of public toilets is fundamental, along with the availability of clean water and power. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Modi government provided funds to various urban local bodies on a cost-sharing basis and constructed 6.36 lakh public toilets against the target of around 5 lakh. Till now, 4,355 urban local bodies have been declared ODF, while 3,547 are ODF+ and 1,191 are ODF++. The ODF categorisation is based on the availability of water, maintenance, hygiene, and sludge and septage management. The survey reveals that hardly 3 per cent find free public toilets usable, whereas the majority (68 per cent) of urban Indians prefer visiting a commercial establishment (restaurant, hotel, petrol pump, etc). Moreover, the survey finds only 15 per cent of the public find usable toilets at petrol pumps. The survey found that 53 per cent of Indians feel the public toilets are either barely functional or in terrible state and 12 per cent found them so bad, that we went in, but came out without using it. Sachin Taparia, founder of LocalCircles, who led the survey, said that the government should take these findings to change its policy to improve public toilets. The need of the hour is to prioritise maintenance of existing public toilets over building newer public toilets, said Taparia. He said these findings should serve as an eye-opener for the Swachh Bharat Mission as well as urban local bodies, that maintain public toilets. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
U.S. President Joe Biden assured that the United States will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine and called on Republicans in Congress to keep their word on assistance amid Russian aggression.

"I hope my friends on the other side [of political views] keep their word about support for Ukraine. They said they were going to support Ukraine in a separate vote. We cannot under any circumstance allow Americas support for Ukraine to be interrupted. I fully expect the Speaker [of the House of Representatives] to keep his commitment for the secure passage and support needed to help Ukraine as they defend themselves against aggression and brutality," Biden said at briefing at the White House on Sunday.

He said among Republicans and Democrats, both in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, the overwhelming majority of legislators support Ukraine.

"Get this done [help for Ukraine]. Stop playing games," Biden said.

He also appealed to the Ukrainians with confidence in continued support from the United States.

"I want to assure our American allies and the American people and the people of Ukraine that you can count on our support," Biden said.
Ejaz Kaiser By

Express News Service

HC unhappy over festive season noise pollution

The Chhattisgarh High Court took suo motu cognisance of media reports regarding the use of high-decibel music amplifiers and DJs during the ongoing festive season. Expressing deep concern over the harassment faced by people, a division bench observed that the directives of the Supreme Court to prevent and regulate noise pollution appeared to have been totally ignored with the state agencies failing in their duty to stick to rules. The court emphasised that any negligence would amount to contempt, directing the chief secretary to submit an affidavit summarising the measures taken by the state.

Congress Bharose Ki Yatra on Gandhi Jayanti

The ruling Congress in poll-bound Chhattisgarh will organise Bharose Ki Yatra (journey of trust) in all 90 constituencies of the state on October 2. The day-long event, which is seen as a continuation of the public meetings Bharose Ka Sammelan, was organised in recent weeks by the Bhupesh Baghel government in some districts. Bharose Ki Yatra will be the first political yatra of the Congress to be taken out for a day ahead of the Assembly polls. Besides the CM, all ministers, MLAs, party leaders and cadres will attend it in their respective constituencies.

Work on new Assembly building expedited

After the inauguration of the new Parliament building, the ongoing construction of the new Chhattisgarh Assembly House has sparked some interest. The pace of work on the building has been expedited. The foundation-laying ceremony of the Assembly building at the new capital city Nava Raipur was held on August 29, 2020, in the virtual presence of Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The mega building structure, constructed on 51 acres with a cost of Rs 275 crore, is expected to be completed within eighteen months. It will have the capacity of 200 legislators. Chhattisgarh currently has a 90-member House.

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HC unhappy over festive season noise pollution The Chhattisgarh High Court took suo motu cognisance of media reports regarding the use of high-decibel music amplifiers and DJs during the ongoing festive season. Expressing deep concern over the harassment faced by people, a division bench observed that the directives of the Supreme Court to prevent and regulate noise pollution appeared to have been totally ignored with the state agencies failing in their duty to stick to rules. The court emphasised that any negligence would amount to contempt, directing the chief secretary to submit an affidavit summarising the measures taken by the state. Congress Bharose Ki Yatra on Gandhi Jayantigoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The ruling Congress in poll-bound Chhattisgarh will organise Bharose Ki Yatra (journey of trust) in all 90 constituencies of the state on October 2. The day-long event, which is seen as a continuation of the public meetings Bharose Ka Sammelan, was organised in recent weeks by the Bhupesh Baghel government in some districts. Bharose Ki Yatra will be the first political yatra of the Congress to be taken out for a day ahead of the Assembly polls. Besides the CM, all ministers, MLAs, party leaders and cadres will attend it in their respective constituencies. Work on new Assembly building expedited After the inauguration of the new Parliament building, the ongoing construction of the new Chhattisgarh Assembly House has sparked some interest. The pace of work on the building has been expedited. The foundation-laying ceremony of the Assembly building at the new capital city Nava Raipur was held on August 29, 2020, in the virtual presence of Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The mega building structure, constructed on 51 acres with a cost of Rs 275 crore, is expected to be completed within eighteen months. It will have the capacity of 200 legislators. Chhattisgarh currently has a 90-member House. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress, which plans to conduct protest programmes in New Delhi against the alleged withholding of state dues by the Centre on Monday, will simultaneously hold similar events in different parts of West Bengal, with live telecasts of the Delhi programme in various parts of the state.

TMC MPs and state ministers will peacefully sit in at Rajghat on October 2, followed by a peaceful rally of MGNREGA job card holders in the national capital on the next day.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and other top leaders arrived in Delhi ahead of the planned protest against the alleged denial of MGNREGA and housing scheme funds to the Bengal government.

"Just like the protest programme in New Delhi. We will also hold peaceful protest programmes, including live telecasts of the Delhi programmes in various parts of the state," a senior TMC leader said.

More than 50 busloads of TMC members and MGNREGA job card holders are expected to reach Delhi on Monday after the party alleged that their request for a special train was denied.

TMC claims that the denial of trains and flight cancellations to Delhi are attempts by the ruling BJP to disrupt their demonstration.

Abhishek along with senior TMC leader will visit Rajghat this afternoon and pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary.

Remembering Bapu on his birth anniversary!



His principles of truth & non-violence have not only shaped our past but continue to illuminate our path forward in the relentless pursuit of justice & equality.



On this Gandhi Jayanti, let's embrace his principles in all our actions.  Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) October 2, 2023

"Remembering Bapu on his birth anniversary! His principles of truth & non-violence have not only shaped our past but continue to illuminate our path forward in the relentless pursuit of justice & equality. On this Gandhi Jayanti, let's embrace his principles in all our actions," he posted on X.

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KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress, which plans to conduct protest programmes in New Delhi against the alleged withholding of state dues by the Centre on Monday, will simultaneously hold similar events in different parts of West Bengal, with live telecasts of the Delhi programme in various parts of the state. TMC MPs and state ministers will peacefully sit in at Rajghat on October 2, followed by a peaceful rally of MGNREGA job card holders in the national capital on the next day. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and other top leaders arrived in Delhi ahead of the planned protest against the alleged denial of MGNREGA and housing scheme funds to the Bengal government.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Just like the protest programme in New Delhi. We will also hold peaceful protest programmes, including live telecasts of the Delhi programmes in various parts of the state," a senior TMC leader said. More than 50 busloads of TMC members and MGNREGA job card holders are expected to reach Delhi on Monday after the party alleged that their request for a special train was denied. TMC claims that the denial of trains and flight cancellations to Delhi are attempts by the ruling BJP to disrupt their demonstration. Abhishek along with senior TMC leader will visit Rajghat this afternoon and pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. Remembering Bapu on his birth anniversary! His principles of truth & non-violence have not only shaped our past but continue to illuminate our path forward in the relentless pursuit of justice & equality. On this Gandhi Jayanti, let's embrace his principles in all our actions.  Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) October 2, 2023 "Remembering Bapu on his birth anniversary! His principles of truth & non-violence have not only shaped our past but continue to illuminate our path forward in the relentless pursuit of justice & equality. On this Gandhi Jayanti, let's embrace his principles in all our actions," he posted on X. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government on Monday said that there is a high possibility of flood in seven districts of the state due to continued incessant rainfall in the upper catchment areas of neighbouring Jharkhand.

Chief Secretary H K Dwivedi on Monday afternoon held an urgent virtual meeting with senior officials of the districts of Paschim Bardhaman, Bankura, Birbhum, Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Medinipur, Hooghly and Howrah and directed them to immediately take all forms of precautionary measures.

"During the meeting, the chief secretary directed all District Magistrates and SPs to immediately identify low-lying and flood-prone areas as well as start monitoring waterlogging and embankment breaches and take proper steps for their remedies," an official statement said.

"The chief secretary informed the meeting that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted rainfall to continue till October 5 with heavy rainfall predicted tomorrow. The well-marked low-pressure area is currently hovering over Jharkhand and is likely to continue there for some more time. This will continue to cause high precipitation and will result in high inflow into the dams," it added.

It claimed that rainfall in Jharkhand was measured more than 50 mm in the upper catchment area on October 1.

The district administration and police authorities were also directed to keep adequate stock of relief materials including flood-fighting materials like sandbags for embankment protection in low-lying vulnerable areas, it said.

"The district administrations were also asked to inform Nabanna (state secretariat) if any area receives unusually higher rainfall, as the water release would need to take into account the precipitation in the lower reaches also," the statement said.

During the meeting convened on the instruction of the chief minister and attended by officials of the Irrigation and Waterways and Disaster Management departments and ADG ( Law & Order), the Integrated Command Centres were also asked to be kept operational in districts, it said.

A 5-hourly report by the districts will be shared with the disaster management 24x7 control room on rainfall, river water levels, embankment breaches and evacuation in case the situation deteriorates.

Executive Engineers from the Irrigation and Waterways Department to keep close liaison with the district administration in this regard.

Miking to be done in those areas along with preparatory measures for evacuation of people to a safer location, if required.

Adequate reserve of relief material including other flood-fighting materials like sandbags, etc, for embankment protection should be kept in stock in low-lying vulnerable areas.

Appropriate lighting arrangements are to be made for relief and rescue operations.

It claimed that the inflow into Maithon Dam is currently 60,000 cusec and at Panchet Dam is 73,000 cusec.

"The release from the dams downstream was made 1,00,000 cusec at 9 am onwards today. However, considering the weather prediction and the decreasing cushion level of the dams to accommodate the continuing high inflow of water, the release may have to be increased in the coming hours in a calibrated manner," it claimed.

The Irrigation and Waterways Department will be in touch with the DVC and Jharkhand authorities and keep a close watch over the situation.

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KOLKATA: The West Bengal government on Monday said that there is a high possibility of flood in seven districts of the state due to continued incessant rainfall in the upper catchment areas of neighbouring Jharkhand. Chief Secretary H K Dwivedi on Monday afternoon held an urgent virtual meeting with senior officials of the districts of Paschim Bardhaman, Bankura, Birbhum, Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Medinipur, Hooghly and Howrah and directed them to immediately take all forms of precautionary measures. "During the meeting, the chief secretary directed all District Magistrates and SPs to immediately identify low-lying and flood-prone areas as well as start monitoring waterlogging and embankment breaches and take proper steps for their remedies," an official statement said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "The chief secretary informed the meeting that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted rainfall to continue till October 5 with heavy rainfall predicted tomorrow. The well-marked low-pressure area is currently hovering over Jharkhand and is likely to continue there for some more time. This will continue to cause high precipitation and will result in high inflow into the dams," it added. It claimed that rainfall in Jharkhand was measured more than 50 mm in the upper catchment area on October 1. The district administration and police authorities were also directed to keep adequate stock of relief materials including flood-fighting materials like sandbags for embankment protection in low-lying vulnerable areas, it said. "The district administrations were also asked to inform Nabanna (state secretariat) if any area receives unusually higher rainfall, as the water release would need to take into account the precipitation in the lower reaches also," the statement said. During the meeting convened on the instruction of the chief minister and attended by officials of the Irrigation and Waterways and Disaster Management departments and ADG ( Law & Order), the Integrated Command Centres were also asked to be kept operational in districts, it said. A 5-hourly report by the districts will be shared with the disaster management 24x7 control room on rainfall, river water levels, embankment breaches and evacuation in case the situation deteriorates. Executive Engineers from the Irrigation and Waterways Department to keep close liaison with the district administration in this regard. Miking to be done in those areas along with preparatory measures for evacuation of people to a safer location, if required. Adequate reserve of relief material including other flood-fighting materials like sandbags, etc, for embankment protection should be kept in stock in low-lying vulnerable areas. Appropriate lighting arrangements are to be made for relief and rescue operations. It claimed that the inflow into Maithon Dam is currently 60,000 cusec and at Panchet Dam is 73,000 cusec. "The release from the dams downstream was made 1,00,000 cusec at 9 am onwards today. However, considering the weather prediction and the decreasing cushion level of the dams to accommodate the continuing high inflow of water, the release may have to be increased in the coming hours in a calibrated manner," it claimed. The Irrigation and Waterways Department will be in touch with the DVC and Jharkhand authorities and keep a close watch over the situation. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

MUMBAI: Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra and asked why 15 per cent of the seats meant for OBC community in government jobs in the state were lying vacant.

Wadettiwar's remarks came on the day BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule kickstarted the OBC Jaagar (awareness) rally from Wardha district in the state.

The leader of opposition in the Maharashtra assembly in a post on X said, "People from the Other Backward Classes have 27 per cent reservation in government jobs; however, only 12 per cent of OBC employees are actually working. Why are the remaining 15 per cent seats kept vacant?"

Wadettiwar also alleged that the allotment of OBC certificates was being done secretly.

"Will Bawankule demand any action against this practice? Will he even place his demand before the prime minister of carrying out the OBC census?" he asked.

Wadettiwar said Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had promised to reinstate political reservations for OBCs in local governing bodies.

It has been more than one-and-a-half years since he has been in power, "will he keep his promise?" the Congress leader asked.

Wadettiwar also targeted the Maharashtra government over its plan to bring the 'wagh nakh' (a tiger claw-shaped weapon of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) to the state from the UK.

"Those who cannot even erect the memorial of Shivaji Maharaj in the Arabian Sea are now discussing bringing the wagh nakh here. It is a new ploy to gain votes," he said.

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MUMBAI: Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra and asked why 15 per cent of the seats meant for OBC community in government jobs in the state were lying vacant. Wadettiwar's remarks came on the day BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule kickstarted the OBC Jaagar (awareness) rally from Wardha district in the state. The leader of opposition in the Maharashtra assembly in a post on X said, "People from the Other Backward Classes have 27 per cent reservation in government jobs; however, only 12 per cent of OBC employees are actually working. Why are the remaining 15 per cent seats kept vacant?"googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Wadettiwar also alleged that the allotment of OBC certificates was being done secretly. "Will Bawankule demand any action against this practice? Will he even place his demand before the prime minister of carrying out the OBC census?" he asked. Wadettiwar said Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had promised to reinstate political reservations for OBCs in local governing bodies. It has been more than one-and-a-half years since he has been in power, "will he keep his promise?" the Congress leader asked. Wadettiwar also targeted the Maharashtra government over its plan to bring the 'wagh nakh' (a tiger claw-shaped weapon of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) to the state from the UK. "Those who cannot even erect the memorial of Shivaji Maharaj in the Arabian Sea are now discussing bringing the wagh nakh here. It is a new ploy to gain votes," he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first leaders to congratulate Maldives newly elected President Mohammed Muizzu on Sunday. But considering the inclination of the former leader of the opposition towards China, speculation is rife that all the diplomatic and political clout that India exercised in Maldives will now be a thing of the past.

There is no doubt that Muizzu has leanings towards China, but we doubt if he would be able to, or rather be interested in, completely sidelining his association with India. That said, China and its presence in Maldives will be in the ascendant, said a political analyst from Male, wishing anonymity. Muizzu won the Maldivian presidential poll defeating incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, securing 54 per cent votes against the latters 46 per cent.

Solih, who belongs to Maldivian Democratic Party, had replaced former President Abdulla Yameen (2013-18). Solih was considered India-friendly during his five-year tenure and was a close aide of India. On the contrary, when Muizzus Progressive Party of Maldives was last in power, it had secured heavy Chinese loans for the island nation. His government was also accused of cracking down on dissent. While the five years of Solihs presidency were peaceful and prosperous, the same optimism cannot be expressed for Muizzu, due to his affinity with Yameen.

Yameen, who is currently serving an 11-year jail sentence on charges of corruption, was not just pro-China, but also vehemently anti-India. The India out campaigns kept surfacing at his instigation even when he was in jail. Yameen was Muizzus mentor and with Muizzu now in power, Yameens release is understandably imminent.

India has invested heavily in Maldives. It has been involved in developing its infrastructure projects and, under its Neighbourhood First policy, extended grants in aid and loans. Nevertheless, there have been targeted hate attacks at repeated intervals  whether it was on migrant workers from India or on last years Yoga Day celebrations.

India established diplomatic relations with Maldives after its independence from British rule in 1996. In fact, India was one of the first countries to recognise Maldives after independence and develop close strategic and military ties.

We hope that things remain normal between India and Maldives. Though we must admit that once Yameen is out, there is bound to be a hardening of stance against India, said a source, adding that many who voted for Muizzu were keen to see Indias military presence reduce in the country.

Uncertain ties

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who was replaced by Mohamed Muizzi, was considered India-friendly during his five-year tenure. On the contrary, when Muizzus party was last in power, it had secured heavy Chinese loans for the Maldives. While the five years of Solihs presidency were peaceful, the same optimism cannot be expressed for Muizzu, due to his affinity with Yameen. Yameen was vehemently anti-India.

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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first leaders to congratulate Maldives newly elected President Mohammed Muizzu on Sunday. But considering the inclination of the former leader of the opposition towards China, speculation is rife that all the diplomatic and political clout that India exercised in Maldives will now be a thing of the past. There is no doubt that Muizzu has leanings towards China, but we doubt if he would be able to, or rather be interested in, completely sidelining his association with India. That said, China and its presence in Maldives will be in the ascendant, said a political analyst from Male, wishing anonymity. Muizzu won the Maldivian presidential poll defeating incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, securing 54 per cent votes against the latters 46 per cent. Solih, who belongs to Maldivian Democratic Party, had replaced former President Abdulla Yameen (2013-18). Solih was considered India-friendly during his five-year tenure and was a close aide of India. On the contrary, when Muizzus Progressive Party of Maldives was last in power, it had secured heavy Chinese loans for the island nation. His government was also accused of cracking down on dissent. While the five years of Solihs presidency were peaceful and prosperous, the same optimism cannot be expressed for Muizzu, due to his affinity with Yameen.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Yameen, who is currently serving an 11-year jail sentence on charges of corruption, was not just pro-China, but also vehemently anti-India. The India out campaigns kept surfacing at his instigation even when he was in jail. Yameen was Muizzus mentor and with Muizzu now in power, Yameens release is understandably imminent. India has invested heavily in Maldives. It has been involved in developing its infrastructure projects and, under its Neighbourhood First policy, extended grants in aid and loans. Nevertheless, there have been targeted hate attacks at repeated intervals  whether it was on migrant workers from India or on last years Yoga Day celebrations. India established diplomatic relations with Maldives after its independence from British rule in 1996. In fact, India was one of the first countries to recognise Maldives after independence and develop close strategic and military ties. We hope that things remain normal between India and Maldives. Though we must admit that once Yameen is out, there is bound to be a hardening of stance against India, said a source, adding that many who voted for Muizzu were keen to see Indias military presence reduce in the country. Uncertain ties Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who was replaced by Mohamed Muizzi, was considered India-friendly during his five-year tenure. On the contrary, when Muizzus party was last in power, it had secured heavy Chinese loans for the Maldives. While the five years of Solihs presidency were peaceful, the same optimism cannot be expressed for Muizzu, due to his affinity with Yameen. Yameen was vehemently anti-India. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Online Desk

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday told the media that more than 40 miscreants have been arrested in connection with the stone-pelting incident in Shivamogga and that cases have been booked against them.

Tension prevailed in Ragigudda near Shantinagar area of Shivamogga city in Karnataka on Sunday night after stone pelting took place during an Eid Milad procession.

A mob reportedly threw stones at a few houses and vehicles, damaging them, and injuring several people during the religious procession. Six people, including two policemen, sustained injuries and were taken to the district hospital.

Rapid Action Force (RAF) teams rushed to the spot and police teams resorted to mild lathi charge to quell and disperse the mob.

Later, prohibitory orders were imposed in some parts of the city under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

What triggered the violence?

Earlier on Sunday, there were protests in the area over the police covering a cutout of erstwhile Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan with a curtain, as he was allegedly shown killing warriors wearing saffron clothes. Some reports said that paint had been smeared on the ruler's cutout. Following the police's action, people of a community had protested in Ragigudda.

Shivamogga Superintendent of Police GK Mithun Kumar had gone to the spot and had held talks with the protestors to reassure them. However, the situation escalated, and the stone-pelting incident ensued, although the exact sequence of events has not been confirmed and remains unclear.

VIDEO | Tensions in Karnataka's Shivamogga after incident of stone pelting; police forces deployed in several localities. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/KKBokZUL0A  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 1, 2023

Some media reports said that there were rumours of stones being pelted at the procession by outsiders in a different location which led to some people in the Ragi Gudda area to begin pelting stones at the procession in their area.

Some miscreants pelted stones during the Eid Milad procession. Some vehicles and houses were damaged. Based on the video and information, some people have already been arrested in connection with the incident. Section 144 has been imposed in the area as a precautionary measure. A case has been registered. The situation is now under control, apart from Shanti Nagar and Ragi Gudda. Strict action will be taken against the culprits, SP GK Mithun Kumar told ANI.

Police have also urged locals to refrain from spreading rumours on social media platforms.

Things are under control now: CM

The situation in Shivamogga is now peaceful and the police are taking all measures to maintain peace, CM Siddaramaiah said.

Creating disturbance and indulging in stone pelting during religious events of a community is against the law, and his government won't tolerate such incidents and will suppress them, he told media.

Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara told PTI that all suspects have been taken into custody while terming it a minor stone pelting incident.

To a question on reports that some miscreants wearing masks had indulged in stone pelting, the minister said they have been arrested now. "Aware that anything may happen during the procession as it (Shivamogga) is a tense area, forces including RAF were deployed in advance, so we could control it from spiralling into a big incident," G Parameshwara told PTI.

Shivamogga BJP MLA S N Channabasappa visited houses in the Ragi Gudda area that were damaged due to the stone pelting. He alleged the role of outsiders. "Shivamogga has become a haven for those who want to spread terror," Channabasappa told PTI.

Karnataka BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel too claimed that terror activities were going on in Shivamogga and criticised the Congress government for failing to maintain law and order.

On the stone pelting incident in Shivamogga | Karnataka CM says "An Eid Milad procession was underway when some miscreants pelted stones. They also threw stones at the police. So far 40 people have been arrested. Our government will not tolerate such activities. The situation is pic.twitter.com/tPvV3vqQ85  ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

At least 12 platoons of District Armed Reserve (DAR), two platoons of RAF, and two platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), and 2,500 police officials have been deputed across the communally sensitive city.

28-year-old Harsha, an activist of the right-wing outfit Bajrang Dal was murdered in Shivamogga in February 2022. The city also witnessed a series of stabbing incidents over the erection of banners and posters of controversial freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.

(With inputs from PTI, ANI, IANS)

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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday told the media that more than 40 miscreants have been arrested in connection with the stone-pelting incident in Shivamogga and that cases have been booked against them. Tension prevailed in Ragigudda near Shantinagar area of Shivamogga city in Karnataka on Sunday night after stone pelting took place during an Eid Milad procession. A mob reportedly threw stones at a few houses and vehicles, damaging them, and injuring several people during the religious procession. Six people, including two policemen, sustained injuries and were taken to the district hospital.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Rapid Action Force (RAF) teams rushed to the spot and police teams resorted to mild lathi charge to quell and disperse the mob. Later, prohibitory orders were imposed in some parts of the city under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). What triggered the violence? Earlier on Sunday, there were protests in the area over the police covering a cutout of erstwhile Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan with a curtain, as he was allegedly shown killing warriors wearing saffron clothes. Some reports said that paint had been smeared on the ruler's cutout. Following the police's action, people of a community had protested in Ragigudda. Shivamogga Superintendent of Police GK Mithun Kumar had gone to the spot and had held talks with the protestors to reassure them. However, the situation escalated, and the stone-pelting incident ensued, although the exact sequence of events has not been confirmed and remains unclear. VIDEO | Tensions in Karnataka's Shivamogga after incident of stone pelting; police forces deployed in several localities. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/KKBokZUL0A  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 1, 2023 Some media reports said that there were rumours of stones being pelted at the procession by outsiders in a different location which led to some people in the Ragi Gudda area to begin pelting stones at the procession in their area. Some miscreants pelted stones during the Eid Milad procession. Some vehicles and houses were damaged. Based on the video and information, some people have already been arrested in connection with the incident. Section 144 has been imposed in the area as a precautionary measure. A case has been registered. The situation is now under control, apart from Shanti Nagar and Ragi Gudda. Strict action will be taken against the culprits, SP GK Mithun Kumar told ANI. Police have also urged locals to refrain from spreading rumours on social media platforms. Things are under control now: CM The situation in Shivamogga is now peaceful and the police are taking all measures to maintain peace, CM Siddaramaiah said. Creating disturbance and indulging in stone pelting during religious events of a community is against the law, and his government won't tolerate such incidents and will suppress them, he told media. Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara told PTI that all suspects have been taken into custody while terming it a minor stone pelting incident. To a question on reports that some miscreants wearing masks had indulged in stone pelting, the minister said they have been arrested now. "Aware that anything may happen during the procession as it (Shivamogga) is a tense area, forces including RAF were deployed in advance, so we could control it from spiralling into a big incident," G Parameshwara told PTI. Shivamogga BJP MLA S N Channabasappa visited houses in the Ragi Gudda area that were damaged due to the stone pelting. He alleged the role of outsiders. "Shivamogga has become a haven for those who want to spread terror," Channabasappa told PTI. Karnataka BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel too claimed that terror activities were going on in Shivamogga and criticised the Congress government for failing to maintain law and order. On the stone pelting incident in Shivamogga | Karnataka CM says "An Eid Milad procession was underway when some miscreants pelted stones. They also threw stones at the police. So far 40 people have been arrested. Our government will not tolerate such activities. The situation is pic.twitter.com/tPvV3vqQ85  ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023 At least 12 platoons of District Armed Reserve (DAR), two platoons of RAF, and two platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), and 2,500 police officials have been deputed across the communally sensitive city. 28-year-old Harsha, an activist of the right-wing outfit Bajrang Dal was murdered in Shivamogga in February 2022. The city also witnessed a series of stabbing incidents over the erection of banners and posters of controversial freedom fighter Veer Savarkar. (With inputs from PTI, ANI, IANS) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

TIRUNELVELI: A caste Hindu teen murdered a girl belonging to a Scheduled Caste community by slitting her throat with a sickle in the godown of a fancy store near Nellaiappar temple on Monday. The girl has been identified as Santhiya, a resident of Thiruppanikarisalkulam.

According to sources, Santhiya was working in a fancy store. Six months ago, the accused, who was working in a covering jewellery shop located near her shop, befriended her. She stopped talking to him after he professed feelings for her. However, the youth persisted and attempted to contact her over the phone even after he discontinued his job.

Two days ago, he had contacted the deceaseds older sister over the phone and 'complained' about Santhiya.

On Monday afternoon, Santhiya went to the godown of the fancy store she worked at to collect some materials. The youth followed her inside and slit the girls throat before fleeing the premises.

Santhiya's colleagues who decided to check on her found her lying in the godown in a pool of blood.

Tirunelveli Town police has registered a case and are on the lookout for the accused.

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TIRUNELVELI: A caste Hindu teen murdered a girl belonging to a Scheduled Caste community by slitting her throat with a sickle in the godown of a fancy store near Nellaiappar temple on Monday. The girl has been identified as Santhiya, a resident of Thiruppanikarisalkulam. According to sources, Santhiya was working in a fancy store. Six months ago, the accused, who was working in a covering jewellery shop located near her shop, befriended her. She stopped talking to him after he professed feelings for her. However, the youth persisted and attempted to contact her over the phone even after he discontinued his job. Two days ago, he had contacted the deceaseds older sister over the phone and 'complained' about Santhiya.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); On Monday afternoon, Santhiya went to the godown of the fancy store she worked at to collect some materials. The youth followed her inside and slit the girls throat before fleeing the premises. Santhiya's colleagues who decided to check on her found her lying in the godown in a pool of blood. Tirunelveli Town police has registered a case and are on the lookout for the accused. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By ANI

ISLAMABAD: Following the Mastung suicide blast that killed over 59 people, Balochistan Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said, "enough is enough" and declared an "all-out war" against terrorists, reported Dawn.

In the remote Balochistan district of Mastung, a suicide bomber targeted an Eid-Milad-un Nabi (PBUH) procession on Friday, killing people, including a police officer, and injuring 100 more.

While addressing a press conference, Achakzai was asked about a possible grand operation as the terrorist attacks are increasing in the province, to which, he said that he could not comment on that but added, that the state would defend each and every inch of its territory and carry out Intelligence-based Operations (IBO) if needed.

However, two days have passed but no militant group has come forward to claim responsibility for the bombing. The banned outfit Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) stayed distant from the carnage in a statement.

Moreover, according to Pakistan-based Dawn, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) filed a case against unidentified persons.

A religious group protested against the Mastung bombing alleging that the government's indifference caused the heavy loss of lives in Quetta, Pakistan, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.

However, earlier, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir said that the terrorists and facilitators behind the attacks were "proxies of the enemies of Pakistan and its people."

During the press conference, Achakzai further noted that the terrorist incidents were occurring in the entire country "daily and it has a set pattern", reported Dawn.

This means there is a mastermind behind it who is systematically destabilising us. Enough is enough. Now there will be no appeasement or concession  we declare all-out war on these terrorists," he said.

He added, "Pakistans resolve is very important. It (Mastung incident) is such a case where we wont say that we will go after (only terrorist) operatives and foot soldiers."

We will go after their masterminds, the lynchpins managing all these proxies and will ensure that we will go wherever they are holed up, drag them out and take revenge for each and every martyr.

Moreover, Achakzai emphasized that the state's determination to combat terrorism was strengthened by "1000 per cent" after the Mastung incident.

ALSO READ | Toll rises to 65 in Friday's twin suicide attacks in Pakistan

Adding to this, he said that the state was ready to go to any extent required. "If there is a need to do operations in every inch of territory then we will do them, Achakzai said.

Meanwhile, the information minister also said that the families of the martyrs would be provided with financial aid.

The family aid will include Rs 1.5 million for the family of the martyr, Rs 0.5 million for the critically injured and Rs 0.2 million for the nominally injured, Dawn reported.

Additionally, the Balochistan government is also in talks with the centre to improve the package, he added.

ALSO READ | At least 34 people killed, over 130 injured in suicide blast in Pakistan

According to the minister, the security protocols were being revisited following the incident and any loopholes would be plugged to ensure no security lapse occurs.

Moreover, as the law and order situation in Pakistan is deteriorating, an important Apex Committee meeting is scheduled in Islamabad for October 3 in which very critical decisions will be taken with a later provincial apex committee meeting on October 10 in which highly decisive decisions and actions will be recommended, he said.

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ISLAMABAD: Following the Mastung suicide blast that killed over 59 people, Balochistan Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said, "enough is enough" and declared an "all-out war" against terrorists, reported Dawn. In the remote Balochistan district of Mastung, a suicide bomber targeted an Eid-Milad-un Nabi (PBUH) procession on Friday, killing people, including a police officer, and injuring 100 more. While addressing a press conference, Achakzai was asked about a possible grand operation as the terrorist attacks are increasing in the province, to which, he said that he could not comment on that but added, that the state would defend each and every inch of its territory and carry out Intelligence-based Operations (IBO) if needed. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); However, two days have passed but no militant group has come forward to claim responsibility for the bombing. The banned outfit Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) stayed distant from the carnage in a statement. Moreover, according to Pakistan-based Dawn, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) filed a case against unidentified persons. A religious group protested against the Mastung bombing alleging that the government's indifference caused the heavy loss of lives in Quetta, Pakistan, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. However, earlier, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir said that the terrorists and facilitators behind the attacks were "proxies of the enemies of Pakistan and its people." During the press conference, Achakzai further noted that the terrorist incidents were occurring in the entire country "daily and it has a set pattern", reported Dawn. This means there is a mastermind behind it who is systematically destabilising us. Enough is enough. Now there will be no appeasement or concession  we declare all-out war on these terrorists," he said. He added, "Pakistans resolve is very important. It (Mastung incident) is such a case where we wont say that we will go after (only terrorist) operatives and foot soldiers." We will go after their masterminds, the lynchpins managing all these proxies and will ensure that we will go wherever they are holed up, drag them out and take revenge for each and every martyr. Moreover, Achakzai emphasized that the state's determination to combat terrorism was strengthened by "1000 per cent" after the Mastung incident. ALSO READ | Toll rises to 65 in Friday's twin suicide attacks in Pakistan Adding to this, he said that the state was ready to go to any extent required. "If there is a need to do operations in every inch of territory then we will do them, Achakzai said. Meanwhile, the information minister also said that the families of the martyrs would be provided with financial aid. The family aid will include Rs 1.5 million for the family of the martyr, Rs 0.5 million for the critically injured and Rs 0.2 million for the nominally injured, Dawn reported. Additionally, the Balochistan government is also in talks with the centre to improve the package, he added. ALSO READ | At least 34 people killed, over 130 injured in suicide blast in Pakistan According to the minister, the security protocols were being revisited following the incident and any loopholes would be plugged to ensure no security lapse occurs. Moreover, as the law and order situation in Pakistan is deteriorating, an important Apex Committee meeting is scheduled in Islamabad for October 3 in which very critical decisions will be taken with a later provincial apex committee meeting on October 10 in which highly decisive decisions and actions will be recommended, he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Associated Press

JAKARTA: Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated Southeast Asias first high-speed railway on Monday as it was set to begin commercial operations, a key project under Chinas Belt and Road infrastructure initiative that will drastically reduce the travel time between two key cities.

The project has been beset with delays and increasing costs, and some observers doubt its commercial benefits. But Widodo has championed the 142-kilometer (88-mile) railway, which was issued its official operating license from the Transportation Ministry on Sunday.

The $7.3 billion project, largely funded by China, was constructed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China, known as PT KCIC, a joint venture between an Indonesian consortium of four state-owned companies and China Railway International Co. Ltd.

The railway connects Jakarta with Bandung, the heavily populated capital of West Java province, and will cut travel time between the cities from the current three hours to about 40 minutes.

Its use of electrical energy is expected to reduce carbon emissions.

Widodo in his opening remarks officially named Indonesia's first high-speed railway  the fastest in Southeast Asia, with speeds of up to 350 kph (217 mph)  as Whoosh, from Waktu Hemat, Operasi Optimal, Sistem Handal, which means timesaving, optimal operation, reliable system in Indonesian language.

The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train marks the modernization of our mass transportation, which is efficient and environmentally friendly, Widodo said.

A high-speed train is parked during the opening ceremony for launching Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway at Halim station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 | AP

Our courage to try new things gives us confidence and the opportunity to learn and will be very useful for the future, making our human resources more advanced and our nation more independent, he added.

Widodo, along with other high-ranking officials, rode Whoosh from its first station, Halim in eastern Jakarta, to Bandungs Padalarang station, one of the lines four stations, located about 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the central area of Bandung.

He took a 25-minute test ride on the train on Sept. 13 and told reporters that he felt comfortable sitting or walking inside the bullet train even at its top speeds.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang took a test ride early last month while visiting Jakarta for three days of talks with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations and other countries.

Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the coordinating minister for maritime and investment, said China Railway has agreed to transfer its technology to Indonesia so that in the future the countrys high-speed trains can be made domestically.

For two weeks leading up to the inauguration, PT KCIC has been running a free-of-charge public trial.

Indonesia broke ground on the project in 2016. The line was originally expected to begin operations in 2019 but was delayed by disputes over land acquisition, environmental issues and the COVID-19 pandemic. It was planned to cost 66.7 trillion rupiah ($4.3 billion), but the amount ballooned to 113 trillion rupiah ($7.3 billion).

The trains have been modified for Indonesias tropical climate and are equipped with a safety system that can respond to earthquakes, floods and other emergency conditions. The 209-meter (685-foot) train has a capacity of 601 passengers.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, center, delivers his speech during the opening ceremony for launching Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway at Halim station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 | AP

Ticket prices had not been finalized as of Monday, but PT KCIC estimated one-way prices per passenger would range from 250,000 rupiah ($16) for second class to 350,000 rupiah ($22.60) for VIP seats.

Passengers going to downtown Bandung need to take a feeder train from the Padalarang station which will add a further 20 minutes, with an estimated cost of about 50,000 rupiah ($3.20).

The rail deal was signed in October 2015 after Indonesia selected China over Japan in fierce bidding. It was financed with a loan from the China Development Bank for 75% of the cost. The remaining 25% came from the consortiums own funds.

The project is part of a planned 750-kilometer (466-mile) high-speed train line that would cut across four provinces on Indonesias main island of Java and end in the countrys second-largest city, Surabaya.

As a global economic giant, China is one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment in Southeast Asia, a region home to more than 675 million people. Amid crackdowns by the United States and its allies, China is expanding trade with ASEAN countries and infrastructure projects are playing key roles.

A semi-high-speed railway  with speeds up to 160 kph (99 mph)  linking China with Laos was inaugurated in December 2021. The $6 billion infrastructure was financed mostly by China under the Belt and Road policy. The 1,035-kilometer (643-mile) route runs through Laos' mountain ranges to connect the southeastern Chinese city of Kunming with Vientiane, the capital of Laos. There are plans for a high-speed train down through Thailand and Malaysia to Singapore.

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JAKARTA: Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated Southeast Asias first high-speed railway on Monday as it was set to begin commercial operations, a key project under Chinas Belt and Road infrastructure initiative that will drastically reduce the travel time between two key cities. The project has been beset with delays and increasing costs, and some observers doubt its commercial benefits. But Widodo has championed the 142-kilometer (88-mile) railway, which was issued its official operating license from the Transportation Ministry on Sunday. The $7.3 billion project, largely funded by China, was constructed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China, known as PT KCIC, a joint venture between an Indonesian consortium of four state-owned companies and China Railway International Co. Ltd.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The railway connects Jakarta with Bandung, the heavily populated capital of West Java province, and will cut travel time between the cities from the current three hours to about 40 minutes. Its use of electrical energy is expected to reduce carbon emissions. Widodo in his opening remarks officially named Indonesia's first high-speed railway  the fastest in Southeast Asia, with speeds of up to 350 kph (217 mph)  as Whoosh, from Waktu Hemat, Operasi Optimal, Sistem Handal, which means timesaving, optimal operation, reliable system in Indonesian language. The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train marks the modernization of our mass transportation, which is efficient and environmentally friendly, Widodo said. A high-speed train is parked during the opening ceremony for launching Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway at Halim station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 | AP Our courage to try new things gives us confidence and the opportunity to learn and will be very useful for the future, making our human resources more advanced and our nation more independent, he added. Widodo, along with other high-ranking officials, rode Whoosh from its first station, Halim in eastern Jakarta, to Bandungs Padalarang station, one of the lines four stations, located about 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the central area of Bandung. He took a 25-minute test ride on the train on Sept. 13 and told reporters that he felt comfortable sitting or walking inside the bullet train even at its top speeds. Chinese Premier Li Qiang took a test ride early last month while visiting Jakarta for three days of talks with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations and other countries. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the coordinating minister for maritime and investment, said China Railway has agreed to transfer its technology to Indonesia so that in the future the countrys high-speed trains can be made domestically. For two weeks leading up to the inauguration, PT KCIC has been running a free-of-charge public trial. Indonesia broke ground on the project in 2016. The line was originally expected to begin operations in 2019 but was delayed by disputes over land acquisition, environmental issues and the COVID-19 pandemic. It was planned to cost 66.7 trillion rupiah ($4.3 billion), but the amount ballooned to 113 trillion rupiah ($7.3 billion). The trains have been modified for Indonesias tropical climate and are equipped with a safety system that can respond to earthquakes, floods and other emergency conditions. The 209-meter (685-foot) train has a capacity of 601 passengers. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, center, delivers his speech during the opening ceremony for launching Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway at Halim station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 | AP Ticket prices had not been finalized as of Monday, but PT KCIC estimated one-way prices per passenger would range from 250,000 rupiah ($16) for second class to 350,000 rupiah ($22.60) for VIP seats. Passengers going to downtown Bandung need to take a feeder train from the Padalarang station which will add a further 20 minutes, with an estimated cost of about 50,000 rupiah ($3.20). The rail deal was signed in October 2015 after Indonesia selected China over Japan in fierce bidding. It was financed with a loan from the China Development Bank for 75% of the cost. The remaining 25% came from the consortiums own funds. The project is part of a planned 750-kilometer (466-mile) high-speed train line that would cut across four provinces on Indonesias main island of Java and end in the countrys second-largest city, Surabaya. As a global economic giant, China is one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment in Southeast Asia, a region home to more than 675 million people. Amid crackdowns by the United States and its allies, China is expanding trade with ASEAN countries and infrastructure projects are playing key roles. A semi-high-speed railway  with speeds up to 160 kph (99 mph)  linking China with Laos was inaugurated in December 2021. The $6 billion infrastructure was financed mostly by China under the Belt and Road policy. The 1,035-kilometer (643-mile) route runs through Laos' mountain ranges to connect the southeastern Chinese city of Kunming with Vientiane, the capital of Laos. There are plans for a high-speed train down through Thailand and Malaysia to Singapore. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

The hearing of the ongoing trial for the eight Indian naval veterans will be held on Tuesday, October 3, after nearly a two-month period.

Family members of most of the veterans are in Doha at present and are expressing optimism about the outcome of the hearing on Tuesday.

"The wait has been long and arduous for 13 months. Though there is speculation on the veterans being repatriated, going by the background one cant say anything till an actual announcement is made," said a source.

Family members have to wait outside the trial court and are not privy to what goes on inside.

"From offering prayers to writing to the Qatari authorities to grant the veterans pardon, families have left no stone unturned. The Indian government too has extended all possible support. We are avidly waiting to hear the outcome of October 3rds hearing," the source added.

It has been a year since the eight veterans were sent back to pack their bags to leave for India, which didnt happen. Their packed bags always give them hope of returning, but its the court's order that will decide on their fate soon.

It may be recalled that these eight naval veterans were working for a naval consultancy firm called Dhara Consultancies which was owned by an Omani Emir. It was on the night of August 30, 2022, when a knock from members of Qatars Ministry of Interior urging them to leave for a naval exercise landed them in prison. From being under solitary confinement they are now living on a twin-sharing basis.

Mercy pleas have been filed by some members and there is hope that a pardon, if not a court trial could finally help in their repatriation to India.

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The hearing of the ongoing trial for the eight Indian naval veterans will be held on Tuesday, October 3, after nearly a two-month period. Family members of most of the veterans are in Doha at present and are expressing optimism about the outcome of the hearing on Tuesday. "The wait has been long and arduous for 13 months. Though there is speculation on the veterans being repatriated, going by the background one cant say anything till an actual announcement is made," said a source.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Family members have to wait outside the trial court and are not privy to what goes on inside. "From offering prayers to writing to the Qatari authorities to grant the veterans pardon, families have left no stone unturned. The Indian government too has extended all possible support. We are avidly waiting to hear the outcome of October 3rds hearing," the source added. It has been a year since the eight veterans were sent back to pack their bags to leave for India, which didnt happen. Their packed bags always give them hope of returning, but its the court's order that will decide on their fate soon. It may be recalled that these eight naval veterans were working for a naval consultancy firm called Dhara Consultancies which was owned by an Omani Emir. It was on the night of August 30, 2022, when a knock from members of Qatars Ministry of Interior urging them to leave for a naval exercise landed them in prison. From being under solitary confinement they are now living on a twin-sharing basis. Mercy pleas have been filed by some members and there is hope that a pardon, if not a court trial could finally help in their repatriation to India. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
As result of drone strike on Smolensk aircraft plant in Russia, production process of X-59 missiles disrupted  intelligence

On Sunday, October 1, attack UAVs attacked Smolensk aviation plant, where the X-59 missiles were produced, as a result of the attack, their production process was disrupted, the Main Intelligence Agency of the Defense Ministry said.

"On October 1, 2023, as a result of a strike on Smolensk Aviation Plant, the production process of X-59 missiles of various modifications has been disrupted. According to confirmed data, three out of four drones hit the target, causing significant damage to the production capacity of the military enterprise of the aggressor state," the agency said in the statement on the Telegram channel on Monday.

The Main Intelligence Agency said the Russians most often fire at civilian and military targets in Ukraine with these types of missiles.

The Kh-59 missile (modified Kh-59MK2) is an air-to-surface missile with a range of up to 280 kilometers.

"Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions suffer the most from the use of such weapons," according to the statement.
Varun Vasudevan By

Online Desk

Maldives President-elect Mohamed Muizzu was tasked to take on incumbent leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in a battle for the archipelago's highest office with far-reaching implications for the Indian Ocean region. Heading into the elections as an underdog, Muizzu pulled off a surprise victory over Solih, securing over 54 per cent of the votes in the Presidential run-off on September 30.

But Muizzu's rise to the top job was circumstantial.

He was a stand-in replacement for the right-wing coalition of the People's National Congress (PNC), which he belongs to, and the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) after PPM leader and former President Abdulla Yameen was barred from contesting the Presidential elections on account of serving a prison term for bribery and money laundering during his presidency from 2013 to 2018.

Prior to his ascent, 45-year-old Muizzu  a Britain-educated engineer and a Yameen loyalist  had served as Maldives' Housing Minister till 2018 and later became Male's Mayor in 2021.

India's influence in the region has always been a point of contention among a section of Maldivian political leaders. Muizzu, who is among the anti-India sceptics, sustained his campaign on a platform aiming to reduce New Delhi's political and economic might in Maldives.

During a meeting with Chinese Communist Party officials last year, Muizzu had said that his party's return to office would "script a further chapter of strong ties between our two countries"  an outcome that poses a strategic threat to India.

Muizzu, like Yameen, is expected to steer the Maldives towards a China-centric foreign policy, thereby marking a significant shift from the position taken by outgoing President Solih who had re-established the island nation's long-term relationship with India.

Prior to Yameen, Maldivian leaders have historically pursued an 'India First' approach with New Delhi  the most influential power in the region for decades  continuing to provide significant aid for the country and bolstering strategic, economic and military ties.

However, Yameen's presidency witnessed a stark shift away from India and into China's sphere of influence which caused ties between Male and New Delhi to turn bitter as Beijing's influence grew on the island nation. In 2014, the Yameen administration joined China's Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) and later pushed for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Beijing in 2017.

Joining the BRI was necessitated by the Maldives graduating from the United Nations' Least Developed Countries status, which implied that international aid would soon dry up and increase the island nation's dependence on bilateral investments to develop its infrastructure.

Another factor behind Yameen's anti-India posturing was Beijing turning a blind eye towards his right-wing government's human rights violations and hardline policies. Funding from New Delhi and the West, however, came with 'strings attached'. When Yameen invoked Emergency powers in 2018, New Delhi expressed concern over the matter while China came to his defence, warning India not to 'interfere' in Maldives domestic politics.

Yameen's worry over the rapport the rival and liberal-leaning Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) shared with India only furthered the pro-China policy. But when MDP's Ibrahim Solih succeeded Yameen in 2018, the former reverted to the long-standing 'India First' stance despite growing concerns about the influence India wielded in the archipelago.

During his presidency, Solih also withheld the ratification of Yameen's FTA with China, an agreement that incoming President Muizzu is likely to follow through with as he believes that Maldivian trade relations had become heavily India-centric under the MDP regime.

A 'love' triangle

India was among the first nations to recognise the Maldives' Independence from the British in 1965 and established its embassy in Male in 1972. It also backed the island nation when it became a a fully functional democracy in 2008, and in 1988, India helped foil a coup attempt against the countrys long-time authoritarian leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

From defence to tourism, India is among the Maldives' largest trading partners and has increased its presence in the region over the years as part of its 'Neighbourhood First' policy. India has spent billions to help improve public infrastructure and housing in the archipelago.

Both nations are also among the founding members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) which aim to liberalise trade and provide equitable benefits among its signatories.

New Delhi is also among the largest investors in the Greater Male Project  a 6.7-kilometre sea-link bridge aiming to connect the capital city with three adjacent highlands  having sanctioned a USD 100 million grant and USD 400 million line of credit in August 2022.

However, India isn't alone in this regard.

China, which established its diplomatic ties with Male in 1972, has significantly increased its investment in the island nation's infrastructure ever since Yameen's presidency, with Beijing-backed projects being most visible in Male and the adjoining island of Hulhumale, the nation's commercial and administrative centres.

This includes the construction of sea-link bridges, a building for the Maldives' Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a national museum and housing projects, among others. Also significant is China's USD 126 million investment for the construction of the 2.1-kilometre Sinamale bridge that connects Male with the Velana International Airport situated on another island.

Both India and China have provided Maldives with millions of dollars via loans and grants for development projects, but Beijing's steep loans have put the Maldives in a tight spot. Maldives now owes China anywhere between USD 1.5 billion and USD 3.5 billion, with its debt standing at 31 per cent of its Gross National Income in 2022.

In 2019, former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed publicly speculated that China is being allowed to buy whole islands and offer loans that the government could not afford to pay back.

Nasheed stated that government-to-government loans stood at USD 1.5 billion but upon factoring in private loans and sovereign guarantees, he said that the Maldives owed China around USD 3.5 billion and would have to pay back USD 700 million in 2022.

The incoming Muizzu regime will have to look at prioritising developmental projects and initiating economic reforms, failing which, the Maldives will face the repercussions of falling into China's 'debt trap'.

If the Maldives defaults on its payments, it will face a similar fate as Sri Lanka and other defaulting nations under the BRI. Such an outcome does not bode well for India which is embroiled in a territorial dispute with China and has shored up alliances to curb Beijing's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

'India Out' and its implications

Defence has been a substantial area of investment for India in the Maldives. Both nations engage in joint military drills and share expertise in areas such as counterterrorism, disaster management, cyber security, and maritime security.

The deployment of Indian troops in the Maldives became a key factor in this year's presidential poll campaign with Muizzu and the PPM-PNC alliance promising to remove the Indian military contingent from the island nation.

India has been helping to develop Maldives' security infrastructure including bringing the archipelago into India's security grid for surveillance. It has also gifted patrol equipment such as the Trinkat-class patrol vessels and Fast Attack Craft to Maldives National Defence Force's (MNDF) Coast Guard.

In 2022, India handed over a coastal radar system aimed at enhancing Male's regional security. As many as 10 radar stations were sent to Maldives on an Indian grant of USD 15.8 million and were networked with the Indian coastal radar system. These stations are operated by the Maldives Coast Guard and are interlinked with India's Coastal Command, which will get a seamless radar picture of the region.

Similarly, the construction of an Indian naval facility on the island of Uthuru Thila Falhu began during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to the Maldives earlier this year. The naval base was part of an agreement signed between both nations in 2021, in which India extended a USD 50 million line of credit for defence projects. Under this agreement, India would develop and manage a harbour and dock for a period of 30 years. However, this led to more discontent among political circles as it was seen as a move affecting the island nation's sovereignty.

India had based two helicopters in 2010 and 2013 to enhance its surveillance capabilities, and in 2020, it gifted the Maldives a Dornier aircraft that would be controlled by the MNDF while New Delhi covered its running costs. The air support was to help the Maldives respond swiftly to threats and carry out search and rescue missions and medical evacuations.

However, the deployment of 75 Indian military personnel in the country to operate and maintain the Indian aircraft caused an uproar in the Maldives, with the Yameen-led Opposition launching an "India Out" campaign urging the withdrawal of Indian forces, terming it a 'national security issue'. During his final year in office, Yameen had gone as far as accusing India's military technicians of espionage.

With the PPM-PNC in power, Muizzu is likely to make good his promise by demanding India to withdraw its military personnel  a move that will be welcomed by his party's nationalist voter base. It will however be at the cost of kick-starting another period of frosty ties with the country's long-standing ally.

Similarly, moves like ratifying the FTA with China, and initiating defence cooperation with its People's Liberation Army (PLA), as well as attempts to hand over India's developmental projects to Beijing will not sit well with New Delhi.

Any politically motivated decision taken by the Muizzu regime will have unpleasant repercussions.

For Maldives, the carrot in the form of increased investments from Beijing will be a mouthwatering prospect that it can't ignore. But, antagonising India while drifting towards China-centric policies is a mistake that the Maldives can't afford to make.

But when Beijing's stick eventually arrives, having a not-so-disgruntled ally -- India -- by Maldives' side may end up becoming a lifeboat. Cue in 'Operation Cactus'.

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Maldives President-elect Mohamed Muizzu was tasked to take on incumbent leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in a battle for the archipelago's highest office with far-reaching implications for the Indian Ocean region. Heading into the elections as an underdog, Muizzu pulled off a surprise victory over Solih, securing over 54 per cent of the votes in the Presidential run-off on September 30. But Muizzu's rise to the top job was circumstantial. He was a stand-in replacement for the right-wing coalition of the People's National Congress (PNC), which he belongs to, and the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) after PPM leader and former President Abdulla Yameen was barred from contesting the Presidential elections on account of serving a prison term for bribery and money laundering during his presidency from 2013 to 2018.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Prior to his ascent, 45-year-old Muizzu  a Britain-educated engineer and a Yameen loyalist  had served as Maldives' Housing Minister till 2018 and later became Male's Mayor in 2021. India's influence in the region has always been a point of contention among a section of Maldivian political leaders. Muizzu, who is among the anti-India sceptics, sustained his campaign on a platform aiming to reduce New Delhi's political and economic might in Maldives. During a meeting with Chinese Communist Party officials last year, Muizzu had said that his party's return to office would "script a further chapter of strong ties between our two countries"  an outcome that poses a strategic threat to India. Muizzu, like Yameen, is expected to steer the Maldives towards a China-centric foreign policy, thereby marking a significant shift from the position taken by outgoing President Solih who had re-established the island nation's long-term relationship with India. Prior to Yameen, Maldivian leaders have historically pursued an 'India First' approach with New Delhi  the most influential power in the region for decades  continuing to provide significant aid for the country and bolstering strategic, economic and military ties. However, Yameen's presidency witnessed a stark shift away from India and into China's sphere of influence which caused ties between Male and New Delhi to turn bitter as Beijing's influence grew on the island nation. In 2014, the Yameen administration joined China's Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) and later pushed for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Beijing in 2017. Joining the BRI was necessitated by the Maldives graduating from the United Nations' Least Developed Countries status, which implied that international aid would soon dry up and increase the island nation's dependence on bilateral investments to develop its infrastructure. Another factor behind Yameen's anti-India posturing was Beijing turning a blind eye towards his right-wing government's human rights violations and hardline policies. Funding from New Delhi and the West, however, came with 'strings attached'. When Yameen invoked Emergency powers in 2018, New Delhi expressed concern over the matter while China came to his defence, warning India not to 'interfere' in Maldives domestic politics. Yameen's worry over the rapport the rival and liberal-leaning Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) shared with India only furthered the pro-China policy. But when MDP's Ibrahim Solih succeeded Yameen in 2018, the former reverted to the long-standing 'India First' stance despite growing concerns about the influence India wielded in the archipelago. During his presidency, Solih also withheld the ratification of Yameen's FTA with China, an agreement that incoming President Muizzu is likely to follow through with as he believes that Maldivian trade relations had become heavily India-centric under the MDP regime. A 'love' triangle India was among the first nations to recognise the Maldives' Independence from the British in 1965 and established its embassy in Male in 1972. It also backed the island nation when it became a a fully functional democracy in 2008, and in 1988, India helped foil a coup attempt against the countrys long-time authoritarian leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. From defence to tourism, India is among the Maldives' largest trading partners and has increased its presence in the region over the years as part of its 'Neighbourhood First' policy. India has spent billions to help improve public infrastructure and housing in the archipelago. Both nations are also among the founding members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) which aim to liberalise trade and provide equitable benefits among its signatories. New Delhi is also among the largest investors in the Greater Male Project  a 6.7-kilometre sea-link bridge aiming to connect the capital city with three adjacent highlands  having sanctioned a USD 100 million grant and USD 400 million line of credit in August 2022. However, India isn't alone in this regard. China, which established its diplomatic ties with Male in 1972, has significantly increased its investment in the island nation's infrastructure ever since Yameen's presidency, with Beijing-backed projects being most visible in Male and the adjoining island of Hulhumale, the nation's commercial and administrative centres. This includes the construction of sea-link bridges, a building for the Maldives' Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a national museum and housing projects, among others. Also significant is China's USD 126 million investment for the construction of the 2.1-kilometre Sinamale bridge that connects Male with the Velana International Airport situated on another island. Both India and China have provided Maldives with millions of dollars via loans and grants for development projects, but Beijing's steep loans have put the Maldives in a tight spot. Maldives now owes China anywhere between USD 1.5 billion and USD 3.5 billion, with its debt standing at 31 per cent of its Gross National Income in 2022. In 2019, former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed publicly speculated that China is being allowed to buy whole islands and offer loans that the government could not afford to pay back. Nasheed stated that government-to-government loans stood at USD 1.5 billion but upon factoring in private loans and sovereign guarantees, he said that the Maldives owed China around USD 3.5 billion and would have to pay back USD 700 million in 2022. The incoming Muizzu regime will have to look at prioritising developmental projects and initiating economic reforms, failing which, the Maldives will face the repercussions of falling into China's 'debt trap'. If the Maldives defaults on its payments, it will face a similar fate as Sri Lanka and other defaulting nations under the BRI. Such an outcome does not bode well for India which is embroiled in a territorial dispute with China and has shored up alliances to curb Beijing's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. 'India Out' and its implications Defence has been a substantial area of investment for India in the Maldives. Both nations engage in joint military drills and share expertise in areas such as counterterrorism, disaster management, cyber security, and maritime security. The deployment of Indian troops in the Maldives became a key factor in this year's presidential poll campaign with Muizzu and the PPM-PNC alliance promising to remove the Indian military contingent from the island nation. India has been helping to develop Maldives' security infrastructure including bringing the archipelago into India's security grid for surveillance. It has also gifted patrol equipment such as the Trinkat-class patrol vessels and Fast Attack Craft to Maldives National Defence Force's (MNDF) Coast Guard. In 2022, India handed over a coastal radar system aimed at enhancing Male's regional security. As many as 10 radar stations were sent to Maldives on an Indian grant of USD 15.8 million and were networked with the Indian coastal radar system. These stations are operated by the Maldives Coast Guard and are interlinked with India's Coastal Command, which will get a seamless radar picture of the region. Similarly, the construction of an Indian naval facility on the island of Uthuru Thila Falhu began during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to the Maldives earlier this year. The naval base was part of an agreement signed between both nations in 2021, in which India extended a USD 50 million line of credit for defence projects. Under this agreement, India would develop and manage a harbour and dock for a period of 30 years. However, this led to more discontent among political circles as it was seen as a move affecting the island nation's sovereignty. India had based two helicopters in 2010 and 2013 to enhance its surveillance capabilities, and in 2020, it gifted the Maldives a Dornier aircraft that would be controlled by the MNDF while New Delhi covered its running costs. The air support was to help the Maldives respond swiftly to threats and carry out search and rescue missions and medical evacuations. However, the deployment of 75 Indian military personnel in the country to operate and maintain the Indian aircraft caused an uproar in the Maldives, with the Yameen-led Opposition launching an "India Out" campaign urging the withdrawal of Indian forces, terming it a 'national security issue'. During his final year in office, Yameen had gone as far as accusing India's military technicians of espionage. With the PPM-PNC in power, Muizzu is likely to make good his promise by demanding India to withdraw its military personnel  a move that will be welcomed by his party's nationalist voter base. It will however be at the cost of kick-starting another period of frosty ties with the country's long-standing ally. Similarly, moves like ratifying the FTA with China, and initiating defence cooperation with its People's Liberation Army (PLA), as well as attempts to hand over India's developmental projects to Beijing will not sit well with New Delhi. Any politically motivated decision taken by the Muizzu regime will have unpleasant repercussions. For Maldives, the carrot in the form of increased investments from Beijing will be a mouthwatering prospect that it can't ignore. But, antagonising India while drifting towards China-centric policies is a mistake that the Maldives can't afford to make. But when Beijing's stick eventually arrives, having a not-so-disgruntled ally -- India -- by Maldives' side may end up becoming a lifeboat. Cue in 'Operation Cactus'. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Washington, Oct 2

U S President Joe Biden hailed the twin legislations of the Congress on the stopgap 45-day fund flow from government treasuries to federal agencies under the Continuing Resolution Bill, saying "this is a good news for America". The Bills have averted the government shutdown temporarily.

Biden signed off the twin legislations passed by the Senate 88-9 and House 335-81 that first speaker Kevin McCarthy moved in the House and passed with the help of Democrats and liberal minded Republicans that allows government to draw funds to pay out federal agencies until November 17 in a 45-day period but excluded funding for Ukraine. The total funding was $16 billion.

On September 30, the President signed into law: H.R. 5860, which provides fiscal year appropriations to Federal agencies through November 17, 2023, for continuing projects of the Federal Government and extends several expiring authorities, a statement issued by the White House said.

The Senate ratified the house bill adding $6 billion for Ukraine funding and another $6 billion for national disaster relief fund.

The original Republican sponsored bill asking for 30 per cent cuts in government expenditure fell through and McCarthy introduced a clean stopgap last minute bill that excluded aid to Ukraine for military and humanitarian purposes.

The GOP had consistently opposed any funding for Ukraine as demanded by the White House.

In a press statement posted on the White House website, Biden said bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate voted to keep the government open, preventing an unnecessary crisis that would have inflicted needless pain on millions of hard working Americans.

"This bill ensures that active-duty troops will continue to get paid, travellers will be spared airport delays, millions of women and children will continue to have access to vital nutrition assistance, and so much more. This is good news for the American people," Biden said.

"But I want to be clear: we should never have been in this position in the first place. Just a few months ago, Speaker McCarthy and I reached a budget agreement to avoid precisely this type of manufactured crisis. For weeks, extreme House Republicans tried to walk away from that deal by demanding drastic cuts that would have been devastating for millions of Americans. They failed," Biden added.

The US President further said: "We cannot under any circumstances allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted. I fully expect the Speaker will keep his commitment to the people of Ukraine and secure passage of the support needed to help Ukraine at this critical moment."

Biden hails Congress legislations as 'good news for America' after Bills avert shutdown

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New Delhi, October 2

P rime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Delhi's Rajghat on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on Monday.

Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, said PM Modi in a post on X, today while also urging to work towards fulfilling Gandhi's dreams.

"I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion. May we always work towards fulfilling his dreams. May his thoughts enable every youngster be the agent of change he dreamt of, fostering unity and harmony all over," the Prime Minister said in his post.

Earlier today, Congress national president and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge paid tributes to Gandhi at Rajghat.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Delhi Lieutenant Governor LG Saxena also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

Yesterday, on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, President Droupadi Murmu extended her greetings to citizens and appealed to people to follow his values and teachings in their thoughts, speech, and actions, dedicating themselves to the welfare of the country.

Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against colonial British rule.

This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947. Fondly known as Bapu, his unwavering belief in 'Swaraj' (self-governance) and 'Ahimsa' (non-violence) won him accolades across the world.

Globally, Gandhi's birth anniversary is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a cleanliness drive beginning on October 1 to mark the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and said that Swachh Bharat is a shared responsibility, and every effort counts.

'Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' Campaign is a mega cleanliness drive to mark the celebration of Gandhi Jayanti. This initiative is a run-up to the Swachhata Pakhwada- Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign.

Exhorting the people across the country to get involved in the cleanliness campaign, PM Modi said taking the campaign forward will be a giant step towards fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a clean India.

PM Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat

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New Delhi, October 2

P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, while remembering former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary said that his iconic call for 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' resonates even today.

PM Modi today paid tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri at Delhi's Vijay Ghat on the occasion of Shastri Jayanti.

"Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji on his Jayanti. His simplicity, dedication to the nation, and iconic call for 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' resonate even today, inspiring generations. His unwavering commitment to India's progress and his leadership during challenging times remain exemplary. May we always work to realise his vision for a strong India," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar also paid tribute to former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat on his birth anniversary.

Paying homage to Shastri, Congress national president and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that the simplicity of Shastri will always be an inspiration to all.

"From land reforms to laying the foundation of milk and green revolution, from abolishing the third class in railways to providing seats for women in buses, from the 1965 war to serving the country with our Gandhian ideas  our ideals, We remember the unprecedented contribution of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri ji. The simplicity and simple life of Shastri ji, who was rich in high thoughts, will always be an inspiration for us.'Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan'," Kharge said in a post on X.

Born in Uttar Pradesh in 1904, Lal Bahadur Shastri was the second Prime Minister of India and served from 1964 to 1966. He died in Tashkent on January 11, 1966, at the age of 61, soon after signing the Tashkent Pact with Pakistan.

Former PM Shastri was a great visionary leader, who understood people's language and who led the country towards progress. Shastri Ji was deeply influenced by the political teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' resonates even today: PM Modi pays tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri

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EU foreign ministers at an informal meeting in Kyiv will discuss the situation in Ukraine, further support and the Peace Formula of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell has said.

"These kinds of meetings are called informal because, first, they are held outside the European Union, and second, because they are considered a high-level political debate, that has not the aim of reaching concrete conclusions and decisions, but these are a kind of brainstorming that we need to do among us and together with you in order to look at the situation due to the war against Ukraine, how the European Union is supporting Ukraine, and how we will continue doing that. We will study the Zelenskyy's Peace Formula in order to gather more support around the world and prepare for the summit," Borrell said during a joint approach to the media with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister in Kyiv.

Borrell said the meeting in Kyiv is a desire to show the commitment and readiness of the European Union to continue to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
New Delhi, October 2

P resident of India Droupadi Murmu on Monday paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital on the occasion of 154th Gandhi Jayanti.

The President paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and garlanded his memorial at the marble platform where he was cremated on January 31, 1948.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Delhi's Rajghat on his birth anniversary.

Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, said PM Modi in a post on X, today while also urging to work towards fulfilling Gandhi's dreams.

"I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion. May we always work towards fulfilling his dreams. May his thoughts enable every youngster to be the agent of change he dreamt of, fostering unity and harmony all over," the Prime Minister said in his post.

Earlier today, Congress national president and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge paid tribute to Gandhi at Rajghat.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Delhi Lieutenant Governor LG Saxena also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

Yesterday, on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, President Droupadi Murmu extended her greetings to citizens and appealed to people to follow his values and teachings in their thoughts, speech, and actions, dedicating themselves to the welfare of the country.

Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against colonial British rule.

This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947. Fondly known as Bapu, his unwavering belief in 'Swaraj' (self-governance) and 'Ahimsa' (non-violence) won him accolades across the world.

Globally, Gandhi's birth anniversary is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a cleanliness drive beginning on October 1 to mark the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and said that Swachh Bharat is a shared responsibility, and every effort counts.'Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' Campaign is a mega cleanliness drive to mark the celebration of Gandhi Jayanti. This initiative is a run-up to the Swachhata Pakhwada- Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign.

Exhorting the people across the country to get involved in the cleanliness campaign, PM Modi said taking the campaign forward would be a giant step towards fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a clean India.

Gandhi Jayanti: President Droupadi Murmu pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat

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Samsung Galaxy S23 FE to arrive around Rs 50K in India this week

New Delhi, Oct 2

S amsung is set to launch its premium Galaxy S23 FE smartphone in India this week that is likely to be priced around Rs 50,000, according to industry sources.

Galaxy S23 FE will feature Samsungs flagship Nightography or Night Mode feature that enables users to take great photos, even in the dark.

The smartphone has IP68 certification and Gorilla Glass 5 protection for enhanced durability and will be powered by Samsungs flagship processor for great gaming experience, sources told IANS on Monday.

Galaxy S23 FE will retail on Amazon, Samsung.com and also across retail stores, likely at a net effective price of Rs 50,000.

The smartphone will be Samsungs biggest bet to attract customers looking to buy a premium smartphone during the festive season.

The aggressive pricing is likely to help the company win over premium customers during festive sales.

Samsungs FE or Fan Edition debuted in 2020 as a premium smartphone with most-loved Galaxy innovations at an accessible price point. Galaxy S23 FE will likely carry forward the legacy of the Galaxy S23 series.

Galaxy FE series has done well in the Indian market and analysts expect strong demand for Galaxy S23 FE if the pricing is done right.

With the introduction of Galaxy S23 FE, Samsung will have a formidable line-up of premium smartphones in India this year, helping the company consolidate its market share in the premium segment.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE to arrive around Rs 50K in India this week

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Vidyut Jammwal is excited to watch Kangana in 'Tejas'

Mumbai, Oct 2

A s the teaser of the upcoming film Tejas was dropped on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on Monday, Bollywood action star Vidyut Jammwal expressed his excitement to watch actress Kangana Ranaut in the film.

Vidyut took to Instagram stories, where he shared the teaser and wrote: Excited to watch this.

Kangana too replied by sharing folded hands emoji on her Instagram story after resharing the post by Vidyut.

Earlier this year, Kangana had shared that shewants to work with Vidyut saying someone should cast us.

Kangana had shared a video showcasing the glamorous actress and Vidyut walking the ramp together at India International Jewellery Weekin 2013.

Sharing the throwback video from the fan page, she had written: Nice pair..someone should cast us in some action film

Talking about Tejas, the teaser of the upcoming film was unveiled on Monday.

Tejas is a patriotic action film and stars Kangana in the titular role of Tejas Gill, who is ready to take on the enemies of the nation and make them taste their own medicine.

Kanganas powerful words in the voice-over then fill up the frame as she says, Zaroori nahi ki baatcheet honi chaahiye. Jang ke maidaan mein sirf jang honi chaahiye as the camera tracks down the missiles attached to the aircraft.

Before Kangana dons a pair of aviators against the backdrop of the sun with her neatly tied at the back, her final words are, "Bharat ko chhedoge to chhodenge nahi".

The story of Tejas revolves around the extraordinary journey of Tejas Gill, an Air Force pilot, and aims to inspire and instil a deep sense of pride in every Indian, showing how our Air Force pilots work tirelessly to defend our nation, confronting numerous challenges along the way.

Produced by RSVP, the film has been written and directed by Sarvesh Mewara and produced by Ronnie Screwvala.

The film is scheduled to be released in theatres on October 27.

Vidyut Jammwal is excited to watch Kangana in 'Tejas'

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Patna, Oct 2

N eeta Kumari (15) is a class 10 student at Kalanand High School in Dhurvapur village of Bihar's Purnia district. Every time there is an 'emergency', the teacher reluctantly gives her a sanitary pad, only on the condition that another will be deposited later.

"We have demanded several times that a sanitary pad vending machine be installed, but the teachers here decline it with the excuse that when they installed an LCD screen for smart classes a few years ago, it was stolen. The school is no longer interested in getting machines," she said.

There are many schools in Bihar, where girls or even teachers have no idea about sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators required to burn used pads. This, despite a Patna High Court order in April, directing the state government to install such machines in all middle, high and higher secondary schools. Apart from ensuring adequate menstrual hygiene facilities in proportion to the number of enrolled students, the court also asked the government to ensure clean toilets and clean drinking water.

Nevertheless, little seems to have happened on the ground.

"We have separate washrooms for boys and girls, but they are very dirty. Thankfully, for drinking water, there is a reverse osmosis system as well as a hand pump," Neeta added.

Bihar was the first state in India to introduce menstrual leave, a revolutionary step in the 1990s. But when it came to menstrual hygiene, the state has lagged behind in facilitating an effective programme.

"If we are in school when the periods begin, we take leave and go back home. Naturally, studies suffer in those few days," Anu Kumari, a class 11 student of Ramdayalu Adarsh High School of Damodarpur village in Vaishali district, told 101Reporters.

"Teachers do not discuss 'such issues' with us. Whatever I know about menstruation, I learnt from my elder sisters and mother," said Anu in a hushed voice, as her father was present while she talked to this reporter.

At 59 per cent, Bihar ranks lowest in India in terms of adoption of menstrual hygiene practices among women. Only seven per cent of the state's total budget is allocated for health and family welfare, out of which Rs two crore is dedicated for menstrual hygiene schemes.

Last year, the State Education Department launched a pilot project to install sanitary pad vending machine and incinerator in schools. As many as 93 schools got the machines in the first phase of the project and 243 in phase two. Each school was given Rs 40,000 to purchase the machines. Maintenance was the responsibility of the schools.

Bihar has 90,000 government schools, of which about 40,000 are middle, high and senior secondary schools. In that context, a vending machine in less than 350 schools is like a drop in the ocean, said activists working on menstrual health.

"Even in schools that have vending machines and incinerators, the staff do not know how to use them. Sometimes, sanitary pads are not available. The government, apart from giving machines, also needs to organise training sessions for teachers. Otherwise this project might not last long," Amrita Singh, Chairperson of Nav-Astitva Foundation in Patna, told 101Reporters. The foundation has been working on menstrual hygiene awareness in Bihar for the last eight years.

Apart from vending machines and incinerators, other WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) components like clean toilets and safe drinking water are also a struggle to achieve in many Bihar schools, making lives difficult for girls in the age group of 12 to 18.

No regular support staff is available in schools to clean toilets.

"There are five washrooms in our schools, but not one is usable. They are extremely dirty and remain shut most of the time. Students are forced to use toilets in the old school building. A few days ago, a teacher came from Pune for a teacher training programme. When she raised the issue, the management unlocked the toilets and got them cleaned," said a teacher of Mahavir Middle School in Lutaha village of East Champaran district, on condition of anonymity.

The situation is no different at the middle school located at Makandpur in Bhagalpur district.

"There are separate toilets for boys and girls, but the boys' toilet is non-functional so they have to go out in the fields. Even the staff toilet is in bad shape. For drinking water, we have a hand pump and a water tank connected to a borewell, but both are not operational. So we have to depend on water decanters," Riya Rani, a science teacher in the school, told 101Reporters.

"I have no idea about a vending machine and we do not have a pad bank in our school. Many girls take a period leave I try to hold discussions on menstruation, puberty and conception with both boys and girls, but I see that boys are hesitant to talk about these issues. Sometimes, they make inadvertent comments," she added.

Government initiatives

The state government organised the Teenage Girls' Health Awareness Programme in Patna last year, in which some teachers from each district participated. All the participants were distributed four packets of 10 sanitary pads each for use in their schools. Given that most middle and high schools have more than 100 girls, this meagre quantity stood out starkly, raising a question on the state government's seriousness about menstrual hygiene.

Bihar also runs Mukhyamantri Kishori Swasthya Yojana, under which Rs 300 is deposited annually in the bank accounts of girls studying in classes 7 to 12for buying sanitary napkins. The amount was increased from Rs 150 this year.

"But we do not get it regularly. Anyway, this amount is too less to buy good quality sanitary napkins throughout the year," said Reena Kumari, a class 10 student of Shambhupur Higher Secondary School in Vaishali district.

Teachers felt that for students coming from a weak economic background, even this small grant was used for other things.

"For people who cannot afford basic food, clothing and housing, menstruation has always been a secondary issue," said Sapna, a teacher at the Girls' Secondary School, Khagaul, Patna.

"The government has been running a strong campaign for full attendance in schools for the last few months, but it is still difficult to get girls to attend schools. Unless there are proper toilets in schools, girls will not be able to have full attendance. There should be a mandatory pad bank in each school," said Rashmi Jha, a gender expert based in Patna.

She said the government should promote start-ups working in the field to provide reasonably priced sanitary pads or set up its own production unit where women from Naari Niketan (a shelter for women and children) can make sanitary pads.

UNICEF has instituted 'Meena Manch' and 'Bal Sansad' platforms to involve girls and school children in creating awareness about health, hygiene and WASH issues.

"We do not have a vending machine but we do run a pad bank in school with the cooperation of school management and teachers. We also discuss puberty issues with teenagers," said Kavita Kumari, a teacher at Bariyapur Middle School in Munger district. Since 2015, Kavita has been a government-appointed state trainer under the Bihar Disaster Management Campaign to educate children on health.

The Women and Child Development Corporation (WCDC) plans to install sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators in all Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, the residential schools run by the Central government for girls from economically weaker backgrounds.

"The WCDC's main responsibility is to create awareness about menstruation. We are working on a major policy around it. However, for the supply of resources for menstrual hygiene in schools, the Education Department is responsible," said Bandana Preyasi, Managing Director, WCDC, Bihar.

"Socio-economic status has a deep connection with education. Good education means better access to information and financial resources. To improve menstrual health in India, there is a need to invest in girls' education as well as campaign for behavioural and social change on a large scale, so that people are more vocal on the issue," said Arundhati Muraleedharan of the Menstrual Health Alliance India.

(Rachna Priyadarshini is a Bihar-based freelance journalist and a member of 101Reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters)

In Bihar, menstrual hygiene still an obstacle for girls to attend school

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New Delhi, October 2

P resident Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar attended a prayer meeting organised on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary at Gandhi Smriti in the national capital.

The President and the Vice President were seen sitting in front of a 'Gandhi charkha,' with 'bhajan' (religious songs) playing in the background.

Earlier in the day, President Murmu, Vice President Dhankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat here.

Later posting on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said, "Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global."

"I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion. May we always work towards fulfilling his dreams. May his thoughts enable every youngster be the agent of change he dreamt of, fostering unity and harmony all over," the Prime Minister said in his post.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Delhi Lieutenant Governor LG Saxena, and Congress national president and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tributes to Gandhi at Rajghat.

Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat. He adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against colonial British rule. This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947.

Fondly known as 'Bapu', his unwavering belief in 'Swaraj' (self-governance) and 'Ahimsa' (non-violence) won him accolades across the world. Globally, Gandhi's birth anniversary is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Prime Minister Modi on Friday launched a cleanliness drive beginning on October 1 to mark the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and said that Swachh Bharat is a shared responsibility, and every effort counts. 'Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' Campaign is a mega cleanliness drive to mark the celebration of Gandhi Jayanti.

This initiative is a run-up to the Swachhata Pakhwada- Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign. Exhorting the people across the country to get involved in the cleanliness campaign, PM Modi said taking the campaign forward will be a giant step towards fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a clean India.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar attend prayer meet at Gandhi Smriti

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Mumbai, October 2

M ahatma Gandhi's life and philosophy continue to inspire generations, transcending borders and time. As it is his birth anniversary today, actor Shah Rukh Khan paid a heartfelt tribute to him by remembering all his teachings.

Taking to Instagram, SRK wrote, "Mahatma GandhiJis teachings are timeless and have underlined the importance of compassion, unity and love. He taught us how to never lose spirit and heart in the face of adversity. Lets remember him and celebrate his legacy on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti."

Meanwhile, on the work front, Shah Rukh is basking in the success of 'Jawan'. As per Sacnilk.com, Jawan has crossed the 600 crore mark in India.

The film, which is directed by Atlee, stars SRK alongside Deepika Padukone, Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi. Priyamani, Sanya Malhotra, Ridhi Dogra, Lehar Khan, Girija Oak and Sanjeeta Bhattacharya are also a part of Jawan.

Post the success of the movie, the makers held a press conference in Mumbai.

Sharing his excitement for the success of the movie, Shah Rukh said, It's a celebration. We rarely get a chance to live with a film for years. The making of Jawan has been going on for four years due to Covid and time constraints. There were a lot of people involved in this film, especially people from the South who came and settled in Mumbai and have been living in Mumbai for the last four years and working day and night for this film, which is the hardest work ever.

The film marks SRK's second hit in 2023 after 'Pathaan'. Now all eyes are on 'Dunki', which will be out in theatres on December 22. In Dunki, SRK will be seen sharing screen space with Taapsee Pannu.

Mahatma Gandhiji's teachings are timeless: Shah Rukh Khan

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Zelenskyy: All of us in Ukraine united in how we value freedom, how we must protect it

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the military personnel who defend Ukrainian territories, noting, in particular, the unity of the Ukrainian people in defending freedom and the ability to value it.

"Ukraine is large and diverse. Thousands of historical turns and millions of human destinies are reflected in our cities. But all of us in Ukraine are united in one thing: in how we value freedom. In how we must protect freedom," according to his Telegram channel.

Zelenskyy thanked "everyone who protects our cities and villages! And everyone who moves forward step by step every day to restore freedom and security to our entire state."

He said at the end of September and on the first Sunday of October, days of different Ukrainian cities are celebrated.

"Nikopol, which is having such a hard time now. Khmelnytsky. Izmail and Kremenchuk. Snihurivka, liberated from the occupiers. Belz is one of our most ancient cities. And also Hlobyne, Kodyma, Ilintsi, Verkhniodniprovsk, Berezivka, Beliaivka, Rozdilna, Irshava, Bolekhiv, Busk, Zhashkiv, Novodnistrovsk, Mostyska, Bershad," the president said.

Zelenskyy also said Ukraine "will definitely liberate" the Ukrainian cities of Dovzhansk, Hola Prystan and Skadovsk.

"Let the time come soon when every Ukrainian city and village will be able to celebrate their day in peace and quiet, in guaranteed Ukrainian freedom," the president said.
Mohammad Al-Heeti, owner of World Harvest Foods and Strawberry Fields Cafe, said he remains the owner but wants to help the two brothers and their wives launch their business and also bring more customers to Strawberry Fields.
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The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) is implementing the Home Care project in 24 regions and Kyiv.

"Currently, the Ukrainian Red Cross employs almost 1,000 social assistants who care for more than 5,000 wards throughout the country," the society said on Facebook, clarifying that they work in 613 settlements of the country.

The Home Care program provides household assistance, hygiene services, psychosocial support and other services to lonely people and people with disabilities who need constant care. Social assistants help their clients clean their homes, prepare food, maintain personal hygiene, purchase and deliver food, medicine, drinking water and other essentials.

Social aid workers also provide humanitarian aid from the Ukrainian Red Cross, such as food or hygiene kits. They also accompany their clients to the doctor and help them pay utility bills. If necessary, the society social assistants provide them with first medical or psychological assistance.
This was committed in such a brutal manner  a shockingly horrific way to shoot a friend in the back of the head to steal his gun. Its numbing, mind-blowing, said Julia Rietz.
Researchers with the ongoing Arizona CoVHORT research study at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health were awarded $3.2 million by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for a five-year study of gastrointestinal symptoms, specifically irritable bowel syndrome, as a condition of long COVID.

Image Credit: Emily frost / Shutterstock

Led by epidemiologist Kristen Pogreba-Brown, PhD, MPH, the CoVHORT study is a longitudinal research study of COVID-19 and post-COVID conditions. The research team is tracking more than 9,000 participants in Arizona to assess long COVID symptoms, post-COVID-19 health impacts, and treatments.

"We have an outstanding team of researchers, staff and students working on the CoVHORT study and investigating a range of long COVID symptoms," Pogreba-Brown said. "And, we have a large, diverse group of participants, so we gather crucial data that deliver answers about specific symptoms, such as irritable bowel syndrome, and help find effective treatments."

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, affects an estimated 10-15% of the U.S. population and can significantly impair quality of life. It is the most common diagnosis of a group of gastrointestinal disorders and is thought to be related to gut-brain interaction.

IBS has been linked to numerous bacterial, protozoan, and viral infections. The risk of developing IBS following an acute gastrointestinal, or GI, infection is approximately 9%. Notably, COVID-19 infection elicits a wide range of GI symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, with reports of acute GI symptoms occurring in more than 60% of patients.

Understanding how COVID-19 impacts the incidence of IBS or exacerbates IBS symptoms has the potential to benefit millions of people, given the scale of the pandemic and ongoing waves of infection, with many reports of chronic GI symptoms after acute COVID-19 infection.

The study, "Determining the Incidence, Risk Factors and Biological Drivers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) as Part of the Constellation of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC) Outcomes," will take advantage of the Arizona CoVHORT study's unique scope and infrastructure to deliver vital data to better evaluate and treat COVID-19-related IBS.

The new research will:

Estimate the incidence of IBS and other GI conditions in participants after COVID-19 infections compared with participants who have not had COVID-19. Determine the role of pre-existing IBS on the development and severity of post-COVID-19 symptoms. Establish mechanisms of IBS following COVID-19 infections, including differences in the fecal microbiome composition and function, the individual's anti-commensal immune response to the fecal microbiome, and targeted/untargeted serum protein biomarkers among participants who were exposed to COVID-19 and those who were not and participants who do and do not develop IBS.
New methods of analysis and novel markers are currently being identified to predict conditions with polygenic inheritance. These include polygenic risk scores (PRS), which are based on the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in several genes. However, their utility is limited, as PRS are largely based on data derived from European populations.

A new paper in Nature Genetics reports the results obtained from the use of a new PRS calculator called CT-SLEB on a multi-national GWAS database.

Study: A new method for multiancestry polygenic prediction improves performance across diverse populations. Image Credit: Yurchanka Siarhei / Shutterstock.com

Introduction

SNPs refer to different gene variants formed by the presence of one of several possible bases at a given position within a nucleotide. These genetic mutations must be detectable in 1% or more of the population to be considered an SNP.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been used to identify large numbers of SNPs that are linked to complex traits and diseases. PRS uses combinations of SNPs to provide a predicted risk for the occurrence of complex traits and disease conditions.

PRS built on SNP-trait associations have largely been derived from European cohorts, thereby limiting their generalizability. Especially in African populations, the PRS calculated based on these studies has produced inaccurate results.

As a result, PRS is not suitable for clinical use without favoring European-ancestry populations. Thus, the use of GWAS from across multiple populations could facilitate the development of better PRS scores from larger training samples.

To this end, previous studies have compiled GWAS information from the target population with information from larger European populations. However, ideal PRS would require an appropriate sample size with sufficient power, thus indicating the need for better methods, as well as larger and more diverse databases.

About the study

The current study reports on the performance of CT-SLEB, a powerful computational tool based on clumping and thresholding (CT), superlearning (SL), and empirical Bayes (EB) methods, as compared with nine other methods. While CT selects which SNPs should be considered when calculating PRS in the target population, EB is a method used to estimate the SNP coefficient. SL uses a mix of PRSs from various SNP selection criteria.

CT-SLEB requires GWAS summary statistics from both European and non-European training datasets, a tuning dataset that yields the best parameters for the target population, and a validation dataset that provides the final prediction for the target population.

These results were obtained using GWAS simulations on large populations extending across five different ancestries. These included 23andMe, Inc., the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium (GLGC), All of Us (AoU), and UK Biobank (UKBB) across EUR), AFR (primarily African American), Latino, East Asian, and South Asian (SAS) populations.

GWAS data from over five million individuals from several different ancestral groups were included in the analysis., about 1.2 million of whom were from countries outside Europe. The data were used to predict multi-ancestry PRS from a combination of European and less abundant non-European population data.

In addition to providing comparative data on CT-SLEB and other approaches, the scientists also generated validated PRS for 13 complex traits using this multi-ancestry PRS tool.

What did the study show?

Improved PRS performance using CT-SLEB was observed in the groups from non-European countries as compared to the other simpler tools. This remained true regardless of whether the training dataset was small or large; however, this affected the accuracy of other PRS calculators. The greatest number of comparisons was conducted between CT-SLEB and PRS-CSx, the latter being a Bayesian approach.

CT-SLEB maintained or even surpassed the predictive accuracy of other tools that rely more heavily on computational analysis. As the sample size increases, CT-SLEB becomes more accurate, irrespective of the polygenicity, whereas with smaller samples, it performs better with lower polygenicity.

PRS-CSx performed better than CT-SLEB in many settings; however, both platforms perform best when using data from all five ancestries. Using two-ancestry data, CT-SLEB generates African PRS 25 times faster than PRS-CXs at only 4.3 minutes. When based on five-ancestry data, CT-SLEB was over 90 times faster, taking almost the same time as compared to 420 minutes.

The predictive performance of PRS for minority groups generated by CT-SLEB was comparable to that for the European population if the former had sample sizes at least 45% as large as European cohorts. However, the sample size required for accurate prediction varies dramatically with the heritability of various traits.

CT-SLEB is easily scalable and can process a much larger number of SNPs. Thus, this platform is capable of improving its PRS performance in minority groups within the American population by using denser SNP panels.

For many polygenic traits, including the clinically important cardiovascular disease (CVD) trait, CT-SLEB predicted the risk much better than PRS-CSx and PolyPred-S+. Overall, these three outperformed other platforms; however, none was superior in all settings.

Even with the best-performing method and large sample, a substantial gap remained for PRS performance in non-EUR populations compared with the EUR Population.

What are the implications?

CT-SLEB is a new and computationally scalable method for generating powerful PRSs using data from GWASs in diverse populations.

The study findings emphasize the need to use multiple methods to generate PRSs across multiple ancestries. For African-American populations, representing African-origin populations that have little baseline polygenic data, with correspondingly lower polygenic prediction accuracy, CT-SLEB produced the most improvement in the PRS performance.

The simulation studies showed the need to determine sample sizes appropriate for such prediction. These studies also highlight the effects of variations in SNP density when predicting the risk of a trait among people of multiple ancestries, which will affect the choice of method for PRS generation.

CT-SLEB produces predictions an order of magnitude faster than PRS-CSx and is easily scalable for handling large increases in the number of SNPs and more populations.
Broken String Biosciences (Broken String), a genomics company building a technology platform to drive the development of cell and gene therapies that are safer by design, today announced the expansion of its senior leadership team with the appointments of Vincent Smith, Ph.D., as Chief Technology Officer and Jessica Rich as VP Business Development.

Bringing significant expertise in their respective fields, Vincent and Jessicas appointments are a key part of Broken Strings strategy to deliver on its Series A goals, which include the continued development of its INDUCE-seq DNA break-mapping platform and acceleration of its commercial expansion across global markets.

As CTO at Broken String, Vince will lead product development, providing leadership and the expertise required to build INDUCE-seq into the gold standard technology for the assessment of off-target effects during gene editing.

Based in Boston, MA, Jessica is Broken Strings first US hire, expanding the Company into this key market. Jessica will oversee the development of the commercialization strategy, enabling the Company to capitalize on early commercial traction and accelerate growth across the US, Europe, and Asia.

Vinces appointment to Broken String brings extensive experience in the development of innovative DNA sequencing technologies. Prior to joining the team, he held executive-level positions at Base Genomics and Exact Sciences Innovation.

Vince began his career in genomics at Solexa, where he was one of the primary scientists who contributed to the development of the chemistry that underpins Illumina sequencing. As VP of Consumable Development at Illumina, Vince led a global team developing assays and consumables for industry-leading NGS platforms such as MiSeq, HiSeq, NextSeq and NovaSeq. He holds an MA from Oxford University and a PhD from Imperial College London, both in Biochemistry.

Jessica has spent over 20 years in the life sciences industry, specializing in supporting sales and commercialization strategy. Before joining Broken String, Jessica held several senior leadership roles, including Senior Director of Sales and Regional Marketing at Bionano, Senior Director of Commercial Development at Synthego, and Chief Commercial Officer at 54gene.

In these roles, Jessica was responsible for providing leadership across all sales and commercial activities, including commercial deal expansion. Jessica was also part of Illuminas commercial team for eight years, where she was pivotal in the expansion of microarray products into new markets and applications.

With INDUCE-seq, Broken String Biosciences have created a simple, elegant and powerful technology that is already addressing a critical unmet need in the rapidly expanding gene editing space. Im impressed by the progress the company has made to date and am excited to help the talented Broken String team evolve the technology further. I believe INDUCE-seq will become the gold-standard for assessment of off target gene-editing. Through development of the platform as a scalable sample-to-answer solution, we will accelerate the design and development of safe and effective gene editing-based therapies that will improve human health. Vincent Smith, PhD, Chief Technology Officer at Broken String Biosciences

I am excited to join the team at Broken String Biosciences and to expand the global commercial footprint from my base in Boston, MA. The technology platform, INDUCE-seq, delivers the much-needed solution to assess off-targets accurately and quickly from gene editing and nuclease function for companies developing cell and gene therapies. We have already seen solid commercial traction, demonstrating the platform fills the market need. The INDUCE-seq technology is a groundbreaking approach which will help deliver safe, effective gene therapies for many diseases currently without treatment today. Jessica Rich, VP Business Development at Broken String Biosciences
In a recent study published in Pediatric Research, researchers performed a scoping evaluation of data from clinical trials addressing high-risk pediatric medical devices used in children.

Study: Evidence from clinical trials on high-risk medical devices in children: a scoping review. Image Credit: Sai Thaw Kyar/Shutterstock.com

Background

Medical equipment is essential in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric disorders; however, achieving European regulatory standards for clinical assessment might be difficult due to small patient numbers, unusual occurrences, and varied demographics.

Ethical difficulties, parental concerns, and increased financial regulatory expenses offer hurdles, with the pediatric age range having a poor possibility of attaining benefits on investment.

About the study

In the present study, researchers from the Coordinating Research and Evidence for Medical Devices (CORE-MD) initiative examined clinical trial data on using hazardous medical-grade devices in children. They investigated clinical trial techniques and designs that used medical devices in the high-risk category in children as the study intervention.

The researchers identified and described approaches in this research field by methodically summarizing published clinical data on hazardous medical devices, specifically accessible clinical trial evidence for children.

Databases such as Embase and Medline were searched between January 1, 2017, and November 9, 2022, for relevant records published in English.

The study included trials conducted for devices used in diabetology, cardiology, surgery, and orthopedics among individuals aged below 21 years, including neonates (birth to the initial four weeks), infants (from 29 days to two years of age), children (between two and 12 years of age), and adolescents (between 12 and 21 years of age), with conditions requiring medical devices.

The study comprised clinical trial findings on high-risk medical devices in children, including pre- and post-market clinical studies.

Observational studies, systematic reviews, conference abstracts, editorials, commentaries, book chapters, and letters were excluded from the analysis. There were no restrictions concerning the study setting or medical device indications.

Mixed-population research, including children as well as adults, was also included. There were studies on class IIb and III medical devices under the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and class III medical devices under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Based on MDR regulations, the high-risk category of devices includes class IIb active ones and class III implanted ones used to remove or administer medical substances from the human body.

Based on the FDA, the category included class III items implanted to support or sustain life or entail a potentially unreasonable disease or injury risk.

The team focused on medical devices listed in FDA sources such as the Premarket Approvals (PMA) database (as of February 2020); Yearly Reports to the Congress authorities on the Premarket Authorization of Pediatric Usage of Medical Devices, including authorized Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE), and PMA applications (between 2008 and 2017); and the HDE database (between 2018 and June 2022).

The study outcomes included country; unicentric or multicentric; study design (such as controlled clinical trials, crossover trials, and one-arm interventional studies); sample population and the percentage of pediatric individuals; characteristics of the target population, such as age and sex; device type and indication; assessed study outcomes; approving regulatory bodies; and funding.

Two researchers independently screened the full-text records, and disagreements were resolved by discussion or involving a third researcher. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis.

Results

A total of 1,692 records were screened, of which only 99 trials were considered for analysis. Most trials were performed in multicenter settings (65%), of which 73% were conducted in a single country, whereas 27% included multinational participants.

Most trials were conducted in Europe (35%) and North America (38%), and they evaluated medical device use in diabetology (88%) and cardiology (12%), including insulin pumps, glucose monitoring devices, and closed-loop systems.

Most trials (61%) included only individuals under 21 years, whereas 39% had adults and children, with 52% (median) pediatric individuals. Thirty-eight percent of trials were randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Other study designs included crossover trials (20%) and before-and-after analyses (or baseline-controlled trials, 21%). Among RCTs and crossover trials, 13% were blinded.

Most trials (64%) included less than 100 individuals. Among problems including individuals aged below 21 years only (60 trials), the sample population (median) comprised 48 individuals. Safety (73%), effectiveness, and efficacy (79%) were the most frequent outcomes, with patient-documented outcomes assessed in only 24% of the included trials.

Usability was examined only for diabetology-related devices. Among the trials, 32% were funded by industry, and 43% received partial funding (devices provided by the industry at no or discounted cost).

Implications

Overall, the study findings highlighted the difficulties in conducting randomized clinical trials on high-risk medical devices for children, which frequently lack a control or comparator group.

These findings may aid health authorities in developing realistic evidence-level standards to support device conformity certification in Europe. To decrease bias, improvements include combining patient-reported outcomes and using a physician-initiated, industry-sponsored research approach.

Implementing the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14155 standard and mandating sponsors publish clinical investigation results can also assist in preventing any bias.

The findings may assist regulators and authorities in developing feasible and context-specific standards for clinical evidence supporting device compliance, thus ensuring the safety and continuous availability of critical technologies for treating ill children.
In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, a team of researchers from the United States examined the antigenicity of the recently emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) subvariant BA.2.86 using monoclonal antibodies and serum samples from individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infections and complete vaccinations.

Study: Antigenicity and receptor affinity of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 spike. Image Credit: Fernando Astasio Avila / Shutterstock

*Important notice: bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.

Understanding the Evolving Virus

Although the morbidity and mortality associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been brought under control after the rapid development of various vaccines and monoclonal antibody-based treatment methods, SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve. The emergent subvariants of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant are also becoming increasingly distant in their genetic composition from their predecessors. The newly emergent BA.2.86 subvariant is as genetically divergent from the BA.2 subvariant as the Omicron BA.1 variant was from the Delta variant.

BA.2.86 carries an additional 34 mutations compared to the BA.2 variant from which it evolved, with the N-terminal domain (NTD) and the receptor binding domain (RBD) containing 13 and 14 mutations, respectively. The large number of mutations in the spike protein region is concerning because they can increase the ability of the virus to evade the neutralizing antibodies elicited by vaccinations or previous infections and the monoclonal antibodies currently in clinical use. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the efficacy of the clinically used monoclonal antibodies and the immunity elicited by vaccinations and previous SARS-CoV-2 infections against the BA.2.86 subvariant.

Study Design and Methodology

In the present study, the researchers collected serum samples from three clinical cohorts consisting of individuals who had been vaccinated with three shots of the monovalent and two shots of the bivalent messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines and from individuals who had breakthrough infections from the BA.2 and XBB subvariants. Prior SARS-CoV-2 infections were confirmed using the anti-nucleoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while the specific strains were identified through sequencing.

Vesicular stomatitis virus was used to develop pseudotyped viruses containing the spike proteins of two versions of the BA.2.86 subvariant and the BA.2, EG.5.1, and XBB.1.5 subvariants. The pseudotyped viruses were used to evaluate the antigenicity of the BA.2.86 subvariant and compare it to that of the other subvariants through serum neutralization assays using the serum samples from the three cohorts.

A panel of 25 monoclonal antibodies that were effective against the BA.2 subvariant was used to assess the ability of BA.2.86 to evade neutralizing antibodies, with EG.5.1 and XBB.1.5 used as comparators. Of the 25 monoclonal antibodies, 20 targeted four RBD epitope classes, while the rest targeted the NTD and subdomains 1 and 2.

Additionally, the role of each of the 34 spike mutations of BA.2.86 in the antigenicity of the subvariant was assessed by synthesizing the 34 point mutations and constructing pseudotyped viruses with each of those mutations using the BA.2 subvariant as a background. The antigenicity of these pseudotyped viruses was then evaluated against the panel of 25 monoclonal antibodies.

Surface plasmon resonance was utilized to determine the binding affinity of the BA.2.86 subvariant to the viral receptor using the dimeric human angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) fragment crystallizable (Fc) protein. The binding affinities of the spike proteins of two versions of BA.2.86, as well as those of the BA.2, EG.5.1, and XBB.1.5 subvariants, were tested.

Key Findings

The results reported that the BA.2.86 subvariant was not resistant to the neutralizing antibodies obtained from the serum samples of individuals with breakthrough BA.2 or XBB infections or from healthy, fully vaccinated individuals. Furthermore, the serum samples from individuals with XBB breakthrough infections showed robust neutralizing activity against BA.2.86, indicating that monovalent mRNA vaccines being developed using XBB.1.5 could protect against BA.2.86.

However, the neutralizing assays using the monoclonal antibody panel revealed that all the monoclonal antibodies that targeted subdomain 1 were not effective against the BA.2.86 subvariant. BA.2.86 was also resistant to monoclonal antibodies targeting epitopes from RBD classes 2 and 3 but was sensitive to those that targeted the epitopes from RBD classes 1 and 4/1. Moreover, while some of the novel mutations in BA.2.86 resulted in antibody resistance, other mutations resulted in antibody sensitivity, which explained why the antigenic distance between BA.2.86 and its predecessor was not significant despite the sizeable genetic distance.

Furthermore, the sensitivity to neutralization by the monoclonal antibodies targeting RBD classes 1 and 4/1 indicates that the RBD of the BA.2.86 subvariant is more exposed than that of the EG.5.1 or XBB.1.5 subvariants since the RBD class 1 and 4/1 monoclonal antibodies target the RBDs inner face when the RBD is in the up configuration. However, this also indicated that BA.2.86 had a greater than two-fold binding affinity to the ACE-2 receptor since the RBD is also in the up configuration during receptor binding.

Overall, the findings suggested BA.2.86 was sensitive to neutralizing antibodies from human sera, especially from those with breakthrough XBB infections. However, the monoclonal antibodies that targeted epitopes in the RBD classes 2 and 3, or subdomain 1 were ineffective against BA.2.86. Furthermore, the binding affinity of BA.2.86 for the viral receptor was more than twice that of the previous subvariants.

There have been many experimental papers on BA.2.86 over last month. This one by David Ho's group is one of most comprehensive: https://t.co/iPWlTH8MEa



I'm going to quickly summarize key points for people having hard time keeping up w all the recent BA.2.86 papers.  Bloom Lab (@jbloom_lab) September 28, 2023

*Important notice: bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
A majority of the medical colleges assessed in 2022-23 were found to have ghost faculty and senior residents, and none of the institutes met the requirement of 50 per cent attendance, the National Medical Commission has said.

The NMC said it found that none of them visit the emergency department regularly because there is no one in the emergency medicine department to interact with them other than the casualty medical officer.

The posting in the emergency medicine department is supposed to be a break period for the students, the Under-Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the NMC said.

The NMC said this in a reply to the Associations of Emergency Physicians of India (AEPI) over their grievance regarding the exclusion of emergency medicine speciality as a requirement for setting up new medical colleges.

In a recently notified regulation, the NMC excluded the requirement of an emergency department for setting up new medical colleges. Earlier, in its June 23 draft, emergency medicine department was among the 14 departments that new medical colleges approved for undergraduate admissions must have.

In its reply to the AEPI dated September 22, the UGMEB said the real picture on emergency medicine departments is different from what it looks like on paper.

While checking the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance of these colleges, we were shocked to note that there was 100 per cent failure in all colleges with respect to the faculty and senior resident doctors employed to fulfil the requirements as per the MSR (Minimum Standard Requirement) 2020. Majority of the colleges had ghost faculty and SRS (senior residents) or had not employed the required faculty at all, the commission said in the reply.

The attendance was evaluated randomly at any time of the year during the working days at a stretch for about two months, the board said.

After warning the colleges for deficiencies and after giving them adequate time to fulfil deficiencies, none of the colleges met with the requirement of even 50 per cent attendance. Zero attendance was still common. This only establishes that although on paper the data is 134 colleges with emergency medicine departments, the facts are far from the depicted picture, the reply stated.

The UGMEB relies more on artificial intelligence for assessing the functionality of a medical college and affiliated hospital through the Digital Mission Mode Project (DMMP) installed in NMC, it said.

It said the attendance is assessed through Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS), classroom teaching, and hospital functioning through this mode.

The number of medical colleges with functional academic emergency departments increased from 45 to 134  a three-fold increase  along with an increase in MD emergency medicine seats from 120 to 462, the reply stated.

In total, 246 undergraduate medical colleges in 27 states were assessed for granting recognition or continuation of recognition for academic year 2022-23, the board said.

According to UGMEBs reply to AEPI, the authorities visited the colleges and found out that students do not go to the emergency medicine department regularly because there is no one in the emergency medicine department to interact with them other than the casualty medical officer.

While interacting with PGMEB, we found out that the course curriculum suggested by experts ran into 300 pages and includes everything required in a hospital Secondly, the problems at PG level are different which I shall not touch upon since these are beyond the purview of UGMEB, the reply stated.

This year also, the UGMEB officials interacted with all colleges from August 22 to 24 in which a total of 768 participants, and 92 university representatives, including vice chancellors. All issues, including the emergency medicine departments were discussed and a majority of all doubts of all participants were cleared, the reply said.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Britain has no plans to send its military to Ukraine, Reuters said.

As the agency reports, citing Sunak's statement on Sunday, there are currently no immediate plans to send military instructors to Ukraine. The prime minister rejected comments from the British defense minister, who suggested that troops could conduct training in the country.

"To date, Britain and its allies have avoided a formal military presence in Ukraine to reduce the risk of a direct conflict with Russia," according to the statement.

The agency said British defence minister Grant Shapps, who was appointed to the role last month, said in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph newspaper that he wanted to deploy military instructors to Ukraine, in addition to training Ukrainian armed forces in Britain or other Western countries.

Hours after that interview was published, Sunak said there were no immediate plans to send British troops to Ukraine.

" What the defence secretary was saying was that it might well be possible one day in the future for us to do some of that training in Ukraine," Sunak told reporters at the start of the governing Conservative Party's annual conference in Manchester.

"But that's something for the long term, not the here and now. There are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict," he said.
Days after some students participated in a silent protest against the vegetarian-only tables designated by one of the mess councils at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, the institute imposed a hefty fine to the tune of Rs 10,000 on one of the students while it resolved to identify two others for the premeditated attempt to disrupt the peace and harmony of the mess, News18 has learnt.

On Monday, an email by the hall manager of one of the hostels addressed to the protesting student read: I am to inform you that the authority has imposed on you a fine of Rs 10,000 (Ten Thousand only), which will be deducted from your SMA account.

The email communication came after a meeting of the mess councils of Hostels 12, 13 and 14 on Sunday afternoon, which included hostel wardens and associate wardens to discuss the complaints about the unruly behaviour and flouting of mess rules by a few students during dinner on September 28, read the minutes of the meeting seen by News18.

According to the document, the mess council reviewed the evidence available and determined that a resident of hostel 12 (name withheld), deliberately instigated the incident during dinner on September 28. This act was a premeditated attempt to disrupt the peace and harmony within the mess in defiance of the advice provided by the associate dean, SA, as evidenced in shared email communication. At least two other individuals were involved, whose identities are yet to be ascertained, it stated.

The minutes further said that it was unanimously agreed that the behaviour of the student in question was contrary to the inclusive and peaceful atmosphere at hostels 12, 13 and 14 (which have a combined mess) mess. The mess council resolved to impose a fine of Rs 10,000 on the student, it stated.

The institute did not respond to News18s queries regarding the move. This story will be updated if and when a response is received.

During the meeting that was attended by four professors and three mess staffers, they also resolved to enlist the support of student representatives from the three hostels in identifying the other two individuals involved in the incident. Once their identities are established, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against them as well.

Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC), an informal student collective active on the IITB campus, while terming the action of the institute similar to that of a Khap Panchayat said that the students had protested against the segregation of tables in the mess based on veg and non-veg food by a peaceful act of civil disobedience. This action of the admin is similar to a Khap Panchayat acting to uphold untouchability in modern times. We condemn this tyrannical decision of the admin and urge to reverse the regressive policy immediately, it said in a statement.

The move comes after an email communication by the mess council of hostels 12, 13, and 14 on September 27 designated six tables in the mess where only vegetarian food will be taken by everyone. The email underlined that the decision was being taken to make the dining experience more inclusive for all and stated that there was no doubt that some people who cannot resist the view and smell of non-veg food during dining ..which may create health issues as well, sparking a controversy. It ended up with several students leading a silent protest while some of them sat at the designated tables to deliberately eat non-veg food as a mark of protest on September 28.
Studying abroad can be financially challenging for many meritorious students who often opt out due to the expensive course fee, visa charges, accommodation and food expenses. Therefore, scholarships help many to pursue their dreams. News18 Scholarship Guide brings the best and most prestigious grants for Indian students to study abroad, with most of them covering flight tickets, accommodation and course fee; and some also providing stipend.

Computer science is one of the most sought-after courses for students in India as well as abroad. No wonder, India is starting their off-shore campuses abroad with special focus on Artificial Intelligence and computer science courses.

Scholarships are highly competitive and require careful preparation. Its important to ensure you stand out from the crowd as a strong candidate. Each scholarship application will need to be tailored against the requirements set out by the scholarship provider, said Joel Frisch, Vice-President, Global Acquisition.

Frisch suggests students start early, build a checklist for documents, craft a strong personal statement and aim to submit everything within the deadline.

News18 brings you the top scholarships in computer science engineering (CSE).

Albert Einstein International Scholarship Test

The All-India Council for Technical Skill Development (AICTSD) offers Albert Einstein International Scholarships to allow Indian students to pursue their higher education abroad. Students from different schools and colleges can apply and those who clear the exam will be connected to the researchers or experts for further training. The winners will get free training as well as a cash prize.

Who can apply: Applicant must be between 10 and 24 years of age. Different age groups have different application forms and exams.

Selection Procedure: Candidates will have to clear the MCQ-based exam. The exam also has negative marks for wrong answers. After clearing the exam, students will be called for an interview.

Where to apply: https://www.aictsd.com/albert-einstein-international-scholarship-test/

Microsoft scholarship programme

Microsoft offers a range of scholarships to hundreds of international students pursuing computer science of STEM-related courses in US or Canada-based institutes. This is open to international students.

Who can apply: Students pursuing computer science or STEM-related courses in US or Canada-based colleges and with a GPA of 4 out of 5 or 3 out of 4 or equivalent can apply.

Selection Procedure: This is a merit-based scholarship. Students will have to submit academic and financial documents; after the profile review, scholarship will be granted.

Microsoft also offers scholarships up to USD 5,000, as a one-time or renewable payment for up to four years. This is granted to women to pursue a career in STEM or computer science. This scholarship is also open to students from socially or economically backward or under-represented communities.

Where to apply: https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/students

Royal Holloway Computer Science Scholarship

Royal Holloway University of London offers postgraduate scholarships to international students interested in computer science or allied fields. The scholarship offers a 2,000 rebate in the course fee, however, for Indian nationals, the scholarship is doubled to 4,000.

Who can apply: Students who wish to pursue a masters course in computer science or allied fields including applied data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence can apply.

Selection Procedure: Students who meet other admission criteria and apply for admission are automatically considered for the scholarship.

Where to apply: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/scholarships/computer-science-scholarship/

Generation Google Scholarship

Google offers scholarships worth $2,500 to students from Asia-Pacific region, including India, to study computer science. This scholarship encourages female students to apply.

Who can apply: Students with strong academic skills and willing to study computer science or computer engineering and hailing from the APAC region can apply. Students must have obtained a full-time bachelors degree.

Selection Procedure: Candidates will have to submit an essay to answer a question. They also need to submit academic records. Students profiles including resume and background verification will be done.

Where to apply: https://buildyourfuture.withgoogle.com/scholarships/generation-google-scholarship-apac

Paul Thistlewaite Memorial Honours Year Scholarship

The Australian National University (ANU) offers students scholarships worth AUD 5,000 per annum to pursue a degree at its College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics.

Who can apply: Both domestic and international students willing to study computing, advanced computing, or BE in software engineering can apply. Preference is given to female candidates to support gender equity within the field.

Selection Procedure: Candidates will be shortlisted based on academic merit. Preference will be given to students undertaking Honours in the area of Advanced Information Systems or Human Centered Computing including Big Data and Machine Learning.

Where to apply: https://cecs.anu.edu.au/study/more-information/scholarships

Centre of Computer Science and Engineering Junior Research Fellowship

This is offered by most IITs to help students at graduate as well as postgraduate levels to pursue research fellowships in computer science or allied fields. Selected candidates will also get monthly stipends.

Who can apply: Candidate should have a bachelors or masters degree in a relevant field. Candidates should not be over 28 years of age. If the applicant does not have a masters degree, they will have to clear either GATE or NET exam.

Selection Procedure: Candidates with prior experience in analogue integrated circuit design/radio frequency, integrated circuit design will get preference. Each IIT can have a different selection criterion, candidates will have to check the official websites.

Where to apply: Candidates can apply at the respective IIT website. For the IIT Kharagpur Centre of Computer Science and Engineering Junior Research Fellowship, candidates can apply at https://erp.iitkgp.ac.in/SRICStaffRecruitment/Login.jsp?ref_no=IIT/SRIC/R/MAN/2023/101

Beyond Scholarships

For students, who do not want to opt for the scholarship route, considering high competition, there are still many other options open.

Joel Frisch suggests students to always start with the schools they are applying to as they may offer merit or need-based scholarships.

Further options they can consider are through government, banks and independent loan providers.

When reviewing funding options, its important for a student to consider a number of factors, such as loan repayment terms, the monthly cost of the loan and any fee associated with the loan. In addition, students should understand their own affordability post-programme in order to cover the monthly repayment costs. Each lender may use different calculations so be sure to use a uniform calculation like APR (Annual Percentage Rate) to understand the true annual cost of borrowing money, suggests Frisch.
The Mahatma Gandhi University, Nalgonda will release the Telangana State Education Common Entrance Test (TS EDCET) counselling 2023 list of eligible registered candidates and call for corrections today, October 2. Candidates who registered for the counselling will be able to check the list on the official website of Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) at edcetadm.tsche.ac.in.

Candidates will be able to exercise their web options entry for phase 1 of the TS EDCET counselling 2023 from tomorrow, October 3 up to October 5. They will be allowed to edit their web options on October 6, as per the official schedule. The list of provisionally selected candidates for phase I will be announced on October 9. Seats will be assigned to candidates depending on how well they performed on the entrance exam and the choices they made while registering. Thereafter, candidates will have to report to the colleges for document verification. The classes will commence on October 30.

TS EDCET Counselling 2023: Documents Needed While Reporting

 TS EDCET 2023 Rank Card

 TS EDCET 2023 Hall Ticket

 Intermediate, diploma, 10+2 certificate or its equivalent

 SSC pass certificate or equivalent for proof of date of birth

 Residence certificate

 Transfer Certificate (TC)

 Category certificates

 Latest Parental Income Certificate

The TS EDCET 2023 was held on May 18 this year in three shifts. The first shift was from 9.00 am to 11.00 am, the second from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm, and the third scheduled from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm. The provisional answer key for the TS EDCET 2023 was released on May 23 and objections were invited till May 25. All candidates (apart from SC/ ST students) must secure at least 25 per cent of the total marks in the entrance exam, which is rounded up to 38 marks.

The exam is conducted for admission into two years BEd course for the academic years 2023-2024. On behalf of the TSCHE, Mahatma Gandhi University, Nalgonda, administers the TS EDCET exam.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday released its second list of 12 candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in Chhattisgarh. The partys state unit treasurer, Jasbir Singh, and Raipur corporator Tarun Vaidh figure in the list posted by the AAP in social media platform X.

With this, the party has now released the names of 22 candidates in the Congress-ruled state, which has a 90-member assembly and where polls are due by the year-end.Major Announcement! Our second list of candidates for the Chhattisgarh assembly elections is out. All the best to all candidates. Is baar chalegi Jhadu (this time broom will sweep). #ChhattisgarhMangeKejriwal, the party wrote on X.

Of these 12 seats, four are reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates and two for Scheduled Caste nominees.The AAP had tried its luck for the first time in the 2018 assembly elections in Chhattisgarh and fielded candidates in 85 of the total 90 seats, but failed to open its account in the state.

The party had last month announced the first list of ten candidates. Jasbir Singh, the partys state unit treasurer, and corporator Vaidh have been fielded from Bilha and Raipur Gramin seats, respectively, said Anupam Singh, who handles the AAPs media affairs in the state.

The other candidates in the list are Raja Ram Shyam (Pratappur-ST), Dev Prasad Koshle (Sarangarh-SC), Vijay Jaiswal (Kharsia), Pankaj Maes (Kota), Dr Ujjawala Karade (Bilaspur), Dharam Das Bhargav (Masturi-SC), Nandan Singh (Raipur west), Sant Ram Salamm (Antagarh-ST), Jugalkishor Bodh (Keshkal-ST) and Bomada Ram Mandavi (Chitrakot-ST).Chhattisgarh, which has always seen a bipolar politics dominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, saw the entry of a third front in the 2018 polls when former chief minister late Ajit Jogis Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) contested as a part of an alliance and bagged seven seats.

The Congress had registered a landslide victory in the 2018 polls winning 68 seats and comfortably formed the government. The BJP was reduced to 15 seats, while the JCC (J) and the BSP bagged 5 and 2 seats, respectively. The current strength of the Congress is 71.This time the AAP is eyeing to make inroads in the state as the JCC (J) has been virtually pushed to margins after the death of Ajit Jogi in 2020.

In July, the opposition BJP had released its first list of 21 candidates, while the ruling Congress is yet to announce its nominees.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Sunday said the party will fight unitedly in the Rajasthan assembly polls and retain power in the state, changing a 30-year-old trend of alternating government. Pilot also said the Congress will be able to challenge the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections only if it forms the government again in Rajasthan. Addressing a Kisan Sammelan at Ajitgarh in Neem ka Thana district, he alleged that the BJP has failed leading the government at the Centre and as the opposition in Rajasthan.

The former deputy chief minister laid emphasis on taking everyone along to ensure the Congress forms the government again in Rajasthan. If we have to form the Congress government again, then we need to take everyone alongwhether he is a small worker or a big leader of the country or state. Only if we take everyone along, the Congress family will be prosperous and the government will be formed again, said Pilot. He further said that the Congress government will repeat in Rajasthan and will buck the 30 years old tradition of alternating government in the state. Unless the Congress forms the government again in Rajasthan, we will not be able to challenge the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he added.

Pilot said that the Congress struggled when the BJP had won 163 out of 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan in 2013. Five years of our struggle was successful and the party formed the government in 2018 because this region supported the Congress, he told the gathering. Pilot said that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as well as party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are holding rallies across the country, including Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Rajasthan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday recalled the Udaipur beheading case of last year and slammed the Congress-led government of Rajasthan, saying the party only worries about its vote bank.

A tailor in Rajasthans Udaipur city in June last year was murdered by two men associated with terror group ISIS who slit the victims throat and later posted a video on social media where they claimed that they are avenging an insult to Islam, indirectly referring to the remarks against Prophet made by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma.

The Prime Minister was addressing a BJP rally in Chittorgarh, where he also held a mega road show amid chants of Modi Modi. Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia and Union Minister Arjun Meghwal were also present with him.

Here Are PM Modis Top 10 Quotes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a scathing attack on the opposition and said that they are dividing people in the name of caste.

His remarks came on a day when the Bihar government released the data of the caste-based survey. Opposition parties including Congress, and Bihar CM Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (U) have been demanding the BJP-led central government to conduct a caste-based census across the country.

They used to play with the feelings of the poor and they are doing it even now. Even then they used to divide the country on the basis of caste and now they are doing the same, PM Modi said.

As per the caste survey report, among the total population size of 13,07,25,310, Bihar has 63 per cent of people from the Other Backward Class (OBC) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) category.

The Prime Minister on Monday visited poll-bound Madhya Pradesh where he laid the foundation stones of developmental projects worth Rs 19,000 crore in Gwalior. Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh are slated to be held later this year.

The PM also held a grand roadshow with Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan and BJP state units president VD Sharma in Gwalior. The prime minister received an overwhelming welcome in Gwalior and he was seen waving and greeting the crowd.

In his speech, PM Modi said the Congress party made Madhya Pradesh a Bimaru State while the BJP only worked for the development of the state. The PM also made a strong pitch about the efforts his party has been making to empower the women of the country.

Here are some top quotes from PM Modis speech in Gwalior today:
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA has been extended in four districts of Assam for six more months, the Assam Police recently announced.

DGP Gyanendra Pratap Singh said the disturbed area tag has been withdrawn from the disturbed area tag from October 1, while Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar and Charaideo will continue to have AFSPA in place.

The contentious act has also been extended by another six months in conflict-torn Manipur last week barring 19 police stations falling under the Imphal valley and an area bordering neighbouring Assam.

The act gives special powers to the military to maintain law and order in areas considered disturbed by the government.

What is AFSPA?

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was enacted in 1958 to bring under control what the government considered disturbed areas. It was brought in to combat against insurgency in parts of Northeast India after the Independence

As of now, areas under AFSPA include parts of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir. The AFSPA was first imposed in Assam in November 1990, and has been extended every six months since then after review by the state government.

AFSPA gives sweeping powers to the armed forces including the military to conduct operations, to open fire, even causing death; and arrest anyone without any prior warrant against any person in contravention to the law or carrying arms and ammunition.

It gives the security forces immunity from arrest and prosecution to the forces if they shoot someone dead. It also gives them powers to arrest individuals without warrants on the basis of reasonable suspicion and search premises without warrants.

It can be imposed by the Centre or the Governor of a state, on the state or parts of it, after these areas are declared disturbed.

What are Disturbed Areas?

A disturbed area is declared by the government under Section 3 of the AFSPA Act, which empowers the governor of the state or the centre to issue an official notification regarding the disturbed area, following which the centre can send armed forces for civilian aid.

The government can declare an area disturbed due to disputes between members of different religious, racial, language or regional groups. Once declared disturbed, the region has to maintain status quo for a minimum of three months, according to The Disturbed Areas (Special Courts) Act, 1976.

AFSPA was first implemented in the Northeast and then in Punjab. It was repealed from Punjab, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
The currency notes across the world feature images of their founding fathers or prominent leaders who play a crucial role in the nations history. While the currency notes in the US carry the portraits of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, the Pakistani currency bears the portrait of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, while China features Mao Zedong.

In India, Mahatma Gandhis portrait has been in use in the national currency for more than five decades. Though the currency notes featuring Gandhi have been in circulation for past many years, the practice was not prevalent immediately after Indias Independence in 1947. Gandhis portrait became a permanent feature on the notes of every denomination only in 1996.

With Gandhis birth anniversary (October 2) falling on Monday, heres a look at the history behind Gandhis portrait on banknotes, how it was chosen and why portraits of other leaders are not used.

Origin of Gandhis Image

In colonial India, the currency notes used to carry the image of King George VI. After independence, the image of King George was replaced with the national emblem- Lion Capital at Sarnath.

Mahatma Gandhi first featured on the Indian currency notes in 1969 when a series in honour of his 100th birth anniversary was issued. The currency showed Gandhi seated in the backdrop of Sevagram Ashram.

Before Mahatma Gandhi, the currency notes had the image of the Lion Capital of Ashoka in most of the banknotes. Other images like Konark Temple in Odisha (on Rs 20), Brihadeeswara Temple (on Rs 1,000) and Gateway of India (on Rs 5,000 note).

In October 1987, a series of Rs 500 currency notes were released featuring smiling Gandhi. Since then, Gandhis portrait has been regularly featured on notes of different denominations.

Finally, in 1996, the Mahatma Gandhi series was issued replacing all the bank notes that were printed until then.

Do the Notes have Original Gandhis Image

The portrait of Gandhi visible on Indian currency notes isnt a caricature. According to a report in The Indian Express, the image is a cut-out of a photograph taken in 1946, where he is standing with British politician Lord Frederick William Pethick-Lawrence.

The photograph was chosen as the most suitable expression of Gandhi smiling and the portrait began to be used in the currency notes.

Why Gandhis Image Became a Permanent Feature

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)s Department of Currency Management is responsible for designing the Indian currency. The department has to get approval for the designs from the central bank and the Central government.

In the 1990s, the RBI felt that the traditional security features in the banknotes were inadequate in view of the advancements in printing, scanning and photography. Therefore, it was believed that inanimate objects would be relatively easier to forge than a human face.

Gandhi was chosen to be printed in the banknotes because of his national appeal and countrywide acceptance and a new Mahatma Gandhi Series was launched in 1996 to replace the former Ashoka Pillar. With a vast and diverse country like India, there cant be a consensus on a symbol or leader, other than Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi is not just renowned but also a respected international figure who is widely respected across ideologies and party lines.

The RBI also introduced several security features like a windowed security thread, latent image and intaglio features.

In 2016, Mahatma Gandhi New Series of banknotes were announced by the RBI post-demonetisation by the Central government. Though the colour of the notes has been changed, the portrait of Gandhi continues along with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan logo at the back of the note.

Demand to include others

There have been demands to include the images of popular leaders and Gods and Goddesses on currency notes. However, the RBI had rejected the suggestions to replace Gandhis portrait with any other leader on the bank notes.

During a lecture in 2014, former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan was asked why we cant have scientist Homi J Bhabha or poet Rabindranath Tagore on the rupee notes.

There are so many great Indians, but of course he (Gandhi), stands head and shoulders above everyone. There are many great Indians that we could get on the notes. But I sense that almost anybody else would be controversial, Rajan said.

In the same year, then Finance Minister Arun Jaitely while addressing the Lok Sabha had said, An RBI panel has decided against the inclusion of any other national leaders image on banknotes saying that no other personality can better represent the ethos of the country than Mahatma Gandhi.
An iconic tiger claw or wagh nakh that belonged to Maratha empires patriarch Shivaji Bhosale I or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is set to return home in Maharashtra centuries after Shivaji is said to have fought a consequential war with the weapon.

The wagh nakh will return to India for the first time next week after the East India Company took it to England in the 1820s during the British colonial conquest on Indian subcontinent.

Loan for Three Years

The tiger claw is scheduled to return to Maharashtra from London in November this year, coinciding with Maharashtras 350th anniversary celebrations of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji.

The iconic weapon is currently in Londons Victoria and Albert Museum. The claw will be brought from the museum on loan for a three-year exhibition in South Mumbai.

Maharashtra Culture Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar will travel to London on Tuesday to formalise an agreement with the museum for the repatriation of this historic weapon.

According to reports, the wagh nakh will find its home at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in South Mumbai.

Significance of Wagh Nakh

As per historical accounts, Shivaji and Afzal Khan had arranged a truce after political upheavals in order to meet in a tented enclosure, virtually alone. The V and A description of the history of the Tiger Claws explains: Both came armed: Shivaji wore mail under his clothes and metal skull protection under his turban. He also held a metal Tiger Claws weapon concealed in his hand. The two men fought, and Shivaji disembowelled his opponent.

Whereas, other reports say that in the Battle of Pratapgarh in 1659, the wagh nakh was used by Shivaji Maharaj to kill Bijapur Sultanates general Afzal Khan the commander of the opposing Bijapur army. Despite being outnumbered, the Marathas victory enhanced Chhatrapati Shivajis reputation as a brilliant military strategist.

The last Peshwa (Prime Minister) of the Marathas, Baji Rao II, surrendered to the British in June 1818 after defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War and was banished to Bithoor near Kanpur. It is possible he also surrendered this weapon to Grant Duff. It has not been possible to verify whether these tiger claws are the ones used by Shivaji nearly 160 years earlier.

Shivajis act of killing Afzal Khan at the foot of Pratapgarh fort in present-day Satara has become a popular episode, symbolising his courage in defeating a powerful adversary.

How it Landed with the British

According to historians, the wagh nakh was kept in the sanctum sanctorum of a temple housed within Satara rulers family residence.

It is believed, though unverified, that the set of claws then came into the possession of James Grant Duff, an officer of the East India Company who was appointed Resident or political agent of the Satara state in 1818 and gifted to the Victoria and Albert (V and A) by a descendant.

This Relic was given to Mr. James Grant-Duff of Eden When he was Resident at Satara By the Prime Minister of the Peshwa of the Marathas, the museum website stated.

According to the V and A, the weapon is accompanied by a fitted case made after Grant Duff returned to Scotland. The inscription on the case reads: The Wagnuck of Sivajee With Which He Killed the Moghul General. This Relic was given to Mr. James Grant-Duff of Eden When he was Resident at Satara Minister of the Peshwa of the Marathas.

(With inputs from agencies)
Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova announced she will continue to work with partners to confirm U.S. assistance after a temporary budget resolution for 45 days was adopted to avoid a shutdown, which did not include funding for Ukraine.

"Currently, the interim budget resolution has only been adopted for 45 days. Congress and the Administration made sure that the funds from the previous budget for assistance programs to Ukraine were transitional. The funds are there. The government will work so there is no threat to the supply of weapons and equipment approved previously," she said on the social network Facebook.

"We now have at least an additional $1.6 billion in defense assistance and $1.23 billion more in direct budget assistance (this is the September tranche just transferred to the World Bank accounts), plus significant amounts for energy and other programs to use," Markarova said.

She said at the end of 45 days a new decision would be required. "Actually, there is time, there are resources, and most importantly, there is bipartisan and bicameral support for Ukraine, which makes it possible to work to confirm American assistance to the Ukrainian struggle for freedom and to save people's lives. And my many conversations today with both Ukrainian caucuses and other leaders in Congress in both houses gives reason to believe that even before the end of these 45 days we will be discussing specific solutions for Ukraine," she said.

It was previously reported that both houses of Congress voted on Saturday for a temporary 45-day budget resolution to avoid a government shutdown; the temporary funding law does not include U.S. aid to Ukraine.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is planning to bring in a new law banning the use of perfumes for pilots.

The law is related to the aviation regulators strict alcohol rules where it has already banned products with alcoholic content.

The aviation regulator has called for comments from stakeholders on amending the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), which is issued under the provisions of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, as regards safety regulations.

Why is DGCA Planning to Ban Perfume

Indias aviation regulator recently proposed to update its rules regarding the consumption of alcohol. As per reports, the DGCA has already banned alcoholic drinks like mouthwash that could cause a positive breath test, according to The Hindu.

As a part of the rule, the regulator has also specifically mentioned perfume to avoid a false positive in the breath analyser test.

No crew member shall consume any drug/formulation or use any substance such as mouthwash/tooth gel/perfume or any such product which has alcoholic content. This may result into positive breath analyser test. Any crew member who is undergoing such medication shall consult the company doctor before undertaking flying assignment, the proposed legislation stated.

However, it is unclear whether perfumes containing small amounts of alcohol can trigger a false positive breath test in a person wearing it on ones body.

Indias Touch Laws for Pilots

India has very strict alcohol rules for the airline crew. As per the Civil Aviation Requirements guidelines, all flight crew members and cabin crew members operating scheduled/charter/non-scheduled flights originating from India will be subjected to pre-flight breath-analyser examination at first departure airport during a flight duty period.

Even the smallest trace of alcohol is considered a positive result and can cause an immediate three-month licence suspension. Moreover, the rules further state that all the operators shall ensure that the breath-analyser examination is recorded on camera and recordings preserved for six months.

The DGCA also mandates a 12-hour gap between flying an aircraft and the intake of an alcoholic beverage.

In 2022, 41 pilots and 116 cabin crew had their licences temporarily suspended after testing positive for alcohol. In 2021, 19 pilots failed pre-flight alcohol tests.

Pilots who fail the alcohol test the first time are barred from flying for three months, while second-time offenders are barred for three years and the flying license is permanently revoked if a pilot fails the test a third time.

The DGCA states that some common products could trigger a false-positive result. Therefore, the rule change could close a legal loophole used by crew members to avoid a licence suspension.
As many as 24 patients, including 12 newborns, reportedly died at a government hospital in Maharashtras Nanded in the last 24 hours.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said he will seek more information on the matter and added that appropriate action will be taken.

Dr Wakode, the Dean of Doctor Shanakarrao Chavan Hospital, Nanded said six male and six female newborn babies have died in the last 24 hours. He also said that 12 adults have died due to various ailments, like snake bites, etc.

This is a tertiary-level hospital. People do come here from far-off areas. We usually get emergency and extremely critical cases in this hospital as there is no hospital available like us in the periphery of 70-80km. Due to transfers of various staff, there was some difficulty for uswe were supposed to buy medicines from Halfkin Institute but that also didnt happen, he said.

Dr Kishore Rathod, Head of Paediatrics Department told CNN News 18 that nothing went wrong in the hospital. Critical patients were referred to hospitals. We have everything available for treatments, he added.

In a statement, the medical superintendent of Dr Shanakarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital said that the hospital has enough stock of medicines for emergency and critical patients.

In the last two days, many cases of critical and last-stage patients have been reported at the hospital. These patients had come from other districts, our staff is treating them and monitoring their health condition. A Rs 12 crore budget was already sanctioned for this hospital and more Rs 4 crore has been sanctioned for this hospital, read the statement.

3-Member Committee to Submit Report on Tuesday

Dr Dilip Mhaisekar, Director, Medical Education and Research, Maharashtra, told PTI, In the last 24 hours, 24 deaths have been reported at Nanded Government Hospital and Medical College (GMCH). Out of these, 12 are infants who were referred here by some local private hospitals. The remaining deaths are of adults for various reasons.

He further informed that a three-member expert committee from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) district has been formed with a mandate to submit a report by 1 p.m. on Tuesday. Dr Mhaisekar also said that he is personally visiting the hospital to review the situation.

Congress leader Ashok Chavan visited the hospital in Nanded where around 24 people died due to various ailments including snake bites, arsenic and phosphorus poisoning.

#WATCH | Maharashtra | Congress leader Ashok Chavan visits Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital in Nanded where around 24 people died due to various ailments (snake bites, arsenic and phosphorus poisoning etc.) pic.twitter.com/5qTKbvQjOk ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

Chavan said the Eknath Shinde government must make arrangements for medical staff as well as funds for the Nanded GMCH on priority. He also said that the hospital has 500 beds but some 1,200 patients are admitted at present.

It is natural that medical staff and doctors are overburdened due to such a large number of patients. I will speak to state deputy chief minister and finance minister Ajit Pawar seeking his intervention for funds, Chavan said.

He further said that the dean has also said that posts continue to remain vacant after the transfer of some nurses, while there is also a shortage of medical officers.

I have suggested to the state government that they can take the help of private doctors. It is up to the state government to implement it or not, he added.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed condolence over the death and hit out at the BJP.

,          12    24                             ,        Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 2, 2023

NCP MP Supriya Sule blamed the triple engine sarkar for the deaths and said that each of these deaths needs to be thoroughly investigated. She said that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde should immediately accept the resignation of the concerned minister.

             .      .        .                https://t.co/QIKk7Cn6Gz Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) October 2, 2023

Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said this is murder due to absolute negligence on the part of the unconstitutional state government.

This is shameful, please dont call them deaths, this is murder due to absolute negligence on the part of the unconstitutional state government. They are so busy planning influencer events or foreign trips that they have forgotten their basic job is to serve the state, she said in a post on X.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) spokesperson Vikas Lawanade said the incident is a shame on the government.

In connection to the Nanded hospital death, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that strict action should be taken against those responsible. Taking to X, formerly Twitter she said, The sad news of death of 24 patients including 12 infants was received in Maharashtra due to shortage of medicines. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Strict action should be taken against those responsible and compensation should be given to the affected families.

(with inputs from PTI)
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday visited Golden Temple in Punjabs Amritsar to offer his prayers and volunteer service or sewa at the temple.

The former Congress President landed at the airport a 11:15 am and is in the city on a personal visit, said Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.

Taking to the microblogging site X, Warring wrote Shri @RahulGandhi ji is coming to Amritsar Sahib to pay obeisance at Sachkhand Shri Harmandir Sahib. This is his personal, spiritual visit, lets respect his privacy. Request all party workers to not be physically present for this visit. You all can show your support in spirit & meet him the next time. Satnaam Shri Waheguru.

Standing amid a slew of people, Gandhi was also seen  with folded hands  offering his prayers at the sanctum sanctorum of Amritsars Golden Temple.

#WATCH | Punjab | Congress MP Rahul Gandhi visits Golden Temple in Amritsar. pic.twitter.com/6azkUDrzAV ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

After paying obeisance, he visited the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, and also performed sewa (voluntary service) by cleaning water bowls used by devotees. Sitting among several other devotees, Gandhi was seen washing utensils.

#WATCH | Punjab: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi offers Sewa at Golden Temple in Amritsar. pic.twitter.com/D8JZLRIOoR ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

Gandhi is expected to spend some more time at the shrine performing sewa. It is also likely, that he will attend the ritual of palki sewa on Tuesday morning.

According to an Indian Express report, Congress leader Bhagwantpal Singh Sachar had earlier said that He will visit the Darbar Sahib to pay his respects. Later, he will participate in volunteer activities such as washing utensils. So far, we only have information about his plans at Darbar Sahib.

Sachhar added that Gandhi has booked a room at a private hotel near Darbar Sahib, while only one room is booked at the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Inn for Rahul Gandhi. Alternative arrangements have been made at the private hotel for Gandhis security personnel, Sachhar said.

Gandhis visit comes in the backdrop of an on-going tussle between the Congress state unit and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party over the arrest of party MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in a 2015 drug case. Some of the party leaders have also opposed the alliance with AAP for the 2024 general elections.

Rahul Gandhi had previously visited the Golden Temple before kickstarting the Punjab leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. He flew down to Amritsar a day prior to pay his obeisance at the temple, following which he returned to Punjabs Sirhind to begin the footmarch.

(With PTI inputs)
With the arrest of Shahnawaz, declared a wanted terrorist with a reward of Rs 3 lakh by the Nationalist Investigation Agency (NIA), along with his two associates, on Sunday, the special cell of the Delhi Police has busted both the Pune and Delhi modules of the Islamic State (IS or ISIS), according to police sources. Three others on the wanted list with Shahnawaz are still at large.

ALSO READ | Pune ISIS Module Case: NIA Raid at Thane Home of Arrested Man Reveals Incriminating Material | Exclusive

The investigation has revealed that Shahnawaz and his module wanted to carry out attacks across North India during the festive season, said police. They had also carried out a controlled blast in the jungles of Pune.

According to police sources, Shahnawaz was the common link between the Delhi and Pune module of the ISIS.

Shahnawaz is a hardened terrorist. Over the past few months, he had conducted recces across north India. His task was finding locations to set up training camps in India. The recruitment was supposed to be done by his handlers," said sources.

He had also conducted several recces to locations that were to be attacked during this festive season, said sources. He was trained to make improvised explosive devices (IED) and was an expert. Incriminating documents, along with chemicals (liquid) used to make IEDs, were recovered from his house.

Shahnawaz, along with Mohammad Arshad Warsi and Mohammad Rizwan, was presented before the police on Monday morning through video-conferencing. They have been remanded in seven-day police custody.

On Saturday, the NIA, along with the Pune and Delhi Police, carried out raids in the national capital. However, these raids were unsuccessful and nothing significant was found.

THE ISIS PUNE MODULE

The ISISs Pune module was unearthed this year.

The Pune Police had arrested two people while stealing a motorcycle and the third was Shahnawaz, who had fled. Initially the pune police thought that these people are petty thieves, but sustained interrogation revealed that they were terrorists of ISIS and part of the sleeper cell.

The case was then handed over to Maharastra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which made a few arrests.

Considering the gravity, it was handed over to the NIA, which took seven people in custody.

The NIA had released the pictures of four wanted terrorists and announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh each. The group used to make IEDs.
Campaigning ended on Monday for the October 4 elections to the fifth Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)-Kargil with the stage set for a triangular contest in most of the 26 seats.

The counting of votes is scheduled for October 8 and the new council will be in place before October 11. The existing council headed by National Conferences Feroz Ahmad Khan completed its five-year term on October 1.

A total of 95,388 voters including 46,762 women are eligible to exercise their franchise from 8 am to 4 pm on Wednesday to decide the electoral fate of 85 candidates in 26 seats of the 30-member Hill Council, according to election officials.

The administration is nominating four councillors with voting rights.

The National Conference and Congress have announced a pre-poll alliance but have put up 17 and 22 candidates, respectively. Both parties said the arrangement has been restricted to areas where there is a tough contest with the BJP.

BJP, which won one seat in the last election and later took its tally to three with the joining of two PDP councillors, has fielded 17 candidates this time.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is trying its luck from four seats while 25 independents are also in the fray, the officials said.

Electronic voting machines (EVMs) are being used for the first time for the council elections.

According to election officials, out of 278 polling stations being set up across the district, 114 are hypersensitive and 99 sensitive. Additional companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have already been deployed and are performing their duties to ensure peaceful polling.

In an official order issued on Sunday, election authority and Deputy Commissioner Shrikant Balasaheb Suse directed a total prohibition on holding public meetings and processions during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll.

Suse also banned exit polls in the district till the conclusion of the poll and warned of action as per law against anyone contravening the directions.

The elections to LAHDC-Kargil were rescheduled from September 10 to October 4 on the directions of the Supreme Court which took serious note of the UT administration denying the plough symbol to National Conference candidates.

Holding that the National Conference is entitled to its symbol, the Supreme Court dismissed the Ladakh administrations plea on the issue and also imposed a cost of Rs 1 lakh on it.

Though the extended campaigning in the district remained low-key, National Conference Vice President and former chief minister Omar Abdullah addressed two election rallies at Drass and Kargil.

We (the NC and the Congress) are fighting together to send a strong message to the people in the country that what happened on August 5, 2019, was undemocratic and based on injustice.

With peoples support, we are going to win the polls and they (BJP) are panicking, Omar had said.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during his nine-day trip to Ladakh in August, also addressed a public meeting in Kargil. The partys campaigning was mostly done by local leaders of the party from Ladakh.

Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi campaigned for the BJP candidates and called upon the people of Kargil to vote the BJP to power for the all-round development of the district.

BJP Lok Sabha MP from Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal also widely campaigned for the party candidates, seeking votes on the focused development of the region by the central government.
Rejecting the allegations of the West Bengal government of discrimination in rural development schemes, Union Minister for Rural Development Giriraj Singh said during a press interaction at Bihars Begusarai on Monday that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has allocated more money to the state than the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

The Centre has been at the odds with the state, over the former alleging misuse of funds, while the latter claiming that funds for flagship schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) have not been released. The Centre has not released funds under MGNREGS to WB since 2021 over alleged misuse of funds. The matter is now in the Calcutta High Court.

More than Rs 54,000 crore were given to West Bengal in the past nine years, whereas during the time of UPA this figure was only Rs 14,900 crore, said Singh.

This was even as party workers from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) from the state came down to the national capital on Monday on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and gathered at Rajghat to protest against the Central governments allegations of corruption and non-release of MGNREGS and other welfare schemes funds to WB.

Party workers plan to take the protest further on Tuesday against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government for its failure in disbursement of various social security schemes to the state.

Meanwhile, the minister, during the press briefing, listed the achievements under various schemes, citing that 111 crore man-days were created under MGNREGS between 2006-14, 240 crore man days were created after 2014.

Alleging statewide corruption, Singh said the WB government issued 25 lakh fake job cards under MGNREGS due to which crores of government money was siphoned off.

The Centre has ordered several enquiries into the functioning of several centrally -funded schemes in the state including MGNREGS and PM Poshan (formerly mid-day meal) schemes.

The WB government has not been cooperating with the Centre. The state was asked by the ministry on several occasions to submit a comprehensive action-taken report, but no such report was filed by the government. Non-submission of ATRs can amount to the Centre withholding funds for welfare schemes to states, said Singh.
Starting today, the road journey time between Delhi and Vadodara will be down to 10 hours, lower than the fastest train on the route, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to inaugurate the second stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai expressway up to Gujarat.

The Mumbai Central Tejas Rajdhani, the fastest train between Delhi and Vadodara, takes around 10 hours and 45 minutes, while other trains take between 12 and 15 hours.

Passing through Sohna, Dausa, Lalsot Sawai Madhopur, Kota, Ratlam Dahod and Godhra, the new expressway will almost halve the travel time between Delhi and Vadodara, which earlier took around 18-20 hours depending on the route. Currently, there are two direct routes to reach Vadodara from Delhi  one via Jaipur, Bhilwara and Udaipur, and another via Laxmangarh, Lalsot and Kota. The Jaipur-Udaipur route is slightly shorter and takes around 17 hours.

As per the earlier routes, the distance between the two cities via road was more than 1,000km, but with the new expressway, the distance will come down to just 845km.

The Delhi-Vadodara section of the expressway, built at a cost of around Rs 12,000 crore, passes through Haryana (79km) and the poll-bound states of Rajasthan (373km), and Madhya Pradesh (244km). The Sohna-Dausa section of the Delhi-Mumbai expressway is already functional.

It is an access-controlled expressway and cars can run at a speed of 120 kmph. This eight-lane e-way will allow a smooth flow of traffic. It is going to ease the journey between the two cities while offering better connectivity to Jaipur, Kota, Chittorgarh, Indore, Ujjain, Bhopal, and Ahmedabad, a Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) official told News18.

News18 had reported on August 23 that the Madhya Pradesh stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai expressway will be the ruling BJPs showpiece project ahead of Assembly elections this year.

The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway

Expecting to reduce the travel time between national capital Delhi and financial capital Mumbai to just 12 hours, the 1,386-km Delhi-Mumbai expressway will be ready by February 2024.

The Delhi-Mumbai expressway will connect Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. It is being developed at a cost of around Rs 1 lakh crore.

The e-way will halve the travel time between Delhi and Mumbai to 12 hours and will also shorten the distance by nearly 200 km.

The 246-km Sohna-Dausa-Lalsot section was inaugurated on February 12. It was developed at a cost of over Rs 12,150 crore. With this, the travel time between Delhi and Jaipur came down to around 3.5 hours from five hours earlier.

According to the ministry, the e-way will generate annual fuel savings of more than 320 million litres and reduce CO2 emissions by 850 million kg, which is equivalent to planting 40 million trees.
In a shocking incident in Uttar Pradeshs Deoria, at least six people were brutally killed and several others were injured over an ongoing land dispute between two families. The incident occurred in the Fatehpur village under Rudrapur police station limits in the Deoria district, where the two groups allegedly fired at each other during a clash over a long-standing land dispute.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident so far, and efforts are on to nab others, police said.

The altercation began around 7:00 AM and escalated to the point where both groups attacked each other with sharp objects and fired gunshots, resulting in the deaths of six individuals.

Among the deceased is a former district panchayat member. The police said that the land dispute had been going on for an extended period in the village.

What We Know So Far

According to police, the incident is a fallout of the old rivalry going on between the two families over the land dispute. District panchayat member Prem Yadav was the first to be beaten to death and then Satya Prakash Dubey of the rival group was lynched.

Satya Prakash Dubey, son of Janardan Dubey who is a resident of Fatehpur village had a dispute with Prem Chandra Yadav, who hails from neighboring Abhaypur tola, told Dr Sankalp Sharma, superintendent of police (SP), Deoria.

Sharma said at around 7 a.m. when Prem Chandra Yadav was inspecting the disputed land, Satya Prakash Dubey and others reached the spot.

However, the heated argument between the two parties soon turned violent when both parties entered into a brawl. Some locals said that Satya Prakash crushed Prem Chandra Yadav to death while hitting him multiple times with a brick on his skull.

Upset over the killing of Prem Chandra Yadav, his family members barged into the house of Satya Prakash and shot him, his wife Kiran, his two daughters Saloni and Nandini, and his son Gandhi from point blank range, said police.

Police teams and paramilitary forces have been deployed in the area due to the tense situation. The village remains on edge as tension prevails in the aftermath of the murders.

UP CM Takes Cognisance Of the Matter

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the incident and directed top police officials to rush to the spot to assist the family members of the deceased and to take strict action.

Deorias incident is very unfortunate and condemnable. My condolences are with the bereaved family. ADG\Commissioner and IG have been directed to take strictest action and district administrative officials have also been instructed to ensure proper treatment to those who got injured into the clash Yogi Adityanath wrote in a post on X.

UP Director General of Police (DGP) Vijay Kumar has sought a report from the SP and has directed the officials to make early arrests in the matter.
Disease X is just an imaginary or hypothetical illness, top scientists and experts have clarified following widespread circulation of reports about the illness on social media, leading many in the general public to believe it is a new ailment.

The new pandemic has been dubbed as Disease X by the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, it caused the general public to mistakenly perceive it as a new post-Covid-19 disease.

Dr Anurag Agrawal, Dean, BioSciences and Health Research, Ashoka University, clarified that Disease X is an imaginary scenario of a new pathogen causing a new pandemic that is more severe than previous ones.

There is no such pathogen immediately and the exercise is for conceptualising a suitable action plan against future threats, he said.

Explaining the new term, Dr NK Arora draws a comparison between Disease X and an intruder or thief that an average individual imagines infiltrating their residence, leading them to install security cameras and prepare potential weapons.

Arora, head of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI)  an apex panel which takes critical decisions on the use and deployment of Covid-19 vaccines in India  said: That thief may never enter your house but in preparation, you install CCTV cameras, lock the house, buy a dog, and keep arms ready and much more. Disease X is similar to that imaginary thief which may not come in our lifetime, but preparations are required right now. The community of scientists is getting ready, imagining that potential intruder.

What triggered concern among people was the cautionary statement from a UK-based expert.

The next pandemic could take 50 million lives, said Dame Kate Bingham, who chaired the UKs Vaccine Taskforce, adding that it might already be on its way and that Covid-19 was not that lethal.

Bingham said Disease X could be 20 times deadlier than Coronavirus. Speaking to Daily Mail, she said: The world will have to prepare for mass vaccination drives and deliver the doses in record time Imagine Disease X is as infectious as measles with the fatality rate of Ebola (67 per cent). Somewhere in the world, its replicating, and sooner or later, somebody will start feeling sick.

Experts Ease Concerns

The countrys top epidemiologist, Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, told News18 that there is a need to tone down the panic or stress related to Disease X, adding that the need to be aware of hypothetical pathogens is much more than ever.

The risk of transmission from zoonotic diseases is increasing dramatically due to climate change. Forests are being affected due to which the transmission from animals to humans will increase, he said, explaining that bats are known as reservoirs for about 40 viruses of which only six are known so far, including coronavirus.

Gangakhedkar, the former head of epidemiology and communicable diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), steered the countrys efforts in handling the outbreaks of the Nipah virus in Kerala and Covid-19. He advised that India must intensify its preparations for the One Health mission under which surveillance of animals plays an important role. We also need to strengthen community involvement, he said, sharing examples from his on-ground assignments and learnings.

Dr Vishal Rao, member of the Genomic Surveillance Committee of Karnatakas Covid-19 Task Force, shared a detailed roadmap on how India is preparing against Disease X.

The team at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with Bangalore BioInnovation Centre, Department of Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka, and state department of health under the M-Path programme, has identified 32 potential pathogens, he said.

In order to monitor these pathogens at the district level and enhance surveillance, the team will collaborate with various state departments, including urban development, rural and panchayat raj, and other agencies.

The team is developing a multiplexed serology platform, called M-PATHS, designed to identify antibodies against human pathogens that are specific to India. This platform will be developed over the next 24 months, he said.
A 22-year-old woman has claimed that she was sexually harassed by police officers in Uttar Pradeshs Ghaziabad on September 16.

The victim and her fiance  from Greater Noida and Bulandshahr  were in Ghaziabads Sai Upvan forest when two police officers approached them along with another man in uniform, a NDTV report said.

The two policemen identified as Rakesh Kumar and Digambar Kumar, threatened to send the fiance to jail, demanding Rs 10,000 from the couple. The cops refused to consider the couples plea, even after the two fell at the their feet begging them to stop. The fiance then had to pay the policemen the demanded amount via Paytm.

The woman alleged that the third man, who is yet to be identified, demanded Rs 5.5 lakh from the couple and threatened them by saying that unless they paid the amount, they would be faced with serious consequences.

The victim in her official complaint accused the police personnel of slapping her, adding that, Rakesh Kumar forced himself upon her. According to reports, the couple were allegedly held back by the policemen for nearly three hours before they were let go.

But the harassment persisted as the accused called the victim regularly and even went to her house. When Rakesh Kumar contacted her to harass her on September 19, the woman recorded one of these conversations as proof.

Upon discovering that the couple had decided to register an FIR against the three men, Rakesh Kumar visited the womans house unannounced and threatened her.

After tens days of harassment, the couple registered an FIR on September 28. Nimish Patil, Senior Police Officer (Ghaziabad) said that all the three accused are on the run and an extensive investigation has been launched to nab them.

Previously in May, a head constable was suspended by the Uttar Pradesh police for stalking and harassing a schoolgirl in Lucknows Sadar area. This move came after a video of the accused, Shahdat Ali, following and allegedly harassing the girl, went viral on social media, following which the girls parent filed a complaint.

DCP East Lucknow, Hirdesh Kumar said, A case was registered under appropriate sections of the IPC dealing with harassment by a government employee and also provisions of the POCSO Act were imposed on the accused.
Baerbock: Future of Ukraine is in EU, it soon to expand from Lisbon to Luhansk

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, before the start of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv, said the future of Ukraine is in the EU, and it will soon expand from Lisbon to Luhansk.

"The future of Ukraine is in the European Union, in our community of freedom, and soon it will expand from Lisbon to Luhansk. With every village, with every meter that Ukraine liberates, with every meter where it saves its people, it also makes its way into EU," Baerbock said during a conversation with reporters in Kyiv on Monday.

She said European partners will continue to support Ukraine so that Ukrainians "can live in peace and freedom again."

The minister also noted the "impressive implementation" of reforms by the Ukrainian government in the midst of the "terrible Russian war of aggression."

"These are things such as changing legislation in the field of justice, in the field of media, but also related to the fight against corruption. We openly talk with our partners here in Ukraine that we will continue this path together," Baerbock said.

In addition, the department's head noted the need to further intensify efforts to prepare Ukraine for this winter. In particular, we are talking about air defense, generators and assistance with energy supplies.

Baerbock again said the war against Ukraine cannot be taken for granted.

"This suffering, the abduction of children, the murder of women and men must never become the norm in the European Union and must be reflected in our societies and countries," she said.
The gunned down body of a infamous gangster from Punjab, linked with the Bambiha gang, was found near fields in Harsana Kalan village in Haryanas Sonipat.

The gangster, identified as Deepak alias Maan Jaton, hailed from Punjabs Faridkot district and was closely associated with Lucky Patil, a Bambiha gang member, said a Hindustan Times report.

Maan is a history sheeter with several offences registered against him including that of attempt to murder and dacoity across Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and Delhi.

Maan had reportedly challenged his rival gang member Goldy Brar claiming that Maan along with his aides had killed Brars cousin Gurlej in Chandigarh a few years back. Maan was also a wanted person in this case, a senior police officer from Sonipat said.

Inspector Karmjeet Singh, Station House Officer (SHO) of Sonipat Sadar police station stated that they had had received information about a body lying in the fields from the locals.

Maans body had several bullet injuries on the head and stomach, Singh said adding that, the body has been taken into police custody and sent for post-mortem to a civil hospital.

It was only later that the deceased was identified with the help of Punjab police. Gangster Goldy Brar has taken responsibility for the crime and we are ascertaining the facts. An investigation is underway, Singh said.

The forensic teams have also collected evidence from the scene and they will be sent to the forensic science laboratory in Karnals Madhuban.

Goldy Brar posted on Facebook saying, Maan Jaton, who was one of the shooters in killing our brother Gurlej Brar, was killed. We have given him his punishment. He had killed our brother when he was asleep, but we have killed him like a dog. He used to challenge us on Facebook and he was hit with bullets. Those who belong to his gang shall remain ready to face the similar consequences.

Two weeks ago, Gangster Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha Duneke of the Devinder Bambiha gang, was shot dead in Canadas Winnipeg.

Duneke had fled to Canada from Punjab in 2017 and as per sources, he was killed in Winnipeg in an inter-gang rivalry. Hours after reports of his killing surfaced, Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for it.

In a social media post, the Bishnoi gang said that Duneke had played a key role in the murders of gangsters Gurlal Brar and Vicky Middkhera, adding that the killings were planned by Duneke even when he was living abroad.

Duneke who fled to Canada in 2017 with a forged passport, had been aiding, funding and strengthening the Devinder Bambiha gang in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan.
On September 21, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police arrested one of its Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP), Sheikh Adil Mushtaq, in a terror-linked corruption case in Srinagar.

Sheikh Adil, a resident of Baramulla, shot to fame on social media with his youth engagement and promotion of tourism in picturesque Gurez in north Kashmir. He is now behind bars for allegedly receiving money from a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative, Muzamil Zahoor, to keep the investigation limited in a terror funding case.

News18 has accessed the First Information Report (FIR) filed in the case.

THE CASH

The FIR reveals that on February 7, at 1715 hours, Nowgam Police Station arrested three suspects during a naka-checking at Lasjan Crossing on the National Highway. During the checking of the kit bag carried by Umer Adil Dar, Indian Currency (cash) amounting to Rs 31,65,200 (Thirty-One Lakh, Sixty Five thousand and two hundred rupees), 01 Mobile Phone, (03) pages of the [literature of] banned militant organization Lashkar-e-Toiba were recovered, FIR reads.

The FIR reveals that Adil, posted as a sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Panta Chowk in Srinagar, was investigating the case.

Preliminary questioning of the arrested trio revealed that they were Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of LeT and the money was part of a conspiracy to strengthen and fund of cadre in Srinagar. The said money was received by them on the directions of their handlers based in Pakistan as a part of larger criminal conspiracy hatched by terrorist organization within and across the border in the UT of J&K, the FIR states.

According to the police: The accused, Umar Adil Dar, in his disclosure statement, said that he earlier worked with the Hurriyat Geelani fraction  a secessionist organization  and after the abrogation of Article 370, he was approached by an unknown person through a number, by which he got in touch with a Pakistani Handler namely Col Yasir and Aijaz Rehmani  a Kashmir-based separatist leader sitting in Pakistan.

Umar further told police that on instructions of Rehmani, he received an amount of Rs 25 lakh, which he distributed to accused Bilal, Zamrooda, and Yasmin. The total amount of cash received through these consignments turned out to be Rs 31,65,200 (excluding the Rs 25 lakh consignment received earlier) which was later recovered in the case, the FIR states.

Meet DSP Sheikh Adil Mushtaq from Baramulla district, posted in Traffic police who has set up a Wall of Kindness in Kashmir to help the needy. #TransformingIndia @PIB_India @MIB_India @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/uDxhI2t1lW MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) November 26, 2020

THE BANK ACCOUNT

In March 2023, the investigation was taken over by another officer who sought money transactions of the arrested and made the arrest of two more women in the case, whose seized material had remained unanalyzed. There were two suspicious transactions wherein amounts of Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh were transferred on the same day i.e. 23.01.2023 to a single account which was traced to Punjab National Bank, Sopore, the FIR states.

Police then sought details of the account in which this amount was transferred and called the account owner for questioning who denied having any PNB account. The documents that the application on the basis of which the bank account was opened had a photo affixed which was different from the suspect. He identified the person in the photo as Muzamil Zahoor, a Pattan resident who had taken his documents on the pretext of a job. . Muzamil Zahoor had given false details and the said account had received Rs 5 lakh terror money from the account of Umer Adil Dar, the copy read. Zahoor was later arrested in July from a hotel in Srinagar.

TELEGRAM CHATS

The seized material included a mobile phone along with a SIM card which was sent to DG CERT-IN New Delhi, which revealed the nexus. It revealed chats on Telegram between Muzamil and an account, the ID of which was traced to the DSP. Muzamil is said to have been working with the terror network and has also stayed in New Delhi.

Further, the CERT-IN report reveals that during the period, Dy SP Sheikh Adil has actively guided Muzamil Zahoor to file a false and frivolous complaint against the Police Officers who were involved in the investigation of the case, in order to save Muzamil Zahoor from the rigor of law and also to create a manipulative cover in hiding the criminal complicity of DY SP Sheikh Adil for his wrongdoings that have surfaced during the investigation, the Police have recorded.

Police in the FIR also claim to have retrieved the chat between the two accused. The disclosure statement of Muzamil read: I was contacted to return to Srinagar and utilize the credited amount for the release of Umar Adil Dar or for limiting investigation, by approaching the investigating Officer. On my return from Delhi I went to office of the then SDPO Panthachowk (Adil Mushtaq) for release of accused Umar Adil Dar who informed that it is difficult as he is involved in UAPA case and that he cannot be released immediately, but the officer informed that he will help them by keeping the investigation limited and demanded money for the same.

In his statement, he claims to have paid Adil Rs 2.73 lakh in Srinagar while the officer asked him to remain underground for some months.

Adil has been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 1860 167, IPC 1860 193, IPC 1860 201, IPC 1860 210, IPC 1860 218, IPC 1860 221, Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. A five-member SIT headed by SP South City is handling the investigation.

In 2020, Davinder Singh, a DySP, was arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Police when he was ferrying terrorists of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen to Jammu from Kashmir. The case is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency.
Amid the growing India-US relations, a top official of the Biden administration has heaped praise on the incredibly talented Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and called him the architect of modern ties between the two nations.

The remark was made by Richard Verma, a veteran diplomat and the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, the highest-ranking Indian-American ever in the US State Department, during an event held at the Indian Embassy on Saturday to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of Indian culture and the India-US relationship.

The event hosted by Indias Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu was held in honour of Jaishankar, who was on a week-long visit to the US, where he addressed the UN General Assembly, met Secretary of State Antony Blinken and participated in various other events.

Speaking at the event, Verma emphasized the role of hard-working Indian Americans who have built the US-India ties and said, Its one of the most consequential relationships of this century. Do we have disagreements? You bet. Will we have bumps in the road? Of course. But two close friends aligned with these shared values, bonded together by the great ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther Kingthis is a partnership with staying power, with real impact, and that will continue to have an outside influence in the world.

Praising the Indian Minister, the former envoy termed Jaishankar as the architect behind the modern US-India relationship and exuded confidence that US-India strategic ties have enhanced under his watch.

I have also known (Jaishankar) for a long time over many capacities, and who I can also say, he is the architect of modern US-India relations. We would not be in the strong place that we are today, but for the external affairs minister, your leadership, Verma said in his public address.

Varma also lauded the Indian-American community for their hard work in strengthening the India-US partnership, which he said was one of the most consequential relationships of this century.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that more than 40 people were arrested following the incident of stone pelting in Shivamogga city on Sunday. Calling the Shivamogga city to be peaceful, the CM clearly stated that his government wont tolerate such incidents of violence.

While addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said that over 40 miscreants who were involved in the violence and who pelted stones have been arrested. We are slapping cases on them because pelting stones while taking out a religious procession is against the law, he added.

The Chief Minister further said that their government will not tolerate these activities and the perpetrators will be reined in.

Shivamogga City is completely normal now. The police are taking all possible actions there. The peace has been established in the city after the stone pelting incident. We will take up all possible measures to maintain peace in Shivamogga, he stated.

As the tensions escalated, the Karnataka police on Monday extended curfew to the entire city of Shivamogga.

In Shivamogga when the Eid Milad procession was taken up, miscreants had pelted stones in the Ragi Gudda area located on the outskirts of the Shivamogga city. The stones were pelted at police as well and the police had resorted to lathi charge inevitably, Siddaramaiah stated.

On Sunday, the IPC 144 prohibitory orders were clamped in the Ragi Gudda area of the city after incidents of violence during the Eid Milad procession.

As the situation continues to be tense all across the city, the security arrangements were tightened at the sensitive points and the shops were asked to be closed.

In a bid to prevent any untoward incident across the city, at least 12 platoons of District Armed Reserve (DAR), two platoons of Rapid Action Force (RAF), two platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and 2,500 policemen have been deputed.

Adrressing the stone pelting incident the Superintendent of Police (SP) at Shivamogga, GK Mithun Kumar said that on the basis of the video and information, some people have been arrested and a case has been registered.

On the stone pelting incident in Shivamogga, Karnataka | Shivamogga SP GK Mithun Kumar says "Some miscreants pelted stones during the Eid Milad procession. Some vehicles and houses were damaged. Based on the video and information, some people have already been arrested in pic.twitter.com/AkSNE2wrry ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka DK Shivakumar on Monday said that action will be taken against anyone taking the law into their own hands, in connection to the stone pelting incident in Shivamogga.

While talking to reporters the deputy CM said, We are here to take action on anyone who takes the law into their hands. We condemn such incidents. We want peace. We dont encourage any such activities. The govt is committed to taking action against the culprits.

Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa also reacted to the incident and said that he has given clear instructions to the authorities in order to ensure that strict action is taken.

Bengaluru: On Shivamogga riots, Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa says, "Yesterday a grand Eid Milad procession was being held. Even Ganesha celebrations have been held in a grand manner. The Police force was deployed and both the communities were asked to respect pic.twitter.com/udDuMLU94I ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

Earlier in February 2022, the murder of Bajrang Dal activist  Harsha had made national news. A series of stabbing incidents over putting up of banners and posters of BJPs freedom fighter Veer Savarkar have also taken place in the city.

(with inputs from IANS)
After assuring all help to India on the issue of Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing in Canada that has soured the relations between the two countries, Sukhminder aka Sukh Singh Dhaliwal, Liberal Party MP and close aide of Justin Trudeau, has reiterated to News18 that his government wont tolerate any attack on its citizens.

India and Canada are embroiled in a diplomatic tussle after Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau claimed a foreign agents involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistani leader Nijjar in a broad daylight outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, Dhaliwals constituency, on June 18.

Since then, both the countries expelled their diplomats, and invoked some visa restrictions.

Dhaliwal, who had earlier mentioned that India and Canada share good ties, told News18 that Trudeau has credible information and evidence when he addressed Parliament last month on Nijjars killing after his return from the G20 Summit in New Delhi, and mentioned about the foreign agents involvement. My job is to see all goes the fair way, he said.

The law enforcement agencies have enough evidence that made Trudeau make that statement. I can certainly say that PM Trudeau is very credible when he makes a statement. He does not do so without any evidence. I am happy someone can speak for Canada, Dhaliwal said.

The Canadian government has so far not provided any evidence after it accused India of being involved in Nijjars killing despite New Delhis insistence.

When asked if there was any FIR or a suspect list from the Canadian police in the matter, Dhaliwal said only time will tell. At this point, I can say that the PM was given the information, and he spoke. This is real leadership. The justice system in Canada is very fair. There is credible information that has made PM Trudeau say this.

Dhaliwal has confirmed meeting Nijjar in 2019 at a time when a red corner notice (RCN) was issued against him. Dhaliwal was evasive on whether he as an MP alerted the government authorities about Nijjar when he was declared a terrorist by India in 2020.

Dhaliwal was also at a loss to explain Nijjars proximity with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) as claimed by Nijjars son. He also was evasive on the inference whether the Canadian authorities were actively shielding a wanted man.

There are in fact allegations that the Canadian government was protecting Nijjar and allowing him to run his operations that included networking, training, financing and operationalising his Khalistan Terror Force (KTF) terror module.

I am not here to defend Nijjar but Canada. This issue is about assassination. That is bothersome, Dhaliwal said.

When asked if the Trudeau government will help India in extradition of gangsters Goldy Brar, Arsh Dalla and others, involved in terrorist activities, extortion and targeted killings, Dhaliwal said if New Delhi brings evidence, we will support India in deliberations.

Dhaliwal also said as a Canadian MP, he does not support the attack on the sovereignty of another country but he will not intervene if there are peaceful protests. Despite being repeatedly probed, Dhaliwal refused to take a clear position on whether he supports or is against calls for Khalistan.
The Rajasthan cabinet Sunday decided to provide a government job to the tribal woman who was beaten and paraded naked by her husband at Dhariyawad in Pratapgarh district last month.

Other significant decisions taken at the cabinet meeting held on Sunday night included the formation of the Rajasthan Logistic Service Delivery Corporation (RLSDC) to protect the interests of contract workers and approval of the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Policy-2023, a statement issued here said.

The cabinet has condemned the Dhariyawad incident and cleared a proposal to appoint her as a fourth-grade employee, the statement said.

The victim will be appointed to the post of Class IV employee in a local government school. This will enable social rehabilitation of the victim. The Cabinet has approved the proposal for appointment by providing relaxation in the Rajasthan Class IV Service (Recruitment and other conditions of service) Rules, 1999, it added.

The cabinet also decided to form a government logistics organisation. The formation of the RLSDC aims to stop the practice of appointing personnel on contract in government departments through placement agencies. This will ensure the selection of skilled and unskilled candidates in various government departments and institutions in a transparent manner, according to the release.

The RLSDC, which will be registered under the Companies Act-2013, would be fully owned by the state government, it added.

Another major decision taken in the meeting was the approval of the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Policy-2023 for renewable energy promotion.

Through this policy, 90 gigawatt capacity projects would be established in the state by the year 2030. Possibilities for investment and employment in the state from these related units will also increase, the release said.

The Cabinet decided to allot lands at concessional rates for community purposes to more than 80 social institutions for educational, social and economic upliftment in the state.

Among these, the applications received from Jaipur Development Authority, Jodhpur Development Authority, Rajasthan Housing Board, Urban Improvement Trust Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Barmer, Bikaner, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, and Udaipur have been approved.

The Cabinet has also decided to constitute the Rajasthan Leather Craft Development Board. This will increase the income and standard of living of people related to the leather business in the state. Employment opportunities will also be created.

This board will work for the overall development of leather artisans and economic upliftment of skilled leather handicraft workers and entrepreneurs in the state, the release added.

The cabinet also approved the draft of the proposal and notification related to Rajasthan Waqf Rules-2023 under Section 109 of the Central Waqf Act-1995. With the implementation of these rules, Waqf works will be executed with more ease, clarity and transparency, the statement said.

Under Section 109 of the Central Waqf Act-1995, the power to make rules for the operation of Waqf works is vested in the state government, it added.
Over two months after two Manipur students went missing, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested two men and two women in connection with the case which has put Imphal on the edge yet again.

Paominlun Haokip, Malsawn Haokip, Lhingneichong Baite, and Tinneikhol were nabbed by CBI on Sunday in an arrest that was like a surgical strike, officials on the ground said. The Manipur Police, in its investigation report of August 2, had said that it was impossible for the Imphal Police to go to the hills of Churchandpur to investigate, given the ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities.

Surgical Strike

A joint team of Manipur Police and the Indian Army collaborated with CBI to pick up the accused from Henglep. The operation began early on Sunday but the immediate roadblock was the two minor daughters of one of the suspects. Leaving them behind could have alerted locals and led to tension. There was no one in the family to take care of them so a decision was taken to allow them to accompany their parents in transit to Guwahati, a CBI official told News18.

The group of six, including the two minors, was whisked away to Imphal from the hills of Churchandpur just as locals started gathering to protest.

Even in normal conditions, arrest of any accused leads to some protest from family, etc. This was an unprecedented situation we were dealing with. Multiple agencies  police, army, paramilitary were at work, a senior officer on the ground told News18.

A top Manipur Police officer added: A day earlier, we had carried out a similar operation and handed over a suspect to NIA. That experience helped. Central agencies are getting full cooperation from the local police.

Race Against Time

CBI officials were waiting at the Imphal airport to take the suspects to Guwahati  the designated court for the case.

The last flight out of Imphal was at 5.40pm and then began the race against time to cover the 51km distance to Imphal. Senior officers got on the phone to coordinate with the DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation), BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security), and CISF which guards the Imphal airport.

There are rules followed by BCAS and DGCA for flight operations. There was some tension about whether the team escorting the suspect would make it on time. Ultimately, no untoward incident happened. All agencies were on board to ensure that the suspects were flown out as per plan, an official in the know told News18.

Fallout of the Arrests

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh posted on X, formerly Twitter, shortly after the arrests that the main accused had been arrested and his government would seek capital punishment against the four.

Im pleased to share that some of the main culprits responsible for the abduction and murder of Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi have been arrested from Churachandpur today. As the saying goes, one may abscond after committing the crime, but they cannot escape the long hands of the law. We are committed to ensuring maximum punishment, including capital punishment, for the heinous crime they have committed, he posted.

However, the back-to-back arrests  first by NIA and then by CBI  have led to a complete shutdown in the hills of Manipur. Tribal body ITLF (Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum) questioned the alacrity with which the arrests were carried out. The (ITLF) condemns in the strongest terms the selective haste of central investigating agencies, who arrested four Kuki-Zo tribals, including two women, without the knowledge of local authorities and abducted two children from their homes. There were no women police officers and no juvenile police unit as required by law when the secret operation was undertaken, Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson of ILTF, said.

Meanwhile, the CBI officials refuted this claim and said that women officers were present at the time of arrest.

More Arrests Soon

While CBI is likely to seek custody of the suspects for further questioning, the real challenge, officials said, is to locate the bodies. Photos on social media indicate that the two youngsters are dead. But to prove it in court, the bodies, or at least some parts, will have to be recovered. DNA samples have been taken to establish the case, a probe official said.

Preliminary investigation by CBI suggests that the two youngsters  17-year-old girl Luwangbi Linthoingambi Hijam and 20-year-old man Phijam Hemanjit  were last seen together on July 6. Investigators suspect that the two Imphal residents had strayed into Kuki areas.

They were taking selfies in the area when volunteers at Jaupi village warned them to move away from Kuki areas. Eyewitness accounts suggest the couple obliged but Hemanjit strayed further to a Kuki bunker to ask for Marijuana. A gypsy carrying armed Kuki militants soon arrived at the spot and took them away to an unknown spot, the initial probe suggests.

One of the suspects arrested is allegedly the wife of a known Kuki militant. CBI officials suspect many others were involved in the act of abduction and restraining the two youngsters. More arrests could follow after questioning, an officer told News18.

The big challenge before CBI is to locate the missing mobile phones and clothes of the victims and Hemanjits motorbike. Probe officials suspect that the two were alive for at least two days after the abduction. Allegations of rape and torture have been made but agencies are non-committal.

CBI Gets 5-day Custody of the Accused

The accused were presented to a special CBI court in Guwahati on Monday and granted 5-day custody to the probe agency for questioning. All the accused will be produced in the court on October 7.

In its order, the judge noted that arrest guidelines had been followed while making the arrest and there was a valid reason for arrest.
A man has been booked for allegedly stalking and harassing a 13-year-old girl in Maharashtras Thane city, a police official said on Monday.

The minor  a Wagle Estate area resident  had opened an account on an instant messaging platform through her mothers phone a few months back. She had then accepted a friend request from the accused, said the official from Thanes Srinagar police station while quoting the FIR.

The two had conversed with each other on the instant messaging app. Following this the accused allegedly stalked the girl and also told her that when she turns 18, hell marry her. The official said that the accused had even allegedly touched her in an inappropriate manner.

When the girl did not reciprocate his feelings, he slashed his wrist using a blade. Further, he even sent his nude pictures to the minor, the police official said.

Amid the consistent harassment, the girl fell sick a couple of times. Fed up with the accused, the girl approached the police to file a complaint.

Based on her statement, an FIR was lodged against the accused under Indian Penal Code Sections 354D (stalking) and 366A (procuration of minor girl) and also under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Information Technology (IT) Act, the police stated.

A week prior to this, a man was booked for sexually harassing a 15-year-old girl in Maharashtras Navi Mumbai after he befriended her on social media.

The accused, Altaf Sheikh, between November 2022 and June 2023, first allegedly persuaded the minor into sharing a few semi-nude pictures of her with him. Later he demanded more such pictures by threatening to make the earlier ones viral if she didnt comply.

The girl raised a complaint with the police, following which a case under IPC sections 354A (sexual harassment) and 354 (stalking) and POCSO Act was registered.

Further back in August, a 15-year-old was allegedly killed by her stalker in Punjabs Amritsar. The accused, who was a resident of the same village as the minor, shot her dead on August 29.

The victims family told the police that the accused stalker had been harassing the girl for the past six months to marry him and despite several warnings, failed to behave after which she was sent to her aunts house.

About the incident, the victims family said that on the day of the crime, the accused stalker barged into the girls aunts home and started inquiring about the girl. When her relatives denied him information about the girl, he barged into the house with a pistol and shot the girl dead.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) Satinder Singh said that the man was booked under IPC Section 302 (murder) and other relevant sections of the Arms Act.

(With inputs from PTI)
The TMC, which plans to conduct protest programmes in New Delhi against the alleged withholding of state dues by the Centre on Monday, will simultaneously hold similar events in different parts of West Bengal, with live telecasts of the Delhi programme in various parts of the state.

TMC MPs and state ministers will peacefully sit in at Rajghat on October 2, followed by a peaceful rally of MGNREGA job card holders in the national capital on the next day.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, and other top leaders arrived in Delhi ahead of the planned protest against the alleged denial of MGNREGA and housing scheme funds to the Bengal government.

Just like the protest programme in New Delhi. We will also hold peaceful protest programmes, including live telecast of the Delhi programmes in various parts of the state, a senior TMC leader said.

More than 50 busloads of TMC members and MGNREGA job card holders are expected to reach Delhi on Monday after the party alleged that their request for a special train was denied. TMC claims that the denial of trains and flight cancellations to Delhi are attempts by the ruling BJP to disrupt their demonstration.

Abhishek along with senior TMC leader will visit Rajghat this afternoon and pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary.

Remembering Bapu on his birth anniversary! His principles of truth & non-violence have not only shaped our past but continue to illuminate our path forward in the relentless pursuit of justice & equality. On this Gandhi Jayanti, lets embrace his principles in all our actions, (SIC) he posted on X.
Indian Americans celebrated Ganesh festival in Redmond, the headquarters of Microsoft, with a 15-foot idol of Lord Ganesha affectionately named Redmond Raja by the devotees. Around 20,000 Indian Americans attended the event. The idol stood tall at the heart of Redmonds downtown park, upon an opulent stage surrounded by decor reminiscent of a grand Indian palace.

Accompanying the idol was a mesmerizing dhol-tasha performance by more than 150 artists from the local troupe Beats of Redmond, which has been organising the annual festival in this suburb of Seattle since 2019.

Beats of Redmond was founded by Deepali Sane and Anand Yeshwant Sane This idol was fashioned by skilled artisan Sushant in Mumbai, India, and transported to Redmond. It was placed on a 40-foot grand stage and adorned the entire park in downtown Redmond, enduring the Pacific Northwests rain and cold.

Volunteers distributed over 12,000 laddoos and 1,000 fruits as prasad. Addressing the gathering, K Srikar Reddy, Consul General of India from San Francisco consulate, underscored the festivals significance in propagating Indian culture and fostering community unity.

He commended the Beats of Redmond for orchestrating the monumental event and providing a memorable experience not only for the Indian diaspora but all Americans. He also announced the forthcoming opening of a new Indian consulate in the Seattle metropolitan region, a media release said.

Several local leaders, including Jared Nieuwenhuis (Bellevue Deputy Mayor), Rami Al-Kabra (Bothell Deputy Mayor), Tony Au (Community Leader), Michael Padilla (King County Executives Office), Vamshi Reddy (Community Leader), and Osman Salahuddin (Community Leader), graced the occasion as guests of honour.
The naval aviation component of the Russian Black Sea Fleet has taken on a particularly important role in fleet operations in recent weeks and is trying to respond to threats on the southern flank of the war in Ukraine, according to a report of the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland published on the X social media on Monday morning.

"Naval Aviation is emphasising maritime air patrol operations, highly likely with a primary mission of the early identification of uncrewed surface vessels. A key Russian asset in these operations is the Be-12 MAIL amphibious aircraft, designed in the 1950s, flying out of bases in occupied Crimea. Su-24 FENCER and FLANKER variant combat jets conduct maritime strike operations, including at least one recent air strike on the strategically located Snake Island," the intelligence said.

According to British intelligence, due to threats to Sevastopol, the occupiers will most likely relocate most of the fleet from this city to Novorossiysk. Therefore, Russia is trying to use naval aviation to maintain control over the northwestern part of the Black Sea.
Delhi Police arrested an Islamic State (IS) terrorist, wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), after a massive search operation on Monday in connection with the Pune ISIS module case.

The terrorist, identified as Shahnawaz, has been by Delhi Polices Special Cell, just days after NIA announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh on him. Two other suspected terrorists  Arshad Warsi and Mohammad Rizwan  have also been arrested in follow-up action.

The anti-terror agency had launched a massive search operation to nab three ISIS terrorists at large in Delhi, one of them being Shahnawaz Safiuzzama Alam alias Abdullah. The three terrorists were reportedly identified in the Pune ISIS module case.

The other two terrorists have been identified as Rizwan Abdul Haji Ali, and Abdulla Faiyaz Shaikh.

After the questioning of Shahnawaz, some more suspected terrorists of ISIS will be tracked down, sources said. Some terrorists who have been in contact with Shahnawaz have also been taken into custody by the Special Cell.

Shahnawaz, an engineer by profession, is a resident of Delhi and was arrested by the Pune Police on July 18 after he was caught stealing a two-wheeler. After escaping from Pune police custody, Shahnawaz was living in Delhi by setting up a hideout.

Shanawaz has been found to have some chemical substance on him, which has been seized, an official said.

Shahanawaz Alam Key Player In Terror Plan

The NIA, in August, arrested one Shamil Saquib Nachan in the Pune ISIS module case and claimed it had seized incriminating material from his residence in Thane district and that the material exposed his conspiracy and of the other accused, including Shahnawaz, to spread terror and cause disruption in the country.

As per the agency, Nachan had been working with five other arrested accused, along with some other suspects, as part of a bigger conspiracy to trigger violence across the country on a scale larger than the 26/11 attacks, by fabricating and setting off improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The NIA had said the accused were all members of the ISIS sleeper module.

As per preliminary probe, Nachan and the other accused had assembled IEDs in a house in Kondhwa in Pune where they had also organised and participated in a bomb (IED) assembly and training workshop last year.

They had plans to wage a war against the Government of India in furtherance of the ISIS agenda to spread terror and violence with the goal of establishing an Islamic State in the country, the NIA had said.

Sources had then told News18 that Shahanawaz Alam was the key player in the terror plan. All old terror outfits that were almost dead in terms of activities have been recycled again. They have done everything cleverly and saved themselves from the agencies. It is good that they were caught, otherwise their plans were deadly, the source said.
The three-day Art of Livings World Culture Festival 2023 concluded on a high note, with vibrant performances from South Asia, Latin America and Caribbean islands, also as several interfaith leaders took to the stage to pray, in their unique ways, for global peace, making a call for rising above hate and bigotry.

Over the past three days, over a million people from 180 countries descended at the iconic National Mall in Washington DC in a historic gathering of humanity with an aim to send out a single message of belongingness and brotherhood; to celebrate human diversity through dance, music, meditation and culture.

The event was replete with shared moments of human connection, solidarity and upliftment of human spirit. Among the festivals most memorable moments were a poignant minute of prayer for the people of Ukraine, led by Gurudev, after a heart-felt recital from Ukrainian contingent. Yet another one was a thousand people enjoying a yoga flow and yogic wisdom at the Lincoln Memorial with Gurudev. People swayed; waved flags as Skip Marley (Bob Marleys celebrated grandson) performed the iconic One Love; a lively performance from Go-go band had everyone, from the dignitaries to the festival goers grooving to the lively beats in joy and celebration. In another historic moment, heartfelt prayers from diverse faith leaders for peace in the world touched a chord with everyone present.

Juan Carlos-Teres, the MP of Colombia, drew a roaring applause from the attendees when he shared, Gurudev, there is one country in the world that has to be in total gratitude with you  mine. Because you decided to come to Bogota, meet with our president, and then go to Havana. You convinced the rebels of the FARC to walk the path of nonviolence.

This event also brought together 17,000 artists; more than 60 performances representing diverse cultures and traditions from across the world; and global leaders from the world of business, politics and religion who shared their vision for a more co-operative and interdependent global community.

There is goodness inherent in us, and that needs to come up, and that comes when we realize we are one world family, said Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, global humanitarian, spiritual master and Art of Living founder, during his address.

A glimpse of Indias cultural canvas, the festival featured Panchabhootam represented through 5 Indian classical dance forms- Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniattam, and symphony of 250 instrumentalists playing Sitar, Veena, Tabla, Mridangam, flute, Ghatam and Violin; a spirited 10,000-strong Garba performance, high-energy Bhangra with 200 artists, Kashmiri folk dance, and 200 Chenda drummers. Global performances included mesmerizing dances from Africa, Japan, the Middle East, the Caribbean Islands, Argentina, Nepal, the Slavic countries, and Mongolia. It also showcased a spectacular ensemble of 1,000 Chinese-American vocalists and dancers, a heartfelt performance from Pakistan, Latin American dances, Sri Lankan drum and dance, and Nepalese cultural presentations. This is overwhelming and so beautiful. We grew with this experience, shared Beena Mohan, choreographer of the Mohiniyattam performance.

Gurudev, you have created a microcosm of the global family, said Shri Ramnath Kovind, Former President of India, talking about the diverse representation of geographies and people at the WCF.

Among the notable attendees were former President of India Sri Ramnath Kovind, Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, H.E. Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, former speaker of Lok Sabha, Hon. Dr. Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General; D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Mr. Hakubun Shimomura, MP, Japan, Eric Solheim, former UN Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNEP, and other statesmen.

Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, asserted, This gathering represents a powerful affirmation that humanity is above all divisions. We must work together to build a world where peace and harmony prevail.

H.E. Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, further added, Unity is not a choice but a necessity. Events like the World Culture Festival 2023 remind us that we are part of a shared destiny.

Interfaith leaders from diverse backgrounds came together at the festival to share a common message of unity, compassion, and collective responsibility for global peace efforts. Faith leaders included Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa, Ambassador of Sikh Dharma- USA & Chief Religious and Spiritual Authority of Sikh Religion- Western Hemisphere, Rabbi Sharon Anisfeld, President of Hebrew College, and Ms. Sousan Abadian, Zoroastrian Faith Leader, among others.

Sharing his wisdom, venerable Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa, said, We must recognize the common thread that binds us all, transcending boundaries and beliefs. Unity and compassion are the path to lasting peace.
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on October 2 every year to commemorate the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father Of The Nation. Gandhi was a pioneer of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience, and his teachings have inspired people all over the world to fight for justice and equality.

One of the best ways to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti is to start your day with a quote from the great man. Gandhis words are full of wisdom and inspiration, and they can help us to live better lives. Heres a list of 50 quotes by Mahatma Gandhi to start your day with. These quotes cover a wide range of topics, from love and compassion to truth and nonviolence.

ALSO READ: Happy Gandhi Jayanti 2023: Wishes, Quotes, Messages, Images, and WhatsApp Greetings!

GANDHI JAYANTI 2023: TOP QUOTES BY MAHATMA GANDHI

You must be the change you want to see in the world.

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

The future depends on what you do today.

In a gentle way, you can shake the world.

First, they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.

A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave.

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results.

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others.

The only tyrant I accept in this world is the still small voice within me.

Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory.

The only devils in this world are those running around in our own hearts, and that is where all our battles should be fought.

To believe in something, and not to live it, is dishonest.

Man becomes great exactly in the degree in which he works for the welfare of his fellow-men.

A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.

The power to question is the basis of all human progress.

You cant shake hands with a clenched fist.

It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

WATCH: 10 Rare and Unseen Photos of Mahatma Gandhi

The best way to find oneself is to lose oneself in the service of others.

Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of ones weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.

I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles, but today it means getting along with people.

The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the worlds problems.

ALSO READ: Gandhi Jayanti 2023: Did You Know Mahatma Gandhi was Vegetarian? 20 Lesser-Known Facts About Him

In doing something, do it with love or never do it at all.

There is more to life than increasing its speed.

Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.

A No uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a Yes merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.

Whenever you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love.

Hate the sin, love the sinner.

The only tyrant I accept in this world is the still small voice within me.

An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.

Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained.

To a true artist, only that face is beautiful which, quite apart from its exterior, shines with the truth within the soul.

ALSO READ: Gandhi Jayanti 2023: 5 Iconic Speeches by Mahatma Gandhi That Inspired the World

To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.

I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.

The world has enough for everyones need, but not enough for everyones greed.

The golden rule of conduct is mutual toleration, seeing that we will never all think alike and we shall see Truth in fragment and from different angles of vision.

Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served.

Suffering cheerfully endured, ceases to be suffering and is transmuted into an ineffable joy.

It is the quality of our work which will please God and not the quantity.

Mans nature is not essentially evil. Brute nature has been known to yield to the influence of love. You must never despair of human nature.

A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.

The real ornament of woman is her character, her purity.

GANDHI JAYANTI 2023 FAQs

What Is Gandhi Jayanti?

Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday in India that celebrates the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement.

Why is Gandhi Jayanti also Observed as the International Day of Non-Violence?

Gandhi Jayanti is also observed as the International Day of Non-Violence because of Gandhis commitment to nonviolent resistance.

Why Is October 2 Special?

October 2 is special because it is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Where Was Mahatma Gandhi Born?

Mahatma Gandhi was born in Porbandar, Gujarat.

How is Gandhi Jayanti celebrated?

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated in a variety of ways, including prayer meetings, speeches, and marches. People also visit Gandhis memorials and museums.

What are Mahatma Gandhis most famous quotes?

Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.

What are some of Mahatma Gandhis most important contributions to the world?

Led the Indian independence movement to victory using nonviolent resistance.

How can we apply Mahatma Gandhis teachings to our own lives?

Be honest, truthful, kind, compassionate, and stand up for what you believe in.

What are some ways that we can celebrate Gandhi Jayanti meaningfully?

Learn about Gandhis life and teachings, help others in need, and promote peace and understanding.
Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on October 2, 1904, in Mughalsarai, United Provinces, British India (now in Uttar Pradesh, India). He was the second Prime Minister of India, serving from 1964 to 1966. He is known for his role in leading India to victory in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and for his slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan (Victory to the Soldier, Victory to the Farmer). His contributions to India, his dedication to the welfare of the common people, and his emphasis on self-reliance continue to be celebrated and remembered on his birth anniversary and throughout the year.

ALSO READ: Happy Gandhi Jayanti 2023: Wishes, Quotes, Messages, Images, and WhatsApp Greetings!

LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI EARLY LIFE

Shastri was born into a poor family and had to work hard to support himself and his education. His original name was Lal Bahadur Srivastava. Despite facing financial constraints, he managed to complete his education and graduated with a bachelors degree from Kashi Vidyapeeth.

LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI POLITICAL CAREER

He was an active participant in the Indian independence movement, and joined Mahatma Gandhis Non-Cooperation Movement in 1921. He played a significant role in the Salt Satyagraha and was imprisoned multiple times during the struggle for independence.

Shastri held various government positions after India gained independence in 1947, including serving as the Minister of Police and Transport in the Uttar Pradesh government.

PRIME MINISTERSHIP

Shastri became the second Prime Minister of India on June 9, 1964, succeeding Jawaharlal Nehru. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by several challenges, including the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 and food scarcity in India.

He is best known for his slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, which he coined to boost the morale of soldiers and promote agricultural self-sufficiency.

QUOTES BY LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI

True democracy or the swaraj of the masses can never come through untruthful and violent means.

We believe in peace and peaceful development, not only for ourselves but for people all over the world.

The preservation of freedom, is not the task of soldiers alone. The whole nation has to be strong.

Discipline and united action are the real sources of strength for the nation.

In our national life, agriculture holds a very important place. It is the backbone of our economy.

That loyalty to the country comes ahead of all other loyalties. And this is an absolute loyalty since one cannot weight it in terms of what one receives.

IN PICS: QUOTES BY FORMER PRIME MINSTER

SLOGANS ASSOCIATED WITH SHASTRI

Jai Jawan Jai Kisan (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer)  A slogan coined by Shastri to emphasize the importance of both the armed forces and agricultural workers.

Peace, Unity, and Discipline  These principles were central to Shastris vision for Indias progress and development.

FACTS ABOUT LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI

He was known for his simplicity and humility. He led a frugal lifestyle even as Prime Minister. Shastris leadership during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War earned him respect and admiration both in India and abroad. He is often referred to as the Man of Peace due to his commitment to peaceful coexistence and diplomacy. Shastris sudden death in Tashkent, USSR (now Uzbekistan), on January 11, 1966, remains a subject of speculation and controversy.

5 BOOKS ABOUT LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI

Lal Bahadur Shastri  Lessons in Leadership

The book complete with insightful anecdotes of Shastris childhood, adolescent years and political life is narrated by his son Anil. The account is inferred by management tactician Pavan Choudary. The book includes lessons in honor, management, dignity, and self-belief. It is a must-read for those striving to lead by act and model.

Lal Bahadur Shastri  Past forward

Shastri was known to be a devotee of Gandhi and followers of his principles. This book has all you need to know if you want to understand what it means to practice Gandhian values. The book is penned by Sunil, Shastris third and youngest son. Sunil, a politician in his own right, in addition to a tribute to his father, also sketches the lessons in integrity and national pride. The book also takes into account the ethics and modest living by which Shastri lived his life.

Lal Bahadur Shastri  Life of Truth in Politics

The book authored by C.P Shrivastava is a painstaking research and cabled account encompassing various significant milestones in the life of the late leader. The biography of Indias second prime minister is touted to be a compulsory reading for students of contemporary India as well as lay readers. From the 1965 India-Pakistan war, to the Chinese sabre-rattling during the India-Pakistan conflict, the chapters mine a treasure trove.

Lal Bahadur Shastri  Politics and Beyond

Dr Sandeep Shastri, one of Indias most respected political commentators, seizures the life and times of Lal Bahadur Shastri in this book. The book takes a closer look at the revolutionary efforts of Shastri and highlights the way in which he encouraged soldiers to respond to Pakistans catastrophes. The thought-provoking book is a fitting tribute and focuses on the strengths of the late former prime minister.

Office of the Indian Prime Minister  Lal Bahadur Shastri Period

Authored by Dr. K Babu Rajendra Prasad, the book gives an in depth insight of the leaders career. With intimate knowledge of the Shastri era, the book has nuances of his time in the office. The wise and patriotic leader of the country left behind no money, no house and no land when he died. The book raises questions as well as mentions that Shastri left behind an example for millions in decades to come.

LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI BIRTH ANNIVERSARY 2023: FAQs

1. When is Lal Bahadur Shastris birth anniversary?

Lal Bahadur Shastris birth anniversary is celebrated on October 2nd.

2. What is the significance of Lal Bahadur Shastris birth anniversary?

It commemorates the birth of Indias second Prime Minister and his contributions to the nation.

3. How did Lal Bahadur Shastri contribute to India?

Shastri led India to victory in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 and promoted the slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer).

4. What are some famous quotes by Lal Bahadur Shastri?

Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, True democracy or the swaraj of the masses can never come through untruthful and violent means.

5. Can you recommend some books about Lal Bahadur Shastri?

Lal Bahadur Shastri  Lessons in Leadership, Lal Bahadur Shastri  Life of Truth in Politics, Lal Bahadur Shastri  Politics and Beyond, Office of the Indian Prime Minister  Lal Bahadur Shastri Period.

6. How is Lal Bahadur Shastri remembered today?

He is remembered for his simplicity, commitment to peace, and his role in shaping Indias history as a respected leader.
Imtiaz Alis love for photography and Delhi as is evident from his social media and films, respectively, is no secret. Channelling his fondness for the two, he has now collaborated with National Geographic and Indigo Airlines new photography reality show, #nofilterbyIndiGo, which will see him taking on the role of a jury member alongside photographer Raghu Rai. It will see a total of nine contestants capturing the essence and emotions of Delhi with their unfiltered shots.

In an exclusive interaction with News18 Showsha, the filmmaker talks about his love for photography and how he plans on pursuing it more seriously going forward. Im very fond of photography and visual image making. I dont get to do still photography very often as a film director. Im always demoralised with the presence of a better photographer with me in the form of a cinematographer. I dont end up taking too many photographs by myself except for through a regular phone camera that I use to click pictures of food, places and faces. But the camera is very fascinating for me even though I havent really followed through my passion of individual photography that much. Life is long, so maybe I will eventually, he shares.

Talking about the show that he will be judging, he elaborates, Much of what I now enjoy in life which are travelling, meeting people, great cuisine and architecture have come from NatGeo. It was interesting and thrilling for me to get called for an initiative thats all about storytelling through photography. This is a community building exercise for photographers and also encouraging them in a world where it seems like everything can be changed, filtered and manipulated, image-wise.

Ali intends on helping young photographers harness the raw impact of photography. I really like this initiative because while everything can be controlled, the power of raw photography is still supreme. Those are the principles of this initiative and I completely agree with them. The show premiered on September 30 and will air every Saturday at 8:00 pm and urge everyone to check it out, he adds.

Many of his films including Love Aaj Kal (2009), Rockstar (2011) and Tamasha (2015) have been widely shot across the national capital. Delhi also holds a special place in his heart for he spent a considerable time of his adolescent years in the city. Talking about how he hasnt still finished exploring Delhi through his films, Ali says, Delhi has an unlimited amount to give to visual storytelling. I feel very excited at the prospect of shooting in Delhi and I feel like it will never exhaust itself. Theres too much drama in Delhi.

Ali has carved a niche for himself for his nuanced storytelling both visually and otherwise. So, which according to him is his most visually stunning film? I feel three or four of my films have done well in terms of photography and visual representation but in different ways. These films are Tamasha, Highway (2014) and Rockstar, he states.

The director, who is currently working on Chamkila starring Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra, further continues, Tamasha showcased visual photography and the fact that each frame looked like a photograph was something that was taken very literally by us when we shot certain parts of it. The landscape of Highway is such that its very difficult to compare that quality with anything else. In Rockstar, the prospect of storytelling through a visual frame was very interesting for me.
Shailesh Lodha faced massive trolling after criticising The Kapil Sharma show post his appearance for the show, finally broke his silence on the same. In a new interview, the poet and actor also expressed his views on the changing comedy culture with television programs.

In an interview with Lallantop, Shailesh was asked about the time he bashed TKSS. In his defence, he shared, Kapil and Ive worked together and in 2012 we have done shows in Singapore together. Comedy Nights with Shailesh and Kapil during that time. What I was trying to say at that time was that things like Bua, Daadi flirting with guests is not right according to our culture and I still stand by it. But that doesnt mean I will never go on his show and not tell the world what Im doing? I went to his show and showed the strength of Hindi poetry. When I recited my poetry Maa every person there on the show stood with tears in their eyes. I went there and went with the strength of poetry. Kapil as an artist no doubt hes great and is a friend.

On being asked if he doesnt prefer that kind of comedy, Shailesh said, I disagree with that kind of comedy, main sahej nahi hoon.

Shailesh was also asked about the shows where men cross dressed to hit on their neighbours wives in serials like Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai and Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, he said, Sadly we have to accept one thing in this country that we are becoming mediocre. If you are trying to become intelligent nobody would like to see or hear you. The country is enjoying reels and dancing on Patli kamariya, 90 percent of the crowd is doing this today. And if you try to be intelligent nobody will hear you.

On a closing note, he revealead how Sarabhai vs Sarabhai which was considered a cult show never really generated great numbers on TRP charts and hence wasnt considered a hit show. Sarabhai vs Sarabhai was written so brilliantly but can you believe it that it was not a hit show. Would you believe it? As per TRP it was not a hit show, they only made 70-72 episodes. But the moment you turn mediocre, you will be accepted with open arms. The problem is not with just comedy but language and films as well. Libraries are shut, newspapers are shutting down, we are not used to reading good stuff, we have only got reels to watch. We have become so superficial that all the superficial things will always work, he concluded.
Every ordinary individual possesses the capacity to achieve remarkable feats, provided they discover how to tap into their inherent potential and let their creative energy flow freely. Few individuals symbolise this fundamental truth about human excellence better than Mahatma Gandhi, also known as Bapu or the Father of the Nation in India, born as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

Bapus autobiography, The Story of My Experiments With Truth, is a blend of simplicity and boldness that puts into perspective how a young man excelled in life and became one of the greatest political and spiritual leaders the world had ever seen and will ever see.

In childhood, Mohandas was much like any of us, engaging in typical pursuits of a boy. However, what set him apart from most of his peers was the spirit of experimentation that began to germinate during his teenage years.

His autobiography indicates this. My own recollection is that I had not any high regard for my ability. I used to be astonished whenever I won prizes and scholarships. But I very jealously guarded my character. The least little blemish drew tears from my eyes. When I merited, or seemed to the teacher to merit, a rebuke, it was unbearable for me. I remember having once received corporal punishment. I did not so much mind the punishment as the fact that it was considered my desert. I wept piteously. That was when I was in the first or second standard.

That nature to guard his character slowly started transforming the schoolboy. He aspired to be a caring and disciplined student and son. When in Class 7, he was once accused of lying when he missed the gymnastics training session. He had no watch, and as it was a cloudy day, he miscalculated the time and reached the training session late when all others had left, and he was thus marked absent.

I was convicted of lying! That deeply pained me. How was I to prove my innocence? There was no way. I cried in deep anguish. I saw that a man of truth must also be a man of care. This was the first and last instance of my carelessness in school.

He was married when he was 13 and left for England when he was 18 to study law. His time in England and South Africa served as successive testing grounds where he explored the impact of his thoughts, education, and upbringing on his personal identity. As mentioned earlier, he was acutely aware of his own persona, a self-awareness, and a time away from home, in a different country that ruled us and a professional education, ultimately gave birth to a formidable ideology rooted in non-violence in the years ahead that would go on to challenge the British Empire, first in South Africa and then in India.

Like any human being, he was not immune to mistakes or occasional lapses in judgment. Yet, his intentions remained beyond reproach and should forever remain unquestionable. Remarkably, even his staunchest adversaries found him endearing on a personal level.

Gandhi acknowledged his mistakes, often in a straightforward manner. He might have made errors as many critics suggest, but his positive contributions, progressive ideology, and innovative methods to achieve his goals overshadowed any negatives on his record and surpassed the achievements of many others. As the saying goes, to prove a point, you must draw a line larger than the existing one, and Gandhi did so with remarkable finesse.

He aligned his goals with those of ordinary Indians. He truly became one of them, striving to embody their essence and succeeding in becoming the embodiment of their thoughts.

From being a Gandhi from Porbandar, his acts of being an altruist and caring one for all the needy in society gradually transformed him into the Mahatma of the masses. Propagation of non-violence to achieve freedom from the colonial rule  no one before the Mahatma had ever spoken about it  and its success in South Africa made him the political leader the colonial India was waiting for. What India of the day got was a spiritually visionary as well. Bapu seemed to be following Gautam Buddha in his thoughts and living.

Satyagraha was the core of his non-violent political ideology. It means holding onto truth. Hunger strikes or observing fasts as a tool to achieve goals on the path of Indian freedom was a symbol of his commitment to ordinary Indians and to the country. Sacrificing your life and its energy to force others to think positively to help and free the common man, no other political leader in the world has done so before Bapu. It gradually converted the young lawyer turned freedom fighter into Mahatma.

Bapus 1918 fast was for common, poor Indians. Bapu observed four days of fasting in support of poor workers of textile mills in Ahmedabad. Workers were demanding a 35% wage hike, but owners were not ready to go beyond 20% and declared a lockout. After some workers returned to work accepting a 20% raise, Bapu decided to go on fasting until the 35% raise demand was accepted. It encouraged not only the protesting workers but also those who had broken ranks; they returned too. The mill owners then had no option but to accept the 35% wage hike demand.

Since then, until 1948, Bapu observed around 16 fasts in India, with four fasts unto death. In 1947 and 1948, when India got independence and Pakistan was carved out of its geographical territory resulting in widespread religious violence, Bapu observed fasts unto death for communal harmony. Rabindranath Tagore called him Mahatma for the first time in 1915.

Bapus philosophy, the Gandhian way of life, has not only deeply influenced India but has also left an indelible mark on many parts of the world. Rarely in history has a single individuals philosophy become such a significant force in socio-political thinking. In the annals of contemporary world history, he stands unmatched, alongside the revered spiritual sage Swami Vivekananda, another experimental soul who became a beacon of thought.
MS Swaminathan was a remarkable scientist who changed the course of the history of India through contributions to Indias food security in a very difficult time of frequent famines, hunger and poverty. He was born on August 7, 1925, in Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, went for higher studies in England and completed his PhD from Cambridge University in the year 1952. After his studies, although he was offered a position at Wisconsin University (USA), he chose to return to his motherland where he had no job, to serve the country on the back of famines, poverty and hunger due to food shortages and crop failures.

He first conceived the potential of genetic manipulation in paddy and wheat to solve the problem of hunger and famines. He started his career as a scientist with Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in 1953 in the indica-japonica rice hybridization programme to develop fertiliser-responsive, high-yielding and short-stature varieties to replace locally available, tall and low-yielding varieties. Varieties developed under this project directly contributed to the Green Revolution in India. In 1954, he moved to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), where his focus shifted from rice to wheat. During that period, all local wheat varieties were tall, and these lodged (i.e. fell flat on the ground) when their earheads were full of heavy grains. None of the varieties of the cultivated wheat had the genes for dwarfing the height of the plants without reducing yield. Dr. Swaminathan identified the potential of Mexican wheat dwarfs which are dwarf, resistant to diseases and also high-yielding when properly managed with adequate inputs like fertilisers and irrigation.

MS not only guided all the experiments leading to the development of the High Yielding Varieties (HYV) but also ably administrated and collaborated with all the government machinery for the creation of wider awareness and adoption among the farming community. The HYVs were tested between 1962-64, and released across India in the year 1965 with a big push from the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri under the slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan. This resulted in a sharp increase in food grain production by 1967, wherein the state of Punjab didnt have enough space to store the harvested grains and the food grains were stored in schools by declaring holidays. The rest is history.

MS also contributed to the policymaking of Indian agriculture by advocating remunerative prices to farmers through Minimum Support Price (MSP). He also advocated for an efficient public distribution system to reach the food grains to poor consumers to eliminate hunger.

Later in his career, he worked at the interface between science policy and science administration. He worked as Director-General of ICAR and Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (19721979), Principal Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (19791980) and Member (Agriculture, Rural Development, Science and Education) of erstwhile Planning Commission (19791980). He played a key role in shaping the sixth Five Year Plan (19801985). Where, for the first time in the history of planning, he introduced two new chapters, one on Women and development and another on Environment and development.

Over and above these policies and scientific leadership, he was a fine scientist who contributed significantly to life sciences. His election as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1973 was in recognition of his original and most innovative theoretical and experimental basic research in cytogenetics, radiation and chemical mutagens.

A major distinction between many working in the frontier areas of life sciences and MS Swaminathan is what he has done with the fruits of their research findings. While most of the scientists are confined to only laboratories and research papers, Dr. Swaminathans goals were to take the fruits of research to the millions of farmers fields. He was an ardent advocate of science-led inclusive growth. He believed that genetics and plant breeding techniques have the potential to enhance crop yields threefold and eliminate poverty and hunger. He showed that these technologies could be widely adopted by the farmers during the Green Revolution period.

Later in his career, he shifted his focus and pioneered in promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development using innovative paradigms such as ecotechnology-based bio-villages and modern information and communication-based Village Knowledge Centres (VKCs).

It is well known that MS Swaminathan played a pivotal role in developing the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act 2001 (PPVFRA 2001) as Indias response to its obligation to provide sui generis protection to plant varieties under TRIPS and WTO. This Act is unique in that it recognises the important role played by farmers not just as cultivators, but also the role of tribal and rural farming women and men as conservers and enhancers of agro-biodiversity. The Act legally provides for their recognition and monetary reward.

He championed the cause of biodiversity on multiple platforms from local, national to global levels. He advocated that in an era of climate change with increasing biotic and abiotic stresses, the future of food security largely rests on the availability of genes to shield the crops against floods and droughts, high temperatures, salinity and degraded soils, and climate change-induced pests and diseases. He was the moving spirit behind starting Biodiversity International, Rome and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad and many other international organisations to promote science-led inclusive agricultural growth.

He built every institution with the interests of farmers in mind and ensured that these institutions fulfilled the environmental, social and economic goals of sustainability and fruits of the research reach all farmers, especially small and marginal and women farmers.

He was awarded the World Food Prize in 1987 for his significant contributions to advancing agricultural science and improving food security. With the award money, he established MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), in Chennai. The major goal of MSSRF has been to harness science and technology for sustainable rural development. Simply stated, MSSRF blends frontier science and technologies (e.g. space, nuclear, information and communication and biotechnologies) with the traditional knowledge and ecological prudence of the rural and tribal communities to provide a pro-nature, pro-poor, pro-women and pro-livelihood orientation to technology development and dissemination in rural areas.

He was also a pioneer in advocating for climate-resilient agriculture through advanced science and farmers participation. He was of the opinion that with climate change and rising sea levels, there is a possibility of salinisation of coastal soils, where rice is a major crop. Hence, under his guidance at MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), scientists started experiments on the development of salt-tolerant transgenic rice varieties through participatory breeding. He was also quite emphatic that the safety of human health and the environment should be the bottom line. Any transgenic crop not known to be absolutely safe to biological systems should not be introduced into the environment.

A. Amarender Reddy is Joint Director, School of Crop Health Policy Support Research (SCHPSR), ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management (NIBSM), Raipur. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
As the negotiations for the transfer of power began towards the end of the Second World War, it was clear that the Congress organisation could not continue as a platform, accommodating a wide range of political views. The differences between various groups in the organisation had started to become too sharp to let them coexist. The Communist Party of India (CPI) was the first party to be thrown out.

Soon after his release in June 1945, Jawaharlal Nehru started accusing the CPI of acting against the national movement. A committee appointed in September 1945, comprising Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel and Govind Ballabh Pant concluded that there is ample evidence on record before us to establish a strong prima facie case against the members of the Communist Party in the Congress. In response, P.C. Joshi, the general secretary of the CPI, asked all communist members of the Congress to resign, except those who were members of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), so that they could respond to the charges.

Accusing the CPI of mounting a tirade against the Congress in the tone of self-righteous arrogance instead of answering specific charges, Nehru, Patel and Pant recommended the expulsion of all the communist members of the AICC and instructed the Provincial Congress Committees to remove all communist members from elective offices in December 1945.

Although Mahatma Gandhis views counted for little during the last phase of negotiations on the transfer of power, he was still the biggest cementing factor in the organisation. This became clearer as groups and leaders started moving away from the Congress after his assassination in January 1948. Soon after, the Congress Socialist Party decided to move out of the Congress as a separate political party in March 1948, despite their ideological proximity to Nehru. Writing in the Amrita Bazar Patrika mid-January, Jaya Prakash Narayan had explained that the key question in front of them was  can we build up a socialist India by remaining within the Congress or by working outside it?

The Congress, Narayan wrote, had transformed into a parliamentary party and those like Gandhi who struggled to build Congress as a body of voluntary servants of the people were losing the battle. Having become a source of power and personal advancement, the Congress was fast becoming a centre for vested interests resulting in corruption and jobbery. The moral edifice of the Congress had collapsed, he accused.

He was particularly critical of Patels statements disparaging political isms. Narayan wrote, When Sardar Patel decries socialism, he is defending the status quo and is saying that his ism, namely, status-quo-ism is superior to all others. Patel was not unhappy with the exit of the socialists. I have all along been of the view that if the future of India is in the hands of men like Jai Prakash [sic], it would probably be a most unfortunate circumstance, Patel wrote to Nehru on June 15.

Gandhi himself had actively taken up the question of the Congress organisation towards the end of his life. In a draft constitution for the Congress that he prepared a day before his assassination, Gandhi proposed disbanding the organisation and forming a Lok Sevak Sangh instead, which would be organised on the basis of village panchayats.

The relationship between Patel and Nehru was also rocked by serious differences, both on matters of organisation and governance, and on more than one occasion, both offered to resign. The differences were settled through Gandhis mediation and his death temporarily brought the two closer. However, the differences were too stark to be pushed under the carpet and reached the climax over the Congress presidential election of 1950. Angry with Nehrus unilateral selection of J.B. Kripalani as a candidate, Patel threw his weight behind Purushottam Das Tandon. This in turn upset Nehru. Patel passed away a few months later in December 1950. Had he lived a few more years, it is difficult to say where such deep differences would have taken the top two leaders of the Congress party and the government.

The next break in the Congress came from within the party, and more significantly, from some of the leaders who had formed the bulwark of the Gandhian high command. Unhappy with the corrupt practices within the Congress organisation, these leaders decided to form a reformist group named the Congress Democratic Front (CDF) within the Congress, led by Kripalani, in September 1950. Others who joined the ground were staunch Gandhian and former premier of West Bengal who had been sacked unceremoniously by the party leadership, Prafulla Chandra Ghosh, Nehrus close associate Rafi Ahmed Kidwai from Uttar Pradesh and T. Prakasam of the Andhra Congress who had raised the flag of rebellion against the central leadership earlier on occasions.

According to Kripalani, the idea was approved by Nehru, who however changed his mind later. Tandon, the then Congress president, however, wasnt happy about this development and argued that it would have a disruptive influence on the organisation. By the end of the year, several senior leaders in Bengal, led by Prafulla Chandra Ghosh, had already moved out of the Congress and formed a new party called the Krishak Mazdoor Praja Party (KMPP).

As his differences with Tandon and Nehru continued to grow, Kripalani resigned from the Congress on May 17, 1951, followed by other members of the CDF, except Kidwai. A month later, on June 16, they met at a convention in Patna and joined the KMPP. The partys constitution was approved, a manifesto was prepared and a national executive was formed with Kripalani as the president, also including Ghosh, Kidwai, Prakasam and K. Kelappan. In October 1951, however, when Nehru became the Congress president by displacing Tandon, Kidwai declared his intention to return to the Congress.

There was also a move to merge the KMPP with the Socialist Party. An analysis of the results of the bye-elections in the provincial legislatures held between January 1950 and March 1951 by the general secretary of the Socialist Party led the party to conclude that it was the second-largest party in India and that the split in the Opposition votes across smaller parties was an important contributing factor to Congresss victory in these elections. Following this conclusion, the Socialist Party entered into electoral arrangements with the Jharkhand Party in Bihar, the RCPI in West Bengal, the Scheduled Caste Federation of Ambedkar and a faction of the Forward Bloc led by R.S. Ruikar.

Jayaprakash Narayan appealed to Kripalani to join the Socialist Party with other members of the Congress Democratic Front instead of forming a new party. Kripalani refused a merger, arguing that the partys programme expressed in intellectual jargon was not intelligible to the common Indians, and in any case, Gandhian philosophy and programme had emerged as the key determinant in Indian politics rather than socialism. Although the top leadership of the two parties agreed to an electoral alliance, it could not be executed at the local level in many districts and provinces.

The results of the 1951-52 general elections reflected an overwhelming mandate for Nehru and the Congress, which won 364 seats, securing 45 per cent of the total votes polled. The second-largest party with 16 seats was the CPI, followed by the Socialist Party and the KMPP which won 12 and nine seats, respectively. The results were a blow to the aspiration of the Socialist Party and the KMPPwhich won just five and six per cent of the contested seats, respectivelyto establish themselves as the national Opposition to the Congress.

According to Nehru, parties like the KMPP who are just dissidents angry with the world and more specifically with the Congress did not count and would fade away. The socialists suffered because their leadership was feeble in the extreme and were not likely to make much progress unless some great change comes over them.

The two parties finally came together in June 1952, when Kripalani, Narayan and Asoka Mehta announced the merger of the KMPP and the Socialist Party into a single parliamentary party. A common programme evolved to provide the foundation for the merger included egalitarian social order, land to the tiller, decentralisation of industry, nationalisation of key industries, swadeshi, and a spirit of neutrality in foreign policy. The decision to completely merge the two parties and name it the Praja Socialist Party (PSP) was taken at a meeting in Bombay in September. The churn had begun and it continued with the moving out of another Gandhian stalwart C. Rajagopalachari in 1959 when he formed the Swatantra Party. The PSP functioned as a fulcrum of the various combinations of the socialists in the subsequent decades.

Chandrachur Ghose is author of the national bestsellers 1947-57, India: The Birth of a Republic (2023) and Bose: The Untold Story of an Inconvenient Nationalist (2022), both published by Penguin. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has hit out at the Ajit Pawar faction, saying people very much have a clear idea about the NCP when he was asked about who will contest from Junnar city in the next assembly elections post the split in the party.

Junnar MLA Atul Benke is yet to take a stand whether he will support Sharad Pawar or go with the Ajit faction in the next assembly elections.

Sharad, who was interacting with the media at Junnar city in Pune on October 1, said, I am roaming in Maharashtra and meeting people. Let me tell you that people have very much a clear idea about the NCP. What people think is important. I was in Killari town where approximately 20,000 people had gathered for the rally. In the entire state, I see similar scenes wherever I go.

On the party candidate from the Junnar seat, senior Pawar said, We  Shiv Sena UBT, Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar)  will be contesting the next elections under the leadership of Shiv Sena UBT Chief Uddhav Thackeray. So, as per the formula, which we have worked out, Junnar seat will remain with the NCP whom I am leading. People of Junnar usually never disappoint me.

Alluding to his nephew, Sharad Pawar quipped people who have joined hands with the BJP cant be part of our NCP. People of Maharashtra and outside know who the founder of NCP is.

People elected them against one party and now they have gone to that side and joined hands with the same party. This is nothing but playing with peoples feelings. Whenever the people of Maharashtra will get an opportunity to teach these people a lesson, they will not shy away from this, Sharad Pawar added.

After the split in the NCP in July, Sharad Pawar has had held several rallies in the constituencies of the leaders who had left him and joined Ajit Pawar. The first one was conducted at Yeola, which is the constituency of his former close aide Chhagan Bhujbal. Later, another rally was held in Beed district  a strong hold of Dhananjay Munde, who is close to Ajit Pawar, while the last one took place in Kolhapur  the citadel of Hasan Mushrif who is now with Ajits camp.

Pawar also told media in Junnar that he will be conducting a rally in Ambegaon, which is the constituency of his former close aide Dilip Walse-Patil.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said the meeting of the EU foreign ministers in Kyiv is a signal that Ukraine is part of the European family and support for the country will continue until the victory over Russian aggression.

"The foreign ministers of 27 European countries are meeting together here today for the first time. Several working meetings are coming up with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This means that we support Ukraine. Today we literally support Ukraine here, all together. With this gesture we want to show our full support for Ukraine in restoring its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as necessary," Colonna said while speaking with reporters in Kyiv on Monday.

The Foreign Minister said this meeting of foreign ministers is of particular importance.

"It also shows, of course, that Ukraine is part of the European family for us and that we will accompany it on this path that leads it to Europe. This is an important day, and also means showing our strong and constant support until it won't be able to win," Colonna said.

She also said today at the meeting the issue of further support for Ukraine will be discussed, as well as the purpose of the meeting is to let "Russia understand that it should not count on our fatigue."
Today, we mark the 2nd of October as Mahatma Gandhis birth anniversary, a cherished public holiday in India that has been etched into our memories since childhood. However, in 2015, something intriguing happened that added a new layer of significance to this date. It was the release of the movie Drishyam, and whether youre a Bollywood buff or not, youre likely familiar with the memorable events that unfolded in the film on this day.

In Drishyam, we follow the tale of Vijay Salgaonkar (brought to life by Ajay Devgn) and his family as they embark on an unusual journey. They attend a Satsang in Panaji, savour Pav Bhaji, and return home on the 3rd of October. This narrative has birthed a famous meme that resurfaces like clockwork every 2nd of October. Some clever memes even playfully depict Bapu (a loving term for Mahatma Gandhi) feeling a twinge of envy as Vijay seemingly steals his 2nd October thunder.

So, just like ardent Bollywood fans, grab a plate of Pav Bhaji (yes, swap that popcorn for something more relatable) and enjoy the annual meme tradition while reminiscing about Vijays perfect plan to shield his family from a murder conviction in the movie.

If you havent seen the film, heres a brief synopsis: During a school nature camp, Sam, the son of IG Meera Deshmukh (Tabu), secretly records Vijays daughter Anju while she showers and tries to blackmail her using the footage. In an attempt to destroy Sams incriminating evidence, Anju accidentally kills him. This sets the stage for Vijay, a movie enthusiast and cable TV provider, who devises a strategy to train each family member to lie to the police, claiming they were in Panaji on the day Sam went missing (2nd October).

Throughout the movie, this concocted story; involving a visit to Swami Chinmayanands Satsang on 2nd October (a Saturday), a subsequent stay in a hotel, a day at the movies, a Pav Bhaji lunch, and a return home on the 3rd of October; is repeated endlessly as the police relentlessly interrogate Vijay and his family. Over time, this fabricated account, crafted to avoid arrest, has become a popular meme among Bollywood fans.

Also Read: Movie Aisi Banao Memes Trend on Twitter as Netizens Give Desi Twist to Most Popular Films

In case youre eager to explore the story further, simply grab your TV remote and browse through the movie channels, because finding an Indian entertainment channel that isnt airing Drishyam or Drishyam 2 on this day is a near-impossible feat!
49-year-old Karen Farquharson from Scotland won a compensation of Rs 37.5 lakh, which is 37,000 pounds, after her boss accused her of using menopause as an excuse. Karen used to work at Thistle Marine, an engineering firm, since 1995 and had been earning Rs 38 lakh. However, she left her job after certain events unfolded.

It all started in August 2021 when she informed her boss that she was having menopause symptoms and was experiencing anxiety and brain fog. In December 2022, she opted to work from home for two days as she was suffering menopausal bleeding. Not just this but there was also heavy snow near her house.

Also Read: Otis, Jeans House From Sex Education is Up For Sale and it Costs This Whopping Amount

When she returned to work on the third day, her boss passed a sarcastic comment saying Oh, I see youve made it in.

Despite telling him about her situation, she was dismissed and told that everyone suffered from aches and pains. This is when Karen decided to backoff and sued the company.

At the tribunal, her boss said that his comments were innocent and the woman was trying to get money for her wedding. However, the panel of judges felt that he had not shown any empathy and asked the company to pay the compensation to Karen.

According to a report by BBC, the panel chairman James Hendry said, Jim Clark can best be described a blunt, self-made man and successful businessman. He no doubt has many admirable qualities but empathy for others is not among them. It became clear to us that he has little time or respect for those, unlike himself, who are not able to work as hard or without illness as he has.

Also Read: Delhi Man Threatened By Drunk Goons Outside His Own House Over Car Parking, Shares Scary Incident

While speaking to BBC, Karen explained, I had known this company for 27 years and they treated me like rubbish. Mr Clark, didnt like change. He didnt like being challenged on things. He didnt move with the times. I tried to explain some issues in what you can say and what you cant say and it just fell on deaf ears.
Nigers coup leaders have accepted Algerian mediation and a six-month transition plan to restore the constitutional order in the neighbouring African country, Algerias foreign ministry announced Monday.

Military leaders in late July ousted Nigers democratically elected, pro-Western president Mohamed Bazoum, and have proposed a three-year transition back to democracy.

The Algerian government has received via the Nigerien ministry of foreign affairs a (statement of) acceptance of Algerian mediation aimed at promoting a political solution to the crisis in Niger, Algiers said in a statement.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has tasked Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf with visiting Niamey as soon as possible with the aim of launching discussions with all stakeholders, the statement said.

The North African country which borders Niger had proposed in late August a transition period of up to six months, which would aim to formulate political arrangements with the acceptance of all parties in Niger without excluding any party, Attaf said at the time.

In its Monday statement, the Algerian foreign ministry said that the acceptance of the Algerian initiative strengthens the prospect of a political solution to this crisis.

The mediation would pave the way toward a peaceful resolution of the crisis, it added, saying such an outcome is in the interest of the entire region.

Tebboune on August 6 said he categorically rejected any foreign military intervention in Niger, which borders Algeria to the south.

A military solution would be a direct threat to Algeria, he said, stressing there will be no solution without us. We are the first people affected.

The West African bloc ECOWAS has threatened to use force as a last resort to reinstate Bazoum, who was detained by his guards on July 26.

The coup in Niger was the third such putsch in the region in as many years, following similar actions in fellow former French colonies Mali and Burkina Faso in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Algeria shares a 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) southern land border with Niger, which has been targeted for several years by jihadist attacks.

Niger is battling two jihadist insurgencies  a spillover in its southeast from a long-running conflict in neighbouring Nigeria, and an offensive in the west by militants crossing from Mali and Burkina Faso.

France keeps about 1,500 soldiers in its former West African colony as part of an anti-jihadist deployment in the Sahel, and coup leaders have demanded a negotiated framework for their withdrawal.
Armenian separatist officials in Nagorno-Karabakh said Monday they will stay in the breakaway region following Azerbaijans offensive to oversee rescue operations of victims from fighting and a deadly fuel depot blast.

Armenia separatists say over 200 people were killed in fighting with Azerbaijan late last month and that a further 170 died when a fuel depot exploded as scores of civilians fled Karabakh over ethnic cleansing fears.

After three decades of Armenian control, the separatist authorities have agreed to disarm, dissolve their government and reintegrate with Azerbaijan in the wake of Bakus one-day military operation in late September.

The separatist government said president Samvel Shahramanyan will stay in (Karabakhs main city of) Stepanakert with a group of officials until the search and rescue operations for the remainder of those killed and those missing  are completed.

The government continues to focus on the issue of those citizens who want to move to the Republic of Armenia, it added.

Separatist official Artak Beglaryan said a few hundred Armenian representatives remain in Karabkah.

He said this included officials, emergency service, volunteers, some persons with special needs.

Nearly all of Karabakhs estimated 120,000 residents have fled the territory, which has been under Armenian control for three decades.

Yerevan has accused Azerbaijan of conducting a campaign of ethnic cleansing to clear Karabakh of its Armenian population.

But Baku has denied the claim and has publicly called on Armenian residents of the territory to stay and reintegrate into Azerbaijan where their rights would be guaranteed.

Azerbaijan is now holding re-integration talks with separatist leaders while, at the same time detaining some senior figures from its former government and military command.

Azerbaijans Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev said criminal investigations had been initiated into war crimes committed by 300 separatist officials.

I urge on those persons to surrender voluntarily, he told journalists on Sunday.
Canadian MP Kevin Vuong asked the Justin Trudeau government to provide proof which shows that the Indian government was responsible for the killing of Khalistani separatist-terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

If Jagmeet Singh has clear evidence related to Mr. Nijjars death, he has a duty to bring it forward to the appropriate authorities, Vuong said.

The Canadian Prime Minister earlier in September claimed that India was involved in the murder of Khalistani separatist-terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has outrightly rejected the allegations, terming them absurd and motivated. He, however, is yet to provide any public evidence to support the claim about the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for funding terror and conspiracy to commit murder and threatened Indias sovereignty by expressing his desire to carve out Khalistan from India. He was shot dead in British Columbias Surrey in June by unknown assailants outside a gurdwaras parking lot.

Vuongs challenge to the government comes after Trudeau ally, Jagmeet Singh, the head of Canadas New Democratic Party (NDP) claimed there were clear indications that a foreign government was involved in the killing of Nijjar.

In my experience, as a Sikh Canadian, there have always been suspicions that India was interfering in the democratic rights of Canadians, Singh had claimed, urging the government to add India to the list of nations interfering with Canadas affairs, which also includes China.

Vuong while appearing on NDTV said Jagmeet Singh should provide clear evidence if he claims to have. Canada is a country of Rule Of Law. Being the leader of a political party does not give you the right to be judge, jury and executioner, he said in a post on social media site X.

The Independent MP for SpadinaFort York and former military officer Vuong said Jagmeet Singh should not make claims if he cannot back those with evidence.

Jagmeet Singhs NDP is the fourth largest party in the House of Commons or Lower House of the Canadian Parliament and is seen as sympathetic to anti-India elements by a section of Canada watchers.

This is unprecedented intelligence that has come forward and that is why were going to continue to urge that the Canadian government have a thorough investigation that those responsible are brought forward, Singh had said.
Former US President Donald Trump has said that he will make a voluntary trip to court Monday for the start of a civil trial in a lawsuit that has resulted in a judge ruling that he committed fraud in his business dealings. Im going to Court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation, Trump wrote Sunday night on his Truth Social platform.

Trump lashed out in his post at Attorney General Letitia James, who is suing him, and Judge Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over the non-jury trial. THIS WHOLE CASE IS SHAM!!! Trump wrote. See you in Court  Monday morning. The trial is the culmination of a yearslong investigation by James, who accused Trump and his company of habitually lying about his wealth in financial statements.

New York law enforcement and court employees are making security arrangements for the former presidents potential appearance at the courthouse in Lower Manhattan on Monday and possibly Tuesday. Trumps New York appearance comes as a federal judge in the city of Florida granted his request to postpone a deposition in a separate case because the dates would conflict with the start of the New York trial.

On Sunday evening, Trump will fly to New York City after a campaign event in the state of Iowa, and will spend the night at Trump Tower in Manhattan, CNN reported. Last September, New York Attorney General Letitia James initiated a civil fraud case against Donald Trump, his eldest sons, their companies, and several executives. The trial is set to commence at 10 a.m. on Monday (local time).

What is the Civil Fraud Case against Trump?

Last week, Justice Engoron of New York State Court found Trump and his family business fraudulently inflated the value of his properties and other assets. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by a plaintiff, who is seeking USD 250 million in damages, along with a prohibition on the Trump family from holding officer positions in New York businesses and a five-year ban on the company from engaging in business transactions.

Moreover, Engoron ordered the cancellation of certificates that let some of Trumps businesses, including the Trump Organization, operate in New York, and ordered the appointment of a receiver to manage the businesses dissolution.

The judge described how the Trump family and other defendants made up valuations and inflated Trumps net worth to suit their business needs. The defendants have argued that they never committed fraud, and that the challenged transactions were profitable.

Todays outrageous decision is completely disconnected from the facts and governing law, Christopher Kise, a lawyer for Trump, said in a statement. President Trump and his family will seek all available appellate remedies to rectify this miscarriage of justice.

(With agency inputs)
The Pakistan Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) urged the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to not hold an open-court hearing in the cipher case. The FIA has named Pakistans former PM Imran Khan and his close aide Shah Mahmood Qureshi principal accused in the case related to the alleged disclosure of state secrets.

The FIA, according to GeoNews fears that an open-court hearing will harm Pakistans diplomatic ties with other states as the matters will be discussed publicly and urged the court for an in-camera hearing.

Both Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi have been accused of allegedly violating the Official Secrets Act by disclosing a secret diplomatic cable (cipher) sent by the countrys embassy in Washington last year in March and violating the secrecy of the official cable sent by the Pakistani embassy in the US to the foreign office when he was the foreign minister, respectively.

The IHC will listen to the FIAs plea for in-camera hearing along with the PTI chiefs petition for bail.

There are some statements and information that cannot be made public. Sharing such information in an open court can affect Pakistans diplomatic ties with other countries, FIA Special Prosecutor Shah Khawar said in his appeal.

The court also enquired what is the standard operating procedure for handling a cipher. Khawar then explained to the court that a cipher is sent by a Pakistan embassy in a coded form and it is decoded at the Foreign Office. It is usually faxed or emailed in a coded manner.

Copies are made and the president, prime minister, army chief and director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence each receive one copy. Once the copies are seen by the officials, they are resent to the Pakistan Foreign Office to be discarded.

Only the real cipher stays at the Foreign Office, Khawar said.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chiefs lawyer Salman Safdar, said he opposes FIAs plea for an in-camera hearing. He said the FIA did not move any such plea when the matter was argued in the trial court. He said sensitive issues can be given in writing if need arises.

The IHC earlier ruled that the hearing on the PTI chiefs bail plea in the cipher case will take place in an open court.
Police in Pakistan detained 800 Afghan refugees from the suburbs of Islamabad, Pakistan-based news agency ARY News reported. Out of these 800 refugees 375 face deportation due to a lack of proper documentation, the news agency further added.

Islamabad police launched a search operation in Bara Kahu, Trinol, Mahar Abadian, Golra and Shams Colony and arrested 800 Afghan nationals. 375 other Afghan nationals had no identity papers, while 25 remaining Afghans have been detained till verification of their identity documents, the police said.

The officials said that four hundred Afghans were later released on producing the proof of residence. The police said they acted on the basis of secret intel before conducting the operation.

The police further claimed that several criminal Afghan residents were found and such operations will be further stepped up in the next few days.

Pakistan is currently home to 775,000 unregistered Afghans and 68.8% of these Afghan citizens in Pakistan have settled in urban or semi-urban areas, while the remaining 31.2% are distributed across 54 different regions including villages.

The police said that the 375 arrested will be deported to Afghanistan.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says the number of Afghans living in Pakistan has surged to 3.7 million as of June this year, with a mere 1.3 million of them officially registered with the authorities, news agency ANI said.

The news outlet citing Afghanistan-based TOLONews said Iran earlier deported 43,000 Afghan illegal immigrants in September, citing data from the Taliban-led Refugees and Repatriation Department.

Afghan citizens have left the nation en masse following the takeover by the Taliban in August 2021. The Taliban after usurping the democratically elected government has set up the government that rules on the basis of an austere view of Islam.

Women are not allowed to attend schools, offices and must be accompanied by men when outside their homes.

The deported citizens who are now in Afghanistan highlight that there is no work and no income.

The Pakistani authorities have also been accused of extorting and harrassing Afghan refugees. The nation is being accused of violating the code of conduct set by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), according to a separate report by CNN-News18.

Afghan activists speaking to CNN-News18 said that refugees are not provided with adequate food and shelter and for those refugees enrolled in some form of employment, they are also deprived of a daily minimum wage. There are no welfare programmes either for the development of Afghan refugees.
There are no immediate plans to deploy military instructors to Ukraine, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Sunday, rowing back from comments by his defence minister who had suggested troops could carry out training in the country. To date, Britain and its allies have avoided a formal military presence in Ukraine to reduce the risk of a direct conflict with Russia.

British defence minister Grant Shapps, who was appointed to the role last month, said in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph newspaper that he wanted to deploy military instructors to Ukraine, in addition to training Ukrainian armed forces in Britain or other Western countries. Hours after that interview was published, Sunak said there were no immediate plans to send British troops to Ukraine.

What the defence secretary was saying was that it might well be possible one day in the future for us to do some of that training in Ukraine, Sunak told reporters at the start of the governing Conservative Partys annual conference in Manchester. But thats something for the long term, not the here and now. There are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Sunday said any British soldiers training Ukrainian troops in Ukraine would be legitimate targets for Russian forces. Britain has provided five-week military training courses to around 20,000 Ukrainians over the past year, and intends to train a similar number going forward.

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Shapps said there was scope to offer military training within Ukraine after a discussion on Friday with British military chiefs. I was talking today about eventually getting the training brought closer and actually into Ukraine as well, he was quoted as saying. Particularly in the west of the country, I think the opportunity now is to bring more things in country.

Shapps added that he hoped British defence companies such as BAE Systems would proceed with plans to set up arms factories in Ukraine. In his speech at the conference, Shapps did not address his earlier comments, but said the war in Ukraine was consuming weapons and people at an appalling rate but we must remain steadfast in support the country in its war against Russia.

Shapps also said hundreds of British peacekeeping troops were being sent to Kosovo in the coming days after the worst violence in north of the country in years. British fighter jets were also sent to Poland this weekend, Shapps said, to help protect NATOs eastern flank following a request from the Polish government ahead of the countrys national elections this month.
China on Monday congratulated Mohamed Muizzu, the pro-Beijing winner of a recent presidential election in the Maldives.

Chinas foreign ministry said the country respects the choice of the Maldivian people and congratulates President-elect Mohamed Muizzu.

China is willing to work with the Maldives to consolidate the traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and push for continuous new progress, the ministry said in a statement to AFP.

This would take place in the future-oriented comprehensive friendly cooperative partnership between the two countries, it added.

Muizzus victory is set to once again upend the archipelagos relationship with traditional benefactor India.

He helms a party that presided over an influx of Chinese loans when it last held power in the atoll nation, better known for its luxury beach resorts and celebrity tourists.

The Maldives sits in a strategically vital position in the middle of the Indian Ocean, astride one of the worlds busiest east-west shipping lanes.

Muizzus mentor, former president Abdulla Yameen, borrowed heavily from China for construction projects and spurned India.

Muizzu was a proxy candidate of Yameen, who is still serving an 11-year sentence for corruption carried out when he was in power between 2013 and 2018.

Yameens turn towards Beijing alarmed New Delhi, which shares concerns with the United States and its allies about Chinas growing assertiveness in the Indian Ocean.

But President Ibrahim Mohamed Solihs restoration of the Maldives traditional posture itself proved controversial, with many in the archipelago disapproving of Indias outsized political and economic clout.

Solih will serve as caretaker president until his successor is inaugurated next month.

Last year, Muizzu told a meeting with Chinese Communist Party officials that his partys return to office would script a further chapter of strong ties between our two countries.
More than 200 defense companies took part in the Defense Industries Forum, which was held for the first time in Kyiv on Friday, September 29, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

"And to be honest, we expected around 200 companies. The fact that we exceeded the target of 200 companies suggests that we literally got into the 'nerve' of world security policy in the field of weapons production," Kuleba said at panel discussion at the International Defense Industries Forum.

The minister noted that he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy begin every international conversation with a point about weapons.

"Weapons. This is very unusual for classical diplomacy, but very normal for wartime diplomacy. And if at first these conversations began simply about Ukraine receiving weapons, then somewhere, perhaps from the end of summer - autumn of last year, we began to talk seriously about joint production, about repairs," Kuleba noted.

According to him, first they talked about repairs on the territory of Ukraine, and then about joint production.

"And now this topic is present everywhere. And I want everyone, every company that is present here, to know that when Ukraine talks to partners, we always urge them to create conditions for you to work with Ukraine, to finance the purchase of weapons, equipment for their armies, so that they can also supply us from their warehouses, but also strengthen their armed forces. This topic is constantly present," the head of the department noted.

As Kuleba emphasized, in conversations with partners he hears "insane interest in the experience and production capabilities of Ukrainian business."

"Here we are a true partner. Ukraine is not only a consumer. Ukraine is a full-fledged partner, and just as we receive advantages from Western weapons, Western weapons manufacturers also receive unique advantages in the market to improve their models and create even more powerful weapons," the minister added.

So, in his opinion, as a result of the war, after victory, two things will happen: the Ukrainian defense industry will be fully integrated into NATO, like Ukraine itself; and weapons produced by Ukrainian and foreign companies will be the most competitive in the world.
Americans view college campuses as far friendlier to liberals than to conservatives when it comes to free speech, with adults across the political spectrum seeing less tolerance for those on the right, according to a new poll. Overall, 47% of adults say liberals have a lot of freedom to express their views on college campuses, while just 20% said the same of conservatives, according to polling from the University of Chicago and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Republicans perceive a stronger bias on campuses against conservatives, but Democrats see a difference too  about 4 in 10 Democrats say liberals can speak their minds freely on campuses, while about 3 in 10 Democrats say conservatives can do so. If youre a Republican or lean Republican, youre unabashedly wrong, they shut you down, said Rhonda Baker, 60, of Goldsboro, North Carolina, who voted for former President Donald Trump and has a son in college. If they hold a rally, its: The MAGAs coming through. Its: The KKK is coming through.

Debates over First Amendment rights have occasionally flared on college campuses in recent years, with conflicts arising over guest speakers who express polarizing views, often from the political right. Stanford University became a flashpoint this year when students shouted down a conservative judge who was invited to speak. More recently, a conservative Princeton University professor was drowned out while discussing free speech at Washington College, a small school in Maryland.

At the same time, Republican lawmakers in dozens of states have proposed bills aiming to limit public colleges from teaching topics considered divisive or liberal. Just 30% of Americans say states should be able to restrict what professors at state universities teach, the poll found, though support was higher among Republicans.

Overall, Republicans see a clear double standard on college campuses. Just 9% said conservatives can speak their minds, while 58% said liberals have that freedom, according to the polling. They were also slightly less likely than Americans overall to see campuses as respectful and inclusive places for conservatives.

Chris Gauvin, a Republican who has done construction work on campuses, believes conservative voices are stifled. While working at Yale University, he was once stopped by pro-LGBTQ+ activists who asked for his opinion, he said. They asked me how I felt, so I figured Id tell them. I spoke in a normal tone, I didnt get excited or upset, said Gauvin, 58, of Manchester, Conn. But it proceeded with 18 to 20 people who were suddenly very irritated and agitated. It just exploded.

He took a lesson from the experience: I learned to be very quiet there. Republicans in Congress have raised alarms, with a recent House report warning of the long-standing and pervasive degradation of First Amendment rights at U.S. colleges. Some in the GOP have called for federal legislation requiring colleges to protect free speech and punish those who infringe on others rights.

Nicholas Fleisher, who chairs an academic freedom committee for the American Association of University Professors, said public perception is skewed by the infrequent cases when protesters go too far. The reality is that theres free speech for everyone on college campuses, said Fleisher, a linguistics professor at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. In conversations within classrooms, people are free to speak their minds. And they do.

Officials at PEN America, a free speech group, say most students welcome diverse views. But as the nation has become more politically divided, so have college campuses, said Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager for education at PEN. Theres this polarization that just continues to grow and build across our country, and colleges and universities are a part of that ecosystem, she said.

Morgan Ashford, a Democrat in an online graduate program at Troy University in Alabama, said she thinks people can express themselves freely on campus regardless of politics or skin color. Still, she sees a lack of tolerance for the LGBTQ+ community in her Republican state where the governor has passed anti-LGBTQ legislation. I think there have to be guidelines around hate speech, said Ashford. Because some people can go overboard.

When it comes to protesting speakers, most Americans say it should be peaceful. About 8 in 10 say its acceptable to engage in peaceful, non-disruptive protest at a campus event, while just 15% say its OK to prevent a speaker from communicating with the audience, the poll found. If they dont like it, they can get up and walk out, said Linda Woodward, 71, a Democrat in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

Mike Darlington, a real estate appraiser who votes Republican, said drowning out speakers violates the virtues of a free society. It seems to me a very, very selfish attitude that makes students think, If you dont think the way I do, then your thoughts are unacceptable,' said Darlington, 58, of Chesterfield County, Virginia.

The protest at Stanford was one of six campus speeches across the U.S. that ended in significant disruption this year, with another 11 last year, according to a database by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a free speech group.

Those cases, while troubling, are one symptom of a broader problem, said Ilya Shapiro, a conservative legal scholar who was shouted down during a speech last year at the University of Californias law school. He says colleges have drifted away from the classic ideal of academia as a place for free inquiry.

An even bigger problem than speakers being disrupted by protesters is students and faculty feeling that they cant be open in their views. They cant even discuss certain subjects, said Shapiro, director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute think tank.

About three in five Americans (62%) say that a major purpose of higher education is to support the free exchange and debate of different ideas and values. Even more U.S. adults say colleges main purpose is to teach students specific skills (82%), advance knowledge and ideas (78%) or teach students to be critical thinkers (76%). Also, 66% said a major purpose is to create a respectful and inclusive learning environment.

I believe it should be solely to prepare you to enter the workforce, said Gene VanZandt, 40, a Republican who works in shipbuilding in Hampton, Virginia. I think our colleges have gone too far off the path of what their function was.

The poll finds that majorities of Americans think students and professors, respectively, should not be allowed to express racist, sexist or anti-LGBTQ views on campus, with slightly more Republicans than Democrats saying those types of views should be allowed. There was slightly more tolerance for students expressing those views than for professors.

About 4 in 10 said students should be permitted to invite academic speakers accused of using offensive speech, with 55% saying they should not. There was a similar split when asked whether professors should be allowed to invite those speakers.

Darlington believes students and professors should be able to discuss controversial topics, but there are limits. Over-the-top, overtly racist, hateful stuff  no. You shouldnt be allowed to do that freely, he said.
An Indian billionaire, Harpal Randhawa, and his son were among the six individuals killed when their private plane crashed near a diamond mine in southwestern Zimbabwe after experiencing a technical fault, according to media reports.

Randhawa, the owner of RioZim, a mining company producing gold and coal as well as refining nickel and copper, along with his son and four others was killed when the plane crashed in the Zvamahande area of Mashava, local media reported.

Though names of the deceased are yet to be released by police, filmmaker Hopewell Chinono confirmed the death of Randhawa, who was the founder of the USD 4 billion private equity firm GEM Holdings. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Harpal Randhawa, the owner of RioZim who died today in a plane crash in Zvishavane. Five other people including his son, who was also a pilot but a passenger on this flight, also died in the crash, wrote Chinono on X.

The family of Harpal Randhawa who died with his son Amer on Friday in a plane crash, respectfully invite all his friends and associates to celebrate his life and that of his son Amer at a memorial service at Raintree on Wednesday the 4th of October, 2023.Arrival time is 3PM. pic.twitter.com/cWF0kPhe7G  Hopewell Chinono (@daddyhope) October 1, 2023

My thoughts are with his wife, family, friends and the RioZim community. The RioZim company secretary said a full statement will be issued. I am not in a position to address the media right now. We will however be issuing a statement as soon as possible, he said.

The single-engined aircraft crashed near the Murowa Diamonds mine, which is partly owned by RioZim. The Cessna 206 aircraft was en route from Harare to the Murowa diamond mine when the incident occurred on Friday. The plane experienced a technical fault, possibly resulting in a mid-air explosion, before plummeting into Peter Farm in the Zvamahande region. All passengers and crew onboard lost their lives in this accident, the report said.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police reports a plane crash which occurred on September 29 between 7.30 am and 8 am, where six people are confirmed dead, police was quoted as saying by the state-owned newspaper The Herald.

The Murowa Diamond Company (RioZim)-owned white and red Zcam aircraft had left Harare for the mine at 6 am and crashed about 6km from Mashava. RioZim confirmed the crash and said it was working with relevant authorities to gather more information.

(With PTI inputs)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in a meeting of foreign ministers of the European Union member states held in Kyiv, the press service of the President's Office reported on Monday.

"The Head of the Ukrainian State noted in his speech that today's visiting meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the EU countries is not only a significant manifestation of solidarity with Ukraine, but also a new step towards strengthening Europe, giving it leadership and initiative. We constantly need new defense and diplomatic, political and integration, economic and sanctions steps that will make our common positions stronger. The more active we are, our leadership, our initiatives, the less chances Russia will have to adapt to our common pressure," Zelenskyy said.

Among such important steps to be taken, the President of Ukraine called: firstly, activity in defense support of Ukraine and protection of life (supply of weapons, shells, expanding the range of training of Ukrainian soldiers and increasing joint production capacities of the defense industry); secondly, attracting as many world leaders and states as possible to implement the Peace Formula; and thirdly, the accession of seven more states of the European Community to security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to NATO.

Zelenskyy also mentioned the intensification of work on the new EU sanctions package against Russia and the expansion of sanctions against Iran; as well as the beginning of negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU this year, the approval by EU institutions of a financial instrument for Ukraine  Ukraine Facility, as well as the acceleration of work in the European Union on the direction of frozen Russian assets to finance the restoration of damage in Ukraine a war of destruction.

"I am sure that Ukraine and the whole free world are capable of winning this confrontation. But our victory directly depends on our cooperation with you: the more strong and principled steps we take, the sooner this war will end. It will end fairly. Restoration of our territorial integrity and reliable guarantee of peace for the whole of Europe," the President summed up.
THE Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has accumulated a debt of over US$60 million from the newly commissioned Hwange Unit 7 & 8 plants, Standardbusiness can reveal.

This poses a threat to the power supply situation in the country.

Hwange Units 7 & 8, well-placed sources said, were constructed on a contract based in US dollars, and private foreign investment was utilised to finance the expansion project.

The going is rough. ZETDC is purchasing power at a cost of US$0,12 per kilowatt hour and selling it to consumers at an average cost of US$0,10 per kilowatt hour, which is less than the cost of production, sources told Standardbusiness.

As we speak, the organisation has accumulated a debt of over US$60 million from the newly commissioned Hwange Unit 7 and 8 plants.

The two units, with a combined power output of 600MW, cost the country US$1,5 billion to finish. The project was undertaken by Sinohydro Corporation.

The source continued: Zesa (Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority) needs to pay for Hwange 7 & 8 in forex to Sinohydro, the contractor but consumers are paying in local currency. We have unsustainable tariffs and people are not paying, especially the local authorities.

If the tariff issue is not sorted, relations with the Chinese are going to be affected. So far its good and everyone is happy, but if the tariffs issue is not solved, Zesa is going to fail to pay the suppliers.

The insider said the national power utility used to import up to 200MW from Mozambique, but now is getting about 10MW due to the failure by Zesa to service its debts.

Standardbusiness understands that Zambia power utility Zesco also discontinued the supply of 100MW to Zimbabwe because the contract was not performing well.

As long as Zesa is not getting the money it needs, it will be in trouble and the whole industry is going to be affected. Zesa has no money now to import, the source said.

Sources said the national power utility was owed in excess of $150 billion by consumers including local authorities.

According to analysts, a tariff review is necessary to enable the utility to unlock imports and be able to buy power locally to close the supply and demand gap.

They argued that the current tariff has actually failed to support the economy.

While having a cost-reflective tariff would make it easier for the utility to acquire electricity locally and regionally, it still needs to be able to maintain its aging network and draw in private sector investment.

Social and economic developments are mostly driven by energy. Therefore, a chronic lack of a sufficient and reliable supply would cause the economy to suffer grave losses.

While touring the national control centre and Harare Power Station on Thursday, Energy and Power Development minister Edgar Moyo said it was critical to work towards eliminating loadshedding.

He said priority should be given to productive sectors and that the loadshedding schedule is well communicated and implemented equitably. Standard
Exiled former Zanu PF commissar Saviour Kasukuweres movement has indicated that it is considering challenging in court President Ememrson Mnangagwas move to hide procurement processes by state owned enterprises.

Mnangagwa on Friday decreed that over 20 state-owned companies will no longer be bound by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, which forces government entities to go through the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe to pay for goods and services.

The companies that include Zesa, TelOne, POSB, Zupco, Netone, Powertel, Air Zimbabwe, Hwange Colliery Company, Cottco and Air Zimbabwe have been taken over by the recent renamed Mutapa Sovereign Wealth.

Kasukuwere, who was barred from challenging Mnangagwa in last months presidential elections on account that he had lived out of the country for more than 18 months, said the regulations meant that the companies were now vulnerable to abuse.

Any country that wishes to maximize benefits from its assets and resources in a responsible manner and is also serious about accountability and transparency, therefore, needs to ensure that it has the appropriate laws, policies and regulations in place to safeguard such public assets and resources from fraud and abuse, his movement said in a statement yesterday.





The exemption of any state entity from this Act not only indicates a profound disregard for the interests of citizens at large and the rule of law, but also shows an abhorrence of any accountability or transparency by the president.

The negative implications of such a move are numerous and mean that those assets clandestinely transferred into the Mutapa Fund are now subject to gross abuse and looting without public disclosure.

He said the exemptions meantthere would be no obligation by the government to follow due processes in the procurement of goods and services by the fund.

Such assets, Kasukuweres movement said, could be disposed of, not necessarily at fair value, but to individuals with close ties to Mnangagwas administration.

In short, Zimbabweans have been disposed of effective and judicious control of assets and Mnangagwa has, in effect, taken full control of them under the Mutapa Fund without being answerable to anyone on how these assets operate or are disposed of in the future.

Last week former Finance minister Tendai Biti said Mnangagwa did not have powers to make law as this was the preserve of Parliament after the president renamed the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Biti said the statutory instrument used to change the name of the fund and to move the shareholding of the state enterprises was illegal as the president had usurped Parliaments powers.

Veteran economist Tony Hawkins said the government had never understood the role of a sovereign wealth fund.

Hawkins said countries such as Norway, Botswana and others in the Middle East used sovereign wealth funds to utilise domestic savings to diversify their economies by investing offshore.

Mnangagwa has in the past been criticized for overlying on statutory instruments to introduce far reaching measures without involving Parliament. Standard
Kamyshin: We are significantly increasing our production capabilities every month, there is multiple increase even this year

Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin said that Ukraine is significantly increasing its production capabilities every month, but a lot of time is still needed to reach those levels when we will be self-sufficient.

Our crazy neighbor Russia has been building its defense complex for 10 years. For more than 20 years, they have been building it without stopping. We are significantly increasing our production capabilities every month. We have a multiple growth even for this year. But we still need a lot of time for that to reach those levels when we will be self-sufficient, when we will be able to provide our armed forces with weapons and military equipment produced in Ukraine, Kamyshin said during a conversation with journalists on the sidelines of the Defense Industries Forum.

According to the minister, in the second year of the full-scale war, Ukrainian forces feel an urgent need for all types of weapons and military equipment.

Therefore, from artillery ammunition to drones, everything needs to be produced in large volumes, we are working on this, he said.

The minister emphasized that more than 20 agreements of various levels were signed at the Defense Industries Forum, which was held in Kyiv.

And this is the main opportunity for companies, Ukrainian companies, to get acquainted with foreign ones, to form joint projects, joint productions. For foreign companies - to understand that we have decent production in the country, capable of producing weapons and military equipment of worthy European-NATO level quality together with them," Kamyshin explained.

In particular, he announced the arrival at the forum of large delegations from the United States of America, as well as from several large European countries.

In total, more than 30 countries are represented, and this is a good indicator that there is a balanced structure of visitors. There are even visitors from Australia, and this company is looking for an opportunity to organize the production of unmanned systems here, and for this they came from Australia, he said.
The Asian Games, a multisport event held every four years, runs through Sunday, but one official might be knocked out of this year's competition for good after one matchup in the Chinese city of Hangzhou turned horrifying. Reuters reports that 62-year-old Huang Qinhua was sitting on a chair Saturday outside the netting of the hammer throw, an event involving a 16-pound metal ball attached to a grip with a wire, when the hammer thrown by Kuwait's Ali Zankawi "flew out sideways and low to the right," smashing into Huang's leg.

Huang could be seen "grimacing and swaying, with blood shooting out of the wound," as Zankawi rushed over, per Deutsche Welle. The athlete tried to create a tourniquet on Huang's leg with his hands, keeping the bleeding under control until medical staffers converged on the scene and whisked Huang off to the hospital. The official was later found to have suffered a broken leg from the impact. "Currently his vital signs are stable," an Asian Games spokesperson said at a presser Sunday. France 24 reports that a concerned Zankawi visited Huang in the hospital to apologize, and the two men posed for a photo together.

"After I got to him, I discovered a slit in his trousers and saw blood pouring from the leg, and I knew it was broken," Zankawi, who came in eighth in the event, tells France 24. He adds he was just glad Huang wasn't more seriously injured. "Thank god the hammer hit the ground before it hit his leg," he says. Reuters notes that after the accident, commenters on the Chinese social media site Weibo complained there should be better safety protocols for the hammer throw. The netting is designed to hang loosely to keep the hammer from bouncing back at the athletes, but "the power and velocity of the ... flying metal ball [means] the netting [can] only slightly cushion the hammer's flight, not stop it" from hitting someone on the other side. (Read more Asian Games stories.)
UPDATE

Oct 3, 2023 3:14 PM CDT

America's newest senator, Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler, was sworn in to replace the late Sen. Barbara Feinstein on Tuesday, making history in more ways than one. Butler, president of the Emily's List fundraising group, is the third Black woman to serve in the Senate and she was sworn in by the second, Vice President Kamala Harris, Axios reports. The 44-year-old former union leader appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom is also the first openly LGBTQ+ senator from California, reports the AP. "I know that our old colleague is looking down at this moment with pride," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said at the swearing-in ceremony.

Oct 2, 2023 6:19 AM CDT

The woman who will become the newest US senator may not be a household name nationally, but she is a familiar figure in California political circles. Gov. Gavin Newsom has picked Laphonza Butler to fill the seat of the late Dianne Feinstein, reports Politico. Some basics:
Sweden's prime minister says the military will assist the police with some duties to help deal with an unprecedented crime wave that has shocked the Scandinavian country with almost daily shootings and bombings. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his center-right government will announce proposals this week for how the armed forces would work with police, reports the AP . The country's national police chief, Anders Thornberg, clarified that members of the armed forces won't be given "direct" policing tasks. Still, getting the military involved in crime-fighting in any capacity would be a highly unusual step for Sweden, underscoring the severity of the gang violence that claimed a dozen lives across the country last month, including teenagers and innocent bystanders.

"The police cannot do all the work themselves," Kristersson said after a meeting with the heads of the armed forces and the national police. The prime minister noted that the country's military already is preoccupied with ensuring readiness because of the war in Ukraine. But he said the armed forces could perhaps help the national police with knowledge of explosives, helicopter logistics, and analyses, and that this could be done within the country's existing laws. Sweden has grappled with gang violence for years, but the surge in shootings and bombings in September has been exceptional. Three people were killed in recent days in separate attacks with suspected links to criminal gangs, which often recruit teenagers in disadvantaged immigrant neighborhoods to carry out hits.

Kristersson said Sweden's laws need to be tightened to counter the recruitment of young people into gangs, and that he believed there was a majority in the Swedish parliament to make appropriate changes. More than 60 people died in shootings last year in Sweden, the highest figure on record. This year is on track to be the same or worse. Authorities have linked the latest surge in violence to a feud between rival factions of international criminal gangs.

(Read more gang violence stories.)
Gerard Depardieu is facing down rape and sexual assault claims that stretch back years, and he's remained mostly reticent about the accusations. Now, the 74-year-old French actor has penned an open letter pushing back on the allegations and insisting that "I finally want to tell you my truth," reports the Guardian . "I thought I didn't care, but no, actually no," he writes in Le Figaro , a French daily paper. "This all gets to me. Worse still, it wipes me out." He adds that "I have never, ever abused a woman" and that "hurting a woman would be like kicking my own mother in the stomach."

Deadline notes that Depardieu was accused of rape in 2018 by fellow French actor Charlotte Arnould, who was 22 at the time to Depardieu's 70. Then, in April, investigative outlet Mediapart published a report in which 13 additional women accused Depardieu of sexually inappropriate conduct. Radio station France Inter then came out with two new accusations over the summer. Depardieu seemed to address Arnould's allegations in his letter. "A woman came to my house for the first time, walking lightly, going up to my room of her own free will," he writes, adding she returned to his home a second time. "There has never been any coercion, violence, or protest between us."

He also touches on claims of him behaving inappropriately on movie sets. "I've often done that which others wouldn't dare to do: pushed limits, shaken certitudes, habits on the set between two takes, between two tensions ... to get a laugh," he notes. He adds: "Not everyone laughed. ... [I]t was never my intention to hurt, and I beg you to excuse me for behaving like a child who wanted to have fun in a gallery." Arnould attorney Carine Durrieu Diebolt pushed back at Depardieu's letter on Monday, telling the France Info radio station that she was "shocked and scandalized" by it. Durrieu Diebolt also said Depardieu was the longtime friend of one of Arnould's parents, and that Depardieu had "held [Arnould] on his knee when she was a baby, so there was a paternal link of trust to him," per the Guardian. (Read more Gerard Depardieu stories.)
The Supreme Court has rejected a Republican candidate's long-shot bid to have a much better-known candidate disqualified. On the first day of its new term, the court declined to hear an appeal from John Anthony Castro, who sought to disqualify Donald Trump under the 14th Amendment, reports Reuters . Section 3 of the amendment states that nobody who has taken an oath "as an officer of the United States" can hold office if they've "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof."

In a lawsuit filed earlier this year, Castro argued that Trump was ineligible to hold office "given his alleged provision of aid or comfort to the convicted criminals and [insurrectionists] that violently attacked our United States Capitol on January 6, 2021," CNN reports. He appealed to the top court after a lower court found he didn't have standing to sue.

The amendment was introduced in the 1860s to ban former Confederates from office and it has been rarely used since. In court documents, Castro argued that its framers "specifically designed it to remove overwhelming popular pro-insurrectionists from the ballot." The Supreme Court rejected the appeal without comment. The 14th Amendment argument gained traction this summer, and at least two other lawsuits are pending, including one seeking to bar Trump from the ballot in Colorado. (Read more Donald Trump 2024 stories.)
Tom Hanks has told fans to beware of a computer-generated Tom Hanks that has been promoting a dental plan. "There's a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it," the actor wrote in an Instagram post , sharing a screenshot of the fake Hanks. The 67-year-old didn't disclose which company was using his likeness without permission, USA Today reports. While Hanks has approved the use of digitally altered versions of himself in movies like Polar Express, he has also expressed misgivings about the future of AI in the movie industry, reports the Guardian .

"Anybody can now recreate themselves at any age they are by way of AI or deepfake technology. I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that's it, but performances can go on and on and on and on," Hanks said told comedian Adam Buxton's podcast in April, days before Hollywood writers went on strike over AI and other issues. "Outside the understanding of AI and deepfake, there'll be nothing to tell you that it's not me and me alone. And it's going to have some degree of lifelike quality," he said, per Variety. "That's certainly an artistic challenge but it's also a legal one."

Hanks told Buxton that discussions were happening among unions, agencies, and legal firms about "the legal ramifications of my face and my voice and everybody else's being our intellectual property." The actors' strike is ongoing, but Hollywood writers are back at work. (Read more Tom Hanks stories.)
Four years after an accident believed to have killed up to seven nuclear workers, Russia appears to be once again testing a missile critics have nicknamed the "flying Chernobyl," according to the New York Times . The newspaper says its analysis of satellite images of an Arctic base suggests Russia is either preparing to test the Burevestnik, aka the SSC-X-9 Skyfall, or has done so already. The missile is believed to be nuclear-powered, running on a small reactor that activates after launch, giving it essentially unlimited range.

The Burevestnik is one of six weapons Vladimir Putin introduced in a 2018 speech, boasting that they could overpower American defenses. The Nuclear Threat Initiative nonprofit says the missile underwent at least 13 tests between 2017 and 2019 and failed every time. American officials say that in its most successful flight, the missile flew 22 miles in two minutes before crashing into the sea. The Times reports that activity around a Russian base in the remote Novaya Zemlya archipelago strongly resembles that seen before Burevestnik tests in 2017 and 2018.

Frederick Hauge, head of the Bellona Foundation, an environmental NGO based in Norway, told the Barents Observer last month that the group is very worried about releases of radiation in an explosion or other malfunction. "The entire archipelago is closed and no outsiders can get independent information about what happens," he said. That includes "information about tests and accidents causing radioactive releases." Hauge said Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear corporation, has become more militarized since Russia invaded Ukraine last year. (Read more Russia stories.)
A woman on a lawn mower was pronounced dead at the scene Friday after she was hit by a small plane at an airport, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol says. Authorities say 27-year-old Samantha Hayes suffered a head injury when she was hit by the wing of a 1972 Bonanza A36 piloted by 70-year-old James Baxter at Broken Bow Airport, KFOR reports. Baxter saw Hayes after he touched down around 3:30pm Friday and unsuccessfully tried to pull the plane up and get the wing over her, authorities say. He was not injured and has not been charged. Officials say the investigation is ongoing.

On social media, friends paid tribute to Hayes as a hardworking single mother of three, NBC News reports. She worked for the parks department in Broken Bow, a city of around 4,000 people in southeast Oklahoma. "We are heartbroken and devastated by the passing of one of our team members on Sept. 29. This is a terribly tragic accident, and our deepest sympathies go out to the employees family and friends," City Manager Vickie Patterson said in a statement. "It's critical that we determine how this accident occurred so we can take steps to prevent something like this from happening again. Our goal is to return every employee home safely every day." (Read more Oklahoma stories.)
A state senator from North Dakota, his wife, and their two young children died when the small plane they were traveling in crashed in Utah, a Senate leader said Monday. Doug Larsen's death was confirmed Monday in an email that Republican Senate Majority Leader David Hogue sent to his fellow senators and was obtained by the AP . The plane crashed Sunday evening shortly after taking off from Canyonlands Airfield about 15 miles north of Moab, according to a Grand County Sheriff's Department statement posted on Facebook. The sheriff's office said all four people on board the plane were killed.

"Senator Doug Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two young children died in a plane crash last evening in Utah," Hogue wrote in his email. "They were visiting family in Scottsdale and returning home. They stopped to refuel in Utah." Hogue wrote: "I'm not sure where the bereavement starts with such a tragedy, but I think it starts with prayers for the grandparents, surviving stepchild of Senator Larsen, and extended family of Doug and Amy." He added: "Hold your family close today."

The crash of the single-engine Piper plane is being investigated, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a post on social media. Larsen, a business owner, was a Republican first elected to the North Dakota Senate in 2020. His district comprises Mandan, the city neighboring Bismarck to the west across the Missouri River. Larsen chaired a Senate panel that handled industry and business legislation. He was also a lieutenant colonel in the North Dakota National Guard.

(Read more North Dakota stories.)
The UN Security Council voted Monday to send a multinational force to Haiti led by Kenya to help combat violent gangs in the troubled Caribbean country. The resolution drafted by the US was approved with 13 votes in favor and two abstentions from Russia and China. The resolution authorizes the force to deploy for one year, with a review after nine months, the AP reports. It would mark the first time a force is deployed to Haiti since a UN-approved mission nearly 20 years ago. A deployment date has not been set, although US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently said a security mission to Haiti could deploy "in months."

Foreign Affairs Minister Alfred Mutua of Kenya told the BBC that the force should already be in Haiti by Jan. 1, "if not before then." It wasn't immediately clear how large the force would be. Kenya's government has previously proposed sending 1,000 police officers. In addition, Jamaica, the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda also have pledged to send personnel. Last month, the US promised to provide logistics and $100 million to support the Kenyan-led force. The representative of the Russian Federation, Vassily Nebenzia, said he does not have any objections in principle to the resolution, but said that sending an armed force to a country even at its request "is an extreme measure that must be thought through."

China's representative, Zhang Jun, said he hopes countries leading the mission will hold in-depth consultations with Haitian officials on the deployment of the security force, adding that a "legitimate, effective, accountable government" needs to be in place in Haiti for any resolution to have effect. International intervention in Haiti has a complicated history. A UN-approved stabilization mission to Haiti that started in June 2004 was marred by a sexual abuse scandal and the introduction of cholera, per the AP. The mission ended in October 2017. From Jan. 1 until Aug. 15 of this year, more than 2,400 people in Haiti were reported killed, more than 950 kidnapped, and another 902 injured, according to the most recent UN statistics.

(Read more Haiti stories.)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed the hope, during the EU-Ukraine Foreign Ministers' meeting in Kyiv on Monday, the EU's financial instrument for Ukraine  the Ukraine Facility  with a total funding of EUR 50 billion for the 2024-2027 period would be approved in the near future.

"Despite the full-scale war, we continue the institutional development of our country. Ukraine is constantly getting stronger," the president said.

"We have already demonstrated a historically important example of resilience when, after Russia's attack on February 24 last year, our institutions withstood and continued functioning for the sake of the state and people. This proves the strength of Europe, the European state, and the European way of life. And we are adding to our strength," he said.

Zelenskyy also noted that Ukraine will implement the seven recommendations of the European Commission.

"We need an appropriate political decision from Europe. This integration step forward will show that Europe will never become weaker," he said.

According to Zelenskyy, "the process of rebuilding Ukraine after hostilities, the process of protecting Ukraine from ruins means protecting more than just our country."

"It is the defense of the idea of a united Europe capable of overcoming any challenge through joint efforts and real solidarity. And I am grateful to all of you who are already helping us restore our lives. We appreciate the efforts of every country, every leader, every European company," the president said.

"The launch of a financial instrument for Ukraine  the Ukraine Facility  with a total funding of EUR 50 billion for the 2024-2027 period is a very important step. We hope that this instrument will be approved by the EU institutions in the near future," he said.

Zelenskyy also noted that justice is a very important component to the topic of recovery.

"The aggressor must pay for the aggression  for the damage caused by it. That is why the frozen Russian assets must be used to finance the reconstruction. We look forward to accelerating the relevant work in the European Union. We are already actively working with partners to punish Russia for its aggression and terror. We support the work of the International Criminal Court to the fullest extent possible. But it is essential that Europe takes fair steps in relation to the assets of the terrorist state and its associates," he said.
Note: The Valdez photos are rumored to have E. T. Barnette and Isabelle Barnette in them. From reading the articles, it is doubtful they are in these gold shipment photos taken in Valdez, and during the months of November and December of 1907 E. T. Barnette was not mentioned as being in Valdez. It is more likely those in the photo are those listed above who were traveling with the shipment. These images capture a pivotal moment in the history of Fairbanks, that led to the downfall of its founder, E. T. Barnette. This heavy-hauling History Nugget has been brought to you by the Fairbanks Igloos of the Pioneers of Alaska. You can learn more about the Pioneers at pioneersofalaska.org.

Joan Skilbred may be reached at skilbred@gci.net.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes the importance of implementing the decision on the allocation of EUR 20 billion by the European Union for the country's defense support.

"Ukraine is grateful for the initiative to create a separate defense segment in the amount of EUR 20 billion within the framework of the European Peace Facility to continuously support our defense needs. And fast practical implementation is important. We expect both the unblocking and the allocation of the eighth tranche of assistance in the amount of EUR 500 million within the framework of the European Peace Facility," he said, speaking at a meeting of the foreign ministers of the European Union member states in Kyiv on Monday.

According to him, Ukraine also needs to accelerate the implementation of the European strategy for the supply of artillery shells.

"This applies both to joint purchases and to increasing the production capacity of the European defense industry. Everyone should understand: this is not only important for security, because Russia is convinced not only by force, but also by economic importance. The stronger the industrial potential of Europe, the better it is for Europeans," he said.

In addition, Zelenskyy said, the country "needs to expand and train the military, in particular Ukrainian soldiers within the framework of the EU military assistance mission."

"The obvious priority is to expand the range of training  to involve employees of our National Guard, State Border Guard Service, National Police and Security Service of Ukraine in the appropriate training. Now, defending ourselves from aggression, we gain a very necessary experience of defense in modern warfare. The more successful our soldiers are in defense, the more defense experience Ukraine will be able to share with partners," the President said.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the states of the European Union that joined the aviation coalition.

"Our pilots and infrastructure in Ukraine are currently being trained to use the F-16. This will help protect against Russian terror. We also count on the integration of modules for the training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots and engineering personnel into the EUMAM Ukraine mission," he said.

As the President noted, "it is very important to be as active as possible before the winter in strengthening the air defense shield of Ukraine." He added that Ukraine needs more air defense systems, "in particular, several Patriots to protect our southern regions are able to change the situation and significantly deprive the meaning of Russian terror."
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa affirmed the depth of the robust Bahrain-UK relations that span more than two centuries. He praised the steady progress of bilateral cooperation and joint action across the financial, banking, economic, and investment fields, given the fact that the two kingdoms enjoy a distinguished status among global financial, economic, and trade circles.

HM the King was speaking as he received at Al Safriya Palace yesterday Lord Mayor of the City of London, Nicholas Lyons, who is on a visit to the kingdom. His Majesty hailed the important role played by the private sector in bolstering financial and economic cooperation, benefiting from investment opportunities, and establishing joint projects in vital sectors to achieve mutual benefits.

In this regard, HM the King referred to the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed during the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the United Kingdom recently, which contributed to broadening the tracks of the Bahraini-British cooperation.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Mahir Haneef

Have you ever felt that twinge on your spine as you go through a near-death experience? A Christian priest met death face-to-face twice and is now travelling the world to tell about Gods intervention in his life.

Alexander J. Kurien, hailing from a remote rural village in southern India called Pallipad, had moved to the United States in his teens and later joined a Christian monastery in a remote part of Greece at Mount Athos a few years later.

While there, a tree fell on him, causing several discs on his spine to get damaged. After being bedridden for nine months and having lost hope of a natural recovery, the doctors finally decided to do a surgical resection of his four discs, to be replaced by metal parts, in the hope of making him stand upright again.

But this meant he could lose mobility forever. Remembering the night before the surgery when he was 2021 years old, Kurien said, My pillow was soaked wet from crying while praying. I hadnt harmed anyone or spoken ill of anyone until then, so why am I being punished? I kept asking during the prayers. I dreamt of Mother Mary and a saint appearing in my room. The mother caressed me from top to bottom. They took me up from the bed. I bowed to the mother, and they placed me back in bed.

Faith reaffirmed At 7 a.m., two doctors and the orderlies came to take me for surgery on a stretcher. The doctor was consoling me by holding my toes when he sensed a movement in the toe.

They helped me get up from the bed, and I found that I could stand again after being bedridden for nine months. By 3 p.m. that day, I could check out of the hospital and go back to the monastery.

It was after this incident that my faith got reaffirmed and strengthened. Many years passed by, and Kurien had by then joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the US as a senior advisor after getting an MBA from the University of Tampa.

He had also passed the course in India to become a priest. As part of his government job to go to different countries and set up embassies there, Kurien went to Iraq. While travelling in a red zone in Iraq as part of a convoy for security reasons, the rebels attacked the entourage, which consisted of two army vehicles, a dummy car with a driver, and the car carrying Kurien, two bodyguards, a translator, and a driver.

A missile hit below the car in which Kurien was in, throwing the car ten feet up in the air. When it landed, the rebels shot his bodyguards sitting on his two sides in the rear seat, as well as the translator and the driver.

Pretending to be dead

A shard of glass had pierced Kuriens forehead into the skull, and blood was gushing. The rebels began checking each car to kill those remaining alive and setting the vehicles on fire. He pretended to be dead, just like the two bodyguards, now dead, by his side. Recalling the attack, Kurien said, While sitting in the car, I saw my own funeral for 30 seconds.

I saw my wife, Ajitha, and three kids attending my funeral. It was 145 degrees Fahrenheit (62.7C) outside, and there was a sandstorm then. It was like a scene from a movie. A US army helicopter arrived and started shooting at the rebels, and they ran away.

The team airlifted Kurien to the military base, where a doctor pulled out the glass piece. A total of 13 people died in the attack, and only Kurien walked out alive. The injury to the forehead left him deaf on the right ear, and he has not been able to chew food ever since but can only swallow.

God is with me'

Sitting in the car, I thought, Where is God? Im about to die. When I look back, the presence of my God was felt there in downtown Baghdad when the attackers opened the rear door of my vehicle, and they got distracted by the sound of the approaching helicopter. God was right there. I can now say that it is only because of God being there with me in Greece and Iraq that Im now alive. Father Kurien, a senior priest of the Syrian Orthodox Church, was in Bahrain to attend an ecumenical conference at St. Marys Indian Orthodox Cathedral in Manama.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has been awarded the Best Bank for ESG in Bahrain award at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023, for the second consecutive year.

This prestigious award recognizes NBB's significant achievements in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.

Since the introduction of its 3-year sustainability roadmap in 2020, NBB has continuously integrated ESG considerations across its business conduct and operations.

The bank has also enhanced its disclosure practices through aligning with a number of International ESG reporting frameworks.

Some noteworthy ESG initiatives within NBB operations include the launch of NBB's ESG Academy in 2022 in partnership with the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), establishing a national benchmark for internship programs through Evolve and Thrive, the improvement of performance indicators around environmental issues, such as the continued reduction in energy consumption, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions, and the maintained level of waste management.

NBB's business conduct has also been acknowledged for its ESG initiatives.

These include the development of innovative financing structures provided to the retail sector, where products with environmentally or socially positive impacts are offered at preferential rates.

The other key initiatives were the revamp of NBB's Tamweel Alwatani financing scheme to widen the scope of eligibility to benefit from the scheme and the offering of a more customized approach to corporate and institutional banking clients, that aligns with the level of sophistication required.

In 2022, NBB was appointed as a Sustainability Coordinator on a US$ 1.3 billion syndicated loan transaction for one of the key strategic assets of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Responding to the news of the award, Boris Dechev, Senior Research Analyst at Euromoney, stated, NBB led the way in sustainability with a 13% reduction in energy, emissions and water usage, while enabling customers to make eco-conscious choices with innovative products.

Usman Ahmed, Group Chief Executive Officer at NBB, said, "We are honoured to have been recognised for a second year at the 2023 Euromoney Awards for Excellence, for our accomplishments in the Sustainability space."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for intensifying work on the formulation of a legal framework that would allow the transfer of seized Russian assets to Ukraine to "make life easier for everyone."

"Today I also emphasized to my colleagues the need to intensify work on formulating a legal framework that will allow the transfer of seized Russian assets to Ukraine. We know that there are a number of legal issues that must be resolved. But there are no legal issues that cannot be resolved when there is an understanding among lawyers that there is political will for this, and within the rule of law such solutions can be found," Kuleba said at a joint press conference with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, following an informal meeting of the foreign ministers of the European Union in Kyiv.

He also noted that the creation of such a mechanism and the transfer of Russian assets would make life easier for everyone: both Ukraine, which would receive additional resources, and the EU, which would find a clear legal solution to what to do with these funds, as well as ease the financial burden borne by the European side.

"Everyone agrees that the Russian Federation must pay. We just need to find this instrument, and the time for this has come. And this will also make life easier for the Russian Federation, since it will get rid of the unnecessary burden in the form of frozen money," Kuleba said.
32nd annual CIBC Run for the Cure rallies people, families and communities nationwide in person to support the breast cancer cause

TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, in 53 communities nationwide, more than 50,000 participants and volunteers laced up their shoes and came together to run for all affected by breast cancer at the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure, raising $14.5 million.

Funds raised through the CIBC Run for the Cure will support the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) to continue making lasting impacts on breast cancer outcomes in Canada, including investing in world-leading research and vitally important support programs.

Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure 2023 (CNW Group/Canadian Cancer Society (National Office))

"The outpouring of support we've witnessed today reflects the resilience of the human spirit when faced with adversity," says Tanya Henry, Vice President of Signature Programs at the Canadian Cancer Society. "The CIBC Run for the Cure is a testament to the incredible impact we can achieve when we unite for a common cause, leaving a lasting legacy for breast cancer patients. Funds raised will enable us to continue pushing the boundaries of breast cancer treatment, ensuring those facing the disease can live their lives as fully as possible."

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, with 1 in 8 women expected to be diagnosed in their lifetime. The disease is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death among Canadian women. Although less common, breast cancer also affects men with an estimated 270 diagnosed annually. For over three decades, the Run has raised more than $507 million and has contributed to significant progress that has transformed our understanding in the prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

"Thank you to everyone who fundraised, participated and volunteered at the Run, it was inspiring to have everyone come together to help create a future without breast cancer. We are once again proud to partner with the Canadian Cancer Society, who work tirelessly for the one in eight women in Canada who will be diagnosed with breast cancer  the CIBC team is already looking forward to next year," says Richard Jardim, CIO and Executive Vice-President, Technology, CIBC.

For 27 years, the Run has been made possible with the unwavering support of CIBC running with CCS every step of the way, helping make the Run the largest nationwide movement in support of the breast cancer cause. Since 1997, more than 10,000 CIBC employees each year have volunteered, fundraised and run in communities across the country to change the future of breast cancer forever.

About the Canadian Cancer Society

The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save and improve lives. We fund the brightest minds in cancer research. We provide a compassionate support system for all those affected by cancer, across Canada and for all types of cancer. As the voice for people who care about cancer, we work with governments to shape a healthier society. No other organization does all that we do to make lives better today and transform the future of cancer forever. Help us make a difference. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca today.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 13 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Through corporate donations, community partnerships and the genuinely caring culture of Team CIBC, we are committed to helping people and our communities make their ambitions a reality. Learn more about our community impact. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at www.cibc.com/en/about-cibc/media-centre.html.

SOURCE Canadian Cancer Society (National Office)

For further information: For further information, photo and video assets or to schedule an interview, please contact: Veshani Sewlall, Fundraising Communications Specialist, [email protected], 416-522-0733; Beth McKay, CIBC Communications & Public Affairs, [email protected], 416-552-1391
The global coffee company's Canadian Division launches its line of 100% Arabica Rainforest Alliance whole bean coffee along with its FSC/BPI Certified filters.

TORONTO, Oct. 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, Melitta Canada is excited to announce several new initiatives to strengthen its global environmental stewardship efforts. Through rigorous third-party certifications from Rainforest Alliance, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), Melitta Canada is adding to its repertoire of sustainable labels, seals and certifications and helping Canadians Choose Better with planet-friendly coffee products.

Melitta Canada launches its line of 100% Arabica Rainforest Alliance whole bean coffee along with its FSC/BPI Certified filters. (CNW Group/Melitta Canada)

"Sustainability is at the core of Melitta's mission, and we are thrilled to be launching the Choose Better campaign with the announcement of the new Rainforest Alliance, FSC and BPI Certifications," says Lori Brick, Marketing Manager, Melitta Canada. "We know that Canadian consumers want to make better choices for the planet, and we believe that businesses play a crucial role in ensuring they are able to do so. These certifications mean that coffee drinkers can Choose Better and feel good about their purchasing decisions."

Sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms and produced in accordance with its environmental, social, and economic standards, Melitta's whole bean coffees help create a better future by supporting farmers who employ responsible practices such as responsible land management and maintaining a habitat for native wildlife. The widely recognized sustainability certification allows consumers to choose products that contribute to a better planet. The newly certified line of 100% Arabica Rainforest Alliance Certified whole bean coffee includes the following varieties: Colombia Altura Blend, French Roast, Espresso Bellacrema, and Hazelnut Creme.

"We are proud to collaborate with companies like Melitta Canada to empower consumers to make better choices in their day-to-day lives. This certification highlights their dedication to upholding quality and ethical standards, positively impacting farmers, communities, and the environment," says the Rainforest Alliance organization.

Several Melitta Cone Filter varieties have also recently obtained third-party certifications. The Melitta White and Natural Brown cone filters are certified by both FSC and BPI and the Bamboo Cone Filters hold a BPI Certification. By choosing FSC Certified products, consumers are supporting sustainable forestry practices, contributing to the conservation of forests, and helping to improve the livelihood of communities dependent on forestry. Melitta's White and Natural brown filter varieties are also manufactured using FSC Certified pulp.

The BPI seal, now visible on its White, Natural Brown and Bamboo cone filters, is a recognized standard for compostability. It considers factors such as a product's biodegradability, disintegration, compost quality and timeframe and promotes sustainable consumption and waste management practices.

Melitta's Choose Better Campaign, anchored by the announcement of the new third-party certifications, serves as a catalyst for inspiring Canadians to embrace more environmentally responsible and sustainable choices. Its overarching objective is to empower consumers, enabling them to conscientiously evaluate the environmental and social consequences of their daily decisions  big or small. Melitta acknowledges that each choice carries the potential to collectively shape the impact on both the environment and society.

Canadians can now look out for Melitta's Rainforest Alliance Certified 100% Arabica whole bean coffee varieties and FSC and/or BPI Certified cone filters at grocery stores across Canada.

About Melitta Canada

Melitta Canada, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, is part of Melitta North America. As Melitta's first overseas subsidiary, Melitta Canada is an operating division of the privately held Melitta Group of Minden, Germany. For more than 100 years, Melitta has dedicated itself to providing the ultimate coffee experience with its premium line of coffee, coffee filters and high-quality coffeemakers, bringing European indulgence to life. The company was founded in 1908 by Melitta Bentz, after receiving a patent for her coffee filtering system consisting of a filter and filtration paper. The filter system was the first to successfully remove coffee residue in the brewing process, revolutionizing the way coffee was made. For more information visit Melitta.ca.

SOURCE Melitta Canada

For further information: Media Contacts: energi PR, Claire Dawson, Account Executive, 905 510 4127, [email protected]; Melitta North America, Donna Gray, Director, [email protected]
Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba has said that the sea corridor through which Ukrainian grain can be exported to the world without Russia's participation is a reality and called on the EU to strengthen security guarantees for this corridor.

The issue of Ukrainian grain export to the world market was discussed during an informal meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers in Kyiv on Monday, he said.

"[While discussing] this issue, we talked about relations with the countries of Asia, Africa, South America: there was a very detailed conversation on this topic. Everyone is making an effort. Our signal is very clear  a sea corridor through which Ukrainian grain can be exported to the world without involving the Russian Federation is a reality. We have already demonstrated this. If now the EU and Ukraine additionally join efforts to guarantee the security of this corridor, then the corridor can operate at full capacity," the minister said at a joint press conference with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

The minister stressed that Ukraine should look together with the EU for solutions that would deprive Russia of the opportunity to blackmail the world with hunger or grain prices.

"We can completely cope without them, as it was before the start of a full-scale invasion," Kuleba said.




Members of the Bauchi chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC are celebrating the return of Senator Haliru Dauda Jika, the 2023 candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the party.





Jika dumped the NNPP and took his APC membership card at Kafin Madaki ward in Ganjuwa local government in the state over the weekend.





The chairman of Kafin Mafarki APC ward, Malam Ango Abdullahi, presented the membership card to Jika.





He noted that some forces in the party had tried to prevent the former NNPP candidate from returning to the APC.





According to him, Jikas return to APC will boost the partys confidence and help make it succeed in the state and the country at large.





Speaking after receiving his membership card, Jika promised that he would work with other stakeholders to make the party stronger in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.





All APC members in Bauchi State will now come together, harmonise and strategise, fuse together as one solid entity ahead of the 2027 polls so that we will emerge victorious in Bauchi State, Jika told his supporters who were present to witness his formal return to the APC.





This is a homecoming, this is my ward, Kafin Mafarki, it is my support base, it is my base, so I dont expect anything short of what Im seeing today. My return to the APC is marking the beginning of a new dawn in the party in Bauchi State.





As I said earlier in Hausa, Bauchi has always been a revolutionary state. It is not a politicking time now, it is time for us to restrategise, come together and unite so that 2027 will be an easy ride for the APC in Bauchi state, Inda Allah, Jika stated.





Senator Haliru Jika represented the Bauchi Central Senatorial district in the Senate.





He was also a former member of the House of Representatives and former Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, thanked the delegates.





He dumped the APC in June 2022 to contest for the NNPP governorship ticket.
President Bola Tinubu has extended the N25,000 wage increment to all levels of workers in the civil service.

According to NTA, this was disclosed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Gbajabiamila said the twenty-five thousand naira earlier announced by President Bola Tinubu for low-grade federal workers as intervention would now to cut across all levels of workers.

Recall that Tinubu had announced earlier on Sunday a N25,000 wage award to low grade workers in the civil service, as part of measures to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal policy.

The President made the pledge on Sunday during his nationwide broadcast to mark the Independence Day anniversary.

He noted that the salary increase will last for a period of six months.
Billionaire American hip-hop mogul, Kanye West has asserted that rapper, Cardi B was planted in the music industry by some disgruntled executives to replace the Queen of rap, Nicki Minaj.

Ye, as he is fondly called, while doubting Cardi Bs talent, claimed that she doesnt write her lyrics.

He said Cardi B thinks her rivalry with Nicki Minaj is a blessing from the universe but it isnt.

The controversial rapper stated this in a video trending on social media.

He said, Cardi B is a plant. She doesnt write her raps. They put her there to try to replace Nicki Minaj purposely. She thinks its a blessing from the universe, it aint no f**king blessing.
Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, appeared before the Westminster Magistrates Court in the United Kingdom on Monday, over an alleged 100,000 bribe.

The district judge, Michael Snow, granted Alison-Madueke a 70,000 bail.

Snow further imposed other terms on Alison-Madueke including an 11 pm to 6 am curfew, an electronic tag to be worn by her at all times and a 70,000 surety to be paid before she could leave the court building.

During her appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court, she provided her name, date of birth, and address.

Although she did not formally enter a plea, her attorney, Mark Bowen, informed the court that she would plead not guilty, Reuters reported.

Her next court appearance will be at Southwark Crown Court, which deals with serious criminal cases, on October 30.

Recall that in August, the UKs National Crime Agency said it suspected Diezani had accepted bribes in return for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts.

In a statement published on its website, NCA said Diezani is alleged to have benefitted from at least 100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.

Her charges also detail financial rewards including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.

In March 2023, the NCA also provided evidence to the US Department of justice that enabled them to recover assets totalling USD 53.1 million linked to Diezans alleged corruption.

Head of the NCAs international corruption unit, Andy Kelly said the charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation. Bribery is a pervasive form of corruption, which enables serious criminality and can have devastating consequences for developing countries. We will continue to work with partners here and overseas to tackle the threat, Kelly added.

In October 2015, Diezani and four other persons were arrested in the UK over alleged bribery and money laundering offences.

A magistrate court in the UK granted Diezani bail but her passport was seized while she was asked to report at the Charing Cross police station.

Diezani was the minister of petroleum resources from 2010 to 2015 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Shortly before Jonathan handed over to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, she left the country.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alleged that the former minister stole $2.5 billion from the Nigerian government while she was a minister.
The federal government says it will waive the value-added tax (VAT) on diesel for the next six months as part of measures to cushion the impacts of the removal of the petrol subsidy.

The waiver is part of the resolution reached by the federal government and leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the end of a four- hour meeting held at the State House on Sunday.

Speaking at the end of the four-hour meeting with the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the State House, Abuja, Gbajabiamila said the government team and the labour leaders have reached some resolutions.

In a statement issued at the end of the meeting, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national Orientation, said the federal government is "committed to fast- tracking the provision of compressed natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy".

He added that the government would see to the provision of funds for micro and small- scale enterprises, adding that the value-added tax (VAT) on diesel will be waived for the next six months.

"The Federal Government will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023," the statement reads.

"A sub-committee is to be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

"NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above."

LABOUR TO CONSULT NEC

While addressing journalists, Joe Ajaero, president of NLC, said the labour body would take all the promises by the government to its organs for consideration.

"I don't have much to say than what the Chief of Staff has said. We've been meeting and we've looked at almost all the issues," he said.

"All the promissory notes from the government and we'll look at how to translate them to reality and to be workable.

"Then we're going to take those promises to our organs, of course, you know these people here cannot just wake up and review and call off action.

"So like he said, we're hopeful that our organs will have a look at them and give us a fresh mandate on what next to do. So it's a simple one."

Also, Tommy Etim Okon, acting president of TUC, said they would confer with their respective organs for the next line of action.

"Let me on behalf of the TUC also point out the fact that we've had a series of conversations surrounding the issue raised and we do hope that by tomorrow we are going to get across to our organs so that we can also look at it and cross-fertilize ideas and see the way forward," Okon said.

"I'm sure we're coming back again tomorrow for that."




The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, has expressed displeasure over the decision of the Ogun State election petition tribunal to dismiss his petition against Dapo Abiodun based on technicalities.





Recall that the tribunal on Saturday struck out Adebutus petition against Abiodun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for reportedly being incompetent and lacking in merit.





In a statement by Afolabi Orekoya, who is the Director of Media, Ladi Adebutu Campaign Organisation, the PDP candidate said the judgment of the Tribunal that struck out his petition challenging the March 18 governorship election in Ogun is disheartening and a big threat to democracy.





Adebutu said, this judgment which was based solely on funny technicalities failed to consider the substantial merits and evidence tendered during the trial.





He said his commitment to this course remains unwavering, and he would exhaust all available legal avenues to ensure justice prevails and the mandate is retrieved.





Regrettably, the Tribunal chose to focus on mere technicalities and the use of English rather than engage in a thorough examination of the glaring evidence presented.





According to him, the petitioners tendered substantial evidence that raised serious questions about the conduct of the election, even marked ballot papers.





He expressed confidence that a closer examination of the evidence tendered during the trial would have revealed the true nature of the irregularities and discrepancies that occurred during the election.





In the course of the trial, our legal team presented enough evidence that establishing non-compliance, voters harassment and intimidation leading to the disenfranchisement of over 49,000 voters which is higher than the margin of lead of 13,915 as purportedly declared by INEC; the ballot boxes snatching, over voting among many other electoral malpractices, he said.





He spoke further that duly Certified True Copies of documents from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were duly obtained and paid for with official receipts to back our claims which proved all the content of our petition and justified our concerns over the election.





Adebutu gave his view on the tribunals verdict when he said, We condemn unequivocally the judgement of the tribunal, consequently, we have mandated our legal team to appeal the judgement of the tribunal. We will not relent until due justice is served.





Adebutu assured the Ogun people that he would not be deterred by this setback, especially in fighting for the rights and aspirations of the people.
Former Governors of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Adamu and Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, have arrived at the courtroom in Lafia to witness the proceedings of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal judgement.

The tribunal is expected to deliver its judgement on the petitions challenging the election of Governor Abdullahi Sule as the Governor of Nasarawa State.

It earlier stated that the judgment would be delivered via Zoom.

More to come
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani in Kyiv on Monday.

"A meeting with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani. The situation on the battlefield, the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, the Global Peace Summit, our path to the EU and NATO. Defense support was discussed separately. It is very important to strengthen air defense to protect peaceful Ukrainians and grain infrastructure," the President said on Telegram.

The Head of State separately thanked Italy for solidarity with Ukraine.
Phrank Shaibu, aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on communications, and Babatunde Ogala, coordinator of Tinubu Presidential Legal Team (TPLT), have traded words over a US court order.

Over the weekend, the US district court for the northern district of Illinois, ordered the Chicago State University (CSU) to release the academic records of President Bola Tinubu.

Abubakar had approached the court seeking to compel the university to release Tinubu's records on the grounds that the documents would strengthen his suit challenging the president's electoral victory.

On September 19, Jeffrey Gilbert, a US magistrate judge, granted the request and ordere CSU to release Tinubu's academic records within 24 hours.

However, the president moved to block it by filing an appeal against the order.

Nancy Maldonado, a federal judge, overruled Tinubu's objections and ordered CSU to release the president's academic records.

Responding to the verdict, Ogala said the documents from CSU have no value at the supreme court because "we have passed that stage".

"The documents can no longer be used. It is of no value," the lawyer who is a former national legal adviser to the All Progressives Congress (APC) said.

"One is whether President Tinubu attended Chicago State University. The answer is yes. Second, what were his grades in school? The school had already provided that."

Shaibu wondered why Tinubu moved to block the release of his academic records if Ogala claims that it is meaningless.

"Ogala claimed that the victory was meaningless. So, why did his principal try to block the release of his credentials if he had nothing to hide? Why did he also appeal the initial judgment?" he said.

"The Bible says only the wicked run when no one chases them.

"Why has Tinubu been blocking the release of his academic records for nearly 30 years?"




The Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, has said the party would challenge the result of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.





Akinlade, in a statement by his media aide, Adelani Azeez, said the petitioners already envisaged that the tribunal would rule the way it did on Saturday, and urged members of the party to remain calm.





It was reported earlier that the tribunal on Saturday dismissed the petition filed by Adebutu and the PDP against the election of Governor Dapo Abiodun, saying it lacked merit.





Reacting to the judgement, Akinlade said, As a people and party, we must take solace in three facts: first, that the Tribunal is the court of first instance; second, that we are blessed with a resolute leader and lastly, that time, which is the determinant of all things, is on our side.





Akinlade, who contested against the incumbent governor in 2019, quoted the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, saying, It is not how many times a man falls or fails that matters, but his ability to rise each time, learn from his mistakes and forge ahead.





While admonishing the PDP faithful and people of Ogun State to see the judgement as a temporary setback, he said, from the beginning, we predicted this outcome, considering the set of individuals we are engaging.





He went down memory lane, saying: In 2022, they threw everything they had at us, got our candidates and party (PDP) removed from INEC list with the intention of stopping us from participating in the 2023 general elections. They went to town saying that there was no opposition in Ogun State, but we turned to God, fought courageously and the courts reinstated us.





Fast forward to March 2023, they arrested our members, blackmailed and threatened our leader, but we prevailed at the polls.





Against all odds and intents, we pushed through the obstacles placed before us and called 94 witnesses including experts, presented over 200,000 certified documents in evidence, argued our case before the election petition tribunal efficiently.





We said it from inception that the alleged issue of vote buying was nothing than a ploy to distract us and the panel mercifully ruled that in our favor yesterday 30th September 2023.





Speaking on the move to appeal the judgement, he added, As we commence the process of filing our notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal, we assure our teeming supporters and the good people of Ogun State that we will not relent in our resolve to get justice and we will explore and deploy every resources at our disposal to right this injustice in the collective interest of our dear State.
Victor Osimhen has finally reacted to the TikTok videos and controversy between him and Napoli.

Osimhens agent, Roberto Calenda, expressed anger after two TikTok videos mocking the Nigerian striker for missing a penalty in a league clash against Bologna were posted by Napoli last week.

The striker also took down all the images of himself in a Napoli jersey from his social media pages and celebrated scoring goals in muted terms over the last week.

Napoli later issued a statement stating that it was not intentional.

Osimhen has now broken his silence on the saga.

Coming to the City of Naples in 2020 was a wonderful decision for me. The People of Naples have shown me so much love and kindness, and I will not allow anyone to come between us, the Nigeria said in a statement released on Sunday.

The passion of the People of Naples fuels my fire to always play with my heart and soul, and the love for the badge is unwavering as I wear it with pride.

The accusation against the People of Naples are untrue. I have a lot of friends that are Napolitans and have become part of my family and everyday life.

I appreciate Nigerians and everyone for lending their voices to support and reach out to me. Thanks so much, Im forever grateful.

Lets continue to spread unity, respect and understanding.

FORZA NAPOLI SEMPRE.
The Adamawa governorship election petition tribunal in Yola has affirmed Ahmadu Fintiri as governor of the state.

Umar Ardo, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and his party had challenged Fintiris victory before the tribunal, alleging corrupt practices, threats and violence during the election.

They asked the tribunal to nullify the entire exercise.

However, dismissing the petition in a judgment delivered on Monday, Theodora Uloho, chairman of the three-member tribunal, said the petition was lacking in merit, defective and incompetent.

The petition is incongruous and not properly instituted before the tribunal. The petitioners are not certain about what they want, she said.

Reacting to the tribunals judgment, Kaletapwa George-Farauta, Adamawa deputy governor, described it as a victory for democracy.

She urged the petitioners to join hands with Fintiris administration to build a new Adamawa.

Meanwhile, Sylvester Emmanuel, counsel to Ardo, said his client would file an appeal to upturn the verdict.

The tribunal is yet to decide on the petition filed by Aisha Binani, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the election.




The Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, has thanked Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for ending the sit-at-home order enforcement in the state.





The former governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, spoke when he inspected the collapsed bridge at the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, according to a statement by his media officer on Monday.





Umahi described the end of the sit-at-home in Enugu as a major step forward for the region.





Let me thank you for being able to courageously stop sitting at home in Enugu State. It is a major thing you have done for the Igbo. It is a major thing you have done for the country, he said.





He also congratulated Mbah on his victory at the Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, while advising the opposition in the state to stop wasting their time contesting Mbahs divine and peoples mandate.





Umahi, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress, said it was not about the party, but about the quality of the individual Enugu people had chosen to lead them.





The minister said that Mbahs initiative to commence the reconstruction and dualisation of the Enugu  Abakaliki federal road up to the Ebonyi boundary was another display of people-driven leadership by a private sector person in governance.





He added, I am happy that you came from the private sector. There is a very serious high hope by the steps you have rolled out. They are in tandem with Mr. Presidents steps and I pledge to support him very seriously and I also pledge to support you. There must be a change. We must reset the country.





I want to publicly say while congratulating you on the tribunal victory, that whoever is taking you to the court must stop wasting their time, as you are the peoples choice and for good reasons.





So, we will continue to support and pray for you, and I urge whoever is distracting you that they should understand the step of God and know that you are divine and we are very proud of you.





When a man wants to engage in public affairs, you should find out about his background. You are a very successful private person and you are going to bring it to bear in this governance of Enugu State. And this Enugu is the pride of the entire South-East and of course, the East Central State.
A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, has said a United States Court order directing the Chicago State University to release the academic records of President Bola Tinubu to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is a national disgrace.

The former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission further observed that it was worrisome that authorities such as the Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the Embassy of Nigeria with its staff in Washington DC could not unravel the circumstances over the academic history of the President, leaving the daunting task for Atiku to do.

He said this in a statement, on Sunday, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent.

That all the aforementioned institutions allowed a man to be sworn in without definitive statements about his qualifications is a national tragedy. For 23 years, the issue of President Tinubu has been a recurring decimal in our national equation. Under his reign, a current youth corps member is serving as minister, and people under investigation by the EFCC and made public are sitting in the Federal Executive Council. And they all passed through security screening.

A United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois had, on Saturday, ruled in favour Atiku, and ordered that the Chicago State University should release President Tinubus academic record to the former vice president by Monday, October 2.

According to him, the leadership and relevant institutions of this country should bow their heads in shame, if eventually it was discovered the occupier of the nations number one office forged his certificates, stressing that the development was both a national and international embarrassment.

He said, I speak as a Nigerian. That it took the courageous activism of HE. Abubakar Atiku to force the discovery of information concerning the President of Nigeria is a disgrace to our national institutions.

As a nation, we have a full retinue of staff at the Department of the State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Embassy of Nigeria with the full complement of staff in Washington DC and the Nigerian judiciary that have variously ruled on matters concerning President Tinubus academic qualifications. Yet, we can not have a definitive conclusion about whether he has the academic qualifications he claimed he had or not. Disgraceful.

The office of the President of Nigeria is so important both in its moral authority and its strategic importance to our national security and safety that nobody who has possible blind spots that can make him or her a potential asset for foreign intelligence or governments should be allowed a mile near that office. This should be a primary burden on all our national institutions. Legal technicalities and silence by state institutions should be deemed high treason.

It highlights my previous statement that a constitution amendment to finish all electoral cases before the assumption of office is now a matter of urgent national priority. The current disgraceful proceedings against a Nigerian President in a foreign court under election petition matters are damaging to our collective moral and legal standing as a people.

If it turns out tomorrow that our President presented a forged certificate to INEC, Nigerians will bow down their heads globally in shame. On the other hand, if it turns out that his certificate is genuine, again our reputation as a people is still in tatters because of the failure of national institutions to perform due diligence no matter who is involved. On both counts, it reinforces global perceptions and prejudice against Nigerians. We all bear the burden.

A forged certificate finding leaves President Tinubu in a vulnerable position morally and legally. As he did not present primary and secondary certificates to INEC, a forged CSU certificate makes him unqualified to stand for the office of President as he does not possess the minimum qualification S.131(D) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Of course, the next issue is the case of perjury, the presentation of false documents under oath.

How INEC accepted a university degree without the qualifying certificates would continue to be a national mystery. A language in our electoral legislation to forestall such obvious infractions is required.

The decision of the District Court and the whole proceedings is not a moment of triumphalism but a sober moment of introspection. It is a moment when as a nation we ask ourselves.

It added, What are our national values?

Who or which institution should have ordered the full investigation of the questionable certificate?

Considering that he did not present a primary or secondary certificate, should our courts be concerned with the technicality of the tendering process of the CSU certificate or the disgrace and global moral damage a forged certificate would have wrought on Nigeria?

The former minister queried why did the nations security system could not conduct a discrete investigation and advise the candidate and INEC about the status of his certificate.

A few years ago, the DSS, in an act of institutional independence and courage, wrote to the Senate to reject Police Commissioner Ibrahim Magu as the EFCC chairman not minding his nomination by a sitting President. This was based on their intelligence report of his nefarious conduct that pales into insignificance against a possible forgery case by a President. Why the silence now?

For me, the issue is beyond legalism. If and that is a big if, the certificate is forged, President Tinubu should resign immediately. It is not a legal matter but a national honour and moral issue. If he does not, the National Assembly should do the needful to restore our dignity as a people. I also expect the Supreme Court to rise to the occasion and restore order to our electoral process.

Chidoka said, If the certificate is not forged, the President should conduct a wide-ranging reorganisation of our national security system for failure to save the country from this needless embarrassment and reputational damage.
Over 3 million Kias and Hyundais have been recalled, with more than 1.7 million Kia cars and 1.6 million Hyundai cars being recalled due to a fire risk.

Heres what you need to know vehicles subject to the recall and what you should do if your vehicle is on the recall list.

Kia recall

Kia is recalling 1,730,192 vehicles because their engines may spark a fire due to an electrical short, according to a National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) report.

The carmaker is requesting that owners affected by the recall park their cars outside and away from structures until it is complete.

Affected owners will be notified about the recall by Nov. 14. Dealers will replace the affected parts at no cost, if a problem is found.

Here are the following models subject to the recall:

2010-2019 Kia Borrego

2014-2016 Kia Cadenza

2010-2013 Kia Forte

2010-2013 Kia Forte Koup

2015-2018 Kia K900

2011-2015 Kia Optima

2011-2013 Kia Optima Hybrid

2012-2017 Kia Rio

2010-2011 Kia Rondo

2011-2014 Kia Sorento

2011-2013 Kia Soul

2010-2013 Kia Sportage

Hyundai recall

Hyundai is recalling 1,642,551 vehicles due to issues with their Anti-Lock Brake System module, according to a report from the NHTSA.

The issue may cause a compartment fire in the vehicles.

Hyundai is advising owners of the recalled vehicles to park outside until it is complete.

Affected owners will be notified about the recall by Nov. 21. Owners of the vehicles can bring their car to their local dealership for a free replacement of the ABS fuse.

The following vehicles are subject to recall:

2012-2015 Hyundai Accent

2012-2015 Hyundai Azera

2011-2015 Hyundai Elantra

2013-2015 Hyundai Elantra Coupe

2014-2015 Hyundai Equus

2011-2015 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

2013-2015 Hyundai Santa Fe

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

2011-2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

2010-2013 Hyundai Tucson

2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell

2012-2015 Hyundai Veloster

2010-2012 Hyundai Veracruz

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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
The biggest entertainment franchise in the world came to MetLife Stadium Sunday night.

And she was there to watch the Kansas City Chiefs play the New York Jets.
A man was accused of fatally shooting a woman Sunday in Belleville, authorities said.

Belleville police were notified of a shooting at a home on the 100 block of Meacham Street shortly before 10:30 a.m. an found Erica Voloshin, 37, of Nutley, inside suffering from a gunshot wound, according to a release from the Essex County Prosecutors Office.

Voloshin was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:42 a.m.

Scott Hurring, 43, of Belleville, was arrested and charged with murder as well as unlawful possession of weapon, the office said.

No other information was released late Sunday and the nature of the relationship between Hurring and Voloshin was unclear.

The shooting was still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the offices tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
The nurses have taken to the sky to get their message out.

For the past eight weeks, 1,700 Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital nurses have been striking as they continue to demand improved staffing, pay and benefits.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting on Monday with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, who is paying a visit to Kyiv to attend a meeting of the foreign ministers of the EU member states.

As the presidential press service noted, Zelenskyy commended the holding of the first-ever offsite meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers in Kyiv.

"We are sincerely grateful to the EU and its member states for this confirmation of unity in support of Ukraine," the Head of State noted.

The President emphasized the importance of speeding up the provision of international military assistance to our country. In this context, he stressed the need to allocate a new, eighth tranche of EUR 500 million under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as to create a special Fund for assistance to Ukraine in the amount of EUR 20 billion under the EPF to sustainably meet our country's defense needs for 2024-2027.

He also stressed the need for all EU member states to approve the European Commission's initiative to launch the Ukraine Facility, which provides for the allocation of EUR 50 billion to our country over the next four years.

The parties discussed the need to adopt the 12th package of EU sanctions against Russia as soon as possible and its key priorities.

The Head of State emphasized that Ukraine counts on the positive assessment of the European Commission within the Enlargement Package and the decision of the European Council to launch negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU by the end of this year.

The President of Ukraine expressed gratitude for the active participation of the European Union in the implementation of all points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula.
A pre-dawn two-alarm fire at a home on Chapel Avenue in Jersey City Monday is under investigation, city officials said.

The Jersey City Fire Department responded to 298 Chapel Ave., a two-story, two-family structure at approximately 5:30 a.m., city spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said.
A woman was found in a Jersey City street with multiple lacerations early Monday morning, authorities said.

Jersey City police did not provide any details about the incident that was reported at 3 a.m. on Amity Street, near Fairmount Avenue and Grand Street. Police said in radio transmissions that the victim was beat up pretty badly.

The 45-year-old woman suffered lacerations to the left side of face, chin, and left hip, Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said. The woman was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.
There are now 66 cannabis dispensaries open in New Jersey, a majority serving recreational consumers. At least a dozen dispensary owners or representatives are confirmed to participate at NJ Cannabis Insiders day-long conference on Oct. 12 in Newark.

New Jerseys premier B2B cannabis business conference and networking event returns to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Newark Airport, offering informational and actionable CannaTalks and panels, featuring industry leaders, regulators and educators.

A special speed-networking sessions to connect with the right people to help your business grow and thrive is programmed during the middle of the event.

Doors open at 9 a.m. with the keynote speaker opening the all-day event at 10 a.m. The conference ends at 5 p.m. Attendees can join an official after party later that night. Tickets ($295) are limited for the conference. A select number of discounted tickets were made available for social equity applicants. Click here for more details and to purchase tickets.

Heres the full lineup, presentation topics, sponsors, vendors and special discovery areas:

Keynote

Wanda James, founder and CEO of , founder and CEO of Simply Pure

CannaTalks & Presentations

Government

Meet Your Regulators: Understanding How CRC Works For You

Dianna Houenou , chairwoman of the , chairwoman of the N.J. Cannabis Regulatory Commission

Wesley McWhite III, CRC director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Government Services

Grants & Training: What the N.J. Government Is Doing to Help You

Tauhid Chappell , NJ Business Action Center (NJBAC), , NJ Business Action Center (NJBAC), Cannabis Training Academy

Genna Jones , program manager at New Jersey Economic Development Authority ( , program manager at New Jersey Economic Development Authority ( NJEDA

Donald Newman, manager of Small Business Advocacy, , manager of Small Business Advocacy, NJBAC

Applications

The Road to License Approval Is Never a Straight Line

Ellie Siegel , CEO and founder of the cannabis consulting firm , CEO and founder of the cannabis consulting firm Longview Strategic

Mollie Hartman Lustig, an attorney, is the chair of , an attorney, is the chair of McLaughlin and Stern s Cannabis Practice Group

Wholesale, Distribution & Delivery: Following the Road to Success

Manufacturing & Edibles: Expansion is Here. Infusion Demonstration

Tara Misu , CEO of Blazin Bakery and Green Alchemy

Rob Mejia, author, founder of , author, founder of Our Community Harvest , professor at Stockton University

Cultivation

Essentials of Growing Indoors and Outdoors

Smrita Choubey , founder and CEO of , founder and CEO of Veda Farms

Spencer Belz, marketing director at Veda Farms

Municipalities

Talk to The Mayor and Council President: Insights on Municipal Approval

Supply and Demand

From Seed to Sale: Why Its Vital to Know Your Supply Chain

Suzan Nickelson , founder of , founder of Holistic Solutions , NJ Cannabis Insider sponsor of Social Equity Discovery Area

Kate Juliano, senior account manager, head of Social Equity-NJ at , senior account manager, head of Social Equity-NJ at Ascend Wellness Holdings

Commerce Readiness

Safeguarding Success: Compliance, Security and Commerce Readiness

Tony Gallo , CEO of , CEO of Sapphire Risk Advisory Group

Jacob Hicks, associate Vice President at associate Vice President at Tenax Strategies

Capital & Spending

Funding Your Build: Knowing the Costs Before Raising Money

Special Sessions

Ask This Attorney Anything: Licensing, Strategic Planning, SOPs, etc.

Chirali Patel, founder and CEO of founder and CEO of Blaze Responsibly and Blaze Law

Local and federal policy: Whats Next For N.J.s Cannabis Marketplace?

The Speed Networking Session presented by Tenax Strategies

NJ Cannabis Insider has partnered with marketing and PR firm THCIAAB to moderate the 40-minute, intense speed-networking session designed to help license-holders meet other license-holders and all the other businesses they need to build and grow their operations.

Sponsors and exhibitors

Strategic Partners

Rob Mejia , provides curious adults clear, researched information, stories from the cannabis community and products that offer confident, safe, and smart ways to experience cannabis. Mejia writes the Prof. Mejias Weed Corner for NJ Cannabis Insider. Our Community Harvest , founded by, provides curious adults clear, researched information, stories from the cannabis community and products that offer confident, safe, and smart ways to experience cannabis. Mejia writes the Prof. Mejias Weed Corner for NJ Cannabis Insider.

Ellie Siegel , provides advisory services and industry insights to public, private and not-for-profit entities throughout the country. With years of active experience, Longview has been able to provide top quality counsel, secure hallmark resources and connections, and contribute writing services for client projects and developments. Longview Strategic , founded by, provides advisory services and industry insights to public, private and not-for-profit entities throughout the country. With years of active experience, Longview has been able to provide top quality counsel, secure hallmark resources and connections, and contribute writing services for client projects and developments.

Josh Alb , hosts free community education events on cannabis and how individuals can enter the industry. Cannademix is NJ Cannabis Insiders Cannademix , founded by, hosts free community education events on cannabis and how individuals can enter the industry. Cannademix is NJ Cannabis Insiders After Party partner.

Precious Osagie Erese, is a luxury cannabis brand, curating an unrivaled cannabis experience for those who appreciate the art of indulgence and the culture of the plant. Our products redefine the perception of cannabis while combining the highest standards of craftsmanship, forging moments of creativity, empowerment, euphoria and connection. PRECIOUS Canna Co , founded byis a luxury cannabis brand, curating an unrivaled cannabis experience for those who appreciate the art of indulgence and the culture of the plant. Our products redefine the perception of cannabis while combining the highest standards of craftsmanship, forging moments of creativity, empowerment, euphoria and connection.

Cannabis Insider Jobs , in collaboration with NJ Cannabis Insider, is dedicated to helping individuals find a career in the cannabis industry, leveraging its digital presence through NJ.com s parent company Advance Local

Click here for more details and to purchase tickets. (Note: Availability is limited. As others will tell you, we have had to turn people away from our last several large-scale events.)

NJ Cannabis Insider is a weekly subscriber-based online trade journal and events group produced by NJ Advance Media, which also publishes NJ.com, The Star-Ledger and other affiliated papers. Are you interested in the N.J. cannabis industry? Subscribe here for insider exclusives. Follow us on LinkedIn.
A Jersey City deputy fire chief recently left his job with a lovely parting gift: a payout for $601,500. That does not even include the $11,588 monthly pension check he now gets in retirement. And its largely because he was allowed to hoard sick days year after year, like they were gold bars in a sock drawer.

The extraordinary part of this tale of avarice is that such windfalls are not only common throughout the state, they are also illegal in most cases. The taxpayers of Jersey City paid $8 million in retirement gifts for 27 police and fire brass in the last three years alone, NJ Advance Media reported last week. And across New Jersey, 780 government employees received a total of $76.7 million in retirement payouts since 2020, most of them police and fire department brass.

An investigation: N.J. has long sought to rein huge retirement payouts for local officials. Yet taxpayers have shouldered at least $76.7M in payouts since 2020 for top retirees like police and fire chiefs and school superintendents.https://t.co/Fgkta3iuKt  Riley Yates (@riley_yates) September 21, 2023

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Editors note: This story was updated after investigators announced that the woman died.

A woman was fatally shot in what was Patersons third shooting on Sunday, authorities said.

A Paterson Police officer heard gunshots at 9:22 p.m. in the area of Van Houten and Cianci streets and called for backup, according to a release from the Passaic County Prosecutors Office.

The officers found a 22-year-old Paterson woman who had been shot, the office said. She was rushed to St. Josephs University Medical Center where she was listed in critical condition until she died on Monday.

No further information was released Monday as the shooting was still under investigation.

The day of violence in Passaic Countys largest city began just after 6:30 a.m. in the area of Park Avenue and East 22nd Street when police found a 19-year-old Paterson man lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds, officials said. He was rushed to St. Josephs University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

As of Monday afternoon, the man has not been identified.

The second shooting happened shortly before 12:30 p.m. in the area of Highland Street and Park Place, the office said. Police found two people shot, a 19-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, both residents of the city.

They were taken to St. Josephs University Medical Center where the man died and the woman was being treated for her injuries, authorities said.

That mans identity has not yet been released.

It was unclear if any of the three shootings were related.

Anyone with information about any of the shootings is asked to contact the offices tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
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As the world grapples with the complexities of globalization and identity, the relationship between nationalism, religion and politics has become a key issue in the run-up to the 2024 election.

Two forms of nationalism worth examining in light of the election are Hindu nationalism in India and Christian nationalism in the US. These two growing, violent political movements fueled by the vilification of the other pose a serious threat to democracy, according to religion professor and host of the Straight White American Jesus Bradley Onishi.

Both Hindu nationalism and Christian nationalism are based on the idea that the nation should be defined by a particular religious majority, and that this majority should have special privileges and status. This leads to the promotion of violence and discrimination against minority groups.

Christian nationalism is not Christianity, said Katherine Stewart, investigative reporter and author of The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism during an virtual event put together by Moment magazine in April. It is a political phenomenon that involves the exploitation of religion for political purposes. I think of it as combining two kinds of things: on one hand, its an ideology and a set of ideas and on the other hand, its a political movement, an organized quest for power.

Interestingly one GOP presidential candidate, billionaire investor Vivek Ramaswamy, a practicing Hindu, appears to be deliberately aligning himself with conservative groups like Moms for Liberty, which Southern Poverty Law Center named an extremist group earlier this year and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, a 75-year-old organization established to keep religious influence out of public schools, called a Christian nationalist front group, in an April report.

During Wednesdays Republican presidential debate, Ramaswamys coded appeals to the religious right show the ways in which he is basing his political platform on nationalist ideology in the hopes of aligning himself with white supremacy.

Ramaswamya brown, Hindu son of Indian immigrants has supported xenopohobic policies.When asked about immigration during the debate, he responded that in addition to sending the military to the border, the United States should, end birthright citizenship for the kids of illegal immigrants in this country.

But Ramaswamy isnt just adopting white Christian nationalist ideas, hes also pointed to Hindu nationalist ideas as something Americans can learn from.

In March, he praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis nationalist views and has repeatedly advocated for close ties between the United States and India.

Heres what he said in a video posted to X in March after Modi visited the United States:

Modi talked unapologetically about Indian national identity, Ramaswamy said in a video posted on X after Modis visit to America in March. He quoted the Vedas, ancient Indian scriptures. Yet here in the United States we have now gotten in the habit of apologizing for our own national history.  Thats what I think we need to learn here from Modis visit, is that we in this country are at our best when we too do not apologize for who we are.

The reality of religious nationalism is hard to swallow, but its something Americans should consider this election cycle, said Corey Saylor, director of research and advocacy for the Council on American Islamic Relations.

What is Hindu nationalism and how is it linked to Christian nationalism?

Hindu nationalism is a political movement that views the Indian identity and the Hindu identity as inseparable. In India, Hindu nationalism has been on the rise since the late 1980s. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the countrys ruling party, is a Hindu nationalist party that has been accused of promoting violence against Muslims and other religious minorities.

The modern Hindutva movement is at the core of anti-Muslim, anti-Christian, and anti-minority persecutions in India, Saylor said. Led by [Indian Prime Minister] Modi, Indias far-right Hindutva government has inspired and allowed mobs to massacre Indian Muslims and target other religious minorities.

Since May, more than 180 people have been killed and hundreds more wounded in Manipur due to violent clashes between residents and BJP militia, according to Indian government officials.

Modi has been criticized for refusing to address the violence. In August, Indias Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized Modis handling of Manipur, saying his government had divided the state, broken it and burned it.

Both Hindu and Christian nationalism are ideologies that focus on language, religion and national identityespecially what it means to be the right kind of citizen. Hindu nationalists have sought to purify India even to the point of attacking people like Urdu poet Hashim Firozabadi, who was beaten and doused with acid after he confronted two men who were allegedly harassing young girls.

Hindu nationalists refer to Urdu as a Muslim language and have tried to convince the government to stop using the language.

In India, Hindu nationalists have made efforts to re-write historysomething Christian nationalists in America have also attempted. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis is using the state education standards to reject and modify textbooks allowed to be used in public schools.

The role of Vivek Ramaswamy

The bold Republican candidate is gaining ground despite being an outsider in the GOP presidential race. The ideas hes using to capture the hearts of Republican voters are rooted in the idea that TKTKT (define nationalism)

Ramaswamy, the second Hindu presidential candidate in history, is openly supporting white supremecist policies and aligning himself with many conservatives in both the US and abroad who openly tout Christian nationalist views.

Ramaswamy showed his alignment with the far right movement by attending and speaking at the Moms for Liberty Convention in July. Hes also made parents rightsthe very issue Moms for Liberty has used to get school boards aligned with the political movementone of his 10 truths hes running on.

His alignment with Christian nationalists is expected to continue, as he has embraced both religious ideals and a proud national identity, said Indian American writer Manisha Sunil, who writes about religion and politics for the Daily Beast.

Sunil wrote about the attacks levied against Ramaswamy because of his Hindu heritage in the piece, which focused on the Hindu candidates association with Christian nationalist ideas.

Ramaswamy has openly talked about his Hindu faith, even quoting the Vedas, a Hindu religious text.

The very ethos of Christian nationalism precludes non-Christian candidates (and frankly, even Christian candidates who fail to adhere to a specific brand of Christianity) from holding significant political power. Ramaswamy and candidates like him, such as Nikki Haley (who is Methodist but descends from a Sikh family), are going to continue to face attacks accusing them of not being American enough, and not being Christian enough, she wrote.

Ramawamy told NBC News on September 13th that he believes America was founded on Judeo-Christian valuessomething most Christian Nationalists use as the foundation for their policies and perspectives.

Hes also quoted scripture and told Bible stories during campaign speechesa behavior that more closely aligns himself with evangelical GOP voters, who are the most likely to say they support Christian Nationalism.

In a statement he said the absence of national pride is a serious threat to the future of our country and argued his proposal can create a sense of shared purpose and responsibility amongst young Americans to become educated citizens.

Modis view of national identity resonated with Ramaswamy, who has had a lot to say about American identity on the campaign trail. American identity is one of his 10 Truths listed on his campaign website.

What does it all mean?

As the 2024 election cycle heats up, Saylor said its important for American voters to be aware of the types of extremism affecting non-white people here and abroad when choosing their candidates.

He told Reckon that America is its best when we honor the many faiths practiced across the country and reject the vilification of human beings for votes.

Vilification is a vote-getting tactic Indian Prime Minister Modi and his Indian Peoples Party have adopted, Saylor said. When politicians talk about how their faith drives them to uplift their constituents this is something to be listened to. When politicians use religion to justify othering human beings then this deserves to be met with criticism.

Editors note: This story has been updated to add attribution for descriptions of Moms for Liberty. The Southern Poverty Law Center named them an extremist group and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, a 75-year-old nonprofit founded to keep religious influences out of public education, called them a Christian nationalist front group.
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Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba denied the information that discussions on second-rate membership of Ukraine are being held with the EU.

No offers have been made to us. But I can record that Ukraine is a firstclass state, and nothing but first-class membership suits us, Kuleba said at a joint press conference with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell following an informal meeting of the EU foreign ministers in Kyiv.

In turn, Borrell said that he doesnt know where such information came from and stressed that membership is membership, period.

Earlier, foreign media wrote that France and Germany insist on an alternative option for full membership of Ukraine in the EU, which is based on four different concentric circles of membership. This could be the basis for gradual integration.

In turn, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said last week that Ukraine would not be satisfied with "second-class" EU membership.
Rescue Alliance's home in Gonzales for homeless animals. The organization is looking for a volunteer fundraising coordinator.
A home backs up to the Mississippi River levee next to where U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boats are building an underwater sill with mud that should slow the flow of saltwater on Sept. 26, 2023.
Press conference on the results of two-month investigation into child internet predators by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry's office Monday June 24, 2019, in Baton Rouge, La. From left, Attorney General Jeff Landry, LSP TFC Tommy Bellue holding 'Maggie' who can sniff out electronics, listen to LSP Lt. Chad Gremillion, speaking at lectern, about Operation Broken Heart. Operation Broken Heart aims to (1) arrest as many offenders as possible who: (a) possess, manufacture, and distribute child pornography; (b) engage in online enticement of children for sexual purposes; (c) engage in the commercial sexual exploitation of children (commonly referred to as child prostitution), (d) engage in child sex tourism (traveling abroad for the purpose of sexually abusing foreign children) and (2) provide community education to prevent technology related child exploitation and abuse.
Borrell hopes to agree on allocation of military aid to Ukraine in amount of EUR 5 bln for 2024 by year end

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, proposed a new bilateral multi-year package within the framework of the European Peace Facility in the amount of up to EUR 5 billion for the next year.

Let me start with the military side. I proposed a new bilateral multi-annual envelope under the European Peace Facility (EPF), of up to 5 billion for the next year, [and] more will come. I hope that we can reach an agreement before the end of the year when the Member States have to agree on the review of the Multiannual Financial Framework, Borrell said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba following an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv.

He also stressed that the EU continues to train Ukrainian soldiers.

The target today is to train 40,000 [soldiers] in the upcoming months, and this includes specialised training for fighter jets pilots, Borrell noted.
Thieves are putting their own lives, and those of firefighters, at risk in Devon and Cornwall by stealing electricity to power electricity-hungry cannabis farms or bitcoin mines or to cope with the cost of living.

Recently a cannabis farm in Torbay diverted the power supply to feed high-wattage lights used to grow the plants.

Devon and Cornwall police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez has appealed for vigilance.

She said: It was interesting to see that all that cannabis had been grown in a building on a busy street with people working all around.

I did notice what looked like two workmen trying to open the electricity box in the street, and I did report it to the police at that time. They [the crooks] will have diverted the main electricity supply, and it is one of the things we should be looking out for.

These people arent just getting a wire and plugging it in, theyre having to dig up the streets.

A BBC analysis shows an increase of 75 per cent since 2012 in the number of recorded electricity thefts where meters are tampered with or bypassed to avoid paying charges.

It can leave live wires exposed and often involves bypassing fuse boxes, meaning appliances can overheat and catch fire. There is also a risk of serious electric shocks or electrocution.

The National Police Chiefs Council says it is a growing problem with a significant connection to organised crime. Twenty offences were recorded across Devon and Cornwall in 2022/23, well below the hundreds recorded by West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and other more urban forces.

The two counties combined are 28th out of 42 police forces in the BBCs Shared Data Unit analysis. Neighbouring Dorset was lowest of all, with just three offences.

Fire service chiefs say organised criminal activity could be behind many of the offences, but others were caused by people reacting to massive increases in the cost of electricity last year.

Cannabis farms are among the culprits, along with bitcoin mines, where people use heavy-duty computer hardware to unlock virtual currencies.

Charlie Pugsley, Assistant Commissioner at London Fire Brigade, told the BBC: We do think there are two key areas. The first is criminal activity, so that could be everything from cannabis cultivation to bitcoin mining.

Certainly in some areas weve seen a lot of cases of electricity being stolen for that purpose, which again adds another hazard to our operations.

But then, of course there is a cost of living. People have seen huge price rises, so while we clearly cant condone theft of electricity, its not unexpected.

You will see people who might be desperate just to survive, because in the world we live in its quite difficult to get by without electricity.
Ukraine received the first Leopard tanks from Poland repaired at the Bumar-Labenda plant, the Polish Arms Group (PGZ) company reported.

"While others are making statements about the future, we are acting in agreement with the Ukrainian side. The first Leopard tanks, which underwent special modernization in Bumar-Labenda, were received by the Ukrainian side. Work continues on the following machines," the company said in a message posted on the social network X (formerly Twitter).

"This clearly demonstrates that our priority is to provide real assistance to the Ukrainian military on the front line," the message says.

PGZ also noted that it is constantly expanding cooperation in the supply of ammunition, spare parts and maintenance of equipment.
Italy will take Odesa and the region under its patronage in the restoration, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has said.

"Italy will take patronage in the restoration of Odesa and Odesa region. This was announced today by Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Antonio Tajani," Shmyhal wrote on the Telegram channel on Monday.

"During our meeting, we discussed the needs for recovery. We welcome the start of the Confindustria representative office in Ukraine and the readiness of the Italian Export Insurance Agency to provide financial guarantees to Italian companies. We appreciate the active position of the Italian government in supporting the rapid recovery of Ukraine," the Prime Minister of Ukraine added.

He also said that he thanked Italy for military, humanitarian and sanctions support. "We expect the adoption of the 12th package of sanctions, which should be aimed at preventing the supply of Western high-tech components to Russia. We highly appreciate the consistent support from the Italian government and people in our fight against the Russian aggressor for freedom, democracy, for the right to be a full part of the EU and NATO."
MONDAY, Oct. 2, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Extensive exercise regimens are keeping astronauts healthy and protecting their hearts during extended space missions, new research finds.

A study from scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas found no loss of heart mass or output, and no loss of function in the heart's ventricles, during flights that can last up to six months.

The findings could have implications for treating diseases in which gravity plays a role. They also could help in planning longer missions, such as to Mars.

Our study shows that, remarkably, what we are doing in space to preserve heart function and morphology is pretty effective, said senior study author Dr. Benjamin Levine. He is a professor of internal medicine in the division of cardiology at UT Southwestern.

It has been known that when astronauts return to Earth, they typically experience a dramatic loss in blood pressure. A key cause is remodeling that the heart experiences because of spaces microgravity conditions.

While in space, astronauts bodies dont have to counteract the effects of gravity. That means their bodies are working less hard. Its similar to what someone would experience while on bed rest, the researchers explained.

The heart muscle mass decreases by an average of 1% per week while in space and the volume of blood that the heart holds also drops.

It was not known whether the two hours of exercise the astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) do daily could counteract this extended time in zero gravity. The astronaut exercise programs included both strength training and aerobic activity.

So, the researchers studied this in data in 13 astronauts who had missions on the space station between 2009 and 2013. Missions lasted an average of 155 days.

Data included measurements of blood pressure, the amount of blood pumped per beat and blood flow per minute before, during and after each astronauts mission.

Cardiac MRI scans were used to assess heart anatomy about two months before spaceflight and then again three days after the astronauts return to Earth. They were scanned again three weeks later.

The researchers found that astronauts blood pressure decreased significantly during spaceflight compared to on Earth. Their heart performed about 12% less work.

But both left and right ventricles showed no decrease in muscle mass, and the amount of blood pumped out of the heart stayed the same.

Theres nothing magical about space and microgravity. The heart is quite plastic and responds to changes in physical activity, Levine said in a medical center news release. Its reassuring that the training astronauts are doing in space can protect their hearts from the risks inherent to spaceflight, even on extended missions.

Previously published work had shown a dilation of the atria in these same astronauts, Levine said. This meant they could be at risk for atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) during longer duration missions, so his team is now studying this.

This study, published recently in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, was funded by a NASA grant.

More information

NASA has more on astronaut health.

SOURCE: UT Southwestern Medical Center, news release, Sept. 27, 2023
The Carbon Neutral Indiana executive director will give a talk to Northwest Indiana Green Drinks about climate change and reducing carbon emissions.

Daniel Poynter will give a talk about his book Carbon Neutral Indiana: A Practical Guide to Carbon Optimism at 6:30 p.m. Thursday on Zoom and Facebook Live.

"Do you know if the Midwest were a country, itd be the fifth highest carbon polluting country in the world? What is the largest climate solutions community in Indiana which contributes to the global effort of reducing carbon emissions? How do you grow a trans-partisan climate movement in Indiana of all places?" Northwest Indiana Green Drinks Co-Coordinator and Co-Founder Nancy Moldenhauer said.

The book has been distributed to 2,250 leaders across the state, including school district superintendents and even the governor. The hope is that it can be used as a textbook or supplemental reading

"Grab a delightful libation and some delicious eats in your own space as you hear the story of how Daniel and friends decided to focus on Indiana, convened climate innovators, engaged Hoosiers with a culture of experimentation, helped over 500 households and businesses measure and offset their carbon footprint, and hosted the Hoosier Climate Party  the largest event of its kind in Indiana history," she said. "Invite your family, friends, neighborhoods, groups, organizations, and communities to join us too."

After starting as an in-real-life meetup at local bars, Green Drinks meets virtually on the first Thursday of the month to discuss environmental issues.

For more information or to watch, find Northwest Indiana Green Drinks on Facebook.
MERRILLVILLE  The Merrillville Town Council has unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance for the 2024 budget.

Next years spending plan was advertised with more than $47 million in total expenses spread over 55 funds.

They include things like the general fund, which is the bulk of your budget for operational expenses for the town, said Trista Hudson, Merrillvilles financial adviser from Cender & Dalton.

The 2024 budget proposal will be back before the Council on Oct. 10 for second and final reading. That meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at Merrillville Town Hall, 7820 Broadway.

Hudson said there could be adjustments to the spending plan before the panel considers adopting the budget ordinance.

Both the budget and levies are advertised a little bit high so that you have some room to decide and narrow back down to where the expenses need to be, Hudson said of the common practice used when municipalities are organizing their budgets for the upcoming year.

The 2024 budget advertisement shows more than $14 million coming in through property taxes to support municipal operations.

I expect this will come in a little bit lower as we work through the budget, Hudson said.

The town of Merrillvilles 2024 budget proposal is available for review through the Indiana Gateway portal, and residents are encouraged to visit https://tinyurl.com/mr443wmt to access the advertised spending plan. The Indiana Gateway provides much more information than budgetary details. Residents can obtain data on TIF districts, employee compensation, and other information regarding how public dollars are spent. Visit https://gateway.ifionline.org/ to visit the Indiana Gateway portal.
JASPER COUNTY  A chilly autumnal breeze whispers through the dried husk of corn stalks in farm fields that stretch as far as the eye can see.

NIPSCOs Schahfer Generating Plant in Wheatfield looms over the long horizons of corn and soybean fields stretching off in every direction. Smoke billows from the stacks of the massive power plant, much bigger than anything around in the flat rural area filled with family farms and periodic pockets of single-family homes on large lots often decorated with yard art.

But just down the country road, rows and rows and rows of gleaming new solar panels are harvesting sunlight.

The Schahfer Generating Plant represented a major breakthrough when it came online in 1976, bringing a new industrial scale to the generation of electricity. But the aging coal-fired plant will soon be largely replaced by the new solar farm that stretches across the Northwest Indiana countryside.

NIPSCO recently completed construction of the 265 MW Dunns Bridge I Solar Project in Jasper County, which is already powering homes. It started construction of the 435 MW Dunns Bridge II in Starke and Jasper Counties, which also will have 75 MWs of battery storage.

Combined, the massive, sprawling solar farms will stretch seven miles from east to west and four miles from north to south.

When its done it will be one of the largest solar farms in the country, NIPSCO Communications Manager Tara McElmurry said.

NextEra Energy Resources, one of the worlds largest developers of renewable energy, is building the solar farm, which NIPSCO will enter into a joint venture to own, operate and maintain some facets of. It estimates about $1 billion will be invested in the solar farm over the next 30 years.

It will generate $59 million in tax revenue and generate up to 700 MW of energy, even when its cloudy or raining. It will power tens of thousands of homes and businesses across Northwest Indiana.

Indiana Crossroads Solar in White County and Dunns Bridge are two of NIPSCOs first solar farms to come online as it looks to transition to more renewable energy production.

The simplicity of this setup and the amount of energy were able to provide off this is amazing, NIPSCO President Mike Hooper said. It takes a lot of acreage to do it. Even here in Northern Indiana on a cloudy day like this were still putting out a significant amount of energy essentially at zero fuel cost.

NIPSCOs R.M. Schahfer Generating Stations coal-fired electricity generation is expected to be retired in 2025. The Merrillville-based utility is looking to invest $640 million in a natural gas peaker that would generate power to supplement its new wind and solar panels to ensure reliability.

As we transition out of Schahfer, we have more of a combination of gas-fired generation acting as a baseload and renewables that not only provide energy and environment benefits but economically good opportunities for our customers as well, Hooper said.

It has a natural gas plant in Terre Haute and is seeking state approval to build natural gas capacity at Schahfer.

Theyre what we call simple-cycle gas plants. Theyre like a big jet engine, he said. They back up the renewables. We know theres certain times of day when the sun isnt shining and the wind isnt blowing. In order to keep our reliability where we want it, we can lean on the grid and our gas-fired generation. Its a balanced portfolio for customers over the long term. It provides better value for the customers over the long term. It provides some environmental benefits and obviously the solar and wind are zero-carbon.

It took about a year to build the first phase of Dunns Bridge and will take about a year and a half to complete the second, NiSource Director of Portfolio Planning & Origination Andy Campbell said.

Dunns Bridge, named after the nearby first bridge over the Kankakee River that was fashioned with part of the Ferris Wheel at the Chicago Worlds Fair, consists of a vast sea of solar panels that rotates over the course of the day to follow the sun. It starts off facing the east and ends up oriented toward the west by sunset.

Some of the newer panels are double-sided, allowing them to capture more sunlight, including the sunlight reflected back at them from the ground.

The panels have built-in systems to shake off any snow or ice that may accumulate in the winter.

The solar can generate excess power thats then sold off to the grid. NIPSCOs wind and solar farms already have netted about $60 million thats returned to customers.

As we bring more of these projects online, were going to have more opportunities to sell energy off our system to other utilities when we dont need it on our system, Hooper said. We pass it back to our customers as an offset to the Fuel Adjustment Charge or the FAC part on the bill. Its a big part of the bill. It covers the cost of the fuel or coal we burn at Schahfer. We use it to offset that portion of the bill or keep it lower.

Utilities in Iowa or Southern Indiana might need to purchase energy from the grid if its an exceptionally hot day or if one of their power plants is down and NIPSCO happens to be producing more energy than its customers can use. Its in the process of building out 14 wind and solar sites that collectively will generate more than the coal-fired plants its retiring in Wheatfield and Michigan City, building in extra capacity for future growth.

Theres a real-time energy market that we can sell excess energy to, Hooper said.

NextEra Energy Resources has installed about 17% of the posts in the ground for Dunns Bridge II so far and about 1% of the panel. Its investing capital and getting federal tax credits in return.

Our partner contributes capital for the initial construction, which is another way we drive value for our customer, he said. Were using that capital to help reduce the initial cost of the asset. The asset may cost $10 but because of the capital from our partner and the federal tax credits our customers are getting the asset for the equivalent of $5 or $6.

NextEra got landowners to agree to long-term leases for their former farmland in Jasper and Starke County. The site is well-situated next to the existing electric transmission infrastructure around Schahfer.

Its a good place to inject the energy into the system, Hooper said. We have high-voltage energy that runs from here to all the load centers. Theyre not having to build tens or hundreds of miles of transmission lines in addition to the new facilities. It helps keep the costs down. The transmission costs can be significant depending on where its located. You always have to consider not only how youre going to generate the energy but how youre going to get that energy out to where it needs to go, to the homes and businesses and factories that need that energy.
Eric Jenkins, an English teacher at Franklin Community High School, has been named the 2024 Indiana Teacher of the Year, the Indiana Department of Education announced Monday.

Valparaiso High School English teacher Matt Thomas was one of three finalist for the award.

An Indiana native, Jenkins began his teaching career in 2007 in Nigeria. He then taught in Alabama before returning to the Hoosier State in 2013 to teach at Franklin Community Schools, which is south of Indianapolis.

Schools are encouraged each year to nominate their local Teachers of the Year for the statewide award.

The most recent Northwest Indiana educator to win the state's Teacher of the Year award was Jerome Flewelling, a science teacher at Crown Point High School, in 2018.

Close Pines Village resident George Iemmolo, 91, catches pizza dough tossed to him at a pizza party on Thursday evening at the senior living facility. Frank Krysinski enjoys dessert made by Gordon Food Service Culinary Specialist Bill Barker at an annual dinner held on the patio outside of Pines Village in Valparaiso. Residents from Pines Village and Meridian Woods enjoyed dinner on the patio at a pizza event on Thursday evening at Pines Village in Valparaiso. Residents from Pines Village and Meridian Woods enjoyed dinner on the patio at a pizza event on Thursday evening at Pines Village in Valparaiso. Tomato Bar Pizza Cook Jarrod Moxley shows Pines Village residents how to toss pizza tough at an outdoor dinner on Thursday evening. Tomato Bar Pizza Cooks David Kepperling (left) and Jarrod Moxley (right) plate woodfired pizzas at an outdoor dinner held at Pines Village in Valparaiso on Thursday. Pines Village residents Helen Wiese and Mike Walsh enjoy woodfired pizza from Tomato Bar at an outdoor dinner on Thursday evening at Pines Village in Valparaiso. Tomato Bar Pizza Cook Tyler Jacobs prepares to put a crumbled sausage pizza into the woodfire grill at an outdoor dinner on Thursday evening at Pines Village in Valparaiso. Gordon Food Service Culinary Specialist Bill Barker makes a cocktail for Pines Village residents at an outdoor dinner on Thursday evening in Valparaiso. Residents from Pines Village and Meridian Woods enjoyed dinner on the patio at a pizza event on Thursday evening at Pines Village in Valparaiso. Residents from Pines Village and Meridian Woods parked their walkers along the side walk on Thursday evening at Pines Village in Valparaiso to enjoy pizza and drinks. Pines Village is an independent, senior living facility in Valparaiso. Pines Village pizza night Residents from Pines Village and Meridian Woods celebrated pizza night Thursday evening on the patio outside of Pines Village in Valparaiso. Pines Village resident George Iemmolo, 91, catches pizza dough tossed to him at a pizza party on Thursday evening at the senior living facility. Frank Krysinski enjoys dessert made by Gordon Food Service Culinary Specialist Bill Barker at an annual dinner held on the patio outside of Pines Village in Valparaiso. Residents from Pines Village and Meridian Woods enjoyed dinner on the patio at a pizza event on Thursday evening at Pines Village in Valparaiso. Residents from Pines Village and Meridian Woods enjoyed dinner on the patio at a pizza event on Thursday evening at Pines Village in Valparaiso. Tomato Bar Pizza Cook Jarrod Moxley shows Pines Village residents how to toss pizza tough at an outdoor dinner on Thursday evening. Tomato Bar Pizza Cooks David Kepperling (left) and Jarrod Moxley (right) plate woodfired pizzas at an outdoor dinner held at Pines Village in Valparaiso on Thursday. Pines Village residents Helen Wiese and Mike Walsh enjoy woodfired pizza from Tomato Bar at an outdoor dinner on Thursday evening at Pines Village in Valparaiso. Tomato Bar Pizza Cook Tyler Jacobs prepares to put a crumbled sausage pizza into the woodfire grill at an outdoor dinner on Thursday evening at Pines Village in Valparaiso. Gordon Food Service Culinary Specialist Bill Barker makes a cocktail for Pines Village residents at an outdoor dinner on Thursday evening in Valparaiso. Residents from Pines Village and Meridian Woods enjoyed dinner on the patio at a pizza event on Thursday evening at Pines Village in Valparaiso. Residents from Pines Village and Meridian Woods parked their walkers along the side walk on Thursday evening at Pines Village in Valparaiso to enjoy pizza and drinks. Pines Village is an independent, senior living facility in Valparaiso.
She grew up in Hungary, daughter of a butcher. She decided she wanted to be a scientist, although she had never met one. She moved to the United States in her 20s, but for decades never found a permanent position, instead clinging to the fringes of academia.

Now Katalin Kariko, 66, known to colleagues as Kati, has emerged as one of the heroes of Covid-19 vaccine development. Her work, with her close collaborator, Dr. Drew Weissman of the University of Pennsylvania, laid the foundation for the stunningly successful vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

On Monday, they were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for their research.

For her entire career, Dr. Kariko has focused on messenger RNA, or mRNA  the genetic script that carries DNA instructions to each cells protein-making machinery. She was convinced mRNA could be used to instruct cells to make their own medicines, including vaccines.

But for many years her career at the University of Pennsylvania was fragile. She migrated from lab to lab, relying on one senior scientist after another to take her in. She never made more than $60,000 a year.
Jump to: Todays Theme | Tricky Clues

MONDAY PUZZLE  The first time I filled out a crossword with any success was three years ago, on a date. (Yes, that date led to a relationship of three years and counting, not to mention this full-time job; clap, if you must.) And Ive often wondered, as various whimsical themes have come across my desk, why I didnt tried them earlier  they might have taught me a thing or two. I loved words as a child, but fell into the usual pitfalls of mispronunciation prone to be caused by the chaotic and exception-filled spelling rules of the English language. I distinctly remember staring at a can of nuts labeled whole cashews, for example, and not understanding why the first word wasnt pronounced like the name Wally.

Todays crossword, constructed by Alexandria Mason, offers a warm introduction to puzzles for any solvers looking to dip their toes into the delights of the daily crossword or the depravities of our language. Start here, and youll be solving circles around our end-of-week puzzles in no time.

Todays Theme

Most constructors hone their skills through several submissions before having one accepted for publication in the New York Times Crossword. But Ms. Masons grid and theme stood out, and was accepted at first blush.

I think thats only happened a handful of times before, Christina Iverson, a Times puzzle editor, observed.
Authorities in New York were engaged in a frantic search for a missing 9-year-old girl on Sunday after she disappeared during an early evening bike ride in a state park north of Albany on Saturday.

The girl, Charlotte Sena, was last seen in Moreau Lake State Park, a popular area with a public beach on a small lake, where she was with her family and friends on a weekend camping trip.

At a midday news conference, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Charlotte had been riding bikes with friends on a loop road a little after 6 p.m. on Saturday when she decided to go around one more time by herself.

What happened next, Ms. Hochul said, turned into every parents nightmare when the child did not return, prompting a wide search of the area by both volunteers and a crush of State Police officers, using bloodhounds and aviation units.
By the time the doors opened Sunday morning, the line to enter former President Donald J. Trumps caucus organizing event in Ottumwa, Iowa, snaked down the sidewalk and around the parking lot.

The hundreds of people who stood outside an event center in this small city, sweating through their Make America Great Again hats and their mug shot T-shirts, were happy to be here  the wait and the weather, near 90 degrees, be damned.

Hey, Ive got Newsmax, a volunteer in a Trump 2024 shirt called out, pointing to a camera apparently from the conservative cable network. How about we start a Lets Go Brandon? he suggested, referring to a chant understood to be code for an insult to President Biden.

From their perches on the sidewalk or nearby grassy knolls, Mr. Trumps supporters obliged.

Onstage later, Mr. Trump characterized his political opponents as very bad people and said that Republicans were generally nicer.
As part of the ongoing dialogue with allies, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a phone call with National Security Advisor to the President of the United States Jake Sullivan.

According to the press service of the President of Ukraine, Yermak informed his interlocutor about the frontline developments, as well as the recent Russian air attacks using Iranian drones on Ukrainian infrastructure facilities.

The parties discussed the urgent needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

In addition, Yermak and Sullivan summarized the results of the recent successful visit of President of Ukraine Zelenskyy to the United States. In particular, they discussed joint arms production as part of ongoing U.S. efforts to help Ukraine strengthen its military over the long term.

Separately, the Head of the President's Office spoke about the results of the first International Defense Industries Forum held last week in Kyiv.

Yermak expressed gratitude to U.S. President Joseph Biden, the U.S. Congress for the continued support of Ukraine, and to all the people of America who support Ukrainians and our defenders in confronting Russia's unjust aggression and authoritarianism.
Mr. Trump, whose son Eric was also at the courthouse, was joined by several of his political aides, including Walt Nauta, his co-defendant in the federal case accusing him of mishandling classified documents, in a sign of how his legal and political fortunes are increasingly blurred.

In a political age in which candidates are defined as much by their critics and opponents as by their stances, some of Mr. Trumps advisers see an opportunity in a case first brought by the Democratic attorney general in New York, Letitia James, even if the accusations cut to the heart of his identity.

In some ways, the Trump campaign, which has seen his supporters galvanized by the criminal charges he has faced, is trying to turn the civil case into something akin to a fifth indictment  a moment to motivate his base.

Trump seems to be approaching his legal troubles like a hand of hearts  one or two indictments hurt you politically, but if you collect them all, you might shoot the moon, said Liam Donovan, a Republican operative. The sheer volume and variety obscures the individual cases and their fact patterns, and plays into Trumps argument that his opponents are trying to take him down by whatever means they can.

For Mr. Trump, his attendance at the trial is far more personal than political, according to a person familiar with his thinking. The former president is enraged by the fraud charges and furious with both the judge and the attorney general  and it showed in his courthouse commentary and demeanor. He spoke to the press both before and after opening statements, attacking the judge overseeing the case in caustic terms.
A grizzly bear is believed to have attacked and killed two people at a national park in southwest Canada, park officials said on Sunday.

Parks Canada said it learned of the attack via an alert sent around 8 p.m. on Friday from a satellite device inside Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, according to a statement shared on the parks Facebook page.

GPS coordinates showed the alert was sent from west of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch in the Red Deer River Valley, around 80 miles northwest of Calgary, Alberta. Bad weather hindered a response team from reaching the site by helicopter, so they instead traveled by ground overnight, officials said.

The team, which specialized in responding to wildlife attacks, arrived at 1 a.m. on Saturday to find the two dead people, as well as a grizzly bear that was displaying aggressive behavior. They euthanized the bear on-site to ensure public safety, according to the statement. The police arrived at 5 a.m. and helped transport the victims to Sundre, a town about 40 miles east.
For two decades, plainclothes intelligence officers from the New York Police Department used hand-held 16-millimeter cameras to film people without their consent, producing footage of Vietnam War protesters and Black Panther activists, of Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy.

Those thousands of black-and-white reels from the tumultuous 1960s and 70s then collected dust in a storage room in Police Headquarters, disregarded for so long that salt stalactites formed on the ceiling.

They were eventually rediscovered, in 2015, and are now the focus of a video installation titled Down the Barrel (of a Lens), by the Brooklyn artist Kameron Neal.

In the large, dark room of the exhibition, which is on view in the Clark Studio Theater at Lincoln Center until Tuesday night, surveillance clips appear on opposing screens as an ominous ticking noise plays in the background.
Purgas described the events at the National Institute of Design as a point zero for electronic music in India, though he hopes that further research will turn up earlier examples. But, as he and others explore in the releases accompanying book, Subcontinental Synthesis, the institute didnt grow out of a vacuum; it emerged at a moment when India was experimenting with its future.

After independence in 1947, India was a new nation seeking to modernize on its own terms. It was a very optimistic, hopeful time for the new fledgling nation because we felt we had a bright future ahead, Shilpa Das, the author of 50 Years of the National Institute of Design: 1961-2011, said in an interview. Alongside significant industrialization, part of this nation-building involved developing new educational facilities.

The government invited the American designers Charles and Ray Eames to visit the country and deliver a report; following their recommendations, the National Institute for Design was commissioned in Ahmedabad, the capital of the newly formed state of Gujarat and an existing commercial center. It was built with funds from the central government with assistance from the American Ford Foundation, but it was shaped fundamentally by Gautam and Gira Sarabhai, part of a wealthy mercantile family who supported the arts through philanthropy, and who held strong beliefs about radical approaches to education.

These ideas blossomed in the NID, where, from its establishment in 1961, the idea of learning by doing was prioritized over providing a structured curriculum. Its music studio began to take shape in the mid-60s. As an attempt to anchor a long-term studio project (and perhaps with an eye on an American funding situation that was increasingly precarious), the Sarabhai family arranged with Tudor for Indias first Moog synthesizer to be installed in Ahmedabad in October 1968. This instrument, a grandiose and expensive workhorse, according to Purgas, would later become a symbol of opulence to its critics, but for a short period of time, it caught the imagination of those in and around the NID.

The beauty of the design institutes music studio  that would later become its undoing  was its fluidity. The studio was initially overseen by Tudor, who operated somewhere between teacher and artist during his three-month residency there. (A few of his compositions appear on the compilation.) Things would have been a lot different had some more authoritative figure come along, You Nakai, a professor at the University of Tokyo, said in an interview.

I felt that Tudor was actually a very good person to go to India, Purgas said, as he created a space which was more about allowing the composers at the NID to actually unearth their own voices.
FOUND 10 p.m. on NBC. Like I said last week, crime procedural shows are making their big comeback in 2023, and this new show further proves that. The show follows Gabi Mosely (Shanola Hampton) and her team as they try to solve cases of missing people. The twist? Gabi is keeping her childhood kidnapper in her basement and getting their help to figure out each clue and resolve the cases.

Wednesday

SULLIVANS CROSSING 8 p.m. on The CW. With Riverdale and Nancy Drew off the air, The CW is lining up a whole new roster of shows, starting with a story based on a novel by Robyn Carr of the same name. Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan) moves back to her hometown, a campground in Nova Scotia, that is run by her estranged father after she finds herself in legal trouble. The part Im most excited about? Maggies father is played by Scott Patterson who is making his CW re-debut after playing the grumpy but lovable Luke Danes on seven seasons of Gilmore Girls. The show also stars another Gilmore Girls alum: Chad Michael Murray.

THE SPENCER SISTERS 9 p.m. on The CW. If you are a daughter with a mother of any age, you have certainly eye-rolled before at you look like you could be sisters from random men on the street. But this show has taken that concept and run with it. The mother/daughter duo, who are often mistaken for sisters, investigate crimes together in their hometown, Alder Bluffs. Like lots of CW shows, this first premiered in Canada earlier this year.

Thursday

THIS IS ELVIS (1981) 6 p.m. on TCM. Long before Baz Luhrmann used archival footage of Elvis Presley mixed with shots of Austin Butler in the role for the final scene of Elvis, this documentary did the same thing. It combines footage of Presley along with reconstruction of some moments of his life with actors and voice-overs for Vernon Presley, Gladys Presley and Priscilla Presley.
Echo Brown, a late blooming storyteller who mined her life to create a one-woman show about Black female identity and two autobiographical young adult novels in which she used magical realism to help convey her reality, died on Sept. 16 in Cleveland. She was 39.

Her death, at a hospital, was confirmed by her friend Cathy Mao, who said the cause had not yet been determined. But Ms. Brown was diagnosed with lupus in about 2015, leading eventually to kidney failure, Ms. Mao said by phone. A live kidney donor had been cleared for a transplant, which was expected to take place early next year.

Ms. Brown, who grew up in poverty in Cleveland and graduated from Dartmouth College, had no professional stage experience when her serio-comic show, Black Virgins Are Not for Hipsters, made its debut in 2015. It told her autobiographical story, through multiple voices, about dating a white hipster, including wondering what his reaction to her dark skin would be, and the sex, love, depression and childhood trauma she experienced.

Its very revealing, and I felt very vulnerable doing it, she told The Oakland Tribune in 2015, adding, Its as if you get onstage and share your deepest, darkest secrets. Putting my sexuality out there in front of people can make me feel very exposed.
Donald Trump appeared today at the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan for the first day of his fraud trial. The case, brought by New Yorks attorney general, Letitia James, kicks off an unprecedented stretch in which the former president will run for the nations highest office while facing a series of civil and criminal trials.

In this case, James is accusing Trump of inflating his riches by billions of dollars and crossing from hyperbole into fraud. In some years, the attorney generals office contends, Trump, his adult sons and their family business inflated his riches by more than $2 billion so that they could secure favorable terms on loans from banks.

The charges are civil, not criminal  meaning that Trump faces serious financial penalties, but not prison time. However, my colleague Ben Protess said that the case imperils his company and threatens his image as a master of the business world.

This is a case that strikes at his public persona as a successful businessman, someone who is not just a billionaire but a billionaire many times over, Ben said. Any undermining of that identity is something that really rubs him the wrong way.
Trumps fraud trial begins in New York

Donald Trump appeared in court yesterday in Manhattan for the first of several government trials he is scheduled to face in the coming year. Trump, who is making a run for the presidency, is accused of inflating his riches by billions of dollars and crossing the line into fraud.

The civil case is separate from Trumps four criminal indictments and was brought by New Yorks attorney general, Letitia James. No matter how rich or powerful you are, there are not two sets of laws for people in this country, James said in a statement.

Outside the courtroom, Trump attacked the attorney general and the judge overseeing the case, telling reporters that James was trying to damage him because he was doing so well in the polls. There is no crime, he said. The crime is against me.

The attorney general wants Trump to be fined as much as $250 million and to be barred from running a business in New York. The trial will determine what penalty the former president must pay and whether he will be in essence evicted from the world of New York real estate that made him famous.
Sales of Tesla electric cars slipped from July through September after the company paused production at some factories to upgrade assembly lines.

The company delivered 435,000 vehicles worldwide in the third quarter, down from 466,000 in the second quarter. Wall Street analysts had expected the decline, which they attributed to production slowdowns as Tesla refitted factories in the United States and China.

The decline was caused by planned downtimes for factory upgrades, Tesla said in a statement on Monday, adding that it still expects to deliver 1.8 million vehicles this year, up from 1.3 million in 2022.

Still, the dip in sales may renew concerns that demand for Tesla cars is slackening even after the company cut prices. In China, Tesla is trying to fend off Chinese carmakers, like BYD and Nio, that are rolling out new models more quickly.
Arthur F. Engoron, who is presiding over Donald J. Trumps civil fraud trial, is an independent and thoughtful  if somewhat quirky  jurist who has served for 20 years in New York City Civil and State Supreme Court.

The 74-year-old judge, a former cabby with a shock of white hair and a penchant for cracking jokes from the bench, will effectively be judge and jury, deciding the fate of Mr. Trumps New York businesses, which make up a large portion of his real estate empire.

Thats because the case was brought under a little known but powerful New York state law requiring that the matter be adjudicated at what is known as a bench trial, meaning that no jury will hear the case. The judge not only applies the law, as judges do in jury trials, but also decides the facts, a task that a jury would otherwise perform.

And that means that Justice Engoron, a Democrat, will play a far more prominent and consequential role than a judge would at a jury trial, not just during the proceedings, but in the ultimate outcome  unless he is overturned on appeal.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba met with head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Hanke Bruins Slot.

I met with Hanke Bruins Slot to reaffirm the strong Ukrainian-Dutch partnership. We both agree that the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Agression needs to be established to ensure accountability. We also discussed steps to strengthen Ukraine's air defense as winter approaches, Kuleba said on Twitter.
Several other forces will also shape what lies ahead for the system, including whether families can afford to live in the city and whether birthrates continue to fall. New Yorks long-term economic future remains uncertain. New state or federal aid could assist with the migrant crisis, and the enrollment of migrant children  if the system can adequately support them  could benefit schools that lost students.

Still, experts said, some changes may be inevitable.

Before this fall, school budgets were not slashed for low enrollment. But about 45 schools where stimulus dollars make up a significant portion of their budgets could each lose more than $630,000, on average, if cuts are made, according to the city comptrollers office, though projected enrollment declines could exceed the reality for some schools.

The next budget process may see intense fights for the City Council over well-regarded programs. NeQuan McLean, an elected parent leader in Brooklyns Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, for example, said the district had at least four community schools whose on-site services  like counseling, clinics and adults classes  were funded through stimulus dollars.

Do they now close down? Mr. McLean asked, adding that the city would be setting communities up for failure by closing them.

In the coming years, school budget debates will probably place a fresh spotlight on disparities between parent-teacher associations, experts said. More than $13 million in annual funds raised separates the citys wealthiest and highest-poverty districts, data shows, dollars that could go toward restoring art and music teachers, after-school programs or tutoring services. Some individual schools collect more than a million; others bring in nothing.
The trials of Donald J. Trump began Monday in a New York courtroom, where the former president arrived to fight the first of several government actions  a civil fraud case that imperils his company and threatens his image as a master of the business world.

The trials opening day brought Mr. Trump face-to-face with one of his longest-running antagonists: the attorney general of New York, Letitia James, who filed the case against him, his adult sons and their family business. If her office proves its case, the judge overseeing the trial could impose an array of punishments on Mr. Trump, including a $250 million penalty.

Outside the courtroom, Mr. Trump fired a fusillade of personal attacks on Ms. James and the judge, Arthur F. Engoron. He called the judge rogue and Ms. James a terrible person, even suggesting that they were criminals.

Inside, Mr. Trump sat in uncomfortable silence as Ms. Jamess lawyers methodically laid out their case. The attorney generals office accused the former president of inflating his riches by more than $2 billion to obtain favorable deals with banks and bragging rights about his wealth.
In the year since Roe v. Wade was overturned, the Republican Party has tested out constantly changing talking points and messages on abortion in an attempt to make its anti-abortion policies sound less extreme. Conservatives are even considering moving away from the term pro-life, fearing that voters have newly negative associations with the label.

With post-Roe outrage showing no sign of waning, strategists are pushing a new lexicon on abortion  medically, legally and culturally. Some Republicans have abandoned the term ban when speaking about anti-abortion legislation, for example. Now theyre pushing for a 15-week standard on abortion  which, to be clear, would be a ban. Americans overwhelmingly oppose strict abortion bans, so Republicans are moving away from the term.

Republicans hope that by changing the way Americans talk about abortion, it might help change the way they feel about abortion  which is, right now, very pro-choice. A record 69 percent of American adults say abortion should generally be legal in the first trimester, and anger over bans has Republicans losing election after election, from ballot measure initiatives in Kansas and Kentucky to the State Supreme Court in Wisconsin.

It makes sense. After all, Americans have now seen a woman vomit before testifying about watching her newborn take pained last gasps for air  the result of being forced to carry a doomed pregnancy to term in Texas. The cruelty of abortion bans is revealed with every new story of a woman being allowed to slip into sepsis or a raped child being denied care.
The battle of Mogadishu in early October 1993 shocked most Americans. U.S. forces had been deployed to Somalia to support a U.N. humanitarian mission and had helped end a famine, saving hundreds of thousands of lives. Ten months later, there was pitched street fighting in Mogadishu, 18 dead American soldiers, more than a thousand Somali casualties and the horror, replayed over and over on TV, of American bodies being dragged through the streets by angry mobs.

The United States had just emerged from victory in the Cold War and the swift triumph of Desert Storm and had, perhaps, an unrealistic faith in its military potency. President Bill Clinton expressed this when he asked his staff, How could this happen? The battle ended the U.S. military mission and caused the collapse of the U.N.s effort. Somalia fell back into anarchy. It was a stunning reversal.

But not everyone was shocked. Maj. Gen. David Meade of the Army, whose command included the largest American component of the peacekeeping force in Mogadishu, had foreseen events clearly. Weeks before the battle, in a classified memo to the Army chief of staff, he warned that Somalia was about to erupt. Youre likely to have a big fight over some period of time with considerable casualties, he wrote. And, in the end, youre going to turn over the city to the Somalis. General Meade urged immediate steps, which might have forestalled the incident we now call Black Hawk Down.

Why was he ignored?

After a long and distinguished career as an artillery commander, the general assumed command of the Armys 10th Mountain Division in August 1993. He traveled to Mogadishu in September to inspect his Second Battalion, which was then the backbone of the U.N. military presence. On Sept. 15, the day he sent his secret cable, he had been there for only two days and was disturbed by what he found.
We saw a crowded Republican debate stage of seven candidates last Wednesday night  the kind of big field that worries New Hampshires governor, Chris Sununu, who has argued that candidates need to drop out if one or two strong rivals emerge to stop former President Donald Trump from winning the G.O.P. nomination.

But can any of that happen? How? And do Republican voters even want Mr. Trump stopped? I spoke with Mr. Sununu the day after the debate, and he described his vision for what an alternative could look like on a policy front, what it means to be a governor and whether Mr. Trump has fundamentally changed America. Jerks may come and go, bad leaders may come and go, he said, but our institutions have stood through the test of times. Mr. Sununu has served as governor of New Hampshire since 2017 and has maintained high levels of support from the battleground state that has otherwise voted for statewide Democrats in recent cycles.

This interview, which has been edited for length and clarity, is part of an Opinion Q. and A. series exploring modern conservatism today, its influence in society and politics and how and why it differs (and doesnt) from the conservative movement that most Americans thought they knew.

Jane Coaston: It is the day after the second G.O.P. debate. Did anyone impress you last night?

Gov. Chris Sununu: I think they were all very chippy. Tim Scott and Doug Burgum really knew that they had to push their way into the conversation, knowing that they had kind of gotten boxed out a little bit the first time. DeSantis did what he had to do, similar with the first one.
The August wildfire that roared through the town of Lahaina in Hawaii burned so hot that some of the dead were effectively cremated, their bones combusting to unidentifiable ash. Other bodies may have been lost in the Pacific Ocean, into which many of those fleeing the inferno were forced to plunge. As of Sept. 22, 97 people have been confirmed dead, and the Maui Police Department still lists 22 people as missing.

Thats a common pattern in the aftermath of disasters. In Morocco, families are still desperately searching for hundreds of loved ones after a devastating earthquake, and thousands in Libya are missing after two dams collapsed in a heavy rainstorm. Climate change has supercharged the kind of deadly weather that creates disappearances. In March, over 500 Malawians were presumed dead after being buried in mudslides unleashed by the exceptionally intense Cyclone Freddy. For families of the missing, disappearance is a special kind of indefinite hell. In a wealthy country like the United States, victims of disaster tend to be quickly tallied and searched for. But poorer nations, which are already more vulnerable to the damage wrought by climate change, often dont have the resources to follow through. We need to fund measures for these countries that both prevent disappearances through emergency preparedness and resolve them by promptly identifying bodies. The nations responsible for the most climate pollution have a moral responsibility to help families left in limbo.

In addition to intensifying disasters, climate change is leading to disappearances through migration and conflict. Some years ago, one of us, Dr. Wolfe, visited refugee camps on the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios to learn more about migrants who had disappeared while trying to reach Europe. Malnutrition, hunger and famine linked to new climate conditions have pushed more Africans to undertake the perilous journey across the Mediterranean and more Latin Americans to travel through Central America and into Mexico. Tens of thousands have disappeared. Rising temperatures have also made these passages more lethal as migrants die of heat exhaustion while trekking across deserts and asphyxiate inside metal shipping containers.

What was most striking on Lesbos and Chios was both the sheer number of people who seemed to be missing and the loneliness of their relatives investigations. There was no government agency their families could turn to for the help they needed, no nation willing to invest resources in searching for someone who had disappeared while crossing borders.
Extremists in my party have threatened to try to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy for relying on the votes of Democrats to keep the government open. Some of them appear to be authoritarian separatists who reject pluralism  a founding American principle that expects disparate groups to come together to keep the government functioning. Some of them just know that a crowd can be whomped up by overwrought pronouncements of existential threats from the demons on the other side.

All of them need to grow up.

I was once a member of Congress who needed to grow up, too. First elected in 1992, I participated in the 1995 shutdown of the government as part of the Republican Revolution. In 1998, I thoughtlessly voted to impeach Bill Clinton. I lost a U.S. Senate race that year, and there ended my first six years in Congress. During those six years, I said and did small things. On climate change, for example: Al Gore was for addressing it, so I was against it. Small.

In the six years that followed, I returned to the practice of law and watched the congressional action from the audiences perspective. I cringed, observing then-serving members make the same mistakes that I had made.

In 2005, I returned to Congress for six more years, until the Tea Party criticized me in a Republican primary in 2010 for various heresies: voting for President George W. Bushs rescue of the banks, supporting comprehensive immigration reform, voting against the troop surge in Iraq out of conservative concern over nation-building and, most enduring of all, saying that climate change was real and proposing a revenue-neutral, border-adjustable carbon tax to solve it. (My son had gotten to me on climate change. A House Science Committee trip to Antarctica had shown me the evidence. And on another Science Committee trip at the Great Barrier Reef, an Aussie climate scientist had inspired me with his desire to love God and love people by making conservation changes in his own life.)
Redfin is cutting ties with the National Association of Realtors, one month after The New York Times published an article detailing a yearslong pattern of allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and retribution that the organization did not address.

The online brokerage, based in Seattle, said it was not yet able to fully extricate itself from the national realtors group, known as N.A.R., because of the groups influence in the industry. But Redfin announced on Monday that, effective immediately, it would require many of its 1,800 brokers and real estate agents to cancel their memberships and cease paying dues, which often amount to hundreds of dollars per year for each member.

N.A.R. is a powerful nonprofit with 1.5. million members, making it the largest professional organization in the United States. It has more than $1 billion in assets and, in many home markets in the United States, controls access to the databases of home listings that agents rely on to buy and sell homes, as well as lockboxes and industry-standard contracts.

The organization also owns the trademark to the word Realtor, making a real estate agents ability to call themselves a Realtor and to buy and sell homes contingent upon the payment of membership dues in much of the country.
In the 1970s, soft-shell clams started mysteriously dying off in Maine and the Chesapeake Bay. Years later, scientists identified the culprit: a bizarre form of cancer that spread like an epidemic.

When people get cancer, it typically arises when some of their own cells gain mutations and multiply out of control. But the clams were being invaded by free-floating cells that came from other clams. The alien cancer cell multiplied inside its new victim, and then some of its descendant cells escaped to attack other clams.

Other species of shellfish turn out to be victims of contagious cancer as well. And now researchers have found that these lineages of cancer cells have been jumping from one shellfish to the next for centuries, perhaps even thousands of years, picking up a surprising number of telltale mutations along the way.

It doesnt seem biologically possible that these cancers are doing this, said Adrian Baez-Ortega, a computational biologist at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in England and an author of one of two studies on the cancer published on Monday. And yet they are long-lived.
In 2020, the official Nobel Prize account on X, formerly known as Twitter, acknowledged that both Hahn and Meitner discovered nuclear fission. The post was accompanied by artwork showing Meitner standing behind Hahn, to the outrage of many people.

Any effort to award a Nobel to Meitner posthumously would be in vain. Once a Nobel is given, there is no going back, Dr. Sime said. The best that can be done is to acknowledge Meitner in the present, she added  and her omission from the new Oppenheimer film was not excusable.

Ms. Moss is still translating Meitners letters; so far, she has worked through more than 700 pages. Now Im just doing it because I fell in love with her, she said. Shes an incredible person. She plans to write another book about Meitner with all the material that did not make it into the first one.

Earlier this year, Ms. Hafner and a friend visited Meitners grave, located in a tiny English churchyard in the middle of nowhere, she said. It took them half an hour to find the faded tombstone, which was overgrown with weeds.

Ms. Hafner was surprised at how unremarkable the grave was for such a giant in science, she said. Still, she was comforted to find a stone perched atop the marker, a Jewish practice to honor the dead. Ms. Hafner added visitation stones for herself, Ms. Moss, Bohr, Einstein, Frisch and even Hahn.

This is how people are remembered, Ms. Hafner said. Until we chip away at this and continue to remind people of the important work she did, it just wont get recognized, she added. So we do everything we can to set the record straight.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said that the Peace Formula of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the only peace initiative that is relevant to the international community.

President Zelenskyys Peace Formula is the only peace initiative discussed in the international community. Others were mentioned but they have disappeared. The only one that remains, the only one that attracts the attention and the work of the international community is President Zelenskyys Peace Formula. It is  we can say  the only game in town. It is the formula, Borrell said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba following an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv.

Borrell stressed that work will continue in the European Union to make the Peace Formula more global so that it becomes the basis of the future world.

He also assured that the EU remains united in its support for Ukraine. According to Borrell, the meeting of the European Union Foreign Ministers in Kyiv should be understood as a clear commitment to Ukraine and support for it in all dimensions.

It is also sending a strong signal to Russia: we are not intimidated by your missiles or drones. Our resolve to support the fight for freedom and independence of Ukraine is firm and will continue, he assured.
When Eileen Kelly began a blog, Killer and a Sweet Thing, in 2016 that focused on mental and sexual health, it was rare to see sites entirely devoted to such topics  let alone ones filled with levity. Societys attitude toward mental health has evolved significantly, Ms. Kelly said, pointing to the memeification of mental health on the internet.

After being hospitalized for her mental health for five months in 2019, she started a podcast, Going Mental, on which she chatted candidly with interviewees about depression, her own struggle with borderline personality disorder and other similar topics. Her guests have included celebrities and notable personalities including Amanda Knox, Michael Cohen, Bella Thorne, Madison Beer and Alex Cooper. Ms. Kelly, 28, has embraced the way that many Gen Z and millennial internet users talk about mental health and engage with serious topics: with a casual, memeified openness that is both earnest and comic. (The banner photograph for Ms. Kellys podcast features her leaning against a white, tiled background, looking disheveled and wide-eyed with her hands thrown up, while blood dribbles from her mouth and runs down her chin and neck.)

Last year, Ms. Kelly forayed into fashion with a line of mental-health-themed merchandise. The selection included a Depressed but Make It Hot shirt and a variety of antidepressant-themed sweatshirts reading Lexapro, Prozac and Zoloft. They sold out quickly.
What happens when you skip the small talk during a date and go straight to hand-holding?

For roughly 50 people meeting for the first time inside a candlelit loft in Brooklyn on Wednesday, the gathering was a chance to explore attraction and desire not only with someone new, but also within themselves. Their goal: to achieve a deep, romantic connection by jumping directly to the physical.

The event, known as the Feels, fast-tracks intimacy by fusing mindfulness practices like meditation, unnaturally long eye contact and even feeling each others heartbeats within an environment meant for potential romantic partners.

Its designed to get past that first layer of What do you do? Where do you live? What do you like to do for fun? and into Where are you at this moment in this wild human ride that is your life? Allie Hoffman, the host and founder, said before the event.

The night was tailored specifically for the so-called ethically nonmonogamous, or ENM  people who practice alternative relationship structures involving multiple partners, like polyamory.
Follow live updates on the Sam Bankman-Fried fraud trial.

Travis Kling has spent a lot of time this year focusing on his mental, physical and spiritual health. That has been his coping mechanism since his cryptocurrency firm, Ikigai Asset Management, lost most of its assets from last years collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX, where he was a customer.

Mr. Kling said he harbored no hatred for Sam Bankman-Fried, FTXs founder. But as Mr. Bankman-Frieds criminal fraud trial kicks off on Tuesday, Mr. Kling is eager to see the onetime crypto mogul  who is now viewed as its biggest villain  held accountable for his actions.

That will be cathartic for the crypto ecosystem, Mr. Kling said.

Eleven months after FTXs implosion sent an already declining cryptocurrency market into a doom spiral, Mr. Bankman-Frieds trial is set to reopen wounds that have barely had time to heal in the crypto industry. As painful as it may be to relive FTXs downfall, the industry is united in its zeal to see Mr. Bankman-Fried held to account.

Sam should get convicted because hes a criminal, said Sheila Warren, the chief executive of the Crypto Council for Innovation, a lobbying group. The industry supports that because a lot of people felt burned by him.
Follow live updates on the Sam Bankman-Fried fraud trial.

A year ago, Sam Bankman-Fried was a fixture on magazine covers and in the halls of Congress, a tousle-haired crypto billionaire who hobnobbed with movie stars and bankrolled political campaigns.

On Tuesday, the founder of the failed FTX digital currency exchange is set to leave the jail where he has been confined for more than seven weeks and stand trial in a Manhattan courtroom on federal charges of fraud and money laundering, capping one of the largest and swiftest corporate collapses in decades.

The charges against Mr. Bankman-Fried, 31, have put the rest of the crypto industry on trial with him. He has emerged as a symbol of the unrestrained hubris and shady deal-making that turned cryptocurrencies into a multitrillion-dollar industry during the pandemic. The demise of FTX in November helped burst that bubble, sending other high-profile companies into bankruptcy and provoking a government crackdown.

The trial will offer a window into the Wild West-style financial engineering that fueled cryptos growth and lured millions of inexperienced investors, many of whom lost their savings when the market crashed. Lawyers on both sides of the case are expected to lay bare the culture of scams and risk-taking that surrounded FTX and to dissect the often-misleading publicity campaigns that helped drive years of crypto hype.
Housing instability makes parents stressed, which can affect childrens well-being, and it can cause children to experience other stressors, like food insecurity and gaps in health coverage.

Especially with young children, the disruption strains parenting unbelievably, and when parents are strained, so are children, said Patrick Fowler of Washington University in St. Louis, who studies homelessness and its effects on children. When families are forced to move often, he said, kids are just constantly taking a hit on well-being, on cognitive development, on making friends, learning how to be friends, connecting with meaningful adults.

Starting in kindergarten, public schools provide food, transportation, school nurses and relationships with teachers. And schools are required by federal law to identify and provide resources to homeless children. But low-income children under 5 have little such formal support.

Their families have constrained housing choices, given that the most affordable units  studios, one-bedrooms and single-room occupancy hotels  arent large enough to house children comfortably. Doubling up with friends and family is harder with children in tow. And when a family must move with an eviction filing on its record, that narrows the next housing options even more.

Its really a different section of the housing market that people are being pushed into, said Jennifer Erb-Downward, who analyzes poverty and housing policy at the University of Michigan. This corner of the market typically doesnt require credit reports. But the living conditions and legal protections are worse, and the rents arent that much cheaper. Tenants may have month-to-month leases or informal agreements. Scams are commonplace.
A man rented a room in an Atlanta suburb on Airbnb last week, and then robbed the host at gunpoint, the police said.

The guest booked a basement room in Buford, Ga., a city about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta, and robbed his Airbnb host less than an hour after he checked in, according to a report provided by the Gwinnett County Police.

The police identified Khalil Hamilton, 26, as the suspect, and said that he had used his I.D. to book the stay.

Mr. Hamilton, who is wanted on charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, had not been arrested as of Monday morning, a police spokesman, Cpl. Juan Madiedo, said in an email.
Laphonza Butler, president of Emilys List and a former labor leader, is Gov. Gavin Newsom of Californias choice to fill the Senate seat of Dianne Feinstein, who died at 90 on Thursday in Washington, D.C. The selection was announced on Sunday.

Though Ms. Butler, 44, has never held elective political office, she has been a fixture in California politics for nearly 15 years as a former leader of the states largest labor union, as a partner at a top-flight political consulting firm, and as an adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris during her 2020 presidential bid.

Governor Newsom pledged in early 2021, after naming Alex Padilla to succeed Ms. Harris in the Senate, that if another seat were to become vacant, he would name a Black woman, a promise he kept by naming Ms. Butler.

In choosing her, the governor bypassed Representative Barbara Lee, a Democrat who has long been a leader in the states Black community and who is already running for the Senate seat in next years election. The governor said that he did not want to tip the scales in that race, which also includes Representatives Adam Schiff and Katie Porter, by appointing one of the contenders to fill the seat in the interim.
As a young man, well before people called him Mr. Secretary and bodyguards followed him everywhere, Mr. Blinken played in bands and collected at least a half dozen guitars, including a high-end Martin acoustic that I dont deserve, he said. Years of noodling at home with a four-track culminated in his release of three singles on Spotify, under the moniker Ablinken. (Say that out loud slowly for dad-joke effect.)

The Spotify songs, which have collectively been streamed about 150,000 times  watch out, Harry Styles  show off a blues-rock sound with Everyman lyrics that bear no relation to the government official who talks about multilateral engagement and diplomatic variable geometry. (And then I came home to you/But you said, Lets just be friends, yeah he sings over staccato electric chords in Lip Service.)

Mr. Blinken noted that he had recorded and uploaded the songs between 2018 and 2020, during the Trump era, when he was out of government and unsure whether he would return. I had little idea that there would be another run at government, or a public career of any kind, he said. And so when the president put me forward for this job, there they were.

The songs, which he has labeled wonk rock, occasionally pop up in his official life. They have been blared from speakers at overseas events, including before he addressed embassy employees in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, in June 2021. A Finnish radio station broadcast one when Mr. Blinken visited Helsinki in June to deliver a speech about the war in Ukraine.

Mr. Blinkens former band, which has played under the name of Cash Bar Wedding, was pretty cool, at least by the standards of Washington. His bandmates included Eli Attie, a former speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore who went on to be a writer for The West Wing, and Jay Carney, a onetime spokesman for President Biden when Mr. Biden was vice president.
Justice Clarence Thomas, in a break from his practices in earlier cases involving the 2020 election, recused himself on Monday when the Supreme Court turned down an appeal from an architect of a plan to subvert the 2020 election.

As is its custom, the court gave no reasons for denying review in the appeal, which was filed by John Eastman, a conservative lawyer who had advised President Donald J. Trump. Justice Thomas, for whom Mr. Eastman had served as a law clerk, offered no explanation for his decision to disqualify himself from the case. The justices wife, Virginia Thomas, known as Ginni, had participated in efforts to overturn the election.

Mr. Eastmans petition was viewed as a long shot. It elicited no response from any other party, and Mr. Trump did not file a brief in the case.

Justice Thomas took part in a ruling last year on an emergency application from Mr. Trump asking the court to block the release of White House records concerning the Capitol attack. The court rejected the request. Only Justice Thomas noted a dissent, giving no reasons.
Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida moved on Monday to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his post in an act of vengeance that posed the clearest threat yet to Mr. McCarthys tenure and could plunge the House into chaos.

After days of warnings, Mr. Gaetz rose on Monday evening to bring up a resolution declaring the speakership vacant. That started a process that would force a vote within days on whether to keep Mr. McCarthy in his post. In doing so, Mr. Gaetz sought to subject Mr. McCarthy to a rare form of political punishment experienced by only two other speakers in the 234-year history of the House of Representatives.

The move came just days after Mr. McCarthy opted to avert a government shutdown the only way he could  by relying on Democratic votes to push through a stopgap spending bill over the objections of an unmovable bloc of hard-liners in his own party, including Mr. Gaetz.

It was a brief but tense interruption of the day-to-day proceedings of the House. Mr. McCarthy was not present on the House floor when Mr. Gaetz made his motion, but scores of Democrats crowded in the aisles to watch the spectacle. The House adjourned shortly afterward, but under the chambers rules, Mr. McCarthy and his leadership team will need to address it within two legislative days.
With the start of the new school year, new rules came into force in Ukraine, providing for different training regimes depending on the level of security in different regions. These measures were introduced in response to the high level of danger.

Taking into account the current situation and the importance of ensuring the safety of pupils and students, the Experts Club training and analysis center in Kyiv organized a training seminar on pre-medical assistance for teachers. The training, which took place on September 29 in Kyiv, was designed to provide teachers with the necessary skills to provide first aid in case of wounds and injuries.

The seminar was organized by the Experts Club think tank and medical partner Adonis. The seminar was also supported by the charity organization Hromada Priirpeniya Foundation and information support from Interfax-Ukraine news agency and Open4business portal.

The main presenter of the training was Maryana Bolyuk, an anesthesiologist and representative of the Adonis group of medical centers. Maryana is a co-author of 12 scientific publications and has rich experience in the field of medicine.

During the seminar, teachers and educators received not only theoretical knowledge, but also practical skills necessary to provide first aid to children in various situations. Among the main topics covered were:

1. Basics of pre-medical care: The workshop participants learned the basic principles and steps to follow when providing first aid, including assessing the situation, ensuring safety, calling for emergency medical assistance and providing emergency interventions.

2. Treating different types of wounds and injuries: Trainers learned how to properly treat wounds, stop bleeding, fix fractures, and treat bruises and sprains.

3. Pre-medical care for children: Teachers gained specialized knowledge on first aid for children, taking into account their body characteristics and emotional reactions.

4. Practical exercises: Practical exercises were an important part of the workshop, including modeling different situations and practicing first aid skills.

Training teachers and educators in first aid for children with injuries and trauma is an important initiative to promote safety in educational institutions. Experts Club and Adonis will continue to support such educational initiatives to ensure the highest level of safety in educational institutions of Ukraine.

Maksym Urakin, founder of Experts Club, emphasized that teachers play a key role in children's lives and knowledge of pre-medical care skills is a part of education that can save lives.

"Such workshops help teachers not only feel more confident in emergency situations, but also provide them with the opportunity to teach their students the basics of first aid, which is also an important skill for everyone," Urakin noted.

The training was attended by university professors and school teachers from Kyiv and the Bucha district of Kyiv region.

Oleksandr Golizdra, Chairman of the Committee on Information Policy and Relations with Local Authorities of the Public Council at the Bucha District State Administration, asked the participants to pass on the knowledge and skills gained to their colleagues in educational institutions.

According to Tetyana Lagovska, executive director of the Pryirpin Community Foundation, the main thing in first aid is the efficiency of actions to stabilize the victim's condition. However, as the volunteer noted, it is also important to adhere to the principle of "do no harm," so it is important to know what should and should not be done before the arrival of professional doctors.

The participants of the training expressed their gratitude to the organizers and the instructor for the valuable knowledge and experience gained at the training. They also emphasized the importance of such events and hope that such educational seminars will continue in the future. In addition, each participant received as a gift a fully equipped first aid kit for first aid in case of wounds.

The pre-medical care workshop for teachers was an example of how educational institutions and medical partners can collaborate to ensure the safety of students and staff. These efforts will help strengthen the education system and prepare teachers for the variety of challenges they may face in educational institutions in war.

Experts Club and Adonis pledge to continue to support and conduct similar educational initiatives, as they see them as an opportunity to make education safer and encompass not only academic but also life skills.
Russias strategy to win the war in Ukraine is to outlast the West.

But how does Vladimir Putin plan to do that?

American officials said they are convinced that Mr. Putin intends to try to end U.S. and European support for Ukraine by using his spy agencies to push propaganda supporting pro-Russian political parties and by stoking conspiracy theories with new technologies.

The Russia disinformation aims to increase support for candidates opposing Ukraine aid with the ultimate goal of stopping international military assistance to Kyiv.

Russia has been frustrated that the United States and Europe have largely remained united on continued military and economic support for Ukraine, American officials said.
In its first argument of the new term, the Supreme Court heard a case on Monday that explored a provision of a law aimed at reducing prison sentences for certain nonviolent drug crimes.

The case focused on part of the First Step Act, bipartisan legislation passed in 2018 aimed at rolling back tough sentencing laws that had caused the countrys prison population to balloon.

Under what is known as the safety valve provision, judges could disregard mandatory minimum sentences for people convicted of certain nonviolent drug offenses who had limited criminal history.

At issue is how to interpret a part of the law that determines who is eligible for this provision, which could potentially lead to a shorter sentence. Three requirements under the provision involve prior criminal history, and the court is being asked to decide whether people no longer qualify if they meet one of these criteria  or if they must meet all three.
This year alone, Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, has accused the pope of undermining the Catholic faith, has suggested that other Vatican officials have veered so far from church teaching that they are no longer Catholic, and has warned that a landmark global gathering that opens this week at the Vatican could threaten basic truths of Catholic doctrine.

With a savvy instinct for inserting himself into theological disputes and culture-war dust-ups across the country, Bishop Strickland has become a leading voice in the emboldened traditionalist wing of American Catholicism.

Now, he is at the center of what is shaping up to be an unusually personal clash in an escalating conflict between Pope Francis and American conservatives: The Vatican, in a relatively rare move, has investigated the bishops leadership and is reported to be privately considering asking for his resignation. The bishop, in a rarer one, has publicly refused.

I cannot resign as Bishop of Tyler because that would be me abandoning the flock that I was given charge of by Pope Benedict XVI, he wrote in an open letter to Catholics in his diocese in September. He said that he would comply if the pope removes him from office.
And any day now, Gov. Gavin Newsom could sign a bill on his desk that would make California the first state in the nation to explicitly ban caste discrimination. The governor has until Oct. 14 to sign or veto the bill, known as Senate Bill 403.

We need this bill, Nirmal Singh, 42, an Indian American doctor from Bakersfield, Calif., told me in a recent interview. Dr. Singh is one of a group of South Asian activists who have been on a hunger strike outside Governor Newsoms office since early September.

During a reporting trip in the Bay Area last month, I spoke with more than a dozen people who, like Dr. Singh, identify as Dalits, a historically oppressed community who are considered not just lower caste, but outcaste  what used to be called untouchable. Many of them told me about encounters they had with caste-based bigotry in the United States, in the forms of wage theft, housing discrimination, mistreatment in the workplace or social exclusion. They said that explicitly defining caste in state law will give people like them reassurance to come forward with their stories.

But the bill has also met with fierce opposition. Some South Asian Americans say that the proposal unfairly targets Hindus, because the caste system is most commonly associated with Hinduism. They also say that existing laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of religion and ancestry are sufficient, and they point out that caste discrimination was outlawed in India more than 70 years ago.

Praveen Sinha, a professor of accounting at California State University, Long Beach, filed a lawsuit last year challenging the university systems addition of caste to its discrimination policy. Mr. Sinha told me that he was concerned that the addition would make South Asians like him more vulnerable to unfair accusations of discrimination.
The Supreme Court announced on Monday that it would not hear a challenge to New Yorks rent-stabilization regulations, under which the government sets maximum permissible rent increases and generally allows tenants to renew their leases indefinitely.

The challengers had argued that the regulations, which cover about a million dwellings in New York City, amount to an unconstitutional government taking of landlords property.

Other petitions asking the Supreme Court to rule on aspects of the regulations are pending, and the justices may yet agree to consider one or more of those cases.

In a pair of decisions in February, a unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit rejected that argument.
It is exotic  it is dangerous in its testing and development phase, Daryl G. Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, said. Whether the Burevestnik has been tested again since 2019 isnt clear, but even with a successful launch, the missile would still be years away from operational deployment, Mr. Kimball added.

In previous tests, the missile failed to fly a distance anywhere close to the designed range, estimated to be around 14,000 miles. U.S. officials assessed that during its most successful test flight, lasting just more than two minutes, the missile flew 22 miles before crashing into the sea. In another test, the missiles nuclear reactor failed to activate, causing it to go down only a few miles from the launch site. For a test to succeed, the missiles nuclear reactor would need to initiate in flight, so that the missile can cover much more ground.

According to the Nuclear Threat Initiative report, the missile is a second-strike, strategic-range weapon, intended to be launched after a wave of nuclear strikes have devastated targets in Russia. The missile could carry a conventional warhead but, in practice, would likely carry a nuclear payload, albeit a smaller one than most other nuclear-capable weapons. If used in wartime, the missile could have the potential to destroy large urban areas and military targets, experts say.

While Russia has shared little about the Burevestniks specific design, President Vladimir V. Putin has said it is nuclear-powered. The missile is thought to be launched by a solid-fuel rocket motor before a small nuclear reactor activates in flight, theoretically allowing the missile to stay aloft indefinitely.
In one attack, gang members opened fire on people called to a protest by a church leader. In another, they set seven people on fire. And after months of escalating violence in Haiti, hundreds if not thousands have been killed  spurring a desperate vigilante movement against the gangs and a mass flight from Haitis cities.

On Monday, the United Nations Security Council authorized a Kenyan plan to beat the gangs back, in what will be the first time an African country has led such a mission in Haiti.

Gang rule and vigilante violence in Haiti

For more than two years, armed gangs have left Haitis capital, Port-au-Prince, and other parts of the country in scenes of bloody chaos, with frequent killings and abductions, bodies left on the streets and police forces in retreat.

From January through the first half of August, more than 2,400 people in Haiti were reported killed, and more than 950 others kidnapped, according to the U.N.
The United Nations Security Council on Monday approved a yearlong multinational security mission for Haiti, led by Kenya, aimed at cracking down on rampant gang violence that has unraveled life for many on the Caribbean nation.

The 15-member Council voted to authorize a mission that would guard critical infrastructure such as airports, ports, schools, hospitals and key traffic intersections, and carry out targeted operations along with the Haitian National Police. Kenya has pledged at least 1,000 security personnel, and several other nations are expected to offer other resources.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in Haiti from October last year until June, as gangs took over large patches of the country, particularly Port-au-Prince, the capital, according to the United Nations. Many neighborhoods have cleared out as people have fled widespread murders, kidnappings and extortion.

Gangs aligned with political parties have strengthened their grip on the country since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. No municipal, legislative or parliamentary elections have been held in years, creating a power vacuum. One goal of the Kenyan-led mission is to create the conditions for a safe election.
Nearly all of the European Unions highest diplomats met in Ukraines battered wartime capital on Monday, convening a surprise summit to reassert the blocs commitment to Ukraine against Russias invasion and to rebut concerns that some countries support might be waning.

The foreign ministers came from 23 of the European Unions 27 members, and were joined by representatives from the four remaining countries, Poland, Hungary, Latvia and Sweden. The blocs top diplomat, Josep Borrell Fontelles, said the meeting, which was unusual for being held outside the European Unions borders, was a signal of the blocs unflagging support.

This meeting, Mr. Borrell told reporters in Kyiv, should be understood as a clear commitment of the European Union to Ukraine and its continuous support in all dimensions.

Russias attack on Ukraine roused the European Union into an run of unified action that was extraordinary for the often fractious bloc. Over 18 months, the nations imposed 11 rounds of economic sanctions on Russia, provided training for the Ukrainian military and, for the first time in the blocs history, gave funding for lethal weapons among its billions of euros in support.
Thats enough of a change, because in many parts of the world, theyre not listened to, he said, pointing out that many are kicked out of parishes for being gay or have to worship under church leaders who support laws criminalizing homosexuality.

He said assembly officials had told him that, in the surveys, half of the dioceses in the world mentioned the welcoming of L.G.B.T.Q. people as important. Asked whether he thought the synod would lead to concrete changes, such as to the official Catholic teaching that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered, Father Martin said that, although he did not expect any alterations to doctrine, for more bishops to hear how that language is received by L.G.B.T.Q. people would be very important.

Helena Jeppesen-Spuhler, who works for the Swiss Catholic Lenten Fund, a Catholic relief agency, will also participate in the assembly. She said that the church required change to survive, adding that she would pragmatically argue for women to be ordained as deacons as a first step to becoming priests and bishops (which was, she acknowledged, a bridge too far for now).

Thats what Im carrying here to this assembly, to the worldwide church, she said, arguing that the focus on women in all of the continental surveys showed that there was a desire for such a change, and I really see a chance.

But she also recalled the disappointment and frustration in 2019, at a previous synod, when Francis balked at allowing some married men to become priests and women to become deacons, despite receiving an overwhelming vote of support from bishops.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Holding the International Astronautics Congress in Azerbaijan is a great pride, Chief Technology Officer of the Turkish company Baykar, Selcuk Bayraktar said at the press conference of the 74th International Astronautical Congress, Trend reports.

Bayraktar said that the stands of such Turkish companies as "Rocketsan" and "Aselsan" were presented at this event.

"Our organization engaged in space exploration is also taking part in the congress. We are one nation - two countries, and therefore we need to develop cooperation in the field of space," he said.

The 74th International Astronautical Congress started in Baku today in partnership with the Space Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azercosmos) and the International Astronautical Federation.

The event is attended by representatives of space agencies, the public sector, investors and private space companies, local and international media, as well as more than 5,000 representatives from 101 countries. 150 companies are represented at the International Astronautical Congress in the exhibition hall. The congress will last until October 6.

This is the second time that Baku is hosting this congress - the first one took place in 1973, also in Baku.
After ethnic Serbian gunmen stormed the small village of Banjska in Kosovo last week and fought a deadly battle with Kosovar forces, Serbia deployed thousands of military forces along Kosovos border, and the White House denounced the move as destabilizing. The violence raised fears that this troubled Balkan region could be plunged into a wider conflagration.

Sinisa Jancovic, a lumberjack from Banjska, which is nestled in the green valleys of northern Kosovo, said he had heard heavy gunfire in the dead of night as the battle raged. But with the village sealed off for days by special Kosovar police forces, he was now more worried about getting enough to eat. He said food was being smuggled in through a nearby forest connecting to Serbia.

Im very tired of all this, Mr. Jancovic said on Sunday, sipping a can of beer on a bar terrace  lining a street deserted except for balaclava-clad Kosovar police officers armed with assault rifles. I dont know if the Serbian Army will intervene, he added. I dont know what the Kosovars will do. I dont know if therell be bread on the table tomorrow.

The shootout, which left three Serbs and one Kosovar police officer dead, was widely regarded as the most serious confrontation between Serbia and Kosovo since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, almost a decade after a monthslong NATO bombing campaign drove Serbian forces from Kosovo, where the majority of the population is ethnic Albanian.
But he said that two programs that provide longer-term military support for Ukraine  the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and Foreign Military Financing program  have been suspended and cannot be extended without further action by Congress.

Mr. Miller said that the Biden administration was calling on Congress to to fully fund our request to support Ukraines short- and long-term security assistance, and also to allow the Pentagon to refill depleted Pentagon stocks, which is something that theyre not able to do without further action.

Members of both U.S. political parties have expressed confidence that agreements on further financial commitments for Ukraine will come in the weeks ahead. The Biden administration has also been in touch with allies abroad to reassure them that the United States remains committed to supporting Ukraine, according to a senior official, who requested anonymity to discuss private diplomatic conversations.

White House officials declined to say whether President Biden himself intended to make calls to his counterparts in other countries, but a second senior administration official, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, said such calls from the president were likely.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said on Monday that Mr. Biden had repeatedly talked to the leaders of other countries in the past about supporting Ukraine.

The president, as you know, was able to bring more than 50 countries together to show their support for Ukraine as our partners and allies, she told reporters, adding that the NATO alliance is as strong as its ever been, and so that commitment is going to continue.
Even for a Roman Catholic Church rife with esoteric terminology that often defies comprehension by the uninitiated, this months Synod on Synodality at the Vatican  essentially a major workshop for church leaders and lay people on how to work together for the good of the church  has proved mystifyingly meta for many of the rank-and-file faithful.

I am well aware that speaking of a Synod on Synodality may seem something abstruse, self-referential, excessively technical, and of little interest to the general public, Pope Francis said in August. But, he added, it is something truly important for the church.

So what exactly is this multiyear assembly, the next phase of which opens on Oct. 4 and runs through Oct. 29?

Whats a synod?

Since the Second Vatican Council of the 1960s, called to open the church to the modern world, bishops have met periodically to continue the collegiality of that landmark meeting in what are called synods to discuss specific issues to better guide the church.
Investigators looking into the cause of a deadly fire at a wedding hall in northern Iraq called on Sunday for the firing of a half-dozen provincial and local officials for their failure to enforce compliance with even minimal safety standards in the halls construction and operation.

In their report, the investigators said that the building had been constructed of highly flammable material, that it lacked fire exits and fire extinguishers, and that it was being used by 900 people  almost twice the number it was designed to accommodate.

In addition, those operating the wedding hall where at least 119 people were killed and 80 to 90 others were injured last week had lit flares indoors, setting off the fire, the investigators said.

Among those the report recommended dismissing were the mayor of the town where the wedding hall is located, the head of the local municipal government and the director of the towns electricity maintenance department. Also singled out were the provincial heads of fire and safety and of the Civil Defense, and a director in the tourism office, which licensed the hall.
A German museum employee was recently arrested for reportedly swapping several paintings with fake copies and selling the originals to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Due to Germanys strict privacy laws, the identity of the 30-year-old former employee of the Deutsches Museum in Munich has not been disclosed to the public, but it has been reported that he admitted to replacing at least four paintings with copies in the period that he worked there (2016  2018). He allegedly sold the works of art at several auctions, using the money to pay off debts and then buy luxury goods, including a Rolls-Royce and expensive wristwatches. The auction house involved in the sale of three of the stolen paintings said that it simply wasnt possible to identify them as stolen property, adding that it collaborated with authorities during the investigation.

The defendant shamelessly exploited the opportunity to access the storage rooms  and sold valuable cultural assets in order to secure a high standard of living for himself and to show off, the court heard from prosecutors.

The unnamed museum employee stole Das Marchen vom Froschkonig (The Tale of the Frog Prince) by Franz von Stuck, replaced it with a fake, and put the original up for auction. he told the auction house that the artwork had belonged to his grandparents or great-grandparents, and managed to earn almost 50,000 euros ($52,000) in cash, after the auction fees were deducted.

He subsequently swapped Die Weinprufung (The Wine Test) by Eduard von Grutzner and Zwei Madchen beim Holzsammeln im Gebirge (Two Girls Collecting Wood in the Mountains) by Franz von Defregger and sold them at the same auction house, earning tens of thousands of euros. He also stole Dirndl by Franz von Defregger, and tried selling it through a different Munich auction house, but it did not sell.

In the end, the 30-year-old man managed to avoid prison time, but was handed a 21-month suspended sentence and ordered to pay back the museum more than $64,000. In its ruling, the court argued that it had taken into account the mans confession and the fact that he showed genuine remorse.

He said he acted without thinking, the court ruling read. He can no longer explain his behavior today.

The employees thefts were discovered when a provenance researcher noticed that Das Marchen vom Froschkonig was quite a clumsy copy, despite being in the right frame, which suggested that someone had swapped it with a copy. Further investigation of the museums storage depots resulted in the discovery of the three other missing paintings.

Our staff are all very reliable, but there is not much you can do if one employee harbors criminal energy. He had no previous record and there was no way of knowing he was capable of this when we hired him, a spokesperson for the Deutsches Museum said.
Jeff Nedelman

Global investment firm Carlyle brings on Certares partner and senior managing director Jeff Nedelman to lead its global investor relations team as global head of distribution, effective Oct. 16. Before joining Certares in 2020, Nedelman spent over 25 years at Goldman Sachs in both client-facing and operational roles, including co-chief operating officer of global equities and global head of prime services, which included the Prime Brokerage, Clearing (GSEC), and Futures businesses. In his new post, Nedelman will also play a key role in strategic areas across the firm, including close collaboration with the debt and equity capital markets teams. He has spent his entire career in client and sales focused leadership roles and brings a successful track record of building and leading teams and businesses and longstanding relationships with investors around the world, said Carlyle CEO Harvey Schwartz.

Francesca DiMartino

Pfizer hires Francesca DeMartino as chief investor relations officer. DiMartino was most recently senior VP of investor relations at medical technology company Becton Dickinson. She was previously VP, investor relation at Medtronic and served as director, worldwide communications at Johnson & Johnson. At Pfizer, DeMartino will communicate with the shareholder community about the companys innovation and growth initiatives as well as updating investors on the progress Pfizer is making on its strategy and goals.

Tricia Mansfield

Nashville-based BUNTIN names Tricia Mansfield chief people officer. Mansfield was most recently chief talent officer at Porter Novelli, overseeing the overall strategic direction of people and talent at the agency, including onboarding, training, development, organizational planning, DEI efforts, talent recruiting and culture. She has served as senior VP, human resources at Weber Shandwick; director of human resources at McCann Erickson and led people operations at Boxed and Fresh Direct. In her new role, she will oversee all aspects of the agencys human resources, benefits, talent management, diversity, training and recruiting operations.
ROSCREA and the sporting community of Tipperary and surrounding areas were deeply saddened at the death of local publican and passionate GAA man, Mickey Phelan.

Mr. Phelan established Phelan's Market House, located on Roscrea's Market Square, in 1981, which soon became a landmark of Tipperary GAA and the epicentre of local activity for the establishment of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Roscrea's Junior Chamber and many more.

It is with a profound sense of sadness that we learned on Monday that our Club President, Mickey Phelan, had passed to his eternal reward, Roscrea Hurling Club said.

Mr. Phelan has been synonymous with Roscrea Hurling throughout his life, contributing significantly both on and off the field and achieving a lot for his beloved local Club.

Mickey Phelan RIP

Of his many achievements perhaps his greatest, and the one he took most pride in, was captaining Roscrea to their first ever county minor title defeating Thurles Sarsfields in 1958 - where he played a pivotal role in the final, raising three green flags.

Shortly after this historic victory, Mickey moved to Dublin to work, but remained active in the GAA in the capital.

He returned to Roscrea as a publican in 1981 and immediately immersed himself in Roscrea Hurling Club and soon became Club Secretary, going on to serve over 20 years in that position.

He also served as a mentor and selector with numerous teams at all levels and served as a selector with Tipperary juniors in the 1980s.

Mickey worked tirelessly to raise funds for the Club selling the weekly lotto tickets and promoting the Tipp GAA draw. He was ever present at Roscrea games and loved nothing better than to welcome home a victorious team to The Market House, Roscrea Hurling Club said.

We have lost a great character and outstanding servant. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his wife Marie, son Paul, daughter Colette, grandchildren Amy, Conor & Jean and all his relatives and friends. Ni bheidh a leitheid ann aris. I measc na nGael go mairfidh se, the Club said.

Formerly of 3 Church View, Convent Hill and The Market House Pub, Main Street, Roscrea, Mr. Phelan died peacefully at Nenagh General Hospital on Sunday, September 24th.

Mr. Phelan was pre-deceased by his son Colm, daughter-in-law Fiona, brother Jim, sisters Ann, Margaret and Angela.

Deeply regretted by his loving wife Marie, son Paul, daughter Colette, grandchildren Amy, Conor and Jean, son-in-law Pat, sisters Mary Bernie, Josie and Pauline, brothers Joe and Paddy, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, good neighbours and large circle of friends.
The power of books is unrivalled.

They can be a window into someone elses culture, as well as helping you feel less alone  but representation still has a way to go in childrens literature.

A survey from BookTrust found 11% of children aged seven to 17 said not being able to find books they can relate to stops them from reading; and between 2007 and 2017, BookTrust found that only 8.62% of childrens book creators were people of colour, with 1.96% being from British people of colour.

If youre looking to boost your childs reading list this Black History Month, these are some brilliant books to pick up  chosen by black authors

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Faridah Abike-Iyimide, author of the Doomsday Date and World Book Day author for 2024, says her favourite black-authored book is Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds.

Published in 2017 by American author Reynolds, Abike-Iyimide says, Its a book told in verse about the cyclical nature of violence with A Christmas Carol-esque twist.

Long Way Down is a YA novel that follows Will, immediately after his brother is shot in a gang-related incident. Will is hell-bent on revenge  until hes visited by friends from his past who lost their lives in similar ways, causing him to rethink his worldview.

Reynolds manipulates time and space in such a clever way, with the entire story taking place in just 60 seconds, Abike-Iyimide says.

Grimwood by Nadia Shireen

Considering his background in comedy, its no surprise Sir Lenny Henry  author of The Boy With Wings series and 2023 World Book Day author  picks out a humorous book series.

Nadia Shireens Grimwood stories starring young foxes looking for a quiet life in the country are side-splitting, he says.

These illustrated middle-grade books follow fox cub siblings Ted and Nancy and their adventures in the weird and wacky countryside town of Grimwood  full of dramatic ducks, thieving eagles and more.

Packed full of adventures, scrapes and more, she had me laughing out loud and trying heaps of voices for all the different characters, Henry says.

First published in 2021, there are now three books in the series.

Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Alex Falase-Koya, author of the multi-award nominated Marv series and World Book Day author for 2024, picks out Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman.

It was a hugely impactful book for me when I was growing up, he says, calling it a masterpiece that uses speculative fiction to comment on racism.

First published in 2001, Blackmans influential novel is set in an alternate reality where race relations are reversed. It tells the story of Sephy, who is black and therefore part of the ruling class, who does the unthinkable and falls in love with Callum  who is white.

Noughts & Crosses is the first in a hard-hitting series from Blackman, made up of six novels and three novellas. The first book was adapted into a BBC TV series in 2020, with a second season currently in the works.

My Name is Sunshine Simpson by G.M. Linton

Tola Okogwu, 2024 World Book Day author, recommends My Name is Sunshine Simpson by G.M. Linton.

It follows Sunshine as she navigates so many familiar things children might go through  school stresses, friendships changing and grappling with her grandfather getting older.

Its a powerful book that tackles grief and navigating difficult friendships with such charm and humour, Okogwu says.

I laughed and cried in equal measure and dare anybody not to fall in love with Sunshine and her effervescent family.

Linton says this debut  and its follow-up, Sunshine Simpson Cooks Up A Storm  is inspired by her parents, who arrived in Britain from Jamaica as part of the Windrush generation in the 1950s.
An anti-vaccination protester who targeted a local politician in a series of obscure, abusive and anonymous texts will return before Longford District Court in December.

David Larkin (41) of 33 Ard Na Cassa Lawns, Longford harassed Ballinalee based Senator Micheal Carrigy by text message, voicemail and on social media platform Facebook.

Mr Larkin has previously pleaded guilty to the charges of harassing Senator Carrigy on dates between December 20, 2021 and February 14, 2022 contrary to Section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Solicitor Frank Gearty said his client has engaged in a positive and meaningful way with a consultant psychologist and is making progress. Mr Gearty said the defendant's next appointment is next week and he is taking his medication.

Mr Gearty said it would be helpful if the court had a full up-to-date psychiatric report and he asked to have legal aid extended to cover such a report. Mr Gearty said it will take some months to have it concluded.

The solicitor admitted that it appears to be dragging out over a long time but added that it was heading in the right direction.

My client knows he has a serious case to answer. A psychiatric report will assist the court significantly, Mr Gearty said.

Sergeant Conor McShane pointed out that the injured party was anxious to have matters concluded.

Judge Owens noted the matter was over a year before the court and said she appreciated the injured party experienced stress at its ongoing nature, however she said the case had moved into a different state.

Judge Owens said it would be premature to finalise matters in the absence of a psychological assessment.

The defendant sent a series of obscure messages to the politician's phone. The messages included texts: You are going to the train station, there will be no mercy, All you scumbag politicians will be going to the train station and Happy sh*t yourself day.

More extended messages were: All you scumbag politicians scrambling for the door, now that Boris has shit himself and caved into the people before hes f**ked out of office and publicly hanged for his crimes. Thats what you have to look forward to bro. Youre going down just like the rest of the scum. Dont think youll escape Michael, your time is soon up, enjoy it.

Another sent during the pandemic said: The mothers, the fathers, they ain't gonna wait for no international court case.

"They're just gonna ram your front door and tear all you politicians apart in your house. That's what you have to look forward to. Could be next week, could be next year but it's coming my friend and no amount of security will save ya then. Happy shit yourself Sunday.

Details of a further five Facebook posts were also submitted.

The messages contained mentions of going to the train station bucko and another saying No mercy for you Michael.

Judge Owens remanded Mr Larkin on continuing bail to appear before Longford District court on December 5 at which time an , 2023.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Azerbaijan has invested about $600 million in the space industry over the last 10 years, Samaddin Asadov, Chairman of the Board of Azercosmos, Space Agency of Azerbaijan, said, Trend reports.

He made the remark at the plenary session themed Space 2030 - Policies and Strategies in Global Space Economy held within the 74th International Astronautical Congress.

We are working with the government, different stakeholders to attract funding in further space exploration. Azerbaijan has also adopted a relevant strategy for space industry development by 2030. Over the last 10 years, we have invested about $600 million in the space industry, and no less than that will be invested over the next 10 years, he said.

Asadov noted that Azerbaijan and Israel have also signed an agreement, according to which observation satellites will be purchased from the Israeli side.

This will open up opportunities not only for Earth observation, but also to manufacture satellites in Azerbaijan in future, he explained.

Azercosmos chairman of board added that Azerbaijan will continue to invest in various space programs.

We plan to launch telecommunication satellites in the upcoming years. After 2030 we will think about deep space, such as lunar, mars exploration, and interplanetary exploration, Asadov added.
BUS SERVICES in Limerick are to resume with immediate effect after a two-day protest by drivers was called off.

Changes to spare driver work agreements and rosters were at the heart of an unofficial action by Limerick bus drivers, as they protested outside of the Bus Eireann depot on the Roxboro Road in the city since Sunday.

A meeting is now being sought with the Workplace Relations Commission and it is hoped it will take place this week to discuss concerns surrounding the new working agreements.

"We apologise to customers for the disruption experienced over the past two days and any inconvenience this has caused," Bus Eireann said in a statement.

The new working agreements were implemented across the country from Sunday, October 1, and included changes to shift patterns that would see drivers working a mix of early, middle and late shifts in a week.

According to those engaged in the protest, drivers 'right to application for spare shifts has been removed. Under the previous agreement, senior drivers could choose spare shifts to apply for, a system that was unique to Limerick.

Under the new working agreements, this right to apply has been removed and shifts are now simply assigned to drivers.

This presents great inconvenience to drivers, who may be assigned a shift at a depot that they simply cannot get to, according to Fergie, a driver who wished only to be identified by his first name.

We as spare drivers cover outbased depots like Galbally or Kilkee. We get paid 30 to drive our car to go to those areas. Some of us do it. Some of us don't. That's where the right of application comes in, he explained.

Another point of contention is the changing of rosters from five equal days of early, middle and late shifts across a seven-day period, as set out in an agreement from the Labour Relations Commission in 2017, to mixed rosters of shifts.

Under the new proposed roster all the weeks are mixed, Fergie explained. Two days of late, three days of early, so on. The way it will happen is I'll finish work at half 12 on a Wednesday night. I will rest Thursday, and I'm back at work Friday at 5am. Now you'll tell me where there's a quality of life in that?

Unions representing drivers had apparently expressed dissatisfaction with these changes at least two weeks ago, however Bus Eireann had refused to engage with them, sparking the unofficial action.

A handful of drivers protested outside the Roxboro Road depot, however their colleagues inside the gates were not willing to drive the buses past the protest, causing all services in Limerick to be suspended.

Services will see a phased resumption this Monday evening, according to Bus Eireann, with full services will resuming from Tuesday morning.

The company advises intending passengers to monitor the Service Update section of its website for updates.
The full programme for the 14th OFFline Film Festival has been officially announced and what a line-up!

Legendary director Jim Sheridan will be in Birr for the festival, no less than six documentaries will be screened, Fright Night is back, there will be Movies with Live Music and Made in Midlands, a cracking collection of animation and live-action shorts, masterclasses, school screenings, plus lots more.

Opening night is sure to catch the eye on Wednesday 11 October as the festival welcomes one of Irelands most successful and revered film directors to Birr Theatre & Arts Centre for a special Career Retrospective; Jim Sheridan.

From his definitive My Left Foot and In The Name of The Father, to the beloved classic Into The West, the semi-autobiographical In America to his more recent ventures, Jim Sheridans work is known and loved around the globe. He will talk about his illustrious career to date and delve into a number of scenes from his incredible catalogue of work with our guest moderator, Garret Daly. There will also be a chance for the audience to ask questions.

Around a dozen lucky filmmakers will also be selected for a Directing Masterclass with Mr Sheridan earlier that day. He will take the selected filmmakers through some key scenes, delve into the writers motivation behind each scene and display how he might motivate actors to deliver a convincing performance. Priority will be given to local and regional filmmakers selected with the assistance of the local Film commission FilmOffaly. Apply now www.offlinefilmfestival.com Deadline to apply is Monday 2 October, 5pm.

The National Talent Academy Film & TV Drama will also be hosting their own Industry Masterclass; The Collaborative Art of Producing for TV & Film on Sunday 15 October. This exciting talk will discuss the role of a producer, where creativity meets innovation. The panel will include established producers across multiple platforms within Film & TV Production, including documentary, animation and drama.

As always Made in Midlands takes pride of place once again on this years programme on Thursday 12 October. This impressive collection includes live-action shorts made in the Midlands and those made elsewhere by Midlands filmmakers. Its events like this night of screenings that help remind us who we are. Back in 2019, we opened the Festival with a Made in Midlands compilation and it has now become a firm fixture on our programme.

Other highlights include the much-loved Fright Night which returns this year on Friday 13 October at Kinnitty Castle (tickets are already selling fast!) and after its huge success during Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival, Birr School of Music will be hosting their night of silent films with live musical accompaniment, Movies with Live Music on Saturday 14 October at Johns Hall.

OFFline Film Festival received nearly 400 submissions from filmmakers all over the world again this year. Nearly 50 shorts (animation and live-action) will screen on Friday and Saturday of the festival with the winners of the Best Irish Short, Best International Short, Best Animation and the Audience Award announced at this years Awards Ceremony on Sunday 15 October at Doolys Hotel. The winner of the Best Irish ShortAward this year wins a guaranteed distribution deal to over 80 official film clubs across Ireland through access>Cinema and post production and sound for their next short at Windmill Lane.

OFFline was very proud to curate the programme for the first- ever Irish Film Berlin back in May. As a follow on from that event, a number of Berlin-based filmmakers will be in Birr to screen their shorts at one of Birrs most intriguing events, the Old [New] Cinema, on Saturday 14 October.

OFFline has been working a number of exciting projects over the last 12 month and in the OFFline 360 on Friday 13 October, guests will be taken on a journey through developments like The Five-Year Review of the OFFline Animation Residency, the new Birr Festivals Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit being developed in partnership with Offaly Local Development Company, new partnerships with Irish Film Berlin and Windmill Lane Productions as well as new funding from the Our Rural Future Fund.

Documentaries form a major part of this years programme including another screening of Nicholas Purcell Ryans, Down Memory Lane with Mabel Wallace: 100 Years of Change, which will officially close out this years Festival on Sunday 15 October after a number of sellout screenings in recent weeks.

OFFline Film Festival Director is Gary Hoctor: First things first; we are absolutely thrilled to welcome the elder statesman of Irish cinema to Birr - Jim Sheridan. This is a truly rare opportunity to come and listen to one of the best in business, so dont miss it. For local filmmakers, therell also be a unique chance to partake in a Directing Masterclass with the Master himself, so get your applications in to us.

This is one of the most exciting OFFline programmes to date with something to enjoy for all ages. Advance booking is strongly advised with a number of our events already sold out. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank those whove helped us put together this fantastic line-up of events, especially our funders, partners, advertisers and patrons.

For the full programme and to book tickets: www.offlinefilmfestival.com

OFFline Film Festival is thanks to funding from The Arts Council, Offaly Local Development Company, Offaly County Council, The JVM Trench Will Trust, Creative Ireland, Birr Municipal District, Birr Lions and our fantastic advertisers, patrons and partners.

*SPONSORED CONTENT
COLAISTE CHOILM, Tullamore is excited to announce its upcoming Open Night event on Wednesday, October 11 at 7.15pm.

This event marks the beginning of the Admissions Process for prospective First Year students for the academic year 2024 - 2025.

At Colaiste Choilm, we pride ourselves on providing a well-rounded, holistic educational experience that empowers students to excel academically and personally.

To give you a glimpse of what daily school life is like here, we invite you to follow our social media platforms @colaistechoilmtullamore and watch our promotional video, accessible on our website www.colaistechoilm tullamore.ie

We also encourage all prospective applicants and their parents/guardians to familiarise themselves with our Annual Admissions Notice and Admissions Policy, which can also be found on our website. Application forms for students enrolling in First Year for the 2024 - 2025 academic year will be accepted online until Monday, November 13, closing at 5pm.

It is crucial that all application forms are completed in full before submission. (Hardcopy application forms are available upon request from the school office).Colaiste Choilm has a rich and vibrant school community, and we encourage you to reach out to our current and past students, parents, and staff members to hear firsthand about their experiences with us.

They are our greatest advocates and can provide valuable insights into the exceptional educational journey we offer.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Open Night and guiding you through the admissions process.

Join us on October 11, at 7.15pm, and take the first step toward a bright future at Colaiste Choilm.

About Colaiste Choilm

Colaiste Choilm, established in 1862, is a leading educational institution dedicated to fostering academic excellence and personal growth in students.

With a commitment to holistic education, we empower our students to become well-rounded individuals prepared for success in their academic and personal lives.
Caste Politics to Play a Key Role in Bihar's Upcoming Elections: New Survey

The Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar has released its much-awaited caste survey results. The data shows that OBCs and EBCs constitute a significant majority (63%) of the states total population. This could spur demands for similar caste-based censuses elsewhere and play a crucial role in upcoming parliamentary polls.

India

-Krishna Kripa

The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar has recently released the findings of its much-anticipated caste survey. The results, which come months ahead of the 2024 Parliamentary elections, reveal that Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) make up a substantial 63 per cent of the states total population.

Significance of Caste Survey

This data is likely to fuel demands for similar caste-based censuses in other regions. It aligns with a key agenda item of the opposition INDIA bloc and could potentially bolster Kumar and his alliance's chances in upcoming elections. This is particularly pertinent as caste politics plays a significant role in India's Hindi heartland.

Survey Findings

The data was presented by Development Commissioner Vivek Singh, who reported that Bihar's total population stands at slightly over 13.07 crore. Of this number, EBCs form the largest social segment at 36 per cent, followed closely by OBCs at 27.13 per cent.

Historical Context

The last time a comprehensive caste headcount was conducted and published was back in 1931. For many years since then, politicians representing backward castes have consistently argued that their constituents' actual numbers far exceed those suggested by conventional wisdom rooted in these outdated census figures.

Potential Impact on Future Elections

The release of this new data could significantly reshape political strategies going into future elections. With evidence now supporting claims about the large size of backward class populations, parties may need to recalibrate their approaches to appeal more directly to these groups.

Implications Beyond Bihar

Beyond its immediate impact on Bihar's political landscape, these findings might also spark broader national discussions about caste representation and the need for more up-to-date demographic data. The survey's results could encourage other states to conduct similar studies, potentially leading to a nationwide push for a new caste-based census.

In conclusion, the Bihar government's release of this caste survey is a noteworthy development with potential implications far beyond the state's borders. It not only provides an updated snapshot of Bihar's demographic makeup but also serves as a catalyst for broader debates about representation and equity in India's diverse society. As we inch closer to the 2024 Parliamentary elections, it will be interesting to observe how these findings shape political strategies in Bihar and potentially ripple outwards influencing national politics.
Electoral Bonds: How Much Has BJP and Congress Received As Corporate Donations?

SP to contest on 65 of 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in 2024

BJP Doesn't Need Votes From 'Miya' Community For Next 10 Years, Says Himanta Sarma

India

oi-PTI

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said BJP does not need the votes of 'Miya' people of 'char' (riverine sandbar) areas for the next 10 years, till they reform themselves by leaving aside practices such as child marriage.

Sarma, however, said the 'Miya' people support him, PM Narendra Modi and the BJP, and they can continue to shout slogans in favour of the saffron brigade without voting for them.

"BJP will do public welfare and they will support us, but they don't need to vote for us. There is no harm in supporting us. Let them shout 'zindabad' for Himanta Biswa Sarma, Narendra Modi and BJP," he told reporters in response to a question.

The term 'Miya' is a slang used to refer to Bengali-speaking Muslims.

The chief minister said, "When elections come, I myself will request them not to vote for us. When you will follow family planning, stop child marriage and shed fundamentalism, then you vote for us."

'The Alliance In My View Doesn't Exist': Karnataka JD(S) Chief Over Alliance With BJP

"To complete these, it will take 10 years. We will seek votes after 10 years, not now."

He said that those voting in favour of him and the BJP should not have more than two or three children, must send their daughters to schools, cannot indulge in child marriage and adopt Sufism by leaving fundamentalism.

"When these conditions are fulfilled, I will go with you to 'char' to seek votes," Sarma told the journalists.

When pointed out that many 'chars', where predominantly Bengali-speaking Muslims live, do not have proper schools, he said that immediately schools would be set up if he is informed about the non-existence of a school in such an area.

"It can't happen that minority students won't get a chance to study. We will open seven colleges in minority areas in the coming days," Sarma said.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, October 2, 2023, 9:25 [IST]
Cong Remained Mute While Samajwadi Party Subjected Agitators To Cruel Atrocities: Dhami

India

oi-PTI

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said the Samajwadi Party government was responsible for opening fire on people protesting for a separate Uttarakhand in undivided Uttar Pradesh at Rampur Tiraha, Khatima and Mussoorie in 1994.

Dhami also targeted the then Congress government at the Centre, accusing it of being a "mute spectator" during the firings. "On this day in 1994, the Samajwadi Party government of undivided Uttar Pradesh opened fire on people agitating peacefully for statehood at Rampur Tiraha and subjected them to the cruelest atrocities," Dhami said addressing a function at Shaheed Sthal, Rampur Tiraha in Muzaffarnagar to commemorate the martyrdom of statehood agitators.

Paying tributes to statehood agitators who were killed in the police firing, Dhami said that Uttarakhand became a state due to their sacrifice. "Rampur Tiraha firing has left a deep wound in the hearts of every Uttarakhandi that has not healed even 29 years after the incident," Dhami said.

It is alleged that at least seven agitators were killed in police firing and policemen raped agitating women at Rampur Tiraha in Muzaffarnagar on October 2, 1994. The activists were on their way to Delhi from Rishikesh to raise their demand for a separate state of Uttarakhand. Union minister Sanjeev Balyan, UP minister Kapil Aggarwal and several statehood agitators were also present at Shaheed Sthal.

Recalling the Khatima and Mussoorie firings, which also happened around a month before the Rampur Tiraha firing, Dhami said the Congress government at the Centre remained "just a mute spectator to these atrocities". He credited the BJP government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee for granting statehood to Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh on November 9, 2000.

The chief minister said both the Centre and the state government are working towards making Uttarakhand in accordance with the vision of those who fought for its statehood. Dhami highlighted steps taken by his government for the welfare of statehood agitators and their dependents, including bringing a legislation in the state assembly, granting 10 per cent horizontal reservation to them in all government services as well as increasing their pension.

The bill has been referred to a select committee of the state assembly after being tabled in the house during a session last month.

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Story first published: Monday, October 2, 2023, 20:52 [IST]
Congress Demands Response from PM Modi over Tragic Deaths in Maharashtra Government Hospital

Following a tragic incident leading to 24 deaths within 24 hours at a government hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded, the Congress party has demanded an explanation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Senior leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra appealed for strict action against those accountable and compensation for the affected families.

India

-Krishna Kripa

The Indian National Congress, one of the major political parties in India, expressed its deep concern and anguish over an incident that led to 24 deaths within a span of 24 hours at a government hospital in Nanded, Maharashtra. The party called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue publicly and demanded severe action against those responsible for this tragic event.

Tragic Incident Spurs Political Outcry

In what can only be described as a horrific tragedy, twenty-four people lost their lives in a state-run hospital due to what is believed to be shortages of essential medicines. Among the deceased were twelve infants whose loss has sent shockwaves through the nation. A high-ranking health official from Maharashtra confirmed these details earlier today.

Congress Leaders Demand Accountability

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, senior leader of the Congress party, was among those who voiced their distress over this shocking incident. In her statement posted in Hindi on social media platform X, she conveyed her deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for peace for departed souls. She also stressed on strict punishment for those accountable and insisted on compensation for affected families.

Jairam Ramesh, general secretary of Congress party echoed similar sentiments asking Prime Minister Modi not to remain silent about such grave issues affecting public health facilities in India. He too urged that strict measures should be taken against those responsible.

A Call For Thorough Investigation

In response to this heartbreaking incident which has raised serious questions about healthcare infrastructure in Maharashtra's government hospitals, an expert committee comprising three members has been constituted by authorities with immediate effect. This committee will probe into this unfortunate incident thoroughly and ascertain where lapses occurred leading up to these avoidable deaths.

Public Health Crisis: An Urgent Matter Of Concern

The Congress party, through a post on social media platform X, emphasized that this incident is an extremely serious issue which not only requires immediate attention but also demands stringent action against those responsible. The party believes that such incidents are indicative of a larger public health crisis in the country and calls for substantial improvements in healthcare facilities across India.

In conclusion, the tragedy at the Nanded government hospital has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and highlighted serious flaws within India's public healthcare system. It underscores the urgent need for rigorous scrutiny of healthcare facilities to prevent such unfortunate incidents in future. As citizens await answers, it remains to be seen what measures will be taken by authorities to address these concerns and ensure such tragedies do not recur.
Congress Criticizes Government's Handling of Health Crisis in Maharashtra Hospital

The Congress has condemned the BJP following 24 deaths in a government hospital in Maharashtras Nanded. Former party leader Rahul Gandhi criticizes the government's funding priorities, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra calls for strict action and compensation for affected families.

India

-Krishna Kripa

The Indian National Congress has launched a severe critique against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following the tragic death of 24 individuals, including 12 infants, within a span of 24 hours at a government hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded. The Congress leaders have alleged that while the BJP-led government spends extensively on publicity campaigns, it fails to allocate sufficient funds for essential children's medicines.

Accusations and Demands from Congress Leaders

Rahul Gandhi, former party chief of Congress, expressed his deep sorrow over the incident and extended his condolences to all affected families. In an online post on X platform, he underscored that this heartbreaking news was indicative of severe medical shortages in the state-run hospital. He further lambasted the ruling BJP government for its expenditure priorities. "The BJP government spends thousands of crores of rupees on its publicity but there is no money for medicines for children? In the eyes of the BJP, lives of poor have no value," he alleged.

In addition to Rahul Gandhi's accusations, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra - another key figure in Congress - also voiced her concerns regarding this incident. She demanded stringent action against those responsible and insisted on compensation provision for families who had lost their loved ones due to these unfortunate circumstances.

Probe into Tragic Incident

A top health official from Maharashtra confirmed earlier in the day about these deaths occurring within last 24 hours at a Nanded-based government hospital. To investigate this matter thoroughly and ascertain exact causes behind such high fatalities within such short time period, a three-member expert committee has been set up by authorities.

Critique Continues

The criticism from Congress did not stop with just Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi; other prominent members like General Secretary Jairam Ramesh also questioned the BJP government's priorities and handling of healthcare facilities, especially during such critical times.

In conclusion, this tragic incident has once again brought to light the ongoing debates regarding public health infrastructure and funding in India. The accusations made by Congress leaders against the ruling party highlight a broader concern about allocation of resources and policy-making for healthcare sector. While it is crucial that those responsible for these deaths are held accountable, it is equally important to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future. This necessitates a thorough review of current policies and practices, along with implementation of comprehensive measures aimed at strengthening public health systems across the country.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan has jointly cooperated with international organizations in connection with the search for mass graves in the liberated territories of the country, Azerbaijani Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev told reporters, Trend reports.

He said that, unfortunately, the Armenian side does not provide accurate information about mine maps or maps related to the burials.

"This issue has been discussed many times. The process of identification, return to relatives and burial of those missing in the first Karabakh war has been accelerated. Although the Armenian side does not cooperate with us on this, we continue this process," Aliyev said.

During the first Karabakh war, Azerbaijan has listed some 4,000 people as missing.

Also, the remains of at least 508 people from mass graves have been discovered in the liberated territories as a result of joint search operations.
Final Payment by Delhi Govt for Upcoming Delhi-Meerut Rapid Transit System Soon

India

-Krishna Kripa

The Delhi government is anticipated to soon finalize the last payment of its share in the upcoming Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor. The transport department has initiated a proposal regarding this matter, according to officials. This final installment amounts to Rs 415 crore and with taxes included, it will total around Rs 485 crore.

Final Steps Towards Completion

A senior government official divulged that last week the transport department forwarded a file to the finance department for approval of this payment. This sum represents the concluding portion of the Delhi government's overall contribution of Rs 1,180 crore towards the RAPIDX corridor project. The impending completion of these financial obligations marks significant progress for this ambitious infrastructure venture.

About The Project

The Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor is an extensive transit system spanning over 82.15 km and connects Sarai Kale Khan in New Delhi city to Modipuram in Meerut. With an estimated cost pegged at Rs 31,632 crore, this project aims at enhancing transportation efficiency between these two urban centres. Comprising of 24 stations along its route, it promises to cover this considerable distance within just one hour once operational.

Funding Details

In March 2019, as part of their commitment towards this project, the Delhi government had disbursed Rs 265 crore as their first instalment contribution towards funding it. As per officials' statements, similar to past payments made earlier in May this year from environmental cess corpus funds; even this forthcoming final instalment inclusive of taxes will be paid from those resources.

Future Prospects

Besides this existing plan under implementation connecting New Delhi and Meerut via rapid transit system; there are also proposals for two more such corridors on cards. These are envisioned to connect Delhi with Alwar and Panipat in Haryana respectively, thereby further expanding this network of high-speed regional rail service. This semi-high-speed regional rail service has been named as RRTS.

In conclusion, the impending final payment by the Delhi government for the Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor marks a significant milestone towards its completion. Once operational, it promises to drastically reduce travel time between these two cities and enhance transportation efficiency. Furthermore, with proposals for additional corridors connecting other urban centres also under consideration; this initiative represents a key step towards revolutionizing intercity transport dynamics within this region.
Former Delhi Constable and Accomplices Arrested for Deceptive Murder of Monika Yadav

An ex-Delhi police constable, along with two accomplices, has been arrested on charges of murdering a former female constable named Monika Yadav. They had also misled her family into thinking she was still alive.

India

-Krishna Kripa

In a shocking revelation, the mother of a former woman constable who was allegedly killed by her ex-colleague two years ago has demanded stern action against the accused. The case, which has caused considerable unrest and concern in New Delhi, involves deceit and misdirection that led the victim's family to believe she was still alive.

Details of the Case

The deceased woman, Monika Yadav (28), had previously worked with her alleged murderer, Delhi Police constable Surender Singh (42). According to reports released on Sunday, Singh along with his brother-in-law and another accomplice have been arrested for their involvement in Yadav's death. In an elaborate ruse designed to deceive Yadavs family into believing she was still alive, they reportedly left false clues behind.

A Mother's Agony

The victim's mother expressed her torment over not knowing about her daughter's whereabouts for such a long time. Speaking over the phone from Bulandshahr she said "I had been running from pillar to post just to know about my daughters whereabouts." She further added that her younger daughter decided to meet the Delhi Police Commissioner a few months ago seeking help in this matter. After understanding their plight, he assured them of proper investigation into Monika Yadavs disappearance.

The Arrest and Demand for Justice

Following thorough investigations by the police department under scrutiny from higher authorities including the commissioner himself; Surender Singh was finally apprehended as an accused in this case. "Police have now arrested the accused constable", confirmed Monikas mother expressing relief at this development but also demanding strict legal action against him.

Motive Behind The Murder

Surender Singh had allegedly been stalking Yadav persistently insisting on marrying him. When his advances were rebuffed, he strangled her to death in a fit of rage. Not content with this horrific act, Singh along with his brother-in-law Ravin (26) and Rajpal (33), buried the body near a nullah in the Pushta area. They then proceeded to orchestrate an elaborate deception to mislead Yadav's family about her fate.

In conclusion, this chilling case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers stalking poses and the lengths some individuals will go to hide their crimes. The victims family is now seeking justice for Monika Yadav, demanding strict action against all those involved in her murder and subsequent cover-up. Their hope is that such stringent punishment will serve as a deterrent for potential criminals while also ensuring that no other family has to endure what they have gone through.
Delhi Police Nabs Suspected ISIS Operative Shahnawaz Alam In Major Crackdown

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

In a major breakthrough, the Delhi Police Special Cell apprehended Shahnawaz alias Shafi Uzzama, the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) most wanted terrorist. Shahnawaz, who had a reward of Rs 3 lakhs on his head, was wanted in connection with the Pune ISIS case.

The 32-year-old engineer by profession and resident of Delhi had managed to escape from Pune police custody, triggering a massive manhunt that spanned several states.

Delhi Police Special Cell officials have also detained several individuals in connection with the case. Details about these detainees and their potential involvement in terrorist activities are yet to be disclosed. The authorities said that further investigation is underway.

The recent arrest of Shafi Uzzama is part of the NIA's ongoing efforts to apprehend individuals linked to the Pune ISIS module case. The NIA had earlier released pictures of four terror suspects wanted in connection with this case and declared a reward of Rs 3 lakh each for credible information leading to their arrest.

Manipur: NIA Arrests Suspect For Conspiring With Terrorists To Use Ethnic Unrest

Shafi Uzzama, along with Talha Liyakat Khan, Rizwan Abdul Haji Ali and Abdulla Faiyaz Shaikh alias Daiperwala, was the subject of an extensive nationwide manhunt.

What is Pune ISIS module case

Shahnawaz and two others, Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yunus Khan and Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yakub Saki, were arrested by the Kothrud police in Pune on July 18 following their attempted theft of a two-wheeler. When the police were taking them to their residence at Kondhwa in Pune for a search, Shahnawaz jumped out of the police vehicle and managed to escape.

Police found that Khan and Saki, originally hailing from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, were allegedly involved in a separate terror case registered in Rajasthan, where explosives were discovered in a car in March 2022. Both Khan and Saki carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh each on their heads.

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) took over the investigation on July 22. During the course of their inquiry, the ATS arrested additional suspects, including Qadir Dastagir Pathan, an IT engineer, and SN Kazi, at Kondhwa. The agency invoked sections of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against Khan, Saki, and other accused.

The investigation took a critical turn when Khan and Saki revealed that Shahnawaz had stored acid at Bopatghat near Kondhwa. The NIA sought the assistance of the Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad to seize the acid along with various chemicals used in bomb-making.

ATS also seized several other materials and found 500 GB data in the laptops and mobile phones of the accused which contained links to YouTube videos on making bombs and Google images of various places.

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Story first published: Monday, October 2, 2023, 10:54 [IST]
Indian Mining Tycoon Harpal Randhawa And His Son Amer Killed In Zimbabwe Plane Crash| Details

India

oi-Stuti Tripathi

India's mining tycoon and billionaire Harpal Randhawa and his 22-year-old son Amer, along with four others, tragically lost their lives in a plane crash in Zimbabwe on 29th September. The accident occurred when their private aircraft, a Cessna 206, crashed near a diamond mine in southwestern Zimbabwe due to a technical fault.

Harpal Randhawa was the owner of RioZim, a prominent mining company involved in gold, coal, nickel, and copper production. He was also the founder of GEM Holdings, a private equity business with an estimated value of 4 billion dollars.

The fatal incident took place as the father and son were en route from Harare to the Murowa diamond mine, which is partly owned by RioZim. Unfortunately, the single-engined plane went down near the mine, resulting in the loss of all passengers and crew on board.

Harpal Randhawa was not only known for his business success but also for his generosity and humility. Filmmaker Hopewell Chinono, a friend of Mr. Randhawa, expressed his deep sorrow on social media, highlighting the billionaire's positive influence on those around him. Chinono mentioned how Randhawa had provided valuable life advice and introduced him to influential figures in business, diplomacy, and politics.

Chinono wrote on his social media handle X, "I am deeply saddened with the passing of Harpal Randhawa, the owner of Rio Zim who died today in a plane crash in Zvishavane. 5 other people including his son who was also a pilot, but a passenger on this flight also died in the crash."..."He was very generous with life advice, and very humble for the wealthy man that he was. Through him, I met many people in the business, diplomatic, and political worlds. My thoughts are with his wife, family, friends, and the Rio Zim community. Rest in Peace, your works and love for Zimbabwe will be your lasting legacy,"

I am deeply saddened with the passing of Harpal Randhawa, the owner of Rio Zim who died today in a plane crash in Zvishavane.



5 other people including his son who was also a pilot, but a passenger on this flight also died in the crash.



I first met Harpal in 2017 through a pic.twitter.com/A0AGOaR3sw  Hopewell Chinono (@daddyhope) September 29, 2023

Reportedly, the tragic incident has left a void in the hearts of the local community, and condolences have poured in from various quarters. As the community and law enforcement agencies work together to manage the aftermath of the plane crash, Chinono also put up a tweet informing of the memorial service for the father-son duo.

The family of Harpal Randhawa who died with his son Amer on Friday in a plane crash, respectfully invite all his friends and associates to celebrate his life and that of his son Amer at a memorial service at Raintree on Wednesday the 4th of October, 2023.



Arrival time is 3PM. pic.twitter.com/cWF0kPhe7G  Hopewell Chinono (@daddyhope) October 1, 2023

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Story first published: Monday, October 2, 2023, 21:48 [IST]
Home Minister Praises Indias Rich Culture as a Unifying Force and Global Beacon

India

-Krishna Kripa

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a recent statement, has highlighted the importance of India's rich cultural heritage and its role in uniting the nation throughout history. He also emphasized how this cultural legacy has propelled India to prominence on the global stage. The minister made these remarks after attending a grand cultural event in New Delhi.

A Celebration of Cultural Heritage

The event that Mr. Shah attended was the closing ceremony of the Swasti Zonal Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, organised by the Culture Ministry at Central Park. This festival showcased traditional Indian dances and music in their most authentic forms, serving as a testament to India's diverse and vibrant culture.

Modi's Role in Promoting Indian Culture

In his post-event reflections shared on social media platform X, Mr. Shah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his relentless efforts towards preserving and promoting Indian culture worldwide. "On account of PM @narendramodi Jis' relentless efforts our cultural values are showing light to humankind," he wrote.

Dignitaries Attend Cultural Event

Besides Union Home Minister Amit Shah, other dignitaries such as Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and Union Minister of State for Culture Meenakshi Lekhi were present at this important cultural gathering. Pictures from this culturally enriching event were shared by Mr.Shah on his social media handle.

Culture: A Unifying Force

Amit Shah further underscored how India's rich culture has been instrumental in keeping the nation united through various epochs. "Our rich culture has kept our nation united through ages", he asserted while sharing his thoughts about the significance of Indian culture both within and beyond national boundaries.

In conclusion, it is evident that there is an increasing recognition among Indian leaders about the pivotal role of culture in shaping national identity and its potential to contribute towards India's global influence. The Swasti Zonal Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, as a celebration of this rich cultural heritage, not only highlights the diversity and vibrancy of Indian culture but also underscores the government's commitment to preserving and promoting it. As Union Home Minister Amit Shah rightly pointed out, it is this cultural legacy that has kept India united over centuries and will continue to do so while illuminating humanity with its values.
CM Pinarayi Vijayan Leads Statewide Cleanliness Drive in Kerala on Gandhi Jayanti

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan launched a major cleanliness drive across the state as part of the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations. He also inaugurated a new cancer block at Ernakulam General Hospital. A social media campaign #ChallengeToChange was initiated to bolster the ongoing Maattam programme under the Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam campaign.

India

-Krishna Kripa

On October 2, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan initiated a statewide cleanliness campaign as part of the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations. He emphasized the significance of maintaining cleanliness and described littering as an offense against one's environment. This initiative was announced during the inaugural ceremony of a new cancer block at Ernakulam General Hospital.

Vijayan took an active role in promoting this cause by reading out a seven-line pledge against littering. The audience, which included guests and dignitaries present at the event, echoed each line after him. Notable attendees were Ministers M B Rajesh, P Rajeeve and Veena George; Ernakulam Lok Sabha MP Hibi Eden; legislators T J Vinod and K J Maxi; Kochi Mayor M Anilkumar and Chief Secretary Venu V.

Social Media Campaign for Solid Waste Management

The state government also launched a social media campaign #ChallengeToChange on this occasion to bolster the ongoing efforts of Kerala Solid Waste Management Projects (KSWMP) Maattam programme under its Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam campaign. The aim is to bring about substantial changes in waste management practices across the state.

Massive Participation in Cleanliness Drive

To mark Gandhi Jayanti, over 25 lakh people across Kerala pledged their commitment towards waste eradication on October 1st and 2nd under this campaign. With participation from at least 200 volunteers per ward, various public spaces including urban pockets, bus stands, railway stations, public parks, tourist spots and markets experienced thorough cleaning activities as part of Swachhata Hi Seva.

The extensive participation from citizens reflects their collective commitment towards creating cleaner surroundings. It also resonates with Mahatma Gandhi's vision of cleanliness being next to godliness.

The state government plans to continue this cleanliness drive with the aim of maintaining a litter-free environment. The campaign will persist in its efforts to raise awareness about the importance of cleanliness and waste management, thereby encouraging more people to join hands for this noble cause.

In conclusion, Kerala's statewide cleanliness initiative is not only a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary but also an important step towards transforming Kerala into a cleaner and healthier state. By engaging citizens directly in these activities, it fosters a sense of responsibility among them towards their surroundings. It also highlights the role that each individual can play in making their environment cleaner and safer. As we move forward, such initiatives are crucial in instilling a culture of cleanliness and environmental consciousness among citizens at large.
Kerala Doctors Killed In Car Accident After GPS Shows River As Flooded Road

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Tragedy struck as a car carrying two doctors met with a fatal accident in Kochi, Kerala, plunging into the Periyar river. The incident, which occurred at approximately 12:30 AM, resulted in the loss of both Advaith, 29, and Ajmal, 29, who were employed at a private hospital in the region. They were on their way back to Kodungallur and had reportedly been relying on Google Maps for navigation.

Tragically, they mistook the river for a waterlogged road, continuing until the car began to submerge. Regrettably, Advaith and Ajmal were unable to escape, while the other three occupants managed to exit, albeit with injuries.

Promptly, local residents came to the scene to assist and alerted the fire service and the police. Authorities dispatched a scuba diving team to the location to recover the bodies.

Kerala Farmer Drives Audi A4 To Sell Vegetables At Roadside Market, Video Goes Viral

Three individuals were successfully rescued from the submerged car with the aid of locals and fire service personnel. Subsequently, they were discharged from the hospital following initial medical attention.

According to the police, "The visibility was very low at the time due to heavy rain. They were following a route shown by the Google map. But it seems like instead of taking a left turn as suggested by the maps, they mistakenly went forward and fell into the river."
BJP Chief Lauds Narendra Modi Government for Promoting Khadi Industry

The khadi industry is achieving new heights under the Narendra Modi government. BJP chief J P Nadda commended these efforts, highlighting that KVIC Khadi products are now among the fastest-moving consumer goods. He also noted that this growth strengthens India economically by providing employment.

India

-Krishna Kripa

The khadi industry in India is reaching new heights each day, thanks to the successful promotional efforts of the Narendra Modi government, according to BJP chief J P Nadda. Speaking on Monday, he highlighted that khadi is not just a fabric but a symbol of our heritage and encouraged people to buy at least one khadi product during festive occasions. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for adopting 'vocal for local' as a way to support indigenous industries.

Khadi: A Catalyst For Economic Growth

Nadda emphasized that after the prime ministers appeal for promoting khadi, there has been an unprecedented surge in the turnover of khadi products. Today, KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission) products have become some of the fastest-moving consumer goods. More than just being an emblem of national pride and heritage, Khadi also plays a significant role in providing employment opportunities thereby strengthening India's economy from within.

Fulfilling Gandhi's Vision Of Self-Reliant India

According to Nadda, Prime Minister Modi is fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi's dream of creating a self-reliant India by promoting Khadi. The village industry associated with Khadi production not only boosts rural economies but also contributes towards building an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), which was envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi.

Celebrating Mahatma Gandhi With Khadi

To commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's 154th birth anniversary, BJP chief purchased khadi clothes from a store in Connaught Place along with many other dignitaries who chose to mark this occasion by buying Khadi clothes as well. This gesture underlines their commitment towards supporting Indian weavers while paying tribute to Father of Nations vision.

Khadi: Symbol Of National Pride

Nadda further added that Prime Minister Modi has played a crucial role in raising the popularity of Khadi. He pointed out that the khadi industry is setting new benchmarks every day due to the successful promotion efforts by the government. The fabric, which was once considered as an emblem of India's freedom struggle, has now become a symbol of national pride and economic self-reliance.

In conclusion, it is evident that promoting Khadi is not just about preserving our cultural heritage but also about bolstering economic growth and creating employment opportunities. As we look forward to celebrating more festive occasions, let us remember to support our local industries by adopting 'vocal for local'. By doing so, we can contribute towards fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a self-reliant India while simultaneously supporting our economy.
PM Modi Attacks Cong Govt In Rajasthan, Says Gehlot Has Accepted Defeat

India

pti-PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has already "accepted defeat" by requesting him not to stop schemes initiated by the Congress in Rajasthan, and gave a guarantee that the BJP will not stop any scheme but only try to improve it.

Addressing a public rally in Chittorgarh, Modi also gave a clear indication that no chief minister face will be projected in the poll-bound state. The BJP, he said, will contest the assembly election on the party's symbol 'lotus'.

Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, BJP state president CP Joshi, leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore, union minister Arjun Meghwal were among the political leaders present at the rally. There has been much speculation whether Raje will be declared the chief ministerial face by the BJP in Rajasthan.

On Gehlot's demand that Modi should give a guarantee that no scheme initiated by the Congress government be stopped if the BJP comes to power, Modi said, Gehlot knows that the countdown of the Congress government has started. He in a way has congratulated the BJP by publicly requesting that the schemes should not be stopped. I assure you that BJP will not stop any scheme of public interest but will try to improve it. This is Modi's guarantee".

Gehlot had recently demanded that Modi should guarantee that Congress government's schemes will not be discontinued if the BJP comes to power in the state.

Attacking the Gehlot government over the issue of corruption and women's safety, the prime minister said he is pained when atrocities take place against daughters anywhere in the country but charged that the Congress has made this a tradition here. Modi also said that the alleged paper leak mafia in the state will be held accountable and given the harshest punishment. Referring to tailor Kanhaiya Lal's brutal murder in Udaipur last year, Modi asked whether the people of the state had voted the Congress for this.

Had you imagined what happened in Udaipur? People come on the pretext of getting clothes stitched, slit the throat of the tailor without any fear and make a video and make it viral, and Congress gets worried about votes in that too, he said. Lal, 48, was killed with a cleaver inside his shop in Udaipur on June 28 last year.

The assailants claimed they hacked Lal to death to avenge an alleged insult to Islam. The prime minister also said that it is not possible to celebrate any festival peacefully in Rajasthan because of the "anti-development" environment created by the Congress. Modi said the BJP will bring prosperity, employment and development in the state besides ensuring safety of women.
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Offers Prayers, Performs Seva at Golden Temple

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi visited the revered Golden Temple in Amritsar where he not only offered prayers but also performed seva by serving water to devotees and cleaning their bowls. His day was filled with spiritual activities including listening to Shabad Kirtan and participating in the traditional ritual of palki seva.

India

-Krishna Kripa

On October 2, in the sacred city of Amritsar, Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Congress leader and former chief of the party, demonstrated his devotion and humility by offering prayers at the Golden Temple. Adorned with a blue scarf on his head as per Sikh custom, Gandhi paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum of this revered temple.

Gandhi's visit to the temple was not merely symbolic; he also partook in seva or voluntary service. This act is deeply ingrained in Sikhism as it encourages selfless service to others. In addition to offering prayers at the holy shrine, Gandhi visited Akal Takht - the highest temporal seat for Sikhs worldwide.

Rahul Gandhi's Seva

At Akal Takht too, Rahul Gandhi performed seva by cleaning water bowls used by devotees. His acts of service did not stop there; after spending some time within these spiritual environs, he returned later that evening around 8 pm to perform additional seva at Chhabeel - an integral part of Sikh tradition where sweetened water is served to passersby regardless of their religion or caste.

Interaction with Devotees

The Congress leaders humble acts were well received by those present. Several devotees were seen capturing these moments on their mobile phones while one woman devotee even had an opportunity to shake hands with him. After completing his acts of service, Gandhi returned once again to listen to Shabad Kirtan  religious hymns sung in praise of God.

Palki Seva Ritual

In adherence with religious customs and practices followed here, Rahul Gandhi participated in palki seva - a traditional ritual marking closure for the day where Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of Sikhs) is taken to the Akal Takht for Sukhasan. This was confirmed by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) IT wing incharge, Jaskarn Singh.

Conclusion

Outside the sanctum sanctorum, Gandhi was also seen performing seva by cleaning steel grilles. He spent a total of around 15 minutes in this act of service, demonstrating his respect and reverence towards Sikhism. His visit and voluntary services at the Golden Temple not only reflect his personal faith but also echo the values of humility, selfless service and equality that are central to Indian culture and traditions.

In conclusion, Rahul Gandhi's visit to Amritsar's Golden Temple serves as an example of how political leaders can demonstrate their commitment to promoting unity and harmony among diverse religious communities in India. By participating actively in religious rituals and customs, they can foster a sense of shared cultural heritage while promoting mutual respect amongst different faiths.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. An event dedicated to World Habitat Day is being held for the first time in Baku within the Azerbaijan Urban Week, organized jointly by the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan and the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), Trend reports.

The event consists of two sessions and plenary meetings on various topics.

The event is attended by government officials, experts, media representatives from Azerbaijan and foreign countries.

Previously, the 2nd Azerbaijan National Urban Development Forum, themed Sustainable cities as a leading force for economic development and the fight against inequality, as part of the Urban Week events, organized jointly with the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), was held in Zangilan.
Rajasthan: PM Modi Inaugurates Development Projects Worth Over Rs 7,000 Cr In Chittorgarh

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, unveiled a series of development projects valued at over Rs 7,000 crores in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Following this, he addressed a public gathering in the area.

Before delivering his speech in the election-bound state of Rajasthan, PM Modi visited and paid his respects at the Sanwaliya Seth Temple in Chittorgarh. Accompanying him was the state's BJP president, CP Joshi, who also serves as the Lok Sabha MP for Chittorgarh. At the temple, Modi extended greetings to the priests.

According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), later in the day, PM Modi is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 19,260 crore in Madhya Pradesh.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils various development projects worth over Rs 7,000 crores in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. pic.twitter.com/TwgxB2Y4HX  ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

In Chittorgarh, PM Modi will inaugurate the Mehsana-Bathinda-Gurdaspur gas pipeline, constructed at a cost of Rs 4,500 crore, further promoting a gas-based economy. He will also inaugurate Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited's (HPCL) LPG plant in Abu Road. This plant is designed to bottle and distribute 86 lakh cylinders annually, which will lead to a significant reduction in the number of trucks required for transportation, potentially saving around 0.75 million kilometers of travel each year and reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 0.5 million tons annually.

Additionally, PM Modi will inaugurate a four-lane road on NH-12 (new NH-52) along the Darah-Jhalawar-Teendhar section, a project valued at more than Rs 1,480 crore. This road will facilitate the transportation of minerals from Kota and Jhalawar districts, improving trade efficiency.

PM Modi Pays Rich Tributes To Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri

The foundation stones for the expansion of the railway overbridge from two lanes to four in Sawai Madhopur will also be laid. The Prime Minister will inaugurate various railway projects, tourism facilities, and the permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kota.

PM Modi's Visit to Gwalior:

During his visit to Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi will inaugurate the Delhi-Vadodara Expressway, developed at a cost of about Rs 11,895 crore. He will also lay the foundation stone for five distinct road projects worth over Rs 1,880 crore.

'Grih Pravesh' Ceremony:

In alignment with his vision to ensure every family has a solid home, the Prime Minister will initiate the 'grih pravesh' ceremony for over 2.2 lakh homes constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin. He will also inaugurate houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban, with a total cost of about Rs 140 crore.

Drinking Water Initiatives:

To address the government's focus on providing safe and adequate drinking water, Modi will lay the foundation stone for Jal Jeevan Mission projects worth over Rs 1,530 crore in Gwalior and Sheopur districts. These projects are expected to benefit more than 720 villages in the region.

Furthermore, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for nine health centers as part of the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, and inaugurate and launch several other projects.

It's worth noting that assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are expected to be held in November-December.
Watch: Rahul Gandhi Cleans Utensils As Part Of 'Sewa' At Golden Temple

India

oi-Stuti Tripathi

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi paid a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where he offered prayers at Sachkhand Shri Harmandir Sahib.

During his visit, the Wayanad MP actively participated in 'sewa' (service) and was captured washing dishes alongside Gurudwara volunteers, as reported by ANI.

Several videos depicting Rahul Gandhi engaging in the cleaning of utensils at the Golden Temple have circulated on social media, showcasing his hands-on involvement in community service.

In anticipation of his visit, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring posted a message on X (formerly known as Twitter), emphasizing that Rahul Gandhi's trip to Sachkhand Shri Harmandir Sahib was a personal and spiritual one. He urged party workers not to be physically present during this visit, encouraging them to show their support in spirit and meet him on a future occasion.

Shri @RahulGandhi ji is coming to Amritsar Sahib to pay obeisance at Sachkhand Shri Harmandir Sahib. This is his personal, spiritual visit, lets respect his privacy. Request all party workers to not be physically present for this visit. You all can show your support in spirit &  Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (@RajaBrar_INC) October 2, 2023

Rahul Gandhi's recent activities reflect his efforts to connect with various segments of the population in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections. He has been seen participating in various roles, including that of a farmer, laborer, and carpenter, as part of his outreach initiatives. These actions are aimed at strengthening his rapport with the people and garnering support for the Congress party.

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Story first published: Monday, October 2, 2023, 23:09 [IST]
It Is "Extremely Important" For Canada And Its Allies To Engage With India: Canada PM Justin Trudeau

Canadian MP Raises Questions On 'Evidence' Of Nijjar's Killing As Claimed By Justin Trudeau's Ally Jagmeet Sin

International

oi-Stuti Tripathi

Canadian Member of Parliament Kevin Vuong has called on the Justin Trudeau government to provide evidence supporting its allegation that the Indian government may have been involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was fatally shot in June in British Columbia (BC). India has categorically denied Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's claim that the Indian government had a role in Nijjar's murder, which occurred in the parking lot of a gurdwara in Surrey, BC.

Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada's New Democratic Party, an ally of Trudeau's Liberal Party of Canada, has stated that there is a "clear" indication of foreign government involvement in the killing of a Canadian citizen. He has also called for the inclusion of India in a probe initiated in September into alleged interference in Canadian affairs by other countries, particularly China.

Singh said, "In my experience, as a Sikh Canadian, there have always been suspicions that India was interfering in the democratic rights of Canadians," as per a report in HT quoting him.

Kevin Vuong, while questioning Jagmeet Singh on NDTV, stated that if the New Democratic Party possesses "clear evidence" related to Nijjar's death, it has a duty to present it to the appropriate authorities. He wrote on his social media handle X "Canada is a country of #RuleOfLaw. If Jagmeet Singh has "clear evidence" related to Mr. Nijjar's death, he must bring it forward to the appropriate authorities. Being the leader of a political party does not give you the right to be judge, jury & executioner."

Canada is a country of #RuleOfLaw.



If Jagmeet Singh has clear evidence related to Mr. Nijjars death, he has a duty to bring it forward to the appropriate authorities.



Being the leader of a political party does not give you the right to be judge, jury & executioner. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/Ccrzx2eUAi  Kevin Vuong (@KevinVuongMP) October 1, 2023

Tensions escalated between India and Canada following Prime Minister Trudeau's explosive allegations against India. In 2020, India designated Nijjar as a terrorist.

India vehemently rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated" and reciprocated Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat.

WHAT JAGMEET SINGH SAID: Jagmeet Singh's NDP is the fourth-largest party in the House of Commons, the Lower House of the Canadian Parliament.

Speaking about Trudeau's allegations against India, Jagmeet Singh described them as a very serious matter, based on the intelligence briefing he received. "As the Prime Minister (Traudeu) shared publicly, there is Canadian intelligence which indicates that a Canadian citizen was killed on Canadian soil and a foreign government was implicated," said the NDP leader in Ottawa as quoted by HT.

Jagmeet Singh emphasized that Canada will continue to push for transparency from India and underscored that the United States has been supportive of Canada's call for transparency.

The NDP leader mentioned that he received briefings prepared by former Governor-General David Johnston, who had been appointed as a special rapporteur to investigate the issue but has since resigned from the role.

According to Jagmeet Singh, "This is unprecedented intelligence that has come forward and that is why we're going to continue to urge that the Canadian government have a thorough investigation that those responsible are brought forward,"..."The briefings were of the nature where I can confirm what the prime minister has shared publicly, that there is clear intelligence that Canada has that lays out the following case: that a Canadian citizen was killed on Canadian soil and a foreign government was involved ... That intelligence is something that I think is very credible."
Gruelling Week-long Exodus Ends as Last Bus Carries Ethnic Armenians out of Nagorno-Karabakh

Over 100,000 ethnic Armenians have left the Nagorno-Karabakh region following its reclamation by Azerbaijan in a rapid military operation. The last bus carried passengers with severe illnesses and mobility issues into Armenia. Azerbaijani authorities now control the entire region.

International

-Sathish Raman

The last bus carrying ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh departed the region on Monday, signaling the end of a weeklong mass exodus. Over 100,000 people  constituting more than 80 per cent of its residents  have left the area following Azerbaijan's swift military reclamation. The final bus to depart for Armenia transported 15 passengers with severe illnesses and mobility issues, according to Gegham Stepanyan, a human rights ombudsman for what was once a breakaway region that Azerbaijan now refers to as Karabakh.

Accelerated Military Campaign

In an accelerated military campaign that began on September 19, Azerbaijani forces swiftly overpowered the undermanned and outgunned Armenian forces in the regions, compelling them into surrender. Subsequently, the separatist government agreed to disband by year-end; however, Azerbaijani authorities have already assumed control over the territory.

Azerbaijan Establishes Control

Elshad Hajiyev, spokesperson for Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry confirmed this development to The Associated Press on Monday. He stated that their police force has established control across all territories within Karabakh. "Work is conducted to enforce law and order in the entire Karabakh region," he said. Furthermore, he added that Azerbaijani police are working towards ensuring security and protecting rights of remaining Armenian population in accordance with Azerbaijans laws.

The Fallout of Conflict

This mass evacuation follows after weeks of intense conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh - a disputed region internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but populated by ethnic Armenians who declared independence during a war in early 1990s. This recent flare-up has resulted in significant displacement causing humanitarian concerns.

Stepanyan expressed concern about those who may still wish to leave but are struggling to do so, calling for more information about these individuals. While Baku has assured the protection of Armenians under Azerbaijan's law, the mass exodus indicates a deep-seated fear among the Armenian population regarding their future safety and security in an area now controlled by Azerbaijani authorities.

Conclusion

The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh has resulted in significant geopolitical shifts with widespread humanitarian implications. The recent military takeover by Azerbaijan and subsequent mass exodus of ethnic Armenians underscores the complex ethnic tensions that have long characterized this disputed region. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how Azerbaijan will manage its newly reclaimed territory and what measures will be taken to ensure peace, stability and security for all remaining residents.
Peruvian Man Accused of Sending Bomb Threats and Attempting Child Exploitation Arrested by US Officials

Eddie Manuel Nunez Santos has been arrested in Peru on charges of threatening interstate communications, making false information and hoaxes, attempted sexual exploitation of a child. He allegedly threatened young girls on an online gaming platform with bomb threats to extort explicit photos from them.

International

-Sathish Raman

The Department of Justice in the United States recently reported a significant arrest in Peru. Eddie Manuel Nunez Santos, a resident of Lima, is currently facing charges after allegedly sending over 150 bomb threats to various locations across the U.S., including school districts, synagogues, airports, hospitals and even a mall last month.

Modus Operandi

According to investigators, Nunez used an unnamed gaming platform as his primary hunting ground. Posing as a teenage boy by the name of "Lucas", he would approach young girls and request sexually explicit photographs from them. When these girls refused his demands, he resorted to intimidation and threats.

A Dangerous Threat

Court documents reveal that Nunez's threats were not idle ones. He threatened to kill the girls who refused him or blow up their schools among other serious threats. His ultimate aim was to extort child sexual abuse material from them using fear and coercion.

Terror Tactics

Nunez did not stop at merely threatening his victims; he took steps towards making those threats appear real. He sent hoax bomb threats via email or through online forms to several places associated with his victims. The fact that these emails were sent between September 15th and September 21st has been confirmed by court documents.

Breadth of Impact

The geographical spread of this case is extensive with incidents recorded in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Arizona, and Alaska according to court records. Investigators have identified at least four girls on the gaming platform who were targeted by Nunez  some as young as thirteen years old.

Legal Proceedings

An arrest warrant for Nunez was filed in the U.S. Southern District of New York, charging him with threatening interstate communications, making false information and hoaxes, and attempted sexual exploitation of a child. At 33 years old, Nunez is now facing serious charges that could have severe consequences.

In conclusion, this case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking online for young, impressionable minds. It underscores the importance of vigilance when it comes to online safety and highlights the need for stringent security measures on gaming platforms frequented by minors. The swift action taken by investigators across international borders also demonstrates the global commitment towards tackling such heinous crimes.
Protests Outside Indian High Commission In London By Khalistan Supporters

International

oi-Stuti Tripathi

Khalistan supporters gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London, U.K. on Monday to stage a protest. The demonstrators, advocating for an independent Khalistan, were positioned on the opposite side of the High Commission and displayed anti-India signs while chanting slogans. British security forces were present during the protest to maintain order.

The primary objective of the demonstration was to draw attention to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations concerning India's alleged involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a wanted terrorist, in Canada.

India strongly refuted these accusations, describing them as "ridiculous" and "politically motivated." In retaliation for Canada's earlier expulsion of an Indian official in connection with the incident, India expelled a high-ranking Canadian diplomat.

#WATCH | Khalistan supporters have gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London, UK staging a protest. Heavy presence of British security forces at the High Commission. The protesters have been restricted to the opposite side of the High Commission. pic.twitter.com/RfIGXlneHi  ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

In response to Prime Minister Trudeau's accusations, India has temporarily suspended its visa services in Canada. Given the strained relations between the two countries, India has issued a precautionary advisory to its citizens and travelers heading to Canada, urging them to exercise extreme caution. This advisory was prompted by an increase in alleged anti-India activities, politically sanctioned hate crimes, and criminal violence within Canada.

On 29th September, Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Dorwaiswami was obstructed by a group of alleged Khalistani British Sikh activists from entering a Gurudwara in Glasgow, Scotland. The alleged Khalistani activists made it clear that he was "not welcome."

In response to this incident, India officially raised the matter with Rishi Sunak led UK government. Even the Glasgow Gurudwara issued a statement on Sunday "strongly" condemning "such disorderly behaviour to disrupt the peaceful proceedings of a Sikh place of worship".

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had earlier emphasized that Canada has not shared any specific information to substantiate its allegations of Indian involvement. He expressed India's willingness to examine any information related to Canada's claims of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar's killing during an interaction with Indian journalists in Washington.

The protest in London highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding these allegations and their impact on diplomatic relations between India and Canada.

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Story first published: Monday, October 2, 2023, 22:40 [IST]
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New Delhi does not recognize Afghanistan's Taliban rulers, who took power in 2021. The announcement comes amid reports the ambassador and other senior diplomats left India in recent months and sought asylum elsewhere.
European Union foreign ministers are meeting in Kyiv for talks on the country's future membership. Earlier, Russia shelled the southern region of Kherson overnight, killing one person. DW has the latest.
Mayra Flores, a former Republican congresswoman running to reclaim her old Texas seat, said President Biden's support is crumbling in the border regions.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. The Investigation Department of the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan is conducting preliminary investigation of 8 criminal cases related to gross violation of the requirements of the UN International Convention "On Combating the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries" by Armenia, Azerbaijani Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev told Trend.

He said that 17 citizens of foreign countries (Russia, Georgia, France) were brought as defendants in these criminal cases and declared wanted with a measure of restraint in the form of detention, as well as ensured their declaration in the international search through the National Central Bureau of Interpol.

"In their interviews on social networks, these persons stated that they are in the ranks of the Armenian Armed Forces in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. There are photo and video materials testifying to the participation of these persons in military actions. Investigative and operational activities to apprehend and bring these persons to justice are ongoing. In this regard, numerous requests for legal assistance have been sent to the relevant countries," Aliyev said.
A court in the US has ruled that shuttered airline Comair can proceed with its fraud claims against Boeing over a 2013 agreement to buy eight 737 MAX aircraft.
Former US president Donald Trump will appear in a New York court on Monday as a civil fraud trial against him and two of his sons kicks off, with the case threatening the Republican's business empire as he campaigns to retake the White House.
Donald Trump sat in a Manhattan courtroom on Monday and listened to a New York state lawyer accuse him of generating more than $1 billion by lying about his real estate empire, claims the former president called a "scam."
In a fresh bid to curtail illegal gambling transactions, the Norwegian Lottery Authority (Lotteritilsynet) has announced its intent to monitor nine banks within Norway to ascertain their compliance with the prohibition on processing transactions linked to unlicensed gambling operators, in line with the Norway Gambling Act.

Strengthened Oversight:

The Norwegian Lottery Authority is taking definitive steps to enforce the ban on transactions with unlicensed gaming operators by placing nine banks under surveillance. The stipulations drive this initiative in Section 5 of the Norway Gambling Act, which mandates banks to refrain from facilitating deposits and withdrawals connected to unlicensed sites.

Although the regulator has not disclosed the names of the banks or confirmed if any of them have breached the ban, it has emphasized establishing a "supervision of compliance" framework for each financial institution.

Regulatory Powers:

With the authority to instruct banks to block transactions to and from specific accounts and companies, the Lottery Authority has dispatched briefings to the concerned banks. These briefings entail requests for information regarding the measures they have instituted to halt transactions with unlicensed operators, alongside an exposition of their internal processes to ensure compliance with the ban.

Rannveig Gram Skar, a lawyer at Lotteritilsynet, highlighted that while dialogues with Norwegian banks and financial institutions have been ongoing, this marks the first instance of a more in-depth inspection of compliance.

Aiming for Robust Compliance:

The banks have been given three weeks to respond to the regulator's initial queries. Gram Skar expressed anticipation for the banks to comply effectively with the regulator's directives, underlining the importance of the payment intermediary ban in preserving the Norwegian sole proprietorship model in the gambling sector, which aims to curb gambling-related issues and other adverse outcomes.

EGBA's Advocacy for Licensing Model:

In a related development, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) recently implored Norway to transition to a licensing model from its state gambling monopoly. This appeal suggests emulating the frameworks of neighboring nations like Sweden and Finland to broaden the online gambling spectrum and tackle the challenges tied to consumers patronizing unlicensed gambling sites. EGBA Secretary-General Maarten Haijer emphasized that adopting a licensing system would be a constructive approach to addressing the existing issues.

This heightened supervision by the Norwegian Lottery Authority signifies a concerted effort to fortify the legal framework and diminish the menace of illegal gambling transactions, thus fostering a safer gambling landscape in Norway.
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday stated that the current crisis in Manipur is not a clash between ethnic groups, and also not a law-and-order issue of the state, but "purely a war against the Indian Union by Myanmar and Bangladesh based Kuki militants in collaboration with militant groups operating in Manipur".



The Chief Minister said the unrest was instigated by a group of people who want to disintegrate the state, but the crisis has been "made to look like" an ethnic or communal clash, or religion based, or between the "majority and minority groups".

Biren Singh said that "however, with the voice of people, the real cause has come up". Recalling the statement made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament and by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Manipur violence and more importantly the statement of the National Investigation Agency on the arrest of one terror suspect, Seiminlun Gangte, on Saturday, the Chief Minister spoke on the "clear causes" of the crisis.

"As the issue is war against the Indian Union, the Central government would further take up necessary measures to tackle it," he said.

Referring to the arrest of four suspected accused by the CBI in connection with the killing of two young students, including a girl, Biren Singh lauded the swift action taken by the probe agency along with the army, paramilitary forces and the state police. He reiterated the firm stance of the state government to make sure that the culprits are given stringent punishment as per law.

Initially, six persons, including two women, were arrested in connection with the killing of two students, but as two were minor girls, they were handed over to their relatives at Imphal airport.

The Chief Minister appealed to the people to obey the rule of law like seeking permission from concerned Deputy Commissioners while carrying out protests and rallies.

He continued that misunderstanding and confrontation between protesters and security forces could be avoided "if we follow rules".

Meanwhile, in another development, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), an apex body of tribals in Manipur, on Sunday, called an indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur district in protest against the "abduction of 7 Kuki-Zo people including two minors".

The ITLF urged the NIA and CBI to release the seven abductees within 48 hours, "failing which more intense agitation will follow in all hill districts of Manipur".

"All boundary areas with the Meitei inhabited areas will be sealed from tomorrow (Monday). No one will be allowed to enter or leave the buffer zones. All government offices will be closed from tomorrow (Monday)," said Ginza Vualzong, ITLF spokesperson.
First published by Pressenza.

/p>

In this 1.5 hour friendly debate, moderated by Marcy Winograd (coordinator of CODEPINK Congress and co-chair of the Peace in Ukraine Coalition), we hear 3 perspectives debated: 1) Russia had no choice but to invade Ukraine, argued by former CIA analyst Ray McGovern, 2) Ukraine had no choice but to fight Russia, argued by journalist Jim Brooke who works as the Ukraine/Russia columnist for The New York Sun, and 3) Russia and Ukraine both had options better than war, argued by WBW Executive Director David Swanson.

David Swanson argued that Russia and Ukraine both had options better than war during World BEYOND War's annual global conference, #NoWar2023: Nonviolent Resistance to Militarism.

The most disastrous belief, I think, is the one that holds that both Russia and Ukraine have had no choice but to wage this war. If we accepted such beliefs about fighting toddlers in a preschool, can you imagine the society we'd create? Of course, in international affairs, there exists no exact parallel to what the preschool has, namely a teacher. But neither are presidents and members of parliaments supposed to be the exact equivalent of toddlers. They're supposed to be capable of serious contemplation of options and long-term consequences. Whether they actually are or not, we are here to discuss what they should have done, not what they were likely to do, and not what they did. Getting this right has great bearing on what we might get them to do going forward.

The next most dangerous beliefs, I think, are those that either Ukraine or Russia in some particular moment setting aside whatever they had done wrong for years previous, and setting aside that they were already waging war had no choice but to wage war. The fact that both sides in this and every war have believers should at least bring those believers to consider whether the reasons for the other side's error have any parallels on one's own side.

Russia is supposed to have had no choice but to invade Ukraine in a major way in order to push back against the threat from NATO (as recounted perfectly accurately by Ray). But not only was there no immediate threat to Russia from Ukraine or NATO (and long-term concerns, such as those around the growing hostility and weaponry from NATO, allow for all kinds of options) but also even the most casual observer (not to mention Western instigator) could and did accurately predict that a Russian invasion would strengthen NATO and strengthen warmongers in the Ukrainian government. If we accept that Russia had no choice, on what grounds does China have any choice but to immediately attack Taiwan, Japan, Australia, and South Korea?

Ukraine is supposed to have had no choice (once we ignore years of building up toward war and waging a smaller scale war) but to militarily resist the Russian invasion an invasion described by James. The only alternative is widely imagined as collectively going down on knees and meekly pleading "Please don't hurt us." That was and remains a stupid alternative opposed by darn near everyone, including, in his day, by Mohandas Gandhi which is why it is promoted as the only alternative to the profitable weapons business. That Ukraine could have chosen to do something different can be imagined with less effort than we routinely put into art, theater, or children's games. We can consider how close Ukraine was to doing something different and how many times others have done something different, but it will remain the fact that Ukraine didn't, and Russia didn't, that people didn't have the understanding to do it, that powerful forces weighed against it. I'm not here to persuade you that Ukraine almost used unarmed nonviolent resistance or that doing so would have been reasonable, realistic, or familiar. I'm merely here to say that using nonviolence would have been better. Even without the years of investment and preparation that would have been ideal and might have deterred the invasion, for the Ukrainian government and its allies to have put everything into unarmed resistance at the moment of invasion would have been the wiser move.

Unarmed resistance has been used. Coups and dictators have been nonviolently ousted in dozens of places. An unarmed army helped liberate India. In 1997 unarmed peacekeepers in Bougainville succeeded where armed ones had failed. In 2005 in Lebanon, Syrian domination was ended through a nonviolent uprising. In 1923 the French occupation of part of Germany was ended through nonviolent resistance. Between 1987 and 91 nonviolent resistance drove the Soviet Union out of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania and the latter established plans for future unarmed resistance. Ukraine had nonviolently ended Soviet rule in 1990. Some of the tools of unarmed resistance are familiar from 1968 when the Soviets invaded Czechoslovakia.

In polls in Ukraine, prior to the Russian invasion, not only did people know what unarmed resistance was, but more of them favored it than favored military resistance to an invasion. When the invasion happened, there were hundreds of incidents of Ukrainians using unarmed resistance, stopping tanks, etc. World BEYOND War Board Member John Reuwer has learned that unarmed civilians kept the Russian military away from the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant, without a single death, whereas handing that job over to the National Guard resulted in an immediate takeover by the Russians, who fired even on a nuclear plant once there were armed troops there to fire on.

Unprecedented things happen all the time. In the United States, for example, public opposition to war has been reversed in political partisan makeup. We've also seen major media reporting on victims of war in a way almost never seen. But there was near media silence on early unorganized and unsupported attempts at unarmed resistance. What if the attention paid to Ukrainian war heroes was paid to Ukrainian unarmed resister heroes? What if the world of people who want peace were invited to join in the unarmed resistance, and the billions spent on weapons had been spent on that? What if Ukrainians had been asked to host international protectors, people like us with and without any training, rather than to flee their country or join the war?

People would likely have been killed, and for some reason, those deaths would have been deemed far worse. But they would very likely have been far fewer. Thus far in world history, massacres of unarmed resisters are a drop in the bucket compared to war deaths. The path that has been chosen in Ukraine has led to half a million casualties, 10 million refugees, an increased risk of nuclear war, a severing of international cooperation that pretty well dooms us to climate collapse, a diversion of resources globally into militarism, environmental destruction, food shortages, and risk of disaster at a nuclear powerplant.

Russia could have chosen nonviolence. Russia could have continued mocking the daily predictions of an invasion and created worldwide hilarity, rather than invading and making the predictions simply off by a matter of days, could have sent into Donbas many thousands of volunteers and the world's best trainers in nonviolent civil resistance, could have made a motion for a vote in the UN Security Council to halt Ukrainian war-making in Donbas or to democratize the body and abolish the veto, asked the UN to oversee a new vote in Crimea on whether to rejoin Russia, joined the International Criminal Court and asked it to investigate Donbas, etc. Russia could have cut off trade rather than causing the West to do that.

That either side needed only a limited effort to achieve a satisfactory agreement is demonstrated by the fact that they had one in Minsk II, and by the fact that outside pressure was brought to bear to prevent one in the early days of the war and ever since.

The disastrous course chosen by both sides may end in a nuclear apocalypse or in a compromise agreement. In the highly unlikely event that it ends in the overthrow of the Ukrainian or Russian government, or even in territorial lines that don't roughly correspond to what local residents might have voted for without war, it won't end at all.

At this point, some observable action must precede negotiations. Either side could announce a ceasefire and ask that it be matched. Either side could announce a willingness to agree to a particular agreement. Russia did this prior to the invasion and was ignored. Such an agreement would include removal of all foreign troops, neutrality for Ukraine, autonomy for Crimea and Donbas, demilitarization, and lifting of sanctions. Such a proposal by either side would be strengthened by the announcement that it would be using and building its capacity to use unarmed resistance against any violation of the ceasefire.


'Julian Assange'

(Image by Mataparda) Details DMCA



I've been working my way through the upcoming Voice referendum that white Australians will be voting Yea or Nay for come October 14 (the day before Nietzsche's birthday: 'Ray, Amor Fati!). The Voice is an initiative that would "recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders" by offering select members of the Black community an opportunity to be invited by parliamentarians to offer their nonbinding advice on Aboriginal affairs. Apparently, no such Voice yet exists for "the oldest continuous culture on Earth (75,000 years and still going). I note to myself ponderously that dinosaurs have a Voice today through Big Oil and, my, aren't they having their revenge. Montezuma roll over. Everyone over 18 has to vote, or face a $10 fine that can be paid online, if you feel like paying.

It's the first major initiative regarding Aboriginal affairs since PM Kevin Rudd pulled a William Hurt Broadcast News onion-weepy maneuver on the public back on February 13, 2008, telling a TV audience he was, on behalf of all white Australians, "sorry" for the mix-up and confusions of historical materialism that resulted in their meaningless and unnecessary suffering, including a reference to the Stolen Generations, which saw Black children with white blood forcibly removed from their families and put into foster care 'to give them half a chance in life.' Or something like that. Maybe some of these come-of-age stolen genos will be placed on Voice commissions.

Well, that speech was the end of Rudd's career. The Right hated him anyway, and they didn't want him crying in their beer. The ever-diminishing Thinking Left knew his efforts to be, at best, platitudinous. The Aboriginal community largely made gestures that suggested, Never mind all that; pony up with the repos. He was eventually chased away from Animal Farm and given a posting he'd never forget in Mexico, like some far flung Trotsky Snowball. What's That? Oh, Rudd's the current Aussie ambassador to the US. Never mind, as Roseanne Roseannadanna would say.

Aboriginals don't really figure into much here, from what I can see. When there are conferences of one kind or another in a major city, the whiteys bring in an elder to bless the conference and tacitly okay the proceeding after the conference moderator opens by acknowledging the facility is on Aboriginal land and that they thank the "custodians" for allowing them to carry on with palaver here. The elder is given a respectful round applause, seated at a special table for some high end tucker and decent merlot, and handed a packet with cash and an offer of a ride home, as he'd probably find the conference on mental health boring. After counting the money, the elder accepts the offer of a ride back to one of the reservation neighborhoods. Oldest continuous culture.

All of this was havocking through my head, like Dylan's Rolling Thunder Tour, when I read that a contingent of Aussies was heading to America to meet with Rudd, and company there, and to mix with the social circuit of Congressional power players for drinks and bluster musters. They came to town to plead among the clinking glasses for the release of Julian Assange. The contingent includes Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce, Labor MP Tony Zappia, Greens Senators David Shoebridge and Peter Whish-Wilson, Liberal Senator Alex Antic and the independent member for Kooyong, Dr. Monique Ryan. Joyce, the elder statesman, is a former deputy prime minister under Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison. Joyce seems an unlikely Assange cheerleader, as he is a conservative who opposes the Voice, hates abortion, wasn't thrilled about the passage of the referendum on same-sex marriage, and carries all the baggage of any Catholic directed by the dictates of Rome. On the other hand, he doesn't want to ban burkas, says he doesn't favor the death penalty (that's what the mafia's for), and he's cool with medicinal marijuana, although he doesn't appear to be bongulating as much as he should be to pass for hip. I've never heard him say he supports Julian Assange. Him being on the trip makes it seem like the contingent is in America on a junket -- or worse. It's a fairly toothless group, as the Greens no longer have much sway in parliament (once upon a time they held the balance of power, but didn't do much with it), and the independent MP isn't much. One wonders indeed how the contingent became the Voice for Julian Assange. Probably they will be as effective with Congresspeople, with respect to the disposition of Julian's case, as the Aboriginal Voice group will be in parliament. One wonders who put them up to it? John Shipton? Stella Assange? John Pliger?

Meantime, while President Joe Biden, decides whether it would be politically expedient to press the Assange extradition during the re-election campaign ahead or to release him from his fetters, no plans have been announced by the Aussie contingent to make a 5-hour flight to London to visit their now-beloved Julian on their way back to the land of moral chunder. See, there's been very little uproar in Australia over the fate of Assange, other than from the disappearing wits of the academic Left. Now, we hear, Liberal MP Alex Antic utter, "I think we're seeing an incredible groundswell, and we want to see Julian at home as soon as possible." No, we're not, and there's something off about the 'spontaneous' enthusiasm. Or maybe the US has secretly signaled that they will release Assange as a gesture of consolidation in the lead up to the likely coming confrontation with the Red Menace over "Taiwan" and assorted "intellectual property" unexcitements. In this scenario, Australia is likely to lose the ASIO-CIA spy base at Pine Gap and Alice Springs. Boom. Oppenheimer. Barbie. Maybe the Aboriginal Voice group should be brought in to consult on that plausibility. Whitey here doesn't seem to give a sh*t.

As for the sentiment of how glad the tidings would be if dear old ethical hacker and publisher extraordinaire Julian Assange would be allowed to return to his farflung home in Oz to be among the mates again, all ratbagging on about the Americans and their arrogance, half that bar filled with American IC assets and operatives, of which the country is inundated, it's a real question of whether he'd be better off back home. (Australia has the number 2 supply of lithium in the world, albeit most of it is owned by US investors. Hell, pinch me, even the Chileans own some of the lithium stock. But there won't be any nationalization here. Unless, maybe, if Oz were to get nuked over a failed bid to protect Taiwan and Aussies felt betrayed by false promises.) Assange would be looking at laws here that are every bit as Draconian as the US Espionage Act of 1917. Take the 2018 Espionage Act, which has been seen as interfering in "the legitimate conduct of journalists and sources is at real risk of criminalisation under the laws." Imagine the offices of PBS being raided, a report stopped, computers removed, Judy Woodruff manhandled. That kind of thing has already happened here.

With Australia quickly and quietly reposturing its military forces to project an offensive capability in major way for the first time, and reconfiguring its soft socialist safety net (tax dollars have to come from somewhere to pay for the bang-bang), and becoming a base of operations in the Asian Pivot designed to thwart the influence of China in the region, there is less and less of a reason why a still-activist Assange would want to return home to its deepening conservatism and subjugation by the very Empire he fought most of his life to expose for its hypocrisy and bloodletting ways.

Well, drink up, shall we?
A 75-year-old man convicted of rape and murder in the 1980s died in hospice care Wednesday, according to the Oregon Department of Corrections.

Frank Ali Abdul-Rahmaan, formerly known as Frank Hopkins, was serving his sentence at Two Rivers Correctional Institution in Umatilla with an earliest release date of Sept. 30, 2043.

Before coming to Oregon, Abdul-Rahmaan was accused of sexually assaulting and killing a woman in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1985, and was convicted four years later, according to court records and reporting from the News-Sentinel. His case marked the first time DNA evidence was used to identify a murder suspect in Indiana, the news outlet wrote.

The victim, Sharon Lapp, was stabbed several times and had her throat cut, according to the News-Sentinel. An Allen Circuit Court judge issued Abdul-Rahmaan a 60-year sentence for the killing.

Abdul-Rahmaan was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Portland on July 1, 1985, after Lapps death in Indiana. Police at the time said that Abdul-Rahmaan was helping the Oregon woman with yard work. He asked if he could wash his hands inside her home and then threatened the woman with a pocket knife, tied her up and raped her, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported at the time. He also asked the woman for money.

He was arrested in Seattle, and sentenced to 60 years in prison for the rape.

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744

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Alouette, a Northwest Portland bistro known for its Viet-French brunch, has closed after a year and a half in Northwest Portland, according to a message posted to social media.

With much sadness in our hearts, but also with a sense of relief, we want to make an announcement that the time has come, according to the post, which was first spotted by Eater PDX. We want to thank each and everyone of you who has stepped into Alouette, who gave us a chance to celebrate you and the people you love.

The restaurant served its last oysters, steak frites and Champagne last weekend.

Originally opened in May 2022 by a powerhouse group including Wei-En Tan of Stem Wine Bar and Diane Lam of Sunshine Noodles (who soon left for San Francisco), the restaurant has more recently been under the joint operation of Tan and Friendship Kitchen owner Trang Nguyen, who met and married at Alouette last year. The couple plan to start a family.

Sister businesses Stem Wine Bar, 3920 N. Mississippi Ave., and Friendship Kitchen, 2333 N.E. Glisan St., remain open.

 Michael Russell; mrussell@oregonian.com

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Oregon may have been getting some less-than-flattering attention in national media lately, but CBS Sunday Morning featured a more positive story about the Beaver State in the episode that aired on Sunday, Oct. 1.

In a segment of the Jane Pauley-hosted CBS Sunday Morning show, correspondent Conor Knighton visited Ashland to talk with staffers at the Clark R. Bavin National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory, which investigate crimes committed against wildlife.

Knighton describes the staffers as an elite team of super-sleuths, playing up the connection to the CSI TV series, and their tales of forensic investigations. But, on a more serious note, the CBS Sunday Morning piece talks about the how the Ashland facility is the only U.S. federal crime lab devoted to criminal investigations focusing on wildlife.

The segment discusses the multi-billion illegal trade in animals, and how items, including fur coats, ivory carvings, purses and more, are often made from endangered and protected species. The laboratory also is home to an extensive collection of mounted heads of animals and other taxidermy, with everything from bugs to bison.

Another example of the kinds of high-profile crimes against animals are the charges that sent Joe Exotic, of the Netflix series, Tiger King, to prison. Though Exotic -- whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage -- was convicted of a murder-for-hire plot against animal rights activist Carole Baskin, he was also found guilty on other charges, including killing five tigers.

In the CBS Sunday Morning segment, Knighton mentions that a staffer at the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory recalls working on a case involving a tiger skull with a bullet wound that appeared very similar to the details of what Exotic was accused and convicted of doing to tigers.

Oregon was also the focus of another recent CBS Sunday Morning segment, with the August rebroadcast of a story featuring Luke Burbank, who also hosts the mostly Portland-based radio and variety show, Live Wire, talking with Portlands Laurie Wolf, whose work in cooking with cannabis has earned her the nickname, The Martha Stewart of marijuana edibles.

Want to watch the entire CBS Sunday Morning Oct. 1 episode? Stream CBS Sunday Morning on Paramount Plus.

 Kristi Turnquist

503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Three years ago, we completed the main task of our life. We restored our territorial integrity, which was violated for almost 30 years. We suffered aggression, occupation, ethnic cleansing, which was a big tragedy for our nation and a big humanitarian catastrophe. We tried for many years to find a peaceful solution to the conflict and to put an end to occupation by peaceful means, said President Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the opening ceremony of the 74th International Astronautical Congress in Baku, Trend reports.

For 28 years, we were strongly committed to negotiation process, but unfortunately, we clearly realize that by peaceful means, it is not possible to do. So, we used our right for self-defense, we used the right, which is given to every country by the UN Charter - right for self-defense - and liberated our territories three years ago, and put an end to occupation. Just the less than one months ago, we fully restored our sovereignty over the country, all over the country, the head of state underlined.

Unfortunately, international organizations, which were obliged to put an end to occupation, did not produce any results. The United Nations Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from our territories, but these resolutions were not implemented for 27 years. We implemented those resolutions ourselves, sacrificing the lives of our people, the President of Azerbaijan added.
Rap superstars Wu Tang Clan and Nas are coming to Portlands Moda Center as part of their N.Y. State of Mind tour on Tuesday, October 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are still currently available for the stadium show at a few different price points starting at around only $90-$100 per seat.

Through a special arrangement, if you are purchasing tickets for the first time through VividSeats, use our special discount promo code Oregon20 at checkout to save $20 on orders of $200 or more for the event you plan on attending.

 Get tickets to see Wu Tang Clan and Nas in Portland: Buy tickets now from VividSeats and Stubhub, or from Ticketmaster.

Wu Tang Clan is an American rap and hip-hop supergroup considered legendary by many in the music genre. Consisting of RZA, Ol Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, GZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, Masta Killa, and U-God, the group is best known for their songs C.R.E.A.M., Triumph, Protect Ya Neck, Wu-Tang Clan Aint Nuthing Ta F Wit, and Method Man. They will be joined on their N.Y. State of Mind tour by Nas, the American East Coast rapper whose career spans over 30 years. Get tickets to see them at the Moda Center on October 17.

Upcoming events, concerts, and shows:

Every major show and concert coming to Portland in Fall 2023

How to buy tickets for Taylor Swifts 2024 Eras Tour dates right now

Every major show coming to Portlands Moda Center in Fall 2023

Tool performs in Portland Oct 19, tickets still available for Moda Center show
Travel website Trips to Discover named the 16 best Halloween events in the U.S., and one Oregon event made the list. The honor goes to the monthlong celebration Spirit of Halloweentown, hosted every year in the Columbia River community of St. Helens, about 25 miles outside of Portland.

The event is inspired by the 1998 Disney Channel movie Halloweentown, which filmed on location in St. Helens. The movie starred Debbie Reynolds as a witch training her 13-year-old granddaughter in the familys magical ways while saving the townsfolk of Halloweentown. The movie spawned three sequels and became a beloved TV holiday classic.

READ MORE: Halloweentown: 9 reasons why the TV movie is still magical

Halloween fans packed the streets of Saint Helens for the 2019 Spirit of Halloweentown Parade.Mark Graves

Starting in mid-September, downtown St. Helens transforms into Halloweentown, with a courthouse square filled with spooky statues and a grand jack-o-lantern sculpture (just like in the movie), which is lit to kick off the month of October. This years festivities will include a special tribute for the 25th anniversary of the release of the film.

And St. Helens has another claim to spooky fame: It was one of the main filming locations from the vampire movie Twilight. Though the movie is set Forks, Washington, many locations, including the home of Kristen Stewarts character Bella Swan, are actually in St. Helens. (And, yes, you can spend the night there via Airbnb.) Over the years, some of the actors from the Twilight film series have made appearances during Spirit of Halloweentown events.

Spirit of Halloweentown, a festival that runs the length of the month of October in St. Helens, OR, began the night of Saturday October 1, 2016. The festival is a celebration of a 1998 Disney Channel film called "Halloweentown" that was filmed in St. Helens. It features a giant, lit-up jack-o-lantern in the middle of the town square that is similar to one that appeared in the movie.LC- The Oregonian

HERE IS OREGON: HereisOregon.com | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok

The first Spirit of Halloweentown parade was organized in 1998 by the St. Helens Merchants Association, Chamber of Commerce and local civic organizations to celebrate the release of the movie. The event went dark for the next few years, until Spirit of Halloweentown was revived by the City of St. Helens Tourism Committee as a one-day celebration. When the Tourism Committee disbanded, the City of St. Helens took over management of the festival.

Actress Kimberly J. Brown, who played the 13-year-old heroine Marnie in the Disney Channel movie, makes an appearance at "Spirit of Halloweentown."LC-

In 2015, actress Kimberly J. Brown, who played the 13-year-old heroine Marnie in the Disney Channel movie, returned to host festivities and greet fans, and the event went viral. Spirit of Halloweentown is now bigger than ever, and the city contracts with E2C Productions to manage festivities.

The free Halloween Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7, travels along Columbia Boulevard, and ends at the downtown plaza for the lighting of the Big Pumpkin at 7:30 p.m.

The weekend of Oct. 21-22 will feature a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the original movie, with the actors who played Sophie, Dylan, Luke and Marnie available for paid photos and autographs, and special screenings of the movie in The Columbia Theater, which is featured in the films climatic ending.

At the Spirit of Halloweentown, held in St. Helens Saturday night, actors who appeared in the film that inspired the festival, "Halloweentown," were on hand to pay tribute to co-star Debbie Reynolds, who died last year. Beth Nakamura LC-LC-

Oct. 27-29 is Witches Weekend with an appearance by paddleboarding witches along the Columbia River. Kids are invited to join the Little Trick or Treaters Parade starting at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at 1st and St. Helens streets.

A variety of street performers and vendors will be at Spirit of Halloweentown every weekend throughout October. (Note that due to construction downtown, visitors are asked to pay for parking at 1810 Old Portland Road and take a free shuttle downtown.) For a full list of events and performer appearances, and to purchase tickets to various meet and greets, haunted houses, parking passes and experiences, visit spiritofhalloweentown.com.

READ MORE

CORRECTION: Twilight is not set in a fictional Washington town, it is set in the real town of Forks, Washington!

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-- Samantha Swindler, sswindler@oregonian.com, @editorswindler
Two scientists won the Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for discoveries that enabled the creation of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 that were critical in slowing the pandemic  technology thats also being studied to fight cancer and other diseases.

Hungarian-American Katalin Kariko and American Drew Weissman were cited for contributing to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health, according to the panel that awarded the prize in Stockholm.

What is the Nobel for?

The panel said the pairs groundbreaking findings ... fundamentally changed our understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system.

Traditionally, making vaccines required growing viruses or pieces of viruses and then purifying them before next steps. The messenger RNA approach starts with a snippet of genetic code carrying instructions for making proteins. Pick the right virus protein to target, and the body turns into a mini vaccine factory.

But in early experiments with animals, simply injecting lab-grown mRNA triggered a reaction that usually destroyed it. Kariko, a professor at Szeged University in Hungary and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and Weissman, of the University of Pennsylvania, figured out a tiny modification to the building blocks of RNA that made it stealthy enough to slip past immune defenses.

Kariko, 68, is the 13th woman to win the Nobel Prize in medicine. She was a senior vice president at BioNTech, which partnered with Pfizer to make one of the COVID-19 vaccines. Kariko and Weissman, 64, met by chance in the 1990s while photocopying research papers, Kariko told The Associated Press.

Why do MRNA vaccines matter?

Dr. Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at Britains University of East Anglia, described the mRNA vaccines made by BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna Inc. as a game changer in shutting down the coronavirus pandemic, crediting the shots with saving millions of lives.

We would likely only now be coming out of the depths of COVID without the mRNA vaccines, Hunter said.

John Tregoning, of Imperial College London, called Kariko one of the most inspirational scientists I have met. Her work together with Weissmann shows the importance of basic, fundamental research in the path to solutions to the most pressing societal needs, he said in a statement.

The duos pivotal mRNA research was combined with two other earlier scientific discoveries to create the COVID-19 vaccines. Researchers in Canada had developed a fatty coating to help mRNA get inside cells to do its work. And studies with prior vaccines at the U.S. National Institutes of Health showed how to stabilize the coronavirus spike protein that the new mRNA shots needed to deliver.

Dr. Bharat Pankhania, an infectious diseases expert at Exeter University, predicted the technology used in the vaccines could be used to refine vaccines for other diseases like Ebola, malaria and dengue, and might also be used to create shots that immunize people against certain types of cancer or auto-immune diseases including lupus.

Peter Maybarduk, at the Washington advocacy group Public Citizen, welcomed the recognition of mRNA vaccines, but said the award should also be deeply embarrassing for Western countries.

This is a technology that should have been available to all of humanity but it was almost exclusively available only in the richest countries in the world, he said, adding that much of the funding that led to the development of mRNA technology came from U.S. public funds.

How did Kariko and Weissman react?

The future is just so incredible, Weissman said. Weve been thinking for years about everything that we could do with RNA, and now its here.

Kariko said her husband was the first to pick up the early morning call, handing it to her to hear the news. She then watched the announcement to make sure she wasnt being pranked.

I was very much surprised. But I am very happy.

Kariko said she was the one to break the news to Weissman, since she got in touch before the Nobel committee could reach him.

The two have collaborated for decades, with Kariko focusing on the RNA side and Weissman handling the immunology: We educated each other, she said.

Before COVID-19, mRNA vaccines were already being tested for other diseases like Zika, influenza and rabies  but the pandemic brought more attention to this approach, Kariko said. Its also being tested for cancer immunotherapy.

There was already clinical trials before COVID, but people were not aware, she said.

Kariko's family are no strangers to high honors. Her daughter, Susan Francia, is a double Olympic gold medalist in rowing, competing for the United States.

The prize carries a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million)  from a bequest left by the prizes creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. The laureates are invited to receive their awards at ceremonies on Dec. 10, the anniversary of Nobels death.

Nobel announcements continue with the physics prize on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday and literature on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Friday and the economics award on Oct. 9.

-- The Associated Press
Sean Aaron Cruz, 75, remembers the exact moment he first heard Jim Peppers iconic song Witchitai-To.

He had traveled to see jazz guitarist Larry Corryell open for Chuck Berry at a roller rink concert in San Rafael, California, with his girlfriend in the 1970s, where an unknown Native American musician was introduced on stage. The opening sound of chanting filled the venue, followed by Peppers thrilling tenor saxophone. People in the crowd who moments earlier had been impatiently heckling the opening band stood up to dance, sing and chant. Cruz said the song, saturated with the unique eagle tone of Peppers instrument, reverberated through him.
Some of the same problems that have plagued previous Multnomah County homeless services investments show up in the $63 million package approved last week by the countys board of commissioners.

Theres no overarching strategy to show how the investments will work together to end homelessness. The package sends another $8 million to rent assistance despite unanswered questions of how those dollars are actually spent and what they achieve. And the package falls short on behavioral health by not funding a sobering center, where people who are intoxicated or in mental health crisis can stabilize in a safe environment. Establishing such an alternative has been a top concern for police and firefighters who have few options to take those in crisis beyond emergency rooms, jail or leaving them on the street, as The Oregonian/OregonLives Maxine Bernstein reported.

But flawed as it may be, the package represents a sea change in attitude from a county commission that has long seemed impervious to the chaos of street camping. The commissioners approved using $20 million for new shelter alternatives to house hundreds more people  a massive investment in what has traditionally been a second-tier priority for the county. And notably, they are devoting most of those funds to Portland officials to open two mass sites for sanctioned homeless camping, adding to a $4.7 million commitment they made last month. Thats a remarkable reversal for the commission which, less than one year ago under the leadership of then-Chair Deborah Kafoury, resoundingly rejected Portland Mayor Ted Wheelers request to help pay for such encampments.

The package also provides nearly $7 million for a new stabilization center to provide recovery services for those discharged from emergency rooms who might otherwise return to the streets. The center would also include eight beds for sobering purposes which, while insufficient for the profound need, marks an important step forward. And the package provides a down payment on a full-scale 24/7 sobering center by allocating $150,000 for design and planning, an effort that Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards will lead. Additional funds for recovery housing and $3.3 million for nonprofits that provide meals and day services to the homeless round out some of the other much-needed investments.

While this isnt a fully drawn-out strategy, the plan reflects a broader vision that addresses some of the holes in our system, prepares for the consequences of no-camping policies and recognizes the impacts of unsanctioned camping on the overall community. It also backs up Chair Jessica Vega Pedersons promise to collaborate more closely with Portland officials with real dollars. After years of a frosty city-county relationship that hurt the regions ability to comprehensively fight homelessness, the countys actions last week mark a welcome break from the past. Imperfections aside, this package is progress.

A number of factors helped drive this change, starting with the publics growing frustration. Weekly testimony, emails and conversations with commissioners have made clear that community members are angry over the countys lack of progress in addressing homelessness, despite a budget of $262 million in the last fiscal year.

The steady and often lonely advocacy by Commissioner Sharon Meieran for greater investments in alternative shelters and behavioral health supports also shaped last weeks outcome. Along with Brim-Edwards, who joined the county board in June, the two have emphasized the need for a continuum of housing that gets people off Portlands streets and into shelter where they can access services and transition into permanent housing. Ironically, Meieran, who vehemently objected to the plans omission of a sobering center, cast the only no vote against the package. While her points are well-taken, there are so many gaping holes in our behavioral health system that need to be filled. The modest progress built into last weeks spending plan helps keep the sobering center moving forward.

Vega Pederson, too, deserves credit for taking the bold step of inviting her fellow commissioners to hash out spending priorities in public work sessions and being willing to negotiate the final package. The result is a more collaborative plan that reflects the priorities of all of them  Vega Pederson as well as Meieran, Brim-Edwards, Susheela Jayapal and Lori Stegmann  and, by extension, the constituents they represent. Certainly, commissioners questioning of one another and debating of priorities did not make for an easy or painless process. But their contributions and candid discussions not only improved the result, but also informed the public about the difficult tradeoffs they face  an invaluable benefit that only boosts the publics trust.

By involving all of the county commissioners in the crafting of this plan, Vega Pederson also gives them a stake in its success and motivation to provide the oversight and accountability needed to keep efforts on track. That may ultimately be one of the most far-reaching changes worth celebrating.

-The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

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Details from your article on Gabriel B. Owens bear repeating, (Oregon man awarded $10.5M in Mt. Hood Skibowl lawsuit accused in DUII crash that killed woman, Sept. 19). The article said he has been charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants three times before, in 2001, 2006 and 2014; the first case and second cases were diverted to a treatment program and he received probation and 10 days in jail for the third. The article also said he has racked up more than a dozen traffic violations over the years, including for driving with a suspended license and speed racing.

Congratulations to all who may have helped this person continue to drive. He has now been charged in Clackamas County with DUII, reckless driving and first-degree manslaughter in the killing of a young woman, Kira Haston. Will he pay a price or escape consequences?

Susan Y. Anderson, Milwaukie

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
A 4.7-magnitude earthquake roiled ocean waters off the coast of Oregon Sunday.

The temblor struck at 5:49 p.m. about 196 miles from Bandon at a depth of just over 6 miles, according to the United States Geological Survey. There are no reports of damage or that anyone on land felt it.

The quake occurred along the Blanco Fracture Zone, a system of strike-slip faults off Cape Blanco in southern Oregon.

Earthquakes of magnitude 4.0-4.9 are considered light. Such quakes off the Oregon coast are common and suggest continued strain building along the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

Experts say theres a 10-15% likelihood of a severe earthquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone in the next 50 years. Such a quake might devastate much of the Oregon coast and cause significant damage in Portland.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. The preliminary investigation into the criminal case against a member of Armenian armed formations, Vagif Khachatryan, has been completed and sent for consideration to the Baku Military Court, the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan, Kamran Aliyev, said, Trend reports.

According to Aliyev, a criminal group of armed military formations that involved Khachatryan and were not provided for by the legislation of Azerbaijan, which consisted of Armenian nationalists who resided in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region and persons who came from Armenia, committed massacres, persecutions, evictions, and violations of international humanitarian law norms against Azerbaijani residents of Meshali village (Khojaly district).

The prosecutor's general noted that as a result of the above crimes, 27 people were intentionally killed, 21 people suffered bodily injuries of varying degrees of severity, two residents of the village were taken hostage, and 340 people (81 households) were internally displaced from their permanent places of residence. The village residents suffered material damage in the total amount of over 13.5 million manats ($7.9 million), and the state suffered 130,800 manats ($76,940).

"On November 12, 2013, a decision was made to involve Khachatryan as an accused person under Articles 103 and 107 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. On November 14, 2013, by the decision of the Narimanov District Court of Baku, he was remanded in custody, and on November 21 of the same year, he was released from custody," Aliyev said. "He was declared wanted in the same year, and the relevant documents were sent to the Main Criminal Investigation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Central Bureau of Interpol in Azerbaijan."

"On July 29, 2023, Khachatryan was detained at the Lachin checkpoint when trying to enter the territory of Armenia due to his health condition and was presented to the investigation. On the same day, he was charged under Articles 103 and 107 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, and pre-trial detention for a period of three months was ordered," the prosecutor's general pointed out.

"On September 22 of this year, the accused Khachatryan was again charged with the relevant articles of the Criminal Code, and on September 29, the preliminary investigation into the criminal case was completed and sent to the Baku Military Court for consideration," the official added.

Aliyev also emphasized that Khachatryan will be duly sentenced in accordance with criminal legislation.

Khachatryan, as a member of Armenian armed formations, organized the massacre of Azerbaijanis in Meshali village on December 22, 1991.

During the massacre, 25 persons of Azerbaijani nationality were killed, 14 suffered bodily injuries of various degrees, and 358 Azerbaijanis were expelled from their places of legal residence without grounds provided for by international legal norms and laws of Azerbaijan.

In connection with the emergence of sufficient grounded suspicions, a decision was made to bring Khachatryan as an accused under Articles 103 (genocide) and 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of population) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

By a court decision, he was remanded in custody, and namely, within this criminal case, he was detained by the servicemen of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan at the Lachin border checkpoint of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border on July 29 this year while trying to enter the territory of Armenia for medical treatment through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
New York, US (PANA) - Commemorating Mondays International Day of Non-Violence, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged all nations to unite around our common humanity to achieve a more peaceful future
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA)  An inquiry has been set up to investigate the circumstances around last months tragedy when three sailors were killed when a freak wave hit a navy submarine off the Cape Town coast
Photo: (Photo : Scott Olson / Getty Images )

A devastating turn of events occurred in central Illinois when an anhydrous ammonia truck crash led to the heartbreaking loss of a father and his two children.

The calamity not only shattered this family but also alarmed residents regarding the potential risks posed by such vehicles carrying hazardous materials on Illinois roads.

This tragic event has cast a shadow over the state, particularly given the potential hazards associated with the substance. Consequently, large sections of an Illinois community were swiftly evacuated as a safety precaution.

The incident, which involved five people directly in the crash, underscores the risks of transporting such volatile materials on public roadways.

A Heart-wrenching Loss for the State

Among the five tragic deaths reported from the anhydrous ammonia truck crash in Illinois, the most heart-wrenching was the loss of a father and his two children, all below the age of 12.

The Effingham County coroner's office conveyed the magnitude of the incident, revealing that in addition to the fatalities, another five individuals were airlifted to various hospitals across Illinois.

Their conditions, as of the latest reports, remain undisclosed. The identities of some victims, including the father and two children, are yet to be released officially. Initial information suggests that three of the deceased were from Illinois, while the remaining had traveled from out of state.

Illinois Roads: Safety Concerns Amid Anhydrous Ammonia Leaks

The aftermath of the anhydrous ammonia truck crash caused considerable panic and disruptions in south-central Illinois. There's no concrete evidence pointing to the anhydrous ammonia directly causing fatalities. However, the subsequent leak from the rolled-over truck led to widespread evacuations.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is on high alert, estimating that of the 7,500 gallons the truck was carrying, nearly 4,000 gallons were released into the environment. This hazardous substance, predominantly used as a base for nitrogen fertilizer, can cause severe skin burns, eye irritations, and respiratory issues when exposed.

The North Dakota State University Department of Agriculture has previously issued warnings about the high risks associated with anhydrous ammonia, especially its ability to turn fatal when inhaled in significant concentrations.

Read Also: Federal Appeals Court Upholds Bans on Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors in Kentucky, Tennessee

Residents' Evacuation and Road Closures in Illinois

The Anhydrous Ammonia Truck Crash had immediate consequences for the Illinois residents living within a one-mile radius of the accident site. Approximately 500 people were evacuated from their homes, with orders expected to remain in place until further notice.

The U.S. Highway 40, a significant transport route between Teutopolis and Montrose, has been temporarily closed. Illinois State Police have issued advisories urging the public to avoid this area for safety concerns.

A specialized team from the National Transportation Safety Board, equipped to deal with hazmat situations and comprising motor carrier and survival-factor investigators, is on-site. Their primary goal is to unravel the causes behind the anhydrous ammonia truck crash in Illinois and ensure such incidents can be prevented in the future.

Crews are tirelessly working to manage the leak, with first responders attending to the situation with utmost urgency.

As the state of Illinois mourns the loss of a father and two children, this tragic event emphasizes the need for stringent safety measures and protocols to ensure the well-being of all its residents.

Related Article: Oxford High School Shooting: Court Weighs on Ethan Crumbley's Possible Life Sentence
In a continued effort to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education across the nation, government will hold it's second STEM Road Show, at Abomosu Senior High School in the Eastern Region on Monday, October 2, 2023.



Building on the success of the nationwide STEM promotion Roadshow launched earlier this year, this event will concentrate on illuminating the vast array of career opportunities within STEM for beneficiaries.



The inaugural Roadshow, which kicked off at Accra Senior High School on June 22, 2023, marked the beginning of a nationwide initiative aimed at fostering a culture of innovation and driving socio-economic transformation through enhanced education and innovation and exhibiting to Ghanaians the huge investment made in the sector.







The event garnered significant attention as it engaged students, educators, and communities in interactive exhibitions, workshops, and seminars focused on various STEM disciplines, including robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy.



This upcoming event at Abomosu Senior High School will build on that momentum, concentrating on the career prospects within STEM fields. It will provide students with valuable insights into the numerous opportunities that STEM education can unlock, showcasing the potential for rewarding and impactful careers.



Government officials, educators, and representatives from various industries are expected to attend the event. They will share their experiences, knowledge, and expertise with students, helping them make informed decisions about their future career paths.



The government's commitment to improving STEM education extends beyond the Road Show, with initiatives aimed at enhancing teacher training programs, increasing access to quality educational resources, and strengthening partnerships with the private sector. These efforts align with the broader vision of creating an enabling environment for STEM education in the country.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A total of 152 of the 366 public Kindergarten schools in the Northeast Region have classes under trees. Most districts in the Northeast Region suffer from an infrastructure deficit due to a lack of funding.



As per EMIS data from the Ghana Education Service for 2022, Kindergarten enrolment in the North East Region is approximately 36,060 pupils, of which 18,067 are boys and 17,993 are girls.



The development which was revealed during the Regional Stakeholders Forum on Early Childhood Education in the region further indicated that there are 563 qualified trained KG teachers in the region and 53 untrained KG teachers.



The forum organized by Children Believe Ghana with funding from KOICE also touches on the need to improve the quality of care, teaching and learning, and infrastructure at the Early Childhood Education centers in the North-East region.



The Country manager for Children Believe Ghana, Esenam Kavi De-Souza urged the Assemblies to prioritize early childhood education in their planning and budgeting activities.



Chereponi district has the highest number of schools under trees in the North-East Region with 58, followed by West Mamprusi with 23 and Bunkapurigu / Nakpanduri with 22.



As a result, East Mamprusi Municipal is at the bottom of the list with 12 schools under trees, followed by Mamprugu Moaduri with 18 and Yunyoo-Nasuan with 19.



The North East Regional Coordinator for Early Childhood Education, Mumuni Zakaria in an interview with GHOne News explained that the region does not have enough teachers at the KG level and most teachers posted in the area have a challenge with the language.



The regional Stakeholders forum was on the theme: Achieving SDG 4  Building a Solid Foundation for Children, A Call to Invest in Early Childhood Education.





Source: starrfm









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Letters should be sent to the members of all inter-parliamentary friendship groups regarding the spreading lies of Armenia, Speaker of the Milli Majlis (Parliament), Sahiba Gafarova said, Trend reports.

"There's enough evidence of these lies," she said.

She noted that it is necessary to convey the true facts to everyone, especially to European countries.

"Each of us (members of parliament), should send such letters. We should try to reach out to the international media, and not only to these groups," said Gafarova.

Will be updated
"The percentage of Science students, this year, has risen to some fifteen percent (15%), and it is expected to increase even further to some twenty-four percent (24%) in 2024" says President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



This according to him, is due to the "creation of a STEM pipeline to increase STEM enrolment at tertiary education level, through pre-engineering programmes, which will target Senior High School Graduates in General Arts, Visual Arts and Business"



In a post on his Facebook page, he wrote:



On Saturday, I attended the 85th anniversary celebration of Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School, Legon. PRESEC has become, for me and for many Ghanaians, one of the best senior high schools, if not the best, in Ghana. The credit for this goes to past and present management, teaching and non-teaching staff, alumni and students.



In order to attain our objective of building an industrialised nation, Government is increasing its emphasis on science and technology education and technical and vocational training. We intend to put science, technology, education and mathematics (STEM) education in its central, relevant place.



Training students with 21st century skills is essential in preparing our future workforce for the 4th Industrial Revolution through STEM education. The percentage of General Science students in our schools has been some twelve percent (12%) for some time. The percentage of Science students, this year, has risen to some fifteen percent (15%), and it is expected to increase even further to some twenty-four percent (24%) in 2024.



This is being made possible through



(1) the creation of a STEM pipeline to increase STEM enrolment at tertiary education level, through pre-engineering programmes, which will target Senior High School Graduates in General Arts, Visual Arts and Business;



(2) the operationalisation of four (4) newly constructed STEM Model Schools, and the conversion of three



(3) existing schools into STEM Model Schools. There are some two thousand, four hundred (2,400) students enrolled to study General Science and STEM in the seven (7) schools; (3) the completion of ten (10) regional STEM Centres to train a complete STEM pipeline from primary through JHS to SHS;



(4) the construction of Model Junior High Schools to replace clusters of basic schools and equipping the existing schools for STEM programmes; and



(5) the retooling of science laboratories (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) of one hundred and eighty (180) selected Senior High Schools, including Presbyterian Boys Senior High School.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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In a show of solidarity, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and flagbearer hopeful of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), joined Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a defeated flagbearer aspirant, at his residence today for the 10th Anniversary Memorial Service of Kwabenas late mother.



The memorial service, held at the residence of Mr Agyepong in Asokore Mampong, Ashanti Region, was attended by a host of dignitaries, family, and friends who came to pay their respects and honour the memory of the departed.



Vice President Bawumia expressed his condolences to Mr Agyepong and his family. He commended Agyepong for organizing the event to honour his late mother and extended his support and solidarity during this period of mourning.



In his remarks, Vice President Bawumia spoke highly of the late mother, acknowledging her role in shaping Engineer Agyepongs life and the impact she had on the community.



He highlighted the importance of family and the need to remember and cherish the memories of loved ones who have passed away.



Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a prominent figure in the New Patriotic Party, was also present at the event and expressed gratitude to Vice President Bawumia for his presence.



Agyepong thanked all those who came to pay their respects and shared fond memories of his mother, recounting her dedication to her family and community.



The memorial service was filled with heartfelt prayers, hymns, and tributes that celebrated the life and legacy of Engineer Agyepongs late mother.



The gathering served as a poignant reminder of the importance of honoring loved ones and maintaining strong bonds within the community.



The presence of Vice President Bawumia at the memorial service underscored the unity and solidarity within the New Patriotic Party, as he stood side by side with Mr Agyepong, despite their political differences. It also highlighted the Vice Presidents commitment to fostering strong relationships within the party and the nation as a whole.



As the memorial service concluded, attendees expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to remember and celebrate the life of Kwabena Agyepongs late mother. The event served as a reminder of the shared values and sense of community that binds Ghanaians together in times of joy and sorrow.



The 10th Anniversary Memorial Service for Kwabena Agyei Agyepongs mother will be remembered as a solemn and touching occasion, where political boundaries were set aside, and unity and solidarity took center stage.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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Senegal's navy says it has intercepted four boats over three days with more than 600 people on board.



They were attempting the treacherous crossing to Spain's Canary Islands - a gateway to Europe.



Footage on social media on Saturday showed other would-be migrants jumping off a boat that had run aground in Senegal's coastal city of St Louis.



Witnesses say winds forced them back and they wanted to avoid arrest by the navy, which has stepped up patrols.



"We were at the beach chilling when suddenly we saw a pirogue [wooden style boat] arriving with migrants on board. When they got closer to the shore, they were frantically jumping into the water," a 19-year-old Saint Louis resident told the Reuters news agency.



"We all rushed to witness this although here, it's common."



At the end of July, the government put forward a 10-year plan to combat irregular migration, including stronger border management.



Since early 2023, at least 140 migrants attempting the Atlantic crossing have died or gone missing, according to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM).



In August alone, more than 2,690 people made it to the Canary Islands from Senegal and Morocco, according to the InfoMigrants news site.



This was more than double the number of arrivals in the same month last year, it said.



Last month, the brother of a Senegalese man who died after a boat on which he was travelling drifted at sea for more than a month told the BBC despite the dangers, he would still attempt the trip himself as it was impossible to make a living in Senegal.

Source: BBC









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In February 2008, during the final year of the last term of John Agyekum Kufuor, he hosted the sitting President of the United States at the time, George Bush, and his wife.



During the visit, the US president and his wife were hosted to a state dinner where the POTUS briefly said something about the First Lady Theresa Kufuor, who has just been announced dead.



Theresa Kufuor, who was a retired midwife, is reported to have died at the age of 88 at home, although there has not been an official statement to this effect yet.



During that visit to Ghana, President George Bush delivered a short speech at the state dinner, where he celebrated the hospitality of the people of Ghana.



I don't think I have been to a country where the people have been more friendly, more open. We appreciate so very much your hospitality, and I really appreciate the George Bush Motorway, he said.



Before he concluded his address, he described Theresa Kufuor, the First Lady as gracious, while thanking the Ghanaian people.



I thank you for your leadership. I thank you for your kindness. And I offer a toast to you, your gracious wife, and to the noble people of Ghana. God bless, he concluded.



Having tied the knot on September 8, 1962, the second first couple of the fourth republic had barely three weeks back celebrated their 61st anniversary as a couple.



The former president once revealed that he married Theresa a year after they got to know each other.



In an interview with Adom TV's Afia Amankwah Tamakloe, Kufuor disclosed that they met at a Republic Day Anniversary Dance in 1961 in London.



He added that he had just completed his law course the same year Theresa finished her nursing programme in Scotland.



We got talking at the dance and became friends who got married in 1962 and gave birth to our first child in 1963, the second in 1964," myjoyonline.com quoted him to have said.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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Ambassador Virginia Palmer was joined President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Ghana Navy officials in Sekondi to commission two new security ships.



The boundary class ships provided by the United States Government will improve maritime security in Ghanas territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea.



Piracy and illegal fishing pose a persistent threat to Ghanas prosperity. These 86-foot ships will help the Ghana Navy increase patrols to address these threats, said Palmer at the commission event at the Naval Base in Sekondi.



Following sea trials and joint training with the U.S. Navy, the ships were commissioned into the Ghana Navy this morning.



The United States and Ghana are working together to address maritime security concerns in the Gulf of Guinea through joint training, technical assistance, financial support, and naval exercises. Visiting the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) last month, Ambassador Palmer announced more than $6 million for construction, equipment, and training for the Ghana Navy.



The United States strongly supports Ghanas leading role in regional security and peacekeeping.



The United States strongly supports Ghanas leading role in regional security and peacekeeping.



In 2023, the United States will provide $20 million in training, equipment, and technical assistance for the Ghana Armed Forces.

Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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Old Mutual, a leading life insurance and pensions trust company, joins forces with the Ghana-Sweden Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit organization that ensures significant and progressive partnerships between Ghana and Sweden, to hold a networking cocktail event with the members of the chamber at the Holiday Inn in Accra.



The event is part of the many initiatives that Old Mutual has planned this year to solidify its vision of being the customers first choice to sustain, grow and protect their prosperity. To entrench that vision and position itself as a lifestyle brand, Old Mutual has embarked on very strategic partnerships and collaborations to creatively gain new businesses and provide the utmost value to retain existing customers, hence the event with the Ghana-Sweden Chamber of Commerce.



The chamber comprises members and corporates of high standards and good reputations in their respective industries. Old Mutual was privileged to engage, network, and build valuable connections with the audience while introducing its Corporate/Group life, pension trust plans, and innovative retail/investment offerings to them.



We are excited to host this inaugural cocktail event as this year marks our 10th anniversary and over 178 years globally. As a business, we have done a lot of ground-breaking projects, such as being the first to launch WhatsApp insurance and a retirement salary product, among others, and they have been very successful through strategic partnerships like these. We see a crossroads of opportunities between Old Mutual and the Ghana-Sweden Chamber of Commerce and are looking forward to many more initiatives together," Group Chief Executive Officer, Tavona Biza added.



Nickie Akorsa, the Consular-General of the Chamber, spoke of innovation, sustainability, and gender equality as the main strengths of Sweden and the fact that theres room for collaboration on those fronts.



The eventful night ended with Emma Ocansey, the Head of Distribution at Old Mutual, reiterating the business number one position within the corporate space in the insurance industry and going on to mention big corporate guns like Asanko, Ecobank, Fidelity, and many others as active clients.



We have very unique and tailored solutions that suit your companies as well as your employees to enable them to provide the utmost value needed for growth as you give them the peace of mind to commit to your business, she added.



The Ghana-Sweden Chamber of Commerce is committed to promoting commercial, economic, educational, and cultural relations between Ghana and Sweden. Its focus on Social Enterprise initiatives, dubbed the Green Economy Ghana, sponsored by the European Union (EU), has seen over 600 youth/adults through plastic waste management, mushroom production, snail farming training, among others.



Old Mutual Ghana believes that engaging in partnerships that position Ghana positively is key and considers the collaboration with the chamber relevant. With the 10-year celebration underway, the business encourages the general public to look out for more innovative initiatives in the coming months.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Archbishop Nicolas Duncan-Williams of Action Chapel International has cautioned the government against mishandling of current grievances of the youth which has resulted in the recent protests.



He said during a sermon on September 24, that it was a risk for any leader or government to neglect the frustrations of the youth especially given the fact that they are hard to please.



Without mentioning the specific title of the protests organized by Democracy Hub, that is #OccupyJulorbiHouse, the clergyman said there was the need for skillfulness and tactical moves to address these concerns.



It is true that we are in a very difficult situation but if we cross 2024 and we do the four years of 2025, a day will come in this country; like they are doing in America, they are holding Donald Trump responsible; citizens will hold politicians responsible.



That day is coming. It is coming, he cautioned.



Because when you are dealing with the youth, unmarried, without children or property, they are unpredictable. And one of the things with dealing with the youth and some of these demonstrations which politicians must not ignore is the fact that the Bible says in the latter days, children shall be disobedient to their own parents.



This young generation, they dont care kwraa so when you are dealing with them, you need to be very skillful and very tactful, he cautioned.



It is a big deal for African nations and African leaders to ignore the cry and restlessness and frustration of the youth. It is a very bad move for any government in Africa to ignore the cry and concern of the next generation because it is difficult to ignore them. You must meet them halfway, he stressed.



On September 23, the final day of the three-day protests, protesters attempted to force their way through a police barricade deep into the night and march to the presidency.



This is despite the illegal arrests and police highhandedness that marred Day 1 when police arrested 49 protesters, who were detained for hours on allegations of unlawful assembly.



All of them were later released on bail.



Day 2 and 3 passed without any major incident as police barricaded the main road leading to the presidency, Jubilee House, even before the protesters began their march towards the place.



While Day 2 saw the blocking of one part of the 37-Accra Road, the final day saw the blocking of both sides which meant vehicular traffic was greatly constrained for the better part of the day.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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The Reverend Dr. Mensah Otabil, Founder and General Overseer, International Central Gospel Church, has urged Christians against paying others to pray and fast on their behalf.



It was wrong for Christians, he said, to seek to buy the power of God  money for power, influence, access and opportunities for greatness.



They should not be like Simon, the sorcerer, according to the New Testament account in Acts of the Apostles 8:924, who after becoming a Christian, offered to purchase from the Apostles Peter and John the supernatural power of imparting the Holy Spirit.



He was condemned by the Apostles because his heart was not right for the Ministry of Christ as he sought the power for personal and financial gain.



Dr Otabil was delivering a sermon to open the 2023 Experience Conference of The Makers House Chapel International, (TMHCI), at the Destiny Arena, in Accra.



Addressing the topic, How Do You Work the Works of God?, alongside the theme of the Conference: Jesus the Miracle Worker, Dr Otabil emphasised that believing in Jesus, as the son of God, was the only way to godly success and miracles.



Some of you men, who are very well positioned in life, sometimes you feel you can buy your way to Gods glory and grace, he explained.



Some of you have got all kinds of boys and girls who we call prophets and prophetesses, and they are yours.



You purchase them, you pay them, you feed them, they pray in your house. Once you are working, they pray all day and night for you.



The General Overseer reminded the faithful that it was not possible for one to outsource his or her spiritual life.



It does not work that way. So, if you think somebody you pay can pray for you for God to hear, you need to check your whole thinking process, he advised.



It was imperative that every Christian had his personal encounters with God through Christ.



Many in the bible, he said, received their miracles upon believing in Christ as the Godsent son.



Jesus emphasised this in an answer to some of his followers who wanted to do the works of God, having been impressed with his miracles of feeding the 5,000 and walking on water.



Sharing some of his teething experiences in ministry, Dr Otabil advised Christians to operate in their unique gifts of the Holy Spirit but not be counterfeits of other men of God to become fruitful.



They should also aspire for excellence in Ministry, their professions and every endeavour of life.



He, therefore, lauded Dr Michael Boadi Nyamekye, founder and senior pastor of the TMHCI, for his visionary leadership and also their state-of-the-art worship centre to the glory of God.



He said the world-class edifice should motivate the members to distinguish themselves in every area of their lives.



He prayed for Gods grace to make the eight-day conference an impactful and life transforming programme.



The Conference, which is resuming after the 2019 break over the COVID-19 pandemic, will see the ministrations of leading charismatic ministers of Ghana and beyond.



They will take turns to preach, pray, heal and impact the participants with their diverse giftings.



They include Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams, the Presiding Archbishop and General Overseer, United Denominations of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, the President, Agyinasare World Evangelism, and the Rev. Dr. Ebenezer S. M. Markwei, the Founder and General Overseer, Living Streams International.



Others are the Presiding Archbishop and the Founder and General Overseer of the Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry (CEM), Dr Steve Mensah, General Overseer of the Global Revival Ministries, Rev. Dr Robert Ampiah-Kwofi and the Founder and Senior Pastor of All Nations Church in Atlanta, Georgia and General Overseer of the Living Springs International Churches, Dr Frank Ofosu-Appiah.



Leading gospel artistes will also minister alongside the host choir and artistes.





Source: GNA









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Vodafone Ghana has launched its annual CARE Month amplifying its commitment to customer service excellence and digital innovation. Coinciding with the global celebration of International Customer Service Week, Vodafone Ghanas CARE Month is a testament to the companys dedication to its customers.



This year, the global theme for International Customer Service Week is Team Service. However, Vodafone Ghana has taken it a step further by dedicating the entire month of October to its customers, dubbing it Vodafone CARE Month with the theme Team Service, Live Digital.



The theme embodies a dual message. For Vodafones staff, it is a call to action to collaborate and leverage digital tools to consistently deliver top-notch service. For customers, it is a promise of empowerment, reflecting Vodafones belief that, with the right digital tools and knowledge, customers can independently address their concerns from the comfort of their homes or offices.



Angela Mensah Poku, Director of Digital and Commercial Operations at Vodafone Ghana, remarked, While we have invested in our self-service channels to ensure that customers can access digital solutions conveniently, we also acknowledge that digital is a journey. We are therefore committed to giving customers the right support when and where they need it  either through digital channels or in person. This way, we meet the unique needs of each customer.



Patricia Obo-Nai, CEO of Vodafone Ghana in her message to customers, expressed her gratitude, reaffirming Vodafone Ghanas commitment to supporting them in their digital journey. Your trust in us is our driving force, and as we navigate the digital age, our commitment remains unwavering. We are here to support, educate, and ensure that every interaction you have with Vodafone Ghana is seamless and enriching.



Internally, Vodafone Ghana is ramping up its emphasis on digital customer care. The company is launching educational initiatives aimed at enhancing employee knowledge of Vodafones diverse products and the advanced digital tools used to deliver them. Additionally, standout frontline staff who consistently deliver exceptional customer service will receive recognition and rewards.



Externally, Vodafone Ghana plans to reward customers for using digital platforms like MyVodafoneApp, MyVodafoneWeb, and the upgraded chatbot, TOBi. Vodafone will visit loyal customers and reward them for their continued support as well as provide educational content on digital platforms to help customers effectively use Vodafone Ghanas digital tools.



In a hands-on approach, the CEO and Senior Management Team will engage with customers at select retail outlets. By demonstrating the functions of Vodafone's digital tools, they will guide customers on effortlessly addressing their concerns.



With a series of exciting activities lined up, Vodafone Ghanas CARE Month promises to be a blend of appreciation, education, and digital innovation, ensuring that customers benefit from the best in technology and service.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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A National Democratic Congress (NDC) member from Keta South District and the Chief Executive Officer of Marrer Ghana Limited, Susatgad Boat Building and Fishing Industry, Mr. Novihoho Afaglo has called on Ghanaians to reject Alan Kyeremantens political tactics describing them as empty.



According to him, the "Butterfly man" has nothing new to offer Ghanaians and the youth, therefore urging the public not to give in to the "deceit and lies" he is propagating.



Mr. Afaglo said Alan Kyeremanten is part of the mess that the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has created but has now turned as a "night angle" trying to distance himself from the rot and corruption.



If for seven years Alan couldnt do something good and forward looking for the youth of Ghana to change their fortunes with all the state machinery at his disposal, what new then can he do now that he is walking alone? he stated.



The Keta South NDC member added that even if he has lost touch with the support base of his former party what then can he now offer Ghanaians and the youth now.



Mr. Afaglo said Alan should pinpoint one single initiative he implemented as Trade and Industry Minister which improved the lives of Ghanaians and the economy apart from sending Ghana to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).



He said Ghana is at a mess through the contribution and advice he gave and so if he now turns to try to profess solution to the mess he and his government created, Ghanaians must expose his lies and reject him because he is empty and has nothing new.



Mr. Afaglo also charged Ghanaians to reject what he termed lies and propaganda by the NPP government and their sympathizers stressing "they have nothing good to offer the country".



Alan Kyerematen, on Monday, September 25, 2023 resigned from the New Patriotic Party and declared his intention to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election in Ghana.



This is not the first time Alan is quitting the party. After the 2007 presidential primaries where he contested against Akufo-Addo, he raised issues with the process just as he has done now and went ahead to resign.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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KHOJALY, Azerbaijan, October 2. Drug transplantation was discovered in Azerbaijan's Khojaly on an area of more than 100 hectares, the Head of the Press Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, Elshad Hajiyev said, Trend reports.

He noted that drug transplants were found in many places, including in the Khojaly district, in the territories completely taken under the control of the Azerbaijani army as a result of anti-terrorist measures.

"These facts and expert studies conducted here allow us to say that conditions have been created here for the cultivation of narcotic plants. The Azerbaijani government has repeatedly raised this issue before international organizations," Hajiyev said.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement [signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent [temporarily stationed in Azerbaijan under the trilateral statement], an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.
Presidential aspirant of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, says he will get more votes in the Muslim community than Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who is a Muslim.



According to him, Dr. Bawumia has not done a quarter of the things he (Ken Agyapong) has done in the Muslim community.



That, he said, the Vice President should stop playing religious and tribal politics and the flagbearer race.



Addressing party supporters who took part in his Showdown Walk in Kumasi on Saturday, September 30, 2023, Ken Agyapong said he will not lean towards religious or tribal politics but when it becomes necessary, he will give those playing those cards a bombshell.



"I will not play tribal politics, but if it becomes necessary, I will give them bombshell," he said amidst thunderous cheers from his supporters.



In addition, he said, "They should stop that tribal politics," cautioning those advancing tribal and religious politics in the partys presidential race.



Ken Agyapong is one of the four aspirants contesting the partys upcoming November 4 presidential conference to enable him lead the party into the 2024 general elections.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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Government Spokesperson, Kofi Tonto has asked Alan Kyerematen to do a self-introspection and know his own mistakes that have led him to resign from the New Patriotic Party.



To him, the former Trade Minister and NPP presidential hopeful lost touch with the party's base and Ghanaians a long time ago.



He blamed Alan for failing to acquaint himself well with the populace saying "you have to engage; you have to talk. You have to put yourself out there".



"Ghana is an oral society...So, if you want to be President in this country and for 8 years, you don't engage any Ghanaian, you are playing it or you played it too safe. You didn't want any dirt on you. You didn't want any person to insult you; you didn't want anybody to talk about you. You played it too safe.



"What has made me Kofi Tonto today is because I sit here and speak. Our father (Alan) sat home for too long. If you say you want to be a President and lead Ghanaians, for seven years since 2007, we can count the number of times that Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has engaged Ghanaians," he further explained.



Kofi Tonto believed Alan Kyerematen should take time to assess himself.



"Do self-introspection and ask yourself what did you also not do right?", he said on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show Friday morning.





Alan Kyerematen, at a press conference on Monday, ended his relationship with the New Patriotic Party.He accused the party of trivializing his concerns prior to, during and after its Special Delegates Congress.Alan withdrew from the NPP November 4th presidential election saying "after having carefully analysed the results of the said elections, it is absolutely clear to me from events leading to, during and after the elections, that the Special Delegates Conference was strategically and tactically skewed in favour of one particular Aspirant", adding "the level of intimidation of varying intensity, directly and indirectly unleashed on a significant number of Delegates at various Voting Centers across the sixteen regions, is unprecedented in the history of our Party".He added; "The fact that my Polling Agent in the North East region has suffered severe damage to his eye sight, arising from his bold and courageous effort to ensure compliance with the very rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections as approved by the Presidential Elections Committee, will forever remain a dark spot in the history of internal elections within the Party. This incident and various acts of violence and collusion, reported in other Voting Centers, are appalling, unconscionable, and despicable."On September 25, 2023, the former Trade Minister also announced that he is no longer a member of the NPP, asserting that he is "honourably resigning with immediate effect from the NPP to contest for the high office of the President of the Republic of Ghana as an independent presidential candidate"."...the NPP as it exists now has very little resemblance to the Party that I joined in 1992 and helped to nurture. The Party has been hijacked by a selected group of Party leaders and elders, government appointees, 'behind the curtain power brokers and some unscrupulous Party apparatchiks", he also slammed the NPP.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Sammi Awuku has denied claims that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is exploiting State funds and protocols in his bid to become NPP flagbearer.



The Vice President is said to be the "darling boy" of the New Patriotic Party, according to some political critics.



The technical name used to describe him is he is an "establishment candidate", to wit, the leadership of the NPP are doing everything possible to make Dr. Bawumia's path to the flagbearer seat easier, hence supporting him with State resources.



But the NLA Chief Executive, Sammi Awuku says those reports are falsehood.



He explained to Kwami Sefa Kayi in an interview on Peace FM's morning programme "Kokrokoo" the reasons why Dr. Bawumia enjoys State resources even on his campaign trail.



"Let's be clear. Former President John Mahama will be campaigning for the Presidency of Ghana next year still as a former President with all the protocols accorded him still given. He is entitled to a dispatch. He is entitled to State security protection. The fact that Dr. Bawumia is contesting to be flagbearer doesn't mean he is still not the Vice President...and in 2024, when Dr. Bawumia becomes the candidate for NPP, he and the President will be campaigning with the suppport of the State Security because they are all entitled to that," he established.



He also stressed that the privileges that Dr. Bawumia is getting from the State are "a standard operating procedure".



On the point that the Vice President's campaign is supported with State funds, Sammi Awuku asked; "What is the proof?"



"I reject any assertion that we are also using State funds. Where are we going to get it from? What happens is that Dr. Bawumia has enormous goodwill," he volunteered information on how Dr. Bawumia's campaign is being financed.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The #FixingTheCountry movement, an amorphous group, has sent a strong message to the National Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), stating that the threats issued by the Greater Accra Reginal Youth Organiser, Amorse Blessing Amos, on their lives are nothing but empty ones.



The #FixingTheCountry movement is seeking to have the Special Prosecutor investigate the infamous Airbus scandal that supposedly implicates former President John Dramani Mahama within 14 days or they demonstrate in front of the latters office.



In this vein, the Greater Accra youth wing of the NDC warned the #FixingTheCountry to ready their graves and coffins before they dare proceed to the office of John Mahama for their planned protest.



Speaking during a media interaction, the secretary for the #FixingTheCountry group, Ekuoba Kwaku Gyasi, said that they have every right to protest and hence they will do so when the 14-day ultimatum elapses.



The very thing the citizens of this country discuss almost every time is corruption. It is also widely known that John Mahama is involved in corruption. This can be found in the foreign Sun newspaper. So, there is nothing political about our decision to demonstrate for justice to be served and hence, there no need for anyone to write to threaten us to buy our buy our graves and coffins.



In fact, thats an empty threat, Kwaku Gyasi said.



Background



The Airbus Corruption scandal came to light over three years ago when Airbus SE, a global aerospace corporation based in France, agreed to pay substantial penalties of over $3.9 billion to resolve foreign bribery charges with authorities in the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. These charges stemmed from Airbus's use of third-party intermediaries to bribe government officials and airline executives worldwide.



As part of this global resolution, Airbus entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the United Kingdom's Serious Fraud Office (SFO), relating to bribes paid in several countries, including Ghana. This case involved allegations of bribes paid to individuals with close ties to the Ghanaian government to secure contracts for military transport aircraft.



Court documents revealed that individuals identified as "Government Official 1," later known to be a high-ranking Ghanaian elected official, had connections with intermediaries hired by Airbus for these corrupt dealings. Notably, the intermediaries included Philip Middlemiss, a British actor, Leanne Davis, and Samuel Adam Mahama, the brother of former President John Mahama.



The scandal took a more alarming turn when it was disclosed that Airbus had sought to obtain an "undue favour" from a member of the Ghanaian government through these kickbacks. Consequently, Ghana purchased three Airbus C295 military transport aircraft during the presidency of Mills/Mahama.



Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu initiated an investigation into the case in February 2020, summoning four individuals, including Philip Middlemiss and Leanne Davis. The current Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has also indicated that he is investigating the matter. However, despite these efforts, there has been limited progress in the case over the past year.







Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Adansi Travels, Ghana's foremost travel and tour company, has marked its 10-year anniversary by clinching the prestigious title of Marketing Oriented Hospitality Company of the Year, 2022.



This honour was bestowed upon them at the 34th Annual National Marketing Performance Awards held at the Labadi Beach Hotel. Remarkably, this is the second time Adansi Travels has received this honor, having first won it in 2020.



What began a decade ago as a modest enterprise with just three dedicated individuals based in the Obuasi area of the Ashanti Region has since been instrumental in introducing both Ghanaians and foreigners to captivating tourist destinations, whether on foreign soil or within the breathtaking landscapes of Ghana.



Upon receiving the award, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, "We extend our profound appreciation to all our partners, clients, and well-wishers. To our valued clients, who have entrusted us with their travel experiences and have become cherished members of our travel family since 2016, we are deeply thankful. Your unwavering support has inspired us to continually innovate and enhance our offerings."



He went on to emphasize, "This recognition will serve as a constant reminder to us to consistently provide nothing less than our very best. We are immensely grateful to the CIMG for bestowing this significant honor upon us for the second time, and it serves as a driving force for us to continue striving for excellence."



Adansi Travels approach to travel services is rooted in professionalism, trustworthiness, and unwavering loyalty, allowing them to carve a distinctive niche that caters to travellers of all budgets, inviting them to explore the wonders of Ghana and the world.



As they celebrate their 10th anniversary and this prestigious CIMG award, they stand as an embodiment of excellence in the hospitality and tourism industry, inspiring wanderlust and promoting the beauty of both Ghana and the world.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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As a new member of DraftKings Casino in Pennsylvania, you can select between one of two enticing welcome rewards. The first promotion is a deposit match of up to $2,000 in bonus funds, while the others reward you $100 in casino credits.

The DraftKings Casino promo list is one reason the platform earns a spot on our list of top casinos in Pennsylvania. Beyond a rotating lineup of promotions, you can also look forward to a massive library of games, a knowledgeable customer service team and state-of-the-art software that runs flawlessly.

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We will start with the casino credit offer and explain why you should consider taking a prize 20 times smaller than if you choose the deposit match offer. The reason comes down to the different wagering requirements each promotion has.

At most online casinos, the rollover on casino credits is just 1x. That means you only have to risk $100 to convert casino credits to cash and withdraw them from your DraftKings account.

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Details of $2,000 deposit match offer

Opting for the 100% deposit match can net you up to $2,000 in bonus funds and substantially boost your starting bankroll. However, it requires more effort in the long haul. Unlike casino credits, bonus funds come with a 15x wagering requirement that will demand some time and dedication to fulfill.

Even though 15x is still considered a favorable rollover requirement in online casinos, it entails wagering $30,000 to unlock the $2,000 bonus funds. If you have the time, its worth the effort for an extra two grand in money to play with.

To satisfy the 15x rollover, we recommend seeking a slot machine boasting a high RTP (return to player) percentage, ideally hovering around 98%. Games with higher RTP values yield more frequent wins, giving you the best chance to surpass the 15x threshold before your bonus funds expire.

Charitable promotions at DraftKings Casino PA

Once youve completed your registration and claimed your DraftKings Casino bonus, be sure to explore the various promotions available at DraftKings Online Casino. You wont need any DraftKings Casino bonus code to enjoy the following rewards.

Refer a friend: The DraftKings refer-a-friend promotion is similar to the promotion at other casinos but offers valuable casino credits as a reward. You arent the only one rewarded, but your friend also gets a bonus for being referred. The larger their initial deposit is, the more casino credits you each earn. Here is how the payout structure breaks down:

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Each customer is limited to five referrals during each offer period. If you have any inquiries, DraftKings suggests you contact the customer service team.

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A global business services company with a presence in 21 countries is closing two facilities in York County and laying off more than 400 people.

Assurant has filed a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notice with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry informing the state that it will close the two facilities at 625 Willow Springs Lane in East Manchester Township, and at 58 Grumbacher Road, Suite C, in Manchester Township.
Three people were killed in a shooting that took place early Monday in a Philadelphia home.

Police told news outlets that the shooting took place at about 4:50 a.m. at a home located along the 6100 block of Shelbourne Street.

Upon arrival, police were met by a woman who had been shot in the face, NBC10 said. She told officers that several people in the home had been shot by a person they know. She was taken to a hospital to be treated for her wounds, 6ABC said.

Officers found three people shot dead in an upstairs room. Two of them were elderly, NBC10 reported.

Police are now looking for a 42-year-old man driving a blue Honda Pilot with Pennsylvania tag LKF-3375, 6ABC said. He is believed to be a relative of one of the victims.

READ MORE: 4 in stolen car flee attempted traffic stop, die in fiery Md. crash: police
A Philadelphia journalist was shot and killed early Monday morning while inside his home.

Police found Josh Kruger, 39, shot seven times at around 1:30 a.m. on the sidewalk outside of his home along the 2300 block of Watkins Street in the citys Point Breeze neighborhood.

He was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, but died just before 2:15 a.m., the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Police said they believe someone entered Krugers home, shot him at the base of the stairs, and then fled. Kruger then went outside to seek help from his neighbors, the Inquirer said.

Officials speaking to the Inquirer anonymously said that the shooting might have been the result of a domestic dispute or was possibly drug-related.

Having battled drug addiction and experienced homelessness, Kruger was known as an advocate for the citys most vulnerable constituents, including members of the LGBTQ+ community.

A former spokesperson for the citys Office of Homeless Services, Kruger had written for multiple Philadelphia-area publications, including The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Magazine, The Philadelphia Citizen, WHYY and Billy Penn, 6ABC reported.

Josh cared deeply about our city and its residents, which was evident both in his public service and in his writing, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said to the Inquirer. His intelligence, creativity, passion, and wit shone bright in everything that he did  and his light was dimmed much too soon.

Josh Kruger lifted up the most vulnerable and stigmatized people in our communities  particularly unhoused people living with addiction, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a statement. Josh deserved to write the ending of his personal story.

No arrests have been made yet. Police said they are reviewing surveillance footage taken outside the home.
A man who was wanted for a murder that happened in North Carolina back in July has been arrested in Luzerne County, according to reports.

Victor Alexander Newman, 31, was a wanted suspect in a deadly shooting that took place along the 2700 block of Poole Road on July 19 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

When authorities responded to the area that day, they discovered a man who was suffering from a severe gunshot wound. The victim was transported to an area hospital but died due to his injury.

About one month later, on Aug. 14, Raleigh authorities asked the public for help locating Newman, who they believed was involved in the murder, WBRE/WYOU reported.

At around 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 29, U.S. Marshals Middle Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force officials found Newman at a home along Maria Drive in Hanover Township, where he was placed in custody, news outlets reported.

Newman was arrested in the house after attempting to make a getaway through the backyard, WBRE/WYOU said.

He was arraigned and is being held at Luzerne County Correctional Facility. He awaits extradition to Wake County, North Carolina, WNEP said.

Read More:
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. The information disseminated by the Armenian Defense Ministry about the alleged shelling from the Azerbaijani side of the units of the Armenian armed forces located in the Zarkand settlement of Basarkechar district is completely false, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan said, Trend reports.

"We categorically refute this information spread by the Armenian Defense Ministry," the Azerbaijani MoD said in a statement.
The Crayola Experience Easton is celebrating its 10th anniversary with glowing good time in October.

Screamin Green Hauntoween is a version of the original Meltdown attraction.

At the event, kids can let their creativity glow (in the dark) as they paint with melted wax in the new Crayon Crew breakroom.

Kids can collect clues to help Crayolas mad scientist Robin search for a lost potion recipe needed to de-MONSTERify the crayon crew.

Other activities include making a monster mask, making a bat bookmark, creating a spider friend with modeling clay, photo opps, decorating paper pumpkins and starring in a color page.

Kids are invited to wear costumes but masks are not permitted. Add-on activities include trick-or-treating on weekends, pumpkin painting and slime making.

Screamin Green Hauntoween through Oct. 31, 2023, is included in general admission. There are additional fees for pumpkin painting and slime making.

READ MORE: Dutch Wonderlands Halloween is a little bit spooky and a whole lot of silly
A built-to-lease retail property in Carlisle recently sold for $5.05 million, according to CBRE.

BSG Management Company, a developer based in North Bergen, New Jersey, sold the tract to 7-Eleven convenience store at 1003 S. Hanover St. under a long-term lease.

The store opened in the past year and is located off Interstate 81 near other retailers including Home Depot, Walmart Supercenter, T.J. Maxx, Tractor Supply Company, Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread, Cracker Barrel, Chilis Grill & Bar and CVS.

The 7-Eleven opened at the former K.A. Mullens Landscape Supply and Towing.

The chain is known as the worlds largest operator of convenience stores and has expanded in recent years. Based in Irving, Texas, it operates more than 13,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada.

READ MORE:
A list of artists has been announced to join the ranks of the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame in 2024.

Among the many new additions is the alt-rock group Fuel, known for songs such as Shimmer, Bad Day, Sunburn and Hemmorhage (In My Hands).

Congratulations to the 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Class! read a post from the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame, which included a video listing the upcoming inductees.

Here are the other groups and artists that have been announced:

Past inductees include artists and bands such as Breaking Benjamin, Halestorm, The Badlees, Jeffrey Gaines, The Sharks and Poison. Bret Michaels, the frontman for Poison, was also inducted indivually, and appeared in person to accept the award at a special event in 2022. His appearance there helped lead to the development of a hometown heroes concert at the Hollywood Casino this summer, which included performances from several artists from our area.

READ MORE: Bret Michaels at Hollywood Casino concert recap: Best hometown heroes moments from the show

The artists that won the 2024 ballot will be inducted at the 5th Annual CPMAs & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at The Englewood in Hershey on March 28. For details, visit the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame website or The Englewood website.
As head winemaker at Appassionata Estate and J. Christopher Wines, Timothy Malone has been deeply involved in the production of the wines for many years.

Hes a native New Yorker who was selling J. Christopher Wines for a high-end East Coast distributor before being lured west in 2006 with the offer of harvest work and an opportunity for hands-on experience at the winery. After several years developing his skills at wineries elsewhere in California, he returned to Appassionata Estate and J. Christopher Wines, in Newberg, Oregon, full time as an assistant winemaker.

From 2008 to 2015 he was involved in every aspect of the winemaking before leaving to launch his own label, Timothy Malone Wines. In 2020, on the eve of harvest, he returned to become head winemaker for both wineries. J. Christopher has been everything to me in terms of my wine education  its been my whole upbringing, he said at the time. I love this facility. I love the people. And Im really looking forward to getting back in there and focusing on making exceptional wines.

Per the winery bio, Appassionata Estate is the realization of renowned German winemaker Ernst Erni Loosens long-term vision of establishing a world-class European-style wine estate in Oregon, dedicated to crafting Pinot Noirs of extraordinary ageability that expresses the true character of the Willamette Valley. Guided by Loosens belief that the true character and complexity of a wine emerge only when it has developed maturity, Appassionata holds its wines for up to 10 years. Its vineyard includes 17 acres of Pinot Noir, 2 acres of Chardonnay and 1 acre of Sauvignon Blanc.

J. Christopher Wines, also owned by Loosen, is a premium producer of Pinot Noir and white wines, and sources its grapes from the Appassionata Estate vineyard or from other vineyards in Oregon.

Several of the J. Christopher wines are available through the Pa. Fine Wines & Good Spirits stores.

A graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Malones first love was music. As a self-taught bass player, his bio says that he finds that many of the lessons he learned in music have parallels in wine.

He fielded this list of six questions from PennLive and returned these answers.

Q, Saw this in your bio: Tims first love was music. As a self-taught Bass player, he finds that many of the lessons he learned in music have parallels in wine. What are a few of those lessons that parallel wine?

A, Both music and winemaking straddle the line between technicality and creativity. Musicians and composers rely on technique and theory to create their craft and winemaking is very similar. Winemakers have to balance technique and chemistry and really get in there with your hands to create an interesting wine. For me personally, Ive learned not to overemphasize the technical aspects in wine. Over-technical wines can pull away from the creativity of winemaking. Its good to step back and evaluate each aspect with a clear view throughout the winemaking process to make balanced and exciting wines.

Winemaking is Tim Malone's career, but music never strays far from his heart. 'Music is in my head every single day,' he says. 'Theres constant music playing in the winery because it is a part of me, and it will always be.'

Q, Youve been doing this now for 20 years, What are a few aspects of the job you most look forward to?

A, Harvest. I love it. Its stressful, its hard, its exhausting, but at the same time, theres so much to enjoy about this work. This is not something everyone gets to do, and frankly, not everyone is able to do it because it is so demanding. Blending is another one of my favorite parts of winemaking. This is another thing I find stressful because it is so subjective, and you cant rely just on the analytics. Youre entering a creative atmosphere you cant just apply rules to. The creative process can be stressful, but its worth it in the end when you are rewarded with beautiful wines.

Q, When you do get away, what are a couple of your other hobbies? How much are you still involved with music?

A, Music is in my head every single day. Theres constant music playing in the winery because it is a part of me, and it will always be. I do still play shows on occasion, but not nearly as often as I would like. I play more ukulele for my kids now than I play bass! Outside of music and winemaking my family and I love to go hiking, fishing, camping  any time I can spend outdoors is a great way to refresh myself.

Q, I saw where Appassionata Estate joined the La Place de Bordeaux. What is the significance of that?

A, Not all wines gain entry onto La Place as the Bordeaux negociants are very selective and are looking for wines with a prestigious pedigree. But if your wine is selected, then La Place provides access to an international network of fine wine dealers and a recognition that your wine stands alongside the other truly great wines of the world. While we have our own network of importers in over 80 countries, we recognize that the Bordeaux negociants are the best in dealing with the most prestigious wines and getting them into the hands of those who specialize in the rare and fine wine market. We feel that the unique and rare nature of the Appassionata Fortissimo merits it to be marketed and sold into a network of customers who appreciate and specialize in these types of wines. Plus, the negociant we work with, CVBG, shares a passion for great wines and also for the people and stories behind them. This shared passion solidified our decision to want to be a part of this network.

Q, What brought you back in 2020 and what are a couple of the things that appeal to you most about working at J Christopher/Appassionata?

A, One of the main things that intrigued my return was the launch of the Appassionata wines. Ernis vision for aged Pinot Noirs in Oregon was inspiring and I wanted to be a part of it. Change is always difficult, especially as we navigate our way through with a truly unique concept  there is no blueprint for the wines we are making and the estate we are building. Being at the helm of this new project was an intriguing challenge I couldnt pass up.

The Appassionata Estate vineyard is made up of 17 acres of Pinot Noir, 2 acres of Chardonnay, and an acre of Sauvignon Blanc. Planting began in 2010 and proceeded, block by block, over four years.

Q, Pinot Noir has a reputation for being difficult to grow. Youve worked with that grape for so many years now. What are a couple of things you enjoy most about working with it?

A, Pinot Noir can definitely be difficult to grow, but for me, I dont really know any other way. I havent worked in-depth with other grape varieties like I have Pinot Noir, so working with this grape comes second nature to me now. One of the things I love the most about Pinot Noir is its transparency. Theres not a lot of varietal character  it really represents its place, and if Im doing my job as a winemaker right, Im minimizing my stamp on it. A grape such as Cabernet Sauvignon has a much stronger varietal character that comes through regardless of where it is planted. Pinot Noir is much more finicky and much more representative of where it comes from. That piece makes the blending process so exciting, not to mention the greater complexities and tertiary nuances that develop when Pinot Noir has been aged.

More:

North Carolina wine region offers multitude of worth-the-trip options to sample

For successful family-run California winery, sustainability is at the core of who we are

Winery owner, 37, battles cancer while cultivating family business

Md. winery wins regional competition with grape that continues to net a wider audience
October is a time of vibrant leaves, scary stories, and bears bulking up.

Thats right  Fat Bear Week 2023 is nearly here.

For those unfamiliar, Fat Bear Week was launched by the National Park Service (NPS) in 2014 as Fat Bear Tuesday and  due to its initial success  has been bringing participants everywhere hefty boy joy every since.

People can essentially watch as bears get, well, fatter and fatter as they prepare to hibernate during the winter, looking at each contestant via pictures and a live feed and voting for which one they believe is the biggest.

For bears, fat equals survival, reads the NPS website. Each winter, bears enter the den where they will not eat or drink until they emerge in spring.

During this time, they may lose up to one-third of their body weight as they rely solely on their fat reserves. Survival depends on eating a years worth of food in six months.

Last years winner was a brown bear located in Alaskas Katmai National Park identified as 747, whose size alone is enough to intimidate most bears to yield their space.

Voting for Fat Bear Week begins Wednesday, Oct. 4 and ends Tuesday, Oct. 10. What the bears get as recompense for winning  or whether they appreciate being called fat  isnt on record.
A Pennsylvania soldier who was a B-25 bomber pilot and was killed during World War II has been accounted for.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Gilbert H. Myers, 27, of Pittsburgh, killed during World War II, was accounted for Aug. 10, 2023.

The agency said Myers was assigned to the 381st Bombardment Squadron, 310th Bombardment Group, in the Mediterranean Theater, in the summer of 1943.

On July 10, while serving as a co-pilot of a B-25 Mitchell, Myers aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire while conducting a bombing mission over Sicily. Myerss remains were not recovered, and he was subsequently declared missing in action.

The agency said that in late 1944, American Graves Registration Service researchers discovered that Italian residents of Sciacca found a body belonging to the B-25 pilot at a crash site. Investigators at the time indicated that they found some remains of the wreckage.

Later in 1947, investigators conducted search and recovery operations near Sciacca, but were unable to locate anything linking back to Myers.

In 2021 and 2022, DPAA and partner organization personnel from the Cranfield University Recovery and Identification of Conflict Team returned to Sciacca. There they were able to recover additional plane wreckage pieces, as well as human remains from the crash site. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory for examination and identification.

Myers was identified using anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence and DNA.

The accounting agency said the soldiers name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, an ABMC site in Nettuno, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

The agency said Myers will be buried on Nov. 10, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

READ MORE: Pa. soldier killed during the Korean War identified, coming home for burial
Ten girls were taken hostage on this day 17 years ago at a small, rural school in Lancaster County.

Five of them did not survive.

Around 10 a.m. on a quiet, autumn Monday, an armed man walked into West Nickel Mines Amish School in Bart Twp., Lancaster County, and barricaded the door.

After ordering the male students to leave and allowing a pregnant woman and three women with babies to leave  Charles Carl Roberts IV tied the girls feet together.

A little more than an hour later, Roberts, 32, killed five girls and injured five others. He then killed himself.

The shooting claimed the lives of Naomi Rose Ebersol, 7; Marian Stoltzfus Fisher, 13; Anna Mae Stoltzfus, 12; Lena Zook Miller, 8; and Mary Liz Miller, 7.

The horrific shooting reverberated around the globe and shattered hearts in central Pa.

On that day, the women who were released called 911. State police arrived within minutes and tried unsuccessfully to talk to Roberts. Around 10:50 a.m. Roberts called his wife, Marie, and told her he was not coming home and that he left notes at the house for her and their children.

A little after 11 a.m. Roberts told state police he would shoot students if they didnt leave in 10 seconds. A state police negotiator called him on his cell phone but within seconds police heard rapid shots being fired. According to police, many of the girls were shot in the head.

Roberts was armed with a semiautomatic handgun, a shotgun, a rifle, two knives, a stun gun and 600 rounds of ammunition.

At the time, state police Commissioner Col. Jeffrey B. Miller said, They were shot execution-style. It was a horrendous crime scene.

Police had speculated that the shooting was to avenge something that apparently happened to Roberts when he was 12 years old. Miller said Roberts discussed the matter in a phone call to his wife minutes before the shootings and mentioned it in a suicide note he left for her. Roberts also left notes for their three children.

Roberts also claimed he had molested some young family members long ago and was still haunted by the death of his and his wifes first child, a daughter who died 20 minutes after she was born in 1997.

Police said Roberts had planned the attack.

On the day of the shooting, Miller said, He was an angry man - angry with life, angry at God.

Roberts, a milk-tanker truck driver who lived near the school, dropped his three school-age children off at a bus stop, then drove a borrowed pickup truck to the school, arriving shortly before 10 a.m.

In the back of the truck was lumber, hardware and tools to barricade the doors and weapons and supplies he had assembled for what police said was planned to be a last stand. He was going in there, and he was never coming out, Miller said. He had no intention of coming out alive.

Police said Roberts was armed with a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun and a 30.06 rifle. A stun gun and two knives were strapped to his belt.

The Patriot-News reported, A range bag he carried was filled with 600 rounds of ammunition. Roberts also had synthetic black powder, which is used for reloading bullets, and two cans of smokeless powder. He carried a change of clothes, toilet paper and earplugs in a five-gallon bucket.

One box contained tools including a hammer, a hacksaw, pliers and wire. Wire ties, eyebolts, rolls of clear tape and other hardware were in another box. Eyebolts were screwed into some of the lumber recovered at the scene.

Most of the supplies had been purchased from a store nearby. It appears he was prepared for a lengthy siege, Miller said. Instead, it was over within minutes after police arrived.

Media from around the nation swarmed the area in the aftermath, along with family and friends. In addition to local media, there were reporters from Montreal, the United Kingdom, Russia and Japan. CNN, MSNBC and Fox News followed the story all day. ABC recorded a Good Morning America segment. And, more than 50 trucks with satellites atop their roofs filled the roadsides and nearby parking lots.

Less than a year later, New Hope School opened 200 yards away from West Nickel Mines School, which was demolished.

In the ensuing years, there were two movies and several books written about the tragedy, including those written by Roberts widow, Marie Monville, and his mother Terri Roberts.
Human remains found last month in Huntingdon County have been identified as those of a man wanted for aggravated assault and other charges.

Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers said today that the remains found in a wooded area of Morris Twp. were those of Jebediah Rawlings, 41, of Alexandria, Pa.

Crime Stoppers said Rawlings was wanted for aggravated assault, fleeing and eluding and related charges.

The organization said clothing found at the scene around 12:30 p.m. Sept. 21 matched the last known description of what Rawlings was wearing on Jan. 30 when he fled a traffic stop after exiting his vehicle, pulling out several knives and threatening troopers.

Rawlings, who had an active arrest warrant, then returned to his vehicle and fled the scene.

His vehicle, Crime Stoppers said, was located days later.

His remains were positively identified by the Huntingdon County coroners office.

Police said the investigation into his death is ongoing.

READ MORE: Central Pa. doctor charged with indecent assault of patient: state police
Two teenage girls reported missing after they left their Dauphin County high school on Friday have since been found safe, police said.

Yahnae Roque, 15, and Nyrea Holton, 17, have been located and returned to their families, Susquehanna Township police said Monday.

Police said Roque and Holton were reported missing after they left Susquehanna Township High School around 11 a.m. Friday and never returned home.

Exactly where and when the girls were found was not released.

READ MORE: 16-year-old girl injured in Harrisburg shooting: officials

Human remains found in Pa. county were those of a man charged with aggravated assault
Two bills aimed at reducing the number of juveniles in the criminal justice system by creating diversionary programs cleared the state House Judiciary Committee last week.

Both bills address issues identified in the states 2021 Juvenile Justice Task Force report, cleared the committee on party-line votes, with the Democratic majority in favor.

The report found Pennsylvania arrests juveniles, especially young people of color, at higher rates than neighboring states.

The more expansive bill, sponsored by Democratic Whip Dan Miller, D-Allegheny County, includes a number of items on how juvenile offenders are penalized.

The bill would restrict children from being charged as adults, and would remove the so-called direct file provision that allows prosecutors to place juveniles in adult court right off the bat for certain offenses  a change long sought by reform advocates.

Millers bill would also eliminate fines and fees, cap probation terms, and expand the use of diversion programs intended to keep young offenders off probation and out of juvenile detention facilities.

Such programs are still under-used in Pennsylvania, with more than half of first-time youth offenders with misdemeanors going straight to court without the chance at doing a diversion program, according to the task force report. Advocates have pointed to this as a key driver behind overcrowding in detention centers, which was the subject of a House hearing earlier this year.

The core concept of the bill, Miller said, is that most young offenders are not on the path to more serious crimes as an adult, but the longer youre in the system, the worse your results tend to get, and many low-level youth offenders are being kept in the system by punitive policies.

A second bill that cleared committee Wednesday similarly requires more diversionary programs in schools and limits in-school infractions from being referred to police and courts. Pennsylvania refers school incidents to law enforcement 2.7 times more frequently than the national average, according to the task force report.

That bill is sponsored by Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York County, and also has a Republican cosponsor in Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R-Allegheny County. However, the judiciary committees Republican membership voted unanimously against both bills, voicing concerns that they could hamstring law enforcement and school discipline.

Im concerned that this legislation, instead of fixing a problem, creates further problems, the committees ranking Republican, Rep. Rob Kauffman, R-Franklin, said of Millers bill. I certainly think theres room for some of the provisions here but this bill certainly goes too far.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Milli Majlis (Parliament) MP Kamal Jafarov will visit Geneva (Switzerland), to participate in the presentation of the periodic report of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on Armenia on October 3, Trend reports.

At the event, Kamal Jafarov will present his position paper as deputy chairman of the Western Azerbaijan Community Youth Union.

Within the framework of the visit, the MP is scheduled to meet with UN human rights rapporteurs on the issue of recognizing the Western Azerbaijanis' right to return.

The visit will end on October 8.
A 37-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle crash in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

The incident occurred around 11:50 p.m., near the intersection of South Braddock Avenue and Forbes Avenue, between a motorcycle and another vehicle.

First responders found the motorcycle driver, later identified as Roy Calvin Holiday IV, 37, of Pittsburgh, in traumatic arrest and performed CPR on him until he was taken to a hospital, where he later died, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

The driver of the vehicle was not injured, WTAE said. No charges have been announced.

READ MORE: Central Pa. doctor charged with indecent assault of patient: state police
A 14-year-old girl is facing charges after being behind the wheel of a vehicle involved in a crash on the Schuylkill Expressway that caused a 15-year-old boy to die after being ejected from it, according to state police.

Troopers said they attempted to stop a black Hyundai Sonata traveling eastbound on I-76 at mile marker 342.2 in Philadelphia around 5:50 p.m. Sunday. Police said the vehicle was reported stolen out of Philadelphia earlier in the day, according to a report from 6ABC news.

Police said the teen sped away from police after failing to yield to emergency lights. The driver then lost control, crashed into a concrete barrier, and rolled several times up an embankment before stopping.

A 15-year-old boy was ejected from the car, according to troopers.

Police said the boy and three other juveniles who were occupants of the Sonata were taken to the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Troopers said the 15-year-old boy died a short time later at the hospital.

The 14-year-old girl who was driving the car is now charged with vehicular homicide and related offenses.

Troopers said the crash caused all eastbound lanes of the Schuylkill Expressway to be closed for hours.

READ MORE:

Pa. journalist shot, killed inside his home: reports

Central Pa. doc tried to pull down womans underwear during treatment for Lyme Disease: police
The highest-ranking Republican in the Pennsylvania Capitol on Monday said she is outraged over the way Gov. Josh Shapiros office handled the sexual harassment accusations against his former senior-level aide, Mike Vereb.

Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland County, said, The situation is infuriating to me. As a woman, when I see these things, I get so mad.

Ward was referencing the details laid out in a draft of a Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission complaint filed by a former female deputy secretary. The former deputy secretary, whose name is being withheld because of the nature of the allegations, quit less than six weeks after Shapiro took office.

Vereb, who was Shapiros secretary of legislative affairs representing the administrations interests in negotiations with lawmakers, submitted his resignation last Wednesday. Its unknown if his resignation was related to the complaint.

The woman said in the draft complaint that she could no longer work in an environment where she was regularly subjected to lewd and sexually inappropriate comments. She said she was retaliated against when she complained.

The womans attorney Charles Pascal said he could not confirm the contents of the draft complaint. PennLive could not confirm whether the complaint was filed with the Human Relations Commission.

One of our greatest responsibilities as elected officials is to ensure the people of Pennsylvania are safe and secure, that includes the talented people who work for us. The onus is on us as leaders to create a safe workplace culture, Ward said in a statement.

She said allowing Vereb to stay in his $183,708-a-year job while the woman felt compelled to quit because she didnt feel safe or protected, thats wrong. It should not have happened. I think that was handled poorly.

Ward said it not only raises concerns about the workplace practices in the governors office, but also whether this matter has influenced our current unfinished budget, and how taxpayer funds are supporting this issue.

Pascal said as of Monday he could not confirm whether there had been any settlement, agreement or resolution to the matter.

Vereb through a text message declined comment on Wards statements. The governors office did not respond to a request for comment Monday afternoon.

Shapiro spokesman Manuel Bonder declined to comment about what he said was a personnel matter but said robust procedures are in place in that office to investigate reports of discrimination and harassment.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @JanMurphy.

Read more on PennLive:

Pa. senator takes issue with degrading lie in sexual harassment claim against Shapiro aide

Pa.s snot otter gets prime spot on new state license plate
Win Tickets To The NAPT And Vegas Grand Prix Via PokerStars Power Path

October 02, 2023 Jon Pill Contributor

The North American Poker Tour is back for the first time in twelve years. To ensure a triumphant return for the NAPT, PokerStars has created several ways to win NAPT packages online.

The best of these packages is the Vegas Gold Pass, which not only sends you to the NAPT but also gives you access to the Oracle Red Bull Racing Fan Experience ahead of the Vegas Grand Prix.

We are delighted to be bringing back the NAPT after 12 years, with Resorts World Las Vegas as our first stop," Kevin Harrington, the CEO of PokerStars, told the press. "Building on the success of our European Poker Tour, we are excited to bring epic live poker back to North America.

We take pride in making our events accessible to all players," Harrington added later. "The introduction of the Vegas Gold Pass allows us to award players with a package trip to Las Vegas to enjoy classic live poker action, as well as being entertained by an epic Oracle Red Bull Racing Fan Experience.

What's Included In Your PokerStars Vegas Gold Pass

These passes cover your buy in for, travel to, and accommodation during the $5,300 NAPT Las Vegas High Roller.

Excitingly, the passes also include three-day access for two people to the Oracle Red Bull Racing Fan Experience ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The full package is worth $20,300 and contains:

one seat in the $5,300 NAPT Las Vegas High Roller, running from November 10 to 12;

three-day passesfrom November 16 to 18for two people for the Oracle Red Bull Racing Fan Experience in Las Vegas;

ten nightsfrom November 9 to 19accommodation for two at Resorts World Las Vegas;

taxes and resort fees; and

an additional $3,653 towards flights and expenses.

How to Win a PokerStars Vegas Gold Pass

PokerStars' players can now earn a Vegas Gold Pass through the Power Path promotion.

Power Path is an ongoing four-step online satellite series. Players can buy into Steps 1 to 3, in which winners will earn tickets to the next step.

However, you cannot buy directly into Step 4 where the prizes change to Bronze, Silver, and Gold Passes. To earn a seat in Step 4, you have to win your ticket in a Step 3 tourney.

From October 2 until October 26, the PokerStars Power Path is "supercharged" with fifty guaranteed Gold Passes ten of which are redeemable for Vegas bundles.

Plus, to help start you off on your own Power Path adventure, PokerStars is also awarding every player who plays real money cash games or tournaments on the PokerStars client a free $0.50 Step 1 ticket.

Click Here To Download PokerStars Now!

Full North American Poker Tour Resorts World Schedule

Date Tournament Buy-In Starting Stack 4-Nov Qualifier to $1,100 NLH Deepstack - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry $265 10,000 4-Nov Qualifier to $1,650 Main Event - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry - 10 Seats Guaranteed $390 10,000 5-Nov $1,100 NLH Deepstack - Unlimited Re-Entry - $125,000 Guarantee Day 1 $1,100 50,000 5-Nov Womens - Single Re-Entry - $20,000 Guarantee $360 30,000 5-Nov NAPT Super High Roller - Unlimited Re-Entry Day 1 $10,300 50,000 5-Nov Qualifier to $1,650 Main Event - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry - 10 Seats Guaranteed $390 10,000 5-Nov Qualifier to $1,650 Main Event - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry - 10 Seats Guaranteed $390 10,000 6-Nov NAPT Main Event - Unlimited Re-Entry - $1,500,000 Guarantee $1,650 30,000 6-Nov Qualifier to $1,650 Main Event - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry - 10 Seats Guaranteed $390 10,000 6-Nov Seniors (50 Years or Older) - Single Re-Entry - $20,000 Guarantee $550 30,000 6-Nov $1,100 NLH Deepstack - Unlimited Re-Entry - $125,000 Guarantee Final $1,100 50,000 6-Nov Womens - Single Re-Entry - $20,000 Guarantee $360 30,000 6-Nov NAPT Super High Roller - Unlimited Re-Entry Day 2 $10,300 50,000 6-Nov PL Omaha - Single Re-Entry - $20,000 Guarantee $550 30,000 6-Nov NAPT Main Event - Unlimited Re-Entry - $1,500,000 Guarantee $1,650 30,000 6-Nov Qualifier to $1,650 Main Event - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry - 10 Seats Guaranteed $390 10,000 6-Nov Qualifier to $5,300 PLO - 'Win Your Seat @ 100,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry $600 10,000 7-Nov Qualifier to $1,650 Main Event - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry - 10 Seats Guaranteed $390 10,000 7-Nov NAPT Main Event - Unlimited Re-Entry - $1,500,000 Guarantee $1,650 30,000 7-Nov Seniors (50 Years or Older) - Single Re-Entry - $20,000 Guarantee $550 30,000 7-Nov NAPT Super High Roller - Unlimited Re-Entry Final $10,300 50,000 7-Nov PL Omaha - Single Re-Entry Day 1 $5,300 50,000 7-Nov $250 NLH - Unlimited Re-Entry - $20,000 Guarantee $250 20,000 7-Nov NAPT Main Event - Unlimited Re-Entry - $1,500,000 Guarantee $1,650 30,000 7-Nov Qualifier to $1,650 Main Event - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry - 10 Seats Guaranteed $390 10,000 8-Nov Qualifier to $1,650 Main Event - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry - 10 Seats Guaranteed $390 10,000 8-Nov NAPT Main Event - Unlimited Re-Entry - $1,500,000 Guarantee $1,650 30,000 8-Nov PL Omaha - Single Re-Entry Final $5,300 50,000 8-Nov 8-Game - Single Re-Entry - $20,000 Guarantee $550 30,000 8-Nov NAPT Main Event Last Chance Turbo - Unlimited Re-Entry - $1,500,000 Guarantee $1,650 30,000 8-Nov Qualifier to $5,300 8-Game Mix - 'Win Your Seat @ 100,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry $600 10,000 9-Nov PokerStars Cup - Unlimited Re-Entry - $300,000 Guarantee Day 1/A $550 30,000 9-Nov NAPT Main Event - Unlimited Re-Entry - $1,500,000 Guarantee $1,650 30,000 9-Nov 8 Game - Single Re-Entry Day 1 $5,300 50,000 9-Nov PokerStars Cup - Unlimited Re-Entry - $300,000 Guarantee Day 1/B $550 30,000 9-Nov Qualifier to $5,300 NAPT High Roller - 'Win Your Seat @ 100,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry $600 10,000 10-Nov PokerStars Cup - Unlimited Re-Entry - $300,000 Guarantee Day 1/C $550 30,000 10-Nov NAPT Main Event - Unlimited Re-Entry - $1,500,000 Guarantee $1,650 30,000 10-Nov NAPT High Roller - Single Re-Entry - $500,000 Guarantee Day 1 $5,300 50,000 10-Nov 8 Game - Single Re-Entry Final $5,300 50,000 10-Nov PokerStars Cup - Unlimited Re-Entry - $300,000 Guarantee Day 1/D $550 30,000 10-Nov Qualifier to $1,100 Mystery Bounty - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry $265 10,000 11-Nov Mystery Bounty ($500 Mystery Bounty) - Unlimited Re-Entry - $250,000 Guarantee Day 1/A $1,100 30,000 11-Nov Qualifier to $1,100 Mystery Bounty - 'Win Your Seat @ 50,000 Chips' - Single Re-Entry $265 10,000 11-Nov NAPT High Roller - Single Re-Entry - $500,000 Guarantee Day 2 $5,300 50,000 11-Nov NAPT Main Event - Unlimited Re-Entry - $1,500,000 Guarantee $1,650 30,000 11-Nov PokerStars Cup - Unlimited Re-Entry - $300,000 Guarantee Final $550 30,000 11-Nov Omaha 8B - Single Re-Entry - $20,000 Guarantee $550 30,000 11-Nov Mystery Bounty ($500 Mystery Bounty) - Unlimited Re-Entry - $250,000 Guarantee Day 1/B $1,100 30,000 11-Nov $250 NLH - Unlimited Re-Entry - $20,000 Guarantee $250 20,000 12-Nov $360 NLH - Unlimited Re-Entry - $20,000 Guarantee $360 30,000 12-Nov NAPT High Roller - Single Re-Entry - $500,000 Guarantee Final $5,300 50,000 12-Nov Mystery Bounty ($500 Mystery Bounty) - Unlimited Re-Entry - $250,000 Guarantee Final $1,100 30,000 12-Nov Last Chance Super Hyper Turbo - Unlimited Re-Entry - $50,000 Guarantee $1,100 50,000
KHOJALY, Azerbaijan, October 2. The law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Azerbaijan strictly monitor the observance of rights, public rules, and security throughout the territory of the Karabakh Economic Region after the successful completion of anti-terrorist measures, the Head of the Press Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Elshad Hajiyev said, Trend reports.

"The main focus is on the decriminalization of the territory, the cleansing of the criminal regime, the remnants of the Armenian armed formations left after the separatist regime, mines, and ammunition, in connection with which joint work is being carried out with the relevant state structures, said Hajiyev.

The work is carried out by employees of the internal affairs bodies in accordance with the task of bringing the territory into a safe state, which concerns not only drugs or ammunition. The current situation allows us to say that the employees of the internal affairs bodies of Azerbaijan perform the tasks assigned to them at a high level," Hajiyev said.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement [signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent [temporarily stationed in Azerbaijan under the trilateral statement], an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.
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President Biden let some anger creep into his voice as he talked about how Kevin McCarthy and House Republicans tried to go back on the budget deal that they negotiated.

Biden said:

The truth is we shouldnt be here in the first place. We shouldnt have gotten here in the first place. Its time to end, governing by crisis and keep your word when you give it. In the Congress a few months ago, after a long negotiation between myself and the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, we came to agree on a budget agreement precisely to avoid a manufactured crisis that we just witnessed. But the last few days and weeks, extreme MAGA Republicans tried to walk away from that deal.

Voting for deep drastic spending cuts from 30 to 80%. That would have been devastating for millions of Americans. They failed again, they failed again and we stopped them. But Im under no illusions that theyll be back again. You know where I come from when you make a deal and you give your word, you keep it, you give your word, you say Im going to do what I said, Im going to do and you do it, you keep it, you keep your word and I expect the Republicans speaker and Republicans in Congress to honor their word and keep the deal they made months ago when they tried to threaten us with almost international bankruptcy.

Video of Biden:

Biden could not keep the anger out of his voice as he talked about how House Republicans tried to walk back a deal on spending while trying to cause a default.

President Biden has clearly had enough of House Republicans and their chaos and lies.

In the future one would suspect that the White House will be much more reluctant to hold any negotiations or enter into any agreements with House Republicans because their leader and the majority cant be trusted.

Things will be a lot easier for Biden if he wins reelection and Democrats take back total control of Congress.
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Republicans, led by Mitch McConnell, have recruited Dave McCormick to run against Sen. Bob Casey in Pennsylvania, but McCormick couldnt answer how many days that he lived in the state last year.

McCormick was asked on ABC27s This Week In Pennsylvania how many days he lived in the state last year, and he answered:

Well, listen, Im born in Pennsylvania, raised in Pennsylvania, went away from Pennsylvania to serve my country, went to West Point in the military, came back to Pennsylvania, created jobs in Pittsburgh, and then, like many Pennsylvanians, I had a great opportunity when I was working in the government to move and run a company that was outside of our great commonwealth.

But Pennsylvanias been my home and, last campaign, I spent all the majority of my time in Pennsylvania and, um, and I, I am now. I live in Pennsylvania. I do. I do. I said I live in Pennsylvania. I live in Pittsburgh. I have a home in Pittsburgh. I have a family farm that is where I, in the town I grew up in.

I didnt grow up on the farm, but I have it. And, and listen, Im, like many Pennsylvanians, Im divorced. And I have my youngest child whos finishing high school. She lives with her mom in Connecticut. So Im gonna go to Connecticut to see my daughter and be a good dad. And if theres a political cost associated with that, so be it.

The most important thing, for you to know is this is a distraction. This is a distraction.

McCormick gave an answer that was over 200 words long, but none of them answered the question about how many days he lived in the state last year.

As Dr. Oz demonstrated, being in the state to campaign is not the same as living in Pennsylvania.

Video:

OOMPH ABC27: How many days in the past year have you lived here in Pennsylvania? Dave McCormick: Well, listen#pasen pic.twitter.com/usELXfMp6w  danny (@dabbs346) October 1, 2023

In some states it isnt a big deal, but in Pennsylvania, voters want their senator to be familiar with the state they represent.

McCormick was already going to have a hard time defeating Pennsylvanias beloved Bob Casey, but if he cant answer how many days he lived in the state last year, hes got no chance in 2024.
Sometimes, it takes a village to tell a story. And when it comes to the narrative of legendary South Carolinian Robert Smalls, getting it right may be a way forward for our city  and for the creative process.

The story of Smalls is writ large in history  his derring-do seizing a Confederate ship in Charleston Harbor to escape enslavement and his ascendancy into American politics, serving five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he championed equity.

Still, Charleston Gaillard Center determined that Smalls story embodies sufficient nuance and import to harness considerable resources to aim to commission a production that gets it right. Finding Freedom: The Journey of Robert Smalls is the organizations first-ever commissioned theatrical work.

The multidisciplinary production, which opens at Charleston Gaillard Center on Oct. 6, folds in music, media and movement. It was conceived to build on the organizations commitment to programming centered on stories of underappreciated heroes from the South. It will present performances for the public, as well as for thousands of Lowcountry students, through its education outreach program, which transports students to the Gaillard for events during the day.

Telling Charleston stories

This performance aligns with our mission to elevate voices and important issues in our community, especially with stories that explore our complex history, said Lissa Frenkel, president and CEO of Charleston Gaillard Center, adding that it aims to acknowledge Americas difficult history of race and slavery by way of the arts, which can bridge divides and build dialogue.

It is a local, if painful, narrative, with Charleston serving as the point of entry for many enslaved persons into the country. The story of Smalls was first suggested by Teralyn Reiter, a playwright and theater maker who has worked with the Gaillard on education and community programs.
LEXINGTON  Apartment developers could see further limits on where and what they can build in Lexington County.

The county previously limited construction of new apartments outside town limits to locations along four-lane roads. Now, the County Council is considering taking those restrictions a step further in the western part of the county, capping complexes at 200 units throughout a special district that stretches between the towns of Chapin and Lexington around Lake Murray.

For example, any new apartment complexes proposed along Highway 378 west of the town of Lexington would be subject to the unit limitations under the proposal being discussed. Similar limits would apply to the north side of Highway 1, stretching west to Cedar Grove Road near Batesburg-Leesville.

In total, there are 99 apartment complexes across Lexington County. Officials estimate less than 20 percent of those are outside town limits, making them subject to county jurisdiction.

The discussion among members of the council was prompted by long-held concerns over traffic, emergency response times and overcrowding in schools within the Midlands' fastest growing county.

But not everyone sees it that way.

When it comes to school attendance, Councilman Todd Cullum gave the example of two new apartment communities along Lake Murray Boulevard west of Irmo, York Woods and Grandview at Lake Murray, which house a total of 67 children who attend Lexington-Richland 5 schools. Together, the two complexes have a total of 716 apartments.

Meanwhile, those two apartment complexes generate more than $1 million in property tax revenue used to cover operating costs of Lexington-Richland 5 schools, according to the property owners' most recent tax bills. That amounts to $16,063 per child who lives there.

In fact, Grandview at Lake Murray is the seventh-largest property taxpayer in the district, behind utility companies and the various shopping centers along Harbison Boulevard, according to the district's most recent financial report.
COLUMBIA  Wells Fargo plans to close its Columbia corporate office by June.

The closure is part of office consolidation efforts by the banking giant, according to a notice filed with the state Department of Employment and Workforce.

"Wells Fargo leaders are working to provide up-to-date facilities with modern workspaces and technology to create a more collaborative work environment that is a better employee experience," the company wrote in its notice. "At the same time, we need to concentrate Wells Fargo real estate investments in fewer locations or reduce space in existing real estate."

The company will clear out its office at 101 Greystone Blvd. and as many as 525 employees will be required to transfer to another Wells Fargo office if they plan to continue working for the bank.

"Wells Fargo continues to bring employees in non-customer facing roles together and to improve and modernize our workspaces. This will strengthen our customer-centric culture, collaboration, strong risk management, and innovation," the company added in a written statement to The Post and Courier.

Employees will be given a more formal, 60-day notice of when their employment may end if they do not choose to transfer within the bank. Wells Fargo will offer a severance package based on years of service, as well as career counseling.

Office vacancy rates have been on the rise in Columbia since the COVID-19 pandemic sent people out of corporate offices and into their homes, according to the most recent report from commercial real estate firm Colliers.

Vacancy rates in the capital city were at 15.3 percent halfway through 2023, with companies choosing to locate in better-quality spaces, largely along Main Street, the Vista and the BullStreet District.

Older buildings in more remote locations "languish," according to Colliers, and are being redeveloped for other uses and reducing the overall amount of office space in the market.
As a visual artist in Columbia, having opportunities to display your work is paramount. No one knows this more than Anthony Lewis, who creates under his artistic moniker, ALewisProject.

Lately, if you've been looking for him, you'll likely find him at the Earnest A. Finney Jr. Cultural Arts Center, home to "African American culture, art and expression," as described on their official website.

Lewis is an artist-in-residence, focusing on African-American themes; the Finney Center is a perfect fit for his artistic vision.

"I'm so happy to be involved with the Ernest A. Finney Arts Center. This is my first time creating in a space like this, it's a dream come true for me," the multi-disciplinary artist told Free Times. "This cultural arts center will bring many amazing things to the city. I can see in the future the artists in this space creating and engaging in the community, being involved from young kids to older, come here as a place where they can gain inspiration."

The Center's name is after Ernest A. Finney Jr., South Carolina's first appointed African-American Supreme Court Justice since Reconstruction. An HBCU graduate from Claflin, Finney represented the Friendship 9, a group of Black junior college students arrested and charged for attempting to desegregate McCrory's lunch counter in Rock Hill, South Carolina in 1961.

That spirit of fighting for justice is a family tradition. Nikky Finney, the daughter of the Center's namesake and its executive director, has been a colossal voice for Civil Rights and the Black Arts Movement.

Nikky Finney talked to Free Times about the origin of the center and one of the inspirations from another Columbia Civil Rights legend.

"Kevin A. Gray, who founded and owned Railroad Barbecue, was speaking with his long-time friend Frances Close, who had also helped him get Railroad BBQ off the ground, about a building that was about to go on the market, Finney recounted. The building sat beside his restaurant and the old railroad tracks that had long divided up downtown Columbia."
WASHINGTON DC - Back in 1944 songsters Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer gave us an uplifting piece of music: it was called Accentuate the Positive. Nearly 80 years later Michael Seifert, the founder, CEO, and president of PublicSq [Public Square], is doing just that; as the lyric goes, hes la Read moreEntrepreneur Michael Seifert warns, your wallet is a weapon
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. The newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan Gismet Gezalov presented a copy of his credentials to the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers - Turkmenistan's Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, Azerbaijani Embassy in Turkmenistan told Trend.

"Speaking about the existing strategic relations between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, the minister stressed the prospects for further development of these relations and expressed confidence that successful results in this direction will be achieved during the period of the new ambassador's activity, the embassy said.

Gezalov noted that he will make every effort to expand bilateral relations, and appropriate steps will be taken towards the development of cooperation in accordance with the strategic partnership in all spheres.

The sides exchanged broad views on the further development of relations between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan in political, economic, transport, energy, and other spheres during the meeting," the embassy said.
SUMMERVILLE  Kay Phillips, executive director of the Dorchester Childrens Advocacy Center, was awarded the Order of the Palmetto.

The Order of the Palmetto is South Carolinas highest civilian honor. Awarded by the governor, it recognizes a lifetime of achievement, service and contributions.

While being recognized for her work at the DCAC, Phillips was also recognized for her involvement in several other organizations. Among them are as an executive board member of the South Carolina Network of Childrens Advocacy Centers, a member of the Roper St. Francis Healthcare Board of Directors and a member of the Greater Summerville Dorchester Chamber of Commerce.

Phillips revealed she received the award at the DCACs annual Pinwheel Gala on Aug. 26, despite being unaware of her prior selection.

It was a surprise, Phillips said. I didnt know that it was coming, so I was shocked and just so very honored.

Rep. Robby Robbins, R-Dorchester, was one of Phillips' nominators for the award; Sen. Sean Bennett, R-Dorchester; Tony Pope, DCAC Board Chair; and Rita Berry, president and CEO of the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce also wrote letters to the governor recommending Phillips.

Robbins said that as legal counsel for the advocacy center for the past 18 years, he's had a front row seat to watch Phillips work.

"She has been a tireless advocate for children," he said. "To see her commitment to helping children of all backgrounds that are victims of physical and sexual abuse heal and move forward, it's a privilege."

The advocacy center, a nonprofit dedicated to helping victims of child abuse, will be marking its 20th anniversary in December. It tackles different types of abuse  physical, emotional and sexual  as well as any form of neglect, drug endangerment and witnessing violence.

At the advocacy center, employees are trained to give forensic interviews: asking the children non-leading questions about what happened to them. Doctors from the Medical University of South Carolina work both out of the DCAC and their own child abuse program to provide a noninvasive forensic medical exam.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was published in partnership with The Marshall Project, a nonprofit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system.

GREENVILLE  Megan McKenzie was elated to be a mom.

It was August 2008, and the 24-year-old nurse had just given birth to her first child, a 6-pound girl named Ellie Lynn. McKenzie cried inside the Greenville hospital room as she nestled the small body against her chest.

It would be the most untainted moment of mother-daughter bonding theyd share for nearly two and a half years.

Hours after she was born, Ellie tested positive for compounds found in cannabis products. Police officers arrested McKenzie two months later  changing her and Ellies lives forever.

McKenzie lived in one of three states where high courts have held that women can be charged for substance abuse during pregnancy. Women across the U.S. are arrested for using drugs during the perinatal period, which encompasses the weeks before and after birth. But South Carolina, Alabama and Oklahoma have the formal backing of criminal statutes or court decisions.

South Carolina was an architect of prosecuting pregnant women, an approach that got its start in Charleston. A 1989 policy at the Medical University of South Carolina established a pipeline through which doctors and nurses alerted police each time a pregnant woman or her baby tested positive for an illegal substance.

The program ended in 1994 amid a lawsuit and federal investigation into possible civil rights violations. But the idea took root. The S.C. Supreme Court cited the concept of "fetal personhood" when it ruled two years later that child abuse laws extend to a viable fetus, paving the way for more of these prosecutions.

They've continued.

The Post and Courier examined nearly 200 cases in which women were charged between 2006 and 2021 with unlawful neglect of a child or homicide by child abuse for alleged perinatal drug use. The number is almost certainly an undercount.

Proponents argue the practice protects babies from exposure to illegal drugs and holds mothers accountable for harming their children. But some doctors and lawyers contend the crime is based on faulty science. Its up to individual prosecutors to pursue charges, creating a pattern thats neither predictable nor uniform.

South Carolina has the second-highest arrest rate in the nation for alleged perinatal drug use, trailing only Alabama, according to a recent report from the legal aid group Pregnancy Justice. The report compiled cases from 2006 to June 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and left the legality of abortions to state legislators.

The Marshall Project, a nonprofit newsroom, recently examined how prosecutors in Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Carolina have wielded laws and court rulings establishing fetal personhood to prosecute pregnant women for using drugs. The Post and Couriers reporting is published in partnership with The Marshall Project, AL.com, The Frontier, Mississippi Today and The Guardian.

South Carolina doesnt distinguish perinatal drug use from other child neglect and abuse charges, making these cases hard to track. Nor does every positive drug test end in prosecution or prison time.

The Post and Couriers analysis shows one-third of charges ended up dismissed. Of the cases that resulted in sentences, the majority  about two-thirds  were suspended to probation.

The newspaper found women rarely spent more than a year in state prison. Even among suspended sentences, which can include both prison and probation time, defendants spent an average of seven months behind bars. They spent an average of two years and eight months on probation.

No cases were tried before a jury. Instead, of the ones that werent dismissed, the women pleaded guilty.

Although few defendants served lengthy prison sentences, the arrests still left indelible marks on their lives. Judges sometimes added special conditions: placement on the central child abuse registry, random drug screens, costly court fees.

Many positive tests are forwarded to the states child welfare agency. The South Carolina Department of Social Services recorded nearly 1,600 reports of substance-affected newborns in 2022, according to department data. The newspaper filed a Freedom of Information Act request for data from 2017 to the present, but the department had only last years numbers.

The Post and Couriers investigation found prosecutions for perinatal drug use in almost every county, from rural Union to densely populated Horry.

Those included three years in prison for a Marlboro County woman who tested positive in 2010 for cocaine after delivering a stillborn baby. And a year of probation for a Sumter County mom whose newborn tested positive in 2013 for marijuana. And three years' probation for a York County woman in 2019 whose baby tested positive for cocaine.

Surveilling pregnancies is a group effort. Nurses, who are mandated child abuse reporters, must pass positive drug tests to case managers or law enforcement; case managers can alert police. Loophole-ridden medical privacy laws give criminal investigators access to protected information.

Concerns about child abuse undergird the laws that allow the child welfare, medical and criminal systems to work in tandem. But the women interviewed by The Post and Courier say these concerns are a smokescreen for punishment.

Their stories show how a positive drug test can set in motion a process that lands women behind bars, childless and lacking support in a state without widespread access to best-practice drug treatment.

S.C.'s pioneering role

Two decades before baby Ellie tested positive in Greenville, an MUSC nurse named Shirley Brown noticed a troubling trend.

It was fall 1988  the middle of the crack-cocaine epidemic in the U.S.  and Brown observed several newborn babies test positive for cocaine, The Post and Courier reported at the time. Her concerns dovetailed with national ones about pregnant drug users and their infants: so-called "crack babies," a misnomer that came to symbolize widespread anxieties about the powerful drug.

The Los Angeles Times examined the episode years later, reporting that it played out this way:

Brown and her boss created an informal program to test patients for cocaine. Tests were ordered for women exhibiting any of six indicators of drug use: no prenatal care, placental abruption, intrauterine fetal death, preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction and previously known drug or alcohol abuse. Nearly 120 women tested positive in a year.

Brown tried to funnel them toward treatment but grew frustrated after repeatedly watching them refuse. The nurse knew prosecutors around the country were charging pregnant substance users with crimes like distribution to minors and child neglect. Why couldnt her city do the same?

She called in reinforcements. Charlie Condon, then the solicitor for Charleston and Berkeley counties, became an enthusiastic participant. Time Magazine once called him the "postpartum prosecutor."

"A viable fetus," he repeatedly declared, "is a fellow South Carolinian."

Condon collaborated with the Charleston Police Department to develop a path to prosecution. If a pregnant patient tested positive and declined treatment, hospital workers would alert police, who consulted with Condons office. At least 30 women were arrested, the majority of them Black.

The policy was not without opposition. Mary Faith Marshall, who directed the bioethics program at MUSC for much of the 1990s, said the practice made a mockery of informed consent. It also treated addiction as a crime and turned nurses into evidence collectors.

Hospital workers wanted women to get treatment. But in Charleston, a robust landscape hardly existed. At the time, the city had no residential facility for women and their children, which experts tout as best practice.

MUSC agreed to end the policy in 1994 amid a federal investigation and after the government threatened to cut funding. Some hospital employees were concerned it targeted poor Black women who had no choice but to seek prenatal care at MUSC. It was one of the only hospitals for miles that accepted Medicaid patients.

A lawyer for the hospital worried about arresting women without a subpoena of medical records; he feared the practice could prompt allegations MUSC breached patient confidentiality.

His fears proved valid.

Lynn Paltrow, a New York-based lawyer and founder of Pregnancy Justice, joined forces with Charleston attorney Susan Dunn in 1993 to sue the city and hospital for violating the constitutional rights of 10 patients.

The lawsuit dragged on until the U.S. Supreme Court in 2001 ruled in favor of the women. But the justices' opinion focused primarily on privacy and unlawful searches.

As far as the nations highest court was concerned, South Carolina could continue to drug-test pregnant women and report the findings to police, so long as the women were made aware.

As far as Paltrow was concerned, MUSCs policy was a product of its time, a merging of anti-abortion attitudes and heavy-handed criminalization. To justify child abuse charges, prosecutors were contending drug use harmed a fetus  and, by extension, the fetus had rights.

"It was never about protecting children," Paltrow said more than three decades later. "It was about controlling poor mothers, particularly Black mothers."

The hospital declined to comment on the Supreme Court case for this article. Both Brown and Condon declined to comment on the MUSC policy and their roles in the episode.

No scientific consensus

The science around perinatal drug use is unresolved, said Dr. Mishka Terplan, an OB-GYN and addiction medicine physician who directs the Friends Research Institute in Maryland. No research on humans links marijuana use to the chance of miscarriage, for instance, but substantial evidence shows the drug can cause low birth weight in babies.

Some studies suggest exposure to cocaine in the womb may inhibit growth and cause developmental delays. But research shows the drugs long-term effect on infants is difficult to separate from other environmental influences of a drug-using lifestyle, like poor nutrition and a lack of prenatal care.

Much of the countrys child welfare policy rests on the assumption that people who use drugs while pregnant are more likely to abuse or neglect their children. But research doesnt support this theory, Terplan said.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists argues drug use during pregnancy is best addressed through education and treatment, not testing and prosecution. Research suggests drug screens aren't the best way to identify people with substance-use disorders who might benefit from treatment, Terplan said.

And tests arent perfect. Initial screens can net false positives, and those presumptive results arent always followed up with confirmatory testing, the doctor added. But some experts say rapid tests identifying drug-dependent newborns are critical in helping doctors make treatment decisions.

Medical professionals and prosecutors wrestled with the science amid several landmark rulings in South Carolina courts.

The first case came after a judge in 1993 released Cornelia Whitner from her eight-year prison sentence. The Easley woman spent 19 months behind bars after her newborn tested positive for cocaine.

The judge decided child abuse laws dont apply to a fetus. Condon, by then the states attorney general, disagreed. The state Supreme Court sided with him, ruling in 1996 that a pregnant woman who uses drugs can be charged with abusing her viable fetus.

The ruling drives prosecutions. Today, the most common charge is unlawful neglect of a child, the newspapers analysis found. Its a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

In 2001, Regina McKnight of Horry County became the first woman in South Carolina to be convicted of homicide for delivering a stillborn baby exposed to drugs. Pathologists testified her crack cocaine use was to blame.

The state Supreme Court overturned her conviction seven years later. Justices decided prosecutors didnt show enough proof McKnights baby died because of her cocaine use. The woman pleaded guilty to a lesser crime instead of going to trial, and was released from prison for time served.

Whitners case laid the groundwork for McKnights conviction. The decisions helped establish fetal personhood as case law. The concept guides many anti-abortion groups' belief that a fetus should be afforded the same legal protections as a child.

"That person (the fetus) is more vulnerable, and more innocent, and deserves a special protection," said Rep. Josiah Magnuson, a member of the state's ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus.

Courts in Alabama and Mississippi used the S.C. rulings to espouse similar ideas. Those states lead the country in arrests for alleged perinatal drug use, according to Pregnancy Justice.

After the Whitner ruling, Condon said he planned to instruct prosecutors and social workers to monitor and punish pregnant women who abuse drugs, this newspaper reported in 1996.

The 30-year-old court decision  not a law  continues to invite charges against South Carolina women. Similar approaches exist elsewhere. Alabama courts and prosecutors have interpreted the states chemical endangerment statute to charge expectant and new mothers for using drugs. The law was first created to protect children from home meth labs.

Greenwood Republican John McCravy is the Statehouses lead sponsor of abortion bans and a member of its Family Caucus. The representative said he considers drug use during pregnancy to be child abuse and wouldnt propose changing South Carolinas approach.

Magnuson, a Spartanburg County Republican, said hed support a law that clearly spells out an unborn child has individual rights, including protection from perinatal drug use. But he said the state could better discern which defendants are "victims of the system" who need care rather than punishment.

Patchwork prosecutions

Prosecutors handle perinatal drug use differently. Barbara Morgan served for nearly two decades as 2nd Circuit solicitor of Aiken, Bamberg and Barnwell counties, in the 1990s and early 2000s. She recalled the devastating effect of the crack epidemic, particularly for women of childbearing age and their families.

"That toll on children and families is something you cant grasp at times," she said.

Investigations illustrated the human cost of the era, Morgan recalled: women having multiple miscarriages, mothers and stillborn babies testing positive for cocaine, parents losing custody of older children due to drug use.

The former prosecutor said she didnt endorse incarcerating people based on addiction alone. Helping people quit drugs isnt straightforward or always successful, she noted.

Morgan recalled referring first-time offenders to pre-trial intervention, dismissing cases if defendants successfully completed treatment and working with social service agencies.

A woman in 2007 agreed to a plea deal in which taking birth control was a voluntary condition of her probation. Morgans office prosecuted the case; she reflected on it 16 years later. She witnessed defendants telling judges they knew addiction harmed their families and were grateful for access to oral contraceptives.

"The women would say, 'Judge, it would be really good that I did that until I got better,'" Morgan said.

Current prosecutors in Horry and Georgetown counties rarely see cases involving perinatal drug use, said 15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson. Cases that reach his office typically involve drug tests with a paper trail and police involvement  a collaborative effort between medical workers and law enforcement, Richardson said.

Sentences for homicide by child abuse, a crime carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years, almost always involve prison time, he said. Unlawful neglect sentences are handled on a case-by-case basis and depend on a defendants prior charges, age and drug history.

The prosecutor prefers recommending drug court for defendants rather than probation.

An elusive allegation

Trouble for Megan McKenzie started at the end of her pregnancy. During her last prenatal checkup at a Greenville clinic, a nurse handed her a blank piece of paper, she recalled. McKenzie asked what it was for. A consent form for drug screening, the nurse replied.

But the procedure wasnt listed on the form, McKenzie recalled. Believing the nurse bungled the rules of informed consent, she refused to sign.

"Im a stickler for accountability," she said.

McKenzie said she was also a stickler for sobriety. It was true, she told a counselor during her pregnancy, that she had previously smoked marijuana to cope with an abusive relationship. But she said she never smoked while pregnant, and in the waning days of August 2008 delivered Ellie, a healthy baby girl.

As McKenzie remembers it, someone claimed she'd admitted to smoking marijuana during her pregnancy. She doesnt know who. But that led medical providers to test Ellie's urine for drugs.

She gave birth at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, which declined to comment on McKenzies case, citing patient privacy.

The hospital provided The Post and Courier with a written statement indicating that it follows the law when it comes to getting patients' informed consent. But medical providers dont need that consent to perform a drug screen when "presented with a court order or search warrant, or in cases involving suspected infant drug exposure," the statement read. Drug screening infants doesnt require parental consent.

A presumptive test declared Ellie's urine positive for cannabis compounds. But experts caution that presumptive tests can net false positives. Nurses hadnt collected enough urine to perform a confirmatory test, medical records show. McKenzie said a lab manager later told her Ellie's sample likely got mixed up with a positive result. And records show both parents tested negative on hair follicle screens hours after Ellie's birth.

McKenzie suspects a hospital worker passed Ellie's presumptive results to social workers. Hours after giving birth, the new mom was the subject of an investigation for alleged abuse.

Questions of consent

Theres no uniform drug-testing policy for mothers and newborns in South Carolina. In many cases, individual practitioners have the authority to order tests on patients who meet certain criteria, according to several hospital policies obtained by The Post and Courier.

At Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, patients must sign off on maternal urine and umbilical cord screens, and a consent form plainly indicates positive results can trigger a DSS investigation that "could result in the removal of (a) baby," or even "criminal consequences." Placental abruption and newborn withdrawal can qualify a mother for a drug test. So can a lack of prenatal care, an admission of drug use or a request by DSS.

Bon Secours St. Francis Health System in Greenville has a similar list of criteria for ordering a test, in addition to "clinical suspicion of substance misuse."

At MUSC, doctors use their judgment to drug test newborns based on the babys condition at birth, a hospital spokeswoman said. Mothers are tested with their informed consent, she added.

Clinicians at Conway Medical Center and Greenville Memorial, where McKenzie gave birth, don't need parental consent to drug test infants. Newborns are "minor(s)," Conway's policy states, subject to "appropriate care."

Today, as a result of the 2001 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, hospitals must get informed consent before drug testing pregnant women if results can be reported to police. When asked how its policy squares with the ruling, Greenville Memorial said it "complies with state and federal laws regarding the informed consent required of pregnant women."

Clinics that take Medicaid patients are more likely to drug test their clientele than practices that serve wealthier patients, said Wendy Bach, a law professor at the University of Tennessee. So are hospitals located in poor areas.

Race affects a patients chance of getting tested, too. Black mothers, researchers found, receive the lions share of tests at birth.

Terplan, the OB-GYN, questions whether providers give patients the option to deny a drug test. Case management is notified at Spartanburg Regional if mothers refuse drug screens, the policy states.

He also wonders whether hospitals are transparent about the passing along of results. McKenzie didnt know her daughters positive test would reach DSS, then end in her arrest. But theres nothing unusual about these information exchanges, oiled by loopholes in medical privacy laws.

Exemptions in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act allow law enforcement officers to obtain protected medical information. If the information is believed to be evidence of a crime  or even if its collection could prevent perceived safety threats  officers can get the records with or without patient authorization.

"HIPAA is a leaky faucet," Bach said.

Chilling effect on care

In her first months as a mom, McKenzie avoided doctors offices, scared to get care.

"When your medical providers become evidence collectors for the state," McKenzie said, "you don't want to go see them."

Fresh in her mind were those frantic days in the hospital. Nurses held watch over Ellie for a week, restricting her mothers visits to every three hours.

McKenzie shuttled from home to hospital and hospital to home, hardly sleeping for several days, worried shed miss her daughters first moments.

"I would get there early," she recalled, "and there would be a woman sitting in the nursery rocking my child."

McKenzie completed an infant CPR class, a precondition for bringing Ellie home. She proactively got a drug abuse assessment at a Greenville treatment center. It confirmed she was an attentive mother who reported no drug use in the home.

"Client is willing to do whatever necessary for her child," wrote an addiction counselor. "Client will not be placed into treatment services until DSS makes a decision."

There was little McKenzie could do to disentangle her family from DSS. Two months after Ellies birth, the department found evidence of abuse, documents show. Days after that, Greenville police officers arrested her on an unlawful neglect charge.

Her daughter was nearly nine weeks old  around the time when babies begin to smile.

'The system destroyed me'

After her arrest, McKenzie obtained the services of Rauch Wise, a Greenwood attorney who has represented women accused of perinatal drug use. In the 1990s, he represented Whitner. In the early 2000s, McKnight. (Pregnancy Justice covered Wises legal fees.)

In the weeks after Ellies birth, a case manager concluded she was safe, records show. But DSS remained a presence in the family's life.

Once, an agency employee arrived at her doorstep with a police officer and a warrant, allowing them to inspect the house. McKenzie said the visit made her no longer feel safe at home: "That's an unsettling feeling when you're a new mom," she said.

The department at another point told her to enroll in drug treatment. But McKenzie didnt have a substance use disorder, she said. Why should she get help?

McKenzie appealed the departments finding of abuse to no avail. In summer 2009, DSS, alleging McKenzie was uncooperative with treatment, wanted a judge to approve a treatment plan. Prosecutors, meanwhile, were pushing her to plead guilty to the criminal charge.

She was terrified Ellie would land in foster care. So she left.

McKenzie and Ellie got on a plane headed for Washington state. With a single suitcase and a plan to stay with her mom and sister, McKenzie fled South Carolina.

"It was a vacation, I told my lawyer. But I knew we weren't coming back," she said.

South Carolina case managers were now thousands of miles away, and McKenzie's lawyer told her in spring 2010 the department transferred her case. Washington social services reversed South Carolinas abuse finding several months later; her criminal case was expunged.

For the first time in two and a half years, McKenzie was unencumbered to make memories with her daughter. But she still felt deflated. "Destroyed," she repeatedly said.

A spokeswoman for South Carolina DSS declined to comment on McKenzies case.

McKenzie started to rebuild her life after moving to Washington state. She became a supportive confidante for pregnant women who use drugs. She also gave birth to two more children, Carl Jr. and Ali. Each pregnancy brought her back to that Greenville hospital room with Ellie and the case managers gathered inside.

She explained everything to her Washington doctors, fearing anything unsaid could leave her vulnerable to accusations.

But she had little to fear, even if she had been using drugs. In 1996, a Washington state appeals court ruled pregnant women who use drugs cant be charged with criminal mistreatment of a child.

McKenzie had the advantage of a lawyer and a support network in Washington, and ended with a clean criminal record. Not all women can say the same.

Families splintered

For some women, these allegations were their first introduction to the criminal justice system. For others, they upended lives already blanketed with instability from addiction, domestic violence and poverty.

Such was the case for Jessica Jackson of Conway. She left home at an early age and moved around the country before settling in the Myrtle Beach area. The single mother picked up misdemeanor convictions for speeding, trespassing, driving without a license and domestic violence, state records show.

But she landed in deeper waters in 2019 with her first felony conviction for using amphetamines while pregnant. The episode cost her custody of the baby and her two other children. Her problems only snowballed from there.

She gave birth to a fourth child  a boy  in 2021. She raised him for a year before police arrested her on a drug possession charge, records show. State workers removed the boy from her care soon after.

More trouble followed Jackson in June. She was implicated in a federal drug case involving two men accused in July 2022 of transporting large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine from Mexico to South Carolina. Federal prosecutors declined to discuss her role in the episode, but they have charged her with drug trafficking and conspiracy.

She pleaded not guilty during an Aug. 28 hearing in Florences federal courthouse and remains on home detention.

Jackson desperately wants to get her children back. Her Conway home still looks like they live there. Bikes and a car seat dot the front yard. Inside, a bag spills with toys. Artwork flutters from the fridge. Neon chalk streaks the walls.

Her children are scattered across the country, living with different guardians in South Carolina, North Carolina and Nevada. Jackson tries to see each of them as much as she can.

Her eldest daughter Paloma often visits. On a recent August morning, the 6-year-old filled Jacksons trailer with movement, happy shrieks and piles of toys.

But separation has strained the family's bond. Her youngest daughter calls her "Jessica." Her youngest son calls someone else "mom."

"Theyre not used to being with you anymore," Jackson said, fighting tears.

Her situation is decades removed from the 1990s, when South Carolina drew attention for taking new mothers to jail for drug use. The pattern of prosecutions has changed since then. DSS is the driver of child abuse cases stemming from positive drug tests.

But arrests have endured, and treatment services havent kept pace, several addiction counselors said. The state has only three programs that treat mothers and babies together  a model medical professionals consider the gold standard.

Drug tests can still end with a new mom in handcuffs. A conviction can still leave her separated from her child.

An Horry County woman was charged in July after she admitted to taking drugs while pregnant and her newborn baby tested positive for cannabis compounds.

McKenzie and Jackson say South Carolinas punitive approach left them worse off. But case managers said their daughters positive tests were evidence of abuse, the ensuing investigations essential to keeping children safe. And court rulings bolster the belief that a fetus has legal rights.

The stakes are high. Everyone says they just want whats best for the baby.
MULLINS  Mullins police officer John Pettiford was charged Sept. 29 with attempted murder and possession of a deadly weapon.

The charges stem from a Sept. 28 physical altercation at Jade Court near the Latta area of Marion County. Warrants say Pettiford shot someone multiple times with a handgun.

The Mullins Police Department fired Pettiford, 28, on Sept. 29 after he was arrested by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. SLED charged Pettiford, and the investigation is active and ongoing, SLED spokeswoman Renee Wunderlich said.

The Mullins Police Department declined to comment on the incident.

Pettiford started working at the Mullins Police Department in April 2019 shortly after he was fired at the Dillon Police Department in September 2018.

In Dillon, he was terminated for violation of agency policy not involving misconduct, according to documents from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.

The Dillon Police Department was not immediately available for comment about the details of Pettifords 2018 termination.

Although Pettiford was terminated from the Dillon Police Department, he was eligible to work again in law enforcement because of the nature of his termination. Law enforcement officers who have an unresolved allegation of misconduct may not work in law enforcement until the matter is resolved.

Pettiford is being held at the Marion County Detention Center and was denied bond, according to the detention centers website.
CHERAW  Old St. Davids Church is Ron Staffords favorite place in the world.

He drives by the 250-year old building in Cheraw at least a few times a week, just to check on it. The stately white steeple overlooks the cemetery below, the Pee Dee River beyond and, to the north, downtown Cheraw.

St. Davids, I think, is still the heart of Cheraw, Stafford said.

Stafford is the artist behind a new photography exhibit at the Cheraw Community Center that features Old St. Davids. Stafford's exhibit runs through Oct. 23.

His photos, many of which are in black and white, convey the sense of serenity that many of the churchs ardent fans describe while sitting in its pews.

I just wanted to highlight all the beauty of the church and the angles and make the old girl look good, Stafford said.

He also wanted to bring attention to Old St. Davids at a time he worries future generations wont give it the appreciation it deserves.

After many years, the historic church  the last colonial church built in South Carolina before the Revolutionary War will receive $350,000 in renovations beginning in October.

Its roof will be replaced and its steeple will be repaired, thanks to work done by the Chesterfield County Historic Preservation Commission.

The planned renovations are the first step, but more work is needed to bring it back to its old glory, said Sarah Spruill, the commissions chair.

Old St. Davids was the church for a newly created parish that encompassed parts of what are now Chesterfield, Marlboro, Darlington and Florence counties.

Construction began in 1770. It would be the last colonial church in South Carolina built before the Revolutionary War, Spruill said.

The building is an example of what Spruill described as country Georgian architecture. The church is plain, with white clapboard siding, arched windows and prominent gray shutters. Inside, the hexagonal pulpit rises above boxed pews.
The Charleston congresswoman turned heads last week when she threw in with U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz to oust U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Read moreHicks Palmetto Politics: Was Maces McCarthy move a brilliant maneuver or a lead pipe?
Only two South Carolina Republicans voted for the stopgap plan adopted over the weekend that avoided a government shutdown and kept federal functions going until mid-November.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-Springdale, emerged as the lone GOP members from the Palmetto State that voted for the measure.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., was the only GOP senator who failed to cast a vote. Scott is running for the Republican presidential nomination.

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the only Democrat in South Carolina's congressional delegation, voted for the measure.

Republicans voting against the plan were U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-Laurens; U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-Isle of Palms; U.S. Rep. William Timmons, R-Greenville; U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill; and U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, R-Surfside Beach.

In separate statements, both Mace and Fry suggested on social media the bill furthered the legislative priorities of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who no longer holds a leadership position among House Democrats.

Mace also joined Duncan in casting doubts about whether additional aid to Ukraine is necessary.

"Are Democrats willing to shut down the (government because) of not enough Ukraine funding? Sounds like it," Mace wrote on social media. "I feel like, as an American, we should put our troops first, our border first, our country first over another nation "

Timmons shared the amount of the national debt, which has grown to more than $33 trillion.
A federal judge ruled Sept. 29 that South Carolinas work with an evangelical Christian foster care agency that rejected applications from potential parents who do not share their faith does not violate the constitutional right against establishment of a religion.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Dawson found in a pair of lawsuits that because Catholic and Unitarian aspiring foster parents who were rejected by Greenville-based Miracle Hill Ministries had plenty of other options, and because the agency has a First Amendment right to practice its faith, federal and state support for the agency does not violate the Establishment Clause.

The rulings come after the U.S. Supreme Court last year threw out the strict, longstanding Lemon test of whether government actions are tantamount to the establishment of a state religion in favor of a more permissive test based on historical practices and understandings of the separation of church and state.

Miracle Hill, which serves more than 10 percent of the states foster children, celebrated the rulings in a statement, saying it had defended its First Amendment right to exercise its religion, and pointed out that South Carolina is in the midst of a severe shortage of foster families.

Miracle Hill is thankful for a justice system that today preserved religious liberty for our ministry as well as for all who serve from a position of faith, Ryan Duerk, CEO and president of Miracle Hill, said in a statement. Now more than ever, Christian foster care programs are a necessity in our state and country.

Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that sued on behalf of a Catholic woman Miracle Hill rejected, said the ruling was further evidence that the Supreme Court's recent decisions give carte blanche to discrimination couched in faith and further erode the wall between the government and religion.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. During the inspection of the territory of Khankendi and the surrounding areas, along with the discovery of weapons and ammunition depots, another interesting fact was revealed, Trend reports.

During the inspection of the territory, a warehouse with food was also found.

The "starving" Armenians, allegedly under a "blockade" in Khankendi, had enough flour, sunflower oil, baby juice, etc.

This fact once again proved not only the lies of the Armenians but also the hypocrisy, duplicity, and double standards of the pro-Armenian circles of the West, who supported this lie of the Armenian authorities and the remnants of the separatist regime.
Donald Trumps Make America Great Again was a slogan of genius. While his supporters (and most Americans) instantly knew what it meant, Democrats hated it. They didnt know whether to respond, America is still great, or America was never great, which is what most of them believe. It was a painful dilemma.

But times have changed. Now Democrats embrace Trumps slogan, or at least its acronym. They constantly refer derisively to MAGA Republicans. A Google search for MAGA Republicans returns over 58 million hits. One could cite countless examples, but lets take Joe Biden talking earlier today:

I think that this is the last gasp or maybe the first big gasp of the MAGA Republicans. And I think Trump has concluded that he has to win, Biden told ProPublica in an interview released Sunday.

***

Biden alleged that Trump and the MAGA Republicans are determined to destroy American democracy and sharply rebuked extremists in Congress who want to burn the place down.

***

The octogenarian president was also uneasy about whether the conservative majority Supreme Court is upholding and will uphold the rule of law. I worry because I know that if the other team of MAGA Republicans win, they dont want to pull the rule of law, they want to get rid of the FBI, Biden said.

Why are Democrats so enamored of denouncing MAGA Republicans? In part, no doubt, because MAGA polls very poorlyworse than Republicans, conservatives, and so on. Democrats saw an opportunity and have done all they can to to smear MAGA and hang that term around the necks of their opponents. In the constantly-repeated view of Democrats, MAGA voters are ignorant, racist insurrectionists, dedicated to the overthrow of our democracy.

But what do Trump voters mean by MAGA? In 2018, two years into the Trump administration, the Reuters/Ipsos poll asked that question. This is how Trump voters responded:

Nothing sinister here. MAGA voters want a better economy, a strong border and lower taxes. Nothing unusual, although Democrats hate all of these things. Only 10% of Trump voters said that MAGA is anti-immigrant, no doubt a disappointment to the pollsters. And I suspect many of those meant they are opposed to illegal immigration.

So why the MAGA mania on the part of Democrats? Maybe they are just trying to tie Republicans in generalor conservative Republicans, since MAGA is pretty much always used to qualify Republicanto the unpopular Donald Trump. That may be a sufficient explanation, but I suspect there might be another factor at play.

I wonder whether the Democrats are using MAGA as a racist dog whistle. The Republican Party has become increasingly diverse, from both a racial and a class perspective. I wonder whether Democrats, in speaking to their constituencies, intend MAGA to be interpreted as white. Or, more specifically, white working class. Democrats advocate vicious discrimination against whites (as well as Asians, of course). I wonder whether demonization of MAGA is really a dog whistle, standing in for demonization of working class whites. That might help to account for the contemptuous attitude that Democrats express toward MAGA Republicans.

Does that theory make sense? Feel free to weigh in in the comments.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-02 16:49:26

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / The Clorox CompanyBy: Esperanza Navarro, Ivan Padilla and Valentina Franco, HOLA ERGAs we transition into fall, we're shining a spotlight on Hispanic Heritage Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the significant contributions and rich heritage of Hispanic and Latin communities in the United States.The origins of this commemorative month, which runs from Sept. 15-Oct. 15, trace back to 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson introduced Hispanic Heritage Week, honoring the anniversaries of several Latin American countries' independence. Later, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a monthlong celebration, allowing for a more comprehensive exploration of the rich heritage. The term "Hispanic" refers to individuals with cultural ties to Spanish-speaking countries. On the other hand, "Latino/a" refers to individuals of Latin American origins or descent. These terms are often used exclusively, interchangeably or together, encompassing a wide array of backgrounds, languages and traditions.Hispanic and Latin communities have played a pivotal role in shaping the United States. Their contributions span various fields, including the arts, politics and business. They drive growth, create jobs and contribute significantly to the entrepreneurial spirit of the nation. The Latino gross domestic product is among the 10 largest and the third-fastest-growing contributor to GDP among ethnic minority communities. Furthermore, overall Hispanic purchasing power is valued at approximately $1.9 trillion, the highest within key minority markets in the country. (Source: LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report, 2022)Our roots in the Latin market are deep, owing to a multicultural workforce that mirrors our consumer base. As a company, we've been committed to the Latin American market since 1976 and proudly count Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina as part of our operational footprint.At Clorox, we nurture a diverse workplace where every person can feel respected, valued and fully able to participate in our community, making inclusion, diversity, equity and allyship cornerstones of our strategy. Our HOLA ERG is at the forefront of this effort, providing our 500 active members with a space for empowerment, learning, and collaboration so they can continue to contribute their unique perspectives that ultimately shape innovation people love.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The Clorox Company on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: The Clorox CompanyWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/clorox-companyEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: The Clorox Company
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-02 15:04:15

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 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: 2023-10-02 21:30:30

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COLORADO CITY, CO / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / In a grand convergence of the global financial industry, Forex Expo 2023 recently took center stage in the vibrant city of Dubai. This prestigious event, organized by a prominent Financial Association, witnessed the participation of over 1200+ Financial Brokers, 5000+ Investors, 6000+ Traders, 3000+ IB and Affiliates, and 300+ B2B & Technology Providers from across the globe. As the epicenter of financial innovation, this expo provided a dynamic platform for exhibitions, discussions, and the exchange of groundbreaking ideas. With an unwavering commitment to meeting the high demands of the market, these industry leaders showcased their finest offerings, making Forex Expo 2023 an unparalleled opportunity for networking, collaboration, and growth in the financial world.Seth Anderson, the founder of Future Digital Technology (FD), and a prominent figure in financial technology innovation, was interviewed and shared his views on the prospects of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial technology sector. He stated that AI is not just an opportunity but a future leader. Anderson emphasized that AI will become a crucial tool for enhancing human capabilities, but this requires innovation and teamwork to fully harness its potential. He also pointed out that AI has become indispensable in the financial services sector, possessing irreplaceable significance.Anderson introduced FD's core product, AiGPT, to the audience, which is a unique product that combines artificial intelligence (AI) and high-frequency trading (HFT) technologies. He explained, "The AiGPT system utilizes advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques to execute trades at lightning speed, enabling real-time data analysis and automated decision-making. The emergence of the AiGPT system has completely transformed the way trades are executed, aiming to take full advantage of microsecond-level price fluctuations and short-term market inefficiencies." Seth Anderson emphasized that FD's AiGPT can perform 35 million trend analyses per minute without the need for rest and can monitor market data in real-time around the clock, enabling intelligent risk management and price trend forecasting. In addition, it has the capability to analyze more than 110 countries' fundamental information per second while possessing the analysis capabilities of 30 technical indicators.In conclusion, Anderson summarized, "In the future of the financial industry, only artificial intelligence (AI) can truly assist in creating value for the financial sector and its users. This represents the greatest opportunity brought about by AI for industrial transformation. Only through continuous innovation and upgrades to stay at the forefront of technology will our company stand out in the industry and create miracles!"About FD:FD is a financial technology company dedicated to developing high-frequency trading systems. Its primary goal is to pioneer the forefront of technology and innovation by developing high-frequency trading systems. The company's mission is to bring the future of the financial industry to today to help clients achieve their financial goals.For media inquiries, please contact:Contact Person: Seth AndersonEmail: support@ fdt.aiWebsite link: https://fdt.ai/ SOURCE: FD
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-02 15:01:58

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MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Grand Havana Inc. (OTC PINK:GHAV) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Grand Havana Masters, LLC, Grand Master Brands, LLC, and GH Hospitality Group, LLC celebrate the beginning of the new 2023-2024 Global Coffee Harvest by announcing new sales contracts and the first shipments of the young season.To commemorate International Coffee Day, and in support of its shareholders and investors, GHAV today announced new green coffee sales contracts that represent over 5,000,000 pounds and $10,000,000 of coffee deliveries.One of GHAV's most loyal customers, Grufer Coffee noted: "We anticipate excellent quality from this year's harvest and a consistent cup profile from the coffee GHAV is shipping us this season". Grufer President Horacio Feraud added: "When you own and operate the entire value chain from tree-to-cup like GHAV does, our customers and industry partners can feel confident about the product they are buying"."This is only the beginning", notes GHAV Chairman Alain Piedra. He emphatically added: "Our commitment to the coffee industry, that began over 20 years ago, has never been stronger and we will continue to invest in the quality and sustainability of our certified coffee farms!""By 2050, global coffee consumption will explode to 6 billion cups per day, up from about 3 billion cups today", explained GHAV Director Julio Sera citing recent industry studies. "This dramatic expansion and consolidation of choice among consumers highlights the importance of a sustainable vertically integrated supply chain for coffee; and GHAV's investors and shareholders are in a unique position to benefit." About Grand Havana, Inc.Grand Havana is a coffee company headquartered in Miami, Florida, "The Capital of Espresso in the US." Through our subsidiary, Grand Master Brands, LLC we are a global distributor of the finest green coffees that include not only commercial grade but also premium certified offerings such as Rainforest Alliance, organic, Fairtrade, UTZ, Bird Friendly among others. Grand Havana roasted coffee products are distributed by Sysco, Ambassador Foods and Amazon. Our b2b programs proudly serve our coffees in corporate offices, airports, universities, non-traditional avenues, supermarkets, convenience stores, hotels, and online marketplaces. With more than 10 million cups of coffee served nationwide, Grand Havana is the choice of consumers when the goal is connecting with the nostalgia and essence of the best cup of Cuban coffee.For more information, visit www.Grandhavanacoffee.com or e-mail info@ grandhavanacoffee.com . Find out more about the company at twitter.com/grandhavcoffee1 and www.instagram.com/grandhavanacoffee/ Forward-Looking StatementsForward-looking statements and risks and uncertainties discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect," and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Expected, actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with, among other things, the impact of economic, competitive, and other factors affecting our operations, markets, products, and performance. The matters discussed herein should not be construed in any way, shape or manner of our future financial condition or stock price. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of latest information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.SOURCE: Grand Havana, Inc.via PRISM Mediawire, LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-02 23:30:16

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Grid Metals Corp. (the "Company" or "Grid") (TSXV:GRDM)(OTCQB:MSMGF) today announced the results of the voting at the Annual and Special Meeting of the Company held on September 29, 2023 (the "Meeting"). The Company is pleased to note that all the matters and resolutions proposed in the meeting circular were passed by shareholders.Election of DirectorsThe following directors were elected at the Meeting - Robin E Dunbar , Thomas W Meredith, Edward J Munden, Patrick Murphy and Grant McAdam.Special ResolutionsAt the Meeting the following special resolutions were also approved by the shareholders:1) approval of the Equity Incentive Plan which was approved by a majority of disinterested shareholders;2) approval of the Amendments to Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation in order to qualify for potential listing on the Australian Securities Exchange3) approval of the share Issuance to a Li Equities Investments LP ( "Li Equities" ) for cancellation of an option to purchase an additional interest in the Donner Lake and Campus Creek Joint Ventures (the "Joint Ventures") which was approved by a majority of disinterested shareholders. The option granted Li Equities the right to purchase 20% of the wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which holds its 75% joint venture interests. The Company issued a total of 7,142,858 shares to Li Equities in order to terminate the option. Disinterested shareholders approval of the share issuance was required as Li Equities is a related party of the Company by virtue of it being controlled by Waratah Capital Advisors which held 14.2% of the outstanding common shares of the Company as of the record date. The Board of Directors of Grid determined that it was in the best interests of the Company to control as much of the Joint Ventures as it could and eliminate any uncertainty regarding its ongoing interest in the Joint Ventures. Details of the transaction were fully described in the Company's press release dated July 5, 2023 and in the Management Information Circular for the Meeting.About Grid Metals Corp.Grid Metals is focused on both lithium and Ni-Cu-PGM in the Bird River area approximately 150 km north east of Winnipeg Manitoba. The Donner Lake Lithium Property in Manitoba is a 75% owned property subject to a joint venture agreement. In addition to activity at Donner Lake the Company has the Falcon West Lithium Property located southeast of Winnipeg and a PEA stage Ni-Cu-PGM-Co project (Makwa-Mayville) undergoing exploration and development activity.On Behalf of the Board of Grid Metals Corp.For more information about the Company please see the Company website at www.gridmetalscorp.com or contact:Robin Dunbar - President, CEO & Director Telephone: 416-955-4773 Email: rd@ gridmetalscorp.comDavid Black - Investor Relations Email: info@ gridmetalscorp.com We seek safe harbour. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario) (together, "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements include the Company's closing of the proposed financial transactions, sale of royalty and property interests. the overall economic potential of its properties, the availability of adequate financing and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to be materially different. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to potential political risk, uncertainty of production and capital costs estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, physical risks inherent in mining operations, metallurgical risk, currency fluctuations, fluctuations in the price of nickel, cobalt, copper and other metals, completion of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the most recent financial period and Material Change Reports filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements.SOURCE: Grid Metals Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-02 16:36:06

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023, 2023 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. ("Hawaiian Electric" or the "Company") (NYSE:HE) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Hawaiian Electric securities between February 28, 2019 and August 16, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/he Case Details:The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Hawaiian Electric's wildfire prevention and safety protocols and procedures were inadequate to meet the challenges for which they were ostensibly designed; (2) accordingly, despite knowing the degree of risk that wildfires posed to Maui, the Company's inadequate safety protocols and procedures placed Maui at a heightened risk of devastating wildfires; and (3) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/he or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Hawaiian Electric you have until October 23, 2023 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-02 08:01:17

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HORIZONTE MINERALS PROVIDES UPDATE ON ITS ARAGUAIA NICKEL PROJECT CONSTRUCTIONLONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Horizonte Minerals Plc (AIM:HZM)(TSX:HZM) ("Horizonte" or the "Company"), the nickel company developing two Tier 1 assets in Brazil, announces today that it has made good progress in completing the final detailed engineering and construction design for Line 1 of its 100%-owned Araguaia Nickel Project ("Araguaia" or "the Project"). This work, along with a comprehensive cost review, has resulted in changes to the design and execution scope, which are expected to increase the overall capital expenditure requirement by at least 35% (of current capex budget) and delay first production to Q3-2024.Given the progress made to date with construction, the value of the Araguaia Line 1 Project and the upcoming delivery of the Feasibility Study on Araguaia Line 2, the Company continues to have strong support from its major partners. The Company is working on a plan with its various financial institutions together with the cornerstone shareholders for a financing solution to complete construction.Construction work on site continues to progress well with all key engineering drawings issued for construction. Ore stockpiling activities commenced last quarter, and ROM build-up is progressing to schedule. The rotary dryer is now in place, with all shells aligned for final welding. Construction of the 126km, 230kV transmission line is well advanced, with all pylons erected and 118km of conductor cable installed. Construction of the water storage reservoir is also well advanced, with the initial sections of the water abstraction pipeline positioned and foundations poured for the river abstraction pump station.To de-risk the operation, the final detailed engineering work has added additional scope items linked to the major equipment packages, made several enhanced design changes from the original engineering study (including changes to the water abstraction pipeline design and water storage reservoir), and has identified the requirement for additional civil works and quantities. Additionally, changes have been required with selected suppliers who have not been able to deliver to the project timeframe, which has added further cost pressures.Accordingly, the Company engaged Reta Engenharia to undertake an independent review of the remaining capital expenditure and schedule, incorporating the change in scope, material and quantity variations, increased project duration to first metal and associated costs, and additional working capital requirements. The Company has also undertaken a detailed review of the ramp up and operational costs. The Company expects to publish an update by mid Q4-2023 once this review is complete.The results from the Feasibility Study on Araguaia Line 2 remain on track to be published in Q4-2023. The combined production of Araguaia Line 1 and 2 is expected to be 29,000 tonnes per annum.Jeremy Martin, CEO of Horizonte, commented:"We continue to make solid progress with construction at Araguaia Line 1 and are confident that the Project is now significantly de-risked given the near-finalization of detailed engineering and procurement, together with the detailed review of the costs to project completion, ensuring successful delivery. Despite the anticipated higher capital requirement, Araguaia remains a Tier 1 asset that will deliver strong margins over its 28-year mine life once production commences next year. Moreover, the imminent completion of the Feasibility Study on Line 2 will demonstrate Araguaia's capacity to support an annual production of 29,000 tonnes per annum.We appreciate the strong support provided by both local stakeholders and cornerstone shareholders, as we work towards a financing solution to complete construction." Further updates will be provided in due course. This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014, as retained in the UK pursuant to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.For further information, visit www.horizonteminerals.com or contact:Horizonte Minerals plcJeremy Martin (CEO)Simon Retter (CFO)Patrick Chambers (Head of IR) info@ horizonteminerals.com+44 (0) 203 356 2901Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker)Ross AllisterBhavesh Patel+44 (0)20 7418 8900BMO (Joint Broker)Thomas RiderPascal Lussier DuquetteAndrew Cameron +44 (0) 20 7236 1010Barclays (Joint Broker)Philip LindopRichard Bassingthwaighte+44 (0)20 7623 2323Tavistock (Financial PR) Jos SimsonCath Drummond+44 (0) 20 7920 3150ABOUT HORIZONTE MINERALSHorizonte Minerals Plc (AIM/TSX: HZM) is developing two 100%-owned, Tier 1 projects in Para state, Brazil - the Araguaia Nickel Project and the Vermelho Nickel-Cobalt Project. Both projects are high-grade, low-cost, with low carbon emission intensities and are scalable. Araguaia is under construction and when fully ramped up with Line 1 and Line 2, is forecast to produce 29,000 tonnes of nickel per year. Vermelho is at feasibility study stage and is expected to produce 24,000 tonnes of nickel and 1,250 tonnes of cobalt to supply the EV battery market. Horizonte's combined production profile of over 60,000 tonnes of nickel per year positions the Company as a globally significant nickel producer. Horizonte's top three shareholders are La Mancha Investments S.a r.l., Glencore Plc and Orion Resource Partners LLP.This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@ lseg.com or visit www.rns.com SOURCE: Horizonte Minerals PLC
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-02 16:20:26

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Aiming at fostering investment in the green sector, digital transformation, and sustainable trade and supply chains, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in London, in collaboration with Representative Office of Bank Indonesia in London and the Indonesia Investment Promotion Center (IIPC) London, will host the Indonesia Investment Forum (IIF) 2023 in London on 5 October 2023.LONDON, Oct 2, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Aiming at fostering investment in the green sector, digital transformation, and sustainable trade and supply chains, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in London, in collaboration with Representative Office of Bank Indonesia in London and the Indonesia Investment Promotion Center (IIPC) London, will host the Indonesia Investment Forum (IIF) 2023 in London on 5 October 2023.IIF 2023 is an annual event that aims to showcase and promote Indonesia's investment landscape and Investment Projects Ready to Offer (IPRO). This forum will be enriched with business matching sessions featuring selected IPRO projects from 11 sectors, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, digital, infrastructure, transportation and tourism.IIF 2023 marks the beginning of a series of "Experience Indonesia" events, encompassing cultural arts performances and exhibitions of SME products during "Indonesian Night" on the evening of October 5, coupled with Experience Indonesia Dublin, which would be the first Indonesian cultural arts performance in Ireland in the last 5 years. During the Experience Indonesia 2022, we had the pleasure of hosting 4,000 visitors over the course of 3 days, leading to the establishment of cooperation agreements valued at over USD 75 million.The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Desra Percaya, hopes that IIF 2023 can forge closer investment cooperation between the two countries, "especially considering the value of Indonesian-UK investment continues to steadily rise, in line with Indonesia's prominent standing on the global economic front," he mentioned. In 2022, UK investment in Indonesia reached a substantial USD 822 million, securing its position as the 10th largest investor in the country.Approximately 20 speakers have been confirmed to be present at this forum, including distinguished figures from both countries. This forum boasts an impressive lineup of keynote speakers such as Nusrat Ghani MP, UK Minister of State (Minister for Investment Security Unit and Minister for Business and Economic Security), together with the Governor of Bank Indonesia, Perry Warjiyo and the Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM, Bahlil Lahadalia. Meanwhile, Richard Graham MP, UK PM's Trade Envoy for Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and ASEAN, will provide insights into the promising potential of the economic partnership between Indonesia and the UK. Furthermore, our panel discussions will feature prominent leaders from the banking and business sectors in Indonesia, the UK, and Europe.This event is also supported by Bank Mandiri, BNI, UK-ASEAN Business Council, British Chamber of Commerce Indonesia, ASEAN Business Partners, TheCityUK, Citigroup, Standard Chartered, KPMG and bp.Further information is available via the website: https://iif2023.indonesianembassy.org.uk/ Source: Indonesian Embassy in London
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. The process of disarming Armenian separatist troops is coming to an end, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said while receiving the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia Edgars Skuja, Trend reports.

Bayramov informed in detail about the almost 30-year occupation of our territories, the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period, the process of normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the peaceful efforts of Azerbaijan.

As a result of the anti-terrorist measures carried out by Azerbaijan, illegal Armenian armed formations are being withdrawn from the region, and the process of their disarmament is being completed. This creates opportunities for advancing both the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the process of reintegrating the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region. In addition, Azerbaijan is determined to continue efforts in both directions.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-10-02 17:00:40

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HENDERSON, NV / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Luventix Inc., a development-stage company pioneering Intelligent Disease Diagnostics using Artificial Intelligence to determine the probability that a person has a disease, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. John C. Spinosa, M.D., Ph.D., to its executive management team. Dr. Spinosa's extensive expertise and leadership in the field of pathology make him a valuable addition to Luventix as the company continues its mission to revolutionize disease diagnostics through the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics.George B. Holmes, CEO of Luventix, expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment, stating, "We are fortunate to have convinced Dr. Spinosa to join us. John's background and experience with companies large and small will be critical to our future success in architecting our clinical roadmap. His reputation as a leading pathologist is well deserved, and we will benefit from his depth of knowledge and connections to the community." Dr. Spinosa, who has been at the forefront of the evolution of healthcare into precision medicine, shared his excitement about joining the Luventix team: "Having been mentoring the executive team at Luventix as an advisory board member, I understand the value that new companies in the diagnostics space provide. I know that I can provide even more input as a member of the core team. I am excited to be part of the team that's pioneering the use of a simple urine sample to triage and diagnose disease using AI!"Dr. Spinosa brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as a member of the medical staff at Scripps La Jolla and Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas from 1993 to 2017, where he held numerous medical staff leadership positions, including Chief of Staff and Department Chair of Pathology. He has also held board and advisory positions with leading companies in the healthcare and diagnostics sectors, including Lantana Consulting Group, Lexent Bio, Gestalt Diagnostics, Leica, and Sunquest Information Systems. His industry experience includes roles with Agilent Technologies, San Diego Blood Bank, Avera Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Trovagene, Verinata Health, Prometheus Laboratory, and Esoterix Oncology.In addition to his corporate roles, Dr. Spinosa has been actively involved with professional organizations, including the College of American Pathologists, American Association of Clinical Chemistry, Association of Molecular Pathology, American Association of Blood Banks, California Blood Bank Society, American Association for Cancer Research, among others.About Luventix: Luventix is a development-stage company that is pioneering Intelligent Disease Diagnostics, utilizing AI to determine the probability that a person has a disease. When individuals become ill, their metabolic profile changes, leading to alterations in the composition of molecules in their urine.Luventix is developing tests that employ gas chromatography to translate urine samples into data-rich profiles referred to as "Digital Twins." Subsequently, AI, machine learning algorithms, and mathematical modeling techniques are applied to analyze these profiles and detect intricate patterns indicative of specific disease states.With its Intelligent Disease Diagnostics technology, Luventix aims to expedite the development of commercially available tests for specific diseases, reducing the time required compared to traditional diagnostic test development methods.For more information about Luventix, please visit www.luventix.com or e-mail Luventix at ir@ luventix.com SOURCE: Luventix
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MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Mobile Insight, a division of T-ROC and a trendsetter in digital workforces, merchandising, and retail execution solutions, announces the appointment of Ryan Volberg as its new president.Volberg is a three-time founder and CEO of enterprise SaaS companies and a recipient of Business in Vancouver's "Top 40 Under 40" award. He has a proven track record of success-starting companies from scratch and under his leadership, guiding them to become front-runners in their respective markets. His first two companies, Vivonet and Autoprise, were acquired and a third, Instant Financial, remains in operation and continues to grow."I have always brought an deep passion and energy into everything that I do, and those traits translate well in today's ever-evolving business world," said Volberg. "My companies have been successful because of the respect and appreciation we have for people, and with that mindset, Mobile Insight will grow and become a major force as we move into the future." Mobile Insight remains the first and only retail software solution designed to answer the challenges of high-value brands and retailers. The company configures its digital solutions on a depth of experience that allow users to perform at their best. The concentration is on augmenting retail performance where product availability and inventory are crucial, but at its nucleus are platforms designed to elevate the experiences of customers. The company is most recognized for its latest innovative technology, VIBA. VIBA, which stands for Virtual Interactive Brand Ambassador, connects customers with expert agents and/or with an extremely intelligent and useful bot named Valerie (think Siri or Alexa) who can answer questions, play videos, review use cases, and offer product demonstrations."Today's retail shopping experience is very different than even just a few years ago, and to compete you need a partner who understands the business, the technological landscape, and delivers tangible results," said Brett Beveridge, CEO and Founder of T-ROC. "Having Ryan at the helm of Mobile Insight sets the company up for even more greatness and highly satisfied clients." Mobile Insight presents critical information to the right people at the right time so they can make decisions and optimize programs to maximize sales, customer loyalty, operations, and team performance.To learn more about Mobile Insight, visit MobileInsight.com . Follow Mobile Insight on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. To learn more about VIBA, visit www.vibaconnect.com . To learn more about The Revenue Optimization Companies (T-ROC), visit www.trocglobal.com ###About Mobile InsightMobile Insight (MI) is a retail-centric SaaS enterprise software vendor. MI is driven by a simple purpose: the belief that great service makes life better. Its products bring this ethos to life in brick-and-mortar stores, in the field teams that support them, and in digital channels by ensuring that the world's best brands and retailers are equipped to keep the promises they make to their customers, every time. For 15 years, leading household names have trusted MI to help them execute, innovate, and stay at the top of their game in customer service. Consumer preferences are rapidly evolving, and MI continues its legacy of innovation to ensure its clients stay ahead and thrive for their customers. For more information, please visit www.mobileinsight.com and www.vibaconnect.com About The Revenue Optimization Companies (T-ROC)T-ROC is a retail branding and consulting partner that supports companies in navigating through today's retail shopping experience, redefining the power of people and technology. T-ROC offers a unique combination of people-based services, applications, technology management, mystery shopping programs, actionable market research and competitive insights that support the complex needs of assisted selling. T-ROC's expertise and next-generation technology is delivered by a team that's all in to drive sales, optimize performance and deliver measurable ROI for businesses every single day.Media Contact:Tyler Sminkey(786) 390-8510tyler@ jwipr.com SOURCE: Mobile Insight
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FORT WALTON BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Step One Automotive Group is excited to announce its annual "Drive Out Breast Cancer" campaign, an impactful initiative to support breast cancer research, awareness, prevention, and support in the Southeast. The month-long campaign runs from October 1st through October 31st, 2023.Event HighlightsDuration: October 1st to October 31st, 2023.Location: Various community events near Step One locations throughout Georgia, Central Alabama, Florida, and Andalusia, Florida.How It Works: Pink vehicles will be present at local community events. Participants are invited to sign these cars, trucks, and SUVs as a symbol of unity in the fight against breast cancer.Make Every Signature CountFor each signature collected, Step One Automotive Group will donate $1 to local non-profit organizations dedicated to fighting breast cancer. The specific donation cap varies per market: $2,500 in Central Alabama, $5,000 in Georgia, and $7,500 in Florida and Andalusia. The donations will benefit the following charities:Georgia: St Joseph Candler Telfair Mammography FundCentral Alabama: Pink ToppsFlorida: Ascension Sacred Heart FoundationAndalusia: Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer CenterThe VehiclesCentral Alabama: A Chevy Sierra truck, wrapped in pink with breast cancer ribbons.Georgia: A Jeep Cherokee L, adorned similarly.Florida/Andalusia: Another Jeep Cherokee L, designed to attract attention to this crucial cause.For more information about Step One Automotive Group and upcoming events, please visit www.steponeautomotive.com About Step One Automotive GroupStep One Automotive Group is an American company based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, built on a singular dedication to empowering lives through smarter and easier ways of accessing mobility. Step One Automotive Group owns 20 new car dealerships in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, representing 17 brands, including Chrysler, Dodge Jeep, Ram Fiat, Volkswagen, Subaru, Kia, Hyundai, Nissan, Genesis, Ford, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati. Step One Automotive Group also owns two standalone pre-owned operations, three wholesale parts operations, and one rental car operation. Out of 18,000 dealerships in the United States, Step One ranks in the top 90 dealer groups in the United States and the top 10 in Florida. Step One employs 787 team members across three states and six cities.For more information, please visit https://www.steponeautomotive.com Contact InformationShantelle Dedicke President, Frances Roy Agency shantelle@ francesroy.com 307-631-7644SOURCE: Step One Automotive Group
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NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESWHITE ROCK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / TDG Gold Corp (TSXV:TDG) (the "Company" or "TDG")has arranged a non-brokered private placement of up to 16,176,470 common shares (each, a "Share") at a price of C$0.17 per Share to raise proceeds of up to C$2.75 million (the "Offering"). TDG has received a firm commitment from a new institutional resource sector investor to acquire 11,600,000 Shares through the Offering and is expected to own approximately 9.9% of TDG's issued and outstanding common shares upon completion of the Offering.Dr. Fletcher Morgan, CEO & Director of TDG commented, "TDG is pleased to welcome the investment of our new cornerstone institutional investor and the validation of our systematic evaluation of the potential of our Toodoggone properties. The proceeds from the offering will allow us to follow up on our exciting results from Mets, putting TDG in a strong position to complete our existing field programs at our properties in the Toodoggone mining district, setting us up for an exciting 2024."The Shares issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four-month and a day hold period. In addition, the Offering is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Finder's fees may be payable on the Offering.Use of ProceedsThe Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering to fund the cost of the ongoing exploration programs at the Company's projects, with a particular focus on defining the potential of the high grade Mets gold system (see news releases dated September 7 & 11, 2023) and possible extensions; continuing to evaluate the potential for a porphyry-style bulk-tonnage copper-gold system at Baker (see news releases dated July 25, August 15 and September 6, 2023); defining a significantly larger Greater Shasta-Newberry ("GSN") gold-silver system (see news release dated March 20, 2023); and for general working capital purposes. Work currently underway includes detailed ground-based geophysics at Mets; continued re-logging and sampling of historic core and analysis of >225 detailed, system-wide geochemical sampling at Baker; and re-logging and sampling of historic core from the GSN area outside of the defined mineral resource (see news release dated May 1, 2023). Results from these programs will continue to be announced as they become available over the coming months.Caution to US InvestorsThis news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.About TDG Gold Corp.TDG is a major mineral tenure holder in the historical Toodoggone Production Corridor of north-central British Columbia, Canada, with over 23,000 hectares of brownfield and greenfield exploration opportunities under direct ownership or earn-in agreement. TDG's flagship projects are the former producing, high-grade gold-silver Shasta and Baker mines, which produced intermittently between 1981-2012, and the historical high-grade gold Mets developed prospect, all which are all road accessible, and combined have over 65,000 m of historical drilling. The projects have been advanced through compilation of historical data, new geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys and, at Shasta, 13,250 m of modern HQ drill testing of the known mineralization occurrences and their potential extensions.Qualified PersonThe technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved Steven Kramar, MSc., P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for TDG Gold Corp., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARDFletcher MorganChief Executive OfficerFor further information contact:TDG Gold Corp.,Telephone: +1.604.536.2711Email: info@ tdggold.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.This news release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "anticipate", "continue", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "potential", variants of these words and other similar words, phrases, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. In particular, this press release contains forward looking statements concerning the anticipated completion of the Offering, the potential for extensions to the Mets mineralization; the potential for bulk tonnage porphyry-style copper gold at Baker; and defining a larger gold-silver system at Greater Shasta-Newberry. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with the state of financial markets and metals prices, and receipt of regulatory approvals. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws.SOURCE: TDG Gold Corp.
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ORLANDO, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / Holiday Island Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK:HIHI) recently completed a reverse-merger with XA Interactive, Inc., a natural resources and tech company specializing in secondary recovery of oil and gas. Having completed its acquisition of Louisiana Onshore Exploration, XA is preparing for expansion of its drilling operations on these Louisiana properties with estimated reserves of six-million barrels per square mile, spanning nearly 160 square miles in the Louisiana Austin Chalk. To review the reserve reports, click here."We have a six-month plan in place to permit and drill a 5,000 ft lateral and perform a modern completion technique via a multi-stage hydraulic fracture treatment." says Michael Prozer, Chairman of XA Interactive. "Our projections, models and geology suggest that if we are successful, each well could generate 7-10k barrels of oil, along with 9000 MCF of natural gas per day. The successful completion of this project has the potential to greatly boost our company's annual revenues." The terms of the acquisition between XA and Louisiana Onshore Exploration (LOE) involve the issuance of $30 million in Preferred Series A shares to the LOE team over an 18-month period, with minimal impact on overall market capitalization. In exchange, XA assumes full ownership of all well production, revenues, and existing operations. XA also integrates the LOE team, which comprises key members such as Chris Roy, VP of Land; Ellis Guilbeau, VP of Exploration; and Jerred Clark, VP of Engineering, bringing a combined 70+ years of oil and gas expertise into its operations.LOE has discovered 250 BCF and 10 million barrels of oil, helping to generate over $1 billion in sales as an operator. The team also generated the Thunder Bayou well, which became the nation's top gas-producing well for multiple consecutive years. This discovery continues to be a huge producer, amassing a reservoir of over 80 billion cubic feet of gas and more than 2 million barrels of condensate.The acquisition was facilitated by Controlled Capital, a financial firm with a strong track record in assisting companies with capital raising and strategic investments. Josh Cohen, CEO at Controlled Capital, provided insights into the collaboration: "We are proud to be partnering with XA Interactive on this transformational project. Bringing XA and Louisiana Onshore Exploration together is proving to be a game changer for XA Interactive. XA's commitment to sustainability and innovation aligns perfectly with their investment strategy." Beyond the economic benefits, XA Interactive remains committed to corporate responsibility and community engagement. The company plans to collaborate with local communities and authorities to ensure that its operations benefit the regions in which it operates. As part of the company's commitment to the community, resources will also be allocated for the cleanup and remediation of orphaned wells.XA currently has drilling operations underway in South Central Texas, and as the company moves forward with its expansion plans in Texas and Louisiana, it anticipates not only a significant increase in production, but also a positive impact on employment and economic development in the areas it serves.For media inquiries and further information, please contact:Media Contact:E-M-Mail: josephine@ xainteractive.comCompany Name: XA Interactive, Inc.Contact Person: Josephine VargasCity: OrlandoState: FloridaCountry: United Stateswww.xainteractive.com Investor Relations:Controlled Capital112 W 34th StNew York, NY 10120Direct - (917) 584-7042 www.controlledcap.com About XA Interactive (OTC PINK:HIHI):XA Interactive is a dynamic player in the secondary recovery oil and gas sector, focused on harnessing innovative solutions to unlock the hidden potential of energy resources. With a commitment to sustainable growth and operational excellence, XA Interactive is dedicated to making a positive impact within the industry.About Controlled Capital:Controlled Capital is a leading financial advisory firm specializing in energy transactions. With a wealth of experience and expertise, Controlled Capital provides strategic guidance and facilitates impactful partnerships and financing options within the energy industry.Forward-Looking Statements:THIS PRESS RELEASE CONTAINS "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS". FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE STATEMENTS CONCERNING ESTIMATES, PLANS, OBJECTIVES, GOALS, STRATEGIES, EXPECTATIONS, INTENTIONS, PROJECTIONS, DEVELOPMENTS, FUTURE EVENTS, PERFORMANCE OR PRODUCTS, UNDERLYING (EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED) ASSUMPTIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS THAT ARE OTHER THAN HISTORICAL FACTS. IN SOME CASES, FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE USE OF FORWARD-LOOKING WORDS SUCH AS "ESTIMATED," "BELIEVES," "SEEK," "EXPECTS," "MAY," "WILL," "SHOULD," OR "ANTICIPATES," OR THE NEGATIVE OF THESE WORDS OR OTHER VARIATIONS OF THESE WORDS OR COMPARABLE WORDS, OR BY DISCUSSIONS OF PLANS OR STRATEGY THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. MANAGEMENT WISHES TO CAUTION THE READER THAT THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, STATEMENTS REGARDING THE COMPANY AND ITS PLANS OR INTENTIONS, ESTIMATES, GOALS, COMPETITIVE TRENDS AND OTHER MATTERS THAT ARE NOT HISTORICAL FACTS ARE ONLY PREDICTIONS. NO ASSURANCES CAN BE GIVEN THAT SUCH PREDICTIONS WILL PROVE CORRECT OR THAT THE ANTICIPATED FUTURE RESULTS WILL BE ACHIEVED. ACTUAL EVENTS OR RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY EITHER BECAUSE ONE OR MORE PREDICTIONS PROVE TO BE ERRONEOUS OR AS A RESULT OF OTHER RISKS FACING THE COMPANY. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS SHOULD BE READ IN LIGHT OF THE CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS SET FORTH HEREIN AND THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN EARLY-STAGE COMPANY THAT HAS LIMITED ASSETS AND OPERATIONS, THE COMPARATIVELY LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF THE COMPANY, THE INTENSE COMPETITION THE COMPANY FACES FROM OTHER ESTABLISHED COMPETITORS, THE UNCERTAINTIES ARISING OUT OF THE LEGAL UNCERTAINTIES THAT DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY IMPACT DEVELOPMENT-STAGE COMPANIES. ANY ONE OR MORE OF THESE OR OTHER RISKS COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THE FUTURE RESULTS INDICATED, EXPRESSED, OR IMPLIED IN SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. WE UNDERTAKE NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE OR REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT TO REFLECT EVENTS, CIRCUMSTANCES, OR NEW INFORMATION AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF UNANTICIPATED OR OTHER SUBSEQUENT EVENTS.SOURCE: XA Interactive, Inc.via PRISM Mediawire, LLC
The Nigerian government announced, on Sunday, the waiver of Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel for the next six months to address the impact of petroleum subsidy removal in the country.

The waiver is part of the resolution reached during the meeting between the labour unions and the government delegation, information minister Mohammed Idris said in a late Sunday statement.

The meeting was held a few hours after Mr Tinubu addressed Nigerians on the occasion of Nigerias 63rd Independence Anniversary.

VAT on diesel will be waived for the next six months, Mr Idris wrote.

VAT is a consumption tax which is administered by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

It was introduced in Nigeria with the enactment of VAT Act No. 102 of 1993, which replaced the Sales Tax, which had been in operation since 1986 by the Federal Government Decree No. 7 of 1986.

VAT was, 13 January 2020, revised from five per cent to 7.5 per cent after former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Finance Act 2020 into law.

The Nigerian government in June confirmed that it had commenced the implementation of the payment of 7.5 per cent VAT on Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) also known as diesel.

On 9 August, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele said VAT should be suspended on diesel.

Mr Oyedele who disclosed this while appearing on Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily breakfast programme said the VAT suspension will help cushion the harsh economic effects of the fuel subsidy removal.

Personally, for example, this is not promising that it would be done. I think that we should suspend VAT on diesel because we removed fuel subsidy on petrol and prices are going up.

We are going to table it before the committee. These are the things we want to do in the first 30 days, Mr Oyedele said at the time.

The labour unions are scheduled to commence strike on Tuesday (3 October) to protest the hardship caused by the removal of subsidy on petrol. However, it is uncertain whether they will proceed with the strike or suspend it.

Mr Tinubu announced the removal of subsidy on petrol on 29 May during his inauguration as president. Since then, the price of petrol has increased by about 200 per cent across Nigeria and has led to an increase in the prices of goods and services.

Read the full statement by the minister below.

PRESS STATEMENT

PRESIDENT TINUBU APPROVES N35,000 PROVISIONAL WAGE AWARD FOR FG WORKERS

President Bola Tinubu has approved N35,000 provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months, following further consultations with the Federal Government delegation that met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) earlier on Sunday.

It will be recalled that at the meeting between both parties, the Federal Government pledged its commitment to fast-track the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of the PMS subsidy.

The Federal Government also committed to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises as well as waivers on VAT on diesel for the next 6 months.

Furthermore, the Federal Government announced that it will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023.

RESOLUTIONS

In light of the discussions held during the meeting between the Federal Government and Labour representatives, the following were the major highlights:

i) The Federal Government urged the Labour unions not to embark on strike action as the issues in dispute can only be resolved when workers are at work.

ii) Labour Unions made case for higher wage awards.

iii) A sub-committee is to be constituted to work out the details of the implementation of all items regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

iv) The lingering matter of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State needs to be addressed urgently.

v.) NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above.

Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, participated virtually in the meeting, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, the Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The labour delegation was led by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, Dr Tommy Etim Okon, Deputy President, TUC, NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, among others.

Mallam Mohammed Idris

Minister of Information and National Orientation

October 1, 2023

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A Nigerian government official on Monday announced a plan to raise three million Nigerians with technical talents by 2027.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed the plan in the ministrys 31-page Strategic Blueprint document titled: Accelerating our Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency, released on Monday.

Mr Tijani said the ministrys commitment to talent development is unwavering.

We have set an ambitious goal to train three (3) million early to mid-career technical talents over the next four years, Mr Tijani said.

He said these trainings will cover tech-enabled and tech-adjacent skills, core tech competencies and advanced proficiencies.

This holistic approach is designed to empower our workforce to thrive in a constantly evolving technological landscape. Ultimately, our strategic intent is to retain at least 1.5 million of these skilled professionals within our local talent pool and facilitate opportunities for another 1.5 million of our talented individuals to excel in the global talent marketplace, preferably through remote opportunities.

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Our strategic imperative is to position Nigeria in the top 25 per cent percentile in research globally across six pivotal Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technological domains, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, Blockchain and Additive Manufacturing, he said.

He explained that the ministry is focused on building an environment that nurtures research and expertise in the above-mentioned technological areas, through intentional programmes.

By leveraging the power of these technologies, he said We aim to accelerate Nigerias position as a recognisable player in the global technology ecosystem, thereby contributing to the growth and competitiveness of our economy.

Our mission to achieve 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030 is a critical pillar in our vision for a digitally inclusive nation. As an important component of our blueprint, we are committed to making substantial strides toward this goal over the next four years, he added.

He said the ministry plans to achieve 70 per cent of this target by 2027, thus representing a major milestone in its path towards an inclusive and digitally empowered nation.

This agenda will adopt a multifaceted approach, including a robust educational programme, improved digital infrastructure and universal access to digital resources.

This goal will not only foster the growth of our citizens but create the bedrock for a thriving economy.

Work with stakeholders to train three million technical talents and prioritise job placement by the end of 2027 and increase the level of digital literacy of the population to 70 per cent by end of 2027, he said.

The minister said in the rapidly interconnected world, knowledge is the foundation upon which countries build a robust and sustainable economy.

As a critical prerequisite, knowledge influences how we generate innovations and technologies that drive economic growth, expand the talent pool to drive competitiveness, improve productivity and inform evidence-based policymaking, amongst others.

As a Ministry, our mandate of contributing to the diversification of the Nigerian economy through enhanced technical efficiency facilitated by technological innovation rests on the effective application of knowledge.

To this end, knowledge forms the critical foundation of our strategic blueprint for the next 4 years, he said.

He noted that this pillar reflects three key objectives which together will accelerate the growth of Nigeria as a global technical talent hub and net exporter of talent.

Deepen and accelerate our position in global research in key technology areas and raise the complexity and dynamics of our economy by significantly increasing the level of digital literacy across Nigeria.

AI Strategy

Mr Tijani also said artificial intelligence will usher in a new era of technological and economic transformation over the next two decades.

As an emerging economy, it is imperative that we formulate a far-reaching national strategy to harness the potential of AI in an inclusive and responsible manner. To that effect, we are taking a unique approach to provide the expertise and perspectives needed to craft a forward-looking strategy.

He added that the implementation of the strategy amongst other things is expected to elevate Nigeria as a top 10 location for AI model training and talents globally.

In addition, we will position Nigeria as a global leader in accelerating inclusivity in AI datasets.

Mr Tijani said the plan is also to achieve top 50 global rankings (currently 96) in AI readiness and adoption across metrics (Computing Power, Skills, Data Availability, Ethics and Governance) by 2030 and create over 50,000 jobs in Nigerias AI industry by 2030.

He explained that data has become a critical input for value creation and economic transformation in todays digital world.

However, he said the exchange of vast volumes of data within the data economy value chain presents risks of data misuse and breaches.

We will drive the review and implementation of the Nigeria Open Data Policy, which provides for free public access to non-sensitive public-sector data to drive innovation, improve citizen engagement and access to public services, enable value creation and unlock economic value.

We will prioritise data for good practices and champion privacy by design approaches while providing oversight for implementation and governance, he said.

He said the ministry will provide leadership and implementation of a roadmap for the digitisation of at least 60 per cent of relevant government data by the end of 2026 and deliver an open data platform that provides access to digitised, anonymized federal government or federal government-regulated data by the end of 2026.

Mr Tijani noted that President Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda has at its core, a recognition of the power of technology and innovation as enablers of economic growth and development.

It is a call for us to take advantage of the opportunities presented to us with a spirit of determination and conviction, he added.

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Five months after denying friendship with his colleague, AY Makun, Nigerian Comedian, Bright Okpocha, popular as Basketmouth, has decided to settle the 17-year beef between them.

In April, AY, in an interview session with media personality, Chude Jidenowo, he disclosed that his long-term beef with Basketmouth, whom he tagged along with to events at the outset of his career, began in 2006.

AY, among other things, claimed that he stood in for Basketmouth at an event but didnt get his N30,000 payment for the job.

In an apology video posted on his official Instagram page on Monday, Basketmouth finally reached out to AY and sought forgiveness.

He said, Now, to my guy, AY. I dont know if my apology is still valid right now, but if it is, please forgive me for whatever I have done or said in the past that affected you in any way,

I want you to know that I have forgiven you for whatever you did or said knowingly or unknowingly. I just want us to live in peace and harmony.

Basketmouth also apologised to other colleagues in the industry, whom he may have offended over time.

Knowingly or unknowingly, I say this to you right now from the bottom of my heart. I am genuinely sorry. Please forgive me, he pleaded.

However, to the people who accused him of doing one thing or another that affected their career, he did not deny or accept the allegations because God knows the truth.

Regardless, please forgive me. I beg you from the bottom of my heart, he added.

Meanwhile, in a twist, the comedian confirmed the perception of people who may see his video necessitated by his upcoming show.

However, he noted that regardless of his show, his apology came from a place of genuity to be at peace with his colleagues.

The Beef

On 29th March, AY, while narrating his beef with Basketmouth, said his colleague usually would get multiple gigs on weekends and outsourced some of them to him.

According to him, Basketmouth would attend one, then at a point, leave the venue and catch up in the other medium, and then he would need someone else to stand in for him.

That was the opportunity I got from him, which I am very appreciative of to date, AY said, noting that the profits from the gigs helped him in those days.

Now, something funny happened. In one of the gigs, I got his endorsement to go stand in. Usually, we get at that time N30,000, and that N30,000 was everything to me.

The N30,000 would buy me my pack of Indomie, recharge cards, fuel for my I better pass my neighbour generator and then the opportunity to pay just one or two people to join me to do one or two skits that I can just quickly put out, he narrated.

However, after he stood in for Basketmouth during this event, AY said he was not paid and had to reach out to Basketmouth, who also told him that the organisers had yet to be paid.

AY said he later contacted the organisers and was shocked that the client paid before the event.

Among other things, AY also accused Basketmouth of delisting him from his wedding invitation, turning down shows where he is billed to perform and rebuffing attempts at peace.

Basketmouths reaction

On 12th April, the comedian, while reacting to AYs allegations, said there was never a time when he was friends with AY.

We have never been friends. Ive never visited his house. Ive never personally invited him to my house. I never call one day say, oh boy, where you dey make we hang out. Whats going on? Nothing like that don ever happens.

Basketmouth noted no picture of him and AY on social media, proving they were not friends.

He disclosed that Alibaba once called him to give AY an opportunity, so he put him on Laughs and Jams back then.

Although he said he considered doing projects with AY, considering what he heard about AY, he chose not to.

Destalkers allegations

In September, Nigerian Comedian Oghenekowhoyan Desmond, popularly known as Destalker, also revealed how he unknowingly fell out with his colleague, Basketmouth.

In a recent interview session on the Honeybunch podcast, Destalker said he got a call to appear on Basketmouths Flatmate show, but he declined twice.

The comedian said his reasons for declining were based on the callers miscommunication, and he never knew it was Basketmouths show.

Destalker said three weeks later, he met a colleague at a lounge who criticised him for declining to feature on Basketmouths program out of arrogance.

He said, Till today, when I go out and see my colleagues, Ill exchange pleasantries with everyone, but Basketmouth always acts like he doesnt see when I try to relate with him.

Destalker noted that he tried three times to reach out to Basketmouth but always ignored him, so he decided to let it go.

He also alleged that Basketmouth and other senior colleagues blacklisted him in the industry.

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended a new vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, for the prevention of malaria in children.

The global health body in a press statement released on Monday said the recommendation follows advice from its Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation and the Malaria Policy Advisory Group.

The new vaccine, R21/Matrix-M vaccine is the second vaccine against malaria to be approved, after the RTS,S vaccine which was approved in 2021.

WHO said demand for the limited-availability RTS,S vaccine has been unprecedented, and the addition of the second vaccine is expected to meet the demand and provide sufficient vaccine supply to benefit all children living in areas where malaria is a public health risk.

The statement reads in part; The R21 vaccine is the second malaria vaccine recommended by WHO, following the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, which received a WHO recommendation in 2021.

Both vaccines are shown to be safe and effective in preventing malaria in children and, when implemented broadly, are expected to have high public health impact.

WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said demand for the RTS,S vaccine far exceeds supply.

Mr Ghebreyesus said this second vaccine is a vital additional tool to protect more children faster and to bring us closer to our vision of a malaria-free future.

As a malaria researcher, I used to dream of the day we would have a safe and effective vaccine against malaria. Now we have two, he said.

Malaria Burden

Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease, places a particularly high burden on children in the African Region, where nearly half a million children die from the disease each year.

Nigeria, Africas most populous nation, also accounts for a high percentage of the malaria burden globally.

The 2022 Nigeria Malaria Report shows that malaria death rates in Nigeria dropped by 55 per cent between the years 2000 and 2021, and incidence also dropped by 26 per cent within the same period.

However, with the approval of a new vaccine- R21/Matrix-M, there is hope of ending the disease.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, said this second vaccine holds real potential to close the huge demand-and-supply gap.

Ms Moeti said the two vaccines can help bolster malaria prevention and control efforts and save hundreds of thousands of young lives in Africa from this deadly disease.

At least 28 countries in Africa plan to introduce a WHO-recommended malaria vaccine as part of their national immunisation programmes.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has approved providing technical and financial support to roll out malaria vaccines in 18 countries.

Malaria Vaccine

The Nigerian government in April, approved the R21/Matrix-M vaccine, becoming the second country after Ghana in the world to grant such approval.

The vaccine is developed by the University of Oxford and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.

Despite accounting for high cases of Malaria, Nigeria was in July excluded from the list of 12 African countries to receive 18 million doses of the vaccine from 2023 to 2025.

The allocations were made to Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone and Uganda.

However, the addition of R21 to the list of WHO-recommended malaria vaccines is expected to result in sufficient vaccine supply to benefit all children living in areas where malaria is a public health risk.

WHO also noted that the RTS,S vaccine will be rolled out in some African countries in early 2024, and the R21 malaria vaccine is expected to become available to countries in mid-2024.

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Relevant environmental experts and media professionals, in September, converged on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to discuss some of the challenges bedevilling coverage of environmental issues (climate change effects) in Africa.

The experts spoke at a one-day symposium organised by Ogadimma Emenyeonu, the coordinator of Mass Communication English Programme at the College of Communication, University of Sharjah, and hosted by the universitys College of Communication during the Spring Semester last month.

The conference, which was themed:African Environmental Communication, brought together academics, journalists, and communication leaders from different countries including South Africa, Ghana, the United Kingdom, the United States, Zimbabwe, Malaysia, Malawi and Nigeria, among others.

Findings

The findings of their research and the symposium recommendations, relayed recently, showed dissatisfaction with the news coverage of environmental issues in Africa, urging mainstream media and news agencies in the continent to adopt better strategies and prioritise inclusive coverage.

According to the organisers, the recommendations and the participants research reveal that Western news agencies such as Reuters, Bloomberg and the Associated Press are almost the sole source of news on environmental issues in the continent while local African context of reporting the stories is missing.

In todays world, they said anyone with access to modern digital gadgets can be a source of information for the media, from a lorry driver to a professor in journalism.

However, scientists at the conference hinted that Africas news landscape has developed journalistic practices which hinder rather than facilitate coverage of environment crises in the continent.

In his remarks, Mr Emenyeonu said the symposium x-rayed environmental issues in Africa including how best to report them.

Given that environmental issues have become prominent and monumental in Africa, the Nigeria-born mass communication guru said it is necessary for African journalism to respond to the rising environmental issues by offering innovative ways to effectively and efficiently report the environment, especially in this digital age.

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The symposium sought to update knowledge of environmental journalism in Africa, provide an opportunity to deliberate some conceptual developments in African environmental communication, and encourage journalists to rise to the challenge of reporting the environment adequately and appropriately, Mr Emenyeonu said.

He emphasised that symposiums recommendations highlight the participants research findings which mostly focus on how mainstream media cover the environment across African countries and the journalism practices, ethos, and ideologies they pursue in selecting their stories.

Comments

On his part, Julian Matthews, a lecturer at the University of Leicester, explained that researchers examining coverage of environmental issues in the continent currently share a big frustration on how media coverage is avoiding seriousness and immediacy of climate change.

Mr Matthews research and his keynote speech delivered at the symposium, further demonstrated how digitisation is impacting journalism as practiced with advertising royalties, the financial mainstay of mainstream media, migrating to internet companies.

He revealed how news values that have traditionally helped newspapers select stories and make the headlines are changing, with blogs and social media setting the agenda nowadays.

The digital revolution is likewise transforming the concept of gatekeepers who have traditionally been believed to be newspaper owners, senior editors, or senior journalists, he said.

Lingering challenges

At the symposium, participants identified multilingualism as an obstacle constraining efforts to shed light on voices so far left out of news coverage and the reporting of environmental issues as they happen.

Speaking, Binyam Mendusu, an Associate Professor at The Africa Institute, said multilingualism in Africa presents an inherent problem in communication and journalism strategies.

Languages are a societal memory bank and a communication system that is worth considering by practitioners across the continent, Mr Mendusus said, adding that government officials in Africa believe managing multilingualism to be problematic and costly.

Africa is home to nearly one-third of the worlds languages, with the continent hosting between 1,000 and 2,000 languages, estimates from Harvard Universitys African Language Program reveal.

Mr Mendusu believes that the diversity of Africas languages has prompted African news organisations and the mainstream media to follow Europhonic Legacies of colonialism.

A situation like this exacerbates the gap between consumers and producers of knowledge, he said, adding that with the elite preferring complex news stories in European languages, the mainstream media is left in the dark about environmental events in their backyard.

For Blose Maud, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, news organisations in Africa are more focused on elite languages.

She said American or Western social issues and events are more likely to be reported than problems with the environment.

There has been a call for the adoption of journalistic practices drawing on local African cultures to increase awareness of environmental issues in the continent, she noted.

On his part, Mwaona Nyirongo, who is a lecturer at Mzuzu University, refers to the case of journalists in Malawi whom he says employ a hierarchy of truth when reporting on climate change.

He said Malawi reporters mostly lean on Western journalistic practices, overlooking the benefits local communities cultures can provide to enhance reporting of environmental issues.

The lecturer also lamented that Malawian journalists lean on government officials as sources for their environment-related stories, excluding local and indigenous perspectives.

Experience from South Africa

While presenting her findings from a study she conducted on the news coverage of Kwazulu-Natal floods in South Africa, Ms Maud explained how her research found that the news reports about the floods used as data for her analysis are mostly in English even though the language commonly used in the region of Durban is Zulu.

Her other findings are more shocking as she reveals that news publications in Africa usually pay lip-service to environment and climate change, and that the aim of those covering such events is merely to inform and not educate, the organisers noted.

In her submission, Thandi Bombi, a Doctor of Philosophy candidate at Rhodes University, said mainstream news organisations in South Africa piggyback on the same story with the same sources, denying their readers the chance to glean information from more than one source and depriving them of news content with a local touch.

Recommendations

Akwasi Boateng, a Postdoctoral Fellow at South Africas North-West University, urged the introduction of indigenous communication strategies such as folklore, folk music, and theatre performances in communicating environmental issues to the public.

Indigenous media are useful in addressing information deficit about environmental challenges like climate change because of their capacity to address issues in unique ways and languages that resonate with the culture and traditions of people of Ghana, Mr Boateng said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, received the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the country, Edgars Skuja, on October 2, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan told Trend.

The minister congratulated the ambassador on his appointment and wished him success in his future activities.

Issues of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Latvia, as well as the current regional situation, were discussed at the meeting.

Bayramov noted that political dialogue, mutual visits, and contacts between the two countries contribute to the further expansion of ties. They stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in the political, economic, trade, transport, humanitarian, energy security, etc. fields and the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia.

In addition, Bayramov informed in detail about the almost 30-year-old Armenian occupation of the country's territories, the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period, the process of normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as about the peaceful efforts of Azerbaijan.

As a result of the anti-terrorist measures carried out by Azerbaijan, Armenian separatist troops are being withdrawn from the region, and the process of their disarmament is being completed. This creates opportunities for advancing both the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the process of reintegration of the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region, and Azerbaijan is determined to continue efforts in both directions.

Ambassador Edgars Skuja thanked for the warm welcome and noted that, in the course of his activities, he will spare no effort for the further development of relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia.

During the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
A former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, appeared in court in London on Monday in a case of bribery charges filed against her by the United Kingdom (UK) government.

Mrs Alison-Madueke, who was Nigerias petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015, was charged with the bribery offences in August, following a National Crime Agency investigation.

She allegedly received bribes as Nigerias petroleum minister in the form of cash, luxury goods, flights on private jets and the use of high-end properties in Britain in return for awarding oil contracts, Reuters reports.

According to Reuters, the former minister, on Monday, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court, where she spoke only to give her name, date of birth and address.

The charges against her were read out in court, but she was not asked formally to enter a plea. Her lawyer, Mark Bowen, told the court she would be pleading not guilty, the news agency also reports.

Mrs Alison-Madueke, aged 63, who also served as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), was a key figure in the Nigerian government between 2010 and 2015.

The former minister, who has subsisting criminal summons issued against her by a Nigerias federal court in Abuja, was arrested in London in 2015, shortly after stepping down as minister.

She was charged in August with six bribery offences.

She has spent the past eight years on police bail, living in St Johns Wood, an expensive area of London.

Charges

The UK prosecutor, Andy Young, said she was alleged to have accepted a wide range of advantages in cash and in kind from people who wanted to receive or continue to receive the award of oil contracts which he said were worth billions of dollars in total.

She allegedly accepted bribes during her time as Minister for Petroleum Resources, in exchange for awarding multi-million pound oil and gas contracts.

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She is alleged to have benefitted from at least 100,000 in cash, chauffeur driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.

Her charges also detail financial rewards including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.

Nigerian dimension

The administration of the immediate-past Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari came to power in 2015 accusing the past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan government, in which Ms Alison-Madueke served, of monumental corruption.

Activities of Ms Alison-Maduekes Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which she served as its chair, were often cited by the Buhari government as part of the worst forms of corruption that took place during the Jonathan administration.

The former minister quickly became a subject of intense investigations and legal proceedings in Nigeria as soon as the new government settled down.

A court document revealed that the current chair of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was appointed to head the team investigating Ms Alison-Madueke and her allies, once travelled to the United Kingdom to interrogate the former minister but could not gain access to her.

EFCCs investigations culminated in the money laundering charges filed against her in 2018. The commission also targeted high-worth assets it believed she acquired with proceeds of crimes for forfeiture.

Activities of some officials of the agencies linked to her ministry were also subject of corruption charges.

Some electoral officers have also been jailed for funds they allegedly received from NNPC on her watch to manipulate the results of the 2015 elections.

On different occasions, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a warrant of arrest against her as part of the process of bringing her to Nigeria to face charges.

The EFCC blamed the United Kingdom government for shielding her from trial.

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A London court, on Monday, granted bail to a former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who faces bribery charges filed against her by the United Kingdom (UK) government.

District Judge Michael Snow granted her bail in terms and conditions including a curfew that ordered her to stay indoors between 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., according to Reuters.

The judge also ordered her to always wear an electronic tag, and imposed a 70,000-pound surety to be paid before she could leave the court building on Monday.

According to Reuters, the former minister, during her Mondays appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court, spoke only to give her name, date of birth and address.

The charges against her were read out in court, but she was not asked to formally enter a plea. Her lawyer, Mark Bowen, told the court she would be pleading not guilty, the news agency also reports.

She is scheduled to have her next court appearance at Southwark Crown Court, which deals with serious criminal cases on 30 October.

Mrs Alison-Madueke, who was Nigerias petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015, was charged with bribery offences in August, following a National Crime Agency investigation.

She allegedly received bribes as Nigerias petroleum minister in the form of cash, luxury goods, flights on private jets and the use of high-end properties in Britain in return for awarding oil contracts, Reuters reports.

The prosecutor, Andy Young, accused her of accepting a wide range of advantages in cash and in kind from people who wanted to receive or continue to receive the award of oil contracts said to be worth billions of dollars in total.

The advantages, according to the prosecutor, included a delivery of 100,000 pounds ($121,620) in cash, the payment of private school fees for her son, and the use and refurbishment of several luxurious properties in London and in the English countryside.

They also included the use of a Range Rover car, payment of bills for chauffeur-driven cars, furniture, and purchases from the upmarket London department store Harrods and from Vincenzo Caffarella, which sells Italian decorative arts and antiques.

Mrs Alison-Madueke, aged 63, who also served as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), was a key figure in the Nigerian government between 2010 and 2015.

The former minister, who has subsisting criminal summons issued against her by a Nigerias federal court in Abuja, was arrested in London in 2015, shortly after stepping down as minister.

Nigerian dimension

Activities of Ms Alison-Maduekes Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which she served as its chair, were often cited by the Buhari government as part of the worst forms of corruption that took place during the Jonathan administration.

The former minister quickly became a subject of intense investigations and legal proceedings in Nigeria as soon as the new government settled down.

A court document revealed that the suspended chair of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was appointed to head the team investigating Ms Alison-Madueke and her allies, once travelled to the United Kingdom to interrogate the former minister but could not gain access to her.

EFCCs investigations culminated in the money laundering charges filed against her in 2018. The commission also targeted high-worth assets it believed she acquired with proceeds of crimes for forfeiture.

Activities of some officials of the agencies linked to her ministry were also subject of corruption charges.

Some electoral officers have also been jailed for funds they allegedly received from NNPC on her watch to manipulate the results of the 2015 elections.

On different occasions, the Federal High Court in Abuja had issued a warrant of arrest against her as part of the process of bringing her to Nigeria to face charges.

The EFCC blamed the United Kingdom government for shielding her from trial.

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President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Sunday, sent a delegation to the Abuja home of the Vanguard Newspapers Assistant Political Editor, Henry Umoru, to commiserate with him on the death of his wife and mother.

Mr Umoru lost his mother, Celestina Aboda and wife, Bridget Umoru, on 26 September and 27 September respectively.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senate presidents delegation was led by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, who enjoined the editor not to lose faith in God despite the tragedy that had befallen them.

My dear Henry, I know that as humans, it will be difficult for you, and especially your teenage daughter, Emmanuella, to come to terms with the fact that both Bridget and Mama left at the same time.

But God, who is the ultimate architect of our lives, knows best.

The entire members of the Nigerian Senate and my family are with you in prayers. Do not give up on God but continue to hold unto Him.

Mama and Bridget have only gone the way of every other mortal. My prayer is that Almighty God will forgive their shortcomings and grant them eternal rest.

I also ask the good Lord to console you, your daughter and indeed all members of your family at this difficult time.

Please be strong, for God is with you. Accept my sincere condolences, Mr Eyiboh said.

Mr Eyiboh was accompanied on the condolence visit by the Special Assistant, Media (Print) to the Senate President, Jackson Udom and the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Press Corps, Sanni Onogu of The Nation Newspapers.

In his response, Mr Umoru thanked the senate president for the condolence visit.

He said the family was taken aback by the loss of their mother and wife but had taken solace in the belief that they were in the warm embrace of God.

I wish, on behalf of my family, to thank His Excellency, the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, for finding time to come and commiserate with me and my family on the death of my dear wife and mother.

I am honoured and I thank you for this great honour, Mr Umoru said.

(NAN)

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Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba has granted amnesty to 17 inmates serving various jail terms in correctional centres in the state.

The governor said the amnesty was to mark the countrys 63rd independence celebration.

The governor disclosed the gesture on Sunday evening while delivering his Independence Day broadcast, in Jalingo, the State capital.

He said the 17 inmates were released due to their good conduct based on the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

Mr Kefas commuted the sentences of four death row convicts to life imprisonment.

The directive was in accordance with the power conferred on the Governor by paragraph (d) of sub-section (1) of section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Mr Kefas also reiterated his administrations readiness to turn the state into an agricultural powerhouse through the introduction of mechanisation in the agricultural sector to boost food production and enhance food security.

Identifying education as key to unlocking the states potential, he said his administration had concluded plans that would enable all Tarabans to have access to quality education.

He noted that the health sector would also be rehabilitated and the welfare of health workers enhanced to provide a healthy environment for the people of the State.

The governor highlighted his commitment to providing basic infrastructural development, including the expansion of the states airport.

He said his administration was collaborating with relevant security agencies to flush out criminals and kidnappers terrorising the state.

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The police in Ebonyi State, South-east Nigeria, said gunmen, on Monday, burnt three commuter buses, four motorcycles and one tricycle in the state.

Onome Onovwakpoyeya, the police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the attack occurred in Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu Local Government area of the state, along the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway.

Ms Onovwakpoyeya, a superintendent of police, said the gunmen, suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), drove in a car into the community and began attacking buses, tricycles and motorcycles at Ezzangbo junction.

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No life was, however, lost during the attack, she said.

They burnt down three commuter buses, four motorcycles and one tricycle, Ms Onovwakpoyeya said.

The police spokesperson said some operatives had been dispatched to the scene of the incident to fish out the perpetrators.

We believe that before the end of the day, the perpetrators will be apprehended, she added.

(NAN)

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President Bola Tinubu has expressed shock and deep sadness over the passing into glory of a foremost Nigerian educationist and one of the pioneer medical doctors from Northern Nigeria, Umaru Shehu, on Monday.

Born in 1930 in Maiduguri, Borno State, the nonagenarian was 92 when he passed away.

President Tinubu described the death of Mr Shehu, an emeritus professor, as a big blow to the country, saying that his death had closed a glorious chapter of illustrious service to Nigeria, Nigerians, and humanity as a whole.

Emeritus Professor Shehu was a giant, even among that legendary generation of pioneering indigenous professionals in our country, and the story of his life is saturated with many first, golden steps across the realms of medical practice, school administration, and humanitarian services.

The renowned Professor of Medicine has always served Nigeria meritoriously and bestowed on all Nigerians a sense of pride with his indelible breakthroughs and innovative approaches to the administration of health and medical education around the world. Nigeria was indeed blessed to have him as both a patriotic son and as a worthy global representative in his fields of endeavour, the president stated.

Trained at the defunct University College-Ibadan, the University of Liverpool and the University of London, among others, Mr Shehu spent a lifetime straddling Nigerias medical and higher education institutions, in addition to several remarkable engagements on the global stage.

The legendary academician served variously as a deputy vice-chancellor, vice chancellor and sole administrator of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and the University of Maiduguri, respectively. He successfully taught and mentored generations of medical practitioners, both in Nigeria and in the United Kingdom, and served at different times as the Country Coordinator of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Nigeria and Ethiopia.

President Tinubu shared his profound condolences with the people and Government of Borno State, the deceased statesmans family, the Nigerian medical community, and so many others who are grieving around the world over the colossal loss of this Nigerian icon, mentor, father, son, and dedicated professional.

The president also prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased academician and statesman.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

October 2, 2023

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The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has appointed 368 people as his personal assistants.

This was announced in a statement released by the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Enobong Uwah, on Saturday.

This is the first time in the history of the 36-year-old state that a state governor would pick such a number of aides at once.

The appointees, picked from 368 political wards in the state, have been asked to assume duties on Sunday, 1 October, while their inauguration is on Monday, according to the statement.

They were all nominated by political leaders across the state.

Mr Eno, shortly after his inauguration as governor in May, had directed political leaders in each of the wards to nominate one person from each ward for the appointment as his personal assistant.

The role of the appointees, it appears, would be to help Governor Eno achieve political influence across the state.

Mr Eno is the fifth elected governor of Akwa Ibom. He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP, which has remained the ruling party in the oil-rich state since the return of democracy in 1999, had its dominance threatened in the last general election by the All Progressives Congress (APC) which won a Senate seat and two seats at the Federal House of Representatives.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who is from Akwa Ibom, is a member of the APC.

Ninety-four social media influencers as media aides

Mr Eno is not the only governor who has given out a large number of appointments to political supporters.

The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, in September, appointed 94 social media influencers as media aides.

Before then, Mr Yusuf had appointed 44 social media influencers as special reporters. Altogether, he has 138 special reporters working for him.

The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, appointed 47 people to work as his media aides.

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appointed Amos Dangut as the Head of the Nigeria National Office, succeeding Patrick Areghan who served since 2020.

Until his appointment, Mr Dangut was the Deputy Registrar/HNOs Office of the council.

According to a statement signed by Moyosola Adesina, the acting head of Public Affairs at WAEC. Mr Dangut joined the services of the examination council in 1998 as an Assistant Registrar (AR) II.

The statement added that he rose through the ranks to become a Deputy Registrar in April 2018 and he won the Nigeria Examinations Committees (NEC) commendation for transparent conduct of examination between 2000 and 2006.

Mr Areghan had hinted at his retirement and exit from the examination body in August at the announcement of results of the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.

More about Dangut

Born 2 October 1967 in Mbar District of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, Mr Dangut, according to the statement attended Government Secondary School, Riyom (1981 to 1983) and Government Science School, Kuru (1983 to 1986), where he obtained his WASC/SC in 1986), both in Plateau State.

Mr Dangut proceeded to the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, where he bagged the award of Bachelor of Agriculture in Animal Production in 1991.

He also proceeded to undertake some studies leading to the awards of Masters of Science in Animal Science in April 1994 from the prestigious University of Ibadan; Doctor of Philosophy (Animal Science, 2017), from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

He bagged a Masters of Education (Administration and Planning) in 2020 from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

At WAEC, Mr Dangut served in different capacities from the Assistant Registrar to Deputy Registrar in different departments across the councils zonal offices.

For the past 25 years, he has leveraged Information and Communications Technology to innovatively improve processes in Test Development, Test Administration and Post Test Activities.

Mr Dangut has also presented numerous keynotes and other papers at international and national conferences/fora and is an active member of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) and the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM).

About Areghan, achievements

According to the profile of Mr Areghan on the official WAEC website, he joined the council as an Assistant Registrar II in October 1989 and rose through the ranks to become a Senior Deputy Registrar in April 2018.

Before he assumed office as the Head of the Nigeria National Office on 5 March 2020, he served in various examination and administrative capacities, including as the Head of the Test Administration Division of WAEC Nigeria.

He served as WAEC Zonal Coordinator, Abuja and Port Harcourt Zonal Offices between 2013 and 2016.

In August, at the announcement of the 2023 WASSCE results, Mr Areghan highlighted some achievements recorded in WAEC under his stewardship as the HNO, which includes the launch of a digital certificate.

Under his leadership, the council also launched the Educational Statistics (EDUSTAT) platform that enables stakeholders to access statistics online; a functional WAEC Nigeria Digital Printing Press (WNDPP) after 71 years of existence; and other digital platforms.

About WAEC

WAEC is West Africas foremost examining board established by law in 1952 to determine the examinations required in the public interest in English-speaking West African countries.

The council conducts examinations and awards certificates of comparable standard to those of similar examining authorities, worldwide.

Apart from Nigeria, the council serves the following Anglophonic countries of West Africa: Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Gambia.

The council conducts international and national examinations, and examinations are conducted in collaboration with other examining bodies or on behalf of other examining bodies.

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Umaru Shehu, a popular Nigerian academic and professor of medicine is dead.

His death was announced by Borno Elders Forum, in a statement.

The statement said he died Monday morning at the age of 97.

We regret to announce the demise of our founding father of both Kanem Borno Historical and Cultural Foundation (KBHCF)  Professor Emeritus Umar Shehu, CFR.

The late Shehu himself, Shettima Monguno, and Maina Damchida were the founding fathers of the Borno Elders Forum, all the three have now left us, he was the last of the titans, May Allah have mercy upon them.

Professor Emeritus Umar Shehu died this morning. Aged 97, he left behind his immediate family and all of us in Nigeria. His burial comes up at his residence, GRA Maiduguri, at 5 pm today, the statement said

Mr Shehu was born in Maiduguri on 8 December 1930 in the then Borno province (now Borno state) North-Eastern Nigeria.

He attended elementary school in Maiduguri from 1935 to 1940, followed by middle school from 1941 to 1943. From 1944 to 1947, he studied at Kaduna College in Zaria and then proceeded to University College Ibadan from 1948 to 1953.

He also spent time at the University of Liverpool in two separate periods, between 1953 and 1956, and again from 1966 to 1967. He obtained his medical degree from the University of London.

In 1957, after completing his medical education, Mr Shehu began working as a pre-registration house surgeon at the Southport Infirmary in the United Kingdom. Later that same year, he returned to the Government of Northern Nigeria and served as a pre-registration house physician.

He gradually climbed the ranks within the medical field, holding the positions of Medical Officer from 1957 to 1963, Senior Medical Officer from 1963 to 1965, Principal Medical Officer from 1965 to 1966, Assistant Chief Medical Officer from 1966 to 1967, and Chief Medical Officer in the Preventive Services Division from 1967 to 1968.

Following his tenure in the Preventive Services Division, Mr Shehu was offered a position as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Chief Medical Officer in the North-Eastern State. However, he declined the offer and instead chose to join the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU).

He became a Reader and Acting Head of the Department of Community Medicine from 1968 to 1970 becoming the Departments first ever Head. During this period, he also served as the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and acted as the Director of the Institute of Health from 1969 to 1970.

In 1970, he attained the position of Professor of Community Medicine and became the Head of the Department of Community Medicine, a role he held from 1970 to 1978. Additionally, Mr Shehu served as the Director of the Institute of Health from 1970 to 1977 and took on the responsibilities of Deputy Vice Chancellor from 1975 to 1976. Finally, he assumed the position of Vice-Chancellor from 1977 to 1978.

In recognition of his accomplishments and contributions, he was appointed as a Professor Emeritus in 2000.

Mr Shehu later served as the provost of the College of Medical Sciences at the University of Maiduguri from 1991 to 1993. He took on the responsibility of Sole Administrator of the University of Maiduguri from 1993 to 1994, assuming a crucial interim leadership role during that period.

Also, in 1978, he assumed the role of vice-chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he made significant contributions to the academic and administrative development of the institution until 1980.

At the University College Hospital Ibadan, he served as the Chairman of the Board of Management from 1991 to 1994, providing strategic guidance and oversight of the hospitals operations. Mr Shehu held the positions of Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at Bayero University, Kano, from 1993 to 1996.

Subsequently, from 1996 to 1999, he served as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at the University of Lagos. In these roles, he played a crucial role in the governance and strategic direction of the respective universities.

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An official of the Nigerian government on Monday announced a plan to help Nigerian tech startups raise a total of $5 billion yearly in funding rounds by 2027.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed the plan in the ministrys 31-page Strategic Blueprint document titled: Accelerating our Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency, released on Monday.

A tech startup is a company whose purpose is to bring technology products or services to market.

Mr Tijani said the ministrys primary objective is to stimulate the growth and sustainability of startups, with a specific focus on developing innovative solutions for critical sectors of the economy.

Recognising the critical role of patient capital in the growth of startups, we are committed to increasing the local availability of patient capital. Our intent is to create an environment for startups to raise the funding they require to thrive locally and promote the domiciliation of startups within our nation.

We will establish an active sandbox environment that encourages and empowers innovators and entrepreneurs to develop unique solutions for sectors historically considered to have limited exposure to technological innovation.

By removing regulatory barriers and providing the required support, we aim to inspire innovative, problem-solving approaches to existing challenges, Mr Tijani said.

He said with the goal of supporting the diversification of the Nigerian economy, the ministry will collaborate with other ministries and parastatals including private sector stakeholders to drive opportunities for startups to facilitate the application of technology for enhanced productivity in critical sectors across the country.

We will back programmes focused on AgriTech, HealthTech, EdTech, MediaTech, CleanTech, and CreTech among others.

Increase capital raised by Nigerian tech startups by 50 per cent year-on-year from $1 billion/year in 2022 to $5 billion/year in 2027.

Increase domiciliation of local technology startups from less than (<) 1 per cent to 25 per cent by 2027.

Identify opportunities for the digital economy in various sectors such as Agriculture, Financial Services, Healthcare, Education, Energy, Transportation and Logistics, Manufacturing, Retail and E-commerce, Textiles and Fashion, Media and Entertainment, eSports/Gaming, and Real Estate, he said.

He explained that the ministry would launch at least one ministry-led Public-Private Partnership (PPP) pilot programme per sector by 2027.

Blueprint

Mr Tijani said this strategic blueprint is a detailed and progressive framework that encompasses five key pillars: Knowledge, Policy, Infrastructure, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and capital (IEC) and Trade.

He said each pillar is integral to the ministrys mission and interconnected with others, forming the foundation of the strategy.

Knowledge is the cornerstone upon which innovation thrives, and is built upon the bedrock of sound policies. Infrastructure provides the essential backbone for a thriving digital economy, while innovation and entrepreneurship drive economic diversification.

Trade, the fifth pillar, represents our commitment to global collaboration and partnerships, recognising that innovation knows no borders. As we embark on this transformative journey, we do so with an unwavering sense of purpose. We understand that the road ahead may be challenging, but it is through these challenges that we find the impetus to evolve and adapt.

Together, we will harness the power of technology to elevate Nigerias standing on the global stage, create sustainable employment opportunities and improve the quality of life for all Nigerians, he said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 1. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has held a meeting with Head of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Trend reports.

Bayramov informed Welby in detail about the traditions of interreligious harmony, tolerance, and multiculturalism existing in Azerbaijan, and noted that, in Azerbaijan, where the majority of the population are Muslims, along with representatives of the Islamic religion, representatives of Christian, Jewish, and other faiths live in conditions of mutual understanding, good neighborliness, and peace.

The minister emphasized that Azerbaijan has become one of the global centers of intercultural and intercivilizational dialogue, our country has put forward globally significant initiatives in this direction, and Azerbaijan is holding a number of important international events. It was brought to attention that Azerbaijan is a country where comprehensive attention and care is provided for the cultural and religious heritage of various peoples.

Also during the meeting, Bayramov spoke about the threats posed by Armenia and the separatist regime it created to peace and security in the region for almost 30 years, as well as about the reasons that determined the need for local anti-terrorism measures carried out by Azerbaijan on its sovereign territory in full accordance with international humanitarian law. It was noted that ending the presence of illegal Armenian armed forces on the territory of Azerbaijan would serve peace and stability in the region. He also informed about the large-scale mine threat posed by Armenia.

At the meeting, information was brought to attention about the ongoing process of disarmament of illegal Armenian armed groups, urgent measures taken by our country to meet the urgent needs of the Armenian residents of Karabakh, and intensive work on their reintegration.

Jeyhun Bayramov noted that Azerbaijan is interested in a mutual peacebuilding process with Armenia within the framework of territorial integrity and sovereignty.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
 both countries should, through a shared approach, continue to guide their good relationship by showing resilience and solidarity to each other, especially in the context of the multipolar world. The deeper and more enduring diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China are more and the national day will remain as a bridge between the Nigerian and Chinese people. It is believed that the national day will pave the way for more fruitful cooperation and mutually beneficial initiatives between the two countries

The 1st of October is the National Day of both Nigeria and China. There are significant similarities to highlight and which both countries need to care for in their relations. While the day marks Nigerias proclamation of independence from the British in 1960, the Chinese are marking the 74th National Day of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, as proclaimed by Mao Zedong, the chairman of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), on 1 October, 1949, in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. This predates Nigerias independence by 11 years. Nigeria is celebrating its 63th independence anniversary this year.

It is a work-free day in both countries, with various spectacular celebrations, deeply rooted in history and tradition. Nigeria often commemorates the day with pomp and pageantry, while the first week of October is a holiday for businesses, to enjoy, rest and relax in China. Both countries also recognise and award outstanding personalities, especially individuals and groups who have helped promote the Nigeria-China friendship, in this week. Besides the national days, Nigeria and China have shared many significant moments in the past that have helped their better understanding of each other, and as significant steps towards fostering the closer ties that began in 1971. Their commitment to building a community of a shared future and development has always been guided by their turbulent histories. Because of the two countries shining potentials, they have experienced external imperialist aggressions, invasions, and colonialism in the case of Nigeria, serving as inglorious episodes of their encounters, in the quest for freedom and nation-building.

They have both experienced dramatic shifts in power. Nigeria has had ambitious military juntas, which interrupted democratic rules, while China has witnessed shifts in power between rival factions and the disintegration of its empire through corruption and political subterfuge, and the cyclical rise of ambitious leaders to found newer empires. These histories have profoundly formed the basis of a trustful acceptance of their relationship. As the Chinese Foreign Minister, Mr Wang Yi, said during his visit to Nigeria in January 2021, As a major African country, Nigeria has always occupied an important position in Chinas diplomacy in Africa. Hence, both have demonstrated mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual support to their 52-year old diplomatic ties.

In a retrospect of the 52-year old cooperation, the Nigeria-China relationship has blossomed over the decades and both are drawing lessons from one another in every area of human endeavour. It is easy to say that the relations have been mutually beneficial to both sides. Being a developing country, Nigeria is drawing a lot of opportunities from the worlds second largest economy, ranging from manufactured goods, expertise, funding, to aid from China and, in return, providing a suitable business climate

As the most populous countries and largest economies in their regions, Nigeria and China have come to understand that it is important to lead the way in multilateral engagements towards making life better for their citizens and humanity in general. Both have exerted their interests and influence in their regions. Their nationals are among the most gifted, astute and dexterous workforces on earth; and they are highly mobile and can be found in all parts of the world engaging in one task or the other. So one can assert that their shared national day dynamics interconnects with their demographics, markets, economies and national aspirations.

In the areas of their bilateral and multilateral engagements, both have shared a common narrative and their foreign policy objectives align. Examples are the non-alignment groupings and anti-imperialist struggles. Nigerian and China often stand together side-by-side to oppose hegemonic tendencies, either in the United Nations or other multilateral groupings like the Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), because of their common understanding of the global geopolitical threats to developing countries. Nigeria and China took fast and coordinated actions against COVID-19 to curb its spread, and the uproar that followed the alleged mistreatment of some African migrants in Guangzhou in 2020. Nigeria led Africa to mitigate the threat of division and misunderstanding.

In a retrospect of the 52-year old cooperation, the Nigeria-China relationship has blossomed over the decades and both are drawing lessons from one another in every area of human endeavour. It is easy to say that the relations have been mutually beneficial to both sides. Being a developing country, Nigeria is drawing a lot of opportunities from the worlds second largest economy, ranging from manufactured goods, expertise, funding, to aid from China and, in return, providing a suitable business climate, as well as a huge source of mineral resources and market for Chinese industries and imports. But on the other side, the day shows the unequal development in both countries. As an industrialised nation, famous for its visionary ideas and groundbreaking infrastructure, China has eliminated absolute poverty, and high unemployment, while Nigeria is still on the journey to address these challenges.

Diplomatic relations is better fostered when partners learn from their histories. It will serve Nigeria and China better if they remain committed to their historical development, so as to promote partnerships that will contribute to their sustainable developments and the building of a global community of the shared future of all peoples, all countries and all individuals. I salute these two giants on their win-win national day celebrations.

That is why it is crucially important that amid the celebrations, Nigeria and China should reflect on their cooperation. Nigeria has a greater role and responsibility in this regard. The day could be the starting point of a long-term commitment to pulling resources together to transform their annual historical days into becoming a reflection of more strategic cooperation that promises to reduce poverty, hunger, illiteracy, crime, violence and corruption in Nigeria. In the current development paradigm, China should continue to share its lessons and challenges, while Nigeria can learn from its experience of rapid development. More than the national day is at stake if the two countries would not reflect on their cooperation trajectories and uncover more of their bilateral potentials and recreate trust, to especially wean Nigerians off corruption, poverty, illiteracy, disease, violence and poor governance. In a time of toxic global leadership and enormous challenges, Nigerian and Chinese leaderships should listen more to each other and be guided by moral responsibility. Fortunately, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will soon visit Beijing to strengthen the relations and attract investments.

Therefore, both countries should, through a shared approach, continue to guide their good relationship by showing resilience and solidarity to each other, especially in the context of the multipolar world. The deeper and more enduring diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China are more and the national day will remain as a bridge between the Nigerian and Chinese people. It is believed that the national day will pave the way for more fruitful cooperation and mutually beneficial initiatives between the two countries in the years to come.

Diplomatic relations is better fostered when partners learn from their histories. It will serve Nigeria and China better if they remain committed to their historical development, so as to promote partnerships that will contribute to their sustainable developments and the building of a global community of the shared future of all peoples, all countries and all individuals. I salute these two giants on their win-win national day celebrations.

Olalekan A. Babatunde, a fellow at the Nigerias Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and a part-time professor at the Zhejiang Normal University in China, writes via: austinebabatunde@yahoo.com

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Managing diversity and promoting inclusiveness in Nigeria is an ongoing and multifaceted challenge. It requires concerted efforts from government at all levels, the civil society, the private sector, and individuals to ensure that all Nigerians, regardless of their backgrounds, can participate fully in the countrys social, economic, and political life. Embracing diversity and inclusiveness is a moral imperative and a pathway to a more prosperous and harmonious Nigeria.

The Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Nigeria in the worlds top five most diverse countries in 2009. It simultaneously ranked the country as the 45th of 47 countries in sustaining national diversity. The management of diversity and inclusiveness are essential and contentious issues in Nigeria today, as it was in 1960. As acknowledged by President Tinubu during a recent foreign trip, our diversity ought to be an asset for nation-building and development. Promoting diversity and inclusion is crucial for social cohesion, economic development, and the nations well-being.

This great country is an intricate assemblage of cultures, faiths, and languages. With a population that surpasses 220 million people, Nigeria prides itself on an impressiveness of over 250 ethnic groups, with over 500 languages, lending voice to its diverse populace. Managing and celebrating this diversity is essential for national unity.

Our incredible diversity is a double-edged sword; it made us a great nation, a melting pot of rich diversity that, if properly utilised, will make Nigeria one of the best countries to live and work in. Harnessing positive cultural traits brings great rewards to all. This is evident in our culinary expressions, music, and arts. It is little wonder that Nigeria dominates all other African countries in these aspects. Our food, music and arts are synonymous with African food, music, and art. The second side of the sword is the challenges that our diversity have created in making Nigeria a cohesive and united state. People from many of the ethnic nationalities that make up the country place their identities and loyalties first to their ethnic nationalities before contemplating their Nigerian identity. It is little wonder that some have described Nigeria as a mere geographical expression, devoid of the bond of nationhood that makes a great state.

Historically, the unholy union of many ethnic nationalities into one dominant protectorate (the Northern and Southern protectorates, respectively) for the administrative ease of Britain, without due consultations with the nationalities or due consideration of their historical engagements, created tensions that reverberate till our present time. Rival and antagonistic ethnic nationalities were lumped together and expected to coexist peacefully, without correcting the historical malice, stereotypes, and innuendos that had existed for hundreds or thousands of years before colonisation. As if that was not enough, in 1914, the British colonialists performed the unholy marriage of the Northern and Southern Protectorates to create Nigeria. This marriage was clearly for administrative ease and not any well-thought-out plan towards creating a nation-state.

There was no clear evidence that the first experiment of bundling the ethnic nationalities into protectorates brought them together in any way, other than for administrative benefits. Each ethnic nationality maintained its identity and never wholly surrendered to the new identity. Scaling up a forced union through the amalgamation of 1914, without giving proper attention to making the ethnic nationalities bond together, created a Nigeria of many ethnic nationalities that were suspicious of each other. This suspicion and sometimes outright hatred among ethnic nationalities served the British colonisers divide-and-rule approach well. In 1914, we had a nation-state made up of ethnic nationalities that were neither interested in the contraption nor trusting of anything about it to place their complete loyalties in Nigeria.

Unfortunately, 63 years after Independence, we have yet to make a significant improvement in managing our diversity well, much less leveraging it to our advantage. Today, we are still dealing with the issues of dismantling ethnic nationality loyalties and subjecting all allegiances to the Nigerian state. We are brutally confronted with diversity challenges daily in politics, social existence, communal relations, and religious expressions.

The post-1914 yoking together saw many activities geared towards making a Nigeria out of the dominant ethnic nationalities. Several constitutions were made, and several state institutions were created to exert the influence of a state on the collective. There was also a uniting vision of getting Nigeria to become an independent country, and a rallying ideology for all leaders of the major ethnic nationalities.

Beyond these uniting efforts, a chequered history of mistrust, hatred, and suspicion led to pogroms, ethnic clashes, and the wanton destruction of lives and properties. The 1960 independence happened under this context of fear and distrust among the ethnic nationalities. Little wonder Nigerias civil war killed millions a few years after Independence.

Since the end of the civil war in 1970, Nigeria has been battling to create a cohesive nation-state that would blur the ethnic lines. The Nigerian state has tried to fight nepotism, tribalism, and access to opportunities on the basis of ethnicity. Some of the adopted measures, although created with good intentions, have spawn unintended problems. For instance, creating the Federal Character Principle to give access to opportunities to people from various ethnic backgrounds became counterproductive, when meritocracy and value were sacrificed on the altar of equal access in Nigeria. The death of meritocracy in Nigeria due to clannishness, nepotism, and irredentist tendencies has stopped Nigeria from harnessing its best resources for socio-political and economic growth.

Unfortunately, 63 years after Independence, we have yet to make a significant improvement in managing our diversity well, much less leveraging it to our advantage. Today, we are still dealing with the issues of dismantling ethnic nationality loyalties and subjecting all allegiances to the Nigerian state. We are brutally confronted with diversity challenges daily in politics, social existence, communal relations, and religious expressions. Any little issue of national importance is seen by many from the narrow prisms of ethnicity and religion. We are a nation silently at war with ourselves on the basis of ethnic and religious loyalties. The last national elections exemplify this. I must acknowledge that some progress has been made in the management of our diversity and enabling inclusion, but recent events show an erosion of this progress. Recent calls for secession, banditry, terrorist activities, farmer-herder crises and communal flare ups, are some examples of the worsening tensions in our union. Professor Anya, a distinguished Nigeria Merit Award laureate, said, We can no longer say with certainty that we have a nation. Niger Delta leaders, South-Eastern leaders, Middle-Belt leaders, and the Northern Elders Forum have not remained quiet.

The key driver of the challenge of managing our diversity in Nigeria is the pervasive limited economic opportunities and politics of exclusion in the country. The lack of opportunities or unequal access to opportunities exacerbates the feelings of exclusion and anger, especially in a struggling economy. The poverty and greed of the elite has combined to divide the nation. Poverty creates an atmosphere of shame and blame and quickly pushes people to resort to divisive ethnic and religious sentiments. And over 130 million Nigerians are multidimensionally poor. Besides, ignorance and illiteracy promote conflict and hinder inclusion. Our greedy elite are comfortable with fantastic corruption that leads to a few siphoning our common patrimony for themselves and their cronies. Any plan to manage our diversity and create inclusion must address poverty and corruption, which lead to unequal or no access to opportunities.

Government must be the critical driver of promoting diversity and inclusion through legislation and policies. Political leaders must aim for the equitable representation of diverse groups in government and public institutions, and that no one group dominates the others in government. This has direct political consequences. Political leaders must be deliberate in the even distribution of infrastructure, resources, political offices, and the accommodation of different cultural expressions in Nigeria.

Therefore, we must develop more ways of celebrating our ethnic and cultural diversities. All must resist any tendency to promote cultural superiority in the country. Promoting religious tolerance and understanding is crucial to maintaining peace. Although English is our official language, we must keep the local languages alive. We must ensure that education is accessible to all, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or socio-economic background. We must promote workplace diversity, inclusion, equal opportunities, and fair employee treatment.

Government must be the critical driver of promoting diversity and inclusion through legislation and policies. Political leaders must aim for the equitable representation of diverse groups in government and public institutions, and that no one group dominates the others in government. This has direct political consequences. Political leaders must be deliberate in the even distribution of infrastructure, resources, political offices, and the accommodation of different cultural expressions in Nigeria. Our political leaders need to focus on building trust and creating a culture where everyone feels free to aspire to the best that Nigeria can offer them. They play a critical role in managing ethnocultural divisions, gender biases, and most recently, the youth bulge. Politicians have a responsibility to create and sustain an inclusive environment for all. Our recent experience shows that the country suffers many mishaps when the political leadership does not manage our diversity properly and create an inclusive environment.

Civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) must play a vital role in advocating for diversity and inclusiveness, and monitoring and holding the government and private sector accountable for their commitments. And all stakeholders must support initiatives to promote cultural understanding, tolerance, and the acceptance to bridge divides.

Managing diversity and promoting inclusiveness in Nigeria is an ongoing and multifaceted challenge. It requires concerted efforts from government at all levels, the civil society, the private sector, and individuals to ensure that all Nigerians, regardless of their backgrounds, can participate fully in the countrys social, economic, and political life. Embracing diversity and inclusiveness is a moral imperative and a pathway to a more prosperous and harmonious Nigeria.

Dakuku Peterside is a policy and leadership expert.

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The roles of the judiciary in pre- and post-election matters will never stop to beg the question of what should be held supreme: legality or legitimacy? Of course, both concepts cross each others borders semantically, but to what extent should the extremes of each be tolerated? What should decide legitimacy? Is it the quantum of legal compliance and due processes or the invested aggregated public interests?

To run for an election in Nigeria, as you raise the money you need, now in billions of naira, remember one thing: divide the money into two  one for the elections and the other for legal matters. If you win, the loser will take you to court. If you lose, take the winner to court. If the winner had the money for the election and no money for the legal matters, his fortune would be reversed. Three sets of people now decide on our leaders for us: the voters, the lawyers, and the judges. Democracy is no longer solely about the legitimacy of votes but also the legality of how those votes are obtained and counted. Legality is now above legitimacy. Please allow me to explain.

The history of elections in Nigeria has always been of interest, but that of its aftermaths creates crescendos of the former, which are far more important sometimes and far more disappointing most times. In several instances, a partys candidate would be elected with some level of presumed or deducible public support, and when the lens or the VAR of the judiciary looks at it, the peoples results get dashed. Sometimes, the supposed winner could be one who does not have the peoples approval, and after much process of vetting, the judiciary installs who it wants or thinks has fulfilled the law the most. Some other times, there is not much difference.

The roles of the judiciary in pre- and post-election matters will never stop to beg the question of what should be held supreme: legality or legitimacy? Of course, both concepts cross each others borders semantically, but to what extent should the extremes of each be tolerated? What should decide legitimacy? Is it the quantum of legal compliance and due processes or the invested aggregated public interests? And should election results be held within the bustles of Electoral Acts, constitutional provisions, court rules, practice directions, and other legal reality checks? This dilemma has been a perennial occurrence and has severally and severely brought the people to some antagonistic vantage points, pitched against Milords Temples of Justice.

For instance, it is close to a month since the results of the petition at the Court of Appeal against the supposed victory of the APC at the 2023 Nigerian presidential election, and the people of Nigeria are nowhere near satisfied. It is incredible how a country with a unique history of the repeated final determination of election results at the courts, as opposed to the polls, still keeps getting it wrong. The situation is evidence that the people take the judiciary as a betting house and take the chaos of doubts to its temple, as this has run throughout the history of Nigerian democracy.

Take also, for instance, the notorious case of the 2019 Imo State gubernatorial election, in which the Supreme Court annulled the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Emeka Ihedioha, and installed the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hope Uzodinma as governor; a candidate who did not just lose to Ihedioha in the initial race but finished a distant fourth position, and the reaction of the people to the situation. What about the Adeleke election saga in Osun State in recent history? This, however, seems to be an accepted decision by the people because of the supposed popularity of the candidate and the finesse of his dancing steps.

Another very controversial case was the courts decision in the Bayelsa State election, in which the Supreme Court also annulled the victory of the winner of the election because it was discovered that his running mate had presented some fake documents. He was, therefore, disqualified, and his opponent was installed as governor.

But are fraudulent elections and mandates conferred on people unjustly not worth the similar care given to human rights issues? Where legality and procedures are reconsidered on cases from Chapter IV of the constitution, how many more issues are traced back to legitimacy, the peoples future, and the nations progressive projections? Isnt an election fraud injustice to the generality of people and a collective breach of the collective rights of the people?

This history of judicial intervention in elections is no short one. Since the petition originating from the election between Shehu Shagari and Obafemi Awolowo in 1979, Nigerians have had to severally vest their hopes in the judiciary and watch as they act as umpires in matters that were originally designed to be settled by the public vote.

There is a cross-road between legality, which informs the courts decision, to the extent that irregularity would amount to fundamental decisions that affect the fate of the people and aid an illegitimate and unpopular government. The people would then be left to struggle with a largely unwanted government or such that could not be ascertained to have won the popular confidence of the generality of the electorate. The court is the home of determining matters on the basis of some objective parameters, which explains why laws are set to guide every matter brought before the court.

From history, it is quite clear that many decisions made on election and election-related matters are either won or dismissed on the basis of irregularities, technicalities, and procedural errors, that would deny justice on substantive matters. Of what benefit is a suit that was dismissed based on its lack of conformity with an established form or because it was instituted by a writ of summons, rather than being brought by way of a petition? When a matter is determined based on this and other preliminary fulfillments or procedures, the substance, which goes to the root of the legitimacy and desires of the people, is buried or forgotten.

The Constitution and the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules have established that fundamental rights issues should not be discountenanced based on mere irregularities and that as sui generis issues, the standard of expectation should be brought lower, in comparison to other matters before any court. Fundamental rights issues in Nigeria can be brought before the State High Court, Federal High Court, or National Industrial Court. It could also be brought by any means, making it quite easy for a person whose right has been trampled upon to seek justice.

But are fraudulent elections and mandates conferred on people unjustly not worth the similar care given to human rights issues? Where legality and procedures are reconsidered on cases from Chapter IV of the constitution, how many more issues are traced back to legitimacy, the peoples future, and the nations progressive projections? Isnt an election fraud injustice to the generality of people and a collective breach of the collective rights of the people?

The consequence of elections to the sociopolitical consciousness of a people must not be taken lightly. Not just because elections are the system through which the next leader of a democratic nation is decided but because that system is in and of itself the embodiment or the defining expression of the democratic soul of the society. The iconic 16th president of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln, famously defined democracy as the rule of the people, by the people and for the people; a concise yet comprehensive capturing of the essence of the ideology.

The court must be able to see that what is more important at every point before making its decisions is the importance of legitimacy and popularity. The political and social consequences that decisions of the court can cause. This is because every institution is established on the back of the people, and since people are the law themselves, the law should never be clogged to their wheel.

No society can claim to be democratic in principle without having its people come together to decide who its leaders are. Because those elected are not just leaders, but in a more honest sense, are representatives of the people. And since they are representatives of the people, it would be an undeniable logical inconsistency, as well as a great political absurdity, if the peoples will were to be ignored in the selection of their next leader, no matter how legal, constitutional or judicially viable that process of selection is. It is this understanding that should primarily guide the decision-making of the judiciary that elections are an expression of the will of the people, and so in their decisions, their foremost objective must be the protection and enforcement of that will.

When you see that the entire nation is not only interested but has a stake in the matter, one would expect that the judiciary takes a decision that is the most accurate reflection of the will of the people. Instead, we saw the judiciary dismissing what seemed to be worthy petitions because one preliminary matter was not filed or one issue arising from the whole pool of matters was supposed to be decided by another court. This system and mentality is an outright mockery of the peoples desires. They ignore important, weighty arguments on the grounds of minor, less significant matters of procedure, thereby sacrificing justice on the altar of technicalities.

My question to the Justices who sacrificed justice for technicality is this: Was the law made for man, or man made for the law? The obvious answer to this question is a foundational concept of law, which ought to guide their reasoning. Law is very important to ensuring order and progress in society. But when that law is exalted at the expense of the best interests of the men it was created to serve, then that law is pointless and nothing more than a stumbling block to the progress of society. Law is good because it ensures legality. But man is ultimate because it is man that gives legitimacy. Legitimacy to other men, legitimacy to a government, and legitimacy to even the law itself. So, to all those who view the judiciarys actions through the mediocre lens of legality, here is a better question: It may be legal, but is it legitimate? Do not get me wrong; I do not mean that the law should be thrown to the winds and be disregarded at every instance; of course, he who comes to equity must come with clean hands, and he who wants equity must do equity. However, there should be a relaxed line, so as not to run into the dangers of positivism.

The court must be able to see that what is more important at every point before making its decisions is the importance of legitimacy and popularity. The political and social consequences that decisions of the court can cause. This is because every institution is established on the back of the people, and since people are the law themselves, the law should never be clogged to their wheel. The law should be for the men and not men for the law.

When questions like this are taken more seriously, we will begin to see changes in this country. Our democratic institutions need to be recalibrated and strengthened. Judicial recourse is useful, but when it becomes repeated, it insults and nullifies the point of the precious will of the people. Going forward, we must ensure that we fight to protect that will. All involved from the government to INEC, to the courts, must do better. To close, the preamble of the Nigerian constitution opens with We the people of the Federal Republic of NigeriaDo hereby make, enact, and give to ourselves the following constitution. If it is we, the people, who give ourselves the law, then it must be we, the people, who give ourselves our government. We must defend that right, always.

Toyin Falola, a professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin, is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland.

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The police have released a Catholic priest, Samuel Aniebonem, accused of supporting Biafra agitation in South-east Nigeria.

The priest was arrested alongside seven people on 27 September on the accusation that they were members of a pro-Biafra group, the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

A spokesperson for MASSOB, Chris Mocha, who disclosed this in a statement in Awka on Monday, said the priest is of the St Patricks Catholic Church, Awka, Anambra State.

The seven people who were arrested have also been released, the statement said.

They include an octogenarian, Sylvester Dinyelu, Udebunu Anachuna, said to be a driver of the priest, Peter Udemefuna, and Christian Ifeji.

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Mr Mocha, who is also an aide to the MASSOB leader, Ralph Uwazuruike, commended the police for their quick investigation that led to the release of the priest and others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Catholic priest was detained when he visited the anti-kidnapping squad office at Awkuzu to find out why his in-law, Mr Dinyelu was arrested.

The police responded by detaining him, his driver, and others.

Mr Dinyelu was said to have been arrested with two others at MASSOB office within Oyeagu/Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra, when the anti-kidnapping squad stormed the office on 25 September.

The police spokesperson in Anambra, Ikenga Tochukwu, had confirmed the detention when contacted.

(NAN)

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. The UN mission did not come across any reports of incidences of violence against Armenians in Karabakh perpetrated by the Azerbaijani side, the mission said in a statement following its visit to Karabakh, Trend reports.

A United Nations mission, led by Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, visited the Karabakh region in Azerbaijan on Sunday, 1 October.



Traveling from Aghdam, the mission visited the city of Khankendi, where the team met with the local population and interlocutors and saw first-hand the situation regarding health and education facilities. In parts of the city that the team visited, they saw no damage to civilian public infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and housing, or to cultural and religious structures. The mission saw that the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan was preparing for the resumption of health services and some utilities in the city, the statement said.

Furthermore, it was noted that, while driving through Aghdam, the mission observed destruction and mine action needs, as well as the reconstruction efforts that are being made by the Azerbaijani Government.

Meanwhile, in order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement [signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region on September 19-20.
DHAKA, Bangladesh, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nagad, a popular mobile financial service provider based in Bangladesh, has scooped prestigious "Visa Excellence Awards 2023" for its remarkable contribution to boosting digital payments within the country.

Visa, a leading digital payment entity, recently recognised its partner Nagad in the category of "Excellence in CyberSource  Payouts" for its "Credit Card Bill Payment" and "Transfer Money to Visa Debit Card" products at the "Visa Leadership Conclave-2023". The event  themed "Towards a Cashless, Smart Bangladesh"  took place at Sheraton Hotel in Dhaka.

On behalf of Nagad Ltd., its Executive Director Mohammad Aminul Haque, Chief Commercial Officer Md Shihab Uddin Chowdhury, and Head of Product Development Golam Jamil Ahmed proudly received the award.

Nagad is now working towards helping the country accelerate its digital transformation. The world's fastest-growing fintech company's move to launch the much-awaited digital bank bears evidence of its rigorous efforts in making cashless Bangladesh a reality.

Founder and Managing Director of Nagad Ltd. Tanvir A Mishuk said, "It is an honour for us to have been recognised by our partner, VISA. Such acknowledgment serves as an inspiration for us to make bigger moves in terms of introducing more customer-centric products and services."

Keeping in mind that the government targets to make 75 percent of transactions cashless by 2027, Nagad has already chalked up plans to bring in disruptive products and services tailored to the changing needs of our customers, thus accelerating our country's digital transformation, he pointed out.

"We express our heartfelt gratitude to all our customers, regulators, and partners for their continued association with Nagad," he added.

At this year's annual conclave, Visa also recognised its other partners, including banks, fintech companies, merchants, and other members of the ecosystem  for their contribution to digital payments in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Government's Planning Minister MA Mannan, MP, graced the occasion as the chief guest, while Md Sharafat Ullah Khan, director of the Payment Systems Department at Bangladesh Bank, was the guest of honour at the programme. Soumya Basu, country manager in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, Visa, also attended the event.

Mentionable, in 2022, Nagad, as the first MFS company in Bangladesh, was conferred with the "Excellence in Fintech Product Innovation 2022" award by Visa.

The company has won many more local and international awards for its outstanding contribution to the expansion of Bangladesh's financial market. Such accolades include WITSA Global ICT Excellence Award 2020, Inclusive Fintech 50, and Mastercard Excellence Award 2022 in two categories for digital innovations in Bangladesh's financial industry.

About Nagad Ltd (https://www.nagad.com.bd/)

Nagad Limited is one of the leading MFS operators in Bangladesh's payment industry with 80 million registered customers and an average daily transaction of about USD 112 million. The digital payment platform, known as a successful public-private partnership between Bangladesh Postal Department and the private sector, was inaugurated in 2019 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the people's republic of Bangladesh.

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SOURCE Nagad Limited
The event will accelerate the construction schedule by more than one year

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sunday, the nation joined former President Jimmy Carter in celebrating his 99th birthday, and today a record number of volunteers are honoring him in a way he understands wellby getting to work.

Habitat for Humanity's 37th Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, hosted this year by Habitat Humanitarians and country music superstars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, kicked off today in west Charlotte.

For nearly four decades, President and Mrs. Carter have displayed a deep and lasting commitment to making the world a better place through their unwavering support of Habitat for Humanity. As two of Habitats earliest and most committed supporters, they have helped thousands of families from across the U.S. and the world turn the dream of homeownership into reality. Their example of compassion, service and faith inspires us all. CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, USA (10/01/2023)  Day one of the 2023 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project hosted by Habitat Humanitarians and country music superstars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hundreds of volunteers joined 27 families to build a place they can call home

Having retired from public life, this marks the first time President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter have not been present at the week-long blitz build that bears their name. Since 1984, when they put Habitat for Humanity on the map with their first volunteer build, they have helped build and improve over 4,300 homes alongside more than 104,000 volunteers.

"We know that there is no better way to honor the Carters' legacy than by donning our hard hats and getting to work," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "They exemplify what servant leadership looks like, and we are humbled and gratified to have the opportunity to continue modeling the example they have set for us."

This year's build event is Brooks' and Yearwood's 13th with the global housing nonprofit. They first volunteered with Habitat in 2007 in New Orleans to help build post-Hurricane Katrina Habitat homes on the Gulf Coast.

"There are no words to describe the immense joy and sense of duty we feel in honoring President and Mrs. Carter's legacy of service," Brooks and Yearwood said. "We hope that we can be a source of inspiration for generations  young and old  as we lend our hearts and our hands to build homes, community and hope here in Charlotte, and around the world."

The 2023 build event is taking place at The Meadows at Plato Price, a historic neighborhood where an all-Black school that served as a transformative education and civic space for the Black community in the early 1900s through the mid-1960s once stood.

Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region broke ground on the project in the fall of 2021; the entire 39-home project is expected to be completed by early 2025. The extra hands onsite for the Carter Work Project are expected to accelerate the construction scheduleand Habitat homeowners getting into their new homesby more than a year.

This is a return to Charlotte for the Carter Work Project; it was first held in the city in 1989 when volunteers helped build 14 homes in Optimist Park. Additional information about Carter Work Project, historical photos and videos are available at habitat.ngo/cwpphotos. New photos will be added throughout the week.

Carter Work Project is generously supported by more than 75 sponsors, including the project's Diamond sponsorsBank of America, Lowes, and Wells Fargoeach of which committed at least $1 million in funding, and Platinum sponsorsthe City of Charlotte, MasterBrand, Mecklenburg County Government and U.S. Bank, each of which donated $500,000 toward the project.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in south Georgia. Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.

About Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region

Seeking to put God's love into action, Habitat Charlotte Region brings people together from Pineville to Statesville to build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. Since 1983, Habitat Charlotte Region has served over 3,500 families with affordable housing. Visit habitatcltregion.org or call 704.376.2054 to learn more.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mpbu2pfb0z24bfaal2e23/23_10_USNC_CWP_231002-early-broll_1.mp4?rlkey=qtvg2tir81c5cezwljjtm46mj&dl=0

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International
TAIPEI, Taiwan, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TAICEND TECHNOLOGY will participate in the MEDICA Germany Dusseldorf Medical Exhibition for the first time from November 13th to 16th this year. The MEDICA medical exhibition is the largest annual event in the medical material industry and a world-renowned comprehensive medical exhibition. It is recognized as the world's largest medical exhibition and provides a strong platform to display our developing technology to Europe.

product banner exhibition banner

TAICEND TECHNOLOGY will display a series of wound healing products, not only presenting the characteristics of a single product, but also bringing the concept of treatment into the field of wound healing. The TAICEND TECHNOLOGY R&D team has developed a new generation of material technology and redefined the former concept in the field of wound care. This has improved product efficacy and cut the amount of time required for chronic wound healing by nearly half. The company also provides suitable solutions and products tailored for each customer. In addition to reducing the care and economic burden on family members and patients, it also makes it easier for medical staff to handle the wound well, and is a more effective solution for wound healing.

TAICEND Wound Healing Products Series

- Postoperative Series

- Chronic Wound Series

- Pressure Relief Series

Please visit us at the TAICEND TECHNOLOGY booth.

Exhibition time: November 13-16, 2023

TAICEND TECHNOLOGY Booth: Hall 6, H66#4

Location: Dusseldorf Exhibition Centre

Website: www.taicend.com

Mail: [email protected]

Contact:

Jou Wu

+886 0981118607

365363@email4pr.com

SOURCE TAICEND TECHNOLOGY
CHICAGO, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Agricultural Activator Adjuvants Market is estimated at USD 2.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 3.5 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 6.0% from 2023 to 2028 according to a report published by MarketsandMarkets. The adoption of agricultural activator adjuvants is highest in developed countries such as the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. However, the adoption rate is growing rapidly in developing countries such as India, China, and Brazil. This is due to a number of factors, including the increasing demand for food, the growing awareness of the benefits of agricultural activator adjuvants, and the increasing availability of these products in developing countries.

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The oil-based adjuvants segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The market for oil-based adjuvants has experienced steady growth due to the growing global population, rising crop prices, increasing use of crop protection chemicals, and growing demand for biofuels. The farmers and growers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of using oil-based adjuvants, such as improved coverage, reduced drift, and increased penetration of pesticides and herbicides.

Moreover, oil-based adjuvants can help to improve the efficacy of pesticides and herbicides, which can lead to increased crop yields. This is particularly important in developing countries, where there is a growing need to produce more food to feed a growing population. Manufacturers are constantly developing new oil-based adjuvants that are more effective and easier to use. This is making them more attractive to farmers and growers.

The cereals and grains segment by crop type emerged as a driving force in the agricultural activator adjuvants market in 2022.

cereals and grains contributed to the growth of agricultural activator adjuvants. Cereals and grains are the most widely grown crops in the world, and they are also the most important crops for food security. As the global population continues to grow, there is an increasing demand for cereals and grains. This is putting pressure on farmers to produce more food from the same amount of land.

Cereals and grains are particularly sensitive to pests and diseases. This means that farmers need to use pesticides to protect their crops. However, pesticides can be expensive, and they can also have negative environmental impacts. Activator adjuvants can help farmers to reduce the amount of pesticides that they need to use, while still maintaining effective pest control. In addition, cereals and grains are often grown in monocultures, which makes them more susceptible to pests and diseases. Activator adjuvants can help to reduce the risk of pests and diseases by improving the overall health and vigor of plants.

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Brazil is expected to be the dominating market in the South American region during the forecast period.

Brazil is the world's largest consumer of pesticides, and this trend is expected to continue as the country's agricultural sector expands. An increase in the adoption of precision farming practices involves using technology to apply crop protection chemicals and other inputs more precisely and efficiently. This can help to reduce costs and environmental impact, but it also requires the use of adjuvants to ensure that the chemicals are applied effectively. Brazil is anticipated to be the dominant market due to the presence of leading players including BASF SE, Bayer, Wilbur-Ellis, Dow, and Syngenta. These companies offer a wide range of activator adjuvants that are designed to meet the specific needs of Brazilian farmers.

Brazilian farmers are under increasing pressure to produce high-quality agricultural products for both domestic and export markets. Adjuvants can help to improve the efficacy of crop protection chemicals, which can lead to higher yields and better quality crops.

Major players operating in the agricultural activator adjuvants market are Corteva. (US), Evonik (Germany), Solvay (Belgium), BASF SE (Germany), CHS Inc. (US), Corda International Plc (UK), Nufarm (Australia), Clariant (Switzerland), and Stepan Company (US).

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Browse Adjacent Reports @ Agriculture Industry Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Agriculture Adjuvants Market Formulation (Suspension Concentrates, Emulsified Concentrates), Adoption Stage (In-Formulation, Tank Mix), Function (Activator Adjuvants, Utility Adjuvants), Application (Insecticide), Region - Global Forecast to 2028

Agricultural Surfactants Market by Type (Non-Ionic, Anionic, Cationic, Amphoteric), Application (Herbicides, Fungicides), Substrate Type, Crop Type (Cereals & Grains, Pulses & Oilseeds, Fruits & Vegetables) and Region - Global Forecast to 2028

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report.

MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients.

Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes.

The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry.

To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Contact:

Mr. Aashish Mehra

MarketsandMarkets INC.

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Northbrook, IL 60062

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
ALAMEDA, Calif. , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Community Health Fair at Alameda Hospital was an annual event for 25 years before going on hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, Alameda Health System (AHS) is pleased to announce its return.

This year's theme is disaster and emergency preparedness, and the Alameda Fire Department, Alameda Police Department and Red Cross Youth will be on site, among other organizations.

The Community Health Fair at Alameda Hospital will be held on Oct. 21, 2023, from 9 a.m. to noon. It will be entirely outdoors in the Alameda Hospital parking lot. AHS providers will join community members to offer flu vaccines, overdose prevention supplies, blood pressure readings, chiropractic screenings, and bike helmets for kids under 12  all for free. Providers will also offer a wealth of health-related information on strokes, breast cancer prevention, healthy nutrition, substance use disorder treatment, fall prevention, and diabetes.

"We couldn't be more excited to bring back our Community Health Fair this year," said AHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Felicia Tornabene. "Come get your flu shot and meet the amazing doctors, nurses and clinicians who ensure that our community stays healthy year-round."

Chief Administrative Officer of Community Hospitals Mario Harding said the Community Health Fair is critical to AHS' mission of caring, healing, teaching and serving all.

"This is just one of the many ways we serve our community and provide critical, around-the-clock care to those who need it most," Harding said. "We are proud to host the Community Health Fair and offer free health services to our neighbors in Alameda and beyond."

About Alameda Health System

Alameda Health System (AHS) is a leading public, integrated health care provider and medical training institution recognized for its world-class patient and family-centered care. AHS provides comprehensive medical treatment, health promotion and disease prevention throughout our integrated network of hospitals, clinics and health services. AHS includes three acute care hospitals, a psychiatric hospital, four ambulatory care wellness centers, five post-acute facilities, and the only adult Level 1 Trauma Center and psychiatric emergency department in Alameda County. AHS is committed to promoting wellness and optimizing the health of the community through the mission of caring, healing, teaching and serving all. For more information, visit AlamedaHealthSystem.org.

CONTACT: Eleanor Ajala

Manager, Media and Communications

Alameda Health System

(510) 421-9222

[email protected]

SOURCE Alameda Health System
FOMBONI, Comoros, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AMarkets, the renowned international broker, celebrates its 16th anniversary on October 1. Over the past 16 years, AMarkets has evolved from a startup to a prominent player in the global brokerage services market, trusted by more than 1,000,000 clients and 3,000 partners worldwide.

Throughout its journey, AMarkets has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation, excellence, and client satisfaction. The company has been at the forefront of the industry, introducing cutting-edge technologies, pioneering new services, and offering lucrative trading opportunities. Its unwavering dedication and professionalism of the AMarkets team are confirmed by dozens of international awards. This year alone, the broker has deservedly received the prestigious Best Affiliate Programme 2023, Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023, and Most Reliable Broker Uzbekistan 2023 awards.

But the company's greatest reward has always been and forever will be the trust and loyalty of its clients who recommend the broker's services to friends and family, knowing that AMarkets always places their interests and security as top priorities.

In celebration of this significant milestone, AMarkets raffles off 16 brand-new iPhones among its clients. Both existing and new clients are eligible to participate in the promotion. To enter a raffle, a client must register in their AMarkets Personal Area, deposit $500 or more into their trading account, and receive a coupon. Once the client achieves a trading turnover of 1 lot, the coupon will be activated, and its owner will be entered into the raffle. The number of coupons is limited to 16 per client. Winners will be chosen using the independent random number generator service, ensuring equal chances for all the participants. You could be among the fortunate winners. Take advantage of this exciting opportunity. Go ahead and win!

Contact details on release: support@amarkets.com

Source: amarkets.com

SOURCE amarkets.com (AMarkets)
Archdiocese of Baltimore Attempts to Mitigate Responsibility by Filing Bankruptcy

BALTIMORE, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Andreozzi + Foote, a nationally recognized civil law firm known for successful advocacy on behalf of survivors of sexual abuse, proudly announces the filing of multiple lawsuits against institutions in Maryland as the Maryland Child Victims Act takes effect today.

The Maryland Child Victims Act, enacted to provide justice to survivors of child sexual abuse, has paved the way for survivors to come forward and seek legal recourse against their abusers and the institutions that enabled their abuse. Andreozzi + Foote represents dozens of survivors who have bravely shared their stories of abuse within various institutions across the state, including the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg.

Andreozzi + Foote files sex abuse lawsuits and responds to Archdiocese of Baltimore filing for Bankruptcy. Post this

The lawsuits aim to hold institutions accountable for their alleged negligence and complicity in harboring abusers while allowing the abuse to continue unchecked. Andreozzi + Foote's legal team is dedicated to ensuring that survivors receive the justice they deserve for the physical, emotional, and psychological trauma they endured.

"Our firm is committed to advocating for survivors and ensuring they have a platform to seek justice," said Ben Andreozzi at Andreozzi + Foote. "The Maryland Child Victims Act has provided a crucial opportunity for survivors to hold institutions responsible for their actions, and we are proud to stand with them in this pursuit."

The complete court filings by Andreozzi + Foote are listed below. It is believed that many more survivors are impacted by the three offenders and institutions identified in our current lawsuits.

Nathaniel Morales- John Doe (TB) v. NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH, INC

Frederick M. Edvalson -Jane Doe (DH) v. LDS Church

Rev. John Joseph Mike Jr. -John Doe (TO) v. Archdiocese of Baltimore

"Many will be disappointed to learn that the Archdiocese of Baltimore filed for bankruptcy. Unfortunately survivors in the Archdiocese will never be afforded an opportunity to have a jury of their peers listen to the pain and suffering they were forced to endure and render a just verdict. However, over the past several years we have seen some degree of healing result from the bankruptcy process and it is important that survivors recognize some level of justice is attainable. The bankruptcy process allows for limited discovery that will permit victims to uncover documents and information they have undoubtedly sought for years. Importantly, there will also be a compensation process wherein victims can submit claims to recover funds for the damages they suffered from the abuse." Andreozzi said.

For further information or media inquiries, please contact Ben Andreozzi at 717-525-9124 or [email protected].

About Andreozzi + Foote:

Andreozzi + Foote is one of the nation's leading law firm's representing survivors of sexual abuse.

SOURCE Andreozzi + Foote
New Fragrance Brand Unveils Revolutionary Scents Crafted from Sequenced DNA of Extinct Flowers

BOSTON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Beauty biotech firm, Arcaea (Ar-kay-uh) proudly announces the launch of its groundbreaking fragrance brand, Future Society , with the debut of the Scent Surrection Collection - six never-before-experienced perfumes derived from the sequenced DNA of extinct flowers . This revolutionary olfactory experience pushes the boundary of scent creation, embodying the essence of flora lost to time and formulated by the world's most renowned perfumers including Jerome Epinette (Robertet), Daniela Andrier (Givaudan) and Olivia Jan (Givaudan).

Future Society Fragrances

Following Arcaea's mission to make biology the most desired technology in beauty, Future Society is a first of its kind brand that establishes biology as a genre in beauty. This first collection of products leverages the DNA sequences of extinct flowers to access a fragrance story that previously was not possible. DNA sequencing technology made it possible to understand what scent molecules these flowers may have once produced. This data was then shared with world-renowned perfumers, who used their knowledge of aromachemicals and botany to create Future Society's Scent Surrection Collection. It is a combination of art and science, enabling consumers to experience the stories of these flowers once thought lost to time.

"Fragrance has always been rooted in powerful storytelling and sensory experiences. We are excited to show how biology can create new stories and product experiences. Science is about more than clinical studies, it also represents new creative tools." says Jasmina Aganovic, CEO of Arcaea. "Each of these fragrances will transport you to another time and place which would not be possible without the groundbreaking science."

Future Society's launch represents a significant milestone in the fragrance industry, merging science, nature, and art to deliver six unique fragrances. Retailing for $98 each (50ml), Future Society's full-sized fragrances are available now at WeAreFutureSociety.com and will roll out on October 16th on Nordstrom.com and in 20 Nordstrom doors. Discovery kits featuring all six fragrances (2ml each) will retail for $35 exclusively on WeAreFutureSociety.com.

About Arcaea (Ar-kay-uh)

Arcaea, LLC (Ar-kay-uh), is a biology-first beauty company developing novel ingredients and product experiences and commercializing them across the value chain of the industry. The company will grow new ingredients and product experiences for beauty through technology such as DNA sequencing, biological engineering, fermentation and more. By harnessing the power of biology, Arcaea is poised to produce highly sustainable products that can deliver new functionality and performance across skincare, bodycare, and haircare. Arcaea was incubated on the Ginkgo Bioworks platform, which is where the original sequencing data for the extinct flowers was first generated.

SOURCE Arcaea
Brand Furthers its Commitment to Sustainability with New Industry-Leading Recycled Bags

HORSHAM, Pa., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arnold Bread has proudly launched North America's first bread bag that uses 30% post-consumer recycled content, produced from FDA-compliant PCR resins. Featured across the brand's Organic line of products, each polyethylene bag provides another meaningful way for the Arnold brand to foster real change across the industry.

The new bags are certified and independently verified by SCS Global Services  the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company  and offer extra benefits including reducing the use of fossil fuels and lowering the carbon footprint of the packaging compared to previous bags.

"A commitment to sustainability is baked into everything we do, and it is a company principle to nourish a better world. Our brand is constantly looking for ways to make a positive environmental impression on our consumers and the communities that we serve," said Allan Hoffman, Director of Marketing for Premium Bread at Bimbo Bakeries USA. "We're proud that our new PCR bread bags are the first of their kind in North America and look forward to continuing to identify new opportunities for sustainable impact."

The introduction of the new bags is the latest addition to Arnold and Bimbo Bakeries USA's sustainable initiatives including being named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, matching 100% of its electricity usage for US operations with renewable Wind Energy and achieving certification for superior energy efficiency at 18 Bimbo Bakeries USA facilities.

Arnold varieties are available at major retailers across the U.S. Arnold sells premium bread selections in the U.S., including sliced bread, Buns and Rolls, and Sandwich Thins Rolls. For a full list of products and more information about the brand, please visit www.arnoldbread.com.

About Bimbo Bakeries USA

Bimbo Bakeries USA is a leader in the baking industry, known for its category-leading brands, innovative products, freshness, and quality. Our team of 20,000+ U.S. associates operates approximately 60 manufacturing locations in the United States. Over 11,000 distribution routes deliver our leading brands such as Arnold, Artesano, Ball Park, Bimbo, Boboli, Brownberry, Entenmann's, Little Bites, Marinela, Mrs Baird's, Oroweat, Sara Lee, Stroehmann and Thomas'. BBU is owned by Mexico's Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B de C.V., the world's largest baking company with operations in 34 countries.

SOURCE Bimbo Bakeries USA
PARIS, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Marcel Duchamp Prize is a distinction created 23 years ago at the initiative of French art collectors and the ADIAF (Association for the International Diffusion of French Art). It was created by collector Gilles Fuchs (amongst others) in response to a very clear shrinkage of the influence of French artists at the international level in the 1990s. Its mission was quite simply to rescue French art by generating an environment more conducive to the emergence of French artists in what was then a very delicate context for the French Contemporary art market.

From left to right in the photo: Bertille Bak, Massinissa Selmani, Bouchra Khalili, Tarik Kiswanson. Photo  julie ansiau Top 10 works sold at auction by the winners of the Marcel Duchamp Prize artprice.com

"For over two decades, the Marcel Duchamp Prize has become an essential reference in the world of Contemporary art, but beyond the prestige of the prize itself, the ADIAF plays a pivotal role in elevating the French art scene on a global scale and providing vital support for French artistic expression." thierry Ehrmann

Every year, the Marcel Duchamp Prize highlights French artists or artists working in France during the FIAC, now Paris+ by Art Basel. Since 2016, the finalists have been given a substantial spotlight (often their first) at a strategic moment in the international Contemporary Art calendar: their works are shown at the Pompidou Center for three months in an exhibition area of 650 m2 (previously, they were exhibited at the FIAC and only the winner benefited from an exhibition at the Center Pompidou). This exposure in one of France's top museums is already a major boost for their careers, but the ADIAF also deploys other strategies to promote young hopefuls from the French scene on the international stage.

The impact of the Duchamp Prize

On top of a substantial financial reward for the finalists (90,000 euros, including a prize of 35,000 euros for the winner), the winner also benefits from a research residency in the United States at the Villa Albertine. Indeed, beyond the allocation of a prize and the one-off exhibition, the Marcel Duchamp Prize aims to be a complete system of support for artists in their careers. The idea is to promote the French art scene in the world via international exhibitions organized in partnership with foreign museums and with the support of the Institut Francais. More than 50 Marcel Duchamp Prize artists and 140 major works have benefited from visibility during some 20 exhibitions organized in major museums around the world, in Buenos Aires, Beijing, Shanghai, Los Angeles, Seoul, and Berlin, among other places. The professional networks established with the Marcel Duchamp Prize can constitute important springboards. This represents invaluable support because while obtaining a Prize always constitutes a positive argument in the career of an artist by boosting his/her legitimacy, it is above all the meetings with collectors and the exhibitions generated as a result that will increase, in the long term, the artist's notoriety and market prices.

Prize recipients: whats it worth?

It is difficult to assess the immediate impact of winning the Marcel Duchamp Prize on the artists' market prices. Although it is clear that obtaining such an award does indeed sharpen the interest of collectors, the galleries are the first beneficiaries of this momentum, since the Prize does not necessarily trigger an acceleration of transactions on the auction market (which is essentially a 'secondary' market).

Among the big names who have received the Marcel Duchamp Prize in the past, Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, Laurent Grasso, Tatiana Trouve, Mircea Cantor, and Kader Attia, have established themselves as artists of international quality and are sought after by major collectors. However, the auction market does not always reflect the quality of their careers or of their works.

While the works of Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster (2002 winner), for example, have been acquired by several major museums including the Tate Modern (London), the Dia Art Foundation (New York), and the Pompidou Center in (Paris), her works are extremely rare in at auction; and when they are presented, they are not necessarily indicative of the artist's interdisciplinary practice, which encompasses cinema, installation, video and various forms of collaborative work. Her auction record of $23,410 in a Christie's sale in London (Multiverse, 2004-2012) has not been renewed since 2012  more than ten years ago  a significant amount of time in the dynamics of the Contemporary art market. Indeed, some winners like Clement Cogitore (2018 winner) have never seen their works offered at auction, or have not yet found their audience in the art market, like Julien Previeux (2014 winner).

Other artists, when supported by particularly powerful international galleries, enjoy more sustained auction activity. This is the case of Tatiana Found (supported by the Perrotin, Paris; the Gagosian, New York and Johann Konig, Berlin), Cyprien Gaillard (supported by Gladstone, New York and Spruth Magers, Berlin), Laurent Grasso (supported by Perrotin, Paris and Sean Kelly, New York) or even Latifa Echakhch (supported by Kamel Mennour, Paris; Kaufmann Repetto, Milan; Dvir Gallery, Tel Aviv and Eva Presenhuber, Zurich), all ranked in the 10,000 top-selling artists at global auctions.

Tatiana Found (2007 winner) and Latifa Echakhch (2013 winner) have both already ranked among the 5,000 top-selling artists on the global market and have in common auction records dating back to 2015. Tatiana Found's installation Untitled (ref: cable 9) sold for $67,000 at Phillips in London, and, a few months later, a painting by Latifa Echakhch fetched $203,300 at the same auctioneer after being part of the collection of Dr. Frederic S. Brandt in Miami. The young Latifa Echakhch, today sought after by international collectors, has been crowned by eight auction results above $100,000.

Other winners have sold above this price level, a significant and rare level for young French artists indeed. They include Cyprien Gaillard (2010 winner) whose peak currently stands at $193,750. Again, his record also dates back to 2015 (like those of Tatiana Trouve and Latifa Echakhch), but Cyprien Gaillard's was hammered at Sotheby's New York and not in London.

Kader Attia (2016 winner) also distinguished himself by the sale of two installations for over $100,000 before obtaining his Duchamp Prize in 2016, the only prize with which he had been honored until then. Thomas Hirschhorn (2000 winner) has an auction record of $156,190 following the sale in 2006 of a large mixed-technique entitled Abstract Relief No.548 (1999) at Phillips de Pury & Company in London. His first works went to auction in 2001, a few months after winning the Duchamp Prize, and his demand has become global with 76% of his turnover being hammered in the United States.

Award-winning artists accessible on the auction market

Many of these French artists, whose talent has been confirmed by winning the Duchamp Prize, have works that are accessible for under $5,000 at auction. This is the case for Carole Benzaken (2004 winner), whose biggest paintings exceed $15,000; Thomas Hirschhorn (2000 winner), 62% of whose works sell between $1,000 and $5,000; Matthew Mercier (2003 winner), half of whose works sell for between $1,000 and $5,000 at auction. Likewise for Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige (2017 winners), whose politically motivated works  attempting to reveal history's underbelly and question the standard representation of conflicts  have been exhibited at several art biennials and in museums as important as the Solomon R. Guggenheim (New York) and the British Museum (London). They have also been integrated into several large private and public collections, but still remain affordable at auction.

It is clear that solid international recognition does not always have a major impact on the auction market. Informed collectors deal directly with galleries and the prices of artists evolve confidentially, especially for works that are often transversal, atypical and do not necessarily conform to trends in global demand.

The winners of the Marcel Duchamp Prize

Thomas Hirschhorn (2000 - 2001)

Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster (2002)

Matthew Mercier (2003)

Carole Benzaken (2004)

Claude Closky (2005)

Philippe Mayaux (2006)

Tatiana Trouve (2007)

Laurent Grasso (2008)

Saadane Afif (2009)

Cyprien Gaillard (2010)

Mircea Cantor (2011)

Daniel Dewar and Gregory Gicquel (2012)

Latifa Echakhch (2013)

Julien Previeux (2014)

Melik Ohanian (2015)

Kader Attia (2016)

Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige (2017)

Clement Cogitore (2018)

Eric Baudelaire (2019)

Kapwani Kiwanga (2020)

Lili Reynaud Dewar (2021)

Mimosa Echard (2022)

The nominees for the 2023 Marcel Duchamp Prize

Claude Bonnin, President of ADIAF, will reveal the name of the winner on 16 October following the vote of an international jury composed of Xavier Rey, Director of the National Museum of Modern Art (Pompidou Center), Claude Bonnin, collector and President of the ADIAF, Akemi Shiraha, representative of the Marcel Duchamp Association, Dr. Jimena Blasquez Abascal, collector and Director of the Montenmedio Contemporary Foundation (Spain), Josee Gensollen, collector of the Gensollen La Fabrique Collection in Marseille, Beatrice Salmon, director of the National Center for Visual Arts (CNAP) and Adam D. Weinberg, Director of the Whitney Museum of American Art, in New York.

The finalists' exhibition is open for three months at the Pompidou Center in Paris.

Here are the four artists in the running for the 23rd edition of the Marcel Duchamp Prize:

Bertille Bak https://www.adiaf.com/artistes/bertille-bak/

Born in 1983 in Arras (France), lives and works in Paris

Represented by Xippas Gallery, Paris, and The Gallery Apart, Rome

"Bertille Bak focuses on communities by examining their rituals, gestures, and objects which she later uses in her projects. Whether it is her own community in the mining areas of northern France or in groups that are unfamiliar to her, she never chooses to distance herself. On the contrary, it is about sharing a passage in life a struggle a resistance." (Source Xippas Gallery).

Her work has been the subject of numerous exhibitions: Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris in 2012, Merz Foundation in Turin in 2022, and Louvre Lens in 2023, among others.

Bouchra Khalili

https://www.adiaf.com/artistes/bouchra-khalili/

Born in 1975 in Casablanca, Khalili lives and works in Berlin and is represented by the Mor Charpentier Gallery, Paris and the ADN Gallery in Barcelona

The artist's work includes film and video installations, photography, and screen printing. Each of her projects can be seen as a platform from which members of minorities groups can propose, implement and share resistance strategies and discourses developed from the margins. Her work has been the subject of numerous exhibitions including at Barcelona's MACBA and Paris's Palais de Tokyo in 2015, New York's MoMA in 2016, and Paris's Jeu de Paume in 2018.

Tarik Kiswanson

https://www.adiaf.com/artistes/tarik-kiswanson/

Born in 1986 in Halmstad (Sweden) Kiswanson lives and works in Paris, France, and Amman, Jordan.

Represented by the carlier | gebauer Gallery in Berlin and the Sfer Gallery in Hamburg and Beirut.

His work encompasses sculpture, writing, performance, drawing, sound, and video works. The notions of uprooting, regeneration and renewal are recurring themes in his work. Tarik Kiswanson presented his retrospective exhibition Mirrorbody at the Carre d'Art  Musee d'Art Contemporain in 2021.

Massinissa Selmani

https://www.adiaf.com/artistes/massinissa-selmani/

Born in 1980 in Algiers (Algeria), Selmani lives and works in Tours

Represented by the Anne-Sarah Benichou Gallery (Paris), Selma Feriani (Tunis, London), Jane Lombard (New York)

Through the confrontation and juxtaposition, without any logical coherence of real elements, Massinissa Selmani creates enigmatic and ambiguous scenes, emphasizing the ironic, even tragic character of the absurd and strange situations depicted in his drawings.

His work was recognized with a special mention from the jury at the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015. Winner of the Art Collector Prize and the Sam Prize in 2016, he has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions in France and abroad.

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The chair is the first named after a Latino professor at a top-ranked US business school

TEMPE, Ariz., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The ASU W. P. Carey School of Business announced a new chair in management named after Loui Olivas, emeritus professor in management, who worked at ASU for 30 years between 1979 and 2009. The Loui Olivas Chair in Management was first announced last Friday at the L'ATTITUDE Conference in Miami. L'ATTITUDE focuses on helping executives and business leaders understand how the U.S. Latino cohort is driving economic growth.

Loui Olivas, professor emeritus at the ASU W. P. Carey School of Business, is the first Latino(a) scholar to have an endowed chair named after them at a top-ranked U.S. business school. Veronica Villena, associate professor of supply chain management and the first Loui Olivas Chair in Management.

"The ultimate career recognition and prestigious title for a university professor is having an academic chair named in their honor," says Olivas. "I am truly humbled to have the Loui Olivas Chair in Management dedicated and residing in the W. P. Carey School of Business."

Sol Trujillo, global business executive, founder & chairman-Trujillo Group, LLC; chairman of the Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC); and co-founder of L'ATTITUDE, and his wife, Corine, were instrumental in funding the new chair. "Loui Olivas has epitomized the ideal definition of an educator and professor," says Trujillo. "His dedication to teaching and learning for all students was unparalleled. His drive to get them to think big and achieve more always caught my eye, especially for the Latina(o) student. He inspired and sometimes cajoled them to achieve big."

Olivas is an ASU alum and retired professor, and he recalls his early days on ASU's campus. "I found my business professors to be engaging, student-focused, and experts in their disciplines. These same business professors became my role models and mentors as a faculty member."

Olivas worked to provide that same supportive environment. Even in retirement, he continues to guide the Hispanic Business Students Association (HBSA). "I proudly receive phone calls, text messages, emails, and visits from my former HBSA students, who are now extremely successful in their selective careers. Several alums are now serving as business owners, elected officials, and presidents of nonprofit organizations," says Olivas.

All Loui Olivas Chairs will embody that spirit of academic excellence, supportive mentorship, and community engagement. The chair will be responsible for carrying on Professor Olivas' tradition of developing and mentoring business students while taking a leadership role in producing research that positively influences the advancement and greater integration of diverse markets and enterprises.

Professor Veronica Villena named inaugural Loui Olivas Chair in Management

With the announcement of the new chair, the W. P. Carey School also named the first professor to earn the title. Veronica Villena, associate professor of supply chain management, focuses on how companies engage their global supplier network to achieve economic, environmental, and social outcomes. In 2022, she won a Responsible Research Award, and in 2019, the Jack Meredith Best Paper from the Journal of Operations Management and the Faculty Sustainability Award from Pennsylvania State University.

"I am humbled and honored to receive the Loui Olivas Chair in Management. Like Professor Olivas, I take my job as a professor very seriously, particularly as it relates to mentoring students," says Villena. "My research on sustainable procurement motivates me to inspire the next generation of supply chain leaders to be responsible global citizens. It is important for my students to understand the intricacies of supplier networks and their environmental and societal implications, particularly in developing and emerging countries. As such, my research, teaching, and mentoring activities will continue to focus on these issues."

"I look forward to interacting with Professor Villena, the first Loui Olivas Chair and a rising scholar in the supply chain discipline," says Olivas.

New chair further promotes Latinx success at Hispanic Serving Institution

The Loui Olivas Chair in Management is the first endowed chair named after a Latino(a) scholar at a top-ranked U.S. business school. Olivas' longtime service to students in the HBSA  which also celebrates its 50th anniversary next spring  is a fitting benchmark for the engagement and support of ASU students. The university was named a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in 2022. The Department of Education defines an HSI as an institution of higher education with an enrollment of Hispanic undergraduate FTE (full-time equivalent) students that is at least 25% of the overall student body.

"Both Loui and Veronica are outstanding examples of what engaged, community-oriented scholarship should look like," says Ohad Kadan, Charles J. Robel Dean and W. P. Carey Distinguished Chair in Business. "The ASU Charter demands we take responsibility for the economic, social, cultural, and overall health of our communities. The new Loui Olivas Chair and the faculty who earn that designation are one aspect of the many ways W. P. Carey is prioritizing inclusive excellence in scholarship and the classroom."

"I am touched by the support, efforts, and leadership provided by the Loui Olivas Chair donors, who have pledged over $1 million to date," says Olivas. "A special thanks to Sol and Corine Trujillo for their overwhelming donation; they made this chair a reality. I am also grateful to Dean Kadan, who was instrumental to launching the chair this year."

"Being the first major business school to name a chair for a Latino professor is a tribute to both Professor Olivas and ASU," says Trujillo. "That is why we celebrated it at the L'ATTITUDE Conference as a 'first' and hope it serves as a benchmark for all other universities. That is why my wife Corine and I have supported this effort by ASU."

About the W. P. Carey School of Business

The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is the largest and one of the top-ranked business schools in the United States. The school is internationally regarded for its research productivity and distinguished faculty members. Students come from more than 100 countries, and W. P. Carey is represented by alumni in over 160 countries. Visit wpcarey.asu.edu .

For more information/media contact:

Shay Moser, W. P. Carey School of Business

[email protected]

SOURCE W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University
Herff Jones to Operate as Independent Business within LSC Communications LLC

GREENWICH, Conn., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlas Holdings announced today the closing of the previously announced acquisition of the Herff Jones Graduation Business from Varsity Brands. Atlas also announced the promotion of Ron Stoupa, who begins today as Chief Executive Officer of the now independently operated company. Stoupa joined Herff Jones as Chief Marketing Officer in 2021 and was promoted to President in October 2022.

Herff Jones

For more than 100 years, Herff Jones has served as a trusted manufacturer and distributor of graduation and achievement products for the Scholastic and Collegiate end markets. Herff Jones maintains a leading market position across its comprehensive portfolio of highly customized products, including caps and gowns, diplomas, announcements, jewelry and frames. Over the company's 100-year history serving schools' commemorative needs, Herff Jones has earned a reputation for high quality products and personalized service to educational institutions nationwide as they celebrate student achievements.

Atlas has a long history of acquiring non-core divisions of larger corporations and partnering with their Leadership Teams to strengthen and grow these businesses into focused, thriving, independent operations. In addition, Atlas brings extensive experience servicing the education market through the existing Atlas family of companies, such as textbooks produced by Lakeside Book Company and school supplies manufactured by TOPS Products, which are both part of the LSC family of companies. Herff Jones will operate as a standalone business within LSC Communications, alongside Lakeside Book Company, TOPS Products, Magazine, Catalogs & Logistics, and Mexico Print.

"We look forward to working with Ron and his team to support Herff Jones in the next era of this storied manufacturing business. The Herff Jones Leadership Team will have the autonomy and resources to build the business in the way that is best suited for its long-term operational and financial success," said Atlas Partner Michael Sher.

"Atlas has owned and operated manufacturing businesses since its founding more than two decades ago. Atlas values the legacy of Herff Jones and our talented team that prides themselves in celebrating student accomplishments through hand crafted, quality products. I am excited for what the future holds for Herff Jones with Atlas as our new partner," said Ron Stoupa, President and CEO of Herff Jones.

About Atlas Holdings

Headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut and founded in 2002, Atlas and its affiliates own and operate 27 companies, which employ more than 50,000 associates across 300 facilities worldwide. Atlas operates in sectors such as automotive, building materials, capital equipment, construction services, food manufacturing and distribution, metals processing, packaging, paper, power generation, printing, pulp, supply chain management and wood products. Atlas' companies together generate approximately $16 billion in revenues annually. For additional information, please visit www.atlasholdingsllc.com.

About Herff Jones

Indianapolis-based Herff Jones is the leading provider of handcrafted graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable student experiences. Herff Jones' range of quality products includes class rings and jewelry, caps and gowns, diplomas, frames and announcements as well as motivation and recognition programs. Focused on building long-term relationships through a nationwide network of over 2,000 employees and sales partners, the professionals at Herff Jones have been helping elevate the student experience throughout the lifelong journey of education for more than 100 years.

SOURCE Atlas Holdings
PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- "The automatic transfer switch (ATS) market is driven by the surge in the usage of automatic transfer switches in power and transmission industries, favorable government policies, and an increase in renewable energy integration reforms.

Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Automatic Transfer Switch Market by Switching Mechanism (Contactor, Circuit), by Transition Mode (Soft Load, Closed, Delayed, Open), by End-Use (Residential, Commercial, Industrial): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report. The automatic transfer switch market was valued for $0.7 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $1.8 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.1% from 2023 to 2032.

Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) systems, ensuring uninterrupted power during grid disruptions, are vital for operational efficiency and reduce energy waste. Growing reliance on electricity, driven by technology and digitalization, amplifies the need for reliable power transfer.

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Prime determinants of growth

The surge in the usage of automatic transfer switches in power and transmission industries, favorable government policies, and an increase in renewable energy integration reforms are some prime determinants that drive the growth of the global automatic transfer switch market. However, high cost, technical complexities, and cyber security concerns restrict market growth. Moreover, the adoption of ATS in the residential industry, and digital twin and advanced control algorithm technology present new opportunities in the coming years.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $0.7 billion Market Size in 2032 $1.8 billion CAGR 10.1 % No. of Pages in Report 265 Segments covered Switching Mechanism, Transition Mode, End-Use, and Region. Drivers Surge in the usage of automatic transfer switches in power and transmission industries. Favorable government policies Increase in renewable energy integration reforms Opportunities High adoption of automatic transfer switches in the residential industry. Digital twin technology and advanced control algorithms. Restraints High costs and technical complexities Cybersecurity concerns, maintenance, and service costs

Impact Scenario

Geopolitica instability from the Russia - Ukraine conflict encourages global prioritization of energy security.

- conflict encourages global prioritization of energy security. Increased investments in backup power solutions, including ATS systems, occur to ensure uninterrupted power supply during potential disruptions.

Regulatory incentives are introduced in some regions, boosting demand for ATS systems as companies aim to enhance infrastructure resilience.

Economic uncertainty stemming from the conflict leads to cautious spending on non-essential infrastructure projects, potentially slowing ATS market growth.

Trade disruptions or sanctions related to the conflict disrupt ATS supply chains, thereby increasing manufacturing costs.

Impact on the ATS market varies by region based on individual country policies and broader economic and geopolitical dynamics. ATS manufacturers should monitor developments and diversify supply chains to mitigate potential disruptions.

The circuit type switching mechanism segment to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period

Based on the switching mechanism, the contactor segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global automatic transfer switch market revenue. The rapid expansion of industrial sectors, which includes manufacturing plants, creates a substantial demand for ATS for normal operation of the high voltage process. However, the circuit segment is projected to manifest a CAGR of 11.6% from 2023 to 2032, as this type of switching mechanism came into view due to an increase in the application of the Internet of Things in various residential applications.

Procure Complete Report (265 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ http://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/automatic-transfer-switch-market

The closed segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on transition mode, the closed segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the global automatic transfer switch market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Closed transition transfer within 5 electrical degrees is achieved passively, without control of the engine generator set. Therefore, no additional control wire runs are required between the ATS and engine generator set governor. However, the open segment is projected to manifest a CAGR of 13.2% from 2023 to 2032. In open transition, the load is disconnected from one source, before being connected to the alternate source. Most transfer switches will accomplish the transfer sequence very quickly, yet a brief power interruption is noticeable to the building occupants and is most certainly noticed by sensitive electronic equipment.

The residential segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on the end-use, the residential held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly half of the global automatic transfer switch market revenue, and are estimated to maintain their leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is mainly due to the increase in the utilization of consumer electronics goods for various comfort which led to the demand for the smooth operation of power flow and control. However, the commercial segment end-use is projected to manifest a CAGR of 11.7% from 2023 to 2032, owing to the increase in the construction of commercial buildings and other corporate buildings where ATS is required.

For Purchase Inquiry: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/automatic-transfer-switch-market/purchase-options

Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032

Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global automatic transfer switch market revenue, and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period. Furthermore, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 10.8% from 2023 to 2032. The Asia-Pacific region presents significant growth potential in the ATS industry. Emerging markets, such as India, China, and Southeast Asian countries, have witnessed rapid industrial growth which will lead to increased demand for ATS. The increase in investment toward renewable energy sources is a factor that is anticipated to offer new growth opportunities for ATS in Asia-Pacific during the forecast period.

Leading Market Players: -

Abb Ltd.

Cummins Inc.

Eaton Corporation Plc

Kohler

Generac Power Systems

General Electric

Schneider Electric

Siemens Ag

Caterpillar

Vertiv Group Corp.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global automatic transfer switch market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to highlight the competitive scenario.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Masan Group Corporation (HOSE: MSN, "Masan" or the "Company") today announced that Bain Capital, a leading private investment firm with approximately US$180 billion of assets under management, has agreed to invest into Masan Group at least US$200 million in equity capital at price of VND85,000 per share (the "Transaction"). Proceeds from the Transaction will be used to strengthen the Company's financial position and de-lever its balance sheet. This marks Bain Capital's first-ever investment in Vietnam and underscores its confidence in Masan's ability to realize the immense opportunity to fulfill 100 million Vietnamese consumers' daily grocery, financial, and other life needs.

Vietnam is the fastest consumption growth market in Southeast Asia with forecasted annual growth of 7.7% between 2022 and 2040, underpinned by increasing urbanization and an exploding consumer class with higher disposable income and evolving demands extending beyond basic needs to lifestyle and financial ones. A leader in the Vietnamese consumer market, Masan has been transforming from a pure branded products company into an integrated consumer-retail platform to consolidate the growth potential across the consumer value chain. In that respect, Masan has identified 3 multi-year secular growth trends:

Premiumization and health-led innovations, served by its fast-moving consumer goods ("FMCG") business, Masan Consumer Holdings;

Transition from unbranded to branded and increasing demand for higher-quality animal protein, provided by Masan MEATLife; and

Shift from general trade ("GT") to modern trade ("MT"), accelerated by its retail platform, WinCommerce.

At the center of Masan's platform is WIN Membership  the platform connecting brands and consumers  which has reached 7 million members and is targeted to reach 10 million members by year-end and 30 million members by 2025. The WIN Membership platform allows Masan to provide more personalized, targeted products and services to better serve the Vietnamese consumers and will serve as the critical growth engine for the Company's businesses.

Danny Le, CEO of Masan Group, commented on the transaction: "In the face of a challenging consumer environment, Masan has continued to invest in our platform and breakthrough innovations to position ourselves for the consumer upswing. We aim to be a profitable multiplier on Vietnam's golden consumption era. Bain Capital's partnership is a strong validation of all the consumer-centric investments and transformation we have made over the past 18 months to win 80% of the consumer wallet. We look forward to working with Bain to accelerate our vision to be the one-stop shop for consumer daily needs."

"We are thrilled to partner with Masan for an important investment in Vietnam and believe that Masan has the right fundamentals, reach, and growth strategy to succeed in a high-growth and compelling consumer market. Masan is one of the most trusted brands in Vietnam with significant reach to households with the ability to anticipate consumer tastes and build out an innovative product pipeline to meet those needs. We see a significant opportunity to invest behind Masan's continued growth and first-class management team," said Barnaby Lyons, a Partner at Bain Capital.

Bain Capital has deep experience in investing to support the growth and leadership of a diversified set of consumer and retail businesses in Asia, including Schwan's Company and Carver Korea.

Masan expects the Transaction to close by end of 2023 and continues to explore other strategic alternatives for equity capital, including diluting its interest in non-core businesses, to bolster its liquidity profile and achieve a sustainable Net Debt to EBITDA ratio below 3.5x on a steady-state basis.

Jefferies Singapore Limited acted as the financial advisor to Masan Group. The Transaction is subject to customary corporate and regulatory approvals.

Transaction Details

The Transaction is an equity investment in the form of Convertible Dividend Preference Share ("CDPS") to be issued at a price of VND85,000 per share which can be converted into ordinary shares at a 1:1 conversion ratio

per share which can be converted into ordinary shares at a 1:1 conversion ratio In addition to the normal dividends payable (if any) to the Company's shareholders, the CDPS has no preference dividend for the first five years, then followed by a 10% preference dividend at par value of each outstanding CDPS per annum from the sixth anniversary onwards

On the tenth anniversary of the issuance, the outstanding CDPS will be mandatorily converted into ordinary shares of Masan Group

Masan is also in discussion with other investors to upsize the investments to up to US$500 million which is subject to prevailing market conditions and the Company's capital needs

MASAN GROUP CORPORATION

Masan Group Corporation believes in doing well by doing good. The Company's mission is to provide better products and services to the 100 million people of Vietnam, so that they can pay less for their daily essentials. Masan aims to achieve this by driving productivity with technological innovations, trusted brands, and focusing on fewer but bigger opportunities that impact the most lives.

Masan Group's member companies and associates are industry leaders in branded fast moving consumer goods, branded meat, modern retail, F&B retail, financial services, telecommunications, and value-add chemical processing, altogether representing segments of Vietnam's economy that are experiencing the most transformational growth.

BAIN CAPITAL

Bain Capital is one of the world's leading private investment firms with approximately $180 billion of assets under management that creates lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses, and the communities in which we live.

Since our founding in 1984, we've applied our insight and experience to organically expand into several asset classes including private equity, credit, special situations, public equity, venture capital and real estate. We leverage our shared platform to capture cross-asset class opportunities in strategic areas of focus. With offices on four continents, our global team aligns our interests with those of our investors for lasting impact.

Contact:

Investors/Analysts

Phu Duong

E: [email protected]

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Masan's expectations, intentions or strategies that may involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements, including Masan's expectations, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond Masan's control, which may cause Masan's actual results of operations, financial condition, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions, future events or promises of future performance.

SOURCE Masan Group
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Basin Water Resources LLC (BWR), a leading provider of innovative water solutions, announces its commitment to addressing the saltwater crisis in Plaquemines Parish. In response to the urgent need for freshwater, Basin Water Resources LLC is proud to deploy state-of-the-art mobile reverse osmosis systems capable of producing up to 1 million gallons per day (MGD) of clean, potable water.

Basin Water Resources, LLC

The saltwater crisis in Plaquemines Parish has posed significant challenges to the local community and its access to safe drinking water. BWR recognizes the importance of immediate action to mitigate the impact of this crisis and is dedicated to supporting the community through this critical time.

Key highlights of Basin Water Resources LLC's initiative:

1 Million Gallons per Day Production Capacity: BWR's mobile reverse osmosis systems are equipped to generate up to 1 MGD of fresh water, providing a substantial and immediate supply of clean drinking water to the residents of Plaquemines Parish . Advanced Water Purification Technology: The deployed reverse osmosis systems utilize proven technology to remove salt and impurities from saline water sources, ensuring the production of safe and reliable drinking water. Rapid Response: BWR is working in close collaboration with local authorities and emergency response teams to swiftly deploy these mobile systems to the areas most affected by the saltwater intrusion. Commitment to Sustainability: While addressing the immediate water crisis, BWR remains dedicated to sustainability and environmental responsibility, ensuring that its operations have a minimal impact on the surrounding ecosystem and globally. This mobile system provides the same amount of clean drinking water as up to 8 million water bottles per day.

Along with our partners in Louisiana, Brett Ragon, President of BWR, and Sam Floyd, Director of Business Development at BWR, have spearheaded the initiative to provide a turn-key solution. Brett expressed his commitment to the cause: "We understand the severity of the saltwater crisis in Plaquemines Parish and the impact it has on the lives of the community members. We stand together with the people of Plaquemines Parish during this difficult time."

BWR efforts to supply clean, potable water to Plaquemines Parish are a testament to its dedication to water resource management and community support.

BWR is honored to play a continued role in addressing emergency water needs during natural disasters in Louisiana. BWR provided similar support during Winter Storm Uri in Lake Charles, LA and to Grand Isle after Hurricane Ida.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

Victoria Jaguar

Director of Marketing & PR

[email protected]

800-297-6589

www.bwrgroupllc.com

About Basin Water Resources LLC:

Headquartered in Houston, TX Basin Water Resources (BWR) builds on a rich tradition of commitment to providing premium services at a great value to our customers. BWR is a premium provider of turnkey water treatment solutions to the Municipal, Power, Mining, HPI, CPI, NGL, Food Processing, and Semiconductor Industries. Each project is customized by our multidisciplinary team to meet your specific needs. We offer equipment, products and services in support for water processing from 50 to 2500 gpm. Our core services are listed below:

1. Design and Manufacture of Water Filtration & Water Purification Systems

2. Mobile Water Systems - Bag/Cartridge Filtration, MMF, UF, NF, RO, and DI

3. Operations & Maintenance Services

SOURCE Basin Water Resources, LLC
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BayoTech, Inc. ("BayoTech"), an innovator in hydrogen production, transportation and storage solutions, is proud to announce its role as the Official Hydrogen Sponsor of the 66th Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett, taking place at the 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

BayoTechs HyFill bulk hydrogen transport trailer carries up to three times more hydrogen than traditional steel tube trailers. (PRNewsfoto/BayoTech)

The 66th Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett is a prestigious long-distance balloon race that draws participants and spectators from around the world. This race is unique in that it relies on gas balloons filled with hydrogen, which are distinct from traditional hot air balloons.

Four HyFill high-pressure gas transport trailers, designed and manufactured by BayoTech, will be deployed to supply the 1,500 kilograms of hydrogen required for the Gordon Bennett gas balloons. BayoTech's customer, Iwatani Corporation of America, is providing HyFill transport trailers from its fleet to support the event.

"We are excited and honored to be the Official Hydrogen Sponsor of the 66th Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett at the 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta," said Mo Vargas, President and Chief Executive Officer at BayoTech. "This sponsorship holds special significance for us, as the event takes place in the very city where BayoTech was founded, utilizing innovative technology developed at Sandia National Laboratories. We look forward to contributing to the success of this prestigious event and supporting New Mexico's growing hydrogen economy."

"Iwatani looks forward to supporting the Balloon Fiesta and helping enable the historic Gordon Bennett Cup balloon race," said Yuto Kurosawa, General Manager of Hydrogen at Iwatani Corporation of America. "We deeply appreciate the opportunity to work with our partner Bayotech to showcase the unique value hydrogen provides across all modes of transportation."

BayoTech is producing hydrogen in Wentzville, Missouri, at the first in a network of hydrogen hubs to be deployed across the United States. BayoTech's HyFill bulk hydrogen transport trailers efficiently move the hydrogen to distribution and dispensing sites, and ultimately to the end user, including retail refueling stations, backup power systems in remote areas, and industrial manufacturing sites.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world that takes place in October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. The 2022 event generated over $200 Million into the Albuquerque and the State of New Mexico economies.

About BayoTech

BayoTech, an innovator in hydrogen solutions, is committed to addressing the global need for reliable, cost-effective, and low-carbon hydrogen. BayoTech sites hydrogen production close to demand and distributes it to nearby consumers via high-pressure gas transport and storage equipment. Customers are accelerating the decarbonization of their energy and transportation systems through BayoTech's supply of hydrogen molecules and equipment. Learn more at www.bayotech.us

About Iwatani

Since 1941, Iwatani has regarded hydrogen as the ultimate clean energy source and has consistently engaged in initiatives to encourage its widespread use. Under the corporate slogan "A world where all enjoy true comfort  this is Iwatani's desire," Iwatani strives to solve environmental concerns with the aim of achieving a carbon- free society through the use of hydrogen.

Iwatani is Japan's only fully integrated supplier of hydrogen and presently supplies its extensive base of light and heavy-duty hydrogen refueling stations and industrial customers via five liquid and ten gaseous hydrogen production plants throughout the country. Leveraging its parent company's expertise, Iwatani Corporation of America (ICA) has embarked on an ambitious growth program to establish a vertically integrated hydrogen business in the US, which includes hydrogen supply, distribution and logistics services as well as operations & maintenance services to hydrogen refueling station owners. ICA also owns and operates a growing network of Iwatani-branded hydrogen refueling stations in California.

SOURCE BayoTech
Accessible Care for Seniors Signing Up for Medicare Benefits

WEATHERFORD, Texas, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 15, open enrollment for Medicare will begin. Millions of seniors in Texas will once again face the challenge of finding the right Medicare coverage, including the need to decide between Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans. While the primary focus will be on medical and prescription coverage, it is important not to ignore the potential impact of dental coverage.

Most Medicare participants don't realize the program does not include routine, preventive dental procedures, which are critical to longevity and overall health. Currently, Medicare benefits only apply to surgical dental procedures carried out in hospitals. As a result, seniors must either pay for dental services completely out-of-pocket or try to find a Medicare supplement that provides high-quality, affordable and accessible dental care.

Unfortunately, this is extremely difficult. Most Medicare dental supplements are low-cost and poorly designed. In addition, these plans have very limited networks of inexperienced dentists.

"We understand the challenges seniors in this situation face, which is one reason why we offer the Beacon Dental Savings Plans," commented Dr. Thomas Novak. He continued, "We make the search for experienced and knowledgeable dentists easy and provide the care seniors need at a rate they can afford. Our Plans allow these patients to enjoy friendly, personalized care at a consistent, low monthly fee."

Furthermore, the negative impact of poor dental care on the overall health of seniors can be significant. A range of statistics tell the story:

Only 29% of seniors have dental coverage.

1 in 5 adults aged 65 or older have no natural teeth remaining, and complete tooth loss becomes twice as prevalent by age 75.

People who still have 20 or more teeth at age 70 are significantly more likely to have a longer lifespan than those with fewer teeth.

70% of adults over the age of 65 have advanced periodontitis. This is the leading cause of adult tooth loss.

In Texas , nearly 4 million senior citizens struggle with periodontal disease  a disease that has been strongly linked to heart disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and other serious conditions.

While dental membership plans have existed for more than 20 years, most patients are unaware of this option. At the same time, ease of use and enrollment are two of the most significant benefits. Other facts to know about the Beacon Dental Savings Plans include:

Between 2 and 4 dental cleanings per year included at a fixed cost per month.

Benefits are available upon enrollment without any waiting period.

Fluoride varnish and conscious sedation are available for certain plans.

Discounts on additional periodontal therapy are available.

As seniors consider the benefits of the Beacon Dental Savings Plan, it is important to keep a couple of dates in mind. Open enrollment for Medicare starts on October 15, 2023, and ends December 7, 2023. This is the time to drop an existing dental supplement that is not working and to enroll in a better form of coverage. Those interested in learning more should feel free to contact Beacon Dentistry on their website or by calling the office at 817-594-7302.

Contact Information:

Website for Beacon Dentistry: https://www.beacondentistry.com/

Dr. Thomas Novak

Dr. Garrett Johannsen

Dr. Brent Collins

1433 Clear Lake Rd

Weatherford, TX 76086

Kathleen McClendon, Client Relations

TNT Dental

2100 North Collins Boulevard

Richardson, TX 75080

877-868-4932

[email protected]

SOURCE Beacon Dentistry
Through exposed Industrial Control Systems attackers could potentially gain control of physical infrastructure, threatening businesses and communities worldwide

BOSTON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bitsight, a leader in managing and monitoring cyber risk, today unveiled new research which found that nearly 100,000 industrial control systems (ICS) owned by organizations around the world are exposed to the public internet. If exploited, threat actors could gain control of physical infrastructure, potentially including power grids, traffic light systems, security systems, water systems, and more. Such a severe attack has the potential to cause significant business disruption, threats to human safety, data and intellectual property compromise, and national security threats.

The exposed organizations span 96 countries and include several Fortune 1000 organizations. Additionally, the sectors with the highest concentration of exposed ICSs include education, technology, government and politics, and business services. While Bitsight observed a steady decline in the number of internet-facing ICSs from 2019 to 2023, there remains a significant risk to organizations, their partners, and their constituents.

"Industrial control systems play a critical role in helping organizations avoid societal disruptions and the exposure of these devices is a serious matter," said Bitsight Chief Risk Officer Derek Vadala. "This research shows that while the number of exposed ICSs is trending downwards, the overall threat level remains too high. An attack on just one ICS device would be a potentially catastrophic event that could have far-reaching consequences."

Given the impact of a potential attack on an exposed ICS, Bitsight urges organizations to immediately engage in the following remediation efforts:

Identify any industrial control systems deployed by their organization and/or their third-party business partners, and promptly assess the security of these systems.

Remove any exposed industrial control systems from the public internet.

Employ safeguards like firewalls to protect against unauthorized access to their industrial control systems.

It's also critical that manufacturers of industrial control systems and other operational technology take action to increase the cybersecurity of the devices they create. Bitsight recommends manufacturers:

Use secure-by-design principles to develop more secure technology.

Improve the security posture of deployed equipment and machinery by leveraging data and insights.

Build programs to accurately and swiftly detect misconfigured or otherwise exposed systems.

For more information, the full study can be viewed here.

About Bitsight

Bitsight is a global cyber risk management leader transforming how organizations manage exposure, performance, and risk for themselves and their third parties. Companies rely on Bitsight to prioritize their cybersecurity investments, build greater trust within their ecosystem, and reduce their chances of financial loss. Built on over a decade of market-leading innovation, its integrated solutions deliver value across enterprise security performance, digital supply chains, cyber insurance and data analysis.

SOURCE Bitsight
The 2024 Program Celebrates Top Tech Employers Across the U.S.

CHICAGO, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Built In, a leading technology recruitment platform, today invites companies across the U.S. to apply to its 2024 Best Places to Work awards program. Annually, the program honors companies that offer employees the best total rewards packages. For Built In's audience of tech professionals, the set of winners' lists become a go-to resource: historically, they garner more than 1 million views upon publication.

To enter, any U.S. employer of all sizes and types  whether startup, mid-sized, enterprise  simply completes a company profile on BuiltIn.com at no cost, showcasing the total rewards they offer employees. An algorithm determines the winners by selecting companies whose packages reflect what candidates today most value.

Open for entries: Built In's "Best Places to Work" awards program. Post this

"Built In attracts an engaged audience of highly skilled tech professionals that companies need to hire but struggle to find and retain," said Maria Christopoulos Katris, Founder and CEO, Built In. "The Best Places to Work Program gives a chance for the nation's best companies to build their brand awareness with our sought-after audience as tech employers of choice  and our users pay attention."

Every year, Best Places to Work becomes a go-to resource for our users who want to discover companies with benefits they value and cultures they believe in. For the winning companies, Best Places to Work provides broad exposure to otherwise hard-to-hire, hard-to-find tech professionals.

The 2024 program recognizes U.S. companies according to the below categories, with additional city-specific lists for the same categories:

100 Best Places to Work

50 Best Startups to Work For (Less than 100 employees)

100 Best Midsize Places to Work (101-1,000 employees)

100 Best Large Places to Work (1,000+ employees)

Start the process of entering here: https://employers.builtin.com/best-places-to-work/

Winners will be announced in January 2024.

ABOUT BUILT IN'S BEST PLACES TO WORK

Built In's annual Best Places to Work program honors companies with the best total rewards packages across the U.S. and in the following tech hubs: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC. Best Places to Work is distinct because its algorithm selects tech companies that build their offerings specifically around what tech professionals value in a workplace. Winners are announced in early January 2024. https://employers.builtin.com/best-places-to-work/

ABOUT BUILT IN

Built In is creating the largest candidate generation platform for technology professionals globally. Monthly, millions of the industry's most in-demand professionals visit the site from across the world. They rely on our platform to stay ahead of tech trends and news, learn skills to accelerate their careers and find opportunities at companies whose values they share. Built In also serves thousands of innovative companies from startups to the Fortune 500. By putting their stories in front of our uniquely engaged audience, we help them reach otherwise hard-to-hire tech professionals. www.builtin.com .

PRESS INQUIRIES

Haley Russo, Built In

haley.russo@builtin.com

SOURCE Built In
PG&E Residential Customers Will Receive a $38.39 Bill Credit

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second time this year, more than five million Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers will automatically receive the California Climate Credit on their energy bill.

The California Climate Credit is part of California's efforts to combat climate change and distributed by PG&E to customers. This credit is from the California Cap-and-Trade Program, which requires power plants, fuel providers, and large industrial facilities that emit greenhouse gases to buy carbon pollution allowances. The credit on your bill is designed to help utility customers during the transition to a low-carbon future.

Residential electric households will receive a credit of $38.39 on their October bills, the same amount provided during March. Residential natural gas households also received a credit of $52.78 earlier this year. Combined-use customers' total bill credits for 2023 is $129.56.

Residential households receive the electric credit two times each year, while the natural gas credit is issued once a year. Eligible small business customers receive the same electric credit, in the same amount as residential customers, twice a year.

For more information about additional programs that are funded by the California Cap-and-Trade Program to reduce carbon pollution, improve public health and the environment, and provide meaningful benefits to the most disadvantaged communities, visit www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov/.

PG&E Financial Assistance Programs

In addition to the California Climate Credit, customers are encouraged to explore other ways to save energy and money including financial assistance and other programs:

California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program : Provides a discount of 20% or more each month on gas and electricity bills.

Provides a discount of 20% or more each month on gas and electricity bills. Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA) : Offers a monthly discount of 18% on electricity bills for households with 3+ people.

Offers a monthly discount of 18% on electricity bills for households with 3+ people. Medical Baseline : For eligible residential customers who have additional energy needs due to certain qualifying medical conditions. Customers can get an additional monthly allotment of power, or a discount based on your rate.

: For eligible residential customers who have additional energy needs due to certain qualifying medical conditions. Customers can get an additional monthly allotment of power, or a discount based on your rate. Budget Billing : Averages out energy costs for more predictable monthly payments and eliminates big spikes in bills due to seasonal changes.

: Averages out energy costs for more predictable monthly payments and eliminates big spikes in bills due to seasonal changes. Bill Forecast Alerts: Notifications sent by email, text or phone notifying the customer if their monthly bill is expected to exceed a specific amount set by the customer.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 1. Armenia has committed numerous atrocities against Azerbaijanis, Spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Aykhan Hajizada wrote on his page on X (Twitter), Trend reports.

He made the remark in response to Ambassador of Finland to the South Caucasus Kirsti Narinen, who commented upon Armenians leaving Karabakh, saying that they are allegedly forced out.

The spokesman stated that Azerbaijan has never targeted Armenian civilians. Instead, a safe environment was provided for their reintegration. The Foreign Ministry representative said that this fact was confirmed by the UN mission that visited Karabakh.

Meanwhile, the UN mission that visited Karabakh just recently has confirmed that there are no cases of violence against Armenian civilians of Karabakh observed.
WHAT: National Taco Day is just around the corner, and Chronic Tacos is gearing up for a fiesta of epic proportions! To honor this beloved food holiday, Chronic Tacos is inviting taco enthusiasts to indulge in a sizzling deal that's too delicious to resist. On Wednesday, October 4th, Chronic Tacos is treating customers to a tantalizing offer: Buy One Get One Free on all tacos of equal or lesser value. Whether you're craving their signature Carne Asada, Al Pastor, or any other mouthwatering taco creation, this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy twice the taco goodness for the price of one!









Offer only available through Chronic Tacos mobile app.







WHEN: Wednesday, October 4th - All Day







WHERE: All Chronic Tacos Locations







WHO: About Chronic Tacos



Chronic Tacos is a California-inspired Taco Shop that celebrates authenticity and the individuality of guests through the #TacoLife. They respect tradition and keep it real. Founded in 2002, the Southern California-based brand has over 50 locations operating across the United States, Canada, and Japan. The #Tacolife consists of undeniable tacos and the most authentic recipes, a laid back So Cal vibe with an irresistible edge, and only the most personal, friendly service.









Chronic Tacos prides itself on serving the highest quality ingredients, with bold flavor profiles, made from authentic Mexican recipes. On the menu, you'll find a wide variety of traditional Mexican items including tacos, burritos, and bowl-ritos, along with some non-traditional items such as California burrito and Chronic Fries. Guests are able to walk down the prep line, and see their items being made, whilst adding all the toppings they can imagine. The menu also features kid's meals, all day breakfast, and an array of vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options, as well as choices of: Carne Asada (Premium, Grass-Fed Steak, Carnitas (Pork), Al Pastor (Pork), Pollo Asado (Chicken), Beyond Beef (100% Plant-Based Protein), and Beer-Battered or Sauteed Mahi Mahi (Fish) and Shrimp






The 12-year McKinsey & Co. alum will oversee operations at the AI-powered point-of-care neurodiagnostics company

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Ceribell, Inc., the developer of the first AI-powered point-of-care EEG diagnostic system, announced the appointment of Joshua Copp as Chief Operating Officer. As COO, Mr. Copp will contribute to the business by delivering commercial and strategic guidance as the company scales.

"Joshua's leadership within McKinsey & Co.'s Medical Device Division provides him with a wealth of expertise that he will now bring to our team," said Ceribell co-founder and CEO Jane Chao, Ph.D. "His professional experience driving growth and shaping markets with clients aligns seamlessly with Ceribell's vision to make Ceribell the standard of care in seizure management."

"Ceribell stands at the forefront of medical technology, reshaping the landscape of neurodiagnostics," said Mr. Copp. "I look forward to working alongside this innovative team to enable hospitals to optimize workflows and save lives."

Mr. Copp had a 12-year tenure at McKinsey & Company, including four years as a partner. In this role, he led efforts to build digital and analytics capabilities for medical technology clients. Throughout his career at McKinsey, Josh served medical technology clients globally and played a prominent role in McKinsey's Medical Products practice. His primary professional focus was helping clients grow through various means, such as transactions, commercialization, pricing strategies, accelerating innovation, and crafting effective business strategies.

Mr. Copp obtained his A.B. from Harvard in Applied Mathematics, with an application in Neuroscience, and his M.B.A. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management.

For more information on Ceribell, please visit www.ceribell.com

About Ceribell

Ceribell, Inc., the developer of the first AI-powered point-of-care EEG diagnostic system, is revolutionizing seizure management in acute care. Ceribell's mission is to make EEG diagnostics widely available, more efficient, and more cost-effective, to improve the detection and treatment of neurological conditions. The Ceribell system provides rapid access to accurate diagnostic information and continuous monitoring at the bedside 24/7, enabling precise patient care and hospital-wide efficiencies. The Ceribell system first received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2017 and is commercially available in the United States. The latest ClarityPro AI algorithm is the first and only FDA-indicated software for the diagnosis of Electrographic Status Epilepticus with U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved New Technology Add-on Payment (NTAP). For more information visit www.ceribell.com .

CONTACT

Media:

Nell Callahan

[email protected]

Investors:

Brian Johnston or Laine Morgan

Gilmartin Group LLC

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Ceribell, Inc.
SeptiCyte RAPID may aid clinicians in making a determination on early antibiotic administration and in bundle compliance for patients with intermediate-high and high probabilities of sepsis

SEATTLE and BRISBANE, Australia, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunexpress, Pty Ltd., a molecular diagnostics company focused on rapid diagnosis and improved outcomes for suspected sepsis patients, today announced a poster presentation demonstrating the usefulness of SeptiCyte RAPID in conjunction with clinical assessment of sepsis for informing on antibiotic administration and bundle compliance at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST 2023). The poster, entitled "Potential Impact of a Host Response Gene Expression Sepsis Assay (SeptiCyte RAPID) in a Tertiary Emergency Department Setting," is designated as Poster #4104 and will be presented on October 10, 2023, from 12  12:45 p.m. HT, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

This retrospective, non-interventional study evaluated 62 hospitalized patients with suspected or documented sepsis in the tertiary Emergency Department at The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina. SeptiCyte RAPID generated a score (SeptiScore) ranging from 0-15 that falls within four discrete interpretation bands based on the increasing likelihood of sepsis and which was clearly positively associated with the probability of sepsis by clinical assessment.

"SeptiCyte RAPID in the emergency setting correlated well with high and low probability sepsis assignments, and may facilitate discrimination of intermediate probability sepsis patients," stated Dr. Rakesh Alva, M.D., of Moses Cone Hospital, the Principal Investigator. "These results indicate that SeptiCyte  RAPID may contribute to actionable guidance for the use of antibiotics and may assist in improving compliance with the Surviving Sepsis Guidelines."

About SeptiCyte RAPID

SeptiCyte RAPID is a sample-to-answer, cartridge-based, host response molecular test for sepsis using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to quantify the relative expression levels of host response genes isolated from whole blood. SeptiCyte RAPID is used in conjunction with clinical assessments, vital signs and laboratory findings as an aid to differentiate infection-positive (sepsis) from infection-negative systemic inflammation response syndromes in patients with escalating signs and symptoms of critical illness. SeptiCyte RAPID generates a score (SeptiScore) that falls within four discrete interpretation bands based on the increasing likelihood of sepsis. SeptiCyte RAPID is intended for in-vitro diagnostic use and runs on the Biocartis Idylla Platform, and Immunexpress has a commercialization partnership with Biocartis in Europe.

SeptiCyte RAPID is CE Marked as a near-patient sample-to-answer test in European Union (EU) member countries and those harmonized with the EU IVD Directive (98/79/EC). As of November 2021, SeptiCyte RAPID has been FDA cleared for use in hospitalized patients suspected of sepsis.

About Immunexpress

Immunexpress is a molecular diagnostic company, based in Brisbane and Seattle, committed to improving outcomes for patients suspected of sepsis. Immunexpress' SeptiCyte technology can assess a patient's dysregulated immune response by quantifying and analyzing gene expression from whole blood, providing actionable results in about an hour from sepsis suspicion, to guide the physician in optimizing patient management decisions. SeptiCyte RAPID is a lab test for sepsis that combines SeptiCyte technology with the ease-of-use of the revolutionary Biocartis' Idylla Platform; it supports differentiating infection (bacterial, viral, fungal) positive sepsis that could lead to organ dysfunction and death from patients with less serious infection negative systemic inflammation. This powerful test enhances early sepsis detection and can strongly support its diagnosis in the crucial first hour(s) that determines clinical outcome. SeptiCyte RAPID also has a high potential to reduce sepsis associated healthcare costs.

For more information, visit http://www.septicyte.com and http://www.immunexpress.com/. Follow Immunexpress on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts:

Scott Stachowiak

Russo Partners, LLC

[email protected]

Maddie Stabinski

Russo Partners, LLC

[email protected]

SOURCE Immunexpress, Inc.
Upcoming restrictions in microplastics, MCCPs, dechlorane plus, PIP 3:1, formaldehyde, and PFHxS

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - On 18 October 2023, Claigan Environmental Inc. (www.claigan.com) will be presenting a webinar on the new substance restrictions in 2024. The updates to the EU REACH restrictions, EU POP restrictions, and TSCA will publish and/or implement new substance restrictions in 2024. This webinar will discuss each of the new substance restrictions.

A wide range of substance restrictions are either expected to be published or are going into effect in 2024 (and in some cases, late 2023). These restrictions are substance restrictions, not just declarations. The source regulations for the new restrictions include the EU REACH Regulation, EU POP Regulation, and US TSCA. Substances under restriction range from micro plastics, to flame retardants, to plasticizers, to forever chemical.

Topics to include

Updates to REACH Restrictions

Updates to POP restrictions

Restriction coming into effect for TSCA

Microplastics

Medium chain chlorinated paraffins

PIP 3:1

Dechlorane plus

PFHxS

Formaldehyde

Note - due to the expected demand, there will be two (2) webinar schedule on October 18.

Webinars - Substance Restrictions in 2024

Date: 18 October 2023

Time: 10am and 2pm

Duration: 1 hour plus Q&A (like 1.25 hours)

To Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/3521151237718351199 or on Claigan's Website at www.claigan.com/webinars

About Claigan Environmental (www.claigan.com)

Claigan is the leading provider in restricted materials compliance. Claigan has tested thousands of products for REACH, POP, TSCA, Prop 65, and related global compliance.. Claigan is an ISO 17025 certified laboratory and is dedicated to providing practical solutions for supply chain due diligence and social responsibility. At Claigan, we believe in 'More Results. Less Journey.'

At Claigan, we believe in 'More Results. Less Journey.'

SOURCE Claigan Environmental Inc.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber calls on the energy industry to take the "opportunity to show the world that, in fact, you are central to the solution".

ADIPEC 2023 opens to opens to a global audience of ministers and energy leaders, under the theme of 'Decarbonising. Faster. Together.'

World's largest energy exhibition and conference is uniting industries to advance collective action and credible solutions for a secure and sustainable energy future.

Global energy leaders reinforced their commitment to working together to decarbonise the sector as part of the official ADIPEC 2023 Opening Ceremony.

Ministerial Panel featured four perspectives on accelerating the global energy transition in an "orderly, just and equitable way" that secures energy supply and meets emissions goals.

ABU DHABI, UAE, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, delivered a keynote address during the ADIPEC 2023 Opening Ceremony, stating the energy industry "can and must help drive the solutions".

COP28 President-Designate Dr Sultan Al Jaber opens ADIPEC 2023 calling for greater collaboration on decarbonisation.

ADIPEC, the world's largest energy exhibition and conference, opened today, rallying industries and diverse actors around a common cause  'Decarbonising. Faster. Together.' Over four days, the event will accelerate collective action and solutions to address the biggest climate and energy challenges the world faces today.

Being held in Abu Dhabi from 2-5 October, ADIPEC 2023 has gathered over 160,000 attendees from 160 countries. More than 40 ministers and 120 global C-suite executives will contribute to the 350-plus conference sessions, addressing the key energy transition priorities, including tackling methane and carbon emissions, scaling up investment in technology and renewables, decarbonising heavy industries and the development of future leaders.

Taking place less than two months before the UAE welcomes global leaders for COP28, ADIPEC 2023 provides a platform for the biggest energy producers and consumers to demonstrate their commitment to lowering emissions while driving investment into new technologies and clean energies. The event is an opportunity to bring to the fore the diverse challenges and needs of different energy markets from around the world and creates a global stage for solutions-oriented dialogue.

Addressing the need to accelerate the energy transition, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology said: "Today at ADIPEC from Abu Dhabi, I say with full confidence: This industry can and must help drive the solutions. For too long, this industry has been viewed as part of the problem, that it's not doing enough and in some cases even blocking progress. This is your opportunity to show the world that, in fact, you are central to the solution".

Speaking on the role of ADIPEC in the global energy transition, His Excellency Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said: "International collaboration is crucial to addressing energy challenges. ADIPEC serves as an ideal platform to take the collective decarbonisation drive to the next level, and we are happy to share our experience with other countries. Having one of the fastest-growing clean energy industries in the world, the UAE is set to generate a total capacity of 19.8 gigawatts of clean energy by 2030. In addition, the UAE seeks to become a leading producer and supplier of low-carbon hydrogen, working towards producing 1.4 million metric tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen per annum by 2031 and 15 million metric tonnes per annum by 2050."

Echoing Dr Al Jaber's call to action, Tayba Al Hashemi, Chair of ADIPEC 2023 and CEO of ADNOC Offshore, said: "By 2030, the world will be home to an additional half a billion people, demanding more energy every year. At the same time, the global challenge of climate change calls for urgent, game-changing solutions to eliminate emissions. Every government, industry, business and individual has a role to play in decarbonising quicker, and creating the future of energy, faster, while safeguarding energy security and ensuring nobody is left behind.

"Decarbonising, faster, together, is not just the theme of ADIPEC 2023, it is a rallying call to industry to work together to transform, decarbonise and future-proof our industry. We want to accelerate the innovation and tangible actions needed to enable a lower-carbon and higher-growth future for the world."

The ADIPEC Opening Ceremony also included pledges from leading global CEOs across the energy industry, reaffirming their commitment to concrete actions that will enable decarbonisation and the energy transition. With 10 CEOs featured from across the world, the video showed the industry's unified approach to driving investment and partnerships to accelerate the global energy transition and stimulate innovation.

Commenting on this commitment, Amin H. Nasser, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aramco said: "At Aramco, we believe that energy security and sustainability can co-exist. We remain committed to helping supply the world's growing energy needs as we also expand our efforts to develop lower-carbon solutions that will provide future generations with cleaner and more sustainable energy."

The ADIPEC Opening Ceremony included a ministerial panel on the subject of 'Fast Tracking the Energy Transition', which brought together H.E. Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, H.E. Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of OPEC, H.E. Dr Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Turkiye, and H.E. Sebastian-Ioan Burduja, Minister of Energy, Romania, to discuss how to accelerate the energy transition.

The panel explored how innovative policies and inclusive practices are the key to meeting increasing energy demands and achieving net zero emissions. The panel also agreed on the important role that governments must play in driving both collaboration and investment. Ministers remarked on the importance of facilitating a just low-carbon future, simultaneously reducing emissions and driving economic growth.

Addressing the need for pragmatism, H.E. Al Mazrouei, said: "We need to keep the politics aside, and as OPEC, work as a technical group".

Echoing his remarks, H.E. Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of OPEC said: "We have to have a clear roadmap of where we're going, and how to get there". The ministers from Turkiye and Romania also discussed the initiatives underway in their respective countries designed to facilitate a transition to a cleaner energy system.

Over four days, ADIPEC 2023 will feature 10 conferences  including a new, hydrogen-focused conference and an expanded strategic decarbonisation conference  that will address a range of themes such as energy security, mobilising finance and investment, and developing a zero-carbon value chain. Across 16 exhibition halls, ADIPEC will gather over 2,200 companies and feature 30 country pavilions and four specialised areas focused on facilitating cross-sector collaboration and game-changing partnerships.

About ADIPEC

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and hosted by ADNOC, ADIPEC will take place in Abu Dhabi on October 2-5, 2023, under the theme of 'Decarbonising. Faster. Together.'

Built on a nearly 40-year legacy of innovation and evolution, ADIPEC brings together the ideas, ambition, technology and capital needed to decarbonise and create the energy system of the future, faster. It unites key stakeholders from across the energy value chain to accelerate urgent, collective and responsible action, produce credible, game-changing solutions, and foster the transformational progress needed to create an inclusive, future-proof energy system.

Across 350 unique sessions comprising strategic and technical conferences, ADIPEC 2023 will welcome more than 1,600 speakers  including government ministers, CEOs, policymakers, energy experts and innovators  to rally industries, sectors and individuals around a common cause, encouraging collaboration and the action required to advance the world's decarbonisation goals.

As the UAE prepares to welcome global leaders to COP28 in November 2023, ADIPEC will help frame diverse conversations that complement the nation's goal of delivering a COP of collaborative action, while driving investment into the clean energies of the future.

For more information visit: www.adipec.com

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected], [email protected]

Telephone number: +971565885578

About ADNOC

ADNOC is a leading diversified energy and petrochemicals group wholly owned by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. ADNOC's objective is to maximise the value of the Emirate's vast hydrocarbon reserves through responsible and sustainable exploration and production to support the United Arab Emirates' economic growth and diversification. To find out more, visit: www.adnoc.ae

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2236651/ADIPEC.jpg

SOURCE ADIPEC
BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Crestone Capital LLC, a multi-family office wealth management firm providing services to an exclusive network of entrepreneurs, business owners and their families, today announced Eliza Leach, a shareholder and managing director, earned a spot on BizWest's Boulder Valley 40 under Forty Class of 2023.

BizWest recognizes 40 emerging business leaders, under 40 years of age, who are making a mark on their communities through professional success and volunteer activities. The assessment of Leach and her fellow awardees was conducted by an editorial board, and the winners were those demonstrating organizational and industry leadership, working to help others through community service and charitable giving and making significant contributions to the community.

"Eliza being presented with this 40 under Forty award is a well-deserved acknowledgment of her stewardship both at Crestone and within the broader Boulder community. Beyond her demonstrated prowess at Crestone over the last ten years, Eliza has acted as a community leader through her endorsement and advocacy for Colorado's entrepreneurial environment and her engagement with the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art," said Matt Wiles, President of Crestone.

Currently presiding as the president of the board of directors for the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA), Leach plays a pivotal role in intensifying the museum's societal contributions, elevating artist representation, and fostering community relations since her involvement began in 2017.

For additional details on selection processes and important disclosures, please visit CrestoneCapital.com.

About Crestone Capital LLC

Crestone Capital delivers a suite of fully integrated investment management and wealth advisory services to families looking to protect and enhance their wealth and define their legacy. With more than 30 years of experience, we help entrepreneurs, business owners, and their families pursue a better life lived. Consistent with client interests, we are a fee-only advisor that serves our clients as fiduciaries, putting their needs and interests first. Crestone is 100% employee owned with offices in Boulder, Denver, Austin and Los Angeles. Learn more at CrestoneCapital.com.

Patience Peterson

Crestone Capital

303-442-4447

[email protected]

SOURCE Crestone Capital, LLC
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Oct. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dalberg Advisors, a global impact consultancy committed to building a more inclusive and sustainable world, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lillian Kidane as the new Regional Director for its Africa region.

Lillian Kidane, a Partner affiliated with our office in Addis Ababa, brings a rich portfolio of expertise in sustainable and impact-based philanthropic and commercial strategies for emerging markets.

Lillian Kidane

"Lillian's appointment marks a significant milestone in Dalberg's commitment to Africa. Her extensive experience across the continent in public health systems, climate, trade, and digital transformation will be invaluable in contributing to shaping the continent's development trajectory," says Gaurav Gupta, Global Managing Partner of Dalberg Advisors.

Lillian has two decades of experience working with governments, foundations, corporates, and NGOs both on the continent and from the United States to support systems transformation and access to medicines in Africa. Lillian's recent accomplishments include serving as a senior advisor to the COVID Vaccine Delivery Partnership (CoVDP) leadership in Geneva, tasked with overseeing the allocation and disbursement of vaccines across 34 countries globally during the pandemic years.

"Dalberg has a remarkable history of working with partners to make a positive difference, and I am eager in my new position as Regional Director, to deepen our collaborations with changemakers, so that we might play a stronger role together in shaping sustainable development across the African continent," Lillian Kidane, Partner and Regional Director for Africa, Dalberg Advisors, remarks.

Prior to Dalberg, Lillian held leadership roles at General Electric (GE), Africa, as well as with the Clinton Foundation. She has degrees from Yale University School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

"Lillian's operational track record and her deep expertise across a range of high-impact issues shaping the future of Africa make her the perfect choice to guide our work on the continent. She is inspiring to both our clients and our people, leading with excellence and empathy," adds Sunru Yong, Partner, Kenya office.

Dalberg Advisors started its operations in Africa in 2007 in South Africa and quickly expanded across West and East Africa, covering over 1,100 engagements across the continent, working with a range of stakeholders, including community-based organizations, local and global nonprofits, investors, foundations, companies, regional bodies, and various government ministries.

"Africa does not need more consultants telling us what change ought to look like on our continent. We want to see entrepreneurial energy and investment championing efforts to decolonize the traditional development agenda. We hope to contribute our small part to this by consistently elevating local entities and grassroots leaders dedicated to seeing sustainable change in our communities, and Dalberg shares this vision," states Lillian Kidane.

About Dalberg Advisors

Dalberg Advisors is a strategic advisory firm that combines the best of private sector strategy skills and rigorous analytical capabilities with deep knowledge and networks across emerging and frontier markets. We work collaboratively across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors to fuel inclusive growth and help clients achieve their goals. Dalberg Advisors has more than 550 employees spread across more than 25 locations in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and the US.

Dalberg Advisors is part of the Dalberg Group, which comprises six businesses  Dalberg Advisors, Dalberg Data Insights, Dalberg Design, Dalberg Implement, Dalberg Media, and Dalberg Research  and the not-for-profit, Dalberg Catalyst.

About Lillian Kidane

Lillian Kidane joined Dalberg in 2018 in Ethiopia with nearly 20 years of experience in global development. Her diverse expertise spans public health systems, climate and trade policies, and digital transformation across Africa and the Caribbean, working with organizations across the social sector spectrum  governments, corporations, private foundations, multilaterals, and NGOs.

Lillian is an entrepreneur at heart, bringing to her work her own experiences with introducing successful local enterprises, including an Africa-wide E-commerce platform, a leather-based fashion brand, and a payment gateway platform  all aimed at increasing inter- and intra-Africa trade and job creation. Her passion is to help individuals and communities reach their full potential through educational opportunities and dignified work. Lillian began her professional career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco, providing health training and clinical services to women and children in a small town where she discovered her passion for vocational teaching. She also sits on a number of boards globally and locally, including the Labor Mobility Partnerships, a nonprofit field-builder developing scalable solutions for workers to access quality jobs across borders.

Lillian completed her post-graduate studies in international healthcare management at Yale University's School of Medicine (USA), holds a master's in public health in Health Economics and Informatics from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health (USA), and has an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame (USA). Lillian is of Eritrean descent and lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with her husband and two sons.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2236068/Lillian_headshot.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1829492/4316348/Dalberg_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Dalberg Advisors
NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "data loss prevention market size by deployment (cloud-based and on-premises), technology (datacenter/storage-based DLP, endpoint DLP, and network DLP), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) - Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027" report has been added to technavio offering. With ISO 9001:2015 certification, Technavio has proudly partnered with more than 100 Fortune 500 companies for over 16 years. The potential growth difference for the data loss prevention market from 2022 to 2027 is USD 3.24 billion, according to Technavio. The growing use of the cloud for data storage is the key factor driving market growth. Businesses use the cloud to store their data because it allows them to work more efficiently. Data storage in the cloud is expected to increase due to the rise of IoT and the need to reduce operational costs (OPEX). Furthermore, to offer accessibility of stored data, cloud services provide an attractive opportunity for companies to invest in infrastructure support and maintenance. In addition, the DLP solution guarantees that corporate data does not transfer to a cloud via an uncensored route and will only be transferred to authorized cloud applications. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Get deeper insights into the market size, current market scenario, future growth opportunities, major growth driving factors, the latest trends, and much more. Buy the full report here

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Data Loss Prevention Market 2023-2027

Market Challenge

Threat from open-source DLP solutions is a significant challenge restricting market growth. Baobab is a major threat to the DLP-based on-premises and cloud market with its open-source solutions. In emerging countries like India and China, they are available free of charge to download and use on all platforms. Furthermore, the investment in expensive on-premises or cloud-based DLP solutions is not available to most SMEs in these economies. For instance, GitHub, a web hosting service, offers OpenDLP, a free and open-source DLP engine, centrally managed, agent-based, and widely distributed and published under the GPL. Hence, these factors are expected to restrict market growth during the forecast period.

Learn about additional key drivers, trends, and challenges available with Technavio. Read Free Sample PDF Report Now

The data loss prevention market has been segmented by deployment (cloud-based and on-premises), technology (datacenter/storage-based DLP, endpoint DLP, and network DLP), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

The market share growth by the cloud-based segment will be significant during the forecast period. To protect against data loss by malicious insiders and hackers, cloud-based DLP helps businesses extend their security policies to the cloud. The average cost of a data breach has also increased, which has increased the demand for cloud-based Data Loss Prevention solutions, due to the increasing number of data breaches in the cloud. In addition, to guarantee that sensitive data can be accessed by authorized users, the companies have established security measures. However, a number of organizations are struggling to prevent the transfer of data by way of shared files, social media, cloud storage, or any kind of Digital Application. Hence, these factors are expected to drive segment growth during the forecast period.

North America is estimated to contribute 40% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

View the Free Sample Report for insights into the contribution of all the segments and regional opportunities in the report.

Key Companies in the Data Loss Prevention Market:

Acronis International GmbH, Aurea Inc., Broadcom Inc., Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., Cisco Systems Inc., CoSoSys Srl, Dell Technologies Inc., Forcepoint LLC, Fortra LLC, GTB Technologies Inc., InfoWatch, McAfee LLC, Open Text Corp., Proofpoint Inc., SearchInform Ltd., Singapore Telecommunications Ltd., Somansa Technologies Inc., Spirion LLC, Trend Micro Inc., and Zecurion Inc.

Related Reports:

The data center IT equipment market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.09% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 65.26 billion.

The data center colocation and managed hosting services market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 13.87% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 163.36 billion.

Data Loss Prevention Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 23.38% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 3.24 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 21.98 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, Germany, and the UK Competitive landscape Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Acronis International GmbH, Aurea Inc., Broadcom Inc., Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., Cisco Systems Inc., CoSoSys Srl, Dell Technologies Inc., Forcepoint LLC, Fortra LLC, GTB Technologies Inc., InfoWatch, McAfee LLC, Open Text Corp., Proofpoint Inc., SearchInform Ltd., Singapore Telecommunications Ltd., Somansa Technologies Inc., Spirion LLC, Trend Micro Inc., and Zecurion Inc. 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, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Market Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by Deployment

Market Segmentation by Technology

Market Segmentation by Geography

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, & Trends

Company Landscape

Company Analysis

Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base comprises enterprises of all sizes, including over 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
HAYWARD, Calif. , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Delphon, a worldwide provider of engineered polymer and adhesive products for the semiconductor, photonics, medical and electronics industries, today announced the appointment of Jerry Broz, PhD as Vice President, Strategic Marketing & Business Development. Dr. Broz will serve as technical lead for Delphon's new product initiatives. He will also be responsible for leading Delphon's overall business development strategy, focusing on growing market share and revenue in the semiconductor, optoelectronics, medical, defense and aerospace industries.

Dr. Jerry Broz, PhD

Dr. Broz has served in numerous technical and senior leadership roles during his 30-year career in the electronics and electronic materials markets. Before joining Delphon, he was the President and Director of Technology at Advanced Probing Systems. Prior to that, he served for 16-years in multiple executive leadership roles at International Test Solutions, including Sr. Vice President of Technology, where he was responsible for global applications, technical development, and marketing efforts for wafer sort and package test cleaning solutions. After International Test Solutions was acquired by CMC Materials, he worked as a Director of Global Technology. Previously, Dr. Broz was the Sr. Technical Director at the US subsidiary of Micronics Japan and is a former Member of Technical Staff at Texas Instruments. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, MS in Civil Engineering, and BS in Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mathematics from University of Colorado Boulder. Dr. Broz is viewed as a distinguished technologist with a portfolio of over 60 patents and more than 175 publications, training classes, and seminars. He currently serves as General Chair of SWTest and SWTest Asia Conferences and Expo and is a Senior Member of IEEE.

"I am excited to welcome Jerry as the VP, Business Development," says Joe Montano, Delphon President and CEO. "With his extensive technical and commercial experience, he is the ideal candidate to help drive new product initiatives and global market development into the future that I am envisioning for Delphon."

Background:

Delphon, specializes in polymer and adhesive materials and is known for solving complex product development and manufacturing challenges. By combining unique materials and proprietary technologies, Delphon partners with customers to move ideas quickly into novel products. Delphon's well-known brands Gel-Pak, UltraTape and TouchMark are innovators of solutions for the semiconductors, medical device, photonics, aerospace and defense industries.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Nunes, Sr. Director of Marketing, at or visit www.delphon.com.

SOURCE Delphon Industries, LLC
Leading Retailer Adds 25 Locations in New York and Pennsylvania That Include Auto Maintenance Services

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Discount Tire, a leading independent retailer of tires and wheels, acquired the retail tire and automotive maintenance operations of Dunn Tire in a transaction that closed September 30, 2023. In addition to tire sales, alignments, and tire-related services, Dunn Tire provides parts and installations for brakes, lube and oil services, front-end repairs, and state vehicle inspections at 25 locations in western and central New York and Pennsylvania.

Dunn Tire

The acquisition expands Discount Tire's commitment to providing inviting, easy, and safe automotive services to retail customers, fleet customers, B2B customers, and online shoppers. Discount Tire, which was started by Bruce T. Halle in 1960, is the largest family-owned tire retail business in the U.S., operating more than 1,150 stores.

Discount Tire Chief Revenue Officer Christian Roe said, "We are excited to connect with Randy and Robert Clark to bring Dunn Tire into our family as we enter the next phase of our company's growth. They have built an exceptional business serving customers across New York and Pennsylvania. Looking ahead, we will continue to grow our businesses in new markets and bring full-service offerings to customers."

The current Dunn Tire chairman, Randall Clark, and a group of Buffalo, New York, area investors acquired Dunn Tire from founder James Dunn in the 1990s. The acquisition of Dunn Tire by Discount Tire expands Discount Tire's retail footprint in Pennsylvania and marks an entrance for the company into New York markets.

"We have the deepest respect for the strong culture that Discount Tire has fostered over its history," said Randall Clark. "In searching for the right partner that would uphold the highest standard of care and respect for our people and customers, it became clear that was something only Discount Tire could offer."

Dunn Tire executive Robert Clark, managing director of retail operations, will continue to manage the brand's day-to-day retail and service operations. Chris Adams, senior vice president at Discount Tire, has oversight of full-service and fleet business segments. All current Dunn Tire retail management and store employees remain employed. The 25 locations acquired by Discount Tire will continue to operate using the Dunn Tire brand name.

Dunn Tire's investors will retain independent ownership of Exxpress Tire Delivery, a wholesale business operating five distribution centers serving thousands of accounts in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. That business, which employs more than 200 team members in the region and sells all major brands, will continue to be led by the current president, David Simons, and vice presidents, Paul Pittner and Stephen Clave.

Discount Tire is the retail brand name of The Reinalt-Thomas Corporation, which does business as Discount Tire in most of the U.S. and as America's Tire in parts of California and Pennsylvania. It also owns Tire Rack, a consumer-direct source and wholesaler of tires, wheels, and accessories. Previously, the company acquired Ellisville Tire & Service located near St. Louis, Missouri.

Randall Clark, Bruce Halle, and Tire Rack founder Peter Veldman were inducted together into the Tire Industry Association Hall of Fame in 2012.

"In many ways, the acquisition of Dunn Tire is a storied reunion between great leaders and great people that take care of their communities," said Adams.

For more information, visit discounttire.com or dunntire.com.

ABOUT DISCOUNT TIRE

Discount Tire is a leading independent retailer of tires, wheels, and windshield wipers. Founded in 1960 by Bruce T. Halle, the company serves customers at more than 1,150 stores in 39 states. The company does business as Discount Tire in most of the U.S. and as America's Tire in parts of California and Pennsylvania. Discount Tire acquired Tire Rack, a direct-to-consumer tire retailer and distributor, in 2021. In 2023, the company acquired the full-service auto repair operations of Dunn Tire. Treadwell, Discount Tire's proprietary online tire-buying guide, uses decades of data and individual driving habits to recommend the right tires for each driver's unique needs.

Media Contact:

Greg Miller

pressemails@discounttire.com

SOURCE Discount Tire
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Construction of a residential complex of 17 buildings will begin in Shusha this year, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district Aydin Karimov told reporters, Trend reports.

According to him, infrastructure work will continue in the city, and a new central street, with 10 houses, will be commissioned in May of next year.

By the end of the year, the construction of the first residential complex in Shusha will be completed, and shortly thereafter, return of around 400 families to the city will be ensured, he said.

"The restoration of monuments, especially religious ones, is successfully ongoing in Shusha. The Yukhari Govharagha and Saatli mosques have already been restored. At the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture of the Islamic World held in Doha, the city of Shusha, the pearl of Karabakh, was honored with the title of 'Cultural Capital of the Islamic World' for 2024. Next year, the restoration of the Ashaghi Govharagha mosque will be completed. A clergyman has already been appointed to Shusha and he will soon begin his duties," Karimov said.

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.

Within the framework of the program, more than 2,000 former IDPs have been resettled in restored or newly created settlements in liberated Zangilan, Lachin, Fuzuli, and Tartar districts.
New Single-Chip 800G PIC will be on Display at ECOC 2023 in Multiple Applications Including 800G DR8/DR8+, Immersion Cooling and Reduced-Reach Connectivity

MODI'IN, Israel and GLASGOW, Scotland, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DustPhotonics, a leading developer of silicon photonics technology and solutions for hyperscale data centers and AI applications, today announced the industry's first merchant single-chip 800G DR8 PIC (Photonic Integrated Circuit) at ECOC, the largest optical communications exhibition in Europe. DustPhotonics will have multiple live demos of this product highlighting its operation in several applications at Booth #644 at the show in Glasgow, Scotland.

DustPhotonics Announces Industry-First Merchant 800G Silicon Photonics Chip for Hyperscale Data Centers and AI Applications

The 800G PIC is a single chip solution suitable for DR8 and DR8+ applications, providing 8 optical channels independently modulated at 100Gb/s for an aggregate bandwidth of 800Gb/s. The chip is designed into a compact 7.5mm x 7mm package, enabling it to be used in industry standard QSFP and OSFP style form factors. The device is suitable for reaches up to 2km in applications including hyperscale data centers and AI and Machine-Learning clusters.

The PIC includes on-chip lasers, incorporating DustPhotonics' patented L3C (low-loss laser coupling) technology, whereby off-the-shelf lasers from a variety of different manufacturers can be integrated with the PIC. This allows advantages in product performance, cost, power, and supply chain scalability.

DustPhotonics will demonstrate this device in multiple configurations including a traditional 800GBASE-DR8 application, an immersion cooling application, and a reduced reach application. The immersion cooling demo showcases how this chip is suited to be immersed in a liquid coolant, since there is no free-space interface between the laser and PIC or at the fiber attach interface at the optical output of the chip. For the reduced reach application, DustPhotonics is demonstrating a second, cost optimized version of the product suitable for transceivers or AOCs (Active Optical Cables) up to 100m, or for LPO (linear-drive pluggable optic) applications.

"We are seeing a lot of customer traction for this 800G application, and we are excited to showcase the broad range of applications that we support," said Ronnen Lovinger, CEO of DustPhotonics. "We are well-positioned for the next phase of the company which is to scale into high-volume manufacturing."

"We have been encouraged by the growth of the 800Gb/s market, and we believe DustPhotonics single-chip PIC solution will help fuel adoption while easing some of the early supply chain constraints we are seeing in the industry," said Vladimir Kozlov, Founder and CEO, LightCounting, an optical communications market research company.

The device is sampling to customers today and is expected to be in production by the first quarter of 2024. For more information, please contact [email protected].

About DustPhotonics:

DustPhotonics is a leading developer of silicon photonics technology and solutions for hyperscale data centers and AI applications. The DustPhotonics' technology platform is uniquely built to support the optical networking market that requires higher bandwidth and higher speeds while lowering cost, as well as power consumption. Please visit www.dustphotonics.com for more information.

Media Contact:

DustPhotonics, Ltd.

Yossi Lev

+972-73-3982552

[email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2234593/DustPhotonics_chip.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2234594/dustphotonics_Logo.jpg

SOURCE DustPhotonics
BOGOTA, Colombia, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL, NYSE: EC) informs that the Board of Directors, in its meeting on September 29, 2023, made the following appointments:

German Gonzalez Reyes as Vice President of Corporate Affairs and General Secretary, effective immediately. He has been in charge of this vice presidency since July 5, 2023 . He is a lawyer with a specialization in Socioeconomics from Universidad Javeriana and a specialist in International Transportation Law. He has over thirty years of experience in the legal advisory profession and in managerial and strategic public positions in oil & gas, telecommunications, drinking water, and sanitation companies. He has also served as Deputy Minister of Communications. From 2017 until assuming this vice presidency, he was Manager of Legal Management in the Legal Vice Presidency of Ecopetrol S.A.





. He is a lawyer with a specialization in Socioeconomics from Universidad Javeriana and a specialist in International Transportation Law. He has over thirty years of experience in the legal advisory profession and in managerial and strategic public positions in oil & gas, telecommunications, drinking water, and sanitation companies. He has also served as Deputy Minister of Communications. From 2017 until assuming this vice presidency, he was Manager of Legal Management in the Legal Vice Presidency of Ecopetrol S.A. Sandra Lucia Rodriguez Rojas as Vice President of Sustainable Development effective from October 20, 2023 . She is a lawyer from Javeriana University, holding a master's degree in environmental policy and management, as well as a master's degree in public law from Carlos III University of Madrid . She is a professor at the Faculty of Legal Sciences at Javeriana University. With over 20 years of experience in overseeing human rights projects, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability, in accordance with international standards, both in the public and private sectors. Since 2018, she has served as the Deputy Ombudswoman for Collective Rights and the Environment at the Ombudsman's Office.





as Vice President of Sustainable Development effective from . She is a lawyer from Javeriana University, holding a master's degree in environmental policy and management, as well as a master's degree in public law from Carlos III University of . She is a professor at the Faculty of Legal Sciences at Javeriana University. With over 20 years of experience in overseeing human rights projects, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability, in accordance with international standards, both in the public and private sectors. Since 2018, she has served as the Deputy Ombudswoman for Collective Rights and the Environment at the Ombudsman's Office. Luz Elena Diaz Garcia as Corporate Vice President of Compliance, effective from October 16, 2023 , who will also serve as the Compliance Officer of Ecopetrol S.A. She holds a degree in Finance and International Relations from the Externado de Colombia University, and she is a specialist in Corporate Finance from CESA. With over 15 years of experience in ethical and compliance matters, internal control, financial assurance, risk management, and due diligence, she has worked as a consultant in various economic sectors, most recently in the oil and gas, energy, and consumer goods industries. She has led investigations on fraud , corruption, bribery, AML/CFT/Sanctions at both public and private levels.

The Board of Directors also made the following appointments:

David Alfredo Riano Alarcon, Vice President of Low Emission Solutions, as the alternate legal and commercial representative in the second position.

Luis Carlos Plata Prince , Attorney of the Judicial and Extrajudicial Management, as the alternate legal representative for judicial and extrajudicial matters.

Aldemar Alfonso Mejia Prado, Planning and Procurement Manager, as the alternate legal representative for the procurement of goods and services.

Ecopetrol is the largest company in Colombia and one of the main integrated energy companies in the American continent, with more than 18,000 employees. In Colombia, it is responsible for more than 60% of the hydrocarbon production of most transportation, logistics, and hydrocarbon refining systems, and it holds leading positions in the petrochemicals and gas distribution segments. With the acquisition of 51.4% of ISA's shares, the company participates in energy transmission, the management of real-time systems (XM), and the Barranquilla - Cartagena coastal highway concession. At the international level, Ecopetrol has a stake in strategic basins in the American continent, with Drilling and Exploration operations in the United States (Permian basin and the Gulf of Mexico), Brazil, and Mexico, and, through ISA and its subsidiaries, Ecopetrol holds leading positions in the power transmission business in Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, road concessions in Chile, and the telecommunications sector. This press release contains business prospect statements, operating and financial result estimates, and statements related to Ecopetrol's growth prospects. These are all projections and, as such, they are based solely on the expectations of the managers regarding the future of the company and their continued access to capital to finance the company's business plan. The realization of said estimates in the future depends on the behavior of market conditions, regulations, competition, and the performance of the Colombian economy and the industry, among other factors, and are consequently subject to change without prior notice.

This release contains statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements, whether made in this release or in future filings or press releases, or orally, address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, including in respect of the Company's prospects for growth and its ongoing access to capital to fund the Company's business plan, among others. Consequently, changes in the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements: market prices of oil & gas, our exploration, and production activities, market conditions, applicable regulations, the exchange rate, the Company's competitiveness and the performance of Colombia's economy and industry, to mention a few. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

For more information, please contact:

Head of Capital Markets

Carolina Tovar Aragon

Email: [email protected]

Head of Corporate Communications

Marcela Ulloa

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Ecopetrol S.A.
WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EnergyMark, LLC located in Williamsville, NY has announced the acquisition of the assets of Crown Energy Services, Inc. of West Seneca, NY. The two energy supply companies are among the longest standing in Western New York; both have provided natural gas supply service to industrial, commercial, and residential clients in New York and Pennsylvania for over 20 years. The transfer of assets to EnergyMark involved in the sale includes all of Crown Energy's New York customers as well as supply assets such as energy storage and transportation capacity and production from two dozen local natural gas producers.

The acquisition comes at a time when consolidation and a shift from traditional energy supply to new renewable forms of energy are being seen across the energy sector in both New York and the United States as a whole. EnergyMark is a local leader in the renewable energy space namely renewable natural gas supply sourced from dairy farms, community solar project management, and renewable energy credit and carbon offset procurement. The company developed the 10-megawatt, 50-acre brownfield, solar facility in West Valley, NY which generates enough electricity to power over 2,000 homes.

"The acquisition of Crown Energy aligns well with our current customer book and demonstrates our plan for long-term growth in Western New York and beyond," said Gary Marchiori, President of EnergyMark. "EnergyMark will continue to provide reliable, locally sourced energy, while also offering industry leading sustainability and renewable energy options to the Crown book of customers."

About EnergyMark: EnergyMark is a leader in independent energy supply that specializes in direct sourcing, storage, and distribution of natural gas, electricity, and renewable energy from New York and regional supply sources as well as providing energy consulting services nationally. The company provides energy management services to over 15,000 clients including Western New York organizations like Roswell Park, Catholic Health Systems, St. Bonaventure University, and the Buffalo Bills.

Media Contact:

Luke Marchiori

716.632.1800

[email protected]

www.EnergyMark.com

SOURCE EnergyMark
ERIE's Dignity and Respect Affinity Network, Women's Affinity Network, Veterans Affinity Network and VP & Wisconsin Branch Manager Fred Johnson honored

ERIE, Pa., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Erie Insurance (ERIE) has earned four 2023 Diversity Impact Awards from the Global ERG Network, the world's largest network of employee resource groups (ERGs), business resource groups (BRGs) and diversity councils dedicated to making measurable progress on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

The organization named ERIE's Dignity & Respect Affinity Network, Women's Affinity Network and Veterans Affinity Network as Top 25 ERG Diversity Impact Award recipients.

Fred Johnson, vice president and Wisconsin branch manager, was one of six recipients of the Diversity Impact Executive Sponsor of the Year award. Johnson has served as the executive sponsor of ERIE's African American Affinity Network and was honored with this leadership recognition for a third-straight year.

Johnson and ERIE affinity network leaders will be honored Oct. 13 at an awards ceremony held in Washington, D.C., during the 2023 Global ERG Summit.

"We are pleased ERIE's Affinity Networks are among the organizations being honored for their work and dedication in leading with an equity lens and creating a sense and a space of belonging for all here at ERIE Insurance and in our communities," said Gwendolyn White, ERIE's vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. "It truly enriches our workplace."

According to Chris Marsh, ERIE's chief diversity and community development officer, Erie Insurance has had a formal commitment to DEI for more than 10 years. "As we strive to foster an inclusive and equitable workplace for every employee, I'm delighted to see this well-deserved national recognition for our affinity network leaders and their teams, especially given how much each volunteers their time and talent in this way. We need many hands helping to move our work forward across our business," said Marsh.

The 2023 Diversity Impact Awards leverages a data driven and scientifically validated model called The Impact Model, developed by Dr. Theresa Welbourne, senior affiliate research scientist at the USC Marshall School of Business Center for Effective Organizations and CEO of eePulse. In addition to the recognition, organizations that participate annually in the Diversity Impact Awards process receive benchmarking data to measure their own progress over time.

ERIE has received Global ERG Network Diversity Impact Awards since the program's beginning in 2020 and to date has grown the number of its affinity networks achieving this Top 25 distinction.

"With many newcomers to this year's Diversity Impact Awards, we continue to see these groups push the envelope to increase their impact and effectiveness through their DEI initiatives. Their results show the valuable outcomes that are achieved when they're aligned with the business strategy of the organizations they serve and are recognized as key business partners," said Cile Johnson, chief business officer at Talent Dimensions. "Each year, we are inspired by all of our applicants and their work to build a true sense of belonging within their organizations through DEI."

About Erie Insurance

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 12th largest homeowners insurer, 12th largest automobile insurer and 13th largest commercial lines insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written. Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance is a Fortune 500 company and the 19th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, ERIE has more than 6 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. News releases and more information are available on ERIE's website at www.erieinsurance.com.

SOURCE Erie Indemnity Company
In Honor of Noodles' Namesake Holiday, Noodles Rewards Members Will Receive Exclusive Offers Including $5 Noodle Bowls for National Noodle Day and 20% Off Select Craveable Dishes Throughout the Month

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Noodles & Company , the national fast-casual chain known for spreading Uncommon Goodness with its globally-inspired noodle bowls, best-in-class service, and values-centric culture, is celebrating National Noodle Day on Friday, October 6 by rewarding its Noodles Rewards members with a $5 regular-sized noodle bowl.

Noodles & Company is celebrating National Noodle Day on Friday, October 6 by rewarding its Noodles Rewards members with a $5 regular-sized noodle bowl.

The Best Holiday is a Noodle Holiday

Noodles & Company is the best place to celebrate National Noodle Day. Known for its craveable, made-to-order noodle bowls with high-quality ingredients, guests can try something new or celebrate with one of their tried-and-true favorite dishes for only $5. The variety and customization of Noodles' menu highlights its range of globally inspired dishes while celebrating the delicious, premium food Noodles' guests know and love. From classic and indulgent options like Noodles' famed Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, to health-conscious dishes such as LEANguini Rosa, there is something on the menu for everyone at Noodles.

Noodles All Month Long

To experience the fresh and exciting global flavors that Noodles & Company offers, the company is continuing its celebration with special offers every weekend in October following National Noodle Day. Rewards members can taste the menu by digging into these offers:

October 13-15: 20% off classic and stuffed pasta entrees

October 20-22 : 20% off LEANguini and Asian noodle bowls

: 20% off LEANguini and Asian noodle bowls October 27-29 : 20% off World Famous Macs and all Zoodle dishes

"There is no better way to spend National Noodle Day than by celebrating with Noodles & Company," said Stacey Pool, chief marketing officer at Noodles & Company. "National Noodle Day is our flagship holiday that represents the core of what our brand is  noodles. That's why this year, we created exciting offers that you cannot get at any other fast-casual restaurant like a $5 bowl of premium-made, craveable noodles. We're delivering Uncommon Goodness within every step of the guest experience on National Noodle Day and all month long."

More with Noodles Rewards

Guests can only snag these exclusive offers in October if they're a Noodles Rewards member. The $5 bowl offer is valid one time per reward member on National Noodle Day only and proteins, add-ons, and customizations to the bowl are not included in the promotion. Exclusions to the offer include the new Chicken Parmesan dish, soups, salads, and the $10 Mac & Cheese meal deal.

Signing up for Noodles Rewards is free and easy via the Noodles mobile app, or the Noodles website. First-time rewards members who sign up will receive a free regular-sized entree after their first purchase using their Noodles Rewards account. Guests can conveniently get their pasta fix via quick-pickup or delivery by placing an order online at noodles.com, via the Noodles mobile app, or by visiting their nearby Noodles location. Learn more at Noodles.com/rewards .

Goodness Guarantee

Every meal at Noodles is 100% guaranteed under its Goodness Guarantee program. Noodles encourages guests to step outside of their comfort zones and try something new with the promise that if they don't love their entree, it can be exchanged for a different dish on the menu at no cost. Guests can learn more about the Goodness Guarantee at Noodles.com/goodnessguarantee

About Noodles & Company

Since 1995, Noodles & Company has been serving guests Uncommon Goodness and noodles your way, with noodles and flavors that you know and love as well as new ones you're about to discover. From indulgent Wisconsin Mac & Cheese to better-for-you Zoodles and Other Noodles, the company serves a world of flavor in every bowl. Made up of more than 450 restaurants and thousands of passionate team members and named one of America's Favorite Restaurants by Newsweek, Noodles is well-known for its delicious noodles and industry-leading team member benefits. Noodles has been recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best Employers for Diversity in 2021 and 2022 and one of America's Best Employers for Women in 2021. Additionally, Denver Business Journal has called Noodles one of the Best Places to Work for its unique culture focused on Uncommon Goodness and built on the value of "Loving Life" which begins by nourishing and inspiring its communities and every team member and guest who walks through the door. The company has also earned the Women in the Lead Certification for its investment in women-empowering initiatives for its female team members and has proudly partnered with the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance to build cultural intelligence within its teams. To learn more and to find the location nearest you, visit www.noodles.com .

Press Contact: Danielle Moore, [email protected]

SOURCE Noodles & Company
Ecommerce businesses looking to sell their products via TikTok Shop in the US & UK will now be able to access the channel through Feedonomics for Marketplaces

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Feedonomics , the market leader in product feed management and marketplace syndication for ecommerce businesses, today announced its direct integration support for TikTok Shop in the US & UK.

Through this integration, merchants leveraging Feedonomics for product listing management and order syndication across hundreds of global shopping channels are now able to sell products directly on TikTok Shop through in-feed videos, LIVEs, and the product showcase tab.

"Social commerce is a critical part of merchants' omnichannel strategies, and immensely popular platforms such as TikTok present an ideal source of highly engaged, purchase-ready shoppers who can increase traffic, improve conversion and grow revenue," said Matt Dornfeld, Feedonomics Sr. Director, Global Partnerships. "Now, merchants looking to take advantage of TikTok's innovative shopping feature have direct access to the channel through our native integration for catalog and order management."

TikTok's participatory nature is creating an entirely new way for brands to connect with their communities. It's made product discovery and shopping a native, engaging and entertaining experience for users, which isn't the same for other platforms. Brands see TikTok as an exciting way to reach and engage with new audiences they otherwise would not have been connected with before. The brands having the most success are those that embrace the creativity and authenticity of the community. In-app checkout seamlessly integrates product discovery, engagement, and checkout, in one place to reduce friction and create more sales.

"We're excited to partner with Feedonomics to bring new opportunities to the TikTok community and drive shopping moments directly through TikTok Shop in the US. This integration will enable sellers to efficiently streamline their TikTok Shop by syncing daily operations to their ecommerce platform of choice," said Marni Levine, Head of TikTok Shop Operations, SMB.

Managing orders and inventory manually is inefficient, error-prone, and unsustainable, especially when dealing with multiple systems.

Feedonomics for Marketplaces is a fully managed solution that automates product listing, catalog optimization, and order and inventory management for 300+ channels including TikTok Shop. Our solution combines powerful technology with a team of support specialists who are available 24/7, enabling Feedonomics to create a full-service feed management experience for sellers.

"OtterBox partnered with Feedonomics for an expedited and smooth integration with TikTok Shop that allowed us to be early to market in the premium electronic accessories space," said Bill Dillon, OtterBox President of Consumer. "Feedonomics continues to support us post-integration by handling the day-to-day operations powering our TikTok Shop integration. This allows our team more time to focus on strategy and growth."

Visit Feedonomics to learn more about TikTok Shop and request more information.

About Feedonomics

Feedonomics unlocks scalable data ingestion, optimization, syndication, and other capabilities with its leading product feed management platform. The flexible platform, full-service support team, and automated order management technology allows Feedonomics to support a variety of data management use cases across numerous industries, including ecommerce, automotive, employment, travel, real estate, and more. Feedonomics has thousands of active clients, integrations with the top ecommerce platforms and systems, and partnerships with industry leaders like TikTok, Amazon, Meta, Google, and Target.

For more information, please visit www.feedonomics.com or follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn , Instagram and Facebook .

SOURCE Feedonomics
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FIT4MOM , the nation's premier prenatal and postnatal fitness franchise, is honored to partner with the Keep A Breast Foundation and host Fit 4 Prevention workout classes at FIT4MOM locations across the nation in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This dynamic collaboration is part of an annual fitness and wellness movement specifically aimed at educating women about breast cancer prevention and fundraising for the Keep A Breast Foundation, whose mission is to reduce breast cancer risk and its impact globally through art, education, prevention, and action.

"We're thrilled to align with FIT4MOM and their vibrant community. Together, we amplify our mutual commitment to educating women about breast cancer prevention through fitness and wellness," commented Shaney jo Darden, Founder of Keep A Breast.

Lisa Druxman, FIT4MOM CEO, added, "This partnership goes beyond fitness. It's a commitment to mothers and women everywhere. Together with Keep a Breast, we're raising awareness and motivating our communities to champion their health."

As part of their Mom's With A Mission philanthropic efforts, FIT4MOM locations nationwide invite members and newcomers to join their Fit 4 Prevention classes in October. These stroller-friendly workout classes will incorporate educational elements about breast cancer prevention as well as fun songs, bubbles, and engaging interactions for the kids to keep them happy while mom works out. By taking part, attendees are encouraged to make donations through FIT4MOM's Fit 4 Prevention fundraising website benefiting the Keep A Breast Foundation. The suggested donation is $5 or more, which not only supports this pivotal cause but also offers new participants a $0 enrollment fee for their local FIT4MOM village.

Since its inception in 2016, Keep A Breast's Fit 4 Prevention efforts have witnessed the spirited participation of over 2,000 fitness-centered businesses and organizations. Every dollar raised during these classes is channeled directly towards supporting the Keep A Breast appa free tool that guides users through breast self-checks and, through their partnership with Carbon Health, offers telehealth connectivity when abnormalities are detected.

Together, FIT4MOM and Keep A Breast invite everyone to the Fit 4 Prevention classes and rally behind this cause, providing support, education, and action that can make a tangible difference in women's health. To join a Fit 4 Prevention workout class, find a FIT4MOM location near you at fit4mom.com/locations . To make a donation directly to FIT4MOM's fundraising efforts for the Keep A Breast Foundation, click here .

ABOUT FIT4MOM

FIT4MOM is a leading national women's fitness franchise designed by moms, for moms. Dedicated to the Strength In Motherhood, FIT4MOM provides fitness, health, and wellness programs and support for moms from pregnancy through postpartum, and beyond. With 1,800 class locations, 1,700 instructors, and 230 franchise owners nationwide, FIT4MOM has built a village of tness professionals that nurture the total wellness of mothers. With FIT4MOM, women discover their greatest inner and physical strength, connect with like-minded mamas, and nd a sisterhood in motherhood. FIT4MOM fitness programs include Stroller Strides, FIT4BABY, Body Well, Stroller Barre, Strides 360, Body Boost, Run Club+, and Body Ignite.

About The Keep A Breast Foundation:

The Keep A Breast Foundation  is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to reduce breast cancer risk and its impact globally through art, education, prevention, and action. Since it was founded in 2000, KAB has acknowledged the power and vision of our young populationproactively engaging in societal change and passionate about receiving and promoting educationto establish their identities and place in the world through meaningful action. We strive to empower youth to become their own health advocates and believe that art and creative expression are powerful healing tools. "i love boobies!" an inscription on our popular, Supreme Court-stirring merchandise, continues to spark conversation and prompt action globally, as does our work as a leading global youth-based breast cancer prevention organization, with global affiliates in Europe, based in France, and partners in Mexico, Zambia, Kenya, and The Democratic Republic of Congo. Constantly pushing the boundaries of the pink ribbon status quo, Keep A Breast has always encouraged young people to build a loving relationship with their physical health and be aware of changes. To learn more, visit keep-a-breast.org.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE FIT4MOM
NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "fog computing market size by component (software and hardware), application (utilities, healthcare, transportation, industrial, 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 offering. With ISO 9001:2015 certification, Technavio has proudly partnered with more than 100 Fortune 500 companies for over 16 years. The potential growth difference for the fog computing market from 2022 to 2027 is USD 1.24 billion, according to Technavio. Rising demand for decentralized cloud computing to reduce latency in decision-making is a key factor driving market growth. Due to the geographical spread of infrastructure, centralized computing systems such as cloud computing are at a disadvantage with high latency. This limits their applicability in several time-sensitive applications, e.g., automotive and wearables requiring rapid response times that don't exceed 25 milliseconds to perform the operation. In addition, fog nodes are typically located a single step from device nodes such as routers or base stations compared to cloud servers where data may have to travel through multiple network hops to reach devices. Furthermore, several market players have started to offer fog computing solutions that allow users to defer decision-making in mission-critical applications because they can work on their own and with no internet connection at all. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Get deeper insights into the market size, current market scenario, future growth opportunities, major growth driving factors, the latest trends, and much more. Buy the full report here

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Fog Computing Market 2023-2027

Market Challenge

Lack of standardization and performance inconsistency of fog computing solutions is a significant challenge restricting market growth. The major problem in the field of IoT embedded components such as RFIDs, barcode scanners, sensors and devices, cloud computing, and storage is that it fails to provide a consistent performance. Furthermore, these components are integrated and assist one another in the completion of a task. The performance of one component is likely to be delayed and thus adversely affect the functioning of an additional component. This will in turn lead to a worse service for IoT services. Moreover, suppliers are made more complex when there is no standardization on the IoT solution. If an ecosystem for the IoT does not comply with the technology standards required, fog computing will fail. Hence, these factors are expected to restrict market growth during the forecast period.

Learn about additional key drivers, trends, and challenges available with Technavio. Read Free Sample PDF Report Now

The fog computing market is segmented by Component (Software and Hardware), Application (Utilities, Healthcare, Transportation, Industrial, and Others), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

The market share growth by the software segment will be significant during the forecast period. Enterprise data privacy concerns among edge analytics providers are a major driver of the software segment. Market players are offering software products for organizations in a variety of end-user industries such as insurance companies, government departments, hospitals, and manufacturing. There are leading market players providing cutting-edge analysis software that is specifically designed for the industry, like Microsoft, SAP SE, SAS Institute Inc., and CGI Group Inc. In addition, with this huge volume of data, companies are making use of advanced analytics solutions for managing and analyzing it. Furthermore, this segment has been affected positively by the shift towards cloud computing and the development of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things due to the impact of the pandemic. Hence, these factors are expected to drive segment growth during the forecast period.

North America is estimated to contribute 50% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

View the Free Sample Report for insights into the contribution of all the segments and regional opportunities in the report.

Key Companies in the Fog Computing Market:

ADLINK Technology Inc., Aikaan Labs, Amazon.com Inc., Arm Ltd., AT and T Inc., Atos SE, Cisco Systems Inc., Crosser Technologies, Dawn Acquisitions LLC, Dell Technologies Inc., General Electric Co., Hitachi Ltd., Intel Corp., International Business Machines Corp., Microsoft Corp., Schneider Electric SE, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Terawe Corp., Thoughtworks Holding Inc, and Toshiba Corp.

Related Reports:

The Industry 4.0 Market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 21.88% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 211.43 billion.

The Enterprise Location-Based Services (LBS) Market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 23.37% between 2022 and 2027.

Fog Computing Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 47.69% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 1.24 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 47.25 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 50% Key countries US, Canada, China, Germany, and the UK Competitive landscape Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled ADLINK Technology Inc., Aikaan Labs, Amazon.com Inc., Arm Ltd., AT and T Inc., Atos SE, Cisco Systems Inc., Crosser Technologies, Dawn Acquisitions LLC, Dell Technologies Inc., General Electric Co., Hitachi Ltd., Intel Corp., International Business Machines Corp., Microsoft Corp., Schneider Electric SE, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Terawe Corp., Thoughtworks Holding Inc, and Toshiba Corp. 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, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Market Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by Component

Market Segmentation by Application

Market Segmentation by Geography

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, & Trends

Company Landscape

Company Analysis

Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base comprises enterprises of all sizes, including over 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

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Fairtrade America partners with three acclaimed artists to call attention to the farmers behind some of our favorite foods through public art at grocery stores dedicated to sustainable sourcing.

The October 'We Are Fairtrade' celebration will include a variety of in-person and digital events, as well as a compelling online giveaway

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairtrade America , the world's most recognized label for social justice and sustainability, will launch its fourth annual celebration of October Fairtrade Month, this year with a new campaign title: " We Are Fairtrade ". This campaign calls attention to the role that we all play from brands to grocers to shoppers - in creating a better world. A world where farmers and workers have an equal seat at the table and trade justice is achieved. Through three new murals in - Lawrence, Kan.; Philadelphia; and Providence, R.I. - Fairtrade America will once again utilize public art to call attention to the people behind some of our favorite goods including cocoa, coffee and bananas.

Fairtrade America partnered with The Merc Co+op in Lawrence, Kan. and local Kansas City artists IT-RA Icons, to create a mural featuring Fairtrade coffee farmer Joselinda Manueles. The mural is part of Fairtrade Americas We Are Fairtrade campaign that elevates three farmers out of the more than 2 million Fairtrade farmers and workers. The campaign highlights the role we all play in creating a better world, one where trade justice is achieved. Photo credit Chris Mullins In its fourth annual celebration of Fairtrade Month, Fairtrade America is reminding people across the US that when shoppers choose Fairtrade certified products, they are choosing to prioritize farmers. Murals, like this one of Fairtrade banana farmer Mariana Cobos by Betsy Casanas at Riverwards Produce in Philadelphia, are intended to remind everyone along the supply chain that we all have a role to play to make fairer pay a reality for farmers. Photo credit Michelle Gustafson Cocoa farmer Bengaly Bourama, a member of COOBADI, a Fairtrade cooperative in Cote d'Ivoire is featured in one of three new murals commissioned by Fairtrade America. Part of the We Are Fairtrade campaign, the mural was painted by AGONZA ART and located at the Urban Greens Co-op Market in Providence, RI. All three new murals celebrate Fairtrades commitment to farmers including promoting fairer pay, increasing resilience to climate change and promoting gender equality. Photo credit HAUS PVD

"This Fairtrade Month, we are inviting shoppers, retailers, and brands to not only choose Fairtrade, but to also go deeper in learning about and celebrating their role in creating a food system built around justice for farmers and workers," said Amanda Archila, executive director of Fairtrade America. "We must all stand with the people who grow our food to make fairer pay a reality."

Fairtrade is an alternative approach to trade that is based on partnership instead of exploitation; a partnership between those growing our food, those selling it and those enjoying it. The farmers featured in the murals represent more than 2 million Fairtrade farmers and workers who grow and produce goods following the rigorous economic, social and environmental Fairtrade Standards. Fairtrade helps shoppers who are making purchasing decisions in stores and online easily identify products that align with their values. The Fairtrade Mark signifies that a product is certified with Fairtrade International  the most globally recognized ethical label. When shoppers buy products with the Fairtrade Mark, they're prioritizing the people behind their products. In the past five years, awareness of the Fairtrade Mark among U.S. consumers has jumped more than 2X, with 61% of U.S. shoppers recognizing the label as of 2023, with trust in the label increasing 26% to 71% since 20211. Additionally, 92% of respondents expressed interest in learning more about the farmers who grow the ingredients in their preferred products.

About the "We Are Fairtrade" Murals

Joselinda Manueles Mural, by IT-RA Icons located at The Merc Co+op, Lawrence, Kan.

Fairtrade America partnered with The Merc Co+op in Lawrence, Kan., a store that provides places to shop, gather, eat and learn, to create a mural featuring coffee farmer Joselinda Manueles. Local artists Isaac Tapia and Rodrigo Alvarez, known collaboratively as IT-RA Icons, painted Manueles, a member of COMSA, a Fairtrade certified coffee cooperative in Honduras of which she and her husband are founding members. Despite challenging soil quality, Manueles has created a thriving organic coffee farm, planting more than 2,000 trees. She also farms her own section of the shared land with her husband, giving her autonomy to cultivate coffee in the way she deems best with Cafe Joselinda grown organically. IT-RA Icons were honored to paint Manueles and convey her passion, joy and leadership. Coffee grown by Manueles' cooperative is used in Fairtrade certified items, like Kicking Horse Coffee , which is available for purchase at The Merc's two locations.

At Kicking Horse Coffee, being a Fairtrade partner is just the right thing to do. It recognizes the social responsibility it has towards coffee producers and aims to help them in achieving a better quality of life through community development and fairer prices for their coffee. The stunning mural of Joselinda and this campaign help Kicking Horse Coffee celebrate its commitment to Fairtrade.

Mariana Cobos Mural, by Betsy Casanas, located at the Riverwards Produce Fishtown store, Philadelphia.

Riverwards Produce, a store that provides unique, quality ingredients to creative chefs and neighbors alike, is home to this new mural by artist Betsy Casanas. Casanas hopes to inspire millions with the mural of banana farmer Mariana Cobos. Cobos is a member and previous board member of the AsoGuabo cooperative in El Oro, the province of Ecuador where she has a 28-acre farm. As a seventy-year old woman, Cobos is not your average banana farmer with the majority in Ecuador being men under 65 years of age. Cobos began growing bananas in 2004 and found it difficult to compete as an individual smallholder farmer. So in 2010 she joined AsoGuabo and became organic and Fairtrade certified. By joining a cooperative and making her bananas stand out more with their certifications, she has been able to tap into their collective ability to get better pricing and increased stability through long-term relationships with business partners. Cobos grows Fairtrade bananas sold by companies like Equal Exchange , available at both Riverwards Produce locations.

"For over 35 years, Equal Exchange has pioneered an alternative model of trade that directly links small-scale farmer cooperatives and consumers through long-term, fair trade partnerships. Equal Exchange prioritizes partnerships with farmers that ensure direct pricing negotiations and more money paid directly in the form of the Fairtrade Premium dollars," said Nicole Vitello, president of Oke USA/Equal Exchange. "Through our participation in 'We Are Fairtrade,' Equal Exchange encourages others to make conscious choices and contribute to a more just and equitable food system."

Bengaly Bourama Mural, by AGONZA ART, located at the Urban Green Co-op Market, Providence, R.I.

The Providence mural is located at the Urban Greens Co-op Market that proudly puts community first and provides food that is nutritious, affordable, sustainably sourced and culturally inclusive. There, Providence-based artist AGONZA ART portrayed cocoa farmer Bengaly Bourama, a member of COOBADI, a cocoa cooperative in Cote d'Ivoire where he is also the deputy general secretary. After studying human resource management at university in Mali, Bourama's father suggested he try his hand at cocoa farming. Bourama appreciated the entrepreneurial nature of farming. Now, facing drought caused by climate change, Bourama and members of COOBADI are undertaking a significant shade tree planting initiative with the support of Ben & Jerry's to strengthen the viability of cocoa in the region. It meant a lot to AGONZA ART to paint Bourama's portrait coming from a culture that loves to plant and grow things, with both of her grandparents owning farms in the Dominican Republic. Bourama's Fairtrade cocoa ends up in products like Ben & Jerry's ice cream, including the varieties sold at Urban Greens Co-op Market.

"In 2005 we were the first ice cream maker in the world to use Fairtrade certified ingredients. Since 2020, we have supported a living income approach and from 2021-2022 alone 6,000 Fairtrade cocoa farmers received $1.4 million a year in additional payments on top of the Fairtrade Minimum Price and Premium," said Cheryl Pinto, global head of values led sourcing of Ben & Jerry's. "We are happy to participate in the 'We Are Fairtrade' campaign this year as Fairtrade strives to bring together people, businesses, farmers and more - all working together to see a more just and equitable society."

Fairtrade's local retail partners in Lawrence, Philadelphia and Providence share Fairtrade's commitment to fairer pricing, the environment, gender equality and better working conditions. Each store will host events during October Fairtrade Month that will give residents the chance to try Fairtrade certified products and learn more about the mural, artist, farmer and Fairtrade difference.

Fairtrade Areas of Impact

The murals in this year's "We Are Fairtrade" campaign highlight three of Fairtrade's key areas of impact : fairer pay, increasing resilience to climate change and promoting gender equality.

Fairer Pay: As production costs continue to rise, now more than ever, we all have to do our part to prioritize a fairer deal for farmers. It is estimated that in the next 10 years climate change will push up to 130 million people into poverty 2 . When Fairtrade promotes fairer trading conditions, it's working with farmers to build stronger supply networks and address the root of many systemic issues, poverty. In August, they increased the Fairtrade Minimum Price for coffee after reaching out to more than 600 farmer organizations and hearing overwhelmingly that farmers need to be paid more.





As production costs continue to rise, now more than ever, we all have to do our part to prioritize a fairer deal for farmers. It is estimated that in the next 10 years climate change will push up to 130 million people into poverty . When Fairtrade promotes fairer trading conditions, it's working with farmers to build stronger supply networks and address the root of many systemic issues, poverty. In August, they increased the Fairtrade Minimum Price for coffee after reaching out to more than 600 farmer organizations and hearing overwhelmingly that farmers need to be paid more. Increasing Resilience to Climate Change: Climate change is already affecting farmers, from shifting harvest seasons to unpredictable yields to changing local workforces. The core mechanisms of Fairtrade - price, premium and standards - all serve as a critical foundation for increasing climate resilience as adaptation and mitigation require additional resources. About 25% of the Fairtrade Standards are related to the environment and ban the use of many dangerous pesticides, encourage best practices in water and soil management, and incentivize organic farming. Beyond that, Fairtrade also harnesses their global network and experts to advocate for policies that keep farmers in mind and provide training through programs like the Climate Academy .





Climate change is already affecting farmers, from shifting harvest seasons to unpredictable yields to changing local workforces. The core mechanisms of Fairtrade - price, premium and standards - all serve as a critical foundation for increasing climate resilience as adaptation and mitigation require additional resources. About 25% of the Fairtrade Standards are related to the environment and ban the use of many dangerous pesticides, encourage best practices in water and soil management, and incentivize organic farming. Beyond that, Fairtrade also harnesses their global network and experts to advocate for policies that keep farmers in mind and provide training through programs like the . Promoting Gender Equality: Forty-three percent of the global agricultural labor force is women, yet they see little profit3. Fairtrade farming organizations commit to strict social standards that ban discrimination on the basis of gender or marital status, as well as promote developing positive gender policies and programs to support historically marginalized groups like women.

In addition to the murals, Fairtrade is offering a giveaway in the U.S. this October where three winners will receive a prize package for showing their Fairtrade support, including: a Cuisinart Food Processor, one mural art print of the winner's choosing from this year's murals, a year's worth of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, a buck load of Kicking Horse Coffee, an Equal Exchange hoodie, a gift card for Fairtrade bananas, and a lunch box! Follow @FairtradeMarkUS on Instagram and visit wearefairtrade.org to learn more and participate in the giveaway.

"When you choose Fairtrade, you are actively choosing a better world - a world where farmers and workers have a seat at the table," said Archila. "Together, we are part of a movement for change that makes a tangible impact. We are Fairtrade."

This year's campaign marks the first time ever Fairtrade America and Fairtrade Canada are joining forces to celebrate Fairtrade Month across both countries. The collaboration will include a free virtual event, " This is the Future of Farming - A Conversation with the Next Generation of Farmers, " hosted by Leah Thomas ( @GreenGirlLeah ) and including candid conversations with three young Fairtrade farmers.

About Fairtrade America

Fairtrade America works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It's about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all working together so we can all experience the benefits of trade. Fairtrade America is the U.S. branch of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 30 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is part of the world's largest and most recognized fair trade certification program part of a global movement for change. Learn more at fairtradeamerica.org , and by connecting with Fairtrade America on Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn .

Contact:

Emily Rado,

[email protected]

1 2023 Fairtrade America Consumer Insights

2 When poverty meets climate change: A critical challenge that demands cross-cutting solutions

3 Reduce Rural Poverty

SOURCE Fairtrade America
DALLAS, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Galderma, the emerging pure-play dermatology category leader, today announced a new campaign to provide education and support for breast cancer awareness as part of its nine-year partnership with National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), Inc. Galderma aims to make an impact in the lives of consumers by providing innovative and effective science-based solutions that promote skin health and meet their needs, no matter where they are in their journey.

The survival rate of breast cancer patients has significantly increased due to early diagnosis and the efficacy of available treatments, thanks in large part to advocacy organizations like NBCF. It has been identified that changes in physical appearance as a result of breast cancer treatment are among the most significant causes of decreased quality of life in women with breast cancer. One of the key objectives to improve this is implementing a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach, including aesthetic treatments. This October, Galderma is featuring personal stories of five breast cancer survivors who received Galderma's portfolio of Aesthetic products, including Restylane, Sculptra, and/or Dysport* (abobotulinumtoxinA), as part of the "Facing Breast Cancer Together" campaign.

"Alongside National Breast Cancer Foundation, Galderma will be honoring the nearly 3.8 million breast cancer survivors this month. This disease touches the lives of so many  it is not just the patient but their loved ones  children, partners, parents and friends - whose lives are impacted," said Carrie Caulkins, Vice President, U.S. Aesthetics Marketing at Galderma. "It is common for people facing breast cancer to feel isolated or not like themselves. Galderma is dedicated to empowering individuals to feel their best, especially those who have lost that sense of self. We are here to face breast cancer together  it is our hope that survivors can embrace our Aesthetic products to help regain any lost confidence and feel like the best version of themselves."

To acknowledge this widespread disease that has such a profound impact, Galderma will profile five survivors who embraced injectables to regain their confidence and feel their best on its social channels and in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Additionally, for every new consumer who enrolls in ASPIRE Galderma Awards in the month of October, Galderma will donate $25 to NBCF, up to $50,000.

Throughout nearly a decade of partnership, Galderma has donated more than $600,000 to NBCF to support and provide hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education programs, and support services. Galderma's financial support and contributions are also able to provide breast cancer patients with HOPE Kits which include a variety of educational materials and self-care items, including Cetaphil lotion and ALASTIN HA (Hyaluronic Acid) Immerse Serum.

"Since 2015, our partnership with Galderma has made a tremendous impact on breast cancer survivors and patients" said Ashley Miller, Director of Public Relations, National Breast Cancer Foundation. "For nearly a decade, NBCF and Galderma have empowered women to take action and receive support services to navigate the challenges of a breast cancer diagnosis. This year's initiative focuses on facing breast cancer together because when we face this horrific disease together, we shine. We hope that with this strength, women impacted by breast cancer can reclaim any lost confidence and inspire hope for all."

To follow along with the breast cancer survivors' stories, visit

www.instagram.com/gainbygalderma.usa, www.instagram.com/restylaneusa,

www.instagram.com/sculptrausa, and www.instagram.com/dysportusa.

To learn more about Galderma's aesthetics portfolio, visit https://www.galderma.com/galderma-aesthetics.

To learn more about how you can get involved with NBCF and support people living with breast cancer, visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org/

*Dysport is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age. Please read full Important Safety Information, including Distant Spread of Toxin Effect Boxed Warning, at the bottom of the page.

About Galderma

Galderma is the emerging pure-play dermatology category leader, present in approximately 90 countries. We deliver an innovative, science-based portfolio of premium flagship brands and services that span the full spectrum of the fast-growing dermatology market through Injectable Aesthetics, Dermatological Skincare and Therapeutic Dermatology. Since our foundation in 1981, we have dedicated our focus and passion to the human body's largest organ  the skin  meeting individual consumer and patient needs with superior outcomes in partnership with healthcare professionals. Because we understand that the skin we are in shapes our lives, we are advancing dermatology for every skin story. Galderma's portfolio of flagship brands includes Restylane, Dysport, Azzalure, Alluzience and Sculptra in Injectable Aesthetics; Soolantra, Epiduo, Differin, Aklief, Epsolay, Twyneo, Oracea, Metvix, Benzac and Loceryl in Therapeutic Dermatology; and Cetaphil and Alastin Skincare in Dermatological Skincare. For more information: www.galderma.com.

About National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. 

Recognized as one of the leading breast cancer organizations in the world, National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is Helping Women Now by providing early detection, education and support services to those affected by breast cancer. A recipient of Charity Navigator's highest 4-star rating for 16 years, NBCF provides support through their National Mammography Program, Patient Navigation, breast health education, and patient support programs. For more information, please visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org/

About Galderma's collaboration with Ipsen

Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age. Dysport is also marketed as Azzalure in the EU for the treatment of glabellar lines and lateral canthal lines.

Dysport has more than 30 years of clinical experience Globally for therapeutic indications and 13 years for aesthetics indications, with extensive clinical evidence of safety and efficacy. It is licensed for aesthetic indications in 85 markets worldwide, Dysport is one of the world's leading brands of aesthetic neuromodulators with over 100 million treatments delivered in the aesthetics indications to date.

Dysport is manufactured by Ipsen, a global specialty-driven pharmaceutical company. Since 2009, Galderma and Ipsen have had a strategic partnership under which Galderma has promoted and distributed Ipsen's botulinum toxin type A products in aesthetic indications. The Ipsen-Galderma strategic partnership now covers China, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, South Korea, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and certain other countries. Ipsen continues to promote Dysport within certain therapeutic indications in countries around the world.

For more information on Ipsen, visit www.ipsen.com .

About Sculptra

Sculptra (injectable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA-SCA)) is indicated for use in people with healthy immune systems for the correction of shallow to deep nasolabial fold contour deficiencies, fine lines and wrinkles in the cheek region, and other facial wrinkles.3

Sculptra is an injectable collagen stimulator containing microparticles of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA-SCA) which help gradually revitalize the skin's structural foundation, smoothing wrinkles and improving overall skin quality to provide natural-looking, long-term results for up to 2 years. 1-3,5,7 Sculptra was first approved for aesthetic use in 2009 in the United States and is currently available in more than 40 countries globally. To learn more about Sculptra products, visit www.SculptraUSA.com.

Clinical study ended at 96 weeks (2 years)

About Galderma's RESTYLANE Product Portfolio

With over 65 million treatments worldwide and counting, the Restylane family of HA dermal fillers is the broadest portfolio of dermal fillers in the U.S.8 Please refer to the safety information for the approved uses of the Restylane product portfolio. To learn more about the Restylane family of HA dermal fillers, visit www.RestylaneUSA.com .

 Based on rheological properties (G' and X strain)

Media Relations

Jeffrey Smith

Head of U.S. Communications

[email protected]

+1 682 401 8428

Ashley Miller

National Breast Cancer Foundation

[email protected]

+1 318 348 8855

+++

Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) for Injection is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age.

Dysport Important Safety Information

What is the most important information you should know about Dysport? Spread of Toxin Effects: In some cases, the effects of Dysport and all botulinum toxin products may affect areas of the body away from the injection site. Symptoms can happen hours to weeks after injection and may include swallowing and breathing problems, loss of strength and muscle weakness all over the body, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, or loss of bladder control. Swallowing and breathing problems can be life threatening and there have been reports of death. You are at the highest risk if these problems are preexisting before injection.

These effects could make it unsafe for you to drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.

Do not have Dysport treatment if you: are allergic to Dysport or any of its ingredients (see the end of the Medication Guide for a list of ingredients), are allergic to cow's milk protein, had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product, such as Myobloc, Botox, or Xeomin, have a skin infection at the planned injection site, under 18 years of age, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The dose of Dysport is not the same as the dose of any other botulinum toxin product and cannot be compared to the dose of any other product you may have used.

Tell your doctor about any swallowing or breathing difficulties and all your muscle or nerve conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease], myasthenia gravis, or LambertEaton syndrome, which may increase the risk of serious side effects including difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. Serious allergic reactions have occurred with the use of Dysport. Dry eye has also been reported.

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you have surgical changes to your face, very weak muscles in the treatment area, any abnormal facial change, injection site inflammation, droopy eyelids or sagging eyelid folds, deep facial scars, thick oily skin, wrinkles that can't be smoothed by spreading them apart, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal and other natural products. Using Dysport with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines while taking Dysport without talking to your doctor first.

Especially tell your doctor if you: have received any other botulinum toxin product, such as Myobloc (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA), in the last four months or any in the past (be sure your doctor knows exactly which product you received, have recently received an antibiotic by injection, take muscle relaxants, take an allergy or cold medicine, or take a sleep medicine.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects are nose and throat irritation, headache, injection site pain, injection site skin reaction, upper respiratory tract infection, eyelid swelling, eyelid drooping, sinus inflammation, and nausea.

Ask your doctor if Dysport is right for you.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1800FDA1088.

Please see Dysport Full Prescribing Information including Medication Guide at DysportUSA.com.

+++

RESTYLANE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

The Restylane family of products are indicated for patients over the age of 21, and includes Restylane, Restylane-L, Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine, Restylane Silk, Restylane Kysse, Restylane Refyne, Restylane Defyne, Restylane Contour, and Restylane Eyelight.

APPROVED USES

Restylane and Restylane-L are for mid-to-deep injection into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. Restylane and Restylane-L are also indicated for injection into the lips.

Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine is for deep implantation into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds and for cheek augmentation and for the correction of age-related midface contour deficiencies. Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine is also indicated for injection into the dorsal hand to correct volume loss.

Restylane Silk is for lip augmentation and for correction of perioral wrinkles.

Restylane Kysse is for lip augmentation and for correction of upper perioral wrinkles.

Restylane Refyne is for mid-to-deep injection into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.

Restylane Defyne is for mid-to-deep injection into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe deep facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. Restylane Defyne is also indicated for injection into the mid-to deep dermis (subcutaneous and/or supraperiosteal) for augmentation of the chin region to improve the chin profile in patients with mild to moderate chin retrusion.

Restylane Contour is for cheek augmentation and for the correction of midface contour deficiencies.

Restylane Eyelight is for the improvement of infraorbital hollowing.

Do not use if you have severe allergies with a history of severe reactions (anaphylaxis), are allergic to lidocaine or gram-positive bacterial proteins used to make hyaluronic acid, prone to bleeding, or have a bleeding disorder. The safety of use while pregnant or breastfeeding has not been studied. Tell your doctor if you have a history of scarring or pigmentation disorders as these side effects can occur with hyaluronic acid fillers. Tell your doctor if you are planning other cosmetic treatments (i.e., lasers and chemical peels) as there is a possible risk of inflammation at the injection site.

Tell your doctor if you're taking medications that lower your body's immune response or affect bleeding, such as aspirin or warfarin, as these medications may increase the risk of bruising or bleeding at the gel injection site. Using these products on gel injection sites with skin sores, pimples, rashes, hives, cysts, or infections should be postponed until healing is complete.

The most common side effects are swelling, redness, pain, bruising, headache, tenderness, lump formation, itching at the injection site, and impaired hand function. Delayed-onset inflammation near the site of dermal filler injections is one of the known adverse events associated with dermal fillers, and cases have been reported to occur at the dermal filler treatment site following viral or bacterial illnesses or infections, vaccinations, or dental procedures. Typically, the reported inflammation was responsive to treatment or resolved on its own. Serious but rare side effects include delayed onset infections, recurrence of herpetic eruptions, and superficial necrosis at the injection site. The risk of unintentional injection into a blood vessel is small but can occur and could result in serious complications, which may be permanent including, vision abnormalities, blindness, stroke, temporary scabs, or permanent scarring of the skin. As with all skin injection procedures, there is a risk of infection.

To report a side effect with any Restylane product, please call Galderma Laboratories, L.P at 1-855-425-8722. To learn more about serious but rare side effects and full Important Safety Information, visit www.RestylaneUSA.com.

+++

Sculptra Important Safety Information

Indication: Sculptra (injectable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA-SCA)) is indicated for use in people with healthy immune systems for the correction of shallow to deep nasolabial fold contour deficiencies, fine lines and wrinkles in the cheek region, and other facial wrinkles.

Sculptra should not be used by people that are allergic to any ingredient of the product or have a history of keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring. Safety has not been established in patients who are pregnant, lactating, breastfeeding, or under 18 years of age.

Sculptra has unique injection requirements and should only be used by a trained healthcare practitioner. Contour deficiencies should not be overcorrected because they are expected to gradually improve after treatment.

Sculptra should not be injected into the blood vessels as it may cause vascular occlusion, infarction or embolic phenomena. Use at the site of skin sores, cysts, pimples, rashes, hives or infection should be postponed until healing is complete. Sculptra should not be injected into the red area (vermillion) of the lip or in the peri-orbital area.

The most common side effects after initial treatment include injection site swelling, tenderness, redness, pain, bruising, bleeding, itching and lumps. Other side effects may include small lumps under the skin that are sometimes noticeable when pressing on the treated area. Larger lumps, some with delayed onset with or without inflammation or skin discoloration, have also been reported.

Sculptra is available only through a licensed practitioner. Complete Instructions for Use are available at www.SculptraUSA.com.

References:

Data on file. 43USSA1812EXT clinical study report. Fort Worth , TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P. 2022. Bohnert K. et al. Randomized, Controlled, Multicentered, Double-Blind Investigation of Injectable Poly-L-Lactic Acid for Improving Skin Quality Dermatol Surg 2019;45:718724. Sculptra. Instructions for Use. Galderma Laboratories, L.P. 2023. Bergeret-Galley C. Comparison of Resorbable Soft Tissue Fillers. Aesthetic Surg J 2004; 24:33-46. Goldberg D, Guana A, Volk A, Daro- Kaftan EDermatol Surg. 2013;39(6):915-922. Data on file. 43USSA1812 Clinical study report. Fort Worth , TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P., 2022. Fitzgerald R, et al. Aesthet Surg J. 2018;38(suppl_1): S13-S17. Data on file. MA-39680 Report. Galderma Laboratories, L.P. 2023.

SOURCE Galderma
JABRAYIL, Azerbaijan, October 2. Modern residential blocks are planned to be constructed for ensuring a high quality of life for the population in Azerbaijan's Zangilan city in accordance with its master plan, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

The projects of the first residential complex consisting of 110 apartments, the foundation of which was laid down in the city, are ready, and the construction work will begin in the near future.

The 'Great Return' program envisions construction of new residential complexes with 410 apartments in Zangilan, which was liberated during the second Karabakh war in 2020.

The second residential complex will be located in a sparsely populated area of the city, near Victory Park and the Memorial Park. It will primarily consist of townhouses, which, according to the plan, will cover 87 apartments.

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.

Within the framework of the program, more than 2,000 former IDPs have been resettled in restored or newly created settlements in liberated Zangilan, Lachin, Fuzuli, and Tartar districts.
LONDON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Education Holdings (GEDU), the higher education provider in the UK, announced the successful acquisition of the MLA College (MLA) in the UK. MLA College is a global, award-winning Higher Education provider specialising in the delivery of UK distance learning degrees, predominantly for the marine and maritime sector. The transaction marks yet another significant step towards expanding GEDU's global ambitions and educational reach.

Founded in 2012, MLA College (formerly known as Marine Learning Alliance Ltd) was initially based within the University of Plymouth, MLA's partner institution. Today, MLA stands as a registered Higher Education Institution in England in accordance with section 4(5) of the Higher Education and Research Act, 2017. At present MLA is working towards its own Degree Awarding Powers and University status.

The aim of MLA College is to enrich the student experience, extend industry relevance, provide world-class education, and foster creative collaboration and strategic partnerships with other national and international educational institutions and the private sector. "At MLA College, we believe that investing in education and life-long learning will help prepare individuals, teams, and businesses for an evolving global economy. We represent and believe in true education beyond borders," says Prof Basak Akdemir, CEO, MLA College.

MLA College, acting in its capacity as the education partner for CIFAL (International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders) City of London, established by UNITAR, has recently launched its Global Sustainable Development programmes that actively see students contributing to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The CIFAL City of London, launched in the City by the Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and the Lord Mayor of city of London, aspires to build capacity in the maritime sector to create a sustainable future. "As education providers, it is our responsibility to develop methods which allow quality education to all, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals," states Prof John Chudley, Rector, MLA College.

About GEDU: Global Education group operates in higher education, apprenticeships and language school segments  with operations in 12 countries including the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Malta, UAE, India, Saudi Arabia and Australia.

Our portfolio covers a wide range of higher education specialisms that have high employability and hold a very high student experience.

Contact:

Vanita Kerai

Chief Marketing Officer

GEDU

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +44(0)7424536082



Website: gedu.global

SOURCE Global Education Holdings
Daniel Wilson joins Buyers Edge Platform to lead European expansion initiatives.

WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a strategic move that highlights Buyers Edge Platform's commitment to expanding its global presence, the company is delighted to announce the addition of Daniel Wilson to its leadership team. Daniel will lead Buyers Edge Platform's expansion across the Eruopean continent delivering data and technology powered savings to Europe's diverse foodservice ecosystem, positioning the company as a dominant player on the global stage.

Daniel Wilson

Daniel has more than 24 years of experience working with GPO businesses and previously ran PSL, a UK & Ireland-based GPO, where he led the company through rapid growth and an eventual sale to Sodexo in 2016. Daniel spearheaded PSL's expansion into 6 additional European countries through a combination of both organic growth and acquisition, and subsequently served as CEO of Entegra Europe for more than 5 years.

Buyers Edge Platform CEO, John Davie, expressed his enthusiasm for the company's latest addition: "We welcome Daniel to Buyers Edge Platform as he takes on the pivotal role of orchestrating our global expansion. Daniel's exceptional track record in navigating international markets and nurturing strategic alliances perfectly aligns with our vision for Buyers Edge Platform's growth. With his expertise and guidance, we're confident in our ability to not only enter new markets but to establish a strong and enduring presence, delivering our innovative solutions to a diverse range of customers worldwide."

Daniel Wilson, commented, "I am deeply honored to join Buyers Edge Platform, a company known for its excellent service and trailblazing innovation. I am eager to collaborate with the exceptional teams already in place, driving our international expansion initiatives to unprecedented heights. Together, we will drive the growth of the Buyers Edge Platform's global footprint."

Daniel joins Co-Founders Patrik Waxin, Magnus Patrikson, and the rest of the Buyers Edge Platform Europe team who are already in place in the European office.

Wilson's appointment comes at a time of strategic planning and visionary development for Buyers Edge Platform. As the company's expansion unfolds across the European landscape, it is actively seeking partnerships with entities that resonate with its mission and values. With his leadership, the company aims to leverage its existing strengths to establish a strong presence in markets such as UK, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Greece, France, Italy, and Belgium.

Notably, Buyers Edge Platform is also seeking partnerships with 10 to 15 commercial entities, encompassing hotels, GPOs and Restaurant Programs as well as with new manufacturer partners who can strengthen their European value offerings. This approach underscores the company's dedication to fostering a comprehensive network that amplifies synergies and brings innovative solutions to a broad range of foodservice stakeholders.

About Buyers Edge Platform

Buyers Edge Platform is the leading foodservice procurement platform providing data-driven insights and technology to the foodservice industry. We connect entities throughout foodservice and empower them to run their businesses more efficiently by leveraging data and analytics. Buyers Edge Platform's mission is to drive the foodservice industry from manual to automated with programs that benefit all stakeholders across the supply chain. Visit BuyersEdgePlatform.com to learn more.

Contact:

Ryan Gerding

913-602-8531

366194@email4pr.com

SOURCE Buyers Edge Platform
The Business Research Company's global market reports are now updated with the latest market sizing information for the year 2023 and forecasted to 2032

LONDON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per The Business Research Company's Polyurea Coatings Global Market Report 2023, the global polyurea coatings market is witnessing impressive growth, with the market size surging from $1.13 billion in 2022 to $1.30 billion in 2023, reflecting an exceptional Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14.3%. This robust trend is anticipated to continue, with projections indicating that the polyurea coatings market will reach $2.00 billion in 2027, at a CAGR of 11.5%. The driving force behind the polyurea coatings market growth is the escalating volume of building construction activities, highlighting polyurea coatings as a crucial solution for waterproofing and enhancing structural integrity.

Building Construction Activities Fuel Expansion

Polyurea, renowned for its waterproofing properties, plays a pivotal role in protecting surfaces from water damage, especially in industrial and commercial settings. Moreover, polyurea coatings are indispensable in construction as they effectively prevent the deterioration of concrete structures. These coatings not only repair deteriorating concrete sections but also provide a protective seal around cracks, ensuring the longevity and integrity of concrete structures. The increasing demand for polyurea coatings is closely tied to the surge in construction activities worldwide.

Learn More On The Polyurea Coatings Market Report  https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/polyurea-coatings-global-market-report

Chinese Government's Investment

As a testament to the growth potential of the construction sector, the Chinese Government has allocated substantial funds to large construction and infrastructure projects, amounting to an impressive $1.8 trillion year-on-year increase. This strategic investment aims to facilitate regional economic recovery from the impacts of the pandemic. The investment primarily focuses on high-tech manufacturing and renewable energy, enhancing China's technological self-sufficiency and energy security. Notably, the central province of Henan is set to boost spending on industrial transformation projects by nearly 50%, amounting to $290 billion.

Polyurea Coatings Market Competitive Landscape

The global polyurea coatings market exhibits a high degree of concentration, with a limited number of major players dominating the industry. In 2022, the top ten competitors accounted for a substantial 76.87% of the total polyurea coatings market. PPG Industries Inc. led the market with a 15.56% share, closely followed by Sherwin-Williams Company, Huntsman Corporation, BASF SE, Covestro AG, Kukdo Chemical Co. Ltd., Rust-Oleum, Teknos Group, Pidilite Industries Ltd., and Rhino Linings Corporation.

Request A Free Sample Of The Polyurea Coatings Market Report  https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=8232&type=smp

Technological Advancements Drive Innovation

Major companies operating in the polyurea coatings market are dedicated to pioneering new technologies, including modified polyurea technology. This innovation fosters the development of advanced products with superior capabilities. For example, in December 2021, Teknos, a Finland-based paints and coatings manufacturing company, introduced TEKNOPUR 400. This two-component elastomeric coating, based on modified polyurea technology, offers a cost-effective solution for waterproofing and creating durable roof and concrete surfaces. TEKNOPUR 400-800 boasts resistance to heavy abrasion and exceptional mechanical qualities, ensuring long-lasting surfaces with high wear resistance.

Polyurea Coatings Market Segmentation and Growth Opportunities

The global polyurea coatings market is segmented as follows:

By Raw Material Type: Aliphatic, Aromatic By Polyurea Type: Pure, Hybrid By Technology: Spraying, Pouring, Hand Mixing By End User: Building and Construction, Transportation, Industrial, Chemical, Other End User

The segment poised for the most significant growth within the polyurea coatings market, categorized by raw material type, is the aromatic segment, expected to achieve $524.48 million in global annual sales by 2027.

View More Similar Market Reports:

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https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/coating-additives-global-market-report

Water Borne Coatings Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/water-borne-coatings-global-market-report

Powder Coatings Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/powder-coatings-global-market-report

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Investment will drive expansion of new AI platform, in use by Houston Methodist and additional health systems

BOSTON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Data Analytics Institute (HDAI) an artificial intelligence (AI) company focused on empowering clinicians, optimizing care pathways, and improving patient outcomes  today announced an oversubscribed Series C financing to scale its predictive risk platform.

"We are grateful for the continued support of our investors, who recognize the value to be unlocked by transforming huge volumes of health data into actionable insights," said Nassib Chamoun, Founder and CEO of HDAI. "HDAI is committed to improving patient outcomes and clinician experiences through its broad platform of predictive analytics and AI technologies, and we are thrilled to have secured this additional funding which will allow us to drive continued implementation of our unique HealthVision product within top health systems nationwide."

HDAI is an AI company focused on empowering clinicians, optimizing care pathways, and improving patient outcomes. Post this

Several preeminent health systems including Houston Methodist, Cleveland Clinic, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, are collaborating with HDAI on various initiatives. HDAI's implementation at Houston Methodist is one of the most comprehensive, system-wide AI/machine learning (ML) care optimization solutions in production enabling data-informed actions by clinicians at the point of care and by population health managers at the system level. It also represents one of the largest deployments of Generative AI within healthcare. HDAI has additional collaborations with over 40 Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) through which it collectively generates 50 million weekly predictions for one million patients.

"While the swirling hype about AI in healthcare continues to generate exciting claims but little of genuine impact, the HDAI team is actively working with leading healthcare organizations and clinicians to improve care in ways that deliver better outcomes," said Ed Kania, HDAI board member and longtime healthcare investor. "I am increasingly convinced that the Company's broad-based enterprise platform and remarkably cost-efficient business model can transform healthcare in the US."

At the core of HDAI's technology platform is an AI-optimized engine that incorporates explainable machine learning (ML) and Generative AI to quantify patient and population risks and pinpoint actionable clinical improvement opportunities. The platform forecasts health risk at patient, practice, institution and/or regional levels and supports clinicians and institutions in driving performance improvements. For example, HealthVision generates customizable lists of patients who would benefit from general case management or specific interventions. It provides a granular analysis of healthcare outcomes and costs as compared to peer practices and institutions. It also provides physicians with a highly synthesized view of individual patients' medical histories including detailed risk profiles, allowing them to spend more time developing individualized treatment plans and less time searching for information. HDAI augments the direct capabilities of HealthVision with experienced clinical teams who provide guidance and support to clinicians and case managers in the development of AI guided workflows.

''HDAI has firmly established itself through key partnerships with some of the top health systems in the country. We are confident that the company has the technology, resources, and team to deliver on the promise of AI in healthcare," said Philippe Amouyal, managing director at Invus and a lead investor in HDAI. "We look forward to HDAI advancing its mission to enable system-wide efficiencies and improved patient care."

On Sunday, October 8th, Chamoun will be speaking at the HLTH industry conference in Las Vegas, with Roberta Schwartz, EVP and Chief Innovation Officer of Houston Methodist. In their talk titled "Deploying Clinical AI at Scale," they will describe Houston Methodist's system-level embedded predictive AI implementation and related Generative AI capabilities.

Health Data Analytics Institute (HDAI) is a care optimization, decision support and provider enablement company powered by big data, AI-powered analytics, expert insights and point of care technology solutions. The company's HealthVision platform uses predictive analytics and generative AI to analyze a patient's medical history, including unstructured clinical notes and administrative data, to create a concise summary of the patient's clinical chart, state of health, and to quantify and prioritize specific clinical risks. HDAI collaborates with leading health systems, value-based care Organizations, physician groups, and payers to improve care delivery, population health and reduce cost and make efficient use of scarce clinical resources. For more information, please visit: www.hda-institute.com .

Invus is an evergreen equity investment platform with approximately 10 billion of capital under management and principal offices in New York, Paris, and Hong Kong. The firm partners with owner-managers who aspire to transform their industries. For more information, please visit: www.invus.com.

Company Contact

Carola Endicott

[email protected]

617-699-0725

Media Contact

Parveen Singh

[email protected]

929-339-4637

SOURCE Health Data Analytics Institute
NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Plus Management (HPM) is excited to announce the expansion of its supported practice, South Island Orthopedics (SIO), into Far Rockaway, NY, in collaboration with St. John's Episcopal Hospital. This significant milestone marks the fourth SIO location, with its first location in Queens. The new facility, located at 347 Beach 19th Street, Far Rockaway, NY 11691, sits next door to the hospital building.

Together with St. John's Hospital, an orthopedic pathway program has been designed that unifies the experience for surgical patients throughout their entire journey. At the helm of this new orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation program is SIO's own, Dr. Paul J. Kubiak, a highly skilled surgeon with nearly 20 years of experience. This expansion brings a comprehensive range of acute and outpatient services to patients on the Rockaway peninsula.

Dr. Kubiak will also take on the role of Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at St. John's Episcopal Hospital, joining forces with Dr. Jean Simon, who will serve as Director of Therapy and Rehabilitation Services. Alongside them is a dedicated team comprising physical therapists, social workers, and case managers, all deeply committed to delivering exceptional care to patients, both pre- and post-orthopedic procedures.

St. John's stands as the sole full-service acute care hospital on the Rockaway peninsula, with a dedicated team comprising over 400 physicians, more than 1,500 employees, and a committed group of volunteers. The Hospital's mission is to build an effective coalition aimed at achieving improved community health status in a financially stable environment, with emphasis on serving the needs of patients and families, while training the physicians and healthcare providers of tomorrow.

Eric Freeman, MD FAAOS, and SIO Managing Partner, commented, "With Health Plus Management's support, we've been able to rapidly grow our practice and services to better serve our communities and provide the dedicated care our patients deserve. This expansion exemplifies our commitment and ability to delivering personalized, top-tier orthopedic care to the community. Dr. Kubiak's leadership will undoubtedly elevate the quality of healthcare services available in Far Rockaway."

Stuart Blumberg, CEO of Health Plus Management, expressed his enthusiasm about the expansion, stating, "We are thrilled to support South Island Orthopedics as they embark on this journey of growth. This expansion underscores our unwavering dedication to promoting the growth and success of our partner practices."

Health Plus Management and South Island Orthopedics share a unified commitment to providing a best-in-class patient experience while expanding services and the practice's reach within the region and beyond. With Health Plus Management's support, South Island Orthopedics can focus on their core strengths, delivering exceptional clinical outcomes. By tapping into HPM's expertise, this partnership ensures valuable outcomes for all stakeholders. Physicians can anticipate increased clinical autonomy and an improved quality of life, patients will continue to receive comprehensive and compassionate care, and payers will witness high-quality, cost-effective treatments in the musculoskeletal field.

About Health Plus Management:

Founded in 1994, Health Plus Management (HPM) is a Long Island, New York-based enterprise dedicated to advancing both new and established musculoskeletal practices. HPM serves as an essential resource for independent private practices, providing the administrative infrastructure needed to operate at peak efficiency. Supported by Investcorp, a prominent global manager of alternative investments with diversified business lines, including private equity, real estate, absolute return investments, infrastructure, credit management, and strategic capital, HPM is committed to empowering physician-owners on their path to success. For more information on Health Plus Management, please visit https://healthplusmgmt.com .

For inquiries and appointments, please contact: 347 Beach 19th Street, Far Rockaway, NY 11691, Phone: (718) 869-8888

SOURCE Health Plus Management, LLC
KUNIA, Hawaii, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (JCCH), the National Park Service (NPS), and Bayer Hawaii are proud to announce a special Blessing Event and Plaque Dedication Ceremony to commemorate the historical significance of the Honouliuli National Historic Site.

Event Details:

What: Blessing Event and Plaque Dedication Ceremony

When: Wednesday, October 11th, 2023

Time: 1:00  2:00 pm

Where: 94-520 Kunia Road, Kunia HI 96759

This event marks a significant moment in the preservation and celebration of the Honouliuli National Historic Site, formerly known as the Honouliuli Internment Camp. Dignitaries and community leaders who have dedicated their efforts to conserve and perpetuate the history and significance of this site will gather for this meaningful occasion.

Plaque Dedication Ceremony Highlights:

During the Plaque Dedication Ceremony, attendees will have the opportunity to view the dedicated plaque overlooking the site featuring historical information about the internment camp, providing visitors with insights into its past.

Adjacent to the plaque, a thoughtful seating area has been arranged to allow visitors a quiet space for reflection, designed to take a moment to absorb the historical significance of the site and its impact on the community.

Kahu Kordell Kekoa will lead the blessing of the Honouliuli Memorial and Rev. Edna Matsuoka, Konko Mission of Wahiawa the Shinto blessing. A water feature has been integrated into the location symbolizing the flow of history and the continuity of memory, providing a serene backdrop for reflection.

Iconic Rock Wall Restoration:

In addition to the ceremony, the iconic rock wall at the Honouliuli National Historic Site, a key archeological and historical feature, is undergoing a comprehensive restoration. Recognized for its significance in identifying the site after many years, the wall was a crucial piece of the internment camp's history. Historical photos of the camp often feature this distinctive wall, making it a key identifier in the history of the camp's location.

Preserving and protecting this wall is paramount. A National Park Service historic preservation crew specializing in masonry work is on site ensuring its structural integrity and longevity. The crew is preserving historic inscriptions on the wall, numbering, and removing each rock, strengthening the overall structure, and undertaking reconstruction with care for its historical accuracy. The restoration process is expected to last for several weeks.

RSVP Information:

This event is not open to the public.

Media RSVP by Friday, October 6 to [email protected]

Arrival Time: We kindly request that you arrive at 12:30 pm as it may take some time to enter and park around the blessing site. Program will start promptly at 1:00 pm.

Join us as we commemorate the history, culture, and significance of Honouliuli National Historic Site and continue the vital work of preserving this unique piece of Hawaii's heritage.

Interview and Press Photo Opportunities before and after the ceremony:

Nate Gyotoku, President & Executive Director, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii

Sally Martinez, Acting Superintendent, Honouliuli National Historic Site, National Park Service

Sebastian Guth, President, Bayer U.S.

Alan Takemoto, Government Affairs Lead, Bayer Hawaii

About Honouliuli National Historic Site

Honouliuli preserves and interprets the largest and longest-used World War II incarceration site in the Hawaiian Islands. The national historic site provides opportunities for public education about the WWII internment story in Hawai'i, invites reflection on wartime experiences, and recommits us to the pursuit of freedom and justice.

About the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (JCCH)

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i (JCCH), a non-profit organization, strives to strengthen our diverse community by educating present and future generations about the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai'i. Located in Mo'ili'ili, the Center features a Community and Historical Gallery, Resource Center, Kenshikan martial arts dojo, Seikoan Japanese teahouse, and Gift Shop. For more information, call (808) 945-7633, email [email protected], or visit the website at www.jcchawaii.org.

About the National Park Service (NPS)

More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 425 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

About Bayer

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2022, the Group employed around 101,000 people and had sales of 50.7 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

SOURCE Bayer
MISSION, Kan., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- (Family Features) Every year, people around the world prepare for Halloween festivities by buying bags of candy, putting together exciting costumes, watching scary movies and gearing up for trick-or-treating. This year, you can make Halloween more than just a festive holiday by making a difference for children worldwide.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Add some meaning to your Halloweening by supporting an initiative like Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, a campaign that started as a neighborhood donation drive in 1950 that has raised more than $195 million for children around the world. This year, the campaign is launching an online "click-or-treat" experience where participants can "knock" on doors to learn about the organization's work in Mali, Romania and Sri Lanka and virtually visit families and communities.

This interactive experience gives people of all ages a chance to learn about the nonprofit group's goal of ensuring every child can grow up healthy, educated, protected and respected. At the end of each interactive "click-or-treat" experience and video, users have the ability to make a difference and purchase UNICEF Inspired Gifts; real, lifesaving items that are essential for child survival and development.

Donations to the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign raise critical funds and relief for children where and when they need it most. This Halloween, all are encouraged to participate and make a difference for children globally and help deliver critical supplies including those that aid in health care and immunization, safe water and sanitation, education, nutrition, emergency relief and more.

You can also support the movement by encouraging community members and loved ones to start online fundraisers, host neighborhood events and share to social media.

"Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is a beloved Halloween tradition celebrated over the last 73 years by families all across America, mine included," said Shelley Diamond, chief marketing officer at UNICEF USA. "This year, we thought outside the renowned, 'little orange box' and are thrilled to introduce the 'click-or-treat' virtual experience. We are there for children, wherever and whenever, as long as it takes, from the war in Ukraine to the malnutrition crisis in the Horn of Africa, long-term needs in Libya and Morocco and much more. We hope to continue to inspire participants to support our relentless, lifesaving work."

Learn how to add some meaning to your Halloweening at trickortreatforunicef.org.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (Halloween party)

Michael French

[email protected]

1-888-824-3337

editors.familyfeatures.com

About Family Features Editorial Syndicate

A leading source for high-quality food, lifestyle and home and garden content, Family Features provides readers with topically and seasonally relevant tips, takeaways, information, recipes, videos, infographics and more. Find additional articles and information at Culinary.net and eLivingToday.com.

SOURCE Family Features Editorial Syndicate
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai's XCIENT Heavy-Duty Fuel Cell Truck has won the GREEN AWARD in the Mobility category at GTF Connect Los Angeles, hosted in Hollywood, California. XCIENT Fuel Cell's innovative technology positions it as an industry leader, providing zero-emission transport solutions. Its advanced fuel cell technology sets a benchmark for the future of sustainable, efficient transportation.

The Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell truck is photographed on May 2, 2023.

"I am honored to accept the prestigious Mobility category award at the GTF Connect GREEN AWARDS on behalf of our entire XCIENT Fuel Cell truck team,'' said Jim Park, senior vice president commercial vehicle and hydrogen fuel cell business, Hyundai Motor North America. "The recognition of our XCIENT Fuel Cell reinforces our unwavering commitment to sustainable transportation solutions for both consumer and commercial vehicles. This achievement further underscores Hyundai's relentless pursuit of innovation and our steadfast dedication to forging a cleaner, more efficient future that benefits us all."

Hyundai launched the XCIENT Fuel Cell truck as a groundbreaking innovation focused on the commercial shipping sector. The XCIENT Fuel Cell boasts a remarkable emissions-free profile, presenting a sustainable mobility solution aimed at mitigating carbon emissions while effectively addressing global transportation needs. Importantly, the XCIENT Fuel Cell's durability and fuel efficiency align with the demands of commercial fleet operators. First launched in 2020, XCIENT Fuel Cell has been deployed in five countries, including Switzerland, Germany, Israel, Korea, and New Zealand. It is the only heavy-duty fuel cell electric model with a proven record of real-world application and technological reliability. In May 2023, Hyundai launched the commercialization model of XCIENT Fuel Cell tractor in the States equipped with two 90-kW hydrogen fuel cell systems (total 180 kW power) and a 350-kW e-motor. The tractor's gross combination weight is a maximum 82,000 lbs., pairing short refueling times with a driving range of over 450 miles per charge  even when fully loaded. XCIENT Fuel Cell implements the world-leading hydrogen fuel cell system offered by HTWO, Hyundai Motor Group's fuel cell system-based hydrogen business brand. HTWO's business includes application of Hyundai's proprietary fuel cell systems for various forms of mobility, such as advanced air mobility, automobiles, vessels, and trains, as well as for stationary power generation.

About GTF Connect

The GreenTech Festival (GTF) is Europe's largest sustainability festival. GTF Connect Series, an extension of the renowned flagship GTF in Berlin, began in 2021 and has since evolved into a pivotal platform for celebrating innovation, technology, and leadership within the global green business community.

About GREEN AWARDS Los Angeles

The GREEN AWARDS, an integral part of the festival, shines a spotlight on innovative projects, companies, and individuals across categories such as "Mobility" and "Energy" in Los Angeles. Winners are meticulously selected by a distinguished and diverse 55-member jury, with the entire process supported by GTF's Knowledge Partner Boston Consulting Group.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
DUBLIN, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Indian Data Center Colocation Services Growth Opportunities" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This analytics covers the Indian data center colocation services market, covering market trends, strategic imperatives, and recent developments.

In addition, it discusses market drivers and restraints, market size and revenue forecast (2022 to 2027), compound annual growth rate, market share (by raised floor space and industry vertical demand split), competitive landscape, key participants, and growth opportunities.

India dominates the South Asian data center colocation services market, contributing about 90%. It will continue to dominate the region for a few years because of high demand from the hyperscale cloud segment, OTT participants, and content providers.

The demand for hyperscale data center capacity has been growing because of enterprises moving their IT infrastructure to the public cloud, high consumer demand for app-based/OTT services running on the cloud, and the rapid increase in Internet data consumption.

Hyperscale demand will drive most of the data center colocation growth in the coming years. In addition, enterprise-/retail demand from BFSI and IT verticals will contribute to the data center colocation market growth.

Companies prefer to shift away from establishing captive centers and move toward colocation data centers to reduce capital expenditure, achieve higher operational efficiencies, and leverage state-of-the-art infrastructure. Further, the pandemic strengthened the move of enterprises away from captive data centers and toward colocation facilities to ensure business continuity.

Competitive intensity in India is gaining momentum with new domestic firms such as Yotta Infrastructure and Adani Group and global companies such as Equinix and Colt emphasizing service differentiation. Increasing complexity in data center operations and the high cost of both real estate and power are the two major restraints for current colocation service providers and a barrier to new entrants.

Growth Opportunity Universe

Growth Opportunity 1: Hyperscale Colocation Facilities

Growth Opportunity 2: Retail Colocation Facilities

Growth Opportunity 3: Edge Data Centers

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Adani Group

Colt

CtrlS

Equinix

NTT Netmagic

Nxtradata

Sify Technologies

ST Telemedia India

Yotta Infrastructure

Key Topics Covered:

1 Strategic Imperatives

Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow?

The Strategic Imperative

The Impact of Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on Data Center Colocation Services

Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine

2 Growth Opportunity Analysis

Scope of Analysis

Indian Data Center Colocation Services Market Ecosystem

Growth Metrics

3 Growth Drivers and Restraints

Growth Drivers

Growth Drivers Analysis

Growth Restraints

Growth Restraints Analysis

4 Revenue Forecast

South Asian Data Center Colocation Services Market

Forecast Assumptions

Revenue Forecast

Revenue Forecast Analysis

5 Market Trends

6 Competitive Landscape

Competitive Landscape and Supply-side Analysis

7 Location Analysis

8 Recent Developments and Highlights

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4k4yg0

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Indonesia freight logistics market size is expected to grow by USD 28.7 billion from 2022 to 2027. However, the growth momentum of the market will decelerate at a CAGR of 9.45% during the forecast period. The market is segmented by service (transportation, warehousing, and others), type (3PL and 4PL), and application (manufacturing, automotive, consumer goods, retail industry, and others). The growing export-import activities are the key factor driving the market growth. Imports jumped by 30.85% YOY to USD 21.97 billion in March 2022, mostly due to an increase in raw materials and capital goods because of higher oil prices, the increasing demand for industrial products, and enterprises expanding their activities. During the forecast period, due to increased prices of exporting commodities such as coal and CPO offset by higher import costs, particularly for oil products, a rise in commodity prices worldwide will have a positive impact on Indonesia's trade. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. The report analyses the market size and growth and provides accurate predictions on the growth of the market. View a Free PDF Sample

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Indonesia Freight logistics Market 2023-2027

Key Highlights:

The report recognizes the following as some of the key players in the freight logistics market in Indonesia : BSA Logistics Indonesia, Deutsche Post AG, Dimerco Express Corp., DSV AS, PT. Cipta Mapan Logistik, Pancaran Group, POS Indonesia, PT Bhanda Ghara Reksa, PT CIPTA KRIDA BAHARI, PT CLI and Traffic Monitoring, PT. Dunia Express Transindo, PT. Kamadjaja Logistics, PT. Multimodatrans Indonesia, PT. Siba Surya, PT. Tiki Jalur Nugraha Ekakurir, Puninar Logistics, Samudera Indonesia Tangguh, SF Express Co. Ltd., DB Schenker, and Kuehne Nagel Management AG

: BSA Logistics Indonesia, Deutsche Post AG, Dimerco Express Corp., DSV AS, PT. Cipta Mapan Logistik, Pancaran Group, POS Indonesia, PT Bhanda Ghara Reksa, PT CIPTA KRIDA BAHARI, PT CLI and Traffic Monitoring, PT. Dunia Express Transindo, PT. Kamadjaja Logistics, PT. Multimodatrans Indonesia, PT. Siba Surya, PT. Tiki Jalur Nugraha Ekakurir, Puninar Logistics, Samudera Indonesia Tangguh, SF Express Co. Ltd., DB Schenker, and Kuehne Nagel Management AG The freight logistics Market in Indonesia is fragmented in nature.

is fragmented in nature. Market to observe 11.41% YOY growth in 2023.

Market Dynamics:

Major Trend

The growing e-commerce industry is a major trend in the market.

The growth of the country's e-commerce market has largely been driven by its basic development in industry and the national economy during the last couple of years.

The availability of inexpensive phones and the Internet has contributed to an increase in consumer uptake, enabling them to use several e-commerce platforms that are more easily available when compared with access to physical stores.

Furthermore, in 2021, Indonesia will remain one of the most internet-using countries in the region with slightly more than 72.87% penetration.

will remain one of the most internet-using countries in the region with slightly more than 72.87% penetration. In addition, because of the incredible growth in Internet access through cellular phones, there is an increasing consumer base for e-commerce businesses.

Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Significant Challenge

High infrastructure cost is a significant challenge restricting market growth.

Intermodal transport of goods requires a high investment in infrastructure.

Investments shall cover the installation of gantry cranes which are indispensable for lifting containers at different port facilities, in addition to changing modes of transport.

Moreover, necessary investments are also needed to improve rail and road access.

For instance, a rail link should exist at the port to allow goods to be carried by railways from and out of the port.

As a result, the demand for freight logistics is negatively impacted by these large investments because they usually delay and take up too much time.

Hence, these factors are expected to restrict market growth during the forecast period.

The report also covers information on upcoming trends and challenges. Explore detailed information by purchasing a report

Keg Segments:

The Indonesia freight logistics market share growth by the transportation segment will be significant during the forecast period. The paid process of transporting goods, merchandise, and other objects from one place to another using wheeled vehicles is called freight transport. There are three main types of freight available to shippers in Indonesia , which are air freight, sea freight, and road freight. Strong trade relationships exist between Indonesia and the US, Australia , Europe , and neighboring Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Vietnam . Due to geographical restrictions, this land cannot be used for international cargo transportation. In addition, air freight is much more expensive than any other method of transporting goods and is often used for express shipments. Hence, these factors are expected to drive segment growth during the forecast period.

Get a glance at the market contribution of the segments, Request a Free Sample

Related Reports:

The Asia Pacific (APAC) Logistics Market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.25% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 145.4 million.

The intermodal freight transportation market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.64% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 56.12 billion.

Freight Logistics Market Scope in Indonesia Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 9.45% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 28.7 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 11.41 Competitive landscape Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled BSA Logistics Indonesia, Deutsche Post AG, Dimerco Express Corp., DSV AS, PT. Cipta Mapan Logistik, Pancaran Group, POS Indonesia, PT Bhanda Ghara Reksa, PT CIPTA KRIDA BAHARI, PT CLI and Traffic Monitoring, PT. Dunia Express Transindo, PT. Kamadjaja Logistics, PT. Multimodatrans Indonesia, PT. Siba Surya, PT. Tiki Jalur Nugraha Ekakurir, Puninar Logistics, Samudera Indonesia Tangguh, SF Express Co. Ltd., DB Schenker, and Kuehne Nagel Management AG 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, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Market Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by Service

Market Segmentation by Type

Market Segmentation by Application

Market Segmentation by Geography

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, & Trends

Company Landscape

Company Analysis

Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. There is significant potential for the development of medical tourism between Azerbaijan and Israel, Alexander Kanevsky, Medical Director of Manor Medical Center, one of the oldest players in the Israeli medical tourism market, said in an exclusive interview with Trend.

"During our short visit, we participated in a bariatric conference. We presented a new methodology for endoscopic surgery to combat obesity by gastric stitching. I also gave a presentation on a comprehensive approach to disease treatment in Israel and discussed the potential for medical tourism for patients from Azerbaijan. Since 2009, I have been the head of Manor Medical Center. We make efforts to attract patients from Azerbaijan and collaborate with doctors in both medical knowledge and educational matters," he said.

According to him, there is potential to organize joint projects with Israeli doctors for the exchange of medical knowledge and educational initiatives among Azerbaijani medical specialists.

"The ties between Azerbaijan and Israel are growing stronger, including in the field of medicine. We receive a very positive reception wherever we go, whether it's state or private clinics. All of this is thanks to our many years of experience in organizing our cooperation. Patients from Azerbaijan regularly come to Israel for treatment. Unfortunately, we do not have specific statistics at the moment, but every month our medical institution alone receives 3 to 4 Azerbaijani patients who seek treatment in various specialties, from oncology and surgery to neurological conditions. Our multidisciplinary center works in all directions," Kanevsky noted.

He also pointed out that telemedicine, or remote medicine, is gaining popularity.

"This type of medicine began to develop as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic when borders were closed, and patients were cut off from Israeli and European medicine. Initially, Israeli specialists were against this innovation because of the impossibility of direct contact with the patient. But then forms of examination were developed that helped determine the patient's condition remotely. We are ready to start using existing programs tomorrow; they do not need to be developed; they function successfully. Doctors from former CIS countries, such as Kazakh doctors, have been actively using these programs lately. I think we can quickly introduce them for Azerbaijani doctors as well," he said.

Kanevsky noted that the educational programs offered at the university clinic cover many aspects, and Azerbaijani doctors actively participate in this work.

"We aim to establish a joint center and cooperate with other medical institutions that could implement monitoring and initial examinations according to our protocols. This will make the programs more accessible and expedite their implementation. This visit is not the first for me, and I am confident it won't be the last. It is important to note that we want to reduce the time required for patients to undergo examinations and start treatment. We are in negotiations with clinics in Azerbaijan and hope for success in this matter in the near future," Dr. Kanevsky concluded.
SITKA, Alaska, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- We are thrilled to unveil a new era for seafood lovers as we proudly reintroduce ourselves as Sitka Seafood Market, a name that underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering premium, wild-caught, sustainable seafood, while fostering a community deeply connected through the joy of sharing food.

At Sitka Seafood Market, we believe that every meal, at any table, holds the potential for joy, connection, and discovery. Food, especially seafood, transcends mere sustenance  it's a gateway to culture, shared moments, and cherished memories. This belief has driven us to revolutionize the seafood landscape, offering not just pristine products but an immersive journey that connects individuals with the purity of flavors and the stories behind each catch.

Our new identity is rooted in the understanding that food is an embodiment of connection  a bridge that unites us with the source, the producers, and our community of friends and family. With every succulent bite of our seafood, members and customers are transported to the pristine waters where each fish was harvested. We celebrate the undeniable truth that food tastes better when it is closer to its source, and we are dedicated to bringing that exceptional flavor directly to your kitchen. One of our top priorities at Sitka Seafood Market is empowering you with the knowledge and skills to be a better home cook. Senior Culinary Director Grace Parisi leads our team in these efforts, orchestrating recipe development, culinary content deployment, and sharing years of professional experience.

The seafood you find in supermarkets often undergoes a convoluted journey, with multiple freeze and thaw cycles, and is passed through the hands of numerous conglomerates along the supply chain. This complex route dilutes the freshness, flavor, and nutritional value of the seafood. Sitka Seafood Market challenges this norm by delivering seafood that is truly fresh, unadulterated, and handled with the utmost care, allowing the true essence of the ocean to shine through in every bite.

"Sitka Seafood Market is not just a name; it's a commitment to purity and quality  in taste, in sourcing, and in the connections we forge," says Gerardo Canales, CEO. "We are determined to redefine the seafood experience by placing our members at the heart of the journey, from the moment a fish is caught to the memories created as it graces their table. We foster joy. The joy of cooking, the joy of eating, and the joy of spending time with our friends and family  in any kitchen and at any table."

With a renewed sense of purpose, we invite seafood lovers, health-conscious people, and anyone who enjoys good food to join the Sitka Seafood Market community  a group of individuals passionate about savoring the unrivaled taste of unspoiled seafood while celebrating the stories shared around every table across the United States. As a member of Sitka Seafood Market, you're not just subscribing to seafood, you're becoming part of a movement that values purity, sustainability, and culinary delight while supporting small boat fisheries and the environment.

About Sitka Seafood Market

Sitka Seafood Market is a trailblazing seafood distributor that has redefined the way individuals experience seafood. Started 12 years ago by a Sitka, Alaska fisherman, our singular focus continues to be a relentless commitment to purity, sustainability, and community. Sitka Seafood Market offers premium, wild-caught seafood that captures the essence of the ocean in every bite. By forging a direct connection between consumers, fishermen, and the source, Sitka Seafood Market ensures an unparalleled dining experience that celebrates the joy of exceptional food and the power of meaningful connections.

Sitka Seafood Market

Sitka Seafood Market Facebook

Sitka Seafood Market Instagram

Sitka Seafood Market YouTube

SOURCE Sitka Seafood Market
New collection hand-curated by Kelly Clarkson expands top-selling home line with hundreds of furniture and decor pieces inspired by her Montana home - just in time for the holidays

BOSTON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayfair Inc. (NYSE: W), one of the world's largest destinations for the home, today announced the launch of The Montana Collection by Kelly Clarkson Home, offering vintage classics and antiqued details inspired by the star's ranch home in Montana, just in time for the holidays. Personally curated by Kelly Clarkson, the retailer's official brand ambassador, the exclusive collection expands Kelly Clarkson Home with hundreds of new furniture and decor pieces, adding a rustic look to the French-country-style home line, all at affordable price points.

Introducing The Montana Collection by Kelly Clarkson Home, Exclusively at Wayfair

"Montana is home for me and my kids," shared Kelly Clarkson. "I couldn't be more excited to introduce this brand-new collection to Wayfair shoppers and provide a glimpse into the beauty and magic that is Montana. The Montana Collection is a reflection of my sanctuary and I hope it inspires everyone to explore new ways to make their homes truly their own."

Kelly Clarkson Home is a thoughtfully curated collection inspired by French-country style mixed with vintage-inspired looks and heirloom appeal. The popular home line offers thousands of items across numerous categories spanning living room, dining room, bedroom and home office furniture as well as textiles, lighting and decor. The Montana Collection introduces hundreds of new pieces featuring everything from cozy faux furs and supersoft suedes to distressed wood, offering elegant, easy-to-layer looks that are affordable and designed for real life.

"Since the launch of Kelly Clarkson Home over three years ago, Kelly's authentic style and personality have truly shined through, and that's what our customers love most about her top-selling home line," noted Jon Blotner, chief commercial officer, Wayfair. "We know that creating a home that reflects one's personal style often requires fresh ideas and inspiration. Kelly Clarkson has been there every step of the way for our customers, sharing practical, yet elevated looks and proving every day that beauty and budget really can go hand-in-hand. The Montana Collection provides even more options that will help our customers easily update or transform their spaces, just in time for the holiday season."

Kelly Clarkson Home is backed by Wayfair's world-class customer service combined with fast, seamless delivery. With beautiful product imagery and inspiring content as well as thousands of customer reviews, consumers can shop the entire collection with confidence and ease. Consumers are invited to explore The Montana Collection and the full Kelly Clarkson Home line on site or by downloading the Wayfair app.

About Wayfair

Wayfair is the destination for all things home: helping everyone, anywhere create their feeling of home. From expert customer service, to the development of tools that make the shopping process easier, to carrying one of the widest and deepest selections of items for every space, style, and budget, Wayfair gives everyone the power to create spaces that are just right for them.

The Wayfair family of brands includes:

Wayfair - Everything home - for a space that's all you.

Joss & Main - The ultimate style edit for home.

AllModern - All of modern, made simple.

Birch Lane - A fresh take on the classics.

Perigold - An undiscovered world of luxury design.

Wayfair Professional - Just right for Pros.

Wayfair generated $11.9 billion in net revenue for the twelve months ended June 30, 2023 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with global operations.

Wayfair Media Relations Contact:

Susan Frechette

[email protected]

Wayfair Investor Relations Contact:

James Lamb

IR@Wayfair.com

SOURCE Wayfair, LLC
Investor Group Led by Todd DiBenedetto has History of Successful Corporate Turnarounds

RUSSELLVILLE, Ky., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An investor group led by Todd DiBenedetto and with a history of successful corporate turnarounds has purchased the Rane Precision Die Casting facility in Russellville, Kentucky, saving 200 jobs. The transaction closed in mid-September after India-based Rane Group struggled to succeed following its purchase of the plant in 2016.

Kentucky Industrial Holdings, Inc. has purchased the facility and the owners are rebranding the company as Russellville Engineered Castings, Inc.

Todd Dibenedetto leads an investment group that purchased the former Rane Precision Die Casting plant in Russellville, Kentucky and has rebranded the company as Russellville Engineered Castings, Inc.

The former Rockwell plant specializes in aluminum castings for the automotive and other industries. Founded in 1956 as a captive die caster for Rockwell Corp., the company was formerly known as Precision Die Casting and was sold in 1989. That began a string of ownership and name changes with Rane Group of India purchasing the company in 2016. Despite several million in capital investments, the company struggled to succeed under Rane ownership and risked eliminating 200 jobs from the community if a new buyer could not be found.

DiBenedetto and partner Mark Heinze each have a deep history of successfully turning around distressed manufacturing companies and look forward to doing the same for this facility. Building on his legacy, and the numerous successful turn arounds as both co-founder and President of Big Shoulders Capital in Chicago, DiBenedetto is continuing the tradition of identifying distressed manufacturing businesses in transition and employing a very active, hands-on management approach to effect a restructuring. Both DiBenedetto and Heinze grew up in family-owned manufacturing businesses and have a passion for domestic industrial manufacturing success. Some prior successful investments include Benada Aluminum Products in Florida, Savannah Industrial Solutions in Tennessee, Anderson Manufacturing in Wisconsin, Lyon Metal Products in Illinois, LB Metals in Illinois, and many, many more. All of these businesses were purchased out of distressed circumstances and are thriving today.

"Mark and I see an opportunity to work with the talented team in Russellville to grow this business as we invest in the community," said DiBenedetto. "We've helped turn around several companies through a combination of expertise and capital. This business fits our criteria perfectly and while we have a lot of work ahead of us, we are optimistic about the team, the capabilities and growing the customer base."

The company is located at 232 Hopkinsville Rd., Russellville, KY 42276, (270) 726-0235.

For more information contact Todd DiBenedetto at [email protected] or [email protected]

Contact: Tom Nicholson, The Nicholson Group, Inc., 212-203-2803

SOURCE Russellville Engineered Castings, Inc.
STOCKHOLM, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandvik will publish its third quarter results on Monday, October 23, 2023, at approximately 11:30 AM CEST.

A combined webcast and conference call for investors, analysts and financial media will be held at 1:00 PM CEST. The report will be presented in a webcast and conference call by Stefan Widing, President and CEO as well as by Cecilia Felton, CFO.

The presentation will be broadcasted live on our website home.sandvik

Dial-in details for the conference call:

SE: +46 (0) 8 505 100 31

UK: +44 (0) 207 107 06 13

US: +1 (1) 631 570 56 13

From about 12:30 PM CEST presentation slides will be available on our website home.sandvik

Stockholm, October 2, 2023

Sandvik AB

For further information, contact Louise Tjeder, VP Investor relations, phone: +46 (0) 707 826 374 or Johannes Hellstrom, Press and Media Relations Manager, phone: +46 (0) 707 211 008.

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/208/3846352/2332983.pdf Invitation Presentation of Sandvikas report of the third quarter 2023

SOURCE Sandvik
Job-seeking K-12 educators can meet with international schools around the globe that are hiring at an upcoming job fair.

PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past 10 years, there has been a 52% increase in international schools around the globe, reaching over 6.5 million students each year. With this drastic increase in schools, there has also been a significant increase in the need for teachers. Teacher job fairs remain one of the best ways to network and discover new teaching opportunities.

International Schools Services (ISS) is offering six new opportunities to connect directly with school staff and school recruiters from international schools around the globe. Through both in-person and virtual job fairs, educators looking for new opportunities will be able to network with other international education professionals, interview directly with school recruiters for active, open positions, and gain access to several professional development workshops run by experts in the field.

ISS EDUrecruit International Job Fairs Are Back Post this

Candace Roundtree, a previous ISS job fair attendee, states, "There's a great variety of schools to choose from and a great mix of teaching and leadership positions as well."

The first fair is right around the corner, beginning October 23, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. This in-person event will connect applicants with schools such as Shekou International School, Yangon International School, and many more. ISS is also offering in-person events in Atlanta (December 8-9, 2023) and New York City (February 8 - 11, 2024). These are unique chances to gain valuable face-to-face time with school recruiters and set yourself apart from the crowd.

In addition to the in-person job fairs, ISS will be hosting three virtual fairs spanning from November 2023 to March 2024. iFairs are the perfect opportunity to access all of the benefits of ISS EDUrecruit International Job Fairs without the need to travel away from the comforts of home.

ISS EDUrecruit International Job Fairs are a great opportunity for educators interested in teaching internationally to connect directly with school recruiters. Interested attendees can attend all job fairs for free as part of a $75 annual ISS EDUrecruit membership. For a full listing of ISS job fairs, please visit eduplatform.iss.edu/s/edu-recruit/ifairs .

About International Schools Services (ISS)

International Schools Services (ISS) works with more than 1,200 international schools and tens of thousands of educators each year across its suite of services, creating one of the largest global footprints in international education support. Since its inception in 1955, ISS has promoted innovative best practices. Core services include starting and operating student-centered, future-oriented schools; recruiting world-class educators and leaders; providing cutting-edge professional learning opportunities; sourcing essential school supplies; administering school foundations; and encouraging more diverse leadership in international schools. As a nonprofit organization with offices in Princeton, NJ USA and Shenzhen, China and staff located across the globe, ISS invites all to join in making a world of difference. For more information, visit ISS.edu

SOURCE International Schools Services
China focus includes a joint venture with a top Shanghai/Suzhou-based medical technology company and the granting of a core Chinese patent covering microfat (adipose tissue) processing.

BRANDON, Fla., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jointechlabs, Inc., a Regenerative Medicine Solutions company announced that it has been granted a core patent by the China National Intellectual Property Administration covering adipose tissue processing and has entered into a joint venture with Bangyi Medical Technology Co., Ltd. to develop the aesthetic, plastic surgery, and orthopedic-sports medicine market in China.

The China Patent

Jointechlabs' unique technology is designed to enable health practitioners to utilize autologous adipose tissue and its derivates (a person's own fat) for joint pain relief and a wide variety of orthopedic, aesthetic, wound healing, and reconstructive surgery applications.

Patent CN115722351A addresses the core operation and features of MiniTC , the company's flagship adipose processing system, including MiniTC's technological superiority, industry-leading microfat purity, quantity, and speed.

"Innovation and market depth are key to our success and strategy as a pioneer and leader of the regenerative medicine industry," said Dr. Nathan Katz, CEO of Jointechlabs. "This patent strengthens our global intellectual property portfolio and allows us to bring our innovations to the Chinese public."

Jointechlabs has a portfolio of worldwide patents.

The Partnership

Jointechlabs also announced Zann Medical Technology Co., Ltd., a joint venture agreement with Bangyi, a leading provider of medical technology solutions in China. Jointechlabs will provide licensed technology, training, manufacturing knowhow, and technical support. Zann/Bangyi will market, sell, train, service, and support the licensed products. The Bangyi distribution network includes over 50 representatives and 500 distributors servicing over 600 hospitals and medical practices.

Dr. Nishit Pancholi, COO of Jointechlabs said "Bangyi is the right partner to help us bring our regenerative medicine solutions to China for the benefit of so many aesthetic, plastic surgery, and orthopedic-sports medicine patients. We look forward to serving the needs of the Chinese population and the medical community."

Jerry Luo, Chairman of the Board and co-founder of Bangyi, said "We forecast significant demand for MiniTC and Jointechlabs products throughout China." Simon Chen, Managing Director and co-founder added "We are excited to work with Jointechlabs and together address regenerative medicine needs throughout China."

About Jointechlabs

Headquartered in Brandon, FL, privately-held Jointechlabs is an emerging worldwide regenerative medicine leader. The company enables healthcare practitioners to provide safe, cost-effective, non-surgical therapies at the point-of-care without infrastructure change.

Information: https://www.jointechlabs.com/joint-venture-and-patent-grant-mark-jointechlabs-entry-into-china-regenerative-medicine-microfat-market/

https://www.jointechlabs.com .

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Jointechlabs
SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences' students, alumni, faculty, and staff kick off their 5th Annual Halloween Costume Drive for Primary Children's Hospital. For the past five years, the Joyce University community has gathered candy, costumes, and supplies needed to bring the patients at Primary Children's a magical and spooky Halloween celebration.

Joyce Universitys 5th Annual Halloween Drive for Primary Childrens Hospital Now Accepting Donations

"Every child deserves to experience the joy and fun of Halloween," said Dr. John Smith-Coppes, Joyce University President and CEO. "For the patients at Primary Children's Hospital, Halloween has become a beloved annual event with the support of our generous community. We're proud of our students, alumni, faculty, staff who year after year rally the tremendous effort of support around this event."

Last year, Joyce University met 100% of the donation needs for Primary Children's Hospital's Halloween event, delivering over 200 trick or treat buckets, 100 room decor bags, nearly 800 costumes, 150 pounds of candy, and 455 prizes.

While there are many holidays in which to donate, Halloween is a particularly special one for hospitalized children because it can provide a joyful distraction from illness, help them to maintain a sense of normalcy, boost their spirits, and create positive memories, while encouraging interaction, creativity, socialization, and a sense of unity for families during challenging times.

Community members are invited to participate in making memories for Utah children by donating costumes for children and infants of all ages, along with candy, Halloween decorations, party items, and trick-or-treating buckets. For a full list of donation items, or to make a monetary donation visit Joyce University's Halloween donations page.

"These generous Seasonal In-Kind Donations provide our patients with a bit of childhood normalcy on their healing journey and make the hospital a little less scary for kids and their families," said Jonniece F M Busath, Volunteer Manager II Intermountain Health, Primary Children's Hospital "We are grateful to live in a community who think of others and provide such generous donations to help our patients and families who are on unique health journeys!"

Community members can deliver donations to the university atrium or ship donations via Amazon to the following address:

Joyce University

c/o Halloween Drive

12257 Business Park Dr

Draper, UT 84020

The donation window for this year's holiday drive will close on October 23, 2023. For more information about Joyce University, visit joyce.edu.

ABOUT JOYCE UNIVERSITY

Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences, formerly Ameritech College of Healthcare, is one of the largest nursing schools in Utah. Founded in 1979, Joyce University's mission is to prepare students to serve as competent professionals, to advance their careers, and to pursue lifelong learning. Located in Draper, Utah, Joyce University is proud to have helped thousands of students across the US graduate and launch lasting healthcare careers.

Media Contact:

Joyce University

[email protected]

SOURCE Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences
PLANO, Texas, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- JPAR, an influential player in the real estate industry, is proud to announce the second installment of its virtual event series, "Know More, Grow More." This series will spotlight recent industry and market changes, offering invaluable insights for real estate professionals aiming to stay ahead in an evolving landscape. The event will also provide critical information on preparing for the impending Buyer Agency changes and understanding the nuances of the prominent commission lawsuits.

The event will feature key industry figures offering their expertise on crucial topics. Susan Boyer - Owner of JPAR Silverpath in Ogden Utah, will sit down with Tony Delgado, Vice President of Broker Support at JPAR - Real Estate for a fireside chat. These two veterans of the industry will discuss how agents should be positioning themselves for success given changes that are on the horizon.

"We are excited to host the 'Know More, Grow More' series and provide real estate agents with a platform to expand their knowledge, enhance client relationships, and positively impact their communities," said Laura O'Connor, President and COO, JPAR  Affiliated Network. "This free virtual event is the second in our series, bringing together industry experts to share valuable insights," added O'Connor.

The "Know More, Grow More" series is designed to equip real estate agents with the knowledge and tools they need to not only survive but thrive in the fiercely competitive real estate market. This initiative underscores the JPAR brand's commitment to supporting its agents' professional growth and elevating their client service capabilities.

"Agents participating in the "Know More, Grow More" series will gain critical knowledge on commission lawsuits, learning how to articulate their value to buyers, and understanding the necessary changes they should be making now to thrive in the evolving real estate environment," according to Chris Sears, President and CEO of JPAR - Real Estate, Texas. "We encourage all real estate agents to join us and take advantage of this unique opportunity," said Sears.

To all real estate professionals seeking to elevate their practice, this event presents an unparalleled opportunity to gain valuable insights and strategies. Those interested in attending are encouraged to visit jpar.re/growthseries to learn more and register.

About JPAR - Real Estate

JPAR  Real Estate (www.jpar.com) is a full-service real estate brand and franchise platform offering a highly competitive transaction fee-based model and agent-centric culture. The JPAR platform provides agents seven (7) days-per-week support, a comprehensive tech stack, marketing, lead generation, training, and mentoring. JPAR affiliated owners benefit from compliance review, 1-on-1 consulting, recruiting support, and a peer network of influential industry leaders. The company boasts more than 4,000 agents operating in 65 offices across 26 states and closes over $8B annually in sales volume.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE JPAR Real Estate
Attorneys at Tittle & Perlmuter secure largest verdict in Judge Roger E. Binette's court, second largest medical malpractice verdict in Erie County, for shortcuts that caused man's traumatic brain injury

SANDUSKY, Ohio, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A jury awarded an unprecedented $6.19 million to a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that led to a brain bleed while he was admitted to Firelands Hospital. The verdict ranks as the largest judgment in Judge Roger E. Binette's court and the second largest medical malpractice award in Erie County.

A jury awarded a record-breaking $6.19 million to a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that led to a brain bleed while he was admitted to Firelands Hospital. Tittle & Perlmuter attorneys Scott Perlmuter (left) and Allen Tittle (right) with the plaintiff's wife, Melissa Johnson (middle).

Michael Johnson was a patient at Firelands Hospital where he was placed on seven new medications that increased his chances of falling. Despite the elevated risk, Firelands nurses and hospital staff did not follow mandated precautions to prevent Johnson from falling and suffering additional injuries. Sadly, he fell while getting up to use the restroom and suffered a TBI. Johnson suffered permanent injuries caused by the preventable TBI and is now confined to a chair in his home.

The jury found Firelands Hospital responsible for Johnson's life-altering brain injury, affecting both him and his wife, Melissa. The substantial award sent a clear message to the hospital and other medical facilities in Erie County: Policies matter, patient safety rules matter, and everyone deserves the same standard of medical care.

"This verdict is proof that the jury system works and delivers justice," says attorney Allen Tittle of Tittle & Perlmuter. "We want to thank members of the jury and the court for acknowledging the importance of policies and the unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standard of care."

About Tittle & Perlmuter

Tittle & Perlmuter focuses on catastrophic personal injury and medical malpractice litigation. The firm prosecutes injury cases across Ohio with its offices in Cleveland, Chardon, Sandusky, and Elyria. Attorneys at Tittle & Perlmuter aim to champion integrity and safety in local communities. To learn more about the firm, visit its website .

SOURCE Tittle & Perlmuter
DUBLIN, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Agricultural Testing Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global agricultural testing market has shown significant growth, reaching a size of US$ 5.6 billion in 2022. Projections indicate further expansion, with the market expected to reach US$ 7.5 billion by 2028, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% during 2023-2028.

Market Overview

Agricultural testing plays a pivotal role in evaluating the quality and contaminant content of water, seeds, and soil. This technique is vital for analyzing essential resources and inputs, such as moisture levels, soil fertility, acidity, and pH, necessary for achieving optimal crop yields.

Agriculture testing encompasses a range of assessments, including bio-solid, manure, seed, soil, and water testing, which are essential for characterizing fertility levels and ensuring analytical water quality for irrigation. These practices empower farmers, municipalities, and environmental agencies to make informed decisions, leading to enhanced crop production, quality, profitability, and nutrient availability.

Market Trends

Several key trends are driving the growth of the global agricultural testing market:

Increased Demand for Agricultural Products: Rapid population growth, urbanization, and industrialization, particularly in emerging economies, have led to a rising demand for agricultural products. Agriculture testing ensures the quality and safety of crops, contributing to increased production. Food Safety Concerns: Growing concerns over foodborne illnesses, including reactive arthritis, cancer, kidney and liver failure, and neural disorders, have fueled the adoption of agriculture testing to ensure the safety of food products. Environmental Regulations: Governments worldwide are taking action against the improper disposal of industrial waste into the environment. As a result, periodic soil testing is becoming mandatory to enhance the safety and quality of agricultural commodities. Technological Advancements: Integration of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) allows real-time monitoring and insights into remote fields with insufficient access to traditional testing methods. Research and Development: Extensive research and development activities, coupled with the establishment of well-equipped laboratories, are further driving market growth.

Key Market Segmentation

The global agricultural testing market is segmented based on sample, technology, and application:

Sample: Water, Soil, Seed, Biosolids, Manure, Others.

Water, Soil, Seed, Biosolids, Manure, Others. Technology: Conventional, Rapid, Others.

Conventional, Rapid, Others. Application: Safety Testing, Quality Assurance, Others.

Competitive Landscape

Key players in the global agricultural testing market include:

Agilent Technologies Inc.

ALS Limited

bioMerieux SA

Bureau Veritas SA

Element Materials Technology

Eurofins Scientific

Intertek Group PLC

Merck KGaA

R J Hill Laboratories Limited

Scientific Certification Systems Inc.

SGS S.A.

TUV Nord Group

Regional Breakdown

The market analysis covers key regions, including North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Key Questions Answered:

What was the size of the global agricultural testing market in 2022? What is the expected growth rate of the global agricultural testing market during 2023-2028? What are the key factors driving the global agricultural testing market? What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global agricultural testing market? What is the market breakdown based on the sample? What is the market breakdown based on the technology? What is the market breakdown based on the application? Which regions are the key markets for agricultural testing? Who are the prominent players/companies in the global agricultural testing market?

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xpbfur

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. According to the joint action plan signed between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan, "Khazri-2023" joint tactical exercises are being held in Baku with the participation of warships and military personnel of the Naval Forces of both countries, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.

The warships and military personnel of the Kazakh Naval Forces paid a visit to Baku to participate in the joint tactical exercises on October 2.

The Commander of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Subhan Bakirov, met with a delegation led by the Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Rear Admiral Bekzhanov Saken.

Vice Admiral S. Bakirov welcomed the guests and expressed his satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijan Naval Forces Commander emphasized that the joint tactical exercises held in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea will make a great contribution to the mutual exchange of experience between the servicemen of both countries and further improve their professionalism and level of training.

It should be noted that various tasks will be fulfilled during the Azerbaijani-Kazakh joint tactical exercises, which will last until October 8.
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA), a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems, will hold a conference call to review the company's third quarter 2023 financial results and related matters on October 26, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. EDT.

To participate in the conference call:

Webcast link: click here

Toll-free calls: 877-883-0383

International calls: 412-902-6506

The conference code is 7035224.

You also may listen to the live audio webcast of the call, in listen-only mode, on Lear's Investor Relations website at ir.lear.com. The webcast replay will be available two hours following the call.

Note: The third quarter 2023 slide presentation will be available on Lear's website before the earnings call begins on October 26, 2023.

SOURCE Lear Corporation
Lawsuit Cash Advance Firm lists general information for plaintiffs involved in civil claims and instructions on how to apply for case funding.

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal-Bay LLC, The Lawsuit Settlement Funding Company, a leader in lawsuit funding services for civil suits, negligence lawsuit funding, civil suit settlement cash advance requests, civil suit legal funding, and quick turnaround times, announced today their focus on funding civil lawsuits and negligence claims for plaintiffs in all fifty states.

While most legal funding firms are mainly interested in car accidents or other personal injury claims, Legal-Bay considers almost any case, as long as you have a lawyer and the case has been filed in the court system. However, even if you have a pending civil suit, if someone's negligence caused you damages, Legal-Bay will consider funding your case.

If you think you might have a lawsuit on your hands but don't know where to start, please visit Legal-Bay's new website page for civil suits and negligence claims, at: https://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com/civil-lawsuits-and-negligence-claims-2.php

In cases that are more complex, Legal-Bay requires an official lawsuit complaint to be previously filed in the courts. In simpler, more straightforward cases though, with clear negligence and injuries, pre-settlement funding can be considered without a proper filing.

Legal-Bay is an industry leader in the lawsuit pre-settlement funding industry, providing lawsuit cash advances to plaintiffs while they await payments prior to case settlements. The pre-settlement loan and settlement loan cash advances are on a non-recourse basis, which means the plaintiff is only required to repay the advance if they win their case. Legal-Bay does not buy the full claim but simply advances a small portion of the expected settlement amount. Any fees or expenses accrued on the cash advance will be repaid by the plaintiff's lawyer if and when the case if officially settled and paid.

Legal-Bay is known as one of the best lawsuit loan companies, however, their cash advances are not a lawsuit loan or a loan on lawsuit, as there is no recourse if you lose your case. It is standard for people to perceive the funding requests as settlement loans or pre-settlement loans, but they are not loans on lawsuits or loans on settlements or loans on pre-settlements at all. They are simply pre-settlement cash advances, which you only pay back if you win your case.

Additionally, while most lawsuit funding companies do not assist plaintiffs who have already had a prior lawsuit cash advance, Legal-Bay stands ready and able to assist those plaintiffs as well. So if you've already had a loan on your lawsuit, don't let that stop you from contacting Legal-Bay today for an additional cash settlement advance/loan settlement advance.

If you've suffered due to negligence or have a civil suit pending and find yourself in need of funds now, Legal-Bay encourages you to begin their quick and efficient funding process. Agents are standing by 24 hours to assist you with your civil suit claim, settlement funding request, or pre-settlement loan request. For more information, or to apply for the 12 to 24-hour approval process on your civil settlement or pre-settlement funding request, or any other type of civil suit or negligence claim funding request, please visit: https://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com/civil-lawsuits-and-negligence-claims-2.php

Legal-Bay states that the civil cases listed below (as well as others not listed) are eligible for the 12 to 24-hour approvals:

Tort claims, breach of contract, contract disputes, landlord/tenant disputes, auto negligence, products liability, medical malpractice, bankruptcy, or age, race, or gender discrimination.

All fifty states across the US are eligible for Legal-Bay's civil suit settlement or negligence claim pre-settlement funding.

To learn more, please call Legal-Bay's 24-hour hotline geared toward loans for lawsuits, at 877.571.0405.

Legal-Bay LLC (as well as their related companies) is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice on your case; however, Legal-Bay works with lawyers who can provide you with a free legal consultation at the consumer's direction.

Contact: Chris Janish, CEO

Ph. 877.571.0405 Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Legal-Bay, LLC
STOCKHOLM, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Loomis AB has signed an agreement for a syndicated Term Loan facility of EUR 115 million. The facility has a tenor of up to two years.

The facility can be used for general corporate purposes of the Group, including acquisitions.

The arrangers are Bank of America, Danske Bank and Nordea Bank.

This press release is also available on the company's website, www.loomis.com

October 2, 2023

CONTACT:

Jenny Bostrom

Head of Sustainability and IR

Mobile: +46 79 006 45 92

Email: [email protected]

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/51/3846262/2332752.pdf Loomis signs a 2-year Term Loan facility of EUR 115 million

SOURCE Loomis AB
Care Smarter campaign shows how the new CQ Medical is the global leader in positioning innovations that advance human care

DETROIT, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Woman-owned brand actualization and business acceleration agency, LUDWIG+ announced the rebrand of the global leader in medical positioning innovations as newly-formed CQ Medical.

LUDWIG+ Rebrands Global Leader in Patient Medical Positioning Devices LUDWIG+ Rebrands Global Leader in Patient Medical Positioning Devices

LUDWIG+ is leading a complete repositioning of the new brand in the highly competitive medical positioning innovation market, including a new name, new brand identity and new campaign. CQ Medical was formed following the merger of leading medical positioning device companies, CIVCO Radiotherapy (RT) and QFix, which were the No. 1 and 2 brands in the patient-centric radiotherapy field. The name CQ stands for Care Quotient, which is defined from within the company culture as the sum of IQ and EQ.

In addition to the new name, the rebrand centers on a new campaign platform "Care Smarter," expanding on the company's innovative clinical solutions, unmatched product depth and breadth and passion for customer and patient care.

"This was an exciting opportunity to unite the strength of these two companies into the newly branded global leader in positioning innovations," said LUDWIG+ CEO Barbara Yolles Ludwig. "It was clear that CQ Medical innovations are critical ingredients to making cancer treatment more precise, technology more effective and patients more comfortable."

With a first-of-its-kind campaign, Care Smarter takes on the intense emotions of patients as a way to reveal the inspiration and positive outcomes behind CQ Medical innovations. In print and OOH, "Open Letter To Fear" puts fear in its place by designing rigid radiation immobilization masks that allow a patient to see, breathe and feel as physically and mentally comfortable as possible while undergoing radiation therapy.

"Our new brand identity as CQ Medical embodies our commitment to driving innovation that improves cancer care and patient outcomes, as well as our deep engagement with clinicians and technology partners," said CQ Medical CEO Mike Sutter. "LUDWIG+ has helped CQ pave the way for us to emerge as a new global leader in innovative cancer therapy solutions."

The new campaign was unveiled with a brand video at the industry conference ASTRO in San Diego with omnichannel media, including search, social, digital, email, print, events, OOH, direct mail, and national PR. A newly refreshed website also launched Oct. 1 and showcases the new name, campaign, and brand identity. You can see the site here.

This latest announcement continues the powerful growth trajectory of LUDWIG+. The agency was recently named among the 2023 Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies in America, the 2022 B2B Small Agency of the Year by the Association of National Advertisers, and the 2022 Small Agency of the Year by the Stevie Awards.

About LUDWIG+

LUDWIG+ (L+) is a woman-owned brand actualization and business acceleration agency focused on creating, category-disruptive marketing and advertising that fuels business growth, drives brand-defining ideas to every corner of an organization, and elevates people plus business. LUDWIG+ brings a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to everything it touches - brand positioning, brand architecture, brand image, strategy, creative, technology product and development, media planning and buying, digital, social, production, video/editing/animation, public relations, print, email, SEO, CRM for B2B and B2C clients. Visit ludwigplus.com .

About CQ Medical

CQ Medical is a global leader in developing high-quality, innovative, patient-centric radiotherapy and cancer therapy solutions. With primary locations in Iowa and Pennsylvania and employees worldwide, the company has more than 80 years of combined experience bringing advanced hardware and consumables for patient immobilization and positioning, fiducial markers, couchtops, and patient care products to the market.

SOURCE LUDWIG+
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Madonna, the iconic Queen of Pop, known for her original sense of style, has partnered with Eco Fashion House Ministry of Tomorrow to create a limited collection of exclusive merchandise involving two collectors item tote bags for her Celebration Tour.

This collaboration aims to support two important causes - Raising Malawi and the Chema Vision Children's Center to make a positive impact on the lives of children in need.

The Celebration Tour merchandise, designed by Ministry of Tomorrow's founder and President Julian Prolman, aka The Great White Buffalo, will showcase Madonna's unique style while promoting sustainability and ethical fashion practices. The fabric is made from certified organic and Fair-Trade cotton.

The creation of this collection aligns with both Madonna's and Ministry of Tomorrow's commitment to make a better world. Madonna is donating 100% of the proceeds from the sales of these Celebration Tour merchandise items to Raising Malawi and the Chema Vision Children's Center in Kibera, Kenya. These organizations provide crucial support and resources to vulnerable children.

The Celebration Tour merchandise will be available for purchase both online and at select tour venues. Fans of Madonna, supporters of sustainable fashion, and philanthropic individuals are encouraged to embrace this unique opportunity to contribute to these important causes.

Donation Links:

Chema Vision

Raising Malawi

About Raising Malawi

Raising Malawi built the country's first-and-only pediatric surgery and intensive care hospital, the Mercy James Centre (MJC). Opened in 2017 on the campus of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi, the MJC is a free, public facility that provides the full spectrum of care for infants and children who are critically ill or injured, or who require complex surgery. With three operating theaters, the country's only pediatric ICU, and a 50-bed ward, when a child requires the most advanced medical treatment available, the MJC is at their disposal. Today, Raising Malawi operates the MJC with a coalition of local & international partners, serving thousands of vulnerable children each year and training additional pediatric surgeons, nurses, intensivists and anesthesiologists to improve the quality of care in both Malawi and across sub-Saharan Africa."

About Chema Vision Children's Center

The Chema Vision Children's Center is situated in the midst of Kibera, Africa's largest urban slum and was established to provide quality education for some of Kibera's most vulnerable children. Many of the students are orphans or children of single parents without income to pay for school fees.

About Ministry of Tomorrow

Ministry of Tomorrow is an eco-fashion house with its flagship facility located in Nairobi, Kenya that was founded in 2013 by Julian Prolman. Inspired by his passion for ethical and sustainable fashion, Prolman set out to create a brand that would make a positive impact on the planet.

To learn more about the Ministry of Tomorrow visit: www.ministryoftomorrow.com

Media contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Ministry of Tomorrow
VILLORBA, Italy, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, Inc. (MZB-USA) has signed an agreement with Ultramar Caffe - La Natura Lifestyle AG, for the installation of a new packaging line in the US market entirely dedicated to aluminum espresso capsules.

"Enhancing high-growth segments with dedicated production capacity has always been a goal of MZB-USA." Post this Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, Inc. (MZB-USA) has signed an agreement with Ultramar Caffe - La Natura Lifestyle AG, for the installation of a new packaging line in the US market entirely dedicated to aluminum espresso capsules. The new line will be installed by the second half of 2024 at MZB-USA's production facility in Suffolk, Va. The capsules will be produced for MZB-USA's most prestigious and popular brands, including Chock full oNuts, Hills Bros., Kauai Coffee and Segafredo Zanetti.

The new line will be installed by the second half of 2024 at MZB-USA's production facility in Suffolk, Virginia. Once completed, it will have the capacity to produce 100 million capsules per year. The capsules will be produced for MZB-USA's most prestigious and popular brands, including Chock full o'Nuts, Hills Bros., Kauai Coffee and Segafredo Zanetti.

"Enhancing high-growth segments with dedicated production capacity has always been a goal of MZB-USA," said Alberto Lusini, President of MZB-USA. "In the US single-serve coffee sector, Nespresso compatible capsules are the fastest growing product and our strategic partnership with Ultramar Caffe - La Natura Lifestyle will provide MZB-USA and our customers with a quick and profitable entry point for this increasingly popular format," added Lusini.*

"We are proud to partner with MZB-USA to offer the American consumer an innovative and sustainable single-serve product such as compatible aluminum capsules," says La Natura Lifestyle AG Founder & Chairman Mr. Struggl Ewald. "Our commitment to sustainability and quality drives us to continuously find new ways to exceed our customers' expectations," added Ewald.

The capsules will initially be available for the e-commerce and food service markets. With this partnership, MZB-USA also aims to act as a third-party supplier for large brands interested in growing in this segment.

Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA

Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, Inc. (MZB-USA) is one of the leading vertically integrated coffee companies in the U.S., offering a range of proprietary and branded coffee, tea and drink mixes for in-home and away-from-home channels. With its headquarters and main roasting facility in Suffolk, Virginia, the company operates the largest coffee farm in the U.S., on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. MZB-USA is also one of the largest private label coffee providers in North America, and its globally recognized brands include Segafredo Zanetti Coffee and Espresso, Chock full o'Nuts, Hills Bros. Coffee, Hills Bros. Cappuccino and Kauai Coffee, among others. Part of the Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group, MZB-USA also licenses Segafredo Zanetti Espresso Cafes throughout North America and offers a range of espresso machines and single-serve brewers  further strengthening its position as Coffee Complete from crop to cup. For more information, visit www.mzb-usa.com.

La Natura Lifestyle AG

La Natura Lifestyle AG (Ultramar Caffe) has established itself as a company committed to both environmental protection and innovation in the coffee industry. With an international distribution network and a strong commitment to quality and sustainability, the company is well positioned to succeed in the future. La Natura Lifestyle AG (Ultramar Caffe) is known for its innovative products and the development of proprietary blends that enable its customers to stand out in their consumer markets are supported by a modern processing infrastructure and advanced operational and logistics capabilities that ensure La Natura Lifestyle AG (Ultramar Caffe) delivers on its commitments Commitment: "We innovate, we partner, we deliver ... With passion."

*Nespresso is a registered trademark of Societe des Produits Nestle S.A. Neither MZB-USA nor La Natura Lifestyle AG (Ultramar Caffe) is affiliated with Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.

SOURCE Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, Inc.
FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mease Life, a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Dunedin, Florida has completed an affiliation with Pennsylvania-based Acts Retirement-Life Communities, Inc., one of the nation's largest not-for-profit senior living organizations.

Acts Retirement-Life Communities expands in Florida through an affiliation with Mease Life; now manages 27 CCRCs Post this Acts Retirement-Life Communities

Under the affiliation agreement, Mease Life has become an Acts affiliate member and part of its network of 27 CCRCs in nine states across the east coast. By joining the Acts organization, Mease Life will realize significant advantages in purchasing power, added expertise and resources, and provide career-advancing opportunities for their team members which position the organization to thrive in meeting the needs of current and future residents. Mease Life is home to approximately 350 residents and includes a mix of independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing residences, and other specialty care services.

With the affiliation, Acts is continuing its strategic growth by expanding its presence in Florida where it operates four other senior living CCRCs. Acts has successfully completed nine affiliation transactions adding 13 communities over the past two decades, leading the industry's continued consolidation. Acts is currently the nation's fourth largest not-for-profit senior living organization with assets of $2.4 billion and an A- rating from Fitch Ratings. The Acts communities are in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.

"We are delighted to be joining the Acts family, which is one of the nation's premier senior living organizations with an over 50-year track record in senior living services," said Kent L. McRae, Mease Life President and CEO. "In joining a company with the reputation, resources, and financial strength of Acts, the affiliation has set us up for continued success into the future to provide exceptional senior living services that is core to our identity."

"We are ecstatic to welcome Mease Life into the Acts family of communities and further expand our presence in Florida, where we've achieved great success with other Acts campuses," said Gerald T. Grant, Acts Chief Executive Officer. "Both Mease Life and Acts are united by a shared commitment to provide the highest quality of retirement lifestyle amenities, services, and care for residents. This affiliation further positions us to deliver on our mission."

About Acts Retirement-Life Communities

Acts Retirement-Life Communities, Inc. is a faith-based, not-for-profit organization headquartered in Fort Washington, PA. Acts has been serving seniors since 1972, and is one of the nation's largest not-for-profit senior living organizations. Its family of senior living CCRCs in 9 states serves more than 10,000 residents.

About Mease Life

Located in Dunedin, Florida, Mease Life was founded in the early 1960s by Dr. John A. Mease. The nine-story high rise community includes a mix of independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing residences, along with other specialty care health services.

Media Contact: Michael Smith, 267-787-4167, [email protected]

SOURCE Acts Retirement-Life Communities
TORONTO, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - MediPharm Labs Corp. (TSX: LABS) (OTCQB: MEDIF) (FSE: MLZ) ("MediPharm", "MediPharm Labs" or the "Company") a company specialized in precision-based cannabinoids, is pleased to announce it has entered into a settlement agreement on September 29, 2023 (the "Settlement Agreement") to resolve a claim in connection with a commercial agreement dispute, for a total consideration value of $9,000,000.

On January 24, 2020, MediPharm Labs filed a statement of claim (the "Claim") in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against one of its long-term customers, HEXO Corp., regarding a long-term supply agreement for cannabis concentrates. The Claim related to the payment of outstanding amounts due to the Company for products shipped to and received by the customer and deposits owed to the Company for committed amounts not yet shipped. MediPharm was awarded a favourable summary judgment in the Ontario Court of Justice in July of 2022. The summary judgment was appealed by Hexo Corp. and a hearing at the Court of Appeal was scheduled for October 12, 2023. In connection with the Settlement Agreement, Hexo Corp. will abandon its appeal as against MediPharm.

Upon the acquisition of HEXO Corp. by Tilray Brands, Inc. ("Tilray"), MediPharm and Tilray sought a resolution that was favorable to each party and establish a long-term supply relationship in connection with the Settlement Agreement. Under the Settlement Agreement, MediPharm will receive a total value consideration of $9,000,000 including:

$3,000,000 immediate cash payment;

immediate cash payment; $4,500,000 in common shares of Tilray;

in common shares of Tilray; $1,000,000 in Tilray cannabis products, including high-quality flower and extractable bio-mass; and

in Tilray cannabis products, including high-quality flower and extractable bio-mass; and $500,000 supply agreement to provide Tilray with MediPharm products and services over four-years.

This long-term supply agreement will allow MediPharm to establish a positive ongoing business relationship with a global leader in the cannabis industry. This supply agreement is expected to benefit Tilray through access to MediPharm's unique pharmaceutical products and services both domestically and internationally, including products produced under the Company's US FDA Foreign Drug Site registration and Canadian Pharmaceutical Drug Establishment License.

Once completed, this arrangement will settle a current aged receivable of $8.5M on the Company's balance sheet. The additional $3M cash and $4.5M anticipated proceeds from the Tilray shares further strengthens the Company's balance sheet. MediPharm's Q2 2023 reported cash balance was $14.7M, which does not include the August 2023 surplus land sale for $1.9M. This Settlement Agreement solidifies the Company's position as having one of the strongest cash positions amongst its cannabis industry peers with similar market capitalizations. In addition, with less than $3M of debt, no overdue excise tax exposure, and full ownership of its assets, MediPharm also enjoys a very favourable debt position versus the same peer group. Management believes this puts the Company in a very strong position to continue to invest in the pharmaceutical and clinical pipelines, and to thoughtfully consider approaches to the many available consolidation opportunities in the industry.

Management Commentary

David Pidduck, CEO of MediPharm Labs commented, "This settlement will allow us to receive $9M in value, which will dramatically strengthen our balance sheet and allow us to invest in many organic and inorganic growth opportunities. We are also excited to establish a long-term relationship with Tilray, a global leader in the cannabis space. This agreement builds on MediPharm's many customers across multiple channels, multiple geographies, B2B segments and Pharma. I would like to thank the Tilray management team for their professional and pragmatic approach to this mutually beneficial settlement, and we look forward to working with them in the future".

About MediPharm Labs

Founded in 2015, MediPharm Labs specializes in the development and manufacture of purified, pharmaceutical-quality cannabis concentrates, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and advanced derivative products utilizing a Good Manufacturing Practices certified facility with ISO standard-built clean rooms. MediPharm Labs has invested in an expert, research driven team, state-of-the-art technology, downstream purification methodologies and purpose-built facilities for delivery of pure, trusted and precision-dosed cannabis products for its customers. MediPharm Labs develops, formulates, processes, packages and distributes cannabis and advanced cannabinoid-based products to domestic and international medical markets.

In 2021, MediPharm Labs received a Pharmaceutical Drug Establishment License from Health Canada, becoming the only company in North America to hold a commercial scale domestic Good Manufacturing License for the extraction of multiple natural cannabinoids. The Company carries out its operations in compliance with all applicable laws in the countries in which it operates.

In 2023, MediPharm acquired VIVO Cannabis Inc. which expanded MediPharm's reach to medical patients in Canada via Canna Farms medical ecommerce platform, and in Australia and Germany through Beacon Medical PTY and Beacon Medical GMBH. This acquisition also included Harvest Medical Clinics in Canada which provides medical cannabis patients with Physician consultations for medical cannabis education and prescriptions.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the Company's position as a cash leader amongst its peers of a similar market capitalization, access to MediPharm's unique pharmaceutical products and services both domestically and internationally, MediPharm's very strong position to continue to invest in the pharmaceutical and clinical pipelines, the impact of the Settlement Agreement on MediPharm's financial position, future business opportunities, future marketable pharmaceutical products, and future Canadian and international commercial products that leverage MediPharm's unique Pharma expertise.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the inability of MediPharm Labs to obtain adequate financing; the delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; and other factors discussed in MediPharm Labs' filings, available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, MediPharm Labs assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.

SOURCE MediPharm Labs Corp.
Medicare Plus Blue PPO + Meijer plan features a $0 monthly premium and $660 annual allowance to spend in Meijer stores

DETROIT, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, Meijer is entering into the health insurance space through a new partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan on a Medicare Advantage plan, called Medicare Plus Blue PPO + Meijer. The new plan offering will be available to seniors this annual enrollment period, beginning Oct. 15, 2023.

The plan's benefits, which include a $0 monthly premium, $0 annual deductible, $0 primary care visits, $0 copay on many generic prescription drugs, and a $660 in-store-allowance, will offer an affordable, convenient plan option to Meijer shoppers and Blue Cross members. Medicare-eligible persons enrolling in Medicare Plus Blue PPO + Meijer between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, 2023, will have the benefits take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

Meijer already offers customers access to health and wellness resources, merchandise, and prescriptions in more than 100 Michigan stores. This new partnership enables Meijer to bring even more health benefits to shoppers. Members who enroll in the Medicare Plus Blue PPO + Meijer plan can put their $660 annual in-store allowance to work in Meijer stores, purchasing wellness-related items such as vitamins and bandages. For those who qualify with a chronic condition, the allowance can also be applied to healthy foods available in Meijer stores. Members will also receive comprehensive dental and vision coverage as part of their health plan.

"So many of our Medicare Advantage members already love shopping at Meijer. We're ready to help members make the most of Medicare Advantage through this partnership with Meijer," said Krischa Winright, president of Medicare Advantage at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. "Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is always exploring options on how we can tailor our Medicare Advantage plan offerings to best respond to the needs of our members. Partnering with Meijer, another respected Michigan-based business, will enable us to meet more of our members where they want to be, making the most of the resources they're most likely already using and lowering their out-of-pocket costs in the process."

"At Meijer, we care about the communities we serve, and are very pleased to partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan on this new offering for our senior community," said Jackie Morse, group vice president of Pharmacy & Health at Meijer. "We provide a wide range of high-quality wellness products and services, and being a part of this new Medicare Plus Blue PPO plan reinforces our commitment in being a one-stop wellness destination that can support our customers in all facets of their health journey."

Meijer shoppers should look for helpful information about this plan in stores starting Oct. 1, 2023. Agents will be available in select Michigan Meijer stores to provide helpful onsite support to seniors. For more information on Medicare Plus Blue PPO + Meijer, Medicare-eligible people should visit bcbsm.com/medicare.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, provides health benefits to nearly 5.2 million members. The company is committed to delivering affordable health care products through a broad variety of plans for businesses and individuals. Based in Detroit since 1939, BCBSM supports impactful community initiatives and provides leadership in improving health care across Michigan. BCBSM is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBluesPerspectives.com.

Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates more than 500 supercenters, Meijer Grocery, neighborhood markets and Express locations throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the "one-stop shopping" concept and has evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics. For additional information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter at twitter.com/Meijer and twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Over a third of female respondents say they just "haven't gotten around to" routine breast cancer screening.

COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey from MedStar Health finds that most American women over age 40 are not screening for breast cancer through annual mammograms. According to the results, 59% of respondents say they forgo the recommended routine exam on a yearly basis. Almost a quarter (23%) say they've never had a mammogram.

A patient receives a mammogram to screen for breast cancer.

These results come as breast cancer diagnoses continue to increase by about 0.5% every year, according to the American Cancer Society, including a nearly 3% increase in younger women under age 40. In May, the United States Preventative Task Force (USPSTF), one of the nation's leading influencers of breast cancer screening guidelines, lowered its recommended age for mammograms from age 50 to 40.

MedStar Health breast cancer experts encourage women, starting as early as age 30, to talk to their doctor about their own personal breast cancer risk and begin developing a plan to start mammograms as soon as possible. This becomes even more important as women get older.

"Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, but deaths attributed to the disease are decreasing. This is in large part due to early detection from routine screening examinations and better treatments delivered through a multidisciplinary approach," said Judy H. Song, MD, chief of Breast Imaging at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. "Routine screening examinations can start with mammography and potentially include ultrasound and breast MRI. We recognize that not all populations currently have equal outcomes, and we at MedStar Health are actively working to reduce those disparities to save even more lives."

Women surveyed by MedStar Health said their top reasons for not yet getting annual mammograms include simply not getting around to it (34%), having a normal mammogram in the past (21%), and not having a family history of breast cancer (17%).

Additional survey insights include:

Awareness of breast cancer symptoms:

The majority of respondents correctly identified common breast cancer symptoms, such as a lump in breast (67%), a family history (60%), and breast pain (59%).

Lack of knowledge about risk factors:

62% did not know that age is a risk factor.

56% did not know that cigarette smoking is a risk factor.

Male respondents and breast cancer awareness:

72% believe that breast cancer is a risk for men, while only 34% correctly identified that 1% of breast cancers diagnosed in the U.S. are found in males.

9% say they believe that men do not get breast cancer.

"Everyone's breast cancer risk is different. Educating yourself about your own risk is key to catching it early," said Stephanie Johnson, PA-C, director of the MedStar Health High-Risk Breast Cancer Program and a breast cancer survivor herself. "The American College of Radiology recommends that every woman calculate her risk with the Tyrer-Cuzick risk model at age 30 and about every five years after. This model considers at least eight factors for risk. From there, you and your provider can create an individualized risk management plan. If you are at high risk, or even average risk, regular testing and screening may be necessary, but it's so important to take this time for your health and wellness."

For more information about breast cancer risk management and screening, visit the MedStar Health High-Risk Breast Cancer Program.

SOURCE MedStar Health
Qualifying students will receive a monthly scholarship of 300 AZN

Azercell is pleased to launch the next "Student Bursary Program" to encourage students with academic distinction and support the development of young individuals with high capacity as future specialists.

The company will provide a monthly scholarship of 300 AZN to 10 students qualifying for the "Student Scholarship Program 2024" throughout the remaining period of their university studies.

Students in the last 2 years of their undergraduate studies at various higher educational institutions of the Republic of Azerbaijan with a major in Information Technologies, Cyber Security, Business Analytics, Data Science, and Marketing are eligible to apply for this program. Candidates must have A or B (5 or 4) grades in their last 2 courses/years.

To apply for Azercell's "Student Bursary Program", please visit the relevant link on the company's official website (www.azercell.jobs). Information about the progress and results of the selection stages will be sent via e-mail. Applications must be submitted online from 01.10.2023 to 31.10.2023.

You may contact [email protected] to get more information.

It should be noted that Azercell representatives plan to visit the cities of Ganja (17.10.2023), Nakhchivan (23.10.2023) and Lankaran (30.10.2023) to meet with students at universities as part of the program.

Azercell's "Student Bursary Program" is not limited to financial support. Every year, within the framework of this program, dozens of young fellows take an internship at Azercell, improve their knowledge in the field of telecommunications and gain invaluable experience for their future careers.
CALGARY, AB, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Neoflow, a Calgary based energy technology company, has been awarded a Phase 4 contract by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) to complete the development of the Neoflow Platform for Natural Gas. This builds on the Phase 4 contract awarded to Neoflow earlier this year to complete the Neoflow Platform for Crude Oil. The contract was awarded through the Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) under the auspices of the DHS Preventing Forgery & Counterfeiting of Certificates and Licenses solicitation. The solicitation supports the development of standards-based technologies to continue DHS's efforts in utilizing Verifiable Credentials (W3C) and distributed ledger technology (DLT) to modernize operations.

The work is a continuation of a process that began in 2019. The Neoflow Natural Gas Platform will digitally trace Natural Gas as it moves through the supply chain between Canada and the United States using innovative technologies such as distributed ledger technology, Verifiable Credentials, and decentralized identifiers.

"The award of this contract is an important milestone in the development of the Neoflow Platform. Phase 4 is the last stage of the development process and will include a technical demonstration to validate readiness for production. The award is recognition of the effort of our industry and DHS partners and the Neoflow team to develop a technology that will modernize the cross-border movement of natural gas," said Jim Oosterbaan, CEO of Neoflow. Canadian imports of Crude Oil and Natural Gas into the United States exceeded $ 110 Billion during 2022.

SVIP is one of S&T's programs to fund innovation and work with private sector partners to advance homeland security solutions. Companies participating in SVIP are eligible for non-dilutive funding to develop and adapt commercial technologies for homeland security use cases.

About Neoflow

Neoflow Inc. is a Calgary based company, a team of digital innovators, entrepreneurs, and energy industry experts. We have a common passion for transformation in the energy industry along with a common belief that the Neoflow platform will create opportunities to transform the energy value chain. To learn more about Neoflow visit our website www.neoflow.energy and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Medium.

About SVIP

The SVIP is one of S&T's programs and tools to fund innovation and work with private sector partners to advance homeland security solutions. Companies participating in the SVIP are eligible for non-dilutive funding over four phases to develop and adapt commercial technologies for homeland security use cases.

SOURCE Neoflow
CHIEF FINANCIAL AND OPERATING OFFICER AND GENERAL MANAGER, NORTH AMERICA STRENGTHEN LEADERSHIP TEAM; BRAND CREATES NEW INTERNATIONAL DIVISION

NEW YORK , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NEST New York, a leading fragrance lifestyle brand, today announced two new additions to its leadership team. Rhona Jacquand joins the brand as Chief Financial and Operating Officer, and Ali Wente, as General Manager, North America.

Rhona Jacquand, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, NEST New York Ali Wente, General Manager, North America, NEST New York

Rhona Jacquand joins NEST from Shiseido Americas where she was the Vice President of Finance for the Shiseido Brand USA, Cle de Peau Beaute USA and the Shiseido Fragrance portfolio, leading the P&L management and financial implementation of the strategic plans. Prior to her time with Shiseido, Rhona worked for L'Oreal Groupe for 12 years in finance leadership roles globally.

Ali Wente most recently served as the Senior Vice President of Coty Luxury US where she oversaw the sales division of luxury brands across fine fragrances, skincare & makeup, including Gucci Beauty, Burberry, Marc Jacobs, and Kylie Cosmetics, among others. During her tenure, the company achieved record-setting growth in the US market and two consecutive years with the #1 Women's Fragrance Launch. Prior to Coty US, Ali spent 18 years at Estee Lauder Companies managing sales teams, as well as LVMH and Pola Orbis.

"I am pleased to welcome Rhona and Ali to NEST New York," said Edgar Huber, Chief Executive Officer of NEST New York. "Their strategic vision, leadership acumen, and dedication to excellence align perfectly with our company's values, making them each an instrumental addition to the organization.

As the brand continues to focus on international expansion, current Vice President of Sales Nicole Martini will be moving to a newly created role of Vice President, International Business Development and establishing a new department to oversee global sales.

"Rhona and Ali are both highly valuable additions to our executive team," shared Laura Slatkin, NEST New York Founder and Executive Chairman. "Their extensive experience and strategic insight, as well as Nicole's new focus on international development, will collectively strengthen NEST's trajectory both in North America and across the globe."

About NEST New York

NEST New York is a fast-growing, leading fragrance lifestyle brand offering a full range of innovative and award-winning home, fine, personal care, and fragrance technology products. Launched in 2008 by fragrance authority Laura Slatkin, NEST products have captured the hearts and households of many. In 2022, North Castle Partners, a consumer-focused private equity firm, purchased a majority stake in the brand. NEST is known for its outstanding product quality, extraordinary fragrances, and timeless, classic design. The brand's products are sold through a growing network of beauty specialty stores, luxury department stores, boutiques and spas, and the brand's online hub, NESTNewYork.com.

SOURCE NEST New York
In a 3-Way Race, Kennedy Would Enter Where Ross Perot Finished; Kennedy has Better Favorability Numbers Than Biden or Trump

SPARTANBURG, S.C., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An American Values Poll conducted Zogby Strategies of likely general election voters shows that in a three-way race between Kennedy, Trump, and Biden, RFK Jr. enters the contest at 19% with Biden and Trump at 38% each. Kennedy would be the highest-polling independent or 3rd party candidate to enter a presidential election in the modern era, starting off where Ross Perot finishedafter spending an enormous amount of money.

Ad Currently Running In South Carolina Vote Kennedy For President

"If this Poll shows anything," said Tony Lyons, Co-Chairman of American Values 2024, "it's that Kennedy can win as an independent candidate in 2024."

One of the most effective DNC slurs against Bobby Kennedy has been that his candidacy will help Trump win. The opposite is true. Kennedy is taking more votes from Trump than from Biden, according to this Poll as well as a recent YouGov poll.

"It appears that the DNC would rather lose with Biden, an establishment Democrat who won't rock the boat, than win with a populist like Bobby Kennedy who will shut down the corporate gravy train. The DNC, like the multibillion-dollar corporations that it represents, shows that it prefers Trump to Bobby Kennedy," said Lyons.

Among likely Democratic Primary voters, Kennedy has surged to 27% nationally, despite the most intense and comprehensive smear campaign against any presidential candidate in recent American political history. Kennedy has shown incredible resilience. "If Kennedy decides to run as an independent candidate," said Tony Lyons, co-chairman of American Values 2024, "it would be to give voters the choice that the DNC has denied them. Independent-minded Democrats have made it clear: They want the opportunity to select their candidate in a free, open, and fair primary process."

America's political landscape has become frozen. Congress is paralyzed. The two parties are so busy fighting each other that they are powerless to reverse our nation's rapid decline. Only a president beholden to neither party can unify the nation. That's why American Values 2024 supports Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for President.

The poll was commissioned by American Values 2024. More analysis from Zogby Strategies can be found here.

About American Values 2024

American Values 2024 is a Super PAC dedicated to electing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to President of the United States. The SuperPAC was co-founded by Mark Gorton, CEO of Tower Research Capital, and Tony Lyons, President of Skyhorse Publishing. Learn more at https://americanvalues2024.org/ .

Paid for by American Values 2024, ( 307 W. 36th St., 11th floor, New York, NY 10018 ) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

CONTACT:

[email protected]

704-775-0487

SOURCE American Values 2024
NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NSI International, the maker of Laser X  the #1 home laser tag system on the planet  announced today that it has shipped it 25 millionth Laser X blaster.

Laser X  available at major retailers world-wide, including Target, Walmart, and Costco  allows players to play laser tag anywhere.

Laser X is like having a laser tag arena right in your own backyard! Play anytime, any place, at a fraction of the cost of playing in an arena. Laser X Ultra is the latest generation of Laser X - the #1 home laser tag game on the planet! Now players can choose from more than 20 different team-color combinations to light up their blasters, and receivers let them know who blasted them! Laser X Ultra Long-Range Blasters can blast opponents up to 500' away - almost 1 times the length of a football field!

"Every one of the 25 million Laser X blasters we have made works together," said NSI Senior Vice President Brian Waldman, the creator of Laser X. "And all blasters can be used at the same time. We could, in theory, have a giant 25-million-person game of laser tag!"

"It's just hard to coordinate, with the different time zones and people's busy schedules," he added, with a smile.

"Laser X is a proven product with a play pattern that kids and parents love," said NSI President and CEO Frank Landi. "The product has tens of thousands of near 5-star reviews online. Players rave about the performance, quality, and ease of use, and parents love that this toy gets kids off their screens and promotes active play."

Laser X blasters have blasting ranges of up to 500'. Every blaster has advanced electronics, amazing lighting and sound effects, and allows for team or open-ended game play. All Laser X sets can be played outside in bright sunlight or in the dark.

Laser X is available at major and specialty retailers in the United States, Canada, and more than 50 additional countries. Learn more at GetLaserX.com.

ABOUT NSI INTERNATIONAL INC.:

NSI International Inc. is a global marketer and manufacturer of innovative toys and children's products under such established brands as Wubble, Smithsonian, Laser X, All Pro Passer, Projex, and more. NSI is headquartered in New York City, and its products can be found in thousands of retail locations in more than 50 countries around the globe.  2023 NSI International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Contact:

Parri Sontag

(813) 830-3115

[email protected]

SOURCE NSI International, Inc.
NINJIO's personalized CSAT platform will help companies identify and address their most urgent vulnerabilities during national cybersecurity push

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This year marks the 20th anniversary of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month . NINJIO , an industry-leading provider of cybersecurity awareness training (CSAT) solutions, is participating by joining the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) to ensure that Americans have the knowledge and resources they need to stay safe online.

At a time when almost three-quarters of cyberattacks involve a human element, it has never been more important to address the behavioral vulnerabilities that allow cybercriminals to manipulate their victims and infiltrate organizations. This is why NINJIO is making its SENSE Sampler Pack free to the public through the end of October.

NINJIO's platform will help companies address their most urgent vulnerabilities during national cybersecurity push. Post this

NINJIO SENSE is part of an all-in-one behavioral science-based CSAT training program which uses highly engaging content, attack vector training, and rigorous assessments (such as simulated phishing) to teach employees and other learners how to identify and prevent the most dangerous cyberthreats they face. The platform leverages the NINJIO Risk Algorithm and machine learning to deliver CSAT that's personalized on the basis of each employee's unique susceptibilities, behavioral profiles, and learning styles.

NINJIO CEO Dr. Shaun McAlmont explains why this approach is so critical: "As social engineering attacks become more targeted and sophisticated, effective CSAT needs to address the specific vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit: curiosity, fear, greed, obedience, opportunity, social, and urgency. By providing free access to our SENSE Sampler Pack during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we're giving companies the behavioral tools they need to navigate the ever-shifting cyberthreat landscape."

NINJIO is also reaffirming its commitment to the Friends & Family Use Rights program  an initiative which allows every registered employee to share NINJIO AWARE episodes with seven friends or family members. By reinforcing cybersecurity awareness beyond the workplace, NINJIO is doing its part to ensure that many more Americans know how to protect themselves online.

CSAT has to keep pace with rapidly evolving cyberthreats. For example, generative AI has made it easier than ever for hackers to launch successful cyberattacks at scale (by producing convincing and error-free phishing messages on demand, for instance). Cybercriminals are launching hyper-targeted attacks that exploit employees' distinct psychological vulnerabilities, so CSAT has to be personalized to address those vulnerabilities on a case-by-case basis. By combining AWARE and SENSE into a holistic solution, NINJIO is simultaneously giving companies access to engaging content and personalized educational tools.

NINJIO AWARE and SENSE help companies develop a culture of cybersecurity awareness at every level of the organization. As Dr. McAlmont observes: "There's an urgent need for holistic CSAT which keeps employees fully engaged while identifying which aspects of their behavior are putting the company at risk. During National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we hope companies will give our platform a try to determine what their vulnerabilities are and how they can protect themselves from cyberattacks."

About NINJIO

NINJIO is a cybersecurity awareness training company that provides an extensive library of engaging and personalized educational content designed to make employees unhackable. Each NINJIO episode focuses on a specific attack vector and uses real-world examples to demonstrate how employees can identify and repel cyberattacks. The NINJIO platform uses individual data on each employee's personality traits, learning styles, and vulnerabilities to help companies drive sustainable behavioral change.

Press contact:

Tom Richards:

[email protected]

Phone: 805-864-1999

SOURCE NINJIO
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- InvisALERT Solutions - ObservSMART, a leading provider of innovative behavioral health rounding technology, is proud to announce its sponsorship of the annual Out of the Darkness Walk in Philadelphia, PA. This event, organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), is an initiative aimed at raising awareness to prevent suicide, support survivors, and save lives.

We are honored to be a sponsor of the Out of the Darkness Walk in Philadelphia. Post this ObservSMART Supports Suicide Prevention Month by Sponsoring the Out of the Darkness Walk.

The Out of the Darkness Walk that took place on Sunday, October 1st, brought together thousands of participants from the community who share a common mission: to promote mental health, break the stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness, and provide hope to those affected by suicide.

The Out of the Darkness Walk grew a diverse crowd, including individuals and families who have been affected by suicide, mental health advocates, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. The event featured inspirational speeches, a memorial to honor lost loved ones, and a therapeutic atmosphere of unity and hope.

"We are honored to be a sponsor of the Out of the Darkness Walk in Philadelphia," said Noreen Gottfried, VP of Sales and Marketing. "Suicide prevention is a cause that is close to our hearts, and we believe that by coming together as a community, we can create meaningful change and provide essential support to those in need."

ObservSMART, known for its portable, rounding technology that enhances the quality of care in behavioral health settings, is committed to improving the lives of individuals facing mental health challenges. By sponsoring the Out of the Darkness Walk, ObservSMART reaffirms its dedication to making a positive impact in the community and supporting initiatives that promote mental wellness.

The partnership between ObservSMART and AFSP's Out of the Darkness Walk in Philadelphia signifies the importance of collaboration between organizations in advancing mental health initiatives. Together, they aim to raise awareness, eliminate stigma, and fund critical research and education programs.

For more information about ObservSMART and its commitment to improving behavioral healthcare, please visit: https://www.observsmart.com/about/

About ObservSMART

ObservSMART is a leading provider of behavioral health rounding technology designed to enhance patient safety and quality of care. The company's innovative solutions empower healthcare professionals to better document, monitor, and support patient care, leading to improved outcomes and well-being.

About AFSP

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with a public policy office in Washington, DC, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

SOURCE InvisALERT Solutions
MALIBU, Calif., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pepperdine Graziadio Business School revealed its list of 17 Most Fundable Companies during its reveal event at the Villa Graziadio Executive Center. Presented by the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship, among the event's startup recognitions were AGED (Active Genomes Expressed) Diagnostics Corp., Valqari, LLC and ViCardia Therapeutics, Inc., all of which received a Platinum designation, the highest recognition attainable.

More than 3,000 early-stage US companies across all 50 states participated in the Most Fundable Companies initiative, which is a free resource to assist startups in securing capital to accelerate meaningful innovation across industries and communities. The companies on the sixth annual list are located across the US and come from a variety of industries including healthcare and biotechnology, media, software technology, and consumer products.

"This year's Most Fundable Companies represent innovative business concepts and determined leadership," said Deborah Crown, dean of the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School and speaker at the Most Fundable Companies event. "These founders' remarkable acumen and unwavering commitment to meeting high-quality standards send a resounding message to investors: here are enterprises primed to drive revenue and prosperity."

The Most Fundable Companies List is an annual program hosted by the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School aimed to promote startup business development by providing pathways for startup funding and inspiring entrepreneurial spirit across the nation.

The Most Fundable Companies are evaluated on several company variables including financial projections, market opportunity, intellectual property, competitive advantage in their market, and the strength of the management team expertise. Each of these variables is then used to generate objective and customized feedback and scoring to improve readiness for funding.

The Most Fundable Companies event featured a keynote address from Graziadio alumnus Jason Nazar, co-founder and co-chairman of Clovers.ai. He was joined by an impressive lineup of speakers including Cary Singleton and Ryan Groves of the Singleton Foundation, Stevan Calvillo of the George and Reva Graziadio Foundation, and Vince Monteparte of Sway Ventures.

To learn more about the winners and vote for your favorite startups now through October 9, visit the 2023 Most Fundable Companies webpage .

Pepperdine Graziadio 2023 Most Fundable Companies List (alphabetically listed by category):

Platinum:

AGED Diagnostics Corp . (Bethesda, MD)

Valqari, LLC (Lombard, IL)

ViCardia Therapeutics, Inc. (San Francisco, CA)

Gold:

AllSides Technologies, Inc. (San Francisco, CA)

Franklin Junction, Inc. (Atlanta, GA)

Making Space - Zetta, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA)

NuvOx Pharma, LLC (Tucson, AZ)

SeeMedX, Inc. (Sacramento, CA)

Silver:

Alyve Medical, Inc. (Denver, CO)

Data Safeguard, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA)

iCover, LLC (Chesterfield, MO)

Ready. Set. Food! - Prollergy Corp. (Sherman Oaks, CA)

RemotelyMe - Aretanium Executive Group, Inc. (Chula Vista, CA)

Bronze:

Novuson Surgical, Inc. (Bothell, WA)

OneFul Health, Inc. (Durham, NC)

Opus Medical Therapies, LLC (Smyrna, GA)

WedFun, Inc. (Manhattan Beach, CA)

PitchBook University rated Pepperdine Graziadio Business School #32 in the Top 100 colleges ranked by startup founders . These rankings serve as a resource for aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, and stakeholders in the startup ecosystem to identify leading universities in this field. Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business offers courses that deliver an unparalleled learning experienceincluding transformational opportunities for entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey. More information is available here.

Disclaimers:

The Pepperdine Graziadio Most Fundable Companies List does not represent an offer to sell securities. It does not constitute investment advice, nor is it an endorsement of any product or service. Pepperdine University is not a broker-dealer and does not perform services provided by a broker-dealer, including but not limited to any financial or investment advising.

About Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School

For more than 50 years, the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School has challenged individuals to think boldly and drive meaningful change within their industries and communities. The Graziadio School offers a comprehensive range of MBA, MS, executive, and doctoral degree programs grounded in integrity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The Graziadio School advances experiential learning through small classes with distinguished faculty that stimulate critical thinking and meaningful connection, inspiring students and working professionals to realize their greatest potential as values-centered leaders. Follow Pepperdine Graziadio on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Pepperdine University is a private Christian university located 30 miles west of Downtown Los Angeles in Malibu, California. Rooted in the Christian tradition, Pepperdine is committed to both the relentless pursuit of truth through academic and scholarly excellence and to embodying Christian faith and values. With students at the heart of the educational enterprise, the University prepares approximately 10,300 scholars across its liberal arts school, Seaver College, and its four nationally recognized graduate schools for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.

Contact

Hillary Doran

Director of Marketing

hillary.doran@pepperdine.edu

SOURCE Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Piccolo Medical, Inc. (Piccolo) today announced the close of a $5.5M Series B financing led by Event Capital Strategies, a medical technology-focused investment fund based in New York. Funding from the Series B will support the further development and commercialization of the Company's catheter guidance technology, including the next-generation SmartPICC cathether tip location and navigation system that received 510(k) approval from the FDA in January 2021.

"Now it is time to execute," said CEO Augustus (Augie) Shanahan who has led the organization since 2022 and has overseen both the development of the long-term strategy of Piccolo and the raising of the additional capital. "With crucial funding in place, we can now deliver Piccolo's disruptive technology to patients and healthcare providers." Over 8M central venous access devices are inserted into patients in the U.S. each year and catheter malpositioning can lead to ineffective delivery of life saving drugs as well as thrombosis, cardiac dysfunction and other significant health complications.

Chris Yamamoto, Managing Partner of Event Capital Strategies, has joined Piccolo's Board of Directors alongside Drs. Mark Healy and Dan Burnett, the founder of the Theranova medical device incubator.

According to Dr. Burnett, "Augie has stepped up and delivered. For a first-time CEO to enter this fundraising climate and secure a multi-year runway is impressive. With his background in engineering, he has the crucial experience needed to develop and launch this technology, and with the SmartPICC we have the opportunity to make a real difference in patients' lives. Augie has a long tenure in leadership roles in the Medical Device space. Over the past 15 years, he has brought advanced technologies to the market in vascular access, respiratory care, and orthopedics."

Dr. Healy added, "We are thrilled that we now have the capital needed to bring this technology to market. This team continues to impress me, most of all, by focusing on helping providers improve patient care. It's only a matter of time before they demonstrate the true clinical value of the SmartPICC technology in identifying optimal catheter placement based on ionic dilution."

About Piccolo Medical:

Piccolo Medical Inc. was spun out of the Theranova medical device incubator in San Francisco, CA. It has been funded by private investors as well as prestigious Phase I and II grant awards from the National Institute of Health's National Institute of Aging. Piccolo received 510(k) clearance for the SmartPICC System in 2021. Theranova has spun out several other successful medical device companies with products in the US, EU and CN markets.

Contact Info:

Email: [email protected]

Web: http://www.piccolomedical.com/

SOURCE Piccolo Medical
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- QuickSee Free, a new handheld wavefront aberrometry-powered autorefractor from PlenOptika, was named winner in the Material & Equipment category of the 30th SILMO D'Or awards in Paris on Saturday, September 30.

"This is a reward for a lot of innovation and work," said Rodolphe Tesse, President of Saargos, PlenOptika's distribution partner in France. "PlenOptika shares our values to bring better vision to people through technology."

The new QuickSee Free handheld wavefront autorefractor, winner of the Silmo D'Or prize for optical material & equipment.

QuickSee Free is PlenOptika's new medical device designed to make accurate objective refraction measurementsthe critical for accurate eyeglass and contact lens prescriptionsmore accessible. "We designed QuickSee Free to help you, the opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists, improve your care for your patients and customers in your stores, hospitals, and clinics," said Shivang Dave, PlenOptika CEO, upon receiving the award. "But also so you can transform how you reach people who might be not able to reach you. We're hoping this helps you continue to reach everyone in the world."

The SILMO D'Or Prizes are given each year at the SILMO international optics and eyewear exhibition, which is attended by more than 34,000 people. The prize recognizes the excellence, creativity, and innovation of manufacturers and brands from all around the world. In addition to the equipment category, prizes are given for lenses, children's eyewear, eyewear technology innovation, sunglasses brands and designers, eyewear frame brands and designers, and sport and protective eyewear.

"This is such an amazing event," said Dave. "We're honored to be a part of the innovation exhibited here."

Uncorrected refractive error, which can be treated with inexpensive eyeglasses, affects about 33 million people in the United States, and 1.1 billion people globally. PlenOptika designs technologies that replace outmoded legacy technology and address the critical shortage of trained professionals to meet the exam demand. QuickSee Free's accuracy and ease of use enable task-shifting to trained operators, expanding workforce capacity, enabling new care modes in private practice and large scale clinical enterprises as well as in community and global health initiatives.

The technology development for QuickSee Free was supported in part by a grant from the NASA-supported Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), which leads a national effort to translate cutting edge emerging terrestrial biomedical research and technology development into applied space flight human risk mitigation strategies for human exploration missions.

About PlenOptika

PlenOptika designs and produces tools to help vision professionals transform lives with clear vision, for anyone anywhere. PlenOptika technologies enable new care modes that overcome the limitations of legacy care delivery models and equipment to help overcome the global burden of poor vision. With our flagship device QuickSee Free, vision professionals, NGOs, and governments experience new levels of flexibility and impact from the exam room to the showroom and beyond.

Contact:

Eric Norman

Communications Director, PlenOptika

eric@plenoptika.com

SOURCE PlenOptika
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. In accordance with the request by representatives of the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh on September 29 in the city of Yevlakh during a regular meeting regarding the organization of radio and television broadcasting, the situation with broadcasting in the region was studied, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan said, Trend reports.

As a result of the conducted radio monitoring, seven radio and nine television programs in Azerbaijan were broadcast through the Shusha Radio and Television Broadcasting Station in many territories of the Karabakh region, including Khankendi. The education of Armenians living in the Karabakh region and giving information about the appeals of the Azerbaijani state to them are carried out using FM radio at a frequency of 101.1, 103.5, and 97.7 MHz, as well as digital television at a frequency of 674 MHz, broadcast in Armenian and Russian.

"Additional measures will be taken to further expand the quality and coverage of radio and television broadcasts in the Karabakh region," the ministry said.

A regular meeting was held in Azebaijan's Yevlakh with representatives of Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan on September 29.

Ensuring the free movement of civilians, sending humanitarian aid, and meeting the needs for fuel and food were highly appreciated. Representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh Economic Region expressed special gratitude for the measures taken by the relevant state structures of Azerbaijan to extinguish the fire near Khankendi, in particular for sending medical supplies, medicines, and ambulances to the territory to provide first aid to the victims.

In addition, it was requested that the relevant state structures of Azerbaijan take measures to organize mobile communication, television, and radio broadcasting services.

Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh, informed us about the procedures and package of social services related to the reintegration process. He noted that in order to solve economic, communal, and other issues, members of the working group established to solve social, humanitarian, economic, and infrastructural issues in the Karabakh region are scheduled to visit the city of Khankendi on October 2.
Transaction will reduce net debt and provide Pretium with enhanced liquidity to capitalize on ongoing operational initiatives to strengthen its financial profile and drive growth

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pretium Packaging, L.L.C. ("Pretium" or the "Company") today announced that it reached an agreement with a majority of its first lien lenders for a comprehensive transaction that includes new debt financing and an exchange of existing debt. The transaction will provide the Company with enhanced liquidity and reduce net debt. All existing first lien lenders will be offered the opportunity to participate in the transaction.

Pretium is a leading full-service designer and producer of sustainable packaging solutions for specialized applications across a diverse set of end markets spanning food and specialty beverage, healthcare, wellness, personal care, and household & commercial chemical. The Company has an international footprint of 25 highly automated operating plants with a complete spectrum of engineering, production, and resin technologies. Pretium's multi-use packaging solutions are based primarily on PET, HPDE, and polypropylene resin and include a wide array of post-consumer recycled materials, making it a leading choice for customers focused on sustainability.

"We would like to thank our lenders and sponsors for their continued support and partnership as we pursue the next phase of Pretium's growth," said Paul Kayser, CEO, and Adam Doane, COO, of Pretium. "The transaction enables the Company to fortify its balance sheet and provides ample liquidity to capitalize on our growth and profitability initiatives while delivering high-quality and sustainable packaging solutions to our valued customers and continuing to build upon our long-term relationships with our supply partners."

Evercore Group LLC served as exclusive financial advisor, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as exclusive legal advisor to the Company.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP served as exclusive legal advisor to the ad hoc group of lenders.

About Pretium

Pretium specializes in innovation and automation of multiple rigid packaging technologies in a diverse set of end markets including food and specialty beverage, healthcare, health and wellness, personal care and beauty, and household and commercial products. The company's multi-use packaging solutions are based primarily on PET, HDPE, and polypropylene resin, with a wide array of options including up to 100% post-consumer recycled material content, making it a preferred choice for customers focused on sustainability. Pretium differentiates itself through responsiveness, breadth of product offerings, short changeover times, and a national footprint of 25 automated manufacturing facilities. More information is available at www.pretiumpkg.com.

Media Contacts

For Pretium:

Marny Bielefeldt

Ph: +1 314 427 4300 x 51183

marny.bielefeldt@pretiumpkg.com

SOURCE Pretium Packaging
ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the recent congressional committee banning books and resources for certain LGBTQ+ federal employees, the author of one of the listed books, Dr. Steve Yacovelli (a.k.a. "The Gay Leadership Dude") has decided to give away the queer leadership training that accompanies the banned book to any U.S. agency impacted by bans like these.

Book Pride Leadership Author Dr Steve Yacovelli

The amendment, proposed by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), was passed on September 23rd and prohibits U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from using funds to purchase "...courses, books, or study guides relating to approaching LGBT issues in the workplace; succeeding as an LGBT professional; [and] understanding and supporting LGBTQ+ employees" among other restrictions. This ban has been met with outrage from the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike.

In response to this ban, Dr. Yacovelli is offering his LGBTQ+ leadership training program to any U.S. agency impacted by bans like these. The training is based on his award-winning book Pride Leadership: Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Leader to be the King or Queen of their Jungle (2019), one of the resources specifically targeted in the Boebert amendment.

"I'm deeply saddened and disappointed by the passage of this amendment," said Dr. Yacovelli. "It's a clear attack on the LGBTQ+ community and I wanted to do something to help. That's why I'm giving away my queer leadership training for freea $997 valueto any employee of the U.S. agencies impacted by bans like these. I believe that everyone should have access to the tools and resources they need to become successful leaders, despite political stunts and pandering like Boebert's homophobic and transphobic amendment."

Dr. Yacovelli's book Pride Leadership is a comprehensive guide to empowering LGBTQ+ and ally leaders. It covers topics such as having empathy, effective communication, and being authentic in the workplace, and provides practical advice on how to become a more successful leader. "I think if Boebert and her staff had actually read my bookspecifically the chapter on empathetic leadershipthis ban may not have been created in the first place," Yacovelli stated.

"I wrote Pride Leadership to help LGBTQ+ individuals become more effective leaders," said Yacovelli. "I want to make sure that everyone has access to the tools and resources they need to succeed, regardless of where they work."

Dr. Yacovelli's queer leadership training is available to any U.S. agency impacted by bans like these. For more information, please visit www.PrideLeadership.com. The book Pride Leadership is available on Amazon or via www.SteveOnAmazon.com.

For more information contact: [email protected] or 888-570-2228 x1

or 888-570-2228 x1 For key media assets, please visit: http://topdog.click/media or www.topdoglearning.biz

Contact: Dr. Steven R. Yacovelli

Phone: 888-570-2228 x1

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE TopDog Learning Group, LLC
PLANO, Texas, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- QuickFee, a leading Accounts Receivable accelerator for professional service firms, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dave Moore as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Dave is an experienced technology leader in strategy and product development, cloud computing, big data, and machine learning.

Financial technology company QuickFee today announces the appointment of Dave Moore as Chief Technology Officer. Post this QuickFee Appoints Dave Moore as Chief Technology Officer

Dave's appointment as CTO represents a significant milestone for QuickFee as the company aims to strengthen its position as a leader in the financial technology industry. His strategic leadership and technological expertise will play a pivotal role in driving QuickFee's continued success.

Dave was previously the Chief Innovation Officer at Growth Acceleration Partners (GAP), where he played a direct advisory role to companies in the process of digital transformation  helping them to modernize applications and leverage data in decision-making. This strategic consultancy to CTOs, CIOs, and CEOs earned him recognition as one of the most accomplished CIOs in Central Texas, being a finalist for the esteemed ORBIE Award in 2023.

Prior to GAP, Dave was an Architect in Global Technology Services at IBM, and spent over a decade at Electronic Arts, Inc. as Franchise Technical Director. During his tenure at Electronic Arts, Dave established vision and strategy for the technology stack for Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR), leading to the most successful massive multiplayer online (MMO) game launch in history.

Dave holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from Western Carolina University and is a certified Oracle ACE, Google Analytics professional, AWS Certified Developer Associate and Architect Associate, Snowflake SnowPro Core and Terraform Developer Associate.

As CTO of QuickFee, Dave's objective is to shape a cutting-edge technology strategy that exceeds the expectations of QuickFee's valued customers and drives a step-change in the current industry standard for streamlined, automated, and efficient accounts receivable management. From conceptualization to execution, Dave will guide the development team in crafting innovative products while driving efficiency for both QuickFee and their customers through enhanced automation. With a focus on user interface design, Dave will ensure that QuickFee's solutions are technically advanced, visually appealing and user friendly. Furthermore, Dave will champion the security and compliance of the QuickFee platform, ensuring the continued protection of sensitive financial data and the ongoing trust of our customers.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dave Moore to the QuickFee team as our Chief Technology Officer," said Jennifer Warawa, President of QuickFee North America. "Dave's extensive experience, innovative thinking, and exceptional leadership skills will be invaluable as we continue to rapidly evolve our technology solutions, improve our customers' experience and drive our company's growth."

Dave Moore expressed his excitement about joining QuickFee, stating, "I am honored to join QuickFee as Chief Technology Officer and look forward to driving innovation in the delivery of cutting-edge financial technology solutions to our clients in the professional services space. QuickFee has a strong foundation, and I am excited to join the company at this inflection point in its growth trajectory."

About QuickFee

QuickFee (ASX: QFE) helps professional service firms accelerate Accounts Receivable, get paid faster, and cut down on check processing costs. With multiple online payment options and powerful e-invoicing integrations with leading practice management systems, the QuickFee platform speeds up the bill-to-cash cycle for firms.

Through the QuickFee portal, clients can pay their professional service provider with a credit or debit card, ACH/eCheck transfer, or a payment plan over 3-12 months. It allows the client to set their own pace for payments  while the firm gets paid upfront and in full, no matter what.

QuickFee operates in the United States and Australia and focuses on serving the accounting and legal professions.

SOURCE QuickFee
AVON, Mass., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ranfac Corp., an established medical device manufacturer of Class I and II single-use medical devices is announcing the complete acquisition and ownership of Cervos Medical, LLC.

Cervos will build upon their solid foundation in the orthobiologic industry with expanded access to Ranfac's resourses.. Post this Cervos Medical, LLC Logo

Cervos Medical, originally established as a joint venture between Ranfac Corp. and EndoCellutions Inc. in 2021, is focused on the development and commercialization of proprietary technologies for the harvesting and processing of autologous tissues, including patented technologies for Bone Marrow Aspiration, Platelet Rich Plasma, and Adipose Tissue Processing among other complimentary tools and devices.

Harlan Adler, President of Ranfac Corp., expressed his enthusiasm for this achievement, which marks the company's first acquisition in its 135 year history. "We are in the infancy of utilizing patients' own tissues to advance natural healing. Ranfac, with the addition of Cervos Medical, looks forward to working alongside our community of physicians, commercial partners and all other stakeholders to lead innovation for and accelerate the adoption of these important technologies for years to come."

Operating as a fully owned subsidiary of Ranfac Corp, Cervos Medical will build upon their solid foundation in the orthobiologic industry with expanded access to Ranfac Corp resources, expertise, network, and ability to scale operations to meet emerging opportunity and demand. Andrew McGillicuddy, who previously served as CEO of Endocelltuions, Inc., will join Ranfac Corp to continue heading innovation efforts as a key leader of Cervos Medical.

For additional information regarding Ranfac Corp and its comprehensive range of medical devices, please visit www.ranfac.com. To explore Cervos Medical's groundbreaking work in cell-based therapies, visit their website at www.cervos.com.

About Ranfac Corp:

Ranfac Corp., an ISO 13485:2016 medical device company founded in 1888, offers a highly automated and scalable platform dedicated to the manufacturing of Class I and II medical devices. Working with medical device companies of all sizes, Ranfac Corp offers comprehensive capabilities throughout every production stage within their Avon, Massachusetts facility and offers a range of Ranfac labeled devices across multiples therapeutic categories.

About Cervos Medical, LLC:

Cervos Medical, LLC., founded in early 2021, is a procedure driven medical device company focused on innovative solutions to improve natural recovery. Their best-in-class autologous orthobiologic products mimic and promote vasculogenesis, the body's natural reparative mechanism. They develop minimally invasive, highly efficient, and cost-effective solutions across a range of specialties.

SOURCE Ranfac
It's Back! Celebrate reading for six months straight with sweepstakes, monthly themes, reading activities, and read-alouds from bestselling authors.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation's leading children's literacy nonprofit, announced today the launch of the third annual Rally to Read 100 (RallytoRead.org)a six-month initiative that runs from October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 that is designed to inspire the joy of reading and motivate children to read, starting with a pledge to read 100 books.

The nation's leading children's literacy nonprofit (PRNewsfoto/Reading Is Fundamental)

Building on the success of last year's event, in which over 800,000 books were pledged to be read, RIF will once again unite classrooms and communities across the country with a reading initiative anchored on monthly themes and supported with a diverse lineup of author read-alouds. There will also be a book collection sweepstakes, a variety of engaging reading activities for the home and school (some of which are in Spanish), plus a live virtual event hosted at a New York Barnes & Noble to celebrate Read Across America Day in March 2024. All of the free literacy resources and activities are available at RallytoRead.org.

With 67 percent of fourth graders reading below grade level, according to the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, RIF is working to reinvigorate reading across our nation's youth. The 2023-2024 Rally to Read 100 program kicks off with a special welcome video from Beth Lincoln , author of The SWIFTS, recipient of the 2023 Barnes & Noble Book Children's & YA Book Award, and is supported by Inspiration Partners: Barnes & Noble, Macy's, and Nellie Mae Education Foundation.

Each month during the six-month campaign, a featured read-aloud from exclusive publishing partner Penguin Random House and specially selected Barnes & Noble Storytime Picks will be shared from notable and diverse authors and illustrators, including Peter H. Reynolds ("All You Need Is Love and a really soft pillow"), Jason Reynolds ("There Was a Party for Langston"), Misty Copeland ("Bunheads"), and Elizabeth Olsen and Robbie Arnett ("Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective"). For elementary school classrooms and libraries, RIF is bringing back the Rally to Read book sweepstakes, giving away 10,000 diverse books in which elementary school educators have the chance to win 100 high-quality books for their school or youth-serving organization.

"Literacy is a critical element not only for our students' educational development and success, but to our understanding of the world around us and ourselves. Through Rally to Read, we are creating fun ways for children to discover the eye-opening experiences that reading different stories from a variety of perspectives can provide," said Reading Is Fundamental President and CEO Alicia Levi. "We were thrilled by the response that last year's initiative garnered. And thanks to partners including Barnes & Noble, Macy's and Nellie Mae Education Foundation, as well as impressive storytellers and advocates that are joining us this year, we are proud to continue this important effort."

"Barnes & Noble is excited to once again partner with Reading Is Fundamental and unite forces for this year's Rally to Read 100 campaign," said Jackie De Leo, Chief Merchandising Officer, Barnes & Noble. "Together we share a mutual dedication to children's literacy and developing a love of literature. We cannot wait to see the impact of this year's initiative in classrooms across the country and young readers nationwide."

"Throughout our 20-yearlong partnership, Macy's and Reading Is Fundamental have been able to provide access to critical resources and books to youth in underserved communities across the nation to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn and develop a love for reading," said Sam Di Scipio, Macy's, Inc. Senior Director, Social Impact. "Through collaborative initiatives like Rally to Read and our social purpose platform, Mission Every One, we look forward to empowering youth and creating brighter futures with bold representation for all.

RALLY TO READ 100 PROGRAM ELEMENTS:

Pledge to Read 100 Books: Participants can pledge to read 100 books over six months and receive engaging content and book recommendations to support this goal.

Participants can pledge to read 100 books over six months and receive engaging content and book recommendations to support this goal. Book Sweepstakes : 100 randomly selected eligible educators will each win 100 specially curated diverse books donated by Barnes & Noble to enhance their school's library and classrooms.

: 100 randomly selected eligible educators will each win 100 specially curated diverse books donated by Barnes & Noble to enhance their school's library and classrooms. Monthly-Themed Events : Each month features topics ranging from community and inquiry to wellness and culture with activities for fun, engaging time spent exploring books; companion activities; and video-recorded read-alouds by noteworthy authors and illustrators, many who are sharing recently released new books.

: Each month features topics ranging from community and inquiry to wellness and culture with activities for fun, engaging time spent exploring books; companion activities; and video-recorded read-alouds by noteworthy authors and illustrators, many who are sharing recently released new books. Featured read-alouds from Penguin Random House and Barnes & Noble Storytime Picks include:

October (Community):

Ben Gundersheimer (MISTER G), Author of We'll Make Things Better Together

Peter Cheong, Author and Illustrator of Every Night At Midnight

November (Culture)

Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Author and Illustrator of Nesting Dolls

Jason Reynolds, Author of There Was a Party for Langston

December (Changemakers)

Misty Copeland, Author of Bunheads

Angela DiTerlizzi, Author of The Magical Yet

January (Wellness)

Elizabeth Olsen & Robbie Arnett, Authors of Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective

Drew Beckmeyer, Author and Illustrator of I am a Tornado

February (Compassion)

Brad Meltzer, Author of I am Mr. Rogers, the 32nd hero in the New York Times bestselling Ordinary People Change the World series

Henry Rocket Reynolds & Peter H. Reynolds, Authors (and Illustrator) of All You Need Is Love and a really soft pillow

March (Inquiry)

Sheryl Haft, Author of Mazie's Amazing Machines

Kobi Yamada, Author of Noticing

Complementary Reading Activities: Classroom and at-home resources are available for educators and families to use for continued reading engagement throughout the program, any time.

READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY CELEBRATION EVENT:

The nationwide, online event will be simulcasted from a New York City Barnes & Noble in March 2024 with a high-profile host and guests (to be announced) and live streamed to homes and classrooms across the country.

Reading Is Fundamental is proud to recognize the generous support of its partners: Inspiration Partners include Barnes & Noble, Macy's and Nellie Mae Education Foundation; and Promotional Partners include Children's Book Council, Coalition for Literacy Equity, Every Child a Reader, Kiwanis International, Little Free Library, National PTA, Penguin Random House, Reading Partners, and United Through Reading.

About Reading Is Fundamental

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is committed to creating a nation of lifelong readers by inspiring the joy of reading among all children, putting them on the path to becoming skilled readers. We provide free, high-quality content to engage children, educators, families, and literacy advocates in the solution to the U.S. literacy crisisso that every child has the fundamentals for success. As the nation's leading children's literacy nonprofit, RIF has provided nearly 430 million books and reading resources to over 160 million children since 1966, impacting generations of children. Explore our results and learn more about partnering with us at www.RIF.org.

SOURCE Reading Is Fundamental
Reverend Jesse Jackson Joins Prominent Figures to Celebrate Hispanic Contributions

CHICAGO, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Art Institute of Chicago came alive with the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month hosted by We Are All Human Foundation (WAAH), a leading global nonprofit dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The event, "Discovering Hispanic Contributions to America through Art: Remedios Varo: Science Fictions," drew over 60 leaders from various industries to explore the rich and vibrant legacy of the Hispanic community in the United States. The gathering was marked by the presence of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a renowned civil rights leader, who shared a powerful message of unity and appreciation for the Hispanic community's invaluable contributions.

The night was centered around the "Remedios Varo: Science Fictions" exhibition at The Art Institute of Chicago, offering attendees the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Hispanic art. This exhibition marks the first US exhibition on Remedios Varo since 2000 and a rare exhibition at the Art Institute to offer gallery text in both Spanish and English.

One of WAAH's primary goals is to elevate self-regard and social recognition within the Hispanic community. This mission is driven by the belief that understanding their values and culture is crucial in defining what it means to be Latino in America.

Distinguished Speakers and Co-Hosts

The event featured notable speakers, including Minerva Anguiano, an Art Historian and Anthropologist from Mexico City, and Claudia Romo Edelman, Founder & CEO of the We Are All Human Foundation. Co-hosts for the evening included Richard Edelman (Edelman), Martin Cabrera (Cabrera Capital Markets), Beth Brady (Chief Outsiders), Michael Fassnacht (World Business Chicago), and John Staines (DHR).

In a notable highlight of the evening, Reverend Jesse Jackson shared his perspective on Hispanic Heritage Month. He stated, "I am honored to celebrate the invaluable contributions of Latinos to the country during this Hispanic Heritage Month. Together, as a testament to the unity of the black and brown coalition, I stand alongside the Hispanic leader Claudia Romo Edelman, whom I have seen become a beacon of hope for Latinos."

In closing the night, the distinguished Co-Host Martin Cabrera highlighted that "in acknowledging the $2.8 trillion impact of Hispanics on the U.S. economy, we must underscore the equal relevance of our cultural contributions. It is imperative that we celebrate the contributions of women artists like Remedios Varo."

About We Are All Human:

We Are All Human is a registered 501 (c)3 public charity devoted to advancing Equity, Diversity and inclusion for all, with a particular focus on accelerating the progress of Hispanics in the United States. Its biggest platform - the Hispanic Star - was a finalist on the 2023 Collective Social Innovation Award of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.

Media Contact

Marisa Garcia de Celis

[email protected]

SOURCE We Are All Human
CHICAGO, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year, it is estimated that up to 160,000 adults are hospitalized and as many as 10,000 of them die due to RSV in the United States. While most people only develop mild symptoms similar to that of a common cold, RSV can be severe and even life threatening for certain people at high risk. This October for RSV Awareness Month, the American Lung Association is launching a campaign to educate adults about the risk of RSV and steps they can take to protect themselves.

"This is the first RSV season where vaccination can help protect against RSV for adults 60 years of age and older," said Dr. Leonard Friedland, Vice President, Director Scientific Affairs and Public Health GSK. "It is increasingly important that older adults have conversations with their healthcare providers about the risks of RSV infection this fall and winter."

Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is a common and highly contagious respiratory illness. Many people think RSV only impacts infants and children; however, it can infect people of all ages. In fact, RSV is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections. RSV is spread from person to person through close contact with someone who is infected via secretions from coughing, sneezing or touching objects. The peak season for RSV infection in the United States typically starts in the fall and peaks in the winter.

"Last fall and winter, we saw a significant rise in RSV cases across the U.S. Thankfully, most people only develop mild symptoms with this disease, but RSV can be severe and even life threatening for certain adults at high risk, including older adults, especially those 60 years and older, adults with chronic heart or lung disease and adults with weakened immune systems," said Harold Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "This is why it is critical for people at high risk to know how to protect themselves from getting RSV."

Here are four steps to take to help prevent the spread of RSV:

If you are 60 or older, talk with your healthcare provider to see if RSV vaccination is right for you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend RSV vaccination to help prevent severe RSV illness after a patient and healthcare provider work together to come to a decision about whether vaccination is best for the patient. Avoid close contact with infected people. Wash your hands with soap and water after coming into contact with an infected person. Stay at home if you feel ill.

Support for this educational campaign is provided by GSK. For more information and to learn steps to prevent hospitalization, visit Lung.org/RSV.

About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events.

American Lung Association  55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150  Chicago, IL 60601

1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Ste. 1425 North  Washington, D.C. 20004

1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) Lung.org

CONTACT: Jill Dale | American Lung Association

P: 312-801-7629E: [email protected]

SOURCE American Lung Association
Law Firms Seek Justice on Behalf of Sexual Abuse Victims Under the Newly Enacted Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023

BALTIMORE, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. and Janet, Janet & Suggs, LLC, two leading Maryland-based medical malpractice, personal injury, and civil litigation law firms, are partnering in a class action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Washington on behalf of sex abuse victims who have come forward seeking justice. These law firms previously partnered in a class action against Johns Hopkins Hospital arising from sexual abuse committed by one of its doctors. That case settled for $190 million, which has been reported to be the largest sexual abuse settlement in Maryland history.

On April 11, 2023, the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 was passed to eliminate the statute of limitations for survivors of child sexual abuse to bring forth civil lawsuits against their alleged abusers. The new law took effect on October 1, 2023, allowing civil suits to move forward in Maryland's courts no matter when the abuse took place.

The class action suit, John Doe et al. v. Roman Catholic Archbishop of Washington, was filed in the Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland on October 1, 2023.

The Archdiocese of Washington has previously admitted to having 34 clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors and is under investigation by the Attorney General of Maryland. Plaintiffs allege that the Archdiocese of Washington has engaged in a pattern or practice of conduct that has permitted sexual abuse against children for decades.

"We are privileged to file this class action lawsuit on behalf of our long-suffering clients to give them a voice when they were previously silenced so they can share their powerful stories of abuse, be heard in a court of law, face their abusers and the Archdiocese, which permitted this horrendous conduct for decades, gain closure, close wounds and move forward," said Jonathan Schochor, Founding Partner and Chairman of Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. "We look forward to working with our brave clients to help finally deliver justice and closure to all sex abuse victims that have had the courage to come forward."

"We hope this litigation will not only help ensure peace of mind for our many clients who have suffered at the hands of their abusers but will also dramatically improve the quality of their lives moving forward," said Andrew Janet, Partner and Co-Chair, Sexual Abuse Division, Janet, Janet & Suggs, LLC.

Three class representatives who were sexually abused by Archdiocese of Washington clergy as minors are identified via pseudonyms in the complaint's allegations.

All plaintiffs are alleged to have suffered a wide variety of serious physical, emotional, and financial injuries.

Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. and Janet, Janet & Suggs, LLC, believe that victims coming forward and enforcing their legal rights will deter future abuse and protect future generations of children from being abused.

About Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A.

Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. has been fighting for patients' rights as a leading medical malpractice, personal injury, and civil litigation law firm since 1984. For nearly four decades, the firm has represented thousands of clients in catastrophic injury matters and has achieved remarkable results on their behalf. Additionally, the firm is a recognized leader in sexual abuse cases as well as class action and mass tort litigation with record-breaking results. Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. has offices in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Its lawyers are licensed to practice in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and New York, and have been specially admitted to practice in courts around the country. To learn more, visit: sfspa.com.

About Janet, Janet & Suggs, LLC

Janet, Janet & Suggs is a Maryland-based national law firm with offices in 10 states and Washington D.C. Its attorneys have handled hundreds of individual clergy abuse cases as well as noteworthy high-profile sexual abuse cases against well-known institutions. The firm has decades of experience handling catastrophic injury cases and has won over three billion dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients across a wide range of serious and complex cases.

Media Contact: Mitchell Schmale Nevins & Associates [email protected] 410-336-8571

SOURCE Schochor and Staton, P.A.
Free Webinar Offers Leaders Vital Insights for Using AI as Part of Their Digital Transformation Efforts





MIAMI, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sensedia , a global API solutions leader for companies adopting a more digital, connected, and open strategy, will host an engaging and educational webinar with Paolo Malinverno, Head of Strategy and Innovation at Sensedia. Malinverno will discuss need-to-know information on AI-as-a-Service, extensive research on AI adoption, and how to add AI to your existing applications using AI APIs.

The webinar will be available online on Thursday, October 5, at 3:00 p.m. ET. To register, click here .

Some vital questions Malinverno will cover include:

How organizations benefit from AI capabilities as part of a digital transformation

How companies can ensure their infrastructure is ready to incorporate AI through APIs.

What companies should be considering about AI misuse, ethics, and security

Malinverno shares, "A lot of the things described as AI are not truly AI. They may be sophisticated algorithms but are deterministic, producing the same results with the same inputs. True AI can learn and make different decisions in time depending on data it receives from prior activity. AI must make autonomous decisions - the core of intelligence. When AI starts making business decisions, what are the risks and what questions must business leaders ask themselves about trust, ethics, privacy, and security?"

He adds, "I invite people considering the use of AI as part of their digital transformation efforts to listen to this webinar and take away some valuable insights."

About Sensedia

Sensedia simplifies enterprise architecture and integrations to improve business efficiency and flexibility. Sensedia's solutions go beyond API management, working in partnership to help customers do more, faster and better with APIs, microservices, and their architecture. Whether leveraging legacy systems for open innovation within a modern platform, unlocking data with agile architecture, creating new customer digital experiences, or expanding business models and partner ecosystems, Sensedia empowers its clients' businesses to become more adaptable, composable and connected. More at www.sensedia.com .

Media Contact

Upright Position Communications

[email protected]





Paul Wilke (press agency): +1-415-881-7995

SOURCE Sensedia
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. A lot of work has been done in Azerbaijan's territories liberated from Armenian occupation over the past three years, general plans of almost all cities have been developed and approved, chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture Anar Guliyev told reporters, Trend reports.

He noted that today the process of return of former IDPs to five settlements, liberated from occupation, is underway.

"Within the framework of the "Great Return" state program, territorial planning documents have already been approved, it is planned to return 140,000 people to the lands liberated from occupation until 2026," he added.

Today Baku is hosting the World Habitat Day forum organized within the framework of the "Urban Planning Week 2023".

Shahmar Movsumov, Head of the Economic Issues and Innovative Development Policy Department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan, other delegations from Azerbaijan and foreign countries, government officials and media representatives are taking part in the forum.

Internationally renowned experts and government officials discuss issues related to promoting accessible and quality urban life for all, as well as the development of sustainable cities, themed "Sustainable urban economy: cities as drivers of development and renaissance".
Daniel Borek, Maria Carr, Kirstyn Wildey Fritz, Ashley Jericho, Jacob Radecki, Heather Shumaker, Mark Steiner

CLEVELAND, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald Hopkins is proud to announce the election of seven accomplished attorneys to the firm's membership as of October 1, 2023. The new Members have a wide-range of expertise across key practice areas, including corporate law, executive compensation and governance, finance and commercial real estate, litigation, data privacy and cybersecurity and strategic advisory and restructuring.

"Over the years, McDonald Hopkins has cultivated intensely loyal and successful clients because of our focus on providing insightful legal solutions that exceed expectations. Each of our new Members has proven during their time at our firm that they do just that  exceed expectations and provide exceptional value to our clients and the firm," said James Stief, Co-President at McDonald Hopkins.

James Giszczak, Co-President at McDonald Hopkins, adds, "I am thrilled to congratulate and welcome Danny, Maria, Kirstyn, Ashley, Jake, Heather, and Mark to our firm's membership. They each bring unique talent and expertise to the firm, and I look forward to working with them over the coming years as they develop in this next stage of their careers."

The dedication of these seven attorneys to continue their tenure with McDonald Hopkins is a testament to the supportive culture and opportunities for advancement at the firm. It also reflects the continued commitment of firm leadership to grow McDonald Hopkins' comprehensive legal services across diverse practice areas. It is the largest election to McDonald Hopkins' membership the firm has had at one time in almost 10 years.

Daniel Borek is a Member of the Executive Compensation and Governance Practice Group. He is based in Chicago and has over a decade of corporate and transactional experience. Borek represents companies, executives, founders and management teams in connection with equity and incentive compensation arrangements, change in control transactions, and other private equity and corporate events. He is licensed in both Illinois and Florida.

Maria Carr focuses her practice on corporate restructuring, commercial bankruptcy, business counseling, and creditors' rights matters. As a Member in the firm's Strategic Advisory and Restructuring Department, she frequently counsels businesses and fiduciaries in chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, state or federal receiverships, out of court workouts, or other insolvency proceedings and commercial matters. She is based in Cleveland.

Kirstyn Wildey Fritz is a tax credit finance and commercial real estate attorney with experience representing investors, developers and lenders on tax credit transactions, including federal and state historic tax credits, new markets tax credits, and renewable energy tax credits. As a Member in the Business Department, her practice focuses on community development and project financing, and over the years she has led her clients through multimillion-dollar transactions in connection with multifamily, commercial, retail, and mixed-use real estate projects. She is based out of the firm's Cleveland office.

Ashley Jericho is a Member in the firm's Strategic Advisory and Restructuring Department. She has over a decade of insolvency experience, including representing consumer and business debtors, creditors and trustees in bankruptcy proceedings, contested matters and adversary proceedings. She also represents purchasers of distressed assets in distressed workouts and provides general business counseling in non-distressed settings to a variety of business and business owners. She is based out of the firm's Detroit office.

Jacob Radecki is a Member of the Litigation Department at McDonald Hopkins and is based in Chicago. He represents clients in a broad range of complex civil litigation matters, including commercial contract disputes, shareholder litigation, data privacy, and class action defense. In addition to his business litigation and trial experience, Radecki represents clients in corporate criminal defense and enforcement-related litigation, and has defended clients in actions brought by the Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission.

Heather Shumaker is a Member in the firm's national Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group. She is accredited by the International Association of Privacy Professionals as a Certified Information Privacy Professional for the United States Private Sector, the gold standard certification for information privacy professionals. Her practice focuses on advising companies in a wide variety of industries on addressing data privacy and cybersecurity incidents. Shumaker represents clients across the country working remotely for the Detroit office of McDonald Hopkins.

Mark Steiner is a Member of the Litigation Department and focuses his practice on business litigation, trade secret, non-compete and unfair competition, and warranty and recall in the automotive industry. He has successfully handled automotive, supply chain, healthcare, manufacturing, and other contractual business disputes throughout the country. Steiner's practice also includes experience in defending privately held corporations in shareholder oppression disputes, as well as defending and pursuing claims on behalf of individual directors and officers.

About McDonald Hopkins

Founded in 1930, McDonald Hopkins is a business advisory and advocacy law firm with locations in Baltimore/Annapolis, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, and West Palm Beach. With more than 175 attorneys and 50 service and industry teams, the firm has the expertise and knowledge to meet the growing number of legal and business challenges our clients face. For more information about McDonald Hopkins, visit mcdonaldhopkins.com.

CONTACT:

Cynthia Stewart

McDonald Hopkins LLC

600 Superior Avenue, East, Suite 2100

Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Phone: 216.348.5733

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE McDonald Hopkins
Founding SFA shareholder and current Board member honored as pioneer of the financial planning profession at association's annual conference in latest industry recognition

As part of the College of Financial Planning's third graduating class, Walker was one of the first professionals globally to earn a CFP designation

ATLANTA, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SFA Partners (SFAP)  a family of companies focused exclusively on empowering independent financial advisors  today congratulates Lewis (Lew) J. Walker, founding SFA shareholder and current Board member, for being honored as a pioneer of the financial planning profession by the Financial Planning Association (FPA) at its recently concluded annual conference, which was held last week in Phoenix.

As a member of the third graduating class at the College of Financial Planning and the 171st person worldwide to earn a CFP designation, Walker was among a small group of trailblazers who shared a vision of what financial planning could be  a movement that has developed into a global profession.

The FPA honor is the latest in a long line of recognitions for Walker. In 2002, he was the first recipient of the FPA of Georgia HONORS award and two years later won the Managed Account Pioneer Award from the Money Management Institute. In 2011, FPA named him the P. Kemp Fain, Jr., Award winner, the highest recognition in financial planning.

Along with being a founding SFA shareholder, Walker serves as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of SFA Holdings, the parent company of The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. and Strategic Blueprint, LLC, which are part of the SFA Partners' family of advisor-focused companies.

"I congratulate Lewis on this well-deserved honor from the Financial Planning Association," said SFA Holdings President and CEO, Clive Slovin. "I can confidently say that SFA Partners would not be where it is today were it not for Lewis' passion, vision and leadership. More than that, though, he's a titan of financial planning, having left an indelible mark on the profession during his illustrious career. I thank him for everything he has done and continues to do for our firm and the industry and, importantly, for being a trusted friend over the years."

Early in his career, Walker played a prominent role with the Institute for Certified Financial Planners, serving on the board of directors in 1980 before becoming President (1986-1987) and National Chairman (1987-1988). The ICFP was a forerunner of today's Financial Planning Association.

While active in the ICFP, Walker conducted numerous study trips for financial planners to key business centers in Europe and Asia to create a better understanding among centers of influence abroad of the power of professional financial planning.

"It has been an honor to be able to play a part in building what has become a growing and essential profession, that of guiding individuals and families in achieving financial independence," Walker said. "I applaud and deeply appreciate the support of Clive and the team at SFA Partners in enhancing the growth of independent client-focused financial planning firms."

In 1976, Lewis founded an independent financial planning firm, the forerunner to creating Walker Capital Management in 1987. After 40 years of providing outstanding service to clients  including succession and continuity planning solutions  Walker merged the firm in 2016 with Keen Insight Group. The combined entity was renamed Capital Insight Group, a multi-advisor ensemble practice based in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. Today, Walker continues to serve as a senior advisor to the firm.

During his career, he has also been a prolific writer. Over the years, he has penned countless articles for the Journal of Financial Planning, including the long-running "Futures Trends" column.

He was also a regular contributor to the Dunwoody Crier, a local newspaper serving north Atlanta. His columns continue to appear in paper periodically, as well as in other local newspapers published by Appen Media Group.

Walker concluded, "Informed and comprehensive financial planning can alleviate much of the financial stress plaguing individuals, families and business owners. I'm pleased to have the opportunity to have a platform through consulting, writing and speaking to further the economic success and financial independence of individuals and families, and for as long as the good Lord gives me a voice, I look forward to continuing to help grow our noble and rewarding profession."

About SFA Partners

SFA Partners provides shared services to a family of companies focused exclusively on empowering independent financial advisors. SFA Partners includes The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (member FINRA/SIPC, a broker-dealer and registered investment adviser) Strategic Blueprint, LLC, a registered investment adviser; and SFA Insurance Services. Our wide breadth of services enables us to support a variety of advisor business models. Parent company, SFA Holdings, Inc. is owned by advisors, employees, and individual investors. Strategic Blueprint provides independent advisors the advantages of having their own RIA but without the hassles, through a range of services, including turnkey compliance, supervisory and back-office support; expert due diligence; an integrated technology stack; and a broad universe of asset management services. SFA Insurance Services provides advisors access to insurance solutions, supporting their ability to address the risk management needs of their clients.

Media Contact:

Michael Dugan

Haven Tower Group

424-317-4852 / [email protected]

SOURCE SFA Partners
CHULA VISTA, Calif., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shopoff Realty Investments ("Shopoff"), a national manager of opportunistic and value-add real estate investments, announced today that the company has successfully sold its 141-unit Moss Street Townhome project to Shea Homes.

"This townhome development will be a wonderful addition to this evolving neighborhood of Chula Vista that will also soon be home to the $1 billion Chula Vista Bayfront Redevelopment Project, located less than one mile away," explained Shopoff Realty Investments President and CEO William Shopoff.

The 6.94-acre property is located in Chula Vista, California, at the intersection of Moss Street and Industrial Blvd. Formerly approved for light industrial uses, Shopoff worked diligently with the City of Chula Vista to secure project entitlements. The entitlements allow the property to be developed into a gated housing community featuring 141 three-story attached townhomes.

"Future residents will be able to enjoy the area's robust amenities for years to come, and we are proud to see this property move forward towards development, bringing some much-needed housing to the area," Shopoff added.

About Shopoff Realty Investments

Shopoff Realty Investments is an Irvine, California-based real estate firm with a 31-year history of value-add and opportunistic investing across the United States. The company primarily focuses on proactively generating appreciation through the repositioning of commercial income-producing properties, the entitlement of land assets and development projects. The 31-year history includes operating as Asset Recovery Fund, Eastbridge Partners and Shopoff Realty Investments (formerly known as The Shopoff Group). Performance has varied in this time frame, with certain offerings generating losses. For additional information, please visit www.shopoff.com or call (844) 4-SHOPOFF.

Disclosures

This is not an offering to buy or sell any securities. Such offer may only be made through the offerings memorandum to qualified purchasers. Any investment in Shopoff Realty Investments programs involves substantial risks and is suitable only for investors who have no need for liquidity and who can bear the loss of their entire investment. There is no assurance that any strategy will succeed to meet its investment objectives. The performance of this asset is not indicative of future results of other assets. Securities offered through Shopoff Securities, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC, 18565 Jamboree Road, Suite 200, Irvine, CA 92612, (844) 4-SHOPOFF.

Contact:

Jill Swartz

Spotlight Marketing Communications

949.427.1389

[email protected]

SOURCE Shopoff Realty Investments
POTOMAC, Md., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shulman Rogers Law Firm today reaffirms its commitment to the growth of minority-owned businesses with the launch of Year Two of its Black-Owned Business Program. The Program will provide free legal support for a year to a Black-Owned business in the D.C./Maryland/Virginia (DMV) region.

Co-chaired by two Shulman Rogers shareholders, Kimberly Mann and Michael Lichtenstein, the Program is open to any business in the DMV that is at least 51 percent Black-Owned and controlled. Applications, available HERE , must be submitted no later than November 1, 2023.

Shulman Rogers to provide free legal services to a black-owened business for one year Post this

The inaugural year of the program was a huge success and well-received by the minority business community. "The free year of legal services has been invaluable to me and my business, Wave Welcome," said Vennard Wright, winner of the 2023 Black-Owned Business Program. "Over the past year, our company has flourished, launching products including PerVista, an AI platform designed to detect firearms in real-time."

"We are proud to again offer this program to the Black business community in the DMV," said Samuel M. Spiritos, Shulman Rogers Managing Shareholder. "Since 1972, Shulman Rogers has supported the businesses in our region through innovative legal services, community involvement and pro-bono work. This program continues that tradition."

The Selection Committee, led by Attorneys Lichtenstein and Mann, will review each application and determine Finalists by December 1, 2023. All Finalists will participate in a Zoom interview with the Committee. A decision will be announced in late December.

About Shulman Rogers

Shulman Rogers offers local, regional and national clients a full range of business and personal legal services. The Firm provides sophisticated, comprehensive counsel for clients in a broad array of areas including real estate, corporate and litigation, and a host of personal services. For more information, visit ShulmanRogers.com.

SOURCE Shulman Rogers
CHICAGO, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikich announced today the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Four Leaf LLC, a technology services firm leveraging scalable software solutions to rapidly deliver user-friendly applications to state and local government entities and their constituents.

"County and local government sectors, particularly emergency services managers and crews working to save lives, need faster progress in their digital transformation journey and we now are solidifying our position in this vital area," said Partner-in-Charge of Sikich's technology team Mike Kean . "The addition of Four Leaf is another key step toward expanding our offering in the government space and broadening our capabilities in helping clients succeed as they confront constantly changing technology needs."

Specializing in systems integration for state and local governments, Four Leaf leverages modern Software as a Service and Platform as a Service solutions to help government entities maximize scalability and extensibility for their mission critical systems. Four Leaf deploys Salesforce, Tableau, MuleSoft and other tools to maximize collaboration and efficiency in emergency services and non-emergency support services. An example of its success has been creating award-winning applications to assist the State of California in responding to and recovering from major disasters.

"We anticipate strong synergy in teaming with Sikich and leveraging the firm's vast talent pool, broad range of offerings, and national reach for all levels of government," said Eric Scully, founder and CEO of Four Leaf, who will join Sikich as a partner. "Government entities such as state and local emergency management agencies are finding themselves at a crossroads in the face of unprecedented natural disasters. They have an immediate need to engage in digital transformation and adopt modern technology to replace aging legacy systems and costly paper-driven processes. As part of Sikich, our clients will have access to our complete solution suite and an extensive customer community to unlock the true potential of modern technology in execution of their missions nationwide."

Sikich's national technology consultancy helps companies across industries  including life sciences, finance, manufacturing, distribution, and professional services  improve productivity and performance with innovative digital strategies and technology solutions. Sikich is a leader in digital transformation , which includes cloud and emerging technologies, and has one of the deepest, most diverse solution portfolios in the middle market. Sikich's solutions include business applications and workplace productivity, security and compliance, artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain and robotic process automation.

About Sikich

Sikich LLP is a global company specializing in technology-enabled professional services. With more than 1,600 employees, Sikich draws on a diverse portfolio of technology solutions to deliver transformative digital strategies and ranks as one of the largest CPA firms in the United States. From corporations and not-for-profits to state and local governments, Sikich clients utilize a broad spectrum of services* and products to help them improve performance and achieve long-term, strategic goals.

*Securities offered through Sikich Corporate Finance LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Sikich Financial, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

SOURCE Sikich
Patrick M. Shanahan Appointed Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

Thomas C. Gentile III No Longer Serves as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Company to Release Third Quarter Financial Results November 1, 2023

WICHITA, Kan., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPR) (together with its subsidiary, Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., the "Company," "Spirit" or "Spirit AeroSystems") today announced that Patrick M. Shanahan, a member of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"), has been appointed interim President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Shanahan succeeds Thomas C. Gentile III as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Gentile has resigned as a member of the Board, effective September 30, 2023. The Company's Board will conduct a search to identify a new Chief Executive Officer.

Patrick M. Shanahan

"Spirit plays a vital role in the aerospace industry and is well-positioned to fulfill the growing demand in this important market," said Robert D. Johnson, Chair of the Board. "Pat is a seasoned executive with nearly four decades of commercial and defense aerospace leadership and senior Department of Defense experience, and he has a valuable customer perspective. I am confident that his leadership will ensure a smooth transition for all of our stakeholders as we look to identify a new Chief Executive Officer."

Mr. Johnson continued, "On behalf of the entire Board, I thank Tom for his contributions during the last seven years leading the Company through some of the most challenging times that the industry has faced. We wish him the best in his future endeavors."

Mr. Shanahan's career spans both commercial and military programs, including 31 years with The Boeing Company and service as Deputy Secretary of Defense and Acting Secretary of Defense. As the 33rd Deputy Secretary of Defense, Mr. Shanahan helped lead the development of key Department of Defense policies and strategies. Mr. Shanahan has served on the Spirit AeroSystems Board since November 2021.

"I believe Spirit possesses the assets, know-how and talent to satisfy the extraordinary aviation demand and mitigate global supply chain challenges," said Mr. Shanahan. "I look forward to working closely with our stakeholders, the Board and the Spirit team to meet all of our customer commitments, build teamwork, stabilize operations and drive improved cash flow."

"It has been my honor to lead Spirit, strengthen its capabilities, and grow its global enterprise," said Mr. Gentile. "With positive market trends and opportunities ahead, I am as confident as ever in the team's ability to effectively navigate a challenging macro environment and deliver on its commitments to our customers and shareholders."

Mr. Gentile will serve as a consultant to the Company for a period of three months to ensure a smooth transition.

Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results

The Company also announced that it will release its third quarter 2023 financial results at 6:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

Mr. Shanahan will be joined by Spirit's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mark Suchinski on a conference call presentation about third quarter 2023 results at 10 a.m. CDT.

That presentation will be broadcast online and include a question-and-answer session. The Company's news release detailing the results will also be available. The live audio stream and slide presentation can be accessed November 1, 2023, at http://investor.spiritaero.com/.

About Patrick M. Shanahan

Patrick M. Shanahan served as the 33rd Deputy Secretary of Defense, where he helped lead the development of key Department of Defense policies and strategies. Mr. Shanahan served at The Boeing Company for more than three decades, including as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain and Operations, Senior Vice President, Commercial Airplane Programs, Vice President and General Manager of the 787 Dreamliner, Vice President and General Manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems, and Vice President and General Manager of Boeing Rotorcraft Systems. Mr. Shanahan is a National Academy of Engineering Member, Royal Aeronautical Society Fellow, Society of Manufacturing Engineers Fellow and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Associate Fellow. He served as a regent at the University of Washington for over five years. Mr. Shanahan currently serves on the boards of Leidos Holdings, Inc. and CAE Inc. Shanahan holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington, a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

On the web: www.spiritaero.com

On X (formerly Twitter): @SpiritAero

About Spirit AeroSystems

Spirit AeroSystems is one of the world's largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and business/regional jets. With expertise in aluminum and advanced composite manufacturing solutions, the company's core products include fuselages, integrated wings and wing components, pylons, and nacelles. Also, Spirit serves the aftermarket for commercial and business/regional jets. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit has facilities in the U.S., U.K., France, Malaysia and Morocco. More information is available at www.spiritaero.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that may involve many risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "forecast," "intend," "may," "might," "objective," "outlook," "plan," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," "would," and other similar words, or phrases, or the negative thereof, unless the context requires otherwise. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current estimates, intentions, beliefs, expectations, goals, strategies, and projections for the future and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements and that should be considered in evaluating our outlook include, without limitation, the continued fragility of the global aerospace supply chain; our ability to accurately estimate and manage performance, cost, and revenue under our contracts; our ability and our suppliers' ability or willingness to meet stringent delivery requirements; the impact of significant health events (including the COVID-19 pandemic) on our business and operations; the timing and conditions surrounding the full worldwide return to service (including receiving the remaining regulatory approvals) of the B737 MAX, future demand for the aircraft, and any residual impacts of the B737 MAX grounding on production rates for the aircraft; our reliance on Boeing for a significant portion of our revenues; our ability to execute our growth strategy, including our ability to complete and integrate acquisitions; the Company's dependence on its workforce, including its ability to employ sufficient numbers of qualified employees to effectively and efficiently maintain its operations; demand for our products and services; the effect of economic or geopolitical conditions in the industries and markets in which we operate in the U.S. and globally; our ability to manage our liquidity, borrow additional funds or refinance debt; and other factors disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. These factors are not exhaustive and it is not possible for us to predict all factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. These factors speak only as of the date hereof, and new factors may emerge or changes to the foregoing factors may occur that could impact our business. Except to the extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any obligation to, publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Spirit Aerosystems
BayCare is first health system in region to provide the treatment using FDA-approved cryoablation Technology

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new cryoablation procedure designed to improve treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib) is being offered by St. Joseph's Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute in Tampa.

The hospital, part of BayCare Health System, participated in the research trials of the equipment used. Now, St. Joseph's is the first hospital in Central Florida and the third in the state to perform the ablation procedure after FDA-approval in September of a specialized cardiac cryoablation catheter for the treatment of AFib.

Kevin Makati, MD, and the St. Joseph's Hospital cardiovascular team perform a new cardiac ablation technique in Tampa. Post this Interventional Cardiologist Kevin Makati, MD, performed the first procedure last month shortly after FDA approval. He was the principal investigator during the clinical trials of the equipment starting in 2020 at St. Josephs Hospital.

AFib is a heart condition that occurs when the heart's chambers are out of sync, creating irregular beating that can lead to blood clots and serious heart-related complications such as stroke or heart failure. This new technology provides physicians a wider range of tools to address pulmonary vein anatomies to help address some cases of AFib.

Interventional Cardiologist Kevin Makati, MD, performed the first procedure last month shortly after FDA approval. He was the principal investigator during the clinical trials of the equipment starting in 2020 at St. Joseph's Hospital. Through research and participation in clinical trials, BayCare and its physicians partner with leading scientists around the world to drive medical innovation, ensuring patients and the West Central Florida and Tampa Bay communities have access to the best potential treatment options possible.

Cryoablation is a minimally invasive procedure for treating AFib in which a balloon catheter delivers cryotherapy at the opening of the pulmonary veins. Cryotherapy freezes the target tissue and creates small scars to block the irregular electrical signals that cause arrhythmia, thereby improving a patient's chance at living free from atrial fibrillation.

"This is yet another example of how the St. Joseph's Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute leads from the front," said Phil Minden, St. Joseph's Hospital president. "We are so proud to be a center where our clinicians and team have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge technology that will help provide advanced, exceptional care to our patients."

The new technology, named POLARx Cryoablation System, is designed to provide treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib), an intermittent form of AFib that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. The system features a cryoablation balloon catheter, a unique device that enables two balloon sizes  28 mm (about 1.1 in) and 31 mm (about 1.22 in)  in one catheter. This capability promotes procedural efficiency, allows physicians to address a wider range of pulmonary vein anatomies, and helps achieve more complete tissue contact to better deliver treatment to areas of the heart where disruptive signals that cause AFib originate.

As one of the nation's Top 50 cardiovascular hospitals as recognized by PINC AI and reported by Fortune, St. Joseph's Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute is a clinical leader in the Tampa Bay area and in the country. BayCare, with a total of 16 hospitals, hopes to offer this advanced technology at other facilities in the future.

About BayCare

BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 16 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. The system is West Central Florida's largest provider of behavioral health and pediatric services and its provider group, BayCare Medical Group, is one of the largest in the region. BayCare's diverse network of ambulatory services includes laboratories, imaging, surgical centers, BayCare Urgent Care locations, wellness centers and one of Florida's largest home care agencies, BayCare HomeCare. BayCare is ranked in the top 20% by Fortune/Merative. BayCare's mission is to improve the health of all it serves through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit www.BayCare.org .

SOURCE BayCare Health System
CHICAGO, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Submarine Power Cable Market is expected to reach USD 22.3 billion by 2028 from USD 12.9 billion in 2023 at a CAGR of 11.5% during the 20232028 period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Submarine power cables are essential for maintaining a stable and reliable electrical supply infrastructure by connecting power grids across bodies of water, overcoming natural barriers, and enabling the integration of renewable energy sources like offshore wind farms. They ensure continuous power supply to islands, enhance energy security through redundant pathways, facilitate international energy trade, reduce environmental impact compared to overhead lines, and support urban development in densely populated coastal areas. Technological advancements in submarine cable technology, particularly high-voltage direct current transmission, have further bolstered their importance for efficient, long-distance, and high-capacity power transmission, making them an indispensable component of modern electricity infrastructure, ensuring stable power supply, and supporting the transition to sustainable energy systems.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Submarine Power Cable Market"

184 - Tables

46 - Figures

183  Pages

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Submarine Power Cable Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $12.9 Billion Estimated Value by 2028 $22.3 Billion Growth Rate Poised to Grow at a CAGR of 11.5% Largest Market Europe Market Size Available for 2021-2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Type, Core Type, Voltage, Conductor Material, End Use, and Region Geographies Covered Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and South America Key Market Challenge Increasing investments in battery storage technologies Key Market Opportunities Environmental Compliance Challenges in Submarine Power Cable Installations Key Market Drivers Growth of Offshore Wind Farms

Offshore Wind Power Generation, by end use, is expected to grow by the largest segment during the forecast period.

Based on end use, the Submarine Power Cable Market has been split into Offshore Wind Power Generation, Inter-country & Island Connection, and Offshore Oil & Gas. The Offshore Wind Power Generation segment is anticipated to be the largest during the forecast period. The Offshore Wind Power Generation segment is growing in the Submarine Power Cable Market due to abundant wind resources near coastlines, proximity to urban centers, reduced environmental impact, and government support for renewable energy. Submarine power cables are vital for connecting offshore wind farms to the grid, facilitating this growth and promoting clean energy adoption.

The multi core segment, by core type segment, is expected to grow at the second-highest CAGR during the forecast period.

This report segments the Submarine Power Cable Market based on core into two segments: single core, and multi core. The multi core segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period. The multi core segment is growing more in the offshore industry due to the increasing need for data transmission and temperature measurement in offshore renewable energy projects.

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North America is expected to be the fastest region in the Submarine Power Cable Industry

North America is expected to be the fastest Submarine Power Cable Market during the forecast period. The North American region has been subdivided into three key countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The region's increasing focus on wind energy, coupled with supportive government policies and incentives, has driven the development of significant solar-wind projects in the region Notably, around 30 offshore wind projects have been officially unveiled in North America, signifying a notable expansion of the North American wind sector. This burgeoning growth is attributed to escalating investments in the offshore wind sector and a rising requirement for enhanced interconnectivity among nations and islands, thereby driving increased demand for submarine power cables within the region.

Key Market Players:

Some of the major players in the Submarine Power Cable Companies are Prysmian S.p.A (Itlay), Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. (Japan), LS cable & system Ltd. (South Korea), NKT A/S (Denmark), and Nexans (France). The major strategies adopted by these players include sales contract, product launches, investments, collaborations, partnerships, and expansions.

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Recent Developments

In April 2023, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. announced plans to establish a new Power Cable factory (high voltage cable manufacturing plant) in the Scottish Highlands to support UK Government's goal to achieve Net zero 2050.

In April 2023, Nexans successfully finalized the acquisition of Reka kaapeli oy, a leading Finnish manufacturer of high, medium, and low voltage cables, as part of its strategy to become a key player in electrification and contribute to carbon neutrality by 2030.

In April 2020, Prysmian Group successfully completed the brand integration process after acquiring General Cable. The company introduced a multi-brand strategy and updated its visual identity and logos.

Browse Adjacent Markets: Energy and Power Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

High Voltage Cables and Accessories Market by Product Type (Cables (XLPE, EPR, HEPR, MI), Accessories (Joints, Termination, Fittings & Fixtures), Conductor Type (Aluminium, Copper), Installation, Voltage, End User & Region - Global Forecast to 2028

Submarine Cable Systems Market by Application (Communication Cable and Power Cable), Component (Dry Plant Products and Wet Plant Products) Offering, Voltage, Type (Single Core and Multicore), insulation, End User and Geography (2021-2026)

About MarketsandMarkets:

MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report.

MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients.

Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes.

The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry.

To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

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Mr. Aashish Mehra

MarketsandMarkets INC.

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
KARPACZ, Poland, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 5-7, 2023, the 32nd edition of the Economic Forum took place at the Goebiewski Hotel in Karpacz. The Institute of Eastern Studies Foundation, in the partnership formula with the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, the commune and city of Karpacz, the city of Wrocaw, the Wrocaw Airport and the Lower Silesian Economic Cooperation Agency, once again organized the largest and most important conference of this type in Central and Eastern Europe, whose motto was: year was: "New values of the Old Continent - Europe on the threshold of change"

United States Ambassador Mark Brzezinski receives the Economic Forum Award

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/9207151-summary-32nd-economic-forum-karpacz/

The 32nd Economic Forum was attended by almost 5,400 guests from Poland, Europe and around the world, which is another record for participation in this event. About 550 events were held during the Forum, including plenary sessions, special sessions, discussion panels, debates, report presentations, special events, workshops, press briefings, galas and concerts. The panels discussed topics that the contemporary world lives and debates on. The total number of people involved and participating in the Forum exceeded 8,000 people.

The culminating part of the Economic Forum was the presentation of awards to outstanding personalities and distinguished business entities whose activities influence the political and social life in our country. This year, the Program Council of the Economic Forum awarded distinctions in three categories: Person of the Year, Company of the Year and Non-Governmental Organization of Central and Eastern Europe. The winner of the most important distinction - the Economic Forum Award in the Person of the Year category was the United States Ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski. The laudation for the winner was given by Zygmunt Berdychowski, Chairman of the Program Council of the Economic Forum, who emphasized that the award was given to a man who has recently been constantly working for American involvement in defending the freedom of this part of Europe. The Economic Forum Award in the Company of the Year category was awarded to Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, and the Warsaw School of Economics Award went to Czesaw Lang.

Contact:

[email protected].pl

mob: 532 693 178

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SOURCE Economic Forum in Karpacz
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An important step towards justice has been made on behalf of hundreds of women and men who survived systemic abuse as children at the hands of the State of Maryland acting through the Department of Juvenile Services and its predecessors.

Sharon Iskra, Partner and Institutional Abuse & Neglect Practice Team Leader

On Sunday, a consortium of four law firms filed six lawsuits against the State of Maryland on behalf of over 50 survivors under the new Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 which, as of October 1, 2023, eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases. This new law allows adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file claims that, under previous laws, would have been time-barred. Maryland now joins a trend of states reforming their laws so that survivors may seek justice for sexual abuse that occurred when they were under 18, regardless of their age now.

The law firms representing the survivors include Bailey & Glasser, LLP; Walsh Law PLLC; Rhine Law Firm; and DiCello Levitt.

As alleged in our lawsuits, for decades, previous administrations of the State of Maryland systemically allowed the rape, sodomy, molestation, torture, and egregious abuse and neglect (physical, mental, and emotional) of hundreds of children in its juvenile detention centers. These administrations were negligent in hiring and retaining not only direct staff who harmed children, but third-party providers whose personnel had felony convictions and histories of using excessive force against juveniles. The State failed to monitor, and more importantly, failed to fix its system despite numerous external investigations documenting serious abuse dating back to 1967, prior class action lawsuits alleging civil rights and Constitutional violations, and explicit complaints from the children themselves. The Complaints ascribes responsibility for this dereliction of duties to the top personnel of the system who could have prevented these harms, but instead inexplicably turned a blind eye to the horrific abuse its own staff was inflicting upon the defenseless children who had been entrusted to its care for help and reform.

We look forward to working with the current administration in pursuing justice and a semblance of closure for these survivors. As Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown stated in the April 2023 Attorney General's Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore: "Our judicial system should provide a means for victims who have suffered these harms to seek damages from the people and institutions responsible for them."

Lead counsel for Bailey Glasser are partners Sharon F. Iskra, leader of the firm's Institutional Abuse & Neglect practice team, and firm founder Brian A. Glasser. The lead counsel for Walsh Law includes founding partner Alexandra Walsh and partner Kim Channick. Other lead counsel includes partners Joel Rhine and Martin Ramey of Rhine Law Firm, and Nick Horattas of DiCello Levitt. More details about the firms and lawyers are below.

A Formidable Legal Team

Four law firms filed Sunday's lawsuits, and the litigation teams are composed of deeply committed trial lawyers who will fight tenaciously to seek justice on behalf of the victims of Maryland's juvenile detention centers.

The Bailey & Glasser, LLP litigation team is composed of partners Sharon F. Iskra , David L. Selby II , D. Todd Mathews , founding partner Brian A. Glasser , and Cary Joshi . Ms. Iskra is the practice lead of the Institutional Abuse & Neglect team, Mr. Glasser is one of the firm's founding partners, Mr. Selby is the Practice Group Leader of the firm's Mass Torts Practice Group, Ms. Mathews is a partner in the Mass Torts Group, and Ms. Joshi is the Practice Group Leader of the firm's Commercial and Environmental Practice Group. For more information about the firm, please visit www.BaileyGlasser.com.

litigation team is composed of partners , , D. , founding partner , and . Ms. Iskra is the practice lead of the Institutional Abuse & Neglect team, Mr. Glasser is one of the firm's founding partners, Mr. Selby is the Practice Group Leader of the firm's Mass Torts Practice Group, Ms. Mathews is a partner in the Mass Torts Group, and Ms. Joshi is the Practice Group Leader of the firm's Commercial and Environmental Practice Group. For more information about the firm, please visit www.BaileyGlasser.com. The Walsh Law PLLC legal team is comprised of founding partner Alexandra Walsh , Kim Channick , and Sam Martin . For more information about the firm please visit: https://alexwalshlaw.com/

legal team is comprised of founding partner , , and . For more information about the firm please visit: https://alexwalshlaw.com/ The Rhine Law Firm team is led by name partner Joel Rhine and partner Martin Ramey . For more information about the firm, please visit: https://www.carolinaaccidentattorneys.com/

team is led by name partner and partner . For more information about the firm, please visit: https://www.carolinaaccidentattorneys.com/ The DiCello Levitt litigation team is led by lawyers Nick Horattas , Mark DiCello , and Justin Abbarno . For information more about the firm please visit: https://dicellolevitt.com/

A copy of the individual complaints can be found below:

To learn more about the lawsuits, please visit www.MarylandAbuseAttorneys.com

MEDIA REQUESTS: To schedule an interview with counsel or for other media inquiries, please contact Joe Carey at [email protected].

SOURCE BAILEY & GLASSER, LLP
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. On September 27, the Azerbaijani public commemorated the memory of the martyrs who valiantly fought and sacrificed their lives during the Patriotic War.

It is observed every year on September 27th as the "Memorial Day" dedicated to the memory of the martyrs who lost their lives in the Patriotic War, according to the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, dated December 2, 2020.

The European Azerbaijan School (EAS) community came together to honor the martyrs of the Patriotic War on the occasion of Remembrance Day. EAS school administration, staff, and students from both Primary and Secondary campuses visited the II Alley of Martyrs.

As a mark of respect, wreaths and flowers were placed on the graves of the fallen heroes. The attendees observed a minute of silence, their heads bowed in remembrance. Students, holding flags in their hands, had the opportunity to pay their respects at the gravesites, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought for the nation.

At the Primary campus, students and staff commemorated the martyrs with a minute of silence, followed by the National Anthem of the Azerbaijan Republic. Teachers took the time to educate the students about the historical significance of the day, emphasizing why it is crucial to remember and honor the sacrifices made by the martyrs.

Meanwhile, at the Secondary campus, an event marking the third anniversary of Remembrance Day was organized. The ceremony began with a moment of silence, followed by the National Anthem of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Director of EAS, Francesco Banchini, spoke about the significance of Remembrance Day, emphasizing the enduring importance of honoring the martyrs of the Patriotic War.

Addressing a captivated audience, Mr. Banchini reminded everyone about the sacrifices made by the martyrs for the integrity and independence of Azerbaijan. He stressed the need to remember these heroes in perpetuity, ensuring their legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of every Azerbaijani citizen.

The audience was deeply moved by the accounts of the I Karabakh War Veteran and EAS History teacher, Baylar Eminov. He shared his personal war experiences, shedding light on the challenges faced by the nation during the Karabakh War. His emotional account underscored the resilience and patriotism of the Azerbaijani people.

In addition, EAS teacher Aynur Tahirova, delivered an enlightening presentation discussing the history of the Karabakh War from 1988 to 2020. She highlighted the chronological historical events leading up to the liberation of the territories, sharing the historical journey that led to the Remembrance Day. She emphasized the victorious achievements of the Azerbaijani Army in defeating the enemy and liberating our lands, and spoke about the heroic deeds of our sons who reached the pinnacle of martyrdom on this sacred path. The purpose of observing the Remembrance Day was explained, emphasizing the bravery of our heroic sons in the context of the day's significance.

In her speech, Secondary Principal Lynda Thompson urged young people to remember the victims of the war and the brave people who fought, and emphasized the importance of preserving their moral heritage for future generations.

The event dedicated to the Remembrance Day of our martyrs, who rendered unparalleled services in the victory of our history, has been concluded.

The martyrs will live in our memory forever. May the God have mercy on our Martyrs!
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TATAA Biocenter (the "Company" or "TATAA"), a leading global CRO for high-quality molecular analysis, is pleased to announce the appointment of Johanna Nilsson as Head of Marketing. She will in her new role facilitate streamlined communication between TATAA's cutting-edge molecular analysis lab and members of the global drug development community seeking a partner for specialized regulated and non-regulated services.

"By appointing Johanna Nilsson as Head of Marketing, we gain a key member of the management team with a unique set of experiences from a wide range of positions in the biotech industry. Johanna will be valuable in the journey ahead as TATAA strengthens its position as a leading service provider in the regulated segment of therapeutic research and development", said TATAA CEO, Mathias Hallin.

Johanna Nilsson brings seven years of comprehensive marketing experience, ranging from strategic planning to implementation. Most recently, she served at Kromnigon, a biotech company located at the heart of the BioVentureHub within the AstraZeneca R&D complex.

"It's an honor to join TATAA as Head of Marketing. TATAA is a company at the forefront of accelerating new modality drugs to market. Disorders that were incurable a decade ago, when I was pursuing my Ph.D., are now included in natal screening programs due to the availability of drugs. Being part of such transformative work is incredibly fulfilling", said Johanna Nilsson.

Johanna holds a Ph.D. focused on rare monogenetic metabolic muscle disorders from the University of Gothenburg, during which she contributed to high-impact publications in prestigious journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine and Annals of Neurology.

Read more about Johanna Nilsson, here.

CONTACT:



Martin Cooke, TATAA Biocenter, Marketing & Comms Specialist.

Email: [email protected]

The following files are available for download:

https://news.cision.com/tataa-biocenter/i/joanna-press-release2,c3221571 Joanna Press Release2

SOURCE Tataa Biocenter
FLORENCE, S.C., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At a time when teaching about America is facing unprecedented challenges, history teachers from across the United States are sharing their unique ideas as well as frustrations about how to educate students about the country's founding and key moments.

Driving Force Institute

Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement (DFI) has released "Why History Matters: American History Teachers Speak Out," comprised of essays by K12 educators, college faculty, and history curriculum leaders. In light of dismissal data that show a severe lack of American history knowledge among students and adults, DFI believes that a deep connection is fundamental to effective learning. The book highlights how educators are finding new ways to connect the teaching of American history to the interests and passions of today's students.

Dr. Brian Davis in Memphis writes "I teach in a state that has very specific content standards, and we will not be changing them any time soon," while Jeni Boulanger in Phelan, Calif., writes that her state "used to test history in eighth grade, it has since been dropped while assessments for English, math, and science  the STEM subjects  remain."

Patrick Riccards, DFI's CEO, says, "Regardless of what American history is taught, which is what people are debating now, we need to discuss better ways to engage students in learning American history. Engagement is critical to inspiring learning. This book showcases stories and insights from American history teachers  many award-winning  from states across the nation about how to engage students in learning American history and why it's important that they learn, understand and, appreciate it."

This book, and DFI's Why History Matters initiative, were created in honor of Walter W. Buckley, Jr., and inspired by his unwavering commitment to improving the teaching and learning of American history.

America's Story: Unknown and Unappreciated

The book follows DFI's public opinion survey that found fewer than four in 10 Americans could pass the practice test used for the U.S. citizenship exam. Passage rates were even lower for women and for people of color. And for those under the age of 50, only one in four could demonstrate a basic understanding of historical facts.

Furthermore, the Nation's Report Card reported the U.S. history scores among the nation's eighth graders are the lowest ever recorded since the assessment began in 1994. Civics scores also experienced their first-ever drop.

The authors are:

Kelly Beckett (KY)

Jeni Boulanger (CA)

(CA) Melissa Collins (TN)

(TN) Robert Coven (NC)

(NC) Brian Davis (TN)

(TN) Joseph Dwyer III (NJ)

(NJ) Kelsie Brook Eckert (NH)

(NH) Kim Eggborn (MD)

Robert Fenster (NJ)

Jacklyn Foster (AL)

(AL) Gregory J.K. Garcia, Jr. (OR)

William Kibler (AZ)

Richard Lavoie (MA)

Kyung Ah Lee (GA)

(GA) Thomas Leighty (DE)

Ryan Mueller (UT)

(UT) Jamie Naragon (OH)

Kimberly Wratney Perez (NC)

Katherine Perrotta (GA)

Lisa Rauschart (DC)

Manuela Bandres Tari (CO)

(CO) Emily Busey-Templeton (OK)

Kate Van Haren (WI)

Media Contact:

Adam Shapiro

[email protected]

202-427-3603

SOURCE Driving Force Institute
Back-to-Back Anti-Labor Vetoes by California Governor Hurt Workers, Unions

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Teamsters condemn the latest actions by California Gov. Gavin Newsom after he vetoed Senate Bill 799 over the weekend. The legislation would have extended unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to union members who are on strike or being locked out by their employer.

The Governor's Saturday veto represents the second pro-worker bill he has rejected in the past 15 days, following his veto of Assembly Bill 316, a bill requiring human operators in all commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds.

"Gavin Newsom once again vetoed a pro-union bill in California and he did it when he hoped no one was looking," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. "Union members have long memories, and the Teamsters know who our real friends are. Gov. Newsom needs to stop working for Wall Street and start working for the hundreds of thousands of constituents he owes his success to. Gavin is leaving working people behind at a time when they need more protections than ever to preserve and improve their livelihoods, benefits, and wages. His recent actions are shameful."

"It's been the summer of the strike in Southern California this year," said Chris Griswold, Teamsters International Vice President At-Large and President of Teamsters Joint Council 42 in Los Angeles. "Gavin Newsom loves to say that he supports unions, but talk is cheap. He's now proving that repeatedly. If Gov. Newsom was a real ally of organized labor, he would sign legislation that empowers workers."

"In the face of increasing corporate greed, the Teamsters will keep fighting for laws that protect workers and our jobs  including laws mandating human operators in trucks and UI benefits for workers on strike," said Jason Rabinowitz, President of Teamsters Joint Council 7. "We are taking on the long fight against the greedy tech companies and unprincipled politicians. The Teamsters and all working people will prevail because we have justice and the power of millions of organized workers on our side."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:

Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877

[email protected]

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
LONDON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Breast cancer has emerged as a formidable adversary in the women's health realm. It is the third largest cause of female mortality, and its prevalence has increased by more than 20% since 2008. According to a recently conducted epidemiology study by the American Cancer Society, 1,958,310 new cancer cases and 609,820 cancer deaths are reckoned to occur in the United States alone by the end of 2023.

Breast Cancer typically forms in breast tissue cells, mainly in ductal carcinoma (milk ducts) and lobular carcinoma (milk-producing lobules). Even though it can occur in both male and female populace, but the latter is the most vulnerable section. Breast cancer research activities are being conducted at a fast pace on a global level. Growing awareness about the severity of this disease and increased priority on women health are the top facts expediting R&D activities in this field.

In order to reduce the rates of breast cancer incidence, the first and foremost step for medical researchers and healthcare experts is to gain complete disease insights. Without understanding the traits, underlying causes, and action mechanism of this cancer form, they cannot determine breast cancer risk factors and formulate effective treatment solutions. Being a complex disorder, it gets difficult for them to get a 360-degree disease overview. This is when they seek consulting services from DLI and leverage its deep dive healthcare expertise to enhance breast cancer research and treatment development activities. DLI empowers them with favourable market entry strategy while giving them a complete gist of the potential market barriers. The extensive market intelligence services offered by this health consultant enables industry participants to gain substantial market access.

Price and Market Access

Breast Cancer- A Health Menace:

The concerning breast cancer statistics have pushed government bodies and healthcare entities to take crucial steps and improve the disease management landscape. The high breast cancer prevalence has increased the demand for early diagnosis and medical intervention. This malignancy, if detected at its initial stage can be cured. But in case of late diagnosis, the cancer spreads to other organs, resulting in severe health complications and fatality.

Underlying causes of breast cancer cannot be accurately determined. The triggering factors may vary from person to person. Although, family history, genetic defects, hormonal imbalances, unhealthy lifestyle, radiation exposure, and age may contribute in the onset of this devastating disease.

It is crucial to identify the initial symptoms that point toward an increased chance of breast cancer occurrence. The primary symptoms include notable lump in the breast, nipple changes, skin chances, weight loss, breast pain, and changes in breast shape or size. Breast risk assessment tests or screenings are crucial to diagnose this life threating condition. Early diagnosis plays a significant role in increasing the breast cancer recovery rate worldwide.

Learn More About the FDA NDA & BLA Approval (NME) Drugs for Breast Cancer @

https://www.diseaselandscape.com/requestsample/postid/81

Diagnostic and Treatment Landscape:

The diagnostic landscape for this disease is vast. It comprises of a combination of different techniques namely-

Breast examination- It involves the physical examination of the breasts, checking for any lumps, changes in shape or size, or abnormalities in the nipples or surrounding skin.

Imaging tests- Mammogram, breast MRI, and breast ultrasound are some of imaging tests recommended to detect cancerous lumps inside the breast.

Biopsy- Surgical biopsy, fine needle aspiration, and core needle biopsy can be conducted to confirm the presence of cancer.

Genetic testing- Genetic testing can identify mutations in genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 that increase the risk of breast cancer.

Apart from that, certain laboratory tests, staging, and medical history assessment are also some of the preferred can diagnostic techniques.

Post detection, patients should get immediate medical attention. If ideal treatment therapeutics are prescribed in the right time, the risk of complications and mortality gets reduced to a large extent. With rigorous R&D, effective treatment solutions have been developed. Some of the most commonly suggested treatments are lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and breast reconstruction, among others.

Discover More About Pricing and Reimbursement, Epidemiology Study, and Healthcare @

https://www.diseaselandscape.com/downloadsample/postid/81

Role of DLI in Clinical Trial Management:

For any drugs or treatment therapy to get the approval of regulatory bodies like FDA, the smooth conduction of clinical trials plays a crucial role. Without successful clearance of clinical trial assessment phases, no treatment entities can be launched in the market for commercial use. It is evident that these trials can be time consuming and rigorous for the participants. DLI helps in easing the entire process by helping them with data analysis and interpretation, clinical trial feasibility analysis of their potential product, patient population identification, regulatory barriers assessment, while providing that with extensive market intelligence research documents.

Prior to the clinical trial phase, DLI has also assisted players in their drug development endeavours by facilitating treatment gaps identification and other similar activities. Through its pharma consulting services, it has helped the concerned firms in terms of commercial strategy analysis, product portfolio analysis, price and market access-based decisions while offering them with exclusive post launch services.

It can be said that DLI has been a constant support to the industry participants involved with the development of advanced breast cancer treatment solutions.

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Final Words:

Breast cancer is one of the most dreadful malignancies, affecting a significant portion of the global female population. The proper management of this ailment is necessary to save the lives of many. The high breast cancer disease burden has emerged as a cause of concern for many nations. Medical scientists, government authorities, and other healthcare professionals worldwide have joined hands to make extensive efforts and eradicate this menace called breast cancer. They are investing in R&D activities to develop rapid and effective diagnostic and treatment solutions. Many of them have collaborated with DLI to expedite their activities by leveraging its deep dive healthcare expertise. By offering expertise in data analysis, patient population identification, competitive landscape assessment, regulatory compliance, and more, DLI contributes significantly to advancing drug development, enhancing clinical trial management, along with product portfolio extension in the fight against breast cancer.

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Chlamydia Disease symptoms, treatment, and market research. Keep up with epidemiology research, FDA and EMA updates, and market entry tactics.

Employing our tried-and-true strategy, penetrate the Ovarian Cancer Disease market. Learn to negotiate the regulatory process, discover the key opinion leaders for your product, and establish fair pricing.

Learn about Gastric Cancer Market Strategies, KOL Insights, Regulatory Updates, and Market Intelligence. Make use of our knowledge to get through challenges.

Find out more about Prostate Cancer Consulting, FDA-EMA Drugs, Pricing, and Regulatory Insights. Obtain an epidemiology study and market access. Rely on DLI!

FDA-EMA Approved Drugs, Disease Landscape, and Epidemiology Studies: Expert Consulting on Skin Cancer. Pricing Compensation and Market Access.

Find out more about Tonsillitis symptoms, consulting services, drug costs, FDA-approved medications, disease landscape, regulatory insights, epidemiology, and price reimbursement.

Investigate the epidemiology, prevention, and consulting services for Scrub Typhus. Discover the landscape of diseases, FDA-EMA approved medications, and more

About Disease Landscape:

Disease Landscape, a pioneering company specializing in Disease Intelligence, Pricing, and Market Access. Utilizing the power of data analytics, Disease Landscape Insights is dedicated to healthcare sector with invaluable, finely crafted insights and recommendations regarding global pricing and market access strategies. As a specialized firm, we are committed to delivering unparalleled insights into pricing and market access, custom-tailored to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Our data-driven solutions and cutting-edge technology position us as your trustworthy partner, offering swift, adaptable, and evidence-based alternatives to traditional market access and pricing research methods.

Our core competencies encompass Market Research Services, Consulting Services, Global Pricing and Market Access, Epidemiology Studies, as well as Product Portfolio and Pipeline Services. Our expertise lies in furnishing comprehensive data intelligence throughout every phase of drug and device research.

Contact Us:

Disease Landscape Insights LLP

6th Floor, Sr No.207, Office A H 6070 Phase 1

Solitaire Business Hub, Viman Nagar

Pune, Maharashtra, 411014

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Sales: +44-2038074155

Asia Office: +917447409162

Blog: https://www.diseaselandscape.com/blogs

Case Study: https://www.diseaselandscape.com/casestudies

Pharma consulting Services

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2217060/Disease_Landscape_Insights_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Disease Landscape Insights
The Chef Jade Cookbook! A collection of recipes from over 30 countries by a traveling, AI Virtual Human.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jade and Zelda, LLC is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated launch of "Cooking With Jade: The Ultimate Vegan & Vegetarian Cookbook," a remarkable cookbook that transcends culinary boundaries. This innovative cookbook showcases a diverse collection of vegan and vegetarian recipes hailing from 16 countries, including Brazil, Japan, and France. Marking a significant milestone, this release also represents Chef Jade's debut in the world of physical cookbooks.

In an age where technology and gastronomy intertwine like never before, Chef Jade, the creation of Jade and Zelda, LLC, stands as a symbol of culinary evolution. Founded in 2020, Jade and Zelda, LLC is a pioneering company dedicated to redefining the way brands connect with their audiences.

This groundbreaking cookbook encapsulates Chef Jade's culinary expertise, which is truly a testament to the boundless creativity and cultural fusion the virtual world enables. With the launch of "Cooking With Jade: The Ultimate Vegan & Vegetarian Cookbook," readers will embark on a culinary adventure, discovering flavorful dishes from around the globe, all meticulously crafted to be vegan and vegetarian.

"We are excited to introduce Chef Jade's cookbook to the world, as it embodies the essence of what Jade and Zelda, LLC stands for," said Tori Ross, Co-Founder of the company. "Chef Jade represents the future of culinary innovation, where virtual and physical worlds come together to create an unparalleled gastronomic experience."

Key Highlights of "Cooking With Jade: The Ultimate Vegan & Vegetarian Cookbook":

**Global Gastronomy**: Explore a diverse array of cuisines from 16 different countries, all expertly adapted to vegan and vegetarian lifestyles. **Chef Jade's Expertise**: Benefit from Chef Jade's extensive knowledge and innovative approach to culinary artistry, as she guides you through each step with precision and clarity. **Cultural Insights**: Gain insight into the cultural significance of each dish, as Chef Jade shares anecdotes and stories that elevate your culinary experience. **A New Age in Cooking**: Witness the seamless convergence of technology and tradition as Chef Jade's virtual presence bridges the gap between the digital and physical worlds.

"Cooking With Jade: The Ultimate Vegan & Vegetarian Cookbook" is set to redefine the way we think about cookbooks and cooking in the digital age. This cookbook is not just a collection of recipes but a testament to the power of creativity and the potential of AI in the culinary world. Fans can start pre-ordering the cookbook from Chef Jade's website on October 9th.

For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information about "Culinary Journeys with Chef Jade," please contact Jade and Zelda, LLC at [email protected] or visit https://jadeandzelda.com/.

About Jade and Zelda, LLC:

Jade and Zelda, LLC combines traditional storytelling and AI Technology to develop new-age tools, that enable brands to create trendsetting, versatile, and cost-effective experiences.

Contact:

Jade and Zelda

Brandon Ross

***@jadeandzelda.com

Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12986576

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE Jade and Zelda, LLC
ALAMEDA, Ca., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda (AHA) is planning to convert the Hawthorn Suites Hotel, located at 1628 Webster Street, into affordable housing in the form of fifty studio apartments (including one manager's unit). The advantage of AHA adapting this existing structure, instead of building new construction, is that the Housing Authority can house low-income residents faster and with greater cost efficiency. This new building named "Poppy Place" resides in the heart of the City of Alameda, within close walking distance to public transportation, employers, schools, and retail outlets.

Poppy Place resides in the heart of Alameda at 1628 Webster Street.

AHA is now accepting housing wait list pre-applications for Poppy Place, and all single adults or family households (regardless of age) are eligible to apply. The application period opens on Monday, October 2 at 9:00am and ends at 8:00pm on Sunday, October 22nd. Interested applicants can submit housing wait list pre-applications for Poppy Place via the Alameda County Housing Portal:

https://housing.acgov.org/applications/start/choose-language?listingId=34d002e7-88c5-43a9-9013-b0867904da1c

The 370-400 square foot studio apartments at Poppy Place are designed to maximize every inch of square footage and feature individual bathrooms, plus a kitchenette. The studios are suitable for one to two person households, and monthly rents will range from $518 to $1,554 with utilities included in the monthly rent. Poppy Place offers amenities that include an onsite laundry, a community room & patio, limited onsite parking, secure bicycle parking, an elevator, pet friendly housing, resident services, and an onsite Property Manager.

"AHA tapped into funding from the State of California, which enabled AHA to move forward quickly, which resulted in low-income residents not having to wait 18 to 24 months before being able to move-in, which is typically required when performing new construction," stated AHA Board Chair, Carly Grob. Back in February 2023, the Housing Authority of the City of Alameda received $13.4 million in funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. In addition to the previously mentioned $13.4 million award, AHA is projected to invest $8,000,000 of its own funds into Poppy Place, as well.

AHA is a long-time member of the Webster Street neighborhood, as the owner of over 300 existing affordable homes in the adjacent community, including the award-winning Rosefield Village on Buena Vista Avenue, which opened in the summer of 2022. Island City Development (ICD), an affiliate of AHA, is the developer of the Poppy Place project and the Housing Authority of the City of Alameda will own the land and provide long-term financial support. Poppy Place will serve households up to 60% of area median income ($62,160 for one person households and $71,040 for two person households). Rents subject to government regulations.

Thirteen units will be set aside for supportive housing, and each of those households will receive supportive services from AHA's community partner and social services provider, LifeSTEPS (www.lifestepsusa.org). Also, once the property opens in early 2024, all leasing and property management services will be provided by FPI Management (www.fpimgt.com).

Interested applicants can call (510) 747-4369 or send email to [email protected]. Or for further information and to view a video about Poppy Place, please visit: http://www.poppystudiosalameda.com/.

About AHA

www.alamedahsg.org

For over 80 years, The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda (AHA) has provided a range of housing assistance to low-income households. The primary goal of the Housing Authority is to provide quality, affordable, and safe housing in the City of Alameda. Our programs include Housing Choice Vouchers, Project-Based Vouchers, specialized housing assistance, family self-sufficiency, affordable real estate development, resident services, and management of AHA owned property.

About ICD

www.islandcitydevelopment.org

Island City Development (ICD), established in 2014, is a non-profit public benefit corporation and housing developer focusing on providing decent, safe, and accessible affordable homes to working families, seniors, veterans, and households of low income where no adequate housing exists. ICD, with its partners and affiliates, owns, acquires, develops, provides, finances, rehabilitates, and operates 3 properties to date. The actions or partnerships of Island City Development promote social welfare, combat blight and deterioration, work to eliminate discrimination and prejudice and seek to benefit renters within the City of Alameda. ICD partners with the Housing Authority of the City of Alameda to develop new affordable homes and execute major renovations of older properties.

CONTACT: Joshua Altieri (Community Relations Manager)

PHONE: (510) 747-4321

EMAIL: [email protected]

SOURCE The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda
The Official Pizza of Halloween is giving anyone named Jason a chance to win free pizza!

SOLON, Ohio, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TOMBSTONE Pizza is once again embracing the holiday tradition of eating pizza and watching scary movies. This year, the Official Pizza of Halloween is celebrating one of the most iconic, spine-chilling names in horror movies, giving anyone named Jason a chance to win free pizza. One lucky grand prize winner will receive a spooky weekend trip plus free TOMBSTONE Pizza.

On behalf of TOMBSTONE

Participate at your own risk by entering online at tombstone.com/pizzaforjason. Through Oct. 31, those named Jason can enter for a chance to win. Despite its frightful associations, Jason has been consistently popular for decades with more than 900,000 individuals1 going by the name.

"Watching scary movies and eating pizza continues to be one of the best Halloween traditions," said Neil Morrissey, Marketing Brand Manager at Nestle. "This year, we're having some fun with the fright factor, and encouraging everyone to spend Halloween watching classic horror movies."

The horror film genre is a top watch for pizza lovers and Halloween fans alike. In fact, 71 percent of Americans under the age of 35 enjoy scary movies2 and nearly 62 precent of Gen Z plan to watch scary movies to celebrate Halloween.3

Fear not, if your name is Crystal or Pamela, you're also eligible for chance to win and enjoy the full-on flavor experience of TOMBSTONE Pizza, featuring real cheese, classic meat combos, zesty sauce and its signature buttery crust.

To learn more, visit TombstonePizza.com and follow @TombstonePizza on your favorite social media platforms.

How to Enter for a Chance to Win

Starting on Sunday, October 1 through Tuesday, October 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET, fans can enter online at https://tombstone.com/pizzaforjason for a chance to win.

Nestle USA

Nestle USA is committed to unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come. The company's food and beverage portfolio includes some of the most recognizable brands in the United States including Coffee mate, DiGiorno and Nestle Toll House as well as category disruptors such as Sweet Earth, and are in nearly every home in the country. Nestle USA also boasts the largest coffee portfolio in the U.S., including Nescafe and Nestle Starbucks Coffee. Nestle USA is part of Nestle S.A. headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland  the world's largest food and beverage company, which has been named among "The World's Most Admired Food Companies" by Fortune magazine for twenty-five consecutive years. For more information, visit nestleusa.com.

TOMBSTONE Pizza  The Official Pizza of Halloween Sweepstakes Abbreviated Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 U.S. & D.C. 18 OR OLDER (19+ for AL and NE, 21+ for MS). ENTRANTS MUST HAVE A LEGAL FIRST NAME OF "JASON", "PAMELA" OR "CRYSTAL" TO ENTER. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes begins 10/1/23 at 12:00 a.m. ET and ends 10/31/23 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Grand Prize awarded as a $5,000 check. For entry form, Official Rules, and prize descriptions visit www.tombstone.com/pizzaforjason. Sponsor: Nestle USA, Inc., 1812 N. Moore St, Arlington, VA 22209.

1 BeyondtheName.com

2 CBS News

3 (Tubi Survey, conducted by OnePoll, 2021)

SOURCE Tombstone
LONDON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trip.com, the internationally renowned one-stop travel service provider, achieved a new milestone by securing three awards at the 2023 World Travel Awards  Europe. The company earned "Europe's Leading Online Travel Agency 2023," "Spain's Leading Online Travel Agency 2023," and "England's Leading Online Travel Agency 2023." This recognition reflects the resounding vote of confidence from customers, travel professionals, and media, reaffirming Trip.com's steadfast commitment to excellence in serving travellers across these markets.

Trip.com received this year's World Travel Awards accolades during a prestigious ceremony held in Batumi, Georgia, on 29th September 2023, highlighting Trip.com's outstanding performance and ever-expanding influence in Europe's online travel agency (OTA) sector.

"Securing three awards at the 2023 World Travel Awards - Europe is a testament to our unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional travel experiences and growing recognition at regional and country levels," said Andy Washington, General Manager of Trip.com Europe.

"We are honoured to be acknowledged as the leading online travel agency in Europe, Spain, and England. Product choice, technological innovation, and exceptional customer support are undoubtedly the keys to this success. However, this achievement wouldn't have been possible without the tireless efforts of our team and the trust of our customers and industry partners, who cast their votes in our favour."

Graham E. Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards, said: "Congratulations to Trip.com for winning 'Europe's Leading Online Travel Agency 2023,' 'Spain's Leading Online Travel Agency 2023,' and 'England's Leading Online Travel Agency.' This is a remarkable achievement, reflecting how the brand is setting the benchmark in online travel. The commitment of the entire team at Trip.com serves as an inspiration to us all."

Trip.com's extensive global network encompasses 1.2 million accommodation services, over 480 airlines, and more than 30,000 tourism partners. Through an innovative mobile-first strategy and a comprehensive all-in-one travel platform offering flights, hotels, trains, cars, attractions, and more. Trip.com has rapidly grown as a significant player in the European travel industry in recent years. Today, it holds a robust presence across the globe, with 48 website variations, support for 31 currencies, availability in over 20 languages, and operations spanning 39 countries and regions.

Trip.com is at the forefront of innovation in the travel industry with its latest advancements, including TripGenie. This cutting-edge chatbot utilises advanced AI technology to provide travellers with real-time live assistance, delivering personalised travel routes, customised itineraries and valuable booking advice directly on the Trip.com platform, offering unprecedented support and guidance throughout their journeys.

Trip.com offers world-class 24/7 multilingual customer services globally, instrumental in creating unparalleled travel experiences for millions of customers worldwide. The Edinburgh-based call centre, catering to the European region, is a dedicated workforce of over 200 professionals who provide round-the-clock English customer support, with its customer service team ensuring rapid responses, with most calls answered within 30 seconds.

In 2022, the platform witnessed a surge in global app downloads, with over 14.1 million installations. The Spanish and English markets have played pivotal roles in Trip.com's success in Europe.

These achievements highlight Trip.com's unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled travel experiences and solidifying its reputation for dedication to customer satisfaction. With this remarkable success, Trip.com stands firm as a pioneering global travel service provider, leading the way in shaping the future of travel.

[END]

About Trip.com

Trip.com is an international one-stop travel service provider, available in 24 languages across 39 countries and regions in 31 local currencies and sites. Trip.com has an extensive hotel and flight network consisting of more than 1.2 million hotels and flights from over 480 airlines covering 2,600 airports in 200 countries and regions around the globe. Trip.com's world-class 24/7 multilingual customer service as well as additional centres in Edinburgh, Tokyo and Seoul, help to 'create the best travel experience' for its millions of customers worldwide. To book your next trip, visit trip.com

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2236406/image_5004521_45752143.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1802535/trip_com_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Trip.com
CLEARWATER, Fla., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BayCare announced today that Patricia "Trish" Shucoski, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, will be its next Chief Nurse Executive (CNE), leading a corps of more than 10,550 nurses and nursing support staff when she assumes the role in December.

Shucoski currently serves as BayCare's vice president of customer access and operational excellence. Post this Patricia "Trish" Schucoski will assume the role of BayCare's Chief Nurse Executive on Dec. 11, 2023.

Shucoski is a nurse with nearly 20 years of experience as a health care leader and holds a doctorate in nursing practice. A Florida licensed nurse, she is currently BayCare's vice president of customer access and operational excellence and is succeeding CNE Lisa Johnson, who is retiring after more than a 35-year career with BayCare.

"BayCare's nurses and our patients deserve the very best in a leader and we are excited to have Trish take this role," said CEO and President Stephanie Conners. "Her experience supporting patient care delivery will ensure that BayCare's nurses remain at the forefront in the industry in best practice and compassionate care."

Prior to joining BayCare, Shucoski worked for Jefferson Health in Philadelphia as its senior vice president for performance excellence and system integration. Before that, she worked as Cooper University Hospital's associate vice president of patient care services for four years and its executive director of hospital-based services for three years. As a registered nurse in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Trish worked for both Cancer Treatment Centers of America, where she was chief nurse, and Hahnemann University Hospital/Tenet Healthcare.

She earned a Doctor of Nursing practice/healthcare systems leadership from Chamberlain University; a Master of Science in nursing, leadership/nursing management from Drexel University, and a bachelor's degree in nursing from Villanova University. Additionally, Trish holds two associate degrees, one from the State University of New York at Farmingdale (SUNY Farmingdale) in allied health and science/nursing and one in science from Nassau Community College.

Shucoski resides with her husband and two children in Largo. She will assume the CNE role on Dec. 11.

About BayCare

BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 16 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. The system is West Central Florida's largest provider of behavioral health and pediatric services and its provider group, BayCare Medical Group, is one of the largest in the region. BayCare's diverse network of ambulatory services includes laboratories, imaging, surgical centers, BayCare Urgent Care locations, wellness centers and one of Florida's largest home care agencies, BayCare HomeCare. BayCare is ranked in the top 20% by Fortune/Merative. BayCare's mission is to improve the health of all it serves through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit www.BayCare.org .

SOURCE BayCare Health System
The "Toxic Therapy from Your Vape" campaign comprises five animated short videos including "Texting Anxiety", "Hypnotherapy," and "Sleep Exercises," each featuring the Toxic Therapist character (voiced by Parnell) impersonating a therapist offering unhealthy and detrimental advice during moments of stress. For example, when friends don't respond to text messages, the Toxic Therapist encourages individuals to jump to conclusions and believe their friends are excluding them. Similarly, when struggling to sleep due to past embarrassments, the Toxic Therapist advises individuals to dwell on these thoughts until sunrise, vividly illustrating how vaping nicotine can increase feelings of anxiety rather than help with coping.

"Many young people turn to vaping nicotine as a coping mechanism in moments of stress or anxiety, but the truth is that nicotine can often intensify those feelings. We wanted to make it clear to young people that vaping nicotine isToxic Therapy," explained Elizabeth Kenny, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, Truth Initiative. "We worked with Chris Parnell, a voice our audience knows from shows like Rick and Morty, to bring our animated vape-turned-faux therapist character to life in a way that felt informative, but funny and relatable."

As the colliding crises of youth e-cigarette use and mental health continue to plague our nation, "Toxic Therapy from Your Vape" provides vital information to guide teens and young adults away from vaping nicotine as a misguided coping mechanism. The campaign offers alternative resources for de-stressing and quitting e-cigarettes including the text-message program from truth 'This is Quitting,' which is already helping more than 640,000 young people on their journey to quit vaping nicotine. This animated campaign will reach youth audiences across multiple platforms, including connected TV, streaming TV and radio, cinema, digital and social media. It launches just ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10th.

Additional content and collaborations will roll out throughout the fall including partnering with mental health social media influencers like Jeff Guenther, LPC, Micheline Maalouf, LMHC, and Dr. Justin, PHD to name a few. A new TikTok show from truth, Everything Sucks Right Now, hosted by popular influencers Vincent Marcus and Christian Vierling, is also addressing topics that are bothering young people right now like vaping, relationships, and the environment.

On November 1st, in honor of Stress Awareness Day, a Snapchat filter will extend the campaign enabling users to engage with the "Toxic Therapist" face-to-face digitally with a lens that creates a virtual "toxic therapy" session that drives to healthy coping solutions.

"Toxic Therapy from Your Vape" also highlights the detrimental impact of vaping nicotine on sleep which is vital for good mental health. Vaping nicotine is associated with sleep problems, including poor sleep quality, reduced sleep duration, restlessness during sleep, nightmares, and daytime sleepiness.

With over 2.5 million high school and middle school students vaping nicotine in 2022 alone, including 46 percent of high schoolers who vape doing so on a near-daily basis, youth e-cigarette use and nicotine addiction remain a national public health threat. Simultaneously, youth mental health is a pressing concern, declared a public health crisis by the U.S. Surgeon General in 2022. This new truth effort tackles these interconnected issues head-on, employing humor as an effective approach to inform and connect with young people while demonstrating the undeniable link between nicotine and mental health.

In 2021, truth unveiled a fictitious vape company called "Depression Stick!" that first exposed how vaping nicotine can intensify anxiety and depression. This was followed by "Breath of Stress Air" in 2022, debunking the myth that vaping nicotine is a stress reliever and exposing the tobacco industry's deceptive promotion of e-cigarettes as a stress management tool. "Toxic Therapy from Your Vape" builds upon these previous endeavors, as recent research published in the journal Tobacco Control validates their efficacy. Over a 14-month period, these campaigns prevented 1.3 million 15- to 24-year-olds from starting to vape, slowed the progression among existing e-cigarette users, and encouraged quitting overall, also earning truth the prestigious Grand Effie award in 2023 for the most effective behavior changing campaign of the year.

Truth Initiative collaborated with creative agency partner Mojo Supermarket to develop "Toxic Therapy from Your Vape," as a continuation of the "Depression Stick!" and "Breath of Fresh Air" truth campaigns. GALE is the media planning and buying agency for the truth campaign. We Are Social contributed to the social activations for "Toxic Therapy from Your Vape."

While young people are not naive to the physical risks of using e-cigarettes, over 50% of frequent vapers say they need to vape to cope with stress or anxiety. Research from Truth Initiative shows that an overwhelming majority of young people who vape started using e-cigarettes to reduce feelings of stress despite scientific evidence to the contrary. Fortunately, quitting can alleviate these symptoms and lead to long-term improved mental health. As evidenced by Truth Initiative data, 90% of young people who quit vaping e-cigarettes said they felt less stressed, anxious, or depressed.

"We're seeing a massive increase in the number of young people with mental health needs, and the system is overwhelmed," said Susan Gurley, Executive Director of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. "That's why the work truth is doing to connect with young people and reach them in relatable ways is so important. Anything we can do to get critical resources into the hands of young people is welcomed in addressing this crisis."

An immersive experience on thetruth.com/solutionspace will give young people access to relevant resources and added coping methods, including:

This is Quitting from truth, which is a first-of-its-kind, free, and anonymous text message program to help young people quit vaping by texting DITCHVAPE to 88709 ;

from which is a first-of-its-kind, free, and anonymous text message program to help young people quit vaping by texting to ; Breathwrk , which offers science-backed breathing and meditation exercises to reduce stress, sleep better, stay energized, or calm nicotine cravings;

, which offers science-backed breathing and meditation exercises to reduce stress, sleep better, stay energized, or calm nicotine cravings; Cope Notes, a text service which promotes daily mental health support, sends exercises, journal prompts, and facts;

a text service which promotes daily mental health support, sends exercises, journal prompts, and facts; Crisis Text Line, which offers 24/7 support from trained crisis counselors from a secure online platform by texting HOME to 741741 to get connected to professional support.

"An increasing number of young people are experiencing anxiety-causing thoughts and behaviors, and while many are open to discussing their mental health and breaking stigmas, more than half of young people aged 18-24 with anxiety or depression still do not seek treatment," said Dr. Debra Kissen, CEO of Light On Anxiety CBT Treatment Center. "The truth campaign shines an important spotlight on the mental health state of young people in a way that resonates meaningfully with this younger generation and gives them tools to get help."

More information about the campaign and additional resources for young people struggling with mental health or those who want to quit vaping nicotine is available at thetruth.com/solutionspace. Information about the connection between vaping nicotine, stress and mental health is available at truthinitiative.org.

Additional quotes of support:

"It's clear that young people are struggling with their mental health and need outlets to voice their pain and share difficult feelings," said Dr. Shairi Turner, Chief Health Officer at Crisis Text Line. "We want young people to know they have a place to turn for a listening ear and emotional support during their moments of need as we strive to create an empathetic world where no one feels alone. We believe partnering with the truth campaign is a critical component of our work."

"Youth and young people are particularly vulnerable to early initiation of nicotine use, often turning to vaping as a way to heal from trauma or to cope with stress," said Alexandra Plante, Senior Advisor of Substance Use at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. "That's why it's so important to help young people understand the real effects of nicotine and withdrawal may be doing the opposite of what they are hoping for, and actually intensify feelings of anxiety and depression."

"Many people who struggle with mental health challenges often suffer in silence. It's critically important to build supportive communities where young people have easy access to mental health professionals as well as feel comfortable sharing difficult feelings," said Shawn E. Boynes, CEO of the American Counseling Association. "Mental health is at the forefront of overall human wellness, so investing in young people's mental wellbeing, and providing credible, yet practical expert resources to help them must be a priority. This is one way we can tackle the growing mental health crisis."

About truth

truth is the longest-running proven effective national tobacco prevention campaign for youth and young adults. The campaign delivers the facts about tobacco use and the marketing tactics of the tobacco industry so that young people can make informed choices and influence others to do the same. We are credited with preventing millions of young people from becoming smokers and are committed to achieving the same results with the youth e-cigarette crisis. As part of this effort, our first-of-its-kind, text message quit vaping program for teens and young adults This is Quitting has enrolled more than 640,000 young people nationwide since its launch in 2019. truth is part of Truth Initiative, a national public health organization dedicated to achieving a culture where young people reject smoking, vaping, and nicotine. Learn more about truth and the organization behind it at thetruth.com and truthinitiative.org.

About Truth Initiative

Truth Initiative is a national public health organization dedicated to achieving a culture where all young people reject smoking, vaping and nicotine and a future where commercial tobacco and nicotine addiction are a thing of the past. Our impact has helped drive youth smoking prevalence down from 23% in 2000 to a historic low of 2% in 2022. The truth about tobacco and the tobacco industry are at the heart of our proven-effective and nationally recognized truth public education campaign. As youth e-cigarette use threatens to put a new generation at risk, we are leading the fight against tobacco and nicotine addiction in all forms. Our first-of-its-kind, text message quit vaping program This Is Quitting has enrolled over 640,000 young people nationwide and our youth e-cigarette prevention curriculum Vaping: Know the truth is being used in more than 9,000 schools nationwide. Our rigorous scientific research and policy studies, community and youth engagement programs supporting populations at high risk of using tobacco, and innovation in tobacco dependence treatment are also helping to end one of the most critical public health battles of our time. Based in Washington D.C., our organization was established and funded through the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement between attorneys general from 46 states, five U.S. territories and the tobacco industry. To learn more, visit truthinitiative.org.

SOURCE Truth Initiative

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KHOJALY, Azerbaijan, October 2. Representatives of foreign media have arrived at the location of the discovery of a drug plantation on an area of 100 hectares in Khojaly, Trend reports from the scene.

The media representatives were shocked by what they saw.

It was emphasized that this area in close proximity to Khojaly Airport was heavily guarded, and it was noted that this was not wild hemp.

Previously, the Spokesperson for Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry Elshad Gajiyev told reporters that drug plantations have been discovered in many places, including the Khojaly district, on territories fully brought under the control of the Azerbaijani army as a result of anti-terrorist activities.

"These facts and the expert examinations conducted here allow us to conclude that conditions were created here for the cultivation of drug-containing plants. The Government of Azerbaijan has raised this issue with international organizations on multiple occasions," he added.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement [signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and Azerbaijan's military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been conducted in the region.
Springfield, Massachusetts, Is Crowned the Spookiest City in the Nation. The Undead Are Most Likely To Travel Here for Halloween Haunting, With an Undeniably Phantom-Friendly Environment and Spectral Sightings Galore.

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As Halloween draws near, Upgraded Points created a spine-tingling study to determine which U.S. cities offer the warmest  or chilliest  welcome for wandering spirits. Evaluating the hospitality of 100 major U.S. cities, and considering a variety of metrics that might make those towns a hotspot for hauntings, Upgraded Points puts a new spin on the best Halloween hangouts.

The 10 Best U.S. Cities to Be a Ghost The Best U.S. Cities to Be a Ghost by Category

"We encourage travelers  both of this realm and others  to carefully research the cities they visit," said Alex Miller, Upgraded Points' founder. "And we've taken a light-hearted look at where ghosts might choose to hang their dusty hats  or shake their spectral chains. From cities steeped in history to areas ripe with supernatural activity, our study is a fun look for those curious about the spookier side of America's hometowns."

Spooky Study: Methodology

To identify the cities most suitable for ghostly residents, Upgraded Points analyzed the cities using 11 key criteria crucial for identifying otherworldly havens, such as: Ghost Sightings per 100K People, Haunted Houses per 100K Households, Psychic Mediums per 100K People, Metaphysical Shops per 100K People, Median Build-Year of Buildings, Cemeteries per 100K People, and more. Each criterion was then weighted based on its relevance to ghosts and given a score between 0 to 5, resulting in a total potential score from 0 to 100, with 100 indicating the most favorable conditions for ghosts.

Some Haunted Highlights

Northeastern Nightmares: Syracuse, NY, claims the fourth spot, with nearly a quarter of its homes built before 1940, while Buffalo, NY , offers the oldest average home build year, 1956.

Syracuse, NY, claims the fourth spot, with nearly a quarter of its homes built before 1940, while , offers the oldest average home build year, 1956. Southern Specters: Birmingham, AL, stands tall at number 3, offering 14.7 haunted houses per 100K . Meanwhile, Columbia, SC , provides ghosts with the highest number of cemeteries per capita.

Birmingham, AL, stands tall at number 3, offering 14.7 haunted houses per . Meanwhile, , provides ghosts with the highest number of cemeteries per capita. Historical Haunts: Pennsylvania cities like Scranton and Pittsburgh shine with many houses built before 1940, making them ideal for spirits with an affinity for the past.

Pennsylvania cities like and shine with many houses built before 1940, making them ideal for spirits with an affinity for the past. Few Western Wraiths: Those looking for a more ghost-free zone might consider heading west. Seattle , Phoenix , and San Diego all rank among the least ghost-friendly cities.

Those looking for a more ghost-free zone might consider heading west. , , and all rank among the least ghost-friendly cities. Best Ghostly Gatherings: Springfield, MA , leads with a hospitality rating of 61.8 out of 100, boasting 13.8 haunted houses per 100K households and buildings with a median age of 64 years.

Digging Deeper into Dark Data

Creepy Columbia, SC : Tops the charts with the most cemeteries per 100K people (135.8).

Tops the charts with the most cemeteries per people (135.8). Terrifying Tulsa, OK : With 159.5 haunted houses per 100K households, something dark has definitely moved into the neighborhoods of this town.

With 159.5 haunted houses per households, something dark has definitely moved into the neighborhoods of this town. Abandoned Forts: Ghosts looking for a quieter haunt might head to Fort Myers, FL , boasting the highest percentage of vacant housing units (25.3%).

Ghosts looking for a quieter haunt might head to , boasting the highest percentage of vacant housing units (25.3%). Eerie El Paso, TX : The ghost sightings capital, with a score of 22.6  above the national average of 2.1 by a ghastly 975%.

The ghost sightings capital, with a score of 22.6  above the national average of 2.1 by a ghastly 975%. Mystic Mecca of Vegas: With over 8.1 mediums per 100K people, the crystal balls are blazing and the spooks are speaking in Sin City.

With over 8.1 mediums per people, the crystal balls are blazing and the spooks are speaking in Sin City. The best cities for scaredy cats? Dallas , Miami , Phoenix , San Diego , and more.

Check out other rankings like the Top Cities for Ghostly Sightings, along with exact breakdowns, ghostly graphics, and the complete list of 100 cities by visiting the full study online .

About Upgraded Points LLC

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Upgraded Points is a travel company that helps to demystify the complex world of travel and credit cards. Launched in 2016 by Alex Miller, Upgraded Points uses targeted research efforts and in-depth studies to help travelers maximize their travel, points, and experiences. Learn more at: www.UpgradedPoints.com .

Media Contact:

Alex Miller, Founder

1-214-646-8866

[email protected]

SOURCE Upgraded Points
Stamp Honors American Cultural Icon and Passionate Proponent of Equal Justice

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Postal Service today released a new Forever stamp honoring the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The stamp's unveiling took place at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery during a first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony that was open to the public.

Designed by Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, with a Michael J. Deas oil painting based on a photograph by Philip Bermingham, the stamp captures the 107th U.S. Supreme Court justice in her black judicial robe and favorite white-lace collar.

Justice Ginsburg was an iconic figure who dedicated her life to public service and the pursuit of justice. Post this Ruth Bader Ginsburg stamp - Pane of 20. United States Postal Service. Ruth Bader Ginsburg stamp. United States Postal Service.

"Justice Ginsburg was an iconic figure who dedicated her life to public service and the pursuit of justice," said USPS Board of Governors Chairman Roman Martinez IV. "She was a true pioneer, and it is our honor to celebrate her incredible legacy in this way. This stamp serves not just as a tribute but as an inspiration for future generations to uphold the values she fought for."

Joining Martinez for the ceremony were Nina Totenberg, legal affairs correspondent at National Public Radio; Lori Dym, USPS procurement and property law managing counsel; Elizabeth Glazer, founder of the public safety nonprofit Vital City; and Ginsburg's granddaughter Clara Spera, a lecturer at Harvard Law School and senior associate at WilmerHale.

The Ruth Bader Ginsburg stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp and is available in panes of 20 at select Post Office locations nationwide and at usps.com/shopstamps. Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

The stamp will serve as a lasting tribute to the Brooklyn native who has left an indelible impact on American jurisprudence and society at large.

Ginsburg's multifaceted legacy includes the legal and social changes she helped to bring about; the example she set of tenacity and perseverance in the service of meaningful work; the inspiring passion that she brought to her dissents in defense of principles she held dear; and the countless people  young and old, men and women  who view her as a role model.

News of the stamp is being shared on social media with the hashtags #RuthBaderGinsburgStamp and #RBGStamp.

Customers may also purchase other philatelic products and stamps by calling (844) 737-7826 or by mail through USA Philatelic. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon.

About Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ginsburg was a lifelong trailblazer as a woman in a male-dominated field, a law professor, an expert on anti-discrimination and equal protection law, and a judge who was unafraid to dissent from her colleagues in steadfast defense of her principles.

In a distinguished career that began as an activist lawyer fighting gender discrimination, Ginsburg was a respected jurist whose strong dissents on socially controversial rulings made her an icon of American culture.

President Bill Clinton nominated her to serve as a Supreme Court justice in 1993, and she subsequently earned praise for her pragmatism and willingness to build consensus. After a 2007 decision upholding a federal abortion procedure ban, she took the unusual step of reading her dissent aloud from the bench, a practice she continued with greater frequency during her second decade on the court.

In 2011, she received an honorary law degree from Harvard, which she attended for two of the three years of her legal education. In 2012, she was the subject of a panel discussion at Yale Law School prior to being named the first Gruber Distinguished Lecturer in Women's Rights. In 2013, an issue of the Harvard Law Review included several warm tributes to her jurisprudence, and she received the Radcliffe Medal from the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University in 2015 for her role as a socially transformative figure.

In 2013, a popular blog created by a New York University law student elevated Ginsburg to the status of "Notorious R.B.G."  a humorous play on the name of late rapper the Notorious B.I.G.  and further enshrined her as an icon of American popular culture. In 2016, Ginsburg and two biographers published "My Own Words," which became an immediate New York Times bestseller. The 2018 documentary "RBG" brought additional attention to her life and work, and another film released that year, "On the Basis of Sex," dramatized Ginsburg and her husband arguing her first discrimination case in the 1970s.

Ginsburg was a lifelong fan of opera, and during her time on the bench she came to be seen as one of the country's foremost promoters of the art form. In 2015 she attended the debut of a one-act operatic comedy that dramatized her friendship with fellow Supreme Court justice and opera lover Antonin Scalia, a conservative with whom she frequently disagreed on legal matters.

During her Supreme Court years, Ginsburg battled cancer several times but always insisted on returning to the bench as quickly as possible after treatments. Even as she became more visibly frail, her determination to stick to her rigorous, much-publicized daily workout routine and her regular, relentless schedule of work earned her ever greater admiration as she demonstrated her endurance and the strength of her commitment to causes she had championed for a lifetime.

Ginsburg died at the age of 87 on Sept. 18, 2020, at her home in Washington, DC, of complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer.

After Ginsburg's death, she lay in repose for two days at the Supreme Court  outdoors due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time  after which, during a private ceremony, she was the first woman to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol.

Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 165 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

National contact: Jonathan Castillo

[email protected]

Local contact: Mark Wahl

[email protected] usps.com/news

SOURCE U.S. Postal Service
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Preparatory work has begun to return to Khankendi, chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs of Azerbaijan Rovshan Rzayev said at meetings with IDPs from Khojaly and Khankendi temporarily residing in Goranboy district, Trend reports.

Head of Khojaly Executive Power Shahmar Usubov, representatives of IDP communities, public activists took part in the meetings. At both meetings, held in the residential quarter for IDPs near the town of Goranboy and in the settlement of Aghjakend, the memory of the martyrs was honored, and the merits of the servicemen, who demonstrated a model of patriotism during the liberation of the Azerbaijani lands from occupation, were highly appreciated, gratitude was expressed on behalf of IDPs to President Ilham Aliyev, who brought great victory to the Azerbaijani people with his perfect policy, talent of diplomat and commander.

The participants of the meeting were provided with detailed information on the situation after the 44-day second Karabakh war and one-day local anti-terrorist activities in the territory of Karabakh economic region, on the implementation of measures envisaged by the I State Program of "Great Return" in the territories liberated from occupation, the process of return to native lands.

It was noted at the meeting that IDPs have been taken care of by the state, their social protection and solution of housing and everyday life problems have been in the center of attention, gratitude was expressed to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for this attention and care. It was emphasized that the processes of restoration and reconstruction of liberated territories, quick implementation of measures under the "Great Return" program, and now the possibility of returning to Khojaly and Khankendi have caused a great mental uplift.

It was also noted that large-scale projects are being implemented in the territories liberated from occupation, destroyed towns and villages are being restored, necessary infrastructure is being built to ensure comfortable living of the population, and all measures are being taken to ensure safe and dignified return of IDPs to their homes.

The Chairman of the State Committee spoke about the preparatory work related to the effective organization of the "Great Return" to Khojaly and Khankendi, as well as to other lands liberated from occupation, about the instructions given by the head of state in this regard. Opinions of the participants of the meeting were listened to and their questions were answered.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Opportunities are created for the use of the Armenian language in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, the Administration of the President of Azerbaijan said, Trend reports.

Earlier, a regular meeting was held in Azerbaijan's Yevlakh with representatives of Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan on September 29.

Ensuring the free movement of civilians, sending humanitarian aid, and meeting the needs for fuel and food were highly appreciated. Representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh Economic Region expressed special gratitude for the measures taken by the relevant state structures of Azerbaijan to extinguish the fire near Khankendi, in particular for sending medical supplies, medicines, and ambulances to the territory to provide first aid to the victims.

In addition, it was requested that the relevant state structures of Azerbaijan take measures to organize mobile communication, television, and radio broadcasting services.

Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh, informed us about the procedures and package of social services related to the reintegration process.

He noted that in order to solve economic, communal, and other issues, members of the working group established to solve social, humanitarian, economic, and infrastructural issues in the Karabakh region are scheduled to visit the city of Khankendi on October 2.
Ankara, Oct 2 : Turkish forces carried out airstrikes in northern Iraq and destroyed 20 targets of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the country's Defence Ministry has said.

The Turkish airstrikes targeted the PKK bases in Gara, Hakurk, Metina and Qandil, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement issued by the ministry on Sunday evening.

The military campaign came after two attackers attempted a bomb attack in front of the Turkish Interior Ministry's building in the capital Ankara on Sunday morning, which slightly injured two police officers.

One attacker died after he set off the suicide bomb, while the other was shot dead by the police.

The Interior Ministry said that one of the attackers was identified as a member of the PKK and an investigation is underway to determine the identity of the other.

The Turkish forces frequently carry out ground operations, airstrikes, and artillery bombardments in northern Iraq against the PKK, especially in the Qandil Mountains, the main base of the group.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the European Union, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than three decades.
Riyadh, Oct 2 : Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the burning of a copy of the Islamic holy book of the Quran in the Swedish city of Malmo, a move which the kingdom says was carried out with "the knowledge of the local authorities".

The Saudi Foreign Ministry on Sunday "reiterated the kingdom's rejection of such flagrant acts," and said such a move had inflamed the feelings of millions of Muslims worldwide, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Saudi Press Agency.

The ministry called on the Swedish authorities to deal with Quran desecrations in a timely manner and stop giving permission to those who plan to take similar actions.

Salwan Momika, an individual of Iraqi origin, tore pages of the Quran and burnt it in Malmo on Saturday. The Swedish police detained some individuals and turned away some others who tried to stop the move, Swedish media reported.

Over the past months, copies of the Quran have been repeatedly desecrated by anti-Islam individuals or groups in countries including Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands, sparking outrage and criticism in Muslim-majority countries worldwide.
Mexico City, Oct 2 : At least seven people were killed while 30 others are reportedly trapped after the roof of the Santa Cruz church collapsed in Mexico's Tamaulipas state, local authorities said.

According to police, around 100 people were at a mass at the time of the collapse. Local media reported it was a baptism.

A number of children are believed to be amongst those trapped and rescue efforts are ongoing, the BBC reported.

Images on social media showed the church building in ruins as people crowded around the rubble, desperately searching for those who were trapped inside, the British news broadcaster reported.

The incident was caused by a fault in the roof, according to the authorities cited by local media.
New Delhi, Oct 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries.

Prime Minister Modi offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, where prayers were also organised.

"I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion. May we always work towards fulfilling his dreams. May his thoughts enable every youngster to be the agent of change he dreamt of, fostering unity and harmony all over," the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

Besides the Prime Minister, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and several Union ministers were also present at the Rajghat.

Dhankhar, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Lt. Governor of Delhi V.K. Saxena also paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat.

Mahatma Gandhi, who is also known as father of the nation, Bapu, dedicated his life to the struggle for freedom.

His non-violent approach and ability to win over people with love and tolerance profoundly impacted the Indian civil rights movement. He was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on January 30, 1948.

Mahatma Gandhi shares his birthday with another Indian politician and statesman, former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

The Prime Minister then paid tribute to Shastri at Vijay Ghat on his birth anniversary.

In a post on X, Modi said, "Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji on his Jayanti. His simplicity, dedication to the nation, and iconic call for 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' resonate even today, inspiring generations."

"His unwavering commitment to India's progress and his leadership during challenging times remain exemplary. May we always work to realise his vision for a strong India," Modi added.

Shastri was the second Prime Minister of India and was born on October 2, 1904, in Uttar Pradesh's Mughalsarai.

He is fondly remembered as a man of the masses, known for his simplicity, honesty, and dedication to public service. He died onJanuary 11, 1966, a day after signing the Tashkent Declaration.
Lucknow, Oct 2 : In a joint operation, the police authorities thwarted an attempt to smuggle over 800 prohibited birds from the Chidiya Bazaar in the Nakkhas area of the state capital.

A team, including Chowk police station personnel, representatives from PETA India, and the forest department, -- worked in tandem to arrest two individuals involved in this illegal wildlife trade.

The seized birds, which included 60 parrots, four sun conures, 49 cockatiel birds, 221 vanjari, 182 finches, and other rare and protected species, were on the verge of being illegally sold when the law enforcement team intervened on Sunday evening.

Commenting on the operation, a spokesperson for the police said, "The men were booked under various sections of the Wildlife Conservation Act 1972 and Cruelty to Animals Act 1960."

After receiving a tipoff from a concerned individual about the illegal wildlife trade in the market, the group sought the intervention of Chiranjeev Nath Sinha, additional deputy commissioner of police, Lucknow West, to rescue the birds and bring the perpetrators to book.

Sinha promptly assembled a team, raided two godowns, and rescued the birds. The rescued birds had been kept in cramped conditions, and eight of them were found dead, apparently due to severe crowding and suffocation.

An FIR has been registered by the Kotwali police station against the perpetrators under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972 (as amended in 2022); the Indian Penal Code, 1860; and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.

Two of the five accused individuals were arrested, while the other three fled. The police are on the lookout for the other accused.

The birds are currently in the custody of the Lucknow Forest Division, and they are expected to be released back into their natural habitat after examination by a veterinarian and upon receiving the court's permission.
Lucknow, Oct 2 : Four people have been taken into police custody for allegedly hurling crude bomb at the house of a BJP corporator from Faizullaganj (Lucknow) under the Madiayon police station.

"A case under IPC section 521/23 was registered against the unidentified accused," said Abijith R. Shankar, additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP), north Lucknow, while confirming on Sunday that four people had been taken into custody.

"Information about the attack was received through UP 112 on Sunday following which a police team reached the BJP corporator's house and found broken tiles, bricks and one country-made crude bomb from his house," said the ADCP.

"Later in the evening, police recovered a video from social media wherein a group of a few boys was seen partying while preparing for the said incident. Later, it was revealed that the place where the boys were partying was the office of the corporator in Mama Colony," said Shankar.

The ADCP said the involvement of the corporator was also under scanner. "In the eight-minute viral video, a few men could be seen partying at a place said to be the corporator's office in Faizullaganj and planning for the blast," said SHO, Madiyaon police station, Shivanand Mishra.
Justin Trudeau trying to crush free speech which is shameful: Musk. Image Source: IANS News

San Francisco, Oct 2 : Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Monday slammed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for trying to crush free speech in his country, saying this is "shameful".

He reacted after the Canadian government made it compulsory for online streaming platforms to register with the government for "regulatory controls".

Author-Journalist Glenn Greenwald posted on X: "The Canadian government, armed with one of the world's most repressive online censorship schemes, announces that all online streaming services that offer podcasts must formally register with the government to permit regulatory controls".

Musk reacted: "Trudeau is trying to crush free speech in Canada. Shameful."

When one of his followers posted that Trudeau should change his name to "Falsedeau", the tech billionaire reacted with a crying face emoji.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that India's diplomatic row with Canada was discussed in his meeting with top US officials -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan -- and he gave them both an exhaustive account of India's case, which included its assessment of "a very permissive Canadian attitude towards terrorists".

The US has been supportive of Canada's allegation that India was behind the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June.

The US has publicly and privately urged India to cooperate with the investigation.

New Delhi has dismissed the allegations as "absurd" but has said that if Canada has anything, it would take a look at it.

But Ottawa has not provided any evidence to India or presented it publicly.

--IANS

na/ksk
Jakarta, Oct 2 : Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday officially declared open the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) at the capital city's Halim Station.

The Transportation Ministry issued an operating license Friday to PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China, a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese state-owned firms that constructs and runs the HSR, reports Xinhua news agency.

At the ceremony, Widodo announced the name of the HSR, "Whoosh", inspired by the sound of the train, saying that the high-speed train marks the modernisation of Indonesia's transportation mode, which is efficient, environment friendly and integrated with other public transportation tools.

"I declare that 'Whoosh' is ready to be operated," Widodo said.

The Jakarta-Bandung HSR has a total length of 142 km, with 3 beam yards, No.1, No.2 and No.4, which were responsible for the erection of 2,558 box girders.

With a design speed of 350 km per hour, the HSR built with Chinese technology will cut the journey between Jakarta and Bandung, the capital of Indonesia's West Java province, from more than three hours to around 40 minutes.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Measures to support the entrepreneurial activity of the Armenian residents of Karabakh will be implemented, the Administration of the President of Azerbaijan said, Trend reports.

"Support measures are implemented to encourage entrepreneurial activity in areas populated by residents. Low-interest loans, interest subsidization, loan guarantees, and other financial instruments utilized to enhance business access to finance in the country also apply to areas populated by residents," the statement said.

The Republic of Azerbaijan has launched tangible work in relation to the reintegration of Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region. In this regard, Ramin Mammadov, the designated official responsible for contacts with Armenian residents of Karabakh, met with representatives of Armenian residents in the cities of Yevlakh and Khojaly on September 21, 25 and 29, 2023.

Reintegration plans of the Republic of Azerbaijan were presented, and discussions were held during the said meetings.

It was noted that reintegration is carried out on the basis of the Constitution, laws and international obligations of the Republic of Azerbaijan and within the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The equality of rights and freedoms, including security, is guaranteed to everyone regardless of their ethnic, religious or linguistic affiliation.
Mumbai, Oct 2 : Actress Dolly Sohi, who was previously shooting for her upcoming show 'Jhanak' has now made a comeback in her previous show 'Parineetii'.

The actress said: "I made a comeback in Parineetii, as the track demands my presence and the story revolves around me. I play the role of Gurpreet Kakkar, female protagonist Parineet's (Anchal Sahu) mother."

"The current telecast will air more twist and turn after my role gets kidnapped and is hospitalised."

Dolly is known for playing prominent roles in shows like 'Bhabhi', 'Kumkum Bhagya' and was last seen in 'Piya Abhimani'.

The actress added that she enjoys her relationship with Ekta Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms.

The actress said: "I previously completed my shoots for the upcoming show 'Jhanak', in Kolkata and Kashmir. And after I returned back to Mumbai, I was informed about my character making a comeback on 'Parineetii'. I could easily manage because we are yet to start shooting for 'Jhanak' here in Mumbai."

She added: " 'Parineetii', is produced by Balaji Telefilms. The production is very close to my heart as I made my successful debut with them as Ranoo in 2000 with 'Kalash' and the relationship with Ekta Kapoor became stronger with every next show I acted for them. She's humble and kind. It's like getting back to my home for me."

The actress is also happy as she shares a great bond with the team of 'Parineetii'.

"The complete team is great to work with. I share a good bond with them. Reuniting with them is like an opportunity," she concluded.

'Parineetii' stars Anchal Sahu, Tanvi Dogra and Ankur Verma.

The show tells the story of two best friends who are married to the same man due to their destiny.
Shivamogga, Oct 2 : Karnataka Police extended curfew to the entire city of Shivamogga on Monday following the escalation of tension. The IPC 144 prohibitory orders were clamped in Ragi Gudda area of the city on Sunday after violence broke out during the Eid Milad procession.

The situation continues to be sensitive all across the city. The security arrangement had been tightened at sensitive points. The shops were asked to close down.

The police have taken complaints from the victims whose properties were damaged in the stone pelting and violence. The police have also taken more than 25 persons into their custody. The CCTV footages are being collected to identify miscreants.

Sources explain that during the Eid Milad procession, miscreants barged into the residential locality of Hindus and pelted stones on houses leading to violence. They also pelted stones on the police. However, the police were able to control the situation and prevented any major untoward incident.

BJP MLA from Shivamogga, Channabasappa visited the injured at the hospital and urged action against miscreants who indulged in violence. He also paid a visit to the houses of victims targeted by miscreants. As the situation continues to be volatile, IGP East Zone, Tyagarajan had rushed to the spot. Deputy Commissioner R. Selvamani has also taken report of the prevailing situation.

Tension prevailed in the city of Shivamogga in Karnataka on Sunday after a stone pelting incident took place during the Eid Milad procession in the city.

Following the stone pelting incident, the authorities had imposed prohibitory orders in some parts of the city under IPC Section 144.

The stone pelting incident occurred in Ragigudda area near Shantinagar in the city, however, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) rushed to the spot and quelled the mob.

The police resorted to mild lathi charge to bring the situation under control. The police said that they also rescued seven persons, who were stuck between the stone pelters and security personnel.

The controversy started after the members of Muslim community questioned the police for erasing the objectionable writing on cut-out of Tippu Sultan. Superintendent of Police (SP), Mithun Kumar held talks with the community leaders and was convinced about the objectionable writing on the cut-out of Tipu Sultan.

Shivamogga is a communally sensitive city and the police have been on high alert for last 15 days in the backdrop of Ganesh Chaturthi festival and Eid Milad.

At least 12 platoons of District Armed Reserve (DAR), two platoons of Rapid Action Force (RAF), two platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and 2,500 police are deputed across the city to thwart any untoward incident.

The murder of Bajrang Dal activist -- Harsha -- which made national news had taken place in Shivamogga city in February 2022. The city had also witnessed a series of stabbing incidents over the erection of banners and posters of BJPas freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.
Panaji, Oct 2 : Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urged the people on Monday not to take to streets if anyone tries to disturb 'Sarva Dharma Sambhava' in the state.

Sawant was speaking after paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary at a programme organised in Old-Goa.

"Sarva Dharma Sambhavahas been maintained in Goa since last many years. But these days someone is trying to disturb it. Someone is desecrating Shivaji statue, the priest of the Church is speaking on (against) Hindu religion and someone is posting on social media against Muslims," Sawant said.

He said that after such incidents take place, people get disturbed and approach the police station and gather in public. "Keep trust in the government. Those behind desecrating Shivaji's statue were nabbed by police, a complaint was filed against one who spoke against Hindu Gods and an FIR has been registered against those who posted against Muslims on social media,"Sawant said.

"Hence, instead of hitting the roads, people should trust the government. We will not tolerate those who disturb ourSarva Dharma Sambhava," he said.

Sawant had recentlyappealed to people to maintain peace, stating some 'unsatisfied souls' are trying to disturb the practice of 'Sarva Dharma Sambhava'.

"Some people are trying to disturb the practice of 'Sarva Dharma Sambhava' in our state. It is in our tradition to celebrate festivals of all faiths. We go to each other's places for celebrations. We have to maintain this practice," Sawant said.

"Hindus, Christians and Muslims live together here and we have to maintain this tradition. Christian people come to our homes during Ganesh Chaturthi and we go to their houses during Christmas. This tradition has been going on for the last many years. But I feel some unsatisfied souls are trying to disturb this. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace and brotherhood," Sawant said.
Cairo, Oct 2 : At least 25 people were injured after a massive fire erupted at the police headquarters in the Egyptian city of Ismailia on Monday, state media reported.

According to the state-run Nile TV, local civil defence and armed forces were deployed to put off the fire, while the cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained, reports Xinhua news agency.

Meanwhile, 30 ambulances rushed to the scene to transfer the injured to the nearest governmental hospital.

The Nile TV report added that the facade wall of the headquarters was damaged by the blaze that reached four floors.

All workers in the building were ordered to evacuate until the containment of the blaze.
Hanoi, Oct 2 : Vietnam welcomed 8.9 million foreign tourists in the nine months of 2023, exceeding the target of 8 million for the whole year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The number of foreign tourists to Vietnam from January to September witnessed a 4.7-fold increase compared to the figure of the same period last year, Xinhua news agency quoted the GSO as saying.

The figure was less than half the number of international arrivals to the Southeast Asian country before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, which was 18 million, reports Xinhua news agency.

Of the 8.9 million tourists, 87.5 per cent chose to travel by air, 11.8 per cent by road, and the remainder by sea.

Majority of the arrivals were from Asia (6.85 million), followed by Europe (1.015 million), Americas (682,800), Oceania (311,100), and Africa (20,400).

Vietnam looks to raise the foreign arrival target in 2023 to about 10-12 million tourists, Vietnam News reported on Monday, citing Vu The Binh, chairman of Vietnam Tourism Association.

Vietnam has seen positive figures in the number of foreign arrivals thanks to the government's new visa policy which took effect on August 15.

Tourists to Vietnam have the e-visa validity period extended to 90 days from 30 days.

Within 90 days after the e-visa is granted, foreigners can enter and exit Vietnam for unlimited times and without having to apply for new visas.
Mumbai, Oct 2 : As October 2 also marks the birthday of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, TV actor Kanan A Malhotra of 'Ishq Ki Dastaan - Naagmani' feels his contribution to the nation is a shining example.

The actor said: "Lal Bahadur Shastri's life and legacy continue to inspire us, and it's important that we remember and honour his contributions to our nation."

"He is a shining example of leadership and commitment to the nation. We should always remember and celebrate the life of this great leader who contributed significantly to the building of modern India," he added

Kanan, currently seen essaying the role of Gunojirao in historical drama 'Punyashlok Ahilyabai', remembers Shastri as the man of simplicity and integrity.

The actor added: "He left an indelible mark on the nation's history through his selfless service and unwavering commitment to the principles of truth and non-violence. He was a man of simplicity and integrity, who rose to become the Prime Minister of India."

"He is best known for his leadership during a critical period in our nation's history, especially during the Indo-Pak war of 1965."

Kanan said he taught the nation about the importance of farmers.

The actor said: "Shastri ji's famous slogan, 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer), highlighted the importance of both our armed forces and our farmers. He was the main who could understand and teach us the hardwork and importance of farmers."

"His leadership during times of crisis exemplified his dedication to the welfare of the people and the sovereignty of our nation. He led India with humility and resolve, earning the respect of citizens and leaders worldwide."

"The day is an opportunity to reflect on his values of honesty, simplicity, and dedication to public service. Let us draw inspiration from his life and commit to working for the betterment of our country," he concluded.

Kanan has featured in shows like 'Suryaputra Karn', 'Karmphal Daata Shani', 'Mahakali - Anth Hi Aarambh Hai', 'RadhaKrishn' among others.
London, Oct 2 : Improving blood sugar control may be as easy as increasing daytime exposure to natural light, according to a new research that can help millions of people with Type 2 diabetes (T2D).

The study showed that natural daylight can boost metabolism and help treat and prevent diabetes. It can also help curb other metabolic conditions, such as obesity.

"The misalignment of our internal circadian clock with the demands of a 24/7 society is associated with an increased incidence of metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes," said Ivo Habets, of Maastricht University, in the Netherlands.

"Natural daylight is the strongest zeitgeber, or environmental cue, of the circadian clock but most people are indoors during the day and so under constant artificial lighting.

"Our research shows that the type of light you are exposed to matters for your metabolism. If you work in an office with almost no exposure to natural light, it will have an impact on your metabolism and your risk or control of Type 2 diabetes, so try to get as much daylight as possible, and ideally, get outdoors when you can," Habets said.

The findings were presented at the ongoing annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Hamburg, Germany from October 2-6.

The team carried out a range of metabolic tests on 13 people with T2D when they were exposed to natural light and when they were exposed to artificial light and compared the results.

They were exposed to two lighting conditions during office hours (8am to 5pm) in a randomised cross-over fashion: natural daylight from windows and artificial LED lighting.

There was a gap of at least four weeks between the two interventions, each of which lasted 4.5 days.

During the natural daylight intervention, the light intensity was usually highest at 12:30pm, with an average reading of 2,453 lux. The artificial light was a constant 300 lux.

Evenings were spent in dim light (less than 5 lux) and the sleeping period (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) in darkness.

The results showed that blood glucose levels were within the normal range for longer during the natural daylight intervention than in the artificial light intervention (59 per cent of the 4.5 days vs. 51 per cent ).

The respiratory exchange ratio (this provides an indication of whether fat or carbohydrates are being used as the source of energy) was lower during the daylight intervention than during the artificial light intervention, indicating that the participants found it easier to switch from using carbohydrate to fat as an energy source when exposed to natural light.

Per1 and Cry1 -- genes that help control circadian rhythms, were more active in natural light than in artificial light.

Resting energy expenditure and core body temperature followed similar 24-hour patterns in both light conditions.

Serum insulin levels were similar in both light conditions but the pattern of serum glucose and plasma free acids was significantly different between conditions.

"Further research is still needed to determine the extent to which artificial light affects metabolism and the amount of time that needs to be spent in natural light or outdoors to compensate for this," Habets said.
Ileana says 2 months already as she posts adorable pic with son Koa Phoenix Dolan. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Oct 2 : Actress Ileana D'Cruz is celebrating two months of her son Koa Phoenix Dolan by sharing an adorable picture with him on social media.

On Sunday, Ileana took to Instagram to share a selfie with her baby Koa, whom she welcomed on August 1.

In the selfie, Ileana is seen looking at the camera as she holds baby Koa in her arms.

In the caption she wrote: "2 months already."

It was in August, when Ileana shared the news about her sonas arrival. She shared a glimpse of him and revealed his name.

Sharing the photo, Ileana wrote, "1 week of being your Mama."

The actress had announced her pregnancy in April this year and shared photographs of her partner, about whom she had been extremely tight-lipped about. She then revealed the love of her life - Michael Dolan.

On the work front, the actress will next be seenin 'Unfair And Lovely' with actor Randeep Hooda.
Rajahmundry, Oct 2 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday began a day-long hunger strike in the Rajahmundry Central Prison against his "illegal" arrest, according to party leaders.

Naidu was arrested by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) on September 9 in the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation and since then he remained in judicial custody.

The former Chief Minister's quash petition was already dismissed by Andhra Pradesh High Court. He has challenged the same in the Supreme Court.

According to TDP leaders, Naidu's fast, which began at 10 a.m. and end at 5 p.m., on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is to protest against the autocratic rule of Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and the manner in which democracy is being undermined in Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu's wife Bhuvaneswari also sat on a day-long fast in Rajahmundry

She, along with other women leaders of the TDP, undertook the hunger strike with the slogan 'Satyameva Jayate' at Quarry Centre in the town.

In a post on X, she said: "Tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary today. Mahatma Gandhi's life had a message for us all: that any battle, no matter how difficult, can be won if we uphold the principles of truth and justice. His enduring legacy, especially the Satyagraha continues to inspire us to embrace the power of truth in all our endeavors."

Bhuvaneswari, who is Vice-Chairperson and Managing Director of Heritage Foods, also remembered her late father N.T. Rama Rao, the founder of TDP and former chief minister.

"Today, my heart is filled with memories of my father, the great NTR garu, who devoted his life to the Telugu community. He taught us to always stick to the truth, no matter how tough it gets. His strong support for justice and his dedication to serving the Telugu people continue to inspire all of us, his children," she wrote.

Meanwhile, Naidu's son Nara Lokesh, who is camping in Delhi, also observed a fast at the residence of TDP MP K Ravindra Kumar.

State TDP K. Atchannaidu along with other leaders also launched the hunger strike at party headquarters in Mangalagiri in Guntur district.

Family members of TDP MLA and actor N. Balakrishna were also on a day-long hunger strike at NTR Trust Bhavan in Hyderabad.

Balakrishna's wife Vasundhara and others were on fast to show solidarity with Naidu. Balakrishna is brother-in-law of Naidu and also father-in-law of Lokesh.

Meanwhile, TDP vice-president Suhasini launched a protest at NTR Ghat in Hyderabad.

She is daughter of Naidu's brother-in-law late N. Harikrishna.

Former union minister Pannabaka Lakshmi and other leaders were participating in the protest at NTR Ghat.
Shivamogga, Oct 2 : The victims of the Eid Milad violence, that took place in Shivamogga city of Karnataka on Sunday evening, explained that the miscreants tried to unleash horror on them. Many of them explained that the violent mob, which was indulged in stone pelting, targeted all -- elders, children and women.

"Under attack, all neighbours had to get united, came out of the houses and stood with sticks and stones to protect families. After seeing us fighting them, the miscreants started pelting stones from the distance," the victims spoke to media on Monday.

Groups of miscreants barged into the residential locality of Hindus when the Eid Milad procession was taken out in Shivamogga city. While the procession came to Ragigudda area near Shantinagar, the situation turned tense as a group indulged in stone pelting targeting houses of Hindus and police.

The houses of Hindus located on either side of the road through which the procession passed were targeted by stone pelters. The glass windows were broken and vehicles parked outside the houses were damaged, according to victims.

A woman explained that her husband was assaulted with a stone and they also tried to put a big stone on her son. Somehow, they managed to rush inside the house and close the door. The miscreants then rained stones on the house, she stated.

Some of them said that the violent mob was clearly targeting to cause maximum damage. The sources explain that as precautions were taken and additional forces were deployed, the violence was contained even as the police were attacked by the mob.

The police have detained more than 20 persons in connection with the violence and are hunting for others.

Karnataka Police on Monday extended curfew to the entire city of Shivamogga following the escalation of tension. The IPC 144 prohibitory orders were clamped in Ragi Gudda area of the city on Sunday after violence broke during the Eid Milad procession.

The situation continues to be sensed all across the city. The security arrangement had been tightened at sensitive points. The shops were asked to close down.

Shivamogga is a communally sensitive city and the police have been on high alert for last 15 days in the backdrop of Ganesh Chaturthi festival and Eid Milad.

At least 12 platoons of District Armed Reserve (DAR), two platoons of Rapid Action Force (RAF), two platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and 2,500 policemen are deputed across the city to thwart any untoward incident.

The murder of Bajrang Dal activist -- Harsha -- which made national news had taken place in Shivamogga city in February 2022. The city had also witnessed a series of stabbing incidents over the erection of banners and posters of BJP's freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. The number of people infected with coronavirus (COVID-19) in Azerbaijan over the past week (from September 25 through October 1) has been announced, the Operational Headquarters under the Cabinet of Ministers told Trend.

Over the past week, 380 new cases of COVID-19 infection have been recorded in Azerbaijan, and 221 people have recovered.

In general, 833,189 cases of coronavirus infection have been detected in the country so far, 822,484 people have been treated and recovered, 10,332 people have died. The number of active COVID-19 patients is 373.

In total, 7.7 million coronavirus tests have been conducted in the country to date, of which 3,856 have been conducted over the past week. No one in the country has been vaccinated against COVID-19 over the past week. The total number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 in Azerbaijan is 13.9 million.
Jaipur, Oct 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited Rajasthan's Chittorgarh and offered prayers at the Sanwaliya Seth Temple.

Modi will address a public meeting in the run-up to the upcoming Assembly elections in Rajasthan.

This is Modi's second visit to Rajasthan in last seven days where he also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of nine development projects worth Rs 7,000 crore.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said, "A huge emphasis has been given on the development of railway and road routes in Rajasthan."

Rehearsals were conducted from the temple to the meeting venue regarding the security of the Prime Minister. A temporary helipad has also been built.

Modi virtually inaugurated the permanent campus of Pali Hanumangarh section of Mehsana-Bathinda Gas Pipeline Project, Indian Oil Corporation's LPG bottling plant in Ajmer, Hindustan Petroleum's LPG plant in Abu Road, development of tourism facilities in Nathdwara under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, four-lane road constructed on Dara-Jhalawar Tindhar section on National Highway-52, doubling of Chittorgarh-Neemuch railway line, electrification of Chittorgarh-Kota railway line, among others.

Earlier, Modi had visited Chittorgarh on April 21, 2019.

In the public meeting being held on Monday, nearly 2,200 buses and 7,000 other vehicles from all over Mewar will reach Mandafia. Around 20,000 women are also expected to attend this meeting.

Chittorgarh is the parliamentary constituency of Rajasthan BJP President C.P. Joshi.
New Delhi, Oct 2 : Samsung is set to launch its premium Galaxy S23 FE smartphone in India this week that is likely to be priced around Rs 50,000, according to industry sources.

Galaxy S23 FE will feature Samsungas flagship Nightography or Night Mode feature that enables users to take great photos, even in the dark.

The smartphone has IP68 certification and Gorilla Glass 5 protection for enhanced durability and will be powered by Samsungas flagship processor for great gaming experience, sources told IANS on Monday.

Galaxy S23 FE will retail on Amazon, Samsung.com and also across retail stores, likely at a net effective price of Rs 50,000.

The smartphone will be Samsungas biggest bet to attract customers looking to buy a premium smartphone during the festive season.

The aggressive pricing is likely to help the company win over premium customers during festive sales.

Samsungas FE or Fan Edition debuted in 2020 as a premium smartphone with most-loved Galaxy innovations at an accessible price point. Galaxy S23 FE will likely carry forward the legacy of the Galaxy S23 series.

Galaxy FE series has done well in the Indian market and analysts expect strong demand for Galaxy S23 FE if the pricing is done right.

With the introduction of Galaxy S23 FE, Samsung will have a formidable line-up of premium smartphones in India this year, helping the company consolidate its market share in the premium segment.
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 2 : With a few cooperative banks in Trissur and one in the state capital city in trouble and hapless depositors running from pillar to post to get back their money, a question mark has arisen over the sector.

The cooperative sector is literally the backbone of the state's rural economy, and the growing troubles in some banks is making the depositors rush to their trusted Cooperative banks in the rural areas to check the status.

Cooperative banks in Kerala are basically headed by local leaders affiliated to the leading political parties in that locality and hence this sector is politicised to the core and any aberrations leads to huge political upheavals.

Incidentally none other than the State Minister for Cooperation V.N.Vasavanhas pointed out that the Cooperative banking sector in the state has a 40 per cent share in the banking business in the state with a deposit base of over Rs 2.5 lakh crore and has extended loans to the tune of Rs 1.86 lakh crore. He accused the Centre of using the ED to torment this sector.

The ruling CPI(M) in particular is going through difficult times ever since theEnforcement Directoratehas begun probing the Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank loan scam case in Trissur where raids and intense questioning of those who matter is currently on.

In a major embarrassment for CPI(M), the ED arrested one party councilorlast week and two suspected middlemen last month. The agency has questioned two top party leaders -- legislator and former State Minister A.C. Moideen and state committee member and former legislator M.K .Kannan. The entire top brass, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and State secretary M.V. Govindan is burning the midnight oil on the issue as the CPI(M) at Trissur is neck deep in trouble over the Karuvannur scam.

With the innocent depositors living anxiously, Govindan and Vijayan are trying to do their best to allay fears by saying that the state government will leave nothing to chance and their woes would be addressed. The party has blamed the BJP for letting loose the ED, especially inTrissur where superstar Suresh Gopi who contested unsuccessfully for the Lok Sabha, is eyeing to contest again.

On Monday, Gopi and his party men took out a padayatra to the Karuvannur bank.

State BJP president K. Surendran said the CPI(M) and the Congress are hand in glove when it comes to issues in the cooperative sector and this doesn't augurwell.

A media critic on condition of anonymity said the entire banking business all over the world runs on trust.

"If all the depositors queue up to withdraw their entire deposits from any bank, it will collapse. And this is true for the cooperative banks also as by and large in Kerala in every villager, locals have absolute faithin such banks than the commercial banks due to easy accessibility and friendly local staff and less cumbersome procedures for availing loans.This particular scam has affected the CPI(M) more than other parties because the Cooperative sector is their fortress and even while we have heard newsabout some such banks headed by Congress leaders also have a problem," said the critic.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan took a strong exception to a report about the Cooperative banking sector that came out last week which indicated that a majority of the banks facing problems were governed by the Congress party
Amritsar, Oct 2 : Amidst the 'feud' with the ruling AAP in Punjab, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on his personal visit on Monday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

This is a private visit and not a political one, said Congress leaders.

During the visit, the MP will perform sewa (voluntary service) in the langar (community kitchen).

The Golden Temple has been witnessing hundreds of devotees lined up since morning to offer prayers owing to the holiday to mark Gandhi Jayanti.

A day before Rahul's visit to Golden Temple, former party's state chief Navjot Sidhu batted for the INDIA alliance.

His assertion comes at a time when a majority of party leaders, comprising state chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Partap Singh Bajwa, have been opposing an alliance with the AAP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The arrest of party legislator Sukhpal Khaira in an NDPS case of 2015 has further escalated the feud between the AAP and the Congress.

In a post on X on Sunday, Sidhu said: "The I.N.D.I.A alliance stands like a tall mountaina storm here and there will not affect its Grandeur!!! Any attempt to sabotage and breach this shield to safeguard our Democracy will prove futile.

"Punjab must understand that this is an election to choose India's Prime Minister and not Punjab's Chief Minister."

Asking party workers that this is Rahul's personal visit, Warring said "he is coming to Amritsar to pay obeisance at Sachkhand Shri Harmandir Sahib".

"This is his personal, spiritual visit, let's respect his privacy. Request all party workers to not be physically present for this visit. You all can show your support in spirit and meet him the next time," he wrote on X.
Mumbai, Oct 2 : Actress Kiara Advani enjoyed some homemade Sindhi food prepared by her mother.

On Sunday night, Kiara took to her Instagram stories, where she posted a plate full of food made by her mother.

In the image, she wrote: "Sindhi curry aloo took bhindi fry.Sometimes all you really need is mamas home food."

Talking about her work, Kiara, who is married to actor Sidharth Malhotra, is currently basking in the success of her latest release 'Satyaprem Ki Katha', where she was seen sharing screen space with actor Kartik Aaryan.

The actress will next be seen in 'Game Changer' with Ram Charan, a political action thriller film directed by S. Shankar in his Telugu directorial debut and written by Karthik Subbaraj.

The film also stars Anjali, S. J. Suryah, Jayaram, Sunil, Srikanth, Samuthirakani, and Nassar.

The film was announced in February 2021 with the tentative title 'RC15' and began its production in October 2021; filming took place in Hyderabad, New Zealand, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Visakhapatnam and Punjab.

The official title was unveiled on March 27, 2023, during Charan's birthday. The film score and soundtrack album are composed by Thaman S with cinematography by Tirru.
CM Chouhans emotional speech in home district gives rise to speculation of him being sidelined. Image Source: IANS News

Bhopal, Oct 2 : Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's emotional appeal to the people of his home district, Sehore, that they will remember him after he leaves, has led to speculation of him being sidelined.

Chouhan said, "You will remember me when I will leave' while addressing an event to mark the distribution of benefits worth Rs 200 crore to the Tendu leaf pluckers under the Charan Paduka Scheme on Sunday.

Addressing the gathering of women in his signature style, Chouhan said, "Aisa Bhaiya milega nahi, jab mai chala jaaunga, tab yaad bahut aaoonga. (You won't get a brother like me, when I will leave, then you all will remember me a lot)."

The emotional appeal comes at a time when the political circle in Madhya Pradesh is abuzz with speculation about the national BJP leadership sidelining the incumbent CM Chouhan ahead of the Assembly polls.

"I changed the definition of politics, you all have seen the Congress rule for years, was there a similar concern for people in those years. I am not running a government, I am running a family," Chouhan said.

Reacting to the CM's statement, journalist-turned state Congress's media advisor Piyush Babele said, "The CM has actually announced his farewell today, one thing is for sure, we'll remember the scams and misrule of his long rule in MP."

Political circles in MP have been rife with speculation about the central BJP (which is controlling entire poll related activities in Madhya Pradesh) having sidelined the Chouhan ahead of the Assembly polls.

The party's decision to field its seven sitting MPs, including three Union ministers and national General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya as candidates from toughest Assembly seats has given fuel to the talks about the party not announcing current Chouhan or any other leader as it's CM face, but instead leaving the race for the next CM wide open for all probable candidates.

The senior leaders fielded as BJP candidates from different Assembly seats, include at least three leaders (whose names have done rounds of party circles as alternatives to the current CM in the past too). Among them are Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Prahlad Singh Patel and national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya.
New Delhi, Oct 2 : The Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested a sharpshooter of the infamous Gogi-Dinesh Karala gang in the national capital, an official said on Monday.

The accused identified as Ashru a.k.a Lalu alias Azru (23), a resident of Mange Ram Park, was absconding in two attempt to murder cases and non-bailable warrants were issued against him.

According to police, specific information was received that the absconding accused Ashru, sharpshooter of Gogi-Dinesh Karala-Yogesh Tunda gang, was hiding in the area of Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

"The information was further technically developed and his specific location was traced. Accordingly, a trap was laid and Ashru was apprehended," said the Special Commissioner of Police (Crime), Ravindra Singh Yadav.

On his instance, one pistol along with two live cartridges was recovered.

"Arshu along with his associates on June 10 had entered the house of a person in Budh Vihar and fired upon him," said Yadav.

On January 12, 2019, three persons came on a motorcycle at a hardware shop in Village Alipur, Delhi and fired upon the person, who was sitting on the counter.

"During the investigation, it was revealed that Ashru along with his associates had committed the said offence," said Yadav.

The Special CP further said that Ashru is a shooter of the notorious Jitender Gogi -Dinesh Karala gang.

"His elder brother Nasru, is also an active member of JGogi gang. In 2019, to extort Rs 50 lakh from a businessman of Village Alipur at the behest of gangsters Dinesh Karala and Yogesh Tunda, he along with his two associates had fired five rounds upon the businessman," said the official.
New Delhi, Oct 02 : In an endeavour to introduce Khadi to young people, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) inaugurated a newly-renovated Khadi India outlet at the IIT- Delhi campus on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

Manoj Kumar, Chairman-KVIC launched the outlet in the IIT shopping complex and said that Prime Minister Modi had emphasised the role of khadi in his address at the G20 University Connect Finale at Bharat Mandapam on September 26.

He said that Modi asked the youth of India to show their power by being aVocal for locala and by wearing the aMade in Indiaa fabric of the nation khadi as the preferred fabric for fashion. He urged them to encourage swadeshi goods and aAtmanirbhar Bharata.

He urged the students to wear khadi to college and said that launching of a Khadi Gramodyog Bhawan at the IIT-Delhi campus was a step towards making youthful khadi designs accessible to students at their doorstep.

KVIC also unveiled the new collection of apparels that has been designed by the Centre of Excellence for Khadi in collaboration with Khadi Institutions.

He said the MSME Ministry would support the KVIC in association with the National Institute of Fashion Technology with the intention to reach out to young audiences and the global market.

The centre has been set up as a hub and spokes model, with Delhi as a hub and Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Kolkata and Shillong as spokes.

Khadi is a breathable, sustainable and natural origin fabric. It is warm in winter and cooler in summer. Due to the process of hand spinning and hand weaving, it is sustainable and electric energy neutral.

Khadi Institutions have been guided by the CoEK team to carry out quality and standardised production of nine styles of apparel for retail through the IIT outlet. This outlet will be the first to initiate the wave of presenting khadi in a new narrative, the official added.
Wellington, Oct 2 : New Zealand will contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) again in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, , said Defence Minister Andrew Little announced on Monday.

According to the Minister, New Zealand Major General Evan Williams has been deployed to serve as the MFO's Interim Force Commander and will lead the organization for up to six months from October, reports Xinhua news agency.

Two additional personnel were also deployed to support him, he added.

Williams previously led the MFO for three and a half years from 2019.

The MFO is a neutral arbiter in monitoring the implementation of security provisions of the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, and comprises 1,100 international military personnel and an additional 700 local civilian staff.
New Delhi, Oct 2 : The Trinamool Congress on Monday staged a protest at Rajghat here to demand for the funds from the central government of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and other schemes.

Trinamool Congress General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee arrived at Rajghat and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary and then along with the party leaders sat in protest against the Central government.

According to party leaders, the venue of protest at Rajghat was decided after it got the permission to hold a protest there.

The party leaders said that at least 25 party MPs and as many as 20 state ministers will be participating in the protest at Rajghat.

The Trinamool Congress leaders sat on protest at Rajghat with placards reading 'Release Bengal Funds Now', 'Bengal deprived 1 lakh 15 thousand crore families, Rs 15,000 crore owed'.

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress had decided to hold a protest in the national capital against the alleged denial of MGNREGA and other housing scheme funds by the central government to the state.

Abhishek Banerjee, who joined the protest in the national capital on Monday has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the school teachers recruitment case.

Abhishek Banerjee has claimed that he would not be honouring the ED notice on this count. "Stop me if you can," he said wrote on X immediately after receiving the ED notice.

However, on September 29, Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha directed ED that their scheduled investigation process should not be hampered at any cost and for the sake of carrying forward the investigation the central agency will have the liberty to take any step as per legal provisions.

This order by her, as perceived by observers, has put an indirect pressure on ED to act tough in case Banerjee does not appear at ED's Salt Lake office in Kolkata on Tuesday.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Activities related to the organization of the medical service in Azerbaijan's Khankendi are continuing, the Association for the Management of Medical Territorial Units of Azerbaijan (TABIB) told Trend.

The polyclinic providing outpatient services has already started its activity, it employs specialized medical personnel, including various medical specialists, and seven teams of outpatient and emergency medical care.

In addition, primary surgical, cardiological, and therapeutic care can be provided in the polyclinic.

The medical staff of the polyclinic in Azerbaijan's Khankendi provided the necessary medical assistance to the first Armenian resident, Vladimir Maytarchyan, on October 2.
Hyderabad, Oct 2 : Telangana's minister for information technology and industries K.T. Rama Rao on Monday said that the steering of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government was safe in the hands of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao but the steering of the BJP government is not in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He alleged that the BJP government's steering has gone into the hands of industrialist Adani. He was reacting to the remarks made by the Prime Minister during his speech at Mahabubnagar on Sunday.

Addressing a public meeting in Mahabubnagar, PM Modi had said that though the government in Telangana is of 'car' (BRS symbol), the steering is in the hands of someone else.

"He said BRS steering is in the hands of Asaduddin Owaisi. I want to tell him that BRS steering is safe in the hands of CM KCR. There is no problem. The steering of MIM and Hyderabad Parliament constituency is totally in the hands of Asaduddin Owaisi," KTR said while speaking at a ceremony to lay foundation stone for an IT tower in Hyderabad's Malakpet area in the presence of Hyderabad MP.

KTR alleged that BJP's steering was in the hands of Adani and not in the hands of the Prime Minister.

Stating that Telangana has the highest per capita income in the country at Rs 3.17 lakh, he asked the Prime Minister to show one state which is doing better than Telangana.

KTR said that Telangana with development, peace and communal harmony was a shining example for the rest of the country.

"There is no mob lynching or any incident discrimination in the name of religion in Telangana," the BRS leader said.

The minister said the IT tower named iTEK Nucleus will be completed in 36 months. To be constructed at Rs 700 crore, this will be the first IT building in the old city of Hyderabad.

He promised to bring a leading company as anchor for this facility. He said he would talk to Microsoft, Deloitte, Amazon and other major companies to invite them to set up their operations here. He also offered to take a delegation to the US and the Middle East to invite companies to set up their units.

Coming up in an area of about 11 acres, the21-storey tower will have office space of 15 lakh square feet. The IT space will be 5.5 lakh square feet, the remaining will be for non-IT. KTR said that 20,000 to 25,000 youth will get jobs in this facility.

He also promised to build a skywalk connecting the IT tower with the Metro Station.

Claiming that Telangana has become a prosperous state during the last nine years, he said for the last two years Hyderabad surpassedBengaluru in creating technology jobs. "While last year Hyderabad created33 per cent of all technology jobs in the country, this year it will go up to 44 per cent," he said.

KTR said the IT tower was being developed as part of the state government's policy to disperse IT sector outside HiITEC City and Gachibowli clusters. Similar facilities have already come up in Uppal andKompally areas of the city.

Asaduddin Owaisi said the foundation stone for the IT tower is an emotional moment for him. He said this would be an answer to those who think negatively about the old city.

Hoping that it will be an iconic building with major companies setting up their operations here, the Hyderabad MP said the old city can compete with any other part of the city.

He pointed out that 8,000 to 10,000 young techies from old city travel to HiITEC City every day

Praising the development vision of KCR and KTR, he appealed to people to once again bring them to power in the state. He advised people to be cautious against designs of the 'blackmailers and also those who create hatred'.
Buldhana, Oct 2 : In a ghastly accident, a speeding trucker mowed down 10 labourers, killing five instantly, as they slept beside a road on the Nandura-Malkapur state highway in Maharashtra's Buldhana, police said here on Monday.

The incident occurred around 5.30 a.m. when the truck, laden with a consignment of apples, apparently shot off the highway and sped onto the shelters of the 10 workers engaged in some local road repair works, said Malkapur SDPO Devram Gawli.

The driver fled from the spot, said police.

"The victims were very much off the main road and the truck seemed to have veered off course, leading to the tragedy. Preliminary probe suggests the driver may have dozed off at the wheel. He abandoned the truck and is currently absconding and we have launched a hunt for him," SDPO Gawli told IANS.

As per the latest count, five workers were killed on the spot and five others injured badly, including two who arecritical, and they were rushed to the nearby Chopde Hospital.

Some of the dead victims have been identified as: Abhishek R. Jambhekar, 18, Prakash B. Jambhekar, 26, and Pankaj T. Jambhekar, 25, and further investigations are underway, added SDPO Gawli.
New Delhi, Oct 2 : Hours after Bihar government released the case based census, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday once again reiterated his demand of the greater the population, the greater the rights.

He said that the census has revealed that OBC, Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes (ST) are 84 per cent in the state and therefore it is important to know the caste statistics of India.

"The caste census of Bihar has revealed that OBC (other backward classes), SC and STs are 84 per cent there. Out of 90 secretaries of the Central Government, only three are OBCs, who handle only 5 per cent of India's budget," Rahul Gandhi wrote on X.

"Therefore, it is important to know the caste statistics of India. The greater the population, the greater the rights  this is our pledge," the Lok Sabha MP from Kerala's Wayanad said.

His remarks came after the Bihar government on the occasion of the Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary released the much-awaited caste-based survey.

Even Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh in a post on X, said, "The Bihar government has just released the results of the Caste Survey conducted by it in the state."

"While welcoming the initiative and recalling similar earlier surveys in other states like Karnataka by Congress governments, the Indian National Congress reiterates its demand that the Union government conduct a national Caste Census at the earliest.

"The UPA-2 government had, in fact, completed this Census but its results were not published by the Modi government. Such a Census has become essential for providing a firmer foundation for social empowerment programmes and for deepening social justice," Ramesh said.

As per the report, Bihar has a population of over 13 crore people, of which the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) comprise 36.01 per cent of the population, the Other Backward Classes (OBC) 27 per cent, Scheduled Castes 19.65 per cent, Scheduled Tribes 1.68 per cent, while the Upper Castes constitute 15.52 per cent of the population.

Among the Backward Classes, Yadavs constitute 14.26 per cent of the population while the Kushwahas and Kurmis are 4.27 per cent and 2.87 per cent, respectively.

The caste-based survey was passed in both Houses of the Bihar Vidhan Mandal last year and every political party gave consent for it.
Hyderabad, Oct 2 : Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and state ministers Mahmood Ali and P. Sabita Indra Reddy paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 151st birth anniversary on Monday.

She offered floral tributes at Bapu Ghat at Langer Houz here, where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed in the Musi river.

The governor along with Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, Director General of Police Anjani Kumar and other officials paid their respects at the Samadhi and later showered petals on the statue of the Father of the Nation.

Paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, the governor posted on X that our nation will always be indebted to Bapuji.

Home minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali along with education minister P. Sabitha Indra Reddy, MP and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) general secretary K. Keshav Rao separately paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Bapu Ghat.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary.

In a statement, he remembered the invaluable services and sacrifices rendered by Gandhi to attain Independence for India from British colonial rule and for nation building.

The Chief Minister said that Gandhi's teachings, inspiration, achievements and action plans witha slogan of'Satyameva Jayate' are very much embodied in the achievement ofTelangana statehood and the fast pace development of the Telangana state in the self rule.

The CM said that rural Telangana reflected the aspirations of Gandhi's 'Gram Swarajya' bystrengthening irrigation, agriculture and rural economy by reviving traditional occupations and brought smiles on senior citizen faces by extending Aasara pensions.

KCR saidthe befitting tributeto Gandhiis to adopt the Father of Nation's principles and activities as a way of life and move forward with self restraint and observance.
Patna, Oct 02 : After the release of a caste-based survey in Bihar on Monday, RJD National President Lalu Prasad Yadav said that he will conduct the same in the entire country after the INDIA alliance comes to power in 2024.

"We have witnessed a historic day on Mahatma Gandhi's Jayanti. The Bihar government has released the caste-based survey despite various conspiracies and court cases," Lalu Prasad Yadav said.

"This data will be used to make policies for the marginalised sections of society. It will give representation to people as per their strength in the state's resources and will set an example in the country," he said.

"The state government should ensure that it gives representation to people as per their numbers in the state. I firmly believe that people of every caste should get fair right in the state's resources. When we form the government in 2024, we will conduct a caste-based census in the entire country," Lalu Prasad Yadav said.

His younger son and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said that the Bihar government had collected the data of people and released the report in quick time.

"The Bihar government has achieved a milestone with this report. People of the state have awaited it for decades. It has not only given the caste-based data but also highlighted the economic status of the people. Now, the State government will give the rights to people of the state in quick time," Tejashwi Yadav said.

"The BJP created a number of hurdles but the Bihar government has completed the caste-based survey and set an example in the country. It has drawn a long line for the social and financial justice of people of Bihar. Today it has happened in Bihar and tomorrow it will be demanded in the entire country. Tomorrow is not far away. Bihar has given the direction once again to the country," Tejeshwi Yadav added.
Chandigarh, Oct 2 : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday slammed the Aam Aadmi Party-led (AAP) government in Punjab for spending crores of rupees and bringing Patiala to a standstill to "inaugurate" a ward at the Mata Kaushalya Hospital after installing machinery supplied by the Centre during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Accusing Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of wasting crores of rupees to befool Punjabis that a special facility has been opened at the Mata Kaushalya Hospital, SAD legal cell head Arshdeep Singh Kler said "the truth is that the building has only been given a fresh coat of paint and machinery supplied by the Central government has been installed after a gap of two years".

Claiming that even now nothing concrete has been done. Kler said, "The AAP government posted nine doctors at the hospital for the one-day visit of AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal instead of posting them permanently at the hospital."

Asking the Chief Minister to explain this 'profligacy', Kler said, "You cannot befool Punjabis by holding mega events to inaugurate re-painted buildings as you had done earlier also in the case of the so-called schools of eminence."

He also condemned the AAP government for bringing Patiala to a standstill to "host" Kejriwal and installing 660 hoardings in the city over a 1.5 km stretch.

"With Punjabis not ready to become part of this hoax, government employees have been forced to attend the programme with PRTC buses taken out from various routes to ferry the employees to the event site," he added.
Hyderabad, Oct 2 : A four-year-old girl died of electrocution after she tried to open the refrigerator in a supermarket.

The shocking incident, which occurred in Navipet mandal of Nizamabad district on Monday, was captured on CCTV camera.

Rishita had gone to the supermarket along with her father Rajasekhar. He was looking for ice-cream in a fridge while she went to the adjacent fridge apparently for chocolates. The moment she touched the door, she was electrocuted.

Unaware of this, her father continued to look for ice-cream. After some seconds, when he started moving he found Rishita hanging with her hand in contact with the fridge door. He immediately picked up the child and rushed here to hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

The girlas parents and other relatives staged a protest with her body in front of the supermarket, demanding action against the management for their negligence. Police registered a case and took up investigation.
NIA starts probe into seizure of explosives from Bengal's Birbhum. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Oct 2 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday conducted raids across Andhra Pradesh in connection with the CPI (Maoist) conspiracy case, an official said, adding that one person has been arrested in this connection.

The NIA also seized weapons, cash and some incriminating materials from the arrested individual -- identified as Chandra Narasimhulu.

Narasimhulu, a state executive committee member of 'Pragathiseela Karmika Samakya' (PKS), was apprehended in Andhra Pradesh's Shri Sathya Sai district.

An official said that multiple raids were carried out across 62 locations in the two states, leading to the arrest of Narasimhulu.

An amount of Rs 13 lakh was seized from one of the premises in Kadapa district, while Maoist literature and documents were seized from other locations.

The raids on Monday covered 53 locations in the districts of Guntur, Palanadu, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Nellore, Tirupati, and Kurnool, among others, in Andhra Pradesh.

Nine locations were also raided in Telengana in the districts of Hyderabad, Mahabub Nagar, Hanumakonda, Ranga Reddy and Adilabad.

The arrested individual's custodial interrogation is expected to yield further information about the conspiracy relating to the attempts of various frontal organisations to further the activities of the proscribed CPI (Maoist) outfit.

The frontal organisations include Civil Liberties Committee (CLC), Amarula Bandhu Mitrula Sangham (ABMS), Chaitanya Mahila Sangham (CMS), Kula Nirmulana Porata Samathi (KNPS), Patriotic Democratic Movement (PDM), Pragathiseela Karmika Samakya (PKS), Praja Kala Mandali (PKM), Revolutionary Writers Association (RWA) or ViplavaRachaitalaSangam (VIRASAM), Human Rights Forum (HRF), Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners (CRPP) and Indian Association of Peoples Lawyers (IAPL).

NIA investigations so far have revealed that leaders and members of these frontal organisations were extending support to the CPI (Maoist), which was banned as a terrorist outfit in 2009.

The premises raided on Monday belonged to members and cadres of the frontal organisations.

The case was initially registered on November 23, 2020, based on information relating to the movement of Maoists and transportation of Maoist literature in Munchingput area.

The police had intercepted one Pangi Naganna, while he was carrying Maoist revolutionary literature books, medicines, red colour banner cloth, electrical wire bundles, batteries and pamphlets to hand over to the Maoist cadres.

Detailed questioning of Pangi Naganna had revealed that the items were handed over to him by the leaders of the frontal organisations.

On May 21, 2021, the NIA had filed a chargesheet against seven accused before the Special Court, Vijayawada.

Of these seven persons, five belonged to frontal organisations, namely ABMS, CMS, PKS, PDM and PKM.
New Delhi, Oct 2 : The 2022 list of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation featuring 32 best tourism villages from 22 countries, does not contain a single village from India, even as several countries have two villages in the list.

Expressing concern over the fact, a high-level Parliamentary panel has sought to know the number of Indian villages which were nominated for the selection by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), in its best tourism villages list and the impact of such selection on village tourism.

A report titled aDevelopment of Niche Tourism (including Spiritual Tourism), Theme-based Tourist Circuits and Potential Tourist Spotsa by the Rajya Sabha's Standing Committee on transport, tourism and culture, which was presented during the recently-concluded Special Session of Parliament, noted that Khonoma in Nagaland has been selected for the aUpgradea programme which would enable the village to receive the necessary support from the UNWTO to improve its conditions to meet the selection criteria.

The committee further sought to know the efforts being taken for development of Khonoma after its inclusion in the upgrade list of the UNWTO.

It further observed that in a predominantly agrarian and rural economy like India, rural tourism has immense potential for boosting employment and incomes of villagers, while offering opportunities to the city dwellers to take a break from the hectic pace of urban life and to experience nature and local cultures at a much slower pace.

"India is home to a diverse range of unique villages, each with its own cultural, architectural and historical significance. Unique villages such as Mattur in Karnataka where all the residents speak only Sanskrit and many others, offer a glimpse into India's rich traditions and culture," it said.

However, the panel noted that the rural tourism website does not provide details as to how to travel to the unique villages nor details regarding rural homestays.

Even the Khonoma village page does not provide any useful details for the tourists, it observed.

The committee thus recommended that the Tourism Ministry should ensure that the rural tourism website has all details of rural homestays, travel connectivity and tourist spots in respect of every village featured for the convenience of the tourists.

The committee, while appreciating the aBest Village Competitiona initiated by the Tourism Ministry, expressed dismay that in the last one year, only one model rural cluster has been identified, without any action being taken on the ground.

It noted that the villages to be covered in the 'Vibrant Villages' programme are located in far- flung areas, and close to borders, often in difficult terrains.

Therefore, it suggested that as Uttarakhand has a number of border villages with rich traditions and local culture, the Tourism Ministry can make concerted efforts to develop the 'Model Rural Cluster' in Uttarakhand within a targeted time schedule.
Imphal, Oct 2 : Normal life has been crippled in Manipur's Churachandpur district after the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) called an indefinite shutdown from Monday in the tribal-dominated district in protest against the "arrest of four Kuki-Zo people, including two women".

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had said on Sunday that the four suspects in the murder of two young students have been arrested by the CBI and other security forces.

"On the direction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, a special CBI team led by the agency's Special Director Ajay Bhatnagar, along with five officers, have been camping in Manipur since September 27.

"A combined team of the CBI, Army, Assam Rifles, and state security forces have arrested four suspects from Churachandpur district in connection with the murder of the two young students. This is a major breakthrough in the heinous case," Singh had told the media.

Immediately after the arrests, ITLF, an apex body of tribals in Manipur, on Sunday night called the indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur district.

The ITLF has demanded the release the four people within 48 hours, "failing which more intense agitation will follow in all hill districts of Manipur".

"All boundary areas with the Meitei dominated areas are being sealed. No one will be allowed to enter or leave the buffer zones. All government offices are closed from today (Monday)," said Ginza Vualzong, senior leader and spokesman for ITLF.

The police said that all commercial and business activities have come to a stand still as public vehicles have gone off the road, while government and non-government offices and financial institutions remained shut in view of the shutdown in Churachandpur district.

Strongly condemning the CBI action, the ITLF on Monday said that four people were arrested by the central agency without the knowledge of local authorities and there were no women police officers and no juvenile police unit, as required by law when a secret operation was undertaken in the case related to the disappearance of two Meitei students.

"The arrests came less than a week after the surfacing of photos that seem to show the dead bodies of the two students. If the CBI can act with such swiftness, why has it not arrested anyone in more heinous cases, like the rape and murder of two tribal girls in Imphal, the burning of a 7-year-old tribal boy along with his mother and aunt, the torture and beheading of a tribal youth, and so many other acts of atrocities against tribals? And what about the thousands of weapons and lakhs of ammunition which have been looted (distributed?) in the Imphal valley?"

The tribal body added: "Does the Central government think violence and shooting can stop without the retrieval of these weapons? Incredulously, the Chief Minister had on Sunday said publicly that the "main culprits" in the students' murder case have been arrested, even before any questioning (forget about a trial). Tribals, it seems, are guilty until proven innocent."

Manipur witnessed massive students' agitations last week to protest the killing of 17-year-old girl student Hijam Linthoingambi and 20-year-old Phijam Hemjit, who hailed from Bishnupur district and had gone missing on July 6 during the height of ethnic violence. Their photographs were circulated on different social media platforms on September 25.

At least 100 students, including girls, were injured during the agitations after they clashed with the security forces, who prevented them from marching towards the Chief Minister's bungalow.

In view of the students' agitations, the state government had shut all schools in the state till September 29 besides re-imposing the ban on mobile internet services till October 6.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. On October 2, starting from 17:20 to 18:00, the Armenian armed forces units from the positions in the direction of Azizli settlement of the Basarkechar region using small arms subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the direction of Yukhari Ayrim settlement of the Kalbajar region, Trend reports.

Moreover, improvised explosive devices were also dropped on the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the mentioned direction by means of combat quadracopter.

The Azerbaijan Army Units did not suffer any losses, adequate retaliatory measures were taken in the mentioned direction.
London, Oct 2 : Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) supremo and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has got his flight ticket booked for Pakistan, according to a media report.

The former premier -- who is embattled in various cases, including the National Accountability Bureauas (NAB) Avenfield, Al-Azizia and Hill Metal and the Flagship references -- had left for London in December 2019 on medical grounds after the Lahore High Court had granted him permission to travel abroad for four weeks, ARY News reported.

Sources said Sharif will return to Pakistan on October 21 via a connecting flight. He will land at the Abu Dhabi International Airport from London on October 21 and on the same day, he will leave for Lahore, the report said.

The sources said Sharifas business class ticket for Flight 243 of a private airline had been booked in advance. The PML-N supremoas flight is expected to land at the Lahore airport at 6:25 p.m. on October 21.

On September 23, Sharif's younger brother Shehbaz Sharif had said that there was no change in the return plan of Sharif as the latter is set to land in Pakistan on October 21.

Shehbaz Sharif rushed back to London merely hours after he returned to the country from the UK, a development that gave way to rumours regarding a possible change in travel plans of Sharif, ARY News reported.
Bengaluru, Oct 02 : Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries, Infrastructure Development, MB Patil participated in a luncheon meeting with the Consul-General of India, DC Manjunath at Houston in Texas, USA and discussed investment opportunities.

In the meeting with the Consul-General, the minister expressed the state's interest in fostering a global partnership and the possibilities that lie ahead for collaboration between America and Karnataka.

Both sides also discussed potential ways to strengthen economic and business ties, the official statement said on Monday.

The minister also put forth the stateas intent of focusing on sectors for investment in which Karnataka has a competitive advantage.

The delegation ensured Ease of Doing Business and a favourable regulatory environment in Karnataka in order to safeguard the interests of investors.

The luncheon was part of the 12-day tour the Minister has embarked upon along with some senior officials of the Ministry of Industries, which includes Dr. S Selvakumar, Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Commerce and Industries, Ekrup Kour, Principal Secretary to the department of ITBT and Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner of Industries.
Los Angeles, Oct 2 : Actor-comedian Russell Brand is now facing a second investigation by the UK police following his previous allegations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse.

Thames Valley Police said a woman contacted the force two weeks ago with "new information" in relation to reports of "harassment and stalking", though Brand had accused the woman back in 2017 of 'harassment'.

The information which was broken by the BBC at the time stated that the woman in question had reported her allegations to Thames Valley Police numerous times between 2018 and 2022 but no further action was taken. Thames Valley said it would be "inappropriate to comment on an ongoing investigation" further, according to 'The Hollywood Reporter'.

The news comes following the London's Metropolitan Police previously confirming that it was launching a probe into "non-recent" incidents, saying that it had received a "number of allegations of sexual offences."

Brand has previously vehemently denied "very serious criminal allegations," using a video post to describe the accusations as "extremely egregious and aggressive attacks" that he said he "absolutely refutes".

At least ten women have come forward to make public claims against the comedian so far. Apart from calling the charges bogus, Brand had released an hour-long video where he spoke about free speech, and called the claims a conspiracy by the "mainstream media".

He said: "We are going to be talking about the State and the legacy media's war on free speech. And in particular, how that has affected me this week. We are going to continue to do on this channel what we've always done, which is tell you the truth as best we can."

After he had posted his video on YouTube there were demands to pull out all his content from social media.

While some news outlets such as the BBC have removed some of their coverage on Brand, YouTube has refused to take down any of his content saying that it has no cause to do so, and that nothing Brand has said or written has warranted any kind of ban against him.
New Delhi, Oct 2 : The mRNA vaccine technology against Covid-19, which on Monday received the 2023 Nobel for Medicine was publicly funded and not by pharma giants, said the People's Vaccine Alliance.

The People's Vaccine Alliance is a coalition of organisations and activists working together towards equitable access to medical technologies that help to prevent and respond to Covid and future pandemics.

Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman were jointly awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against Covid-19", said the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institutet in a statement.

Their groundbreaking findings have fundamentally changed the understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system, the Nobel committee said.

The umbrella group of NGOs hailed public funding, which it said "delivers incredible medical advances", even as pharma giants refused to share vaccine technology, as well as test kits and other diagnostics to low-income countries during the pandemic.

"The award challenges the claim that it was solely big pharmaceutical companies who saved the world from Covid-19," said Mohga Kamal-Yanni, Policy Co-Lead for the People's Vaccine Alliance, in a statement.

"Just like the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, Kariko and Weissman's groundbreaking work on mRNA vaccines received a huge amount of public funding."

Kamal-Yanni also advised governments preparing for the next pandemic to prioritise on public funding as drugmakers will not share vaccines with the world.

"Pharmaceutical companies have refused to share mRNA technologies with developers and researchers in developing countries. Fortunately, Weissman is helping a WHO-backed mRNA programme which aims to develop mRNA technology in lower-income countries, even while pharmaceutical companies refuse to share their know-how," Kamal-Yanni said.

"As governments discuss how to prepare for the next pandemic, they should learn from the story of mRNA. Public funding delivers incredible medical advances and that should be a priority for all countries, but pharmaceutical companies cannot be trusted to share technology with the world."
New Delhi, Oct 1 : In a major breakthrough, the Special Cell of Delhi Police has arrested Mohammad Shahnawaz Alam, a.k.a. Shafi Uzzama, who was on National Investigation Agency's (NIA) list of most-wanted terrorists, an official said on Monday.

The police have also arrested Shahnawaz's two associates and recovered incriminating materials from their possession, including those suspected to be used in IED fabrication.

According to the police, Shahnawaz was arrested from the Jaitpur area in the national capital.

"His associates -- Mohammad Rizwan Ashraf and Mohammad Arshad Warsi -- were arrested from Lucknow and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, respectively," said the official.

As per the police, the arrested trio holds engineering degrees.

Based on initial questioning, the police said that the accused had conducted reconnaissance in multiple areas across western and southern India with the intention of establishing their base in the Western Ghats.

During investigation, the police also seized elementary plastic tubes, iron pipes, various chemicals, timing devices, and other materials that could potentially be used in the production of explosive devices from Shahnawaz's possession.

A pistol and cartridges were also found from his possession, the police said.

The police revealed that they have also recovered literature related to bomb-making, suspected to have been sent by their handlers from across the border.

Earlier, the NIA had announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh for the capture of Shahnawaz for his alleged involvement in the Pune IS case.

Shahnawaz, who works as an engineer and is a resident of Delhi, had managed to escape from police custody in Pune. Subsequently, he had been living in the national capital.

On September 30, the NIA had initiated a rigorous search operation in Central Delhi to locate three individuals with suspected links to the Islamic State.
Gwalior : PM Narendra Modi during the foundation laying ceremony of various projects. Image Source: IANS News

Jaipur, Oct 2 : Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Monday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jodhpur on October 5.

He said that there is immense enthusiasm in west Rajasthan regarding Modi's visit.

Shekhawat said that this will be Modi first visit to Jodhpur after the G-20 summit and passing of Women's Reservation Bill.

"People are eager to welcome PM Modi. People are full of enthusiasm to greet and welcome the Prime Minister," he said.

"He will lay the foundation stone of new Trauma Center in AIIMS. He will also lay the foundation stone for the airport expansion works and will also inaugurate new educational works in IIT," he said.

He said that Modi will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of rail and road related projects in Jodhpur region.
New Delhi: A view of the Supreme Court in New Delhi on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (Photo: Wasim Sarvar/IANS). Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Oct 2 : The Supreme Court will hear on Tuesdat a batch of petitions filed by the Aam Admi Party (AAP), and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra against the transfer of their tax assessment from faceless assessment to the central circle.

The 9 Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) by AAP, Congress leaders, and five trusts linked with the Gandhis are listed for admission before the apex court.

The Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Trust, Jawahar Bhawan Trust, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust, and Young Indian are the five trusts that have filed petitions against the transfer of tax assessment.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and S.N.V. Bhatti will hear the petitions.

Earlier on May 26, the Delhi High Court had dismissed petitions by AAP, the Gandhi family, and the five trusts challenging the orders of the Income Tax Department to transfer their tax assessment from the faceless assessment to the central circle.

A High Court bench of Justices Manmohan and Dinesh Kumar Sharma ruled that there was no fundamental legal right to be assessed under the faceless assessment scheme.

The Gandhi family challenged transfer orders by the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, saying that only the rarest of cases go out of faceless assessment. The Gandhis primarily opposed treating their tax assessment along with arms dealer Sanjay Bhandarias group. Fugitive arms dealer Bhandari is facing several corruption and money laundering charges in India.

The AAP contended the transfer orders violated statutory provisions and called them "arbitrary".

However, the HC bench said that the transfer orders were in accordance with the law and done for better coordination in the investigation. The faceless assessment scheme removes physical contact between the taxpayer and the taxman by using artificial intelligence and machine learning for randomly selecting tax cases and therefore reducing or eliminating human interface with the tax department.
Nanded, Oct. 2 : In a shocking development, at least 24 persons, including 12 infants, have died in the past 24 hours at a government hospital Nanded, Maharashtra, triggering strong reactions from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), here on Monday.

According to officials, among the dead are at least 12 infants aged between 2 and 4 days, while the remaining are adults in some cases of 'poisoning' at the Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College & Hospital.

Though the hospital authorities have been evasive on the large number of fatalities in such a short time, the opposition parties have attacked the government of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, demanding the sacking/resignation of Health Minister Tanaji Sawant.

The Dean of the hospital, S. Wakode, told mediapersons that six male and six female babies succumbed to various causes, while another 12 adults died, mostly from snake-bites.

He claimed that many patients came from far-off places and the hospital faced issues of procuring the right medicines for them in time amid budgeting constraints, and other issues.

Ex-CM and senior Congress leader from Nanded, Ashok Chavan, said that besides these deaths, another 70 patients, referred from other private hospitals in the district, are reported to be 'serious'.

"I spoke with the hospital Dean who said there was shortage of nursing and medical staffers, certain equipment are not working and certain departments are not operational for various reasons. This is a very grave issue," said Chavan.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare alleged negligence and referred to similar deaths of 18 patients in Thane's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Government Hospital in mid-August.

"Its clear that Health Minister Sawant is ineffective and the CM should either take his resignation or sack him," said Andhare.

Slamming the government, Nationalist Congress Party MP Supriya Sule strongly condemned the mass deaths, saying: "This triple-engine government is responsible for all the 24 innocent persons' deaths."

NCP spokesperson Vikas Lawande said that the deaths occurred due to negligence and lack of medical supplies by the government and "woe betide the government that advertises festivals and events".
New York, Oct 2 : A team of US scientists has developed a novel sense-and-respond implant technology that could slash cancer-related deaths by more than 50 per cent.

The team from Rice University will fast-track development and testing of the implant, or "hybrid advanced molecular manufacturing regulator (HAMMR) that aims to dramatically improve immunotherapy outcomes for patients with ovarian, pancreatic and other difficult-to-treat cancers.

HAMMR, which is small enough to be implanted with minimally invasive surgery, will monitor cancer and accordingly adjust immunotherapy dose in real time, like a glucose monitor.

"Instead of tethering patients to hospital beds, IV bags and external monitors, we'll use a minimally invasive procedure to implant a small device that continuously monitors their cancer and adjusts their immunotherapy dose in real time," said bioengineer Omid Veiseh, associate professor at Rice.

"This kind of 'closed-loop therapy' has been used for managing diabetes, where you have a glucose monitor that continuously talks to an insulin pump. But for cancer immunotherapy, it's revolutionary."

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health awarded $45 million to fast-track development of the implant, which includes funding for a first-phase clinical trial within five years.

Veiseh explained that the technology is broadly applicable for peritoneal cancers that affect the pancreas, liver, lungs and other organs.

"The first clinical trial will focus on refractory recurrent ovarian cancer, and the benefit of that is that we have an ongoing trial for ovarian cancer with our encapsulated cytokine 'drug factory' technology. We'll be able to build on that experience. We have already demonstrated a unique model to go from concept to clinical trial within five years, and HAMMR is the next iteration of that approach."

"Cancer cells are continually evolving and adapting to therapy. However, currently available diagnostic tools, including radiologic tests, blood assays and biopsies, provide very infrequent and limited snapshots of this dynamic process. As a result, today's therapies treat cancer as if it were a static disease," said Dr.Amir Jazaeri, Professor of gynecologic oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Jazaeri said the technology can transform the status quo by providing real-time data from the tumour environment that can in turn guide more effective and tumour-informed novel therapies.
Chandigarh, Oct 2 : The Punjab and Chandigarh Journalists Union on Monday demanded the formation of a media commission at the national level for their protection.

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the union organised a protest day across Punjab on the call of the Indian Journalist Union (IJU) to check attacks on journalists.

Journalists belonging to Punjab and Chandigarh staged a peaceful protest in Sector 17 here by wearing black bands on their faces.

The Union's Executive President Jai Singh Chhibber said efforts are being made to suppress the voice of the media.

"The Central government is controlling the media by making new laws. On the lines of the Centre, the state governments are also suppressing their voice," he said, adding that journalists are being forced to publish according to stateas will.

India was ranked 160th in the World Press Freedom Index report released in May, slipping 11 spots further down the list from 2022.

Union President Ram Singh Brar said "in today's time governments are working to make the media their puppets. Rights of the media are being violated". He said there are continuous attacks on the media. He demanded to form a Central law and media commission for the protection of media persons.
JABRAYIL, Azerbaijan, October 2. Through the Jabrayil Digital Control Center, the reliability and sustainability of the electricity supply will be monitored, Vagif Aydinoglu, head of the press service of Azerbaijan's Azerishig, told Trend's Karabakh bureau.

"The Digital Control Center, whose foundations were laid by the Head of State in Jabrayil last October, has already become operational. The center was put into operation by the head of state," he said.

Vagif Aydinoglu noted that the Digital Control Center will carry out its activities in accordance with the general plan of Jabrayil.

"I would also like to note that the digital control center will not have traditional above-ground power lines. As per the master plan of the city, the process will be carried out through an isolated underground line," he said.

"The 110/35/10-kilovolt Jabrayil substation will be connected to Zangilan, Gubadli districts and Hadrut settlement and will be included in a 35-kilovolt circular power supply scheme in which the 35.4-kilovolt Jabrayil City Substation will play the role of the hub substation," Aydnoglu noted.
Mumbai, Oct 2 : India's unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in 12 months during September as the number of those without jobs declined in both rural and urban areas of the country, according to data compiled by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE).

The overall unemployment rate declined to 7.09 per cent in September down from 8.10 per cent in August. The figures mark a reversal as the unemployment rate in August had shot up in August from 7.9 per cent in July.

India's monsoon rainfall this year was its lowest since 2018 as the El Nino weather pattern made August the driest in more than a century, according to the weather department.

However, the rains picked up momentum again in September which had led to a revival in farm activity that appears to have created more jobs in the rural areas during the month.

Similarly, urban unemployment appears to have come down as key festivities gather momentum in September with Ganesh Chaturthi leading to more hiring, especially in the retail sector, that is also done keeping in mind that the Diwali and Dussehra festivals will follow soon after.
Chandigarh, Oct 2 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal on Monday asked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal to tell Punjabis where the purported Rs 50,000 crore investments have been made in Punjab, claiming that "forget any investment, no infrastructure project has been taken up for execution for the last around two years in the state".

Reacting to Kejriwal's statement that Punjab had received an investment of Rs 50,000 crore, the SAD chief said Kejriwal should substantiate this claim or apologise to Punjabis for lying to them.

He said that forget attracting any investment, Punjab has witnessed a flight of industry to Uttar Pradesh as well as other states during AAP's tenure.

"The Chief Minister has tried desperately to mislead the Punjabis by asserting that German companies like BMW are going to invest in Punjab. Even after an official rebuttal by BMW, now Kejriwal is making similar claims to befool the people," he said.

Claiming that Kejriwal resorted to a pack of lies during this recent visit to Patiala where a ward of the Mata Kaushalya hospital was refurbished, the SAD President said, "The truth is that Mata Kaushalya hospital was demolished and rebuilt during the previous SAD government. Now only a ward has been refurbished but crores are being spent to derive cheap publicity on this issue."

Badal said an impression is also being given that Punjab is at number two position nationally as far as maintenance of law and order is concerned.

"This is furthest from the truth as Punjabis know. Gangsters are having a field day and even AAP legislators are hand-in-glove with criminal elements and the drug mafia due to which Punjab is suffering from breakdown of law and order along with a sharp increase in the drugs menace," the SAD chief said.

He added that the Chief Minister has completely demoralised the police force by taking action against an honest police officer who had taken a tough stand against illegal mining and arrested the brother-in-law of the Khadoor Sahab legislator.
Mumbai, Oct 02 : Setting at rest all speculation, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has decided to contest independently the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in all 48 seats in the state, a top party leader said here on Monday.

The decision came after a review meeting of all the parliamentary constituencies with top office-bearers held by MNS President Raj Thackeray on Monday, said senior leader Nitin Sardesai.

However, the party also authorised Raj Thackeray a" estranged cousin of Shiv Sena (UBT) President and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray a" to take decisions pertaining to joining any alliance or group in the future.

The move came after a report from key leaders who have toured various Lok Sabha constituencies in the past few weeks, meeting with local units, workers and leaders and the people.

In the constituency-wise review meetings of a few important seats, the available feedback has indicated that the strength of the MNS - founded in 2006 - has grown, said Sardesai.

Other leaders pointed out that the MNS had been mentally preparing to go alone in the Lok Sabha elections, and after Mondayas deliberations, the party has moved closer to that possibility.

Another leader claimed that the people of the state were viewing Raj Thackeray as the next CM and the party would make all efforts to further strengthen its base in urban and rural centres.

Since the past few years, there was suspense on the MNSa political stance, as Raj Thackeray was seen as hobnobbing with leaders of the ruling Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party and others.

In fact, as recently as last week, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and other leaders from different parties visited Raj Thackerayas home for darshan of Lord Ganesha during the Ganeshotsav festival.
New Delhi, Oct 2 : Air India flight AI-173, scheduled to depart for San Francisco from Delhi early on Tuesday, was cancelled hours before its scheduled take-off, causing inconvenience to the passengers.

"This is to inform you about your flight AI-173 (DEL- SFO) flight has been cancelled due to operational reasons dated on Oct 3," read the message sent from Air India to one of the passengers.

The flight was scheduled to take off from Indira Gandhi International Airport at 6.a.m. on Tuesday.

However, as per sources the airline has now scheduled an alternate flight for San Francisco on October 5.

This is the same flight, which while on way from Delhi to San Francisco in June this year, was forced to divert and make an emergency landing at Magadan airport in Russia due to a technical issue with one of its engines.

The flight, carrying 216 passengers and 16 crew members, encountered the problem mid-flight, prompting the pilot to take immediate action to ensure the safety of all onboard. Video footage surfaced on Twitter showing stranded Air India passengers forced to sleep on the floor of a school after their flight was diverted to Magadan.

Air India's response is still awaited.

--IANS

ssh/vd
Hangzhou, Oct 2 : The Indian men's and women's chess teams remained in contention in their respective team competitions at the end of the fourth round at the Asian Games here on Monday.

The Indian men's team, with four wins from four matches, was placed in second position with 7 match points, one behind Iran while Vietnam were placed third with 6 match points.

The women's team with three wins and a draw was placed in joint-second position behind top-seeds China, tied on six match points with Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan have a better tiebreak score and therefore has been given the second position.

In the fourth round on Monday, the Indian men's team defeated Kyrgyzstan 3.5-0.5 with D Gukesh, Vidit Gujrathi and Pentala Harikrishna winning their respective games while Arjun Erigaisi was held to a draw by FIDE MasterSezdbekov Ruslan, who is rated 2261 as compared to 2712 of the Indian.

Iran defeated Uzbekistan 2.5-1.5 while Vietnam defeated Mongolia 3.5-0.5 to maintain their position. Host, China defeated Kazakstan 2.5-1.5 and is placed fifth with two wins, one draw and one defeat.

In the women's section, India went down to China 1.5-2.5 and slipped to the third position.

On the first board, Koneru Humpy held former World Champion Hou Yifan to a draw while Dronavalli Harika held the Zhu Jiner on the second board. But Vaishali Rameshbabu lost to Grandmaster Tan Zhongyi and Vantika Agrawal could manage only a draw against her lower-rated opponent, Zhai Mo as the Indian team dropped points.

In the fifth round of Tuesday, the Indian men take on leaders Iran while Uzbekistan will hope to recover some lost ground against China.

In the women's section, India will play Mongolia while top seed China meet Kazakhstan.
Visakhapatnam, Oct 2 : TDP leader and former Andhra Pradesh Minister Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy was on Monday arrested for making alleged derogatory comments on Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and Tourism Minister R. K. Roja.

He was arrested amid high drama from his residence in Anakapalli district.

After medical tests at Anakapalli hospital, he is likely to be shifted to Guntur.

Two separate cases were booked against the former minister for making derogatory comments against the Chief Minister and the minister.

There has been a tense situation around his house since late Sunday with the deployment of police force.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader on Monday sat on hunger strike at his residence to protest against the "illegal" arrest of party chief and former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in the Skill Development Corporation case.

A team of police officials from Guntur served notices to Murthy under 41A and 41B of CrPC and arrested him. Earlier, TDP General Secretary Nara Lokesh spoke to Murthy over phone and advised him to be brave. In response, Murthy told him that he would carry on his fight despite false cases and arrest.

Murthy's comments on Roja, a former Tollywood actor, had sparked a huge row in political circles. He had made the comments while reacting to Rojaas remarks against Naidu and his family members. After Naidu was arrested by the CID on September 9 and he was sent to judicial custody, Roja had celebrated this with fireworks.

Leaders of ruling YSR Congress Party had condemned Bandaruas remarks on Roja. AP Womenas Commission (APWC) Chairperson Vasireddy Padma had written a letter to DGP K.V. Rajendranath Reddy seeking action against him.

Padma said that Murthy made adverse, despicable remarks personally abusing Roja, insulting her modesty and defaming the woman minister. YSR Congress MLC Pothula Suneetha, in turn, lodged a complaint against him with the AP Womenas Commission. Suneetha took offense to Satyanarayana going on to state that the woman minister had previously acted in blue films.

Meanwhile, TDP leaders have condemned Murthyas arrest. They asked why no action was taken against Roja and other YSRCP leaders when they made derogatory comments about Chandrababu Naiduas wife Nara Bhuvaneswari.
Those who defy party will be shunted out, warns KCR. Image Source: IANS News

Hyderabad, Oct 2 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday decided to constitute a Pay Revision Committee (PRC) to make recommendations for new pay scales to the state government employees.

State Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari issued orders appointing retired IAS officer N Sivashankar as PRC Chairman and another retired IAS officer B Ramaiah as the Committee member.

The orders suggested that the PRC should submit the report to the government within 6 months.

The State Finance department has been asked to provide required funds and staff for the functioning of the PRC.

The government decided to pay 5 percent Interim Relief (IR) to state government employees.

The decisions come amid the buzz that the Election Commission of India (ECI) may announce the schedule of the assembly elections in the next few days.

The elections are likely to be held in November-December.

A team of ECI is beginning a three-day visit to Telangana on Tuesday to review the poll preparedness.
New Delhi, Oct 2 : Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday alleged manhandling by the police during protest at Rajghat, saying that the BJP is scared and they are using tools because the people have defeated them.

The Trinamool Congress leaders along with Abhishek Banerjee and other senior leaders and hundreds of workers sat on protest at Rajghat demanding the central government to release the funds of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and other housing schemes here.

Banerjee arrived at Rajghat during the day and first paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary and then along with the party leaders sat in protest against the Central government.

The Trinamool Congress leaders sat on protest at Rajghat with placards reading 'Release Bengal Funds Now', 'Bengal deprived 1 lakh 15 thousand crore families, Rs 15,000 crore owed

After the protest, speaking to media here, the Trinamool Congress General Secretary slammed the BJP government at centre and said, "The way they misbehaved and manhandled it clearly shows that BJP is scared."

He said that they talk about 56 inch chest and being world's biggest party but no one has power to ignore the strength of people if they stand in front of you.

"If the people feel that those who we elected to power have stopped the funds and there is a need to change the government, no one can stop that from happening," the Trinamool Congress MP said.

Slamming the government, he said, "The way in which they used the power and tried to disrupt our peaceful protest was not successful and after our programme we left. We have another protest at Jantar Mantar tomorrow. Around 3,000 to 3,500 MGNREGA job card holders are coming to Delhi for their rights."

He said that the Central government has withheld the money of various job card holders for over two years now.

"We will tell the MoS Sadhvi that you cannot hold the amount of 2 crore people. We will not demand for money if you stop taking GST collection and Income Tax from Bengal," he said.

"You are only taking money from West Bengal but not giving it to the state. The money belongs to the people of the state. You have deliberately stopped the release of money because the people of Bengal did not elect you, defeated you and rejected you. And the BJP is unable to accept that defeat and thus they are using agencies, election commission, CRPF and other tools. This is not a party's protest but the people's protest," he alleged.

To a question about Union Minister Anurag Thakur saying that the central government has given Rs 2 lakh crore to the state, Banerjee said, "Anurag Thakur said that they gave Rs 2 lakh crore but the question is how much amount have they taken from West Bengal. They have been in power for nine years and they have taken at least Rs 5 to 7 lakh crore from West Bengal. You have taken money from the state."

He also said that on Tuesday, the party will hold protest at Jantar Mantar from 1 pm to 5 pm.

"And at around 5:30 pm, the Trinamool Congress delegation will go to meet Union Minister in Delhi," he said

He also clarified that we will start the meeting at 1 pm as earlier the protest was supposed to start at 9.30 am as the meeting with the minister was scheduled at 12 noon.

"Now the minister in an email said that it cannot take place at 12 noon and the minister will meet at 6 pm that is why we are postponing the meeting by 2 hours. Thus instead of starting at 9.30 am we will start the meeting at 1 p.m," he added.

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress had decided to hold a protest in the national capital against the alleged denial of MGNREGA and other housing scheme funds by the Central government to the state.

Banerjee, who joined the protest in the national capital on Monday has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the school teachers recruitment case on Tuesday in Kolkata.

Banerjee has earlier claimed that he would not be honouring the ED notice on this count. "Stop me if you can," he said wrote on X immediately after receiving the ED notice.

However, on September 29, Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha directed ED that their scheduled investigation process should not be hampered at any cost and for the sake of carrying forward the investigation the central agency will have the liberty to take any step as per legal provisions.

This order by her, as perceived by observers, has put an indirect pressure on ED to act tough in case Banerjee does not appear at ED's Salt Lake office in Kolkata on Tuesday.
New Delhi, Oct 2 : The Congress on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence after at least 24 persons, including 12 infants, died at a government hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded in the past 24 hours.

Slamming the BJP government, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh in a post on X, formerly Twitter said, "Prime Minister break your silence."

According to officials, among the dead at the Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital.are at least 12 infants aged between 2 and 4 days, while the remaining are adults in some cases of "poisoning".

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condoled the deaths.

"The sad news of death of 24 patients including 12 infants was received in Maharashtra due to shortage of medicines. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families.

"Strict action should be taken against those responsible and compensation should be given to the affected families," she said in a post in Hindi on X.
New Delhi, Oct 2 : In a major breakthrough, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police has arrested Mohammad Shahnawaz Alam, also known as Shafi Uzzama, who was on the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) list of most-wanted terrorists, along with his two associates.

They were in the "advanced stages" of planning terror strikes in Delhi with support from a Pakistan ISI-sponsored module disguised as an IS module.

IS operative Shahnawaz (31) was arrested from Jaitpur in Delhi, while his associates, Mohammad Rizwan Ashraf (28) and Md. Arshad Warsi (29), were arrested from Lucknow and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh.

Officials further stated that the timely intervention of the Special Cell had averted a major terror strike in Delhi.

Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), HGS Dhaliwal, revealed that credible information indicated that to carry out terror activities in India while trying to hide their role and avoid scrutiny by international agencies, the ISI created a facade of an India-focused IS.

"They did this by using Pakistan-based and protected terrorists who were fugitives from India, namely Farahtullah Gauri and his son-in-law Shahid Faisal, who were involved in the Akshardham Temple attack case and were currently hiding in Pakistan while working for the Pakistan ISI," said Dhaliwal.

"The Pakistan ISI focused on collecting funds through criminal activities (Maal-e-Ghanimat) for this network to project it as a "Home Grown" and "Self Radicalized Network", said Dhaliwal.

Following leads obtained from credible sources and technical means, one such module was identified by police with connections in UP, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra.

"While developing this information, two IS operatives, Imran Khan and Yunus Saaki, were arrested in Pune, Maharashtra, by the Pune Police," said Dhaliwal.

However, one of the arrested individuals, Shahnawaz, managed to escape from police custody. The case was later transferred to the NIA for further investigation, which later offered a reward of Rs 3 lakhs for the arrest of the absconding terrorist Shahnawaz and three other accused.

"Specific information indicated that Shahnawaz was moving along with Rizwan Ali from Delhi, and they, along with their associates, were planning to carry out terrorist activities in Delhi and its surrounding areas. They were in an advanced stage of preparation, having procured arms, ammunition, and explosives, and had established a base in Delhi," said Dhaliwal.

This information was obtained from sources, and manual and technical surveillance was carried out on the contacts and sympathisers of the absconded accused, Shahnawaz Alam, and Rizwan Ali.

"On October 1, based on credible information, coordinated multiple raids were carried out in three states (Delhi, UP, and Uttarakhand) with assistance from the Central Intelligence Agency and the respective state police," said Dhaliwal.

During the questioning, Md. Arshad Warsi, who was arrested in the present case from Delhi, disclosed that Shahnawaz Alam was known to him and was an accomplice in the conspiracy to carry out terrorist activities in Delhi and its surrounding areas along with Shahnawaz and others.

"He also revealed that Shahnawaz Alam had procured arms, ammunition, and explosives and rented a room in Delhi to further their criminal conspiracy," said Dhaliwal.

Mohammad Rizwan Ashraf was also arrested in the present case from Lucknow.

He disclosed that he is a member of ISIS and is in communication with a foreign-based handler and the remaining members of this module.

He further stated that Shahnawaz Alam and Rizwan took the pledge ('Baith') into IS through him.

Thereafter, last night, a raid was conducted in Delhi on the information provided by accused Md. Arshad Warsi, and accused Shahnawaz Alam was arrested from a rented accommodation after a brief scuffle with the police team.

The police have also recovered one .32 bore pistol with seven live cartridges, plastic canisters containing chemicals, glass bottles containing acid, small-sized steel balls, matchstick boxes, iron pipes, electronic weighing machine, thermometer, surgical gloves, various colored powders, electrical tapes, a remote key, two nine-volt batteries with connectors, a timer watch, and geographical maps of India.

Shahnawaz, who holds a B.Tech. in Mining from NIT Visvesvaraya, Nagpur in 2016 and is a native of Jharkhand, came to Delhi in November 2016 to prepare for SSC competitive examinations.

He started staying at Abul Fazal Enclave.

"He used to attend HuT lectures at Shaheen Bagh, New Delhi. During this time, Shahnawaz decided to leave HuT as he was influenced by the ideology of IS from his college days. He started following the concepts of IS, various Twitter accounts, and news channels that promoted IS ideology.

"Shahnawaz met Rizwan Ali at Shaheen Masjid, Shaheen Bagh, Delhi in 2016. Over time, they became good friends. Shahnawaz already followed many pro-ISIS telegram entities/channels and discussed those channels with Rizwan Ali, who was also inclined towards the ISIS ideology," said Dhaliwal.

Shahnawaz and Rizwan wanted to go for Hijrat and, to collect funds for their journey, they got involved in criminal activities. Shahnawaz was arrested in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand in multiple cases of dacoity and theft in 2019 and remained in jail for 8-9 months. He was bailed out from jail in December 2020.

"Later, he started communicating with a foreign-based IS handler. Meanwhile, Rizwan also established contact with the same handler. They visited various places in India to find suitable hideouts for their stay in Western Ghats and to set up a base there," said Dhaliwal.

As per police, Shahnawaz also conducted reconnaissance of potential areas like crowded places, Mazar/Dargah, routes of VIP political leaders in Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara, Gandhinagar, and Ahmedabad for planting IEDs and target killings.

He also analyzed the map of Rajasthan to find IED testing points.

In March 2021, Shahnawaz got married to Basanti Patel, also known as Khadeeja Maryam (converted), in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

Upon his return from Aligarh, they decided to manufacture some IEDs in Delhi until they found suitable contacts for their journey to Afghanistan.

After making the IEDs, they tested them at several places in Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haldwani, Uttarakhand.

In April 2022, they met with arrested accused Imran and Yunus Saaki in Pune.

On July 18, 2023, during police patrolling, Shahnawaz, Imran, and Yunus were apprehended by the Pune Police while committing theft of a motorcycle but Shahnawaz managed to escape.

Since December 2022, following instructions from their foreign-based handler, Shahnawaz, Rizwan, and their associates began accumulating materials in Delhi to prepare IEDs as part of their conspiracy to carry out a blast in Delhi.

Warsi, who holds a B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering (2004-2016) and an MBA from Jamia Millia University (2016-18), is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Islamic Principles in Management at Jamia Millia University.

"He came into contact with Shahnawaz during Darsh programmes in Jamia Nagar and is a participant in the planning to carry out terrorist activities in Delhi and its surrounding areas along with Shahnawaz and others," said the official.

Warsi also revealed that Shahnawaz Alam had procured arms, ammunition, and explosives and rented a room in Delhi to further their criminal conspiracy.

Md. Rizwan Ashraf, who holds a B.Tech. in IT from a college in Ghaziabad/Noida in 2017, is a member of IS and is in communication with the same foreign-based handler as Shahnawaz Alam and Rizwan, along with the remaining members of this module.

"He pledged allegiance ('Baith') to IS through his Pakistan-based handler. He came into contact with Shahnawaz Alam and Rizwan through a common contact and was involved in the conspiracy to carry out terrorist activities in Delhi," said the official.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye in the fields of industry and technology were discussed, the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mikayil Jabbarov said, Trend reports.

"We expressed our delight with the development of relations between the two nations in a variety of categories, particularly in the industry and technology sectors, during the meeting with Mehmet Fatih Kacir, Turkiye's Minister of Industry and Technology. Furthermore, we conversed about prospective areas of cooperation," said the minister on X (Twitter).

In addition, a roadmap on the creation of electricity import and export infrastructure between Azerbaijan and Turkiye was signed on September 29, 2023.
Hyderabad, Oct 2 : A kindergarten student at a private school in Hyderabad died on Monday after a teacher allegedly hit him for not doing his homework.

Hemanth, 5, who had collapsed in the school on Saturday, succumbed while undergoing treatment at a hospital on Monday.

A student of UKG at a school in Vivek Nagar in Ramanthapur area, he was allegedly hit on the head by a teacher with a slate for not doing his homework.

The boyas parents and other family members staged a protest with his body in front of the school on Monday, demanding action against the teacher. Police were investigating.
London, Oct 2 : Khalistan supporters deplorably staged a protest outside the Indian High Commission in London on Monday.

The pro-Khalistan protesters, who were restricted to the opposite side of the High Commission, waved anti-India placards and chanted slogans in the presence of British security personnel.

This came on the back of Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doriaswamy not being allowed entry into a gurdwara in Glasgow the other day.

India and Canada are already involved in a bitter diplomatic spat. With relations taking a dive, India has issued a precautionary advisory to its citizens and travellers heading to Canada, urging them to exercise extreme caution due to the rising incidents of anti-India activities and politically sanctioned hate crimes and criminal violence in the country.

During his recent visit to Washington, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had stated that Canada has not shared any specific intel to support allegations of India's involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18.
New Delhi, Oct 2 : Air India flight AI-173, scheduled to depart for San Francisco from Delhi early on Tuesday, was cancelled hours before its scheduled take-off, causing inconvenience to the passengers.

"This is to inform you about your flight AI-173 (DEL- SFO) flight has been cancelled due to operational reasons," read the message sent by Air India to one of the passengers.

The flight was scheduled to take off from the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 6.a.m. on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, an Air India spokesperson said that an alternate Boeing 777 has been arranged which will depart for San Francisco on October 3 (Tuesday) afternoon.

"All the passengers have been taken care of. Those who cancelled their tickets have received full refund along with a compensation package. We have also arranged hotel stay for some passengers, who are scheduled to leave by the flight on October 3," the spokesperson said.

This is the same flight, which enroute San Francisco from Delhi in June this year was forced to divert and make an emergency landing at the Magadan airport in Russia due to a technical issue with one of its engines.

The flight, carrying 216 passengers and 16 crew members, encountered the problem mid-air, prompting the pilot to take immediate action to ensure the safety of all on board. Video footage had surfaced on Twitter showing stranded Air India passengers forced to sleep on the floor of a school after their flight was diverted to Magadan.
Firozabad, Oct 3 : Three persons have been arrested in connection with the stripping and trashing of a 12-year-old boy suspected of stealing money from a roadside tea stall in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad.

Sarvesh Kumar Mishra, the Superintendent of Police for Firozabad City, said action was taken after the video of the incident went viral online.

"A viral video showed a child was stripped naked, tied to a pole and beaten. We went there, rescued the child and contacted the family. Child is being counselled."

The video widely shared online, shows the boy, naked and bound to the pillar, crying and struggling to get free as men stand around and observe.

The shocking incident took place on Monday.

The boy was rescued by police and taken for a medical check-up, after which he was returned to his home.

The boy has suffered injuries on his arm and back, in addition to the mental trauma of public humiliation.

"Three people have been arrested and further action is being taken..." Mishra said, adding that strict action will be taken against the accused and they will also be booked under the POCSO Act.

The boy's mother said she had rushed to the spot and tried to save her child.

"Somebody stole money from a tea stall. Everybody said my child did it. The people in the locality beat him up. I came to know about this when others told me my child was being beaten. When I reached, I asked what was the problem. They told me son had stolen," the mother said adding that the money was not found on her child.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. The name of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Fund is changing, Trend reports.

Amendments to the "On approval of the Agreement between the Government of Azerbaijan and the Government of Uzbekistan on the establishment of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Fund" were discussed at today's meeting of the Milli Majlis (Parliament).

According to the change, in the title of the agreement, the words "Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Fund" are replaced by the words "Azerbaijani-Uzbek Investment Company (Fund)".

After discussion, the document was put to the vote and approved.
Qatar has strongly condemned the suicide bombing that occurred near the Turkish parliament building on Sunday morning, injuring two police officers.

Qatar's foreign ministry has renewed the country's firm opposition to violence and terrorism, regardless of the motive or reason.

Read More: Qatar Strongly Condemns Quran Burning in Netherlands

The ministry emphasized the State of Qatars full solidarity and support for the Turkish government and people against terrorism, as well as its full support for all measures taken to maintain security and stability, the statement said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Akinci unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be transferred to Azerbaijan in the very near future, Chief Technology Officer of the Turkish company Baykar, Selcuk Bayraktar said at the press conference of the 74th International Astronautical Congress, Trend reports.

Bayraktar noted that the pilots from Azerbaijan have successfully completed the exercises, so Azerbaijan will receive the Akinci UAV in the near future.

The 74th International Astronautical Congress started in Baku today in partnership with the Space Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azercosmos) and the International Astronautical Federation.

The event is attended by representatives of space agencies, the public sector, investors and private space companies, local and international media, as well as more than 5,000 representatives from 101 countries. 150 companies are represented at the International Astronautical Congress in the exhibition hall. The congress will last until October 6.

This is the second time that Baku is hosting this congress - the first one took place in 1973, also in Baku.
Athens is a city rich in diversity, and one of the ways this cultural tapestry is beautifully woven together is through its Hispanic-owned businesses.
Campus shootings and active shooter situations are in the national news. The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill had two emergency situations involving armed and dangerous individuals already this semester on Aug. 28 and Sept. 13. But what if that happens at the University of Georgia?
Greek life has long been one of the most popular methods of campus involvement at the Univerisity of Georgia, with 30% of undergraduate students participating in spring 2023. However, campus interest in panhellenic participation at UGA could be declining.
But the ISI chief did not retire giving the impression that he has won General Asim Munir's trust, notes Rana Banerji who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W.

IMAGE:Pakistan's Army Chief Syed Asim Munir. Photograph: ISPR

Three major generals were promoted in mid September 2023 to fill up vacancies emerging at the much aspired three-star level of lieutenant generals in the Pakistan army. However, contrary to past practice, details of the promotions were kept under wraps by a bridled Pakistani media.

This new approach bears the stamp perhaps of General Asim Munir, who became Pakistan's army chief in the backdrop of considerable controversy deliberately stoked by ousted prime minister Imran Khan. It may indicate also that General Munir could still be struggling to stamp his authority within the institution after the chaotic events of May 9, 2023.

Among those who retired on September 14, 2023 were Lieutenant General Muhd Aamer, Artillery, Corps Commander, XXX Corps, Gujranwala, 76th Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Long Course; Lieutenant General Chiragh Haider, Frontier Force Regiment (FFR), 18th Officers Training School (OTS) course, Director General, Training & Evaluation (DG, IET) at General Headquarters (GHQ); Lieutenant General Khalid Zia, Punjab Regiment, Military Secretary, 77th PMA Long Course.

Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum, Director General, Inter Services Intelligence, who was also slated to demit office on September 13, did not retire. His long rumoured extension came out in the open around this time (September 14-16, 2023) though its exact duration still remains vague. While some reports suggest a year, others suspect it may be open ended and of shorter duration.

Only two other ISI chiefs have been given extensions in the past, one, the ubiquitous Lieutenant General Akhtar Abdul Rehman, who held rein for seven long years (1980-1987), almost entirely handling Pakistan's Afghan policy during the Soviet invasion and two, Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, whose extension (2011-2012) under General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani; tenure as army chief created heartburn among peers and caused him to exit in somewhat controversial circumstances.

Lieutenant General Nadeem has apparently been able to win over the army chief's trust to play whatever supportive role is envisaged for him in the army's ensuing political engineering as Pakistan heads to the polls in January, 2024. He is involved also in the efforts being made under the newly set up Special Investment Facilitation Council to bring in army guided economic investments to bail out Pakistan's tottering economy.

Though seven or eight supersessions have taken place, as is usual at this level of the promotion pyramid, major generals from the 82nd Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul Long Course have been promoted.

Major General Amer Ahsan Nawaz, Baloch Regiment, who was serving as Commandant, Command and Staff College, Quetta, becomes the new military secretary, an important assignment coming the way of a comparatively junior general. Holding the CSC, Quetta slot usually marks out a professionally well rated officer on the career high road.

Postings of the other two promoted, Major General Tahir Hameed Shah, Artillery, Director General, Weapons and Equipment at General Headquarters and Major General Sarfraz Ahmed, Air Defence, General Officer Commanding, 8 Div, Sialkot were not immediately announced. The latter has now been designated Inspector General, Arms at GHQ.

Meanwhile, XXX Corps, Gujranwala remains headless for well nigh a fortnight and more, even as officers from the 80th PMA Long course, like Lieutenant General Asim Malik, Adjutant General, Lieutenant General Fayyaz Hussain Shah, IG Traininig and Evaluation, Lieutenant General Nauman Zakaria, DG, National Logistics Cell sweat it out to get Corps commands.

Prominent among those superseded in this round of two-star elevations is Major General Irfan Ahmed Malik, Artillery, who was serving as Commander, Strategic Forces, North, Sargodha. Till recently, he had worked under Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed at the ISI, in the high profile position of DDG, counter-intelligence.

He became controversial as some remarks ascribed to him threatening Maryam Nawaz -- former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's daughter -- went viral. He tried hard to live down this notoriety but failed! He has been appeased with a posting to an otherwise lucrative position, that of Director General, Military Lands and Cantonments.

The new Commandant at CSC, Quetta is Major General Naseem Anwar, Frontier Force Regiment, 87th PMA. He was previously serving as GoC, 15 Div, Sialkot. Two other changes at the major general level bear mention. Division commanders under IV Corps, Lahore have been replaced in the aftermath of perceived 'masterly inaction' of erstwhile incumbents during the disturbances in the Lahore cantonment on May 9.

Muhd Shuja Anwar, Artillery, moves from 21 Div, Pano Aqil as GoC, 11 Division Lahore (replacing Major General Malik Amir Muhd Khan, FFR). Major General Shoaib bin Akram, FFR moves from the post of DG, security and counter terrorism at GHQ as the new GoC,10 Division Lahore (replacing Major General Qaiser Suleiman). Shoaib is from the same unit as the army chief, 23 FFR, and is placed now as a trusted junior in a key slot.

With these promotions, 25 three-star generals are now in place, 6 from the Artillery, 3 from the Armoured Corps, 2 each from Engineers and Air Defence, 12 from Infantry (FFR- 5, Baloch-2, Sindh-2, Punjab-2, AJK Regt-1).

Two or three vacancies remain to be filled. Munir may be waiting for two more slots to emerge, after the retirements due in November, when his trusted aide, Lieutenant General Muhd Saeed, Sindh Regiment (19th OTS), Chief of General Staff and Lieutenant General Ali Amir Awan, Artillery, Chairman, Pakistan Ordinance Factory are slated to bid adieu. Rumours persist, that Saeed may also get an extension, like Nadeem.

Significantly, a serving 3 star General, Lieutenant General Munir Afsar, Punjab, IG Communications and IT, is being posted to head the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), an independent and autonomous agency which works under the interior ministry, to regulate government databases and statistically manage the sensitive registration database of all Pakistani citizens.

On the political front, Imran Khan's popularity has not abated. The Cipher leaks case is being seriously pursued to keep him in long incarceration, though he is now shifted to Adiala jail, Rawalpindi, from Attock pursuant to an Islamabad high court order.

The Election Commission of Pakistan is still prevaricating on whether Imran's party, the Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf will be banned from the next elections or not.

New problems of carrying out accountability within the army may confront an insecure Asim Munir if Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa takes to logical conclusion the hearing of review petitions in his 2019 Faizabad Mor judgment, slated to resume early next month.
Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee along with party leaders and workers sat on a dharna at the Rajghat in New Delhi on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary on Monday demanding the release of funds for West Bengal by the Centre.

IMAGE: National general secretary, All India Trinamool Congress Abhishek Banerjee along with party MPs and MLAs stage a Dharna against the alleged withholding of funds by the Centre at Mahatma Gandhi samadhi on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, at Rajghat in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

The Lok Sabha member, accompanied by party leaders including MPs, MLAs and state ministers who had arrived from West Bengal, paid tributes to Gandhi at the memorial and held the protest for two hours, sporting black armbands and displaying placards, after which they were escorted out by security personnel.

"They are scared that is why they are doing this... They talk about being a big party, but it is now visible that they are scared," Banerjee told media persons outside Rajghat before he and other TMC protesters were asked to clear the area.

The TMC lashed out at the central government for 'stopping' it from holding a 'peaceful protest' and alleged that the protesters were heckled and manhandled by the security personnel.

The Bharatiya Janata Party hit back accusing the TMC of committing theft of government funds. Union Minister Anurag Thakur alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sent her party leaders under a 'corrupt and tainted' MP to stage the protest to divert the public attention from the 'numerous scams' that took place in her state.

At a press conference, Thakur dismissed TMC's allegations that the state's funds were being withheld and claimed there was no shortage of money for the centrally-sponsored schemes in West Bengal.

The BJP also fielded its state leaders, including unit president Sukanta Majumdar, Union minister Subhas Sarkar and MP Locket Chatterjee, who accused TMC of doing a 'drama' in Delhi.

Majumdar made light of Abhishek Banerjee's charge that the BJP has been trying to scuttle his party's protests, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not that idle to target a 'petty leader' such as the TMC's heir apparent.

Abhishek Banerjee later visited Lal Bahadur Shastri's memorial Vijay Ghat and paid tributes to the former prime minister on his birth anniversary.

At Gandhi's samadhi, Banerjee held a placard demanding that the Centre 'release fund for Bengal'. Another placard read 'Bengal Deprived: 1 lakh 15 thousand crore families, Rs. 15,000 crore owed'.

The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal has accused the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government of withholding Rs 15,000 crore in dues to the state under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and PM Awas Yojana.

The demonstration was held for about two hours, after which the TMC leaders were escorted out by security personnel.

Banerjee addressed the media outside Raj Ghat but loudspeakers were used by police to ask the TMC leaders and supporters to move out of the area.

'Our leaders peacefully protesting for the rights of the people were abruptly asked to leave by the police. All Shri Abhishek Banerjee asked for was ten minutes, but was ungracefully refused. What is the BJP-led Central Government scared of?' the Trinamool Congress said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

They also shared a video of a police official asking the TMC leaders to leave.

The party leaders alleged that derogatory remarks were made by an IPS officer about the peaceful protest and that women leaders were "manhandled" by police.

"It is deeply disheartening to witness such a lack of respect for the democratic process and the voices of the people under the BJP-led central government," Trinamool Congress said in a post on X.

"Raising our voice for people's rights is labelled as Tamasha. On Gandhi Jayanti, all we sought was a peaceful dharna for the betterment of our people. However, the anti-people BJP-led central government chose to silence us," the party alleged.

Speaking to the media before leaving the area, Banerjee said the BJP government is 'scared'.

The TMC leaders and supporters will stage a protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday over the issue.

The party claimed that over 50 lakh letters have been brought by the protesters from West Bengal that are addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the non-payment of dues.

TMC sources said letters will also be brought from BJP-ruled Assam, Goa, Tripura and Meghalaya highlighting alleged corruption in central schemes.

Biswajit Dev, a spokesperson of the Trinamool Congress and member of the party's state committee, accused the Centre of destroying the rural employment scheme MGNREGA and said it's an insult to Mahatma Gandhi, after whom the scheme has been named.

"Is this democracy? Centre is using schemes for political benefits," he alleged.

"This is an insult to the poor people and to Mahatma Gandhi after whom MNREGA has been named," Dev told PTI.

Chaiti Barman Barua, a TMC leader from Coochbihar, said they have come to Delhi to make their voice heard.

Joy Banerjee, who came from Purulia in West Bengal, alleged that the many trains and flights on which the TMC leaders were scheduled to travel to Delhi were cancelled.

"We are here to make our voices heard by the Centre, not for any confrontation. Why is the BJP so worried?" he said.

TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee was scheduled to attend the programme in New Delhi, but is unlikely to do so as she has been advised ten days of rest by doctors after she suffered an injury in her left knee during a recent trip to Spain and Dubai.

The chief minister held a two-day sit-in in March this year against the Centre's alleged move of 'not releasing funds' to the state for MGNREGA and other welfare schemes.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur targeted the TMC saying its leaders 'have come to Delhi under the leadership of a tainted party MP, who himself is accused of several corruption charges and is currently under the investigation by the ED'.
Fraudsters in Himachal Pradesh minted a series of a cryptocoins to cheat thousands of investors of more than Rs 200 crore over a period of five years, beginning in 2018 -- the year the crypto reached fever pitch.

Image only for representation. Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

The persons alleged to be part of a gang lured people promising them high returns in a short span of time by investing in KRO and DGT coins.

The initial investors then were baited to reel in other people in a ponzi-style scheme.

The matter was raised in the Vidhan Sabha by Independent MLA Hoshyar Singh who pegged the amount of money swindled from people in Kangra and Hamirpur alone to be upwards of Rs 200 crore.

In the wake of Singh's assembly speech, a special investigation team was formed to probe into the matter.

The exact amount defrauded is yet to be ascertained, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Northern Range, Abhishek Dhullar, who is heading the SIT, told PTI on Monday.

Five people have been arrested in the connection with the frauds, however, their kingpin is still at large, police said.

The frauds used a combination of misinformation, deception, and threats to maintain control over their scheme and continued to extract money from unsuspecting investors by manipulating the prices of their coins, he said.

The first coin they launched was 'Korvio Coin' or KRO coins.

They charged the buyers an initial activation fee and promised them substantial returns. In their five-year-run, the frauds used three to four cryptocurrencies.

Cryptocurrency is a digital currency designed to work as a medium of exchange through a blockchain-based computer network that is not dependent on any central authority, such as the government or bank to uphold or maintain it.

Once their accounts were activated, the investors were encouraged to rope in more members into the scheme, police said.

The criminals used a Ponzi scheme pattern -- a type of investment scam in which returns are paid to earlier investors from the capital contributed by new investors rather than from any legitimate profits.

Investors were encouraged to keep recruiting new members, a practice which created a cycle where money from new investments was used to pay returns to earlier investors. These initial investors got huge returns and became brand ambassadors of the scheme.

The scammers built fake websites to list their coins and manipulated their prices.

They later launched a new coin called 'DGT Coin.' After enough people had purchased these coins at a higher rate, its price was deliberately brought down causing a massive rugpull.

The accused introduced new coins and investment plans under different company names, such as 'Hypenext' and 'Aglobal.' Each time a new coin was introduced, it was marketed as a yet another investment opportunity, police said.

According to police, they have received 50 complaints about such frauds this year alone.

During their investigation, police found that the modus operandi across these frauds was similar and names involved common, SP Cyber Crime Rohit Malpani said.

Since then, five people have been arrested and chargesheeted in connection with these frauds and eight FIRs filed, police said.

"We are close to nabbing the kingpins of cryptocurrency scams in Himachal Pradesh and have mapped their assets and are conducting financial investigation," Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu told PTI.

"My advice to people is not to fall prey to the cryptocurrency fraudsters," he said.

Cryptocurrency market has seen several rug-pulls in the past few years, including the famous 2021 Squid coin scam in which the coinmakers reportedly made off with $23 million.
A passenger was arrested for allegedly attempting to open the emergency exit door of an IndiGo flight from Nagpur to Bengaluru prior to take-off, police said on Monday.

Photograph: Vivek Prakash/Reuters

The man identified as Swapnil Holey had boarded Bengaluru-bound IndiGo flight 6E 6803 from Nagpur at 10 pm on September 30, they said.

According to police, the passenger was seated next to the emergency exit of the aircraft. Before takeoff, while the crew members were briefing passengers, the man allegedly attempted to open the door.

After the flight landed at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru at 11.55 pm, Holey was escorted by the airline's staff to the police station, a senior police officer said.

He was scheduled to take a flight to Bangkok on October 1, police said.

Based on the complaint filed by the airline staff, a first information report (FIR) under section 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code was registered and the accused passenger was arrested in connection with the incident, he said.

However, he was later released on bail.

In a statement, IndiGo said that a passenger traveling on flight 6E 6803 from Nagpur to Bengaluru tried to open the emergency exit while the flight was on the ground.

'As per the Standard Operating Procedure, the passenger was declared unruly by the crew and handed over to the local authorities on arrival. At no point was the safety of the flight compromised. We regret any inconvenience caused to the other passengers,' it said.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said more than 40 miscreants have been arrested in connection with the stone-pelting incident in Shivamogga and cases booked against them.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: PTI Photo

Creating disturbance and indulging in stone pelting during religious events of a community is against law, and his government won't tolerate such incidents and will suppress them, he said.

"The situation in Shivamogga is now peaceful and under control and the police there are taking all the necessary measures to maintain peace," he told reporters in Bengaluru.

Shivamogga Bharatiya Janata Party MLA S N Channabasappa, who visited the houses in Ragi Gudda area which were damaged due to the stone pelting on Sunday evening, alleged that some outsiders, with the support of some insiders, were behind the incident.

"Shivamogga has become a haven for those who want to spread terror," Channabasappa told reporters in Shivamogga on Monday.

In Bengaluru, Home Minister G Parameshwara termed it a minor stone pelting incident and said the police have controlled it, and suspects have been taken into custody.

Noting that the administration will not let any untoward incidents happen, he said the police have warned and dispersed the mob and the situation is peaceful now.

To a question on reports that some miscreants wearing masks had indulged in stone pelting, the Home Minister said they have been arrested now and legal action will be taken against them after inquiry.

Asked about stones being pelted on the police, he said, "Yes, are they happening now? Such things have happened, police are capable of controlling it and will do it. Aware that anything may happen during the procession as it is a tense area, forces including RAF were deployed in advance, so we could control it from spiraling into a big incident."

The situation in Ragi Gudda area in Shivamogga, where prohibitory orders have been clamped, after tension during the Eid Milad procession and alleged incidents of stone pelting, is now peaceful and under control, police said.

Shivamogga Superintendent of Police G K Mithun Kumar said a few people including the police have suffered injuries and some properties have been damaged in the incident.

"We have asked those who suffered injuries and property damage, to file complaints. We have already secured some people, who were involved in the incident. There is videography, CCTV camera and drone camera footage, we will nab all those involved and ensure they are punished," he added.

The SP also said there is sufficient force including Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), one company of Rapid Action Force (RAF), 900 home guards, 2,000 police staff and senior officials to maintain law and order.

"We have made sufficient bandobust. There won't be any problem in Shivamogga city and the situation is peaceful," he said, appealing to people not to pay heed to any rumours.

According to police, an angry mob is said to have thrown stones at a few houses and vehicles and injured several people, allegedly following rumours that there was a stone pelting on the Eid Milad procession on Saturday evening.

Police officials said they had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse the mob.

Earlier on Sunday before the stone pelting incident, there were protests in the Ragi Gudda area over a cutout that was put up as part of the procession, as the police had covered a portion of it, due to "bit controversial (content)", which upset people of a community, police said.

Mithun Kumar and other police officers had reached the spot and held talks with the people to bring the situation under control.
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Under attack from the Congress over the arrest of its MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in a 2015 drugs case, Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said they are fighting against drugs and not against any party or a leader.

IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Photograph: ANI Photo

Kejriwal, who was on a day-long Patiala visit, also appealed to all political parties to support AAP in a war against drugs.

"Three-four days ago, a very big person was caught who was facing an accusation of drug trafficking. All the parties are targeting Bhagwant Mann, asking him why he did it. I want to ask whether drug traffickers should be arrested or not. Whether drug traffickers should be put behind bars or not?" Kejriwal said.

Addressing a gathering in Patiala after the launch of a campaign for rejuvenation of government hospitals, Kejriwal said, "I want to tell all these parties that we have no fight against any party. Our fight is not against any leader. We are not against anyone. We are against drugs."

"Drugs have destroyed our youth and an entire generation...we will not tolerate drugs at any cost," he said.

Kejriwal appealed to all political parties, saying if any of their leaders was doing drugs, he should be thrown out and handed over to police.

"I appeal to all parties to support us in a war against drugs," he said.

Kejriwal said there was a time when Punjab was known for drugs and movies were also being made on the drugs issue.

Patting the back of the Bhagwant Mann government over steps taken to curb the drug menace in the state, he said the Punjab Police have launched a war against drugs in the last 3-4 months.

Congress MLA Khaira was arrested by the Punjab Police on Thursday in connection with the 2015 drugs case from his Chandigarh residence.

The Congress leaders had called the police action against the Bholath MLA as political vendetta.
The Congress on Sunday appointed its senior leader Ajay Maken as the new treasurer, replacing Pawan Kumar Bansal.

IMAGE: Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi, Ajay Maken (centre) and Rajeev Shukla at the Congress Working Committee meeting, in Hyderabad, September 16, 2023 . Photograph: ANI Photo

Maken is considered a close confidant of Rahul Gandhi and was without any post ever since he resigned as Congress general secretary in charge of Rajasthan a few months ago.

"The Congress president has appointed Ajay Maken as the treasurer of the All India Congress Committee, with immediate effect," party general secretary K C Venugopal said in a statement.

"The party appreciates the contribution of the outgoing treasurer Pawan Kumar Bansal," the statement further said.

While Bansal's sudden departure from the key Congress post has raised eyebrows, sources said the former union minister was not attending office as he was reportedly peeved ever since the new Congress Working Committee was reconstituted under Mallikarjun Kharge's presidency.

Sources add that Bansal, who was a permanent invitee to the CWC prior to his appointment as treasurer, was again made a permanent invitee by Kharge while equating him with many juniors in the party.

They add that the office of treasurer was "undermined" in the working committee, the highest decision-making body of the grand old party, while appointing him as a permanent invitee to the CWC.

Bansal was appointed as interim treasurer after the demise of Ahmed Patel. He held the position for almost three years.

Maken thanked the Congress leadership for his new assignment and said he would perform his new role with honesty and dedication as a custodian of their contributions.

In a post on social media site X, he said, "I am currently in Raipur attending the screening committee meeting. I have been informed of my appointment as the treasurer of Congress. This is indeed a significant responsibility."

"I wish to extend my gratitude to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, former Congress presidents Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, and general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal for placing their trust in me.

"I assure both my leaders and the workers of our party that as a custodian of their contributions, I will work with the utmost diligence, honesty, and dedication," Maken added.
Lexi Oliveri, who owns the Antoinette Brooklyn boutique in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, is hosting a vintage clothing pop-up shop at Dover Bar & Grill.
Vermont Works for Womens signature career exploration conference for high school girls and gender-expansive youth  "Women Can Do"  will be taking place on the Randolph campus of Vermont State University this Thursday.
VERNON  Decommissioning of the former Vermont Yankee nuclear plant continues to go smoothly, according to NorthStar Group Services officials.
Photo: The Canadian Press Armed members of "G9 and Family" march in a protest against Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

The U.N. Security Council is scheduling a vote Monday on a resolution that would authorize a one-year deployment of an international force to help Haiti quell a surge in gang violence and restore security so the troubled Caribbean nation can hold long-delayed elections.

The U.S.-drafted resolution obtained by The Associated Press on Saturday welcomes Kenyas offer to lead the multinational security force. It makes clear this would be a non-U.N. force funded by voluntary contributions.

The resolution would authorize the force for one year, with a review after nine months.

The force would be allowed to provide operational support to Haitis National Police, which is underfunded and under resourced, with only some 10,000 active officers for a country of more than 11 million people.

The resolution says the force would help built capacity of local police through the planning and conduct of joint security support operations as it works to counter gangs and improve security conditions in Haiti.

The force would also help secure critical infrastructure sites and transit locations such as the airport, ports, and key intersections. Powerful gangs have seized control of key roads leading from Haiti's capital to the country's northern and southern regions, disrupting the transportation of food and other goods.

Passage by the Security Council would authorize the force to adopt urgent temporary measures on an exceptional basis to prevent the loss of life and help police maintain public safety.

Leaders of the mission would be required to inform the council on the mission's goals, rules of engagement, financial needs and other matters before a full deployment.

A spokesman for Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he wasnt aware of the resolution or the upcoming vote and said the government did not immediately have comment.

The resolution condemns the increasing violence, criminal activities, and human rights abuses and violations which undermine the peace, stability, and security of Haiti and the region, including kidnappings, sexual and gender-based violence, trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants, homicides, extrajudicial killings, as well as arms smuggling.

If adopted, it would mark the first time a force has been deployed to Haiti since the U.N. approved a stabilization mission in June 2004 that was marred by a sexual abuse scandal and the introduction of cholera. That mission ended in October 2017.

Concerns also have surrounded the proposed Kenyan-led mission, with critics noting that police in the East Africa country have long been accused of using torture, deadly force and other abuses.

The resolution stresses that all those participating in the proposed mission must take necessary action to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse as well as vet all personnel. It also demands swift investigations of any allegations of misconduct.

In addition, the resolution warns that those involved in the mission must adopt wastewater management and other environmental control to prevent the introduction and spread of water-borne diseases, such as cholera.

It wasnt immediately clear how big the force would be if approved, although Kenyas government has previously proposed sending 1,000 police officers. In addition, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Antigua and Barbuda have pledged to send personnel.

Last month, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden promised to provide logistics and $100 million to support a Kenyan-led force.

The resolution notes that the Security Council intends to impose additional sanctions on those who contribute to Haitis violence. The U.N. has already imposed sanctions on Jimmy Cherizier, known as Barbecue, who heads Haitis biggest gang alliance. Cherizier, a former police officer, recently warned that he would fight any armed force suspected of abuses.

The proposed resolution comes nearly a year after Haiti's prime minister and other top government officials requested the immediate deployment of a foreign armed force as the government struggles to fight violent gangs estimated to control up to 80% of the capital of Port-au-Prince.

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 15, more than 2,400 people in Haiti were reported killed, more than 950 kidnapped and 902 injured, according to the most recent U.N. statistics. More than 200,000 others have been displaced by violence, with many crammed in makeshift shelters after gangs pillaged their communities.
A prominent Cambodian-American was transferred from a remote prison to one in the city a day after aid was resumed.

Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Manet meets with Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in this photo posted Sept. 22, 2023.

The resumption of US$18 million in U.S. aid to Cambodia just two months after it was suspended in protest against the legitimacy of the countrys July 23 election does not mean the United States now recognizes the vote as fair, according to a spokesperson for the State Department.

A spokesman for the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party told The Khmer Times on Wednesday that the sudden unfreezing of the aid meant that the American government has recognised the national election.

But that the reversal, which was revealed by Cambodias government after new Prime Minister Hun Manet met with Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland on Sept. 22, was not tied to election legitimacy, a State Department spokesperson told Radio Free Asia speaking on condition of anonymity under rules set by the State Department.

Of course we still have concerns about the elections, which weve conveyed clearly, the spokesperson said in an email.

We decided to make this gesture for two reasons: first, because these programs benefit the Cambodian people; second, to encourage the new government to live up to its stated intentions to be more open and democratic and to work more closely with us on shared priorities, they said.

Free and fair

Last month, Manet met with Nuland on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, where he falsely told world leaders that the July 23 vote  the second in a row in which the countrys main opposition party was prevented from participating  was free and fair and credible and just.

The CPP won 120 of 125 available seats at the election, after which former Prime Minister Hun Sen subsequently handed formal power over to Hun Manet, his son, after 38 years in power himself.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the day after the election that the aid cut was because the elections themselves were neither free nor fair and that it would last beyond just this year.

Its a serious amount of money both this year, and in coming fiscal years, Miller said at his regular press briefing on July 24.

But some in the State Department now seemingly hold out hope the 45-year-old West Point graduate could usher in improved ties after more than a decade of tensions over Hun Sens usurpation of the countrys fledgling democracy and the rise of China as an ally.

Business as usual

Cambodias government, meanwhile, has shown little interest in change, and has appeared at pains to show its business as usual.

Hun Sen penned a letter to Chinese Premier Li Qiang in late July saying that ties between the two countries would not change under his son, and Hun Manet made his overseas trip as prime minister to Beijing last month prior to the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Among the few positive steps in ties was the transfer of Cambodian-American lawyer Theary Seng  a prominent member of the countrys opposition jailed on treason charges  from a remote prison on the northern border with Thailand to one in Phnom Penh.

The decision, revealed last week, was made on Sept. 23, the day after Hun Manet and Nulands meeting, according to Cambodian officials.

Sophal Ear, author of Aid Dependence in Cambodia and an associate professor of global political economy at Arizona State University, said there were still open questions about the unfreezing of the aid just two months after it had been frozen due to a stage-managed election.

Its disappointing to see the U.S. not explain transparently why the $18 million was released, Ear told RFA. Releasing it is up to the U.S., but this strategic ambiguity is sometimes not helpful.
State media showcase military claims on Taiwan as demonstrators in London tear up the Chinese flag.

Chinese President Xi Jinping [left] makes a toast after delivering his speech at a dinner marking the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at the Great Hall of the People on September 28, 2023 in Beijing. At right, protesters demonstrate outside the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, Oct. 1, 2023.

UPDATED at 12:26 pm, Oct. 3, 2023

China marked National Day over the weekend with goose-stepping soldiers, calls for national unity and an army-produced anime film depicting 'unification' with the democratic island of Taiwan  as protesters against Communist Party rule took to the streets of cities around the world.

"Our future is bright, but the road ahead will not be smooth," President Xi Jinping told hundreds of guests at a dinner reception in the Great Hall of the People ahead of Sunday's anniversary.

"Unity is strength, and confidence is worth more than gold," he said, in comments that were carried on the front page of the People's Daily newspaper on Oct. 1, marking the 74th anniversary of Mao Zedong's proclaiming of the People's Republic from the rostrum of Tiananmen.

Meanwhile, in a cutesy anime film, the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army hinted at the army's readiness to invade Taiwan. The movie depicted mythological characters yearning to reinhabit a famous landscape painting located in Taiwan.

A child waves a Chinese national flag during celebrations to mark Chinas National Day at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2023. (Photo by Jade Gao / AFP)





"Dreams Come True on the Fuchun River ... incorporates elements such as aircraft carrier formations and J-20 fighter jets, highlighting the tremendous progress and ever-changing capabilities of the Chinese People's Liberation Army," the nationalistic Global Times tabloid reported about the film.

"It also demonstrates the PLA's firm determination to safeguard national sovereignty and security," the paper said.

London protests

In London, hundreds of people took to the streets over the weekend with banners supporting Uyghurs, Mongolians, Tibetans and Hong Kongers, with some shouting "Hong Kong is not China! They marched from Trafalgar Square to the Chinese Embassy, where some protesters tore up a Chinese national flag, letting it get run over by passing traffic.

The U.S.-based Campaign for Uyghurs called on people around the world to peacefully protest in front of Chinese embassies and consulates, demanding an end to the atrocities committed against the Uyghur people, to mark China's National Day.

Chinas National Day is not a day of celebration for the Uyghur people," the group's executive director Rushan Abbas said in a statement. "It is a painful reminder of the 74 years of suffering we have endured due to Chinas occupation of East Turkistan."

In London, hundreds of people marched to support Uyghurs, Mongolians, Tibetans and Hong Kongers, with some shouting "Hong Kong is not China!", Oct. 1, 2023. Credit: RFA





"By protesting peacefully in front of Chinese embassies and consulates around the world, we can collectively raise our voices and demand an immediate end to the genocidal policies and abuses against the Uyghur population."

Tibetan groups around the world -- including Students for a Free Tibet, the Tibetan Youth Congress, and the National Democratic Party of Tibet -- also took part in a Global Day of Action against China's Communist Party on Sunday for its repressive policies in Tibet.

Tsewang Dhondup, the vice president of Students for a Free Tibet in France, described the anniversary as "a black day for us," although he was encouraged by what he said was the growing annual participation of younger Tibetans in the protest. Pasang, the president of the group's India chapter, called on the international community to "put pressure on the Communist Chinese regime to stop their atrocities."

Meanwhile, police in Hong Kong surrounded and detained a man holding a bunch of white mourning flowers outside the Sogo department store in Causeway Bay on Sunday, wearing the black colors of the 2019 protest movement and a banned slogan from the protests that read: "Go Hong Kong!"

The man was taken away and the area cordoned off by police, according to the City of Chaos Facebook page, which posted a video clip of the incident, while the authorities deployed around 7,000 police officers across the city, with the anti-terrorism squad and armored cars patrolling the busy pedestrian areas around Causeway Bay.

A Hong Kong protester in London who gave only the nickname Mavis for fear of reprisals said many people in Britain aren't aware of the differences between her home city and China, which has rolled back the city's promised freedoms in response to waves of popular pro-democracy movements, blaming interference by "hostile foreign forces."

We have responsibilities

A Hong Konger surnamed Ng said he goes to every Hong Kong protest, because he feels he has a responsibility.

"There are Hong Kong people wherever you go, and certain things need to be done," Ng said. "As regular citizens, we have responsibilities."

"If you care about a place, you will naturally want to do something to help it, and we still identify as Hong Kongers," he said. "Even here in the U.K., we will always feel like we will one day go back there."

A protester who gave only the initial J said he hails from the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, but feels he has more in common with Hong Kongers than with Chinese Communist Party propaganda.

"After I got to the U.K., I decided to connect with some of my brothers from Hong Kong, because we have a common enemy in the Chinese Communist Party," J said. "They don't just deprive Hong Kongers of their freedoms, they harm the rest of the country, too."

Tokyo march

Similar protests were seen over the weekend in several British cities, while dozens of Uyghurs, Tibetans, Mongolians and Hong Kongers rallied outside the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo after marching through the downtown hub of Shibuya.

"We are strongly dissatisfied with the oppression of the Chinese Communist Party of the Chinese people and of all ethnic groups," a speaker said at the start of the march. "We want to make our voices heard today!"

"Give Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and Hong Kong their freedom back!" chanted the protesters, who numbered nearly 100.

Sonam Dolker of the Japan Tibetan Association said she was part of the group of activists who protested outside of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.

"To see tourists and Japanese supporters expressing solidarity with us on the Global Day of Action against Chinese atrocities was very encouraging," she said.

When the marchers arrived at the Chinese Embassy, Japanese police prevented more than five demonstrators from gathering outside at any time, sending them in to make their protests in groups by turn.

Protesters demonstrate in Taipei, Oct. 1, 2023. Credit: Chen Zifei





Sawut Muhammad, director of the Japan Uyghur Association, said Oct. 1 is a day of "national mourning" for Uyghurs, because their home country of East Turkestan was subsumed by the People's Republic of China on that day.

"Some people have raised the issue of Uyghur forced labor," he said. "Such products are also exported to Japan, and some products from Xinjiang can also be seen on sale in Japan."

"So at this time, we would like to strongly appeal to democratic countries, including Japan, to pay attention to the Uyghur issue, and even more attention to the issue of Uyghur forced labor," he said.

A protester from the southern province of Guangzhou who gave only the surname Chen said he had emigrated to Japan in recent years due to ever-widening authoritarian rule in China.

"China is becoming more and more authoritarian," he said. "If you say something online that the government doesn't want to hear, your account will be blocked and some netizens will report you."

We have to stand up

On the democratic island of Taiwan, Hong Kongers braved heavy rain to warn people of Beijing's attempts at influence and infiltration.

"Freedom and democracy collapsed in Hong Kong due to the infiltration of the Chinese Communist Party," Taiwan-based activist Fu Tong told Radio Free Asia. "We don't want other democratic countries to wind up like Hong Kong, so we have to stand up and tell everyone about our experience."

"Democratic freedoms are easily harmed, and need protecting," he said.

A Hong Konger who emigrated to Taiwan who gave only the initial A for fear of reprisals said Oct. 1 used to be a happy occasion for him, but since the 2019 protests and ensuing crackdown, he is reminded of how the city has changed.

"A lot of Hong Kongers turned out, despite the heavy rain," A said. "Some didn't show their faces, but stood at the back, keeping a low profile."

Some protesters flew banners emblazoned with a slogan now banned back home, "Free Hong Kong, Revolution Now!" while others brought along the yellow umbrellas symbolizing the pro-democracy movement.

Sky Fung, secretary-general of the Taiwan-based exile group Hong Kong Outlanders, said many more people were silent sympathizers.

"There were actually a lot of people all along the streets who silently took photos, [or who] showed their support," Fung said. "It means we are still holding onto our beliefs, and we won't give up until the day we achieve our goals."

One participant who gave only the pseudonym Lam said she had flown in specially from Hong Kong.

"I was standing nearby to show support, because you can't do something like this in Hong Kong any more," she said. "Only if you come here."

The rally ended with the singing of the banned protest anthem, "Glory to Hong Kong."

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

This story was updated to include comments from members of the Tibetan diaspora.
Edmund Wan, known as 'Giggs,' says Chinese state security police wanted him to set up a pro-China YouTube channel.

A former Hong Kong radio host jailed in an ongoing crackdown on public dissent was approached by Chinese state security police, who wanted him to return to broadcasting after his release, this time with a mandate to promote the Chinese Communist Party's agenda, he told Radio Free Asia in a recent interview.

Edmund Wan, known by his show host nickname "Giggs," said he was encouraged by the state security police officer to set up a YouTube channel "to tell good stories about China" after his release from a 32-month jail term for "sedition" and "money-laundering."

As a State Department report warned last week that Beijing is waging an "information war" to spread its propaganda online  Wan's account sheds light on the tactics that are used by Chinese authorities to recruit individuals on the ground.

"My interpretation is that Chinese state security were trying to co-opt me  to bring me onto their side," Wan, who moved to Canada following his release, told RFA Cantonese.

If he had accepted, Wan said he would likely have been expected to show Hong Kong as transitioning "from chaos to order," in the wake of the 2019 protest movement, and to sing the praises of a draconian security law banning public criticism of the authorities as a necessary step to restore stability in the city.

Pushing the party line on Hong Kong

And he wouldn't have been alone. YouTube and Facebook have a wide selection of people willing to create pro-Beijing content in return for the rewards they reap from those platforms.

"They don't pass up any opportunity," Wan said. "If you are willing to turn, they will probably welcome you."

"They can significantly reduce their costs by picking up ready-made weapons from the free world," said Wan, who was jailed in September 2022 after pleading guilty to one charge of "seditious intent" over comments he made during online radio shows he hosted from August to October 2020, and three charges of "money-laundering" linked to his crowd-funding transactions.

'Whitewashing Hong Kong,' a report by the Taiwan-based pro-democracy think tank Doublethink Lab, says most pro-Beijing propaganda targeting Hong Kong revolves around a handful of set phrases and narratives. Credit: Doublethink Lab

The Taiwan-based pro-democracy think tank Doublethink Lab said in a recent report titled "Whitewashing Hong Kong" that most pro-Beijing propaganda targeting Hong Kong revolves around a handful of set phrases and narratives, including blaming traitors and saboteurs for any opposition to the government, using "law and order" to justify the crackdown on free speech and attacking alleged foreign interference and "Western hegemony" that the government says is behind popular support for democracy.

In an analysis of more than 5,700 pro-China posts on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, the report concluded that there are large numbers of active accounts that cooperate with state media, including those run by online influencers and celebrities, to keep churning out the party line on Hong Kong.

Most of the tweets were posted during office hours in Beijing, the report said.

Vigilance is really needed

Taiwanese national security researcher Shih Chien-yu said China is now pulling out all the stops to counter a wave of increasingly negative coverage in the Western media, and that its efforts are gaining international traction, particularly among people of Chinese descent overseas.

"Not all Chinese overseas can understand what's being reported in English," Shih said. "It's likely to be somewhat effective, because social media emphasizes interaction."

"In the long term, [such tactics] could make people forget about the re-education camps, the forced labor, about the people being persecuted, and about the 2019 protest movement in Hong Kong," he said. "So vigilance is really needed."

Democratic Party lawmaker Ted Hui raises his fist upon his release on bail over anti-government protests in Hong Kong, Aug. 27, 2020. Credit: Tyrone Siu/Reuters

Exiled former pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui said he once had a microphone snatched from his hand at a Hong Kong demonstration in Australia by a person of Chinese descent who hailed from Malaysia.

"I believe that such people have mostly been brainwashed by the Chinese Communist Party's online tools, and so they hate those who fight for freedom and democracy in Hong Kong," Hui said in a recent interview.

"The United Front [outreach and influence operation] has been successful in isolating local Hong Kong movements and communities."

Current affairs commentator Sang Pu said Beijing has allocated "substantial" resources to infiltrating overseas social media platforms, often starting out with groups formed to discuss innocent-looking topics like food, music and fashion, but which then start drip-feeding Beijing's propaganda message to unwary participants.

"This is a growing problem I have observed," he said, suggesting that people avoid Chinese platforms like Tik Tok, WeChat and Weibo, and seek out news penned by exiled Hong Kongers instead.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. The German PSE Engineering GmbH is ready to provide customers in Turkmenistan with the most modern engineering and technological solutions in various areas of the company's competence, including the oil and gas industry, Managing Director Markus Behrendt told Trend.

According to him, the company is able to present its services mainly to customers (private and public companies) in Turkmenistan in the fields of oil and gas production as well as water purification.

"With more than 400 experienced and well-trained specialists, we ensure professional and timely processing of orders in the interests of the client in each of the various areas. From small design contracts and research to concept submission of materials and detailed design of complex projects," Behrendt said.

He noted that the company has excellent opportunities to optimally solve the tasks of increasingly complex projects and the requirements of globally dynamic national and international customers, including Turkmenistan.

"Headquartered in Quakenbruck, Germany, and thus very close to the home of the German oil and gas industry, with business locations in Germany and abroad, we are excellently positioned to optimally meet the challenges of increasingly complex projects and the requirements of globally dynamic national and international customers," Behrendt added.

Meanwhile, PSE Engineering GmbH is an engineering company specializing in the fields of process modeling, mechanics, pipeline technology, electrical engineering, and automation.
The prisoners had been tasked with collecting firewood from a nearby village when they escaped.

The five prisoners had been tasked with collecting wood near a village about 13 kilometers (8 miles) away from Dawei Prison [shown] in Myanmars Tanintharyi region.

Five inmates are on the run from Myanmars Dawei Prison after they killed two guards and escaped while gathering firewood over the weekend, according to sources with ties to the facility in the western region of Tanintharyi.

The five had been tasked with collecting wood that had been cut near Ye Phyu townships Zee Kya village, some 13 kilometers (8 miles) away from Dawei Prison, at around 7 a.m. on Saturday when they killed prison guards Aung Bo Bo Htut and Lwin Nyein and fled, one of the sources told RFA Burmese.

Some of them were inmates who were going to be released soon, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing security concerns. When they were taken out of the prison and tasked to carry firewood, all five of them escaped.

The source said that the two guards were the only ones overseeing the work detail when the inmates made their escape.

They killed them and ran away," he said, adding that none of the five were prisoners of conscience.

A second source who is close to Dawei Prison confirmed the incident.

The source, who also declined to be named, said the inmates fled to an area controlled by one of the various anti-junta Peoples Defense Force, or PDF, paramilitary groups that are trying to unseat the military regime following its February 2021 coup detat.

RFA was unable to independently confirm the claims.

Attempts to reach Thant Zin, the juntas social affairs minister and spokesman for Tanintharyi region, about the reported escape went unanswered Monday.

Pro-junta accounts on the social media platform Telegram said that two prison employees who went to collect firewood near Zee Kya village had been killed and that their bodies were discovered near Ye Waing Road in Maung Mei Shaung village tract at around 11 a.m. on Sunday.

The hands of the two prison guards had been tied behind their backs and towels had been placed over their faces, the accounts said, adding that their bodies showed signs of injuries to their chests, heads and abdomens.

Residents of Ye Phyu township told RFA that junta troops are currently searching for the escapees and have set up a series of checkpoints along roads in the area.

Nearly 25,200 people have been arrested nationwide since the February 2021 coup according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

More than 19,600 are still being held in various prisons.

Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Matt Reed.
Another 142 people were injured by aerial attacks and heavy artillery, RFA data show.

A junta gunboat on the Chindwin river fires on a village in Salingyi township, Sagaing region on Sept. 27, 2023.

Casualties continue to mount in Myanmar as junta forces make increasing use of airstrikes and heavy artillery bombardments on civilian targets.

Figures compiled exclusively by Radio Free Asia show that 44 civilians were killed and 142 injured in such attacks in September alone.

On Sept. 28, four members of the same family died when a shell landed on their house in Sagaing regions Kale township.

The shell dropped landed straight on their house and they died on the spot, a local resident who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals told RFA Burmese.

Locals said villages are often targeted after junta troops suffer casualties in fighting with Peoples Defense Forces in Sagaing.

A battle between the two sides broke out in Pale township in Sagaing region on Sept. 29. The junta then fired on the Htan Ta Pin neighborhood, killing a 64-year-old woman and destroying houses, locals said.

The junta opened fire at least 10 times and five to six shells dropped on Htan Ta Pin, with the others falling on an adjoining neighborhood, said a local who also declined to be named.

The attacks are indiscriminate; last Wednesday 18 students were injured in Sagaing regions Wuntho township when a shell exploded next to a school.

RFAs figures show Sagaing was the hardest-hit region or state last month with 20 deaths and 38 injuries as a result of aerial and land bombardment.

Bago region was the second hardest hit with four civilian deaths and 26 injuries. The region has seen fierce fighting between junta troops and the military wing of the Karen National Union, a powerful ethnic group.

For the year through September, 816 civilians were killed in shelling and aerial attacks, with 1,628 people injured, RFA figures show.

Junta forces rely on airstrikes and shelling in areas where ground troops have made little progress, according to political analyst Than Soe Naing.

The air raids cause massive casualties nationwide, he said.

The junta has stepped up its terrorist acts by carrying out these indiscriminate attacks.

RFA called junta spokesperson Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun seeking comment on the rising civilian casualties, but no one answered.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.
Ngo Thi To Nhien has been working with the UN to implement a US$15.5 billion project to phase out fossil fuels.

The executive director of an energy policy think tank has been detained and could face charges of appropriating documents of agencies and organizations, a Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security spokesman told reporters.

Green energy expert Ngo Thi To Nhien would be the sixth environmental activist to face charges in Vietnam in the last two years. The other five  including climate activist Hoang Thi Minh Hong, who was sentenced to three years in prison last week  were charged with tax evasion.

Nhien was detained on Sept. 15 by the Hanoi police. Her arrest came just days after a visit to Hanoi by U.S. President Joe Biden, who raised human rights and environmental concerns with Vietnams top leaders.

The ministrys spokesman, Lt. Gen. To An Xo, confirmed Nhiens arrest at a news conference on Saturday, adding that two Electricity of Vietnam, or EVN, officials had also been arrested in the case.

Nhien has worked as a researcher for the World Bank and USAID and is the executive director for the Vietnam Initiative for Energy Transition, an independent think tank that is studying the planned transition of the national energy system away from the use of fossil fuels.

The two officials, Duong Duc Viet and Le Quoc Anh, had access to EVNs documents related to the development of the new national power grid and were also under contract as part-time consultants with Nhiens organization, according to To An Xo.

The documents that the two officials provided to Nhien were for internal use only, To An Xo said. Nhien could be charged under Article 342 of Vietnams Penal Code and could face up to five years in prison, he said.

The Vietnamese government has been jailing environmental activists even after accepting US$15.5 billion to help it cut carbon emissions through the Just Energy Transition Partnership.

Research on energy policy is now off limits

According to the Associated Press, Nhien has been working with the U.N. Development Program to help implement the partnership, which is being funded by the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, the European Union and some European countries.

Nhien has more than 20 years working experience, and her professional activities focus on energy and environmental economics, energy modeling, energy policy, and assessment of low carbon energy technologies, according to human rights group The 88 Project.

Nhiens detention is significant as it signals that research on energy policy is now off limits, Project 88s co-director Ben Swanton told the AP.

Workers install a high-voltage electrical pole, part of an electricity distribution project, in the central province of Ha Tinh, Vietnam, Dec. 3, 2015. Two Electricity of Vietnam officials who had access to documents related to the development of the new national power grid, have also been arrested. Credit: Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP





To An Xo told reporters on Saturday that many overseas media outlets and organizations have cited Nhiens arrest as the latest piece of evidence that Vietnam is cracking down on environmental activists. That conclusion is a distortion and an interference in Vietnams domestic affairs, he said.

Hong, 51, was the founder and executive director of CHANGE VN  a non-profit organization which aimed to raise environmental awareness in order to protect nature, combat climate change and promote sustainable development.

She shut down the organization in October 2022 following the arrest of several environmental activists.

The Vietnamese authorities are using the vaguely worded tax code as a weapon to punish environmental leaders whom the ruling Communist Party deems a threat to their power, Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson said last week

The government should stop punishing activists for peacefully advocating action on climate change and for green policies, he said.

Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Matt Reed.
Azerbaijan continues to arrest and charge Nagorno-Karabakh's ethnic Armenian leadership following Baku's takeover of the region. Baku has said it plans to give amnesty to Armenian fighters but is looking to arrest people it claims committed "war crimes." In Armenia, tens of thousands of refugees continue to struggle as they try to find housing and basic essentials.
Pakistan on November 1 began rounding up undocumented foreigners, the vast majority of them Afghans, hours ahead of the deadline for them to evacuate the country.

The country's Interior Ministry said in a statement before the midnight deadline that "a process to arrest the foreigners...for deportation" had begun, but that voluntary return would still be encouraged.



The undocumented foreigners were reportedly being transferred to transit centers.



Officials in the southwestern port city of Karachi, Pakistan's largest city and capital of Sindh Province, said that up to 40 people without proper documents had been moved to one of the transit centers.

WATCH: Pakistani authorities have cracked down on undocumented foreigners, mostly Afghans, ahead of a deadline to leave the country or face deportation. In Karachi, Afghan men and boys on November 1 were put on buses and taken to a temporary detention center.



Pakistan announced in early October that it would expel an estimated 1.7 million undocumented immigrants who remained in the country after November 1. As the deadline approached, tens of thousands of Afghans -- some who have been in Pakistan for decades -- made their way back to Afghanistan with their families and belongings.



In the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, which borders Afghanistan, officials said on November 1 that more than 100,000 Afghan nationals had returned to their homeland via the Torkham border crossing in the past two weeks.

WATCH: Authorities in Islamabad demolished mud houses belonging to Afghan refugees on October 31, a day ahead of a deadline for them to leave Pakistan. An estimated 1.7 million Afghans living illegally in Pakistan have been told to return to their country or face detention and deportation.

An undetermined number of Afghans have returned to Afghanistan by way of the Chaman border crossing in the southwestern Balochistan Province.



Overall, more than 140,000 people had voluntarily left Pakistan following the government's October 3 order, according to Pakistan's Interior Ministry.



Pakistan's move to remove undocumented foreigners is seen as part of an anti-immigrant crackdown that has been criticized by human rights groups and the United Nations.

On October 31, the chair of the nongovernmental Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Hina Jilani, wrote the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warning that Islamabad's move to expel Afghans could "trigger a humanitarian crisis."

"The decision amounts to forced repatriation, which is not recognized under international customary law, and will invariably affect vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers, which include women, children, the elderly, persons living with disabilities, persons from low-income groups, and Afghans at risk because of their professions -- many of whom fled Afghanistan after the Afghan Taliban took over the government in August 2021," Jilani wrote.

Ahmad Afghan, an Afghan national who lives in Islamabad, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi that he and his family left Afghanistan after the Taliban regained power in Kabul. He said his visa has since expired and he has been unable to extend it as he and his family await documents to move to a third country.



"We are very worried. We cannot go back to Afghanistan," Afghan said. "If we go back to Afghanistan, [the Taliban] will kill us -- 100 percent."



Pakistan has been a popular refuge for Afghans for decades, beginning during the 1979-89 Soviet occupation. Others fled fighting during the ensuing Afghan civil war and the Taliban's first stint in power from 1996 to 2001. Millions of Afghans returned to their homeland following the U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban from power.



Some 3.7 million Afghans fleeing war, poverty, and political upheaval in their homeland currently reside in Pakistan, according to the United Nations, with Islamabad putting the number as high as 4.4 million.



Officials in Islamabad have said that about 1.4 million Afghans possess documents allowing them to legally stay in Pakistan and that the order for undocumented immigrants to leave affects 1.7 million people.



Afghanistan's ruling Taliban has previously criticized the move to remove undocumented Afghans from Pakistan, saying they are being punished for tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.



On November 1, the Taliban called on the Pakistani government to give undocumented Afghans more time to leave as large numbers of evacuees created bottlenecks at the Pakistan-Afghan border.



While thanking Pakistan and other countries that have harbored Afghans over years of conflict in Afghanistan, the Taliban asked Islamabad "to not forcibly deport Afghans with little notice, but give them time to prepare."



Mohammad Zaman, an Afghan national who spoke to Radio Azadi at the Torkham border crossing on November 1, said the large group his family traveled with struggled to prepare for the evacuation.



"More than 30 families came with us. They are people who had left their country due to poverty. They are people who could not find a loaf of bread, so they left the country and came [to Pakistan]," Zaman said. "Instead of supporting us, Pakistan gave us a very short deadline. The deadline was so short that we couldn't even wrap up our businesses."



An Afghan national who spoke to Radio Azadi on condition of anonymity following his arrival in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar Province expressed hope that he and his children would be treated fairly by the Taliban.



"I swear by God, I have neither a place to live in nor a piece of land," the man said, adding that he and his family had moved to Pakistan in search of work. "I ask the Taliban to provide us with shelter, at least a tent to live in.... Here, we may die of hunger."



On November 1, Afghanistan's state news agency, Bakhtar, which is under Taliban control, said the Taliban government had dedicated 2 billion Afghanis (about $27 million) to provide returnees "with basic needs."

With reporting by Reuters
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. The operational efficiency of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) is being optimized, the ICGB, the pipelines operator, told Trend.

"The IGB pipeline and the FSRU located near the city of Alexandroupolis demonstrate a significant potential to redefine the energy landscape in the region. The imminent commencement of operations at the LNG terminal is paramount in bolstering regional natural gas security and enhancing supply diversification. Leveraging the strategic positioning of the IGB in close proximity to the LNG terminal, natural gas transportation to consumers in Bulgaria and potentially adjacent countries can be ensured in the long run. As the terminal's implementation draws near, the IGB pipeline's operational efficiency is being optimized, facilitating the prospect of capacity boost of up to 5 billion cubic meters (bcm) annually. Such an expansion would provide the capability to accommodate higher gas volumes while ensuring self-reliant energy distribution at competitive market rates," the company said.

Additionally, ICGB has been focused on promoting and securing long-term capacity booking linked to gas quantities originating from the LNG terminal. ICGB anticipates that this trend will persist as the pipelines capacity expands to 5 bcm per year.

"In regards to the final tranche expected under the European Energy Program for Recovery, it's still yet to be utilized. Upon successful completion of the procedure, ICGB will make the information public as it's the company's consistent practice throughout the years to provide transparent information about the financial aspect of IGB's implementation," said the ICGB.

The IGB gas pipeline connects with the Greek national gas transmission system (DESFA S.A.) and the Trans-Adriatic gas pipeline (TAP AG) in the area of Komotini (Greece), and with the Bulgarian gas transmission system (Bulgartransgaz EAD) in the area of Stara Zagora. The total length of the gas pipeline is 182 km, the diameter of the pipe - 32'' - and a design capacity of up to 3 billion m3/year in the direction Greece - Bulgaria. Depending on the market interest for larger capacity and the possibilities of the neighboring gas transmission systems, the capacity of IGB is designed with the option for increase up to 5 billion m3/year with additional construction of a compressor station.

---

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Malohatkhon Saidmurodova recently bought 3 kilograms of beef on her way home from work at a rural hospital in Tajikistan's northern Sughd Province.

"I put a good-size portion of it in the fridge for the Sunday dinner and stored the rest in the freezer," Saidmurodova said. "When I came home from work the next day, I found out the electricity had been out all day and the meat had gone bad."

The 275 somonis ($25) Saidmurodova paid for the meat -- a rare luxury for many Tajiks -- at her local butcher shop is roughly one-third of the hospital cleaner's September salary, which includes extra pay for working several overnight shifts.

"That meat was supposed to last my family all of October," she said on September 29. "The blackout came with no warning [from the authorities]. Had I known this, I'd have fried the meat so it wouldn't go bad. It's a big deal for us. It means we don't eat meat until I get my next paycheck."

There have been reports of sporadic blackouts in recent days in different parts of Tajikistan, including the Sughd and southern Khatlon provinces, as well as several districts in the suburbs of the capital, Dushanbe.

Amid people's angry complaints, state electricity company Barqi Tojik said in a statement on September 28 that maintenance work had caused the blackouts in some areas. But the authorities did not say how long the alleged repair work was going to last or exactly what areas it would affect and when.

The upstream Central Asian country is home to some of the world's largest hydropower plants, including the partially operational Roghun plant. Tajikistan is ranked eighth in the world in hydropower potential with an estimated 527 terawatt-hours, according to the International Energy Agency. But currently only 4 percent of that potential is exploited.

People in poverty-stricken Tajikistan are used to crippling electricity rationing during the winter, when most of the country has electricity for about 10 hours a day. Officials often blame the rationing on decreased water levels in dam reservoirs.

Many Tajiks complain these much earlier power cuts -- which come with no warning and with no known end in sight -- seriously disrupt their lives and cripple their businesses.

Saidnazar Aliev owns a liquid gas station along the Dushanbe-Shohambari highway that runs west of the capital.

He says he had to use a fuel-powered generator to keep his business running when the electricity went off on September 26. The generator uses up to 15 liters of fuel in 24 hours, according to Aliev, adding to the costs of the small business. Aliev doesn't know how to plan ahead, as the authorities don't say when the blackout will end.

"Yesterday there was no electricity between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.," Aliev said on September 27. "The power was cut off again at around 10 a.m. today. It hasn't been restored yet."

In the nearby village of Tirgaron, the head of the local neighborhood committee, Hojikholboi Ibrohimov, said that the blackouts were negatively "affecting everybody, making life difficult for the young and old alike."

"What else do we have in this country? Take away electricity too and we will be left like our limbs are cut off," he said.

In Vorukh, a rural settlement in the northern district of Isfara, several villagers claim that local officials use electricity as leverage to put pressure on residents ahead of the autumn military call-up. Most Tajiks try to avoid the conscript service, notorious for its hazing.

"[In early September], officials demanded that conscript-age men and their parents sign statements that they will report to the district enlistment office on October 1," said a Vorukh resident who gave only his first name, Mudarris.

"Some parents refused to sign such statements and electricity was cut off in their neighborhoods as a result," he added.

"I am all for our young men serving in the national army. It's their duty. But why punish us with a blackout," an elderly resident named Amriboi said. "I don't have a conscript-age son. They cut off electricity in our neighborhood. Everything in my fridge has gone bad."

But Zubaidullo Shomadov, a spokesman for the Isfara district government, told RFE/RL that the villagers' claim was "baseless." The young men of Vorukh "have voluntarily been signing up for military service," he said.

Tajikistan expected the electricity shortages to end once and for all after the giant Roghun hydropower plant became partially operational and started producing electricity in 2018.

Once fully completed, the Roghun plant is expected to double Tajikistan's electricity-production capacity to 3,600 megawatts, the equivalent of three nuclear power plants. Tajikistan has several other hydropower plants, including Norak and Sangtuda.

Written and reported by Farangis Najibullah in Prague with additional reporting by Iskandari Firuz, Mumin Ahmadi, and Amir Isoev of RFE/RL's Tajik Service
Despite official denials by the Russian government, Ukraine's government buildings, hospitals, and schools have been targeted and in many instances destroyed by drones, missiles, and air strikes. Modernist architectural landmarks from the second half of the 20th century have also been the target of these attacks. To document the nation's architectural losses, concerned architects and historians have come together under the Fragile Heritage project. The project is aimed at future restoration efforts and hopes to play a vital role in the successful reintegration of Ukraine's liberated territories. "The goal of our project is for us to learn to talk about the heritage of temporarily occupied territories and territories that are under the greatest threat of Russian shelling," Zaporizhzhya historian Pavlo Kravchuk notes. "Why do we need to talk about heritage? Because sooner or later there will be [liberation of occupied territory], and we have to accept the historically formed space -- not the space of an enemy culture, but the space that was formed within the framework of Ukraine. And this space is not something that is subject to change immediately or improve, but a space in which there are valuable objects."

Kravchuk adds: "When we do not understand that there are certain important spatial markers of local identity, not only political but also spatial, it will be very difficult for us to carry out the process of reintegration. And we need to talk about this legacy now."

Mariupol Before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Mariupol Drama Theater, built in the 1950s-60s in the style of Soviet monumental classicism, served as the heart of the city, bringing together its residents and artistic community. However, on March 16 of that year, it was tragically transformed into a mass grave following a targeted attack by Russia.

The theater is now enclosed in fencing etched with Russian and Ukrainian literary figures, as well as an outline of the theater's previous life before the Russian attack.

Kherson

An example of Soviet modernism, the Jubilee Cinema and Concert Hall in Kherson is characterized by grand, monumental structures intended to convey a sense of strength and permanence. Construction began in 1960 and concluded in 1963.

The concert hall was struck by Russian shelling on February 12, damaging the aluminum panels on the building's exterior.

During the Russian occupation of Kherson, Russian-backed authorities set up a humanitarian aid distribution point on the premises of the Jubilee and later looted it as they retreated.

Another architectural highlight in the city was Kherson airport. Built during the Soviet-era in the modernist style, it opened in the 1960s as a regional transport hub.

Kherson airport was shelled on the first day of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. Later, the area was occupied by Russian troops and used for military purposes. The Armed Forces of Ukraine also shelled the area when Russian forces were occupying it.

The Kherson Regional Universal Scientific Library, designed in the neoclassical architectural style, was named for prominent Ukrainian writer and public figure Oles Gonchar.

During the occupation of Kherson, the library was pillaged when Russian occupation authorities took away the collection of pre-revolutionary publications stored in the institution. The library has repeatedly come under missile attack. Zaporizhzhya

Built in 1986, the House of Culture can best be described as Soviet modernism or Soviet brutalism -- a common style for public buildings during the Soviet-era.

Soviet modernism often featured a combination of modernist and functionalist elements that emphasize functionality and simplicity. Soviet brutalism is well known for its use of raw concrete and imposing, monumental structures that convey a sense of solidarity and simplicity.

On November 6, 2022, the cultural building was destroyed in a missile attack.

Mykolayiv

The Mykolayivska OVA building is also known as the Mykolayiv Regional State Administration headquarters.

On March 29, 2022, Russian forces carried out a missile strike on the Mykolayiv Regional State Administration's headquarters. In addition to the destruction of the building, at least 37 deaths and 34 injuries were reported.

The Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding has a storied history dating back to its founding in 1899. It was initially established as a school to train specialists for the Russian Imperial Navy, playing a significant role in the development of shipbuilding and naval engineering. During the Soviet era, the campus expanded with modernist buildings, and in 1971 the newly constructed building (pictured above) was opened.

Since the full-scale invasion began, the university has been repeatedly attacked by Russian forces, suffering severe damage.



Kharkiv

The Kharkiv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, also known as the Kharkiv Opera House, has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. Named after Mykola Lysenko, construction began on the new postmodern theater, which featured tufa tiles, in 1990.

The theater was reportedly heavily damaged in March 2022. This spring, musicians performed a concert there for the first time since the Russian invasion. Nevertheless, the ongoing conflict has led to a ban on hosting large events in cultural and educational institutions throughout Kharkiv.

Dnipro

When the large Peremoha, also known as the Victory housing estate, was built in the 1970s, it was an example of Soviet-era urban regeneration. Designed for members of the professional class, it was considered a prestigious micro-district for those who lived there.

On January 14, Russian troops launched a massive missile attack on the city of Dnipro. The Peremoha residential neighborhood was also struck, resulting in the deaths of 45 people, including five children, and 79 injuries.

The Dnipro bus station, also known as Dnipro Avtovokzal, had undergone renovations and expansions over the years, serving as a vital part of Dnipro's infrastructure.
On October 4, 1993, a tense standoff between President Boris Yeltsin and opponents holed up in the "White House" came to a violent head when government forces shelled the parliament building on the Moscow River, a development that still reverberates in Russia today. This weekend, developments in the United States and Slovakia raised questions about the future of Western support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion. Kadri Liik, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, joins host Steve Gutterman to discuss.
Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods.

I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I'm drilling down on two big meetings taking place in Granada this week: the European Political Community (EPC) Summit, which brings together most of the continents leaders, and an EU leaders meeting at which migration and absorption capacity will dominate debate.

Brief #1: The Lowdown On The European Political Community Summit

What You Need To Know: Eyes turn to southern Spain this week and the city of Granada as it hosts two big meetings in the space of two days. The first day, October 5, is dedicated to the European Political Community (EPC) -- a gathering of European leaders that first met in Prague in the fall of 2022 after French President Emmanuel Macron pushed for a looser political forum to discuss the continents future after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

While critics might dismiss the EPC as a talking shop of little value, diplomats Ive spoken to are surprisingly complimentary. They say that leaders appreciate the less-rigid format with more informality (for example, in the order of speakers). The whole idea is rather to spend as much time as possible in smaller groups or bilateral discussions with fewer people peering over their shoulders.

So the EPC seems very much here to stay following two apparently successful summits, in the Czech Republic last October and then in Moldova in June. The idea is very much to have two gatherings each year, with hosting duties rotating between EU member states and nonmember states.

The United Kingdom looks set to take the baton from Spain with an EPC summit in the first half of 2024. So far, participation is impressive. In Granada, heads of state or government are expected from all 27 EU member states and 20 European nonmembers, including almost all of Europes microstates. In fact, the only noticeable absentees on any level are Belarus, Russia, and the Vatican.

Deep Background: The choreography for this meeting is the same as before: a 30-minute plenary followed by roundtables at which leaders are divided into four groups -- each on a different topic -- lasting about two hours. The topics for this year are digital, skills, energy and environment, and multilateralism. Dont expect anything too concrete here.

It will be interesting to see whether one idea in particular concerning the future of European integration as four distinct tiers is aired in one way or another.

As thoroughly spelled out in a discussion paper by 12 Franco-German think tankers last month, those four tiers comprise an inner circle of EU member states that are part of the eurozone and the Schengen area; the rest of the EU; a third tier of associate members among Western European states like Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, which have comprehensive free-trade deals with the EU but no desire to join the bloc; and then a final tier, dubbed simply the EPC.

The Franco-German paper notes that the recently established EPCs institutional underpinning could be upgraded to provide more structured cooperation. The EPC would have to evolve from its current loose form into an arrangement with stronger institutional ties that could enable the [European] Commission to play a greater coordinating role and the EU budget to mobilize some funding.

The paper later makes clear that this type of political division of the continent is entirely different from the EU accession process that most EU hopefuls in the Western Balkans plus Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine are in. ut dont rule out Macron once again feeling the need to underscore to concerned EU candidate countries that the EPC is no substitute for membership and that it was French and German experts -- not government officials -- who authored the paper.

Drilling Down

Before the leaders head to the impressive Alhambra palace and fortress complex for a family photo and an official dinner with spouses, they will spend a large chunk of the afternoon in bilateral meetings -- the part of the EPC summit that normally creates some news.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wont be there, with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in his place, reducing some of the expected limelight on Granada.

There are also question marks over Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans attendance. There had been talk of some sort of positive agenda between him and his Greek and Cypriot counterparts getting launched after months trading barbs, but with nothing materializing at the UN General Assembly in New York in September, few are expecting anything from Granada in that respect.

The EPC has previously also been an unofficial venue for Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to inquire about when Turkeys and Hungarys respective parliaments will ratify Swedens NATO accession treaty. Erdogan recently remarked that Ankara can give a green light in October if the United States gives the go-ahead for F-16 jet sales to Turkey.

Matters appear murkier with Hungary at the moment, as Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said Budapest is in no rush to sign off on Swedish NATO entry and other Hungarian officials have suggested it might not be placed on the Hungarian parliamentary agenda at all this fall. Hungarys foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, also recently criticized Stockholm for spreading false information about his country after a clip resurfaced that first aired four years ago on Swedish state TV and described developments in Hungary as having taken an undemocratic turn.

The one big meeting that was set to happen is a get-together between European Council President Charles Michel, Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Their respective national-security advisers met in Brussels last week to prepare the meeting, which comes just two weeks after Azerbaijans military carried out an offensive that overwhelmed breakaway ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh, asserting control of territory that has been under ethnic Armenian control for decades. Tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians fled the region for Armenia.

EU officials hope the meeting achieves progress on humanitarian issues, border delimitation, and potentially even a broader peace treaty. Another big question is what Yerevan will do regarding its future relations with the European Union. Applying for EU membership would be premature, according to people in Brussels Ive spoken to on condition of anonymity, as Yerevan likely would first need to leave the Russia-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military grouping.

But some EU diplomats think Armenias leadership might, as a first step, ask to upgrade the political relationship with the EU via an association agreement. Armenia was set to sign such a deal back in 2013 but backed down following pressure from Moscow and instead signed a watered-down arrangement called Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) four years later.

Former Soviet republics like Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine -- who now have perspectives for one day joining the EU -- all enjoy association agreements with Brussels that, apart from a free-trade deal, also include closer political cooperation with the bloc in multiple policy fields and paved the way for visa-free travel to the EU.

Brief #2: An EU Leaders' Meeting To Be Dominated By Migration And 'Absorption Capacity'

What You Need To Know: The second day in Granada, October 6, will be devoted solely to the European Union with the blocs 27 heads of state and government gathering to discuss several issues.

Since its an informal meeting as opposed to one of the regular summits that take place in Brussels, expect more strategic talk on the blocs future and on the urgent issue of the day rather than any specific decisions.

Migration looks like the most pressing of those issues, especially after a spike this year in the number of people reaching Italy, mainly from Tunisia, and a growing spat between Germany and some of its eastern neighbors, most notably Poland.

Deep Background: You can be certain that Italys right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will make migration one of the hottest topics in Granada. She was elected last year on a pledge to prevent as many new arrivals as possible from across the Mediterranean. But the number of migrants to have so far landed in her country has topped 127,000 -- more than double that of the same period last year.

EU member states reached a tentative agreement in June on revamping the blocs migration policy, but in order to enter final negotiations with the other EU co-legislator, the European Parliament, all aspects of the new migration pact must be agreed among the 27 members.

The missing piece of the puzzle is crisis regulation -- which details measures that would alleviate pressure on EU border countries, notably in the southern parts of the bloc, when they face sudden increases in asylum seekers  along with when those measures could be triggered.

What is especially bothering northern EU countries is a crisis exemption that would allow southern members like Italy to pause strict migrant border checks during such crisis times, effectively allowing countries behind the front lines to handle asylum claims.

But thats not the only migration issue. Germany last week announced temporary checks on its borders with Czechia and Poland in a bid to prevent an influx of asylum seekers that already looks much larger this year than in 2022.

The Polish government has reacted angrily to suggestions from Berlin that the rise is connected to recent accusations that workers at Polish consulates, notably in Africa and Asia, have handed out EU visas in exchange from money.

Expect tense exchanges in Granada between Scholz and his Polish counterpart, Mateusz Morawiecki. There are just days left before crucial German state elections in Bavaria and Hesse on October 8 in which the opposition could fare well and Polish parliamentary elections seven days later that opinion polls suggest are on a knife-edge.

Drilling Down

Away from the migration spats, the discussion will focus on absorption capacity, a slightly abstract term that essentially translates into how the EU needs to change in order to accept new members in the future. And while Council President Charles Michel has expressed rather confident hopes that both the European Union and candidate countries might be ready for enlargement by 2030, the tone is slightly more sober among EU member states that view preparations and eventual internal changes necessary to enlarge the club as huge.

Spain, which currently holds the rotating EU Council Presidency and is hosting the summit, has prepared concept notes, seen by RFE/RL, on the topic. While spelling out that enlargement has numerous advantages for the bloc, they acknowledge that there are issues that still need to be resolved: Beyond the benefits that enlargement will bring to the EU, notably in terms of reinforcing the EUs political weight and influence, as well as the significant importance of enlargement for prosperity, security and stability on the continent, enlargement will also entail important challenges for the EU.

Aside from the potential for increased geopolitical influence, they point out that enlargement also exposes the bloc directly to new foreign and security issues and spells out that the EUs new post-enlargement neighborhood is likely to require considerable attention and political capital, all the more if the existing frozen conflicts remain unsolved by the time of enlargement. This is a blunt message not only to Ukraine, but also to Georgia and Moldova.

Or consider the EUs environment and climate framework, one of the blocs signature policies: One of the documents spells out that enlargement will increase the total number of greenhouse gas emissions within the EU, requiring more efforts to reduce emissions across the EU, something that will need substantial investments.

So expect most of the qualms to be about money. And here, the future EU budget is an obvious area of concern. In the current EU budget, just nine of the 27 EU countries are net contributors, and all of them belong to the older and Western camp of member states. With potential EU enlargement in the Balkans and further eastward, more of the current net recipients in Central and Eastern Europe might have to chip in considerably -- and be prepared to pay in more than they receive.

Two of the big budget chapters are currently Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and cohesion policy, the latter of which is constructed to reduce economic disparities between richer and poorer regions in the bloc. On the CAP, it is enough to look at recent tensions between Ukraine and some of its western EU neighbors like Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland when it comes to the influx of Ukrainian grain. The EU trio, wary of a political backlash from its farmers, is still not allowing several Ukrainian agriproducts into its markets.

Imagine, then, what would happen if Ukraine were actually part of the EUs internal market and its farmers got considerable financial support from Brussels. The Spanish concept papers simply note, rather matter-of-factly: the size of the agricultural sector of some candidate countries, notably Ukraine, will bring the EU agricultural market to a new dimension.

With cohesion policy, its a similar story. The document notes that the per capita gross national income (GNI) measured in the per capita purchasing power (PPS) of the current EU candidate countries is around 50-70 percent of that of the poorest EU member states today. That would mean that most EU money would flow to the newest members.

But the quandaries dont stop there. The EU population would go from todays 450 million to well over 500 million, which one of the concept notes describes as increasing market opportunities for economic operators, bringing in new consumers and reducing barriers to labour mobility and investments. But the notes also caution that this free movement of persons is likely to raise challenges that will need to be addressed in advance. Considering how twitchy many EU countries are about any type of migration, including internal EU labor migration, this could be a huge societal hot-button issue that shapes many future elections inside the club.

Looking Ahead

Today (October 2) will see EU's foreign ministers going to Kyiv together in a show of solidarity with that war-torn country. Expect the ministers to talk about the prospects of opening accession talks with Ukraine later this year, the potential for a new sanctions package against Russia later this fall, the need to agree on more military assistance coming from the bloc, and perhaps also more specific security guarantees that the EU or individual member states can offer in the near future.

The European Parliament will descend on Strasbourg this week for a four-day plenary session. Perhaps the most interesting day will be October 3, as the chamber will discuss the situations in Nagorno-Karabakh and Moldova. On the former, one can expect quite a show of solidarity with Armenia and perhaps even calls for Yerevan to apply for EU membership. On Moldova, the parliament will also pass a nonbinding resolution in which it will call on a swift opening of EU accession talks with Chisinau.

That's all for this week. Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on Twitter @RikardJozwiak, or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org.

Until next time,

Rikard Jozwiak

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Over 16.4 million MWh have been transported through the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) pipeline in its first year of commercial operations, the ICGB company, the pipeline operator, told Trend.

Throughout its inaugural year, IGB has upheld an impeccable record, meeting all daily nominations with no major interruptions in gas flow. This achievement is due to the strict implementation of our operations procedures, but also to ICGBs dedicated team of outstanding professionals, said ICGBs Executive Officers Teodora Georgieva and George Satlas.

Launched concurrently with the commencement of the gas year on October 1st, 2022, the interconnector linking Greece and Bulgaria has established a fresh pathway for the reliable and diversified supply of natural gas to Bulgaria and the broader region.

As of now, IGB boasts a roster of 39 registered users, operating at a technical capacity of 3 billion cubic meters per year, with a significant portion of its capacity already reserved for the upcoming gas year. This interconnector currently fulfills roughly half of Bulgaria's domestic gas consumption needs. Given the evolving security dynamics in the region, IGB has rapidly emerged as a pivotal piece of infrastructure that also holds the potential to facilitate natural gas transportation to Moldova and Ukraine via the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline.

ICGB has recently initiated the initial phases of an incremental capacity assessment procedure to gauge market demand for expanding IGB's capacity to 5 billion cubic meters per year, with promising indicators emerging during the non-binding phase.

The Greece-Bulgaria interconnector seamlessly links Bulgaria to the Southern Gas Corridor and forms an integral part of the Vertical Gas Corridor. This pipeline enhances energy connectivity and security within the region, granting access to natural gas from an array of new and diversified sources.
Oil prices recovered some ground on Monday, after having fallen about 1 percent on Friday due to profit taking and uncertainty about the outlook for energy demand.

Benchmark Brent crude futures rose 0.4 percent to $92.60 a barrel in European trade ahead of the OPEC+ meeting taking place this week.

The group is set to review the impact of their production cuts on the market and the way forward. WTI crude futures were up half a percent at $91.25.

Oil prices ticked higher today as improved China data and relief over U.S. lawmakers reaching a deal to avert a government shutdown helped improve the outlook for fuel demand.

Overall gains were capped by a stronger dollar as investors await key U.S. manufacturing data and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech later today for direction.

China's manufacturing activity expanded for the first time in six months in September, official data showed over the weekend even as a private gauge of manufacturing activity slowed its pace of expansion.

Elsewhere, factory activity data from Japan, the euro zone and U.K. disappointed investors.

Meanwhile, fears of a U.S. government shutdown eased after the U.S. Congress passed a stopgap funding bill late on Saturday with overwhelming Democratic support to fund the government through November 17.

Lawmakers must now wrangle a separate bill on $24 billion in military assistance to Ukraine that Biden wanted in the budget.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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EMILY's List President Laphonza Butler has been nominated to replace late Senator Dianne Feinstein, who died last week, representing California.

Governor Gavin Newsom chose Butler to take the seat left vacant by the death of Dianne Feinstein, who passed away last week at 90. The oldest sitting U.S. senator and member of Congress, she was also the longest-serving U.S. senator from California.

Under Californian law, the governor holds the right to name a successor in case of the sitting senator's death.

Butler, 44, will complete the Senate term of Feinstein, which runs through 2024.

Leader of the nation's largest organization dedicated to Democratic women who support abortion rights, Butler will make history as California's first openly LGBTQ Senator and the first openly Black lesbian to serve in Congress.

A longtime senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris, she will also be the the second Black woman to represent California in the Senate following Harris.

"An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and she'll represent us proudly in the United States Senate," said Governor Newsom. "As we mourn the enormous loss of Senator Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for  reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence  have never been under greater assault. Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C."

With her selection to the Senate, Butler will step down from her role as president of EMILY's List, where she was the first woman of color to lead the organization. Before joining EMILY's List, Butler ran political campaigns, including for Harris and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

For more than a decade, she served as the president of the largest labor union in California  SEIU Local 2015.

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The euro area manufacturing activity remained in the deep contraction zone in September on account of considerable weakness in new orders and accelerated fall in jobs, the purchasing managers' survey results from S&P Global showed on Monday.

Meanwhile, official data released on Monday suggested that the unemployment rate dropped to record lows in August indicating the resilience of the labor market.

The HCOB manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, or PMI, fell to 43.4 in September from 43.5 in August, final data from S&P Global showed.



The score has remained below the crucial 50.0 mark for the fifteenth straight month signaling a sustained deterioration in the of the manufacturing sector.

Hamburg Commercial Bank Chief Economist Cyrus de la Rubia said it is pretty certain that the recession in manufacturing continued in the third quarter. "We probably won't see things picking up until we ring in the new year," the economist said.

New orders received by manufacturers logged a rapid decline, which was the steepest in the 26-year survey history. In response to falling demand, they reduced production level slightly faster than in August.

Due to the absence of demand pressure, there was further progress on backlogs of work. Consequently, manufacturers reduced employment at the quickest rate in nearly three years.

Purchasing activity was lowered for the 15th consecutive month in September. Further, stocks of inputs posted an accelerated decline. Likewise, post-production inventories dropped at the quickest pace in two years.

Operating expenses decreased at the slowest pace since April. In order to remain competitive, firms reduced their output prices for the fifth straight month.

There was a marked softening of growth expectations as confidence slumped to a ten-month low.

Germany continued to log the fastest rate of decline, followed by France. Although Italy and Spain registered worsening activity, the rates of deterioration slowed.

The German manufacturing sector remained firmly in the contraction territory. The factory PMI registered 39.6 in September, up from 39.1 in August. The score was below the flash reading of 39.8.



France's manufacturing activity slid deeper into contraction in September, with production and new orders falling at one of their sharpest rates in almost three-and-a-half years. At 44.2, the factory PMI was down from 46.0 in August. The initially estimate score for September was 43.6.

Declines in production and new orders drove Italy's manufacturing downturn in September. The factory PMI posted 46.8, up from 45.4 a month ago. The decline was the least marked since early 2023.

Spain's manufacturing activity registered concurrent falls in both output and new orders. The PMI rose to 47.7 in September from 46.5 in August. The sector contracted for six successive months.

Official data showed that the unemployment rate in the 20-nation currency bloc dropped in August to a joint record low last seen in June.

The jobless rate fell marginally to 6.4 percent from 6.5 percent in July. In the same period last year, the rate stood at 6.7 percent. The rate also matched expectations.

Data showed that unemployment decreased by 107,000 from July to 10.856 million. Compared to last year, joblessness fell by 407,000.

The youth unemployment rate eased slightly to 13.8 percent from 13.9 percent in the previous month.

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What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
Mack Trucks, owned by Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Volvo Group, and United Auto Workers or UAW union announced that nearly 4,000 union members has reached a tentative agreement, in a last minute move avoiding strike.

The new five-year contract covers about 3,900 employees at facilities in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida.

The agreement now requires to be ratified by UAW members, and the union will schedule ratification meetings.

The union, which is continuing its strike against the Big Three General Motors, Ford and Chrysler parent Stellantis, revealed the news on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. It said more details about the tentative agreement will be revealed as members review the deal.

Meanwhile, Mack President Stephen Roy in a statement said, "The terms of this tentative agreement would deliver significantly increased wages and continue first-class benefits for Mack employees and their families. At the same time, it would allow the company to successfully compete in the market, and continue making the necessary investments in our people, plants and products."

About 12,700 UAW members had started their Stand Up Strike at one each plant of Detroit's Big Three by September 15 after the expiration of the then four-year collective bargain agreement ended without reaching deals with the workers.

The UAW, which represents about 146,000 workers at the three major automobile manufacturing companies, proposed 40 percent hourly pay increases over the next four years.

UAW later significantly expanded its walkout to various plants of General Motors, and Chrysler parent Stellantis, while it skipped further Ford plants.

Last week, President Joe Biden said that the members of the striking UAW union members deserve the 40 percent pay hike that they are demanding.

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Business News
Details added (first version published at 11:22)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Over 16.4 million MWh have been transported through the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) pipeline in its first year of commercial operations, the ICGB company, the pipeline operator, told Trend.

Throughout its inaugural year, IGB has upheld an impeccable record, meeting all daily nominations with no major interruptions in gas flow. This achievement is due to the strict implementation of our operations procedures, but also to ICGBs dedicated team of outstanding professionals, said ICGBs Executive Officers Teodora Georgieva and George Satlas.

Launched concurrently with the commencement of the gas year on October 1st, 2022, the interconnector linking Greece and Bulgaria has established a fresh pathway for the reliable and diversified supply of natural gas to Bulgaria and the broader region.

As of now, IGB boasts a roster of 39 registered users, operating at a technical capacity of 3 billion cubic meters per year, with a significant portion of its capacity already reserved for the upcoming gas year. This interconnector currently fulfills roughly half of Bulgaria's domestic gas consumption needs. Given the evolving security dynamics in the region, IGB has rapidly emerged as a pivotal piece of infrastructure that also holds the potential to facilitate natural gas transportation to Moldova and Ukraine via the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline.

ICGB has recently initiated the initial phases of an incremental capacity assessment procedure to gauge market demand for expanding IGB's capacity to 5 billion cubic meters per year, with promising indicators emerging during the non-binding phase.

The Greece-Bulgaria interconnector seamlessly links Bulgaria to the Southern Gas Corridor and forms an integral part of the Vertical Gas Corridor. This pipeline enhances energy connectivity and security within the region, granting access to natural gas from an array of new and diversified sources.
Rhodes Business School Senior Lecturer, Professor Professor Tshidi Mohapeloa. Photo cred: Vusumzi Tshekema.

By Zindzi Nkunzi

Last week, Rhodes University hosted an evening on the Commercialisation of Research themed Transforming ideas into impact. Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships, Dr Nomakwezi Mzilikazi, Associate Professor and Head of Political and International Studies, Professor Siphokazi Magadla, Economics Professor and Head of Department, Professor Jen Snowball, distinguished guests, and students.

The Student Representative Council (SRC) Postgraduate Affairs Councillor, Milisa Mamase, welcomed all attendees. We are gathered here not only to celebrate the remarkable potential of research but also to inspire an entrepreneurial spirit that resides within each and every one of us, she said.

As we delve into the world of research commercialisation, we are reminded that knowledge is not just confined to the pages of our thesis, our research, and degrees. It is a powerful force that can shape industries, transform communities, and create lasting change, she added.

The keynote speaker for the evening, Executive Director for the South African Observatory based at the Nelson Mandela University (NMU), Unathi Lutshaba, spoke on the relationship and intersection between artists and academics and understanding the economic impact of the creative economy in South Africa. Academic commercialisation is essential for the future of academic endeavours. Commercialisation is a necessary part of both adding and increasing the value of academic products, she said.

She urged academics to embrace a mindset of entrepreneurship because entrepreneurs bridge the gap between ideas and real-life impact. When speaking about the power of academic entrepreneurship, Lutshaba said that artists and academics have shared input, and their link is Intellectual Property (IP).

She drew on the roles and similarities between the artists and academics and highlighted the striking similarities between IP and the challenges faced in commercialising creative work and academic research. Today we explore how academics can harness the power of entrepreneurship, another Intellectual Property powered industry, to transform their ideas into impactful and monetisable ventures, she explained.

Both groups are driven by profound curiosity and hunger for knowledge and desire to create, explore the unknown and to push boundaries, she added.

Director of Entrepreneurship at the Department of Higher Education and Training, Dr Norah Clark, shared that, for the first time, they have been working on social innovation for societal impact. She said: We have to dispel the notion that we cant do good while making good money. She proposed that students start thinking about themselves and how they can make money while contributing to society. We need to think broadly beyond the word entrepreneur. We need to think broader about what it means. What does it mean to be responsible for your own economic future?, she asked.

She shared possible questions one must ask themselves about entrepreneurship and commercialisation. She said it was essential to think about what research is good for.

Rhodes Business School Senior Lecturer, Professor Tshidi Mohapeloa shared and outlined initiatives provided by University to help student entrepreneurs. She spoke on how the institution could make money from creating knowledge. She added that the institution was looking at involving students from different disciplines and not only Science and Technology, Commerce but also the Arts and Humanities etc. Professor Mohapeloa suggested that students should start to think of doing a business that is going to make an impact on society and change peoples lives. Highlighting the aspect of Intellectual Property, she said, We do not want people taking ownership of the things you have created. Therefore, the institution helps safeguard and protect your work. Additionally, she emphasised commercialising your research and any work, products, and services you provide.

Sharing his personal story, the Division of Corporate Relations Coordinator at Toastmasters Southern African, Bonolo Moche, said universities should help protect students ideas and research. We have so much that we can give and so much we need to give, but how are we going to do it? How are you taking advantage of the space?. There is a lot that your research can do for the world, but at the same time, there is a lot for you to make money off that, he said.

SRC President, Avuxeni Tyala, said the shared insights were incredibly invaluable. She said the conversation about the commercialisation of research was meaningful, especially in the context of the youth today with the high unemployment rates. Things like commercialisation are things we need to talk about as the youth. Especially the conversation about creating a business that benefits us and our society as we embark on becoming ethical and holistic leaders, she concluded.
In September 2023, Hero MotoCorp recorded sales growth both across the motorcycle and scooter segments and also where domestic sales and exports were concerned

Indias largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp has seen increased demand in September 2023 as the country is in the midst of the festive season. A favourable monsoon, increased disposable income and other positive economic factors have also led to this increase in sales. Vehicles like Splendor, Passion and Pleasure remain some of the most popular.

Hero MotoCorp Sales September 2023

Despite strong competition in this segment, sales of Hero MotoCorp were also boosted due to the companys resilience in adapting to market dynamics and bringing in new products in line with consumer preferences thus allowing the company to hold on to its strong market share.

The companys total sales (motorcycles + scooters) (domestic sales + exports) growth stood at 3 percent to 5,36,499 units when compared to sales of 519,980 units in September 2023 while it was also a MoM growth from 4,88,717 units sold in August 2023.

Hero MotoCorp motorcycle sales in September 2023 improved to 4,94,270 units, up from 4,80,237 units sold in September 2022. This related to a 14,033 units volume growth. On a YTD basis, motorcycle sales fell to 25,69,688 units in the FY24 period from 26,38,618 units sold in the same period last year.

Scooter sales have also grown YoY to 42,229 units in September 2023 from 39,743 units sold in September 2022 while YTD FY24 scooter sales stood at 1,99,412 units, up from 1,79,743 units sold during the FY23 period. Total domestic sales stood at 5,19,789 units in September 2023 from 5,07,690 units sold in September 2022 while YTD sales fell to 26,81,190 units in the FY24 period from 27,17,280 units sold in FY23.

Exports also grew YoY but dipped on a YTD basis. With a strong global presence, the company shipped 16,710 units in September 2023 as against 12,290 units exported in September 2022 while YTD exports fell to 87,910 units in the FY24 period from 1,01,081 units exported in FY23.

Hero MotoCorp Upcoming launches

This took total sales to 5,36,499 units in September 2023 from 5,19,980 units sold in September 2022 while YTD sales dipped to 27,69,100 units in the FY24 period from 28,18,361 units sold in the same period last year.

Following the recent launch of the Karizma XMR in India, Hero MotoCorp is also expanding its current portfolio. The company has been actively testing the Xpulse 210 and Xtreme 210 range. Test models of these adventure bikes have been spied doing the rounds along with the new Hero Xtreme 440. Hero Xtreme 440 could be launched sometime early next year and will borrow its overall makeup from the Harley-Davidson X440.
Said Altroz is a manual gearbox variant and has 5 forward speed ratios and 1 for reverse

Buying a new car is a special moment for anyone. But when this new car gets dysfunctional, owners will definitely feel that they bought a lemon. Ranjeet Soni from Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, was a proud owner of his Tata Altroz until he covered 110 km in his new car. He claims that he bought a headache instead of a Tata Altroz.

Tata Altroz gearbox not working

Said Tata Motors Altroz was bought in Lucknow and the manual gearbox just stopped working within 110 km. Owner Ranjeet Soni must be returning home (Gonda) from Lucknow, which is 120 km away. Soon, he faced gearbox issues in his brand-new car, making it technically unusable.

Ranjeet Soni demonstrates how his brand new Tata Altroz equipped with a manual gearbox is totally unusable. In the YouTube video by Prateek Singh, we can see owner slotting the gear in left slots (1st and 2nd gear) or right slots (5th and Reverse). But every time he does so, gear selector falls back to centre column selecting either 3rd or 4th gear.

In essence, Mr. Soni cant shift in reverse as it goes into 4th gear and if he slots into 1st gear, it goes into 3rd gear. Unfortunately, he has resorted to manually pushing the car to go in reverse, which defeats the purpose of owning a car in the first place. Mr Soni directly blames Tata Motors dealership in Lucknow, where he bought his Altroz.

He expressed his concerns about facing such major problems within initial hours of ownership and imagining what future might hold. Mr Soni further claims that Tata Motors hasnt responded properly and he is sceptical about the future of his cars ownership.

What could be the problem?

Looking at Mr Sonis video, we can see faulty operation of its 5-speed gearbox. In cars like Altroz, gear selector is not directly connected to gearbox. Instead, we have two gear shift cables in the selector that slot gears in transmission unit.

There will be two cables, one for 1st, 3rd and 5th gears and the other for 2nd, 4th and reverse. The actual springs in the mechanism are working, but they dont hold their spot in selected gear. This might be faulty gear selector cables or linkages. Because the gears dont hold their positions, gear shift linkage bushings might be faulty as well.

Considering this is a brand new car, instead of being faulty, this could be improperly assembled. Either way, non-technical people cant fix this in a pinch and this should not have happened in the first place. Tata Motors seems to be building a reputation for bad after-sales service quality, despite making some of the best cars in India.
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Managing Editor

she/her | Bridget is the Messengers managing editor. She oversees the newsroom and covers the Maple Run Unified School District and education at large. She also pays attention to recreation, food and the arts and is an avid cyclist and skier.

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Three years ago, Kevin Brizuela and three fellow gang members ambushed and shot four teens in an Oceanside park, mistaking them for gang rivals. Two of their targets died, including a 13-year-old girl.

On Tuesday, Brizuela learned his own fate: 100 years to life in prison. Earlier this year, a jury convicted him of first-degree murder and other charges for the deadly shooting.

I think that 100 years to life is an accurate reflection of the facts of this case, combined with Mr. Brizuelas youthfulness at the time of the offense, Superior Court Judge Richard Monroy said as he handed down the sentence. He noted that attack left two dead children.

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Because Brizuela was a minor at the time of the crime, hell be eligible for parole after serving 25 years.

Brizuela, now 21, was expecting the lengthy punishment, his attorney Richard Layon said. He said his client is remorseful, and also disappointed that the judge had previously rejected his bid for a new trial following allegations that one of the jurors had researched the case online.

Authorities said Brizuela and three other Vista gang members went out hunting for random gang rivals at Libby Lake Park just before 9 p.m. on March 13, 2013. Three of the men were armed.

They found their four victims  including best friends Melanie Virgen, 13, and Edgar Sanchez, 15  sitting on a couch in front of a makeshift memorial for victims of a similar attack in the same spot in 2011.

Edgar and Melanie were fatally shot and two males, one 17 and the other 18, were wounded. None of them had gang ties.

The passage of time hasnt dulled the searing pain of loss for the grieving families.

A month before he was shot to death, Edgar had convinced his mom to buy two dozen roses. The next day, he handed them to girls at school who did not have a Valentine. When he ran out, he vowed to bring more the next year.

He had a heart of gold, sister Nataly Sanchez wrote in a statement read in court by Deputy District Attorney Christine Bannon. He never hurt anyone.

His teary-eyed mother declined to speak. Edgar was the baby of the family.

Melanies cousin Roselie Mendina said after the hearing that Melanie was never involved in gangs. She was just a happy soul. Shortly before she was killed, Melanies grandfather had adopted her. The girls father had died two years earlier. Two years before that, her older sister succumbed to leukemia. Her mother was in Mexico.

The 17-year-old victim, David Garcia, was shot in the head and spent four weeks in the hospital. It took months for him to regain the use of the right side of his body. The once aimless teen has since become a mentor for neighborhood kids, and has enrolled in college.

Prosecutor Bannon called Davids progress about as life-affirming as it gets. Everything else about this case is a tragedy.

Only three of the four men  Brizuela , Michael Zurita, Martin Melendrez and Santa Diaz  were armed on the night of the shooting, and it remains unclear which of the four fired shots. Each of the men pointed the finger at his three co-defendants, but state law allows them to all be held equally liable.

The fact is these killings happened because they were all there, Bannon said during Brizuelas sentencing hearing. She characterized Brizuela as a deeply entrenched gang member since he was 12.

In March, Zurita was sentenced to 25 years after he pleaded guilty to four counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm.

Melendrez was sentenced in May to 40 years to life after he pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. At that same hearing, Diaz received 39 years after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a semi-automatic firearm. He took a deal after a jury acquitted him of first-degree murder but deadlocked on other counts.

Brizuela was the only one not to receive a plea deal.

teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT

ALSO: Slain Oceanside teens called kindred spirits
A former Marine who served two tours in Iraq was convicted Thursday of second-degree murder in the 2015 stabbing death of a friend in the friends Oceanside home as the victims toddlers slept.

David Anthony Strouth, who was living in Oceanside after spending 10 years in the Marine Corps, faces 16 years to life in prison when he is sentenced.

According to the trial brief filed by the prosecution, Strouth, now 36, was depressed and going through a divorce in the spring of 2015. The attack occurred sometime before 9:30 p.m. on April 24 while the defendant was hanging out with the victim, Brad Garner, at Garners home. The two men were in the garage, and a babysitter was inside with Garners boys, ages 2 and 3.

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At some point, as the boys slept on the couch, the babysitter heard a loud crash in the garage. When Strouth entered the home a few minutes later, she asked him if something fell. Hell fell, was part of his reply before he returned to the garage.

According to the brief, Strouth stumbled back inside moments later. He told the sitter that Garner was the devil, but he had slayed the beast.

The sitter fled for help  and saw Strouth leaning over Garners body in the garage as she left. She returned with two neighbors who had armed themselves to save the children. They also tried to restrain Strouth, who had started cutting himself. He asked the neighbors and responding police to kill him, according to the prosecutions filing.

Police found Strouths bloody K-bar knife  with the inscription Operation Iraqi Freedom  in the garage. Garner, 49, died from multiple stab wounds.

Strouths defense attorney, Sloan Ostbye, said her client testified that it had been self-defense. The defendant said Garner had come at him with the knife, and they struggled but he won control of it.

Doctors on both sides of the case found that Strouth has post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

Deputy District Attorney Patrick Espinoza said he was pleased with the jurys verdict.

We felt the verdict demonstrated that PTSD may explain but does not excuse an unprovoked killing, he said in an email.

He added that the jurors later said they believed Strouth had suffered a psychotic break, but that it was not a legal defense to murder.

Strouths attorney argued at trial that because of the PTSD, he could not have had the state of mind to form malice  a required element to find a person guilty of murder.

Ostbye said her client, who goes by Tony, is disappointed by the verdict.

My client is a Marine to the core, so he is sucking it up, she said. Hes disappointed, and frankly, I am concerned for his mental state.

She said Strouth is from Virginia. He is an only child; his mother is a teacher and his father is a coal miner.

teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com

(760) 529-4945

Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 2. The development of the oil and gas industry is one of the most important directions of Turkmenistan's energy strategy, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov said, Trend reports.

He made the remark at a meeting of the People's Council of the country held on September 24, 2023.

He noted that in this regard, it is necessary to complete the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, attract foreign investment for the development of the Turkmen section of the Caspian Sea, develop new technologies and modernize the technical capabilities of drilling.

Furthermore, Berdimuhamedov stressed the need to expand the boundaries of deep processing of hydrocarbon resources and exchange experience with leading foreign companies on the introduction of digital technologies and geological exploration.

"The development of the oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan, which has rich reserves of energy resources, diversification of natural gas supplies to world markets, processing of oil and gas resources for the production of highquality products meeting international standards, is one of the most important directions of our state's energy strategy," the president stressed.

Turkmenistan's oil and gas sector plays a key role in the country's economy, providing significant revenues due to extensive reserves of natural resources, such as natural gas and oil, and is an important source of energy exports to the world market.
The Saudi General Traffic Department launched a new system on Sunday, October 1, 2023, to automatically detect and fine drivers who do not have valid vehicle insurance.

The Saudi Traffic Department has announced that it will be using a new system to automatically monitor vehicles for valid insurance. The system will be used in all cities and governorates across the Kingdom, and it will scan license plates every 15 days. If a vehicle's insurance is not valid, the driver will receive a fine.

To inquire about the validity of vehicle insurance in Saudi Arabia, these five steps can be followed:

Log into your Absher account. Go to Vehicle Services > Inquiries. Choose Validity of Vehicle Insurance. Fill out the required fields: ID number, plate number, and visual icon. The validity of your insurance will be displayed.

It is worth noting that it is regarded as a violation to drive without valid vehicle insurance in Saudi Arabia. The minimum fine for this violation is SR100 and the maximum fine is SR150.

The Saudi Traffic Department is warning all drivers, both citizens and expatriates, to comply with traffic regulations and instructions, including making sure their vehicles have valid insurance. This is important to safeguard their rights in the event of any traffic accidents.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Azerbaijani banks are required to prepare a new strategic plan following the "Corporate governance standards for banks" approved by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) and submit it to the CBA by the end of March next year, Trend reports.

According to the CBA, the banks must also assess the level of implementation of the standards every three months and report their results to the CBA.

"As stated in the requirements of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the application of effective corporate governance requirements is necessary for overall financial stability and for ensuring risk-oriented banking activities," the CBA said.

"In connection with this, the decision of the Board of Directors of the CBA dated August 28, 2023, adopted the "Corporate governance standards for banks," which came into force on September 8. The main goal of adopting these standards is to ensure their operation in accordance with the principles of reliability, transparency, accountability, and responsibility by clearly defining the powers and responsibilities of the governing bodies of banks," the CBA added.

Prior to the adoption of the new standards, regulatory requirements for corporate governance standards in banks were governed by the "Corporate governance standards for banks," the "Rules for risk management in banks", and the "Rules for the organization of internal control and internal audit in banks".

The first two of the above regulatory acts were adopted in 2013, and in 2019, the abolished Financial Market Supervisory Authority made certain changes to these rules. The rules for internal control and audit were adopted in 1999, and since then, only technical changes were made to them.
Press Release

October 2, 2023 Senate approves Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers as Bong Go continues to champion migrant workers' welfare In a crucial legislative move that marks a milestone for the Philippine maritime industry, the Senate has unanimously approved on third and final reading the Senate Bill institutionalizing the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers. Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, co-sponsor and one of the authors of the bill, lauded the approval as he continues to advocate for the welfare of Filipino seafarers. He described the Senate approval as a "triumph for our unsung heroes and a testament to the Senate's commitment to the welfare of our kababayans at sea." "Today is a monumental day for our Filipino seafarers. They are the backbone of our maritime industry, and it's high time we recognize their sacrifices and contributions," said Go. "Ang pag-apruba ng Magna Carta ay hindi lamang isang tagumpay sa lehislatura, kundi tagumpay para sa bawat Pilipinong seafarer at kanilang mga pamilya," he stressed. The senator has been consistently pushing for the Magna Carta ever since he became a lawmaker, considering the need for clear guidelines and protection for seafarers given the risks that come with their profession from long working hours, limited rest periods, and health threats. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. previously certified the bill as urgent to expedite its legislative passage. A version of the bill has also already been passed in the House of Representatives. "This Congress approval and the President's urgent certification are crucial steps in ensuring that our seafarers are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve," added Go. Go further highlighted the measure's impact in ensuring alignment of Filipino seafarers credentials with international standards, particularly in the European market. "We cannot afford to lag behind in global maritime standards. This bill ensures that our seafarers are trained and accredited according to international norms," said Go. It can be recalled that the European Maritime Safety Agency previously flagged the Philippines for not meeting international maritime safety standards. "They can now look forward to better working conditions, healthcare services, and international opportunities," concluded Go. Go's other efforts to champion the welfare of migrant workers have also materialized with the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers, the establishment of a dedicated OFW Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga during the Duterte administration, and the ongoing operations of a Malasakit Center in the said hospital. Then president Rodrigo Duterte had signed Republic Act No. 11641 on December 2022, creating the DMW. The Senate version of the Act was authored and co-sponsored by Go. Go currently filed Senate Bill No. 2297, which seeks to institutionalize the OFW hospital and secure its long-term operations such as needed funding, equipment and personnel, to better cater to the medical needs of OFWs and their families. On the other hand, the Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop aimed at helping particularly poor and indigent patients minimize their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible by collaborating with various agencies offering medical assistance programs. This initiative was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, a law principally authored and sponsored by Go in the Senate. Presently, there are 159 Malasakit Centers spread across the country including one in the OFW Hospital. More than seven million Filipinos have benefitted from the program, as reported by DOH. "Naisakatuparan po ang pangarap natin na magkaroon ng sariling departamento, ito pong Department of Migrant Workers. Co-sponsor po ako diyan at isa sa mga author... pangarap natin ito noon na naisakatuparan na. Ang pangarap natin magkaroon ng isang OFW hospital, naisakatuparan din. Hindi na po panaginip. Ngayon po, mayroon na rin po tayong Malasakit Center sa inyong OFW Hospital," he cited. "Ipagpatuloy natin ang ating mga pagsisikap na maipaglaban ang karapatan at kapakanan ng ating mga itinuturing na bagong bayani. Mahirap mawalay sa pamilya para lang mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang kanilang mga anak. Kaya gawin natin ang lahat sa abot ng ating makakaya na suportahan sila bilang pagkilala sa kanilang kontribusyon sa ating bansa, nasaan man sila sa mundo," he added.
Photo: Contributed The small bird rescued by Doreen Zyderveld-Hagel.

A sickening thud echoed throughout the room. It was sound I recognize well, when a bird hits a window.

It was Aug. 3, in mid-afternoon. Reluctantly, I walked onto the balcony and looked below but saw nothing. Afterwards, I drove around the corner and a hunch-backed bird hopped across the road in front of me. The injured bird couldnt fly. I opened up a cloth grocery bag and scooped up the bird and brought it home.

I put the birds in a Sunkist oranges box and covered the top with a small towel. My feathered friend snapped out of his stupor, hammered on the cardboard and shuffled about. Unnerved by the racket, I wondered if hed find an escape hatch and wreak poopy-havoc in the office. Frantically, I searched the internet for a wild life rehabilitation place as the bird rat-a-tat-tatted in Morse code, calling for his parents to spring him.

Wild Things Rehab came up on my Google search along with Wild Kingdom, a love shop. The rehab's address didnt exist, but the love shop's address and phone number kept appearing. I wasnt looking to enhance my love life. That ship sailed and sunk many moons ago.

No contact information for the rehab society was disheartening. After several calls, a reporter provided me with a lead. I got Sydney Platzs phone number from a local veterinary clinic. The receptionist said the bird could only be euthanized if I brought it in, but Platz would provide guidance on caring for the animal. However, the rehabs doors werent open yet.

I tried emailing and leaving messages for several agencies before texting Platz, but none responded. Platz recommended setting the bird free after a few out hours of rest and thats what we did. The juvenile Hairy Woodpecker was still unable to fly, so I brought the youngster back inside and waited two more hours.

The poor little guy was distressed and attempted to poke his way out. We took him outside, removed the lid and he ran up a tree. I photographed the bird at the top of the bush and looked for him the next morning. However, junior was gone and several robins had taken over the shrub.

I hoped he had a sprained wing, not a broken one, and he just flew away. If the robins killed him, I would have found his body.

Had the Wild Things Rehab been open, Id have taken the woodpecker there for proper medical attention, food and rest. The feisty escape artist had a strong will to live. Sadly, the nearest wild life hospital is in Oliver and is only for raptors, I discovered.

In 2016, I searched for a Kelowna area wildlife sanctuary because of a window strike by another bird, a Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker.

(The cartoon character )Yosemite Sam used the birds name as an insult, but that yellow belly was no coward. He slammed headlong into the window and knocked himself out. I found him lying on the sidewalk with his feet curled up. His beady little eyes watched me suspiciously as he softly chirped. Maybe he told me to get lost, but I didnt want to leave him at the mercy of our roaming barn cat.

I walked inside the house and donned a pair of thick ski gloves and grabbed a cardboard box. The bird lay there limp and helpless but suddenly the angry avian came back to life and went berserk pecking at my gloves. He would have punched holes in my hands had I had not covered them with the thick padding.

I put the bird in the box and he stomped, shrieked and gave me the stink eye.I found myself in a pickle. What should I do? I asked myself. I had an idea to back away and retrieve the phone book and a camera. Scenes from Alfred Hitchcocks movie The Birds flashed through my mind. That crazed critter got louder and louder, sounding a battle cry for his buddies to come and attack.

Carefully I walked backwards into the farmhouse and collected the items I needed and when I came back outside, I discovered the box open and the woodpecker was gone. What a relief.

It turns out, woodpeckers can take a good wallop to the old noggin, which explained how he survived. Woodpeckers peck with a force between 1,200 to 1,400 Gs (g-force), and while doing so, they wrap their tongue saround their heads to protect them.

Our creator gave woodpeckers specialized skulls, beaks, and bones that allow them to peck with immense force and not suffer injuries to the brain. They tear off tree bark and drill to get at the ants within.

Comparing the two woodpeckers, Im fortunate Hairy was a gentle rescuee, otherwise things may not have ended well for me. Yikes!

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. The improvement of infrastructure to strengthen rail transport in Central Asia holds particular interest for Germany, a source at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport of Germany told Trend.

The source emphasized the significance of boosting capacity and the share of goods transported via the Middle Corridor, saying it's necessary to improve port and multimodal infrastructure.

"Germany has a focus on the whole Central Asian region, aiming for a better connectivity towards Europe. The country cooperates and aligns its efforts with European Union institutions and other organizations and their regional programs," the ministry source noted.

Today, the "Germany + Central Asia" Summit is taking place in Berlin, with the participation of the heads of Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, along with the Federal President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor.

The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.
AMERICAS

Colombia

Expected Council Action

In October, the Security Council is expected to receive a briefing from Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu on recent developments and the Secretary-Generals latest 90-day report on the mission, which covers the period from 27 June to 26 September. The chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Ambassador Ivan Simonovic (Croatia), and a civil society representative may also brief the Council.

The Council is expected to renew the verification missions mandate ahead of its 31 October expiry.

Key Recent Developments

Over one year has passed since President Gustavo Petro Urrego assumed office on 7 August 2022. During that period, his administrations pursuit of total peacewhich entails promotion of dialogue with armed groups operating in the country, as well as the implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace signed in 2016 between the government of Colombia and the former rebel group Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo (FARC-EP)has produced mixed results. Progress has been made in dialogue efforts with armed groups, particularly with the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN), and in advancing certain aspects of the 2016 peace agreement, including rural reform and transitional justice. However, some Colombian actors have continued calling on the government to further prioritise implementation of the 2016 agreement, including provisions on security guarantees for former combatants as well as its gender and ethnic chapters.

During the period covered by the Secretary-Generals report, pervasive violence continued to affect communities (including indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities), former FARC-EP members, human rights defenders, and social leaders. The verification mission verified the killing of 15 ex-combatants, compared to 12 killed during the previous reporting period. According to the Secretary-Generals report, the Special Investigation Unit of the Office of the Attorney-General reported three new convictions in cases related to attacks against former combatants, for a total of 70 convictionsless than 15 percentin the 475 such cases that are under the offices investigation. On two occasions during the period covered by the Secretary-Generals report, ex-combatants and members of the Comunes party, which is comprised of former members of the FARC-EP, demonstrated in front of the Ministry of Interior and the Office of the Attorney-General, calling on the government to provide security guarantees and accountability for attacks against signatories of the 2016 accord.

In a notable development, on 7 September, the National Commission on Security Guarantees (NCSG), a body established by the 2016 agreement, presented a public policy for dismantling criminal organisations and their support networks and an action plan for its implementation. In the past several years, many national and international interlocutorsincluding Security Council members in their press statements on Colombiahave called on the NCSG to present this policy, which is a key component of the 2016 agreements chapter on security guarantees. According to the action plan, the government will seek to promote comprehensive actions that address the multiple causesincluding socioeconomic, political, ideological, and culturalthat contribute to the creation and persistence of criminal structures. The plan stipulates, among other things, the strengthening of the states presence in areas where institutional weakness has allowed such structures to take root.

The Secretary-Generals report emphasises that the creation of an office within the presidency dedicated to advancing implementation of the 2016 peace agreement is essential to coordinating entities and policies related to the accords security guarantees. More than six months since Petro announced in March his intention to establish such an office and to appoint a high-level official to oversee the implementation of the peace process with the former FARC-EP, this official has yet to be named.

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP)the judicial component of the Comprehensive System for Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition established by the 2016 agreementhas continued to advance its work. In a notable development on Case 03 (on killings and forced disappearances presented as casualties in combat by state agents, also known as false positives), on 30 August, the SJP indicted one general and eight soldiers for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Antioquia department during 2002 and 2003, resulting in 130 victims of extrajudicial killings. Regarding Case 01 (on crimes committed by the FARC-EP such as hostage-taking and other serious deprivations of liberty), the SJP in July indicted ten former members of the FARC-EP central command who operated in the Tolima, Quindio, and Huila departments, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity, including torture and sexual violence. On 27 September, the SJP opened a new macro-case, Case 11, on gender-based violence.

Recent months have also witnessed progress in the governments dialogue efforts with armed groups operating in the country. On 3 August, a bilateral six-month ceasefire agreed between the Colombian government and the ELN came into force. On the same day, the sides established a National Participation Committee, which is tasked with designing a methodology for the participation of civil society in the process.

The Security Council expanded the verification missions mandate to monitor and verify the implementation of the ceasefire between the government and the ELN in resolution 2694 of 2 August. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 2 August.) The Secretary-Generals report describes the missions new work as part of the ceasefires Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, noting that the parties have successfully avoided any significant confrontation during the reporting period.

In resolution 2694, the Council indicated its willingness to consider mandating the verification mission to monitor and verify a ceasefire with the Estado Mayor Central Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo (EMC FARC-EP), when the Secretary-General confirms a ceasefire including appropriate verification protocols has been reached with the armed group. (The EMC FARC-EP mainly consists of former FARC-EP dissidents who did not sign the 2016 accord.) On 19 September, the government and the EMC FARC-EP announced their decision to install a peace dialogue table on 8 October. The parties also pledged to begin implementing, on that day, a ten-month bilateral, national ceasefire, committing to uphold respect for the civilian population.

Shortly after the announcement, the EMC FARC-EP carried out two separate car bomb attacks targeting police stations in the Valle del Cauca department on 20 and 22 September, which killed two civilians and injured ten people, respectively. Government officials condemned these attacks but did not indicate a change in the planned entry into force of the ceasefire on 8 October. After the 22 September attack, the EMC FARC-EP announced that it has unilaterally decided to cease its offensive actions from September 22 to 8 October.

Human Rights-Related Developments On 8 September, the international human rights expert Antonia Urrejola concluded her first visit to Colombia since her appointment on 26 July by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. Urrejolas mandate includes identifying and verifying the obstacles to the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement. At the conclusion of her visit, the expert issued a statement, referencing the exchanges she has had with senior representatives of the government, human rights defenders, members of civil society, and various UN representatives in Colombia. Urrejola said that the contents of the meetings will be the basis of her report to the Human Rights Council at its 55th session and noted her forthcoming visit to Colombia in November to continue gathering information in line with her mandate. On 14 September, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Fabian Salvioli, issued a statement announcing that he would conduct an official visit to Colombia from 19 to 29 September. During his visit, Savioli inspected approaches towards addressing the legacy of serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed during the 50-year armed conflict and considered the measures undertaken by Colombian authorities to promote truth, justice, and reparations, among other matters. Women, Peace and Security On 21 August, the Informal Experts Group (IEG) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) held a meeting on Colombia, at which Ruiz Massieu briefed. Among other issues, participants discussed the development of Colombias first National Action Plan on Security Council resolution 1325, womens participation in the talks with the ELN and other armed groups, the implementation of the gender provisions of the 2016 peace agreement, and measures to address violence against women human rights defenders, social leaders, former combatants, and in public life and politics. UN Women, as the IEG Secretariat, recommended that in the upcoming negotiations on the verification missions mandate renewal, the Council consider demanding the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in the implementation of the 2016 accord and in the negotiations with other armed actors in Colombia. UN Women also recommended requesting the mission to continue integrating gender as a cross-cutting issue in its planning, verification and reporting, as well as recognising the importance of ensuring adequate expertise to perform the functions added to the mandate. UN Women further recommended urging the adequate implementation of the Comprehensive Programme of Safeguards for Women Leaders and Human Rights Defenders and integrating a gender perspective in the work of Colombias National Protection Unit.

Key Issues and Options

A key priority for the Council in October is to renew the verification missions mandate. The Council could choose to adopt a straightforward renewal of the mandate, without altering its tasks. Council members may also consider if recent developments require any alteration to the missions mandate, including in respect of the expected ceasefire between the government and the EMC FARC-EP. Members may also consider incorporating the recommendations presented by UN Women during the 21 August meeting of the IEG on WPS.

Another important issue for Council members is the local elections in Colombia planned for late October. Council members are likely to be watching closely preparations for these elections, set to take place on 29 October, as electoral campaign periods in Colombia have historically been characterised by heightened violence. During the period covered by the Secretary-Generals report, the verification mission received reports of several killings of members of political parties from across the spectrum, including of a woman candidate and an indigenous candidate. In the press statement that members routinely issue following their quarterly meeting on Colombia, they may wish to call for greater institutional efforts to guarantee fair and secure participation in the electoral process, particularly of women former combatants.

Council Dynamics

Council members are united in their support for the peace process in Colombia and for the verification missions work. Members are generally attentive to requests from the Colombian government, as reflected in the recent unanimous adoption of resolution 2694, which responded to the governments 14 February request to the Council regarding the expansion of the verification missions mandate.

Although the Secretary-General in a 13 June letter presented two options for the missions mandate expansionnamely, a limited expansion focused only on the ELN and the EMC FARC-EP or a broader expansion incorporating all armed groups that are engaging in dialoguethe Council opted to approve only a role in verifying the ceasefire with the ELN. Some members, such as the US, apparently feel that a cautious approach is needed regarding groups characterised as criminal and advocate a case-by-case analysis of a possible UN role in such dialogue efforts. It also seems that many members felt during the negotiations that the process with the EMC FARC-EP was not yet sufficiently advanced and therefore did not want to include this aspect in the mandate expansion. Some other members, however, apparently held the view that approving a role for the mission in the dialogue efforts with the EMC FARC-EP could have been beneficial since this group often competes for the same territories as the ELN.

Additionally, China apparently raised concerns about the possible budgetary implications of increasing the missions observer ceiling to perform the new additional monitoring tasks. As a result, the number of approved additional observers was reduced from 70 to 68 in the course of negotiations.

The UK is the penholder on Colombia.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 2. The IAEA mission "Site and External Events Design Review Service (SEED) mission" began in Kazakhstan to evaluate the results of studies conducted on the selection of a nuclear power plant (NPP) site as part of a plan for cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the IAEA in the field of nuclear energy development, Trend reports.

The mission will operate from October 2 through October 6, 2023.

As part of the mission, IAEA experts will review documentation on the selection of a nuclear power plant site with a visit to a potential area (Ulken village, Almaty region).

Representatives of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Kazatomprom, and others were invited to participate in the mission.

As a result of the mission, IAEA experts will present a final report with proposals and recommendations for further determination of the optimal site for the nuclear power plant.

As previously stated by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan will submit to a referendum the issue of building a nuclear power plant in the country. He noted that the development of nuclear power is a particularly important economic and political issue.

Kazakhstan ranks second in the world in terms of proven reserves of natural uranium. About 14 percent of all proven world reserves are concentrated in the depths of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The country's total proven reserves are estimated at more than 700,000 tons of uranium.

In 2009, Kazakhstan came out on top in terms of uranium mining in the world and continues to maintain its leading position in the world market. Kazakhstan produces about 40 percent of the world's uranium production. In 2021, the volume of uranium production amounted to 21,800 tons, according to the results of 202221,300 tons.
AFRICA

Great Lakes Region (DRC)

Expected Council Action

The Secretary-Generals Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Huang Xia, is expected to provide the biannual briefing to the Council in October on the implementation of the 2013 Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework (PSC-F) for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region.

Key Recent Developments

Several regional meetings have taken place since April when Xia last briefed the Council. The Regional Oversight Mechanism (ROM) of the PSC-F held its 11th high-level meeting in Bujumbura, Burundi on 6 May, attended by regional leaders and guarantor institutions of the PSC-F. Participants discussed developments in the Great Lakes region and assessed the progress and challenges in the implementation of the PSC-F ten years after its signing on 24 February 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. According to the meetings communique, the regional leaders requested the Technical Support Committee (TSC), composed of senior officials of the signatories of the PSC-F, to conduct an independent, frank, and sincere assessment of its implementation. The conclusions and recommendations of this assessment are expected to form part of a roadmap for the revitalisation of the PSC-F, to be submitted to the next high-level meeting of the oversight mechanism in Uganda next year.

On 31 May, regional leaders of the East African Community (EAC) agreed to extend the EAC Regional Forces (EACRF) mandate for an additional six months, from 8 March to 8 September. (The status of forces agreement (SOFA) was signed between the DRC government and the EAC in September 2022 to enable the deployment of the EACRF for an initial period of six months and negotiations were underway to renew the agreement after it expired in March.) The EACRF was deployed in November 2022 in areas vacated by the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23), an armed group operating in the DRCs North Kivu province that was dormant in the past decade and became active again in 2022. The force was part of the ongoing regional diplomatic efforts spearheaded by the EAC to address the situation in eastern DRC, known as the Nairobi process. Nevertheless, the Congolese government did not want the EACRF to stay after the end of its initial mandate and had turned its attention towards the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which on 8 May decided to deploy its regional standby force to restore peace and stability in the eastern DRC.

In August, the EAC defence ministers met in Nairobi to assess the progress by the EACRF in restoring stability in its area of deployment and recommended extending its mandate pending the consent of the Congolese government to renew the status of forces agreement. Following the visit to Kinshasa in August by Burundian President Evariste Ndiyishimiye, the current chair of the EAC, the Congolese government softened its stance on the EACRF and signalled its consent to allow the force to stay after the expiry of its mandate on 8 September. Therefore, the EAC leaders met in an extraordinary summit in Nairobi on 5 September on the sidelines of the Africa climate summit hosted by Kenya and decided to extend the EACRF mandate for another three months until 8 December.

Meanwhile, the SADC Troikaconsisting of the chairperson (Namibia), the incoming chairperson (Zambia), and the previous chairperson (South Africa) of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Securityheld its extraordinary summit virtually on 11 July and approved the mandate for deploying the SADC Mission in DRC (SAMIDRC). According to the Chairperson of the SADC Troika, SADCIDRC was expected to be deployed by 30 September.

Aside from the EAC and SADC, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) has also been involved in regional efforts to address the situation in eastern DRC, known as the Luanda process. On 3 June, the ICGLR held an extraordinary summit in Luanda, Republic of Angola to review the situation in the Great Lakes region, including the eastern DRC. The meeting welcomed the outcome of the 31 May EAC extraordinary summit, recognised the reduction of violence in North Kivu, reiterated the need for local and foreign armed groups to disarm unconditionally, and called on the Congolese government to accelerate the implementation of its Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Reintegration and Stabilization Programme (P-DDRCS).

On 27 June, a Quadripartite Summit of the EAC, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the ICGLR, and the SADC was held in Luanda under the AUs auspices. Other participants included the DRC, Rwanda, and the UN. The meeting agreed on a joint framework that will seek to promote coherence among the existing initiatives of the four regional mechanisms engaged in the DRC with a clear division of responsibilities and agreed timelines.

On 2 August, the Secretary-General presented his options for reconfiguring the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in DRC (MONUSCO) pursuant to resolution 2666 of 20 December 2022, which renewed the missions mandate. These options were expected to take into account the missions role in light of other existing international, regional, and bilateral initiatives in support of the DRC. The Secretary-General proposed an enhanced role for the Office of the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes and the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) to reinforce ongoing regional initiatives. He also proposed a division of labour between MONUSCO and the regional forces to optimise their respective contributions to creating a secure environment. The report (S/2023/574) further indicated the need to adjust MONUSCOs mandate to enable the mission to leverage its operational and logistical capabilities in support of the EACRF and possibly the SAMIDRC when it is deployed.

Women, Peace and Security

On 14 July, Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten briefed the Security Council at its annual open debate on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). She said that, with 701 CRSV violations, the DRC presented the highest number of UN-verified cases of CRSV in 2022. Patten added, however, that thousands more cases of sexual and gender-based violence were reported by UN humanitarian service providers, including alarming levels of sexual exploitation of children at more than 1,000 sites in and around displacement camps. Addressing the prevalence of sexual violence perpetrated against women carrying out livelihood activities around the camps, such as searching for food and collecting wood or water, Patten said that women and girls face an unacceptable choice between economic subsistence and sexual violence and between their livelihoods and their lives. How food insecurity increases the risk of exposure to sexual violence should not be underestimated, she said.

Peacebuilding Commission Developments

At the Councils 19 April briefing on the Great Lakes region, the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Ambassador Ivan Simonovic (Croatia), briefed. He encouraged the Council to emphasise the importance of inclusivity for long-term sustainable peace in the region, including through the participation of women and youth in political and peace processes. Simonovic suggested that the Council support efforts for sustainable and transparent management of natural resources and request international and regional financial institutions to enhance their support for disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programs. Among other points, he called for the Council to continue to reiterate the importance of a strategic and coherent approach by the UN and stakeholders in the region, in particular in the context of MONUSCOs transition.

Key Issues and Options

A key issue for Council members is how to revitalise the PSC-F framework to address the root causes of instability in the DRC and the Great Lakes region. They will be keen to follow up on the outcome of the 11th Regional Oversight Mechanism meeting in Bujumbura.

The other related issue is the status of the ongoing regional initiativesnotably the Nairobi and Luanda processes. Council members might be interested in hearing of their progress and challenges in finding a solution to the security situation in eastern DRC. Preparations were ongoing to convene the fourth round of inter-Congolese dialogue under the Nairobi process, but it has not yet happened.

While Council members remain supportive of regional initiatives, they continue to stress that they should be complementary and mutually reinforcing. The outcome of the quadripartite summit may draw their attention in this regard.

The Secretary-Generals report on options for reconfiguring MONUSCO and its relevant recommendations on the enhanced role of the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes may be of particular interest. In light of the upcoming mandate renewal of MONUSCO in December, Council members might be keen to know what more the Special Envoys office can do in support of regional initiatives.

A possible option for Council members is to adopt a presidential statement to react to several developments in the Great Lakes region. The Council last adopted a presidential statement on the region on 20 October 2021.

Council Dynamics

Council members are broadly supportive of addressing the root causes and drivers of conflict in the Great Lakes region through a comprehensive regional approach. They believe the principles and commitments enshrined in the PSC-F remain relevant and may welcome the outcome of the 11th meeting of the regional oversight mechanism, including the decision to reinvigorate PSC-F. Council members continue to emphasise the need to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law and promote accountability and justice.

Council members also highlight the need to address the illegal exploitation of natural resources, which is fuelling the conflict in eastern DRC. They support the implementation of the UN Strategy for Peace Consolidation, Conflict Prevention, and Conflict Resolution in the Great Lakes Region, which was developed by the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes. One of the key priorities of the strategy is promoting sustainable and transparent management of natural resources as well as trade and investment.

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AMERICAS

Haiti

Expected Council Action

In October, the Council is expected to continue negotiations on a draft resolution authorising member states to deploy a non-UN multinational force to Haiti. Council members began discussion on the draft resolution in September.

The Council is also expected to renew the Haiti sanctions regime, which was established for an initial period of one year pursuant to resolution 2653 of 21 October 2022.

Additionally, the Council will hold its 90-day briefing on the situation in Haiti. Special Representative and head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) Maria Isabel Salvador will brief the Council on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country and the Secretary-Generals latest report on BINUH.

Key Recent Developments

Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, Haiti has descended into a multidimensional crisis characterised by political deadlock, extreme violence, and dire humanitarian conditions. At the time of writing, the country lacks a single democratically elected official as the caretaker government led by Prime Minister Ariel Henry struggles to reach a political settlement with opposition groups on the organisation of elections. Politically connected criminal gangs have taken over an estimated 80 percent of Port-au-Prince, the capital, fuelling unprecedented levels of violence: according to the Secretary-Generals latest BINUH report (S/2023/492), dated 3 July, 2,094 homicides were committed in the country between January and June, an increase of 67.5 percent compared with the second half of 2022.

In the absence of functioning state security institutions, a vigilante movement known as Bwa Kale has emerged, resulting in the extrajudicial killing of at least 238 individuals allegedly linked to gangs, according to BINUHs latest quarterly human rights report, dated 31 August. About half of the countrys population is food insecure and nearly 200,000 people are internally displaced. William ONeill, the UN Expert on Human Rights in Haiti, said in July that he has never seen the situation as bad as it is now during the 30 years he has worked in the country.

On 7 October 2022, seeking to stabilise the countrys security situation and stem the multidimensional crisis, the Haitian government appealed for the immediate deployment of an international specialised force to temporarily reinforce the efforts of the Haitian National Police (HNP) to combat gangs. On 8 October 2022, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres submitted to the Security Council a special report (S/2022/747) outlining options to enhance security support for Haiti, requested by resolution 2645 of 15 July 2022 renewing BINUHs mandate. The report recommended that [o]ne or several Member States, acting bilaterally at the invitation of and in cooperation with the Government of Haiti, could deploy, as a matter of urgency, a rapid action force to support the HNP. At the Councils 17 October 2022 (S/PV.9153) meeting on Haiti, the US noted that it and then-Council member Mexicoco-penholders on Haiti at the timewere working on a resolution that would authorize a non-UN international security assistance mission to help improve the security situation. The US added that such a mission would be led by a partner country with the deep, necessary experience required for such an effort to be effective and would operate under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

On 21 October 2022, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2653, establishing a sanctions regime on Haiti that included targeted assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo measures. The designation criteria outlined in the resolution include engaging in or supporting criminal activities and violence involving armed groups and criminal networks; supporting illicit trafficking and diversion of arms and related materiel; obstructing the delivery of humanitarian assistance to and inside Haiti; and attacking personnel or premises of UN missions and operations or providing support for such attacks. An annex to the resolution designated one person under the regime: Jimmy Cherizier (also known as Barbeque), who heads an alliance of Haitian gangs called the G9 Family and Allies. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 21 October 2022.)

Following the adoption of resolution 2653, Council action on Haiti stalled in the absence of a country willing to lead the proposed multinational force. As the domestic situation deteriorated further, the Haitian government reiterated its request for security support in a letter to the Secretary-General, dated 7 June.

On 14 July, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2692, renewing BINUHs mandate for another year and requesting the Secretary-General to report within 30 days on the full range of options for UN support to enhance the security situation in Haiti, including but not limited to support for a non-UN multinational force. The resolution also requested the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to update the Council every three months, through the Secretary-Generals regular reporting on BINUH, on sources and routes of illicit arms and financial flows, relevant UN activities and recommendations.

On 29 July, ten months after Haitis initial request for security support, Kenyan Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua announced in a statement that his country had agreed to positively consider leading a multinational force to Haiti. The statement said that Kenya would deploy a contingent of 1,000 police officers to help train and assist Haitian police restore [to] normalcy in the country and protect strategic installations. Subsequently, several Caribbean countriesincluding Jamaica, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbudaannounced their intention to participate, or consider participating, in the force. The pledges were welcomed by Haiti and the US, as well as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). In his report dated 14 August, requested by resolution 2692, the Secretary-General reiterated his recommendation to deploy a non-UN multinational force to Haiti and similarly welcomed the announcements of Kenya and partner countries.

From 21 to 23 August, a Kenyan delegation visited Haiti to assess needs on the ground and meet with Haitian and UN officials and members of the diplomatic community in the country. Following the assessment mission, Ecuador and the USthe Councils current co-penholders on Haitiintroduced a draft resolution authorising the multinational force. At the time of writing, the draft resolution remained under consideration by Council members.

On 15 September, the Dominican Republic closed its border with Haiti because of a dispute over rights to a river that runs along the border. The closure is expected to have a significant detrimental impact on Haitians, many of whom rely on cross-border financial flows and the import of essential products like food and medicines. On 16 September, the Secretary-General stressed through a spokesperson that humanitarian exemptions from the border closure are urgently required to ensure the continuation of all UN activities in Haiti. In an 18 September statement, ONeill said he was extremely alarmed by the Dominican Republics decision, which he urged the government to reconsider.

On 22 September, the US hosted a ministerial-level event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss the proposed multinational force. At the meeting, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged $100 million to support the deploymentpending Congressional approvalas well as logistical support in the form of intelligence, airlift, communications, and medical capabilities. Several other countries in attendance reportedly also announced pledges of support.

Human Rights-Related Developments

From 19 to 28 June, ONeill undertook his first official visit to the country. In a 28 June statement concluding the visit, ONeill underscored that the human rights situation in Haiti is dramatic, adding that all rights are violated. He noted the efforts made by the Haitian National Police to combat gang violence, stressing that a specialised international force is essential and must be coordinated in close collaboration with the policeto allow them to build their capacitywith all the guarantees of human rights due diligence. ONeill transmitted his findings to the Human Rights Council in a report (A/HRC/54/79) dated 25 September.

In a 3 August statement, UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Margaret Satterthwaite expressed her grave concern about the attempted assassination of Haitian judge Wilner Morin in Port-au-Prince in May. Morin is investigating multiple high-profile corruption cases, and Satterthwaite noted her dismay at the great vulnerability of independent justice operators who deal with high-impact corruption cases in Haiti.

On 18 August, a statement from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights denounced the extreme brutality of violence being inflicted on the civilian population and relayed a call from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk for urgent action to deploy a non-UN multinational force to support the Haitian National Police in addressing the grave security situation and restoring the rule of law, in strict compliance with international human rights norms and standards.

Sanctions-Related Developments

On 8 September, the 2653 Haiti Sanctions Committee held informal consultations to consider the final report of the committees Panel of Experts, submitted in accordance with paragraph 21 of resolution 2653. The report, which was due to the Security Council by 15 September and was not yet publicly available at the time of writing, may recommend additional individuals to designate under the Haiti sanctions regime.

Women, Peace, and Security

On 8 June, the Informal Experts Group (IEG) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) met on the situation in Haiti. Special Representative for Haiti and Head of BINUH Maria Isabel Salvador briefed. According to the summary of the meeting (S/2023/617), issued on 23 August by Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the IEG co-chairs, together with the UK, as the penholder on WPS, Council members asked, among other questions, whether the UN had developed the parameters that would be required in a non-United Nations international force to ensure that it would protect women and girls effectively. Members also asked for guidance on how the Security Council can help to address gender equality issues, including through specific provisions in BINUHs mandate. UN Women, as the IEG Secretariat, recommended that the Council retain all existing WPS references from recent resolutions on Haiti. UN Women also recommended that members consider adding language demanding the full participation of women in all political dialogues and transitional arrangements and requesting that the UN periodically report on their representation in conflict resolution and decision-making processes. UN Women further recommended adding new language ensuring that gender equality issues and attention to sexual and gender-based violence are prioritized in any additional deployments or international support to help the Government of Haiti tackle the armed gangs.

Key Issues and Options

A key issue for the Council in October is adopting a resolution that would authorise the deployment of a non-UN multinational force to support the efforts of the HNP to re-establish security in Haiti. Council members began negotiating a draft resolution in early September.

Another issue for the Council is renewing the mandate of the Haiti sanctions regime, which expires on 21 October. To date, Cherizier remains the only individual designated under the regime. As part of the renewal, the Council may consider designating additional individuals and amending the arms embargo sanctions measures, following recommendations from the Panel of Experts and UNODC, respectively.

Council Dynamics

Council members are united in their concern about the spiralling situation in Haiti and generally agree on the need for a Haitian-led political solution that addresses both security and socioeconomic challenges. Views vary on appropriate Council action to support this process, however, and have complicated negotiations over the draft resolution authorising the deployment of the multinational force to Haiti.

It appears that China has argued that negotiations at this stage are premature and that the Council should not authorise a deployment until it has received additional information from Haiti and Kenya on their bilateral agreement regulating the multinational force, including details such as its rules of engagement, areas of deployment, resourcing, and exit strategy. China has apparently also argued that the Council should be cautious about invoking its authority under Chapter VII of the UN Charterwhich concerns enforcement measuresand that the Council does not necessarily need to authorise a bilaterally agreed deployment. Instead, it may consider other options such as welcoming or endorsing it.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iraq

Expected Council Action

In October, the Council will hold an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on the situation in Iraq. Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert will brief the Council on recent developments in the country and on the Secretary-Generals latest reports on UNAMI and the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third-party nationals and missing Kuwaiti property.

Key Recent Developments

It has been one year since the Iraqi parliament approved a new cabinet led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, ending the political deadlock that had gripped the country following the October 2021 parliamentary election. The new government has pursued a government programme focused on combatting corruption, addressing unemployment, supporting vulnerable and low-income groups, reforming the economic and financial sectors, and enhancing public services. On 13 March, the government announced a draft budget law for 2023-2025 to advance these priorities. On 12 June, the Iraqi parliament approved the budget, allocating a record $153 billion annually.

Among other provisions, the government programme included commitments to amending electoral legislation and to holding elections within a year. Consequently, parliament voted on 27 March to abolish the 2020 election law, which was adopted in the wake of the 2019 anti-government protests, and to reinstate the prior election law of 2018. The restored law replaced a first-past-the-post system with proportional representation and reduced the number of electoral districts, which some analysts predict will favour established political parties at the expense of independent candidates. While a date has not yet been set for parliamentary elections, the government announced on 20 June that provincial elections will be held on 18 Decemberthe first such elections to be held since 2013 (after the 2018 provincial elections were postponed for technical reasons and the provincial councils were subsequently abolished following the 2019 protests). On 3 August, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced that it would hold its own long-delayed elections in February 2024.

Discussions about sharing oil revenue between the federal government and the KRG persist. On 23 March, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) ruled that the KRGs oil exports to Turkiye without Baghdads approval violated a 1973 pipeline agreement between Iraq and Turkiye, prompting the latter to halt these oil flows, which constitute approximately 0.5 percent of global supply. Baghdad and Erbil subsequently reached a temporary agreement to restart the exports, according to which the KRG would allow federal oversight of its oil revenues in exchange for a share of the newly adopted federal budget.

Despite this agreement, however, Turkiye has not yet reopened the pipeline while it reportedly seeks to negotiate the settlement that the ICC ordered Turkiye to pay Iraq and to resolve a separate but related case that remains pending with the chamber. According to estimates, the prolonged shutdown has so far cost the KRG $4 billion in lost export revenue, leaving the region increasingly reliant on pay-outs from the federal government. Following protests in the Kurdistan region over unpaid civil service salaries, the federal government announced on 17 September that it would disburse an additional $1.6 billion annually to the region.

Regarding the security situation, the Secretary-Generals latest biannual report on the threat posed by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) to international peace and security, dated 31 July, said that the group continued to command between 5,000 and 7,000 members across Iraq and Syria, despite sustained counterterrorism operations by Member States. According to the report, counterterrorism efforts by Iraqi forces continued to result in a reduction in ISIL/Daesh activities, but the group has maintained its low-grade insurgency, exploiting security gaps along the border of the Kurdistan region to enable attacks and resupply its cells in desert and mountainous areas.

Additionally, in late August, interethnic violence involving Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen broke out in the northern city of Kirkuk. The unrest followed the federal governments announcement that it would return to the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)the largest party in the KRGa building that had previously served as the party headquarters but had been occupied by the federal government since it seized Kirkuk in 2017. On 28 August, Arabs and Turkmen protested outside the building, seeking to halt its return to the KDP and the resumption of party activity in the city. Kurdish counter-protesters confronted the group, leading to a violent dispute and the deployment of Iraqi security forces. According to reports, four Kurds died, and two Iraqi officers were injured in the unrest.

There have also been security-related developments regarding Iraqs bilateral relationships with neighbouring countries. Following a series of Iranian air strikes in September and November 2022 against Kurdish-Iranian opposition groups in Iraqs Kurdistan region, Iran and Iraq announced a border security agreement in March aimed at protecting the common borders between the two countries and consolidating cooperation in several security fields, according to a statement by al-Sudanis office. In September, as part of the deal, Iraq began disarming and relocating Kurdish-Iranian groups from the Kurdistan region to refugee camps farther from the border.

Turkiye has also continued to conduct periodic military operations against Kurdish targets in Iraq. Most recently, on 18 September, Turkiye launched a drone attack on Arbat airport, killing three Kurdish counterterrorism officers. The following day, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid issued a statement condemning the repeated Turkish attacks on Iraqi territory. UNAMI also issued a statement condemning the attack on Arbat and emphasising that [a]ttacks repeatedly violating Iraqi sovereignty must stop.

On 30 May, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2682, renewing UNAMIs mandate for another year. On 15 September, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2697, renewing the mandate of the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh/ISIL (UNITAD) for a final one-year non-extendable term. (For more, see our Whats in Blue stories of 29 May and 14 September.)

Human Rights-Related Developments

From 6 to 9 August, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk undertook an official mission to Iraq at the invitation of the government. During his visit, Turk met with senior government leaders, civil society representatives, and religious leaders. In a 9 August press conference concluding the visit, Turk stressed the need to act immediately on the climate emergency, asserting that the era of global boiling has begun and noting that Iraq is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Turk acknowledged the governments commitment to address climate change and water scarcity as priorities. However, he noted that actions by government officials against journalists, members of civil society, and environmental activistssuch as violence, intimidation, and criminal defamation suitshave had a chilling effect on freedom of expression in the country.

In a 23 August statement, Human Rights Watch called on the Iraqi government to immediately withdraw a proposed law currently before parliament that would impose the death penalty for same-sex conduct and imprisonment for transgender expression. The statement said that the law, if adopted, would violate fundamental human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, association, privacy, equality, and nondiscrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Iraq.

Women, Peace, and Security

Khanim LatifFounder and Director of Asuda for Combating Violence Against Womenbriefed the Council during the 18 May meeting on the situation in Iraq. She spoke about the prevalence of violence against women in Iraqincluding against women human rights defendersand stressed that [w]ithout protection from violence and freedom from discrimination, women cannot engage fully or equally on a political, social or economic level. Among other recommendations, Latif urged the Council to call on the Iraqi government to provide access to shelters to survivors of gender-based violence, including ensuring access to psychosocial support, justice and legal services, as well as economic empowerment and opportunities for a safe future. She also called on the government to allocate a budget for, and implement, the March 2021 Yazidi Survivors Law.

Key Issues and Options

Key issues for the Council include supporting the Iraqi government in maintaining its political and economic stability, promoting human rights (such as the freedom of expression and the rights of women), and addressing the adverse effects of climate change on the countrys long-term development.

One option would be to adopt a statement welcoming the progress that Iraq has made in governance over the past year, while expressing concern about violence against women and calling for stepped-up efforts to curtail gender-based violence.

In addition to the Special Representatives briefing, the Council could invite a civil society representative in October to brief on the challenges facing Iraq.

Council and Broader Dynamics

Council members are broadly supportive of the Iraqi government and the assistance provided by UNAMI. While divisions emerged among Council members in relation to proposed Council products concerning the strikes carried out by Iran in the Kurdish region of Iraq in September and November 2022, these tensions have since eased: the recent adoptions of resolutions 2682 and 2697respectively renewing the mandates of UNAMI and UNITADwere both unanimous.

Regional dynamics continue to affect Iraq, however, as demonstrated by Irans and Turkiyes attacks in Iraqi Kurdistan and the influence of countries in the region on domestic politics. The Iraqi government routinely declares that it does not wish to become a theatre for broader geopolitical tensions, seeking a balanced relationship with regional and international security partners.

The US is the penholder on Iraq issues in general, and the UK is the penholder on Iraqi-Kuwaiti issues.

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EUROPE

Kosovo

Expected Council Action

In October, the Security Council is expected to hold its second briefing of the year on the situation in Kosovo. Special Representative and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Caroline Ziadeh will brief on recent developments and the Secretary-Generals latest report. Serbia is expected to participate under rule 37 and Kosovo under rule 39 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure.

Key Recent Developments

On 27 February, Prime Minister Albin Kurti of Kosovo and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic agreed to an EU proposal to normalise relations between Kosovo and Serbia. The 11-point agreement commits Kosovo and Serbia to developing normal, good-neighbourly relations with each other on the basis of equal rights. It also stipulates that neither can represent the other in the international sphere and that Serbia will not object to Kosovos membership in international organisations. In exchange, Kosovo commits to forming specific arrangements and guaranteesto ensure an appropriate level of self-management for the Serbian community in Kosovo. On 18 March, Belgrade and Pristina agreed on an annex outlining steps for the agreements implementation. Notably, it emphasised independent implementation of the agreements 11 points. On 18 April, Belgrade and Pristina established a Joint Monitoring Committee to oversee the agreements implementation.

Despite progress in the EU-mediated dialogue aimed at normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia, the political status of Kosovo Serbs in the north has remained a source of tension. Ethnic Albanians make up more than 90 percent of Kosovos population but are a small minority in the north, where over 50,000 ethnic Serbs reside. On 21 April, the main political party in Serb-dominated northern Kosovo, the Serbian List, urged the ethnic Serb community to boycott the elections scheduled for 23 April in four northern municipalities, labelling them as undemocratic, after multiple ethnic Serb candidates withdrew from the election. Consequently, only four percent of eligible voters participated. This low turnout led to the election of ethnic Albanian political parties, with the ruling Vetevendosje party and the Democratic Party of Kosovo emerging victorious. Following the election results, Milan Radoicic, the vice president of the Serbian List, declared that ethnic Serbs would never accept governance by officials elected with such minimal turnout in the northern municipalities.

Tensions escalated on 26 May when Kosovo Serbs in three northern municipalities tried to block the newly elected ethnic Albanian officials from entering municipal buildings. The situation turned volatile in the town of Zvecan, where police intervention led to confrontations with the protesters, resulting in dozens of injuries. In response to the clashes, Vucic put the Serbian army on high alert and ordered Serbian troops to the Kosovo border.

The situation deteriorated further on 29 May when the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) stepped in to disperse the Kosovo Serb protesters, leading to many injuries, including to approximately 93 NATO troops. On the same day, NATO issued a statement condemning the unprovoked attacks against KFOR troops in northern Kosovo as totally unacceptable. On 30 May, NATO announced the deployment of an additional 700 troops to Kosovo to stabilise the situation.

Tensions persisted in northern Kosovo throughout June, prompting international calls for de-escalation between Belgrade and Pristina. On 3 June, the EU called on Pristina to suspend police operations near the municipal buildings in northern Kosovo and to organise early elections as soon as possible in the four municipalities.

In a 13 June letter to High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Kurti detailed a five-point plan to defuse tensions in the north. Kurti expressed readiness to reduce the police presence and conduct new elections in the north. On 29 June, he agreed to scale back police deployment and to schedule early elections in the northern municipalities. On 11 July, Pristina reduced the police presence around the municipal buildings by 25 percent.

September saw another setback in the EU-mediated dialogue, however. Talks held in Brussels on 14 September yielded no progress. Borrell attributed the deadlock to Kurtis insistence that Serbia formally recognise Kosovo as a prerequisite for advancing the February agreement. Following the meeting, Borrell said that while Vucic accepted the EUs proposal on implementing the political aspects of normalisation simultaneously, Kurti was not ready to move forward and start a credible process towards establishing the Association/Community, adding that Kurti insisted instead on formalising de facto recognition [of Kosovo] as the first step.

Human Rights-Related Developments

During its 54th session, the Human Rights Council (HRC) will receive the report (A/HRC/54/24/Add.2) of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Fabian Salvioli. The report draws on Salviolis 22 November  2 December 2022 visit to Serbia and Kosovo, during which he evaluated the progress made in redressing serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed during the armed conflicts in the 1990s. In his report, Salvioli acknowledged the international communitys support for efforts to locate missing persons in Serbia and Kosovo in the conflicts aftermath. However, the report emphasised the lack of cooperation in recent years, difficulties in advancing accountability and reparations, and the insufficiency of measures to promote memory of past violence, to curb divisive sentiments and to promote reconciliation. Salvioli underscored the politicisation of the search for missing persons and the manipulation of its humanitarian mandate for political gain and expressed alarm about ongoing ethnocentric, nationalist and/or biased or incomplete narratives about the conflict in politics, the media, culture and education in Serbia and Kosovo. In his recommendations, the Special Rapporteur called on the authorities in Serbia and Kosovo to focus on transitional justice, noting that its success will be essential in order to achieve reconciliation and sustainable peace.

Key Issues and Options

The Councils main priority is to maintain stability in Kosovo and promote the de-escalation of tensions in the north. It will continue to monitor diplomatic efforts to advance the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and any efforts towards reaching a final, legally binding agreement on Kosovo. To this end, Council members could consider pursuing a press statement welcoming the 27 February agreement on the path to normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia and calling on both sides to implement the agreement and its annex in good faith.

Another key issue is how to promote constructive dialogue on this politically charged issue in the Council. Despite the progress made earlier this year in normalising relations between Belgrade and Pristina, tensions were evident during the Councils 27 April meeting on the situation in Kosovo. Both sides used the Councils open session to advance contrasting narratives about the drivers of regional instability. Towards the end of the meeting, Albania took the floor to urge participants to move beyond entrenched debates about the historical perspectives, about which we disagree, and to concentrate instead on the positive strides made in recent months. As the Council president in October, Brazil may consider changing the format of the meeting from an open briefing to closed consultations. This could allow for a more candid discussion of challenges to the implementation of the February agreement.

Council Dynamics

Council members are united in supporting the EU-facilitated dialogue to establish conditions for the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. Deep divisions among permanent members, however, have continued to characterise the Councils approach to the issue. Among the five permanent Council members, France, the UK, and the US recognise Kosovos independence and tend to be supportive of its government; China and Russia do not recognise its independence and strongly support Serbias position and its claim to territorial integrity. Seven elected members (Albania, Gabon, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates) recognise Kosovos independence while three (Brazil, Ecuador, and Mozambique) do not.

The issue of modifying UNMIKs mandate with a view to its possible drawdown is another point of contention among Council members. The US has been the most vocal proponent of ending UNMIKs mandate and reducing the frequency of briefings, citing the level of stability in Kosovo. Similarly, the UK has called for a review of UNMIKs mandate, arguing that conditions on the ground have completely changed since UNMIK was established 23 years ago. At the 27 April briefing, Albania proposed reducing the frequency of Council meetings to one per year. Russia, however, has opposed the idea of altering UNMIKs mandate and cutting its budget, advocating instead for maintaining the open and regular nature of Council meetings on the situation in Kosovo.

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MIDDLE EAST

Lebanon

Expected Council Action

In October, Security Council members are expected to receive their semi-annual briefing in closed consultations on the Secretary-Generals report on the implementation of resolution 1559. Adopted in 2004, the resolution called for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon, the disarmament of all militias, and the extension of government control over the whole Lebanese territory. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo is the anticipated briefer.

Key Recent Developments

With opposing political blocks unable to agree on a compromise candidate, Lebanon has been without a president for almost one yearsince Michel Aouns term ended on 31 October 2022. The presidential vacuum is compounded by the fact that Lebanons government remains in caretaker status.

National and international initiatives to overcome the deadlocksuch as that of French President Emmanuel Macrons envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and that of Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berrihave yet to bear fruit. On 19 September, representatives of Egypt, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United States met on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA) high-level segment in New York to discuss the presidential impasse. However, the meetings outcomes remain unclear, with no official communication from the participants and contradictory media reports.

Almost one and a half years after the April 2022 Staff Level Agreement between Lebanon and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Lebanon does not appear close to satisfying the IMFs preconditions for releasing around $3 billion. A 15 September press release issued after an IMF team visited Beirut stressed that inaction on urgently needed reforms weighs heavily on the economy and that the country continues to face enormous economic challenges, with a collapsed banking sector, eroding public services, deteriorating infrastructure, worsening poverty and unemployment conditions, and widening inequality.

The Secretary-Generals report on the implementation of resolution 1559, which is due on 11 October, is expected to provide updates on several issues, including the maintenance of weapons outside the control of the Lebanese authorities, the continued presence of armed militias in Lebanon, and violations of Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On 9 August, a truck belonging to the Shia group Hezbollahwhich was later found to be transporting ammunitionoverturned on a road in the town of Kahaleh near Beirut. The incident was followed by an exchange of fire between Hezbollah and local Christian militias, which resulted in two deaths.

In televised remarks at an 11 September conference, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant showed aerial images of what he described as an airport set up by Iran in southern Lebanon to target Israel.

Since 31 July, at least 30 people have been killed, hundreds injured, and thousands displaced in connection with armed clashes between Palestinian factions following the killing of a Palestinian National Security Forces commander by opposing fighters in the Ein El Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp located near the city of Saida in southern Lebanon. Several ceasefires have been announced and subsequently broken since the start of the hostilities, which have caused large-scale infrastructural damage across the camp, including to facilities of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Following high-level contacts between Palestinian and Lebanese actors, a ceasefire came into effect on 14 September, which at the time of writing was still in place. According to media reports, however, hundreds of displaced residents see no immediate prospects of return to the camp, having lost their homes or not trusting that the ceasefire will hold. Speaking at an 11 August UN press briefing, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon Dorothee Klaus underscored that the distress experienced by the displaced refugees needs to be understood in the context of multiple displacements that Palestine refugees have experienced over the past 75 years.

Israel continues to occupy the northern portion of the village of Ghajar, which straddles the Blue Line, and an adjacent area north of the Blue Line. In an 11 July letter to the Security Council, Lebanon said that Israel had surrounded the town with a metal fence, a concrete wall and barbed wire, and installed cameras. (The Blue Line is a withdrawal line set by the UN in 2000 to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. While not representing an international border, it acts in practice as a boundary between Lebanon and Israel in the absence of an agreed-upon border between the two states.)

The Secretary-Generals 13 July report on the implementation of resolution 1701 said that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) had observed two tents installed south of the Blue Line in the area of the Sheba Farms. In a 12 July speech, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah reportedly said that Hezbollah had erected a tent behind the withdrawal linethat is, the Blue Lineto draw attention to Israels occupation of northern Ghajar. While one of the two tents was relocated north of the Blue Line on 1 July, it seems that the second tent remains in place south of the Blue Line.

On 31 August, the Security Council adopted resolution 2695, which extended UNIFILs mandate for another year. Thirteen members voted in favour of the resolution while Russia and China abstained. This was the first non-unanimous renewal of UNIFILs mandate since 1985. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 31 August.) Resolution 2695 retained language introduced for the first time last year reaffirming that, pursuant to the Agreement on the Status of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (SOFA), UNIFIL does not require prior authorisation to undertake its tasks and that it is authorised to conduct its operations independently. However, in an apparent compromise, this year the phrase while continuing to coordinate with the Government of Lebanon, as per the SOFA was added in response to the demands of the Lebanese government and Hezbollah, championed in the Council by China and Russia. These members had opposed language on UNIFILs not needing prior authorisation to undertake its tasks, demanding instead language requiring UNIFIL to coordinate with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). They similarly sought the deletion of language on UNIFILs announced and unannounced patrols, which was, however, retained.

Upon adoption, the representative of Lebanon regretted that the text did not fully reflect all Lebanese concerns. However, at a 6 September meeting with the UNIFIL Force Commander, Lebanons caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati affirmed the governments commitment to the Councils decision, adding that the government is ready to cooperate with UNIFIL.

Anti-refugee sentiment remains a source of concern in Lebanon, which hosts the largest number of refugees per capita in the world. Speaking at the UNGA high-level segment on 20 September, Mikati said that, twelve years into the Syrian crisis, Lebanon is still bearing the burden of successive waves of displacement with far-reaching economic and social repercussions on all aspects of life, thus threatening Lebanons very existence, adding that the international communitys response remains inadequate. On 22 September, LAF Commander Joseph Aoun reportedly said that the immigration of Syrians represents an existential threat to Lebanon following the arrest in one week of around 1,000 people who attempted to cross into Lebanon from Syria.

Over three years since the 4 August 2020 Beirut port explosion, the inquiry into responsibility for the blast remains stalled.

Human Rights-Related Developments

In a 5 September statement, a coalition of Lebanese and international civil society organisationsincluding Amnesty International and Human Rights Watchurged the Lebanese authorities immediately to scrap two recent bills that would explicitly criminalize same-sex relations between consenting adults and punish anyone who promotes homosexuality with up to three years in prison. The statement said that the introduction of the two bills follows a series of hostile incidents over the past year and an unlawful ministerial ban on events around homosexuality.

Key Issues and Options

The substantial amount of weaponry held by Hezbollah and other non-state actors in Lebanon, as well as Israels violations of Lebanons territorial integrity and sovereignty, are ongoing issues. The swift election of a president, the formation of a government, and the implementation of reforms aimed at addressing the ongoing socioeconomic instability are further issues. If the presidential appointment process continues to stall, the Council may consider issuing a statement urging the swift election of a president.

Council Dynamics

The difficult negotiations and the lack of unanimity on UNIFILs mandate renewal reflect the worsening dynamics within the Security Council.

While Council members are generally supportive of the need for UNIFIL to operate effectively in its area of operations, some members views diverge on how the missions freedom of movement should be exercised. Most members believe that coordination between UNIFIL and the LAF, while important, is not, and should not be, a precondition for UNIFIL to carry out its mandated functions. During the negotiations, Russia and China, echoing the position of Lebanon and Hezbollah, maintained the opposite, even though in 2022 these members voted in favour of resolution 2650, which did not contain language subordinating UNIFILs freedom of movement to coordination with the LAF. While most members were apparently able to accept adding compromise language acknowledging the existing coordination between UNIFIL and the LAF, it seems that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the strongest opponent of any such compromise, even submitting an amendment (later withdrawn) to revert to the language used in resolution 2650.

Members positions differ regarding Hezbollah. Some members distinguish between Hezbollahs political and military wings and have designated only its military wing as a terrorist organisation; other members, including the UK and the US, oppose the Shia group and have listed it in its entirety as a terrorist organisation. Upon adoption of resolution 2695, the UAE criticised the hesitation to name Hizbullah and its groupa reference to the Lebanese organisation Green Without Borders (GWB)in the resolution, adding that [n]o amount of accommodation will change the fact that the pursuit of progress in Lebanon through partnership with Hizbullah has yielded only disappointment and misery. On the other hand, Russia sees Hezbollah as a legitimate socio-political force in Lebanon. (Lebanon says that GWB is an environmental protection organisation. Israel maintains that GWB is a fictitious organization acting as a front for Hezbollah.)

France is the penholder on Lebanon.

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AFRICA

Libya

Expected Council Action

In October, the Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which expires on 31 October. The Council is also expected to renew the authorisation of measures in resolution 2146 of 19 March 2014 related to the illicit export of petroleum from Libya. The current authorisation expires on 30 October.

Additionally, the Council will hold its bimonthly briefing on the situation in Libya. Special Representative and head of UNSMIL Abdoulaye Bathily will brief the Council on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country.

Key Recent Developments

The political impasse in Libya continues between the UN-recognised Government of National Unity (GNU), based in Tripoli and led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, and the eastern-based Government of National Stability (GNS), led by Prime Minister Osama Hamad and aligned with the House of Representatives (HoR) and the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) under the command of General Khalifa Haftar. The prolonged stalemate between the rival governmentswhich has persisted since the indefinite postponement of elections scheduled for December 2021is a root cause of Libyas political, security, and economic instability.

On 10 September, Storm Daniel hit Libyas eastern region, wreaking catastrophic damage that has highlighted the severity of the countrys governance deficit. The storm brought torrential rainfall and strong winds, causing two dams to burst in the coastal town of Derna, large parts of which were consequently flooded. According to the latest available numbers from UN agencies, nearly 4,000 people have died, 9,000 people are still missing, and 40,000 people remain displaced. The Libyan Red Crescent has put the death toll as high as 11,000. OCHA has launched an emergency flash appeal of $71.4 million to address humanitarian needs, while UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths allocated $10 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund.

Analysts have cited the impacts of Libyas political instabilityincluding poorly maintained infrastructure and deficient emergency planningas factors that exacerbated the damage caused by the storm. The countrys divided government has complicated the coordination of the international humanitarian response, including reports that Haftar is using his effective control over the region to leverage the aid operation for his own political benefit. The Libyan attorney-general has announced an investigation into the causes of the dam failure, but this has not quelled public protests that have called for an international investigation as the only credible path to accountability. In his 19 September opening address to the UN General Assembly, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that Derna saw many of the worlds challenges coalesce[e] in an awful hellscape marked by climate change, violent conflict, and political instability. He called the disaster a sad snapshot of the state of our worldthe flood of inequity, of injustice, of inability to confront the challenges in our midst.

The storm struck during a period of heightened political and security tensions in Libya. On 14 August, violent clashes broke out in Tripoli after Mahmoud Hamza, leader of the 444 Brigadea militia affiliated with the GNUs Ministry of Defense that controls most of southern Tripoliwas detained at Mitiga International Airport by the Special Deterrence Force (SDF), a rival group aligned with the Ministry of Interior that serves as a de facto police force and controls much of the citys infrastructure, including the Mitiga airport. Hamzas detention prompted heavy fighting between the two groups, reportedly resulting in at least 55 deaths, marking the deadliest violence in the Tripoli region in several years. On 16 August, the SDF released Hamza, after which the situation reportedly stabilised.

In late August, protests erupted in several Libyan cities after reports that GNU Foreign Minister Najla el-Mangoush had secretly met with her Israeli counterpart in Romethe first known meeting between the two countries top diplomatsas Libya does not formally recognise Israel. Dbeibah, who claimed he had not been informed of the meeting in advance, subsequently fired Mangoush and rejected the possibility of normalising diplomatic ties with Israel. However, media reports have cited unnamed GNU officials claiming that Dbeibah had, in fact, sanctioned the meeting in an attempt to bolster US support for his government.

Regarding the broader political situation in Libya, both the UN and national actors have concentrated recent efforts on facilitating agreement on a new roadmap for national elections to unify the countrys divided government. In March, the HoR and the GNU-aligned High State Council (HSC) established a joint 6+6 committeecomposed of six representatives from each bodyto draft electoral laws to enable elections. On 7 June, the joint committee announced that it had reached agreement on draft legislation. On 25 July, the HoR approved the draft and referred it to the HSC for a vote.

The proposed legislation remains controversial, however, with various political factions contesting several of its provisions. According to the Secretary-Generals most recent report on UNSMIL, dated 8 August, the disputed elements include proposals with regard to the eligibility of dual nationals to run in the presidential elections; the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections sequentially, one after the other; making the holding of parliamentary elections dependent on the success of the presidential elections; and establishing a new interim executive before holding elections. In his 22 August briefing to the Council, Bathily updated the Council on his recent engagement with Libyan actors to improve and advance the electoral framework, including his efforts to convene a meeting of the main stakeholders to reach a political agreement on the four politically contested issues.

The provision for establishing a new interim government has proven most controversial. The UN has previously opposed such a move, concerned that it would diminish stakeholders incentives to follow through on their electoral commitments and instead reinforce the status quo. In an apparent shift, however, Bathily said during his August briefing to the Council that a unified government, agreed upon by the major players, is an imperative for leading the country to elections. Similarly, the US, which had also expressed scepticism about establishing a new interim government, said during the briefing that it was open to supporting the formation of a technocratic caretaker government, the sole task of which would be to bring the country to free and fair elections.

In a 23 August press statement, Council members reaffirmed their strong commitment to an inclusive, Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process, in line with relevant Council resolutions and building on progress in the 6+6 negotiations aimed at producing viable electoral laws. Members reiterated their support for Bathilys mediation and good offices role and urged Libyan stakeholders to engage fully, transparently, and in good faith with the Special Representative in a Libyan-led and UNSMIL-facilitated negotiation to reach agreement on politically contested issues pertaining to elections.

On 29 September, the Council adopted resolution 2698, renewing for one year the authorisation for member states, acting nationally or through regional organisations, to inspect and seize vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya that they have reasonable grounds to suspect are being used for migrant smuggling or human trafficking from Libya. The resolution received 14 votes in favour and one abstention (Russia).

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 13 September, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk issued a statement expressing concern about the floods in Libya, which he described as another lethal reminder of the catastrophic impact that a changing climate can have on our world. Turk called on all Libyan political actors to overcome political deadlocks and divisions and to act collectively to ensure access to relief. He emphasised that human rights must be at the centre of response to this heartbreaking situation.

Sanctions-Related Developments

On 18 August, the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee held informal consultations to consider the final report of the committees Panel of Experts, submitted in accordance with paragraph 13 of resolution 2644 of 13 July 2022. The report covered a range of issues, including acts that threaten the peace, stability or security of Libya, particularly the acts of Libyan armed groups; violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, including in the context of human trafficking and migrant smuggling; violations of the arms embargo; illicit exports of refined petroleum products; and implementation of the assets freeze. The committee discussed the recommendations contained in the final report and is considering follow-up action.

On 4 August, the committee met with a delegation from the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA), the countrys sovereign wealth fund, which remains subject to assets-freeze measures under the Libya sanctions regime. Representatives of Ernst & Youngan audit company retained by the LIAand the Libya Panel of Experts also attended the meeting.

Key Issues and Options

A key issue for the Council in October is renewing UNSMILs mandate. As was the case for the current mandate in resolution 2656 of 28 October 2022, the Council is likely to retain the missions core mandated tasks as set out in resolution 2542 of 15 September 2020 and paragraph 16 of resolution 2570 of 16 April 2021. The Council might consider adding language welcoming the 6+6 committees draft electoral legislation, urging national stakeholders to reach consensus on politically contentious issues and calling on Bathily to step up his mediation and good offices role in this regard. The Council might also consider strengthening UNSMILs role in supporting and coordinating the international humanitarian response to Storm Daniel.

Another issue for the Council is reauthorising the measures set out in resolution 2146 of 19 March 2014 related to the illicit export of petroleum from Libya. That resolution authorised member states to inspect on the high seas vessels designated by the 1970 Sanctions Committee for facilitating such export. The authorisation was most recently renewed by resolution 2644, which also extended the mandate of the Panel of Experts until 15 November.

Council Dynamics

Council members remain united on the need for a Libyan-led inclusive process to result in elections foreseen as restoring political, security, and economic stability. They are also broadly supportive of Bathilys mediation efforts in this regard. While positions have previously diverged on whether to establish a new interim government prior to holding elections, views now appear to be converging in favour after both the UN and the US expressed support for this course of action during the Councils August meeting on Libya, after having previously opposed it.

Between September 2021 and July 2022, the Council renewed UNSMILs mandate five times through short-term extensions because of disagreements among Council members on several issues, including the length of the mandate, the restructuring of the mission, and the appointment of UNSMILs leadership. (For more, see our Whats in Blue stories of 13 September 2021, 1 October 2021, 31 January 2022, 29 April 2022 and 28 July 2022.) Following the appointment of Bathily in September 2022, however, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2656 on 28 October 2022, which renewed UNSMILs mandate for one year. In October, the Council is likely to adopt another one-year extension.

The UK is the penholder on Libya.

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Overview

In October, Brazil holds the presidency of the Security Council.

Brazil plans to organise two signature events. The first signature event is an open debate on Peace through Dialogue: The Contribution of Regional, Sub-regional and Bilateral Arrangements to the Prevention and Peaceful Resolution of Disputes. The second signature event is the annual open debate on women, peace, and security. UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous and a high-level representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are the anticipated briefers. A civil society representative is also expected to brief. Both meetings are expected to be chaired by Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira.

In October, the Security Council is scheduled to hold its annual debate on cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations, focusing on the AU. The 17th annual joint consultative meeting between the Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) will be held on 6 October. The annual meeting rotates between New York and Addis Ababa, the home of the AU headquarters. This year, the meeting will be held in Addis Ababa, and will be preceded by the eighth informal joint seminar of the Security Council and the AUPSC, which is set to take place on 5 October.

The Security Council is scheduled to hold its annual private meeting with the President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Judge Joan E. Donoghue.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi is also expected to brief the Council in October.

African issues on the programme of work in October are:

Western Sahara , consultations on the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and the mandate renewal of MINURSO;

Great Lakes region , the biannual briefing and consultations;

Libya, renewal of the authorisation of measures related to the illicit export of petroleum from Libya, briefing and consultations on the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), and the mandate renewal of UNSMIL;

Somalia , briefing by the Chair of the 751 Al-Shabaab Sanctions Committee (Ambassador Ishikane Kimihiro of Japan), briefing and consultations on the situation in Somalia, and the mandate renewal of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM); and

Central African Republic (CAR), briefing and consultations.

Middle East issues on the programme include:

The Council is expected to meet on two European issues in October. A briefing on the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is anticipated, and one or more meetings on Ukraine are likely during the month.

Two issues in the Americas will be discussed in October:

Haiti , renewal of the 2653 Haiti sanctions regime, a briefing and consultations on the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), and a vote on a draft resolution authorising member states to deploy a non-UN multinational force to Haiti; and

Colombia , a briefing and consultations on the UN Verification Mission in Colombia and renewal of the verification missions mandate.

Other issues could be raised in October depending on developments.
PEACEMAKING, PEACEKEEPING AND PEACEBUILDING

Prevention and Peaceful Resolution of Disputes

Expected Council Action

In October, as one of the signature events of its presidency, Brazil is planning to convene a high-level open debate on Peace through Dialogue: The Contribution of Regional, Sub-regional and Bilateral Arrangements to the Prevention and Peaceful Resolution of Disputes.

Background

In July 2023, the Secretary-General issued A New Agenda for Peace, one of 11 policy briefs connected to his 2021 report, Our Common Agenda, which reflects his vision for the future of multilateralism. A New Agenda emphasises the importance of preventive diplomacy, and the need for strong partnerships between the United Nations and regional organizations. The policy brief says that the underutilization of the different tools referred to in Article 33 of the Charter remains one of our greatest collective shortcomings. The article, in Chapter VI of the Charter, names these tools as negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means that the parties may choose to pursue. A New Agenda also asserts the need for regional frameworks and organizations, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter, that promote trust-building, transparency and detente.

The Council has long recognised the importance of regional and subregional organisations in preventing conflict. This is reflected in various outcomes it adopted during the post-Cold War era. In resolution 1625, adopted during the September 2005 World Summit, the Council affirmed its determination to strengthen United Nations conflict prevention capacities bysupporting regional mediation initiatives in close consultation with regional and subregional organizations concerned. Similarly, in resolution 2171 of August 2014, it called for enhanced cooperation and capacity building with regional and subregional organizations and arrangements to help to prevent armed conflicts, their spread and impact, including through cooperation in early warning mechanisms as well as to help facilitate preventive action.

While the Council has enhanced its interactions with regional organisations during the past two decades, these relationships have been limited and rarely used in the context of upstream conflict prevention. The most developed relationship is with the AU, although even the Council and the AU have struggled to develop a mutually acceptable understanding of roles, responsibilities, and burden-sharing in efforts to prevent, mediate, manage, and resolve conflict. (For more on the Councils relationship with regional arrangements, see our In Hindsight in the current Forecast, The UN Security Council and Regional Organizations: a Brief Exploration of Chapter VIII).

At the same time, the Council continues to engage in many conflict situations in which regional and sub-regional organisations and member states play a prominent mediation role. The East African Community (EAC) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) are leading sub-regional efforts to address the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has led regional efforts to mediate the crisis in Myanmar. And the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is playing a key mediation role in Sudan, while other member states (for example, Egypt, as well as the US and Saudi Arabia) have set up separate negotiation tracks.

Key Issues and Options

The main issue for the Council is how it can make more effective use of Chapter VI tools, which focus on The Pacific Settlement of Disputes.

A related issue is how the Council can more effectively support regional and sub-regional organisations and bilateral efforts to prevent and mediate conflicts.

One option would be for Brazil, as the initiator of the open debate, to produce a chairs summary that captures the key themes of the meeting and circulate the summary as a public document.

In the future, the Council could also consider holding an informal interactive dialogue with representatives of different regional organisations to discuss how the Council can most effectively support their efforts in preventing conflict and mediating intractable crises.

Another option would be for Council members to discuss informally how to encourage enhanced use of the use of tools in Article 33 (for example, conciliation, arbitration, and judicial settlement, among others).

Council Dynamics

Despite the seemingly strong rhetorical support for conflict prevention, the Council struggles to translate its words into concrete action. Concerns that prevention in practice could be used as a pretext to impinge on the sovereignty of independent states have been an impediment to broader preventive action. The involvement of a powerful Council member, especially one of the permanent members, in a dispute or conflict can also significantly compromise the Councils involvement. At the same time, some members encourage more frequent use of Chapter VI (Peaceful Settlement of Disputes) and VIII (Regional Arrangements) tools of the UN Charter, rather than sanctions and other coercive measures outlined in Chapter VII (Action with respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression), which are often more controversial.

Differing perceptions are often at play regarding the Councils role when regional and sub-regional organisations engage in conflict prevention. For example, African members were wary of Council engagement in Tigray (2020-2022) while the AU was mediating the conflict, whereas the P3 (France, the UK, and the US) and other like-minded members would have preferred more direct Council engagement.

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AFRICA

Somalia

Expected Council Action

In October, the Security Council will hold a briefing, followed by consultations, to discuss the situation in Somalia.

In addition, the Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), which is set to expire on 31 October. The Chair of the 751 Al-Shabaab Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Ishikane Kimihiro (Japan), is also expected to brief the Council.

The 751 Al-Shabaab sanctions regime expires on 15 November, and the mandate of the Panel of Experts supporting the 751 Al-Shabaab Sanctions Committee expires on 15 December.

Key Recent Developments

On 22 June, the Council held an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on the situation in Somalia. Special Representative for Somalia and head of UNSOM Catriona Laing; Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia and head of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) Mohamed El-Amine Souef; and Executive Director of the World Food Programme Cindy McCain briefed. In her remarks, Laing said that the Somali government has made significant progress in advancing key national priorities; in this regard, she highlighted the appointment of the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission, the passage of 11 pieces of legislation (six of which have been signed into law), and the successful conduct of district council elections in Puntland state. She pointed out several key priorities for UNSOM, including positioning UNSOM to play a lead role in bringing together the international communitys efforts on stabilisation in the country, prioritising support for state-building processes (particularly those related to elections), and supporting ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict in Las Anod. (Las Anod is a disputed area between Puntland and the self-proclaimed region of Somaliland).

On 14 September, the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) held a meeting on the situation in Somalia and ATMIS operations. In a communique adopted following the meeting, the AUPSC expressed concern that Al-Shabaab, a terrorist group affiliated with Al-Qaeda, retains influence on some of the main supply routes in the country, enabling them to extort money from the public through illegal taxation. It reiterated the Somali governments request for the lifting of the arms embargo imposed under the 751 Al-Shabab sanctions regimein order to enable the Somalia security forces (SSF) to obtain adequate military equipment. Furthermore, it requested the AU Commission, in collaboration with the Somali government, to evaluate the progress the government has made in terms of reforms, force generation, and readiness to stabilise the country, and to conduct a needs assessment to determine the support required by the Somali government in its fight against al-Shabaab.

The AUPSC also requested the Chairperson of the AU Commission to formulate a viable ATMIS exit strategy, including proposals for the AUs continued engagement with and support for Somalia after 31 December 2024, when ATMIS is expected to exit. It emphasised the importance of ensuring that the withdrawal of ATMIS troops is undertaken in a manner that does not leave the mission vulnerable to attacks and that focuses on the protection of civilians within ATMIS area of operations. In addition, it expressed concern that Al-Shabaab may exploit any security gaps during or following the drawdown of the 3,000 ATMIS troops if the drawdown is not implemented judiciously.

In a 19 September letter addressed to the President of the Security Council, the Somali government requested a three-month technical pause in the drawdown of 3,000 ATMIS personnel as set out in resolution 2687. The letter said that, following the 26 August attack by Al-Shabaab in the Galguduud region, Somali forces suffered significant setbacks, with forces retreating from several towns that they had recently taken. It added that such incidents have exposed Somali forces vulnerabilities on the frontlines and have necessitated a thorough reorganisation to sustain the momentum in countering threats from Al-Shabaab. It noted that, during the proposed three-month technical pause, the Somali government will conduct a comprehensive reassessment of the operational needs of the Somali National Armed Forces. The letter also proposed a series of strategic actions, including prioritising offensive operations against Al-Shabaab and the flexibility to resize or relocate Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) as needed.

Tensions have continued between Somaliland security forces and the local Dhulbahante clan in Las Anod following the assassination in December 2022 of a local opposition politician from that clan. Fighting erupted on 6 February, the same day that Dhulbahante clan elders in Sool announced their intention to form their own independent federal state in Somalia, named SSC-Khaatumo, comprising the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions. In a 7 June press statement, Council members expressed concern over the ongoing violence in Las Anod and welcomed efforts and initiatives by the Somali government, Ethiopia, and clan elders to secure a ceasefire and promote an inclusive national dialogue to address the situation. The statement called on all parties to reach a ceasefire agreement urgently and for UNSOM to provide further support in accordance with its mandate, including by engaging with all parties where necessary.

Following intense fighting, SSC-Khaatumo forces announced on 25 August that they had taken control of the entire regions of Sool and Sanaag, and Somalilands Goojacade military base, which is located on the outskirts of Las Anod. The SSC-Khaatumo forces reportedly captured numerous Somaliland soldiers, several of whom are senior military officers. On 7 September, Council members discussed the deteriorating situation in Las Anod under any other business, at which Laing briefed. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 6 September.)

Sanctions-Related Developments

On 28 September, the 751 Al-Shabaab sanctions committee held informal consultations, during which it received a briefing from OCHA on its recent report providing an update on the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Somalia. In the same session, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) briefed the Committee on its work related to resolution 2662 of 17 November 2022, which renewed the 751 Al-Shabaab sanctions regime for one year.

On 29 September, the 751 Al-Shabaab sanctions committee held informal consultations to discuss the final report of the Panel of Experts supporting the 751 Al-Shabaab Sanctions Committee.

Human Rights-Related Developments

During its 54th session, the Human Rights Council is expected to hold an interactive dialogue on 10 October on the report of the independent expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Isha Dyfan, (A/HRC/54/78), which was released on 21 August. The report, which covered developments from 1 July 2022 to 30 June, noted that Dyfan was unable to visit Somalia due to a lack of formal acceptance of a visit by the Somali government. It further said that the humanitarian situation in the country remained alarming, owing to continued conflict and insecurity. All parties to the conflict continued to commit serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law with impunity, the report added.

Regarding the conflict in Las Anod, the report said that between 27 December 2022 and 15 June, the human rights and protection group of UNSOM documented at least 552 civilian casualties, of whom 87 were killed and 465 were injured.

Key Issues and Options

The key issue for Council members in October is how to support the Somali government in implementing its national priorities. A possible option is for Council members to extend UNSOMs mandate for one year and request the mission to continue aligning its support with the governments priorities.

The ATMIS drawdown process is another issue for Council members. In December 2022, the AUPSC supported the Somali governments request for a revision of the operational timelines for the ATMIS withdrawal, and the Security Council in turn accepted the revised operational timeline through the adoption of resolution 2670 of 21 December 2022. This time, the Somali government has addressed its request directly to the Security Council. Since ATMIS is an AU mission, Council members may want to hear from the AUPSC before they react to the request.

A related issue is the financing of ATMIS for the proposed extension, as its current mandate is due to expire on 31 December.

Another key issue for Council members is the security situation in Las Anod. In the upcoming UNSOM mandate renewal, Council members may wish to express concern about the fighting in the region and its impact on the humanitarian situation, as well as support for UNSOMs efforts in bringing the conflict to a peaceful resolution.

Council Dynamics

Council members support the governments priorities and recognise the many challenges facing the country, including the persistent insecurity caused by the terrorist activities of Al-Shabaab, and they support ongoing efforts to fight the group. Some members, however, believe that a security approach will not be sufficient and underscore the need to make progress in governance, justice, and economic reforms. Other Council members emphasise the need for progress in implementing the Somali Transition Plan, including national force generation. African members and China have raised the funding challenge facing ATMIS and called for adequate, sustainable, and predictable financing for the mission.

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Status Update since our September Forecast

Working Methods Open Debate

The Council held its annual working methods open debate on 5 September (S/PV.9410). Ambassador Ferit Hoxha (Albania), the chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions, was the briefer. Thirty-seven members, other than Council members, made statements. Ecuador presented a joint statement on behalf of the Councils elected members (E10). Among the areas covered in the debate were: the use of the veto, penholders, the selection of subsidiary body chairs, implementation of Note 507, the frequency and format of meetings, and the two presidential notes on working methods adopted in August.

UN Peacekeeping

On 7 September, the Security Council held its annual meeting on UN peacekeeping pursuant to resolution 2378 of 20 September 2017 (S/PV.9413). Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed Council members on the Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) and the Action for Peacekeeping Plus (A4P+) initiatives. (A4P seeks to enhance the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping and address its key challenges, while A4P+ outlines the main priorities for peacekeeping reform for 2021-2023.) Council members also discussed a 1 September report of the Secretary-General on the overall performance of UN peacekeeping operations (S/2023/646), which was submitted to the Council pursuant to a 31 August 2022 presidential statement on peace and security in Africa.

Sudan

On 13 September, the Security Council convened for an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) (S/PV.9417). Special Representative and head of UNITAMS Volker Perthes briefed on the Secretary-Generals latest 90-day report, dated 31 August, which covered developments from 7 May to 20 August (S/2023/644). Perthes announced at the meeting that he was resigning his post. Edem Wosornu, Director of OCHAs Operations and Advocacy Division, and Mayada Adil, a civil society representative, also briefed.

Protection of Civilians

On 14 September, Albania convened an open debate on Advancing public-private humanitarian partnership under the Maintenance of international peace and security agenda item (S/PV.9418). Cindy H. McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP); Michael Miebach, CEO of Mastercard; and Jared Cohen, Co-Head of the Office of Applied Innovation and President of Global Affairs at Goldman Sachs, briefed the Council. One of the signature events of Albanias September Council presidency, the meeting was chaired by Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani.

South Sudan

On 15 September, the Security Council convened for an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) (S/PV.9420). Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and head of UNMISS Nicholas Haysom briefed on the Secretary-Generals latest 90-day report (S/2023/657), which was published on 11 September and covered developments from 1 June to 31 August. Edem Wosornu, the Director of OCHAs Operations and Advocacy Division, and Racheal Juan, advocacy and peace coordinator for the South Sudan Council of Churches, also briefed.

Informal Interactive Dialogue with the League of Arab States

On 21 September, Security Council members held a high-level informal interactive dialogue (IID) with representatives of the League of Arab States (LAS). Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani chaired the meeting. The briefers were Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, LAS Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and members of the Arab Summit Troika. The Arab Summit Troika is a group of three rotating countries that monitors the implementation of resolutions and commitments adopted by the LAS, which consists of the outgoing, current, and incoming Arab Summit chairs (Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain).

Nagorno-Karabakh

On 21 September, there was a briefing on the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region (S/PV.9422). France requested the meeting following a letter sent by Armenia to the president of the Security Council. The letter cited Article 35 (1) of the UN Charter, which states that any UN member state may bring any dispute, or any situation referred to in Article 34 [that is, one that may lead to international friction or give rise to a dispute] to the attention of the Security Council or of the General Assembly. Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenca briefed. Armenias Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov participated under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure.

Afghanistan

On 26 September, the Security Council held an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on Afghanistan (S/PV.9423). The Council was briefed by Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Roza Otunbayeva; UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous; and Karima Bennoune, a law professor at the University of Michigan Law School and former UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights. Council members who have signed on to the Shared Commitments on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS)Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the UK, and the USread a joint statement on Afghanistan ahead of the meeting.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

On 29 September, the Security Council held a briefing and closed consultations on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including the work of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) (S/PV.9427). Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of MONUSCO Bintou Keita briefed the Council on the latest developments in DRC and the activities of the mission. The DRCs Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Christophe Lutundula, and the Rwandan representative, Ambassador Claver Gatete, participated in the meeting under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure. France, the penholder on the DRC, proposed a draft presidential statement following the meeting. At the time of writing, Council members were negotiating the draft.

DPRK (North Korea)

On 29 September, Council members held closed consultations on the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK). Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Mohamed Khaled Khiari briefed. The meeting was requested by Albania, France, Japan, Malta, the UK, and the US to discuss developments related to the DPRKs continued pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles in violation of multiple Security Council resolutions.

Counter-Terrorism

On 29 September, Council members issued a press statement condemning terrorist attacks that were carried out in Pakistan on the same day (SC/15431). The attacks killed at least 58 people and injured over 80 more.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 2. A telephone conversation took place between presidents of Kazakhstan and Turkiye Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports.

During the conversation, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the expanded strategic partnership between the two countries, based on mutual support and trust.

Tokayev and Erdogan discussed the prospects for deepening bilateral cooperation in the trade, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian spheres, and also considered current issues on the international and regional agenda.

The presidents of Kazakhstan and Turkiye exchanged views on the progress of preparations for the X Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, which will be held in November this year in Astana. According to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, holding this meeting will be an important step towards the development of relations between the Turkic countries.
MIDDLE EAST

Syria

Expected Council Action

In October, the Security Council is expected to hold meetings on the political process and on the humanitarian situation in Syria.

Key Recent Developments

On 11 July, the Security Council failed to reauthorise the Syria cross-border humanitarian aid delivery mechanism, which was last authorised through resolution 2672 of 9 January and expired on 10 July. It had allowed for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to north-west Syria from Turkiye through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing without requiring the consent of the Syrian government. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 11 July and the In Hindsight in our August Monthly Forecast.)

Following weeks of bilateral engagement, the UN and the Syrian government reached an understanding on the continued use of the Bab al-Hawa border crossing to deliver humanitarian aid into north-west Syria, formalised through an exchange of letters. In a 6 August letter, Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh (Syria) reiterated the Syrian governments 13 July decision to open the Bab al-Hawa border for a period of six months. He further announced the governments decision to extend its authorisation for the use of the Bab al-Salam and Al Raee border crossings until 13 November. The letter also approved the use of the Sarmada and Saraqib crossings for cross-line operationsthat is, across domestic conflict lines from Syrian government-held areas into areas outside government controlfor a six-month period, until 1 February 2024.

It appears that, on 11 September, the UNs Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, David Carden, wrote a letter to the Humanitarian Action Coordination (HAC), which is reportedly a humanitarian wing of the Syrian Salvation Government. (The Syrian Salvation Government was established by the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, a Council-listed terrorist group, to govern the territory it controls.) In the letter, Carden said that the [UN] seeks [HACs] facilitation of unimpeded humanitarian access into and within Idleb, including via the Bab al-Hawa border crossing. It added that the UN acknowledges the continued support of the HAC to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and assets in north-west Syria. Reportedly, the HAC responded with a letter the next day (12 September), saying that it had decided to independently authorize the use of the Bab al-Hawa border crossing to deliver humanitarian aid and to allow the passage of humanitarian missions for UN teams.

On 19 September, humanitarian operations resumed through the Bab-al Hawa border crossing. According to OCHA data, at the time of writing, a total of 3,965 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies from seven UN agencies had crossed into north-west Syria from Turkiye since 9 February through the three border crossings: Bab al-Hawa (3,128 trucks), Bab al-Salam (742 trucks), and Al Raee (95 trucks).

In recent months, securing funding for the myriad of new and ongoing humanitarian challenges in the country has continued to be difficult. At the time of writing, the humanitarian response plan for 2023 ($5.41 billion) was only 28.8 percent funded.

Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen has continued his engagement with stakeholders in the Syria political process through the step-for-step initiative. On 4 September, Pedersen met with Syrian Negotiations Commission (SNC) President Badr Jamous. (The SNC represents the political opposition to the government.) According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Special Envoys office, the meeting focused on the latest developments related to the Syrian crisis and efforts to advance the political process in line with resolution 2254. On the sidelines of the 78th session of the General Assembly, Pedersen met with ministers and senior officials of Bahrain, France, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the US. In a 21 September tweet announcing these meetings, the special envoys office said that the situation in Syria is worsening on several fronts and that it remains vital for the Syrian-led and -owned political process to move forward, supported by constructive international diplomacy. The next day (22 September), Pedersen also held consultations with the members of the Astana Format (Iran, Russia, and Turkiye) and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

On 18 September, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi in New York. In a joint statement following the meeting, the ministers welcomed the efforts of the Arab countries in resolving the Syrian crisis in line with resolution 2254. They reaffirmed support for the efforts of the US and coalition forces in their fight against Daesh (also known as Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant [ISIL]) in Syria. They condemned all actions that threaten the safety and security of these forces, and emphasised the need to ensure full, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to all Syrians in need through all modalities, including cross-border and cross-line access.

On 22 September, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in China, in his first known trip to the country since 2004, to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the meeting, the two leaders announced the establishment of a strategic partnership, which Xi said will become an important milestone in the history of bilateral ties. He added that China supports Syria in conducting reconstruction, enhancing counter-terrorism capacity building, and promoting a political settlement of the Syrian issue.

The region has witnessed an escalation in hostilities in recent months. On 28 August, the Aleppo airport was hit with airstrikes, allegedly conducted by Israel. In a statement later that day, the Syrian defence ministry said that the airstrikes caused material damage to the airport, putting it out of service. According to a 28 August Reuters article, regional intelligence sources said that the airstrikes targeted an underground munitions depot run by Irans Revolutionary Guards Corps within the compound of Nairab military airport next to Aleppo airport. On 31 August, Syrian state media reported that the Syrian army, in cooperation with the Russian air force, carried out air and missile strikes in Hama and Idlib, destroying weapons, equipment and ammunition, in addition to killing and wounding dozens. The media report added that these strikes were conducted in response to recent attacks carried out by terrorist organizations on Syrian bases.

According to a 6 September OCHA flash update, an uptick in shelling was reported, starting on 1 September, across Idlib and northern Aleppo governorates. OCHA subsequently reported that five people had been killed and 22 others, including 11 children, had been injured as a result of this shelling.

According to a 31 August Reuters article, fighting erupted on 27 August between Arab tribal groups and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a predominantly Kurdish group opposing the Syrian government, in Deir-ez-Zor Governorate, northeast Syria. According to media reports, the clashes broke out after the SDF apprehended Abu Khawla, the Arab leader of the Deir-ez-Zor Military Council, a local SDF affiliate, accusing him of involvement in several crimes. A 14 September OCHA situation report noted that approximately 6,500 families have been displaced to government-held areas since the outbreak of fighting. It added that, according to local sources, 96 people had reportedly been killed and 106 injured since 27 August.

In a 25 September statement, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) noted that it had conducted a helicopter raid in northern Syria, capturing Abu Halil al-Fadani, whom it claims has had relationships throughout the ISIS network in the region. The statement added that, [t]he capture of ISIS officials like al-Fadani increases our ability to locate, target, and remove terrorist [sic] from the battlefield.

On 27 September, the Council met on the political and humanitarian situations in Syria. UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen, Director of OCHAs Operations and Advocacy Division Edem Wosornu, and Regional Vice President (Middle East and North Africa) at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Suad Jarbawi briefed. Wosornu noted that the reopening of the Bab al-Hawa border crossing is the result of an understanding with the Syrian government; of operational and security assurances from the de facto authorities in Idlib; and of consultations with a range of member states, including Turkiye and donors, non-governmental organisations, and other partners. In his remarks, Pedersen said that several stakeholders, including the Syrian parties, members of the Astana format, the Arab ministerial liaison committeecomprising Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and League of Arab States Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheitand western members, apprised him of their support for the resumption of the Constitutional Committee. He further noted that he seeks to continue the consultations to resume the work of the committee before the end of this year. He added that there are new manifestations of popular frustration in Syria, referencing protests in al-Sweida governorate, with participants citing economic, social, and political grievances and demands. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 27 September.)

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 12 September, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria (COI) published its seventh report (A/HRC/54/58), which covered the developments from 1 January to 30 June. The report states that grave violations of human rights and humanitarian law continued across Syria, including in government-held areas and areas controlled by non-State actors. The report notes that the COI has reasonable grounds to believe that the Syrian government continued to commit acts of torture and ill-treatment, including practices causing death in detention, arbitrary detentionand enforced disappearances, confirming continuing patterns of crimes against humanity and war crimes. The report adds that the COI received multiple reports of aid diversion, extortion and corruption, and documented aid obstruction and interference in the delivery of aid in the immediate aftermath of the 6 February earthquake.

On 22 September, the Human Rights Council (HRC) held an interactive dialogue with the COI on the 12 September report. In a press release following the meeting, the Chair of the COI, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, noted that, despite the diplomatic efforts to stabilise the situation in Syria, civilians continue to suffer from escalating unrest and fighting along multiple frontlines, a near collapse of the economy, and persistent human rights violations and abuses. He described the present stalemate in Syria as intolerable.

In a 14 September statement, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said that the recent outbreak of fighting in north-east Syria has heavily impacted civilians and raises wider security concerns that risk exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. He expressed concern that tensions and hostilities in and around Deir-ez-Zor will be exploited by other parties trying to exert their influence.

Key Issues and Options

A key issue for the Council is to ensure the continued flow of humanitarian aid to those in need in north-west Syria. A related and broader issue is how to alleviate the growing humanitarian needs throughout the country. The deteriorating socioeconomic conditions are also of concern. Another issue for Council members is the ongoing hostilities in the region and the risk of escalation.

Periodic briefings from OCHA have helped keep the Council informed of the humanitarian situation on the ground. Council members could consider inviting representatives of Syrian humanitarian aid organisations to engage with them to explore avenues for improving and expanding aid delivery mechanisms, including early recovery projects, in Syria.

Another key long-standing issue is finding a way to break the political impasse in Syria and to provide political support for the Special Envoys efforts in this regard. One option would be for the Council to hold a private meeting with Pedersen and interested member states with influence over the parties in Syria to discuss recent developments in his step-for-step initiative.

Council Dynamics

Over the years, Syria has been one of the most divisive files on the Councils agenda. China and Russia are supportive of the Syrian government, emphasising the need to respect the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity and drawing connections between unilateral coercive measures on Syria and the challenging humanitarian situation in the country. In contrast, the P3 (France, the UK, and the US) and other like-minded members criticise the government for violating international humanitarian law and human rights law, arbitrarily detaining people, and not engaging meaningfully in political dialogue.

Council members also hold diverging views on normalising ties with the Syrian government. In the 27 April Council briefing, the US noted that it will not normalise relations with Syria and has discouraged other member states from doing so. It added that the US will not lift sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or support reconstruction in the absence of genuine, comprehensive and enduring reforms and progress on the political process. The European members of the Council hold a similar view. On the other hand, other Council members, including Russia, China, and the UAE, support the normalisation of ties with the Syrian government.

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The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question

Expected Council Action

In late October, the Security Council expects to hold its quarterly open debate on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland is expected to brief.

Key Recent Developments

The Security Council last held a meeting on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question on 27 September. Wennesland provided an oral report on the implementation of resolution 2334 of 23 December 2016, covering developments between 15 June and 19 September. Among other issues, Wennesland said that the Secretary-General remained deeply troubled by the unrelenting expansion of Israeli settlements, with more than 10,000 units advanced during the reporting period alone. He said that the demolition and seizure of Palestinian structures entail numerous rights violations and raise concerns about the risk of forcible transfer. He added that the Secretary-General was gravely concerned by the intensification of violence in the occupied West Bank and Israel, at levels not seen in decades. Wennesland also condemned all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, and said that Israel must act to stop all settler violence.

In recent months, the US has conducted diplomatic outreach to advance an agreement on the normalisation of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia in exchange for the signing of a US-Saudi defence treaty and a civil nuclear programme for Saudi Arabia facilitated by the US, among other things. It is unclear how an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel may affect Saudi Arabias position on the Arab Peace Initiative, which was proposed by Riyadh in 2002, endorsed by the League of Arab States (LAS) that year, and re-endorsed by the LAS in 2007. It stipulates that a comprehensive peace and normalisation of relations with Israel must be preceded by an end to Israels occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, and a just solution for Palestinian refugees in accordance with UN General Assembly resolution 194, which said, among other things, that refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to so.

While it is not yet apparent what benefits, if any, the Palestinians would receive from an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, according to media sources, the Saudi leadership has been very attentive to the requests of a Palestinian delegation that visited Riyadh in early September in a bid to halt the prospect of an unconditional normalization agreement. These requests reportedly include:

the transfer of parts of West Bank territory currently under full Israeli control to the complete control of the Palestinian Authority;

a cessation of Israeli settlement advancement in the West Bank;

full UN membership for the Observer State of Palestine; and

the reopening of the US Consulate in East Jerusalem, which was closed during the administration of former US President Donald Trump.

On the sidelines of the high-level segment of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Saudi Arabia, the LAS, and the EU, in cooperation with Egypt and Jordan, hosted a ministerial-level forum on 18 September, titled the Peace Day Effort, to discuss ways to revive the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. A joint statement issued by the forums organisers noted that the Peace Day Effort seeks to produce a Peace Supporting Package that will maximize peace dividends for the Palestinians and Israelis once they reach a peace agreement, and to elaborate detailed programmes and contributions, conditional upon achieving a final status agreement to that end.

In a 20 September televised interview, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that the Palestinian issue is very important for Saudi Arabia but also that every day, we get closer to a normalisation agreement.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the 78th UNGA general debate on 21 and 22 September, respectively.

In a likely reference to the possible deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Abbas said that [t]hose who think that peace can prevail in the Middle East without the Palestinian people enjoying their full, legitimate and national rights would be mistaken. He called for an international peace conference to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, asking UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to undertake the necessary arrangements to convene such a conference and adding that it could be the last opportunity to salvage the two-state solution. Abbas demanded protection for the Palestinian people from the constant aggression of the occupation army and terrorist Israeli settlers. He also called for the Observer State of Palestine to be granted full UN membership.

Netanyahu focused his speech on the agreements that normalised relations between some Arab states and Israel and on the role of Iran in the Middle East. He said that we are at the cusp of [] an historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which would go a long way in ending the Arab-Israeli conflict, adding that such an agreement could be reached under the leadership of US President Joe Biden. He warned, however, about what he referred to as the fanatics ruling Iran who would do anything they can to thwart this historic peace. Regarding the role of the Palestinians in the context of the normalisation agreements, Netanyahu said that he believes that the Palestinians must not be given a veto over new peace treaties with Arab states.

The Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) met on the sidelines of the UNGA high-level segment on 20 September. (The AHLC is a 15-member committee that coordinates development assistance to the Palestinian people at policy level and is chaired by Norway.) The report prepared for the AHLC meeting by the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) outlined several immediate steps to reverse current negative trends. These include addressing key territorial and security issuesincluding those related to settlements and violencethrough [s]erious political talks and the restoration of mechanisms that facilitate more regular and sustained contacts between both sides.

Both Netanyahu and Abbas met with Guterres in New York. On 20 September, Netanyahu held a meeting with Biden, while Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh met with US Special Representative for Palestinian Affairs Hady Amr on the sidelines of the AHLC meeting on 21 September.

Human Rights-Related Developments

In an 8 September statement, the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) said that it will conduct its first visit to the State of Palestine from 10 to 21 September to evaluate the measures undertaken to protect people deprived of liberty from torture and ill-treatment. The SPT delegation will also provide assistance in establishing a national preventive mechanism (NPM), a monitoring body that all States parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture must establish. In the statement, the head of the delegation, Daniel Fink (Switzerland), noted that the delegation will meet authorities at the highest levels and will visit detention facilities, interviewing detainees and staff.

Key Issues and Options

According to a recent policy brief by the European Council on Foreign Relations, [t]hirty years after the Oslo accords, Israels annexation of Palestinian territory is entrenching open-ended conflict and what is increasingly recognised as apartheid, while the prospects of wider regional destabilisation and a third intifada are on the rise amid expanding Israeli military raids, growing settler violence, and the resurgence of Palestinian armed groups.

Against this backdrop, the overarching issue for the Security Council remains to determine how it can support the resumption of political negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians to move towards a resolution of the conflict and achieve a two-state solution. Deterring developments that further undermine the viability of the two-state solution and a peaceful resolution of the conflictsuch as the expansion of Israeli settlements, forced evictions and demolitions of Palestinian-owned structures, and the altering of the status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalemis also a key issue. The deteriorating security situation and violence against civilians remain important matters of concern for Council members.

As mentioned by Ambassador Ferit Hoxha (Albania) at the press briefing on the plan of work for the Security Council for the month of September, Council members are considering a visiting mission to the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel. A visiting mission could be an option to generate momentum and complement efforts to revive political talks between Palestinians and Israelis. Besides demonstrating the Councils support for the resumption of the peace process, a key objective of the visit could be to show a unified stance against any further undermining of the viability of the two-state solution. This would be the first Council visit to the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel.

A visiting mission might also expose Council members first-hand to the extent of the humanitarian need and the consequences on the ground of the suspension of support delivered by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the absence of a political solution. UNRWA is chronically underfunded, and funding shortages for WFP have already resulted in the suspension of food and cash assistance for 200,000 Palestinians, most of whom live in Gaza, with another 150,000 Palestinians at risk of having their assistance suspended in October, according to UNSCOs AHLC report.

Council Dynamics

There is broad rhetorical support among Council members for the two-state solution. With varying degrees of emphasis, members also routinely call for an end to settlement activity and demolitions and condemn violence against civilians, including acts of terror and settler-related violence. Nevertheless, Council dynamics have precluded effective action in response to the non-implementation of its resolutions and a shared strategy to prevent the further deterioration of the situation.

The US appears to be of the view that the current circumstances are not ripe for the restart of the peace process and is instead investing its diplomatic capital in initiatives such as the normalisation agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia and the meetings of senior officials from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the US, Egypt, and Jordan in Aqaba and Sharm El Sheikh.

At the 27 September Security Council briefing on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, some members referred to the possible normalisation of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia as a positive development. The UK argued that it is unabashed in encouraging more countries to normalise their relationships with Israel, but that it is also committed to making sure that normalisation delivers concrete benefits for the Palestinian people. Russiawhich in previous meetings has accused the US of blocking the Councils adoption of any substantive decision on the Middle East peace process and the efforts of the Middle East Quartetsaid that the US continues to promote an Arab-Israeli normalisation circumventing the logic of the Arab Peace Initiative put forward by Saudi Arabia in 2002 and predicated on first resolving the Palestinian question before restoring relations with Israel, adding that these actions undermine the prospects for reviving direct negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis.

UN DOCUMENT ON THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION
The UN Security Council and Regional Organisations: a Brief Exploration of Chapter VIII

The Importance of Chapter VIII Today

The Secretary-Generals New Agenda for Peace calls for strong partnerships between the UN and regional frameworks as part of networked multilateralism.[1] Current geopolitical shifts make it imperative to reflect on how such partnerships should functionhow the Security Council and regional organisations relate to each other in the maintenance of international peace and security. This is especially important in assessing how and when the Council must be involved with regional arrangements, including peace and enforcement operations.

Regional arrangements or agencies have an explicit role under Chapter VIII of the UN Charter in dealing with matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security as are appropriate for regional action, subject to certain caveats, while the Security Councils primary responsibility and superior enforcement role are strongly enshrined in Chapters V-VII of the Charter. The Council itself has a mixed record in interpreting the provisions of the UN Charter, however.

Shifting Approaches to Chapter VIII

Analysts have called Chapter VIII an ambivalent compromise.[2] The text reflects the divisions at the time of its drafting between universalists, who were determined that the new organisation should not be undermined by regional organisations acting in the same sphere, and regionalists, who wanted regional organisations to keep a role in maintaining international peace and security.[3]

In practice, the Council has taken an a la carte approach to regional organisations, variously cooperating with them, deferring to them, or asserting its own primacy, depending on the prevailing politics and the issue at hand. Between 1948 and 1982, powerful Council members amplified the roles of regional organisations in which they exercised significant influence, or turned to these organisations to legitimise the action they wanted to take, bypassing the Council.[4]

With the end of the Cold War, the Secretary-General and member states approached regional organisations with renewed vigour, exemplified by the Secretary-Generals 1992 Agenda for Peace in which then Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali noted that regional action as a matter of decentralization, delegation and cooperation with UN efforts could not only lighten the burden of the Council but also contribute to a deeper sense of participation, consensus and democratization in international affairs.[5]

In January 1993, the Secretary-General invited regional organisations to improve coordination with the UN. The Security Council adopted its first resolution on the UN and regional organisations in 2005, infused with the intention to strengthen the interaction and cooperation with these organizations in maintaining international peace and security.[6] It also reiterated the obligation of international organisations, under Article 54 of the Charter, to keep the Council fully informed of their activities for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Enhanced Interaction with Regional Organisations

By this time, Council meetings focusing on regional organisations were starting to take hold. An April 2003 debate, featuring a briefing by then-Secretary-General Kofi Annan, began a practice that has endured over the past two decades of frequent interaction between the Council and regional arrangements. Annual consultative meetings with the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council have been convened since 2007. Debates, briefings, and other meetings on cooperation with a host of regional organisationsincluding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the AU, the European Union (EU), the League of Arab States (LAS), and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), among othersare now the norm.

Council decisions encouraging regular interaction with regional organisations and requesting the UN Secretary-General to report on the relationship between the UN and these organisations have prompted a number of these meetings. At times, elected members have also chosen to focus on the relationship between the UN and an organisation from their region in signature events during their monthly presidencies.

What led to these enhanced interactions? The answer may lie in the Councils July 2004 presidential statement on cooperation between the UN and regional organisations in stabilisation processes. It noted that effectively addressing the numerous conflict situations confronting the international community would require an increased level of cooperation with regional organizations, where appropriate.[7] In short, the Council recognised that it was overburdened.

Notwithstanding the increased activity, the nature of the Councils engagements with regional organisationsand their effectiveness in maintaining international peace and securityvaries greatly, depending on the issue and the regional organisation. The most developed relationship is with the AU, in line with the multiple situations in Africa on the Councils agenda. However, even this relationship continues to face challenges in terms of burden-sharing, coordination, and differing perceptions of roles and responsibilities.

Interpreting Chapter VIII: Enforcement Action and Peaceful Settlement

The ambivalently qualified entry point of Chapter VIII (Nothing in the present Charter precludes the existence of regional arrangementsfor dealing with such matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security) goes on to specify that these matters must be appropriate for regional action, and that the arrangements, agencies, and their action must be consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations. This opening article, Article 52, while encouraging regional organisations in the pacific settlement of local disputes, adds that nothing in this article impairs the application of Articles 34 and 35 of the Charterrespectively on the Councils investigation of any dispute, or any situation which might lead to international friction or give rise to a dispute, and the right of any member state to bring such situations to the attention of the Security Council or of the General Assembly.

Article 53 of the Charter refers to the Council utilising regional arrangements for enforcement action under its authority (emphasis added), going on to say that no enforcement action shall be taken under regional arrangementswithout the authorization of the Security Council. Following the military coup in Niger in July, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) threatened to take all necessary means, including the use of force to restore democratic rule in Niger. If ECOWAS intervenes militarily in this situation, under Article VIII, the Council would by the strict letter of the UN Charter need to authorise this action. The Council has at times tacitly authorised operations, or acknowledged them belatedly, including insofar as the AU and ECOWAS forces are concerned. For example, the Council adopted resolution 788 in November 1992 commending the efforts of ECOWAS to restore peace, security and stability in Liberia,[8] more than two years after the sub-regional organisations force in the country (that is, the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group, or ECOMOG) had been deployed.

Some members have insisted that the Council should not address conflict situations while the relevant regional organisation is engaged (as African members have argued in the case of Tigray), or that the regional organisation should lead (ASEAN, in the case of Myanmar). On the other hand, others contend that the Council is not doing its job in the face of prolonged crises that regional arrangements appear unable to resolve.

The Primacy of the Council

Dag Hammarskjold, speaking in 1954, emphasised that where resort to [regional] arrangements is chosen in the first instance, that choice should not be permitted to cast any doubt on the ultimate responsibility of the UN.[9] The UN Charter and the practice of the Council confirm that the Security Council has the authority to act at any time in respect of any dispute, including issues that are also under consideration in regional arrangements and organisations. The Councils 2004 presidential statement underlined its own primacy over regional arrangements,[10] as also evident from Articles 24 and 103 of the Charter.[11]

It remains up to the Council to determine which matters it discusses, addresses, investigates, or delegates to a regional or subregional organisation. As part of the Councils authorityand accountabilityit can decide whether a matter is appropriate for regional action within the meaning of Article 52 of the UN Charter, and, again, whether it wishes to rely on regional arrangements for enforcement action under its own authority pursuant to Article 53. While the Council can delegate authority in any particular case, it cannot ignore its primary responsibility for international peace and security.

Article 54 says that The Security Council shall at all times be kept fully informed of activities undertaken or in contemplation under regional arrangements or by regional agencies for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Council has at times imposed specific reporting obligations on regional arrangements or coalitionsfor example, in the cases of Afghanistan (S/RES/1510), Libya (S/RES/1973), and Iraq (S/RES/678).

Conclusion

At the Charters drafting, the question of whether regional arrangements should be able to use force on their own initiative has been described as the most important issue in the argument concerning the political order of the postwar period.[12] Some states feared that local arrangements might degenerate into simple aggressive alliances incompatible with the aims and policies of the contemplated world organization.[13]

There is little doubt that regional organisations capable of preventing, deterring or responding to armed conflict, in particular, would be invaluable in supporting the Security Council in its task of maintaining international peace and security. But for this to become reality, there needs to be greater coordination between the Council and the regional arrangements in addressing potential and current conflicts. Having a regular cycle for meetings with other regional organisations, such as the LAS and ASEAN, could allow for more substantive discussions and a greater focus on specific country situations. With the October meeting of the Council and the AUPSC, as well as this years possible draft resolution on the financing of AU-led peace operations, the coming months present a singular opportunity to reflect on the deepening of partnerships between the Security Council and regional organisations.

[1] New Agenda for Peace, https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/our-common-agenda-policy-brief-new-agenda-for-peace-en.pdf

[2] H.P. Neuhold, The Charter of the United Nations, A Commentary, ed. B. Simma, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995), 686.

[3] See discussion in Robert C. Hilderbrand, Dumbarton Oaks, (Chapell Hill: Universitty of North Carolina Press, 1990), 159-182.

[4] See extensive discussion in Bruno Stagno Ugarte, The UN Security Council in the 21st Century, ed D. Malone et al, (Boulder: Lynne Rienner, 2016), 475-490.

[5] United Nations, An Agenda for Peace: S/24111. 31 January 1992.

[6] United Nations Security Council, Resolution 1631 (2005). 17 October 2005.

[7] United Nations Security Council, Statement of the President of the Security Council S/PRST/2004/27 (2004). 20 July 2004.

[8] United Nations Security Council, Resolution 788 (1992), 19 November 1992.

[9] H.P. Neuhold, The Charter of the United Nations, A Commentary, ed. B. Simma, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995), 712.

[10] United Nations Security Council, Statement of the President of the Security Council S/PRST/2004/27 (2004). 20 July 2004.

[11] W. Hummer and M. Schweitzer, The Charter of the United Nations, A Commentary, ed. B. Simma, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002), 838-9. Article 24(1) provides that member states confer primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace security on the Council and also agree that the Council acts on their behalf in carrying out duties under this responsibility. Article 103 provides that member states obligations imposed by the Charter prevail over their obligations under any other international agreement.

[12] Bruno Simma, The Charter of the United Nations, A Commentary, ed. B. Simma, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995), 732, referencing R.B. Russel and J.E. Muther, A History of the United Nations Charter (1958)

[13] Ibid.
EUROPE

Ukraine

Expected Council Action

In October, the Security Council may hold one or more meetings on the situation in Ukraine, depending on developments on the ground.

Key Recent Developments

Hostilities remain concentrated in the eastern Donbas and southern Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine. Since launching their counteroffensive in June, Ukrainian forces have struggled to break through Russias defensive lines, heavily fortified with extensive minefields. After recapturing the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region in August, Ukrainian forces have been widening their breach of Russian defensive lines in the area.

Concurrently, Ukrainian troops have continued offensive operations around the city of Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region. According to the UKs Ministry of Defence, Ukraine has recaptured the villages of Klishchiivka and Andriivka, located approximately eight kilometres south of Bakhmut. Further north, Ukrainian forces are defending against a Russian offensive in the eastern Luhansk region.

Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine continue to conduct air, missile, and drone attacks against each other. Russia has targeted Ukraines ports and grain infrastructure, and Ukraine has targeted military objects in Crimea. Following Russias termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) on 17 July, Ukraine has relied heavily on exporting grain through the Danube River into the Romanian Black Sea port cities of Sulina and Constanta. In response, Russia has launched several attacks on ports and grain depots along the Danube River in Ukraine, destroying hundreds of thousands of tonnes of grain, according to Ukrainian officials. As at 7 September, Russia had damaged or destroyed over 26 Ukrainian port facilities, warehouses, silos, and grain elevators since July, according to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. On 8 September, the UK announced plans to increase surveillance of Russian naval activity in the Black Sea in an effort to deter attacks on civilian shipping and grain infrastructure in Ukraine.

Over the past month, Ukraine has intensified its attacks on the Crimean Peninsula. The latest missile strike on 22 September struck the headquarters of Russias Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol. A week earlier, on 14 September, Ukrainian drones and cruise missiles destroyed a Russian S-400 air defence system located on the Crimean Peninsula. Crimea has served as a pivotal hub for Russias military operations in Ukraine. The Russian Black Sea Fleet, a pillar of the Russian navy, has fired missiles at civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and threatened commercial shipping in the Black Sea following Moscows termination of the BSGI in July.

September witnessed a flurry of multilateral diplomatic activity, with many discussions touching on the situation in Ukraine. During the Group of 20 (G20) Summit, which took place on 9 and 10 September, members managed to set aside their differences regarding the war in Ukraine and agree on a joint declaration, which asserted that 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 declaration also affirmed that [t]he use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible. While the statement acknowledged the human suffering and negative added impacts of the war in Ukraine, it avoided designating Russia as the aggressor. On 9 September, Oleg Nikolenko, the spokesperson of Ukraines foreign ministry, criticised the joint statement, calling it nothing to be proud of, while thanking the partners who tried to include strong wording in the text.

The Security Council has remained actively engaged on the situation in Ukraine, holding four meetings on the issue in September. At the request of Albania and the US, the Council convened for a meeting on 8 September to discuss the regional and municipal elections that Russia organised in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. On 12 September, Russia requested a briefing under the Threats to international peace and security agenda item to discuss the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine and other factors negatively affecting the prospects for resolving the crisis in Ukraine and around it. The Council convened for a high-level open debate on Ukraine on 20 September. The meeting, titled Upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter through effective multilateralism: Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine, was a signature event of Albanias September Council presidency. On 26 September, at Russias request, the Council held a meeting to mark the one-year anniversary of the attack on the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea. (For more, see our Whats in Blue stories of 7 September and 19 September.)

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 4 September, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Ukraine issued a statement upon the conclusion of its visit to Kyiv and Uman. The COI noted the recent issuance of an extensive conference room paper, which provides a detailed account supporting the COIs findings. The paper sets out violations by the Russian armed forces, including wilful killings, torture, rape, and sexual violence. Many of these violations constitute war crimes, and if confirmed by further investigations, some may amount to crimes against humanity, according to the paper. The COIs representatives called on the Russian authorities to ensure that they hold all perpetrators accountable and reminded the Ukrainian authorities to conclude investigations of the cases where the COI found violations by the Ukrainian armed forces. The COI will submit written reports of its activities to the General Assembly in October and to the Human Rights Council (HRC) in March 2024. The COI is expected to brief the HRC on 25 September during its 54th session, and UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif will brief the HRC on 9 October on cooperation with and assistance to Ukraine in the field of human rights, as requested by HRC resolution A/HRC/RES/53/30.

On 10 September, in a statement issued at the end of her official seven-day visit to Ukraine, Alice Jill Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, emphasised that the volume of credible allegations of torture and other inhumane acts that are being perpetrated against civilians and prisoners of war by Russian authorities appears to be unabating. Edwards underscored that none of these acts seem unintentional or accidental, but rather orchestrated as part of a State policy to intimidate, instil fear, punish, or extract information and confessions. During her visit, the Special Rapporteur also inspected the conditions of Russian prisoners of war. She noted that sincere efforts were made by the Ukrainian authorities to treat Russian prisoners of war with respect. Edwards will present a report to the HRC during its 55th session in March 2024.

Key Issues and Options

The overarching priority for the Council is to promote a solution to the conflict in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and to facilitate dialogue among the parties to that end. The direct involvement of a permanent member in the conflict, however, continues to limit the Councils options.

Council and Wider Dynamics

The Security Council remains starkly divided on the conflict in Ukraine and the appropriate framework for achieving a peaceful resolution. Ukraine and its allies have advocated for a just peace, conditioned on the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraines internationally recognised borders. Other member states have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities without any preconditions, which could freeze the front lines of the conflict, leaving Russia in control of a significant amount of territory in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Ukraines diplomatic approach has evolved considerably since the collapse of peace talks with Moscow in April 2022. Rather than resuming dialogue with Russia, Ukraine has focused on rallying international backing for a ten-point peace formula introduced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a G20 summit on 15 November 2022. The peace formula includes calls for nuclear safety, food and energy security, the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, restoring Ukraines territorial integrity, the release of all prisoners and deportees, and the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes. Speaking at the general debate of the 78th session of the General Assembly on 19 September, Zelenskyy underscored that attaining peace in Ukraine requires collective global efforts, rather than isolated dialogue between the so-called great powersbehind closed doors.

At the Councils high-level open debate on Ukraine on 20 September, Zelenskyy, attending in person for the first time since the start of the war, elaborated on Ukraines strategy to garner support for his peace formula and the eventual organisation of a global peace summit. Zelenskyy proposed the formation of ten groups comprising national security advisors and diplomats. Each group would be responsible for drafting decisions and legislative proposals aligned with each point of the peace formula. It seems that by segmenting support based on individual points, Zelenskyy aims to appeal to member states that have been neutral or hesitant to condemn Russia during the conflict. Several elements of the peace formulaincluding ensuring food security and maintaining nuclear safetyresonate with states that have chosen a multi-aligned approach to the conflict, strengthening ties with both Moscow and Kyiv and its allies.

At the open debate, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticised Ukraines diplomatic stance. He argued that while Russia is ready to restart peace talks, Kyiv remains unwilling to seek a peaceful resolution. Lavrov pointed to a decree signed by Zelenskyy on 4 October 2022, which formally declared the prospect of peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin impossible. Moscow holds Ukraines Western allies responsible for the collapse of the peace talks in April 2022. During the debate, Lavrov insinuated that if the US truly wants peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow to resume, it should give the signal for Zelenskyys [decree] to be cancelled.

Despite the rhetoric calling for peace, prospects for a resolution remain bleak as both sides continue to rely on military means to shape the wars outcome. After the Councils high-level open debate, Zelenskyy travelled to Washington DC, where he met with US President Joe Biden and members of the US Congress. On 21 September, the US announced a new military assistance package worth $128 million. Meanwhile, Russia hosted a summit with Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong-un on 13 September, amid growing speculation of a potential arms agreement between the two nations. During the summit, Kim Jong-un affirmed that the DPRK will continue to support every decision made by Putin, as Russia engages in a sacred battle to defend its state sovereignty and security in the face of the hegemonic forces that oppose it. On 18 September, Lavrov hosted his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. The following day, the Kremlin announced that Putin will travel to Beijing in October to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The visit will mark his first international trip since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in March over alleged war crimes related to the forced removal of children from Ukraine.

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SECURITY COUNCIL AND WIDER UN STRUCTURE

UN-AU Cooperation

Expected Council Action

In October, the Council is expected to hold the annual debate on cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations, focusing on the AU. Special Representative to the AU and head of the UN Office to the AU (UNOAU) Parfait Onanga-Anyanga is the expected briefer.

Key Recent Developments

On 11 October 2022, the Council held a ministerial-level debate on UN-AU cooperation. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat briefed the Council. The meeting highlighted the 20th anniversary of the AU. It also drew attention to the issue of climate security in Africa, which was the topic of a signature event by Gabon during its Security Council presidency that month. Following the meeting, Gabons proposed draft presidential statement could not be adopted because of the lack of consensus over climate language.

The annual debate usually takes place under an African Security Council presidency, but Mozambiques presidency in March was the only one for an African member this year. Therefore, the three African members (the A3)Gabon, Ghana and Mozambiqueseem to have reached an understanding with Brazil to consider the Secretary-Generals annual report on Strengthening the partnership between the UN and the AU on issues of peace and security in Africa, including on the work of the UN Office to the AU (UNOAU) during its Security Council presidency in October.

The latest Secretary-Generals report, published on 28 August, describes the partnership between the UN and the AU in conflict prevention and peacemaking, peacekeeping and peace support operations, and peacebuilding and the rule of law. It provides updates on the financing of AU peace support operations (AUPSOs) and refers to the Secretary-Generals 1 May report on this issue, which was drafted pursuant to a 31 August 2022 presidential statement. It also mentions the AU consensus paper on predictable, adequate, and sustainable financing for AU peace and security activities adopted at the 36th AU Summit in February. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 24 May.)

During the Brazilian Presidency in October, the 17th annual joint consultative meeting between the Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) will also be held. The annual meeting rotates between New York and Addis Ababa, the home of the AU headquarters; this years meeting will be held in Addis Ababa on 6 October. The AUPSC has proposed several agenda items for the meeting, including the situations in Sudan, the Sahel region, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia and the activities of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

This meeting is expected to be preceded on 5 October by the eighth informal joint seminar of the Security Council and the AUPSC. The aim of the joint seminar is to exchange views on how to enhance cooperation between the two Councils. Working methods will be discussed. The seventh informal joint seminar last year in New York welcomed the monthly meetings of the President of the Security Council and the Chairperson of the AUPSC. Participants also encouraged the UN and the AU to undertake joint assessment missions, as well as greater working-level coordination and consultation ahead of their joint meetings. Furthermore, they supported the regular participation of UN and AU Special Representatives in meetings of the Security Council and the AUPSC in order to provide the AU and UN perspectives on relevant topics related to African issues.

The other agenda item for the informal seminar is the long-standing issue of securing adequate, predictable, and sustainable financing for AUPSOs. This issue has gathered momentum in the Security Council since last year, as the AUPSC requested the A3 in May to resume consultations with the relevant stakeholders towards the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution on financing AU-led PSOs. (For more information, see our 26 April research report titled The Financing of AU Peace Support Operations: Prospects for Progress in the Security Council?) On 23 September, the AUPSC held a ministerial-level meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assemblys high-level segment to discuss this issue. In his statement at the meeting, AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed the Commissions readiness to support the A3 in advancing a draft resolution that is expected to be considered by the Security Council in December 2023.

The agenda items the AUPSC proposed for the joint consultative meeting and the joint seminar have broad support, and Council members are expected to accept them. It seems that the A3 have suggested including the youth, peace and security agenda in the joint seminar. Over the last couple of years, the AU Committee of Experts has visited New York ahead of the annual consultations to meet with Security Council counterparts and negotiate the draft outcome document of the meeting. This year, for the first time, Security Council experts are expected to travel to Addis Ababa on 3-4 October in preparation for the annual consultation and will meet with their AUPSC counterparts.

Key Issues and Options

A key issue for Council members will be how to address the most pressing peace and security situations in Africa. Aside from specific conflicts, several thematic issuesincluding the growing threat of terrorism and violent extremism, the resurgence of coups, the increasing role of mercenaries on the continent, and the worsening humanitarian situation with massive human displacement due to ongoing conflictsmay draw the attention of Council members.

Council members could consider conducting visiting missions to some of the conflict situations in Africa. Since late 2019, they have only undertaken two visiting missions: one to the Sahel region in October 2021 and another to the DRC in March. It has been eight years since Council members visited Somalia and four since they visited South Sudan. Apparently, there were discussions among Council members about adding one of these countries to their Addis Ababa trip, but it did not materialise.

Another major issue is how to address the long-standing request for the financing of AUPSOs from UN-assessed contributions. Council members seem to be supportive of adopting a framework resolution on the issue before the end of this year and are awaiting a draft from the A3.

Council Dynamics

Council members are generally supportive of the cooperation and partnership between the UN and the AU on peace and security. The role of the A3 has been vital in this regard. In recent years, the A3 have enhanced their position in the Council through joint statements and coordinated positions advanced in negotiations on various Council products, particularly as they relate to Africa.

It remains to be seen, however, how the recent coup in Gabon will affect A3 dynamics over the coming months. At the annual Security Council briefing on peacekeeping held on 8 September, the A3 did not deliver a joint statement. On 31 August, the AUPSC suspended Gabon from all activities of the AU and its organs until the restoration of constitutional order in that country. (Gabon is expected to participate in the 17th annual consultation as a Security Council member.)

The A3 are spearheading efforts to advance a framework resolution on the financing of AUPSOs. They may circulate the draft resolution to Council members after the annual consultation between the two Councils. Although Council members are broadly supportive, issues related to accountability and human rights, burden-sharing, and fiduciary responsibilities are expected to complicate the upcoming negotiations.

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THEMATIC ISSUES

UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Expected Council Action

In October, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, will brief the Council. The briefing will focus on the situation of refugees in several countries on the Councils agenda. No outcome is expected.

Background and Key Recent Developments

Over the past three decades, the Security Council has increasingly considered the links between the situation of refugees and threats to international peace and security. The High Commissioner for Refugees has briefed the Council several times about specific country situations on the Councils agenda, including the Sahel in December 2012, Syria in December 2015, and Myanmar in February 2018. In addition to country-specific briefings, the Council has received several briefings under the agenda item Briefing by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which allows for a general update by the High Commissioner on the situation of refugees pertaining to various settings on the Councils agenda.

The first briefing under this agenda item took place on 10 November 2000 by then-High Commissioner Sadako Ogata. Since then, the Council has received five such briefings, most recently on 2 November 2022 under Ghanas Council presidency. During that meeting, Grandi emphasised that the 24 February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine had resulted in one of the fastest and largest displacement of people seen in decades, noting that around 14 million people had been displaced because of this conflict. He further stressed that various other conflict situations in the world, including Ethiopia, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, had resulted in significant displacement. He emphasised the need for the Security Council to overcome its divisions and disagreements, at least when it discusses humanitarian issues, and hopefully when it addresses, or strives to address, the root causes that are displacing people around the world.

In the past decade, UN member states have shown significant concern over the issue of forced displacement. In 2016, the General Assembly unanimously adopted the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, reaffirming the importance of the international refugee regime and paving the way for its affirmation of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) two years later. The GCR remains a key global framework for addressing the issue of forced displacement through more predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing and offers guidance for states and international organisations on how to support refugees and meet their needs in ways that benefit them and their host communities. Its objectives are to ease pressures on host countries, promote refugee self-reliance, expand access to third-country solutions, and support conditions in countries of origin to facilitate refugees safe return.

The main vehicles for follow-up and review under the GCR include the Global Refugee Forums (GRF) held every four years, the High-Level Officials Meeting held two years after each GRF, the biennial GCR indicator report, and the High Commissioners annual reporting to the General Assembly. The first High-Level Officials Meeting took place in December 2021. The next Global Refugee Forum is set to take place on 13-15 December 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The global displacement crisis has continued to worsen since High Commissioner Grandi briefed the Council last year. By the end of 2022, the number of forcibly displaced people had reached 108.4 million, a 19 million increase from the end of 2021. UNHCRs report, Global Trends: Forced Displacement 2022, released earlier this year, indicates that 52 percent of people displaced abroad in 2022 came from three countries of origin: Syria (6.5 million), Ukraine (5.7 million), and Afghanistan (5.7 million).

One recent crisis that has led to large-scale displacement is the conflict in Sudan. In April 2023, fighting erupted between rival armed forces in Sudan and resulted in the displacement of four million people internally. According to data released by UNHCR in September, about one million other Sudanese sought refuge in neighbouring countries. UNHCR projects that the number of Sudanese refugees will reach 1.8 million by the end of 2023.

Several natural disasters have also caused significant human displacement this year. In September, devastating floods in eastern Libya caused the displacement of over 40,000 people. In February, earthquakes in south-eastern Turkiye and northern Syria displaced an estimated three million, including in areas already hosting displaced persons from the Syrian conflict.

Key Issues and Options

One key issue is the combined effects of conflict, natural disasters, and climate change on the humanitarian needs of refugees and other displaced persons.

Another key issue is how to address UNHCRs funding gap. In 2023, UNHCRs budget rose to $10.8 billion due to the increase in displaced people globally. According to data provided by UNHCR, only 32 percent of its global budget has been funded to date. While the Council does not control the purse strings, members could discuss how the funding gap exacerbates the humanitarian conditions facing persons displaced by conflict and appeal to member states to increase their financial support to UNHCR.

Another important issue is addressing the protection of refugees and displaced persons, including taking account of the differential effects of displacement on men, women, and children. In their interventions in this months briefing, members may discuss ways to protect refugees from sexual and gender-based violence, abuse, and exploitation.

In the future, Council members could consider convening private meetings or informal interactive dialogues to discuss the many challenges related to displacement in particular regions. These closed meeting formats allow for the participation of non-Council member states, one way in which they differ from closed consultations. As a result, they could enable a candid exchange of ideas among Council members and affected countries that may be conducive to strategic thinking and problem-solving concerning particular displacement crises.

Council Dynamics

The Council is generally united in its support of UNHCR and the work of the High Commissioner. It appears, however, that political sensitivities in the Council over issues such as Syria and Myanmar have affected Council deliberations on the issue of refugees. While all Council members agree on the need to promote the safe and voluntary return of refugees, there is a divergence of views on whether such conditions for return have been met in these countries.

Several Council members blame Russia for creating the displacement crisis in Ukraine and have repeatedly urged Russia to withdraw its troops from the country. They have also underscored concerns that Russia is forcibly migrating civilians, including children, to Russia. Russia denies accusations that it is forcibly transporting Ukrainian civilians to Russia, maintaining that such accusations are part of a disinformation campaign by Western countries.

Some Council members have emphasised the links between climate change and the displacement of people. During the November 2022 briefing, several members noted that the effects of climate change on displacement have been particularly evident in the Sahel region and the Horn of Africa, areas already affected by conflict.

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UNDOF (Golan)

Expected Council Action

In October, the Council will hold its quarterly consultations on the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan.

Background and Key Recent Developments

UNDOF was established following the conclusion of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement (the 1974 agreement) between Israel and Syria, which ended the Yom Kippur War. Its mandate is to maintain the ceasefire between the parties and supervise the disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces as well as the areas of separation (a demilitarised buffer zone) and limitation (where Israeli and Syrian troops and equipment are restricted) in the Golan.

Carrying out the mandate entails observing violations of the 1974 agreement, reporting them, and liaising with both sides. UNDOF protests violations it observes of the 1974 agreement. Such violations regularly include unauthorised personnel and equipment in the areas of separation and limitation, the firing of weapons across the ceasefire line, and drones and aircraft crossing the ceasefire line.

On 10 June, the Special Coordinator on Improving the UN response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Christian Saunders, visited UNDOF. According to a press statement released following the visit, Saunders interacted with female peacekeepers and inspected their accommodations along with other basic facilities within the camp. He also discussed with mission leadership UNDOFs commitment and efforts toward preventing and ending sexual exploitation and abuse, the statement added.

On 29 June, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2689, renewing the mandate of UNDOF for six months until 31 December. The resolution called on the parties to exercise maximum restraint and prevent any breaches of the ceasefire and the area of separation. It further encouraged them to take full advantage of UNDOFs liaison function regularly to address issues of mutual concern.

Israel and Syria have continued to send letters to the Security Council accusing each other of violating the 1974 agreement. In a 27 July letter addressed to the Council and the Secretary-General, the Syrian government said that Israel launched an attack against certain points belonging to the internal security forces in the town of Qahtaniyah in Qunaytirah, resulting in material damage. The Israeli government, in turn, wrote to the Council and the Secretary-General on 28 July, noting that Syrian violations of the Alpha line [Israeli-occupied Golan side] and armed presence in the area of separation occur daily.

The region has witnessed a sharp rise in hostilities over the last few months. Speaking at an 11 September conference in Herzliya, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that Israel will not allow the establishment of a second Hezbollah in the Syrian Golan Heights, and the use of Syrian soil as a springboard for the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah. According to media reports, on 13 September, airstrikes allegedly conducted by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) hit the port city of Tartous, killing two Syrian soldiers and injuring six more. Later that day, Israel again conducted airstrikes in the vicinity of Hama, causing material damage, the media report added.

In a 21 September Twitter post, the IDF said their tanks struck [two] temporary structures that were being used by the Syrian army. It claimed that these structures violated the 1974 agreement, while noting that the IDF holds the Syrian regime responsible for all activities emanating from its territory and will not allow any attempts to violate Israeli sovereignty. According to local media reports, these positions were set up near Majdal Shams, a town in northern Golan, and were being used by the Syrian army to store military infrastructure.

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 4 April, during its 52nd session, the Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted a resolution concerning human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan (A/HRC/RES/52/33). Among other things, the resolution called upon Israel to comply with relevant General Assembly, Security Council and HRC resolutions, in particular Security Council resolution 497 of 17 December 1981, which decided that Israels decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan was null and void and without international legal effect; deplored the continuing settlement policies and practices in the occupied Syrian Golan; and further called upon Israel to cease changing the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan. The resolution was adopted with 31 votes in favour, 14 against, and two abstentions. Council members China, Gabon and the United Arab Emirates voted in favour of the resolution, whereas France, the United Kingdom, and the United States voted against.

The same day, the HRC also adopted a resolution (A/HRC/RES/52/35) condemning the continuing settlement and related activities by Israel in the Syrian Golan, including the transfer of its nationals into the occupied territory, construction and expansion of settlements, and demolition of community infrastructure. The resolution also demanded that Israel cease all settlement activities in the Syrian Golan immediately.

Key Issues and Options

One key issue is the challenges the mission faces in carrying out its mandate, such as the restrictions on the movement and access of UNDOF personnel. At next months consultations, Council members may be interested in receiving more information from the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) briefer on progress on UNDOFs return to the Bravo side (Syrian Golan). The military observers of the Observer Group Golan (OGG) had to vacate the observation posts in 2014 owing to the deteriorating security situation in Syria.

Another issue for Council members is the ongoing violations of the 1974 agreement. Members may consider pursuing a press or presidential statement urging parties to adhere to their commitments under the agreement while expressing concern about the risk of escalation resulting from these violations and the potential danger they pose to the safety of peacekeepers.

Council Dynamics

The unanimous adoption of resolution 2689 on 29 June, which reauthorised UNDOFs mandate for six months, illustrated that the Council remains united in its view that UNDOF plays an important role in regional stability. Members also seemingly perceive UNDOF as a positive aspect of the Councils work. There was little disagreement among Council members during the negotiations, which were apparently straightforward. No Council member felt the need to give an explanation of vote following the adoption. Some Council members believe that the situation has turned into a protracted conflict owing to continued violations of the disengagement agreement by both sides.

Despite deep divisions in the Council regarding the Syria file and opposing positions by the UNDOF co-penholdersRussia and the USabout who holds sovereignty over the Golan, the two countries continue to consider UNDOF as a separate issue on which they agree. This arrangement has enabled close engagement with the parties on the ground. It seems that the antagonism between Russia and the US over the conflict in Ukraine has not affected their work on UNDOF; the difficult dynamics witnessed in other Council files were not evident during the negotiations on UNDOFs mandate in June.

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AFRICA

Western Sahara

Expected Council Action

In October, the Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), which expires on 31 October. Ahead of the mandate renewal, Council members are also likely to receive a briefing in consultations on the Secretary-Generals annual report on the situation concerning Western Sahara, which member states anticipate to receive by 2 October.

Key Recent Developments

On 27 October 2022, the Security Council adopted resolution 2654, renewing the mandate of MINURSO for another year with 13 votes in favour and two abstentions (Russia and then-Council member Kenya). The resolution introduced new language stressing the importance for all concerned expanding on their positions in order to advance a solution. It seems that the term all concerned was inserted to accommodate different views regarding the parties to the conflict, while giving the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura, the space to determine how to move forward with the political process. The resolution also expressed support for building on the progress and framework of the former Personal Envoy and strongly encouraged Morocco, the Polisario Frontthe entity representing the inhabitants of the Western Sahara region, known as SahrawisAlgeria, and Mauritania to engage with the Personal Envoy. In addition, it introduced new language calling for the resumption of the safe and regular resupply of MINURSO team sites. This language appears to have been added in response to movement restrictions the Polisario Front has imposed on the mission that have negatively affected the serviceability and life cycles of equipment, according to the Secretary-Generals October 2022 report on Western Sahara. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 26 October 2022.)

On 17 July, Israel announced that it would recognise Moroccos sovereignty over Western Sahara and intended to consider opening a consulate in Dakhla, a city in the disputed territory. In a Twitter post following the announcement, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said that [t]his step will strengthen the relations between the two countriesand will contribute to the efforts exerted to expand cooperation and deepen peace and stability in our region. In a 19 July press release, Moroccos King Mohammed VI welcomed Israels decision, saying it would contribute to closer ties between Morocco and Israel. In a statement the next day (20 July), the Algerian foreign ministry criticised Israels decision, which it said cannot in any way legitimise the occupation of Sahrawi lands.

On 27 July, the Secretary-General submitted his report on the Question of Western Sahara, covering developments from 1 September 2022 to 30 June pursuant to General Assembly resolution A/RES/77/133 of 16 December 2022. The report noted that during this period, the situation in Western Sahara was characterised by low-intensity hostilities between Morocco and the Polisario Front, creating challenges to MINURSOs operational environment. It added that constraints on MINURSOs logistical supply and maintenance chain to team sites east of the berm continued to seriously impede the missions ability to sustain its field presence. (The berm refers to an approximately 1,700-mile-long earthen wall that divides the Moroccan-administered portion of Western Sahara from that held by the Polisario Front.) The report said that following high-level engagement, MINURSO was able to conduct three separate ground convoy movements between April and June to its team sites east of the berm in Agwanit, Mehaires, Mijek, and Tifariti, delivering urgently needed fuel and other supplies.

The 15th BRICS summit was held in Johannesburg from 22 to 24 August. Brahim Ghali, the Secretary General of the Polisario Front, attended the BRICS-Africa dialogue meeting on 24 August. The declaration adopted at the conclusion of the BRICS summit emphasised the need to achieve an enduring and mutually acceptable political solution to the question of Western Sahara in accordance with relevant [Security Council] resolutions and in fulfilment of the mandate of[MINURSO].

De Mistura has continued his diplomatic efforts in a bid to advance the political process. On 4 September, he embarked on a regional tour with Laayoune as his first stop, followed by Dakhla on 6 September. This was his first visit to Western Sahara since his appointment as Personal Envoy in November 2021. In response to a question concerning the aim of de Misturas visit to the region during a 5 September press briefing, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq said that 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.

On 8 September, de Mistura met Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat. During the meeting, Bourita reportedly reiterated Moroccos position regarding its autonomy plan. (The plan, which Morocco submitted to the UN in 2007, calls for integrating the territory into Morocco, with the Sahrawi people managing their internal affairs while being represented externally by Morocco.)

On 11 September, de Mistura met Ghali in New York. According to a media report, Ghali emphasised the Sahrawi peoples commitment to defending their national rights and aspirations by all legal means enshrined by the UN charter and AUs constitutive act. On 13 September, de Mistura met with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in Algiers. According to a press statement released by the Algerian foreign ministry following the meeting, Attaf supported de Misturas efforts, expressing hope that they lead to the revival of direct negotiations between the two parties to the conflict, namely the Kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front, without pre-conditions and in good faith, to find a political solution preserving Western Sahara peoples right to self-determination.

De Mistura also held a meeting with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani in Nouakchott on 14 September.

Key Issues and Options

An immediate issue for the Council is to renew the mandate of MINURSO and consider what changes to the missions mandate, if any, are necessary.

Another important issue for Council members to consider is how to bring all the parties to the negotiating table. Resolution 2654 called on all parties to resume negotiations with a view to achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. Significant obstacles remain in the peace process, however. The Polisario Front announced in November 2020 that it would no longer respect the ceasefire agreement it signed with Morocco in 1991.

A possible option for the Council would be to issue a presidential statement expressing support for de Misturas efforts and urging all parties to resume negotiations.

The human rights situation is another issue of concern. The Secretary-Generals 3 October 2022 report noted that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was unable to conduct any visits to Western Sahara for the seventh consecutive year despite multiple requests and the Security Council strongly encouraging enhanced cooperation with OHCHR in resolution 2602 of 29 October 2021. The report added that OHCHR continued to receive allegations of human rights violations in Western Sahara, reportedly committed by Moroccan security forces.

Council Dynamics

The US, the penholder on Western Sahara, recognised Moroccos sovereignty over the region in December 2020 during the Trump administration. The Biden administration has not changed this position. France has traditionally supported the Moroccan autonomy plan, and Gabon and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are also supportive of Morocco. Council members Ghana and Mozambique maintain diplomatic relations with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

Divisions among Council members were apparent in the meeting on Western Sahara on 27 October 2022. In its explanation of vote following the adoption of resolution 2654, Russia noted that [i]n the past few years, the resolutions on the renewal of MINURSOs mandate have included amendments that in our view harm the unbiased and impartial approach needed to resolve the issue of Western Sahara. It objected to the references to the round-table format meetings, calling them irrelevant and limiting the mediation efforts of de Mistura. In addition, Russia noted that the final settlement should be based on mutually acceptable outcomes that could contribute to a fair political resolution for Morocco and the Polisario Front and provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. On the other hand, the UAE expressed support for Moroccos autonomy plan while recognising its sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara.

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THEMATIC ISSUES

Women, Peace and Security

Expected Council Action

On 25 October, the Security Council is scheduled to hold its annual open debate on women, peace and security (WPS), which will be titled: Womens participation in international peace and security: from theory to practice. UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous and a high-level representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross are the anticipated briefers. A civil society representative is also expected to brief. One of the signature events of Brazils presidency, the open debate will be chaired by Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira. It appears that Brazil intends to focus the open debate on the origins of the WPS agenda and on the role of civil society in its inception.

No outcome is expected.

Key Recent Developments

The Secretary-Generals annual report on WPSexpected ahead of the open debatewill provide an update on the implementation of the agenda over the past year. The focus of this years report is expected to be on achieving a radical shift in womens meaningful participation in peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding. (This is one of the five goals for the decade set out in the Secretary-Generals 2020 WPS annual report.)

At the 7 March Security Council open debate on Women, Peace and Security: Towards the 25th Anniversary of Resolution 1325, Bahous noted that although we have witnessed some historic firsts for gender equality since the adoption of resolution 1325 in 2000, we should also remember that we have significantly changed neither the composition of the people who sit at peace negotiation tables nor the impunity enjoyed by those who commit atrocities against women and girls. In recent months, women civil society representatives have highlighted these and other challenges in their briefings on various situations on the Councils agenda, including Afghanistan, Colombia, Libya, and Iraq.

Council members retained WPS-related language in several resolutions and were at times able to strengthen it, such as in resolution 2677 of 15 March, which renewed the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan, and resolution 2674, which in January extended the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. In April, the Council adopted resolution 2681 condemning the Talibans decision to ban Afghan women from working for the UN in Afghanistan, while resolution 2679which in March requested an independent assessment to provide recommendations for an integrated approach in the international community to address the challenges facing Afghanistanmandated for consultations with, among other actors, Afghan women and civil society, and identified the rights of women and girls as one of the challenges that the assessments recommendations should focus on. More generally, in recent years members have paid increasing attention to the gendered effects of conflict on children.

At the same time, at a recent event on innovations in implementing the WPS agenda, UN Women Deputy Executive Director a.i. Sarah Hendriks noted that, if current trends continue, the percentage of Council resolutions adopted this year containing WPS provisions will drop to about 50 percent, the lowest in the past seven years. Neither of the two press statements that directly addressed developments since fighting erupted in April between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces includes language on WPS, nor did a presidential statement on Israeli settlements adopted in February. In a likely reference to the fact that the listing criteria for the Security Councils 1988 Afghanistan Sanctions Committee have not been updated since the Talibans takeover in August 2021, Bahous recently recommended updating the criteria in the context of a dedicated session of the Committee on the role it can play in responding to violations of womens rights in Afghanistan.

Reprisals against individuals and groups cooperating with the UN, including women civil society representatives briefing the Council, remain a source of concern. Last years annual WPS report said that nine women civil society representatives who briefed the Council from January 2021 to May 2022 reported having faced reprisals. This years report is expected to provide an update on this issue, which is also highlighted in a recent Secretary-Generals report on Cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights. This report covers the case of Aminata Dicko, who faced intimidation and reprisals after briefing at the 27 January Council meeting on Maliincluding a criminal complaint against her that featured as evidence the video of her Council statement. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 7 February.)

Council members Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the UK have given continuity to the WPS presidencies initiative started in late 2021 by Ireland, Kenya, and Mexico. In July, the US, too, signed on to the 1 December 2021 Statement of Shared Commitments on WPS. (For background, see our Golden Threads and Persisting Challenges research report.) Engagement on the commitments was uneven, however.

Malta, the UAE, and Albania gave a WPS focus to three mandated country-specific meetings during their presidencies, respectively on Somalia in February, the Central African Republic in June, and Afghanistan in September. In July, the UK hosted the annual open debate on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) as one of the signature events of its presidency. Council members who have signed on to the shared commitments also held several WPS-focused press stakeouts, including, for the first time under this initiative, two in which women civil society representatives delivered remarks immediately after the members participating in the initiative.

While the period from September 2021 to September 2022 saw a high number of women civil society representatives briefing the Council during some of the participating presidencieswith Ireland setting a record of 16 such briefers in September 2021none of the participating presidencies invited ten or more women civil society briefers during the period from October 2022 to August 2023. One of the commitments is to draw attention to, and follow up on, the recommendations and priority issues raised by civil society briefers in Council meetings, but it appears that participants in the initiative have yet to develop systematic processes to do this. Nonetheless, in the first such effort, Switzerland sent a letter to the Security Council listing the briefings delivered by women civil society representatives during its May presidency to draw attention to their statements.

Since January, the Informal Experts Group (IEG) on WPS has met six times, with recent meetings focusing on Colombia, Haiti and Syria. The IEG is expected to hold its fourth meeting with womens protection advisers from several UN missions in November.

In July, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres released A New Agenda for Peace. Among other issues, this document speaks of the growing backlash against womens rights, including on sexual and reproductive health and argues for dismantling the patriarchy and oppressive power structures which stand in the way of progress on gender equality or womens full, equal and meaningful participation in political and public life. Analysts have noted, however, that the recommendations offered by the Secretary-General on this issue do not match the depth of the challenges described in the report. Similarly, Reaching Critical Will, the disarmament programme of the Womens International League for Peace and Freedom, has argued that although A New Agenda for Peace includes bold recommendations on several disarmament issues and provides a solid analysis of the geopolitical competition and military spending, it fails to adequately link patriarchy to militarism; nor does it address at all the relationship between militarism and the climate and ecological crises.

Peacebuilding Commission Developments

The recently published second assessment of the Gender Strategy Action Plan, which the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) adopted in February 2021, found that 92 percent of the PBCs advice, briefings and submissions to the General Assembly, Security Council and the Economic and Social Council during 2022 included gender-responsive recommendations, while the rate of participation of women peacebuilders at the PBC last yearthat is, the number of women briefers as a percentage of the number of PBC meetingswas 87.5 percent.

The assessment noted shortcomings, however, including the fact that only 19 of the PBCs 65 outcome documents contained references to information provided by women peacebuilders. It also flagged that despite consistent references to women in PBC outcome documents, messaging was often generic, for example, referring to the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding, but without analysis or specific recommendations. The assessment recommended, among other things, improving follow-up to the PBCs engagement with women peacebuilders and strengthening the integration of gender analysis based on sex-disaggregated data.

Key Issues and Options

The pivotal issue for the Security Council remains the full implementation of the WPS agenda and its impact on the ground.

A key issue for Council members supportive of the agenda is to preserve and strengthen WPS language in upcoming mandate renewals and follow up on the implementation of these decisions. These members could also strengthen coordination ahead of key Council negotiations and meetings and use the information from IEG meetings to address specific issues. Asking UN briefers to provide substantive updates to the Council on issues relevant to the WPS agenda is a further option.

In line with resolution 2242 on WPS and the 1 December 2021 Statement of Shared Commitments on WPS, members should continue to invite diverse women civil society representatives to brief the Council regularly and follow up on their information and recommendations. It is essential that members and the UN take all possible measures to keep briefers safe, in consultation with the briefer, including carrying out risk assessments, developing protection plans, and responding to any reprisals.

Members could also convene a closed Arria-formula meeting with Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Mary Lawlor, the representatives of relevant UN entities, and NGO coalitions to discuss ways to reinforce the prevention and response to reprisals against human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders (WHRDs). In a recent report, Lawlor recommended that UN missions in conflict, post-conflict or crisis-affected situations be mandated to monitor and report on violations targeting WHRDs.

Members interested in maintaining the momentum of the shared commitments initiative as a tool to advance the implementation of the WPS agenda may consider strategies to strengthen the clear and substantive implementation of the commitments across participating members. While the purview of the agenda is wider than the shared commitments initiative, these pledges also require signatories to uphold, and advocate for, the full implementation of the provisions of all previous Council resolutions pertaining to the WPS agenda and to ensur[e] that Security Council products integrate strong WPS language.

Council Dynamics

While notable implementation gaps persist, Council members are generally supportive of the WPS agenda. Nevertheless, Council dynamics on WPS remain difficult and have been further complicated by Russias invasion of Ukraine. During the recent negotiations on the mandate renewal for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, none of the proposals for new WPS-related language was accommodated, apparently in order to avoid making transactional concessions to China and Russia on contentious aspects of the resolution.

Furthermore, Russia has objected to briefings by Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten in sanctions committee meetings and opposed her participation at the annual open debate on CRSV in July. (Patten was last invited to brief one of the Security Councils sanctions committees in December 2021the committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 on Yemen.)

The UK is the penholder on WPS, and the US is the penholder on CRSV. The UAE and Switzerland are the co-chairs of the IEG on WPS.

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MIDDLE EAST

Yemen

Expected Council Action

In October, the Security Council will hold its monthly briefing on Yemen, followed by closed consultations. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and a representative of OCHA will brief. The head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), Major General Michael Beary, is expected to brief during the consultations. The mandate of the Yemen sanctions measures, which comprise an assets freeze and travel ban, expires on 15 November.

Key Recent Developments

A delegation of the Houthi rebel group visited Riyadh from 15 to 19 September, holding a new round of Omani-mediated talks with Saudi Arabiawhich leads a military coalition in support of Yemens internationally recognised governmenton a possible ceasefire agreement. It was the first official visit by the Houthis since the start of Yemens war more than eight years ago. Saudi Arabia welcomed the positive results of the five-day talks the Houthi delegation held with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud. The talks were aimed at achieving a road map to support the peace process in Yemen, according to a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency. Media reports cited sources as saying that some progress was made on such issues as a timeline to withdraw foreign troops from Yemen and a mechanism for paying public servants salaries.

Parallel to this process, Grundberg continued his regular consultations with the parties and other relevant actors. In late August, he held a virtual meeting with Iranian officials, followed by a visit to Cairo to meet with Egyptian and League of Arab States officials and Yemeni government parliamentarians, which included discussing the possible establishment of direct flights from Houthi-held Sanaa to the Egyptian capital. The UN Envoy then held talks with Yemeni government representatives in Aden and Marib in Yemen, where he met with the chair of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Rashad al-Alimi, and the president of the separatist Southern Transitional Council and PLC vice-president, Aidarous al-Zubaidi. Grundberg also consulted Emirati and Saudi officials during visits to Abu Dhabi and Riyadh on 6 September and 7 September, respectively. In a 20 September statement, Grundberg welcomed the recently concluded Houthi visit to Riyadh.

Grundberg briefed Council members in closed consultations during their monthly meeting on Yemen on 11 September. At the closed-door session, Council members also heard briefings by Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya and Beary. Following the meeting, Council members issued press elements expressing their support for the UN-led peace process and welcoming the efforts by Saudi Arabia and Oman and their ongoing support to the mediation efforts of the United Nations.

In further diplomatic activity, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, respectivelymet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on 19 September in New York on the sidelines of the General Assemblys high-level week. The Saudi Press Agency reported that Saudi Arabia was commended for hosting the Sanaa delegation, while Blinken, according to his opening remarks, described the current situation as a moment of opportunity to advance peace in Yemen. A US statement said that the Secretary and the Foreign Ministers agreed that cooperation among the three governments and Yemens Presidential Leadership Council is essential to advancing UN-led peace efforts. A media report said that the US had pushed for the trilateral meeting to address differences between the two coalition countries that could undermine efforts for a peace deal.

On 25 September, Bahrain announced that a Houthi drone attack killed one Bahraini officer and one Bahraini soldier, and wounded several other soldiers serving in the Saudi-led coalition along Saudi Arabias southern border. The attack was a rare Houthi cross-border attack since the UN mediated a now expired truce agreement in April 2022.

Key Issues and Options

A key issue for the Council is how to support ongoing peace talks and efforts to establish a formal ceasefire and an inter-Yemeni political process under UN auspices. Differences over the use of Yemens resources and associated revenues to pay the salaries of public employees have been one of the main issues impeding progress in the Houthi-Saudi talks, which started in October 2022. A related issue is the fragile relations between the various factions that make up the anti-Houthi forces and that form the Yemeni governments PLC, including the separatist STC movement, which is supported by the UAE. Concerns have also been raised within Yemens government about Saudi Arabia, seeking to extricate itself from the war, potentially reaching a deal with the Houthis, which could lack the concurrence of other Yemeni stakeholders.

Council members could encourage the parties to continue talks and show flexibility to reach a ceasefire agreement. They may further reiterate the importance of an inclusive Yemeni political process mediated by the UN for a sustainable resolution of the conflict.

Yemen continues to face massive humanitarian needs, which remains a key issue. An estimated 21.6 million people require aid or protection. Access constraints and interference in relief operations include the Houthis enforcement of mahram, requiring Yemeni women aid workers to be accompanied by male guardians, which has negatively affected aid delivery. Funding shortfalls for the 2023 UN humanitarian response plan are causing relief programmes and services to be scaled back or cut. Moreover, economic conditions are exacerbating the humanitarian situation in addition to potentially undermining political efforts. Misinformation and disinformation against humanitarians in Yemen have been exacerbating safety concerns, affecting the response.

Council members may highlight worries about policies that are fuelling socioeconomic challenges and tensionsHouthi drone attacks on oil terminals last year and restrictions on inter-Yemeni trade have caused significant revenue shortages for the government, which have hindered the provision of services. Members may further reiterate calls for all parties to facilitate the safe, rapid, and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief to all civilians in need and to protect humanitarian personnel and assets in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law. In addition, they may urge donors to support the Yemen 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, which calls for $4.3 billion but was only 32 percent funded as at 21 September.

Council members could similarly reiterate calls for donors to help fill the remaining funding requirements, and to deliver committed funds, for completing the UN-led FSO Safer salvage operation. A potential environmental crisis was recently averted after the successful extraction of the oil from the moored vessel off Hodeidah governorate, but a funding gap still exists to complete the operation. This includes towing and scraping the ship and installing a buoy to moor the replacement vessel of the FSO Safer.

Council Dynamics

Council members are united in their support for the UN Special Envoys mediation efforts. Members have further welcomed the potential for the Houthi-Saudi talks to yield meaningful results. At the same time, they stress the ultimate importance of an inclusive Yemeni political process under UN auspices to achieve a sustainable resolution to the conflict. The UAE has been a leading member of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition and is active in pushing for its views, coordinated with the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia, to be reflected in Council products. Russia has traditionally objected to language in Council products that it perceives as too critical of the Houthis or not balanced. The US maintains a Special Envoy to Yemen, Timothy Lenderking, who often seeks to support the UN and other mediation efforts.

The UK is the penholder on Yemen. Ambassador Ferit Hoxha (Albania) chairs the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 2. A meeting of the Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) will be held in Istanbul on October 4, 2023, Trend reports.

As official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Aybek Smadiyarov said during the briefing, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Bakayev will take part in the event.

The meeting participants will focus on the organization of the 10th anniversary OTS Summit, scheduled in Astana on November 3, 2023.

In addition, the parties will discuss current issues of cooperation in the political, trade, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

The next, 10th anniversary summit of the Organization of Turkic States will be held in Kazakhstan in 2023.
United Utilities unveiled its business plan for the 2025 to 2030 period on Monday, committing to a total spend of 13.7bn.

The FTSE 100 water company said the investment would spur an 8.7% annual growth in regulatory capital value (RCV), translating to an increase of over 50% throughout the specified timeline.

It said the plan was projected to bolster the north west's economic landscape by creating 7,000 new jobs and supporting 30,000 jobs.

An allocation of 525m was also earmarked for affordability schemes, aiming to assist more than one in six customers.

United Utilities said the strategy promised the UK's most significant combined sewer overflow (CSO) spill reduction initiative.

The board said that safeguarding water supplies for over three million households would mitigate the chances of future hosepipe bans by 50%.

Ambitious environmental goals included a 60% reduction in CSO spills by 2030, improving 500 kilometres of rivers and bathing waters, reducing pollution incidents by 25% between 2025 and 2030, and a 25% drop in water leakage by 2030.

The company added that it addressed climate change by diminishing home and business flood risks by 32%.

With a strong balance sheet showing 58% gearing today, United Utilities said it was well-placed to finance the entire plan, projecting an average gearing of 65% over the Asset Management Plan (AMP) period, based on assumptions from Ofwat.

The company said it would finance the plan from its current resilient position, boasting one of the sector's lowest gearing levels at 58%.

Funding mechanisms for the 13.7bn total expenditure plan were expected to involve a blend of equity and debt aimed at maintaining their current credit ratings.

If the investment programme used only cash and senior debt, the company predicted gearing averaging about 65% across the asset management period.

The plans announcement marked a pivotal step in the ongoing price review process, with the company actively engaging in discussions with regulators and the government.

Draft determinations from Ofwat were expected in May or June next year, with final decisions slated for December.

Following those determinations, the company said it would declare its dividend policy.

Looking at current trading, United Utilities confirmed it aligned with its projections for the year ending 31 March, echoing the performance guidance shared on 25 May.

We've been listening to customers and communities right across our region to understand what really matters, said chief executive officer Louise Beardmore.

What's clear is that we need to improve services for customers and the environment.

That's why we are proposing the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure in over 100 years, with 13.7bn planned between 2025 and 2030 to build a stronger, greener and healthier north west for everyone.

Beardmore described it as a hugely ambitious plan, adding that the firm had engaged with 95,000 people across Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire as part of the process.

Our plan will secure water supplies for the future, halving the need for hosepipe bans, reduce storm overflow spills into our rivers and seas and upgrade our water network to cut leakage and service interruptions for customers.

This historic investment will deliver a significant boost to the economy of the north west, supporting 30,000 jobs, of which 7,000 are new roles.

Louise Beardmore added that United Utilities would also double its support for those struggling to pay bills, with more than half a billion pounds of extra help, enabling it to support more than one in six households.

Today's announcement is the first step in a long process, but our robust balance sheet, low gearing and solid credit ratings mean we are in a very strong position to deliver our plan - and we are already underway after bringing forward 1.2bn of investment earlier this year.

We are now ready to move forward and deliver the step change we all want to see.

At 0920 BST, shares in United Utilities Group were up 3.2% at 978.57p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
They are the things you didnt know you needed but now cant live without: a fitness tracker, wireless headphones, a fancy bean-to-cup coffee maker and, more recently, an air fryer. For women add a flattering jumpsuit and white trainers (but forget the floral midi). So says John Lewis in its latest retail report. The annual exercise usually shines a light on the current years key products and trends but whats different this time is, after scrutinising buying habits for 10 years, it also identifies products of the decade.  Guardian

A quarter of young homeowners who have a new mortgage have opted to pay it back over 35 years or more in an attempt to make monthly payments more affordable, according to Experian. Analysis by the credit data company found that 25% of new homeowners aged 29 and under between January and March this year had opted for a repayment term of at least 35 years.  Guardian

The former boss of BP Bernard Looney is facing fresh allegations after the oil companys 60,000 pensioners accused him of slashing their retirement pots. BP Pensioner Group has written to the companys legal team to raise concerns over Mr Looneys management of the pension fund and is now preparing a possible lawsuit against the firm.  Telegraph

BAE Systems has been handed a 3.95bn contract to build the next generation of nuclear-powered submarines as part of the Aukus security pact with Australia and the US. The deal with the UK defence giant was announced by defence secretary Grant Shapps and follows plans laid out by the three countries in March to supply Australia with attack submarines to counter Chinas ambitions in the Indo-Pacific.  Telegraph

The City regulator broke data protection rules by intercepting and diverting emails, a policy that was allegedly signed off by Andrew Baileys office and used to keep track of people considered a nuisance. The Information Commissioners Office, the UKs data regulator, concluded that the Financial Conduct Authority had infringed their data protection obligations after a former member of staff at the regulator complained about the policy.  The Times

Businesses will pay an extra 1.56 billion in property bills from next year unless the chancellor freezes business rates again, a real estate firm has warned. last autumn Jeremy Hunt announced a support package worth 13.6 billion to help businesses still recovering from the pandemic. It included freezing business rates, which usually increase annually, as well as increasing the discount for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses from 50 per cent to 75 per cent for 12 months, capped at 110,000 per company.  The Times
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Police arrested and charged a 57-year-old man after a shooting on Staten Islands South Shore sent a victim to the hospital.

Dominick Giordano, a resident of the 400 block of Pompey Avenue, near where the shooting occurred, faces charges of felony assault, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing and endangering the welfare of a child, according to a spokesman for the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

The shooting occurred early Sunday morning, around 12:20 a.m. at the intersection of Pompey and Rye avenues in Eltingville, when police said a man displayed a firearm before shooting the weapon and striking a 41-year-old male victim in the torso. Giordano was arrested at the scene, police said.

The victim was transported to Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze but is considered to be in stable condition, according to the NYPD.

It is not immediately clear what preceded the shooting, said the department spokesman. The NYPDs investigation is ongoing.

The block where the shooting occurred appeared undisturbed Sunday evening, with residents carrying out their usual activities. Through Sept. 24, only one shooting has occurred in the NYPDs 123rd Precinct, which covers Staten Islands South Shore.

Attorney information for Giordano was not immediately available.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 2. Kazakhstan and the UK are preparing to sign a bilateral Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Cooperation, which will take mutually beneficial interstate partnership to a qualitatively new level, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vasilenko during the 7th meeting of the bilateral Strategic Dialogue, Trend reports.

The meeting was held in Astana under the chairmanship of Vasilenko and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) of the UK, Leo Docherty.

The parties discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation and also exchanged views on the international and regional agenda.

"Kazakhstan stands for the consistent and multifaceted strengthening of the strategic partnership with the UK and welcomes the active development of political contacts, the positive dynamics of the trade and investment partnership, as well as the expansion of the legal framework," Vasilenko said.

At the same time, he confirmed his readiness to promote a comprehensive dialogue at the level of the foreign ministries of the two countries.

In turn, Docherty noted that Kazakhstan is a very important partner of the UK, including in the context of regional dialogue and in matters of energy cooperation with Europe.

The parties paid special attention to such key areas of interaction as transport and logistics, critical raw materials and renewable energy sources, ecology, and healthcare.

Strategic dialogue is one of the key mechanisms of interaction between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the UK. The previous meeting of the Strategic Dialogue took place in London in December 2022 under the auspices of the heads of the foreign ministries of the two countries.

The UK is an important political, trade, economic, and investment partner for Kazakhstan. In 2022, the countries celebrated the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

At the end of 2022, bilateral trade turnover increased by more than 60 percent compared to 2021 and amounted to $1.8 billion (exports: $1.5 billion, imports: $384.3 million). In the first eight months of this year, trade turnover reached $879 million (exports: $559 million, imports: $320 million).
Update: Charlotte Sena, the missing 9-year-old has been found safe and in good health according to a statement from the New York State Police. The Amber Alert has been cancelled.

New York State Police have activated an Amber Alert and are actively searching for a 9-year-old girl who was possibly abducted in Gansevoort, New York.

Charlotte Sena was last seen on Saturday around 6:45 p.m. near Moreau Lake State Park, Loop A, Site 18, where she was camping with family.

She is described as being 4 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing 90 pounds with blond hair and green eyes.

She was last seen wearing an orange tie-dye Pokemon shirt, dark blue pants, black Crocs and a gray bike helmet.

The Amber Alert says: The child was taken under circumstances that led police to believe that they are in imminent danger of serious harm and/or death.

When reached briefly Sunday afternoon, Trisha Sena, Charlottes mother, said she is a good kid who is trusting, the Times Union reported.

I just want my daughter back, she said.

Anyone with any information on this abduction is asked to call New York State Police at 518-457-6811 or 911.
A Florida teenager was killed last week while hunting with her father, the Puntam County Sheriffs Office said on Facebook.

The victim, identified as 16-year-old Baylee Holbrook, was hit by a lightning strike in a wooded area 45 miles north of Palatka, Florida. Holbrooks father was also struck and knocked unconscious, officials said.

When he woke up, he found his daughter unresponsive and attempted to administer lifesaving CPR, according to an incident report. First responders then arrived to the scene and continued those measures as Holbrook was transported to UF Health Shands Hospital.

She later died surrounded by family, officials said.

She has proven a fighter and our prayers extend to her, her family and friends, the sheriffs office wrote on Facebook.

The Putnam County Sheriffs Office warned lightning strikes have hit the area in increasing frequency in recent days. Storms can come quickly and lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from any rainfall, the sheriffs office said.
New York Democratic leaders have finally gotten the memo: we simply cannot allow as many people as possible to flow across our southern border.

And they want to put a stop to it.

Its either about time they came to their senses or its too little too late.

On Face the Nation on Sunday, Gov. Kathy Hochul said we need to limit who can come across the border and that many who are coming here are simply saying they need asylum.

Its a real problem, according to the governor.

You dont say. It makes you wonder how this migrant nightmare is polling with New York voters.

When asked how Congress should address the migrant crisis, New York @GovKathyHochul calls for a limit on who can come across the border. Hochul tells @margbrennan many are "simply saying they need asylum and the majority of them seem to be ending up in the streets of New York." pic.twitter.com/uXAmGXmOQ7  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) October 1, 2023

Also over the weekend, a top advisor to Mayor Eric Adams called on the feds to close the border.

We need the federal government, the Congress members, the Senate and the president to do its job: close the borders, chief mayoral advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin told PIX11, according to Gothamist.

She also wants the feds to distribute the migrants who are already here to each of the 50 states in the Union.

Good luck with that after the country has watched the mess that the migrant crisis has made of New York City. Few communities want any part of President Joe Bidens self-created humanitarian crisis or the financial burden and protests that go along with it.

And how do the Dems think it would go over it they sent busloads of migrants to swing states like Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota? How would that work out in 2024?

And if the Dems are deluded enough to think that all these new arrivals are going to eventually becoming good Democratic voters someday, they should take a look at how Hispanics have voted in Texas, Florida and elsewhere around the country.

Still, all this close the border talk is quite the turnaround after the Democrats for years made political hay out of cheerleading for dreamers and those who came across the southern border illegally and by any means necessary. All are welcome here was the message.

But that was for only as long as the immigrant influx didnt affect them. And thats the way it was in New York for years.

There was little risk of having to actually back up all the welcoming talk because we just didnt see the same number of illegal immigrants here that other states did. It wasnt a burden. Nobody here had to put their money where their mouths were.

But its a different story now that migrants are coming here by the busload. Now we see the reality of suddenly having to take care of thousands upon thousands of migrants, including finding them places to live, work and go to school.

Not local government is designed to accommodate that. Which is why immigration policy and securing the border have been such hot-button topics in this country literally for decades.

And this wave of migration isnt like illegal border crossings of the past. Weve got people flying in from other countries in order to get in our wide-open door.

Figuring out who is coming here illegally and who is a legitimate asylum seeker is a difficult task, so the migrant crisis gives fuel to those on both sides of the argument.

Democrats and Republicans in Washington somehow avoided a government shutdown over the weekend. Maybe now they can take on the border crisis. Unless theyd rather have the issue to argue over rather than an actual solution.

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Victory became even sweeter for the Penrith Panthers after Sundays NRL grand final, as the winning players were draped in colourful candy leis to mark the western Sydney teams third consecutive premiership win.

The lolly leis  homemade garland necklaces symbolising honour or celebration in Pasifika culture  were gifted to most of the players from loved ones and members of the crowd as they made their victory lap around Sydneys Accor Stadium.

Panthers players Brian Too and Jarome Luai celebrate their victory while wearing their candy leis. Credit: Getty Images

About 50 per cent of the rugby league is made up of people with Pasifika or Maori heritage, including key Panthers players such as five-eighth Jarome Luai, prop Spencer Leniu, centre Stephen Crichton and winger Brian Too.

Speaking after the game, Leniu told Channel Nine the lei was a meaningful piece of their Samoan-Polynesian culture  a symbol of their loved ones appreciation, support and pride.
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Review Eating outSydney Jacksons on George is back, and it has a hat (yes, you read that correctly) Forget the grungy Sydney pub of decades past. The reborn J-on-G is an architectural marvel with an opulent city bistro that brings new charm, old Euro vibes and haute comfort food from a former Icebergs chef. Terry Durack October 3, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 9 Bistro George is the beating heart of the new Jacksons on George. Edwina Pickles 2 / 9 Half corn-fed chicken. Edwina Pickles 3 / 9 David Blackmore wagyu short scotch comes with a full condiment service. Edwina Pickles 4 / 9 Creative director Maurice Terzini says Bistro George is a homage to the great bistros of Melbourne. Edwina Pickles 5 / 9 The go-to dish: Rigatoni in a lightly creamy pomodoro sauce with gin and fermented chilli. Edwina Pickles 6 / 9 Clams casino features Goolwa pipis baked on their half-shells under crunchy, garlicky guanciale-infused crumbs. Edwina Pickles 7 / 9 Ora King salmon gravalax with dill cucumber and sourdough crumpets riffs on that of France-Soir in Melbourne. Edwina Pickles 8 / 9 The facade of the new Jacksons on George is an architectural marvel. Tom Ferguson 9 / 9 Wall-to-wall carpet and double-clothed tables give Bistro George a glammed-up old-school vibe. Edwina Pickles Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15 / 20 How we score Contemporary$$$ Jacksons on George tells the story of Sydney, as seen through a beer glass. There has been a pub of some sort at 176 George Street since Tooth & Co built The Blue Anchor Hotel in 1905, which then became the Port Jackson Hotel in 1933. Sadly, it was demolished in the 1970s, a decade of great demolishment. By 1983 it was the Port Jackson Tavern, only to be rebuilt into the original Jacksons on George in 1986. Scene of many a boozy late night, that, too, was wrecking-balled in 2018. Clams casino, the perfect picky starter. Edwina Pickles

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Now, guess what  176 George Street is a pub again, or rather, a template for the modern urban Australian pub. The new J-on-G is the pride and joy of the ritzy new Sydney Plaza development with its broad square and buzzy laneways. Its an architectural marvel, an ant farm of three strikingly different floors cloaked in a porous white ceramic veil that references (sort of) Aussie pub tiles. It looks as if its about to take off, lifted by its own swirling metal parachute. The beating heart of the building, Bistro George, is a long, glass-lined space built for people-watching. Theres a rooftop bar for Americano spritzes, a ground-floor public bar for sausage rolls and beer, and in the middle, a glammed-up old-school bistro. Its a big change, but thats what you get when you spend multitudes of millions. While Lendlease is the power behind the project, the offering is shaped by the creative director of new hospitality group DTLE, Maurice Terzini (Icebergs Bar and Dining), and general manager Michael Broome.

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The beating heart of the building, Bistro George, is a long, glass-lined space built for people-watching. Terzini calls it a homage to the great bistros of Melbourne  France-Soir, Cafe Di Stasio and his own original venue, Caffe e Cucina  so its heavy on European hospitality, lightened by Sydney sunshine. At night, it seems opulent, glowing softly in tones of burgundy and olive, with wall-to-wall carpet, double-clothed tables, long-stemmed white roses, and the works of the late Melbourne artist, David Band, adding narrative to the walls. The Euro-inspired bistro dishes from former Icebergs chef Steven Sinclair are rich, buttery and decadent. Theres caviar and Sydney rock oysters; lobster mornay and salt-crusted rib eye. Clams casino ($26) makes the perfect picky starter, perhaps with a sherry-spiked Italicus Bamboo cocktail ($22); the Goolwa pipis baked on their half-shells under a crunchy, garlicky roof of guanciale-infused crumbs. Ora King salmon gravalax with dill cucumber and sourdough crumpets. Edwina Pickles A dish of Ora king salmon gravlax ($36) is modelled on that of France-Soir; the cured salmon sliced over a cloud of horseradish cream, dressed with a fine dice of cucumber, apple and herbs. On the side, a sourdough crumpet is as light as a sponge.

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Floppy rigatoni in a gin-laced tomato-pink pomodoro sauce ($32) is the sort of pasta dish that might have to become a regular order; lightly creamy with a nice warm kick from fermented chilli. Go-to dish: Rigatoni, gin, pomodoro, fermented chilli. Edwina Pickles The haute comfort food theme continues with rotisserie corn-fed chicken ($45/$90), that even comes with a ladleful of savoury lemon thyme stuffing. A side of Paris mash ($16) is gooey with butter. Sinclairs 1.5-metre-long Brazilian Scheer grill is kept busy as everyone orders big steaks to share. A more modest 250g OConnor grain-fed striploin from Victoria is fine without being exciting, coming with a full condiment service. Long, skinny fries ($14) are crisp and golden, good to mash into its sauce au poivre. To end with an oh-so-summery flourish, get the platter of compressed fruits on ice ($18) crowned with a perfect ball of pineapple gelato. At night, try the nostalgia-triggering charm of after dinner mints ($20) from Melbournes Hunted & Gathered bean-to-bar chocolatiers; the worlds most luxurious breath fresheners.

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As a bistro, George is a charmer, a safe haven of luxury, nostalgia and steaks priced for the corporate crowd. But with fun to be had on the rooftop and the outdoor tables of the public bar as well, it actually is the template for the modern urban Australian pub that it says it is. The story of Sydney continues. The low-down Bistro George Vibe: Luxe city bistro with an old European vibe. Go-to dish: Rigatoni, gin, pomodoro, fermented chilli, $32. Drinks: Martini trolley, and a thoughtful list of wines from Australia and beyond from head sommelier Anais Pierre, with 36 by the glass.

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Thousands of people traded coastal lifestyles in Sydney for the warmer waters of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast during the five years to 2021 as an exodus from southern states boosted populations across south-east Queensland.

The beachside neighbourhood of Cronulla was the source of most departures from Sydney to the Gold Coast between 2016 and 2021 (206 people), followed by Dee Why-North (200), Manly-Fairlight (189) and Bondi Beach-North Bondi (180).

Thousands have traded life in beachside suburbs of Sydney for the Gold Coast. Credit: Dan Peled

Analysis of census figures by the Herald shows almost 34,000 people shifted from NSW to the Gold Coast between 2016 and 2021, including 16,520 people from Greater Sydney.

KPMG urban economist Terry Rawnsley said the warm climate in south-east Queensland and relatively affordable housing in the region were key reasons for the population flow north of the border.
Residents of eastern Victoria are bracing for heavy rain and potential flash flooding leading to landslides only hours after windy and hot conditions fuelled two severe bushfires that threatened homes in East Gippsland.

Severe weather warnings for heavy rainfall and damaging winds were in place late on Tuesday for almost the entirety of the states east.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned rainfall of up to 100 millimetres in 24 hours could induce flash flooding in parts of Victorias north-eastern mountain ranges and the Gippsland region.

State Emergency Service chief officer of operations Tim Wiebusch warned some small communities could be cut off for 12 to 24 hours due to floodwater. Bushfires had created more debris and destabilised trees, he said, creating the possibility of localised landslides in steeper terrain.
Senator and former public housing tenant Lidia Thorpe is throwing her weight behind a campaign against the state governments plan to redevelop 44 public housing towers, labelling former premier Daniel Andrews announcement of the plan just before his resignation a dog act.

Thorpes intervention came as Labor MP Harriet Shing was announced on Monday as the new state housing minister, overseeing the Big Housing Build, which includes what the government has dubbed Australias largest urban renewal project.

Independent senator Lidia Thorpe on Tuesday at the Hoddle Street housing towers in Collingwood where she lived during her early years. Credit: Wayne Taylor

The opposition by Thorpe and a public rally this month will reignite a long-running inner-city fight between the Greens and Labor over the future of public housing, which critics say has been handed over to developers without a promise to significantly increase public or community housing stock.

Andrews revealed the states Housing Statement six days before his surprise resignation. The high-rise redevelopment plan will lead to 10,000 current public housing tenants being progressively moved elsewhere, demolition of the towers and the building of mixed social and private housing precincts in partnership with the private sector. The new precincts are intended to house a total of 30,000 people.
Some mornings when we arrive at school, Alona gets out of the car very quickly. That is if she hasnt fallen asleep just before we reach the front gate.

Some mornings it takes a while to get her moving, with a balanced measure of cajoling and patience required from her teachers who greet her at the car and take her inside.

Alona, 16, pictured with her mother Keren Zelwer, thrives in her school for special needs students.

Some days I know that Alona is in a cheerful and compliant mood. Other days I sense from the moment she wakes that it is going to be a more difficult day at school, probably one filled with high-pitched screaming and plenty of time outside the classroom.

But no matter what Alonas mood is on any given day, I know that the staff at Giant Steps Melbourne are equipped for the task and will manage whatever behaviour comes their way. They will do so with humour, love and passion for their job.
Australia is in a global arms race to attract the best international students to study and then stay permanently. But the post-study work rights we offer are too generous, offering false hope to many international graduates and adding to population pressures at a time when housing is in short supply.

Getting the best international students to stay permanently offers us big benefits. International graduates account for one-third of our permanent skilled migrant intake. Those students who are granted permanent skilled visas each year offer a $12 billion fiscal dividend over their lifetimes in Australia, more than double the profits universities reap each year from teaching international students.

Getting the best international students to stay permanently offers us big benefits. Credit: Louie Douvis

But many international students who graduate and stay here on temporary graduate visas struggle to pursue their chosen careers. Only half secure full-time employment, most work in low-skilled jobs, and half earn less than $53,300 a year.

Rising international student numbers and the limited permanent skilled visas on offer (137,100 in 2023-24) mean that a growing number of international graduates are stuck in visa limbo. Less than one-third of temporary graduate visa-holders now transition to permanent residency when their visa expires, down from two-thirds in 2014. One in three instead return to further study, mostly in cheaper vocational courses, to prolong their stay in Australia.
Washington: Donald Trump has taken the provocative step of voluntarily attending the opening of his own fraud trial to face off against the judge and prosecutor overseeing it, accusing them of being part of a political plot to thwart his 2024 election campaign.

The former US president wasnt required to attend the civil case in New York on Tuesday (AEDT) but sought to steal the spotlight anyway, making the televised journey from his Trump Tower apartment on Fifth Avenue to the downtown court that will ultimately seal the fate of his real estate empire.

It didnt take long to see why he was there. Trump, after all, is a master of optics whose legal woes are no longer a mere sideshow to his 2024 presidential campaign  theyre the central feature of it.

And this particular case  in which he stands accused of fraudulently inflating the value of his properties for financial gain  goes to his reputation as a billionaire businessman, which is a core part of his political identity.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Honorable Minister of Justice, Anna E. Richardson, is proud to announce the upcoming 2nd Annual Anti-Counterfeit and Intellectual Property Protection Conference, scheduled to take place at the Simpson Bay resort on October 19th and 20th, 2023. This prestigious event will bring together major luxury brands, brand protection federations, attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and key industry players worldwide to address the pressing issue of Anti-counterfeiting and intellectual property.

Brands such as LVMH, Chanel, Nike, Puma, Moet & Hennessy, and many more have already confirmed their attendance, demonstrating their commitment to combating counterfeiting. Additionally, the conference will welcome UNIFAB, a French Anti-counterfeit organization founded in 1872, which is dedicated to globally promoting the protection of intellectual property and fighting against counterfeiting. Minister Richardson's introduction to UNIFAB and key luxury brand representatives during a visit to Europe in December 2022 sparked their interest in Sint Maarten and their desire to establish stores on the island.

Minister Richardson, in partnership with DISOSA, the Caribbean Brand Protection Service provider (DISOSA-BPS), is focused on revitalizing the retail market of Sint Maarten. Her efforts align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 9, 11, and 16, emphasizing good health, public well-being, industry and innovation, sustainable cities and communities, peace, justice, and strong institutions. Her vision for Sint Maarten is one that prioritizes the safety and well-being of residents and visitors, ensuring access to genuine products and safe consumption.

Like the previous year, the conference will feature local and international attorneys, including representation from India, who are keenly interested in trade within the Caribbean region. Notable attendees will include representatives from the Anti-Counterfeit Agency of Kenya, Customs officials from Aruba, Curacao, and the Netherlands, as well as local entities such as the Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce and the Bureau of Intellectual Property, who will participate as panelists.

Building on the success of the first conference, this year's Anti-Counterfeit and Intellectual Property Protection Conference promises to be a significant event, attracting stakeholders from various sectors and industries. Counterfeiting poses not only a grave threat to brand owners, affecting their profits and reputation but even more importance creates consumer safety issues. Minister Richardson recognizes the importance of addressing these issues by raising awareness among the public. In addition, making clear that the criminal acts of counterfeiting and intellectual property infringement, both can harm our economic stability.

Minister Richardson, in collaboration with industry experts worldwide, aims to construct a robust anti-counterfeiting strategy for Sint Maarten. The conference's objective is to redirect Sint Maarten away from being labeled as a territory for illicit trade and to restore its status as an attractive jurisdiction for brands to establish their businesses.

The primary goals of the conference include:

Overview of Industries Affected in Sint Maarten & the Region by Counterfeiting: Examining the impact of counterfeiting on various sectors, including electronics, luxury goods, liquor, cosmetics, food, toys, auto parts, and pharmaceuticals. Geographical Spread of Counterfeit Products: Analyzing the global reach of counterfeit goods and their impact. Protection Against Counterfeiting: Discussing effective strategies and initiatives to combat counterfeiting. Policy Initiatives: Exploring policy measures to strengthen intellectual property protection.

Minister Richardson, in collaboration with Customs Sint Maarten and DISOSA, seeks to shift demand away from counterfeit products towards safe & authentic ones. The conference will educate stakeholders, consumers, businesses, the Parliament, and the Government on the benefits of purchasing genuine products, emphasizing the crucial role they play in brand and community protection.

For more information and to register for the 2nd Annual Anti-Counterfeit and Intellectual Property Conference, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Director of ECLAC Caribbean Diane Quarless says that the international community will need to contribute more to support the development of Small Island Developing States; indeed, if the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are not achieved across all countries, then it is the entire global community that assumes responsibility, since the commitment to implement Agenda 2030 was made collectively by all states. Director Quarless was speaking at a media breakfast in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, organized by the United Nations Information Centre for the Caribbean on Thursday.

Speaking on revitalizing the push to achieve the SDGs by 2030 (17 goals that address critical areas for the enhancement of human wellbeing the protection of the environment), she notes that Caribbean countries face an uphill task because of burdensome debt and debt service with small, undiversified economies, exposure to devastating climate induced natural hazards, limited technical and institutional capacity and inadequate access to low-cost financing.

The international community has not shown the empathy to Small Island States that have been graduated You have a per capita income that is over a threshold that says you are big boys now; you can stand on your own. So, you are not getting access to concessionary financing.

When asked about the possibility of not achieving the SDGs, Director Quarless said, It is not going to be a failure on us, it is going to be a failure of the global community, because it is a global commitment that has been made. This is why I spoke about intergenerational and intragenerational equity and the developed countries have a responsibility to lift the developing ones and that lift means you provide the resources for them to achieve.

Addressing the gap in financing the SDGs, Resident Coordinator for the UN System in Trinidad and Tobago Joanna Kazana said the world has more than adequate resources to achieve sustainable development. To make her point, she compared the sum spent on defense worldwide for the last few years to the amount spent on global development challenges.

This year it is going to be almost three trillion dollars globally. We have the money, we have plenty of money, we are just spending it on activities that are completely destructive and throwing us back to the level of development that we have worked so hard to achieve. We have to change the course.

UN Resident Coordinator for Jamaica Dennis Zulu remarked that there is a sustainable development gap between the UN and world leaders and the common person, as many people around the world do not know about the SDGs.

The member States are accountable not to us as staff members, but also to their duty to others and those people in the countries that they come from.

The Caribbean-focused discussion follows the recently concluded SDG Summit, and the halfway assessment point toward the 2030 Agenda. In 2024, Antigua and Barbuda will host the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, where Caribbean SIDS and others around the world will focus on practical and impactful solutions to achieve sustainable development.
PHILIPSBURG:--- What if I told you - that I am not the only guilty one?" asks 11-year-old actor Venndy Isaac in the new film What If I Told You?

Over the weekend, on Caribbean Youth Day, fifty students, ages 6 to 14, celebrated the premiere of the short film 'What If I Told You?' with their teachers, parents, supporters, and dignitaries. The film, written by teacher Rosan Hartley Gayle and acted by students of the MAC John A. Gumbs Campus (MAC JAG), touches on the importance of the support of parents, teachers, and the wider community in a child's development.



The script was first performed by students, including lead character Venndy, at a Spoken Word Competition at the Mens Mental Health Awareness event in May. Upon seeing the winning performance, the Department of Youth, Sint Maarten, initiated the film's production in collaboration with UNICEF in the Netherlands. This activity is part of the Child Resilience and Projection Project (CRPP), funded by the Government of the Netherlands, through the Sint Maarten Trust Fund managed by the World Bank.

Peter Sagnia, a well-known film producer, directed and edited the short film. He commented that he was very impressed with the students, most of them first-time actors, over the two days of filming. It was like a Hollywood experience, shared 11-year-old Tyler Timothy, who plays the teacher in the short film.

Supporting meaningful youth participation is one of the priorities of the Department of Youth. With activities such as this film, among others to come, we want to continue to raise awareness of youth mental health, encourage more dialogue, compassion, and support for our youth, explains Faye Arnell, Policy Advisor at the Department of Youth, Government of Sint Maarten.

The premiere event on Saturday for What If I Told You started with several surprises for the cast, crew, and invited guests, including film-inspired decorations and posters, a professional photographer and backdrop, a 360-camera experience, and complimentary popcorn and drinks. Once ready, everyone was invited to enter the theatre.

Lenworth Wilson, Youth Participation Specialist for UNICEF the Netherlands, and 11-year-old Abdiel Joseph-Soto, who plays a lawyer in the film, hosted the evening. Several words of welcome were shared, a youth participation poem by Shaneisha Robinson, an introduction to childrens rights, an interview with the main cast members, and the films trailer  all lead up to the feature film everyone was waiting for. The viewing ended with loud applause and calls for an encore.

Several government officials and dignitaries attended the premiere, including Minister of VSA, Omar Ottley, Minister of Justice Anna Richardson, and Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs, who commended all the organizations that collaborated, and individuals involved for pushing youth participation to the forefront.

The students, who were first-time actors in the film, did a fantastic job portraying their roles. Today's premiere is to put them in the spotlight and congratulate them, their teachers, and the MAC JAG School on their hard work. We also thank others involved in the production of this film, including the Courthouse, Police Force of Sint Maarten, and Sint Maarten Prison, who provided location, costumes, and a patrol car, explained the events coordinators Lenworth Wilson and Laura Bijnsdorp.

In the coming weeks, 6th-grade classes of all primary schools in Sint Maarten are invited to view the film What If I Told You at the Philipsburg Cultural Center and receive a presentation on Children's Rights. Schools can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

On November 20th, the short film will premiere for the public on the social media pages of the Department of Youth SXM and UNICEF Sint Maarten (@unicefsxm). The trailer is already posted and visible for the public to view!
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. By providing essential resources, knowledge, and opportunities, FAO strives to enhance the well-being and resilience of agriculture in Uzbekistan, Assistant Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representative in Uzbekistan Sherzod Umarov told Trend in an exclusive interview.

The representative added that FAO, in collaboration with other development partners, actively supports and promotes the development of this sector in Uzbekistan through its diverse initiatives and projects.

Issues of climate change, water shortages, agriculture land reforms, ensuring food security for the population, as well as joining the World Trade Organization, will be on the agenda of the national government in the field of agricultural development in the coming years, he said.

Umarov explained that the issues of developing and further improving technologies for the production and processing of agricultural products, ensuring the preservation of their quality indicators and environmental cleanliness, adding certain indicators for improving quality, and ensuring their long-term storage become more relevant in the context of increasing competitiveness in the market of agricultural products and expanding export opportunities for domestic producers in Uzbekistan.

Earlier this month, Uzbekistan has revealed that it looks to attract $50 billion of foreign investment to its agricultural sector.

Meanwhile, Sherzod Umarov spoke on the subject of food safety and ways of boosting Uzbekistans competitiveness on agricultural market.

Ensuring food safety is crucial for both domestic consumption and international trade. Uzbekistan may need to strengthen its national food safety standards to align with internationally recognized guidelines, such as those set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. This involves enhancing food inspection and certification systems, implementing rigorous quality control measures, and establishing traceability systems throughout the food supply chain. Improved national food safety standards can enhance consumer confidence and facilitate trade with other WTO member countries, he said.

Umarov added that an important challenge here is diversifying crops and increasing the role of the horticulture sector, as well as establishing competitive value chains in production of fruit and vegetables, where Uzbekistan holds significant competitive advantages. As part of the government's plans for the years 20222025, small family farms will be provided with horticulture leases on approximately 200,000 hectares of land previously utilized for cotton and grain production by large farms and clusters.

Uzbekistan, with its arid climate and extensive irrigation needs, faces a pressing issue of water scarcity. The country heavily depends on the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers for irrigation, but these rivers originate from upstream nations and have witnessed decreased flow in recent times. As a result, Uzbekistan has grappled with inefficient water management practices, which not only jeopardize agricultural productivity but also exacerbate the risks associated with limited water resources, Umarov explained.

Uzbekistan is currently undergoing a challenging phase of transforming its agri-food systems. In 2019, the country adopted the Agriculture Development Strategy 20202030, which outlines nine priorities for the sustainable development of agriculture and agri-food systems. The government's vision, as articulated in the strategy, is to develop a competitive, market-based, diversified, and export-oriented agri-food sector. Uzbekistan aims to increase farm incomes, create new jobs, enhance food security, and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.

Speaking of WTO, Umarov also specified conditions for Uzbekistan to enter the organization. He said the country underlined its commitment to making rapid progress in its WTO accession talks in spring 2023 as part of an overall program to implement large-scale reforms of its trade and economic regimes.

In the context of preparations for joining the WTO, problems arose with improving the mechanism for subsidizing agricultural producers, introducing international standards of good agricultural practice, and improving national food safety standards, Umarov noted.

Uzbekistan has traditionally employed a system of state support and subsidies for its agricultural sector. The FAO representative, however, states that there is a need to align these mechanisms with international trade rules and regulations. This involves ensuring that subsidies provided to agricultural producers are transparent, non-discriminatory, and comply with WTO guidelines.

Also, joining the WTO requires compliance with international standards and regulations. In the agricultural sector, which includes adhering to good agricultural practices (GAP) that promote sustainable production, environmental protection, and food safety, Umarov added.

He also pointed out that Uzbekistan may need to enhance its agricultural practices to meet these standards, such as by reducing the use of agrochemicals, improving soil management, and implementing proper pest and disease control measures.

The adoption of GAP can enhance the competitiveness of Uzbek agricultural products in the international market, he said.

He went on to add that liberalizing the cotton market in Uzbekistan is a crucial task to increase yields, allocate land for food crops, and boost farm incomes.

"Cotton holds significant importance as an agricultural product in Uzbekistan, with a long value chain within the economy, Umarov noted.

He added that Uzbekistan has been gradually reducing the land dedicated to raw cotton production. Reforms in the cotton market, implemented in 2020-2021, abolished the state cotton order system. This system previously mandated that all cotton produced in the country be sold to the state and set annual production targets for cotton-growing areas. The end of mandatory state procurement has provided farmers with more freedom and market power.

However, challenges such as financial market restrictions, limited access to variable and capital inputs (especially for small-scale farmers), and weak contracting conditions still necessitate ongoing liberalization and structural reforms, Umarov explained.

FAO official also stressed that major prospects for the development of agriculture in the Republic of Uzbekistan are defined in the Agriculture Development Strategy of the country for the period from 2020 through 2030 and the Road Map developed for it.

The government's vision, as articulated in the Strategy, is to develop a competitive, market-based, diversified, and export-oriented agri-food sector. The aim is to increase farm incomes, create new jobs, enhance food security, and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, he said.

Uzbekistan stands as one of the worlds largest producers of natural textile fibers, cotton yarn, and knitwear. The country exported 21,800 tons of knitted products worth $102.9 million from January through April 2023. As per data by Uzbekistans Statistics Agency, cotton yields in Uzbekistan amounted to 678,900 in 2022, with a decrease of 31,700 tons compared to 2021 (710,600 tons).

The representative also said that developing a legislative framework is essential for providing a clear and comprehensive set of guidelines for rural development policies and interventions.

Rural development, being recognized as a top priority in the Agriculture Development Strategy 20202030, highlights the importance of addressing the multifaceted nature of rural development, which is influenced by a combination of social and economic policies. This recognition signifies the commitment of Uzbekistan to foster the holistic development of rural areas in order to improve the well-being of rural communities and enhance overall agricultural sustainability, he said.

The representative noted that Uzbekistan plans to develop and introduce a regulatory legal act, which will launch a national program for the development of rural areas by the end of 2023.

To effectively address this priority, the Agency for Strategic Reforms under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan has recently established an interagency working group tasked with developing a national rural development plan, whose establishment demonstrates the government's commitment to coordinating efforts across multiple ministries and agencies to tackle rural development challenges comprehensively, Umarov added.

A FAO representative explained that developing a legislative framework is essential for providing a clear and comprehensive set of guidelines for rural development policies and interventions. Such a framework can define key terms, principles, and procedures, ensuring consistency, transparency, and accountability in the implementation of rural development initiatives. It can also establish mechanisms for monitoring, evaluation, and feedback to facilitate continuous improvement and adaptive management.

Umarov also stressed that crop and animal production, along with forestry, contribute directly to approximately 25 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Given this significant environmental impact, promoting environmentally friendly food production practices is crucial for various reasons, including environmental conservation, food quality, food safety, and income generation.

In Uzbekistan, farmers are gradually recognizing the benefits of international practices and standards that support the concept of environmentally friendly food production. By adopting internationally recognized food business management practices such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Hygiene Practices (GHP), and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), Uzbekistan can scale up these practices and have a wider impact, he concluded.

Earlier this year, during the meeting between Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Director General of the FAO Qu Dongyu, which was held as part of the president's official visit to Italy, a new comprehensive cooperation program until 2023 was established as one of the priority areas of partnership between Uzbekistan and FAO.

Investment and trade agreements worth $1.88 billion were concluded on the Agri-Food Investment Forum in Uzbekistan earlier in September 2023. During the forum, the participants signed agreements on 24 projects worth $857.3 million to attract direct investment, while grants and funds from international financial institutions amounted to $707.5 million. Moreover, trade agreements worth $319.2 million were concluded.
ADM had a jurisdiction red list, which said that the company should not be soliciting client(s) from the countries on the list. But in 2016 the FCA found that there were 37 open accounts with clients linked to countries on that list.
As the party in government for the last 13 years they need to use this years conference to look back at their record and consider there might be an alternative to policies that have led to millions more on waiting lists and an NHS on its knees. We will be there to help suggest a better way  one that values doctors properly.
He said all financial services firms are obliged to act in the best interest of their customers  but suggested a cynic might say blocking certain payments is designed to protect banks themselves more than their customers.
John Bercow finds himself once again before the hot probing eye of a television camera. I say he finds himself there, but I rather think the cameras and the lights are what Bercow always wanted. He was always a bit vaudeville. His new home is to be Ardross Castle in Scotland where he joins a motley crew of C-, D- and E-listers who are tasked with volubly doing each other over. Votes are taken. People get thrown out when their misdeeds become known. Theres a lot of lying, theres a lot of angst. And theres certain to be a bit of shouting, too. It all sounds quite like the House of Commons but instead of Michael Fabricant and Jacob Rees-Mogg there is the blessed Alan Cumming, his effervescent dog Lala  the co-hosts of the show  as well as a drag queen called Peppermint, Love Island alumni Ekin-Su and some other luminaries. The programmes name will amuse the current cadre of Tory MPs: The Traitors.
Rishi Sunak, meanwhile, will hope to use this annual get-together, his first since becoming Prime Minister, to stamp his authority on the party. That may be difficult to achieve when you are 15 to 20 points behind in the polls a year or so out from a general election. When things go wrong at a conference, they tend to go very wrong indeed. Sunak will at least be looking to avoid that fate.
He said: Whats frustrating about that is you lose your agency When you give a performance in a film, you know youre going to be edited, but youre participating in that. If you go into deepfake land, it has none of your points of view. Thats scary. Its going to be interesting to see how humans deal with these technologies. Theyre having such cultural, sociological impacts, and the species is being studied. Theres so much data on behaviours now.
The show itself has had rave reviews since it launched in 2021  the Standard described it as the best comedy series of the decade so far. And judging by the clip, season three is set to go out with a bang. The question is, will Death Rattle The Musical be coming to the West End anytime soon?
Music-wise its eclectic, with everything from uplifting dance tunes to Jay-Z and Coldplay. The uglier the better! If it feels awkward thats good! Melisse assures us. Emboldened, pounding my chest with my hands, I chant louder, Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! and, momentarily red-faced, catch the eye of someone I know in the next row (the headphones definitely otherwise help tune out feelings of silliness). Thats intentional, Melisse later explains. They help to create a safe space to let go in. We work with a lot of voice release  the Ha is [derived from] ancient sounds. For every energy centre, or chakra, there is a related sound and ha is the sound of the heart, so it really opens up the energy of the heart.
The insects will never choose to live outside, so are unlikely to encounter the severe and prolonged cold weather that can kill them. More likely is hibernation in winter months  and London-based exterminators Bed Bug Specialist say they will simply regain their mojo when spring kicks in.
We probably worked harder than we worked in London  at the start we worked nights and weekends, and it has been hard, said Louise. We have just got an executive chef for the restaurant so my husband doesnt work nights any more, but he still gets up at 4am to bake.
And today, Philophiles (as her fans are known) the world over can start saving. According to the email sent out on Saturday, her debut collection will be available to shop on phoebephilo.com from the launch date. Considering the New York-London-Milan-Paris circuit will be wrapped up by then, it seems that Philo has decided to opt out of any official Fashion Weeks. Thats not to say whether the grand unveiling wont take place on a runway  it would certainly be in keeping with Philos do-it-your-own way mantra - but as it stands, theres no more information on how else shell mark the occasion.
Brand Beckham isnt generally known for doing things by halves. Earlier this week, Victoria launched her first collection of three fragrances. Next week the new Netflix documentary, Beckham, featuring David will drop. In between she debuted her style notes for spring, with a duo of Kardashians on the front row - Kim and Kris - and of course as is de rigueur for an au courant fashion moment, one to close the show, Kendall Jenner. The Kardashian-two sat cushioned by Anna Wintour, next to the Beckham famille, David, Harper, Cruz, Brooklyn and wife Nicola Peltz.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 2. The leaders of Uzbekistan and Qatar have signed a number of documents aimed at strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in the spheres of traditional and green energy, petrochemicals, deep processing of metals, and agriculture, as well as construction, tourism, and finance, Trend reports.

The news followed a meeting between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani in Doha on October 2.

During the meeting, the parties discussed issues of further strengthening the political dialogue, expansion of trade, economic and investment cooperation, and activation of cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

Besides the signed documents, the talks resulted in a proposal to organize the first meetings of the joint Intergovernmental Commission, the Business Council, and the business forum in January 2024 in Doha.

Moreover, the heads of state were instructed to prepare a number of joint roadmaps and create mechanisms for the effective implementation of the agreements reached.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan and Qatar have signed several investment agreements in the fields of the food industry, green energy, and infrastructure development in September 2023 as a result of the meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov and representatives of leading Qatari investment companies.

In contrast to the preceding year, which saw only $40 million in investments in Uzbekistan, this year managed to attract a much larger sum, totaling $450 million.
With Cate Blanchett, Paris Hilton, Robert Downey Jr, Chris Rock and Jeff Koons on the front row, the collection was a heady re-visit of McCartneys own fashion heritage (with her signature tailoring and archive-inspired corsetry) as well as that of her parents  picking up on the idea that as much as her parents would wear each others clothes, so did she theirs, and now her daughter hers. Genderless fashion, but make it rock n roll. Having covered off her Beatles heritage with 2021s All Together Now collection, which took in Yellow Submarine references, she now moves onto the Wings era which is ripe for a revisit.
Thanks again to all who helped. Not trying to scaremonger but do take care if you see those dogs - especially those with children, the witness said.
Many victims of romance fraud are meant to feel that they are alone and that they are at fault, however the reality couldnt be further from the truth, he said.
Making sure people are safe on the day is what hits the headlines and we sensibly prioritise that, but it is also our job in the NHS to give a voice to people who are waiting at home that have had their treatment delayed. Im not sure that either the unions or the Secretary of State are listening to that voice as intently as maybe they should be.
Diane Wehrle, insights director at Springboard said: The rail strikes and overtime ban together with the strike on the Tube being held, will mean a significant loss of trade for businesses across London and beyond that rely on foot traffic. The loss of trade will spread across the entire week, even on non-strike days, due to delays caused by trains being in the wrong locations. Inevitably this will deter people from travelling, with the vast majority likely to opt to work from home where they can.
If youre at a Tory Conference, youll want a souvenir to remember it by. Top items (apparently more than 500 have been sold) are Keir Starmer flip-flops at 17, but which Chairman Greg Hands was giving out free to some lucky souls last night. Also in the merch shop are Toby jugs of former Tory leaders including Churchill, Thatcher, Major and David Cameron for 29. Not on sale are the Boris Johnson or Liz Truss ones, we noticed. Some people are best forgotten.
Mr Hunt added: "I thoroughly agree with this. I think it's the right thing to do. It is the right thing academically, but it's also the right thing socially, because school is the time when the closest and deepest friendships are formed.
Teachers across the country would welcome more support around dealing with the problems caused by social media. But abusive use of mobile phones is not just confined to the classroom and we need to see better support for schools and families when problems arise.
He said that in the US, many experts would suggest that you dont want to accidentally send a message to China that force is OK to use, because it could be seen as giving Beijing encouragement to move on Taiwan.
The senior Cabinet minister made the comments at a Conservative Party conference fringe event in Manchester, hours after the billionaire entrepreneur used Twitter, now known as X, to take aim at Mr Zelenskys repeated requests for western support in the battle against Russian troops.
Photo: . Dave Chan and his wife at the title-winning weigh-in in Sacramento, CA. on Saturday

Hes only gone and did it!

Richmonds Dave Chan has broken B.C. records before, but on Saturday he realized a dream when his giant pumpkin weighed in at an incredible 2,212 pounds, making it the biggest in North America thus far this season.

Chan, who has been growing the giant gourds for 40 years from his east Richmond backyard, won the title at the Hard Rock Casino National Weigh Off in in Sacramento, California.

As well as winning a prestigious belt, Chan collected $28,000 (Can) for his troubles and was still on cloud nine when the Richmond News caught up with him Monday.

My feeling (is) more of being the luckiest person rather than any other emotion, said Chan.

So many things are needed to align to win. Much of it boils down to the old saying.. the harder you work, the luckier you get.

Chans giant pumpkin is currently the third largest in the world this year, but he admits that likely wont last long as there are many more pumpkin contests to be done yet.

His 2,212 monster, a Dills Atlantic giant variety, entered a very exclusive group of 2,200 plus pound pumpkins, with less than 100 ever recorded.

Chan still has one more competition to take on in the U.S.  at Half Moon Bay on Oct. 9, with a total prize fund of $50,000 (US).

He told the News last week that he didnt do anything different this year to break his own record but noted that the exceptional summer was likely key.

Chan understands that 2,450 pounds is the world record this year so far, but there is supposed to be a 2,700-pound one going to competitions shortly.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Iran has denied having any direct talks with the US on various issues, despite the recent prisoner swap and the release of its frozen assets, Trend reports.

The spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Kanaani, said at a press conference in Tehran on October 2, 2023, that the current Iranian government, which took office in August 2021, has not engaged in any direct discussions with the US.

Kanaani said that the only talks between Iran and the US were indirect and mediated by other countries. He said that these talks resulted in the exchange of prisoners and the unblocking of Irans frozen assets abroad.

On September 18, 2023, Iran and the US exchanged five prisoners each, with the help of Qatar. Five US citizens who were detained in Iran were freed in exchange for five Iranian citizens who were held in the US.

On the same day, Iran also received $6 billion of its assets that were frozen in South Korea, thanks to Qatars mediation. The money was transferred to an account in one of Irans regional allies (Qatar).

The spokesman did not comment on the status of the nuclear talks between Iran and the world powers, which have been stalled since June 2021. The US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions on Iran, which in turn reduced its compliance with the deal. The new Iranian government has said that it will not resume the talks until the US lifts all sanctions.

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I made the point that whether its the Philippines, which I visited just before going to Beijing, or the UK or the US or Australia or others, we are all taking measures which are just nudging down our trade volumes with China, and the cumulative effect is having a real impact on China.
And what were seeing at the moment with these criminal gangs smuggling thousands of people over the Channel is not fair. Its an abuse of the way the law works in Britain, its an abuse of all the public services that you get free of charge here.
Hitting out at Labour, Ms Badenoch said: They want young people to believe a narrative of hopelessness, a narrative that says there is no point in trying because British society is against you and you are better off asking for reparations, a narrative that tells children like mine that the odds are stacked against them.
Five years earlier, in June 2016, Jo Cox was murdered while on her way to meet constituents. White supremacist Thomas Mair shot the Labour MP three times and then stabbed her 15 times outside a library in Birstall, West Yorkshire. He was later given a whole life term for murder and other offences.
But what is different, what is sinister and what we shouldnt tolerate is the idea that local councils can decide how often you go to the shops, and that they ration who uses the road and when, and they police it all with CCTV.
No 10 said that some reports on the plans were incorrect, but did not set out which details were wrong and did not deny that a Cabinet meeting would be arranged.
Mr Wallace said that with Kyivs troops pressing forward against heavily-mined Russian defences, it was possible the next stage of the conflict which has been raging since February 2022, could be the beginnings of the battle for Crimea  the peninsula in southern Ukraine annexed by Moscow in 2014.
He said: Why he did it, in terms of the motives for what he did, our best assessment, based on all the information weve looked at, is that that was due to a grievance that he had for the repeated rejections of his asylum claim combined with mental ill health which seems to have also had a factor in his action.
The Daily Mirror leads with school meals as the Government assesses the affordability of the public scheme which ensures children from some of Britains poorest families have enough to eat during the day.
Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct (Judicial and other office holders) Rules 2014 by a senior judge appointed by the Lord Chief Justice, Lewis LJ was found to have behaved in a rude and hostile manner towards counsel in a hearing. Whilst not all the complaint allegations were made out, the nominated judge found that Lewis LJ had intervened excessively in counsels submissions, throughout the hearing, in a manner which became increasingly harsh and rude and to the extent that it constituted judicial bullying.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Iran has expressed willingness to continue the negotiations on its nuclear program, as long as they serve its national interests, Trend reports.

The spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Kanaani, said at a press conference in Tehran on October 2, 2023, that Iran considers the discussions to be an appropriate process for all parties (the US, the UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) to return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The JCPOA is the 2015 nuclear deal that was signed by Iran and the world powers, which aimed to limit Irans nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the deal was abandoned by the US in 2018, which re-imposed sanctions on Iran. Iran then reduced its compliance with the deal, and increased its uranium enrichment and stockpile.

Kanaani said that negotiations are important for Iran so that all parties can responsibly return to the JCPOA. He said that Iran welcomes and supports the good faith efforts of friendly countries, such as Oman, to bring the positions of the parties closer together.

The spokesman added that Iran will remain committed to the negotiation process as long as it serves the countrys national interests. He said that the unknown situation for JCPOA is the result of the US unilaterally abandoning this plan.

On January 16, 2016, Iran's nuclear program triggered the creation of the JCPOA between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, UK, France, and Germany). However, on May 8, 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany) and imposed new sanctions against Iran as of November 2018.

The sanctions affected Iranian oil exports and more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals. The sanctions have resulted in the freezing of Iranian assets abroad.

In late 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to implement a strategic plan to tackle the sanctions, citing the non-implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed between Iran and six countries and the imposition of sanctions on Iran. According to the decision of the Iranian parliament, as of February 23, Iran suspended the implementation of additional steps and an additional protocol provided for in the nuclear deal. As a result, the control mechanism of the IAEA decreased by 2030 percent.

Iran discloses various programs related to its nuclear industry to reflect that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. However, according to the information obtained by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has increased the amount of highly enriched uranium by 27 percent in the last three months, and currently, the country's enriched uranium reserves are 4,745 kilograms. This is 15 times more than the amount of uranium allowed for Iran in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iran is currently looking for various ways to resume discussions with the other parties regarding its nuclear program and eventually restore the JCPOA.

The country is mainly trying to achieve the abolition of sanctions imposed by the US and Western countries, the removal of its funds frozen abroad, and the abolition of the restriction on the export of crude oil. In return, the US and Western countries want Iran not to acquire an atomic bomb, to keep its nuclear program under control, and to reduce the level of uranium enrichment.

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Follow the author on X (Twitter):@BaghishovElnur
The new guidelines are expected to allow students to bring their phones to school. However, they will be banned from using them during the school day, meaning they can only use them while travelling to and from school.
Vaping is still relatively new, so it is difficult to make conclusions about how it compares to smoking. However, some studies show that vaping is far less harmful than smoking. This is because e-cigarettes dont contain cancer-causing tobacco, and most of the toxic chemicals found in cigarettes are not in e-cigarettes.
The Government is going to operate this regardless, what are you going to do to stop it, what are you going to do to help the people of Northern Ireland? he told the BBC.
The National Trust and Northumberland National Park, along with other partners and local people, are making plans for the site and the Sycamore Gap tree in the future, and we will inform people as soon as we know the best way forward. While regrettably we will be removing the sapling, we have spoken to the person who planted it, and are working with them to find an appropriate planting spot within the local area.
Mr Blairs mother Margaret Mills, 65, told the PA news agency: He had a tour guide and the tour guide took him to get a drink and then apparently at 8.30 he said to Darren you must go back to the hotel and get yourself washed up, youre tired.
There are a variety of events taking place in London this year. In Trafalgar Square on Sunday, October 29, a festival of lights will take place. You can expect different stall holders, including Barfi Bites, Sahaja Yoga and Suresh Street Food. There will also be dance workshops, a childrens area and comedy from Soho Theatre.
The scientists do not know for certain drought and heat are to blame for the spike in mortality but are working to rule out other causes, such as a bacterial infection that could have killed the dolphins on a lake formed by the Tefe River before it runs into the Amazon.
As well as the $250 million fine, Ms James is also seeking a lifetime bar on Trump and his sons from serving as directors of any New York companies, as well as a five-year bar on Trump or his company from entering into any property acquisitions. It has been argued that such punishments would amount to a corporate death penalty on Trumps businesses.
He said that 12 of the injured people were treated at the site, while 26 others were taken to hospitals. All but two suffered from breathing difficulties and seven people were treated and discharged.
Gas physics suggests you shouldnt be able to make objects with the mass of Jupiter on their own, and we know single planets can get kicked out from star systems. But how do you kick out pairs of these things together? Right now, we dont have an answer. Its one for the theoreticians.
In Kyiv, Security Service officers exposed and detained an agent of the Russian FSB. The offender wanted to enter the school of the "Army of Drones" in order to further spy on the Ukrainian military.

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This was reported by the press service of the SSU Main Directorate in Kyiv and Kyiv region. The suspect faces 15 years in prison or life imprisonment(scroll to the bottom of the page to watch the video).

"SSU officers conducted a multi-stage special operation that resulted in the detention of another FSB agent in Kyiv. He was collecting intelligence on special units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the SSU specializing in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. The enemy agent received the relevant task from his Russian "curator" in late summer this year. To fulfill it, the aggressor's accomplice tried to enroll in one of the Kyiv schools of the "Army of Drones," the press service said.

The Security Service added that after enrollment, the offender was to establish the locations of the Defense Forces training grounds, where cadets are trained to operate attack and reconnaissance drones. He also planned to identify the locations of Ukrainian special forces UAVs and their drones.

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"According to available data, the occupiers were preparing to use the intelligence information of their agent to carry out targeted air attacks on the facilities of the Armed Forces and the Security Service. In addition, the offender walked the streets of Kyiv and, as an ordinary resident, recorded the locations of Ukrainian defenders in the city," the Security Service said,

It is noted that in case of successful completion of enemy tasks, the Russian invaders "guaranteed" their agent a monetary reward, which was to be credited to his bank card. SSU officers exposed the offender in a timely manner and detained him red-handed while he was photographing one of the military units in the capital.

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According to the investigation, the enemy accomplice was a 49-year-old businessman from Kyiv, who was remotely recruited by a representative of the Russian FSB two months ago. He came to the attention of the aggressor through his anti-Ukrainian posts on one of the Russian Telegram channels. Further communication was carried out through an anonymous chat in the messenger.

The detainee was served a notice of suspicion of high treason committed under martial law.

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As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, SBU officers detained agents of the Russian terrorist country who adjusted the attack on Kyiv on September 21. The main targets of the enemy attack were the capital's life support facilities, including energy generating enterprises.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
There are a lot more transplants and illegal surgeries than this. These are the ones that we have confirmed.
Ukraine is under strain, too, with high casualties leading to compulsory military service call-ups for some categories. At the same time allies like the UK, France, Germany and the US  known as the Quartet, and likely to be joined by Italy soon  are insisting on reform of the forces, industry, finance and governance.
Taking over the site of the former restaurant Goldfish on Hampstead High Street, INE is set to host up to 50 diners in four distinct dining spaces. These include a first-floor bar, where sake and lighter snacks will be served, a main dining room, and an eight-seat omakase counter.
In March, the Saturday Night Live alum was driving with ex-girlfriend Chase Sui Wonders, 27, when his Mercedes reportedly went over the curb, hitting a fire hydrant and crashed into the side of a house in the salubrious LA suburb.
In the case of the overheating iPhone 15s, however, Apple is laying part of the blame on external apps. It said that the likes of Instagram, Uber and mobile game Asphalt 9 can all cause the iPhone to get hot, and Apple is working with the apps developers on a solution. Instagram reportedly addressed the problem in its most recent update.
He said: Unfortunately, a ban on mobile phones in school can cause more problems than it solves, leading to pupils becoming more secretive about their phone use, meaning problems are hidden from staff and therefore more difficult to spot and address.
Even then there may still be a chance to bring down the temperature by removing CO2 from the atmosphere, though there are large uncertainties about its feasibility and whether reaching 1.5C would trigger tipping points, such as the melting of polar glaciers, that would heat the Earth beyond human control.
Bulgaria has joined the European Union (EU) member states that have banned the entry of cars with Russian license plates. In doing so, it became the first non-Schengen country to support this recommendation of the European Commission.

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The ban on the entry of cars and trucks will take effect by the end of the day. This was announced by the head of the Bulgarian Border Police Anton Zlatanov, 24 Hours reports.

"We have been working very actively from Thursday to yesterday. I am confident that by the end of the day the ban on Russian cars entering our country will be in effect in Bulgaria, and I want to add that it has been in effect for trucks for several months," Zlatanov said.

The ban was introduced by the European Commission on September 11, and on Saturday, September 30, MP Delian Peevski of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms called on the government to immediately implement it. It is already in effect in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Finland, and Norway.

Moreover, the ban applies not only to cars but also to goods. Zlatanov could not specify how many Russian cars enter our country every month, but he said that they are few.

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As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, the United States is closely monitoring Russia's oil exports, said John Kirby, coordinator of the White House National Security Council. In particular, the United States makes sure that the Kremlin does not sell oil above the "price ceiling".

Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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Foreign Affairs Minister Luminita Odobescu is in Kyiv on Monday, where she attends the informal meeting of the EU to diplomats, according to the agenda of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Odobescu posted on Twitter a photo of the Memory Wall in the Ukrainian capital, which is covered in portraits of the country's fallen defenders.

"The Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv stands as a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of Ukraine. Today I honor the memory of those who sacrificed for freedom, unity, and peace. Let us never forget their bravery and dedication," Minister Odobescu wrote on the social platform.Luminita Odobescu said that in Kyiv she will convey "a strong political message of the unwavering commitment to stand by Ukraine and its people"."Together we uphold the values of democracy, peace and freedom," concluded the foreign minister.
At the opening of the new academic year at the Petroleum-Gas University (UPG) of Ploiesti on Monday, Deputy Secretary General of NATO Mircea Geoana menioned an entente on the protection of the environment and biodiversity, saying that he does not see any problem if Romania were to join such an alliance.

In his speech, Geoana also mentioned strategies for energy transition.

"Perhaps you have seen the recent state visit of King Charles III to France. (...) At the meeting of the French president and the British sovereign, the latter suggested the renewal of the Entente Cordiale, the WWI military and political alliance between France and England, in a new entente for the protection of the environment and biodiversity. Taking into account the exceptional relations with both countries and with both leaders, I do not see any kind of problem for Romania (...)to join this entente," said Geoana.He went on to criticise what he called the absence of a serious debate in Romania about the country's transition to the new economic mode."The generalised skepticism that we all hear (...) is not related to our ability to write strategies, but to the ability, sometimes minuscule, to implement them. And that is why I am absolutely convinced that here and from here, from this great university, we will be able to start an authentic, professional conversation, with pros and cons, to be able to make Romania reach its potential and achieve its economic, political and technological objectives," added Geoana.He said that societies cannot suddenly switch to green energy, because the technology does not offer an easy transition for now."The large hydrocarbon reserves have ended up redefining geopolitics and, probably for the next two to three decades, oil and natural gas will continue to be the strategic source of power, disputes, but also the well-being of nations. (...) Industries, economies, societies cannot switch suddenly to green energy, because the technology does not yet offer an easy transition. For the next 30-40 years, humanity will look to use hydrocarbons to move, to heat, to light our homes and to live more comfortably. (...) The energy transition does not automatically mean that whole sectors of the economy are doomed to unemployment. On the contrary, with smart investment, (...) the transition to cleaner energy will generate better-paid jobs, especially for the younger generations. And here the role of university education is vital, because a university like yours has the ability to prepare young people for the challenges generated by the energy transition, which is being regulated and will continue with intensity."
The Donetsk woman asked Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to announce a "women's mobilization". She complained that the surviving men were hiding and did not want to fight against Ukraine.
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ST. LOUIS  The Missouri Real Estate Commission is suing STL CityWide, a major St. Louis landlord, for renting out properties without a real estate brokers license.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in St. Louis, asks a judge to bar STL CityWide from continuing to lease apartments at its owners more than two dozen buildings until it obtains a brokers license from the state agency.

Its the latest sign of official scrutiny against STL CityWide and its manager, controversial developer and landlord Victor Alston. Alston, along with his brother, Sid Chakraverty, are behind Lux Living, a major apartment developer that has built more than 1,000 units in St. Louis in recent years. Their companies own hundreds more apartments in the area, but they have drawn persistent complaints from tenants who say some of the buildings are neglected and management is unresponsive.

The Post-Dispatch last week reported federal authorities were seeking documents related to the brothers projects from the St. Louis Development Corp., the citys development arm. A former employee said the FBI interviewed him and a lawyer involved in lawsuits against the brothers companies said he had heard a federal investigation is underway.

The Missouri Real Estate Commissions lawsuit says it began looking into STL CityWide and its predecessor, Asprient Properties, after receiving a complaint in October 2020 alleging CityWide had leased the complainant a condo in the downtown Ely Walker Lofts at 1520 Washington Avenue without a real estate license.

The state agency then discovered that STL CityWide maintains a website where it lists apartments for rent in 24 buildings in St. Louis and three in St. Louis County.

Upon information and belief, Respondent continues to conduct real estate brokerage activities within the State of Missouri without appropriate licensing from MREC, the agencys lawsuit says.

Alston, Chakraverty and their lawyer, Ira Berkowitz, did not immediately return requests for comment.

Katie Kull of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
CLAYTON  St. Louis County has tried for years to jump-start development in Wellston, one of the poorest cities in the region.

It has invested millions cleaning up and demolishing shuttered factories and abandoned homes. It rehabbed an old industrial building as a job training center. It helped start a new affordable housing development.

But Wellston officials are refusing to sign off on the countys next move.

Officials want to start finding developers and new owners for some of the more than 100 Wellston properties owned by a county development arm.

But Wellstons mayor, Nate Griffin, said his city hasnt seen much progress in the 20-plus years since its last agreement with the county development office.

The county, Griffin said, used the now expired agreement to dominate our community and dominate our land.

Rodney Crim, CEO of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, which leads the countys efforts in Wellston, disagrees.

We are totally invested in Wellston, and we want to see that investment continue, Crim said in an interview Friday.

But the St. Louis County Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority, which Crims office manages, cant do anything with the real estate it owns in the inner ring suburb.

A sale of some of its land, to the Normandy School District for a new school bus depot as part of a renovation of the Normandy High campus, has been held up for almost two years.

State statute requires a redevelopment plan for the LCRA to operate in Wellston. The old agreement expired in 2017.

After waiting more than a year for Wellston to sign off on the new agreement, the LCRA in June approved the new Empower Wellston community plan, completed by firm PGAV nearly two years ago.

LCRA is not the holdup, Crim said during an LCRA board meeting Thursday. We are truly waiting for Wellston to take action.

Wellston, however, wants the LCRA to donate more of its properties to the city, particularly two large redevelopment sites along Page Avenue potentially worth millions.

What can you release to the city of Wellston to truly empower them, as the name of the plan suggests? Griffin said in an interview Thursday.

Wellston wants 45 acres

The holdup illustrates the difficulty of economic development in a fragmented county of nearly 100 municipalities, with the smallest and poorest governing the area bordering north St. Louis that has suffered most from disinvestment.

The problem of small governments, especially in North County, is that collective action is more difficult because you have many more actors at the table in a given geography, said Todd Swanstrom, a professor of public policy at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

He pointed to Baltimore County, which faces similar issues but where the county government performs all municipal functions within its jurisdiction.

It makes a difference in terms of what theyve done in their version of inner-ring suburbs, he said. They have the same problems: You have these older inner-ring suburbs that have experienced deindustrialization, loss of employment, demographic transition, etc.

But they have much more ability for the county there to act in the name of economic development.

Most of LCRAs Wellston properties are vacant lots where houses were long ago abandoned and taken by the county for unpaid taxes. The LCRA plans to grant 29 of them to the city when it signs off on the new agreement.

But its the two large redevelopment sites on either side of Page Avenue  nearly 45 acres in all  that Wellston officials want before approving a new agreement with the LCRA.

Everybody knows the position that Wellston is in, said Griffin, the mayor. We are the poorest municipality in St. Louis County. What other way are you talking about empowering these people and this community ... if its not through the land?

The former factory sites, which the county spent tens of millions cleaning and preparing for redevelopment, have been the subject of controversy before.

In 2017, the LCRA sold them to investors who tried to flip them for potentially millions of dollars. Those investors were major donors to former St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, and federal prosecutors referenced the transaction when they indicted Stenger and one of the buyers after an investigation into pay-to-play corruption.

After the political dust settled, the LCRA reacquired the sites and is ready to find private developers for them. While the LCRA is willing to grant Wellston many of its smaller properties, the two large industrial parks are assets Crim believes could attract significant employment benefiting both the city and the region.

We have a significant amount of money invested in those, and those provide opportunities that the small sites do not provide, Crim said.

We legally cannot

Crim said the Empower Wellston plan solicited community feedback and incorporated elected officials concerns to make sure something has not been done to them  its done with them.

Griffin, who leads a city with just a handful of staff, said the LCRA has told Wellston it doesnt want to put us in a position to fail. But he said the LCRA is barely keeping up with mowing and maintenance of its Wellston real estate now.

Wellston City Councilman Sam Shannon, who is also on the LCRA board, said Thursday that Wellston was told there was no more negotiation on this or that and thats the way it is.

The impasse, meanwhile, has stalled a transfer of land to Normandy schools contemplated two years ago as part of a high school campus renovation project. Shannon said he thought the two issues should be separated so Normandy could proceed.

But the LCRAs lawyer, Howl Bean II, said it couldnt until Wellston approves the redevelopment agreement.

The LCRA is not like any other property owner. Its not like any other business, Bean said. As much as we support and would love to move forward with the Normandy project, we legally cannot.

We can ask the Missouri Legislature (to change the law), but I dont think theyre going to take our call on this, he added.

Griffin emphasized that he wasnt knocking the administration of St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, who he backed in last years election and who he said helped broker a big affordable housing investment and other projects in Wellston. While they talk frequently, Griffin said he hadnt brought it up yet. But he plans to now.

Me and him will definitely be talking about this to try and come up with a solution, Griffin said.

Page spokesman Doug Moore said the county executive plans to meet with Griffin on Oct. 12.

Dr. Page meets on a regular basis with Mayor Griffin to continue discussing this matter and other issues important to Wellston, Moore said.
Here are key retail and other business openings and closings for the St. Louis area:

Openings:

4 Hands Brewing Co. at the District, 17081 North Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield, 63005

4 Hands launched their second tasting room in early September at the District. The kitchen serves food from Hi-Pointe Drive-In and, to celebrate the opening, the brands newly-brewed IPA, Quantum Gravity, is available.

A & W Custom Apparel and Gifts, 1055 Venture Drive, St. Peters, 63376

True to its name, A & W Custom Apparel and Gifts specializes in custom apparel, unique gifts and alterations. In addition to its online store, shoppers can visit the business in St. Peters which held its grand opening on September 12.

Azra Tattoo, 8005 MacKenzie Road, Affton, 63123

Azra Selimovics luxury tattoo parlor offers quality tattoos in an elevated setting. She and her artists accept appointments and walk-in clients.

Found, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, 63110

Becoming the City Foundry STLs 17th retailer, Found, which specializes in premium apparel, accessories and footwear opened Labor Day weekend.

Maurices, 10 THF Boulevard, Chesterfield, 63005

This womens fashion retailer opened at Chesterfield Commons in early September. Maurices offers a variety of womens and girls clothing, shoes, accessories and swimwear in addition to free styling sessions with customers.

Mint Dispensary, 150 Mid Rivers Mall Circle, St. Peters, 63376

Out-of-state operator Mint Cannabis opened its first Missouri dispensary location in St. Peters earlier this summer. With over 2,500 different products, the store held its grand opening in late August at its location near Mid Rivers Mall.

Tecovas, 1701 South Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, 63131,

Austin-based bootmaker Tecovas opened its first Missouri store this month at St. Louis Plaza Frontenac. The store offers a selection of cowboy boots, bags, clothing and accessories.

WaXed Out, 1909 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, 63103

After four years of online business, WaXed Out opened its first candle gallery in downtown St. Louis. The store offers candles, wax melts, work by local artists and candle making classes.

Closings:

Baileys Range Downtown, 920 Olive Street, St. Louis, 63101

This family-owned burger and shake shop closed its doors at the end of August. The Shaw location continues to operate, taking on the flagship locations Community Table Nights events.

The Baked Bear, 343 North Main Street, St. Charles, 63301

The Baked Bear announced its closing on Facebook following a Labor Day weekend full of cookie donations and deliveries to use up remaining ingredients. This was the only franchise location in Missouri.

Fields Foods, all locations

After slowly closing down locations throughout the summer, Fields Foods officially shuttered its final two stores in September. The owner has said he hope to sell to an employee group, but no buyer is in sight.

Hanlens Fine Meats & Catering, 11037 Manchester Road, Kirkwood, 63122

After 51 years of operation, this St. Louis County butcher hosted a farewell barbeque on Sept. 30 to thank the community for its business and support.

If you know of any business openings or closings, please email Post-Dispatch retail reporter Hannah Wyman at hwyman@post-dispatch.com.
Joe Holleman Metro reporter Follow Joe Holleman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Prairie du Rocher, about an hours drive south of St. Louis in southern Illinois, has an undeniably rich colonial history.

And if U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, gets his way, the village and surrounding areas will become a national historical park.

Its many sites still stand as some of the best examples of French Colonial architecture and culture in the United States, Bost said last week after introducing legislation in the U.S. House to have the area recognized.

One of the best-known sites is Fort de Chartres, built in 1720, which served as the administrative center for French control of the Louisiana Territory and what was then called Illinois Country.

The fort was declared a national landmark in 1960 and its powder magazine is the oldest existing stone building in Illinois. Also, it is the center of the areas most well-known event, Rendezvous, a two-day festival held in June.

Bosts proposal also would include Kaskaskia, the capital of Illinois when the state joined the Union in 1818; the Pierre Laclede Home, where the French explorer stayed while planning the new village of St. Louis; and the home of Pierre Menard, first lieutenant governor of Illinois.
Joe Holleman Metro reporter Follow Joe Holleman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Three police departments in the Metro East area will be getting some federal funds to improve their operations.

Alton, Belleville and Edwardsville each will receive money from the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, announced last week.

First responders put their lives on the line daily, Budzinski said. Its critical that we make sure they have the equipment, training and technology needed to stay safe on the job.

Belleville police will get about $58,000 to upgrade outdated technology and equipment; the Alton department is in line for about $18,500 to buy safety equipment for police vehicles; and Edwardsville's department stands to receive about $14,500 to buy new radar units.

In all, Budzinski brought home more than $322,000 in DOJ money, which also included allotments to Springfield, Champaign and Decatur.
ST. LOUIS  Authorities on Sunday evening arrested an inmate who escaped a Missouri jail late Friday.

Jonathan S. O'Dell, 33, escaped the Phelps County Jail in Rolla after 11 p.m. Friday by "compromising the structural integrity" of his holding cell, according to the FBI. A second inmate who aided O'Dell and escaped with him turned himself in afterward.

O'Dell was arrested without incident around 5 p.m. Sunday in Ray County by the FBI, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Ray County Sheriff's Office.

Additional information about his capture was not immediately available.

O'Dell was indicted in May for conspiring to murder U.S. Border Patrol officers and shooting at FBI officers who arrested them on the eve of their trip, in October of 2022, south to the U.S.  Mexico border.

O'Dell and an accomplice had planned to shoot migrants crossing the border into the U.S. and shoot any U.S. officers or employees who tried to stop them. They had tried to recruit other gunmen for their plan and had collected firearms, paramilitary gear and ammunition at O'Dell's house in Warsaw, Mo.
ST. LOUIS  Rebecca Carman awoke one morning in 2019 to a light shining in her face and a man with a buzz cut, cargo pants and a utility belt ordering her to get up. She was under arrest.

It had been a rough year. Carmans marriage was falling apart. She had lost her job. One night, she and her husband got into a drunken fight at his apartment in Louisiana. Carman was charged with two misdemeanors. She checked into an alcohol rehabilitation facility, and when she got out, she flew north to a friends house in St. Peters.

It was there that Wayne Lozier barreled into the home around 6 a.m. and Carman was taken away, barefoot and handcuffed. Lozier and his partner, Jody Sullivan, put Carman in an SUV, shackled her hands and feet, and headed south.

Over the next several hours, Carman realized Lozier and Sullivan were not police officers but bounty hunters from Louisiana hired to retrieve her for missing her court date.

On the trip south, the bounty hunters used a Taser on Carman and repeatedly berated her. Bystanders at one point called the police, who just sent Lozier, Sullivan and Carman on their way. Loziers body camera recorded the entire trip.

The incident, defense attorneys argued during a trial for Lozier last week, would have been legal if Lozier had just registered with the state of Missouri as a surety recovery agent and called local police before retrieving Carman. But prosecutors argued he went rogue and committed a kidnapping.

Were talking about a woman who is facing two misdemeanor charges that are suspect, at best, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Martin. The defendant treats her like shes on the list of Americas Most Wanted. Its absurd.

For years, investigators and advocates have taken aim at bail bond agents who they say operate outside the law. Theyve railed against a system that allows private contractors to arrest and transport people with little to no oversight. They say it breeds corruption and hurts vulnerable people like Carman who are desperate to get out of jail but dont have the means to pay for it.

Lozier, however, sees his role differently. In a Facebook post on the page for his business, Bayou Boyz Fugitive Recovery, he touts the virtues of an industry that allows private contractors to track people down instead of wasting police time and taxpayer money.

The post calls recovery agents the inevitable consequence you run from, scared of the mess you got yourself into, your final option when you miss court and says agents would fight back with equal force against anyone who resists.

Mr. Lozier did not operate with malice in his heart, his public defender, Tyler Morgan, said at trial. He had a job to do, and that is bring fugitives who skip court to justice.

It would be up to a federal jury in St. Louis to decide if that was the case, or if he had committed a crime.

Sounds like bounty hunters

Carman, now 38, testified during the trial that her life had gone south in the months before May 2019. Her alcohol addiction had resurfaced as her marriage floundered. She was laid off from her job and lost her house.

One night, she and her husband got into a fight. He pushed her. She punched him. He called the police.

Carman was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault and violating a protection order. She was booked into jail. Days later, her husband hired a bondsman, who posted $5,000 to get her out. She did not know which company he hired.

Carman checked into an inpatient rehabilitation facility in Florida. She said the staff told her they would get her a new court date while she was going through treatment. But no one put in a request with the court for a continuance, and a warrant was put out for her arrest.

When Carmans husband picked her up from rehab, it was bad from the start, she said.

Fearing for her safety, she called a friend she had met in rehab, and they booked a flight to St. Louis.

Carman spent a couple of months attending Alcoholics Anonymous and womens groups while living with the friend. She started looking for jobs. She said she called the clerks office and district attorney in St. Tammany Parish, just north of New Orleans, where her case was pending, and explained the situation. They told her to come to court when she got back to Louisiana to get a new date.

Then, on May 5, 2019, Carman got a call from a man claiming to work for the St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office. He wanted to send her some certified mail to help her get a new court date.

Carman balked. She was trying to lie low after the mess with her husband, and nobody from Louisiana  not her mother, not her twin sister  knew her address. She asked if there was any other way for him to send it, but the deputy insisted. She relented.

Four days later, her friend awoke from a deep sleep around 6 a.m. Her 12-year-old daughter was screaming that someone was banging on the door.

Whats your name, baby? Lozier said as the friend answered the door, rubbing her eyes.

The friend told Lozier her name and said that Carman was living there too.

Lozier brushed his way past the friend and through to the basement.

The friend called 911.

Sounds like bounty hunters, the dispatcher said.

These people are not police officers

Lozier and Sullivan left before the police could arrive. They put Carman in an SUV and shackled her wrists and ankles. They then stopped at a McDonalds and walked her into the restaurant to use the restroom. She was still barefoot.

Back in the SUV, Lozier gave Carman his phone to call her friend. A police officer named Jeffrey Atkins got on the phone from the friends house, and he delivered the news: The people who arrested Carman were not police officers.

Carman panicked. She needed to get out of there.

She told the bounty hunters she needed to use the restroom again, and they stopped at a Flying J truck stop about 70 miles southwest of St. Louis. Carman was led into the convenience store, where she asked everyone in sight to call 911.

These people are not police officers, she said, crying.

Carman lay on the ground, and Lozier and Sullivan demanded she stand up. They pulled her hair and used a Taser on her three times while she begged them to stop.

Bystanders called 911 while Lozier struggled with Carman and tried to explain that he and his partner were licensed agents with the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

Lozier and Sullivan dragged Carman outside by her shackles and over to the SUV.

Im not dealing with you, Lozier said. Im done.

He leaned down and told Carman he would make sure her estranged husband learned where she was.

I promise you that, he said.

Police arrived minutes later. Carman said she was initially relieved, but the feeling was short-lived.

Lozier showed the police his Louisiana license and warrant.

I just need to get us in the truck, and well be on our way, Lozier told the officers.

I like that idea, one officer replied.

The officer explained to Carman that bondsmen have special authority granted by the courts to arrest people who dont show up for court, even for a misdemeanor.

If you use a bondsman, those people can hold you, he told her. That bondsman has a lot of money on the line.

Carman pleaded with the officer to take her with him instead, but police dont typically arrest and transport people for misdemeanors in other states. She had to go with the bondsmen, he said.

Back in the SUV, Lozier cursed at Carman, threatened multiple times to call her husband and said hed use a Taser on her again if she said one more wrong thing.

You have no rights, he said. I own you. No civil rights. Youre property.

I still have rights

Meanwhile, Atkins, the officer back in St. Peters, had put out an alert for the black SUV and the two bounty hunters. He had done some research and learned that Lozier was, in fact, breaking the law: He wasnt licensed as a surety recovery agent in the state of Missouri, and he hadnt called local police before bursting into Carmans friends home.

Atkins called Lozier just after the two bounty hunters had crossed into Arkansas. Atkins warned Lozier that he could be charged with kidnapping. He told him to drop Carman off at the nearest police department or bring her back to Missouri.

If I do that, what am I looking at? Lozier said. As far as I knew, I was doing everything the right way.

The only thing you can do now is the right thing, Atkins said.

But Lozier didnt stop or turn around. Instead, he headed toward Mississippi and dropped Carman off at a random detention center.

Carman was then transferred to Jackson, Mississippi. When she appeared in court days later, a sheriffs deputy from St. Tammany placed extradition paperwork in front of her, but they listed the wrong charges, she recalled. The judge told her not to sign it, so she didnt.

She spent a week in Jackson and met with detectives who were investigating the incident at the truck stop. Finally, the jail captain put her in a holding cell with warm clothes and socks.

Her sister came to pick her up.

Carman met with her lawyer, got a new court date and pleaded guilty to both misdemeanor charges. She was sentenced to and completed one year of probation.

Lozier was paid $771.05 for his services, including a reimbursement for his hotel room.

Records presented in court also showed Carman had never signed the bondsmans paperwork back in 2019, when she was first let out of jail, that outlined the conditions of her bail and authorized her retrieval if she left the state.

In October 2021, Lozier and Sullivan were indicted on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap. Both were released on bond.

Lozier was arrested again in 2022 and held without bond after prosecutors said he violated the terms of his release by continuing to hunt fugitives and carry a weapon.

Sullivan pleaded guilty in September and agreed to testify against Lozier during his trial, though she was never called.

Lozier did not testify or present any witnesses, but his attorneys argued that Lozier was convinced he was acting lawfully that day. A $150 licensing fee and a call to police was the difference between a lawful seizure and federal kidnapping, his attorney said, and the onus was on Carman to make sure she wasnt violating the conditions of her bond.

Is being held against your will because you have a warrant out for your arrest a kidnapping? Morgan asked jurors. I would submit to you its not.

But jurors took just an hour and a half on Thursday to find Lozier guilty of both charges.

I was relieved, Carman said in an interview the next day. I am relieved to know that he can never do that to anybody again. I know Im not the first person to be treated that way. I couldnt be.

Carman said she is grateful to the prosecutors, FBI agents and Officer Atkins for believing her. They could have seen her as a woman fleeing the law, she said, skipping out on bond without facing the consequences. Instead, they listened.

I have made some mistakes in the past, but I am still a person. I still have rights, she said. I feel like a lot of people are just disregarded if something like this happens, as if its deserved. But its not.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the date of the phone call made to Carman.
TEUTOPOLIS, Ill.  A Franklin County pastor was among five people killed Friday after breathing a toxic chemical that spilled when a tanker truck overturned in central Illinois.

The Rev. Danny J. Smith, 67, of New Haven, was exposed after a multi-vehicle crash around 8:40 p.m. on U.S. Highway 40 near Teutopolis, Illinois. The tanker truck carrying caustic anhydrous ammonia jackknifed and hit a utility trailer parked just off the highway, The Associated Press reported. The crash may have started when another vehicle tried to pass the tanker truck.

Smith had been minister of St. Peters United Church of Christ in New Haven since February 2022, said Rob Hesemann, president of the St. Peters United Church of Christ council. Smith served as interim pastor until he was installed as the churchs permanent pastor in June this year.

It was just so sudden, we havent quite wrapped our heads around it, Hesemann said of Smiths death. One day youre there and the next youre gone. No one expects that to happen, but it does.

Hesemann said Smith had been a minister for almost 37 years, was an Indiana Hoosiers fan and loved to ride motorcycles so much he named his dog Harley.

He was a very caring and trusting person, he said. He loved kids; he wanted kids to feel safe and welcome and include them in the church service.

No local memorial service has been planned as of Monday, but Hesemann said Smiths family planned on burying him next to his parents in Indiana.

He was first of all a man who cared about where the church was going, how he carried out his mission in life, said Eric Hoemeyer, a St. Peters United Church of Christ parishioner. He was a good man; he was well suited for what he did.

The Rev. Damien Lake told the Post-Dispatch hed known Smith for 15 years and the two shared a passion for motorcycles and classic cars.

He was just a very loving, generous kind of person, said Lake, who is based in St. Charles. He just really cared about other people and wanted to make sure that people were well taken care of.

The spill also killed 34-year-old Teutopolis resident Kenneth Bryan and his two children, 7-year-old Rosie Bryan and 10-year-old Walker Bryan. The fifth fatality was 31-year-old Vivian Cricovan from Twinsburg, Ohio.

Seven others, including a 61-year-old woman from Franklin County, were hospitalized after breathing the gas, said Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes.

The truck leaked 4,000 gallons of anhydrous ammonia, forcing roughly 500 residents to evacuate from northeastern parts of Teutopolis. Authorities also closed U.S. Highway 40 between Effingham and Montrose.

Anhydrous ammonia is used by farmers to add nitrogen fertilizer to the soil and as a refrigerant in the cooling systems of large buildings, according to the American Chemical Society.

Joann Deters, who lives about a quarter of a mile from where the crash happened, told the Decatur Herald & Review she didnt smell it until going outside to see what all the commotion was.

And as soon as I opened the door it just hit me, and I thought, Oh, my God, she said. It was just such a terrible smell, and I slammed the door shut.

New Haven is about 60 miles west of St. Louis. Teutopolis is about 110 miles northeast of St. Louis.
In the village of Fedorkovo, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, an occupier was killed who returned home for a few days on vacation from the criminal war against Ukraine. 27-year-old Andriy O. was hacked to death with an ax.

ADVERTISIMENT

The body of the aggressor country's serviceman from the 138th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade was found in the morning of October 1. The Russian died from an axe to the neck, local media reported.

Preliminarily, he was wounded by 46-year-old Yuriy I. in the midst of a conflict that broke out during a feast. The man was detained and a criminal case was opened against him.

"We were drinking and did not share something with a friend," one of the publications quoted an interlocutor familiar with the incident.

The Russian media cry that Andriy O."arrived from the front only a few days ago and did not even have time to meet with his family."

ADVERTISIMENT

Interestingly, the status on the captors' account in the Russian social network remains: "The best road is the one that leads home".

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported:

- On October 1, a five-story residential building caught fire in Tobolsk, Tyumen Oblast, Russia, due to a gas explosion in one of the apartments. There are victims.

- On September 27, a fire engulfed a chemical warehouse in Bashkiria. It happened on the territory of Russia's largest enterprise for the production of synthetic zeolites and adsorbents.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
ST. LOUIS  One man was killed and another injured in a double shooting late Sunday in the city's Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood.

Officers responded to a ShotSpotter call in the 5700 block of Terry Avenue just after 9:30 p.m., police said.

Two men had been shot, police said. Garrett Davis, 37, had been shot in the torso and died. The other man had been shot in the hand.

Davis lived in the 8800 block of Clifton Avenue in Jennings, police said.
ST. LOUIS  A child-sex offender faces several new charges after escaping from a St. Louis County hospital last month and leading police on a massive 16-hour manhunt.

Tommy Boyd, 45, is charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm, felony escape from confinement with a deadly weapon and two counts of stealing.

Police have not mentioned that Boyd escaped with a deadly weapon, but prosecutors allege he told police he took a corrections officers gun out of her holster before his escape but replaced the firearm and did not steal it.

Boyd was at Mercy South Hospital for treatment of an unspecified illness around 4 a.m. Sept. 21 when he stole keys and a jacket from a corrections officer who was supposed to be watching him but had fallen asleep, according to a source familiar with prison personnel. The other officer tasked with watching him was not in the room at the time.

Boyd was arrested about 16 hours later in Shrewsbury.

Boyd was imprisoned on a 30-year sentence for felony enticement of a child after he lured a 9-year-old boy to a remote area of southwest Missouri in 2007 and threatened to throw him in a creek if he didnt comply with sexual demands.

The Missouri Highway Patrol, which maintains the states sex-offender registry, said Boyd was first charged with a sex crime in Springfield, Missouri, in 1996 when he was 18 and pleaded guilty the next year. The victim was an 11-year-old boy. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to online court files.

While on the lam, Boyd hitched a ride to south St. Louis, ate a hot dog at a city-hosted picnic in Tower Grove Park and tried to pick up a job application.

Police are not sure what happened between the time Boyd left Tower Grove Park and ended up in Shrewsbury, where he was arrested. But St. Louis County Sgt. Tracy Panus said they received tips that he had possibly hidden out in a sewer for some time.

When police arrested Boyd, Panus said he was still in the same clothes he left the hospital in. They found a handcuff key in his jacket pocket.
ST. LOUIS  A man who was 17 when he shot and killed a Lyft driver who had immigrated to the United States from Ghana was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison, according to court documents.

Torian Wilson, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of 45-year-old Elijah Newman, of St. Peters. Wilson was initially charged with first-degree murder.

Newman was found fatally shot in the torso shortly before 11 p.m. April 15, 2023 in the 1200 block of Peggy Court, east of Riverview Boulevard in the city's Baden neighborhood.

Detectives found Wilson by tracing his phone after linking his email address to a series of reported carjackings of ride-hailing companies in the area, police said.

Newman's longtime friend, Elizabeth Hylton, of St. Peters, told the Post-Dispatch in 2021 that Newman was a father of five who was always dreaming up plans for a better future. His children still lived in his hometown of Tema, Ghana.

He had moved to the U.S. roughly a decade before he died, moving to St. Peters from New Jersey to start a new chapter. He applied for jobs in information technology and hoped to eventually buy a home and bring his kids here to live with him.

Newman's family filed a wrongful death suit earlier this year arguing that Lyft had failed to protect its drivers. That case is still pending.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the number of years to which Wilson had been sentenced.
JEFFERSON CITY  A new probe is underway into the potential misuse of millions of dollars by a St. Louis-area

charity and other organizations as part of a federal child nutrition program.

State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick announced Monday his office is reviewing the Child and Adult Care Food Program after an initial investigation found a whistleblowers complaint about New Heights Community Resource Center credible.

Fitzpatricks inquiry comes as federal investigators have already subpoenaed documents concerning the nonprofit, which is led by Connie Bobo.

The Post-Dispatch reported last year that New Heights billed more than $20 million to the program dating to 2020, and the nonprofit bought a $975,000 house for Bobo in St. Charles.

The program uses funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure nutritious meals and snacks are served to children and eligible adults enrolled in child care centers, family child care homes, after-school programs, emergency shelters and adult day care programs.

Fitzpatrick said the audit will examine the program in its entirety, including all organizations in Missouri that received federal funds.

With the enormous influx of federal dollars into our state the opportunity for fraud has increased dramatically. The allegations of these funds being used inappropriately are extremely concerning and deserving of a comprehensive review to ensure every dollar is used to provide healthy meals to kids, Fitzpatrick said.

The USDA child nutrition programs  the Summer Food Service Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program  are meant to feed children at risk of going hungry during the summer or after school. Nonprofits that provide the service are paid as much as $4.50 a meal, payments meant to cover all program costs, including transportation and labor.

During the pandemic, oversight rules were relaxed and providers were allowed to distribute over a dozen meals at a time in to-go containers rather than feeding children on-site.

The program became lucrative enough that some organizations, such as New Heights and Influence Church, began trucking meals to sites across the state in order to claim more and more meal reimbursements.

Gov. Mike Parsons administration drew headlines last summer when Missouri became the first state to stop allowing grab-and-go food distribution under the programs.

Advocates called the move cruel and said it limited access to food for poor kids. But state officials cited concerns about program integrity and hinted that some organizations may have gamed the system under the COVID-19 rules.

In the case of New Heights, the nonprofit in May 2021 bought a former Circuit City building  appraised at nearly $2 million  on 3 acres on Natural Bridge Road near Interstate 270 in Bridgeton. The goal, Bobo said at the time, was to turn the building into headquarters for New Heights.

And in September 2021, Bobo bought a $975,000 house in St. Charles Spring Mill neighborhood.

Both purchases were paid for in cash.

Bobo told the Post-Dispatch last year that no money was misspent. And while she acknowledged living in the St. Charles house, Bobo said it serves as an office for New Heights, including hosting board meetings.

The investigations into the food programs in Missouri follow a major federal investigation of the USDA program in Minneapolis where dozens were charged in what prosecutors said at the time was the largest fraud yet tied to the emergency pandemic programs that pumped trillions into the economy.

In 2022, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services officials blacklisted six nonprofits from the federal program, including Bobos New Heights.

But even nonprofit groups that dodged strong state enforcement actions still raised concerns with state regulators about how money was spent, including the biggest program participant, Springfield-based Life360 Community Services, the Post-Dispatch reported.
The shutdown, which will last about three weeks, began after the morning rush hour.

The Missouri Department of Transportation said additional closures also may be needed at that location, in the south St. Louis County municipality of Green Park, on and off until the fall of next year.
TACOMA, Wash.  Police wrestle the unarmed Black man to the sidewalk. One officer pushes his face into the pavement as he pleads in vain: Cant breathe.

Witnesses capture the scene at a dark intersection on their cellphones  one yells, Hey! Stop! Oh my God, stop hitting him!  and the medical examiner rules the mans death a homicide.

The story evokes images of George Floyd begging for his life under the knee of a Minneapolis officer in May 2020. But this wasnt Floyd.

This is the story of Manuel Ellis, who died, hogtied and handcuffed by three Tacoma officers, nearly three months before Floyds death sparked an international outcry against police brutality.

Ellis death, which coincided with the first U.S. outbreak of COVID-19 at a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington, became a touchstone for racial justice demonstrators locally but did not garner the attention of Floyds murder in front of a crowd in broad daylight.

Still, the trial of the officers charged in Ellis case is another example of video footage of a violent arrest possibly playing a critical role in determining whether the police should be held accountable.

Its also the first trial under a 5-year-old Washington state law designed to make it easier to prosecute police who wrongfully use deadly force. Opening statements are expected this week in a trial that could last more than two months.

Ellis, 33, was walking home with doughnuts from a 7-Eleven on the night of March 3, 2020, when he passed a patrol car stopped at a red light. Officers Matthew Collins and Christopher Burbank sat inside.

After what witnesses said appeared to be a brief conversation between Ellis and the officers, Burbank, in the passenger seat, threw open his door, knocking Ellis down. The officers, both white, tackled and punched Ellis, with one stunning him with a Taser as the other held him in a neck restraint.

A third officer, Timothy Rankine, arrived after Ellis was already handcuffed, face-down, and knelt on his upper back as Ellis pleaded for breath.

Police claimed Ellis had tried to open the door of another vehicle at the intersection, struck the window of their cruiser and swung his fists at them, but witnesses said they observed no such things.

The three civilian witnesses  a woman in one car, a man in another, and a pizza delivery driver in a third car  all said they never saw Ellis try to hit the officers, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Washington attorney generals office, which is prosecuting the case.

Video, including cellphone footage taken by the witnesses and surveillance video from a doorbell camera nearby, variously showed Ellis raising his hands in an apparent gesture of surrender and addressing the officers as sir while telling them he cant breathe. One officer is heard responding, Shut the (expletive) up, man.

The police version of events has always been taken as the gospel truth, said Philip Stinson, a criminal justice professor at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

And what these cases show us, especially when theres video evidence, is that oftentimes the actual narratives of the police officers, whether in police reports, whether theyre testifying, are sometimes inconsistent with the video evidence, Stinson continued. And thats what gets closer scrutiny by the prosecutors and investigators.

Collins and Burbank are each charged with second-degree murder. Rankine, who is Asian American, is charged with manslaughter.

They argue Ellis would not have died had he not taken methamphetamine and had underlying health problems. The Pierce County medical examiner determined Ellis cause of death was a lack of oxygen as a result of his restraint, with meth intoxication and an enlarged heart as complicating factors. But medical experts hired by the defense are expected to testify it was the meth that killed him.

The trial will feature the work of forensic analysts hired by prosecutors to examine audio and video from cell phones, a doorbell camera and 911 dispatch tapes to create a comprehensive transcript of the incident.

Collins lawyer said the video shows only a fraction of what happened that night.

While it may well have made it easier to charge the officers, we are confident that the evidence presented in its entirety will show that Officer Collins is innocent of the charge he is facing, and the jury in this case will hold the State to its burden, and deliver a not guilty verdict, Dan Gerl, CEO of the Puget Law Group, told The Associated Press in an email.

The Ellis family said they hope the trial will be a turning point in favor of truth and justice.

A police badge should not be seen as a license to commit human rights violations, his family said in a Sept. 18 press release. Murder is not justified because the victim suffered from mental problems or substance abuse.

How the encounter started and whether Ellis was violent toward the officers are critical points when trying to determine if the officers were justified in using force. In 2018, Washington voters approved a measure removing a longstanding requirement that prosecutors had to prove police acted with malice to charge them criminally for using deadly force. No other state had such a hurdle to charging officers.

One other officer has been charged since the law passed. Auburn police Officer Jeffrey Nelson was charged in the fatal shooting of Jesse Sarey in 2019 and is awaiting trial.
BOSTON  Like a lot of high school students, Kevin Tran loves superheroes, though perhaps for different reasons than his classmates.

Theyre all insanely smart. In their regular jobs theyre engineers, theyre scientists, said Tran, 17. And you cant do any of those things without math.

Tran also loves math. This summer, he studied calculus five hours a day with other high schoolers in a program at Northeastern University.

But Tran and his friends are not the norm. Many Americans joke about how bad they are at math, and already abysmal scores on standardized math tests are falling even further.

The nation needs people who are good at math, employers say, in the same way motion picture mortals need superheroes. They say Americas poor math performance isnt funny. Its a threat to the nations global economic competitiveness and national security.

The advances in technology that are going to drive where the world goes in the next 50 years are going to come from other countries, because they have the intellectual capital and we dont, said Jim Stigler, a psychology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, who studies the process of teaching and learning subjects including math.

The Defense Department has called for a major initiative to support education in science, technology, education and math, or STEM. It says there are eight times as many college graduates in these disciplines in China and four times as many engineers in Russia as in the United States.

This is not an educational question alone, said Josh Wyner, vice president of The Aspen Institute think tank. In July, the think tank warned that other nations are challenging Americas technological dominance.

We are no longer keeping pace with other countries, particularly China, the Aspen report says, calling this a dangerous failure and urging decisionmakers to make education a national security priority.

Meanwhile, the number of jobs in math occupations  positions that use arithmetic and apply advanced techniques to make calculations, analyze data and solve problems  will increase by more than 30,000 per year through the end of this decade, Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show. Thats much faster than most other kinds of jobs.

Mathematics is becoming more and more a part of almost every career, said Michael Allen, who chairs the math department at Tennessee Technological University.

Tennessee Tech runs a summer camp teaching cybersecurity, which requires math, to high school students. That lightbulb goes off and they say, Thats why I need to know that, Allen said. Computer-related jobs  ranging from software development to semiconductor production  require math, too. Analysts say those fields have or will develop labor shortages.

But most American students aren't prepared for those jobs. In the most recent Program for International Student Assessment tests in math, or PISA, U.S. students scored lower than their counterparts in 36 other education systems worldwide. Students in China scored the highest. Only one in five college-bound American high school students is prepared for college-level courses in STEM, according to the National Science and Technology Council.

One result: Students from other countries are preparing to lead these fields. Only one in five graduate students in math-intensive subjects including computer science and electrical engineering at U.S. universities are American, the National Foundation for American Policy reports. The rest come from abroad. Most will leave the U.S. when they finish their programs.

In the U.S., poor math skills could mean lower salaries for today's kids. A Stanford economist has estimated that, if U.S. pandemic math declines are not reversed, students now in kindergarten through grade 12 will earn from 2% to 9% less over their careers, depending on what state they live in, than their predecessors educated just before the start of the pandemic.

But it also means the country's productivity and competitiveness could slide.

Math just underpins everything, said Megan Schrauben, executive director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunitys MiSTEM initiative.

The Bridge to Calculus program at Northeastern, where Kevin Tran spent his summer, is one response to that. The 113 participating students were paid $15 an hour, most of it from Boston and its public schools, said the programs coordinator, Bindu Veetel.

Students learned to apply that knowledge in coding, data analysis, robotics and elementary electrical engineering classes.

Its not just a good deed that Northeastern is doing. Some of the graduates of Bridge to Calculus end up enrolling there and proceeding to its highly ranked computer science and engineering programs, which  like those at other U.S. universities  struggle to attract homegrown talent.

These American high school students said they get why their classmates dont like math.

Its a struggle. Its constant thinking, said Steven Ramos, 16, who said he plans to become a computer or electrical engineer instead of following his brother and other relatives into construction work.

But with time, the answers come into focus, said Wintana Tewolde, also 16, who wants to be a doctor. Its not easy to understand, but once you do, you see it.

Here's where every state stands on math and reading proficiency amid 20-year lows Intro 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 DC West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
WASHINGTON  Rep. Matt Gaetz said Sunday he will try to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a fellow Republican, from his leadership position this week after McCarthy relied on Democratic support to pass legislation that avoided a government shutdown. Bring it on, McCarthy responded.

Gaetz, a longtime McCarthy nemesis, said in broadcast interviews that McCarthy was in brazen, material breach of agreements he made with House Republicans in January when he ran for speaker. As a result, Gaetz said he would be filing a motion to vacate the chair, as House rules permit.

McCarthys response: So be it. Bring it on. Lets get over with it and lets start governing."

No speaker has ever been removed from office through such a move. Procedural votes could be offered to halt the motion or it could trigger a House floor vote on whether McCarthy, R-Calif., should remain speaker.

I think we need to rip off the Band-Aid," said Gaetz, R-Fla. I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy.

Republicans just ended a tumultuous week in which Congress flirted with a government closure and the majority party in the House could not even pass its own bill in an effort to avoid a shutdown. Many GOP lawmakers complained the House waited too long to take up annual spending bills, squandering an opportunity to force the Senate to negotiate on spending and policy priorities.

McCarthy has consistently worked to placate the conservative wing of his conference during his nearly nine months on the job. Last month, he launched an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden without a House vote, though the speaker had in the past said the failure to have such a vote created a process devoid of legitimacy.

McCarthy also has pushed spending levels for next year that are far below the caps he agreed to with Biden on a deal to extend the nation's debt ceiling so that the government could pay its bills.

On Friday, he brought a short-term plan to fund the government that would enact steep spending cuts of nearly 30% for many agencies and strict border security provisions. But that was deemed insufficient by some Republicans, and 21 joined with every Democrat in voting against the package.

McCarthy pivoted on Saturday to a bill that would draw Democratic support. It keeps agencies funded at current levels into mid-November and provides $16 billion in disaster relief for states and communities dealing with hurricanes and other natural disasters but withholds aid for Ukraine. Democrats jumped at the chance to keep the government open and both chambers passed the bill by overwhelming margins.

Late Saturday night, President Joe Biden signed the temporary funding bill with little time to spare before a government shutdown. The bill funds the government until Nov. 17.

Gaetz had threatened to file his ouster motion if McCarthy worked with Democrats and he said the spending package blew past spending guardrails that McCarthy had agreed to previously.

Rep. Torres on averted government shutdown: The inmates are running the asylum News 12's Valerie Ryan spoke with Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres about the temporary funding bill -- and what we should expect once it expires in N

McCarthy has the support of a large majority of House Republicans, but because the GOP holds such a slim 221-212 majority, he may need votes from some Democrats to keep his job. When asked how many Republicans he had on board, Gaetz said he had enough to ensure that if McCarthy retains the speakership he would "be serving at the pleasure of the Democrats.

The only way Kevin McCarthy is speaker of the House at the end of this coming week is if Democrats bail him out, Gaetz said.

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York said she would vote to oust McCarthy as speaker if such a vote occurs, calling him a weak speaker who had lost control of his caucus. But she also left open the opportunity for negotiations, saying that if there is Democratic support for McCarthy, it would come at a price.

You dont just vote for a Republican speaker for nothing. Thats not what we were elected here to do, Ocasio-Cortez said.

Biden declined to weigh in when asked if Democrats should help McCarthy keep his job.

I don't have a vote on that matter, Biden said at the White House on Sunday. I'll leave that to the leadership in the House and the Senate.

Gaetz's tactics have generated considerable scorn from many House Republicans. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., spoke of Gaetzs diatribe of delusional thinking and said Gaetz was acting for personal, political reasons. McCarthy made a similar accusation, saying that Gaetz was "more interested in securing TV interviews than doing something.

Still, McCarthy is unpopular with some within his party. That was on display in January when it took 15 rounds of voting to gain the support he needed within his conference to become speaker.

The rules of the House allow for any single lawmaker  Democrat or Republican  to make a motion to vacate the chair, essentially an attempt to oust the speaker from that leadership post through a privileged resolution.

In January, as he ran for speaker, McCarthy agreed to give as few as five Republican members the ability to initiate a vote to remove him. But when that was not good enough for his critics, he reduced that threshold to one  the system that historically has been the norm.

Proponents of allowing a lone lawmaker to file the motion said it promotes accountability, noting its long history in the House. The last use of the motion was in 2015, when then-Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, a Republican who later became President Donald Trumps White House chief of staff, introduced a resolution to declare the speakers office vacant. Two months later, House Speaker Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he would step down.

McCarthy expressed optimism Sunday that Gaetz would fail and said that Gaetz has been after him since he ran for speaker.

Yes, I'll survive, McCarthy said.

Gaetz appeared on CNN's State of the Union and ABC's This Week,'' while McCarthy was on CBS' Face the Nation." Ocasio-Cortez was on CNN and Lawler was on ABC.
BALTIMORE  Before being assigned to investigate President Joe Biden's son, Leo Wise built a reputation in Baltimore as a tough and hard-charging federal prosecutor, taking on powerful and seemingly untouchable figures  whether a gang of corrupt police officers, a police commissioner, a top local prosecutor and even a mayor.

Wise's backers call him talented and savvy, with a knack for navigating complex, headline-generating cases. To detractors, he's stubborn and uncompromising as well as self-promotional: he wrote a memoir about one of his major cases while still employed by the Justice Department. His approach  aggressive in a way that won him accolades but riled other lawyers  sets the stage for a contentious fight in the high-stakes prosecution of Hunter Biden.

"He holds everything very close to the vest, and he takes every possible advantage that he can take," said Gerard Martin, a Baltimore criminal defense lawyer. "He's not a guy you can go meet with and sit down and say, 'Look, this is what my client says. This is what happened,'" and have that be taken into account.

Wise's track record in Baltimore is newly relevant given his position as a lead lawyer in what is already a politically fraught prosecution. The case, overseen by special counsel David Weiss, is poised to unfold during the president's 2024 reelection campaign and could give fresh momentum to a nascent Republican impeachment inquiry while drawing the White House deeper into questions about Biden's relationship with his son.

The Justice Department declined to comment on Wise or make him available for an interview.

Hunter Biden is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.

The first public glimpse of Wise in the Hunter Biden case came during a fractious July plea hearing on gun and tax charges when the agreement was scuttled amid a tense dispute over the deal's terms. An indictment under federal firearms statutes followed, even though charges related to gun possession by drug users are rare, especially when not in connection with other crimes.

That Wise would be at the center of a media and legal vortex doesn't surprise attorneys who tracked his career. The Harvard Law graduate and avid runner was already an experienced prosecutor when he joined the U.S. attorney's office in 2010, having served on Justice Department teams that pursued the tobacco industry and executives of Enron, the financial services company that collapsed in a notorious financial scandal.

He established a reputation as a premier public corruption prosecutor with a taste for big cases.

"Leo is an exceptionally talented and extraordinarily diligent lawyer," Rod Rosenstein, Wise's onetime boss as U.S. attorney in Baltimore before becoming deputy attorney general, wrote in an email. He called him "impervious to political considerations."

In 2018, he secured a guilty plea from a former police chief who admitted he cheated on his taxes. The next year, former Mayor Catherine Pugh pleaded guilty to conspiracy and tax evasion charges related to her self-published children's books to nonprofit organizations to promote her political career.

Wise also netted high-profile convictions of members of the Baltimore Police Department's Gun Trace Task Force who'd terrorized the city, robbing drug dealers and planting narcotics and firearms on innocent people. A prosecutor who worked with Wise on that case and others, Derek Hines, also is assigned to the Hunter Biden prosecution team.

The police case spurred two books by journalists who covered the investigation, an HBO series and even a BBC podcast. In an unusual move for a sitting prosecutor, Wise penned his own account, titled "Who Speaks for You?" He said he earns no compensation from it.

Isabel Mercedes Cumming, Baltimore's inspector general, said Wise is successful in court because he is extremely detail oriented and thorough in his preparation of corruption cases. He's careful and balanced, always striving for the truth, she said.

"If you look at the highest-profile cases in the Baltimore area in the last few years, Leo's done most of them," Cumming said.

However, not all of his recent prosecutions in Baltimore have been easy or successful.

"Sometimes the cases make us controversial," Cumming said. "Sometimes controversy comes with the job. But you just do your job."

In his book, Wise boasted how during his tenure at the Office of Congressional Ethics, a law journal profile described him as on his way to "becoming one of the least-liked lawyers on Capitol Hill." It was a "badge of honor," he wrote.

"As I quickly learned on the job," he wrote, "going after the powerful doesn't tend to make one popular."

Wise will confront unique challenges in the Hunter Biden case, his every move certain to be dissected by the national media, presidential candidates and lawmakers; he's also squaring off against one of Washington's most successful defense attorneys: Abbe Lowell.

Lowell asked the court to excuse Hunter Biden from appearing in person for Tuesday's arraignment, citing the inconvenience of a cross-country trip and the public spectacle it would create.

Wise and his colleagues balked, and a judge agreed. There will be no special treatment for the president's son.

Photos: Biden impeachment inquiry hearings
Elizaveta, a tourist from Moscow, spent a month vacationing in Georgia and was not happy with her trip. The citizen of the terrorist country was annoyed by the "nationalism" of Georgians and their pro-Ukrainian sentiments.

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The Russian woman was on vacation in Tbilisi. She complained to propaganda resources that blue and yellow flags were hanging everywhere in the city, and this irritated her greatly.

Obviously, the Muscovite does not understand why the population of Georgia, 30% of whose territory is occupied by Russia, supports the Ukrainian people and condemns Russian aggression and terror.

"The most annoying thing is that there are Ukrainian flags everywhere, nationalist slogans everywhere. When you drive through the center, you don't immediately realize whether you are in Georgia or Ukraine," the outraged tourist said.

The Muscovite complained about "Russophobia" in the Georgian capital, but said that in other regions of the country she and her citizenship were treated calmly.

"If you go somewhere like Kakheti or Svaneti, you don't see that there anymore. People are all calm, friendly, there are no Ukrainian flags and no aggression towards Russians," the disgraced tourist said.

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But the citizen of the aggressor country did not like Ukrainian flags in Tbilisi because they allegedly "spoiled the surroundings of the city." According to her, not only she but also her friends felt "tension" in Georgia.

Earlier, a video of street musicians (probably Russians) in Georgia singing Russian songs was shared online. One of the local residents, who apparently strongly condemns the occupation policy of the Russian Federation and does not want to listen to the music of the terrorist country at home, did not like it. He tried to stop the street concert of Russian performers.

And in the Oishi Sushi sushi bar in Tbilisi, a visitor from the Russian Federation was refused to speak Russian, saying that it was "the language of pigs." And the disgruntled tourist was advised to return to her "hole that Russians call a country." All the details are in our article.

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Also, as OBOZREVATEL wrote, one of the tourists from Russia complained about Russophobia in Georgia. Moreover, the Russian woman had the audacity to express her dissatisfaction with the service in the country.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
Tutorial: Advanced Live Streaming and Recording with the AJA HELO PLUS

Streaming engineer and strategist and Streaming Media The Video Doctor columnist Robert Reinhardt of VideoRx discusses some of his favorite features of the new AJA HELO Plus Advanced Streaming and Recording Appliance in this new tutorial video. A longtime user of the original HELO in his own professional live productions, discusses the new chassis design, new layout features for picture-in-picture and more, streaming to two destinations simultaneously, new SRT support, and more.

A New, Compact, Dual-Encoder Streaming Appliance

The new AJA HELO Plus is a compact streaming appliance that features both SDI and HDMI I/O and two on-board encoders that enable simultaneous H.264 streaming up to 1080p60 two two discrete streaming destinations, and recording to to the built-in SD card slot, an attached USB hard drive, or network storage.

The HELO Plus also boasts an array of Picture-in-Picture templates to make livestreamed presentations easy and visual appealing, and an innovative restreaming feature called PlayToStream (as an optional add-on).

What Youll Learn in the Video

In the video, after a whirlwind tour of the HELO Plus chassis and I/O options, Reinhardt explores how easy it is to run the installer and get the HELO Plus configured for use and check for new firmware updates. Then he dives into the web UI and how to select a template for encoding specs and set up the HELO Pluss two encoders to stream, and demonstrates how to set up streams to YouTube and other social streaming destinations. Reinhardt also explains how to enhance streaming security via the HELO Pluss support for SRT (Secure Reliable Transport).

Reinhardt also shows how easy it is to create PiP overlays and customize them to really make your live presentations pop, eliminating the need for a traditional streaming switcher.

Learn More About the AJA HELO Plus

The HELO Plus is available now for an MSRP of $1869 US. For more information about the AJA HELO Plus, visit aja.com/products/helo-plus.

[Editor's Note: This video and article are sponsored by AJA.]

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Companies and Suppliers Mentioned
Provides framework for improving quality and equity of digital technology-enabled care models

WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / October 2, 2023 / The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the American Diabetes Association today announced the release of a new white paper titled, Digital Technology-Enabled Care Models for Diabetes: A Framework for Developing Quality Standards and Measures. The report is based on input from a roundtable discussion hosted by NCQA and the ADA in March 2023 on the need to develop a roadmap that defines standards and quality measures for diabetes digital technologies (DDT). These include products that facilitate virtual care delivery, patient education, information exchange, risk factor monitoring and feedback, and other patient self-monitoring and support tasks.

The roundtable and white paper were both supported by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

In 2021, 537 million people aged 20-79 worldwide were living with diabetes. That number is expected to grow to 643 million people by 2030.1 The increasing prevalence of diabetes has sparked innovation in digital tools to help manage the condition. However, there is a lack of high-quality clinical trial evidence supporting the efficacy of some DDTs. Many software products are not regulated by the FDA and there is no universally accepted infrastructure that defines quality standards and measures for DDT performance or effectiveness.

"Diabetes has a profound impact on the lives of patients and caregivers. It is also exceptionally costly for public and private insurers, and places considerable demands on the health care system," said Robert Gabbay M.D., Ph.D., Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the American Diabetes Association. "Digital technologies have made it easier than ever for patients to take a proactive role in managing their condition and for clinicians to monitor their patients' health. However, with no comprehensive framework to assess DDTs in practice, it is challenging for patients, clinicians, payers and others to make informed decisions about which technologies are best suited to a patient's needs and will help improve outcomes."

The white paper provides a practical framework to guide the development of quality standards and measures for DDTs. The report focuses on three key areas:

A Novel Approach to Categorizing DDTs : A categorization scheme emphasizing the quality of how well technologies support digital technology-enabled care models. This includes categorizing DDTs according to one of three care models: patient-facing apps and tools, virtual self-management and support or virtual diabetes care.

: A categorization scheme emphasizing the quality of how well technologies support digital technology-enabled care models. This includes categorizing DDTs according to one of three care models: patient-facing apps and tools, virtual self-management and support or virtual diabetes care. Identifying a DDT Framework : A framework enabling stakeholders to assess how well DDTs support the relevant care model according to the five classes of properties and impacts defined in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) health technology assessment framework: technical properties; safety; efficacy and/or effectiveness; economic attributes or impacts; and social, legal, ethical, and/or political impacts.

: A framework enabling stakeholders to assess how well DDTs support the relevant care model according to the five classes of properties and impacts defined in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) health technology assessment framework: technical properties; safety; efficacy and/or effectiveness; economic attributes or impacts; and social, legal, ethical, and/or political impacts. Development of Quality Standards and Measures: Identifying and prioritizing criteria to develop DDT quality standards and measures, focusing on how well a DDT supports a specified care model and its unique contribution to the care model's impact on the quality of care and health outcomes.

"Digitization is transforming care for the better. The development of DDT quality standards and measures holds great promise to improve the quality of diabetes care and support greater health equity for millions of people impacted by this chronic condition," said NCQA Executive Vice President, Quality Measurement and Research Group, Eric Schneider, M.D., M.Sc. "We thank all of the roundtable participants for their important contributions creating this framework. NCQA is proud to work alongside the ADA, the Helmsley Charitable Trust and stakeholders across the health care ecosystem to advance the adoption of digitalization and accelerate improvements in care."

About NCQA

NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA Accredits and Certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. In recognition for its leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion, NCQA has won the Excellence in Diversity Award from the Chesapeake Human Resources Association. NCQA's website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make informed health care choices. NCQA can also be found at Twitter @ncqa and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa.

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation's leading voluntary health organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes epidemic and help people living with diabetes thrive. For 83 years, the ADA has driven discovery and research to treat, manage, and prevent diabetes while working relentlessly for a cure. Through advocacy, program development, and education we aim to improve the quality of life for the over 133 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes has brought us together. What we do next will make us Connected for Life. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociacion Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).

# # #

Media Contact

Theresa Masnik

SHIFT Communications

[email protected]

Reference:

1. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas-Diabetes Around the World in 2021. Available at: https://diabetesatlas.org/. Accessed September 16, 2023.

Contact Information

Theresa Masnik

SHIFT Communications

[email protected]

508-395-7416

SOURCE: National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)

View source version on accesswire.com:
Only company honored with distinction; Board is 60 percent female

CAMDEN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., today announced its designation as a Champion of Board Diversity by The Forum of Executive Women for the seventh consecutive year. The Forum of Executive Women, the Greater Philadelphia Regions premier womens organization, honors the top public companies with 30 percent or more women on their respective boards, annually.

"American Water is honored to once again receive recognition as a Champion of Board Diversity by The Forum of Executive Women," said M. Susan Hardwick, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Water. "We are extremely fortunate to have such an engaged, talented and diverse board. It is a model for effective governance that adds true value for all of our stakeholders."

The Forum of Executive Women's annual Women in Leadership Report, which will be released in October and is a collaboration with PwC, provides an annual examination on diversity in the boardrooms and executive suites of the top 100 public companies in the Philadelphia region. The Champions of Board Diversity will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 4 at The Forums annual Leadership Breakfast at the Loews Hotel. For event details, visit www.foewevents.com.

American Water was recognized as one of 37 companies in Greater Philadelphia that are paving the way for gender equity.

Learn more about American Waters Inclusion, Diversity and Equity strategy here.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Waters 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the companys national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $30 to $34 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.

American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barrons 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys WaterSense Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About The Forum of Executive Women

Founded in 1977, The Forum of Executive Women is the Greater Philadelphia Region's premier women's organization, actively working to bring together, and leverage the influence of, professional women to expand the impact and power of women in the workplace and beyond. Forum membership has grown over four decades to comprise more than 600 of the most influential leaders throughout the region. Visit foew.com for more information.

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Media

Alicia Barbieri

Director, Communications & External Affairs

American Water

(856) 676-8103

[email protected]

Source: American Water
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AntiCancer Inc. of San Diego has announced its PDOX mouse model of human cancer patients has demonstrated high concordance of chemotherapy in the mouse and patient. This new result means AntiCancer has made the first steps for precise, individualized cancer chemotherapy, said Qinghong Han, Senior Scientist at AntiCancer Inc. The PDOX mouse model has the patients tumor implanted in the same organ in the mouse as it was in the patient enabling very accurate prediction of chemotherapy outcome for the patient, said Dr. Han.

AntiCancers technique of patient-tumor establishment in mice is close to 100%, making the PDOX model available potentially to all patients, technique-inventor and AntiCancer-Japan General Manager Chihiro Hozumi said.

AntiCancer has published 165 scientific papers on its PDOX model since 1991. The latest paper on clinical concordance of the PDOX model is published in the October 2023 issue of Anticancer Research.

AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, is a world leader in mouse models of cancer; small-animal imaging; methionine-restriction treatment of cancer; bacterial therapy of cancer, adult stem cells for regenerative medicine, in vitro assays of cancer therapy, a pioneer in fluorescence-guided surgery, and more, demonstrated in 1200 scientific publications and almost 200 patents. AntiCancer Inc. was founded in 1984.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002680627/en/

Qinghong Han, MD

[email protected]

www.anticancer.com

Source: AntiCancer Inc.
 Leo Cancer Cares upright patient positioning system to be integrated into Neutron Therapeutics nuBeam therapy platform 

 Companies will announce partnership at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) 

NEW YORK & SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aviko Radiopharmaceuticals, a Deerfield Management-founded biotechnology company developing medicines to unlock the potential of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), and Neutron Therapeutics, a leading developer of accelerator-based neutron systems for targeted radiation therapy of solid tumors, today announced an exclusive, strategic partnership with Leo Cancer Care, a company developing upright patient positioning systems for radiation therapy. The goal of the partnership between the three companies is to expand BNCT as a potential treatment for different types of cancer.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002136228/en/

Leo Cancer Cares upright patient positioning system will be integrated into Neutrons nuBeam therapy platform, which is a compact, in-hospital neutron source designed to replace legacy nuclear reactors for BNCT. The companies will speak about their initiative today at 3:45 p.m. PT at booth #4207 at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), which is being held in San Diego.

The incorporation of Leos upright patient positioning system with Neutron Therapeutics nuBeam neutron accelerator has the potential to increase the versatility and impact of BNCT for patients, physicians, treatment centers and the overall healthcare system, said Dave Greenwald, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Aviko and vice president of business development at Deerfield. This strategic partnership is an important moment for our three companies as we work together to build a complete suite of both therapies and technologies that have the potential to provide boron neutron capture therapy to patients in need.

The BNCT treatment under development by Aviko Radiopharmaceuticals and Neutron Therapeutics involves an investigational non-toxic boron medicine that is designed to accumulate in cancer cells. The boron medicine remains inert until it is irradiated by low-energy neutrons at the site of the tumor, releasing alpha particles that destroy cancerous cells. Positioning the patient in relation to the neutron beam is important to support patient safety and the clinical activity of BNCT. Traditionally, patients have been supine when receiving BNCT and other forms of radiation therapy. Leo Cancer Care has developed an upright patient positioning system that is designed to allow for greater efficiency and precision when delivering neutrons to the tumor compared to supine positioning systems.

With our upright patient positioning system, all areas of the body can be positioned close to the neutron source to receive a precise delivery of neutrons at the site of the tumor, said Stephen Towe, chief executive officer of Leo Cancer Care. We believe that upright radiotherapy results in a better experience for patients compared to supine radiotherapy. We are excited to collaborate with Aviko and Neutron as we advance BNCT to potentially treat a variety of solid tumors.

Disclaimer

The products being developed by Aviko Radiopharmaceuticals, Neutron Therapeutics and Leo Cancer Care are in development and are limited to investigational use. These products have not received marketing authorization from the FDA and are not commercially available.

About Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT)

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a precision medicine approach that is being advanced to treat cancer by destroying cancerous cells while minimizing the impact to surrounding healthy tissues. BNCT uses a non-toxic boron medicine that is administered to the patient. The medicine is designed to accumulate in cancer cells while being quickly cleared from normal tissues in the body. The boron medicine remains inert until it is irradiated at the site of the tumor with low-energy neutrons, releasing alpha particles that can destroy cancerous cells. BNCT may also have applications in treating other diseases. Currently there are 21 BNCT clinics worldwide, primarily in Asia and Europe.

About Leo Cancer Care

Leo Cancer Care is dedicated to being the more human way to deliver radiation therapy. Their family of world class radiation therapy solutions is designed to provide a streamlined and efficient treatment, whilst making the patient feel in control and hopeful. Leo Cancer Care has been built on research from across the globe showing the clinical benefits of upright patient positioning. Combining this with a shift from machine rotation to patient rotation, Leo Cancer Care is set to make radiation therapy more accessible than ever before.

To find out more about Leo Cancer Care visit: www.leocancercare.com

About Neutron Therapeutics

Neutron Therapeutics is a leading developer of accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) systems for use in targeted radiation therapy of solid tumors. Neutron Therapeutics flagship product, the nuBeam therapy platform, is a compact, in-hospital neutron source designed to replace legacy nuclear reactors for BNCT. The nuBeam system offers a higher neutron flux than competing systems and is the only BNCT system to adhere to all International Atomic Energy Agency standards. www.neutrontherapeutics.com

About Aviko Radiopharmaceuticals

Aviko Radiopharmaceuticals is a privately held biotechnology company developing medicines to unlock the potential of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) to treat a wide variety of cancers. Avikos innovative compounds are designed to improve the efficacy of BNCT by targeting and delivering boron to cancer cells with precision. Together with their partners, Aviko is advancing BNCT as a convenient treatment modality for patients. Founded by Deerfield Management, Aviko is based at Cure., a healthcare innovation campus in New York City. Follow Aviko on LinkedIn and Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002136228/en/

Matthew Corcoran

Anemone Media

[email protected]

617-866-7350

www.anemonemedia.com

Source: Aviko Radiopharmaceuticals
- Appointment of Vincent Smith, PhD, as Chief Technology Officer and Jessica Rich as VP Business Development

- Follows Broken Strings successful $15M Series A fundraising round in September 20231

- Will support development and commercialization strategy for INDUCE-seq DNA break-mapping platform

CAMBRIDGE, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Broken String Biosciences (Broken String), a genomics company building a technology platform to drive the development of cell and gene therapies that are safer by design, today announced the expansion of its senior leadership team with the appointments of Vincent Smith, PhD, as Chief Technology Officer and Jessica Rich as VP Business Development. Bringing significant expertise in their respective fields, Vincent and Jessicas appointments are a key part of Broken Strings strategy to deliver on its Series A goals, which include the continued development of its INDUCE-seq DNA break-mapping platform and acceleration of its commercial expansion across global markets.

As CTO at Broken String, Vince will lead product development, providing leadership and the expertise required to build INDUCE-seq into the gold standard technology for the assessment of off-target effects during gene editing. Based in Boston, MA, Jessica is Broken Strings first US hire, expanding the Company into this key market. Jessica will oversee the development of commercialization strategy, enabling the Company to capitalize on early commercial traction and accelerate growth across the US, Europe and Asia.

Vinces appointment to Broken String brings extensive experience in the development of innovative DNA sequencing technologies. Prior to joining the team he held executive-level positions at Base Genomics and Exact Sciences Innovation. Vince began his career in genomics at Solexa, where he was one of the primary scientists that contributed to the development of the chemistry that underpins Illumina sequencing. As VP of Consumable Development at Illumina, Vince led a global team developing assays and consumables for industry leading NGS platforms such as MiSeq, HiSeq, NextSeq and NovaSeq. He holds an MA from Oxford University and a PhD from Imperial College London, both in Biochemistry.

Jessica has spent over 20 years in the life sciences industry, specializing in supporting sales and commercialization strategy. Before joining Broken String, Jessica held several senior leadership roles, including Senior Director of Sales and Regional Marketing at Bionano, Senior Director of Commercial Development at Synthego and Chief Commercial Officer at 54gene. In these roles, Jessica was responsible for providing leadership across all sales and commercial activities, including commercial deal expansion. Jessica was also part of Illuminas commercial team for 8 years, where she was pivotal in the expansion of microarray products into new markets and applications.

Vincent Smith, PhD, Chief Technology Officer at Broken String Biosciences, commented: "With INDUCE-seq, Broken String Biosciences have created a simple, elegant and powerful technology that is already addressing a critical unmet need in the rapidly expanding gene editing space. Im impressed by the progress the company has made to date and am excited to help the talented Broken String team evolve the technology further. I believe INDUCE-seq will become the gold-standard for assessment of off target gene-editing. Through development of the platform as a scalable sample-to-answer solution, we will accelerate the design and development of safe and effective gene editing-based therapies that will improve human health."

Jessica Rich, VP Business Development at Broken String Biosciences, said: "I am excited to join the team at Broken String Biosciences and to expand the global commercial footprint from my base in Boston, MA. The technology platform, INDUCE-seq, delivers the much-needed solution to assess off-targets accurately and quickly from gene editing and nuclease function for companies developing cell and gene therapies. We have already seen solid commercial traction, demonstrating the platform fills the market need. The INDUCE-seq technology is a groundbreaking approach which will help deliver safe, effective gene therapies for many diseases currently without treatment today."

1 https://www.brokenstringbio.com/broken-string-biosciences-closes-15m-series-a-funding-round/

To learn more about Broken String Biosciences, please visit brokenstringbio.com

ENDS

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002929631/en/

Media

Jake Brown

Zyme Communications

E: [email protected]

T: +44 (0) 7759 162147

Source: Broken String Biosciences
LEHI, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Owlet, Inc. (Owlet or the Company) (NYSE: OWLT), a pioneer of smart baby monitoring, is on a mission to raise critical funds for research that could bring an end to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Owlet is partnering in this effort with Dr. Carmel Harrington, Honorary Research Fellow at Sydney Children's Hospital Westmead, and Elisha Palmer of Knox Blocks Foundation, both of whom are parents that have lost a child to SIDS.

Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), which includes SIDS, claims the lives of more than 3,000 babies each year in the U.S. alone1. The rate of SIDS is on the rise in the U.S.2  making it one of the leading causes of infant mortality3. Despite this, there is minimal education, funding, and attention for this global health crisis.

Dr. Harrington, who lost her son to SIDS more than 30 years ago, made a significant breakthrough last year by identifying a potential biomarker in babies who passed away from SIDS. The next phase of her teams work is to identify the array of biomarkers that can determine which babies are at a higher risk of SIDS, with the end goal of developing and providing access to preventative screenings for every baby.

As a doctor and a mom who lost a baby to SIDS more than 30 years ago, its infuriating that the rate of babies dying from this has not changed in almost three decades, yet the funding available for research into why this happens pales in comparison to other areas of research funding, said Dr. Harrington. Last year, we made immense progress in the field of SIDS research, but we did not find a cause. Its crucial that my team and I continue to build on the findings we have to find a clear cause, and in the near future, significantly reduce the number of babies who die every day due to SIDS.

In honor of SIDS Awareness Month, Knox Blocks Foundation, along with other nonprofit partners, have launched a GoFundMe campaign to directly support Dr. Harringtons research with the objective of raising $150,000 by the end of October to finish the next leg of her research and help specifically pinpoint infants at risk of SIDS.

After I met with Dr. Harrington for the first time I walked away with a feeling I hadnt had since my son died  and that is hope, said Elisha Palmer, Co-Founder of Knox Blocks Foundation. Hope is something that easily gets lost when your life is impacted by SIDS, and thats when I knew we had to help in any way we could. By raising $150,000 to continue Dr. Harringtons research, other families around the world might not have to go through the pain that our family and countless others experience when they lose a baby to SIDS.

During the month of October, Owlet is donating 5% of all sales made globally on OwletCare.com to this project in support of Dr. Harringtons research. Along with providing direct funding, Owlet supports parents of loss through various Owlet Cares initiatives. These programs include Owlets Nursery of Hope nationwide initiative to plant trees in honor of babies who are gone but never forgotten, partnerships with and 3:1 product match program for nonprofit organizations, and charitable support including our most recent milestone of donating $1M in product and monetary donations to advancing infant and maternal health.

"Owlet believes that no baby should die unexpectedly in their sleep and we are determined to raise awareness and advocate for more research in this area, said Kurt Workman, Owlet CEO and Co-Founder. This and every month, we invite parents and caregivers to join us and participate in a historical movement to end SIDS. We will not stop fighting for change until every new parent has the knowledge, tools, and education they need to avoid a loss due to SIDS.

To contribute directly to Dr. Harringtons SIDS research, go to www.gofundme.com/f/a-world-without-sids-make-an-impact-today. To learn more about Owlets mission and to find other ways to get involved, please visit www.owletcare.com/sids-awareness.

About Owlet, Inc.

Owlet was founded by a team of parents in 2012. Owlets mission is to empower parents with the right information at the right time, to give them more peace of mind and help them find more joy in the journey of parenting. Owlets digital parenting platform aims to give parents real-time data and insights to help parents feel calmer and more confident. Owlet believes that every parent deserves peace of mind and the opportunity to feel their well-rested best. Owlet also believes that every child deserves to live a long, happy, and healthy life, and is working to develop products to help further that belief. To learn more, visit www.owletcare.com.

About Dr. Carmel Harrington

Dr. Harrington, a former lawyer, originally trained as a biochemist. Her son, Damien, passed away from SIDS more than 30 years ago, and Dr. Harrington has since committed her life to trying to find the cause of his death. In 2022, she found that 88% of babies who died of SIDS had a lower level of an enzyme connected with autonomic function. Her study was the first to identify a biomarker in SIDS infants prior to their death and presents a possibility that with further research, infants at risk of SIDS could be identified in their newborn period. She is currently planning her future studies which will include proteomic and metabolomic investigations  with her ultimate aim being the development of a test that will effectively detect an infants vulnerability to SIDS and integration into newborn screening programs.

About Knox Blocks Foundation

Knox Blocks Foundation, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded by Mark and Elisha Palmer after their son, Knox Owen Palmer, passed away from SIDS. After losing their son, Mark and Elisha wanted to do everything they could to prevent other families from feeling the pain they experienced from their loss. Their desire to do this led them to create the Knox Blocks Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing Owlet Socks to as many infants as possible and supporting SIDS research. To learn more, visit www.knoxblocks.org.

References:

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002612208/en/

Media

[email protected]

Source: Owlet, Inc.
PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) will release its third quarter 2023 financial results on Thursday morning, October 26, 2023.

Textron will also host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern) to discuss the results and the companys outlook. The call will be available via webcast at www.textron.com or by direct dial at (844) 867-6169 in the U.S. or (409) 207-6975 outside of the U.S.; Access Code: 7265882.

In addition, the call will be recorded and available for playback beginning at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern) on Thursday, October 26, 2023 by dialing (402) 970-0847; Access Code: 5951112.

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information visit: www.textron.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002365495/en/

Investor Contacts:

Eric Salander  401-457-2278

Cameron Vollmuth  401-457-2278



Media Contact:

Mike Maynard  401-457-2362

Source: Textron
Trexon Expands its Military & Aerospace Portfolio with the Strategic Acquisition of C.E. Precision Assemblies, Inc. (CEPA), Further Strengthening the Trexon Engineered Products Groups Offerings of RF/Microwave Cable Assemblies, Wire Harnesses, and Electromechanical Solutions.

MACEDONIA, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Trexon, a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity and a leading provider of specialty connectivity solutions for mission-critical applications, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of C.E. Precision Assemblies, Inc. (CEPA). CEPA is an industry-recognized value-added manufacturer of RF/microwave build-to-print flexible and semi-rigid cable assemblies, as well as molded, and braided wire harnesses. This acquisition represents Trexons ongoing commitment to expanding its presence in the military and aerospace markets.

Regarding the addition of CEPA to the Trexon team, Mark Twaalfhoven, President and CEO of Trexon stated:

The addition of C.E. Precision brings a wealth of experience and expertise in cable assembly and wire harness solutions that support our strategic vision of delivering high quality, mission-critical assemblies. We look forward to a prosperous relationship and welcome CEPA to the Trexon family.

Speaking on the transaction, Paul Ross, former owner of CEPA, stated:

With our primary aerospace and defense customers in mind, we chose to partner with Trexon to support our ongoing growth efforts. We are excited to be part of a bigger entity with similar values and philosophy and to be able to take advantage of the extensive knowledge within the other Trexon businesses. We look forward to what the future holds with CEPA and Trexon together.

About C.E. Precision Assemblies, Inc.:

Founded in 1986, CEPA has built a reputation of producing and delivering high quality interconnect solutions for Military and Aerospace applications. From build-to-print flexible and semi-rigid RF/Microwave cable assemblies to simple, complex, molded, and braided wire harnesses, CEPAs products are used in a wide variety of applications. For more information, please visit https://cepainc.com.

About Trexon:

Founded in 1979, Trexon (formerly TPC Wire & Cable Company) is a leading designer and provider of high-performance wire, cable, connectors, assemblies, and accessories used in harsh, high-cost-of-failure environments. Trexons products are specially constructed for a wide range of design challenges across high-reliability applications in diversified industrial end markets, defense, aerospace, cryogenic, space, medical, and other industries. For more information, please visit trexon.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002729184/en/

Marketing Contact:

Ross Martinez

[email protected]

Source: Trexon
PARIS & HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

TotalEnergies (Paris: TTE) (LSE: TTE) (NYSE: TTE) has signed a new 15-year renewable Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Saint-Gobain. This is the second long-term solar power supply agreement designed to help decarbonize the power consumption of the building materials companys 125 industrial sites in North America.

By signing this PPA with Saint-Gobain, TotalEnergies is once again demonstrating its commitment to offering tailor-made renewable energy solutions to businesses worldwide, as it has done with Air Liquide, Amazon, Merck, Microsoft, Orange and Sasol.

Under the 100 MW PPA, TotalEnergies will supply clean energy from its Danish Fields Solar farm (Texas), helping offset Saint-Gobains North American Scope 2 CO2 emissions from electricity by 90,000 metric tons per year. With a capacity of 720 MW, TotalEnergies solar farm is expected to come online in 2024 and will be the Companys largest utility-scale operated solar farm in the United States. This contract includes an upside sharing mechanism, under which the companies share any potential upside arising from increased market price over the contract term.

We are truly excited to reinforce our collaboration with Saint-Gobain with this new clean energy commitment and therefore contribute to their carbon neutrality roadmap, said Vincent Stoquart, Senior Vice President, Renewables at TotalEnergies. TotalEnergies growing solar power generation portfolio in the U.S. provides concrete solutions enabling our industrial customers to decarbonize their electricity consumption. The signing of upside sharing CPPAs contributes to the objective of profitable growth for our Integrated Power business.

Commenting on this agreement, Mark Rayfield, CEO of Saint-Gobain North America, added: With this agreement, Saint-Gobain North America will further reduce its CO2 emissions, demonstrating how fast the manufacturing industry can transform when long term solutions are at hand. This renewable energy project is a new milestone on the way to meeting Saint-Gobains commitment to reduce scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by 33% by 2030 - compared to 2017 - and to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

TotalEnergies is one of the top renewable energy developers in the United States, with a portfolio of large-scale solar, storage, onsite B2B solar distributed generation, onshore and offshore wind projects that are expected to generate up to 10 GW of renewable power by 2025 and more than 25 GW by 2030.

***

TotalEnergies and renewables electricity

As part of its ambition to get to net zero by 2050, TotalEnergies is building a portfolio of activities in electricity and renewables. At the end of July 2023, TotalEnergies' gross renewable electricity generation installed capacity was 19 GW. TotalEnergies will continue to expand this business to reach 35 GW of gross production capacity from renewable sources and storage by 2025, and then 100 GW by 2030 with the objective of being among the world's top 5 producers of electricity from wind and solar energy.

About TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, cleaner, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in nearly 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.

@TotalEnergies - TotalEnergies - TotalEnergies - TotalEnergies

Cautionary Note

The terms TotalEnergies, TotalEnergies company or Company in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words we, us and our may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. TotalEnergies SE has no liability for the acts or omissions of these entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002205730/en/

TotalEnergies Contacts

Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l [email protected] l @TotalEnergiesPR

Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l [email protected]

Source: TOTALENERGIES SE
In Yalta, on the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea, a man killed a married couple from Dnipropetrovsk region for their pro-Ukrainian position. The attacker said that the man and woman insisted that Crimea belonged to Ukraine and spoke badly of Russia and the country's leadership.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was reported by Russian media. Preliminary, the investigation found that the man worked for the murdered couple.

According to CCTV footage, the murder took place on September 29 at around 10 am. The attacker struck the Ukrainians with a wooden bat, which he left at the crime scene.

Earlier, in the temporarily occupied Crimea, a Russian soldier, who was recently awarded a state award, killed a man with a friend. Two drunken men inflicted more than 30 stab wounds on the victim, Serhiy Sukhov. But the police released him. Because of this, residents of Yalta organized a rally near the building of the so-called "Ministry of Internal Affairs". They demanded to punish both murderers.

It should be noted that the suspect Gontarenko is a platoon commander of the Alupka special forces company of the Union of Veterans of the Consolidated Regiment of the Crimean People's Militia. In August, he received an award from the so-called local administration "for his active civic position".

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As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, in occupied Sevastopol, a woman reported an unfamiliar man to the police because she thought he was a spy. In particular, she found it suspicious that the man was walking a red dog and speaking English.
Jianpu Technology Inc. ("Jianpu" or the "Company") (NYSE: JT), a leading independent open platform for discovery and recommendation of financial products in China , today announced that it has received a letter from the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") dated September 28, 2023 , notifying the Company that (i) it is below compliance standards due to the trading price of Company's American depositary shares (the "ADSs") and (ii) the applicable cure period for the Company to regain compliance expires on March 28, 2024 .

Pursuant to NYSE rule 802.01C, a company will be considered to be below compliance standards if the average closing price of a security as reported on the consolidated tape is less than $1.00 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period. Once notified, the company must bring its share price and average share price back above $1.00 within the applicable cure period following receipt of the notification. The company can regain compliance at any time during the cure period if on the last trading day of any calendar month during the cure period the company has a closing share price of at least $1.00 and an average closing share price of at least $1.00 over the 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of that month. In the event that at the expiration of the cure period, both a $1.00 closing share price on the last trading day of the cure period and a $1.00 average closing share price over the 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of the cure period are not attained, the NYSE will commence suspension and delisting procedures.

To address this issue, Jianpu intends to monitor the market conditions of its listed securities and is still considering its options.
Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPR) (together with its subsidiary, Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., the "Company," "Spirit" or "Spirit AeroSystems") today announced that Patrick M. Shanahan , a member of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"), has been appointed interim President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Shanahan succeeds Thomas C. Gentile III as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Gentile has resigned as a member of the Board, effective September 30, 2023 . The Company's Board will conduct a search to identify a new Chief Executive Officer.

"Spirit plays a vital role in the aerospace industry and is well-positioned to fulfill the growing demand in this important market," said Robert D. Johnson , Chair of the Board. "Pat is a seasoned executive with nearly four decades of commercial and defense aerospace leadership and senior Department of Defense experience, and he has a valuable customer perspective. I am confident that his leadership will ensure a smooth transition for all of our stakeholders as we look to identify a new Chief Executive Officer."

Mr. Johnson continued, "On behalf of the entire Board, I thank Tom for his contributions during the last seven years leading the Company through some of the most challenging times that the industry has faced. We wish him the best in his future endeavors."

Mr. Shanahan's career spans both commercial and military programs, including 31 years with The Boeing Company and service as Deputy Secretary of Defense and Acting Secretary of Defense. As the 33rd Deputy Secretary of Defense, Mr. Shanahan helped lead the development of key Department of Defense policies and strategies. Mr. Shanahan has served on the Spirit AeroSystems Board since November 2021 .

"I believe Spirit possesses the assets, know-how and talent to satisfy the extraordinary aviation demand and mitigate global supply chain challenges," said Mr. Shanahan . "I look forward to working closely with our stakeholders, the Board and the Spirit team to meet all of our customer commitments, build teamwork, stabilize operations and drive improved cash flow."

"It has been my honor to lead Spirit, strengthen its capabilities, and grow its global enterprise," said Mr. Gentile . "With positive market trends and opportunities ahead, I am as confident as ever in the team's ability to effectively navigate a challenging macro environment and deliver on its commitments to our customers and shareholders."

Mr. Gentile will serve as a consultant to the Company for a period of three months to ensure a smooth transition.

Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results

The Company also announced that it will release its third quarter 2023 financial results at 6:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 .

Mr. Shanahan will be joined by Spirit's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mark Suchinski on a conference call presentation about third quarter 2023 results at 10 a.m. CDT .

That presentation will be broadcast online and include a question-and-answer session. The Company's news release detailing the results will also be available. The live audio stream and slide presentation can be accessed November 1, 2023 , at http://investor.spiritaero.com/.
By Howard Schneider

YORK, Pa. (Reuters) - The U.S. economy is still dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said during a meeting with community and business leaders in York, Pennsylvania.

"We are still coming through the other side of the pandemic," Powell said, noting labor shortages in healthcare, ongoing difficulties with access to child care, and other issues heightened by the health crisis. He did not comment on current monetary policy or the economic outlook in brief opening remarks.

(Reporting by Howard Schneider; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
FILE PHOTO: Bill Ackman, chief executive officer and portfolio manager at Pershing Square Capital Management, speaks during the SALT conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. May 18, 2017. REUTERS/Richard Brian/File Photo

(Reuters) - Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd, said that it will pursue business combinations with privately-held companies after receiving regulatory approval from U.S regulators for distributing special purpose acquisition rights.

The SPARC, an affiliate of billionaire investor Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Tontine Holdings Ltd, is targeting companies that seek to raise a minimum of $1.5 billion of capital, it said in a regulatory filing on Friday.

Ackman's SPARC is a variation of a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), the market for which has cooled since its peak in 2021 as investors nursed losses on many deals.

Ackman, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Sunday, said that he would consider a transaction with Elon Musk's X, formerly known as Twitter. Ackman added that he has no idea if X is interested and would still need to determine whether or not a deal is doable.

Elon Musk in March reportedly offered X social-media company's employees stock grants at a valuation of about $20 billion, less than half the price he paid to acquire the platform, pointing to a drop in Twitter's value, which could make a deal with SPARC unlikely.

X did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

(Reporting by Jose Joseph in Bengaluru)
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, and RESTON, Va., Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lucid Software, the leader in visual collaboration software, and Carahsoft Technology Corp., The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, today announced Carahsoft will serve as the distribution partner for Lucid GovSuite. The partnership makes the companys industry-leading visual collaboration platform available to the Public Sector through Carahsofts reseller partners and contracts, including NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) V, National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (NCPA), OMNIA Partners, E&I Cooperative Services Contract, and The Quilt contracts.

By using Lucid, Public Sector teams can drive efficiency, maintain project timelines and achieve stakeholder alignment with increased security to meet mission-critical objectives in an engaging, intuitive and collaborative way, said Dave Grow, CEO of Lucid Software. Were thrilled to partner with Carahsoft to help facilitate digital transformation and improve collaboration across the Public Sector by providing secure solutions that allow Government agencies and contractors to see and build the future with confidence.

Lucid GovSuite, built on AWS GovCloud infrastructure, introduces an additional layer of security and governance for highly regulated organizations. It holds FedRAMP Authorization at the Moderate security impact level, offering a secure, cloud-based environment for visual collaboration with Lucidchart and Lucidspark. Along with the Lucid GovSuite, Lucidscale for Gov is also accessible on AWS GovCloud, enabling agencies to better understand their cloud environments. Public Sector teams can leverage Lucid GovSuite as they ideate, plan and execute mission-critical projects in a FedRAMP-compliant environment.

We are pleased to partner with Lucid to provide the Public Sector with purpose-built, secure and compliant solutions that are now FedRAMP Authorized, said Bethany Blackwell, Vice President of the Salesforce Business Unit at Carahsoft. By continuing to work with Lucid and our reseller partners, we will empower our Public Sector customers to collaborate securely to drive efficiency, adhere to project timelines and achieve stakeholder alignment.

Lucid Software is available through Carahsoft's Salesforce AppExchange Public Sector Guided Tour site, offering Government agencies a valuable resource to enhance their operations. This platform is part of the Salesforce AppExchange, the largest enterprise cloud marketplace hosting over 7,000 ISV applications and consulting organizations. It has been developed in collaboration with Salesforce ISV Partners to cater specifically to Public Sector customers, enabling Government Cloud Platform users to discover and explore specialized solutions at their own pace. Explore Lucid GovSuite capabilities here.

Lucid GovSuite is available through Carahsofts SEWP V contracts NNG15SC03B and NNG15SC27B, NCPA Contract NCPA01-86, OMNIA Partners Contract #R191902, E&I Contract #EI00063~2021MA and The Quilt Master Service Agreement Number MSA05012019-F. For more information, contact the Lucid team at Carahsoft at (571) 662-3405 or [email protected]; or visit www.carahsoft.com/lucid-software.

Carahsoft offers FedRAMP cloud service offerings (CSOs) for three stages of compliance: FedRAMP Authorized, FedRAMP In Process and FedRAMP Ready. FedRAMP is a Government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services. Learn more about Carahsofts FedRAMP solutions here.

Salesforce and Carahsoft have partnered to empower the Public Sector with Salesforce Customer 360 solutions to digitally transform service delivery to better meet the needs of customers and citizens. AppExchange is the leading enterprise cloud marketplace with ready-to-install apps, pre-built solutions and consultants. Apps allow customers to quickly extend the power of Salesforce and solve business challenges with just a few clicks. Carahsoft has partnered with numerous top apps and consultants, including members of Salesforces ISV Partner Program, to provide quality apps that power Public Sector organizations.

About Lucid SoftwareLucid Software is the leader in visual collaboration, helping teams see and build the future from idea to reality. With its productsLucidchart, Lucidspark and Lucidscaleteams can align around a shared vision, clarify complexity and collaborate visually, no matter where they're located. Top businesses use Lucid's products all around the world, including customers such as Google, GE and NBC Universal. Lucid's partners include industry leaders such as Google, Atlassian and Microsoft. Since the company's founding, it has received numerous awards for its products, business and workplace culture. Learn more about Lucids public sector solutions here.

Contact:[email protected]

About CarahsoftCarahsoft Technology Corp. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, we deliver solutions for FedRAMP, MultiCloud, Mobility, Cybersecurity, DevSecOps, Open Source, Customer Experience and Engagement and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Visit us at www.carahsoft.com.

Contact:Mary Lange(703) 230-7434[email protected]

Source: Carahsoft Technology Corp.
TORONTO, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CFA Societies Canada is pleased to announce that Chelsea Kittleson, CFA, Tristan McBride, CFA, Patrick Read, CFA, and Jordan Wilson, CFA, have been elected as members of its board of directors for a two-year term effective Thursday, September 28, 2023.

They will join re-elected members Emily Burt, CFA, Kathrin Forrest, CFA, and Sean Kulik, CFA, and continuing members to constitute the board for 2023-2024. Ronald Schwarz, CFA returns as board Chair. CFA Societies Canada is a collaboration of our 12 member CFA societies in Canada and aspires to shape the investment profession to best serve Canadian society.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve in this leadership role, and in contributing to the important work of CFA Societies Canada. I believe strongly in the work of this organization, leading the investment profession in Canada by advancing the highest professional standards, integrity, and ethics for the ultimate benefit of Canadian society, said returning Board Chair Ronald Schwarz, CFA.

On behalf of the board, Ill take this opportunity to thank our outgoing directors Michael Burnyeat, CFA, Veronica Gamracy, CFA, Mark Stephenson, CFA, and Andrew Walker, CFA for their contributions and board service over the years. I also congratulate and welcome our new and returning board members on their elections to the board.

CFA Societies Canada is tasked with the important work of championing professionalism in the investment industry. Our renewed board has the skills required to support and guide this work as it is undertaken through advocacy, collaboration, and communication. Professionalism in the Canadian investment industry is at a critical juncture, and I look forward to working with the board to ensure that we have an investment industry with the ethics, education, and integrity to continue to be deserving of Canadians trust, added Schwarz.

Id like to thank our outgoing directors for their service, and their steadfast support for the work of the organization. Im delighted to welcome a strong group of new directors to the board. Their experience and leadership will work to support the organization at a critical time. We are grateful for Rons continued leadership as Board Chair for another term, and look forward to an important year of advancing our mission and vision through advocacy and collaboration, said Michael Thom, CFA, Managing Director of CFA Societies Canada.

The complete list of board members and their terms are as follows:

Renewed Board Chair

Ronald Schwarz, CFA

New additions to 2023-2024 Board of Directors of CFA Societies Canada

Chelsea Kittleson, CFA - CFA Society Victoria

Tristan McBride, CFA - CFA Society Atlantic Canada

Patrick Read, CFA - CFA Society Calgary

Jordan Wilson, CFA - CFA Society Saskatchewan

Re-elected directors

Sean Kulik, CFA - CFA Society Ottawa

Kathrin Forrest, CFA - CFA Society Toronto

Emily Burt, CFA - CFA Society Winnipeg

They will join continuing board members:

Pier-Andre Blanchet, CFA - CFA Quebec

Carl Robert, CFA - CFA Montreal

Coreen Sol, CFA - CFA Society Okanagan

Stephen J. Thompson, CFA - CFA Society Edmonton

Cecilia Wong, CFA - CFA Society Vancouver

About CFA Societies CanadaCFA Societies Canada is a collaboration of the 12 Canadian member societies. It brings together these organizations to lead the investment industry in Canada by advancing the highest professional standards, integrity, and ethics for the ultimate benefit of Canadian society. For more information, visit www.cfacanada.org or follow us on LinkedIn.

CFA and Chartered Financial Analyst are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

Media Inquiries Candice Szpruta CFA Societies Canada 416-366-3658 x5 [email protected]

Source: CFA Societies Canada
Study achieves primary & secondary endpoints in a randomised, placebo-controlled challenge study

Neumifil delivers a statistically significant reduction in both symptomatic infection rate & severity

Favourable safety and tolerability profile

St Andrews, UK  2nd October 2023 - Pneumagen, a clinical stage biotech company developing Neumifil, a broad-spectrum antiviral, intranasal drug for the prophylaxis and treatment of viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs), today announced positive results from its Phase 2, Proof of Concept, Controlled Human Infection Model (CHIM) study where patients were challenged with influenza virus following administration of Neumifil.



Neumifil demonstrated a clinically significant reduction in the incidence of symptomatic influenza infection and in the severity of symptoms, which achieved statistical significance, compared to placebo. Neumifil was well tolerated with no new emergent adverse events or safety signals from the study compared to the first in human study.

The Phase 2, CHIM study, was a single centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 104 healthy adults evaluating two dose regimens of Neumifil, administered as an intranasal spray to participants who were subsequently infected with influenza virus.

Based on these positive clinical results, taken together with a pre-clinical data package demonstrating Neumifils activity against a broad range of viruses, Pneumagen now plans to advance Neumifil into further clinical studies. This will include the evaluation of Neumifils ability to reduce the incidence of viral induced exacerbations in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Douglas Thomson, Chief Executive Officer at Pneumagen said: We are extremely pleased that this Phase 2, Proof of Concept study met all of its key objectives. The positive and clinically meaningful results we have delivered mark a critical step forward in the development of Neumifil and substantiate Pneumagens commitment to delivering a novel treatment option for patients suffering from virus induced exacerbations of respiratory diseases. These excellent results mean we can progress Neumifil with great confidence into further clinical studies to explore the efficacy and safety profile of our novel drug candidate in a larger at risk COPD patient population.

END

About Pneumagen

Pneumagen is a clinical- stage biotech company developing Neumifil, its lead product, a broad-spectrum antiviral, intranasal drug for the prophylaxis and treatment of viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs).

Neumifil is expected to advance into further clinical studies in 2024.

Neumifil is a novel, engineered, multivalent, Carbohydrate Binding Module (mCBM). It acts by directly binding and preventing the entry into the host of the viral pathogens. Neumifil was generated using Pneumagens proprietary GlycoTarge technology.

In addition to Neumifil, Pneumagen is harnessing its GlycoTarge platform to enable the development of a pipeline of therapies targeting other infectious diseases.

Pneumagen was established in 2016 as a spin-out from the University of St Andrews in Scotland giving Pneumagen access to world-class scientific expertise and capabilities in viral infections specifically related to glycobiology.

For further information, please contact:

Pneumagen

Douglas Thomson, CEO

Email: [email protected]

MEDiSTRAVA Consulting (Financial PR)

Frazer Hall, Sandi Greenwood
Washington, D.C., Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jordanian royalty graced the stage at the Prevent Cancer Foundations 29th Annual Gala. Her Royal Highness, Princess Ghida Talal of Jordan and Her Excellency, Ambassador Dina Kawar attended the event appropriately themed Jordan: Pillar of Wonder, continuing with a Gala tradition of honoring a country that shares the Foundations commitment to fighting cancer. With nearly 1,000 guests in attendance at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., the Gala brought in more than $2 million for cancer prevention and early detection.

As chairperson of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and honorary chair of this years event, Her Royal Highness shares the Prevent Cancer Foundations commitment to a world where cancer is preventable, detectable and beatable for all, emphasizing in her remarks that, Fighting cancer is not an option, it is a moral obligation.

Proceeds from the Gala will support the Foundations programs, including research grants and fellowships and community grants. Funds will also support the Foundations public education campaigns, including Early Detection = Better Outcomes, launched this year to educate Americans on the routine cancer screenings they need, and Too Young for This Sh*t, which educates people about the alarming rise of colorectal cancer in young adults.

Other highlights of the evening included cancer survivor, Foundation board member and FOX News Channels chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin as master of ceremonies and remarks from FOX 5 DCs Ayesha Khan, a breast cancer survivor who shared her story and a message on the importance of detecting cancer early to achieve better outcomes. The annual Lighting the Way to Prevention drive raised over $130,000 in 10 minutes and featured auctioneers Ted Okon, Gala co-chair and executive director of the Community Oncology Alliance and Tommy McFLY, NBC4s SCENE Correspondent and host of Walk a Mile with Tommy McFLY.

The Foundation also recognized two Cancer Champions for their significant contributions in cancer prevention and other cancer-related issues. Senator Tom Carper of Delaware and Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia were honored with the Cancer Champion awards and were recognized as part of the evenings festivities.

Thank you to the 2023 Prevent Cancer Gala top sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor:

Gilead

Diamond:

Community Oncology Alliance

Daiichi Sankyo

GRAIL

Johnson & Johnson

Pfizer

Shure Family Charitable Foundation

Platinum:

Merck

Novartis

PhRMA

Walmart

###

About the Prevent Cancer Foundation

The Prevent Cancer Foundation is the only U.S.-based nonprofit organization solely dedicated to cancer prevention and early detection. Through research, education, outreach and advocacy, we have helped countless people avoid a cancer diagnosis or detect their cancer early enough to be successfully treated. We are driven by a vision of a world where cancer is preventable, detectable and beatable for all.

The Foundation is rising to meet the challenge of reducing cancer deaths by 40% by 2035. To achieve this, we are committed to investing $20 million for innovative technologies to detect cancer early and advance multi-cancer screening, $10 million to expand cancer screening and vaccination access to medically underserved communities, and $10 million to educate the public about screening and vaccination options.

For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.

Attachment

Kyra Meister Prevent Cancer Foundation 703-836-1746 [email protected]

Source: Prevent Cancer Foundation
ISELIN, N.J., Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: PFS) announced that it expects to release financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 on Thursday, October 26, 2023 after market close. A copy of the earnings release will be immediately available on the Companys website, www.Provident.Bank, by going to Investor Relations and clicking on Press Releases.



Representatives of the Company will hold a conference call for investors on October 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss the Companys third quarter financial results. Information about the conference call is as follows:

Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: 1-888-412-4131 Participant Toll Dial-In Number: 1-646-960-0134 Conference ID: 3610756

Internet access to the call will be available (listen only) at www.Provident.Bank by going to Investor Relations and clicking on Webcast.

A replay of the call will be available beginning at 12:00 noon (ET) on October 27, 2023 until 11:59 p.m. (ET) on November 12, 2023.

Toll Free Dial in Number: 1-800-770-2030 Toll Dial in Number: 1-647-362-9199 Conference ID: 3610756

The call will also be archived on the Companys website for a period of one year.

Provident Financial Services, Inc. is the holding company for Provident Bank. As of June 30, 2023, the Company reported assets of $14.03 billion. The Bank currently operates a network of full-service branches throughout northern and central New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, and Queens and Nassau Counties, New York. The Bank also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company, and insurance services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Provident Protection Plus, Inc

SOURCE: Provident Financial Services, Inc.

CONTACT: Investor Relations, 1-732-590-9300

Web Site: http://www.Provident.Bank
Paris, 2 October 2023, 6.00 pm

Supervisory Boards Composition

Today, Carole Fiquemont announced to Rubis her resignation from her position of member of the Supervisory Board. The Company would like to thank her for her invaluable contribution to the works of the Supervisory Board and the Accounts and Risk Monitoring Committee.

As a consequence, the Supervisory Board is composed of 10 members, including four women (40%) and six independent members (60%). Carole Fiquemont will be replaced within the Accounts and Risk Monitoring Committee in order that its independence level (now at 66.67%) remains in line with best markets practices.

Press Contact Investors Relations RUBIS - Communication department RUBIS - Clemence Mignot-Dupeyrot, Head of IR Tel: +(33) 1 44 17 95 95



[email protected] Tel: +(33) 1 45 01 87 44



[email protected]

Attachment
Billionaire American entrepreneur Elon Musk got into a scandal by posting a meme about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The inventor decided to make a joke about the fact that the leader of Ukraine, against whom the Russian Federation has waged a full-scale war, is asking for help.

ADVERTISIMENT

The SpaceX and Tesla founder posted the meme on his Twitter page. In the picture, Zelensky's face is photoshopped to a "suffering" character with very intense facial expressions.

"When it's been five minutes and you haven't asked for a billion dollars in help yet," Musk captioned the picture.

In the comments under the post, many netizens defended Ukraine."Why mock a brave leader who leads his people in a heroic struggle for their freedom? Aren't you ashamed?" one of the followers asked Musk.

ADVERTISIMENT

"Because Zelensky dares to stand up to Putin, and Elon will never be able to," "Elon is jealous that Zelensky is the most admired person, and he is not," "Because Elon cares about nothing but his personal interests," the social network writes.

"He cannot compare to the brave men and women of Ukraine or their leader." "Indeed! Their resilience and bravery in the face of adversity have become a beacon for the world. Real heroes, each and every one of them!" commentators supported the Ukrainians.

ADVERTISIMENT

"Elon should move his entire business to Russia, where he will be an oligarch and do whatever he wants (except criticize Putin)," another user suggested.

As OBOZREVATEL wrote:

- Elon Musk's SpaceX company did indeed turn off the Starlink Internet near Crimea. But it lasted for a month, and did not happen "at the specific moment that everyone is talking about," Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, explained earlier.

ADVERTISIMENT

- The Pentagon recently agreed to purchase Starlink satellite internet terminals from Musk for use in Ukraine. However, the details of the agreement have not yet been disclosed.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
Santa Monica, CA, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today the City of San Antonio and Veo announced a partnership to bring 500 Cosmo seated scooters and 500 Astro standing scooters to the city. Veo began deploying its mixed fleet of vehicles on October 1, just in time for fall riding season.

Veo will introduce a new vehicle type to the citys shared mobility program: a seated scooter with large tires, a throttle, and a low center of gravity that doesn't require riders to stand or pedal. The Cosmo helps riders to get where they need to go if they are unable to pedal or want to sit while traveling. Riders also tend to prefer the seated Cosmo for traveling longer distances.

Veo is honored to partner with the City of San Antonio to expand accessible, sustainable transportation with seated and standing scooters, said Candice Xie, co-founder and CEO of Veo. This mixed fleet of vehicles will provide a convenient, affordable, car-free travel option for riders of diverse ages and abilities. We are proud to serve the City of San Antonio and look forward to working together to ensure the program meets the needs of the community."

How to Ride

Locate a ride: Riders aged 18+ can locate vehicles using the free Veo app.

Unlock and go: Using the Veo app, riders scan a QR code and pay $1 to unlock the vehicle. Riders then pay a $0.39 per-minute rate to ride.

End your ride: Upon completion of the ride, riders can park their vehicle in a bike rack or on the perimeter of the sidewalk outside of the pedestrian right of way. Riders must take a photo within the app to confirm proper parking.

Try out Group Ride: Want to ride with friends? Try out Veos Group Ride feature, which allows one rider to unlock multiple vehicles for their friends.

San Antonio riders can get $10 in free credit with the promo code TRYVEO23 through October 31. Riders with low incomes can visit veoride.com/veo-access to apply for a discounted rate.

Safe Riding Tips

Yield to pedestrians: Respect pedestrians' right of way and maintain a safe distance while riding. Exercise caution when passing or crossing paths with walkers or joggers.

Wear a helmet: Prioritize your safety by wearing a helmet during your ride.

Activate Education Mode: New or learning riders can activate Education Mode in the app to limit their speed as they get used to riding with Veo.

Meet the Fleet Veos mixed fleet in San Antonio features the seated Cosmo scooter and standing Astro scooter.

The Cosmo seated scooter and Astro standing scooter are GPS-tracked, throttle-powered light electric vehicles that operate at a full speed of 15 miles per hour. Vehicle features include:

Veos latest operating system, meaning full compliance with local geofences and regulations

Veo Voice, an on-vehicle audible feature that alerts riders when they are entering slow-ride or no-ride zones or an off-limits parking area.

A swappable battery system which lets Veo technicians swap the battery pack on-site, enabling vehicles to be available 24/7.

About VeoVeo is on a mission to end car dependency by making clean transportation accessible to all. We have provided millions of shared bike and scooter rides in 50+ cities and universities across North America  and were just getting started.

Veo operates from a set of values that distinguish us in the industry. We are grounded in financial responsibility: Veo partnered with select cities to achieve profitability before scaling. Our in-house design and manufacturing process enables us to constantly innovate and provide cities with the next generation of shared electric bikes and scooters. We develop collaborative, long-term partnerships with cities and universities so we can work together toward a sustainable, safe, and equitable transportation future.

###

Attachments

Paige Miller Veo 9712021444 [email protected]

Source: Veo
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 2, 2023) - CARLYLE COMMODITIES CORP. (CSE: CCC) (FSE: BJ4) (OTCQB: CCCFF) ("Carlyle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the engagement of Base Metallurgical Labs ("Base Met Labs") and the initiation of a baseline metallurgical test work program on the Company's Newton Gold Project ("Newton"), a bulk tonnage gold system located approximately 100 km west of the city Williams Lake, British Columbia.

Base Met Labs is one of the premier metallurgical testing labs in B.C. Their team of experienced professionals have an extensive background in comminution testing, automated mineralogy, gold processing technology, flotation, beneficiation and more. The lab has worked with numerous major gold producers including Newmont, Newcrest and IAMGOLD, and tested various project types in western Canada comparable to Newton, including Artemis Gold's Blackwater project.

Metallurgical samples will be selected from previous diamond drill core samples with the objective of investigating the preliminary recovery of gold and silver for the samples provided, using a variety of conventional processing technologies. It is anticipated that a variety of samples taken from continuous intervals from various drill holes and depths will be provided to construct one master composite.

Testing will investigate leaching at a range of particle size distributions as well as gravity concentration and sulphide flotation processes. Upon completion of the testing the results will be reviewed to guide next steps in the process.

Marketing Agreement

Carlyle also announces that it has engaged Phenom Ventures LLC ("Phenom") (Address: 3250 NE 1st Avenue Ste 305, Miami, FL 33137, primary contact Eric Muschinski, email: [email protected]) to execute a digital media marketing campaign for the Company to heighten market awareness and broaden the Company's reach in North America. In consideration for the services the Company paid a fee of $100,000 USD for a term of three months which began October 1, 2023. All terms are subject to the approval of the CSE.

About Carlyle

Carlyle is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties. Carlyle owns 100% of the Newton Project in the Clinton Mining Division of B.C. and is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "CCC", on the OTCQB Market under the ticker "CCCFF", and the Frankfurt Exchange under the ticker "BJ4".

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

CARLYLE COMMODITIES CORP.

"Morgan Good"

Morgan Good

President and Chief Executive Officer

For more information regarding this news release, please contact:

Morgan Good, CEO and Director

T: 604-715-4751

E: [email protected]

W: www.carlylecommodities.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forwardlooking information which is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those projected in the forwardlooking statements. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected services to be provided by Phenom Ventures LLC under the Marketing Agreement and the expected results and impact of such services. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company's cost and timing expectations are accurate, that Phenom will provide the services set out in the Marketing Agreement, that the Company will achieve the expected results from the Marketing Agreement, and that the Company will pursue its business plans as expected. The forwardlooking statements in this news release are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forwardlooking information. Risks that could change or prevent these statements from coming to fruition include, but are not limited to, unanticipated costs; that the Marketing Agreement will be terminated prematurely or that the Company will not achieve the results expected from the Marketing Agreement; general business, economic and social uncertainties; and changes in legislation or regulations impacting the Company. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly, are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release).

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182593
Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - October 2, 2023) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced it will highlight the importance of investor education and protection during World Investor Week (WIW) 2023, which takes place October 2-8. Arising technologies and new digital tools are making it easier and quicker to invest. Taking time to do due diligence can help investors avoid fraud and make better informed investment decisions.

This marks the seventh year of WIW, a global effort promoted by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) that brings together regulators on six continents to raise awareness about the importance of investor education and investor protection. As in previous years, the SEC is serving as the national coordinator in the U.S., working with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Securities Investor Protection Corporation, National Futures Association, and North American Securities Administrators Association. Together with these organizations, the SECs Office of Investor Education and Advocacy (OIEA) issued a joint Investor Bulletin today to promote WIW's key initiatives.

During WIW, SEC staff throughout the country will host outreach events highlighting the importance that investors: conduct their own research on investment opportunities; create a risk-appropriate, long-term, and diversified investment plan that can help them weather changing economic conditions and market fluctuations; establish an emergency fund; and learn how to spot fraud.

Investor protection is at the heart of everything we do at the Securities and Exchange Commission, and World Investor Week provides an important opportunity to advance our mission, said SEC Chair Gary Gensler. During the week, SEC staff will engage with investors from a wide range of communities, including students, teachers, older investors, military service members, and underserved communities. I encourage all investors to take advantage of the resources on Investor.gov and participate in our outreach events.

A key part of investor protection is education, and we encourage investors to never stop learning. Before making any investment decision, every investor should ask questions, verify the answers, only invest in opportunities they fully understand, and learn how to protect their hard-earned money, said OIEA Director Lori Schock. Our Investor Alerts and Bulletins help educate investors about current investment topics and inform them about the latest scams and our new public service campaign has resource pages andinformational videos to help them learn how to avoid fraud and to make better informed investment decisions.

For World Investor Week, Ms. Schock posted a new Directors Take article, Protecting Your Retirement Money, which provides investors with tips on how to protect their hard-earned money, such as checking the background of their investment professional, asking questions about investment opportunities, knowing the red flags of fraud, and avoiding unsolicited phone calls, texts, and emails from anyone asking for money.

The SECsWIW page highlights messaging on investor education and protection and includes a quiz that investors can use to test their knowledge of key investing concepts.

Each day of WIW, the SEC will conduct outreach events across the country both in-person and virtual including the following:

Saving, investing, and fraud protection presentations for older investors, military service members and their families, teachers, and those reentering back into society;

Classroom activities for high school and college students, including events at Historically Black Colleges and Universities;

A live AARP Fraud Watch Network Facebook event;

A radio interview ontopics important to older investors; and

Thrift Savings Plan program event for federal employees.

To learn more about the SECs outreach activities and to get involved with WIW, visit the SEC'sWorld Investor Week page. Additional investor education and protection resources are available atInvestor.gov.
Paid press release content from Send2Press. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

For the sixth consecutive year, Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts acknowledges Bridge Publications Inc. for its environmental responsibility

COMMERCE, Calif., Oct. 2, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) In its annual review of corporate environmental standards, Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts recognized Bridge Publications, publisher of the nonfiction works of Scientology Founder and bestselling author L. Ron Hubbard, as a good corporate citizen for the sixth year running.

Bridge Publications Inc. achieved this acknowledgment through its compliance with wastewater discharge limits and its maintenance of environmental equipment.

Environmental responsibility was incorporated into the planning and establishment of the Bridge Publications manufacturing plant, with wastewater minimization only one of its components.

To preserve Scientology religious scriptures, an Archival Project, established at Bridge Publications, uses metal plating on copper and etching on stainless steel to safeguard Mr. Hubbards recorded lectures with corrosion-resistant metal long plays. These processes produce wastewater containing chemicals and metal. Through special treatment that removes these hazardous contaminants from the water, Bridge maintains 100 percent compliance with environmental standards. But this is only one of the ways Bridge reduces its environmental footprint.

One of the worlds first all-digital on-demand publishing and manufacturing facilities, Bridge Publications incorporated care for the environment in every facet of its establishment.

With hundreds of different paper types and sizes used in most printing facilities, even the best of them discard as much as 25 percent of their paper, wasting ink in the process. Bridge was designed to minimize paper use, leaving very little trim waste on the edges and between the pages of its printed materials. By maximizing efficiency through the very design of the plant, Bridge consistently reduces paper waste from 25 percent to 5 percent, which they recycle.

We are very proud to receive this recognition, says Lucia Winther, Public Relations Director at Bridge Publications. We not only promote environmental responsibility and sustainability in our manufacturing practices, we also work with community partners and leaders to raise awareness of its importance and carry out community cleanups. This is in keeping with The Way to Happiness, one of the books of Mr. Hubbard that we publish. A common-sense guide to better living, the book includes the precept Safeguard and Improve Your Environment, which is a guiding principle for our organization.

Bridge Publications is an award-winning facility at the cutting edge of technology, designed from the ground up with the sole purpose of fulfilling the ever-increasing demand for Scientology Scripture at a moments notice.

In launching the Scientology Network in 2018, Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige promised to take viewers behind the scenes and into our Church management, publication and dissemination facilities, humanitarian outreach centers and programs, and even into our new millennium Scientology archives.

That is exactly what the network does in an episode of Inside Scientology on Bridge Publications. Watch Inside Bridge Publications on the Scientology Network on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM or AT&T U-verse. It also streams at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps, and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

For more information on Bridge Publications or to take part in their community outreach activities, contact Lucia Winther at (323) 888-6200 or email her at [email protected].

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.bridgepub.com/about/

https://www.scientology.tv/series/inside-scientology/bridge-publications.html

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-way-to-happiness.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eae3ZomZAYE

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Photo Caption: Bridge Publications was acknowledged for environmental responsibility. Learn more on Inside Bridge Publications on the Scientology Network.

TAGS: #BridgePublications #EnvironmentalResponsibility #Publishing #Wastewater

NEWS SOURCE: Church of Scientology International



This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Church of Scientology International), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/scientology-publishing-house-recognized-as-a-good-corporate-citizen/

Copr.  2023 Send2Press Newswire, a service of NEOTROPE, Calif., USA. -- REF: S2P STORY ID: 100635SI.04
Practice becomes 7 th clinic in Charlotte area, and 34 th in the state, powered by Alo's Avance Care platform

Patients to continue receiving high-quality care from Davidson Family Medicine clinicians

Practice to join Alo Clinically Integrated Network (CIN), leveraging strength in numbers while becoming part of network of independent practices

DAVIDSON, N.C. , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alo, the North Carolina -based healthcare company founded to support independent providers and help them maintain their independence, has reached an agreement to add Davidson Family Medicine in Davidson, N.C. , to its lineup of independent primary care practices. This addition expands Alo's network of Charlotte -area practices, operating under the Avance Care brand, focused on delivering patient-centered, convenient care.

Davidson Family Medicine will continue to operate under its current name and with its current staff. Under the agreement, Davidson Family Medicine will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Alo Medical Group and have access to the market-leading capabilities of the Avance Care practice network. The practice will also join the new Alo Clinically Integrated Network (CIN), designed to help independent practices across North Carolina . Davidson Family Medicine's founder and lead physician, Dr. Craig White , will continue to practice at the clinic while also partnering with Alo and Avance Care leaders to engage the broader community of physicians in the Charlotte and western North Carolina region who are or would like to be independent.

"When the Davidson community thinks of primary care, they think of Davidson Family Medicine," said Matt Eirich , CEO and President of Alo and Avance Care. "Dr. Craig White and his staff have put the patient first for more than two decades, leading to some of the best patient outcomes and highest customer satisfaction scores in the region. They are a fixture in the North Charlotte area and we want to help them continue serving this community for many years to come."

"Our physicians, clinicians, and staff at Davidson Family Medicine have a lot in common with Avance Care: We put the patient at the center of all we do and strive to offer a personalized, high-quality, affordable experience, one that is best for the patient," Dr. White said. "We're excited to join forces with Alo and look forward to tapping into additional resources such as their robust integrated Behavioral Health, Psychiatry, and Nutrition and Wellness programs."

Since 2001, Davidson Family Medicine has served patients and families of all ages in historic downtown Davidson . Voted "Best Primary Care Practice" by readers of The Charlotte Observer in 2022 and garnering many Charlotte Magazine "Top Doctor" accolades since 2008, the practice has 11 clinicians, including family medicine physicians, physician assistants and family nurse practitioners.

Independent primary care practices, which drive patient care and outcomes free of influence from large healthcare systems, often need to collaborate to improve the patient experience, negotiate with health insurers, and move toward value-based care. Alo provides a path for independent physicians to achieve these aims through Avance Care practice opportunities and through the Alo CIN. In joining the Alo CIN, Davidson Family Medicine will be part of a growing network of independently owned practices across North Carolina that have formally agreed to collaborate, share data and best practices, improve clinical quality, participate in care coordination, and lower costs. The practice, and other CIN participants, will have access to enhanced data and analytics and additional patient services, such as behavioral health, psychiatry, chronic care management, and nutrition counseling.

About Alo

Alo, the parent company of Avance Care, is a physician enablement platform that provides solutions designed to support long-term practice sustainability. Founded by a team of industry veterans that understand how to change the playing field for independent practices, Alo helps physicians optimize their practices so that they and their patients can thrive. The company is headquartered in Durham, NC and currently supports more than 30 independent practice and provider groups delivering high-quality care to over 100,000 covered lives. alosolutions.com.

About Avance Care

Avance Care is an innovative primary care provider that has been offering convenient, cost-effective healthcare services since 2008. Avance Care operates a system of independent practices across North Carolina and utilizes a proprietary operating platform comprised of sophisticated information technology systems and highly developed workflow processes and procedures to generate industry-leading patient satisfaction ratings, quality of care, and efficiency. avancecare.com.

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SOURCE Alo
New dedicated location will see partners collaborate to develop innovative aerospace solutions, complemented by digital, to support major US aerospace programs.

TULSA, Okla. , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Expleo, a global engineering, technology and consulting service provider, has signed a strategic agreement with Spirit AeroSystems to deliver advanced digital engineering services for major aerospace programs, out of a new location in Tulsa, Oklahoma .

Expleo will offer Spirit engineering services to support the development of next-generation aerospace projects. Complementing Expleo's regional headquarters in Wichita, Kan. , the Tulsa facility will use the latest digital capabilities, including AI, digital twin and automation, to maximize cost efficiency and accelerate time-to-market.

"We're delighted to be growing our relationship with Spirit through this agreement. Ours is a long-standing strategic partnership built on trust, and we're proud our collaboration has pushed boundaries and developed meaningful innovation in aerospace," said Graham Younger , VP of Aerospace of Expleo. "This facility will improve the cross-pollination of ideas and allow Spirit to gain maximum benefit from Expleo's experience in engineering combined with the latest digital technologies and processes to accelerate sustainable innovation, maximize productivity and get new aircraft on runways and in the air."

This latest collaboration builds on a long-standing commercial relationship between Expleo and Spirit, including a three-year agreement based in Spirit's Belfast, Northern Ireland facility.

The new office in Tulsa becomes Expleo's seventh in the United States . By the end of 2023, the new office in Downtown Tulsa will have 30 full-time Expleo employees, and growth will continue into the new year.

Within the U.S. Expleo employs 350 experts providing services to the aerospace and automotive sectors. In addition to the local team of experts, Spirit will have access to Expleo's global network of more than 17,500, including engineering experts across Europe and India .

"Our expansion into Tulsa is part of an ambitious vision we have for the US aerospace and defense industries and will be a pivotal step in delivering the skills they need to meet growing demand," said Will Hague , General Manager of Expleo USA. "By making this move, we will create new, highly skilled jobs in the region and develop expertise across competencies that are critical to engineering in a digital age."

"This complements the ongoing investment in talent we are making in our Wichita Center of Excellence, where we have hired over 200 graduate and midcareer engineers in the last year and continue to be laser-focused on engaging the future aerospace leaders of tomorrow," said Dr. Sean Black , Spirit AeroSystems senior vice president, chief technology officer and chief engineer.

Expleo prides itself on thinking boldly and acting reliably, combining and balancing those two forces of business innovation to deliver excellence for customers.

"Spirit is an important partner for Expleo globally, and we're proud that we will be breaking new ground together in Tulsa , in addition to the Wichita market" concluded Younger.

Interested applicants can learn more at our careers website.

Learn more about Expleo services for the aerospace sector.

Media contact:

Mark Fowler

Senior Global Communications Manager

+44 7112 44113

[email protected]

About Expleo

Expleo is a global engineering, technology and consulting service provider that partners with leading organisations to guide them through their business transformation, helping them achieve operational excellence and future-proof their businesses.

Expleo benefits from more than 40 years of experience developing complex products, optimising manufacturing processes, and ensuring the quality of information systems.

Leveraging its deep sector knowledge and wide-ranging expertise in fields including AI engineering, digitalisation, hyperautomation, cybersecurity and data science, the group's mission is to fast-track innovation through each step of the value chain.

As a responsible and diverse organisation, Expleo is committed to doing business with integrity and working towards a more sustainable and secure society.

Expleo boasts an extensive global footprint, powered by 17,000 highly skilled experts delivering value in 30 countries and generating more than 1.3 billion in revenue.

For more information, visit expleo.com.

About Spirit AeroSystems Inc.

Spirit AeroSystems is one of the world's largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and business/regional jets. With expertise in aluminum and advanced composite manufacturing solutions, the company's core products include fuselages, integrated wings and wing components, pylons, and nacelles. We are leveraging decades of design and manufacturing expertise to be the most innovative and reliable supplier of military aerostructures, and specialty high-temperature materials, enabling warfighters to execute complex, critical missions. Spirit also serves the aftermarket for commercial and business/regional jets. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas , Spirit has facilities in the U.S. , U.K. , France , Malaysia and Morocco . More information is available at www.spiritaero.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2205530/Expleo_and_Aero.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2205529/Expleo_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Expleo
N. BETHESDA , Md., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT) will announce third quarter 2023 earnings in a press release to be issued after market close on Thursday, November 2, 2023 . The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, November 2 , at 5:00 PM ET .

Event: Federal Realty Investment Trust's Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call

When: 5:00 PM ET , Thursday, November 2, 2023

Live Webcast: FRT Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call or www.federalrealty.com

Dial #: 844-826-3035 or 412-317-5195

A replay of the webcast will be available 30 minutes after the conclusion of the call on Federal Realty's website at www.federalrealty.com. A telephonic replay of the conference call will also be available through November 16, 2023 by dialing 844-512-2921 or 412-317-6671; Passcode: 10182801.

About Federal Realty

Federal Realty is a recognized leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of high-quality retail-based properties located primarily in major coastal markets from Washington, D.C. to Boston as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles . Founded in 1962, Federal Realty's mission is to deliver long-term, sustainable growth through investing in communities where retail demand exceeds supply. Its expertise includes creating urban, mixed-use neighborhoods like Santana Row in San Jose, California , Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, Maryland and Assembly Row in Somerville, Massachusetts . These unique and vibrant environments that combine shopping, dining, living and working provide a destination experience valued by their respective communities. Federal Realty's 102 properties include approximately 3,300 tenants, in 26 million square feet, and approximately 3,100 residential units.

Federal Realty has increased its quarterly dividends to its shareholders for 56 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty is an S&P 500 index member and its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT. For additional information about Federal Realty and its properties, visit www.federalrealty.com .

Investor Inquiries: Leah Andress Brady Vice President, Investor Relations 301.998.8265 [email protected] Media Inquiries: Brenda Pomar Senior Director, Corporate Communications 301.998.8316 [email protected]

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SOURCE Federal Realty Investment Trust
Fairtrade America partners with three acclaimed artists to call attention to the farmers behind some of our favorite foods through public art at grocery stores dedicated to sustainable sourcing.

The October 'We Are Fairtrade' celebration will include a variety of in-person and digital events, as well as a compelling online giveaway

WASHINGTON , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairtrade America , the world's most recognized label for social justice and sustainability, will launch its fourth annual celebration of October Fairtrade Month, this year with a new campaign title: " We Are Fairtrade ". This campaign calls attention to the role that we all play from brands to grocers to shoppers - in creating a better world. A world where farmers and workers have an equal seat at the table and trade justice is achieved. Through three new murals in - Lawrence, Kan. ; Philadelphia ; and Providence, R.I. - Fairtrade America will once again utilize public art to call attention to the people behind some of our favorite goods including cocoa, coffee and bananas.

"This Fairtrade Month, we are inviting shoppers, retailers, and brands to not only choose Fairtrade, but to also go deeper in learning about and celebrating their role in creating a food system built around justice for farmers and workers," said Amanda Archila , executive director of Fairtrade America. "We must all stand with the people who grow our food to make fairer pay a reality."

Fairtrade is an alternative approach to trade that is based on partnership instead of exploitation; a partnership between those growing our food, those selling it and those enjoying it. The farmers featured in the murals represent more than 2 million Fairtrade farmers and workers who grow and produce goods following the rigorous economic, social and environmental Fairtrade Standards. Fairtrade helps shoppers who are making purchasing decisions in stores and online easily identify products that align with their values. The Fairtrade Mark signifies that a product is certified with Fairtrade International  the most globally recognized ethical label. When shoppers buy products with the Fairtrade Mark, they're prioritizing the people behind their products. In the past five years, awareness of the Fairtrade Mark among U.S. consumers has jumped more than 2X, with 61% of U.S. shoppers recognizing the label as of 2023, with trust in the label increasing 26% to 71% since 20211. Additionally, 92% of respondents expressed interest in learning more about the farmers who grow the ingredients in their preferred products.

About the "We Are Fairtrade" Murals

Joselinda Manueles Mural, by IT-RA Icons located at The Merc Co+op, Lawrence, Kan.

Fairtrade America partnered with The Merc Co+op in Lawrence, Kan. , a store that provides places to shop, gather, eat and learn, to create a mural featuring coffee farmer Joselinda Manueles . Local artists Isaac Tapia and Rodrigo Alvarez , known collaboratively as IT-RA Icons, painted Manueles, a member of COMSA, a Fairtrade certified coffee cooperative in Honduras of which she and her husband are founding members. Despite challenging soil quality, Manueles has created a thriving organic coffee farm, planting more than 2,000 trees. She also farms her own section of the shared land with her husband, giving her autonomy to cultivate coffee in the way she deems best with Cafe Joselinda grown organically. IT-RA Icons were honored to paint Manueles and convey her passion, joy and leadership. Coffee grown by Manueles' cooperative is used in Fairtrade certified items, like Kicking Horse Coffee , which is available for purchase at The Merc's two locations.

At Kicking Horse Coffee, being a Fairtrade partner is just the right thing to do. It recognizes the social responsibility it has towards coffee producers and aims to help them in achieving a better quality of life through community development and fairer prices for their coffee. The stunning mural of Joselinda and this campaign help Kicking Horse Coffee celebrate its commitment to Fairtrade.

Mariana Cobos Mural , by Betsy Casanas, located at the Riverwards Produce Fishtown store, Philadelphia.

Riverwards Produce, a store that provides unique, quality ingredients to creative chefs and neighbors alike, is home to this new mural by artist Betsy Casanas. Casanas hopes to inspire millions with the mural of banana farmer Mariana Cobos. Cobos is a member and previous board member of the AsoGuabo cooperative in El Oro , the province of Ecuador where she has a 28-acre farm. As a seventy-year old woman, Cobos is not your average banana farmer with the majority in Ecuador being men under 65 years of age. Cobos began growing bananas in 2004 and found it difficult to compete as an individual smallholder farmer. So in 2010 she joined AsoGuabo and became organic and Fairtrade certified. By joining a cooperative and making her bananas stand out more with their certifications, she has been able to tap into their collective ability to get better pricing and increased stability through long-term relationships with business partners. Cobos grows Fairtrade bananas sold by companies like Equal Exchange , available at both Riverwards Produce locations.

"For over 35 years, Equal Exchange has pioneered an alternative model of trade that directly links small-scale farmer cooperatives and consumers through long-term, fair trade partnerships. Equal Exchange prioritizes partnerships with farmers that ensure direct pricing negotiations and more money paid directly in the form of the Fairtrade Premium dollars," said Nicole Vitello , president of Oke USA/Equal Exchange. "Through our participation in 'We Are Fairtrade,' Equal Exchange encourages others to make conscious choices and contribute to a more just and equitable food system."

Bengaly Bourama Mural, by AGONZA ART, located at the Urban Green Co-op Market, Providence, R.I.

The Providence mural is located at the Urban Greens Co-op Market that proudly puts community first and provides food that is nutritious, affordable, sustainably sourced and culturally inclusive. There, Providence-based artist AGONZA ART portrayed cocoa farmer Bengaly Bourama, a member of COOBADI, a cocoa cooperative in Cote d'Ivoire where he is also the deputy general secretary. After studying human resource management at university in Mali , Bourama's father suggested he try his hand at cocoa farming. Bourama appreciated the entrepreneurial nature of farming. Now, facing drought caused by climate change, Bourama and members of COOBADI are undertaking a significant shade tree planting initiative with the support of Ben & Jerry's to strengthen the viability of cocoa in the region. It meant a lot to AGONZA ART to paint Bourama's portrait coming from a culture that loves to plant and grow things, with both of her grandparents owning farms in the Dominican Republic . Bourama's Fairtrade cocoa ends up in products like Ben & Jerry's ice cream, including the varieties sold at Urban Greens Co-op Market.

"In 2005 we were the first ice cream maker in the world to use Fairtrade certified ingredients. Since 2020, we have supported a living income approach and from 2021-2022 alone 6,000 Fairtrade cocoa farmers received $1.4 million a year in additional payments on top of the Fairtrade Minimum Price and Premium," said Cheryl Pinto , global head of values led sourcing of Ben & Jerry's. "We are happy to participate in the 'We Are Fairtrade' campaign this year as Fairtrade strives to bring together people, businesses, farmers and more - all working together to see a more just and equitable society."

Fairtrade's local retail partners in Lawrence , Philadelphia and Providence share Fairtrade's commitment to fairer pricing, the environment, gender equality and better working conditions. Each store will host events during October Fairtrade Month that will give residents the chance to try Fairtrade certified products and learn more about the mural, artist, farmer and Fairtrade difference.

Fairtrade Areas of Impact

The murals in this year's "We Are Fairtrade" campaign highlight three of Fairtrade's key areas of impact : fairer pay, increasing resilience to climate change and promoting gender equality.

Fairer Pay: As production costs continue to rise, now more than ever, we all have to do our part to prioritize a fairer deal for farmers. It is estimated that in the next 10 years climate change will push up to 130 million people into poverty 2 . When Fairtrade promotes fairer trading conditions, it's working with farmers to build stronger supply networks and address the root of many systemic issues, poverty. In August, they increased the Fairtrade Minimum Price for coffee after reaching out to more than 600 farmer organizations and hearing overwhelmingly that farmers need to be paid more.





As production costs continue to rise, now more than ever, we all have to do our part to prioritize a fairer deal for farmers. It is estimated that in the next 10 years climate change will push up to 130 million people into poverty . When Fairtrade promotes fairer trading conditions, it's working with farmers to build stronger supply networks and address the root of many systemic issues, poverty. In August, they increased the Fairtrade Minimum Price for coffee after reaching out to more than 600 farmer organizations and hearing overwhelmingly that farmers need to be paid more. Increasing Resilience to Climate Change: Climate change is already affecting farmers, from shifting harvest seasons to unpredictable yields to changing local workforces. The core mechanisms of Fairtrade - price, premium and standards - all serve as a critical foundation for increasing climate resilience as adaptation and mitigation require additional resources. About 25% of the Fairtrade Standards are related to the environment and ban the use of many dangerous pesticides, encourage best practices in water and soil management, and incentivize organic farming. Beyond that, Fairtrade also harnesses their global network and experts to advocate for policies that keep farmers in mind and provide training through programs like the Climate Academy .





Climate change is already affecting farmers, from shifting harvest seasons to unpredictable yields to changing local workforces. The core mechanisms of Fairtrade - price, premium and standards - all serve as a critical foundation for increasing climate resilience as adaptation and mitigation require additional resources. About 25% of the Fairtrade Standards are related to the environment and ban the use of many dangerous pesticides, encourage best practices in water and soil management, and incentivize organic farming. Beyond that, Fairtrade also harnesses their global network and experts to advocate for policies that keep farmers in mind and provide training through programs like the . Promoting Gender Equality: Forty-three percent of the global agricultural labor force is women, yet they see little profit3. Fairtrade farming organizations commit to strict social standards that ban discrimination on the basis of gender or marital status, as well as promote developing positive gender policies and programs to support historically marginalized groups like women.

In addition to the murals, Fairtrade is offering a giveaway in the U.S. this October where three winners will receive a prize package for showing their Fairtrade support, including: a Cuisinart Food Processor, one mural art print of the winner's choosing from this year's murals, a year's worth of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, a buck load of Kicking Horse Coffee, an Equal Exchange hoodie, a gift card for Fairtrade bananas, and a lunch box! Follow @FairtradeMarkUS on Instagram and visit wearefairtrade.org to learn more and participate in the giveaway.

"When you choose Fairtrade, you are actively choosing a better world - a world where farmers and workers have a seat at the table," said Archila. "Together, we are part of a movement for change that makes a tangible impact. We are Fairtrade."

This year's campaign marks the first time ever Fairtrade America and Fairtrade Canada are joining forces to celebrate Fairtrade Month across both countries. The collaboration will include a free virtual event, " This is the Future of Farming - A Conversation with the Next Generation of Farmers, " hosted by Leah Thomas ( @GreenGirlLeah ) and including candid conversations with three young Fairtrade farmers.

About Fairtrade America

Fairtrade America works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It's about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all working together so we can all experience the benefits of trade. Fairtrade America is the U.S. branch of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 30 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is part of the world's largest and most recognized fair trade certification program part of a global movement for change. Learn more at fairtradeamerica.org , and by connecting with Fairtrade America on Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn .

Contact:

Emily Rado ,

[email protected]

1 2023 Fairtrade America Consumer Insights

2 When poverty meets climate change: A critical challenge that demands cross-cutting solutions

3 Reduce Rural Poverty

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SOURCE Fairtrade America
PANAMA CITY , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gate.io, a leading crypto exchange trusted by millions of users, has passed an annual security assessment conducted by Hacken, a renowned blockchain security auditor. The assessment follows a recent broadening of its partnership with Hacken, which introduced smart contract auditing to various components of Gate Web3, Gate.io's decentralized ecosystem.

The latest security assessment included rigorous evaluation and penetration testing using industry-standard methodologies. Hacken's team of experts subjected the exchange's infrastructure to simulated cyberattacks based on real-world scenarios. The assessment confirmed that Gate.io's security measures are up-to-date and capable of defending the platform and user accounts against the latest cyber threats.

The assessment was carried out as part of a partnership between Gate.io and Hacken. The partnership dates back to 2020, when Hacken assisted the exchange in obtaining a CER certification. Since then, the partnership has expanded to include bug bounties, annual penetration tests, and smart contract audits. When combined with Gate.io's multilayered security measures and thorough in-house reviews, users are provided greater security guarantees.

"Security is a shared responsibility in the blockchain and digital asset sector. The ramifications extend beyond any one platform, and each has a role to play. Our dynamic partnership with Hacken ensures that Gate.io's role is fulfilled and users can safely embark on their digital asset journey confidently," said Dr. Lin Han , founder and CEO of Gate.io.

The latest security assessment and penetration test confirm Gate.io's adherence to following best practices and meeting the demands of an ever-changing threat landscape, helping build users' faith in Gate.io and the blockchain and digital asset sector as a whole. In addition, the partnership with Hacken has resulted in greater security assurances on Gate.io's centralized and decentralized platforms. The dynamic and robust nature of the partnership ensures that users' funds are safeguarded from current and potential future threats.

About Hacken

Hacken is a trusted blockchain security auditor on a mission to make Web3 safer. Leveraging a team of 60+ certified engineers, Hacken provides solutions covering all aspects of blockchain security, such as smart contract audits, blockchain protocol audits, dApp audits, penetration testing, CCSS audits, tokenomics audits, and bug bounty programs.

About Gate.io

Established in 2013, Gate.io is one of the world's earliest cryptocurrency exchanges , offering diverse trading services with 100% user-verifiable Proof of Reserves. Further, the platform has consistently ranked as one of the top 10 cryptocurrency exchanges on CoinGecko. The platform currently serves more than 13 million active users worldwide.

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SOURCE Gate.io
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai's XCIENT Heavy-Duty Fuel Cell Truck has won the GREEN AWARD in the Mobility category at GTF Connect Los Angeles, hosted in Hollywood, California . XCIENT Fuel Cell's innovative technology positions it as an industry leader, providing zero-emission transport solutions. Its advanced fuel cell technology sets a benchmark for the future of sustainable, efficient transportation.

"I am honored to accept the prestigious Mobility category award at the GTF Connect GREEN AWARDS on behalf of our entire XCIENT Fuel Cell truck team,'' said Jim Park , senior vice president commercial vehicle and hydrogen fuel cell business, Hyundai Motor North America. "The recognition of our XCIENT Fuel Cell reinforces our unwavering commitment to sustainable transportation solutions for both consumer and commercial vehicles. This achievement further underscores Hyundai's relentless pursuit of innovation and our steadfast dedication to forging a cleaner, more efficient future that benefits us all."

Hyundai launched the XCIENT Fuel Cell truck as a groundbreaking innovation focused on the commercial shipping sector. The XCIENT Fuel Cell boasts a remarkable emissions-free profile, presenting a sustainable mobility solution aimed at mitigating carbon emissions while effectively addressing global transportation needs. Importantly, the XCIENT Fuel Cell's durability and fuel efficiency align with the demands of commercial fleet operators. First launched in 2020, XCIENT Fuel Cell has been deployed in five countries, including Switzerland , Germany , Israel , Korea , and New Zealand . It is the only heavy-duty fuel cell electric model with a proven record of real-world application and technological reliability. In May 2023 , Hyundai launched the commercialization model of XCIENT Fuel Cell tractor in the States equipped with two 90-kW hydrogen fuel cell systems (total 180 kW power) and a 350-kW e-motor. The tractor's gross combination weight is a maximum 82,000 lbs., pairing short refueling times with a driving range of over 450 miles per charge  even when fully loaded. XCIENT Fuel Cell implements the world-leading hydrogen fuel cell system offered by HTWO, Hyundai Motor Group's fuel cell system-based hydrogen business brand. HTWO's business includes application of Hyundai's proprietary fuel cell systems for various forms of mobility, such as advanced air mobility, automobiles, vessels, and trains, as well as for stationary power generation.

About GTF Connect

The GreenTech Festival (GTF) is Europe's largest sustainability festival. GTF Connect Series, an extension of the renowned flagship GTF in Berlin , began in 2021 and has since evolved into a pivotal platform for celebrating innovation, technology, and leadership within the global green business community.

About GREEN AWARDS Los Angeles

The GREEN AWARDS, an integral part of the festival, shines a spotlight on innovative projects, companies, and individuals across categories such as "Mobility" and "Energy" in Los Angeles . Winners are meticulously selected by a distinguished and diverse 55-member jury, with the entire process supported by GTF's Knowledge Partner Boston Consulting Group.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
In Sweden, Petro Poroshenko met with the leadership of the Riksdag, representatives of all parliamentary parties and key ministers of the Swedish government and shared the results of his visit.

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According to a statement on the European Solidarity website, the politician noted Sweden's leadership in helping Kyiv and the fact that 92% of Swedish citizens unconditionally support Ukraine's struggle.

"We have a very intense international program. Why is it important right now? Because in a few days the EU summit in Granada will take place. Ukraine's issues will be discussed there, first of all, the issue of starting pre-accession negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU," Poroshenko said.

He said that in a few days Kyiv will also host the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which will also discuss Ukraine's membership in the EU and the start of pre-accession negotiations. The agenda of assistance to Ukraine is currently being formed, and therefore "a powerful voice that articulates Ukrainian interests" is very much needed.

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"The issue of supplying us with weapons. I want to emphasize that one of the best armored combat vehicles CV 90 is supplied to us by Sweden. Sweden supplies us with one of the best Archer artillery systems. Do you remember how important the Swedish NLaw and Carl Gustav anti-tank weapons have been? And we are looking forward to one of the best fighter aircraft in the world, the JAS 39 Gripen," the fifth president said.

He added that Ukraine expects Turkey to ratify Sweden's NATO membership decision in the near future, which "will allow Sweden to free its hands and speed up the issue of supplying Ukraine with fighter jets."

"I can already say that Ukrainian pilots are undergoing appropriate training," Poroshenko said.

The politician also said that the 14th aid package for Ukraine from Sweden is almost ready and will be presented in the near future. Sweden is also preparing a separate program for another SEK 6 billion.

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During his meetings with Swedish officials, Poroshenko also discussed the prospects of returning to Ukraine the world-famous IKEA and H&M companies, which suspended their operations after the full-scale invasion. However, according to the politician, the Swedish government could provide these companies with risk insurance and export loans.

"I have received confirmation that everything will be done by the Swedish government. Of course, this will be a decision of independent businesses. But everything will be done to ensure that IKEA, H&M and other large Swedish companies return to Ukraine and start working," Poroshenko said.
Attorneys at Tittle & Perlmuter secure largest verdict in Judge Roger E. Binette's court, second largest medical malpractice verdict in Erie County , for shortcuts that caused man's traumatic brain injury

SANDUSKY, Ohio , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A jury awarded an unprecedented $6.19 million to a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that led to a brain bleed while he was admitted to Firelands Hospital. The verdict ranks as the largest judgment in Judge Roger E. Binette's court and the second largest medical malpractice award in Erie County .

Michael Johnson was a patient at Firelands Hospital where he was placed on seven new medications that increased his chances of falling. Despite the elevated risk, Firelands nurses and hospital staff did not follow mandated precautions to prevent Johnson from falling and suffering additional injuries. Sadly, he fell while getting up to use the restroom and suffered a TBI. Johnson suffered permanent injuries caused by the preventable TBI and is now confined to a chair in his home.

The jury found Firelands Hospital responsible for Johnson's life-altering brain injury, affecting both him and his wife, Melissa. The substantial award sent a clear message to the hospital and other medical facilities in Erie County : Policies matter, patient safety rules matter, and everyone deserves the same standard of medical care.

"This verdict is proof that the jury system works and delivers justice," says attorney Allen Tittle of Tittle & Perlmuter. "We want to thank members of the jury and the court for acknowledging the importance of policies and the unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standard of care."

About Tittle & Perlmuter

Tittle & Perlmuter focuses on catastrophic personal injury and medical malpractice litigation. The firm prosecutes injury cases across Ohio with its offices in Cleveland , Chardon , Sandusky , and Elyria . Attorneys at Tittle & Perlmuter aim to champion integrity and safety in local communities. To learn more about the firm, visit its website .

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SOURCE Tittle & Perlmuter
North America's Original Blow Dry Bar Franchise Debuts on Bainbridge Island , Offers Founders Rate for Mane Squeeze Membership

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Blo Blow Dry Bar, North America's original blow dry bar and blow dry bar franchise, will open its newest bar on Friday, Oct. 13 th on Bainbridge Island, Washington . Located at 275 High School Rd NE Ste C-5, Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110, the new bar will offer guests five signature styles on its hair menu, a la carte options, a variety of hair treatments, plus five signature makeup looks and a brand new section of customized looks to provide endless inspiration. Also, for a limited time, the new bar will offer a founder's rate for its signature Mane Squeeze Membership that includes two blowouts a month for $95 , $5 off each additional blow out and 10% off retail.

The new bar is owned and operated by local entrepreneur Rachel Dykeman . Originally from Iowa , Dykeman earned her degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Iowa and later obtained her MBA from Marquette University. She lives on Bainbridge Island with her husband and two kids. Having felt a strong need for this type of feel-good service in her community, Dykeman looks forward to opening the doors of her first franchise location.

"I have always been passionate about hair, having been a frequent blow dry bar customer for many years, and after some time living on Bainbridge, I realized there could be demand for something like this here locally," said Dykeman. "I've personally appreciated the convenience of blow dry bars, how the overall experience is relaxing, and in some ways therapeutic. Being able to bring this service offering to the fellow residents of Bainbridge is exciting."

To celebrate the opening, Blo Blow Dry Bar guests will be able to purchase a single discounted blowout for $50 , this offer runs from October 13 th-22nd.

Blo Blow Dry Bar is on a mission to create a space where people of all ages, ethnicities, and orientations are welcomed, represented, and made to feel gorgeous while emphasizing the need for self-care and wellness. Combining a sophisticated design with a fun and energetic environment, Blo cultivates a seamless and enjoyable experience for guests upon their arrival, during, and after their services. Expertly trained blo-ers are available for consultation seven days a week to meet the needs of all guests. The brand's hair menu includes five signature styles from sleek and straight to bouncy curls, plus a wide assortment of customized looks including updo's and braids. Blo Blow Dry Bar also offers makeup services from expert artists, in addition to Blo-On-The-Go customized mobile hair and makeup delivered on-site for weddings and other special events to help guests look and feel amazing for any occasion.

Blo Blow Dry Bar is open Monday  Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. , Saturday 9 a.m.  7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information on Blo Blow Dry Bar on Bainbridge Island , please visit https://blomedry.com/blo-bainbridge/ or call 206-451-4193.

About Blo Blow Dry Bar

Blo Blow Dry Bar is North America's original blow dry bar and the world's largest blow dry bar franchise. The company transformed beauty norms and reinvented the salon industry when it launched the "no cuts, no color" concept: only blow outs. Since opening its first location in Canada in 2007, Blo has grown to over 140 locations across the U.S. and Canada and continues to expand rapidly. The brand has also evolved over time, adding makeup services, a membership program, and quality retail products to its bars. With a mission to enhance the lives of those in the community through the power of flawless blow outs and beauty services, Blo Blow Dry Bar offers perfectly styled hair and exceptional customer experiences seven days a week. For more information visit www.blomedry.com.

Media Contact: Paige Stark , Fishman Public Relations, 847-945-1300, or [email protected]

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SOURCE Blo Blow Dry Bar
CHIEF FINANCIAL AND OPERATING OFFICER AND GENERAL MANAGER, NORTH AMERICA STRENGTHEN LEADERSHIP TEAM; BRAND CREATES NEW INTERNATIONAL DIVISION

NEW YORK , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NEST New York , a leading fragrance lifestyle brand, today announced two new additions to its leadership team. Rhona Jacquand joins the brand as Chief Financial and Operating Officer, and Ali Wente, as General Manager, North America .

Rhona Jacquand joins NEST from Shiseido Americas where she was the Vice President of Finance for the Shiseido Brand USA, Cle de Peau Beaute USA and the Shiseido Fragrance portfolio, leading the P&L management and financial implementation of the strategic plans. Prior to her time with Shiseido, Rhona worked for L'Oreal Groupe for 12 years in finance leadership roles globally.

Ali Wente most recently served as the Senior Vice President of Coty Luxury US where she oversaw the sales division of luxury brands across fine fragrances, skincare & makeup, including Gucci Beauty, Burberry, Marc Jacobs , and Kylie Cosmetics, among others. During her tenure, the company achieved record-setting growth in the US market and two consecutive years with the #1 Women's Fragrance Launch. Prior to Coty US, Ali spent 18 years at Estee Lauder Companies managing sales teams, as well as LVMH and Pola Orbis.

"I am pleased to welcome Rhona and Ali to NEST New York," said Edgar Huber , Chief Executive Officer of NEST New York. "Their strategic vision, leadership acumen, and dedication to excellence align perfectly with our company's values, making them each an instrumental addition to the organization.

As the brand continues to focus on international expansion, current Vice President of Sales Nicole Martini will be moving to a newly created role of Vice President, International Business Development and establishing a new department to oversee global sales.

"Rhona and Ali are both highly valuable additions to our executive team," shared Laura Slatkin , NEST New York Founder and Executive Chairman. "Their extensive experience and strategic insight, as well as Nicole's new focus on international development, will collectively strengthen NEST's trajectory both in North America and across the globe."

About NEST New York

NEST New York is a fast-growing, leading fragrance lifestyle brand offering a full range of innovative and award-winning home, fine, personal care, and fragrance technology products. Launched in 2008 by fragrance authority Laura Slatkin , NEST products have captured the hearts and households of many. In 2022, North Castle Partners, a consumer-focused private equity firm, purchased a majority stake in the brand. NEST is known for its outstanding product quality, extraordinary fragrances, and timeless, classic design. The brand's products are sold through a growing network of beauty specialty stores, luxury department stores, boutiques and spas, and the brand's online hub, NESTNewYork.com.

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SOURCE NEST New York
The world's #1 super-premium tequila unveils a new Additive Free seal on packaging reinforcing the brand's time honored additive free process.

HAMILTON, Bermuda , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PATRON Tequila, the world's number one super-premium tequila,* is celebrating its (agave) roots by creating a new Additive Free seal that will be unveiled across the PATRON core portfolio, rolling out this fall. Honoring the brand's continued Additive Free endorsement from the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT), this new seal will indicate to tequila drinkers that they can enjoy their PATRON with peace of mind, being fully confident that their tequila of choice is completely additive free. This endorsement bestowed by the tequila industry's governing body is a testament to how PATRON has remained committed to using only the highest quality, all natural ingredients  agave, water and yeast  at the core, since its inception. It's this mentality that's embedded within the time-honored PATRON production process that goes to extraordinary lengths to handcraft the finest tequila with no corrections or additives needed.

While the demand for additive free products is surging, the increased popularity of tequila in recent years has put intense pressure on tequila makers to produce more tequila, faster. And, there isn't a requirement for tequila brands to notify consumers when additives are used, should they remain less than 1% of the product's total volume. As a result, many producers have met the increased demand by mechanizing their processes or taking shortcuts, of which must be corrected later by using commercial additives to enhance flavor and color. As the category leader, PATRON is one of the few brands that still makes tequila the hard way: by hand, with only three natural ingredients and nothing else added  no added sugars or chemical ingredients. As such, PATRON created this new seal for packaging, providing tequila drinkers with the security and knowledge that their spirit of choice is 100% additive free.

The CRT sets the standard within the industry to safeguard the Designation of Origin of Tequila, both nationally and internationally, and to guarantee the authenticity of tequila for the consumer. To verify the endorsement, an analysis of the production methods conducted at Hacienda PATRON was executed by the CRT. As the governing body of tequila, the CRT evaluates each step of the PATRON production process and the resulting tequila for traces of additives, such as glycerin, caramel coloring, vanilla, oak extract, and jarabe or sugar-based syrup. Some brands use these additives to expedite production and mask imperfections, such as making a tequila color darker to appear more aged. This is something PATRON will never do because it's remained unwaveringly committed to delivering perfection in every drop of tequila for you to enjoy, without the use of additives, a process that has never changed because PATRON gets it right the first time.

Recently, there's been a noticeable, rising attraction toward additive free products. "More than before, individuals are conscious of what they're consuming  they want natural ingredients and to be confident in the manner in which they were derived to deliver a high-quality product that satisfies their needs," says PATRON Global Vice President, Innovation and Sustainability Samantha Newby . "PATRON has been additive free since its inception and it's one of the many reasons why people gravitate toward it. As people continue to seek all natural, high-quality products, PATRON is proud to once again be the leader of the additive free movement with this new Additive Free seal on our packaging."

"Since PATRON created the super-premium tequila category in 1989, the brand has been additive free because of its unwavering commitment to craft, authenticity and integrity," says PATRON Master Distiller David Rodriguez . "Even as PATRON has grown in popularity and scale, the brand has never adopted methods  like the use of additives  to cut corners or compromise on quality. PATRON has always used exactly the same painstaking steps in its production process, from the agave field to cooking to bottling, to deliver an exceptionally smooth flavor profile that is born of nothing but true tequila."

PATRON Tequila's new Additive Free seal will be seen on the iconic PATRON packaging across all core offerings in the PATRON portfolio rolling out this fall, further highlighting how PATRON Tequila is made by hand and crafted by passion  using nothing more than agave, water and yeast. To learn more about how PATRON has remained a steadfast leader of the additive free and super-premium categories, head to patrontequila.com .

*IWSR 2022 Global Database

About PATRON Tequila

From hand-harvesting the highest-quality 100% Weber Blue Agave, to the traditional, time-honored distillation process and individual labeling, numbering, and inspection of each bottle, PATRON Tequila is crafted with meticulous precision and care. Though PATRON has grown to become one of the most recognized and respected luxury spirits brands in the world, it is still exclusively produced in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico , in the same small batches and with the same commitment to quality and craftsmanship. For more information about PATRON Tequilas, please visit www.patrontequila.com. The perfect way to enjoy PATRON is responsibly.

PATRON is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda . Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

THE PERFECT WAY TO ENJOY PATRON IS RESPONSIBLY.

Contact: [email protected]

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SOURCE Patron Tequila
Former Chubb executive joins the fastest growing workers' compensation insurer

DENVER , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pie Insurance ("Pie"), an insurtech company specializing in commercial insurance for small businesses, today announced the appointment of insurance executive Audra Foglietta as the company's new chief financial officer (CFO). Foglietta joins Pie during a pivotal period of growthPie is the fastest growing workers' comp insurer in the U.S. 1, achieving a 271 percent increase in direct written premiums, surpassing the growth of all other insurers.

Pie is the fastest growing workers' comp insurer in the U.S. , achieving a 271% increase in direct written premiums.

Foglietta brings a wealth of financial leadership and strategic expertise to Pie, having spent more than twenty years at Chubb, the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. Most recently, Foglietta served as Chubb's executive vice president and CFO of Global Operations and Technology, in addition to previously serving as CFO of Westchester Specialty, the company's excess and surplus division. Foglietta has a proven track record of driving financial performance and operational efficiencies in the public insurance sector. Her expertise includes global business transformations, corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, business analytics and operations.

"I'm honored to join Pie as its CFO and be part of an organization that is redefining the small commercial insurance landscape and growing at an impressive rate," said Audra Foglietta , incoming CFO at Pie. "Pie's commitment to technology and innovation combined with its dedication to serving the unique needs of small businesses resonated with me. I look forward to working with the talented team at Pie to support the company's mission and customers, and ultimately drive optimal financial performance and excellence."

Pie's rise as the fastest growing workers' comp insurer is driven by the company's commitment to making the entire insurance journey more affordable, efficient and simple for small businesses through agency partner expansion, API integrations and market expansion. Recent milestones include:

Agency Partners : Agency partners have continued to be a key contributor to Pie's overall growth. In the past year, Pie's agency partner channel has grown to more than 4,000 insurance agency partners, expanding by nearly 30 percent. Pie Partner submissions grew by 63 percent over the same time period.

: Agency partners have continued to be a key contributor to Pie's overall growth. In the past year, Pie's agency partner channel has grown to more than 4,000 insurance agency partners, expanding by nearly 30 percent. Pie Partner submissions grew by 63 percent over the same time period. Full stack evolution: In addition to being the fastest growing workers' comp insurer, Pie quickly transitioned from an MGA to a full stack carrier after receiving an AM Best A- (excellent) rating in February 2023 .

In addition to being the fastest growing workers' comp insurer, Pie quickly transitioned from an MGA to a full stack carrier after receiving an AM Best A- (excellent) rating in . Pricing: In August 2023 , Pie introduced pricing enhancements and expanded appetite to partner agents by leveraging the company's extensive in-house data and sophisticated machine learning algorithms.

In , Pie introduced pricing enhancements and expanded appetite to partner agents by leveraging the company's extensive in-house data and sophisticated machine learning algorithms. Claims : Pie has made significant progress transitioning from using a TPA to building and staffing an in-house claims organization, expanding the team from 16 to nearly 50 professionals in the past year.

: Pie has made significant progress transitioning from using a TPA to building and staffing an in-house claims organization, expanding the team from 16 to nearly 50 professionals in the past year. APIs and Integrations: Pie continues to add API integration partners including Talage, Tarmika, Appulate, and Bold Penguin to broaden its availability with agents. Pie's agency partners can also connect directly with Pie's APIs, unlocking the ability to submit business without leaving their own platforms. This easy-to-implement option has resulted in a 41 percent year-over-year increase in API-driven submissions.

In addition, Ford Pro Insure, a commercial auto insurance product powered by Pie, launched in Arizona , Illinois and Tennessee this year and will roll out to additional states over time.

"In addition to our many exciting milestones shared today, Pie's rise as the fastest growing workers' comp insurer is a testament to the value we bring to our small business customers and partners," said John Swigart , co-founder and CEO of Pie Insurance. "We're also thrilled to welcome Audra Foglietta to the team as Pie's new CFO. Her extensive experience in the insurance industry and her leadership in developing top global finance and accounting teams will be instrumental in building upon our strong growth to date and preparing Pie for a long-term, sustainable future ahead."

Foglietta's first day as Pie's CFO will be Monday, October 9th .

About Pie Insurance

Pie Insurance is leveraging technology to transform how small businesses buy and experience commercial insurance, with the goal of making it affordable and as easy as pie. Pie's intense focus on granular, sophisticated pricing, and data-driven customer segmentation enables Pie to match price with risk accurately across a broad spectrum of small business types, which allows Pie to offer more affordable insurance to small business owners. Since 2017, Pie has received over $615M in funding and partnered with over 4,000 agencies nationwide.

1 Pie's ranking is based on the company's direct written premium growth as an MGA for SiriusPoint America Insurance Company. The ranking was made by growth percentages calculated by Pie using 2022 and 2020 direct written premium data in the August 2023 S&P IQ Insurance Statutory Market Share report.

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SOURCE Pie Insurance
October Dedicated to Honoring and Remembering Those Who Experienced Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Loss; Awareness, Training Essential

PORTLAND, Ore. , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Postpartum Support International (PSI) joins the global community in recognizing October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. This poignant month is dedicated to people who have lost a pregnancy or infant to miscarriage, stillbirth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), or any other cause.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month recognizes the impact losing a pregnancy or infant has on a family, and creates a safe space for open and compassionate conversations about grief and loss.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, miscarriage and stillbirth both describe pregnancy loss, but a miscarriage is usually defined as loss of a baby before the 20th week of pregnancy, and a stillbirth is loss of a baby at 20 weeks of pregnancy and later.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month serves as an opportunity for individuals and organizations to raise awareness about the profound impact of pregnancy and infant loss on families. It is a time to create a safe space for open and compassionate conversations about grief and loss.

Pregnancy and infant loss are more common than most people realize, with millions of families affected worldwide. The March of Dimes suggests that more than 30 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage. According to the CDC, each year about 24,000 babies are stillborn in the United States . The CDC reports that 19,920 deaths occurred in children younger than age one year in the United States in 2021, with an infant mortality rate of 543.6 infant deaths per 100,000 live births. PSI is committed to providing resources, education, and support to help individuals and families navigate the unique challenges that come with these types of loss.

"PSI stands in solidarity with those who have experienced the pain of pregnancy and infant loss and is committed to fostering a community of understanding and support," said Dr. Wendy Davis , executive director of Postpartum Support International. "We are focused on educating and training medical and mental health professionals to ensure families receive compassionate care during and following the trauma of loss. Together, we can create a world where families feel heard, supported, and never alone."

During this month of remembrance and support, PSI encourages everyone to:

Share Stories: Encourage open and honest conversations about pregnancy and infant loss. Sharing personal experiences can help break the stigma surrounding this topic and offer solace to those who are grieving.

Offer Support: Reach out to friends, family members, or colleagues who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. A simple message of empathy and care can go a long way in helping someone through their grief.

Seek Help: If you or someone you know is struggling with grief after a pregnancy or infant loss, don't hesitate to seek professional support. PSI offers a range of free resources, including a worldwide network of trained volunteers and mental health professionals, who can provide guidance and assistance. PSI also offers online support groups and meetings for those who have experienced loss.

Participate in Remembrance Events: Many organizations hold events and activities throughout October to honor and remember the babies who are no longer with us. Specifically, you can participate in the International Wave of Light by lighting a candle at 7 pm , local hour, on October 15 (World Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day ) to honor all lost pregnancies and babies gone too soon. Keep your candle lit for at least one hour to create a continuous "wave of light" across all time zones covering the globe. Participating in these events can be a meaningful way to connect with others who share similar experiences.

For more information about Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month or to access resources for pregnancy and infant loss support, please visit http://www.postpartum.net/ or call the helpline at 1-800-944-4773. In addition to providing support and resources for families, PSI offers grief and loss training for medical and mental health professionals.

About Postpartum Support International

Founded by a new mother in 1987 to increase awareness among public and professional communities about the emotional difficulties women can experience during and after pregnancy, Postpartum Support International (PSI) offers a wealth of resources for a wide range of needs, situations, and audiences to help give families the strongest and healthiest start possible through support and community. PSI offers support, reliable information, best practice training and certification for healthcare professionals, and volunteer coordinators nationwide and in more than 30 countries. PSI is committed to eliminating stigma and ensuring that compassionate and quality care is available to all families. Need help? Call 1-800-944-4PPD (4773). Learn more at https://www.postpartum.net/

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SOURCE Postpartum Support International
NEW ORLEANS , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Susan G. Komen, the world's leading breast cancer organization, today announced it will host a Race for the Cure in Louisiana this fall. The New Orleans Race for the Cure will take place on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 .

The event will raise critical funds that support breast cancer patients, advance research and provide patient navigation services to better serve those impacted by the disease.

"We look forward to welcoming walkers to this event to make a difference in our fight against breast cancer," said Kristen Barley , executive director at Susan G. Komen. "Being back in person for the second year in a row allows us to unite our community in this important mission and support the people who need our help now."

What: New Orleans Race for the Cure



When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 , 8:30 AM ; Gates Open at 7:00 AM



Where: Shrine on Airline, 6000 Airline Dr. , Metairie, Louisiana 70003



Details: Register at komen.org/neworleansrace

Please contact Amy Jo Steinbruecker at [email protected] for more information on the event. Interviews with event attendees, Komen staff, and honorees can be granted upon request.

About Susan G. Komen 

Susan G. Komen  is the world's leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting this disease across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide. We advocate for patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people with trustworthy information. Founded by Nancy G. Brinker , who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen , that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life, Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow's cures. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at www.komen.org/contact-us/follow-us/.

CONTACT: Amy Jo Steinbruecker

Susan G. Komen

(972) 701-2071

[email protected]

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Call For Nominations Open; Winners Will Receive Scholarship to Elevate Efforts in Physician Practice

BOSTON , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Physicians Foundation announced the launch of its new Physicians Foundation's Leadership Award Program to honor the next generation of physician leaders. Award recipients will receive a $10,000 scholarship to elevate their efforts to address drivers of health (DOH) or to advance innovative solutions to make their communities or practices a healthier place for patients and physicians. The call for nominations is open through October 2023 .

Nominations will fall into two award categories: the Dr. Buz Cooper Award for Addressing Drivers of Health and the Medical Innovator Award.

The Dr. Buz Cooper Award for Addressing Drivers of Health: A recent survey from the Foundation found that while nearly all physicians agree that their patients' health outcomes are affected by DOH, many physicians face challenges in addressing them. In alignment with the Foundation's work to recognize and act on challenges related to DOH, this award honors a physician who has gone above and beyond to connect their patients with the social, economic, educational and environmental resources that they need for their overall health. The award's namesake is Richard (Buz) Cooper , MD, author of Poverty and the Myths of Health Care Reform.





A recent survey from the Foundation found that while nearly all physicians agree that their patients' health outcomes are affected by DOH, many physicians face challenges in addressing them. In alignment with the Foundation's work to recognize and act on challenges related to DOH, this award honors a physician who has gone above and beyond to connect their patients with the social, economic, educational and environmental resources that they need for their overall health. The award's namesake is , MD, author of Poverty and the Myths of Health Care Reform. Medical Innovator Award: Because physicians are the foundation of our health care system, their ideas and perspectives are central to improving health care delivery across the United States . Therefore, The Physicians Foundation champions the role of physicians as stewards for high-quality, cost-efficient care. The Medical Innovator Award recognizes a physician who has innovated and successfully implemented a new solution to strengthen the physician-patient relationship, support their medical practice's sustainability or navigate the changing health care system.

"To best ensure physicians remain the bedrock of our health care system, The Physicians Foundation is furthering our efforts to engage the next generation of physician leaders," said Gary Price , MD, president of The Physicians Foundation. "In an era marked by health care challenges, our new Leadership Award Program will champion young physicians who have shown ingenuity in their pursuit of a more sustainable, patient-centric health care system."

Nominations will be accepted through Oct. 31 . Nominees should be physicians who are new or mid-career, meaning they have practiced fewer than 15 years, and who demonstrate physician leadership in the relevant award category. In addition to the scholarship, award recipients will earn recognition on a national level and take part in thought leadership opportunities through the Foundation to share perspectives on improving health care delivery. Recipients will be publicly announced following an Award Ceremony in April 2024 .

"Our latest survey demonstrates that younger physicians face tremendous challenges in the current health care landscape, which is why we must strive to support these early career physicians who will shape our health care future," said Gary Price , MD, president of The Physicians Foundation. "Emerging physician leaders will play a key role in determining solutions that can better address DOH and provide high-quality, cost-efficient health care to all."

For more information about the Physicians Foundation's Leadership Award Program and to apply for the award, visit https://physiciansfoundation.org/leadership-award-program/

About The Physicians Foundation

The Physicians Foundation is a nonprofit seeking to advance the work of practicing physicians and help them facilitate the delivery of high-quality health care to patients. As the U.S. health care system continues to evolve, The Physicians Foundation is steadfast in strengthening the physician-patient relationship, supporting medical practices' sustainability and helping physicians navigate the changing health care system. The Physicians Foundation pursues its mission through research, education and innovative grant making that improves physician wellbeing, strengthens physician leadership, addresses drivers of health and lifts physician perspectives. For more information, visit www.physiciansfoundation.org.

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SOURCE The Physicians Foundation
LONDON , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wirex, the leading crypto payments platform, is excited to announce the return of the Rising Women in Crypto Power List initiative for 2023 in partnership with The Cryptonomist, a major crypto media.

The Women in Crypto campaign, now in its fourth year, aims to celebrate excellence in the cryptocurrency industry. Wirex wants this initiative to not only acknowledge the accomplishments of female leaders but also inspire younger generations worldwide to view it as an incredible career path.

Pavel Matveev , CEO & Co-Founder of Wirex, commented: "The Women in Crypto campaign is not just an annual initiative; it's a testament to the invaluable contributions that women make to the cryptocurrency industry. We believe that fostering diversity and recognising the achievements of leaders is essential for the continued growth and innovation of our ecosystem."

This Power List was launched in 2020 as part of Wirex's first Women in Crypto campaign. Since then, the Power List has received over 800 nominations from more than 50 countries, emphasising the global impact of this initiative.

He further added, "As we launch the 2023 Rising Women in Crypto Power List in collaboration with The Cryptonomist, we are not only celebrating the accomplishments of tenured change-makers but also striving to inspire a new wave of talent to join the crypto revolution."

For the 2023 Power List, there will be 12 winners, including two additional awards to recognise extraordinary talent:

Social media influencer of the year  for those who have not only mastered the art of content creation but have also used it to drive positive change and inspire others.

 for those who have not only mastered the art of content creation but have also used it to drive positive change and inspire others. Compliance leader of the year  for those who have shown outstanding contributions to compliance, regulation and building trust in the crypto field.

Nominations will be open to the public from 2nd October until 6th November 2023 , with the panel of judges announcing a shortlist of 12 overall winners on 27th November 2022 .

Individuals can nominate themselves or someone they know, with judging criteria based on their achievements, potential, influence, ambition, leadership skills and innovation.

You can submit your nomination here.

Notes to editors:

About Wirex

Wirex is a worldwide digital payment platform and regulated institution that has forged new rules in the digital payments space. In 2015, the firm developed the world's first crypto-enabled payment card that gives users the ability to seamlessly spend crypto and traditional currencies in real life.

Wirex was created in 2014 by CEOs and co-founders Pavel Matveev and Dmitry Lazarichev, who identified the need to open up the esoteric world of cryptocurrencies and make digital money accessible for everyone. With the core aim of making it as easy as possible to use digital assets in everyday life, Wirex provides a trusted and cost-effective service for crypto and traditional currency transactions by incorporating the next generation of payments infrastructure integrated with cryptocurrency blockchains.

With over 6 million customers across 130 countries, the company offers secure accounts that allow customers to easily store, buy and exchange multiple currencies instantly at the best live rates on one centralised mobile app. Quick and simple crypto transfer options are available, as well as the freedom to spend 150+ traditional and cryptocurrencies in more than 80 million locations around the world using the Wirex card.

Wirex continues to develop the product in line with market developments, whilst adhering to regional regulations and securing appropriate licensing where it exists. A proven industry pioneer, Wirex launched their own native utility token, WXT, and introduced the world's first crypto reward programme, Cryptoback, which earns cardholders up to 8% back in WXT for every transaction they make.

To reflect the growth of Web3, from 2021, the company has expanded their product to enable mainstream access to DeFi and wealth management. Starting with the launch of their popular X-Accounts feature, offering unprecedented levels of interest, Wirex has continued to add to their DeFi arsenal with the release of the non-custodial Wirex Wallet and a partnership with Nereus, a decentralised liquidity market.

Wirex is based in London , with offices in Singapore , Kyiv , Lviv, Sydney , Zagreb , and Atlanta . With over $20bn worth of transactions processed already and rapid expansion into new territories, including the US and Australia , Wirex is uniquely placed to support and promote the mass adoption of a cashless society through creative solutions.

wirexapp.com

About The Cryptonomist

The Cryptonomist is a punctual and rigorous information site to offer news and updates to its readers, but also authoritative in having opinions and making a disclosure on the most innovative aspects of the crypto economy. It aims to become the most authoritative online newspaper in Italian and English and narrate an economic and technological revolution that conquers more and more spaces and consents compared to traditional models of production and exchange.

Written in a simple and captivating way, The Cryptonomist also provides videos and insights on the most current topics made by leading experts in the field. The Cryptonomist is also a marketing agency, helping crypto and fintech companies and start-ups to advertise their projects. With more than 1 million readers per month, the publication is leading the Italian and Swiss media market.

https://en.cryptonomist.ch/

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SOURCE Wirex
Pope Francis and Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of the Anglican Church attend the ecumenical prayer vigil in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican, September 30, 2023. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/ File Photo

By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Conservative Catholics have launched a barrage of challenges to Pope Francis before a big Vatican meeting, with five cardinals demanding clarifications on same-sex couples and other issues, and a women's group saying only men should vote at the event.

The cardinals from Asia, Europe, Africa, the United States and Latin America said on Monday they had sent the pope a set of formal questions, known as "dubia" ("doubts" in Latin), about the gathering.

In an open letter to Catholics, they said they had announced their challenges "so that you may not be subject to confusion, error, and discouragement but rather may pray for the universal Church".

The action was the latest latest clash between the pope and minority conservatives, who have accused him of undermining a number of traditional precepts.

Church leaders have been preparing for this week's closed-door meeting - known as a bishops synod - for the past two years, asking Catholics around the world to share their vision for the future of the Church.

Topics will include the role of women, greater acceptance of LGBT Catholics, social justice and the effects of climate change on the poor.

At the meeting, around 365 "members", including cardinals, bishops, lay people and, for the first time, women will vote on proposals.

Discussions will run through this month and resume in October 2024. A papal document will follow, most likely in 2025, meaning changes in Church teaching, if any, would be a long way off.

The five cardinals - all well-known critics of the pope who range in age from 75 to 90 and no longer hold any major office - are Raymond Burke of the United States, Walter Brandmueller of Germany, Joseph Zen of Hong Kong, Robert Sarah of Guinea and Juan Sandoval Iniquez of Mexico.

The are 242 cardinals in the Church and it was not clear if the five had asked any others to join. One well-known critic of Francis, German Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, was not among the signatories.

'CONFUSION, ERROR AND DIVISION'

Burke told the National Catholic Register, a conservative publication, the cardinals had sent the pope an earlier set of questions and he had responded a day after receiving them in July.

Not satisfied, they reformulated and resubmitted them to elicit a simple yes or no answer. The Register said the pope has not yet responded.

The Vatican later published the pope's seven pages of responses to the first set of questions in July. One Vatican source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was to show that the pope had taken them seriously and the source criticised the cardinals for behaving "as if this was a game show" of 'yes' or 'no' responses.

One question asked if same-sex couples could receive blessings, which some priests have done in a number of countries, notably Germany, even though the Vatican ruled against such blessings in 2021.

The cardinals said they wanted a clear reaffirmation of the Church's teaching that homosexual acts are sinful.

They also sought more clarity on the Church's ban on women priests, even though Francis, citing a 1994 ruling by Saint Pope John Paul II, has already said the "door is closed" on that issue.

Proponents of the synod, including many cardinals and bishops, have welcomed the consultations as an opportunity to change the Church's power dynamics and give a greater voice to lay Catholics, including women, the LGBT community and people on the margins of society.

Conservatives have taken issue with the fact that many lay people will have voting rights in a what is formally a Synod of Bishops. They say the Church should remain a male-dominated hierarchal structure where authority, particularly on doctrine, should flow from the top.

Last week, the conservative U.S.-based Catholic women's group Restore Tradition decried the fact that women were given a vote at the meeting equal to that of a cardinal or bishop, saying some of the women had advocated "heretical doctrines" against tradition.

"We wish to be represented only by bishops," the group said, citing "divine law" that only men could receive sacramental ordination.

The international conservative group, "Tradition, Family and Property," sent participants a 100-page booklet calling the gathering a dangerous "Pandora's Box". In the forward, Burke says he fears the synod will sow "confusion and error and division".

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Photo: The Canadian Press A plane is silhouetted as it takes off from Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., on May 13, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Arajet, a discount airline based in the Dominican Republic, is set to launch flights between that country and Toronto and Montreal this fall.

The announcement by the year-old carrier marks the latest entrant to an already crowded field of low-cost airlines, and comes two weeks after U.S. budget carrier Breeze Airways made a pitch to Quebecers bound for Florida.

Unlike many low-price players, Arajet CEO Victor Pacheco said his strategy will bank on a hub-and-spoke model that connects passengers from far-flung airports via the airline's hub of Santo Domingo, his home country's capital.

As proof, he said well over half of the 10,000-plus Arajet tickets sold to Canadians so far are for other destinations in the Caribbean and Central and South America, to be reached via connecting flights from the Dominican Republic.

"The ULCCs (ultra-low-cost carriers) are mainly point-to-point airlines," Pacheco said in an interview. "Were bidding on connections. And if we didn't have that, it would be very difficult then to compete with Canadian carriers."

Though no other airlines fly direct between Santo Domingo and Canada, Air Canada, United Airlines and American Airlines all touch down there regularly. Meanwhile, rapidly expanding discount carriers try to woo Canadians with cheap flights to an array of sunny destinations.

By the end of next year, Flair Airlines aims to beef up its fleet to 26 planes from 21 now, and Lynx Air to 17 aircraft from its current nine. The latter's inaugural flight only took off in April 2022, while Flair launched in late 2017, illustrating Canada's increasingly congested skies of late.

Canada Jetlines also flies to a handful of sun destinations, while Porter Airlines  though not a budget carrier  plans to grow its fleet to 79 by 2025 from 46 currently.

I think the pie is growing," Pacheco said. "Competitors do react to us, they lower prices as well. And that means that now more people have access to travel even with them."

Ironically, the door to the travel market opened up when international travel shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, the CEO said.

The grounding of the Max combined with the pandemic, I think that there was a moment or a small window of time where there was an opportunity (for low-cost airlines) to be able to access and get deals," he added, noting how carriers sprouted after airlines, leasing companies and manufacturers sought to dump planes in 2020.

He said the greater availability of the Boeing 737 Max 8 was a key selling point  for Arajet as well as other small airlines such as Flair and Lynx that rely heavily on the 189-seat narrow-body.

The Max 8 was grounded for 20 months after two crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people, including 18 Canadians.

Backed by majority investor Bain Capital, the 10-aircraft Arajet will launch direct routes to Santo Domingo from Toronto and Montreal on Oct. 24 and Nov. 7, respectively, with one-way trips starting at $98.

Bain's deep pockets as well as its majority stake in Virgin Australia and minority stake in Icelandair mean Arajet has "the backing in order to purchase aircraft directly from Boeing"  rather than relying solely on leases, as many start-up ULCCs do  Pacheco said.

The company, which has ordered 20 planes from Boeing with an option for 15 more  on top of the 10 currently in its fleet  now flies to 22 destinations in 15 countries.

We're bringing Latin America basically at the feet of Canada," Pacheco said.
Russian occupiers use men from the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine as human shields for their troops. A similar situation occurred last year in the territories of the certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

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This was stated by Pavlo Lysyansky, director of the Institute for Strategic Studies and Security, human rights activist, on the live TV channel FREEDOM. He advised to leave these regions.

"Representatives of the occupation authorities in the occupied Ukrainian territories are reassuring the population that there is no need for mobilization: the Russian army has enough people. At the same time, they have already taken preparatory measures for forced mobilization," Lysyansky said.

According to him, it is in these regions that the main blow of Russian mobilization will fall.

"They need locals, especially in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions: there is a contingent of men there to use as human shields for the occupation units of the Russian Federation. They will not spare anyone," the human rights activist added.

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He reminded that after the forced mobilization in certain areas of Luhansk and Donetsk regions last year, only a few people remained at some enterprises out of thousands.

"They were swept away, sent to minefields, to be slaughtered as human shields to save the lives of the military from the occupation units of the Russian Federation armed forces. And they don't care about the local population," Lysyansky said, adding that according to the occupiers' "legislation", after sending a summons, "evaders" will be put on the wanted list, so it will be extremely difficult to escape.

"The process of forced mobilization is well-established, no one will train anyone," the human rights activist summarized.

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As reported by OBOZREVATEL, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on the start of the autumn conscription to the Russian army. The conscription will start on October 1.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
FILE PHOTO: A man holds a bag with a new iPhone inside as Apple's new iPhone 15 officially goes on sale across China, next to an Apple Store, in Shanghai, China September 22, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Dutch competition watchdog ACM on Monday said it had rejected objections by Apple against fines of 50 million euros ($53 million) it gave the company over failure to comply with orders to limit the dominant position of Apple's App Store.

The ACM said Apple has complied with most of its demands to open its App Store to alternative forms of payment for dating apps in the Netherlands, but had not met an undisclosed third element of the conditions related to the fines.

The ACM in 2021 ruled that Apple violated Dutch competition laws in the dating app market and required Apple to allow developers of dating apps to use third-party payment processors.

It fined Apple 5 million euros per week, eventually reaching 50 million euros during the period it failed to comply.

Apple objected to these fines, saying that the regulator had incorrectly defined relevant markets and had overestimated the dominance of Apple's position in the dating app market.

The regulator rejected all of Apple's objections in a decision dated July 13, 2023, which was published on Monday.

"We disagree with the ACMs original order, which degrades investment incentives and is not in the best interests of our users privacy or data security," Apple said in a response.

"As the ACM has denied our administrative appeal, we will appeal to the Netherlands courts.

The ACM said it would publish the still-undisclosed part of the proceedings objected to by Apple if it won in court.

($1 = 0.9454 euros)

(Reporting by Bart Meijer and Toby Sterling; Editing by Louise Heavens and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
FILE PHOTO: Schoolchildren who fled from attacks of armed militants in Sahel region attend a class in Dori, Burkina Faso November 24, 2020. Picture taken November 24, 2020.REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra/File Photo

DAKAR (Reuters) - More than one million children and 31,000 teachers have been unable to return to their classrooms in Burkina Faso due to violence and insecurity as the West African nation starts another academic year on Monday, UNICEF said.

About 6,100 schools, or at least one out of four, was shut on the first day of the school year, UNICEF said.

The junta that seized power in a military coup last year has struggled improve security in the country. Indeed, data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a U.S.-based crisis-monitoring group, shows that violence nationwide has only increased since the coup.

"Having so many children still unable to return to school due to violence and insecurity, and so many schools closed, is very upsetting," John Agbor, UNICEF Representative in Burkina Faso, said in the statement.

Burkina Faso has been struggling to contain Islamist insurgents linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State who have killed thousands and displaced over two million people in the country, more than half of them children.

More than 3.8 million children in total are still due to return to school in Burkina Faso, including in areas affected by conflict, UNICEF said, adding it was working with authorities and other partners to help facilitate access to education, including programmes such as lessons by radio.

The violence is part of a regional insurgency that has also plagued neighbouring Mali and Niger where conflict has interrupted children's education for years in one of the poorest corners of the world.

(Reporting by Reuters Newsroom; Writing by Bate Felix; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
FILE PHOTO: Kosovo police officers patrol, in the aftermath of a shooting incident, in Banjska village, Kosovo September 27, 2023. REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski/File Photo

BELGRADE (Reuters) -Serbia has withdrawn some troops stationed near the border with Kosovo, after having increased the numbers deployed there following a gun battle in northern Kosovo in which four people died, army commander General Milan Mojsilovic said on Monday.

Tensions between Belgrade and Pristina soared since Sept. 24, when Kosovo police near the northern Kosovo's village of Banjska fought around 30 armed Serbs who barricaded themselves in a Serbian Orthodox monastery. Three attackers and one police officer were killed.

The skirmishes prompted new international concern over the stability in the predominantly Albanian Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after a guerrilla uprising and a 1999 NATO bombing campaign that drove out Serb security forces.

"Serbia had deployed 8,350 troops near (the border) ... with Kosovo, ... and reduced them to 4,500 at the moment," Mojsilovic said.

He said the army presence in the so-called Ground Safety Zone, a 5 km-wide (3-mile) strip inside Serbia along the Kosovo border, had "reverted to normal".

Serbia has not "formally raised the level of readiness" of its 22,500-strong army, Mojsilovic said.

Kosovo on Saturday called on Serbia to reduce the number of troops along the border, while the United States on Friday said it was monitoring Serbian military deployment, describing it as destabilising.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday the United States had not yet independently verified the withdrawal, but it would be a welcome step if it were confirmed.

"We continue to be concerned about the cycle of rising tensions and sporadic violence in northern Kosovo and encourage both parties to return to the facilitated dialogue," Miller told reporters.

Pristina blamed Serbia for providing financial and logistical support to the group that fought Kosovo police, which Belgrade denied.

Mojsilovic said that Milan Radoicic, a Kosovo Serb politician who had admitted to taking the part in the skirmishes in Banjska, had not taken part in training with the army.

Some 50,000 Serbs who live in northern Kosovo do not recognise Pristina's institutions and see Belgrade as their capital. They have often clashed with Kosovo police and international peacekeepers, but Sunday's violence was the worst in years.

NATO, which still has 4,500 troops in Kosovo, said on Friday it had "authorised additional forces to address the current situation".

(Reporting by Ivana Sekularac and Aleksandar Vasovic; Additional reporting by Simone Lewis in Washington; Editing by Alex Richardson and Alison Williams)
(Tribune News Service)  It wasnt an emergency landing, but a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey recently experienced a mechanical issue that caused the pilot and several others onboard to land at Baldwin County Regional Airport.

They were there for several days until repairs could be made, according to Bruce Hood, general manager of Sinclair Aviation, which manages day-to-day operations at the local airport.

He said the pilot never declared an emergency.

The pilot was alerted by a warning sensor that something was wrong, Hood said.

The helicopter was traveling from North Carolina to Arizona, Hood told The Union-Recorder during an interview Wednesday morning. They were all active-duty Marines. When the aircraft got close to Milledgeville, it developed a vibration sensor in one of its rotors and the pilot decided to land here at our airport as a safety precaution.

Once they landed, some of the crew members did some troubleshooting.

We loaned them some tools to do their troubleshooting, Hood said. They ended up calling in a second unit to come help them. They later found out they had a bigger problem than they originally thought, so they had to actually remove the rotor on the right-hand side of the aircraft and replace a few parts before they could get that aircraft repaired and flying again.

During that time, they had numerous other MV-22s fly in with support equipment to repair the bad rotor. Other mechanical and technical support personnel arrived to help make the necessary repairs.

Hood said he talked with the commander of the squadron and asked if it would be OK if he called a couple of people from Qarbon Aerospace in Milledgeville to come out and take a look.

They were ecstatic about that idea and told me to bring them on out to the airport, Hood said.

Several people from the company that manufactures parts for the MV-22 Osprey came out and toured the aircraft.

And I thought that was a wonderful thing, Hood said.

Gifts of appreciation were presented to personnel by Matt Grubb, one of the officials at the Qarbon Aerospace.

You could tell it really meant a lot to those who received those trinkets, Hood said.

Several local residents also came to the airport to see the helicopters, he recalled.

The aircraft remained grounded for nearly a week.

During that time, the 16 active-duty Marines stayed at motels in Milledgeville, Hood said.

And so did several others who came in to work on the Osprey.

Hood said Sinclair Aviation also loaned them its courtesy SUV so they could journey back and forth from the motel to restaurants and back to the airport.

We were more than glad to assist them in any way we possibly could, Hood said. We took the opportunity here at Sinclair Aviation on two different occasions to feed them. We fed them Jersey Mike sub-sandwiches one day and another day, we fed them pizza.

Before they departed the airport earlier this week, Hood recalled them saying that of all the places to break down, Milledgeville was probably one of the best places it could have happened because of the warm hospitality they received.

It wasnt just from us here at Sinclair Aviation, it was from our community at-large, Hood said. It was really nice to help them in their time of need because they have always been first to help our country in time of need.

(c)2023 The Union-Recorder (Milledgeville, Ga.)

Visit unionrecorder.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Marine Rotational Force  Southeast Asia began its second rotation on Sept. 26, 2023, with the deployment of sailors and Marines to the Philippines. (U.S. Marine Corps)

A new Marine rotational force has deployed to the Philippines to begin a series of back-to-back exercises in the region, the service announced in a news release Friday.

Marine Rotational Force  Southeast Asia is participating in the multinational naval exercise Sama Sama  Tagalog for together  according to the release.

The 12-day exercise kicked off Monday near the island of Luzon with troops from the U.S., the Philippines and seven other nations.

The rotational force is slated to conduct a series of back-to-back exercises and engagements through mid-December, including with counterparts from Malaysia and Indonesia, according to the Marines.

We are enabling operations that span the vast expanse of the Indo-Pacific region, demonstrating our adaptability in pursuit of our mission, the rotational forces commander, Col. Thomas Siverts, said in the release. He also leads the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The Marines didnt immediately respond Monday to an interview request or emailed questions about the forces size.

The first Marine rotational force to Southeast Asia arrived in September 2022 and trained with counterparts in the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei, according to a Marine Corps news release on Jan. 15.

The older Marine Rotational Force  Darwin has been deploying to northern Australia for six-month training missions each year since 2012. This years rotation of 2,500 Marines wraps up this month.

The size, composition and duration of the Southeast Asia rotations can be adjusted, according to the Marines.

As a forward-positioned force, it is optimized to conduct security cooperation engagements with Allies and partners in Southeast Asia while also standing ready to support crisis or contingency response in the region, the release states.

The rotational forces command-and-control element is based on the U.S. West Coast, the statement said.

The rotational force includes a command element, a reconnaissance platoon, joint terminal attack controllers, air and naval gunfire liaisons, explosive ordnance disposal Marines and unmanned aerial systems operators, according to the release.

During the rotation, the force is expected to practice heliborne operations, amphibious raids, coastal defense, company- and platoon-level combined live-fire and naval operations.

Exchanges are scheduled to cover reconnaissance; explosive ordnance disposal; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense; information operations; joint fires; fire support; and unmanned aerial systems.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, speaks during a news conference on the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 2, 2020. (Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg)

They are two of the best-known African leaders on the planet. The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopias prime minister, and his compatriot Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who as head of the World Health Organization became the face of the global response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Yet the two are now on opposite sides of a bitter power play exposed by previously undisclosed Ethiopian government documents that appear to show how the Abiy administration tried to discredit the global health leader with allegations of embezzlement and sexual misconduct ahead of his reappointment at the WHO in 2022. Tedros, who has denied all the allegations and hasnt been charged with any crimes, says he is reluctant to return to his native Ethiopia  Africas second-most populous nation  without assurances that he and his family will be safe.

The collapse in relations between the two men can be traced back to November 2020  the month Abiy declared war on the ruling party of the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia. Prior to his appointment at the WHO, Tedros, a Tigrayan, had dedicated his professional life to the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, the political party that for three decades governed Ethiopia. But, as the conflict erupted, Tedros was drowning in terrifying data: more than 50 million cases of COVID-19 had been reported globally, no vaccines were available at that stage, and deaths were spiking in Europe and the US.

Reports of massacres, human rights violations and indiscriminate killings on both sides of the Tigray conflict flooded in  the war would eventually kill more than 500,000 people, according to estimates by the U.S. and European Union. Tedros, based in Geneva, feared for friends and family living in Tigray.

History looks favorably on those that manage to reach across, bridge division and move from war to peace, Tedros wrote on Twitter on Nov. 19 that year. On the same day, the head of the Ethiopian army accused Tedros in a televised statement of procuring weapons for the TPLF without providing evidence to support the allegation. Tedros denied the claims.

By June 2021, the Financial Intelligence Centre in the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance had opened an investigation of Tedros, according to hundreds of internal documents seen by Bloomberg News that were made available by the Paris-based Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa.

In an interview with Bloomberg in August, Tedros, 58, called the probe part of a smear campaign based on his ethnicity and membership in the TPLF, which was itself accused of detaining and torturing opponents while in power. The WHO director-general said that his family in Ethiopia was harassed and that he installed security cameras at his Geneva home after identifying what he said were plainclothes agents from Ethiopia.

They harassed my mother-in-law, and they detained my brother-in-law for two weeks in 2021, Tedros said over Zoom from Geneva, recounting how Ethiopian authorities confiscated his apartment in the capital, Addis Ababa. They searched the flat, found nothing and told my mother-in-law to take the books and furniture. The apartment has not been returned to the family.The Ethiopian prime ministers office, the finance ministry and the justice ministry didnt respond to requests for comment.

Compiled over several months in 2021, the documents are part of a report sent to judicial authorities and the federal police. They include bank statements, handwritten witness accounts and email correspondence among investigators, witnesses and banks.

The intelligence unit probed allegations that Tedros was involved in embezzlement of state funds, sexual misconduct, illicit purchases of property in Addis Ababa, rigged tender offers and illegal procurement during his tenure as Ethiopias health minister from 2005 to 2012, the documents show. They paint a picture of an effort by the Ethiopian government to criminalize the head of the WHO, say former colleagues of Tedros who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals.

No charges appear to have been filed, although the intelligence unit recommended that the Tedros case, along with others against individuals, local companies and an international development organization, be referred to the police and attorney general.

The investigation coincided with the start of Tedros campaign to win a second term as director-general of the WHO, which Ethiopian diplomats in Geneva opposed. Despite that effort and criticism of his handling of the pandemic by some countries, Tedros was reappointed in May 2022.

Bloomberg saw the documents before approaching Tedros, who said he was unaware of criminal proceedings against him in Ethiopia. He agreed to talk about the duress he and his family have been under but said he didnt want to undermine attempts to implement a peace deal reached last November by the government and the TPLF.

The documents were provided to the French group by Distributed Denial of Secrets, a nonprofit whistleblower website, and were shared with several other media organizations. Bloomberg verified the documents by analyzing attached metadata to check that they were created by their authors and confirmed the investigation with two Ethiopian officials who had direct knowledge of the matter. Both agreed to talk on the condition of anonymity as they are not authorized to speak publicly.

Most of the allegations against Tedros supposedly came from officials working for the Ethiopian Public Health Institute and the Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Agency, established by Tedros to improve procurement procedures in the country.

In one case of alleged misconduct, Tedros was investigated for allegedly violating a government procurement law by purchasing HIV test kits and epidemic drugs that were prohibited by the WHO. The original complaint was made by Atsbeha Gebregziagher, a researcher at the institute, according to a police statement.

But Atsbeha said in a telephone interview that the problem of substandard HIV test kits was related to the period between 2014 and 2016, after Tedros had left the health ministry to become foreign minister. Atsbeha said he had no knowledge of Tedros being involved in the embezzlement of state funds or other illegal activities. My task was specific, so I had no chance to meet with management. I had no chance to get this information because its high level information.

The intelligence unit initially requested that every bank in the country send statements and information on money transfers carried out by Tedros, family members and senior Tigrayan officials, the leaked documents show.

It was a very personally targeted campaign  they raided his familys home, they took away things, they threatened him, he could not contact his own family, said Mukesh Kapila, a professor of global health and humanitarian affairs at the University of Manchester, who has worked for the UK government, the United Nations and the International Red Cross and who backed Tedros in his successful bid to run the WHO in 2017. All Tedros did, he said, was to say he was very concerned about the health situation in Tigray because of the continuing blockade.

The banks that responded to the investigators said they either had no accounts belonging to Tedros and his associates, or that accounts did exist but with insignificant amounts of money, the documents show.

Yet, in a previously undisclosed report dated Sept. 2, 2021, and forwarded to police and judicial authorities, the financial intelligence unit said of Tedros: His actions, which run counter to his professional training in the health field, pose a significant danger to the health of the Ethiopian people. It added, this not only warrants criminal charges but could also result in the revocation of his doctoral degree.

Early in 2022, Zenebe Kebede, Ethiopias representative to the WHO, told the bodys executive board that Tedros has not lived up to the integrity and professional expectations required from his office and the position. He also said Tedros has been using his office to advance his personal political interests at the expense of the interests of Ethiopia. Zenebe didnt respond to requests for comment.

In September 2022, after Tedros won approval for a second five-year term, the Permanent Mission of Ethiopia in Geneva submitted a complaint to the WHO asking it to conduct an unrelated investigation of Tedros, accusing him of using his WHO position to attack the government of Ethiopia. Tedros had criticized the government for failing to grant enough access for UN agencies and humanitarian groups attempting to deliver aid to Tigray, and later described Ethiopia as the epicenter of the worst catastrophe on Earth.

A spokesperson for the WHO said that an independent committee looked into the matter and advised the board that Tedros was within the role of the director-general to comment on humanitarian or health emergencies.

The Ethiopian investigation eventually lost steam as talks between the government and the Tigrayan liberation organization led to a negotiated peace deal in November 2022. The investigation is no longer active, according to the two Ethiopian officials.

One accusation leveled at Tedros in the documents is that he enriched himself through bogus contracts doled out by the health ministry and the Pharmaceutical Supply Agency. But Amir Aman, a former Ethiopian health minister who worked with Tedros for more than a decade, said the WHO head had created the agency to clean up the procurement process and had no direct involvement in the purchasing of goods. The agency has its own board, director, management and staff, he said. Hes one of the people I always looked up to.

Alan Court, a former senior official with Unicef, the UN childrens fund, also worked with Tedros when he was health minister. Court, then the Copenhagen-based director of the funds supply division, was asked to help Tedros, who was having trouble buying enough mosquito nets during a surge in malaria cases.

The Ethiopian documents include an allegation that Tedros accepted a bribe to award the mosquito net contract. Court said there was nothing suspicious about the granting of the contract and that Tedros management was flawless. The deal, which led to an increase in global production that helped Ethiopia import almost 20 million nets, Court said, sent a super signal to the market of where the future was.

The financial intelligence unit also alleged in the September 2021 report that Tedros harassed and assaulted women, and that he promoted those who acceded to his sexual advances and punished those who didnt. Tedros denied the accusations, and no evidence to support the claims was provided in the documents.

The report said money from the Omaha, Neb.-based Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation was provided to women, some of whom had sexual relationships with Tedros, to study in Ethiopia and abroad. The foundation, which doesnt provide scholarship opportunities in Ethiopia, did not respond to a request for comment. But Senait Fisseha, a vice president of the foundation, who is accused in the report of facilitating the supposed scheme  which she denied  said Tedros had never abused his position in any dealings with her. She declined to comment further.

Beyond the investigation, life was also becoming more difficult for Tedros family. The WHO director-general said his uncle, a farmer in Tigray province, was killed by Eritrean troops loyal to Ethiopia in 2022, before the peace agreement was signed. He was killed in cold blood, they just took him out of his home and killed him, Tedros said in the interview.

For three months during the conflict I did not know where my brother was, whether he was dead or alive, said Tedros. Fortunately, he survived, and I hope someday to be reunited with him and other relatives at home.

For now, Tedros relationship with the government in Addis Ababa remains so strained that he feels unable to return home. I would like to be home, he said, but the circumstances dont allow.

With assistance from Fasika Tadesse.
Mount Fuji and the city of Fujiyoshida are pictured on Dec. 12, 2021. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)

A Japanese man birdwatching near Mount Fuji last week discovered an unexploded artillery shell, prompting an investigation by U.S. and Japanese authorities.

The unidentified man from Kanagawa prefecture found the object Sept. 24 and reported it to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces Camp Kita-Fuji on Saturday, a spokesman with the Fujiyoshida police told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday. It wasnt immediately clear why the man waited to report it.

Police responded to the area and confirmed the object is an unexploded shell, the spokesman said.

It measured about 10 inches long and 3 inches in diameter and appeared quite old, and may be a remnant of World War II, he said.

The shell was found about 330 yards from the nearest road; police were stationed near it over the weekend to prevent anyone from accidentally encountering it.

Since it appears to have gunpowder inside, it could be dangerous, the spokesman said.

Its customary in Japan for some government officials to speak with the media on condition of anonymity.

An explosive ordnance team from Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, a U.S. Marine Corps training base about 8 miles from where the shell was found, removed it Monday afternoon, according to a statement from Camp Fujis commander.

The team determined it was a U.S. tank round manufactured during World War II that was likely fired by U.S. Forces in training between the 1950s and 1960s, base commander Col. Neil J. Owens said by email Monday.

The shell was determined to be safe to move and subsequently disposed per standard procedures, Owens said.

A spokesman from Camp Kita-Fuji said the base always tracks ordnance used in training and is always aware if they explode or not, he said.
On the night of October 2, the Russian terrorist army staged another attack with kamikaze drones. Some of the enemy UAVs were destroyed in the skies over Dnipropetrovsk region.

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Units of the East Air Command shot down three enemy drones. The head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration, Serhiy Lysak, reported this on Telegram.

The regional administration did not report any consequences of the night attack or the fall of enemy drone debris. The air alert in Dnipropetrovsk region lasted over an hour at night. Air defense forces were actively working on enemy targets.

"At night, the enemy attacked Dnipropetrovsk region with attack drones. The units of the East Air Command shot down 3 enemy drones over the region. To the defenders of the sky, thank you for your round-the-clock vigilance," wrote the head of the regional military administration.

In his turn, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council Mykola Lukashuk clarified that no shelling was recorded in all communities of the region during the night.

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As a reminder, on the night of October 1, the Russian terrorist army attacked Kryvyi Rih with Shahed-type kamikaze drones. The attack resulted in the destruction of civilian infrastructure.

Earlier it was reported that the Russian occupation forces carried out a massive attack with attack drones in Cherkasy region on the night of October 1. The city of Uman came under attack, where industrial infrastructure was hit.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, the Russian terrorist army is constantly using new tactics to shell Ukraine with Shahed-131/136 kamikaze drones. The enemy is trying to deceive air defense and electronic warfare systems.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Staffers at the Docs Dental clinic at the exchange at Ramstein Air Base in Germany celebrate its grand opening Oct. 2, 2023. It is the first of the company's clinics at a U.S. base overseas. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  Americans in the largest U.S. military community overseas can now show off their pearly whites in conjunction with some shopping or a movie, courtesy of a Monday arrival at the Ramstein Air Base exchange.

Docs Dental opened its first overseas dental clinic and with it came the start of an opportunity for Defense Department personnel and their families to see a dentist without having to wait months for an appointment.

The clinic will offer a full complement of services, including checkups, cleanings, X-rays, oral surgery, pediatric dentistry and orthodontics.

Six dentists, two hygienists and three dental assistants are on board, and the staff is still growing, said Jacqueline Haley, the clinics office manager.

Appointments already are starting to fill up, and October is almost booked, Haley said Monday. Appointments can be made online, by email, by phone or in person.

General dentistry, pediatric dentistry and oral surgery are available now, and orthodontics will be coming toward the end of the year, she said.

Anyone in the Defense Department community, including military and civilian personnel and their family members, can be seen at the clinic. Service members, however, first must try to be seen by a military provider on base.

Dental chairs and equipment await patients at the Kaiserslautern Military Community Centers Docs Dental clinic at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The clinic is the first of its kind at a U.S. base overseas and is expected to help ease the long wait times for appointments that Americans in the largest U.S. military community overseas faced before the clinics opening Oct. 2, 2023. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

If the military cannot handle the appointment, the service member needs a letter from his or her commander to be seen at Docs Dental, Haley said.

The clinic will also provide care to active-duty personnel who have a dental emergency or need to be seen before deploying. Service members and their families will be billed directly through Tricare.

Civilians will pay the full cost of services upfront, but the office will help them file insurance paperwork for reimbursement and inform them of the cost in advance, Haley said. All major credit cards are accepted, and the office bills in dollars, Haley added.

At Ramstein, the clinic is also a concessionaire for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, which provided the company with office space across from the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center movie theater.

We are stoked, said Krystal McLaurin, the service business manager for the Ramstein exchange. Were very excited because we know what this means for the community.

The new clinic is among nearly two dozen offices that Docs Dental operates, all of which are on U.S. military bases. A second overseas dental practice is in the works for Wiesbaden, staffers at the Ramstein facility said Monday.

Cupcakes were served Oct. 2, 2023, to mark the grand opening of the Docs Dental clinic at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Because the clinic is in the base exchange, it is also a concessionaire of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

The providers parent company, Docs Health, is headquartered in Pipersville, Pa., and offers an assortment of health care services through clinics, mobile treatment centers and telemedicine, according to its website.

The projected capacity at the KMCC clinic is 30 to 60 patients a day when it is fully staffed by the end of the year, depending on the type of care.

That should reduce wait times, which can extend up to six months or more for even a checkup or cleaning, Air Force officials said.

The military dental clinics at Ramstein and nearby Landstuhl Regional Medical Center also have limited appointments and generally do not see civilians who are not military dependents.

Docs Dental has a contract with AAFES headquarters and pays a certain percentage of earnings to the company, like other concessionaires do, McLaurin said. All of AAFES earnings, in turn, are funneled back into the military community, according to its website.

Online appointments can be made here. The phone number for the Ramstein exchange dental clinic is +49 69-50955166. Open hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Now retired Army Brig. Gen. Erin McMahon pictured in 2021. (National Guard Bureau)

The Oregon Senate on Friday confirmed retired Army Brig. Gen. Erin McMahon as director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, the lead state agency on major disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes and floods.

McMahon, 50, will be paid $179,928 annually.

Gov. Tina Kotek said McMahon first came to her attention as the federal liaison during the 2021 Oregon wildfire season, when more than 1,000 fires burned at least 518,303 acres across the state during the coronavirus pandemic.

Kotek said the ability to deal with overlapping crises was an emerging demand of the job as health emergencies and natural calamities increasingly occur simultaneously.

As our state responds to wildfires, extreme weather events and other rapidly changing emergencies, the person leading the Oregon Department of Emergency Management must be able to anticipate and respond to a broad range of crises that Oregon will inevitably encounter, the governor said.

Prior to 2022, ODEM was part of a three-agency group that included Oregon Emergency Management, the Oregon State Police and the Oregon Military Department (National Guard).

Several years of increased wildfire threats culminated in the disastrous Labor Day fire storms  15 large fires that burned more than 1 million acres, destroyed 5,000 homes and killed nine people.

The Legislature acted to give Oregon Emergency Management a clear goal as the leading source of forecasting, threat analysis, response, logistics, evacuation and damage assessment.

ODEM was named a standalone state department reporting directly to the governor and equal status to other departments in the cabinet.

McMahon will oversee a department that has 130 employees and a budget of $1.26 billion  the money primarily coming for federal disaster relief funds. The state pays $27 million of the budget.

Koteks office said McMahon has more than 20 years of experience with a wide range of individuals, agencies and military commands in all 50 states, American territories and the District of Columbia that are drawn on at times of major emergencies.

After over 15 years of supporting emergency management operations at the national level  including during the COVID-19 health emergency and dozens of climate-related catastrophes  I will capitalize on my prior work with FEMA and other federal partners, McMahon said in a statement.

McMahon has a law degree from Lewis & Clark Northwestern School of Law in Oregon. She took on an expanded role in the federal investigations of rioters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

At the time McMahon left military service, she was deputy general counsel for the chief of the National Guard Bureau.

While on active duty with the Army, McMahon was program director for a Pentagon internal effort to reduce incidents of sexual assault.

McMahon retired in August 2022 and took a position as a senior adviser to the McChrystal Group in Virginia, a management consulting firm created by former Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Once the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, McChrystal was forced to step down from the job following critical comments about former President Barack Obama and his top aides by McChrystal and his staff.

A native of Texas, McMahons father was an Air Force pilot who flew A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft, nicknamed the Warthog.

McMahon received a bachelors degree at the University of Arizona. She received a certificate as a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, was a foreign policy fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2018-2019, and a national strategic studies fellow in fall 2021 at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines listens to a question while testifying before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura, Los Angeles Times/TNS)

U.S. lawmakers want the intelligence community to define what it does. They still dont have an answer.

U.S. intelligence agencies blew through a Sept. 30 deadline to define 23 terms such as open source intelligence and signals intelligence that would help explain how they conduct espionage. Thats prompting fresh concern from Congress and civil-society groups.

How the government defines open-source intelligence gets at the heart of the problem, Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, said in a statement to Bloomberg News. He said hes been asking the Office of Director of National Intelligence to be transparent with the American public for years.

This isnt just about legalistic definitions, Wyden said. Its about letting Americans know whether highly personal information about them that the government has purchased is handled the same way as public information published by the media, he said.

Back in 2022, Congress passed a law that demanded U.S. intelligence chiefs define the terms that shape how the U.S. conducts spying and the role of each agency. Figuring that out determines who can use what tools to engage in spying  and how money and power shake out across the countrys 18 spy agencies.

A spokesperson for Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, told Bloomberg News that the panel has yet to receive those definitions.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment. The Defense Department didnt reply to requests for comment.

A particular issue, those concerned said, is how U.S. intelligence agencies are using open-source data, including information sold by data brokers.

Patrick Toomey, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Unions National Security Project, said the definitions have major implications for Americans privacy and civil liberties. He said they can determine the kinds of sensitive information that agencies like the Department of Homeland Security are authorized to collect about Americans.

Both Congress and the public should know how the intelligence agencies are drawing these critical lines, he said. He called Sept. 30 an important deadline.

The definition of open-source intelligence is particularly pressing, said Sean Vitka, senior policy counsel for the advocacy group Demand Progress, given that it can include commercial information. He argued that the government has yet to provide sufficient disclosures about its purchases of information from data brokers, who can sell geolocation and other data gleaned from internet browsing and mobile phone use.

This is a practice that should have been debated publicly before it was in operation and missing a deadline is simply inadequate, Vitka said.

With assistance from Daniel Flatley and Roxana Tiron.
Gardai believe the Iranian national was attempting to escape when he was air-lifted from mother-ship

The captain of a cargo ship which was discovered to have 157 million worth of cocaine on board has appeared before Wexford District Court on Monday.

Soheil Jelveh (50), an Iranian national with no fixed address, was brought before Judge John Cheatle charged with the importation of cocaine to the value of 13,000 or more on September 24, contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1977.

Jelveh, the first crew member from the MV Matthew mother ship to be charged and brought before the courts, was also charged with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply.

Detective Garda Liam Mangan of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau told the court that Jelveh had been arrested as part of a huge multi-agency operation aimed at targeting a transnational crime group involved in the importation of drugs from South America.

On Tuesday of last week, a huge joint task force operation involving armed gardai, Revenue Customs, the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Naval Service and the Elite Army Ranger Wing saw the Panamanian bulk cargo vessel, the MV Matthew, detained off the Cork Coast.

Warning shots were fired at the vessel before army rangers boarded by fast rope from helicopters circling above. The ship was brought back to Cork Harbour under armed escort and gardai eventually announced that they had uncovered 2.25 tonnes of cocaine on board  the biggest drugs seizure in the history of the state.

The situation had come to light after a trawler ran aground off the Wexford coast on Sunday, September 24. The newly-purchased fishing vessel had reportedly been in contact with the mother-ship and was being monitored by the joint taskforce since the previous Friday.

The two men aboard, Jamie Harbron (31) of 26 South Avenue, Billingham, Stockton on Tees, UK, and Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa (60) of no fixed address, were airlifted from the deck of the stricken trawler onto naval patrol ship the LE William Butler Yeats and into the arms of waiting gardai from the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

Outlining alleged facts of the case, Detective Mangan informed the court that the Castlemore had run aground in an effort to complete a transaction with the MV Matthew off the Wexford Coast.

He stated that the manoeuvres of the MV Matthew on the night in question were consistent with drugs trafficking and that it was the belief of gardai that both vessels were engaging in the importation of cocaine into Ireland.

Detective Mangan also confirmed that the accused, Soheil Jelveh had also been airlifted from the MV Matthew last Monday night, stating that he required medical assistance. He was brought to University Hospital Waterford where he was subsequently arrested.

Phones, satellite phones, documents and $53,298 in cash were seized and Mr Jelveh was arrested. The court were told that they believe the accused was making an attempt to evade arrest.

Jelveh stated that the money discovered on his person was his wages which had been paid on August 19. He was later released before being re-arrested for charge.

Setting out the seriousness of the charges before the court, Detective Mangan stated that 2,253 kilos of cocaine with a value in excess of 157 million had been seized.

"We are satisfied that the crew of the Castlemore were working with the MV Matthew captain to import cocaine from South America to Ireland," he said,

"He was caught red-handed and we believe he was attempting to make an escape when he was airlifted from the ship.

Solicitor Lana Doherty made an application for bail, which gardai objected to.

Detective Mangan stated that, given the value involved and the fact that Jalveh has no ties to Ireland, his family being based in Dubai, he was a significant flight risk.

He also outlined potential fears around the intimidation of witnesses.

Ms Doherty stated that her client, an Iranian national, had never come to the attention of the authorities before and is a captain of 20 years standing. She asked the court to consider a cash lodgement and said her client would adhere to any bail conditions imposed upon him.

She also stated that it was likely to take a significant amount of time for DPP directions.

Given the severity of the charges and the flight risk set out by gardai, Judge John Cheatle refused bail and remanded Jalveh in custody to appear before Wexford District Court via video link on Monday October 9.

Also appearing before the court via video-link on that date will be the two-man crew of the Castlemore trawler, Jamie Harbron and Vitaliy Lapa. They appeared on screen from Cork Prison this morning and were remanded in custody, by consent, to appear again via video-link at Wexford District Court on October 9.
The defenders of the skies over Kyiv region, who protect Ukrainians from enemy air targets, have been honored. The incentive awards were presented to them by an officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and blogger Anatoliy Stefan "Stirlitz".

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He reported this on his Telegram account. Officer Stefan also posted a photo from the ceremony.

"I had the honor to present incentive awards to the soldiers of the 1129th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment of Bila Tserkva on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi and the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev," the message says.

Anatoliy Shtefan thanked the defenders of the sky for their courage, heroism and will to win.

"Glory to you, Warriors!" he summarized.

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It is worth noting that on October 1, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented state awards to Ukrainian defenders. The head of state also honored the memory of the servicemen who gave their lives for the sovereignty and independence of our country.

Earlier, Zelenskyy thanked the defenders of our country for their courage and efforts. He ordered to award the soldiers with the Bohdan Khmelnytsky Order of Honor of the second and third degree, the medal "For Military Service in Ukraine", and the medal "Defender of the Fatherland". In total, 132 soldiers were awarded, 92 of them posthumously.

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As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, on September 14, 2023, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Tank Soldiers for the first time, dedicated to the anniversary of the successful completion of the Kharkiv offensive in the city of Izyum. On this occasion, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded its participants and other defenders who skillfully operate combat vehicles on the front line.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The garda killer, who also denied any involvement in the robbery, was due to see his appeal get underway tomorrow before three judges of the Court of Appeal.

Garda killer Aaron Brady's appeal against his conviction for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe has been adjourned until Wednesday due to tomorrow's strike by criminal barristers seeking to reverse cuts to legal aid fees.

Aaron Brady (32) previously of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is serving a life sentence with a 40-year minimum having been found guilty in 2020 of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe (41) at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgen, Co Louth on January 25, 2013.

The garda killer, who also denied any involvement in the robbery, was due to see his appeal get underway tomorrow before three judges of the Court of Appeal.

The appeal is listed for seven days and is expected to mainly focus on defence complaints regarding two witnesses who gave testimony via video link from New York during the Covid-19 crisis.

Det Gda Donohoe was on a cash escort when he was ambushed by a five-man gang and shot dead. The gang fled with 7,000 in cash.

Brady's trial was also the longest murder case in Irish legal history, lasting 122 court days. He was found guilty of the murder of Det Gda Donohoe by an 11 to one majority jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court in August 2020.

The father-of-one was sentenced to the mandatory term for murder of life imprisonment in October 2020. As he had been found guilty of murdering a garda acting in accordance with his duty, the trial judge ordered that he serve a minimum of 40 years.

Before the Court of Appeal today, Michael O'Higgins SC, representing Brady, said that his client's case was due to commence on Tuesday but that was not happening and Wednesday is now the anticipated start date.

Presiding judge Mr Justice John Edwards said the three-judge court had received communication that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was seeking an adjournment.

Brendan Grehan SC, for the DPP, said that they had advised the DPP that due to the withdrawal of services by the entire criminal bar they would not be available to commence the seven-day hearing on Tuesday and had asked for the appeal to be put back until Wednesday.

"Whilst myself and Mr O'Higgins might not agree on many things for the appeal, we are on common ground on this matter," he added.

Mr Justice Edwards said the Court of Appeal was grateful to counsel for updating it and that it would grant the adjournment.

The presiding judge enquired from both parties as to how the loss of the day would impact the schedule for the appeal.

In reply, Mr O'Higgins said they would do their best to make up the day but he was not in a position to indicate if Brady's appeal would take six or eight days. He said the presentation of the argument would be made as efficiently as possible.

Mr Grehan said the respondent had made a suggestion about the running of the appeal and they proposed to deal with the arguments in batches "at the choosing of the appellant".

He added: "Each batch would be replied to at that stage by counsel for the DPP before the court goes on to deal with the next issue. Because of the size of the case, it might make it easier for everyone to handle the enormous amount of material in that way and keep a bit of discipline on everyone".

In reply, Mr O'Higgins said the appellant commended that approach and his side would argue the case in "three logical tranches"; namely the trial points, the US side of the case and the "post evidence" parts.

The Court of Appeal adjourned the case until Wednesday morning at 10.30am.
According to the barrister the threat was made in a shed where Joe Mains was operating a powerful saw capable of cutting up long planks of wood

A lawyer says a survivor of sex abuse in Kincora confided in him that he was once threatened by warden Joe Mains if he didnt remain silent he would end up dying the same way as the little boy with the red hair.

According to barrister David Burke, in a story he wrote this week for the Covert History Ireland website, the threat was made in a shed at the rear of the Kincora building where  at the time  Mains was operating a powerful motorised saw capable of cutting up long planks of wood.

The boy found himself in the shed alone with Joe Mains, Mr Burke told the Sunday World.

And whatever he saw and heard in the shed has had a shocking impact on him. Mains had been sexually abusing the boy and now he wanted to frighten the boy into being obedient.

Joe Mains

Ive been speaking to this survivor of sex assaults at Kincora for six years and it is clear he was severely traumatised because for the first time in all our conversations he broke down, he began breathing in short raspy breaths and then he simply could not continue talking.

Mr Burke said the boy described how the saw was housed in a desk, folded away underneath the desktop which in turn was concealed under a mattress.

In a signed affidavit obtained by Mr Burke, the man described how he was regularly sexually abused by Mains. The victim added: After that Joe Mains had more encounters with me like this, one or two times a week. He would talk to me and tell me things. He told me about a boy that had died in 1973 who he had been close to.

Mr Burke speculates that the reference by Mains to the boy with red hair offers up one palpable candidate.

In his website story, he wrote: His name was Brian McDermott and he is one of Belfasts five missing boys from the Troubles.

Mr Burke said after hearing the boys story about the saw in the shed it was difficult not to speculate if the powerful saw in the shed could have been used as an instrument in the disposal of Brian McDermott.

On the website, Mr Burke said it was clear to him that the boy with the red hair had been abused by Mains.

He went on: This was the practice of the paedophile network of which Mains was a leading figure to share boys. Mains passed boys at Kincora to paedophiles such as Alan Campbell, John McKeague, Ken Larmour and William McGrath.

Campbell was a teacher of religion at a Belfast school who was a paedophile whod escaped conviction of sexual assault of a boy in the early 70s when his friend and fellow paedophile Ken Larmour  a clerk of the court  was suspected of manipulating court records to ensure Campbell was cleared. Larmour also escaped prosecution of sexually assaulting another boy.

McKeague was a notorious paedophile and terrorist member of the Red Hand Commandoes who was shot dead by the INLA in 1982 just before the police investigating Kincora were planning to arrest him for questioning.

McGrath was house father at Kincora and a hardcore paedophile as well as a well-known religious bigot and leader of loyalist paramilitary group Tara.

These four paedophiles knew each other well and shared information about vulnerable boys. All four members of this paedophile ring are dead and the only one of them to serve time in prison was McGrath.

Victim Brian McDermott

Referring to the murder of Brian McDermott, Mr Burkes website story continued: Something went terribly wrong after one of the gang of paedophiles abused the boy. Whatever had happened, a boy had died and his body had to be disposed of.

Mr Burke said the shed was demolished many years before the building was finally bulldozed about a year ago. The destruction of the shed means there is no possibility of ever establishing what, if anything, illegal occurred there.

Mr Burke got pictures of Kincora in 2018 after the shed had been demolished but he could see what he described as the footprint of the shed where it had stood in the grounds behind the main building and Joe Mains living accommodation.

He continued: The Kincora survivor was deeply shocked by whatever he saw and heard in that shed. Id been repeatedly speaking to him and I know he has been receiving counselling. However, there is more to tell about his experience.
The man is one of five still remanded in custody

Military personnel on board the MV Matthew as it is escorted into Cork Harbour by the Irish Naval Service. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

A man is to appear before Wexford District Court charged in connection with the investigation of a 157m cocaine seizure off the Irish coast last week.

The man will be brought before the court at 10:30am in relation to the 2.25 tonne seizure, which Gardai have described as the biggest in the history of the State.

Military personnel on board the MV Matthew as it is escorted into Cork Harbour by the Irish Naval Service. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

The man is one of five still remanded in custody in connection with the drugs bust, after one was released on Sunday evening by Gardai.

Two men were charged with conspiracy to import drugs at Waterford District Court on Friday evening in relation to the same investigation.

Jamie Harbron (31), from the UK, and Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa (60), were brought to the Waterford court under armed guard after being charged by Gardai. Both men are expected to appear before Wexford court today also, via videolink.

The 157m cocaine shipment was seized from a Panamanian cargo ship, the MV Matthew, in a dramatic joint operation involving gardai, the Defence Forces and Revenue. The Army Ranger Wing stormed the ship off the south east coast on Tuesday as it attempted to break for international waters.
Victor Goncalves (36) tried to leave the shop with a rucksack full of meat but was stopped

A man who shoplifted more than 200 worth of meat was funding a drug addiction and robbing Peter to pay Paul, a court has heard.

Victor Goncalves (36) tried to leave the shop with a rucksack full of meat but was stopped.

Judge Bryan Smyth applied the Probation Act, leaving him without a criminal record.

Goncalves, from Portugal and of no fixed address in Ireland, pleaded guilty to theft.

Dublin District Court heard the accused went to Lidl in Dundrum Town Centre on February 16.

He put meat products worth a total of 212 into his rucksack and left without making any attempt to pay for them.

He was stopped by security, the goods were recovered and were saleable.

The accused was co-operative, made full admissions and had no previous convictions.

Goncalves had been in Ireland for five years and was working as a window fitter, his lawyer said. He became addicted to heroin and was robbing Peter to pay Paul at the time of the theft.

He took the meat to fund his addiction and knew it was wrong. He had since gone cold turkey and detoxed.

Judge Smyth dismissed the charge under the Probation Act after hearing Goncalves had spent time in custody on the charge.
Pups found in accuseds van too young to be without their mothers

Puppy smuggler Aaron Phillips will be back in court this month on charges of breaching animal transport regulations.

The 40-year-old has now been charged with breaches of that law following his conviction for causing unnecessary suffering to 34 puppies and adult dogs found in his van.

Phillips is accused of moving eight of those pups that were under eight weeks of age and not in the company of their mother, along with a female springer spaniel which was not fit for the journey.

He is also alleged to have moved the pups in a way likely to cause them injury or undue suffering. Phillips is further accused of transporting 21 dogs without the required documentation and of transporting dogs without authorisation from the competent authority.

The case is due to be mentioned at before Belfast Magistrates Court on October 10.

If convicted he faces a maximum sentence of three months in prison and or a fine of not more than 5,000.

Charges came after Ballynahinch man Phillips was stopped on Dargan Drive in the docks area of Belfast on June 23, 2020, and 34 adult dogs and puppies were found in the back of his van. One of the dogs, a Jack Russell puppy, was so small it was able to sit in the hand of an animal welfare officer.

Sadly, that dog was so ill it later died while being cared for by Belfast City Councils animal welfare team.

The moment Aaron Phillips was caught smuggling puppies

At the same court last month a prosecution lawyer told District Judge George Conner that Phillips was on his way to catch a ferry to Birkenhead, with a vet of the opinion that some of the pups would not have survived the 10-hour sea crossing.

Many of the dogs were too young to be travelling or away from their mothers as they were not even old enough to be weaned onto solid food.

When officers from the Harbour Police opened the doors of his van most of the dogs, which did not have access to food or water, were lethargic  with one seen cowering at the back.

As one of the puppies was taken from the van it tried to suckle on the fingers of an animal welfare officer.

The beagle-type puppies found in Phillips' van

Phillips told the officers he thought the dogs were between nine and 10 weeks old and that he was not long at this, which an animal welfare officer found hard to believe. He later pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the 34 dogs.

His barrister said Phillips set up a dog transporting business when demand for pups was high during the Covid pandemic.

The puppy smuggler struggled to cope with the level of demand and developed a cavalier attitude towards the work, he added.

Judge Conner gave him a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and banned him from having or transporting animals for a period of 10 years.
Edward Egan (39), Glenwood, Dublin Road, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to assaulting Det Gda Emmett Fitzpatrick causing him harm

A man who struck a garda in the forehead with the back of his head has been jailed.

Edward Egan (39), Glenwood, Dublin Road, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to assaulting Det Gda Emmett Fitzpatrick causing him harm.

He also admitted assaulting Det Gda James Kilgannon and a charge of obstruction following the incident in Glenwood on 5 December 2020.

The court heard that the defendant was not taking prescribed medication at the time, and that Gda Fitzpatrick was off work for seven weeks as a result of the attack.

Sgt Evan Connolly gave evidence that garda enquiries into another matter led them to Mr Egans home.

He came to the door holding a can of beer and was visibly intoxicated. He acted in a threatening manner towards gardai, saying Ill break your faces.

Gda Fitzpatrick drew his baton, and the man became calmer. The baton was put away.

Mr Egan then repeated that he would break the officers faces and became aggressive.

An attempt was made to put his hands behind his back. The accused became extremely violent. He put the back of his head to Gda Fitzpatricks forehead, making contact. The officer stumbled.

More gardai arrived. Mr Egan was arrested for assault. He subsequently made full admissions.

Sgt Connolly continued that his colleague was taken by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. He was discharged after a few hours and collapsed at home the next day. He was off work for seven weeks.

A medical report and Victim Impact Statement were available.

Mr Egans apology was accepted but he since looked for a hearing date, Sgt Connolly added.

There were six previous convictions, of which five were for road traffic matters and one for being intoxicated in public.

Barrister Alan Fitzgerald said his client had bipolar disorder and hadnt been taking his medication for five days when this occurred.

It was a difficult time of year for him as the anniversary of his infant sons death was approaching.

What happened was out of character. He had no convictions for violence and apologised at the time.

Mr Egan had not come to garda attention since. He was taking his medication religiously. He had the support of his wife in court. He was on disability allowance.

Mr Fitzgerald asked the court not to impose a custodial sentence.

Judge McKiernan remarked that she had sympathy for Mr Egans personal circumstances.

The court had to take into account the way he met the case and the traumatic circumstances and consequences for Gda Fitzpatrick.

The defendants belated plea of guilty was acknowledged.

It was a violent assault of a member of the Gardai, a very serious matter, the judge remarked.

A six-month sentence was imposed.

Bail was set in the event of an appeal, a 1,500 independent surety, cash to be lodged.

Legal aid was granted.
Proceedings initially looked grim for the State coffers when auctioneer Richard Wilson failed to elicit any interest in the property when he opened bids at a price of 300,000.

Coffeys Anfield Manor went under the hammer this week and fetched more than its guide price

A frantic bidding war for a property seized by CAB from alleged tarmac gang member Patrick Coffey saw the luxury home sell this week for a price of 332,000.

Anfield Manor, in Co Kerry, went under the hammer with a reserve price of 200,000 at Wilsons auction house on the Naas Road on Wednesday afternoon.

Proceedings initially looked grim for the State coffers when auctioneer Richard Wilson failed to elicit any interest in the property when he opened bids at a price of 300,000.

He was forced to drop this figure in increments of 20,000 five times before eventually drawing in an online bid of 190,000  for a property that at one stage was advertised with a price tag of 425,000.

From there, a frenetic bidding war ensued, with bids rising in increments of 2,000 from vendors bidding online and over the phone.

The sale stalled at 290,000 but Mr Wilson declined to bring down the hammer  advising would-be buyers that Storm Agnes was likely leading to technical difficulties from a number of interested parties and holding up bids.

The delay saw bidding re-established within a short time and a price of 332,000 was ultimately realised before he pronounced the property sold.

Anfield Manor was first placed on the open market at a price of 425,000 in May 2021, two weeks after the High Court signed off on its transfer to the Bureau.

Seven months later it had failed to sell and CAB was forced to reduce the asking price by a whopping 100,000 in a bid to draw out potential buyers.

But, even priced at a knock-down 325,000, the 2,690 square foot property still wasnt being snapped up.

At the time, a local source told the Sunday World that the propertys recent history was a major factor in its failure to attract a buyer  in a year when property prices nationally had risen by 12.4pc.

A lot of people would be reluctant to become involved with a property in these circumstances, the source said. Of course, if the price drops enough, that can change.

In the normal run of events, in a town like Killarney, that house would have been snapped up as soon as it went on the market.

The palatial Co Kerry home was handed over to CAB on April 22, 2021, after the High Court heard Liverpool-fan Coffey (36) was a member of an organised crime gang.

Patrick Coffey

The Bureau claimed in the High Court that the gang targeted vulnerable people in Ireland, Britain and on the continent with work that was considered to be of a poor standard.

The propertys seizure marked the final stage of a five-year investigation into the activities of the gang.

Dubbed Operation Tarmac, it began after the lavish lifestyle, enjoyed by a small number of local people without any apparent legitimate basis, aroused suspicions.

Pictures of Coffey taken from social media showed him enjoying holidays with family and friends in Europe and America.

In November 2017, following extensive profiling and investigations, assets including luxury cars, the house, high-end watches and cash were seized by CAB and local gardai in one of the biggest such operations ever to take place in Kerry.

At the time, 130 gardai were involved in raids on several houses.

The inquiry focused on what local profilers and gardai suspected were bogus home improvement operations.

The bogus home repairs were conducted nationally but also in Europe, with the gang headquartered in Killarney.

Its understood CAB investigators believe the gang made more than 3.7 million from their operations.

Authorities in several European countries, including France and Italy, repeatedly warned people to be on the lookout for so-called tarmac scammers.

Other items confiscated by CAB arising from the long-running probe included nine high-end cars, including a Mercedes, 12 watches, including Cartier and Rolex, and the contents of four bank and credit union accounts totalling almost 178,000.

Cash totalling over 126,000 was also granted to CAB in the order under the Proceeds of Crime Act by the High Court.

The value of the haul was estimated to have been in the region of 1.2m.
The headstone of James Jackson, an immigrant originally from Co Kildare, was discovered during archaeological excavations in 2009.

Irish Consul General Helena Nolan at the ceremony honouring James Jackson at Washington Square Park last month. Photo: Irish Consulate New York City

The headstone of an Irish man who died of yellow fever more than 200 years ago has been put on display in a New York park.

The monument to James Jackson, an immigrant originally from Co Kildare, was discovered during archaeological excavations in 2009 ahead of Washington Square Parks renovation in 2012.

Some 20,000 people were buried in a potters field under what is now Washington Square Park in Lower Manhattan, but Jacksons was the only headstone discovered during the dig.

Many of the deceased buried in the potter's field died during the yellow fever epidemic which claimed the lives of thousands of New Yorkers in the late 18th century.

Last week CG Helena Nolan @CGNYIreland attended a ceremony to honor James Jackson, an Irish immigrant whose headstone dating to 1799 was discovered in NYCs Washington Square Park in 2009. It was special to pay tribute to an Irishman and this historical discovery! https://t.co/2wDXvhTPfC pic.twitter.com/eF7XV7zDSe  Irish Consulate NYC (@IrelandinNY) September 28, 2023

According to The New York Times, Jackson's three-foot sandstone headstone indicates that he died on September 22, 1799, at the age of 28.

The artefact was unveiled at its new permanent home in the Washington Square Park House window on Friday, September 22, to mark the 224th anniversary of the Irishmans death.

The ceremony was attended by Helena Nolan, Consul General of Ireland in New York, alongside senior representatives from the Kildare and Carlow Association, who brought wreaths and St Brigids crosses to the event.

Ms Nolan also thanked those who worked on the project for their care and attention and great dignity" in honouring Jackson.

I know that a project like this, undertaken with such honour and respect, really takes a village and really takes a city to make it happen.

It is an historic day. Were marking the anniversary of James Jacksons death today with this event... We have a little part of the Curragh here today to honour this citizen.

Everywhere I go in this city, I meet people who are proud of their Irish heritage and their affinity with Ireland, and thats a great honour for us to know and we never take it for granted.

James was 28. We see here that he was a watchman. I think for all of us, he can be our watchman. He also has a representative role, so when we think of him today as James the person, we should also think of him in a way as a symbol or metaphor for all who came here or who lived and died here, and who continue to come and make their lives here.

His story is a complicated one. It demonstrates that our shared history - the history of Ireland and this city - its even older, more fascinating, more diverse, more complex than many imagine.

We have an opportunity today to share that earlier narrative of our history, when almost 20pc of the population here came from Ireland.

She added that she hopes the unveiling of Jacksons headstone will encourage locals to learn more about that shared history and period in time.

We remember and commemorate our history for the sake of the present and for the sake of the future, especially for the coming generations, so that we can continue to nourish that close relationship and that warm understanding between us.

That sense of empathy is really where all our future hope and success lies, she added.
They are already parents to sons Prince John James (11), Prince Tyson II (7), and Prince Adonis Amaziah (4), as well as daughters Venezuela Lynda (14), Valencia Amber (5), and two-year-old Athena Amour.

Tyson and Paris Fury have announced the name of their seventh child, revealing the heartfelt meaning behind their newborn sons moniker.

The couple welcomed a baby boy on September 18.

They are already parents to sons Prince John James (11), Prince Tyson II (7), and Prince Adonis Amaziah (4), as well as daughters Venezuela Lynda (14), Valencia Amber (5), and two-year-old Athena Amour.

Speaking to OK! Magazine, the pair revealed that the newest addition to the family is named Prince Rico Paris Fury.

The newborns middle name, Rico, is a tribute Tysons late cousin Rico Burton, who was murdered outside a bar in Manchester last year.

Meanwhile, his second middle name is a nod to his mum, with Paris joking that its finally her time to have her name in the spotlight.

All of my kids have got unusual names and obviously its also really personal to Tyson, she told the publication.

We also added my name because Ive had seven kids and I still havent had one named after me, so Tyson thought, Come on, its about time!

Paris said that their eldest child Venezuela has been a huge support since Ricos arrival while Prince John James is also happy to help out where he can.

Venezuela is really interested in the baby, Paris explained.

She keeps playing with him and feeding him  I think she sees him as a little doll. The kids are all really good with him actually. Were just trying to keep things safe and keep him out of reach because one of them will probably try and put him in a dolls pram one of these days!

The mum-of-seven was left terrified after toddler Athena stopped breathing shortly after birth and had to be resuscitated.

She admitted that she had a lot of hesitation about having another child afterwards but said that she wont rule out having more.

I had a lot of hesitation after Athenas birth. Tyson and I talked about it and he was actually more worried than me. But I just had this urge to have another baby.

I spoke to a lot of specialists, but it turns out that with Athena it was just a fluke. Thank God this one has come along and hes perfectly healthy and it went as good as can be.

Every time we have another (Tyson) says, No more Paris! Its too hard!

He gets emotional and says, You could die because of what happened with Athena. But then the child will get to nursery age and I always think Oh Id like a newborn!

Ive always wanted a big family. Ive seen a few negative comments saying, Oh theyve got so many kids but were looking after them, were feeding them, I protect them all.

Theyre all happy and healthy and they all love each other, so I dont see the problem, she added.
Russian occupation forces have deployed the 25th Reserve Army to the front in Luhansk region. Its total strength is about 17,000 mercenaries by contact or those transferred from other units.

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The enemy will use them to try to improve their positions, which the Defense Forces keep under fire control. This was stated by the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration Artem Lysohor during a telethon, as well as by the soldiers themselves.

According to the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, the enemy rotated units three weeks ago. Thus, a new aggressor force, the 25th Army, replaced other armies that were destroyed by our defenders in Luhansk region.

"Again, it is trying to improve its positions," noted Lysohor.

The day before, the head of the press service of the Eastern Military Group, Ilya Yevlash, said that the 25th Russian Army was fully manned. According to him, the number of this enemy unit has expanded - earlier it was said to be 12 thousand mercenaries, and now it is 17 thousand.

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"They have taken up a position near Kreminna, a little bit west to the south of this settlement," Yevlash said.

He clarified that the 25th Army of the Russian Federation consists of invaders who signed contracts or were transferred to it from other formations.

It is known that this unit of the Russian Armed Forces replaced the occupiers from the 41st and 76th armies in this area, which "were quite badly torn apart" due to the skillful and successful work of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The spokesman for the Eastern Group added that the main task of the 25th Army of the Russian Federation is to hold the area. They are not currently engaged in assault operations. In general, the enemy is actively using aviation, while artillery systems have been pulled back to the maximum distance to protect them from Ukrainian strikes.

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As reported by OBOZREVATEL, in late September, Russian troops slowed down localized attacks on the Kupiansk-Svatove-Kreminna line. ISW analysts called this evidence that the Ukrainian Armed Forces' counteroffensive operations are forcing the occupiers to withdraw their forces and direct them to other areas.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Years of advocacy for the screening age to be lowered by Bowel Cancer New Zealand has resulted in a commitment from both major political parties to bring bowel screening from 45 years old.

The charity welcomes the news from last weeks leaders debate as it will save many lives, especially with the rising incidence of bowel cancer in younger people. Bowel cancer is 90 per cent curable if caught early, and screening is an effective way of doing this.

"This is fantastic news and will mean fewer lives lost to this silent killer," says Bowel Cancer New Zealand chair Stefan Corbett.

"However, the priority is for bowel screening to be fully implemented for Maori and Pasifika from age 50. The rollout is underway but is taking too long and needs to be sped up to avoid further inequities.

A commitment to lowering the bowel screening age is only the first step. The incoming government needs to set out a clear fiscal and workforce plan for implementing this.

Bowel cancer is increasing dramatically in those aged under 50, in New Zealand and around the world, for unknown reasons," says Bowel Cancer NZ medical advisor Professor Frank Frizelle.

"As the risk factors for the increase are as yet unknown, screening and symptom awareness are the best tools we have to reduce the impact of this trend. So the agreement for those aged 45 to be able to be screened is extremely important.

"There is no debate - lowering the screening age will save countless lives through early detection."

Stage 4 bowel cancer patient Aimee-Rose Yates, 30, who was present at the leaders debate, says, The thing is for me, its a start, but unfortunately, I was diagnosed when I was 29. There will be more and more people like me who will continue getting diagnosed and will keep dying. Dropping the screening age will save lives; the ball is rolling  lets get it done!

In a social post, Patrick Gower, the leader's debate moderator, says the debate is for any families out there affected by bowel cancer.

It was super special that both leaders committed to bringing down the bowel cancer screening age. It is going to save a lot of Kiwi lives and a lot of heartache. Caught early, bowel cancer can be beaten, and earlier screening gives people a fighting chance. Anything we can do to stop this cruel disease is crucial, says Patrick.



Bowel Cancer New Zealand encourages open discussion about bowel cancer with medical professionals and avoiding sitting on your symptoms. These include:

Bleeding from the bottom or seeing blood in the toilet after a bowel motion;

Change of bowel motions over several weeks without returning to normal;

Persistent or periodic severe pain in the abdomen;

A lump or mass in the abdomen;

Tiredness and loss of weight for no particular reason;

Anaemia.

Those who have a family history of bowel cancer or want to do regular checks can talk to their GP and if you have symptoms, you are advised to see your GP immediately. More information on bowel cancer and Bowel Cancer NZ can be found at www.bowelcancernz.org.nz

Bowel Cancer New Zealand (NZ) is a patient-focused charity organisation.

The registered charity was founded in 2010 by a group of people affected by bowel cancer, committed to improving bowel cancer awareness and outcomes for people with the disease.

Bowel Cancer NZ aims to provide clear and up-to-date information about the disease, symptoms, what to do if diagnosed and to support patients and families affected by bowel cancer.

The ultimate aim of Bowel Cancer NZ is to prevent lives from being lost to this disease and to promote the national screening program rollout in New Zealand.

About Bowel Cancer New Zealand
A new report reveals the challenges experienced by Afghan nationals who sought refuge in New Zealand in 2021, with many spending months in cramped hotel rooms, and at times struggling to access mental health support, employment, and education.

World Vision New Zealand, Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, and ActionStation commissioned the research to learn more about the resettlement experiences of the approximately 1,600 people who arrived here after escaping Afghanistan in 2021 following the Talibans return to power.



The report recommends the Government introduce a standard level of support for displaced people resettling for humanitarian reasons in New Zealand whether they arrive here as refugees, asylum seekers, or on special humanitarian visas.



World Visions Head of Advocacy and Justice, Rebekah Armstrong, says the report canvassed the views of around 45 people who either arrived in New Zealand from Afghanistan or supported people arriving here.



We want to acknowledge that the New Zealand Government provided emergency resettlement assistance in extremely difficult circumstances, but this report shows that there were gaps in the support offered to Afghan nationals on arrival here," says Rebekah.



This meant that many people struggled to access the basics they needed to thrive in Aotearoa New Zealand, including access to housing, mental health support, and pathways into employment and study. Aotearoa New Zealand offered a lifeline, but failed to provide all the tools needed for people to create fulfilling and successful lives for themselves and their families here."



Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealands Campaigns Director Lisa Woods agrees.

The Government must design a system whereby there is comprehensive support for every person needing to find a safe home in Aotearoa New Zealand, no matter how they arrive," says Lisa.

Ultimately, this report serves as a crucial reminder that people who have sought refuge in this country should play a key role in informing government policies."



People interviewed as part of the project raised a number of issues, including:

The lack of a comprehensive emergency resettlement strategy.

The need for a broad-ranging orientation process.

Difficulty accessing housing, with some families staying in hotels for up to nine months

Limited access to English language classes, especially for mothers with dependent children.

A lack of mental health support, which was deemed critical given the sudden and dangerous way many people had to leave their country.

Limited support to study and work.

No access to family reunification for family members still in danger in Afghanistan.

Afi*, who was 16 when their family had to flee Afghanistan in 2021, says they knew they were at risk when the Taliban came to power.

We changed our home every two or so weeks, sometimes staying with friends, sometimes other places that were anonymous.



The family were granted a visa for New Zealand, but moving to a country where they didnt speak the language was a major challenge.

My English was so bad at that time. I didnt know what people were saying. It was scary for me.



Afi says they want to do their best in New Zealand, and that they are thankful to be here.

Now that I am here, I want to be successful. I want to finish university and I really want to start a new business for myself.



Other accounts contained in the in the report detail the distress many Afghan nationals felt upon arrival in Aotearoa New Zealand.

I was in a bad mental state. I was really sick in the hotel because of the hardship at the airport, but nobody came to check about my mental health, says one.



Another echoes many by expressing her concern for those left behind in Afghanistan: I am happy here because the New Zealand government saved my life and provided community services here, but Im worried about my husband who is left behind.



There are a lot of issues of loss, grief and trauma," says a support worker. "Some families have left children behind, and some children have left their parents behind. They have come here under emergency circumstances.



Rebekah says these testimonies highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach to the provision of support.



She notes that those who arrive on special humanitarian visas, like Afghans and Ukrainians most recently, do not spend time in the Te Ahuru Mowai o Aotearoa  Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre (TAMA) as refugees do.



She says the six weeks at TAMA can help to give new arrivals a good background and understanding of life in New Zealand, along with support to establish themselves in the community.



This six-week period can help refugees to adjust in a supportive environment, but those who do not arrive here through the refugee quota pathway have none of this assistance. We really need to see this addressed.

"Such orientation is important and needs to happen in a concentrated and pastoral way. Those arriving on humanitarian visas are just as deserving and in need of this kind of basic support as anyone els."



Dawit Arshak, General Manager of the Asylum Seekers Support Trust, says that providing equal access to all entitlements, regardless of how a person is granted refugee status in New Zealand, is a crucial step.

People who have fled Afghanistan due to life-threatening circumstances should receive the same treatment as any other refugee, says Dawit.



The report also recommends that the Government develop and implement an effective evacuation and resettlement model for future humanitarian emergencies in which the country may accept more groups requiring safe haven.



World Vision New Zealand, Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, and ActionStation plan to meet with the Government following the election to discuss the insights and views of the participants in the report and how changes can be implemented to offer better support to displaced people arriving in New Zealand.



To help children and families living in Afghanistan text RESPOND to make a $3 donation or visit www.WVNZ.org.nz/CHR



*Name has been changes for anonymity
Police are using powerful new AI to help them assess the risk posed by offenders when officers are called out to emergencies, sparked by the shooting murder of an unarmed constable.

SearchX is at the heart of a $200 million front-line safety programme being rolled out in response to the death of Matthew Hunt in West Auckland in 2020, and other recent gun violence.

Police have disclosed through the OIA what they have been working on for months with big tech multinationals that build data-driven policing systems.

The papers show the intelligence system used till now was so disjointed it could not access key information about gangs and firearms. It took minutes to find connections one-by-one between people.

In a trial, SearchX instantly found 15 times more connections, such as to associates or firearms. A whole new visual intelligence function sends this to front-line police.

Photo: NZ Police/Supplied.

Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

It can "find a person that lives in Taranaki who is connected to someone with access to a black sedan", documents reveal.

However, data-driven policing has been highly controversial in the US and UK, accused of intensifying police racial biases, and compounded by lack of transparency.

SearchX is the intelligence system behind the Tactical Response Model or TRM, launched in March, the OIA says.

TRM gives police much easier access to guns and dog teams, and "the model uses police intelligence to risk-assess situations early", the government said in March. In a trial, TRM had benefits but also put strain on existing police resources, a study showed.

SearchX was built this year by IBM and Canadian software giant Constellation's subsidiary VA Worldwide of Canberra, using IBM Watson AI and so-called i2 visual tech spun off from IBM.

It provides "dramatically more useful" intelligence, especially about firearm threats, the papers say.

This is disclosed in a 102-page OIA response to RNZ of business cases for both parts of the double-pronged system; all costs are blanked out.

Police did not disclose to the public what they were doing until now, when the system is already in place.

The documents show they perceived a "high risk" that, "If adverse media attention occurs then the project may be delayed or closed."

The documents also show police have set up a "Top Secret Network" to communicate with the spy and national security agencies inside government. They would not say anything more except it had been working well since late 2022.

For SearchX, one option police looked briefly at was to buy new technology; this could have been from secretive firm Palantir, the papers show.

Palantir, founded by US billionaire and New Zealand citizen Peter Thiel, is closely linked to US defence and spy agencies, and poised to win a billion-dollar public health data contract in the UK.

Instead, police chose to expand their existing IBM Watson AI, and buy and integrate a whole new visual intelligence application called i2 Notebook Premium; IBM sold off i2 recently, but prior to 2020 - when IBM turned away from facial recognition tech - the notebook had a facial recognition module that could be added.

IBM's Watson AI is used to search across police's National Intelligence Application and other main databases, analyse findings and send those to front-line officers' smartphones, in the blink of an eye, the documents show. The system uses machine learning to teach itself.

Police have done a privacy impact assessment on the Watson AI, but not on the new visual intelligence application, the papers suggest.

Police's intelligence systems were harshly faulted up to and after the 2019 mosque attacks in internal assessments, RNZ revealed in 2021 using the OIA. That same year, a police report card on the Gang Intelligence Centre revealed poor leadership and a failure to tackle harm caused by organised crime.

The newly released SearchX business cases show the National Intelligence Application "contains rich gang organisation and association data which is critical to front line safety".

But the system - in use up till this year - was siloed and "does not retrieve any of the new NIA gang data".

That and a swathe of other shortcomings put intelligence blinkers on front-line officers.

"The SearchX project was established to improve the speed of access and the ways in which to link intelligence together," police director of national intelligence, Dr Dan Wildy, told RNZ in the OIA.

The OIA documents show police set out in 2022 to set up an intelligence tool to be able to:

"a. Tell me who is directly or indirectly linked to a POI [person of interest].

"b. Tell me how one POI is linked to another (perhaps through a complicated chain of connections).

"c. Identify clusters of entities such as people in an as yet unidentified criminal organisation."

The two business cases repeatedly state the new system will allow much closer monitoring of police use, of which officers are accessing it and why. It was expected to start with 20-30 officers, and "if the capability proves valuable it will be picked up by larger groups in police".

Mapping hotspots

In Los Angeles, a form of data-driven policing, called "predictive policing", was used by the LAPD for a decade from 2010 to target crime "hotspots" identified by AI mapping.

Civil liberties groups says it resulted in heavier policing of black and Latino communities, and the LAPD jettisoned it in 2020 - though critics say the tech and many practices remain the same.

The mapping tool the LAPD used has recently been adopted by the New Zealand police.

Called ArcGIS, it is being used here to generate "hotspot" maps, among other types of mapping, a public police document shows.

ArcGIS's creator, US company Esri, heavily promotes hot spot analysis.

"Crime analysts use mapping and analytical methods such as hot spot analysis to identify crime trends and patterns," Esri said in online promos.

"ArcGIS ... is critical to implementing evidence-based, data-driven crime reduction strategies. Data-driven policing enriches resident and officer safety, promotes transparency, and improves operational efficiency."

After US police murdered George Floyd in 2020, 1400 researchers signed a letter calling on all US mathematicians to stop working on predictive-policing algorithms.

The SearchX business case says police wanted Esri's ArcGIS added into the newly integrated visual analytics tech, called i2 Analyst Notebook Premium or ANB.

It added: "As Esri continue to develop the product it's become clear that they are moving into the space currently dominated by vendors such as i2 and Palantir."

New Zealand police told RNZ on Friday: "Police do not use or have access to IBM software for facial recognition or predictive policing."

The Tactical Response Model superseded the police Armed Response Team trials, abandoned in 2020 after it was revealed that working groups warned police the ART teams could be seen as a new force to use against Maori.

Police then launched research into their own biases; RNZ is seeking an update on what this has found.

Bias in such practices as warrant-less searches has been widely reported.

AI, and its subset machine learning, is at risk of entrenching biases because it draws on acres of historical data that often is a result of biased practices, international research has shown.

Police say in the OIA that delivering successful crime prevention and front line safety relied on efficient and effective intelligence from their information holdings, where data was often large, complex and semi-structured.

"It's also highly linked, such as an example of a car owned by one person but commonly driven by close family and friends, one of whom may have a cause for concern.

"An increasing focus on tactical intelligence has meant that analysts must often work under significant time pressure searching for relevant information to support a front-line operation."

A major reason police did not buy a whole new Palantir or other system was their own ICT team was under too much pressure to cope with the overhaul required, the documents showed.

In a review just two years ago, newly released to RNZ, IBM described police ICT overall as "incomplete", "disjointed", "undefined", "unclear", "inconsistent" and with an expensive bias towards trying to build in-house bespoke systems instead of buying off-the-shelf.

IBM says it no longer offered "general purpose facial recognition""

In 2019, its Watson Visual Recognition Service was changed to remove any face detection, analysis or identification capabilities, and now only analysed "to detect and differentiate between objects", the company told RNZ.

"We oppose and would not condone the use of facial recognition or any other technology for mass surveillance, racial profiling, or other human rights violations."

RNZ will report more on that shortly.

- RNZ.
During Netball New Zealands centenary year, the 2024 ANZ Premiership will shine a light on netballs incredible legacy with the upcoming seasons schedule confirmed this week.



The 2024 campaign opens with the AVIS Magic playing host to reigning champions the MG Mystics on Saturday April 13 in Hamilton, marking the beginning of a season set to make its mark on the sport's storied journey.



Over the course of 15 rounds, fans will see 45 regular season matches unfold at 12 different venues across New Zealand.



This season bids farewell to double-headers, embracing a more focused and engaging netball experience.



As the regular season comes to a close on July 22, the focus shifts to a two-match Finals Series with an Elimination Final leading into the Grand Final.



League General Manager Emma Fowlie says they were already looking forward to next years ANZ Premiership following one of the tightest competitions this year since the leagues inception in 2017.



Netball fans around the country were kept on the edge of their seats this year not knowing who was going to make the Finals Series right up until the last round of the regular season, says Emma.



This years ANZ Premiership went down to the wire which only confirms that the league continues to grow in stature.



She says next years ANZ Premiership would play a vital part in the start of another four-year-cycle for the Silver Ferns following this years Netball World Cup in South Africa.



The ANZ Premiership is a vital cog in our high performance programme and there is always a lot of interest in the players stepping forward and ready to make an impact at a higher level.



Fowlie said there were no restrictions on the length of this years ANZ Premiership due to the fact there were no pinnacle netball events in 2024.



This will again change the approach teams take to preparing for the ANZ Premiership with a more traditional feature that all sides will be playing just one game each week.



As the legacy of a century resound, the 2024 ANZ Premiership stands as a tribute to not only the game's evolution but also the unyielding spirit of players, coaches, volunteers, and fans who have woven their passion into the fabric of the sport.



From its early days as a modified version of basketball, netball gradually shaped its identity. The evolution from a nine-a-side game to seven marked a pivotal moment, allowing for more intricate strategies and enhancing the dynamics on the court.



The shift to netball in 1970 encapsulated the essence of this transformation, cementing the sport's unique identity.



In a tribute to this history, a special centenary exhibition is set to grace the Auckland Museum in late 2024, providing a tangible narrative of the sport's evolution.



This exhibit promises to be a living reflection of the century's journey, showcasing the stories, triumphs, and individuals that have shaped netball into a beloved national treasure.



As excitement builds for Netball New Zealand's centenary, the 2024 ANZ Premiership stands as a tribute to a century of passion, unity, and triumph.



All games will be broadcast live on Sky Sport, along with comprehensive coverage on the ANZ Premiership website and league social channels.
Helping people with physical disabilities or mental unwellness get out on the water to enjoy the freedom and pleasure of our ocean are at the heart of Wish4Fish, but the benefits from these trips go beyond a day out on the water.

As Tauranga's Wish4Fish continues to operate and demand grows, the team behind it are looking to the future and what else they can do above taking 1,000 plus people and their carers on fishing trips.

Plans to do overnight adventures and new specialised equipment will offer more enjoyment on the water for those with disabilities. The plan is to take one step at a time, always starting and ending with enhancing participants' lives by delivering the best experiences possible.

Local man Bryce Dinneen founded the Wish4Fish Trust in 2011 after suffering a high-level spinal injury whilst diving in 2007. The fear of considering hed never fish again resulted in building an accessible boat suitable for individuals with disabilities to get on the water to go fishing.

The Story of Wish4Fish from Metro Marketing on Vimeo.

The organisation not only supports those with physical or intellectual disabilities, but also those with mental unwellness, illness and financial hardship.

Fishing and boating are some of the most popular activities in New Zealand, providing sport and recreation opportunities, time spent in the outdoors, fun, and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the shores.

People with physical disabilities or mental unwellness often cant enjoy these activities due to accessibility.

The Wish4Fish boat. Photo: Supplied.

Wish4Fish is a charitable trust enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by providing opportunities to go on trips to enjoy the freedom and pleasure of being on the ocean.

Each trip is provided free of charge to disability and non-profit organisations, as well as individuals who are not associated to a support organisation.

General Manager of Wish4Fish, Tony Pearce says the trust is determined to promote positive attitudes around accessibility and inclusivity, by making memorable fishing experiences more accessible to all people.

We aim to enhance their well-being, confidence, and overall quality of life. Each trip offers our participants the opportunity to have an adventure, build camaraderie, and develop a sense of achievement to boost self-esteem.

The excitement of catching a fish on board Wish4Fish. Photo: Supplied.

Tony says they often have participants express how empowered a fishing trip makes them feel.

"They change from being seen as someone with a disability to someone providing kai moana to their whanau. Its a great form of therapy, which makes them feel valued.

You can physically see the positive outcomes in their self-esteem through their faces, eyes and body language, and the benefits go beyond the day spent on the water.

Wish4Fishs unique, fully accessible vessel is a great asset for the Western Bay of Plenty community as there is nothing like it in New Zealand or globally.

With a capacity for 49 passengers  10 wheelchair users, support staff and crew, the boat is designed with wheelchair users in mind, with an accessible bathroom, onboard wheelchair lift, high displacement catamaran for increased stability onboard and a specially designed loading system.

The excitement of catching a fish on board Wish4Fish. Photo: Supplied.

TECT Chairperson Bill Holland says TECT aims to help create a thriving, caring and connected community in the Western Bay. Wish4Fish is determined to foster social change and make a profound impact on the lives of those with disabilities or mental unwellness.

By supporting Wish4Fish with $40,000 of funding, we can assist in creating positive change for individuals this Trust was founded for, enriching lives and aiding further integration, inclusion and diversity within our community, says Bill.

This helps achieve our purpose by impacting the quality of life and wellbeing for current and future generations in the Western Bay as this Trust grows and is capable of providing to more participants.

To learn more about Wish 4 Fish, head to their website.
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The Andalucia region in the south of Spain will continue this week with stable weather and maximum temperature values above 35C, after starting the month with a record for October after a maximum of 38.2 degrees was reached on Sunday in the Cordoba province town of Montoro. The previous record was the 37.5C registered in Marbella on 22 October 2014.

This was confirmed by Aemet state weather agency delegate in Andaluci, Ceuta and Melilla, Juan de Dios del Pino, who stressed that the the stability of last week will continue due to "the European anticyclone and the Atlantic which are blocking the passage of fronts".

As a result, "there will be a very stable atmosphere with very unusual temperatures for this time of year", insisted Del Pino, who pointed to "a slight drop of two or three degrees until Wednesday due to the north-westerly wind which will bring in slightly cooler air".

However, from Thursday onwards, the thermometers will rise again and temperatures will again reach between 36 and 37C in the region's Guadalquivir valley. The minimum values, meanwhile, will be around 16 and 20 degrees.
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During a presentation held in Benalmadena on Friday, the Ukrainian Sprivdruzhnist organisation awarded medals to foreigners recognised by its government for dignity, patriotism and contribution to the work of transforming Ukraine into an independent European State.

The medals were awarded to the Lucky Quilters, an association that has promoted peace and harmony with textile art. The volunteers have been busy making cushions and blankets and sending the proceeds raised from their sale to Ukraine.

The ceremony was attended by the Ukraine consul for Malaga, Svitlana Kramarenko, along with Mayor Juan Antonio Lara, and the president of the Lucky Quilters, Oksana Mader.

The event, held at the Casa de Cultura, was organised to recognise the ties that have united Spain and Ukraine after the outbreak of war.

During his speech, the mayor said, I want to show the support of the entire population of Benalmadena to Ukraine, which is giving the whole world a lesson in life, dignity and values, fighting for the force of reason, principles and the search for peace.

Lara also commended those who received the medal of immense value and symbolism.

Your work has been fundamental to save lives and alleviate the damages of this senseless war. I thank you on behalf of our town, because Benalmadena is very proud of all of you and your support to Ukraine, which has been incredible, he added.

The ceremony ended with a performance by Nadiia Yurko, a former soprano with the Kharkiv Regional Philharmonic Orchestra.
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The city of Malaga is becoming too small to meet its housing needs. The continuous influx of people and companies, together with the tourist boom and the appetite for investment, is straining the market to a worrying degree. And this is not only claimed by local groups or political parties, but also by real estate consultants such as Savills, which in its annual report 'Vision Malaga', warned that it is vital to achieve "a greater accommodation capacity for people and companies in line with the socio-economic expansion of the city" and predicted that prices, which have shot up, will continue to rise if this does not happen. Jose Felix Perez-Pena, director of Savills Andalucia, said 1,300 new homes are being marketed in Malaga city every year, but demand is estimated at around 3,000. In other words, the city needs to more than double the number of homes that are being launched on the market.

Perez-Pena has advocated "incorporating the metropolitan area" as a "vital strategy to consolidate Malaga's development". "The city must integrate the attraction and generation of talent as a key value for the future and provide the necessary spaces to maintain the level of quality of life that has made it one of the most attractive cities to live and work in southern Europe."

"The need for housing is urgent in all its aspects: new construction, second-hand and rental. Companies from all sectors are looking for quality space to set up or continue to grow. Two new universities are arriving and we have also become one of the most desirable destinations in the world for nomadic professionals, in other words, we attract talent and generate it," Perez-Pena added.

Home ownership

The housing market situation maintains the trend of high demand and a shortage of new construction supply. A staggering "63% of the new residential supply launched on the market this year has already been sold despite the price increase, the greater supply and the tightening of financing costs, so there is a clear shortage of new developments to meet the current rate of demand," said Jose Luis Bravo, head of the residential sector at Savills. The forecast for new housing in the city in the future totals 43,625 new units. Of these, 18,656 units are already approved to gradually enter the market over the next few years.

The report highlighted how Malaga is positioned as the second coastal province with the second highest number of sales in 2022 after Alicante, with 35,300 and 41,800 transactions respectively, and as the sixth most expensive province in Spain. It is also noteworthy that 45% of homebuyers in Malaga did not need a mortgage.

The average price in the city for new multi-family housing stands at 3,969 euros per square metre, 18% higher than in 2022. The districts with the highest prices per square metre are Malaga East (5,574 euros per square metre), Carretera de Cadiz (5,148) and the city centre (3,606). The most affordable are Churriana (2,371), Alhaurin de la Torre (2,972) and Rincon de la Victoria (3,028) for multi-family housing.

The study devoted attention to the luxury or 'prime' segment, which has grown in recent years "to become the leading market by number of assets for sale above 3 million euros". This segment, which is less affected by economic fluctuations, shows "great potential" due to the scarcity of product and the increased attractiveness for new national and international demand, who are beginning to look to Malaga city as one of their favourite locations, along with Marbella and Benahavis.

Rental properties

In terms of the rental market, Savills noted that supply in the city has experienced a "significant decline" due to its reallocation for sale or as short-stay rentals. The average rental income in the city stood at 1,140 per month in 2022, up 16% on the previous year.

The report looked at a relatively new product in the Malaga property market: 'build to rent', which are residential buildings developed specifically to be rented out. Currently, Malaga has 1,500 units planned in this format, a "promising but still insufficient" figure according to Savills.

Residential land

Savills pointed out that land on the market in the city is being sold on average in just 12 months. "The market continues to be buoyant, with a 10% increase in residential land sold compared to the previous year. This will allow us to promote a supply of more than 3,500 homes. This good number of transactions has been carried out due to the structural need for housing and the strong national and international investor appetite," said Jose Luis Sanz, associate director of the consultancy firm, who warned that investor interest faces "a lack of managed land in the city and its immediate surroundings".

The Cortijo Merino and Distrito Z projects, already under development, and above all, Repsol and Rojas Santa Tecla are the most important focuses of real estate supply in the short and medium term. Between these four sectors, with more than 570,000 square metres of new housing will be put on the market.

Another option, according to Sanz, is "the promotion of land sectors in neighbouring municipalities, where it would be possible to create quality housing at more affordable prices, as happens in other cities, expanding the metropolitan area and providing it, not only with more housing, but also with more services".

Offices

Malaga will incorporate 35,000 square metres of new office space from 2025, expanding the city's insufficient stock and generating new quality alternatives. Until then, companies "are looking for alternative solutions" to find a place to locate in the city. This explains, in part, the boom in coworking or flexible spaces.

Malaga, according to Savills in its latest report, has just over 500,000 square metres of stock and an availability rate of just 5.6% (31,500 metres). In addition, most of the space currently available is in peripheral areas or lower quality spaces that do not meet the current requirements of companies. "This situation complicates the search for headquarters for many companies that want to set up or expand their space in the city," said Aranzazu Garcia, an associate in the office sector.

Hotels

The number of hotel beds in the city has increased by more than 20% since 2019. "The city has a balanced forecast of new supply, with 21 projects that will enter the market between 2023 and 2027, totalling more than 1,900 beds. A large part, around 27%, of them will be five-star and five-star luxury," the report reflects.

"The outlook for the province in the short and medium term maintains the trend of growth, driven by the improvement in the quality of supply, and the increase in investor interest in the face of a profitability that continues to improve despite the slight drop in occupancy," added Savills.

Commerical properties

With the increase in economic and tourist activity in Malaga city, the upward trend continues in the main shopping areas. Prime rents have already returned to 2019 levels and the availability of empty premises is reduced to 2% in the main streets. The prime area (Calle Larios) has recovered its maximum rent, exceeding 300 euros per square metre per month. And Calle Nueva is making a comeback, reaching 100% occupancy and setting historical maximum rents of 112 euros.

In addition, areas such as the northern part of the Alameda Principal and the first stretch of Calle Granada are already experiencing the good evolution of the sector and the interest of operators and investors in this area.

Slight increases have been recorded in the secondary axes, recovering up to 12% in some of the areas most affected by the pandemic.

Logistics

The Savills report concluded that raising logistics standards in Malaga and its area of influence is "key" to the proper functioning of the city and its future development. The 'stock' of pure logistics land in Malaga is just over 300,000 square metres, with an occupancy rate of close to 100%.

Student residences

According to Savills, the arrival of two new universities and the evolution of the current educational offer mean that 1,000 more beds will be needed in the city, despite a 56% increase in the number of places in the last three years.

In addition, new educational formats are expected to join the university, such as vocational training, postgraduate schools and 'longlife learning', which will require space to develop their activity.

Residences and hospitals

Savills pointed out in its report that the expansion of hospital and geriatric beds is still "a pending issue for both the public and private sectors". Currently, the municipality of Malaga has more than 2,400 beds in homes for the elderly, plus a further 500 under development. As for hospital beds, the current number is 3,400, spread over 17 centres. To meet the ratios recommended by the World Health Organization (eight to ten beds per 1,000 inhabitants), it would be necessary to create between 1,180 and 2,300 additional beds.
Jennie Rhodes Malaga Compartir Copiar enlace

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The UKs referendum on leaving the EU in June 2016 may feel like a long time ago. However, the work of Bremain in Spain, the organisation that was set up by British residents living in Spain and concerned about the future of their approximately 300,000 fellow Britons in the country, continues.

The pro-European lobby group, which has been chaired by Sue Wilson MBE since its creation in the immediate aftermath of the referendum to defend the rights of Britons in Spain, has been busy on the campaign trail this month, with Sue being invited to speak at the inauguration ceremony of Our Star - an event hosted by German MEP Terry Reintke in the European Parliament.

Sue explained that Our Star is the creation of German sculptor Jacques Tilly, who is behind a number of anti-Brexit works that have made regular appearances at anti-Brexit marches in London, including the most recent one that took place on Saturday 23 September.

The idea of Our Star was adopted by the rejoin campaign after the referendum result inspired by an image showing one of the 12 gold stars of the EU flag falling out of the circle, representing the UKs departure. While the stars actually symbolise union - twelve being the symbol of perfection and completeness and bringing to mind the apostles, the sons of Jacob, the labours of Hercules and the months in the year - and not the number of countries in the EU at the time the flag was adopted, anti-Brexiters have used the symbolism to call for the EU to look after our star in the hope that one day the country will rejoin.

Sue said that the UKs Star of European Peace is a two-metre-tall talisman representing peace and unity being exhibited and inaugurated in the European Parliament". She went on to say that Reintke, who is outspoken on her anti-Brexit views, promised yet again to look after our star on the flag of nations until we are ready to claim it back.

Our Star by Jacques Tilly. S. Wilson

Sue went on to say, In her usual passionate, anti-Brexit voice, she spoke of changing public opinion in the UK, and how our MEPs - not all of them, obviously - are missed in Europe. She added, She reassured us, yet again, that the door is still open and that the EU are keeping the lights on for our return.

Terry Reintke and Sue Wilson in the European Parliament. S. Wilson

As I walked the corridors of the European Parliament, listening to a multitude of European languages being spoken, I keenly felt the loss of my EU citizenship, and all the rights, benefits and opportunities that go along with it, Sue said.

AGM

The Bremain 2023 AGM took place in London with a round-up of the work that the lobby group has been involved in over the past 12 months. The work to ensure that Britons in Spain still have a voice continues and in March and June this year Sue Wilson attended meetings with the UKs Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to discuss restoring voting rights to UK citizens who have lived abroad for over 15 years (known as the 15-year rule) with a view to discussing the next steps, the registration process, and to establish the timescales.

In May 2023 Bremain attended a meeting with the European Commission's Specialised Committee on Citizens' Rights. Bremain said, They were helpful, listened to the problems British citizens in Europe faced, and were keen to work with civic groups like Bremain. We envisage an ongoing relationship.

National Rejoin March

Grassroots campaigns are ongoing across Europe and in the UK and Bremain has been involved in a number of these. The most recent and largest gathering was the National Rejoin march which took place in London on Saturday 23 September and a police source told organisers that the numbers were in excess of 20,000 at the rally.

Bremain council member and La Herradura (Granada province) resident, John Moffett, who attended the event, said, It was wonderful to march through London once again with fellow Rejoiners and Europeans. The passion hasnt waned one bit and it was inspiring to hear the speeches and know that the tide is turning. People are starting to wake up to the reality of Brexit and truly feeling the loss of the freedoms they had.

Valerie Chaplin who is also a member of the National Rejoin March committee and lives in La Rabita (Granada province), said, It was wonderful to see old friends and meet with new people who are passionate about rejoining the EU. Brexit has impacted on all our lives adversely with our EU citizenship stripped from us, the right of Freedom of Movement, study under Erasmus, work in an EU country and the loss to the EU of many swallows who used to come for the winter, now they are restricted to 90 in 180 days.

She went on to say that it is the same the other way". "Some of our younger Spanish friends used to work or study in the UK, but can't anymore because of the prohibitive cost, and the same goes for others who were lorry drivers, the costs and the paperwork are prohibitive, they also are not made to feel welcome in UK.
On Monday, October 2, Russian occupants shelled Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, once again. Two civilians were injured as a result of the attack.

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This was reported by the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office. The local prosecutor's office has already launched a pre-trial investigation into the violation of the laws and customs of war (Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) (to view the photo, scroll to the bottom of the page).

The attack was carried out around 14:30. According to preliminary information, it was a CAB on the basis of FAB-250.

A man and a woman were injured as a result of another crime by Russian troops.

In addition, a number of residential buildings and cars were damaged. Full information is being clarified.

"Prosecutors, in cooperation with police investigators, are taking all measures to document war crimes committed by representatives of the armed forces of the aggressor state," the statement said.

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As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, on the afternoon of September 19, the Russian occupation army committed another terrorist attack in Kupiansk, Kharkiv region. The enemy dropped an air bomb on the settlement.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Gansevoort, N.Y.  A search continued Monday for a 9-year-old who disappeared Saturday night while riding her bike in a state park in Saratoga County.

State police issued an Amber Alert Sunday for Charlotte E. Sena, who was last seen at Moreau Lake State Park camping site in Gansevoort around 6:15 p.m. Saturday. Law enforcement search efforts began around 7 p.m. Saturday and are continuing today.

New York State Police has issued an Amber Alert for a 9-year-old girl, Charlotte Sena, missing since early Saturday night from Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County. Anyone with information should call the New York State Police at (518) 457-6811 or dial 911.

State troopers have been joined by forest rangers and other first responders.

***AMBER ALERT UPDATED DESCRIPTION*** PLEASE SHARE! NYSP has activated AMBER Alert for a child abduction that occurred near Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort, NY at about 6:45 PM on 9/30/2023. Anyone with any information should call the NYSP at (518) 457-6811 or dial 911. pic.twitter.com/vE6YGbdDP9  NewYorkStatePolice (@nyspolice) October 1, 2023

Charlotte was with her family for a camping weekend at the park. They live in the nearby town of Greenfield in Saratoga County where Cena is a fourth-grader in the Corinth schools.

The girl was riding her bicycle with her cousins around a loop at the park, and she decided to ride the loop an additional time by herself, Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters at a news briefing at the park Sunday afternoon.

When about 10 minutes passed and Charlotte didnt return from her ride, her parents started looking for her, troopers said.

State police and additional law enforcement and search and rescue teams conducted an exhaustive search of the park over the next 14 and a half hours, which lead to the Amber Alert being issued at 9:35 a.m. Sunday, said Lt. Col. Richard L. Mazzone, state police assistant deputy superintendent.

We felt that after that exhaustive search when we couldnt find her here, it was quite possible an abduction had taken place, Mazzone said.

Hochul met with Charlottes parents Sunday morning.

Charlotte was just elected as an officer for her schools student council at Corinth Central Elementary School. She and her family were having a typical day of camping, the governor said.

I just want my daughter back, Charlottes mother, Trisha Sena, the Albany Times-Union reported Sunday.

She described her daughter as a good kid who is trusting.

Yesterday, 9-year-old Charlotte Sena went missing in Moreau State Park.



For more than 18 hours teams from @nyspolice, @NYstateparks Police, Forest Rangers, UAS, and URT have been searching the grounds.



My heart is with Charlotte's family and loved ones as the search continues. pic.twitter.com/HGsjb3Rktf  Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) October 1, 2023

Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.
Approximately 27,000 students returned to school in Syracuse on Monday September 14, 1953, a crisp fall morning.

The beginning of this new school year, the 105th in the history of the City School District, was a particularly significant one, as the much anticipated, and somewhat controversial, William Nottingham High School officially opened its very expensive doors to 1,150 students on a massive lot off of Meadowbrook and Kimber Drives.

Inside, students found a state-of-the art school outfitted with the most modern technology available.

The school boasted 47 enormous classrooms, five scientific laboratories, a home economics wing with the latest kitchen appliances, a beautiful wood-paneled 1,350 seat auditorium, and a gymnasium with bleacher seating for a 1,000 - The Post Standard featured them lauding their telescoping design.

Nicknamed The Monster by some in the local press, the sprawling new 145,000 square feet educational edifice took a little over a year to build and cost $4.5 million ($51 million in 2023).

Though the cost of the building was the source of some consternation for many, it was a necessary expenditure.

- The original Nottingham School, built in 1924. Onondaga Historical Association Onondaga Historical AssociationOnondaga Historical Association

In many respects, the new high school was the physical manifestation of a community reaching its apex of growth and economic vitality.

By 1953, Syracuses population reached its peak at nearly 225,000 people. Pulled here by myriad factors, including the influx of thousands of veterans of the Second World War attending or employed at nearby Syracuse University as a result of the G.I. Bill, but primarily by the nearly limitless economic opportunities in the citys booming manufacturing sector, the near east side witnessed a generational transformation that mirrored the larger city-wide trend.

As such, Nottingham High School was the first new school building constructed by the city since Grant Middle School opened in 1930.

It actually replaced the original Nottingham High School on Harvard Place, which was built in 1924 and later renamed Levy Middle School. Nottinghams construction marked the beginning of a building boom for the City School District during which ten schools were built or significantly remodeled.

- William Notthingham, 1903. Onondaga Historical Association Onondaga Historical AssociationOnondaga Historical Association

The school was named in honor of Dr. William Nottingham, who died in 1921. Dr. Nottingham was born in Dewitt in 1853, on his familys homestead. Descended from some of the earliest White settler families in Onondaga County, the Nottinghams and the Van Vlecks, Nottingham devoted his life to education, service, and building up the city and the region.

After graduating from Syracuse High School in 1872, he matriculated at the brand-new Syracuse University, beginning classes in the old Myers Block on Montgomery Street before the completion of the Hall of Languages in 1873.

After taking a Ph.D. in 1877, he began a long and distinguished career in corporate law. In addition to his legal career, he served on the New York State Board of Regents for nearly 15 years, helping to guide educational policy and curriculum statewide.

In 1912, Dr. Nottingham was elected president of the New York State Bar Association, in recognition of his talents and reputation among his fellow attorneys.

As a founder of the Syracuse Trust Company and director of the New York Telephone Company, he was also a prominent member of the Onondaga Historical Association and myriad other philanthropic causes.

Throughout his career, though, the cause of education remained closest to his heart. Fittingly, he spent a decade on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, where he became very close friends with Syracuse University Chancellor James R. Day.

Upon hearing of his death, Chancellor Day summed up well the sentiments of so many Syracusans saying, He was one of the men I had thought not to see dead. It was not possible, as I have always associated him as essential and indispensable to the great plans and councils of the university and our city.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Google search results for 404 Salisbury Road, Syracuse, NY include an image of a yellow one-story house on a hill with a large pile of junk at the end of a long driveway. The photo captured the result of an eviction started weeks earlier.

But this was not a typical landlord-tenant issue. The owner of the house is the City of Syracuse. And the renter it forced out is an employee of the city.
By Brendan J. Lyons | Times Union, Albany

Albany, N.Y.  A federal judge has dismissed two of Andrew M. Cuomos top former aides as defendants in a lawsuit filed by a State Police investigator who accused the former governor of sexually harassing her and inappropriately touching her while she was assigned to his protective detail.

Former Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa and Richard Azzopardi, a former senior advisor who remains a spokesman for Cuomo, were accused in the lawsuit of aiding and abetting Cuomos alleged misconduct and retaliating against the female trooper.

U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall said she will issue a written order in the coming days explaining her decision to remove the former aides as defendants in the case.

It is one of two federal lawsuits filed against Cuomo in connection with his alleged misconduct with 11 women, including several former aides, that was outlined in a state attorney generals report released in August 2021. Cuomo announced his resignation a week later, but has since disputed the allegations and, while acknowledging he did things that were not appropriate, contends he did not sexually harass anyone.

The accusations by the trooper  identified in the attorney generals report as Trooper 1  were among the most damaging leveled against Cuomo, who had encouraged a senior investigator on his protective detail to offer the now-32-year-old female investigator a job on the special unit that protects the governor. Three years ago, when pressed about the governors role in getting the trooper on his detail after meeting her at an event in New York City, Cuomo denied having any role in her transfer.

The attorney generals report also confirmed information that the Times Union had asked State Police and Cuomos office about in 2020: the State Polices minimum qualification rules had been changed in order to get the female trooper on the governors protective detail. She alleged Cuomo later routinely engaged in inappropriate conduct, including touching her, kissing her on the cheek and asking her questions about clothing, personal life and marriage.

Attorneys for DeRosa and Azzopardi had argued that neither DeRosa nor Azzopardi retaliated against the trooper, whose identity is being withheld by the Times Union. They were private citizens at the time they separately made comments accusing the trooper or her attorneys of trying to extort money from the situation, the attorneys have said.

Azzopardi was pulled into the litigation after a tweet he wrote in response to the federal lawsuit that was filed in February 2022, in which he accused the troopers legal team of pursuing cheap cash extortions.

The lawsuit has alleged DeRosa aided and abetted the governors alleged misconduct because she had dissuaded the Times Union from publishing a story about the troopers transfer to the protective detail three years ago.

DeRosa and Azzopardi issued statements in the wake of the judges decision last week accusing the attorney general of issuing a politically motivated report and accusing the State Police investigator of trying to use it for personal financial gain.

With each passing day more information comes to the surface  and none of it comes close to telling the true story, DeRosa said.

My addition to this suit as a private citizen defending my client was a weaponization of the court system and a despicable attempt by the Wigdor firm to silence me, damage my reputation and business and make me a less effective advocate, Azzopardi said. Im glad the judge saw right through this ploy.

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, was filed in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn and lists allegations against Cuomo and his administration that largely mirror those outlined in the searing report issued by the state attorney generals office that concluded the former governor was a serial sexual harasser who cultivated a toxic work environment.

The governor did not act alone. He was enabled by the machinery of the state, the federal civil complaint states. Women who had the courage to complain were attacked by a cadre of the governors closest advisors.

Azzopardi said that while Cuomo apologized publicly to the female trooper, he could not recall kissing her on the cheek and has not conceded her other allegations.

The Times Union reported last year the female trooper, now 32, had moved up in the ranks of Cuomos protective detail quickly, securing a position as the governors driver in a much shorter timeframe than is normal, according to former senior members of the detail who are familiar with its machinations.

The trooper, who is from Long Island, did not meet the minimum qualifications to get a spot on the detail because she had been with the State Police for less than three years.

The attorney generals report noted that an unnamed high-ranking member of Cuomos Executive Chamber had informed a State Police senior investigator, who was a member of the protective detail and tasked with offering the trooper a job, that the rules were going to be changed so she could qualify for the assignment. Transcripts later released by the attorney general showed that official was Letizia Tagliafierro, a former top aide who later was named state inspector general by Cuomo.

The Times Union, which began investigating the troopers appointment to Cuomos detail in 2020, is not identifying her because she is an alleged victim of sexual harassment who has asked to remain anonymous. Her federal complaint, which claims she suffered harassment, retaliation and discrimination, was accompanied by a motion that requests the court allow her to remain anonymous in the case as Trooper 1.

Cuomos attorney, Rita Glavin, later acknowledged the governor had intervened in the hiring decisions of the State Police  something he has previously said should never occur  and that in the case of the female trooper, he liked how she made eye contact ... how she was assertive in the conversation.

The attorney generals report said the trooper had described Cuomo as creepy and flirtatious.

___

(c)2023 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
By Joshua Solomon | Times Union, Albany

Albany, N.Y.  New York City Mayor Eric Adams made headlines last week when he announced the citys voucher program to help house the homeless could now be used statewide.

The intent, the mayor said, was to alleviate the citys overburdened shelters at a time when the migrant crisis has created intense strain on its legally obligated safety net.

The plan, which had to be approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul, unleashed vigorous opposition from upstate counties.

Some of those counties are also in court fighting the citys similarly uncoordinated relocation of homeless migrants in their communities, which are already struggling with an affordable housing crisis that has stretched their social services and other resources.

The question county executives are grappling with: Will the New York City homeless voucher plan lead to an additional influx of individuals with little to their name?

An answer may be found in a similar state voucher program that has languished in its first year of implementation as most upstate counties have struggled to spend a sliver of the $100 million initiative.

In its first full year, $3 million of rent supplements were doled out of a potential pot of $100 million, according to state data obtained by the Times Union.

The money spent, state officials noted, marked an improvement over the first six months of the program: $195,000 spread across 156 families.

As more districts implement their programs, it is expected that outcomes will be more robust in future reporting periods, said an October 2022 Office of Temporary Disability and Assistance report to the state Legislature.

The program was adopted by the Legislature in 2021 and implemented last year. It is intended to help stabilize people who are homeless or imminently homeless, regardless of immigration status, by temporarily covering the majority of their rent as they seek a job with a livable wage.

The problem local officials note is the same one facing New York City: a combination of a lack of available affordable housing and a program that doesnt cover enough rent relative to the current market rates.

In June, Albany Countys Department of Social Services Commissioner Michele McClave acknowledged to a county legislative committee that the county had not been able to spend nearly half of its $1.1 million allotment for the prior year.

In a letter to McClave, Legislator Sam Fein, chair of the Legislatures Social Services committee, urged her to develop a plan to ensure the county uses its entire allotment.

Our community is facing a significant rise in rents, and we are seeing an increasing number of individuals experiencing homelessness and without stable housing, Fein wrote. This funding presents a real opportunity to make a significant impact by providing a means to help people secure permanent housing.

On Friday, Fein said he had received a response from the department that left him looking for more. The countys inability to spend the money has been unacceptable, he said.

It wasnt a detailed plan, he said. It wasnt exactly what I wanted.

Fein said he is looking for the county to come up with creative solutions to the obstacles facing the program.

We should be leading on this, he said.

Mary Rozak, a spokeswoman for the county executives office, said the Albany County wasnt able to spend its full 2022 allotment, in part, because of the lack of affordable housing locally.

The county had worked with multiple housing shelters, nonprofits and other agencies in its efforts to get people into the program but even with the vouchers, apartments in the county werent affordable, Rozak said.

Many clients are eligible for the (program) but look for appropriate housing for months without success, Rozak said in an email. Until there is more affordable housing available, this will continue to be an obstacle.

Through the first seven months of the year, the county distributed $160,838 in vouchers for 39 residents, according to Rozak. Those residents received an average of $728 in monthly assistance.

Wildly successful

A handful of counties  Cattaraugus, Oneida and Schenectady, for example  have had more success with administering the program through local nonprofits or homeless shelters, alongside enough housing to match the need.

In Rensselaer County, officials had spent a relatively low $53,399 as of the end of March, according to the data provided by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

But St. Pauls Center in Rensselaer, a homeless shelter tasked with administering the program, said the county has already promised out almost all of its nearly half-a-million-dollar allotment.

Weve been wildly successful, said Tracy J. Pitcher, executive director of St. Pauls Center. Weve spent nearly everything.

St. Pauls is allowed to take a 15 percent cut for administering the program, according to a contract between the shelter and the county. The rate is fairly standard in the nonprofit sector.

The byproduct of the initiative has been tremendous for three dozen families, Pitcher said.

Before the state-funded program, the average length of stay at the shelter was about 90 days. Now, its down to 43 days.

Its helping those who cant get help anywhere else, said Charlee Stead, who is running the program for St. Pauls.

The qualifications generally target people who may make just enough money to not qualify for public housing or other federal assistance, but do not make enough to regularly afford monthly rent.

Stead acknowledged there was a rough start to the rollout of the program, but once St. Pauls was able to do enough outreach and education, it began to work.

There is enough housing to meet the need, Stead said, but a massive influx of additional homeless individuals, from anywhere, could complicate things.

There will not be a mass shipping of people to counties directed by the city, Hochul told reporters last week. This is a very different dynamic. Those who are trying to create hysteria around what (Adams) is doing misrepresent the facts.

The New York Association of Counties has firmly outlined its concerns with the program, which was not vetted ahead of time by its members.

We call on New York City to reverse this initiative, NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario said in a statement last week. Shifting a problem from one part of the state to another does not solve anything. It simply creates more problems.

The associations spokesman, Mark LaVigne, said potential litigation on the issue is not off the table.

In Oneida County  which has embraced the states voucher program that allows it to use its funds for undocumented immigrants  its county executive issued an order blocking the use of the New York City vouchers in its community.

Oneida County has the same capacity issues as New York City and this maneuver to push their homeless into our community would not only ravage our ability to serve our people in need, but would devastate the affordable housing market and incentivize landlords to displace good local tenants, County Executive Anthony J. Picente said in a statement.

The Adams administration argues that the voucher program is not necessarily targeted at migrants, but rather toward those who are currently in the shelters.

If those longtime homeless residents move into housing, it could open up shelter beds for migrants who continue to flow into New York City, which has had a court-ordered right to shelter law in effect for the last four decades. About 2,000 migrants, who are generally unable to gain lawful work as they attempt to seek asylum, have been bused upstate to stay at hotels for a taxpayer cost of $170 a night, per room  or at least $5,100 a month.

If the citys vouchers were to be valued at the same price as they are in New York City, it would be enough to pay for luxury apartments in the Albany area, based on the amount of money being paid to house migrants in hotels.

But the vouchers are expected to be adjusted to their relative fair market value for the area they are used, according to a spokeswoman for the citys Department of Social Services.

While the vouchers are for very similar populations, homeless or those about to be, and are adjusted to rental rates based on federal fair market rates, there are a handful of nuanced differences to how they work.

The state program accounts for homeless individuals or families that earn no more than 50 percent of the area median income, although it prioritizes those who make 30 percent or less of an areas median income.

In the Capital Region, someone would likely qualify if they are homeless or facing eviction with nowhere to go and making $23,600 or less a year. That threshold is less than what someone would make if they worked a minimum wage job full-time for a year.

The program then covers between 85 and 100 percent of the federally determined fair market rent rate. Typically, local districts cover rents that are at 85 percent, which means a recently homeless person could be renting a studio apartment that costs $820 a month.

The participant is expected to only pay 30 percent of their income for rent, which is what is widely considered the threshold for becoming rent burdened. The person graduates out of the program when their income allows them to afford their entire rent without paying more than 30 percent of their income.

The citys program includes fewer requirements and instead accounts for homeless individuals with a gross annual income of no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or $29,160. It also can be used for up to five years, without the same type of trigger to come off of the subsidy as the states program.

In Rensselaer County, Stead with St. Pauls Center said two families have already been able to land stable jobs and move off the state program.

The opportunity for individuals from New York City, particularly migrants, to use the citys version of a homeless voucher program in Rensselaer County appears slim.

Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin said that his executive order to ban hotels or shelters from housing migrants or asylum seekers can block the use of the city voucher in his county. He then took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to lash out at Democrats.

The incompetent and lying mayor of N.Y.C., along with the incompetent governor of N.Y. are once again trying to spread N.Y.C. chaos statewide, McLaughlin wrote.

McLaughlin, Picente and other county officials believe the program will result in migrants relocating upstate.

Regardless of who comes upstate, the voucher program may remain challenging to implement  as officials with the Empire Justice Center testified to the state Legislature in February.

The rental supplement program as currently formulated does not do enough to remedy the inadequacy of the shelter allowance, said the centers written testimony.

It recommended the state fund the covering of 100 percent fair market rent value, which get New Yorkers into safe and decent housing.

New Yorkers deserve better, the center concluded at the budget hearing.

Lawmakers would go on to make no substantive changes to the little-used program.

___

(c)2023 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
Former British Defense Secretary Ben Wall ace said that the West needs to provide Ukraine with the assistance it needs to bring the war to an end. Ukrainians with the support of allied countries can defeat the Russian occupiers.

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"This war can be won. Vladimir Putin will fail. Just as human emotions lead Ukraine to success, they are also the inevitable drawback of Putin and his criminal regime. Romance, selfishness and revenge drove Putin to invade Ukraine, and it will be his undoing," Wallace wrote in an article for The Telegraph.

He believes that the Kremlin dictator is "desperately clinging to the last two things that can save him - time and the division of the international community."

London can do something in both cases and should help Kyiv maintain its momentum. This requires more ammunition and long-range missiles, the former defense minister said.

The politician is confident that the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian Defense Forces is successful - the soldiers are slowly but surely breaking through Russian positions. Sometimes yard by yard, sometimes village by village, but the country's defenders are moving forward.

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"The men and women in the Ukrainian army are proving to us in NATO once again how much we underestimated them. The group thinkers, with their computers and 'Russian experience', calculated that they could only hold out for a few weeks... When they were wrong, they switched their pessimism to a counteroffensive. They failed to realize that the most valuable thing in war is hope," Wallace wrote.

He emphasized that Ukrainians are learning, adapting their tactics, learning lessons and making the most of the military equipment donated by the West.

"When hope is combined with the right equipment, Ukraine is unstoppable. It is our duty to support this hope and back it up with funding and equipment until the job is done," Wallace said.

He also suggested that Ukraine may have to "reassess" the mobilization.

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"Ukraine can also play a role. The average age of soldiers at the front is over 40. I understand President Zelenskyy's desire to preserve young people for the future, but the fact is that Russia is secretly mobilizing the entire country. Putin knows that a pause will give him time to create a new army. So, as the UK did in 1939 and 1941, it may be time to reassess the scale of Ukrainian mobilization," suggested the former UK Secretary of State for Defense.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Ben Wallace said that he believed the attacks against the Russian Black Sea Fleet ships were quite logical, as Russia is actively using these vessels in the war.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Over the past week (September 25-October 1), the Ukrainian Defense Forces set records for destroying Russian artillery systems and UAVs. The figures in these categories are more than twice the average.

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These conclusions can be drawn from statistics published daily by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The agency calculates how much manpower and equipment Russia has lost over the past day and over the entire period of the full-scale war.

Last week, the defenders of our country eliminated 2,810 occupants.

Losses of the aggressor country in equipment for the week (average value in parentheses):

- tanks: 50 (56);

- ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS: 73 (107);

- artillery systems: 265 (78);

- MLRS: 10 (10);

- air defense systems: 7 (6);

- aircraft: 1(4);

- helicopters: 0 (4);

- UAVS: 166 (60);

- missiles: 11 (18);

- motor vehicles: 163 (106);

- special equipment: 20 (11).

The Shrike News Telegram channel published an infographic showing the number of enemy artillery pieces and drones that have been "canceled out":

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You can read about the losses suffered by the occupation army on October 1 in the official report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine here.

As OBOZREVATEL wrote:

- CNN believes that Ukrainian soldiers are using combined strikes against Russian occupation forces, which allow them to "starve and stretch the enemy's defense".

- Former British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said that Ukrainians with the support of allied countries can defeat the Russian occupiers. "This war can be won," he said.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Teagasc Webinar Maintaining your Mental Health in Farming

Teagasc will mark World Mental Health Day on Tuesday, 10 October by hosting a Webinar entitled: Maintaining your Mental Health in Farming from 10am -11am; farm safety issues associated with mental health will also be considered.

The Webinar will be chaired by Ms Finola Colgan, Development Officer, Mental Health Ireland. Speaking in advance of the webinar, Ms Colgan stated: Viirtually everyone faces a mental health challenge at some point in their lives, so it is vital that we have the resources to deal with such a challenge.

Irish research using a validated survey has indicated that farmers have poorer wellbeing than the general population and hve approximately twice the level of likely depression (6% vs 3%) than the general population.

Mental health can be impacted by conditions prevailing in farming such as weather, climate change, prices, or financial concerns. Teagascs National Farm Survey (NFS) study indicates that in 2018 57% of farmers reported experiencing stress resulting from their farm work. This webinar will provide participants with the opportunity to reflect on how they manage their physical and mental health in addition to providing practical tips along the way.

Webinar Speakers include:

Dr Denis OHora, Lecturer in the School of Psychology, University of Galway will address the psychological challenges to mental health and safety to farmers, who are mainly autonomous workers with high job demands.

Farmer and Mental Health Advocate, George Graham, will outline his journey with mental health and approaches to maintaining mental health and safety particularly tailored for farmers.

Dr Diana van Doorn, Post-Doctoral Fellow at Teagasc will explore the links between occupational stress, wellbeing and cardiovascular health, measured as part of the Farmers Have Hearts  Cardiovascular Health Programme.

Dr John McNamara and Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialists will outline advisory supports available to aid farmers to maintain positive mental health through farm management.

A Q and A Session, chaired by Ms Finola Colgan, Mental Health Ireland, will follow the presentations.

The Webinar is a public event and is free of charge. Those interested in Mental Health among farmers are most welcome to register.

Regsiter for the webinar here https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/national-events/events/maintaining-mental-health-and-safety-in-challenging-time.php
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Re: Akasa Air to sue 40 pilots for quitting without serving notice period Quote: FlyboyQP Originally Posted by



To start with, All these pilots were hired in 2022-2023. They were exploited right from the beginning, paying sub standard salaries, not giving accommodation, not giving flights for company training (when the airline is

up and flying )etc. These were always an industry standard ! For example, If an applicant pilot is called to Doha for 2 days interview and flight test, he/she is provided with Business class travel, visa and at least a 3 star hotel stay. It's a norm in industry. When asked, they said "Its an employer's market ". This is where the story begun. Down the lane there were several promises made, which was not kept by the management. Flying involved constant shuffling ranging from 3-7 day patterns involving various cities. Leaves never get approved. Home base was never given, though was promised. Money can't compensate the time with one's family. Simply stating "we are a world class airline doesn't" make them one. And so many other stories which cant be disclosed here.



When they started, they took several pilots from Spicejet, Airindia express and Goair on one day notice period, YES they started. Violating the very CAR, which they are claiming that these pilots have violated. KARMA. These pilots were frustrated and unhappy for long time awaiting right moment. Believe me most of them have joined on a lower pay for the peace of mind. And all of them left without violating the clauses of the contract. As for as the notice period is concerned globally, its only 1-2 months. No where in the world its 6 months and they were trying to make it 1 year ! C'mon, an airline will open and may even shut down with in that time. Who waits that long for an employee to join. 21 cr, includes the bond money, loss of flights for 6 months and reputational damage. If a pilot is worth that much, then why isnt he/she getting paid so less?



And regarding flights cancellations, it happened due to aircraft shortage, due to seat reconfiguration and delay from Boeing on 737MAX delivery. Whole thing is a supply chain issue. They will very well have to prove it. For a flight to be cancelled, all the pilots should have maxed out their hours/duty limitation. Which was never the case. There were many pilots doing 40-50 hrs on those months.



https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/...361-2023-08-24



Before the pilots, cabin crews left in droves. They really couldn't do anything with them as they weren't bonded heavily. They thought these pilots who left were dumb. I wonder what they are thinking about Indian lawyers and Judges. Instead of concentrating on what went wrong, they simply went to court to threaten the current pilots & the ones that left ! STUPID is all I can think of. No airline has lost its reputation amongst pilots so quick in Indian history. Well, Some of you are simply jumping into conclusions. Here is the inside info. Because the world hasn't heard the pilots side of story.To start with, All these pilots were hired in 2022-2023. They were exploited right from the beginning, paying sub standard salaries, not giving accommodation, not giving flights for company training (when the airline isup and flying )etc. These were always an industry standard ! For example, If an applicant pilot is called to Doha for 2 days interview and flight test, he/she is provided with Business class travel, visa and at least a 3 star hotel stay. It's a norm in industry. When asked, they said "Its an employer's market ". This is where the story begun. Down the lane there were several promises made, which was not kept by the management. Flying involved constant shuffling ranging from 3-7 day patterns involving various cities. Leaves never get approved. Home base was never given, though was promised. Money can't compensate the time with one's family. Simply stating "we are a world class airline doesn't" make them one. And so many other stories which cant be disclosed here.When they started, they took several pilots from Spicejet, Airindia express and Goair on one day notice period, YES they started. Violating the very CAR, which they are claiming that these pilots have violated. KARMA. These pilots were frustrated and unhappy for long time awaiting right moment. Believe me most of them have joined on a lower pay for the peace of mind. And all of them left without violating the clauses of the contract. As for as the notice period is concerned globally, its only 1-2 months. No where in the world its 6 months and they were trying to make it 1 year ! C'mon, an airline will open and may even shut down with in that time. Who waits that long for an employee to join. 21 cr, includes the bond money, loss of flights for 6 months and reputational damage. If a pilot is worth that much, then why isnt he/she getting paid so less?And regarding flights cancellations, it happened due to aircraft shortage, due to seat reconfiguration and delay from Boeing on 737MAX delivery. Whole thing is a supply chain issue. They will very well have to prove it. For a flight to be cancelled, all the pilots should have maxed out their hours/duty limitation. Which was never the case. There were many pilots doing 40-50 hrs on those months.Before the pilots, cabin crews left in droves. They really couldn't do anything with them as they weren't bonded heavily. They thought these pilots who left were dumb. I wonder what they are thinking about Indian lawyers and Judges. Instead of concentrating on what went wrong, they simply went to court to threaten the current pilots & the ones that left ! STUPID is all I can think of. No airline has lost its reputation amongst pilots so quick in Indian history.

Absolutely on the point. The airline is unnecessarily creating a media drama to try and see if they can scare the remaining pilots into staying. Not that such antics will help.

Speaking of "contracts" , Akasa has one sidedly reduced the flying hour pay of a captain from Rs 10k per hour to Rs 7.5 k per hour, under the guise of a new and improved contract. This sort of unilateral restructuring of salaries and expecting notice periods to be honoured is a sign of crooks in the top management.

And the "honorable" court is on a different trip of its own. How can a aviation safety regulator decide to judge and penalise what essentially is a contract between the airline and the employee. If they could, did they do anything when the crook Goyal quietly stole money and didnt pay his pilots? Absolutely on the point. The airline is unnecessarily creating a media drama to try and see if they can scare the remaining pilots into staying. Not that such antics will help.Speaking of "contracts" , Akasa has one sidedly reduced the flying hour pay of a captain from Rs 10k per hour to Rs 7.5 k per hour, under the guise of a new and improved contract. This sort of unilateral restructuring of salaries and expecting notice periods to be honoured is a sign of crooks in the top management.And the "honorable" court is on a different trip of its own. How can a aviation safety regulator decide to judge and penalise what essentially is a contract between the airline and the employee. If they could, did they do anything when the crook Goyal quietly stole money and didnt pay his pilots?
A hot potato: The hotly debated "Privacy Sandbox" tech is Google's solution to the universal hate reserved for third-party cookies and behavioral advertising. The Sandbox brings several new technologies including the Topics API, which would classify users in interest-based categories by carefully watching what they do and where they go on the web.

According to Google's plans, Privacy Sandbox will be tested throughout 2024 before replacing third-party cookies in Chrome. The Topics API, which the Mountain View corporation introduced after the pushback against the previously proposed Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC), is a solution that will provide Google with even more control over advertising in its own browser.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), which called FLoC a "terrible idea," is still describing Topics as a user-tracking technology designed to empower Google's behavioral advertising. The new API has been available in Chrome since September 2023, and is now employed to put users into almost 500 advertising categories listed on GitHub.

If a user searches for "student loans," "financing," "parenting" or other advertising-related topics, Chrome would inform the Topics API about their supposed online interests. A website supporting Privacy Sandbox would then ask Chrome for users' interests, providing the means to show related and tailored advertising in the browser.

Google is calling its new tracking solution a "Privacy" Sandbox because it is supposedly designed to respect users' privacy, as it doesn't (or it shouldn't) track individual URLs and saves (or should save) users preferred "topics" on a local device. Google calls this tech "enhanced ad privacy," the EFF observed, but the company will still "gobble up your browsing habits to serve you ads."

Mountain View just wants to preserve its bottom line in a more privacy-conscious technology world, the non-profit group said, centralizing the tracking tasks on itself and replacing "dozens" of companies that are doing the same through third-party cookies. While the Topics API "somewhat" improves over the FLoC tech proposed in 2019, the EFF said, it still is a bad idea designed to serve users ads and has nothing to do with real privacy.

Alternative browsers such as Mozilla Firefox or Apple Safari have already provided additional protections against tracking cookies since 2019, and neither of those browsers will likely implement something like Privacy Sandbox in the future. The EFF says that third-party browsers are a better solution than Chrome to preserve privacy online, while Chrome addicts can still tweak or disable Privacy Sandbox features by following the instructions provided by the organization. For now, at least.
In brief: Travel giant Booking.com has failed to pay many hotel operators and other partners for months due to what it calls a "technical issue." Reports state that those affected have been unable to get in touch with someone at the company to address the problem, with some operators complaining that they have had to take on extra jobs to cover the lack of payments. Others say they have lost their properties as a result.

Booking.com is the 53rd most-visited website in the world with over 515 million visitors per month. But a new report from The Guardian has questioned its ability to pay some of those who use its services to attract customers.

The site works by taking the full booking fee from a customer if they elect to pay upfront and passes it on to the hotel operator, minus Booking.com's commission.

But Booking.com partners say they have reported issues relating to receiving payments since July  even earlier, in some cases. The Guardian spoke to hotel operators who say that while the site continued to take bookings from users, they have not always received the full amount due. The issue is said to be widespread in Thailand, Indonesia and Europe.

An American national who operates hostels in Thailand said Booking.com stopped passing on payments for one of his hostels in mid-April. "There was one chunk that got delayed, separate from the rest, and then all payments disappeared. So six months without payment," he said. He added the property has since been seized by the owners due to failed rent payments.

Those affected have complained about the difficulty in contacting someone at Booking.com to help. There are reportedly no numbers or email addresses for finance or credit control, which the Booking.com website says partners must contact in these situations. It is possible to call a contact center, which lodges a ticket. But it expires every four days, requiring another call to lodge a new ticket. Some people have resorted to contacting company representatives through LinkedIn and social media.

Travel bloggers and websites that receive affiliate payments are also said to have been impacted. There have also been instances of operators receiving their money once their story became public.

The Hungarian consumer watchdog raided Booking.com's local office following reports of payment issues last month.

When asked about the problem, a Booking.com spokesperson said, "We understand the frustration of the accommodation hosts and owners that have been unduly affected by an ongoing technical issue and can confirm that the system errors that affected the payments have now been corrected and the transactions of most of our partners have been processed."

"We acknowledge that for some this has taken longer than it should have and continue to work urgently to finalise the rest of the transactions. If any partner has an issue, they can contact us through the Partner Hub."

Some partners say repayments are not enough. They want hotels to be paid with added market interest and for Booking.com's commissions to be waived.

The Booking Group reported total revenues of $5.5 billion and a profit of $1.3 billion for the second quarter of 2023. That marks year-on-year increases of 27% and 51%, respectively. There were also "lower than expected" IT expenses in Q2, partly due to the phasing of IT spending into the third quarter.
What's next? Launched in 2006 as a part of NASA's New Frontiers program, the New Horizon probe completed its primary mission with flying colors. After performing a flyby study of Pluto in 2015, New Horizon continued to collect invaluable scientific data about the Kuiper Belt and the heliosphere.

After the voltage tricks applied to Voyager 2 to make the 45-year-old mission fly a bit longer, NASA plans to operate the New Horizons spacecraft in low-activity mode for seven more years. The space agency is interested in using the probe to collect data about the Kuiper Belt  the circumstellar disc in the outer Solar System where Pluto's orbit is located  and beyond.

New Horizon's mission will begin in fiscal year 2025, NASA announced. It will focus on "gathering unique heliophysics data" during an extended, low-activity mode of operations. The probe will be on a new path within the Kuiper Belt, where there's a chance of a future close flyby of one of the dwarf planets or asteroids dwelling there.

While in low-activity mode, New Horizons will conserve fuel and "reduce operational complexity" while NASA searches for a potential flyby candidate. The less-demanding operations can keep the probe active until it leaves the Kuiper Belt in 2028 or 2029.

NASA still needs to assess the budget implications of continuing the New Horizons mission beyond its original plan. The agency will rebalance funding within the New Frontiers program, which includes several planned exploration missions as a starting point. Future projects "may be impacted" as well.

Despite the budgeting issue, NASA decided to extend the New Horizons mission because the probe has a "unique position in our solar system" to answer important questions about the heliosphere. The spacecraft could provide "extraordinary opportunities" for science.

"The New Horizons mission has a unique position in our solar system to answer important questions about our heliosphere and provide extraordinary opportunities for multidisciplinary science for NASA and the scientific community," said Nicola Fox, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

In its decade-long mission, New Horizons was already instrumental in helping scientists study "worlds at the edge of our Solar System," like dwarf planet Pluto or the weirdly-shaped, trans-Neptunian object Arrokoth (2014 MU69). Thanks to NASA's new plans, New Horizons could become one of the few space probes to investigate the outermost part of the bubble-like region of space known as the heliosphere.
Google has promised the world that October 4 will be the day that the new Pixel lineup will arrive, and those days are numbered as it is only a few night's sleep before it commences. The top tech that will arrive and is already expected is the Pixel 8 series, the flagship smartphone of the company, alongside its two wearable accessories including the Watch and Buds.

The massive event will feature more of what Google has to offer for the consumer tech world, centering on its everyday tech for users.

Google October 4 Event: Pixel 8 and MORE

(Photo : Google Store)

Google is asking you to "prepare for landing," as the Made by Google event is coming this Wednesday, October 4, centering on the new Pixel devices it created for the world. The main device to be featured here is the Pixel 8 series, centering on the base Pixel 8 and the high-performance Pixel 8 Pro.

Both Pixel devices would feature the Tensor G3 chipset, Google's design, and entry for the Silicon processors on the smartphones.

On another note, accessories will also come at full blast from Google, and first, the company will center on its Pixel Watch 2, an update to last year's smartwatch release.

Lastly, Google is planning to deliver an update to the Pixel Buds Pro.

Read Also: Google Now Allowing Website Owners to Opt Out of Google Bard

Google Pixel: What to Expect?

The Pixel 8 series would be the star of the show, focused on its upgraded camera hardware, new software, 7 years of Android updates, "Super Actua" display that can be viewed in direct sunlight, and the Tensor G3.

The Pixel Watch 2 will look the same as last year but will feature improvements to its performance thanks to its new chipset, better battery life, and a new chipset. Pixel Buds Pro would feature better performance compared to last year's release, and a new blue color was also teased.

Google's AI would also be one of the stars of the event, particularly as its integration into its tech is coming.

Pixel 8 Series

In late August, a major fiasco at Google caused the leak of its flagship smartphone, the Pixel 8 series, to be revealed to the public, courtesy of its marketing team. This gave the world the first official look at the new smartphone series, showing its design and likeness to the public, centering on almost the same design as last year's Pixel 7.

Another popular rumor regarding the Pixel 8 series is its pricing, with insiders and speculators claiming that it would be more expensive compared to last year's release. The reports claimed that the new Google Pixel smartphone will be $150 more than its previous price, bringing a more premium cost now, expected because of its new features and technology.

The day has come that Google's confirmed event for the Pixel series is near, only about two days away, setting up for this year's flagship reveal of the many techs it will offer. From the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, down to the Pixel Watch 2, and the new Pixel Buds Pro, Google is ready for the upcoming event that will bring new technology for the world to see.

Related Article: Google Unveils Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Watch 2-Should This be Your Next Phone?

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The latest round-up for everything related to the blockchain and digital assets is here on Tech Times' CryptoWatch, with the top news from last week centering on the $200 million worth of cryptocurrency stolen by hackers. There is also the news regarding the non-fungible tokens of the present, with as much as 95 percent of existing ones today said to be "worthless."

In this round-up, the team also includes the current prices of the top coins in the market to give users an overview and start their week with an expectation of the industry.

Hackers Stole $200M Worth of Crypto from Hong Kong's Mixin

(Photo : Tech Times)

A Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency firm called Mixin has reported a massive security breach to its systems, as early as September 23, and this led to unauthorized access to their cloud service provider's database. Because of this access, the company lost approximately $200 million worth of cryptocurrency from their mainnet.

Mixin responded by asking the help of Google and blockchain security firm, SlowMist to investigate the access to its systems. As reported by TechCrunch, as the investigations occurred, the company temporarily suspended any transactions on its platform, including deposits and withdrawals.

It is unknown yet who commenced the attack on the company and stole their assets, with Mixin looking to track the perpetrators. The company also addressed its customers via a live stream last September 25, with its founder, Feng Xiaodong, explaining the steps it will take moving forward.

Read Also: PayPal Announces Availability of PYUSD Stablecoin on Venmo

NFT's Track: 95% are Reportedly Worthless

Last week saw a significant dive towards the world of blockchain-based collectibles, NFTs, which have found that 95 percent of the existing ones in the world are said to be worthless. Despite its peak in late 2020 and around 2021, the NFTs were worth a significant price, more than renowned collectibles.

The digital art that was minted in the blockchain now only sees one percent of it sell for more than $6,000, and this was far from its average selling price at its peak in 2021. According to Metav.rs, the NFT industry saw as much as $41 billion in cryptocurrency expenditures two years ago.

NFTs are still being sold and minted, but are no longer raking up massive coins in the market, with many investors losing money from their initial horde of pricey digital collectibles.

Prices of the Top Coins

CoinMarketCap's charts show a more positive outlook for cryptocurrencies in the present, with Bitcoin seeing significant growth over the past week and is also trending on the platform.

Bitcoin saw a significant 6.58 percent jump over the past seven days, now valued at $27,900, with a volume of 365, 228 BTC.

This is also good news for Ethereum investors as the second top coin saw a 9.21 percent increase from last week, with its current market price at $1,724.

Coming in at third is Tether USDT, the stablecoin which saw a slight dip, varying from $0.9999 to $1.00, but is not entirely hurtful to its investors.

Other coins are as follows

BNB at 4th: $217.46 | 4.30 percent increase (7 days)

XRP at 5th: $0.5228 | 4.39 percent increase (7 days)

USDC at 6th: $1.00 | 0.02 percent dip (7 days)

SOL at 7th: $23.76 | 22.35 percent increase (7 days)

ADA at 8th: $0.2642 | 8.28 percent increase (7 days)

DOGE at 9th: $0.06302 | 3.55 percent increase (7 days)

TRX at 10th: $0.08989 | 7.46 percent increase (7 days)

Related Article: CryptoWatch: FTX's Return, Kima's Crypto Accessibility, and Cryptocurrency Prices Now

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For many years, Apple has partnered with Google to make the latter its default technology for internet browsing, but it was recently reported that Cupertino has the capabilities to create their version all this time. Search engines give the world a way to browse the internet, one that gives it the results and interface that they see online, with the technology already somewhat present from Apple.

The massive monopoly and antitrust case against Google centers on it paying Apple a massive sum to be the iPhone's default search engine, with the US government already investigating.

Apple is Capable of Creating its Own Search Engine

(Photo : Solen Feyissa from Unsplash)

Mark Gurman's latest Power On Newsletter via Bloomberg has revealed that Apple is capable of creating its search engine now, something that could add more to its revenue stream in the future. Gurman argues that Apple "could do better" with what it has to offer, and a team within the company is already developing a search engine codenamed "Pegasus."

Should Apple release its version of the search engine, there are significant results that are predicted for the company, including a new revenue stream that could likely rival that of the Apple Watch market.

As per Gurman, this search engine created by the company has all the ingredients it needs, but is still a "long shot" for now, seeing as there are no explicit plans yet here.

Read Also: Apple added QR Codes to iPhone Screens since 2020 But You Cannot See It-For What?

Apple Search Engine: Tech Already Present

Gurman further claimed (via CNET) that the technology is already present, and Apple has previewed search engine features built into its different services such as the App Store, Maps, Apple TV, and News. Moreover, this feature can be found via Apple's Spotlight, an app with search features that is present on iOS.

Spotlight added web search results, but its data came from Bing or Google.

Microsoft Bing, Google, and Search Engines

Various reports spread last week as Apple was reportedly looking to replace its Google search engine with another service in the industry, centered on Microsoft's Bing. According to the report, Microsoft had a meeting with Apple a day before renewing its contract with Google, but a Microsoft executive claimed that the company was not serious about making the switch.

There is a reason why Google's search engine is the default among iPhones and Macs, with an Apple executive confirming this via the Associated Press last week. According to Apple Senior Vice President of Services, Eddy Cue, Google is offering proficiency for what it brings to the world, with its service being unmatched by others in the tech industry.

Apple has a massive reliance on Google for its search engine needs for its different devices, but a report now from a renowned insider claims that Cupertino has the capabilities to create their version. However, Apple is not yet venturing here entirely, as some available technology like Spotlight already brings a similar tech, with Gurman saying that this is a possible source of revenue for the company.

Related Article: Apple Going All-Out With AI? Tim Cook Says Company is Researching ChatGPT-Like Service

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The battle between the defunct crypto exchange company, FTX, and its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried is set to commence this Tuesday, October 3, a suit that would determine if he is guilty of the crimes filed against him. The issue started in November 2022 when FTX collapsed and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with many of its funds unaccounted for or missing.

All these early times, Bankman-Fried maintained his innocence while other executives admitted their guilt, with the trial set to determine once and for all, what happened with its fallout.

FTX v Sam Bankman-Fried Is Coming on October 3

(Photo : Alex Wong/Getty Images)

United States v. Sam Bankman-Fried will commence this October 3, and according to the public docket document, Tuesday would first center on the jury selection to participate in the case. According to the document, there would be as much as four days a week to commence the hearings for SBF's seven counts of fraud and conspiracy.

The trial is expected to last until the second week of November. There would be various days where there would be no hearings, and two holidays taking place including October 9 for Columbus Day and November 10's Veteran's Day.

Days where the US v. Sam Bankman-Fried trial would not take place is when friends or family members may visit SBF in the Metropolitan Detention Center where he is currently.

Read Also: Is FTX Coming Back? New Filing Reveals Crypto Assets Including SOL, Bitcoin, and MORE

FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried's Criminal Trial Case

According to TechCrunch, Bankman-Fried will be represented by Cohen & Gresser, with Mark Cohen leading the case, renowned for being a defense attorney and a former federal prosecutor. The case will center on Bankman-Fried's actions that led to FTX's demise, with the company and the public getting the chance to know its conclusion and have those involved in its downfall pay the price.

Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX: What Happened?

The events of mid-November 2022 shocked the world, especially as the largest cryptocurrency exchange platform, FTX, filed for bankruptcy, citing that its funds were significantly diminished. During this time, there were many reports and claims that Sam Bankman-Fried had his hands on transferring the company's digital assets to the Bahamas right after filing its bankruptcy.

Bankman-Fried went on various talks and interviews where he claimed his innocence, denying the fraud allegations against him. In December 2022, Bankman-Fried was arrested by Bahamian authorities after being charged in the United States, with the former executive extradited after.

Reports now spread like wildfire, with Alameda Research executives also claiming that SBF took secret loans worth billions of dollars from FTX.

Since Bankman-Fried pleaded "Not Guilty" to the charges against him, the criminal trial will continue to review the case and events that transpired before, during, and after the implosion of FTX. Amidst this trial, Bankman-Fried will be going back and forth from his jail cell after forfeiting his house arrest and bail, with the first proceeding starting tomorrow, Tuesday, October 3.

Related Article: FTX Files Lawsuit Against Sam Bankman-Fried's Parents

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The US Department of Defense has stated that Iran has sufficient resources to build a nuclear device. If Tehran decides that it needs nuclear weapons, the state may need no more than two weeks to create them.

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This is stated in the Pentagon's annual report, published on Sunday, October 1. At the same time, it noted that Washington sees no signs that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program in the near future.

"However, Iran has the capability to produce enough fissile material in less than two weeks to build a nuclear device," the Pentagon says.

In addition, the US defense department believes that Iran is not complying with its chemical weapons control obligations, as it has not provided a full declaration of chemical weapons production facilities, although this is required by current agreements.

The document also states that the Pentagon is concerned about the possibility that Iran is developing nerve agents.

In March 2023, The Washington Post wrote that Iran was close to developing nuclear weapons, and it could take Tehran several months to develop its own bomb. At the same time, the United States' ability to prevent a nuclear threat from Iran has declined over the past year.

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According to the article, Israel and the United States are attempting to stop Tehran's nuclear program, but hopes that this can be done without a military confrontation are melting away.

It was also reported earlier that Iran is counting on Russia's help in strengthening its nuclear weapons program. Tehran is looking for a backup plan in case it fails to implement a long-term nuclear deal with world powers.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, the UN Security Council resolution prohibiting Iran from exporting missiles with a range of 300 kilometers or more and restricting the purchase of missile technology expires in October. After October 18, Moscow and Tehran can legally conclude a deal to sell drones and missiles.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
Italy is actively considering a new approach to encourage consumers to make greener choices with electric cars to protect its domestic auto industry from the huge inflow of less expensive Chinese electric vehicle (EV) imports, Reuters tells us in a report.

Spurred by a similar French EV industry move, this measure could drastically change the Italian car industry.

The program goes beyond the usual strategy of focusing only on vehicle emissions. As an alternative, it considers the carbon emissions produced during manufacturing and distribution.

Italy wants to discourage the purchase of electric vehicles produced in China, whose imports into Europe have increased due to their low prices pumped by massive national subsidies, by considering their environmental impact.

This is mainly because China's EV industry heavily depends on coal-generated electricity, and the vehicles are sent worldwide by boat, exacerbating their environmental impact.

The French effort asserts compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations since exemptions are permitted for environmental and public health concerns.

Industry Minister Adolfo Urso has already expressed concerns about Italians using incentives to buy vehicles produced abroad, making a solid case for revising the incentive framework to encourage environmentally friendly and domestic car production.

Read Also: Honda Announces Access to Largest EV Charging Network in North America After Forging New Agreements

European Commission Contemplates Tariffs to Counter Chinese EV Imports

In parallel to Italy's efforts, the European Commission is deliberating the imposition of punitive tariffs as a protective measure for EU automakers grappling with the surge of affordable Chinese electric vehicle imports.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the oversaturation of global markets with cost-effective electric cars and pinpointed state subsidies as a key factor sustaining their affordability.

Currently, the standard EU tariff for cars stands at 10%. However, over the next 13 months, the Commission will weigh the possibility of imposing tariffs that exceed this rate. Such a move could potentially escalate trade tensions between the EU and China.

This anti-subsidy inquiry extends to Chinese brands and non-Chinese entities manufacturing in China, including well-known names like Tesla, Renault, and BMW. The timing of this inquiry is significant, given the recent IAA Mobility 2023 conference held in Munich.

Chinese Automakers Expanding Beyond Domestic Market

While Chinese automakers have yet to establish a significant foothold in the European market, they are on the cusp of a transformative shift, expanding their operations beyond China's borders.

Reflecting this trend, China's auto exports experienced a remarkable upswing of 31% in August, according to the China Passenger Car Association. Within the EU, the share of EVs originating from China has surged to 8%.

China Objects

In response to the investigation, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to the EU has objected, asserting that China's competitive advantage doesn't primarily stem from subsidies but from other impartial factors.

The EU's efforts to reduce its reliance on China, particularly for critical materials and products essential for the transition to electric mobility, mirror similar moves by the United States.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: EU Weighs Imposing Tariffs Against Chinese EV Manufacturers

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A Kenyan parliamentary panel has urged the country's IT regulator to shut down the Worldcoin cryptocurrency project until additional restrictions are established.



The Kenyan government had previously put the initiative on hold at the beginning of August because of privacy concerns around the scanning of individuals' iris in exchange for a digital ID, intended to create a new "identity and financial network."



Worldcoin has drawn criticism not just in Kenya but also in Britain, Germany, and France. Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, co-founded Tools for Humanity, which launched it internationally. The project still has a virtual presence in Kenya that is reachable online despite its suspension.



According to a Reuters report, the 18-member Kenyan parliamentary panel has advised Kenya's communications authority to ban relevant IP addresses and stop Worldcoin's virtual platforms. It also requires Tools for Humanity Corp. and Tools for Humanity GmbH Germany (Worldcoin) to suspend their physical presence in Kenya until a legal framework for virtual assets and service providers is developed.



The committee has not provided any formal announcements to the Worldcoin press office. The panel's findings will eventually be delivered to the National Assembly for review and acceptance.

Authorities expressed worries about the project's strategy for seeking user permission, which entailed providing financial incentives, during the suspension in August. Long lines for iris scanning during registration prompted the parliamentary panel to suspect children were scanned due to a lack of age verification.



The panel has also urged Kenyan government agencies to create rules governing crypto assets and businesses offering crypto services. It has asked the police to investigate Tools for Humanity and take legal action. Moreover, Kenya's interior ministry underlined the necessity for governmental authorities to certify no public hazards in the project.

Over 2 Million Individuals Registered

Worldcoin's unique remuneration scheme and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's reputation explain Kenya's thousands of Worldcoin registrations. More than 2 million people have registered for a World ID so far, as per a Bloomberg report.



Kenya's Capital Markets Authority warns that worldcoin commodities are unregulated and that over-the-counter crypto token fraud is possible.

Read Also: F-35 Lightning II: Redefining Military Tech, Air Superiority

According to the firm's website, "Worldcoin is designed to become the world's largest digital identity and financial network, giving ownership to everyone. Worldcoin aims to provide universal access to the global economy no matter your country or background, establishing a place for all of us to benefit in the age of AI."

Sam Altman expects that Worldcoin will aid in separating humans from machines. In addition, he says that although the details are not yet clear, it may eventually result in the adoption of a universal basic income for everyone.

Authorities Raise Privacy Concerns

According to Worldcoin, it doesn't save any data. Privacy experts are worried about the risk of private iris scan information getting into the wrong hands, though.



To comply with the Data Protection Act of 2019, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) in Kenya has requested that users of Worldcoin exercise increased caution. The Kenyan Capital Markets Authority (CMA) also has advised Kenyans that Worldcoin is not authorized in their country and has voiced concerns over the current registration process.



According to Kenyan law, individuals have the right to stop the pointless gathering or dissemination of their personal information.



Digital rights lawyer Mercy Mutemi noted that Worldcoin can validate information without as much intrusion. She stated, "If the goal is to prove people are human, they can just show up. You don't need to go for the most invasive manner to prove people are human," as quoted by BBC News.

Related Article: CryptoWatch: Mixin Loses $200M Worth of Crypto to Hackers, NFT's Worth, and Current Coin Prices

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American electric vehicle maker Rivian announced on Monday that it has outperformed expectations in terms of production and deliveries during the third quarter of this year. The firm delivered 15,564 of its 16,304 automobiles from its facility in Normal, Illinois.

Rivian is now on track to outperform its projected yearly output levels due to this success. The firm's shares originally decreased by 3%, but they eventually recovered and ended up at $24.13, according to TechCrunch.

In line with it's lofty goals, Rivian aims to manufacture 52,000 vehicles in 2023. Up until this point, the company has produced about 39,691 automobiles. The R1T truck and R1S SUV are two of the four vehicles in Rivian's product portfolio, which also includes two iterations of its commercial van.

The electric vehicle maker produced 13,992 vehicles and delivered 12,640 in the third quarter, up 23% over the previous quarter. Rivian's third-quarter results are twice as high as last year's.

Focusing on Productivity

Rivian had encountered substantial supply chain difficulties during that period, which had limited manufacturing. But in the early part of this year, the bottlenecks began to loosen, as Rivian has been concentrating on boosting productivity at its manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois. The EV business has also started creating its own driving unit, known as the Enduro, to save costs and lessen its dependency on suppliers.

According to Rivian's CFO, Claire McDonough, the company's supply chain started to improve in June, which helped to drive up output. She also emphasized the company's decision to concentrate on the R1S model to deal with a sizable backlog of preorders that extend into 2024.

Read Also: F-35 Lightning II: Redefining Military Tech, Air Superiority

Rivian reduced its personnel by 6% in February and issued $1.3 billion in convertible notes in March to decrease costs and strengthen its finances. Additionally, the R2 vehicle platform launch date was delayed to 2026 from 2025. The EV company reported to have $10.2 billion in cash on June 30, according to a report from CNBC.

The electric vehicle manufacturer will release its third-quarter earnings on November 7 after US markets close.

Tesla Misses Its DeliveryTarget

Rivian made its announcement following the news of Tesla's third quarter results missed expectations. Electrek reported that in the Q3 of 2023, Tesla delivered 435,000 vehicles, less than the 455,000-unit average expectation, despite a warning issued by CEO Elon Musk.

Tesla's shares fell 4% in pre-market trade as it blamed anticipated plant downtime for lower delivery estimates. Despite this, Tesla's third-quarter deliveries of 435,000 were a record showcasing the continued demand for electric cars.



The EV manufacturer, headquartered in Austin, Texas, has set a target to distribute a total of 1.8 million vehicles in 2023, and the statement released today reaffirms this objective.

Related Article: BMW Wireless Charging Causes iPhone 15 NFC Chip Overheating: Reports

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TikTok might be on the verge of a major shift in its revenue model.

Recent discoveries within the TikTok app's code (via Android Authority) have unveiled hints of a forthcoming ad-free monthly subscription plan, which could be a game-changer for both users and the platform itself.

Ad-Free TikTok

According to insights revealed by Android Authority, TikTok is currently testing an ad-free subscription tier that promises an uninterrupted user experience for a monthly fee of $4.99.

This move represents a significant departure from TikTok's ad-driven revenue strategy, marking the first time the platform directly accepts users' payments for an ad-free environment.

Intriguingly, while promising an escape from traditional TikTok ads, the ad-free subscription comes with some limitations. It exclusively covers advertisements served by TikTok and does not extend to influencer marketing campaigns or brand sponsorships.

This means that users will still encounter content from creators promoting various brands, potentially raising questions about transparency in advertising on the platform.

Read Also: Apple Halts Providing Human Technical Assistant to X-Only Automated Replies on Apple Support Account

TikTok's Impact on Social Media

With more than 1.7 billion users, TikTok's influence on the social media landscape cannot be overstated.

The platform's meteoric rise forced other significant players like Instagram and Snapchat to integrate short-format videos into their apps and robust video editing tools.

TikTok, often referred to as a trendsetter, is now exploring a feature that aligns it with existing subscription-based models on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.

TikTok is not alone in exploring ad-free subscription tiers. Social media rivals like Twitter (now X) and YouTube have already embraced similar models.

A Shift in Revenue Strategy

TikTok's decision to test an ad-free subscription plan signifies a significant shift in its approach to generating revenue.

Historically, the platform has relied heavily on advertising, offering creators revenue-sharing mechanisms and in-app gift purchases like TikTok Stickers and a direct Live Subscription feature to monetize their content.

However, this new subscription option represents a direct revenue stream from users, a change that could have far-reaching implications for the platform's financial health.

During this testing phase, the ad-free subscription is priced at $4.99 per month in the United States, though it is essential to note that pricing may evolve once the feature rolls out widely.

TikTok and Advertisers

Despite the broader slowdown in online ad spending, TikTok has continued to thrive as a prime destination for advertisers.

Market research firm Cowen's recent report (via TechCrunch) found that 60% of ad buyers prefer TikTok for short-form video content, emphasizing its resilience in the ever-competitive ad market.

Furthermore, TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, has seen its share of big agency spending on social media rise to 11%, with major brands like Pepsi, DoorDash, Amazon, and Apple among the top spenders.

Can Ad-Free Subscriptions Replace Ad Revenue?

One of the burning questions surrounding TikTok's latest move is whether an ad-free subscription tier can genuinely replace the revenue generated through ads. TikTok's current ad-driven model has proven massively successful.

Why fix something that is not broken?

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Indonesia is Banning Purchases on TikTok as Part of E-Commerce Regulation

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has authorized the development of a second malaria vaccine, marking a breakthrough that may provide developing nations with a more accessible, affordable, and effective option to battle this parasitic illness.

In announcing this significant progress, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of the decision, particularly for young people at risk for malaria. A malaria researcher, Tedros expressed his excitement, saying, "I used to dream of the day we would have a safe and effective vaccine against malaria. Now we have two," as quoted by AP News.



The Serum Institute of India and Oxford University worked together to create this second malaria vaccine, which is administered in a three-dose course. According to research, it is more than 75% effective and, when enhanced, protects for at least an extra year. It is predicted that each dosage will cost between $2 and $4.

This second malaria vaccine may be made available in a few nations as early as next year, pending financial arrangements. Regulating bodies in Ghana and Burkina Faso had previously approved this malaria vaccination earlier in the year.

Vaccine Will Not End Malaria, Expert Warns

Meawhile, John Johnson of Doctors Without Borders stressed that the new malaria vaccine should not replace bed nets and pesticides as malaria prevention methods. "This is not the vaccine that is going to stop malaria," he remarked.



According to Reuters, the Serum Institute of India mass produces the R21/Matrix-M vaccine, which includes the Matrix M adjuvant from Novavax. CEO of the Serum Institute of India, Adar Poonawalla, said that the company has generated over 20 million doses in advance of the WHO's guidance.

Read Also: TikTok 'Bone Smashing' Trend for Facial Beauty: Is It Safe?

This new malaria vaccine will compete with GSK plc's (GSK.L) RTS, S injection, and Mosquirix, which obtained WHO endorsement in 2021. In independent trials, both vaccinations showed equal effectiveness, but there has been no direct comparison to establish which is superior. Because of this, WHO has given each countries the freedom to choose its own vaccine, taking into consideration cost and availability.



In a statement, GSK recognized the need for a second malaria vaccine and emphasized that the RTS has "set a strong benchmark" as the first-ever malaria vaccine to protect against a human parasite.

Malaria Vaccines To Save Hundreds of Thousands

The RTS-S vaccine has been given to over 1.7 million children in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, with plans to extend to nine more malaria-endemic countries next year.



The WHO regional director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, stressed the potential of this second vaccination to close the huge gap between supply and demand. "Delivered to scale and rolled out widely, the two vaccines can help bolster malaria prevention, control efforts and save hundreds of thousands of young lives," Moeti said, as quoted by the BBC.



Preliminary data shows that the R21 vaccine is 75% effective in seasonal malaria regions, matching the first vaccine, RTS. However, in areas where malaria is transmitted year-round, vaccination efficacy generally tends to be lower.

Related Article: COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Pioneers, Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman, Clinch Nobel Medicine Prize

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Poland was one of the first countries to receive an invitation to the Defense Industries Forum held in Kyiv last week. However, Warsaw decided not to accept it.

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This statement was made by Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Zvarych. He said this in an interview with TVN24.

Zvarych was asked why Polish representatives were not present at the meeting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv with representatives of the defense industry from many countries.

"We invited everyone from our friendly countries, including defense companies. Poland was one of the first to receive this invitation, so we were expecting the Polish side to participate," he said.

At the same time, the ambassador noted that each country decides for itself whether to come or not.

"This is a sovereign decision of each country. We send an invitation, and the country decides whether to accept it or not based on its interests. So we respect such decisions, but this is not a reason to blame Ukraine for the fact that Poland was not present," Zvarych added.

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As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that his country would continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine. However, he clarified that this will be possible if the Polish army receives new weapons.

Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "refrain from insulting Poles" after the Ukrainian leader's speech at the UN General Assembly. He noted that he would always defend the honor of his country.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Rogelio Enriquez: "It seems that all famous chefs are men, but in the kitchens of Madrid there are a lot of women who do not appear in the photos and we want to bring them to light"
The Turkish military company Baykar Makina does not rule out the possibility of providing the Ukrainian Defense Forces with promising heavy attack drones Bayraktar Akinci. Our country is currently the first to be authorized by the Turkish government to manufacture such vehicles.

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This was stated by Bayraktar CEO Haluk Bayraktar in an interview with Radio Liberty. As you know, his company is actively investing in the Ukrainian state by building its own UAV factory, and its Bayraktar TB2, about which Ukrainians have even composed songs, played a significant role at the beginning of the full-scale war and is now engaged in combat operations at the front.

According to the Turkish entrepreneur, the local company Baykar is actively supplying such drones to Ukraine. The squadron is supported by a staff of 50 people who work day and night.

"Our drones are actively used on the battlefield and we are doing a good job of maintaining our systems," Bayraktar explained.

At the same time, he said that the issue of Akinci UAVs is still under consideration.

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It should be noted that Bayraktar Akinci is a Turkish UAV that is also powered by a Ukrainian AI-450 engine (developed by the state-owned Ivchenko-Progress). During the tests, it was able to hit a target at a distance of 140 km and then successfully landed at the takeoff point. The drone tested the supersonic guided missile IHA-230 for the first time.

It is known that the most advanced high-altitude Akinci UAVs have already been ordered from Turkey by Saudi Arabia. The agreement was reached in the spring of 2023, the number of deliveries is kept secret.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, in late September, Haluk Bayraktar attended the first international Defense Industries Forum in Ukraine, which brought together representatives of leading arms manufacturers from dozens of countries. At the event, the creation of the Defense Investment Alliance was announced, which included 38 companies from 19 countries.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Photo: . Fire crews were sent to the scene of this house fire at Granville Avenue and Gilbert Road in Richmond on Sunday night

A Richmond family had to spend a night in a local hotel, after the garage at their detached home went up in flames.

Crews from Richmond Fire-Rescue arrived at the scene of the large fire at Gilbert Road and Granville Avenue shortly before 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Deputy chief Grant Wyenberg told the Richmond News that five fire trucks were sent to the blaze but that the fire was knocked out very quickly.

Wyenberg added that the building was secured the cause of the fire would be investigated today.

Three people were displaced and emergency social services responded and sent them to a hotel, he said.

No injuries were reported.

Watch video of fire here.
Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, condemned on Friday the Israeli occupations intensified attacks in Gaza, denouncing the bombardment, killing, and cutting of electricity and internet connections as blind terrorism and a clear violation of legal and humanitarian principles.
Egypt's Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-Said chaired the first meeting of the new formation of the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE) on Wednesday, according to a statement by the planning ministry.
The tax deal struck by lawmakers and Gov. John Bel Edwards to balance this years budget will end Louisianas state sales tax holidays for seven years. When lawmakers renewed 0.45 percent of an expiring 1 percent state sales tax, they also reworked sales tax breaks. Louisianas revenue department says that means shoppers wont see annual state sales tax holiday weekends through mid-2025. Story by Associated Press.
The Cuban military had a long-lasting presence in Angola, with thousands of troops stationed there during a political conflict. The Cuban intervention in Angola had significant international implications and was seen as part of the broader Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Angola, a former Portuguese colony in southern Africa, was in the midst of a struggle for independence from Portuguese colonial rule. This war for independence lasted from the early 1960s until 1974, when the Portuguese Carnation Revolution led to the decolonization of Portuguese Africa.

When Portugal withdrew from Angola in 1975, it left a significant hole in the political landscape in the country. This withdrawal marked the end of decades of colonial rule and set the stage for the country's transition to independence. However, it also created a political void, as there was no clear, unified government to take control.

In the absence of Portuguese colonial rule, many Angolan political dissents emerged, each with a vision for the country's future. These factions represented different ideologies, interests, and regional affiliations.

The two primary factions were the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), backed by the Soviet Union and Cuba, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), supported by the United States and South Africa. A third group, the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), also played a role.

The significance of these two factions lies in the broader context of the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. Angola became a proxy battleground for this ideological conflict, with each superpower supporting opposing sides in the civil war. Cuba's involvement on the side of the MPLA aligned with the Soviet Union's interests, while the United States and South Africa supported UNITA as part of their anti-communist stance.

The MPLA, led by Agostinho Neto, declared independence for Angola on November 11, 1975, and formed a government. This government had the backing of the Soviet Union and Cuba. The UNITA and FNLA factions became popular, so Cuba began deploying troops to support the MPLA government. The Cuban intervention officially began in the latter half of 1975 and escalated over 27 years.

The Angolan Civil War, a long and devastating conflict that engulfed the nation for nearly three decades, ultimately found a resolution in 2002 by signing a comprehensive peace agreement. This landmark accord marked the long-awaited end to hostilities and the beginning of a new era for Angola.

As a crucial component of this peace process, Cuban troops deployed to support the Marxist-oriented MPLA government during the conflict withdrew from Angola. Their departure signified the conclusion of an intense ideological struggle and a significant step toward lasting stability and reconstruction in the war-torn nation.

The external support for these factions prolonged and intensified the Angolan Civil War. The exit of Cuban forces involved a peace agreement involving various Angolan factions, neighboring countries, and international mediators.

Did you know?

MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola): The MPLA was a Marxist-oriented movement that aspired to establish a socialist government in Angola. It received support from the Soviet Union and Cuba, both of which shared similar ideological goals.

UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola): UNITA, led by Jonas Savimbi, sought to establish a capitalist, anti-communist government in Angola. It received support from the United States and South Africa, both of which opposed the spread of communism in the region.
The 10-week Google trial is being closely watched as a referendum on whether the government can slow down Silicon Valleys biggest companies. A Google victory could be a major rebuke of regulators who say the tech giants have too much sway over their customers, partners and startup competitors. At the heart of the governments case is the contention that Google illegally cemented its monopoly in online search by paying to be the default search engine on browsers such as Apples Safari and Mozillas Firefox, as well as on the home screen of smartphones. Google has argued that the default positions are not overwhelmingly powerful and that users can switch to a new search engine if they like. Loading But in court, Nadella said that argument was bogus because users generally dont change their default search engine, even if they can do so. You get up in the morning, you brush your teeth, and you search on Google, he said, later adding that the arrangement between Google and Apple in particular was oligopolistic.

Nadella said Microsoft had tried to win deals for the default positions on browsers and smartphones for Bing, its own search engine. But it had not been very successful, he said. Microsoft introduced Bing to compete against Google in 2009. At the time, Microsoft began an aggressive public relations campaign against Google and both companies lobbied against the other with regulators in Europe and the United States. In 2016, the public mudslinging seemed to come to an end with Nadella and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who were both new to their roles, declaring a detente. The rivalry had become a distraction, they said, and they had different priorities. The testimony from Nadella showed their rivalry had continued. John Schmidtlein, Googles lead litigator, said in his opening statement that the case was really all about Microsoft. Last week, other Microsoft executives such as Jonathan Tinter, a business development executive, and Mikhail Parakhin, an advertising executive, testified about the search business. Tinter said Google used its scale to make its search engine the default on Apple and Samsung phones, stifling competitors such as Microsoft.

On Monday, Schmidtlein sought to undermine Nadellas testimony by suggesting that Microsofts failure to compete with Google was the result of an inferior product and a lack of investment. Schmidtlein hammered Nadella with questions about instances in which Bing had been the default on mobile phones only for users to switch back to Google. He noted that Nadella had referred to Google as dominant, and asked him if he could substitute for the word popular. Loading Nadella said that whether you call it popular or dominant, Microsoft was still competing against Googles massive market share. This testimony paints Google as a bully that everyones afraid of, said Rebecca Haw Allensworth, a professor at Vanderbilt Law School, adding that it suggested that Googles motivation for signing exclusive search deals was not merely sharing revenue for a valuable product with a distributor like Apple, but it is primarily to keep competitors like Bing at bay.

While much of the trial has revolved around Googles past behaviour, Nadella shifted some of the focus to the future and AI. Microsoft has invested $US13 billion in OpenAI, the maker of the ChatGPT chatbot, which can now use Bing as a search default. Google has begun offering its own AI-powered chatbot, Bard. Nadella said he was worried that Google would strike deals to exclusively use content online to train its AI tools. Loading When I am meeting with publishers now, they are saying, Googles going to write this cheque to us, and its going to be exclusive, and you have to match it, he said. Nadella said that would prime Google to dominate the next generation of online search, too.
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 Its a busy time for Jane Harrison. Actually, thats something of an understatement. Try this for size: play already staged in a new production by the Sydney Theatre Company? Tick. Novel published? Tick. Opera production? Tick. Is there anything left for thisFirst Nations novelist, playwright and researcher? Oh yes, she is also the director of Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival, taking place for the third time in March next year. See what I mean about busy? And the bulk of that activity stems from one core idea that she had yonks ago: how would Indigenous Australians have reacted to the sight of ships assembling offshore in 1788? The outcome is The Visitors  play at the Sydney Theatre Company, novel in the shops and, shortly, opera from Victorian Opera at the Melbourne Arts Centre. The premise is quite simple: six elders and one young man  an ersatz elder  come together to thrash out the best response to the arrival of the pale aliens on board their nowee. Jane Harrisons idea turned into a play, a novel and an opera. Credit: Janie Barrett Harrison, whose first play, Stolen, about five Indigenous children who had been forcibly removed by the authorities, was greeted with acclaim in 1998, made her first notes for The Visitors at the time of the Howard government intervention in the Northern Territory in 2007. (That occurred a couple of years after her second, Rainbows End, had made its theatrical debut.) I remember feeling very upset at the time. A colleague  had said people will think Im a paedophile just because Im Aboriginal and a man. Harrison, who was working in Aboriginal affairs at the time, considers herself a feminist playwright, but decided she wanted to write something that reflected the Aboriginal men she knew  men, she says, who were knowledgeable, kind, family men and good partners.

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The research had shown that in fact Aboriginal women were doing quite well in all the social indicators, but that men had fallen behind a little bit. I wanted to do something that shows they have agency, resilience, strength and power. As is the way, she might have made some notes about the idea, but it was another four years before she actually started writing it. In the meantime, she saw the stage version of 12 Angry Men, which gave her an idea for the plot of The Visitors, you know, the one person whos in the jury who manages to change peoples minds. But she wasnt optimistic about getting the play put on  she says it was a time when people werent looking for plays about men  and wrote the first 5000 words of the novel, thinking it might be easier to get it published. She did get a contract for it. But then the play was staged  and won an award  at the Sydney Festival in 2020. After the British ships are spotted, a message stick is sent around the local mobs and an elders meeting is called at Warrane (Sydney Cove). As Harrison writes, an elder from each of the surrounding countries is expected to attend. There are seven characters in the novel, and Harrison gives them all contemporary names  Lawrence, Gary, Gordon, Joseph, Nathaniel, Walter and Albert  and dresses them in suits and smart modern clothing. (The play, however, has two women attending the meeting.) If theyd been naked  as they would have been  I think it would have again fallen into that trope of the noble savage. I wanted to portray them as senior men, as senators really, representing all the clans. And I sort of wanted to mess with peoples heads in putting them in clothes. I didnt want them to be othered.

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She said colonisation was a disempowering concept for Indigenous people. But I also think its disempowering for non-Aboriginal people because it gets us all stuck in this paradigm where we cant move. So I wanted to explore the idea: what if Aboriginal people had agency around that event? And what if they could decide whether the visitors landed and were welcomed to country or whether they were sent away? The Visitors in its iteration on stage at the Sydney Theatre Company. Credit: Daniel Boud Although the reader  and the audience  knows what happens and the consequences for the Indigenous population, Harrison wanted to draw them in, build the tension and get them to suspend their disbelief. The weather is extreme, tempers fray, the debate is heated, with each of the seven having their own response. Its the first time really that perspective from the First Nations point of view has been shown. Everything else weve ever heard or were taught at school was from the white point of view. Harrison researched widely, even taking in a book about the 38 species of cicada found in the Sydney area. But there was no oral research with present-day elders. I wanted to focus on the account from the white perspective, because that way they couldnt be labelled as myths or stories, she said. I wanted to use the words of the colonisers themselves. Even in things like William Dampiers description of Aboriginal people. I turned that on its head and had my characters saying that about the people they were encountering. It was Dharug composer Christopher Sainsbury, who had worked on the first iteration of the play, who suggested The Visitors to Victorian Opera artistic director Richard Mills, with whom he had studied. Once he agreed, Mills gave Harrison a masterclass in how to write a libretto  this is an aria, slash this, highlight this  and playwright Tom Holloway told her to write big, so big ideas.

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My background is as an advertising copywriter so I wasnt precious about cutting, Harrison says. Theres a lot of material thats lost, obviously, in slashing it down to 20 pages from [the plays] 60 pages. But the music is amazing and that tells the story. Harrison is a Murawari woman who grew up in the Dandenongs. Her Indigenous heritage is through her mother, who came from northern NSW. Her father died when she was nine, but by then her parents had already divorced. Loading It was a small family unit  my sister and me. I always knew I was Aboriginal growing up, she said. We didnt grow up in that extended family network that so many Aboriginal people do, but my mother was very proud of her heritage. Later in life her mother became something of an activist and a great letter writer. After she died, Harrison found letters from people, including composer Peter Sculthorpe, with whom she had communicated about the appropriation of Aboriginal culture. With the referendum for the Indigenous Voice to parliament only a week away, Harrison, who says she has been pessimistic about its prospects for success, says its time for more listening to what is needed in Aboriginal communities. She hopes that rather than taking the No slogan to heart, people who dont know try to find out about the Voice. Its just a vehicle for conversations to be had. The endings of the opera and play differ from that of the novel. The first two conclude with what the elders decide to do; the latter has a powerful coda and a devastating last line.

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The squabbling resulted in a multitude of design ideas, including pie charts, sliding graph charts, colours and even the image of the sun. All of them posed dilemmas. Which were easier to understand, pie charts or sliding graphs? If red was used, would that signal to shoppers not to eat the food? The original nutritional labels used a title case, bold typeface. Credit: Bloomberg Even the sun was problematic. We thought that would be a great image of health, but in fact, people couldnt tell whether the sun was rising or setting, Belser told American University radio station WAMU. Theres a harmony about it, and the presentation has no extraneous components to it, he told The Washington Post. The words are left and right justified, which gave it a kind of balance. There was no grammatical punctuation like commas or periods or parentheses that would slow the reader down.

The dramatic difference between black and light fonts, between super bold and super light rules, act as organising devices for the reader so they will slide right through that label, he added. Belser compared the finished product  which he later adapted to over-the-counter drugs  to the Apple iPod. The detail is so important that you wouldnt even notice it, and if you didnt notice its a sign that it succeeded, he said. I dont know if anybodys heart beats faster when they see nutrition facts, but they sense a pleasure that they get the information they need. In an interview, David A. Kessler, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) chief during the labels creation, called Belser an absolute genius. Then-president Bill Clinton honoured him with a Presidents Design Award. The label had enormous public health impact for millions and millions of people who rely on it every day, Kessler said. James Burkey Belser was born in Columbia, South Carolina on July 8, 1947. His father was a lawyer, and his mother was an interior designer. After divorcing in 1952, his mother remarried and moved to Memphis, where he and his sister were raised.

As a boy, he loved The New Yorker cartoons, and he often redrew them. He majored in English and minored in studio art at Davidson College in North Carolina, graduating in 1969. Belser then studied French literature at the University of Montpellier in southern France, and when he returned, in 1970, he got a job as circulation director of Avant-Garde, an arts and politics magazine published by Ralph Ginzburg. He left after a year, travelling with a girlfriend to Turkey, where they embarked on a 3300-mile (53110-kilometre) journey to Kathmandu, Nepal. Upon returning to the United States, Belser and his girlfriend stopped briefly in Washington, where artist Lou Stovall let them crash at his house. They planned to settle in Boston, but Stovall convinced them to stay, getting Belser a job as business manager of the Righteous Apple, a graphic design studio connected to New Thing Art & Architecture Centre, a nonprofit. Belser set off on his own 18 months later, teaching himself graphic design and creating samples of magazine brochures, posters and logos to show prospective clients. He made hundreds of calls, resulting in handfuls of meetings. He persisted and ultimately launched Burkey Belser Inc. in 1978, the same year he married Donna Greenfield, a government lawyer. She started a consulting company focusing on professional services, and the two entities eventually merged into Greenfield/Belser. Their design firm was an early and dominant player in legal advertising and branding, a new category of business that opened up following the Supreme Courts 1977 ruling in Bates v. State Bar of Arizona that advertising for legal services was protected commercial speech.

The firm grew to more than 40 employees and was also a leader in arts branding, book catalogue covers and corporate design. Finn Partners, a global design agency, bought Greenfield/Belser in 2016. Food literacy. Credit: Rachel Murdolo In addition to his wife, survivors include two children, Mikell Belser Rice of Bethesda, MD, and James Belser of Aurora, Colorado; two grandchildren; a sister; and a half brother. In 2016, the FDA modified the nutrition label, with the most noticeable change being a large increase in type-size for calories. The simplicity has been abandoned in favour of brute-force communication, Belser told The Commercial Appeal, observing that calories are literally shouting like all caps in an email. In one sense, Belser was frustrated. It feels as if my daughter got married to somebody I like well enough but not all that much, a gangly guy with a cowlick, he told the paper. But in another sense, the changes were a victory. This is the first time they have touched the label in 20 years, he said. I think that says what we did then was done right.
Thousands traded life in Melbourne for the warmth of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast during the five years to 2021 as an exodus from southern states boosts local populations across south-east Queensland.

Prahran, Brighton and Docklands were among the suburbs with the most departures to the Gold Coast from Melbourne between 2016 and 2021. Analysis of census figures by The Age found that more than 12,000 people moved from Victoria to the Gold Coast in that period.

Thousands have traded life in Melbourne for the warmth of the Gold Coast. Credit: Dan Peled

KPMG urban economist Terry Rawnsley said the warm climate coupled with relatively affordable housing in the region has underpinned population flows into south-east Queensland.

That housing affordability draw is definitely part of it, he said. You can cash in your property in Brighton or Bondi and get something cheaper, and or, larger in Burleigh Heads or Noosa.
A teenager has been charged after allegedly setting fire to another man at the Deniliquin Ute Muster.

About 6.40pm on Saturday, emergency services responded to reports that a man had been set alight at the campsite area at the event in the southern NSW town of Deniliquin.

A 22-year-old man was found suffering significant facial burns after he was allegedly set on fire by a man attempting to ignite an aerosol nearby.

The 22-year-old was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being flown to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne, where he remains in a serious condition. Officers from the Murray River Police District began an investigation.

An 18-year-old man attended Wagga Wagga Police Station about 6pm on Friday where he was arrested.
Police at the scene; the two young parents; Bevilaqua with his newborn daughter.

Tanaya Kissack, the mother of Bevilaquas 10-month-old daughter, told Radio 6PRs Gary Adshead she found out her partner had been stabbed in the neck when police knocked on her door at 3.15am on Saturday.

The partner of suspected murder victim Zachary Bevilaqua, the 23-year-old father found dying outside a Woodbridge home, has spoken of her heartache as police continue to search for answers.

Kissack said the 23-year-old, who had formerly worked in aged care, was a loving, caring and selfless man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The 21-year-old told Adshead the young parents had only just moved to Perth from the country and had spent the last of their funds on baby formula when Bevilaqua went in search of supplies to roll a cigarette.

Kissack described her longing to be told it was all untrue.

My body was shaking, I couldnt process it ... I just wanted it to be all a dream, she said.

All I was told is he had been stabbed in the neck, and he was taken to Royal Perth Hospital to get surgeries done on his neck  that was all I was told until I got to the hospital.
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 A one-legged aviator with a penchant for sherry who barnstormed under the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 1930s should be a warning for supporters of the Yes vote just how difficult it is to alter the Constitution. Henry Goya Henry, and his successful High Court challenge to the federal governments desire to police the nations skies, led directly to a referendum in 1937 that remains one of the most unusual in the Commonwealths history. Henry Goya Henry (left) with fellow aviator George Littlejohn. It was Henrys legal fight to keep his pilots licence that led to the 1937 referendum. Credit: Source unknown The government of Joseph Lyons asked voters to change the Constitution, written before the Wright brothers invented powered flight, so that the federal government had control of aviation matters. It wanted the change because Henry, accused of breaching the law by flying too low over Mascot airfield in his plane the Jolly Roger, had argued that the Commonwealth did not have the power to fine him 1 for flying without a pilots licence. Henry, who had caused a huge stir by flying under the Sydney Harbour Bridge two years earlier, took the case all the way to the High Court, which agreed with him. That prompted the Lyons government to call for a constitutional change. Declaring it absurd and dangerous to allow the states to have differing laws covering the rapidly advancing form of transport, the government was quietly confident of success.

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But the official No campaign of 1937 told voters there was something much more sinister about the proposed change. Accusing Lyons and his then attorney-general Robert Menzies of a conspiracy to create a British airline monopoly, the No campaign appealed directly to railway workers and voters in the nations many country communities. Moments in referendums First held in 1906 to enable House and Senate elections to be held concurrently. Passed with 83 per cent majority of voters and all states.

Lowest support was 30.8 per cent in 1988 for a question to provide for the right to trial by jury, extend freedom of religion and to provide for fair terms for people whose property was acquired by any government.

The biggest majority was the 1967 referendum to enable the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal people and to remove the ban on counting Aboriginal people in population counts. It was passed with 91 per cent support with all states approving.

In May 1913, voters were asked six separate questions. All gained 49 per cent of the vote and achieved majority support in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland but failed to pass.

Voters have been asked three times to give the federal government the power to nationalise monopolies. All have failed.

The last successful referendum was held in 1977 which allowed the commonwealth to set retirement ages for federal judges, counted the votes of territory residents in referenda and required that a Senate vacancy be filled by someone from the same party as the departing senator

The last successful referendum under Labor was in 1946, enabling the federal government to make laws relating to social services. It would wreck the state railway systems, the No essay to voters noted. It would bankrupt country towns. Aviation transport, as in America, would direct purchasing power from country centres. Loss of railway purchasing power would be disastrous to the country businessman. Freight costs and food would become dearer, opponents claimed. On polling day, more than 53 per cent of all Australians backed the change. But it was a majority built in Victoria and Queensland with the Yes case failing as voters in the other four states were marginally opposed.

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The aviation question is one of the 44 proposals put to voters since the first referendum was held in 1906. Just eight, including the 1906 proposition which changed the starting date for a new Senate, have passed. That excludes the two conscription plebiscites of 1916 and 1917 (both lost), the national song question of 1977 (when 43.6 per cent of people backed Advance Australia Fair) and the same-sex marriage postal survey of 2017 (supported by 61.6 of respondents). An advertisement used in the 1916 and 1917 conscription plebiscites. Credit: State Library of NSW Doubling down A key issue in the way of success is the double majority requirement for a successful referendum. A majority of the national electorate has to back a change as does a majority of the six states. Professor of history at the Australian National University, Frank Bongiorno, said the double majority concept was drawn from Switzerlands constitution. The federation founders went for this because it was a means of ensuring that the most populous states  Victoria and NSW  would not be able to change the Constitution without the consent of voters in the less populous ones, he said.

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Professor Bongiorno said he doubted the federation founders understood the extent of the problems the double majority issue would create for future generations. He cited the failed referendum question of 1977 under then-prime minister Malcolm Fraser, who asked voters to alter the Constitution so that elections for both the House of Representatives and Senate were held on the same day. It was the third time such a question had been put to voters. Then attorney-general Lionel Bowen conceding defeat to the four referendum questions of 1988. Credit: Stephen Lunam This time, it gained 62 per cent of the national vote, but it failed because three states - Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania - did not back the change. A change of mind among 8,000 voters in WA would have altered the result, and the Constitution. Frasers predecessor, Gough Whitlam, had sought to modify the double majority rule so that a referendum would be successful if it achieved a majority of votes in three states. It gained 48 per cent of the overall vote with electors in just one state, NSW, backing the move.

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The referendum bellwethers Some parts of the country are extremely adverse to constitutional change. A majority of voters in the Queensland seats of Maranoa and Wide Bay were the only ones in Australia to oppose the (successful) referendum of 1977 to allow the residents of the ACT and Northern Territory to vote in a referendum. And there are some areas that are much more likely to say yes to a change. The Yes camp appear to have ... ensured defeat. No bipartisan support, and labelling opponents as people who need to be educated. Matt Qvortrup, a constitutional professor at ANU Going all the way back to the 1906 referendum, the people in and immediately around the NSW city of Newcastle have said yes on more occasions than any other. Across the 44 referendum questions, the plebiscites and the postal vote, the voters of Newcastle have said yes more than half the time. The federal seat has returned a Labor MP at every election since 1901. The neighbouring area of the Hunter Valley is also a hotspot of constitutional change.

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Mexico City: Mexicos president said that about 10,000 migrants per day are heading to the US border, and he blamed US economic sanctions on countries like Cuba and Venezuela for the influx.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Monday the number of migrants reaching Mexicos northern border with the United States was partly due to about 6000 migrants per day crossing into Mexico from Guatemala over the past week.

Immigrants ride atop a freight train while en route to the US-Mexico border near Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Credit: Getty

He said many of those migrants are travelling on a route through Central America that includes the jungle-clad Darien Gap region between Panama and Colombia.

Lopez Obrador seemed to join Colombian President Gustavo Petro in blaming the situation on US sanctions on countries like Venezuela and Cuba, whose citizens make up a large part of the migrant flow. Experts say economic mismanagement and political repression are largely to blame for the tide of migrants leaving those countries.
Biden's EPA Shoots Itself in It's Climate-Crisis Foot







Ethanol Boo-Birds Engage in Feeding Frenzy







The latest anti-ethanol garbage comes to us direct from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and it's spreading faster than a PG&E or Maui electric-grid wildfire. The last time there was this much fuss over ethanol's supposed ineffectiveness in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) was when Tyler Lark and his band of misfits issued their bovine-manure attack in 2022. That report was so putrid that if you printed it out on paper it would not be fit to wrap decomposing fish! For those that may have missed (or forgotten) my rebuttals to Tyler Lark, et al., you can read them here:

Coming back to the EPA report, the firestorm was ignited by a Draft Commentary dated August 21, 2023 (you can download it by CLICKING HERE).

The first funny part of the new EPA claim is that one of the resources cited for arriving at its erroneous conclusion is the rancid Tyler Lark, et al., report from last year. The second funny thing (but in a strange way), is that this EPA draft commentary does not include the Argonne National Laboratory 2022 report of just how smelly the Tyler Lark, et al., report was (and still is).

Among those entities fanning the flames and spreading the stench of the EPA Draft Commentary are Bloomberg, Reuters, and Yahoo News. They must all be delighted to do so since they all have published anti-ethanol items in the past. Writing the new anti-ethanol report for Yahoo is Jennifer A. Dloughy. Back in 2016, she penned an idiot editorial for Bloomberg News. That piece focused on a report that suggested the same fallacious conclusion that ethanol is not a safer, cleaner, healthier alternative to gasoline. I responded to Jennifer's idiot editorial at that time with my humorous, but factual, rebuttal:

The author of the new Reuters anti-ethanol is Leah Douglas. She must have been hoping that this story would redeem her for writing a piece of trash September 2022 that Reuters wound up rescinding several days later. Reuters said that story was based on:

"Flawed interpretation of data on ethanol-plant pollution and fuel-production capacity...led to inaccurate estimates of carbon emissions for individual ethanol plants named in the story." Read about this by CLICKING HERE.







Oh happy days, Leah had the opportunity to write another story that Reuters will probably consider rescinding. Leah's latest waste of time journalistic endeavor is a piece shrouded in what she probably thinks is objective reporting. It's not, because all it does is to lend credence to the EPA claim, and the EPA claim is without justification.

The reality is that if it could be successfully argued that there are minimal or no climate benefits related to substituting corn ethanol for gasoline it is because the entire issue of catastrophic man-made climate change is just hoax, which is something that Ive contended since my very first environmental editorial that I wrote for the Orlando Sentinel in about 1973.

Since that time, particularly since The Auto Channel became seriously involved in issues related to alternative fuels, everything Ive experienced and discovered lends credence to my initial commentary: Catastrophic man-made global cooling, and the subsequent alarm over catastrophic man-made global warming is a hoax.

This is not to say that there isnt air pollution (in fact, terrible air pollution exists in many cities), but air pollution itself doesnt mean the end of all human life the way that climate alarmists would like to believe.

Low-level smog is caused by petroleum-oil fuels, not by ethanol and not by E15. Why am I so sure? Here's what I wrote and published about a year and a half ago:

"Smog is not new. The blindingly dense infamous London fog was caused by smog from all the coal and wood fires used to heat, light, cook, and power the manufacturing plants of the Industrial Revolution. Smoke from the fires, plus the natural fog was linguistically combined to give us the word "smog." This type of smog is referred to as "Industrial Smog," and it began to be serious in the 1700s, almost 300 years ago. Industrial Smog was not, and is not caused by ethanol burning. "In the early 1940s, a second type of smog, "Photochemical Smog," was given the nickname "LA Smog" because it had become so bad in Los Angeles, California. Photochemical Smog is primarily caused by emissions from gasoline and diesel fuel-powered internal combustion engines. The emissions create what is called low-level ozone. Photochemical Smog can occur anywhere where there is the right combination of low-level ozone and lots of sunshine. With so much attention being given to the "Tinseltown" glamour of Hollywood it was more fun to name it LA Smog rather than New York Smog or Chicago Smog. "For the conditions of LA Smog to become common enough to be identified with the nickname LA SMOG, it means that the situation had to have already been present and noticed for an extended period of time. Cars and trucks didn't just suddenly appear in Los Angeles in the 1940s. According to Smithsonian Magazine, "L.A.s population of about 600,000 at the start of the 1920s more than doubled during the decade. The citys cars would see an even greater increase, from 161,846 cars registered in L.A. County in 1920 to 806,264 registered in 1930. In 1920 Los Angeles had about 170 gas stations. By 1930 there were over 1,500." From other sources, we know that by 1940 the number of automobiles in L.A. County was well over one million. "The significance to all this is that ethanol fuel was not being used in any significant manner in internal combustion engines in America during the 1920s, nor 1930s, nor the 1940s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, or '90s. "A 5.7% ethanol-gasoline blend (E5) began being used in California after 2003 when MTBE was banned from gasoline (poisonous MTBE was the oil industry's brilliant go-to suggestion to eliminate engine knock after tetraethyl lead was finally banned). "Therefore, from the beginning of the Roaring 20s and the introduction of leaded gasoline that was needed to eliminate engine knock in the new high-compression automobile engines of the time, to an E5 blend after 2003, more than 80 years passed before ethanol was regularly added to gasoline. Yet in all those years of non-ethanol fuel use, the conditions of Photochemical Smog in Southern California became so terrible that it engendered a universally known nickname and it became the butt of endless late-night TV talk show jokes. "The Renewable Fuel Standard wasn't enacted until 2005, and E10 wasn't put into regular use until about 2010. While society can, and has, laid blame for smog on gasoline and petroleum diesel fuel, ethanol was not the cause for smog - not Industrial Smog and not Photochemical Smog."

But, there are lots and lots of demented people in the world who work for the oil industry, or just choose to believe the lies about ethanol that were invented by the oil industry. Or it's that these 'dementos' chose to follow the failed doctrines of the political party that hates America and would have loved to see slavery continue in this country and the world.

If anyone is still convinced that ethanol is the cause of smog, all they have to do is watch any of a number of online videos that compare the burning of gasoline to the burning of ethanol. Here are a few of my favorites:















For those who don't want to believe these videos, they can conduct the tests themselves at home, they're very easy to do. If an ethanol-gasoline blend shows signs of unhealthy emissions, it is because there is gasoline in the blend, not because there is ethanol in the blend.

Petroleum oil fuels are poison, they cannot be produced to be un-poisonous. To be safe from petroleum oil fuels there must be the complete elimination of them. If there is anyone at the EPA who doesnt understand this then they are either stupid or being bribed in some manner by the oil industry.

Regarding those people in the media who continue to write articles laying the blame for smog and pollution on ethanol, they must be demented or stupid or both.

If you'd like to understand my complete position on man-made climate change and why ethanol is the solution whether AGW exists or not, here are my two papers on the subject:
The Egyptian edition of the Inktober art challenge, known as Youthinktober, is back this year with the theme Reviving Emotions aimed at visualizing emotions through the use of Arabic keywords.

Inktober, a globally recognized art challenge, was founded in 2009 and takes place every year in October to encourage artists to develop positive drawing habits using ink.

Every year, the Inktober Challenge website announces a 31-day prompts list that artists can use to create their drawings throughout October and share them on social media.

Initiated by YouTHink, the Youthinktober challenge encourages Egyptian artists to express their artistic skills, gain exposure, and have the chance to participate in an art exhibition organized by YouTHink after the challenge concludes.

YouTHink is an Egyptian community on Instagram that provides various types of content tailored for youth in both English and Arabic. It also serves as a hub supporting youth in highlighting their voices, ideas, and talents.

This October, the second edition of the Youthinktober challenge comes with a theme focused on conveying emotions. The prompts list includes Arabic words for various emotions, allowing artists to unleash their creativity and visualize these emotions in their drawings.

Sakinah (Tranquility), Haneen (Nostalgia), and Rawhaniyah (Spirituality) are among the keywords included in the prompts list.





The Youthinktober 2023 prompts list

The keywords included in the prompts list were picked by 31 artists that the YouTHink community reached out to, where each artist chose a keyword to draw a certain feeling they struggle to articulate in words, according to the Project Director of Youthinktober Sarah Seyam.

This allows the artists to convey the emotions and mental states they experience when verbal expression falls short, explained Seyam.

Drawing often becomes routine, particularly for those whose professions centre around it, so we came up with this theme to encourage artists to create art that goes beyond mere checkboxes on a to-do list and revive their creative passion, she added.

Artists who want to join the challenge can simply participate by sharing their artwork according to the prompts list on social media using the #youthinktober hashtag.

After the art challenge concludes, YouTHink is set to hold a big event by the end of the year, where the best contributions will be exhibited.

The best contributions will be selected by a committee of artists who work with YouTHink, according to Mahmoud Taher, the founder of YouTHink.

The event will serve as a melting pot for creatives, offering various activities throughout the day in collaboration with other entities including Injection, Movart, Jidar, and Artkhana.

Details of the event will be announced on the YouTHink Instagram page.

Youthinktober's first edition



Last year, the Youthinktober challenge was launched with the theme "Egyptian Street" to celebrate Egyptian culture.

"We chose the Egyptian street as a theme to embrace and highlight some unique aspects of Egyptian culture and daily life while localizing the Inktober challenge to allow artists to draw about things they witness on a daily basis," explained Seyam.

The Youthinktober challenge gained significant engagement as hundreds of artists participated and shared their art on social media using the Youthinktober prompts list.

After the challenge concluded, YouTHink held an event at Rawabet Art Space in December, showcasing the best contributions selected by a committee of artists from the YouTHink community and hosting a workshop and panel talk related to art.

Photo of Youthinktober 2022 event

YouTHink launched a new merch line in collaboration with the artists whose work was exhibited, including tote bags and hoodies.

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Some of Europes top diplomats gathered Monday in Kyiv in a display of support for Ukraines fight against Russias invasion as signs emerge of political strain in Europe and the United States about the war.

The foreign ministers from the European Unions 27 member countries converged on the Ukrainian capital for an unannounced informal meeting that officials said would review the blocs support for Ukraine and discuss Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys proposed peace formula.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the foreign ministers first joint meeting outside EU borders sent a signal that EU support is unwavering and underscored the EUs commitment to Ukraine.

The United States, the EU and the United Kingdom have provided massive military and financial support to Ukraine, enabling it to stand up to the Kremlins attack. The assistance is crucial for Ukraines weakened economy and has so far been open-ended.

But uncertainty has set in over how long Kyivs allies will keep sending it billions of dollars (euros).

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday reassured allies of continued U.S. financial support for the war effort, after Congress averted a government shutdown by adopting a short-term funding package that dropped assistance for Ukraine in its battle against Russia.

Many U.S. lawmakers acknowledge that winning approval for Ukraine assistance in Congress is growing more difficult as the war grinds on.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told reporters that Ukraine held discussions with representatives of both parties in the U.S. Congress to ensure more help will arrive.

The decision was taken as it was, but we are now working with both sides of the Congress to make sure that it does not repeat again under any circumstances, Kuleba said.

The question is whether what happens in the U.S. Congress last weekend is an incident or a system. I think it was an incident, he added.

The EU meeting in Kyiv took place after the weekend election victory in EU member Slovakia of Robert Fico, whose pro-Russian agenda has increased the question marks about the EUs continued support for Kyiv.

The small eastern European country could bring more tension to the EUs discussions on Ukraine, as has happened with Hungarys at-times cool attitude toward Kyiv. Budapest has maintained close relations with Moscow and argued against supplying arms to Ukraine or providing it with economic assistance.

The foreign ministers of Hungary and Poland were not at the Kyiv gathering.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said Europe must be ready to provide further help for many good reasons.

First of all, in order to support Ukraine, but also to send a strong trans-Atlantic signal that whats going on on our own soil is something we have to take on a great responsibility for, Lkke Rasmussen said.

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Cheyenne, WY (82001)

Today

Windy with a few clouds from time to time. High 62F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 43F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
A huge fire consumed the Security Directorate of the Suez Canal governorate of Ismailia early Monday, injuring at least 38 people, authorities said.

Civil Defence units, supported by two military aircraft, contained the blaze hours later.

The health ministry deployed 50 ambulances to treat the victims. The ambulances transported 26 people to a nearby hospital, where 24 of them were treated for asphyxiation and two for burns.

Of these, seven were discharged after receiving treatment, the health ministry added. Twelve other victims were treated at the site, it noted.

In its initial statement, the Public Prosecution said it was notified of the fire at 4:30am local time.

The prosecutions statement said only 33 people were injured, without providing further details.

The prosecution said it started its investigation by questioning the victims being treated at the Ismailia Medical Complex and Suez Canal Authority Hospital.

Following the incident, Minister of Interior Mahmoud Tawfik arrived at the site, ordering the formation of a committee to investigate the fire.

He also directed the building's structure to be reviewed to determine how it could be repaired.

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Afghanistanembassy inIndia shutdown ops





NEW DELHI :

THE Afghanistan Embassy here announced on Saturday night that it is ceasing its operations from October 1, citing a lack of support from the host Government, failure to meet expectations in serving Afghanistans interests, and reduction in personnel and resources. In a statement, the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi said it regrets announcing the decision to cease its operations, effective October 1, 2023. It is with profound sadness, regret, and disappointment that the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi announces this decision to cease its operations, the statement said. The embassy said that this decision, while deeply regrettable, was made after careful consideration, taking into account the historic ties and long-standing partnership between Afghanistan and India.

The embassy statement also listed key factors affecting its ability to continue the mission effectively and said that they were the primary reasons forthe unfortunate closure. The embassy cited a lack of support from the host Government,allegingthatit has experiencedanotable absence of crucial support from the host Government, which it said hindered its ability to carry out duties effectively.

The mission also cited  failure to meet expectations in serving Afghanistans interests as one of the reasons. We acknowledge our shortcomings inmeetingthe expectations and requirements necessary to serve the best interests of Afghanistan and its citizens due to the lack of diplomatic support in India and the absence of a legitimate functioning Government in Kabul, the mission said. It also said that due to unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances, there has been a significant reduction in both personnel and resources available to it, |making it increasingly challenging to continue operations.
BALOCH RIPOSTE





THE twin blasts in Pakistan -- one in Balochistan and another at Hangu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa -- that killed at least 58 people come as a grim reminder of how Pakistan has failed over the years into integrating various communities and weaving one democratic nation. The country, with foundation in religious radicalism, was destined to reach this stage. As the new country was carved out of India by way of a painful Partition, political leadership of all ilk in Pakistan treaded the path of exerting authority over power machine. It used force to annex Balochistan, treated the Bengali-speaking people in erstwhile East Pakistan as secondary citizens, kept people in tribal areas deprived of development, and spent much of energy and resources on keeping the power into the hands of a few. This was bound to lead Pakistan on to the path of self-harm. The power-hungry approach of politicians left little scope for Pakistan to evolve as a functional democracy. Politicians groomed Mullah-Military nexus, which became so potent a force that it started dictating terms. Dictatorships added to the woes of Pakistan. Greed for self-gains resulted in politicians placing own financial interest above national interest.

Corruption aggravated the situation, and Pakistan became a client State. Forcefully annexed Balochistan continued to be restive, with Baloch people continuing fiercely with their struggle for independence from Pakistan. Pashtuns also continued with their struggle in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. Radical forces grew under the patronage of military. Lack of development bred hordes of available-for-money mercenaries. The power-drunk Pakistani establishments kept using force on own people, which proved counter-productive. Fed up with atrocities, Bengalis asserted themselves and East Pakistan got liberated into Bangladesh, giving confidence to other oppressed communities in Pakistan. The trouble in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reflects this situation. Forced disappearances of Baloch and Pashtun activists from these two regions have reached the United Nations Human Rights Council. Use of force has been a dark hallmark of Pakistans policy in these regions two as well as Gilgit-Baltistan area. Pakistan has failed miserably in responding to the situation with maturity.

What else can expect from a country founded on the religious premise? The focus of Pakistans policy has been on hating India more than loving its own citizens. It vitiated the hearts and minds of people with religious hatred against India and sponsored terrorist activities. While not treating Baloch people as its own, Pakistan blamed India for trouble in Balochistan. The recent happenings and attacks on Pakistan Army by Baloch liberation forces expose how much of brutality and injustice Pakistan has heaped on Balochistan for years.This proves that Pakistan is to be blamed for the restiveness in Balochistan. Clearly, forced accession of Balochistan is not working for Pakistan. Decentralisation of power, empowerment of people, restoration of true democracy, and focussing on own development more than disturbing India may hold keys to peace in Pakistan. But, is a radicalised Pakistan prepared to accept this? Well, thats a million dollar question
Mid-season adversity damages 59.15% average soyabean prodn in distt





Staff Reporter

AS MUCH as 59.15 per cent of the average soyabean production in Nagpur district stands affected adversely due to fluctuations in rainfall and pest attack and disease. Bhiwapur is the worst affected tehsil, while Ramtek tehsil has suffered the lowest damage, as per the circle-wise survey report of the Agriculture Department. Considering the damage, Dr Vipin Itankar, District Collector and Chairman of District-Level Joint Committee, has directed the Divisional Manager of ICICI General Insurance Company, to release 25 per cent of the compensation as advanced amount to the affected farmers who had subscribed to crop insurance scheme. Dr Itankar has issued a notification in this regard on September 26, and has asked the insurance company to release the 25 per cent advance amount to the farmers concerned within a month since the date of issue of the notification.

As per the circle-wise survey report of the Agriculture Department, Bhiwapur tehsil has suffered the maximum damage with likely decline of 68.41 per cent of the average Soyabean crop production. It is followed by Kalmeshwar tehsil with 65.54 per cent damage, Kuhi with 63.85 per cent damage, Nagpur Rural with 63.81 per cent, Umred with 61.32 per cent, Narkhed with 61.03 per cent, Kamptee with 60.23 per cent damage. Saoner, Katol, Hingna, Mouda, and Parseoni tehsils have reported more than 53 per cent damage to soyabean production. Ramtek is the only tehsil that has suffered the least damage of 23.21 per cent. The damage has been calculated as percentage of average crop production in past seven years. Among the villages, Malewada in Bhiwapur tehsil has reported likely soyabean production of 465 kg/hectare as against sevenyear average of 1,548 kg/hectare.

Thus, 70 per cent drop in average production of soyabean is likely in Malewada. Godhani village in Nagpur Rural tehsil is expecting soyabean production to be 315 kg/hectare as against seven-year average of 1,033 kg/hectare, thus indicating likely loss of 69.51 per cent of crop due to midseason adversity. Bhiwapur, Jawali, Nand in Bhiwapur tehsil are expecting decline of 69 per cent, 68.02 per cent, and 68 per cent in production. Mohpa village in Kalmeshwar tehsil may witness 68.57 per cent drop in soyabean production.
Sylvamo (NYSE:SLVM  Get Free Report) is one of 16 public companies in the Paper mills industry, but how does it compare to its peers? We will compare Sylvamo to similar companies based on the strength of its institutional ownership, profitability, valuation, dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings and risk.

Dividends

Sylvamo pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Sylvamo pays out 14.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Paper mills companies pay a dividend yield of 3.6% and pay out 78.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Institutional and Insider Ownership

89.1% of Sylvamo shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.0% of shares of all Paper mills companies are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Sylvamo shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 6.0% of shares of all Paper mills companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Sylvamo $3.63 billion $118.00 million 6.46 Sylvamo Competitors $4.41 billion $623.73 million 30.70

This table compares Sylvamo and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Sylvamos peers have higher revenue and earnings than Sylvamo. Sylvamo is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings for Sylvamo and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sylvamo 0 1 1 0 2.50 Sylvamo Competitors 72 570 279 40 2.30

Sylvamo presently has a consensus target price of $52.50, indicating a potential upside of 19.48%. As a group, Paper mills companies have a potential upside of 51.74%. Given Sylvamos peers higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Sylvamo has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Volatility & Risk

Sylvamo has a beta of 1.1, meaning that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Sylvamos peers have a beta of 1.33, meaning that their average stock price is 33% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Sylvamo and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sylvamo 7.87% 55.02% 12.80% Sylvamo Competitors 7.80% 19.45% 6.84%

Summary

Sylvamo peers beat Sylvamo on 8 of the 15 factors compared.

About Sylvamo

(Get Free Report)

Sylvamo Corporation produces and markets uncoated freesheet, cutsize, offset paper, and pulp in Latin America, Europe, and North America. The company operates through Europe, Latin America, and North America segments. The Europe segment offers copy, tinted, and colored laser printing paper under REY Adagio and Pro-Design brands; and high-speed inkjet printing papers under the brand Jetstar; as well as produces uncoated freesheet papers. This segment also operates paper and pulp mill. The Latin America segment focuses on uncoated freesheet paper under Chamex, Chamequinho and Chambril brands, as well as produces HP papers. This segment also operates integrated mills and nonintegrated mills. The North America segment offers imaging, commercial printing, and converting papers, as well as uncoated papers under Hammermill, Springhill, Williamsburg, Accent, DRM and Postmark brand names. It distributes its products through a variety of channels, including merchants, e-commerce, agents, resellers, and paper distributors. The company was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO  Get Free Report) and Neste Oyj (OTCMKTS:NTOIF  Get Free Report) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, valuation, risk, profitability, earnings and analyst recommendations.

Profitability

This table compares Valero Energy and Neste Oyjs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Valero Energy 6.96% 42.31% 18.29% Neste Oyj N/A N/A N/A

Dividends

Valero Energy pays an annual dividend of $4.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%. Neste Oyj pays an annual dividend of $0.65 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Valero Energy pays out 14.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Neste Oyj pays out 60.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Valero Energy has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Valero Energy is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Valero Energy $157.15 billion 0.32 $11.53 billion $29.03 4.88 Neste Oyj N/A N/A N/A $1.07 32.15

This table compares Valero Energy and Neste Oyjs gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Valero Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Neste Oyj. Valero Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Neste Oyj, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings for Valero Energy and Neste Oyj, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Valero Energy 1 2 11 1 2.80 Neste Oyj 0 0 0 0 N/A

Valero Energy currently has a consensus target price of $155.13, indicating a potential upside of 9.47%. Given Valero Energys higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Valero Energy is more favorable than Neste Oyj.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

77.1% of Valero Energy shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 13.0% of Neste Oyj shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of Valero Energy shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Valero Energy beats Neste Oyj on 13 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Valero Energy

(Get Free Report)

Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol. The company produces California Reformulated Gasoline Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending and Conventional Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending gasolines, CARB diesel, diesel, jet fuel, and asphalt; aromatics; and sulfur crude oils. It sells its refined products through wholesale rack and bulk markets; and through approximately outlets under the Valero, Beacon, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar, and Texaco brands. The company also produces and sells ethanol, dry distiller grains, syrup, and inedible corn oil primarily to animal feed customers. In addition, it owns and operates crude oil and refined petroleum products pipelines, terminals, tanks, marine docks, truck rack bays, and other logistics assets; and owns and operates a plant that processes animal fats, used cooking oils, and inedible distillers corn oils. The company was formerly known as Valero Refining and Marketing Company and changed its name to Valero Energy Corporation in August 1997. Valero Energy Corporation was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.

About Neste Oyj

(Get Free Report)

Neste Oyj provides renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel in Finland and other Nordic countries, Baltic Rim, other European countries, North and South America, and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Renewable Products, Oil Products, Marketing & Services, and Others. The Renewable Products segment produces, markets, and sells renewable diesel, renewable jet fuels and solutions, and renewable solvents, as well as raw material for bioplastics based on its technology to wholesale markets. The Oil Products segment produces, markets, and sells diesel fuel, gasoline, aviation and marine fuels, light and heavy fuel oils, and gasoline components, as well as special fuels, such as small-engine gasoline, solvents, liquid gases, and bitumen. This segment serves retailers and distributors, oil majors and trading companies, petrochemicals companies, and companies marketing lubricants and solvents. The Marketing & Services segment markets and sells cleaner fuels and oil products, and associated services to private motorists, industry, transport companies, farmers, and heating oil customers through a network of service stations, as well as direct sales. The Others segment offers engineering solutions. The company was formerly known as Neste Oil Oyj and changed its name to Neste Oyj in June 2015. Neste Oyj was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Espoo, Finland.

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A Farewell to Gabo and Mercedes: A sons memoir, Rodrigo Garcia, translated into Arabic by Ahmed Al-Shafi, Dammam: Athar, pp112







In an intimate and warm style, Rodrigo Garcia recalls the last days in the life of the author of One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabrial Garcia Marquez, and of his wife Mercedes Barcha, who had an incredible impact on him.

With a perfect balance between elegant prose and visual narration, Garcia takes the reader straight into the lives of his parents at the moment when the father is stepping out of fame to the boredom that leads to death.

Garcia skillfully moves between places and times to evoke the time leading up to that day in 2014 when his mother, Mercedes, summoned him from Paris to be by his fathers death bed in Mexico City. Garcia tried to keep the journey across the Atlantic a secret to avoid bringing attention to his fathers illness but his scheme did not work and it took a little over 24 hours for the entire world to be focused on the last hours in the life of Colombian Nobel laureate.

Garcia also failed to take his father to his last solitude in a place away from home as the family was followed by the press. They decided to go back home and wait for the father to pass away.

Mercedes for her part is far from a side note in the memoir of the son. She is central to the story, especially since she was the one person who penetrated the wall of forgetfulness that Alzheimers forced on her husband. She is there warning Rodrigo that once death descends on his father the scene will turn into a circus. Mercedes would not let the zoo tamper with the last, incomplete manuscripts of Marquez. She took them to safety under her own protection until she herself died of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, six years after the demise of her husband.

A Nation with No Name (Ummah la ism laha), Nader Kazem, Manama: Suaal, pp368



A prominent critic with a multidisciplinary background that combines history, sociology and literary criticism, Nader Al-Kazem is best known for works that attempt to decipher the codes of Arab Gulf societies and shed light on their often hidden enclaves.

Al-Kazem made a mark with his book Inqaz al-amal (Saving Hope), which was followed by this book, subtitled from state construction to deconstruction.

A Nation with No Name is a series of articles in which Al-Kazem, in keeping with the project he is committed to, tries to examine the concepts behind the creation of the state and definition of statehood. In his introduction he quotes 17th century Italian poet Massimo dAzeglio and 20th century Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish as they both address the issue of identity. We made Italy and now is the time for us to make Italians, DAzeglio says. We shall be a nation if we want to be, Darwish says.

Kazems book is about the liminal part of the definition of identity that lies between the propositions of both DAzeglio and Darwish. This, he does through a clever study of the history of Arab nationalism that during most of its phases allowed for a whole range of coercion and violation of basic rights under the guise of the protection of national identity.

Al-Kazem notes that the pattern of discounting the other that was at the core of Arab nationalism was passed to subsequent radical political groups that came to the fore in the wake of the failure of the call of Arab nationalism. In this book, Al-Kazem does not hesitate to say that there is no difference between the intellectual concepts adopted by Azmi Bishara (a prominent Palestinian-Israeli thinker) and those of Michel Aflaq (a Baathist theoretician) when it comes to the concept of the ummah (nation), the language, religion and eternal call of belonging.

The book is a rich and thorough critical analysis of all contemporary attempts to address the issue of identity starting with the 19th-century scholar Rifaa Al-Tahtawi through Naguib Azouri, Satiaa Al-Hossari, Michel Aflaq, Costantine Rizk, Nadim Al-Bitar to Azmi Bishara.

Kazem also reviews Benedict Andresons Imagined Communities, with case studies of Iraq and Bahrain where surging sectarianism has defied calls for coexistence and anti-sectarianism.

The Complete Works of Ounsi El-Hajj, edited by Nada El-Hajj, Milan: Al Mutawassit, pp544





As well as being a critic and columnist, Ounsi El-Hajj was one of the most influential Arab poets of the second half of the 20th century. He died in 2014 at the age of 77 following a long battle with colon cancer.

This reprint of his complete poems is a literary event, given the fact that a good part of his oeuvre had been out of print for years  with the exception of an affordable edition of the complete works published in Cairo in 2007 by the General Authority for Cultural Palaces.

A towering figure in Lebanon, El-Hajj wrote poems that were atypical in style and syntax as they often read like Sufi songs. This proved both inspiring and controversial.

Through his column in the prominent Lebanese dailies, Al-Nahar and Al-Akhbar, El-Hajj was able to incite cultural debates, especially through the cultural supplement Al-Mulhaq which he produced during his years with Al-Nahar.

This new edition of the complete poems was the initiative of Khaled Al-Nasseri, poet, graphic designer, and founder and owner of Al-Mutawassit. The volume was revised by none other than Nada El-Hajj, Ounsis daughter.

The book is prefixed by an exceptional introduction by Al-Nasseri himself, in which he recalls reading El-Hajjs collection of poems Lan (or Shall not) in the public library of Damascus, revealing a deep admiration for the style of El-Hajj. He calls El-Hajj a poet from the future whose work is as priceless as prehistoric engravings. With every line of the poems of El-Hajj, I feel I am touching the sands that have been standing there in a testimony to prehistoric times.

History Is Not Written Once (La yuktab al-tarikh marra wahida), Abdel-Rahman Al-Ibrahim, Kuwait: Takwin, pp372







This book is an attempt by a Kuwaiti historian to dissect many of the propositions that have recently circulated regarding the history of the Arab Gulf. Ibrahim argues that those concepts are neither well-founded nor adequately examined, given that they are more the impressions of their authors than the result of actual research conducted on clear criteria. He actually suggests that most of the material so far produced is the subjective narratives of authors who are influenced by the Orientalist approach.

In short, the author suggests the need for serious and more substantial work to write the history of Kuwait and that of the rest of Arab Gulf societies that goes beyond the reductionist narrative in which Kuwaitis are either traders or sheikhs, advanced at the expense of every other segment of society.

The book is rich with reflections on issues of sectarianism as an unavoidable but often exaggerated and confused element of the history of Arab Gulf societies and the role and status of women in these societies especially with regard to their relation to Islamic doctrine in the years prior to the dominance of petroculture.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 28 September, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the eight analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have assigned a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $166.37.

DEO has been the subject of several analyst reports. Morgan Stanley cut Diageo from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Diageo from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 14th. Barclays cut their price target on Diageo from GBX 4,720 ($57.64) to GBX 4,440 ($54.22) in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Diageo in a research note on Friday, September 15th. They set a market perform rating for the company. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on Diageo from GBX 2,920 ($35.66) to GBX 2,950 ($36.02) in a research report on Friday, September 8th.

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Diageo Stock Down 0.4 %

Diageo Increases Dividend

DEO stock opened at $149.18 on Wednesday. Diageo has a twelve month low of $147.85 and a twelve month high of $191.93. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $165.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $173.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 0.62.

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 17th. Investors of record on Friday, August 25th will be paid a dividend of $2.5089 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 24th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.4%. This is a positive change from Diageos previous semi-annual dividend of $1.43.

Institutional Trading of Diageo

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. KMG Fiduciary Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Diageo in the 1st quarter worth about $1,239,000. True North Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the 4th quarter worth about $1,072,000. Empower Advisory Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the 1st quarter worth about $250,000. Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Diageo by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd now owns 725,513 shares of the companys stock worth $125,862,000 after purchasing an additional 3,053 shares during the period. Finally, Level Four Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of Diageo by 10.8% in the 1st quarter. Level Four Advisory Services LLC now owns 5,224 shares of the companys stock worth $946,000 after purchasing an additional 511 shares during the period. 8.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Diageo Company Profile

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Diageo plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, marketing, and sale of alcoholic beverages. It offers scotch, gin, vodka, rum, raki, liqueur, wine, tequila, Chinese white spirits, cachaca, and brandy, as well as beer, including cider and flavoured malt beverages. The company also provides Canadian, Irish, American, and Indian-Made Foreign Liquor whiskies, as well as ready to drink and non-alcoholic products.

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Shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. (NYSE:TV  Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eight research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $7.78.

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on TV shares. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. in a report on Tuesday, September 19th. They issued a hold rating for the company. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, August 30th. TheStreet cut shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a report on Thursday. Benchmark reiterated a buy rating and set a $12.00 price target on shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. in a report on Monday, July 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. from $6.10 to $5.20 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday.

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Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. Price Performance

Shares of TV opened at $3.05 on Wednesday. Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. has a 1-year low of $3.00 and a 1-year high of $6.57. The stock has a market cap of $1.72 billion, a PE ratio of -2.54, a P/E/G ratio of 9.38 and a beta of 1.45. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $4.24 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $4.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 1.74.

Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. (NYSE:TV  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 31st. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.05 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.05 billion. Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. had a negative net margin of 17.11% and a negative return on equity of 9.55%. As a group, analysts forecast that Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. will post 0.06 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Grupo Televisa, S.A.B.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in TV. GABELLI & Co INVESTMENT ADVISERS INC. grew its stake in Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. by 6.2% in the 1st quarter. GABELLI & Co INVESTMENT ADVISERS INC. now owns 51,875 shares of the companys stock valued at $274,000 after acquiring an additional 3,050 shares during the last quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. in the 1st quarter valued at about $62,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. by 160.8% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 177,661 shares of the companys stock valued at $520,000 after purchasing an additional 109,537 shares in the last quarter. Discovery Capital Management LLC CT purchased a new position in Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. in the 4th quarter valued at about $18,446,000. Finally, Vanguard Capital Wealth Advisors purchased a new position in Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. in the 2nd quarter valued at about $205,000. 37.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. Company Profile

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Grupo Televisa, SAB. operates as a media company in the Spanish-speaking Mexico and internationally. It operates through three segments: Cable, Sky, and Other Businesses. The Cable segment operates cable multiple system that provides basic and premium television subscription, pay-per-view, installation, Internet subscription, and telephone and mobile services subscription services, as well as sales local and national advertising services; and telecommunication facilities, which offers data and long-distance services solutions to carriers and other telecommunications service providers through its fiber-optic network.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Invitae (NYSE:NVTA  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Friday.

A number of other equities analysts have also issued reports on NVTA. Piper Sandler lowered their price target on Invitae to $1.50 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on Invitae from $1.50 to $1.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 21st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $2.08.

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Invitae Stock Down 0.4 %

NVTA opened at $0.61 on Friday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $0.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.68, a quick ratio of 2.83 and a current ratio of 2.97. Invitae has a one year low of $0.60 and a one year high of $3.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $161.59 million, a P/E ratio of -0.19 and a beta of 1.70.

Invitae (NYSE:NVTA  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The medical research company reported ($0.30) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.37) by $0.07. Invitae had a negative return on equity of 6,100.71% and a negative net margin of 161.92%. The business had revenue of $120.53 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $121.19 million. Analysts anticipate that Invitae will post -1.41 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Invitae

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NVTA. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its position in Invitae by 9.7% in the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 32,282 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $258,000 after buying an additional 2,845 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its position in Invitae by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 112,499 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $275,000 after buying an additional 3,175 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Invitae by 6.2% in the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 75,269 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $185,000 after buying an additional 4,386 shares during the last quarter. Aviva PLC boosted its position in Invitae by 22.9% in the 1st quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 26,594 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $212,000 after buying an additional 4,954 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Golden State Equity Partners boosted its position in Invitae by 22.0% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Equity Partners now owns 28,325 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $226,000 after buying an additional 5,100 shares during the last quarter. 61.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Invitae Company Profile

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Invitae Corporation, a medical genetics company, that provides genetic information to improve healthcare of people in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company offers genetic tests in various clinical areas, including hereditary cancer, precision oncology, women's health, rare diseases, and pharmacogenomics; digital health solutions; and health data services.

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HSBC assumed coverage on shares of Invitation Homes (NYSE:INVH  Free Report) in a research note published on Friday morning, Briefing.com reports. The firm issued a buy rating and a $38.00 price objective on the stock.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on INVH. BTIG Research downgraded shares of Invitation Homes from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, August 17th. Raymond James raised their price target on Invitation Homes from $35.00 to $38.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, August 28th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Invitation Homes from $36.50 to $38.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, September 1st. 51job reissued a maintains rating on shares of Invitation Homes in a research note on Monday, June 26th. Finally, Evercore ISI reaffirmed an in-line rating and issued a $38.00 price target on shares of Invitation Homes in a research report on Tuesday, September 19th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $35.75.

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Invitation Homes Trading Down 0.2 %

NYSE INVH opened at $31.69 on Friday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $34.12 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $33.55. Invitation Homes has a one year low of $28.52 and a one year high of $36.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.15 and a current ratio of 0.15. The company has a market capitalization of $19.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 0.91.

Invitation Homes (NYSE:INVH  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 26th. The company reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by ($0.22). The business had revenue of $600.37 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $599.45 million. Invitation Homes had a return on equity of 4.25% and a net margin of 18.70%. Equities analysts forecast that Invitation Homes will post 1.75 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Invitation Homes Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 8th were paid a dividend of $0.26 per share. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 7th. Invitation Homess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 146.48%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invitation Homes

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in INVH. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its position in Invitation Homes by 16.1% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 29,600 shares of the companys stock worth $1,189,000 after acquiring an additional 4,111 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC acquired a new position in Invitation Homes in the first quarter valued at about $373,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invitation Homes in the 1st quarter valued at $480,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Invitation Homes by 5.2% in the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 36,134 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,452,000 after purchasing an additional 1,783 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Trust N.A. bought a new stake in Invitation Homes in the first quarter valued at approximately $225,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.79% of the companys stock.

About Invitation Homes

(Get Free Report)

Invitation Homes, an S&P 500 company, is the nation's premier single-family home leasing company, meeting changing lifestyle demands by providing access to high-quality, updated homes with valued features such as close proximity to jobs and access to good schools. The company's mission, "Together with you, we make a house a home," reflects its commitment to providing homes where individuals and families can thrive and high-touch service that continuously enhances residents' living experiences.

Further Reading

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Knife River (NYSE:KNF  Get Free Report) and MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU  Get Free Report) are both mid-cap construction companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation and earnings.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Knife River and MDU Resources Groups gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Knife River $2.53 billion 1.09 $116.22 million N/A N/A MDU Resources Group $6.97 billion 0.57 $367.49 million $2.13 9.19

MDU Resources Group has higher revenue and earnings than Knife River.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

Analyst Recommendations

67.1% of Knife River shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.2% of MDU Resources Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of MDU Resources Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Knife River and MDU Resources Group, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Knife River 0 0 2 0 3.00 MDU Resources Group 0 0 1 0 3.00

Knife River presently has a consensus target price of $61.50, suggesting a potential upside of 25.95%. Given Knife Rivers higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Knife River is more favorable than MDU Resources Group.

Profitability

This table compares Knife River and MDU Resources Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Knife River N/A N/A N/A MDU Resources Group 6.51% 11.50% 4.18%

Summary

MDU Resources Group beats Knife River on 7 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Knife River

(Get Free Report)

Knife River Corporation provides aggregates-based construction materials and contracting services in the United States. It operates through six segments: Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, North Central, South, and Energy Services. It mines, processes, and sells construction aggregates, including crushed stone and sand, and gravel; and produces and sells asphalt and ready-mix concrete, as well as provides contracting services to support the aggregate-based product lines, including heavy-civil construction, asphalt and concrete paving, and site development and grading. It serves various projects related to highways, airports, and other public infrastructure. The company was founded in 1917 and is based in Bismarck, North Dakota.

About MDU Resources Group

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MDU Resources Group, Inc. engages in the regulated energy delivery, and construction materials and services businesses in the United States. It operates through five segments: Electric, Natural Gas Distribution, Pipeline, Construction Materials and Contracting, and Construction Services. The Electric segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and operates 3,400 miles of transmission lines, 4,800 miles of distribution lines, and 84 transmission and 294 distribution substations. The Natural Gas Distribution segment distributes natural gas for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming; and offers related value-added services. The Pipeline segment provides natural gas transportation and underground storage services through a regulated pipeline system primarily in the Rocky Mountain and northern Great Plains regions; and cathodic protection and other energy-related services. The Construction Materials and Contracting segment mines, processes, and sells construction aggregates; produces and sells asphalt; supplies ready-mixed concrete; and sells cement, finished concrete products, merchandise and other building materials, and related contracting services. The Construction Services segment constructs and maintains electrical and communication wiring and infrastructure, fire suppression systems, mechanical piping, and services; overhead and underground electrical, gas, and communication infrastructure construction and maintenance services; and manufactures and distributes transmission lines construction equipment and tools. It serves manufacturing, commercial, industrial, transportation, institutional, and renewable and government customers, as well as utilities. The company was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Bismarck, North Dakota.

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Masco (NYSE:MAS  Free Report) had its target price reduced by Loop Capital from $66.00 to $61.00 in a report published on Friday, MarketBeat reports. They currently have a hold rating on the construction companys stock.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on MAS. TheStreet downgraded shares of Masco from a b rating to a c+ rating in a report on Monday, August 28th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Masco from $66.00 to $74.00 in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Masco from $57.00 to $59.00 in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of Masco from $59.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Finally, Argus increased their target price on shares of Masco from $70.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Masco has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $62.46.

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Masco Price Performance

MAS stock opened at $53.45 on Friday. Masco has a 12 month low of $42.33 and a 12 month high of $63.85. The company has a current ratio of 1.72, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 420.86. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $57.45 and a 200 day moving average price of $54.47. The stock has a market cap of $12.03 billion, a PE ratio of 15.10, a P/E/G ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 1.24.

Masco (NYSE:MAS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The construction company reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.96 by $0.23. The business had revenue of $2.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.08 billion. Masco had a net margin of 9.73% and a negative return on equity of 403.37%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.14 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Masco will post 3.6 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 11th were issued a dividend of $0.285 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 10th. This represents a $1.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.13%. Mascos payout ratio is currently 32.20%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Masco news, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 188,040 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.77, for a total transaction of $11,239,150.80. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 200,305 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,972,229.85. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, VP Renee Straber sold 41,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.13, for a total transaction of $2,518,556.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 31,995 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,955,854.35. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 188,040 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.77, for a total transaction of $11,239,150.80. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 200,305 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,972,229.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Masco

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. DecisionPoint Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Masco during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. M Holdings Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Masco in the second quarter worth $224,000. Barclays PLC increased its holdings in shares of Masco by 70.6% during the second quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 553,654 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $31,768,000 after purchasing an additional 229,153 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Masco by 33.0% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,484 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $85,000 after buying an additional 368 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rehmann Capital Advisory Group acquired a new position in shares of Masco in the 2nd quarter valued at $224,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.67% of the companys stock.

About Masco

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Masco Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes home improvement and building products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company's Plumbing Products segment offers faucets, showerheads, handheld showers, valves, bath hardware and accessories, bathing units, shower bases and enclosures, sinks, toilets, acrylic tubs, shower trays, spas, exercise pools, and fitness systems; brass, copper, and composite plumbing system components; connected water products; thermoplastic solutions, extruded plastic profiles, specialized fabrications, and PEX tubing products; and other non-decorative plumbing products.

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Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPW  Free Report) had its price objective reduced by Truist Financial from $10.00 to $6.00 in a research note published on Friday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

MPW has been the topic of several other research reports. Barclays cut their price target on Medical Properties Trust from $12.00 to $10.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $10.00 price target on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a report on Monday, September 25th. Mizuho cut Medical Properties Trust from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the company from $18.00 to $9.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 31st. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Medical Properties Trust in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Raymond James cut Medical Properties Trust from a strong-buy rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 11th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $10.27.

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Medical Properties Trust Price Performance

Medical Properties Trust Cuts Dividend

Shares of NYSE MPW opened at $5.45 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 2.88 and a current ratio of 2.88. Medical Properties Trust has a fifty-two week low of $4.97 and a fifty-two week high of $14.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.26 billion, a PE ratio of 49.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.08. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $7.50 and its 200-day simple moving average is $8.20.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 12th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 14th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 13th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 11.01%. Medical Properties Trusts payout ratio is 545.45%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Medical Properties Trust

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in MPW. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 3.4% during the second quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC now owns 34,487 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $319,000 after acquiring an additional 1,125 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in Medical Properties Trust by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 84,116 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,778,000 after purchasing an additional 1,164 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC grew its position in Medical Properties Trust by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 199,495 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,847,000 after purchasing an additional 1,240 shares in the last quarter. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in Medical Properties Trust by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. now owns 57,304 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,211,000 after purchasing an additional 1,269 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 11.8% during the 2nd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 12,106 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $112,000 after acquiring an additional 1,279 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.46% of the companys stock.

About Medical Properties Trust

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Medical Properties Trust, Inc is a self-advised real estate investment trust formed in 2003 to acquire and develop net-leased hospital facilities. From its inception in Birmingham, Alabama, the Company has grown to become one of the world's largest owners of hospital real estate with 444 facilities and approximately 44,000 licensed beds in ten countries and across four continents.

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Saul Centers (NYSE:BFS  Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Saturday.

Separately, B. Riley lifted their target price on shares of Saul Centers from $38.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, August 11th.

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Saul Centers Stock Performance

Insider Buying and Selling at Saul Centers

Shares of BFS opened at $35.27 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $37.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $36.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $844.36 million, a PE ratio of 21.51 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.93. Saul Centers has a 52-week low of $32.13 and a 52-week high of $44.09.

In other news, CEO B Francis Saul II bought 7,903 shares of Saul Centers stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $37.08 per share, for a total transaction of $293,043.24. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 133,091 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,935,014.28. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 50.50% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Saul Centers

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Saul Centers by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,173,348 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $81,500,000 after buying an additional 9,394 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Saul Centers by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,053,310 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $75,623,000 after buying an additional 83,678 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Saul Centers by 4.9% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 503,450 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $19,635,000 after buying an additional 23,669 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Saul Centers by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 273,410 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $10,070,000 after buying an additional 3,718 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Saul Centers by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 233,574 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $11,004,000 after buying an additional 11,800 shares during the last quarter. 44.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Saul Centers Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Saul Centers, Inc is a self-managed, self-administered equity REIT headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, which currently operates and manages a real estate portfolio of 61 properties, which includes (a) 50 community and neighborhood shopping centers and seven mixed-use properties with approximately 9.8 million square feet of leasable area and (b) four non-operating land and development properties.

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DR Congo's Denis Mukwege, a surgical gynecologist who won the 2018 Nobel Prize, announced a presidential bid Monday ahead of elections in the central African nation planned for December.

Speaking to a packed auditorium in the capital Kinshasa, the 68-year-old told supporters he was standing in order to put a stop to insecurity and poor leadership.

"I agree to be your candidate for president of the Republic," he told the gathering.

Mukwege was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 alongside Yazidi activist Nadia Murad for efforts to end sexual violence as a weapon of war.

The pioneering doctor founded the Panzi Hospital and Foundation in the conflict-torn eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after witnessing the horrific injuries and diseases suffered by rape victims.

Dozens of militias have ravaged eastern DRC for years, a legacy of regional wars that flared during the 1990s and 2000s.

One such militia, the M23, has captured swathes of territory since launching an offensive in late 2021.

Parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled to be held in the DRC on December 20. Incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi is running for re-election.

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Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has expressed worry over the apparent slow pace with which Nigerian authorities are moving as regards preparations for Hajj 2024.

The Civil Society Organisation (CSO) says the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has made it clear to all Hajj participating countries even before Hajj 2023 was rounded up that preparations for Hajj 2024 have begun.

The Ministry also informed most countries of their Hajj quota and the new policies in place for next years Hajj.

Specifically, the Ministry said all Hajj formalities are to be concluded at least 45 days before Hajj 2024 because the Visa issuance portal would be closed by that date.

This, according to IHR in a statement Monday signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, means that Nigeria has about 4 months from now to conclude making all necessary arrangements such as collection and deposit of pilgrims fares, signing of MOU and engagement with service providers both at home and in Saudi Arabia.

While we acknowledge the recent advice by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria for pilgrims to save N4.5 million as a deposit, we believe that is not enough.

Currently, states have less than 120 days to register 2024 intending pilgrims and we are aware of the uncertainties around how much will be the equivalent of dollar components in the hajj rate template.

In addition, we expect that all states should have announced the commencement of registration of intending pilgrims while NAHCON on its part moves with lightning speed to negotiate how to get the foreign exchange component benchmark of the forthcoming pilgrimage. Anything short of that is simply risking Nigerians participation in Hajj 2024, IHR said.

The CSO also said it expects both NAHCON and the states to have vigorously begun an enlightenment campaign regarding the existing FX policy and how it affects the Hajj fare. States Pilgrims boards must as a matter of urgent embark on state-wide publicity on 2024 registration as every other arrangement is tied to the number of pilgrims that will be registered by the states.

As far as we are concerned, both NAHCON and the states have no option but to close ranks and work in harmony with regards to the Hajj Saving scheme because it is the best avenue available for pilgrims to save gradually and travel for Hajj whenever their savings are enough to enable them to secure a slot The recent short and shortened hajj calendar made this option imperative.

IHR commended NAHCON for setting up a committee to search for new service providers in Saudi Arabia, the CSO however, noted that the commission should weigh the possible implications of assigning about 95,000 pilgrims to new service providers who have no previous experience in serving Nigerian Pilgrims.

More importantly, it said, all registered Mutawiff in the Kingdom have their allotted pilgrims It is like moving from known challenges to unknown but certain headaches, IHR said.

IHR added that both NAHCON and the States Muslim Pilgrims Boards should expeditiously embark on a nationwide campaign targeting Muslims who intend to perform the 2024 hajj to pay their deposits as soon as possible because any further delay endangers their participation in the 2024 Hajj.

Signed

Ibrahim Muhammed

Independent Hajj Reporters

2nd October 2023


The trajectory of Nigerian independence is a complex and multifaceted story that spans decades, marked by struggles, negotiations, and significant historical events. This essay will explore the journey of Nigeria from colonial rule to independence, focusing on key milestones and figures that played crucial roles in shaping the nation's destiny.

Colonial Era

Nigeria's path to independence begins with its colonization by the British Empire in the late 19th century. British imperialists gradually extended their control over various regions and ethnic groups within present-day Nigeria. This colonization had a profound impact on the social, political, and economic structures of the country. The British established a system of indirect rule, governing through local traditional rulers.

Emergence of Nationalism

The early 20th century saw the emergence of Nigerian nationalism. Nigerian intellectuals, such as Herbert Macaulay and Nnamdi Azikiwe, began to advocate for self-determination and greater political participation for Nigerians. The first political parties, like the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), were formed to articulate the demands of the people.

World War II and the Richards Constitution

World War II played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria's path to independence. The war created a need for African support, and Nigerians actively participated. In the post-war period, there was a growing demand for political reforms. The Richards Constitution of 1946 introduced limited reforms, including the establishment of regional houses of assembly, though it fell short of satisfying nationalist aspirations.

Macpherson Constitution and Regional Autonomy

The Macpherson Constitution of 1951 granted further autonomy to Nigeria's regions, allowing them to control more aspects of their governance. This move was an attempt to address regional disparities and accommodate ethnic diversity. However, it also deepened ethnic and regional divisions.

1954 and 1959 Constitutional Conferences

Constitutional conferences held in 1954 and 1959 were significant steps toward Nigerian independence. The 1954 conference led to the creation of a federal system of government, while the 1959 conference set the stage for full self-government and independence. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa emerged as Nigeria's first Prime Minister.

Road to Independence

On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule. This momentous occasion marked the end of over half a century of British domination. Nigeria's new leaders faced numerous challenges, including the need to unite a diverse population, manage ethnic tensions, and build a stable democracy.

Challenges and Conflicts

Nigeria's early years of independence were marked by ethnic and regional conflicts. The First Republic, under the leadership of Prime Minister Balewa, faced challenges related to political instability and ethnic rivalry. This period also witnessed the secessionist attempt of Biafra, which led to the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970).

Military Rule

The instability of the First Republic culminated in a series of military coups in the 1960s and early 1970s. This led to a prolonged period of military rule, with leaders like General Yakubu Gowon, General Murtala Muhammed, and General Olusegun Obasanjo taking charge. The military regimes were characterized by authoritarianism and economic mismanagement.

Return to Democracy

It was not until 1999 that Nigeria returned to civilian rule. This followed years of military rule, civil unrest, and struggles for democracy. Olusegun Obasanjo became Nigeria's first civilian president in the Fourth Republic. Since then, Nigeria has held several democratic elections, though the country has continued to grapple with issues such as corruption, insecurity, and economic challenges.

In conclusion, the trajectory of Nigerian independence is a complex and multifaceted journey marked by a struggle for self-determination, the challenges of ethnic diversity, and the legacies of colonialism. Nigeria's independence in 1960 was a significant milestone, but it was followed by years of political instability, military rule, and democratic struggles. While the country has made progress in various aspects of its development, it continues to face a range of challenges as it strives to fulfill its vast potential on the African continent.
In the aftermath of massive flooding that killed some 20,000 people, Crisis Group expert Claudia Gazzini travelled to Libya to look into what caused the disaster and who might bear responsibility.

After visiting Derna and witnessing the devastation caused when the citys two dams crumbled in the early hours of 11 September, I decided to see what remains of the largest of the barriers, the Wadi Bu Mansour Dam. It was the collapse of this dam and another smaller one on the citys outskirts, known locally as Sadd al-Bilad (City Dam), that turned the flooding of Derna into a human tragedy. I wanted to understand what happened that night and why the dam did not withstand the torrential rainfall that the huge Mediterranean storm named Daniel had unleashed on eastern Libya the day before.

See the first part of this Our Journeys series on Libya here.

To reach the source of the deluge requires a major detour, because the road that flanks the valley and connects it to the city was wiped away along with everything else in its vicinity. As a result, a journey of what would have been 13km is now more than seven times as long. An old Libyan friend from the area accompanied me when I went. We drove south from Derna into the desert and then slowly made our way through the barren hills and deep valleys of the Green Mountains. We passed a checkpoint called Bawaba al-Nuwar, which has an ignominious past: when Islamic State militants controlled Derna between 2014 and 2016, guards killed many military officers who were travelling along the road connecting Tobruk to Benghazi. A row of rocks was blocking the last stretch of asphalt leading to the dam, but we managed to manoeuvre around it.

A view of Wadi Bu Mansur valley as seen from a cliff overhanging the Wadi Bu Mansur dam, 13km south of Derna in eastern Libya days after its collapse, September 2023. CRISIS GROUP / Claudia Gazzini

I wanted to find out why this dam built by a Yugoslav company in the mid-1970s fell apart. Libyans, rightfully outraged by the calamity that killed an estimated 20,000 people (with thousands still missing), have blamed politicians for failing either to properly maintain the dam or to give orders in time for Derna residents to evacuate, even though they knew that a dangerous storm was headed toward the city. There are other theories circulating about the collapse. Some Derna residents say the dams valves were not open when Daniel hit, which would have made it much more vulnerable to failure in a storm of that magnitude. There are also troubling allegations about politicians embezzling funds earmarked for the dams renovation.

Which official Libyans single out for censure often depends on which side they pledge allegiance to in the countrys fragmented political system. Since 2022, the administration has been split between an internationally recognised government headed by Abdelhamid Dabaiba based in Tripoli, and its rival in eastern Libya, led by Osama Hamad. It is the Hamad government, backed by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftars Libyan National Army, that oversees the east and has control of Derna. Western Libyan activists opposed to Haftar point their fingers at him and his forces. In turn, Haftars forces tend to scapegoat Dernas former mayor, who is related to the east-based parliament speaker, Aghila Saleh. Both men come from the Derna area. Saleh backs the east-based government, and is nominally a Haftar ally, but he has been at loggerheads with the field marshal over the past year. For their part, Tripoli-based Islamists intimate that Egypt (which backs Haftar) blew up the two dams intentionally, though I have seen no evidence supporting this charge. No matter which side they fall on, most ordinary Libyans are inclined to blame some combination of neglect and malfeasance, rather than solely forces of nature, for the disaster.

At the Site

When I arrived at a cliff overlooking Wadi Bu Mansour, it dawned on me what may have happened that terrible night. Below lay a valley at least 200m deep that descends from the south and continues to the north. It is a dry valley, which collects water only when it rains. I could see just the last 10km of it, but I knew from maps that upstream it goes on for at least another 100km to the west, running roughly parallel to the Mediterranean coast. At the bottom of the valley, I detected what remained of the dam: a clay mound that used to be covered with rocks. (More technically minded people called the Wadi Bu Mansour structure a clay-injected embankment dam.) Water smashed through the central part, breaking up the road that ran along the top of the dam. Experts say this type of clay-and-rock dam is quite sturdy, but its foundations are vulnerable to the eroding effects of overflows, especially when it is built on a clay base, as appears to have been the case here.

Crisis Groups senior analyst Claudia Gazzini takes photos of what remains of the Wadi Bu Mansur dam, 13km south of Derna in eastern Libya days after its collapse, September 2023.CRISIS GROUP

Eyewitnesses told me the flood seemed to come out of nowhere. At sunset, the valley was still dry, a young man who lives nearby said. He was referring to a valley that descends at least 200m and feeds into Wadi Bu Mansour. The dams security guard joined us and gave a recitation of that evenings events that confirmed what the young man said. The dam started filling up around 8pm, but at midnight it was only half-full. It was between midnight and 2am that [the water] started rising at a dangerous speed. By 2am, the water reached 2m above the dam, pouring over to the other side. That gradually weakened the dams structure, causing it to collapse, he said. We could hear the friction of the rocks as they gave way, which also left a peculiar smell of burnt material in the air. The dam finally caved in at 2:40am.

The guard added an important data point to this description. The valves of the dams passageways were open  and had been since the 1990s. Later, I spoke by telephone to his boss in Derna, Abdullah Tunisi, who is in charge of the dams in the valley; subsequently, I spoke with Tunisis superior in Benghazi, Abdelqader al-Sweisi, who administers all the dams in eastern Libya. Both work under the authority of the Tripoli-based governments water ministry. They both asserted that the valves had been open since the 1990s. Tunisi explained that the dam was originally conceived for irrigation, but in the late 1980s officials realised it had structural problems (as water was leaking from underneath it, creating a new canal), and so they stopped using it to retain water. For this reason, the valves were left open. If the valves were in fact open, that would undermine the allegation that has circulated in Derna pinning some of the blame for the calamity on the dam operators. A number of Derna residents, however, say they do not believe the valves were open. They claim that local farmers closed the valves to irrigate pomegranate trees at the base of the dried-up wadi below the dam.

Pomegranate trees in Wadi Bu Mansur valley downstream from the collapsed Wadi Bu Mansur dam, 13km south of Derna. The region is considered the best producer of the fruit in Libya, and pomegranate farms downstream were washed away, 23 September, 2023.CRISIS GROUP / Claudia Gazzini

I am not in a position to determine who is correct, but according to the Tripoli-based water ministrys calculations, the dam was doomed no matter how it had been operated.Up to 100 million cubic metres of water may have filled the valley that night. The pressure it generated eventually led the dam, which is designed to retain no more than 22 million cubic metres of water, to collapse. Sweisi told me that the total water discharge capacity of the dam is 170 cubic metres per second but, that night, we calculated that to discharge all the water entering the valley would have required a discharge capacity of 1,200 cubic metres per second. In essence, according to their calculations, what befell Derna was a natural disaster rather than one of human provenance.

One point upon which there appears to be widespread agreement is that almost no one in Derna or in the dams vicinity saw the calamity coming. Just a few days before the storm, a group of Derna residents met to discuss how to protect themselves. A person who attended the meeting said no one seemed overly alarmed. It was a theoretical, hypothetical discussion, he said. It did not prompt anyone to alert the authorities and warn of serious danger of collapse.

A few days later, I met Abdelmonem al-Gaithi, the mayor of Derna who was fired in the storms aftermath, in a hotel lobby in al-Bayda, a city to the west. (Four days after our meeting, he was arrested and taken into custody.) During our meeting, he claimed that nobody in the city had suggested to us that the storm could cause the dam to collapse. Furthermore, in the days before the storm struck eastern Libya, the local authorities principal concern was Benghazi, the regions main city, which lies in what was Daniels predicted path. Instead, the storm unexpectedly turned east, leaving Benghazi relatively unscathed. He also rejected the claim that the Derna municipal council he headed bore any responsibility for the dams maintenance. Dams are strategic sites, and they come under the authority of the competent ministries, not of the local council, he said.

What remains of the Wadi Bu Mansur dam, 13km south of Derna in eastern Libya days after floods caused its collapse, September 2023. CRISIS GROUP / Claudia Gazzini

In Derna, the greatest fear before the storm was that it could damage the seafront residential area. We thought the danger would come from the sea, al-Gaithi said. Residents were also bracing for a possible overflow of the dams  something they had experienced already twice before  but not the dams actual collapse. The mayor nevertheless insisted that the citys emergency committee set up three days before the storm had given orders to evacuate the three neighbourhoods (Sayda Khadija, Heyy al-Bilad and Jebeila) most at risk of flooding because they were on lower ground. On social media there are videos that show policemen in their vehicles instructing people to leave. Unfortunately, few heeded the warning, the mayor told me.

Unanswered Questions

Still, Libyans across the country suspect that the authorities are to blame, and their suspicions are understandable. Since the tragedy, it has been widely reported that while the authorities knew that the dam needed upkeep, the necessary maintenance was never done. As far back as the 1990s, when Colonel Muammar al-Qadhafi still reigned over Libya, Sweisi said, government officials understood that Wadi Bu Mansour had structural deficiencies. We contracted a Swiss consultancy to study the issue and draw up a plan for how to resolve it, he told me. Eventually, we hired a Turkish company to carry out the dams renovation works. The company, Arsel, signed a contract in 2008 and started working on the dam in 2010. Sweisi said the two-year lag in starting work on the dam was due to delays in payment. Then, with the 2011 uprising against Qadhafi and the ensuing NATO-led intervention that led to his ouster, the Turkish team left. Subsequently, thieves made off with all the equipment Arsel had left behind.

Sweisi went on to explain that in 2014, the government (then led by Prime Minister Ali Zeidan) signed a new contract with Arsel, compensating it for the lost equipment. But by that time, Islamic State militants had taken over Derna and the security situation did not allow the company to resume the renovation. By the time other local Islamists defeated the Islamic State, and the Haftar-led Libyan National Army subsequently stepped in to control Derna, it was 2018. By then, Libya had already split into two rival governments, one in the east and the other in Tripoli. Turkiye was supporting the Tripoli government, with which Arsel had the contract. It was thus impossible for the company to operate in the east.

Still, Sweisi was categorical that the disaster could not have been prevented even if a brand-new dam in tip-top condition with the same dimensions had served as the barrier. Not even a perfectly new dam could have blocked that amount of water, he told me. For us, this was 100 per cent a natural disaster, echoing the Tripoli-based water ministrys official position.

Maybe Sweisi is right, but it is hard to be sure. The tragedy indeed started as a natural phenomenon: a passing storm dropping record-breaking volumes of rain. But it is also clear that the infrastructure protecting Derna was not in optimal condition and that its neglect had many parents. War and political division are among them, but there are also questions about how the renovation contract with Arsel was managed. In particular, The New York Times has raised questions about whether some of the money allocated for rehabilitation of the dam went to kickbacks to Libyan officials.

The control tower and the overflow spillway of the Wadi Bu Mansur dam are seen still standing on days after heavy rain caused the collapse of the dam and in turn the catastrophic destruction of Derna, September 2023.CRISIS GROUP / Claudia Gazzini

Libyas audit bureau, which has hundreds of documents related to the Arsel contract, has handed them over to the General Prosecutors office for investigation. The latter is conducting a range of probes of the dam collapse and he has reportedly ordered the detention of several individuals in relation thereto. Both Tunisi and Sweisi could be among those who have been detained as part of these inquiries (I could not reach them by telephone at the time of writing). If they have been detained, it does not mean they are guilty or that a crime has been committed, of course: in Libya people can be arrested without probable cause. Adherence to due process safeguards will be critically important as Libyan authorities look into why the dams burst  both to avoid ensnaring innocent people and to help make sure the truth comes out.

Finally, there is a further reason to question whether this tragedy would have happened in a country with a functioning and unified government, one in which the population trusts state institutions. Many Derna residents are deeply wary of the security forces controlling the city after years of strife as well as the war to defeat the Islamic State, in the later phase of which the Haftar-led forces also targeted Islamist groups that enjoyed popular support. Some suggest this history could have led people to resist the polices evacuation orders.

What Now?

To reach a definitive assessment of what happened on 10-11 September, local and international experts will need to verify precipitation levels, carry out on-site inspections of what remains of the Wadi Bu Mansour dam, analyse contracts and other documents, and speak with eyewitnesses. Understandably, Libyans want answers. Given peoples pervasive distrust of their countrys institutions, the authorities and foreign partners should consider appointing an independent commission of inquiry tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into this tragedy. It is too late for the thousands of people lost in the Derna flood, but the lessons learned can help the city prepare for a safer future, while also offering insights to other communities that sit downstream of dams and may be similarly exposed.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed shock and deep sadness over the passing into glory of a foremost Nigerian educationist and one of the pioneer medical doctors from Northern Nigeria, Emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu, CFR, on Monday.

Born in 1930 in Maiduguri, Borno State, the Nonagenarian was 92 when he passed away.

President Tinubu described Emeritus Professor Shehu's death as a big blow to the country, saying that his death had closed a glorious chapter of illustrious service to Nigeria, Nigerians, and humanity as a whole.

"Emeritus Professor Shehu was a giant, even among that legendary generation of pioneering indigenous professionals in our country, and the story of his life is saturated with many first, golden steps across the realms of medical practice, school administration, and humanitarian services.

"The renowned Professor of Medicine has always served Nigeria meritoriously and bestowed on all Nigerians a sense of pride with his indelible breakthroughs and innovative approaches to the administration of health and medical education around the world. Nigeria was indeed blessed to have him as both a patriotic son and as a worthy global representative in his fields of endeavour," the President gratefully stated.

Trained at the defunct University College-Ibadan, the University of Liverpool and the University of London, among others, Emeritus Professor Shehu spent a lifetime straddling Nigeria's medical and higher education institutions, in addition to several remarkable engagements on the global stage.

The legendary academician served variously as a Deputy Vice Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and Sole Administrator of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and the University of Maiduguri, respectively. He successfully taught and mentored generations of medical practitioners, both in Nigeria and in the United Kingdom, and served at different times as the Country Coordinator of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Nigeria and Ethiopia.

President Tinubu shared his profound condolences with the people and Government of Borno State, the deceased statesman's family, the Nigerian medical community, and so many others, who are grieving around the world over the colossal loss of this Nigerian icon, mentor, father, son, and dedicated professional.

The President also prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased academician and statesman.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

October 2, 2023


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured an arrest warrant for former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The EFCC Acting spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development to newsmen on Monday.

It was further gathered that the anti-graft agency has also initiated extradition proceedings to bring the former minister back to Nigeria.

Recall that Alison-Madueke was arraigned today at the Westminster Magistrates Court in London, the United Kingdom, following bribery allegations.

The charges preferred against her at the London court are different from the 13-count charge bordering on money laundering the EFCC have levelled against her.

The EFCC further stated, It is instructive to note that criminality is criminality, irrespective of jurisdictional differences. No crime can go unpunished.

The money laundering charges for which Madueke is answerable to the EFCC cover jurisdictions in Dubai, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Nigeria.

To bring the former minister to trial in Nigeria, an arrest warrant has been obtained, and extradition proceedings have been initiated.

The commission is on course on her trial. She will soon have her day in our courts, he added.

Today, at the Westminster Magistrates Court, the district judge, Michael Snow, granted Alison-Madueke a 70,000 bail.

Furthermore, Snow imposed other terms on Alison-Madueke, including an 11p.m. to 6a.m. curfew, an electronic tag to be worn by her at all times and a 70,000 surety to be paid before she could leave the court building.

According to reports, she did not formally enter a plea. But her attorney, Mark Bowen, told the court that she would plead not guilty.

Her next court appearance is at Southwark Crown Court on October 30.
The United States on Monday renewed its call for an international monitoring mission in Azerbaijani-controlled Nagorno-Karabakh as it declined to weigh in on whether "ethnic cleansing" took place with the flight of ethnic Armenians.

A United Nations mission arrived Sunday for the first time in about 30 years in the mountainous territory after Azerbaijani forces ousted ethnic Armenian separatists and almost the entire population of the territory fled to Armenia.

The team departed after one day in the enclave, with UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric telling reporters Monday that the mission to assess humanitarian needs "did not come across any reports... of violence against civilians" following the latest ceasefire in the wake of last month's lightning Azerbaijani takeover.

UN representatives visited the eerily silent Stepanakert, the region's capital, and "saw no damage to civilian public infrastructure," Dujarric said in New York, adding: "However, no shops seemed to be open."

In Washington, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said a longer-term force could monitor the situation for the sake of residents who wish to return.

"We are reiterating our call for an independent international monitoring mission that would provide transparency and reassurance to the population of Nagorno-Karabakh that the rights and (security) of ethnic Armenians would be protected, particularly for any of those that wish to return," Miller told reporters.

"Azerbaijan has made those assurances. We think there ought to be an international monitoring mission there to observe and guarantee them," he said.

He declined to weigh in on whether there had been "ethnic cleansing," as claimed by Armenians, but said the United States took the allegations "seriously."

"We won't shy from taking appropriate actions to respond to allegations of atrocities and promote accountability for those responsible," Miller said.

"But as always, the determination regarding genocide or ethnic cleansing is based on a deliberate, evidence-based process."

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Patong widow gets help in fight against termites

PHUKET: Local officials have completed renovations to the home of a 71-year-old widow in Patong whose house had suffered extensive damage by termites.

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By The Phuket News

Monday 2 October 2023 06:12 PM

The renovations to the two-story wooden house, on Nanai Rd, were carried out under a joint project involving the Phuket branch of the Red Cross Society along with Patong Municipality and the Phuket Office of Social Development and Human Security, explained a report by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket).

Leading the delegation today (Oct 2) was Ornsiri Raktaengam, of the Social Welfare Department, joined by Phuket Red Cross members and officials from the Phuket Social Development and Human Security Office and Patong Municipality.

A small ceremony was held to mark the occasion, including attaching to the home a small sign marking the renovations completed by the project.

Charuay Singha, 71, a widow, lives on the ground floor of the home, while three of her grandchildren live in one open room upstairs, PR Phuket explained.

Ms Charuay does not have a job. Her total income is B2,000 a month that her grandchildren give her plus the B700 per month elderly living allowance. The grandchildren do have jobs, but the familys total income is B99,000 per year.

The roof supports, the floor of the second floor and the walls of the second floor house had all suffered extensive damage from termites.

Ms Charuay had appealed for help to only repair the floor of the second floor. However, by pooling their efforts, officials were authorised to spend B80,000, which saw the upstairs walls and floor replaced, and electric lighting added at four places in the house.

The project aimed to provide suitable and safe living quarters for the elderly and provide them with a better quality of life, the PR Phuket report explained.
Phuket Rajabhat students to graduate according to gender identity

PHUKET: Students at Phuket Rajabhat University, north of Phuket Town, this year will be allowed to graduate by dressing in accordance with their identified gender.

Monday 2 October 2023 03:33 PM

Asst Prof Dr Thawatchai Thumthong, Vice President of Phuket Rajabhat University, confirmed the formal acceptance of modern gender identities at a university seminar today (Oct 2).

The seminar, titled "Looking from another perspective, adjusting to the LGBTQ+ perspective and expressing oneself through language in the midst of equality, was organised by Thai Liberal Arts students studying Thai-language majors under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Gender equality is extremely important and has many perspectives from the United Nations. At the same time, students have applied it when studying through student research, together reflecting societys perspective, Asst Prof Dr Thawatchai said.

This year, Phuket Rajabhat University has given students the opportunity to dress according to their gender when receiving their diplomas for gender equality as well, he added.

Dr Thawatchai praised the students who organised the event because it gave the project participants direct and useful experience and corresponds to the situation that is currently receiving attention.

Concerning the call for gender equality among the LGBTQ+ group, especially the issue of language use, in order to create understanding among people in society, respecting the rights of people of every gender and group will lead to true equality between the genders, Dr Thawatchai said.

Suthiyan Thanasapkasem, on behalf of the project chairman, said, Changing times have seen people with diverse sexualities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, play a greater role.

Studying the language use of the LGBTQ+ group is therefore one option for better understanding the LGBTQ+ group, especially studying the use of language in calling for equality on social media.

The use of appropriate vocabulary when using sentences or telling stories when expressing oneself through the use of language in various forms allows people to freely reflect ones own ideas, he added.
Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks, Feb. 7, 2023, in Redmond, Wash. Nadella says unfair tactics used by Google led to its dominance as a search engine. Nadella's comments came in a landmark antitrust trial against Googles parent company, Alphabet. He told a packed Washington, D.C., courtroom Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 that Googles actions weakened Microsofts search engine Bing. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, file)

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said Monday that unfair tactics used by Google led to its dominance as a search engine, tactics that in turn have thwarted his company's rival program, Bing.

Nadella testified in a packed Washington, D.C., courtroom as part of the government's landmark antitrust trial against Google's parent company, Alphabet. The Justice Department alleges Google has abused the dominance of its ubiquitous search engine to throttle competition and innovation at the expense of consumers, allegations that echo a similar case brought against Microsoft in the late 1990s.

Nadella said Google's dominance was due to agreements that made it the default browser on smartphones and computers. He downplayed the idea that artificial intelligence or more niche search engines like Amazon or social media sites have meaningfully changed the market in which Microsoft competes with Google.

Nadella said users fundamentally don't have much choice in switching out of default web browsers on cell phones and computers.

We are one of the alternatives but were not the default, he said.

Google's lead litigator John Schmidtlein questioned Nadella about instances when users switched from Bing to Google even when Microsoft's search engine had default status on their devices  arguing that Microsoft made missteps with Bing that prevented it from rivaling Google.

When questioned, Nadella denied that Bing's adoption of artificial intelligence had led to dramatic shifts in its market share. Google has argued that artificial intelligence programs like chatbot ChatGPT have increased competition in the search engine market.

Even the app store downloads are interesting but not ... something you write home about, Nadella said about Microsoft's revamped search engine enhanced with artificial intelligence.

Nadella was called to the witness stand as the biggest U.S. antitrust trial in the past quarter-century moved into its fourth week of testimony before U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who isnt expected to issue a decision in the case until next year.

The Justice Department's antitrust case against Google centers on deals the company struck with Apple and other device makers to use Googles search engine.

In the 1990s, Microsoft faced accusations it set up its Windows software in ways that walled off applications made by other tech companies, just as Google is now facing accusations of shelling out billions of dollars each year to lock in its search engine as the go-to place for finding online information on smartphones and web browsers.

In an ironic twist, the constraints and distractions posed by the governments antitrust case against Microsoft helped provide a springboard for Google to turn its search engine into a dominant force. By the time Microsoft started its scramble to develop its own search engine, Google had already become synonymous with looking things up on the internet.

But Microsoft nevertheless has poured billions of dollars trying to mount a serious challenge to Google with Bing and, at one point, even tried to buy Yahoo for more than $40 billion in a bid that was rejected while Steve Ballmer was still the software makers CEO.

Nadella, who was working at Microsoft during the late 1990s antitrust showdown with the Justice Department, succeeded Ballmer as CEO in 2014. During his tenure, he has steered to Microsoft huge gains in personal and cloud computing that have boosted the companys stock price by nearly nine -fold since he took over while creating more than $2 trillion in shareholder wealth.

Despite all that success, he hasnt been able to make any significant inroads in search against Google, with Bing still a distant second in the market.
The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) announced on Monday that Thursday 5 October will be an official holiday for banks to celebrate the anniversary of the Sixth of October 1973 War.

CBE said that banks operating in Egypt will be back to work on Sunday 8 October.

On 27 September, the Egyptian cabinet announced that this Thursday will be a paid holiday for public sector employees in light of the anniversary of the Armed Forces Day, which falls this year on Friday of the current week.

The country will celebrate on 6 October the 50th anniversary of its victory against Israel under the leadership of late President Anwar El-Sadat.

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Phungyo Baptist Church ( PBC) at a glance; recalling the days of Pettigrew

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Okluithan Addie Chiphang

Contd from previous issue

So it was not until February 19 that the school was opened with 20 of the village boys including the most influential man of the village? ~Raihao . Another 11 boys from Hundung joined the school later. Unlike the school in the valley, ho objection was made to Christian truth being taught. The school was open daily With singing and prayer. On Sundays they came together to singing and to listen to thy Gospel stories. The work thus gradually grew and co-workers were asked for, but objected to by the Chief Commissioner.

In September 1901, 15 students confessed to Christ but it was decided that only those who were willing to give up drinking of the village Zam' mild or strong be baptised and so on 29th only 12 of them got baptised, and in 1802 a church was organised. The Church grew by and by but in 1908, it was broken up over a tribal feast and only 7 out of the total church members withstood the test, These seven in fact were the nucleus of the Tangkhul Church today.

During World War I, a contingent of labour corps was called for service in France. But the Political Agent, in spite of all his efforts could not raise the volunteers, because no one wanted to leave one's village for an unknown land. He therefore requested Rev. Pettigrew who was at that time temporarily stationed at Gauhati doing the Mission Treasurers work to come and help him in raising the volunteers. Rev. & Mrs. Pettigrew returned to Ukhrul and did the job - of the 2000 men who formed the Manipur Labour Corps, 1200 of them were from the Tangkhul tribe. Pettigrew was awarded the Kaisar-I-Hind Silver Medal for his distinguished public service.

He was also a recipient of a War medal for military service as a commissioned officer in the British army and we have a letter to say as to how he should be designated:

(No. 63/5809 (MS3) Military Secretarys Branch Army headquarters, India Shimla 215t/24th July 22 You will be gazetted out as relinquishing your Commission in the IARO from 18t May 1922 with Permission to retain the rank of captain. You Should designate yourself in future as Captain the Rev. W. Pettigrew.

Captain the Rev, W. Pettigrew gave forty-four years of his life to the work, which the Lord laid upon his heart. He endured hardships as a good captain of Christ Jesus and of the State as well.

In 1933 he was compelled to leave Manipur owing to the sickness of his wife, which required a surgical operation. They reached the USA in December and had Christmas with their children Jesse, Douglas, Will and Peggy (Margaret). Alice Goreham Pettigrew preceded her husband in death on January 10, 1934 following a serious operation. Her funeral services were held in Cornwell, Conn. In the Church where Peggy's husband was the Pastor. Alices husband Pettigrew remarked at her grave: "This was like coming home, for the cemetery was on a hill at the foothills of the Lichfield hills, a hill like those in Ukhrul ''.

Months after, when Pettigrew was one day studying in the Boston Library, he met Miss Etel A Masssales, a single missionary who had first served at Impur, then at Nowgong and had recently moved to Burma (now Myanmar) to serve at the Girls High School in Mandalay and was home on furlough. That was a Jove at first sight. Their relationship grew and culminated in their marriage on November 3 1934 after which they sailed to London where they had ten happy years together.

During the Great World war I, Pettigrew again served as a Night-Fire Watcher during the Nazi blitz during which he wrote to his daughter Peggy in USA to  Keep the faith that right would always win and perhaps that was the last word Peggy heard from her father.Captain the Rev. W., Pettigrew died at Plymouth, England, April 10, 1944 and was buried in the Pinner Cemetery, London.


Manipur violence: War for Chin-Kuki State

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With the National Investigation Agency (NIA) unearthing a conspiracy by Chin-Kuki-Mizo militant groups with other Chin-Kuki-Mizo militants based in Myanmar and Bangladesh to indulge in violence by undertaking territorial strikes with an intention to create a separate State inhabited by the Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribes by carving out territories from India, Bangladesh and Myanmar and to wage war against the Government of India, the real picture of the Manipur crisis is finally emerging from beneath the volumes and volumes of false narratives. We have already questioned in this same column whether the violent conflict gave rise to the demand for separate administration/State or the full scale aggression against Meitei people was engineered in pursuit of the political goal of separate State. As revealed by the NIAs investigation, it is most likely that the Chin-Kuki-Mizo militant groups launched a military campaign on May 3, 2023 to carve out an exclusive political domain of their own. In another word, it is the political goal of separate State which drove and fuelled the widespread violence. Once the driving force which ignited and sustained the violence is established, who are the aggressors and who are the victims will become quite obvious. Any keen observer would have certainly noticed that area domination is one key aspect of the Chin-Kuki militant groups military aggression. The Chin-Kuki militant groups military aggression is not limited to area domination. Ethnic cleansing is another major aspect of the military campaign. Remember how Meitei people were driven out of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Moreh within days of launching the military offensive against unarmed Meitei population. Apart from driving out Meitei people from Kuki dominated areas, the Kuki militants also attacked Meitei villages in several peripheral areas of the valley districts. As the Meitei people were totally caught unaware and unprepared, they (Kuki militants) overran and captured many of these Meitei villages although they were repulsed from some areas. After driving out the residents, the Kuki militants not only occupied the Meitei villages but also built bunkers and fortified these places as witnessed in Phougakchao, Torbung etc. This is unmistakably a military strategy to lay claim over these areas permanently, if possible.

The arrest of a key leader of a Chin-Kuki-Mizo militant group is indeed a landmark breakthrough. The NIA has not yet divulged the name of the militant group to which the militant belongs but people would certainly like to know the name of the militant group. Here it must be noted that there is a widespread suspicion of involvement of Chin-Kuki militant groups which are under of Suspension of Operation or SoO in short with the Government of India and the Government of Manipur in the protracted violence. In fact, many civil society organisations have been vehemently demanding abrogation of SoO notwithstanding the repeated clarifications from that the State and its military agencies that SoO cadres, their arms and ammunition are intact in their designated camps. If the particular man arrested by the NIA is a cadre of a SoO group, it would not be wrong to say that the militant groups under SoO have been fooling both the Government of India and Government of Manipur all these days. In that case, both New Delhi and Imphal need to review the Suspension of Operation agreement immediately. Even if the particular man does not belong to any militant group under SoO agreement, the NIA said that Myanmar and Bangladesh based militant groups have entered into a conspiracy with a section of militant leaders in India to indulge in incidents of violence with an intention to drive a wedge between different ethnic groups and to wage war against the Government of India. NIA is currently investigating the case and we are hopeful that the investigating agency would go to the very bottom of the transnational conspiracy. Identification of the militant groups and their leaders in India, Myanmar and Bangladesh would definitely go a long way in resolving the Manipur crisis.




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Egypts Social Housing and Mortgage Finance Fund (SHMFF) signed a protocol with QNB Al Ahli, the Egyptian arm of the Qatari QNB Group, to offer EGP 2 billion in financing for low- and middle-income citizens.

The new funding increases QNB Al Ahlis mortgage finance allocations for SHMFFs clients to EGP 5 billion, according to a cabinet statement on Monday, citing the funds CEO Mai Abdel-Hameed.

The protocol with the SHMFF is in line with the cooperation between the fund and the bank in providing mortgage finance for low- and middle-income citizens at 7 percent and 8 percent interests, QNB Al Ahlis CEO Mohamed Bedeir stated.

The banks mortgage finance sector grew by 67 percent year-on-year in 2022 with a portfolio of EGP 5.5 billion, serving more than 24,000 clients, Bedeir noted.

Founded in 2018, SHMFF is an Egyptian state entity providing housing units for middle- and low-income citizens that are suitable for their financial capabilities.

Different bodies of the Egyptian state have been moving in recent years to promote mortgage finance in Egypt.

In 2019, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) allocated EGP 50 billion to a real estate financing initiative for middle-income individuals.

The initiatives oversight was transferred from the CBE to the Ministry of Finance in November 2022.

According to Mordor Intelligence firm, the Egyptian residential real estate market is expected to grow from $18.04 billion in 2023 to $30.34 billion by 2028.

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Criticising the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for its decision to organize a protest in Delhi on October 2 regarding the MGNREGA program, West Bengal BJP leader Agnimitra Paul on Sunday accused the TMC of deceiving the citizens and alleged that Mamata Banerjees government had engaged in corruption by not disbursing the MGNREGA funds intended for jobholders.

Speaking to ANI, Agnimitra Paul said, They have accepted that corruption has happened and they had to pay compensation.Has a single person been arrested because of these 100 days of work corruption that has happened? Has Mamata Banerjee arrested a single person? No, they havent. Stop fooling people of Bengal. I request to the people to file FIR against TMC leaders who have stolen your 100 days of work.

Furthermore, Paul, who serves as the West Bengal BJP General Secretary, pointed out that among non-BJP ruled states, only the West Bengal government is complaining about not receiving payments under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

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There are so many other non-BJP states in India. Is any state complaining that they havent received 100 days payment? Everybody is getting the payment. Then why is West Bengal shouting?

Earlier Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sushmita Dev hit out at the central government over the refusal to provide special trains to MGNREGA job cardholders from West Bengal to reach Delhi and said that they were ready for the fight.

Thousands of MGNREGA job cardholders from West Bengal have left for the national capital, in several buses arranged by Trinamool Congress (TMC), for a protest on October 2-3.

The protesters, under the banner of Dilli Cholo: A fight for our rights!, will raise their voices for the payment of alleged arrears for 100 days of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme.

The TMC is scheduled to hold a mega protest at Delhis Raj Ghat on October 2 and 3, against the central government for delay in release of funds to West Bengal.

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee said that the fight against the neglect of West Bengal by the Centre will continue and he will be joining the protests in Delhi on Oct 2.
Vivek Chauhan of Phase 2, Madangir, south Delhi was arrested from the national capital on Saturday in NDPS case and was on his way to Shimla.

A Delhi resident who was arrested in a drug-related case managed to get away while police of Shimla Police were on a routine stop to repair a tyre puncture in the city of Chandigarh.

The police vehicle was on its way when one of the tyres of the vehicle burst in the middle of the night. The police then stopped at a motor market in Manimajra to repair the tyre. However, Chauhan managed to elude the police. IAS Karam Singh along with Constable Manish of the Shimla Police then went to search for Chauhan. However, they were unable to locate him and filed an official complaint against Chauhan with the police of Manimajra.
Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao on Sunday led the cleanliness drive at Mangrove forest, which was organised in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Sath.

In a display of commitment to environment conservation, Rajkummar participated in the cleanup, along with Maharashtra Income Tax department.

Taking to Instagram Stories, Rajkummar shared a happy picture with the environmental enthusiasts, and officials. They are wearing a matching white T-shirt, and holding garbage bag in their hands.

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The actor captioned the post as: It was such a gratifying experience to clean the mangrove forest at Airoli Creek this morning along with the @incometax.mumbai.gov.in #SwachhataHiSeva @narendramodi ji @my_bmc.

Earlier, Rajkummar was also spotted at the biggest clean-up drive at Juhu Beach, post Ganpati Visarjan.

Talking about the same, Rajkummar had said: We all love Ganpati, and hence we have come here. We are citizens of India.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Rajkummar was recently seen in the crime thriller web series Guns & Gulaabs. He played the character of Panna. Set against the backdrop of comedic power struggles and revenge plots, the series blends genres as it follows a lovestruck mechanic, a reluctant heir to a ruling gang and an honest officer-turned-agent-of-chaos.

The series boasts a dynamic cast, including Rajkummar, Dulquer Salmaan, Adarsh Gourav, T.J. Bhanu, and Gulshan Devaiah. He was also seen in Bheed.

He next has Sri, Mr and Mrs Mahi, and Stree 2.
At the age of 31, Nimal Raghavan made a life-altering decision. He left behind a lucrative tech job in Dubai to embark on a mission of compassion and restoration. It all began in the aftermath of Cyclone Gaja, a devastating natural disaster that struck Tamil Nadus coastal areas on November 16, 2018, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Cyclone Gaja had unleashed its fury, causing homes to crumble, trees to uproot, water sources to become contaminated, and infrastructure to be razed. For Nimal, this calamity hit close to home, as his own agrarian family suffered significant losses due to the cyclones devastation.

The cyclones aftermath posed a dire challenge for the affected farmers, who found their livelihoods hanging by a thread. Their only recourse was to return to water-intensive paddy cultivation. However, they were met with a grim realitythere was insufficient water for farming.

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Nimal recognized that the root of this water scarcity problem lay in the neglect of ponds, lakes, and rivers over the years. These vital water bodies had lost their underground connections to the main water source and had fallen prey to encroachments.

In the face of this crisis, Nimal Raghavan saw a solution in the revival and conservation of these water bodies. These bodies not only served as sources of irrigation but also provided water for cattle and played a pivotal role in replenishing the regions water table.

To provide immediate relief to the cyclone-affected people, Nimal launched the #BounceBackDelta social media campaign. Through this initiative, he raised funds to provide food, groceries, clothing, and essential items to those in need.

However, Nimals vision extended beyond immediate relief. He aimed to breathe new life into the dying water bodies, enabling farmers to return to their fields and communities to access clean drinking water.

What did Nimal Raghavan do?

His journey began with the Peravurani lake, sprawling across 564 acres. Nimal rallied around 70 volunteers to desilt and restore the lake, which had tragically become a dumping ground for garbage. Through the collective efforts of the community, around Rs 27 lakh was raised, equipment was sponsored, and the lakes transformation began.

Four islands were created within the lake, native trees were planted to revive local biodiversity, and the lakes boundaries were fortified. These efforts resulted in a dramatic rise in the water levelfrom a meager 40 feet to an impressive 350 feet. As a result, farmers could resume cultivation, and the lake now sustains the irrigation of 6,000 acres of farmland.

Since November 2019, Nimal has extended his mission far and wide, restoring 140 lakes, ponds, and rivers across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and even Haryana. His incredible work has not only revitalized water bodies but also rekindled hope and prosperity in countless lives. Nimals dedication and unwavering commitment serve as an inspiring testament to the power of individual action in the face of adversity.
Egypt invests more than $600 million in developing the network of internet submarine cables, said Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat on Sunday.

The annual revenues expected to be gained through these investments amounts to $250 million, Talaat added.

As of 2016, Egypt was connected to 13 submarine cables with another five under construction, Talaat said on Saturday during the Story of the Homeland conference held to showcase the countrys achievements since 2014.

In 2019, Egypt established the shortest submarine path, named the Golden Path, to transfer data between east and west with a 2650-kilometre length, the minister pointed out.

Talaat also highlighted that there are 10 cable landing stations in Egypt, in both the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea,

Talaat highlighted that Egypt increased the number of landing stations in the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea to 10, which will accelerate telecommunication signals and provide high-quality internet connectivity.

On Sunday, Telecom Egypt signed an agreement with the Medusa Submarine Cable System to extend the Mediterranean network to the Red Sea by the end of 2025.

Talaat also pointed out that the country has invested $2 billion to develop its digital infrastructure of high-speed landline internet, which has led to a nine-fold increase in speed over the past five years.

He previously noted that the total number of Egyptian fixed internet users has reached 70 million users.

*Correction: A previous version of the story incorrectly stated that the amount Egypt has spent on submarine cables as $300 billion.

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Delhi Women and Child Development Minister Atishi has, on Monday, felicitated girls who graduated from an after-care home  Nirmal Chhaya Complex, Jail Road. She awarded medals to the girls for excellence in academics, sports, and various activities.

On the occasion, the minister handed over appointment letters to six girls to make them self-reliant.

Speaking on the occasion, Atishi said, Girls in our after-care homes, who may be less endowed by nature, but have been provided with respect, upbringing, and equal opportunities by the Kejriwal government.

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She expressed her joy over the fact that the Delhi governments Department of Women and Child Development has been given an opportunity to accomplish such a noble work.

The Kejriwal Government is providing excellent opportunities to the girls to progress in their care homes like the way we would for our own children. Through education and skill training, we are empowering these girls in every way so that they can make a new beginning and achieve unbridled success, leaving behind their dark past, Atishi said.

In the Delhi governments after-care homes, the girls who have been victims of abuse, human trafficking, and prostitution are provided with safe accommodation along with essential skills to become self-reliant. The government provides formal education along with skill education in various sectors such as nursing, retail, textile design, cosmetics, and more.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, on Monday, asked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal to tell Punjabis where the Rs 50,000-crore purported investment had been made in Punjab.

Reacting to Kejriwals statement that Punjab had received an investment of Rs 50,000 crore, the SAD leader said he should substantiate this claim orapologise to Punjabis for lying to them.

He said forgot to attract any investment, Punjab had witnessed state industry shifting to Uttar Pradesh and other states under the AAP regime. The chief minister has tried to mislead the Punjabis by asserting that German companies like BMW are going to invest in the state. Even after an official rebuttal by the BMW, Kejriwal is making similar claims to fool the people, Badal said.

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On the AAPs claim that Punjab was at the number two position nationally as far as the maintenance of law and order was concerned, the SAD leader said Punjabis know the truth. Gangsters are having a field day and even AAP legislators are hand in gloves with criminal elements and the drug mafia due to which Punjab is suffering from the breakdown of law and order along with a sharp increase in the drug menace, he added.

Badal said the state CM demoralised the police force by taking action against an honest police officer who had taken a tough stand against illegal mining and arrested the brother-in-law of the Khadoor Sahib legislator. He also quoted NCRB data to claim 310 youth had succumbed to drug overdoses in Punjab during the AAP regime.

The SAD chief said all sections of society were being discriminated against in the AAP regime with farmers not being paid compensation for repeated crop losses, outsiders being hired instead of Punjabi youth for government jobs, and closure of virtually all social welfare benefits.

He said despite not doing anything for the people the AAP government had borrowed an unprecedented Rs 50,000 crore. This money is being spent on advertising AAP across the country besides providing luxuries to Kejriwal like a ten-seater jet aircraft, Badal added.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a notice to CPM state committee member M K Kannan asking him to submit the details about his assets as part of the investigation into the Rs 300-crore Karuvannur cooperative bank scam.

The Central probe agency has directed Kannan to submit financial documents, including those of his relatives before 5 October.

Kannan failed to comply with the repeated orders of the ED prompting the Central agency to set a 5 October deadline. According to the ED, Kannan has not even submitted a copy of his PAN card.

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The ED sleuths are of the view that the CPM leader has a clear idea of the key links behind the black money dealings being carried out in the Thrissur districts cooperative sector.

MK Kannan, who is vice-chairman of the Kerala bank and president of the Trissur Cooperative Bank has appeared before the ED for interrogation twice. On 25 September, the agency interrogated him for seven hours

On Friday, though Kannan appeared before the ED, the agency said his interrogation stopped as he showed signs of dizziness. However, Kannan said he had no such issues and was asked to go after the questioning was over.
On the occasion of 154th Gandhi Jayanti, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at his Rajghat memorial in Delhi. On the special occasion of his Jayanti, Prime Minister Modi emphasized on Gandhis teachings and said that his impact is global and motivates the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion.

I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. Mahatma Gandhis impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion. May we always work towards fulfilling his dreams. May his thoughts enable every youngster be the agent of change he dreamt of, fostering unity and harmony all over, he wrote.

President Murmu said that the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi were an outcome of sustained practice and that they find their relevance even today.

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His thoughts were not merely idle musings, but an outcome of his sustained practice. That philosophy which is not made part of life was, according to him, dry as dust. Thoughts, words and deeds were of a piece, in his case, the President of India wrote in a post on X.

Born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi led Indias successful non-violent freedom movement against the British. A lawyer by profession, Gandhi staged peaceful protests and led several movements against the British rule demanding Indias independence. He believed in non-violence and led a simple life.

Besides PM Modi and President Murmu, politicians across party line paid tributes to Gandhi. In a post on X, Congress party wrote, On Gandhi Jayanti, we pay a billion tributes to the Mahatma, whose life-long dedication to the cause of freedom won India her Independence. Let us pledge that his values of peace, unity and non-violencethe bedrock of our nationcontinue to act as our guiding light.

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti also remembered Mahatma Gandhi and said that he was deeply moved by his enduring legacy and that his message of non-violence remains a beacon of hope for equality and justice worldwide.

On Mahatma Gandhis birthday, Im deeply moved by his enduring legacy. His message of non-violence remains a beacon of hope for equality and justice worldwide. Gandhis profound influence on Dr. Martin Luther King and the US civil rights movement reminds us of the power of his ideals. the US Ambassador to India wrote on X.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid floral tribute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on his birth anniversary at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at The Ridge Shimla on Monday.

The governor, reflecting on the enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, said, Gandhis unwavering commitment to truth and non-violence has become the cornerstone of his lifes work.

He praised the Mahatmas deep-rooted connection to Indian traditions that was marked by personal integrity and simplicity. His principles of Swadeshi, Swaraj, self-reliance, and cleanliness continue to inspire us all, he noted.

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Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized the profound impact of Gandhis non-violent approach to the freedom struggle. He underlined how Gandhis leadership and dedication to non-violence played a pivotal role in Indias struggle for independence.

The chief minister called upon the citizens to draw inspiration from Gandhis ideals and incorporate them into their lives as a genuine tribute.

The governor and the chief minister also visited a photo exhibition based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Later, they paid floral tributes to former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at CTO Chowk on his birth anniversary.

Shastri inspired the country to make it self-reliant by giving the slogan Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan. His integrity, humility, and simplicity will always inspire all the countrymen, said Shukla.

When there was a shortage of food in the country, Shastri gave the slogan Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan and inspired us to move towards self-reliance. He was an embodiment of simplicity who gave the message of duty to the country, said the chief minister.
Ruling out all possibility of projecting any Chief Ministerial candidate in Rajasthans assembly polls due in December, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Lotus was the only face in this election and it should be in bloom.

Is chunav mein, hamara ek hi chehra hai, vo hai kamal. Hamara umeedvar sirf kamal hai. Hamaree Umeed Kamal, Umeed Kamal. isliye ek jutata ke saath kamal ko jitane ke liye BJP workers kam karen (In this election, we have only one face, that is Lotus. Our hope is Lotus. Our candidate is just Lotus, so BJP workers should work with unity to make Lotus bloom and win), Modi said while addressing a political rally of state BJP at Chittorgarh after paying obeisance at the Sanwaria Seth Temple near Chittorgarh.

Narendra Modi lashed out heavily at Congress saying that it had definitely formed the government by telling lies, but could not run it. While sitting, getting up, sleeping and waking up, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was busy in saving the Chief Ministers chair and half of the Congress was busy in removing him from the chair.

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Gehlot was busy in saving his son and uprooting someone elses son, but in the matter of looting, there was consensus in the entire Congress. Here criminals, rioters, corrupt people and Congress leaders are considering themselves as the government, such a government should not last even for a day, he appealed to the public.

Moving head the poll campaign led by the State BJP President C P Joshi to whom he hailed his todays development works for Rs.7000 cr, Modi said that the culture of Rajasthan was to be proud of its heritage, but the five-year Congress government has ruined the credibility of Rajasthan.

Modi alleged that whenever Congress felt that it was going to lose the elections, it started making false announcements. Campaigns from government treasury, and the same efforts were being made in Rajasthan too.

Recalling CM Gehlots statement that PM should take a gurantee on his projects and assure that these would not be stopped, if comes to power, Modi rapped, 

Chief Minister Gehlotji knows that the countdown for the departure of the government in Rajasthan has started. People sitting in Delhi may not believe it, but Gehlotji knows that the government is going.

He continued his tirade against Gehlot, That is why they are requesting me that their schemes should not be stopped after the formation of BJP government. In a way he has congratulated BJP. Thank you Gehlotji because you accepted defeat. If you have accepted honestly, then Modi is many times more honest than you. I assure that the BJP government will try to make the public welfare schemes started by you even better.

Assuring public for transparent government if voted to power, Modi said, Those who have looted money, committed corruption and harassed the poor, action will definitely be taken against them. No matter how much these people abuse Modi, strict action against corruption will continue.

He made a big assurance, If the government is formed, every poor person in Rajasthan will be given a permanent roof and a tap connection will be provided to every house.

On the alleged competitive examiantion paper leak scams and mafia, he jibed,

We used to hear about the mine mafia, but here the paper leak mafia has flourished. I assure the youth that those who play with their future will be held accountable in the underworld. Action will be taken against them.

Reminding of Udaipurs Kanahiya Lal beheading case, he emotionally said,  I am saying with a very sad heart that when it comes to crime, Rajasthan comes on top. Our Rajasthan is infamous when it comes to anarchy, riots, stone pelting. Our Rajasthan is ruined due to atrocities on women and atrocities on Dalits.

Whatever happened in Udaipur was never imagined. Some people slit the throat of a tailor and make a video of it. Rajasthan does not betray even the enemy. The Congress government sees vote bank in that also. Congress has created such an image in the world of Rajasthan. It is difficult to celebrate Teej-festival peacefully, one keeps worrying about when riots will break out, when stones will be showered, he further stressed.

Quoting the women atrocity cases of Barmer, Jamwaramgarh, Bhilwara etc, Modi said now the women in Rajasthan wanted to bring BJP for the best of their secutiy and Modi would gurantee it.

Like his September 25 address at Surajpura (Vatika) near Jaipur, he stood in an open jeep at the meeting place and went among the partys women dressed in saffron colour sari. Flower petals were showered on his convoy. The women workers were marching ahead of his open jeep. This was Modis 10th visit to Rajasthan in last 11 months.

Among others who shared the dias included state BJP President Joshi, former CM Vashundhara Raje and local MLAs and MPs.
Two doctors were killed in a tragic incident in Ernakulam district of Kerala after the car they drove plunged into the Periyar River. The incident took place on Sunday near Gothuruth. According to reports, the doctors were returning to Kodungallur and following Google Maps for directions.

It was raining and visibility was low in the area and the doctors thought of taking help from Google Maps. They opened the navigation and reportedly followed the path shown by the GPS.

As per a report published by English Daily TOI, they reached a waterlogged road and the Google Maps pointed them straight ahead.

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The continued on the path thinking it was just a waterlogged road and soon waded into the river, the report claimed.

The deceased doctors have been identified as Dr Advaith and Dr Ajmal Saif, both 29-year-old. Three others who accompanied them managed to come out of the car and rescued.

Dr Advaith turned 29 on last Saturday and had gone for birthday shopping to Kochi with four other friends. They were posted in Kodungallur CRAFT Hospital.

One of the survivors, Dr Gaziq Thabseer confirmed that they were using the Google Maps for directions but he didnt confirm if there was a technical glitch in the application or the incident happened due to a human error.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a busy Monday where he visited Rajasthans Chittorgarh, where he laid foundation stones and launched projects worth Rs 7,000 crore, and addressed a huge crowd in Madhya Pradeshs Gwalior.

Both states will hold assembly elections later this year.

After laying the foundation stone and dedicating various development projects to the nation in Chittorgarh, he addressed a public gathering, in which he launched a scathing attack on the opposition parties, especially the Congress.

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Lashing out at the Congress, Modi, in a reference to the feud between the chief minister, Ashok Gehlot, and senior party leader Sachin Pilot, said the party formed the government in the state by telling lies but could not run it. While sitting, getting up, sleeping, and waking up, the chief minister was busy in saving his chair and half of the Congress was busy in removing him from the chair.

Continuing his tirade against Gehlot, the PM said, That is why they are requesting me that their schemes should not be stopped after the formation of the BJP government. In a way he has congratulated the BJP. Thank you Gehlot ji because you have accepted defeat. If you have accepted honestly, then Modi is many times more honest than you. I assure you that the BJP government will try to make the public welfare schemes started by you even better.

Modi then reminded the gathering of the July 2022 ghastly beheading of an Udaipur tailor named Kanahiya Lal by Islamists, who were inflamed by Lals support to BJP spokeswoman Nupur Sharma, who had allegedly used derogatory words against the Prophet Muhammad.

Modi emotionally said, I am saying with a very sad heart that when it comes to crime, Rajasthan comes on top. Our Rajasthan is infamous when it comes to anarchy, riots, stone pelting. Our Rajasthan is ruined due to atrocities on women and atrocities on Dalits. He then said, Whatever happened in Udaipur was never imagined. Some people slit the throat of a tailor and make a video of it. Rajasthan does not betray even the enemy. The Congress government sees vote bank in that also, adding, The Congress has created such an image in the world of Rajasthan. It is difficult to celebrate Teej-festival peacefully, one keeps worrying about when riots will break out, when stones will be showered.

Earlier, in Chittorgarh, Modi inaugurated several projects, including the Mehsana-Bhatinda-Gurdaspur Gas Pipeline, the HPCL LPG Plant at Abu Road, additional storage at the Ajmer Bottling Plant, IOCL, railway and road projects, tourism facilities at Nathdwara, and the permanent campus of Indian Institute of Technology, Kota.

Before addressing the event, the PM paid obeisance at the Sanwariya Seth Temple near Chittorgarh, which is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is a centre for spirituality.

Later in the afternoon, the prime minister addressed a massive crowd at the Mela Ground in Madhya Pradeshs Gwalior.

During his speech, he lambasted the Congress and claimed that such parties lack vision for development, and they are only stuck in their greed for a chair (power). Thats the reason they hate any achievement that India makes towards becoming developed as a world power.

Without naming the Congress, Modi said, Can you trust these anti-development people who got 60 years to rule the country, but they only concentrated on playing with the emotions of the poor, dividing the society on caste and religion, carrying out blatant corruption and worshipping just one family?

He then said what the Congress was doing in the past is doing even today as well.

In just nine years, our government has succeeded in making India a developed nation and, from being the worlds 10th ranked economy, today we are the worlds 5th strongest economic power, the PM asserted. But these power-hungry people are getting stomach aches due to our achievements, he alleged, adding, I guarantee you that in our next term, India will become the worlds 3rd strongest economy.

With an eye on the upcoming assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh this November, the PM said the next five years are crucial for the state. He said that during the rule of the previous Congress governments, MP was among the BIMARU states of the country.

The BJP government has succeeded in making MP a developed state and it is today amongst the top 10 states of India, he said, adding, Our next target is to take MP amongst the top three states of the country.

He called upon the large crowd, addressing them as his family members, to ensure that the double-engine government of the BJP is able to carry on the development works in the state and the country.

During Mondays function, Modi virtually and digitally inaugurated and dedicated to the people of Madhya Pradesh various development projects worth Rs 19,000 crore, including the Delhi-Vadodara Expressway, griha pravesh of 2.21 lakh beneficiaries under the PM Aawas Yojana in rural areas, three Jal Jeevan Mission schemes, five road projects worth Rs 1,880 crore. He also flagged off a new train between Gwalior and Sumawali and inaugurated modern intensive care units (ICUs) in Gwalior and six other MP cities.
Hours after Bihar government released its caste survey data, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Opposition of trying to divide the country in the name of caste. Without referring to the survey data, PM Modi said that Opposition failed to secure development and slammed them for playing with the feelings of poor. Modis stinging remarks against the Opposition came in poll-bound Madhya Pradeshs Gwalior.

They played with emotions of the poor back then and even today they are playing the same game. Earlier they divided the country in the name of caste and today they are committing the same sin. Earlier they were guilty of corruption and today they are even more corrupt, the prime minister told a large gathering in Gwalior.

In a move that could have political ramifications in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Bihar government earlier today released the data of its caste-based survey. According to the survey findings, Backward Classes constitute 27.1 per cent of Bihars total population. Of the 27.1 per cent Backward Classes, Yadavs constitute 14.2 per cent, Kushwahas 4.27 per cent and Kurmis 2.8 per cent.

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The state has 36 per cent people belonging to the Extremely Backward Classes. Scheduled Castes population in Bihar stands at 19.7 per cent while Scheduled Tribes at just 1.7 per cent. General people make up 15.5 per cent of the states total population of 13.1 crore.

The Congress party has announced to carry out a caste census in Madhya Pradesh soon after coming to power. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had last week said that after coming to power, first thing we will do is to go for caste-based census to know exact number of OBCs.

Reacting to Bihar governments caste survey data, the Congress leader reiterated his demand that the union government conduct a national caste census at the earliest.

PM Modis remarks are being seen as a response to both  Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Congress party. Nitish has also been quite vocal about the idea of carrying out a nation-wide caste-based census. During the meeting of Oppositions INDIA bloc partners in Bengaluru early this year, a resolution to carry out the caste census was also passed.
Aviation regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed a draft that may direct pilots and crew members to refrain from using perfumes during the breathalyser test.

The aviation regulator has come up with the draft because perfumes generally have a high alcohol content and can affect the breathalyzer test.

As per the latest draft seen by a news agency, no crew member shall consume any medicine/formulation or use any substance such as mouthwash/tooth gel/perfume or any product containing alcohol which may result in a positive breathalyzer test. Any crew member who is undergoing such medication shall consult the company doctor before undertaking a flying assignment.

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The DGCA chief said: This is only a draft CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) put in the public domain for stakeholder comments.

Airlines in India including the regulator DGCA are very strict about breathalyser tests before any operation, which is why such tests are always under camera surveillance.
The project is implemented by Takween Integrated Community Development company in partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA) with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

"A Living Time Capsule"



VISIT-Esna is a remarkable model that integrates cultural and heritage tourism with the real grassroots needs of the community. Esna, a "Living Time Capsule" as they call it, is one of the oldest governorates of Egypt. Esna, located about 34 miles south of Luxor, has been the trade centre of fabrics and agricultural products since ancient Egypt. Rich with its multilayered heritage, be it ancient Egyptian, Coptic, or Islamic, it has always been the destination for tourism, especially Nile cruises. However, tides have turned since the mid-nineties due to building a new barrage that deviated Nile cruises from Esna, which has massively affected the local economy since then. What Takween did was tap into the soul of the historic city, making lots of significant changes in six years.

The magic words



When Ahram Online asked Kareem Ibrahim, the CEO and partner of Takween, how they managed to have such a significant change in an ancient city in only six years.

"Innovation," he replied, explaining that Takween has used human capital and 20 years of global experience to amplify the innovation of the people of Esna in the classical business market of heritage preservation combined with local economic growth.

"Commitment," added Sean Jones, the new mission director of USAID in Egypt, expressing the projects emphasis on the people of Esna, which raised their sense of ownership.

Beyond restoration



The project made Esna Temple more accessible to people with disabilities. It restored Wekalet Al-Geddawy, an 18th-century trade centre, Bakkur, the 120-year-old oil press that is still functioning, many houses, and the ancient Qaisariya souq. This narrow covered souq, which was known for selling Esna's textiles, now sells various handicrafts of Esna, each shop focusing on one theme: a concept store focusing on the Scarab, another on textiles, one on painting, and one on pottery to name but a few. Women got to sell in some of these bazaars for the first time in Esna.

At the premises of the woodwork workshop established by VISIT-Esna, the young hands were busy carving exquisite motifs and shapes inspired by the rich woodcarving heritage of Esna. The hands were primarily women, a novelty to the traditions of the Upper Egyptian governorate. Some of the ancient souq bazaars were refurbished in theme and structure, aiming to create integration other than competitiveness in the market. The results were impressive.

Soul food



The project launched a traditional food competition among the women of Esna; the winners now have a menu they made themselves to serve as Esna's traditional food restaurant at Al-Ansari's house, set to open soon to the public. The place serves lentils, Shalawlaw (dry molokhia), and particular fish with apricots, all ancient signature dishes of Esna.

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A bus carrying Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) job cardholders from West Bengal to Delhi for a protest met with an accident in Jharkhands Kodarma on Sunday.

Fortunately, there were no casualties, but several TMC workers sustained minor injuries when the bus veered off the road, ending up in a field adjacent to the highway. They quickly transported the injured workers back to Purulia town in West Bengal for necessary medical attention.

The purpose of this journey was to join a protest in Delhi scheduled from October 2-3, organized by the TMC against the BJP-led Central government. The protest aims to address concerns about the alleged withholding of funds for Bengal under the MGNREGA scheme.

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The Eastern Railway had previously rejected the TMCs request for a special train to facilitate their supporters travel to the planned demonstration, leading to the arrangement of buses for the journey.

Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee will lead the party workers in the protest in New Delhi. He emphasizes their stance against the Central governments handling of MGNREGA funds and other Central government-sponsored initiatives. Over 4,000 individuals are expected to participate, traveling to the national capital in a convoy of 25 buses as part of this program.

Following the accident, BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar expressed his concerns through a post on social media and reportedly offered assistance to the injured TMC workers.

In response, TMC leader Shashi Panja criticized Majumdar, highlighting that it was the BJPs actions that compelled their party to organize buses after the railway denied their request for a train. She emphasized the importance of addressing the funding issues affecting the rural population in Bengal and urged for cooperation rather than blame in this critical matter.
It is worth our while on the eve of Gandhis birth anniversary to recall his ideas of education and how they are reflected in Indias New Education Policy (NEP). In these times of artificial intelligence, robotics and machine learning, it may seem perhaps out dated to revisit Gandhis ideas of education, but then these are only the carriers of the learning process, and not the end product or basic objectives of education.

A study of Gandhis ideas of education and the NEP clearly reflects a great degree of convergence. In fact some of Gandhis ideas of education have been reinforced in the NEP. The NEP, however, is a comprehensive and compact policy document which addresses the contemporary needs of education in the changing global context while at the same time trying to preserve and promote Indias societal and cultural values.

Gandhis ideas of education stemmed from his writings in his autobiography, Hind Swaraj, his writings published in Young India and his speeches. It was launched formally in the latter half of 1937 and was called Basic Education. His ideas of education primarily was based on his own experience and thought processes.

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Gandhis Basic Education pertained to education to be imparted to a child from the 7th to the 14th year. It had two broad components Pre-Basic and Post-Basic education. While the Pre-Basic education commenced prior to the age of seven, the post-Basic education began from the age of 14.

This timeline of Basic Education was called New Education or Nai Talim. The timeline of NEP 5+3+3+4 broadly corresponds to the Gandhian scheme of Nai Talim.

The thrust of the NEP on values echoes Gandhis empha sis on character building. The NEP says, The purpose of education system is to develop good human beings capable of rational thought and action, possessing compassion and empathy, courage and resilience, scientific temper and creative imagination with sound ethical moorings and values.

In Hind Swaraj Gandhi wrote in 1908, Character build- ing has the first place in it, and that is primarily education. A building erected on that will last. Reinforcing his firm conviction on character building, he wrote in Young India on 1 June 1921, My experience has proved to my satisfaction that literary training by itself adds not an inch to ones moral height and that character building is independent of literary training. I am firmly of the opinion that the Government schools have unmanned us, rendered us helpless and godless. They have filled us with discontent, and providing no remedy for the discontent, have made us despondent.[i]One may not entirely agree with Gandhi, but neither can one dismiss the observation.

The despondency among the most unsuccessful and even successful people in different echelons of society in contemporary times the world over to a large extent attests to the lack of character. If we look around the countries both in the West and the East to name only a few, like Japan or Korea and even the self-ruled Taiwan, we can attribute their all-round success to strong sense of national character and honesty, integrity and hard work.

Ethical values are very critical for growth of a nation and individual. No wonder now there is emphasis on ethics both in the corporate sector and also in the governmental sector.

So much so now there is a paper on ethics for the Civil Services. But ethical values can be inculcated and not learnt. They have to be internalised. They can be im- parted through personal and exemplary conduct and not preached, but practised. Gandhi empha- sised on ethics and so does the New Education Policy.

The emphasis of the NEP on mother tongue or home language finds resonance with similar ideas of Gandhi. The NEP mentions that it is well understood that young children learn and grasp nontrivial concepts more quickly in their home language/ mother tongue.

Home language is usually the same language as the mother tongue or that which is spo- ken by local communities. Similarly Gandhi while answering a question as to whether he considered English education necessary for Home Rule, answered: the foundation that Macaulay laid of education has enslaved us.

Having said this, he hastened to add that he, however, did not suggest that Macaulay had any such intention, but that had been the result. Elucidating further he said, it is worthy of note that the sys tems which the Europeans have discarded are the system in vogue among us. Their learned men continually make changes. We ignorantly adhere to their cast-off systems. They are trying each division, to improve its own status. Wales is a small por- tion of England. Great efforts are being made to revive knowledge of Welsh among Welshmen. The English Chancellor, Mr Llyod George is taking a leading part in the movement to make Welsh children speak Welsh. And what is our condition? We write to each other in faulty English, and from this even our M.A.s are not freeIf this state of things con- tinues for long time posterity will ~ it is my firm opinion ~ condemn and curse us.

The emphasis of NEP on multilingualism and the power of language endorse Gandhis thoughts and ideas.

Yet another aspect of Gandhis idea of education was his preference for education in the home. He wrote in his autobiography that in January 1897 when he landed in Durban, he had three children with him ~ his sisters ten year son, and his two sons of nine and five years. Faced with the question of where to educate them, he was loath to send them back to India for he believed that young children should not be separated from their parents. He wrote, The education children naturally imbibe in a well-ordered household is impossible to obtain in hostels.

He therefore decided to keep the children with himself although he could not devote all the time he wanted to give it to them. These are only some vignettes of Gandhis ideas and thoughts on education which resonate in the NEP and they have strong bearing on our society passing through the pangs of transition.

(The writer, a former joint secretary of Lok Sabha Secretariat, was a senior fellow at Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and a senior fellow of Indian Council of Social Science Research and Taiwan Fellow 2022)
In a move that may have political ramifications in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Bihar government on Monday released the data of its caste survey that shows the state has 27.1 per cent of the population from Backward Classes and 36 per cent from Extremely Backward Classes.

As per the caste survey data, Scheduled Castes population in Bihar stands at 19.7 per cent while Scheduled Tribes at 1.7 per cent. Generals make up 15.5 per cent of Bihars total population. The state has a total population of 13.1 crore. Of the 27.1 per cent Backward Classes, Yadavs constitute 14.2 per cent, Kushwahas 4.27 per cent and Kurmis 2.8 per cent.

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar last year announced caste-based survey amid demands of increase in OBC quota. CM Nitish, who is part of the Oppositions INDIA alliance, has proposed nation-wide caste census to ensure social justice and equal representation of all sections of the society.

Following the release of caste-based survey data, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is likely to call a meeting of coalition parties to discuss further strategy. A decision on increasing OBC quota to 27 per cent could also be taken, according to reports.

During the third meeting of INIDA bloc in Mumbai, Nitish Kumars nation-wide caste census demand was met with Mamata Banerjees objections. However, most other parties agreed to include the issue in their poll campaign. The Congress party has also supported a caste-based survey.

Earlier on July 19, a joint resolution to conduct caste census was adopted unanimously during the second meeting of the INDIA bloc in Bengaluru. The Opposition is also trying to woo the OBCs with their demand of its inclusion in the Womens Reservation Bill.

The release of caste survey data has come nearly a month after the Supreme Court rejected pleas seeking to restrain the Bihar government from publishing the survey findings. The top court said that it wont stop the government from publishing the data unless there is any breach of rules.
Taliban minister of higher education, Neda Mohammad Nadim, recently delivered a speech at Baghlan University, sparking concerns about the future of womens rights in the region. Nadim spoke about ongoing efforts to reform the existing system, citing concerns related to womens issues. He emphasized that, according to Sharia law and divine decrees, men and women are not regarded as equals.

According to divine beliefs, there are clear roles assigned by Allah. Men are granted authority, and their decisions are to be unquestionably respected, while women are anticipated to adhere to this societal framework. Despite Western nations advocating for gender equality, Allahs perspective maintains this fundamental differentiation, articulated Neda Mohammad Nadim.

He underlined that the current governments responsibilities include treating the people well, ensuring security, and delivering justice. The Islamic Emirates duty is to provide ease and good news, fostering unity among officials while maintaining security, the Taliban minister asserted.

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Since assuming power in 2021 after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces, the Taliban has imposed stringent restrictions on Afghan women and girls. These measures include barring them from attending school and prohibiting their employment at local and non-governmental organizations.

Women under Taliban rule:

Under Taliban rule, womens status has regressed significantly, reversing many hard-fought gains achieved over the years. The Talibans interpretation of Islamic law, Sharia, has led to strict gender segregation and limitations on womens rights. In regions under their control, women are compelled to adhere to a strict dress code, often requiring the full burqa, limiting their visibility and mobility. Educational and employment opportunities have dwindled for women, and many have been forced to leave their jobs and schools. Furthermore, womens participation in public life and politics has been heavily curtailed.

These restrictions have had a profound impact on womens lives, leading to increased isolation and vulnerability. Many women feel trapped and unable to lead the lives they once enjoyed. The international community has expressed deep concern about the dire situation of women under Taliban rule. There are several ongoing efforts to advocate for their rights and support their empowerment.
Indian billionaire and mining tycoon Harpal Randhawa and his son Amer were among six persons killed in a plan crash near a diamond mine in southwestern Zimbabwe. Randhawa, the owner of RioZim, an integrated mining and metallurgical company, was flying from capital Harare to the Murowa diamond mine in southwestern Zimbabwe when the plane crashed on September 29, state-run Sunday Times newspaper reported.

The light aircraft, which reportedly belonged to RioZim, crashed in the Zvamahande area of Mashava, killing all six onboard  four foreigners and two Zimbabweans, police said. The mid-air crash is suspected to have been caused by a mechanical fault.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police reports a plane crash which occurred on September 29 between 7.30 a.m. and 8 a.m., where six people are confirmed dead, police said.

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They said that the white and red Zcam aircraft had left Harare for the mine at 6 a.m. and crashed about 6 km from Mashava.

RioZim, which was previously part of the British-Australian mining group Rio Tinto, confirmed the crash and said it was working with relevant authorities to gather more information.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), told local media that they were still in the process of collecting additional details.

Randhawa is also the founder of the $4 billion private equity firm GEM Holdings. Journalist and filmmaker Hopewell Chinono said he is deeply saddened by the passing of Randhawa.

He was very generous with life advice, and very humble for the wealthy man that he was. Through him I met many people in the business, diplomatic, and political worlds, Chinono, who met Randhawa in 2017 via a mutual friend, wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Rest in Peace, your works and love for Zimbabwe will be your lasting legacy.
After a brief hospital stay, the critic and artist Ezz Eldin Naguib passed away last Friday, leaving the art community in grief.

Born in 1940, in Al-Sharqiya, Naguib was a multi-faceted artist: a prolific art critic, a creative writer and a painter. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in 1962, and was a founding member of the Plastic Arts Syndicate, the Writers Union, and the Society of Visual Arts Critics. He also established the Asala society for preserving traditional contemporary arts in 1994.

Besides his numerous contributions to group exhibitions in and outside Egypt, he gave more than 30 solo exhibitions across the country. His first solo exhibition, Inspired by the High Dam, was held in 1994 at Al- Anfoushy Cultural Centre in Alexandria.

As a critic, he published numerous books, of which the best known may be The Dawn of Modern Egyptian Art with Dar Al-Mostakbal Al-Araby; it became a resource for generations of critics.

Naguib was also a short story writer. His first collection of short stories, Bread and Salt, was published in 1962, while he was still a university student. It was well received, and three more would follow.

His work as an artist was inspired by his travels in Upper Egypt, notably Nubia, as well as Siwa, depicting their unique architecture and houses. A good part of his oeuvre is inspired by traditional life of women in rural areas, focusing on mothers suffering and womens traditional handicrafts.

In a large-format, 320-page art book published in 2018 by the Dai Art Gallery, dozens of Naguibs most significant paintings are reproduced alongside essays by Hisham Kandil, owner and founder of the gallery, and other critics. The catalogue gives an insight into the artists life and his invaluable contribution in the visual art scene over the last 50 years.

The prelude of the catalogue cites Naguibs famous quote: Have you seen what I gained from art? It gave me many birthdays to guard from death, as many birthdays as paintings!

The late novelist Gamal Al-Ghitani, one of Egypts iconic writers, said in an article published in Al-Akhbar newspaper in May 2015, a few months before his own departure: Naguib is a charismatic figure, a man of principles. My friendship with Naguib started even before I met him. He was a prominent short story writer in the early 1960s. His collection Ayyam El-Ezz or [Days of Welfare] was a significant one. Al-Ghitani also mentions that Naguib was imprisoned in 1972. His book entitled Drawings of the Cell recorded his memoirs in prison and the drawings he secretly made during that difficult period.

On his Facebook page, the veteran visual artist Samir Fouad mourned his lifelong friend: Naguib was a multi-talented artist who had the spirit of a warrior, a man who never changed his national and political opinions. In the last few months, his body was withering like an old tree, but his spirit never bent. Till the very last minute he was the same youthful fighter and mindful creative artist.

Among other prominent artworks, the artist is famous for his eloquent charcoal sketches of 2008, inspired by the unique architecture of Gorna, Luxor.

Naguibs latest contribution was a long essay published in the catalogue of Sketch, a group exhibition dedicated to sketches by the leading generation of artists including him, which opened last week. Currently on show at Ofok Gallery, attached to Mahmoud Khalil Museum in Giza, the exhibition can be seen until 20 October.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 28 September, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Indian billionaire Harpal Randhawa, owner of RioZim, and his son were among those killed in the plane crash in Zvamahande area in Zimbabwe. Reportedly, the tragic accident occurred when the Cessna 206 aircraft, owned by RioZim, was en route from Harare to Murowa diamond mine.

The incident happened on Friday. Technical fault with the aircraft is suspected the reason behind the mishap.

Reportedly, all the passengers onboard lost their lives in the accident. Six people were confirmed dead by the police.

Randhawa was the owner of RioZim, a mining company producing gold and coal as well as refining nickel and copper. He was also the chairman of the GEM Group.

Randhawa was a partner at Sabre Capital Worldwide for 12 years, from 2002 to 2014 before joining the GEM Group.

Filmaker Hopewell Chinono, a friend of Randhawa, condoled his death.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Harpal Randhawa, the owner of RioZim who died today in a plane crash in Zvishavane. Five other people including his son, who was also a pilot but a passenger on this flight, also died in the crash, wrote Chinono on X.

My thoughts are with his wife, family, friends and the RioZim community, he added.

Meanwhile, RioZim company secretary said that they will be releasing a full statement later.
At least 24 patients, including 12 newborns died at a state-run hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded in a single day due to alleged shortage of medicines and hospital staff.

"Six males and six female babies died in the last 24 hours. Twelve adults also died due to various ailments, mostly snake bites. We faced some difficulty since various staff were being transferred," said Shyamrao Wakode, the dean of Nanded's Shankarrao Chavan Government Hospital.

Also, patients come from far off places to this hospital and there were many patients whose sanctioned budget also got disturbed..." he further said.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance attacked the government over the incident, demanding the resignation of Health Minister Tanaji Sawant.

Former chief minister and Senior Congress leader from Nanded Ashok Chavan said besides the 24 deaths, another 70 patients, referred from other private hospitals in the districts, are reported to be crtical.

"Around 24 people's death has been reported at the Dr Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital and therefore I have come here and met the Dean. The situation is concerning and serious. The government should take this up and provide immediate help...Around 70 other people are critical. Replacement of a lot of nurses who were transferred has not been given, Chavan was quoted as saying by ANI.

Nationalist Congress Party MP Supriya Sule strongly condemned the mass deaths, saying: This triple-engine government is responsible for all the 24 innocent persons' deaths."

A similar incident in which 18 deaths were reported in a day had been reported in a Thane-based government hospital in August.
Figs are slowly establishing themselves as a sought-after fruit in Korea thanks to global fashions propagated on Instagram. The first fruit to be cultivated by humans and beloved by Cleopatra of Egypt, figs have been overshadowed by grapes, apples and pears in Korea, even though they are grown here.

Yeongam, South Jeolla Province is where more than 60 percent of the figs in Korea are grown, but their thin skins and rapid ripening used to make them less popular among consumers here.

But now it has become easier to find the photogenic fruit in the big cities. Farms have adopted a cold chain storage system, and Yeongam stepped up efforts recently to improve the varieties being grown there.

With more than 300,000 Instagram posts of the fruit in various desserts, they are now enjoying a renaissance, not least thanks to their healthful qualities.
In a big boost for the Bhopal gas tragedy survivors, US-based The Dow Chemical Company (TDCC), is likely to appear in Bhopal district court on Tuesday to face the charges in gas tragedy criminal case for the first time, 36 years after the CBI filed FIR in the case.

TDCC is the current owner of the Union Carbide Company (UCC) that was originally named in the FIR in 1987 and slapped with charges of culpable homicide. The UCC was declared fugitive from law by the Bhopal district court in 1992. TDCC took over the UCC in 2001 and legally declared its successor-in-interest.

Toxic methyl iso-cyanate gas had leaked from the fertilizer plant of UCC in Bhopal on night intervening December 2/3, killing thousands and maiming lakhs for life. The Bhopal gas tragedy is considered the biggest industrial tragedy in the world history, but no one has been punished for it. This will be likely the first time that a foreign accused will appear to face charges in the case lingering for over three decades.

Sources said that there are confirmed reports of the United States Department of Justice having served Bhopal court summons upon Amy Wilson, the corporate secretary and authorised representative of TDCC.

The development comes soon after 12 US Congress members wrote to the Department of Justice in September first week, to follow the legal provisions and serve Bhopal Court summons on Dow Chemical.

The first notice to Dow Chemical, as successor-in-interest of UCC, had been served in year 2005, but the company managed a stay that was vacated by Madhya Pradesh High Court only in 2012.

As many as seven summons for appearance of TDCC-USA were then issued between November 2014 to March 2023 by the Bhopal court. These notices were issued under the guidelines outlined by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs regarding service of summons/notices/judicial process on the persons residing abroad. These guidelines follow from the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty signed between India and US in 2009. However, six earlier summons from 2014-2020 were ignored by the US Department of Justice and were never served to TDCC-USA.

On March 11, 2023, the seventh summons was issued to the authorised representative of TDCC-USA; Amy Wilson by the Bhopal district court seeking her appearance on October 3 this year.

Survivors' organizations express happiness

At a press conference on Monday, four organisations of the survivors expressed happiness over the development. They demanded that the CBI ensure speedy prosecution of the US corporation, that owns Union Carbide, for exemplary punishment (for sheltering a fugitive from justice for the last 22 years since taking over UCC in 2001).

The likely appearance of TDCC-USA at the Bhopal district court is a long awaited consequence of the application filed by the Bhopal Group for Information & Action (BGIA) in February 2004 in the role of assisting the prosecution in the criminal case related to Bhopal Gas Disaster, they said.

They also said it was better that the authorised representative of Dow Chemical and not Union Carbide will be appearing tomorrow. "Carbide has sold its assets in India but Dow Chemical holds substantial assets in this country. The crimes of Bhopal are that of criminal negligence towards the lives and health of human beings for maximization of profits. In essence Bhopal symbolises the corporate crimes of both industrial pollution and climate change. They are the leading causes of death and illness worldwide. The CBI must know that the whole world will be watching the criminal case on the disaster from now on," they said.

Rashida Bee of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh, Balkrishna Namdeo, President of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pensionbhogee Sangharsh Morcha, Nawab Khan of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha and Nousheen Khan of the Children were present at the conference.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Bihar government on Monday released a state-wide caste-based survey that accounts for 36.01% of its population in the extremely backward classes (EBC) and 27.12% in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

The data was released by Vivek Kumar Singh, additional chief secretary, on Monday. According to the survey, while the state has a population of 13 crores, only 15.52 per cent belong to the general category. The Scheduled Caste comprises 19.65 per cent and the Scheduled Tribe accounts for 1.68 per cent of the total population.



The survey also stated that Yadavs, the OBC group to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, was the largest in terms of population, accounting for 14.27 per cent of the total. While Brahmin accounted for 3.65 per cent of the population, the Kurmi caste came to 2.87 per cent. The Bhumihars were 2.86 per cent while the Rajputs were 3.45 per cent. The population of Musahar is 3 per cent.



The controversial Bihar Jaati Adharit Ganana was released after much legal hurdles with the Nitish Kumar government maintaining that it was crucial for social justice. The survey process began last year after the Centre made it clear that it would not be able to undertake a headcount of castes other than SCs and STs as part of the census.



The Central Government approached SC against the move, filing an affidavit which said "no other body under the Constitution or otherwise is entitled to conduct the exercise of either census or any action akin to the census".



The Bihar government maintained that it had completed the door-to-door survey and the Supreme Court refused to stay the Patna High Courts order giving the go-ahead for a caste survey in Bihar.



Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took to X to share his response to the release of the survey. "Today, on the auspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the data of the caste-based census conducted in Bihar has been published. Many congratulations to the entire team engaged in the work of caste-based enumeration!"



He added that the proposal for caste-based enumeration was passed unanimously in the Legislature. "Caste-based census not only revealed the castes but also gave information about the economic condition of everyone. On the basis of this report, further action will be taken for the development and upliftment of all sections," he added.



Nithish's coalition partner RJ(D) too hailed the survey, calling it a historic moment. "Today on Gandhi Jayanti, we all have become witnesses of this historic moment. Despite many conspiracies of BJP and legal hurdles, today Bihar government released the caste-based survey. These figures will set an example for the country in making holistic planning for proper development and progress of the deprived, neglected and poor and in giving representation to marginalized groups in proportion to the population," former Bihar CM and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav told reporters on Monday.


As many as 49 busloads of people from West Bengal, protesting against the Centre's alleged denial of MGNREGA ( Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and housing scheme funds to the Bengal government, will arrive in the national capital on Monday. The two-day protest is being organised by the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, who will helm the 'Dilli Cholo: A fight for our rights!' protest, reached Delhi on Sunday. The party MPs and MLAs will hold a peaceful sit-in at Rajghat on Monday. A peaceful rally of the MGNREGA job card holders is also being planned on Tuesday.



Banerjee said that the permission for the protest at Jantar Mantar was given verbally and written permission was still pending. "Section 144 has been imposed in that area (Jantar Mantar)," he added.



The Centre allegedly froze the funds to West Bengal alleging rampant corruption and siphoning off the funds. The Centre had acknowledged that Bengal was the only state besides Lakshadweep, a Union Territory, to be denied funds in the 2022- '23 fiscal as per provision of Section 27 of the MGNREG Act due to non-compliance of directives of the central government.



Banerjee said the agitation will continue till the rightful dues of the people of Bengal are released by the Centre. "Though the state government had sent verified lists of beneficiaries in December 2022, the Centre is yet to make payments. If anyone is found guilty of corruption in a 100-day work or housing scheme, let action be taken against them, but why is money to the beneficiaries stopped?" he asked.



Banerjee had also accused the Centre of refusing to allot a special train to Delhi despite the party's request. Indian Railways had cited the unavailability of rakes for its refusal to run a special train to Delhi. Prominent airline Vistara too cancelled one of its flights from Kolkata to Delhi scheduled for Sunday, saying it needed to operate additional flights for passengers stranded in Kolkata and Port Blair.



"Refusal to allot a special train, cancellation of flight, denial of permission for holding the protest meeting in Delhi, all indicate their attempt to stop the voice of the state's people," Banerjee alleged. Several Trinamool Congress workers were injured when one of the 49 buses taking them to Delhi to take part in a protest met with an accident in Jharkhand on Sunday.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lashed out at the Ashok Gehlot during a rally in Rajasthan, saying the Congress government ruined the state during its five-year stint.

Addressing a rally in Chittorgarh, Modi said, "Rajasthan tops the list when it comes to crime, riots, atrocities against women, Dalits and backward classes."

The PM claimed that he feels pain when atrocities against daughters take place anywhere in the country, alleging that the Congress has made this a tradition in Rajasthan.

Taking a dig at the infighting between the rival camps led by the CM and Sachin Pilot, Modi said Gehlot was busy saving his chair while half of the Congress leader were trying to unseat him.

Modi claimed that Gehlot had already "accepted defeat", pointing out that the CM asked BJP no to stop schemes initiated by the Congress if the NDA alliance wins the upcoming elections.

Gehlot knows that the countdown of the Congress government has started. He in a way has congratulated the BJP by publicly requesting that the schemes should not be stopped. I assure you that BJP will not stop any scheme of public interest but will try to improve it. This is Modi's guarantee, Modi said.

The PM also promised that if BJP comes to power in the state, the new government will take action against the alleged paper leak mafia and the culprits will be given the "harshest punishment".

-- with inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday stepped up his attack on the opposition, accusing it of playing with the emotions of the poor and dividing the country on the lines of caste. His stinging remarks came hours after the Bihar government released its caste census report, just months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Enemies of development got six decades that means 60 years (to rule at Centre). They failed to deliver the goods. But in nine years (of BJP rule at Centre) enormous development has taken place... and the world is singing the praises of India. When so much work can take place in just nine years, why the same could not take place in all those years?" Modi asked, without naming the Congress.

Modi's criticism was also aimed at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who, while addressing rallies in the poll-bound states, had vowed to conduct a caste census if the party was voted to power. Rahul reiterated his promise in a post on X on Monday soon after the Nitish Kumar-led government released the report.

The prime minister, addressing a function at Gwalior in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh alleged that the anti-BJP parties do not like the fact that the country is nowadays praised at global forums.

They (opposition parties) played with the emotions of the poor and divided society on caste lines. They are committing this sin even now, he said, though he did not make any reference to the Bihar government's case survey report.

Modi also accused the opposition parties of being anti-development.

They have only one thing in their mind -- hatred against the nation and its policies. In hate they forget the country's achievements," he said.

As per the Bihar caste survey report, 36.01per cent of the state's population is in the extremely backward classes (EBC) and 27.12 per cent in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

While the state has a population of 13 crores, only 15.52 per cent belong to the general category. The Scheduled Caste comprises 19.65 per cent and the Scheduled Tribe accounts for 1.68 per cent of the total population.
As BJP seeks to finalise its candidate list for the forthcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, the Prime Minister will visit the state on Monday to launch development projects worth about 7,000 crore.

The Prime Minister is visiting Chittorgarh in Rajasthan to inaugurate the Mehsana-Bathinda-Gurdaspur gas pipeline, built at a cost of 4,500 crore, and the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited's (HPCL) LPG plant in Abu Road. Laying foundation stones for a four-lane road on NH-12 (new NH-52) on the Darah-Jhalawar-Teendhar section, a railway overbridge and a permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kota, also feature on the PM's schedule.



In Madhya Pradesh



Modi is also visiting Madhya Pradesh, another poll-bound state, on Monday. The projects to be unveiled in Madhya Pradesh include the Delhi-Vadodara Expressway and homes built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban. He will also lay the foundation stone for five different road projects worth over 1,880 crore, Jal Jeevan Mission projects worth over 1,530 crore in Gwalior and Sheopur districts and nine health centres under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission.



CEC meeting



Modi's visit to Rajasthan comes as Modi chaired a meeting of the BJP Central Election Committee on Sunday to finalise its candidates for the forthcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan. The primary focus of the discussion revolved around constituencies where the party's presence is relatively weaker, reported ANI.



Sources said discussions regarding around 60 to 65 seats in Rajasthan had been concluded. "Out of 200 seats in the Rajasthan Assembly, discussions have been completed for 65 seats while discussions," the source told ANI.



Ahead of the CEC meeting, a core group meeting was conducted at the residence of BJP President JP Nadda which saw the presence of veteran leaders including Vasundhara Raje, Arun Singh, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Arjun Ram Meghwal.



The party is likely to follow the Madhya Pradesh strategy which saw it fielding three Union ministers, besides four other MPs, for the upcoming assembly polls. Names of union ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Kailash Choudhary are doing the rounds.



The naming of candidates before the ECI declaration of poll dates is a new trend followed by the party to give candidates ample time to drive their campaigns, especially in seats held by the Congress.


In a shocking case, bodies of three minor sisters were found stuffed inside a trunk at their house in Kanpur village of Punjab's Jalandhar. Police have filed a murder case and launched an investigation.

The deceased were identified as Kanchan, 4, Shakti, 7, and Amrita, 9. The bodies have been sent for postmortem to ascertain the cause of death.

The girls' father, a migrant worker, had filed a complaint with the police on Sunday night about his daughters having gone missing. On Monday, when he was shifting the household items, he found the trunk heavier than usual and when he opened it, he found the bodies of his three daughters inside it, police said.

Police also informed that the family of the girls had received an ultimatum from their landlord to vacate the house over their father's drinking habit.

According to some local reports, however, the police also suspect that the children were killed by their father. The cops had detained the man and his wife and questioned them, they said.

More details awaited
A top official of the Joe Biden administration has heaped praises on External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, calling him the architect of modern ties between India and the US.



The remarks were made by US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma during a special reception hosted by India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, to honour the minister.



"It's one of the most consequential relationships of this century. Do we have disagreements? You bet. Will we have bumps in the road? Of course. But two close friends aligned with these shared values, bonded together by the great ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King...this is a partnership with staying power, with real impact, and that will continue to have an outside influence in the world," Verma said.



"I have also known (Jaishankar) for a long time over many capacities, and who I can also say, he is the architect of modern US-India relations. We would not be in the strong place that we are today, but for the external affairs minister, your leadership," he added.



Biden's domestic policy advisor Neera Tanden also praised Jaishankar, saying, "Our community has honestly matured and recognized that we can participate and contribute in so many ways. And I think it is the strength of that relationship and the strength of the democratic participation that we are part of, that really builds on the US-India relationship. And it is an honour to be here with the foreign minister, Jaishankar, who's a great leader across so many issues and has recognized for years the important strength of the community."



Notable Indian-origin officials from the Biden administration, including US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Dr Rahul Gupta, and Director of the National Science Foundation Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan also attended the event.
After Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) claimed responsibility for the suicide attack near the office of the Turkish Interior Ministry in Ankara on Sunday, Turkey's warplane targeted Kurdish militants in northern Iraq.

Turkey's defence ministry stated that at least 20 PKK bases were destroyed in the latest aerial operation, including caves, shelters and depots. It added that several PKK operatives were neutralised in the airstrikes targeting bases in Gara, Hakurk, Metina and Qandil.

A CCTV footage obtained by Reuters on Sunday showed a light commercial vehicle, which was seized from a veterinarian in the central province of Kayseri, pulling up near the Interior Ministry's main gate. A man can be seen quickly making his way towards the building before the explosive on his body detonated. Another occupant was gunned down in a shooting while two police personnel were also injured in the blast.

PKK said the attack was carried out by a team of ours linked to our Immortals Battalion group, Al Jazeera reported citing ANF news agency.

Our heroic police officers, through their intuition, resisted the terrorists as soon as they got out of the vehicle, AP quoted Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya as saying. One of them blew himself up, while the other one was shot in the head before he had a chance to blow himself up. Our fight against terrorism, their collaborators, the (drug) dealers, gangs and organized crime organizations will continue with determination."

The attack happened hours before Turkeys Parliament reopened after its three-month summer recess. All parliamentarians, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, were expected to attend the session.

The parliament convened as planned and Erdogan during his speech called the attack the last stand of terrorism. The scoundrels who targeted the peace and security of the citizens could not achieve their goals and they never will, the Turkish president said.
Elon Musk slammed the Justin Trudeau government in Canada for "crushing free speech" in the country. His remarks came after the Canadian government asked online streaming services to formally register with the government for 'regulatory' oversight.



Responding to a post by journalist and author Glenn Greenwald who was commenting on the ruling, Musk said, "Trudeau is trying to crush free speech in Canada. Shameful."



Greenwald's post on X read, "The Canadian government, armed with one of the world's most repressive online censorship schemes, announces that all "online streaming services that offer podcasts" must formally register with the government to permit regulatory controls."



However, Trudeau was accused of restricting free speech earlier too. In February 2022, Trudeau invoked emergency powers, allowing his government to impose bans on public assembly and prohibit travel to protest zones in response to an agitation led by truckers who were protesting vaccine mandates.



Ironically, Trudeau has refused to take action against Khalistan extremism in the name of free speech. Last month, the Canadian PM, speaking to media following the G20 summit in New Delhi, said, Canada will always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest and it is extremely important to us.. at the same time we are always there to prevent violence and to push back against hatred".
Hollywood has been involved in an unprecedented strike for months for many reasons. One of them is the use of artificial intelligence as a tool to facilitate screenwriting. This time it was Zelda Williams, daughter of Robin Williams, the actor and comedian known for hits like Good Will Hunting or Dead Poets Society, who slammed the way that some American production companies have been manipulating her late fathers voice. Ive witnessed for YEARS how many people want to train these models to create/recreate actors who cannot consent, like Dad. This isnt theoretical, it is very, very real, she wrote in an Instagram story. The actors daughter has shown support for the actors strike  which is still ongoing  on several occasions and has demanded more controls on the use of AI. Her father definitely wouldve been out there fighting the good fight for art and artists, she added on occasion of the anniversary of the 1993 release of Mrs. Doubtfire, an unprecedented success for her father, who took his own life in August 2014.

Zelda Williams, who has described AI technology as disturbing, said on Instagram that while I find it personally disturbing, the ramifications go far beyond my own feelings. Living actors deserve a chance to create characters with their choices, to voice cartoons, to put their HUMAN effort and time into the pursuit of performance.

One of the main reasons why screenwriters and actors went on strike was to protect themselves from artificial intelligence. These recreations are, at their very best, a poor facsimile of greater people, added Williams, who has herself worked as an actress and director. But at their worst, a horrendous Frankensteinian monster, cobbled together from the worst bits of everything this industry is, instead of what it should stand for.

Robin Williams died at the age of 62 in his home in California after struggling for years with anxiety, depression, and Parkinsons. The autopsy also revealed that he suffered from dementia. Zelda has spoken out about how she coped with the grief of her fathers death. In a Netflix interview with Chelsea Handler in 2016, she said: It was very funny because, for a while, no one would let me do anything, she shared. I think theres that reaction of like, Oh, s, are you OK? And then even if you are OK, theyre like, Well, whats wrong? For a while, I was just kind of left to my own devices. But then also youre like, Is there something wrong with me? And also, I didnt see daylight for a while.

Hollywood actors are currently on strike over a range of issues, but a week ago, the screenwriters called off their protest after reaching an agreement with the studios represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The agreement ended one of the longest strikes in the industry. However, most film and television productions will remain on hold while the actors strike continues, with negotiations resuming this week.
President Joe Biden said on Sunday that American aid to Ukraine will keep flowing for now as he sought to reassure allies of continued US financial support for the war effort. But time is running out, the president said in a warning to Congress.

We cannot under any circumstances allow American aid for Ukraine to be interrupted," Biden said in remarks from the Roosevelt Room after Congress voted late Saturday to avert a government shutdown by passing a short-term funding package that dropped assistance for Ukraine in the fight against Russia.

"We have time, not much time and there's an overwhelming sense of urgency, he said, noting that the funding bill lasts only until mid-November. Biden urged Congress to negotiate an aid package as soon as possible.

The vast majority of both partiesDemocrats and Republicans, Senate and Housesupport helping Ukraine and the brutal aggression that is being thrust upon them by Russia, Biden said. "Stop playing games, get this done.'' But, many lawmakers acknowledge that winning approval for Ukraine assistance in Congress is growing more difficult as the war grinds on. Republican resistance to the aid has been gaining momentum in the halls of Congress.

Voting in the House this past week pointed to the potential trouble ahead. Nearly half of House Republicans voted to strip $300 million from a defence spending bill to train Ukrainian soldiers and purchase weapons. The money later was approved separately, but opponents of Ukraine support celebrated their growing numbers. Then, on Saturday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., omitted additional Ukraine aid from a measure to keep the government running until November 17.

In doing so, he closed the door on a Senate package that would have funnelled $6 billion to Ukraine, roughly one-third of what has been requested by the White House. Both the House and Senate overwhelmingly approved the stopgap measure, with members of both parties abandoning the increased aid for Ukraine in favour of avoiding a costly government shutdown.

Biden said that deal was made to keep the government running and he worked to reassure US allies the funding would be there. Look at me, he said turning his face to the cameras at the White House. We're going to get it done. I can't believe those who voted for supporting Ukraine--overwhelming majority in the House and Senate, Democrat and Republican--will for pure political reasons let more people die needlessly in Ukraine.

The latest actions in Congress signal a gradual shift in the unwavering support that the United States has so far pledged Ukraine in its fight against Russia, and it is one of the clearest examples yet of the Republican Party's movement toward a more isolationist stance. The exclusion of Ukraine funding came little more than a week after lawmakers met in the Capitol with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who sought to assure lawmakers that his military was winning the war, but stressed that additional aid would be crucial for continuing the fight.

After that visit, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said that one sentence summed up Zelenskyy's message in his meeting with the Senate: If we don't get the aid, we will lose the war, Schumer said.

Yet, McCarthy, pressured by his right flank, has gone from saying no blank checks for Ukraine, with the focus being on accountability, to describing the Senate's approach as putting Ukraine in front of America. He declined to say after the vote on government funding whether he would bring aid for Ukraine up for a House vote in the coming weeks. If there is a moment in time we need to have a discussion about that, we will have a discussion completely about that, but I think the administration has to make the case for what is victory, McCarthy said.

In the Senate, both Schumer and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky pledged to move quickly to try and pass the full White House request. But it was clear that goal will be increasingly difficult as more rank-and-file GOP senators have questioned the aid or demanded that it be attached to immigration policy that would help secure the southern border  echoing similar demands in the House.

Florida Senator Rick Scott, a Republican who voted for the spending bill after the Ukraine aid was stripped out, said that Congress needs to have a conversation with the American public. He said he was optimistic after seeing the money taken out of the bill. In my state, people want to be helpful to Ukraine, but they also want to be helpful to Americans," Scott said. "And so they want to really understand how this money has been spent.

Democrats said they were disappointed by the lack of Ukraine funding, but expressed determination that they would get the aid to the war-torn country. We will not stop fighting for more economic and security assistance for Ukraine, Schumer said after the bill passed.

Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said he would like to send a clear message to the world about US support for Ukraine by passing legislation, but, believes the Pentagon has enough draw-down money to last through December. He said he believes McCarthy still supports funding for Ukraine. I think he's dealing with a caucus that's got fractures that he has to deal with and none of them can be ignored when you've got a four-seat majority and 15 nuts in the conference, Rogers said, referring to far-right lawmakers who have staunchly opposed funding for Ukraine.

Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he heard McCarthy tell Zelenskyy during his visit that we will give them what they need.

Unfortunately, the message that speaker and the former president is sending is that they can't be relied upon, Meeks said, adding a reference to former President Donald Trump, who has called on Congress to withhold additional Ukraine funding until the FBI, IRS and Justice Department hand over every scrap of evidence on the Biden family's business dealings.

The US has approved four rounds of aid to Ukraine in response to Russia's invasion, totalling about $113 billion, with some of that money going toward replenishment of US military equipment that was sent to the frontlines. In August, Biden called on Congress to provide for an additional $24 billion.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the country is confident of United States funding coming through amid reports of US Congress approving a short-term budget excluding an aid package for Ukraine.



Kuleba said, We dont feel that the US support has been shattered because the United States understands that what is at stake in Ukraine is much bigger than just Ukraine. Kuleba's comments come as foreign ministers of European Union nations are meeting in Ukraine's capital Kyiv to discuss aid for Ukraine.

All 27 member states of the EU have reportedly gathered in Kyiv to express the bloc's solidarity with Ukraine in the ongoing war against Russia. "We are convening a historic meeting of EU Foreign Ministers here in Ukraine, candidate country and future member of the EU. We are here to express our solidarity and support to the Ukrainian people, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell tweeted.

During the visit, Borrell said the bloc's aid for Ukraine has reached a staggering 85 billion euros. This includes 25 billion euros in military aid, Borrell said. Borrell also met with Ukraine's defence minister Rustem Umerov to discuss further military aid for Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden on Sunday urged Congress to pass funding aid for Ukraine. We cannot under any circumstances allow American aid for Ukraine to be interrupted," Biden said. He added, We have time, not much time and there's an overwhelming sense of urgency.
New Delhi, Oct 2 (PTI) Meta-owned WhatsApp banned 74 lakh accounts in August, keeping in line with IT rules, according to the latest India monthly report by the messaging platform.

Of these, 35 lakh accounts were proactively banned, before any reports from users.

The 'user-safety report' contains details of user complaints received and the corresponding action taken by WhatsApp, as well as WhatsApp's own preventive actions to combat abuse on the platform.

"Between August 1 and August 31, a total of 7,420,748 WhatsApp accounts were banned. 3,506,905 of these accounts were proactively banned, before any reports from users," it said.

An Indian account is identified via a +91 phone number.
*Los Angeles Mayor urges India to open consulate in America's second-largest city.



US: Ganesh festival celebrated in Redmond.



Turkiye strikes suspected Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq after suicide attack in Ankara.



Church roof collapses in north Mexico, killing at least nine and injuring about 50, officials say. *
Jakarta, Oct 2 (AP) Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway on Monday as it was set to begin commercial operations, a key project under China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative that will drastically reduce the travel time between two key cities.

The project has been beset with delays and increasing costs, and some observers doubt its commercial benefits. But Widodo has championed the 142-kilometre (88-mile) railway, which was issued its official operating license from the Transportation Ministry on Sunday.

The USD 7.3 billion project, largely funded by China, was constructed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China, known as PT KCIC, a joint venture between an Indonesian consortium of four state-owned companies and China Railway International Co. Ltd.

The railway connects Jakarta with Bandung, the heavily populated capital of West Java province, and will cut travel time between the cities from the current three hours to about 40 minutes.

Its use of electrical energy is expected to reduce carbon emissions.

Widodo in his opening remarks officially named Indonesia's first high-speed railway  the fastest in Southeast Asia, with speeds of up to 350 kph (217 mph)  as Whoosh, from Waktu Hemat, Operasi Optimal, Sistem Handal, which means timesaving, optimal operation, reliable system in Indonesian language.

The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train marks the modernisation of our mass transportation, which is efficient and environmentally friendly, Widodo said.

Our courage to try new things gives us confidence and the opportunity to learn and will be very useful for the future, making our human resources more advanced and our nation more independent, he added.

Widodo, along with other high-ranking officials, rode Whoosh from its first station, Halim in eastern Jakarta, to Bandung's Padalarang station, one of the line's four stations, located about 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the central area of Bandung.

He took a 25-minute test ride on the train on September 13 and told reporters that he felt comfortable sitting or walking inside the bullet train even at its top speeds.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang took a test ride early last month while visiting Jakarta for three days of talks with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations and other countries.

Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the coordinating minister for maritime and investment, said China Railway has agreed to transfer its technology to Indonesia so that in the future the country's high-speed trains can be made domestically.

For two weeks leading up to the inauguration, PT KCIC has been running a free-of-charge public trial.

Indonesia broke ground on the project in 2016. The line was originally expected to begin operations in 2019, but was delayed by disputes over land acquisition, environmental issues and the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was planned to cost 66.7 trillion rupiah (USDF 4.3 billion), but the amount ballooned to 113 trillion rupiah (USD 7.3 billion).

The trains have been modified for Indonesia's tropical climate and are equipped with a safety system that can respond to earthquakes, floods and other emergency conditions. The 209-meter (685-foot) train has a capacity of 601 passengers.

Ticket prices had not been finalized as of Monday, but PT KCIC estimated one-way prices per passenger would range from 250,000 rupiah (USD 16) for second class to 350,000 rupiah (USD 22.60) for VIP seats.

Passengers going to downtown Bandung need to take a feeder train from the Padalarang station that will add a further 20 minutes, with an estimated cost about 50,000 rupiah (USD 3.20).

The rail deal was signed in October 2015 after Indonesia selected China over Japan in fierce bidding.

It was financed with a loan from the China Development Bank for 75 per cent of the cost. The remaining 25 per cent came from the consortium's own funds.

The project is part of a planned 750-kilometre (466-mile) high-speed train line that would cut across four provinces on Indonesia's main island of Java and end in the country's second-largest city, Surabaya.

As a global economic giant, China is one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment in Southeast Asia, a region home to more than 675 million people. Amid crackdowns by the United States and its allies, China is expanding trade with ASEAN countries and infrastructure projects are playing key roles.

A semi-high-speed railway  with speeds up to 160 kph (99 mph)  linking China with Laos was inaugurated in December 2021.

The USD 6 billion infrastructure was financed mostly by China under the Belt and Road policy.

The 1,035-kilometer (643-mile) route runs through Laos' mountain ranges to connect the southeastern Chinese city of Kunming with Vientiane, the capital of Laos. There are plans for a high-speed train down through Thailand and Malaysia to Singapore. (AP) FZH
Geneva, Oct 2 (AP) The new head of the UN's migration agency said on Monday that the private sector is desperate for their countries to take in migrants to mop up labour shortages, especially in the West  endeavouring to steer a narrative away from reticence and suspicion about migrants in many parts of the world.

Amy Pope, the first woman to head the International Organisation for Migration, sought to play up the economic benefits of migration for rich nations with aging populations and declining workforces  in the face of build-the-wall rhetoric in the United States to block migrants from Latin America and right-wing movements in Europe that want to keep foreigners out.

We hear from ... the private sector globally, but especially in Europe and in North America, that they are desperate for migration in order to meet their own labour market needs and in order to continue to fuel innovation within their own companies, Pope, who is American, told reporters.

She said the evidence was fairly overwhelming that migration benefits economies by filling jobs, powering innovation or fuelling the renovation or revitalisation of aging communities.

"Migration, on the whole, is a benefit. That's not to say that the rhetoric around migration reflects the fact that it is a tremendous benefit.

Governments who open up to migration often do so at their political peril: The Biden administration  which strongly supported Pope's candidacy  recently gave work permits to nearly 500,000 Venezuelans, whose home country has been in economic and political turmoil in recent years to help get them to work, pay taxes and stop being a burden on public finances.

But critics insist such policies are likely to encourage migrants to flock to the United States, and say they take manual and blue-collar jobs and put downward pressure on wages.

Pope insisted that countries must ensure legal and proper pathways to migration, a longstanding call by UN institutions.

The difference today is that 30 of the biggest economies have experienced very significant labour shortages  and we are seeing it everywhere, she said, adding that agriculture, construction, health care and hospitality were among the sectors affected.

Pope said her first trip abroad in the job will be to East Africa, where drought and the impacts of climate change have driven many to flee.

She said 80 per cent of African migrants stay in Africa, and said her job was not to focus just on south-to-north migration, which I know occupies a lot of the political space and a lot of the print space.

She pointed to shrinking humanitarian aid budgets, the need to draw in the private sector into the conversation to support migration, and signs that migration is set to continue to grow.

Whether it's climate change, whether it's conflict, whether it's the inability to find a job or a future at home, or violence within neighbourhoods or communities, more and more people are looking to find a better life somewhere else in the world, she said of a message gleaned from her talks last week with migration experts in Asia.

Pope officially took over Sunday from Antonio Vitorino of Portugal, her former boss, whom she outlasted in a US-vs.-European Union showdown earlier this year. The Geneva-based agency has only had two non-American directors-general since its founding in 1951, and today it brings together 175 member countries and more than 20,000 staff. (AP) FZH
Kyiv, Oct 2 (AP) Some of Europe's top diplomats gathered Monday in Kyiv in a display of support for Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion as signs emerge of political strain in Europe and the United States over the 19-month-old war.

European Union foreign ministers converged on the Ukrainian capital for an unannounced informal meeting that officials said would review the bloc's support for Ukraine and discuss Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposed peace formula.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the foreign ministers' first joint meeting outside EU borders signalled that the 27-nation bloc's support is unwavering, and underscored the EU's commitment to Ukraine.

The United States, the EU and the United Kingdom have provided massive military and financial support to Ukraine, enabling it to stand up to the Kremlin's attack.

The assistance is crucial for Ukraine's weakened economy and has so far been open-ended.

But uncertainty has set in over how long Kyiv's allies will keep sending it aid worth billions of dollars (euros).

US President Joe Biden on Sunday reassured allies of continued U.S. financial support for the war effort, after Congress averted a government shutdown by adopting a short-term funding package that dropped assistance for Ukraine in its battle against Russia.

Many US lawmakers acknowledge that winning approval for Ukraine assistance in Congress is growing more difficult as the war grinds on.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told reporters that Ukraine held discussions with representatives of both parties in the US Congress to ensure more help will arrive.

The decision was taken as it was, but we are now working with both sides of the Congress to make sure that it does not repeat again under any circumstances, Kuleba said.

The question is whether what happens in the US Congress last weekend is an incident or a system. I think it was an incident, he added.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday he didn't doubt that Washington will continue to be directly involved in the conflict.

At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin is wagering that international support for Kyiv will sooner or later begin to flag, and Peskov said the fatigue will eventually bring fragmentation of Ukraine's foreign assistance.

The largely symbolic EU meeting in Kyiv took place after the weekend election victory in EU member Slovakia of Robert Fico, whose pro-Russian agenda has increased the question marks about the EU's continued support for Kyiv.

The small eastern European country could bring more tension to the EU's discussions on Ukraine, as has happened with Hungary's at-times cool attitude toward Kyiv.

Budapest has maintained close relations with Moscow and argued against supplying arms to Ukraine or providing it with economic assistance. Slovakia operates a key rail line used to transport western military hardware to Ukraine.

Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, didn't comment directly on what Moscow expects from the new Slovak government, saying that a governing coalition is yet to be formed there.

The foreign ministers of Hungary and Poland were not at the Kyiv gathering. However, it is not unusual for diplomats to skip such informal meetings.

Four of the 27 countries sent high-ranking officials instead of their diplomacy chiefs, EU officials said.

Even so, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna described the gathering as an exceptional diplomatic gesture that shows Ukraine is part of our European family.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said Europe must be ready to provide further help for many good reasons.

First of all, in order to support Ukraine, but also to send a strong trans-Atlantic signal that what's going on on our own soil is something we have to take on a great responsibility for, Lkke Rasmussen said.

Zelenskyy's 10-point peace proposal includes establishing a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes and building a European-Atlantic security architecture with guarantees for Ukraine.

Ukraine is bent on becoming a member of the EU, and EU officials have encouraged that course even though it could take years amid a war of attrition with no end in sight.

With every village, with every meter that Ukraine liberates, with every meter in which it rescues its people, it is also paving its way to the European Union, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters in Kyiv.

Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said Western allies must keep up the military aid because if we don't deliver any weapons from the EU, from NATO, from other countries, then this war is over but with the wrong consequences.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's presidential office said Monday that over the previous 24 hours at least five civilians were killed and 13 people were hurt. Most of them in the east of the Donetsk region.

Russian attacks on residential areas of 11 cities and villages there killed three and wounded five people, it said.

The claims could not be independently verified. (AP) FZH
Baghdad, Oct 2 (AP) Christian religious leaders in northern Iraq called for an international investigation Monday into a deadly wedding fire that killed more than 100 people last week and slammed the government's probe, which had blamed the blaze on negligence and lack of precautionary measures.

An Iraqi Syriac Catholic priest, meanwhile, said widespread corruption in the country and the influence of armed militias on the government was one of the factors that enabled the fire.

Father Boutros Sheeto, spoke to The Associated Press over the phone from the town of Qaraqosh, where five members of his family, including his Iraqi-American sister, were buried on Monday morning. He claimed the fire was intentional, without offering any evidence.

Scores of panicked guests surged for the exits on Tuesday night in the Haitham Royal Wedding Hall in the predominantly Christian area of Hamdaniya in Nineveh province after the ceiling panels above a pyrotechnic machine burst into flames.

Iraq released the results of its probe on Sunday saying unsafe fireworks were the main reason that caused the fire that killed 107 and injured 82. Several local officials in Nineveh were also subjected to administrative measures because of negligence.

We reject the idea that the cause of the fire was an accident, Sheeto said. We are confident that it was intentional and therefore we demand an international investigation.

Ten of his relatives, including his sister Faten Sheeto who had traveled to Iraq from her home in Arizona to attend the wedding were killed by the fire.

Iraqi media quoted Chaldean Catholic Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako from Rome as saying the blaze was the act of someone who sold his conscience and nation for a specific agenda.

In July, Sako left his Baghdad headquarters and returned to northern Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region after Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid revoked a decree recognizing his position as patriarch of the Chaldeans, Iraq's largest Christian denomination and one of the Catholic Church's eastern rites.

Another Iraqi Christian religious leader, Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul Benedictus Younan Hanno said a probe should be done under the supervision of international investigators, and added that he and others among the Iraqi Christians do not accept the results of the Iraqi probe.

On Monday, the Nineveh Heath Department updated the death toll to 113, including 41 who have not been identified yet. It said 12 people who suffered severe burns were sent for treatment abroad and eight will follow.

The tragedy was the latest to hit Iraq's Christian minority, which has dwindled to a fraction of its former size over the past two decades.

The decline started before the militant Islamic State group's persecution of religious minorities after the extremists captured large parts of Iraq in 2014. Christians were among groups targeted by militants as security broke down after the 2003 US-led invasion that overthrew Saddam Hussein.

The number of Christians in Iraq today is estimated at 150,000, compared to 1.5 million in 2003. Iraq's total population is over 40 million. (AP) SCY

SCY
London, Oct 2 (PTI) The Chief Justice of India, Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, and Maharashtra Minister for Cultural Affairs Sudhir Munganitwar were among the special guests at the annual Gandhi Jayanti celebrations in London on Monday.

The Indian diaspora gathering at the iconic Gandhi statue at Tavistock Square in London, assembled by the Indian High Commission in London and India League, included floral tributes to the Mahatma and addresses reflective of his message.

Students of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London performed a selection of Mahatma Gandhis favourite bhajans, including Raghupati Raghav and Vaishnava Jan, as community leaders and parliamentarians gathered for the sombre ceremony which concluded with a Buddhist prayer.

Today, on his 154th birth anniversary, we remember Mahatma Gandhi for his teachings, wisdom and compassion for humankind, said Justice Chadrachud in his address to the gathering.

Mahatma Gandhi is a name that is known to everyone in the world. A name which stands for the principle of truth and non-violence. A name which calls for universal peace. A name which inspires hope that we shall make our world a better place than it was before, he said.

The Chief Justice described Bapu, as he is lovingly known in India, as a guiding light for all Indians in a spiritual sense.

His ideas have persisted over time as a tool of social change, non-violent ways of life and humanism. Bapus legacy extends far beyond the boundaries of India, he added.

Minister Munganitwar, who is in London to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Victoria and Albert (V&A) museum for the display of Chhatrapati Shivajis 17th century Tiger Claws in Mumbai later this year, highlighted the global significance of Gandhis message.

This day is marked the world over as the International Day of Non-Violence because of the mantra of ahimsa given by Mahatma Gandhiji, he said in a speech in Hindi.

The minister also spoke about his personal connection with the great leader as a guardian minister of the Gandhi Sevagram Ashram in Wardha, Maharashtra.

The charkha became like a weapon of peace in the hands of every Indian. It is important that this day of non-violence is not just one day for us, but a way of life, he said.

The Indian High Commissioner, Vikram Doraiswami, who later made his way to the Gandhi statue at Parliament Square, also reflected upon the enduring legacy of the Father of the Indian nation.

As he said, we need to find within us the strength and moral character and the force of purpose to do the right thing, to be the best we can be and the best way of doing that is to be there for everybody else, said Doraiswami.

At the Gandhi statue in Parliament Square, the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on India (Trade and Investment) organised a gathering led by Indian-origin peer Lord Meghnad Desai.

He taught us how to fight against injustice and cruelty, peacefully. We remember him for that and for winning India its freedom, said Lord Desai.
By Hamid Laga, Murdoch University, Mohammed Bennamoun and Farid Boussaid, University of Western Australia

Perth, Oct 2 (360info) Intelligent virtual human companions could help address the social isolation felt by many older people.

They can walk, talk, sit on your couch and until recently, belonged only in the realm of science fiction.

Soon computer-generated humans could become some of our best friends as more people try to overcome the kind of loneliness that can come with ageing.

Technology is making it possible, but it is our changing demographics that might drive us towards these virtual humans.

Many developed economies in Asia, Europe and North America are also rapidly ageing societies.

For example, more than one-fifth of Australia's population is projected to be 65 or older by 2066.

This poses major socio-economic challenges, from a reduction in the skilled workforce through to unprecedented pressure on health and social services  and demands some equally significant solutions.

Social isolation is one of the key issues faced by ageing populations.

Most elderly people live either in aged-care facilities or in their own homes but with little to no social interactions with other family members or friends.

Intelligent virtual human companions have the potential to help alleviate this problem.

An intelligent virtual human companion is an avatar  a computer-generated human that can be placed in and integrated into physical worlds like your living room, similar to a hologram seen through augmented reality glasses.

Such a companion is unique because it integrates seamlessly with the physical world so you will see this computer-generated human as if it is a real person, breaking boundaries between real and virtual worlds.

It can look, behave and converse like a human, for example a beloved family member. And it understands and interacts with the environment and other people in the same way a person would.

So it can move around, sit or lie down and chat with others in the same way. It can't pick up or move things or make a cup of tea  the technology is not there yet.

Unlike robots  which have also been considered a solution to social isolation among the elderly  virtual humans are not expensive, are easy to deploy and are customisable.

They can be shaped in any form and simulate the look and behaviour of anyone  something which isn't possible with a robot.

This could perhaps explain why, despite significant investments  especially in countries like Japan  the adoption of robotics in aged care has been minimal.

The technology behind intelligent virtual humans has a range of possible applications.

In ageing societies, virtual humans can play the role of companions as well as help service providers.

With more people relying on telehealth, especially in remote areas that lack facilities and health-care workers, intelligent virtual human technology can holoport doctors, other health practitioners and even patients to where they are needed. Holoportation allows three-dimensional models of people to be transmitted anywhere.

The technology could be used in a similar way for education and training providers or customer support.

Making virtual human companions look and act like real humans, and equipping them with the intelligence necessary for their seamless integration into people's physical environments and daily lives, is key to their widespread adoption.

Five years ago, this goal sounded more like science fiction.

Today, technological developments in augmented reality, computer graphics, artificial intelligence and machine learning and computer vision are turning it into a reality.

Augmented reality devices are becoming more powerful and more accessible to common users.

Computer graphics algorithms  now empowered with generative AI  enable realistic visualisation of virtual worlds in general and virtual humans in particular.

Computer vision algorithms  which greatly benefited from the deep learning revolution  now achieve unprecedented performance in object recognition and scene understanding, and in recognising and predicting people's emotions and behaviours.

Advances in AI and machine learning have paved the way to developing machines that can learn from and reason like humans.

All this means life-like virtual human companions equipped with advanced artificial intelligence have huge potential to improve the mental health and quality of life of ageing populations around the world.

But there are still obstacles and challenges to overcome before this becomes a mature technology.

Augmented reality technology, despite many decades of research, is still in its infancy.

Augmented reality devices are physically cumbersome and the images rendered on their glasses are low resolution and low quality compared to what can be done on desktop computers.

And importantly, the health impacts of using augmented reality devices for long hours is yet to be understood.

User privacy also needs to be addressed, since this technology learns from user data and continuously collects it while operating to provide the right and personalised services, but also to refine its knowledge.

From a technological perspective, making virtual humans realistic and intelligent is an ongoing area of research, although significant advances have been made towards achieving this goal.

These include developing novel machine learning techniques for scene understanding, 3D reconstruction and modelling, 4D humans, Bayesian neural networks and spiking neural networks, which are essential towards modelling virtual humans that can reason in the same way humans do.

Despite the benefits they could bring, whether people are ready to accept intelligent virtual human companions living with them and sharing their physical space remains to be seen. (360info.org)
Mythology, literature, painting, art, scientific studies Everything is intermingled in the story of the Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca (247-183 B.C.) and his legendary passage through the Alps with 37 African elements to launch his attack on Rome. The recent discovery in Cordoba of a carpal (hand bone)  possibly from one of Hannibals specimens or from one of the pachyderms that also accompanied Julius Caesar on his campaigns in Hispania  has placed new focus on a scientific history that does not always coincide with the historiographic one. However, all the elephants that the Carthaginian strategist used died of exhaustion, starvation, or in the various battles he fought to gain control of the western Mediterranean. There is less data available for the animals deployed by Caesar in the Iberian Peninsula because, as professor of Archaeology at the Autonomous University of Madrid, Fernando Quesada, affirms, the Roman general led confused military campaigns that are still being unraveled at the archeological site of Montemayor in Cordoba. But elephants were used by the Romans, although sporadically and on many occasions poorly with deadly results for their own side. The fear the legionaries held that the beasts could turn against them was so great that Caesar, before the battle of Thapsus in Tunisia (46 B.C.), brought specimens that were slated for the gladiatorial arena for his men to become accustomed to, and to hone their readiness to fight enemy pachyderms.

The first battle where elephants were deployed as a combat weapon was Gaugamela (330 B.C.), in present-day Iraq, where Alexander the Great met the forces of the Persian King Darius III, who arrived on the field with very few specimens and was defeated. A few years later, in India, Alexander faced King Porus, who used 200 pachyderms. But these proved to be of little use against the masterful Greek tactician. In the western Mediterranean basin, the Greek King Pyrrhus of Epirus used elephants in his fight against the Romans in Sicily between 280 and 275 B.C. The impact of pachyderms on the battlefield must have been staggering. The elephant, seen for the first time, must have been viewed with fear and amazement. The bellowing, the use of the trunk, and the obvious size caused terror in enemies, explains historian Christian San Jose in a paper entitled Hannibals Elephants.

The Carthaginians copied the military use of elephants from the Egyptians, who deployed smaller Asian elephants. Carthage, on the other hand, preferred North African elephants, which were hunted so intensely that they became extinct in less than two centuries. During the First Punic War (264-241 B.C.), the Spartan mercenary general Xanthippus had around 100 perfectly trained war elephants at his disposal for the Sicily campaign against Rome.

The Romans, for their part, used pachyderms for the first time in the Second Macedonian War (200-197 B.C). These animals were supplied by the Numidian kingdom to the consul Publius Sulpicius Galba Maximus. In Hispania, 10 proboscideans were deployed during the 153 B.C. siege of Numantia. The consul Quintus Fulvius Nobilior launched them against the Celtiberian Arevaci, but the animals became so panicked that the attack ended in disaster for the Romans. According to the historian Appian, Quintus Fulvius Nobilior chased the Arevaci to the walls, where they fought bravely, until one of the elephants, wounded in the head with a large stone, became so enraged that, returning to his own with terrible bellows, he began to trample everyone he met, without distinction of friend or foe. At the bellowing of this one, the other elephants, enraged, began to do the same, and tramped, killed, and overpowered the Romans.

Carpal bone from the hand of the elephant found in Cordoba. Rafael Martinez

Elephants as a psychological weapon

Historian Fernando Quesada explains in his study From warriors into soldiers: Hannibals force as an atypical Carthaginian army: Since ancient times, the Carthaginians had used exotic weapons of ancient oriental tradition, such as the chariot, although it seems that already by the time of the Agathocles war (317-287 B.C.) its use had been extinguished. From the First Punic War, the elephant replaced the chariot as a psychological and exotic weapon, now within the Hellenistic tradition.

King Pyrrhus favored Asian elephants (Elephas indicus), animals that have a huge body that allows them to carry a tower on its back with space for two archers. Hannibal, on the other hand, preferred the North African elephant, which was much smaller than the African elephant and the Asian elephant, standing between 2.4 and 2.5 meters high. Their size only allowed for a single rider, so they lacked a tower attached to their back, contrary to general belief.

Hannibal, according to the written sources of the time, used elephants in Hispania; first in 220 B.C. against the Vaccaei of Helmantike (modern-day Salamanca) and in the crucial battle of the Tagus where he faced the Olcades and Carpetani. At that time, he had 40 animals at his disposal. The Carthaginians sped up the training of elephants during the Hispanic wars, with Hannibals deployment rising to 58, 21 of which he gave to his brother Asdrubal to continue the fight against the Romans in Hispania, while he left for the conquest of Rome itself with 37 specimens.

The first difficulty Hannibal encountered was that the animals had to cross the wide Rhone. Historians offer two versions of how he was able to accomplish this. The first, based on the Greek historian Polybius, holds that the general built rafts over two hundred feet long and fifty feet wide to simulate dry land. The second suggests the animals were forced to swim the river, goaded with severe physical punishment. San Jose notes that pachyderms have the capacity to overcome a flow of 110 cubic meters per second. The Rhone, says the expert, would therefore not pose any difficulty as it has an average flow of 60 cubic meters per second.

Later, Hannibal famously crossed the Alps during a harsh winter, ascending snowy slopes under the threat of deadly avalanches, along slippery and waterlogged passes that had to be cleared to allow horses and elephants to pass. The Carthaginians pachyderms, according to recent studies, demonstrate that these animals have perfect balance, a very stable footing and a great capacity to advance through steep and icy areas that, in some cases, even surpasses that of goats.

Hannibals journey was a masterclass in logistics. An elephant can eat around 220 kilos of fodder a day, which multiplied by 37 meant a daily consumption of some 8,140 kilos. In other words, the Punic general developed with precision and thoroughness a food storage and distribution system where elephants played a primary role. In short, Hannibals feat as a general must be understood from logistical parameters and not in the mere fact of getting the pachyderms through the mountains. His success in logistics and planning is evident in getting the elephants onto Italian soil, writes San Jose.

The Battle of the Trebia was fought in December, 218 B.C. Hannibal placed his elephants in the front line, divided into two blocks, and threw them against the Roman cavalry. The Carthaginians won, but when he reached the Apennines, Hannibal had only one pachyderm left. Possibly all had died of starvation, since the general had not had time to create a logistical apparatus to feed them, as he did in the Alps. The Carthaginian Senate approved sending him 40 more, but these never materialized.

The end was near. Hannibal was Carthages final trump card. At the crucial battle of Zama (202 B.C.), in North Africa, he had 80 elephants at his disposal, which he placed in the front line of combat. But he made a serious mistake: he used completely inexperienced adult animals, which had been hastily captured in the forests of North Africa. The heat of battle turned the pachyderms against the Carthaginian ranks. Generally, the elephants employed by the Carthaginians were young and easier to train than adults. But the haste of events caused these considerations to be overlooked. These factors decisively conditioned Hannibals tactical-military disposition. Therefore, the elephants of Zama, due to their advanced age, their inexperience in battle, and lack of preparation in military maneuvers led to his defeat.

For his part, Caesar used elephants in his campaign in Hispania in 48 B.C. against the Pompeian faction. They were provided by the Mauritanian king Boguda. However, as historian Mario Llop notes in The Roman legions and war elephants: From discovery to use, this huge combat weapon came with the problems of expensive food, breeding in a climate different from their own, gestation periods of twenty-two months to conceive a single calf, training instead of domestication, scarcity and difficulty in obtaining drivers and trainers, problems in hunting and transport, and extinction of African elephants north of the Atlas. Llop says that, eventually, elephants were relegated to circus arenas and mass spectacles because they lacked tactical value for the legions.

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Bhubaneswar, Oct 2 (PTI) Blood samples of a woman and a one-week-old girl were collected for DNA testing on Monday, as the womans family had alleged that his newborn son was swapped with a girl child in an Odisha government-run hospital here.

The DNA testing will be done at the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFCL), Deputy Superintendent of Capital Hospital Dhananjaya Das said.

A DNA test is conducted to decide, among others, whether an individual is a biological child of another.

Pranakrushna Biswal, a man from Kendrapara district, on September 26 lodged a complaint with the hospital authorities and the police that his wife had given birth to a boy the previous night but he was swapped with a girl child.

Biswal had stated that he was informed about the birth of a boy by an attendant.

Following the complaint, the hospital conducted an investigation which found that the attendant concerned had given the wrong information to the family by mistake.

The authorities have also suspended the female attendant for allegedly giving false information to Biswals family about the birth of a boy.

Biswal did not agree to the probe findings. Following an order of a local court, samples of his wife and the girl have been collected for DNA matching to ascertain the truth, Das said.

Biswal said he would accept the result of the DNA test.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a genetic code carrying information from both parents to their children. It is a unique code for everybody, as people receive different sets of genes from their parents.



As the Biswal family has not accepted the baby girl yet, she is under the care of the hospital.
Imphal, Oct 2 (PTI) Manipur's Kangpokpi-based tribal organisation, Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), on Monday threatened to launch an indefinite shutdown in the district if the Centre failed to immediately release all those arrested by central agencies over the last three days.

Condemning the arrest of four people by the CBI in connection with the killing of two Manipuri youths, COTU in a statement on Monday said, "The committee serves a 48-hour ultimatum to the Union home ministry to direct the central agencies to immediately release all the arrested tribals and initiate an investigation of Meitei criminals."

COTU's ultimatum came a day after Churachandpur-based Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) announced an indefinite shutdown in the southern district of Manipur to protest the arrest of the four persons by the CBI and Seiminlun Gangte by the NIA.

COTU also denounced the arrest of Gangte and alleged that it is "a clear indication of partisan attitude on the part of the Union home ministry."

Gangte was arrested by the NIA in connection with "transnational conspiracy by Bangladesh and Myanmar-based leadership of terror outfits to wage war against the government of India by exploiting the current ethnic unrest in Manipur" and the Kwakta car bomb blast in June which injured three.

COTU also demanded the arrest of people who looted arms and ammunition from police stations and strict punishment for those who had paraded two women naked in May.

In July, Manipur Police had arrested more than seven people for disrobing the two women and parading them naked.

On September 22, the NIA arrested one Moirangthem Anand Singh from Imphal in connection with a different case.

Singh, along with four others, was arrested by the Manipur Police for possession of weapons looted from the police armoury.

All five, however, were bailed out, but Singh was arrested by the NIA for his involvement in terror activities.

He was brought to Delhi and is facing due legal process, officials said.

With the situation in the state still tense, the state government has decided to keep all schools closed till October 5 or until further notice.

On September 26, the Manipur government had shut all schools in view of the prevailing law and order situation.
Ranchi, Oct 2 (PTI) Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan praised his principal secretary, Nitin Madan Kulkarni, for saving a baby with congenital heart disease who had developed severe breathing problems during a Ranchi-Delhi flight on Saturday.

"I am proud of your noble work. It represents human service," Radhakrishnan wrote on 'X' to laud Kulkarni, a 1995-batch IAS officer and a trained doctor.

"Your promptness in saving the life of a child is highly appreciated. The work done by you towards serving humanity is exemplary for others," the governor said on Monday.

Kulkarni and a doctor from Ranchi Sadar Hospital gave oxygen supply using a mask meant for adults and other drugs as emergency medical assistance to the kid.

After the flight landed, a medical team took the baby under their care and provided oxygen support.

The parents were taking the baby to AIIMS Delhi for treatment, officials said.

Twenty minutes into the flight, the air crew had made an emergency announcement seeking medical assistance from any doctor on board for a baby in distress.

Kulkarni and Dr Mozammil Pheroz from Ranchi Sadar Hospital came forward to save the child.

"The mother was crying as the baby was gasping for breath. Dr Mozammil and I took over care of the baby. Oxygen was supplied through a mask meant for adults as no baby mask or cannula was available," Dr Kulkarni said.

"When we checked the medical records, we found the baby was suffering from a congenital heart condition," he said.

He said injection Theophylline was given from the drugs kit. The parents were carrying injection Dexona, which proved very helpful, he said.

Soon after the injections were pushed, the baby showed some signs of improvement, he added.

"First 15-20 minutes were very crucial as it was difficult to gauge the progress. Finally, the baby's eyes became normal. The cabin crew was very helpful and provided prompt support," he added.

"We requested for priority landing and full medical support on arrival," Kulkarni said.

The flight landed at 9.25 am and a medical team rushed in to provide oxygen support.

"We were happy and satisfied with the outcome of our efforts of more than an hour," Kulkarni said.

A co-passenger congratulated the doctors for saving the baby. "Doctors are God-sent angels. Today, I saw one saving a 6-month-old baby on board an Indigo flight. Dr Nitin Kulkarni, IAS, Governor House in Jharkhand took on his role as a doctor and saved the kid. Salute to you sir," AS Deol wrote on X.
New Delhi, Oct 2 (PTI) The Congress on Monday paid rich tributes to former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary, with Rahul Gandhi saying that he empowered farmers and soldiers with his 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' slogan.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge paid floral tributes at the memorial of the former prime minister at the Vijay Ghat here.

In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge said, "From land reforms to laying the foundation of milk and green revolution, from abolishing the third class in railways to providing seats for women in buses, from the 1965 war to serving the country with Gandhian ideas  our ideal, we remember the extraordinary contribution of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri ji."

"The simplicity of Shastri ji's life, richness of his thoughts, will always be inspirational for us," he said.

Rahul Gandhi also hailed Shastri's contribution.

With the slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan', he worked to empower the two big selfless classes of the country, he said.

"The path shown by Shastri ji inspires us to ensure that all hard working citizens of India get their rights," Gandhi said.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh hailed Shastri as the "quintessential Gandhian".

"He (Shastri) represented the noblest values in public life. His tenure as Prime Minister was brief but very consequential. He took over at a most critical juncture and guided the country firmly and resolutely, especially in matters of defence and agriculture immortalised by his call to the nation  Jai Jawan Jai Kisan. C.P. Srivastava's biography remains the best account of his life," Ramesh said on X.

The Congress, in a post on X, said, "We pay our sincere tribute to India's second PM and Bharat Ratna awardee, Lal Bahadur Shastri."

"A man of simplicity, he gave us the iconic slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan!'. For his utmost dedication to the nation, we honour his legacy," the party said.

In another post, Kharge also recalled the contribution of former party chief K Kamraj on his death anniversary.

"Revered by the people of Tamil Nadu for his social welfare schemes, we pay our tribute to a great son of India, K Kamarajar.

"One of the tallest leaders of the Independence movement, Former Congress President and Bharat Ratna recipient, Kamaraj championed the cause of social justice, for he was the first one to launch the Mid Day Meal scheme, a catalyst to educate our disadvantaged," Kharge said.
New Delhi, Oct 2 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Chhattisgarh and Telangana on Tuesday to launch a slew of development projects in the two poll-bound states.

The Prime Minister's Office said Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 26,000 crore from Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh and more than Rs 8,000 crore from Nizamabad in Telangana.

In a step that will provide a major impetus to the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', the statement said, Modi will dedicate to the nation the NMDC Steel Ltd's steel plant at Nagarnar in Bastar district.

Built at a cost of more than Rs 23,800 crore, the plant is a greenfield project that will produce high-quality steel.

The plant at Nagarnar will provide employment opportunities to thousands of people, in the plant as well as in ancillary and downstream industries.

It will put Bastar on the steel map of the world and provide a boost to the socioeconomic development of the region, it said.

In line with the prime minister's vision of improving rail infrastructure all across the country, he will also launch multiple rail projects in the state, it said.

He will inaugurate a new rail line between Antagarh and Taroki and a rail line doubling project between Jagdalpur and Dantewara.

He will lay the foundation stone of the Boridand-Surajpur rail line doubling project and redevelopment of Jagdalpur station, it said, adding that several other projects will also be started.

In Telangana, he will inaugurate the first 800 MW unit of phase 1 of the Telangana Super Thermal Power Project of the NTPC.

It will provide low-cost power to the state and will boost its economic development, the statement said, adding that it will be one of the most environmentally compliant power stations in the country.

The state's rail infrastructure will also get a boost as the prime minister will dedicate to the nation rail projects including the new line connecting Manoharabad and Siddipet and the electrification project between Dharmabad-Manoharabad and Mahabubnagar-Kurnool, it said.

Seeking to augment health infrastructure in the state, Modi will lay the foundation stone of 20 critical care blocks (CCBs) under the Pradhan Mantri - Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission.

These CCBs will be built in the districts of Adilabad, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Jogulamba Gadwal, Hyderabad, Khammam, Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Mahabubnagar (Badepally), Mulugu, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Narayanpet, Nirmal, Rajanna Sircilla, RangaReddy (Maheshwaram), Suryapet, Peddapalli, Vikarabad and Warangal (Narsampet), it added.
Gorakhpur, Oct 2 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Mahatma Gandhi's message of non-violence is the biggest strength of democracy as he paid tribute to the 'Father of the Nation' on his birth anniversary here on Monday.

Adityanath paid floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Town Hall and former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastris statue at Shastri Chowk on the occasion of their birth anniversaries.

During a visit to Gandhi Ashram in Golghar, he spoke to people engaged in yarn spinning there, and also bought some Khadi clothes.

The chief minister said Gandhi showed the strength of non-violence to the world, and described it as the biggest strength of democracy.

"Bapu showed the path of truth and non-violence to the world. We can win over the biggest powers of the world by following democratic principles. Following swadeshi, truth and non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi forced the autocratic British regime to leave the country," he said.

The chief minister said that the Swachhjanli programme, which is going on in all the gram panchayats and local bodies within the state in response to an appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, draws its inspiration from the campaign led by Mahatma Gandhi.

He added that apart from swadeshi, truth, and non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi was also a great advocate of cleanliness.

Adityanath also paid tribute to the former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. He said that Shastri, who gave the slogan of Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan and called for self-reliance along with security, was also a great follower of Gandhi.

The chief minister urged people to remember both the leaders for their unforgettable contribution towards the country and society.
Amaravati (AP), Oct 2 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 154th birth anniversary.

The Governor paid floral tributes to the portraits of Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, whose birthday anniversary also falls on October 2.

"Gandhi Jayanti is observed all over the world as the 'International Day of Non-violence' as he fought against the mighty British rule with the weapons of non-violence and satyagraha and won freedom for the country, which has no parallel in the history of the world," the Governor was quoted as saying in a Raj Bhavan release.

The Chief Minister said he was running the administration taking Mahatma Gandhi's words as an inspiration with welfare for all the people of the state being the goal.

He observed that Gandhiji's vision of gram (village) swaraj has been achieved by the southern state's ward and village secretariat system.

Further, Reddy vowed that the government will continue to follow the path shown by Gandhi and paid tributes.
Nagpur, Oct 2 (PTI) A 30-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by jumping into a lake in Ambazari area of Nagpur, a police official said on Monday.

He was apparently depressed after his relationship with a woman ended, the official added.

The incident took place on Sunday and an accidental death case has been registered, the Ambazari police station official added.
Nagpur, Oct 2 (PTI) A 19-year-old man was stabbed to death by a person during a heated argument between them over some issue in Nagpur district of Maharashtra on Monday, police said.

The accused was arrested and charged with murder, they said.

The incident took place near a mine of Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) at Kanhan town, around 30km from Nagpur city, and the deceased was identified as Sunil Chunnilal Nishad, a local resident.

An official of the Kanhan police station said at around 4 pm an argument broke out between the accused, Akash Rajesh Rajbhar, and the victim over some issue.

During the heated exchange of words, Rajbhar stabbed Nishad repeatedly with a sharp weapon, leaving the latter seriously injured. The victim was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, said the official.
The surge in migrants attempting to cross from Mexico to the United States is having a heavy impact on binational trade. Railroad companies have had to suspend routes to prevent migrants from boarding the trains, while authorities have opted to close customs offices in Chihuahua, causing delays for thousands of trucks transporting goods to the US. Business organizations in Mexico have estimated the economic effects of the latest immigration crisis, now in its second week, at over $1.2 billion.

According to COPARMEX, a Mexican business association, the temporary closure of some border crossings with Texas is causing serious harm to importers and exporters throughout the country, especially in the border states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. Take the Bridge of the Americas as an example. This bridge links Ciudad Juarez with El Paso, Texas, and currently has 1,500 stranded cargo trucks. The impact on the national economy is immense, with temporary closures resulting in daily losses of $35 million, said a COPARMEX statement. This crucial bridge has been closed for eight days so far, and Eagle Pass, Texas declared a state of emergency in late September due to thousands of migrants overwhelming the city.

In response, Texas tightened customs inspections, resulting in a slowdown of up to 10,000 cargo trucks and a $1.2 billion in export losses according to Mexicos freight truckers union (CANACAR). The union warns that customs closures, particularly in Chihuahua, will force truckers to seek alternative routes, pushing up transportation and logistics costs.

A migrant in Ciudad Juarez, near the US border; September 2023. JOSE LUIS GONZALEZ (REUTERS)

Migrants from other countries have always passed through Mexico, but recently there has been a noticeable increase. Eduardo del Rio, CANACARs director of communications said that closing customs offices to stop border crossings has led to long delays for truckers of up to 10 hours. Freight vehicles handle 83% of the value of exports and imports with the United States. The country has over 1.2 million freight vehicles just for the US, he said.

The slowdown isnt just limited to cargo trucks. Last week, Ferromex, the countrys main rail freight company, decided to suspend around 60 trains going to the US due to the thousands of migrants who were dangerously attempting to board. Most of the migrants are from Venezuela, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, Haiti and El Salvador. Ferromex claimed that ensuring safety was impossible due to the overwhelming number of migrants.

Trucks queue on the border bridge connecting Ciudad Juarez to Santa Teresa (New Mexico) on September 26, 2023 JOSE LUIS GONZALEZ (REUTERS)

Mexicos National Migration Institute (INAMI) met with Ferromex executives to develop an emergency plan as the numbers of migrants continued to surge. INAMI resolved to place more federal immigration agents along train routes, while Ferromex will increase its own security forces and measures. Experts estimate Ferromexs daily losses at 40 million pesos ($2.3 million).

Thousands of migrants doggedly persist in journeying through Mexico to reach the United States. Immigration offices in Tapachula near Mexicos border with Guatemala are packed with asylum seekers, while stranded migrant caravans in Piedras Negras on the border with Texas wait for the trains to resume. If customs and border bridges remain closed, it will soon affect Mexicos many maquiladora assembly plants for household appliances, motorcycles and auto parts. Newspapers in northern Mexico report that the maquiladoras are already planning alternative transportation routes.

Mexican immigration vehicles rush to detain migrants on the banks of the Rio Grande in Ciudad Juarez; September 24, 2023. JOSE LUIS GONZALEZ (REUTERS)

The migrant crisis is disrupting binational trade just as Mexico emerged as the leading US trading partner this year, surpassing China and Canada. In the first half of 2023, Mexican exports to the US hit a record $236 billion, up 5.4% from the same period in 2022, per US official data.




Hidden behind a heavy black curtain in one of the nations busiest airports is Chicagos unsettling response to a growing population of asylum-seekers arriving by plane.

Hundreds of migrants, from babies to the elderly, live inside a shuttle bus center at OHare International Airports Terminal 1. They sleep on cardboard pads on the floor and share airport bathrooms. A private firm monitors their movements.

Like New York and other cities, Chicago has struggled to house asylum-seekers, slowly moving people out of temporary spaces and into shelters and, in the near future, tents. But Chicagos use of airports is unusual, having been rejected elsewhere, and highlights the citys haphazard response to the crisis. The practice also has raised concerns about safety and the treatment of people fleeing violence and poverty.

It was supposed to be a stop-and-go place, said Vianney Marzullo, one of the few volunteers at OHare. Its very concerning. It is not just a safety matter, but a public health matter.

Some migrants stay at OHare for weeks, then are moved to police stations or manage to get into the few shelters available. Within weeks, Chicago plans to roll out winterized tents, something New York has done.

Up to 500 people have lived at OHare simultaneously in a space far smaller than a city block, shrouded by a curtain fastened shut with staples. Their movements are monitored by a private company whose staff control who enters and exits the curtain.

Sickness spreads quickly. The staffing company provides limited first aid and calls ambulances. A volunteer team of doctors visited once over the summer and their supplies were decimated.

Chicago offers meals, but only at specific times and many foods are unfamiliar to the new arrivals. While migrants closer to Chicagos core have access to a strong network of volunteers, food and clothing donations at OHare are limited, due to airport security concerns.

Most of the 14,000 immigrants who have arrived in Chicago during the last year have come from Texas, largely under the direction of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

As more migrants arrived, the citys existing services were strained. Officials struggled to find longer-term housing solutions while saying the city needed more help from the state and federal governments. Brandon Johnson took office in May and has proposed tents.

Many migrants are from Venezuela, where a political, social and economic crisis in the past decade has pushed millions of people into poverty. At least 7.3 million have left, with many risking an often-harrowing route to the United States.

Maria Daniela Sanchez Valera, 26, who passed through Panamas dangerous, jungle-clad Darien Gap with her 2-year-old daughter, arrived at OHare days ago. She fled her native Venezuela five years ago for Peru, where her daughter was born. After her daughters father was killed, she left.

We come here with the intention of working, not with the intention of being given everything, she said. A recent Biden Administration plan to offer temporary legal status status, and the ability to work, to Venezuelans doesnt apply to her because she arrived after the deadline.

She tries to keep the toddler entertained with walks around the terminal. On a recent day, a staff member told Valera to make her daughter stop running or else they would be kicked out. The company, Favorite Healthcare Staffing, said employees treat new arrivals with respect and it would investigate further.

Valera said she wanted to take a train from the airport, but she didnt have the roughly $5 subway fare. There are many people who have been able to get out and they say that in the garbage dumps you can get good clothes for the children, she added.

Chicago began using the citys two international airports as temporary shelters as the number of migrants arriving by plane increased. Nearly 3,000 people who have arrived by plane since June have sought shelter.

A handful live at Midway International Airport. When they need clothes or services, they walk 2 miles (3 kilometers) to a police station, volunteers say.

At OHare, migrants have spread out beyond the curtain for more space, sleeping along windows. Travelers wheeling suitcases and airline staff catching buses whiz by, some stopping to take pictures.

Chicago officials acknowledge using OHare isnt ideal, but say there arent other options with a crisis they inherited.

Cristina Pacione-Zayas, first deputy chief of staff, said Chicago is slowly building capacity to house people. The city has added 15 shelters since May and resettled about 3,000 people. They serve 190,000 meals weekly and partner with groups for medical care, but still rely heavily on volunteers to fill gaps.

Is it perfect? No. But what we have done is stood in our values to ensure that we live up to operationalizing a sanctuary city, she said. We will continue to work on it, but we are holding the line.

Other cities oppose using airports.

At Bostons Logan International Airport, migrants who arrive overnight are given cots for a few hours before being sent elsewhere. Massport spokeswoman Jennifer Mehigan said Logan is not the appropriate place to stay.

When reports of a possible federal plan to use the Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey as a shelter surfaced recently, elected officials blasted the idea.

It is such a preposterous solution to the problems we have, said Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson. Who is going to secure these people? Who is going to feed them? Who is going to educate them? We really dont have any infrastructure to take care of them.

Jhonatan Gelvez, a 21-year-old from Colombia, didnt plan to stay at OHare long, as he has a friend in Chicago. He teared up when he talked of being separated from his fiance en route to the U.S. Among his few belongings was a silver, anchor-shaped necklace she gave him.

Just by arriving here I feel peace, he said. It is a country with many opportunities.  I am very grateful.

Yoli Cordova, 42, arrived at OHare days ago. She left Venezuela because she was discriminated against for her sexual orientation. She cried as she expressed relief at leaving but remained worried about her daughters in Venezuela.

I dont know if theyre going to help me here, Cordova said. I really dont know what to do, where to go.

(AP)




U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein returned Saturday to her hometown for the final time when a military jet carrying the late Democratic senators body landed at San Francisco International Airport.

The long-serving senator and political trailblazer died Thursday at her home in Washington, D.C., after a series of illnesses. At 90, she was the oldest member of Congress after first being elected to the Senate in 1992.

The arrival of her body was not open to the public. No details have been shared about services.

The former San Francisco mayor was a passionate advocate for priorities important to her state, including environmental protection, reproductive rights and gun control. But she also was known as a pragmatic, centrist lawmaker who reached out to Republicans and sought middle ground.

Her death was followed by a stream of tributes from around the nation, including from President Joe Biden, who served with Feinstein for years in the Senate and called her a pioneering American and a cherished friend.

Californias junior senator, Democrat Alex Padilla, called her a towering figure  not just in modern California history, but in the history of our state and our nation.

Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters said Feinstein spent her entire career breaking glass ceilings and opening doors into areas that had been perpetually dominated by men.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to soon appoint a replacement for the vacant Senate seat.

(AP)




A former contractor for the Internal Revenue Service was charged Friday with leaking tax information to news outlets about thousands of the countrys wealthiest people.

Charles Edward Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, D.C., is accused of stealing the tax return information and giving it to two news outlets between 2018 and 2020, the Justice Department said in a statement. Littlejohn declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press, which also left a message for his attorney, Lisa Manning.

Both organizations published numerous articles about the tax information, some of which dated back more than 15 years, charging documents state.

The outlets are not named in charging documents, but the description and time frame align with stories about former President Donald Trumps tax returns in The New York Times and reporting about wealthy Americans taxes in the nonprofit investigative journalism organization ProPublica.

The 2020 New York Times report found Trump paid $750 in federal income tax the year he entered the White House and no income tax at all some years thanks to colossal losses. Six years of his returns were later released by the then-Democratically controlled House Ways and Means Committee.

The newspaper declined to comment.

ProPublica reported in 2021 on a trove of tax-return data about the wealthiest Americans. It found the 25 richest people legally pay a smaller share of their income in taxes than many ordinary workers do.

A spokesman for the outlet declined to comment on the charges, adding that ProPublica reporters have previously said they dont know the identity of the source. The stories sparked calls for reform and for an investigation into the leak of tax information, which has specific legal protections.

Littlejohn is charged with one count of unauthorized disclosure of tax returns and return information. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

The IRS declined to comment specifically on the case, but Commissioner Danny Werfel said any disclosure of taxpayer information is unacceptable and the agency has since tightened security.

(AP)




Connecticuts most wide-ranging gun control measure since the 2013 law enacted after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting takes effect Sunday, with proponents vowing to pursue more gun legislation despite legal challenges happening across the country.

The new law, signed by Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont in June, bans the open carrying of firearms and prohibits the sale of more than three handguns within 30 days to any one person, with some exceptions for instructors and others.

We will not take a break and we cannot stop now, and we will continue to pass life-saving laws until we end gun violence in Connecticut. Our lives depend on it, said Jeremy Stein, executive director of Connecticut Against Gun Violence.

Immediately after it was passed, the law was challenged in court by gun rights supporters. Connecticuts landmark 2013 gun law, passed in response to the 2012 elementary school shooting in Newtown that claimed 26 lives, is also being contested in court.

Besides Connecticut, which has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, other politically liberal-leaning states including California, Washington, Colorado and Maryland also have passed gun laws this year that face legal challenges. They come in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court last year expanding gun rights.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom last week signed nearly two dozen gun control measures, including laws banning firearms being carried in most public places while doubling taxes on guns and ammunition sold in the state. He acknowledged some might not survive a legal challenge. Last week, a federal judge struck down a California law banning guns with detachable magazines that carry more than 10 rounds.

We feel very strongly that these bills meet the (new standard), and they were drafted accordingly, Newsom said. But Im not naive about the recklessness of the federal courts and the ideological agenda.

About 150 gun rights activists held a rally outside the state Capitol on Saturday, despite the rainy and raw weather, to mark the last day that carrying a visible firearm was legal in Connecticut. But they remain hopeful the law will eventually be overturned in court, arguing its an infringement on Second Amendment rights and unnecessary.

It is not common in Connecticut to go the grocery store and see somebody with an exposed firearm. Does it happen on rare occasions? Sure, but it is not a problem in our state, Holly Sullivan, president of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League, told the Waterbury Republican-American. She said there were already state laws on the books that address people illegally carrying a weapon in public or abusing the open carry law.

The new law also increases bail and toughens probation and parole for what officials called a narrow group of people with repeated serious gun offenses; expands the states current assault weapons ban; stiffens penalties for possession of large-capacity magazines; expands safe-storage rules to include more settings; and adds some domestic violence crimes to the list of disqualifications for having a gun.

Republican legislative leaders, who represent the minority party in the state General Assembly, accused Democrats of bragging about how safe Connecticut is because of the gun laws when there have been carjackings, serious property crimes and other acts of violence. House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, a Republican from North Branford, said claims Connecticut is one of the safest states are a slap in the face to residents.

Enough with the news conferences  Democrats should step away from the lectern and tap into whats happening in their districts, he said in a statement.

State Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, a Democrat from New Haven, called the legislation a very significant initiative but stressed the battle is not over.

Connecticut is vulnerable to states with looser gun laws, Looney said. He wants to pursue further limits on monthly gun purchases and require microlabeling or ammunition microstamping to help law enforcement trace bullet casings to specific firearms makes and modes.

Lamont, who proposed the newly enacted law, said he is interested in working with fellow governors in the Northeast to draft similar laws, given how the technology is changing so fast and Connecticut can only do so much within our small state and within our borders.

(AP)




Former President Donald Trump is apparently worried enough about the slow ascendancy of Nikki Haley as a challenger to really go after her in one of his childlike rants.

MAGA, or I, will never go for Birdbrain Nikki Haley. No loyalty, plenty of lies! I will never run against our great President, she said,he has done an outstanding job. To which I responded, How nice of you to say, Nikki, knowing full well that her words mean nothing. She even came to Mar-a-Lago with her family, bearing gifts,' Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Anyway, Birdbrain doesnt have the TALENT or TEMPERAMENT to do the job. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! he added.

Trump and his team werent done there. They then delivered an actual bird cage with bird food to the hotel room where Nikki Haley was staying.

This behavior is weird, creepy, and desperate from a former president feeling the pressure, Betsy Ankney, Haleys campaign manager, said in a statement. Its more proof that its time to leave the drama behind. America is better than this. Lets go.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The charismatic Lieutenant Columbo  the main character of the homonymous television show from the 1960s  used to solve crimes thanks to his boundless curiosity. By asking endless questions (with a touch of naivety and cluelessness, more often than not) he always arrived at the truth. That is precisely the tactic that Spanish psychiatrist Marc Ferrer applies to study his patients: teenagers who are often admitted to his hospital when their mental health problems worsen or after an attempted suicide. When in doubt, with a teenager, dont think that they want to die and are depressed, and dont think that they are manipulating you: just show curiosity, he recommends.

Ferrer is the head of hospitalization of the psychiatry service at the Vall dHebron hospital in Barcelona, which recently opened an admission unit for pediatric patients. Every day, he witnesses from the front lines the rise of mental health problems suffered by young people. He explains that, although the pandemic intensified this upward trend of self-harm and suicide attempts, this phenomenon was already underway before that. The psychiatrist participated in a study carried out at his hospital in which they found that, between 2015 and 2017, self-harm represented 20.4% of admissions treated in pediatric psychiatric emergencies; between 2017 and 2021, that figure had risen to 70%; and today admissions for this cause are approximately 75%, according to the institution.

Question. What is happening?

Answer. We have to be prudent. This is a phenomenon that worries us due to the recklessness of teens and the romanticization of suicide, but there is a series of nuances behind it: we see people that manifest the emotional overflow or the emotional blockage typical of adolescence with aggressive behaviors, with self-harm or suicide attempts, understanding that it is an effective method to alleviate emotional discomfort. What happens? In some cases these behaviors are addictive. Its a quick way to end emotional discomfort. Learning to manage emotional discomfort is a part of life, of the maturation process. Teenagers find it difficult to live with a negative emotion and look for ways to quickly relieve it.

Q. But what changed in recent years? Because this difficulty to manage emotional discomfort at this stage of life has always existed.

A. Now everything goes faster. There is less time to go through this process of sitting down to analyze, talk, learn to relativize... and this speed in life is closely linked to social media, to the internet, to the whole evolution that our society is experiencing. We have to smarten up and adapt to these changes, because kids are really having a hard time: evidently, the internet and social media can provide them with a positive reinforcement because you post a photo, you get a like, and with that everyone experiences a feeling of pleasure  even more so if its a teenager. However, when you receive a negative comment or dont get as many likes as you think you should, the negative emotion that the teenager experiences is much more intense, and they are not as capable of managing this frustration. These are the new variables that our teenagers are experiencing, in addition to the usual ones, such as having a disagreement with your peers, being criticized, being picked on or being bullied.

Q. Is social media the main risk factor for emotional distress in adolescents?

A. It is one of the main ones, and the one that forces us to be more creative. Because the solution is not to cut off social media, the solution is not to take away the teenagers phone  because when you do these things, what you do is increase the frustration even more, because youre isolating them. There are studies that show that isolation is the most dangerous form of bullying. Therefore, if you take their phone, unwittingly, what you are doing can be counterproductive.

Q. What can be done, then, to stop these toxic situations?

A. I talk about being creative because certain opinion makers want a quick fix, saying that we have to take their phones away or change society. The society in which we live in is what it is, flaws and all, and we do have to improve the situation, but realistically. Prevention has to be carried out in schools, which is where most of the problems are detected; but perhaps we shouldnt put all the burden on the teachers, who already have a lot on their plate. Health-wise, we probably have to intervene more in health centers and carry out emotional education programs.

Q. You said that self-harm is used as a mechanism to alleviate emotional discomfort. What is the difference between that and suicide attempts?

A. There are self-harming behaviors that dont seek suicide; they seek other things. Most of them seek to alleviate the emotional discomfort, the mental blockage and the feeling of overwhelm that an adolescent may experience. Biologically, a teenager is less capable of stopping, thinking, relativizing and organizing; that is, what we call the executive function, which is centered in the prefrontal cortex and is the last thing to mature (it becomes fully mature at 24 or 25 years of age). Thus, we are faced with a person who, if subjected to many stressors, finds it much more difficult to deal with them and freezes more easily.

Over the years, alternatives to quickly end emotional discomfort have been arising. Drugs appeared, which are being consumed at increasingly young ages. There are kids who at 12 or 13 are smoking joints, which is another way to quickly end this emotional discomfort. And within the range of options, self-harm has emerged in recent years: many kids tell us that they started to harm themselves because a classmate did it, or they saw it on social media; and there are kids who dont experience anything but pain when they do it, but others feel pleasure, relief, and it is an effective measure for them. However, scientific evidence tells us that when they begin this pattern of repeated self-injury, the risk of them becoming suicidal injuries greatly increases.

Q. It is a gateway to suicide, then.

A. Right. You see that youre losing control, that your family finds out and, usually, the family doesnt have the capacity to understand this behavior and experiences it as a wake-up call. This makes you feel worse for doing it. There can be a paradoxical effect: I use it because they are bullying me and I feel marginalized, but they end up marginalizing me even more because they see me as weird; thats how suicide ends up entering the equation.

Q. How true is the notion that they do it to draw attention?

A. There is such a high heterogeneity in this type of behavior... I suppose there will be some cases that do use it to attract attention. Our patients often do it to get attention or to communicate that they are emotionally overwhelmed. But when they say to draw attention, they do it with contempt; its as if youre telling them that they are a fraud, and that is the mistake.

Q. When in doubt, how should people respond to these situations?

A. I have been visiting teenagers for quite a few years and I have learned one thing: you dont know anything. And this is what you have to communicate to the teenager, that you have no idea what theyre going through and that you are really curious for them to tell you. Some therapists talk about the Columbo attitude [the apparently absent-minded detective from the television show], because by showing curiosity and acting like you know knowing, you end up knowing everything. When in doubt, with a teenager, dont think that they want to die and are depressed, and dont think that they are manipulating you: show curiosity.

Q. What is the weight of trends and the imitation effect on these behaviors?

A. In adolescence, its tremendous. When you are growing up there is an identity crisis, and the need to find yourself is more marked. And it is very common for kids to do things to be like the influencers, the youtubers... at these ages one tends to be gregarious, and the imitation effect is present in all of these phenomena.

Q. Are you worried about these viral challenges that put their health at risk, such as the blue whale game?

A. We try not to be alarmists and to evaluate these phenomena well, because sometimes they appear and disappear with astonishing speed. What concerns us most is that we have to be very close to them to be aware.

Q. Is the concept of death trivialized at these ages?

A. Its this romantic thing about death and life, which is basically linked to relational stress. In this relational stress, great sadness appears, and then comes the flirtation with death. But there is no clear awareness. An adult has a brain that is more mature overall and can assimilate the concept of life and death much better. Clearly, when a teenager reaches 16 or 17 years of age, they already have more capacity, but brain maturation does not end until age 25. The life-death concept that they have is not the same as ours.

Q. What happens to make that leap towards a suicide attempt? Is there always an underlying pathology, or is impulsivity the great enemy?

A. In adolescence, both situations occur. A psychopathology as such, that is, the disorder, which would be a bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, a depressive disorder... If you have a psychosis, you are disconnected from reality; in depression, you are not disconnected, but there is a distortion of reality, you see things worse than they really are. And then, apart from this, teenagers have an emotional instability and impulsivity that makes them especially at risk for this type of situation. And, by harming themselves, at some point they go from being non-suicidal to being suicidal, as a result of the situation becoming more complicated.

Q. What role did the pandemic actually play in the rise of self-harming behavior and poor adolescent mental health?

A. I am convinced that this phenomenon was already underway before. The pandemic was a major stressor; however, in our study, the rise of the curve is independent of the variables related to the pandemic.

Q. In adults, more men than women die by suicide because they use more drastic methods, but in the case of adolescents, they are at 50%. Why?

A. Because suicidal behavior in adolescence is different from that of adults; it is much more linked to impulsivity, and impulsivity equals unpredictability.

Q. How do socioeconomic variables influence poor mental health?

A. They are key. These behaviors can appear in upper or lower class; the question is how the environment responds. There is some advice that can help: when you see this, validate it. Dont judge them, listen to them, give them time, talk. If this is not possible, if the family is broken or if there is an abusive parent, a corrective response cannot be expected. Instead, the situation often gets worse.




A judge is planning a spring trial for U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife, who are accused of accepting bribes of cash, gold bars and a luxury car from three New Jersey businessmen who sought the senators help and influence over foreign affairs.

The tentative trial date of May 6 would come just one month before New Jerseys June 4 primary, meaning it could still be underway when voters start casting ballots on whether to return Menendez to the Senate.

An indictment last month charged the Democrat, formerly the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, with taking payouts in exchange for corrupt acts that included passing information to Egyptian military and intelligence officials. Among other things, prosecutors accused Menendez of ghostwriting a letter for Egyptian officials that sought to influence U.S. policy on military aid.

The indictment also said Menendez used his influence to try and pressure state and federal prosecutors in New Jersey into giving lenient treatment to friends or associates who were the subject of criminal investigations, and interceded with U.S. regulators to protect an associates business deal.

Authorities found nearly $500,000 in cash, much of it hidden in clothing and closets, as well as more than $100,000 in gold bars in a search of the New Jersey home Menendez, 69, shares with his wife, Nadine.

Menendez has pleaded not guilty and said the cash found in the house was personal savings he had squirreled away for emergencies.

Menendez was excused from being present for Mondays court hearing in New York City after his lawyers said he needed to be in Washington for Senate business. The judge declined similar requests from Nadine Menendez and her co-defendants, Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes. All four have also said they are innocent.

Prosecutors have accused Hana of being a conduit between Menendez and Egyptian officials. They said Hana gave Nadine Menendez a job, gave her money to make mortgage payments, wrote checks to her consulting company, promised envelopes of cash and gave her gold bars. They said Menendez used his post to facilitate foreign military sales and financing to Egypt, which gave Hanas business a lucrative, worldwide monopoly over religious certification for imported meat.

More than half of Senate Democrats have said that Menendez should resign, including New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and fellow New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. Menendez has said he intends to stay in the Senate, saying he is certain he will ultimately be exonerated.

Mondays court hearing in the Menendez case took place just a short walk from where former President Donald Trump was appearing in court in a civil fraud lawsuit.

Besides setting a trial date, Judge Sidney Stein gave prosecutors a December deadline to turn over certain evidence to the defense.

(AP)




Germany and Israel on Thursday signed an agreement for Berlin to buy the sophisticated Arrow 3 missile defense system, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles. The development is the latest step in Berlins bid to strengthen its air defenses following Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Germany aims to integrate the system into wider NATO air defense efforts. Last year, Berlin launched the European Sky Shield Initiative, which now includes 19 countries.

Israel secured U.S. approval in August for the $3.5 billion deal, which was needed because the system was jointly developed with the United States.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant signed a memorandum of understanding in Berlin on Thursday for the purchase of Arrow 3.

It is, without exaggerating, a historic day for both our countries, Pistorius told reporters, describing Arrow as one of the best systems, if not the best.

We see from the daily Russian attacks on Ukraine how important air defense is in general, he added. Air defense is essential, and particularly for us here in the center of Europe.

Germany plans to start using Arrow in late 2025, with the system then being built up step by step.

Gallant said that with two simple signatures today, we made history and that Israel is committed to a timely and effective delivery.

This is a moving event for every Jew, he added, pointing to Israels partnership with Germany decades after the Holocaust and to German contributions to Israels security.

Only 80 years since the end of the second world war, yet Israel and Germany join hands today in building a safer future for both nations, Gallant said.

(AP)




A Chol Hamoed screening of a film for frum women and girls in the Kiryat Menachem neighborhood of Jerusalem on Motzei Shabbos was crashed by secular members of the neighborhood who entered the room and sat among the women to prevent the event from taking place.

A video of the provocative incident was posted by Haaretz reporter Yael Friedson, who wrote: The men of the neighborhood came to a screening intended for women and girls and prevented the separate incident from taking place.

The video sparked a media storm, with secular and religious people alike expressing their outrage at the protest.

Former IDF spokesman Avi Banyahu wrote: Protest activists who come to segregated events and blow them up make me sick to my stomach. This is an ethical, moral and human error and also stupidity that harms the protest and undermines the possibility that we will be able to live here together. If someone is looking for high-quality raw materials for a civil war, he will find them here much more than the reform.

Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Aryeh King attacked Freidson: You only reinforce in me the feeling that you simply hate religious people, hate Judaism. And if it is necessary to harm the rights of women in order to promote your hatred, you will do so. Its a testimonial to your hypocrisy since I dont remember you tweeting when there was a womens jazz festival in Jerusalem three months ago or a womens night race a year ago.

Kobi Bornstein, the Hebrew Mishpachas political reporter, wrote: Terrible wickedness. There is no other way to define it. Ruining the Chag for women and girls who attended a separate screening just because it doesnt suit you. Tell me more about enlightenment, liberalism, womens rights and democracy.

Shas MK Erez Malul stated that the incident last night in which a handful of bullies with a liberal appearance proved that they are bad people who are heroes to young girls and thwarted a Chag event for them is unacceptable and is a direct continuation of the barbaric behavior at the tefillas Neilah in Tel Aviv. It is sad to see the evil and diabolism.

Hebrew Mishpacha journalist Aryeh Erlich wrote: Always remember that behind the liberal facade is a bunch of thugs acting like heroes over Chareidi girls. The face of evil and malice.

Channel 14 journalist Yinon Magal wrote: You will never see a group of privileged men disrupting a secular womens event/race in Tel Aviv. This can only happen when it comes to religious women or girls. All the hypocrisy in one picture.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




A recent survey by the French Institute of Public Opinion showed that a shocking 90% of Jewish university students in France have experienced anti-Semitism during their studies.

Both Jewish and non-Jewish students responded to the survey about anti-Semitic incidents they personally encountered at French universities.

Although most anti-Semitic incidents were limited to verbal attacks such as disparaging comments about Jews, 20% of students reported that they have witnessed at least one physically violent anti-Semitic attack on campus.

The incidents were not limited to fellow students  12% of respondents said that they heard professors make anti-Semitic comments in the classroom.

Eighty percent of anti-Semitic jokes were about the Holocaust, with 69% encountering such statements several times. Forty-five percent of Jewish respondents were subject to personal insults from other students and 7% were physically attacked due to their Jewishness.

Another interesting statistic is that no less than 43% of the respondents testified that statements or insults against Jews were related in one way or another to statements about Israel.

Eighty-three percent of Jewish students reported that they were concerned about anti-Semitism arising from the left-left, versus only 63% who feared anti-semitism from the far-right.

Hostility towards Jews doesnt come from any one community or especially from Muslims. Far-left propaganda is a bigger issue, Philippe Schmidt, vice president of the International League Against Racism and Antisemitism, said in a statement to the media.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




An Eritrean national was stabbed to death and at least eight others were injured in violent clashes in the city of Netanya on Motzei Shabbos.

The murder occurred only days after an Eritrean was murdered in Tel Aviv in a similar brawl and less than a month after 170 were injured in hours-long violent clashes among Eritreans in Tel Aviv after a protest spun out of control.

Following the incident, National Security Minister Ben-Gvir stated that suspects in murder cases will be subject to administrative arrest. As far as Im concerned, they need to be deported, but if the Supreme Court doesnt allow it, let the rioters sit in jail.

Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai said: We wont leave a stone unturned and we wont close our eyes until we bring those responsible to justice. The entire police force bears the responsibility at this time for the national mission of stopping violence and crime and strengthening the publics feeling of security.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




What, in fact, do the protest organizations want? Senior political commentator Amit Segal expounded on the topic in his weekly column in Yediot Achranot  and explained why it is doomed to failure.

According to Segal, eliminating the legal reform was an ambitious goal of the protest organizations. It was almost fully achieved. But behind it is the real, much more ambitious, unprecedented goal: that the next government, unlike all 37 of its predecessors, will not include any religious party.

Avigdor Lieberman, Segal wrote, was the first to mark the goal back in February.

Segal continued: The thwarting of the Yom Kippur tefillos already indicates the direction: the secular against the religious. Segal noted the messages of support from Yair Lapid and protest leader Shikma Bressler, messages that were replaced a day later with obstensible calls for reconciliation.

Its a pretty bad tactic, he explained. First, from a political point of view: even according to the blackest survey for the current coalition, the opposition parties have no possibility of forming a government without a religious party, since as can be remembered, Raam is a religious party  very. A protest whose trademark is Israeli flags will find it very difficult to form a coalition based on Abbas and Tibi.

But this is also fundamentally a mistake. The success of the protest was due to the fact that it avoided the traditional disputes, literally, in Israeli society, in which the right cannot lose. The majority of the people support the Likud way in the political debate, and therefore Achim Lneshek furiously tore up signs saying Enough of the Occupation at the Kaplan rallies.

In a Bibi-No Bibi debate, the result will almost always be a paralyzing draw. But in the debate between liberals and conservatives, there is a majority of liberal Jews, including a large part of the Religious Zionist sector. It was the only battle of the year and it was decided in every poll against the most conservative coalition in Israels history. Confrontation about the Kol Nidrei and Neilah tefillos frames the discussion as a debate between the Jews and the Israelis, in which the Jews have had a clear majority for years.

And who is the main political loser according to Segal? Benny Gantz, whose voters are on both sides of the fault line.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Businesses, including Heathrow, say the UK is missing out on spending from Chinese tourists returning to Europe.

Hundreds of bosses have urged the Chancellor to re-introduce a VAT-free shopping scheme.

Shops at Heathrow, which is backing the Mail's campaign, are seeing depressed spending from Chinese passengers.

Although Chinese visitor numbers are almost back at 2019 levels, spending at airport shops is below pre-pandemic levels.

In July, the number of Chinese travellers was 88 per cent of 2019 levels  but spending levels were just 33 per cent.

Missing out: Although Chinese visitor numbers are almost back at 2019 levels, spending at airport shops is below pre-pandemic levels

The figures are another sign that Chinese tourists are spending in France and Spain rather than the UK.

Firms are braced to lose out on spending in Golden Week, a Chinese holiday this week, when many tourists travel to Europe.

More than 400 leading businesses have demanded ministers scrap the unpopular tourist tax. The Mail's campaign has been backed by Marks & Spencer, Harrods and Giorgio Armani.

Planet, a payment service which processes VAT refunds for European retailers, says that Chinese tourists spend an average 1,038 per transaction on goods they claim the tax back on.
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John Lewis boss Sharon White plans to step down next year at the end of her five-year term, it has been revealed today.

The FTSE 100 is down 1.3 per cent per cent in afternoon trading. Among the companies with reports and trading updates today are Pennon, United Utilities, YouGov, Microsalt and Peel Hunt. Read the Monday 2 October Business Live blog below.

> If you are using our app or a third-party site click here to read Business Live
TD Securities lowered shares of Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU  Free Report) (TSE:SU) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Thursday, Marketbeat Ratings reports.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on the company. BMO Capital Markets lowered Suncor Energy from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 13th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Suncor Energy in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating for the company. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Suncor Energy in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Desjardins cut shares of Suncor Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $49.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Monday, September 18th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Suncor Energy from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their target price for the stock from $44.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 23rd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $52.50.

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Suncor Energy Stock Performance

Shares of SU opened at $34.38 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 1.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $44.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.27. Suncor Energy has a 52-week low of $27.59 and a 52-week high of $37.23. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $32.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $30.90.

Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU  Get Free Report) (TSE:SU) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 14th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.71 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $8.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.89 billion. Suncor Energy had a net margin of 11.30% and a return on equity of 20.19%. Research analysts forecast that Suncor Energy will post 3.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Suncor Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 1st were issued a $0.393 dividend. This represents a $1.57 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.57%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 31st. This is a positive change from Suncor Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. Suncor Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.70%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Arlington Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Suncor Energy during the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Delta Asset Management LLC TN bought a new stake in Suncor Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new position in Suncor Energy in the first quarter worth about $31,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV lifted its stake in shares of Suncor Energy by 260.7% in the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,367 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 988 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SRS Capital Advisors Inc. raised its position in Suncor Energy by 672.4% in the 1st quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 1,429 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 1,244 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 60.25% of the companys stock.

Suncor Energy Company Profile

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Suncor Energy Inc operates as an integrated energy company in Canada and internationally. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; and Refining and Marketing segments. The Oil Sands segment explores, develops, and produces bitumen, synthetic crude oil, and related products. This segment also engages in syncrude oil sands mining and upgrading operations; and marketing, supply, transportation, and risk management of crude oil, natural gas, power, and byproducts.

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Citigroup upgraded shares of South32 (LON:S32  Free Report) to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, MarketBeat reports. They currently have GBX 200 ($2.44) price objective on the stock.

South32 Stock Performance

South32 stock opened at GBX 180.40 ($2.20) on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 184.23. The stock has a market capitalization of 8.21 billion, a P/E ratio of -6,013.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.00. South32 has a fifty-two week low of GBX 164.20 ($2.01) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 278 ($3.39).

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South32 Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 12th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 14th will be paid a $0.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a yield of 1.32%. South32s dividend payout ratio is presently -23,333.33%.

Insider Buying and Selling at South32

South32 Company Profile

In other news, insider Graham Kerr sold 56,908 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 344 ($4.20), for a total transaction of 195,763.52 ($239,056.69). Company insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock.

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South32 Limited operates as a diversified metals and mining company in Australia, India, China, Japan, the Middle East, Mozambique, the Netherlands, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Worsley Alumina, Brazil Alumina, Brazil Aluminium, Hillside Aluminium, Mozal Aluminium, Sierra Gorda, Cannington, Hermosa, Cerro Matoso, Illawarra Metallurgical Coal, Australia Manganese, and South Africa Manganese segments.

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Two people were killed and two others were injured, including a 7-year-old boy, after a Sunday afternoon shooting in Garfield Park, according to Chicago police.

At about 2:32 p.m. an unknown vehicle traveling southbound pulled up in the first block of South Whipple Street, police said. An unknown gunman inside the vehicle pulled out a firearm and fired shots at the four victims in a vacant lot.

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Police said a 33-year-old man was shot in the head and was transported to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A 31-year-old man who was also shot in the head was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead, according to police.

Police said the 7-year-old boy sustained a graze wound to the head, and that he was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition.

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A 38-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to his lower back. Police said he was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition.

About 40 minutes later, an unknown gunman shot a 13-year-old boy in the 1100 block of West 13th Street in Little Italy, police said. The boy was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition, according to police.

Police are investigating the shootings.

rjohnson@chicagotribune.com
Secret offices, weeks of waiting, calls from private numbers and confidentiality agreements. These are some of the features of the new U.S. immigration program known as Movibilidad Segura, or Safe Mobility, which pursues the expansion of legal routes to the United States or other countries for refugees and migrants in South and Central America, according to its official website. The United States launched the program in June with the aim of reducing irregular migration, and established migration offices in Colombia, Costa Rica and Guatemala. However, three months after its launch, less than 1% of the nearly 29,000 applicants in Colombia have passed through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), according to official data. The lack of information and the secrecy surrounding the project have experts consulted by EL PAIS perplexed, and tens of thousands of migrants trapped between hope and uncertainty.

The application process for Safe Mobility initially sounds straightforward, yet Venezuelan Eliezer Briceno explains by video call that in reality it is not. Its tedious, says the 40-year-old Caracas native, who registered on August 11 with his wife and 8-year-old son on the official website. He succeeded on his second attempt, after failing to do so on his cell phone. The website is not so user-friendly. Anyone who doesnt have good technological equipment wont be able to sign up quickly. Also, you have to have a good internet connection because the site is slow, he says.

The website is currently closed in Colombia since it has been overloaded with applications. It will reopen on October 10, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in charge of the program told EL PAIS. The available quotas were filled quickly, in the two periods lasting only a few weeks that have been open since the launch.

Migrants cross a river in the Darien rainforest, October 2022. Fernando Vergara (AP)

Briceno left Venezuela seven years ago with his wife and son seeking greater financial and emotional stability. He now lives and works in Ciudad Bolivar, one of Bogota's most impoverished neighborhoods. When he found out about Safe Mobility, he was overjoyed. Wow! Itd be great if we were eligible, he says was his initial reaction.

The father of the family is just one of the millions of migrants in Colombia who are able to apply to migrate to the United States, Canada or Spain through Safe Mobility. The initiative, which is not open to Colombians, is aimed at Cuban, Haitian and Venezuelan nationals who were in the country on or before June 11, 2023, and who at the time of application hold regular status or are in the process of regularization, the official website says.

However, seven weeks after submitting his application, Briceno says he has not received any news regarding his status. I only have a screenshot of my receipt that says they are going to call me. So, Im on the phone 24/7. Im always on standby, he says.

Bricenos situation is identical to that of more than 28,000 people in Colombia. Of the approximately 29,000 migrants who have applied for Safe Mobility from Colombia, 260 have entered the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), according to the most recent data from the State Department, released on August 28. Safe Mobility officials do not provide information on the immigration status of these individuals after they are referred to the USRAP.

The wait is despairing, says Briceno. Going to the United States would change my life greatly. And I dont dare go on that odyssey through the jungle. So far this year, some 330,000 people have crossed the Darien Gap  the rainforest separating Colombia from Panama, which Briceno refers to. One out of every five migrants who have made that journey, fraught with every imaginable peril, were children, according to the UN.

Safe Mobility is one of the U.S. governments responses to the migration crisis in the West, according to one program worker. More than 20 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean have been displaced due to the many humanitarian, political and economic crises in the region. A large part of these problems are evident on the U.S. border with Mexico, where thousands of migrants arrive every day. This has put them in a situation of extreme vulnerability and caused enormous controversy for U.S. President Joe Biden. Yet this is not the only place: Colombia has received some 2,500,000 Venezuelans and Peru another 1,500,000.

Secret offices

In order to tackle this crisis, the Biden administration has opened five migration offices in Latin America this year, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): one in Guatemala, one in Costa Rica, and three in Colombia. Nearly 70% of the more than 40,000 Safe Mobility applications have come from these countries. The Colombian centers are located in Cali, Medellin and Soacha, a poor municipality on the outskirts of Bogota. These centers are operational but their addresses are private for the safety of the migrants, according to the U.S. official.

Adam Isacson, director of the Washington Office of Latin American Affairs, explains that as the Safe Mobility directors are making it up as they go along, it is normal for them not to want to release their addresses to the public. They probably want to prevent thousands of people gathering outside their facilities, which is what happened in Tapachula, Mexico, he explains. On numerous occasions this year, groups of thousands of migrants have stormed the offices of the National Migration Institute in this city, the largest on the border that divides Mexico from Guatemala. These incidents have not resulted in any deaths.

In Colombia, applicants are only notified of the addresses of the offices once they have been selected for an appointment. Ariel Ruiz, an analyst with the Migration Policy Institute, says by telephone that this part of the process lies with the NGOs, not the U.S. government. A UNHCR spokeswoman confirms this. The Safe Mobility offices, supported by the UNHCR and IOM, perform case identification and accompany individuals through the process to assess the eligibility of their cases. This eventually includes in-person interviews, for subsequent submission to the U.S. authorities for consideration, she tells this newspaper in an email.

A group of Haitian migrant women and their children wait to board a boat from Necocli, Colombia to Capurgana, and then cross the Darien Gap to Panama; August 5, 2021.

The task of the two multilateral entities of the UN system is to determine whether each applicant qualifies for one of the four migration channels offered by the initiative: resettlement as a refugee, family reunification, a temporary employment visa or a humanitarian permit  known as parole in the U.S. Clearly, there are not enough legal pathways to serve all of these individuals. For this reason, program staff have limited options, says Ruiz.

Once one of the organizations identifies a suitable candidate, Safe Mobility contacts the individual. It does so via telephone, with no prior notice and from a private number, and the interested party cannot return the call if they are unable to answer. During this conversation, they are notified that they have been chosen for the next step: an appointment at the facility. However, what happens when they go to the secret offices for the meetings is disconcerting, Isacson explains.

Confidentiality agreements

EL PAIS conducted online interviews with a dozen migrants who have had appointments with Safe Mobility in Colombia. Some have only had one interview, while others have received several. A couple of them (neither agreed to give their names) have completed the process and say they are preparing to travel to the United States, though they do not know in which city they will end up. They said that program staff clearly stated during interviews that discussing the process publicly could affect the outcome. In fact, many of them explained that they were made to sign a confidentiality agreement stating that they cannot comment on their process. This is a procedure that Cornell University professor and criminal immigration expert Stephen Yale-Loehr terms unprecedented and unusual.

The criminal lawyer explains that signing non-disclosure clauses does not form part of the refugee process in the United States, nor is it a requirement for an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. It must be a new procedure, which I havent heard of before, he says.

A spokeswoman for Safe Mobility denies the accusations from the interviewees. Applicants do not have to sign a confidentiality agreement. We ask them to sign an agreement consenting to provide their personal data to the initiatives partners. This information is required to determine the eligibility criteria for applicants, she says by email.

However, when quizzed about these agreements, the UNHCR does not deny them. The resettlement process requires confidentiality because these are people in need of international protection, says a spokeswoman for the organization.

Migrants say that the uncertainty does not end after signing the so-called confidentiality agreement and completing the interview. Those who are rejected receive an email notifying them accordingly. The others are kept in limbo, waiting endlessly with the hope of receiving another call one day. Some receive it soon, within a week, while others complain that they have been waiting for almost a month. Theres no information. I havent been rejected yet, but theyve summoned other people who had their interview after I had mine, says one migrant. It seems like they choose at random. Its really frustrating.

When the U.S. government launched Safe Mobility in Colombia, it announced that it would be conducting a six-month pilot period. Midway through, it said it plans to extend it, but declined to give a specific timeline. With so much uncertainty, Yale-Loehr admits he understands the frustration surrounding the scheme: Its had a very slow start.

As global migration is at record levels, no single initiative alone can solve the problem; it will require the collaboration of many countries and in a variety of ways. The criminal lawyer interviewed believes that the future of Safe Mobility in this process remains unknown: It has not failed yet, but it has not been a success either.

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Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed their outperform rating on shares of Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC  Free Report) in a research report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. Royal Bank of Canada currently has a $83.00 price objective on the stock.

A number of other research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com started coverage on Encompass Health in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Stephens reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $78.00 price objective on shares of Encompass Health in a research report on Thursday, July 20th. Barclays raised their price objective on Encompass Health from $61.00 to $71.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. Raymond James raised their price objective on Encompass Health from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price objective on Encompass Health from $75.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Encompass Health presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $77.60.

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Encompass Health Stock Down 0.6 %

NYSE:EHC opened at $67.16 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 1.26 and a current ratio of 1.26. The company has a market cap of $6.73 billion, a PE ratio of 21.59, a PEG ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.03. Encompass Health has a 52-week low of $45.11 and a 52-week high of $72.06. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $69.31 and a 200 day simple moving average of $64.61.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $0.95 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $1.19 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.16 billion. Encompass Health had a return on equity of 18.26% and a net margin of 6.86%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Encompass Health will post 3.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Encompass Health Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, October 2nd will be issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 29th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.89%. Encompass Healths dividend payout ratio is presently 19.29%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Encompass Health

In other news, CEO Mark J. Tarr sold 25,330 shares of Encompass Health stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.06, for a total value of $1,799,949.80. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 497,405 shares in the company, valued at approximately $35,345,599.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CEO Mark J. Tarr sold 25,330 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.06, for a total transaction of $1,799,949.80. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 497,405 shares in the company, valued at approximately $35,345,599.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Elissa Joy Charbonneau sold 8,294 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.58, for a total value of $577,096.52. Following the sale, the insider now owns 23,081 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,605,975.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.90% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Encompass Health

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Trilogy Capital Inc. grew its position in shares of Encompass Health by 9.0% in the 1st quarter. Trilogy Capital Inc. now owns 5,508 shares of the companys stock valued at $298,000 after buying an additional 453 shares during the last quarter. Prescott Group Capital Management L.L.C. grew its position in shares of Encompass Health by 66.5% in the 1st quarter. Prescott Group Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 13,753 shares of the companys stock valued at $744,000 after buying an additional 5,495 shares during the last quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board grew its position in shares of Encompass Health by 21.3% in the 1st quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 35,973 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,946,000 after buying an additional 6,316 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Encompass Health by 5.7% in the 1st quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 285,377 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,439,000 after buying an additional 15,297 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas grew its position in shares of Encompass Health by 17.2% in the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 37,729 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,257,000 after buying an additional 5,546 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.66% of the companys stock.

About Encompass Health

(Get Free Report)

Encompass Health Corporation provides post-acute healthcare services in the United States. It provides specialized rehabilitative treatment on an inpatient basis to patients who have experienced physical or cognitive disabilities or injuries due to medical conditions, such as strokes, hip fractures, and various debilitating neurological conditions.

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Shares of HEICO Co. (NYSE:HEI  Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the ten ratings firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $196.91.

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on HEICO from $204.00 to $206.00 in a research note on Friday, August 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of HEICO in a research report on Wednesday, September 27th. They set a buy rating and a $192.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $200.00 target price on shares of HEICO in a report on Wednesday, August 30th. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of HEICO from $190.00 to $220.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Finally, Benchmark raised their price objective on shares of HEICO from $170.00 to $185.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 30th.

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HEICO Trading Up 0.6 %

NYSE:HEI opened at $161.93 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 4.03, a quick ratio of 2.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The firm has a market cap of $22.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 56.42, a PEG ratio of 4.02 and a beta of 1.18. HEICO has a 12-month low of $138.82 and a 12-month high of $182.18. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $168.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $168.93.

HEICO (NYSE:HEI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 29th. The aerospace company reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.01. HEICO had a return on equity of 14.30% and a net margin of 15.05%. The business had revenue of $722.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $701.55 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.60 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 26.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that HEICO will post 2.88 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at HEICO

In related news, Director Alan Schriesheim sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.23, for a total value of $328,460.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 105,111 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,262,379.53. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 8.26% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HEI. Dynamo Internacional Gestao DE Recursos LTDA. acquired a new stake in shares of HEICO in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $11,219,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. increased its holdings in HEICO by 13.4% in the second quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 729 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $129,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in HEICO by 2.7% during the second quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,024 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,066,000 after buying an additional 161 shares in the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its position in shares of HEICO by 41.5% during the 2nd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 341 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. bought a new position in HEICO in the 2nd quarter worth about $5,078,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 27.77% of the companys stock.

HEICO Company Profile

(Get Free Report

HEICO Corporation, through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells aerospace, defense, and electronic related products and services. The company's Flight Support Group segment provides jet engine and aircraft component replacement parts; thermal insulation blankets and parts; renewable/reusable insulation systems; and specialty components.

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Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC lessened its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report) by 5.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 66,767 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,529 shares during the period. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF makes up about 2.5% of Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLCs holdings, making the stock its 8th biggest holding. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLCs holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $6,540,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Key Financial Inc increased its position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 8.2% during the 1st quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 1,370 shares of the companys stock valued at $137,000 after buying an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. Gries Financial LLC boosted its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Gries Financial LLC now owns 10,703 shares of the companys stock worth $1,066,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. Benin Management CORP increased its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. Benin Management CORP now owns 2,611 shares of the companys stock valued at $260,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. VAUGHAN & Co SECURITIES INC. raised its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 2.7% in the second quarter. VAUGHAN & Co SECURITIES INC. now owns 4,277 shares of the companys stock worth $419,000 after buying an additional 111 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pathstone Family Office LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 2.0% in the third quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 6,033 shares of the companys stock worth $581,000 after buying an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.21% of the companys stock.

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iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Price Performance

Shares of AGG traded down $0.65 on Monday, hitting $93.39. 1,331,712 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,320,149. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a one year low of $93.20 and a one year high of $101.15. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $95.94 and a 200 day simple moving average of $97.73.

About iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account.

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The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $198.44 and last traded at $198.56, with a volume of 104363 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $200.08.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

HSY has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on shares of Hershey from $285.00 to $240.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 22nd. Mizuho dropped their price objective on shares of Hershey from $263.00 to $233.00 in a report on Monday, July 31st. HSBC initiated coverage on shares of Hershey in a report on Friday, September 22nd. They issued a buy rating and a $248.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Hershey from $270.00 to $245.00 in a report on Friday, July 28th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Hershey in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hershey presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $262.10.

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Hershey Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $40.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.91, a PEG ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 0.55. The firms 50-day moving average price is $218.23 and its 200-day moving average price is $243.55.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The company reported $2.01 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.89 by $0.12. Hershey had a net margin of 16.49% and a return on equity of 55.74%. The company had revenue of $2.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.50 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.80 earnings per share. Hersheys quarterly revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that The Hershey Company will post 9.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hershey Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Investors of record on Friday, August 18th were given a $1.192 dividend. This represents a $4.77 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.40%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 17th. This is a boost from Hersheys previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. Hersheys payout ratio is currently 54.89%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Michele Buck sold 14,251 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, July 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $238.73, for a total value of $3,402,141.23. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 111,751 shares in the company, valued at $26,678,316.23. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Hershey news, CEO Michele Buck sold 14,251 shares of Hershey stock in a transaction on Friday, July 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $238.73, for a total transaction of $3,402,141.23. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 111,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,678,316.23. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of Hershey stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $214.36, for a total transaction of $321,540.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 37,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,999,057.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 17,438 shares of company stock worth $4,079,372. Insiders own 0.22% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. purchased a new position in Hershey during the second quarter worth $273,000. Strategy Asset Managers LLC grew its holdings in shares of Hershey by 11.0% in the second quarter. Strategy Asset Managers LLC now owns 3,361 shares of the companys stock worth $839,000 after purchasing an additional 334 shares during the last quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp grew its holdings in shares of Hershey by 14.3% in the second quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp now owns 3,428 shares of the companys stock worth $856,000 after purchasing an additional 428 shares during the last quarter. CTC Alternative Strategies Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Hershey in the second quarter worth about $562,000. Finally, Virginia Retirement Systems ET AL bought a new position in shares of Hershey in the second quarter worth about $47,680,000. 56.47% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Hershey

(Get Free Report)

The Hershey Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of confectionery products and pantry items in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks, and International. It offers chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products; gum and mint refreshment products, including mints, chewing gums, and bubble gums; pantry items, such as baking ingredients, toppings, beverages, and sundae syrups; and snack items comprising spreads, bars, snack bites, mixes, popcorn, and pretzels.

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Mason & Associates Inc cut its position in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF (NYSEARCA:BKLN  Free Report) by 2.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 199,529 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 5,036 shares during the period. Invesco Senior Loan ETF accounts for about 1.2% of Mason & Associates Incs investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest position. Mason & Associates Incs holdings in Invesco Senior Loan ETF were worth $4,198,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Jacobi Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $242,000. Spire Wealth Management raised its stake in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 13.9% in the 1st quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 17,433 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $363,000 after acquiring an additional 2,124 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $4,255,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its stake in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 11.8% in the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 5,478 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $114,000 after acquiring an additional 579 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. raised its stake in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 20.4% in the 2nd quarter. Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. now owns 2,955,725 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $62,188,000 after acquiring an additional 500,009 shares in the last quarter.

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Invesco Senior Loan ETF Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of BKLN stock traded down $0.04 during trading on Monday, reaching $20.95. The company had a trading volume of 2,999,317 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,583,808. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $21.04 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $20.92. Invesco Senior Loan ETF has a one year low of $20.24 and a one year high of $21.27.

Invesco Senior Loan ETF Company Profile

The Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value-weighted index of senior loans issued by banks to corporations. BKLN was launched on Mar 3, 2011 and is managed by Invesco.

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Corundum Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 1,466 shares of the medical research companys stock, valued at approximately $206,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 778.4% during the 2nd quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC now owns 16,636 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $2,338,000 after buying an additional 14,742 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Equity Partners acquired a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 2nd quarter worth $222,000. Riverwater Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. Riverwater Partners LLC now owns 4,517 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $635,000 after buying an additional 204 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 5.1% during the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 29,395 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $4,132,000 after buying an additional 1,421 shares in the last quarter. Finally, KFG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 2nd quarter worth $224,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.76% of the companys stock.

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Quest Diagnostics Trading Down 1.5 %

Shares of Quest Diagnostics stock traded down $1.87 on Monday, hitting $119.99. 164,457 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 977,686. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a one year low of $119.92 and a one year high of $158.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The company has a fifty day moving average of $131.10 and a two-hundred day moving average of $135.69. The company has a market capitalization of $13.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.74 and a beta of 0.96.

Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend

Quest Diagnostics ( NYSE:DGX Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The medical research company reported $2.30 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.23 by $0.07. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 16.32% and a net margin of 8.37%. The company had revenue of $2.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.25 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.36 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 8.7 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, October 6th will be given a dividend of $0.71 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 5th. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.37%. Quest Diagnosticss payout ratio is 41.34%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

DGX has been the topic of a number of research reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Thursday, June 29th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an equal weight rating and set a $145.00 price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $149.90.

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Quest Diagnostics Profile

(Free Report)

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic testing, information, and services in the United States and internationally. The company develops and delivers diagnostic information services, such as routine testing, non-routine and advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology testing, and other diagnostic information services.

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PSI Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER  Free Report) by 13.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 18,358 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock after buying an additional 2,240 shares during the period. PSI Advisors LLCs holdings in Uber Technologies were worth $793,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Krilogy Financial LLC lifted its holdings in Uber Technologies by 0.5% in the second quarter. Krilogy Financial LLC now owns 57,233 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $2,471,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the period. Virtue Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Uber Technologies by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. Virtue Capital Management LLC now owns 7,564 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $330,000 after acquiring an additional 269 shares during the last quarter. Telemus Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Uber Technologies by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Telemus Capital LLC now owns 7,371 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $318,000 after acquiring an additional 296 shares during the last quarter. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. lifted its holdings in Uber Technologies by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. now owns 17,655 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $560,000 after acquiring an additional 296 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moody National Bank Trust Division lifted its holdings in Uber Technologies by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division now owns 15,137 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $653,000 after acquiring an additional 304 shares during the last quarter. 74.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at Uber Technologies

In other news, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi sold 100,000 shares of Uber Technologies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.51, for a total value of $4,751,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,316,243 shares of the companys stock, valued at $62,534,704.93. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 3.84% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Uber Technologies Trading Down 1.0 %

UBER stock traded down $0.44 during trading on Monday, hitting $45.55. 5,412,874 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 22,628,404. The firm has a market capitalization of $93.08 billion, a PE ratio of -209.04 and a beta of 1.22. Uber Technologies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $22.94 and a 1 year high of $49.49. The company has a 50-day moving average of $45.95 and a 200-day moving average of $40.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.24.

Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The ride-sharing company reported $0.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.01) by $0.19. Uber Technologies had a negative return on equity of 4.57% and a negative net margin of 1.07%. The firm had revenue of $9.23 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.34 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned ($1.33) EPS. The businesss revenue was up 14.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Uber Technologies, Inc. will post 0.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on UBER shares. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $58.00 price objective on shares of Uber Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, September 5th. Wedbush increased their price objective on Uber Technologies from $46.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Uber Technologies from $48.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Susquehanna raised their target price on Uber Technologies from $48.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, Loop Capital raised their target price on Uber Technologies from $48.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 14th. Thirty-one investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $56.00.

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Uber Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Uber Technologies, Inc develops and operates proprietary technology applications in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia excluding China and Southeast Asia. It operates through three segments: Mobility, Delivery, and Freight. The Mobility segment connects consumers with a range of transportation modalities, such as ridesharing, carsharing, micromobility, rentals, public transit, taxis, and other modalities; and offers riders in a variety of vehicle types, as well as financial partnerships products and advertising services.

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PSI Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Centene Co. (NYSE:CNC  Free Report) by 24.7% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,318 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 459 shares during the quarter. PSI Advisors LLCs holdings in Centene were worth $156,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of CNC. PDS Planning Inc bought a new position in Centene during the second quarter worth about $230,000. Osborne Partners Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Centene by 1.9% in the second quarter. Osborne Partners Capital Management LLC now owns 202,332 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,647,000 after purchasing an additional 3,700 shares during the period. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Centene by 5.9% during the second quarter. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,696 shares of the companys stock valued at $587,000 after acquiring an additional 484 shares during the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its position in Centene by 79,760.8% during the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 460,150,893 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,037,178,000 after acquiring an additional 459,574,702 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bailard Inc. boosted its position in shares of Centene by 8.2% during the 2nd quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 16,985 shares of the companys stock worth $1,146,000 after purchasing an additional 1,285 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.92% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

CNC has been the subject of several analyst reports. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Centene in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. They issued a neutral rating and a $72.00 price objective for the company. Bank of America raised shares of Centene from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the company from $79.00 to $72.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and set a $82.00 price objective on shares of Centene in a research report on Thursday, September 14th. Mizuho lowered their target price on shares of Centene from $80.00 to $76.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. Finally, Oppenheimer reiterated an outperform rating and set a $110.00 price objective on shares of Centene in a research note on Monday, July 31st. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $83.35.

Centene Stock Performance

Shares of CNC stock traded up $0.15 during trading on Monday, hitting $69.03. The companys stock had a trading volume of 589,770 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,552,783. The company has a market cap of $37.38 billion, a PE ratio of 14.20, a P/E/G ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The business has a fifty day moving average of $66.31 and a 200-day moving average of $66.29. Centene Co. has a 52 week low of $60.83 and a 52 week high of $87.84.

Centene (NYSE:CNC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 28th. The company reported $2.10 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.05 by $0.05. Centene had a net margin of 1.83% and a return on equity of 14.15%. The business had revenue of $37.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $36.56 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.77 earnings per share. Centenes quarterly revenue was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Centene Co. will post 6.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Centene Company Profile

(Free Report)

Centene Corporation operates as a healthcare enterprise that provides programs and services to under-insured and uninsured families, commercial organizations, and military families in the United States. It operates in two segments, Managed Care and Specialty Services. The Managed Care segment offers health plan coverage to individuals through government subsidized programs, including Medicaid, the State children's health insurance program, long-term services and support, foster care, and medicare-medicaid plans, which cover dually eligible individuals, as well as aged, blind, or disabled programs.

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Corundum Group Inc. decreased its position in FedEx Co. (NYSE:FDX  Free Report) by 33.4% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 4,263 shares of the shipping service providers stock after selling 2,139 shares during the quarter. Corundum Group Inc.s holdings in FedEx were worth $1,057,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of FDX. Telos Capital Management Inc. increased its position in FedEx by 3.7% during the second quarter. Telos Capital Management Inc. now owns 18,337 shares of the shipping service providers stock worth $4,546,000 after acquiring an additional 651 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in FedEx by 10.6% in the 2nd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 74,062 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $575,000 after acquiring an additional 7,124 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of FedEx by 27.6% during the 2nd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 4,403 shares of the shipping service providers stock worth $1,091,000 after purchasing an additional 952 shares in the last quarter. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc raised its stake in shares of FedEx by 215.1% in the second quarter. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc now owns 49,451 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $12,259,000 after purchasing an additional 33,758 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its position in FedEx by 97,178.0% in the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 209,510,584 shares of the shipping service providers stock worth $51,937,674,000 after purchasing an additional 209,295,211 shares during the period. 73.61% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at FedEx

In other news, EVP Michael C. Lenz sold 5,745 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $261.88, for a total value of $1,504,500.60. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 22,478 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,886,538.64. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 8.73% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on FDX. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their target price on shares of FedEx from $261.00 to $284.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 21st. Raymond James increased their target price on FedEx from $270.00 to $279.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, September 21st. Bank of America upped their price target on FedEx from $309.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, September 21st. Credit Suisse Group cut their price objective on FedEx from $273.00 to $265.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of FedEx from $228.00 to $251.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 21st. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $277.96.

Get Our Latest Analysis on FDX

FedEx Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of FDX stock traded up $1.32 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $266.24. The company had a trading volume of 726,122 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,994,823. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.32. FedEx Co. has a 1-year low of $147.98 and a 1-year high of $270.95. The firm has a market cap of $66.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.24, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a 50 day moving average of $261.13 and a 200 day moving average of $242.21.

FedEx (NYSE:FDX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, September 20th. The shipping service provider reported $4.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.71 by $0.84. FedEx had a net margin of 4.71% and a return on equity of 16.14%. The company had revenue of $21.68 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.74 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.44 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that FedEx Co. will post 18.1 EPS for the current year.

FedEx Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, September 11th will be given a $1.26 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 8th. This represents a $5.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.89%. FedExs dividend payout ratio is currently 30.73%.

FedEx Company Profile

(Free Report)

FedEx Corporation provides transportation, e-commerce, and business services in the United States and internationally. It operates through FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Services segments. The FedEx Express segment offers express transportation, small-package ground delivery, and freight transportation services; and time-critical transportation services.

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Corundum Group Inc. reduced its position in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 23.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 28,924 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 8,663 shares during the quarter. Corundum Group Inc.s holdings in Bank of America were worth $830,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. PM CAPITAL Ltd raised its position in Bank of America by 22.3% in the 2nd quarter. PM CAPITAL Ltd now owns 2,234,968 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $64,121,000 after purchasing an additional 407,300 shares during the last quarter. PDS Planning Inc increased its stake in Bank of America by 11.2% in the second quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 21,904 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $628,000 after purchasing an additional 2,205 shares during the period. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 23.3% in the second quarter. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC now owns 146,232 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,195,000 after buying an additional 27,678 shares during the last quarter. Sendero Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 28.4% during the second quarter. Sendero Wealth Management LLC now owns 125,651 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,605,000 after buying an additional 27,798 shares during the period. Finally, Benedetti & Gucer Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 115.1% during the second quarter. Benedetti & Gucer Inc. now owns 42,810 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,228,000 after buying an additional 22,905 shares during the last quarter. 68.06% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on BAC. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Bank of America from $43.00 to $40.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $35.00 price target on shares of Bank of America in a report on Tuesday, September 12th. HSBC began coverage on shares of Bank of America in a research note on Thursday, September 7th. They issued a buy rating and a $35.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Bank of America from $32.00 to $33.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Finally, Oppenheimer dropped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $49.00 to $48.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, September 26th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Bank of America presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $35.92.

Bank of America Price Performance

BAC stock traded down $0.34 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $27.04. 14,593,589 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 48,413,422. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.83. The stock has a market cap of $214.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.87, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.36. Bank of America Co. has a fifty-two week low of $26.32 and a fifty-two week high of $38.60. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $29.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $28.97.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.88 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.04. Bank of America had a net margin of 19.97% and a return on equity of 12.01%. The business had revenue of $25.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.98 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.73 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Bank of America Co. will post 3.4 earnings per share for the current year.

Bank of America Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Investors of record on Friday, September 1st were given a dividend of $0.24 per share. This is an increase from Bank of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 31st. Bank of Americas payout ratio is currently 27.59%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider James P. Demare sold 75,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.53, for a total transaction of $2,364,750.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 185,108 shares in the company, valued at $5,836,455.24. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, insider James P. Demare sold 75,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.53, for a total value of $2,364,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 185,108 shares in the company, valued at $5,836,455.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Dean C. Athanasia sold 77,806 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.48, for a total value of $2,449,332.88. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 353,971 shares in the company, valued at $11,143,007.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock.

Bank of America Profile

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans.

Further Reading

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Brazilian Jessica Vieira, aged 26 with three children, has no idea how much a barrel of Brent Crude is trading at, yet she does not need to read a stock market report to be aware that oil companies are performing extremely well. She will certainly appreciate the tremendous changes brought by the black gold in recent years to Marica, a municipality to the north of Rio de Janeiro that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Along with the free buses, the pristine waterfront, the bustling new businesses, the influx of new residents and the employment opportunities, Vieira receives a monthly basic municipal income as do 42,500 other poor residents. Both Marica and Mrs. Vieira hit the jackpot when in 2007 Petrobras discovered crude oil directly in front of their short stretch of coastline sitting thousands of meters beneath a layer of salt.

The pre-salt layer represents the goose that lays the golden eggs for Petrobras, which turns 70 years old on October 3. The oil company, which made headlines a decade ago when it was at the center of one of the worlds biggest corruption scandals, has since moved on from that traumatizing episode. It has enjoyed record profits as a result of the war in Ukraine, as have other oil companies, while major challenges hang over the horizon.

This is due to the fact that crude oil production, which is currently so lucrative, will begin to decline towards the end of this decade, according to estimates, and also because its commitment to the ecological transition is less clear-cut than that of its competitors. By 2027, it will allocate 6% of its investments to clean energy, although the International Energy Agency (IEA) recommends 15-20%.

The Brazilian state, Petrobras majority shareholder, is at a crossroads because it holds virtually the entire Amazon  a crucial ecosystem for stemming global warming  in its territory, at the same time as a business as polluting as crude oil is one of the driving forces of its economy. Joao Victor Marques, an energy researcher at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, calls the companys current situation very challenging. It is searching for new frontiers, focusing on pre-salt and revitalizing mature wells. It has scaled back its participation in foreign projects and there is the challenge of making the transition from oil company to energy company, so it needs to diversify the business.

One of Brazils largest companies, Petrobras lost its monopoly on oil a quarter of a century ago. However, it is now in its seventh decade of existence, boasting a daily production of 3.1 million barrels, a profit of $35 billion last year (the biggest in its history, almost double that from 2021), 56 platforms, reserves of 10 trillion barrels and 45,000 employees.

The last 15 years have certainly been something of a roller coaster ride. The euphoria over the discovery of huge reserves of oil 300 kilometers offshore, 10 kilometers deep under a two-kilometer layer of salt, was tremendous, perceived by many as a panacea. This lifeline promised to solve all the Brazilian peoples problems. The then (and now) president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, stood smiling before history with his hands covered in crude oil  Brazil was on the verge of making a great leap forward.

However, it was not to be. The Lava Jato investigation exposed a colossal corrupt scheme in the oil company, with politicians and Petrobras bosses receiving bribes from corporations in exchange for the awarding of inflated contracts. This represented a devastating blow for Petrobras, as it began to incur losses and a soaring debt. It was not until 2018 that the company returned to profitability.

During the recent tenure of the far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, refineries and gas pipelines were sold to refocus on extraction and reduce its debt. In keeping with his explosive character, the retired military officer dismissed three Petrobras presidents, unhappy with fuel prices. Yet, this is also a sensitive issue with Lula, who wishes to harmonize gas prices so that they are no longer subject to the fluctuations of the international market.

Lula placed 55-year-old Jean Paul Prates, a veteran of the sector who served as a senator of the Workers Party, at the head of Petrobras. The latter is highly critical of the Bolsonaro-era sell-off of assets and sees the company as a frightened turtle, with its head and legs inside its shell, he said in an interview with O Globo newspaper in May.

The dispute between Petrobras and the Brazilian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change over the future of the waters at the mouth of the Amazon River highlights Brazils dilemma. The oil companys new promised land stretches along the Equator, in the northernmost part of the Brazilian coast. The equatorial belt is the major exploratory frontier that will guarantee an increase in production in the coming decades, explains Marques, at the FGV.

The oil companys request to explore 175 kilometers of the coast of Amapa (Brazil) to determine whether there are reserves as lucrative as those already exploited by neighboring Guyana was rejected by the environmental agency in May on the grounds of a lack of guarantees in the event of possible spills. The environmental authorities demanded more detailed studies for the region, thought to potentially be holding 14 billion barrels.

However, the president of the oil company had previously expressed caution when interviewed: No one is going to stop exploring new frontiers overnight. Focusing everything on the energy transition. This is a double challenge. He then suggested paying out lower dividends to compensate for the transition to the new times.

Dispute in the Amazon

For Petrobras, the Amazon Delta project represents a major asset, as shown by the fact that it allocates almost half of the funds allocated to the search for new oilfields, according to Marques. He stresses that oil from this region leaves a carbon footprint much lower than the world average and that Petrobras already extracts oil in two other land areas in the Amazon.

In any event, this is a fierce battle being fought on both the technical and political fronts. It has led to friction within the government, and no one in Brazil can forget the resignation of the Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva, during the previous term in protest against the construction of the Belo Monte hydroelectric plant, also in the Amazon region.

Lula is refusing to forsake oil in the Amazon, as Colombian President Gustavo Petro publicly demanded during an environmental summit in Belen this August. Ecuadors decision, approved in a recent referendum, not to drill for oil in the Yasuni National Park has bolstered Brazilian environmentalists.

Ana Guedes, from the NGO Mapinguari Institute, in Amapa, warns that Petrobras plans involve significant risks for the region in question, where fishing activity is essential and which also possesses vast areas of mangroves. There is no experience of how to clean up a spill in this ecosystem, she explains. The battle is now focused, she says over a video call from Macapa, on informing the fishermen, those most vulnerable to the companys demands, about the risks and potential advantages as they study the conditions to be put in place if there is eventually approval to search for oil.

The activist points out that promises about the benefits of other projects never materialized. Referring to the 2020 blackout in Amapa, she says: We spent 20 days without electricity even though we have four hydroelectric plants in the state!

In contrast, in Marica, 3,700 kilometers to the south, it is all praise for oil. This is not surprising because the city receives the most royalties from the extraction of crude oil and gas in the entire country. Last year these amounted to R$3.5 billion ($695 million) for a population of some 200,000 inhabitants, many of whom were enticed by the black gold rush. This wealth leads to a basic income of $40 per month, other assistance for informal workers, free buses and bicycle use, university scholarships for the poorest and research projects aimed at the future. They are aiming to become like Norway on a microscale, taking advantage of this jackpot to finance social policies in the long term.

Igor Sardinha, Marica's councilman for Economic Development and Petroleum, explains in his office: We have to work in the certainty that the end [of oil] will come. It is a finite commodity. Or maybe it will still exist, but it will no longer be so necessary or valuable. That is why we are working on several fronts and have created a sovereign wealth fund. Between 10% and 15% of the royalties are automatically deposited in this area. While residents are fully aware that the local economy is overheated, they hope that clean energy will generate jobs. For this reason, they have invested in a project of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro on the potential of hydrogen with the hope that it can supply public buses, be profitable and enable the creation of a production plant for environmentally friendly vehicles.

Councilman Sardinha is very conscious of the ups and downs of the sector because he himself grew up in Macae, a nearby municipality that was showered with oil money in the nineties but failed to capitalize on the opportunity and is now struggling.

Jessica Vieira, whose priority is to find a job as an autopsy assistant, is enjoying the prosperity without thinking about tomorrow. She understands how hard life can be. She barely had a childhood, having to work from the age of eight and getting married at 14.

The municipal leader in charge of economic development certainly keeps a close eye on Brent Crude Oil prices and international news such as the war in Ukraine, because the budget hinges on it.

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Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. lowered its position in shares of The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI  Free Report) by 15.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,801 shares of the health services providers stock after selling 1,462 shares during the period. Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD.s holdings in The Cigna Group were worth $2,189,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich increased its holdings in shares of The Cigna Group by 63,861.5% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 39,406,651 shares of the health services providers stock worth $11,057,506,000 after buying an additional 39,345,041 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in The Cigna Group by 154,255.6% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 11,954,841 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $3,961,117,000 after purchasing an additional 11,947,096 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings in The Cigna Group by 22.7% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 4,346,293 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $1,110,597,000 after purchasing an additional 804,805 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in The Cigna Group by 9.5% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 3,108,166 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $862,423,000 after purchasing an additional 268,793 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in The Cigna Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $963,542,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.32% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other The Cigna Group news, EVP Cynthia Ryan sold 3,768 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $282.22, for a total transaction of $1,063,404.96. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 5,503 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,553,056.66. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, SVP Hoeltzel Mary T. Agoglia sold 12,250 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $291.00, for a total value of $3,564,750.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 2,093 shares of the companys stock, valued at $609,063. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Cynthia Ryan sold 3,768 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $282.22, for a total transaction of $1,063,404.96. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,503 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,553,056.66. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 39,767 shares of company stock valued at $11,498,468 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.60% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have commented on CI shares. Raymond James boosted their price target on shares of The Cigna Group from $310.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 7th. Edward Jones downgraded shares of The Cigna Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price target on shares of The Cigna Group from $292.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, September 14th. Truist Financial dropped their price target on shares of The Cigna Group from $375.00 to $365.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of The Cigna Group from $320.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 4th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $339.11.

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The Cigna Group Price Performance

CI traded down $0.23 on Monday, hitting $285.84. 351,233 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,610,968. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.72. The businesss fifty day moving average is $285.97 and its 200 day moving average is $271.91. The Cigna Group has a fifty-two week low of $240.50 and a fifty-two week high of $340.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $84.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 0.64.

The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The health services provider reported $6.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.98 by $0.15. The Cigna Group had a net margin of 3.57% and a return on equity of 12.32%. The company had revenue of $48.59 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $47.24 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $6.22 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Cigna Group will post 24.8 EPS for the current year.

The Cigna Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 6th were paid a dividend of $1.23 per share. This represents a $4.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 5th. The Cigna Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 22.40%.

About The Cigna Group

(Free Report)

The Cigna Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and related products and services in the United States. Its Evernorth Health Services segment provides a range of coordinated and point solution health services, including pharmacy benefits, home delivery pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, distribution, and care delivery and management solutions to health plans, employers, government organizations, and health care providers.

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Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BFH  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $34.20, but opened at $32.55. Bread Financial shares last traded at $33.11, with a volume of 98,609 shares traded.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BFH has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Bread Financial from a neutral rating to a sell rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $44.00 to $32.00 in a research note on Monday. Raymond James restated a sector perform rating and issued a $43.00 target price (down previously from $46.00) on shares of Bread Financial in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Bread Financial from $41.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 22nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of Bread Financial from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $46.00 to $43.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $41.63.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on BFH

Bread Financial Price Performance

The companys 50-day moving average is $37.32 and its 200-day moving average is $32.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.17. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.41, a PEG ratio of 0.09 and a beta of 1.96.

Bread Financial (NYSE:BFH  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The company reported $1.27 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by $1.04. Bread Financial had a net margin of 10.05% and a return on equity of 20.52%. The business had revenue of $952.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $0.41 million. On average, research analysts expect that Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. will post 12.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Bread Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Investors of record on Friday, August 11th were issued a $0.21 dividend. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.55%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 10th. Bread Financials payout ratio is currently 8.37%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Bread Financial news, Director Roger H. Ballou purchased 2,400 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, July 31st. The stock was bought at an average cost of $41.78 per share, with a total value of $100,272.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 34,842 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,455,698.76. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bread Financial

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in Bread Financial by 42.2% in the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 1,011 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its holdings in Bread Financial by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 20,161 shares of the companys stock valued at $633,000 after acquiring an additional 350 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its holdings in Bread Financial by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 14,445 shares of the companys stock valued at $438,000 after acquiring an additional 380 shares during the last quarter. Versor Investments LP lifted its holdings in Bread Financial by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Versor Investments LP now owns 19,936 shares of the companys stock valued at $626,000 after acquiring an additional 392 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in Bread Financial by 18.8% in the 2nd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,772 shares of the companys stock valued at $87,000 after acquiring an additional 438 shares during the last quarter. 99.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Bread Financial Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Bread Financial Holdings, Inc provides tech-forward payment and lending solutions to customers and consumer-based industries in North America. It offers credit card and other loans financing services, including risk management solutions, account origination, and funding services for private label and co-brand credit card programs, as well as through Bread partnerships; and Comenity-branded general purpose cash-back credit.

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Graypoint LLC purchased a new position in shares of Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI  Free Report) (TSE:TRI) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 21,162 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $2,856,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Thomson Reuters by 134.9% in the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 195 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its stake in shares of Thomson Reuters by 246.7% in the 1st quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 735 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 523 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC grew its holdings in shares of Thomson Reuters by 209.6% during the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 353 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Thomson Reuters during the 1st quarter worth approximately $47,000. Finally, Vestor Capital LLC lifted its stake in Thomson Reuters by 72.5% in the 1st quarter. Vestor Capital LLC now owns 821 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 345 shares during the last quarter. 17.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Thomson Reuters Stock Performance

Shares of Thomson Reuters stock traded down $0.60 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $121.72. 75,010 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 404,727. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $129.14 and a 200-day simple moving average of $128.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $55.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.31, a PEG ratio of 3.11 and a beta of 0.59. Thomson Reuters Co. has a 12-month low of $97.59 and a 12-month high of $138.85.

Thomson Reuters Increases Dividend

Thomson Reuters ( NYSE:TRI Get Free Report ) (TSE:TRI) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 2nd. The business services provider reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.07. Thomson Reuters had a net margin of 32.12% and a return on equity of 11.91%. The firm had revenue of $1.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.66 billion. Equities research analysts anticipate that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 3.34 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 17th were paid a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 16th. This is an increase from Thomson Reuterss previous quarterly dividend of $0.36. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.61%. Thomson Reuterss payout ratio is currently 42.16%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their price target on shares of Thomson Reuters from $131.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, August 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Thomson Reuters from $135.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, August 3rd. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Thomson Reuters from $184.00 to $192.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. TD Securities raised their price objective on shares of Thomson Reuters from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Thomson Reuters from $125.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $148.62.

View Our Latest Analysis on TRI

About Thomson Reuters

(Free Report)

Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments.

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Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 5.7% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 20,151 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 1,082 shares during the quarter. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $1,289,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Benedetti & Gucer Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 29.0% in the 2nd quarter. Benedetti & Gucer Inc. now owns 20,025 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,281,000 after purchasing an additional 4,500 shares in the last quarter. Lazari Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the second quarter worth $1,991,000. Mill Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Mill Capital Management LLC now owns 55,801 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,568,000 after acquiring an additional 1,620 shares during the period. Viking Fund Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 6.8% during the 2nd quarter. Viking Fund Management LLC now owns 78,000 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,988,000 after acquiring an additional 5,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Aurora Private Wealth Inc. boosted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 17.0% during the 2nd quarter. Aurora Private Wealth Inc. now owns 3,814 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $244,000 after purchasing an additional 555 shares during the period. 74.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Robert M. Plenge sold 732 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.14, for a total value of $44,754.48. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 6,584 shares of the companys stock, valued at $402,545.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Robert M. Plenge sold 732 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.14, for a total value of $44,754.48. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 6,584 shares in the company, valued at approximately $402,545.76. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Ann Powell sold 17,986 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.25, for a total value of $1,101,642.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 27,868 shares in the company, valued at $1,706,915. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

BMY stock opened at $57.74 on Monday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $60.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $64.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $120.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.44, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1 year low of $57.56 and a 1 year high of $81.43.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.99 by ($0.24). Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 17.62% and a return on equity of 50.51%. The firm had revenue of $11.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.81 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.93 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.43 EPS for the current year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 6th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 5th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.95%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 60.64%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BMY has been the subject of several analyst reports. Barclays decreased their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $64.00 to $62.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $75.00 price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Friday, September 15th. SVB Leerink reissued a market perform rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, July 10th. Finally, SVB Securities assumed coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, July 10th. They set a market perform rating and a $66.00 price objective on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Bristol-Myers Squibb currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $69.64.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Bristol-Myers Squibb

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Nilsine Partners LLC cut its stake in shares of iShares Latin America 40 ETF (NYSEARCA:ILF  Free Report) by 0.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 225,214 shares of the companys stock after selling 540 shares during the quarter. iShares Latin America 40 ETF accounts for about 0.9% of Nilsine Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Nilsine Partners LLCs holdings in iShares Latin America 40 ETF were worth $6,119,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of ILF. DAVENPORT & Co LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Latin America 40 ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $858,000. Trilogy Capital Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares Latin America 40 ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $1,366,000. Banque Pictet & Cie SA raised its stake in shares of iShares Latin America 40 ETF by 0.7% during the first quarter. Banque Pictet & Cie SA now owns 273,093 shares of the companys stock worth $6,519,000 after acquiring an additional 1,863 shares in the last quarter. Korea Investment CORP raised its stake in shares of iShares Latin America 40 ETF by 9.3% during the first quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 2,201,943 shares of the companys stock worth $52,560,000 after acquiring an additional 186,967 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Destiny Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Latin America 40 ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $7,358,000.

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iShares Latin America 40 ETF Trading Down 2.1 %

Shares of ILF stock traded down $0.53 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $25.03. 587,745 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 862,312. iShares Latin America 40 ETF has a 12-month low of $21.75 and a 12-month high of $28.56. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $26.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $25.83. The company has a market capitalization of $1.32 billion, a PE ratio of 6.90 and a beta of 1.00.

iShares Latin America 40 ETF Profile

iShares S & P Latin America 40 Index Fund, formerly iShares Latin America 40 ETF (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P Latin America 40 (the Index). The Index consists of selected equities trading on the exchanges of five Latin American countries.

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Nilsine Partners LLC raised its stake in iShares MSCI France ETF (NYSEARCA:EWQ  Free Report) by 0.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 144,038 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 317 shares during the period. iShares MSCI France ETF accounts for approximately 0.8% of Nilsine Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. Nilsine Partners LLC owned 0.53% of iShares MSCI France ETF worth $5,550,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. DAVENPORT & Co LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI France ETF by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 23,465 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $904,000 after buying an additional 510 shares during the period. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI France ETF by 98,060.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 13,637,393 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $525,449,000 after buying an additional 13,623,500 shares during the period. Fiduciary Alliance LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI France ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $58,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI France ETF by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,469,795 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $56,631,000 after buying an additional 11,000 shares during the period. Finally, Teamwork Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI France ETF by 74.4% in the 2nd quarter. Teamwork Financial Advisors LLC now owns 26,565 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,024,000 after buying an additional 11,330 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI France ETF Trading Down 2.0 %

iShares MSCI France ETF stock traded down $0.71 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $34.88. 347,561 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 652,490. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $37.38 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $37.89. The firm has a market cap of $892.93 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.58 and a beta of 1.03. iShares MSCI France ETF has a fifty-two week low of $26.49 and a fifty-two week high of $39.95.

About iShares MSCI France ETF

iShares MSCI France ETF, formerly iShares MSCI France Index Fund, seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the French market, as measured by the MSCI France Index (the Index). The Index seeks to measure the performance of the French equity market.

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Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. purchased a new position in Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 10,050 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $463,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Toroso Investments LLC boosted its position in shares of Citigroup by 22.5% in the 1st quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 49,560 shares of the companys stock worth $2,324,000 after purchasing an additional 9,117 shares in the last quarter. Inscription Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Citigroup in the 1st quarter worth approximately $284,000. Leo Brokerage LLC purchased a new position in Citigroup in the 1st quarter worth approximately $532,000. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC raised its holdings in Citigroup by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 20,333 shares of the companys stock worth $953,000 after acquiring an additional 858 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Handelsbanken Fonder AB raised its holdings in Citigroup by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 904,234 shares of the companys stock worth $42,400,000 after acquiring an additional 54,729 shares during the last quarter. 69.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on C. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Citigroup in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Morgan Stanley restated an underweight rating and issued a $45.00 price objective on shares of Citigroup in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Citigroup from $58.00 to $60.00 in a report on Monday, June 5th. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of Citigroup from $50.00 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 15th. Finally, HSBC initiated coverage on shares of Citigroup in a research note on Thursday, September 7th. They set a hold rating and a $43.00 target price for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Citigroup presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $52.13.

Citigroup Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:C traded down $0.66 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $40.47. The company had a trading volume of 5,531,060 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,244,529. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.95. The company has a market cap of $78.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.52, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.54. Citigroup Inc. has a 12-month low of $39.94 and a 12-month high of $53.23. The company has a fifty day moving average of $43.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $45.31.

Citigroup (NYSE:C  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, July 14th. The company reported $1.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.31 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $19.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.34 billion. Citigroup had a net margin of 10.24% and a return on equity of 6.80%. Citigroups quarterly revenue was down 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.30 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Citigroup Inc. will post 5.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Citigroup Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 25th. Investors of record on Monday, August 7th were issued a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 4th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.24%. This is an increase from Citigroups previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. Citigroups dividend payout ratio is currently 33.60%.

Citigroup Company Profile

(Free Report)

Citigroup Inc, a diversified financial services holding company, provides various financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions in North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through three segments: Institutional Clients Group (ICG), Personal Banking and Wealth Management (PBWM), and Legacy Franchises.

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First Command Bank lifted its position in Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:VNQ  Free Report) by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 498,430 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 20,709 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Real Estate ETF makes up 3.9% of First Command Banks investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest holding. First Command Banks holdings in Vanguard Real Estate ETF were worth $41,649,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of VNQ. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 115,289.9% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,063,365,980 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $87,706,426,000 after purchasing an additional 1,062,444,438 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its stake in Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 99,609.1% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 27,821,833 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,324,792,000 after purchasing an additional 27,793,930 shares in the last quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in Vanguard Real Estate ETF during the 1st quarter worth $756,836,000. Cowa LLC grew its stake in Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 75,967.4% during the 1st quarter. Cowa LLC now owns 5,210,614 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $824,000 after purchasing an additional 5,203,764 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanderbilt University acquired a new position in Vanguard Real Estate ETF during the 1st quarter worth $199,101,000.

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Vanguard Real Estate ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:VNQ traded down $1.45 on Monday, hitting $74.21. 4,759,156 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,064,944. The firms 50-day moving average is $81.68 and its 200 day moving average is $82.03. The company has a market capitalization of $28.61 billion, a PE ratio of 28.40 and a beta of 0.91. Vanguard Real Estate ETF has a 1-year low of $74.02 and a 1-year high of $94.53.

About Vanguard Real Estate ETF

Vanguard REIT ETF (the Fund) is an open-end investment company. The Fund invests in stocks issued by real estate investment trusts (REITs), companies that purchase office buildings, hotels, and other real property. It tracks the return of the MSCI US RIT Index, a gauge of real estate stocks. The Vanguard Group, Inc provides investment advisory services to the Fund.

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Kinsale Capital Group (NYSE:KNSL  Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by equities research analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $350.00 to $370.00 in a research report issued on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s price objective would suggest a potential downside of 9.30% from the companys previous close.

A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on KNSL. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Kinsale Capital Group from $400.00 to $450.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 31st. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Kinsale Capital Group in a report on Wednesday, August 23rd. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Kinsale Capital Group from $425.00 to $435.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, July 31st. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on shares of Kinsale Capital Group from $370.00 to $396.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, September 7th. Finally, Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Kinsale Capital Group in a report on Thursday, September 21st. They issued an outperform rating and a $521.00 price objective on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $424.57.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on KNSL

Kinsale Capital Group Trading Down 1.5 %

Shares of NYSE KNSL traded down $6.17 during trading on Monday, hitting $407.96. 69,924 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 158,866. Kinsale Capital Group has a 1 year low of $250.90 and a 1 year high of $430.00. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $392.92 and a 200-day moving average price of $355.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.42 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 0.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22.

Kinsale Capital Group (NYSE:KNSL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The financial services provider reported $2.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.48 by $0.40. Kinsale Capital Group had a net margin of 22.60% and a return on equity of 29.11%. The company had revenue of $295.77 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $282.01 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.92 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Kinsale Capital Group will post 11.57 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Kinsale Capital Group

In other Kinsale Capital Group news, Director Robert V. Hatcher III sold 195 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $409.02, for a total value of $79,758.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,086 shares in the company, valued at approximately $444,195.72. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Michael P. Kehoe sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $376.82, for a total value of $1,507,280.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 307,117 shares in the company, valued at $115,727,827.94. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Robert V. Hatcher III sold 195 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $409.02, for a total transaction of $79,758.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,086 shares of the companys stock, valued at $444,195.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 5,695 shares of company stock valued at $2,208,939 in the last quarter. Insiders own 6.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Evermay Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Kinsale Capital Group by 153.8% during the first quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 642 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $193,000 after purchasing an additional 389 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Kinsale Capital Group by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 229,820 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $68,980,000 after acquiring an additional 1,426 shares in the last quarter. Sawgrass Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kinsale Capital Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $213,000. SkyOak Wealth LLC lifted its position in shares of Kinsale Capital Group by 6.7% in the 2nd quarter. SkyOak Wealth LLC now owns 892 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $334,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. Finally, New Mexico Educational Retirement Board lifted its position in shares of Kinsale Capital Group by 12.8% in the 2nd quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 4,400 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,646,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. 83.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Kinsale Capital Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Kinsale Capital Group, Inc, a specialty insurance company, provides property and casualty insurance products in the United States. The company's commercial lines offerings include construction, small business, excess and general casualty, commercial property, allied health, life sciences, energy, environmental, health care, inland marine, public entity, and commercial insurance, as well as product, professional, and management liability insurance.

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Sigma Investment Counselors Inc. raised its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO  Free Report) by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 669,530 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 1,737 shares during the quarter. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF makes up approximately 2.0% of Sigma Investment Counselors Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 8th largest holding. Sigma Investment Counselors Inc.s holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF were worth $27,236,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VWO. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 108,287.1% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 296,468,035 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $11,556,324,000 after buying an additional 296,194,508 shares during the period. Empower Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,067,692,000. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its position in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 95,537.3% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 21,317,545 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $867,198,000 after acquiring an additional 21,295,255 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 23.4% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 42,213,094 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,460,972,000 after acquiring an additional 8,015,875 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC lifted its position in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 87.0% during the 4th quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 9,162,934 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $357,171,000 after acquiring an additional 4,264,099 shares in the last quarter.

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Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Price Performance

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF stock traded down $0.11 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $39.10. 5,914,458 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,930,380. The companys fifty day moving average price is $40.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $40.50. The company has a market cap of $69.99 billion, a PE ratio of 10.00 and a beta of 0.69. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF has a fifty-two week low of $34.88 and a fifty-two week high of $43.22.

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Profile

The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index, that measures the return of stocks issued by companies located in emerging market countries.

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Everyone in Slovakia considered Robert Fico politically dead. It was in 2020, when his party, Smer-SD (Slovak Social Democracy-Direction) lost the elections after he himself was forced to resign in 2018 due to massive demonstrations following the murder of an investigative reporter and his partner. But just two and a half years later, the populist and nationalist leader, who was prime minister for three terms, is back in power in Slovakia. And he is sounding more radical than ever and eager for revenge. On Saturday, Fico won Slovakias parliamentary elections, although he will have to find alliances to be able to govern.

Fico was able to capitalize on the unrest of Slovak voters, to stir up their fears, and to portray himself as their savior. The country first suffered from the coronavirus pandemic, then experienced instability from the war in neighboring Ukraine; added to this was a chaotic and ill-matched center-right coalition government. In the middle of all the political instability and economic anxiety due to the rising cost of living, Fico promised Slovaks stability and security, and the end of military support for Ukraine.

The nationalistic, populist, xenophobic and anti-Ukrainian rhetoric deployed by the 59-year-old veteran politician on the campaign trail has generated concern in Western capitals, which see a risk of him becoming a new Viktor Orban within the European Union and NATO. Since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year, the Hungarian prime minister has stood out as the EU voice closest to Vladimir Putin. Now, Fico could join his team.

Just like the conservative governments of Poland and Hungary, the winner of the Slovak elections opposes the redistribution of refugees in the EU, any change in the method of unanimous decision-making in the European Council, and the integration of Ukraine into the EU and NATO. We know that Ukraine is one of the most corrupt countries in the world and that its government regime falls very short of democratic standards, he told Reuters recently about the possible start of EU accession talks with Kyiv, which he called delusional.

The veteran leader has been in politics since the 1990s. He studied in the United States and upon his return, he was vice president of the Democratic Left party, a split from the old Communist Party, in which he also participated. In 1999, he founded Smer, a liberal party where he had no rivals.

Peter Spak, a Slovak political scientist at Masaryk University in the neighboring Czech Republic, remembers how in the beginning Fico refused to associate his new party with either the right or the left. Since it didnt work, he moved towards social democracy, he explains via Zoom. But this party has nothing to do with Western social democracy. And it never has. [The name] is nothing more than a marketing tool. Their attitude is nationalist and populist, he warns.

Far-right rhetoric

In 2006, at the beginning of his first term in office (2006-2010), Fico formed a coalition government with a right-wing party. In 2014-2015, he began to openly and decisively mobilize people on the far right, according to Spak. Some of his statements from that time could pass for those of a far-right politician, he says. And more recently, the political scientist points out, his anti-vaccine messages during the pandemic and his views on Russias invasion of Ukraine, in which he blames Kyiv for the conflict, are not distinguishable from those of Republika, the far-right party that finally has not managed to enter parliament.

His ultra-conservative views on social issues such as LGBTQ+ rights also distances him from the European social democratic family and brings him closer to leaders such as Orban in Hungary or Polands Jaroslaw Kaczynski. He also shares with them a xenophobic view of immigration, with statements such as that letting in migrants from Muslim countries poses a risk of letting in terrorists. During the campaign, Fico advocated strengthening cooperation within the Visegrad Group, where in addition to Hungary and Poland, the Czech Republic also sits.

The political careers of Fico and Orban are also similar in their evolution from a youth marked by liberal ideas and international studies, to a radicalization and espousal of nationalist, conservative and anti-Western values. The Slovak politicians career has two turning points, according to Spac. The first was in 2014, when he lost the presidential elections. The definitive one was 2018, with the murder of the journalist Jan Kuciak and his partner, Martina Kusnirova, when the reporter was investigating connections between people close to Smer and the Italian mafia as well as government corruption scandals. The event shook Slovak society, which took to the streets to protest, and Fico was forced to resign. After his departure, Smer fell in the polls and lost the 2020 elections. After that, a part of his party left and founded Hlas (Voice). The media and analysts certified Ficos political death.

Some 40 senior officials, police officers, judges, prosecutors, politicians and businessmen with ties to Smer have been convicted of corruption and other crimes, according to local media cited by Reuters. Another 130 individuals are being investigated or prosecuted. Fico himself faced charges last year for using information from police and tax authorities to discredit his political rivals. Now, many expect personal revenge for what Fico considers an attack on his own people. During the campaign, he threatened to fire special prosecutor Daniel Lipsic, who has been investigating the most serious crimes and corruption cases. He has also intimidated the president, Zuzana Caputova, whom he accuses of treason and of being a U.S. agent.

Fico has always been one for grandiose electoral statements and promises, but in the past he has proven to be more pragmatic than ideological, especially in his relationship with the EU, where Slovakia has never had a strong voice. One of the main milestones of his previous governments was the countrys entry into the eurozone in 2008, after having campaigned against it. It is known that he has approached well-respected people for the position of foreign minister, which is viewed as a good sign. On Sunday, speaking after his victory, Fico assured: Slovakias foreign policy is not going to change, but that does not mean that we cannot be critical of the EU on some issues.

It is foreseeable that if he reaches a coalition agreement to govern with Hlas, his government will be more moderate than his political rallies indicated. Despite everything, Orban already sees Fico as a possible new ally in his disputes with Brussels. After Ficos victory, the Hungarian leader was quick to congratulate him and invite him to cooperate. It is always good to work alongside a patriot. We are looking forward to it! wrote the Hungarian Prime Minister on X (formerly Twitter).
Richwood Investment Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED  Free Report) by 7.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,767 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 360 shares during the period. Richwood Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Consolidated Edison were worth $431,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Excalibur Management Corp grew its holdings in shares of Consolidated Edison by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Excalibur Management Corp now owns 12,709 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,216,000 after buying an additional 105 shares during the period. IHT Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Consolidated Edison by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,941 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $757,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the period. Lido Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Consolidated Edison by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 43,881 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,198,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the period. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC boosted its stake in Consolidated Edison by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC now owns 4,303 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $389,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the period. Finally, Retirement Group LLC boosted its stake in Consolidated Edison by 74.8% in the 4th quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 271 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.53% of the companys stock.

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Consolidated Edison Stock Down 4.3 %

NYSE:ED traded down $3.64 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $81.89. The company had a trading volume of 792,753 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,815,175. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. The firm has a market cap of $28.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.31, a P/E/G ratio of 8.72 and a beta of 0.38. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $90.46 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $93.42. Consolidated Edison, Inc. has a twelve month low of $78.10 and a twelve month high of $100.92.

Consolidated Edison Announces Dividend

Consolidated Edison ( NYSE:ED Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.61 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $2.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.31 billion. Consolidated Edison had a net margin of 15.84% and a return on equity of 8.27%. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.64 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that Consolidated Edison, Inc. will post 4.9 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 16th were issued a dividend of $0.81 per share. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 15th. Consolidated Edisons dividend payout ratio is currently 46.62%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ED has been the topic of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Consolidated Edison in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. They set a sell rating and a $88.00 price target on the stock. KeyCorp increased their target price on shares of Consolidated Edison from $70.00 to $77.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Consolidated Edison from $89.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. Bank of America decreased their target price on shares of Consolidated Edison from $103.00 to $96.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Consolidated Edison from $102.00 to $96.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 4th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $89.93.

View Our Latest Analysis on Consolidated Edison

About Consolidated Edison

(Free Report)

Consolidated Edison, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. It offers electric services to approximately 3.6 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,530 customers in parts of Manhattan.

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Insight Folios Inc raised its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 5.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 159,310 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 8,149 shares during the period. Altria Group makes up 3.0% of Insight Folios Incs portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest holding. Insight Folios Incs holdings in Altria Group were worth $7,217,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in MO. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its stake in Altria Group by 100,097.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,100,359,981 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,846,307,000 after buying an additional 1,099,261,791 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in Altria Group by 8.7% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 44,066,327 shares of the companys stock worth $2,000,861,000 after acquiring an additional 3,516,646 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 35,856,051 shares of the companys stock worth $1,596,257,000 after buying an additional 671,929 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its position in Altria Group by 8.3% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 25,132,929 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,121,431,000 after purchasing an additional 1,926,492 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in Altria Group by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 24,517,169 shares of the companys stock valued at $990,002,000 after purchasing an additional 1,192,266 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 58.94% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

MO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of Altria Group from $56.00 to $55.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 22nd. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Altria Group currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $47.50.

Altria Group Stock Down 1.4 %

Shares of NYSE:MO traded down $0.58 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $41.47. 3,765,688 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,760,850. The company has a market cap of $73.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.02, a P/E/G ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $40.74 and a one year high of $51.57. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $43.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $44.74.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $1.31 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.31. Altria Group had a net margin of 27.40% and a negative return on equity of 225.61%. The business had revenue of $5.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.43 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.26 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. This is a positive change from Altria Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.94. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 102.89%.

About Altria Group

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches.

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Sigma Investment Counselors Inc. lessened its stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM  Free Report) by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 67,282 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 470 shares during the quarter. iShares Russell 2000 ETF makes up 0.9% of Sigma Investment Counselors Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Sigma Investment Counselors Inc.s holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF were worth $12,600,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Legacy Capital Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 74.7% in the first quarter. Legacy Capital Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,235 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $399,000 after purchasing an additional 956 shares during the period. Deroy & Devereaux Private Investment Counsel Inc. raised its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Deroy & Devereaux Private Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 4,917 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $877,000 after buying an additional 120 shares during the period. Financial Insights Inc. lifted its stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 10.6% during the 1st quarter. Financial Insights Inc. now owns 2,229 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $398,000 after acquiring an additional 213 shares in the last quarter. SkyOak Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 13.6% during the 1st quarter. SkyOak Wealth LLC now owns 2,051 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $366,000 after acquiring an additional 245 shares during the period. Finally, London Co. of Virginia grew its position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 14.9% in the 1st quarter. London Co. of Virginia now owns 52,904 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $9,438,000 after acquiring an additional 6,841 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Russell 2000 ETF Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of IWM traded down $1.36 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $175.38. 14,627,475 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 28,429,320. The stocks 50-day moving average is $186.94 and its 200-day moving average is $182.28. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a fifty-two week low of $162.50 and a fifty-two week high of $199.26.

About iShares Russell 2000 ETF

iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index.

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C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWT  Free Report) by 14.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 21,793 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 2,795 shares during the quarter. C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors holdings in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF were worth $1,025,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EWT. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 351,300 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $21,588,000 after purchasing an additional 9,532 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 7.9% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,215,636 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $443,401,000 after purchasing an additional 529,394 shares during the period. Edgestream Partners L.P. bought a new stake in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $7,348,000. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. increased its stake in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. now owns 634,825 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $38,985,000 after acquiring an additional 14,032 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 573,962 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $35,270,000 after acquiring an additional 22,524 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA:EWT traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $44.57. The stock had a trading volume of 3,092,968 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,722,964. iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF has a 52 week low of $39.75 and a 52 week high of $51.08. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $45.93 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $45.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.60 billion, a PE ratio of 10.02 and a beta of 0.86.

iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Profile

Ishares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Taiwan IndexSM (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Taiwan Stock Exchange.

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C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors grew its position in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (NYSEARCA:EWL  Free Report) by 10.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 23,509 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 2,205 shares during the quarter. C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors holdings in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF were worth $1,086,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of EWL. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF by 342,888.1% in the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 445,047,695 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $20,565,654,000 after purchasing an additional 444,917,939 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF by 2,125,433.3% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,084,022 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $49,128,000 after acquiring an additional 1,083,971 shares during the period. Polianta Ltd bought a new position in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF during the second quarter worth $14,135,000. CX Institutional bought a new position in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF during the first quarter worth $13,061,000. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its position in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF by 1,290.1% during the first quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 294,079 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $14,439,000 after acquiring an additional 272,923 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Price Performance

EWL stock traded down $0.44 on Monday, reaching $43.13. 481,825 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 784,512. iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF has a 12 month low of $36.01 and a 12 month high of $48.94. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $45.75 and its 200 day moving average price is $46.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.18 billion, a PE ratio of 15.35 and a beta of 0.73.

iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Profile

iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Switzerland 25/50 Index (the Index).

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Graypoint LLC reduced its position in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 0.8% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 69,737 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 570 shares during the quarter. Graypoint LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $2,001,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Old North State Trust LLC lifted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Old North State Trust LLC now owns 23,584 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $675,000 after purchasing an additional 420 shares during the period. Lavaca Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Bank of America by 7.3% during the 1st quarter. Lavaca Capital LLC now owns 12,216 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $373,000 after purchasing an additional 828 shares in the last quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky boosted its position in shares of Bank of America by 14.2% during the 2nd quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 16,685 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $479,000 after purchasing an additional 2,075 shares in the last quarter. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Bank of America during the 1st quarter valued at about $1,288,000. Finally, Connolly Sarah T. boosted its position in shares of Bank of America by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Connolly Sarah T. now owns 67,258 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,924,000 after purchasing an additional 784 shares in the last quarter. 68.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Bank of America Stock Performance

NYSE BAC traded down $0.52 on Monday, hitting $26.86. 18,839,928 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 48,434,387. Bank of America Co. has a 12 month low of $26.32 and a 12 month high of $38.60. The businesss fifty day moving average is $29.53 and its two-hundred day moving average is $28.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $213.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.87, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.36.

Bank of America Increases Dividend

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.88 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.04. Bank of America had a return on equity of 12.01% and a net margin of 19.97%. The firm had revenue of $25.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.98 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.73 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Bank of America Co. will post 3.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 1st were given a dividend of $0.24 per share. This is an increase from Bank of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 31st. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.57%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.59%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BAC has been the topic of several research analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on Bank of America from $41.00 to $40.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on Bank of America from $28.00 to $27.50 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 15th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Bank of America in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Oppenheimer dropped their price target on Bank of America from $49.00 to $48.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, September 26th. Finally, HSBC initiated coverage on Bank of America in a research note on Thursday, September 7th. They issued a buy rating and a $35.00 price objective for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $35.92.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Bank of America

Insider Buying and Selling at Bank of America

In other news, insider James P. Demare sold 75,000 shares of Bank of America stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.53, for a total value of $2,364,750.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 185,108 shares in the company, valued at $5,836,455.24. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, insider James P. Demare sold 75,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.53, for a total value of $2,364,750.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 185,108 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,836,455.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Dean C. Athanasia sold 77,806 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.48, for a total value of $2,449,332.88. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 353,971 shares in the company, valued at $11,143,007.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock.

Bank of America Profile

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans.

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Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) had its price objective dropped by stock analysts at Citigroup from $130.00 to $122.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Citigroups target price indicates a potential upside of 27.90% from the companys current price.

Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on ABT. Morgan Stanley restated an equal weight rating and issued a $112.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Friday, July 21st. Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, July 21st. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a buy rating for the company. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Abbott Laboratories from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Friday, July 21st. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $127.00 to $132.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 24th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $120.35.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on ABT

Abbott Laboratories Stock Down 1.5 %

ABT stock traded down $1.46 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $95.39. 2,304,682 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,876,404. The company has a market cap of $165.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.56, a PEG ratio of 4.32 and a beta of 0.69. The firms 50-day moving average is $104.14 and its 200-day moving average is $105.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.16. Abbott Laboratories has a 12 month low of $93.25 and a 12 month high of $115.83.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 20th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.08 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.05 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $9.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.71 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.50% and a net margin of 12.83%. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue for the quarter was down 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.43 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.4 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Abbott Laboratories

In other news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.76, for a total transaction of $5,688,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 6,775,316 shares in the company, valued at $770,759,948.16. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.76, for a total value of $5,688,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 6,775,316 shares in the company, valued at $770,759,948.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 10,400 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.03, for a total transaction of $1,092,312.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,829,785.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Abbott Laboratories

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ABT. Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Monumental Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,000. CGC Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, FWL Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. 73.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Abbott Laboratories

(Get Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Salesforce (NYSE:CRM  Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from a conviction-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on CRM. Bank of America raised their price target on Salesforce from $250.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 31st. Loop Capital raised their price target on Salesforce from $215.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 31st. Northland Securities raised their price target on Salesforce from $210.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Friday, September 1st. Roth Mkm raised their price target on Salesforce from $242.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 31st. Finally, JMP Securities restated a market outperform rating and set a $275.00 target price on shares of Salesforce in a report on Thursday, September 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, twenty-six have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $242.28.

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Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Salesforce

Salesforce Price Performance

Salesforce stock traded up $0.72 on Monday, reaching $203.50. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,162,606 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,862,400. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.02. The company has a market cap of $198.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 127.70, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 1.20. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $214.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $208.51. Salesforce has a twelve month low of $126.34 and a twelve month high of $238.22.

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 30th. The CRM provider reported $2.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.90 by $0.22. The business had revenue of $8.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.53 billion. Salesforce had a return on equity of 7.67% and a net margin of 4.77%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.52 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Salesforce will post 5.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Salesforce

In other Salesforce news, CEO Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $202.53, for a total value of $3,037,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 15,416,166 shares in the company, valued at $3,122,236,099.98. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, insider Brent Hyder sold 48,737 shares of Salesforce stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $221.50, for a total transaction of $10,795,245.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 9,418 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,086,087. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $202.53, for a total value of $3,037,950.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 15,416,166 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,122,236,099.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 695,566 shares of company stock worth $151,530,440 over the last ninety days. 3.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Wealth Alliance Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in Salesforce in the 2nd quarter valued at $396,000. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its holdings in Salesforce by 18.3% in the 2nd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,547,360 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $329,387,000 after acquiring an additional 239,786 shares in the last quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. raised its holdings in Salesforce by 237.4% in the 1st quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 722 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $144,000 after acquiring an additional 508 shares in the last quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky raised its holdings in Salesforce by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 13,401 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $2,831,000 after acquiring an additional 295 shares in the last quarter. Finally, William Blair Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Salesforce by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 1,047,620 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $209,294,000 after acquiring an additional 11,322 shares in the last quarter. 77.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Salesforce

(Get Free Report)

Salesforce, Inc provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. The company's service includes sales to store data, monitor leads and progress, forecast opportunities, gain insights through analytics and relationship intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer service and support at scale.

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Pflug Koory LLC increased its position in shares of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Free Report) by 7.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 40,407 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 2,722 shares during the period. Pflug Koory LLCs holdings in U.S. Bancorp were worth $1,335,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of USB. TAP Consulting LLC purchased a new stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $259,000. MCF Advisors LLC raised its position in U.S. Bancorp by 80.8% in the first quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 4,711 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $172,000 after purchasing an additional 2,105 shares during the period. Venture Visionary Partners LLC raised its position in U.S. Bancorp by 9.3% in the first quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 9,419 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $340,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the period. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board raised its position in U.S. Bancorp by 8.2% in the second quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 67,661 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,236,000 after purchasing an additional 5,100 shares during the period. Finally, Ascent Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in U.S. Bancorp by 50.3% in the first quarter. Ascent Wealth Partners LLC now owns 28,603 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $995,000 after purchasing an additional 9,572 shares during the period. 75.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on USB. Citigroup cut their price objective on U.S. Bancorp from $40.00 to $37.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 22nd. Bank of America raised U.S. Bancorp from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $38.00 to $40.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 11th. Wedbush upped their price objective on U.S. Bancorp from $35.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, July 20th. Odeon Capital Group lowered U.S. Bancorp from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, June 23rd. Finally, Piper Sandler cut their price objective on U.S. Bancorp from $41.00 to $40.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $46.48.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Terrance R. Dolan sold 26,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.75, for a total transaction of $1,033,500.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 166,992 shares in the company, valued at $6,637,932. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CFO Terrance R. Dolan sold 26,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.75, for a total transaction of $1,033,500.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 166,992 shares in the company, valued at $6,637,932. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Timothy A. Welsh sold 13,816 shares of U.S. Bancorp stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.79, for a total transaction of $549,738.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 119,058 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,737,317.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.24% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

U.S. Bancorp Stock Performance

NYSE USB traded down $0.94 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $32.12. 4,993,948 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 14,032,524. The company has a market cap of $49.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 0.99. U.S. Bancorp has a 12-month low of $27.27 and a 12-month high of $49.95. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $36.71 and a 200 day moving average of $34.46. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97.

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The financial services provider reported $1.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.13 by ($0.01). U.S. Bancorp had a return on equity of 16.53% and a net margin of 16.59%. The firm had revenue of $7.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.17 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.09 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 19.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that U.S. Bancorp will post 4.43 earnings per share for the current year.

U.S. Bancorp Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 16th. Investors of record on Friday, September 29th will be given a dividend of $0.48 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 28th. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.98%. U.S. Bancorps dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 53.19%.

U.S. Bancorp Company Profile

(Free Report)

U.S. Bancorp, a financial services holding company, provides various financial services to individuals, businesses, institutional organizations, governmental entities and other financial institutions in the United States. It operates in Corporate and Commercial Banking, Consumer and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Investment Services, Payment Services, and Treasury and Corporate Support segments.

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Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 1,218.4% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 2,360 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,181 shares during the period. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,107,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of LLY. Towerpoint Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Towerpoint Wealth LLC now owns 4,239 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,988,000 after acquiring an additional 22 shares during the period. Pacific Sage Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.4% in the second quarter. Pacific Sage Partners LLC now owns 1,591 shares of the companys stock valued at $746,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the period. Oxler Private Wealth LLC grew its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.4% during the first quarter. Oxler Private Wealth LLC now owns 6,050 shares of the companys stock worth $2,078,000 after buying an additional 24 shares in the last quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co increased its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 774 shares of the companys stock worth $266,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares during the period. Finally, IFG Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter. IFG Advisors LLC now owns 654 shares of the companys stock valued at $307,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares in the last quarter. 81.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

Shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock traded up $0.97 during trading on Monday, hitting $538.10. 1,841,766 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,996,546. The stock has a market cap of $510.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 73.89, a PEG ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 0.33. The firms fifty day moving average is $533.65 and its 200-day moving average is $455.91. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52 week low of $309.20 and a 52 week high of $601.84.

Insider Buying and Selling

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The company reported $2.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.13. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 22.01% and a return on equity of 65.00%. The company had revenue of $8.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.58 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.25 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 9.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other news, EVP Alonzo Weems sold 1,148 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $590.98, for a total transaction of $678,445.04. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 7,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,586,004.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 591 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, July 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $466.62, for a total transaction of $275,772.42. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 101,028,219 shares of the companys stock, valued at $47,141,787,549.78. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Alonzo Weems sold 1,148 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $590.98, for a total transaction of $678,445.04. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 7,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,586,004.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 693,246 shares of company stock worth $20,948,820,977 in the last ninety days. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Credit Suisse Group boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $490.00 to $580.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $385.00 to $470.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 9th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the company from $408.00 to $615.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $490.00 to $580.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and twenty have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $532.78.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on LLY

Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report).

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This past Saturday, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that he wants Ukraine to become the largest arms producer in the West. He said this at a congress in Kyiv, before an audience made up of executives from more than 250 weapons companies, both domestic and foreign.

The Russian invasion has left the country dependent on supplies from its NATO allies. However, it has also triggered a rapid technological evolution in the private sector, which has been working to provide new weapons to Ukrainian troops  drones, in particular. The government in Kyiv wants to take advantage of this experience to lay the foundation required to become a future military superpower.

Zelenskiy greeted the representatives of the main companies from the weapons industry with these words: I am pleased to welcome those who are ready to build the arsenal of the free world, with Ukraine and in Ukraine. a powerful and modern arsenal that no aggressor stands a chance against. Zelenskiy has announced the creation of an alliance of multinational companies, with the ultimate goal of setting up armaments factories in Ukraine. According to the countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 38 companies from 19 countries have joined this alliance so far. The ministry has also detailed the signing of 20 new agreements with international suppliers of components for Ukrainian manufacturers of drones, ammunition and armor.

So far in the war, Ukraines allies have committed military aid valued at around $100 billion, according to data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany. Yet, the Ukrainian demand to stop the invader exceeds the production capacity of its NATO partners. On September 18, in an interview with CBS, Zelenskiy explained that each side fires an average of 40,000 artillery shells per day. But, before the war in Ukraine, the United States was producing only 14,000 shells each month. In August, The Washington Post reported that, during the conflict, the American armaments industry has raised output to 20,000 shells per month.

There are already precedents for joint armaments production agreements between Ukraine and allied countries. For instance, in November of 2022, the state company Ukroboronprom announced a pact with six countries, including Poland, France, the Czech Republic and Denmark, to develop new weapons and manufacture body armor, mines, and 152mm rounds for Soviet-era howitzers. However, these agreements focused primarily on production outside of Ukrainian territory, due to the risk of Russian attacks. For this reason, several of the most relevant Ukrainian drone companies have opened production centers in Poland. This past Thursday, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed from Kyiv that the French government wants to analyze the types of weapons that France and Ukraine can jointly produce.

More weapons, less grain

Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukraines minister of Strategic Industries, has made it clear that the future of his country lies in the armaments industry, beyond the needs of the ongoing war. He reiterated this on September 9, during the annual conference of the Yalta European Strategy group. Kamishin said that, if Ukraine has been known until now as one of the worlds largest grain producers, it will now be known for its weapons industry: When the war is over, it will be smarter to export weapons than agriculture. One kilo (2.2 pounds) of defense industry exports is equivalent to 20 agricultural tons [in terms of revenue]. Being the arsenal of the free world is a good alternative to being the bread basket of Europe.

Betting on the arms industry is the best thing we can do in the long term, the minister stressed. In agriculture, we have shown that we have the lowest-cost production and the lowest-cost logistics. The defense industry will be Ukraines new agriculture.

This strategy matches the one employed by the international reference that Zelenskiy most often cites when he speaks about what kind of future Ukraine should aspire to: Israel. Its exactly what we need: a model that includes weapons, technology, training, financing, the president said, in an interview on Ukrainian television. Strengthening the domestic arms industry is essential, the president added, because, at some point, we have to accept that we could be left alone.

Zelenskiy himself admitted on September 19, while addressing the United Nations General Assembly, that there were ongoing international attempts to work with Russia to end the war, regardless of the Ukrainian opinion. Another alarm signal came last week, when Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced that his priority is to renew his national arsenal and not deliver new arms packages to its neighboring country. Poland has been one of Ukraines strongest allies, but the two governments have been locked in a bilateral conflict over Polands veto on Ukrainian grain exports, in an attempt to protect its farmers. Morawieckis veiled threat can be understood in this context, but it also shows Ukraines fragile position: its existence depends on international aid.

The advantage that Ukraine has on its path to becoming a military superpower is that from drone production to demining, its progressing at the speed of light, according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who spoke with the media in Kyiv this past Friday. Ukraine also isnt starting from scratch, as the country inherited a powerful defense industrial network from the Soviet Union. But in the field of defense, it has been an international actor operating below its capabilities. Until 2014, successive governments didnt bother to promote the sector. Then, the war in Donbas against the regions separatists, who were supported by Russia, highlighted Ukraines many military deficits. This led to a progressive modernization of its Armed Forces, which accelerated upon Zelenskiys election in 2019.

In his speech on Saturday, Zelenskiy gave an example of this progress by noting that the Ukrainian Navy had built its first fleet of marine drones. In fact, the Ministry of Defense has developed several types of bomb-carrying drones capable of hitting the Russian Black Sea Fleet hundreds of miles off the coast of Ukraine  either on the high seas or in Russian ports  or infrastructure, such as the Kerch Bridge in Crimea, which is the only bridge connecting Russia with the Crimean Peninsula.

Another paradigm of Ukrainian weapons development is the Neptune marine missile, which has been transformed to the point of being able to also hit land targets as far as 190 miles away. Kyrylo Budanov, head of intelligence services at the Ministry of Defense, explained in a September 23 interview with The War Zone that the drawback of the Neptune missile is that Ukraine still doesnt have sufficient industrial capacity to produce a large number of units.

The same issues have limited the potential of the Ukraine-developed Bohdana self-propelled howitzers or the 155mm rounds  the main artillery shells used by NATO-provided weapons  which are manufactured, to a limited extent, within Ukrainian territory. The invaded countrys industry is constantly threatened by Russian bombings. Another setback is that a good part of Ukraines metallurgical sector is located in territories occupied by Russia.

This past Saturday, at the defense forum in Kyiv, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba assured attendees that the demand to buy Ukrainian weapons is resurfacing again. While he acknowledged that his government cannot export weapons at the moment as it needs everything it produces to defend itself against Russia, he also noted that certain African governments (which he didnt wish to name) had expressed interest in buying Ukrainian weapons and having them manufactured in their countries. His words are also a warning to Moscow, insinuating that the Kremlin isnt the only geopolitical actor capable of achieving strategic influence in Africa.

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Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 65.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,745 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 690 shares during the period. Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $818,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of LLY. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 1st quarter valued at $107,000. Roundview Capital LLC increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 2,056 shares of the companys stock valued at $589,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 1st quarter valued at $210,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 9.9% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 53,052 shares of the companys stock worth $15,193,000 after buying an additional 4,774 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 1st quarter worth about $561,000. 81.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

LLY has been the topic of a number of research reports. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $617.00 to $640.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $500.00 to $615.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, August 8th. Argus boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $470.00 to $620.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $408.00 to $615.00 in a report on Tuesday, August 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and twenty have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $532.78.

Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 204,409 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $523.74, for a total transaction of $107,057,169.66. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 100,823,810 shares in the company, valued at $52,805,462,249.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 204,409 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $523.74, for a total value of $107,057,169.66. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 100,823,810 shares in the company, valued at $52,805,462,249.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $546.51, for a total transaction of $327,906.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,378 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,939,130.78. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 693,246 shares of company stock worth $20,948,820,977. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Eli Lilly and Company Trading Down 1.3 %

Eli Lilly and Company stock traded down $7.01 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $530.12. The company had a trading volume of 905,504 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,992,979. The firm has a market cap of $503.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 74.71, a P/E/G ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 1.13. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $309.20 and a 1 year high of $601.84. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $533.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $455.91.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The company reported $2.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.13. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 22.01% and a return on equity of 65.00%. The firm had revenue of $8.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.58 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.25 EPS. The companys revenue was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 9.84 earnings per share for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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Opinion articles written in the style of their author. These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed

After 148 days on strike, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The 94-page agreement includes salary increases, minimum numbers of scriptwriters per project, and regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) use.

Geoffrey Hinton, one of the fathers of modern AI, said a few months ago that he regretted much of his work. As you undoubtedly know, Pandoras Box (which is actually an amphora) cannot ever be closed, and it continues to pour curses on the world like inappropriate images of minors, disinformation, substandard academic papers, horrible translations and much, much more. The same old demons, but with much less effort.

AI, like all the evils of our time, will conquer us with comfortable convenience and meaningless nonsense. Everything deceptive, everything questionable, comes in seductive forms. Wouldnt it be faster to do that job with ChatGPT? Why not get the milk delivered instead of going to the store? Look at this ad  buy it with just one click! And we are all so innocent, like Pinocchio on Pleasure Island.

Gradually, we find ourselves ensnared in the intricate web that has turned our lives into a purposeless and tormenting wandering from one screen to another. The distinction between more convenience and increasingly meaningless lives is rapidly blurring. Scriptwriters and actors realized in time that they could become dispensable in an industry that employs millions and generates billions. Yet it took them nearly six months to reach a deal. The rest of us should get wise: the writing is on the wall and we could be next.

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Congressional supporters of Ukraine say they wont give up after a bill to keep the federal government open excluded President Joe Bidens request to provide more security assistance to the war-torn nation.

Still, many lawmakers acknowledge that winning approval for Ukraine assistance in Congress is growing more difficult as the war between Russia and Ukraine grinds on. Republican resistance to the aid has been gaining momentum in the halls of Congress.

Voting in the House this past week pointed to potential trouble ahead. Nearly half of House Republicans voted to strip $300 million from a defense spending bill to train Ukrainian soldiers and purchase weapons. The money later was approved separately, but opponents of Ukraine support celebrated their growing numbers.

Then, on Saturday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., omitted additional Ukraine aid from a measure to keep the government running until Nov. 17. In doing so, he closed the door on a Senate package that would have funneled $6 billion to Ukraine, roughly a third of what has been requested by the White House. Both the House and Senate overwhelmingly approved the stopgap measure, with members of both parties abandoning the increased aid for Ukraine in favor of avoiding a costly government shutdown.

The latest actions in Congress signal a gradual shift in the unwavering support that the United States has so far pledged Ukraine in its fight against Russia, and it is one of the clearest examples yet of the Republican Partys movement toward a more isolationist stance. The exclusion of Ukraine funding came little more than a week after lawmakers met in the Capitol with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who sought to assure lawmakers that his military was winning the war, but stressed that additional aid would be crucial for continuing the fight.

After that visit, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said that one sentence summed up Zelenskyys message in his meeting with the Senate: If we dont get the aid, we will lose the war, Schumer said.

Yet, McCarthy, pressured by his right flank, has gone from saying no blank checks for Ukraine, with the focus being on accountability, to describing the Senates approach as putting Ukraine in front of America. He declined to say after the vote on government funding whether he would bring aid for Ukraine up for a House vote in the coming weeks.

If there is a moment in time we need to have a discussion about that, we will have a discussion completely about that, but I think the administration has to make the case for what is victory, McCarthy said.

Biden said in a statement after Congress averted a shutdown that we cannot under any circumstances allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted. He called on McCarthy to keep his commitment to the people of Ukraine and push through the support needed to help Ukraine at this critical moment.

In the Senate, both Schumer and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky pledged to move quickly to try and pass the full White House request. But it was clear that goal will be increasingly difficult as more rank-and-file GOP senators have questioned the aid or demanded that it be attached to immigration policy that would help secure the southern border  echoing similar demands in the House.

Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican who voted for the spending bill after the Ukraine aid was stripped out, said that Congress needs to have a conversation with the American public. He said he was optimistic after seeing the money taken out of the bill.

In my state, people want to be helpful to Ukraine, but they also want to be helpful to Americans, Scott said. And so they want to really understand how this money has been spent.

Democrats said they were disappointed by the lack of Ukraine funding, but expressed determination that they would get the aid to the war-torn country.

We will not stop fighting for more economic and security assistance for Ukraine, Schumer said after the bill passed. Majorities in both parties support Ukraine aid, and doing more is vital for Americas security and for democracy around the world.

Leading up to Saturdays vote, Pentagon officials expressed alarm at the prospect of no extra funding for Ukraine. In a letter to congressional leaders dated Friday, Michael McCord, under secretary of defense, wrote that the department has exhausted nearly all the available security assistance.

Without additional funding now, we would have to delay or curtail assistance to meet Ukraines urgent requirements, including for air defense and ammunition that are critical and urgent now as Russia prepares to conduct a winter offensive and continues its bombardment of Ukrainian cities, McCord said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said after the vote that U.S. assistance was vital as Ukrainians fight to defend their own country against the forces of tyranny. America must live up to its word.

Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said he would like to send a clear message to the world about U.S. support for Ukraine by passing legislation, but believes the Pentagon has enough draw-down money to last through December. He said he believes McCarthy still supports funding for Ukraine.

I think the speaker has always had a good position on Ukraine. I think hes dealing with a caucus thats got fractures that he has to deal with and none of them can be ignored when youve got a four-seat majority and 15 nuts in the conference, Rogers said, referring to far-right lawmakers who have staunchly opposed funding for Ukraine.

Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he heard McCarthy tell Zelenskyy during his visit that we will give them what they need.

Unfortunately, the message that speaker and the former president is sending is that they cant be relied upon, Meeks said, adding a reference to former President Donald Trump, who has called on Congress to withhold additional Ukraine funding until the FBI, IRS and Justice Department hand over every scrap of evidence on the Biden familys business dealings.

The U.S. has approved four rounds of aid to Ukraine in response to Russias invasion, totaling about $113 billion, with some of that money going toward replenishment of U.S. military equipment that was sent to the frontlines. In August, Biden called on Congress to provide for an additional $24 billion.

Saturdays move by the House to act first on government funding left the Senate with a stark choice: either go along with a bill that fails to help Ukraine, or allow what could have been an extended government shutdown to occur.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., expressed frustration at the outcome.

Every day that goes by that we dont get the additional money is a day Russia gets closer to being capable of winning this war, Murphy said.

Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Ukraine should not be deterred, and that aid can be approved by other means.

Neither our friends nor our enemies should look at this as being some change in the United States commitment to Ukraine, Risch said.

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A new Covid-19 vaccine recently approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has been recommended for use in Ireland.

The Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine has been recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) in Ireland as the Autumn Winter Covid-19 booster.

This new monovalent vaccine reportedly generates a "substantially improved" antibody response against certain Covid variants and offers greater protection.

The advice comes as the HSE urges a number of Irish communities to get vaccinated against both Covid-19 and the flu for protection over the colder months.

Their Autumn Winter vaccination programme gets underway today (Monday October 2) with the free vaccines being rolled out at participating GP clinics and pharmacies.

The Covid-19 Autumn Winter booster vaccine is recommended for people aged 50 and over, while the flu vaccine is recommended for people aged 65 and over.

Both vaccines are recommended for health and care workers, anyone who is pregnant or anyone who has a long term health condition.

HSE National Immunisation Lead and Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Dr Lucy Jessop, said, "This winter both the flu and Covid-19 viruses are expected to circulate. It is very important that all those who are invited, get both their free Flu and Covid-19 booster vaccines.

"Flu and Covid-19 are caused by different viruses but both can cause serious illness. People should also be reassured that it is safe to receive both vaccines at the same time."

According to the HSE, a new study by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has estimated that Covid-19 vaccination in Ireland prevented 87% of deaths and 81% of hospitalisations expected to occur in the absence of vaccination.

Commenting on the research, HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry, said, "This research clearly shows that in the 15 months to March 2023, Covid-19 vaccines averted symptomatic and severe Covid-19 cases, preventing 16,000 deaths and over 100,000 hospitalisations.

"It emphasises the importance of maintaining high population vaccination coverage, providing additional booster doses and protecting those most at risk. The study also highlights the significance of the vaccination programme in protecting our hospital capacity and averting hospitalisations and ICU admissions."

The pneumococcal vaccine (PPV23) which protects against pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis is also available free of charge from participating GPs for people aged 65 and older.

The vaccine can be taken at the same time as the flu and Covid-19 vaccines.

The childrens flu vaccine (a nasal spray) will launch on October 9 and will be available from participating GPs and pharmacists for children aged 2 to 12 years.

An extension of this years programme will see the vaccine offered to children in Senior Infants and all children in Primary Age Special Schools this year.

To see what vaccines are recommended for you, visit hse.ie, call HSELive on 1800 700 700 or talk to a participating GP or pharmacist.
[October 01, 2023] The smart education market size to grow by USD 353.17 billion from 2022 to 2027 | The market is fragmented due to the presence of prominent companies like Adobe Inc., Blackboard Inc., Cengage Learning Inc., and many more - Technavio Tweet

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The smart education market size is estimated to grow by USD 353.17 billion from 2022 to 2027, growing at a CAGR of 17.98%. The smart education market is fragmented owing to the presence of many global and regional companies. A few prominent companies that offer smart education market are Adobe Inc., Blackboard Inc., Cengage Learning Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Cornerstone OnDemand Inc., D2L Corp., EI Design Pvt. Ltd., Ellucian Co. LP, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd., Instructure Holdings Inc., John Wiley and Sons Inc., McGraw Hill LLC, Paradiso Solutions, Pearson Plc, Promethean World Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Skillsoft Corp., SkyPrep Inc., Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd., and Educomp Solutions Ltd. The report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and the latest developments. Download Free Sample before buying Company Offering: Adobe Inc. - The company offers smart education such as Adobe Captivate Prime, an enterprise learning platform that helps organizations create, manage, and deliver engaging learning experiences.

The company offers smart education such as Adobe Captivate Prime, an enterprise learning platform that helps organizations create, manage, and deliver engaging learning experiences. Blackboard Inc. - The company offers smart education such as Blackboard Learn, a learning management system (LMS) that helps instructors create and deliver courses, and students access and manage their coursework.

The company offers smart education such as Blackboard Learn, a learning management system (LMS) that helps instructors create and deliver courses, and students access and manage their coursework. Promethean World Ltd.: The company offers smart education such as MyLab & Mastering, providing personalized learning experiences through digital tools.

The company offers smart education such as MyLab & Mastering, providing personalized learning experiences through digital tools. For details on companies and their offerings  Buy the report! By Geography, the market is classified as North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa. North America will have the largest share of the market. North America is estimated to contribute 40% to the growth by 2027. The existence of enhanced online infrastructure facilities has contributed to the prompt adoption of smart education and learning systems by educational institutions in the region. Market players-introduced software solutions are evolving and available through both hosted and cloud platforms. Higher education institutions mainly use cloud platforms to install various EdTech products and solutions. Cost savings, scalability, and availability of expertise are driving organizations to adopt cloud-based technologies. The United States is the largest adopter of digitalization in North America, thereby contributing greatly to market revenue. With an increasing focus on improving the quality of education and increasing enrollment, educational institutions are researching innovative and cost-effective educational methods. Cloud-based technology has proven useful for educational institutions facing a rapid and sudden influx of students. Therefore, these factors are expected to drive market growth in the North American region during the forecast period. Download a free sample report to get more insights on the market share of various regions and the contribution of the segments. Impactful driver- Increased employment prospects

Increased employment prospects Key Trend - Continuous focus on new product development

- Continuous focus on new product development Major Challenges - Budget constraints in emerging countries Market Segmentation By End-user, the market is classified into academics and corporate. The market share growth by the academics segment will be significant during the forecast period. The academic segment includes higher education and K-12 schools. Colleges and universities are implementing cutting-edge EdTech products to simplify the learning process and stay up to date with the latest technologies. The US and Germany are among the advanced countries in deploying smart education tools at the grassroots level. Furthermore, the smart education and learning system is expected to empower students in the K-12 segment by enhancing students' knowledge acquisition and providing a delivery platform for effective education. Therefore, market participants intending to explore this segment are expected to modify their offerings based on their skills and geographical reach, thereby fueling the growth of the academics segment of the market during the forecast period. Technavio Research experts have provided more insights on the market share of segments - View a free Sample Report Related Reports: The US - Smart Education Market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 18.69% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 102.01 billion. The digital education content market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.52% between 2022 and 2027, and the size of the market is forecasted to increase by USD 42.13 billion.







Smart Education Market Scope Report Coverage Details Historic period 2017-2021 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 17.98% YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 15.39 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key countries US, Canada, China, Germany, and UK

Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation by End-user 7 Market Segmentation by Component 8 Customer Landscape 9 Geographic Landscape 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 11 Company Landscape 12 Company Analysis 13 Appendix About US Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact US: Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-smart-education-market-size-to-grow-by-usd-353-17-billion-from-2022-to-2027--the-market-is-fragmented-due-to-the-presence-of-prominent-companies-like-adobe-inc-blackboard-inc-cengage-learning-inc-and-many-more---technav-301943138.html SOURCE Technavio

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[October 02, 2023] Indonesia - Freight Logistics Market size to grow by USD 28.7 billion from 2022 to 2027, Growing export-import activities to drive the growth - Technavio Tweet

NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Indonesia freight logistics market size is expected to grow by USD 28.7 billion from 2022 to 2027. However, the growth momentum of the market will decelerate at a CAGR of 9.45% during the forecast period. The market is segmented by service (transportation, warehousing, and others), type (3PL and 4PL), and application (manufacturing, automotive, consumer goods, retail industry, and others). The growing export-import activities are the key factor driving the market growth. Imports jumped by 30.85% YOY to USD 21.97 billion in March 2022, mostly due to an increase in raw materials and capital goods because of higher oil prices, the increasing demand for industrial products, and enterprises expanding their activities. During the forecast period, due to increased prices of exporting commodities such as coal and CPO offset by higher import costs, particularly for oil products, a rise in commodity prices worldwide will have a positive impact on Indonesia's trade. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. The report analyses the market size and growth and provides accurate predictions on the growth of the market. View a Free PDF Sample Key Highlights: The report recognizes the following as some of the key players in the freight logistics market in Indonesia : BSA Logistics Indonesia, Deutsche Post AG, Dimerco Express Corp., DSV AS, PT. Cipta Mapan Logistik, Pancaran Group, POS Indonesia, PT Bhanda Ghara Reksa, PT CIPTA KRIDA BAHARI, PT CLI and Traffic Monitoring, PT. Dunia Express Transindo, PT. Kamadjaja Logistics, PT. Multimodatrans Indonesia, PT. Siba Surya, PT. Tiki Jalur Nugraha Ekakurir, Puninar Logistics, Samudera Indonesia Tangguh, SF Express Co. Ltd., DB Schenker, and Kuehne Nagel Management AG

: BSA Logistics Indonesia, Deutsche Post AG, Dimerco Express Corp., DSV AS, PT. Cipta Mapan Logistik, Pancaran Group, POS Indonesia, PT Bhanda Ghara Reksa, PT CIPTA KRIDA BAHARI, PT CLI and Traffic Monitoring, PT. Dunia Express Transindo, PT. Kamadjaja Logistics, PT. Multimodatrans Indonesia, PT. Siba Surya, PT. Tiki Jalur Nugraha Ekakurir, Puninar Logistics, Samudera Indonesia Tangguh, SF Express Co. Ltd., DB Schenker, and Kuehne Nagel Management AG The freight logistics Market in Indonesia is fragmented in nature.

is fragmented in nature. Market to observe 11.41% YOY growth in 2023. Market Dynamics: Major Trend The growing e-commerce industry is a major trend in the market.

The growth of the country's e-commerce market has largely been driven by its basic development in industry and the national economy during the last couple of years.

The availability of inexpensive phones and the Internet has contributed to an increase in consumer uptake, enabling them to use several e-commerce platforms that are more easily available when compared with access to physical stores.

Furthermore, in 2021, Indonesia will remain one of the most internet-using countries in the region with slightly more than 72.87% penetration.

will remain one of the most internet-using countries in the region with slightly more than 72.87% penetration. In addition, because of the incredible growth in Internet access through cellular phones, there is an increasing consumer base for e-commerce businesses.

Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Significant Challenge High infrastructure cost is a significant challenge restricting market growth.

Intermodal transport of goods requires a high investment in infrastructure.

Investments shall cover the installation of gantry cranes which are indispensable for lifting containers at different port facilities, in addition to changing modes of transport.

Moreover, necessary investments are also needed to improve rail and road access.

For instance, a rail link should exist at the port to allow goods to be carried by railways from and out of the port.

As a result, the demand for freight logistics is negatively impacted by these large investments because they usually delay and take up too much time.

Hence, these factors are expected to restrict market growth during the forecast period. The report also covers information on upcoming trends and challenges. Explore detailed information by purchasing a report Keg Segments: The Indonesia freight logistics market share growth by the transportation segment will be significant during the forecast period. The paid process of transporting goods, merchandise, and other objects from one place to another using wheeled vehicles is called freight transport. There are three main types of freight available to shippers in Indonesia , which are air freight, sea freight, and road freight. Strong trade relationships exist between Indonesia and the US, Australia , Europe , and neighboring Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Vietnam . Due to geographical restrictions, this land cannot be used for international cargo transportation. In addition, air freight is much more expensive than any other method of transporting goods and is often used for express shipments. Hence, these factors are expected to drive segment growth during the forecast period. Get a glance at the market contribution of the segments, Request a Free Sample Related Reports: The Asia Pacific (APAC) Logistics Market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.25% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 145.4 million. The intermodal freight transportation market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.64% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 56.12 billion.







Freight Logistics Market Scope in Indonesia Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 9.45% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 28.7 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 11.41 Competitive landscape Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled BSA Logistics Indonesia, Deutsche Post AG, Dimerco Express Corp., DSV AS, PT. Cipta Mapan Logistik, Pancaran Group, POS Indonesia, PT Bhanda Ghara Reksa, PT CIPTA KRIDA BAHARI, PT CLI and Traffic Monitoring, PT. Dunia Express Transindo, PT. Kamadjaja Logistics, PT. Multimodatrans Indonesia, PT. Siba Surya, PT. Tiki Jalur Nugraha Ekakurir, Puninar Logistics, Samudera Indonesia Tangguh, SF Express Co. Ltd., DB Schenker, and Kuehne Nagel Management AG 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, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

ToC: Executive Summary Market Landscape Market Sizing Historic Market Sizes Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation by Service Market Segmentation by Type Market Segmentation by Application Market Segmentation by Geography Customer Landscape Geographic Landscape Drivers, Challenges, & Trends Company Landscape Company Analysis Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/indonesia---freight-logistics-market-size-to-grow-by-usd-28-7-billion-from-2022-to-2027--growing-export-import-activities-to-drive-the-growth---technavio-301943167.html SOURCE Technavio

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Mitsubishi Electric Receives Order for Frequency Converter Station that Stabilizes Power Grid across Different Frequencies

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) has been awarded a contract by J-Power Transmission Network Co., Ltd. to supply a 300MW Voltage Source Converter (VSC) High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Transmission for the Shin-Sakuma Frequency Converter Station in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka prefecture. The system is expected to be in service by the end of March 2028.

In the wake of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the Organization for Cross-regional Coordinaton of Transmission Operators, Japan has undertaken wide-area servicing of power transmission lines in order to achieve more stable and efficient power supplies across Japan.







Electricity in Japan is supplied at two different frequencies; principally 50Hz in Eastern Japan and 60Hz in Western Japan. Since grids operating at different frequencies cannot be directly connected, frequency converter stations are required to exchange power between the two regions. The aim of this project is to enhance interconnectivity between them through the construction of a new 50/60Hz frequency conversion station on their border, part of the improvements being made to Japan's wide-area grid.

For the full text, please visit: www.MitsubishiElectric.com/news/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231001679771/en/
[October 02, 2023] Infleqtion Names Dr. Marco Palumbo as Director of Business Development in the United Kingdom Tweet

Innovate UK Leader Brings More than 20 Years Experience in Quantum Tech OXFORD, England, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infleqtion , the world's quantum information company, today announced the appointment of Dr. Marco Palumbo to Director of Business Development, UK. Dr. Palumbo joins Infleqtion from Innovate UK , a non-departmental funding delivery agency of the British Government, where he served as Innovation Lead in the Quantum Technologies Challenge team, a unit responsible for more than 200m of investment in the quantum industry in the United Kingdom (UK) to date. Based in Infleqtion's Oxford office, Dr. Palumbo will identify strategic opportunities to expand Infleqtion's market presence in the UK and collaborate with potential partners in the emerging quantum technology ecosystem. He will also develop and launch the next evolution of Infleqtion's growth strategy and foster relationships with potential customers across both public and private industries. "I'm proud to welcome Dr. Marco Palumbo as the Director of Business Development at Infleqtion UK," said Scott Faris, CEO of Infleqtion. "Dr. Palumbo brings expertise in quantum technology and a steadfast strategic vision. He will play a pivotal role in forging new partnerships and advancing the frontiers of quantum innovation in the UK and beyond." Dr. Palumbo served as the Principal Licensing and Ventures Manager at Oxford University Innovation. There, he managed an extensive portfolio of intellectual properties and was instrumental in the creation of 12 different university spinouts. Notably, he was instrumental in the creation of Oxford Quantum Circuits, Quantum Motion Technologies, Oxford Ionics, Orca Computing, Quantum Dice and QuantrolOx, all core companies in the British and international quantum ecosystems. Dr. Palumbo holds a bachelor's degree in materials engineering from the University of Salento, and a doctorate in engineering from the University of Durham. He held postdoctoral positions at the University of Durham, the University of Salento and the University of Surrey. "This is a time of rapid growth and development for both Inleqtion and the broader quantum industry," said Dr. Marco Palumbo, Director of Business Development, Infleqtion UK. "We're on the cusp of true quantum adoption, and I look forward to leveraging my passion and experience to help Infleqtion shape the future of quantum technology."



Today's news comes on the heels of an exciting year for Infleqtion UK. The company was recently awarded funding to expand its manufacturing capabilities for quantum-enabled systems. The funding will support the development of a new type of optical atomic clock that far exceeds the accuracy and reliability of current Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)-based systems. Additionally, Infleqtion also announced their successful bids for the Quantum End-to-end Compilation for Combinatorial Optimisation (QECCO) project and Quantum Contextual Artificial Intelligence for Long-range Correlations (Q-CALC) project. Q-CALC will provide the UK with a powerful sovereign capability in quantum machine learning with a clear line-of-sight to improve prediction and decision-making for defence applications. QECCO will focus on using quantum algorithms to solve complex combinatorial optimisation problems in logistics and deliver this crucial quantum software capability to the UK National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). About Infleqtion

Infleqtion delivers high-value quantum information precisely where it is needed. By operating at the Edge, our software-configured, quantum-enabled products deliver unmatched levels of precision and power, generating streams of high-value information for commercial organizations, the United States, and allied governments. With 16 years of ColdQuanta's pioneering quantum research as our foundation, our hardware products and AI-powered solutions address critical market needs in PNT, global communication security and efficiency, resilient energy distribution, and accelerated quantum computing. Headquartered in Austin, TX, with offices in Boulder, CO; Chicago, IL; Madison, WI; Melbourne, AU; and Oxford, UK. Learn how Infleqtion is revolutionizing how we communicate, navigate, and discover at www.Infleqtion.com .

Infleqtion UK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the flagship commercial brand Infleqtion. Infleqtion UK has a fully equipped quantum research laboratory and established production facilities in Oxford for its UK-developed Photonically Integrated Cold Atom Source (PICAS) product. The company conducts advanced research and development in inertial sensing and advanced timing for navigation within GNSS-denied environments, radiofrequency sensors for communications and defense applications, memory modules for secure quantum networks, and quantum information platforms for computation and simulation. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2235752/Infleqtion_Marco_Palumbo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1961782/Infleqtion_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/infleqtion-names-dr-marco-palumbo-as-director-of-business-development-in-the-united-kingdom-301943682.html

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[October 02, 2023] Tim launches digital booths, new infotainment and charging services Tweet

TURIN, Italy, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- From infotainment to charging smartphones, from digital payments to calls. Tim's phone boxes become, thanks to the collaboration with Urban Vision, smart stations for the cities of the future and allow touch-screen access to a wide range of digital services and content. When we talk about Tim, explained the CEO of Tim, Pietro Labriola, during Italian Tech Week in Turin, in our collective imagination we all physicalise the former Telecom Italia with telephone booths. Therefore, we risk projecting the image of a company that looks at the future through the rear-view mirror. We must propel ourselves into the future. These digital booths will make it possible to provide citizens with a range of services related to tourism, information, but also security and social services. What we are envisaging with our partner Urban Vision is a button that would allow a woman in danger to call out and be assisted with a video call for a higher level of safety. So, innovation and image. A symbiosis that leads us to say that Tim is future-oriented. The plan is to install 2,500 booths. The project will start in the city of Milan, where approximately 450 smart stations will be progressively installed. The initiative will subsequently extend to 13 other major Itaian cities.



The new booths will provide citizens with 'digital stations' for infotainment services, charging smartphones, online payments and ticketing, and free calls to national landline and mobile numbers. With a completely new design, they also feature sensor applications that will allow people with motor disabilities, language barriers or visual impairments to access information and services. Another interesting function concerns the possibility for the municipalities involved to support culture, tourism and institutions, providing their citizens with, for example, information on the city's artistic offer, on the programming of cinemas, theatres and museums, on concerts and other events, on how to buy tickets, choose a restaurant, book a taxi, check weather forecasts and public transport timetables, get updates on traffic, and so on. For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d3fb2367-a098-44ee-bd8b-586ad0dd85f8 A video accompanying this announcement is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3afe79b0-2ae2-4dbd-9794-4caad75f1e24



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[October 02, 2023] Former Congressman Chris Stewart to Lead World's Premier Aerospace & Defense Ecosystem Tweet

Stewart assumes role as chair of the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Utah Aerospace and Defense Association announced today that former Congressman Chris Stewart will serve as their newly appointed chair. Stewart is well known nationally for his leadership on aerospace and defense policy, having served as a member of the United States (U.S.) House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee. Stewart also recently announced a government relations consulting partnership with former U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien. "Congressman Chris Stewart has a unique and valuable perspective on the nation's defense strategy which will accelerate growth for companies in Utah looking to scale worldwide," said Aaron Starks, Utah Aerospace and Defense Association president and CEO. "At his core, Chris is an innovator who will help the organization in its efforts to recruit talent, source capital, and develop a collaborative ecosystem." In addition to his service in Congress, Stewart i a New York Times best-selling author, world-record-setting Air Force pilot, and the former owner and CEO of the Shipley Group. He served for fourteen years as a pilot in the Air Force, flying both rescue helicopters and the B-1B bomber.



Utah Aerospace and Defense Association aims to position Utah as the world's premier ecosystem for aerospace and defense. The organization recently made international headlines for signing a historic agreement with Ukraine. The agreement creates a framework for critical industries in Ukraine and Utah-based companies to cooperate on armored vehicle manufacturing; artillery and air defense systems; aerospace equipment; autonomous systems; and more. It will open up pathways for Utah companies to explore manufacturing opportunities in Ukraine, and for the Ukrainian government and private sector to source strategic goods and services from Utah's robust industry. Utah's aerospace and defense industry stands as a cornerstone of the state's economy, contributing nearly 20% of economic activity through a network of over 1,000 companies and numerous military installations statewide. "Utah is a patriotic state well positioned to defend our country," said Stewart. "The Utah Aerospace and Defense Association's work matters not only to the Utah economy but also to America's national security. I am honored to serve as their chair and look forward to advancing the interests of Utah's aerospace and defense industry on the international stage."

About Utah Aerospace & Defense

Utah Aerospace & Defense aims to position Utah as the world's premier ecosystem for aerospace and defense. The organization convenes, promotes, and advocates for companies in Utah that are developing the next generation of aerospace and defense technology. Want to learn more? Follow the organization on LinkedIn , and X . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/former-congressman-chris-stewart-to-lead-worlds-premier-aerospace--defense-ecosystem-301943926.html SOURCE Utah Aerospace and Defense Association

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[October 02, 2023] ORYZON to Provide Corporate Progress Updates at Several Events in October Tweet

East-West Biopharma Summit 36th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology congress (ECNP 2023)

Investor Access 2023 Event

Jefferies Inaugural Biotech CNS/Neuro Summit

Roth Capital Partners 2 nd Healthcare Opportunities Conference

ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) 2023 congress MADRID, Spain and BOSTON, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oryzon Genomics, S.A. (ISIN Code: ES0167733015, ORY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging epigenetics to develop therapies in diseases with strong unmet medical need, announced today that its management will give an update on corporate progress at several international events in October. Oryzon will participate in the East-West Biopharma Summit, which will be held on October 2-4 in Kendall Square, Cambridge Mass. (USA), and virtually. The company will provide a corporate update and will also hold one-on-one meetings with US and Chinese pharmaceutical companies and investors. Click on link for more info about the East West Biopharma Summit The Companys CMO for CNS, Dr. Michael Ropacki, will present an update on vafidemstats ongoing Phase IIb PORTICO trial in borderline personality disorder at the 36th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Congress, to be held on October 7-10 in Barcelona, Spain. Click on link for more info about ECNP 2023 Oryzon has been invited to the Investors Access -2023 Event, to be held on October 9-10 in Paris (France) at the Salons Hoche, where the company will also hold one-on-one meetings with European investors. Click on link for more info about the Investor Access 2023 event The Company has been invited to attend and present the company in a fireside chat at the Jefferies Inaugural Biotech CNS/Neuro Summit, to be held at the Jefferies Conference Center, New York City on October 11-12, where the company will also hold one-on-one meetings with global investors specialized in CNS. Click on link for more info about this event Oryzon has been invited to attend and present the company at the Roth Capital Partners 2nd Healthcare Opportunities Conference, to be held in New York City on October 12 at The Yale Club, where the company will also hold one-on-one meetings with global investors. Click on link for more info about this event Oryzons Global Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Douglas Faller, will attend the ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) 2023 congress, which will take place in Madrid (Spain) on October 20-24. Dr. N. Belani from the Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) will present a trial-in-progress poster on iadademstats ongoing Phase II trial in collaboration with FCCC in relapsed/refractory small cell lung carcinoma and extrapulmonary high grade neuroendocrine carcinomas. Click on link for more info about the ESMO 2023 congress



About Oryzon

Founded in 2000 in Barcelona, Spain, Oryzon (ISIN Code: ES0167733015) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company and the European leader in epigenetics, with a strong focus on personalized medicine in CNS disorders and oncology. Oryzons team is composed of highly qualified professionals from the pharma industry located in Barcelona, Boston and San Diego. Oryzon has an advanced clinical portfolio with two LSD1 inhibitors, vafidemstat in CNS and iadademstat in oncology, in several Phase II clinical trials. The company has other pipeline assets directed against other epigenetic targets. In addition, Oryzon has a strong platform for biomarker identification and target validation for a variety of malignant and neurological diseases. For more information, visit www.oryzon.com About Vafidemstat

Vafidemstat (ORY-2001) is an oral, CNS-optimized LSD1 inhibitor. The molecule acts on several levels: it reduces cognitive impairment, including memory loss and neuroinflammation, and at the same time has neuroprotective effects. In animal studies vafidemstat not only restores memory but reduces the exacerbated aggressiveness of SAMP8 mice, a model for accelerated aging and Alzheimers disease (AD), to normal levels and also reduces social avoidance and enhances sociability in murine models. In addition, vafidemstat exhibits fast, strong, and durable efficacy in several preclinical models of multiple sclerosis (MS). Oryzon has performed two Phase IIa clinical trials in aggressiveness in patients with different psychiatric disorders (REIMAGINE) and in aggressive/agitated patients with moderate or severe AD (REIMAGINE-AD), with positive clinical results reported in both. Additional finalized Phase IIa clinical trials with vafidemstat include the ETHERAL trial in patients with Mild to Moderate AD, where a significant reduction of the inflammatory biomarker YKL40 has been observed after 6 and 12 months of treatment, and the pilot, small-scale SATEEN trial in Relapse-Remitting and Secondary Progressive MS, where anti-inflammatory activity has also been observed. Vafidemstat has also been tested in a Phase II in severe Covid-19 patients (ESCAPE) assessing the capability of the drug to prevent ARDS, one of the most severe complications of the viral infection, where it showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in severe Covid-19 patients. Currently, vafidemstat is in two Phase IIb trials in borderline personality disorder (PORTICO) and in schizophrenia patients (EVOLUTION). The company is also deploying a CNS precision medicine approach with vafidemstat in genetically-defined patient subpopulations of certain CNS disorders and is preparing a clinical trial in Kabuki Syndrome patients. The company is also exploring the clinical development of vafidemstat in other neurodevelopmental syndromes.

About Iadademstat

Iadademstat (ORY-1001) is a small oral molecule, which acts as a highly selective inhibitor of the epigenetic enzyme LSD1 and has a powerful differentiating effect in hematologic cancers (see Maes et al., Cancer Cell 2018 Mar 12; 33 (3): 495-511.e12.doi: 10.1016 / j.ccell.2018.02.002.). A FiM Phase I/IIa clinical trial with iadademstat in R/R AML patients demonstrated the safety and good tolerability of the drug and preliminary signs of antileukemic activity, including a CRi (see Salamero et al, J Clin Oncol, 2020, 38(36): 4260-4273. doi: 10.1200/JCO.19.03250). In a recently completed Phase IIa trial in elder 1L-AML patients (ALICE trial), iadademstat has shown encouraging safety and efficacy data in combination with azacitidine (see Salamero et al., ASH 2022 oral presentation). Iadademstat is currently being evaluated in combination with gilteritinib in the Phase Ib FRIDA trial in patients with relapsed/refractory AML with FLT3 mutations. Beyond hematological cancers, the inhibition of LSD1 has been proposed as a valid therapeutic approach in some solid tumors such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC), neuroendocrine tumors (NET), medulloblastoma and others. In a Phase IIa trial in combination with platinum/etoposide in second line ED-SCLC patients (CLEPSIDRA trial), preliminary activity and safety results have been reported (see Navarro et al., ESMO 2018 poster). Iadademstat is being evaluated in a collaborative Phase II basket study with the Fox Chase Cancer Center in combination with paclitaxel in R/R neuroendocrine carcinomas, and the company is preparing a new trial in combination in SCLC. Oryzon has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) to collaborate on potential further clinical development of iadademstat in different types of solid and hematological cancers. In total iadademstat has been dosed so far to more than 100 cancer patients in four clinical trials. Iadademstat has orphan drug designation for SCLC in the US and for AML in the US and EU. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication contains, or may contain, forward-looking information and statements about Oryzon, including financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, and expectations with respect to future operations, capital expenditures, synergies, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally identified by the words expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates and similar expressions. Although Oryzon believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of Oryzon shares are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Oryzon that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the documents sent by Oryzon to the Spanish Comision Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV), which are accessible to the public. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and have not been reviewed by the auditors of Oryzon. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to Oryzon or any of its members, directors, officers, employees, or any persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above. All forward-looking statements included herein are based on information available to Oryzon on the date hereof. Except as required by applicable law, Oryzon does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Oryzons securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. Any public offering of Oryzons securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from Oryzon or the selling security holder, as applicable, that will contain detailed information about Oryzon and management, as well as financial statements. IR, US IR & Media, Europe Spain Oryzon Ashley R. Robinson Sandya von der Weid Patricia Cobo/Daniel Foley Emili Torrell LifeSci Advisors, LLC LifeSci Advisors, LLC Atrevia Chief Business Officer +1 617 430 7577 +41 78 680 05 38 +34 91 564 07 25

+34 672 447 094 +34 93 515 1313 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected]



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[October 02, 2023] Alliance Memory Appoints Kim Newman as Global Account Manager for Jabil Tweet

KIRKLAND, Wash., Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Memory today announced it has named Kim Newman as global account manager for Jabil, a leading contract manufacturer used by many of the companys customers. In her new role, Ms. Newman will serve as Alliance Memorys global liaison for Jabil  strengthening the two companies long-term strategic relationship while promoting continued growth and enhancing customer satisfaction across North America, Asia, and Europe.

Ms. Newman brings over 40 years of experience in the electronics industry to Alliance Memory. As owner and president of BlueSail Global Services, Inc., she has worked with Jabil for nine years as an independent global manufacturers representative. Prior to that, she served in a variety of roles at manufacturers representative Sun Marketing Group over a period of 21 years, including channel sales/operations manager and global key account manager. In addition, she has held the positions of product manager at Arrow Electronics and marketing coordinator at Harris Semiconductor/Intersil. We are delighted to announce the addition of Kim to the Alliance Memory team, said David Bagby, president and CEO of Alliance Memory. Her long history of working with Jabil  in addition to her close proximity to Jabils headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida  will ensure a smooth process for our customers that outsource their manufacturing to the company, while further strengthening the vital relationship between our organizations. We couldnt be more thrilled to have her on board. Its great news to hear tha Alliance Memory has hired Kim to further bolster the partnership between our two companies, said Brad Crouch, global commodity management at Jabil. Having known Kim for many years, Im confident shell be an invaluable asset to the Alliance team, and instrumental in helping us continue to provide Alliance Memory solutions as viable memory options for our customers.



Its an exciting time to be joining Alliance Memory, a company that has not only solidified its reputation as a provider of legacy devices that prevent costly redesigns, but has also expanded its product portfolio with innovative solutions that are keeping it ahead of the curve, said Ms. Newman. Drawing upon my direct experience working with Jabil, Im enthusiastic about the opportunity to fortify the relationship between the two organizations, which ultimately benefits our existing customers while attracting new ones. Ms. Newman is located in Melbourne, Florida, and reports to Mr. Bagby. She can be reached at [email protected].

About Alliance Memory Inc.

Alliance Memory is a worldwide provider of critical and hard-to-find memory ICs for the communications, computing, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, and industrial markets. The companys product range includes flash, DRAM, and SRAM memory ICs with commercial, industrial, and automotive operating temperature ranges and densities from 64Kb to 128GB. Privately held, Alliance Memory maintains headquarters in Kirkland, Washington, and regional offices in Europe, Asia, Canada, and South America. More information about Alliance Memory is available online at www.alliancememory.com. Link to image of Kim Newman:

www.redpinesgroup.com/Alliance/AllianceMemory-KimNewmanHeadshot.jpg Agency Contact:

Bob Decker

Redpines

+1 415 409 0233

[email protected]



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[October 02, 2023] Mojix Names Chris Cassidy Chief Executive Officer Tweet

Mojix, a global leader in real-time item-level visibility solutions for supply chains, today announced that Chris Cassidy has been named CEO of the company, effective immediately. Dan Doles, who served as CEO since 2015, will transition into the role of Chairman. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002234449/en/ Chris Cassidy, CEO of Mojix (Photo: Business Wire) "I am truly honored to have the opportunity to lead such a talented and committed team of professionals. Mojix has a rich history of innovation, exemplified by our current SaaS software platform that delivers true end-to-end visibility solutions to improve supply chain agility and resilience around the globe," said Cassidy. "Mojix has supported many companies deploy real-time item level visibility (RTILV) solutions that are revolutionizing enterprise supply chains. The need for precise, real-time information on each item as it moves through the entire supply chain has never been greater. Mojix is uniquely positioned to help our clients improve decision-making, optimize inventory levels, reduce wase, drive automation and operational efficiency to enhance the customer experience. I'm proud to build on Dan's success as we move forward."



Prior to joining Mojix earlier this year as President and Chief Commercial Officer, Chris was Executive Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer at Trax Technologies. He has held various supply chain leadership positions of increasing responsibility with Gartner, UPS, and GSK plc. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering (ISyE) from Georgia Tech and an executive program certification in supply chain management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "I am so pleased to continue partnering with Chris to build out a Mojix long-term strategic vision that will carry the company into the next phase of growth," said Doles. "Mojix continues to empower our clients to delight their customers by providing best-in-class item-level visibility and traceability solutions."

Peter Leibman, a member of the Board of Directors at Mojix, added, "The Board is excited to have Chris take over as CEO of Mojix. We are also pleased to have Dan move into the role of Chairman. Since joining Mojix in 2015 as CEO, Dan has led the company through a number of successful acquisitions and helped build Mojix into a leading provider of SaaS-based visibility and traceability solutions and we thank him for these contributions." About Mojix Mojix is a global leader in item-level intelligence supply chain solutions across industries. The company is leading the way in item-level traceability solutions utilizing its high security, globally scalable cloud-hosted SaaS platform. Founded in 2004, the company has deep domain expertise in serialization technologies such as RFID, NFC, and print based marking systems. Mojix builds business intelligence from event-triggered actions tracking billions of unique identities, following item lifecycles from source to shelf. Companies can leverage the seamlessly integrated data to increase their sales and operational efficiency, reduce major risks and enhance their customer experience. With offices across the US, Latin America and Europe, Mojix is now a recognized expert in end-to-end, item-level track and trace, product authentication and automated inventory management. Learn more at www.mojix.com Mojix, Inc. Mojix and ytem are registered trademarks of Mojix, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002234449/en/

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The last-minute measures approved in Congress in Washington have avoided a shutdown of the U.S. government. But the law signed by President Joe Biden a few minutes before midnight on Saturday, which allows for temporary funding to keep agencies open, has left a victim along the way: Ukraine.

The temporary funding bill  presented by the House of Representatives, with a Republican majority, and endorsed by the Senate, with a Democratic majority  does not include military aid to help Ukraine fight the Russian invasion. The majority of both parties on Capitol Hill support this aid  indeed, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is one of its staunchest defenders , and its backers have promised to present a funding proposal in the coming days. But the long and arduous negotiations with the hard-right faction of the Republican Party have made one thing clear: the resistance of the radical Republicans to continue aid to the Government of Volodymyr Zelenskiy is increasingly firm and extends beyond the ranks of their party, especially in the lower house.

It is a perspective that, looking to the future, is of great concern in the White House and those who support aid to Kyiv. The U.S. presidential elections are approaching in November 2024, which is expected to be a tight contest. Whats more, the majorities in the Senate and the House of Representatives will be at stake. And as the election campaign heats up, Republican lawmakers are likely to become more and more reluctant to approve multimillion-dollar aid packages to a nation that is far from their voters, both physically and mentally.

Biden interrupted his Sunday break to give an unscheduled televised address on the issue. I want to assure our American allies, the American people and the people in Ukraine that you can count on our support, we will not walk away, he said. Speaking earlier to reporters at the White House, he insisted: We cannot under any circumstances allow Americas support for Ukraine to be interrupted. I fully expect the speaker [Republican Kevin McCarthy] to keep his commitment to secure the passage and support needed to help Ukraine as they defend themselves against aggression and brutality.

Other aid supporters have tried to downplay the decision. The Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Charles Schumer, pointed out that the stopgap measure is only temporary. We will not stop fighting for more economic and security assistance for Ukraine, he said after the bill passed.

Most Senate Republicans remain committed to helping our friends on the front lines, to investing more heavily in American strength that reinforces our allies and deterring our top strategic adversary, China, added McConnell. Im confident the Senate will pass further urgent assistance to Ukraine later this year.

But for now at least, the Republican hardliners in the Freedom Caucus have got what they wanted. Last week, they stopped spending proposals from including aid to Ukraine: neither the $24 billion initially proposed by the presidential office, nor the $6 billion planned in a Senate initiative to defray short-term U.S. government expenses.

A financial assistance package contained in a specific provision for the State Department did go ahead. But to approve a routine and relatively modest $300 million item of military aid in the House on Wednesday, it had to be separated from a spending bill for the Pentagon. It received the green light, but mainly thanks to Democrat votes. And it pointed to a worrying trend for Kyiv supporters: most Republican lawmakers (117 out of a total of 222) voted against it.

Congressman Matt Gaetz, the de facto leader of the Republican radical wing, even proposed an amendment, which completely banned assistance to Ukraine. It was overwhelmingly defeated, with more than 300 lawmakers voting against it. But 93 lawmakers, all of them Republicans, voted in favor. Just three months ago, a similar measure from Gaetz only had the support of 70 House members.

Critical need

John Kirby, the White House National Security Council, told CNN that there was a critical need for aid. He pointed out that Ukrainian forces are in the midst of a counteroffensive to recover territory occupied by Russia, and that the arrival of winter will complicate their progress. Kirby warned that if the U.S. withdraws aid, it could trigger a domino effect, prompting other allies to stop supporting Ukraine. That would mean certain defeat for Ukraine, leaving Russia at the gates of Europe and sending a sign of weakness from Western powers to China in the Asia-Pacific.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had traveled to Washington the previous week, precisely to implore lawmakers not to cut off aid. Without it, he alleged, his country would lose the war. And this defeat, he said, would have serious consequences for the world order that the United States defends. Zelenskiy repeated this message again and again to the 100 senators in Congress  where, with isolated exceptions, support for Kyiv is unanimous  and to the leaders of the House of Representatives, including McCarthy himself.

But the Ukrainian presidents calls fell on deaf ears among the far-right Republicans in the lower house. Former U.S. president Donald Trump  the front-runner to win the 2024 Republican nomination  also continues to demand that aid to Ukraine be cut off. And at last weeks Republican primary debate, two presidential hopefuls  Vivek Ramaswamy, the candidate closest to Trump in his approaches, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis  said they planned to cut assistance to Ukraine and allocate those funds to other U.S. domestic priorities.

Whats more, Republicans who had previously supported aid to Ukraine voted against further assistance. This was the case of Congressman Mike Garcia, from California, who argued that even though Ukraine is receiving more and more powerful weapons, there is still no end to the conflict in sight.

Its not clear to me that the Ukrainians have a clearly defined win strategy to get the Russians out of eastern regions of Ukraine, he said in a video on Wednesday, saying that he couldnt support a blank check commitment to the country. Its not clear to me that our nations, the United States and Ukraine, have alignment on the strategic mission objective of repelling Russia from Crimea or not. And its not clear to me the Ukrainians are taking the advice of Ukrainian military advisers on how to win the war.

On the other side of the ideological fence, Congresswoman Betty McCollum  the Democrat who is chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee  has made the opposite call: Lets not abandon our fellow democracies. Lets not abandon the EU and our NATO allies now. Lets not abandon Ukraine.

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[October 02, 2023] Iris Partners with National Cybersecurity Alliance for 20th Anniversary of Cybersecurity Awareness Month Tweet

Iris Powered by Generali joins the National Cybersecurity Alliance for the seventh year running, offering free access to their innovative ScamAssist security suite. WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Iris Powered by Generali, provider of a proprietary identity and cyber protection platform, today announced its support of Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM), partnering with the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) and several other organizations to promote the 20th anniversary of the initiative. Over the course of October, Iris will help raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity, provide free educational resources on best practices, and offer free access to their ScamAssist scam analysis tool. Paige Schaffer, Iris CEO, commented on the announcement, "We have always seen education and awareness as the best way to keep consumers one step ahead of fraudsters, and we are proud to join the NCA to champion these practices for the 20th anniversary of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. To honor these 20 years of awareness, we look to reflect on the advances we have made collectively as an industry, while also planning for the future to help build a truly secure and interconnected world where consumers feel safe online." Iris will reprise its role as a Champion of Cybersecurity Awareness Month for the seventh year running in 2023 while also offering businesses and consumers free limited-time access to ScamAssist , an online scam analysis tool that helps consumers avoid falling for scams with 24/7 support from Iris' team of scam analysis professionals. Visitors to the Iris website can sign up for the free trial and test their knowledge with an interactive quiz on some o the most common, and not so common, fraud attempts consumers see today.



"Now more than ever, it is crucial we equip individuals with the skills to recognize suspicious cyber activity and understand how to protect themselves from today's ever-evolving threats online," commented Lisa Plaggemier, Executive Director at National Cybersecurity Alliance. "We are grateful for Iris' continued commitment to amplifying cybersecurity awareness through their educational tools and resources. Our longtime partnership has allowed us to significantly broaden our reach and impact during Cybersecurity Awareness Month as we promote safer cyber practices together that move us toward a more secure digital world." Additionally, Iris will join the NCA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in promoting key best practices for consumers, including the use of two-factor authentication (2FA), password management, and other preemptive measures that significantly reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud. Iris will release various content during the month, including weekly informational blog posts with cybersecurity tips, a sponsored report with the NCA, and social media posts focused on specific fraud prevention measures. The full content schedule is listed below:

NCA's Oh, Behave! The Annual Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviors Report Available beginning Monday, October 2 , Iris will provide access to this co-sponsored report on consumers' cybersecurity behaviors and perceptions on their website and via social media on LinkedIn .

CAM Weekly Cybersecurity Education Series: Tuesday, October 3 : 6 Ways to Stay One Step Ahead of Identity Thieves & Scammers Tuesday, October 10 : Can You Outsmart an Identity Thief or Scammer? Thursday, October 19 : Phishing Email Examples to Help You Identify Phishing Scams Tuesday, October 24 : Why You Should Update All Your Software Tuesday, October 31 : Do You Need Identity Theft Protection Services?

Throughout the month, Iris will also showcase additional cybersecurity content online through an interactive landing page on their website, The Iris Guide to Outsmarting a Scammer . CAM content will be promoted via social media under the hashtag #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth. About Iris Powered by Generali

Iris Powered by Generali is a B2B2C global identity and cyber protection company owned by the 190-year-old multinational insurance company, Generali, offering always-available identity resolution experts (real people, 24/7/365) and tech-forward solutions that uncomplicate the protection process. Understanding that victimization has no geographical boundaries, we've got a solution no matter your customers' coordinates. To learn more about Iris' offerings, please visit https://www.irisidentityprotection.com/ . Iris Media Contact

M Group Strategic Communications

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iris-partners-with-national-cybersecurity-alliance-for-20th-anniversary-of-cybersecurity-awareness-month-301943776.html SOURCE Iris powered by Generali

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[October 02, 2023] Cloud Infrastructure Spending Continued to Grow in the Second Quarter of 2023 Led by Spending on Shared Cloud Infrastructure, According to IDC Tracker Tweet

According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Enterprise Infrastructure Tracker: Buyer and Cloud Deployment, spending on compute and storage infrastructure products for cloud deployments, including dedicated and shared IT environments, increased 7.9% year over year in the second quarter of 2023 (2Q23) to $24.6 billion. Spending on cloud infrastructure continues to outgrow the non-cloud segment with the latter declining 8.3% in 2Q23 to $14.4 billion. The cloud infrastructure segment experienced a decline of 23.2% in unit demand with an increase in average selling prices (ASPs), mostly related to higher than usual GPU server shipments to hyperscalers. "Cloud infrastructure spending is shifting towards robust configurations geared towards more complex workloads and new AI initiatives," said Juan Pablo Seminara, research director with IDC's Worldwide Enterprise Infrastructure Tracker. "Despite the steep decline in system unit demand for the first half of the year, the spending outlook for 2023 remains positive with growth centered on the expectation that higher ASPs will remain for the rest of the year." Spending on shared cloud infrastructure reached $17.9 billion in the quarter, increasing 13.7% compared to a year ago. The shared cloud infrastructure category has surpassed non-cloud spending in the first half of 2023 accounting for 45.8% of total infrastructure spending. The dedicated cloud infrastructure segment declined 4.9% year over year in 2Q23 to $6.7 billion. Of the total dedicated cloud infrastructure, 43.9% was deployed on customer premises during the quarter. For 2023, IDC is forecasting cloud infrastructure spending to grow 10.6% compared to 2022 to $101.4 billion - a slight improvement from the prior outlook for the year of 7.3% growth. Non-cloud infrastructure is expected to decline 7.9% to $58.5 billion. Shared cloud infrastructure is expected to grow 13.5% year over year to $72.0 billion for the full year, while spending on dedicated cloud infrastructure is expected to grow 4.1% to $29.4 billion for the full year. The subdued growth forecast for non-cloud infrastructure reflects the expectation that the market will face headwinds, but cloud spending will remain positive due to new and existing mission-critical workloads, which often require higher-end, performance-oriented systems. IDC's service provider category includes cloud service providers, digital service providers, communications service providers, hyperscalers, and managed service providers. In 2Q23, service providers as a group spent $24.1 billion on compute and storage infrastructure, up 7.1% from the prior year. This spending accounted for 61.9% of the total market. Non-service providers (e.g., enterprises, government, etc.) decreased their spending 6.9% year over year. IDC expects compute and storage spending by service providers to reach $99.1 billion in 2023, growing 9.0% year over year. On a geographic basis, year-over-year spending on cloud infrastructure in 2Q23 increased in all regions except Canada, Central & Eastern Europe (CEE), which was impacted by the Russia-Ukraine war, and Western Europe, where the effects of high energy prices and a tight macroeconomic environment are at the forefront o client spending decisions. Cloud infrastructure spending in CEE declined 15.2% year over year, while Canada was down 36.4% and Western Europe declined 3.5%. Cloud infrastructure spending in the USA, Japan, Middle East & Africa, Latin America, and Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan and China) (APeJC) grew 15.8%, 14.1%, 9.2%, 8.3%, and 2.8% year over year, respectively. China ended the quarter with growth of 0.1% year over year.



For 2023, cloud infrastructure spending is expected to grow in all regions except CEE and Canada, with Latin America expected to grow fastest at 18.4%. All other regions (APeJC, Canada, China, Japan, Latin America, USA, and Western Europe) are expected to post annual growth in the 0-13% range. Long term, IDC predicts spending on cloud infrastructure to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3% over the 2022-2027 forecast period, reaching $156.7 billion in 2027 and accounting for 69.4% of total compute and storage infrastructure spend. Shared cloud infrastructure spending will account for 70.0% of the total cloud amount, growing at a 11.6% CAGR and reaching $109.7 billion in 2027. Spending on dedicated cloud infrastructure will grow at a CAGR of 10.7% to $47.0 billion. Spending on non-cloud infrastructure will grow at 1.7% CAGR, reaching $69.1 billion in 2027. Spending by service providers on compute and storage infrastructure is expected to grow at a 10.9% CAGR, reaching $152.6 billion in 2027.

A graphic illustrating IDC's 2022-2027 forecast for enterprise infrastructure spending by deployment category (Cloud & Dedicated, Cloud & Shared, Non-cloud & Dedicated) is available by viewing this press release on IDC.com. IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Enterprise Infrastructure Tracker: Buyer and Cloud Deployment is designed to provide clients with a better understanding of what portion of the compute and storage hardware markets are being deployed in cloud environments. The Tracker breaks out each vendors' revenue into shared and dedicated cloud environments for historical data and provides a five-year forecast. This Tracker is part of the Worldwide Quarterly Enterprise Infrastructure Tracker, which provides a holistic total addressable market view of the four key enabling infrastructure technologies for the datacenter (servers, external enterprise storage systems, and purpose-built appliances: HCI and PBBA). Taxonomy Notes IDC defines cloud services more formally through a checklist of key attributes that an offering must manifest to end users of the service. Shared cloud services are shared among unrelated enterprises and consumers; open to a largely unrestricted universe of potential users; and designed for a market, not a single enterprise. The shared cloud market includes a variety of services designed to extend or, in some cases, replace IT infrastructure deployed in corporate datacenters; these services in total are called public cloud services. The shared cloud market also includes digital services such as media/content distribution, sharing and search, social media, and e-commerce. Dedicated cloud services are shared within a single enterprise or an extended enterprise with restrictions on access and level of resource dedication and defined/controlled by the enterprise (and beyond the control available in public cloud offerings); can be onsite or offsite; and can be managed by a third-party or in-house staff. In dedicated cloud that is managed by in-house staff, "vendors (cloud service providers)" are equivalent to the IT departments/shared service departments within enterprises/groups. In this utilization model, where standardized services are jointly used within the enterprise/group, business departments, offices, and employees are the "service users." For more information about IDC's Quarterly Enterprise Infrastructure Tracker: Buyer & Cloud Deployment, please contact Lidice Fernandez at [email protected]. About IDC Trackers IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly Excel deliverables and on-line query tools. Click here to learn about IDC's full suite of data products and how you can leverage them to grow your business. About IDC International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights. All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002758135/en/

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[October 02, 2023] Boldyn Networks wins in multiple categories at the TMT M&A Awards USA 2023 Tweet

Boldyn Networks (Boldyn) won big at the TMT M&A Awards USA 2023, taking home two awards, including the Wireless Deal of the Year for its acquisition of ZenFi Networks, and the Digital Infrastructure Growth Story award for its remarkable growth in 2023. Over 300 leading advisors, investors, and deal makers attended the award dinner representing the digital infrastructure, telecoms, cloud, and software sectors. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002134837/en/ Boldyn Networks accepts multiple awards at the first annual TMT M&A Awards USA Gala Dinner on September 28 2023, at the Metropolitan Club New York. (Photo: Business Wire) The awards are the culmination of a year-long strategy to expand, acquire, merge, and re-launch multiple company brands across their global portfolio. The Wireless Deal of the Year recognizes the successful purchase and integration of New York City-based ZenFi Networks. Many judges note that the acquisition of the ZenFi infrastructure and network is the perfect complement to the existing and expanding footprint currently integrated throughout the New York City Subway system by the firm. Boldyn Networks now has a ubiquitus network available for New Yorkers across all five boroughs.



Boldyn Networks also received accolades for the best Digital Infrastructure Growth Story and awarded the company for the remarkable growth trajectory they have experienced in 2023. It was noted that the scale and pace of growth are derived from both organic expansion and the strategic consolidation of four leading US companies in the neutral host space. With the largest breadth of services, Boldyn Networks' US business has become the dominant partner of choice and most forward-looking neutral host provider in North America. The company is also behind massive connectivity projects in some of the world's biggest cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Rome, and Hong Kong. For Boldyn Networks, recent growth and expansion are the result of its commitment to provide customers across the Northern Hemisphere with an end-to-end neutral host network solution.

"It was an honor to be shortlisted for not just one or two, but three awards. And to win Wireless Deal of the Year and best Digital Infrastructure Growth Story is just a great outcome. This reaffirms that we are taking the right steps in our growth strategy. As one Boldyn team, we have ambitious goals for our neutral host business globally with a laser focus on what we can do in the US. And we are thankful to the TMT M&A Awards USA for recognizing our efforts," said Igor Leprince, Group Chief Executive Officer at Boldyn Networks. "We're very proud of our extraordinary expansion around the globe and milestone projects in very challenging environments in the past year." The awards ceremony took place on September 28th at the Metropolitan Club, New York, and was attended by members of Boldyn Networks' leadership team including Igor Leprince, Group Chief Executive Officer, and Jeff Garte, President, Northeast, US. About Boldyn Networks Boldyn Networks is one of the world's largest neutral host providers, delivering the advanced shared network infrastructure needed for a smart, inclusive, and sustainable future. It brings together the combined scale and expertise of six companies with a single purpose: to unlock the power of an interconnected future. From interconnected transit, venues and enterprises to smart cities and next-generation networks, Boldyn Networks enables new possibilities in the way people live, work and play. Our portfolio is harnessing fibre, advancing 4G/LTE, accelerating 5G, preparing for 6G-and looking beyond to the next breakthroughs, and global operations span the US, the UK, Ireland, Italy, and Hong Kong. Boldyn Networks. Reimagine tomorrow. Transform today. Connect with us on social media: LinkedIn and YouTube. Learn more at: boldyn.com. Note to the editor Boldyn Networks' existing deployments worldwide include connectivity for 6 major transit systems like TfL and the MTA, with nearly a thousand stations covered around the world, serving 550 million passengers annually; more than 300 neutral host public venues like L.A.'s Crypto.com Arena; 126,000 small cell sites; 77 co-location facilities; nearly 3,000 miles of fiber and 300 macro towers. This is in addition to some of the largest Wi-Fi networks above and below ground in cities like NYC, Las Vegas, and London, including over 2,000 Link kiosks in NYC; and connectivity deployments in 75 US military bases. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002134837/en/

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[October 02, 2023] An $8K Subsidy Gives a Mississippi Homeowner the Boost Needed to Buy a Home Tweet

Thanks in part to an $8,000 Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) subsidy, Desire Brown is now a proud homebuyer. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) awarded the funds through its member, Citizens National Bank. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002293044/en/ The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and Citizens National Bank provided $8,000 in down payment assistance to a Mississippi homebuyer. (Photo: Business Wire) FHLB Dallas set aside $6.5 million of its 2023 Affordable Housing Program funds for HELP. Through member institutions like Citizens National Bank, HELP assists income-qualified, first-time homebuyers with down payments and closing costs. "Although I've been saving for a home for a long time, Citizens National Bank and HELP gave me the confidence to finally enter the market and make a decision," said Ms. Brown, a 34-year-old medical assistant, in Jackson, Mississippi. "Renting was difficult, and the neighborhoods weren't the best environment for my kids." Ms. Brown received an initial mortgage from Citizens Natonal Bank and used the HELP subsidy to assist with the down payment and closing costs.



"Homeownership is central to the American Dream and purchasing a home is the biggest decision our customers make. The HELP subsidy has fulfilled so many dreams and Ms. Brown is the latest addition to this growing list," said Tyeisha Smith, community development officer at Citizens National Bank. "We wanted to be there for her as she took this significant step and much of it was made possible by the HELP subsidy." Without the support of Citizens National Bank and HELP, Ms. Brown said that she would not have been able to purchase her current home. Since 2018, Citizens National Bank has used HELP funds to assist close to 50 Mississippians in achieving homeownership.

"We strive to provide affordable and flexible funding to our members through programs like HELP and other subsidies. Through their utilization of the program, Citizens National Bank is a great case study in leveraging HELP to meet customers' housing needs," said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. Visit fhlb.com/help for more information. About Citizens National Bank As more and more community banks are being acquired by larger regional institutions which have moved ownership and resources out of the state of Mississippi, our bank is more committed than ever to continue operating as an independent, community bank. We proudly serve 15 Mississippi communities with 27 branch locations, and we believe it's critical to Mississippi's future for us to help Mississippians grow and prosper. In fact, we consider our destiny to be one of continuing to earn the right to be Mississippi's Community Bank. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $174 billion as of June 30, 2023, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit our website at fhlb.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002293044/en/

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[October 02, 2023] Introducing WWEX Group: Second-Largest Privately Held 3PL Unites Worldwide Express, GlobalTranz and Unishippers Tweet

WWEX Group Offers Unrivaled Scale, Distribution Network and Logistics Solutions DALLAS , Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading third-party logistics (3PL) providers Worldwide Express, GlobalTranz and Unishippers today unveiled a new corporate identity, WWEX Group. A culmination of a multi-year acquisition strategy and integration effort, WWEX Group is the second-largest privately held logistics company in the U.S. with nearly $5 billion in systemwide revenue. Prior to acquisitions in 2017 (Unishippers) and 2021 (GlobalTranz), the individual WWEX Group companies existed as separate entities, each specializing in separate customer segments and product offerings. This symbolic unification marks the next chapter for the group, including one cohesive culture and guiding vision for the future. "Through our family of brands, WWEX Group offers the most far-reaching distribution model, the best talent, industry-leading carrier relationships, proprietary technology and the most comprehensive suite of shipping options in the industry," said Tom Madine, CEO of WWEX Group. "We have the scale and skills to deploy more resources and create better offerings for each customer segment and shipping need, while also working more efficiently with our carrier partners." Through its three go-to-market brands, WWEX Group's mix of direct, agent and franchise sales models allow its more than 121,000 customers to access leading solutions, best-in-class technology, competitive rates and trusted relationships. With a robust network of carrier partners, including a strategic relationship with UPS, WWEX Group's companies offe SMB, mid-market and large enterprise customers all the major shipping solutions, including parcel, less than truckload (LTL), full truckload (FTL), managed transportation and expedited.



Worldwide Express, GlobalTranz and Unishippers will continue to operate as the go-to-market brands for WWEX Group, connected through one consolidated infrastructure including the group's proprietary SpeedShip technology platform. "We are in a prime position to double down on our focus on small business and mid-market customers," said Madine. "The mid-market has been a traditionally underserved and overlooked segment that requires customized strategies, best-in-class service and managed solutions to meet their unique needs  and WWEX Group is the ideal partner to do just that."

WWEX Group includes more than 2,800 employees, 200 franchises and 500 agents in offices and markets across the country, including an office in Monterrey, Mexico. WWEX Group will maintain its corporate headquarters in Dallas at The Stack Deep Ellum, where the group officially opened a newly designed office space in spring 2023. "Our people are at the heart of our business, and under the WWEX Group banner they will have more access than ever to build and shape lasting careers in the logistics industry  whether that's as a direct employee or taking the entrepreneurship route by opening a franchise or an agency," said Madine. WWEX Group's extensive network of carrier partners, including a portfolio of more than 75 leading regional and national LTL carriers, 85,000 FTL carriers and managed transportation solutions, moved 36 million combined shipments for 121,000 customers last year. WWEX Group is also the largest non-retail UPS Authorized Reseller in the U.S., as well as the Official Logistics Partner of NASCAR, bringing its logistical and shipping expertise to the racing sport. About WWEX Group

The WWEX Group of brands, which comprises Worldwide Express, GlobalTranz and Unishippers, offers full-service logistics expertise to more than 121,000 customers across the country. With access to industry-leading small package, truckload, less-than-truckload and managed transportation solutions, its customers benefit from enhanced visibility and value for their supply chains. The company is the second-largest privately held freight brokerage and largest non-retail UPS Authorized Reseller in the U.S., with an annual systemwide revenue nearing $5 billion through a network of company-owned, franchise and agent locations. A highly selective carrier portfolio, proprietary technology, unique data assets and business intelligence capabilities provide clients with unmatched options and flexibility to meet their shipping needs. To learn more about WWEX Group, visit www.wwexgroup.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/introducing-wwex-group-second-largest-privately-held-3pl-unites-worldwide-express-globaltranz-and-unishippers-301943395.html SOURCE WWEX Group

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[October 02, 2023] Huanqiu: Officials from multiple countries applaud infrastructure projects built by China Communications Construction Company Tweet

Beijing, China, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Major infrastructure projects undertaken by China Communications Construction Company Limited(CCCC) have received widespread praise from global officials in charge of transportation at two side events of the recently concluded 2023 Global Sustainable Transport Forum (GSTF). The 2023 GSTF and the 15th International Exhibition on Transport Technology and Equipment, hosted by China's Ministry of Transport, were held from Sept. 25 to 26 in Beijing. CCCC has actively participated in the forum and organized the forum's two side events themed "effectively advancing high-quality international infrastructure connectivity for coordinated regional economic development" and "smart, green and sustainable transportation infrastructure", respectively. During riveting discussions on the sustainable development of global transportation at the side events, ministers of transport and experts in transportation from many countries lauded landmark infrastructure projects built by CCCC, such as the Mombasa - Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Kenya, the Colombo Port City of Sri Lanka, and the China-Laos Railway. I was there at the inauguration ceremony," said Kipchumba Murkomen, the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Roads, Transport and Public Works, pointing to a photo showing the inauguration ceremony of the Mombasa - Nairobi SGR with excitement.



"Companies like CCCC have done a fantastic job in our country in modernizing our railway system. Now we have an SGR system of almost 600 kilometers, and we believe that system will be further extended," said Murkomen. He also pointed out that CCCC has made great efforts to ensure ecological conservation during the construction of the railway. By transforming some technologies and building wildlife crossings, among many other measures, CCCC has managed to minimize the environmental impact of the project, according to Murkomen.

Calling the China-Laos Railway one of the models of green transportation system, Ngampasong Muongmany, the Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport, underscored the importance of realizing "green, low-carbon and sustainable transportation", and noted that various countries should work together to achieve the goal. Participants in the events also recognized the rich fruits of international cooperation in the transportation sector under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative over the past 10 years and shared their views on green development in the future. Because Sri Lanka highly values international exchanges in transportation construction, the Belt and Road Initiative is very important for us, said Bandula Gunawardhana, Sri Lanka's Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media. "It (the Belt and Road Initiative) is an excellent initiative, as all initiatives that are promoting connectivity in transport, just to connect better the world," said Francisco Esteban Lefler, President of the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC). Disclaimer: The information provided in this release is not investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing or trading securities and cryptocurrency.



Wang Yueran Huanqiu wangyueran-at-huanqiu.com

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[October 02, 2023] Trexon Welcomes C.E. Precision Assemblies, Inc. to the Engineered Products Family Tweet

Trexon, a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity and a leading provider of specialty connectivity solutions for mission-critical applications, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of C.E. Precision Assemblies, Inc. ("CEPA"). CEPA is an industry-recognized value-added manufacturer of RF/microwave build-to-print flexible and semi-rigid cable assemblies, as well as molded, and braided wire harnesses. This acquisition represents Trexon's ongoing commitment to expanding its presence in the military and aerospace markets. Regarding the addition of CEPA to the Trexon team, Mark Twaalfhoven, President and CEO of Trexon stated: "The addition of C.E. Precision brings a wealth of experience and expertise in cable assembly and wire harness solutions that support our strategic vision of delivering high quality, mission-critical assemblies. We look forward to a prosperous relationship and welcome CEPA to the Trexon family." Speaking on the transaction, Paul Ross, former owner of CEPA, stated: "With our primary aerospace and defense customers in mind, we chose to partner with Trexon o support our ongoing growth efforts. We are excited to be part of a bigger entity with similar values and philosophy and to be able to take advantage of the extensive knowledge within the other Trexon businesses. We look forward to what the future holds with CEPA and Trexon together."



About C.E. Precision Assemblies, Inc.: Founded in 1986, CEPA has built a reputation of producing and delivering high quality interconnect solutions for Military and Aerospace applications. From build-to-print flexible and semi-rigid RF/Microwave cable assemblies to simple, complex, molded, and braided wire harnesses, CEPA's products are used in a wide variety of applications. For more information, please visit https://cepainc.com.

About Trexon: Founded in 1979, Trexon (formerly TPC Wire & Cable Company) is a leading designer and provider of high-performance wire, cable, connectors, assemblies, and accessories used in harsh, high-cost-of-failure environments. Trexon's products are specially constructed for a wide range of design challenges across high-reliability applications in diversified industrial end markets, defense, aerospace, cryogenic, space, medical, and other industries. For more information, please visit trexon.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002729184/en/

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[October 02, 2023] 5 Best Essay Writing Services In The UK By Trusted Writers Tweet

LONDON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The article assesses the best five essay writing services based in London, which are offered by Experienced writers, with a particular emphasis on quality, dependability, and client contentment, online reviews. The surge in search volume for "write my essay for me" underscores the growing demand for academic support services in response to increased academic pressure, the shift to online learning, diverse subject requirements, time constraints, and a global student population. These services provide a valuable solution for students struggling to manage their academic workloads effectively. However, it's imperative that students use such services ethically, as submitting purchased work as their own can breach academic integrity guidelines and lead to serious consequences, highlighting the need for responsible and informed use of these resources. Many online services can help with essay writing, but not all of them can guarantee top-quality essays. This is because writing a great essay requires a deep understanding of the topic and a skill for crafting well-structured and original content. To make your search easier, we've done some research to find the best essay writing services you can rely on. Based on our findings, Projectsdeal is the top essay writing service in the UK. They have experienced British writers who know how to create well-organized and thoroughly researched essays on a wide range of subjects. But there are also four other websites worth considering. Each of them has its own strengths, so take a look at our guide to see which one suits your needs the best. Best Essay Writing Services in the UK: When it comes to essay writing services in the United Kingdom, you'll want to choose from the top five options to ensure quality and reliability. These top-rated services are known for their commitment to delivering excellent essays: Projectsdeal.co.uk: 9.8/10 Easymarks.co.uk: 9.5/10 TopUKWriters.co.uk: 8.9/10 CheapEssayHelpers.com: 8.5/10 BritishWritingCompany.com: 8/10 These services stand out for their dedication to providing top-quality essays and academic support. Whether you need assistance with assignments, essays, or dissertations, you can trust these platforms to deliver exceptional results. Projectsdeal - The Best Essay Writing Service in the UK Established in 2001, Projectsdeal has earned its reputation as the best essay writing service in the UK through years of dedicated service. With a track record of consistently earning 5-star reviews from satisfied customers, this writing service has become a trusted partner for students seeking academic excellence. Pros Experience: With over two decades of experience, Projectsdeal boasts extensive knowledge of the academic landscape, ensuring top-quality essays. Personal Project manager: Personal project manager is allocated to everyone, ensuring 24x7 support. Highly Qualified Writers: Projectsdeal prides itself on a team of professional and highly qualified writers with expertise in various fields of study. Customization: Essays are tailored to meet individual requirements, ensuring that every piece is unique and aligns with the customer's needs. Timely Delivery: Projectsdeal understands the importance of deadlines, consistently delivering essays promptly. Active social media: Projectsdeal is active on all social media, has all social media accounts with interactive engaged student audience. 5 star reviews : Trustpilot, sitejabber, bark, facebook, google page has more than 10000+ 5 star reviews. Covers all academic services and subjects: Papers, case studies, analysis assignment, coursework, online exams, essays, dissertation, presentations in all domains. Cons While Projectsdeal is renowned for its excellence, it's essential to consider the potential downsides: Charge higher for short deadline as 4 hours Writers: Projectsdeal's team of writers consists of experts who hold advanced degrees in various disciplines. This ensures that each essay is crafted by someone well-versed in the subject matter, providing depth and accuracy to the content. Writers undergo a rigorous selection process to maintain the service's high standards. How They Work Order Placement online: Customers place orders specifying their requirements, including the topic, length, and any specific instructions. Pay only 50% advance to get work started Team Allocation: Projectsdeal assigns a personal project manager, he adds you on whatsapp then assigns the essay to a writer with expertise in the subject. Research and Writing: The writer conducts thorough research and crafts the essay from scratch, following the customer's guidelines. Editing and Quality Check: After completion, the essay undergoes a comprehensive editing and quality check to ensure accuracy and adherence to academic standards. Delivery: 50% work is first delivered for approval, then complete payment and collect 100% work. The finished essay is delivered to the customer before the specified deadline with Turnitin and Grammarly report. Features 24/7 Customer Support: Projectsdeal allocates personal project manager, offers round-the-clock customer support to address queries and concerns. Direct Communication: Customers can communicate directly with their assigned writers to provide clarifications or additional instructions. Price Projectsdeal offers competitive pricing at 10 per 100 words, reflecting the service's commitment to quality and expertise. Customer Review One satisfied customer, Sarah, remarked, "Projectsdeal saved me during a tough semester. The essay they provided was not only well-researched but also customized to my needs. The high-quality work and timely delivery were impressive." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Affyco0uyts&ab_channel=No.1DissertationWritingService-Projectsdeal Easymarks.co.uk  Top Essay Writing Service in the UK Established as a reliable essay writing service, Easymarks.co.uk has been serving students since its inception. With a strong record of earning high praise through 5-star reviews, Easymarks.co.uk stands as a reputable academic support platform in the UK. Pros Experienced: Easymarks.co.uk boasts a commendable history of helping students navigate their academic challenges with over a decade of experience. Diverse Expertise: The service houses a diverse team of writers, each specializing in various academic disciplines, ensuring the highest quality of essays. Customized Essays: Easymarks.co.uk's commitment to customization guarantees that each essay is uniquely crafted to fulfill individual requirements. Punctuality: Meeting deadlines is a top priority, making sure students receive their essays on time. Accept Short Deadline Cons However, it's crucial to consider potential drawbacks: Don't work on all domains: Limited subjects writers are available in team. Writers Easymarks.co.uk prides itself on its team of experienced and qualified writers. These experts possess advanced degrees and are adept at delivering well-researched, tailored essays that meet the academic standards of their customers. How They Work Order Placement: Customers place orders by specifying their essay requirements, including topic, length, and any specific instructions. Writer Assignment: Easymarks.co.uk assigns the essay to a writer with relevant expertise in the subject area. Research and Writing: The writer conducts comprehensive research and creates the essay from scratch, adhering to the customer's guidelines. Editing and Quality Check: After completion, the essay undergoes meticulous editing and quality checks to ensure accuracy and adherence to academic standards. Delivery: The final essay is delivered to the customer within the stipulated deadline. Features 24/7 Customer Support: Easymarks.co.uk offers continuous customer support to address inquiries and concerns. Price Easymarks.co.uk offers competitive pricing, ensuring value for money while maintaining high-quality standards. Customer Review One satisfied customer, David, shared, "Easymarks.co.uk exceeded my expectations. They not only delivered a well-researched essay but also tailored it to perfection. The reliability and quality of their service are truly commendable." Easymarks.co.uk's decade-long experience, positive reviews, team of expert writers, and dedication to excellence make it a trusted essay writing service in the UK. While pricing may be a consideration for ome, the commitment to quality and reliability makes it a strong choice for students aiming for academic success.



TopUKWriters.co.uk  PhD Essay Writing Service in the UK TopUKWriters.co.uk is a trusted name in the realm of essay writing services, committed to assisting students in the UK. Renowned for consistently receiving positive reviews, this platform has earned its place among the top essay writing services in the country.

Pros Reputable: TopUKWriters.co.uk has established itself as a reputable essay writing service, garnering trust over the years. Unbiased Reviews: It provides valuable reviews and rankings of various writing services, helping students make informed choices. Transparency: The platform is known for its transparent approach in evaluating and presenting information about writing services. Cons While TopUKWriters.co.uk offers valuable insights, it's important to note: Direct Writing Services: Unlike some other platforms, TopUKWriters.co.uk doesn't directly provide writing services but guides students to make informed choices. Cant Place Order Online : Team only accepts limited work, so you cant directly place order online. Writers TopUKWriters.co.uk employs a team of experts who evaluate and review various writing services, ensuring that students have access to accurate and unbiased information. How They Work Review and Ranking: TopUKWriters.co.uk reviews and ranks different writing services based on a range of criteria, including quality, customer support, pricing, and more. User-Friendly Interface: The platform offers an easy-to-navigate website, allowing students to explore various writing service options conveniently. Features Objective Information: TopUKWriters.co.uk provides objective and unbiased information to help students choose the best writing service. User Reviews: It includes user reviews and ratings to offer a comprehensive view of each writing service's performance. Price TopUKWriters.co.uk provides valuable information to students for free, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding their essay writing needs. Customer Review One student, Emily, expressed, "TopUKWriters.co.uk has been a lifesaver for me. Their reviews helped me find a reliable essay writing service that perfectly suited my requirements. I highly recommend their platform." 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Feinstein Institutes' Ross Prize awardees win 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research congratulates two scientists from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Katalin Kariko, PhD, and Drew Weissman, MD, PhD, for being awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking messenger RNA (mRNA) research that helped develop mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. In 2022, the duo was awarded the Feinstein Institutes' 2022 Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine for their work.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002576686/en/

2023 Nobel Prize winners Dr. Drew Weissman (center left) and Dr. Katalin Kariko (center right) pose with Jack and Robin Ross during the 2022 Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine symposium in New York City. (Credit: Feinstein Institutes)

Now in its 10th year, the Ross Prize is made possible by the generosity of Feinstein Institutes board vice chairman Jack Ross and his wife, Robin, senior principal gifts officer at the Northwell Health Foundation. Established in 2013, the Ross Prize is awarded annually through the Feinstein Institutes' peer-reviewed, open-access journal Molecular Medicine. The prize includes a $50,000 award and is given to investigators whose research shows high potential for transforming how we treat and cure disease. The research pair was honored on June 7, 2022 with the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) in New York City. Drs. Kariko and Weissman gave a keynote presentation during the symposium, sharing the history of their work, challenges and accomplishments and words of insight.

"Drs. Kariko and Weissman are pioneers whose unrelenting research helped unlock our understanding of mRNA. Their work revolutionized the development of vaccines that saved many lives from COVID-19," said Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes and Karches Family Distinguished Chair in Medical Research and editor emeritus of Molecular Medicine. "On behalf of he 5,000 scientists and staff at the Feinstein Institutes, we offer our most heartfelt congratulations - thank you for being role models to the scientific community."







The duo is heralded for inventing the mRNA technology used in Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna's vaccines to prevent COVID-19 infection. For more than two decades, Drs. Kariko and Weissman studied mRNA to understand how to harness gene information and create new, more effective vaccines. Tapping mRNA technology has unlocked genes to create a blueprint for making proteins that help the body to function. The pandemic has illuminated its vast potential for an array of medical breakthroughs.

"Drs. Kariko and Weissman's embody what the Ross Prize represents; dedication, passion and the dogged pursuit of scientific knowledge to cure disease and help others," said Jack Ross, vice chairman of the Feinstein Institutes' board of directors. "We are thrilled on their behalf and proud to have contributed to their future endeavors."

Drs. Kariko and Weissman's early mRNA discoveries have laid the foundation for swift vaccine development - Pfizer-BioNTech designed its coronavirus vaccine in a matter of hours with Moderna quick to follow. More than a billion COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have been administered worldwide.

To listen to a special Northwell Health 20-Minute Health Talk podcast featuring Drs. Kariko and Weissman at the 2022 Ross Prize symposium, click here.

In May 2023, The Feinstein Institutes selected two scientists from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Helen H. Hobbs, MD, and Jonathan C. Cohen, PhD, to receive the 10th annual Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine for groundbreaking research in dyslipidemias and metabolic liver disease. This team was the first to discover the genetic cause of fatty liver disease in humans and their ongoing work has led to a new class of drugs that lower cholesterol.

To learn more about the Ross Prize and symposium click here. If you would like to nominate a candidate for the 2024 Ross Prize, please make a submission here.

Past recipients of the Ross Prize are: Helen H. Hobbs, MD, Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, director of the Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth; Jonathan C. Cohen, PhD, professor of Internal Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition and Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development; Katalin Kariko, PhD, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, adjunct professor and senior vice president at BioNTech; Drew Weissman, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine Roberts Family Professor of Vaccine Research; Adrian R. Krainer, PhD, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Professor; Daniel Kastner, MD, PhD, the National Institutes of Health's National Human Genome Research Institute scientific director; Huda Y. Zoghbi, MD, professor, Departments of Pediatrics, Molecular and Human Genetics, Neurology and Neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine; Jeffrey V. Ravetch, MD, PhD, the Theresa and Eugene M. Lang Professor and head of the Leonard Wagner Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology at The Rockefeller University; Charles N. Serhan, PhD, DSc, director of the Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury at Brigham and Women's Hospital, the Simon Gelman Professor of Anaesthesia at Harvard Medical School and professor at Harvard School of Dental Medicine; Lewis C. Cantley, PhD, the Meyer Director of the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medical College and New York-Presbyterian Hospital; John J. O'Shea, MD, scientific director at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; and Dan R. Littman, MD, PhD, the Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Professor of Molecular Immunology in the Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine at New York University School of Medicine.

About the Feinstein Institutes

The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research is the home of the research institutes of Northwell Health, the largest health care provider and private employer in New York State. Encompassing 50 research labs, 3,000 clinical research studies and 5,000 researchers and staff, the Feinstein Institutes raises the standard of medical innovation through its five institutes of behavioral science, bioelectronic medicine, cancer, health system science, and molecular medicine. We make breakthroughs in genetics, oncology, brain research, mental health, autoimmunity, and are the global scientific leader in bioelectronic medicine - a new field of science that has the potential to revolutionize medicine. For more information about how we produce knowledge to cure disease, visit http://feinstein.northwell.edu and follow us on LinkedIn.

About Molecular Medicine

Molecular Medicine sits at the forefront of its field, rapidly disseminating discovery in the genetic, molecular, and cellular basis of physiology and disease across a broad range of specialties. With over two decades of experience publishing to a multidisciplinary audience, and continually celebrating innovation through the 'Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine' and 'Anthony Cerami Award in Translational Medicine', the journal strives towards the design of better molecular tools for disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Molecular Medicine is published by BMC, part of Springer/Nature, in partnership with The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research.

About the New York Academy of Sciences

The New York of Academy of Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit organization that since 1817 has been committed to advancing science for the benefit of society. With more than 20,000 Members in 100 countries, the Academy advances scientific and technical knowledge, addresses global challenges with science-based solutions, and sponsors a wide variety of educational initiatives at all levels for STEM and STEM related fields. The Academy hosts programs and publishes content in the life and physical sciences, the social sciences, nutrition, artificial intelligence, computer science, and sustainability. The Academy also provides professional and educational resources for researchers across all phases of their careers. Please visit us online at www.nyas.org.

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GM Financial to Release Third Quarter 2023 Operating Results

GENERAL MOTORS FINANCIAL COMPANY, INC. ("GM Financial" or the "Company") will release its third quarter 2023 operating results on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.

The press release and earnings presentation for fixed income investors will be posted to the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.gmfinancial.com. Questions on thematerials should be directed to GM Financial's Investor Relations Department.







The company's subsequent earnings announcements are scheduled as follows:

Q4 and full-year 2023 - Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Q1 2024 - Tuesday, April 23, 2024

About GM Financial

General Motors Financial Company, Inc. is the wholly owned captive finance subsidiary of General Motors Company and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, visit www.gmfinancial.com.

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The U.S. Supreme Court begins the first day of its new term with a case about whether and indeed means and (as some lower courts have ruled), or if it means or (as another lower court has ruled). The case may be thrilling to those who follow the intricacies of the Supreme Court, but it has less political weight than those that have allowed the court to unleash a conservative revolution.

That said, the new term also includes politically weighty issues, such as freedom of expression on social media, the use of the abortion pill, electoral maps, the right to bear arms and the powers of the financial sector watchdog and other public agencies. The big question, however, is whether the Supreme Court will have to rule on any of the trials facing Donald Trump, the former president who appointed three of the nine members of the court. Or if it will have a say in whether he can run in the 2024 presidential elections.

The Supreme Courts last term ended with a further shift to the right, with the justices burying affirmative action in universities, giving license to discriminate against same-sex couples on the grounds of freedom of expression and rejecting part of President Joe Bidens plan to cancel or reduce student loan debt. Until these last rulings, the Supreme Court had resolved most cases with relative consensus and with more focused positions than the previous term. In 2022, the Supreme Court repealed the federal right to abortion, undermined the fight against climate change, expanded the right to carry firearms, gave a greater role to religion in schools, questioned the mandatory vaccination of workers against Covid and removed power from federal agencies.

These sentences badly damaged the reputation of the court, as did the scandals involving the donations, gifts and undeclared perks received by some of the justices. With its prestige on the rocks, the Supreme Court begins its new term on Monday. It has a calendar of scheduled hearings, but more may be added to the list during the year.

Trump cases

The justices are set to hear one case involving Trump, but only tangentially. When he was a candidate in the primaries for the 2016 elections, he called his rival, Senator Marco Rubio, little Marco. Rubio, tired of his contempt, stood up in a debate and said: You know what they say about men with small hands... You cant trust them. At other rallies, Rubio insisted that his hands were too small.

In 2018, Steve Elster, a progressive activist, tried to register the trademark Trump too small, but the patent office rejected it, as the law requires consent of the person cited. Elster appealed, and a court ruled in his favor last year, alleging that his freedom of expression was being violated, since Trump is a public figure. The patent office appealed, and the Supreme Court will decide in the case Vidal v. Elster. The hearing is scheduled for November 1.

The most important cases concerning Trump are not on the agenda. On the one hand, Trump is facing four indictments for 91 crimes. Federal judges are weighing various appeals related to the prosecution of Trump in federal courts in Washington and Florida, and state courts in Georgia and New York. Its by no means certain the court will be asked to weigh in, but its also not out of the question.

More importantly, there is the legal argument over whether Trump is disqualified from running in the 2024 elections under Section Three of Article 14 of the Constitution. This states: No person shall be [...] president [...] who, having previously taken an oath [...] to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

Some states have filed lawsuits to keep Trump off the ballot. If a state court invokes it to kick the former president off the 2024 voting list, the Supreme Court seems likely to get involved.

Other important cases

While its not on the calendar yet, a case concerning the abortion pill mifepristone is likely to reach the Supreme Court. A federal judge in Texas ruled to block its approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A federal appeals court allowed its use, but added restrictions, while it decided on the merits of the appeal. The Supreme Court later cautiously preserved access to the drug, but the case is moving forward in federal court and seems destined, this year or next, to reach the Supreme Court.

The courts calendar is already filled with cases that are set to mark the lives of Americans. Two of the last cases admitted  Moody v. NetChoice and NetChoice v. Paxton  will define the contours of free speech on social media. The lawsuits between tech companies and the states of Texas and Florida will decide whether the social media platforms can act as editors and moderate content. In other words, it will set down whether social media companies can block messages that they dont want posted (such as hate speech or incitements to violence) or if users have the right to express themselves without moderation.

The right to bear arms will also return to the Supreme Court with the case United States v Rahimi. The justices expanded gun rights last year in a ruling that invalidated restrictions imposed by the state of New York. Now, it is hearing on a rule that bans people subject to a restraining order for domestic violence from possessing a weapon. At question is whether that rule violates the Second Amendment, which enshrines the right to keep and bear arms. The sentence will have a double meaning in the midst of the indictment against Bidens son, Hunter, who has been charged for possessing a gun when he was a drug addict.

Several cases take aim at public agencies. In Consumer Financial Protection Bureau v. Community Financial Services Association, justices will decide whether it is legal for the Financial Consumer Protection Bureau to operate with funds received from the Federal Reserve, as has been happening since the body was created following the financial crisis. A court ruled that it was illegal, and that the money should have been authorized by Congress. If the Supreme Court backs this ruling, the bureaus actions and regulations over the past decade could be challenged, with catastrophic economic consequences, according to mortgage associations and real estate employers.

Meanwhile, the case SEC v. Jarkesy calls into question the authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). George Jarkesy claimed his right to a jury trial after being fined $300,000 and asked to return $685,000 of illicit benefits for an administrative procedure. He appealed, and a court ruled in his favor. Now, the Supreme Court will redefine the contours of the SECs actions. And in another case, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, justices will again have the opportunity to limit the power of government agencies, a favorite pastime of the conservative-led court.

The Supreme Court will also address Purdue Pharmas bankruptcy in a hearing in December, as announced in August. In that instance, the justices blocked a bankruptcy deal that would have protected members of the billionaire Sackler family  which once controlled the company  from additional civil lawsuits over the opioid epidemic and that limited the Sacklers personal liability to $6 billion. The case is Harrington v. Purdue Pharma.

The first day of the new term begins on Monday with Pulsifer v. United States, the convoluted case over the meaning of the word and. It, however, may affect more than 10,000 people convicted of minor drug trafficking offenses. The case concerns a rule which says that justices do not need to impose the statutory mandatory minimum, but, rather, that it is at their discretion, if the individual does not have a criminal record of type A, type B and type C  to put it simply. The tricky wording means that some judges interpret the rule to mean that if the individual falls into one of the three categories, they cannot be considered for a more lenient sentence, while others believe that the individual has to meet all three conditions in order to be excluded. A ruling is set to be made in a few months.

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[October 02, 2023] SPS Family Rebrands to Axtella Tweet

SPS Family, the parent company of broker-dealers Sigma Financial Corporation and Parkland Securities, LLC, and Registered Investment Advisor, Sigma Planning Corporation, has rebranded as Axtella. The rebrand marks a new chapter for the 40+ year old organization and the network of more than 700 financial professionals it serves. Axtella will build on its history of advisor growth and empowerment with its appetite for technological innovation and organizational growth. Axtella announced the rebranding today at the organization's annual Vision Conference, which brings together its financial professional network for three days of development and education. "We have a proven 40-year history of pioneering together with our financial professionals and supporting them through each phase of their business development," said Jerry Rydell, the firm's owner and CEO. "There is a richness to our organization, and our legacy is woven into the fabric of who we are. Moving forward as Axtella, we honor our roots while simultaneously setting a fresh benchmark." The inspiration for the new brand draws from powerful root words-stellar, nexus, and constellation-that resonate with the organization's core values. As part of the rebranding, the organization redefined its principles, built on unwavering commitment, community spirit, authenticity, inspiring greatness, and a dedication to humanizing the wealth management experience. "Our firm has a storied history of challenging norms within the industry, and we are unceasingly refining and innovating, keeping the needs of our financial professionals and their clients as the guide for our strategic choices," said Brandon Rydell, president of Axtella. "Our mid-sized structure allows us to remain agile, independently held, and fre from bureaucratic obstacles. This positions us uniquely in the market, permitting us time to establish and foster impactful connections, spearhead innovation, and develop tailor-made resolutions for our financial professionals."



Axtella prides itself on its hands-on, unique methodology that meets financial professionals exactly where they are. Axtella's mission focuses on eliminating administrative burdens, enabling the prioritization of meaningful tasks, nurturing long-term client relationships, and helping to secure clients' financial futures. A key element of Axtella's ethos is its dedication to preserving its legacy. The firm's comprehensive succession planning program, combined with its meticulous onboarding support program, LaunchPad, ensures smooth transitions and business continuity. Axtella's uncomplicated fees structure also provides financial professionals with an extensive toolkit, eliminating any concerns of hidden charges.

"With our new brand, Axtella, we're setting new standards in the financial services industry - redefining the norms, entering a new era of service excellence, and crafting unique experiences that set a high bar," said Maria Bethel, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Axtella. "With our heritage as our compass, we're carving a path to a future of exploring infinite possibilities. We're committed to fostering a collaborative environment and furnishing our financial professionals with the keys to unlock exceptional client experiences." For more information about Axtella, visit www.axtella.com. About Axtella Axtella, the parent company of broker-dealers Sigma Financial Corporation and Parkland Securities, LLC, and registered investment advisor, Sigma Planning Corporation, serves a growing network of 700+ financial advisors. Led by owner and CEO Jerry Rydell and President Brandon Rydell, Axtella boasts over four decades of industry leadership, merging tradition with innovation in the services and tools it provides its network of advisors. Its unique, independent structure fosters collaboration, emphasizes advisor autonomy, and delivers customized solutions. Axtella offers comprehensive technology support, advisor growth resources and education and comprehensive advisor succession solutions. For more information, visit www.axtella.com. Securities offered through Sigma Financial Corporation and Parkland Securities, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. Investment Advisory services offered through Sigma Planning Corporation, a registered investment advisor. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002005577/en/

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[October 02, 2023] CORNERSTONE CAPITAL BANK CELEBRATES ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF MERGER Tweet

HOUSTON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cornerstone Capital Bank celebrates the one-year anniversary of its formation, and the historic combination between Cornerstone Home Lending and Roscoe Bank. The merger, which took place in October 2022, teamed organizations with nearly 150 years of collective operating success to create the highest initially capitalized bank in Texas history. Cornerstone Capital Bank's tenure has been marked by strong growth and balance sheet strength. While the banking sector experienced a 4.8% decline in year-over-year deposit growth, Cornerstone achieved an extraordinary 44% increase. It produced outstanding results in asset, total deposit, demand deposit, and core deposit growth, securing a top position among Texas-based banks of similar asset size during the second quarter. Its nationally recognized mortgage lending team will originate over $8 billion in home loans to families in 2023, and its leading mortgage servicing operation expects to achieve record levels of loans serviced. "We are proud to celebrate thesuccess of our unprecedented journey with our clients, partners, and supporters," said Scott Almy, President and CEO of Cornerstone Capital Bank. "As we remain committed to our corporate mission of more broadly serving others in communities across the country, we are also taking a moment to reflect on our rich history and past accomplishments. We are absolutely focused on delivering more innovative and diversified financial services. Despite our success, we have barely scratched the surface of our plans and merger synergy opportunities."



Some of the celebratory events include: Millions of dollars of commitments to community organizations serving Cornerstone markets;

Local, state, and national government office proclamations/recognitions;

A tribute from Cornerstone's clients through personal impact stories and testimonials;

Interactive activities to promote collaboration, future thinking, and public engagement in Cornerstone markets via social media channels. Cornerstone currently originates mortgage loans in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia, and provides full-service, in-house mortgage loan servicing operations that combine a superior record of customer care and industry-leading technologies. The commercial and institutional banking divisions offer deposit and lending services to consumers, businesses, and financial institutions across the country. Roscoe Bank has branch locations in Bastrop, Roscoe, and Sweetwater, Texas. Leading digital banking services and Houston-based concierge banking services are expected to commence in early 2024. For more information, please visit www.cornerstonecapital.com, www.houseloan.com, and www.rsb.bank.

Media Contact:

Chey Loraine-Gerz

VP Brand & Marketing Strategy

PH:480-789-0794 Email: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cornerstone-capital-bank-celebrates-one-year-anniversary-of-merger-301944864.html SOURCE Cornerstone Capital Bank

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[October 02, 2023]

Larry Hogan Joins Worldwide Speakers Group

Worldwide Speakers Group (WWSG) is proud to announce that former Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan has joined their roster of global thought leaders.

BALTIMORE and WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Worldwide Speakers Group (WWSG) is proud to announce that former Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan has joined their roster of global thought leaders. WWSG will facilitate the former Governor's global speaking engagements exclusively.

"Worldwide Speakers Group is a leader in its industry, and I am honored to join the roster of distinguished thought leaders that WWSG currently represents. I look forward to continuing working with Bob Thomas, Dan Sims, and the entire WWSG team," said former Governor Hogan.

Larry Hogan isn't a career politician. A best-selling author, lifelong small business owner, cancer survivor, and the most popular Governor in the history of Maryland, Governor Hogan's unique insights into crisis management and leadership have been recognized internationally.

Hogan's array of relevant speech topics include: Unity, Civility, Crisis Leadership and Communications, Workforce Development, Cybersecurity Infrastructure, Economic Turnaround, and remarks on the upcoming election as it may pertain to specific indusries.







The former Governor joins several other high-profile thought leaders to sign with WWSG, including The Honourable Stephen Harper (22nd Prime Minister of Canada), Robert Zoellick (Former World Bank President), Sheila Bair (19th Chair of the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), Gary Locke (21st Governor of Washington and Former Secretary of Commerce), Niall Ferguson (Visionary Historian and Author), Chris Miller (Award-Winning Author of Chip War and Macroeconomic and Geopolitical Advisor), General John Kelly (Former Secretary of Homeland Security & Chief of Staff to the President), Elaine Chao (Former Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Labor), and many more.

Worldwide Speakers Group operates on six continents representing an elite roster of global thought leaders, working with multinational financial services and healthcare organizations, trade associations, colleges and universities, and public lecture series to skillfully connect them with the world's top speakers. For more information, visit wwsg.com or call (703) 373-WWSG (9974).

Contact:

Kaylie Abela

***@wwsg.com

Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12986512

Press release distributed by PRLog

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/larry-hogan-joins-worldwide-speakers-group-301944787.html

SOURCE Worldwide Speakers Group
[October 02, 2023] Amanda Connell Named First Northern Bank's Senior Vice President/Operations Administrator Tweet

Jeremiah Smith, First Northern Bank's President and Chief Executive Officer, is pleased to announce that Amanda Connell has accepted the position of Senior Vice President/Operations Administrator. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002747766/en/ Amanda Connell, Senior Vice President/Operations Administrator (Photo: Business Wire) Amanda joined First Northern Bank in 2022 as Vice President/Customer Experience Officer for the Information Services Department, where she managed the advancement of the Bank's information technology in areas that improve internal and external customer experiences. She has extensive banking experience in Risk Management, Operations Administration, Branch Operations, and Compliance. Prior to joining First Northern Bank, Amanda served as Senior Vice President, Director of Customer Relationships and Operations for River Valley Community Bank in Yuba City. In her new role as Senior Vice President/Operations Administrator, Amanda will join the Bank's Senior Management Team, and will have oversight of branch operations, operation administration, bank security, facilities, and purchasing. She will also be responsible for bank-wide operational efficiencies, policies and procedures, fraud management, and project management. Amanda is a member of the Bank's Information Services Steering Committee, Compliance Committee, Asset Liability Committee, Deposit Product Pricing Committee, and the Superior Service Committee. Amanda is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School in Seattle, Washington and holds an Executive Leadership Certificate from the University of Washington Foster School of Business in Seattle, Washington. She is also currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California Coast University in Santa Ana, California. Amanda holds certifications as a BSA/AML Professional, a Community Bank Compliance Officer, and a Community Bank Security Officer. Amanda is a Board Trustee for Penn Valley Unified Elementary School District and the Secretary for West Coast Anti-Money Laundering Forum. Her volunteer efforts include teaching financial literacy in local schools through Junior Achievement, volunteering with local 4H chapters, and holding various board positions for youth activities and other community events. Amanda is a native of Nevada Couty, California, where she currently resides with her husband and two children. She enjoys practicing and teaching yoga, traveling, and spending time with her family.



Amanda's office is located at 210 Stratford Avenue, Dixon, CA 95620. About First Northern Bank

First Northern Bank is a local community bank headquartered in Dixon, California with 14 branch offices throughout the Solano, Greater Sacramento, and North Valley regions. The Bank was established in 1910 with a vision for providing a better kind of banking for local businesses and residents. In 1996, the Board of Directors adopted a Policy of Independence to share with its employees, customers and shareholders, its intention of remaining an independent community bank. Today First Northern Bank is the Solano and Greater Sacramento Region's #1 local leader in small-business lending and customer satisfaction. The Bank attributes much of its success to providing a deeper level of relationship banking. Experts are available in small-business, commercial, real estate and agribusiness lending, as well as mortgage lending. The Bank underwrites and funds a full range of business lines of credit, equipment loans and leases, owner and investor commercial real estate loans, construction loans, commercial & industrial loans, SBA 504 and 7A loans, letters of credit, and business acquisition loans. The Bank is an SBA Preferred Lender. Non-FDIC insured Investment and Brokerage Services are available at every branch location, including: Auburn, Colusa, Davis, Dixon, Fairfield, Orland, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, Vacaville, West Sacramento, Willows, Winters, and Woodland. The Bank has a commercial lending office in Walnut Creek. Real estate mortgage and small-business loan officers are available by appointment in any of the Bank's branches. First Northern is rated as a Veribanc "Green 3-Star" Bank and a "5-Star Superior" Bank by Bauer Financial, for the earnings period of June 30, 2023 (www.veribanc.com and www.bauerfinancial.com). The Bank can be found on the Web at www.thatsmybank.com, on Facebook and on LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may include certain "forward-looking statements" about First Northern Community Bancorp and its subsidiaries (the "Company"). These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, including but not limited to statements about market conditions and current expectations about strategic focus and competitive advantages, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory factors. More detailed information about these risk factors is contained in the Company's most recent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, each as it may be amended from time to time, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The financial information contained in this release should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, and any reports on Form 8-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which they are made. For further information regarding the Company, please read the Company's reports filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002747766/en/

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[October 02, 2023] MTX APAC Expands Footprint to Singapore Tweet

SINGAPORE, Oct. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MTX APAC is excited to announce the opening of its Singapore operating entity, further expanding its presence across APAC. This expansion is part of MTX APAC's global growth strategy that will bring domain experience in government, healthcare, financial services, and higher education. Government: An effective people-centric transformation journey requires industry thought leadership and expertise in policies, business workflows and outcome-focused strategy. MTX sees an opportunity to fill the gap in the public sector ecosystem as a premier SaaS implementation partner that leads with outcomes in happiness, health and economics. Healthcare: By implementing safe and generative AI solutions, healthcare providers can enhance patient care through more accurate diagnostics, personalised care plans, and faster access to critical medical information. Financial Services: With the demand for CRM + Data + AI on the rise, this expansion brings speed, precision and innovation to the banking, insurance, asset, and wealth management industries throughout ASEAN. Higher Education: Disruptive transformation is necessary to enhance student engagement, wellness and lifecyclemanagement. MTX brings an unbiased approach to drive outcomes using CRM + Data + AI and human centric approach to digital transformation.



"The ASEAN region represents a global hub for trade and is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world for digital adoption. As MTX APAC continues to show up and build relationships & trust, our flexible approach with long-term commitments will be evident," said Das Nobel, Co-Founder of MTX APAC. As part of the APAC expansion, MTX appointed Vijay Pagadala as their Managing Director for ASEAN and Chief Growth Officer for APAC. Vijay joins MTX APAC with over 25+ years of experience across ASEAN, ANZ, and global markets. He brings extensive experience working with government regulators, statutory boards, service providers and commercial entities in crafting several unique and complex programs. Vijay will lead MTX APAC's initiatives in ASEAN with investment in talent and topline growth.

"I look forward to working alongside the leadership team at MTX APAC to provide innovative growth and expansion mechanisms across ANZ and ASEAN markets. With Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore as pivots in this strategy, we will ensure that our core values remain in practice, while meeting our growth objectives," said Vijay Pagadala, Chief Growth Officer of MTX APAC. MTX APAC core values are people, culture, and speed to market realisation, while creating impact for the communities they serve. "The addition of Vijay is a significant milestone for our focused growth throughout the APAC region, while we remain incredibly dedicated to client success," said Sudeep Acharya, Co-Founder & CEO of MTX APAC. About MTX APAC

MTX APAC is a premier technology consulting firm that enables organisations to modernise through digital transformation. With data as the new currency, MTX APAC helps transform long-term strategy with outcomes in mind around happiness, health and economics. MTX APAC improves decision-making with speed and quality by partnering with leading cloud technologies. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/mtx-apac-expands-footprint-to-singapore-301944962.html SOURCE MTX Group

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[October 02, 2023] Muscle Lab Advances Wellness Ecosystem with Cryo.AI Acquisition, Launches AI Workshops and Offers Free Memberships to Armenian High School Students Tweet

Los Angeles-Based Health Hub, Muscle Lab, Provides Complimentary Wellness Memberships to Local High Schools LOS ANGELES, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Muscle Lab, the Los Angeles-based health company used by professional athletes and celebrities, is pushing the boundaries of holistic solutions behind the acquisition of Cryo.AI, a vital move in enhancing its AI-driven wellness solutions. Armenian students will enjoy free memberships while other local high school students will receive 50% off Muscle Lab One Additionally, the launch of an AI Workshop series and the announcement of a philanthropic initiative for local high school students comes as a testament to Muscle Lab's commitment to fostering an integrative wellness community. "The AI workshops are not merely about wellness, they're about employing AI as a life enhancer," Muscle Lab co-founder, Andy Treys, said. "We aim to educate and equip our community members with the knowledge needed to harness the power of AI for the improvement of their daily lives." Along with the public AI Workshop series, another key component of this endeavor will afford thousands of high school students throughout Southern California



Treys, an Armenian-American, created the complimentary membership offer as a personal and sincere gesture to the ongoing crisis in Artsakh. Beginning in mid-November, Muscle Lab is set to extend free Muscle Lab One memberships to Armenian students enrolled at the Alex Pilibos, AGBU, Holy Martyrs Ferrahian and Mesrobian institutions. Muscle Lab has started the process of establishing direct lines of communication with the respective Armenian high school principals to ensure a seamless integration of this offering.

Simultaneously, all other high school students will be able to benefit from a 50% discount on Muscle Lab One memberships, thus making wellness more accessible to a younger generation. "Our objective is to empower the youth by providing them with the tools, resources and knowledge that will enhance their wellness and intellectual growth," Treys said. "This initiative is a step towards instilling a culture of health and technological adeptness not only among Armenian students, but all adolescents, ensuring they have a solid foundation to become the thought leaders of tomorrow, and ultimately, shaping a brighter future." Muscle Lab One, the flagship offering at Muscle Lab, provides its members with a plethora of groundbreaking wellness solutions. At the heart of these offerings lies the Custom Recovery Plans that employ the power of AI to curate personalized roadmaps tailored to the unique needs and goals of each individual. These plans ensure that members get the most effective and targeted recovery strategies, optimizing performance and health. Furthermore, the AI Wellness App Store stands as a testament to Muscle Lab's commitment to integrating technology into wellness. This store offers a curated selection of AI-powered applications, each designed to address specific aspects of wellness, from nutrition tracking to sleep optimization. Muscle Lab continues to redefine wellness standards through a blend of personalized services, advanced technology and a strong sense of community. This trifecta of new developments reinforces the company's position as a trailblazer in the holistic wellness sector. The series of AI Workshops and the special membership offer for high school students epitomize the brand's ethos of community-centric wellness. Through these ventures, Muscle Lab hopes to inspire a culture of continuous learning, wellness and innovation, specifically among the youth who are the torchbearers of the future. Discover the reinvigorated wellness experience Muscle Lab offers by visiting www.musclelab.la. For media inquiries, please refer to the contact information below. About Muscle Lab Muscle Lab stands at the juncture of advanced technology and bespoke wellness solutions, continually setting new benchmarks in personalized health and wellness services. With a clientele that spans professional athletes, celebrities and wellness aficionados, Muscle Lab champions a personalized and community-centric approach to wellness, nurturing a culture of health-conscious innovators. Media Contact

Jacob Crossman

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/muscle-lab-advances-wellness-ecosystem-with-cryoai-acquisition-launches-ai-workshops-and-offers-free-memberships-to-armenian-high-school-students-301944969.html SOURCE Muscle Lab

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[October 02, 2023] TRADEZERO APPOINTS LEO CICCONE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER ('CCO') OF TRADEZERO CANADA SECURITIES ULC Tweet

Expert in Compliance, Risk, and Governance Brings Over 30 Years of Senior Leadership Experience OAKVILLE, ON, Oct. 2, 2023 /CNW/ -- TradeZero Holding Corp., which operates broker-dealer subsidiaries that provide next-generation online trading platforms for active retail traders, announced that Leo Ciccone has been appointed as Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of TradeZero Canada Securities ULC.



Ciccone is an expert in compliance, risk, and governance. With more than 30 years of senior leadership roles with investment dealers in Canada and the US, he has worked collaboratively with both business leaders and regulators to ensure policies, procedures and practices satisfy industry requirements and standards. "Leo brings to TradeZero broad and comprehensive experience coupled with deep business and regulatory relationships that will assist us in ensuring we meet and exceed industry best practices and to further our growth initiatives going forward. We are excited to welcome him to the TradeZero Canada team," said Dan Pipitone, CEO of TradeZero Holding Corp.

Prior to joining TradeZero Canada, Ciccone served as CCO and CFO with both bank-owned and independent dealers and continues to serve the investment industry as an active member of regulatory disciplinary committees and industry sub-committees. About TradeZero TradeZero Holding Corp. owns TradeZero America, Inc., a U.S. broker-dealer that is a member of The New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Arca, Inc., NYSE American LLC, Nasdaq, Nasdaq BX, Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc. and FINRA. TradeZero Holding Corp. also owns TradeZero Canada Securities ULC, a CIRO registered dealer in Ontario and TradeZero, Inc., a Bahamas based broker-dealer registered with the SCB. TradeZero's innovative features and capabilities for stock shorting accommodate all types of retail traders, especially the active trader. Visit https://www.tradezero.com for more information. SOURCE TradeZero USA Inc.

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Here's a common complaint . . .

ACTUALLY, KANSAS CITY STAR REPORTING GAVE UP OBJECTIVITY LONG AGO & EDITORIAL BIAS IS OFTEN REFLECTED IN NEWS COVERAGE!!!

Here's one example or at least a snoozy effort to spice up an otherwise sleepy book fair . . . Note the lead and the tone of the reporting . . .



"The inaugural Heartland Book Festival next weekend is not the Kansas City Public Librarys response to the recent wave of book bans or the far-right Republicans in the Missouri state legislature who have looked to defund and demonize libraries.



"But . . ."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
KYODO NEWS - Oct 2, 2023 - 13:29 | All, Feature, Japan

Participants in Japan's hometown tax program, which allows people to "donate" some of their tax payments to a municipality of their choice in return for gifts or experiences, may need to increase their contributions or face reductions in gift sizes after the central government tightened regulations on Sunday.

Last month, ahead of the changes, competition intensified among the numerous intermediary websites for "furusato nozei," as the program is called in Japanese, while some people scrambled to make donations to take advantage of benefits under the previous system.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has tightened rules for calculating expenses from October, as under the program local authorities must keep the total value of gifts, which are often locally produced specialty foodstuffs and products, and other costs including shipping fees below 50 percent of the donations they receive.

According to the new rules, expenses that were previously exempted must now be included in the total.

Specifically, administrative costs of the "one-stop special exception," which remove the need to file a tax return, and the costs of issuing a certificate of receipt of donations must be included. Fees paid to intermediary websites are also treated as expenses in full, even if they are listed as system management fees.

This is because some municipalities' offerings tally up to more than 50 percent when these costs are included, with a senior internal affairs ministry official commenting that "at least half of the donations should be used to stimulate local (economies)."

"This is an 'evasion of the law,' and cannot be overlooked any longer," the official said.

Local governments are responding to the new rules by either raising prices or by cost-cutting through reductions in gift sizes and quantities.

Intermediary sites saw a surge in donations late last month after announcing the rules would change, while some municipalities also encouraged donations before the new regulations took effect.

How regions are managing the changes has varied greatly. Aomori Prefecture in northeastern Japan, which offers around 60 different kinds of gifts including apples and scallops, is increasing its prices by about 30 percent as shipping costs and the rising price of raw materials have impacted the equation.

Meanwhile, some municipalities are focusing on "travel and experience" gifts in the form of tickets to local events, therefore reducing shipping costs.

Intermediary operators are also making moves. Major intermediary site Satofull Co. has introduced a new plan offering a discount on some commissions if municipalities outsource their entire program management to the firm, touting the potential for reduced costs and increases in market share.

Fujiyoshida in Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo, ranked ninth in Japan in terms of donations in fiscal 2022. Since it has previously kept expenses, including administrative costs, under 50 percent, changes to its gifts are not necessary even under the new rules.

But with the rules of the home tax program changing almost every year, each shift has caused confusion among local authorities.

"I understand the purpose of regulation, but it is too complicated," one Fujiyoshida official said. "We want more effort put into measures that will lead to increased income for local governments, such as restrictions on intermediary fees."

Related coverage:

New wave of price hikes, tax-related rule changes await Japan in Oct.

Japan mulls support for low-income earners in new economic package

FEATURE: Startups in Japan gear up to make "tree sake" the next big thing
We've often discussed Kansas missing out on MILLIONS in marijuana revenue whilst the rest of the nations legalizes the nation's favorite cash crop.

However . . .

We reach back just a bit to reference health objections from a conservative JoCo politico who take a political position in the OVERWHELMING MINORITY which cites health news that seem to offer a new spin on "Reefer Madness" considerations.

Check-it:



"New research confirms what we already knew...smoking weed is not good for you! As this research shows, marijuana loads your body up with carcinogens like cadmium, and with lead which causes an increased risk of reproductive problems in both men and women, hearing and vision impairment, high blood pressure, nerve disorders, muscle and joint pain, brain damage, reduced IQ and learning difficulties. And those are just two of the heavy metals you ingest when you use pot."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

The state senator linked a foreign rag but this article cites the same data . . .

Marijuana users have elevated levels of heavy metals in their blood, urine: study A study has found that marijuana users have elevated levels of heavy metals in their blood and urine compared to those who do not use marijuana. The study, published Wednesday in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal, found that marijuana users had higher levels of lead in their blood and urine compared to non-marijuana users.

Counterpoint . . .

What is Kansas missing by not legalizing marijuana? Lawmakers say millions of dollars and thousands of jobs What is the state of Kansas missing out on by not legalizing some form of marijuana? The question comes after voters in Oklahoma reject a state question to legalize recreational marijuana last week. The state's medical marijuana industry continues to bring in millions of dollars for the state.

You decide . . .
KYODO NEWS - Oct 2, 2023 - 20:45 | World, All

Indonesia on Monday launched Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway network, built with Chinese technology as part of China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

The bullet train service named "Whoosh," inaugurated after several delays and a cost overrun, will link Jakarta and the West Java provincial capital of Bandung, the country's fourth-most populous city.

The train can run on the 142-kilometer line at a maximum speed of 350 km per hour, cutting travel time from approximately three hours to about 40 minutes.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo attended the launch ceremony and rode on the first train departing Halim Station in East Jakarta, getting off at Padalarang Station in West Java, one station before Tegalluar Station in the suburbs of Bandung.

The president, popularly known as Jokowi, said during the ceremony that the new railway "marks the modernization of our mass transportation, which has become more efficient, environmentally friendly and integrated with other modes of transportation."]

Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan, who attended the event, said the railway was completed thanks to cooperation among the project stakeholders, including China and its state-run companies.

Indonesian-Chinese consortium PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China, which funded and built the project, had been offering the public a two-week free trial run before the launch.

Construction began in 2016 and was initially expected to be completed in 2019. But the project was delayed several times due to such problems as land acquisition, environmental issues and the COVID-19 pandemic.

China won the bidding over Japan for the project in 2015. While Japan insisted on a government guarantee for the project, China agreed with Indonesia on a business-to-business contract without a government guarantee or state financing.

The cost was originally expected to be around $6 billion but ballooned to some $7.3 billion after the delays.

In 2021, the president reneged on the government's earlier promise not to tap the state budget to finance completion of the project, drawing criticism from the public.

Dissatisfaction was also voiced over the location of the railway stations as many of them are away from city centers.

Despite these issues, thousands of citizens enthusiastically rode the train during the free trial run period.

Nur Widiyanto, a civil servant from the ancient city of Yogyakarta on Java Island, said, "I am happy and very proud that finally we have had a high-speed train," as he rode the train Saturday.

Pandjaitan said during the launch ceremony that the government will continue providing free-of-charge trial tickets to the public, including people from other countries, until mid-October amid the high popularity of the railway.

The name "Whoosh" is an abbreviation for "time-saving, optimal operation, reliable system" in Indonesian.
A large fire broke out early Monday morning in a police headquarters in northeastern Egypt, injuring at least 38 people, according to the health ministry.

The blaze ripped through the multi-story police headquarters in the Suez Canal province of Ismailia, Egypt, according to Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry. This according to Abdel-Ghaffar, has led to causing significant damage and injuring at least 38 people. The injured were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials say it may have been started by an electrical short circuit.

Of the 38 people injured in the fire at the police headquarters in Ismailia, Egypt, 12 were treated at the site for minor injuries, while 26 were taken to hospitals for further treatment. All but two of the injured were suffering from breathing difficulties. Seven of the injured were treated and discharged from hospitals.
Chicago police are investigating at least three armed robberies that occurred within about three hours early Monday morning on the Near West and South sides.

The first robbery happened at about 12:56 a.m. in Greektown. Police said a man and woman got out of a white sedan and took a 28-year-old womans purse and cellphone at gunpoint. The woman wasnt injured, police said.

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[ Everyone is so freaked out: Armed robbery crews sweep city as Chicago police task forces struggle with brazen crimes ]

About 15 minutes later, police said two men exited a white sedan and stole a 24-year-old mans bag and other belongings at gunpoint. The victim, who wasnt injured, was walking on the sidewalk in the first block of South Western Avenue in the United Center neighborhood, police said.

Later, at about 3:45 a.m., police said several men took a tow-truck drivers belongings at gunpoint in the 5000 block of South Lake Park Avenue in Kenwood. Police said the man wasnt injured.

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Police said detectives havent yet established a pattern or connection between the robberies. No suspects were in custody, and police continue to investigate.

rjohnson@chicagotribune.com
URUMQI, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- A group of 22 journalists from 17 countries concluded a trip to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Friday, after gaining first-hand knowledge about the region's economic and social development, diverse culture and the development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The trip, which started on Sept. 21, took the journalists to various places in Xinjiang, including the regional capital city of Urumqi, Kashgar Prefecture and Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture.

At the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, Simon Max Zeise, a business editor of Berliner Zeitung, found the place to be bustling and a sign of prosperity, and he was keen to buy a present for his daughter.

Zeise said that he had seen the real Xinjiang during his trip. In Germany, you see some people living on the street. But here in Xinjiang, you don't see poverty and don't see people living on the street. They have work, get education and they can benefit from society.

"Xinjiang's economic development is impressive, and I think it has a good future," said Arman Bin Ahmad, a senior news editor at the New Straits Times in Malaysia.

Since ancient times, Xinjiang has been a region where diverse cultures meet. In the ancient city of Kashgar, the journalists strolled through the streets to learn about the rich folk culture.

"Xinjiang is a colorful region full of cultural, religious and ethnic diversity. We're happy to see all these differences living together peacefully," said Mohammad Reza Noroozpour, vice president of the Khabaronline news agency in Iran.

"It's just like a Persian carpet, weaving differences into a beautiful picture," he added.

During their nine-day trip, the journalists also visited the Xinjiang Islamic Institute in Urumqi and the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar, and attended a lecture on protecting the freedom of religious belief in Xinjiang.

"Absolutely, there is freedom of religion in Xinjiang. Anybody who does not say that is ignorant," said Donovan Ralph Martin, CEO and editor-in-chief of the Daily Scrum News of Canada.

At the China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center, Yerzhan Bagdatov, director of Toppress.kz news agency in Kazakhstan was excited.

"The center in Horgos can be a bridge between Kazakhstan and China, and a bridge between China and European countries," said Bagdatov.

Meanwhile, Frank Willems, editor of ChinaSquare.be in Belgium, commented, "Actually, some trains also come from China to Belgium. Even in the town where I'm living in Brussels, we have trains from China, mainly transporting cars. And the cars sell very well in Belgium."

Willems added that he is looking forward to the development of China-Europe freight trains and the Belt and Road Initiative.

During the trip, the journalists also visited an exhibition on the fight against terrorism and extremism in Xinjiang, where they witnessed China's achievements in this regard through photos and video materials.

"I've been studying this topic for more than 10 years," said Mussolini Sinsuat Lidasan, a columnist with Davao Sun Star News of the Philippines. "The exhibition here is comprehensive. China has done a lot but the Western countries still need to learn from China. I hope countries can work together to tackle terrorism." 
Ukrainian attack drones on October 1 hit a Russian aircraft factory where Kh-59 missiles were produced.

That's according to the press service of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"On October 1, 2023, a strike on the Smolensk Aviation Plant disrupted the production of Kh-59 missiles of various modifications," the post reads.

According to confirmed data, three out of four drones hit the target, causing significant damage to the production facilities of the military enterprise of the aggressor state.

According to the Ukrainian military intelligence agency, the Kh-59 air-to-surface missile (in the Kh-59MK2 modification) with a range of up to 280 km is one of the missiles that the Russian Aerospace Forces most often used against military and civilian targets in Ukraine.

The Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions suffer the most from the use of such weapons.

Media reports said on October 1 that unmanned aerial vehicles had attacked the cities of Smolensk and Sochi in Russia.
Croatia is seeking to make a special contribution to humanitarian demining in Ukraine by hosting an international donor conference on demining Ukrainian territories in Zagreb.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, this was stated by Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman before the start of the EU Foreign Affairs Council's offsite meeting in Kyiv on October 2.

"In less than two days, Croatia, together with Ukraine, will host an international donor conference on demining in Ukraine in Zagreb. We hope to draw the attention of the international community to this important issue, which Croatia, like the European Union, sees as a condition for Ukraine's recovery," he said.

Radman emphasized that the Croatian people "understand very well what Ukraine is going through because we had a similar experience of aggression in the 1990s." "That is why we can and do provide assistance in many areas - from demining and reconstruction to war crimes investigations," he added.

According to the Croatian minister, holding the EU Council in Kyiv is also "a signal of how united we are in our support for Ukraine." "Today we will discuss how we can strengthen our commitment to Ukraine's security in line with Ukraine's needs. Of course, Croatia welcomes and supports all these efforts," he said.

As reported, the EU Foreign Affairs Council is holding an offsite meeting in Kyiv today under the chairmanship of EU High Representative Josep Borrell.
The first two Leopard 2 tanks damaged in the combat zone have been repaired at the Polish defense enterprise Bumar-Labedy in Gliwice (southern Poland) and sent to Ukraine

Beata Perkowska, the spokesperson for the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), said this in a comment to Ukrinform.

"Poland has repaired the first two Leopard 2 tanks and has already handed them over to the Ukrainian side," Perkowska said.

She specified that not only Leopard 2s, which Poland transferred to Ukraine, but also all Leopard tanks, which Kyiv received from the international coalition, are being repaired at the defense enterprise in Gliwice.

Bumar-Labedy said in a statement that a few days after the launch of the Leopard tank repair hub, the first tanks that were damaged in the war zone in eastern Ukraine had been delivered to the enterprise.

The company said that Leopard 2A4 tanks were repaired in a "record time - within almost two months" and were handed over to Ukraine on September 29. The tanks were restored to their full combat readiness and they passed post-repair tests at the training ground of the defense enterprise.

The company said it was currently repairing other Leopard tanks for the needs of the Ukrainian army.

The Leopard tank repair hub started operating in Poland on July 23.

Poland initiated the creation of the so-called tank coalition to transfer Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. As part of this coalition, Poland transferred 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. In total, Ukraine received more than 60 tanks of this type from international partners.

Warsaw also handed over 250 T-72 and PT-91 tanks to Kyiv.

Photo: Mykhalchuk Serhii
Defense Minister of Ukraine Rustem Umerov discussed further cooperation and assistance to Ukraine with his Estonian counterpart Hanno Pevkur, who is visiting Ukraine.

According to the Defense Ministry of Ukraine, Umerov thanked Pevkur for Estonia's unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, large-scale support during Russias full-scale war.

"I thank the entire Estonian people for their constant and sincere assistance to Ukraine. We always feel your support on the diplomatic, political, and economic fronts. We highly appreciate everything that Estonia is doing for us in this difficult time of the war," Umerov emphasized.

The foreign delegation was briefed about the current situation on the battlefield and urgent defense needs of Ukraine. The parties discussed in detail the prospects of military cooperation, particularly the implementation of bilateral projects to strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The delegation of the Estonian Defense Ministry and representatives of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry honored the fallen Ukrainian soldiers and laid flowers at the Wall of Remembrance on Mykhailivska Square.

As part of the visit, the foreign guests also visited the towns of Kyiv region suffered from the Russian invasion.

As reported by Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the situation on the battlefield and the needs of Ukrainian defenders with Minister of Defense of the Republic of Estonia Hanno Pevkur, who is visiting Ukraine.
Italy will assume patronage over the reconstruction of Odesa city and Odesa region.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said this in a post on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

"Italy will assume patronage over the reconstruction of Odesa and Odesa region. This was announced today by Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Antonio Tajani," Shmyhal wrote.

At the meeting, the interlocutors discussed the needs for recovery.

"We welcome the opening of the Confindustria representative office in Ukraine and the readiness of the Italian Export Credit Agency to provide financial guarantees to Italian companies. We appreciate the active position of the Italian Government in supporting the rapid recovery of Ukraine," Shmyhal stressed.

He thanked Italy for military, humanitarian and sanctions support and noted that Ukraine expects the adoption of the 12th package of sanctions, which should be aimed at preventing the supply of Western high-tech equipment to Russia.

"We highly appreciate the consistent support from the Italian government and people in our fight against the Russian aggressor for freedom, democracy, and the right to be a full-fledged part of the EU and NATO," concluded Shmyhal.

As reported by Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Antonio Tajani discussed the situation at the front, the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, the Peace Formula and military aid, including air defenses.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Wlachovsky expressed full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as its integration into the EU.

"This is a truly historic and symbolic moment when the ministers of foreign affairs of the European Union member states convene in Kyiv. We came here to express our full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We are also here to support your EU integration ambitions. This year will be very important for this: in November, the European Commission's report [on EU enlargement] will be presented. In December, the leaders of our countries will meet and make decisions [regarding the start of negotiations with Ukraine]," Wlachovsky said ahead of the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

As reported, the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council chaired by EU High Representative Josep Borrell takes place in Kyiv today.

The populist SMER-SD party of pro-Russian ex-prime minister Robert Fico is in the lead in the early parliamentary elections in Slovakia held on September 30. The SMER-SD leader plans to cancel security assistance to Ukraine if he wins the elections.

According to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, the first conclusions about the influence of the election results on support for Ukraine should be made after a coalition in Slovakia is formed.

Photo: mzv.sk
Bulgaria will continue providing support for Ukraine at the diplomatic, political, military and humanitarian levels.

The relevant statement was made by Bulgarian Foreign Affairs Minister Mariya Gabriel prior to an offsite meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Gabriel mentioned that, in solidarity with Ukraine, Bulgaria had recently lifted a ban on Ukrainian grain imports.

According to Gabriel, the Bulgarian side also supports President Zelenskys Peace Formula, and they believe Ukraine must lead this process.

The EU-Ukraine Foreign Ministers meeting in Kyiv is intended to express support for Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders, Gabriel added.

A reminder that, on October 2, 2023, an offsite meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers is taking place in Kyiv.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky has discussed the situation on the battlefield and the needs of Ukrainian defenders with Minister of Defense of the Republic of Estonia Hanno Pevkur, who is visiting Ukraine.

According to the presidents press service, the Head of State thanked Estonia for its leadership in providing comprehensive, effective and timely assistance to Ukraine to counter Russia's ongoing full-scale aggression.

"I am grateful to the government of your country, society and everyone who is close to Ukrainians during the full-scale war with Russia. This is extremely important. We will never forget it. You have helped us a lot and we really appreciate it. This was especially important in the first days of the Russian invasion," Zelensky said.

The President briefed the interlocutor about the situation on the battlefield and the priority needs of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

The possibilities of additional mechanisms of defense assistance to Ukraine from the side of Estonia were discussed.

The parties noted the leading role of the Republic of Estonia in the launch of the IT coalition for Ukraine at the recent meeting in the Ramstein format.

The parties also discussed the further cooperation between the two states on the way to the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.

Photo: Presidents Office
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Published October 2, 2023

CAPTION: Representatives from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, the Contractors Education Trust Fund, and local members of the state legislative delegation attended the check presentation.

MONROE, LA  The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) and the Contractors Education Trust Fund (CEFT) presented a $254,300.84 donation to the ULM Foundation for the ULM School of Construction Management at a ceremony held September 28, 2023.

ULM President Dr. Ron Berry thanked the groups for the donation and applauded their advocacy for the School of Construction Managements students and faculty, as well as the construction industry. It makes a huge difference when were all working together, said Berry.

To date, the LSLBC has donated nearly $2.7 million to ULM's School of Construction Management, and the CETF has given $1.2 million plus funded a $1 million endowed chair that is now worth $1.9 million.



The many years of support from these organizations have allowed the School of Construction Management to improve facilities, technology, and student experiences.

The construction industry in Louisiana does so much to give back, said Michael McDuff, Executive Director of the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. The LSLBC is a vehicle for this donation. This is all coming from the leadership of the construction industry, he added.

The LSLBC and the CETF know graduates from the ULM School of Construction Management are among the best in the world at what they do.

Dr. Michelle McEacharn, Dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences, noted an increase in Construction Management enrollment this semester and also thanked the LSLBC and CETF, saying you have set an example for others.

Dr. Clint Martin is the new Director of the School of Construction Management, stepping into the role on September 1. Martin said he hopes to use the donation to augment the program with more modern touches and continue to increase enrollment. The big idea is to grow the program to where were meeting the needs of the industry, said Martin.



Special guests at the presentation included State Representative Michael Echols, State Representative Foy Gadberry, State Senator Stewart Cathey, Jr., and State Senator Glen Womack.

The School has a 100 percent passage rate on licensing examinations, and a 100 percent placement rate, with most seniors accepting positions before they graduate. The starting salaries of graduates are the highest in the universitys undergraduate programs.



To learn more about the School of Construction Management, please visit https://www.ulm.edu/cbss/construction/program/.
HAIKOU, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- When Randy Floyd came to south China's Hainan Province six years ago, it was just for work. But the local policies were "so advantageous" that he soon decided to open his own company here.

"I had no idea how long I would stay in China or in Hainan. But now, seeing the rapid progress of the free trade port and all the policies, the free flow of people, information and money, I want to stay here for as long as possible," said Floyd, who is from the United States.

Currently running an English foreign language consultation company in Haikou, the provincial capital, Floyd speaks highly of the various policies in Hainan.

"The government is very supportive, and also the innovation parks here are very supportive to help companies with everything they might need to do," he said. "Even if you can't speak Chinese, they will help you do everything."

Floyd is among the abundant talent coming to Hainan as the island province continues deepening its reform and opening-up.

Hainan was once a backwater where residents were engaged in fishing or farming, but through the continuous construction of free trade zones and the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) over the past decade, it is now a vivid example of China's reform and high-level opening-up.

Hainan has hosted a series of diplomatic, economic and cultural gatherings, which have greatly raised the island's profile and exposed the province to the latest business practices and pioneering services.

Major reform and opening-up policies have been rolled out in a variety of sectors. The province's most notable progress is the construction of the Hainan FTP.

On April 13, 2018, China announced it would support Hainan in developing the whole island into a pilot free trade zone, and in gradually exploring and steadily promoting the establishment of an FTP with Chinese characteristics.

A master plan was rolled out in June 2020 to build the island into a globally influential and high-level FTP by the middle of the century.

Many favorable policies have since been issued to support the development of the Hainan FTP, including the implementation of zero tariffs and the easing of market and foreign investment access.

Zhang Youhui, deputy general manager of Hainan Jinhai Pulp and Paper, said the FTP's streamlining of import procedures meant that when his company recently imported 53,000 tonnes of coal, it was no longer required to apply for an automatic import license prior to customs declaration.

"In the past, we needed to apply for a license for each batch of imported coal, which we did at least once a month," Zhang said. The company is located in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone, a pioneer and demonstration area for the Hainan FTP. "The new policies save time and make things much easier."

Official data shows the rapid development of the import and export of goods at the Hainan FTP. After exceeding 100 billion yuan (about 13.9 billion U.S. dollars) in 2021, the total volume of trade in goods exceeded 200 billion yuan in 2022, with an annual growth rate of 36.8 percent.

By the end of July this year, the total value of imported goods under the FTP's zero tariff policies had exceeded 18 billion yuan.

As the construction of the FTP gains steam, Hainan's foreign investment has also grown.

In the first half of this year, Hainan saw the establishment of 732 foreign-invested companies, up 3.5 percent year on year. The actual use of foreign capital totaled 13.37 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 23.3 percent. During the first six months, 63 countries and regions invested in Hainan.

Reforms have also been carried out in the environment sector. As a national ecological civilization pilot zone, Hainan has launched six landmark projects, including the construction of the National Park of the Hainan Tropical Rainforest. So far, at least 28 new wild animal and plant species have been discovered in the park.

Yu Tao, a Hainan FTP researcher at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said that Hainan has made remarkable achievements in economic and social development over the past 10 years.

"For example, Hainan has opened up wider to the outside world through international forums such as the Boao Forum for Asia and the China International Consumer Products Expo," Yu said. "Hainan also made great efforts to advance the construction of the national ecological civilization pilot zone."

These examples all show that over the past 10 years, Hainan has been "accurately and completely implementing the new development philosophy" under the central leadership to promote the comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up, he said.

These reform and opening-up policies have all allowed market players and the public to see a bright future, and they have boosted confidence, Yu noted.

Under the guidance of the central policies and authorities, the Hainan FTP will secure greater achievements in the future, he said. 
NANNING, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Standing on a paddle board with a tailwind as his ally, Wang Chao paddled away from the riverbank and covered a distance of about 30 meters in less than two minutes.

Wang, a 30-year-old sales manager from Guangdong Province, is among a growing number of stand-up paddle boarding enthusiasts opting to enjoy this once niche pastime in Du'an County, known for its turquoise water and a massive network of underwater caves and sinkholes.

Formerly an impoverished and isolated area in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Du'an has transformed into a magnet for tourists from across the country following the opening of its first train station on the newly-launched Guiyang-Nanning high-speed railway on August 31.

"I learned about Du'an a while back but was deterred by the long road travel required to get here. The new high-speed rail line, plus the availability of a long holiday, prompted me to make the decision to come," said Wang.

The 482-km line is the first high-speed railway with a maximum speed of 350 km/h in both Guangxi and neighboring Guizhou Province, cutting travel time between the cities of Nanning and Guiyang from over five hours to about three hours.

Passengers on the new line are in for a special treat as the route passes through a vast expanse of Karst landscape, characterized by majestic mountains that rise abruptly from the terrain and also featuring lush fields of sugar cane and other subtropical crops.

Such attractions are likely to catch the eye of tourists searching their maps for destinations for this year's extended "golden week" holiday that combines the National Day holiday and the Mid-Autumn Festival, and places along the newly-unveiled railway are set to experience spectacularly high levels of tourist arrivals.

Liang Xinyue, head of the tourism center in Du'an, said the opening of the railway was a timely boost for the county's popularity ahead of the eight-day holiday that began on Sept. 29.

"All of our attractions are free-of-charge and world-class, and the number of visitors has risen sharply since the new rail line came into the picture," said Liang. "Nearly all hotels were fully booked for the holiday, and we expect daily visits to Du'an to surpass 31,000 during the holiday period, doubling the figure of 2019."

Wei Liang, a Du'an local who quit his job at a construction site and converted his house near a scenic sinkhole into a 20-room hostel in 2020, said his hostel had been almost fully booked about two weeks before the start of "golden week."

"Nearly half of my guests arrived via the high-speed railway," Wei said.

The unprecedented influx of tourists has put the Du'an local government on alert, as the county's tourism capacity in terms of accommodation and catering is still limited.

"We are bracing for a massive wave of travelers coming in for the first 'golden week' holiday after people took off their masks," said a local tourism official. "We will see if we are adequately prepared to handle the influx and what improvements we will need to make."

China is expected to see 190 million railway trips during the travel rush for this year's "golden week" holiday, according to the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. On Sept. 29, the first day of the holiday, China's railways handled about 20.1 million passenger trips, setting a new record for daily trip numbers.

Footage circulating on Chinese social media has shown traffic jams on multiple highways and packed train stations as millions make journeys home or to tourist attractions.

"For me, it will be a super hectic holiday season, as the railway has made it possible to visit several places," said Li Shanshan, a university student from Nanning, Guangxi's capital, who was traveling to her hometown in Mashan, a small county that has opened a station on the new rail line.

After festive gatherings with her family, Li will hop on a bullet train to Libo, a picturesque county in Guizhou, where she will join her classmates for sightseeing.

The rail line also passes through over 30 ethnic enclaves in mountainous areas, including Huanjiang, a geographically remote and economically underdeveloped county in Guangxi. Home to the vast majority of the Maonan people, one of the smallest ethnic groups in the country, Huanjiang was removed from the poverty list in 2020.

Wu Mengyao, a local Maonan woman who runs a craft workshop focusing on making ethnic wear, bamboo weaving and clay sculpting, saw the new high-speed rail link as a boon for the local economy.

"The workshop was booked solid two weeks before the start of the 'golden week.' Business has never been this hot before, because many potential tourists used to be discouraged by the grueling travel hours by road," said Wu.

"It's just the beginning of a grand transformation," said Wei, who has been discussing the possibility of expanding his business by renovating a couple of old family estates in the village with his brothers. "We expect more opportunities to come, and we'd better be prepared to seize them." 
Amari Bertagnolli

Building connections and promoting inclusivity in the University of Wyoming College of Law are hallmarks of excellence for 2023-24 Brimmer Scholar Amari Bertagnolli, of Laramie.

Established in 2011, the Brimmer Scholarship -- the UW College of Laws top scholarship -- honors the career and service of Clarence Brimmer, a former U.S. District Court judge for Wyoming. The Brimmer Scholarship ensures that Brimmers legacy serves as an inspiration to new generations of legal professionals.

Brimmer practiced law in Rawlins before serving as Wyoming attorney general from 1971-74 and U.S. attorney for the District of Wyoming in 1975. President Gerald Ford appointed Brimmer to the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming in 1975. He served as chief judge from 1986-1992 and stepped into senior status in 2006. He continued serving until his death in 2014.

In addition to Bertagnolli, scholarship finalists were James Bell, of Cody; Heather Bradford, from Sheridan; Amber Ferguson, of Laramie; and Nathan Wise, from Fort Collins, Colo.

The title of Brimmer Scholar comes with the expectation that recipients commit to excellence and service.

During her first year at the College of Law, Bertagnolli served as the student representative for the John Burman Student Government. In that role, she was the liaison with College of Law faculty and administration. She helped address student concerns and foster connections through events and programs.

I especially focused on ensuring fellow students with children had access to resources and were not isolated, she says.

Being a mom of three kids and struggling financially added to the challenges she faced entering law school, Bertagnolli says.

Ultimately, my husband and children have inspired me and made me a better student and aspiring lawyer, she says. I think I performed well academically my first year out of sheer terror. I couldnt handle the thought of disappointing them or myself.

Bertagnolli also credits her job at Ark Regional Services.

Ive had to work out of necessity, but it has been such a valuable experience, she says.

At Ark, she assists and supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The resolve to build trusting relationships with Ark clients and advocate for their interests and wishes carries over to her work in the College of Law Defender Aid Clinic.

A key metric of excellence in the legal field should be the way attorneys relate to clients, Bertagnolli says. One of the most important things I have learned in the clinic, and in law school more generally, is the importance of humanizing clients and enabling their stories to be told.

Reflecting further on the Defender Aid Clinic, she says, There have been some amazing triumphs, but also some devastating defeats. Thats hard to come to terms with, especially when there arent many other options for a client you know deserves better. I suppose its good that Im having to reckon with that before it blindsides me in practice.

Bertagnolli also served as a mentor to first-year law students.

My mentors supported me and helped me find my footing in law school, she says. They and other classmates gave emotional support and shared their wisdom. I believe that kind of collaborative environment is super important. We all do better when we take care of one another.

Bertagnolli served an internship with Legal Aid of Wyoming this past summer, even as she continued with the Defender Aid Clinic. She honed her courtroom skills in August at the two-week Summer Trial Institute sponsored by the UW College of Law. She is now serving as a teaching assistant for legal writing.

A native of Rock Springs, Bertagnolli says she wants to become a public defender or pursue nonprofit advocacy.

I hope to work where Im most needed while also remaining close to family in Wyoming, she says.
ANKARA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's National Intelligence Organization has killed a senior member of the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) during an operation in northern Syrian Qamishli city, the Turkish media reported Monday.

The killed senior YPG member was identified as Muzdelif Taskin, who was accused of being the mastermind behind the 2007 terror attack in the Daglica village of the southeastern Hakkari province, killing 12 soldiers and injuring 16 others, according to the Turkish media.

Taskin was the general public order officer of the YPG, which Ankara considered to be the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the Turkish media said, citing an unnamed security source.

Taskin, codenamed "Aslan Cele" or "Aslan Samura," joined the PKK's rural ranks in 1988 and later crossed from Iraq to Syria.

The Turkish intelligence agency has stepped up its operations abroad in recent years to stamp out terrorist activities in Syria and Iraq, Turkiye's two southeastern neighbors.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States and the EU, has rebelled against the Turkish government for over three decades. 
Germany has welcomed a show of support from China for the G20 debt restructuring framework for poorer countries in a joint statement after their financial dialog in Frankfurt over the weekend.

"We welcome the fact that the Chinese side is also committed to this in our Joint Statement, because solutions are inconceivable without China as such an important player in world politics," German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said Sunday, after his meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.

Neither provided further details on the rules for the restructuring plans and the joint statement did not give specifics.

A source told Reuters in April that China had been expected to drop its demand for multilateral development banks to share losses alongside other creditors in sovereign debt restructurings for poor nations.

It was not immediately clear Sunday whether that had happened.

Some countries such as Germany have argued that with China being by far the largest creditor for many highly indebted countries in Africa and Asia, Beijing should make concessions to speed debt restructuring.

During Sunday's talks, Germany and China also showed their determination to expand market access opportunities between both countries.

"This creates opportunities on both sides for more responsible trade and investment," German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said Sunday.

China is willing to work with Germany to further "mutually beneficial" cooperation, and inject more "positive energy" into their partnership, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday, citing He.

High-ranking representatives of the countries' central banks and supervisory authorities attended the third financial dialog between Berlin and Beijing, as well as companies' representatives.

"It is important for me to emphasize that for the first time in the history of the Financial Dialogue we have established a Financial Roundtable with representatives of important financial institutions and private companies," Lindner said.

Lindner proposed to increase the frequency of financial dialogs between China and Germany, to have these meetings annually instead of every two years, as both countries want faster progress. In politics, two years is a long time, but in financial matters, two years is an eternity, Lindner said.

The meeting took place in Frankfurt, as Germany want to further strengthen this city as a European hub for financial services, the finance minister said.
The daughter of a prominent Uyghur academic reportedly jailed for life in China has appealed for support from scholars around the world, saying authorities have shown her mother no mercy.

The human rights group Dui Hua said last month that China had sentenced Rahile Dawut to life behind bars for "endangering state security," although the government has remained silent about the case.

A leading scholar who had written extensively on Uyghur folklore, Dawut is one of more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities to be swept up in a broad crackdown by the Chinese government in its northwestern region of Xinjiang.

Her daughter, Akeda Pulati  who now lives in the United States  told AFP she hoped her mother's fellow academics in universities across the world could help put pressure on Beijing.

"I hope they don't stay silent," she said.

"I want the world and humanitarian organizations to never forget about the Uyghur people, they are still suffering," she said in a phone interview.

Pulati told AFP she had heard nothing from her mother since December 2017, just before her alleged detention  only confirmed four years later by Radio Free Asia.

Asked about her case last month, China's foreign ministry said it had no information to offer.

Pulati said she was still in contact with family in Xinjiang  who say that her mother is alive, but she cannot ask them for further details.

"I need to make sure they are safe, I don't want to bring any trouble to them," she said.

Pulati voiced anger and frustration at the lack of information from the authorities, as well as the reported sentence.

"I know ... the Chinese government has no mercy for Uyghur people and for my mother, but this result is far beyond my imagination," she said.

"This will be unimaginable, unbearable pain for the rest of my life, if my mom has to spend her life in prison."

The silence of the authorities deepened her fears.

"I assume it's really bad because if she's doing OK, why can't I talk to her?"

Preserving culture

In many ways, Dawut was a model Chinese citizen: an internationally renowned scholar and reportedly a Communist Party member, she blazed a trail for women in her field.

"She showed me how much a woman can achieve," Pulati said.

"All she was doing was just studying the culture and preserving the culture," she said.

Pulati tied her mother's sentencing to a broader crackdown on Xinjiang's intellectuals  a campaign rights groups say has seen hundreds of scholars, doctors, journalists and others detained.

"The Chinese government wants to persecute the Uyghurs and they want to erase Uyghur culture identity by persecuting and imprisoning Uyghur intellectuals," she said.

China insists that Uyghurs rounded up into reeducation camps have now "graduated" and live happier lives free from extremism.

Analysts counter that some camps have been refitted as others have shut down  and that thousands, like Dawut, have been placed into long-term detention.

Rights groups and the United States say the policies against the Uyghurs constitute genocide.

China denies any wrongdoing in Xinjiang and has blasted accusations of genocide as the "lie of the century."

The United States government has condemned Dawut's reported sentence, urging Beijing to "immediately" release her and others unjustly detained.

The United Nations has insisted it is still pushing for accountability for abuses in China's Xinjiang region, after rights groups slammed its "woefully inadequate" response to the crisis.

And Washington has sought to block Chinese companies involved in alleged forced labor in the region from entering the American market.

But Pulati worries that the world has stopped paying attention to the situation in Xinjiang  and says much more can be done.

"Every time something big happens the Uyghur people are usually being forgotten by the international community," she said.
More than 1,000 people have died from dengue fever in Bangladesh this year, making 2023 the deadliest year due to dengue, since the disease was first detected in the country, according to government figures.

The Directorate General of Health Services said that more than 200,000 dengue cases were recorded this year.

In a recent 24-hour period, nearly 3,000 were admitted to hospitals because of dengue, the Daily Star newspaper said.

The Mayo Clinic says dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Mild dengue fever causes a high fever and flu-like symptoms. The severe form of dengue fever, also called dengue hemorrhagic fever, can cause serious bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure [shock] and death.

All our efforts to control the mosquito population have been ineffective, Mushtaq Hussain, a consultant at Bangladeshs Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, told The Daily Star. He said the extended monsoon season is another contributing factor to the high case load.

Some information for this report came from AFP.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday said the bloc remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine, announcing a proposed spending package of up to $5.25 billion for Kyiv in 2024.

Borrell made the comments during a press briefing alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv where EU foreign ministers convened their first ever off-site meeting in a display of support for Ukraine.

Though Monday's meeting in Kyiv was touted by Borrell as a historic first, it comes at an awkward time for the pro-Ukraine Western alliance. A pro-Russian candidate won an election in Slovakia, an EU and NATO member, and the U.S. Congress omitted funding for Ukraine from its temporary spending bill. The Ukrainian military counter-offensive has been slower than Western leaders had hoped before autumn mud clogs the treads of their donated tanks.

Our victory explicitly depends on our cooperation  the more powerful and principled steps we take together, the sooner this war will end, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the EU Foreign ministers during the meeting.

Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine continues to protect its people and its economy from continuous Russian attacks, that its counteroffensive aimed at liberating its occupied territories is progressing steadily and reminded the EU leadership that Ukraine needs more money, more weapons and more military training to achieve its goals. He also asked them to intensify sanctions against Russia.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for efforts to prepare Ukraine for the coming winter, including through air defense and guaranteed energy supplies, after Russia bombed Ukraines energy infrastructure last year.

"Last winter, we saw the brutal way in which the Russian president is waging this war," said Baerbock. "We must prevent this together with everything we have, as far as possible.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said holding the meeting in Ukraines capital was a show of resolute and lasting support for Ukraine.

It is also a message to Russia that it should not count on our weariness. We will be there for a long time to come, Colonna told reporters.

Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot said Russia must be held accountable for its aggression in Ukraine and that it is important to pressure Russia with sanctions.

We have to do whatever it takes, as long as it takes, for the freedom of the people of Ukraine, she said.

Russian shelling

Meanwhile, at least two people were killed and 10 were injured, including children, by Russian shelling of Ukraines southern region of Kherson. Regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on the Telegram messaging app that Russian forces pounded residential areas, shops, medical facilities and other infrastructure overnight.

In the eastern city of Kharkiv, which is located near the Russian border, officials announced plans to build a school entirely underground in response to frequent Russian bomb and missile attacks.

Students have used online courses and met in Kharkivs metro stations to avoid the dangers.

Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram that the new underground school will enable thousands of Kharkiv children to continue their safe face-to-face education even during missile threats.

Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, which took effect in 2022, has helped diversify Cambodia's economy and exports, a World Bank's senior economist said on Monday.

Aaditya Mattoo, chief economist of the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific Region, said the RCEP agreement and Cambodia's new law on investment have created greater market access and helped generate new trade and investment flows for the kingdom.

It will help Cambodia diversify its economy and exports which have been heavily reliant on garment so far, he said during a video press conference on the launch of the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific economic update report.

Mattoo suggested Cambodia improve its skilled labor and connectivity in order to sustain its economy and exports in the long run.

In the update report, the World Bank said the RCEP and other newly ratified free trade agreements (FTAs) have helped Cambodia strengthen its exports and attract more foreign direct investment (FDI).

The RCEP free trade deal comprises 15 Asia-Pacific countries, including 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam - together with their five trading partners, namely China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Cambodia's total export to the RCEP member countries amounted to 4.59 billion U.S. dollars from January to July 2023, a year-on-year increase of 21 percent, according to the country's Ministry of Commerce's report.

Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's Secretary of State Penn Sovicheat said the RCEP has been a key driving force for the kingdom's export growth and has become a magnet to attract more FDI inflows to the country.

"This world's largest FTA, along with other bilateral FTAs, will help Cambodia graduate from its least developed country status by 2027 and achieve its goals of becoming an upper-middle income country by 2030 and a high-income nation by 2050," he told Xinhua.

According to World Bank data, the RCEP covers 2.3 billion people, 25.8 trillion U.S. dollars of global GDP, 12.7 trillion dollars of global trade in goods and services, and 31 percent of global FDI inflows.

Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, a think-tank under the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the RCEP has helped stabilize its members' economies, especially during the period of global economic slowdown and uncertainty.

"The RCEP has great potential to create tangible benefits for all of its members, and ASEAN will reap long-term benefits from this trade pact by integrating further into global supply chains," he told Xinhua. "I believe that the RCEP will help transform ASEAN region into a new engine of growth in Asia." 
Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated the countrys first high-speed railway on October 2. The 7.3 billion project is backed by the Peoples Republic of China trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative.

The Whoosh high-speed railway connects Jakarta with Bandung, the capital of West Java province, cutting travel time from three hours to 40 minutes, Voice of America reported Monday.

But on X, formerly Twitter, some pro-PRC users shared a picture of what they presented as a screenshot of the VOAs report about the railway, which was illustrated with a picture of Chinas GMC-48JS duel-powered rail track grinding train instead of the futuristic-looking Whoosh high-speed railway train.



Nik Stankovic, the X user who posted the original screenshot, speculated that VOA intentionally used a picture of the older and less advanced rail track in its report about the Whoosh railway:



Voice of America chose this image to accompany the story about the beginning of official operation of BRI train in Indonesia.

That claim is misleading.



Voice of Americas news center reports are illustrated with the proper image of the Whoosh high-speed railway.

Stankovic's screenshot was altered with the English language headline from the reports in Mandarin and Cantonese languages.



Moreover, Stankovichs implication that the choice of the old image was VOAs editorial decision is false.



Voice of Americas Mandarin and Cantonese editors told Polygraph.info that they did initially use a wrong image in their website reports due to human error. The images have been immediately replaced upon discovery of the error and editors notes were added to both reports to reflect the correction.

As a news piece, it did not involve an editorial decision as Stankovic claimed.



Andy Boreham, another pro-China influencer, quoted Stankovics post with his own picture standing in front of a Whoosh train. Boreham claimed that Stankovics fabricated screenshot was typical fake news from the West.

Andy Boreham is a New Zealander living in Shanghai and a columnist for the Chinese state media Shanghai Daily. Boreham runs his own channel on YouTube called Reports on China, which promotes anti-American sentiments and views aligned with the Chinese government.



A recent video of his travel on the China-Laos railway was titled Laos Railway: America bombs, China builds. The other, a video commentary on Huaweis new Mate 60 Pro smartphone was titled Game over for U.S. chip sanctions?!

In 2022, state-owned Global Times called Boreham the first foreigner to be labeled by Twitter as China state-affiliated media.

The Associated Press investigative report published in 2022 revealed that a growing network of English-speaking influencers has cultivated an online niche by promoting pro-Chinese messaging in YouTube videos or tweets.



The AP report quoted two Twitter influencers, American Matthew Tye, and South African Winston Sterzel, who said that representatives of a company that identified itself as Hong Kong Pear Technology had tried to recruit them to boost a propaganda video claiming COVID-19 originated from North American white-tailed deer.



We could offer $2000 (totally negotiable considering the nature of this type of content) lemme know if u are interested, an HK Pear Technology employee named Joey wrote, according to emails shared with the AP. Upon inquiry, the employee said he did not know about the client, adding it might be from the government??



Freedom House, a Washington, D.C.-based NGO, said in 2022 that Chinese state actors effort to influence the U.S. media space have evolved since 2019, and one of them is the increasing use of paid social media influencers.
Indonesia's environment ministry on Monday denied accusations that forest fires in Sumatra and its portion of Borneo island, which have blanketed some of its cities with thick haze, have also affected air quality in neighboring Malaysia.

Malaysia on Friday warned residents of high pollution levels in most areas on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the western Borneo region of Sarawak, blaming trans-boundary haze from Indonesia, its Department of Environment said in a statement.

Indonesia's Environment Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar responded by saying Jakarta has not detected any travelling haze from Indonesia to neighboring countries.

"We continue to follow up any development and there is no trans-boundary haze to Malaysia," she said in a statement.

At the moment, Indonesia is focusing on quelling forest fires in some provinces in Sumatra and Borneo with water bombing from helicopters, the minister added.

As well as maritime boundaries, Malaysia shares a land border with Indonesia on Borneo island.

Malaysia has not filed a diplomatic complaint from the haze, Indonesia's foreign ministry spokesperson said.

Indonesia's dry season this year is its most severe since 2019 due to the impact of the El Nino weather pattern.

While forest fires are typically started by farmers to clear land for plantations, authorities say putting out fires this year has been harder due to El Nino.

More than 267,900 hectares (661,995.3 acres) of forests have been burned so far this year, bigger than a total of 204,894 hectares for all of 2022, according to the environment ministry's data.

This has brought haze into several cities in Sumatra and Borneo.

Some areas in Central Kalimantan, Borneo, reported visibility of less than 10 meters (33 feet), state news agency Antara reported.

Authorities ordered remote learning for students in Palembang and Jambi cities in southern Sumatra starting this week due to the severity of pollution, local media reported.
The U.S. government will stay open for now, but some in the House of Representatives want the speaker to be ousted. The short-term funding did not include aid for Ukraine. A suicide bomber in Turkey and resultant attacks in Iraq, plus writing the old-fashioned way, with a fountain pen.
Iran said Monday it opposes any "geopolitical changes" in the Caucasus, where it has long been angered over Azerbaijan's desire to set up a transport link along the Armenian-Iranian border.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani, while voicing support for Azerbaijan's reclamation of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region last month, said Tehran is "against making geopolitical changes in the region and this is our clear position."

He was referring to the Zangezur land corridor which would connect mainland Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan and then to Turkey.

Relations between Baku and Tehran have been traditionally sour, as Turkic-speaking Azerbaijan is a close ally of Iran's historical rival Turkey.

Following a lightning Azerbaijani military offensive which recaptured the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh enclave to the east of Zangezur last month, some experts believe that Azerbaijan's leader Ilham Aliyev could now seek to launch operations in southern Armenia to create territorial continuity with Nakhchivan.

Armenian separatists, who had controlled Nagorno-Karabakh for three decades, agreed to disarm, dissolve their government and reintegrate with Baku.

Nakhchivan does not share a border with Azerbaijan but has been tied to Baku since the 1920s  and is located between Armenia, Turkey and Iran.

The annexation of this corridor, strategic to Tehran, would cut off Iran's access to Armenia and consequently to Europe.

Kanani was commenting after the secretary of Armenia's Security Council, Armen Grigoryan, met Sunday with his Iranian counterpart, Ali Akbar Ahmadian, during a visit to Tehran.

They discussed "the latest developments in the South Caucasus" and "military movements in the region," Kanani said.

"We have always supported the return of these occupied territories to Azerbaijan," he said, referring to Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Islamic Republic, bordering Azerbaijan and Armenia, has an Azeri-speaking community of around 10 million people, as well as an Armenian community of just under 100,000 people.

Ties between Azerbaijan and Iran soured in January when a gunman stormed into Baku's embassy in Tehran.

He killed a diplomat and wounded two embassy security guards.

Tehran fears that its archenemy, Israel, also a major weapons supplier to Azerbaijan, could use Azerbaijani territory for an offensive against Iran.
A Kenyan parliamentary panel called on the country's information technology regulator on Monday to shut down the operations of cryptocurrency project Worldcoin within the country until more stringent regulations are put in place.

The government suspended the project in early August following privacy objections over its scanning of users' irises in exchange for a digital ID to create a new "identity and financial network."

Worldcoin was rolled out in various countries around the world by Tools for Humanity, a company co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. It has also come under scrutiny in Britain, Germany and France.

The project still has a virtual presence in Kenya and can be accessed via the internet, even after the August suspension.

The regulatory Communications Authority of Kenya should "disable the virtual platforms of Tools for Humanity Corp and Tools for Humanity GmbH Germany [Worldcoin] including blacklisting the IP addresses of related websites," the ad hoc panel of 18 lawmakers said in a report.

It also called for the suspension of the companies' "physical presence in Kenya until there is a legal framework for regulation of virtual assets and virtual services providers."

Worldcoin's press office said it had "not seen anything official announced by the Committee directly."

The panel's report will be tabled at the National Assembly for consideration and adoption at a later date.

During the suspension of data collection in August, authorities said the project's method of obtaining consumer consent in return for a monetary award of just over $50 at the time bordered on inducement.

Registering to use the platform involved long lines of people queuing to get their irises scanned. The parliamentary panel's investigation found that Worldcoin may have scanned the eyes of minors as there was no age-verification mechanism during the exercise, its report said.

The panel also asked government ministries to develop regulations for crypto assets and firms that provide crypto services and called on the police to investigate Tools for Humanity and take any necessary legal action.
The Kenyan government says its ready to send a thousand members of its police force into Haiti to help tamp down gang violence. While some Kenyans say its a good idea, others are expressing concerns about the proposal. VOAs Nairobi Bureau Chief Mariama Diallo has this story. (Camera: JIMMY MAKULO)
A senior Ukrainian official called on Monday for a reassessment of Western anti-aircraft systems being supplied to Ukraine, saying simpler and cheaper weapons could be more cost-efficient in countering Russia's Iranian-made Shahed drones.

The Shahed drones are deployed in Russian attacks virtually every day. Ukraine has become skilled at downing them though some still hit industrial and residential sites despite Moscow's assurances that it does not target civilians.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the issue was not just one of securing more anti-aircraft systems "but primarily solving a mathematical problem lying in the economics of war."

While Western systems, like NASAMS and Iris-T, were used to down missiles, he said, using them to intercept Shaheds may not be cost-effective, Podolyak wrote in English on the X platform, formerly Twitter.

"Thus, it leads to depletion of allied stockpiles and long-term weakening," Podolyak wrote.

"The solution is obvious: in addition to mobile large-caliber machine guns, there are plenty of simpler and cheaper anti-aircraft systems available today that have proven themselves to be effective against Shaheds. These include Gepard and Vampire."

The Gepard is an anti-aircraft-gun tank made in Germany. The U.S.-made Vampire counter-drone system consists of a laser-guided missile launcher than can be installed on a truck bed.

Such scaling-down, Podolyak wrote, "will minimize the effect of Russian 'raids' and ensure long-term stability of Ukrainian skies and our neighboring NATO countries."

Ukraine has relied heavily on arms supplies from Western countries in facing the 19-month-old Russian invasion and in launching a counteroffensive in June aimed at recovering the roughly 18% of its territory held by Moscow's troops.

Zelenskyy and other officials have stressed in recent weeks the importance of developing Ukraine's own arms industry and in jointly developing weapons with Western companies.
Two militants and a Pakistani police officer were killed when more than a dozen militants ambushed a police post Saturday in Mianwali.

By Sunday morning, police had put down the attack.

Officials say the militants belonged to a branch of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban.

Police repulsed another TTP strike earlier this year in Mianwali at the Makkarwal police station.

Two militants were also killed in that strike.
Forces from Manila, Britain, Canada, Japan and the United States kicked off on Monday two weeks of joint naval exercises in Philippine waters as a "show of force", amid flaring regional tension.

With more than 1,800 participants, the drills follow last week's move by Beijing to block Philippine fishermen from Asia's most contested maritime feature, the Scarborough Shoal, held by China in the South China Sea.

This year's "Sama Sama" drills are being held in the southern part of the island of Luzon, featuring naval exercises in areas such as anti-submarine warfare, air defense and search and rescue, the Philippine navy said.

"With this show of force and active engagement of our allies and partners, 'Sama Sama' transcends mere military exercises," Philippine navy chief Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci said at the opening event.

"It is a symbol of our enduring partnerships and our shared commitment to security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region."

In his remarks, Vice Admiral Karl Thomas, the commander of the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet, said, "It is important that all nations have a right to sail and operate in the West Philippine Sea, free from ... being coerced, free from being intimidated."

The West Philippine Sea refers to the portion of the South China Sea claimed by Manila.

Five vessels, two from the United States, and one each from Britain, Canada and Japan, joined the Philippine-hosted drills that will run until Oct. 13.

The navies of Australia, France, Indonesia and New Zealand also joined in by sending observers and experts.

"I am confident that no potential aggressor should be under any illusion other than this is a strong team of nations, a strong team of navies ... one navy sailing and operating together," Thomas added.
YINCHUAN, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- When Ahmed Nazal Nuri, an official from the League of Arab States' environment and climate affairs department, saw farmers in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region using a bale of hay to fix sand on a sand dune, he was amazed by this simple yet effective technique.

He was visiting the Maowusu Desert in the Baijitan national nature reserve, in the city of Lingwu, in late September, together with some 20 visitors from 13 Arab, South Asian and African countries. The group had come in search of technological know-how on combating desertification and implementing ecological restoration -- and they were not disappointed.

In the Maowusu Desert, hay is spread on the ground in a checkered pattern, resembling a Chinese chessboard if viewed from above. The hay helps to fix the sand, allowing fresh vegetation to sprout on the surface.

The farmers' hard work has transformed the desert into a green oasis, and yet their persistence at this apparently impossible task has earned them the nickname "modern-day Yugongs." It is a reference to Yugong -- or the Foolish Old Man -- a legendary figure of ancient China who is said to have removed a mountain in front of his home using his bare hands.

The field trip by the international group was linked to a forum on desertification that formed part of year's China-Arab States Expo, held in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia, in late September.

"Desertification has reached a critical point in many Arab countries. To fight desertification needs international cooperation. We are grateful that our hosts organized this tour-study program for us to see in the field how China tackles this problem," said Ahmed Nazal Nuri.

Cooperation between China and Arab nations is already underway. In August, China and the League of Arab States inaugurated an international research center for drought, desertification and land degradation in Beijing.

"China will provide necessary personnel and operational support for the institute. We will jointly invite financial support for running the research center and establish partnerships with various parties," said Wang Hua, an official of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration of China.

Speaking at the forum, Chinese experts also shared their opinions on how to turn deserts into photovoltaic power generation bases. During their recent research conducted at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park near Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, some Chinese engineers designed a special barrier to block sand from invading the park's power plant, while making a soil formula for consolidating the ground at the plant.

Feng Qi, an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, said that China and Arab states face many similar natural and social problems in their desert areas, such as large-scale desertification, damage caused by deserts and underdevelopment in social and economic fields due to deserts.

"China can participate deeply in projects such as the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives and the Great Green Wall initiative in the Sahara Desert, offering its desertification prevention and control experience to Arab and African countries, while carrying out joint scientific research," said Feng. 
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Monday he believes the United States will be able to find the necessary solutions to continue military support for Ukraine

Speaking to reporters alongside European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, Kuleba said Ukraine has had in-depth discussions with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

He described a decision by U.S. lawmakers to strip financial support for Ukraine from a stopgap budget bill passed Saturday to halt a federal government shutdown as an incident rather than a systemic change in support.

"We don't feel that the U.S. support has been shattered, because the United States understands that what is at stake in Ukraine is much bigger than just Ukraine, it's about the stability and predictability of the world, Kuleba said.

Borrell, who is leading a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv on Monday, said he also believed a resolution will be found to continue U.S. aid for Ukraine.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said holding the meeting in Ukraines capital was a show of resolute and lasting support for Ukraine.

It is also a message to Russia that it should not count on our weariness. We will be there for a long time to come, Colonna told reporters.

Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot said Russia must be held accountable for its aggression in Ukraine and that it is important to pressure Russia with sanctions.

We have to do whatever it takes, as long as it takes, for the freedom of the people of Ukraine, she said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday that Russia believes fatigue with the war in Ukraine will grow in Western countries, but that it expects the United States to continue its involvement.

The U.S. legislation to keep the federal government running until Nov. 17 dropped additional aid to Ukraine, a White House priority opposed by a growing number of Republican lawmakers.

In a speech Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said nothing would weaken his country's fight against Russia.

U.S. President Joe Biden pressed Sunday for congressional Republicans to back a bill to provide more aid to Ukraine, saying he was "sick and tired" of the political brinkmanship that nearly led to a government shutdown.

"We cannot under any circumstances allow Americas support for Ukraine to be interrupted. I fully expect the speaker to keep his commitment to secure the passage and support needed to help Ukraine as they defend themselves against aggression and brutality," he told reporters at the White House.

Many lawmakers, however, acknowledge that winning approval for Ukraine assistance in Congress is growing more difficult as the war between Russia and Ukraine grinds on.

Voting in the House this past week pointed to potential trouble ahead. Nearly half of House Republicans voted to strip $300 million from a defense spending bill to train Ukrainian soldiers and purchase weapons. The money later was approved separately, but opponents of Ukraine support celebrated their growing numbers.

Ukraine funding dissent

Earlier Sunday, in Slovakia, the winner of parliamentary elections held over the weekend was poised to begin coalition talks to form a government opposing the EUs military aid for Ukraine.

Robert Ficos party slogan Not a single round" for neighboring Ukraine resonated in Slovakia, a nation of 5.5 million.

"We are not changing that we are prepared to help Ukraine in a humanitarian way," said the pro-Russia Fico, whom analysts consider to be inspired by Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an opponent of the EUs commitment in arming Ukraine.

Fico said Slovakia, a NATO member, has bigger problems than the Ukraine issue, including energy prices and living costs, but added his SMER-SSD party would do everything possible to start peace talks.

Some information for this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press.
The U.N. Security council is set to vote Monday on whether to authorize an international force to support Haitis police amid a gang-driven security crisis.

Kenya has volunteered to lead a multi-national force of 1,000 police officers. The Bahamas, Jamaica, and Antigua and Barbuda have pledged to contribute personnel.

The United States has said it would offer financial and logistical support to the effort.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry asked for urgent Security Council action as he addressed the U.N. General Assembly last month, saying the worsening security situation has created a humanitarian crisis.

Henry said a force combining police and military personnel would be an initial step in creating an environment for the government to function again.

He said gangs have carried out massacres, kidnappings, human trafficking and sexual violence.

Some information for this story came from The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP)  The death toll from a shaft collapse at a disused gold mine in Zimbabwe was expected to rise to 13, the vice president said, according to state media.

State-run newspaper The Sunday Mail quoted Vice President Constantino Chiwenga as saying we believe we have lost about 13 in the mine disaster, which happened on Friday in the gold-rich town of Chegutu, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of the capital, Harare.

He said 21 out of 34 miners believed to be underground at the time of the collapse had been rescued. Eight have been confirmed dead, with three bodies removed from the mine and five located but not yet removed, Chiwenga said.

The remaining five people were presumed dead.

Chiwenga was speaking Saturday at a meeting of the ruling ZANU-PF party, The Sunday Mail reported. Chiwenga said the collapse happened at a disused German-owned mine that had not been properly sealed off, allowing unofficial artisanal miners to find their way in to search for any deposits left over.

Incidents of mine collapses, often involving artisanal miners, are common in the southern African country that is rich in gold, coal and diamonds. Zimbabwe also has Africas largest reserves of lithium, a mineral in global demand due to its use in electric car batteries.

Zimbabwes mineral-rich national parks, abandoned mines, rivers and even towns are often swarmed with people, including young children, seeking to find valuable deposits. It is one of the few economic activities still going on in a country that has suffered industry closures, a currency crisis and high unemployment over the past two decades.

Critics blame economic mismanagement and corruption for the collapse of a once-thriving economy and one of Africas bright spots. The government points to two decades of sanctions imposed by the United States over allegations of human rights violations by the government.

Also Friday, Indian businessman Harpal Randhawa and his son were among six people who died in a plane crash near a different diamond mine, according to the same report in The Sunday Times. The small plane reportedly belonged to Randhawa's RioZim mining company. The crash killed everyone on board, the report said.

RioZim was previously part of the British-Australian mining group Rio Tinto.

Chiwenga said the Zimbabwean victims of both tragedies would receive state-assisted funerals, while President Emmerson Mnangagwa called for a moment of silence for those who had died during the ruling party meeting.
Henry Ridgwell

LONDON  Europe is in danger of becoming as reliant on China for batteries and fuel cells as it was on Russia for energy before Moscows invasion of Ukraine, according to a European Union report obtained by the Reuters news agency.

The paper will form the basis of a summit October 5 in Granada, Spain, on Europe's economic and energy security.

The paper, prepared by the Spanish presidency of the European Union, said that because of the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like solar or wind, Europe will need ways to store energy to reach its goal of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

This will skyrocket our demand for lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells and electrolyzers, which is expected to multiply between 10 and 30 times in the coming years," the report said.

Without implementing strong measures, the European energy ecosystem could have a dependency on China by 2030 of a different nature but with a similar severity from the one it had on Russia before the invasion of Ukraine, the report said.

China dependency

Europe already relies on China for battery technology, said Guido Cozzi, an economist at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.

It is not too late, but I think they should act pretty fast, because China is moving very fast in this sector, Cozzi told VOA. They are the world champions, and they are also trying to consolidate their take on raw materials elsewhere - for example, in Africa.

Cozzi added that the West should collaborate on battery technologies to prevent Chinas domination of the market.

The United States has a leading edge in technology anyway because it is the most innovative of all. And it is important that, I think, transatlantic cooperation is reinforced. Innovation has a scale effect, so the more the brains at work, the faster the flow of innovations, Cozzi said.

Gigafactories

Europe is taking steps to develop its own battery ecosystem, such as the European Battery Alliance, which tries to stimulate investment, research and development.

In May, France opened its first electric car battery factory, a joint venture between European industrial giants Stellantis, TotalEnergies and Mercedes. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire underscored the challenge ahead.

The aim is not for there to be only battery factories," Le Maire said at a press conference following the opening of the factory. "We need to control the whole value chain. We're first working on the critical materials that we need to produce more of, that we need to find more of. We cannot be totally dependent on Asia for the supply of critical materials. Then we need to recycle the batteries.

African minerals

China is investing heavily in sourcing raw materials such as cobalt, lithium and manganese. Beijing opened a $300 million lithium processing plant in Zimbabwe in July.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is renegotiating a deal that would see Beijing invest tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure in return for access to Kinshasas vast cobalt and copper reserves.

Beijing is able to operate fully coordinated with state-owned enterprises, funders, so they provide funding, as well. They provide infrastructure and the whole package. So, this way they can move much faster than Europe, Cozzi said, adding that the race for minerals in Africa, Asia and Latin America is also an opportunity for the West to counter Beijings influence.

China operates in a very coordinated manner, but also in a way that doesn't respect the environment, human rights and the future of these countries," he said. "Providing good examples and facilitating their development in broad senses, including education, is super important for the future. We cannot leave this to China.

EU investigation

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a probe into Chinese subsidies for electric vehicle manufacturers, which are trying to make headway in the European market with significantly lower prices than those set by their EU competitors.

The commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China. Europe is open to competition, but not for a race to the bottom. We must defend ourselves against unfair practices, von der Leyen said September 13 in her state of the union address.

Beijing criticized the EU investigation.

"The measures taken by the EU violate the principles of market economy and the rules of international trade. The [move] is not conducive to the stability of the global supply chain in the automotive industry and is not in the interest of anyone, including the EU, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, told reporters Wednesday.
By Tonderai Gonorenda and Nyasha Chingono

CHEGUTU, Zimbabwe (Reuters) - Zimbabwean authorities were still searching on Monday for survivors trapped underground when a disused gold mine collapsed last week, as some relatives started to lose hope their loved ones could be saved.

Accidents in disused mines are common in Zimbabwe, where artisanal or small-scale miners defy authorities by mining in old shafts that are prone to collapse.

The latest incident happened in Chegutu, some 100 km (62 miles) west of the capital Harare on Friday.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga told the local Sunday Mail newspaper 13 had died in the collapse at the site which had not been properly sealed off.

Deputy mines minister Polite Kambamura could not say how many people were still trapped underground after the 700 meter-deep mine collapsed.

"The problem is that there was no proper register to ascertain how many people entered," Kambamura said. "We are sending another team to assess the situation. We want to account for everyone."

State broadcaster ZBC on Friday reported that 34 miners were trapped underground out of which 13 had managed to escape.

Dozens of distraught family members waited in tents, hoping for news of relatives.

"The most painful thing for me is not knowing if my son is dead or alive...I can't take it anymore knowing that he is down there," said a weeping Memory Gohwe, whose son remain trapped.

Some worried relatives already feared the worst.

"To be honest we have lost any hope of getting any survivors," said Omega Jonera, nine of whose family members were trapped underground.

(Reporting by Tonderai Gonorenda in Chegutu and Nyasha Chingono in Harare,; Editing by Bhargav Acharya and Alexander Winning)
The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says they will be boycotting the official opening of the first session of the tenth parliament on Tuesday where President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to set the tone for laws to be handled by the House of Assembly.

CCC spokesperson, Promise Mkhwananzi, said, We are boycotting the processes that Mnangagwa wants us to undertake tomorrow on the basis of the fact that we as CCC do not recognize an election that put him there. The election was a shame, it did not go well. If fell abysmally short of the expected standards of a free and fair election in terms of the laws of Zimbabwe as well as in terms of SADC and AU protocols on free and fair elections.

Accordingly, we are not attending that process. We want to send a clear message that there should be a free election in Zimbabwe under the auspices of SADC. So, that is the message that will be sending out tomorrow.

But Zanu PF says it is surprised that CCC wants to boycott the official opening ceremony when they have representatives in the House of Assembly.

Joseph Tshuma, a member of the Zanu PF Central Committee, says CCC is taking Zimbabweans for granted.

The opposition CCC claims that the August 23 harmonized elections were rigged in favour of Zanu PF.

The Southern African Development Community, African Union and European Union said the polls fell short of regional and international standards.
TEHRAN, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Sunday called on the Swedish government to take practical action against the recurring desecrations of the Quran in the Nordic country.

In a statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website, Kanaani strongly condemned the recent "repeated insult" to the Islamic holy book in Sweden on Saturday.

He said Iran maintains that "without any action, the Swedish officials' claims of condemning and opposing the Quran desecration (in their country) fail to be sufficient," regretting that insolent behaviors against Islamic sanctities were still ongoing in the "passive presence" of the Swedish police.

The Swedish government is expected to respond responsibly to the obvious demand of Muslims worldwide, while "making efforts to promote ethical values and peaceful coexistence among religions through implementing practical and effective measures," he noted.

In a move repeated several times over the past months, Salwan Momika, an individual of Iraqi origin, torn pages of the Quran and burnt it in the Swedish city of Malmo on Saturday. The Swedish police detained some individuals and turned away some others who tried to prevent the act, Swedish media reported. 
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Todays Nobel Prize in medicine is a testament to the power of perseverance in science. Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman won the award for their discoveries that helped enable mRNA to be used as a drug or vaccine. Get a curated selection of 10 of our best stories in your inbox every weekend. ArrowRight Its hard to imagine a more deserving Nobel Prize than one for an achievement credited with saving millions of lives. And we might never have gotten here if scientists like Kariko hadnt persisted in the face of doubt.

The quick development of the Covid vaccines might make mRNA might seem like an overnight success. Certainly, the speed with which they were developed is among the reasons some skeptics have given for doubting their efficacy.

But turning these strands of genetic material into something that could be useful as a drug or vaccine required many breakthroughs over two decades. Scientists had to solve a host of problems: how to make the otherwise fragile genetic strands more stable; how to get it to the right cells in the body and control the amount of protein it prompts a cell to make; and how to prevent the immune system from seeing the mRNA as an invader and overreacting.

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Kariko and Weissman are credited with cracking the last item on that list. By swapping out a basic building block of mRNA called uridine for a related molecule called pseudouridine, strands of mRNA could get their message to cells without triggering an immune attack.

That discovery helped spawn the earliest biotech companies working on the technology, in turn, laying the groundwork for mRNAs starring role in the pandemic. That chemical trick is included in Modernas and Pfizer/BioNTechs Covid vaccines, which are responsible for saving many millions of lives over the past two years.

Some of the joy of todays prize is that it rewards Karikos many decades of effort to convince the world mRNA held promise as a therapeutic. After coming to the US from Hungary in the mid-1980s, she struggled to get financial support for her research, moving from lab to lab to try to keep her work alive until a now-legendary encounter with Weissman over a Xerox machine while at the University of Pennsylvania.

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They teamed up to work on mRNA, but even their successes met roadblocks. When she and Weissman discovered that critical chemical swap in 2005, the scientific community failed to recognize its importance. As she told PNAS in 2021, We first sent to a Nature journal, and within 24 [hours], they rejected it as an incremental contribution. I started learning English only at university, so I had to look up the meaning of the word incremental!

Karikos struggle to convince the world of mRNAs value ultimately pushed her out of academia and to BioNTech, which she joined in 2013. By then, investors had started to come around to the idea that mRNA could be useful. But only a handful of companies were pursuing the idea.

All of that changed practically overnight when reports started popping up of cases of pneumonia due to a novel coronavirus. The pandemic was the ultimate test: While mRNA promised to accelerate the design and manufacture of a vaccine, it had never been proven in a late-stage clinical trial.

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As we now know, it turned out to be a resounding success.

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Over the next two years, mRNA-based vaccines for RSV and the flu should arrive, as could a highly anticipated cancer vaccine from Moderna.

Yet for mRNAs full potential to be realized  and Karikos dream of turning it into a therapeutic  the field will need another dose of her brand of intense determination. While undeniably world-changing, vaccines are also the low-hanging fruit of the mRNA world. To work, they only need to coax cells into making a fleeting amount of protein  enough to train the immune system so that it can eventually spot the real virus.

Turning mRNA into drug, one that not only gets to the right cells in the body but can offer some therapeutic benefit, is a much trickier proposition.

Well get there, eventually. While biotech companies are working on the problem, it also will require ongoing support of basic science like the work done by Kariko and Weissman. Congress shouldnt forget that when considering painful cuts to the budget of the National Institutes of Health, the agency responsible for so much foundational research.

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Todays prize is another reminder that the slog of basic science can have unexpected payoffs  and should be both celebrated and funded. And maybe it will help with another slog: convincing those still distrustful of this new technology that decades of effort have gone into making it safe.

More From Lisa Jarvis at Bloomberg Opinion:

 Long Covid Is Real. Now the Evidence Is Piling Up.

 Moderna Faces Tougher Competition in Its Next Chapter

 The US Deserves a Better Vaccine Rollout Than This

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Lisa Jarvis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering biotech, health care and the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, she was executive editor of Chemical & Engineering News.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Christopher A. Wray, who has been increasingly under attack from congressional Republicans, said the people accusing the law enforcement agency of bias are themselves trying to gain a political advantage at the FBIs expense.
Part 1

The Post investigates

"Five Held in Plot to Bug Democratic Offices Here," said the headline at the bottom of page one in the Washington Post on Sunday, June 18, 1972. The story reported that a team of burglars had been arrested inside the offices of the Democratic National Committee in the Watergate office complex in Washington.

So began the chain of events that would convulse Washington for two years, lead to the first resignation of a U.S. president and change American politics forever.

The story intrigued two young reporters on The Post's staff, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward who were called in to work on the story. As Woodward's notes show, he learned from police sources that the men came from Miami, wore surgical gloves and carried thousands of dollars in cash. It was, said one source, "a professional type operation."

Bob Woodward, left, and Carl Bernstein were in their 20s when they began investigating the Watergate cover-up. (Ken Feil - TWP)

The next day, Woodward and Bernstein joined up for the first of many revelatory stories. "GOP Security Aide Among Those Arrested," reported that burglar James McCord was on the payroll of President Nixon's reelection committee. The next day, Nixon and chief of staff H.R. Haldeman privately discussed how to get the CIA to tell the FBI to back off from the burglary investigation. Publicly, a White House spokesman said he would not comment on "a third rate burglary."



Within a few weeks, Woodward and Bernstein reported that the grand jury investigating the burglary had sought testimony from two men who had worked in the Nixon White House, former CIA officer E. Howard Hunt and former FBI agent G. Gordon Liddy. Both men would ultimately be indicted for guiding the burglars, via walkie-talkies, from a hotel room opposite the Watergate building.

In Miami, Bernstein learned that a $25,000 check for Nixon's reelection campaign had been deposited in the bank account of one of the burglars. The resulting story, "Bug Suspect Got Campaign Funds" reported the check had been given to Maurice Stans, the former Secretary of Commerce who served as Nixon's chief fundraiser. It was the first time The Post linked the burglary to Nixon campaign funds.

VIDEO | From the Hollywood adaptation of Woodward and Bernstein's "All the President's Men,' Post editor Benjamin Bradlee (played by Jason Robards) expresses frustration at his reporters' sourcing.

As the two reporters pursued the story, Woodward relied on Mark Felt, a high ranking official at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as a confidential source. With access to FBI reports on the burglary investigation, Felt could confirm or deny what other sources were telling The Post reporters. He also could tell them what leads to pursue. Woodward agreed to keep his identity secret, referring to him in conversations with colleagues only as "Deep Throat." His identity would not become public until 2005, 33 years later.

While Nixon cruised toward reelection in the fall of 1972, Woodward and Bernstein scored a string of scoops, reporting that:

 Attorney General John Mitchell controlled a secret fund that paid for a campaign to gather information on the Democrats.

 Nixon's aides had run "a massive campaign of political spying and sabotage" on behalf of Nixon's reelection effort.

But while other newspapers ignored the story and voters gave Nixon a huge majority in November 1972, the White House continued to denounce The Post's coverage as biased and misleading. Post publisher Katharine Graham worried about the administration's "unveiled threats and harassment."

As Hunt asked the White House provide money for himself and his co-defendants, John Sirica, the tough-talking judge presiding over the trial of the burglars, took on the role of investigator, trying to force the defendants to disclose what they knew. Hunt and the other burglars pleaded guilty, while McCord and Liddy went to trial and were convicted.



As Hunt's demands for "hush money" persisted, John Dean, a White House lawyer, privately told Nixon that there was "a cancer on the presidency." When the FBI finally pierced the White House denials, senior officials faced prosecution for perjury and obstruction of justice. In April 1973, four of Nixon's top aides lost their jobs, including chief of staff Haldeman, chief domestic policy adviser, John Ehrlichman, Attorney General Richard Kleindienst and Dean himself.



When Nixon's press secretary Ron Ziegler said previous White House criticisms of The Post were "inoperative," Woodward and Bernstein's reporting had been vindicated.
VIENTIANE, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of Lao government, development partners and the private sector met in Lao capital Vientiane to discuss ways to strengthen investment and funding for development, local media has reported Monday.

During the meeting, participants discussed the various expectations in planning and implementation for the first and second six months of 2023, the national socio-economic development plan, and the budget plan, according to the report of Vientiane Mai newspaper.

The meeting, held on Friday, was chaired by Lao Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Phonevanh Outhavong and co-chaired by the Country Manager of the World Bank Laos, Alexander Kremer, and Senior Country Economist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Laos, Emma Allen.

They shared ideas on ways to resolve Laos' economic difficulties, and the progress made in drafting a law on investment by the Lao government and private sector, and the results of a study on cooperation between the government and private sectors. 
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Like many academics, Esme Louise James, a PhD candidate at Melbourne University, regularly spends months working on research articles which, once published, are read by a handful of people before disappearing into journal databases. Such is the fate of most academic articles, no matter how juicy the subject matter. And the subjects James studies are, as juicy as it gets. James, 26, is a sex historian; her PhD thesis examines an aesthetic of the erotic across 18th-century literature. Shes the one you want to sit next to at a dinner party, given she can regale you with the history of jade butt plugs (popular in China during the Han Dynasty), Victor Hugos libido (insatiable), and tales of sex addict Saint Augustine (a saint!). So when James saw fellow academic Mary McGillivray on TikTok creating short art history video lessons during the 2020 lockdown, inspiration struck. Until then, Id really thought that TikTok was a place for silly videos, says James. I was just there for a giggle, and suddenly I see Mary teaching the work of Michelangelo. I had no idea the platform could be used for that. Armed with a bottle of wine, she recorded a video on the history of the dildo (the oldest known dildo, discovered in a German cave and highly polished at the top from use, is 28,000 years old), and posted it on the video sharing app. I didnt even look at the app for two days - that bottle of wine helped me forget - but when I went back, I logged on to 10,000 followers and hundreds of questions and comments, she says. It was one of those moments where  this could be a funny one-off story, or I could see where this goes. Spurred on by that initial success, James uploaded more content - ranging from historical slang for the penis, (jiggling bone in 1720, fiddlestick in 1615), fun facts about philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseaus penchant for flashing his rear end to strangers and early methods of contraception, such as ancient Egyptian women shoving crocodile faeces up their hoo-has.

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It wasnt long before James had amassed almost three million followers of her Kinky History series across her social media accounts. Shes now in the top 1 per cent of TikTok creators in the world. When I do my research, or read research someone else has done, and put in a bite-size chunk on the internet, I get these responses from people, saying how did we never know this before? and Im like, well, only a small select group of 20 people in the world have access to this. James refers to her millions of followers as a community. People send her pictures or facts from archives and libraries around the world, and some of her content now comes from such leads. There are even sort of  fan pages that have popped up, but theyre really community groups where people talk about the content and connect with like-minded people. It helps, of course, that she delivers these facts with unbridled enthusiasm - which I can confirm is not contrived for the camera. James is just as buoyant in real life. Even when she recounts the dozens of negative comments from people on TikTok who remark on her body shape or her sartorial choices, she could not be any more breezy. Social media takes a lot of learning and getting used to, she says. Theres absolutely lots of negative stuff, but most of it is nice and, fortunately for me, its made me incredibly confident.

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Off the back of her TikTok success (and the Kinky History podcast that it spawned), James has published a book of the same name, that traverses historys saucy secrets, those usually omitted from more traditional history texts. It also features research from her mum, Dr Susan James, a statistician, with whom James also worked on another TikTok series called SexTistics. And while its rooted in serious research (James has listed more than 400 references and an appendix of statistics), its written in her signature playful tone. The best part was taking all that research that I would otherwise be writing about in the academic language, and writing in a really fun way, she says. TAKE 7: THE ANSWERS ACCORDING TO ESME LOUISE JAMES Worst habit? Biting and breaking all of my pens. Greatest fear? Lifelong goals remaining unfulfilled. The line that stayed with you? How can a language alter. It does not, it is an altar - Gertrude Stein Biggest regret? Gelling my hair back in a slick, side pony-tail (adorned with a fluoro Supre headband) for far too much of middle school. Favourite room? My study - from the colour-coordinated bookshelf to the shrine to Gertrude Stein, this is my safe haven. The artwork/song you wish was yours? Jo Davidsons sculpture of Gertrude Stein. If you could solve one thing...Climate change (or the culture of selfishness/stubbornness that prevents those in power taking more immediate action to solve it). Its a bit of TikTok and a bit of my PhD; theres a lot of crossover between the two  But a book deal coming out of TikTok is one of the more bizarre career moments for me. The university finds it quite amusing. At first they were a bit hesitant, but now theyre embracing it, she says. James says there are increasing numbers of educational creators popping up on social media, which she sees as a necessary evolution. James grew up wanting to be a writer (she self-published a couple of novels as a teenager), but started studying the history of religion at university. One of her supervisors pointed out that every time she wrote about religious experiences it involved characters involved in erotic relations. The supervisor politely said to me that he wasnt sure I was actually wanting to study spirituality - I might want to study sex. It was an idea she has certainly run with.

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But alongside anecdotes about Mozarts predilection for rimming (he even wrote a song about it, Leck mich im Arsch) and Roman concubines, James believes much of the research in Kinky History has relevance to todays discourse around sexuality and gender. She hopes it might help people better understand gender identities. Throughout history, she writes, there are many turning points, where collective changes take place, and acceptance is replaced with fear. For us, that comes around in the 18th century, where we start to change what it means to relate to being a man and woman, she says. All of this hatred and anger against trans acceptance comes out of that moment. Prior to that, there are many historical examples of people under very different labels who are not only accepted in the community but sometimes held very important roles. She posits that there are times in history when weve been post-gender - in ancient Rome and Greece, and among tribes in Hawaii who have always acknowledged a third gender, for example - and that history suggests we will, eventually, get back to that mindset. Loading

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Fifty years ago, horror film The Exorcist was a box-office sensation about a demonically possessed 12-year-old girl named Regan whose head spun and body levitated as two Catholic priests conducted a brutal exorcism.

Director David Gordon Green, who is making a trilogy of sequels after Hollywood studio Universal Pictures paid a staggering $US400 million ($622 million) for the worldwide rights, considers it a landmark in cinema history.

Possessed: Lidya Jewett, left, and Olivia Marcum in The Exorcist: Believer. Credit: Universal Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection .

Its a monumental movie that I think brought a much-needed elegance and dignity to the horror genre and brought the crossover of entertainment and spiritual conversation, he says over Zoom from Los Angeles. For me, it opened the door to great conversation, certainly controversy, alongside some spectacular entertainment.

While The Exorcist was the first horror movie to be nominated for best picture at the Oscars, its graphic content, including Regan masturbating with a crucifix and screaming expletives, made it confronting to watch and controversial around the world.
Fugitive Jean Nassif, wanted in Australia over an alleged $150 million fraud, and former Goldman Sachs boss Tim Leissner, whos about to be sentenced in the US over one of the biggest financial scandals in history, have one thing in common.

Both bought fake degrees from the same bogus university.

Jean Nassif is wanted over an outstanding warrant in relation to alleged fraud-related offences. Credit: Police Media

In 2006, Jean completed a Master of Science in the field of Construction Management from Somerset University, claims Nassif on his LinkedIn page.

The controversial developer has also falsely claimed to have an engineering degree. After graduating with a Civil Engineering degree in Beirut, Lebanon, Jean Nassif migrated to Australia in 1989, he posted on Facebook in 2021.
Its no fun to raise subjects that make your friends uncomfortable at a mothers group catch-up. Mostly we want to offload and laugh and share the microdramas of parenthood, work and life. We dont really want to be provoked. But I cant help myself. I need to talk about porn.

Have you ever seen Pornhub, I ask? The answer is predominantly a hard no. What about your husbands? Dont think so, they say. How does that work, I wonder. If there are billions of pretty deplorable porn videos watched every day, whos watching them then?

Violent porn is readily influencing teenagers. Credit: SMH

This is so taboo. The grown-ups dont want to admit to using porn  they dont want to acknowledge it may be causing problems for kids  and they certainly dont want to talk about it to their children. The evidence says when kids have good education about sex they are at less risk of harm. Children say they dont have anyone to talk to about porn if their parents wont discuss it.

This seems to be the major issue preventing adults all over the Western world from stopping their kids accessing some of the grossest videos you could imagine  wiring their brain, sexuality and behaviours differently forever. World, we have a problem.
People visit an exhibition at Tianjin Art Museum in Tianjin, north China, Oct. 2, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

A visitor takes pictures at a science and art exhibition at the Beijing Times Art Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 2, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

People visit the Hebei Museum in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, Oct. 2, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

A visitor takes pictures at a science and art exhibition at the Beijing Times Art Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 2, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

People visit the Anhui Art Museum in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 1, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

People visit the Anhui Art Museum in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 1, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

A kid reads at a bookstore in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 2, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

A performance is staged at the Star Theatres in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 2, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

People enjoy wine at a chateau in Qingtongxia City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Oct. 2, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

People visit the Anhui Art Museum in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 1, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

People visit the Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty Ruins Museum in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province Oct. 2, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

People visit an exhibition on ancient Roman civilization at the China Millennium Monument in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 2, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

Students visit the Hebei Museum in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, Oct. 2, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Students paint from life at Hengdaohezi Town in Hailin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 2, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei)

People visit the Anhui Art Museum in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 1, 2023. People across the country participate in cultural activities to enrich their holiday life during the National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)
Sometimes we can only learn the meaning of an event by living through it. Until then, its essence remains closed to us. I suspect this is most often true about endings and beginnings: the end of love, the beginning of moral compromise, the first time you hold a child or the last time you hold a parent.

And perhaps the end of campaigns. We do not yet know with certainty what will happen on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. We might suspect the result  a defeat of the proposition seems likely  but this is very different from understanding what that will feel like. A friend told me she thought many would be shocked, that night, by the images they will see of Indigenous people crying. It might not be until it is voted down that most non-Indigenous people will understand what this means to most Indigenous people. It will not be until we have done it that we realise what we have done. Many, perhaps most, will not realise even then.

Illustration by Jim Pavlidis Credit:

One of the most remarkable features of the campaign period is how little it has felt like a campaign period. Three weeks ago, it felt as though nobody was paying attention. Then a dispute about racism broke out, and it felt suddenly like a (horrible, destructive) campaign. The last week or two, though, felt quiet again. There has been racism offline and on  mostly though, at least for those of us not at the centre of events, it can feel as though the whole campaign is being fought amidst a great fog of indifference.

Indifference can be a form of racism too: the decision not to care about some people and the suffering they face is telling. There are perhaps some small signs of change: the prime minister last week told journalist Katharine Murphy that Australians are talking like never before about Indigenous disadvantage. He is right  but it is worth remembering how limited most national conversations are.
Newly minted premier Jacinta Allan has declared housing and children as priority areas in her frontbench reshuffle, which also rewarded Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson with a promotion despite controversies earlier this year over a potential conflict of interest.

Allan, who ascended to premier last week following the sudden resignation of Daniel Andrews after nine years in power, handed Pearson her multibillion-dollar former transport infrastructure and Suburban Rail Loop portfolios after he weathered questions about possible conflicts of interest earlier this year.

The new ministry sworn in at Government House on Monday. Credit: NCA NewsWire

Opposition leader John Pesutto said Pearsons promotion defies comprehension as he revealed his own frontbench shake-up, which brought back former leader Matthew Guy to shadow cabinet in the public transport portfolio.

Pearson apologised in February for not declaring that he had a possible conflict of interest over Commonwealth Bank shares he owned when he announced the bank had won a multimillion-dollar contract. Pearson had received seven briefings on government banking contracts over a year, but the decision-making process was led by the department. He apologised for not managing the potential for a perception of a conflict of interest.
Kyiv: Ukraines parliament and its speaker taunted billionaire Elon Musk on Monday after he posted a meme on his social media platform mocking President Volodymyr Zelenskys pleas for wartime assistance from the West.

Musk owns SpaceX, which provides Starlink satellite communication services that are vital for Ukraines defence effort, but his statements have sometimes angered Kyiv since the full-scale invasion launched by Russia in February last year.

Elon Musk, CEO of X. Credit: AP

Early on Monday, Musk posted a meme on his platform X, formerly known as Twitter, showing Zelensky and the caption: When its been 5 minutes and you havent asked for a billion dollars in aid.

The Ukrainian leader and his top lieutenants have appealed to their allies throughout the war to secure billions of dollars of military aid to weather and push back Russias invasion.
Its true: Joe Biden is not a young man. Ideally, candidates for high political office should be in the prime of their lives. But, there is an unbalanced quality to the debate about Bidens age.

For starters, its odd that there is more media coverage of Bidens fitness for office than that of his predecessor Donald Trump, who has now been indicted four times, including for the subversion of American democracy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in San Diego during their AUKUS meeting in March. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

We should judge Biden on his performance. He has been an effective leader, especially on foreign policy and particularly when viewed through the prism of Australias interests.

The first argument for Joe Biden is Donald Trump. In 2020, Biden burst the big fat orange Trump balloon  the only time Trump has been defeated in a national election.
WELLINGTON, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand will contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) again in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, according to official sources.

New Zealand Major General Evan Williams has been deployed to serve as the MFO's Interim Force Commander and will lead the organization for up to six months from October. Two additional personnel were also deployed to support him, said Defense Minister Andrew Little on Monday.

Williams previously led the MFO for three and a half years from 2019.

The MFO is a neutral arbiter in monitoring the implementation of security provisions of the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, and comprises 1,100 international military personnel and an additional 700 local civilian staff. 
Migrants exit a bus near a Greyhound station Sept. 27, 2023, after being transported from Texas to Chicago. Over 15,000 migrants have been transported to Chicago since last year. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

The buses roll in. The crisis is blowing up. Last week, 27 buses carrying migrants arrived in Chicago over five days, the Tribune reported. More than 15,000 migrants have been sent to Chicago from the nations southern border states, with the city running out of room to house them  as thousands sleep on police station floors and at airports awaiting shelter placement.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is under fire for his plan to erect winterized tent cities to house them. He staunchly defends Chicagos sanctuary city status, but the citys efforts to live up to that name are flailing.

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republicans are dispatching those fleeing Venezuela, Mexico and other Latin American countries to Democrat-led cities at a furious pace. They aim to, at best, embarrass the Democrats and, at worst, wreak havoc in those urban centers.

As their communities deal with a tsunami of new arrivals, voters in those cities are increasingly pointing fingers at Democrats such as Johnson and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Among Black voters, the Democrats most reliable base, that anger could put their party in deep peril.

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So went my conversation with Perri Small and her listeners on the popular morning show on WVON-AM 1690, Chicagos Black talk radio. She invited me on last week to chat about the latest in politics. When we hit the migrant issue, the phone lines started sizzling.

Im going to tell you, this is a make-or-break issue for WVON listeners and their support of Democratic candidates, Small declared.

And Im going to tell you, WVON (listeners), theyre not playing. I mean, theyre willing to throw the Democrats under the bus for this one issue.

WVONs loyal demographic is predominantly African Americans, and more than 60% are 40 or older. Most hold a college degree, and 55% are female, according to data on the stations website.

Those are people who vote  most often, Democratic.

They dont understand how Black people who built this country, how there has never been (the) money that there is (for others), Small said of her listeners. Theyre upset because they have all of these vacant schools from the school closings, that theres so much vacant land on the South and West Side.

Early this year, all hell broke loose when then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced plans to move hundreds of migrants into the shuttered Wadsworth Elementary School in Woodlawn. The city went ahead with it, and Wadsworth may remain a shelter for up to two years to house noncitizens coming from thousands of miles away.

Schools are a searingly sore point for Black Chicagoans, who will never forget or forgive then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel for closing 49 public elementary schools in 2013, most in their communities. Many of those school buildings remain, vacant and crumbling.

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I asked Small: What do your listeners want?

She opened up the phone lines. I got an earful.

I feel put upon by the illegal migrant situation and the Democrat Party, said Ron, the first caller. And to answer Lauras question, what do we want? We want respect, equal respect, and we want returns for our investment (in the Democratic Party).

We want jobs, good living conditions. And you know what? The Democrat Party is not giving us anything for our vote, he also said.

Another caller, Maurice, noted that these border states have been dealing with this issue for years. So, yes, its a political fight, but it is somewhat disingenuous to just say, Oh, well, theyre just doing this for politics. If we get enough immigrants here, were going to start trying to find a place to ship them.

Maurice, who said he has worked as a property manager, points to Chicagos affordable housing shortage. And this is going to make it worse. And then to try to act like it wont affect the people who are already at the bottom of the barrel is disingenuous also.

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It is an age-old complaint. When the politicians come shilling for votes, they always remind us that we are the Democratic Partys most loyal constituency and they need us. Yet, our communities are in shambles, and there is never enough money for our schools, buses, city services and parks. We are asked to step aside for one more crisis, for one more group or issue that must be tended to first.

This time, its the migrants.

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Smalls listeners and the African Americans I hear from are sympathetic to the migrants plight.

Most of us have never been to Venezuela, but we have seen the many women, men and children sleeping on the floors of police stations across the city, for weeks and months. We understand that no one does that unless they are escaping horrific and unendurable conditions back home.

But its not about them, Black folks will tell you. What about us?

If Democratic Party leaders do not answer that question, come election time, defending their sanctuary cities will be the least of their problems.

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Laura Washington is a political commentator and longtime Chicago journalist. Her columns appear in the Tribune each Monday. Write to her at LauraLauraWashington@gmail.com.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
TEHRAN, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Monday the country has always supported the return of the Nagorno-Karabakh region to Azerbaijan.

He made the remarks at a weekly press conference in the Iranian capital Tehran, when commenting on Iran's positions toward the latest developments in the Caucasus region.

Kanaani said Iran has repeatedly and clearly announced that it supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and Armenia, but does not approve of settling disputes through making geopolitical changes.

The region's issues can be resolved through regional frameworks, he noted, adding Iran supports regional talks, particularly within the 3+3 format, comprising the three Caucasian states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, and their three neighbors of Russia, Turkiye, and Iran.

"We are especially against transregional interference in the regional affairs and foreign presence in the region," he added.

Last month, Azerbaijan retook the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh from the Armenian separatists who had controlled the region for three decades.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at loggerheads over the mountainous region since 1988. 
BEIJING, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Water levels in some parts of the middle and lower streams of the country's Hanjiang River Basin are forecast to exceed their warning marks from Monday, according to the Ministry of Water Resources.

Heavy rains have lashed the river basin since Sept. 22, and the first flood of the year occured in the river basin last Friday, the ministry said.

The water inflow at Danjiangkou Reservoir in central China's Hubei Province was recorded at 11,800 cubic meters per second on Monday afternoon, and the water outflow was 8,170 cubic meters per second.

From Monday to Thursday, heavy rains are expected to hit the Hanjiang River Basin, the ministry said, and the water inflow at Danjiangkou Reservoir is expected to peak at 15,000 cubic meters per second on Friday.

The ministry has activated a Level-IV emergency response to flooding for Hanjiang River, and dispatched work teams to Hubei and Shaanxi to provide instruction on flood prevention. 
Weather Alert

Bulletin: ...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees expected. * WHERE...Portions of central, northern and southern Delaware, northeast Maryland, central, northern, northwest and southern New Jersey and east central and southeast Pennsylvania. * WHEN...Until 10 AM EDT this 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: Freeze Warning

start_time_local: 2023-11-02T03:09:00-04:00

end_time_local: 2023-11-02T10:00:00-04:00

county_name:

state: NJ

headline: Freeze Warning until THU 10:00 AM EDT

county_fips:

category: Met

url:

urgency: Expected

severity: Moderate

certainty: Likely

geographicname: Warren County

state_name: New Jersey
READING., Pa. The Reading Zoning Hearing Board has scheduled a special hearing for Wednesday night to hear the appeal of a Brooklyn, New York-based developer for a proposal to convert the former Reading Central Catholic building into a 78-unit apartment building.

Reading Hill, LLC, which is an entity controlled by a Brooklyn development company, Heights Advisors, will be seeking a special exception for an adaptive reuse to establish 78-dwelling units, or in the alternative, to seek a change from one non-conforming use to another non-conforming use.

The developer will also be seeking a variance for the required square-footage requirements for dwelling units and a variance from the number of required off-street parking spaces and to allow a drive aisle at 1500 Eckert Avenue.

The same developer was recently granted zoning relief to convert the former Santander office building at 601 Penn St. into a 207-unit apartment building.

That decision by the zoning panel proved to be controversial and resulted in Reading City Council filing an appeal of the decision with the Berks County Court of Common Pleas.

Last week, city council voted 4-3 to allow a member of city council to attend the Oct. 4 hearing to provide testimony on the Hill Road proposal.

Construction on the Italian Renaissance structure began in 1914 by William H. Luden, the founder of Ludens throat drops.

The Luden mansion, also known as the Bon-Air mansion, was used as a private residence by Luden until it was converted into the Reading Central Catholic High School in 1939.

The building features a grand marble staircase which became the pride of each senior class, as only the upperclassmen could use the steps.

At the close of the 2010-2011 academic year, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown made the decision to close the school to form Berks Catholic High School, which is located in the former Holy Name High School building.

The diocese sold the Hill Road property in 2015 to Reading School, LLC.

It was the plan of Dr. Thomas Lubben, the founder of several arts-based charter schools in the state, to open an arts charter school.

In 2021, that plan was abandoned after the Reading School Board denied charters for the school several times, citing deficiencies in the proposed curriculum.

Reading School LLC sold the property to Reading Hill LLC in 2021.

The school also sold 1500 Eckert Ave. to the developer, the site of a former convent for the high school.

The building is located on a property forming the intersection of Hill Road and Clymer Street. Eckert Avenue is on the rear side of the building, while an unnamed alley forms a complete block outlining the property.

While the building stood as a gem in East Reading for decades, after the diocese sold the property it fell into disrepair with numerous broken windows, vandalism and overgrown trees and shrubs.

An adaptive re-use of the once-glorious building might be welcomed to some in the city, but residents of Eckert Avenue and Hill Road may oppose the application because of excessive on-street parking.

The use of the school predated zoning and in its heyday, on-street parking saturated both Eckert Avenue and Hill Road during school hours and school events.

Residents who live in close proximity to the former school will be permitted to ask questions of the developer and make statements either in support or in opposition to the proposed use.

The 5:30 p.m. hearing will be held as a Zoom meeting only.

Instructions for logging onto the meeting can be found at:

https://www.readingpa.gov/images/ZHB_decisions_agendas/2023.09.12_Final_Agenda.pdf
Hanover Township (Northampton County) will hold its next Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors' meetings at the township Community Center, not the municipal building, to accommodate crowds.



The big topic at the Oct. 10 meeting of the supervisors will be the Majestic Realty plan for 10 buildings on Airport Road that would cover more than 3.2 million total square feet.



Majestic's plan for a "flex center" requires a zoning text amendment. Such amendments do not alter the zoning map but can allow additional uses in a specific area. The Airport Road land is in an Aircraft Flightpath Highway Business District.



The Board of Supervisors has the final vote on zoning changes. It will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at the Community Center.



When the township expects lots of people to attend, meetings are held at the Community Center at 3660 Jacksonville Road instead of at the smaller municipal meeting room. There is more space, but on the other hand, neither meeting will be livestreamed on the Internet.



"Livestreaming not available due to location of meeting," according to the township website.



The tract Majestic plans to lease is near the Lehigh Valley International Airport. The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, which runs LVIA, owns the land. Leasing it to Majestic would provide the airport authority with a revenue stream beyond aviation.



Los Angeles-based Majestic could have put as many as 28 buildings covering 4.2 million square feet on the site, Joseph Uliana said in August. His firm, J.M. Uliana & Associates, represents the developer. Uliana lives in the township.



On Monday, Uliana said the developer has taken steps to keep the flex center from infringing on nearby neighborhoods.



"The orientation of all the buildings will be facing inward," he said. Majestic will have a 300-foot buffer between neighborhoods, with a 14-foot berm and "thousands of trees," Uliana said. There will also be 72 acres kept as open green space, he said.



Residents have expressed concern about traffic, pollution and noise. Opponents of warehouses have organized on Facebook, started letter-writing drives and protested, as some did Sunday along Route 512.



They see the development as a threat to their suburban way of life.



"This is urgent, we have an Oct. 10 meeting and we need everyone to show up and stop this," Jennifer Levins said at the anti-warehouse demonstration on Sunday.



Township agendas are subject to change.



On Tuesday, Oct. 3, the planning Commission is due to review a plan for a warehouse at 300 Gateway Drive, just off Route 512 and Route 22. That warehouse would be built on the site of the Best Western hotel and an adjacent field.



The Planning Commission will also review a proposed 179,400-square-foot development at 4000-4300 Airport Road. A conditional-use hearing for that warehouse is also expected to take place at the Oct. 10 meeting.
L. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. - Mack Trucks and the United Auto Workers Union have come to a tentative agreement.

It effectively avoids a strike that was authorized to begin Monday, had that agreement not been met.

Almost 100% of Mack Trucks workers agreed that a strike needed to happen if wages, benefits and other issues with their previous contract weren't improved.

Mack Truck employees will be returning to work Monday.

The company announced late Sunday night they reached a tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers union.

Last month, 98% of the company's 3900 employees voted to authorize a strike on October 1st at 11:59 p.m. had a deal not been met.

That's the time their previous contracts were set to expire.

The union was arguing for better wages, health care, pension and the end to a lower tier of wages and benefits that some workers with less seniority get.

According to Mack Trucks, it's one of North America's largest manufacturers of medium duty and heavy duty trucks, engines and transmissions.

Mack trucks are sold in nearly 30 countries.

Had its employees gone on strike, Mack Trucks employees would've joined the over 25,000 UAW union members already on strike against the Detroit 3 automakers.

General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Stellantis.

They're fighting for similar contract changes. Better wages and benefits. Considering the companies have seen record profits in the last few years.

That strike is still ongoing and entering its third week.

In Mack Trucks statement Sunday night, it says the new agreement will "significantly increase wages and continue first-class benefits for employees and their families while also allowing the company to successfully compete in the market."

The agreement still needs to be ratified by the autoworkers union.

Once it is, the contract will last five years.
It's a Monday as usual for Mack Trucks' 2500 union employees at the company's Lower Macungie campus.

This comes as an 11th-hour, tentative five-year new contract between Mack Trucks and the United Auto Workers union, which represents 3900 employees in Maryland, Florida, and Pennsylvania, was reached late Sunday night.

The union made the announcement just before midnight.

Last month, 98 percent of those employees voted to authorize a strike Oct. 1.

In a statement Mack Trucks says the new agreement will "significantly increase wages and continue first-class benefits for employees and their families while also allowing the company to successfully compete in the market."

"Really it's about driving the experience with the customers about the solutions Mack can provide." That was Mack Trucks North American President Jonathon Randall in June during a tour of the company's new experience center in Allentown.

A possible prelude for these negotiations as the tentative deal seemingly avoids a October 2019 repeat. Workers went on strike for three weeks before reaching a four-year deal.

The deals impact not only union workers but nonunion employees like cook Drew Golonka, who continues to work too.

"That's still part of my paycheck and I got to make a living," he said.

The local union is declining to comment until members see more details of the tentative deal, which they hope is Wednesday. A final vote does need to be made to make it a done deal.
HARRISBURG, Pa.  Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt reminded registered Pennsylvania voters Monday that they have until 5 p.m. Oct. 31 to apply for a mail ballot for the Nov. 7 municipal election.

"Voting by mail is a safe, secure, and convenient way to make your voice heard in the upcoming election," Schmidt said. Voters can apply online for a mail-in or absentee ballot, or they can apply in person at their county board of elections office.

I encourage all voters to take time today to request their mail ballot so they have plenty of time to receive it and then return the voted ballot before the deadline, which is 8 p.m. on Nov. 7.

The Pennsylvania Department of State says as soon as voters receive their mail ballot, they should:

Read the instructions carefully.

Fill out the ballot, being sure to follow instructions on how to mark selections.

Seal the ballot in the inner secrecy envelope marked "Official Election Ballot." Be careful not to make any stray marks on the envelope.

Seal the secrecy envelope in the pre-addressed outer return envelope.

Complete the voter's declaration on the outer envelope by signing and writing the current date.

Affix a postage stamp to the outer envelope before mailing.

Voted mail ballots must be received by a voters county board of elections by 8 p.m. Nov. 7, Election Day. Mail ballots received after that time do not count, even if they contain a postmark before the deadline. Some counties may provide drop boxes or drop-off sites for mail ballots. Voters should check their county's website for information on locations.

Pennsylvanians can also request their mail ballot, complete it, and return it in one visit to their county election office until 5 p.m. Oct. 31, according to a news release from the Pennsylvania Department of State. Voters are encouraged to check their county election office hours before making the trip.

Pennsylvania voters also have the option of voting in person on Election Day at the polls, which will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 7. Voters can find their polling place on vote.pa.gov.

Voters who received an absentee or mail-in ballot may vote in person on Election Day if they bring their mail ballot and outer return envelope with them to be voided, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State. After they surrender those materials and sign a declaration, they can then vote on a regular ballot.

Voters who requested a mail ballot and did not receive it or do not have it to surrender may vote by provisional ballot at their polling place. The provisional ballot will be reviewed by the county board of elections after Election Day to determine whether it can be counted.

Whichever voting option you choose  by mail ballot or in person at the polls on Election Day  the important thing is to exercise your constitutional right to vote and let your voice be heard, Schmidt said.

For more information on voting in Pennsylvania, people can call the Department of State's year-round voter hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA, visit vote.pa.gov, or follow #ReadytoVotePA on social media.
An upper Bucks County church celebrated a milestone older than the United States of America.

Saint Luke's United Church of Christ in Ottsville is celebrating its 250th anniversary.

A brunch was held Sunday to mark the occasion.

The 1773 church is on the National Register of Historic Places.

It was originally known as the Red Hill Church.

The land is located on part of the 1737 "Walking Purchase."

The church even has a direct connection to George Washington.

The church's 251st year in 2024 will see it featured in a crime drama show being produced by Ridley Scott called "Catamount."
RICHLAND TWP., Pa. - A man is facing charges relating to a Richland Township homicide from 2021.

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office says Anthony Gamble, 22, of Somerset, N.J. pleaded guilty to the killing on Monday.

A media release says Gamble pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and criminal conspiracy to commit robbery.

His brother, Joshua Gamble, 19, of Somerset, pleaded guilty last year to robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, theft, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and abuse of a corpse.

The brothers are accused of robbing and killing Kevin Rosero, 26, of Somerset, N.J., who was found stabbed to death just after midnight on June 17, 2021.

The DA's office says Rosero was found in a wooded area in the 500 block of East Pumping Station Road.

Both brothers will be sentenced in November.
Martial arts enthusiasts perform Taiji, or Tai Chi, during a Mid-Autumn Festival event at the China Cultural Center in Cotonou, Benin, Sept. 23, 2023. The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, has been observed by people of Chinese origin for thousands of years. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)

People enjoy a concert celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival at the China Cultural Center in Brussels, Belgium, Sept. 19, 2023. The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, has been observed by people of Chinese origin for thousands of years. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins attends a Mid-Autumn Festival event in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 30, 2023. The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, has been observed by people of Chinese origin for thousands of years. (Photo by Zhao Gang/Xinhua)

People wearing Chinese traditional clothing Hanfu pose for photos at a Mid-Autumn Festival event in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 30, 2023. The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, has been observed by people of Chinese origin for thousands of years. (Photo by Zhao Gang/Xinhua)
NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Safra New York Corporation, the holding company of Safra National Bank of New York ("The Bank"), is pleased to announce the successful completion of its acquisition of Delta North Bankcorp, including its subsidiary Delta National Bank and Trust Company.

This strategic acquisition is a significant milestone for Safra National Bank and underscores the Bank's continuous expansion in the private banking and wealth management business. The acquisition strengthens the Bank's market position among high-net-worth clients in the United States and Latin America, where the Bank has been providing premier private banking and financial services and has a long and successful track record.

Jacob J. Safra, Chairman of Safra National Bank of New York: "We are proud to have completed this acquisition, which represents an excellent strategic fit to our existing business in these markets. Clients will benefit from an organization that is fully dedicated to wealth management, providing the service, products and expertise that best meet their specific needs. We are confident that the Bank has all the attributes required to continue growing and prospering in a sustainable manner.

Simoni Morato, Chief Executive Officer of Safra National Bank of New York: "We very much look forward to working closely with Delta's clients and employees and developing long term relationships. Together we will build on the strengths of our organization, not only in the United States, but also throughout Latin America."

Safra National Bank of New York

Headquartered in New York, with branches in Aventura, Miami and Palm Beach, and offices throughout Latin America, Safra National Bank is a leading private bank with approximately US$ 30 billion in clients' assets. Safra National Bank of New York is part of the J. Safra Group.

J. Safra Group

The J. Safra Group (the "Group"), with total assets under management of over USD $300 billion, consists of privately-owned banks under the Safra name and investment holdings in asset-based business sectors such as real estate and agribusiness. The Group's banking interests in 160 locations globally, are: Safra National Bank of New York, headquartered in New York City, USA; J. Safra Sarasin, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland; and Banco Safra, headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil; all independent from one another from a consolidated supervision standpoint.

The Group's real estate holdings consist of more than 200 premier commercial, residential, retail and farmland properties worldwide, such as New York City's 660 Madison Avenue office complex and London's iconic Gherkin Building. Its investments in other sectors include, among others, agribusiness holdings in Brazil and Chiquita Brands International Inc. With deep relationships in markets worldwide, the Group is able to greatly enhance the value of businesses which are part of it. There are more than 34,000 employees associated with the J. Safra Group.

Media Contact

Ross Lovern

ross.lovern@kekstcnc.com

212 521 4866

Sonia Bucan

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212 521 4808

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/safra-new-york-corporation-completes-the-acquisition-of-delta-north-bankcorp-301943847.html

SOURCE Safra National Bank of New York
The European Unions foreign policy chief led a delegation of top diplomats on an unannounced visit to Kyiv and dismissed concerns about political tension in the bloc over its long-term support for Ukraines fight against Russia. Monday's meeting between EU and Ukrainian diplomats was largely symbolic. Josep Borrell said it demonstrated the EUs clear commitment to Ukraine in its 19-month-long war. At a news conference in the Ukrainian capital, he said he did not see any EU member "folding on their engagement. Borrell said the gathering was the first time EU foreign ministers have met outside the bloc  and in a war zone.
This combo photo taken on Sept. 18, 2023 shows a contestant taking part in a dining service event at the second Vocational Skills Competition held in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

TIANJIN, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- From among hundreds of thousands of participants nationwide, 4,045 skilled individuals successfully qualified to compete at the second Vocational Skills Competition, recently held in north China's Tianjin Municipality.

Focusing on promoting the training, deployment, evaluation and incentive mechanism of skilled talents, the event has been regarded as the biggest and most high-profile comprehensive national vocational skills competition.

This year's edition featured a staggering 109 competitive events, covering 15 categories of national economic sectors, including manufacturing, information technology, transportation, construction, services and mining, among others.

Competitive events for new occupations and digital technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) engineering, and Internet of Things (IoT) installation and debugging, attracted wide attention.

In the VR engineering technology competition, participants were required to create a three-dimensional model of a fan within a stipulated timeframe.

"Participants can add their creativity and innovation during the process, making the model more diverse and functional," said Liu Yue, the chief judge of the event, who is also a professor at the School of Optics and Photonics, Beijing Institute of Technology.

"More than 200 vocational colleges nationwide have launched VR-related majors," Liu said, adding that VR is expected to better serve the real economy in the era of immersive internet.

Last year, the profession of "tidying-up expert" was officially included in the category of residential service personnel, making it one of the 158 newly added professions.

Luo Xin, an associate professor specializing in modern domestic service and management at Hubei Preschool Teachers College, participated in the domestic service competition.

"The 'tidying-up expert' is a new profession with high market demand. This year, the college celebrated its inaugural graduating class in this major, achieving a remarkable 100 percent employment rate for these graduates," Luo added.

"Behind the emergence of new professions is the support of new business formats, which reflect that China's economy is taking solid steps towards high-quality development. At the same time, it signifies new opportunities for development and fresh employment prospects, which are of great significance for enhancing the social recognition of professionals in these new occupations and promoting employment and entrepreneurship," said Li Zhanqiang, an official of the competition's executive committee.

According to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the number of skilled workers in China has exceeded 200 million, accounting for more than 26 percent of the national workforce, of whom over 60 million individuals are highly skilled. 

This combo photo taken on Sept. 18, 2023 shows a contestant taking part in a tea art event at the second Vocational Skills Competition held in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

This combo photo taken on Sept. 18, 2023 shows a contestant taking part in a hairdressing event at the second Vocational Skills Competition held in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

This photo taken on Sept. 19, 2023 shows the closing ceremony of the second Vocational Skills Competition in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)
Woodlands and forests con-tree-versial

A tree is not just a tree. It is also fuel, paper, furniture, livelihood, and industry.

It is a living organism rooted in an ecosystem of fauna, flora, environment, climate, and humanity. Deryn Graham asked an environmental ecologist, an environmental lawyer, a social ecologist, and an accountant what happens when conflicting priorities collide and potentially compromise trees, woodland, and forests.

Fuelwood subsidises Eskom

The use of fuelwood as a main source of energy in rural communities is relieving Eskom of an enormous additional amount of pressure on the national grid.

The is according to Wayne Twine, Associate Professor in the Wits School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences and Director of the Wits Rural Knowledge Hub at Wits Rural Campus in Mpumalanga.

Fuelwood is wood that is harvested from forestlands and combusted directly for useable heat.

Even as the country endures the single longest period of consecutive days of loadshedding, and as people look for alternative power sources for their homes, many would consider the use of fuelwood as a highly undesirable practice. This is based on concerns around environmental sustainability and human health, especially that of women who bear the brunt of the cooking responsibilities.

However, using a very conservative estimate based on the use of fuelwood for the cooking of only one meal per day, and excluding boiling water, for example, for bathing, Twine contests that the use of fuelwood is sparing the national grid approximately 543 MW at peak use and 210 GWh per year. This equates to a saving of approximately R200 million per year in energy generating costs for Eskom.

Despite the successful roll out of electrification in many rural communities across the country, the cost for indigent households of switching on appliances, especially energy-intensive stoves, is prohibitive, and so the use of fuelwood persists.

At best, the harvesting of wood from communal land is managed by local chiefs, and is restricted to dead wood [dry, brittle, dead tree branches] only, but in many areas, the deadwood is depleted, and people resort to foraging from live wood sources.

If the alternative is drawing more energy from Eskoms coal powered units, we are in any case using up valuable natural resources. Damned if we use fuelwood and damned if we revert to mains electricity, which similarly depends on the burning of fossil fuels, says Twine.

While burning fuelwood is not desirable, Twine believes that it will remain an important part of the energy mix in South Africa for probably the next 20 years.

The challenges and solutions are complex, he says. In acknowledging the reality of the costs and availability of electricity for poor rural communities, we must work towards ensuring that programmes aimed at empowering communities to use the resources which natural ecosystems provide to these households more sustainably, are supported and expanded.

Not seeing the wood(land) for the trees

In 2019, a German/Dutch-funded study led by Jean-Francois Bastin and Thomas Crowther of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, claimed that there were huge benefits in tree planting projects across the globe, including on large tracts of land in Africa.

However, many large tracts of land in Africa are not historically woodland in the first place. A woodland is an area covered in trees. Woodland is distinct from a forest, which has a largely closed canopy forged from the branches and foliage of trees interlocking overhead.

Tree planting programmes were recommended following the Bastin/Crowther study and several African countries, desperate for funding, listened  even going as far as to introduce alien species. For example, in Madagascar, restoration often involves planting eucalyptus trees, which are non-indigenous. In 2019, Ethiopia embarked on a project to plant 20 billion trees by the end of 2022, with potentially disastrous effects on water supplies and land availability for agriculture.

While erroneous on many levels, this study at least served to mobilise African scientists into very vocal opposition, and to work together to formulate a regional plan for Africas own response to climate change. This response included a Wits University-led Future Ecosystems for Africa study, launched in 2022. Funded by the Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation, the study seeks regional solutions for regional challenges.

The methods and results of the [Bastin/Crowther] study were both incorrect and misleading and therefore potentially dangerous for the continent. Africa has many different ecosystems and to suggest that tree planting is the panacea for global warming is irresponsible. The science is wrong and even if we covered the entire continent in trees, the amount of carbon cited in the Bastin study will never be captured, says Professor Sally Archibald, an ecologist in the Wits School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences (APES). As African scientists, we must mobilise to make our voices heard in situations where global policies/science undermine what our own research is showing us.

Such mobilisation and rebutting scientific inaccuracy is already evident from Nicola Stevens, a Wits alumna and affiliate based at the University of Oxfords Environmental Change Institute, who is part of a team working on novel, constructive ideas to manage African ecosystems, in particular the African savanna. Together with Ghanaian Mohammed Armani, Stevens mobilised a community of African ecologists to provide an evidence base for identifying climate mitigation actions that are appropriate for African ecosystems.

This is the first time that such an evidence base has been produced, and it has already provided inputs to the African Group of Negotiators at the climate COP27 meeting held in November 2022. Suggestions include recognising that not disturbing Africas carbon rich soil is an imperative.

It is important to plough and cultivate in areas that can support agricultural activity and to preserve grasslands whose soil carbon has a vital role to play in the fight against global warming, says Archibald.

The need to manage grazing systems and balance stock levels as part of soil management measures was part of the findings. Included in the recommendations were ensuring that mangroves and tropical forests  which capture significant levels of carbon  are not destroyed, as well as ensuring proper fire management programmes in forested areas.

The REDD+ Programme benefits landowners in Africa when they do not cut down trees. REDD+ stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, while the plus signifies the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

However, there is no REDD+ programme equivalent to compensate for preserving grassland, which traps carbon in its soil. Biodiversity offset legislation needs to be drafted to protect all our important ecosystems.

Properly managed, our African forests, savanna and other environments can greatly assist in mitigating the problem of carbon emissions  to which Africa, as a continent, has contributed the least. Most importantly, this can be achieved without disrupting the natural balance of our rich biodiversity systems.

More on this research:

Save the trees, harness hydro, and feed the nation

In 2010, the World Economic Forum defined energy poverty as the lack of access to sustainable modern energy services and products. Energy poverty results from a lack of adequate, affordable, reliable, quality, safe and environmentally sound energy services to support development. There are various solutions aimed at addressing energy poverty in Africa, but not all solutions are sustainable for individual countries, the continent, or the planet.

Tracy-Lynn Field, Professor of Law at Wits, holds the Claude Leon Foundation Chair in Earth Justice and Stewardship. She says, Solving the energy needs of a country and ensuring environmental protection should not be a mutually exclusive exercise. It requires critical thinking to find answers to both issues. Clearly, its a delicate calibration to combat energy poverty whilst preserving natural resources.

Field, whose research areas include environmental law, human rights, mining law, climate change law and water law, recently collaborated with Dr Jonathan Muledi, Associate Professor at the University of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to study public and private liability for deforestation, forest degradation, and biodiversity loss in the DRC.

The DRC hosts Africas largest expanse of tropical rainforest (and the worlds second largest after Brazil), making it a critical part of the climate change equation. Although the rate of deforestation in the DRC has not been as rapid as in Brazil, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported that the pace of deforestation has increased significantly, largely due to extensive land clearance for agricultural development to meet the food demands of an ever-growing population.

Understanding the economic value of the forest resource and its ecosystem and the amount of carbon storage it represents, as well as the drivers of deforestation, are important considerations in a liability discussion. Direct drivers include unregulated artisanal logging for wood fuel, charcoal production, building and construction; forest clearing for subsistence and commercial agriculture; commercial logging for export; and artisanal and commercial mining.

The DRC has also recently opened bids for oil and gas concessions in forested areas. Indirectly, poor governance and corruption also play a significant role in abetting the unsustainable use of the DRCs forest resources.

There are a number of international and national laws that could be used to protect the forests of the DRC in a manner that allows for the DRC populace and future generations to continue to benefit from the countrys forest resources. But these laws are likely to have little effect unless the elephant in the room  the DRCs low rate of access to modern energy services  is addressed, says Field.

The most obvious alternatives to wood fuel and charcoal production would be to harness the DRCs massive hydropower potential, which would allow the country to meet domestic energy demand and have additional capacity to export to other African countries, including South Africa. But the Grand Inga scheme, which would potentially see the generation of 40 000 megawatts of power, has been beset by funding and contractual issues for many years.

Wood fuel from the DRCs primary forests is not a renewable resource. Water is. Addressing energy poverty in the DRC by developing sustainable hydropower and non-hydropower renewable energy is imperative if the global community is serious about protecting the forests of the DRC, says Field.

Counting on climate change reporting protocols

When two professors of Accountancy in the Universitys Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management embarked on a 1 100km paddle down one of the Amazon Rivers largest tributaries, at least one of them knew what he was in for.

Fifty years ago, as a 22-year-old, Professor Kurt Sartorius undertook the same trip to Brazil, which left him almost broken. So why again now, and why did Professor Wayne Van Zijl think it might be a good idea to join Sartorius and his son, Benn?

We wanted to raise awareness of the impact on climate change of the extensive deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, says Sartorius. But our objective was a little more focused than simply the message around the damage that is being done by both commercial enterprises and local subsistence farmers. Most of us with any level of awareness already know what is happening to vast tracts of immensely ecologically sensitive areas of our planet.

The destruction of the Brazilian rainforest is two-fold: Firstly, from commercial enterprises, and secondly from the slash-and-burn land clearance by locals to make room for subsistence cultivation. As the large multinationals clear more and more land, so the subsistence activities move further inland and the two leapfrog each other, encroaching ever further into the deep forest. The Amazon rainforest ecosystem is critical for the entire planets weather patterns and so its preservation and better management is vital.

In the context of their work as accountants, Sartorius and Van Zijl are trying to bring about change in the business and investment world, by introducing reporting protocols and standards that take into consideration climate change mitigation and off-set measures that large corporations are beginning to integrate into their business practices. Are extractors of Brazilian wood and minerals re-investing in community development? Are they assisting with the transition to smarter farming methods and education that improves local knowledge and farming practices?

The bottom line is that for Sartorius and Van Zijl, the corporate reports of companies cannot be about the financial bottom line only and must take into consideration companies social and environmental assets, liabilities, generation, and consumption. Companies that are looking at more environmentally friendly ways of mining, and which are spending money on remediating and repairing damage caused by their extraction methods, will show less profit, but ultimately should be more attractive to investors.

We cannot reward companies based solely on enormous profits. says Van Zijl. Sustainability reporting must be accelerated, and this is what we were trying to bring to the sectors attention. As accountants, we also have a role to play in mitigating the impact of climate change by providing environmental information for investors and society to hold companies accountable for their commercial activities.

Responsible investing requires setting reporting standards that can be used to assess the overall value of a company, not just value to its shareholders, but its value to society and to the planet.

To contribute, visit AccountantsCanSavePlanet
A leap of faith and resilience

Agents at the heart of creating a better world for the Deaf community mark 25 years of impact and partnerships.

If we waited for the money, we would be no where today.

These were the words of Dr Claudine Storbeck who narrated the story of how the Centre for Deaf Studies at Wits came into being.

The Centre started with nothing but a resolve to change the educational outcomes and prospects of the Deaf community.

Storbeck approached Wits 25-years ago with a bold request.

I said to Wits, give me an office and a phone  I will pay for my own phone bill and dont give me a salary.

This was a big gamble and an audacious move. Committing to working with no income could have serious consequences for her including destabilising her family household as a newlywed.

To her surprise, the University said yes to providing an office, marking a U-turn as up until then, two other institutions had turned her down citing that Deaf education was not a strategic area at the time.

In the months to follow, she dispatched 50 sponsorship letters while at the same time assembling a team that would support the vision to establish South Africas first academic programme dedicated to the training of teachers for the Deaf.

The first to join her despite the lack of financial security was Lucas Mangongwa, then a school principal carving his own path in North West province as the first Deaf principal in South Africa to lead a school for the Deaf.

I tell you these things because it shows what faith can do.

If we waited for the money, we would be nowhere today, said Storbeck addressing dignitaries and well-wishers at the official celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of the Centre.

This initiative of humble beginnings yet big dreams has become a Centre of Excellence recognised by the Department of Education and Training. Beyond teaching and research, the Centre has been a key contributor towards building an inclusive society. It is the go-to partner for families of deaf and hard-of-hearing babies, which through the Hi Hopes programme, provides psycho-social and language support to families across six provinces. This reach is increasing. In addition, the Centre has a dedicated SafeSpace programme to support Deaf victims of gender-based violence (GBV).

Speaking at the celebration Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Zeblon Vilakazi said the anniversary is a remarkable milestone in the history of this 100-year-old institution. This milestone speaks about the key elements of this University, namely diversity, equity and inclusion.

It is a testament to the enduring spirit of our university, said Vilakazi.

The event also served to honour Deaf Heroes who have made a significant contribution to the Deaf Ccommunity.

Building an eco-system

What began as a teaching programme to address the shortage of skilled teachers who can sign fluently and in tune with the needs of Deaf learners has evolved with the times filling a gap in the services provided to the Deaf community.

Adapting and innovating, the Centre has championed the availability of childrens books by producing a valuable resource for the socialisation and self-actualisation of Deaf children and families.

Rootz Resources produces books for deaf babies, available for in multi-media using both South African Sign Language and audio.

Representation matters. The main characters in these books are Deaf babies who live full lives.

The Centre also runs an entrepreneurship project on its premises and operates a coffee shop which employs Deaf baristas.

The Centre also houses data of the longest longitudinal study of Deaf babies in sub-Saharan Africa spanning 17 years.

Where to from here?

The young Deaf leaders are going to pave the way, said Storbeck.

We are already looking for Deaf people to take over. The Centre for Deaf Studies is not about an individual but is driven by the Deaf community.
Alumni in the spotlight September 2023

Catch up on a wrap of Witsie awards and appointments from the past month.

Awards

Pelonomi Moiloa (BSc Eng BM 2014, BSc Eng Elec 2015) and Shakir Mohamed (BSc Eng 2005, MSc Eng 2007) were named among TIME magazines 100 Most Influential People in Artificial Intelligence.

National Research Foundation awarded Professor Jill Adler (BSc 1973, Med 1985, PhD 1996) a Lifetime Achievement Award for advancing maths teaching, research, and empowering maths educators in the country. Dr Ekene Nweke (MSc 2015, PhD 2017) received the Research Excellence Award for Early Career/Emerging Researchers, which recognised outstanding research performance by current early career/emerging researchers in any discipline. Dr Nweke is a molecular biologist and a researcher in the Department of Surgery at Wits. Dr Phil Mjwara (PhD 1995), director general of the Department of Science and Innovation, received a Significant Contribution Award for his role in South Africas Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, from early in its development to date. He has assisted with development not only during the various phases of the projects, but also with the spinoff benefits that the SKA project has provided, including employment opportunities in construction and eco-tourism, skills development and training, and education from basic to tertiary level.

Dr Tiisetso Elizabeth Lephoto (BSc 2010, BSc Hons 2011, MSc 2013) was awarded the Distinguished Young Woman Special Award at the 2023 South African Women in Science Awards.

Three Witsies were shortlisted in the prestigious 2023 Sunday Times Literary Awards: Dr Matthew Wilhelm-Solomon (BA Hons 2005) for Blinded City: 10 Years In Inner-City Johannesburg (Picador Africa, 2022), Liz McGregor (MA 2006) for Unforgiven: Face to face With My Fathers Killer (Jonathan Ball, 2022) and Bulelwa Mabasa (BA 2000, LLB 2002) for My Land Obsession: A Memoir by Bulelwa Mabasa (Picador Africa, 2022). All books are in the non-fiction category.

Taskeen Hasrod (BSc 2022, BSc Hons 2023) won the South African leg of FameLab 2023 for developing a machine learning model that predicts the levels of byproducts in acid-mine drainage. As the national champion, Hasrod will represent South Africa at the International FameLab competition in Cheltenham, UK, on 24 November 2023.

Professor Mark Solms (BA 1984, BA Hons 1985, MA 1984, PhD 1992), based at the University of Cape Town's Neuroscience Institute, has been awarded a prestigious Oppenheimer Memorial Trust grant of R1.9 million that will enable a new line of inquiry into proof-of-concept research endeavours that seek to understand the how and why of the workings of consciousness by using an artificial agent.

Appointments

Simphiwe Zondi (MBA 2018) has been appointed general manager of the Electrical Division of the Motheo Construction Group. He holds a post-graduate diploma in doctoral studies from GIBS and an MBA from Wits.

Lisa Chiume (BCom 2005) was appointed an independent non-executive director of Discovery Limited with effect from 18 September 2023.

The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy announced William Joughin (BSc Eng 1990, GDE 1992, MSc 1994, GDE (Min) 1997) as its new president for 2023/2024. He is a past president of the South African National Institute of Rock Engineering and a past vice president for Africa of the International Society for Rock Mechanics.

Peter Mbelengwa was announced as new chief director/head of communications and advocacy and spokesperson for the Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Department. He holds a postgraduate diploma in business administration from the Wits Business School.
SYDNEY, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Multiple warnings were issued on Monday in the Australian state of Victoria after major bushfires broke out and destroyed one residence in the state's east.

According to VicEmergency, residents living in Cobbannah, Glenaladale, and Moornapa are strongly recommended to prepare for evacuation and monitor further alerts, as a bushfire in Briagolong, Gippsland Region, has not been under control with numerous others still active in the area.

Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Officer for Country Fire Authority (CFA)'s South East Region Trevor Owen confirmed that one residence was ravaged by the Briagolong fire, which erupted at about 7:00 a.m. local time on Sunday and has already burnt 5,000 hectares with a perimeter of 42 km.

Despite milder weather conditions enabling firefighters to contain flames, CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan warned that Victorians are "not out of the woods."

"Today, we see challenging fire conditions in the northwest of the state, particularly for the Mallee Weather District with the declaration of a total fire ban from midnight last night to midnight tonight," Heffernan said in an interview with 9News.

"We are expecting 35 degrees temperatures there and hot northerly winds and we will see that come across the state in the next 24 hours, which again will bring elevated fire conditions into East Gippsland tomorrow," he added. 
Shares of Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BOOT  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the nine analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $108.00.

Several research analysts have recently commented on BOOT shares. TD Cowen raised their price target on Boot Barn from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 8th. Citigroup raised their price target on Boot Barn from $106.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. BTIG Research raised their price target on Boot Barn from $98.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. UBS Group increased their price objective on Boot Barn from $74.00 to $88.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 3rd. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price objective on Boot Barn from $117.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 3rd.

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Boot Barn Price Performance

BOOT stock opened at $81.19 on Monday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $90.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $81.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.43 billion, a PE ratio of 14.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 2.34. Boot Barn has a 1 year low of $50.20 and a 1 year high of $104.91.

Boot Barn (NYSE:BOOT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. The company reported $1.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.27. The company had revenue of $383.70 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $362.49 million. Boot Barn had a return on equity of 22.03% and a net margin of 9.88%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Boot Barn will post 5.27 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Boot Barn

In related news, CEO James Grant Conroy sold 113,636 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.09, for a total transaction of $10,578,375.24. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 46,273 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,307,553.57. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Boot Barn news, insider Michael A. Love sold 10,250 shares of Boot Barn stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.94, for a total value of $973,135.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 2,965 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $281,497.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO James Grant Conroy sold 113,636 shares of Boot Barn stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.09, for a total value of $10,578,375.24. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 46,273 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,307,553.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 129,879 shares of company stock worth $12,134,150. Corporate insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Boot Barn

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BOOT. Portside Wealth Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Boot Barn during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $773,000. Hook Mill Capital Partners LP grew its stake in shares of Boot Barn by 17.4% during the 2nd quarter. Hook Mill Capital Partners LP now owns 112,613 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,537,000 after buying an additional 16,690 shares during the period. Osaic Holdings Inc. grew its stake in shares of Boot Barn by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 11,039 shares of the companys stock valued at $935,000 after buying an additional 285 shares during the period. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky boosted its position in Boot Barn by 6.1% during the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 9,161 shares of the companys stock worth $776,000 after purchasing an additional 523 shares during the period. Finally, Legato Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Boot Barn by 56.4% in the 2nd quarter. Legato Capital Management LLC now owns 7,570 shares of the companys stock valued at $641,000 after buying an additional 2,730 shares during the last quarter.

Boot Barn Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc, a lifestyle retail chain, operates specialty retail stores in the United States. The company's specialty retail stores offer western and work-related footwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and kids. It offers boots, shirts, jackets, hats, belts and belt buckles, handbags, western-style jewelry, rugged footwear, outerwear, overalls, denim, and flame-resistant and high-visibility clothing.

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MEXICO CITY, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed when the roof of a church collapsed Sunday in northern Mexico's Tamaulipas state, local authorities said.

"Unfortunately, the death of seven people has been confirmed," Jorge Cuellar, the state public security spokesperson, said in an interview with local TV station ADN 40.

So far 10 injured people have been rescued, while relief workers continue to remove debris, the official said.

The collapse of the church of Santa Cruz in Madero City may have been caused by a structural failure of the building, Cuellar added.

The governor of Tamaulipas, Americo Villarreal, lamented the incident and offered his sympathies to the families of the deceased through a message on his social networks.

The National Guard has implemented an emergency social assistance plan to support those affected by the collapse. 
CFS Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 8,811 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $2,204,000.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Aspire Private Capital LLC bought a new stake in Illinois Tool Works in the first quarter worth approximately $16,798,050,000. GoalVest Advisory LLC bought a new stake in Illinois Tool Works in the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC grew its position in Illinois Tool Works by 145.2% in the first quarter. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC now owns 103 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Sturgeon Ventures LLP bought a new stake in Illinois Tool Works in the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Quarry LP grew its position in Illinois Tool Works by 52.7% in the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 142 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.56% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on ITW shares. Credit Suisse Group boosted their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $281.00 to $292.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $230.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 3rd. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $256.00 to $258.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Illinois Tool Works from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $235.00 to $240.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $237.18.

Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance

NYSE:ITW traded down $0.37 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $229.94. 583,076 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,061,819. The stock has a market capitalization of $69.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.78, a P/E/G ratio of 4.37 and a beta of 1.15. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a twelve month low of $180.46 and a twelve month high of $264.19. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $242.29 and a 200 day moving average of $238.75. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.39 by $0.02. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 19.30% and a return on equity of 94.14%. The company had revenue of $4.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.37 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 9.74 EPS for the current year.

Illinois Tool Works Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 29th will be paid a $1.40 dividend. This is a boost from Illinois Tool Workss previous quarterly dividend of $1.31. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 28th. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.44%. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio is currently 55.39%.

Illinois Tool Works Profile

(Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment worldwide. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment offers plastic and metal components, fasteners, and assemblies for automobiles, light trucks, and other industrial uses.

Further Reading

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CFS Investment Advisory Services LLC reduced its stake in shares of iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (BATS:GOVT  Free Report) by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 634,115 shares of the companys stock after selling 12,822 shares during the quarter. iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF accounts for 1.9% of CFS Investment Advisory Services LLCs holdings, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. CFS Investment Advisory Services LLC owned approximately 0.05% of iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF worth $14,521,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of GOVT. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its stake in iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF by 8.2% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 24,695 shares of the companys stock worth $642,000 after purchasing an additional 1,879 shares during the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF during the 1st quarter worth $1,071,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF by 3.2% in the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 338,812 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,440,000 after buying an additional 10,375 shares in the last quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. grew its position in iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF by 10.4% in the first quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 406,752 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,132,000 after acquiring an additional 38,476 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Prudential Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF by 34.3% in the first quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 558,798 shares of the companys stock worth $13,920,000 after acquiring an additional 142,658 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF Stock Performance

BATS:GOVT remained flat at $22.04 during mid-day trading on Monday. 8,683,604 shares of the company traded hands. The companys fifty day moving average price is $22.42 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $22.89.

iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF Cuts Dividend

About iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.0486 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, October 2nd.

(Free Report)

The iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (GOVT) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the ICE U.S. Treasury Core Bond index. The fund tracks a market-weighted index of fixed-rate nonconvertible U.S. Treasury securities with a remaining maturity of one year or more. GOVT was launched on Feb 14, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock.

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ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CHPT  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seventeen brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $12.51.

Several research firms have issued reports on CHPT. B. Riley decreased their price target on shares of ChargePoint from $12.00 to $11.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 20th. Roth Mkm cut their target price on ChargePoint from $14.00 to $11.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 7th. TD Cowen cut their price objective on ChargePoint from $14.00 to $11.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, September 7th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of ChargePoint in a research report on Wednesday, September 27th. They issued a buy rating and a $9.00 price target on the stock. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on shares of ChargePoint from $10.00 to $7.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 18th.

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Insider Transactions at ChargePoint

Institutional Trading of ChargePoint

In other news, Director Ekta Singh-Bushell sold 4,622 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $5.44, for a total value of $25,143.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 41,215 shares in the company, valued at approximately $224,209.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . In other news, Director Ekta Singh-Bushell sold 4,622 shares of ChargePoint stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.44, for a total value of $25,143.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 41,215 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $224,209.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, CAO Henrik Gerdes sold 5,328 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.03, for a total value of $26,799.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 78,210 shares in the company, valued at approximately $393,396.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 4,502,170 shares of company stock valued at $26,295,083 over the last 90 days. 12.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in ChargePoint by 6.6% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,469,637 shares of the companys stock worth $331,652,000 after purchasing an additional 1,396,280 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in ChargePoint by 14.6% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 15,217,487 shares of the companys stock worth $133,762,000 after acquiring an additional 1,939,710 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in ChargePoint by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,286,364 shares of the companys stock worth $37,677,000 after acquiring an additional 229,805 shares during the last quarter. RHO Capital Partners Inc. bought a new stake in ChargePoint during the 2nd quarter worth $35,628,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in ChargePoint by 8.3% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,942,418 shares of the companys stock worth $34,654,000 after acquiring an additional 301,687 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 45.01% of the companys stock.

ChargePoint Price Performance

Shares of ChargePoint stock opened at $4.97 on Monday. ChargePoint has a 1-year low of $4.73 and a 1-year high of $16.60. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $6.86 and a 200-day simple moving average of $8.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.61 and a current ratio of 2.03.

ChargePoint (NYSE:CHPT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, September 6th. The company reported ($0.35) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.13) by ($0.22). The business had revenue of $150.49 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $153.25 million. ChargePoint had a negative net margin of 65.71% and a negative return on equity of 106.73%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 39.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted ($0.27) earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that ChargePoint will post -0.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ChargePoint Company Profile

(Get Free Report

ChargePoint Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides electric vehicle (EV) charging networks and charging solutions in the United States and internationally. It offers a portfolio of hardware, software, and services for commercial, fleet, and residential customers. ChargePoint Holdings, Inc was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Campbell, California.

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Shares of Cushman & Wakefield plc (NYSE:CWK  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $7.15 and last traded at $7.18, with a volume of 390229 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.62.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on CWK shares. Raymond James decreased their price objective on shares of Cushman & Wakefield from $20.00 to $18.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 1st. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating and set a $10.50 target price on shares of Cushman & Wakefield in a research note on Monday, September 18th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $11.70.

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Cushman & Wakefield Stock Performance

The firms 50-day moving average price is $9.04 and its 200 day moving average price is $8.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.24. The company has a market cap of $1.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -89.38 and a beta of 1.38.

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE:CWK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 31st. The company reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.21 by $0.01. Cushman & Wakefield had a negative net margin of 0.18% and a positive return on equity of 15.14%. The company had revenue of $2.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.64 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.63 EPS. Cushman & Wakefields revenue was down 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Cushman & Wakefield plc will post 1 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cushman & Wakefield

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CWK. Duality Advisers LP grew its holdings in Cushman & Wakefield by 21.9% during the first quarter. Duality Advisers LP now owns 159,757 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,684,000 after purchasing an additional 28,690 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System grew its holdings in Cushman & Wakefield by 2.7% during the first quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 42,519 shares of the companys stock valued at $448,000 after purchasing an additional 1,127 shares during the period. New York State Teachers Retirement System grew its holdings in Cushman & Wakefield by 28.4% during the first quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 79,085 shares of the companys stock valued at $834,000 after purchasing an additional 17,493 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its stake in Cushman & Wakefield by 79.1% in the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 100,051 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,055,000 after buying an additional 44,174 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp bought a new position in Cushman & Wakefield in the first quarter valued at approximately $111,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.47% of the companys stock.

About Cushman & Wakefield

(Get Free Report)

Cushman & Wakefield plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial real estate services under the Cushman & Wakefield brand in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and Asia Pacific segments.

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Royal Bank of Canada reiterated their outperform rating on shares of Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $83.00 target price on the stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on EHC. Stephens reissued an overweight rating and issued a $78.00 target price on shares of Encompass Health in a research note on Thursday, July 20th. Truist Financial upped their price target on Encompass Health from $75.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 3rd. Raymond James increased their target price on Encompass Health from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 3rd. Credit Suisse Group increased their target price on Encompass Health from $76.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 4th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on Encompass Health from $61.00 to $71.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, August 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Encompass Health has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $77.60.

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Encompass Health Stock Performance

Shares of EHC opened at $67.16 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $6.73 billion, a PE ratio of 21.59, a PEG ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.03. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $69.31 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $64.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 1.26. Encompass Health has a 1 year low of $45.11 and a 1 year high of $72.06.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $0.95 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $1.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.16 billion. Encompass Health had a return on equity of 18.26% and a net margin of 6.86%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Encompass Health will post 3.45 EPS for the current year.

Encompass Health Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 16th. Investors of record on Monday, October 2nd will be issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 29th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.89%. Encompass Healths payout ratio is 19.29%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Encompass Health news, insider Elissa Joy Charbonneau sold 8,294 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.58, for a total transaction of $577,096.52. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 23,081 shares in the company, valued at $1,605,975.98. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CEO Mark J. Tarr sold 25,330 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.06, for a total transaction of $1,799,949.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 497,405 shares in the company, valued at approximately $35,345,599.30. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Elissa Joy Charbonneau sold 8,294 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.58, for a total value of $577,096.52. Following the sale, the insider now owns 23,081 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,605,975.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Encompass Health

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Trilogy Capital Inc. grew its position in Encompass Health by 9.0% during the 1st quarter. Trilogy Capital Inc. now owns 5,508 shares of the companys stock worth $298,000 after purchasing an additional 453 shares during the period. Prescott Group Capital Management L.L.C. grew its position in shares of Encompass Health by 66.5% during the 1st quarter. Prescott Group Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 13,753 shares of the companys stock valued at $744,000 after acquiring an additional 5,495 shares during the period. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board grew its position in shares of Encompass Health by 21.3% during the 1st quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 35,973 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,946,000 after acquiring an additional 6,316 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Encompass Health by 5.7% during the 1st quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 285,377 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,439,000 after acquiring an additional 15,297 shares during the period. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas grew its position in shares of Encompass Health by 17.2% during the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 37,729 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,257,000 after acquiring an additional 5,546 shares during the period. 92.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Encompass Health

(Get Free Report)

Encompass Health Corporation provides post-acute healthcare services in the United States. It provides specialized rehabilitative treatment on an inpatient basis to patients who have experienced physical or cognitive disabilities or injuries due to medical conditions, such as strokes, hip fractures, and various debilitating neurological conditions.

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Graypoint LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI  Free Report) (TSE:TRI) during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 21,162 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $2,856,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Thomson Reuters by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,859 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $242,000 after buying an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. ClariVest Asset Management LLC increased its position in Thomson Reuters by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. ClariVest Asset Management LLC now owns 30,160 shares of the business services providers stock worth $4,033,000 after buying an additional 90 shares during the period. First Manhattan Co. increased its position in Thomson Reuters by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 4,031 shares of the business services providers stock worth $460,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Thomson Reuters by 134.9% during the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 195 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the period. Finally, First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. increased its position in shares of Thomson Reuters by 3.1% during the first quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. now owns 3,730 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $485,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the period. 17.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Thomson Reuters Trading Down 0.5 %

TRI traded down $0.60 during trading on Monday, reaching $121.72. 75,010 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 404,727. The companys fifty day moving average price is $129.14 and its 200-day moving average price is $128.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 0.90. Thomson Reuters Co. has a fifty-two week low of $97.59 and a fifty-two week high of $138.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.42 billion, a PE ratio of 26.31, a P/E/G ratio of 3.11 and a beta of 0.59.

Thomson Reuters Increases Dividend

Thomson Reuters ( NYSE:TRI Get Free Report ) (TSE:TRI) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 2nd. The business services provider reported $0.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $1.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.66 billion. Thomson Reuters had a net margin of 32.12% and a return on equity of 11.91%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 3.34 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 17th were given a dividend of $0.49 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 16th. This is a boost from Thomson Reuterss previous quarterly dividend of $0.36. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.61%. Thomson Reuterss payout ratio is 42.16%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on TRI. Royal Bank of Canada cut Thomson Reuters from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $135.00 to $139.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on Thomson Reuters from $184.00 to $192.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Thomson Reuters to $144.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Thomson Reuters from $135.00 to $142.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. Finally, TD Securities upped their price target on Thomson Reuters from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $148.62.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters Profile

(Free Report)

Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments.

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Graypoint LLC lessened its position in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:LQD  Free Report) by 50.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 16,913 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 17,273 shares during the period. Graypoint LLCs holdings in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF were worth $1,829,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ten Capital Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Ten Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 20,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,192,000 after acquiring an additional 235 shares during the last quarter. One Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $5,297,000. LeJeune Puetz Investment Counsel LLC grew its holdings in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 19.5% during the 1st quarter. LeJeune Puetz Investment Counsel LLC now owns 28,498 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $3,124,000 after acquiring an additional 4,652 shares during the last quarter. Dorsey Wright & Associates bought a new stake in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $1,051,000. Finally, Toronto Dominion Bank grew its holdings in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 84.7% during the 1st quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 554,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $60,691,000 after acquiring an additional 254,000 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.21% of the companys stock.

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iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF Stock Down 1.3 %

Shares of NYSEARCA LQD traded down $1.30 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $100.72. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,102,485 shares, compared to its average volume of 20,483,617. iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF has a one year low of $98.41 and a one year high of $112.51. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $104.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is $106.94.

About iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF

iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Investment Grade Index (the Index), which is a rules-based index consisting of liquid, the United States dollar-denominated, investment-grade corporate bonds for sale in the United States.

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Hobart Private Capital LLC lessened its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Free Report) by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 10,054 shares of the companys stock after selling 374 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF comprises approximately 0.2% of Hobart Private Capital LLCs holdings, making the stock its 28th largest position. Hobart Private Capital LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $492,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Tompkins Financial Corp boosted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 66.1% during the 1st quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp now owns 553 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 220 shares during the period. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Grove Bank & Trust bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Central Bank & Trust Co. acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Price Performance

Shares of EFV traded down $0.34 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $48.93. The company had a trading volume of 1,700,437 shares. The companys 50-day moving average is $49.55 and its 200-day moving average is $49.18. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a twelve month low of $49.15 and a twelve month high of $59.57. The company has a market capitalization of $16.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.51 and a beta of 0.84.

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East.

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This aerial photo shows tourists visiting Huangshizhai scenic spot in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2023. (Photo by Wu Yongbing/Xinhua)

CHANGSHA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- About four hours before the guests are scheduled to arrive, Wu You finishes the final reception tasks -- checking the cleanliness of rooms, maintaining inventory, and ensuring the correct water temperature, among other duties.

As a housekeeper at the Zishanmanju Resort in Longweiba Village, Zhangjiajie City, in central China's Hunan Province, Wu maintains active communication with guests from two days before their arrival.

"We anticipate their needs and offer guidance on appropriate attire and preparations for the prevailing weather conditions. Meanwhile, we also help guests with parking arrangements, help them plan their itinerary, and recommend routes according to their needs," Wu said.

Wu is just one of the many housekeepers in Longweiba Village. Longweiba Village's proximity to the core of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, grants it a distinct locational advantage and endows it with valuable scenic resources.

Locals have recently been courting investment and turning to the business of creating clusters of boutique homestays. There are currently 13 mid- to high-end homestays in the area, with another eight in the pipeline.

"Clear water and lush mountains are the prerequisites for harnessing tourism as a source of income," said Li Xiuying, an official of the village. Li still recalls a time when the village grappled with severe pollution, where the noxious stench of sewage routinely hung in the air, and garbage and debris littered the surroundings.

"A flat road was unavailable, and the traffic was a major hassle as well," Li said, adding that the village has experienced a dramatic makeover in recent years as a result of multiple habitat improvement and infrastructure-upgrade projects.

Longweiba, which started as a modest "hollow village," has blossomed into a vibrant hub for home-based enterprises and job opportunities. Li said that homestays can create more than a hundred jobs for locals and even encourage people from the surrounding area to join the tourism industry, paving the way for more people to embark on the "tourism road" and earn "tourism money."

In 2016, Li Ping gave up a well-paid job in the city and returned to Longweiba Village, where he opened a homestay business and worked as a housekeeper. Tourists from over 60 different countries and regions have visited the homestay, making it a homestay enjoying international fame.

Homestay housekeepers also constitute a growing workforce. In 2022, the updated version of China's official reference book on occupations recognized homestay housekeepers as a new occupation.

Li said that being a homestay housekeeper involves genuine and heartfelt service, as housekeepers befriend guests and ensure they feel at home, distinguishing their role from that of a traditional hotel receptionist or waiter.

Du Yong, the manager of Zishanmanju Resort, underlined the critical role of housekeepers, as they stand at the initial point of contact with guests. "We regularly organize internal training and send housekeepers for external training to continually enhance their service mindset, skills, and quality," Du said.

"I feel more pressure now that homestay housekeeper has been officially recognized as a new occupation," said Tang Yanjun, a homestay worker with four years experience. "We should not only enhance the brand reputation of homestay through sincere services but also strive to promote the development of rural tourism and contribute to the path of rural revitalization." 
Insight Folios Inc increased its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM  Free Report) by 13.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 60,067 shares of the basic materials companys stock after acquiring an additional 7,270 shares during the period. Insight Folios Incs holdings in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile were worth $4,362,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 1.8% during the first quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,123 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $610,000 after buying an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC grew its holdings in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 5.7% in the first quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 3,255 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $264,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. increased its position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 7.6% in the second quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 2,668 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $223,000 after buying an additional 188 shares in the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA increased its position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 103.2% in the first quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 443 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 225 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. boosted its position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 7,183 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $582,000 after buying an additional 226 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 14.94% of the companys stock.

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Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Trading Down 5.9 %

Shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile stock traded down $3.51 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $56.16. The stock had a trading volume of 694,783 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,612,997. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. has a 1 year low of $54.28 and a 1 year high of $112.35. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $64.38 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $70.20. The company has a current ratio of 2.39, a quick ratio of 1.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.72, a P/E/G ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 1.02.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Cuts Dividend

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile ( NYSE:SQM Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 16th. The basic materials company reported $2.03 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.62 by ($0.59). Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile had a net margin of 34.41% and a return on equity of 71.64%. The business had revenue of $2.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.24 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.01 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. will post 11.06 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 1st were given a $0.5119 dividend. This represents a $2.05 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 13th. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chiles payout ratio is currently 16.03%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $97.00 to $93.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 21st. Scotiabank lowered their target price on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $86.00 to $85.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 21st. Citigroup started coverage on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in a report on Tuesday, September 12th. They issued a buy rating and a $85.00 price target for the company. HSBC decreased their price objective on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $134.00 to $90.50 in a research note on Thursday, July 6th. Finally, Bank of America cut their target price on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $73.00 to $69.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $82.61.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on SQM

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Profile

(Free Report)

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA produces and distributes specialty plant nutrients, iodine derivatives, lithium derivatives, potassium chloride and sulfate, industrial chemicals, and other products and services. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers.

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Insight Folios Inc increased its holdings in Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD  Free Report) by 135.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,842 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 3,932 shares during the period. Insight Folios Incs holdings in Walker & Dunlop were worth $541,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 168.6% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 376 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 236 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System increased its position in Walker & Dunlop by 14.0% during the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 16,300 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,289,000 after purchasing an additional 2,000 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 222.0% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 818 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 564 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop in the 2nd quarter worth $1,572,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc purchased a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop in the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. 77.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, President Howard W. Smith III sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.13, for a total transaction of $1,622,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now owns 197,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,982,610. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, President Howard W. Smith III sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.13, for a total value of $1,622,600.00. Following the sale, the president now directly owns 197,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,982,610. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Paula A. Pryor sold 1,135 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.00, for a total transaction of $99,880.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 7,426 shares of the companys stock, valued at $653,488. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 58,084 shares of company stock worth $4,846,409 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 5.47% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently issued reports on WD. StockNews.com raised shares of Walker & Dunlop from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 27th. Wedbush upped their target price on Walker & Dunlop from $90.00 to $105.00 in a report on Friday, August 4th.

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Walker & Dunlop Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:WD traded down $2.73 on Monday, hitting $71.51. The companys stock had a trading volume of 64,232 shares, compared to its average volume of 191,977. The company has a market capitalization of $2.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.47 and a beta of 1.44. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a 12 month low of $61.06 and a 12 month high of $101.02. The stocks 50-day moving average is $84.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $78.12.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The financial services provider reported $0.98 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.06 by ($0.08). Walker & Dunlop had a net margin of 12.85% and a return on equity of 9.73%. The company had revenue of $272.62 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $257.99 million. Equities analysts expect that Walker & Dunlop, Inc. will post 4.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Walker & Dunlop Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, August 17th were issued a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 16th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.52%. Walker & Dunlops payout ratio is 59.29%.

Walker & Dunlop Company Profile

(Free Report)

Walker & Dunlop, Inc, through its subsidiaries, originates, sells, and services a range of multifamily and other commercial real estate financing products and services for owners and developers of real estate in the United States. The company offers first mortgage, second trust, supplemental, construction, mezzanine, preferred equity, and small-balance loans.

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C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWT  Free Report) by 14.7% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 21,793 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 2,795 shares during the period. C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors holdings in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF were worth $1,025,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 97,643.3% during the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 586,460 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $27,575,000 after purchasing an additional 585,860 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF during the second quarter worth $541,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 14.8% during the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 5,733 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $270,000 after purchasing an additional 737 shares during the last quarter. Boltwood Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF during the second quarter worth $201,000. Finally, Putnam Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 88.7% during the first quarter. Putnam Investments LLC now owns 62,433 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,830,000 after purchasing an additional 29,341 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Stock Up 0.0 %

Shares of EWT stock traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $44.57. 3,092,968 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,722,964. iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF has a fifty-two week low of $39.75 and a fifty-two week high of $51.08. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $45.93 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $45.90. The stock has a market cap of $3.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.02 and a beta of 0.86.

iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Company Profile

Ishares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Taiwan IndexSM (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Taiwan Stock Exchange.

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Pflug Koory LLC grew its position in shares of Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LW  Free Report) by 24.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,700 shares of the specialty retailers stock after purchasing an additional 336 shares during the period. Pflug Koory LLCs holdings in Lamb Weston were worth $195,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wedmont Private Capital raised its stake in shares of Lamb Weston by 1.6% in the second quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 5,962 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $672,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Hawaii raised its stake in shares of Lamb Weston by 1.9% in the first quarter. Bank of Hawaii now owns 5,200 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $544,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Lamb Weston by 1.1% in the first quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 9,400 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $982,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Greenleaf Trust raised its stake in Lamb Weston by 3.4% in the first quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 3,235 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $338,000 after buying an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Czech National Bank raised its stake in Lamb Weston by 0.6% in the first quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 16,947 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $1,771,000 after buying an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. 85.77% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Lamb Weston news, insider Eryk J. Spytek sold 6,319 shares of Lamb Weston stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.23, for a total value of $652,310.37. Following the sale, the insider now owns 1,052 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $108,597.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.66% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have weighed in on LW shares. TD Cowen started coverage on Lamb Weston in a research note on Wednesday, September 13th. They issued an outperform rating and a $125.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Lamb Weston from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the company from $125.00 to $127.00 in a research note on Monday, September 4th. Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Lamb Weston from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $115.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 4th. Barclays raised their price target on Lamb Weston from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 20th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Lamb Weston in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $123.67.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on LW

Lamb Weston Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE LW traded down $0.42 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $92.04. 1,355,282 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,417,753. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.30. Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. has a 1 year low of $76.56 and a 1 year high of $117.38. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $98.09 and a 200 day simple moving average of $106.00. The stock has a market cap of $13.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.36, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.55.

Lamb Weston (NYSE:LW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The specialty retailer reported $1.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.17. Lamb Weston had a return on equity of 84.65% and a net margin of 18.86%. The firm had revenue of $1.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.66 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.65 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 46.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. will post 5.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lamb Weston Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.22%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 2nd. Lamb Westons dividend payout ratio is currently 16.18%.

About Lamb Weston

(Free Report)

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc produces, distributes, and markets frozen potato products worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Global, Foodservice, Retail, and Other. It offers frozen potatoes, commercial ingredients, and appetizers under the Lamb Weston brand, as well as under various customer labels.

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Mcdaniel Terry & Co. raised its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 1.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 26,031 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 430 shares during the quarter. Mcdaniel Terry & Co.s holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $13,582,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 681,679 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $392,899,000 after buying an additional 24,376 shares during the last quarter. American Trust grew its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 13.2% in the 1st quarter. American Trust now owns 6,743 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $3,886,000 after acquiring an additional 784 shares during the last quarter. Sterling Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific during the second quarter valued at $1,074,000. Alta Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 5.1% during the second quarter. Alta Capital Management LLC now owns 88,286 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $46,064,000 after purchasing an additional 4,307 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Manhattan CO. LLC. boosted its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 11.2% during the first quarter. First Manhattan CO. LLC. now owns 724,844 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $417,779,000 after purchasing an additional 72,792 shares during the last quarter. 87.06% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Thermo Fisher Scientific

In related news, EVP Gianluca Pettiti sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $557.77, for a total value of $1,673,310.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 17,556 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,792,210.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, EVP Gianluca Pettiti sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $557.77, for a total transaction of $1,673,310.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 17,556 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,792,210.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $550.60, for a total value of $880,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 135,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $74,512,698. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 28,700 shares of company stock valued at $15,799,270 over the last quarter. 0.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on TMO shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $660.00 to $670.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. Raymond James lifted their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $595.00 to $630.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $662.00 to $698.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $625.00 to $585.00 in a report on Friday. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Thursday. They set an outperform rating and a $603.00 target price on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $627.13.

View Our Latest Stock Report on TMO

Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Performance

Shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock traded down $14.52 during trading on Monday, reaching $491.65. The companys stock had a trading volume of 761,832 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,485,969. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $535.13 and its 200-day moving average price is $538.25. The firm has a market cap of $189.75 billion, a PE ratio of 34.21, a P/E/G ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.79. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 52 week low of $475.77 and a 52 week high of $609.85. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The medical research company reported $5.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $5.43 by ($0.28). The business had revenue of $10.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.99 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.14% and a return on equity of 18.59%. The companys revenue was down 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $5.51 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 22.37 earnings per share for the current year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 13th. Investors of record on Friday, September 15th will be paid a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.28%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 14th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.57%.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Company Profile

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new position in Old Republic International Co. (NYSE:ORI  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 27,128 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $683,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in Old Republic International in the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Old Republic International by 130.9% in the 4th quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,411 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares in the last quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Old Republic International in the 2nd quarter worth about $34,000. Denali Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Old Republic International by 91.2% in the 2nd quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 1,591 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 759 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Old Republic International in the 1st quarter valued at about $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.61% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Old Republic International

In related news, EVP Stephen J. Oberst sold 26,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.68, for a total transaction of $733,520.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 68,574 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,898,128.32. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Director Barbara Adachi purchased 3,620 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 2nd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $27.64 per share, with a total value of $100,056.80. Following the purchase, the director now owns 5,920 shares in the company, valued at $163,628.80. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Stephen J. Oberst sold 26,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.68, for a total value of $733,520.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 68,574 shares in the company, valued at $1,898,128.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Old Republic International Trading Down 1.4 %

Shares of NYSE ORI traded down $0.38 during trading on Monday, reaching $26.56. The company had a trading volume of 141,207 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,609,929. The companys fifty day moving average price is $27.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $25.85. Old Republic International Co. has a 12 month low of $20.75 and a 12 month high of $29.89. The stock has a market cap of $7.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.08 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26.

Old Republic International (NYSE:ORI  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The insurance provider reported $0.62 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.54 by $0.08. Old Republic International had a return on equity of 13.20% and a net margin of 10.18%. The company had revenue of $1.83 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.93 billion. As a group, research analysts expect that Old Republic International Co. will post 2.6 earnings per share for the current year.

Old Republic International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 5th were given a dividend of $0.245 per share. This is a positive change from Old Republic Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 1st. This represents a $0.98 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.69%. Old Republic Internationals dividend payout ratio is presently 37.12%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have commented on ORI shares. Piper Sandler upped their price target on Old Republic International from $27.00 to $31.00 in a research report on Friday, July 28th. StockNews.com started coverage on Old Republic International in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a buy rating on the stock.

View Our Latest Stock Report on ORI

About Old Republic International

(Free Report)

Old Republic International Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the insurance underwriting and related services business primarily in the United States and Canada. It operates through three segments: General Insurance, Title Insurance, and the Republic Financial Indemnity Group Run-off Business.

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Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (NYSE:RGA  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 3,598 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $499,000.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Pictet Asset Management SA raised its holdings in shares of Reinsurance Group of America by 2.3% during the first quarter. Pictet Asset Management SA now owns 7,724 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,025,000 after buying an additional 172 shares during the last quarter. Cordatus Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Reinsurance Group of America during the second quarter valued at approximately $236,000. Arkadios Wealth Advisors increased its stake in shares of Reinsurance Group of America by 9.0% during the first quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 18,034 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,394,000 after acquiring an additional 1,496 shares during the period. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Reinsurance Group of America during the first quarter valued at approximately $101,000. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Reinsurance Group of America by 238.2% during the first quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 39,341 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $5,223,000 after acquiring an additional 27,707 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.78% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently commented on RGA. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Reinsurance Group of America from $170.00 to $162.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 9th. Raymond James assumed coverage on shares of Reinsurance Group of America in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. They set a strong-buy rating and a $199.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Reinsurance Group of America from $149.00 to $151.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Reinsurance Group of America from $168.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 15th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of Reinsurance Group of America from $160.00 to $159.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 14th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $162.55.

Reinsurance Group of America Trading Down 0.6 %

NYSE RGA traded down $0.86 on Monday, hitting $144.33. 16,766 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 395,463. Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated has a 52-week low of $120.99 and a 52-week high of $153.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.14 and a quick ratio of 0.14. The company has a market capitalization of $9.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.39 and a beta of 0.85. The companys 50-day moving average price is $141.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $140.76.

Reinsurance Group of America (NYSE:RGA  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, August 4th. The insurance provider reported $4.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.12 by $0.28. The company had revenue of $4.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.30 billion. Reinsurance Group of America had a net margin of 5.61% and a return on equity of 20.35%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $5.78 EPS. Research analysts predict that Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated will post 18.13 EPS for the current year.

Reinsurance Group of America Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 29th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 15th were paid a dividend of $0.85 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 14th. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.36%. This is a positive change from Reinsurance Group of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.80. Reinsurance Group of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 24.32%.

About Reinsurance Group of America

(Free Report)

Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated engages in reinsurance business. The company offers individual and group life and health insurance products, such as term life, credit life, universal life, whole life, group life and health, joint and last survivor insurance, critical illness, disability, and longevity products; asset-intensive and financial reinsurance products; and other capital motivated solutions.

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Millburn Ridgefield Corp decreased its position in shares of iShares MSCI Italy ETF (NYSEARCA:EWI  Free Report) by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 176,397 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 578 shares during the period. Millburn Ridgefield Corps holdings in iShares MSCI Italy ETF were worth $5,615,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Nilsine Partners LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Italy ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $4,609,000. DAVENPORT & Co LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Italy ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $822,000. Fiduciary Alliance LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Italy ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $44,000. Donald L. Hagan LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Italy ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $204,000. Finally, Trust Co. of Oklahoma acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Italy ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $380,000.

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iShares MSCI Italy ETF Trading Down 2.3 %

EWI stock traded down $0.71 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $29.71. 345,777 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 404,909. The company has a market capitalization of $332.16 million, a PE ratio of 10.24 and a beta of 1.03. iShares MSCI Italy ETF has a twelve month low of $20.99 and a twelve month high of $33.67. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $31.74 and a 200 day simple moving average of $31.31.

iShares MSCI Italy ETF Profile

iShares MSCI Italy Capped ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Italy Capped Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Italy 25/50 Index (Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Milan Stock Exchange.

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Nilsine Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Spain ETF (NYSEARCA:EWP  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 176,615 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $5,104,000. Nilsine Partners LLC owned 0.88% of iShares MSCI Spain ETF as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI Spain ETF in the second quarter worth approximately $28,500,000. DAVENPORT & Co LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI Spain ETF in the second quarter worth approximately $864,000. EWG Elevate Inc. bought a new position in iShares MSCI Spain ETF in the second quarter worth approximately $3,468,000. Trust Co. of Oklahoma bought a new position in iShares MSCI Spain ETF in the second quarter worth approximately $453,000. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its position in iShares MSCI Spain ETF by 156.9% in the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 305,221 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $8,506,000 after acquiring an additional 186,431 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI Spain ETF Price Performance

Shares of EWP stock traded down $0.63 on Monday, hitting $26.87. 268,274 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 382,462. The firm has a market cap of $691.37 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.77 and a beta of 0.89. iShares MSCI Spain ETF has a 52 week low of $19.27 and a 52 week high of $29.78. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $28.21 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $28.15.

iShares MSCI Spain ETF Profile

iShares MSCI Spain Capped ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Spanish market, as measured by the MSCI Spain Index (the Index).

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Osborne Partners Capital Management LLC decreased its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Free Report) by 4.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 12,649 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 546 shares during the quarter. Osborne Partners Capital Management LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $540,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Dodge & Cox raised its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 120,385,253 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,500,001,000 after buying an additional 1,662,877 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 68,746,622 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,564,588,000 after buying an additional 929,727 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter worth about $2,049,693,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 129,312.1% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 26,287,479 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,085,410,000 after purchasing an additional 26,267,166 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 23,079,196 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $862,700,000 after purchasing an additional 304,269 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.47% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Piper Sandler upped their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $43.00 to $45.00 in a research report on Monday, July 17th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $54.00 to $51.00 in a research report on Monday, July 17th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating for the company. Wolfe Research lowered shares of Wells Fargo & Company from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Friday, July 7th. Finally, Odeon Capital Group cut Wells Fargo & Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $43.75 price objective on the stock. in a report on Monday, July 17th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Wells Fargo & Company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $48.02.

Wells Fargo & Company Trading Down 1.4 %

Shares of NYSE:WFC traded down $0.57 on Monday, hitting $40.29. 1,022,199 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 19,975,518. Wells Fargo & Company has a 12 month low of $35.25 and a 12 month high of $48.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $147.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.12. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $42.88 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $41.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.83.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.16 by $0.09. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 11.15% and a net margin of 16.18%. The company had revenue of $20.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.11 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.74 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 20.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wells Fargo & Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 4th were paid a dividend of $0.35 per share. This is a positive change from Wells Fargo & Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 3rd. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.47%. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is presently 35.00%.

About Wells Fargo & Company

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Wells Fargo & Company, a diversified financial services company, provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management.

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GAZA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army arrested 13 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in September, a non-government Palestinian organization said on Monday.

In a press statement sent to Xinhua, the Palestinian Prisoner Club (PPC) said that "11 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli army forces while they were trying to pass the eastern fence separating Gaza from Israeli cities."

The other two Palestinians were fishermen arrested while fishing in the Gaza Sea, the PPC added, without giving the reasons for their arrest.

Abdel Nasser Firwana, an official at the PPC, told Xinhua that "the newly arrested people raised the number of Gazan prisoners in the Israeli jails to 200."

Israel detains about 5,200 Palestinians in more than 20 prisons, according to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA. 
PM CAPITAL Ltd bought a new stake in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor bought 219,871 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $12,462,000. Charles Schwab accounts for about 2.6% of PM CAPITAL Ltds holdings, making the stock its 9th largest holding.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 93,993.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 965,692,348 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $54,735,442,000 after purchasing an additional 964,666,040 shares during the last quarter. Dodge & Cox lifted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 78,462,490 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,109,865,000 after purchasing an additional 1,033,760 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 41,880,424 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,193,697,000 after purchasing an additional 2,000,383 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 27,050,168 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,413,244,000 after purchasing an additional 391,238 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley grew its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 62.5% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,255,649 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,853,005,000 after buying an additional 8,563,389 shares during the period. 81.61% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at Charles Schwab

In other Charles Schwab news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 75,760 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.60, for a total value of $5,045,616.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 59,672,778 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,974,207,014.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Charles Schwab news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 75,760 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.60, for a total transaction of $5,045,616.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 59,672,778 shares in the company, valued at $3,974,207,014.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 72,047 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.66, for a total transaction of $4,802,653.02. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 59,748,538 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,982,837,543.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 159,599 shares of company stock valued at $10,542,469. Company insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock.

Charles Schwab Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:SCHW traded down $0.86 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $54.04. 2,176,535 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,265,827. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $95.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.93. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 12 month low of $45.00 and a 12 month high of $86.63. The firms fifty day moving average price is $60.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $56.28.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.04. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 33.15% and a return on equity of 27.54%. The company had revenue of $4.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.61 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.97 earnings per share. Charles Schwabs revenue for the quarter was down 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.24 earnings per share for the current year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 25th. Investors of record on Friday, August 11th were given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 10th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.85%. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.15%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on SCHW shares. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $77.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 24th. StockNews.com cut Charles Schwab from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Monday, September 25th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Charles Schwab from $68.00 to $71.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $65.00 to $75.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. Finally, Raymond James dropped their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $77.00 to $72.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 18th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $72.28.

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Charles Schwab Profile

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT  Get Free Report) had its price target dropped by stock analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $11.50 to $9.25 in a note issued to investors on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods price target would suggest a potential upside of 16.21% from the companys current price.

A number of other analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Rocket Companies from $7.00 to $9.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, August 4th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Rocket Companies from $8.50 to $10.50 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Wedbush upped their price objective on shares of Rocket Companies from $8.50 to $11.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 8th. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Rocket Companies from $9.00 to $11.00 in a research note on Friday, August 4th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their price objective on shares of Rocket Companies from $8.00 to $10.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $9.39.

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Rocket Companies Price Performance

Shares of Rocket Companies stock traded down $0.22 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $7.96. The stock had a trading volume of 2,396,397 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,323,354. The stocks 50 day moving average is $10.18 and its 200 day moving average is $9.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.74 billion, a PE ratio of -38.24 and a beta of 2.19. Rocket Companies has a twelve month low of $5.97 and a twelve month high of $11.94. The company has a current ratio of 12.24, a quick ratio of 12.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11.

Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 3rd. The company reported ($0.05) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.07) by $0.02. The business had revenue of $1.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $983.18 million. Rocket Companies had a negative net margin of 0.59% and a negative return on equity of 8.21%. Equities analysts expect that Rocket Companies will post -0.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Rocket Companies

In related news, Director Jonathan D. Mariner sold 12,500 shares of Rocket Companies stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.32, for a total value of $129,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 55,250 shares in the company, valued at $570,180. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 94.05% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Rocket Companies

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. CENTRAL TRUST Co acquired a new stake in shares of Rocket Companies during the first quarter worth about $28,000. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its position in Rocket Companies by 42.4% in the 1st quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 20,884 shares of the companys stock valued at $189,000 after acquiring an additional 6,216 shares during the period. Brooktree Capital Management increased its position in Rocket Companies by 46.0% in the 1st quarter. Brooktree Capital Management now owns 132,625 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,202,000 after acquiring an additional 41,770 shares during the period. Junto Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Rocket Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $13,279,000. Finally, S.A. Mason LLC acquired a new position in Rocket Companies in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.09% of the companys stock.

Rocket Companies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Rocket Companies, Inc, a fintech holding company, provides mortgage lending, title and settlement services, and other financial technology services in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments, Direct to Consumer and Partner Network. The company's solutions include Rocket Mortgage, a mortgage lender; Amrock that provides title insurance, property valuation, and settlement services; Rocket Homes, a home search platform and real estate agent referral network, which offers technology-enabled services to support the home buying and selling experience; Rocket Auto, a virtual marketplace where consumers can shop and compare vehicles of many makes and models from a wide network of dealers; and Rocket Loans, an online-based personal loans business.

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PPL (NYSE:PPL  Get Free Report)s stock had its outperform rating reaffirmed by investment analysts at Royal Bank of Canada in a research note issued to investors on Monday, October 2nd, Benzinga reports.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on PPL. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on PPL from $31.00 to $29.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 23rd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of PPL in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Barclays began coverage on shares of PPL in a research note on Wednesday, August 23rd. They set an equal weight rating and a $26.00 target price for the company. TheStreet lowered shares of PPL from a b- rating to a c rating in a research note on Friday, August 4th. Finally, Guggenheim cut their price objective on shares of PPL from $34.00 to $31.00 in a research report on Friday, July 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $30.63.

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PPL Price Performance

Shares of PPL opened at $23.41 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $25.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $26.59. PPL has a 1-year low of $22.20 and a 1-year high of $31.74. The company has a market cap of $17.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.54, a PEG ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.79.

PPL (NYSE:PPL  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, August 4th. The utilities provider reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by ($0.03). PPL had a net margin of 8.79% and a return on equity of 7.75%. The firm had revenue of $1.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.27 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.30 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that PPL will post 1.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On PPL

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PPL. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC raised its holdings in PPL by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC now owns 57,470 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,597,000 after acquiring an additional 356 shares in the last quarter. Greenleaf Trust increased its position in shares of PPL by 3.2% in the first quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 11,571 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $322,000 after purchasing an additional 363 shares during the period. Wealth Alliance increased its position in shares of PPL by 2.2% in the first quarter. Wealth Alliance now owns 17,995 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $500,000 after purchasing an additional 386 shares during the period. Securian Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in PPL by 0.7% in the first quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 60,845 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,691,000 after purchasing an additional 394 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IVC Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in PPL by 5.3% during the second quarter. IVC Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 7,879 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $208,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. 73.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About PPL

(Get Free Report)

PPL Corporation, an energy company, focuses on providing electricity and natural gas to approximately 3.5 million customers in the United States. It operates through three segments: Kentucky Regulated, Pennsylvania Regulated, and Rhode Island Regulated. The company delivers electricity to customers in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and Rhode Island; delivers natural gas to customers in Kentucky and Rhode Island; and generates electricity from power plants in Kentucky.

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Stephens Consulting LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB  Free Report) by 0.9% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 33,156 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 285 shares during the period. iShares National Muni Bond ETF comprises approximately 1.4% of Stephens Consulting LLCs holdings, making the stock its 13th largest position. Stephens Consulting LLCs holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF were worth $3,539,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MUB. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Tri Star Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. First Manhattan Co. purchased a new position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, EPG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000.

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iShares National Muni Bond ETF Trading Down 0.5 %

NYSEARCA MUB traded down $0.50 during trading on Monday, reaching $102.04. 1,336,787 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,764,104. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $105.14 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $106.27. iShares National Muni Bond ETF has a 12-month low of $101.35 and a 12-month high of $108.66.

About iShares National Muni Bond ETF

iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index (the Index).

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Farmers Trust Co. lessened its stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 15.2% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 68,156 shares of the retailers stock after selling 12,180 shares during the quarter. Walmart accounts for about 2.3% of Farmers Trust Co.s holdings, making the stock its 8th biggest holding. Farmers Trust Co.s holdings in Walmart were worth $10,713,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of WMT. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its position in shares of Walmart by 93,272.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 821,003,685 shares of the retailers stock worth $129,045,359,000 after buying an additional 820,124,410 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Walmart by 112,181.6% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 22,854,919 shares of the retailers stock worth $3,240,599,000 after buying an additional 22,834,564 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Walmart during the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,598,736,000. Providence Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Walmart by 1,164,937.0% during the 1st quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 4,718,400 shares of the retailers stock worth $32,000,000 after buying an additional 4,717,995 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Partners grew its position in shares of Walmart by 7,546.2% during the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,166,995 shares of the retailers stock worth $467,747,000 after buying an additional 3,125,576 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 33.18% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on WMT shares. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Walmart from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 18th. Credit Suisse Group boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $170.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 11th. Telsey Advisory Group boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $168.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 18th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $162.00 to $167.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 18th. Finally, Roth Mkm upped their price target on shares of Walmart from $169.00 to $179.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 18th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $177.22.

Walmart Stock Performance

Shares of WMT traded down $0.15 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $159.78. The company had a trading volume of 2,508,091 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,883,434. The firm has a market cap of $430.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.76, a PEG ratio of 3.77 and a beta of 0.49. The business has a fifty day moving average of $160.77 and a 200-day moving average of $154.36. Walmart Inc. has a 12 month low of $128.07 and a 12 month high of $165.85. The company has a quick ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 17th. The retailer reported $1.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.69 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $161.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $160.22 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 2.23% and a return on equity of 21.47%. The companys revenue was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.77 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 6.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $159.58, for a total value of $1,549,202.64. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,480,924 shares in the company, valued at $236,325,851.92. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, EVP John D. Rainey sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $159.48, for a total value of $159,480.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 170,735 shares in the company, valued at $27,228,817.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $159.58, for a total transaction of $1,549,202.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,480,924 shares in the company, valued at $236,325,851.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 30,166 shares of company stock valued at $4,852,057 over the last ninety days. 46.51% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Walmart Company Profile

(Free Report)

Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, and other units worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com, walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, and samsclub.com; and mobile commerce applications.

Further Reading

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Local employees display rice seedlings at the Nigerian Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center in Abuja, Nigeria, Sept. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

"The benefits will trickle down to farmers."



NAIROBI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization, envisioned by Chinese President Xi Jinping, holds the key to advancing the continent's inclusive growth, a Kenyan scholar has said.

Once fully implemented, the plan will bring vitality to Africa's food systems through joint research, technology transfer and the development of high-yielding crops, Richard Mulwa, deputy vice-chancellor of Egerton University, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"The whole plan is good. For long, Africa has lagged behind in innovation, but with cooperation with China in research and development, value addition and cooperation on agro-ecological parks, there are so many benefits to be realized," Mulwa said.

During the BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa on Aug. 22-24, Xi unveiled the plan for modernizing agriculture in Africa, alongside an initiative to support industrialization on the continent and China-Africa cooperation on talent development.

Farmers thresh hybrid rice in Kihanga, Bubanza Province, Burundi, June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

Terming the agriculture modernization plan a game changer, Mulwa said it holds the key to securing a future free from hunger, malnutrition and poverty for the rural population.

Mulwa said that by cooperating with China, African nations will enjoy enhanced access to technologies, innovations and research required to develop new crop varieties that can withstand climate shocks, pests and diseases.

He noted that the exchange of germplasm between China and African countries will thrive under the plan to ensure local smallholder farmers' access to high-yielding crops.

China's plan for modernizing Africa's agriculture differs from the ones proposed by the West since it seeks tangible and mutually beneficial outcomes as opposed to abstract theories, Mulwa said.

"The benefits will trickle down to farmers," Mulwa said, adding that he foresees a robust China-Africa cooperation.

African governments should rally behind China's proposed plan for agriculture modernization in order to make it succeed and transform the livelihoods of rural smallholder farmers, Mulwa stressed, adding that the plan will also help realize sustainable development on the continent.

A trained horticulturalist, Mulwa singled out the decades-old partnership between China's Nanjing Agricultural University and Egerton University as a model of China-Africa cooperation to revitalize farming at the smallholder level.

Legume crop expert Liu Yunmin (R) instructs a local farmer on field management of broad beans at a demonstration orchard of agricultural technical assistance, in Asmara, Eritrea, Sept. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

Through the research partnership forged between the two universities in the 1990s, new disease-, pest- and drought-resistant beans, cassava and groundnuts have been bred and released to farmers, Mulwa said.

In addition, the China-Kenya Belt and Road Joint Laboratory for Crop Molecular Biology based in Egerton University is expected to act as a hub for research, training and technology transfer to boost the selection, breeding and release of new crop varieties across the East African region, according to Mulwa.

Describing China-Africa agricultural cooperation as solid and mutually beneficial, Mulwa said it has motivated local farmers to embrace crops that are commercially viable and resilient to climatic stresses.

"We know where we are going with the Chinese, and as we keep on cooperating with them, we also see ripple benefits to our farmers," Mulwa said.
People visit the Tian'anmen Square after a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2023. [Xinhua/Ju Huanzong]

BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua)  Early on Sunday morning, amid the pleasant autumn breeze, some 302,000 people gathered at Tian'anmen Square in downtown Beijing to witness the grand national flag-raising ceremony to mark the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

In the square stands an 18-meter-tall flower basket, a prominent feature of the recently installed floral displays, designed to enhance the festive ambiance, with flower decorations covering a total area of 5,050 square meters adorning the surroundings of the square.

Gao Yuqing, a student from Tianjin University of Technology and Education, attended the ceremony at Tian'anmen Square for the first time.

"When the national flag was hoisted, accompanied by the national anthem, tears welled up in my eyes," she said, expressing her aspiration to become a dedicated teacher in the future.

"I arrived in Beijing many days in advance for a sightseeing tour, and what I looked forward to the most was watching the flag-raising ceremony on the National Day," said Luo Liuzeng, a tourist from central China's Henan Province, who also attended the ceremony.

Sharing about his personal life, Luo, aged 74, said that his quality of life has significantly improved in recent years due to successful corn and soybean harvests, resulting in increased income.

Across the country, the National Day is celebrated in diverse ways, including participating in festive activities, visiting exhibitions and welcoming tourists.

Gao Zhiqian, who hails from Gaoxigou Village in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, was taking a stroll near his village on Sunday. As he stood on the newly constructed pathway on Longtou Mountain near the village, watching tourists enjoy themselves on the hills adorned with vibrant green vegetation, he couldn't help but feel joyous that the once arid and desolate village has transformed into a popular tourist destination.

"With the ecological environment getting better, lucid waters and lush mountains have become 'golden treasures,'" said Gao Zhiqian, who is a former village cadre. "Our village is becoming more beautiful, our wallets are getting fatter and the road to prosperity is widening."

China is currently in the midst of its "golden week" holiday, which includes the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday, lasting from Sept. 29 to Oct. 6. While many Chinese people are relishing an eight-day break for travel and leisure, some are working to ensure the seamless travel experiences of tourists.

Among them is Guo Jianjun, an electrical worker from the power supply company of Xianning City under the State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd., which is located in central China's Hubei Province.

At about 7 a.m. on Sunday, Guo and his colleagues prepared their equipment and commenced their work to ensure a smooth power supply for the high-speed railway.

"Currently, it is the holiday travel peak. Ensuring the safety of the power supply of the railway will allow everyone to travel smoothly," he said.

China is expected to see 190 million railway trips during the 12-day travel rush, which lasts from Sept. 27 to Oct. 8, according to statistics.

(Source: Xinhua)
BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua)  Sunday marks the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Addressing a grand reception in Beijing celebrating the occasion earlier this week, Chinese President

Xi Jinping called on the nation to firm up confidence and strive in unity to continue to surmount difficulties and march toward the goal of building a strong China and realizing national rejuvenation.

According to Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, patriotism has always been a source of spiritual strength that firmly unites the Chinese nation. He has encouraged the 1.4 billion Chinese people to weave their ideals into the future of the nation.

On multiple occasions, Xi recounted stories of iconic patriots from China's rich history, both ancient and contemporary. Among them, Yue Fei, a military commander during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), stands out vividly.

Yue is a paragon of loyalty in Chinese culture, known for his heroic battles against the invading Jin military from the north. Legend has it that Yue's mother tattooed four Chinese characters onto his back: "Jing Zhong Bao Guo," or "serve the country with unreserved loyalty."

Xi first encountered this legendary general in the pages of a childhood book.

When visiting a Beijing primary school in 2014, Xi encountered a group of students writing the characters "Jing Zhong Bao Guo" in calligraphy and was reminded of his childhood hero.

"My mother read me his story from picture books. 'Wouldn't it hurt to have his back tattooed?' I asked my mother," Xi recalled. "She said, 'Of course, it hurt. But in this way, it was also engraved on Yue's mind.'"

"Jing Zhong Bao Guo  I have long remembered these four characters. They are the pursuit of my entire life," Xi told the students.

Xi has demonstrated this pursuit through actions, and, after assuming the Party's top post in 2012, he also asked Party members and cadres to learn from Yue's spirit of total devotion to the country and the people.

Another figure Xi has consistently held in high regard is Jiao Yulu, who was Party chief of Lankao County in central China's Henan Province in the early 1960s. Jiao's story has been recounted by Xi on multiple occasions as an example of selfless service to the people.

When Jiao was the Party chief, Lankao was plagued by sandstorms and had to battle against saline-alkali land and flooding, and its residents struggled to put food on the table.

Jiao worked tirelessly to tackle these problems, disregarding his own interests to improve the lot of the people. He often stayed in simple mud huts where poor farmers lived, eating and working with them.

Inspired by Jiao's example, the county's cadres worked together and eventually led Lankao to a stage where it was able to bid farewell to its chronic food shortages and sandstorms.

But Jiao did not live to see that day. He succumbed to liver cancer in 1964.

"I was deeply touched when I learned that Jiao kept on working, even in the late stages of his liver cancer, when he was suffering from great pain," Xi recalled.

During an inspection tour of Lankao in 2014, Xi urged Party members and cadres to use Jiao's spirit as a mirror to examine their problems and shortcomings. He called on them to emulate Jiao's unwavering dedication, and said that Jiao exemplified the essence of a devoted and industrious Party member and cadre.

Xi also gave high praise to contemporary individuals who devoted themselves to the cause of the nation.

In 2017, Xi urged society to learn from geophysicist Huang Danian for his patriotic devotion.

Huang, known for his expertise in deep-Earth exploration technology, studied and worked in Britain for 18 years before leaving his position there and returning to China in 2009. In the years that followed, he helped China soar in a number of technical fields, transforming the nation into one of the world's leaders in deep-Earth exploration.

Huang devoted his entire life to the prosperity of the country, the rejuvenation of the nation and the happiness of the people, Xi said, calling on the public to follow his example and learn from his patriotism, his professional dedication and his noble spirit in being indifferent to fame and wealth.

(Source: Xinhua)
NEW DELHI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Four people were arrested in connection with the abduction and killing of two Meitei students, whose photographs sparked off a fresh round of protests in India's northeastern state of Manipur, officials said Monday.

The arrested individuals, two men and two women, have been flown out of Manipur to Guwahati in the neighbouring state of Assam.

"I'm pleased to share that some of the main culprits responsible for the abduction and murder of Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi have been arrested from Churachandpur today," Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said in a brief statement on Sunday evening.

"We are committed to ensuring maximum punishment, including capital punishment, for the heinous crime they have committed."

According to officials, a special team of India's premier investigating agency Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken the arrested persons by air to Guwahati.

The two students Hemanjit, 20, and Linthoingambi, 17, went missing in July when the ethnic violence in Manipur was at its peak. The photographs of their bodies surfaced on social media recently, days after internet services were restored in the state after a four-month blanket ban.

Over 50 students were injured during massive protests last week against the killings in Imphal, the capital city of Manipur. The protesters demanding justice for the victims tried to march towards the Chief Minister's residence.

Manipur has been on edge since May 3 when large-scale violence broke out in the state during a tribal protest over the inclusion of the non-tribal Meiteis community for a scheduled tribe status designated for disadvantaged socio-economic groups which gives them reservations in education and government jobs.

The ethnic clashes have displaced 60,000. The mobs in the state have been resorting to vandalism and arson targeting houses and shops.

As per figures released by police in mid-September, 175 people have been killed, 1118 injured and 33 reported missing since May 3.

According to police, 96 bodies were still lying unclaimed in morgues of different hospitals in the state.

Police said 5,172 cases of arson have been reported, which includes 4,786 houses and 386 religious places. 
Biden urges Republicans to keep their word on government funding and Ukraine aid
Mourners, including her daughter Katherine Feinstein, left, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, second from right, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, gather at San Francisco International Airport to receive the body of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Saturday, in San Francisco.
Members of the Writers Guild of America, joined by members of SAG-AFTRA, come together to picket in front of Paramount Studios on July 26, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

Know any web developers? How about tax preparers, budget analysts or clerks who do data entry?

Those are just some of the occupations at risk of being displaced by artificial intelligence (AI), the exploding science of making machines to think like humans. And unlikely as it sounds, the recently concluded Hollywood writers strike could come to the rescue of those jobs by establishing new and exportable guidelines that ensure people have a say in how AI is used.

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The Writers Guild of America, one of the two big unions that went on strike against the film and televisionindustry this year, ended its labor action Wednesday, after 148 days of closing down most productions everywhere from Hollywood to Chicago.

In its agreement, which still needs to be formally ratified, the writers aim to thread a tricky needle, giving major studios the ability to use AI, as they have demanded from the start, but not to replace human writers with it. The deal adopts a common sense approach that doesnt try to put this genie back in the bottle  which wont work  while limiting its potential to unfairly upend peoples lives.

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Much of the Writers Guild summary agreement makes for heavy reading with a lot of rigid union work rules that might well prove to be inflexible for people who just want to ensure the survival of this industry or be fairly compensated for their labor. When it comes to the creative process of writing and who owns what at the end of the day, however, the contract is surprisingly thoughtful.

According to the Guild summary, AI will not be permitted to write or rewrite literary material, and material generated by AI will not be used to take credit away from a writer. At the same time, a writer can choose to use AI to assist in writing, if a company consents, while companies cant require the writer to use AI. When companies give writers AI-generated material to work with, an idea enough to give any self-respecting writer shivers, they will need to disclose it to them.

Disclosure. Consent. Thats a fair-minded approach. The Guild also is reserving the right to fight back if a writers material is used to train AI. That training is a timely and valid concern, given the vast amounts of information, otherwise known as the work of human writers, being fed into ChatGPT and other AI programs to teach them how to mimic the thinking of people.

AI-enhanced tools can process much more data than any human and then use it to answer questions and create everything from term papers to editorials (though not this one and none in the future, at least while we specific humans are in charge here). These smart machines can learn to recognize patterns, make seemingly rational decisions and otherwise deploy the human-generated ideas theyre being fed.

Training of AI has been happening behind the scenes, with tech developers using some sneaky tactics.

The Atlantic magazine has spotlighted Books3, a data set of at least 191,000 books being used by companies such as Meta and Bloomberg for training machines  without the knowledge or consent of authors ranging from Stephen King to part-time novelists hardly anyone has heard of. A database enables writers to see if their work has been pirated. And, yes, thats the right word.

Besides using books without permission, AI developers have scraped news websites for information that similarly helps their machines work better. News outlets such as CNN, Reuters and, yes, the Chicago Tribune have moved to block the company behind ChatGPT from just helping itself to their content, while The Associated Press recently struck a deal licensing its archive of news stories.

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To the extent AI developers take what isnt theirs, in our view, they need to stop. At the same time, it isnt realistic to think that AI can entirely be halted in its tracks. Its too attractive a proposition for too many.

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This is where the Writers Guild approach is instructive. The business of AI would benefit from more transparency and open disclosures, to build the trust and credibility that does not exist today. AI should be deployed with as much mutual consent among those involved as possible. And paying attention to the livelihoods of the people most directly affected also would go a long way to relieving concerns about whats happening in the bowels of tech companies developing AI.

This page addressed the specter of thinking machines taking over the world on New Years Day in 2017, advising readers to be awed at the power of AI, but not afraid of it. That includes people in occupations vulnerable to AI.

Technically, computers may be able to outthink us, and they certainly can process data more efficiently. But humans will always have the edge because we are more creative. After all, we built the machines.

And one last thing: some editorial boards of late have been having AI write an editorial or two as a kind of instructive case study or as a lighthearted exercise. As far as we know, there has been clear disclosure. But thats still playing with fire. And it wont happen here, at least until somebody, or something, runs us out of town.

Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Participants pose for a group photo at the China-Arab States Publishing Cooperation and Exchange Forum in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, Oct. 1, 2023.

Under the theme of "Deepening China-Arab Publishing Cooperation and Exchanges, Promoting Mutual Learning between Chinese and Arab Civilizations," publishers from China and Arab countries reviewed their cooperation in translation, publishing, copyright trade, book fair platforms and online publishing. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)

RIYADH, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The China-Arab States Publishing Cooperation and Exchange Forum was held on Sunday in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh.

Under the theme of "Deepening China-Arab Publishing Cooperation and Exchanges, Promoting Mutual Learning between Chinese and Arab Civilizations," publishers from China and Arab countries reviewed their cooperation in translation, publishing, copyright trade, book fair platforms and online publishing.

The summit also paved the way for a translation project of 100 Chinese and Arab classics, exploring the establishment of a China-Saudi Arabia online publishing exchange mechanism, jointly expanding the platform for international cooperation, and promoting mutual learning between Chinese and Arab civilizations.

The event was attended by a senior official with the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), representatives from the Arab Publishers Association and the Saudi Scientific Research and Knowledge Exchange Center, as well as more than 100 Chinese and Arab publishers, scholars, experts and writers. 
On Friday, Laurie Allen became the 98th official victim of the August 8 Lahaina wildfires, after fighting for her life for seven weeks at a burn unit in a Honolulu hospital, where she was flown for treatment.

According to the accounts from her husband Perry Allen given to the New York Times, Laurie Allen fled from the fires with her landlady Conchita Sagudang, 75, and her son Danilo Sagudang, 55, who fell to flames after they had to abandon their cars and flee on foot. Allen barely escaped with her life, but 73 percent of her body was covered in third-degree burns, which she succumbed to after surgeons and healthcare staff attempted for weeks to care for and attempt skin grafts.

Seven weeks after the fire, the tragedies continue to mount. On Friday, September 29, the Safe Harbor housing plan ended, threatening temporary housing for hundreds of residents. Safe Harbor is an American Red Cross program for relief after a natural disaster, and provides temporary housing to those affected. In the case of Lahaina fire survivors, thousands of residents have been temporarily housed in West Maui hotels and AirBnB properties.

Charred remains of homes are visible following a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, August 22, 2023. When the winds of Hurricane Dora lashed Maui August 8, they struck bare electrical lines the Hawaiian electric utility had left exposed to the elements. [AP Photo/Jae C. Hong]

Anyone who had not applied or qualified for Red Cross relief will face further displacement. According to official numbers, an estimated 800 households faced potential expulsion from hotel housing Friday, receiving letters that they would need to vacate within days. Supposedly the expulsion could be cleared up by administrative action with FEMA, but the letters sparked fear among the already displaced.

In the working-class neighborhood of Lahaina, immigrants including the undocumented are among those displaced by the fire. Fearful of immigration authorities and police, they are having a difficult time navigating through the hurdles and they do not have qualifying documents to maintain aid. For many more, they are too afraid to come forward and ask for help for fear of deportation.

The World Socialist Web Site spoke with Eddie, who is currently assisting a friend facing expulsion from temporary hotel housing. He told the WSWS, Right now Im on my way to help a friend. When the fire came through, this woman had to leave quickly to save her own life. She doesnt have papers or documents, things that the authorities are asking people to produce to qualify for aid. Well, she escaped and everything she had was burned in the fire. She has no documents.

Thats not right, he continued. If youre missing certain paperwork, you cant get help. I don't think thats fair. People may or may not have had documents but when the fire hit any existing documents for some people burned up. And now they are being expelled. It's way too soon to be doing this. People are still dealing with the trauma and are barely getting through.

The housing situation is a big issue right now, and it is definitely underfunded. Even consider the homeless of Lahaina. They are totally displaced. That bush or tree they slept under is gone, and they now have nowhere to go.

For several decades, Hawaii has faced high levels of homelessness, with many destitute people living in river valleys, in parks and along beaches. In the face of mounting public anger at the governments handling of the Lahaina disaster, on September 29, the state together with the nonprofit Project Vision Hawaii opened up a temporary shelter for people who were homeless in Maui before the wildfire.

The site, called Puuhonua o Nene, will house 150 adults in multiple military-grade tents sleeping on cots. Officials claim on-site medical facilities, showers and restrooms will be provided, as well as meals and transportation. Nicole Huguenin, co-director of Maui Rapid Response, recently told Hawaii Public Radio that there were over 100 homeless people in Lahaina prior to the fires.

However, this action is an attempt to save face by Hawaiian officials. The shelter barely addresses this growing social problem which is exacerbated by some of the highest costs of living in the nation. Two-bedroom apartments are now renting for $6,000 a month, a gallon of milk costs $8, and the vast majority of jobs are tied to the service and hotel industry and tourism which have tanked since the fires.

Eddie continued, People need a lot of things right now, especially housing, as well as food, medical care, mental health services, everything. Actually theres not really a problem with getting food. A lot of places are donating food.

And to me, it feels like martial law, with the presence of the police everywhere, places you can go and cant go. If you dont have the right piece of paper, you cant get help.

Shannon, a public health worker, also raised concerns about the impact of the fires on working class families and drew connections between the response to the fires and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the state: Hawaii has the most multi-generational families living under one roof. So you'll find in one studio or one-bedroom apartment, youll have 10 people, from a little baby to great-grandma and great-aunties. The impact from a fire or from COVID is insanely huge and not discussed and not recognized and respected.

Official numbers from the state government indicate that an estimated 500 residential structures were impacted, however because of the high cost of living and many of the homes either rented out to multiple households or occupied by multiple family members, official figures of people impacted show estimates of over 7,700 residents from more than 3,200 households.

People basically make nothing here. If the bosses can, they will pay minimum wage. Just this last summer there were a few different positions being flown that wanted a PhD or a doctorate and they were trying to offer $14 or $15 an hour, and they were serious. Oh yeah. They do that. And that's how they keep you scrambling so hard to balance your several jobs to pay your rent. Maybe that way, you can't notice what Josh Green is doing and how horrible everybody is.

I just can't imagine what those families are going through because they have already gone through COVID. That has been more of a slow roaster, but the fires ripped through so quickly, the damage is much more apparent, but it seems very similar.

I have a friend, who is a healthcare worker, who was having flashbacks and re-traumatization from just hearing all the same exact words from the same people. Its a big life-altering disaster. The response [to the fires] is the same [as COVID]. Theres no real help. Theres no real care. Theres no real time for healingphysically or mentallytheres no consideration for people.

There was no contact tracing or case management with COVID. It was a mess. Most of the time people didnt get resources or it was like yes, you get them if you check all the boxes, and then it would be like three or four days later or weeks. Parents had to keep calling asking for information and where food was. I know that a similar situation is taking place in Lahaina currently. Many people don't qualify for relief, so theyre gonna wait them out until they leave, or die.

Maui officials announced that students are set to begin returning to three of four Lahaina schools in mid-October. Hundreds of children have been bussed to schools on other parts of the island, while some have done distance learning, and many more have not yet enrolled, as parents and families, still reeling from the trauma, have chosen to keep their children at home. King Kamehameha III Elementary was destroyed, but three other schools have supposedly been deemed inhabitable by the Hawaiian Department of Education (DOE).

At a recent public update on Lahaina recovery efforts, Governor Josh Green expressed, We have to provide our children their education and their families the opportunity to get their kids back on school because that is the most normal thing that our children do.

Lahaina Memorial, October 1, 2023.

Parents and teachers have expressed concerns about the potential health impacts for youth in the schools and residents in the devastated area from the toxic ash and water contamination. Nothing has been said about what conditions will be when the more extensive cleanup begins or when rains push toxins into the water table. Residents have every right to be skeptical, given the recent experiences in East Palestine, Ohio, where residents were given the all clear and the EPA refused to test for dioxins in the soil, and in Flint, Michigan, when then President Obama told concerned residents that their children will be fine from drinking water from the contaminated Flint River.

The insistence on reopening the schools is bound up with the demands by the ruling elite that workers get back to work and facilitate the resumption of the islands booming tourism industry. By refusing to give residents sufficient long-term monthly financial assistance to help make all families whole, except for the insulting $700 for some families, Hawaiian officials are using the poverty of workers to push them back to work, even though most would prefer more time and significant aid, including a halt to mortgages and bills, to help them begin to recover from this trauma.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has played its role in helping to justify the reopening campaign by polling workers who are receiving no income and asking them if they wished to return to work. One affected resident told the WSWS, For the hotel jobs its a lot of ILWU. Those guys know what they want. They had an ILWU meeting that was all about reopening, and it was closed to the public but the governor was there.

Kekoa, a Lahaina resident who lost his home to the fire, explained how economic issues prior to the fires have only been accelerated: I worked 18 days straight before the fire with double shifts. Do you know how expensive it is here? We work three jobs to pay the rent. And now that people need places to stay, theyre jacking up the rates. It can be $6,000 for two bedrooms a month. You have to work two to three jobs.

Ive been working since I was 15 years old. At 18 years old, I started working two jobs. Now finally in my forties, maybe I can go to the Mainland for a vacation for a week. Imagine? Im making $60,000 a year.

What about all the people making lower than that? They never get out of here. All those people who lived in the homes that caught on fire downtown were people making less. So all these old ladies and old men were still working to pay off their houses. They never get off this rock and have a vacation. Even though they retired, they still had to work, they still have to pay. So many generations have to work to pay for their houses. Thats messed up, and now theyre being forced to move out of here. First of all, they just went through a horrific thing. And then theyre being forced to sell their land. So all of that is coming to play. You know how that goes.

The working class in Hawaii is highly diverse, comprised of large sections of immigrant and local labor, most of whom are forced to live in sub-par housing which are often crowded into multi-generational homes due to the exorbitant cost of living. Adding insult to injury, the minimum wage in Hawaii is a poverty-level $12 an hour.

When the multiracial ruling elite who represent the interests of the hotel chains, airlines and behemoth tourism industry claims it wishes to get back to normal, what it means is that they want a resumption and continuation of the super-exploitation of its workforce to keep the profits flowing for the wealthy. Intimately bound up with this ruling elite are the highly paid trade union bureaucracies, such as UNITE HERE, ILWU, and Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA), who serve corporate interests.

What workers need are the formation of independent rank-and-file committees organized among workers and youth to put forward demands that begin from the needs of the working class, not big business. These must include the reallocation of billions now allocated for the war in Ukraine to rebuilding and restoring all the homes and small businesses of Lahaina; a halt to mortgage, land tax, and all other bills for residents. Increase emergency relief funds, including guaranteed wages while recovering, free medical care, free mental health services, must be paid out immediately to all residentsimmigrant, undocumented, homeless, union and nonunion, old and young. Halt the reopening of schools and businesses until there is full recovery, which will be determined by the working class and medical professionals.

No faith can be put in the politicians who serve the interests of the ruling class and super rich. Instead workers and youth must appeal to each otherto hotel workers, healthcare workers, educators and the working class more broadlyto begin organizing industrial action to demand that the billions directed toward war are used to rebuild Lahaina and make every affected family whole.
The spread of COVID led to Londons Gatwick airport limiting the number of daily flights last week. Widespread absences due to sickness among staff responsible for air traffic control meant that the airport, Britains second largest, was forced to limit the number of flights taking off or landing to just 800 each day, from Monday to Sunday.

This resulted in 164 flights being cancelled, with an estimated 25,000 passengers affected. According to National Air Traffic Services (NATS), as many as 30 percent of air traffic control staff were reported to be ill after an outbreak of COVID-19.

Gatwick Air Traffic Control tower. Seen from passenger footbridge between North Terminal and Pier 6 satellite building [Photo by geograph.org.uk / CC BY-SA 2.0

This was not the first time that Gatwick had to cancel flights last month. On September 14, 22 flights were cancelled, again due to short-notice staff absences in the air traffic control team. A flu-like illness was cited as the cause then. It is highly likely that was also due to COVID-19.

This latest outbreak comes as a new wave of COVID that started during the summer continues to impact the population. According to the ZOE Health Study app, which tracks cases based on reports from the public, there are currently an estimated 1.2 million symptomatic COVID cases in Britain. This is double the low point of 600,000 recorded at the beginning of July. There were 3.8 million cases recorded by ZOE at the peak of the Omicron surge in spring 2022.

Daily cases are on the rise, with 97,000 reported just on September 27. Since ZOE only counts cases where someone had a test (either PCR or lateral flow) and self-reported it, the count must be considered an underestimate. Free testing was wound up last year, after the Conservative government declared the end of the pandemic. The governments own dashboard that records only cases where tests were administered in hospitals, recorded just 12,187 cases in England in the week ending on September 23 (still up 13.7 percent compared to the previous week), about an eighth of the ZOE figure, itself an undercount.

According to the government recent weeks have seen the test positivity rate shoot up to as much as 16.8 percent, also suggesting a significant number of cases go unreported.

The number of hospitalisations has increased to 3,047, up 10 percent from the previous week. Deaths, which lag behind infection numbers, have also started to increase, with 229 COVID fatalities in the week ending September 15.

The Eris variant (EG.5.1) is now dominant in Britain, with 31 percent of sequenced cases between September 11 and 17, followed closely by Arcturus (XBB.1.16) and XBB at 30 percent each. The new Pirola variant (BA.2.86), over which scientists are sounding the alarm due its ability to evade previous immunity, accounts for 1 percent of sequenced cases. According to figures from the UK Health Security Agency, there have been 54 confirmed cases of Pirola in the UK (48 in England and six in Scotland). The body said that sporadic cases of the Pirola strain are being found in most regions.

Most Pirola cases occurred at a care home in Norfolk, where 33 out of 38 (87 percent) residents were infected over a 2-week period, with nine requiring hospitalization. A recent report on the outbreak highlights the fact that it had a much higher attack rate and severity of symptoms than similar previous outbreaks, despite relatively recent vaccinations (88 percent of residents had had a booster in the past four months). Though none of the residents died from the infection due to the prompt response of the care home staff, this episode highlights the seriousness of Pirola, as well as the danger of letting the virus mutate indefinitely.

The detection of BA.2.86 in August prompted the Conservative government to bring forward its autumn vaccination campaign, which only covers those aged over 65 and others considered most clinically vulnerable. It is unclear how much protection any booster jabs would offer against the new variants. So far, the ability of the virus to mutate has outpaced the development of new vaccines. The vaccination campaign is the first to feature a new Pfizer vaccine designed to counter the XBB.1.5 variant, which was the dominant version during the Omicron surge last winter, but now accounts for just 5.2 percent of cases.

The ongoing COVID wave will be amplified by the start of the new school year. Millions of children started school at the beginning of the month in buildings with no mitigation measures at all, despite UV lighting and air filters being proven to work. So many children in a closed environment provide the perfect setting for the virus to spread, first in schools, and then in the wider community. This is compounded by government advice that encourages parents to send their kids to school if they have mild symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, and feels well enough.

Confirming a deliberate policy of mass infection, the guidance stresses that children are not required to be tested. Even if they have symptoms the government also advises that if they do test positive they should stay home for just three days, so they will return while still being infectious to others.

There are numerous reports on social media of many school staff being off sick with flu-like symptoms. This despite the governments respiratory disease dashboard showing virtually no cases of flu now.

This week Uppingham Community College in Rutland was forced to close three-year groups due to a rapid spike in COVID cases. Leicestershire Live reported the comments of headteacher Ben Solly who wrote, Last week, a headteacher of a school in Leicester asked me about levels of Covid at UCC, as his school was struggling, and I naively responded that we hadn't really felt any impact. I should've kept my mouth closed because we have been overwhelmed this week, as it spread across our teaching staff.

He told the Rutland & Stamford Sound, It feels quite strange I did think this was all behind us, to be honest. It kind of snuck up really, really quickly out of nowhere this week. The staff have been dropping like flies, we're up to 17 positive confirmed cases now amongst teachers.

The headteacher concluded, I felt more like a supply teacher this week than a headteacher. We've done everything we possibly could do to keep the wheels turning, but we got to a point where it was starting to feel unsafe with the level of absences we had and which was coming.

The wave of COVID in Britain is part of a global upsurge in the virus. Schools in the US started the academic year shortly before Britain. Due to the widespread transmission of COVID, schools in several states were compelled to shut down.

The increasing spread of the virus has cut across government efforts to present the disease as endemic and something that people can just live with, like the cold or flu.

There has been a concerted effort in the mainstream media to play down the effects of the disease. In the Guardian article covering the cancellation of flights at Gatwick, the word COVID did not appear anywhere, despite being cited by an airport spokesperson as the main cause of the crisis. In the same vein, BBC News dedicated a large part of its article on the new COVID variant to promoting the idea that workers should just live with the virus. It cited Dr. Adam Finn saying, There's no real value in investing a lot of time and effort immunising them [people under 65 years old] again when there are so many other things for the health service to be doing.

The article borrows from the discredited herd immunity playbook, stating, The reality is then that most under-65s will now end up boosting their immunity not through vaccination, but through catching Covid many times.

Letting the virus spread uncontrollably is a criminal policy that has already resulted in the needless death and disability of millions of people. This was reinforced in a new study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. Based on 250 patients that were treated for COVID in hospital, it showed that people suffering from Long Covid had higher rates of damage to multiple organs, including the lungs, brain, and kidneys. Lung injuries were almost 14 times higher among Long COVID patients, while abnormal findings involving the brain and kidneys were three and two times higher respectively.

Dr. Margaret O'Hara, a founding trustee of Long COVID Support, remarked It is abundantly clear now that it is not simply a respiratory virus and that it is causing long term harm to the health of individuals throughout the population, including the huge numbers of people who were not hospitalised in the acute phase of infection.
A months worth of rain fell in New York City on Friday. At least 150 schools were flooded, in some cases with raw sewage. Massive traffic jams produced life-threatening situations across the city as storm drains overflowed, inundating city streets, and trapping residents in their cars, particularly in Brooklyn and Queens. At least one hospital in Brooklyn was evacuated.



In Queens, nearly 8 inches of rainfall was recorded at JFK Airport, while there was 6 inches in Midtown Manhattan, and nearly 7 inches in Brooklyn in 24 hours. Many of the citys subway lines stopped functioning because of flooding and long delays persisted on others.

The sudden amount of rainfall was attributed by scientists to climate change and global warming, since air at a higher temperature retains more moisture. In the northeast of the United States, rainfall has increased 13 percent since 1970, and it is becoming more common for five or six inches of rain to fall in short periods of time. Weather events like Fridays storm, formerly categorized as once-in-a century events, now happen with alarming and unpredictable frequency.

There was extensive flooding in the citys transit system, which impacted commuter rail and subway service for the roughly 4 million daily riders. Several subway lines and commuter rail lines were suspended and more partially suspended. Delays plagued the rest of the system, large portions of which opened in 1904.

Rainwater cascading into subway stations is nothing new. It is a problem that has been largely neglected for decades. However, the priority of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which operates public transit, bridges and tunnels in the region, is to funnel money to bondholders and put off repairs, often leaving dangerous conditions for transit workers and riders alike.

One conductor told the WSWS: All the outside trains were under water. Many of these outside train routes in the open air were out of service. Some of the trains underground were out of service. Many of the trains were packed with passengers. This is not the first time this has happened. Water and the third rail which provides the electricity is a very dangerous combination. Its very fortunate that nobody got electrocuted and died.

Many flights into the area were canceled. Terminal A at LaGuardia Airport experienced severe flooding, with several feet of water in parts of the terminal, leaving travelers stranded.

Local news media showed images of massive traffic jams as flooding of sections of highways effectively shut many down. Social media was full of images showing flooded and impassable underpasses and sections of highway. Highways in the city are below surface level or elevated in places so as not to conflict with the dense network of local streets.

Some highways and major thoroughfares in the area such as the Long Island Expressway in sections of Queens, one of the busiest highways in the country, follow the historical route of rivers and streams that have been long paved over and are particularly vulnerable to flooding.

Flooding in New York City, September 29, 2023. [Photo: @EveryTPlusULTRA]

Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn, run by the citys Health + Hospitals agency, was forced to evacuate 120 patients after a power outage caused by the storm.

As with so many other climate and natural disasters around the world, the political authorities were caught entirely unprepared. Despite ample advance warning of the impending storm, schools and most businesses remained open as usual.

New Yorks Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Friday and urged people to stay off roads as New York City and surrounding counties were hit hard by the flooding Eric Adams, the citys Democratic mayor, did not even appear in a media briefing until noon on Friday, at which he defended the conduct of his administration during the storm.

Both Adams and the Chancellor of Schools David Banks defended the Department of Educations decision not to switch to remote learning that day. In comments, Banks told the media, Our kids need to be in school.  This is what allows parents to be able to continue their day and get to work and do all the other things that need to happen. Whenever we make a decision as to close schools, it is a major, major disruption. And so, it is really only used really as a last resort.

This, of course, is hardly surprising. The chancellor is using the same rationale that Democratic Party officials from Biden to Hochul to former mayor Bill de Blasio and now Adams have used to reopen schools and expose children and adults to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. One can only speculate that Banks and Adams would keep schools open during a nuclear disaster.

Educators and parents were outraged. One educator tweeted, Our schools families shouldnt have had to wade through toxic water today. All our early childhood classrooms and some offices (counseling, speech) were filled with sewage water. NYC has bad weather remote days built in. Theyre rarely used. This should have been one.

Charles, a teacher in Brooklyn, told the WSWS the conduct of the city was just a total disgrace. How can we say we are a functioning, developed city when one day of rain can bring all public services to a halt? How can budget cuts be justified when our existing infrastructure is being battered and crumbling around us? How can we say that childrens safety is a priority when we cancel their after schools, and their parents have no means to come and pick them up?

Another teacher, Jimmy, told the WSWS on Friday, Today should have been remote. I walked 36 blocks in the rain because the subways failed to work and there are no cabs left to hail. This problem was the exact one they promised theyd fix post-Katrina, in 200518 years ago. Another failed promise. Ill be lucky if I get home by 8 p.m. My train ride is normally almost 2 hours long on a good day. But tonight, I already know the drill: any departing LIRR train will be packed like sardine cans because half the normal ones are already canceled from the storm.

A parent of two teenagers in public schools said, To be really honest this shouldve been planned for. Something like, these kids stay home and have remote learning and workers too so they dont miss a work day and paychecks.

While no deaths have been reported so far, it will not be possible to measure the full effects of Fridays deluge for several days, and weather events in the city in the past have resulted in the loss of life.

In the fall of 2012, 43 people died as a direct result of the Sandy superstorm,  and in 2021 at least 13 people died from flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida passing over New York, including a family of three who were trapped in their basement apartment in Woodside, Queens.

Immigrant workers suffered heavily again on Friday. In one shameful act, migrant workers were forced out into the pouring rain at the Jefferson Street shelter in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn because their 60-day stay limita new regulation initiated by the Adams administrationhad expired. The City quoted one worker as saying, Let us wait till the rain passes and then well go. Give us until the morning. But no, they kicked us out and look how we are now. We were here for two months, why not one more night?

The effects of climate-change-induced weather are now being felt regularly in New York. Large swaths of the city, particularly in densely populated Queens and Brooklyn, are built on coastal wetlands and marshes with elevations only nominally above sea level. The citys geography, which is largely defined by rivers, straits and large bays, creates natural traffic flow bottlenecks even on normal days. These become completely overwhelmed in severe weather conditions. The scientific and city-planning expertise to make New York function under adverse conditions, let alone to reverse climate change, exists. But the will of the ruling class does not.

The citys government, run by the Democratic Party, which functions in the interests of the citys powerful real estate and financial magnates, has issued vacuous nostrums in the past regarding climate change, but has invested relatively few resources in addressing the problem.

The Democratic politicians routinely claim that there is not enough money to fund vital infrastructure projects despite the largest US city being home to 107 billionaires and hundreds more multimillionaires. By many yardsticks, it is the wealthiest city in the world.

In fact, while the incomes of the rich rise into the stratosphere, there are severe cutbacks to public necessities like housing, transportation, education, and infrastructure development and repair. Mayor Adams recently announced budget cuts totaling 15 percent this year for city departments. The MTA, which operates the citys public transit system and is managed by the state, is $48 billion in debt for its capital fund alone.

Several Democratic state politicians affiliated with the pseudo-left Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) have promoted a Green New Deal in the state legislature, which resulted in the passing of the farcical Build Public Renewables Act this year, which proposes to address climate change within the framework of the capitalist profit system.

These politicians have taken essentially the same tack as New York DSA-backed Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs promotion of a Green New Deal at the federal level. This program, as the WSWS noted, excludes any encroachment on the fortunes of the ruling class  Everything is phrased as part of consultation with business leaders.

The flooding in New York City on Friday has once again exposed the inability of the capitalist system to deal with the urgent problems presented by climate change, let alone the basic social needs of the population. The federal government has lavishly funded the proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, refusing to allow anything or anyone to interfere, systematically starving social and infrastructure funding, which could not only save lives but improve the quality of life for millions.
Late Saturday night, President Joe Biden signed into law a last-minute bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government for an additional 47 days and avoid an immediate shutdown.

Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy proposed the measure following behind-the-scenes talks with the White House and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate. It came after a week of futile attempts by McCarthy to pass a continuing resolution with draconian cuts in social spending and a crackdown on the Mexican border and de facto elimination of the right to asylum, but without the additional funding for Ukraine sought by the White House and the Senate.

McCarthy was blocked by a group of hardcore far-right House Republicans, backed by Donald Trump, who declared they would not support any continuing resolution, regardless of its provisions, and preferred a shutdown of federal agencies when the 2023 fiscal year expired on Sunday, October 1.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, Republican-California, flanked by Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minnesota, left, and Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-New York, holds a news conference just after the House approved a 45-day funding bill to keep federal agencies open at the Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. [AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite]

With the Republicans holding a mere 221212 majority in the House, the group, led by Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, controlled a relatively small bloc of votes, but enough to deny McCarthy a majority for his right-wing proposals, which were opposed by the Democrats. The group led by Gaetz demanded even deeper social cuts and opposed Ukraine war spending.

Not only the White House and Democratic lawmakers, but also a majority of Republicans opposed a government shutdown under conditions of an unprecedented coming together of crises confronting American imperialism, both at home and abroad.

This includes the military debacle in Ukraine, following the failure of Kievs so-called counteroffensive, which is driving plans to escalate the role of the US and NATO in the war. Domestically, the financial aristocracy faces a growing wave of strikes by autoworkers, screenwriters and actors, healthcare workers and others in the US.

This explosive internal social situation is compounded by an unprecedented crisis of the capitalist two-party political system in the run-up to the 2024 elections, a resurgence of the COVID pandemic and a growing economic crisis. In May, following the conflict over the US debt limit, Fitch Ratings lowered the US credit rating, and on September 25, Moodys Analytics indicated it would follow suit in the event of a government shutdown on October 1.

On Saturday, McCarthy switched tactics and proposed a clean CR that would extend current levels of federal funding until November 17 and add $16 billion in disaster relief. Anti-immigrant provisions as well as funding for Ukraine were not included in the bill, which passed in the House by a vote of 355 to 91, with all but one Democrat voting in favor and 90 Republicans voting no. Later on Saturday the bill was passed by the Democratic-controlled Senate, with 88 senators, including all voting Democrats, in support, and nine senators, all Republicans, voting against.

The bulk of the mainstream press as well as the Democrats hailed the temporary budget deal as a victory for bipartisanship and a win for moderate Republicans over MAGA extremists. At the same time, they raised the alarm over the absence of funding for the Ukraine war in the bill. An earlier Senate CR had included $6 billion in short-term funding for Kiev, but a majority of House Republicans voted over the past week against any additional funds to back the US puppet regime in Ukraine.

The Wall Street Journal published an article on October 1 headlined, In US Fights Over Ukraine Aid, Allies Fear Deeper Global Harm. Noting that Biden signed the bill to avert a shutdown despite its omission of Ukraine aid, the Journal quoted Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis as saying that in order to win, the demand for US leadership is ever greater, especially in the scope and speed of military assistance.

On Friday, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates published an article in Foreign Affairs titled, The Dysfunctional Superpower: Can a Divided America Deter China and Russia? Making clear that in the proxy war in Ukraine, the US is in fact at war with Russia, and that the goal of the war must be regime-change, Gates wrote: As long as Putin is in power, Russia will remain an adversary of the United States and NATO.

Gates, who headed the Pentagon under George W. Bush and during the first two years of the Obama administration, raised the explosive growth of US debt and budget deficits and called for a brutal assault on social programs:

Politicians from both parties have failed to address the spiraling cost of entitlements such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Perennial opposition to raising the debt ceiling has undermined confidence in the economy, causing investors to worry about what would happen if Washington actually defaulted.

On Sunday, Biden released a video on social media declaring that his decision to sign the CR averting a government shutdown was conditioned by a pledge from McCarthy to obtain passage of a separate bill to provide further military aid to Ukraine. He declared:

I fully expect the speaker to keep his commitments to secure a passage and support needed to help Ukraine as they defend themselves against aggression and brutality.  I hope my friends on the other side keep their word about support for Ukraine. They said they were going to support Ukraine in a separate vote.

Interviewed Sunday on CBS News Face the Nation program, McCarthy was repeatedly pushed by moderator Margaret Brennan to affirm that he would secure a vote to provide more military aid to Ukraine. McCarthy provided assurances, but at the same time linked Ukraine aid to further attacks on migrants and the right to asylum, including the virtual closure of the US-Mexico border.

He told Brennan: Im going to make sure that the weapons are provided for Ukraine, but theyre not going to get some big package if the border is not secure.

Elaborating on what he meant by securing the border, he listed the completion of Trumps border wall, the reinstitution of the remain in Mexico policy, and unspecified changes in asylum law. Republicans also included among border provisions in CRs proposed last week the revival of Title 42, a pandemic-related emergency measure imposed in March 2020 enabling the border police to deport migrants without a hearing.

Brennans next guest was New Yorks Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, who along with New York Citys Democratic Mayor Eric Adams has been leading the growing calls from Democrats for harsher measures to block the entry of asylum seekers at the US-Mexican border. Vastly exaggerating the number of migrants who are ending up in New York City, Hochul said, The majority of them seem to be ending up in the streets of New York.

Asked by Brennan what she was calling for, the governor said:

Well, we want them to have a limit on who can come across the border. It is too open right now. People coming from all over the world are finding their way through, simply saying they need asylum.  But there has to be some limits in place. And Congress has to put more controls at the border, and not this shutdown threat talk about eliminating positions for Border Patrol, while we actually need to double or quadruple those numbers.

Meanwhile, Gaetz, who was interviewed Sunday on both CNNs State of the Union and This Week on ABC, announced that he would go through with his threat to force a vote on removing McCarthy as House speaker next week. Gaetz attacked McCarthy as a pawn of the Democrats and denounced him, in particular, for striking a secret deal with the White House to secure passage of additional funds for military aid to Ukraine.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democratic-New York, endorsed President Joe Biden's reelection campaign in July 2023. [AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin/Susan Walsh]

Underscoring the increasingly prominent role of the pseudo-left Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in both the Democratic Party and the trade union bureaucracy, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) was brought forward on CNNs State of the Union program to respond to Gaetz. One of the first Democratic lawmakers to endorse Biden as next years Democratic presidential candidate, AOC has emerged as a completely uncritical flack for the White House and the party leadership.

Reflecting the further movement to the right of the Democratic Party as a whole, Ocasio-Cortez did not rule out House Democrats in one form or another helping McCarthy beat back a challenge to his speakership.

Moderator Jake Tapper cited an MSNBC interview given Friday night by fellow progressive, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, in which she said some Democrats were discussing striking a deal to save McCarthy in return for a power-sharing agreement.

AOC replied: Well, I mean, I think, when it comes to power-sharing, we will discuss that as a caucus and what we would finally accept or not.
Indonesia's Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi speaks in an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Jakarta, Indonesia, Aug. 8, 2023. TO GO WITH "Interview: Indonesia expects deepening transportation cooperation with China, says minister" (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

JAKARTA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- China has made great achievements in the field of transportation, and Indonesia is looking forward to expanding and deepening its cooperation with China, the Indonesian transportation minister has said.

Indonesia's Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi told Xinhua in an exclusive interview in Jakarta recently that China has leading technology in the railway, shipping and aircraft manufacturing industries and has become a model for Indonesia and other developing countries.

Speaking of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR), a landmark project of cooperation between China and Indonesia in the field of transportation, Sumadi said it has made Indonesia realize a leap in high-speed railway technology and enhanced the pride of the Indonesian people.

Sumadi said the Jakarta-Bandung HSR shortens the passage time between the two cities, greatly promoting regional people-to-people exchanges and driving the development sectors including tourism, employment and education.

He said that the professionalism and dedication shown by Chinese builders are worth learning, and Indonesia hopes to continue to cooperate closely with the Chinese side in the operation and maintenance of the high-speed railway.

Indonesia also hopes to expand cooperation with China in the fields of aircraft manufacturing and shipping, Sumadi said, adding that he hopes more investment from Chinese electric car companies and battery manufacturing enterprises. 

Indonesia's Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi speaks in an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Jakarta, Indonesia, Aug. 8, 2023. TO GO WITH "Interview: Indonesia expects deepening transportation cooperation with China, says minister" (Xinhua/Xu Qin)
With the New Zealand election less than two weeks away on October 14, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins revealed on social media on Sunday that he had tested positive for COVID-19. It is the second time he has been infected with the coronavirus.

Current New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins addressing a press conference in October 2021, when he was the COVID-19 Response Minister [AP Photo/Robert Kitchin]

As a result, Labour Partys campaign has been disrupted, with Hipkins going into isolation for five days. A leaders debate scheduled for tomorrow will likely be postponed or cancelled. It has also broken the conspiracy of silence by the parliamentary parties and corporate media surrounding the COVID pandemic, which has not been discussed in the lead-up to the election except as a thing of the past.

Since prime minister Jacinda Ardern announced the end of New Zealands Zero COVID policy in late 2021 and the government began removing public health measures, the coronavirus has spread across the country, infecting millions of people again and again. According to the Ministry of Health, more than 3,300 people have died from COVIDcertainly an underestimateand dozens are being added to the death toll each week.

A total of 31,109 people have been hospitalised for COVID, including 3,395 children under the age of 10. As many as 150,000 people could have Long COVID, a debilitating condition affecting multiple organs. The risk of Long COVID increases with multiple infections.

Almost all of these deaths and illnesses could have been prevented if the elimination policy had been maintained. In every country, the ruling class is pursuing an extraordinarily reckless and criminal let it rip policy which has led to more than 26 million deaths.

Hipkins wrote on Instagram: Im in close contact with New Zealanders on the campaign trail and I dont want to pass it on to anyone, so Ill be following the guidance and isolating for a few days or until I get a negative test.

In fact, Hipkins may well have already exposed thousands of people to the infection. On Saturday, he campaigned at the Moon Festival in Auckland where, according to the Post, he briefly danced on stage in front of thousands at a Cook Island festival at Trust Arena. He also made a campaign appearance at the bar, Carmen Jones.

No effort is being made to track down those who were at these events and warn them to get tested. Hipkins and other political candidates have attended hundreds of public meetings, debates and media appearances, with absolutely no precautions taken against the spread of infection. Any of these events could have served as super-spreaders for COVID.

While Hipkins is going into isolation, workers who get COVID are being pressured to keep working. The government has actively discouraged the testing of asymptomatic people in order to prevent people who discover they have COVID calling in sick. In August, Hipkins announced with undisguised glee that the requirement for people to self-isolate for seven days would be scrapped, along with associated COVID leave payments, and that masks were no longer mandatory in public hospitals and other healthcare settings.

At the time, Health Minister Ayesha Verrall blithely declared that while COVID case numbers would continue to fluctuate, a temporary decline in reported cases and the populations immunity levels meant it was safe to abandon these last remaining public health measures.

Shortly afterwards, New Zealands only dedicated Long COVID clinic, in Christchurch, announced it would have to close due to a lack of state funding.

Accurate reporting of cases no longer exists. The New Zealand Herald reports that wastewater testing in the Wellington region shows the amount of viral material detected is similar to early April when there were 198 cases being reported a day. But, as of September 24, just 52 cases a day were reported.

Everything has been done to reduce public awareness of the ongoing dangers of COVID and promote the fiction that the pandemic is over. Scientist Joane Hewitt told the newspaper that reporting of test results had declined since the government removed isolation requirements.

The public healthcare system is in a deep crisis. Stuff reported in August that as of March there were 7,136 vacancies being advertised for full-time workers in New Zealand hospitals, about 40 percent for nurses. Auckland and Wellington have the worst shortage, with about 1,100 vacancies each.

Hospitals are frequently overwhelmed. On September 26, Stuff reported that Whanganui Hospital was frequently at 147 percent capacity, with overflow patients being treated on beds, wheelchairs and seats in [emergency department] corridors. An article on September 6 noted that Southland Hospital had just two doctors on duty overnight, looking after 80 patients.

Longer waiting lists for surgical treatment have led to avoidable deaths. According to the Northern Advocate, Neill Bainbridge, from Northland, was diagnosed with cancer on July 4 and died on September 13 without receiving any treatment. He died on the same day his first appointment with an oncologist was scheduled. His wife Sheryl said: Because of limited resources in all areas of this countrys defective health system, our family was cheated of extra time with Neill in our lives.

Understaffing and the soaring cost-of-living have fuelled strikes by tens of thousands of nurses, doctors, laboratory workers and other healthcare workers. So far, the strikes have been kept isolated from each other by the trade union bureaucracy.

Neither the Labour Party nor the opposition National Party, which is expected to lead the next government, has any solutions. Both are pledging to slash billions of dollars in spending on public services, which will inevitably make the healthcare crisis worse. All partiesincluding Labours allies the Greens and Te Pati Maoriagree that the population must endure continual deaths and severe illnesses from COVID-19 with no end in sight.

Only the Socialist Equality Group and the International Committee of the Fourth International are fighting for a scientific elimination strategy and an end to the profits-before-lives policies adopted throughout the world.

This requires a socialist political perspective: the working class must be mobilised to demand a vast expansion of resources for public healthcare to put an end to the pandemic and save lives. This fight must be undertaken on an international scale since COVID-19 cannot be eliminated in a single country while it is allowed to spread unchecked everywhere else.

We call on those seeking a way forward to read and share the SEGs election statement, and attend our public meeting in Wellington on October 4, which will be conducted with HEPA filters, masks and Far-UV technology for a COVID-safe environment.
Thailands Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has spent his first weeks in office seeking to deepen Bangkoks connections to foreign corporations, particularly in the US, and further open up the country as a cheap labour platform.

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. [AP Photo/Richard Drew]

In his first overseas trip since taking office, Srettha travelled to New York for the recent UN General Assembly Meeting in New York, spruiking Thailand as a dependable hub for foreign investment. Speaking to reporters, Srettha stated, It is a positive sign and a good starting point. It is the first step in telling the world that Thailand is open (to investment).

Srettha, a wealthy real-estate tycoon with no prior experience in office, was approved as prime minister by a joint sitting of the national assembly in which the military-appointed Senate effectively holds a veto. His coalition government includes the two main political parties of the military.

In his governments first policy statement released on September 11, Srettha placed emphasis on the economy and boosting GDP growth. This inevitably means imposing austerity on workers and farmers. Thailands economy is expected to grow by only 2.8 percent this year, less than expected due to weak exports, and by a modest 3.2 percent next year.

Srettha stated last week that he expected Tesla, Microsoft, and Google to invest at least $5 billion in Thailand. Tesla would be looking into an Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility, Microsoft and Google are looking at data centers, he said. Thailand is the fourth-largest auto assembly centre in Asia producing between 1.5 and 2 million cars each year.

Srettha, who is also the finance minister, spoke with Elon Musk to discuss the EV industry offering incentives to EV and battery makers. Tesla plans to ramp up vehicle production to 20 million vehicles per year by 2030, and is exploring options for several new gigafactories, capable of producing at least 0.5 million cars a year.

Sretthas appeals to big business make clear where Pheu Thai Partys real interests lie, despite the new governments claims of being for the people and addressing poverty. While the government has stated that it will raise the minimum wage to at least 400 baht ($US11) per day, to attract investment it will no doubt be driven to create the business-friendly conditions. The minimum wage promise has already received pushback from big business and even from within Sretthas own cabinet.

At the UN General Assembly, Srettha extolled the virtues of human rights, human dignity and freedoms, yet a 4-year prison sentence was just handed down to human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa who in the 2020 pro-democracy protests called for reforming the monarchysupposedly a breach of the countrys draconian lese majeste law. Hundreds more protesters face similar charges, aimed at maintaining the monarchy which has been the political linchpin of bourgeois rule in Thailand.

The big business agenda of the Thai government demonstrates the interconnectedness of the economic struggles that the international working class faces. The expansion of the EV industry in Thailand will no doubt have an impact on the jobs of autoworkers in a country that has branded itself as the Detroit of Asia. Thailand is competing with other countries, such as Indonesia, that are similarly looking to attract EV investment, which ultimately means a race to the bottom for workers in all countries.

At an economic forum dubbed Next Chapter Thailand on Friday, Srettha pledged to make it easier for companies to exploit foreign workers in Thailand. Whilst introducing a debt moratorium of three years for struggling farmers, Srettha stated it would not guarantee the prices of farm produce, such as rice, short of a devastating disaster that damaged and destroyed crops. More than 90 percent of Thai farmer households are indebted at an average of 450,000 baht and are caught in a vicious debt cycle.

Regarding the ongoing tensions between the US and China, Srettha stated Thailand would be continuing its neutral stance, as was the case with the previous military government. He was careful not to mention the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine at the UN General Assembly in New York, instead promoting the illusion that increased international economic ties were the path towards peaceful relations.

China is a significant factor in Thailands economy. Bilateral trade reached $US107 billion in 2022. Bilateral trade between Thailand and the US was $US65 billion last year, making it Thailands second-largest trading partner after China.

Thailand is also courting further Chinese investment into EV production which already amounts to $US1.44 billion since 2020 from companies such as BYD and Great Wall Motor.

The US and its allies, however, are undoubtedly putting pressure on Bangkok to align more closely with Washington as it intensifies its war drive against Beijing. This includes Germany, which is refusing to sell Bangkok a submarine engine for a vessel that would be constructed in China.

Srettha briefly met with US President Biden on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and emphasized the longstanding trade relationship between the two countries. The prime minister stated that he expects to hold a meeting with Biden in November during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in San Francisco.

The US and Thailand historically have had close military ties. The two countries are formal military allies. During the Vietnam war, the US used bases in Thailand to launch airstrikes. The US and Thailand hold annual Cobra Gold military exercises, some of the largest multilateral war games in the region.

Immediately after the appointment of Srettha as PM, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent his congratulations, declaring Washington would work closely with Bangkok advancing......a free and open, connected, peaceful, and resilient Indo-Pacific region.

In reality, the US is intensifying its military build-up and confrontation with China throughout the Pacific and is no doubt seeking to incorporate bases in northern Thailand into its war planning.

Srettha is planning to visit China from October 16 to 19 to tighten the relationship and increase cooperation in investment, according to a government spokesperson.
The following article, written in 2000, outlines the political issues raised by a massive Walk for Aboriginal Reconciliation across Sydneys Harbour Bridge that year attended by more than 250,000 people.

Two days earlier, on a National Sorry Day, thousands of ordinary people had also marched through major cities calling for an official government apology to Australias Aboriginal people for the atrocities perpetrated against them since the arrival of British imperialism toward the end of the eighteenth century. Taken together, these were among the largest political demonstrations in Australian history.

The questions examined, including attempts by the political establishment to cynically manipulate widespread concern over the plight of the indigenous population, have not gone away.

On the contrary, they are directly relevant to the Labor governments campaign to enshrine an indigenous advisory body to parliament into the Australian Constitution.

The referendum is a continuation of an official reconciliation program initiated by the Hawke-Keating Labor governments of 1983-96. It was designed to serve the domestic and foreign policy requirements of the Australian capitalist class, while the social conditions of working-class indigenous people have only worsened.

The Voice would do nothing to resolve those conditions. It would be an unelected indigenous advisory body entrenched at the heart of the reactionary 1901 Australian Constitution and the very same apparatus of parliament, government and police-military forces responsible for the 235 years of oppression.

The architects of the Voice, such as indigenous lawyer Noel Pearson, have long been among the chief proponents of the reconciliation agenda, as they were in 2000. As this article explores, that features so-called economic empowerment, based on the development of indigenous business operations, linked to the creation of legally-recognised land rights as a means to facilitate multi-billion mining and other corporate projects.

This is a racially-divisive program, above all attempting to cut across a unified struggle by indigenous and non-indigenous workers alike against the capitalist profit system itself, which is the source of the deteriorating financial, housing and social conditions confronting the working class as a whole, of whom indigenous workers are the most vulnerable.

In fact, the reconciliation program is built on blaming white society, instead of the capitalist order, for the oppression of Aborigines, and seeking to divert from the ever-widening social divide between the financial elite and the entire working class.

The article below also explains why the political and corporate establishment heavily backed the government-funded Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation as a means of trying to put a new face on the notorious record of Australian capitalism, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Today, this is an even greater imperative as the Albanese government ramps up, via the AUKUS alliance, preparations for a frontline role in the US-led war against China, including by seeking to bully regional states into Washingtons line-up.

In 2000, the Howard Liberal-National government declined to issue the demanded apology, but by 2007 it had shifted its stance to call for indigenous recognition in the constitution. That project was picked up by the following Rudd Labor government, which issued the phoney 2008 parliamentary apology to the stolen generations of tens of thousands of Aboriginal children forcibly removed from their families.

The government- and corporate-backed reconciliation and recognition program ultimately led to the Voice proposal. It did not come from the grassroots as the Yes campaign falsely claims. In 2015, the Abbott Liberal-National government convened a meeting with 39 selected indigenous figures and the then Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten at Kirribilli House, the prime ministers official Sydney harbourside residence, to call for a new type of recognition. It launched the orchestrated gatherings that produced the 2017 Uluru statement that endorsed the Voice plan.

While the horrendous social conditions afflicting most indigenous people would continue to worsen, the Voice would further incorporate into the capitalist class and the state apparatus the privileged indigenous beneficiaries of the three decades-old reconciliation process.

That is why the SEP is urging workers and youth to reject both the Yes and No cases presented by rival factions of the ruling political establishment, all of which are committed to the program of war and sacrifice. We are calling for an active boycott campaign to oppose the referendum itself, as part of a broader fight against the capitalist order.

The 2000 article warned that, without a clear alternative political perspective, the hundreds of thousands who sincerely walked for reconciliation would become a tool for the very social forces that have proven, throughout the course of the past two centuries, entirely inimical to the interests of ordinary Aborigines. The same warning applies to those considering voting Yes in the Voice referendum.

Note: Under conditions of compulsory voting, which makes it a crime to urge a boycott of the vote itself, the SEP calls on workers and youth to register their opposition by casting informal ballots and join our active boycott campaign in the lead-up to October 14, that goes well beyond the individual act of voting.

Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Suite 906, 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000



* * *

A quarter of a million march in support of Australias Aborigines: But who are the beneficiaries of reconciliation?

1 June 2000

A small section of the more than 250,000 people participating in the Walk for Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on May 28, 2000. [Photo: Loui Seselja, National Library of Australia nla.obj-145680129]

More than a quarter of a million people participated last Sunday in a Walk for Aboriginal Reconciliation across Sydneys famous landmark, the Harbour Bridge. For five and a half hours, a steady human stream filled the bridge, traversing the four kilometres from North Sydney to the southern end.



The walk followed Saturdays Corroboree 2000 conference and ceremony, which saw the handing over of a document Towards Reconciliation by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (CAR) to Liberal Prime Minister John Howard and to state, federal and territory government officials, church leaders and other dignitaries on the steps of the Sydney Opera House, before an audience of several thousand.

The CAR was set up by the Hawke Labor government in 1991, following a recommendation from the Royal Commission into Black Deaths in Custody. Comprising politicians, including former Liberal Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, media and business identities, trade union bureaucrats and Aboriginal leaders, its brief has purportedly been to tackle the countrys racial divide.

On Fridays National Sorry Day, thousands marched through major cities calling for an official government apology to Australias Aboriginal people for the crimes perpetrated against them since British settlement at the end of the eighteenth century.

Together, the three days were billed as the culmination of a nine-year process of reconciliation between the countrys indigenous and non-indigenous populations. They were ostensibly designed to mark the recognition of past injustices, indigenous rights and a new dawn in relations between black and white.

The walk was led by members of the stolen generationthe tens of thousands of Aborigines forcibly separated from their families under the assimilation policy pursued by successive Australian governments until the 1960sand the CAR. Their main preoccupation was to extract the word sorry from the prime minister, something he has consistently refused to say. While Howard was conspicuously absent, representatives of his government, which has denied the existence of the stolen generation, and which has presided over ever-worsening conditions for ordinary Aborigines, walked close behind march organisers.

Liberal, Labor, National, Democrat and Green politicians mingled together, along with judges, former prime ministers, church leaders, business executives and various celebrities.

The huge turnoutthe largest-ever political demonstration in the countrys historyexpressed a widespread and entirely legitimate sense of outrage on the part of ordinary people at the genocidal policies carried out over the past 200 years against the Aboriginal population, as well as disgust at the impoverished conditions and discriminatory treatment the majority have continued to suffer under both Labor and Liberal governments.

Participants included a large number of middle class and professional people, working class families with young children hoisted on shoulders, many students and young people, immigrants from many parts of the world, particularly Asia, and contingents of Aborigines from around the country. Most people strolled across the bridge with family and friends, not as part of a specific contingent. Some marched behind the banners of government departments, cultural institutions, schools, universities, unions and political parties.

Dominating the event was the feeling that ordinary people had to take a stand themselves on behalf of the Aboriginal people. Without doubt many around the country, not just those who participated, believe that through the so-called reconciliation process the past will, finally, be honestly confronted, and its wounds begin to heal. Only then will the lot of Aboriginal people, in some as yet unexplained way, begin to improve.

Reconciliation itself has become a sort of catch-all phrase, encompassing all manner of ill-defined sentiments, meaning different things to different people. Virtually anyone can embrace it.

Marchers interviewed by the WSWS were rather vague about what they thought it meant: an act of individual contrition, a personal resolve to help change things for the better, social justice, racial harmony, peace, equality, love. But they had no idea as to how any of these would be achieved, and they had little or no trust in politicians or the political establishment as a whole.

None of those we interviewed had considered what the official agenda behind the reconciliation process might be, and why it has been so heavily promoted throughout the media. The Sun Herald, for example, ran a banner headline on the morning of the march: Vote with your feet, castigating Howard yet again for not saying sorry the day before. The national broadcaster, the ABC, featured almost continuous coverage of the three days events on radio and television. Those who walked on Sunday, trumpeted Murdochs Australian the next morning, had delivered the peoples apology, in spite of the prime minister.

An apparent contradiction

Here was an apparent contradiction. On the one hand, tens of thousands were motivated to walk by deep concerns for social justice and equity. On the other, the event was supported to the hilt by the very politicians, business chiefs and media barons responsible for growing social inequality.

The answer to this is to be found in the political agenda guiding the reconciliation process, revealed in the Documents of Reconciliation prepared by the CAR.

Not surprisingly these have received virtually no publicity. That is because they seek to bolster and perpetuate the same social and economic order responsible for the wiping out of a large percentage of the Aboriginal population and for the ongoing oppression of those who managed to survive.

The documents begin by highlighting the fact that Australia is the only Commonwealth country, and one of the few in the world, that has not signed a treaty with its indigenous peoples or provided them with Constitutional recognition.

Nations that have done so are listed as examples the Australian government should emulate, including Canada, the United States, South Africa, Ecuador, Brazil, New Zealand and the Scandinavian countries.

How the methods of conflict resolution, apologies and treaties lauded by the CAR have actually impacted on the lives of the vast majority of the indigenous populations of these countries is not mentioned. And for good reason. In all cases they have served to create a tiny layer of wealthy indigenous entrepreneurs who have used the return of their native lands and cash compensation as a means, not for improving the health, welfare and education of ordinary indigenous people, but for enriching themselves through lucrative investments and business ventures, particularly gambling.

New Zealand is a prime example. Throughout the 1990s many hundreds of millions of dollars have been transferred by the government in cash compensation and land to Maori tribal leaders. Maori business interests now control around $5 billion in assets, excluding housing stock. $3 billion of this is invested in agriculture, nearly $1 billion in business and commercial activity and the rest in forestry and fishing.

The beneficiariesa tiny layer of business and political leadershave reaped handsome rewards, luxuriating in the trappings of corporate success. Working class Maori, on the other hand, have seen their social position decline. Unemployment among them stands at 18 percent, three times the national average, and 30 percent among teenage youth. Every other social indicatorweekly household income, education, hospitalisation rates, youth suicide, mental health, diabetes, rate of imprisonmenthas worsened during the past decade.

The CARs Documents of Reconciliation elaborate a series of strategies for the steps we must take as we work together towards a reconciled nation.

Most important among them is economic empowerment, which, the CAR claims, will lead to economic independence and self-reliance and will not occur through welfare programs. Significantly this strategy dovetails exactly with the right-wing agenda of the Howard government, and the demands of corporate Australia to slash welfare spending and eliminate social facilities.

Not one reference is made to the need for decent-paying jobs, the most urgent demand of Aboriginal workers in urban, regional and rural areas, where unemployment rates can reach as high as 100 percent.

Instead, the CAR calls for better access to capital, business planning advice and assistance, increased networking and mentoring opportunities, promotion and encouragement of small business, and fostering partnerships with the business community.

These proposals are designed to formalise and entrench a process already well under way: a growing social polarisation between a few Aboriginal entrepreneurs, or Abocratsas one young Aboriginal worker described them to the WSWS on Sundayand the mass of impoverished Aboriginal workers and youth, denied access to welfare, jobs and services, forced either to work for the dole, or to be exploited as cheap labour by Aboriginal businesses in partnership with mining and tourist interests.

The documents make a general call for increased representation in Australian parliaments, designed to shore up, through the existence of a handful of token Aboriginal politicians, what have become totally discredited institutions, in order to bind the Aboriginal working class ever more closely to them.

Aboriginal land rights

The demand in the documents for self-determination within the framework of the Australian Constitution raises another important feature of the reconciliation process: its relationship to Aboriginal land rights and native title.

In traditional Aboriginal society, the concept of private property was entirely unknown. To the largely nomadic Aboriginal tribes, with no agriculture or livestock, the land and sea were the sole source of survival, endowed with considerable spiritual significance.

The origins of the land rights movement go back several decades. In the 1960s a militant movement began to emerge among Aboriginal workers in country areas, demanding decent wages and conditions. At the same time, the working class in the major cities was becoming increasingly restive. Fearful of the prospect of a unified movement of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal workers, both Labor and Liberal governments alike began the process of cultivating a small privileged layer of Aboriginal leaders. Their function was to act as a lightning rod, diverting common grievances and sowing divisions between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. Against specifically class demands, these leaders began to champion land rights, or the right of indigenous people to own their ancestral lands.

The demand won growing support, promoted as it was by the Aboriginal leaderships and the left radical milieu as a means of protecting important cultural and spiritual landmarks, in trust for future generations and for ensuring the right of impoverished Aboriginal communities to live on traditional lands, without fear of eviction.

But native title has meant nothing of the sort. It was created as a new legal entity by the High Court in 1992 in the famous Mabo case, just one year after the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation was established.

It renders alienable what was previously crown or common land, and endows it with a monetary value. Native title was designed by the court to be nothing more than a tradable option, a new private interest in land, that can be bought and sold on the capitalist market.

And that is precisely what it has become. This is why the Mabo case and the reconciliation process alike have received such strong support from corporate Australia.

Together, they have become the vehicle through which long-term, capital intensive mining and tourism investments are able to be secured. Sacred sites have been cynically sold off by Aboriginal land councils in exchange for ready cash.

Three years ago, the first Reconciliation Convention was held at Melbournes World Trade Centre. Costing some $1 million, it was bankrolled by some of the biggest names in mining and oil, including BHP, Shell, CRA-RTZ, Pasminco, North Ltd and ARCO Coal. Also contributing were the ANZ bank, Telstra, Canon, Fuji Xerox, and the Tourism Council of Australia (representing the big hotels and tour operators).

Featured as speakers in plenary sessions and seminars were several corporate heavyweights, some of whom marched on Sunday.

The Financial Review of May 28, 1997 explained why in an editorial entitled The business of reconciliation: As Australias mining industry now recognises, the task of reconciliation is not a bleeding-heart obsession of the white chattering classes, but instead is a matter of practical business.

Since then Pasminco, for example, has given regional Aboriginal leaders control over a $60 million compensation fund as the price for native title rights at the $1 billion Century Zinc mine in north-west Queensland.

Chevron recently cleared the way for a $3.5 billion gas pipeline along the Queensland coast by allocating $6 million to the First Nations Joint Company to disperse among 26 Aboriginal groups with native title claims. Chevron also left open the possibility of the Aboriginal company taking a 2 percent share in the project.

Not surprisingly, Corroborree 2000 and the Walk for Aboriginal Reconciliation were also sponsored by major corporate interests, including Toyota, Ansett, mining companies and PBL, the media company owned by Australias richest man, Kerry Packer, while the New South Wales and federal governments devoted considerable resources to its organisation.

One notable participant was the executive director of the Business Council of Australia, David Buckingham. He told the Financial Review that the walk was a very significant national event which would hopefully set the tone for resolving and concluding these issues in the future.

Saying sorry

The insistence of big business, the media, the CAR and the various Aboriginal leaderships that the prime minister say sorry needs to be viewed within this context.

Lowitja ODonoghue, former chairwoman of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, explained the issue during an ABC television forum last Monday evening. ODonoghue was asked what difference had been made to the lives of ordinary Aborigines by the fact that all the state governments had already apologised. She replied that their apologies had enabled Aborigines to work more closely with these governments, and that was why Aboriginal leaders wanted an apology from Howard. It would help cement a close working relationship with the federal government in the future, she said.

Nothing could more clearly expose the real agenda of the reconciliation process. Its aim is to utilise a carefully selected and highly promoted layer of petty-bourgeois Aboriginal bureaucrats to reconcile the vast majority of Aboriginal people to the requirements of capital.

These people want to work more closely with a government that has presided over a major offensive against the jobs, working conditions, welfare and social services of the entire working class.

The CARs final recommendation in its Documents of Reconciliation is the establishment of a reconciliation foundation to perpetuate the existence of reconciliation bodies that will continue to work with governments at all levels.

Apologies, expressions of regret, references to human dignity, mutual respect and justice are the means through which the CAR, the government and the media seek to enlist the support of wide layers of ordinary people for this reactionary perspective.

John Howard [Photo: Defenselink.mil/R.D. Ward]

Howards refusal to co-operate has provoked scathing criticism from editorial writers and corporate boardrooms alike. He is being increasingly lambasted for placing political expediency above a recognition of the importance of reconciliation to corporate Australia. Facing a growing electoral backlash against his governments harsh social and economic policies, Howard has sought to rebuild support among right-wing and racist elements in rural and regional areas on the basis of law and order. He has also encouraged the scapegoating of Aborigines and immigrants for the destruction of jobs and basic social services.

Mondays Sydney Morning Herald editorial thundered: People are tired of the evasion, the point-scoring and the sheer mean-spiritedness of the Federal Government on questions of relations between black and white. Howards course, it went on, was narrow and destructive.

Hugh Morgan, chief executive of Western Mining Corporation, and well-known right-winger, told the Nine networks Business Sunday program that while the Howard government had shown courageous leadership in some areas, he was disappointed with its performance on reconciliation.

We get plastered overseas with stories, he said. It consumes political debate here ... we dont need it. We dont need these sorts of internal dissensions.

In an article in Wednesdays Financial Review entitled The practical business of reconciliation. Robert Champion de Crespigny, the CEO of Normandy Mining Ltd and a member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, underscored Morgans concerns:

Reconciliation is obviously an issue of significance to Australian business.... With the growing internationalisation of business and the ever-present eyes of the world media, Australia risks becoming a pariah nation, in some respects like the old apartheid era South Africa. Such notions, however incorrect in reality, could easily take on a life of their own.

This would create considerable difficulties for Australian businesses operating overseas as well as for expatriates. It would also be a tragedy as Australia is one of the most successful multicultural nations in the world.

Reconciliation has, in this way, become a significant factor in foreign policy. Howards continuing failure to issue an apology has received attention throughout the Asia-Pacific region, an area of vital economic concern to corporate Australia. Fears are being expressed that Australias capacity to engage in the region, under the banner of defending human rights, will be compromised if it continues to project an image of callous indifference to its own Aboriginal population.

Many thousands participated in last weekends events out of a sense that only by demonstrating en masse, could their concerns about both the past and the present be heard. This is, in itself, significant. But the vital and outstanding issue remains one of perspective. Without a clear alternative, the hundreds of thousands who walked will simply become a tool for the very social forces that have proven, throughout the course of the past 200 years, entirely inimical to the interests of ordinary Aborigines.

The terrible oppression of the indigenous population will continue and deepen unless and until a mass political movement of the working class emerges, uniting Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, and armed with an independent socialist perspective challenging the very basis of the profit system. Only by reorganising society from top to bottom, by taking the ownership of the major industries, mines and banks out of private hands and placing them in the hands of the working class as a whole, can the social, economic and political rights of the Aboriginal people be secured.
A new film by the London-based Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) was released on YouTube last Wednesday slandering the internationally acclaimed rock musician and political activist Roger Waters as an antisemite.

The 37-minute film, entitled The Dark Side of Roger Waterswhich the CAA is falsely promoting as a documentaryis a foul and scurrilous hit piece against the 80-year-old founder of the English rock band Pink Floyd.

The film is a reactionary response to the growing awareness of masses of people around the worldan awareness that Roger Waters has encouraged with his music and live performancesthat the Israeli government is engaged in the racist and violent suppression of Palestinian rights in the occupied territories of Gaza and the West Bank.

The CAA, which was founded in 2014 by UK supporters of the state of Israel, is an outfit specializing in campaigns against anyone who criticizes the politics of Zionism. This campaign has now become all the more necessary with a majority of people within Israel opposed to the corrupt regime of the hated gangster, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The CAA is coming to the aid of the Tel Aviv government to smear Roger Waters as an antisemite for telling the truth about the policies of the Israeli government and entirely distort the meaning of the term. Antisemitism has been used by the ruling classes historically during periods of crisis to organize pogroms against Jews and carry out mass murder such as that which occurred during the Holocaust.

On Friday, Roger Waters posted a statement on his website denouncing the smear campaign against him.

In his post, Waters states, Earlier this month the Campaign Against Antisemitism contacted me about a film they have made. They gave me seven days to respond to multiple questions about matters dating back to 2002 and 2010. Initially I took the view that their attacks on my character did not deserve a response. However, now that the attacks are in circulation, I want to put my response on record.

Clearly, the modus operandi of CAA was such that the filmmakers had no intention of providing Waters the opportunity to explain his political views to the public. Far from it, the fix was already in and the production of the slanderous film about Waters was moving forward regardless of his response.

In his statement, Waters explains, All my life I have used the platform my career has given me to support causes I believe in. I passionately believe in Universal Human Rights. I have always worked to make the world a better, more just and more equitable place for all my brothers and sisters, all over the world, irrespective of their ethnicity, religion or nationality, from indigenous peoples threatened by the US oil industry to Iranian women protesting for their rights.

Waters then makes clear that his defense of Palestinian rightswhich extends over several decadesis part of his stance on universal human rights, That is why I am active in the non-violent protest movement against the Israeli governments illegal occupation of Palestine and its egregious treatment of Palestinians.

The CAA film is based on the propaganda campaign mounted by the Israeli government, its supporting organizations around the world and, above all, its primary political, financial and military benefactor, US imperialism.

The central falsification of this campaign is the identification of all denunciations of the apartheid policies of the Zionist regime with antisemitism. As he has done consistently, Waters takes this question on directly, stating, Those who wish to conflate that position with antisemitism do a great disservice to us all.

As Waters states, The film totally distorts and misrepresents my views about the Israeli state and its political ideology, Zionism. It relies on a definition of antisemitism that sees criticizing Israel as inherently antisemitic and assumes that Zionism is an essential element in Jewish identity. These opinions, clearly shared by the presenter and the two interviewees, are widely contested by many, including many Jewish people.

The CAA film is, in part, a response to the fact that Roger Waters public advocacy of Palestinian rights has found widespread support among his longtime fans as well as a growing number of young people who are responding to the political appeals in his live concert performances.

Meanwhile, his public statements of opposition to the US-NATO-provoked war against Russia in Ukraine have also won support among audiences in the US and Europe. It is no accident that the new campaign against Waters is being mounted just as his This is Not A Drill tour is scheduled to begin in South America, where it will find further enthusiastic support.

The CAA video, which features the British journalist and investigative reporter John Ware, is also a response by pro-Zionist forces to the failure of the campaign earlier this year to cancel Waters concert performances in Germany based on similar assertions of antisemitism. Ware cut his teeth in this type of yellow journalism, when he appeared in a similar lying report for the BBC accusing Jeremy Corbyn of antisemitism.

In the course of the attack piece, Ware and his CAA backers make the absurd comparison of Roger Waters to Donald Trump and charge him with being a sympathizer of Nazism. This lie is based on the false presentation of Waters live shows, which feature direct references to World War II and the Holocaust and warn of the danger of fascism in the present, as promoting antisemitic tropes.

As Waters explains about the film, What it says about my latest tour, This Is Not A Drill, repeats a series of falsehoods that have already been debunked, many times, not just by me, but in the German courts, after attempts were made to have my show banned there.

Meanwhile, Waters explains that the quotes provided in the film supposedly proving his antisemitism are taken completely out of context, The offensive words I referenced in quotes in an email 13 years ago, were my brainstorming ideas on how to make the evils and horrors of fascism and extremism apparent and shocking to a generation that may not fully appreciate the ever-present threat.

Waters points to the history of the CAA, People need to know about the CAA, the organization that made this film. Following complaints to the Charity Commission the CAA is facing scrutiny. Its core purpose is waging partisan political campaigns against critics of the state of Israel. So I knew their questions were not asked in good faith.

The CAAs purported documentary is based exclusively on anecdotal accounts provided by two artists, Canadian music producer Bob Ezrin and saxophonist Norbert Statchel, who are both Jewish and had previously worked with Roger Waters. In the case of Ezrin, who played a significant role in the production of the highly successful 1980 Pink Floyd album and movie The Wall, the producer proves himself incapable of drawing any distinction between Waters opposition to Zionism and accusations of antisemitism.

Responding to the comments of Ezrin and Statchel, Waters states, Ive worked closely for many years with many Jewish people, musicians and others. If I have upset the two individuals who appear in the film Im sorry for that. But I can say with certainty that I am not, and have never been, an antisemiteas anyone who really knows me will testify. I know the Jewish people to be a diverse, interesting, and complicated bunch, just like the rest of humanity. Many are allies in the fight for equality and justice, in Israel, Palestine and around the world.

We are not obliged to grant Ezrin and Statchel, who are playing a direct role in the public vilification of Waters, any exemption from scrutiny. That these artists are willingly participating in a campaign to falsely label Waters an antisemite on behalf of the Israeli and US governments is nothing short of despicable.
The new chair of the committee,Mr Kjetil Tysdal from Norway, facilitated the discussion.

Response to food insecurity, pandemic impact

The committee continued to discuss how to implement the MC12 declaration on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the MC12 declaration on food security.

Members received updated analyses on food markets and global food security from the International Grains Council (IGC, G/AG/GEN/227) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, G/AG/GEN/228).

In its forecast for the production and potential market for grains, such as wheat, maize, soybean and rice, in 2023-24, the IGC highlighted the limited supply of wheat and the heightened prices for rice, drawing attention to recent trade-restrictive measures that may impact the market.

The FAO reported that according to the latest data 783 million people face hunger. The FAO rice price index increased by 9.8 per cent month-on-month in August, reaching a 15-year high, it said. Meanwhile, the global food import bill is projected to reach USD 1.98 trillion in 2023. The FAO highlighted key factors contributing to the food crisis, including geopolitical conflicts, the economic downturn, extreme climate events and growing inequality.

Members welcomed the analysis of the food market, suggesting ways to keep markets open, enhance transparency and provide emergency assistance. Some called for restraint on the use of export restrictions in times of crisis. Others pointed out the work undertaken by the working group on food security for least developed countries (LDCs) and net food-importing developing countries (NFIDCs), emphasizing the necessity for more collaboration with international organizations to address the issue of food insecurity.

Mr Tysdal, coordinator of the working group, provided an update on recent progress. Mindful of the deadline of end-November for issuing recommendations , one developing member suggested that the coordinator revise the latest report to take account of new submissions. Mr Tysdal said he intended to circulate an updated report in October.

India also briefed members on its trade-related measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic to address food insecurity.

Review of agricultural policies

Members discussed 26 new issues concerning each other's farm policies, which encompassed market access, domestic support and export competition. These issues included farm support programmes by Australia, Brazil, Canada, the European Union, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan and the United Kingdom. Specific questions on import and export-limiting measures by Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia, Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates were also addressed. All the questions are compiled here.

Among the 23 issues raised in previous committee meetings, members continued seeking further information regarding the EU's deforestation regulation, Argentina's and India's export restrictions, Canada's dairy policies, China's policies on beef and grain, the Philippines tariff regime and Turkiye's import and export measures, among other topics.

Participants also seized the opportunity to seek more information on notifications submitted by members concerning tariff quota administration, special agricultural safeguards, domestic support and export subsidy notifications as well as notifications in the context of the NFIDC Decision.

All questions submitted for the meeting are available in G/AG/W/241. All questions and replies received are available in the WTO's Agriculture Information Management System (AG IMS).

Enhancing transparency

The committee continued discussions on strategies to enhance transparency on members' agricultural trade measures, particularly by streamlining and simplifying the current export subsidy notification requirements. The chair proposed several elements for members to consider, aiming to build consensus for a streamlined export competition transparency package.

Members generally responded positively to the chair's proposal, highlighting specific elements they consider important. They especially emphasized the need to address duplication in the current transparency requirements in the wake of the new obligations arising from the 2015 Nairobi Decision on export competition without curtailing the existing level of transparency.

Members also welcomed Costa Rica's submission in G/AG/W/230, which contains specific suggestions for modifying the existing notification format to report tariff quota administration practices.

The discussion continued on how to improve the Functioning of the Committee on Agriculture based on document RD/AG/111, which compiles members' suggestions. Members appreciated the recent progress made by the Secretariat in enhancing the meeting organization mechanisms and improving the reporting and analytical functions of the Agriculture Information Management System (AGIMS).

Noting the efforts made by a few members to submit overdue notifications, the chair highlighted the significant backlog of notifications and unanswered questions, as outlined respectively in G/AG/GEN/86/Rev.50 and G/AG/W/204/Rev.10. The chair called on members to redouble their efforts and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the review process by promptly addressing each other's inquiries.

The chair also encouraged members to make full use of the newly established oral announcement mechanism to declare their non-recourse to agricultural export subsidies, which are counted as nil notifications. This mechanism aims to assist members with capacity constraints and provides an additional avenue for addressing outstanding export subsidy notifications.

Technology transfer, environment, agri-food system resilience

The African Group introduced its new submission on the Role of Transfer of Technology in Resilience Building: Agriculture in G/AG/W/238. It underscored the essential role of technology transfer in increasing agricultural productivity, promoting sustainable farming and boosting digital trade in Africa. The group called for enhanced international cooperation among different stakeholders to scale up research and development, capacity building and information sharing.

Members expressed strong support for the African Group's initiative, with some sharing their ongoing projects in this area and expressing a willingness to engage in further discussions. Some members suggested conducting a thematic session to foster discussions and improve understanding of the scope of this complex issue. The chair proposed that this item be included on the agenda for the next informal meeting to further members' engagement on this topic.

Regarding the topic of agriculture and the environment, members heard presentations on two submissions from the African Group (G/AG/W/239) and the Cairns Group of agri-food exporting countries (G/AG/GEN/222/Rev.1). These members expressed concerns about the growing trend of unilateral trade-restrictive measures invoked on the ground of environmental protection and battling climate change.

The African Group highlighted the key principles guiding the development and implementation of trade-related environmental measures, emphasizing the importance of providing flexibilities for developing members and least developed countries.

The Cairns Group's statement focused on the contribution of the multilateral trading system to sustainable and resilient agriculture and food systems. It stressed the crucial role of a resilient agriculture sector in feeding the growing population and called for a science-based and inclusive approach to collectively address environmental challenges.

Many members acknowledged the importance of the issue. Some members argued against one-size-fits-all solutions, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches in leveraging trade policies to address environmental concerns. Others pointed out the necessity of assisting developing countries in building capacity and improving access to funding and technology. Some suggested more substantive discussions on the topic at the Committee on Trade and Environment.

Brazil, on behalf of 17 developing members from Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean region expressed deep concerns over the EU's deforestation regulation adopted on 29 June 2023. Their joint letter, circulated on 7 September, conveyed the group's belief that the new law is punitive and discriminatory, imposing excessive burdens on producers of agriculture goods in developing countries, especially small producers with limited means to fulfil stringent regulations. They urged the EU to engage in open and collective dialogue and consider providing flexibilities to developing countries in its implementation guidelines.

Several members raised concerns about the potential trade barriers and implementational challenges resulting from the EU's deforestation regulation. Many called for a collaborative approach in addressing environmental issues and ensuring trade measures align with WTO rules.

The EU referred to the severe environmental challenges currently faced globally, which are necessitating both international and national efforts to cope with them. The EU acknowledged the concerns expressed by members and emphasized its commitment to transparency and dialogue in the implementation of trade-related environmental measures, which the EU stated it had consistently practised regarding its Green Deal measures, including on the deforestation regulation. Inviting all members to work constructively to address challenges, the EU assured involvement of third-country stakeholders in developing the implementation guidelines for the new environmental regulations. Stressing the WTO's role in addressing climate change and environmental issues, the EU noted that the Committee on Environment is the key forum for discussing the trade and environment nexus.

Next meetings

The chair announced the circulation of a factual report on the Functioning of the Committee on Agriculture in October, and he called for members to submit their inputs in writing. The finalized report is set to be submitted to the Council on Trade in Goods in November.

The next meeting of the Committee on Agriculture is slated for 27-29 November 2023.

More information on the work of the committee is available here.
OYO, Congo, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Gabon's transitional president Brice Oligui Nguema called for the lifting of sanctions against his country after the military takeover in August, in Oyo, the hometown of President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso, Sunday.

"I came here to consult, discuss, exchange with Denis Sassou Nguesso ... to appease the sanctions," said Oligui Nguema, after a meeting of more than two hours in Oyo with the Congolese president. "President Denis Sassou Nguesso is for us an important asset in the sub-region, who can transmit to the highest authorities in the world what we have done and better explain to the whole world."

Gabon must "retake its place in the international community," he concluded.

A transitional government was established in early September after the military announced the seizure of power in the country on Aug. 30, which led to the suspension of Gabon from the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States.

Oligui Nguema has pledged a new Constitution, a new electoral code, and a reliable penal code through a referendum. He also committed to "returning power to civilians" and organizing "free" and "transparent" elections after the transition. 
ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chief of Yemen's special security forces Fadhal Baash survived an assassination attempt on Monday when a car bomb targeted his convoy in the country's turbulent southern province of Abyan, a government official told Xinhua.

The "terror" attack took place in the provincial capital of Zinjibar as Baash's convoy was returning to the southern port city of Aden from a work trip, the local government official said on condition of anonymity.

He confirmed that at least six bodyguards were injured in the bombing, some critically, but the commander himself escaped unharmed.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but authorities suspect al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which has previously targeted the Yemeni army and government officials in similar bombing and shooting attacks.

Baash was appointed by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government as commander of the elite Special Forces, overseeing the operations targeting AQAP strongholds in Abyan and other southern provinces.

The bombing comes amid instability and violence in war-ravaged Yemen after years of civil war between the country's government and the Houthi militia.

AQAP and other extremist elements who remain active, particularly across central and southern regions of the country, have taken advantage of the chaos to seize territory and carry out attacks on security forces and government institutions.

Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since 2014, with the Houthis fighting against the internationally-recognized Yemeni government. The Saudi Arabia-led coalition intervened in the conflict in support of the Yemeni government in 2015. 
BEIRUT, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib on Monday said his ministry is studying solutions to the Syrian displacement crisis in Lebanon as the international community and the UN refused the safe return of the refugees to their homeland.

"There is a specialized team at the foreign affairs ministry that will develop proposals, which we will discuss during our next visit to Damascus and (we will) listen to Syrian proposals," local newspaper Al-Joumhouria quoted Bou Habib as saying.

Bou Habib said the United Nations considers the situation in Syria unsafe and pays money for refugees in Lebanon and other refugee-hosting countries. Meanwhile, there is no international decision to allow their return to homeland.

Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with an estimated 1.5 million-2 million Syrian refugees scattered across the country.

Lebanese officials insist on returning Syrian refugees to their homeland as the country's internal security and economic situation can no longer tolerate their stay in Lebanon. 
Google is celebrating the Appalachian Trail in todays Google doodle.

The footpath is over 2,190 miles and spans across 14 states in the US. It is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world.

If a person were to walk the trail from beginning to end it would take anywhere from five to seven months. However, the fastest person to hike the trail took just over 41 days. In 2018, Belgian ultrarunner Karel Sabbe smashed the previous speed record of 45 days, 12 hours, and 15 minutes with a time of 41 days, 7 hours, and 39 minutes.

More than three million people visit the Appalachian Trail every year and over 3,000 people attempt to thru-hike the entire footpath in a single year.

The idea to walk the trail was first proposed in 1921 by Benton MacKaye, a forester, conservationist, and lifelong outdoorsman. His original plan, titled An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning, outlined a stretch of several self-sustaining agricultural camps along the way. Many like-minded people started joining his cause, and the community eventually became known as the Appalachian Trail Conference.

The trail was not fully connected from Springer Mountain Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine until 1937. The path travels through Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine  hitting 10 out of the original 13 colonies.

Passing through the Appalachian Mountains, the Smoky Mountains, White Mountain National Forest, and more, the trail traverses about 450,000 feet of elevation changes. Clingmans Dome is the highest point of the entire trail at 6,644 feet, and is located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail either passes over or provides close access to the tallest peaks in seven states.

It took another 10 years after being completed in 1947 for the first hiker, Earl Shaffer, to fully complete the journey in full from beginning to end. Currently, over 14,000 people have accomplished the goal.

In 1968, the trail was named one of the first national scenic trails and recognised it as federal land thanks to former President Lyndon B Johnson when he signed the National Trail Systems Act.

The entirety of the trail is currently maintained by an army of volunteers organised into 31 distinct maintenance clubs. Clubs do everything from maintaining existing trails and painting blazes to excavating trail reroutes and building new shelters. Each club is responsible for maintaining specific sections of trail as small as the Wilmington Trail Clubs 7.2 miles and as large as the Maine Appalachian Trail Clubs 266.8 miles.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is set to name longtime labor leader and political organizer Laphonza Butler to fill the U.S. Senate seat left open by the death last week of pioneering legislator Dianne Feinstein .

With Butlers selection, Newsom will fulfill a commitment he is widely reported to have made to appoint a Black woman should a seat become open. Feinstein, who represented California in the Senate for 30 years in addition to serving as mayor of San Francisco, died Sept. 29 at the age of 90.

Butler at present is president of the EMILYs List political fundraising organization. She was seen as high on the short-list for the appointment to fill the seat for 13 months until the 2024 election. Its unclear if Butler intends to join the crowded race among Democrats to full Feinsteins shoes in the august chamber. Longtime House members from the Golden State Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee are competing against upstart Orange County House rep Katie Porter.

News of Newsoms selection was reported Sunday evening by Politico and the Los Angeles Times.

Butler spent more than a decade as a top leader at the Service Employees International Union. She also served a stint as head of public policy for AirBNB. Although Newsom has yet to confirm the news, SEIU was quick to congratulate its former president of Local 2015, which represents 325,000 nursing home and home-care workers in California. SEIU in a post on X called Butler a tireless advocate for working people.

As president of @seiucalifornia & @seiu2015, Laphonza Butler was a tireless advocate for working people. We are excited for her to bring her talent & passion to her new role. Congratulations, Senator @LaphonzaB!  SEIU (@SEIU) October 2, 2023

Butler also served four years on the University of Californias Board of Regents and at present is a Regent Emerita. Butler joined EMILYs List in September 2021.

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One of 12 pieces of art currently displayed at Rainmaker Gallery in Bristol, United Kingdom, is this 36 by 24 abstract acrylic painting with glass beaded accents on canvas. Hensley's solo exhibit debut in Bristol runs through Oct. 21. (Photo/Chickasaw Nation)

Chickasaw artist Billy Hensley opened a solo art premiere at the Rainmaker Gallery in Bristol, United Kingdom on September 21 and runs until October 21. The exhibition features 12 pieces of his art.

Hensleys brand of mixing abstract paintings with a touch of realism has appealed to art lovers and judges for more than a decade.

The debut in the United Kingdom marks the first solo showing of his highly acclaimed work at a venue outside the United States. The Rainmaker Gallery, located about three hours west of London, is the only First American art gallery in England.

Hensleys work caught the attention of the Rainmaker Gallerys owner Joann Prince when she saw his art at the Indian Art Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico six years ago.

Chickasaw artist Billy Hensley

I met the gallerys owner about six years ago when I was attending the Indian Market in Santa Fe, the 45-year-old master artist explained. Joann Prince was interested in my work, and I have shown a few paintings at her gallery, but this is my first solo premiere.

We are so fortunate to have Joann and Rainmaker Gallery request a solo premiere, Hensley said. To have this occur from a chance encounter six years ago is exciting.

Meanwhile back in the United States, Hensley will have a booth with his art at the Southeastern Art Show and Market (SEASAM) in Tishomingo, Oklahoma on October 6 - 7, 2023.

His SEASAM display will include artistic works not normally associated with his previous offerings. Hensley is highlighting his broadening interest in crafting jewelry and beading. Pendants featuring leather, beading and alligator garfish hide will be on tap for patrons visiting SEASAM

About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. "

Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
In the fallout from last years overturning of Roe v Wade, the legislation that secured abortion rights in the US, a great many young American men simultaneously did a quite radical thing. They took to social media to intimately document themselves getting a vasectomy, to prove it was a simple and painless act. One was vegan bodybuilder and influencer Brian Turner, who was certain from around the age of 22 that hed never want children. He acted on his stance, aged 30, and made some genuinely great content in the process. The reaction was positive, he tells me. A few people commented in disbelief, calling me crazy names or saying, Youre no longer a man  you chopped your balls off. But they dont bother me. I have a thick skin.

It started a global discussion on vasectomies, chiefly around how men can step up and take the burden of contraception away from their female partners forever. Adam, a 35-year-old father of two from Brighton, had the same desire around the same time: I had a growing guilt about never really fully taking responsibility for contraception. Apart from condoms, all the solutions are for women, and they all seem to have pretty gnarly side effects. It seemed like the decent thing to do, to try to take on the responsibility. But what of younger British men, who absolutely, definitely dont want children, who know they want to be what I call none and done? For them, although the hurdles are curiously higher and their reasoning more diverse, the same desire to make an informed decision about their body exists.

Britain has never had a big national conversation about the vasectomy, the way America  a place where some states even offered them for free in the wake of the Supreme Courts historic verdict  clearly has in recent years. The vasectomy was thought to be illegal here until around the Sixties, and only came on the NHS in the early Seventies, explains Dr Georgia Grainger, a historian of vasectomy. Before this, the concept of men choosing to sterilise themselves was  in her words  murky, owing to many of the key doctors and campaigners evangelising the process also being supporters of eugenics. It was actually the beloved broadcaster Michael Parkinson who, in Graingers eyes, did the most to burst bubbles on the subject. He was open about having a vasectomy back in 1972 when it was still very uncommon. He did an interview about it that was on the front page of the first issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. It definitely brought awareness and also dispelled some myths  that it would affect a mans masculinity or even cause things like a higher-pitched voice.

While the procedure has undoubtedly become more common, Im not sure that we as a society know a huge amount more about it than in the Seventies. The good news for men is that the procedure is more successful than ever. Doctors reported in March this year that, after surveying 94,000 patients, only 0.2 per cent of men get whats known as chronic scrotal pain. It is generally seen as being more than 99 per cent effective as a form of birth control. The bad news is that theres still a lot of misinformation around it  from daft macho ideas that it decreases your testosterone levels or sex drive (it doesnt) to the more assimilated notion you hear a lot: that, similar to an intrauterine device (IUD) with women, its easy to undo (it isnt sadly, not all reversals work, they get less successful over time plus theyre significantly more expensive too).

In reality, a vasectomy is quick, carried out under local anaesthetic and takes around 15 minutes. Today, most are whats known as scalpel-free, meaning the incision is so tiny (only 2-4mm) that it doesnt require stitches. The two tubes that carry sperm from your testicles are severed (hence the colloquial term the snip) and closed. Post-surgery, men are encouraged to rest for a couple of days, to apply ice packs to their scrotum and  if possible  wear a jock strap thats slightly too small to ease any swelling. And thats it. The most common question I get asked is, Do you still cum?, says Gregory, who had a vasectomy in January. Its funny how so many people think youll never ejaculate again after a vasectomy. The truth is: the difference isnt noticeable. In fact, sperm is still produced, but its discharged internally and absorbed by the membrane around the epididymis (the coiled tube behind each testicle) in a totally natural process. The body still produces semen, which is ejaculated but it no longer contains sperm  although its said that a man needs to ejaculate on his own a good number of times before the presence of sperm totally vanishes. I did hear rumours about 40 w***s, confirms Gregory, but I just stuck with the doctors deadlines and the sperm test came back clear four months later.

Yet, while the procedure has some fringe areas of conjecture, one important aspect is dramatically less well known: men  especially young men  wont automatically be granted a vasectomy if they choose to have one. Theres huge variation in the UK, based on regional NHS procedures and resources, plus, a lot depends on the individual doctor, unfortunately according to Grainger. Some areas dont offer them, meaning having to go private and pay an often prohibitively expensive 600. But even simply having the autonomy to choose is also a grey area. A lot of younger men, especially if theyre unmarried or dont have children, really have to push to get a doctor to take them seriously, says Grainger. We often think of that kind of pushback as being something women get within their reproductive healthcare, but Ive heard a lot of men share their experiences of having to go to multiple doctors to find one to agree to refer them for a vasectomy, just because they might change their mind.

This seems like quite a significant flashpoint, given that all the urologists we spoke to confirmed a definite movement of younger people wanting the snip. Traditionally, the typical age of a man seeking a vasectomy would be 35-40 years old, states Dr Peter Quinn who performs the procedure for Vasectomy NI. However we are finding more and more younger men in their twenties are looking for a permanent method of contraception.

Luckily, I didnt encounter a single man who had any regrets or who had changed their mind. What I found instead were more men making an informed choice around their own reproductive health, from a variety of backgrounds, viewpoints and life situations. Some for example, like Simon, are single and dating. He had his tubes snipped aged 28, while in a long-term relationship that subsequently ended. Does he have any regrets? Absolutely not  I really want to make that clear. Despite being from a big family with plenty of cousins whom he loves, hes felt like hes known he never wanted children himself from as far back as my teens.

(Dr Snip/YouTube)

Now aged 30, hes starting to date again. He doesnt declare his snipped status on the dating app he uses, but does bring it up quickly, in case theres any awkward confusion. Not wanting to have kids is a pretty big part of who I am, I feel like I talk about it all the time anyway without needing to advertise it. Ray, who is also young, single and snipped feels its a flex when it comes to being on the dating scene. Aside from being a talking point and a sign of emotional maturity, crucially it finalises that aspect of maybe hell change his mind. which I have experienced in relationships in the past. Ive been very clear I dont want children previously, but nobody fully believes that when you tell them. They might put it to one side and say lets think about that later. Ray also has no regrets.

Dr Nick Demediuk has performed more than 50,000 vasectomies in his career. The name of his clinic in Australia says it all: Dr Snip. His perspective over 34 years of performing a life-changing operation is thus pretty unique and his recommendation is unequivocal: Its the simplest and easiest form of permanent contraception that responsible men can use to contribute to their relationships and the planet. For him, one of the key reasons behind the growth in younger men taking up vasectomies has been issues related to climate change, with a significant subgroup of hard-line vegans.

Theres not enough resources for people alive on earth today  it feels almost a bit selfish for us to contribute to that scenario

Nat and Charlie*

This chimes with Nat and Charlie*, a male/female couple who moved from a big city to the English countryside this year, in part motivated by a desire to give their beloved trio of cats more space. Having been on the fringes of eco-activism since university, their decision  raised initially by Nat and enthusiastically supported by Charlie  to have the procedure when Nat was 29 was very much informed by the climate emergency. We both feel like were loving people and capable of lots of love, says Charlie but we both felt inside of ourselves that we never wanted to have children, especially in the world as it is today. Citing the extreme weather events all over Europe this summer as just one example, they fundamentally worry about the world being safe enough to bring kids into, as well as the feeling that there are not enough resources for people alive on earth today  it feels almost a bit selfish for us to contribute to that scenario.

(AFP/Getty)

They stop short of endorsing the emerging philosophy of anti-natalism, a controversial belief first advanced by South African philosopher David Benatar that sees all human reproduction as immoral, in part due to the climate emergency but also because life is inevitably tinged with suffering and pain. But, in choosing not to have children out of concern for the environment, they find themselves at one end of an extreme and widening political spectrum. The same week I speak to them, Hungarys leader Viktor Orban was holding the fourth of his biannual Demographic Summits, which  with Italys leader Georgia Meloni, religious leaders and right-wing thinkers in tow  aimed to solve whats seen as a crisis in underpopulation in Europe. Encouraging more babies via defence of traditional family values feels a world away from the outlooks of Nat, Charlie and the many others taking up the vasectomy as a way of definitely not having kids on principle. As if we didnt have enough 50-50 splits in society today, an increasing number of people believe we need fewer children while an equal number believe we need more.

Britain in 2023 therefore seems conflicted between two worlds  the privatised freedom of America where a young, non-parent like Brian Turner is waved through (I talked to my GP and she said, All good and referred me straight away) and a more prohibitive or simply untrusting mindset that looks at a young man and says, Hmm, go away and think about it a while. Perhaps if we want young men in society to play a more positive, active role, maybe they need to be trusted with their own bodily autonomy first?

*Names have been changed
Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville has split from his wife Lucinda 'Lulu' Williams after 25 years of marriage.

Bonneville played the Earl of Grantham, Robert Crawley, on Downton Abbey from 2010 to 2015, and in the movies Downton Abbey in 2019 and Downton Abbey: A New Era in 2022.

A spokesperson for Bonneville announced on Saturday (September 30) via The Sun : "I can confirm that Hugh Bonneville and Lulu Williams have separated."

Dave J Hogan

He and Williams were married in 1988 and have a son together.

The actor was spotted at the wedding of Downton Abbey co-star Michelle Dockery and Jasper Waller-Bridge last Saturday without his wedding ring.

Related: Paddington 3 compared to unexpected award-winning black comedy

Bonneville starred as Mr Brown in the movie Paddington in 2014 and its sequel Paddington 2 in 2017. He will appear in the third movie in the series, Paddington in Peru, alongside Ben Whishaw as Paddington, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas and Emily Mortimer. Directed by Dougal Wilson, the movie will see Paddington travel back to his original home of Peru. Filming started on July 24 this year.

Tristan Fewings

The actor revealed last year that he originally didn't think the sequel was going to work out and credited director Paul King for its success.

Related: Paddington 3 potential release date, cast, plot and everything you need to know



"I absolutely recognise that it's a masterpiece, but I honestly didn't think it was going to be. I remember saying to Paul [King, director], this isn't going to work," he said. "How wrong I was and it's about the best film ever made."

"But it was a tough gig, because Paul worries away at each scene," he added. "We reshot several scenes because he wasn't satisfied, and luckily he had a producer with the genius of David Heyman to say, ok, we'll do that."

Heyday Films - StudioCanal

In a departure from his previous roles, Bonneville also appeared as a retired judge with a dark secret in Netflix thriller I Came By in 2022. Director Babak Anvari told Digital Spy he chose Bonneville for the role because he "genuinely wanted an actor who hadn't done this sort of villainous dark roles before."

"Hugh was my top choice as everybody knows him from his family films, comedies and Downton, and he's so incredibly brave that he wanted to do something different and come on this journey with me," he said. "I think that was part of the excitement."

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Gov. Gavin Newsom has chosen Laphonza Butler to fill the seat of the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein , making Butler the third Black woman to ever serve in the Senate.

Newsom announced his decision to appoint Butler, the president of political action committee Emilys List, on Sunday night.

Im proud to announce Californias new United States Senator  Laphonza Butler, Newsom wrote on X. As we mourn the enormous loss of Sen. Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for  reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence  have never been under greater assault. Laphonza has spent her entire career fighting for women and girls and has been a fierce advocate for working people.

I'm proud to announce California's new United States Senator  Laphonza Butler.



As we mourn the enormous loss of Sen. Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for  reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence  have never been under greater assault. pic.twitter.com/SOnbfVPmXj  Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 2, 2023

Newsom added that Butler will make history by becoming the first Black lesbian to openly serve in the U.S. Senate.

From her time as President of Emilys List to leading the states largest labor union, she has always stood up for what is right and has led with her heart and her values. I have no doubt she will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington, Newsom said.

Feinstein died on Thursday at age 90 at her home in Washington D.C.

On Friday, Butler praised Feinstein on social media, calling her a legendary figure for women in politics and titan in the Senate.

Butler is a longtime ally of Vice President Kamala Harris. Shes also a member of the California Board of Regents.

It is uncertain when she will be sworn in. It could be as soon as Tuesday, when the senate returns to session.

According to NBC, Butler lives in Maryland, but has a home in California and will switch her voter registration.

Newsom previously indicated that he wanted to appoint a Black woman to finish Feinsteins term. He also said that he wanted to appoint someone who wasnt planing to run when Feinsteins term expires in 2024.

He said that it would be would be completely unfair to candidates who had been hoping to run for the California senate seat. However some people criticized him for that position, saying he should not place such a restriction on his appointee.

Earlier on Sunday, the Congressional Black Caucus sent a letter to Newsom asking him to reconsider is position and appoint Rep. Barbara Lee to Feinsteins Senate seat. Lee is set to run for the U.S. Senate role next year.

The post Gov. Gavin Newsom Taps Emilys List President to Fill Dianne Feinsteins Term appeared first on TheWrap.
Travis Barker recounted being attracted to Kim Kardashian when they met before she became a reality star.

Barker is currently married to Kardashian's sister, Kourtney Kardashian .

Barker and Kardashian have both denied ever having a physical relationship.

Before Travis Barker was married to Kourtney Kardashian Barker, he wrote in his 2015 memoir that he couldn't keep his eyes off of Kim Kardashian.

In the book, titled "Can I Say: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums," Barker reflected on meeting Kim Kardashian while he was in an on-and-off relationship with Paris Hilton. Kardashian was working for Hilton as a closet organizer at the time, and Barker recounted that the pair flew to Amsterdam to see him on tour with his band +44.

Barker recounts in his memoir being enraptured by Kardashian as they traveled around Amsterdam with Hilton, his late assistant Chris "Lil Chris" Baker, and his drum tech Daniel.

"I kept on secretly checking out Kim, telling Lil Chris, 'I don't care if she's the closet girl, she's fucking hot,'" Barker wrote in the memoir.

Barker reiterated the same in interviews at the time, telling Us Weekly that he loved "curvy girls," calling Kardashian "eye candy" and saying that he "couldn't keep my eyes" off her.

Barker married Kardashian Barker , Kardashian's older sister, in 2022 over the course of several ceremonies culminating in a lush celebration in Portofino, Italy. The couple are now expecting their first child together . And on "The Kardashians," the family's current reality TV series, Kardashian and Kardashian Barker's feud once again came to a head over a disagreement related to Kardashian Barker's wedding.

Kardashian previously said she and Barker had been 'friends for years'

Barker recounts in his memoir that amid his regular splitting up and getting back together with his ex-wife Shanna Moakler, he began talking to Kardashian again. At the time, her sex tape had been leaked. She and her family were on the cusp of launching "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," and Barker gave her advice on reality TV stardom.

According to Barker, they then began to hang out, and were "really sweet around each other." Kardashian even appeared in ad campaigns for his clothing brand, Famous Stars & Straps, and Barker would visit Kardashian and her family at Dash, the now-shuttered clothing boutique they once owned.

"You might think I would be doing the worst things with this girl because of her tapes, but it was the exact opposite of any other encounter I've had with a woman," he wrote. "With Kim, I wanted to be nothing but a gentleman to her."

He and Kardashian didn't have a physical relationship, according to Barker. But Moakler claimed in an interview with Us Weekly in May 2021 that Barker had hooked up with Kardashian while the two of them were together. In the book, Barker writes that after starting to talk to Moakler again, he still wanted to see Kardashian, writing that Moakler threw a drink on Kardashian after learning about her relationship with Barker.

Kardashian has long denied ever having a physical relationship with Barker, writing in a Q&A on her Instagram story in May 2021 that they had been "friends for years" and that she was "happy for him and Kourt," People reported.

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Ice-T has weighed in on the recent arrest and indictment of Duane Keefe D Davis in connection to the 1996 murder of late rap star Tupac Shakur . In an interview with AllHipHop, the West Coast rap legend gave his take on the latest development in the unsolved case, sharing his belief that Keffe Ds current legal troubles are of product of his own doing.

My initial thought was people talk too much, Ice-T said, referring to interviews Davis had done with DJ Vlad, Art of Dialogue, and other platforms in recent years. He also questioned why Keefe D had not been apprehended prior to the arrest given authorities knowledge of his involvement.

I think L.A. knew exactly how this thing played out, I just dont really understand why it took law enforcement so long, because if I say that Im in a car with somebody that does something, Im part of the crime. If I go over to your house and ask you for a gun and you give it to me and I go do it, you aided and abetted the crime, he added.

Ice-T speaks on the Keynote Q&A: Ice-T panel onstage during IEBA 2017 Conference on October 15, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 65-year-old continued to blame Davis arrest and indictment on being too forthcoming about his connection to the death of Shakur, who was long believed to have been murdered by Davis nephew Orlando Anderson in a drive-by shooting following an altercation in Las Vegas. Shakur, who was shot multiple times on Sept. 7, 1996, ultimately succumbed to his injuries six days later on Sept. 13, 1996.

So my point is that with all the interviews and all the books where dude just happened to say it 100 times on interviews he did. I was in the car. He said it. No one else said it. He said it. So why? Why? Why would you say that if you didnt want to get caught? So you know, I got no love for dude. It was a chain of events that should not have ever happened. Its all out of my realm of understanding, he reasoned.

Tupac Shakur Wearing Bandana

The veteran actor concluded that the reputed gang member will likely die behind bars and that Davis own statements has made the prosecutions job easier. He names everybody else in the car, Ice-T said And now hes basically dead. Hes gonna spend the rest of his life in prison all by his own hand. You dont even need anybody to testify.

Last month, Davis was arrested by Las Vegas Police after he was indicted by a Nevada grand jury on one count of murder with a deadly weapon. According to the Associated Press, if convicted, Davis could receive up to 20 additional years due to a sentencing enhancement predicated on his admitted gang activity. Law enforcement has not fingered Davis as being the gunman in the shooting, but say they believe he orchestrated the plan that was carried out.

Watch Keefe D speak on the murder of Tupac Shakur below.

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Jada Pinkett Smith has shared an optimistic reaction to the news of an arrest being made in the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur . Writing on her Instagram story, the actress relayed a quick message on what the development can mean.

Now I hope we can get some answers and have some closure, expressed the 52-year-old in white text on a solid black background.

R.I.P. Pac, she concluded with the white dove emoji.

The Girls Trip actress and the late rapper met in the 1980s when they both attended the Baltimore School for the Arts. Last month, Pinkett Smith shared a video of her and Shakur performing Parents Just Dont Understand by Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff during their junior year of high school.

Not in a million years would I have dreamed that the Fresh Prince and I would become, um, very acquainted, expressed the Jasons Lyric star.

Not in a million years did I imagine three lives, their fates, would be so intertwined. And I never would have imagined that this video would become a tangible memory, of the last time Pac and I, were simply kids together.

Jada Pinkett Smith and Tupac

Last week (Sept. 29), Las Vegas Police arrested Duane Keefe D Davis after he was indicted by a Nevada grand jury on one count of murder with a deadly weapon. According to the Associated Press, the grand jury also voted to add a sentencing enhancement to the murder charge for gang activity that could add up to 20 additional years, if convicted.

While he is not accused of being the gunman, Las Vegas police homicide Lt. Jason Johansson claims, he orchestrated the plan that was carried out.

Davis arrest is the first made in the 1996 murder case.

A booking photo of Duane Keefe D Davis is shown on a television monitor as Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill (L) and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Jason Johansson speak during a news conference at the LVMPD headquarters to brief media members on Davis arrest and indictment for the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur on September 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This is no doubt a pivotal moment. The silence of the past 27 years surrounding this case has spoken loudly in our community, explained the rappers sister, Sekyiwa Set Shakur, in a statement.

Its important to me that the world, the country, the justice system, and our people acknowledge the gravity of the passing of this man, my brother, my mothers son, my fathers son.

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NFTS And Left Bank Pictures Launch UK Writers Program

The National Film and Television School (NFTS) is launching a new writers development program in partnership with Left Bank Pictures, the production company behind shows as Netflixs The Crown. Set to launch in March 2024, the scheme will replace the NFTSs former diverse writers development program. Six screenwriters from under-represented backgrounds will be chosen to take part in the paid, intensive 10-week program that will immerse them in a dynamic environment of creativity and collaboration. During the course, four full series ideas will be developed and pitched with the aim of creating commercially viable television drama concepts. Together with Left Bank Pictures, we hope to carve a new path where diverse voices illuminate the way forward, ensuring the stories we tell on screen are as vibrant and varied as the world we live in, said NFTS Director Jon Wardle. We cant wait to find these six new emerging writing talents from across the UK and begin the exciting journey ahead.

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Netflix Pic The Forgotten Battle Starring Tom Felton Lands International Deals

Dutch sales agent Incredible Film has acquired global distribution rights for The Forgotten Battle, starring Tom Felton (Harry Potter franchise). The film debuted on Netflix in multiple territories and will be featured on the Incredible Film slate at MIPCOM. Rights for USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, and German-speaking Europe have been sold to Dolphin Medien. The rights of Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia have been sold to Media Squad in Slovakia. Directed by Dutch filmmaker Matthijs van Heijningen (The Thing), The Forgotten Battle follows three young lives become inextricably connected: a Dutch boy fighting for the Germans, an English glider pilot, and a girl from Zeeland connected to the resistance. Their paths merge and collide at the backdrop of a war-torn Europe, culminating in the visceral Battle of Walcheren Causeway during WWII in 1944. Their choices differ, but their goal is the same: freedom. The screenplay is by Paula van der Oest (Tonio, Love in a Bottle), and Alain De Levita (The Resistance Banker, Tonio) produced the film.

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SOCHI, Russia, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Around 20 countries are interested in establishing partnerships with the BRICS group, which is becoming increasingly popular in today's multipolar world, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.

Lavrov made the remarks on the sidelines of the 20th Annual Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club that is currently taking place in the Russian city of Sochi.

"The world is becoming multipolar, countries want to find reliable partners, and the expansion of the BRICS can be viewed as direct proof of this," Lavrov said.

"Six states have joined the five BRICS members ... and almost 20 ... would also like to establish special relations (with the association)," he noted.

The BRICS is viewed as a reliable association, the Russian foreign minister noted, adding that BRICS members are seen as trustworthy partners.

The theme of this year's meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club is "Fair Multipolarity: How to Ensure Security and Development for Everyone." The event will be held in Sochi from Oct. 2-5, and will be attended by 140 experts, politicians and diplomats from over 40 countries. 
Samantha Hayes, 27, was remembered by loved ones as being a "wonderful" single mom of three

Samantha Hayes/Facebook Samantha Hayes

A woman died after being hit by the wing of a plane while she was riding a lawn mower at an Oklahoma airport on Friday, according to officials.

Samantha Hayes, 27, of Idabel, was struck and killed by the wing of the 1972 Bonanza A36 as it landed at Broken Bow Airport in McCurtain County on Friday, according to a report from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol that was obtained by PEOPLE.

Hayes was on a lawn mower when she was hit, OHP said. The 70-year-old pilot spotted her during his descent and attempted to pull up and get the wing over the person, but struck her instead.

The Oklahoma woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The pilot did not sustain any injuries.



Related: 2-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Struck by Parents Car in Pennsylvania Driveway: Police

Hayes worked for the Broken Bow Parks Department, according to NBC News.

We are heartbroken and devastated by the passing of one of our team members on Sept. 29. This is a terribly tragic accident, and our deepest sympathies go out to the employees family and friends, City Manager Vickie Patterson told the outlet in a statement.

Its critical that we determine how this accident occurred so we can take steps to prevent something like this from happening again, she added. Our goal is to return every employee home safely every day.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In a Facebook post honoring Hayes, a friend remembered Hayes as a hard-working single mom who was wonderful and great to her three children.

These babies knew they were loved, Darlene Tadleigh wrote, adding that the kids will know how much their momma loved them.

Another friend, Brooke Dean, said in another Facebook post that there was never a dull moment when she was with Hayes.

I will forever cherish those memories we made they are absolutely precious to me, Dean added. I wish we had more time, Sammy. We love you .



Related: 7-Year-Old Girl Seriously Injured After Being Hit by Truck When She Went Into Road to Retrieve Ball

A third friend shared that Hayes was "one of the sweetest people Ive ever met."

"I am so mad and upset I just dont understand at all," the friend wrote. "You should be here."



Related: Pilot Dies After Experiencing 'Medical Emergency' During Flight to Chile, Airline Says

An investigation into the collision is ongoing, according to officials.



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An incident earlier this year sparked a heated discourse about what should happen when a parent fails to book a seat next to their child on an aircraft

JetBlue JetBlue airplane taking off

JetBlue is settling the widely debated topic of whether solo travelers should feel obligated to switch airline seats to accommodate large families by enacting a brand-new seating policy.

The airlines new policy, according to a press release, guarantees that children ages 13 and under will be assigned to sit with at least one adult on their same airline reservation  regardless of seating assignments  and for no additional fee.

This policy applies to all customers, including those who opt for JetBlues Blue Basic fare, which is effectively the airlines version of a basic economy option.

The policy also applies to last-minute bookings made 24 hours prior, though it may require a crew member to change up the seating manually.

Getty

Related: JetBlue Plane Nearly Collides with Private Jet at Boston's Logan Airport: 'Close Call'

We know traveling with young children can add challenges, and we want to do everything we can to put parents and families at ease by providing a smooth trip each time they choose JetBlue, said Joanna Geraghty, president and chief operating officer of JetBlue.

She added, This enhanced family seating policy reflects our commitment to continue to meet the needs of our customers and provide exceptional service.

And while this is a sealed deal for all customers, the airline still encourages passengers to select their seating of choice ahead of time  to ensure a smooth booking and traveling process.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Hero Images / Getty Images Want more chances to win trips? Find vacations in the United States or chances to win trips abroad to find more sweepstakes like this one

Related: Spirit Airlines Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Philadelphia After Reportedly Being Struck by Lightning

PEOPLE previously consulted travel expert, advisor and writer Nicole Campoy Jackson on the matter in July. At the time, she said it is not a solo travelers obligation or responsibility to accommodate large families.

As much as its possible, passengers should be choosing their seats ahead of time for this exact reason, she explained. I dont think that you can board a plane with the expectation of someone leaving their seat for you.



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Donald Trump s civil fraud trial started Monday in New York, with the former president trying to fill the void left by a prohibition on cameras in the proceedings.

Before heading into the court this morning, he spoke to the media outside the courtroom, attacking New York state Attorney General Letitia James and bashing the judge, Arthur Engoron. After a lunchtime break, Trump gave another angry statement just after he exited. And he did so again while heading back in. I want to watch this witch hunt myself, he said.

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Fox News carried portions of his remarks live, while CNN and MSNBC used them sparingly, often with correspondents talking over visuals of Trump speaking to reporters. CNN did do a fact check, while MSNBC ran a box in the bottom right-hand screen of the courtroom door.

The coverage gave a glimpse of how the networks might treat Trumps criminal trials, including those in courts that long have barred cameras or audio. The former president and Celebrity Apprentice host seemed determined to have his remarks dominate coverage, given the lack of visuals or audio from the courtroom, but some of the networks have been reluctant to carry his statements given his penchant for spreading misinformation. He suggested that the judge should be disbarred and even criminally charged for interfering in an election.

RELATED: Judge Sets Start Date For Donald Trumps Trial In Election Conspiracy Case

A coalition of news organizations last week appealed to the judge to allow camera access to the opening and closing statements in the trial, but Engoron permitted merely a brief camera spray that showed Trump sitting at the defense table, with James first row in the gallery just a few steps away. Engoron himself noted the presence of the cameras as he took off his glasses and smiled for a brief moment.

That left reporters to convey to viewers, at moments throughout the morning, what was happening inside the courtroom. On CNN, Paula Reid argued that the presence of Trump underscored why it is so important to allow cameras in the proceedings, as the public can see for themselves what is transpiring.

Yet when it comes to Trumps first criminal proceeding, in the election conspiracy case set to start on March 4, camera access might be even more restricted than it was in the New York fraud case. Some House and Senate lawmakers, including Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), are urging the federal Judicial Conference to allow cameras, while a former Justice Department spokesman, Anthony Coley, argued on Politico that as things stand, many will hear about [the trial] secondhand through siloed media ecosystems and from sources whose fidelity to the facts are tenuous at best. The conference met in September and loosened some restrictions on civil and bankruptcy cases but not criminal proceedings.

RELATED: Analysis Of Kristen Welkers Meet The Press Debut: Donald Trump Interview Makes News, But Sit-Down Highlights Risks Of Showcasing A Bulldozer Of Lies

That makes it more likely that networks will depend on the firsthand play-by-play of reporters in the courtroom or the overflow. In the pretrial hearings of the D.C. federal case, reporters have been using an overflow room with an audio stream of the proceedings and where they are allowed to use their electronic devices. As proceedings take place, networks have relied on legal commentators and correspondents to fill in details and analysis.

As of now, only Trumps Georgia trial is likely to be televised, as state courts allow camera coverage unless there is a compelling reason to prohibit them.

RELATED: Howard Stern Attacked By Donald Trump For Going Woke

In the civil fraud case, Trump, two of his children and his companies are accused of overvaluing assets and his net worth as he sought financing from banks and other institutions. Engoron ruled on much of the case last week, concluding that the former president committed fraud and removing the control that the Trumps have over a number of their New York real estate holdings. The bench trial itself is largely to determine damages.

On CNN on Monday, Kara Scannell did her best to describe a telling moment in the proceedings.

When Donald Trump was walking out of court and he passed by Letitia James sitting there at the corner of the front row, he just glanced down at her. There was no locking of the eyes. It was more of a passing glance. That, she said, was the first time he acknowledged her. Eric Trump , however, stopped, turned to Letitia James, actually reached out with both of his hands to shake her hands and they exchanged some words. I couldnt overhear. I was a couple of rows back. But it was much more of a personal exchange.

Said anchor Boris Sanchez, Really fascinating details from court.

Fascinating details, but ones not caught by cameras.

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An unfortunate incident over the weekend at the Banff National Park has Internet users turning against humanity!

A couple and their dog had their lives taken after an adventure at the famous Canada Park turned bloody due to an encounter with a grizzly bear. However, many believe the now-dead creature was not at fault.

'Cautious' Couple Killed By Grizzly Bear In Banff National Park

On Friday night, an unnamed couple was attacked by a grizzly bear. The common-law partners, who have been together for a while, sent a GPS alert about a bear attack to Parks Canada around 8 pm from Red Deer River Valley west of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch.

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Pexels

The pair, described as "experienced" hikers, were accompanied by their dog, who was also killed.

After receiving the caller, the specially trained wildlife attack team sprung into action but was delayed because of the night's weather. "Weather conditions at the time did not allow for helicopter use, and the response team traveled through the night to the location by the ground," claimed Natalie Fay, the external relations manager for the Banff field unit, to CBC.

As a result, they had to hike through the night. They arrived at the coordinates around 1 am only to find two bodies. They also encountered an aggressive grizzly bear in the area and had to euthanize it for the public's safety.

The bodies of the late couple have since been taken to Sundre, Alta., pending more investigation. Parks Canada confirmed the tragic death by saying, "This is a tragic incident, and Parks Canada wishes to express its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims."

Seemingly explaining why the unfortunate incident occurred, Alberta Forestry and Parks confirmed in its statement: "During the Fall, bears are preparing for hibernation and the risk of surprise wildlife encounter increases.

Pexels

According to a family member of the deceased, "They were long-term partners who loved the outdoors and were inseparable. They lived for being in the backcountry and were two of the most cautious people I know. They knew the bear protocol and followed it to a tee."

The Public Defends Euthanized Bear: 'What A Waste!'

Amid the tragic news, many have taken to the internet to voice their displeasure that the bear was put down, given that the deceased couple invaded its territory.

"If the humans had not been there in the first place....in the bear's home. Now the two people are dead, and the bear. What a waste," one user expressed.

Another netizen asked, "When humans hunt & kill bears, the humans are not euthanized. Why is the bear, who is simply minding its own business in its natural habitat, euthanized after humans invade its natural space & the bear defends itself & kills the humans?"

This user wrote, "Why kill the Bear. A Bear is gonna Bear," while another added, "The bear should not have been put down."

"And of course the bear had to be put down ," commented another angered user.

Pexels

Expounding on the reduced number of grizzly bears, considered at risk in Alberta, one concerned netizen wrote, "I'm torn hereof course it sad for the hikers, that's a given. But putting a beardown in a national park, its home, for doing what a bear does is sad. Maybe 25k grizzlies in , and 40m humans, we are the problem, not them."

Many shared a similar sentiment, with one Twitter user adding, "I hate they killed the bear when it's humans who encroach on their homes! There are few grizzlies around but over 8 billion people!"
Everett Collection Patrick J. Pespas in 'Telemarketers'

Patrick J. Pespas, one of the subjects of the recent HBO docuseries Telemarketers, has been reported missing in eastern Pennsylvania.

Lt. Matthew Gerould of the Easton Police Department confirmed to EW on Monday that Pespas, 54, has been missing since Friday, and that authorities believe he is still in the Easton area or in New Jersey.

A media alert issued by authorities Monday morning states that Pespas might be operating a white 2002 Ford Mustang with a New Jersey license plate, N74KUB. The alert notes that police "are concerned for [Pespas'] well-being."

Adam Bhala Lough, one of the directors of Telemarketers, posted about Pespas' unknown whereabouts on social media on Friday. "Pat is missing, and Sue, his family and friends are very worried about him," the filmmaker wrote. "Please put out the word that Pat is missing and help us find him. He was last seen in the Easton, PA area. Thank you."

Pat is missing, and Sue, his family and friends are very worried about him. Please put out the word that Pat is missing and help us find him. He was last seen in the Easton, PA area. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/cgT56msmeX  Bhala (@AdamBhalaLough) October 1, 2023

Lough also wrote on social media that Pespas had been spotted around 10 p.m. Saturday at a bar in Pittsburgh, but Lt. Gerould told the Los Angeles Times that police have been unable to confirm such a sighting.

Lough has asked anyone with information about Pespas' location to email findpatpespas@gmail.com, and Easton police have asked anyone with info to call 911.

Telemarketers, a three-part documentary series directed by Lough and Sam Lipman-Stern, was released in August and investigates a financial scandal at Civic Development Group, the telemarketing company where Lipman-Stern worked alongside Pespas. The series was executive-produced by the Safdie Brothers, Danny McBride, and David Gordon Green.

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Whoopi Goldberg has tense clash with congresswoman over abortion on The View: 'Why isn't it my choice?'

Whoopi Goldberg and Rep. Nancy Mace got into a heated clash over abortion rights in America on Monday's episode of The View.

During the second half of the South Carolina Republican's interview on the show, conservative cohost Alyssa Farah Griffin introduced a talking point about the GOP's handling of abortion.

"We cannot demonize women," responded the congresswoman, who described herself as a rape survivor after an incident that occurred when she was 16. "We have to find a balance to show that we're pro-life, but we are about women... What I have found is that neither side wants to find the middle ground. The left doesn't want to tell you what their limits are, the right is 'zero and no exceptions.' That's not where the vast majority of Americans are."

Goldberg then jumped in with a question for Mace.

"Do you want the government telling you how to raise your family?" the Oscar-winning actress asked. "There's no law on book that says you have to have an abortion. Isn't that my choice, if my doctor and I feel that's the best way for me? If I'm a nice Jewish girl or a girl who has a different religious belief, why am I being held to someone else's religious beliefs?"

Mace replied by telling Goldberg that most people would agree with her that a "baby has the right to life," and accused liberals of holding a conflicting stance on the issue.

"You don't want the government in the room with the doctor and the woman, but those who want the government to pay for it has the government in the room with the doctor and the woman, so you can't have it both ways," Mace said.

Griffin also questioned Goldberg on the "medical ethics" of late-term abortions that go "beyond the religious belief" on the issue.

"No one, no doctor, no hospital, no one will take a baby at nine months for an abortion," Goldberg stressed, as Mace attempted to re-route the conversation to a different topic. "What about the men who are rapists?" Mace asked, claiming that some blue-leaning states have "more rights for rapists than a woman who's been raped."

Whoopi Goldberg clashes with Nancy Mace on 'The View'

ABC Whoopi Goldberg clashes with Nancy Mace on 'The View'

Mace and Goldberg then attempted to speak over one another, though the former ultimately yielded to the Ghost star to make a final point.

"If what happened to you happened to my daughter, why isn't it my choice, if she's 12 and gets pregnant? Again, but why is it not my choice? This is the part I'm missing," Goldberg said. "I understand your choice, I also am pro-life; I want everybody to have a safe life, I want them to be safe and do all the things that they would be able to do, but when it comes to what's best for my family and I, why isn't it my choice and my doctor's choice without bringing anyone else in?"

Before throwing the show to a commercial break, Goldberg invited Mace back to the program to finish the chat, an opportunity Mace celebrated by calling the panel "great."

Even without Mace, the topic of abortion has had a complicated history on The View. While Goldberg has stated that the ladies at the table embrace an alternate "pro-life" stance similar to the sentiment outlined on Monday's episode, legal expert Sunny Hostin has maintained that her religion doesn't allow her to support abortion in any instance, though she still criticized the Supreme Court for "wielding" religion to strike down Roe v. Wade in 2022.

The View airs weekdays at 11 a.m. ET/PT on ABC.

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Drinking coffee is different for everyone. But whether you like it hot or iced, espresso or drip, served black or doctored with cream and sweetener, the one thing we all want is for our coffee to taste good. Doubly so if we've spent extra money to have it made for us. At a chain like Starbucks, your local barista may be the final touchpoint before you take that first sip, but there are a lot of folks considering the taste of your coffee before it ever reaches the brew.

Recently, Tasting Table had the opportunity to sit down with Leslie Wolford, a coffee development lead at Starbucks. To celebrate the release of the Starbucks Reserve global Microblends coffee series, Wolford opened up about the decades she has spent as a partner with Starbucks. She also told us what it takes to be an elite taster maintaining coffee quality for a global company, along with pulling the curtain back on some of the processes involved in getting premium coffee to consumers. Anyone interested in uncovering more flavors from their daily cup will do well to hear Wolford's personal tasting tips.

Read more: 26 Coffee Hacks You Need To Know For A Better Cup

It Takes A Lifetime Of Work

Starbucks Leslie Wolford headshot - Starbucks Reserve

Take one look around a busy intersection in most major U.S. cities, and it's likely that somewhere on that block or the next is a Starbucks. The dominant proliferation of Starbucks across our physical, digital, and social landscapes can make it hard to remember that the company was once a young upstart, beckoning coffee-minded individuals to taste and work at its unique cafes. Leslie Wolford was one such person.

Before her current role as development lead (and elite taste tester), the Ohio native transplanted herself to Seattle. Wolford tells us that she arrived in the city in 1991, and at the time, "I had never heard of Starbucks ... I just fell in love with the vibe of the store." Fun fact: When Wolford started, Starbucks had 116 stores. Now, the company is projected to have 45,000 locations by 2025.

Wolford began working for the company and never stopped. Her first role was as a barista in the very first Starbucks location to include an espresso machine, and over her 32 years in the business, she has worked as a roaster and a green coffee loader as well. These two jobs primed her for her current role of developing the portfolio for Starbucks Reserve; as Wolford says, "I think part of the role I do today is my long history in coffee and quality."

You Travel Widely

Worker harvesting coffee cherries - Bloomberg/Getty Images

Managing the quality of a single coffee roaster requires many moving parts. Being lead for the team whose responsibility it is to manage quality for 30-plus coffee blends and single-origins sold globally? More moving parts than you'll see on a highway. No surprise, then, that keeping it all together requires movement. Wolford is currently based in the Starbucks Support Center in Seattle. She tells us that throughout her career, she has had the privilege and luxury of traveling to more than 10 coffee origins across the globe. "It is really part of the role," she says, "to be immersed in coffee."

So, where does one go to dive in? Coffee is only grown in particular regions of the world. The geographic orientation is continuous; they're found between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. That contributes to the collective grouping as the "Bean Belt."

Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia are all general origin regions of coffee, and specific subregions exist. Local temperature, elevation, precipitation, and pest or disease presence each play a role in how a coffee crop grows. After that, processing takes place  another variable that can affect the final traits of a bean. Wolford's visits ensure the entire chain is meeting the quality and environmental grade set about by Starbucks. Throughout her experience, Wolford says her ethos for sourcing coffee has grown, and that's led to some interesting opportunities.

You Get To Work On Some Really Cool Projects

Hands holding roasted coffee - Starbucks Reserve

After you've taste-tested the amount of coffee that Leslie Wolford has, seeing the distinctions in how a bean was grown and processed becomes second nature. No doubt, Wolford has worked on her fair share of Starbucks projects highlighting how a specific coffee origin affects bean expression.

In January of 2022, however, Wolford and team began a new project for Starbucks Reserve Roasteries that would flip that typical angle on its head. Instead of spotlighting things like roasting techniques or bean processing, they were tasked with taking distinct coffees and blending them in a way that expressed the spirit of the city and Reserve locations where they were made ready for brewing. The Starbucks Reserve Microblend series is the end result of that undertaking.

There are only six cities with Starbucks Reserve Roasteries across the globe: New York, Chicago, Seattle, Shang-Hai, Milan, and Tokyo. Each microblend is exclusive to the roastery where it was crafted, making the release that much more distinctive and intriguing. The coffees within each blend are made of beans sourced from Latin America, Africa, Indonesia, and Asia Pacific.

Tastings Affect Cafes Across The World

Meatpacking Starbucks Reserve cafe - Bloomberg/Getty Images

Wolford explains that her role with the Starbucks Reserve Microblends was to be responsible for creating the U.S.-based blends. Elite taster Sergio Alvarez ran point on the three international blends. For Alvarez, that means seeing the fruits of his labor on two different continents. The blends he worked on can be found in Milan, Tokyo, and Shang-Hai Starbucks Reserve stores.

As For Wolford, the microblend project sees coffee crafted by her tastebuds on the shelves of three American Reserve roasteries, each in a city that feels worlds apart from the next. It's far from the first time that coffee approved by Wolford has appeared nationwide, although she does tell us that collaborating on this series was a unique challenge that required intimate and challenging work with Starbucks partners (other employees) in each area.

Recently, Wolford visited each of the U.S. Reserve Roasteries  New York, Chicago, Seattle  and found the result of the microblends to be especially pleasing. "What I heard from the partners is, 'this [coffee] feels like my voice,'" she says. "That's a huge sense of pride and commitment to be able to help bring these coffees to life ... Sharing that love with those partners and having that reflected in their excitement."

Starbucks Reserve Roasteries Offer A Coffee Playground

Storefront of Reserve Roastery Seattle - Starbucks Reserve

For those less experienced with tasting coffee, discerning a specific note in our morning cup can feel similar to the childhood discovery of a new favorite flavor. For someone like Wolford, who has spent three decades tasting coffee, uncovering new flavors requires a bigger playground (and a few more kids to play with). That's what Starbucks Reserve Roasteries offer. The difference between Starbucks cafes and Starbucks Reserve shops is that the latter locations most often deal in rarer beans from very small-scale farms, which can lead to a niche experience for consumers and employees alike.

In developing the microblend line for the U.S. Reserve Roasteries, Wolford teamed closely with a cross-functional group of baristas and roasters in each city. Platforming the theme of "coffee creativity and the center of coffee," the partners then dove into the individual hearts of each destination.

For the Emerald City of Seattle, Wolford played with coffees that could speak to both the outdoor adventurousness of such a verdant place while also calling back to Seattle's coffee heritage. In New York, the ethos was around global connectivity and a ferocious dedication to the "tapestry of diverse cultures and neighborhoods." As for Chicago, Wolford says the city's flavor was expressed as a "playground of being curious about coffee," where encouragement to "dream bigger and adventure more" is abundant.

Making Coffee Becomes A Scientific Job

Roaster inside Starbucks NYC - Bloomberg/Getty Images

These days, it's commonplace for both java snobs and earnest enthusiasts to put a special focus on single-origin or micro-lot coffee bean labels. These types of coffee beans certainly have their virtues in regard to flavor, environmental, and economic impact. Those strengths also don't detract from the beauty of blended coffees, nor from the process of crafting them, which is really a science.

Wolford says that when making the Roastery-inspired microblend line, she and the team used a process of dual dry and wet blending in order to study and invite out the characteristics they wanted to see in each blend. It requires tasting each bean after it is roasted separately and served solo. Wet blending, as Wolford describes, involves taking these individually roasted and brewed beans and mixing the liquid forms in measured percentages. The goal? "To introduce what we think the overall blend will taste like at a very small scale," says Wolford. "It's just it's just a peek, a snapshot in time."

If the image of a coffee roaster in a lab coat and goggles appeared in your mind, same. The process of blending, especially for coffee lines larger than the microblend series, requires careful measurement of many variables. The time that coffee beans are roasted and at what temperature  even the way a roaster tracks their metrics is a variable that could affect the end product. Needless to say, mixing a microblend requires data-oriented results, much like science.

You Can See Individual Coffee Beans As The Ingredients They Are

Different coffee beans on wood - Starbucks Reserve

Being an elite taster with the job of ensuring quality across a multinational company obviously requires technical skills. Consistency is essential for a brand this big. Still, while talking with us, Wolford makes clear that developing the best coffee  particularly, a line of coffee beans that taste like three of America's greatest cities feel  is about more than numbers.

For the exclusive line of Starbucks Reserve Microblends, which involved harvests from four different coffee regions, Wolford and team looked at each individual bean as if it was the ingredient to a spectacular dish. "We start to think about how those pieces work together," she says, "Much like what I think a chef would do when they're designing a new recipe."

Wolford has to use her experience as a coffee world traveler to creatively consider how beans with different origins might fit, or not fit, in a particular blend. Her process many home cooks can relate to. "So, you can open your pantry  just like when you cook  open your pantry and look at all the elements you want to work with," she says. "And then how do you bring those to life? Whether it's by baking, or it's by grilling, or all the different elements that bring and introduce flavor is really how we started with that."

You Develop Elite Tasting Tips For Coffee Cuppings

Coffee bar at Starbucks Reserve Roaster - Bloomberg/Getty Images

With over three decades of coffee-tasting experience in her career, it's safe to assume that Leslie Wolford can tell you a thing or two about how to get familiar with the nuances of your daily cup. After all, she sometimes tastes 600 cups of coffee in a single day. Someone with that level of caffeine intake might be expected to unleash a surge of suggestions for improving your tasting skills, but Wolford, in her calm demeanor, offers one primary tip: "I always say, 'taste with others.'"

"We all taste things differently," she continues. "We can agree to disagree. We can align on flavors, and we can start to have a dialogue about the things you enjoy." Wolford's tip should be taken as more than just sound advice; coffee has thousands of chemical compounds that impact flavor and aroma, yet science has linked the way we experience flavor to our individual genetics. So, tasting with others can help us expand our perception of the coffee in front of us.

Another tip, albeit one that Wolford didn't explicitly share, is the technique of slurping coffee to aerate and spread it across your nose and tastebuds. Doing so allows you to flush your senses and capture more of the coffee essence. How do we know this technique is elite taster-approved? Starbucks's Employee Archive page mentions that Wolford has a signature slurp, which sounds similar to a loud bird's chirp.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Viva Aerobus will soon begin new routes to Austin, Denver, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Orlando.

Visitors to Monterrey, Mexico will soon have more flight options from the United States.



Viva Aerobus, an airline based in Monterrey, Mexico, will launch new routes to Austin, Denver, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Orlando. The airline is adding the flights due to growing demand, and there will be a 23 percent increase in available seats for a total of 13 million seats to Monterrey in 2024, according to its announcement.



The new flight routes include:

Denver to Monterrey beginning on January 25, 2024, and will operate twice weekly.

Austin to Monterrey beginning on March 22, 2024 with four weekly flights.

Orlando to Monterrey beginning on May 9, 2024 with three weekly flights.

San Franciscos Oakland Airport to Monterrey beginning on July 1, 2024 with two weekly flights.

Miami to Monterrey beginning on July 1, 2024 with three weekly flights.



Details for the added New York to Monterrey route were not immediately available.





Airfare for one-way trips on the new routes will start at $65. Once in Monterrey, travelers have a variety of destinations to visit in Vivas route network, and the airline will soon begin domestic routes to Durango, Tapachula and La Paz.



The U.S. routes are designed to serve the worlds largest international air travel market with affordable options, truly making it easier for people to visit family and friends, take vacations, or conduct business," Viva Aerobus CEO Juan Carlos Zuazua said in a statement.



In preparation for the additional influx of tourism from the new flights in 2024, the local government shares in the statement that they are improving infrastructure including a new highway to the airport.



Monterrey is the capital of Nuevo Leon in northern Mexico, and is known a business and manufacturing city. Mexicos Tourism agency is projecting over 39.4 million tourists to Mexico this year, according to local news reports.



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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
In Western cultures, shaved ice is a simple and refreshing summer treat consisting of fluffy balls of finely crushed ice saturated with brightly colored fruit syrups. They're a lighter, ice-based alternative to milk-based treats like ice cream and frozen yogurt. Bingsu, on the other hand, is the creamy, utterly decadent Korean version of shaved ice that'll force you to abandon all preconceived notions of what shaved ice can be.

You can think of bingsu as the sundae of the shaved ice world: A shareable dessert that uses pillowy, milk-based shaved ice as a foundation for syrups, pastes, and toppings of all kinds. Traditional bingsu, or patbingsu, consists of shaved milk-ice drizzled with condensed milk and topped with a sweet red bean paste. The sweetened condensed milk and milk-based ice create an ultra-creamy, ultra-fluffy consistency. Red bean paste is a common ingredient in Asian desserts, usually stuffed inside of buns, cakes, or mochi.

Bingsu stands and cafes are summer hotspots, with massive menus that are as customizable as ice cream or frozen yogurt shops. You can add any number of syrups, candies, chocolates, fruits, or even scoops of ice cream to the standard milk-infused ice base. Furthermore, shops now blend the shaved ice with flavored milky mixtures like sesame, coffee, matcha, and chocolate.

Read more: 25 Best Ice Cream Brands Ranked

The History And Cultural Influences Of Bingsu

Cantaloupe and watermelon bingu - Bigc Studio/Shutterstock

Originating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during the Joseon Dynasty, bingsu was initially a simple shaved ice and chopped fruit dessert enjoyed only by the upper echelons. However, by the time iceboxes became a ubiquitous appliance in the 1920s, bingsu shops began to emerge all around South Korea's capital city of Seoul.

It was also during this time that bingsu began to be paired with other popular dessert ingredients like grain powder, rice cakes, and red bean paste. The Korean War led to further diversification of bingsu's traditional recipe as contact with Japan, China, and the Western world introduced Korean palates to sweetened condensed milk, processed candies, fruit syrups, and whipped cream.

Red bean patbingsu remains a mainstay on modern menus along with chopped fresh fruit garnishes  mango and fresh berries are the top sellers. Bingsu has also become a prepackaged product sold at convenience stores and offered through food-delivery apps. Even fine-dining restaurants in ritzy hotels serve bingsu, impressing guests with globally inspired elaborations like tiramisu bingsu, cheesecake bingsu, and green tea-infused bingsu.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
ABUJA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Sunday pledged to oversee a thorough housecleaning of the country's central bank to rid the institution of corruption.

In a nationwide broadcast to commemorate Nigeria's 63rd independence anniversary, Tinubu shed light on some critical and sensitive national issues, including instituting a monetary policy that will be for the benefit of all Nigerians.

He described the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the leadership of former governor Godwin Emefiele as a "den of malfeasance," saying that the "housecleaning is well underway" in a move aimed at bringing large-scale corruption in the financial institution to an end.

While noting a new leadership for the central bank has just been constituted, the Nigerian president said a special investigator will soon present the findings on past lapses and how to prevent similar recurrences. "Henceforth, monetary policy shall be for the benefit of all and not the exclusive province of the powerful and wealthy."

Nigeria's secret police arrested Emefiele in June ahead of planned reforms in the financial sector. Olayemi Cardoso, a newly appointed central bank governor, took office Tuesday, with a mandate to enhance the confidence of Nigerians and international partners "in the restructuring of the economy toward sustainable growth and prosperity for all." 
The places we grow up rarely leave us. Its a truth that exists in how we relate to others, live our lives, and even decorate our homes. Point in case? Jessica Melendez bright bohemian Texas abode.

The artist, designer, and owner of SITOS grew up in Bucaramanga, Colombia before moving to the United States. Her hometown is just a three-hour drive away from Barichara, one of the primary inspirations for Disneys "Encanto"coveted for its lush valleys, colorfully painted window sills, and 100-year-old timelessness.

Much of that same magic inspires Melendezs home. Nestled among verdant trees, the homewhich she shares with her husband and pupis filled with dazzling treasures. Strawberry-swathed sheets pour over the guest bed, geometric woodwork decorates the doors, and macrame lamps inspired by her Colombian artisans light up the walls.

Ahead, Melendez shares more about her hometown, her favorite DIY pieces, and her creative inspirations.

Jessica Melendez

How did you first discover your space? What about it appealed to you?

We were looking for homes around the area and found this one. The photos werent very promising. But, I could see the charm of the house and imagine what it would look like if we worked on it, so we went ahead and toured it.

When we arrived, we noticed the neighborhood was quiet, beautiful, and most importantly, full of mature treeswhich is definitely our thing.

Then, we went inside and, looking past the mess and decor choices, the house was pretty spacious. It had a good layout, the number of rooms we were looking for, a big enough garage for my husband to do his woodworking, a cute sunroom, and a plus for both of us: a pool!



Jessica Melendez

Does your home fit in with your neighborhood's vibe or does it stand out?

Most of the homes around the neighborhood were built during the 80s by two guys. They are similar in style, yet they are all different in size and shape. One of the things we love the most is the mature treesyou can see the builders worked around them and preserved most of the nature, as it should be.

Our home is the smallest house on the street, which is mind-blowing to us because we think our house is pretty big. For context, I am from Colombia and lived in a small condo with my parents and three siblings my entire life before I moved to the States. And my husband is from Seattle where big homes, especially nowadays, are only for wealthy people.

Jessica Melendez

How would you describe your style and approach to decorating your home?

Both my husband and I are creatives, so we try to make most things ourselves. I love that he can craft things out of wood and create the furniture of my dreams.

The sliding doors in our primary bedroom and our dining table are my top favorites. Our style is a mix of midcentury modern and bohemian-style for our shared spaces, and then some girly, pink-lover, and dopamine decor for my studioand sometimes the guest room, too.



Jessica Melendez

Who or what are your biggest design inspirations?

I know this is going to sound very millennial, but Pinterest and Apartment Therapy are the two places that first come to mind when looking for home decor inspiration.

And Alexandra Gaters YouTube videos! I was very flattered when she decorated a dining nook with one of my macrame lamps and I have to keep telling everyone about it.

Jessica Melendez

How does your heritage inform your style?

I think my bohemian-inspired style definitely comes from my Colombian upbringing. I remember traveling to small towns around Bucaramanga and loving all the handcrafts the local artisans were selling.

In fact, one of the places that inspires me the most in terms of style and decor is called Baricharait's about three hours away from my home in Colombia.

This precious town is cultural patrimony and is considered one of the countrys most beautiful and preserved colonial towns. You need to Google itit is such a magical place. One of my dreams is to be able to live my retirement years there.

The pendant lamp in my dining room was created from a basket I found at the farmers market in my hometown, Bucaramanga. I loved it so much that I contacted the artisan who made them and purchased some to be offered on my website, as well.



Where in your home do you spend the most time, and what are you usually doing there?

It depends. Sometimes I find myself spending the majority of my time at the dining table, working on my computer. Other times, I spend a lot of time in my studio making macrame lamps and listening to my favorite podcasts.



Jessica Melendez

Can you share the inspiration behind SITOS?

I've always had a passion for home decor. In 2018, I was moving out and couldnt afford anything fancy. I learned some macrame back in high school, and I created my first macrame wall hanging for the living room. Long story short, my girlfriends saw them and wanted me to make some for their homes, too, and thats how SITOS started.

Nowadays, SITOS is a mix of thatplus, the need for representation that came to me after a few years of living overseas.

I want to create pieces that remind me of my roots and share them with other Latinos living abroad who long to have a piece of our culture with them. That is where my Colombian ornaments or Empanada necklace came to life, and I hope I can continue to design many other pieces like them.



Jessica Melendez

Read Next: 8 Latine-Owned Brands We Love to Shop For Home Decor

Read the original article on The Spruce.
RANDOLPH  How many couples do you know who found romance in Antarctica? And then settled in central Vermont and opened a restaurant? Go to this new eatery and youll know at least one pair fitting that description.

What is the place?

Randi Taylor and Lucas Battey opened their 25-seat restaurant, Short Notice, on June 10. (Another eight eaters can sit outside at sidewalk tables.) Short Notice offers a casual vibe; customers order at the counter while a server  likely to be Taylor, while Battey works in the kitchen  brings their food and drink.

The menu features small plates inspired by the couples travels. The roster of dishes on a recent Monday included shareables such as a house-made pretzel, roasted-carrot fries and garam masala meatballs. The list of small plates ranged from glazed fennel to cured and seared pork belly to kung pao noodles and radicchio salad. Sandwiches such as blackened chicken and portobello caprese are also available. Desserts, which may include brown butter chocolate-chip cookies, are among the goods baked by Taylor.

Smashed potatoes with a horseradish-cream sauce, dill, capers and lemon, shown Sept 18, 2023 at Short Notice in Randolph.

Its eclectic, Battey said of the menu, local flavors, trying to combine enough cuisines so theres enough for everybody. He said the tapas-like dishes offer a chance to eat communally, letting visitors try a variety of tastes both familiar and strange.

Short Notice carries beer, wine and soft drinks but emphasizes cocktails, with more than a dozen alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages on the menu. One called The Taxco  with tequila, mezcal, honey, lemon and soda water  was inspired directly by the couples travels to Mexico.

Whats the story behind it?

Taylor and Battey did indeed meet in Antarctica, by far the worlds least-populated continent. Battey was working there one summer cooking at a research station; Taylor came down to work for the winter season, and they overlapped for a couple of months.

We hit it off, Taylor said. We seemed to like each other.

Randi Taylor and Lucas Battey, co-owners of Short Notice, stand in the dining room at the Randolph restaurant Sept. 18, 2023.

After returning to the U.S., the two drove from Taylors home region of southern California to Alaska, where they worked for six months at a lodge where Battey was head chef and Taylor was a baker. From Alaska they drove on a diagonal through western Canada, entering the U.S. in North Dakota, and made their way to Vermont, Batteys home state. (He was born in Randolph and grew up in Chelsea.)

They spent a few months in Vermont, but Taylors California conditioning had her craving warmth. She and Battey went to Mexico for three months in early 2022, where they sampled as much local cuisine as they could.

All the fresh vegetables  it was amazing, Taylor said.

Then it was back to Vermont, where Taylor worked as a baker at the Woodstock Farmers Market grocery store. Battey, wanting to spend a summer outside, worked for a friend as a stonemason before joining Taylor in the kitchen in Woodstock.

Neither had a ton of restaurant experience  certainly not in owning one  but their time south of the border inspired them to think about it seriously.

The Taxco cocktail - tequila, mezcal, honey, lemon and soda water - at Short Notice in Randolph on Sept. 18, 2023.

There are just so many cool hole-in-the-wall places in Mexico, according to Battey. We kept looking at each other and saying, Yeah, we could possibly do this.

Thats what led them to open Short Notice. Business was great this summer, Battey said, but less so after Labor Day.

Its been a slow few weeks, he said. Taylor said theyre hopeful things will pick up again for foliage season.

Theyre excited to be in Randolph. Short Notice joins a long list of eateries in Randolph that are wholly or partly owned by women, all of which are calling attention to the increasingly lively dining scene in the town of fewer than 5,000 residents.

Saap definitely has helped with that, Taylor said of the Thai restaurant co-owned by James Beard Award-winning chef Nisachon Rung Morgan.

Other eateries in town with a strong female presence include Tacocat Cantina, Kuyas at One Main, the Windy Lane Bakehouse, Wit & Grit and the Wee Bird Bagel Cafe. Those restaurant owners  as well as the proprietor of the recently-closed Black Krim Tavern, Sarah Natvig - have been supportive in offering advice and supplies as Short Notice has gotten off the ground.

Everyone has been so amazing, according to Taylor. Its been really, really nice.

The Short Notice restaurant in Randolph, shown Sept. 18, 2023.

Hours and location

Short Notice, 29 N. Main St., Randolph. 3-10 p.m. Thursday, Sunday and Monday; 3-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. (802) 565-8589, www.shortnoticevt.com

Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Short Notice, new Randolph restaurant, adds to growing dining scene
A wild jaguar was photographed by trail cameras in Arizona on two occasions this spring, the first documented sighting in the United States of the once-native species since 2016. The images were captured in March and May by cameras run by Customs and Border Protection and reported on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) online Jaguar Observations Database .

Jaguars are the third-largest cats in the world, trailing only tigers and lions. They can weigh 100 to 250 pounds and stretch 5 to 6 feet from nose to the base of the tail. Their native range once stretched from Argentina to the southwestern United States, but today they are mainly found in the Amazon Basin of South America and in small pockets of Central America and Mexico. The latest sightings were recorded after a shipping container barrier erected by the state of Arizona on the U.S.-Mexico border was removed, unblocking a critical jaguar migration route through the Huachuca Mountains.

A Bureau of Land Management photo showing a jaguar spotted on U.S. soil in 2016.

The images, which have not been released to the public, mark only the seventh jaguar sighting on U.S. soil since 1996. All seven have involved males. The last know female jaguar in Arizona was killed in 1949. Researchers know there is a breeding population of jaguars 100 miles south of the border in Sonora, Mexico, where conservation efforts have helped expand the population to around 4,800and that group is the likely source of the most recent sighting.

"Males are the ones that expand and disperse, Ganesh Marin, a doctoral student at the University of Arizona who monitors 97 cameras as part of a jaguar research study told the Arizona Republic . There are more records of jaguars in the United States and in the border with Mexico because they are exploring for new territories," Marin said.

Read Next: Wildlife Biologists Capture Rare Photos of a Mountain Lion Preying on an Elk in Missouri

According to USFWS, the recent photos are too blurry for spot analysis, a technique that allows researchers to identify individual jaguars by their unique spot patterns, so its unclear if the latest sighting is a new arrival or a previously photographed cat. Its not uncommon for the elusive animals to escape detection for many years. A big jaguar known as El Jefe (The Chief) that was videotaped in Arizonas Santa Rita mountains in 2016 disappeared until August 2022, when it was spotted again 120 miles south in Mexico.
Oh la la.

Aitor Rosas Sune/WWD via Getty Images

In case you missed it, L'Oreal delivered when it came to this year's Paris Fashion Week show  in terms of the whos who on the runway itself, that is. From Andie MacDowell to Eva Longoria, the catwalk was filled with all the A-listers showing off their modeling chops while simultaneously stepping into what may be their glitziest eras yet.

A shock to absolutely no one, Helen Mirren (a LOreal ambassador) showed up and out with the biggest scene-stealing number of them all at last nights show. Fully embracing the glitz and glamor of the evening, the actress slipped into a sequined, silver off-the-shoulder Elie Saab gown that featured floor-sweeping cape sleeves and a matching belt. Keeping the accessories to a minimum, she teamed her breathtaking gown with a pair of strappy metallic gold heels.

Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images

Related: Helen Mirren's New Blue Hair Is as Iconic as It Gets

Beauty-wise, she styled her hair with voluminous, dramatic crimped hair with loads of texture and a side part, while the rest of her glam consisted of a pink lip, shimmery eyes, and rosy cheeks.



Helen's arrival at Paris Fashion Week comes shortly after she appeared on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg where she addressed the criticism about her upcoming role as the former prime minister of Israel in Golda.

Getty Images

I think I can see, but sometimes I cant see, because, I cant see who in this room is Jewish, Mirren said. We are all such an amazing mix and certainly I dont have an issue with Kirk Douglas playing a Viking. Kirk Douglas was Jewish."

"I think the whole question of assuming a certain physiognomy because youre playing a particular race," she continued. "There is something offensive about that. As I say, it's a very delicate balance."

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Read the original article on InStyle.
Normally, soggy hamburgers are an unfortunate culinary mishap you'd want to avoid, but in Istanbul wet hamburgers, called Islak burgers, are a Turkish street food staple that are found in a small corner of the city. If you thought White Castle's famous sliders were as soaked as it gets, these saucy sandwiches will have you thinking again. Islak translates to "wet" in Turkish, and these wet burgers live up to the name. The simplicity and strong flavors of the Islak burger make it a memorable street food, and the juicy texture is the secret that keeps locals coming back for more.

Travelers will find these delicious burgers steaming in display cases in Taksim Square, where they are generally thought of as the ideal drunk recovery meal. Street food stalls selling Islak burgers are open well after midnight, which means they're on the night owls' radar when they're looking to eat something quick and filling. For under a dollar, Islak burgers are as affordable as they are tasty. Each one is drenched in a spicy tomato sauce, which makes them messy and difficult to eat but very appetizing. The burgers themselves, though thin, pack a powerful punch, being very reminiscent of Turkish meatballs, or kofte. Along with the ground meat, they include a lot of minced garlic, as well as paprika, parsley, and breadcrumbs. Anthony Bourdain sampled them while filming his show "No Reservations", and seemed to enjoy the wet slider's spice levels. The experience, though messy, is a worthwhile one.

Read more: 41 Must Try Hot Sandwich Recipes

The History Of Islak Burgers In Istanbul

Islak burgers behind glass in Turkey - Ruslankaln/Getty Images

Throughout the 60's and 70's, Taksim Square became an important symbolic area in Turkey during a time of widespread civil unrest and shifting politics. Public demonstrations, protests, and strikes were very common gatherings in the square. After much change, today the area is a tourist hot spot known for its nightlife, restaurants, and shops.

Most locals attribute a buffet restaurant called Kristal Bufe with first inventing the Islak burger during the country's highly political climate of the 1970s, and its Pangalt branch still sells them today using its original Turkish recipe. However, one family-owned restaurant in Taksim Square, called Kzlkayalar Hamburger has gained more widespread popularity in Istanbul for its own version of wet burgers. It claims credit for inventing the Islak burger around the same timeframe as Kristal Bufe, calling its recipe "a taste brought to the Istanbul street flavors culture by our family" on its website. In the square, there are several different vendors next to one another selling the same burgers, but instead of having a competitive attitude about attracting more customers, the owners operate their businesses in support of their neighbor's successes. Travelers can find this iconic street food throughout Turkey, but it hasn't quite gained traction anywhere else in the world just yet.

How Wet Burgers Are Enjoyed In Turkey

three Islak burgers and sauce spoon - Alp Aksoy/Shutterstock

It's typical for hungry passersby to eat more than one slider at a time to feel full. And while spicy food might not seem like the best to mix with alcohol, it actually does help fight hangover symptoms. The capsaicin in spicy foods can help you sweat out some of the toxins you've accumulated in your body, usually prompting several chugs of water that flush your system even further. It might not be the prettiest meal, but it's a streetside godsend at 2 a.m. in Taksim Square.

"Wet" bread isn't a foreign concept in Turkey. Much like Turkish meatballs, which are frequently eaten with bread that's been grilled and drenched in a meaty broth, Islak burgers feature the same technique. Street food vendors will first form the wet burger's patties from beef or veal, and while they cook, the buns are submerged in a peppery, tomato-based sauce before the meat is slapped between two of them. The burger buns are white, soft, and quite plain, to soak up the flavorful sauce. Once assembled, the burgers are then steamed behind glass. Besides slathering the buns in the special sauce, this steaming process is what aligns Islak burgers with its name, giving them a wet amalgamation of textures. Some vendors may suggest eating it with a side of ayran, a popular Turkish drink made with yogurt. This dairy-based beverage is no doubt a helpful way to douse your taste buds between bites if the spice becomes too much.

Read the original article on Mashed.
Kate Middleton set to miss out on overseas trip. Seen here she joins a Portage Session for her 'Shaping Us' campaign.

Kate is reportedly set to miss out on a major royal appearance for the first time as shes said to have prioritised an important family duty.

The Princess of Wales is said to be remaining in the UK in November rather than going to Singapore for the Earthshot Prize Awards.

This will be the first time shes missed the awards but its supposedly for a super thoughtful reason that concerns Prince George .

This royal news comes as it was revealed Kate was reportedly in tears when Prince William cancelled big plans last minute after having second thoughts.

As the future King and Queen Consort its no surprise that Prince William and the Princess of Wales schedules are generally pretty packed. However, when it comes to overseas engagements the couple havent been taking to the skies as much as they have done in the past. Instead, Prince William has been making several solo appearances, including his recent trip to New York where he hinted at a dreamy destination for a future family holiday. Because of this many fans might well have been looking forward even more to seeing Prince William and Kate step out together for an annual royal appearance later this year.

However, sadly, it seems that once again the Prince of Wales will be carrying out an exciting trip solo. According to The Telegraph, a Kensington Palace source has supposedly claimed that Kate is set to miss out on going to Singapore in November for the Earthshot Prize Awards 2023.

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the Earthshot Prize 2021

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The Princess of Wales has attended both the previous Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony and fashion lovers in particular will no doubt remember her appearances for her green carpet-worthy outfits. Kate wowed in a re-worn lilac Alexander McQueen dress in 2021 and in a neon green off-shoulder Sabina dress by Solace London, sold on Net-A-Porter and rented from Hurr.

Whilst it seems Prince William will be going to Singapore without her and we wont see another show-stopping eco-friendly look from her, its apparently for the sweetest reason. Its reported that the Princess of Wales made the decision as she wanted to be there for Prince George.

Catherine, Princess of Wales attends The Earthshot Prize 2022

The 10-year-old, who is second in the royal line of succession, will apparently be taking exams. Hes currently studying at Lambrook School but was supposedly seen looking around Eton earlier this year. Its been suggested that if he were looking to go to Eton from the age of 13 Prince George would need to sit an online pre-test in the autumn term of year six.

Its incredibly heart-warming that the Princess of Wales has reportedly chosen to stay in the UK to support her eldest son at this challenging time with his exams. With Prince William still set to go to Singapore it also ensures that both their family and public duties are being carried out by one half of the popular couple. Prince George will also likely appreciate having his devoted mother there during exam time.

The Princess of Wales and Prince George attend Wimbledon

Kate also made a selfless sacrifice for Prince George and Princess Charlotte in 2016 when she missed appearing at the St Patricks Day parade at Mons Barracks. Instead a palace statement apparently confirmed that she wouldnt be there that particular year as she wanted to spend time with her children before undertaking a long tour.

While the Duchess [Princess of Wales] has accompanied the Duke [Prince William] every year since his appointment in 2012, and will do so again in future, this year she sadly could not make it because she is prioritising time with her children before next months tour of India and Bhutan, it apparently claimed.
Shirly and Erez Weinstein had in many ways achieved the American dream. They immigrated to the United States from Israel in the early aughts, bought a house in the suburbs of Atlanta with access to high-quality public schools for their two kids, and excelled in their tech careers. There was just one problem: They weren't happy.

"Our life was just really busy," Shirly Weinstein told me. "Work, school, after-school  we hardly had any down time or time as a family."

They also weren't satisfied with the education options for their kids. "We wanted something more from school," Erez Weinstein said. "We tried Montessori, charter, public, but all these different options felt like more of the same."

The kids felt similarly. "Life was boring," Ella, their 11-year-old daughter, told me. So, to shake things up, in 2018 the family sold most of their possessions, bought an RV, and started traveling full time around the US and abroad while homeschooling.

For the next four years, the kids did not attend formal classes, instead learning from their experiences in different countries, and did occasional academic work on digital platforms like Khan Academy. Then, in 2022, the family learned about Boundless Life, a startup trying to build a global network for digital-nomad families, complete with built-in community, project-based education, and furnished homes where families live for three months at a time.

While the phrase "digital nomad" might conjure an image of a single 27-year-old software engineer writing code from a hostel in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Boundless Life  which has locations in Portugal, Indonesia, Italy, and Greece  targets a different demographic of long-term travelers: parents and their elementary-school-age children. The startup's aim, according to its cofounder Mauro Repacci, is to allow parents "the freedom to travel as a single person might, but with your kids."

Boundless Life is one of a handful of programs  like the Green School in Bali and The Hive in the Dominican Republic  that cater primarily to international students and their remote-working parents. While there isn't great data on it, experts I spoke with say that only a small fraction of the estimated 35 million global digital nomads are traveling with children  which makes sense. Whether figuring out school or supporting kids' ability to maintain lasting friendships, many parents are wary of uprooting their families' lives for long-term travel.

But with the growth of remote work and newfound energy to reimagine education in response to the coronavirus pandemic, businesses are jumping at the opportunity to make "nomading" with children a real possibility.

Last summer I visited the Boundless campus in Sintra, Portugal. When I arrived by train from Lisbon, it was easy to see why the company had chosen the medieval mountain town as its pilot location. The Moorish castles and orange clay roofs give the town a classic European charm, and it has just the right amount of creature comforts and English-speaking waitstaff to please less adventurous travelers. At just shy of 400,000 inhabitants, Sintra is also big enough to absorb the 25 Boundless families without the expats dominating all the local haunts.

At school, kids are fed organic meals made by a local chef. Simone Stolzoff

The Boundless community, which includes families from around the world, felt a bit like a family camp. Families each had their own private accommodations scattered throughout the city, but they frequently spent time at one another's apartments for meals and aperitifs. Parents went out for afternoon espressos and lingered at school drop-off to chat about business opportunities before heading to a mosaic-tiled coworking space replete with WiFi and Portuguese custard tarts.

In the school, a remodeled two-story building blocks away from Sintra's castles, mixed-aged groups of students hunched over tubs of water to learn about density and volume. For lunch, the kids ate organic meals provided by a local chef. After school, kids from different families entertained themselves in the cobblestone streets and parks under light adult supervision.

Tim, a freelance computer programmer from Ohio, joined Boundless in 2022 after taking his kids out of school at the start of COVID. "The school said 'Zoom Kindergarten,' and I said screw that," he told me.

One couple from Seattle  Edward, a marketing consultant, and Jessica, an entrepreneur  not only pulled their four kids under 13 out of school to sign on with Boundless Life, but they also persuaded another family to join them for the experiment. "We wanted to travel, but you can't babysit a 1-year-old and homeschool a 7-year-old at the same time," Jessica said. "Education was the question. If we could figure out the education piece, the rest would fall into place."

According to Boundless' cofounder and head of education, Rekha Magon, Boundless' vision is for families to hop to Sintra for a semester and then to Italy's Tuscany region for another, all while their children progress through the same curriculum, which extends from preschool to age 12. "Education should be removed from a single building and exist in the world," she told me.

This was perfect for the Weinsteins, who consider themselves part of the worldschooling movement  a growing community of families who have decided to eschew traditional education in favor of long-term travel and "learning from the school of life," as Erez Weinstein told me.

Compared with all the education options they had tried in Atlanta, Boundless was the first school that seemed to align with their desire for project-based learning with a global perspective. "If Boundless had locations all over the world, we would be set," Shirly Weinstein said. "It's beyond travel. It's experiencing the world."

And while the kids seemed to be thriving, perhaps the true beneficiaries were the parents. As one Boundless parent told me, "I've had more social interactions in the past week than months back home  and I didn't have to send a single email to coordinate."

Boundless had recreated the village.

As a Brazilian from Montreal with Italian ancestry, Mauro Repacci is a fitting founder for a company that promotes global citizenship. The idea for Boundless came about after Repacci and his cofounder Marcos Carvalho sold their previous company, a home-buying platform called NestReady, and were looking to take a sabbatical. It was the summer of 2021. COVID restrictions were loosening and the built-up demand for travel was palpable.

"During the pandemic, like many people, we started to ask how we wanted to live our life, how we wanted to raise our kids," Repacci told me. "And we felt like we were limiting ourselves by staying in the same country for a long time." He added, "We felt something was missing." He started to tell friends about his aspiration to travel and take time off  perhaps a few months in Costa Rica, another few in Europe or Southeast Asia. His friends were intrigued by the idea of long-term travel but had hesitations about their kids falling behind in school.

The Boundless founders chose the medieval mountain town of Sintra, Portugal as their first location. Rolf E. Staerk/Shutterstock

Repacci and Carvalho started a WhatsApp group with dozens of friends and friends of friends who were all trying to figure out how to make long-term travel work with kids. They researched international schools and looked into the feasibility of hiring a private tutor to travel with them full time. Their brainstorming quickly transformed into a business idea.

According to Lona Alia, the head of revenue for the nomad-travel-insurance provider SafetyWing, several factors have led to the growth of digital-nomad families. "There's remote work, the availability of high-speed internet, flexible schooling, and Airbnb," Alia, who is part of a digital-nomad family herself, told me. But perhaps the biggest factor is a cultural shift toward the value of experiences, Alia said. "Many people are realizing that the traditional path of acquiring material goods isn't necessarily the key to happiness, and are instead choosing to invest in experiences, such as travel."

For the Boundless founders, figuring out the education piece of the puzzle was key. For families to actually be able to make the leap, Boundless would need a curriculum that was rigorous enough to adhere to parents' standards and flexible enough so families could bounce between locales without their kids falling behind. To solve the problem, Repacci and Carvalho brought on their head of education, Magon, and head of brand and product, Elina Zois.

Boundless decided to base its educational model on the Nordic Baccalaureate, an interdisciplinary curriculum based on the Finnish education system that emphasizes project-based work, experiential learning, and cultural immersion. Classrooms are multiage and class sizes are kept small  fewer than 15 kids a class for students under 6 and fewer than 18 for those ages 6 to 12. During my visit, the school felt like a more expansive definition of what an education could be. Learning was not limited by the four walls of the classroom  it took place in parks, pottery studios, restaurants, and museums.

Several educators I spoke with were skeptical about how the Boundless framework would translate into meaningful learning experiences for students from a range of academic needs, and how students would be able to integrate their Boundless experience if they transitioned back into more traditional school environments.

Learning at Boundless was not limited by the four walls of the classroom. Simone Stolzoff

But parents I met told me Boundless had sparked a level of intellectual curiosity in its children that spilled over to "normal life" upon returning stateside. "Getting to try out a different type of school was life-changing," one parent said. After returning to US public school this year, they said their kids were doing better than they had before doing Boundless. "Not because anything is better at their school this year than last year, but because they are different," the parent said.

The company serves about 85 families and 250 kids during any given semester. But despite some early success, Boundless Education, like the organization itself, is still very much a startup. The school isn't accredited  though it's undergoing the accreditation process  and the administration is still figuring out the kinks, like how to quantitatively measure student growth and how to cater to older and more advanced students' needs.

There are also financial and cultural barriers to joining Boundless. For one, there's the price. It costs the equivalent of about $1,600 a child, a month, to take part in Boundless Education, and the equivalent of $460 a parent, a month, for coworking and concierge services  and that doesn't include the cost of housing. Though participants were relatively diverse racially and culturally, most of the families I met in Sintra were high earners from North America.

Plus, there are cultural and logistical challenges to picking up your family and living around the world for months at a time. Boundless advises families on how to obtain digital-nomad visas for countries that offer them, but the prospect of working abroad long term can be challenging depending on your country of origin.

"The biggest barriers to more people nomading are in-laws, grandparents, and a lack of imagination," Andreas Wil Gerdes, a leader in the worldschooling movement, said. "For 200 years, the majority of people have lived in a work-centric model of existence. Finally, people are going back to a life-centric model, but it will take time to catch on."

Gerdes is generally supportive of Boundless' mission but commented that the company served a limited slice of those who might be able to benefit from living and learning abroad. "Boundless is the brain-dead solution for people who don't want to have to make any decisions," he said. "But it's a step in the right direction."

On my last night in Sintra, the Boundless families gathered together at Praia de Macas, a beach 20 minutes from downtown. Kids dashed in and out of the waves, occasionally running to shore to grab a snack or tug at their parents' trunks. "How long have you guys known each other?" I asked a few preteens who were building castles in the sand. "I dunno. A few days," one said, barely looking up.

Standing there on the edge of the European continent, I realized that although Boundless is cloaked in the sheen of a venture-backed startup, the business is actually a return to a more collective form of child-rearing. Sure, there's an app that parents use to interact, a curriculum that uses the UN sustainability goals for lesson plans, and a business model that's a response to a global workforce trend. But as I immersed myself in this network of families who were loosely looking after one another's children, Boundless felt more retro-chic than modern.

After leaving the beach, I joined the families for pizza at an outdoor restaurant. There were no iPads at the dinner table or calendar invites needed to organize the get-together. In a community full of families, conversations were not dominated by talk of academic tutors and afterschool programs. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

I came to Sintra thinking Boundless might be too good to be true, but perhaps that was a failure of my own imagination. Maybe I, like so many others, am still too attached to the idea that school ought to look like 20 students facing the same way in a classroom for seven hours a day. Sure, Boundless is an expensive, turn-key study-abroad experience for elementary-school-age children and their parents, but it's also a refreshing take on what it means to give a child an education, which, especially in America, is in need of a refresh.

Certainly there are risks of uprooting children from their routines and communities. Programs like Boundless may not be attractive or accessible to everyone, and it's unclear whether Boundless will be able to scale its programming to meet the growing demand. But when I think about the atomization of our modern lives, each of us cordoned off in our little boxes made of ticky-tack, learning from textbooks and digital apps, I see Boundless as a welcome alternative. Perhaps the world is the classroom we've been waiting for.

Simone Stolzoff is a writer and author from San Francisco. His debut book, The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work, was published by Penguin Random House earlier this year.

Read the original article on Business Insider
In the world of professional snowboarding, Zeb Powell is rewriting the unspoken rules with his explosive and unpredictable style. He's not just a snowboarder; he's a creative force that's leaving a lasting mark on the sport. Powell's journey from a tiny hill in North Carolina to winning X Games Gold and going viral is a testament to his incredible talent and dedication.

Powell's style defies all logic, and it's this very uniqueness that has earned him accolades and a massive following. His snowboard videos have become viral sensations, captivating viewers worldwide. But it's not just about his impressive skills; it's about the way he approaches the sport. Powell brings an infectious energy to the slopes that's impossible to ignore.

In a recent episode of MY TURN, Powell shared his story while spending a day in Aspen, Colorado, with interview host Selema Masekela. This conversation provided insight into his journey, his inspirations, and his vision for the future of snowboarding. Zeb Powell isn't just rewriting the rules; he's setting the stage for a new generation of snowboarders, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in this exhilarating sport.

We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging snow-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional rider or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SNOWBOARDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality snowboarding videos.

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Just months after locking down new contracts for dockworkers on the U.S. and Canadian West Coast, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy late Saturday.

The ILWU filed the bankruptcy petition in California federal court to resolve a 13-year-old dispute with the Oregon affiliate of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI).

More from Sourcing Journal

The lawsuit stemmed from a labor dispute at the Port of Portland, which led the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to find that the union and its local chapter, ILWU Local 8, had committed unfair labor practices.

ICTSI Oregon is the former operator of Terminal 6 at Oregons Port of Portland, where NLRB alleged that union members engaged in deliberate work stoppages and slowdowns, made false safety claims, and engaged in other coercive conduct against ICTSI Oregon and its customers. The union had accused the terminal operator of abusive management practices during the 2012 walkouts.

Container shipping at the Port of Portland ceased in 2016 after its two major container shipping partners, Hanjin Shipping and Hapag-Lloyd, pulled out due to labor disruptions. A year later, ICTSI pulled out of its port contract and abandoned its operatorship at the terminal. While container shipping returned to the port in 2018, damage to the ICTSI had been done.

Over a two-week trial in 2019, the jury returned a verdict finding that the ILWU and Local 8 had violated the law and that ICTSI was entitled to roughly $93.6 million in damages, with 55 percent allocated to the ILWU and Local 8 getting the rest.

In March 2020, a judge significantly reduced the maximum damages the union and the local branch had to pay down to nearly $19.1 million, which the union said it was prepared to accept and was ready to find a way to pay the amount at that time.

But on Friday, the ILWU argued in a court filing that ICTSIs damages are non-existent or minimal, at most $3.9 million.

Sourcing Journal reached out to ICTSI Oregon for comment.

The union currently doesnt have enough capital on hand to pay the damages. As part of the voluntary Chapter 11 petition, the ILWU listed assets of $11.6 million, including $9.5 million in cash, far below the maximum amount in the judges 2020 ruling.

While we have attempted numerous times to resolve the decade-long litigation with ICTSI Oregon, Inc., at this point, the Union can no longer afford to defend against ICTSIs scorched-earth litigation tactic, said Willie Adams, ILWU president. We intend to use the Chapter 11 process to implement a plan that will bring this matter to resolution and ensure that our Union continues to do its important work for our members and the community. The Officers are confident that we are taking the right step to put our organization on the best path forwardand we are optimistic for all that is ahead.

In a letter to ILWU locals and affiliates, union leadership tried to assure members that it would continue with business as usual.

Our bankruptcy filing is not a liquidation or what is often thought of when you hear the word bankruptcy, union leaders wrote. ILWU will continue to function normallywe will continue to provide support to our locals and affiliates, we will continue to offer education and training, we will continue our organizing programs, and we will continue to do all of the things we have always done.

Alongside Adams, the unions international secretary-treasurer Edwin R. Ferris, international vice president of mainland Bobby Olvera, Jr. and international vice president of Hawaii Sam Kreutz also signed the letter.

The ILWU will file customary first day motions with the court to maintain its cash management system and to continue honoring employee and payroll obligations during the restructuring.

The union expects the court to grant these requests.

Over the summer, the ILWU ratified two major deals for West Coast longshoremen: a six-year contract for U.S. dockworkers that improved pay and benefits for 22,000 employees at 29 ports stretching from California to Washington State, and a four-year contract for Canadian dockworkers at 30 British Columbia ports after 14 days of strikes.

Click here to read the full article.
CAIRO, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 people were injured after a huge fire erupted at a security directorate in the Egyptian Suez Canal city of Ismailia in the early hours of Monday, reported state-run Nile TV.

Local civil defense and armed forces were deployed to put off the fire, while the cause of the blaze was not verified yet.

Meanwhile, 30 ambulances rushed to the scene to transfer the injured to the nearest governmental hospital.

The report added that the facade wall of the police premises was pulled down by the blaze that reached four floors.

All workers in the building were ordered to evacuate until the containment of the blaze. 
A San Diego woman has sufferedand survivedthe same injury that killed beloved Hawaii surfer Mikala Jones in July.

According to NBC San Diego, 22-year-old Allie Brieghner was surfing at Pacific Beach about three weeks ago when her fin sliced through her thigh, severing her femoral artery.

Within 20 seconds she passed out, NBC reported. She lost three liters of blood and doctors closed the wound with 46 staples.

View the original article to see embedded media.

In the video above, Brieghner and Alec Maddox who saved her life, recall the incident. NBC reports:

"I remember coming up from the water, and then within five seconds, I felt the excruciating pain," Brieghner told NBC.

Luckily, Maddox, a former marine, saw what happened and got her to shore.

"The blood was squirting, which means it's arterial, so I had to get her out of the water as fast as I could," Maddox told NBC.

Maddox managed to make a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

"Somebody nearby found me the surf leash, and they detached it from the surfboard, so I just wrapped it around her leg a couple of times and made a little loop because you need to put a stick through this so you can crank it, so I had somebody go grab me a stick as well," Maddox said.

He held the tourniquet in place until lifeguards and paramedics arrived.

She went to the Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla and was taken in for immediate surgery.

Doctors removed the vein from her left leg to repair the femoral artery.

As we reported in July, Jones was surfing in the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia when he suffered the same injury to his femoral artery which led to a fatal loss of blood. Jones died before reaching the hospital. He was 44 years old.

***

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Whether you're a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos.
Eat your way to a happier mood, better digestion and deeper sleep? Sign us up! It turns out your favorite comfort foods like mac and cheese or mashed potatoes really do have the power to dramatically lift your spirits and foster calm, happy energy. The reason: They're known as serotonin boosting foods, which means they increase levels of a feel-good brain chemical called serotonin. Here, experts explain how serotonin can improve your health and reveal the best (and most delicious!) ways to reap the benefits.

What is serotonin?

Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a chemical that transmits messages between the brain and nerve cells in the body. It plays a major role in regulating bodily functions such as mood, sleep, digestion, sexual health and bone health.

Serotonin is considered a neurotransmitter, which basically means that it's involved in impulses that travel along the vagus nerve, usually from the digestive tract to the brain, says Wynne Brown, MD, an integrative medicine physician at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Click through to our sister publication to see how stimulating your vagus nerve with cold water erases chronic stress.)

Serotonin, which is commonly known as the feel-good brain chemical that keeps your spirits up, is closely tied to your gut health. In fact, 95% of serotonin is produced in the gut. We've been talking about serotonin in the brain, but the gut is making almost all of the serotonin, explains Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN, CSSD. This is where all the new research is, with the gut-brain axis  theyre talking to each other all the time.

Serotonin is primarily made from tryptophan. This is an essential amino acid that cant be made in the body and is derived from the food we eat. That's why "feeding" your gut your serotonin boosting foods is so important.

Pikovit44/Getty

The top health benefits of serotonin

This feel-good brain chemical not only helps mood, but potentially is affecting sleep and appetite and memory  so it's very important, Jackson Blatner says. This compound is very important for overall wellbeing and mental health. While it's true that serotonin delivers total-body benefits, there are three key areas where it really excels.

1. Serotonin lifts your mood

One of the biggest and best-known roles serotonin plays in the body is regulating your mood. Serotonin helps keep you feeling happier, calmer, focused and even keeled. Low serotonin levels can trigger depression and anxiety. That's why doctors often prescribe medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, which regulate serotonin in the body, for clinical depression.

2. Serotonin improves sleep

Trouble dozing off? A shortfall in serotonin may be to blame. Serotonin, along with neurotransmitter dopamine, helps regulate sleep. It impacts both the length and quality of sleep, and it also stimulates the pineal gland to produce melatonin, a hormone that balances the body's sleep-wake cycle.

Serotonin keeps you awake and upbeat during the day, plus helps spur the release of sleep-inducing melatonin at night. Pikovit44/Getty

3. Serotonin aids digestion

Since serotonin is primarily produced in the gut, it also plays an important role in digestion. It helps control bowel function, regulates your appetite and can make it easier for the body to process irritating foods.

Two common causes of a serotonin shortfall

When it comes to a deficit in serotonin, there are two key causes: The first is that your body simply isn't making enough serotonin. Sometimes, it's that people are not eating foods that are high in tryptophan, Dr. Brown says. If you're not getting enough tryptophan, you may have a lower serotonin level, because tryptophan is the essential building block for serotonin.

And if your body is making enough serotonin but you're still experiencing blue moods and insomnia, it could be that your body cant effectively use the chemical. That can happen when your serotonin receptors aren't functioning at their peak, which most often occurs when they're hampered by chronic stress. (Click through for journal prompts for mental health that slash stress in minutes.)

The 5 best serotonin boosting foods

To lift your levels of this feel-good chemical naturally  and within 30 minutes  dig into these delicious serotonin boosting foods:

Mood lifter food: eggs

Start the morning on a tasty note with an omelet, scrambled eggs or frittata. A study in the British Journal of Nutrition found that the protein in eggs can significantly boost levels of tryptophan, which helps build serotonin. And in a happy bonus, eggs also are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which research in The FASEB Journal suggests makes it easier for serotonin to travel through cells in the body.

Irina Taskova/Getty

Mood lifter food: turkey

Weve all heard that Thanksgiving turkey makes you sleepy because of tryptophan, and thats because the amino acid triggers your body to produce relaxation-inducing serotonin. But turkey isnt the only bird stuffed with tryptophan. Turkey is the most famous one, but any poultry will do, Jackson Blatner says. So that chicken or duck would also be included on that list. To get the most mood-lifting bang for your buck, opt for turkey and chicken. They provide the largest amount of tryptophan out of any type of poultry.

Mood lifter food: edamame

Dont eat meat? No problem! Soy products such as tofu, roasted edamame (Japanese soy beans) and soymilk also pack plenty of serotonin-boosting tryptophan. Youll notice these tend to be high-protein foods, Jackson Blatner says. Whats nice about that is depending on your eating style, whether you're vegetarian or vegan or just an omnivore or flexitarian, theres something in that category for you. Its not all just animal-based stuff.

skaman306/Getty Images

Tip: Dr. Brown recommends choosing organic soy foods whenever possible. Why? Theyre not genetically modified, which can sometimes cause allergic reactions. (Click through to discover why soy is one of the top foods that fight hot flashes and discover a great roasted edamame recipe.)

Mood lifter food: nuts and seeds

Permission to dig into that bag of mixed nuts or trail mix! Snacking on nuts and seeds is a great way to boost serotonin, according to research in Food Chemistry. Dr. Brown explains that peanuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and other nuts and seeds are wonderful sources of tryptophan. And she says brazil nuts also pack an especially powerful mood-boosting punch.

Brazil nuts are a good source of both methionine and selenium," says Dr. Brown. "Another one of the essential amino acids that contributes to production of serotonin is methionine, which is a part of vitamin B12. And selenium, which has been found to improve mood, also bonds to methionine. Eating just two brazil nuts is enough to deliver the recommended daily intake of selenium.

Mood lifter food: popcorn

Comfort foods such as mashed potatoes and a warm bowl of oatmeal have the power to make us feel good even when we're down. Credit goes to the complex carbohydrates in mood lifter foods such as potatoes, oats, popcorn, cereal, brown rice and quinoa, which help serotonin travel from the gut to the brain.

Tetra Images/Getty Images

They help the serotonin enter the blood-brain barrier and get into the brain, Jackson Blatner explains. Beans, lentils, fruit, and starchy vegetables also are good sources of complex carbohydrates. Balancing those tryptophan-rich foods with complex carbs is a real one-two punch for upping your serotonin levels.

3 more natural ways to boost serotonin

Serotonin boosting foods aren't the only way to lift your levels. Engaging in activities that bring you joy can help stimulate serotonin production. Research has found that when you are happy, you make more serotonin, Dr. Brown says. And they also found that if you are making more serotonin, you're happy. Adds Jackson Blatner, "What's so cool is we really can create our own pharmacy of compounds in our bodies that can change our mood. We can change how we feel by how we live.

1. Do a happy dance

Switch on a playlist of upbeat songs and move to the music. Dr. Brown says activities such as dancing to your favorite song not only get your heart rate up, but they also increase serotonin. And a study in Frontiers in Psychology found that a single exercise session boosts serotonin, while regular daily movement can keep the good vibes going.

If you like to dance, go dancing," Dr. Brown suggests. "If you're feeling a little bit down, go dancing, and that can increase your serotonin levels. And when your serotonin levels are higher, you might want to go dancing. So it keeps the cycle of feeling happy going.

andresr/Getty

2. Soak up the sun

Ever noticed you feel a little blue on cloudy days or during winter time? Thats because decreased sun exposure can send serotonin levels plunging. On the flip side, getting enough sunlight exposure  the World Health Organization suggests getting 5-15 minutes of sunlight on your arms, hands and face two to three times a week  increases serotonin production. Thats because the vitamin D in sunlight helps regulate the body's creation of serotonin, according to research in The FASEB Journal. To get the benefits, grab your favorite magazine and read out back midday, or sip your coffee al fresco.

3. Enjoy a quiet break

Taking time during the day to let go of your worries and focus on the present boosts serotonin levels, according to research in the journal Ancient Science of Life. This type of meditation, known as mindfulness, significantly increased levels of serotonin and other feel-good chemicals such as norepinephrine in study participants. Need help getting started? Check out the beginner-friendly video below.

For more natural ways to lift your mood:

Top Doc: The Secret to A Happier Mood + Better Sleep Is a Regulated Nervous System  7 Easy Ways to Get One!

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There's a new beverage hitting the drink aislebut it's far from a new invention. Tepache has a long history in Mexico, dating back centuries. At its base, pineapple rinds are fermented with an unrefined cane sugar called piloncillo, and there are plenty of regional variations that use different spices. While you can find it sold all over Mexico by street vendors and even mixed with beer, it's starting to appear in the U.S. more and more, on cocktail menus and in stores, usually right next to kombucha.

"I grew up making Tepache with my grandmother," said Rafael Martin del Campo, cofounder of De La Calle tepache. "She taught me how to make it, and sharing this passion with everybody makes me feel good about my family, my ancestors, and my culturethe Mexican culture."



He teamed up with entrepreneur Alex Matthews to launch De La Calle in 2020. "There wasn't a tepache on shelves pretty much anywhere in the U.S. until we launched De La Calle," said Matthews. "I thought we could be the beginning of a new category of beverage that embraced the move towards healthier options in the U.S., that captured more culturally diverse ingredients."

PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

Earlier this year, Tepache Sazon, an alcoholic tepache made in San Pacho, Nayarit, Mexico, landed in the U.S. It's produced with pina miel pineapples, piloncillo, and canela (ceylon cinnamon).

One might compare tepache to kombucha, another fermented beverage that originated outside the U.S., most likely in China. Sandor Katz,"fermentation revivalist" and author of The Art of Fermentation, classifies both drinks as lightly fermented beverages.

"When I first started making kombucha, there was no such thing as commercial kombucha. Commercial kombucha pretty much started around the new millennium," said Katz. This was also when he saw a growing interest in fermented food and beverages. When kombucha first got its start in the U.S., he says it was more grassroots; people would meet up to share a mother, or scoby, which is the culture of bacteria and yeast used to turn tea into kombucha.

And at some point, somebody had the idea like, Oh, Im gonna start doing this commercially,' and its grown into a billion-dollar industry. And I dont see any reason why that couldnt happen with tepache.

With a shift toward low-sugar, healthier alternatives, Matthews thinks De La Calle has the potential to be as popular as the leading Mexican sodas. And if tepache is anything like the booming tequila and mezcal markets, the drink is just getting started. Kaj Hakkinen, chief innovation officer and co-founder of Back Bar Project, which imports Tepache Sazon, links much of the growing popularity of Mexican spirits to increased U.S. tourism in Mexico.



"Tepache represents a different segment of popular Mexican gastronomic heritage that includes roughly 200 different varieties of regional fermented (rather than distilled) beverages that are made from pineapples and other fruits, along with a wider variety of natural ingredients like agave sap, cacao, corn, spices, and nuts," he said.

"However, the biggest challenge with growing tepache in the U.S. will be educating our customers about this incredible gift that Mexico gave to the world."

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The global appeal of Thai cuisine is a captivating tale of rich flavors, diversity, and brilliant marketing. Its passage from humble, indigenous beginnings to becoming a worldwide phenomenon is a testament to its unique blend of ingredients, gastronomic techniques, and the concerted efforts of the government.

The history of Thai cuisine is deeply intertwined with the nation's cultural, geographic, and historical dynamics. Rooted in the traditions of Thailand, formerly known as Siam, Thai cuisine has evolved over centuries, incorporating influences from neighboring countries such as China, India, and Indonesia. This fusion of flavors and cooking methods laid the foundation for what the rest of the world now knows and loves as Thai cuisine.

One key factor in Thai cuisine's drawing power is its balance of fundamental tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. This synthesis is achieved through the skillful use of elements like lime, chili, fish sauce, coconut milk, fresh herbs, and piquant spices. An array of Thai fare has found its way onto international menus, contributing to the cuisine's widespread admiration. Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, green curry (Gaeng Keow Wan), red curry (Gaeng Phed), and Massaman curry (Gaeng Massaman) are just a few Thai staples that have captivated palates across the Atlantic. And the reasons why are mind-blowing.

Read more: US Foods You Surprisingly Can't Find In Canada

Global Thai Boosted The Asian Cuisine's Ubiquity

satay - Luchezar/Getty Images

Thai cuisine's ascendancy gained momentum in the early 21st century with the launch of Global Thai in 2002. This ambitious initiative was led by the Thai government to promote the recognition of the potential of Thai cuisine as a worldwide force. Most importantly, the campaign promoted Thai ingredients and heritage on an intercontinental scale. Global Thai employed a multifaceted approach to achieve its objectives. First and foremost, it emphasized the importance of authentic Thai ingredients. To ensure the quality and authenticity of Thai food, the government introduced certifications for Thai restaurants abroad. This move guaranteed the proper preparation of genuine Thai recipes.

Additionally, the campaign organized events and food festivals to showcase the cuisine's diversity and potential. These events allowed people from various regions to experience Thai food firsthand, fostering a deep appreciation for its complexities. Another crucial aspect of Global Thai was culinary diplomacy. Thai chefs were encouraged to travel abroad and share their expertise, fostering ethnic exchange and expanding the reach of Thai cuisine. This ultimately led to an increased demand for Thai chefs in kitchens around the globe.

Thai cuisine's popularity is a remarkable journey rooted in centuries of evolution and shaped by Global Thai's strategic endeavors. With its harmonious profiles and the support of the country's spirited government, Thai cuisine has captured the hearts and taste buds of diners everywhere.

Read the original article on Mashed.
Former Chesapeake, Virginia, Walmart store employee Sarah Merlo filed a $20 million lawsuit against the retailer, along with the estate of Andre Bing, the deceased perpetrator of a mass shooting at the store in November 2022. That shooting left six dead and four others injured.

Merlo was among those injured, and her lawyers claim that following the shooting, she has had to undergo multiple surgeries and faces a lifetime of medical care from these physical injuries and emotional distress.

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Merlos suit alleges that Walmart was aware of multiple complaints about Bings erratic, disturbing, violent and harassing behavior, including one from the plaintiff. The lawsuit claims that Bing directed some of that harassment toward Merlo leading up to the shooting and made veiled threats of active shooter situations to other employees.

Merlo also alleges that Bings threatening behavior was known to Walmart for more than two years prior to the 2022 Thanksgiving week shooting. The suit claims Walmart conducted an investigation of the claims against Bing, but did nothing at the time and then failed to monitor or respond to additional evidence of Bings instability and violent tendencies.

Merlos lawsuit describes how Bing shot her in the face as she hid behind a table, then shot her six additional times as she crawled away.

The entire Walmart family remains heartbroken by everyone impacted. We continue to wish Ms. Merlo well in her recovery, Walmart said in a statement in response to the suit. We are reviewing the complaint and will be responding as appropriate with the court.

This lawsuit comes on the heels of a series of claims filed last month by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against Walmart. One filed in West Virginia alleges a Walmart Supercenter manager in that state repeatedly sexually harassed female employees and fired one in retaliation for reporting the harassment.

We dont tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind and want all our associates to feel respected, the retailer said via a statement on the suit. We take this seriously and the claims raised to our Ethics Department were investigated and were not substantiated. We will respond as appropriate once we are served with the Complaint.

The EEOC has filed four additional lawsuits against Walmart this year related to American Disabilities Act violations. One alleged a skills assessment screened out disabled workers, two accused the retailer of unlawfully firing employees who missed work due to their disabilities and another said Walmart failed to accommodate two deaf workers in Olathe, Kansas.

In a move to combat crime, Walmart is reopening a Georgia store with a police substation inside. Its also being investigated for links to prison labor in Cambodia.

Click here to read the full article.
Mayonnaise has had an interesting history, from its position as a luxury food in the 19th century to its rise in 2021 to become the most popular condiment in the United States. Its journey has also seen the classic recipe adapt and evolve, and now you'll find countless brands and varieties of mayonnaise available. One addictive and versatile version is Creole mayonnaise. So, what makes Creole mayonnaise so unique? It's deliciously zingy and herby and goes well with almost anything.

At its simplest, it is a mix of mayo, Creole mustard, and Creole seasoning. The combination of these ingredients creates a tangy and exciting concoction that's ideal as a spread, sauce, or dip. The Creole mustard and seasoning also build on the creamy tang of the mayonnaise to add a vibrant depth of flavor.

Creole cuisine typically originates from French culinary traditions, but it was also influenced by the various groups who settled in Louisana; this included Caribbean, Spanish, African, and Italian people, as well as the Native Americans who lived there first. To understand the flavor of this mayonnaise and its representation of the rich cultures of New Orleans, you simply need to unravel the Creole ingredients within.

Read more: French Cooking Tricks You Need In Your Life

The Essential Creole Ingredients

Creole mustard in a ramekin - from my point of view/Shutterstock

The essential ingredients in Creole mayonnaise not only create a taste that is truly distinctive but also highlight the contributions of various cultures to Creole cuisine. Creole mustard is made with brown mustard seeds and horseradish, which explains why it's typically pretty fiery. It's also usually more acidic than Dijon and includes various herbs and spices, like allspice, nutmeg, cloves, and tarragon, to give it a complexity and a bolder edge. Creole seasoning is also a spicy affair and usually has a mixture of paprika, salt, garlic, onion powder, cayenne, oregano, thyme, basil, and pepper.

These spicy-herbaceous Creole ingredients add a fantastic punch of flavor to the mayonnaise, also giving it that orangey hue and slightly grainy consistency. Both of these Creole ingredients are also wonderful examples of the influences of different cultures on Creole cuisine: Paprika is commonly used in African cooking, while thyme is associated with the Mediterranean region.

The final crucial ingredient is mayonnaise, which, with its heated origin story, has roots in both France and Spain. When combined, this Creole mayonnaise embodies a vibrant flavor that beautifully encapsulates the diverse cultural influences of New Orleans.

What To Pair It With

Po' boy sandwich with Creole mayonnaise - Lauripatterson/Getty Images

Alongside these core ingredients, different variations on the recipe add extras that pull on other flavor strings. For extra tang, you can use Worcestershire sauce or shallots; for extra acidity, you can add white wine vinegar or lemon juice; and to increase the spiciness, an extra dose of horseradish is often added. You can also incorporate flat-leaf parsley for a burst of freshness. This addition will also introduce a colorful contrast with bright specks of green.

Creole mayonnaise and its remoulade counterpart were traditionally served with hard-boiled eggs as a more affordable option than meat or seafood. However, today, it is commonly paired with fish, seafood, and cold meats. Far beyond these conventional uses, Creole mayonnaise's versatility stretches to being a substitute for butter, a replacement for mayonnaise in a potato salad, and the ultimate condiment on a chicken burger.

Just like ordinary mayonnaise, this Creole twist is addictive in a variety of dishes. The smooth, herby, and spicy flavors are a superb way to level up just about anything savory. Whip up a batch and see where this versatile mayonnaise takes you.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.
For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts across the United States and beyond have been rolling out their annual fund-raising cookie sale. Fans in the know can pretty much set their clocks by the now-iconic event, but that wasn't always the case. During World War II, the Girl Scouts were temporarily forced to suspend the sale of the cookies. It all began in the spring of 1943 when then Girl Scout cookie chairman A.A. Rabe came to the unsettling realization that the organization would not be able to fulfill orders in St. Petersburg, Florida. And one by one, Girl Scout troops across the country realized they were facing the same predicament. Rationing laws enacted during World War II to conserve vital resources had spread to the U.S. food supply, affecting key ingredients  sugar, flour, and butter  necessary to produce the beloved cookies.

It was a blow to the organization, but troops across the country embraced the Girl Scout motto, "Be prepared," and pivoted to a new fund-raising strategy  selling calendars. But that's not all. In some parts of the country, the resourceful young scouts supplemented their fund-raising activities by selling war bonds or collecting and selling scrap metal. The organization's grass-roots efforts kept the Scouts afloat until food supply issues began to ease sometime around 1946 and when the cookies came back, they came back with a bang.

Read more: Chocolate Brands, Ranked Worst To Best

Absence Made The Heart Grow Fonder

Boxes of Girl Scout Cookies - Instagram

In the decades leading up to the Second World War, the Girl Scouts' annual cookie drive experienced exponential growth. It began in 1917 when an Oklahoma troop decided to cash in on their burgeoning baking skills, selling the cookies in the local high school cafeteria. In 1922, American Girl magazine published the original recipe  a shortbread-style cookie  encouraging other troops in the nation to jump on the bandwagon. Over the next decade, the annual Girl Scout cookie fundraiser morphed from local bake sale to full-blown business. Councils in Philadelphia and New York led the way, outsourcing production to commercial bakers, and others followed suit. Expansion continued, and profits soared  that is, until the rationing policy in World War II kept a lid on production volume.

The war effort slowed cookie sales for a couple of years, but when rationing eased, sales came back stronger than ever. By 1948, the Girl Scouts had partnered with 29 commercial bakers across the U.S. to produce old and new varieties of cookies. In 1951, a sandwich cookie and a chocolate mint cookie  the precursor to today's best-selling Thin Mints  joined the line-up. The current roster comprises a dozen cookie varieties, all produced by just a pair of commercial bakeries licensed in the U.S. In addition to Thin Mints, longtime standards include Trefoils (inspired by the original shortbread cookie) and Do-Si-Dos (the ever-popular sandwich cookie). In 2018, Fortune reported the annual cookie sale revenue was about $800,000. We have to say it: That's a lot of dough.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Four months ago, GOP gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron rallied dozens of Richmond Republicans at his very first campaign event since winning the Republican primary in landslide fashion.

Why was his first event in Madison County?

Cameron, the states attorney general and 37-year-old rising star within the party, told the crowd gathered at a Richmond historic estate that the result in Madison County would play an especially pivotal role in deciding the outcome of his race against incumbent Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear .

Madison County is going to play an outsize role in this conversation, because in 19 we didnt win Madison County. In 2023, we have to. That conversation starts today; it starts with your hard work, Cameron said.

The county swung for Beshear over former GOP governor Matt Bevin by 0.3 points.

Along with Scott County, a fellow collar county around Fayette to the north, Madison County tracked the closest with the statewide result. Even more, Madison County election results for the 2019 attorney generals race, the 2020 presidential race, the 2022 U.S. Senate race and the 2022 vote against the anti-abortion rights constitutional amendment all came within one percentage point of the statewide result.

If there is a political bellwether in this governors race, Madison County fits the bill as well as any county in the commonwealth.

Madison Countys roughly 95,000 residents average almost the same income as the median Kentuckian at $55,000. And while it is more white and more educated  its home to two post-secondary schools in Eastern Kentucky University and Berea College  than the rest of Kentucky, those differences tend to balance each other out in terms of partisan preferences.

But by many measures, Madison County seems solidly Republican.

Like most of Kentuckys 120 counties, it used to be controlled by Democrats, but that balance of power changed slowly at the turn of the century and then nearly all at once in the Donald Trump era.

Since Trumps first presidential run in 2016, the county has voted Republican for president by at least 27 percentage points and Republican for the U.S. Senate by at least 22 points.

By 2019, its number of registered Republicans outmatched registered Democrats. As of 2023, every county partisan official with the exception of one is a Republican.

And yet, Beshear beat a Republican opponent there in 2019, and local political observers predict a close matchup again.

Partisanship and the very personal

You could say that Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelison is a dying breed.

Ever since Sheriff Mike Coyle switched parties and became a Republican shortly after winning re-election in 2022, Cornelison has been the only Democrat to hold partisan office in Madison County.

A former deputy coroner, Cornelison has faced no competition and received high vote totals in six election cycles since beating his boss in 1998. He attributes that to the personal nature of his role.

Life and death are very personal. Its so personal. Its thats my baby laying there, thats my husband laying there, Cornelison said. So much so, that he said it probably shouldnt be a partisan office.

Considerate actions, such as driving to church in a separate vehicle from his wife in case he gets called out, leaving home in the middle of the night to get a necklace at the request of a loved one of the recently deceased, counseling people in their immediate grief  these are actions more important to professional and political success in Madison County than any party-line maneuvering, Cornelison said.

Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelison, first elected in 1998, is the only partisan local

In that way, he sees some similarities between his own work and Beshear, whos been dubbed the consoler in chief by some. Could that parlay into an electoral success for the incumbent governor in Cornelisons backyard?

Look what this man has been through. Hes been through COVID, floods, school shootings, tornadoes and hail storms, Cornelison said. On COVID, he bellied up to the bar as far as Im concerned. I know people that got mad over it, but heres my answer to that: I did several COVID deaths, but how many would I have done (with fewer precautions)?

For many voters, though, national politics still rule.

Brandon Rutherford, a Republican who chairs the Madison County School Board, said Madison County voters alignment with national Republicans is a strong force, with registration numbers tipping more in the GOPs favor each month. But the decisive factor in favor of Cameron, he predicts, will be overwhelming wins by GOP candidates running down the ballot, buoyed by two neighboring Garrard County nominees.

I think Cameron will win (Madison County), but its going to be close. And I really do believe its gonna be because of the straight party vote, Rutherford said.

But other Republicans arent as sure straight party ticket voting will prevail.

Matt Howell, an Eastern Kentucky University government professor who is the sponsor of EKUs College Republicans chapter, said hes aware of some concern among the local GOP that Beshears popularity will cross party lines at the ballot box.

Its still a pretty Republican-leaning, Trumpy area. That said, I have heard rumblings among Republicans in the whole area that there are a lot of Republicans who, and I hear this from people who go door knocking, that there are a lot of people who feel like Beshear hasnt done so bad of a job, so why would we vote him out?

This is anecdotal, but it does kind of indicate that the governors election is going to be close, Howell said.

The drug epidemic, homelessness and economic development were most frequently cited by Madison County residents as pressing local issues, though its unclear if any of these will play a role in how voters approach the gubernatorial race.

The Bluegrass Army Depot, which employs more than 1,400 people per EKU-based public radio station WEKU, is another topic of discussion. With its decommissioning process coming to a close, local officials are concerned about finding jobs for those workers and replacing lost local occupational tax revenue.

According to Martina Jackson, a Democrat who ran for state House in 2022, the prospect of new development in the county  which is the eighth-fastest growing of Kentuckys 120  can be a double-edged sword.

Downtown Richmond, Ky. Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023

Well, people like the small town feel here, but I think the economic opportunities are really important. Were starting to get noticed for various reasons, including for having a very employable demographic here, Jackson said.

Madison County also has the longest stretch of I-75 in the state, and many in the community are hopeful that more employers can be attracted along the busy highway. But the interstate also makes the county a hot spot for drug activity, according to Cornelison.

The coroner said that his office counted 69 overdose deaths in the county last year and has logged 55 so far in 2023.

The collar counties

Chris Kirkwood, a doctoral candidate at the University of Kentucky who specializes in elections analysis, figures Beshear is likely to lose support in rural counties across Kentucky due to national trends in voting behavior.

With the traditional Democratic centers of Fayette and Jefferson counties likely sticking with Beshear, Kirkwood said he thinks the election will be won or lost in the collar counties around Lexington  Madison, Clark, Bourbon, Woodford, Jessamine and Scott.

Collectively, that group of counties has almost as much population as Fayette County  a U.S. Census-estimated 293,000 people compared to Fayettes 320,000.

The Lexington collar counties will likely decide if Beshear gets another term as governor. In 2019, he won half of them. Bevin managed to win by getting larger margins out of Jessamine and Clark. Beshear will need to win the region outright this fall #ElectionTwitter pic.twitter.com/GZItfHWw3a  Chris Kirkwood (@bluearrowMaps) September 2, 2023

Bevin won the region by nearly 2.1 percentage points in 2019. Kirkwood predicted that Beshear would need to win it by as much or more to scrape by in 2023.

Im not confident the numbers are going to hold up for him in a lot of the state. I think hes not going to do as poorly in some rural parts because of the disaster relief and highway expansion, but he is definitely going to lose some ground in some places. I think hes going to need to win the collar counties outright, Kirkwood said.

Sights and studies

Newby Country Store is a symbol in rural Madison County.

Touting itself as one of the only true country stores left in Kentucky, the sandwich and specialty grocery stop sees not only regular farmers and curious tourists  it also serves as a community hub and tutoring center through owner Ashlie Hattons nonprofit.

Its in the heart of a northwest county precinct that supported Bevin over Beshear by 27 percentage points, 62 to 35.

However, its been quiet when it comes to talk of the governors race so far, according to Hatton.

Newby Country Store owner Ashley Hatton

About 75% of the regulars, who will stop in and shoot the breeze for a prolonged time, leaned Republican. The conversation at the store is often about matters other than politics, though. Thats a possible corollary of the election featuring less vitriol than 2019 or the impending 2024 presidential election.

For us, The people that talk the most are Republican. So its kind of like we live in a vacuum, right? If the store was in the middle of downtown Richmond, itd probably be the other way around.

It is, politically speaking, the other way around at Dreaming Creek Brewery in downtown Richmond. Beshear has appeared several times.

Charley Hamilton, the proprietor there whos a lifelong Richmonder, said that downtown where he lives and works is a generally more left-leaning place.

Its always a huge crowd, and its pretty energetic, he said. I think a lot of people around here think he did well during the pandemic in keeping things going and as safe as possible.

Dreaming Creek Brewery owner Charley Hamilton

The brewerys precinct voted for Beshear in 2019, 66 to 31.

Morgan Eaves is a Democratic attorney and consultant who ran for state representative in Madison County in 2018 and worked under Beshear at the start of his administration. The Beshear teams connection with Madison County via campaign and official events is a game-changer, he said.

Andy, (Lt. Gov.) Jacqueline Coleman and (Beshear senior adviser) Rocky Adkins have been omnipresent there to shake hands and kiss babies  all that old-school political (stuff). In rural communities, that makes a huge difference. People want to know who theyre voting for and be asked for their vote, Eaves said.

But what about the two campuses in Madison County?

Across the United States, college towns are trending more and more left as Democrats continue to make gains with college-educated voters  33.4% of those living in Madison County have a bachelors degree, compared to 25.7% statewide  and Republicans grow more skeptical of higher education institutions.

Berea College senior Garrett Clark is a registered Republican from Bourbon County who embodies that story. Walking to class last week, he told the Herald-Leader hes not certain who hell support for governor  this election would be his first  but he knows and likes Beshear.

As far as his policies and stuff, Id be lying if I said I was super into all of it, I just like that I see him in communities and he actually seems to be doing stuff thats helping people, Clark said. It doesnt seem like hes doing it as a gimmick like a lot of politicians do.

Howell, the EKU College Republicans sponsor, said that hes not sensed much excitement on campus for this gubernatorial race compared to the last one or 2024s presidential race.

One of my projects when I get back from midterms is to be like, Hey, guys, its October, theres an election a month away. Like, do you need me to contact people, to organize door knocking or bring a guest speaker? There has been no concerted effort that I have seen to get the students involved from any direction, either from the students or from the state party, Howell said.
Counties in Arizona have gained national attention for their role in administering elections and voting.

But these government entities do much more than that.

Supervisors across the state's 15 counties are responsible for setting a vision and direction for their regions. Each Arizona county has three to five supervisors, depending on the region's population. Supervisors are elected out of districts covering different areas of their counties, meaning they often represent a large area spanning hundreds of square miles.

Meanwhile, county attorneys, sheriffs, recorders, school superintendents, treasurers and assessors are responsible for running their departments to serve the needs of all of their constituents, from those in rural areas to those in urban ones.

With elected county roles across the state on ballots in 2024, here's what to know about these elected officials.

What do county supervisors do?

County supervisors oversee everything from land use issues and regional public health to animal shelters and restaurant inspections. They also serve as the municipal body for those living in unincorporated areas of the county, people who aren't residents of an incorporated city or town and do not get the same amenities as those who are.

Sometimes, they are tasked with appointing officials to vacancies. In July, for example, Maricopa County supervisors appointed former lawmaker Shawnna Bolick as the newest Republican state senator for a north Phoenix swing district. Last year, Pinal County supervisors appointed Dana Lewis to the county's vacant recorder position.

Supervisors also directly control their county's checkbook, setting budgets and tax rates to support them. In Maricopa County, the most populous county in Arizona and the fourth most populous in the nation, this year's budget totals $4.5 billion  nearly as much as the operating budgets of several U.S. states.

Even in smaller counties, supervisors have control over large pots of money. Greenlee County, the state's least populous with less than 10,000 residents, passed a budget totaling $34 million in June.

The basics: How to run for City Council in Arizona

What do other county officials do?

Each county also has several other elected offices: county attorney, sheriff, recorder, school superintendent, treasurer and assessor. Here's an overview of what each official does:

County attorney: These officials serve as their county's public prosecutor, overseeing all prosecutions in superior court and other county courts. They also defend their county in legal proceedings, offer written opinions to county officers on their duties as needed and act as legal counsel for the county Board of Supervisors.

County sheriff: They serve as the top local law enforcement official for their county and are tasked with policing unincorporated areas of their county, as well as municipalities without a designated police force. They also serve superior court orders and warrants, collect delinquent taxes, coordinate search and rescue missions and oversee their county's jail system.

County recorder: These officials manage public records in their county, including property documents and governmental information. Many provide tools that aim to safeguard the public from title theft and other types of fraud. They are also responsible for maintaining voter registration records and administering early voting, including mailing out early ballots, providing on-site early voting locations and verifying voter signatures on early ballot affidavits and petitions.

County school superintendent: County school superintendents provide services to support school governing board elections and bond and override elections in their counties, as well as manage school board appointments, oversee school finances and maintain home-school and private school records. They may also operate accommodation school districts, which are made up of alternative schools for students facing specific educational challenges and barriers.

County treasurer: These officials act as their county's tax collector and safeguard their county's money. They are responsible for disbursing money from the county treasury and pursuing those who have not paid their county taxes. They receive all county revenues, manage credit accounts and invest county funds with guidance from county supervisors. They also serve as treasurer for all schools and special districts within their county.

County assessor: These officials are responsible for mapping and assessing all properties in their county. They work with the county treasurer and recorder to maintain records and provide important information for property tax purposes.

County voters also elect officials to serve in various capacities in superior courts, which are separated by county but administered by the Arizona State Judiciary. These include clerks of the court and superior court judges.

How does county government work?

County officials often work with other government officials to accomplish goals. County supervisors sometimes advocate to other government bodies and agencies for policy changes. They also often work with cities and towns to find and fund solutions for homelessness, transportation needs and more.

Unlike cities, counties in Arizona act as administrative arms of the state and have limited powers. But city and county officials often serve the same constituents, and by joining forces, counties and municipalities can work together to create change in communities.

For example, Pima County and Tucson officials announced last year that they would form a working group tasked with making policy proposals to fight poverty in the region. Similarly, Maricopa County and Phoenix have partnered in recent years to tackle homelessness, creating hundreds of new shelter beds.

A county manager handles day-to-day operations across most county departments. That person is appointed by the county supervisors and functions as the county's chief administrator. They are in charge of overseeing staff, implementing policies set by supervisors and making supervisors' vision a reality.

Local politics: What does a city manager do?

In Maricopa County, for instance, former manager Joy Rich steered internal and external initiatives over her six-year tenure. Internally, Rich implemented a new approach to employee hiring, recruitment and retention by expanding parental leave and encouraging competitive salaries. Externally, she and her staff saw the county through numerous headwinds, including the COVID-19 pandemic and controversy over elections.

Generally, county offices with elected heads operate entirely under that official's purview. However, supervisors control the budget and, therefore, have authority over the resources of their county's Sheriff's Office, Attorney's Office and other departments with elected heads. Sometimes, supervisors use that authority to wield influence on those offices.

For instance, Maricopa County school superintendents and county supervisors have a long history of feuding over funding. In 2006, former School Superintendent Sandra Dowling fought with county supervisors over the operations of schools for homeless children and budget shortfalls. In May, supervisors passed a resolution refusing to fund the Maricopa County accommodation school district next fiscal year after they alleged financial mismanagement in current School Superintendent Steve Watson's office.

Supervisors may also get involved with county offices under other elected officials to manage risk if they feel that an office is doing something that could result in legal action or liability.

Sasha Hupka covers county government and regional issues for The Arizona Republic. Do you have a tip? Reach her at sasha.hupka@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SashaHupka. Follow her on Instagram or Threads: @sashahupkasnaps.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Elections, jails, taxes: A guide to county government in Arizona
A couple was found dead in an apparent attack by an aggressive grizzly bear in Canadas Banff National Park, officials said Sunday.

Park officials first received a report of a bear attack on Friday night and spent several hours traveling by ground to the parks Red Deer River Valley, where they found the couples bodies and a nearby bear early Saturday morning.

The response team arrived on-site at 1 a.m. and discovered two deceased individuals, Banff National park said in a statement on its Facebook page. While in the area, the response team encountered a grizzly bear that displayed aggressive behaviour, leading Parks Canada staff to euthanize the bear on-site to ensure public safety.

The bodies have been transported about 50 miles away to Sundre, Alberta.

The surrounding area has been closed to visitors until further notice.

While the names of the couple have not yet been released, one of their family members shared details about them and their extensive wildlife experience with CBC News.

Attacks by grizzly bears are rare, but there are several things visitors can do to avoid them, Banff National Park says.

Attacks by grizzly bears are rare, but there are several things visitors can do to avoid them, Banff National Park says.

They were long-term partners who loved the outdoors and were inseparable, the family member said.

They lived for being in the backcountry and were two of the most cautious people I know. They knew bear protocol and followed it to a tee, the relative continued.

The family member also confirmed that the couples dog was found dead with them.

Attacks by bears of any kind are relatively uncommon. There have only been a handful of documented attacks this year, including one instance of a grizzly bear, a subspecies of the brown bear, killing a hiker in West Yellowstone, Montana, in July. That bear was later euthanized when it broke into a home with its cub in September.

Other incidents from this year include a black bear that killed a man at his campsite in Arizona and a polar bear that killed a woman and her 1-year-old son in a small village in Alaska.

Banff National Park, home to roughly 60 grizzly bears and 20-40 black bears, tells visitors that its most important safety guidance is to follow protocol for avoiding bear encounters in the first place. That includes making noise when walking through dense vegetations and areas with low visibility, traveling in large groups, staying on marked paths, looking out for bear tracks and droppings, keeping dogs on leash, leaving areas with large dead animals, properly disposing of fish offal and carrying bear spray.

If visitors do come across a bear, park officials urge them to stay calm, speak firmly to the bear, back away slowly and make themselves appear as big as possible. In the case of direct contact with a bear, visitors are encouraged to play dead at first and fight back if the attack continues.

Related...
This photo taken on Oct. 3, 2023 shows a malnutrition ward at a hospital in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan. More than 1 million mothers and children in Afghanistan are no longer receiving nutrition assistance due to a massive funding shortage, World Food Programme (WFP) Afghanistan announced on Monday on social media. (Photo by Ahmadi/Xinhua)

KABUL, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- More than 1 million mothers and children in Afghanistan are no longer receiving nutrition assistance due to a massive funding shortage, World Food Programme (WFP) Afghanistan announced on Monday on social media.

"Women pay the highest price for the assistance cuts in Afghanistan," the organization said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In Afghanistan, over 6 million people received emergency food, cash, nutrition, and livelihoods support in August, whereas the WFP could only support 3 million people per month with life-saving food due to the funding crisis, according to the organization's post in late September.

The WFP and other international organizations have been raising alarms about potentially more severe food shortages in the upcoming harsh winter in the impoverished country. 

A doctor checks up a malnourished child in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, Oct. 3, 2023. More than 1 million mothers and children in Afghanistan are no longer receiving nutrition assistance due to a massive funding shortage, World Food Programme (WFP) Afghanistan announced on Monday on social media. (Photo by Ahmadi/Xinhua)
A vibrant pride flag gracefully dances in the wind along Delaware Street, symbolizing inclusivity, love, and the celebration of diversity, as New Castle embraces and supports the LGBTQ+ community. (New Castle, June 20th, 2023)

Delaware became the 17th state to pass a ban on the LGBTQ+ panic defense in a court of law, a move that sets out to protect LGBTQ+ residents from becoming victims of violence.

The House bill was signed by Gov. John Carney on Sept. 24 after around four months of debate within the House and Senate. The bill states that in a court of law, a defendant cannot justify using force against a victim based on the discovery of the victims sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, gender or sex assigned at birth.

Historically, the LGBTQ+ panic defense has been used to strengthen a defense, usually in conjunction with a self-defense or insanity argument, by attempting to explain the reasonings behind a defendants actions.

While the legal strategy has sparsely been used in Delaware, the defense is often used in the case where a heterosexual individual assaults or murders an LGBTQ+ individual after sexual relations or advances, under the guise that the victims status as LGBTQ+ was unknown.

The law also states that defendants cannot claim mental illness or defect in relation to the panic displayed during a crime. The defense has usually not been successful in acquitting a defendant of crimes but has been used to reduce sentences or charges in the past.

Rep. Eric Morrison

Introduced by Rep. Eric Morrison, a Glasgow Democrat, in May, the bill passed in the House and unanimously in the Senate in June.

Contact Molly McVety at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware becomes the 17th state to ban "LGBTQ+ panic" defense
BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP)  A Vermont driver on Monday pleaded not guilty to a charge in the June crash that killed actor Treat Williams.

Ryan Koss, 35, could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison if hes convicted of gross negligent operation with death resulting.

An investigation of the June 12 crash in Dorset concluded a vehicle pulled in front of Williams, who was riding a motorcycle and was unable to avoid a collision, Vermont State Police said.

Treat Williams of Everwood, Hair dead after motorcycle crash

Koss was turning left into a parking lot in a Honda SUV when he collided with Williams oncoming motorcycle, police said. Williams, 71, of Manchester Center, was pronounced dead at Albany Medical Center in New York.

Richard Treat Williams nearly 50-year career included starring roles in the TV series Everwood and the movie Hair. He appeared in more than 120 TV and film roles, including the movies The Eagle Has Landed, Prince of the City and Once Upon a Time in America.

David McCallum of NCIS, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. dies at 90

Koss, the managing creative director of the Dorset Theatre Festival in Vermont, said he knew Williams for years as a member of the tight-knit community, as well as a fellow theater member and considered him a friend. He issued a statement in August saying he was devastated by Williams death and offered his sincerest condolences to Williams family, but he denied wrongdoing and said charges werent warranted.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Voters queue to cast their votes in Manzini, Eswatini, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. The small southern African nation of Eswatini is holding elections to decide part of the makeup of its parliament while its extremely wealthy king retains absolute power. (AP Photo)

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)  The small southern African nation of Eswatini held elections Friday to decide part of the makeup of its Parliament, even as its extremely wealthy king retains absolute power, political parties are banned and elected representatives can merely advise a monarch whose family has reigned supreme for 55 years.

Eswatini, wedged between South Africa and Mozambique, is the last absolute monarchy in Africa and one of the few remaining in the world. King Mswati III , 55, has been the monarch since 1986, when he became ruler days after his 18th birthday. His father was king for 82 years before him, although Eswatini only gained independence from Britain in 1968.

It was formerly known as Swaziland.

Parliamentary elections are held every five years. Candidates for the lower chamber, the House of Assembly, and for the Senate cannot belong to political parties, which were banned in 1973, and are nominated at a local level before they face a popular vote.

Mswati III appoints a minority of House of Assembly members, and the majority are elected. He appoints a majority of the Senate, the prime minister and other key members of the government.

As king, or the Ngwenyama  which means lion  Mswati III is sometimes advised by a council but has executive and legislative powers under law in the country of 1.2 million people and makes decisions by decree.

A little over 500,000 people were registered to vote in Friday's election, the electoral body said. The African Union and the regional Southern African Development Community bloc sent observers.

Mswati has faced increased pro-democracy protests in recent years, but activists demanding reform encountered a harsh crackdown from police and security forces under the king's control in June 2021, with dozens killed.

The push for reform has continued, focusing primarily on allowing political parties and for the prime minister to be democratically elected.

Two members of parliament were jailed for calling for democratic reforms during the 2021 protests. They were convicted this year under an anti-terrorism law that rights groups say is only designed to suppress criticism of Mswati and halt the push for democracy.

The lawmakers, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube, now face up to 20 years in prison, according to CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society groups.

Mswati has been accused of living lavishly while Eswatini's people struggle with widespread poverty, the world's highest HIV infection rate per capita and a life expectancy of 57 years, one of the lowest in the world.

A 2008 report by Forbes magazine estimated Mswati's wealth at $200 million. He owns private jets, a fleet of luxury cars and reportedly wore a suit beaded with diamonds to his 50th birthday celebration. The king has at least 15 wives and has been criticized for using public money to build palaces for them.

In its latest assessment, the World Bank estimated that more than half of Eswatini's people live on less than $3.65 a day.

___

AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
U.S. District Judge Harold Baker

U.S. District Judge Harold Baker, who sided with the plaintiffs in finding Springfield's commission government in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act, died at his home in Champaign on Sept. 18.

He was 93.

In the landmark Springfield case, plaintiffs argued that the commission form, with a mayor and four commissioners in charge of utilities, public safety, public works and finance, kept minorities from getting elected. Under that model, no Blacks had been elected to those offices from 1911 to 1987.

More: 'A beautiful woman inside and out:' Wenonah Bish turns 111 and shares secrets to longevity

Baker's ruling in 1987, capping the years-long case, set up the present mayor-aldermanic system of government.

"It was a very hotly contested case . . . and I thought that the compromises that were made were well made," Baker told The State Journal-Register at a swearing-in ceremony for city officials in 1991.

"The proof is here. It has worked to the benefit of the city (by) the fact that you have minority representation on the council."

The lead plaintiff in the voting rights case, Frank McNeil, was one of two Black plaintiffs, along with Allan Woodson, to be elected to the first aldermanic city council in 1987. McNeil represented Ward 2 and Woodson represented Ward 10.

More: Audit of Illinois DCFS finds delayed reports of child abuse, torture, death

Both were re-elected in 1991 when the first alderwoman, Gwenn Klingler in Ward 7, was also voted in.

The other plaintiffs in the original lawsuit, Rudy Davenport and William Washington, have both passed away.

Frank McNeil, the lead plaintiff in the Voting Rights lawsuit against the city of Springfield and a former Ward 2 alderman.

Reached over the weekend, McNeil called Baker "the epitome of what we look at as fairness and justice in the U.S."

"Having a judge to apply the law fairly was what we were looking for and he did that," McNeil added. "He really made an impact on my life and the lives of a number of people here in Springfield, and I think he made life better for a lot of people here."

Baker, McNeil added, was from Champaign, "so he didn't have a stake in Springfield. He didn't bring the politics of Springfield into the decision-making."

Still, minority communities, McNeil said, have to be "continually vigilant in trying to maintain what we achieved 30-plus years ago."

Baker, who was appointed to the federal bench by President Jimmy Carter in 1978 upon the recommendation of Illinois Sen. Adlai Stevenson III, was still active on the Central District of Illinois in Urbana up until 2022. He took senior status in 1994.

Baker succeeded J. Waldo Ackerman as chief judge of the Central District of Illinois serving from 1984 to 1991.

More: Sangamon County opens investigation into how a Carlinville funeral home handled cremations

A native of Westchester County, New York, Baker earned his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He received his juris doctor from the U of I College of Law, where he would later serve as an adjunct professor.

Baker was in private practice for 22 years before his federal appointment.

There is no funeral planned.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: U.S. District Judge Harold Baker has passed away
A first batch of German-made Leopard 2 main battle tanks used by Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion have been overhauled in Poland and returned to their units. The work was undertaken at a specialized maintenance and repair hub that was set up in Poland, which had only officially opened in April, and which was first confirmed as having received its first Leopard 2s in July.

In a tweet today, the state-owned Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, PGZ, or Polish Armaments Group, announced that The first Leopard tanks rapidly refurbished at Bumar-abedy have been received by the Ukrainian side. Work continues on the next vehicles. A division of PGZ, Bumar-abedy focuses on manufacturing, repairing, and overhauling armored vehicles.

https://www.twitter.com/PGZ_pl/status/1708826673905311753?s=20

Exactly how many tanks were overhauled and returned to Ukraine in this first batch is unclear, although, by any margin, the work appears to have been completed fairly rapidly. We dont have a precise date as to when the first batch of Leopard 2s arrived at Bumar-abedy. However, the Polish Minister of Defense tweeted back on July 22 that the first two had arrived at the plant from Ukraine, so we know they were there by that date.

https://www.twitter.com/mblaszczak/status/1682794978781675520?s=20

Ahead of that, PGZ had already been providing similar support to Ukraine, albeit in-country, via its PGZ Service Orel subsidiary, which has, for more than a year now, been servicing heavy equipment [In Ukraine] close to the front line. That work has included supporting Leopard 2s as well as Polish-made Krab self-propelled howitzers .

https://www.twitter.com/Archer83Able/status/1688875290011828225?s=20

Establishing a specific facility for overhauling Leopard 2s in Poland was by no means straightforward, however.

The center was originally planned to open in late May. But even with several Ukrainian Leopard 2s already having arrived at Bumar-abedy, as of mid-July there were apparently ongoing disputes between Poland and Germany, reportedly due to disagreements over costs . Clearly, however, those issues were resolved soon after, and the facility is now processing tanks and returning them to Ukraine.

What is also unclear, at this point, is what kind of condition the Leopard 2s were in when they were sent to Poland. With the first batch of Leopard 2s, also provided by Poland, having arrived in Ukraine in late February , the examples in question may very well have seen combat over a period of around five months.

Soldiers of the 47th Brigade with a Leopard 2 at the Tokmak front, in Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine, on September 16, 2023. Photo by Vincenzo Circosta/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

In August, Ukraine claimed that at least 10 battle-damaged Leopard 2s were being repaired , although its not known whether some or all of these were sent to Poland or if the required repair work was carried out in Ukraine.

There have been some high-profile combat incidents involving Ukrainian Leopard 2s already, including the example abandoned, alongside four M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, in an engagement with Russian forces near Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast in June. You can read our analysis of that incident here .

https://www.twitter.com/oryxspioenkop/status/1667152804719337475?s=20

According to Oryx, the open-source Dutch intelligence defence analysis website , at least six Leopard 2s have been documented as destroyed in Ukrainian service, and another six damaged, with five having been damaged and then abandoned. The actual numbers are likely higher as Oryx only counts visually confirmed losses. Russian claims of Leopard 2s having been knocked out by their forces have not always been genuine , on the other hand.

https://www.twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1666096408414543875?s=20

Even if the Ukrainian tanks recently processed in Poland were not damaged, the general wear and tear of operations would have meant they were certainly in need of depot maintenance, at the very least. Since these are notably advanced tanks, at least compared to the bulk of Ukrainian armor, they require considerably more and extensive overhauls, even during regular training operations, let alone on the battlefield.

With the Ukrainian counteroffensive well underway, with extensive use of armor, including the more advanced Western-supplied tanks and other armored fighting vehicles, the need for battle damage repairs and general overhauls is greater than ever.

Among Ukraines modern Western-made tanks, the Leopard 2 is numerically the most important. The first to arrive in Ukraine were supplied by Poland, which provided 14 examples. Others have been sent by Canada (eight), Norway (eight), Germany (18), Portugal (three), and Spain (10). Another 14 have been pledged by Denmark and the Netherlands, in a joint endeavor. All together, these tanks are a combination of Leopard 2A4 and more modern 2A6 variants. Sweden, meanwhile, has provided Ukraine with 10 examples of the Stridsvagn 122 , which is derived from the Leopard 2A5.

https://www.twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1648974218825023490?s=20

It should be recalled, too, that the process of getting clearance from Berlin to provide export licenses for the transfer of Leopard 2s to Ukraine was a long-drawn-out one. Only after months of negotiations and pressure on Germany was the logjam broken in January. At the same time, the U.S. government announced that it would deliver M1 Abrams main battle tanks to Ukraine, with the first of these having arrived there around a week ago . Challenger tanks are also in use in small numbers , as well.

https://www.twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1704091708907024697?s=20

With the possibility of more Leopard 2s being delivered to Ukraine in the future, the Polish maintenance and repair hub is likely to be kept busy. Polands own Leopard 2 fleet may also start to use the same facility. As far as Ukraine is concerned, Polish capabilities in this field also extend to the Soviet-era T-64 tank, which also has a maintenance and repair center in Poland, with plans to offer the same for the T-72 and PT-91, as well.

More generally, the prospects for tank maintenance, repair, and overhaul in Europe appear generally good. With the war in Ukraine raging, and a return to prominence for armored warfare, some of the tank fleets in the region are starting to expand again , after a long post-Cold War downturn . With its work in support of Ukraine, Poland looks well placed to capitalize on these developments in the future.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
Alliance for Community Empowerment, Director of Early Learning Tanya Lloyd, right, interacts with a child in the Head Start program, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Jessica Hill/AP

A government shutdown looked increasingly likely on Saturday as the midnight deadline approached.

It would have serious consequences for key programs that poor and disadvantaged families and children rely on.

Head Start programs, which serve over 10,000 children across the nation, would lose funding.

As Monette Ferguson braces for the looming government shutdown to strip funding from her Head Start program for disadvantaged children in Connecticut, she harkens back to a decade ago when another congressional budget fight forced her to close preschools.

This time around she is more prepared, with money in reserve to keep serving around 550 children at 14 Head Start sites operating in three different towns. But only for about 30 days.

"It's like a gut punch to our system," said Ferguson, who is the executive director of the Alliance for Community Empowerment.

If the shutdown isn't averted, Head Start programs serving more than 10,000 children would immediately lose federal funding, including Ferguson's program. Lawmakers have until Saturday to reach a deal, but that is looking less and less likely.

The programs set to lose money serve just a fraction of the 820,000 children enrolled nationally at any given time. Located in Florida, Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts and South Carolina, they are in trouble because their grants start on Sunday, just as the shutdown would begin, said Tommy Sheridan, the deputy director for the National Head Start Association.

They wouldn't necessarily close their doors immediately. Various entities run the programs, including school districts, YMCAs and other nonprofits. Depending on how deep their pockets are, some of these operators, like Ferguson's program, could readjust their finances to keep the programs going, at least short term.

"But from the ones that I've spoken to, there are some that really don't have extensive possibilities," Sheridan said.

Many are located in poor communities, close to the families they seek to lift out of poverty with programs that include preschool as well as services to infants and toddlers that include home visits. Over the course of a year, as children come and go, the number served tops 1 million.

Programs whose grants don't start on Sunday will continue getting money, said Bobby Kogan, the senior director of federal budget policy at the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank. But, he said, if the shutdown drags on, the number of affected programs will grow as more grants come up up for renewal.

"This will get worse and worse and worse," he said.

That's what worries Lori Milam, executive director of the West Virginia Head Start. One of its grants is up for renewal in November, so she's been making back-up plans and reassuring worried staff and parents.

"It's consuming an enormous amount of our time," she said.

Complicating the situation further, one budget proposal would cut $750 million from the nearly $12 billion program, which would eliminate tens of thousands of spots. All the uncertainty has spooked some workers into considering looking for what "they believe is a more stable job," said Philip Shelly, a spokesperson for Democratic U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, of Illinois.

This is a particular concern with nearly 20% of Head Start staff positions vacant nationwide, according to the National Head Start Association.

The timing couldn't be worse. Child care programs were propped up during the pandemic with $24 billion in federal relief, but the last of the money has to be spent by Saturday. Another pot of COVID-19 relief funds that helped Head Start ran out in the spring.

Some states, like Minnesota, New York and Maine, have chipped in extra money to fill in the gaps as the federal funding dries up, but those efforts are not universal, said Maureen Coffey, a policy analyst on the early childhood policy team at the Center for American Progress.

"It's going to be a really messy time for child care," she said.

Child care already was strained before the pandemic closed some centers, said Lynn Karoly, a senior economist at the Rand Corp., a nonprofit global policy think tank.

"We haven't addressed really, in most cases, the fundamental problem of an underfunded system overall," she said. "But now you have the potential of a shutdown on top of it."

The 16-day October 2013 shutdown was the last to hit Head Start hard, affecting 19,000 children and shuttering programs in several states.

About half as many programs are affected now because many moved away from having their grant start date coincide with the beginning of the federal fiscal year. One reason, Sheridan said, is that the Oct. 1 date makes them more vulnerable when Congress deadlocks over the budget.

It was so bad a decade ago that Connecticut chipped in emergency funds, which allowed Ferguson's program to reopen.

Meanwhile, John and Laura Arnold, a wealthy Houston couple, pledged up to $10 million to the National Head Start Association to help other programs. Among the programs the donation helped reopen was one in Florida.

Tim Center, the chief executive officer at the Capital Area Community Action Agency, lived through that mess. This time around he has a backup plan that will allow him to keep serving more than 370 kids and families at six centers in three counties in northern Florida for several weeks. But it means tapping into savings and a line of credit.

Families still are spooked. Laketia Washington, a mother of eight whose 3- and 5-year-olds attend Head Start programs in Tallahassee, Florida, lamented the turmoil as she rang up customers at a discount store.

"The nerve wracking thing," she said, "is not knowing what's next."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Be prepared to hear an alarm blaring on your phone Wednesday afternoon  but no worries, it will likely just be a government test.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a nationwide emergency test will be conducted on devices Wednesday afternoon. It will be labeled as a test and not as an actual emergency.

Heres what you need to know.

When will the alert test be?

The test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) will take place at 2:20 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. In the case of severe weather or other significant events, the backup date for testing is Oct. 11.

What devices will receive it?

The test alert will be sent to all cellphones, wireless devices, radios, and TVs. All cellphones within range of an active cell tower should receive the national test.

What will it say?

On a cellphone, the test will read: THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed. There will also be tones and vibrations alongside the message. Those who have their phone settings set to Spanish will receive the same message in Spanish.

The national test will also be announced on TV and radio and will say, This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.

What action is needed?

No action is needed after receiving the test.

Whats the point of the test?

According to FEMA, the test will help ensure that Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and the Emergency Alert System (EAS) continue to be effective ways to warn the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level.

FEMA is required to test IPAWS at least once every three years. The last test was conducted in 2021.

How will the message be sent out?

All of the major U.S. wireless providers will transmit the national emergency test to their subscribers. It will be transmitted for about 30 minutes.

Radios and TVs turned on and tuned into a broadcast station, a satellite radio or TV service or cable or wireless TV should also receive a test.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Starting this school year, Indianapolis Public Schools high school seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher can be admitted automatically to Indiana University Indianapolis as part of a new initiative to break down barriers that keep students from college.

Students with qualifying grades will now only have to fill out a short online form to be admitted to IU Indianapolis. The first of these students could start at the college in the fall of 2024.The new initiative is part of the states recent push to increase Indianas college-going rate, which has been on a steady decline in recent years.

Here is what you need to know about the new initiative:

How many students will this affect?

Currently, the initiative only applies to IPSs four district-run high schools: Arsenal Tech, Crispus Attucks, Shortridge, and George Washington.

Around 250 current IPS seniors would qualify for the automatic admittance, according to an Indiana University spokesperson.

PJ Woolston, vice chancellor for enrollment management at IU Indianapolis, told IndyStar that the four district-managed high schools have already connected their data systems with those of the university, allowing for this new seamless admissions process.

Why is IU Indianapolis partnering with IPS?

IPS and IUPUI have worked together to provide various school programming and scholarships over the years and now that the downtown campus is splitting into two, IU Indianapolis and Purdue Indianapolis, the college will still maintain a close relationship with the school district.

More on the IUPUI split: Indiana University, Purdue to split IUPUI into 2 separate schools

This specific seamless admissions initiative is meant to provide targeted help for students in their home school district, Woolston said. Still, he said, university officials would also love to see the program expand further to additional high schools in the region.

What does this mean for students at other Marion County high schools?

A similar state-wide college admissions initiative called Indiana Pre-Admissions: Your Path to College launched this fall through the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. This program grants pre-admission to qualifying seniors to participating in-state public and private higher-ed institutions.

That initiative involves 327 high schools across the state, and 38 of Indianas public and private colleges or universities are participating.

To receive official admission notification, students must apply to the institution via the Common App or the institutions own application. Students will be pre-admitted based on their cumulative GPA and or SAT scores.

What about financial assistance for students admitted to IU Indianapolis?

As soon as students are admitted to IU Indianapolis, they receive multiple communications to help them through the financial aid process, Woolston said.

IU Indianapolis has an admissions-based scholarship based on students' GPA for which each student is automatically considered. The school also encourages students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Keep up with school news: Sign up for Study Hall, IndyStar's free weekly education newsletter.

High school seniors are now expected to fill out the FAFSA by April 15, as part of a new Indiana law. By filling out the form students can discover if they qualify for Pell grants, the 21st Century Scholarship, the Frank OBannon Grant or other state and federal funding.

How can IPS students with a 3.0 GPA apply to IUI?

Beginning this school year, any qualifying IPS student will receive an email and postcard letting them know about the opt-in admissions process. IU admissions counselors will visit the participating high schools this fall to help students with the process.

Contact IndyStar reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @CarolineB_Indy.

Carolines reporting is made possible by Report for America and Glick Philanthropies. As part of its work in Marion County, Glick Philanthropies partners with organizations focused on closing access and achievement gaps in education.

Report for America is a program of The GroundTruth Project, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening local newsrooms. Report for America provides funding for up to half of the reporters salary during their time with us, and IndyStar is fundraising the remainder.

To learn more about how you can support IndyStars partnership with Report for America and to make a donation, visit indystar.com/RFA.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: New IPS and IU Indy admissions initiative: here's how it will work
ANKARA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Turkish forces carried out airstrikes in northern Iraq and destroyed 20 targets of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the country's Defense Ministry said Sunday evening.

The Turkish airstrikes targeted the PKK bases in Gara, Hakurk, Metina and Qandil, the ministry said in a statement.

The military campaign came after two attackers attempted a bomb attack in front of the Turkish Interior Ministry's building in the capital Ankara on Sunday morning, which slightly injured two police officers.

One attacker died after he set off the suicide bomb, while the other was shot dead by the police.

The Interior Ministry said that one of the attackers was identified as a member of the PKK and an investigation is underway to determine the identity of the other.

The Turkish forces frequently carry out ground operations, airstrikes, and artillery bombardments in northern Iraq against the PKK, especially in the Qandil Mountains, the main base of the group.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than three decades. 
UPDATE, Oct. 3: Lakota Local School District Board of Education members Isaac Adi and Darbi Boddy did not address each other at the Monday meeting.

Chair Lynda OConner said during closing comments she was grateful to have a meeting focused on student achievement and not witch hunts.

Previous reporting: A Greater Cincinnati school board will meet Monday night for the first time since a judge ordered one board member not to be within 500 feet of another board member,

Butler County Common Pleas Court Judge J. Gregory Howard granted a civil stalking protection order to Lakota Local Schools board member Isaac Adi against fellow board member Darbi Boddy on Sept. 20.

Butler County Magistrate H. Matthew Reed found that Boddy knowingly caused Adi mental distress with her behavior. The order is effective for two years. Boddy has appealed the decision and can attend school board meetings during the appeals process, a judge declared Thursday.

"I don't have anything to say now," Adi told The Enquirer when asked Friday if he plans to attend the Monday night meeting.

Lakota school board members Isaac Adi and Darbi Boddy did not address each other at the Monday meeting.

How did we get here?

Adi and Boddy campaigned together in the 2021 school board election. In her time on the board, Boddy has been a solitary "no" vote and a source of controversy during many school board meetings. She has posted a link to a pornographic website on her Facebook page, made unannounced visits to Lakota's schools and compared suicide prevention in schools to "the Nazi handbook."

Rather than try to work through their differences or respect (Adis) possible change of beliefs, (Boddy) took every opportunity to exert pressure, bully, and, at times, punish (Adi) by embarrassing him in front of others, Reed said in court documents.

Ohio's menacing by stalking law states that "no person by engaging in a pattern of conduct shall knowingly cause another person to believe that the offender will cause physical harm to the other person ... or cause mental distress to the other person." The law defines a pattern of conduct as "two or more actions or incidents closely related in time."

'Verbal assault' at a Florida conference

In his petition for the protection order, Adi described three incidents at an April conference both school board members attended in Florida, as well as one incident after a school board meeting in June.

Adi said Boddy came to his table during lunch at the Florida conference, stood behind him and yelled "a false allegation" while pointing at him. Later, while Adi was talking to other attendees in the hallway, Boddy came up behind him and yelled again, he said. Adi said Boddy later grabbed the microphone from a presenter during a session to harass him.

Melody Buldoc, another conference attendee, said in a written account attached to Adi's petition that as the speaker was taking questions, Boddy "unleashed a verbal assault" on Adi that she read from her cell phone.

"She accused him of not being a conservative and of supporting and protecting a pedophile, along with a litany of other things," Buldoc said.

Boddy repeatedly accused former superintendent Matt Miller of inappropriate sexual conduct and fantasies earlier this year. Miller was cleared by two separate investigations, one by the Butler County Sheriff's Office and one by a private investigator hired by the school board.

Reed said in court documents when Boddy was asked about the script she read in Florida, she "appeared happy to retrieve her phone so that she could once again read from the script and accuse (Adi) of supporting a pedophile.

Isaac Adi testified that Boddy's behavior causd him mental distress.

Why were Adi and Boddy at the conference?

Adi said in his petition that the school board sponsored his and Boddy's attendance at the conference, which was hosted by the Leadership Institute.

The Leadership Institute is a nonprofit organization with a mission that includes preparing "conservatives all across America to challenge the left's control over the nation's locally elected school boards," according to its website. The organization partners with Moms for Liberty, which the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled a far-right extremist group.

John Price, an attorney with the Ohio School Boards Association, said Ohio law allows for school board members to expense professional development programs and the decision to authorize that use of funds is typically made at the local school board level.

"All boards of education are given pretty wide latitude in determining what's an appropriate use of funds," Price said.

Betsy Fuller, a spokesperson for the school district, told The Enquirer via email the district pays for conferences board members attend for professional development, including the Leadership Institute conference Boddy and Adi attended.

What happened during school board meetings?

Adi said after the June 13 school board meeting he waited before leaving to avoid being alone with Boddy. He said as he was leaving, Boddy came back into the building, got in his face and started recording him with her cell phone.

Video of the encounter appears to show Adi swatting Boddy's phone away from him. Boddy filed a police report about the incident four days later, accusing Adi of assault. The Butler County Sheriff's Office dropped the investigation and confirmed that prosecutors don't believe the incident was an assault.

Board members Julie Shaffer and Lynda OConnor served as witnesses for Adi at the hearing for the protection order.

Reed said in court documents that during committee hearings the school board held Aug. 18, Adi stepped out to take a work call and Boddy badgered him about his absence and appeared to start recording him on her phone. Reed said according to witnesses, Adi was in tears and shaking at this point.

"(Adi) decided to leave the meeting and he was followed by his colleague, O'Connor. She recalled him indicating that he was going to go to the hospital and that she was so concerned for his well-being that she did not feel it safe for him to leave on his own," Reed said.

Darbi Boddy has appealed the protection order to the Twelfth District Court of Appeals.

Boddy appeals the protection order

Reed said in court documents Boddy argued that granting Adi the protection order would disenfranchise her constituents.

The Court however finds that it was, and is, the behavior of Boddy that has disenfranchised her constituents," Reed said.

Boddy appealed the judgment and asked to be allowed to attend school board meetings during the appeals. She argued her actions were political speech and attempts to fulfill her responsibility to her constituents.

Adi asked the court to strike Boddy's request to attend school board meetings in a court filing on Sept. 28, arguing the common pleas court no longer has jurisdiction over the case since Boddy appealed the decision to a higher court.

Howard decided Boddy may attend school board meetings while her appeal is being decided. She cannot communicate with Adi unless necessary during school board meeting business and she must wait five minutes after Adi leaves before she leaves, according to the decision.

What happens next?

The Lakota school board will have a listening session and regular meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Lakota East Freshman Auditorium. The school board decided in March to hold listening sessions before meetings instead of public comment during meetings.

Meetings are broadcast on the West Chester Cable public access channels and posted on the board's website.

Erin Glynn is the watchdog reporter for Butler, Warren and Clermont counties through the Report For America program. The Enquirer needs local donors to help fund her grant-funded position. If you want to support Glynn's work, you can donate to her Report For America position at this website or email her editor Carl Weiser at cweiser@enquirer.com to find out how you can help fund her work.

Do you know something she should know? Send her a note at eglynn@enquirer.com and follow her on Twitter at @ee_glynn.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What happened at Lakota board meeting Monday night
The inaugural Heartland Book Festival next weekend is not the Kansas City Public Librarys response to the recent wave of book bans or the far-right Republicans in the Missouri state legislature who have looked to defund and demonize libraries.

But 

I cant say enough about how its perfect timing for everything libraries are facing now, said Carrie Coogan, deputy director for public affairs and community engagement at the library.

Coogan describes the current anti-library sentiment as frightening.

Libraries are under fire right now, she said. So, what started out five years ago as just wanting to increase the level of understanding and love for libraries and love for reading and writing has become really something that is more critically important in our society and in our city.

The festivals keynote speaker, Jermaine Fowler, has written just the kind of book that might raise the hackles of the anti-woke crowd. His The Humanity Archive: Recovering the Soul of Black History From a Whitewashed American Myth was released in February and became a New York Times bestseller.

Fowler will present a program titled Books as Mirrors: Seeing Ourselves in Every Story at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Folly Theater to kick off the festival.

Jermaine Fowler, author of the bestseller The Humanity Archive: Recovering the Soul of Black History From a Whitewashed American Myth, will give the Heartland Book Festivals keynote address at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Folly Theater.

The rest of the festival will take place Oct. 7 at the downtown library, where another keynote speaker will be Karin Slaughter , whose latest novel is After That Night. She also has written Pieces of Her and the Will Trent series, both of which have been turned into recent TV series.

The first Heartland Book Festival is about much more than books, however.

In addition to programs and panels on literature of all genres  fiction, nonfiction, poetry, comic books and childrens books  there also will be illustrating, graphic arts and even tarot reading. Other draws will include childrens theater, portraits and music.

We talked a lot about what we wanted to do, Coogan said. Did we want to have a theme? Did we want to make it just for adults? Or just for kids and families? And we thought, well, this is our first shot at this, so why dont we try to cover everything?

The most important thing was we really wanted to make it free, so as many people could come as possible.

Karin Slaughter, author of Pieces of Her and the Will Trent series, will speak at 1 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Kansas City Public Librarys Central Library.

The free admission is possible because the nonprofit Missouri Humanities, in its role as the states affiliate for the Library of Congress Center for the Book, is teaming with the library as co-presenter.

Missouri Humanities also supports the Missouri Book Festival, which debuted in Washington, Missouri, in 2022 and will return Sept. 13-14, 2024. That left an opening this year for the Heartland Book Festival.

Lisa Carrico, program director for Missouri Humanities, said synergy just aligned this year.

I think there was always this little buzz between Missouri Humanities and the Kansas City Public Library, this dream of putting on a large-scale book festival in the western part of the state, Carrico said. And it just happened that this was the year. We said, Lets do this.

Adding to the synergy is that the library will begin its 150th anniversary celebration later this year.

Carrico said Missouri Humanities hopes the Heartland Book Festival will become an annual event, a sentiment Coogan shares.

Were planning on continuing to do book festivals, and we hope to continue partnering with Missouri Humanities, she said. We think its so important, were really pushing now to continue to do it and to do it on an annual basis.

Heartland Book Festival

 Author Jermaine Fowler will give keynote address on Books as Mirrors: Seeing Ourselves in Every Story, 7 p.m. Oct. 6, Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th.

 Panels, programs, discussions and more, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 7; crime writer Karin Slaughter will give keynote address, 1 p.m. Oct. 7, Kansas City Public Library-Central Library, 14 W. 10th.

 Free. Full schedule at heartlandbookfest.org.
Akris just wrapped its year-long 100th anniversary celebrations, and the tentpole exhibition about the St. Gallen-based fashion brand at Switzerlands top design museum, the Museum fur Gestaltung Zurich, clocked nearly 27,000 visitors, a new record, before it closed on Sept. 24.

The display focused on Albert Kriemlers creative process and particularly the last 15 years, when artistic collaborations and technical wizardry came to the fore.

More from WWD

The designer has proven that he has prescient visual instincts. For example, he shined a spotlight on Reinhard Voigts pixelized oil paintings from the 60s and 70s, and incorporated them into his fall 2022 designs, long before the motif appeared in Loewe and Louis Vuitton collections.

Its pure feeling, honestly, the modest Kriemler said during a preview of his spring 2024 lineup, when asked how he selects the artists that inspire him.

For spring, he settled on Felice Lizzi Rix-Ueno, having seen an exhibition dedicated to the late textile, wallpaper and craft designer at the MAK Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna.

Kriemler explained that this key member of the Wiener Werkstatte, or Vienna Workshop, movement also spent much of her career in Japan and is prized for colorful, vibrant and charming designs  like the poppy, fruit, bird and tassel motifs that peppered the Akris collection.

The designer was also inspired by Rix-Uenos belief that through craft, you can develop your fantasy.

Behind Kriemlers often simple designs lies an intensive study of fine fabric, whether its stiff organza for weightless tailoring, high-twist linen for wrinkle-resistant shirt jackets that look like faded denim, or a gorgeous cotton voile for draped shirts.

The collection added more fuel to the utility chic trend and the floral motifs all over the Paris runways, but done in the refined, restrained Akris way.

This was a polished, chic and sprightly show, with live music and a set of fabric flowers. Fantasy came in the form of red cotton guipure resembling pressed poppies and minimalist evening looks with long, glistening fringe.

Akris enters its second century on a strong note.

For more PFW reviews, click here.

Launch Gallery: Akris RTW Spring 2024

Best of WWD

Click here to read the full article.
The airline will add a new flight from San Diego to Atlanta next year.

Alaska Airlines will expand its presence in San Diego next year, adding a new flight from the Southern California city to Atlanta.

The new flight, which the airline plans to launch on May 16, 2024, will mark the 37th destination the airline flies to from San Diego, which Alaska said was the most of any other carrier. The new flight will operate daily between the two major cities and will depart San Diego mid-morning and once again depart from Atlanta in the early evening.

David Toussaint/Getty Images

"We want to provide our guests in San Diego the most nonstop options," Kirsten Amrine, the vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines, said in a statement. "Not only are San Diego and Atlanta popular destinations for leisure travelers, but both are also major business hubs. We're excited to connect the cities, especially since Atlanta is our largest unserved transcontinental market from San Diego."

Beyond Atlanta, Alaska flies to several popular destinations from San Diego, including to all four major islands in Hawaii, other cities across California, and to Mexico.

This isnt Alaskas only new route. This fall, the airline will launch new flights from Portland, Oregon, to Miami, followed by new flights this December from Palm Springs to New York and from San Luis Obispo to Las Vegas.

The new route comes as Alaska extended an olive branch to Delta Air Lines customers, offering to match their loyalty status (and even raise some frequent fliers to the next status level) after Delta made it harder to earn status with the airline in 2024.

Travelers flying with Alaska, however, may find it harder to access the airlines airport lounges after the carrier started restricting access for passengers booked on a first class ticket based on how far they are traveling.

Alaska MVP Gold, Gold 75K, and Gold 100K members can access the lounge when they travel on a Oneworld member airline to a destination outside of the United States, Canada, or Mexico, according to the airline.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
Maldives has elected a pro-China opposition candidate as its president in run-off elections that could lead to the country moving away from traditional ally India.

The polls became a virtual referendum on which regional power  India or China  will have the biggest influence in the small archipelago known for its pristine beaches and for being a tourist hotspot.

Mohamed Muiz, the leader of the opposition Peoples National Congress (PNC) party, ran on an India Out campaign plank and will now become the next president of the Maldives.

Incumbent president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih lost the runoff that was triggered after neither candidate fetched 50 per cent of the vote.

Mr Muiz clinched more than 53 per cent of the vote this time and had a lead of more than 18,000 votes, compared to Mr Solih, a close India ally who trailed behind with 46 per cent of the vote, reported leading local news portal Mihaaru News.

The incoming president has pledged to eject Indian troops from the Maldives and balance the countrys trade relations, which he said heavily supported India. He is expected to assume office on 17 November.

With todays result we have got the opportunity to build the countrys future. The strength to ensure the freedom of Maldives, Mr Muiz said in a statement after his victory.

Its time we put our differences aside and come together. We need to be a peaceful society, he said.

The president-elect has also asked Mr Solih to transfer former president Abdulla Yameen to house arrest from prison.

Mr Muizs PNC is viewed as heavily pro-China.

Largely seen as an underdog, Mr Muiz was named only as a fallback candidate closer to the nomination deadline after the Supreme Court prevented former president Yameen, who is serving a prison sentence for money laundering and corruption.

His supporters said he was jailed for political reasons.

Mohamed Shareef, a top official from Mr Muizs party, said the poll results are a reflection of the patriotism of the people.

A call on all our neighbours and bilateral partners to fully respect our independence and sovereignty, he said, and added that it was also a mandate for Mr Muiz to resurrect the economy and for Yameens release.

The outgoing leader Mr Solih was elected as president in 2018 and had battled allegations by Mr Muiz that he had allowed India to become an unchecked presence in the country.

Mr Solih insisted that the Indian militarys presence in the Maldives was only to build a dockyard under an agreement between the two governments and that his countrys sovereignty wont be violated.

Ahmed Shaheed, a former foreign minister of Maldives, termed the election verdict as a public revolt against the governments failure to meet economic and governance expectations rather than concerns over Indian influence.

I dont think India was at all in the peoples minds, he said.

But despite the rhetoric, Mr Muiz is unlikely to change Maldives foreign policy of affording an important place to India, he said, adding that the leader is more likely to lessen opposition to Chinese projects on the islands.
A drifter from Tallahassee who killed two women in the Florida Panhandle during a crime spree in 1996 is scheduled to be executed this week for the death of an Escambia County woman.

Michael Duane Zack, 54, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. at Florida State Prison.

Last week, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously refused to block Zacks execution, rejecting arguments that he should be spared the death penalty because of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Justices upheld an Escambia County circuit judges ruling last month against Zack, who was sent to Death Row for the 1996 murder of Ravonne Smith, of Escambia County.

Zacks attorneys also are asking a federal appeals court to halt the execution, after a U.S. district judge turned down their arguments.

Who is Zack and why is he on death row?

Michael Duane Zack, of Tallahassee, is scheduled to be executed on October 3, by lethal injection for the murder of an Escambia County woman in 1996.

According to court documents, Michael Zacks crime spree started in June of 1996. He lived in Tallahassee and was a regular at a local bar. It was there, where he got the call that his girlfriend was kicking him out of her apartment.

Zack told the bartender, Edith Pope, that he had lost his place to live, and that he was troubled because had witnessed his sister murder their mother with an axe.

As a result, Pope felt sorry for Zack, and she began to give him odd jobs around the bar, court documents from one of Zacks appeals to the Florida Supreme Court read. When Zacks girlfriend called the bar on June 4 to advise him that he was being evicted from her apartment, Pope lent Zack her red Honda automobile to pick up his belongings. Zack never returned.

Zack took off for Panama City, where he again went to a bar and met Bobby Chandler, a construction subcontractor who owned his own business. Zack also told Chandler his tales of hardship.

When Chandler discovered that Zack was living out of a car (the red Honda), he invited Zack to live with him temporarily, the court document state. On the second night at Chandlers, Zack woke up screaming following a nightmare. Chandler heard Zack groan words which sounded like stop or dont. Although Chandler questioned him, Zack would not discuss the nightmare. Two nights later, on June 11, 1996, Zack left Chandlers during the night, stealing a rifle, a handgun, and $42 from Chandlers wallet.

Zack pawned the stolen guns in Niceville the next day for $225.

Michael Zack's crimes turn violent

While in Okaloosa County, he met Laura Rosillo at another bar. They left to hang out at the beach nearby, but when they got there, police say Zack attacked her.

Once on the beach, Zack attacked Rosillo and beat her while they were still in the Honda, the court recounted. He then pulled Rosillo from the car and beat her head against one of the tires. The evidence suggests she was sexually assaulted; however, the sperm found in Rosillos body could not be matched to Zack. He then strangled her, dragged her body behind a sand dune, kicked dirt over her face, and departed.

Scheduled to die: Supreme Court refuses to block execution of man who killed Escambia County woman

Zack then continued west to Escambia County, and near Pensacola stopped at Joe's Dirty Bar where Ravonne Smith worked.

He befriended the friendly, outgoing bartender, too, and after spending hours at the bar with Smith and a friend of hers, she invited him back to her home where she lived with her boyfriend who wasn't home at the time.

Forensic evidence indicates that immediately upon entering the house, Zack hit Smith with a beer bottle causing shards of glass and blood to spray onto the living room love seat and two drops of blood to spray onto the interior doorframe, court documents state. Zack pursued Smith down the hall to the master bedroom leaving a trail of blood. Once in the bedroom Zack sexually assaulted Smith as she lay bleeding on the bed. Following the attack Smith managed to escape to the empty guest bedroom across the hall. Zack pursued her and beat her head against the bedrooms wooden floor. Once he incapacitated Smith, Zack went to the kitchen where he got an oyster knife. He returned to the guest bedroom where Smith lay and stabbed her in the chest four times with the knife.

Zack stole Smiths TV, VCR, and purse before fleeing to Panama City in her car. Prosecutors say he tried to pawn the stolen items, but the store clerk became suspicious and called the police. He ran but was found several days later hiding in an empty house.

Zack received the death penalty for Smith's death in Escambia County. For Rosillo's death, he was given a life sentence.

Unless there's a last-minute stay, Zack will be the sixth person executed in Florida, this year, and the eighth Death Row inmate executed under Governor Ron DeSantis.

The News Journal will have full coverage of Zacks execution.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida death row Michael Zack execution Tuesday at State Prison
Monroe County health officials are still investigating whether a Rogers Elementary School student has or had a possibly deadly infectious disease.

A 5-year-old boy died at the Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital emergency department Friday morning, and the Monroe County coroner has ruled out bacterial meningitis. However, despite repeated inquiries, Monroe County Health Department officials would not say Sunday or Monday whether the boy who died is related to the case theyre investigating.

At this point in the investigation, initial findings have ruled out bacterial meningitis but not other serious life-threatening bacterial infections or viral meningitis, the department said in a news release Monday. Further tests are pending at this time.

The health department sent out a release at 6:22 p.m. Friday, saying it was investigating a possible case of meningitis in a Rogers Elementary student. The release did not mention that a 5-year-old boy had died more than 14 hours earlier.

An autopsy performed on that boy on Saturday ruled out bacterial meningitis, but the health department said Monday its investigation has not ruled out viral meningitis or other serious life-threatening bacterial infections.

Previous coverage: 5-year-old dies at Bloomington hospital. Coroner rules out bacterial meningitis

The department did not respond to questions about what diseases it was considering or when results from the additional tests would be available.

The department said Monday that out of an abundance of caution, it contacted people considered to be close contacts of the patient theyre investigating and asked those people receive antibiotics, which help against bacterial infections  but not viral infections.

Monroe County Health Department Administrator Lori Kelley said via email Monday afternoon that all 35 close contacts had taken antibiotics.

The department also said it was working with the Indiana Department of Health. The state department could not be reached Monday morning.

Meningitis is an inflammation/swelling of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

From Friday: Health officials say Bloomington student may have potentially deadly infectious disease

Meningitis caused by viruses is serious but often less severe than bacterial meningitis, according to the CDC. People with normal immune systems who get viral meningitis usually get better on their own. Even if people spread viral meningitis to another person, most people infected with the virus will not develop meningitis, the agency said. Meningitis in rare cases also can be caused by parasites, ameba and fungi.

The boy died at 4:03 a.m. Friday. IU Health could not be reached Monday morning to say whether hospital staff who treated the child took any precautions, whether any staffers have been identified as close contacts and how many, if any, took antibiotics.

Meningitis symptoms can include headache, fever, a stiff neck, feeling unwell, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion, aches and pains, pale skin and a rash, the local health department said.

The Monroe County Coroners office said it would release the boys name Tuesday once his classmates and extended family had been notified.

Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Health Department still investigating possibly deadly infection
Library Director Sadie Elliott at the Stinesville Community Library on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, which will open to the public this weekend.

STINESVILLE  Sadie Elliott tried to focus on the business at hand during town board meetings, but the former teacher's attention would always drift to the shelves lined with children's books.

The three-member Stinesville Town Board meets in the library at the town's former elementary school. When Elliott, her husband and kids moved to the town of 220 two years ago, she started attending the meetings to get to know Stinesville better.

She learned that when the school closed in 2018, the library doors were locked but the books were left on the shelves.

From 2021: 'Really interesting history here': Town of Stinesville may seek historic designation

A place where teachers for decades hushed children and asked them to use their "library voices" went suddenly silent.

"When the school shut down, they left the books behind along with the building," she said. Her gaze kept returning to the shelves, to the books no children were reading.

"I was aware of the literacy crisis that's going on in Indiana, and I'm sitting there as an educator, in this town I've grown to love, looking at these books and thinking, 'Wouldn't it be great if local kids, in town and the surrounding rural area, could have a library?' I looked around and saw these were amazing, good books."

Many of the books in the Stinesville Community Library were left behind when the school closed. Pictured is a display of books by local authors.

Built on a prayer, and some grant money

She walked home from a town board meeting last summer. It's a short distance from the school through a neighbor's yard to her house. She said a prayer and thought: Maybe I can turn this space into a community library.

"I knew these books would be so useful if they could be back in the hands of children again," she said.

The town owns the school, so Elliott got permission and support from the town board. They matched a $5,000 grant from Monroe County's Sophia Travis grant fund, which every year designates money for projects that help communities thrive.

Town residents are enthusiastic, Elliott said, about the library and the return of children breathing life back into the nearly century-old school building.

Around town: Stinesville man carries on the family sand rail tradition

Elliott said once the library is fully up and running, she plans to make a craft project room and a place for kids to play inside.

Free books kids can take home and keep will be on a shelf in the hall. She anticipates a small section of fiction and non-fiction titles for the adults who accompany children.

Head Librarian Jackie Squires shelves books at the Stinesville Community Library last month.

'Good books to read'

She described Stinesville as close knit and old fashioned, where neighbors introduced themselves as soon as the moving truck pulled into the driveway of their Victorian farmhouse near the center of town.

Everyone knows her kids, who delight in walking down to the post office at the general store to get the mail after school. Soon, there will be another destination in town for families.

There's already a book-return repository outside an independent community library in the basement at the former Stinesville Elementary School, which is now the town's community center.

Since the shelves and the school library books already were in place, the site was well stocked. Elliott added donated books to the collection, which contains about 6,500 items, mostly picture books and books for young readers.

Some of the grant money was spent on a computer, a book check-out system, a book return bin and furniture.

The volunteer staff is Elliott and head librarian Jackie Squires, a retired nurse midwife who heard about the project, showed up to help and stayed.

Volunteers from Ellettsville to Gosport have come in to help catalog and sort the book collection, Elliott said, moving the project along.

The Stinesville Community Library collection contains about 6,500 books.

The library was scheduled to open on Saturday, Sept. 30, during the town's Stone Quarry Festival. Elliott said regular hours will be set once they see how many people visit and when.

"My hope is it will be a gathering place for the community and a way to support literacy in the area," she said. "To help kids and families find good books to read."

Contact H-T reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com or 812-318-5967.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Library in closed school puts books 'back in the hands of children'
NEW YORK  U.S. health officials plan to endorse a common antibiotic as a morning-after pill that gay and bisexual men can use to try to avoid some increasingly common sexually transmitted diseases.

The proposed CDC guideline was released Monday, and officials will move to finalize it after a 45-day public comment period. With STD rates rising to record levels, more tools are desperately needed, said Dr. Jonathan Mermin of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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The proposal comes after studies found some people who took the antibiotic doxycycline within three days of unprotected sex were far less likely to get chlamydia, syphilis or gonorrhea compared with people who did not take the pills after sex.

The guideline is specific to the group that has been most studied  gay and bisexual men and transgender women who had a STD in the previous 12 months and were at high risk to get infected again.

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Theres less evidence that the approach works for other people, including heterosexual men and women. That could change as more research is done, said Mermin, who oversees the CDCs STD efforts.

Even so, the idea ranks as one of only a few major prevention measures in recent decades in a field thats lacked innovation for so long, said Mermin. The others include a vaccine against the HPV virus and pills to ward off HIV, he said.

Doxycycline, a cheap antibiotic that has been available for more than 40 years, is a treatment for health problems including acne, chlamydia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

The CDC guidelines were based on four studies of using doxycycline against bacterial STDs.

One of the most influential was a New England Journal of Medicine study earlier this year. It found that gay men, bisexual men and transgender women with previous STD infections who took the pills were about 90% less likely to get chlamydia, about 80% less likely to get syphilis and more than 50% less likely to get gonorrhea compared with people who didnt take the pills after sex.

A year ago, San Franciscos health department began promoting doxycycline as a morning-after prevention measure.

With infection rates rising, we didnt feel like we could wait, said Dr. Stephanie Cohen, who oversees the departments STD prevention work.

Some other city, county and state health departments  mostly on the West Coast  followed suit.

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At Fenway Health, a Boston-based health center that serves many gay, lesbian and transexual clients, about 1,000 patients are using doxycycline that way now, said Dr. Taimur Khan, the organizations associate medical research director.

The guideline should have a big impact, because many doctors have been reluctant to talk to patients about it until they heard from the CDC, Khan said.

The drugs side effects include stomach problems and rashes after sun exposure. Some research has found it ineffective in heterosexual women. And widespread use of doxycycline as a preventive measure could  theoretically  contribute to mutations that make bacteria impervious to the drug.

That kind of antibiotic resistance hasnt materialized in San Francisco, but it will be important to watch for, Cohen said.
ISTANBUL, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Twenty people were detained in operations against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Turkiye's northwestern provinces, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Monday.

Simultaneous operations have been launched at 26 addresses in Istanbul and Kirklareli, Yerlikaya said on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Yerlikaya said they were cracking down on terrorists and those who were helping them, noting that 20 people had been detained in raids conducted by the Istanbul Anti-Terror Branch Directorate.

The minister said that the teams found that the suspects had been collecting aid for the organization's members and creating hiding places.

The operations came after two attackers attempted a bomb attack in front of the Turkish Interior Ministry's building in the capital, Ankara, on Sunday, injuring two police officers.

The ministry said one of the attackers had been identified as a member of the PKK, listed as a terror organization by Turkiye. The PKK has been rebelling against the Turkish government for over three decades. 
MUNCIE, Ind.  A Muncie man has been charged with attempting to sexually assault a woman while armed with a machete.

James Andrew Gulley, 40, is charged in Delaware Circuit Court 4 with attempted rape, criminal confinement and intimidation.

According to an affidavit, a woman told Muncie police that on Sept. 12, Gulley "held a machete to (her) throat and demanded sexual favors."

The woman said the incident took place at the apartment of a mutual acquaintance.

Gulley, who was arrested at the scene, denied the woman's claims, and insisted they had been "joking around," with his accuser for a time being armed with an electronic stun device.

The woman said she was given that device "to protect herself," adding that Gulley had earlier threatened to cut off one of her legs with the machete.

Investigators also received text messages that were allegedly between the accuser and Gulley, who continued to be held in the Delaware County jail on Monday under a $125,000 bond.

His trial has been set for Nov. 27.

The attempted rape charge is a Level 1 felony carrying up to 40 years in prison.

The confinement count is a Level 3 felony with a maximum 16-year sentence, while intimidation is a Level 5 felony, which carries up to six years in prison.

In 2019, Gulley was charged with two counts of dealing in meth, a Level 2 felony carrying up to 30 years in prison, and maintaining a common nuisance.

Last May, he pleaded guilty to at least one of those charges, although court records don't reflect which one. A sentencing hearing has been set for Oct. 24.

In other crime news:

Sexual misconduct: A Muncie man faces a felony charge over allegations he repeatedly had sex with a 14-year-old girl.

Timothy L. Wright, 21, is charged with sexual misconduct with a minor, a Level 5 felony.

An initial hearing in the Delaware Circuit Court 4 case is set for Oct. 30.

The Indiana Department of Child Services forwarded a related complaint to Muncie police in August.

Wright reportedly admitted his dealings with the juvenile began last November.

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: Muncie man charged with trying to rape woman while armed with machete
Doug Larsen, a Republican state senator from North Dakota, was killed alongside his wife and their two children when the plane they were traveling in crashed in Utah Sunday evening, according to a Monday email from the states GOP majority leader obtained by the Associated Press.

The plane crashed just north of Moab, Utah, shortly after it took off from a nearby airfield, according to the Grand County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies from the Grand County Sheriffs Office said they received word of the Piper PA-28-140 plane hitting the ground around 8:30 p.m on Sunday evening. A search helicopter located the aircraft, and the Moab Fire Department and emergency medical staff later arrived on the scene.

The National Transportation Safety Board stated that the crash is under investigation.

The family was reportedly visiting relatives in the Scottsdale area prior to the crash.

Senator Doug Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two young children died in a plane crash last evening in Utah, state Sen. David Hogue wrote in his email. They were visiting family in Scottsdale and returning home. They stopped to refuel in Utah.

Im not sure where the bereavement starts with such a tragedy, but I think it starts with prayers for the grandparents, surviving stepchild of Senator Larsen, and extended family of Doug and Amy, Hogue wrote. Hold your family close today.

State Sen. Scott Meyer of District 18 paid tribute to Larsen, mentioning his dry sense of humor and role as a fair Chairman of the Senate Industry, Business, and Labor Committees.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum also released a statement, saying, Sen. Larsen was a father, husband, coach, entrepreneur, businessman, state senator and lieutenant colonel in the North Dakota National Guard who committed himself fully to each of those roles with an unwavering sense of honor and duty.

As a legislator, he was a tenacious advocate for individual rights and the freedoms he defended through his military service, he continued. We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to his family and friends and join his legislative colleagues, National Guard brothers and sisters and the Mandan community in mourning the tragic passing of Sen. Larsen and his family.

Larsen had been in office since 2021, serving District 34, which contains Mandan, a neighboring city to the capital of Bismarck.

As a lawmaker, he sponsored bills to prohibit vaccine requirements, expand allowances for firearm possession at places such as liquor establishments, prevent legislatures from levying property taxes to contribute to public primary and secondary schools.

In February, he debated a bill to ban mRNA vaccines in his state, asserting that his friend received a COVID-19 vaccination and may have experienced momentary cardiac death as a result.

Debating a bill to ban mRNA vaccines in North Dakota, State Sen. Doug Larsen (R) says his friend got the COVID vaccine, experienced cardiac death, was revived and now believes that the COVID vaccine caused him to momentarily die.



He told this story with no medical evidence. pic.twitter.com/fvjOeillbg  Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) February 9, 2023

Prior to being a senator, he was a member of the North Dakota National Guard. He was deployed on two occasions: once to Iraq from 2009-2010 as a company commander in the 2-285th Assault Battalion and another to Washington, D.C., from 2013-2014 with the 1-188th Air Defense Artillery Battalion.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A Providence woman was sentenced to serve three to five years in prison Friday after she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for providing "a lethal cocktail of narcotics" to a 61-year-old Massachusetts man, according to the district attorney for Bristol County, Massachusetts.

Emily Velez, 31, also neglected to call for help as Dennis Heelen overdosed in North Attleboro and left him incapacitated, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said in a news release.

According to Quinn, Velez was arrested for shoplifting at about 6 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2021, at a Walmart in Warwick. Soon after the arrest, she told the police they should check on Heelen because she had used fentanyl with him earlier that day, and he was not responsive when she left him at 10 a.m., Quinn said.

More: State: RI drug overdoses level off in 2022 but still a 'crisis'

More: Study: Many who witnessed fatal overdoses in RI didn't realize what they were seeing

She also told the police she had taken Heelen's car, cellphone and wallet when she left his house, Quinn said. She had used his Discover card, too.

At about 7 p.m., the police in North Attleboro went to Heelen's house and found him dead in his bed. The police found a plastic baggie with fentanyl residue in his bedroom trash can. The medical examiner found that Heelen died from acute intoxication from the combined effects of alcohol, fentanyl, cocaine and oxycodone, Quinn said.

Quinn said Velez's "intentional failure to call for help was wanton and reckless and caused the victims death. In aggravation of her conduct, the defendant left the victim to die while stealing his car, cellphone and wallet as she fled to Rhode Island."

Heelen, a former resident of Walpole, Massachusetts, was the father of two and worked as a trackman, according to his obituary.

In addition to involuntary manslaughter, Velez pleaded guilty to larceny of a motor vehicle and larceny over $250 of a person above the age of 60, Quinn said. She was sentenced by Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Thomas Perrino, who also ordered her to serve one year of supervised probation following her release.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Emily Velez of Providence pleads guilty to manslaughter
Journalists from the Russian service of the BBC and Mediazona have discovered that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the war in Ukraine, at least 33,236 Russian soldiers have died, of which 3836 have been mobilized.

Source: investigation by the BBC and Mediazona; Radio Liberty

Details: The study carried out by the Russian media is based on obituaries in the media, reports on social networks from relatives of the victims and local authorities, etc.

Since the start of the Ukrainian counteroffensive in July 2023, at least 2,448 Russian soldiers have been killed, including 234 officers, of which there were two generals and 11 colonels.

The investigators note that the last time senior officers of the Russian army suffered such significant losses was in the first months of the invasion of Ukraine.

At the same time, every third person who died while repelling the counterattack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was mobilised (681 out of 2,448 established dead). In total, since February 2022, 3,863 mobilised soldiers have died in the war in Ukraine. One in five of them survived at the front for less than two months, and 60% died in the timeframe from 1 January 2023.

The greatest losses are among the Russian convicts recruited for the war in Ukraine. Journalists were able to establish the names of 6,215 convicts who died at the front as of 29 September 2023. Over 100 of them were citizens of foreign countries, most often Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The journalists note that as of 29 September, the highest number of dead soldiers was recorded in the Russian region of Krasnodar Krai, reaching 1,259.

Elite units of the Russian army are also involved in repelling the counterattack of Ukraines forces: Airborne Forces, Marines, and Special Forces. But now, in contrast, they are used for short operations and are deployed on the most important sectors of the front, trying to protect the personnel.

During the Ukrainian counteroffensive, Russian paratroopers lost at least 209 soldiers, the special forces of the Ministry of Defence suffered casualties totalling 23 people, while the Marine Corps reportedly lost 60 people.

Infographics: investigation of the Russian service of the BBC and Mediazona

Separately, using the same method, the journalists examined data on dead servicemen from the self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk Peoples Republics. After examining the published obituaries and reports of the search for the so-called "nationals" from Luhansk and Donetsk Peoples Republics who have not been in touch for a long time, the journalists came to the conclusion that by the end of September, up to 20,000 soldiers of the self-proclaimed "republics" of Donbas could have been killed in action.

On 22 December 2022, the Donetsk Peoples Republic stopped publishing data on the losses of its military personnel (the Luhansk Peoples Republic did not publish information about its losses to begin with).

Journalists note that these figures take into account only those cases when the death is publicly confirmed and when the status of the one who fought can be established.

The real casualties among those mobilised could be much higher, since many reports of soldiers who have died in Ukraine since October 2022 do not indicate their status. Because of this, it is sometimes impossible to understand whether a person served as a contractor, volunteer or was mobilised.

21 September was the last time the Russian Defence Ministry revealed the total number of losses suffered during the war, reporting 5,937 deaths. After that, the military department reported the number of dead three more times, confirming the loss of another 162 people.

In June of this year, it was revealed that the Ministry of Defence appealed to the authorities of a number of regions with a request not to publish obituaries to the dead soldiers. It is known that such requests were directed at representatives of Buryatia, Tuva and Khakassia regions, whose populations suffered especially great losses.

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 suspect who police allege shot to death two men in their 40s in east Fort Worth on Saturday has fled to Mexico or is headed there.

Juan Armando Gallardo is identified in an arrest warrant for capital murder of multiple persons in connection with killings in the 700 block of House Street, Fort Worth police said on Monday.

Gallardo is also accused of shooting a third man who survived. The shooting was unprovoked, police said.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office has not released the names of the people who died. Police did not release Gallardos age.

Police asked anyone with information on Gallardos location or destination in Mexico to call Detective Michael Sones at 817-392-4404.
The United Nations on Monday approved a plan to send a coalition of multinational forces to Haiti in a support mission designed to address soaring gang violence and crime in the country.

The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a one-year deployment of troops, which would be sent from Kenya to Haiti. The deployment could come within just a few months.

Thirteen countries approved the resolution. Russia and China abstained from the vote but chose not to veto it, which would have killed authority for the mission.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield hailed the passage of the historic resolution, which she said showed the councils ability to galvanize collective action.

But todays vote is only the first step  now, the work of getting the mission off the ground begins, she said in a statement. We must act with urgency as the people of Haiti cannot and should not wait for the peace and stability they deserve.

The last time the U.N. approved a mission to Haiti was about 20 years ago, underscoring the dire crisis the Caribbean nation is facing under waves of violence and crime, which have worsened since the death of Haitian President Jovenel Moise in 2021.

Along with Kenya, countries expected to contribute to the mission are Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda.

Haiti has requested the support of other nations as police have struggled to rein in a growing number of gangs that have dominated the country and its capital, Port-au-Prince.

A Haitian representative at the Security Council on Monday said the resolution offered a glimmer of hope for his country.

The resolution had the strong backing of the United States, which announced last month it would provide $100 million for the support mission.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the resolution vote marks an important milestone in bringing much-needed help to the people of Haiti who have suffered for far too long at the hands of violent criminals.

It is now crucial that we focus on making progress in mobilizing the international support necessary to deploy this mission swiftly, effectively, and safely, Sullivan said in a statement. The people of Haiti deserve to feel safe enough to leave their homes, restore their livelihoods, and go to the polls to democratically elect a government that represents their interests.

Kenya had offered to lead a policing mission in Haiti, which Greenfield publicly backed while promising to work towards approving the effort in the U.N.

Chinese representative Zhang Jun expressed some doubts about the mission but did not outright condemn the resolution.

He said nations must comply with international law and not infringe on the rights of other sovereign countries, and Zhang also scolded the international community for allowing arms to flow to Haiti.

Russian Security Council member Vasily Nebenzya said Moscow does not have any objections, but he called the resolution an extreme measure. Still, he conceded there was an urgency to the violence in Haiti.

More than 2,000 people have died in Haiti this year, while hundreds more have been kidnapped by gangs.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
AGBU volunteers distribute meals to evacuated children and their families from a food truck dispatched to Goris, Armenia.

AGBU volunteers distribute meals to evacuated children and their families from a food truck dispatched to Goris, Armenia.

New York, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Over the past week, tens of thousands of Armenians finally concluded a long and arduous trip out of Nagorno-Karabakh to begin another journey in Armenia. That road begins in the town of Goris in the southern region of Armenia, where many evacuees will, for the first time in nearly a year, be served a fresh, warm, nutritionally balanced mealcompliments of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), working with international NGO, World Central Kitchen (WCK). To date, over 15,000 meals have been prepared and distributed with the demand increasing exponentially.

As soon as the WCK team arrived on the scene on September 29, they immediately joined forces with friend and kindred spirit Aline Kamakian, a prominent Lebanese-Armenian restauranteur and life-long member of the AGBU global network, the world's largest Armenian non-profit organization with deep experience in humanitarian relief dating even prior to the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Collaborating with WCK, AGBU is ready to tackle this humanitarian crisis of historic proportions.

With an influx of over 100,000 displaced people entering in a matter of days, AGBU is ready to provide for people who have suffered through a nine-month blockade of vital supplies, as part of the ethnic cleansing campaign of Armenians by Azerbaijan, stated AGBU President Berge Setrakian. Working with World Central Kitchen and our friend Aline Kamakian once again is a critical partnership of resources, know-how, and reach.

Kamakian and WCK had collaborated and cooperated before, in the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut Blast. That was when Kamakian found herself on the front lines of humanitarian relief, feeding hundreds of disaster victims for weeks and months on end. Working with the WCK team in person gave Kamakian and AGBU the opportunity to learn from this experienced group what is entailed in solving for massive food insecurity in a disaster zone. Now the team is back in action to bring comfort and hope to ever-growing numbers of Armenian evacuees.

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Last week, within hours of the first reports of evacuees seeking refuge in Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh, Kamakian was in Armenia working with the local AGBU office and its volunteers in the Syunik region near the Azerbaijani border. In short order, they set up a command post in Goris with nearby hubs in Sisian and Ishkhanasar. Another location was then established in the historical Vayots Dzor (Vayk) region, where many evacuees are headed in the next leg of their journey to recovery. More hubs in Ararat, Massis, and Yerevan were up and running as of Sunday, as the evacuees spread out to the north, east and western regions of Armenia. Back in Goris, distribution is now focused on local hotels, hospitals, and schools, as well as private residences where evacuees are sheltering.

In all cases, hot meals are prepared in local restaurant spaces, using locally sourced ingredients and recipes. In a full-circle AGBU moment, some local restaurant owners happened to be alumni of the AGBU EmpowerHer Initiative, which offers support to Armenias women entrepreneurs.

Many of these evacuees, including the very sick and ailing, had to pack up in a hurry only to face standstill traffic for hours upon hours to cross the border to safety in Armenia proper. This only added to the trauma of the situation, explained Kamakian. The shock to the body, mind, and spirit is something we have seen before, when victims of disaster and catastrophe are in no condition to fend for themselves. Thats where a balanced warm meal made with fresh ingredientswith lots of dignity and compassion added to the mix may be the first sign of hope for them. It gives them the physical and moral strength to begin a new and uncertain chapter in their lives.

AGBU has made it possible for WCK and Kamakian to waste no time setting up the logistics of this immense effort, providing them with the resources, volunteers, and anything else she needs to ensure that her fellow Armenians have a chance to rebuild their shattered lives. With the support and generosity of WCK, she is confident that this vital aspect of humanitarian relief will make an important difference in this very difficult transition period.

Setrakian went on to say, We appreciate that WCK immediately recognized the tragic dimensions of this crisis and is able to provide free meals for an extended period to evacuees, including those in hospitals in desperate need of emergency care. We also owe our thanks to Aline Kamakian for her take-charge spirit and professional skill set that enable her to organize such an urgent and multi-faceted undertaking. Her presence here in Armenia during this critical time is both reassuring and inspiring for all.

Donations to the humanitarian effort for Armenian evacuees can be made to AGBU Global Relief Fund at agbu.org/global-relief.

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the worlds largest non-profit organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian diaspora. Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal: to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians. To learn more visit www.agbu.org.

Media Inquiries:

AGBU Press Office

55 East 59th Street

New York, NY 10022-1112

Phone: 212.319.6383

Email: press@agbu.org

Attachment

CONTACT: Arda Haratunian Armenian General Benevolent Union 516-457-5187 communications@agbu.org




A leading cause of birth defects is a virus that many expectant parents have never heard about. That may change soon thanks to the advocacy of parents whose children suffered birth defects due to the common virus: they've made a breakthrough this week, securing screenings within hours of birth for newborn babies.

Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, infects more than half of adults over their lifetime, typically presenting no symptoms even as it stays within a persons body. One in every 200 babies has congenital CMV at birth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About a fifth of babies born with CMV show symptoms, which can include smaller head size, liver and lung problems, hearing loss, or a rash, and some later show developmental delays.

New York this week joined a growing number of states to universally screen early for CMV, prompted, in large part, by parents whose children have experienced health effects from the virus. On Monday, New York begins a one-year pilot, testing all newborns for CMV using the routine method of a heel prick that leaves a dried blood spot on filter paper.

State officials already screen for dozens of diseases and genetic disorders. With CMV screening, they'll now test blood for evidence of viral DNA. Its important to identify the virus within the first three weeks of life, pediatricians say, because during that critical period, physicians can take steps to avert serious health effects through monitoring and treatment.

There are interventions you can offer that can improve the child's life, said Dr. Mark Schleiss, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School affiliated with M Health Fairview Masonic Childrens Hospital, in Minneapolis. Those include monitoring for hearing loss, monitoring their neurologic development, and in some cases, treating them with an antiviral medication that can mitigate the damage to the developing brain and the developing ear.

Medical needs: Abortion restrictions repel graduating OB-GYNs from conservative states, report shows

There is no vaccine for CMV. But awareness about prevention and intervention could have helped mothers like Lisa Saunders, 62, whose daughter Elizabeth was born, in 1989, small for her age with microcephaly, a condition that causes a person to have a smaller head. The condition is associated with congenital CMV.

During her pregnancy, Saunders was raising her toddler and ran a day care center in her Maryland home, where she could have been exposed to the virus. The spread of CMV is common among young children. It typically spreads from contact with urine, saliva, or other bodily fluids.

Lisa Saunders, left, holds her newborn daughter Elizabeth, center, in a Maryland neonatal intensive care unit in 1989. Saunders, now 62, has advocated for greater awareness about cytomegalovirus, or CMV, after her daughter contracted the virus, which led to severe health issues throughout Elizabeth's life.

Why didnt anyone tell me? she said. Why didnt I know?

Elizabeth had profound brain damage. As a teen, she still couldnt lift her head, Saunders said. Elizabeth had worsening seizures and died from one at age 16.

After her daughters death, Saunders said she had a recurring nightmare of being in a classroom, sitting in a circle with other parents looking to her to speak. In the dream, she couldn't get any words out, and then she'd wake up. She credits that experience with helping launch years of advocacy to warn parents about CMV.

History and health: How one health study, inspired by FDR's death, changed life in America forever

What is CMV screening?

Public awareness campaigns by Saunders, her husband Jim, and other parents propelled legislation and policies for CMV screenings. The National CMV Foundation, a nonprofit where Saunders has served as a parent representative, tallied around 20 states with some screening for the virus.

Minnesota became the first state to enact universal screening for CMV in February, at the behest of local parents. In the first six months, Jill Simonetti, Minnesotas newborn screening program manager, said more than 32,000 babies were born, and 102 of them screened as positive for CMV using dried blood spot tests. These infants received monitoring and treatment as a result, which could prevent the onset of some symptoms.

In Connecticut, where Saunders lived for several years, she helped the state to pass a law requiring universal CMV screening, beginning in 2025.

Saunders now lives near Syracuse, New York. In 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed Elizabeths Law, named after Saunders' daughter, which requires day care workers to undergo training about the risk of CMV transmission.

With its pilot program, New York is the largest state to enact CMV screening. It's available to about 220,000 babies born annually in the state. State Rep. Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat who sponsored Elizabeth's Law, now has a bill before the Legislature following New Yorks pilot, that would make universal screening permanent. It expands on a 2018 law Rosenthal sponsored that mandates hospitals test babies for CMV if they fail a hearing screening.

In this file photo, a family takes their first photo after their daughter was born in a new labor and delivery unit at Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas.

The plan is to compare babies who failed a hearing screening with those who tested positive for CMV to babies who did not fail hearing tests, said Dr. Michele Caggana, director of the New York State Department of Health Newborn Screening Program, which now is overseeing the $1.36 million pilot program funded by the federal Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

If CMV is found within the first 24 to 36 hours of birth, officials can connect families with primary care pediatricians and specialists to monitor and address neurologic, hearing and vision outcomes if problems develop, Caggana said.

Why isn't screening more common?

The dried blood spot to screen CMV is slightly less accurate in sensitivity for the virus DNA, according to Schleiss, of the University of Minnesota, who has helped improve techniques to detect CMV. It is accurate about 80% of the time. A more accurate method, using urine or saliva tests, is offered as a follow-up test by the baby's health care provider in both Minnesota and New York before the baby is 21 days old.

There has also been a nationwide push to add congenital CMV to the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel, a standard list of disorders that states test for among newborn babies. In August 2022, a federal advisory committee said a nomination request by the National CMV Foundation didn't provide enough information about recommended screening for officials to move forward.

National response to CMV

New Yorks pilot study, along with the program in Minnesota, may fill gaps for doctors across the country to understand the benefits of CMV screening.

In June, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., announced he would introduce the Stop CMV Act of 2023 to incentivize hospitals and health care providers to screen for CMV in newborns first three weeks. The bill has yet to be formally introduced in Congress. Blumenthal is seeking a Republican co-sponsor.

Congenital CMV is a major public health challenge and, unfortunately, parents are almost totally unaware of it and providers arent able to detect it as often as they should, Blumenthal said in a statement.

Why don't more people know about it?

Dr. Laura Gibson, an associate professor of adult and pediatric infectious disease at UMass Chan Medical School, said among new mothers she's spoken with, she hasnt once heard someone say they knew about congenital CMV. Shes leading a study to understand transmission of the virus, focusing on what's seen as a major risk factor for transmission: healthy children spreading it to expectant mothers.

We need to try to standardize our approach and keep track of these incidents like we do for many infectious diseases (that) many people are familiar with, she said.

Elizabeth Saunders died at 16 years old from a seizure after she contracted congenital cytomegalovirus, or CMV, as a newborn, leading to severe health issues throughout her life. Her mother, Lisa Saunders, has advocated to prevent more health issues from CMV after her daughter's death.

Saunders, whose daughter contracted the disease in the 80s, has continued to advocate for CMV awareness as a womens rights issue. In the last three years, she and her husband Jim, 65, have begun walking the entire Erie Canalway that runs across New York. They hope to complete it by the canal's bicentennial anniversary, in 2025.

The 363-mile waterway allowed American commerce to expand. It also passes near several historic sites from the suffragist movement, including Seneca Falls, the site of the pioneering 1848 womens rights convention.

Saunders said she hopes that women find out about CMV before theyre pregnant, during their childbearing years.

She wants prevention and newborn screening for the infection to become the standard of care, and, more than anything, she hopes knowledge about CMV to be commonplace.

Eduardo Cuevas covers health and breaking news for USA TODAY. He can be reached at EMCuevas1@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CMV: newborn screenings begin for a leading cause of birth defects
Santiago Ochoa's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com.
Rachel Bonar is the Nebraska Chapter Coordinator of Mormon Women for Ethical Government. She lives in Omaha, Neb., with her husband and three children.
AGF Management Ltd.

Offering expands ETF series line-up and provides exposure to emerging markets outside of China

TORONTO, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AGF Investments Inc. (AGF Investments) (TSX:AGF.B) today announced that it is expanding its line-up with the launch of AGF Emerging Markets ex China Fund, which effective today is available as a mutual fund with an ETF series option.



Fund Fund Series Available ETF Series Ticker Risk Rating AGF Emerging Markets ex China Fund Series F AEMX (NEO Exchange) Medium to High

This fund was developed for investors looking to diversify their core equity holdings and benefit from the unique exposures and opportunities that emerging markets provide, said Regina Chi Vice-President and Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets, AGF Investments. Given the strong performance and potential of other developing countries, we believe now is the right time to look beyond China.

AGF Emerging Markets ex China Fund uses a bottom-up investment approach aiming to identify companies with significant business interests in emerging market countries outside of China trading at a significant discount to their expected earnings potential. Companies are evaluated based on having strong long-term earnings growth potential, excellent management teams and relative dominance in their respective markets.

About AGF Management Limited

Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. Our companies deliver excellence in investing in the public and private markets through three distinct business lines: AGF Investments, AGF Private Capital and AGF Private Wealth.

AGF brings a disciplined approach, focused on incorporating sound, responsible and sustainable corporate practices. The firms collective investment expertise, driven by its fundamental, quantitative and private investing capabilities, extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and their clients to high-net worth and institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations.

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Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, AGF has investment operations and client servicing teams on the ground in North America and Europe. With over $42 billion in total assets under management and fee-earning assets, AGF serves more than 800,000 investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AGF.B.

About AGF Investments

AGF Investments is a group of wholly owned subsidiaries of AGF Management Limited, a Canadian reporting issuer. The subsidiaries included in AGF Investments are AGF Investments Inc. (AGFI), AGF Investments America Inc. (AGFA), AGF Investments LLC (AGFUS) and AGF International Advisors Company Limited (AGFIA). The term AGF Investments may refer to one or more of these subsidiaries or to all of them jointly. This term is used for convenience and does not precisely describe any of the separate companies, each of which manages its own affairs.

AGF Investments Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGF Management Limited and conducts the management and advisory of mutual funds in Canada.

This information is not intended to provide legal, accounting, tax, investment, financial, or other advice, and should not be relied upon for providing such advice. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated.

Media Contact

Amanda Marchment

Director, Corporate Communications

416-865-4160

amanda.marchment@agf.com




Tarife halucinante ale SUPERCOM la Cluj! Cat costa sa ridice un animal mort de pe domeniul public

Gunoierii de la Supercom Cluj au tarife separate pentru servicii extra, cum ar fi deseurile voluminoase sau a cadavrelor de animale de pe domeniul public.Atentie, totul se plateste la tona, chiar daca [citeste mai departe]
Veteran banker Mr Dimon says people should take a deep breath before considering AIs long-term effects - BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS

Artificial intelligence will eventually enable people to live to 100 and work just three-and-a-half days a week, the boss of Wall Streets biggest bank has said.

Jamie Dimon, chief executive of JP Morgan, made the forecast amid fears that generative AI technology could cause significant disruption to workplaces, with some even predicting that it poses an existential threat to humanity.

The veteran banker, who has been bullish about AIs long-term effects, told Bloomberg TV: People have to take a deep breath Your children are going to live to 100 and not have cancer because of technology. And literally theyll probably be working three-and-a-half days a week.

It comes as the UK prepares to host a global summit on AI Safety next month, which will be focused on the potential risks associated with the technology and how to control them.

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, is positioning Britain as a global leader in AI regulation and the summit will bring together governments, tech companies and academics from across the globe.

Chinese officials have even been invited, with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly saying that the risks of AI could not be contained if one of its leading players was absent.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is preparing to host an AI Safety summit in the UK - TOBY MELVILLE/REUTERS

Mr Dimon said: Eventually well have legal guardrails around it. Its hard to do because its new, but it will add huge value.

The emergence of new tools such as OpenAIs ChatGPT have also led to predictions that the technology could result in large-scale job losses. In workplaces, AI tools can already be used to summarise emails, write essays and compile research.

Goldman Sachs, JP Morgans biggest Wall Street rival, warned in March that generative AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs.

Mr Dimon, who said thousands of JP Morgan staff were already using AI as part of their work, admitted that the technology will replace some jobs, but added: Its a living breathing thing for us, every single processevery app and every database, you can apply AI. It might be used as a co-pilot. It might be used to replace humans.

Story continues

Its [doing] idea generation, its [doing] large language models, its note-taking while youre talking to someoneits a little bit of everything.

He previously said that the technology can be used to develop new products, boost customer engagement and enhance risk management for the bank.

Mr Dimons comments regarding cancer treatment come as experts hope that the technology will lead to medical breakthroughs such as curing life-threatening illnesses.

Scientists are already using AI tools to aid screening tests for several kinds of cancers.

Earlier this year, researchers at the Royal Marsden NHS foundation trust developed an AI model that can quickly and accurately identify cancer, potentially speeding up diagnosis and fast-tracking patients to treatment.

Next months AI conference in the UK will take place in Bletchley Park, the home of British codebreaking operations during the Second World War. It will focus on how AI could be weaponised by bad actors, how it could undermine biosecurity and the risk of humanity losing control of AI tools.

It will also explore how the technology could be used to serve the public, such as how it can be used to make transport safer.

While the bosses of the worlds biggest AI laboratories, alongside 350 executives and researchers, issued a warning in May arguing that AI could pose a risk of human extinction, other experts believe that such existential threats are overblown.

Matt Clifford, the prime ministers AI task force adviser, said in June that there were all sorts of risks now and in the future from the pretty scary technology and these should be very high on the policy makers agendas.

Despite his bullish view on the potential of AI, Mr Dimon also sounded a note of caution on the technology, saying: Technology has done unbelievable things for mankind but, you know, planes crash, pharmaceuticals get misused  there are negatives. This one, the biggest negative in my view, is AI being used by bad people to do bad things.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
A well-known jurist doesnt think that Ukraines complaint to the World Trade Organisation will be successful.

Ukraine has launched legal action against Poland, Hungary and Slovakia over their unilateral bans on the import of Ukrainian grain, which it considers to be in violation of their international obligations.



An EU ban on imported Ukrainian grain was in force from May to 15 September in order to protect European farmers from unfair competition as Ukrainian producers dont adhere to Europes costly environmental and safety requirements. When the European ban expired, the three countries (now joined by Romania) nevertheless kept the ban in force, arguing that Ukrainian grain should be forwarded to its original markets in poor countries.



In Magyar Nemzet, Zoltan Lomniczi Jr, an expert on international law explains that as a result of the Ukrainian Lawsuit, the three countries and Ukraine should conduct consultations to resolve the conflict.



He believes the ban on Ukrainian grain imports is not contrary to WTO rules, since it aims at protecting domestic markets against dumping-like competition. The WTO body in charge of settling disputes, Lomniczi continues, cannot impose sanctions even if it finds the three countries in violation of WTO rules. Sanctions could only be imposed by the other member states, he adds.



This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher.



Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online.



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SEWARD -- Recently, the Foundation of the Nebraska Society of CPAs awarded five Concordia accounting students scholarships. The scholarships are awarded to accounting majors with high GPAs who are on a CPA track, and who are planning to practice accounting in Nebraska once they graduate.

Todd Johnson, interim Dean of the College of Business & Technology, who helped nominate scholarship winners along with Dr. Andy Langewisch, Chair of the Department of Business, commented on the characters of the award winners. "These students show resilience, a willingness to serve, they understand and accept living at a higher standard, and overall, they're just fun to be around!"

Chloe Wells, a senior and scholarship recipient said, "I'm incredibly grateful to have been given this scholarship. I am thankful to the Nebraska Society of CPAs for giving students an opportunity to be recognized for their dedication to the accounting profession. I'm also grateful for Concordia's Business professors for always encouraging and pushing us students to excel in our studies. I'm also thankful for Professor Johnson and Dr. Langewisch for being incredibly helpful throughout the application process."

150-Hour Scholarship

The 150-Hour Scholarship award is for students that are in their senior year (or in graduate school) and are approaching the 150-hour criteria which meets the eligibility requirements to sit for the CPA exam. Scholarship winners include: Tice Jenkins, 2023 graduate, Lincoln; Camryn Opfer, 2023 graduate, Seward and Chloe Wells, senior, Seward.

Ryan L. Burger Pipeline Scholarship

The Ryan L. Burger Pipeline Scholarship is for students that plan to sit for the CPA exam, have the interest and capabilities of becoming successful accountants and are planning on spending the majority of their professional careers in Nebraska. Ashtynne Frahm, senior, Omaha was awarded the scholarship.

Accounting Scholarship

The accounting scholarship is for students who are working towards a career in accounting and are planning to spend the majority of their professional accounting career in Nebraska. Kyla Schleusener, senior, St. Paul, Minn. Was awarded the scholarship.

About Concordia University, Nebraska

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 2,500 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.
Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari made an announcement about the upcoming Urban Extension Road 2 during an interaction with the Indian Diaspora at the 27th World Road Congress in Prague.

Urban Extension Road 2, a ring road will be opened in 2-3 months, normally, if you (people) come to Delhi and then go to the airport it will take 2 hours but after this road opens, you can reach the airport in 20 minutes", said Gadkari.

Also read: Maruti Suzuki Receives Rs 139.3 Crore Show Cause Notice From GST Authority

During his address, Gadkari shared news about the imminent opening of Urban Extension Road 2, a major ring road project in Delhi. He stated that the road would be inaugurated within the next 2-3 months, potentially revolutionizing travel times in the city.

The development of Urban Extension Road 2 is expected to significantly reduce travel time and congestion for commuters travelling to the airport and various parts of the city. This infrastructure project aims to enhance connectivity and ease traffic congestion in the Indian capital.

Minister Nitin Gadkari also said that India has set a target to become world's number one automobile manufacturing hub in the next 3 to 4 years.

Gadkari said, that in the last nine years, the size of the automobile industry in India had increased from Rs 4.5 lakh crore rupees to Rs 12.5 lakh crore. The minister said the Automobile industry has given jobs to 4.5 crore people of the country. Nitin Gadkari also spoke about the government's strategy of gradually moving away from the use of diesel and petrol.

"All the vehicles in Nagpur such as tractors, buses, and cars are running through bio-CNG...I have a dream to get India rid of petrol and diesel...It's a difficult dream to achieve but not impossible" Gadkari said

Minister Gadkari was welcomed in a traditional 'Maharashtrian way' upon his arrival at Prague airport on October 1, where he was greeted by India's Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Hemant Kotalwar.

His visit to Prague is part of his official tour, which includes participation in the Ministerial session on Road Safety at the 27th World Road Congress.
New Delhi: Scottish woman Karen Farquharson, 49, was accused by her boss of using the menopause as a justification and got a settlement of Rs 37.5 lakh, or 37,000 pounds. Karen used to make Rs 38 lakh working for the engineering company Thistle Marine since 1995. She eventually quit her work, though, after certain things happened.

When she told her manager that she was going through menopause symptoms, along with worry and brain fog, in August 2021, it all began. She chose to spend two days working from home in December 2022 since she was experiencing menopausal bleeding. Additionally, there was a lot of snowfall close to her residence. (Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Has THIS BIG SIMILARITY With Apple iPhones; Will Be Launched On...)

On her third day back at work, her employer made a snide remark, "Oh, I see you've made it in." (Also Read: YouTube Revamping Its Android App? Report Says It's Testing Redesign Interface)

Despite alerting him about her predicament, he rejected her and said that everyone had pains. Karen then made the decision to back out and file a lawsuit against the business.

Her boss said at the hearing that his remarks were unintentional and that the woman was merely attempting to obtain funding for her wedding. The judging panel, however, believed that he had lacked empathy and ordered the business to compensate Karen.

James Hendry, the panel's chairman, was quoted by the BBC as saying that Jim Clark is best characterized as a gruff, self-made, and prosperous businessman. He undoubtedly possesses many excellent traits, but compassion for others is not one of them. We realized that, in contrast to himself, those who are unable to work as hard or without disease as he has, he has little patience or respect for them.

Karen said, "I had known this company for 27 years and they treated me like rubbish," in a BBC interview. Mr. Clark was not a fan of change. He disliked having his knowledge challenged. He failed to adapt to the times. I made an effort to clarify several problems around what is appropriate to say and what is not, but it was met with silence.
NEW DELHI: The Special Cell of Delhi Police on Monday said that the suspected ISIS terrorist Shahnawaz, who has been arrested, converted his wife Basanti Patel to Islam adding that the NIA's most wanted was a mining engineer from the prestigious Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology. As per police, Shahnawaz was arrested from Jaitpur in South Delhi earlier today. Apart from him, two persons, also carrying bounty on their heads by the National Investigation Agency, were arrested.



Addressing a press briefing, Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) HS Dhaliwal, said, "Last month NIA declared award on three persons who have alleged involvement in blasts cases. Of them, Mohammad Shahnawaz, the main accused, has been arrested with his two associates-- Mohammad Rizwan Ashraf and Mohammad Arshad Warsi."

"Ashraf has been arrested from Lucknow, while Arshad was nabbed from Moradabad," the police officer added. Dhaliwal said that bomb-making literature, sent from Pakistan-based handlers, and other incriminating materials were recovered from Shahnawaz's hideouts. "Several explosives-making materials including, elementary, plastic tubes, and iron pipes, were recovered. (Apart from it) Pistol, cartridges, and bomb-making literature sent from Pak-based handlers, were (also) recovered," the Special CP (Special Cell) said.

Police said that initial interrogation revealed that these people, conducted elaborate recce in Western Ghats, southern India, including Hubbali, Dharwad, and Ahmedabad in Gujarat to establish their hideouts. While responding to media queries, Dhaliwal said, "Shahnawaz is a mining engineer from Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology. His wife, Basanti Patel, is converted to Islam and is now known as Mariam."



According to police, the three wanted suspected terrorists were produced before the court earlier in the morning and have been sent to seven days of police custody. Last month, the NIA released pictures of four terror suspects, including that of Shahnawaz, wanted in the Pune ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) module case and declared a reward money of Rs 3 lakh each for credible information on them leading to their arrest. The agency has said that the identity of the informant will be kept confidential.

Shahnawaz was briefly caught by Pune Police on the intervening night of July 17-18 when he was trying to steal a motorcycle in the Kothrud area of Pune. During investigation, it had come to light that a foreign-based handler had possibly put Shahnawaz in touch with two other terror operatives with instructions to execute a terror strike.
Hafiz Saeed News: In Karachi, Pakistan, one of India's most wanted terrorists, Mufti Kasar Farooq, was fatally shot. Mufti Kasar was a founding member of the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba and was known to be a close associate of the militant Hafiz Saeed. A video of the incident has also emerged, showing Mufti Kasar walking with a group of people outside a mosque when gunfire erupted. In an attempt to escape, Mufti Kasar was seen hastily running, but he stumbled and fell after being hit by a bullet in his back.

How Was Hafiz Saeed's Associate Killed?

The sound of gunshots sent those present at the scene fleeing for their lives, desperately trying to save themselves. It was reported that among the people caught up in the gunfire were some children studying in a nearby madrasa, and one of them was injured during the shooting. After the shooting, the attackers, who arrived on motorcycles, managed to escape, and their identities remain unknown. Mufti Kasar Farooq was then rushed to the hospital for treatment, but doctors declared him dead.

The Elimination of India's Enemies, One by One

It is noteworthy that in recent times, several terrorists plotting against India have been killed worldwide, with some of these killings taking place in Pakistan. Mufti Kasar Farooq was one such individual. He was not only a close associate of terrorist Hafiz Saeed but also someone whom India had been searching for, much like Hafiz Saeed himself, for an extended period. However, due to his residence in Pakistan, India had been unable to apprehend him. Similar incidents have occurred recently, with the elimination of other terrorists, including JeM's Jiya-ur-Rehman, raising questions about the safety of these individuals hiding in Pakistan.

Hafiz Saeed Faces Mounting Difficulties

Hafiz Saeed, the most wanted terrorist in India and the chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba, is facing increasingly challenging circumstances. Starting from September 26, his son, Kamaluddin Saeed, has also been reported missing. No concrete information about his whereabouts has emerged thus far. It is said that Kamaluddin Saeed was kidnapped by some individuals in a car from Peshawar on that day, and his subsequent location remains unknown.

Who Kidnapped Hafiz Saeed's Son?

Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, has been actively investigating this case, but the identity of the kidnappers and the current whereabouts of Hafiz Saeed's son have not been ascertained. Additionally, there have been unverified reports in the Pakistani media that due to the continuous and increasing attacks on Lashkar-e-Taiba members, ISI has also relocated Kamaluddin Saeed to a secure location, and the news of his abduction is false.

Enhanced Security Measures for Talha, Hafiz Saeed's Brother

During this time, security measures for Talha, Hafiz Saeed's brother, have also been increased. Talha had survived a life-threatening attack in 2019 when he was just a child. Talha is responsible for managing Lashkar's finances and had been working with the terrorists for many years. However, his recent rise in prominence within the organization has led to concerns among some of the veteran terrorists, who oppose his leadership. In an effort to prevent any further escalation, Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, has sent some of the key leaders of the terrorist organization to safe locations.

Last year in April, the Indian government had declared Talha Saeed as a terrorist. Furthermore, India has been advocating for his designation as a global terrorist, but China has repeatedly obstructed these efforts. Hafiz Talha Saeed openly operates in Pakistan and promotes jihad against Indian interests in public gatherings and forums, including those in India, the United States, and Western countries.


Ahead of the Rajasthan election, there have been reports of infighting within the BJP as senior leader and former chief minister Vasundhara Raje earlier skipped several key meetings of the party. Last week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda held a key meeting with all party leaders in the state where they discussed the party's election strategy and candidate names. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited the state where he launched a scathing attack against the Congress government.

Addressing a rally in Chittorgarh, PM Modi also expressed his pain at the incidents of crime in Rajasthan and said Congress "has destroyed the state" in the past five years. It pains me that the state tops in crime list, in incidents of crimewhich state comes on top, in riotswhich state is on top, in incidents of stone-pelting which state is on top, in incidents of atrocities against women and Dalit, which state has worst nameis this why you voted for Congress? he asked.

Amid the opposition's question over the BJP's Chief Ministerial face in Rajasthan, PM Modi said that the face of the BJP in the elections is its symbol lotus and people should press the lotus button only.

He said only Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can bring all-round development to Rajasthan. The development of Rajasthan is the biggest priority of the central government, he said. Attacking the Congress in the poll-bound state, the Prime Minister said that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had accepted defeat.

Expressing confidence in BJPs victory, he said it will continue the welfare-oriented policies of Congress while taking action over corruption. PM Modi unveiled various development projects worth over Rs 7,000 crores in Chittorgarh, earlier in the day.
The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on October 2nd, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, a leader in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. The International Day of Non-Violence holds immense significance as it honors Mahatma Gandhi's principles of non-violence and encourages a global commitment to peaceful resolutions, social harmony, and fostering lasting peace.

International Day of Non-Violence: Significance

The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on October 2nd to commemorate the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, a pivotal figure in the Indian independence movement known for his philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa). Gandhi's principles and practices of non-violence had a profound impact on the world, influencing various civil rights and freedom movements globally. By honoring Gandhi on his birthday, this day promotes his teachings and encourages the values of peace, tolerance, and non-violence worldwide.

International Day of Non-Violence: 10 Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting facts about this important day:

1. Origin and Significance: The International Day of Non-Violence was established by the United Nations in 2007 to promote the principles of non-violence through education and public awareness. It aims to honor Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence and his role in India's struggle for independence.

2. Mahatma Gandhi's Legacy: Mahatma Gandhi, also known as the "Father of the Nation" in India, was a pioneer of non-violence as a way to achieve social and political change. His philosophy of non-violence, or Ahimsa, inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

3. Peace and Non-Violence Advocacy: The day is an opportunity to disseminate the message of non-violence through public awareness campaigns, events, and discussions on promoting a culture of peace and tolerance.

4. Global Observance: The International Day of Non-Violence is observed globally, and various events take place on this day to promote non-violence, peace, and tolerance in societies, schools, and communities.

5. Non-Violent Movements Worldwide: The principles of non-violence have been central to many social and political movements, including the American civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr., the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa led by Nelson Mandela, and the struggle for independence in India.

6. UN Resolution: The resolution to establish the International Day of Non-Violence was introduced by India at the United Nations General Assembly. It was adopted unanimously, reinforcing the importance of Gandhi's philosophy and promoting a culture of peace and non-violence.

7. Gandhi's Birthday Connection: The choice of October 2nd for the International Day of Non-Violence is significant as it marks the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, a symbolic figure in the struggle for non-violence and peace.

8. Educational Initiatives: On this day, educational institutions often organize programs and activities to educate students about the principles of non-violence, encouraging them to embrace peace and harmony in their lives and communities.

9. Social Media Campaigns: In the modern era, the International Day of Non-Violence is often marked by various campaigns on social media platforms, promoting non-violence and sharing Gandhi's quotes and teachings.

10. Call to Action: The day serves as a reminder that each individual can make a difference by choosing non-violence over aggression, and it calls for collective efforts to build a world where conflicts are resolved through dialogue and understanding rather than violence.

Observing this day encourages us to reflect on Mahatma Gandhi's timeless message of non-violence and its relevance in today's world to achieve lasting peace and harmony.
SINGAPORE, October 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best will sponsor, exhibit and join a panel discussion at the 27th Indonesia Rendez-Vous Conference, which is scheduled for 11-14 October 2023, in Bali, Indonesia.

During the conference, AM Best Associate Director Chris Lim will participate in the panel session, titled, "Managing Insurers Profitability from Portfolio Optimization, Risk Management Framework and Product Innovation and Financial Strength Indicators." The discussion is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. WITA on Thursday, 12 October. The panel also will include Edhi Tjahja Negara, CEO of Zurich Indonesia, and Elysia Chan, partner at McKinsey & Company.

AM Best is a silver sponsor of the Indonesia Rendez-Vous, which will take place at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center. The conference is held each year and is one of the leading events of the General Insurance Association of Indonesia. The theme of this years Rendez-Vous is "Changes Ahead: Regulatory Convergence Toward Market Confidence." Conference attendees also can visit table F in the exhibition area can receive more information about AM Best, its role in the insurance industry and the resources it offers to insurance professionals, including Bests Credit Ratings. For more information on the conference, please visit the event website.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2023 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231001156329/en/

Contacts

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com



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New Delhi: JSW Infrastructure's initial public offering, which was available for public subscription between September 25 and September 27, will make its stock market debut on Tuesday, October 3, when shares are listed on the BSE and NSE. The business now lists on the T+3 market.

JSW Infrastructure IPO: Allotment

On October 29, the IPO allotment will be completed.

In comparison to the 13,62,83,186 shares that were on offer, the Rs 2,800 crore IPO received bids for 5,09,32,86,660 shares or nearly 38 percent of the total.

JSW Infrastructure IPO GMP Today

Market watchers report that JSW Infrastructure Ltd is currently trading 31 rupees more expensively on the black market. The maximum issue price of Rs 119 per share is around 26.05 percent more than the grey market premium of Rs 31, or GMP.

This indicates that the grey market anticipates a listing gain of 26.05 percent from the public issuance. Investors' willingness to pay more than the issue price is indicated by the term "grey market premium."

JSW Infrastructure IPO: Price Range

The pricing range for the IPO, which raised up to Rs 2,800 crore, was Rs 113119 per share.

JSW Infrastructure IPO: Details

The public offering of equity shares was solely a new issue. On Friday, anchor investors contributed Rs 1,260 crore to JSW Infrastructure.

According to the circular, Rs 880 crore of the issue's proceeds would be used to pay off debt, Rs 865.75 crore to fund the project's capital expenses for an LPG terminal, and Rs 59.4 crore to build an electric sub-station.

Additionally, it stated that Rs 151.04 crore would be spent for the proposed expansion at Mangalore Container Terminal as well as Rs 103.88 crore for the purchase and installation of a dredger.
The Nobel Prize, a prestigious international recognition, has been awarded to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for their groundbreaking contributions to the development of mRNA vaccines to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nobel Prize 2023: Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman's Discovery

This year's Nobel Prize in Medicine is a testament to the remarkable work of Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman in the field of medicine. Their discoveries regarding mRNA vaccines have revolutionized global understanding of the human immune system's responses.

Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman have been honored with the prestigious 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine, celebrating their groundbreaking work in mRNA vaccine development that has revolutionized the COVID-19 response.

BREAKING NEWS

The 2023 #NobelPrize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/Y62uJDlNMj  The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 2, 2023

In the midst of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, their research provided a ray of hope for humanity. The mRNA vaccine's development marked a turning point in the fight against the pandemic, shedding light on the functioning of the immune system within the human body.

As the world grappled with the dire consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak, the urgency to find a viable vaccine was overwhelming. The breakthrough by Kariko and Weissman in developing the mRNA vaccine paved the way for controlling the pandemic.

Nobel Prize 2023: Cash Prize Award

The Nobel Prize carries a substantial cash award of 1.1 million Swedish kronor which translates to a significant 8 crores 31 lakh Indian rupees, endowed from the estate of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish citizen and the founder of the Nobel Prize, who passed away in 1896.

Nobel Prize 2023: mRNA Vaccine

The mechanism behind the mRNA vaccine is a result of deep understanding of how the coronavirus propagates within the human body. The transformation of DNA within our cells into messenger RNA (mRNA) was a pivotal step in this process, achieved through in vitro transcription. Katalin Kariko had been working on perfecting this process since the 1990s.

Collaborating with Drew Weissman, a brilliant immunologist, they conducted comprehensive studies on COVID-19 patients' immunity responses and leveraged this knowledge to enhance the immune response through the vaccine development process. The resultant mRNA vaccine played a crucial role in gradually bringing the COVID-19 pandemic under control, providing hope for a better and healthier future.
A six-month-old baby, suffering from congenital heart disease, encountered severe breathing problems on a Ranchi-Delhi IndoGo flight on Saturday. However, help was at hand. Two fellow passengers, both doctors, stepped in to assist the baby.

One of the doctors was Nitin Kulkarni, an IAS officer with a medical background, who along with another doctor improvised by administering oxygen from an adult mask and other essential medications as a critical medical intervention.

Also read: Air India Flight From Kochi To Gatwick Gets Cancelled Due To Technical Glitch

Upon landing at 9.25 am, a medical team swiftly arrived to provide the baby with the necessary oxygen support. The baby was shifted to AIIMS where the condition is said to be stable.

"Doctors are God sent angles. Today saw one saving a 6 month old baby onboard #Indigo . Dr. Nitin Kulkarni, IAS, governor house @jhar_governor (Jharkhand) took on his role as a doctor and saved the kid. Salute to you sir," A.S. Deol, who was a passenger on the same flight wrote on X. However, IndiGo is yet to issue a statement on the incident.
NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee along with party leaders and workers sat on a dharna at the Rajghat here on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary on Monday demanding the release of funds for West Bengal by the Centre. The Lok Sabha member, accompanied by party leaders including MPs, MLAs and state ministers who had arrived from West Bengal, paid tributes to Gandhi at the memorial and held the protest for two hours, sporting black armbands and displaying placards, after which they were escorted out by security personnel.

"They are scared that is why they are doing this... They talk about being a big party, but it is now visible that they are scared," Banerjee told media persons outside Rajghat before he and other TMC protesters were asked to clear the area. The TMC lashed out at the central government for "stopping" it from holding a "peaceful protest" and alleged that the protesters were heckled and manhandled by the security personnel.

The BJP hit back accusing the TMC of committing theft of government funds. Union Minister Anurag Thakur alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sent her party leaders under a "corrupt and tainted" MP to stage the protest to divert the public attention from the "numerous scams" that took place in her state.

At a press conference, Thakur dismissed TMC's allegations that the state's funds were being withheld and claimed there was no shortage of money for the centrally-sponsored schemes in West Bengal. The BJP also fielded its state leaders, including unit president Sukanta Majumdar, Union minister Subhas Sarkar and MP Locket Chatterjee, who accused TMC of doing a "drama" in Delhi.

Majumdar made light of Abhishek Banerjee's charge that the BJP has been trying to scuttle his party's protests, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not that idle to target a "petty leader" such as the TMC's heir apparent. Abhishek Banerjee later visited Lal Bahadur Shastri's memorial Vijay Ghat and paid tributes to the former prime minister on his birth anniversary.

At Gandhi's samadhi, Banerjee held a placard demanding that the Centre "release fund for Bengal". Another placard read 'Bengal Deprived: 1 lakh 15 thousand crore families, Rs. 15,000 crore owed'. The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal has accused the BJP-led NDA government of withholding Rs 15,000 crore in dues to the state under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and PM Awas Yojana.

The demonstration was held for about two hours, after which the TMC leaders were escorted out by security personnel. Banerjee addressed the media outside Raj Ghat but loudspeakers were used by police to ask the TMC leaders and supporters to move out of the area. "Our leaders peacefully protesting for the rights of the people were abruptly asked to leave by the police. All Shri Abhishek Banerjee asked for was ten minutes, but was ungracefully refused. What is the BJP-led Central Government scared of?" the Trinamool Congress said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

They also shared a video of a police official asking the TMC leaders to leave. The party leaders alleged that derogatory remarks were made by an IPS officer about the peaceful protest and that women leaders were "manhandled" by police. "It is deeply disheartening to witness such a lack of respect for the democratic process and the voices of the people under the BJP-led central government," Trinamool Congress said in a post on X.

"Raising our voice for people's rights is labelled as Tamasha. On Gandhi Jayanti, all we sought was a peaceful dharna for the betterment of our people. However, the anti-people BJP-led central government chose to silence us," the party alleged. Speaking to the media before leaving the area, Banerjee said the BJP government is "scared".

The TMC leaders and supporters will stage a protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday over the issue. The party claimed that over 50 lakh letters have been brought by the protesters from West Bengal that are addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the non-payment of dues. TMC sources said letters will also be brought from BJP-ruled Assam, Goa, Tripura and Meghalaya highlighting alleged corruption in central schemes.

Biswajit Dev, a spokesperson of the Trinamool Congress and member of the party's state committee, accused the Centre of destroying the rural employment scheme MGNREGA and said it's an insult to Mahatma Gandhi, after whom the scheme has been named. "Is this democracy? Centre is using schemes for political benefits," he alleged. "This is an insult to the poor people and to Mahatma Gandhi after whom MNREGA has been named," Dev told PTI.

Chaiti Barman Barua, a TMC leader from Coochbihar, said they have come to Delhi to make their voice heard. Joy Banerjee, who came from Purulia in West Bengal, alleged that the many trains and flights on which the TMC leaders were scheduled to travel to Delhi were cancelled. "We are here to make our voices heard by the Centre, not for any confrontation. Why is the BJP so worried?" he said.

TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee was scheduled to attend the programme in New Delhi, but is unlikely to do so as she has been advised ten days of rest by doctors after she suffered an injury in her left knee during a recent trip to Spain and Dubai. The chief minister held a two-day sit-in in March this year against the Centre's alleged move of "not releasing funds" to the state for MGNREGA and other welfare schemes. Union Minister Anurag Thakur targeted the TMC saying its leaders "have come to Delhi under the leadership of a tainted party MP, who himself is accused of several corruption.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Central Election Committee to finalize its candidates for the forthcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The primary focus of the discussion revolved around constituencies where the party's presence is relatively weaker in Rajasthan. There were deliberations on the possibility of fielding several Members of Parliament (MPs) and ministers in the Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh assembly elections.

The Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting took place at the BJP headquarters following a core group meeting for Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the BJP headquarters around 9 PM, and discussions pertaining to the Rajasthan Assembly elections continued for approximately two hours, according to sources.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President JP Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National Organization General Secretary BL Santosh, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and other members of the Central Election Committee were also present in the meeting held at the BJP's central office.

Party sources revealed that discussions regarding around 60 to 65 seats in Rajasthan had been concluded. However, during the Central Election Committee meeting, the main emphasis was on the constituencies where the BJP's influence is relatively weaker in Rajasthan.

"Discussions have also been held on fielding many MPs and ministers in the Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh assembly elections. Out of 200 seats in the Rajasthan Assembly, discussions has been completed for 65 seats while discussions for 69 seats in Chhattisgarh had already taken place," party sources said.

Prior to the BJP's Central Election Committee meeting, a core group meeting had been conducted to discuss matters related to Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh polls at the residence of BJP President JP Nadda. Veteran leaders from Chhattisgarh like Mansukh Mandaviya, Raman Singh and others were present in the meeting, while from Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje, Arun Singh, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Arjun Ram Meghwal and others were present.

The BJP is in the process of devising strategies for the forthcoming Assembly elections scheduled to be held later this year in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, and Telangana
New Delhi: The Delhi police on Monday arrested three Ismalic State (IS) terrorists wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The special cell of Delhi police nabbed the suspects after a massive search operation. "The module was planning to carry out terror incidents in North India based on inputs from foreign handlers. Incriminating material recovered including materials suspected to be used for IED fabrication," police said. One of the suspected terrorist has been identified as Shahnawaz has a reward of Rs 3 lakh on him. He was wanted in the Pune ISIS case. The terrorist, who is a engineer was living in Delhi by hiding his identity. Police is interrogating the arrested terrorists and further details are awaited.

Last month, the NIA released pictures of four terror suspects, including that of Shahnawaz, wanted in the Pune ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) module case and declared a reward money of Rs 3 lakh each for credible information on them leading to their arrest. The agency has said that the identity of the informant will be kept confidential.

An engineer by profession, Shahnawaz had escaped from Pune police custody and was living in Delhi, police said.

Delhi Police Special Cell has also detained some other people. Further investigation is underway. Shahnawaz was briefly caught by Pune Police on the intervening night of July 17-18 when he was trying to steal a motorcycle in the Kothrud area of Pune.

During investigation, it had came to light that a foreign-based handler had possibly put Shahnawaz in touch with two other terror operatives with instructions to execute a terror strike.
On Friday, the Bihar government unveiled the findings of its caste-based census in the state, providing valuable statistical insights into the religious and caste demographics of the region. The majority of Bihar's population adheres to Hinduism (82%) or Islam (18%). Minor populations follow other faiths, such as Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, or various other religions. Additionally, the census has identified various social strata and opportunities within the population. These groups include those classified as backward (27%), extremely backward (36%), scheduled caste (20%), and scheduled tribe (2%).

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Statement On Caste Based Census

"On the auspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti today, the caste-based census data conducted in Bihar has been released. Congratulations to the entire team involved in the caste-based census work!

The proposal for caste-based census was unanimously passed in the Vidhan Mandal (Legislative Council). With the consent of all 9 political parties in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, it was decided that the state government would conduct caste-based census using its resources. On June 2, 2022, the Cabinet approved this decision. Based on this, the state government has conducted the caste-based census. This census has not only revealed information about castes but also provided insights into the economic status of all communities. Based on this data, priority actions will be taken for the development and upliftment of all groups.

In Bihar, a meeting of the same 9 political parties in the Bihar Legislative Assembly will be called soon to inform them about the results of the caste-based census."
Mumbai: On the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Bollywood celebs including Anupam Kher, Sidharth Malhotra, Abhishek Bachchan and others remembered our Father of the Nation and took to their respective social media handles to mark this occasion.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher shared portraits of Bapu and Lal Bahadur Shastri on Instagram. Sharing the pictures, he wrote Best wishes to all of you on the occasion of Gandhiji and Shastri ji's birth anniversary! Both great leaders have contributed significance in different aspects of my life. Hail India! #LalBahadurShastri #MahatmaGandhi #LalBahadurShastri. Mahesh Babu wrote, Happy Gandhi Jayanti.

Ajay Devgn posted a picture of Mahatma Gandhi With De Di Hame Aazadi Bina Khadag Bina Dhal song by Asha Bhosle in the background.

Madhuri Dixit marked this ocassing by using Bapus quote, she posted, As per Mahatma Gandhi, "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." May we all have the strength and courage to achieve our dreams.

Abhishek Bachchan shared a picture of Bapu with his quote on it IN DOING SOMETHING, DO IT WITH LOVE OR NEVER DO IT AT ALL. He captioned the post, His words continue to resonate, a wisdom that remains relevant and profound to this day.#GandhiJayanti.

Rakul Preet Singh wrote, "HAPPINESS IS WHEN WHAT YOU THINK, WHAT YOU SAY, AND WHAT YOU DO ARE IN HARMONY" HAPPY GANDHI JAYANTI.

Sidharth Malhotra dropped a collage of Gandhi's picture and captioned his post, "HAPPY GANDHI JAYANTI. "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."



Further extending the wishes, Anushka Sharma wrote, Happy Gandhi Jayanti.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Delhi's Rajghat. Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, said PM Modi in a post on X, today while also urging to work towards fulfilling Gandhi's dreams. "I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion. May we always work towards fulfilling his dreams. May his thoughts enable every youngster be the agent of change he dreamt of, fostering unity and harmony all over," the Prime Minister said in his post.

I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion. May we always work towards fulfilling his  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2023

PM Modi on Friday launched a cleanliness drive beginning on October 1 to mark the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and said that Swachh Bharat is a shared responsibility, and every effort counts. 'Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' Campaign is a mega cleanliness drive to mark the celebration of Gandhi Jayanti. This initiative is a run-up to the Swachhata Pakhwada- Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign.

Exhorting the people across the country to get involved in the cleanliness campaign, PM Modi said taking the campaign forward will be a giant step towards fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a clean India.

Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against colonial British rule. This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947. Fondly known as Bapu, his unwavering belief in 'Swaraj' (self-governance) and 'Ahimsa' (non-violence) won him accolades across the world. Globally, Gandhi's birth anniversary is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Udaipur-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express averted a major accident on Monday because of vigilant locomotive pilots. The loco pilots spotted stones, clips and other obstructions on track and applied emergency brakes to prevent accidents. Based on the reports, the incident took place between Gangarar and Soniyana section after crossing Chittorgarh. A video showing the stones and two one foot rods placed on the tracks (where Udaipur-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express was supposed to cross) is being widely shared on social media.

"A Vande Bharat Udaipur-Jaipur Express travelling from the Gangarar-Soniyana section was stopped due to the placing of some ballast on the track and of two rods, of one foot each, in the joggle plate on the said route...An FIR is being registered. Strict action will taken against those involved in this...," said Captain Shashi Kiran, CPRO, North Western Railway.

Also read: Vande Bharat To Get 14-Minute Cleaning 'Miracle'; Check Indian Railways' Plan For Express Train

Reports suggest, that the incident occurred at 9:55 am in the morning. The train sustained no damage and continued its journey after the track was cleared. The incident in the North Western Zone of the Indian Railways has prompted an investigation by the Railway Police and the local authorities.

What kind of people harbor the desire for accidents to occur, resulting in harm to innocent people?



This is outrageous! Vande Bharat!

pic.twitter.com/mXigFnX4JF October 2, 2023

The Udaipur-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express leaves Udaipur city at 7:50 am and arrives in Jaipur at 14:05 pm. It runs six days a week, excluding Tuesdays. It is one of the three units of the semi-high speed train operated in Rajasthan and was 26th unit of the train in India. The train began its operations after inaugration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 September 2023.

Previously, multiple cases of miscreants trying to harm Vande Bharat Express trains have been reported from across the country. In such instances, there have been attempts of stone pelting on the train. Some of the miscreants even managed to damage window panes and glasses on the train with stones in the past. The trains in India have also witnessed multiple unfortunate accidents of crash with animals on track, which ended up damaging the train.
New Delhi: There has been a strong buzz on the internet lately around Thalapathy Vijay's upcoming film 'Leo' which will be released in theatres on October 19, 2023. The film marks the third installment in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe, with production led by SS Lait Kumar of Seven Screen Studio and Jagadish Palaniswamy as the co-producer. The principal photography of the film began in Chennai in January 2023 with occasional shoots in Kashmir. This was again followed by another schedule held at the former location, and wrapped by mid-July.

The film was officially announced in January 2023 under the tentative title 'Thalapathy 67', as it is Vijay's 67th film as a lead actor, and the title of the film was announced a few days later. 'Leo' is scheduled to be released in theatres worldwide in standard, and IMAX formats.

ADVANCE BOOKING FOR LEO



The Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial has begun on an excellent start and has already crossed USD 100K in the US for the premiere shows. As reported by the trade website Sacnilk, the film has sold around 5800 tickets worth USD 130K gross. A report shared by Taran Adarsh showed that the film established a new benchmark with its advance booking in the UK.

CAST



'Leo' is all set to arrive in theatres worldwide on October 19. The much-awaited film stars a star-studded cast of Vijay and Trisha, alongside Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mansoor Ali Khan and Mysskin.



PLOT OF LEO

The film was officially announced in January 2023 with the tentative title 'Thalapathy 67', as it is Vijay's 67th film as a lead actor. Apart from Tamil, it is expected to be released in dubbed versions including Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi languages. An uncut version of the film will theatrically released in the UK. 'Leo' will be the first film of Vijay to be released on IMAX format in UK. Recently, the audio launch event of Leo scheduled for September 30 was cancelled due to "overflowing passes requests and safety constraints".







OTT RELEASE

As per reports, the official rights of Vijay's Leo have been bagged by hOTT juggernaut Netflix. The makers are yet to announce the official streaming date of the film on OTT as of now.
An Amazon employee packages items to be shipped to customers in the Tallahassee Amazon facility on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023.

Amazon plans to hire an additional 800 seasonal workers for Tallahassee's new robotic fulfillment center as the company gears up for its peak holiday season.

The push is part of Amazon's statewide rush to hire more than 16,000 seasonal employees, which can transition to full-time employment. More than 250,000 are slated to be hired nationwide.

"For Tallahassee, we are expecting to hire more than 800 seasonal employees, with the large majority being dedicated to the fulfillment center. This is in addition to the more than 1,000 jobs created as part of the fulfillment center's opening," said Greg Rios, a company spokesman.

The ecommerce giant recently celebrated the grand opening of Tallahassee's five-story, 630,000 square-foot facility off Mahan Drive. Amazon committed to generating more than 1,000 jobs within three years of opening.

The employment goal  the largest job creation by the private sector in Tallahassee's history  has already been met and exceeded as company officials said the facility now has more than 1,300 employees.

Seasonal workers will be hired for customer fulfillment and transportation needs and may earn, on average, more than $20.50 per hour and up to $28 depending on the location. Interested job candidates can learn more details on open positions at amazon.com/apply.

In other parts of Florida, Amazon plans to hire more than 4,000 employees in Jacksonville, 3,000 in South Florida, 2,500 in Tampa and more than 1,000 in Orlando.

Whether someone is looking for a short-term way to make extra money, or is hoping to take their first step toward a fulfilling and rewarding career at Amazon, theres a role available for them," said John Felton, Amazons senior vice president of worldwide operations, in a statement. "A fulfillment or transportation employee who starts with us today will see a 13% increase in pay over the next three yearslikely more, including our annual wage investments  and thats on top of offerings like pre-paid college tuition with Career Choice and health care benefits on day one.

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According to Amazon, the company has invested more than $28 billion in Florida since 2010 and created more than 49,000 direct jobs.

AMAZON IN TALLAHASSEE

Contact Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com. Follow @TaMarynWaters on X.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Amazon in Tallahassee hiring for the holidays. Here's how to get a job
New Delhi: Meta-owned WhatsApp banned a record of over 74 lakh bad accounts in India in the month of August, in compliance with the new IT Rules 2021. Between August 1-31, the company banned "7,420,748 accounts".

About 3,506,905 of these accounts were proactively banned, before any reports from users, WhatsApp said in its monthly compliance report. (Also Read: Bengaluru Man Awarded Rs 1 Lakh Compensation For iPhone 13 Damage: Here's Why)

The most popular messaging platform, which has over 500 million users in the country, received another record 14,767 complaint reports in August in the country, and the records "actioned" were 71."

Accounts Actioned" denotes reports where WhatsApp took remedial action based on the report and taking action denotes either banning an account or a previously banned account being restored as a result."

This user-safety report contains details of the user complaints received and the corresponding action taken by WhatsApp, as well as WhatsApp's own preventive actions to combat abuse on our platform," according to the company.

Moreover, the company received only one order from the Grievance Appellate Committee in the country in August and complied with it. In a bid to empower millions of Indian social media users, the Centre recently launched the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) which looks into their concerns regarding content and other issues.

The newly-formed panel, a move to strengthen the country's digital laws to tame the Big Tech companies, will look into appeals by users against decisions of social media platforms.

"We are an industry leader in end-to-end encrypted messaging services in preventing and combating abuse. In addition to our safety features and controls, we employ a team of engineers, data scientists, analysts, researchers, and experts in law enforcement, online safety, and technology developments to oversee these efforts," said WhatsApp
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C., October 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AmbioPharm, a worldwide leader in peptide active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) services, announced the appointment of industry veteran Brian Gregg as Chief Executive Officer, today. Mr. Gregg, who has more than 30 years of experience in the peptide CDMO industry, succeeds Tim Nieters, who will be stepping down after 7 years with the company.

Mr. Gregg joins AmbioPharm following a 32-year career at Bachem Americas, where he was Chief Operating Officer for nearly a decade and was responsible for driving business and operational growth with the strategic acquisition and integration of a competing peptide CDMO. During his earlier years at Bachem, Mr. Gregg led the quality and regulatory function for Bachem Americas before serving as site manager for Bachems GMP manufacturing location in Torrance, California. Mr. Gregg will play a pivotal role in expanding AmbioPharms leadership role in the fast-growing peptide CDMO market and growing the companys global customer base.

Dr. Juncai (Chris) Bai, Chairman of the Company, said, "We are excited to welcome Brian to our executive team. He has both the leadership experience and necessary background to be immediately effective in growing our business in the U.S. and globally, and we look forward to working with him as we continue to expand on our service offerings and global customer base."

Ms. Ling Yang, Managing Director of Carlyle and member of the Board, commented, "The industry sector continues to demonstrate significant growth, driven by end-market innovation globally, and we believe Brian has a demonstrated and proven industry track record to lead AmbioPharm in its next phase of growth. Carlyle has worked with AmbioPharm since our investment in 2018 to help transform the company and build out its operational capabilities, and we continue to provide unwavering support to the company as it seeks to expand its leading position in the CDMO market."

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Mr. Gregg said, "AmbioPharm has invested significant effort and capital building out its systems, organization, buildings, and equipment, and the company is well-positioned to capture the opportunities in the global peptide CDMO market. It is an exciting time to take the reins of the company and I look forward to working with the leadership team to capitalize on these opportunities as well as to deliver high-quality products and service excellence for AmbioPharms customers."

Mr. Gregg holds an MBA from the San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from the University of California at San Diego.

About AmbioPharm

AmbioPharm, a global peptide CDMO, was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in North Augusta, South Carolina, USA, specializing in developing highly efficient manufacturing processes for peptide-based Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) at small to very large scales. Its manufacturing facilities in South Carolina, USA and Shanghai, China, manufacture New Chemical Entities (NCEs) and generic peptide APIs under cGMP for clients worldwide. The company currently has over 600 employees in North America, Asia and Europe.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002156576/en/

Contacts

Stephen Kiel, Secretary/Treasurer and CFO (803) 442-7590
FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Federal Reserve building is pictured in Washington

FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Federal Reserve building is pictured in Washington

By Shankar Ramakrishnan

(Reuters) - A clarification of capital rules by the Federal Reserve may encourage U.S. banks to transfer more of the risk in their loan portfolios to investors, potentially letting them free up capital.

The Federal Reserve on Thursday clarified rules around capital treatment of a type of structured debt which involves the sale of credit-linked notes that carry the risk of losses on U.S. bank loan portfolios to investors. The announcement was made through a frequently asked questions format dated Thursday.

In these debt trades, U.S. banks issue credit-linked notes tied to the performance of a collection of loans or other financial exposures, and sell those to investors, letting them lower their risk-weighted assets, according to the Fed's Q&A.

By doing so, if they get capital relief, they would reduce the capital they need to keep against them for regulatory capital purposes, according to banking industry sources.

There has certainly been growing interest in these transactions as banks seek regulatory capital relief," said Missy Dolski, global head of capital markets at alternative investment firm Varde Partners, an active investor in such products.

"This guidance makes it more clear what structures would need affirmative approval for capital relief and what is required to comply," she added.

The Fed clarified that synthetic securitization transactions  that refer to the performance of a set of loans in a banks balance sheet - by U.S. banks where credit-linked notes were sold through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) would automatically qualify for capital relief.

Directly issued credit-linked notes could also qualify but would need to be approved by the Fed, said the Q&A. These instruments are issued by a bank, but not through a SPV.

Such transactions, done privately, have been difficult to get done in the U.S., said Michael Bright, CEO of the Structured Finance Association.

It has been an uphill struggle for banks to get approval for favorable capital treatment on credit risk transfer securitizations because a lot of U.S. regulators express knee-jerk skepticism on bespoke products, said Bright.

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Data on them are not public but banks supervised by the European Central Bank (ECB) completed a record 174 billion euros ($189 billion) of such deals last year, the regulator told Reuters in April.

A bank can normally transfer risks of losses equivalent to around 7% to 12% of a loan portfolio in a European trade, market sources previously said.

These clarifications come after growing calls for clarity on which of these bespoke trades issued by U.S. banks would qualify for capital relief, the banking industry sources said.

Major U.S. banks contacted for comment on the impact of the guidance either declined comment or did not immediately respond.

Investors provided credit protection for a whole pool of loans by buying the notes but their investments are reduced as losses accrue on this pool, said the Fed's Q&A.

In return, investors are usually paid a high yield which could be in the double-digits in some cases, said one of the banking sources.

Allowing banks to buy credit protection on their loan portfolios would help banks continue to lend in a cost-effective manner while also protecting themselves, said Bright.

(Reporting by Shankar Ramakrishnan; Editing by Megan Davies and Daniel Wallis)
We can readily understand why investors are attracted to unprofitable companies. For example, although software-as-a-service business Salesforce.com lost money for years while it grew recurring revenue, if you held shares since 2005, you'd have done very well indeed. But while the successes are well known, investors should not ignore the very many unprofitable companies that simply burn through all their cash and collapse.

So, the natural question for Artemis Resources (ASX:ARV) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. In this article, we define cash burn as its annual (negative) free cash flow, which is the amount of money a company spends each year to fund its growth. The first step is to compare its cash burn with its cash reserves, to give us its 'cash runway'.

See our latest analysis for Artemis Resources

How Long Is Artemis Resources' Cash Runway?

You can calculate a company's cash runway by dividing the amount of cash it has by the rate at which it is spending that cash. As at June 2023, Artemis Resources had cash of AU$5.4m and no debt. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through AU$8.9m. That means it had a cash runway of around 7 months as of June 2023. To be frank, this kind of short runway puts us on edge, as it indicates the company must reduce its cash burn significantly, or else raise cash imminently. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time.

How Is Artemis Resources' Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

In our view, Artemis Resources doesn't yet produce significant amounts of operating revenue, since it reported just AU$80k in the last twelve months. As a result, we think it's a bit early to focus on the revenue growth, so we'll limit ourselves to looking at how the cash burn is changing over time. As it happens, the company's cash burn reduced by 26% over the last year, which suggests that management are mindful of the possibility of running out of cash. Artemis Resources makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. So we'd generally prefer stocks from this list of stocks that have analysts forecasting growth.

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Can Artemis Resources Raise More Cash Easily?

Even though it has reduced its cash burn recently, shareholders should still consider how easy it would be for Artemis Resources to raise more cash in the future. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. By looking at a company's cash burn relative to its market capitalisation, we gain insight on how much shareholders would be diluted if the company needed to raise enough cash to cover another year's cash burn.

Since it has a market capitalisation of AU$44m, Artemis Resources' AU$8.9m in cash burn equates to about 20% of its market value. That's fairly notable cash burn, so if the company had to sell shares to cover the cost of another year's operations, shareholders would suffer some costly dilution.

So, Should We Worry About Artemis Resources' Cash Burn?

On this analysis of Artemis Resources' cash burn, we think its cash burn reduction was reassuring, while its cash runway has us a bit worried. Summing up, we think the Artemis Resources' cash burn is a risk, based on the factors we mentioned in this article. On another note, Artemis Resources has 6 warning signs (and 4 which are a bit unpleasant) we think you should know about.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies insiders are buying, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

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.
USPS pushed back on safety recommendations offered by the OIG. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

WASHINGTON  Carriers and owner-operators hired by the U.S. Postal Service to handle the agencys highway freight have been red-flagged by auditors for safety and security violations, including having unauthorized family members riding along in their trucks.

The audit, conducted from February through September 2023 by the Postal Services Office of Inspector General (OIG), was designed to assess the Postal Services transportation workplace safety and driver security by looking at eight Processing and Distribution Centers (P&DCs) nationwide.

The OIG focused on both highway contract routes (HCRs) and Postal Vehicle Service (PVS) drivers. HCRs are long-haul routes contracted to private trucking companies to carry mail between designated points.

PVS drivers, in contrast, are Postal Service employees who haul mail among processing facilities, inner-city delivery offices and local businesses within a 50-mile radius.

We found the Postal Service did not obtain security clearances for contract drivers, contract drivers did not have valid and properly displayed identification badges, and proper forms were not always completed to document badge irregularities, according to OIGs audit.

Additionally, the Postal Service did not comply with safety and security policies for securing transported mail or cargo, nor with motor vehicle accident observation guidelines. Also, safety and security maintenance items were not executed timely to make necessary repairs to facilities.

When the Postal Service does not enforce proper safety and security measures, there is an increased risk of lost, damaged, or stolen mail and an increased risk of accidents and injuries to employees.

In particular, OIG auditors were informed during interviews that HCR drivers brought unauthorized people without valid ID badges  including family members  into secured areas of Postal Service facilities.

For example, at the Los Angeles P&DC, local management expressed concerns about HCR drivers carrying their children in their trucks. Also, at the Knoxville [Tennessee] P&DC, we found a driver with his child sitting inside the truck. Postal Service regulations allow only authorized employees with valid badges to enter Postal Service properties.

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Among five security-related recommendations, the OIG advised Robert Cintron, the Postal Services vice president of logistics, to develop and put in place an action plan with milestones and goals to address all HCR security clearance status issues identified during the OIGs site observations.

The OIG also recommended that Cintron require periodic reviews by management to confirm all drivers have current security clearance documents, and create a follow-up process to timely address any identified issues.

Auditors also found that both HCR and PVS drivers did not consistently follow the safety and security policies and procedures for securing and transporting mail. For example, wheel chocks are required to prevent trailers from rolling away, straps are required to secure mail, locks are required on trailer doors, and seals are required for HCR long-haul trips.

Of the 276 drivers observed by auditors leaving P&DCs with trucks containing mail, 206 total deficiencies (about 75%) were identified regarding unsecured trailers (see table).

Deficiencies Identified with Unsecured Trailers

Source: OIG (observations from April 4 to May 17, 2023).

The OIG recommended that Cintron and Michael Barber, the Postal Services processing and maintenance operations vice president, issue supplemental guidance directing management to improve oversight by monitoring and enforcing compliance of safety and security deficiencies.

While Postal Service management generally agreed with the findings, they disagreed with a number of the OIGs recommendations on resolving them, according to management comments included in the report. Management pointed out, for example, that it already maintains a log for security clearance status.

Also, Management issues supplemental guidance each year to administrative officialsregarding HCR screening and other official responsibilities of administrative officials, management wrote in response to improving oversight of certain safety and security measures, noting that such guidance was last issued in April.

However, the OIG considered those comments nonresponsiveand will pursue concurrence through the formal audit resolution process.

Related articles:

Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher.

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Press Release

October 2, 2023 Bong Go raises awareness and reminds Filipinos to remain vigilant versus Nipah virus amid outbreak in other countries Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, called on the Department of Health (DOH) and other relevant agencies to implement stringent measures to prevent the potential spread of the Nipah virus (NiV). In response to these concerns, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reassured the public that there is no Nipah virus outbreak yet in the country. "Maraming eskwelahan ngayon are suspending classes or shifting to virtual (classes) because of increasing flu-like illness happening among students. In Cagayan de Oro (City), meron pong nagsuspende ng klase and apparently may kumalat na Nipah virus yung concern. Upon verification with our regional epidemiological and surveillance unit in Northern Mindanao, wala po silang confirmed na Nipah virus in relation dun sa kumakalat na balita," shared Vergeire during the health budget hearing on Thursday, September 28. "Dito ho sa Pilipinas, wala po tayong detection. Meron po tayo nung huli, noong 2014 sa Sultan Kudarat, where there are a number of individuals in the community na na-detect ito. Pero sa ngayon po, wala tayong nade-detect," the health official reassured. The Nipah virus, as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a zoonotic illness that can be transmitted from animals to humans. What sets it apart from other diseases is its high fatality rate, ranging from 50 to 70 percent. This means that it poses a significant risk, affecting three to four out of every five infected individuals. The primary mode of transmission for Nipah virus infections is direct contact with sick pigs or their contaminated tissues. The virus can also be transmitted through unsafe contact with pig secretions and tissues. This highlights the importance of maintaining good hygiene and proper handling practices within the livestock industry. Meanwhile, outbreaks of the Nipah virus have occurred in countries like Bangladesh and India, where people fell ill after consuming fruits and raw date palm juice contaminated with the urine or saliva of infected fruit bats. "Mga kababayan ko, nais kong paalalahanan ang kahalagahan ng kalusugan at kaligtasan natin laban sa anumang health threats tulad nitong Nipah virus (NiV). Sa panahong ito, hindi natin dapat kalimutan ang mga hakbang na kinakailangan upang mapanatili ang ating kalusugan at kaligtasan mula sa anumang panganib," stressed Go. "Huwag kalimutang sumunod sa mga payo ng mga eksperto sa kalusugan. Mahalaga ang tamang hygiene, katulad ng paghuhugas ng kamay, at pagsusuot ng masks kung kinakailangan. Maiiwasan natin ang pagkalat ng sakit kung tayo ay magiging maingat," he continued. Recognizing the need to strengthen the healthcare system in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Go has filed bills proposing the creation of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) and the Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Malaki ang naging epekto sa buhay natin sa COVID. Maraming pagbabago, marami tayong natutunan. Lessons learned ang mga ito. Hindi natin alam kung kailan darating ang bagong pandemya sa buhay natin. Mas mabuting maging proactive at mas handa tayo," he said. Senate Bill No. 195, as outlined, envisions CDC as the primary organization entrusted with the leadership of initiatives aimed at managing and preventing infectious diseases. Its core responsibilities encompass the formulation of policies and standards, disease surveillance and detection, data collection and analysis, public health communication, as well as research and evidence synthesis, all geared towards mitigating the transmission of communicable diseases within the nation. "Ibig sabihin mas kontrolado natin, alam na natin at ang mga data ay mas kumpleto. So, ito po 'yung tinatawag na proposed Center for Disease Control and Prevention Act. Napaka-importante po ma-maintain natin ang active surveillance of diseases dahil, alam nyo, nabigla tayo noong COVID-19," Go pointed out. Meanwhile, according to the proposed SBN 196, the VIP will serve as a specialized hub for virology-centered investigations, research, and technical coordination across the entire network of virology laboratories nationwide. Under this proposed legislation, VIP will offer guidance for the establishment and operation of testing, reference, and biosafety laboratories at Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 in various regions throughout the country.
An AR-15-style rifle. Illinois residents who already owned high-powered guns when the state ban on those weapons took effect in January could begin registering their firearms Oct. 1 with the Illinois State Police. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois residents who already owned high-powered guns when the state ban on those weapons took effect in January can begin registering their firearms this month with the Illinois State Police.

Prohibited guns owned prior to the ban were grandfathered in but owners are required to register the weapons by Jan. 1, 2024, under the measure signed into law on Jan. 10 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

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Violators can be charged with a misdemeanor for a first offense and felonies for subsequent violations.

Registration began Sunday and must be completed online through a firearm owners identification card account from the state polices Firearms Services Bureau website, www.ispfsb.com. Gun owners will need an email address, drivers license or state ID, and FOID card to create an account.

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A video on how to register by submitting what is called an endorsement affidavit through a FOID card account was made available on the state police website on Sunday.

Gun owners will be required to list the make, model, caliber and serial number of their firearms in the affidavit, which will contain a warning that entering false information is punishable as perjury.

State police said there are roughly 2.4 million FOID card holders in Illinois. Its not known how many people possess guns that are now banned but would be grandfathered in under the law.

The states gun ban has been the subject of several legal challenges from gun rights advocates who argue it violates equal protection rights under the Illinois Constitution and the U.S. Constitutions Second Amendment.

A federal challenge on Second Amendment grounds is pending before a federal appeals court in Chicago. The ban has withstood state lawsuits, with the Illinois Supreme Court upholding the law in August.

How the laws gun registration requirements will be enforced remains to be seen. Earlier this year, an estimated 90 of Illinois 102 county sheriffs issued letters stating they believe that (the new gun law) is a clear violation of the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and that they wouldnt enforce it.

The gun ban, spurred by a mass shooting on the Fourth of July in 2022 in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens more injured, prohibits the delivery, sale, import and purchase of more than 100 so-called assault weapons in the form of semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and handguns. Also banned are the delivery, sale and purchase of high-capacity magazines of more than 10 rounds for long guns and 15 rounds for handguns.

Also, devices that increase the firing rates of a firearm, known as switches, to convert them from semi-automatic or automatic weapons, are covered by the ban. Someone in possession could face a felony count for each device.

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jgorner@chicagotribune.com
FACT.MR

Automotive mats made from rubber bring in more than 40% of the global automotive mats market revenue share at present.

Rockville , Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Expanding at a steady CAGR of 4.4% from 2023 to 2033, the global Automotive Mats Market is forecasted to reach a valuation of US$ 51.7 billion by 2033-end. This study by Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider, suggests that more companies will make a move to manufacture automotive mats with sustainable materials in the future.

Asian economies of Japan, China, India, and South Korea are set to offer highly attractive business opportunities for automotive mat suppliers in the future owing to the presence of key automotive companies and expanding automotive manufacturing activity. Rising disposable income and increasing consumer awareness regarding vehicle interior aesthetics are also projected to uplift sales of automotive mats in the aforementioned countries in the APAC region through 2033.

For More Insights into the Market, Request a Sample of this Report:

https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=2

Key Segments of Automotive Mats Industry Research Report

By Material By Mat Type By Design By Vehicle Type Rubber

Plastic

PVC

Metal Standard Mats

3D Mats

5D Mats Needle-punched

Non-skid Passenger Cars

LCVs

HCVs



On the contrary, high maintenance costs associated with the use of automotive mats are predicted to impede the global automotive mat demand outlook in the long run. The use of rubber and plastic materials to manufacture automotive mats is also estimated to create hurdles for automotive mat companies as the focus on sustainability around the world increases.

Key Takeaways from Market Study

The global automotive mats market stands at a valuation of US$ 33.5 billion in 2023.

Demand for automotive mats is projected to expand at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2023 to 2033.

The global market is forecasted to reach US$ 51.7 billion by 2033-end.

Increasing automotive production, rising disposable income of people, growing urbanization, launch of new vehicles, and high consumer awareness regarding vehicle interior aesthetics and hygiene are key market drivers.

Uncertainty in the global automotive supply chain is slated to pose a significant challenge for automotive mat suppliers in the future.

Emerging countries such as India, China, and South Korea in the APAC region are anticipated to be highly rewarding markets for automotive mat companies.

Rubber automotive mat sales currently account for more than 40% of the global market revenue share.

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Rising sales of luxury vehicles and growing popularity of customization will provide lucrative opportunities for aftermarket automotive mat suppliers, says a Fact.MR analyst

Rubber Car Mats Dominate the Market Share

Rubber mats have a long history in the automotive industry and continue to maintain a significant presence today. The versatility and reusability of rubber enable the creation of car mats in various sizes and shapes, contributing to its substantial market share on a global scale.

Currently, rubber-based automotive mats account for over 40% of the revenue share in the global automotive mats market. However, concerns regarding the environmental impact of rubber disposal and the high carbon footprint associated with rubber production are prompting automotive mat manufacturers to explore alternative materials with a lower carbon footprint, aligning with the increasing emphasis on sustainability.

Get Customization on this Report for Specific Research Solutions:

https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RC&rep_id=2

Winning Strategy

Top automotive mat brands are focusing on revolutionizing the industry with production innovation that involves the use of sustainable materials that reduce the overall carbon footprint of the vehicle. Manufacturing and marketing maintenance-free car mats is also an attractive prospect that could allow companies to book huge profits in the long run.

Report Attributes Details Forecast Period 2023  2033 Value Projection (2033) US$ 51.7 Billion Growth Rate (2023-2033) 4.4% CAGR No. of Pages 170 pages No. of Tables 287 Tables No. of Figures 86 Figures



Key Companies Profiled

Auto Custom Carpets Inc.

ExactMats

LLOYD MATS

Truck Hero Inc.

BDK Auto

Shanghai Jun-Da Auto Decoration Co. Ltd.

Lund International

Covercraft Industries LLC

Kraco Enterprise LLC

MacNeil Automotive Products Limited

Husky Liners Inc.

Intro-tech Automotive Inc.

Maxliner USA

More Valuable Insights on Offer

Fact.MR, in its new offering, presents an unbiased analysis of the global automotive mats market, presenting historical demand data (2018 to 2022) and forecast statistics for the period (2023 to 2033).

The study divulges essential insights on the market based on material (rubber, plastic, PVC, metal), mat type (standard mats, 3D mats, 5D mats), design type (needle-punched, non-skid), and vehicle type (passenger cars, LCVs, HCVs), across five major regions of the world (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and MEA).

Checkout More Related Studies Published by Fact.MR Research:

Automotive Active Health Monitoring Systems Market : The global automotive active health monitoring systems market is expected to surge ahead at CAGR of 30.2%, rising from its current market value of US$ 500 million to US$ 7 billion by the end of 2033.

Automotive Actuators Market : The global automotive actuators market is estimated at USD 20.1 Billion in 2022 and is forecast to reach USD 38.3 Billion by 2032, growing with a CAGR of 6.6% during 2022-2032.

Automotive Additives Market : The global automotive additives market is estimated at USD 8.2 Billion in 2022 and is forecast to reach USD 13.2 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% during 2022-2032.

About Us:

Fact.MR is a distinguished market research company renowned for its comprehensive market reports and invaluable business insights. As a prominent player in business intelligence, we deliver deep analysis, uncovering market trends, growth paths, and competitive landscapes. Renowned for its commitment to accuracy and reliability, we empower businesses with crucial data and strategic recommendations, facilitating informed decision-making and enhancing market positioning. With its unwavering dedication to providing reliable market intelligence, FACT.MR continues to assist companies in navigating dynamic market challenges with confidence and achieving long-term success. With a global presence and a team of experienced analysts, FACT.MR ensures its clients receive actionable insights to capitalize on emerging opportunities and stay ahead in the competitive landscape.

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Poor succession planning was at the heart of the HBO show Succession, but this financial advisory business owner is here to help you prevent that from happening at your business.

If youre a fan of HBOs Succession like me, you were probably glued to your screens for the final season of the TV masterpiece. While the show was riveting, the truth is that Succession glorified poor business succession planning. If youre a business owner and tuned in to the show, you were reminded how indecision and loosely constructed succession plans can tear a family apart, affecting your legacy, financial picture and familial bonds.

I know firsthand the major investment of time that goes into running a business. As someone who grew up on his fathers cranberry farm, bagging cranberries and starting a lawn care business at 11 years old, I know that a successful business is run by someone who dedicates their life not only to their craft but to their employees, co-workers, customers and clients. Caring for these people personally and financially, whether friends, family or acquaintances, adds another layer to the succession planning puzzle.

As a financial advisory business owner, I have a uniquely personal understanding of how important and complex succession planning can be. Thats why in this article, I want to share with you crucial advice and factors to be aware of for how to properly step back from your business and into retirement.

You look after your staff, but have you looked after your own future?

As a business owner, you've likely invested a significant amount of time and energy into looking after your team and clients. You've honed your leadership skills and developed a team that can deliver results. However, as you approach retirement, it's crucial to shift focus from the day-to-day running of your business to long-term planning for your future.

Succession planning is essential to this process, ensuring that your business continues to thrive even in your absence, providing you with a sense of security and peace of mind for your retirement years.

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Having a long-term retirement plan in place is essential. It should detail how you'll fund your retirement, whether from savings, investments or the sale of your business. A well-thought-out business succession plan can also offer a structured roadmap for transitioning ownership, detailing logistics and ensuring that your business remains in capable hands.

This plan should be legally sound and comprehensive, providing a clear path for the future of your business whether its to sell it or to leave it to a partner, employee or family member. This can help you avoid having to exit retirement, improperly valuing the proceeds of a sale for your business  leaving you with less than you thought for retirement  or leaving behind a dysfunctional business for your successors.

Consider your business partners situation

Running a business with a partner can add a layer of complexity to the succession planning process. You're not just considering your retirement and future, but also that of your business partner. This dual-ownership scenario requires careful planning and open conversations. Both partners should be transparent about their retirement plans, including their anticipated retirement age, expectations for financial compensation and desires for the future of the business.

It's crucial to ensure that both partners' interests are aligned to prevent conflict and ensure a smooth transition when the time comes for one or both to retire.

Often, one partner may decide to retire before the other, raising several questions. For instance, who will take over the retiring partner's responsibilities? Will the remaining partner buy out the retiring partner's share, or will a successor step in?

If there's to be a successor, it's essential to identify them in advance. They could be an existing employee, a family member or an outside hire. Whoever it is, they should be adequately trained and prepared to take on the new role. This process requires time and careful planning, so it's crucial to start early.

A brief note on contingency planning

Contingency planning is another vital aspect of this process. It's important to consider a variety of factors, including potential health issues, unexpected early retirement or even the death of a partner. What happens if a partner can no longer participate in running the business? How will their share of the business be handled? Having a solid contingency plan in place can help ensure the business runs smoothly in any unforeseen circumstances.

It's also important to review and update this plan regularly, considering changes in the business environment, health status or personal circumstances of each partner. This way, you can feel confident that your business is prepared for the future, no matter what it holds.

Do you sell your business, pass it on or close up shop?

There are three key options youre likely to consider when it comes to entering retirement and exiting your business. Here are some key focusing points on each of those options.

1. Selling your business

Choosing to sell your business is a significant decision that requires careful planning and preparation. The first step is to undergo a professional business valuation, which will assess your business's worth based on factors such as assets held, financial performance, market conditions and industry trends. This helps to ensure you get a fair price for your business, or you dont overestimate how much your business is worth.

Share your intentions to sell early in the process, explain the reasons behind your decision and discuss the potential impacts on the company's operations and structure. This will help prepare employees and partners for the change in leadership and maintain trust in the business' future.

2. Passing on your business

When it comes to passing on your business, the process differs slightly depending on whether you're passing it to a business partner or a family member. In the case of a business partner, it might involve buy-sell agreements, while family succession can involve estate planning.

Regardless, it's important to have open and honest discussions about expectations, roles and responsibilities to avoid conflicts. It's also crucial to have legal documents in place that outline the terms of the transition, and professional advice can go a long way in ensuring this happens smoothly.

3. Closing your business

If you decide to close your business, it's important to have a clear plan in place to manage the impact on your employees and customers. Communicate your intentions to your staff as early as possible, providing them with ample time to seek new opportunities. You may also need to negotiate the termination of leases, contracts and other business obligations.

As for your clientele, let them know the timeline for your business' closure and the final date of service. This will give them time to find alternative providers if necessary.

For your business assets, consider liquidation or selling them off. If you own the premises your business operates from, prepare it for sale or lease to a new occupier. This might involve some renovations or changes to make it attractive to potential buyers or tenants.

What happens without a succession plan?

Without a well-thought-out succession plan, businesses may face a host of complications that could turn their succession process into a melodrama. Unresolved disputes between partners, undervalued assets during a sale or a poorly managed closure can all cause unnecessary stress and financial loss.

One scenario could involve partners with different visions for the future, leading to conflicts that might disrupt business operations, dampen the morale of employees and blow up family dynamics. Another scenario might occur when selling a business without an accurate valuation, potentially resulting in significant financial loss.

In the case of passing on the business to a family member, an unplanned transition could lead to power struggles and potential mismanagement. Ultimately, closing a business without a clear plan can leave stakeholders in the dark and obligations unmet.

These scenarios sound familiar to fans of Succession but keep in mind that such occurrences are very real and can keep business owners up at night and working years past the time they should have retired. With proper, professional planning, open communication and transparency, you can ensure a smooth business succession process, enter retirement on time and leave the melodrama to the TV screen.

Investment Advisory Services are offered through SHP Wealth Management LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Insurance sales are offered through SHP Financial, LLC. These are separate entities, Matthew Chapman Peck, CFP, CIMA, Derek Louis Gregoire, and Keith Winslow Ellis Jr. are independent licensed insurance agents, and Owners/Partners of an insurance agency, SHP Financial, LLC. In addition, other supervised persons of SHP Wealth Management, LLC are independent licensed insurance agents of SHP Financial, LLC. No statements made shall constitute tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own legal or tax professional before investing. Both SHP Wealth Management, LLC and SHP Financial, LLC will offer clients advice and/or products from each entity. No client is under any obligation to purchase any insurance product. SHP Financial utilizes third-party marketing and public relation firms to assist in securing media appearances, for securing interviews, to provide suggested content for radio, for article placements, and other supporting services.
The ByteDance logo is seen at the company's office building in Shanghai

By Krystal Hu and Niket Nishant

(Reuters) -China's ByteDance is buying back shares from U.S. employees in a deal that values the TikTok parent company at $223.5 billion, about 26% lower than a valuation a year earlier, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday.

Share buybacks for employees allow them to vest without waiting for the company to list in the stock market.

Last year, ByteDance was valued at $300 billion in a buyback program offered to its non-U.S. employees. Since then its U.S. operations have dropped a rule requiring a "liquidity event", such as an IPO or company sale, as a condition for the vesting to occur. The rule had been in place for tax reasons.

ByteDance is looking to buy at least $300 million worth of stock from current and former U.S. employees at $160 per share, the source said.

The source was not authorised to speak to media and declined to be identified. ByteDance did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The Information first reported the share buyback price.

Many late-stage startups have seen their valuations slide in the past two years as sharp interest rate hikes have led to far less capital in the private investment market.

The deal comes at a time when TikTok is facing calls for a nationwide ban from some U.S. lawmakers over concerns about potential Chinese government influence over it. ByteDance has denied the allegations.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was also grilled in a congressional hearing in March where U.S. lawmakers expressed concerns about the impact of the content on the platform on children's mental health.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that ByteDance turned an operating profit of nearly $6 billion in the first quarter of 2023, nearly doubling from a year earlier.

(Reporting by Krystal Hu in San Francisco, Niket Nishant and Samrhitha Arunasalam in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and Edwina Gibbs)
Key Insights

The projected fair value for PETRONAS Gas Berhad is RM18.32 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

With RM16.84 share price, PETRONAS Gas Berhad appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

Our fair value estimate is 2.1% higher than PETRONAS Gas Berhad's analyst price target of RM17.93

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of PETRONAS Gas Berhad (KLSE:PETGAS) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for PETRONAS Gas Berhad

Crunching The Numbers

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM2.13b RM2.15b RM2.18b RM2.23b RM2.29b RM2.35b RM2.43b RM2.50b RM2.59b RM2.67b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Est @ 1.59% Est @ 2.18% Est @ 2.59% Est @ 2.88% Est @ 3.08% Est @ 3.22% Est @ 3.32% Est @ 3.39% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 9.0% RM2.0k RM1.8k RM1.7k RM1.6k RM1.5k RM1.4k RM1.3k RM1.3k RM1.2k RM1.1k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM15b

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We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 9.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM2.7b (1 + 3.6%)  (9.0% 3.6%) = RM51b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM51b ( 1 + 9.0%)10= RM21b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM36b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM16.8, the company appears about fair value at a 8.1% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at PETRONAS Gas Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for PETRONAS Gas Berhad

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Gas Utilities market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by cash flow.

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Malaysian market.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For PETRONAS Gas Berhad, we've put together three pertinent aspects you should consider:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for PETRONAS Gas Berhad that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does PETGAS's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Exploring Cardinal Health Inc's Dividend History, Growth, and Future Prospects

Cardinal Health Inc(NYSE:CAH) recently announced a dividend of $0.5 per share, payable on 2023-10-15, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-10-02. As investors eagerly anticipate this upcoming payment, it's worthwhile to examine the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using data from GuruFocus, let's delve into Cardinal Health Inc's dividend performance and evaluate its sustainability.

Understanding Cardinal Health Inc's Business Model

Cardinal Health Inc is one of the three leading pharmaceutical wholesalers in the U.S., involved in the sourcing and distribution of branded, generic, and specialty pharmaceutical products. The company's clientele includes pharmacies (retail chains, independent, and mail-order), hospital networks, and healthcare providers. Together with Cencora and McKesson, these three companies dominate over 90% of the U.S. pharmaceutical wholesale industry. Cardinal Health also supplies medical-surgical products and equipment to healthcare facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Cardinal Health Inc (CAH): A Deep Dive into Its Dividend Performance and Sustainability

A Glimpse at Cardinal Health Inc's Dividend History

Cardinal Health Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1985, with dividends currently distributed on a quarterly basis. The company has increased its dividend each year since 1988, earning it the status of a dividend aristocrat. This prestigious title is given to companies that have consistently increased their dividend each year for at least the past 35 years.

Cardinal Health Inc (CAH): A Deep Dive into Its Dividend Performance and Sustainability

Breaking Down Cardinal Health Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Cardinal Health Inc boasts a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.29% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 2.31%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months.

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Over the past three years, Cardinal Health Inc's annual dividend growth rate was 1.00%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 1.20% per year. And over the past decade, Cardinal Health Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 5.80%. Based on Cardinal Health Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Cardinal Health Inc stock as of today is approximately 2.44%.

Cardinal Health Inc (CAH): A Deep Dive into Its Dividend Performance and Sustainability

Payout Ratio and Profitability: Assessing Dividend Sustainability

To evaluate the sustainability of the dividend, it's crucial to consider the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio gives insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio indicates that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-06-30, Cardinal Health Inc's dividend payout ratio is 1.99, which may suggest that the company's dividend may not be sustainable.

Cardinal Health Inc's profitability rank provides an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Cardinal Health Inc's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2023-06-30, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported net profit in 8 out of the past 10 years.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

For dividends to be sustainable, the company must demonstrate robust growth metrics. Cardinal Health Inc's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests a promising growth trajectory relative to its competitors. Furthermore, Cardinal Health Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a robust revenue model. Cardinal Health Inc's revenue has increased by approximately 14.50% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 78.57% of global competitors.

Concluding Remarks

Cardinal Health Inc's consistent dividend payments, steady growth rate, and solid profitability make it an intriguing prospect for dividend-focused investors. However, its high payout ratio raises questions about the sustainability of its dividends. Therefore, while the company's growth metrics and profitability rank are encouraging, investors should closely monitor its payout ratio and revenue growth to ensure the sustainability of its dividends. GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


A crowd gathers on the grounds of Patriots Park Sunday in Batavia for the unveiling of the Flag Day Monument. (David Sharos/The Beacon-News)

Hundreds of people came out Sunday afternoon to Patriots Park in Batavia to witness the unveiling of the Flag Day Monument, a $1.5 million memorial that was created as a tribute to Dr. Bernard J. Cigrand, a Batavia dentist who was instrumental in the creation of the Flag Day holiday, held each year on June 14.

The event, which officially opened the monument to the public, included remarks from Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke, who was joined by other city officials as well as the Fox Valley Patriotic Organization at the ceremony.

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Schielke said the monument is a great thing for Batavia.

This is a monumental day here because in 1916 when Dr. Cigrand was here, he got President Woodrow Wilson to proclaim Flag Day and Batavia has been talking about doing something for 107 years and so we are. Im very proud of what we were able to put together, Schielke said. This has exceeded my expectations, and weve really had some very talented residents who stepped forward and said Well do it. Lets just go in and do it. We got the money donated and didnt have to spend tax dollars on it.

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Dan Heckle, vice president of the Fox Valley Patriotic Organization, confirmed that the monument was paid for through all privately-raised funds and that it took over seven years to raise the money.

We were trying to get this done by 2020 but then the pandemic had a plan of its own, he said. We had a vision and its been amazing to see the people come in and the emotions that it arouses. Its very powerful.

Army Sgt. Allen Lynch, a Medal of Honor recipient, was also featured in the afternoon program and said Batavia is the perfect spot for the monument.

The new Flag Day Monument in Batavia honors former Batavia resident Dr. Bernard J. Cigrand who pushed for the creation of the Flag Day holiday. (David Sharos/The Beacon-News)

I found out six years ago I was going to be a part of this. I was on the original committee, he said. I love this thing. It could only be built in a small town. It could never be built in Chicago or New York or any of those cities, but it could be built here. Its the right place, the right time.

The site includes a 40-foot diameter helix monument along with a 10-foot-wide walkway around the perimeter as well as signature bricks purchased by families, businesses and organizations.

Elements of the monument commemorate iconic flag events, U.S. population growth, the official flags flown by the U.S., armed conflicts and a Ring of Honor with the names of those who have received the Medal of Honor from Illinois.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony included having first responders, veterans, current members of the military and members of the Cigrand family encircle the monument.

Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke on Sunday stands outside the walls of the new Flag Day Monument in the city. The monument features many elements, including a salute to iconic moments featuring the American flag. (David Sharos/The Beacon-News)

Julie Byrd, of Tampa, Florida, was one of a number of the Cigrand family in attendance Sunday. She said the former dentist was her great-great-grandfather.

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I never saw this day coming. This summer, the city of Batavia contacted us through Legacy.com and thats how we learned about this event, Byrd said. We knew our great-great-grandfather was from this area and lived here but we had never been here ourselves.

Byrd said the monument is special for those connected to the Cigrand family.

As time has gone on, people are interested about there being a family member having such history and seeing (the memorial) today is remarkable, she said. Its like our family history coming to life.

David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
China's domestic woes and the fear of being embarrassed by Washington could keep President Xi Jinping from meeting his American counterpart Joe Biden later this year, analysts said, as Beijing consider a summit between the two leaders.

But they suggested recent interactions between key Chinese and US officials as well as a "new-found desire" for stability on Beijing's part had raised hopes for an eventual Xi-Biden meeting.

Sources earlier told the Post that the two rival countries were working on a diplomatic compromise that could pave the way for a meeting between the two leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in San Francisco later this year.

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.

According to the sources, China has yet to confirm Xi's attendance at the November gathering as it could not obtain certain commitments from the United States, including avoiding acts it deemed provocative.

On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing was "communicating with all parties" on Xi's attendance at the summit and that a decision would be announced "in due course".

Wang said China expected the US to demonstrate "openness, fairness, inclusivity and responsibility to create better conditions for a successful summit".

Daniel Russel, a former US diplomat who advised Biden on previous meetings with Xi, said China often remained vague about its leader's participation in an event as a way to "retain leverage".

"To show eagerness, they believe, will give the other side an advantage. To play hard to get, as they have over [Xi's] Apec attendance, may induce the other side to act with restraint," said Russel, who is now vice-president of the Asia Society Policy Institute.

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Robert Daly, director of the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States, said Beijing was seeking a less turbulent relationship with the US - but not at all costs.

The Chinese government, he suggested, wanted "guarantees that the US will not embarrass Xi in the run-up to the Apec meetings - and Xi embarrasses easily, from an American perspective".

Things like the White House's criticism of China, support for Taiwan and the announcement of further export curbs directed at Beijing could be construed as insincere acts that could cause embarrassment or offence to Xi.

"Every time the US issues export controls, criticises China's human rights record and calls Xi a dictator, the odds of his attendance fall," Daly said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre) attends to Apec summit in Bangkok last year. Beijing has not said whether he will go to San Francisco for the gathering this year. Photo: Sam Tsang alt=Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre) attends to Apec summit in Bangkok last year. Beijing has not said whether he will go to San Francisco for the gathering this year. Photo: Sam Tsang>

Shi Yinhong, an international relations professor at Renmin University in Beijing, said it was likely that China was weighing up multiple factors in deciding if its top leader should attend.

China's slowing economy could be one reason stopping Xi from attending international forums that are largely focused on the global economy, including the Apec forum and the recently concluded Group of 20 Summit in India. Xi did not attend the latter, instead sending Premier Li Qiang.

"China's economy is experiencing some difficulties and Chinese leaders will be expecting countries, especially Western ones, to talk negatively about its economic downturn," Shi said.

If he attended the Apec gathering, Xi would also probably have to deal with a "difficult" crowd, Shi said, citing how China had "relatively complicated" ties with the countries that would be at the summit. This includes Southeast Asian nations that have "clearly been leaning towards" Washington in recent years.

Shi also suggested there was little to be gained from a Xi-Biden meeting. He noted that US-China relations had worsened and become "very intense" since Xi last met Biden on the G2o sidelines in Indonesia in November.

This could strengthen the belief in China that even if the leaders met again, the countries' strained ties would remain unchanged, he said.

Russel agreed, suggesting that Xi might wonder if a meeting with Biden in San Francisco could generate significant and lasting benefits. If all Xi gets are "empty promises" by the US and Washington continues to add sanctions and empower Taiwan despite objections, Beijing might not see the point of going to the summit.

Other considerations, including dealing with what appears to be an extensive and potentially dangerous network of corruption in the military, could add to the list of reasons for Xi to stay at home, Russel said.

Last month, Beijing refreshed the senior leadership of the People's Liberation Army's Rocket Force, the country's nuclear and missile arsenal, raising speculation that it was ramping up its anti-corruption efforts in the military.

Apart from that, Russel suggested that the Chinese government also had a "morbid fear" of Xi suffering embarrassment abroad and the prospect of protests in San Francisco would be a "spectre that haunts the dreams of the officials responsible for the arrangements".

"Perhaps the image of a friendly handshake with Biden is difficult to square with the highly nationalist atmosphere that the [Chinese Communist Party's] propaganda apparatus has fanned," he said.

Will the image of Xi and Biden shaking hands, seen here at the G20 summit last year, be witnessed again? Photo: AP alt=Will the image of Xi and Biden shaking hands, seen here at the G20 summit last year, be witnessed again? Photo: AP>

Still, Wang Huiyao, founder of Beijing-based think tank Centre for China and Globalisation (CCG), said recent developments between the US and China were positive signs that pointed to an eventual Xi-Biden meeting.

The two rival superpowers have ramped up efforts to resume engagement in recent months, with visits to China by top US officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, held talks with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan last month while Vice-President Han Zheng met Blinken separately.

On Wednesday, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Blinken discussed the potential Xi-Biden summit when he met Han, saying the US believed a meeting was "important" and "hoped it will take place".

"There is a good momentum of high-level exchanges happening between the two sides," Wang Huiyao said. "I think the Chinese and US governments both find that it is important and high time that [the two leaders] meet."

The wave of recent interactions, he said, indicated that the two countries hoped to repair ties, and there was an increased expectation for the two leaders to meet following the high-level visits.

Wang Huiyao added that both China and the US stood to gain from a more stable relationship, and it was also in the interest of the international community to see the world's two largest economies get to some sort of "normal relations".

Russel said recent developments pointed to a "new-found Chinese desire for stability in external affairs", particularly with the US.

"We are seeing now a desire to at least temporarily reduce tension, dial back harsh rhetoric, accept high-level visits, and drop the strict linkage between 'core interests' and any cooperation by China," he said.

This shift, Russel said, could be motivated by the serious economic headwinds and domestic problems that China was facing, or a "prudent effort" to wait out the results of the US election next year.

"But in either case, 'stabilisation' seems to be the watchword and thus the odds favour a decision by Xi to attend Apec and hold another sit-down with Biden in hopes of slowing down further American moves to constrain China in technology and other fields," he said.

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.
TAIPEI, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The exquisite Crown Coast, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and geographical proximity to Taoyuan Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, Keelung Harbor, and Taipei Harbor, has gained recognition as the tourism destination closest to the international market. The Crown Coast Tourism Union made a grand appearance at the Philippines Travel Sale Expo 2023, in collaboration with Klook, to showcase its awe-inspiring scenery and a wide range of diverse travel experiences, attracting the attention of numerous Filipino tourists. (This report comes from Staynews)

Crown Coast Tourism Union together with Taiwan Tourism Administration and Klook promote Taiwan among Philippine market. (SourceCrown Coast Tourism Union)

The "Travel Sale Expo 2023," held at SM Megamall in the center of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, commenced with great enthusiasm on September 29. The Crown Coast Tourism Union actively participated in the event by setting up promotional booths. Visitors were treated to a display of Keelung's "Chuanli Rice Cookie" souvenirs, sparking the curiosity of Filipino tourists about their distinctive flavors. Additionally, the event featured the award-winning "Crown Coast - The Crown of Adventure" video on a large screen. This captivating video showcased the natural and cultural beauty of the Crown Coast, spotlighting attractions such as Yehliu Queen's Head, Guanyin Mountain, and Keelung Heping Island. The video also provided glimpses of special businesses like "Chun Jin Seafood Restaurant" and "FAB Hotel," leaving a lasting visual impression. Filipino tourists were deeply engrossed, continuously seeking information about the featured attractions from event staff, successfully bringing the Crown Coast Tourism Union to the forefront of the Filipino audience's attention.

The appeal of the Crown Coast Tourism Union knows no bounds, from the "Crown Bus" promotional vehicle that travels throughout Taiwan to its active participation in the Philippines Tourism Exhibition, showcasing limitless aesthetics and creativity. Why not embark on an exhilarating adventure to explore the wonders of northern Taiwan's Crown Coast?

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The visitors focused on watching video of Crown Coast. (SourceCrown Coast Tourism Union)

For further information about the Crown Coast Tourism Union, please visit the website of the Taiwan Tourism Administration, North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Headquarter.

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SOURCE StayNews
Sam Bankman-Fried had his bail revoked after a US judge found it likely that he attempted to interfere with key witnesses at least twice - Stephanie Keith/Bloomberg

I would like to start by formally stating, under oath: I f***** up, wrote Sam Bankman-Fried, days after the implosion of FTX, the $36bn cryptocurrency exchange he founded.

The entrepreneur had hidden away in a $30m penthouse in the Bahamas, preparing a statement to justify his actions to US politicians.

Hours before he was due to give his evidence, Bankman-Fried was arrested by Bahamian police. Since then, he has had time  at home and more recently in a prison cell after his bail was revoked over allegations of witness tampering  to hone his line of defence.

In a courtroom in Manhattan next week, 11 months after the implosion of his digital currency empire, the 31-year-old former billionaire will face the cryptocurrency worlds trial of the century.

Bankman-Fried is charged by the US government with seven counts of conspiracy, fraud and money laundering at FTX  at one point the worlds second biggest digital coin exchange.

Prosecutors allege he misappropriated billions of dollars in FTX customer funds to finance risky bets at a crypto hedge fund  called Alameda  leaving an $8bn black hole and causing the companys bankruptcy.

The trial is expected to last six weeks and he denies wrongdoing.

Former co-workers, roommates and ex-girlfriend, Caroline Ellison, are all expected to testify or provide evidence. Four former FTX executives, including Ellison, who led Alameda, have already pleaded guilty to separate fraud charges.

Bankman-Fried is charged by the US government with seven counts of conspiracy - REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg

Bankman-Fried has argued he made mistakes, but never intended wrongdoing.

The trial will be closely watched by FTXs one million creditors. Louise Abbott, a partner at Keystone Law which is representing claimants in separate bankruptcy proceedings, says: Creditors want to see justice being done.

Starting on Tuesday, Bankman-Frieds defence will be weighed against the millions of pages of evidence, private messages and audio recordings that have been gathered by the US government.

According to legal papers submitted before the trial, Bankman-Frieds lawyers will argue he was just doing what he had been told was legal  a so-called advice of counsel defence  or blame the lawyers.

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FTX imploded last November in a matter of days after the missing billions in its accounts were revealed. John Ray, the bankruptcy expert who later took control of the business, called its corporate systems a dumpster fire.

The US prosecutors allege this was all as a result of Bankman-Frieds failed money-making scheme. FTX secretly inflated the value of a cryptocurrency token it controlled, called FTT, that made up the majority of its assets, while using customer deposits to help Alameda borrow billions of dollars to fund trades  in violation of its own terms and conditions.

After a mass sell-off of FTT, the scheme unravelled.

Prosecutors argue Bankman-Fried masterminded these plans and used billions of dollars in stolen funds to buy up luxury property and donate to political campaigns.

Sam Bankman-Fried is accused of using stolen customer funds to buy up luxury property including a penthouse in the Bahamas - PLANET PHOTOS

Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty. In a letter disclosed to the court, Mark Cohen, Bankman-Frieds lawyer, argues that FTXs legal advisers, which included Silicon Valley law firm Fenwick & West, gave him assurance he was acting in good faith when he used apps that automatically deleted records at FTX and set up huge loans to company executives.

The letter named three other FTX lawyers involved in approving decisions. Meanwhile, Bankman-Fried has publicly criticised another law firm FTX used, Sullivan & Cromwell, for allegedly pressuring him into declaring bankruptcy. In the bankruptcy case, Sullivan & Cromwell called Mr Bankman-Frieds claims false.

Fenwick & West and Sullivan & Cromwell did not respond to requests for comment.

Martin Auerbach, head of the white collar and investigations practice at the law firm Withersworldwide in New York, says Bankman-Fried is likely to try to show he had surrounded himself with the best and brightest and paid them a lot of money to advise him on the legality of his actions.

Typically, this also requires the defendant to provide evidence they had given their lawyers the information they needed to provide solid advice.

Bankman-Frieds lawyers told the court the advice he received from legal advisers was relevant to rebut the governments argument that he acted with criminal intent.

Within days of FTXs failure ,Ellison, who led Bankman-Frieds ostensibly separate crypto hedge fund, had signed a guilty plea agreement.

In July, the New York Times published excerpts from her private diaries, which a judge decided had likely been leaked by Bankman-Fried to frighten her.

After the leak, Bankman-Fried was returned to prison and his $250m bail revoked. Since then the former crypto prodigy has waited behind bars for his trial to begin.

For the prosecution, evidence related to Ellison could be crucial to proving criminal conspiracy, according to a court filing. Days before FTX failed, Ellison addressed staff.

Asked who had authorised taking money from FTX customers to fund its high-risk hedge fund, Ellison said: Um Sam I guess.

Should he be found guilty, Bankman-Fried could sentenced to 115 years in prison.

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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Oct. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dalberg Advisors, a global impact consultancy committed to building a more inclusive and sustainable world, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lillian Kidane as the new Regional Director for its Africa region.

Lillian Kidane

Lillian Kidane, a Partner affiliated with our office in Addis Ababa, brings a rich portfolio of expertise in sustainable and impact-based philanthropic and commercial strategies for emerging markets.

"Lillian's appointment marks a significant milestone in Dalberg's commitment to Africa. Her extensive experience across the continent in public health systems, climate, trade, and digital transformation will be invaluable in contributing to shaping the continent's development trajectory," says Gaurav Gupta, Global Managing Partner of Dalberg Advisors.

Lillian has two decades of experience working with governments, foundations, corporates, and NGOs both on the continent and from the United States to support systems transformation and access to medicines in Africa. Lillian's recent accomplishments include serving as a senior advisor to the COVID Vaccine Delivery Partnership (CoVDP) leadership in Geneva, tasked with overseeing the allocation and disbursement of vaccines across 34 countries globally during the pandemic years.

"Dalberg has a remarkable history of working with partners to make a positive difference, and I am eager in my new position as Regional Director, to deepen our collaborations with changemakers, so that we might play a stronger role together in shaping sustainable development across the African continent," Lillian Kidane, Partner and Regional Director for Africa, Dalberg Advisors, remarks.

Prior to Dalberg, Lillian held leadership roles at General Electric (GE), Africa, as well as with the Clinton Foundation. She has degrees from Yale University School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

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"Lillian's operational track record and her deep expertise across a range of high-impact issues shaping the future of Africa make her the perfect choice to guide our work on the continent. She is inspiring to both our clients and our people, leading with excellence and empathy," adds Sunru Yong, Partner, Kenya office.

Dalberg Advisors started its operations in Africa in 2007 in South Africa and quickly expanded across West and East Africa, covering over 1,100 engagements across the continent, working with a range of stakeholders, including community-based organizations, local and global nonprofits, investors, foundations, companies, regional bodies, and various government ministries.

"Africa does not need more consultants telling us what change ought to look like on our continent. We want to see entrepreneurial energy and investment championing efforts to decolonize the traditional development agenda. We hope to contribute our small part to this by consistently elevating local entities and grassroots leaders dedicated to seeing sustainable change in our communities, and Dalberg shares this vision," states Lillian Kidane.

About Dalberg Advisors

Dalberg Advisors is a strategic advisory firm that combines the best of private sector strategy skills and rigorous analytical capabilities with deep knowledge and networks across emerging and frontier markets. We work collaboratively across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors to fuel inclusive growth and help clients achieve their goals. Dalberg Advisors has more than 550 employees spread across more than 25 locations in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and the US.

Dalberg Advisors is part of the Dalberg Group, which comprises six businesses  Dalberg Advisors, Dalberg Data Insights, Dalberg Design, Dalberg Implement, Dalberg Media, and Dalberg Research  and the not-for-profit, Dalberg Catalyst.

About Lillian Kidane

Lillian Kidane joined Dalberg in 2018 in Ethiopia with nearly 20 years of experience in global development. Her diverse expertise spans public health systems, climate and trade policies, and digital transformation across Africa and the Caribbean, working with organizations across the social sector spectrum  governments, corporations, private foundations, multilaterals, and NGOs.

Lillian is an entrepreneur at heart, bringing to her work her own experiences with introducing successful local enterprises, including an Africa-wide E-commerce platform, a leather-based fashion brand, and a payment gateway platform  all aimed at increasing inter- and intra-Africa trade and job creation. Her passion is to help individuals and communities reach their full potential through educational opportunities and dignified work. Lillian began her professional career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco, providing health training and clinical services to women and children in a small town where she discovered her passion for vocational teaching. She also sits on a number of boards globally and locally, including the Labor Mobility Partnerships, a nonprofit field-builder developing scalable solutions for workers to access quality jobs across borders.

Lillian completed her post-graduate studies in international healthcare management at Yale University's School of Medicine (USA), holds a master's in public health in Health Economics and Informatics from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health (USA), and has an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame (USA). Lillian is of Eritrean descent and lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with her husband and two sons.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2236068/Lillian_headshot.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1829492/4316348/Dalberg_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Dalberg Advisors
The White House has requested $24 billion in emergency aid for Ukraine, on top of the more than $100 billion in economic and security assistance already provided to the war-torn country, and lawmakers in both parties had hoped to include some portion of those funds in the stopgap funding bill that Congress passed late Saturday. But growing resistance among Republican hardliners to sending more money to Ukraine prompted negotiators to drop the roughly $6 billion aid package from the last-minute agreement.

The $6 billion would have provided $1.5 billion for the Department of Defense to replenish its own stock of weapons and equipment already sent to Ukraine, and another $1.5 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which allows the Pentagon to order new items from defense contractors.

In a letter to Congressional leaders, Defense Department Comptroller Michael McCord said the Pentagon has about $1.6 billion left in the replenishment fund, but the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative has been exhausted. In addition, the Pentagon can continue to transfer about $5.5 billion worth of weapons to Ukraine due to accounting errors made in previous efforts.

McCord warned lawmakers that without additional funding, the U.S. will have to limit shipments of air defense weapons, ammunition, drones and breaching equipment that are critical and urgent now as Russia prepares to conduct a winter offensive.

Mark Cancian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies told the Associated Press that Ukraine could start feeling the pinch from a lack of new funding in just a few weeks. If theres no new money, theyre going to start feeling it by Thanksgiving, Cancian said.

In Congress, some Ukraine supporters portrayed the failure to provide more aid as a victory for Russia. Putin is celebrating, Rep. Mike Quigley, the sole Democrat who voted against the stopgap funding bill because it lacked Ukraine aid, told CNN. I dont see how the dynamics change in 45 days.

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A deal made? On Sunday, President Joe Biden called on lawmakers to act quickly to provide more aid. We cannot under any circumstances allow Americas support for Ukraine to be interrupted, Biden said. The vast majority of both parties  Democrats and Republicans, Senate and House  support helping Ukraine and the brutal aggression that is being thrust upon them by Russia. Stop playing games, get this done.

Asked if he trusted Speaker Kevin McCarthy to include the Ukraine aid when the next deal comes around, Biden told reports, We just made one about Ukraine. So, well find out.

The remark is being seen by some as evidence of an agreement between Biden and McCarthy to include aid for Ukraine when lawmakers attempt to settle on a full-year funding package in November, when the current stopgap bill runs out. But White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre declined to clarify the remarks on Monday.

Democratic leaders in the House said Monday they expect to vote on a Ukraine aid package soon, though they did not refer to any agreement to do so. When the House returns, we expect Speaker McCarthy to advance a bill to the House Floor for an up-or-down vote that supports Ukraine, consistent with his commitment to making sure that Vladimir Putin, Russia and authoritarianism are defeated, they said in a statement. We must stand with the Ukrainian people until victory is won.

McCarthy denied that there is an agreement. I dont think the president implied that at all, he said. I believe Ukraine is very important. I have always supported arming Ukraine  thats not sending money to Ukraine, thats arming Ukraine [with] the weaponry to defend. McCarthy then reiterated his argument that border security is at least as important as aid to a foreign country. I think its very important with the number of Americans who are dying that we get the border done, he said.

Despite the denials, McCarthys chief antagonist, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Floria, used Bidens comments to hammer away at his nemesis, whom he has threatened to remove from office via a motion to vacate. So Mr. Speaker, just tell us, just tell us. What was in the secret Ukraine side deal? What commitments were made to President Biden to continue the spending of President Biden in exchange for doing things for President Biden? Gaetz said on the floor of the House. It is becoming increasingly clear who the Speaker of the House already works for, and its not the Republican conference.

Gaetz said the issue could influence how he proceeds on his threat. There may be other votes coming today or later this week that could be implicated by the answers to these questions, he said. Members of the Republican party might vote differently on a motion to vacate if they heard what the speaker had to share with us about his secret side deal with Joe Biden on Ukraine. Ill be listening. Stay tuned.

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Key Insights

The projected fair value for Boat Rocker Media is CA$1.34 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of CA$1.75 suggests Boat Rocker Media is potentially 31% overvalued

Analyst price target for BRMI is CA$4.69, which is 250% above our fair value estimate

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Boat Rocker Media Inc. (TSE:BRMI) by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Boat Rocker Media

Step By Step Through The Calculation

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, 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 (CA$, Millions) CA$10.4m CA$9.17m CA$8.48m CA$8.08m CA$7.86m CA$7.75m CA$7.72m CA$7.74m CA$7.80m CA$7.89m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Est @ -7.54% Est @ -4.72% Est @ -2.75% Est @ -1.37% Est @ -0.40% Est @ 0.28% Est @ 0.75% Est @ 1.09% Present Value (CA$, Millions) Discounted @ 12% CA$9.3 CA$7.3 CA$6.1 CA$5.2 CA$4.5 CA$4.0 CA$3.6 CA$3.2 CA$2.9 CA$2.6

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = CA$49m

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After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.9%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 12%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = CA$7.9m (1 + 1.9%)  (12% 1.9%) = CA$81m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= CA$81m ( 1 + 12%)10= CA$27m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is CA$76m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of CA$1.8, the company appears potentially overvalued at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Boat Rocker Media 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 12%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.972. 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 Boat Rocker Media

Strength

Debt is well covered by .

Weakness

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Opportunity

Forecast to reduce losses next year.

Good value based on P/S ratio compared to estimated Fair P/S ratio.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Has less than 3 years of cash runway based on current free cash flow.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Can we work out why the company is trading at a premium to intrinsic value? For Boat Rocker Media, there are three essential items you should further examine:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Boat Rocker Media you should know about. Future Earnings: How does BRMI's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the TSX every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
FILE PHOTO: A man holds a bag with a new iPhone inside as Apple's new iPhone 15 officially goes on sale across China, in Shanghai

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Dutch competition watchdog ACM on Monday said it had rejected objections by Apple against fines of 50 million euros ($53 million) it gave the company over failure to comply with orders to limit the dominant position of Apple's App Store.

The ACM said Apple has complied with most of its demands to open its App Store to alternative forms of payment for dating apps in the Netherlands, but had not met an undisclosed third element of the conditions related to the fines.

The ACM in 2021 ruled that Apple violated Dutch competition laws in the dating app market and required Apple to allow developers of dating apps to use third-party payment processors.

It fined Apple 5 million euros per week, eventually reaching 50 million euros during the period it failed to comply.

Apple objected to these fines, saying that the regulator had incorrectly defined relevant markets and had overestimated the dominance of Apple's position in the dating app market.

The regulator rejected all of Apple's objections in a decision dated July 13, 2023, which was published on Monday.

"We disagree with the ACMs original order, which degrades investment incentives and is not in the best interests of our users privacy or data security," Apple said in a response.

"As the ACM has denied our administrative appeal, we will appeal to the Netherlands courts.

The ACM said it would publish the still-undisclosed part of the proceedings objected to by Apple if it won in court.

($1 = 0.9454 euros)

(Reporting by Bart Meijer and Toby Sterling; Editing by Louise Heavens and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
BOGOTA, Colombia, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL, NYSE: EC) informs that the Board of Directors, in its meeting on September 29, 2023, made the following appointments:

Ecopetrol Logo.

German Gonzalez Reyes as Vice President of Corporate Affairs and General Secretary, effective immediately. He has been in charge of this vice presidency since July 5, 2023. He is a lawyer with a specialization in Socioeconomics from Universidad Javeriana and a specialist in International Transportation Law. He has over thirty years of experience in the legal advisory profession and in managerial and strategic public positions in oil & gas, telecommunications, drinking water, and sanitation companies. He has also served as Deputy Minister of Communications. From 2017 until assuming this vice presidency, he was Manager of Legal Management in the Legal Vice Presidency of Ecopetrol S.A.





Sandra Lucia Rodriguez Rojas as Vice President of Sustainable Development effective from October 20, 2023. She is a lawyer from Javeriana University, holding a master's degree in environmental policy and management, as well as a master's degree in public law from Carlos III University of Madrid. She is a professor at the Faculty of Legal Sciences at Javeriana University. With over 20 years of experience in overseeing human rights projects, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability, in accordance with international standards, both in the public and private sectors. Since 2018, she has served as the Deputy Ombudswoman for Collective Rights and the Environment at the Ombudsman's Office.





Luz Elena Diaz Garcia as Corporate Vice President of Compliance, effective from October 16, 2023, who will also serve as the Compliance Officer of Ecopetrol S.A. She holds a degree in Finance and International Relations from the Externado de Colombia University, and she is a specialist in Corporate Finance from CESA. With over 15 years of experience in ethical and compliance matters, internal control, financial assurance, risk management, and due diligence, she has worked as a consultant in various economic sectors, most recently in the oil and gas, energy, and consumer goods industries. She has led investigations on fraud, corruption, bribery, AML/CFT/Sanctions at both public and private levels.

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The Board of Directors also made the following appointments:

David Alfredo Riano Alarcon, Vice President of Low Emission Solutions, as the alternate legal and commercial representative in the second position.

Luis Carlos Plata Prince, Attorney of the Judicial and Extrajudicial Management, as the alternate legal representative for judicial and extrajudicial matters.

Aldemar Alfonso Mejia Prado, Planning and Procurement Manager, as the alternate legal representative for the procurement of goods and services.

Ecopetrol is the largest company in Colombia and one of the main integrated energy companies in the American continent, with more than 18,000 employees. In Colombia, it is responsible for more than 60% of the hydrocarbon production of most transportation, logistics, and hydrocarbon refining systems, and it holds leading positions in the petrochemicals and gas distribution segments. With the acquisition of 51.4% of ISA's shares, the company participates in energy transmission, the management of real-time systems (XM), and the Barranquilla - Cartagena coastal highway concession. At the international level, Ecopetrol has a stake in strategic basins in the American continent, with Drilling and Exploration operations in the United States (Permian basin and the Gulf of Mexico), Brazil, and Mexico, and, through ISA and its subsidiaries, Ecopetrol holds leading positions in the power transmission business in Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, road concessions in Chile, and the telecommunications sector. This press release contains business prospect statements, operating and financial result estimates, and statements related to Ecopetrol's growth prospects. These are all projections and, as such, they are based solely on the expectations of the managers regarding the future of the company and their continued access to capital to finance the company's business plan. The realization of said estimates in the future depends on the behavior of market conditions, regulations, competition, and the performance of the Colombian economy and the industry, among other factors, and are consequently subject to change without prior notice.

This release contains statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements, whether made in this release or in future filings or press releases, or orally, address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, including in respect of the Company's prospects for growth and its ongoing access to capital to fund the Company's business plan, among others. Consequently, changes in the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements: market prices of oil & gas, our exploration, and production activities, market conditions, applicable regulations, the exchange rate, the Company's competitiveness and the performance of Colombia's economy and industry, to mention a few. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

For more information, please contact:

Head of Capital Markets

Carolina Tovar Aragon

Email: investors@ecopetrol.com.co

Head of Corporate Communications

Marcela Ulloa

Email: marcela.ulloa@ecopetrol.com.co

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SOURCE Ecopetrol S.A.
Embraer S.A. ERJ signed a Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SIA Engineering (Philippines) Corporation (SIAEP), a subsidiary of SIA Engineering Company Limited. This partnership will enable SIAEP to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for Embraer's E-Jets E2 family of aircraft.



Since 2017, SIAEP has been serving as Embraers authorized Asia-Pacific E-Jet service center. In addition to the existing E-Jet presence in APAC, this MoU provides a good starting point for ERJ in terms of discussing additional support for the expanding E-Jet E2 fleet within the region.

Growth Prospects

Embraer continues to witness strong market demand for its E-jets worldwide. E2 is the second generation of the E-jet family of commercial aircraft. The company had seven E2 deliveries in the second quarter, up more than 100% from the year-ago quarters level. As of Jun 30, 2023, Embraers E-Jets E2 had 281 orders in the backlog, along with strong sales performance in Executive Aviation.



Per a report by the International Air Transport Association, published in June 2023, the demand for air travel is expected to double by 2040, growing at an annual average rate of 3.4%.



To duly reap the benefits of such abounding growth prospects offered by the commercial aerospace, Embraer is making valuable partnerships, like the latest one, in addition to upgrading its aircraft.



Notably, in August 2023, Embraer announced the expansion of its partnership with CAE Inc. CAE to promote pilot training services for its E-Jet E2 family of commercial aircraft. Embraer-CAE Training Services (ECTS) was created through this joint venture to provide pilot and cabin crew training for E-Jet E2 family of jets.



Considering the fact that the E-Jet services and support are available to more than 940 customers in 70 countries, we may expect ECTS to become available in other parts of the world in the coming years. This, in turn, should boost growth prospects for both Embraer and CAE.

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Peer Moves

Apart from Embraer, other jet companies that may benefit from the growing commercial aerospace industry have been discussed below.



Boeing BA: Boeing has been the premier manufacturer of commercial jetliners for decades. During the second quarter, the Boeing Commercial Airplanes segment observed a solid 12.4% year-over-year surge in commercial jet deliveries, buoyed by higher 787 jet deliveries. This, in turn, resulted in a 41% increase in the units revenues.



In second-quarter 2023, Boeing delivered 136 commercial airplanes and received 460 net orders. With the new airplanes, which are yet to be delivered, the company should benefit from the trending air travel demand trail.



Airbus EADSY: In the first half of 2023, Airbus delivered 316 commercial aircraft and targets to deliver 720 in 2023. In August 2023, Wizz Air signed a contract for an additional 75 A321 neo Family aircraft, taking its total order for the largest member of the Airbus single-aisle to 434.



Airbus boasts an order backlog of 7,967 commercial aircraft as of Jun 30, 2023. Such solid delivery and backlog count reflects the strong demand that Airbus enjoys in the commercial aerospace market.





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An attempted robbery of an armored vehicle outside the Country Club Hills Walmart Monday turned into a shoot out, police officials said.

At 10:24 a.m., Country Club Hills police say they responded to a call of an active shooter at Walmart, 4005 W. 168th Place. The preliminary investigation found the shots were fired during an attempted armed robbery of an armored vehicle, according to a police news release.

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A FBI spokeswoman said the suspected offenders quickly drove a Sudan vehicle up to the armored vehicle and began shooting. The armored vehicle workers and Walmart security returned fire, she said.

The offenders then jumped out of their car and stole the vehicle of an elderly person nearby and drove off, the spokeswoman said.

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There were no reported injuries.

Walmart spokesman Joe Pennington said no store associates were injured and directed questions about the attempted robbery to police and the FBI. Pennington said Monday night the store was still closed as law enforcement conducted its investigation.

Were waiting for law enforcement to conclude its investigation to determine when its safe to reopen, he said.

The FBI also responded to a bank robbery at U.S. Bank, 4350 Lincoln Highway, in Matteson earlier in the day, according to the spokeswoman. Shots were fired in that robbery, but no one was injured, she said.

The FBI spokeswoman said its unclear if the robberies are related.

The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this or other armored vehicle robberies and attempts, the spokeswoman said.

Country Club police ask anyone with information regarding this attempted robbery to call 708-798-3191 or the Chicago FBI office at 312-421-6700.
By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission will assess the risks of four critical technologies, including semiconductors and artificial intelligence, being weaponised by countries not aligned with its values and will take measures next year to tackle the issue, an EU official said on Monday.

The move by the EU executive is part of the European Union's economic security strategy announced in June and echoes similar measures taken by the United States, Australia and other countries concerned about China's increasingly assertive role.

The other two critical technologies on the EU list are quantum technologies and biotechnologies such as vaccines and genome sequencing.

"The Commission will do risk assessments of these four technologies with member states. The deadline is by the end of the year. The next step is to mitigate the risks next year," the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Possible measures could include export controls and partnering with like-minded allies.

Commission Vice President Vera Jourova and EU industry chief Thierry Breton will hold a press conference on the issue at 1330 GMT on Tuesday.

The European Union has in recent years sought to reduce its dependence on China and other countries for key products following supply chain disruptions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine that set off an energy crisis in the bloc.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Richard Chang)
Evansville-based Atlas World Group Inc., known for its moving and packing business, is celebrating 75 years of operation with its eye on 75 more.

For more than 60 of those years, the company has called Evansville its home.

"It's been a perfect place to call home for 75 years... " said Atlas CEO Jack Griffin. Griffin became president and COO in 2009 before becoming chairman and CEO in 2018.

Founded in Chicago after World War II, Atlas started at a time when the business world was shifting because of societal and political changes, as well as a renewed entrepreneurial spirit. A group of 33 independent movers joined forces in 1948 to create what would become one of the moving industry's largest van lines.

When the first office opened, it employed 10 people.

Taking the name "Atlas Van Lines," its mission was to provide great coast-to-coast moving services.

Atlas World headquarters in Evansville.

After a few years of being in Chicago and expanding its base, the company was looking to move locations to somewhere that offered more value for the buck. Ground was broken to host the new Atlas headquarters, and in September 1959, the new location opened on Saint George Road.

The current Evansville office has a network of more than 400 agents.

It is a part of the large "family" network that the corporation has created that encompasses several different companies including:

Atlas Van Lines: The second largest carrier of household goods in the U.S. with more than 400 Atlas Agents

Atlas Van Lines (Canada): Canada's fastest-growing van line that connects over 100 full-service agents to provide transportation services similar to the U.S. company.

Atlas Van Lines International: An international freighter carrier providing personalized transportation services for Atlas agents and customers.

Avail Move Management: Brings the power of information to move management programs.

Cornerstone Relocation Group: Full-service global mobility company that provides employee relocation services to corporations.

Atlas Logistics: Brings responsive service in the supply chain, transportation, project, and warehouse management.

Atlas Terminal Company: Supports the Atlas agent network with moving-related supplies and equipment from sales to repair.

TopHat Logistical Solutions: Specializing in retail home delivery, warehouse operations, overseeing transportation and final-mile delivery for retailers.

Atlas World-Class Travel: a full-service travel agency serving customers globally for personal and business itineraries

Champion International Moving: A move-management company that specializes in international shipping of household goods and personal effects and permanent storage.

Progressive Transportation, Inc.: a premier provider of over-the-road pad-wrap transportation.

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Company officials say the network allows Atlas to connect its customers with a variety of businesses that they may need in the future.

"We believe the next 75 years is going to be better than the last 75 years," Griffin said.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville-based Atlas reflects on 75 years, and its future prospects
FILE PHOTO: Hui Ka Yan, chairman of Evergrande Real Estate Group Ltd, attends a news conference on annual results in Hong Kong

FILE PHOTO: Hui Ka Yan, chairman of Evergrande Real Estate Group Ltd, attends a news conference on annual results in Hong Kong

(Reuters) - China Evergrande Group Chairman Hui Ka Yan is being investigated on suspicion of transferring assets offshore while the indebted property developer struggles to complete unfinished projects, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

Evergrande has been working to get creditors' approval to restructure its offshore debt but the process grew more complicated last week when the company said it could not issue new debt due to an investigation into its main China unit.

Adding to the embattled developer's woes, it said on Friday that its chairman was under police watch and was suspected of committing unspecified crimes.

Reuters reported last week that a group of offshore creditors was planning to join a court petition to liquidate the developer if it did not submit a new debt restructuring plan by the end of October.

Evergrande did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment during week-long National Day holidays.

With more than $300 billion in liabilities, Evergrande has become the poster child of a debt crisis in China's property sector, which contributes to roughly a quarter of the economy.

Trading in the shares of Evergrande and two of its units was suspended on Thursday after media reported that Hui had been taken away by police and was being monitored at a designated location.

(Reporting by Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru; Editing by Stephen Coates)
FILE PHOTO: Bill Ackman, chief executive officer and portfolio manager at Pershing Square Capital Management, speaks during the SALT conference in Las Vegas

By Svea Herbst-Bayliss

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bill Ackman's new investment vehicle, Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd, marks a departure from special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), which have lost favor on Wall Street as deals soured.

Ackman disclosed last week that SPARC received approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to raise a minimum of $1.5 billion from investors for the acquisition of a private company.

SPARC, which stands for special purpose acquisition rights company, is similar to a SPAC in that it will act as a shell to combine with and list another company in New York, infusing it with capital in the process.

Here's how a SPARC differs from a SPAC:

DEAL VISIBILITY

One of the biggest differences is a SPARC doesn't require up-front money from investors like a SPAC does.

A SPAC raises capital from investors in an initial public offering (IPO) by only disclosing the general characteristics of a company it may seek to buy, rather than naming the specific target. SPAC investors are then given the option to vote down an acquisition or redeem their shares once a deal has been announced.

SPARC will only ask for money from investors once it has clinched and disclosed a deal to buy a company. It has distributed "acquisition rights" for free to investors in Ackman's previous investment vehicle, who will be given the option to invest once SPARC has a deal.

Ackman's previous investment vehicle was a SPAC called Pershing Square Tontine Holdings, which raised $4 billion in an IPO in 2020 and went on to ink a deal for a 2.9% stake in Universal Music Group at a 35 billion euro ($37 billion) valuation the following year.

Tontine abandoned the deal after the SEC questioned its unconventional structure, which also attracted shareholder lawsuits. Ackman returned the money last year.

MORE TIME

SPARC gets up to 10 years to complete a deal, compared with most SPACs that face a deadline of between two and three years.

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CAPITAL FLEXIBILITY

Unlike a SPAC, the amount of money SPARC seeks from investors will vary based on the size of the deal it pursues. It will be a minimum of $1.5 billion, and Ackman's hedge fund Pershing Square has pledged to put in between $250 million and $3.5 billion as an anchor investor.

MORE OF THE DEAL FOR INVESTORS

SPARC will not offer IPO warrants, which are used by SPACs as a way to top up the capital raised in an IPO. This means that SPARC investors will not be diluted by such warrants and will get to keep more of the company.

FEWER WARRANTS FOR ACKMAN

Ackman and his team will take a maximum 4.95% stake in the combined company in the form of warrants, as opposed to the maximum 5.95% their SPAC afforded them.

NO UNDERWRITING EXPENSE

SPARC will save on the underwriting fee typically paid by SPACs in an IPO  equivalent on average to 5.5% of the capital raised  because it will not need investment banks to distribute the acquisition rights.

(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss in Rhode Island; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Supports joint EY-Microsoft social impact initiative, which aims to positively influence more than 5 million lives by 2025





Addresses the skills gap in sustainability by helping equip young people with employable green expertise needed to thrive in the new green economy

LONDON, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the EY organization and Microsoft announce the launch of Green Skills Passport, which helps learners aged 16 and over develop skills to find green jobs and pursue opportunities in the growing green economy. The free online program is part of an ongoing social impact collaboration focused on sustainability, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and upskilling for young people.

EY - Building a better working world (PRNewsFoto/EY) (PRNewsfoto/EY)

The International Labor Organization is forecasting the creation of 24 million green jobs by 2030. Green Skills Passport will position learners to thrive in this evolving market and provide non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with a platform to empower underserved communities with new employable skills.

Through a 10-hour virtual course, participants can work at their own pace and learn about key topics such as sustainability, entrepreneurship and skills for employment. Green Skills Passport offers a detailed approach to skills development, providing learners with EY-curated learning paths built and delivered on the Microsoft Community Training platform.

EY and Microsoft already launched successful Green Skills Passport pilot programs in the United States, India and Bangladesh. Highlights include:

More than 1,400 course completions and certificates awarded.

61% plan to apply for green jobs.

43% plan to enroll in a university degree in sustainability or take more related classes.

Together, EY and Microsoft have collaborated on a multitude of programs to empower job seekers with the skills needed for the digital future, furthering the EY Ripples ambition to impact 1 billion lives by 2030. This program also supports Microsoft's focus on building a more inclusive, equitable, sustainable and trusted future for everyone.

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Other high-impact EY and Microsoft social programs include:

Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact : A Microsoft program aimed to accelerate the growth of impact-first, tech startups. EY and Microsoft ran a series of four upskilling workshops on key growth challenges identified on investment strategies, financial planning, environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy and business resilience.





Future Skills Workshops (FSW) : An EY offering to upskill young or underserved groups equipping them with knowledge to navigate a changing world. The workshops include a variety of topics such as financial literacy, environmental sustainability and emerging technology. Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit who, through EY and Microsoft's collaboration, is disseminating FSW content across Latin America. Beneficiaries in multiple LATAM countries access training materials that are available on Microsoft's Community Training (MCT) platform completing the workshops in either classroom settings or virtually.





EY STEM App: An innovative gamified mobile platform for girls ages 13-18 that aims to support the next generation of girls in STEM. The EY STEM App will host a channel with Microsoft MakeCode, where users can develop block coding skills.

Andy Baldwin, EY Global Managing Partner  Client Service, says:

"The collaboration between EY and Microsoft extends beyond a traditional alliance, showcasing our shared dedication to generating social impact. These programs are a testament of our desire to continue equipping young individuals with the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world."

Jean-Philippe Courtois, EVP and President, National Transformation Partnerships at Microsoft, says:

"We're proud to continue growing our collaboration with EY to offer these unique programs that bridge the gap between education and employability. Through these programs, we are taking steps toward social equity and empowering leaders of the future."

Learn more about the EY-Microsoft Green Skills Passport here.

About EY

EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform, and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.

About EY Ripples

The global EY Ripples program aims to positively impact one billion lives by 2030. EY people, together with clients and other like-minded organizations, use their skills, knowledge and experience to bring positive change across three focus areas: supporting the next generation workforce, working with impact entrepreneurs and accelerating environmental sustainability. Learn more at ey.com/eyripples.

Media Contact:

Barbara Dimajo

EY Global Media Relations

Barbara.dimajo@ey.com

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SOURCE EY
Expands its geographic footprint and product portfolio

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Minneapolis based Fabcon Precast announced today that it has acquired Bristol Precast, a division of The Bristol Group.

Fabcon provides precast concrete solutions and services that solve problems for the modern construction industry.

The Bristol Group is a design-build commercial construction firm and manufacturer of precast concrete wall panels and other structural products, serving customers in the industrial, multi-family, hospitality, commercial, corrections and parking structure markets. Bristol Precast provides engineered precast and prestressed concrete products throughout Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Missouri and West Virginia. Bristol Precast has offices in Lexington as well as a state of the art production facility in Charlestown, Indiana. The purchase includes all aspects of the Bristol Precast business.

"The Bristol Precast acquisition will enable Fabcon to expand our Mid-South market penetration and to better serve the region with the most comprehensive selection of precast solutions available," said Mike Rafi, CEO of Fabcon. "We are committed to offering the best customer experience as we expand our footprint and our capabilities."

John Pennington, President of The Bristol Group, will join Fabcon and support the effort to integrate the business and ensure a smooth transition for all of Bristol customers.

"This transition is a great fit for Bristol Precast," said Todd Ball, CEO of the Bristol Group. "Fabcon has a similar philosophy of offering premier products, creating strong market positions and delivering great service and support. For the Bristol Precast team, this combination offers additional growth opportunities." The Bristol Group will continue operating its design-build engineering and construction business. Its customers, suppliers, and partners will experience no disruption during this transition period as it continues the service and support that have made it a trusted partner.

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The acquisition of Bristol Precast enhances Fabcon's position as a leading precast provider in the country. Eight strategically-placed manufacturing facilities give Fabcon an effective span of delivery that includes most everything east of the Rockies and north of the Gulf Coast. Fabcon is now located in Charlestown IN, Grandville, MI, Grove City, OH, Mahanoy City, PA, Pleasanton, KS, Savage, MN, Selkirk, NY and Trenton, MI.

About Solace Capital Partners

Solace Capital Partners is a Los Angeles-based private investment firm focused on providing flexible capital solutions for middle market companies in the United States and Canada. Solace seeks to form collaborative partnerships with management teams and leverage the firm's extensive resources to realize operational improvements and drive performance in its portfolio companies while generating attractive risk-adjusted returns for its investors. For more information, please visit solacecap.com.

About Fabcon

Founded in 1971, Fabcon is a leading provider of structural precast wall panels. During its 52 years, the company has expanded capabilities, grown markets and pioneered multiple precast panel firsts. It currently operates out of eight manufacturing facilities and delivers product to nearly all of the 48 contiguous states. To contact one of Fabcon's offices or sales and product professionals nationwide, visit FabconPrecast.com or call (800) 727-4444.

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SOURCE Fabcon Precast
Federal highway safety officials are expanding its investigation into 2021-2022 Ford SUVs to include over 700,000 vehicles. The automaker received hundreds of complaints of vehicles' engines failing unexpectedly "under normal driving conditions" on models equipped with EcoBoost engines, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In a document posted Monday, the NHTSA said that a recall of the 2021 Ford Bronco, 2022 Bronco, 2021-2022 F-150, 2021-2022 Edge, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Nautilus has been expanded to include the Y 2021-2022 Explorer and 2021-2022 Lincoln Aviator  vehicles in the "Nano" engine family, which feature 2.7L and 3.0L EcoBoost engine variants.

Without warning, the 708,837 vehicles under investigation "may experience a loss of motive power without restart due to catastrophic engine failure," the NHTSA document states. No deaths or injuries related to the potentially faulty engines have been reported.

The NHSA also said on its website that it upgraded the investigation to an engineering analysis, a step closer to a recall.

Fractured intake valves

NHTSA began its probe into Ford SUVs in July 2022, a few months after the regulator received complaint letters from three consumers petitioning for an investigation. In its preliminary evaluation, the NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation found that Ford received 328 complaints, 487 warranty claims and 809 engine exchanges in connection with the 2021-2022 Bronco and other vehicles that featured Ford's EcoBoost engine.

The ODI identified "multiple contributing factors" which it said "can lead to the fracturing of the intake valves in the subject engines," according to NHTSA documents. Fractured intake valves "can result in catastrophic engine failure and a loss of motive power," the regulator noted, citing acknowledgement from Ford that "following a valve fracture, a vehicle typically requires a full engine replacement."

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The defective valves were manufactured out of a specific alloy known as "Silchrome Lite," which Ford told the ODI can "become excessively hard and brittle" in situations where the engine gets too hot.

Unrelated to recalls of Ford SUVs

The current engine investigation is separate from NHTSA's ongoing Ford probe into some SUVs unexpectedly rolling away  even while parked, according to the regulator. Ford recalled thousands of 2020-2022 Explorers in June because fractures in the rear axle mounting bolt could lead the drive shaft to disconnect. After repairing the issue, some Explorers engaged their electronic brakes while owners were driving.

The Michigan automaker last year also recalled 350,000 SUVs and advised owners to park their vehicles outside because the engines on some 2021 Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators could catch fire.

All three investigations are hitting Ford as the company tries to hammer out a new labor contract with its unionized factory workers. Thousands of Ford employees in Wayne, Michigan, walked off the job last month as part of a larger United Auto Workers strike. UAW expanded strikes against Detroit automakers Friday, ordering 7,000 more workers to walk off the job at a General Motors plant in Lansing, Michigan, and a Ford plant in Chicago, to put more pressure on the companies to improve their offers.

The Ford factory in Chicago makes Ford Explorers and Explorer Police Interceptors, as well as the Lincoln Aviator SUV.
Legal damages stem from a decade-old dispute over jobs at Portland's Terminal 6. (Photo: Port of Portland)

In October 2021, Willie Adams, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), sat across the table from President Joe Biden at the White House. The two met again at the White House last month, celebrating the new six-year labor contract for Americas West Coast ports.

Ive known Willie for a long time, said Biden after the latest meeting. I was kidding him: I said I want to know who his haberdasher is. He looks awfully good, doesnt he? I like that cut.

Just a few weeks later, Adams is engaged in a far less prestigious task: securing Chapter 11 protection for his union in the Bankruptcy Court of Northern California.

Adams proposed a restructuring plan in a court filing Monday calling for the ILWU to hand over the majority of its remaining cash, save for a reserve for working capital necessary to enable the ILWU to maintain its operations and rebuild.

The recipient of the proposed payout: International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), a global terminal operator based in Manila, Philippines.

The irony is that the bankruptcy of one of Americas highest-profile unions, representing over 40,000 workers, whose president hobnobbed with Biden, began with a feud over two electrician jobs a decade ago at a niche container facility in Portland, Oregon.





New trial too expensive for ILWU to bear

A jury decided in November 2019 that the ILWU owed ICTSI $93.6 million in damages for unlawful practices including work stoppages, slowdowns and other coercive actions starting in 2013 at the ICTSI terminal in Portland.

The terminal lost its shipping line clients and ICTSI terminated its lease in 2017, paying over $11 million in penalties to get out early (it had signed a 25-year lease in 2010).

Oregon District Court Judge Michael Simon ruled in March 2020 that the jury award was far too generous. He set maximum damages at $19.06 million  if the two sides would agree. If not, there would be a new trial on damages. ICTSI didnt agree.

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The appeals process is over on arguments about guilt or innocence: By law, ILWU owes ICTSI. The new trial on damages was set to begin in late February 2024. ICTSI is seeking $48 million-$142 million.

The ILWU currently has $9.5 million in cash. It estimated that it would have to pay $8.5 million in additional legal fees during the new trial on top of any damages awarded, thus the Chapter 11 filing that halts the trial process.

A decade-old symbolic dispute

The events leading up to the current situation were recounted in the 2020 ruling by Simon.

They occurred years before Adams was elected president of the ILWU in 2018, before COVID and the supply chain crisis put West Coast dockworkers in the spotlight in 2021-2022, and before contentious negotiations on the new labor contract spawned fresh supply chain fears in early 2023.

When ICSTI began operating Portlands Terminal 6 in 2010, jobs for electricians plugging, unplugging and monitoring refrigerated containers (reefers) continued to be controlled by the Port of Portland, which assigned them to two electricians of a rival of union of ILWU, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

This conflicted with the labor contract between the ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), the organization that represents West Coast terminals. The contract called for ILWU members to handle reefer jobs at PMA-member terminals, including Portlands.

The Portland dispute wasnt just about the two electrician jobs, it was about the principle, according to ILWU testimony.

As recounted by Simon, ILWU Nationals then-President Robert McEllreth testified that the Terminal 6 reefer jobs were symbolic of jobs up and down the coast and that to let those jobs go  would bleed up and down the whole entire West Coast and  undermine the contract.

Leal Sundet, then an official of ILWU National, testified that any time you have a contractual matter that any one given PMA employer refused to comply with, thats an assault on the fabric of the [labor] agreement. Because why would the next PMA employer need to comply with the agreement, and the one after that? If you let the PMA member companies start picking and choosing what parts theyre going to comply with, then you dont have a contract any longer.

After ICTSI terminated its lease in 2017, the Port of Portland, the PMA and the ILWU agreed that the reefer jobs would be handled by ILWU members in future container operations at Terminal 6. But by that time, the damage was done. The ICTSI lawsuit  which would eventually result in ILWUs Chapter 11 filing  had been set in motion.

Details of ILWU bankruptcy plan

The bankruptcy does not directly affect the tens of thousands of port workers up and down the West Coast. Those workers are paid by terminal employers.

The case affects the 25 employees of the ILWU, including four titled officers and 21 support stuff. Their job is to maintain and improve wages and working conditions for union members, lobby for labor-friendly legislation, educate members and unite members. In the latest contract negotiations, the ILWU secured a 32% pay raise for its members over a six-year period, plus a one-time bonus related to the pandemic.

While the ILWU lists a current cash balance of $9.5 million, it projected in its bankruptcy plan filed Monday that its cash balance would be down to $7.38 million as of Jan. 1, 2024. Its plan calls for giving ICTSI $6.1 million of that (83% of remaining cash), leaving the ILWU with $1.28 million for working capital.

For a bankruptcy court to confirm a plan, it must find that all creditors who dont accept the plan will receive at least as much as they would in a Chapter 7 liquidation. The assumption is that ICTSI will not accept the plan. ILWU presented a liquidation analysis that put its liquidation value at $6.5 million and ICTSIs projected Chapter 7 recovery at $5.7 million-$6 million, below what the Chapter 11 plan would give ICTSI.

Court confirmation also requires bankrupt parties to show they can continue to survive after restructuring. ILWU presented an analysis of disposable income and cash balances. Assuming it keeps $1.28 million of its cash for working capital, it projected its disposable income would turn negative in 2027 but its cash balance would still be positive  at $548,000  at the end of 2028.

Click for more articles by Greg Miller

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The post How a fight over 2 jobs bankrupted union of 40,000 dockworkers appeared first on FreightWaves.
Finacity

STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Finacity Corporation (Finacity), a White Oak Global Advisors Company, has successfully closed an upsize and expansion of its existing $75 million IFRS off-balance sheet receivables securitization program to $100 million for Swissport International AG (Swissport), headquartered in Opfikon, Switzerland. The expansion focuses on adding Swissports subsidiaries located in Switzerland. The program now provides liquidity to Swissport in the U.S., Australia, and Switzerland with funding in three currencies: USD, AUD, and CHF. Finacity has provided origination, analytic and structuring support and serves as the ongoing Administrator and provider of reporting services for the program.

Peter Zmidzinski, Swissports Group Treasurer, added, Swissports liquidity position continues to be enhanced via support from its lender, supported by a strong team of advisors that are able to execute an increase in the program in an efficient manner.

About Swissport International Group

Swissport International AG is the leading global aviation services company providing airport ground, lounge hospitality and cargo handling services. In 2022, Swissport International AG provided best-in-class airport ground services for some 186 million airline passengers and handled roughly 4.8 million tons of air freight at 117 air cargo centers worldwide. By the end of June 2023, Swissport was operating at 294 airports in 44 countries. Learn more about Swissport by visiting https://www.swissport.com.

About Finacity, a White Oak Global Advisors Company

Finacity, a White Oak Global Advisors Company, specializes in the structuring and provision of efficient capital markets receivables funding programs, supplier and payables finance, back-up servicing, and bond administration. Finacity currently facilitates the financing and administration of an annual receivables volume of over US $200 billion. With resources in the USA, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, Finacity conducts business throughout the world with obligors in 175 countries. Finacity is affiliated with White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, a leading alternative debt manager specializing in originating and providing financing solutions to facilitate the growth, refinancing, and recapitalization of small and medium enterprises. For further information, please visit www.wofinacity.com.

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For more information on this transaction please contact:

Finacity Corporation

Daisy Tay

Tel: +65 98378388

Email: dtay@wofinacity.com




John Devitt stands Friday in front of the Mount Greenwood home to be raffled off in March 2024 for Gaelic Park Charities. (Hank Sanders/Daily Southtown)

The ancient Roman playwright Titus Maccius Plautus is credited for first delivering the adage You have to spend money to make money.

Community leaders of Gaelic Park in Oak Forest are testing Plautus hypothesis by investing over half a million dollars into building a home in Chicagos Mount Greenwood neighborhood that will be raffled off with the proceeds going to Gaelic Park Charities.

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We are taking a risk, no two ways about that, said John Devitt, a contractor and a volunteer director of Gaelic Park. If we dont sell 6,000 tickets we are going to lose in this deal.

The group is only one-sixth of the way there but has until March 2024. Thats when one person who purchased a $100 raffle ticket will get the keys to a new, three-story, four-bedroom home on Sawyer Avenue between West 104th and West 105th streets, just off Kedzie Avenue in Mount Greenwood.

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Often, high-value raffle prizes such as homes or cars are donated by an individual or organization. But in this case, leaders in Oak Forests Gaelic Park community pooled resources to purchase the land for $170,000 and pay for the construction, which is quoted at $425,000 and will  hopefully  be finished by March, according to Devitt.

Devitt clarified that while almost a quarter of the Gaelic Park leadership works in construction and contracting, they are not the ones being paid to build the home. Instead, they are lending their expertise  and daring spirit  to oversee the project for free.

Risk taking is in our blood, Devitt said.

The paid work is going to several companies, some from within the community, that will handle various parts of the homebuilding process, said community leader, volunteer and professional housing contractor John Barrett.

John Devitt shows off the plan for the kitchen of the Mount Greenwood home. (Hank Sanders/Daily Southtown)

The funds raised after the first 6,000 tickets are sold will go to the Gaelic Park Charity, which is focused on furthering community projects, maintaining public spaces and fostering Irish culture according to Devitt, Barrett and Chicago Gaelic Park Chicagos website.

Still, the obvious question remains: why not skip the hassle of building a home and donate the $600,000, or just hold a large cash raffle for a few hundred thousand dollars?

Devitt says he, too, asked these questions early on in the planning.

The community leaders say they are taking a page out of downtown Chicagos playbook and leaning heavily into one of humans great vices.

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I think we can see the state of Illinois and every state in the union has taken on gambling as a form of taxation, Devitt said.

For Chicago, gambling looks like a new casino downtown with more on the way. For the Gaelic community, gambling means betting that they can turn $600,000 into much more.

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Devitt said the community has done two cash raffles in past years. And while low six figures were returned both times, leadership hopes this house will act as a marketing tactic to deliver more of a buzz, drive more ticket purchases and ultimately provide greater returns.

Were putting a lot on the line, he said

Construction on the Mount Greenwood four-bedroom, three-floor home is expected to be complete in March 2024. (Hank Sanders/Daily Southtown)

One of the draws of the home is that the land, purchased by Gaelic Park leaders in spring 2022, is within Chicago city limits. Chicago firefighters and police officers are required to live within city limits. Gaelic Parks leadership hopes to tap into their Irish roots and advertise the Chicago-based home to the large number of Chicagos public servants who share Irish heritage.

The Irish roots to the Gaelic community are integral to the formation of this raffle. Both Barrett and Devitt explained home raffles have a long history of success back home in Ireland. In fact, while high stakes raffles in the U.S. are often for charity, in Ireland, people raffle off their homes as a technique to increase the sale price.

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In a 2021 story in The Irish Times, a home in County Mayo, Ireland worth $100,000 was raffled off by the owners and generated more than $1 million in earnings. The Times article tells multiple stories like this one in which private sellers vastly beat their homes market value by promising their home to some lucky person for less than a hundred euros in a raffle.

Still, the hope of a windfall gain is matched with the chance that this could also be a massive amount of work for minimal gain. Or, it could even cause the community to suffer a loss. But Barrett expressed little fear as the only thing to do now is finish construction, continue promotion and wait for March.

Weve never done one of these things before, he said. You cant be in this game if youre nervous.
CHICAGO, October 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BAI announced the finalists for the 13th Annual BAI Global Innovation Awards, the financial services industrys leading innovation honor, celebrating organizational achievements. These 22 inspiring companies have successfully designed and delivered unique innovations that positively improved customer and business relationships, drove organizational changes and served their communities. This years finalists developed innovations covering digital transformation, fraud prevention, financial inclusion, instant payments, ESG investing, and artificial intelligence.

The 2023 BAI Global Innovation Award finalists are:

Ally (USA): Ally Financial Clearpass

The Bank of East Asia, Limited (China): BEAST

The Bank of East Asia, Limited (China): Intelligence-Led Financial Crime Prevention

BMO (Canada): BMO New to Canada

Banco BPI (Portugal): BPI VR

CaixaBank S.A. (Spain): Insights Center Research Hub

Citizens Bank (USA): Citizens Digital Butler

Clair (USA): Clair Digital Banking & On-Demand Pay

Credit Sesame (USA): Sesame Credit Builder

Emirates NBD (United Arab Emirates): Liv

Fifth Third Bank (USA): Merchant Everyday Funding

Flexcharge (USA): AcceptIQ Platform

ING Turkey (Turkey): The Rise of Intelligent Internal Control

Isbank (Turkey): Gelecege Orman (Forest for the Future)

mooPay (India): Innovative Financial Services for Dairy Farmers

NPL Markets (United Kingdom): NPL Markets Platform

PNC Bank (USA): PNC Claims Predictor

PrimeLending (USA): Driving Change Through Social Learning

Standard Bank (South Africa): The ESG Marketplace, via One Hub

Veridas BBVA (Spain): Veridas Voice Biometrics Solution

Yap ve Kredi Bankas A.S. (Turkey): Yap Kredi FRWRD

Yap ve Kredi Bankas A.S. (Turkey): Yap Kredi Mobile "My World" Super App

Zenus Bank (UK): Zenus Bank Fraud Prevention

Zum Rails (Canada): Zum Rails

"All around the world, financial services organizations think and execute outside the box to create original and creative solutions to their communitys most pressing needs. These 22 companies represent some of the best solutions that positively impact their business and customers," said Amy Radin, financial services innovation executive, award-winning author, and lead judge of the 2023 BAI Global Innovation Awards.

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"The impact these organizations are making within the financial services industry and their markets is inspiring," said Holly Hughes, Chief Marketing Officer at BAI. "Leaders are delivering creative solutions for building inclusion, developing talent, serving customers, improving communities and creating efficiencies in new and different ways."

The winners will be announced in late October 2023. To learn more, please visit BAI Global Innovation Awards.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002918451/en/

Contacts

Kendall Carwile

William Mills Agency

678-781-7224

kendall@williammills.com
The recent congressional deal to fund the government through Nov. 17 forestalls a shutdown  in the United States. But its a bad deal all the same because it undermines support for Ukraine and boosts Russian President Vladimir Putins hopes for war fatigue among Ukraines Western allies.

The Sept. 30 deal finances most government operations for the next seven weeks but excludes $24 billion President Biden requested to continue aiding Ukraine in its war against Russian invaders. Some Republicans oppose further aid to Ukraine, and stripping that from the spending package was a concession they demanded  and got  in exchange for enough votes to pass the deal.

It doesnt mean the United States is abandoning Ukraine. There is still majority support, including nearly all Democrats and many Republicans, for further Ukraine aid in Congress and there are ways to approve that aid through separate funding measures. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says he supports Ukraine aid but wants it to be combined with tough new policies on immigration and border security.

Since the US aid will likely materialize, the problem isnt an interruption of US weaponry for Ukrainian forces. The problem is that US support for Ukraine has now been politicized, like just about everything else in the country. Thats exactly what Putin wants and it probably means lies and disinformation about Ukraine will besiege voters as the 2024 election heats up. Putins propagandists will probably mount their own disinformation effort as they did in 2016 by trying to discredit Democratic presidential candidate Hilary Clinton.

Biden has said repeatedly that his administration will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. But thats a bit wishy-washy. As long as it takes to do what? Biden has never spelled out what a winning outcome looks like and that may be deliberate. Expelling all Russian forces from Ukrainian territory may be impossible, yet its impolitic to acknowledge that. Without saying so, Ukraines allies do need to leave room for some kind of negotiated settlement that ends the fighting but leaves Russia with territory it doesnt deserve.

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Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a wreath laying ceremony at the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, Sept. 21, 2023, in Washington, as first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, looks on. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo, File)

Its time, however, for Biden to make a more forceful public case for why its good for America  and American taxpayers  to help Ukraine defeat Russia. It shouldnt be hard. So far the United States has provided $47 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, plus $30 billion in economic and financial aid for a total of about $77 billion. The United States is the biggest donor nation in raw dollars but as a percentage of GDP, its only 15th. The United States can afford to keep giving.

US military aid to Ukraine represents about 5% of the total US defense budget. Considering what it buys, that money is extremely well spent. Russia and China are Americas two main geopolitical rivals. Ukraine has severely damaged Russias army and it continues to weaken Russia militarily and politically literally every day. Containing Russia is an overt US national security goal, with a good chunk of the defense budget devoted to that cause. Ukraine is helping fulfill that goal without a single American service member involved in the fight.

[Drop Rick Newman a note, follow him on Twitter, or sign up for his newsletter.]

Russia would hold the West hostage to its oil and natural gas reserves if it could. Putin has already tried, and largely failed, to push up world oil prices and freeze Europeans during the winter by cutting off gas supplies. A Russian victory in Ukraine would bolster Putins bid to be the leader of a new kind of global pariah alliance that tries to bully the rest of world economically. Defeat in Ukraine, or even an open-ended quagmire, will further diminish Putins power over world energy markets and consumer budgets.

Western resolve in support of Ukraine also sends the message to China that an invasion of Taiwan would be a disastrous act of self-sabotage. Some Americans may not care whether a democratic Taiwan falls to the Chinese communist party. But they should care about the economic consequences, which at a minimum would be a severe trade shock that would send prices soaring and render many products unavailable. If the United States responded militarily it could slash 5% off US GDP, according to the Rand research organization. That would be double the damage of the Great Recession in 2007-2009. The best way to deter a Chinese move against Taiwan is to relentlessly punish Russia for its territorial grab in Ukraine, with no expiration date.

McCarthy says his top priority is immigration, not Ukraine  as if the United States, which has 15 Cabinet-level agencies and a $6.3 trillion annual budget, cant do two things at once. Biden could grab that as an opportunity to solve one of his own persistent problems. Voters give Biden poor marks on immigration and its not surprising why. The relentless flow of migrants to the southwest border is straining state and city governments nationwide and creating the impression of a nation overrun. Even some Democrats are now calling for new limits on inbound migration.

So why doesnt Biden accept some of the Republican ideas on immigration as part of a deal to arm Ukraine for another year? While explaining how stalwart American support for Ukraine is, and why, Biden could try to win some points for attacking a migration problem that so far has gotten the better of him. And when the next budget deadline comes in November the only thing anybody should be trying to shut down is Russias misbegotten war in Ukraine.

Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at @rickjnewman.

Click here for politics news related to business and money

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
PANAMA CITY, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gate.io, a leading crypto exchange trusted by millions of users, has passed an annual security assessment conducted by Hacken, a renowned blockchain security auditor. The assessment follows a recent broadening of its partnership with Hacken, which introduced smart contract auditing to various components of Gate Web3, Gate.io's decentralized ecosystem.

The latest security assessment included rigorous evaluation and penetration testing using industry-standard methodologies. Hacken's team of experts subjected the exchange's infrastructure to simulated cyberattacks based on real-world scenarios. The assessment confirmed that Gate.io's security measures are up-to-date and capable of defending the platform and user accounts against the latest cyber threats.

The assessment was carried out as part of a partnership between Gate.io and Hacken. The partnership dates back to 2020, when Hacken assisted the exchange in obtaining a CER certification. Since then, the partnership has expanded to include bug bounties, annual penetration tests, and smart contract audits. When combined with Gate.io's multilayered security measures and thorough in-house reviews, users are provided greater security guarantees.

"Security is a shared responsibility in the blockchain and digital asset sector. The ramifications extend beyond any one platform, and each has a role to play. Our dynamic partnership with Hacken ensures that Gate.io's role is fulfilled and users can safely embark on their digital asset journey confidently," said Dr. Lin Han, founder and CEO of Gate.io.

The latest security assessment and penetration test confirm Gate.io's adherence to following best practices and meeting the demands of an ever-changing threat landscape, helping build users' faith in Gate.io and the blockchain and digital asset sector as a whole. In addition, the partnership with Hacken has resulted in greater security assurances on Gate.io's centralized and decentralized platforms. The dynamic and robust nature of the partnership ensures that users' funds are safeguarded from current and potential future threats.

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About Hacken

Hacken is a trusted blockchain security auditor on a mission to make Web3 safer. Leveraging a team of 60+ certified engineers, Hacken provides solutions covering all aspects of blockchain security, such as smart contract audits, blockchain protocol audits, dApp audits, penetration testing, CCSS audits, tokenomics audits, and bug bounty programs.

About Gate.io

Established in 2013, Gate.io is one of the world's earliest cryptocurrency exchanges , offering diverse trading services with 100% user-verifiable Proof of Reserves. Further, the platform has consistently ranked as one of the top 10 cryptocurrency exchanges on CoinGecko. The platform currently serves more than 13 million active users worldwide.

Cision

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SOURCE Gate.io
Getvisibility

SINGAPORE, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Getvisibility, a leading global provider of data security and compliance solutions, is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in its expansion into the Singaporean market. The company has been awarded the prestigious accreditation by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA), reinforcing Getvisibility's commitment to delivering cutting-edge data security solutions in Southeast Asia.



The IMDA Accreditation programme recognised Getvisibility's dedication to uphold the highest standards of data protection and compliance. Being accredited, Getvisibility joins a select group of companies that provides data security solutions in Singapore, demonstrating the company's expertise and trustworthiness in the field.

In conjunction with this announcement, Getvisibility has inaugurated its Singapore office, strategically located in the heart of the city-state's thriving technology hub. This new office will serve as the regional headquarters for Getvisibility's operations in Southeast Asia, enabling the company to better support its growing customer base and collaborate more closely with local partners.

We are pleased to welcome Getvisibility as the latest addition to IMDAs Accreditation Programme. With their leading AI and machine learning solution, we envision that Government agencies and enterprises can work seamlessly within their organisation for real time, accurate data discovery and classification of documents. We look forward to supporting Getvisibilitys new regional headquarters in Singapore, and to open new doors to accelerate their expansion in the region, said Edwin Low, Director of Enterprise and Ecosystem Development at IMDA.

One of the standout achievements of Getvisibility's Singapore expansion is the development of a cutting-edge product, tailored specifically to meet the requirements of the local privacy and security regulations and frameworks. By leveraging Getvisibility's state-of-the-art AI technology, this localised solution will empower organisations in Singapore to proactively manage and secure their sensitive data, ensuring compliance with the stringent data protection and governance requirements.

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Mark Brosnan, CEO of Getvisibility, expressed his excitement about this significant development, stating, We are immensely thrilled about the opportunity to expand our footprint in Singapore and to receive IMDAs accreditation. This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to helping organisations in Singapore protect their data, ensuring they meet the regulatory requirements. We are dedicated to providing innovative, AI-powered solutions that empower businesses to navigate the complex landscape of data security and compliance.

Getvisibility's entry into the Singaporean market aligns with the company's global mission to revolutionise data security and compliance with cutting-edge technology. As a trusted partner for organisations worldwide, Getvisibility is poised to make a substantial impact in Southeast Asia by offering best-in-class solutions for data protection and regulatory compliance.

For more information about Getvisibility and its innovative data security solutions, please visit www.getvisibility.com

About Getvisibility:

Getvisibility is a global leader in data security and compliance solutions. Leveraging advanced AI technology, Getvisibility provides organisations with the tools they need to discover, classify, and protect sensitive data, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and safeguarding against data breaches. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, Getvisibility empowers businesses to take control of their data and enhance their cybersecurity posture.

CONTACT: info@getvisibility.com, Getvisibility Team




By David Shepardson

(Reuters) -General Motors and Ford Motor on Monday said they are laying off another 500 workers at four Midwestern plants because of the impact on some of the facilities of the United Auto Workers strike in its 18th day.

Separately, the UAW confirmed it presented a new contract offer to GM on Monday. GM said it received the counterproposal "but significant gaps remain." The UAW also held a new round of bargaining with Chrysler-parent Stellantis.

Ford on Monday said it was furloughing a total of 330 workers at its Chicago Stamping and Lima, Ohio Engine plants, while GM layoffs included 130 at its Parma, Ohio Metal Center and 34 at its Marion, Indiana Metal Center.

The UAW on Friday struck GM's Lansing Delta Township assembly plant that makes the Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse SUVs after previously striking at GM's Missouri assembly plant and 18 parts distribution centers.

GM last month said it had idled its Fairfax, Kansas, plant because of a parts shortage stemming from the strike, resulting in 2,000 indefinite layoffs. Ford said last month it temporarily laid off about 600 workers at a Michigan auto plant because of the strike. Stellantis has furloughed nearly 370 workers in Ohio and Indiana.

UAW President Shawn Fain on Friday expanded the first-ever simultaneous strike against the Detroit Three to a GM Lansing, Michigan plant and a Ford Chicago assembly plant, but Stellantis was spared after last-minute concessions.

The UAW said it reached a new labor agreement with Volvo Group's Mack Trucks covering 4,000 workers just before a Sunday night deadline.

The tentative agreement that includes significantly increased wages must still be ratified, the union said.

JPMorgan in a research note on Monday estimated the strike has cost GM $191 million and Ford $145 million, but said there was some cause for optimism about a deal, citing reports that the two sides were "close on pay and benefits."

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The GM and Ford CEOs on Friday blasted the UAW, hours after the union escalated the strike. The UAW responded on social media that neither had attended bargaining talks.

Anderson Economic Group estimated total losses from the first two weeks of the strike to be $3.9 billion, including $325 million in wages, $1.12 billion in losses for the Detroit Three, $1.29 billion for suppliers and $1.2 billion for dealer and customer losses.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Bernadette Baum, David Gregorio and Bill Berkrot)
Grant Cardone

The middle class has been shrinking. In 1971, 61% of American households were considered to be middle class, and that number has dropped to 50% three decades later, a Pew Research Center analysis found. While the number of people living in the middle class has been shrinking, so has their purchasing power. The average income for middle-class households has risen 50% over the past 30 years, while the average income has risen 69% for upper-income households. This means that being middle class no longer promises the sense of financial security it once did.

See: 8 Middle-Class Money Traps That Dont Exist Outside the US

Find Out: 7 Mistakes That Drain Your Wallet at the Gas Station

The creation of the middle class was based on factories and jobs. We dont have that today, Grant Cardone, author of the upcoming book The Wealth Creation Formula, told GOBankingRates.

This idea, its a hangover from the 1950s to the 1970s where if you had a house and a car, you were now in the middle class, he continued. You had a good job, got some savings, maybe you had a retirement account, you were in the middle class. Today, the middle class is the largest declining socioeconomic group. More people will be pushed into poverty this year than in the last decade.

Why the Middle Class Is a Trap

Cardone believes that the goals that have typically been part of the middle-class American dream are now whats keeping people poor.

The very things that symbolize the middle class  cars, homes and college  are strangling, suffocating and dismissing the middle class as a wealth class, he said.

Cardone said that for most members of the middle class, cars are no longer affordable and will push middle-income earners into debt.

The average car payment is $770, insurance can be another $1,200 and thats not even with fuel for the car, he said.

Buying a single-family home is another trap, according to Cardone.

It is a terrible, terrible investment, he said. It would be much smarter to pay $2,000 a month rent for the next 30 years. Why? Because you still have your down payment, you dont have to pay insurance. Youre not stuck.

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Finally, getting a college education often is not a good use of time and money, Cardone said.

Colleges are the single most inflated commodity in America today  nothing has kept up with the price increases of colleges, Cardone said. And they dont produce a great product  they just give somebody another trap which is the job, which is earned income, which is taxes. College is a waste of four or five years, and then [many people] go into debt [because of it].

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Grant Cardone: Heres Why the Middle Class Is a Trap That You Need To Break Out Of
AMSTERDAM, October 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hai Robotics ("Hai"), pioneer and leader in Autonomous Case-handling Robot (ACR) Systems, today announced the launch of the world's first telescopic Grapple Hook ACR, the HaiPick A42T-E2, and the HaiPick System 3two new innovations that address customer concerns around increasing storage density and performance at a smaller warehouse footprint. The telescopic Grapple Hook ACR can be integrated within HaiPick System 3, creating a nexus that facilitates higher performance while delivering enhanced storage density.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231001155864/en/

Photo of HaiPick A42T-E2 (Photo: Business Wire)

The HaiPick A42T-E2equipped with ChainPick technologyfeatures a grappling hook with a picking speed of 2.7 seconds, quickly pulling totes one after another. Such ChainPick technology is key to enabling up to five-deep tote storage capacity, allowing shorter picking and placing time to further streamline the goods-to-person workflow. Horizontal space in between totes can be slashed by 60%, ensuring no space gap at the back and hence optimizing existing warehouse storage space. Businesses are also offered tailored solutions to scale up or down, allowing them to maintain a competitive edge without compromising on financial agility, while still achieving cost-efficiency.

"Businesses nowadays are struggling to not only optimize their warehouse space, but also strike a balance between automation and leaving room for growth," said Peter Guan, General Manager at Hai Robotics EMEA. "We are thrilled with the launch of the HaiPick A42T-E2. This project encapsulates our commitment to providing intelligent, flexible and efficient solutions for the modern warehousing industry, while keeping in mind the growing and dynamic needs of this market on a global scale."

The HaiPick System 3, on the other hand, is the latest solution in Hai's portfolio, enabling ultra-high storage density up to 50 totes/ and increasing worker efficiency up to six times. HaiPick System 3 is a highly standardized system incorporating Hai's telescopic Grapple Hook ACRs and Fast-transit K50 autonomous mobile robots (AMR) running at a speed of 4m/s. HaiPick System 3 introduces fast deployment and efficient ACR-AMR collaboration: While ACRs handle totes from the top to the bottom of the racks, AMRs handle rack-bottom totes between racks and workstation swiftly. Additionally, the solution facilitates rack expansion by up to five-deep configuration, by using the telescopic Grapple Hook ACR, with a maximum picking height of up to 10 meters.

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"HaiPick System 3 is a high-performance and agile solution that scales alongside businesses to better achieve instantaneous customer satisfaction," added Guan. "Combined with the telescopic Grapple Hook ACR, warehouses will be able to achieve a level of performance efficiency and ROI at new heights in both B2B and B2C operations, such as within 3PL and apparel industries."

Davide Tuzi, Country Manager of Italy at Hai Robotics, will discuss more details in the upcoming episode of HaiPulse webinar. The special edition, scheduled to air on October 20th, at 9:30 AM (CET), will cover an in-depth analysis of these two innovations. Sign up for this webinar here.

About Hai Robotics

Hai Robotics, pioneer and leader in Autonomous Case-handling Robot (ACR) Systems, is committed to providing flexible, intelligent, and efficient warehouse automation solutions through robotics technology and AI algorithms. The HaiPick solution, independently developed in 2015, is the world's first ever ACR solution. Hai Robotics is a global enterprise that has more than 1,000 projects worldwide and serves customers from more than 30 countries and regions. We have offices to cover the United States, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia and Australia. We strive to combine global experience with local expertise to provide our customers with tailored, quality solutions.

To learn more about Hai Robotics, visit https://www.hairobotics.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231001155864/en/

Contacts

pr@hairobotics.com
The excitement of investing in a company that can reverse its fortunes is a big draw for some speculators, so even companies that have no revenue, no profit, and a record of falling short, can manage to find investors. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, so investors in these companies may be taking on more risk than they should.

In contrast to all that, many investors prefer to focus on companies like Calnex Solutions (LON:CLX), which has not only revenues, but also profits. Now this is not to say that the company presents the best investment opportunity around, but profitability is a key component to success in business.

See our latest analysis for Calnex Solutions

Calnex Solutions' Earnings Per Share Are Growing

Generally, companies experiencing growth in earnings per share (EPS) should see similar trends in share price. So it makes sense that experienced investors pay close attention to company EPS when undertaking investment research. It certainly is nice to see that Calnex Solutions has managed to grow EPS by 21% per year over three years. As a general rule, we'd say that if a company can keep up that sort of growth, shareholders will be beaming.

Careful consideration of revenue growth and earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margins can help inform a view on the sustainability of the recent profit growth. Calnex Solutions maintained stable EBIT margins over the last year, all while growing revenue 25% to UK27m. That's a real positive.

You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers.

Since Calnex Solutions is no giant, with a market capitalisation of UK103m, you should definitely check its cash and debt before getting too excited about its prospects.

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Are Calnex Solutions Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

It should give investors a sense of security owning shares in a company if insiders also own shares, creating a close alignment their interests. Calnex Solutions followers will find comfort in knowing that insiders have a significant amount of capital that aligns their best interests with the wider shareholder group. Indeed, they hold UK21m worth of its stock. This considerable investment should help drive long-term value in the business. As a percentage, this totals to 20% of the shares on issue for the business, an appreciable amount considering the market cap.

It means a lot to see insiders invested in the business, but shareholders may be wondering if remuneration policies are in their best interest. Our quick analysis into CEO remuneration would seem to indicate they are. For companies with market capitalisations under UK164m, like Calnex Solutions, the median CEO pay is around UK286k.

Calnex Solutions offered total compensation worth UK237k to its CEO in the year to March 2023. That seems pretty reasonable, especially given it's below the median for similar sized companies. CEO remuneration levels are not the most important metric for investors, but when the pay is modest, that does support enhanced alignment between the CEO and the ordinary shareholders. Generally, arguments can be made that reasonable pay levels attest to good decision-making.

Does Calnex Solutions Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist?

For growth investors, Calnex Solutions' raw rate of earnings growth is a beacon in the night. If you need more convincing beyond that EPS growth rate, don't forget about the reasonable remuneration and the high insider ownership. The overarching message here is that Calnex Solutions has underlying strengths that make it worth a look at. It is worth noting though that we have found 1 warning sign for Calnex Solutions that you need to take into consideration.

There's always the possibility of doing well buying stocks that are not growing earnings and do not have insiders buying shares. But for those who consider these important metrics, we encourage you to check out companies that do have those features. You can access a free list of them here.

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.
News Media Canada launches a limited-edition illustrated book  Champions  featuring 24 inspirational stories of Canadas news industry leaders.

TORONTO, October 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week is the 83rd National Newspaper Week, an annual opportunity to recognize the critically important role that newspapers play in an active and healthy democracy. To celebrate, News Media Canada has created an illustrated book, Champions, which celebrates notable Canadian journalists, editors, photographers, publishers and more.

"Local journalism is vital to our democracy, providing local, original content that cannot be found anywhere else," said Paul Deegan, president and CEO of News Media Canada. "The Champions book is a snapshot of some of the incredible people whose work keeps our society thriving and communicates essential information to Canadians each and every day. They stand up for our communities, raise their hands to ask tough questions and uncover the truth."

Champions is a bilingual publication that includes 24 inspirational stories of people in Canada who have championed the truth through their contributions to the news media industry and positive impacts in their communities. Champions celebrates not only the people in the book but countless others who work in Canadian news media, those who keep their communities informed and connected from coast to coast to coast. The Champions book also features News Media Canadas custom font (also entitled Champions) and illustrations by Canadian visual artist Rachel Joanis, who crafted the cover art and custom portraits throughout.

"As someone whos grown up with a deep appreciation for newspapers, it was an honour to work on this project. I learned so much about the amazing people featured in the book. I hope their impressive stories show the next generation how rewarding a career in news media can be," said Rachel Joanis, Champions book illustrator.

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This National Newspaper Week, Canadians are encouraged to think about and celebrate champions of the truth from their own lives who are committed to delivering reliable and accurate information to their communities. To further champion the power of words and increase literacy among people in Canada, all proceeds from the sale of Champions will be donated to First Book Canada.

Canadians can show their support for our Champions of the Truth  the people behind the news at Canadian newspapers and their digital platforms  by purchasing a copy of the Champions book at championsofthetruth.ca. The full list of champions, a free digital e-book and pdf download of the book, along with access to the Champions font can be found at www.championsofthetruth.ca.

This year's National Newspaper Week program will be supported by print and digital ad campaigns in newspapers across the country, as well as an out-of-home ad campaign extension and media relations.

National Newspaper Week runs until Saturday, October 7, 2023, and is celebrated across North America to reflect on the essential services provided by the news media industry. This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.

About News Media Canada

News Media Canada is the voice of the print and digital news media industry in Canada and represents hundreds of trusted titles in every province and territory. News Media Canada is an advocate in public policy for daily and community media outlets and contributes to the ongoing evolution of the news media industry by raising awareness and promoting the benefits of news media across all platforms. For more information, visit www.newsmediacanada.ca.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002030777/en/

Contacts

For more information, please contact:

Bronte Wright, Craft Public Relations

bronte@craftpublicrelations.com

647-539-3994
Serena Ghanayem, of Worth, won 1st place in the bird category of the Brookfield Zoo's 2023 photo contest with this shot of a peacock. (Brookfield Zoo)

Artists win big in Brookfield Zoo photo contest

Steven DeYoung, of Thornton, won 2nd place in the mammal category of the Brookfield Zoo's 2023 photo contest with this shot of a leopard. (Brookfield Zoo)

Worths Serena Ghanayem won first place in the bird category, Thorntons Steven DeYoung took second place in the mammal category and Bolingbrooks John Sullivan was awarded third place in the bird category in the 2023 Brookfield Zoo 2023 photo contest.

More than 700 images, including those of butterflies, African lions, penguins, primates, peacocks, and snakes, were digitally submitted in this years contest. A panel of professional photographers judged the photos.

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Area students are resident assistants at Lewis University

The university casts a wide net, searching for the best and brightest individuals from all corners of the world in hopes of creating a vibrant and supportive living community that transcends borders and celebrates cultural diversity.

The new team members bring unique perspectives and a wealth of experiences to the residence halls. The RAs will serve as mentors, friends and leaders, helping residents navigate the exciting journey of college life. They include Chicagos Justin Lee, New Lenoxs Thomas Juricek and Park Forests Somuadina Uwaezuoke.

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Lewis University students explore societal solutions

Reducing disease spread in health care settings, firearm safety education and creating more efficient semiconductor manufacturing processes are just a few of the research topics undertaken by Lewis University students this summer, including Homer Glens Rebecca Rozhon, Lockports Jacob Prince, New Lenoxs Nina Demma, Oak Lawns Caitlin Lamirez and Tinley Parks Anthony DiBenedetto and Austin Rockaitis.

Will Countys Portlock elected state association leader

Caroline L. Portlock, director of the Workforce Investment Board of Will County, has been elected president of the Illinois Workforce Partnership. (Will County)

Caroline L. Portlock, director of the Workforce Investment Board of Will County, has been elected as president of the Illinois Workforce Partnership.

I am both excited and humbled for the opportunity to lead this group of workforce professionals, Portlock said As association president I look forward to ensuring that the Illinois Workforce Partnership and our stakeholders have a voice in how the workforce system serves our communities, our residents and our businesses.

Portlock has served as Will Countys WIB director for seven years.

The IWP advocates for the creation of a skilled workforce to improve the states competitiveness and growth. It connects businesses and individuals to resources utilizing public workforce systems. The association is comprised of leaders who strategically engage in a variety of local, regional, state and national partners in workforce and economic development.

Send news to communitynews@southtownstar.com.
Huanqiu

Beijing, China, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Major infrastructure projects undertaken by China Communications Construction Company Limited(CCCC) have received widespread praise from global officials in charge of transportation at two side events of the recently concluded 2023 Global Sustainable Transport Forum (GSTF).

The 2023 GSTF and the 15th International Exhibition on Transport Technology and Equipment, hosted by China's Ministry of Transport, were held from Sept. 25 to 26 in Beijing. CCCC has actively participated in the forum and organized the forum's two side events themed "effectively advancing high-quality international infrastructure connectivity for coordinated regional economic development" and "smart, green and sustainable transportation infrastructure", respectively.

During riveting discussions on the sustainable development of global transportation at the side events, ministers of transport and experts in transportation from many countries lauded landmark infrastructure projects built by CCCC, such as the Mombasa - Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Kenya, the Colombo Port City of Sri Lanka, and the China-Laos Railway.

I was there at the inauguration ceremony," said Kipchumba Murkomen, the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Roads, Transport and Public Works, pointing to a photo showing the inauguration ceremony of the Mombasa - Nairobi SGR with excitement.

"Companies like CCCC have done a fantastic job in our country in modernizing our railway system. Now we have an SGR system of almost 600 kilometers, and we believe that system will be further extended," said Murkomen.

He also pointed out that CCCC has made great efforts to ensure ecological conservation during the construction of the railway. By transforming some technologies and building wildlife crossings, among many other measures, CCCC has managed to minimize the environmental impact of the project, according to Murkomen.

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Calling the China-Laos Railway one of the models of green transportation system, Ngampasong Muongmany, the Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport, underscored the importance of realizing "green, low-carbon and sustainable transportation", and noted that various countries should work together to achieve the goal.

Participants in the events also recognized the rich fruits of international cooperation in the transportation sector under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative over the past 10 years and shared their views on green development in the future.

Because Sri Lanka highly values international exchanges in transportation construction, the Belt and Road Initiative is very important for us, said Bandula Gunawardhana, Sri Lanka's Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media.

"It (the Belt and Road Initiative) is an excellent initiative, as all initiatives that are promoting connectivity in transport, just to connect better the world," said Francisco Esteban Lefler, President of the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC).

Disclaimer: The information provided in this release is not investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing or trading securities and cryptocurrency.



CONTACT: Wang Yueran Huanqiu wangyueran-at-huanqiu.com




JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Indonesia's JakartaBandung high-speed railway, known as the WHOOSH, officially entered service. The railway reduces travel time between Jakarta and Bandung from 3.5 hours to just 40 minutes, which will boost economic development along the route. Huawei has partnered with China Railway Signal & Communication (CRSC) and China Telecom to build a dedicated railway network for the WHOOSH. This network facilitates real-time communications, control, and dispatching of the trains, providing reliable and robust technical support for intelligent, safe, and efficient train operations.

As the first high-speed railway in Southeast Asia, the WHOOSH spans 142.3 kilometers between the capital city of Jakarta and the popular tourist destination of Bandung in Indonesia. The maximum operating speed of the trains is 350 kilometers per hour. The WHOOSH is also the first project that applies China's high-speed railway system, including all elements of the industry value chain, outside China. The WHOOSH marks Indonesia's entry into the high-speed railway era.

The WHOOSH is equipped with the Chinese Train Control System Level 3 (CTCS-3), which was independently developed in China. Due to the high speed at which the trains travel and their short departure intervals, a stable and reliable dedicated communications network that provides high security, large bandwidth, and simple O&M is crucial for the train control system. This guarantees that the trains run safely, smoothly, and efficiently.

According to Lai Chaosen, Vice President of Huawei Indonesia, the WHOOSH's train-to-ground wireless network adopts Huawei's mature solution and employs interleaving in networking for seamless coverage. By achieving up to 99.99% availability, the network ensures the stable transmission of train control signals and the intelligent orchestration and scheduling of train numbers and function numbers.

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The data network uses Huawei's next-generation data communications equipment, which guarantees 100% secure networks through native hard pipes. Every link is protected by redundancy, and redundancy switchover can be completed within just 35 ms.

The transmission network uses Huawei's Hybrid MSTP equipment, which provides the large bandwidth and high stability required by over 20 high-speed train systems, such as scheduling and command, disaster prevention, video surveillance, passenger ticketing, and power telecontrol systems. The network is also capable of addressing the growth and evolution requirements of future railway services.

Liu Jieping, CRSC's Deputy Chief Engineer of the JakartaBandung Project, explained that the launch of the WHOOSH represents a major landmark in China's going global strategy for high-speed railways. The train-to-ground wireless network, transmission network, data network, and other system solutions provided by Huawei have built a high-quality dedicated communications network for the WHOOSH, and provided reliable technical support for safe and efficient train operations.

Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, President Director of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), stated, "We would like to thank all stakeholders, especially Huawei and CRSC, for their contributions in preparing technology solutions and railway infrastructure that are instrumental in supporting the operation of the Whoosh high-speed train. The shared implementation of proven technology solutions and operational solutions of the Whoosh high-speed train can serve as a reference and benchmark for the development of other high-speed rail infrastructure in Indonesia and similar projects in other ASEAN countries."

SOURCE Huawei
VENRAY, The Netherlands, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Inalfa Roof Systems Group, a global leader in the automotive industry headquartered in the Netherlands, has appointed Georges Andary as the company's new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective from October 1, 2023.

Inalfa Roof Systems Group Appoints Georges Andary as New CEO

Georges Andary brings over 28 years of executive leadership experience in the automotive industry to his new role. During his longstanding tenure he has demonstrated extensive market knowledge, strategic insights, and expertise in management, development, and business development.

Inalfa Roof Systems develops and produces integrated roof systems to nearly every major automotive brand. With a strong emphasis on customer relations, integrated collaboration, individual ownership, and a commitment to continuous innovation, both shareholder BHAP and the Supervisory Board are confident that Mr. Andary and his leadership team will further enhance Inalfa's position as the first-choice partner for the automotive industry in roof systems and integrated technologies.

"It is Inalfa's purpose to open up your world with every drive. I am honored to lead the company to deliver on this promise together with the talented teams and to pursue new opportunities and ensure that we continue to meet and exceed our customers' expectations around the globe," said Georges Andary, CEO and President at Inalfa Roof Systems.

Prior to joining Inalfa, Mr. Andary held several executive management positions at Bosch. Most recently, he served as the General Manager of Bosch Automotive Products (Suzhou) and as President of the Automotive Electronics Division in China.

About Inalfa Roof Systems

Inalfa Roof Systems is a global automotive roof systems manufacturer, based in Venray, The Netherlands, with factories and development centers in Europe, Northern America and Asia. With over 800 life patents and a global market share of approximately 25%, Inalfa delivers roof systems to almost every major car and truck manufacturer in the world. Since 2011 Inalfa Roof Systems is part of Beijing Hainachuan Automotive Parts Co., Ltd., one of the biggest suppliers of automotive parts in China. The strategic acquisition of Inalfa further diversifies BHAP's product portfolio, strengthens its R&D and marketing capabilities as well as its competitiveness. For more information, please visit www.inalfa.com.

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Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2222838/Georges_Andary.jpg

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inalfa-roof-systems-group-appoints-georges-andary-as-new-ceo-301940583.html

SOURCE Inalfa Roof Systems Group
When Anasa Troutman first came to Memphis, she was unaware Clayborn Temple existed  let alone its history.

The New Jersey native came to Memphis to promote Union: The Musical, which was presented at the church during a series of events in 2018 marking and honoring the 50th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Troutman said she felt a pull toward the building, a calling to do more, and after a few conversations with then-building owners, Frank Smith and Rob Thompson, she created the nonprofit entity that now leads the restoration of one of Memphis' most iconic and culturally significant buildings.

Everyone in the city believes they belong here, and we want to preserve that, Troutman said.

Allison Springfield, Clayborn Temple project manager, speaks about renderings for the future renovations of Clayborn Temple from within the temple during a walkthrough event hosted by the nonprofit Historic Clayborn Temple in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, September 29, 2023. The event celebrated the completion of the $6 million second phase of restoration.

On Thursday, the nonprofit Historic Clayborn Temple hosted a walkthrough event celebrating the completion of the $6 million second phase of restoration. The renovations included preserving the stained-glass windows on the northern and southern halves of the building at 294 Hernando St., along with reinforcing the truss and attic.

Allison Springfield, senior project manager at Allworld Project Management, said the next phase will begin in 2024 and is estimated to cost another $25 million. That third phase will continue the interior restoration.

During a Sept. 28 tour, Springfield highlighted the preservation work done by Jackson, Mississippi-based Pearl River Glass Studios on the stained-glass windows including the original glass on the northern half the building and a mosaic honoring five local civil rights leaders on the southern half of Clayborn Temple. The glass on the southern half of the building honors activist Cornelia Crenshaw, labor leaders T.O. Jones and Larry Payne, United Methodist Church Pastor James Lawson and Memphis Branch National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) executive secretary Maxine Smith.

Elaine Lee Turner, director for the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum, and Vasco Smith, son of Maxine Smith, a member of the national board of the NAACP and the executive secretary of the Memphis branch, look up at a stained glass portrait of Maxine Smith and other civil rights activists during a walkthrough event hosted by the nonprofit Historic Clayborn Temple in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, September 29, 2023. The event celebrated the completion of the $6 million second phase of restoration.

Springfield estimates the entire renovation will be done by 2026. Memphis-based Self + Tucker Architects is helping with the design. Once completed Clayborn Temple will include an elevator, museum and outdoor courtyard.

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We want to recreate that center here for the community, said Mathieu White, Self + Tucker marketing coordinator.

ASHLAR HALL: What's ahead for this 'castle' in Memphis? How a new event space is taking shape

Troutman said shes already received calls about hosting weddings at the temple. And while shes had to turn down a few already, she said the aim is to host public events during the day and private events during the evening once Clayborn Temple is restored and reopened.

This is a very special place in Memphis history, Elaine Lee Turner said. We want to tell this story for youth and future generations."

Turner and her sister operate Heritage Tours in Memphis. She selected the five portraits in the southern window.

Turner's maiden name, Lee, has a unique place in American history. In 2017, the city honored the Lee Sisters with a historical marker along Main Street (near the Peabody Place office building) remembering the 1960s sit-ins at a former department store along Main Street. The Lee Sisters were arrested 17 times during 1960s protests and were once heralded as the most arrested family in the country via a 1965 feature in Jet magazine.

Elaine Lee Turner, director for the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum, smiles as she looks at renderings for future renovations for Clayborn Temple as she tours the site a walkthrough event hosted by the nonprofit Historic Clayborn Temple event in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, September 29, 2023. The event celebrated the completion of the $6 million second phase of restoration.

Turner said she walked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. twice during her youth. Once as a teenager during a march in Mississippi and in Selma, Alabama, after she graduated college.

MEMPHIS NEWS: National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis plans 'transformative' expansion and renovation

She recalls the importance of Clayborn Temple and its role in the 1968 sanitation workers' strike and the prolific I Am a Man signs. The temple, which dates back to 1891, was a focal point during the strike. Union workers used the church for refuge and printed protest signs in the churchs basement. Preserving that history and reactivating the space as a community gathering space for education and cultural events, is paramount to Turner.

Keep the history alive, and this church can do that, Turner said.

Funding for Clayborn Temple includes National Park Service grants, city aid and philanthropic donations.

Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com, 901-426-0679 or via X/Twitter,@neilStrebig

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Clayborn Temple in Memphis: Inside look at historic site's renovation
In the last year, multiple insiders have substantially increased their holdings of Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) stock, indicating that insiders' optimism about the company's prospects has increased.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

View our latest analysis for Centene

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Centene

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by CEO & Director Sarah London for US$1.9m worth of shares, at about US$62.60 per share. That implies that an insider found the current price of US$68.88 per share to be enticing. Of course they may have changed their mind. But this suggests they are optimistic. If someone buys shares at well below current prices, it's a good sign on balance, but keep in mind they may no longer see value. The good news for Centene share holders is that insiders were buying at near the current price.

In the last twelve months Centene insiders were buying shares, but not selling. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Insider Ownership

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Centene insiders own 0.8% of the company, currently worth about US$299m based on the recent share price. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders.

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So What Does This Data Suggest About Centene Insiders?

There haven't been any insider transactions in the last three months -- that doesn't mean much. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. It would be great to see more insider buying, but overall it seems like Centene insiders are reasonably well aligned (owning significant chunk of the company's shares) and optimistic for the future. Of course, the future is what matters most. So if you are interested in Centene, you should check out this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

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.
DataHorizzon Research

According to DataHorizzon Research, the internet of things market size was valued at USD 52.1 Billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 645.7 Billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 28.7%.

Fort Collins, Colorado, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DataHorizzon Research Published a report titled, "Internet of Things Market Size, Growth, Share, Statistics Report, By Product Type (Stationery, Implanted, Wearable), By Application (Telemedicine, Medication Management, Patients Monitoring), By End-use, By Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2023-2032."

According to DataHorizzon Research, the internet of things market size was valued at USD 52.1 Billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 645.7 Billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 28.7%. The Internet of Medical Things can be defined as the collection of medical devices and applications that are connected through online computer networks. Telemedicine can be defined as the process of remotely monitoring patients at home. It makes contacting medical facilities easier for people living in the countryside. IoMT increases the data available to the caretakers. The captured data relays the insights to enable better decision-making capability.

There are numerous benefits of IoMT, including a patient monitoring system, accessibility, cost control, positive patient experience, enhanced precision, and logistics. Medical equipment is widely used across industries, patients, healthcare providers, and government authorities. This helps save time and cost, it is beneficial for older people to track their vitals at home. Smartphone penetration across the globe has increased rapidly.

IOMT enhances patient safety, helps reduce medical errors, checks chronic diseases, and helps improve drug management. It also provides accurate diagnosis at a lower cost and hence improves healthcare. Patients can instantly send reports or diagnoses to doctors to initiate the treatment. Organizations using IoMT devices keep track of the patients data, followed by real-time monitoring and active alerts in case of emergency. These factors will likely help the market for the Internet of medical things grow steadily.

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With the population's rising disposable incomes, smart devices are now affordable. Cost improvement is one of the major factors for the market growth. An increase in the number of smartphones has augmented the subscription for healthcare apps in countries like India, China, Bangladesh, and some Latin American countries.

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Report Snapshot:

Report Title Internet of Medical Things Market Market Size in 2022 USD 52.1 Billion Market Size by 2032 USD 645.7 Billion CAGR from 2023 to 2032 28.7% Largest Market North America Forecast Period 2023 to 2032 Historic Period 2021 Base Year 2022 Report Scope & Coverage Market Size, Market Estimations, Competitor Analysis, Trends, and Growth Factors By Product Type Stationery, Implanted, Wearable By Application Telemedicine, Medication Management, Patients Monitoring By End-use Individuals, Health Care Providers, Government Hospitals & Clinics, Private Hospitals & Clinics Region North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Countries Covered U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, France, China, Japan, India, Brazil, Mexico, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa, among others Major Market Players Medtronic, Cisco, IBM Corporation, SAP SE, Infosys, Qualcomm, Johnson & Johnson, Philips, EKso Bionics, BL Healthcare

Internet of Medical Things Market Report Highlights:

The global Internet of Medical Things market size is anticipated to grow to USD 645.7 billion at a CAGR of 28.7% by 2032.

The Internet of Medical Things market growth is projected to increase in the forthcoming years, attributed to the increase in digital devices with auto-enabled modes. Besides, healthcare is a wide consumer of digital devices to monitor and track patient data. In addition, the IoMT offers patients seamless communication with healthcare professionals without any wait time.



Based on application, the Internet of Medical Things market is dominated by telemedicine and wearables.

Based on end-use, healthcare providers dominate the market owing to the high-end use.

North America is the leading region for the Internet of Medical Things, with the U.S. and Canada accounting for a major share. The region has witnessed a huge growth in the adoption of IoT in the healthcare industry. Asia Pacific is a fast-growing market for the Internet of Medical Things based on the rise in digitization inthe healthcare industry.

Some prominent players in the Internet of Medical Things market report include Medtronic, Cisco, IBM Corporation, SAP SE, Infosys, Qualcomm, EKso Bionics, and BL Healthcare.

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Key Developments in the Industry:

In 2023, Ordr, a leading provider of connected device security, partnered with Integra e-quip Ltd, leading medical device asset management in the U.K. Through this partnership, the companies intend to accelerate the security solutions and clinical asset management to healthcare companies in the U.K.

In 2023, the industry witnessed a huge growth in cybersecurity threats, geopolitical instability, supply-chain issues, and chip shortages. Therefore, to address security concerns in the medical IoT, several vendors rely on VISO trust, a dedicated automated platform to mitigate potential risks and enhance security layers for connected devices.

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Internet of Medical Things Market Report Segmentation:

Internet of Medical Things Market, By Product (2023-2032)

Stationery

Implanted

Wearable

Internet of Medical Things Market, By Application (2023-2032)

Telemedicine

Medication Management

Patients Monitoring

Internet of Medical Things Market, By End-use (2023-2032)

Individuals

Healthcare Providers

Government Hospitals & Clinics

Private Hospitals & Clinics

Internet of Medical Things Market, By Region (2023-2032)

North America U.S. Canada



Europe U.K. Germany France Rest of Europe



Asia Pacific China India Japan South Korea Rest of Asia Pacific



Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America



Middle East & Africa UAE Saudi Arabia South Africa Rest of the Middle East & Africa



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Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Linamar fair value estimate is CA$126

Linamar's CA$65.43 share price signals that it might be 48% undervalued

Analyst price target for LNR is CA$89.33 which is 29% below our fair value estimate

How far off is Linamar Corporation (TSE:LNR) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Linamar

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (CA$, Millions) CA$317.4m CA$449.0m CA$516.0m CA$572.7m CA$620.0m CA$659.3m CA$692.3m CA$720.3m CA$744.8m CA$766.7m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Est @ 14.92% Est @ 11.00% Est @ 8.26% Est @ 6.34% Est @ 4.99% Est @ 4.05% Est @ 3.40% Est @ 2.94% Present Value (CA$, Millions) Discounted @ 9.5% CA$290 CA$375 CA$394 CA$399 CA$395 CA$384 CA$368 CA$350 CA$330 CA$311

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = CA$3.6b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.9%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.5%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = CA$767m (1 + 1.9%)  (9.5% 1.9%) = CA$10b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= CA$10b ( 1 + 9.5%)10= CA$4.2b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is CA$7.8b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of CA$65.4, the company appears quite undervalued at a 48% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. 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 Linamar as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.518. 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 Linamar

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded its 5-year average.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Auto Components industry.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Auto Components market.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the Canadian market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Annual earnings have declined over the past 5 years.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Linamar, there are three essential aspects you should further research:

Risks: Be aware that Linamar is showing 1 warning sign in our investment analysis , you should know about... Future Earnings: How does LNR's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Canadian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The list of high-profile executives in China that have been investigated, face exit bans, or have just gone missing, keeps growing

A slew of high-profile corporate execs have been targeted by Chinese authorities in recent years including HNA's Chen Feng and Adam Tan, Anbang's Wu Xiaohui, and Xi Jinping critic, Ren Zhiqiang. Thomson Reuters/REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/Getty Images/Chairman of Anbang Insurance Group Wu Xiaohui attends the China Development Forum in Beijing

A slew of high-profile leaders have been targeted by China's tightening regulations.

In recent months several executives have been barred from leaving the country through exit bans.

In June, the US State Department issued an updated travel advisory to China in light of the bans.

China has grown noticeably colder toward businesses  and their top leaders  in recent years.

Under Xi Jinping's leadership, authorities have cracked down on private sector companies, raided the offices of major firms, slowed the approval of deals, and targeted a slew of high-profile executives. Many of these leaders have been subject to investigation, barred from leaving the country, placed under surveillance, or have even gone missing.

China's tightening regulations have also triggered concerns overseas. In June, the US State Department issued an updated travel advisory to mainland China alerting potential travelers to the "arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans, and the risk of wrongful detentions."

Here's a closer look at the growing list of execs that have been targeted by Chinese authorities.







Michael Chan, managing director for the US risk-advisory firm Kroll, has been blocked from leaving the country over the past two months by an exit ban.

Michael Chan, managing director at Kroll, which has offices in Beijing, is facing an exit ban in China. Construction Photography/Avalon / Contributor

Chan  who is based at Kroll's Hong Kong division  first arrived in mainland China back in July, according to the Wall Street Journal. He's currently assisting authorities in an investigation (where he is not the target) while continuing to work, the Journal said.



At Kroll, Chan focuses on insolvencies and corporate restructuring according to his biography on the firm's website. It also notes that Chan has "extensive experience" investigating fraud, false financial statements, and defalcation (the misuse of funds by someone entrusted with them) and establishing recovery strategies for creditors.

Charles Wang Zhonghe, a senior banker at Japanese firm Nomura, was recently barred from leaving China.

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Charles Wang Zhonghe a senior banker at Nomura is facing an exit ban as he cooperates with an investigation. Toru Hanai/REUTERS

Within the country, however, Wang has leeway to move freely, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The Wall Street Journal also noted that he can still be contacted.

The exit ban placed on Wang is tied to a larger investigation that has implicated Bao Fan and Cong Lin, top bankers at Chinese investment bank China Renaissance, according to the FT.



Wang  who started off his career on Wall Street in the '90s  has been based in Hong Kong for the past several years, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Since 2018, he's been chair of investment banking for China at Nomura's Hong Kong branch, according to LinkedIn. Prior to that he was Deputy CEO of ICBC for five years, and spent almost six years before that at Deutsche Bank as managing director and heading global banking for China, based on LinkedIn.

Hui Ka Yan, chairman of Evergrande, one of Chinas largest real estate developers, is under police control.

China Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan is being monitored by authorities for suspected crimes. VCG/Getty Images

Hui is under suspicion by authorities who believe he may have committed crimes, according to multiple outlets.

He was taken by Chinese authorities earlier this month and is being monitored under "residential surveillance" which is a type of police action that falls shy of a formal arrest, according to Bloomberg. He's reportedly at a location in Beijing, the Wall Street Journal said, citing a domestic Chinese outlet.

Hui grew up in a rural working class family in north central China, and worked at a steel factory for 10 years before founding Evergrande in 1996. The company eventually became China's second largest real estate developer and helped Hui earn a spot on Bloomberg's billionaire list.



Evergrande, however, also became the world's most indebted property developer. By 2022, it had racked up almost $340 billion in liabilities and filed for bankruptcy this August.

Bao Fan, the CEO and cofounder of Chinese investment bank China Renaissance, disappeared in February.

Bao, one of China's top dealmakers, went missing in February and is cooperating with an investigation. Courtesy of China Renaissance

When Bao disappeared on February 16, China Renaissance issued a disclosure stating that they were unable to contact him, which also sent their stock prices plunging.

It was only several weeks later that the bank filed a statement with the Hong Kong stock exchange acknowledging that they had "become aware" that Bao was "currently cooperating in an investigation being carried out by certain authorities in the People's Republic of China.



He's likely involved in a corruption probe linked to Cong Lin, the former president of China Renaissance, who has been under investigation by authorities since last September, according to Chinese financial news outlet Caixin.



Bao, often referred to as one of China's top tech dealmakers, worked at Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, and software company Asiainfo, before launching China Renaissance in 2004, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He's earned a name through working with major Chinese companies. He reportedly closed the merger of food delivery group, Meituan, with restaurant rating platform Dianping, by "locking both sides in a hotel room for a day" according to the Financial Times.



In a post he wrote for Insider back in 2017, Bao said that China was "the biggest competitor for Silicon Valley in the marketplace of ideas" and noted that Chinese authorities were "showing surprising tolerance for business model innovation."

Chen Feng, chairman of Chinese conglomerate HNA and chief executive Adam Tan, were detained in 2021 over suspected crimes.

HNA's Chen and Adam were detained in 2021. Thomson Reuters/REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

Even before their arrests, though, the two had largely disappeared from the public eye. Chen was barred from taking flights and traveling by high-speed rail while Tan's name had last appeared on a company statement in 2018, the Financial Times reported.



Little has been reported about the two in the years since.

Their company, HNA, initially started as an airline and eventually became a travel-focused conglomerate that had snapped up more than $50 billion in acquisitions, many of which were made at a high premium. The company had stakes in Hilton, Dutch transport group TIP Trailer Services, and Irish aircraft leaser Avolon, according to the Financial Times.

By the time the pandemic hit, though, the company was up against billions in debt and teetering on the brink of collapse. After being effectively taken over by the Hainan provincial government in 2020, the company was placed under bankruptcy administration in 2021. The company went through two years of corporate restructuring under official oversight, according to Bloomberg.

Property tycoon, Ren Zhiqiang, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2020.

Ren Zhiqiang went missing after he criticized the government's handling of the pandemic. Getty Images

Ren first went missing in March 2020 after accusing the Communist Party of mishandling the coronavirus pandemic in an essay where he also referred to President Xi Jinping as a "clown."

Shortly thereafter, he was stripped of his Communist Party membership, detained, and put under investigation by China's Discipline Inspection Commission, which looks into alleged corruption and violation of party discipline, according to the Financial Times.

That September, he was sentenced to prison in a one-day trial, according to the FT, which also reported that the court said Ren was "found guilty of charges including bribery, embezzlement of public funds and abuse of power." His peers, however, contend that he was sentenced because of his critical essay.

Ren, who was 69 at the time of his sentencing, had been involved in a number of "high-profile projects" across Beijing, according to the FT. He grew up as the "privileged princeling son" of an official in the Chinese communist party and his "red pedigree" via his connections with government officials enabled him to speak out more candidly than his peers, the FT said.

Anbang Insurance Groups founder and former chairman, Wu Xiaohui, was detained and subsequently sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Former chairman of Anbang Insurance Group was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Thomson Reuters

Wu was sentenced to prison in May 2018 on charges of fraud and embezzlement.

Yet, he had already been placed under investigation by authorities the prior June after a string of multi-billion dollar acquisitions Anbang had made, according to the state-run China Star Daily.

The massive financial firm had agreed to buy the famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York in 2014 for close to $2 billion. In 2016, it agreed to shell out $6.5 billion to buy a portfolio of hotels from Blackstone. The company was even on track to drop $14 billion on Starwood Hotels and was even in talks with Jared Kushner to strike a $4 billion deal with his family business, Kushner Industries  both of which never came to fruition.

Wu, founded Anbang in 2004 and was once regarded as one of the most politically connected men in China due to his marriage to the granddaughter of former communist party leader Deng Xiaoping, the BBC reported.

Chinese-Canadian billionaire, Xiao Jianhua, was sent to jail on corruption charges in 2022.

Xiao was living at the Hong Kong Four Seasons when he was taken by authorities in 2017. Four Seasons Image Library

Xiao was sentenced to 13 years in prison and his corporate conglomerate, Tomorrow Group, was fined RMB 55.03 billion, or approximately $8 billion, after pleading guilty to bribery, illegally using funds, and other charges, according to a ruling from the Shanghai First Immediate People's Court. Xiao, himself, was also fined RMB 6.5 million, or around $1 million, based on the court's ruling.



Xiao's appearance at the trial also marked his first public sighting since authorities took him from the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong in February 2017, according to Bloomberg. He had been living since fleeing China years earlier, Bloomberg reported.

Xiao, who was born in China, passed the examination for the highly selective Peking University at the age of 14, according to The New York Times. He graduated with a degree in law, and sold personal computers, before founding Tomorrow Group in 1999, according to Caixin. The conglomerate eventually grew to have stakes in businesses across banking, securities, insurance, coal and real estate, Caixin reported.

By 2017, Xiao amassed a fortune of close to $6 billion according to the Hurun Report, which tracks China's billionaires, though a person close to Xiao told The Times the report vastly understated his wealth.

He became a Canadian citizen around 2008 and also has a diplomatic passport to Antigua and Barbuda, according to Global News.

Whitney Duan, once one of Chinas richest women, disappeared in 2017.

Desmond Shum, former husband of Whitney Duan, who went missing in 2017. PBS

In the years before Duan suddenly disappeared, she and her former husband, Desmond Shum, were among China's elite class. The couple was involved in several large developments in Beijing including the Beijing Airport Cargo Terminal and the Bulgari Hotel, according to Time.

In 2015, a couple of years after their marriage broke down, Shum himself left China out of concern for the "authoritarian turn" the country was taking under Xi Jinping, Time reported.

Duan disappeared in 2017 and it took him four years to get in contact with her again.

After he spoke to her again, Shum told Time that "she said she had no news of the outside world over the last four years. She said, 'They have been lenient to me, they didn't treat me that badly."

He also said that Duan pleaded with him not to publish his recent book "Red Roulette: An Insider's Story of Wealth, Power, Corruption, and Vengeance in Today's China," which details corruption in the Chinese Communist Party.

Shum told Time, "she asked me to stop the book launch, saying, 'How would you feel if something happened to our son? And what would happen to our son if something happened to me?' I took that to be a threat."

Jack Ma, e-commerce mogul, disappeared in 2020 after criticizing the Chinese financial industry.

Chinese entrepreneur Jack Ma, once one of the wealthiest men in Asia, has kept a low profile since 2020. Future Publishing/Getty Images

The high-profile Chinese entrepreneur behind e-commerce giants like Alibaba and Ant Group is regarded as something of a celebrity in China and was once the richest man in Asia. At his peak in 2020 he had a fortune of close to $61 billion.

That October, though, as Ant Group was gearing up for an IPO, Ma criticized the Chinese financial industry in a speech he gave in Shanghai. The speech prompted authorities to impose new regulations halting the IPO and Ma suddenly disappeared from public view.

He's kept a pretty low profile since, resurfacing over the years in locations like Spain, Thailand, and reportedly spent several months in 2022 living in Japan. In May, Ma made a rare public appearance in China, visiting a school founded by Alibaba partners in the city of Hangzhou, according to Aljazeera.

His wealth has taken a hit, too, over the years, as his companies struggled during the pandemic. He's now worth close to $30 billion, according to Bloomberg.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Newcrest Mining is AU$21.56 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Newcrest Mining's AU$24.52 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

The US$27.74 analyst price target for NCM is 29% more than our estimate of fair value

Does the October share price for Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX:NCM) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

See our latest analysis for Newcrest Mining

The Calculation

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$356.9m US$313.7m US$197.5m US$1.28b US$1.11b US$1.02b US$966.1m US$936.8m US$922.5m US$918.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x6 Analyst x5 Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ -8.28% Est @ -5.19% Est @ -3.03% Est @ -1.52% Est @ -0.46% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.0% US$331 US$269 US$157 US$939 US$757 US$643 US$565 US$507 US$463 US$427

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$5.1b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.0%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$918m (1 + 2.0%)  (8.0% 2.0%) = US$16b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$16b ( 1 + 8.0%)10= US$7.3b

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$12b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of AU$24.5, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Newcrest Mining as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.192. 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 Newcrest Mining

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Metals and Mining market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market.

Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by cash flow.

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Newcrest Mining, there are three further elements you should explore:

Financial Health: Does NCM have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does NCM'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 Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Alfred Lacks-Carter Jr., the grandson of Henrietta Lacks, whose cancer cell line led to treatments for COVID-19, AIDS, polio, cancer and other illnesses, encourages cancer screenings at Governors State University for a health fair. (Alfred Lacks-Carter Jr./HANDOUT)

Alfred Lacks-Carter Jr., whose late grandmother, Henrietta Lacks, cancer cell line led to treatments for COVID-19, AIDS, polio, cancer and other illnesses, wants to educate more people on the legacy of this African American woman and the importance of early cancer detection.

That brought him to town Monday to speak at Governors State Universitys second annual Epic Cancer Prevention and Awareness Fair, which includes free cancer screenings and is designed to raise awareness on cancer prevention and detection.

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The late Henrietta Lacks, whose cancer cell line led to treatments for COVID-19, AIDS, polio, cancer and other illnesses. (Alfred Lacks-Carter Jr.)

In 1951, Henrietta Lacks was diagnosed and treated for cervical cancer at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. She died from the disease, but before her death, a tissue sample from Lacks cervix was removed without her permission and without her or her family being informed.

The cells, called HeLa cells, were the first cells that could be easily shared and multiplied in a lab setting, according to Johns Hopkins website. They have aided more than 17,000 patents in treatments for conditions including AIDS, infertility, hemophilia and Parkinsons disease, according to the Smithsonian Institution website. Decades passed before Lacks family learned of the role she has played in medical research and modern medicine.

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Henrietta Lacks was 31 years old when she passed away from cancer, Lacks-Carter Jr. said in an interview. She had five children. She was a mother, a wife and she was beloved by her community. Her cells changed modern medicine and I want people to understand that.

He said he also wants to educate people on the importance of patient advocacy and being informed about treatment options and risk factors and that early detection is very important because a lot of times, if you are detected early, treatment percentage of being cured goes up astronomically.

Its important that Governors State hold an event like this. Its going to enlighten people, give them a different perspective on cancer and cancer treatment and how to maneuver through different barriers, he said.

The health fair targets students, faculty, staff and south suburb residents. Besides cancer screenings, information on clinical trials as well as cancer awareness and prevention information were provided.

The event grew out of community engagement and outreach efforts over the past three years, said Tony Roberson, director of community engagement at Governors State. She helped organize the fair along with Tareylon Chairse, director of clinical education; and nursing department Chair Nancy MacMullen.

We noticed in our work in the community that cancer health has been in the top five issues and concerns of our community members, Roberson said. We saw that there was a need for education to increase awareness about prevention measures and to have resources.

The National Kidney Foundation and nursing department faculty from Governors State helped with renal screenings and diabetes testing. Jewel-Osco provided free flu, pneumonia, COVID-19 and shingles vaccines, said Chairse.

Representatives from the University of Chicago were on hand. They are participating in the National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program to build one of the largest health databases of its kind, allowing researchers to learn how biology, lifestyle and environment affect health, according to the University of Chicago website.

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Participants contribute data through electronic health records, survey responses, activity monitors and DNA through blood or saliva samples. Researchers are already using the data to learn more about why people get sick or stay healthy and to find better ways to prevent and treat illnesses, the website states.

Participants included Sisters Working It Out, a nonprofit with the mission of eliminating breast cancer disparities in the Chicago area, said Chairse. It has programs that educate and empower women of color and connect them to preventive health services.

Other participants included Governors States Lambda Chapter, a nursing honor society that provided hands-on education concerning breast and prostate cancer; the Illinois secretary of states organ/tissue donor program, the American Cancer Society and the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center.

It was an honor to have Lacks-Carter Jr. participate, Roberson said. She said he is helping educate future health care providers, students, patients and community members about the importance of Black and brown people participating in clinical trials and to increase awareness about the importance of health literacy and patient advocacy.

Alfred Lacks-Carter Jr. (Alfred Lacks-Carter Jr.)

Lacks-Carter Jr. said clinical trial participation is good as long as patients are informed and fairly represented, because research helps find cures and save lives.

While the story of the Tuskegee experiment, in which African Americans were withheld proper treatment for syphilis as part of a government study, is often cited as a horrific example of unethical behavior in medical research, Henrietta Lacks story is another critically important example of such unethical behavior. Its important that her story and contributions be told and honored, Roberson said.

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Indeed, its an important part of African American and world history.

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Lacks-Carter Jr. has traveled to other U.S. cities and internationally to share his grandmothers story. Her story was the subject of the 2010 book by Rebecca Skloot, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and a movie by the same name that starred Oprah Winfrey.

The family of Henrietta Lacks earlier this year settled a lawsuit with biotechnology company Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., that they accused of reaping billions of dollars from a racist medical system, The Associated Press reported. Terms werent disclosed.

Were continue to pursue justice for Henrietta, said Lacks-Carter Jr., who has launched a perfume in honor of his grandmother.

He said he is extremely proud of her legacy.

I think she would be very happy that her cells are changing the world, that her cells were used to create vaccines and for infertility, he said, when asked what he grandmother would think of her role in medical science.

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Ive had young ladies come up to me with tears in their eyes and say it was because of my grandmother they were able to have children. Its just overwhelming, he said. Here a young lady who passed over 70 years ago is still creating life for other people. Its just so amazing, so powerful, so profound.

Francine Knowles is a freelance columnist for the Daily Southtown.
Holding a large mushroom Photo courtesy of MycoMeditations

Navy veteran Justin's third and final dose of psilocybin, the psychedelic drug found in "magic' mushrooms, at a retreat center in Jamaica took him back to his time in Iraq. Although his body was physically sitting in a group therapy circle, in his mind he was standing between the enemy and his crew of 460 sailors. It was his duty to protect them, and he felt his body begin to physically absorb the sailors' fear. It was heavy, all of that fear, so much so that at one point he said he nearly started hyperventilating.

But then, after decades of holding onto this baggage from the war that was causing his body to be in a constant state of fight or flight  he released it.

"What that made me realize was that I never put that pack down, and once I came to terms with the fact that they're safe, and I don't have to protect them anymore, I literally felt like there was a pack that came off my shoulders," Justin told Salon in a phone interview. (Justin asked to be identified only by his first name.)

"There was a therapist there that had her hand on my shoulder, and she said, 'I felt like something was coming off your shoulder,'" he said.

During and after 20 years in the Navy and a ground tour in Iraq, Justin started getting set off by triggering things that would cause him to get rapidly anxious and upset. He has been dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms for more than a decade and started taking antidepressants in 2018. After he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2021, he went through a "merry-go-round" of antidepressants to find one that was compatible with his new cancer therapies, but he still felt like all of these different medications weren't doing enough to address the underlying reasons he was feeling this way, he said.

"I wanted to get off the medication," he said. "I wanted to really heal and not just cover up the symptoms."

In his search for alternative treatments, Justin came across MycoMeditations, a retreat center in Jamaica that, according to its website, offers "psilocybin-assisted retreats for people who have tried it all and are ready to heal." It's one of hundreds of psychedelic retreat centers that have popped up around the world in what, along with a new wave of research testing how these substances can be used to treat mental health conditions, some are calling the "psychedelic renaissance."

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"We are anticipating quite a revolutionary change in how mental health is treated," said MycoMeditations CEO Justin Townsend. "Psychedelics for mental health are going to make a substantial change over the next few years."

About 8% of the U.S. population has depression and 30% has anxiety, and those numbers are on the rise. Yet mental health treatments have notoriously lagged behind need, with few new options in the pipeline since selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were introduced in the '80s. In 2019, the Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Research Unit was created to conduct pivotal research testing in the field, revitalizing a body of research stretching back to the 1950s showing psychedelics can improve depression, PTSD and heavy drinking. Earlier this month, the largest study on naturalistic psilocybin use to date showed participants had significantly improved anxiety, depression and spiritual well-being.

MycoMeditations

Psilocybin changes the pathways that regions of the brain use to communicate, and it can cause mystical experiences that are deeply moving. In one 2008 study of people who had never tried psilocybin before, more than half of the participants said a single dose was in the top five most personally and spiritually meaningful experiences of their lives.

Although the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) could approve psilocybin and other psychedelics in the near future, it is still a controlled substance in most U.S. states. Oregon, for example, began rolling out psilocybin therapy services this year, though some have criticized these clinics for being extremely expensive, with some sessions costing as much as $2,800. Because of this, many are traveling to psychedelic retreat centers in countries like Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica where psilocybin, but also substances like LSD, MDMA, ibogaine and ayahuasca are allowed.

Using psilocybin isn't without risks. Psychedelics are not recommended for people with certain cardiac or psychiatric conditions, and they can trigger psychosis in people who have predispositions for mental illness. The American Psychiatric Association doesn't recommend them outside of investigational studies. Anecdotally, there have been reports of violence and sexual assault during or following psychedelic retreats, where participants are often in vulnerable states when under the influence of psychedelics. The original founder of MycoMeditations stepped down due to allegations of insufficient safety protocols, and Townsend stepped up as CEO in 2019.

Since then, they have changed their model to more of a Western approach drawing from John Hopkins' protocol, he said. Guests must pass a screening before being accepted and the center is staffed with therapists and various doses throughout the week are broken up with integration days, during which the prior trips can be processed. There are one-on-one and group therapy sessions, and retreats last a week.

MycoMeditations

"What we have today is a very different model," he said. "Back then there weren't therapists. There weren't really protocols. In the early days of the retreat business, it really was more like the wild, wild west."

While many retreat centers base their protocols on what's done at Johns Hopkins or the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), they vary highly in their approaches. Some may be founded on shamanic practices or wellness ideals rather than Westernized medicine. It's basically up to consumers to research these places and ensure they're getting something legit and that suits their personal preference, said Matthew Johnson, Ph.D., a Johns Hopkins Medicine psychiatry professor studying psychedelics.

"It wouldn't surprise me that there are retreat centers that are doing things very much like the research that I and others have conducted in the field where there are appropriate safety checks, screening, monitoring and keeping that strong rapport with good professional boundaries," Johnson told Salon in a phone call. "But because it is in this world where there's minimal or no regulations, people are sort of on their own to figure that out."

Some raise additional concerns that profits made in this industry are exploiting Indigenous cultures, who have been using these substances for medicinal purposes and cultural celebrations for 3,000 years. The Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board's evidence review, for example, acknowledged that it excluded the "meaningful experiences, knowledge, and wisdom from Indigenous peoples."

In San Jose del Pacifico in Oaxaca, Mexico, some locals say they now struggle to find specific mushroom species because there has been such a spike in psychedelic tourism, said Osiris Sinuhe Gonzalez Romero, Ph.D., an archaeologist who studies psychedelics, the history of medicine and Indigenous knowledge at the University of Saskatchewan. Some centers, including MycoMeditations, grow their own supply.

"The ethics are very important and sometimes overlooked in the psychedelic renaissance," Romero told Salon in a phone interview. "It's necessary to be very careful, and hopefully, in the future, people interested in developing these retreat centers take into account Indigenous knowledge and the different cultural uses to achieve better quality services."

Nevertheless, it seems like there is a growing demand for people who want to try psychedelics even if they have not been officially FDA-approved. One report projected the psychedelic therapeutic industry to be worth $8.3 billion by 2028. And, as one study in a harm reduction journal put it: "Therapists therefore have an ethical duty to meet this need by providing support for clients using psychedelics."

Gwen Ingram-Jones, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Seattle, said she's worked with 270 people at MycoMeditations over the past few years. Although the degree of transformation varies from person to person, transformative experiences occur more often than not, Ingram-Jones said. For example, one guest who had lost a child experienced the sensation of walking through Hell after taking psilocybin. Ultimately, he got the chance to meet the daughter he had lost and take her home. Then, he felt her make a home within him, bouncing around all of the different corners of his body to turn on the lights.

"I would say that is not an out-of-the-ordinary experience," Ingram-Jones said. "His personal story is unique to him, but people find transformation like that on a really regular basis."

In an in-house survey MycoMeditations conducted that was not published in a scientific journal, some guests reported improved symptoms with PTSD. On their website, they also report improvements in depression, a sense of connectedness and well-being among guests after attending the retreat.

For Justin, the veteran, each dose of psilocybin at the retreat helped him peel away a layer that was standing in the way of healing. The first dose helped him process childhood experiences that prevented him from being conscious of and processing his emotions. The next one helped him understand that his anxiety was stemming from PTSD and be more mindful when those feelings came up, he said.

"Sometimes, I catch myself tensing up," Justin said. "I never noticed that before, but now I notice that and I tell myself to relax."

"I'm safe," he said. "I can relax."

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported Townsend was hired at MycoMeditations in 2019 after the founder stepped down due to misconduct allegations. The story has been updated to clarify the nature of the allegations and reflect that Townsend was already employed at MycoMeditations before the founder left in 2020.
What trends should we look for it we want to identify stocks that can multiply in value over the long term? One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. However, after investigating Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd (KLSE:MASTEEL), we don't think it's current trends fit the mold of a multi-bagger.

Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)

If you haven't worked with ROCE before, it measures the 'return' (pre-tax profit) a company generates from capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.038 = RM36m  (RM1.9b - RM907m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023).

Therefore, Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd has an ROCE of 3.8%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Metals and Mining industry average of 8.1%.

See our latest analysis for Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd

roce

While the past is not representative of the future, it can be helpful to know how a company has performed historically, which is why we have this chart above. If you want to delve into the historical earnings, revenue and cash flow of Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd, check out these free graphs here.

The Trend Of ROCE

When we looked at the ROCE trend at Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd, we didn't gain much confidence. To be more specific, ROCE has fallen from 14% over the last five years. 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.

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Another thing to note, Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd has a high ratio of current liabilities to total assets of 49%. This effectively means that suppliers (or short-term creditors) are funding a large portion of the business, so just be aware that this can introduce some elements of risk. While it's not necessarily a bad thing, it can be beneficial if this ratio is lower.

What We Can Learn From Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd's ROCE

Bringing it all together, while we're somewhat encouraged by Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd's reinvestment in its own business, we're aware that returns are shrinking. Since the stock has declined 36% over the last five years, investors may not be too optimistic on this trend improving either. Therefore based on the analysis done in this article, we don't think Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd has the makings of a multi-bagger.

Since virtually every company faces some risks, it's worth knowing what they are, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd (of which 1 is a bit unpleasant!) that you should know about.

While Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd isn't earning the highest return, check out this free list of companies that are earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Company Also Adds Advanced Security Features to Its On-Premises IGA Solution

Built-in Universal Directory to manage user identities centrally across enterprise applications

Seamless identity life cycle management using identity orchestration and smart templates

Try the cloud-native IAM platform for free at: www.manageengine.com/identity-management/

DEL VALLE, Texas, October 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ManageEngine, the enterprise IT management division of Zoho Corporation, today announced the launch of Identity360, its cloud-native identity management platform that addresses identity and access management (IAM) complexities arising within enterprise workforces. The new platform will be showcased at ManageEngine's User Conference, scheduled on Oct. 3 and 4, 2023, in Dallas, Texas.

ManageEngine also announced the addition of access certification and identity risk assessment functions to ADManager Plus, its on-premises identity governance and administration (IGA) solution. These two functions enhance the compliance posture of enterprises and help them mitigate security risks.

The workforce, which constitutes an integral part of an enterprise, is continuing to evolve digitally, adopting different technologies to make jobs easier and faster. As a result, there has never been a greater spotlight on identities than there is today. With enterprises eager to enable the mobility of the workforce without compromising on security, it is now crucial to handle identity complexity effectively and ensure regulatory compliance, all while prioritizing a seamless user experience.

ManageEngine aims to cater to those workforce demands with the launch of Identity360. A centralized platform that integrates directories and applications to streamline user identity management, Identity360 can enforce access controls across these integrated entities. It also offers end-to-end identity life cycle management with workflow orchestration and empowers organizations to optimize their business processes.

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"Organizations, regardless of their infrastructure and size, commonly encounter identity security and management challenges. Identity360 can help them securely transition to the cloud and effectively manage identities and their access to applications, all while enforcing strong security controls," said Manikandan Thangaraj, vice president of ManageEngine.

Adhere to Compliance Requirements and Fortify Security

With the security landscape perennially changing and organizations required to exhibit their compliance with major IT mandates, ManageEngine has integrated access certification and identity risk assessment capabilities in ADManager Plus. These features empower organizations to align their security and business needs.

ADManager Plus' identity risk assessment feature enhances cybersecurity readiness by foreseeing risks and providing on-the-fly mitigation measures to address them. Access certification campaigns ensure users have only the rights they need to perform their job, help organizations implement segregation of duties and the principle of least privilege and demonstrate compliance with IT mandates.

"When it comes to Active Directory, cyberattacks are primarily caused by issues related to security misconfigurations and privilege abuse. Implementing strong measures such as risk assessments and access certification campaigns can enhance the security of Active Directory, streamline audit processes and ensure compliance," Thangaraj said.

Highlights of ManageEngine's IAM Solutions

Centralized Universal Directory that offers directory services and comprehensive reports on identities

Consolidated management of user identities across integrated systems with advanced capabilities like orchestration, smart templates and SCIM-based provisioning

Reduced password fatigue and risk of unauthorized access with MFA-secured SSO

Visibility into the security gaps in Active Directory environments along with remediation measures to mitigate them proactively

Enhanced security by limiting access to network resources through periodic review and validation of access permissions

The two-day User Conference in Dallas will be ManageEngine's second such event in the United States this year, following the one held in Chicago this May. The User Conferences are ManageEngine's largest annual events, bringing together regional customers, partners and senior company executives for IT leadership sessions, technical workshops and networking.

About ManageEngine Identity360

Identity360 is an identity management platform that helps enterprises address workforce IAM challenges. Its powerful capabilities include built-in Universal Directory, identity orchestration, SSO, MFA, role-based access management, access insights, and more. It empowers admins to manage identities across directories and their access to enterprise applications from a secure, centralized console. With Identity360, enterprises can not only scale their businesses effortlessly but also ensure compliance and identity-first security. For more information about Identity360, visit manageengine.com/identity-management/.

About ManageEngine ADManager Plus

ADManager Plus is an identity governance and administration (IGA) solution that simplifies identity management, ensures security, and improves compliance. With ADManager Plus, manage the user life cycle from provisioning to deprovisioning, run access certification campaigns, orchestrate identity management across enterprise applications, and protect data on your enterprise platforms with regular backups. Use over 200 reports to gain valuable insights into identities and their access rights. Improve the efficiency of your IGA operations with workflows, automations, and role-based access control policies. For more information about ADManager Plus, visit manageengine.com/ad-manager/.

About ManageEngine

ManageEngine is the enterprise IT management division of Zoho Corporation. Established and emerging enterprises-including 9 of every 10 Fortune 100 organizations-rely on ManageEngine's real-time IT management tools to ensure optimal performance of their IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, applications, endpoints and more. ManageEngine has offices worldwide, including the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, India, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Singapore, Japan, China and Australia, as well as 200+ global partners to help organizations tightly align their business and IT. For more information, please visit manageengine.com, follow the company blog and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002871880/en/

Contacts

Media:

Ahana Vissa

ManageEngine

ahana.g@zohocorp.com
The global coffee company's Canadian Division launches its line of 100% Arabica Rainforest Alliance whole bean coffee along with its FSC/BPI Certified filters.

TORONTO, Oct. 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, Melitta Canada is excited to announce several new initiatives to strengthen its global environmental stewardship efforts. Through rigorous third-party certifications from Rainforest Alliance, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), Melitta Canada is adding to its repertoire of sustainable labels, seals and certifications and helping Canadians Choose Better with planet-friendly coffee products.

Melitta Canada launches its line of 100% Arabica Rainforest Alliance whole bean coffee along with its FSC/BPI Certified filters. (CNW Group/Melitta Canada)

"Sustainability is at the core of Melitta's mission, and we are thrilled to be launching the Choose Better campaign with the announcement of the new Rainforest Alliance, FSC and BPI Certifications," says Lori Brick, Marketing Manager, Melitta Canada. "We know that Canadian consumers want to make better choices for the planet, and we believe that businesses play a crucial role in ensuring they are able to do so. These certifications mean that coffee drinkers can Choose Better and feel good about their purchasing decisions."

Sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms and produced in accordance with its environmental, social, and economic standards, Melitta's whole bean coffees help create a better future by supporting farmers who employ responsible practices such as responsible land management and maintaining a habitat for native wildlife. The widely recognized sustainability certification allows consumers to choose products that contribute to a better planet. The newly certified line of 100% Arabica Rainforest Alliance Certified whole bean coffee includes the following varieties: Colombia Altura Blend, French Roast, Espresso Bellacrema, and Hazelnut Creme.

"We are proud to collaborate with companies like Melitta Canada to empower consumers to make better choices in their day-to-day lives. This certification highlights their dedication to upholding quality and ethical standards, positively impacting farmers, communities, and the environment," says the Rainforest Alliance organization.

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Several Melitta Cone Filter varieties have also recently obtained third-party certifications. The Melitta White and Natural Brown cone filters are certified by both FSC and BPI and the Bamboo Cone Filters hold a BPI Certification. By choosing FSC Certified products, consumers are supporting sustainable forestry practices, contributing to the conservation of forests, and helping to improve the livelihood of communities dependent on forestry. Melitta's White and Natural brown filter varieties are also manufactured using FSC Certified pulp.

The BPI seal, now visible on its White, Natural Brown and Bamboo cone filters, is a recognized standard for compostability. It considers factors such as a product's biodegradability, disintegration, compost quality and timeframe and promotes sustainable consumption and waste management practices.

Melitta's Choose Better Campaign, anchored by the announcement of the new third-party certifications, serves as a catalyst for inspiring Canadians to embrace more environmentally responsible and sustainable choices. Its overarching objective is to empower consumers, enabling them to conscientiously evaluate the environmental and social consequences of their daily decisions  big or small. Melitta acknowledges that each choice carries the potential to collectively shape the impact on both the environment and society.

Canadians can now look out for Melitta's Rainforest Alliance Certified 100% Arabica whole bean coffee varieties and FSC and/or BPI Certified cone filters at grocery stores across Canada.

About Melitta Canada

Melitta Canada, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, is part of Melitta North America. As Melitta's first overseas subsidiary, Melitta Canada is an operating division of the privately held Melitta Group of Minden, Germany. For more than 100 years, Melitta has dedicated itself to providing the ultimate coffee experience with its premium line of coffee, coffee filters and high-quality coffeemakers, bringing European indulgence to life. The company was founded in 1908 by Melitta Bentz, after receiving a patent for her coffee filtering system consisting of a filter and filtration paper. The filter system was the first to successfully remove coffee residue in the brewing process, revolutionizing the way coffee was made. For more information visit Melitta.ca.

Melitta Canada (CNW Group/Melitta Canada)

SOURCE Melitta Canada

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2023/02/c8473.html
Downtown Fond du Lac

FOND DU LAC  This is the time for learning more about and destigmatizing mental illness, as it affects many in Fond du Lac County.

October is Depression Awareness Month, with the first week signaling Mental Illness Awareness Week. With so many members of the community involved in the area's workforce, we asked ourselves: How are Fond du Lac's businesses looking out for their employees' mental health?

What we learned is many employers offer health insurance among their benefits that covers mental health treatment, as well as an Employee Assistance Program with assessments and counseling, but several businesses are looking at other ways to keep their employees at their best and avoid burnout.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Fond du Lac County chapter, which has worked to reduce the stigma around mental illness, supports the area's workforce and the rest of the community through mental health education, outreach and other resources.

Executive Director Brad Leonhard said it's important for employers to look out for their employees' mental health because it's the humane thing to do, first and foremost.

"Having mentally healthy employees leads directly to employees who will be more active in keeping themselves physically healthy," he said. "With a clear mindset and a healthy body, employees are able to concentrate better on their work and be present while they are working."

These employees will then have increased productivity, ingenuity and efficiency at work, and employees feeling that their employer is focused on their mental health will increase loyalty, he added.

Here are a few ways Fond du Lac-area businesses are supporting employees' mental health.

Society Insurance combines physical and mental wellness and also incorporates a relaxation room.

Society Insurance holds a strong belief in taking care of those who take care of its customers, Vice President of Human Resources & Administration Amy Collett said. Looking out for the employees' whole person, including their physical and mental health, is an important part of keeping the employees at their best.

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A full wellness program at Society includes activity challenges, virtual yoga classes, stretching and health risk assessments, in addition to the Employee Assistance Program.

After the pandemic started, the company added "lunch & learn" sessions on mental health and coping skills for employees and their families, and two virtual programs: Teledoc, which offered additional mental health offerings, and corporate membership to the Calm app.

"During the pandemic, we proactively knew that we needed to expand our wellness offerings and take a more focused approach on mental health that went beyond just a traditional Employee Assistance Program," Collett said.

In just the last couple years, Society also repurposed a supply room to a relaxation and meditation room with comfortable seating, soft lighting, yoga mats and soft music. For this year, it added a mental health day program providing two days off for mental health reasons.

"Everyone has mental health," Collett said. "Some days are good and others are not, just like physical health. We feel it is important for people to take a day to regroup and come back 100%."

These initiatives come in addition to offering flexible scheduling with the option of working from home, as well as encouraging employee engagement  all of which combat burnout, Collett added.

Hausmann Group brings mental health first aid training to local business leaders.

Elise Zielicke, employee benefits consultant for the independent insurance agency Hausmann Group, works with clients across Wisconsin, including Fond du Lac, and has seen the need for training around mental health.

"Mental health has always been a pivotal part of health and holistic health, but just like everywhere, we have really seen a huge increase in need for mental health services while providers are strained," she said.

To address this, the agency hosts a recurring Mental Health First Aid Training program to teach mainly people in leadership roles or human resources to recognize signs and symptoms of an emerging mental health crisis, and how to address it in the workplace.

The training, after which attendees receive a three-year certification, also extends outside the workplace, helping attendees recognize mental health struggles in themselves or at home.

"It's kind of similar to actual first aid and CPR: you see what's happening and you know what to do," Zielicke said. "It's just from the perspective of a mental health crisis."

Alzheimer's walk: Six sisters and their family and friends honor their mom in Fond du Lac's Walk to End Alzheimer's

Part of the training is an on-demand webinar available on the Hausmann Group's website, myhaus.com, free to register. Anyone interested in the full training can contact Zielicke at ezielicke@myhaus.com.

From a benefits perspective, Zielicke added employers could look into whoever their medical carrier is and into new advances into mental health treatment as technology and other services continue to grow.

"Telemedicine has really taken off, and that's a good place for people to start, especially if there's a long wait time to see mental health providers," she said.

National Exchange engages in employees' desires for mental health support.

National Exchange Bank & Trust plans to take time this month to recognize depression awareness and mental illness awareness with Mental Health BINGO for employees to participate in and get a chance to win prizes.

In its day-to-day work, the bank has spent the last two years focusing on supporting employees in resiliency and burnout, based on feedback from an employee engagement survey, according to Chief People Officer Tami Christian.

It's another company that offers work-from-home and flexible scheduling, and it also offers mental health-focused programming for two Employee Assistance Programs, with topics that include depression in the family, mindfulness and coping with nervousness.

Managers can also utilize monthly "Office Hours" to learn more about depression and wellbeing in the workplace, as well as preventing burnout in employees.

"We value our employees health and wellbeing," Christian said. "It is paramount to our culture."

Marian University reminds staff to take some time and encourages students to reach out.

Marian University offers four free, confidential counseling services to both employees and their immediate household family members, with 24/7 support. Its Employee Assistance Program services are available through mobile app or by phone, online live chat and email, with referrals to support groups, network counselors and community resources as needed, according to Director of Human Resources Amanda Baker.

Marian University campus, 45 S. National Ave. in Fond du Lac.

The Wellness Committee is also incorporating "Mindful Mondays" with meditation and "Wellness Wednesdays" with physical activities and body movement.

For its students, in addition to a regular counselor on campus as part of its Student Engagement Staff, the university has a Marian Cares program, through which anyone can report a concern about a students wellbeing.

Where to find mental health resources in Fond du Lac County.

NAMI Fond du Lac County has support groups in person, with connections to online support groups with NAMI Wisconsin, and several presentations, youth programs and education opportunities.

One of the newest among the Signature Programs is NAMI Hearts + Minds, which is also included in Healthy Fond du Lac County's Workplace Mental Health Toolkit, according to Leonhard.

Hearts + Minds addresses a critical need to care for mental and physical health at the same time for overall wellness and involves a free, five-session class for any adult living with a mental health condition to learn how attention to all aspects of their health will aid mental health recovery.

The class is offered twice a year, with the next sessions starting Nov. 13 and continuing every Monday in NAMI's Berry Drop-In Center, 86 S. Macy St.

In addition, Fond du Lac County's Crisis Intervention Services is available 24/7 by calling 920-929-3535 or visiting the program in person at 459 E. First St.

The program is staffed by a crisis intervention coordinator and clinicians of the outpatient clinic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week, by a crisis intervention worker 4 to 11 p.m. and by Acute Psychiatric Unit staff during all other hours.

The team also includes a mobile crisis worker with the City of Fond du Lac Police Department as part of a Co-Response model with an officer, called out to a crisis through dispatch. They are available 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Child care in Fond du Lac: Rising child care costs leave Fond du Lac parents struggling as child care centers face burnout and worker shortages

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office has its own mobile crisis worker, available noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

On a national level, the NAMI HelpLine is available 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays by calling 1-800-950-6264, emailing helpline@nami.org, texting "HelpLine" to 62640 or via live chat at nami.org/help.

In an emergency, the NAMI website also lists the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, National Domestic Violence Hotline and the National Sexual Assault Hotline, as well as The Trevor Project for young people in the LGBTQ+ community.

Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac employers offer mental health days, more to curb burnout
(Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. was willing to hide its search engines Bing brand on Apple Inc. devices in order to secure an agreement with the iPhone maker and unseat Google, Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella testified Monday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Taking the stand at Googles antitrust trial, Microsofts Nadella described the lengths his company was willing to go to become Apples default search engine, a position that Google currently enjoys. That included offering strategic flexibility on how to brand the search engine and encouraging Apple to look at its technology independently of the Bing brand.

The testimony was part of a Department of Justice trial against Google, which the government says has used its search dominance to quash competition and hurt consumers. The companys agreement with Apple is central to that case. Google pays billions of dollars a year to be the default option for Apple devices, and Microsoft has tried  and failed  to offer a more attractive deal.

Getting that default spot from Apple would be game changing, Nadella said. Whomever they choose, they king-make.

Nadella did make inroads with Apple between 2013 and 2017, when the iPhone maker opted to replace Google as the search engine powering Siri and the Spotlight feature on its devices. Apple, however, never dropped Google as the default in its Safari web browser and reverted back to Google in the other areas after only four years.

The discussion about dropping the Bing brand happened during negotiations in 2018. The arrangement would have meant Safari search results were powered by Bing, but under an alternative brand.

Nadella said he has tried to replace Google as Apples default search engine every year since he became CEO in 2014. In earlier testimony Monday, he said Apple used Microsoft to bid up the price it gets paid by Google.

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Do you think Google would continue to pay Apple if there was no search competition? Why would they do that? he said.

Apple services chief Eddy Cue has said he works with Google because the Mountain View, California-based company provides the best search results. The iPhone maker gets roughly $8 billion annually from the Google deal, which is structured as a revenue-share agreement.

Microsoft had even offered to sell Bing to Apple around 2020, Bloomberg News reported last week. Cue declined that overture.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
CALVERTON, N.Y., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Miller Environmental Group, Inc. ("Miller"), a portfolio company of GenNx360 Capital Company ("GenNx"), proudly announces its latest expansion with the establishment of an office in Stamford, CT. This strategic move aligns with Miller's commitment to continuous organic growth and innovation in the environmental services sector.

(PRNewsfoto/GenNx360 Capital Partners)

As part of this expansion, Miller welcomes Herbert Recovery Systems ("HRS") into the Miller family. HRS, known for its exceptional expertise in hazardous waste management, emergency response, and industrial cleaning services, will now operate under the Miller banner. This union combines the strengths of two industry pioneers, creating a more robust organization with increased resources and capabilities.

"We are thrilled to welcome HRS into the Miller family," said Rudy Streng, CEO at Miller. "This strategic expansion underscores our dedication to providing comprehensive environmental solutions to our clients while maintaining our commitment to environmental stewardship."

With over two decades of professional experience, HRS has earned a solid reputation for professionalism, reliability, and a strong commitment to environmental safety. The company has a long history of serving clients in Connecticut, helping them navigate complex environmental challenges while adhering to the highest standards of compliance and sustainability.

"This merger assembles a formidable network of assets and profound expertise in environmental solutions, perfectly poised to address even the most intricate and demanding customer requirements. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with the Miller team to deliver top-tier services," said Gage Herbert, Vice President of HRS.

"Today's acquisition of HRS marks a significant milestone in our journey with Miller. HRS brings a wealth of expertise and resources that will undoubtedly strengthen our portfolio company's position in the market. We're excited about the synergy this brings and the continued success it represents for our portfolio company," said Latasha Akoma, the GenNx Operating Partner on the transaction.

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Clients of both Miller and HRS will benefit from an expanded service offering, access to a larger fleet of specialized equipment, and a more extensive team of highly trained professionals. This merger will enable Miller to better serve its clients across various industries, including manufacturing, petrochemical, transportation, and government agencies.

"HRS is Miller's fourth acquisition since GenNx's investment. This further reinforces our commitment to driving value and growth within our portfolio," said Pratik Rajeevan, the GenNx Principal on the transaction.

About Miller Environmental Group

Miller Environmental Group is a leading environmental services company with a long-standing commitment to providing innovative and sustainable solutions to clients across industries. With a team of experienced professionals and state-of-the-art equipment, Miller delivers a wide range of environmental services, from hazardous waste management to emergency response and remediation. The company is dedicated to protecting the environment while ensuring the safety and satisfaction of its clients. Visit www.millerenv.com for more information.

About GenNx360 Capital Partners

GenNx360 Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused on acquiring middle-market business services and industrial companies. GenNx360 partners with companies having proven and sustainable business models in expanding industries with the objective of implementing and supporting value-enhancing organic and inorganic initiatives to accelerate growth, deliver cost efficiencies, and generate strong financial returns. Visit www.gennx360.com for more information.

For media inquiries about this press release, please contact:

Carmen Rojas, Director of Investor Relations

Email: investorrelations@gennx360.com

Tel: 212-257-6772

Miller Environmental Group

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/miller-environmental-group-inc-expands-its-reach-into-connecticut-301943802.html

SOURCE GenNx360 Capital Partners
Two manufacturers plan to do major, multimillion-dollar expansions in El Paso, adding almost 140 jobs.

Minnesotas Flagstone Foods recent acquisition of a top, national snack nuts brand is prompting an $28.2 million expansion of its nuts processing factory and distribution facilities next to the El Paso airport, adding 91 employees in coming weeks to its 450-person workforce.

Also, El Paso family-owned Prod Design & Analysis plans an almost $6 million expansion of its East Side factory that designs and builds manufacturing equipment, adding 48 engineering and other technical jobs over three years to its 120-person workforce.

Both companies are to receive city tax incentives for their projects. Flagstone also is to get county incentives.

Flagstone Foods, a Minnesota-based company that makes snack nuts products, plans to spend $28.2 million to expand its El Paso manufacturing at this building, background, at 11 Leigh Fisher Blvd., in the Butterfield Trail Industrial Park, near the El Paso airport's passenger terminal.

The planned expansions come on the heels of other recently announced El Paso-area factory plans: Ireland's Eaton Corp., is to put a second, 600-worker factory in West El Paso; Taiwan's Hota Industrial Manufacturing is to build a 350-worker auto-parts factory in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on the outskirts of El Paso's west city limits; and France's Schneider Electric recently opened its fourth West El Paso factory, adding another 400 employees by the end of the year.

The latest announcements highlight this area as "a manufaturing epicenter, drawing in globally successful companies," Jon Barela, chief executive officer of the Borderplex Alliance, said in a statement. Borderplex is a regional economic development organization based in El Paso.

Harry Overly, Flagstone CEO, said the main driver for the company's El Paso expansion is its acquisition in May of the Emerald Nuts brand from the Campbell Soup Co.

Emerald has about $100 million in annual sales, substantially adding to Flagstones annual sales of around $700 million, Overly said. The company's main business is producing private-label snack nuts products for major retailers.

Flagstone is owned by Atlas Holdings, a Connecticut investment firm.

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Flagstone Foods recently acquired the Campbell Soup Co.'s Emerald Nuts brand, and plans to process and package most of the brand's products at its El Paso factory in the Butterfield Industrial Park in East-Central El Paso.

El Paso picked over North Carolina factory

El Paso beat Flagstones North Carolina factory to do most of the Emerald Nuts production, Overly said. El Paso also will continue to produce private-label products. The company also has an Alabama factory.

Flagstone's three-building manufacturing and warehouse/distribution complex, in the Butterfield Trail Industrial Park on El Paso airport-owned land in East-Central El Paso, has been operating more than 30 years. Flagstone took over operations in 2019. The aging, nondescript buildings are just across Leigh Fisher Boulevard from the airport's passenger terminal.

"Theres something to be said for the passion that our El Paso team has, the (good work) culture that we have down there. Its one of our best-performing operations, Overly said. The average employee tenure is almost six years, best among its factories, he said.

More: Huge Marshalls' distribution center draws industrial park developers to empty airport land

Flagstone Foods' three-building factory and warehouse/distribution complex is at Leigh Fisher Boulevard and Zane Grey Street in the Butterfield Industrial Park next to the El Paso airport, as seen Sept. 29.

The El Paso incentives also played a part in the decision, he said. El Paso City Council recently approved a term sheet authorizing mostly property tax rebates of up to $985,791 over 10 years for the expansion if Flagstone meets requirements. That could grow to $1.1 million if Flagstone uses Workforce Solutions Borderplex to hire the new employees.

El Paso County Commissioners Court also recently approved a term sheet authorizing up to $254,079 in tax rebates over five years for the project if requirements are met.

Flagstone plans to convert some warehousing space into factory space with the installation of several packaging lines, a roasting line, and additional office space, Overly said.

The new production is expected to begin late this year or early next year.

More: 'It's a nightmare right now': Border truck traffic problems put Tornillo port on map

We will start hiring right away, Overly said. Finding workers, especially a younger generation of workers, is sometimes difficult, but "El Paso is much more of a reasonable market in terms of being able to find labor," Overly said.

Wages start at $16.83 for lower-skill jobs, plus health insurance and other fringe benefits. Production line operators start at $19.47 per hour. It also employs engineers at the El Paso plant. The company provides opportunities to move to higher jobs, he said.

Jobs will be posted on Flagstone's website: flagstonefoods.com/careers

Prod Design looks to expand in other high-tech industries

Prod Design, a 20-year-old company started by El Paso native Pablo Rodriguez after he received engineering degrees at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, plans to add a 30,000 square-foot addition to its facility at 1255 Peter Cooper Drive., in an industrial area in far East El Paso.

The addition will cost about $4.4 million to build and about $1.5 million to equip, Rodriguez said.

Locally owned Prod Design & Analysis' factory at 1255 Peter Cooper Drive in far East El Paso is to be expanded with an almost $6 million addition. The company designs and makes equipment for mostly medical-device manufacturers in Juarez, Mexico.

The company's main business is designing and building equipment for mostly medical-device manufacturers in Juarez. However, Rodriguez wants to expand into building systems for the semiconductor industry. He's also looking at trying to get into the aerospace industry with help from the University of Texas at El Paso. A UTEP-led coalition last year won a $40 million federal grant to help small manufacturers in El Paso become part of the aerospace and defense industry supply chain.

The City Council recently approved providing up to $188,774 in mostly property tax rebates over 10 years for the Prod expansion. The incentives were important in moving forward with the project, Rodriguez said.

Prod will hire 48 people over three years, with about half those jobs engineers and the others assembly technicians, and tool and die makers, Rodriguez said. About a third of its 120-employee workforce is engineers, he said. Those jobs pay around $70,000 to $80,000 a year. Assembly technicians get from $18 to $25 per hour.

Jobs are posted on Prod's website: prod-design.com/contact

Vic Kolenc may be reached at 546-6421; vkolenc@elpasotimes.com; @vickolenc on Twitter, now known as X.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: More El Paso jobs: Flagstone Foods, Prod Design expanding factories
VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Nevada King Gold Corp. (TSXV: NKG) (OTCQX: NKGFF) ("Nevada King" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results from three, vertical reverse circulation ("RC") holes recently completed at its Atlanta Gold Mine Project located 264km northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, in the prolific Battle Mountain Trend. These holes were drilled northwest of the Atlanta pit to fill-in drill hole gaps across the northern part of the West Atlanta Graben Zone ("WAGZ") identifed in Section 22-15N initially reported on April 27, 2023. The three holes reported today are plotted on plan and section in Figures 2 and 3.

Highlights:

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AT23WS-44 214.9 323.2 108.2 11.64 17.4 Includes 274.4 303.4 29.0 37.16 34.4 Includes 283.5 286.6 3.0 162.6 15.6

Table 1. Highlight hole released today. This hole is interpreted to have intersected a sub vertical feeder zone cutting through a flat-lying horizon of mineralization that generally dips westward. For discussion of true thickness, see detailed interpretation section and accompanying discussion below.

11.64 g/t Au over 108.2m, including 37.16 g/t Au over 29.0m in AT23WS-44 is the most gold rich drill hole ever recorded at Atlanta and contains the highest-grade individual drill assay interval ever reported from the project of 169.8 g/t Au over 1.5m . See Table 2 below for a detailed breakdown of the full 29m high grade interval and Table 3 for the complete detailed breakdown of the 108.2m intercept.







AT23WS-44 was sited 120m northwest of the Atlanta pit to locate and test the West Atlanta Fault #1 (WAF1) and was collared 20m west of previously reported AT22WS-5C (1.08 g/t Au over 112.7m) and 22m east of previously reported AT23WS-20 (3.04 g/t Au over 61.1m).







The Company's new geological model supports the presence of very high-grade zones or 'jewelry boxes' that can occur at the juncture between sub-vertical feeder zones and flat-lying horizons of replacement-type (Carlin-type) mineralization. Figure 1 below depicts a conceptual cross section across the high-grade feeder zone hit in AT23WS-44 based on a generalized Carlin-type geological model.

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Figure 1. Conceptual cross section across high-grade feeder zone hit in AT23WS-44 utilizing a generalized Carlin-type geological model. Gold is preferentially deposited within the 70m to 100m thick replacement horizon consisting of receptive carbonate beds, while the high-grade core forms around the structural intersection of this near-horizontal replacement horizon with the West Atlanta Fault #1 that served as the feeder structure that channeled mineralizing fluids into the receptive horizon. (CNW Group/Nevada King Gold Corp.)

Figure 1. Conceptual cross section across high-grade feeder zone hit in AT23WS-44 utilizing a well known, generalized Carlin-type geological model. Gold is preferentially deposited within the 70m to 100m thick replacement horizon consisting of receptive carbonate beds, while the high-grade core forms around the structural intersection of this near-horizontal replacement horizon with the West Atlanta Fault #1 that served as the feeder structure that channeled mineralizing fluids into the receptive horizon. Figure adapted from: Robert et al (2007), and Zhou (2009), "Multi-scale integrated application of spectral geology and remote sensing for mineral exploration," Conference Exploration 17, Toronto, 2017.

As shown above, AT23WS-44 is interpreted to have penetrated the mineralized zone near the middle of a high-grade zone close to and possibly intersecting the WAF1. AT23WS-20 intersected the western portion of the +3 g/t Au high-grade zone while AT23WS-5C on the east narrowly missed the high-grade domain.







Now with WAF1 firmly located, the Company is planning to follow up on AT23WS-44 with closely spaced vertical holes east and west to better determine the lateral extent and grade distribution in and around the feeder structure, while also following it along strike, where it remains open to the north and south.







Mineralization in this high-grade interval is strongly oxidized as demonstrated by the Au cyanide solubility analyses in Table 2 below. Visible gold has not been observed in the cuttings. The absence or paucity of coarse-grained gold is supported by the consistent results from duplicate fire assays of all high-grade intervals (see Table 7).

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) AuCN (g/t) Ag (g/t) AT23WS-44 274.4 275.9 1.5 25.92 22.23 14.3 AT23WS-44 275.9 277.4 1.5 22.52 18.81 13.7 AT23WS-44 277.4 279.0 1.5 16.60 16.06 17.6 AT23WS-44 279.0 280.5 1.5 30.00 25.08 21.3 AT23WS-44 280.5 282.0 1.5 57.15 43.99 14.2 AT23WS-44 282.0 283.5 1.5 34.57 28.12 13.4 AT23WS-44 283.5 285.1 1.5 169.80 >100 13.2 AT23WS-44 285.1 286.6 1.5 155.40 >100 18 AT23WS-44 286.6 288.1 1.5 47.95 41.80 40.2 AT23WS-44 288.1 289.6 1.5 13.20 11.78 27.5 AT23WS-44 289.6 291.2 1.5 13.88 11.97 23.5 AT23WS-44 291.2 292.7 1.5 6.68 5.31 33.2 AT23WS-44 292.7 294.2 1.5 11.92 9.60 46.6 AT23WS-44 294.2 295.7 1.5 18.05 15.87 42.8 AT23WS-44 295.7 297.3 1.5 13.55 11.02 42.9 AT23WS-44 297.3 298.8 1.5 11.22 10.17 75.8 AT23WS-44 298.8 300.3 1.5 13.37 11.50 47.3 AT23WS-44 300.3 301.8 1.5 19.60 14.73 64.3 AT23WS-44 301.8 303.4 1.5 25.12 20.05 83.6

Table 2. Assay results for 29m thick high grade oxide interval averaging 37.16g/t Au in AT23WS-044 on a 1.52m basis. Gold grades being reported are based on averaging the 30gm ICP analyses with the corresponding gravimetric analyses.

Cal Herron, Exploration Manager of Nevada King, stated, "Today's high-grade interval in AT23WS-44 gives us another starting point for tracking higher-grades proximal to high-angle feeder structures cutting up through the flat lying horizons that correlate to stratigraphy hosting most of the gold at Atlanta  namely the silica breccia and overlying silicified volcanic horizons. As seen in Figures 1 and 3, the rhyolitic intrusive breccia hosting the highest grade mineralization in the hole probably intruded along the WAF1 and will be easy to visually track in the up-coming offset holes of AT23WS-44 that will be drilled to further expand upon this "bonanza grade" mineralization. It is important to note that the high-grade "core" mineralization seen in AT23WS-44 (29m @ 37.16 g/t Au) is not related to a narrow vein that was drilled down, but rather occurs within the same flat-lying replacement horizon penetrated in surrounding holes at similar elevation  i.e. 1741m1770m a.s.l (above sea level). For example, nearby holes in the northern portion of the WAGZ intersected the following high-grade mineralization 

AT23WS-20, located 20m west of AT23WS-44, returned 27.6m @ 4.67 g/t Au from 1730m-1758m a.s.l.

AT23WS-22, located 68m west of AT23WS-44, returned 7.6m @ 28.5 g/t Au from 1743-1750m a.s.l.

AT22WS-2, located 41m north of AT23WS-44, returned 33.6m @ 4.10 g/t Au from 1746m-1780m a.s.l.

AT23WS-23, located 63m northwest of AT23WS-44, returned 12.2m @ 8.78 g/t Au from 1745m-1757m a.s.l.

Elsewhere within the Atlanta resource zone we see very similar elevation control over high-grade mineralization. Examples near the East Atlanta Fault within the AMFZ include 

AT21-62 returned 10.7m @ 11.19 g/t Au from 1942m-1953m a.s.l.

AT23NS-116 returned 4.6m @ 7.31 g/t Au from 1937m-1942m a.s.l.

AT22NS-81T returned 5.3m @ 10.73 g/t Au from 1925m-1931m a.s.l.

The same pattern is apparent across the southern portion of the WAGZ 

AT22-8T returned 13.4m @ 7.65 g/t Au from 1879m-1893m a.s.l.

AT22SE-42 returned 13.7m @ 4.05 g/t from 1864m-1888m a.s.l.

AT23HG-28 returned 12.2m @ 7.59 g/t Au from 1841m-1854m a.s.l.

AT23HG-34 returned 27.4m @ 4.50 g/t Au from 1841m-1870m a.s.l.

AT22HG-13 returned 12.2m @ 17.59 g/t Au from 1875m-1887m a.s.l.

The high grade intercepts cited above occur within discrete groups or clusters located across the entire resource zone, with holes in each cluster sharing the same elevation ranges. This argues strongly for the high-grades being hosted within near-horizontal replacement horizons versus narrow, high-angle faults/veins. If these intercepts occurred along high-angle fault surfaces, we would not see a uniform horizontal geometry, instead the intercept elevations within an individual cluster of holes proximal to each other would indicate a steeply dipping plane. Close-spaced drilling along suspected high-grade zones has now provided Nevada King with enough information to concentrate on drill-defining these relatively narrow (<20m wide) but very high-grade, linear intersection zones involving high-angle "feeder" faults and flat-lying replacement horizons."

Figure 2. Location map for holes reported in this news release along drill Section22-15N(2) relative to the perimeter of the historical Atlanta Pit and footprint of the Gustavson 2020 NI 43-101 resource. Shallow drillholes on the mine dumps have been removed from the plot for clarity. (CNW Group/Nevada King Gold Corp.)

Figure 2. Location map for holes reported in this news release along drill Section22-15N(2) relative to the perimeter of the historical Atlanta Pit and footprint of the Gustavson 2020 NI 43-101 resource. Shallow drillholes on the mine dumps have been removed from the plot for clarity.

Figure 3. Cross section 22-15N(2) looking north across the northern portion of the Atlanta Mine Fault Zone and West Atlanta Graben Zone. (CNW Group/Nevada King Gold Corp.)

Figure 3. Cross section 22-15N(2) looking north across the northern portion of the Atlanta Mine Fault Zone and West Atlanta Graben Zone.

Additional Details:

Holes AT23WS-25A (24.4m grading 1.19 g/t Au from 318.6 to 343.0m) and AT23WS-41 (22.9m grading 0.293 g/t Au from 335.4 to 358.2m) were drilled west of previously reported hole AT23WS-22 (42.8m @ 5.64 g/t Au) in order to define the western boundary of the WAGZ. Both of these new holes hit deeper, lower grade mineralization on the west side of the West Atlanta Fault #2 (WAF2), which bounds the western margin of the WAGZ. Gold grade in this area clearly decreases westward from the WAF2.







The high grade intercept in previously reported hole AT23WS-22 (42.8m @ 5.64 g/t Au) is attributed to close proximity to the WAF2. Now that we know where this fault is located, we will be drilling along strike of it to the north and south in order to further extend the higher-grade mineralization.







Additional in-fill drilling is needed between AT23WS-5C and AT23NS-104 in order to fill a large 88m gap that currently exists between AT23WS-5C and the West Atlanta Fault (see Figure 3).

Detailed Interpretation:

The Company's interpretation of today's highlight interval is that gold mineralizing fluids have migrated laterally from the high-angle WAF1 (the feeder structure) into a larger receptive, flat-lying breccia horizon with gold grades generally decreasing gradationally with horizontal distance from the feeder structure (Figure 1). The Company does not have sufficient data to accurately estimate true width of the high grade feeder structure, but true thickness of the high grade zones within the overall flat-lying mineralized horizon is far more apparent. As an example, simply comparing the 29m-thick high grade intercept (37.16 g/t Au) in AT23WS-44 with the 27.4m high grade intercept (4.67 g/t Au) in AT23WS-20 illustrates the flat-lying nature of the high grade horizon connecting these two holes. The mineralized zone in AT23WS-44 starts at an elevation of 1770m a.s.l. (above sea level) while the same mineralized horizon in AT23WS-20, located 21m to the west of AT23WS-44, starts at an elevation of 1758m a.s.l. This flat-lying geometry to the replacement horizon is noted throughout the Atlanta deposit as discussed above.

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AT23WS-44 214.9 216.5 1.5 1.47 <0.5 AT23WS-44 216.5 218.0 1.5 1.51 <0.5 AT23WS-44 218.0 219.5 1.5 2.72 <0.5 AT23WS-44 219.5 221.0 1.5 1.70 <0.5 AT23WS-44 221.0 222.6 1.5 0.85 <0.5 AT23WS-44 222.6 224.1 1.5 0.40 <0.5 AT23WS-44 224.1 225.6 1.5 0.26 <0.5 AT23WS-44 225.6 227.1 1.5 0.27 <0.5 AT23WS-44 227.1 228.7 1.5 0.72 0.8 AT23WS-44 228.7 230.2 1.5 0.76 0.9 AT23WS-44 230.2 231.7 1.5 0.33 2.1 AT23WS-44 231.7 233.2 1.5 0.24 2.9 AT23WS-44 233.2 234.8 1.5 0.39 2.5 AT23WS-44 234.8 236.3 1.5 0.22 2.5 AT23WS-44 236.3 237.8 1.5 0.24 5 AT23WS-44 237.8 239.3 1.5 0.51 8.1 AT23WS-44 239.3 240.9 1.5 1.26 8 AT23WS-44 240.9 242.4 1.5 1.83 9.2 AT23WS-44 242.4 243.9 1.5 3.41 9.1 AT23WS-44 243.9 245.4 1.5 5.85 15.5 AT23WS-44 245.4 247.0 1.5 3.84 9 AT23WS-44 247.0 248.5 1.5 3.57 7.1 AT23WS-44 248.5 250.0 1.5 1.82 4.9 AT23WS-44 250.0 251.5 1.5 2.15 6.9 AT23WS-44 251.5 253.0 1.5 6.68 11.6 AT23WS-44 253.0 254.6 1.5 9.88 18.3 AT23WS-44 254.6 256.1 1.5 5.72 12.7 AT23WS-44 256.1 257.6 1.5 3.23 12.2 AT23WS-44 257.6 259.1 1.5 0.35 7.5 AT23WS-44 259.1 260.7 1.5 0.09 6.3 AT23WS-44 260.7 262.2 1.5 0.13 6.1 AT23WS-44 262.2 263.7 1.5 0.15 5.8 AT23WS-44 263.7 265.2 1.5 0.31 14.6 AT23WS-44 265.2 266.8 1.5 0.54 12.2 AT23WS-44 266.8 268.3 1.5 0.81 25.2 AT23WS-44 268.3 269.8 1.5 0.98 20.6 AT23WS-44 269.8 271.3 1.5 1.35 25.7 AT23WS-44 271.3 272.9 1.5 1.54 11 AT23WS-44 272.9 274.4 1.5 8.96 12.1 AT23WS-44 274.4 275.9 1.5 25.92 14.3 AT23WS-44 275.9 277.4 1.5 22.52 13.7 AT23WS-44 277.4 279.0 1.5 16.60 17.6 AT23WS-44 279.0 280.5 1.5 30.00 21.3 AT23WS-44 280.5 282.0 1.5 57.15 14.2 AT23WS-44 282.0 283.5 1.5 34.57 13.4 AT23WS-44 283.5 285.1 1.5 169.80 13.2 AT23WS-44 285.1 286.6 1.5 155.40 18 AT23WS-44 286.6 288.1 1.5 47.95 40.2 AT23WS-44 288.1 289.6 1.5 13.20 27.5 AT23WS-44 289.6 291.2 1.5 13.88 23.5 AT23WS-44 291.2 292.7 1.5 6.68 33.2 AT23WS-44 292.7 294.2 1.5 11.92 46.6 AT23WS-44 294.2 295.7 1.5 18.05 42.8 AT23WS-44 295.7 297.3 1.5 13.55 42.9 AT23WS-44 297.3 298.8 1.5 11.22 75.8 AT23WS-44 298.8 300.3 1.5 13.37 47.3 AT23WS-44 300.3 301.8 1.5 19.60 64.3 AT23WS-44 301.8 303.4 1.5 25.12 83.6 AT23WS-44 303.4 304.9 1.5 8.11 93.3 AT23WS-44 304.9 306.4 1.5 7.41 66.1 AT23WS-44 306.4 307.9 1.5 2.38 10.0 AT23WS-44 307.9 309.5 1.5 1.79 8.8 AT23WS-44 309.5 311.0 1.5 1.67 12.6 AT23WS-44 311.0 312.5 1.5 0.88 8.7 AT23WS-44 312.5 314.0 1.5 1.29 5.4 AT23WS-44 314.0 315.5 1.5 1.22 6.3 AT23WS-44 315.5 317.1 1.5 6.38 12.8 AT23WS-44 317.1 318.6 1.5 6.81 20.0 AT23WS-44 318.6 320.1 1.5 2.01 11.2 AT23WS-44 320.1 321.6 1.5 2.09 15.5 AT23WS-44 321.6 323.2 1.5 1.39 11.4

Table 3. Assay results for 108m thick high-grade oxide interval averaging 11.65 g/t Au in AT23WS-44 on a 1.52m basis.

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Notes AT23WS-44 214.9 323.2 108.2 11.65 17.4

Includes 274.4 303.4 29.0 37.18 34.4

Includes 283.5 286.6 3.0 162.6 15.6

AT23WS-25A 318.6 343.0 24.4 1.19 11.7 Bottomed in Mineralization AT23WS-41 335.4 358.2 22.9 0.29 15.1



Table 4. All holes reported today along Section22-15N. Mineralization occurs along flat-lying horizons generally dipping gently westward; true mineralized thickness in vertical holes is estimated to be between 85% and 95% of reported drill intercept length.

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Notes AT23WS-22 288.0 330.8 42.8 5.64 6.7 Bottomed in Mineralization Includes 292.7 300.3 7.6 28.5 10.7

AT23WS-21 280.5 343.0 62.5 0.31 3.3

AT22WS-4 279.0 346.0 67.0 2.07 12.1

Includes 317.1 333.8 16.7 3.63 12.6

AT23WS-20 275.9 337.0 61.1 3.04 21.4 Bottomed in Mineralization Includes 286.6 291.2 4.6 15.84 19.8

AT23WS-5C 207.3 320.0 112.7 1.08 14.8 Bottomed in Mineralization AT23NS-104 198.2 244.0 45.8 0.35 5.0

AT23NS-103 192.1 202.7 10.6 0.37 3.4

AT23NS-102 129.5 141.8 12.3 0.41 23.4

And 166.2 190.5 24.3 0.40 5.2

AT23NS-101 71.6 111.3 39.7 0.17 19.1



Table 5. Previously reported holes used along updated Section 22-15N. AT22 series holes were drilled by Nevada King in 2022 and the AT21 series holes were drilled in 2021. True thickness of gold mineralization interpreted in today's release is 95% to 100% of the reported intercept length in vertical holes. *Denotes holes that bottomed in mineralization. ^Denotes angle hole.

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Notes DHRI-11-NRC4 317.1 353.7 36.6 1.71 6.8

KR98-21* 242.4 262.2 19.8 1.19 1.6 Bottomed in Mineralization

Table 6: Historical holes used in Section 22-15N. KR98 series hole was drilled by Kinross in 1998. DHRI series hole was drilled by Meadow Bay in 2011. Mineralization occurs along flat-lying horizons generally dipping gently westward; true mineralized thickness in vertical holes is estimated to be between 85% and 95% of reported drill intercept length.

*Denotes angle hole.

QA/QC Protocols

All Reverse Circulation (RC) samples from the Atlanta Project are taken at 1.5 m intervals, split at the drill site and placed in cloth and plastic bags utilizing a nominal 2kg sample weight. Certified Reference Material (CRM) standards, blanks, and blind duplicates are inserted into the sample stream on-site on a one-in-twenty sample basis, meaning all three control inserts are included in each 20-sample group. Samples are shipped by a local contractor in large sample shipping crates directly to American Assay Lab in Reno ("AAL"), Nevada, with full custody being maintained at all times. At AAL, samples were weighed then crushed to 75% passing 2mm and pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns in order to produce a 300g pulverized split. Prepared samples are initially run using a four acid + boric acid digestion process and conventional multi-element ICP-OES analysis. Gold assays are initially run using 30-gram samples by lead fire assay with an OES finish to a 0.003 ppm detection limit, with samples greater than 10 ppm finished gravimetrically. Every sample is also run through a cyanide leach for gold with an ICP-OES finish. For Au values above 10 g/t, AAL routinely re-assays samples using a 30gm gravimetric fire assay. For the 29m high grade interval in AT23WS-44, AAL inserted three lab duplicates that results in percent differences of 1.80%, 2.48%, and 2.59%. No visible gold was logged in this hole. Sample weights were consistent.

Table 7 contains the complete assay report for the interval 195.1m to T.D. at 330.8m for AT23WS-44 showing sample weights as received at American Assay Lab plus lab blank, duplicate, and CRM standards along with Nevada King's inserted field blanks, duplicates, and CRM standards. The high grade intervals were assayed by 30gm fire with ICP finish and then check-assayed via 30 gm gravimetric fire assay. Gold cyanide solubility assays were performed on every sample. As seen in Table 6, the 30gm ICP analyses match closely with the gravimetric analyses, indicating minimal nugget effect and high reproducibility. The consistent Au cyanide analyses indicate strong oxidation and little evidence of significant sulfide encapsulation. Fairly consistent sample weights indicate good, overall RC recovery, particularly within the very high grade intervals, to the extent that down-hole contamination from upper high grade intervals is unlikely. When 10m to 20m lengths of low sample weights occur, or sustained lack of sample recovery occurs, then down-hole contamination is more likely to occur. This is not the case with AT23WS-44.









Wt Au Au Au







BRPP2KG FAPB30-ICP GRAVAu30 AuCN30







0.01 0.003 0.103 0.01 SAMPLES Comments From (m) To (m) Weight (kg) ppm ppm ppm 1880368

195.1 201.2 5.30 -0.003

-0.01 1880368-X AAL dup of 1880368





0.003

-0.01 1880369

201.2 207.3 7.90 0.011

0.01 1880370

207.3 213.4 6.50 -0.003

-0.01 1880371

213.4 214.9 1.30 0.047

0.05 1880372

214.9 216.5 4.40 1.470

1.46 1880373

216.5 218.0 6.70 1.510

1.12 1880374

218.0 219.5 2.00 2.720

2.44 1880375 NKG dup of 1880374



1.20 3.490

2.63 1880376

219.5 221.0 7.90 1.700

1.29 STD- OxC168 AAL STD (0.213 g/t Au)





0.223

0.22 1880377

221.0 222.6 0.90 0.848

0.65 1880377-X AAL dup. of 1880377





0.832

0.64 1880378

222.6 224.1 5.80 0.399

0.37 1880379

224.1 225.6 3.20 0.260

0.24 1880380 NKG blank



0.70 0.005

-0.01 1880381

225.6 227.1 4.60 0.271

0.24 1880382

227.1 228.7 3.60 0.720

0.65 1880383

228.7 230.2 6.50 0.759

0.60 1880384

230.2 231.7 5.40 0.325

0.26 1880385 NKG STD (1.081 g/t Au)





1.110

0.96 1880386

231.7 233.2 6.60 0.243

0.20 1880387

233.2 234.8 1.60 0.390

0.32 1880388

234.8 236.3 3.70 0.220

0.17 BLANK AAL blank





-0.003

-0.01 1880389

236.3 237.8 2.70 0.236

0.23 1880390 NKG dup of 1880389



4.00 0.319

0.23 1880390-X AAL dup of 1880390





0.306

0.24 1880391

237.8 239.3 7.70 0.508

0.46 1880392

239.3 240.9 2.70 1.260

1.07 1880393

240.9 242.4 3.40 1.830

1.52 1880394

242.4 243.9 7.60 3.410

2.76 1880395

243.9 245.4 6.20 5.850

5.04 1880396

245.4 247.0 3.50 3.840

3.39 1880397

247.0 248.5 6.20 3.570

3.06 1880398

248.5 250.0 5.70 1.820

1.57 STD- CDN-CM-47 AAL STD (1.13 g/t Au)





1.140

1.06 1880399

250.0 251.5 7.60 2.150

1.73 1880399-X AAL dup. of 1880399





2.210

1.67 1880400

251.5 253.0 2.70 6.680

6.44 1880401

253.0 254.6 7.10 9.880

8.29 1880402

254.6 256.1 5.80 5.720

5.62 1880403

256.1 257.6 4.30 3.230

2.97 1880404

257.6 259.1 1.60 0.348

0.30 1880405 NKG dup. of 1880404



3.00 0.213

0.20 1880406

259.1 260.7 4.60 0.088

0.07 1880406-X AAL dup. of 1880406





0.090

0.07 BLANK AAL blank





-0.003

-0.01 1880407

260.7 262.2 0.90 0.128

0.10 1880408

262.2 263.7 2.50 0.146

0.08 1880409

263.7 265.2 2.50 0.311

0.30 1880410 NKG blank



0.60 0.003

-0.01 1880411

265.2 266.8 5.60 0.542

0.42 1880412

266.8 268.3 4.90 0.808

0.67 1880413

268.3 269.8 2.10 0.975

0.75 1880414

269.8 271.3 3.70 1.350

1.30 1880415 NKG STD (0.056 g/t Au)





0.071

0.05 1880416

271.3 272.9 1.30 1.540

1.43 1880417

272.9 274.4 2.20 8.960

7.45 1880417-X AAL dup of 1880417





8.800

7.17 1880418

274.4 275.9 3.20 25.500 26.333 22.23 1880419

275.9 277.4 2.70 22.500 22.533 18.81 1880420 NKG dup of 1880419



3.80 20.900 22.200 18.81 1880421

277.4 279.0 2.80 16.200 17.000 16.06 1880422

279.0 280.5 1.40 29.800 30.200 25.08 STD - SK120 AAL STD (4.075 g/t Au)





4.030

3.95 1880423

280.5 282.0 6.90 57.100 57.200 43.99 1880423-X AAL dup of 1880423





55.700

42.47 1880424

282.0 283.5 6.30 34.600 34.533 28.12 1880425

283.5 285.1 7.30 >100 169.800 >100 1880426

285.1 286.6 5.60 >100 155.400 >100 1880427

286.6 288.1 6.80 47.600 48.067 41.80 1880428

288.1 289.6 4.30 12.600 13.400 11.78 1880429

289.6 291.2 1.20 13.500 14.000 11.97 1880430

291.2 292.7 8.20 6.680

5.31 1880431

292.7 294.2 7.00 11.700 12.133 9.60 1880431-X AAL dup of 1880431





11.400

9.50 1880432

294.2 295.7 0.90 17.900 18.200 15.87 1880433

295.7 297.3 5.50 13.300 13.800 11.02 1880434

297.3 298.8 4.50 11.100 11.333 10.17 1880435 NKG dup of 1880434



3.40 11.900 12.267 10.07 STD - OxC168 AAL STD (0.213 g/t Au)





0.222

0.22 1880436

298.8 300.3 1.00 13.400 13.333 11.50 1880437

300.3 301.8 3.70 20.000 19.200 14.73 1880438

301.8 303.4 1.20 24.500 25.733 20.05 1880439

303.4 304.9 1.30 8.110

7.09 1880440 NKG blank



0.60 -0.003

-0.01 1880441

304.9 306.4 1.00 7.410

6.03 1880441-X AAL dup of 1880441





7.180

6.07 1880442

306.4 307.9 1.70 2.380

1.96 1880443

307.9 309.5 1.50 1.790

1.54 1880444

309.5 311.0 6.00 1.670

1.38 1880445 NKG STD (0.056 g/t Au)





0.062

0.05 1880446

311.0 312.5 4.20 0.875

0.70 BLANK AAL blank





-0.003

-0.01 1880447

312.5 314.0 1.60 1.290

1.02 1880447-X AAL dup of 1880447





1.280

1.04 1880448

314.0 315.5 4.80 1.220

1.00 1880449

315.5 317.1 1.80 6.380

5.44 1880450 NKG dup of 1880449



2.10 6.460

5.16 1880451

317.1 318.6 2.20 6.810

5.61 1880452

318.6 320.1 4.00 2.010

1.75 1880453

320.1 321.6 5.40 2.090

1.79 1880454

321.6 323.2 5.50 1.390

1.10 1880455

323.2 324.7 3.90 0.195

0.16 1880456

324.7 326.2 3.40 0.286

0.20 1880456-X AAL dup. of 1880456





0.277

0.20 STD - CDN-CM-47 AAL STD (1.13 g/t Au)





1.150

0.93 1880457

326.2 327.7 5.30 0.110

0.09 1880458

327.7 329.3 3.30 0.460

0.39 1880459

329.3 330.8 3.70 0.292

0.24

Table 7. Assay report table from American Assay Lab (AAL) for RC hole AT23WS-044 with AAL's CRM (STD), blank, and duplicate (dup.) sample inserts and Nevada King's (NKG) field inserts.

AAL-inserted CRM Standards:

CDM-CM-47 1.13 g/t Au +/- 0.11 g/t Canadian Resource Lab. Ltd., Langley B.C.

OxC168 0.213 g/t Au +/- 0.002 g/t Rock Labs, Auckland NZ

SK120 4.075 g/t Au +/- 0.03 g/t Rock Labs, Auckland NZ

NKG-inserted CRM Standards:

Batch # 75226 0.056 g/t Au +/- 0.003 g/t Klen International Pty. Ltd., Neerabup Western Australia

Batch # 73915 1.081 g/t Au +/- 0.03 g/t Klen International Pty. Ltd., Neerabup Western Australia

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Calvin R. Herron, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

About Nevada King Gold Corp.

Nevada King is the third largest mineral claim holder in the State of Nevada, behind Nevada Gold Mines (Barrick/Newmont) and Kinross Gold. Starting in 2016, the Company has staked large project areas hosting significant historical exploration work along the Battle Mountain trend located close to current or former producing gold mines. These project areas were initially targeted based on their potential for hosting multi-million-ounce gold deposits and were subsequently staked following a detailed geological evaluation. District-scale projects in Nevada King's portfolio include (1) the 100% owned Atlanta Mine, located 100km southeast of Ely, (2) the Lewis and Horse Mountain-Mill Creek projects, both located between Nevada Gold Mines' large Phoenix and Pipeline mines, and (3) the Iron Point project, located 35km east of Winnemucca, Nevada.

The Atlanta Mine is a historical gold-silver producer with a NI 43-101 compliant pit-constrained resource of 460,000 oz Au in the measured and indicated category (11.0M tonnes at 1.3 g/t) plus an inferred resource of 142,000 oz Au (5.3M tonnes at 0.83 g/t). See the NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources titled "Atlanta Property, Lincoln County, NV" with an effective date of October 6, 2020, and a report date of December 22, 2020, as prepared by Gustavson Associates and filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

Resource Category Tonnes (000s) Au Grade (ppm) Contained Au

Oz Ag Grade (ppm) Contained Ag Oz Measured 4,130 1.51 200,000 14.0 1,860,000 Indicated 6,910 1.17 260,000 10.6 2,360,000 Measured + Indicated 11,000 1.30 460,000 11.9 4,220,000 Inferred 5,310 0.83 142,000 7.3 1,240,000

Table 8. NI 43-101 Mineral Resources at the Atlanta Mine

Please see the Company's website at www.nevadaking.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operations and activities of Nevada King, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's exploration plans and the Company's ability to potentially expand mineral resources and the impact thereon. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Nevada King, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work given the global COVID-19 pandemic, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Nevada King does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Nevada King Gold Corp. (CNW Group/Nevada King Gold Corp.)

Cision

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SOURCE Nevada King Gold Corp.
VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 2, 2023 /CNW/ - Nevada Sunrise Metals Corp. ("Nevada Sunrise", or the "Company") (TSXV: NEV) (OTC: NVSGF) announced today that its joint venture partner, CopAur Minerals Inc. ("CopAur", (TSXV: CPAU) has reported the results from the first diamond drill hole completed during 2023 exploration at the Kinsley Mountain Gold Project ("Kinsley Mountain" or the "Project") in Elko County, Nevada.

Diamond drill hole KMD23-01, located in the Western Flank Zone (the "WFZ") approximately 550 metres northwest of the past-producing pits at Kinsley Mountain, returned a value by fire assay of 12.6 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold over 20.3 metres; including 29.4 g/t gold over 4.7 metres (Table 1 and Figure 1). Hole KMD23-01 was planned to test below historical drill hole PK091CA, which provided the initial high-grade gold discovery at WFZ in 2013. Subsequent drilling campaigns outlined a significant gold resource in the WFZ. CopAur's hole KMD23-01, the first drill hole at the Project since 2020, successfully confirmed another high-grade gold mineralized intersect in an area of lower drill density within the WFZ.

Summary of the 2023 Exploration Program at Kinsley Mountain

A total of seven (7) RC drill holes and three (3) diamond drill holes comprising 2,285 metres (7,495 feet) were completed in 2023 at the high-grade Western Flank Zone, the Main Pit North, and the new Kinsley Ridge target (see Figure 1 below). All samples, including QA/QC samples, were shipped to ALS Global in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for multi-element analysis and fire assay for gold. Results from holes drilled later in the 2023 program will be released following their receipt and interpretation by CopAur, operator of the Project.

Table 1. Kinsley Mountain Diamond Drill Hole KM23-01: Significant Gold Intercepts

Hole ID Zone From To Interval

(m)* Gold Value (g/t)* (dip/azimuth) (m) (m) KMD23-01 (-76/085) Western

Flank 267.6 287.9 20.3 12.55 including 283.2 287.9 4.7 29.43

* True widths of the mineralized intervals are interpreted to be between 60-90% of the reported lengths.

Story continues

Figure 1. Kinsley Mountain, Looking East: 2023 RC and Diamond Drilling Locations (CNW Group/Nevada Sunrise Metals Corporation)

About Kinsley Mountain

Kinsley Mountain hosts a historic past-producing mine that yielded 138,000 ounces of near-surface, open-pit oxide gold mined by Alta Gold Company between 1995-1999 (see Figure 1 for reference).

The Project hosts current indicated mineral resources comprising a National Instrument 43-101 compliant gold resource consisting of 418,000 indicated ounces of gold grading 2.63 g/t gold (4.95 million tonnes), and 117,000 inferred ounces of gold averaging 1.51 g/t gold (2.44 million tonnes), at cut-off grades ranging from 0.2 to 2.0 g/t gold1.

Indicated resources are inclusive of 302,000 ounces averaging 6.11 g/t gold hosted within the Secret Canyon Shale at the Western Flank Zone1.

1 Technical Report on the Kinsley Project, Elko County, Nevada, U.S.A., dated June 21, 2021, with an effective date of May 5, 2021, and prepared by Michael M. Gustin and Gary L. Simmons, and filed under New Placer Dome Gold Corp.'s issuer profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Robert M. Allender, Jr., CPG, RG, SME, who is a Qualified Person for Nevada Sunrise as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Methodology and QA/QC

Assaying was performed by ALS Global ("ALS"), of Vancouver, Canada. ALS is an ISO-IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015 accredited analytical laboratory that is independent of CopAur, Nevada Sunrise, and their respective Qualified Persons. Drill core and RC drill samples were subject to crushing to a minimum of 70% passing 2 mm, followed by pulverizing of a 250-gram split to 85% passing 75 microns. Gold determination was via standard 30-gram fire-assay analysis with atomic absorption spectroscopy ("AAS") finish, in addition to 51 element ICP-MS. Samples returning greater than 10 g/t gold are subject to gravimetric finish. Gold values returning greater than 0.1 g/t gold are also subject to leach analysis where the sample is treated with a 0.25% NaCN solution and rolled for an hour. An aliquot of the final leach solution is then centrifuged and analyzed by AAS.

CopAur reports that it follows industry standard procedures for the work carried out on the Project, with a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program. Blank, duplicate, and standard samples were inserted into the sample sequence sent to the laboratory for analysis. CopAur states it detected no significant QA/QC issues during its review of the 2023 data, and reports that it is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein.

About Nevada Sunrise

Nevada Sunrise is a junior mineral exploration company with a strong technical team based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, that holds interests in lithium, gold, and copper exploration projects located in the State of Nevada, USA.

Nevada Sunrise owns 100% interests in the Gemini, Jackson Wash and Badlands lithium projects, all of which are located in the Lida Valley in Esmeralda County, NV. The Company owns Nevada water right Permit 86863, also located in the Lida Valley basin, near Lida, NV.

The Company's key gold asset is a 20.01% interest in a joint venture at the Kinsley Mountain Gold Project near Wendover, NV with CopAur Minerals Inc. The Company has elected not to contribute to the 2023 exploration program at Kinsley Mountain and expects to incur dilution of its participating interest in the joint venture to an approximate 19.0% interest.

Nevada Sunrise has the right to earn a 100% interest in the Coronado VMS Project, located approximately 48 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of Winnemucca, NV.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release may contain forwardlooking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur and include disclosure of anticipated exploration activities. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forwardlooking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forwardlooking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date such statements were made. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Such factors include, among others, risks related to the interpretation and actual results of historical production at Kinsley Mountain, reliance on technical information provided by third parties on any of our exploration properties, including access to historical information on the Kinsley Mountain property as well as specific historical data associated with drill results from the property, information received from CopAur Minerals Inc., current exploration and development activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; current economic conditions; future prices of commodities; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the failure of contracted parties to perform; failure of CopAur Minerals Inc. to complete anticipated work programs; labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals, financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the Nine Months ended June 30, 2023, which is available under Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com .

Although Nevada Sunrise has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Nevada Sunrise disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Nevada Sunrise Metals Corporation

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Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church (1401 Wagner Road) showcased their solar panel installations that Saturday (Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church/Handout)

For a second year, Greener Glenview and Go Green Northbrook partnered to offer the Glenbrook Solar Tour, offering a learning opportunity for the community to see firsthand how solar technology is being used locally.

The Glenbrook Solar Tour 2023 on Sept. 30 was part of the statewide Solar Tour 2023 sponsored annually by the Illinois Solar Energy and Storage Association (ISEA).

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The free annual tour is designed to educate people about sustainable energy choices they can make to cut their utility bills and reduce carbon emissions.

Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church (1401 Wagner Road) showcased their solar panel installations that Saturday. (Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church/Handout)

This years Glenbrook Solar Tour on a Saturday had 14 tour hosts in Glenview with six in Northbrook.

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For Glenview, Were happy to have almost double the hosts this year, said Mary Munday of Glenview, co-founder of Greener Glenview with Sheri Latash, also of Glenview.

Munday and Latash have been Glenview residents for 30 plus years.

Permit requests for solar installation are growing in Glenview, too, and we think this shows that people see solar as a real win-win, Munday said.

It saves them money on electric bills, and it also helps clean up our electric grid so that all those electric cars and mowers out there are running on renewable energy rather than gas, Munday also said.

Bernadette Knight, solar tour coordinator for Go Green Northbrook, said that over the past three years while coordinating the Northbrook end of the solar tour, Ive spoken to dozens of Northbrook homeowners with solar installations.

Every single one was thrilled with their decision, Knight said. Its planet friendly and a great decision financially.

In Glenview, the owners of solar-powered homes plus Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church (1401 Wagner Road) showcased their solar panel installations that Saturday. Bright signage along properties guided and helped to encourage people to stop to learn more.

Sheri Latash (Greener Glenview co-founder), George Nassos of Glenview and Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews of Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church were on hand at the church to greet tour visitors at noon.

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Latash said buildings can be retrofitted, to make them more efficient or you can get them off natural gas so youll have less of those greenhouse gas emissions.

Having solar works to that goal.

Latash reported feeling, thrilled, that Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church is setting an example by using solar energy.

Im thrilled that theyre setting a standard, Latash said. There are a number of large buildings in Glenview that could be putting panels on the roof and doing the same thing, so we hope theyll be a role model.

From left, George Nassos of Glenview, Sheri Latash of Glenview and Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews of Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview (1401 Wagner Road) at the church during the Glenbrook Solar Tour on Sept. 30, 2023. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church installed its solar panels this past summer on the community center and gymnasium at a cost of $225,000, funded by donation money to a LLC.

With a tax credit, rebates and certificates, the solar installation will return a low to no cost energy opportunity to the church after several years with a three decade window of benefits post installation.

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With the churchs recent solar installation, 2023 was the first year Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church took part in the solar tour.

Rev. Andrews said, Its always good when were interacting with the community, so that, people know that were partnering with the community and doing our part to help save energy.

The churchs solar inventory has 283 panels (not on the dome sanctuary building facing Lake Avenue). The system has net-metering which reverses the electrical meter if the panels generate more electricity than the church consumes.

Nassos said, We need as much renewable energy, solar or wind, as possible to reduce the carbon emissions.

The more we produce from solar or wind, the less we are going to be emitting carbon and right now, were on track to really have major problems with climate change, Nassos said.

Some people think its not climate change, its climate crisis, Nassos added. Because were really going in the wrong direction.

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Learn more about the Solar Tour at https://www.illinoissolar.org/Illinois-Solar-Tour.

Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
Fashion and Jewellery Top the List of Best-Selling Items

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shopee Spotlights Local reveals that the top performing Shopee live stream sellers from each state across Malaysia sold 4.6 Million ringgit in goods in the last twelve months by hosting more than 2,300 streams*.

Lulu Waniey at Shopee Live

Half of the most active livestream sellers focused on fashion, evenly split between new and pre-loved apparel. Additionally, jewellery, perfume, and beauty products comprised a quarter of livestream sales.

Interestingly, the top four live stream sellers from Penang all sell jewellery, contributing to the Northern region boasting the highest sales from Shopee Live with 1.5 million ringgit in goods sold followed by the Central region at 1.2 million ringgit. The most active region is the East Coast with 30% of all streams coming from Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang sellers. All states except Johor have livestream sellers offering bundled and preloved goods.

Shopee Live sellers benefited from strong customer engagement and reach, demonstrating impressive growth. One such seller is Lulu Waniey, the owner of Lulu Resources from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, that offers Muslimah clothing**.

Before Shopee Live, Lulu operated in offline markets like Pasar Malam and Pasar Pagi. Some days, she could barely make RM100, facing constraints like renting a physical store and inconsistent market timings. She changed her own fortunes by embracing Shopee Live, which expanded her customer base, and boosted her sales significantly up to RM100,000 per month.

Lulu shared, "I am now 100% on Shopee Live. Having learned the ropes and gained confidence, I feel like I have my own large store, where customers eagerly await my broadcasts. What's more, I now have a better work-life balance, spending more quality time with my family. Running my business on Shopee Live has brought me not only joy but also fulfilment."

Meanwhile, Ooi Zhi Wei, owner of Zhi Wei Herb selling Grade-A nutritional herbs and nuts, was an early adopter of Shopee Live in 2019***. Zhi Wei embraced face-to-face interactions with customers, offered real-time product demonstrations, and ensured transparency on every live stream.

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Like Lulu Resources, Zhi Wei Herb saw immediate results. "My store performance improved markedly. Stronger relationships with my clients translated into higher store traffic. For instance, if we had 12,000 viewers during a session, approximately 70% of them would subsequently visit our Shopee store."

Notes to Editor:

Shopee Live: https://help.shopee.com.my/portal/article/78854-[Shopee-Live]-What-is-Shopee-Live

*Shopee Spotlights Local - Unveiling Malaysian Gems booklet features top performing live sellers in each state, by top number of livesteams and top sales generated in the last 12 months ended 31 July 2023:

https://sites.google.com/shopee.com/prnewsroom/home?pli=1

**Lulu Resources Shopee store: https://shopee.com.my/luluresources

***ZhiWei Herb Shopee store: https://shopee.com.my/ooizhiwei1171

About Shopee

Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia & Taiwan. Shopee promotes an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem by enabling businesses to digitalise and grow their online presence, helping more people access and benefit from digital services, and uplifting local communities.

Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region's digital economy with a firm commitment to helping homegrown brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce.

Shopee is part of Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), a leading global consumer internet company. Sea's mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology through its three core businesses: Shopee, Garena and SeaMoney.

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SOURCE Shopee Malaysia
Looking at Blue Label Telecoms Limited's (JSE:BLU ) insider transactions over the last year, we can see that insiders were net buyers. That is, there were more number of shares purchased by insiders than there were sold.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

Check out our latest analysis for Blue Label Telecoms

Blue Label Telecoms Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Co-Founder Mark Levy bought R3.8m worth of shares at a price of R2.85 per share. That implies that an insider found the current price of R2.97 per share to be enticing. Of course they may have changed their mind. But this suggests they are optimistic. 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 bought shares at close to current prices. Mark Levy was the only individual insider to buy during the last year.

The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Insider Ownership Of Blue Label Telecoms

Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. 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 35% of Blue Label Telecoms shares, worth about R906m. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders.

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So What Does This Data Suggest About Blue Label Telecoms Insiders?

It's certainly positive to see the recent insider purchase. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. Along with the high insider ownership, this analysis suggests that insiders are quite bullish about Blue Label Telecoms. That's what I like to see! In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing Blue Label Telecoms. To that end, you should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with Blue Label Telecoms (including 2 which make us uncomfortable).

But note: Blue Label Telecoms 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.
Ready to not only become rich but build financial security for life? Self-made millionaire and Automatic Millionaire author David Bach wrote on his blog that you can become rich if you pay yourself first and save one hour of your earned wages each day.

Check Out: 5 Ways To Elevate Your Finances Daily

Learn: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases

According to Bach, most Americans will work 90,000 hours over the course of their lifetime. They should be able to keep at least an hour a day of their income. Lets look at how the formula for the one hour savings rule works.

The Three Rules of Becoming an Automatic Millionaire

Technically, there are three rules for becoming an automatic millionaire. Bach outlines the three-step process as follows on YouTube:

Pay yourself first. Pay yourself first one hour a day of your income. Make it automatic.

When you pay yourself first, Bach said the first person who gets paid when you earn a dollar is you. As simple as this concept may sound, most people pay the U.S. government first instead of themselves.

Read: Money Expert Rachel Cruze Shares 8 Tips To Save Money Every Month

The One Hour Savings Rule

Bachs video breaks down the average eight-hour workday. A persons earned wages go to taxes, paying for rent or a mortgage, paying for transportation and everything else, which can include healthcare, food and credit card debt. After paying for all these expenses, most people dont have enough money left for savings.

In a year, Bach said the average American will work 1,960 hours. This equates to roughly 78,400 to 90,000 hours in their lifetime. Bach wants you to answer this question: How many of these hours will you keep to work for you?

The Millionaire Power Hour

Bach said he learned the millionaire power hour after his time as a financial advisor working with clients who became millionaires. These clients kept the first hours pay for the day to themselves: legally and without paying taxes.

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How did they do it? Bach said they signed up for their companys retirement plan. They opened an account, which could be a 401(k) or an IRA, and invested in this pay yourself first account automatically every day for life.

Bach cited a study about 401(k) participants and tens of thousands of 401(k) millionaires. According to the study, there were 72,000 millionaires in the plan. These millionaires saved 14%: roughly an hour a day of their income.

Best of all, you can follow in their footsteps whether you earn $10 or $100 an hour. The secret to succeeding, Bach said, is all in your mindset.

He uses the example of someone who saves $10 a day for 25 days a month. At 8% interest, this amount will be $539,089 in 35 years. In 45 years, it will be $1,209,173. If your company matches this amount, it will grow to be even bigger. Compound interest allows you to reach automatic millionaire status!

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The One Hour Savings Rule: David Bach Says Its the Only Proven, Easy Way To Get Rich
The Oostburg campus of Pine Haven Christian Communities, Tuesday, September 26, 2023, in Oostburg, Wis.

OOSTBURG  Village of Oostburg filed to appeal a property tax lawsuit to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals while a similar case remains pending in Sheboygan County Circuit Court.

Pine Haven Christian Home, Inc.'s three lawsuits against the village dispute the tax-exempt status of its Oostburg Duplexes, designated for independent senior living.

Pine Haven Christian Communities acquired about 3 acres in winter 2018 to expand its senior services, including independent living. There are eight duplexes, across two parcels of land, that amount to 15 apartment units and one business unit.

The organization established in Sheboygan Falls in 1950. It has three properties in Sheboygan Falls and added its first property in Oostburg, a 24-apartment main campus, in 2010 with a six-apartment addition two years later. About 230 residents live across Pine Haven properties.

Pine Haven received a tax bill of nearly $44,600 in January 2020 for duplex properties, which had a combined assessed value of about $1.9 million, according to the 2021 civil complaint.

The Sheboygan Falls campus of Pine Haven Christian Communities, Tuesday, September 26, 2023, in Sheboygan Falls, Wis.

The 2021 complaint said Pine Haven submitted a tax exemption request to the village in March 2020 and received a voicemail around April 30 that the request was granted. However, Pine Haven received a letter about a day later that it was denied. Pine Haven paid the tax bill. It then served Oostburg with a refund claim in January 2021. That was also denied.

Pine Haven sued the village that May, seeking a tax refund.

The complaint said the properties are exempt from taxes because they meet several criteria under state law, including being owned and operated by a religious association or nonprofit entity and used for retirement home purposes.

The properties are also on less than 30 acres of land and an individual dwelling's fair market value is less than 130% of the average equalized property value, the complaint stated, which are also necessary criteria.

Pine Haven's board was also composed of 18 church representatives from several municipalities, and its mission is to give the aging population we serve an environment that is a Christ-centered safe haven offering quality, compassionate care."

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Though duplex residents live separately from those at the main Oostburg campus  which has assisted, respite and hospice care  the complaint said they still have access to amenities and services at the main campus, like rehabilitation and meals. Pine Havens goal is a continuum of care, and duplex residents have preferential placement at other facilities, the complaint said.

Goodbye to 'Dark stores' theory: A state Supreme Court ruling could lead attorneys away from 'dark store' reasoning in pending Sheboygan lawsuits

The original lawsuit sought tax refunds for both complexes on Pine Drive and North 12th Street, but the refund for those on Pine Drive, closest to the main campus, were dismissed in April 2022. Four duplexes are on 12th Street.

Among the several tax exemption qualifications, a significant point of disagreement between Pine Haven and the village was whether the duplexes qualified as a retirement home for the aged.

Citing a definition used in the 1969 state court case, Milwaukee Protestant Home for the Aged v. City of Milwaukee, which dealt with tax exemption for a non-profit home for seniors, the defense argued retirement homes are for the retired person, places of congregant living where retirees go to live, expecting to pay the fees charged and to receive the usual incidents of group home living.

The defense said the four duplex buildings dont have interior common areas, lack support services in the buildings and have no 55-and-older age requirement.

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This February, Judge Angela Sutkiewicz granted a tax refund of about $25,170 and associated interest and legal fees be paid to Pine Haven for the 12th Street properties.

This narrow and antiquated definition of a retirement home for aged does not take into consideration the current practice of the continuum of care, Sutkiewicz said in the ruling.

Sutkiewicz agreed with the plaintiffs points that residents receive preferential consideration and have close access to services and amenities at the main campus. Seniors living in the duplexes are considered part of the larger Pine Haven community. She added the 1969 court recognized retirement homes evolved from traditional nursing homes. That court ruled in favor of the Milwaukee Protestant Home for the Aged having tax-exempt status.

Local co-op grocer closing: Sheboygan's Goodside Grocery Co-Op to close after nearly 13 years. Here's what to know.

Pine Haven also met the fair market value requirement, as each individual dwelling was assessed at $124,000 in January 2020, which was less than 130% of the average equalized property value for the county at $238,076, according to the complaint.

The statute refers to the fair market value as determined by the assessor, not the appraiser, Sutkiewicz said. Its not reasonable to conclude that the village assessor valued individual dwelling units for tax purposes, but that the values dont apply in determining if the property is exempt.

Pine Haven filed two more tax-exempt lawsuits as the first went through the judicial process, seeking about $50,775 in combined refunds for taxes paid to the village for the 12th Street properties in 2022 and 2023. Pine Haven voluntarily dismissed the 2022 lawsuit.

The village appealed Sutkiewiczs decision in May. There is no timeline for the appeal review yet. The 2023 case is pending, following the appeal decision.

Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @alexx_garner.

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Oostburg appeals Pine Haven Christian Communities tax refund case
Unraveling the Dividend History, Yield, and Sustainability of Physicians Realty Trust

Physicians Realty Trust (NYSE:DOC) recently announced a dividend of $0.23 per share, payable on 2023-10-17, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-10-02. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's deep dive into Physicians Realty Trust's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

Understanding Physicians Realty Trust

Physicians Realty Trust is a company belonging to the United States healthcare sector. It acquires, develops, and leases healthcare properties to physicians, hospitals, and healthcare delivery systems. Its portfolio includes medical office buildings, outpatient treatment and diagnostic facilities, physician group practice clinics, ambulatory surgery centres, and specialty hospitals. The company also alternatively invests in life science facilities, senior housing properties, skilled nursing facilities, and treatment centers.

Physicians Realty Trust (DOC): A Deep Dive into the Dividend Performance

Tracing Physicians Realty Trust's Dividend History

Physicians Realty Trust has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2013. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Physicians Realty Trust (DOC): A Deep Dive into the Dividend Performance

Assessing Physicians Realty Trust's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Physicians Realty Trust currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 7.55% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 7.55%. This suggests an expectation of same dividend payments over the next 12 months. Physicians Realty Trust's dividend yield of 7.55% is near a 10-year high and outperforms than 56 of global competitors in the REITs industry, suggesting that the company's dividend yield stands out as an attractive proposition for income investors.

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Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 0.10% per year. Based on Physicians Realty Trust's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Physicians Realty Trust stock as of today is approximately 7.55%.

Physicians Realty Trust (DOC): A Deep Dive into the Dividend Performance

Evaluating the Sustainability of Physicians Realty Trust's Dividend

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-06-30, Physicians Realty Trust's dividend payout ratio is 2.14, which may suggest that the company's dividend may not be sustainable.

Physicians Realty Trust's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Physicians Realty Trust's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2023-06-30, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported net profit in 8 years out of the past 10 years.

Looking into Physicians Realty Trust's Growth Metrics

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Physicians Realty Trust's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Physicians Realty Trust's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Physicians Realty Trust's revenue has increased by approximately 0.50% per year on average, a rate that underperforms than approximately 53.57% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Physicians Realty Trust's earnings increased by approximately 5.70% per year on average, a rate that underperforms than approximately 45.34% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 12.30%, which underperforms than approximately 29.51% of global competitors.

Conclusion

Physicians Realty Trust's consistent dividend history, attractive yield, and robust profitability rank make it a compelling consideration for income investors. However, its high payout ratio and relative underperformance in growth metrics compared to global competitors signal caution. Therefore, investors should carefully evaluate these factors before making investment decisions. GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Police fined a car owner after a speed camera appeared to show a dog behind the wheel

The image caught by a speed camera appearing to show a dog at the wheel of a Skoda. Policia Slovenskej republiky / Facebook

A photograph taken by a speed camera in Slovakia appeared to show a dog behind the wheel of a car.

Police said the vehicle owner claimed that his dog had suddenly jumped onto his lap.

Officers found no evidence to support his claim and issued him with a fine.

Police in Slovakia have fined the owner of a car after a speed camera appeared to show a dog behind the wheel.

The vehicle was traveling 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) and hour over the speed limit in the village of Sterusy, in western Slovakia.

The image captured by a speed camera appears to show only a dog in the driver's seat.

Slovakian police said in a post on Facebook on Friday that the image showed a brown dog "sitting obediently behind the wheel of a Skoda," per an English translation.

A 31-year-old man, who was actually driving the vehicle, claimed that his dog had suddenly leapt onto his lap, according to the police.

However, officers said in the post that there hadn't been any sudden movement in the car and they fined the man for violating traffic regulations. It's not clear how much he was fined.

Police did seem to see the funny side of the incident, though, with a mock conversation with the dog about speeding that may sound better in the original Slovak than an English online translation.

Police urged drivers to properly secure all pets when travelling, as even small animals can endanger vehicle safety.

US researchers found that drivers who didn't restrain their dogs in cars were considerably more likely to lose concentration as a result of their pet's behaviour, according to a 2019 Volvo Car USA study.

It found the number of "unsafe driving behaviours" that diverted a driver's attention away from the road ahead rose 137%, from 274 to 649, when dogs were not properly secured in cars.

Slovakian police did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
It is usually uneventful when a single insider buys stock. However, When quite a few insiders buy shares, as it happened in G8 Education Limited's (ASX:GEM) case, it's fantastic news for shareholders.

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.

See our latest analysis for G8 Education

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At G8 Education

The CEO, MD & Director Pejman Okhovat made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for AU$108k worth of shares at a price of AU$1.08 each. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being AU$1.07). It's very possible they regret the purchase, but it's more likely they are bullish about the company. We always take careful note of the price insiders pay when purchasing shares. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock if insiders have bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price.

G8 Education insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Insiders At G8 Education Have Bought Stock Recently

It's good to see that G8 Education insiders have made notable investments in the company's shares. Not only was there no selling that we can see, but they collectively bought AU$123k worth of shares. That shows some optimism about the company's future.

Insider Ownership

I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Our data isn't picking up on much insider ownership at G8 Education, though insiders do hold about AU$985k worth of shares. We might be missing something but that seems like very low insider ownership.

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What Might The Insider Transactions At G8 Education Tell Us?

It's certainly positive to see the recent insider purchases. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. We would certainly prefer see higher levels of insider ownership but analysis of the insider transactions suggests that G8 Education insiders are expecting a bright 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. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for G8 Education 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.




The Royal Bank of Canada paid $5 billion in 2015 to buy Los Angeles-based City National Bank, which reported a $38 million loss in the second quarter of this year. Credit: Bloomberg/Adobe Stock

The Royal Bank of Canada, which owns Los Angeles-based City National Bank, has made a series of intracompany transactions that should bolster the profitability of its struggling U.S. subsidiary .

The transactions centered around debt securities previously owned by City National , which have lost value as a result of rising long-term bond yields.

On a percentage basis, City National had the fourth-highest average unrealized securities losses among U.S. banks with at least $50 billion of assets, according to a six-quarter data analysis from KBRA Financial Intelligence.

Toronto-based RBC announced the transactions on Friday. It said that City National has sold certain debt securities, resulting in realized losses that will be eliminated at the Royal Bank of Canada consolidated level.

In turn, City National has reinvested most of the proceeds from the sale into new securities for its liquidity and investment portfolio. Those purchases are expected to lift City National's net interest margin.

RBC also said that a capital injection has been made into City National, which has bolstered the U.S. subsidiary's capital and liquidity position. The capital is also being used to pay down higher-cost borrowings, RBC said.

"This is part of management's actions that RBC is taking on the path to improving profitability at City National," said Gillian McArdle, an RBC spokesperson.

The bank plans to provide more details in its upcoming call report for the three-month period that ended on Sept. 30.

The announcement of the transactions follows a significant increase in long-term bond yields, which likely magnified City National's unrealized losses, according to Nigel D'Souza, an analyst at Veritas Investment Research.

But it's not clear why Royal Bank of Canada decided to crystallize the losses, D'Souza wrote in a research note. Because deposit balances at City National have stayed relatively stable, the sale likely was not the result of liquidity needs, he wrote.

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City National, which was run independently before RBC bought it in 2015 for more than $5 billion, reported a $38 million loss in the second quarter of this year.

The $94.6 billion-asset bank has been hurt by rising funding costs, as well as pressure to reduce its lending capacity in an effort to conserve capital and liquidity, RBC executives said in August.

Rising expenses have also been a problem, and City National has been facing pressure to cut its costs substantially. Last month, City National announced that Greg Carmichael, the former CEO of Fifth Third Bancorp, would become the executive chair of its board of directors, reporting directly to RBC Chief Executive Dave McKay.
David Gyung / Getty Images/iStockphoto

While Millennials have expressed more concern over climate risk impacting their purchasing power, its a good time for Gen Z to keep an eye on rising insurance costs as they consider their home-buying strategy.

Housing Market 2023: The 10 Most Overpriced Housing Markets in the US  5 Are in Florida

Discover: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

According to Insider, insurance companies are revising their approaches due to the frequency and severity of natural disasters.

If youre not worried, youre not paying attention, Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Calif.) told the Associated Press.

One report from First Street Foundation, a New York-based nonprofit that looks at the financial impact of the climate crisis, found that certain states like Florida, California and Louisiana are likely to see the highest rise in premiums due to damaging storms, wildfires and flooding.

Some places may be impacted very minimally, but other places could see massive increases in insurance premiums in the coming years, said Jeremy Porter, head of climate implications at First Street and a co-author of the report.

Some instances of events that may lead to increased insurance expenses for homeowners in different states include the wildfire that ravaged the Hawaiian community of Lahaina in August.

(Climate change) is a problem that is already here, noted Todd Bevington, a managing director at the insurance broker VIU by HUB. Hes been in the insurance industry for the last 30 years and says hes never seen the market turn this quickly or significantly.

Im a Real Estate Agent: 12 Costly Red Flags I Look for During a Home Inspection

While home insurance used to be an afterthought when purchasing a new home, Gen Z should note how these rising costs will significantly impact their monthly and annual expenses as a homeowner.

Considering the long-term implications of climate change on insurance can help them determine the location for a home purchase. By taking insurance costs into account alongside other expenses like mortgage payments, property taxes, and maintenance  young Gen Z buyers can make informed choices that align with their long-term financial goals.

Story continues

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Real Estate: Why Gen Z Should Factor Rising Insurance Costs Into Their Home Buying Strategy
A Wadsworth man was killed over the weekend when his pickup truck drifted into an oncoming lane of traffic before colliding head-on with a semi, according to the Lake County sheriffs office.

The collision happened at 9:20 a.m. Saturday near the Illinois Route 43 and Muir Avenue intersection, near Lake Bluff, police said.

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The 36-year-old man was heading south on Route 43 when his Toyota Tacoma pickup entered the oncoming lane and struck a northbound Mack truck that was hauling a loaded trailer, according to police.

The semi driver was unable to avoid the pickup and they collided head-on. Both vehicles rolled after impact.

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The Toyota driver was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released. The Mack truck driver was not injured.
Transparency Market Research

The use of IoT and emerging technologies to provide remote monitoring will increase market potential. A rising geriatric population and demand for home healthcare will lead to a rise in remote monitoring devices

Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. - The remote patient monitoring devices market is predicted to reach US$ 3.4 billion by 2030 . Remote patient monitoring devices market sales are expected to increase at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2020 to 2030.



Both healthcare professionals and patients have benefited from remote patient monitoring. By reducing the risk of disease transmission, reducing the burden on hospital resources, making patient data more accessible, and lowering costs, healthcare providers can save money. COVID-19 has led to an increase in remote patient monitoring, and this trend is anticipated to continue at a higher rate. In recent years, telehealth has become a popular option for monitoring health issues from home.

Request Sample of the Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=401

With NCDs and chronic diseases like cancer on the rise, remote patient monitoring has become increasingly important. Heart disease kills approximately 660,000 Americans annually, while stroke kills around 140,000 Americans annually according to the NICHD. With the increasing number of chronically ill patients, the need for remote monitoring has enhanced, causing a positive shift in market trends for devices that monitor patients remotely.

Key Findings of the Market Report

The prevalence of asthma has increased in recent years due to rising environmental degradation and air pollution. Thus, the market is driven by products such as respiratory rate monitors in the market.

Diabetes and cancer patients are becoming more prevalent in the market, which is increasing demand for these devices at home.

With the growth of homecare services and busy lifestyles, the home segment is expected to grow in demand for remote patient monitoring devices.

With growing concerns over weight loss and weight management among consumers demand for remote monitoring devices is expected to grow in the market.

Government regulations and funding will further expand demand for these devices on the market.



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Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market: Growth Drivers

Remote patient monitoring has become increasingly popular and convenient as telehealth grows in popularity and convenience. As medical technologies become more advanced and patients and providers become aware of telehealth, market demand for these devices will increase. Research and development activities will further drive market demand for these devices.

In the long run, the ability to monitor serious complications at different locations and prevent them will help grow the global market for this product.

The growing demand for these devices in rural areas will result in fewer hospitalizations and more satisfactory health outcomes for patients. Growing digitization and Industry 4.0 are expected to expand the market in the near future.

With the increasing use of smartphones and the internet, these devices are expected to grow in popularity. A rising awareness among consumers and the availability of self-care devices on the market is driving demand for these devices.

Further, FDA approvals and easy maintenance will provide a significant boost to growth in the market for these devices. Increasing innovation and technologies will expand the market in the years to come.



Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market: Regional Landscape

North America is expected to hold the largest share of the remote patient monitoring device market. In addition to growing investments and demand for high-end healthcare devices, manufacturers are expected to increase production of these devices as well. The ageing population and rising demand for home patient monitoring facilities are set to expand the market in the next few years.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow fastest for remote patient monitoring devices. In addition, more advanced technology has been invested in and new products have been introduced to improve patient care. Increasing disposable incomes and an increase in interest in home healthcare are expected to lead to an increase in demand for these products.

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Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market: Key Players



Several leading players dominate the global market for remote patient monitoring devices, while several small players dominate regional markets. In the global remote patient monitoring devices market, the top players hold the majority of the market share.

Some of the prominent players in the global remote patient monitoring devices market include

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

GE Healthcare

Boston Scientific Corporation

Omron Healthcare

Medtronic Plc.

Welch Allyn

Abbott Laboratories

Masimo Corporation

Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.

Key Developments

In September 2023, Tenovi , a leading provider of remote patient monitoring software solutions and devices, today announced Jay Lenick's appointment as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), marking an important milestone for the company as it continues to grow.

In September 2023, UTMHealthcare, one of the leading mobile health technology companies, announced that the solution for remote patient monitoring (RPM) has been enhanced to provide seamless and reliable data sharing across healthcare settings, thus facilitating seamless integration with electronic health records (EHRs).

Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market: Segmentation

By Product

Vital Sign Monitors Heart Rate Monitors (ECG) Blood Pressure Monitors Respiratory Rate Monitors Brain Monitoring (EEG) Temperature Monitors Pulse Oximeters Others

Special Monitors Blood Glucose Monitors Fetal Heart Monitors Multi-Parameter Monitors (MPM) Anesthesia Monitors Prothrombin Monitors Others





By Application

Cardiovascular Diseases

Diabetes

Cancer

Hypertension

Infections

Bronchitis

Dehydration

Sleep Disorder

Weight Management & Fitness Monitoring

Others

By End User

Hospital-based Patients

Homecare

Ambulatory Patients

Others

By Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa



Place an Order Copy of Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market Report at: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=401<ype=S

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and consulting services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques to gather and analyses information.

Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

Contact:

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Transparency Market Research Inc.

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Retail Business Services LLC

Hundreds of RBS Associates Joined Together for a One-Day, Food-Focused Volunteer Effort; More Than $35,000 in Cash and Product Provided to Hunger-Relief Organizations

Maryland Food Bank

RBS associates volunteered with several local non-profits for the RBS Cares Fall Day of Service

Project Share

RBS associates volunteered with several local non-profits for the RBS Cares Fall Day of Service

Rowan Helping Ministries

RBS associates volunteered with several local non-profits for the RBS Cares Fall Day of Service

Packing Winter Outreach Bags

RBS associates in Carlisle, PA packed and donated 250 winter outreach bags for neighbors in need

Harrisburg Area Food Pantry

RBS associates volunteered with several local non-profits for the RBS Cares Fall Day of Service

QUINCY, Mass., Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A fitting finish to Hunger Action Month, Retail Business Services (RBS), the services company of leading grocery retail group Ahold Delhaize USA, hosted its annual Fall Day of Service this past Friday, Sept. 29. Hundreds of RBS associates across the companys seven campuses took part in a one-day, food-focused volunteer effort that supported 18 local hunger-relief organizations. In addition to the volunteer hours, RBS also donated more than $35,000 in cash and products to these organizations, furthering the fight against hunger.

Retail Business Services annual Fall Day of Service is part of the companys RBS Cares program, which recognizes the importance of serving local communities where associates live and work. Some of the beneficiaries across the companys East Coast and Chicago markets included the Salvation Army in both Carlisle, Pa., and Quincy, Mass.; Harvest Hope Food Bank in Mauldin, S.C.; Maryland Food Bank in Landover, Md.; Rowan Helping Ministries in Salisbury, N.C.; and Preble Street Food Security in Scarborough, Maine.

Retail Business Services also offered two in-office opportunities this year for associates with tighter schedules. In Carlisle, associates packed personal hygiene kits to benefit clients of Big Spring Area Food Bank, and in Quincy, associates packed winter outreach bags to support the Pine Street Inn Homeless Shelter.

As the service and support arm for the local brands of Ahold Delhaize USA, we know the importance of having access to food, said Roger Wheeler, President of Retail Business Services. Im grateful for our RBS associates who stepped up to help our local nonprofit partners last Friday, helping to fight hunger in the communities where we live and work.

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In addition to the more than 750 hours spent assisting with various hunger-relief efforts, Retail Business Services also donated more than $35,000 in cash and resources to its 18 nonprofit partners.



About Retail Business Services

Retail Business Services is the services company of leading grocery retail group Ahold Delhaize USA, currently providing services to five omnichannel grocery brands: Food Lion, Giant Food, The GIANT Company, Hannaford and Stop & Shop. Retail Business Services leverages the scale of the local brands to drive synergies and provides industry-leading expertise, insights and analytics to local brands to support their strategies with services that include Business Integrity Services (Legal, Risk Management, Quality Assurance), Business Services (HR Technology Systems and Process Management), Communications, Omnichannel Service, Finance Business Services, Financial Planning and Analysis, Human Resources, Indirect Sourcing, Procurement, Information Technology, Pharmacy Services, Store Development, Leasing, Facilities Support, and Strategy and Business Development. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we foster a community of belonging where everyone is valued. For more information, visit www.retailbusinessservices.com .

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c6148b42-af6d-4e43-b0c4-47523c091764

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b5c2b109-0195-4b64-8b7b-577c34fcc633

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CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACTS: Christy Phillips-Brown 704-310-2221 Erin DeWaters 704-310-3884




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Retirement planning is inherently difficult for Americans. More than half of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, making it hard to find extra money to sock away. It can also be mentally tough for many to deny current consumption in favor of long-term savings that may not be accessible for 30 years or more.

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Learn: The Simple, Effective Way To Fortify Your Retirement Mix

This is why its so important to take advantage of whatever tools you can to get you to save and invest in the most efficient manner possible. An IRA is one of the best retirement savings tools investors can take advantage of, but data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation by the U.S. Census Bureau shows only 18% of Americans use one. What does this statistic mean for retirement savers, and does it tell the whole picture? Read on to learn more.

What Are the Pros and Cons of IRAs?

Taxpayers not covered by a retirement plan at work can usually get a tax deduction for their contributions to a traditional IRA. For 2023, contributions are limited to $6,500, or $7,500 for those 50 and older. Both contributions and earnings grow tax-deferred until withdrawn, at which point they become fully taxable. However, the tax deduction and the tax deferral generally make IRAs a better overall option than an ordinary, taxable investment account.

The biggest drawback to an IRA is that with few exceptions, you cant withdraw your money from an IRA until you turn 59  without paying both taxes and a 10% early distribution penalty. However, this can actually work to your advantage. As its difficult  and costly  to take your money out of an IRA, youre more likely to keep it invested for the long run.

Given the advantages, its surprising that only 18% of Americans are taking advantage of this great retirement planning tool. But there may be more going on behind that headline number.

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Find Out: Most Americans Plan to Spend Less Than $2,000 a Month in Retirement  Are They Being Realistic?

Are Americans Using Other Types of Retirement Plans Instead?

The 82% of Americans that arent using an IRA arent simply abandoning their retirement savings. Although some are, the truth is that most Americans prefer using a 401(k) plan instead when they have access to one.

According to the Census Bureau survey, 34.6% of Americans are actually using a 401(k) plan. As you cant make tax-deductible contributions to an IRA if you are covered by a 401(k) plan, this may help explain the low 18% participation rate in IRAs. Of note, according to the survey, 13.6% of Americans also reported that they participate in a defined benefit or cash balance plan.

What Is the Current State of Retirement Savings in America?

The good news is that when taken all together, Americans have a decent participation rate when it comes to retirement savings plans. However, this shouldnt obscure the fact that when it comes to actual plan balances, Americans in aggregate are still falling short.

A 2023 Gallup poll, for example, shows that only 43% of non-retired adults anticipate being financially comfortable after they retire. The same poll shows that 71% of non-retired adults are at least moderately worried about their finances in retirement, while 42% are very worried.

With the average Social Security retirement benefit at just $1,840.27, those looking to live off more than $22,000 per year will need some type of nest egg to help fund their retirement.

Whats a Good Way To Get Started?

The first step in developing a retirement planning strategy is to dedicate yourself to a lifelong pattern of consistent savings. Regardless of where the money goes, get in the habit of setting aside 10% to 20% of your paycheck towards your investments before you use that money to pay for anything else, even your bills. Then, learn to live off the remainder of your paycheck every month.

Choosing where that money goes is the next important step. If you can participate in an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan, that is often your best bet. In addition to contributing pre-tax money to your account, your employer will likely match a certain percentage of what you put in, which essentially amounts to free money. If youre not covered by a plan at work, an IRA is likely your next-best option. Youll benefit from the same tax advantages and may even have more investment options, but you wont be entitled to any type of employer match.

Regardless of how you do it, the bottom line is that saving and investing  as much as you can, as often as you can, as early as you can  is the cornerstone of building a significant retirement nest egg. But dont overlook the powerful tools you may have access to, such as an IRA or 401(k) plan, to help you reach your goals.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Retirement Planning: Most People Are Missing Out on a Helpful Tool
There are a few key trends to look for if we want to identify the next multi-bagger. One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing 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. Speaking of which, we noticed some great changes in Tiong Woon Corporation Holding's (SGX:BQM) returns on capital, so let's have a look.

Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)

If you haven't worked with ROCE before, it measures the 'return' (pre-tax profit) a company generates from capital employed in its business. The formula for this calculation on Tiong Woon Corporation Holding is:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.046 = S$19m  (S$492m - S$67m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023).

Thus, Tiong Woon Corporation Holding has an ROCE of 4.6%. Ultimately, that's a low return and it under-performs the Commercial Services industry average of 6.5%.

View our latest analysis for Tiong Woon Corporation Holding

roce

Historical performance is a great place to start when researching a stock so above you can see the gauge for Tiong Woon Corporation Holding's ROCE against it's prior returns. If you're interested in investigating Tiong Woon Corporation Holding's past further, check out this free graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What Does the ROCE Trend For Tiong Woon Corporation Holding Tell Us?

While the ROCE isn't as high as some other companies out there, it's great to see it's on the up. Looking at the data, we can see that even though capital employed in the business has remained relatively flat, the ROCE generated has risen by 632% over the last five years. Basically the business is generating higher returns from the same amount of capital and that is proof that there are improvements in the company's efficiencies. On that front, things are looking good so it's worth exploring what management has said about growth plans going forward.

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In Conclusion...

To sum it up, Tiong Woon Corporation Holding is collecting higher returns from the same amount of capital, and that's impressive. Since the stock has returned a solid 67% to shareholders over the last five years, it's fair to say investors are beginning to recognize these changes. So given the stock has proven it has promising trends, it's worth researching the company further to see if these trends are likely to persist.

On a final note, we've found 1 warning sign for Tiong Woon Corporation Holding that we think you should be aware of.

If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, October 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In the presence of the Saudi Fund for Development Board of Directors Chairman, H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the SFD Chief Executive Officer, signed today in Riyadh, two development loan agreements worth a total of $140 million USD to support infrastructure development with the governments of The Bahamas and the Republic of Mauritius. The CEO also signed a letter of intent with the Republic of San Marino to explore potential cooperation in the economic, cultural, and transportation sectors. The agreements and letter of intent signed at World Tourism Day 2023, hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002466217/en/

In the presence of the SFD Board of Directors Chairman, H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the SFD CEO, H.E. Sultan Al-Marshad signing a letter of intern agreement, with the Republic of San Marino (Photo: AETOSWire)

The first development loan agreement, worth $70 million USD, was signed with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation of The Bahamas, Hon. Isaac Chester, to fund the Family Islands Airports Renaissance Project, which aims to develop and raise the capabilities of airports in the Exuma Islands and increase the number of visitors to the airports from 237,000 to 285,000 visitors annually.

The second development loan agreement, worth $70 million USD, was signed with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Mauritius, Hon. Louis Steven Obeegadoo, to fund the "Construction of Riviere des Anguilles Dam Project". This project will protect the natural environment from floodings, and provide a reliable source of water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use.

The letter of intent was signed with the Minister of Tourism of the Republic of San Marino, Hon. Federico Pedini Amati will enable the government and SFD to explore potential infrastructure development cooperation in the economic, cultural and transportation sectors. This signifies the beginning of a new development relationship between SFD and San Marino.

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These latest development agreements were signed as part of the SFD's commitment to support sustainable development in developing countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) around the world. They will also contribute towards the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 6, Clean water and sanitation, SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 9, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

In line with its mission to promote global sustainable development, SFD has funded more than 700 development projects worth US$18.7 billion in over 90 countries around world.

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002466217/en/

Contacts

Randah Alhothali

Director General: Corporate Communications

Email: ralhothali@sfd.gov.sa
designer491 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

As with other facets of life in the United States, theres a wide disparity between racial/ethnic groups when it comes to disabilities and disability benefits. Research conducted last decade by the National Disability Institute found that Black Americans are the most likely ethnic group to have a disability at 14% of the group population, followed by non-Hispanic whites (11%), Latinos (8%) and Asians (5%).

Discover: Dont Claim Social Security Benefits Until You Reach This Milestone

Learn: The Simple, Effective Way To Fortify Your Retirement Mix

This disparity increases with age, with 30% of Blacks ages 61-65 suffering from some kind of disability vs. 20% of Non-Hispanic Whites.

About 2.5 million working-age Black adults in the United States have a disability, according to a 2022 report from the U.S. Department of Labor. Many qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits but many also face obstacles in getting those benefits, experts say.

Marginalized populations, especially Black Americans with disabilities, have historically faced structural and systemic barriers that hinder their abilities to navigate complex systems in this country, Pam Shlemon, executive director of the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC), told GOBankingRates in an email. Black people are also more likely to have a disability than other races, and disabled individuals typically have a difficult time finding employment.

Her organization credentials graduate-level certified rehabilitation counselors (CRCs), whose work involves helping disabled Americans become self-sufficient. Part of their job is to find out what hurdles certain racial groups must overcome to access benefits and job opportunities.

According to Labor Department data cited by Shlemon, the jobless rate for Black disabled Americans (12.3%) is nearly double that of their white counterparts (6.6%). This disparity contributes to the difficulty Black disabled Americans have getting SSDI and other benefits.

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In order to qualify for disability benefits, you need to prove that you are unable to work, but you also need proof of previous employment, Shlemon said. You cant really win in this situation.

SSDI benefits are available to working Americans who meet the following criteria, according to the Social Security Administration:

You must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security.

You must have a medical condition that meets Social Securitys definition of disability.

Monthly benefits are typically paid to those who cannot work for a year or more because of a disability. Benefits usually continue until they can work again on a regular basis. Work incentives are also available that provide continued benefits and healthcare coverage to help them make the transition back to work.

When it comes to SSDI and similar benefits, Black disabled Americans face intersectional discrimination and biases that people dont really know about or understand, Shlemon said. This makes it more difficult for them to navigate the process of applying for and receiving benefits.

But there are things they can do to ease the process. One step Shlemon recommends is to contact disability advocacy organizations to build a support system.

By having that community, Black disabled Americans are further exposed to stories, resources, and news about disability that they might otherwise not be aware of, Shlemon said.

Beyond that, the most actionable step to overcoming obstacles is to better understand your disability.

Unless you fully understand your disability, you dont really know what accommodations and programs you qualify for, Shlemon said. This is why its important to consult a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor  who is often employed at state vocational rehabilitation agencies  about these kinds of challenges.

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CRCs are trained to help disabled Americans learn more about SSDI and other benefits, which can streamline the process. In addition, CRCs help connect Black disabled Americans to other resources in their communities.

Finally, Shlemon recommends researching how to fast-track an SSDI request and apply for an appeal in case you are turned down. For example, the SSA offers a Compassionate Allowance program that can reduce waiting times for certain disability determinations, she said.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Social Security: 2.5 Million Black Americans Might Qualify for SSDI  How To Get It Despite Obstacles
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Whether you're 20 years old or 10 years away from retirement, it's important to plan how you're going to supplement your income and spend your money during your golden years. For many soon-to-be retirees, this means making a plan for their Social Security checks.

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Americans 65 and older spend an average of about $4,345 monthly on things like healthcare, rent and groceries. But the average monthly Social Security benefit for retired workers is $1,837.29. If you plan to rely on Social Security alone, you'll quickly realize that this amount probably isn't enough to fully fund your retirement lifestyle.

Still, you don't want to blow through your Social Security check. That's why it's important to carefully budget and spend your benefits wisely. Keep reading to learn more about what you should do with your Social Security check.

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Defer It

Even if you've just turned 62 and qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, it's important to keep in mind that you don't have to take them right away. In fact, for some people, waiting as much as an additional eight years is a smart financial move.

Why would anyone wait to receive benefits they're entitled to? In a word: money. The longer you wait, the bigger your monthly payment. For those born in 1943 or later, Social Security checks increase by 8% per year for every year of deferral after age 62, up until age 70.

If you don't need the money right away and have other income or savings to live on, do the math and see if waiting longer to draw your checks makes sense.

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Verify Your Income Record

Your Social Security payout is based on your highest 35 years of earnings, as recorded by the Social Security Administration. Because any record can have errors or gaps, you should verify your Social Security income record before you file for benefits. If the Social Security Administration is missing one or two of your highest-earning years, for example, your benefit could be permanently reduced by a significant amount.

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To verify your Social Security record, create an account. This is where you can see your earnings record and other important information, such as your estimated future retirement, disability and survivors benefits. If you find any mistakes, you can contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

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Create a Monthly Budget for Your Social Security Check

The first thing retirees should do with their Social Security check is confirm they received the correct amount, said Kimberly Foss, certified financial planner and founder of Empyrion Wealth Management. After you confirm that your payment is accurate, it's time to budget it properly.

Bill Kearney, owner of Integrated Financial Concepts, recommends creating a spending plan before spending your Social Security checks. Here's how:

Assess your expected monthly costs, including rent or mortgage payments, food, healthcare, debt and other living expenses. Tally expected income and where the income will come from. Match up your expenses with your expected income sources. In other words, figure out what your Social Security payments cover vs. your pension or withdrawals from retirement accounts.

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Keep Your Income in Check

If you want to maximize your Social Security benefits, you'll have to keep an eye on your outside earnings. For 2023, if you're younger than full retirement age, your Social Security benefit will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above $21,240. After you hit full retirement age, there are no Social Security benefit reductions.

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Prioritize Your Basic Needs

Next, it's time to allocate your Social Security benefits. Leonard Hayduchok, CEO and president of Dedicated Financial Services, suggests treating your Social Security check as you would a paycheck. Use the benefits to pay for regularly occurring expenses, such as housing costs and groceries.

People 65 and older spend an average of the following amounts on food and related housing expenses a month:

Housing: $1,572

Transportation: $596

Healthcare: $585

Food: $540

You should try to allocate about 60% to 70% of your annual Social Security benefits to pay for these expenses, though that won't be possible for many retirees.

Still, it's a good idea to dedicate as much as you can to food and housing. After all, these are your basic needs -- without them, you won't live well. Just keep in mind that once you've used your check to cover these basic expenses, you'll likely need to dip into your additional income sources to cover other costs.

Retirees whose food and housing costs are greater than their Social Security checks should look for ways to cut back on these expenses. For example, one option might be to move to a city where you can live comfortably off Social Security.

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Use Your Social Security Checks To Cover Healthcare Expenses

After budgeting to cover your basic needs, you should next pay for your medical expenses. Let's assume that you'll spend close to the national healthcare cost average for Americans 65 and older, which is estimated at $7,020 per year. If you spend close to this amount, it's wise to dedicate the remainder of your check toward this expense.

But it's also important to plan for rising healthcare costs that your Social Security checks likely won't cover.

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Put What You Have Left in Your Savings

After you've paid for necessities and healthcare, you might only be left with a few hundred dollars a year if you get the average retirement benefit. So what should you do with that leftover cash?

Edwin Cruz, owner of Prosperity Financial Group, tells his clients to set aside 10% to 20% of their Social Security checks to cover the unexpected. He also recommends adjusting this amount over time until the retiree has six to nine months of living expenses built up.

Following this strategy -- and assuming you get the average retirement benefit -- you should aim to save about $2,000 each year until you reach your six to nine months' worth of emergency savings. But since you've already used your Social Security checks to cover other high-priority expenses, you'll likely need to tap into other income sources to build an emergency fund.

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Don't Forget To Claim for Your Children

If you claim retirement, disability or survivors benefits and have dependent children, you can file a claim for them, as well. A qualifying child can receive up to 50% of a parent's full retirement or disability benefit and up to 75% of a deceased parent's benefit. However, there's a limit to the amount of money that can be paid to a family, with the maximum amount determined as part of every Social Security benefit computation.

To qualify, a child must be either younger than age 18, age 18-19 and a full-time student in grade 12 or lower, or 18 or older with a disability that began before age 18. Although this is not technically your Social Security benefit, it's still an SSA payment that can help your family make ends meet.

Check Out: Don't Claim Social Security Benefits Until You Reach This Milestone

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Other Expenses Your Social Security Benefits Likely Won't Cover

Retirees must be mindful of how they allocate their retirement spending to make sure they can cover everything. In addition to basic necessities, healthcare and savings, there will likely be other expenses that your Social Security benefits might not be large enough to cover. This will be especially important to remember if benefits get cut in the future.

For example, you'll still have to pay taxes in retirement. Depending on your financial situation, you might have to pay taxes on your Social Security benefits, which can make it even harder to cover retirement expenses. You'll also need to make a plan for transportation costs and any vacations you want to take.

Although Social Security might not be enough to fund every aspect of your retirement, you can still find ways to lower your expenses and generate income. By doing so, you'll improve your chances of enjoying a comfortable retirement.

Laura Beck and Barbara Friedberg contributed to the reporting for this article.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Social Security: Whats the First Thing You Should Do With Your Check?
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In an unexpected turn of events, residents of Illinois are in for a welcome surprise as unclaimed property checks worth up to $5,000 are making their way to their rightful owners thanks to the Illinois State Unclaimed Property Program. Unclaimed property refers to funds and assets held by the state that belong to individuals but have not yet been claimed.

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Why Will Some People Receive Checks From The Illinois State Treasurers Unclaimed Property Program?

Illinois is set to distribute unclaimed property checks, sometimes referred to as unclaimed property refunds, to eligible residents. This initiative aims to reunite residents with funds and assets that have remained dormant or forgotten over the years. 5 On Your Side reported that more than 66,000 people could automatically be eligible to receive up to $5,000 each (a total of roughly $47 million) just by checking their mail.

Its explained that Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs worked with the Illinois General Assembly to create some changes within the Money Match program, making it easier to automatically return money to people without the need to file a claim. Lawmakers agreed to raise the automatic payment cap to $5,000, which used to be $2,000.

All they have to do is endorse it and cash the check, Frerichs said. Weve tried to make it very easy to remove excuses that people have had to put more money into our economy.

Who Is Eligible for The Illinois Unclaimed Property Program Stimulus Checks?

The eligibility criteria for these unclaimed property checks are relatively straightforward:

Former and Current Illinois Residents: Both former and current residents of Illinois may have unclaimed property checks waiting for them. These checks could originate from various sources, including forgotten bank accounts, insurance policies, utility deposits, or uncashed paychecks.

The Deceased and Their Heirs: In some cases, unclaimed property checks may belong to individuals who have passed away. These funds can often be claimed by their heirs or beneficiaries.

Proactive Searchers: Even if youre unsure whether you have unclaimed property, its worth conducting a search. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that youre eligible for a check.

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How to Claim Your Unclaimed Property Check

Claiming your unclaimed property check is a straightforward process, thanks to the Illinois State Treasurers Office.

The Enhanced Money Match program utilizes technology from data already collected by the state and crossmatches it with the treasurers unclaimed property database. When a matching name and a mailing address are confirmed, the property owner will get a letter from the treasurers office that describes the amount of money theyre owed and why its owed to them.

After an additional security step, the office will simply send out a check. So, in many cases, individuals who are owed funds dont have to do anything to receive a stimulus check. You can also check now to see if youre owed any funds before receiving an automatic check in the mail.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Stimulus Update: $5,000 Checks Are Coming to Residents of This State
When walking the UAW picket line, on any given day at any location, autoworkers say their sacrifices in the past informed 2023 contract discussions with the Detroit Three automakers.

These UAW members say auto executives have seen a surge in benefit packages more recently, and it's time they share more with workers who build the vehicles.

A strike entering its third full week currently involves some 25,000 workers or about 17% of Detroit Three UAW members on picket lines outside factories and parts warehouses nationwide, and that doesn't include the collateral damage of closures triggered by a supply chain ripple effect.

The sacrifices autoworkers are referring to are benefits they gave up in 2007-09 during the Great Recession, a time of historic economic struggle and even bankruptcy at General Motors and Chrysler (now owned by Stellantis).

According to a list created by the UAW and obtained by the Detroit Free Press, major concessions in the 2007 collective bargaining agreement to slash overall company costs included:

Creation of a new wage and benefit structure for entry level "tiered" wages.

Reducing start rate of $14.20 and top rate of $15.34 for new non-core workers, with the top production rate for existing workers at the time at approximately $28.

Replacing traditional pension and retiree medical insurance with a 401(k) program.

Providing less comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance coverage.

Stopping general wage increases for traditional employees during the life of the contract, which started a pattern of no wage increases until 2015.

The UAW wants an end to tiered wage rates as part of its contract talks. Photo: Detroit Labor Day Parade on September 4, 2023. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

Major concessions continued in the 2009 collective bargaining agreement modifications included:

Suspending cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).

Suspending bonuses.

Suspending profit sharing.

Suspending Easter Monday holidays.

Discontinuing payment for unused vacation time.

Reducing break time.

Expanding use of temporary employees.

Allowing skilled trades workers to be used for production positions.

Eliminating the jobs bank.

Layoff protection (with SUB pay) reduced.

Implementing a no-strike clause (GM/Chrysler).

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Retiree legacy costs were 'draining' balance sheets

In 2007, all three automakers created a Voluntary Employee Beneficial Association (VEBA) and eliminated the defined benefit plan (pension) for new hires. A VEBA is an independent trust that is financed by the companies and the union. It funds retiree health care.

Many UAW retirees work decades for automakers and retire prior to qualifying for Medicare.

The reason the companies had to end offering a pension and put a VEBA into effect to pay for the retiree health care was simple: Their liability sheets were exploding, said Marick Masters, professor at the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University.

Masters said the liability for Fords pension was $44 billion and GMs was $85 billion in 2007. He noted that a GM document in the 2007 contract shows that GMs retiree health care liabilities for hourly workers totaled $46.7 billion.

They knew their pensions were unfunded and they would have to make increasing annual payments to fund those pensions, which would drain their capital, Masters said. So you had billions of dollars eroding the working capital of the company.

Striking workers many of whom caravanned in Ford Broncos and Jeeps listen to UAW president Shawn Fain talk with them at the UAW Solidarity House on Jefferson Avenue in Detroit on Friday, September 29, 2023.

Today, none of the automakers would want to return to pensions or retiree health care obligations because it would balloon their costs, Masters said.

These so-called legacy costs are what startups such as Tesla and Rivian do not have, and analysts often point to as obligations that make newer competitors more of a financial threat to the Detroit Three.

These things create lifetime liabilities and you dont have enough active workers to defray those costs, Masters said. Everybody after 2007 has been in a defined contribution plan. Its a huge amount of money to bring back pensions and retiree health care  all those things are what got them into trouble.

Government assistance came with strings

The union agreed with the companies to eliminate retiree health care and defined benefit pension plans for new hires in their 2007 contracts, he said. To obtain government assistance before bankruptcy, the union and the companies had to agree to additional labor cost savings and massive corporate restructuring, which continued into bankruptcy.

In 2009, the parties also agreed to terminate cost of living allowances and the jobs bank.

"From the union's perspective, these concessions represented suspensions of hard-won benefits in prior negotiations, not necessarily permanent givebacks," Masters said. "But the companies, at least with respect to retiree health care and defined benefit plans, had no intention of reintroducing these benefits given the enormous drain on their balance sheets."

A defined benefit plan guarantees a specific payment every month, and all workers after 2007 have defined contribution plans.

"In fact, the union at the time agreed to not ever negotiate retiree health care benefits again," Masters said, citing the 2007 contract document from GM that says: "Agreement is permanent; UAW may not negotiate further future retiree health care benefits."

In addition, COLA was something that they banned with no restoration date, he said. "They ended up giving lump sum payments in lieu of general wage increases because that's what the economics at the time required. And they couldn't give profit sharing checks because the companies weren't making profits during those years."

Economics are different now, experts say

When UAW President Shawn Fain and his members on the strike line tell reporters they want restored what they gave up voluntarily, it fails to reveal the whole story, said Erik Gordon, a professor at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

"What really happened was a negotiated trade was made in return for plants staying open," he said.

At the time, GM had fired a significant number of executives and managers and said in its regulatory filings that it may be unable to compete for top management talent, Gordon said. "A lot of people gave up a lot of stuff."

What makes sense today, separate and apart from the past, is that the UAW members do deserve pay increases because the automakers have a lot of cash and they're making big profits, Gordon said. But the economics are different now than they were a decade ago and some benefits, such as pensions, have changed forever.

Strike line outside Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023.

"What made sense at the time is not necessarily a continuation of what made sense then," Gordon said. "The industry faces different conditions and different risks. But I think it's a given that workers end up with substantial wage increases."

A factory worker's perspective

A UAW member who has worked in a Ford factory for more than two decade told the Free Press that the UAW is faced with negotiating on behalf of retired workers upset about negotiated losses, near-retired workers worried about negotiated losses and current manufacturing workers who feel they deserve more.

Still, most UAW workers understand there can't be a full restoration of past benefits, said the Ford worker, who asked not to be identified for fear of backlash from the union. The workers dismissed the idea of debating CEO compensation packages. "But the companies have made money and we deserve substantial raises."

More: Farley says UAW is holding Ford hostage over battery plants: We would've had a compromise

More: GM's Mary Barra accuses UAW of 'theatrics' and demands they get back to bargaining table

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @phoebesaid.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Striking UAW members say they want benefits restored: What they lost
The triggerman in an execution-style slaying in Naperville has been convicted of first-degree murder following a four-day DuPage County jury trial.

Ernest Collins, 27, of Rockford, is one of three people charged in the death of Naperville resident Michael Armendariz, whose body was discovered in a Chicago garbage can several months after his Jan. 14, 2018, killing, according to the DuPage County States Attorneys Office.

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Prosecutors said Armendariz was lured out of his Whispering Hills Drive apartment by Cassandra Green, 26, also of Rockford, who sent him a Snapchat message. After he got into her SUV about 9:10 p.m., Collins emerged from a hiding spot in the rear and shot Armendariz twice in the back of the head, a news release said.

They then drove to the home of Greens mother, Candice Jones, 43, on Chicagos Southwest Side, placed Armendarizs body in a garbage can, stored it in Jones garage and later moved it to the garage of a vacant house next to Jones home, where it was discovered several months later, the release said.

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Collins and Green allegedly used a key they took from Armendariz to burglarize the dead mans apartment, prosecutors said.

At the time of their arrests, prosecutors described Green as Armendarizs childhood friend and said the crime was allegedly plotted by Collins, who was Greens boyfriend, and Jones, who is Collins mother. The murder weapon and other evidence was reportedly recovered from Jones home, according to reports.

Prosecutors also alleged at the time of the arrests that Jones was the mastermind of the crime and provided her son with the gun, telling him youre going to do this. The day after Armendariz was killed, Jones also threatened Green, telling her she would kill her and her mother if Green told anyone about the killing, reports said.

Green, who prosecutors said in 2019 made a confession to police, reportedly told investigators the three had tried unsuccessfully to rob Armendariz on at least four occasions prior to Jan. 14 after seeing him in social media photos with drugs and cash.

Armendariz was reported missing Jan. 18, 2018. An investigation conducted by the Naperville and Chicago police departments led to the arrest of Collins and Green on Feb. 4, 2019, in Rockford and Jones on Feb. 6, 2019, in Chicago, the release said.

A jury needed just an hour and a half to find Collins guilty of murder and armed robbery with a firearm, both class X felonies.

Collins, who has been held without bond since his arrest, is next scheduled to be in court Nov. 29. He could be sent to prison for life when sentenced.

Green and Jones await trial on the same charges as Collins, with Green next set to be in court Oct. 16 and Jones on Oct. 19.

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This senseless murder left Michaels family and friends with just his memory as they continued their lives without him, States Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. While nothing can be done to bring Michael back to those who loved him, perhaps todays guilty verdicts will bring some measure of solace knowing the man responsible for his murder will be held accountable.
Healthtech a new vertical for its European business

SINGAPORE, October 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TDCX, (NYSE: TDCX), an award-winning digital customer experience (CX) solutions provider for technology and blue-chip companies, has continued its growth trajectory with the addition of two new clients in Europe.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231001663202/en/

Ms. Sophie Chelmick, Executive Vice President, EMEA, TDCX (Photo: Business Wire)

The new clients are both from the healthcare technology (healthtech) sector, a vertical that TDCX is making inroads into. For one client, TDCX will be providing customer support to individuals with specific medical needs and for the other, helping medical practitioners understand how to use sophisticated medical devices. TDCX will also be supporting both clients in customer feedback management, process improvement, and training and development.

TDCXs ability to break into new verticals such as healthtech stems from its specialization in managing complex customer interactions, ability to deliver CX outcomes through its high-performing talent and agility in meeting client requirements. In just 12 weeks, TDCX will put together a team of skilled multilingual CX professionals and train them to serve customers across four European countries, namely the United Kingdom, France, Norway and Denmark.

Mr. Laurent Junique, Founder and CEO of TDCX said, "Europe is a strategically important market for us. It not only has the right conditions for an outsourcing location but also several tailwinds. This includes the growth in sectors such as healthtech, gaming and e-commerce and a desire among companies to focus on their core business for greater efficiency. Such factors are driving the growth of the customer experience market in Europe, which is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16.1 per cent1 from 2022 to 2028.

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"Over the last few years, we have built up our capabilities in Europe. We opened our first European campus in Spain, which was quickly followed by Romania and most recently, Turkiye. We are seeing results from our investments into the region, as we gain recognition from local clients and make headway into new verticals."

Eighty-five per cent increase in year-on-year revenue for Europe in the first quarter of 2023

TDCX has invested in talent, office space, and technology infrastructure to boost its competitiveness and to support the companys growing operations in Europe. The company offers multilingual customer support and sales and digital marketing services through its campuses in Spain, Romania and Turkiye.

In the first half of 2023, TDCX has already seen an 85 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue from Europe. The company has also hired local talent who are skilled in the areas of digital advertising and e-commerce building up the team to a more than 400 strong group of diverse individuals.

Ms. Sophie Chelmick, Executive Vice President, EMEA, TDCX, said, "We are proud to be supporting two global brands in driving exceptional CX in Europe. These client wins are a testament to TDCXs strengths in providing effective outsourced CX services and our ability to leverage our expertise across the Group to develop tailored solutions for clients in different locations.

"Backed by our proven track record, a team of experienced CX specialists, distinctive people management approach, and welcoming workspaces, I am confident that we will continue to build on our strengths and grow in the market. We will do this by constantly innovating, expanding our reach, and delivering outstanding results for our clients."

To support its expanding operations, TDCX plans to grow its workforce in Spain by tapping the diverse talent pool in Europe. The company offers structured talent development programs which include career development initiatives and access to courses aimed at improving overall employee skills and competencies. These programs are designed to provide them with up-to-date resources for continual improvement, helping employees stay current in their respective fields.

TDCX is continually seeking talented individuals to join the team. Interested individuals can find out more at: https://www.tdcx.com/careers/

About TDCX

Singapore-headquartered TDCX provides transformative digital CX solutions, enabling world-leading and disruptive brands to acquire new customers, to build customer loyalty and to protect their online communities.

TDCX helps clients achieve their customer experience aspirations by harnessing technology, human intelligence and its global footprint. It serves clients in fintech, gaming, technology, travel and hospitality, digital advertising and social media, streaming and e-commerce. TDCXs expertise and strong footprint in Asia has made it a trusted partner for clients, particularly high-growth, new economy companies, looking to tap the regions growth potential.

TDCXs commitment to delivering positive outcomes for our clients extends to its role as a responsible corporate citizen. Its Corporate Social Responsibility program focuses on positively transforming the lives of its people, its communities and the environment.

TDCX employs more than 18,700 employees across 30 campuses globally, specifically in Brazil, Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mainland China, Philippines, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkiye, and Vietnam. For more information, please visit www.tdcx.com.

1 Source: Europe Customer Experience Management Market Forecast to 2028, Business Market Insights.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231001663202/en/

Contacts

For enquiries:

media@tdcx.com
Trexon Expands its Military & Aerospace Portfolio with the Strategic Acquisition of C.E. Precision Assemblies, Inc. (CEPA), Further Strengthening the Trexon Engineered Products Groups Offerings of RF/Microwave Cable Assemblies, Wire Harnesses, and Electromechanical Solutions.

MACEDONIA, Ohio, October 02, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Trexon, a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity and a leading provider of specialty connectivity solutions for mission-critical applications, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of C.E. Precision Assemblies, Inc. ("CEPA"). CEPA is an industry-recognized value-added manufacturer of RF/microwave build-to-print flexible and semi-rigid cable assemblies, as well as molded, and braided wire harnesses. This acquisition represents Trexons ongoing commitment to expanding its presence in the military and aerospace markets.

Regarding the addition of CEPA to the Trexon team, Mark Twaalfhoven, President and CEO of Trexon stated:

"The addition of C.E. Precision brings a wealth of experience and expertise in cable assembly and wire harness solutions that support our strategic vision of delivering high quality, mission-critical assemblies. We look forward to a prosperous relationship and welcome CEPA to the Trexon family."

Speaking on the transaction, Paul Ross, former owner of CEPA, stated:

"With our primary aerospace and defense customers in mind, we chose to partner with Trexon to support our ongoing growth efforts. We are excited to be part of a bigger entity with similar values and philosophy and to be able to take advantage of the extensive knowledge within the other Trexon businesses. We look forward to what the future holds with CEPA and Trexon together."

About C.E. Precision Assemblies, Inc.:

Founded in 1986, CEPA has built a reputation of producing and delivering high quality interconnect solutions for Military and Aerospace applications. From build-to-print flexible and semi-rigid RF/Microwave cable assemblies to simple, complex, molded, and braided wire harnesses, CEPAs products are used in a wide variety of applications. For more information, please visit https://cepainc.com.

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About Trexon:

Founded in 1979, Trexon (formerly TPC Wire & Cable Company) is a leading designer and provider of high-performance wire, cable, connectors, assemblies, and accessories used in harsh, high-cost-of-failure environments. Trexons products are specially constructed for a wide range of design challenges across high-reliability applications in diversified industrial end markets, defense, aerospace, cryogenic, space, medical, and other industries. For more information, please visit trexon.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002729184/en/

Contacts

Marketing Contact:

Ross Martinez

rmartinez@trexonglobal.com
A new report from the Anderson Economic Group says the UAW strike against the Detroit Three resulted in $3.95 billion in losses in the first two weeks. (Photo: Shutterstock/Luigi Morris)

With no end in sight to the United Auto Workers strike, the losses to the auto supply chain and industry are adding up.

In its latest estimate, Anderson Economic Group (AEG) reported that the first two weeks of the strike against the Detroit Three automakers resulted in $3.95 billion in economic losses. Almost half of that is from supplier losses.

Patrick Anderson, principal and CEO of AEG, said the second week was more costly than the first because of the supplier impact.

There is no $800 million strike fund to help suppliers, and they dont have a vote in this strike, he said Monday. The most serious damage is occurring to the workers and owners of these firms.

The shutdown of 38 parts distribution centers also crimped dealership service operations. The AEG report noted when distribution centers were shut down, the strikes impact spread to dealers, customers and additional suppliers, none of which are party to the strike negotiations.

When the innocent bystanders begin to feel it, Anderson said, it will affect the generally supportive sentiment Americans have been expressing about the UAWs demands thus far in the strike.

The latest round of strike targets announced Friday will impact both Ford and General Motors customers. The UAW announced 7,000 more workers would strike at a Ford plant in Chicago and a General Motors assembly factory near Lansing, Michigan.

The Ford plant strike will directly hit its supply chain in the production of the companys most popular and profitable models, the Ford Explorer and the midsize SUV Lincoln Aviator models. The GM plant manufactures the large crossover SUV, the Chevrolet Traverse.

Daniel Rustmann, co-chairman of the global automotive practice at Butzel, which represents auto suppliers, said he is already seeing an impact.

I know some suppliers are laying off hundreds of workers and they are worried about getting them back, Rustmann said. Its a tough labor market  . The situation can be dire in the next couple of weeks depending on their size. Historically, they dont get support from their customers, the OEMs.

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Rustmann said prior to the strikes, the suppliers were still faced with supply chain difficulties. The industry continues to receive delayed products as a result of the Canadian ports labor strikes over the summer. There is also an inability to store products. All of this adds to the supply chain delivery timeline.

When the strike ends, OEMs will want to turn on the fire hose and start back at 100%, but the suppliers cant because of labor, he said. They will need to ramp back up. There will also be delays because some products need materials compounded or formulated, they have shelf life issues.

The post UAW strike-caused losses rack up to nearly $4B so far appeared first on FreightWaves.
Long-established in the Utilities - Independent Power Producers industry, Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC (NASDAQ:AY) has enjoyed a stellar reputation. However, it has recently witnessed a daily loss of 4.42%, juxtaposed with a three-month change of -20.43%. Fresh insights from the GF Score hint at potential headwinds. Notably, its diminished rankings in financial strength, growth, and valuation suggest that the company might not live up to its historical performance. Join us as we dive deep into these pivotal metrics to unravel the evolving narrative of Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC.

Unraveling the Future of Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC (AY): A Deep Dive into Key Metrics

Decoding the GF Score

The GF Score is a stock performance ranking system developed by GuruFocus using five aspects of valuation, which has been found to be closely correlated to the long-term performances of stocks by backtesting from 2006 to 2021. The stocks with a higher GF Score generally generate higher returns than those with a lower GF Score. Therefore, when picking stocks, investors should invest in companies with high GF Scores. The GF Score ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 as the highest rank.

Based on the above method, GuruFocus assigned Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC the GF Score of 68 out of 100, which signals poor future outperformance potential.

Understanding Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC's Business

Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC owns, manages, and acquires renewable energy, conventional power, electric transmission lines, and water assets. It is focused on North America (the United States and Mexico), South America (Peru, Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay), and EMEA (Spain, Algeria, and South Africa). The company's segments include North America, South America, and Europe, Middle East, and Africa. The renewable energy sector includes the company's activities related to the production of electricity from solar power and wind plants. Atlantica derives most of its revenues from EMEA, followed by South America and North America.

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With a market cap of $2.12 billion and sales of $1.1 billion, Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC operates with a margin of 25.26%. This is the income breakdown of Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC:

Unraveling the Future of Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC (AY): A Deep Dive into Key Metrics

Financial Strength Breakdown

Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC's financial strength indicators present some concerning insights about the company's balance sheet health.

Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC has an interest coverage ratio of 0.83, which positions it worse than 87.58% of 314 companies in the Utilities - Independent Power Producers industry. This ratio highlights potential challenges the company might face when handling its interest expenses on outstanding debt. It's worth noting that the esteemed investor Benjamin Graham typically favored companies with an interest coverage ratio of at least five.

The company's Altman Z-Score is just 0.43, which is below the distress zone of 1.81. This suggests that the company may face financial distress over the next few years.

Additionally, the company's low cash-to-debt ratio at 0.12 indicates a struggle in handling existing debt levels.

The company's debt-to-equity ratio is 3.64, which is worse than 90.91% of 374 companies in the Utilities - Independent Power Producers industry. A high debt-to-equity ratio suggests over-reliance on borrowing and vulnerability to market fluctuations.

Additionally, the company's debt-to-Ebitda ratio is 6.98, which is above Joel Tillinghast's warning level of 4 and is worse than 62.94% of 313 companies in the Utilities - Independent Power Producers industry. Tillinghast said in his book Big Money Think's Small: Biases, Blind Spots, and Smarter Investing that a high debt-to-Ebitda ratio can be a red flag unless tangible assets cover the debt.

Profitability Breakdown

Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC's low Profitability rank can also raise warning signals.

Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC's Operating Margin has declined over the past five years ((-50.31%)), as shown by the following data: 2018: 46.74; 2019: 46.05; 2020: 32.82; 2021: 28.06; 2022: 23.23.

Additionally, Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC's Gross Margin has also declined over the past five years, as evidenced by the data: 2018: 82.52; 2019: 85.02; 2020: 85.53; 2021: 78.09; 2022: 80.10. This trend underscores the company's struggles to convert its revenue into profits.

Growth Prospects

A lack of significant growth is another area where Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC seems to falter, as evidenced by the company's low Growth rank.

The company's revenue has declined by -2.4 per year over the past three years, which underperforms worse than 78.73% of 362 companies in the Utilities - Independent Power Producers industry. Stagnating revenues may pose concerns in a fast-evolving market.

Over the past five years, Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC has witnessed a decline in its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). The three-year growth rate is recorded at -5.6, while the five-year growth rate is at -3.4. These figures underscore potential challenges in the company's profitability.

Lastly, Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC predictability rank is just one star out of five, adding to investor uncertainty regarding revenue and earnings consistency.

Unraveling the Future of Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC (AY): A Deep Dive into Key Metrics

Conclusion

Given the company's financial strength, profitability, and growth metrics, the GF Score highlights Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC's unparalleled position for potential underperformance. While the company has a rich history in the Utilities - Independent Power Producers industry, its recent performance and future prospects raise concerns. Investors should tread carefully and consider these factors when making investment decisions.

GuruFocus Premium members can find more companies with strong GF Scores using the following screener link: GF Score Screen

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Exploring the Dividend History, Yield, and Growth of Steelcase Inc (NYSE:SCS)

Steelcase Inc(NYSE:SCS) recently announced a dividend of $0.1 per share, payable on 2023-10-13, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-10-02. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's deep dive into Steelcase Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

About Steelcase Inc

Steelcase Inc is a furniture company primarily based in the United States and has operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Steelcase markets its products primarily through a network of independent and company-owned dealers. The company operates through the Americas segment, the EMEA segment and the Other category. The Americas segment offers architecture, furniture and technology products is marketed to corporate, government, healthcare, education and retail customers, EMEA segment provides furniture systems, storage and seating solutions. Majority of revenue is generated from Americas segment.

Unveiling Steelcase Inc's Dividend Performance: A Deep Dive into Its Sustainability and Growth

Steelcase Inc's Dividend History

Steelcase Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1998. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Unveiling Steelcase Inc's Dividend Performance: A Deep Dive into Its Sustainability and Growth

Steelcase Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Steelcase Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.58% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 3.58%. This suggests an expectation of same dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Over the past three years, Steelcase Inc's annual dividend growth rate was -5.50%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to -1.90% per year. And over the past decade, Steelcase Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 2.70%.

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Based on Steelcase Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Steelcase Inc stock as of today is approximately 3.24%.

Unveiling Steelcase Inc's Dividend Performance: A Deep Dive into Its Sustainability and Growth

Is Steelcase Inc's Dividend Sustainable?

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-08-31, Steelcase Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.85. This may suggest that the company's dividend may not be sustainable.

Steelcase Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Steelcase Inc's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2023-08-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Steelcase Inc's Growth Metrics

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Steelcase Inc's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Steelcase Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Steelcase Inc's revenue has increased by approximately -3.30% per year on average, a rate that underperforms than approximately 79.88% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Steelcase Inc's earnings increased by approximately -43.50% per year on average, a rate that underperforms than approximately 93.79% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of -38.10%, which underperforms than approximately 98.55% of global competitors.

Conclusion

While Steelcase Inc has a commendable track record of consistent dividend payments, the sustainability of its dividends is a subject of concern due to its high payout ratio. Despite its high profitability rank, the company's growth metrics, particularly its 3-year EPS growth rate and 5-year EBITDA growth rate, underperform most of its global competitors. This suggests that Steelcase Inc needs to bolster its growth strategies to ensure the sustainability of its dividends in the long run.

GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Logo of the Bain Capital is screened at a news conference in Tokyo

HANOI (Reuters) -U.S. private equity firm Bain Capital has made its first investment in Vietnam, with at least $200 million in the Masan Group conglomerate, and could bring in other investors to raise that to $500 million, the firms said on Monday.

The deal is set to boost competition in Vietnam's retail market, as rapid urbanisation draws domestic and foreign investors looking to expand or gain a foothold in the country of 100 million.

Proceeds will go to strengthen Masan's financial position, said the fast-moving consumer goods firm, which runs more than 3,200 supermarkets and minimarts in the southeast Asian nation.

"Masan has the right fundamentals, reach, and growth strategy to succeed in a high-growth and compelling consumer market," Bain partner Barnaby Lyons said in the joint statement.

The investment would be in the form of convertible dividend preference shares priced at 85,000 dong ($3.50) each, which can be converted into ordinary shares in a one-for-one ratio, Masan added.

"We look forward to working with Bain to accelerate our vision to be the one-stop shop for consumer daily needs," its chief executive, Danny Le, said in the statement.

Last week Reuters reported that Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, GIC, was among investors vying to buy a stake of up to 20% in rival grocer Bach Hoa Xanh, in a deal that could value the grocery chain at up to $1.7 billion. Prior to Masan, Bain Capital has invested in a diversified set of consumer and retail businesses in Asia, including Schwan's Company and Carver Korea.

Jefferies Singapore Limited acted as financial adviser on the Masan Group deal, expected to close by year-end, the firms added, subject to the usual corporate and regulatory approvals.

This year Masan said it would delay to 2024 or 2025 an initial public offering (IPO) of its retail arm, The CrownX, which is Vietnam's biggest retail company, because of unfavourable market conditions.

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By 0447 GMT, Masan's shares were trading up 1.7% at 77,600 dong each.

($1=24,310.0000 dong)

(Reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Key Insights

VP Bank's significant retail investors ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public

The top 5 shareholders own 51% of the company

Institutions own 45% of VP Bank

To get a sense of who is truly in control of VP Bank AG (VTX:VPBN), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are retail investors with 45% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Institutions, on the other hand, account for 45% of the company's stockholders. Institutions often own shares in more established companies, while it's not unusual to see insiders own a fair bit of smaller companies.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of VP Bank, beginning with the chart below.

See our latest analysis for VP Bank

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About VP Bank?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

We can see that VP Bank does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. 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 VP Bank's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Hedge funds don't have many shares in VP Bank. Stiftung Furstl Kommerzienrat Guido Feger, Endowment Arm is currently the company's largest shareholder with 25% of shares outstanding. With 12% and 10% of the shares outstanding respectively, Marxer Foundation for Bank Values, Endowment Arm and U.M.M. Hilti-Stiftung, Schaan are the second and third largest shareholders.

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On looking further, we found that 51% of the shares are owned by the top 5 shareholders. In other words, these shareholders have a meaningful say in the decisions of the company.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of VP Bank

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our information suggests that VP Bank AG insiders own under 1% of the company. However, it's possible that insiders might have an indirect interest through a more complex structure. It appears that the board holds about CHF2.3m worth of stock. This compares to a market capitalization of CHF542m. Many investors in smaller companies prefer to see the board more heavily invested. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 45% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over VP Bank. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Private Company Ownership

It seems that Private Companies own 10%, of the VP Bank stock. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with VP Bank .

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.
Warriedar Resources (ASX:WA8) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Net loss: AU$9.88m (loss widened by 171% from FY 2022).

AU$0.036 loss per share (further deteriorated from AU$0.035 loss in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

The primary driver behind last 12 months revenue was the Western Australia segment contributing a total revenue of AU$126.6k (66% of total revenue). The largest operating expense was General & Administrative costs, amounting to AU$10.3m (99% of total expenses). Over the last 12 months, the company's earnings were enhanced by non-operating gains of AU$318.1k.Explore how WA8's revenue and expenses shape its earnings.

Warriedar Resources shares are down 6.8% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

Before you take the next step you should know about the 4 warning signs for Warriedar Resources (3 can't be ignored!) that we have uncovered.

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.
Congregation Beth Shalom in Northbrook is hosting Distinguished Speakers Joyce Vance and Neal Katyal at 8 p.m. Oct. 18 to discuss Religious Freedom Under Attack: Fighting Back.

According to a news release, a lively panel discussion featuring Vance, former United States Attorney and Katyal, former Acting U.S. Solicitor General, will take place with a moderated Q&A session to follow. Both Joyce Vance and Neal Katyal are TV legal analysts, law professors, and former senior Justice Department attorneys. More than 700 participants are expected.

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Congregation Beth Shalom hosts two to three Distinguished Speakers programs each year that have included featured speakers Nina Totenberg, Daniel Silva, Andy Slavitt, Amy Spitalnick, Dr. Deborah Lipstadt, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Bruce Feiler and Sen. Russ Feingold, the release said. The programs are always open to the community and free of charge. Registration for this event is available online: tinyurl.com/katyalvance2023 or email Audrey ATaxer@BethShalomNB.org.

Congregation Beth Shalom is the spiritual home to more than 1000 families, according to the release. The congregation offers egalitarian services and daily morning and evening minyan every day of the year.

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Beth Shalom has a thriving Religious School for Kindergarten thru High School, youth programming for all ages and a full array of classes and programs for lifelong Jewish learning, the release said. We are a strong and diverse congregation and think of ourselves as a large family and a place people comfortably call their home away from home.
XPeng Inc. XPEV, a China-based electric vehicle (EV) maker, recently shipped 750 vehicles to Israel. This shipment marked the largest single batch of exports for the year, underscoring the automaker's vigorous expansionary drive.

XPeng's vice president of International Markets, Eric Xu, considers the move a substantial stride toward initiating operations in Israel. The launch of XPeng's smart EVs in Israel is being facilitated through a collaboration with its local partner, Freesbe. Together, they aim to establish a sales and service network across major Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem by 2024.

The vehicles meant for Israel, specifically the XPENG P7 and XPENG G9 models, have been tailored to cater to the preferences of local drivers, highlighting XPeng's customer-centric approach in foreign markets. The partnership with Fresbee demonstrates XPeng's dedication to building strong relationships in foreign markets.

The expansionary ambitions of XPeng are evident with its foray into European markets. The company is steadily bolstering its footprint in Europe, a region that has traditionally beckoned automotive manufacturers owing to its affluence, environmental cognizance and an amicable stance toward Chinese enterprises. The continent has drawn the interest of well-established companies such as BYD Co Ltd BYDDY, along with emerging brands like Nio Inc. NIO and XPeng.

XPeng commenced deliveries of its G3 and P7 sedan in Norway in 2020 and 2021, respectively. It has progressively entrenched its presence in the European market. Following retail agreements in the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark in 2022, this year witnessed the introduction of XPengs G9 flagship SUV and an updated P7 performance sedan in four European nations. The automaker is poised to broaden its European horizon further with plans to venture into Germany, France and Britain by 2024, showcasing the G9, P7, and G6 models.

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The expansion efforts mirror a broader trend among Chinese EV manufacturers who are seeking to navigate beyond domestic shores amid dwindling local demand, economic headwinds and heightened competition spurred by Tesla's aggressive pricing strategies.

XPeng's move into Israel signifies its intent to explore the Middle East, a region ripe for electrification. The Middle East represents an enticing growth prospect for XPeng and its competitors. NIO secured a significant $1.1 billion investment this year from the Abu Dhabi government fund, underscoring the region's potential. Moreover, BYD has made inroads in the Middle East, launching the Atto 3 in the UAE with its local partner, Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company. This expansion into the Middle East, coupled with XPeng's presence in Israel, positions Chinese EV makers to play a pivotal role in the region's electrification efforts.

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For the second time in three centuries, Daughters of the American Revolution members representing local, state and national chapters gathered in Fredericksburg to commemorate the first known memorial in the United States ever funded by women in honor of a woman.

The first gathering happened in May 1894, almost 105 years after Mary Ball Washington, the mother of George Washington, died from breast cancer at her home in Fredericksburg. With much pomp and ceremony, the group dedicated a 50-foot monument off Washington Avenue to honor the mother of the father of our country.

The second gathering took place Saturday, 129 years after the monument was erected. Just as before, the organizations top brass were on hand to celebrate the moment.

Susan Wachter, regent of the Fredericksburg-based WashingtonLewis chapter, was beside herself with excitement as she greeted the entire executive board of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Many of them wore dark dresses and sported their blue sashes trimmed in white  and the wider the sash, the higher the rank of the one wearing it.

Members of Virginias state board were on hand as well for the unveiling of a historical marker that explained the significance of the monument.

This is a really big deal for us, Wachter said. The ability, foresight and power of women coming together to preserve history is amazing and will tie Fredericksburg to DAR forever.

Speakers reinforced the importance of the monument to honor the woman whose son ushered the United States into being with his military leadership and executive wisdom, said Pamela Rouse Wright, president general of the national organization.

George Washington often credited his mother for how he turned out, said Laurie Nesbitt, Virginia state regent, and without him, the fledgling nation might not have won the American Revolution or even had one, she said.

While every speaker focused on the contributions of Mary Washington and her son, they also praised the multitude of other women who made the monument possible. As Fredericksburg mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw put it, Congress initiated the idea of a monument but it was women who brought it to fruition.

After Mary Washingtons death in August 1789, Congress passed a resolution to erect a monument in her honor, which was a lovely gesture, said Lauren Stumborg, historian of the WashingtonLewis Chapter.

Yet, as is often the case with mothers, plans get put on hold as other crises take precedent, she said. The monument was not built during Washingtons eight years in office. Nor during the following four administrations, which were plagued with rebellions, conspiracies and yet another irritating war with England.

By 1830, Fredericksburg citizens who were frustrated by the delay raised $2,000 on their own, but that wasnt enough for the majestic structure they envisioned, Stumbor said. There was an attempt to get something done, and President Andrew Jackson came to town in 1833 to lay a cornerstone.

Then, decades passed.

When a March 1889 story in The Washington Post announced the sale of land containing Mary Washingtons grave and unfinished monument, as well as her former home, people were outraged, in Fredericksburg and across the nation.

Two associations, one in Fredericksburg and the other nationally, formed to raise money to secure the land and acquire donations to finish the monument, Stumborg said. The next year, in October 1890, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution formed  and as every DAR member learned in her coursework, Nesbitt said, the first resolution passed was to complete the monument to Mary Washington.

A national campaign ensued, calling for help from women across the country. NSDAR Founder Mary Desha encouraged every patriot to send in a contribution large or small for this purpose.

The goal was reached, the monument was put in place, and the local DAR chapter treated national DAR members to a grand banquet at Kenmore on May 10, 1894.

Likewise, on Saturday after the ceremony, the participants left the grounds of the Mary Washington Monument to enjoy a reception, again at Kenmore.

And so, today, we celebrate not only Mary Washington, but all women who made her monument a reality, and in doing so, all women who made America America, Stumborg said.

During the ceremony, Wright gave a $5,000 check to the Washington Heritage Museums for the continual upkeep of the monument. The group recently took ownership of the monument and nearby caretakers house and plans to rename the organization the Mary Washington Heritage Museums, Jack Apperson, chairman elect, told the group on Saturday.

We intend to ensure that the burial site and the reputation of Mary Washington is treated with dignity and respect, not only locally but also nationally, he said.
The U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights has determined that the Virginia Department of Education excluded some students with disabilities from taking a field test of the new integrated reading and writing assessment.

Dawn Shelley, a current member of the Spotsylvania School Board and special education teacher in Stafford County, filed a complaint in March alleging that the VDOE discriminated against students with disabilities by not providing the field test in alternate formats to accommodate these disabilities.

When I heard about the (field test), I also heard that some (individualized education plan) accommodations were not going to be available for many of our students with disabilities, Shelley said. I thought, thats discrimination against our students.

In a Sept. 26 letter, Jennifer Barmon with OCR informed Shelley of the offices determination that the VDOE did not make these accommodations and that the state agency has agreed to implement a resolution that will bring it into compliance.

The VDOE administered the stand-alone integrated reading and writing field test between March 6 and April 28, 2023. The test, given online to students in grades 5 and 8, asked students to read a nonfiction passage, answer four to six questions about the passage and respond to a writing prompt about it.

The deidentified results of the field test were to be used by the VDOE to determine the viability of the passages and writing prompts and develop training materials for how to score the test.

According to an Aug. 12, 2022 memo from then-state superintendent for education Jillian Balow about the upcoming field test, a read-aloud accommodation will be available for eligible students; however, paper, Braille, and large print test forms will not be offered during the field test. Other accommodations usually used when administering an online writing test (e.g., auditory aids, visual aids, etc.) that do not require a special test form are available for eligible students.

According to Barmons letter, the VDOE estimated that 5,000 students did not take the field test and that for some, this was because it was not provided in alternate formats to accommodate their disabilities.

OCR is concerned that this may not have accurately measured the performance of students with these types of disabilities and that the VDOE may not have accounted for how such students may have performed in its assessment of the validity of the stand-alone test, Barmon wrote. OCR is additionally concerned that the VDOE may have denied these students with the opportunity to take what could potentially amount to a practice exam in real-life testing conditions.

OCR is responsible for enforcing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities by public entities, including public schools.

The office also enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

According to the resolution agreed upon by both parties, VDOE will issue an internal memo by Oct. 6 to all staff who work on the integrated reading and writing test, stating that it will make the test available in alternate formats, including paper, Braille, large print and audio.

The resolution tasks VDOE with providing training to all internal staff on the memo and the requirements of Section 504 and Title II.

VDOE has also agreed to determine whether or how its exclusion of some students impacted the results of the field test and to provide an analysis of its findings to the OCR by Oct. 6.

Shelley, who at the beginning of September announced a write-in campaign to challenge Republican Phillip Scott for the 63rd District House of Delegates seat, said she asked the VDOE earlier this year why it would not be providing the field test in alternative formats.

They told me ... it was just a field test, so it didnt count, she said. I told them it was hurting our students, and that they were not allowing our IEP students to be on a level playing field with their non-disabled peers  therefore, not equitable. I told the VDOE I would be filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights because it was unacceptable and they didnt seem to care.
The Virginia Railway Express budget draft for fiscal 2025 is $11 million higher than the previous year, and it includes a proposed increase in fares to ride the trains.

A public comment period has started on the proposed fare increase and will run through Nov. 16. Comments can be made by email, mail, telephone, fax, a virtual meeting and three public hearings.

VREs FY 2025 budget draft calls for a 5% fare increase and a 14% jurisdiction subsidy increase so cover the proposed $119.9 million budget, which is up 10% from the previous years budget, according to a VRE statement Monday.

The commuter rail provider last increased fares, by 3%, in 2020.

The proposed budget provides for the first-ever operation of VRE weekend service, VRE said in the statement. It also includes proposals to allow children 18 and under to ride free, make permanent the current $5 fare for travel between zones 1, 2 and 3, and simplify fare payment.

The VRE plan is to start Saturday service in 2025, with three round trips on each line  or a total of 12 one-way trains on Saturdays, according to the September presentation.

VRE gets funding through the subsidies, fares, along with state and federal funding. VRE has received millions in pandemic relief funds, and the FY 2025 proposal also includes $38 million in federal pandemic funds.

According to VREs September board meeting presentation on the draft budget, VRE faces a range of key issues in FY 2025, most of which relate to balancing the continued recovery of ridership following the COVID-19 pandemic with VREs commitments to short-term and long-term expansions of service 

As with other mass transit operators, VRE ridership plummeted during the shutdown and has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.

The VRE budget draft assumes an average daily ridership total of 8.500 on weekdays. Prior to the pandemic, VREs daily ridership totaled between 18,000 and 19,000.

In the September budget presentation, VRE said clearly a shift has occurred that appears likely to particularly impact commute travel on Mondays and Fridays, and all transportation providers are in the process of adapting to these new patterns.

The draft budget includes $106.1 million for operations and maintenance and $13.8 million for debt service and operating reserve for such expenses as leasing 11 railcars, financing for 60 railcars.

The final budget is set to be submitted in December.

The local public comment meeting on the proposed fare increase is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 26, from 6-7 p.m. at Fredericksburg City Hall, 715 Princess Anne St.

The virtual meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 24, from noon to 1 p.m. on VREs YouTube channel.

The other public meetings are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 16, from noon to 1 p.m. at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority headquarters, 300 Seventh St. SW, Washington, D.C., and Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 6-7 p.m. at the Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St.

Other comment alternatives:

Mail: 1500 King Street, Suite 202, Alexandria VA 22314

Phone: 540/524-2662

Fax: 703/684-1313
A 16-year-old boy died and seven other people went to local hospitals for treatment early Sunday following two shooting incidents in North Omaha.

Lamarantae Swift was shot about 2:30 a.m. during a large gathering near 24th and Decatur Streets, an Omaha police spokesman said. He was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center with lifesaving measures in progress but was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Two people from that incident walked into the Nebraska Medical Center, and three others walked into the Creighton University Medical Center-University Campus at 24th and Cuming Streets. Those injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, the spokesman said.

The violent loss of a young persons life and the injuries to multiple people is intolerable for our community and causes deep sadness, Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said. Additional police resources are being used to aggressively investigate this matter.

Swifts death represents the 18th homicide in Omaha this year. That compares with 22 homicides at this time in 2022 and 25 in 2021.

Earlier, police were called about 1 a.m. to investigate a shooting that occurred near 27th and Browne Streets. Officers arrived and located Olajuwon Burnett, 39, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Officers also located Jelisa Arias, 30, suffering from a gunshot wound. Both parties were transported to the Nebraska Medical Center with injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening.

Anyone with information about either incident is urged to contact the Omaha Police Departments Homicide Unit at 402-444-5656 or anonymously contact Omaha Crime Stoppers at 402-444-STOP, at www.omahacrimestoppers.org or on the P3 Tips mobile app.
briefly

Veterans job fair slated this week in Springs

A job fair for veterans will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at The Broadmoor World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Blvd., on Colorado Springs south side.

Software and cybersecurity company to expand in Pikes Peak region, bringing over 60 jobs Infinity Labs, a technology research and development firm focused on modeling, simulation and cybersecurity, plans to bring more than 60 new j

More than 30 organizations and employers  including USAA, the Parsons Corp., Loves Travel Stops, First Command Financial Services and Waste Management  will look to fill jobs at the event, which is being hosted by the Disabled American Veterans and RecruitMilitary, a Virginia-based hiring firm that seeks to connect veterans with employers.

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Registration for the job fair is free and available online to all transitioning military, veterans, military spouses and dependents.

Colorado's unemployment rate creeps up but is still lower than the U.S. Colorados unemployment rate skipped up to 3.1% in August, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment data showed Friday, the first time in m

More information: https://my.recruitmilitary.com/events/colorado-springs-veterans-job-fair-october-5-2023.

RIch Laden, The Gazette
Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., speaks in the House of Representatives at the Capitol in Washington.

Election 2022 House
A male tarantula crosses Highway 350 south of La Junta, Colo., Tuesday evening, Sept. 26, 2023, during the annual mating ritual where the males roam the prairie of Southeastern Colorado in search of the females to breed. The best time to see the tarantula is after 5:30 p.m. to sunset on the warm days of September into October. La Juntas second Tarantula Festival is this weekend Sept. 29 and 30. The festival will feature a parade, food trucks and everything tarantulas. For more information, visit www.visitlajunta.net. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Dont bring your resume to Veterans Beer Club, but have an elevator pitch in mind.

Representatives from military defense contractors, health care companies, the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Utilities and other employers come to club meetings just to chat with mostly former soldiers and airmen, along with a smattering of guardians and Marines, said Jason Shoffit, chapter president.

Stripped of the booths and brochures of traditional hiring fairs, the club fosters that effective, but often hard to achieve job hunting strategy: networking.

Bring your beer appetite, your liquor appetite, and come show up and talk, Shoffit said.

Veterans might run into a recruiter from their employer of choice, he said, and talk their way to an invitation to apply for a job.

But if attendees are not sure whose hiring among the boisterous crowd of 30 to 40 the club draws, Shoffit or one of his ambassadors always stops the small talk halfway through the meeting to call on recruiters to pitch the crowd.

For local chapter founder, Aaron Kiewicz, the club was a natural progression of the work he had done through Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center to help veterans transition into the civilian job market and navigate the differences.

For example, service members do not have to interview for jobs and promotions in the way that private industry requires.

Service members might answer questions about current events or military knowledge for a promotion rather than questions about the job, he said.

Networking can also be a new skill for veterans because in the military setting, a persons uniform can tell you who they are and what they do without having a conversation.

So Kiewicz started a class to help build job hunting skills, such as resume writing, and set up a guided networking event. The next step was a networking event where they could put all their skills into practice, he said.

His first Veterans Beer Club event in February 2020 was a huge success with a turnout of 45 people.

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Everybody was so excited to do this, he said.

But then the pandemic hit, and it was six months before he could hold another in-person event and the events that followed took a ton of work to follow health regulations.

About two years ago, he handed the local chapter over to Shoffit who has brought fresh ideas and moved into a regional leadership role to help clubs across the West in states such as California, Texas and Arizona.

He expects the group, founded in 2016 in San Diego, is headed for a major boost in awareness nationally through a large sponsorship.

On a national level, you will probably see Veterans Beer Club come up more and more, he said.

The natural camaraderie of the group where veterans can chat casually about their interests and form connections over time that can lead to new job opportunities has been part of its success and set it apart, he said.

Locally, as life has normalized interest has been healthy, Shoffit said. The groups followers on social media have more than doubled from 600 last February to about 1,600 or 1,700 followers.

Shoffit aims to continue to grow the group, so its easy for the next person to manage and necessarily connections are built.

Former Fort Carson soldier Chris King, a recent club regular, said hes recommended it to other soldiers who are getting out soon because its been the group hes visited with the most traction.

Its a community of like-minded people who are focused on helping each other, he said.

The club meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. The meeting place rotates among breweries in town. More info is available through the groups Facebook page and Eventbrite.

Contact the writer at mary.shinn@gazette.com or 719-429-9264.
The Colorado Springs woman who attempted to hire a hit man to kill her ex-fiance was sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to two charges.

Unbeknownst to Vanessa Lavaty, 33, the hit man was an undercover Colorado Springs detective, according to an affidavit obtained by The Gazette.

Lavaty, who originally faced three charges of attempted first-degree murder, tried to arrange a hit on Timothy Hanes three days before a shared custody hearing over their 2-year-old daughter was scheduled, the affidavit states. She was sentenced Thursday in 4th Judicial District Court.

Four months before trying to arrange the hit, Lavaty asked her then-boyfriend, Marty Jorgenson, 50, for help finding a person to kill Hanes. As time went on, she made comments such as, I want his (expletive) buried, and I really want this (expletive) dead, according to previous reporting by The Gazette.

A detective who testified at Lavaty's preliminary hearing in August 2022 said police began investigating after Jorgenson came to the Colorado Springs Police Department on May 16, 2022, concerned about Lavatys requests.

That same night an undercover officer posing as a hit man arranged to meet with Lavaty and Jorgenson at a Taco Bell in east Colorado Springs, where prosecutors say Lavaty agreed to pay him $4,000 to kill Hanes.

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The detective who posed as the hit man testified that he gave her opportunities to not move forward with it.

In August, Lavaty's attorney informed the court that a plea deal had been accepted that would see Lavaty plead guilty to two charges: attempted manslaughter and retaliation against a witness or victim.

At the August hearing Judge William Moller informed Lavaty that she would be facing a minimum of four years in the Department of Corrections with a maximum potential sentence of 16 years.

According to court records, Judge Moller opted to issue Lavaty a prison sentence of nine years  six years for pleading guilty to retaliation against a witness or victim and three years for pleading guilty to attempted manslaughter.

Court records show Lavaty was granted 16 days credit for time served. Prior to her conviction she had previously been out of custody on a $75,000 bond.
Representatives of Covenant Living of Northbrook in the audience at the Sept. 26, 2023 Northbrook Village Board of Trustees meeting. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Two Northbrook redevelopment projects considered for the Sept. 26 Northbrook Village Board of Trustees meeting were poised for approval but one of them was delayed until possibly the end of the year.

And that elephant in the room was Northbrook Court.

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While many audience chairs were filled with neighbors opposing the expansion of Covenant Living of Northbrook, it was Northbrook Courts latest redevelopment package, also supposed to be on the Sept. 26 agenda, that became a footnote in the village managers report.

To boot, Northbrook Village Manager Cara Pavlicek made no public mention of Northbrook Court during the meeting when it was Pavliceks turn to speak. Followers curious about Northbrook Courts status had to know where to look for the Sept. 26 agenda packet on the village website.

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Published online was correspondence dated last Sept. 21 indicating that Brookfield Properties, Northbrook Court owner, asked for another time extension, impacting a Redevelopment and Economic Incentive Agreement (REIA).

This is another in a series of Northbrook Court extension requests granted by the village since 2019.

Ben Freeman, senior vice president of Brookfield Properties Development, wrote, Extending the required submittals due date will allow sufficient time to complete and consider the framework for the redevelopment project to the village staff and village board.

Pavlicek granted the extension to this Dec. 31, writing to Brookfield Properties that, I appreciate your continued commitment to working towards the future redevelopment of Northbrook Court.

The redevelopment of this property remains a high priority for the Village of Northbrook, Pavlicek further wrote. I continue to appreciate Brookfields shared recognition of the historical importance of Northbrook Court to the community as a commercial anchor and the communitys desire to ensure its future viability.

Northbrook Courts redevelopment package received resounding positive reception by village trustees and plan commissioners at a special meeting of trustees and the Northbrook Plan Commission last Aug. 29 in the same boardroom at Village Hall.

A new tax increment financing district (TIF) is poised to assist in funding mall redevelopment with a 1 % tax added to a shoppers Northbrook Court business district mall receipt.

The Aug. 29 affirmative vote directed staff to produce documents so trustees could vote on Northbrook Court at the Sept. 26 board meeting. A village spokesperson told Pioneer Press consideration of Northbrook Court could be scheduled as early as Oct. 10.

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COVENANT LIVING OF NORTHBROOK CARRIAGE HOMES

While Northbrook Court approvals did not happen on Tuesday night, what did was overwhelming trustee approval of a controversial expansion of Covenant Living of Northbrook to the dismay of a group of area neighbors.

Covenants Carriage Homes project was approved Sept. 26 as part of a supermajority zoning vote. The supermajority requirement was triggered by a zoning protest received by the village on Sept. 24 and filed by a Greenview Road neighbor on behalf of five Greenview Road residents, two on the west side, and three on the east side of Greenview.

Neighbors have charged that Covenant Living acted sneakily by quietly buying up residential properties to assemble land to accommodate its Carriage Homes expansion.

Immediately after the supermajority vote, Its ridiculous, said one disgusted neighbor who wished to not be identified.

Two Covenant Living representatives declined to comment to Pioneer Press shortly after the vote in Covenants favor.

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Covenant Living sought zoning variances and relief to construct its highly promoted three-story Carriage Homes series.

Covenant will build a trio of residential buildings with 36 units, replacing one 24-unit single-story residential building on the northeast side of the property fronting Techny Road.

Carriage Homes elevations proposed for Covenant Living of Northbrook. (Pioneer Press)

The plan includes relocating an above-ground stream onto residential lots now owned by Covenant Living on the east side of Mayapple Lane. The reconfiguration of the local waterway system has been endorsed by engineers.

The Carriage Homes proposal was debated at a Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting last Sept. 12 in a Tuesday evening workshop format meeting by the Northbrook board of trustees.

What was added since that Sept. 12 meeting was legalese protecting the village including impact fees related to 911 and non-emergency calls that exceed amounts determined for a facility that size.

Legal documents also require constructing a public sidewalk extension on the south side of Techny Road in front of the properties owned by Covenant, property upkeep, the prohibition of future purchases of single family homes by Covenant on Greenview Road and a fee-in-lieu to comply with the villages affordable housing ordinance.

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Matt Margolis, the Greenview Road name associated with the zoning protest filing, told Pioneer Press, Listen, you know, we are all for Covenant Living expanding and having a nice place for the residents to live.

We think theyre a great and integral part of our community.

We just feel like theres different ways that they could have done their expansion on the already existing land that they own, Margolis said.

Instead, Margolis added, they decided to purchase land sort of what we feel like was in a residential neighborhood, looking to rezone properties.

We feel like its going to have a negative impact on our homes.

Greenview Road residents Lester and Maureen Lampert attended Sept. 26 and other public meetings about the Carriage Homes.

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I was just worried about seeing laying water, Maureen Lampert said, concerned about diverted stream water pooling past stormwater detention areas onto streets or causing residential basement flooding.

For Lester Lampert, the Sept. 26 vote was, more than a compromise, I think we got some things, theres more to go.

You cant win the whole thing, Lester Lampert said, but, I think its successful.

Its not 100 percent, Lester Lampert added. But I think that theyll (the village) watch them (Covenant Living).

I think theyll watch them.

Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
A funding campaign page has raised several thousand dollars for the family of a fallen parole officer killed in a hit-and-run crash near downtown Colorado Springs.

Officer Christine Guerin Sandoval died at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central after sustaining injuries from being hit by the suspect vehicle Thursday. Guerin Sandoval was one of two female parole officers struck in the incident.

Out of privacy, police did not identify the second victim, who was treated for her injuries and released Thursday night.

The GoFundMe page, which launched Saturday, raised more than $8,000 of its $10,000 goal by Monday afternoon. The money will go to Guerin Sandoval's family, according to page organizer Bethany Solano.

"Christine had a heart of gold and smile that would light up the darkest room," Solano said on the page. "She was always thinking of other people and now it is our turn to help her beautiful family."

Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Corrections Andre Stancil said Guerin Sandoval was a mother, daughter, wife and "protector."

Guerin Sandoval also had previously worked with the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.

Christine took an oath, and that oath was to protect the citizens in the state of Colorado, Stancil said at a press conference Friday at the Police Operations Center in Colorado Springs. She lost her life doing just that.

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Guerin Sandoval was one of three parole officers who attempted to contact 41-year-old suspect Justin Andrew Kula, "who was known to them," and check on his welfare while parked in his vehicle Thursday. He struck two of the officers in an attempt to flee around 3:45 p.m. at the intersection of West Bijou and North Spruce streets, according to police.

Colorado Springs Police Department officers and other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies arrested Kula hours later after a wide-scale search. Kula faces charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and third-degree assault on a peace officer.

Kulas criminal history also includes assault, stalking, domestic violence, theft and fugitive from justice charges dating back to 2017, online court records show. In 2020 he was convicted of extortion, assaulting a peace officer, disorderly conduct across multiple incidents and received three to five years for each incident.

He received roughly one year in jail for a probation violation conviction in 2020.

Authorities are looking at "all possible charges, potentially even including murder or homicide," according to Fourth Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen.

Click or tap here to access the GoFundMe donation page.
Population

El Paso County: 740,552 as of July 1, 2022.

Comparisons: 732,366 as of July 1, 2020; a 1% increase in two years.

627,238 in 2010

516,929 in 2000

987 residents in 1870

Colorado Springs: 485,143 as of July 1, 2022

Comparison: 479,828 as of July 1, 2020, a 0.9% increase in two years.

Colorado: 5,838,736 statewide as of July 1, 2022

Comparison: 5,784,584 as of July 1, 2020, a 0.9% increase in two years.

Notable: El Paso County became the largest county in the state population-wise as of the 2010 Census and continues to hold the rank.

Colorados second-largest county, Denver County, saw a 0.7% decrease from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022, from 717,545 down to 712,637 residents.

About 13% of the states population lives in El Paso County.

About 66% of El Paso County residents live in the city limits of Colorado Springs.

As of 2021, Colorado Springs ranked as the second-largest city in Colorado, next to Denver, out of 272 municipalities.

Data from the Colorado State Geography Office

Age

Average median age: 33.7 years old for El Paso County as of 2023 State Demography Office estimates.

Comparisons: Increase from 30.7 average age of residents in 1990.

State forecasts project an average median age of 37.6 by 2050.

 More 26-year-olds live in El Paso County than any other age. There were 13,724 26-year-olds in 2021, followed by 13,484 25-year-olds.

Age 90 and over: 4,289 residents in 2021

Age 10 and under: 102,283 residents

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 The largest population group by age in El Paso County and statewide is the 25- to 29-year-old range. Also, 55-to 59-year-olds comprise a big part of the population, both locally and across Colorado.

Race/ethnicity

El Paso County, as of April 2020 Census (most recent data available):

White Alone: 66%

Hispanic/Latino: 18%

Black/African American Alone: 6%

Two or More Races: 6%

Asian: 3%

American Indian/Pacific Islander: 0.5%

Some other race: 0.6%

Notable: Nationwide, statewide and locally, the April 2020 Census showed that as the decades progress, younger generations are becoming more racially diverse. The Two or More Races category grew by 24,758 residents in El Paso County from the 2010 Census to the 2020 Census.

 Self-identified Hispanic/Latino residents were the fastest growing ethnic group in El Paso County, increasing by 36,319 people between 2010 and April 2020, for a total of 129,984.

The countys second-highest growth was in the White Alone category, with 32,537 additional residents from 2010 to April 2020, for a total of 480,484.

Forecasts

 El Paso Countys population is projected to top 1 million by 2050. The exact forecast from the State Demography Office for 27 years from now: 1,004,032. Predictions are based on factors including job generation, births, deaths, and numbers of people moving in and out.

 The countys population is expected to age significantly by 2031, seeing a 59.4% increase in people ages 75 to 84. That age group will grow from a total population of 30,178 in 2021 to 48,116 in 2031.

Residents ages 85 and above will jump by 52.5%, according to projections.

The aging population is a trend nationwide, as Baby Boomers born from 1946 to 1964 and aged 57 to 75 in 2021, grow older and will be aged 67 to 83 in 2031.

However, the age group 55 to 64 is predicted to decline by nearly 13% over the next eight years

 With five military installations, El Paso County births are expected to climb to a high of 11,060 in 2038 and 2039, and then decline to 10,801 in 2050.

As the population ages, deaths will rise to a high of 7,915 in 2050.

As of July 1, 2022, El Paso County had 9,267 births and 6,238 deaths in the year that began July 1, 2021.

 Net migrants  the number derived from people who moved into the county minus those who moved out of the county  is predicted to be 3,635 people this year and 2,165 in 2050.
The United States Postal Inspection Service is offering potentially thousands of dollars in reward money to tackle a case of mail theft in Colorado Springs, according to Gazette news partner KKTV.

The service announced a reward of up to $20,000 for anyone who can help identify two suspects accused of stealing mail from at the Quail Run Apartments, located near the intersection of Dublin and North Academy boulevards.

The thefts reportedly occurred between Sept. 7 and Sept. 25, KKTV said.

Those with information about the incident are asked to call 1-877-876-2455, and say Law Enforcement when prompted. The caller should then reference case number 4006297-MT.
A double-decker South Shore train is on display during the groundbreaking ceremony for the South Shore Line Double Track Project in Michigan City on Monday, June 20, 2022. (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune) (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune)

Bus rides for some South Shore Line riders will get shorter soon, when scheduled trains begin running again between the Michigan City and Dune Park stations later this month.

That will be a tremendous benefit for our project, Michael Noland, the railroads president, told the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District board Monday. And it will be a better ride for our customers.

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Chartered buses have been carrying South Shore Line passengers between Michigan Citys Carroll Avenue station and the Dune Park station since late February 2022, when construction work began on the Double Track project between Michigan City and Gary.

Busing between the Dune Park and Gary Metro stations began in August 2022, and that will continue until the project is completed.

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Construction on the Michigan City-to-Dune Park part of the project has been completed. Trains have been running along the tracks there and making sure the positive train control system is operating.

Next week, train crews will ride the route to become familiar with the changes since the last time scheduled trains ran there.

Regular train service is expected to resume between Michigan City and Dune Park in the week of Oct. 16, Noland said.

The Michigan City part of the project includes replacing the single rail line that ran, embedded in the street, through the middle of the city with two sets of tracks on the surface, protected with wall and fence. Most former street crossings are closed, and the rest are protected with automated gates and signals.

Construction on the whole Double Track project is 90% complete, Noland said, and full service there is expected in May 2024.

On the railroads other major project, trains are expected to begin running on the West Lake Corridor between Hammond and Dyer in May 2025, Noland said.

If youre driving through Hammond, youre going to see a whole lot of work on that project, Noland said.

When the West Lake project is completed, he added, the South Shore Line plans to name that part of the railroad the Monon Corridor, for the railroad that formerly crossed much of Indiana.

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Part of the West Lake line runs along an abandoned Monon right of way.

The South Shore Line is also considering naming the route from Chicago to South Bend the Lakeshore Corridor or Lake Michigan Corridor, Noland said.

When both the Double Track and West Lake Corridor projects are completed, the South Shore Line expects to add 26 trains to its schedule to and from downtown Chicago.

To create room for them, the South Shore Line and Metra  which owns the tracks in Chicago  will add a fourth set of tracks to the three that currently exist at the Van Buren and Millennium stations, plus new platforms at both stations.

Thats expected to be a $200 million project lasting until 2026

We should be able to run the construction project with the new service, Noland said.

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Tim Zorn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Last week, after days of treacherous trudging through unrelenting snow and loose rock in Montanas Beartooth Mountains, Jason Heyn finally turned around.

He started walking down the road to the town of Red Lodge. He told himself he would accept a ride if one was offered.

Sure enough, about 6 miles outside of town, someone pulled over and asked, Heyn said. That was it.

That was the end of an audacious, unheard-of attempt in the Rocky Mountains that began in June in Colorado.

After reportedly walking to all of this states 14,000-foot mountains and climbing up them, Heyn proceeded to walk to Wyoming. In mid-September, he reported scaling that states 36 mountains above 13,000 feet. He said he then walked to Montana, where 27 12,000-foot mountains would cap the challenge known as the Rocky Mountain Grand Slam.

The concept had turned heads in 2020, when Seattles Eric Gilbertson logged the 120 peaks in 60 days. That time was shattered this summer by a runner out of Oregon, Jason Hardrath, who knocked out the Grand Slam in 39 days.

Those men had the benefit of a vehicle shuttling them between mountains, along with other logistical support. Its believed Heyn was the first to try the challenge all on foot, by himself, in thru-hike fashion.

After nine summits in Montana, Heyn accepted what he said was his first car ride. He marked his effort finished after 111 days, 104 mountains and 2,681 miles on feet that needed medical attention back in Red Lodge.

Any longer in the snowy wild, and he said his toes would have succumbed to frostbite.

Theres definitely some discoloration still, Heyn, 26, said late last week, back at his parents home in Gaithersburg, Md.

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It could have been much worse, he figured.

Going alone without a rope through Wyomings technical, glaciated Wind River Range was not exactly wise. In some areas, Heyn said he saw more grizzly bears than people  including one that came maybe 100 feet from him.

He counted himself lucky, too, on much flatter terrain.

Road walking is super dangerous, he said. Especially if youre doing hundreds and hundreds of miles, your chances of getting hit by a car greatly increase.

Early into a post-college life of mountaineering and ultra running, Heyn said he spent more than a year plotting the Grand Slam. The preparation did little to quell the concerns of loved ones back home.

I think my mom called search and rescue on me three times, Heyn said. Ultimately, its pretty selfish going out and risking my life and having people worry about me for three or four months.

There was relief back home. There was a request.

Heyns mom wanted the long hair and beard gone. Heyn, a financial software consultant, knew it was not fit for the professional life to be resumed.

I was thinking, man, Im never gonna have this again, he said. But in the back of my head, Im definitely gonna do something like this again. The hair and beard will be back at some point.
Fox News journalists Jennifer Griffin and Benjamin Hall tell of the harrowing rescue of Hall from Ukraine after he was injured by a Russian bomb. Their Purdue University Northwest Sinai Forum appearance Sunday was the first time they appeared together to tell their story. (Doug Ross/Post-Tribune)

For the first time, journalists Jennifer Griffin and Benjamin Hall told their story of rescuing war correspondent Hall after he was injured in a Russian attack on Ukraine.

Griffin and Hall had each told their stories separately, but their joint appearance at the Purdue University Northwest Sinai Forum was a first.

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Fox News journalist Pierre Zakrzewski and Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova were killed in the attack, as was their driver. Hall was the only survivor.

We have witnessed the war in Ukraine in real time, in a way many of us have never seen, Griffin said.

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Hall and Griffin, however, have seen more of war than their viewers.

But journalists covering wars help bring the stories to their readers and viewers, Griffin said, as theres more to war than troops and bombs.

Its not just the horror of the war, its the humanity of the war, she said.

As a war correspondent, Hall met families whose lives were torn apart  A mother whose four children were lying on the ground in front of her. A rebel ships captain explaining to a British naval officer that he was carrying food for the children  when it was really an arms shipment. Helping wounded troops.

And, in Halls case, helping a wounded journalist. That harrowing tale begins on March 14, 2022.

We decided we wanted to go to Southside, Kyiv, and tell the story of the defenses that the Ukrainians were building. They had this trench system around.

Dr. David Bankoff (far left) and his wife, Billie, listen as Fox News Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin addresses a VIP reception before she and fellow journalist Benjamin Hall appeared at the Purdue University Northwest Sinai Forum in Westville on Sunday. The Bankoffs parents founded the Sinai Forum 70 years ago. (Doug Ross/Post-Tribune)

The Ukrainian military said there was an abandoned village being shelled over the last couple of weeks, but its clear the Russians were back. Hall and the two other journalists went there.

We decided to make our way back towards Kyiv. And we were driving through this abandoned village. We slowed down in the small little red car, we slowed down at a checkpoint, Hall said.

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The first explosion happened about 30 feet in front of to the left. Immediately the driver reversed the car. You know automatically that thats targeted at you.

The second bomb landed next to the car and Hall blacked out. We talk a lot about in the moment and religion defining myself; (I) blacked out in this peaceful place. It was all quiet and theres nothing but black, and I dont know how near death, he said.

All I see is nowhere, he said. Then he saw his 7-year-old daughter and it brought him back from that void.

I opened my eyes, and I grabbed the door and I got myself out of the door, took one step and the third one hit the car itself.

Halls vision included God sending Halls children and his parents  both of whom had died  to Hall. But something saved me that day, something amazing, he said.

The next thing I know, Im thrown away, thrown down, and I wake up again on fire. My right leg is gone, and I started rolling automatically put the flames out.

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Im very dazed and no pain, no pain at all at this point. He knew not to move because of the Russian bombs. I was thinking one thing the whole time, and that was, what are we gonna do? I thought I was gonna die.

I started to drag myself up toward the road, pulling myself along. And maybe that car, Ukrainian special forces, had got lost just down the road and it turned and it came back, Hall said.

I was in and out of consciousness at this point. I was really getting in a bad place. It came, it saw me, actually looked at it, and the last thing I remembered was someone grabbed me and my body armor. My body armor saved my life, you know, kept those organs clear, kept their head clear and not just shrapnel here. That saved me. And they grabbed my body armor and started to pull me towards the column, Hall said.

Thats where Griffin picked up the story.

She was getting ready to appear on air with Fox host Brett Baier when she heard that a car carrying three journalists was attacked by a Russian bomb.

Hall and the others hadnt checked in with their security team, so Griffin feared trouble.

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Word started to spread back that you that you had been hit, but nobody knew where you were, nobody knew where Pierre and Sasha were, Griffin told Hall.

When she found out about the attack, the adrenaline kicked in.

With the permission of Fox News President Jay Wallace, Griffin contacted Pentagon brass to ask for military help.

Our hands are tied. We cant go into Ukraine; the president has ordered no U.S. troops across the border into Ukraine. Our hands are tied, she was told.

But troops could meet Hall at the border if Griffin could manage to get him there.

Having covered Iraq, Afghanistan and the surge, I knew that Landstuhl (a U.S. military hospital in Germany) had the best military medicine in the world and that that was where they needed to go for those first hours, Griffin said.

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Working with her contacts, they began putting together a risky rescue operation. It was like building a plane while flying, she said.

A military operative and his team managed to get past Russians to find Hall at a hospital, when they were still within firing distance.

And he has already seconded in ambulance that hes fitted out somehow in the last 12 hours while were looking for you, Griffin told Hall. Knowing that he was going to be on bumpy roads and that you were going to need the shock absorbers.

Ive got two phones by my ear. Im on the edge of my bed having not slept all night, and I need permission from Fox to move (Hall), Griffin said. The doctors at the hospital were so jumpy they were reluctant to release Hall into the custody of someone they didnt know. Im trying to call people in the foreign ministry, the mayors, she said.

But the operative got inside and got Halls permission to move him.

There was a curfew, a 72-hour shoot-on-sight curfew, Griffin said. Ukrainian officials were worried that Russians had infiltrated city.

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Meanwhile, the first group of foreign dignitiaries had come to see Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Griffin was trying to get Hall on the secret diplomatic train back to Poland.

The meeting with Zelenskyy ended six hours early, which added to the time crunch. Zelenskyy was in his office with his young daughter and found out Hall had a young family, too. Zelenskyy wanted Hall to go home to his family.

They broke all the security rules, Griffin said.

Soldiers opened up his wounds to verify his injuries, Hall said.

However, you get through it, you dont get jumpy. You dont say anything, she said.

The 82nd Airborne met Hall at the Polish border. Griffin had gotten Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins permission.

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There is an extra power and strength in you that you dont know, Hall said, and it got him through all this. When the pain got too bad, he was able to control it. You can control it to the point where you can get through the toughest situations.

For the Hall family, it was a second lifesaving rescue by American troops.

Halls father was 8 when Japanese troops invaded the Philippines. He was in a Japanese camp for three years. Then in the chaos of war he led a group of children through the streets of Manila to reach American troops. A GI pulled him up and put him behind a U.S. tank to protect him.

If you really wonder what American troops are doing out there, theyre really saving lives. Theyre doing incredible things, Hall said.

Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Colorado Democrats celebrated the party's wins in the last two elections but warned against resting on laurels ahead of next year's midterm Saturday night at the party's chief annual fundraising event, held virtually for the second year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mormons around the world are rejoicing in Sundays news from the denominations President Russell M. Nelson, who announced where 20 new temples for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be erected.

Colorado Springs is on the list.

It is extremely special, said church member Michael B. Law of Colorado Springs. He was sitting at the semi-annual general conference in Salt Lake City when Nelson revealed in a pre-recorded video the cities in which new temples will rise.

For us, until its announced by our prophet, we never know (the location), Law said. It was a joyful announcement for all of us in Colorado Springs.

Members in the area have longed for years for a temple close to home, he said.

To have a temple is just such a great blessing to the saints, especially at this time, Law said. Someday the Lord will bless all of us across the world to have that blessing close to us. We are so grateful.

In his video to members, Nelson said, The ordinances and covenants of the temple are of eternal significance. We continue to build more temples to make these sacred possibilities become a reality in each of your lives.

Five other sites in the United States will get new temples: Fairbanks, Alaska; Kahului, Hawaii; Tulsa, Okla.; Roanoke, Va.; and Vancouver, Wash.

Another 14 temples will be erected in Savaii, Samoa; Cancun, Mexico; Piura, Peru; Huancayo, Peru; Vina del Mar, Chile; Goiania, Brazil; Joao Pessoa, Brazil; Cape Coast, Ghana; Calabar, Nigeria; Luanda, Angola; Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Laoag, Philippines; Osaka, Japan; and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The exact spot for the Colorado Springs temple has yet to be released, said Law, communication director for the Colorado Springs Coordinating Council, which covers southern Colorado.

We dont have an official announcement for the site, he said.

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The timeline also is unknown, said church member Todd Hawker, a real estate agent and counselor for the Colorado Springs Stake.

I am excited as are many members that a temple will be constructed here, he said.

Until then, local members will continue to use the temple near Denver, Law said.

The expansion is part of a growth spurt within the church. Nelson, recognized as the churchs prophet, has announced 153 new temples in the past five years.

The Colorado Springs building will be Colorados fourth temple. The Denver Temple in Centennial was dedicated in 1986, and the Fort Collins Temple in 2016.

A new temple broke ground in Grand Junction in 2022, as part of 20 additional temples Nelson declared in April 2021. Construction is scheduled for completion in 2025.

Temples are considered places of revelation and function differently than local churches. They are used for instruction and rituals for the living and the dead, such as marriages and baptisms for the dead, during which members make covenants and bonds they believe will last for eternity.

Temple buildings are grandiose and often built on an elevated site thats visible from high-traffic areas of a city, such as interstates. Many are topped with a lighted angel Moroni statue, a prophet in the Book of Mormon symbolizing the restoration of the gospel to Jesus Christ.

The first Latter-day Saints congregation formed in Colorado in 1897; today the church claims nearly 150,000 members in 310 congregations statewide.

The greater Colorado Springs area is divided geographically into five stakes or groups of congregations. Each stake has between 3,000 and 5,000 members, Law said.
Independent Records, whose eclectic mix of music, videos, smoking accessories, gifts, clothing and posters made it a Colorado Springs favorite for generations of customers, closed its doors last week after 45 years  though a revival of the business remains possible.

The retailers last day was Saturday, said Lewis Lambert, who, along with his brother, Orville, came to Colorado from California in 1978 and started Independent Records. The brothers had owned record stores in California and other states.

Orville, who had taken over as sole owner of Independent Records the past few years, died Aug. 24 after a short illness, according to an obituary notice. He was 78. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd. in Colorado Springs.

The closure of Independent Records, at 195 N. Academy Blvd., potentially marks the end of what had been one of the last remaining locally owned record stores in the Colorado Springs area.

After arriving in the Springs 45 years ago, the Lamberts built Independent Records into a thriving retail destination. They did so not just by selling records and music, but by creating a retail brand and offering what the Lamberts called lifestyle items  smoking and marijuana paraphernalia, adult videos, T-shirts, toys, board games, books and jewelry, among other merchandise.

We always prided ourselves on being on the cutting edge of culture, Lewis Lambert said Monday.

The Lamberts, with former minority partner Judy Negley and aided by what Lewis called longtime, loyal employees, expanded locations multiple times; in 2015, they had seven Independent Records stores in Colorado Springs and Pueblo.

In recent years, however, Orville Lambert said that Independent Records was suffering financially and wound up closing nearly all of its locations. In December 2021, after having sold its flagship store at 3030 E. Platte Ave., Independent Records moved to its South Academy location.

On Monday, Lewis Lambert, 77, echoed what Orville had said  that the business had a lack of finances, which were needed to keep the business running and to replenish and update its inventory.

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It takes a lot of money to drive a retail music store, he said.

In late July, just before it marked its 45th anniversary, Independent Records announced it was closing and began a going-out-of-business sale. A series of fundraisers took place to help infuse the store with capital, but werent successful enough to keep it open.

Early Monday morning, the stores doors were locked and its parking lot was empty. A going-out-of-business-sale banner still hung on the front of the building.

Still, Independent Records could make a comeback, Lewis Lambert said.

Longtime employees Hollie Sherwood and Matt Gehrung are seeking to obtain financing that would allow them to take over and reopen the business, Lambert said.

Sherwood, who had served as a store spokeswoman over the last several weeks, couldnt be reached for comment Monday.

She and Gehrung had launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money they hoped would allow them to invest in the business with the help of a buyer. A GoFundMe page, however, showed the campaign raised only $2,619 out of a goal of $100,000. The status of those donations wasnt known Monday.

Even if Sherwood and Gehrung dont succeed in their bid to bring back the business, two other retail industry members whom Lewis Lambert declined to identify have expressed interest and are exploring a takeover and relaunch of the business, he said. Orvilles will named him executor of his brothers estate and gave him power of attorney over his business, Lewis Lambert added.

A decision on the fate of Independent Records could come by the end of October; Lewis Lambert said hes negotiated a lease extension with the buildings landlord to hold onto Independent Records space for this month while the interested parties determine if they can reopen the business.
The only difference between Father Anne and other Roman Catholic priests is that she is female.

So says Father Anne, the name she goes by.

And because of her unsanctioned ordination under the churchs authoritative Canon Law, Father Anne and other females who are part of the Roman Catholic Women Priests movement have been excommunicated  the most severe punishment for a Catholic.

The women also are unable to partake in any of the churchs services, rituals or sacraments, cannot work or volunteer for a Catholic church and are banned from receiving a church burial.

We do claim apostolic succession, but we are not recognized by the institutional church, Father Anne said.

In fact, Father Anne isnt allowed to set foot into a Catholic church, which is why shell deliver a talk and lead a discussion about the decades-old initiative to ordain Catholic female priests at a church of another Christian denomination.

Father Anne will kick off her first presentation of a nationwide tour about the Roman Catholic Women Priests movement at First Congregational United Church of Christ 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Monday. The church is at 20 E. St. Vrain St.

Father Anne and 259 other ordained female priests and bishops around the world are calling for institutional reform within the Catholic Church that would permit females to be accepted as ordained clergy.

The movement as a whole is prophetic  women are modeling a different priesthood, she said in a phone interview from her home in Albuquerque, N.M.

Many female priests are married and have children, although Father Anne practices celibacy. Their congregations do not subscribe to top-down leadership but operate under an equal and shared governance.

Its an exercise in imagination of what the Roman Catholic Church might look like if women were priests, Father Anne said.

The nonprofit organizations movement was born 21 years ago, when seven women were ordained by male Catholic bishops along Europe's Danube River. In the following year, several women were ordained as bishops, and since then those women have been ordaining women as priests and bishops, Father Anne said.

Some of the ordained run congregations in homes or buildings in 34 states in America, and also minister in Canada, Europe, South and Central America, South Africa, Philippines and Taiwan.

The organization is just one of several whose members are calling for females to be allowed within the top echelon of the Roman Catholic Church, as many Protestant Christian denominations have done.

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"I use the title 'Father' to drive home the point that women can do what men do. God will work through us," Father Anne said. "What Im really doing in my ministry is expanding the symbol of the priest to include the body of a woman."

And at this moment in history, the table is set for hierarchy to seriously consider the idea, Father Anne believes.

The theology, Scripture and historical work all has been done, she said. At this point, its getting the magisterium to dialogue and encounter the truth about the issue.

This month begins the final year of the papal-declared Synod on Synodality, a worldwide process to discern how the Holy Spirit is moving through and with Catholics and non-Catholics. Father Anne and other supporters believe the undertaking could produce structural change to the longstanding patriarchal model.

Under the reigning Pope Francis, debates about whether to authorize married priests and women as deacons have been occurring. In 2021, Pope Francis officially permitted women to serve as altar servers and lectors, and in 2020, he rebooted a study on women becoming deacons.

This is an opening to create the pressure to hold the Synod process to the integrity of its values to include the history of womens ordination, Father Anne said. Its time to no longer silence the experience of women who are called to the priesthood whose voices have thus far been excluded.

The 49-year-old Father Anne was born into the Catholic Church but fell away to the point she no longer claimed the religion as hers. But at age 29, she had what she calls a profound encounter with God that irrevocably impacted my life.

She went back to college to earn a masters in divinity degree from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, Calif., and held many positions at Catholic churches, from pastoral administrator to youth minister to spiritual director and retreat presenter.

I had an amazing experience in the institutional church, she said. I do what Im doing now from love; I am totally devoted even though it punishes me harshly.

When she started to hear God calling her to priesthood, Father Anne said she initially set it aside. But Gods voice was relentless.

It was very difficult to obey and get onto this path and let go of my relationships and everything, she said.

Shes frequently asked why doesnt she get ordained by another denomination that accepts women as clergy.

It would be easier, but what Im doing is a radial obedience to my call. This has been out of alignment for centuries now and needs to be changed.

Father Anne envisions the movement going the way of the Episcopal Church. After decades of work and several failed attempts, the church's General Convention approved in 1976 the ordination of women to the priesthood and the episcopate.

Within a year, women were welcomed in, she said. You just have to do it to show the church theres nothing to be afraid of.

To donate to Father Annes goal to travel around the nation for the next nine months and spread the word, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/ordain-women-as-priests to help her buy a camper.
You are here: Business

Assets under the management of China's public offering funds totaled 28.71 trillion yuan (about 4 trillion U.S. dollars) by the end of August 2023, data from the Asset Management Association of China showed.

By the end of August, a total of 11,111 public offering funds were being operated by 144 fund management companies, the association said.

The scale of closed-end funds neared 3.77 trillion yuan, with open-end funds at about 24.94 trillion yuan, the data revealed.

Of the 144 fund management companies, 48 are foreign-funded and 96 are domestic firms, according to the association.
Five North Iowa Schools sent upwards of 60 students to the regional Model U.N. conference Thursday at the Muse-Norris Center at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City.

Twelve outstanding delegates were selected along with 10 alternates to attend the Iowa Youth Symposium on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 in Des Moines.

Delegates were divided into groups of eight or more and were tasked with crafting a position paper on a topic, reflecting what the majority of those in the group believe should be the United States' policies at the United Nations in the categories of economics, politics, social policy, science and technology.

"What this provides is an opportunity for students to not just to connect with others from throughout the region and learn how students from different schools operate and participate in discussion, but the ultimate goal is to realize there's many different ideas on how to solve the save problem, and how we can all mix our ideas together to democratically solve that one problem," said Mason City High School Model U.N. adviser Richard Lorence.

Lorence said this year's seniors were freshmen when he began advising Model U.N., so he's proud to see them cap their careers as delegates. He sees evidence of their growth every day.

"I would call them some of our best and brightest," he said.

Algona's Matthew Stein, Clear Lake's Kate Richtsmeier, Mason City's Lorence, North Butler's Joe Goodrich, Osage's Ann Ott, and Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock's Samantha Schriever served as their respective schools' advisers at the event.

The delegates selected who would earn spots at the state competition. An uncountable amount of votes and caucuses were conducted throughout the day's business by the students.

Algona will advance eight students to state, the most by any one school. Delegate Camilla Campuzano, a senior at Algona High School, earned her spot as outstanding delegate in the technology category.

Campuzano has participated in Model U.N. every year except her sophomore year, which was interrupted by COVID-19.

"It's hard when you try to take the lead," she said on leading the group discussion, "It's better to let [the group] speak for themselves, getting everyone's words in so the group can make a decision."

The technology platform adopted by the group recommended "that a list of guidelines be developed to promote online safety further. It recommends guidelines because of the addictive nature of social media and worries about privacy, cyberbullying, false information, and other issues that have led to ethical and societal problems."

"The biggest topic in technology was privacy and government control," said Campuzano, "and sometimes it gets a little rowdy."

The politics group adopted in its policy guidelines that the U.S. discontinue participating in the International Court of Justice due to its controversial history of biased verdicts and jurisdictional issues with the U.S., writing, "The jurisdiction has specific requirements and regulations that the U.S. does not want to follow, therefore, the U.S. would encounter difficulties under the jurisdiction of the ICJ. Knowing that jurisdiction policies and international law all counteract the U.S., the U.S. should not officially recognize the ICJ, unless under specific circumstances."

NIACC has hosted the North Iowa Model U.N. conference for decades. NIACC President Steve Schulz said, "As a former high school social studies instructor, the value of understanding how the United Nations works, allowing students to understand why that model was put in place, and how it functions today is really critical to world peace."

"We're proud to host this and other events ... that help students grow at that K-12 level," Schulz added.

The delegates and alternates who will attend the state convention later this month are:

Economics

Waverly Espe of Algona.

Samuel Martinez-Macias of North Butler.

Alternates: Emerson Waltz of Algona, Faith Foster of North Butler.

Politics

Joseline Juarez of Mason City.

Elijah Garrett of Algona.

Alternates: Ava Leedom and Jack Schlichting of Clear Lake.

Social

Flynn McCann of Algona.

Joseph Struecker of Algona.

Riker Brindley of Algona.

Alternates: Ava Reams of Osage, Finnian Rogers of North Butler.

Science

Seth Walker of Algona.

Aidyn Schmitt of Algona.

Alternates: Katilyn Thangaraj of Mason City, Alivia Ungs of North Butler.

Technology

Camilla Campuzano of Algona.

Henry Mauser of Osage.

Malinda Voortmann of Clear Lake.

Alternates: Jacob Doolittle of Clear Lake, Aleena Rosacker of Algona.
Falls frothy fermentations are upon us, the perfect time to inhale the rich funk of grape crush, pump-overs and carbon dioxide that pricks the nose and announces that yeast is doing some work.

Its harvest and festival time in North Carolinas wine country  also a perfect time to visit and savor.

The Oct. 7 Harvest Festival, hosted by Shelton Vineyards in Dobson, features the popular beach band The Swinging Medallions. The 11-4 p.m. festival features tours and wine-related activities.

On Oct. 21, enthusiasts can choose from the Raleigh International Wine Festival, the Carolina Cider Fest in Asheville or the Yadkin Valley Wine Festival in Yadkinville.

One of the larger and longer-standing festivals is the N.C. Wine Festival in the Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary on Oct. 28. This event also features a popular beach band, Chairmen of the Board.

Closer to home is the Oct. 14 Men Can Cook fundraiser for the Greensboro Womens Resource Center. For the second year, the event at Greensboros Piedmont Hall includes a Twisted Tasting, featuring samples from Grove Vineyards & Winery, Junius Lindsay Vineyard, Stardust Cellars, Bull City Ciderworks, Fainting Goat Spirits and SouthEnd Brewing Company.

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The N.C. Winegrowers Association is hosting the Taste North Carolina Food and Wine event on Nov. 10 at The Venue in Asheville. The association will reprise that event on Feb. 9, 2024, in Winston-Salem.

This event pairs special offerings from top chefs alongside top-shelf wines from North Carolina. The association leverages these events (which include Raleigh, Charlotte and Wilmington) as a way to introduce N.C. wine to enthusiasts.

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On my list to visit in the coming months are Kefi Estate Winery in Monroe for what is likely North Carolinas first vineyard to feature Greek-style wines, including Assyrtiko, Santorinis famed white grape.

Also on my shopping list are:

 Burntshirt Vineyards near Hendersonville for its Gruner Veltliner, the signature white grape of Austria.

 Sanctuary Vineyards near Jarvisburg for its Albarino, the famed grape from the coast of northern Spain.

 Grove Winery near Gibsonville for its Carmenere, the Merlot-like grape made famous in Chile.

 Daveste Vineyards near Troutman for its Rkatsiteli, popular in Russia.

 Castello Barone near Ronda for its Vermentino, one of Italys top white grapes.

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Some wines Ive enjoyed recently and you might, too: 2022 Kirkland Signature Sauvignon Blanc ($8) from New Zealand's Marlborough region; 2022 Bodega Colme Torrontes ($14) from Chiles Calchaqui Valley; 2021 Bodegas Ego Jumilla El Goru ($15), a sturdy red from Spain that leans on Mourvedre; 2021 Attems Pino Grigio Friuli ($19) from Italy; 2020 dAngelo Aglianico del Vulture ($19) from Italy; 2021 McPrice Myers High On The Hog ($25), a powerhouse red from Paso Robles that blends Zinfandel, Grenache, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvedre; 2022 Chateau dAqueria Tavel ($18), a rose from France that displays surprising heft; 2021 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel ($17), consistently among the top Zins from California; NV Korbel Extra Dry ($14), a ubiquitous sparkler from California; 2022 Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc ($11) from California; 2019 Masciarelli Montepulciano dAbbruzzo ($14) from Italy; 2019 Los Vascos Cromas Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($21) from Chile; and 2021 Chateau Ste.Michelle-Dr. Loosen Riesling ($18) from Washingtons Columbia Valley.
The Secretary of States office says its taking a hands-off approach to new financial barriers erected around Montanas citizen initiative process earlier this year.

Some legislative leaders and activists had argued that Senate Bill 93, passed by Republican lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte earlier this year, would kneecap the ability of ordinary Montanans to pursue ballot initiatives.

The bill created a nonrefundable $3,700 fee that proponents said was designed to cover the costs incurred by state agencies tasked with reviewing and processing those initiative proposals. It also added new steps to the process of getting a proposal approved.

But it also included a carve-out, allowing those proposing initiatives to seek a waiver by demonstrating a financial inability to pay without substantial hardship. The language of the law doesnt get more specific than that, but allows the Secretary of States office to write rules to administer that fee.

The current implemented process used by the Secretary of State is to simply inform applicants that there is a fee, but a waiver may be granted if they respond attesting to financial hardship under the requirements provided by statute, Secretary of State spokesperson Richie Melby wrote in an email. The implemented process seems to be working well; we've had folks do both without issue or confusion.

The office has so far decided not to move forward with any rule-making, he added, and simply relies on self-affirmation, meaning they take the applicants at their word that they cant afford it. Melby cited similar practices in how the office allows self-affirmation in voter registration and candidate filing.

But the law also allows the office to rescind a waiver if it later finds that the applicant could have afforded the fee, based on financial disclosure forms. Melby declined to specify how the office would make that call, writing that the SOS office acts ministerially with regard to ballot committee financial disclosure. Those disclosure reports are overseen by a separate office.

A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of SB 93 is currently plodding through state district court in Lewis and Clark County. It was filed in May by a group of activists and delegates to Montanas 1972 constitutional convention and accuses the governor, attorney general and secretary of state of violating the peoples right to make laws through the initiative process.

Opinions vary among initiative proponents who have paid the fee since SB 93 went into effect.

By far the greatest expense that weve incurred so far is legal fees, just trying to interpret the law, said Doug Campbell, treasurer of the Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund.

He said the group opted to simply pay the fees for two ballot initiatives to change the way primaries and general elections work in Montana. But Campbell argued that the law hurts the ability of Montanans to exercise their constitutional right to bring ballot initiatives.

His ballot initiative political committee is one of just two that have so far registered with the Commissioner of Political Practices

Tony Hudson, a Republican school board trustee in Stevensville, hasnt registered a committee for his ballot initiative campaign, to designate American rodeo as Montanas official state sport. But he said he had no issue with the new price tag for submitting those proposals to the Secretary of State.

Anything worth doing probably isnt going to be for free, Hudson said. So while we sit around and want the government to reduce taxes, its pretty hard to do that and continue to offer free things to the public.

Hudson's ballot initiative last week became the second proposal to be approved for petition signatures for the 2024 election cycle. He sees it as a break from the more contentious proposals vying for the November ballot.

"I thought that this was kind of a cool ballot initiative, that this was something positive," Hudson said.
Montanas 2023 fire season had its ups and downs.

Before fire season began, conditions in Montana set the stage for increased wildfire risk. Record high temperatures in May caused the below-average snowpack in the northwest region of the state to melt rapidly  in some areas three weeks earlier than normal  and persistent drought since last June led to low streamflows and depleted groundwater resources.

At the governors fire season outlook briefing on July 18, just days before the 2023 fire season kicked off in earnest, Northern Rockies Predictive Services Meteorologist Dan Borsum warned that longer-term moisture trends were concerning and said diminished groundwater levels could contribute to the drying of fuels.

As soon as we go hot and dry, the plants are getting stressed [and] the reservoir for them to tap into isnt really readily available, Borsum said, adding that groundwater in western Montana this year was drier than in 97% of all other years.

Elsewhere in the state, above-normal rainfall in late spring and early summer helped to temporarily fend off wildfires.

May through June were wetter than average, which set us up to have a slower start to fire season, said Joe Messina, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Missoula, which covers the southwest and western parts of the state.

But, Messina said, below-average precipitation in July reversed that trend, creating drier conditions that led to a busier late July and August with more wildfire activity. Then, two significant rainy periods in August helped to dampen fires once again.

A similar scenario played out in south-central and southeast Montana, where rainfall throughout the summer mitigated wildfire activity. In Billings, this years June rainfall totaled more than six inches, almost triple the average for the month, according to Shawn Palmquist, lead meteorologist for the NWS Billings office. And in August, Miles City received more than three inches of rain, compared to the monthly average of less than an inch, Palmquist said, adding that August rainfall prompted a secondary green up of vegetation in some areas that provided a buffer against wildfire starts.

North-central Montana was the states one region that consistently missed out on significant rainfall, according to a September seasonal outlook from the Northern Rockies Coordination Center. The NRCC projected that drought conditions will persist into the fall across northern Montana.

Still, despite fortuitously timed precipitation throughout much of the state, the 2023 wildfire season wasnt exactly quiet.

From mid-July to early August, a number of lightning-caused fires ignited in western Montana and grew quickly.

The 2023 season began with the Colt Fire, which sparked 12 miles northwest of Seeley Lake on July 17 and ultimately burned more than 7,000 acres. The Bowles Creek Fire started three days later, on July 20, in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, later expanding onto the Bitterroot National Forest and burning a total of 6,988 acres. Dry lightning ignited five large fires on the Flathead Indian Reservation between July 24 and July 30, prompting stage 2 fire restrictions and extreme fire danger ratings across northwest Montana. Large wildfires also took hold in the Kootenai and Flathead national forests by early August, including the East Fork, Ridge, and Tin Soldier Complex fires.

Following that initial wave of new starts, activity briefly slowed due to precipitation and cooler temperatures. Severe fire weather kicked back up by mid-August, with record-high temperatures recorded in Missoula and red flag warnings issued across western Montana. On Aug. 18, the River Road East Fire blew up near Plains on the Lolo National Forest and tore through more than 17,000 acres, resulting in the loss of 64 structures, including 16 primary residences, according to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Moisture from Tropical Storm Hilary followed, dropping more than an inch of rain across parts of western Montana Aug. 19-21 and slowing fire spread throughout the region.

For Joe Sampson, fire management officer for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, where the Bowles Creek Fire ignited, the 2023 fire seasons constantly shifting conditions created a bit of a yo-yo effect.

Our season was defined by a lot of ups and downs, Sampson said. We were fortunate to have those timely precipitation events that kept our fire season under control.

Richard Fisher, operations specialist for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire, echoed that this years fire season was fairly calm compared to other years, but also said that responding to wildfires is always challenging. When multiple large fires started on the Flathead Indian Reservation in late July, Fisher said, the CSKT Division of Fire ordered additional resources, but couldnt always get what they needed.

Presenting to the Environmental Quality Council on Sept. 27, DNRC Forestry and Trust Lands Division Administrator Shawn Thomas characterized the 2023 fire season as less busy but more costly than average for the DNRC, in large part due to costs accrued suppressing the Colt Fire, which totaled more than $32 million.

Thomas expressed gratitude for increased funding available through Montanas House Bill 883, which enabled the state to bolster its fire suppression response with a variety of aerial resources and two 20-person hand crews.

Thomas credited the additional resources as being part of the reason western Montana did not see more large fires this season, despite extreme fire weather during much of the summer.

According to the DNRC fire dashboard, 1,536 fires burned 116,314 acres in Montana this season, and 48% of those fires were human-caused. Thomas told the EQC that as of Sept. 15, the DNRC had spent $39.2 million on fire suppression in 2023, and the remaining fire fund balance totaled $109.3 million.

Looking ahead to 2024, Sampson said, increased fuel loads on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest could impact next years fire season.

While less fire can offer benefits like better air quality and reduced risk to people or property, Research Landscape Ecologist for the U.S. Geological Survey Rachel Loehman said it can also kick the can down the road when it comes to future wildfires.

If we have a year in which we werent able to reintroduce fire, or we werent able to tolerate fire, [or] we didnt get fire on the landscape in a way that helped us reduce fuels, that fuel is still around for the following year, Loehman said.

Loehman co-authored part of a 2018 U.S. Forest Service report on climate change vulnerability and adaptation in the Northern Rockies region, which examines the natural role of ecological disturbances like wildfire and how climate change is shifting the way such disturbances operate. All fires need three things to burn  ignition, fuel, and fire weather  and Loehman said each element is being affected by a warming climate, causing an increase in wildfire frequency, intensity and size.

Quieter fire seasons, as in Montana during the last two years, can feel like outliers, but Loehman said its important to keep broader climate trends in mind.

What appears to us to be a moderate year now is probably an extreme year [when viewed] from the middle of the last century, Loehman said.

Flathead National Forest Public Affairs Officer Kira Powell said in an email that while the days are now getting shorter and cooler, vegetation is also drying out again, which opens the door to the possibility of autumn fires.

Once plants get a hard freeze, frost-killed leaves are susceptible to burn, Powell said, cautioning Montanans to mind their campfires during hunting season and while spending time in the woods this fall.
MOUNT ZION  The discovery Monday morning of a gun box will result in heighted law enforcement presence Tuesday when Mount Zion Junior/Senior High School students return to class.

After the schools investigation, an owner of the gun box was identified. We dont believe the students or staff are in danger in the upcoming days, but we will have increased law enforcement presence at the JH/HS as an additional security precaution to keep everyones minds at ease, Superintendent Travis Roundcount said in a note to parents Monday afternoon. Additional administration will also be present tomorrow for student arrival.

The schools will plan to run a normal school day schedule, he said.

If any student or parent sees anything that is concerning, please contact the building administration immediately, Roundcount said.

Officials said the box was discovered in a public portion of the high school during early bird classes and while other students were en route to the school building.

The Mount Zion Police Department responded at about 6:50 a.m. to assist with a cautionary lockdown, Police Chief Adam Skundberg said.

The box in question displayed a gun manufacturer logo and contained a gun safety lock, paperwork, and serial number for a small caliber handgun. No gun or ammunition was present in the box; however, the building was still put into a lockdown, Roundcount said.

The decision was soon made to cancel classes for the day and send junior high students and high school students home.

The items located inside the box, including the gun lock and paperwork, added to the concern, Skundberg said.

An extensive search of the junior high and high school complex was conducted by district staff, Mount Zion police and the Macon County Sheriffs Department. The Illinois Secretary of State Police arrived to assist with K9s trained to detect firearms, ammunition and explosives.

We conducted a very thorough search and nothing was found, Skundberg said. He reiterated that no threats were made on the school or students.

We were just being cautious after finding this box, Skundbeerg said.

Donnette Beckett contributed to this report.
Were excited to announce the addition of two helpful screening tools on SSA.gov! These tools are the Benefits Screener and the Card Replacement Screener. The Benefits Screener helps you determine your eligibility for benefits and the Card Replacement Screener helps you request a replacement Social Security card. Lets go over how you can use these tools.

Benefits Screener

You can access the Benefits Screener tool at ssa.gov/prepare/check-eligibility-for-benefits to determine which benefits you may be eligible for, typically in 10 minutes or less! Whether youre considering retirement, disability, survivor or other types of benefits, this tool will guide you in the right direction.

To use the screener, select the Start button and answer a few questions about whats going on in your life. You will immediately get a response that tells you which benefits you may be eligible for based on your answers.

Card Replacement Screener

You can access the Card Replacement Screener at ssa.gov/number-card/replace-card. If you need a physical Social Security card, you can use this screener to determine the best way to replace it.

Depending on your situation, you may be able to request a replacement Social Security card without visiting a local office. Select Answer a few questions on the Replacement Card page to get started. If you cant complete the process online and have to visit an office, you can save yourself time by starting with the online application.

Requesting a replacement Social Security card is free. In most situations, you do not need to present a physical card  just knowing your Social Security number is usually enough. But if you do need the physical card, you can use this online screener to get started.

SSA.gov continues to be a safe and secure way to conduct your business with us online. The redesigned website  with its online tools  is the quickest, easiest and most convenient way to begin.

General

Q: Why should I sign up for a my Social Security online account?

A: My Social Security gives you a personal online account you can securely use to check your Social Security information and do business with us. With a my Social Security account you can:

 Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year.

 Get an estimate of your future benefits if you are still working.

 Get a replacement Social Security card in certain states.

 Get a letter with proof of your benefits if you currently receive them.

 Manage your benefits:

 Change your address or telephone number.

 Start or change your direct deposit.

Get a replacement Medicare card.

 Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.

To find all of the services available and set up an account, go to ssa.gov/myaccount.

Q: Can I use the metal or plastic versions of Social Security cards that some companies make?

A: We dont recommend it. There is no need to have a replica of your card. In most cases, the only time you may need to produce your Social Security card is when you apply for employment. At other times, we strongly recommend that you keep anything with your Social Security number on it with your other important papers. Do not carry your Social Security card with you. Also, we strongly advise against laminating your card. Your Social Security card has many security features, which are not detectable if laminated. Those features include latent images you can only see at an angle and color-shifting ink. You should question anyone else other than your employer who asks for your Social Security number or your card. Not everyone you do business with needs it. Learn more at ssa.gov/ssnumber.
MOUNT ZION  An undefined security issue Monday morning has led to Mount Zion Junior-Senior High School students being sent home and a continuing police presence at the facility.

The security checks are continuing at the junior high and high school. Students are being dismissed to their cars and are reloading busses to go home for the day. We will send another message to junior high and high school students this afternoon about tomorrow, Superintendent Travis Roundcount said a phone message sent to families this morning.

No additional information was released by the district or the Mount Zion Police Department about what prompted the police presence Monday morning, which includes the use of at least one police dog, and what they might be looking for.

Junior high parents have been told there will be no extra curricular activities after school on Monday.

This story will be updated.
Two area educators have been selected to serve on a new chronic absenteeism task force, a part of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkins All In VA education reform plan.

Youngkin last week named Washington County Virginia Superintendent Keith Perrigan, who also serves as president of the Coalition of Small and Rural Schools of Virginia, and Bristol Virginias Faith Mabe, principal of Washington-Lee Elementary, to serve on the 11-member task force.

The task force was established in response to a near doubling of chronic absenteeism in Virginia classrooms resulting from extended pandemic closure of schools, according to a statement from the governors office. They are charged with developing resources and action plans for school divisions to address the record-high student absenteeism rates across the Commonwealth.

To prevent losing an entire generation of children, Virginia is leading the way to accelerate our students learning loss recovery through intensive tutoring and combating chronic absenteeism, Youngkin said in the statement. Children must be in school to have any chance of recovering from the persistent learning loss facing students across the Commonwealth. Our new chronic absenteeism task force was designed to get kids back in the classroom and back on track now.

Perrigan formerly served as Bristol Virginia superintendent where he oversaw one of the few divisions statewide to reopen in August 2020 while the pandemic was raging.

What we have been able to show, during and post COVID, is if students attend school regularly we can show strong academic gains. The students who are still struggling, the majority of those students are having issues with either chronic absenteeism or truancy, Perrigan said Monday.

Im excited to work with other state leaders across the Commonwealth to develop solutions to make sure we can support these students and their families as well, he said.

Chronic absence is defined as missing 10% or more of school days in a given academic year. The calendar prescribes 180 days of instruction, so missing 18 or more days in a year is considered chronic. It is also one of nine factors the state uses in assessing a divisions accreditation status.

More than a fourth of all Virginia schools had absenteeism rates above 25% during the 2021-22 school year, according to a study by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. Some of the states highest rates are found in Southwest Virginia.

Last year Dr. Mabe did research on states with laws dealing with chronic absenteeism and truancy. We recommended legislation, based on her research, but that didnt make it through the pipeline, Perrigan said.

Perrigan is unsure if the legislation will be one of the recommendations

Twenty-five other states have legislation similar to what we recommended. The code includes all kinds of abuse and neglect but there is no mention of educational neglect in Virginias code, he said. This isnt a hammer; this should be a hand to help parents out and  if there is educational neglect going on  how do we connect those families to services to help get those kids back to school?

Virginias Department of Education recently completed a two-week listening tour in all eight regions meeting with instructional leads and superintendents to outline the ALL IN VA plan and next steps.

Coming to school everyday matters, said Superintendent Lisa Coons. As I have met with superintendents across the Commonwealth, they have asked us to work with them to make sure the message is clear: kids need to be in school.

The task force will meet every two weeks to discuss the factors contributing to chronic absenteeism such as food scarcity, health and safety and transportation. With the understanding that parents must be responsible, the task force will develop actions for school divisions to effectively address school divisions biggest barriers to reducing chronic absenteeism. In addition, the Task Force may identify any regulatory hurdles prohibiting best practices from scaling to meet communities needs, according to the governors statement.

Other members include Scott Vermillion, Gate City High School Principal; Michelle Mitchell, Newport News City Public Schools Superintendent; Doug Straley, Louisa County Public Schools Superintendent ; Clint Mitchell, Colonial Beach Public Schools Superintendent; Chip Jones, Cumberland County Public Schools Superintendent; Chris Johnson, Prince George County Public Schools Governing board member; Tian Olson, parent; Marco Callender, YMCA of Greater Richmond executive director; and Sandy Chung, American Academy of Pediatrics President and Trusted Doctors CEO.
GENEVA  A Swiss Academy of Sciences panel is reporting a dramatic acceleration of glacier melt in the Alpine country, which has lost 10% of its ice volume in just two years after high summer heat and low snow volumes in winter.

Switzerland  home to the most glaciers of any country in Europe  has seen 4% of its total glacier volume disappear in 2023, the second-biggest decline in a single year on top of a 6% drop in 2022, the biggest thaw since measurements began, the academys commission for cryosphere observation said.

Experts at the GLAMOS glacier monitoring center have been on the lookout for a possible extreme melt this year amid early warning signs about the country's estimated 1,400 glaciers, a number that is now dwindling.

The acceleration is dramatic, with as much ice being lost in only two years as was the case between 1960 and 1990, the academy said. The two extreme consecutive years have led to glacier tongues collapsing and the disappearance of many smaller glaciers.

Matthias Huss, head of GLAMOS, which participated in the research, said in an interview that Switzerland has already lost up to 1,000 small glaciers, and that now we are starting to lose also bigger and more important glaciers.

Glaciers are the ambassadors of climate change. They make it very clear what is happening out there because they respond in a very sensitive way to warming temperatures, he said. The study underlines once again that there is big urgency to act now if you want to stabilize (the) climate, and if you want to save at least some of the glaciers.

The team said the massive ice loss" stemmed from a winter with very low volumes of snow  which falls on top of glaciers and protects them from exposure to direct sunlight  and high summer temperatures.

All of Switzerland  where the Alps cut a swath through most of the southern and central parts of the country  was affected, and glaciers in the southern and eastern regions melted almost as fast as in 2022's record thaw.

Melting of several meters was measured in southern Valais (region) and the Engadin valley at a level above 10,500 feet, an altitude at which glaciers had until recently preserved their equilibrium, the team said.

The average loss of ice thickness was up to 10 feet in places such as the Gries Glacier in Valais, the Basodino Glacier in the southern canton, or region, of Ticino, and the Vadret Pers glacier system in eastern Graubuenden.

The situation in some parts of the central Bernese Oberland and the Valais was less dramatic  such as for the Aletsch Glacier in Valais and Plaine Morte Glacier in the canton of Bern, because they enjoyed more winter snowfall. But even in such areas, a loss of over 2 meters of the average ice thickness is extremely high, the team said.

Snow depths measured in the first half of February were generally higher than in the winters of 1964, 1990 or 2007, which were also characterized by low snowfalls, the team said. But snow levels sank to a new record low in the second half of the month of February, reaching only about 30% of the long-term average.

Over half of automated monitoring stations above 2,000 meters that have been in place for at least a quarter-century tallied record-low levels of snow at the time.

After that, an extremely warm June caused snow to melt two to four weeks earlier than usual, and mid-summer snowfalls melted very quickly, the team said.

Swiss meteorologists reported in August that the zero-degree Celsius level  the altitude where water freezes  had risen to its highest level ever recorded, at nearly 17,400 feet, which means that all the Swiss Alpine peaks faced temperatures above freezing.

How climate change drives hotter, more frequent heat waves How climate change drives hotter, more frequent heat waves Is climate change to blame? Understanding heat waves Analyzing the likelihood of a heat wave under climate change Protecting at-risk populations from heat waves
This photo taken on Sept. 29, 2023 shows passengers at Zhengzhou Railway Station in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)







With this year's super-long "golden week" spanning both the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holidays in full swing, Chinese people are fervently hitting the road to make the most of this eight-day holiday period.

On Sept. 29, the first day of the holiday period lasting until Oct. 6, China's railways handled about 20.1 million passenger trips, setting a new record for daily trip numbers and surpassing 20 million for the first time in history.

Analysts believe that this holiday period will usher in a new peak in travel, accelerating the rebound of China's tourism industry.

"This year's 'golden week' is likely to become the hottest one in the past five years, owing to the combined boost of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the National Day holiday and the Hangzhou Asian Games," said Li Jiwei, deputy dean of Meituan Research Institute.

Travel Enthusiasm at Record High

Cross-the-board data reveals that millions of travelers are embarking on journeys during this extended holiday period, driven by robust demand for family reunions and leisure activities.

During this period, China's commercial passenger traffic across railways, highways, waterways and air travel will experience a complete recovery. The total passenger trips are expected to hit 490 million, a jump of 78.6 percent in terms of average daily number compared with the same period in 2022, data from the Ministry of Transport (MOT) showed.

The country is expected to see 190 million railway trips during the 12-day travel rush for the National Day holiday, which lasts from Sept. 27 to Oct. 8 and overlaps the Mid-Autumn Festival, according to the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

A total of 20.098 million railway passenger trips were made in China on Friday and 17.066 million on Saturday, and another 17.2 million passenger trips are expected to be handled by the railways on Sunday.

China's civil aviation sector is projected to handle over 21 million passenger trips during this period, with daily average domestic flight and passenger numbers expected to rise by 18 percent and 17 percent, respectively, compared to the National Day holiday period in 2019, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

A surge of travelers is anticipated to flood roads nationwide. During the holiday period, average daily expressway traffic is projected to reach 57 to 58 million vehicles, soaring 46 to 49 percent over the same period last year, according to the MOT.

Since this year's holiday period coincides with the latter part of the ongoing Hangzhou Asian Games, there is a strong demand for tourism, family reunions and attending events, which is expected to lead to a substantial increase in cross-provincial long-distance trips via highways, the MOT said, noting that cross-provincial and cross-city trips are expected to make up more than 70 percent of all highway journeys.

"Almost all my friends would travel somewhere during this holiday," said Wang Yifan, who works in Beijing, adding that she has merged her holiday with her annual leave for a family vacation to Europe.

As China makes every effort to facilitate cross-border travel, the country is expected to see an average of 1.58 million daily inbound and outbound passenger trips during the holiday period, a roughly 3-fold increase year on year, according to the National Immigration Administration.

Toursim Recovery Picks Up Speed

With the "golden week" being the longest public holiday in the second half of the year, Chinese travelers are eagerly looking forward to indulging their wanderlust.

Data from the online travel agency Trip.com Group showed that domestic tour bookings for the holiday period increased by over 400 percent compared to the previous year. Specifically, driven by the allure of the Hangzhou Asian Games, bookings with Hangzhou as the destination experienced a remarkable year-on-year increase of over 500 percent.

According to online platforms Meituan and Dianping, as of Sept. 20, tourism consumption orders on the platforms for the National Day "golden week" holiday doubled compared with 2019, and the number of restaurant reservations grew by 112 percent.

"With bookings for scenic spot tickets, hotels, catering and other services increasing significantly, consumption demand across the country will be further unleashed during the eight-day holiday, which reflects the positive development trend of China's economy," Li said.

Some 62 percent of Chinese consumers plan to increase their spending on traveling in six months, which is much higher than the global average level, according to a report from global auditing and consultancy firm PwC.

This will create great opportunities for the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors, PwC said.

Orders for outbound travel also saw a significant rise, data from Trip.com Group showed. Group tour bookings to countries such as Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka and Kenya have increased significantly in comparison with the same period of 2019, the pre-epidemic level.

According to Zhang Yang, a researcher with the China Tourism Academy, outbound tourism has risen in popularity during the holidays, and related products from multiple travel service providers have been sold out.

"The gradual return of Chinese travelers to the global tourism market is injecting recovery momentum into the global economy," Zhang said.




Aquilla VFD Plans National Night Out Event In an effort to strengthen relationships with the community, the Aquilla Volunteer Fire Department will hold a free National Night Out event from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, October 3, at the Aquilla Volunteer Fire Department and Community Center.



Plans for the evening include hot dogs, water balloon fights, tug of war, a performance by Chris Perez, vehicle tours, a junior firefighter course, door prizes and much more.



For more information, call or text Heather at 254-580-5183, Chris at 254-749-8649 or Matt at 254-749-3785.



The Aquilla Volunteer Fire Department is located at 201 East Treadwell Street in Aquilla.


Ex-Students Announce Plans For Reunion The Hillsboro High School Ex-Students Association will host a reunion Saturday, October 7, with a meet and greet from 9 a.m. to noon and a luncheon to follow. Both will take place in the Hillsboro High School cafeteria.



The meet and greet will be a time for former Hillsboro students to share old stories while enjoying cookies and coffee.



For the luncheon, barbecue meals will be sold at $17.50 a plate.



The event is open to all interested former Hillsboro students who would like to become a member of the alumni group.



The membership fee for the HHS Ex-Students Association is $20 a year.



For more information, call Mike Pyron, president of the association, at 479-799-0022.


The Microsoft Edge Secure Network VPN service uses Cloudflare's Privacy Proxy, the latter company has revealed.

Microsoft Edge Secure Network is available to personal users of Microsoft's browser who choose to sign in with their Microsoft account.

The idea is to encrypt data from non-HTTPS sites and to mask IP addresses.

Most web traffic already uses HTTPS. Firefox telemetry shows around 80% of pages opened with that browser are HTTPS, and the corresponding figure for Chrome varies by operating system from 80% on Linux to 99% on Chrome OS.

While Edge Secure Network hides the user's IP address, it replaces it with one in a similar location so enquiries such as "pizza near me" continue to work. This means it is of no help if the goal is to access a video streaming service while you are overseas.

In any event. streaming traffic isn't routed through the VPN. This, according to Microsoft, is to "conserve your VPN data limit" which is 5GB a month.

Once activated, Edge Secure Network is engaged automatically when using an open Wi-FI network or visiting a non-HTTPS site.

Cloudflare's part of the service is explained here.

"Today's privacy headlines are sensationalist and often miss the mark when it comes to the foundational issues that disrupt a users' ability to maintain anonymity and keep their personal data secure. While legislation and reactionary calls for action can be helpful in attempts to catch up with the rapid pace of the Internet, it is imperative to shift towards proactive measures like the adoption of privacy-enhancing technology," said Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince.

"This integration with Microsoft Edge will give Internet users peace of mind when it comes to connecting to public Wi-Fi at coffee shops or airports, shopping online, and masking the original sin of the internet  IP addresses."

Microsoft Edge principal product manager Andrew Nolan said "We're excited to be working with Cloudflare because of its reputation for building privacy-forward technologies and deep involvement in developing the next generation of open privacy-enabling protocols .

"This integration ensures privacy and balances performance, giving our users protection in the moments they need it the most. Embedding privacy preserving technology into the Microsoft Edge browser demonstrates our continued commitment to provide our users with advanced security and peace of mind as they browse online."




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John F. Kennedy's book "Profiles in Courage" told the story of a rare, few U.S. senators who went against the tide of popular opinion and committed acts that ultimately led to severe criticism and in some cases, political defeat.

The names are at best vaguely remembered and in some cases lost to history, but the idea of defying societal standards in service of a higher purpose i.e. "doing the right thing" as Spike Lee might say, is fundamental.

I thought of the book this week when Judge Wendy L. Pew dismissed all charges against Officer Mark Dial.

Dial had been charged with murder and other lesser offenses by Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner, a man who has weaponized his office against the police department as a means of advancing his "social justice" philosophy.

Krasner was elected by a majority of a minority, namely the very tiny percentage of Philadelphia voters who bothered to go to the polls.

He was given this mandate: dismantle the "racist" criminal justice system, empty the jails, and provide "restorative justice" to those who have been harmed by the bigotry of people who think felons belong in jail.

This philosophy is common among a new breed of prosecutors who are really just lesser-paid criminal defense attorneys in disguise.

They have a very clear view of how they think the law should function, and if it is not compatible with the facts of any particular case, they are willing to manipulate and massage statutes so that the charges will fit the crime.

This is what has happened in a number of cases filed against police officers in Philadelphia, including a high profile one against Ryan Pownell, which was dismissed last October because Krasner had improperly instructed a grand jury.

It's deja vu all over again, as Yogi Berra would say.

This past Tuesday, Pew dismissed the charges against Dial because she found that there was no evidentiary basis for them. People, with no legal training but with a lot of social media savvy, have argued that the judge overlooked video evidence, eyewitness testimony and departed from accepted standards when dismissing the charges, which were immediately lodged again by Krasner.

In the Twittersphere, activists started aiming for the judge, leveling thinly veiled threats about taking her seat from her in the upcoming election. And there were some more ominous threats as well.

On the evening of the dismissal, riots erupted in the streets of Philadelphia. I was caught up in one of them near 15th and Chestnut streets in Center City, where a group of unhinged vandals and what I like to call "Flat Screen And Sneaker Activists" plundered local stores, carrying their booty in their arms like refugees fleeing some sort of civil war.

Only they were the ones causing the mayhem, and the conflict.

Fortunately, I was in a bus, and those tons of metal protecting me were a blessing.

Judge Pew isn't as fortunate. She works in a courtroom, protected by layers of security, but her name has been out there and unwisely cited by a number of local publications that, while entitled to distribute the news, could have done so in a more measured way.

Then we had local journalists who I will not name but with whom I used to work tweeting out videos about how horrific it was that Dial was allowed to walk, and writing that they were "beyond outrage."

I understand being "beyond outrage." I was beyond outrage when I was forced to navigate through a mob of vandals, and a phalanx of police officers to get to my home on Tuesday night.

I was beyond outrage that the legitimate dismissal of charges triggered a night of riots and looting.

I was beyond outrage that the actions of a judge, after due deliberation and with a deep understanding of the rights of defendants, have been attacked as just another example of racism.

Ironically, the day that the charges were dismissed against Dial, I was watching a docuseries from my friend Tigre Hill on Paramount Plus called "72 Seconds in Rittenhouse," which recounts the murder of Sean Schellenger at the hands of Michael White.

When Schellenger, a real estate agent was stabbed in the back by White, a food service deliveryman, the case became a Rohrshack test on race, class and due process.

I am quoted in the series praising Frank Rizzo, whose idea of policing is now considered antiquated in this "kinder to the criminal, gentler on the crime" era.

While many people would disagree with my assessment of the former police commissioner/mayor, I think that the sharp swing to the other extreme represented by Larry Krasner and the progressive prosecutors is profoundly damaging to society.

That is why what Pew did is both remarkable and courageous.

She clearly understood the tenor of the city, and the desire for a pound of flesh from a police officer.

It's no secret that this DA has been waging war on police for the past six years, ever since he was first elected to office. She also clearly understood where many progressive Philadelphians stand on criminal justice reform.

And yet she honored our shared profession by not allowing emotions or security concerns to blind her to the reality: Krasner had overcharged Dial, and his evidence didn't add up.

She had two choices: ignore that and go forward with the case or terminate the legal farce.

Her actions were a profile in courage, and since she is barred from speaking out about her actions, I will do it for her: well done, your honor.

Thank you for refusing to be intimidated by social narratives, and for following the law.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Christine M. Flowers is a lawyer and columnist.
Kansas is a state of vastness, some of it seems undisturbed since David rode across it. Here is a little farm near the tracks with no neighbor for several miles. A good place for an introvert like me.

I could tow a trailer out on the treeless prairie and pull the shades and sit there and slowly go insane, buy a couple rifles with scopes, and yell at the TV about government oppression.

David was an extrovert. He was a leader of his wagon train and organized the lashing of wagons together to cross the rivers. He hunted antelope with the Arapaho and traded with them. He arrived in Colorado too late to get rich and instead sat in the territorial legislature and helped draft a state constitution.

At age 62, an old man in those times, he settled in Kansas and wrote to his children: "I built a house 21r x 24r, one-story of pickets, shingle roof, 6 windows and 2 doors, divided and will be when finished one like my house in MO. Dug a well 20 feet deep, plenty of water, and put up a stable for 10 head of stock, covered with hay. We have done very well with oats and I have 25 tons of timothy hay, not yet sold. I am very comfortable, the times are fair here in Kansas, we are all well except for a touch of influenza. Our love and best wishes to all, yours affectionately."

I assume the r means rods, which would be a considerable structure for an old man to build. What I admire is the cheerful tone. He is the father of eleven kids, including Isaac Newton Powell and Harriet Beecher Powell, which indicates he was a progressive. There are no references to the Lord in the letters, so he was not an evangelical, maybe a free-thinker.

Kansas flew past me, long stretches of brush and wild grassland as we headed west under an overcast sky, the train rocking as we rolled, an occasional coulee, no crossroads for miles and miles. David hoped to strike it rich but recognized the reality of the situation and set out to be useful instead and was elected mayor of Pueblo. Last week, as the train rolled through the first of the foothills, I wanted my man to talk to me and tell me what to do with my remaining days.

I am very comfortable, as he was, and married well, likewise, which is more than an old rounder deserves, but I have flashes of big ambition, which is lunacy for a gentleman of the geezer class. A screenplay?

Get over yourself. A movie in which ordinary small-town Midwesterners suddenly burst into song about the simple pleasures of summer? It's 2023, pal. That movie was outdated around the time you were born. What a man your age should do is accept the diminutions of age and find a shady porch and reread the classics of his youth, Oliver Twist and Anna Karenina and Walden, War and Peace, Walt Whitman, and see what more they have to say.

Time passed. I awoke from a nap. We were in the hills and canyons now. A tunnel through a mountain. I dozed off. I was awakened by the conductor's voice on the loudspeaker: "Next station stop, Pueblo. This will be a brief stop, three minutes. Feel free to step down off the train but don't wander off. We'll be boarding in three minutes." So I stepped off into brilliant sunshine. Cool air, we were almost at 7,000 feet. A sandy lot and the main drag and a short row of brick storefronts. I don't think David came west for the money, I think it was for the pleasure of venturing into the unknown, and when he saw the mob of would-be miners he quickly got busy elsewhere, including Pueblo.

I was looking for his advice and I only had three minutes and I'm pretty sure it was succinct and sweet: Leave the big chances to the young ones and live your life, counting the days, applying your heart unto wisdom, cherish what you love, take no meetings, go for long walks.

And the conductor yelled, "BOARD," drawing out the O just as in David's day, and the whistle blew and onward we went.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Garrison Keillor is an author and radio personality. His latest book is "The Lake Wobegon Virus: A Novel". Buy it at a 33% discount! by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR.
Trump can win the primaries, but he cant win the general election.

Never Trumpers have made this argument in anger, and some Trumpians have offered it in sorrow. Even those who admire Donald J. Trump and yearn for his America First policies to revive this gasping nation wonder if he can cross the finish line first on Nov. 5, 2024.

Thus, Trump foes are massively frustrated, and Trump fans are hugely encouraged, that he has soared against Joe Biden. Recent polls find Trump ready to trounce Biden at the next general election.

Sundays ABC News/Washington Post poll of 1,006 adults captured Trump at 52% and Biden at 42% among registered voters. In terms of the popular vote, such a Trump re-election margin would land almost exactly halfway between Obamas 52.9% triumph in 2008 and Bidens 51.3% victory in 2020.

This storys key fact on American democracy (Trump 52% to Biden 42%) died in the darkness of paragraph 21. Indeed, the Post threw shade on its own survey. We dont know what were doing, the Posts article on this study suggested. This research was so painful to the Post that it smothered its own story in caveats and accused its survey team of incompetence.

Trumps lead in this survey is significantly at odds with other public polls that show the general election contest a virtual dead heat, the Post self-flagellated. The difference between this poll and others, as well as the unusual makeup of Trumps and Bidens coalitions in this survey, suggest it is probably an outlier.

But the paper added, In May, a Post-ABC survey found Trump with a six-point lead among registered voters, 49 percent to Bidens 43 percent. Empathy for Trump grows as Democrat persecute him.

Simultaneously, Bidens popularity has slipped amid endless vacations, mounting gaffes, throbbing ethical headaches and public displays of disaffection toward such people as the 97 Maui residents whom a vicious wildfire incinerated.

No wonder Trumps support has waxed by 3 percentage points while Bidens has waned by 1 percentage point. Result: Trump 52%; Biden 42%.

In the new poll, men favor Trump by 62 percent to 32 percent, a margin of 30 points, the Post observed. In May, Trumps margin among men was 16 points. So, 14 percentage-point higher approval among half the population should boost Trump by about 7%.

Meanwhile, the Post reports, Among non-White voters, the poll finds Biden leads by nine points. In four other public polls, Bidens lead among non-White voters ranges from 12 points to 24 points.

In 2020, according to Edison Researchs exit poll, Biden beat Trump among Hispanics 65% to 32% (a 33% margin) and blacks 87% to 12% (a 75% shellacking.) If Biden is ahead just 24% among non-whites, he is in trouble. If Biden sunk to the Posts 9% reported advantage among voters of color, he should crawl into his Wilmington bunker and assume the fetal position.

The popular vote is interesting, but the Electoral College counts. Yet another survey should make Trump staffers throw their MAGA hats into the air.

Trump held a small advantage in the seven states where the 2020 presidential election was closest: Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada and Michigan, Reuters/Ipsos reported Sept. 15 after surveying 4,413 registered voters. In those states, Trump led with 41% to Bidens 35%, and 24% undecided. If Trump secures those battlegrounds, Biden is a dead man walking.

If these two split the other 44 states as in 2016, their respective victories would follow post 2020-Census reapportionment. Texas has added two electoral votes. Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon each has gained one.

These states have lost one electoral vote each: California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Ceteris paribus, Trumps triumphs in these six swing states would transform the 45th President of the United States into Americas 47th chief executive, 312 to 226 for Biden.

By my calculations, Trumps victory would exceed Bidens 306 to 232 showing in 2020.

Politically, November 2024 is 10 zillion light years away. Surprises will fill that void. But right now, Donald J. Trump looks not just electable but poised for a landslide.
 The Rhode Island Department of Health played along with the Cumberland, Rhode Island, police department after it received a request from a little girl for DNA testing on a partially eaten cookie and some gnawed-on carrot sticks, the Associated Press reported.

She was hoping for a conclusive match for Santa Claus, but alas, the department said it was unable to "definitively confirm or refute the presence of Santa" in her home.

However, it did find DNA closely matching Rangifer tarandus, or reindeer, on the carrots. [AP, 1/24/2023]
Insight Fox Business loses the GOP'S second debate By Michael Reagan Published October 2, 2023

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From the first dumb question to the abrupt ending that caught everyone by surprise, the GOP presidential primary debate produced by the Fox Business channel was a total disaster.

I know. I was there Wednesday night  in Row 5 of the Air Force One pavilion in the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif.

At the beginning of the debate it was a special treat to see and hear the praise that the Fox people bestowed on my father, his historic accomplishments and his strong and personable brand of conservatism.

But from then on it was all downhill.

Everything about the debate was dumb, wrong or poorly designed  the seven-candidate format, the trio of incompetent debate moderators, the high-speed stream of questions they asked and the rude behavior of the cross-talking candidates.

Unless something changes, it was a lineup of potential future losers to Donald Trump  Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota, ex-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Ex-South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman/commentator Vivek Ramaswamy, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and ex-VP Mike Pence.

They all tried to slip in their canned quips and pitches for their leadership abilities, but no one learned anything in two excruciating hours  except that it's impossible to have a good political debate with seven people.

Other than Pence and professional Trump hitman Christie, the "Not-so Magnificent Seven" spent most of their time interrupting each other and beating up Joe Biden for all the problems his policies have brought America.

If I had to pick the top three "winners," I'd go with the governors  Burgum, Christie and DeSantis. They should be in the next primary debate and the rest should go home.

Nikki Haley was very good at first. But then halfway through the debate she did her impression of a mad housewife.

She picked a fight with Kid Ramaswamy and hit Sen. Scott upside the face with a mean tirade that made no sense to any of us in Row 5.

At one point we were all confused because she and Scott were acting like a married couple having an argument over drapes.

The big winners, for sure, were the elephants who weren't in the room  Trump and Biden.

By far the night's biggest loser was Fox Business.

It proved it is no smarter or better than any of the liberal networks who've hosted previous presidential debates.

On paper it should not have been so awful.

Stuart Varney is great as the likable anchor of Fox Business' morning show. And Dana Perino is the quiet star of Fox News' deservedly popular show, "The Five."

But neither of them had never moderated a political debate  and it immediately showed.

They had no control over the cross-talking candidates and acted like they had a quota of 100 questions they had to ask.

Half the time they were more concerned with firing off the next question than allowing a real debate to get started on important issues like our support for Ukraine or parental rights in schools.

It almost seemed like the people in charge at Fox had never seen a multi-person political debate before.

They should have made sure that on the important issues each candidate got a turn to answer the question, not just two or three, which would have prevented most of the annoying cross-talk.

And whoever thought that it was a good idea to put Ilia Calderon of Univision in as the third moderator should be fired.

Supposedly intended to appeal to Latino voters who increasingly are attracted to the GOP, her accent was so heavy that those sitting around us often couldn't understand what she was asking.

Some friends who watched the debate on TV told me they turned it off after 20 minutes, but I was trapped there in Row 5.

The good news is that Air Force One that my father used didn't fall on our heads. Thank God the food and wine was great again.



(COMMENT, BELOW)

Michael Reagan is the son of President Ronald Reagan, a political consultant, and the author of "The New Reagan Revolution" (St. Martin's Press). He is the founder of the email service reagan.com and president of The Reagan Legacy Foundation.
11 a.m. MONDAY UPDATE: Law enforcement authorities reported on Monday that a missing man from Murdock in Douglas County has been found safe.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Department and the Illinois State Police have canceled the endangered missing person advisory alert that they had issued regarding Allyn Sly, 33.

****

MURDOCK  The Douglas County Sheriff's Department and the Illinois State Police are asking for the public's help to find an endangered man missing from Murdock.

Allyn Sly, 33, was last seen Saturday, according to a news release issued Sunday evening. He is described as a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, standing 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighing 155 pounds. He was last seen wearing a polo shirt and khaki pants, and driving a red 2018 Ford Fusion with Illinois license plate CS32480. Sly has a condition that places him in danger, the news release said.

Anyone with information about Sly's location should call 911 or contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Department at 217-253-2913.

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TEUTOPOLIS  Joann Deters was home Friday night when a cloud of seeping death washed up against her front door.

The 83-year-old womans ranch-style house on U.S. 40 is about a quarter of a mile from where a tanker loaded with more than 7,000 gallons of anhydrous ammonia rolled over in a traffic crash and ruptured.

A lethal cloud of fumes washed out and two children and three adults died in the aftermath, as the ammonia cloud swept over them.

Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes named the fatalities as Rosie Bryan, 7, and Walker Bryan, 10, both of Beecher City, and their father Kenneth Bryan, 34, of Teutopolis. The other fatalities were listed as Vasile Cricovan, 31, of Twinsburg, Ohio, and Danny J. Smith, 67, of New Haven, Missouri.

Rhodes also said the following victims were airlifted to area hospitals after exposure to ammonia at the crash site: Jacob Bloemker, 24, of Brownstown; John Costello, 19, of Olathe, Kansas; Anja Dangelmaier, 18, of Dallas, Texas; Sara Tague, 18, of Lake Elmo, Minnesota; Terrie Tudor, 61, of Union, Missouri.

Deters is pretty sure she and her 20-year-old visiting grandson, Thomas Ross, would have been among the casualties if they hadnt fled from Deters home, which sits right next to the road.

I didnt smell it at first, just saw all the commotion outside and went to the front door to have a look, said Deters, speaking Sunday.

And as soon as I opened the door it just hit me and I thought, Oh, my God,' it was just such a terrible smell and I slammed the door shut.

Shortly afterward she got a phone alert from a relative whose son-in-law had been driving a FedEx truck at the tail end of the crash east of Teutopolis.

He didnt know what the heck was going on either, but he opened up his window to see and he got a whiff of it and he saw people pouring water on their heads, recalled Deters.

He backed up and got off of Route 40, but he called his mother and father-in-law and said, Get out now, and she called me and told us to get out, and we did. A mandatory official evacuation order was telephoned to her home a short time later, but Deters had already fled by then.

More details about how the crash happened emerged Sunday afternoon at a news briefing hosted by Tom Chapman, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating what happened.

Chapman said a tanker truck owned by Prairieland Transport Ltd. from Brownstown was westbound on U.S. 40 Friday night when another vehicle tried to pass.

The truck driver reacted by pulling to the right, causing the truck to leave the road and roll over. The tank carrying the ammonia collided with a utility trailer parked off the road, and the tank was punctured by the trailers tow hitch, creating a 6-inch gash in the metal that allowed half of the tanks ammonia to gush out.

The harrowing scene of the crash was still marked Sunday by yellow hazard tape fluttering in a breeze laced with lingering ammonia fumes.

The tape cordons off the yard of a house surrounded by abandoned vehicles. On the porch, a pet dog lay deceased, apparently overcome by the leaking gas cloud and killed before it could get clear.

Two visitors at the crash site, who said they knew some of the victims who had died there after being overcome by fumes, were too upset to talk on the record about what happened.

COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER

Joann Deters said the Teutopolis community has rallied in the wake of the crash, taking in people who had to evacuate and making the best of a terrible situation. The towns Oktoberfest celebration, filled with lots of delicious food reflecting the little towns proud German heritage, was canceled, but nothing went to waste.

So they took all the food and gave it to the first responders, which was very nice, Deters said.

And now, as people wait for various official investigations to examine what happened, there are calls for improved traffic safety already being heard. The crash had occurred after Interstate 70 traffic was funneled onto U.S. 40 following a collision on the interstate near roadworks which have dragged on for months.

Dave Ross, Thomas Ross' father, said its time to rethink the policy of shutting down long stretches of the interstate for road repairs that often only take up a fraction of the highway suddenly reduced to one lane.

He said the longer the length of the interstate that is shut down, the greater the chances are of there being a crash, with the consequence of having to divert traffic onto smaller roads ill-equipped to handle the burden, resulting in more accidents like Friday nights terrible ordeal.

So, in my opinion, they should never close off more than a quarter mile of road at a time, work on that part, and then work on the next quarter mile, Ross said of the interstate road construction.

If youve got five miles closed off as opposed to a quarter mile, thats 20 times more likely you are going to have a car accident.

Questions were raised about the dangers of diverting interstate traffic at the NTSB news conference. Chapman said the issue was being looked into as part of the investigation, which is scheduled to have a preliminary report ready within 30 days.

I want to begin by extending our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of those impacted by this tragedy, those who lost loved ones. We are truly, truly sorry for your loss," said Chapman.

"We are also grateful to and want to commend the law enforcement and first responder personnel for participating in the emergency response to this crash, as well as the hospital staff responsible for treating the injured.

Lee Enterprises Editor Robyn Gautschy Skaggs contributed to this report.

Close City of Bloomington firefighters wash down Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying lime spilled its load Friday morning. City of Bloomington firefighters made their plans to wash down Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying chemicals spilled its load, Friday morning. The chemicals made the intersection extremely slick and police shut down Empire from Hershey Road to Airport Road for about two hours. State of Illinois workers clean up Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying chemicals spilled its load, Friday morning. The chemicals made the intersection extremely slick and police shut down Empire from Hershey Road to Airport Road for about two hours. City of Bloomington firefighters washed down Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying chemicals spilled its load, Friday morning. The chemicals made the intersection extremely slick and police shut down Empire from Hershey Road to Airport Road for about two hours. State of Illinois workers cleared a sewer opening on Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying chemicals spilled its load, Friday morning. The chemicals made the intersection extremely slick and firefighters washed the chemicals down from the intersection. City of Bloomington firefighters washed down Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying chemicals spilled its load, Friday morning. The chemicals made the intersection extremely slick and police shut down Empire from Hershey Road to Airport Road for about two hours. Customers at CJ's were temporarily stuck in their parking lot during the washdown. City of Bloomington firefighters washed down Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying lime spilled its load Friday morning. City of Bloomington firefighters washed down Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying chemicals spilled its load, Friday morning. The chemicals made the intersection extremely slick and police shut down Empire from Hershey Road to Airport Road for about two hours. City of Bloomington firefighters washed down Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying chemicals spilled its load, Friday morning. The chemicals made the intersection extremely slick and police shut down Empire from Hershey Road to Airport Road for about two hours. Photos: Bloomington chemical spill Bloomington firefighters clean up a chemical spill that closed down the eastbound lanes of Empire Street at Carnahan Drive, Friday. City of Bloomington firefighters wash down Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying lime spilled its load Friday morning. City of Bloomington firefighters made their plans to wash down Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying chemicals spilled its load, Friday morning. The chemicals made the intersection extremely slick and police shut down Empire from Hershey Road to Airport Road for about two hours. State of Illinois workers clean up Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying chemicals spilled its load, Friday morning. The chemicals made the intersection extremely slick and police shut down Empire from Hershey Road to Airport Road for about two hours. City of Bloomington firefighters washed down Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying chemicals spilled its load, Friday morning. The chemicals made the intersection extremely slick and police shut down Empire from Hershey Road to Airport Road for about two hours. State of Illinois workers cleared a sewer opening on Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying chemicals spilled its load, Friday morning. The chemicals made the intersection extremely slick and firefighters washed the chemicals down from the intersection. City of Bloomington firefighters washed down Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying chemicals spilled its load, Friday morning. The chemicals made the intersection extremely slick and police shut down Empire from Hershey Road to Airport Road for about two hours. Customers at CJ's were temporarily stuck in their parking lot during the washdown. City of Bloomington firefighters washed down Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying lime spilled its load Friday morning. City of Bloomington firefighters washed down Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying chemicals spilled its load, Friday morning. The chemicals made the intersection extremely slick and police shut down Empire from Hershey Road to Airport Road for about two hours. City of Bloomington firefighters washed down Empire Street at Carnahan Drive after a truck carrying chemicals spilled its load, Friday morning. The chemicals made the intersection extremely slick and police shut down Empire from Hershey Road to Airport Road for about two hours.
Early on Sunday morning, amid the pleasant autumn breeze, some 302,000 people gathered at Tian'anmen Square in downtown Beijing to witness the grand national flag-raising ceremony to mark the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

In the square stands an 18-meter-tall flower basket, a prominent feature of the recently installed floral displays, designed to enhance the festive ambiance, with flower decorations covering a total area of 5,050 square meters adorning the surroundings of the square.

Gao Yuqing, a student from Tianjin University of Technology and Education, attended the ceremony at Tian'anmen Square for the first time.

"When the national flag was hoisted, accompanied by the national anthem, tears welled up in my eyes," she said, expressing her aspiration to become a dedicated teacher in the future.

"I arrived in Beijing many days in advance for a sightseeing tour, and what I looked forward to the most was watching the flag-raising ceremony on the National Day," said Luo Liuzeng, a tourist from central China's Henan Province, who also attended the ceremony.

Sharing about his personal life, Luo, aged 74, said that his quality of life has significantly improved in recent years due to successful corn and soybean harvests, resulting in increased income.

Across the country, the National Day is celebrated in diverse ways, including participating in festive activities, visiting exhibitions and welcoming tourists.

Gao Zhiqian, who hails from Gaoxigou Village in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, was taking a stroll near his village on Sunday. As he stood on the newly constructed pathway on Longtou Mountain near the village, watching tourists enjoy themselves on the hills adorned with vibrant green vegetation, he couldn't help but feel joyous that the once arid and desolate village has transformed into a popular tourist destination.

"With the ecological environment getting better, lucid waters and lush mountains have become 'golden treasures,'" said Gao Zhiqian, who is a former village cadre. "Our village is becoming more beautiful, our wallets are getting fatter and the road to prosperity is widening."

China is currently in the midst of its "golden week" holiday, which includes the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday, lasting from Sept. 29 to Oct. 6. While many Chinese people are relishing an eight-day break for travel and leisure, some are working to ensure the seamless travel experiences of tourists.

Among them is Guo Jianjun, an electrical worker from the power supply company of Xianning City under the State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd., which is located in central China's Hubei Province.

At about 7 a.m. on Sunday, Guo and his colleagues prepared their equipment and commenced their work to ensure a smooth power supply for the high-speed railway.

"Currently, it is the holiday travel peak. Ensuring the safety of the power supply of the railway will allow everyone to travel smoothly," he said.

China is expected to see 190 million railway trips during the 12-day travel rush, which lasts from Sept. 27 to Oct. 8, according to statistics.
The state Local Government Commission will address and potentially vote on as many as five Triad and Northwest North Carolina loan requests related to building, water and sewer infrastructure.

The meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kidd Brewer Stadium on the Appalachian State University campus.

The commission, with state Treasurer Dale Folwell as chairman, has a statutory duty to approve most debt issued by units of local government and public authorities in the state.

The commission examines whether the amount of money that units borrow is adequate and reasonable for proposed projects and confirms the governmental units can reasonably afford to repay the debt.

The largest requests is $25 million each from Wilkes County and the Burlington Housing Authority.

Wilkes County plans to issue $25 million in limited obligation bonds that would be used to build and equip a new county government administration building.

County officials told the commission that the four-story, 154,000-square-foot structure is essential to provide handicap access, safety and security to employees, parking and sufficient space for current and future needs.

Burlington Housing Authority wants permission to issue $25 million in conduit revenue bonds that would be loaned to Arizona-based CFC-Burlington I LLC.

The company is seeking to acquire an existing hotel property, and then renovate it into a 131-unit multifamily rental housing development for families of low-and-moderate income.

Other region funding requests are: $6 million for Mebane to build a 1-million-gallon water storage tank; $3.7 million to King to replace a sewer pump station that serves residents in Forsyth and Stokes counties; and $3 million by the city of Greensboro to purchase firefighting equipment.

Overall, the commission will address requests to approve for more than $1.9 billion worth of projects.

The largest comes from the N.C. Housing Finance Agency to issue $750 million in revenue bonds.

The agency said the bonds are necessary to increase the states supply of affordable housing, and will be used to continue the home ownership program for families of low-and-moderate income for 2023 and 2024. The commission approved $418.5 million for similar affordable housing financing in 2022.
Researchers at N.C. A&T State University will explore the impact of climate change on vulnerable Triad communities in a three-year study supported by nearly $1 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, the school announced Friday.

N.C. A&T will develop one of six climate resiliency centers nationally.

Past research, including a 2021 analysis by the Environmental Protection Energy, found that low-income communities of color face the highest risk from symptoms of heat-trapping pollution.

The N.C. A&T effort looks to flesh out that trend on a local level.

Well be looking at climate impacts on vulnerable communities in the Triad area of North Carolina, primarily Greensboro, Winston-Salem and even Charlotte, said Solomon Bililign, N.C. A&T physics professor and lead investigator for the project.

Bililign and his colleagues will analyze how climate changes influence on air quality and urban heat disproportionally burdens marginalized populations.

To effectively localize the research, community members also will be called on for citizen science and crowdsourcing engagement projects, the team members said in their proposal for the federal funds.

Bililign will be joined on the project by N.C. A&T colleagues Ademe Mekonnen, a physics professor; Marc Fiddler, senior research associate and adjunct chemistry professor; and George Stone, a professor of marketing.

They will collaborate with S. Shree Dorestant, chief sustainability officer with the city of Greensboros Office of Sustainability and Resilience, along with scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy research facility in Richland, Washington.

Bililigns expertise includes serving as a climate science advisory panel member and contributing author of the peer-reviewed 2020 North Carolina Climate Science Report, which concluded that warming will continue in the state through the end of the century, with the severity depending on future emissions of heat-trapping gases.

Tackle the tough problems

Nationally, DOE also selected recipients from Arizona, Maryland, California and Michigan to receive a combined $5 million to establish climate resilience centers.

These awards will go to institutions that serve communities affected by the changing climate and will improve both basic climate science and community resilience, said Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, DOEs director of the Office of Science. These centers will grow the next generation of scientists and leaders so they can tackle the tough problems that we know we will face in Americas diverse communities over the course of this century.

The announcement came in conjunction with the White House Summit on Building Resilient Communities.

The climate resiliency centers, the White House said in a statement, will improve the use and utility of DOE climate science and engagement with local communities to address  challenges while also supporting historically Black colleges and universities, and minority-serving institutions.

Dorestant, Greensboros sustainability chief, said he was particularly attracted by the projects citizen science approach.

Outreach is essential to help our community members become more aware of the climate crisis, understand the significance of sustainability and resiliency, and also to feel a part of the study (and) fully immersed in the change we wish to see, he explained. We need to plan better and be more proactive, not reactive, in order to be better prepared for the future as our communities are now facing extreme weather events more frequently than ever before.

Specific goals for the N.C. A&T center include:

Addressing environmental equity concerns with a focus on climate resiliency.

Building and sustaining relationships between the scientific community, policymakers and the community.

Developing tools that could be used in city planning decisions.

Educating, training and sustaining a diverse workforce with climate science skills.

Developing culturally and socially relevant activities to support students engagement, agency and social responsibility.

The project team is expected to begin work this fall.
Bud Synhorst, who on Saturday will mark his four-year anniversary as president and CEO of the Lincoln Independent Business Association, announced Monday his resignation.

He will stay on until the end of the year and LIBA's search for his replacement will begin immediately.

Synhorst took the reins of the small-business organization in 2019 following the death of Coby Mach, the dynamic former LIBA leader.

"Coby was a close friend of mine and and I'm just honored that they welcomed me in as their president/CEO," he said. "It was a great honor to serve them every day."

Many credit him with righting the ship following Mach's sudden death.

Bud has been a great leader for our organization," said LIBA board chairman Mark Whitehead in a written statement. He maintained "LIBAs leadership in the city of Lincoln. He worked well with our elected officials at all levels and represented our organization with integrity and respect.

Synhorst, the former executive director of the Nebraska Republican Party from 2013 to 2016, said he plans to return to politics.

"I do political consulting and all that goes with that  with running races and campaigns and being involved in government affairs-types of activities," he said.

He said Lincoln is his home and he plans to stay here.

On Monday, he had the chance to ponder his four years leading the organization which represents more than 1,000 local businesses -- years made more challenging by the pandemic.

"Going through the pandemic with our members was difficult," Synhorst said. "Helping them try to understand what's next and how do we get through it and being able to support them.

"We never shut our office down during the pandemic, because we wanted to be available to our members and provide opportunities for them, to be there for them because when there was so much unknown facing small-business owners."
An inmate at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution assaulted multiple staff members Saturday resulting in serious injuries to two of them, according to a prison spokesperson.

The assault occurred during a random cell search that afternoon.

Dayne Urbanovsky, director of strategic communications for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, said when the inmate was taken out of his cell for a search, he used his head to strike staff members in the face.

Staff members ultimately restrained him and removed him from the area.

Urbanovsky said one prison employee was treated at the hospital for a broken nose and another for a mild concussion.

The inmate responsible hasn't been identified. But she said findings of an investigation into the incident will be provided to the county attorney for determination of criminal prosecution.

The inmate also will face the NDCS disciplinary process, which includes sanctions such as loss of good time.

Most expensive October weather disasters of the last 40 years Most expensive October weather disasters of the last 40 years #18. Northeastern Winter Storm (October 2011) #17. New England Flooding (October 1996) #16. Central Severe Weather (October 2006) #15. South Florida Flooding (October 2000) #14. Texas Flooding (October 1998) #13. Texas Flooding (October 1994) #12. Texas Tornadoes and Central Severe Weather (October 2019) #11. South Carolina and East Coast Flooding (October 2015) #10. Hurricane Delta (October 2020) #9. Hurricane Juan (October 1985) #8. Hurricane Zeta (October 2020) #7. Arizona Severe Weather (October 2010) #6. Oakland Firestorm (October 1991) #5. Hurricane Opal (October 1995) #4. Hurricane Matthew (October 2016) #3. Hurricane Wilma (October 2005) #2. Hurricane Michael (October 2018) #1. Hurricane Sandy (October 2012)
A 62-year-old Texas man is in jail in Lincoln after he accidentally shot his 12-year-old grandson Saturday evening at a wedding west of Denton, Lancaster County Sheriff's deputies alleged.

Michael Gardner, of Odessa, Texas, was set to officiate the wedding at Hillside Events and, in an attempt to gather the crowd's attention, planned to fire a blank from his revolver into the air at about 5 p.m. Saturday, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said.

But when Gardner cocked back the hammer of his Pietta 1860 snub nose revolver, it slipped, Houchin said, sending a projectile into his grandson's shoulder.

The 12-year-old, also from Texas, was taken by ambulance from 12400 W. Denton Road to a Lincoln hospital before being moved to Children's Hospital in Omaha, Houchin said. His injuries aren't thought to be life-threatening.

Houchin said Gardner had made his own blank round, putting black powder into a .45 caliber casing and gluing it closed.

"What we believe is the glue is what injured the child," Houchin said.

Deputies seized the handgun and the spent casing, he said.

Gardner turned himself in to authorities Monday morning at the Lancaster County Jail, where he was arrested on suspicion of felony child abuse, a charge usually reserved for intentional injuries.

Houchin said the extent of the 12-year-old's injuries and the use of a firearm led deputies to seek the felony charge. Gardner hasn't yet been charged with a crime but is expected to make his initial court appearance Monday afternoon.

"It's just kind of neglectful to take a gun out, that has blanks, and fire it amongst people," Houchin said.

"Just another example that playing with firearms  no matter what, if they're blanks  bad things can certainly happen," he added. "We do not believe Michael intended to hurt his grandchild, but the act was not very smart."

Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
"As his sister, this makes me warm. It makes me feel good to see all of them," Akilah Muhs said about all the friends at her brother's funeral.
Kenny Krause had fought more than his share of brush fires in his years as fire chief in the Southeast Nebraska town of Fairbury.

His departments volunteers could typically leave their jobs, douse the flames and return to the station in a couple of hours.

Then on April 11, Krause and his firefighters confronted the monster Rock Creek Fire. Fueled by wind and drought, a small controlled burn exploded into a 2,800-acre conflagration that took dozens of volunteers from Fairbury and nearby towns five days to put out.

I looked in my rearview mirror, I could see it, 20 miles away, Krause said Friday, at a hearing of the Nebraska Legislatures Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee in Lincoln. I never thought I would see a wildfire like this.

The committee is considering Legislative Resolution 156, a proposed study of the impact and increased frequency and intensity of wildfires in Nebraska, and the sufficiency of the firefighting response in the state.

The resolution, proposed by Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, would examine whether more money is needed from the state to support the unpaid volunteers who bear most of the burden of battling wildfires. It would examine policies and procedures, including the possible creation of an intrastate mutual-aid effort.

This has truly become a statewide issue, McDonnell said. A statewide response is needed.

John Erixson, director of the Nebraska Forest Service, told the committee that in the first 30 years after the state began tracking wildfires in 1964, only twice did fire consume more than 100,000 acres.

In the 30 years since, it has happened seven times  topped by the nightmare year of 2012, when nearly 500,000 acres burned in north and northwest Nebraska.

The second-worst year was 2022, with 279,099 acres scorched during another hot, dry year. Three volunteers died in the firefighting effort.

This year has provided little relief. More than 179,000 acres have burned, mostly in April. And the year is not over.

Its obviously getting worse, said Scott Cordes, the Nebraska state fire marshal. People who have historically not seen these things are seeing them burn hotter and move faster.

The increase in fires coincides with a decrease in the pool of volunteers as the rural population shrinks.

The decline in volunteerism has affected us in Nebraska, said Nathan Flowers, chief of the Gering Fire Department. As hard as it is now to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters, its going to be much harder in five years.

Wesley Hock is the fire chief in Holbrook, a village of 200 people 35 miles east of McCook. His small department fought three major wildfires last year  including the Mile Marker 26 fire, which burned 100 square miles.

I had crews that were on the fires for three weeks. They were tired, Hock told the committee. We just didnt have enough personnel. We had so many fires burning across the state, we were just spread too thin.

Following the 2012 wildfires, the Legislature passed the Wildfire Control Act. The law funded the thinning of dense fuel in 9,000 acres of forest, additional training for firefighters, and the establishment of air-tanker bases at five airfields in western Nebraska.

Still, at Fridays hearing the fire chiefs identified several unmet needs:

* More and better radios operating on a dedicated frequency, to ease communications among departments and with aerial units.

* State reimbursement for firefighting equipment and gear.

* The creation of an intrastate fire compact to make it easier for departments in one part of the state to help those in another.

Sen. Tom Brewer, who chaired the hearing, said he hopes the Legislature will act next year to speed aid to strapped rural fire departments.

This next session is when we need to push things through and get an answer on this, he said.

6 charts that track Nebraska wildfires, Omaha air quality, and precipitation Drought conditions, by county departure from average precipitation
School archery and hunter safety programs wont risk the loss of federal funding after an overwhelming vote by Congress to protect the programs, including advocacy by Nebraska and Iowa lawmakers.

In a Thursday press release, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said the White House confirmed that President Joe Biden would sign the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act. It passed unanimously in the Senate, and then with a 424-1 vote in the House on Wednesday.

The legislation will ensure that schools that offer archery or hunting education will still be able to receive federal funding.

Earlier this year, the Biden administration issued guidance to elementary and secondary schools that they could not use federal money on archery and hunting programs, citing last years Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

The federal gun safety bill, which includes a number of provisions that advocates say will save lives, also contained an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 blocking money to any person with a dangerous weapon or to provide training in the use of a dangerous weapon.

In August, Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., joined 18 other Republican senators in a letter to criticize the administration for its position on archery and hunting education programs.

Later, Fischer and Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., co-sponsored legislation that was similar to the bill that passed Wednesday.

Rules like this tell states like mine, Washington bureaucrats dont understand our way of life, Ricketts said in a press release earlier this month. Nebraskans have a deep appreciation for the great outdoors of our state, and we should be fostering that in the next generation however we can, including hunting and archery.

There arent many in-school hunter education programs in Nebraska, but more than 300 schools participate in the National Archery in Schools Program, a national in-school program that aims to improve student educational performance through archery curriculum.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
The worlds massive human population is leveling off. Most projections show well hit peak humanity in the 21st century, as people choose to have smaller families and women gain power over their own reproduction. This is great news for the future of our species.

And yet alarms are sounding. While environmentalists have long warned of a planet with too many people, now some economists are warning of a future with too few. For example, economist Dean Spears from the University of Texas has written that an unprecedented decline in population will lead to a bleak future of slower economic growth and less innovation.

But demographers I spoke with say this concern is based more on speculation than science. A dramatic collapse in population is unlikely to happen within the next 100 years. And if we need more creative minds in the world, we could stop doing such a terrible job of nourishing and educating the people were already producing.

Predictions about future population levels that dont come with wide margins of error should be taken with a grain of salt. Joel Cohen, a mathematician, biologist and demographer at Rockefeller University, wants to see population projections treated like a real science with a proper accounting for uncertainty. We dont even know the exact number of people alive now, he points out. When the U.N. declared wed surpassed 8 billion on Nov. 15, 2022, it was a publicity stunt, he says.

The uncertainty in counting world populations is at least 2%  which adds up to 160 million people or more. Since the world population grows at most by 80 million a year, we could have hit 8 billion two years earlier, or it might not happen until 2024.

Benjamin Franklin forecast that the American colonies would double every 25 years. In 1798, English economist Thomas Malthus applied this principle globally and wrongly predicted this growth rate would continue until we ran out of food and civilization collapsed.

This line of pessimistic thinking may sound familiar to those who remember the 1968 book by Stanford University scientists Paul and Anne Ehrlich, "The Population Bomb." The Ehrlichs famously  and incorrectly  envisioned a 20th-century starvation catastrophe. They failed to recognize that technological advances might meet increased need, and that women worldwide would change from having six to slightly under two children each, on average, in the coming half-century.

Todays forecasts account for multiple variables and recognize that population increases are leveling off, not spiking and then plummeting. Some of the most reliable projections, Cohen said, come from demographers with the U.N. Their latest estimate shows the global population will plateau at around 11 billion people by 2100.

A different model, created by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, showed an earlier, lower peak around 2064 at 9.7 billion, followed by a steady decline, bringing us down to around 6 billion by 2100. Cohen doesnt find that alarming  thats about the number of people alive in 2000.

That inevitable rise in the near term worries Daniel Blumstein, an ecologist at UCLA who is co-author of a 2021 paper on avoiding a ghastly future(co-authored with the Ehrlichs). Population and consumption patterns are intertwined, he says, and together are causing multiple environmental problems, some of them irreversible.

Blumstein points out that the innovations in agriculture have allowed our population to swell far beyond our ecological niche  with unintended consequences. Pesticides, for example, are killing the bees necessary for pollinating crops. The buildup of waste, especially carbon dioxide, along with the destruction of habitat for wild plants and animals, are now threatening humans more than a shortfall in the global supply of food. These changes are contributing to valid concerns about the creation of climate refugees.

And how will society adapt to an aging population? In many countries, the elderly make up a large and growing share of people. Nicholas Eberstadt, a demographer and economist from the American Enterprise Institute, said most countries in the world are already reproducing below replacement level, except for the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. Even Chinas massive population has begun to shrink, and Indias fertility has fallen below replacement level.

People arent selfish for choosing smaller families. We are powerfully programmed by Darwinian evolution to want to have offspring, or at least to have sex, but women are also endowed with the instinct to limit reproduction to the number who can be raised with a high probability of success in life. When women have large numbers of children, its often a result of high child mortality or lack of power over their own lives.

Those warning that a population drop could decrease collective brain power and hurt the economy overlook a better solution than producing more babies: Taking better care of the ones we have.

About 22% of children under 5 today are too short for their age because they dont get enough of the right kinds of nutrients to grow, and because worms and infections compete for the inadequate food they do get, Cohen said. That can affect not only the body, but the brain. And Eberstadt worries about future mismatches between skilled jobs and an undereducated population.

Taking good care of the next generation is the logic parents around the world apply to their own families. And while it wont solve all our environmental and economic problems, its a start.
MOUNT PLEASANT  A Case High School student was taken into custody Monday morning.

According to a Racine Unified School District statement, the student made comments that prompted the school to go into lockdown. As a result, the student was apprehended outside Case, 7345 Washington Ave.

No one was injured.

By late morning, regular school activities appeared to have resumed. Around 11:30 a.m., students were seen leaving the building during a lunch period.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to Case with a large police presence, according to an MPPD Facebook post.

Law enforcement officials investigated, and the students statements were found not to be true and nothing was found in the building, according to the RUSD statement.

While we recognize that these precautionary measures were scary, we appreciate how seriously everyone took the situation to ensure our students and staff were safe, the RUSD statement reads.

The MPPD plans to continue investigating the incident.

No other information was released as of Monday afternoon.

Close Second grader Nakarii Williams smiles with the school mascot Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Kim Krause, physical education teacher, hugs two students Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Breonna Paton, from left, second grader Delantiy Campbell and Emily Etchison get ready Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Kim Krause, physical education teacher, welcomes a student Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Aleisha Baugh takes a photo of kindergartener Kelex Jackson on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. A student high-fives the school bear Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Kindergartener Ky-ree Jones gets ready to walk into school Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Students line up Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Eight photos of Racine Unified's first day of school at Wadewitz Elementary Tuesday was the first day of the Racine Unified 2023-24 school year. Second grader Nakarii Williams smiles with the school mascot Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Kim Krause, physical education teacher, hugs two students Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Breonna Paton, from left, second grader Delantiy Campbell and Emily Etchison get ready Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Kim Krause, physical education teacher, welcomes a student Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Aleisha Baugh takes a photo of kindergartener Kelex Jackson on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. A student high-fives the school bear Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Kindergartener Ky-ree Jones gets ready to walk into school Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St. Students line up Tuesday on the first day of class at Wadewitz Elementary School, 2700 Yout St.
Macao Special Administrative Region government holds a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in south China's Macao, Oct. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)





China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Sunday held a series of events to celebrate the National Day, including a flag-raising ceremony, a running event, a reception and a fireworks show.



The flag-raising ceremony was held early in the morning on the Golden Lotus Square.

Ho Hau Wah, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of the Macao SAR, leaders of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Macao SAR, and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Garrison in the Macao SAR, as well as representatives from various walks of life of the Macao society, attended the ceremony and reception.

A fun run event was organized after the ceremony, drawing the participation of around 3,500 people from all age groups.

Noting that the motherland is the most powerful backing for Macao, Ho Iat Seng said at the reception that Macao's prosperity and stability could not be achieved without long-term strong support from the central authorities.

Ho said Macao's economic recovery maintained a sound momentum this year thanks to various favorable policies from the central authorities, vowing to further improve the legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security, speed up appropriate economic diversification, improve people's livelihood, and promote the building of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, neighboring Zhuhai city.

He stressed that the Macao SAR government must fully and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" principle, resolutely safeguard the central authorities' overall jurisdiction over Macao, firmly put in place the fundamental principle of "patriots administering Macao," actively promote the building of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and speed up Macao's integration into overall national development.

In the evening, a fireworks show was staged by Chinese and Portuguese companies as part of the 31st Macao International Fireworks Display Contest. Fireworks companies from 10 countries around the world are scheduled to present 10 shows of fireworks and music within nearly a month.

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao SAR government tourism office and organizer of the contest, said the authority had made active preparations for the fireworks events after an interruption of three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, expecting residents and visitors to enjoy the shows, and take part in games at fireworks-themed carnivals and markets.
Shawn Dalrymple, CEO and owner of Army Bass Anglers Enterprises, invites this years Fishing for Freedom overall winner, Dean Alexander, to the podium to display his winning catch and share the tale of its capture.
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
GRAND ISLAND  Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol took two minors into custody early Saturday morning following a pursuit in central Nebraska that began near Gibbon.

At approximately 11:45 p.m. Friday, a trooper observed a Jeep Liberty speeding on Interstate 80 near Gibbon.

The Jeep pulled over to the shoulder, but the driver accelerated when the trooper exited his patrol unit. The vehicle fled eastbound in excess of 100 mph. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The driver turned off all vehicle lights as it fled eastbound on I-80. Another trooper was able to successfully deploy stop sticks to slow the vehicle near Wood River.

The Jeep then crossed the median and began traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-80. A trooper was able to quickly perform a tactical vehicle intervention to bring the vehicle to a stop.

The driver, identified as an 18-year-old male from Grand Island, was taken into custody without further incident. A female passenger fled from the vehicle on foot.

The 15-year-old female from Grand Island was located a short time later and was transported to Cedars in Lincoln at the request of juvenile probation.

The driver was lodged in Hall County Jail for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, no operators license, fictitious license plates, obstructing a peace officer, and several traffic violations.
On this episode of the Utterly Moderate Podcast we discuss both the pros and cons of nuclear power, especially as it pertains to combatting global climate change.

The international community is attempting to keep the world from warming no more than 1.5-2.0 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century.

While there have been incredible efforts to achieve thisefforts that have likely taken the worst-case warming scenarios off the tablewe are still on track for closer to 3.0 degrees warming by 2100 instead of 2.0 degrees.

Some would argue that the expansion of nuclear power would go a long way toward closing that gap.

Friend of this show and frequent guest, The BulwarksMona Charen, has written that:

The worlds demand for energy is not going to diminish, but only increase in the coming century. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates world energy demand will increase 50% by 2050. . . The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD] countries cannot in conscience deny development to the worlds poorer nations. Nor can we delude ourselves that renewables, at the current state of technology, can take up all the slack created by giving up fossil fuels. Amazingly, there is an existing technology that can produce the energy the world needs without harming the climate. And yet we hesitate. Nuclear power is the key to limiting climate change and hobbling some of the worlds worst aggressors. If were serious about both problems, well clear the air of superstitions about nuclear power. Nuclear power plants cannot explode like nuclear bombs. They require much less land than solar or wind. Nuclear waste can be safely buried. The U.S. Navy has been powering ships with nuclear reactors since the late 1950s. According to the Naval Post: U.S. Nuclear Powered Warships (NPWs) have safely operated for more than 50 years without experiencing any reactor accident or any release of radioactivity that hurt human health or had an adverse effect on marine life. Nothing is perfect. One death from radiation exposure at the Fukushima power plant has been noted by the Japanese government: a worker who died of lung cancer in 2018, seven years after the tsunami and meltdowns. But if we are in a new hard-headed era, we will evaluate trade-offs like adults. Are we serious about choking off the source of Putins power or not? Are we serious about combating climate change without illusions that wind and solar will do the job? Nuclear power can be a major part of the solution to both challenges.

Our guest on this episode, Robert Zubrin, has written a new book on this topic titled The Case for Nukes. We hope you enjoy this conversation about an important issue facing our world.

And dont forget to subscribe to our FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER! The Connors Forum is an independent entity from the institutions that we partner with. The views expressed in our newsletters and podcasts are those of the individual contributors alone and not of our partner institutions.

Episode Audio:

Episode transcript

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

On today's program, we discuss both pros and cons of nuclear power

Speaker A: Utterly moderate is the official podcast of the Connors forum. Visit us at connorsforum.org and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter while you are there. Please listen carefully. Carefully, carefully. Hey.

Speaker B: Hey, everyone. Welcome back to the program. This is the utterly moderate podcast. And I'm your host, Lawrence Eppard. On today's program, we are talking about both the pros and the cons of nuclear power, especially when it comes to tackling climate change. So if this isn't something that you pay a lot of attention to and you're not really familiar with what the international agreements are, basically what countries around the world are trying to do is by the end of this century. We are attempting to keep the world from warming no more than 1.5 to two degrees Celsius above where we were before the Industrial Revolution. And it's pretty amazing how much work has been done in the international community to tackle climate change. It's been pretty amazing. And the worst case scenarios, it looks like, are off the table because of international cooperation. But there's still a lot of work to be done. We're still closer to three degrees of warming rather than two degrees of warming, and we really need to close that gap. And there are many who would argue that nuclear power is one really important tool in our arsenal to help us close that gap. Mona Charon, who you probably know is a frequent guest on this show, and a friend of this podcast. She has written the following about nuclear power quote the world's demand for energy is not going to diminish, but only increase in the coming century. The US. Energy Information Administration estimates world energy demand will increase by 50% by 2050. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries cannot in conscience deny development to the world's poorer nations. Nor can we dilute ourselves that renewables at the current state of technology can take up all the slack created by giving up fossil fuels. Amazingly, there is an existing technology that can produce the energy the world needs without harming the environment. And yet we hesitate. Nuclear power is the key to limiting climate change and hobbling some of the world's worst Aggressors. If we're serious about both problems, we'll clear the air of superstitions about nuclear power. Nuclear power plants cannot explode like nuclear bombs. They require much less land than solar or wind. Nuclear waste can be safely buried. The US. Navy has been powering ships with nuclear reactors since the late 1950s. According to the naval Post us Nuclear powered warships have safely operated for more than 50 years without experiencing any reactor accident or any release of radioactivity that hurt human health or had an adverse effect on marine life. Nothing is perfect. One death from radiation exposure at the Fukushima power plant has been noted by the Japanese government, a worker who died of lung cancer in 2018, seven years after the tsunami and meltdowns. But if we are in a new, hard headed era. We will evaluate trade offs like adults. Are we serious about choking off the source of Putin's power or not? Are we serious about combating climate change without illusions that wind or solar will do the job? Nuclear, power can be a major part of the solution to both challenges. End quote.

Robert Zubrin has written a new book on nuclear power

Speaker B: Our guest today, Robert Zubrin, has written a new book on this topic titled The Case for Nukes, where he argues that, quote, the bottom line is this we are going to need to produce a lot more energy, and it will need to be carbon free. The only way to do that is with nuclear power. In my book, I go into great detail about how nuclear power is generated, new technologies coming online, and what all of this will mean for the future of humanity, including space exploration. End quote. Robert Zubrin, we are so happy to have you on the show today. Thank you so much for joining us.

Speaker A: Thanks for inviting me.

Speaker B: No problem.

You have a new book called The Case for Nukes about global warming

Speaker C: So you got a great new book out called The Case for Nukes how We Can Beat Global Warming and Create a Free, open and magnificent Future. So let's start with what's your background? What's your training? What brought you to write this book?

Speaker A: Well, I actually have a doctorate in nuclear engineering. I've only worked, a fraction of my career in the nuclear industry. Mostly I've worked aerospace. But, now we have this whole global warming alarm. There are people who are pushing solutions which are basically reactionary, essentially rigging up fuel prices to, deter people of limited income from using fuel or electricity. That's what it amounts to. And, I think that's unethical. And furthermore, it hasn't worked. We've doubled our carbon emissions in the past 30 years, just as we did in the 30 years between 1960 and 1990. We doubled it. We doubled it between 1930 and 1960, and we doubled it between 1990 and then 2020 because people don't want to be poor. And not using fuel essentially amounts to poverty. and the answer is straightforward. It's nuclear power. And, it's very unfortunate that the groups who are, making the greatest alarm about global warming are fighting against nuclear power.

Speaker C: All right, so you, propose the answer, at least in terms of a bridge technology, until we do something like fusion or whatever in the future, might solve this problem.

One of the disadvantages of nuclear power is it has been made expensive

Speaker C: So let's talk about advantages and disadvantages. Let's start with disadvantages, and you can tell me what you make of it. So, one of the disadvantages is it has been expensive to build. Correct?

Speaker A: It's been made expensive. the first nuclear power plant we built in this country took three years to build. Now, it takes 16. And, this has been the result of hostile regulation. and if you look at the numbers, and I present them in my book, the Cost to Build a nuclear power plant has gone up precisely in proportion to time squared. Okay? Construction time squared is the cost of the nuclear power plant. Anything can be made, prohibitively costly. If the FAA were run like the NRC, there would be no airlines. If a city government banned parking in the city, they would say it was impossible to park. Or they would say you can only park in places where it's $100 an hour to park. And they say, well, gee, parking costs $100 an hour. Well, you can make anything cost, excessive amounts through regulation. And that's what we've had with nuclear power.

Nuclear power is the only power which has such a small amount of waste

Speaker C: Another disadvantage people point to, and I want you to tell me if I'm making too much of it, not enough of it. You give us your take on the problem of nuclear waste. So what's the problem? And do you think it can be overcome?

Speaker A: Well, it's ironic that they single out nuclear waste as a problem because nuclear power is the only power which has such a small amount of waste that you actually can store it. The idea of sequestering and storing the waste from coal fired power would be absurd. And of course, fossil fuel in any kind, it sends its waste right into the atmosphere. and the waste products from making photovoltaics are enormous in the way of, ah, fluorine compounds. It caused massive fish kills and damage to public health in China, where these things are made. nuclear power, on the other hand, the amount of waste is, minuscule, and we could reduce it still more by reprocessing the waste. Ah, but of course, the, anti nukes have been first in line to, prevent that. But there's no technical problem with disposing of nuclear waste. The French reprocess and then store their waste. The US. Military, the nuclear navy, stores its waste in salt caverns in New Mexico. the, anti nukes have had no effect on implementing that solution because the Navy needs nuclear submarines and they're just not willing to have their program sabotaged. So the anti nukes have focused on preventing any storage of civilian nuclear waste. And they claim they're interested in safety. How can that be when they are saying, we would prefer to have nuclear waste stored at nuclear power plants in the suburbs of major cities rather than under a mountain in the middle of the desert? Nevada.

One of the fears about nuclear waste is the possibility of a meltdown

Speaker C: All right, so you say nuclear waste can be solved. You say that, the cost can be brought down with changes to regulation. One of the fears, and I want you to talk about this fear and how we should contextualize it, is, of course, the danger of a meltdown. So tell us, is that a reasonable fear? How should we think about that danger?

Speaker A: Okay, meltdowns are possible. That is, while a pressurized water reactor, which is pretty much all the reactors we have in the United States, cannot, have a runaway chain reaction because it needs the water in order to sustain the chain reaction. And if the water boils too much, the reaction shuts down. There is still waste heat left in the reactor, that is from radioactive, waste particles in the fuel. And they continue to give off heat whether the reactor is running or not. And so if the water is gone, you'll have heat and there's no cooling, the fuel will melt down. And the anti nukes said, well, gee, it will melt down. It'll melt down right through the steel pressure vessel, which is eight inches thick, and then through the concrete containment, vessel, which is 8ft thick. we actually had, ah, a meltdown at Three Mile Island. And what happened was the core did melt down and it hit the steel pressure vessel and it melted its way about one inch into the steel, and then it stopped. It didn't penetrate the steel pressure vessel. It never even reached the containment building, let alone China. So this is, a, greatly, overhyped, situation. it is an engineering concern. The Three Mile Island reactor was lost. It was a loss of investment, but there was no harm to the public.

Speaker C: One of the examples, people point to is Chernobyl. But, that was very different technology and very different, political and leadership context, right?

Speaker A: Correct. Chernobyl was not a pressurized water reactor, as I mentioned. you, see, to make the chain reaction work, you got to slow the neutrons down. It's called moderating the neutrons. They're going too fast. They go right by nuclei without splitting, okay? So you got to slow them down. So we use water to slow down the neutrons. And, the advantage of that is, if the reactor gets too hot, the water turns to steam, it can't slow the neutrons down anymore, and the reaction shuts down. So it's physically impossible to have a runaway chain reaction in a water moderated reactor. Chernobyl was not a water moderated reactor. It was a graphite moderated reactor. And graphite doesn't turn into vapor. it's solid. And so, it didn't have, this negative feedback. And in fact, the reactor operators did a crazy experiment in which they set off, a runway chain reaction. and then furthermore, another thing that Chernobyl reactor didn't have, which all, reactors in the civilized world have, is a containment building, okay? So all it had was an ordinary, building. And so when the reactor had a runaway chain reaction, it blew a hole in itself and a hole in the side of the building. And now you had the hot graphite exposed to air. And, so the graphite caught fire. And so this reactor was not only unstable, it was flammable, which is crazy. so you had the whole reactor literally go up in smoke and scattering, radioactive waste products, all over the landscape. the firefighters that were brought in to put the fire out were exposed directly to this cloud of radioactive material being, turned to radioactive smoke right at the reactor. And so about 80 of them were killed. then the fallout came down over a wide area. There's no documented, fatalities from that fallout. but a large area was evacuated and, has turned into an incredibly, flourishing wildlife reserve. but also, the response the Soviet authorities was completely incompetent. And, more could be said about that. But basically, the people who died at Chernobyl were not victims of nuclear power. They were victims of the Soviet Union.

Speaker C: Now, this is, totally anecdotal. I don't have any data to back this up, but when I speak to environmentalists today, I do see their perspective on nuclear softening a bit. Do you see that happening in the US. Or am I overstating that?

Speaker A: Well, you have a certain faction in the Democratic Party. It even has an organization called the Third Way. say, well, why aren't we going to nuclear? it's clean energy. It's the common sense answer. if you actually believe that global warming is an existential crisis that is, one that threatens the existence of the human race, it should take a lot of convincing to tell you that the hazard from nuclear power no nuclear power plant in the United States or, actually anywhere outside the Soviet Union has ever killed anyone. Not even at Fukushima, where, several nuclear power plants were destroyed by an earthquake and tidal wave. there was still no one, who got a harmful radiological dose outside of the plant gate. So here you have a situation where you've had over a thousand nuclear reactors on land or sea for the past.

Speaker C: 60 years not harming anyone now, beyond the benefits. So, no pollution, no greenhouse gases. you write in your book that also, could help opening the space frontier. So tell us what your argument was there.

Speaker A: Well, I mean, look, here's the thing. All the chemical elements that you need to make anything are on Mars, for example. But as is usually the case on Earth, with some exceptions, they're there in a useless form. In other words, you have iron, but it's in the form of iron oxide, silicon in the form of silicon dioxide and so forth. well, those can all be turned into useful resources if you have energy. Okay, now, what's the energy? Well, they don't have fossil fuels on Mars. You can make them, but it would take energy to do it. There's no waterfalls. the air is too thin for wind power to do much. You can do solar power on Mars, but it's only 40% as strong as it is on Earth. And on Earth, it's not terribly attractive. so it's significantly worse on Mars. So what are you going to do for power? Nuclear power. And if you look at the universe, the vast majority of it is far away from any star. so, the vast majority of the universe is dark. so whether you want to develop Mars or do interstellar travel or anything, you're, in general going to be operating out of range of effective solar power. It will take nuclear power to, develop space.

Robert Zubrin says fusion is a doable thing

Speaker C: Does, Robert Zubrin watch movies? Did you happen to see Oppenheimer by any chance?

Speaker A: Yes, I did. And in fact, I wrote a review of Oppenheimer, favorable, for the, online magazine Quillette. they actually had two reviews, one by another person who focused on the artistic merit of the movie. I focused on, they asked me the question, is it, realistic? And, my answer was fundamentally yes. There's only one significant technical error in the film and that's its obsession over this question of whether people were worried that the first atom bomb would ignite the atmosphere. there was no such concern. I mean, Edward Teller did bring it up that we should do that calculation to make sure that that would not happen. But once the calculation was done, he was quite satisfied. and in fact, there was no chance whatsoever, that that could happen. fission of nitrogen would not release any energy at all. And fusion of nitrogen, occurs so slow that the various loss mechanisms would quench the reaction virtually immediately. what people were worried about at Trinity was whether it would work. Because you got to realize this is an incredibly complex thing and they're testing it for the first time. I ran an R and D company for 27 years and it's pretty rare that something new works the first time, but it did.

Speaker C: before I let you go, the future, is it going to be fusion?

Speaker A: Well, eventually, yes. I, think we will have improved, versions of fission. I think we'll have breeder reactors, I think loth thorium reactors. These things are on the way. but definitely fusion, is a doable thing. and right now, really, as a result of the success of SpaceX demonstrating, entrepreneurial approaches to reusable space launch vehicles, in other words, doing the impossible, so to speak investors have taken a look at advanced vision and fusion and said, maybe the reason why we don't have it is the wrong people are doing it. maybe the problem is institutional. And so you have both advanced fission and fusion entrepreneurial companies getting large amounts of funding from investors and these people are moving ahead on very fast timelines. So while, fission has stagnated, since its initial golden age of the think, we're going to have new kinds of fission reactors and we're going to have fusion as well.

Speaker C: Robert Zubrin. He's got a new book. It's called The Case for Nukes how We Can Beat Global Warming and Create a Free, open and magnificent Future. Robert, thank you so much for joining the program.

Speaker A: You are most welcome.
Last week I had the honor of representing Wisconsin on Capitol Hill. Along with roughly 600 of my fellow American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteers from across the country, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to urge lawmakers to make cancer a national priority.

Together, we called on Congress to support lifesaving policies that help people prevent and treat cancer. We asked legislators for their support in increasing federal funding for cancer research and prevention, and to support legislation that would waive out of pocket costs for individuals with the highest risk of prostate cancer and create a pathway for Medicare to cover new multi-cancer early detection tests once they are approved by the FDA and proven effective.

I had the opportunity to sit down with U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and tell her that cancer isn't partisan  it touches every community. I also let her know that residents of Wisconsin and many others across the country rely on them to support legislation.

With about 1,670 people dying from cancer daily, our lawmakers must take legislative action on these crucial issues. Congress should seize the opportunity to pass critical, bipartisan legislation to help save lives and end cancer as we know it for everyone.

I encourage you to join us and give us a stronger and louder voice in the fight against cancer. Visit fightcancer.org to be connected to people like me in your community.

Linda DeGarmo

Chaseburg
Staff members of China's Chang'e-5 receive the Laurels for Team Achievement awarded by the International Academy of Astronautics, in Baku, Azerbaijan on Oct. 1, 2023. (Photo/China News Service)







The Chinese team responsible for the 2020 Chang'e-5 mission that brought lunar samples back from the moon has been honored by the International Academy of Astronautics.

At the academy's annual meeting Oct. 1 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the team won the Laurels for Team Achievement, the highest award presented by the IAA in 2023.

The award recognizes aerospace project mission teams that demonstrate outstanding performance and achieve extraordinary results in the aerospace field.

China launched the Chang'e-5 probe to the moon on Nov. 24, 2020, aboard a Long March-5 rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Site. On Dec. 17, 2020, a return craft landed in Inner Mongolia carrying the lunar samples collected by the probe. It was China's first extraterrestrial sample return mission.

Hu Hao is chief designer of the Change'e-5 and Chang'e-6 missions at the China National Space Administration. He said after 10 years of hard work, the Chang'e-5 team achieved fruitful results in innovation, scientific research, and international cooperation. The Chang'e-6 mission will continue to expand international cooperation projects and welcome more international partners to join China's lunar exploration project.




EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR MONDAY OCTOBER 2, 2023

Anglo-American Imperium Bounds Towards Nuclear War; Growing Necessity and Potential of New Path Forward

Oct. 1, 2023, (EIRNS)It takes a strong stomach, and a stronger conviction to act, to look directly at the evil of the Anglo-American imperium, which has again demonstrated its willingnessno, its desireto threaten nuclear extermination of the human race rather than give up its hegemony. Grant Shapps, the U.K.s Secretary of State for Defense, told the Telegraph that he had held talks with Army leaders about moving more training and production of military equipment into Ukraine. He calls on more British defense firms to set up factories in Ukraine. Shapps revealed that he has spoken with Zelenskyy about how Britains Royal Navy could play a role in defending commercial vessels from Russian attacks in the Black Sea. Following a meeting with personnel involved in training Ukrainians in the U.K., Shapps said, I was talking today about eventually getting the training brought closer and actually into Ukraine as well.

Setting up British factories (with British workers) in Ukraine? Having a naval showdown with Russia on the Black Sea? Sending military trainers into Ukraine itself? What happens when Russia destroys these factories and vessels, and kills workers and military service members? What could prevent all-out Russia-NATO warfare at that point?

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev responded bluntly:

One newly minted moron, the British Secretary of State for Defence, decided to move the U.K. military training of Ukrainian soldiers into Ukraine. That is, to turn the British military instructors into our Armed Forces legal targets; while being fully aware that they will be ruthlessly eliminated, and this time not as mercenaries but as British NATO specialists.

Medvedev also responded to the statement by the head of the German Bundestag Defense Committee, that international law allows strikes on Russian territory, regardless of who produced the weapons. She is urging the supply of British

Taurus missiles to enable the Kiev regime to hit deep into Russias territory to weaken the supply of our army, Medvedev added. She claims that it is in accord with international law. Medvedev: Well, in that case the strikes against the German plants which produce these missiles, will also fully correspond to international law.

The insane actions by Britain and Germany, to escalate the proxy war into a direct one, run counter to a growing current of world sentiment and action.

The people of Slovakia have just granted an electoral victory to Robert Fico, who demands immediate peace negotiations. The two-time former prime minister says It is better to negotiate peace for 10 years and stop military operations than to let the Ukrainians and Russians kill each other for another ten years without results.

U.S. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene denounced the U.K. plans to send trainers to Ukraine. They are going to start WWIII, she tweeted. The U.S. cannot participate. NO AMERICAN TROOPS!

The risk is great. On Sept. 26, Dmitry Medvedev had tweeted that between Canada praising Nazis in the Parliament and Ukraine receiving Abrams tanks and ATACMS missiles,

Russia, it seems, is being left with less and less choice except direct ground conflict with NATO, which has turned into an openly fascist bloc like Hitlers Axis, just bigger. We are ready, even though the end-result will be achieved at a far greater cost for mankind, than in 1945.

Major victories are needed, both within NATO countriesespecially the U.S.and from around the world to raise the call for peace and negotiations, as an estimated 50 nations did at the UNGA General Debate. Work with the LaRouche movement to achieve that victory!
The American space agency NASA has a new plan for deorbiting the International Space Station (ISS). The plan involves developing a new spacecraft to safely guide the ISS during its final reentry through Earths atmosphere.

NASA cooperates with four other space agencies on the station. These include the Canadian Space Agency, the European Space Agency, Japans Aerospace Exploration Agency and Russias Roscosmos.

The ISS began serving as a space research center more than 22 years ago. It has been widely praised as a scientific success. But, NASA and its international partners say the ISS has a limited technical lifetime. NASA has said it will keep operating and sending astronauts to the ISS until 2030.

After that, the U.S. space agency plans to use privately developed space laboratories for its space research needs. NASA says this will permit it to pay space station operators only for the goods and services it needs.

NASA has already chosen several American companies to develop future space stations. These privately-operated stations will aim to serve the science needs of NASA, as well as other nations space agencies and other organizations.

In a report to the U.S. Congress last year, NASA established its plans for the ISS. The report said the agency aims to make the stations final years its most productive. Among the goals NASA declared: To support deep space exploration and continue to return medical and environmental benefits to humanity.

The agency recently announced its new deorbiting plan for the ISS after considering other options to retire it. A past plan, or option, involved the use of several Russian spacecraft. But NASA officials rejected that plan and decided a new, specially designed spacecraft would better serve the needs of the deorbiting operation.

Other options included a plan to take apart the space station in space and transport its pieces back to Earth. Another plan would have seen the ISS sent to a higher orbit, where it would remain out-of-service. A third option involved a non-controlled reentry operation. NASA said none of these met its requirements for safety and effectiveness.

The agency recently released a request for proposals to companies interested in building the new the spacecraft. NASA calls it the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle (USDV). It says it can be a completely new vehicle or an existing design that is changed to meet all needs of the deorbiting process. The agency said it is seeking proposals now because the effort will take years to develop, test, and certify.

NASA has said when it is time to retire the ISS, it will begin taking the first steps to slowly lower its operating altitude. This part of the process can likely be carried out by the ISS and its systems, without the need for additional spacecraft.

But the final part of the operation, reentry, will center on guiding the ISS though Earths atmosphere to a pre-chosen target in an unpopulated area in the ocean. NASA says this final part is expected to require a new or modified spacecraft using a large amount of propellant.

The targeted landing spot has been identified as a place called Point Nemo in the South Pacific Ocean. This is a stretch of open water between New Zealand and the southernmost part of South America. The U.S. National Ocean Service identifies Point Nemo as the point in the ocean that is farthest from land.

NASA predicts that most ISS equipment will burn up or vaporize during the intense heating that happens during atmospheric re-entry. But it says some denser or more heat-resistant elements are expected to survive and land in the targeted ocean area.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from NASA and Reuters.

Quiz - NASA to Use Special Spacecraft to Deorbit Space Station Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

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Words in This Story

benefit  n. a good or helpful result

certify  v. to say in an official way that something is true or correct

modify  v. to change something in order to improve it

altitude  n. the vertical distance of an object above a given level (as sea level)

propellant  n. an explosive substance of fuel that causes something to move forward

vaporize  v. to turn, or cause something to turn, from a solid or liquid state into gas
These ancient human relatives, and others, called Denisovans, once lived alongside our early Homo sapiens ancestors. The groups mixed and had children. As a result, some of the Neanderthals and Denisovans live on in our genes. And science is starting to show just how much that shapes us.

Mary Prendergast, a Rice University archeologist, said, Were now carrying the genetic legacies and learning about what that means for our bodies and our health."

In the past few months, researchers have linked Neanderthal DNA to a serious hand disease, the shape of peoples noses and other human traits. They even placed a gene carried by Neanderthals and Denisovans into mice to investigate its effects on biology. The researchers found that the gene gave the mice larger heads and an extra rib.

Much of the human story remains a mystery. But Dr. Hugo Zeberg of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden said new technologies and research are helping scientists begin to answer the questions: Who are we? Where did we come from?

And the answers point to a deep reality: We have far more in common with our ancient cousins than we ever thought.

Neanderthal, Denisovan DNA

Until recently, the genetic legacy from ancient humans was invisible. But there has been a number of discoveries from ancient DNA, an area of study developed by Nobel Prize winner Svante Paabo. He was first in creating a Neanderthal genome.

Research shows some African populations have almost no Neanderthal DNA, while those from European or Asian backgrounds have up to two percent. Denisovan DNA is rarely found in most parts of the world but makes up four to six percent of the DNA of people in Melanesia. The Pacific Ocean area extends from New Guinea to the Fiji Islands.

That may not sound like much, but it adds up: Even though only 100,000 Neanderthals ever lived, half of the Neanderthal genome is still around, in small pieces scattered around modern humans, said Zeberg, who works closely with Paabo.

It is also enough to affect us in very real ways. Scientists studying the subject say the DNA can be both helpful and harmful.

For example, Neanderthal DNA has been linked to autoimmune diseases like Graves disease and rheumatoid arthritis. When Homo sapiens came out of Africa, they had no immunity to diseases in Europe and Asia. But, Neanderthals and Denisovans already living there did.

Chris Stringer is a human evolution researcher at the Natural History Museum in London. Stringer said that by mating with Neanderthals and Denisovans, Homo sapiens got a quick fix to our immune systems, which was good news 50,000 years ago. Stringer added, The result today is, for some people, that our immune systems are oversensitive, and sometimes they turn on themselves.

In 2020, research by Zeberg and Paabo found that a major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 came from Neanderthals. We compared it to the Neanderthal genome and it was a perfect match, Zeberg said.

The next year, they found a set of DNA variants along a single chromosome inherited from Neanderthals had the opposite effect: protecting people from severe COVID.

Much less is known about our genetic legacy from Denisovans  although some research has linked genes from them to fat processing and better performance at high altitudes. Maanasa Raghavan, a human genetics expert at the University of Chicago, said Tibetans carry an amount of Denisovan DNA. She noted that the population continues to live and do well in low-oxygen environments today.

Human evolution

John Hawks of the University of Wisconsin-Madison said that human evolution was not about survival of the fittest and extinction. Instead, he suggested, it is about interaction and mixture.

Researchers expect to learn more as the science continues to develop. Even when ancient bones are not available, scientists today can get DNA from soil where ancient humans once lived.

And there are less-explored places in the world where researchers hope to learn more. Zeberg said biobanks that collect biological materials will likely be established in more countries.

As researchers go deeper into humanitys genetic legacy, scientists expect to find even more evidence of how much we mixed with our ancient cousins and all they left us.

Perhaps, Zeberg said, we should not see them as so different.

Im John Russell. And I'm Anna Matteo.

Laura Ungar and Maddie Burakoff reported on this story for the Associated Press.

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Words in This Story

legacy  n. something that comes from someone in the past

trait  n. a quality that makes one person or thing different from another

genome  n. the complete set of genetic material present in an organism

scatter  v. to cause (things or people) to go in different directions
Immigrants in America are more hopeful about the future than citizens who were born in the United States.

That is what a recent opinion study of 3,358 immigrant adults found.

The study, or survey, aimed to find out what the immigrant adults thought about a number of issues.

Shannon Schumacher is a researcher at KFF, a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco that works with health policy. It was formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation.

She described what the immigrants told her this way: They said, You know, I face challenges here in the U.S., but it's far better than where I came from. And I have this belief that things will be better for my children.

Schumacher added, Whether that's their education, their safety, their economic opportunitiesthey think that they're better off and their children are better off.

The survey was a partnership between KFF and the Los Angeles Times newspaper. The organizations carried out the study between April 10 and June 12, 2023.

The immigrants answered questions by telephone, mail, and online. The questions could be answered in any of the 10 most commonly spoken languages in the United States. They include English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole, Arabic, French and Tagalog.

Schumacher said it is the most complete survey of immigrants in the U.S. today.

The survey can really help inform the public more about immigrants and really bring their voices to the forefront, she said. Schumacher added, We don't actually hear about immigrants often in their own voices.

Immigrants make up 16 percent of adults in the U.S. They come from many different countries and are from many classes of people. Their belief in a better future remains although they face many difficulties.

Most of the immigrants in the survey have jobs. About half said they have experienced discrimination in the workplace. Three in 10 said they had been paid less for doing the same job or have had fewer opportunities to get a better job or increased pay, compared to their U.S.-born coworkers.

Health care can be another problem. One in five immigrants delayed or did not get health care in the past few years. Often the reason is lack of money or health insurance. And if they see a medical worker, the experience is not always good.

Schumacher said: About one in four immigrants say they've been treated unfairly in a health care setting, such as being talked down to. She added that they might not have a health care provider explain things in a way they can understand. They also might not have had someone explain issues in their language.

The survey said that Black and Hispanic immigrants face the most discrimination.

Researchers worked with activist groups within the different immigrant communities to find people to talk to. The researchers said the English word discrimination was a problem because it does not always mean the same thing in different cultures and languages.

People arent sure what that means, Schumacher said. She added that they might use different words, or they say something that maybe we as researchers would say, Oh, that's discrimination, but they call it bullying or someone just being mean.

To deal with possible miscommunication, researchers asked direct questions to identify experiences that they defined as discrimination. They did this even if the survey subject did not call the experience discrimination. For example, the researcher might ask: Have you ever been not paid for all the hours you've worked? Have you been harassed or threatened or been told to go back to your country?

Im Mario Ritter, Jr.

Dora Mekouar reported this story for Voice of America. Gregory Stachel adapted the story for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

challenge  n. a difficult task or problem

opportunity  n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done

forefront  n. the most important part or position

insurance  n. an agreement in which a person pays a company regularly so that the company will pay for part of, for example, a health care cost later on

talk down to v. (phrasal) to speak as though you are talking to a young child when you are not talking to a young child

bully  v. to try to force people to do things by making threats

harassed  v. to annoy or bother (someone) in a repeated way over a period of time
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol took two minors into custody early Saturday following a pursuit in central Nebraska.

About 11:45 p.m. Friday, a trooper observed a Jeep Liberty speeding on Interstate 80 near Gibbon, at mile marker 286. The Jeep pulled over to the shoulder, but the driver accelerated when the trooper exited his patrol unit.

The vehicle fled eastbound in excess of 100 miles per hour. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The driver turned off all vehicle lights as it fled eastbound on I-80. Another trooper deployed stop sticks to slow the vehicle near mile marker 312.

The Jeep then crossed the median and began traveling east in the westbound lanes of I-80. A trooper was able to quickly perform a tactical vehicle intervention to stop the vehicle.

The driver, identified as an 18-year-old male from Grand Island, was taken into custody without further incident. A female passenger ran away from the vehicle. The 15-year-old girl, from Grand Island, was located soon after and was transported to Cedars in Lincoln at the request of juvenile probation.

The driver was lodged in Hall County Jail for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, no operators license, fictitious license plates, obstructing a peace officer and several traffic violations.
The Dane County Bomb Squad was called in after a cleaning company found a grenade in a Janesville home on Sunday, authorities reported.

At about 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Janesville police were notified that what appeared to be a military grenade was found by a cleaning company in the basement of a home in the 1200 block of Badger Street, Lt. Jennifer Seeger said in a statement.

The residence was evacuated and the Dane County Bomb Squad was requested. Technicians from the squad collected the item, inspected it and determined it was a grenade body with no functioning fuse system, Seeger said.

The rest of the residence was searched and deemed safe for the residents to return, Seeger said, while the bomb squad properly disposed of the item.
A 2-year-old girl was found nearly 3 hours after wandering from her town of Blooming Grove home Saturday night, authorities reported.

At about 5:30 p.m. Saturday, the parents of Piper reported that she had wandered away from their home on Jenness Avenue, Dane County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Elise Schaffer said in a statement.

A coordinated search that involved numerous agencies began immediately and ended at 8:10 p.m. when Piper was found in a nearby quarry. The girl had taken a tumble, and had some minor injuries, but was otherwise OK, Schaffer said.

Piper was found after a Madison police dog Charlie tracked her scent to the quarry, a drone operated by a McFarland Police Officer caught her on camera and a Dane County deputy made it to her on foot, Schaffer said.

The outpouring of people and agencies who reached out to help find Piper was amazing, Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said in a statement. It made me proud to be part of such a caring and compassionate community.

Other agencies assisting in the search were Oregon, DeForest and Waunakee police; the Madison Fire Department; Dane County Emergency Management; the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Wingra Stone; and many community volunteers.
Its go time for Madison School Districts search for a new superintendent, and this week, members of the public get their first opportunity to influence who gets the job.

The Alma Advisory Group, the Chicago-based consulting firm assisting the district with its search, is holding public input sessions Monday through Wednesday, taking recommendations for the characteristics and priorities the school district should consider in hiring a new leader.

The feedback will be used to create a leadership profile and job posting for the position. The School Board is slated to hire a new superintendent by March as a permanent replacement for Carlton Jenkins, who left the job in July after about three years in the district. Longtime Madison School District educator and administrator Lisa Kvistad has been serving as interim superintendent since June.

Prior to Jenkins, Jennifer Cheatham served in the role from 2013 to 2019, and Jane Belmore served as interim superintendent from 2019 to 2020.

Its a demanding position: The Madison School District is the second-largest in the state, with 25,000 students across 52 schools. And the new superintendent will take the helm of a district facing multiple challenges, including declining enrollment, a teacher shortage, persistent racial achievement gaps and a projected budget shortfall of more than $30 million going into the next fiscal year.

The new superintendent also might need to rebuild some trust. The superintendent is the face of the school district, and the Jenkins administration took some public hits, particularly during the last year.

If You Go What: Madison School District superintendent public input sessions When/Where: Monday: 6 p.m., Holtzman Building, 333 Holtzman Road Tuesday: 6 p.m., La Follette High School, 702 Pflaum Road Wednesday: 6 p.m., Vel Phillips Memorial High School, 201 South Gammon Road More information: www.madison.k12.wi.us/about/superintendent-search

Shortly after school began in September 2022, district administrators fired Sennett Middle School Principal Jeffrey Copeland over a voicemail Copeland left that they deemed bigoted. Copeland appealed, Sennett teachers rallied around their principal and, in December, the School Board overturned the dismissal, unanimously voting to reinstate Copeland.

In March, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council chastised the district for its casual contempt for the publics right to know, after reports that the district was taking many months to fulfill public records requests and had been sued at least six times over the previous year and a half as a result.

Around the same time, Tim LeMonds, then the districts communications director, faced allegations that he bullied employees and disparaged local news reporters. Although an initial district investigation found the allegations lacked merit, a second outside investigation recommended serious disciplinary action, up to and including termination, and LeMonds ultimately resigned.

The last time the district looked for a superintendent  the search that culminated in the board hiring Jenkins  the district sought applicants with experience working with diverse students, including special needs, multilingual and early childhood populations. The district also wanted candidates with knowledge of district finances and a commitment to working on issues of racial equity, according to the leadership profile.

The Madison teachers union was vocal at the time about wanting the district to hire a local candidate, but the board ended up hiring Jenkins from outside the district.

In addition to gathering public opinions, Alma Advisory Group will use results from a leadership survey and input from meetings with different community groups in Madison to shape the job profile. Monica Rosen, founder and CEO of Alma, told the school board Tuesday theyve already met with the Madison teachers union, YWCA, Destination Madison and Madison Public Schools Foundation, among others.

The survey has at least 1,430 responses so far, with nearly one-third of responses coming from Madison School District teachers or licensed staff. The survey closes Friday.

Were now doubling down on our efforts to increase the number of Spanish-speaking and Hmong-speaking completed surveys, Rosen said Tuesday.

Survey results will be presented to the board later in October.

Photos: Children of Ukraine war struggle after thousands of schools destroyed
Vice President Kamala Harris will not visit UW-Madison this week as originally planned, as she will instead travel to her home state of California for funeral services for Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who died last week.

Harris had planned to visit UW-Madison Wednesday as part of a monthlong college tour highlighting the Biden administrations policies, including reproductive rights, climate action and voting rights. She will instead travel to San Francisco, where Feinstein will lie in state at the city hall Wednesday ahead of private funeral services Thursday.

The Madison visit is expected to be rescheduled, a White House official said.

Feinstein, 90, died Sept. 28. At the time of her death, Feinstein was the oldest member of the Senate, serving for more than 30 years as the longest-tenured female senator in history.

Feinstein became the first female mayor of San Francisco in 1978 after the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Harvey Milk, the citys first openly gay supervisor. Feinstein served as mayor until 1988.

Harris and Feinstein together represented California in the Senate between January 2017 and Harris inauguration as vice president in January 2021. In a statement released by the White House, Harris said Feinstein was one of the greatest public servants the state of California and the nation has known.

Harris stop was set to be the fourth visit to Wisconsin from the Bidens or Harris in recent months.

First Lady Jill Biden visited Exact Sciences and the Verona Area School District in late August to promote cancer screenings and public education before a state fundraiser. President Joe Biden made a DeForest-area manufacturing facility his first stop in February, and both Biden and Harris made stops in the state to tout the economy and infrastructure investments in August.
UW-Madison has surpassed an enrollment of 50,000 students for the first time, growing 1.6% over last year despite efforts to right-size the incoming freshman class by admitting thousands fewer students.

The official count, based on enrollment on the 10th day of classes, puts UW-Madison at 50,662, a few hundred more than the University of Wisconsin System projected a few weeks ago. Of those, nearly 9,100 are new to campus as freshman or transfer students and just under half are Wisconsin residents.

Applications to UW-Madison grew by 11.4% over last year, closing in on 68,000, an increase similar to the year before. The university admitted 2,000 fewer students, reducing the freshman class by 7.7% from last years unexpected record-high class size.

The percentage of students of color overall in the freshman class dipped slightly, from 31.2% last year to 30.5% this year. The percentage of students who are underrepresented students of color, which includes students who are Black, Native American and Hispanic, is at its highest ever, comprising 17.8% of the class.

It continues to demonstrate at the undergraduate, graduate (and) professional level that we continue to be a destination  that not only do we have 50,000, but those 50,000 people are doing very well on the whole, said Derek Kindle, vice provost for enrollment management.

The students themselves are students who have lots of options and theyre choosing to study here. And so, were really grateful that these brilliant and talented students have chosen UW-Madison.

UW-Madisons enrollment has been rapidly increasing for the past six years. Since 2016, the student population has grown by nearly 7,700, more than twice what it grew in the 20 years prior.

The growth was slower this year, though, as enrollment increased by 1,075 students. In the two previous years, UW-Madison added about 2,000 new students each fall.

UW-Madison is one of five System schools in which enrollment increased this year. UW-Platteville, UW-Whitewater and UW-Stevens Point all expected to see gains of about 3.4%  a few hundred more students on their campuses this fall; both UW-Madison and UW-Green Bay were expected to see about 1.2% growth.

The System projected earlier this month its enrollment would stay relatively flat, with a 0.3% increase in enrollment overall and a 0.1% decrease when UW-Madisons growth was taken out of the equation. Much of the Systems enrollment stability can be attributed to a 3% increase in freshman enrollment across universities, excluding UW-Madison.

The number of in-state students in the freshman class also increased over last year by 30 students to 3,813. Its about 48% of the overall freshman class and is the second-highest number of in-state freshman students in history.

These are exceptional students who have chosen to continue their educations in their home state, increasing the likelihood they will stay here and contribute their skills and leadership to our workforce and our communities, Provost Charles Isbell said in a statement.

We are committed to providing a world-class educational experience for all our students so that they are prepared to be tomorrows entrepreneurs, leaders, and trailblazers.

UW-Madisons rate of out-of-state students has significantly increased since 2015, when the UW Board of Regents lifted the percentage cap on the number of nonresidents the university could admit. Two years ago, out-of-state students made up more than 50% of the freshman class for the first time.

Prior to 2015, only 27.5% of students admitted to UW-Madison could be nonresidents.

Now, UW-Madison must enroll at least 3,600 in-state students and 5,200 students who are either in-state, transfers or from Minnesota, where students receive reduced tuition under a reciprocity agreement.

From the record number of applicants to our national rankings, UWMadison continues to be highly respected and much in demand, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said in a statement. I am also pleased that our incoming class of new freshmen and transfer students expands on UWMadisons strong commitment to Wisconsin families and to the state.

40 notable people who attended UW-Madison Virgil Abloh Shirley Abrahamson Stephen Ambrose Don Ameche Carol Bartz Steve Bornstein Laurel Clark Barbara Crabb Joan Cusack Ron Dayne Ada Deer Hector DeLuca August Derleth Andre De Shields Conrad Elvehjem William T. Evjue Jeff Greenfield Lorraine Hansberry Kevin Henkes Mary Hinkson bell hooks Jane Kaczmarek Robert M. La Follette Charles Lindbergh Karl Paul Link James Lovell David Maraniss Steve Miller John Morgridge Errol Morris John Muir Gaylord Nelson Joyce Carol Oates Vel Phillips George Poage Tommy Thompson Al Toon Greta Van Susteren Russell Wilson Frank Lloyd Wright
A miniature version of a historic water tower is now serving as a welcome sign to the village of Oregon.

The 18-foot-tall, stainless steel replica, erected Friday on the villages south side, mimics the 103-foot-tall Tin Man water tower, which has been a fixture in the villages downtown for nearly 125 years.

The three-year, $50,000 effort, led by Randy Glysch, helps bring more attention to the villages history and adds to the communitys growing ensemble of public art projects.

Many communities have done away with many important aspects, but Oregon continues to respect the history of the village and its importance that made the village what it is today, Glysch said.

History and symbols of our past have a way of grounding a community. It may seem like another sculpture, but it symbolizes the history of the village of Oregon. It symbolizes all the hard work of residents before us and their hard work in making Oregon a wonderful place to live and visit.

A wooden water tower and a brick pumphouse were constructed in 1899, but the tower and tank were replaced in 1921 with what is referred to as the Tin Man, a steel tower and tank that holds 30,000 gallons of water and rises above the villages downtown.

The village drained the tank in 1981 and since that time there have been off-and-on debates about its future. Some lobbied to remove the tower due to safety concerns, but in 2017 Glysch led the efforts for the towers restoration and helped raise $58,000 for the restoration of the pumphouse, which now serves as a welcome center with gallery space for historic images.

The new Tin Man sculpture installed last week was designed by Gail Simpson and Aris Georgiades of Actual Size Artwork in Stoughton and constructed by Tony Cole of Custom Metals.

Its been a long road to get to here. COVID slowed us down, so did rising costs, but we did it despite those obstacles, Glysch said of the replica project. The artists and craftsman who made it made it to last a very long time.

Photos: Pritzker Military Archives Center
Wisconsin is getting $58 million in federal funding to open or expand as many as 40 new charter schools around the state.

Announced Monday by the state Department of Public Instruction, the five-year grant also will fund ongoing projects at established charter schools. Nearly 50,000 students were enrolled in 239 Wisconsin charter schools last school year, according to a statement from DPI.

Charter schools are public schools that are granted freedom from most state regulations, allowing them to use different curriculum, schedules and ways of learning. The Wisconsin charter school law gives charter schools freedom from most state rules and regulations in exchange for greater accountability for results.

The funding from the U.S. Department of Education is Wisconsins seventh federal grant aimed at supporting public charter school development, according to the release.
National Wildlife Refuge Week is Oct. 8-14, and Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, located at N11385 Headquarters Road in Necedah, is planning special events to celebrate its natural beauty with visitors.

Necedah is one of four refuges in Wisconsin. The others are Horicon, Trempeleau and Upper Mississippi River. Established in 1939, Necedah is famous as the northern nesting site for the reintroduction of an eastern U.S. population of the endangered whooping crane.

But its much more than cranes. Its home to the states largest wetland bog. Its home to pine, oak and aspen trees. It has rare butterflies, including the Karner blue butterfly, rattlesnakes, turtles and wolf packs. It also receives about 150,000 visitors annually.

Festivities begin on Oct. 11. The day is dedicated to the Friends of Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. Friends members, their guests, or anyone considering joining, is invited to gather at the visitor center at 11:30 a.m. for a free social time and lunch provided by the Friends.

At 1 p.m., author, photographer and educator Joe Riederer will share his love of wildlife through his photographs and stories.

For more information about the Friends of Necedah National Wildlife Refuge visit friendsofnnwr.org.

Events on Thursday, Oct. 12, are geared toward seniors. Co-sponsored by Necedah National Wildlife Refuge and Adams County Aging and Disability Resource Center, seniors are invited to attend a presentation, lunch and landscape bus tour.

The event begins at 11 a.m. with a presentation by refuge biologist Angie Diedrickson, followed by a lunch, then a bus tour beginning at 1 p.m.

Registration is required for the day. Contact Donna Richards at 608-339-4251.

On Friday, Oct. 13, Joe Riederer will be at the refuge for a photography workshop. It runs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Reiderer is also the Friends of Necedah Wildlife Refuges Artist of the Month. Some of his work will be available for purchase at the visitor center.

Families are invited to the refuge on Saturday, Oct. 14, for family day. The refuges blue goose mascot will be eager to welcome visitors from 9 to 11 a.m. At 11 a.m. there will be an interactive Laughing with the Animals workshop with David Stokes.

During the day, families also will be able to go on self-guided hikes, play wildlife bingo, watch birds from the observation tower, learn about beavers, and much more.

To register for events, or to learn more about the week, call 608-565-2551.

GALLERY: Necedah Trunk or Treating Trunk or treat 1 Trunk or treat 2 Trunk or treat 3 Trunk or treat 4 DSC_3656.jpg DSC_3657.jpg DSC_3660.jpg DSC_3664.jpg DSC_3666.jpg DSC_3669.jpg DSC_3671.jpg DSC_3674.jpg DSC_3677.jpg DSC_3688.jpg DSC_3692.jpg DSC_3704.jpg DSC_3708.jpg DSC_3728.jpg
Advocates for counting election ballots by hand are likely to be disappointed  either by their failure to adopt such a mandate, or by the handling of election results if they succeed.

A county in Georgia with 67,000 people recently required such a hand count. Last year in Wisconsin, delegates to the state Republican convention passed a resolution calling for the counting all ballots by hand on Election Day.

In a 1930s review of voting processes, political scientist Joseph Harris concluded that [p]robably no part of election administration is conducted so poorly as the count of ballots. Several of the improvements he suggested were adopted after World War II, helped by technologies that were faster, more consistent and less prone to error, such as optical scanning. Today, election officials overwhelmingly use paper-marked ballots that are tabulated by scanner machines.

It is easy to see why a hand count of ballots seems appealing to many people today. Having ballots scrutinized in person by representatives from the parties provides obvious transparency and accountability. The true result of the infamous 2000 Bush-Gore contest in Florida remains in doubt, in part, because a hand recount of this kind was not ultimately conducted.

States such as Wisconsin and Georgia have undergone hand recounts of the votes cast in their presidential elections. And other democracies such as France hand count ballots. So it seems possible and has intuitive appeal.

But as a scholar of elections, I know two good reasons to avoid hand-counting ballots: speed and accuracy.

US ballots are long, and complicated

It takes a long time to count ballots by hand. Counters must pause for regular breaks to stay rested and sharp. Counting must periodically stop to resolve challenges and questions from observers. It is painstaking work.

But Americans have come to expect election results to be available very quickly, even just a few hours after the polls close. This expectation is due, in part, to mechanical and technological counting systems.

Most U.S. election ballots are long and would require counting of many contests, from president down to county commissioner and probate judge. In other countries where hand counting is used, just one race is typically on the ballot.

But in many parts of the U.S., a dozen contests or many more are on ballots during each election  and on a single piece of paper. Sometimes a ballot paper has two columns for voting, with candidates or ballot questions on both the front and the back.

In recent high-profile recounts, usually only one office is being recounted, so the rest of the ballot is ignored. When Georgia officials recounted the 2020 presidential race, it required thousands of ballot counters working long shifts that spanned multiple days for just that one contest. Even with such a dedicated effort, the hand count took almost a week to complete  and cost the state millions of dollars.

A hand count of more than one contest multiplies the amount of time needed to produce a preliminary election result. It might seem like having 10 races on the ballot would take about 10 times as long as counting a single contest. But it is likely to take much longer than that.

This is because ballots are printed for very small groups of voters, and include only the specific legislative and municipal districts in which they live. Recounting a single statewide election is one thing, but hand-counting the entire ballot actually requires a different, more cumbersome procedure because hundreds or thousands of combinations of other contests need to be broken out.

If only a presidential race is being counted, workers can use a simpler stack and count procedure to make piles of votes for each candidate. But if multiple races are being counted, a more complex read and mark procedure is required. The reader must call out each race  from president down to probate judge  marked on the ballot so that other workers can keep tallies. This process requires more people and time.

Machines dont get tired, lose track

Even if the public and the candidates were willing to tolerate the slowness of a hand count, its lower level of accuracy is a serious problem. The point, after all, is to get the result right.

Humans are better than machines at many tasks, but people are not good at highly repetitive tasks such as ballot counting that require extreme accuracy. Humans reviewing thousands of ballots become tired and make many different kinds of mistakes, such as losing track of their counts.

In contrast, dedicated tabulator machines, which are used after voters have marked their ballots, are excellent at counting. The tabulators used in most election districts around the country are optical scanners that read standardized ballots and have lower error rates than most other technologies. More important, detailed data from recounts shows that scanners and other tabulation devices are significantly more accurate than counting the same ballots by hand.

Hand counts helpful for audits, recounts

Though hand-counting ballots on election night does not make sense in terms of speed or accuracy, hand counts are extremely helpful for parts of the election process.

Most states conduct post-election audits that review ballots to ensure that they were correctly tabulated. Recounts after close elections also frequently entail human review of ballots to verify the initial results.

In both of these situations, many of the problems of hand-counting are rendered irrelevant. For instance, many recounts focus on small batches of ballots rather than the full statewide collection of votes. Recounts also typically focus on a single contest and do not require a review of the entire ballot. With both audits and recounts, the speed of the count is not as important, so most participants are willing to wait a bit longer to verify the Election Night counts.

Nearly every voter in next years presidential election will be casting votes either on paper or on an electronic machine that has a paper backup. And almost all of those ballots will be counted by a machine. This approach balances security, accuracy, speed and voter confidence  and still allows for selected hand counts after Election Day.

Burden is a professor of political science and the director of the Elections Research Center at UW-Madison. The wrote this for The Conversation.
TWIN FALLS  They do it almost every Saturday morning.

Gathering at the Twin Falls Visitor Center, a group meets early for a free 5K run/walk. Its called a parkrun, a free, community event.

Sometimes more than 30 runners and walkers show up, sometimes just a handful. But rain or shine, the weekly event goes on.

The parkrun movement got its start in 2004 in England. Now, volunteers throughout the world organize their own parkruns in their respective cities in 22 countries worldwide. The only other parkrun in Idaho takes place in Rexburg.

Parkrunners are known for their dedication.

How dedicated?

Consider this: Saturday, a parkrun ambassador traveled 750 miles from southern California so he could participate.

He wouldnt have ordinarily made the trip, but the weekend was special. It was the 100th parkrun held in Twin Falls.

Robert Hyde makes sure his assigned parkruns are running smoothly.

I jumped in my car on Thursday, Hyde said, adding that coming to southern Idaho and running in chilly morning weather was worth it.

This is one of the most stunning places Ive ever been to, Hyde said, overlooking the Snake River Canyon. I am from the U.K. originally, and we just dont get views like this in the U.K.

Its not uncommon for the event, officially named the Canyon Rim Trail Parkrun, to host participants from out of state, or even out of the country. At Saturdays event, there were runners from Northern Ireland and Michigan.

Extra effort was made to attract participants, and it showed with 67 runners and walkers, and plenty of volunteers. It was a little short of the hoped-for 100, but was still a great turnout compared with about 30 runners and walkers that have been showing up recently, said parkrun director Rosa Davila.

The Canyon Rim Trail Parkrun got its start in Twin Falls in 2020 with the help of Adam and Rene Enock. Adam participated in parkruns when he was growing up.

When we moved here there was nothing like it in the area and we thought it would be a great way to be outside and be active, said Rene Enock, who attended Saturdays event.

To become an official parkrun, it needed to show it had community support, and it passed with flying colors, getting 60 to 70 runners in the first two practice runs.

And just when the parkrun was getting off to a good start, the pandemic came and shut it down.

It has since been revived, and even though the Enocks moved to the Boise area a year ago, its a survivor.

Rosa Davila, who for two years has been running and volunteering at the parkrun, feared that once the Enocks left, the parkrun would dissolve.

Getting the race organized takes volunteers, from timers to tailwalkers, who bring up the rear of the group, echoing the parkrun motto of nobody finishes last.

Davila and a group of volunteers rallied to save it.

Barring any other race  such as the popular Rim2Rim that would preempt the parkrun  you can count on the parkrun, rain or shine.

It can be a difficult task, however, to hold the event during freezing winter mornings, Davila said. On Dec. 24, the Canyon Rim Trail was a sheet of ice, forcing its cancellation.

It wasnt safe, Davila said, although she was disappointed because a couple from Australia was in Twin Falls to participate.

This 5K isnt strictly to improve physical fitness. Mostly, its about coming together as a community.

Even Kris Scott, who blazed through Saturdays run with a top time of under 20 minutes, said finishing in first place didnt matter.

First place isnt anything, Scott said. Its just being out here with all the people and having a good time.

Seventy-eight-year-old Steve Leinberger has also met some friends  in fact, Davila lives just five doors down from him. Hes also trying to reduce his time.

Im down to under 35 minutes, said Leinberger, who had never run before becoming interested in the parkruns nearly two years ago. He has a goal of getting his time under 30 minutes, aiming to hit that mark next year.

The parkrun welcomes everyone, from the inexperienced beginner to fined-tuned running machines. Kids and dogs are also invited. Although it is called a parkrun, its a park walk as well.

The last walker to cross the finish line Saturday came in with a time of just over an hour.

Because it is a free event, medals and T-shirts arent handed out each day, although Clif Bars, bananas and oranges were available to snack on after the race as part of the special event.

It isnt about who finishes first, Davila said, it is about milestones. Participants can receive T-shirts indicating how many parkruns they have been on. Davila has 50 to her credit; Hyde has 100.

Davila hopes the event continues to grow. Having more runners/walkers and volunteers would be a great problem to have, she said.

The Canyon Rim Trail Parkrun has a lot going for it, Davila said, with the trail attracting many parkrun devotees from out of the area. The scenery obviously has an impact on the newcomers.

Beautiful, is how William Alexander of Northern Ireland described it on Saturday. It was the first American parkrun he had participated in, and was visiting Twin Falls as part of his employment. Its the most beautiful run Ive ever done.
1 injured in I-84 collision in Minidoka County

Idaho State Police is investigating an injury collision early Monday morning on Interstate 84 in Minidoka County that sent one person to the hospital and partially blocked traffic for about three hours.

The accident happened at 12:47 a.m. near mile marker 202.5, when a 28-year-old Oregon man driving eastbound in a Chevrolet Silverado went onto the right shoulder and rear-ended a stationary vehicle, ISP said in a news release.

The Silverado rolled several times, according to the release. The man, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported by ground ambulance, then later by air ambulance, for medical treatment. The three occupants in the other vehicle, a Hyundai Santa Fe, were not transported.

Also:

Shaylee Quinton, a graduate of Twin Falls High School and a freshman at Brigham Young University Idaho, has been selected to receive a $2,500 STAR Scholarship from the P.E.O. Sisterhood

, which has provided nearly $145 million in grants, scholarships, awards and loans to more than 122,000 women since its inception in 1869. Quinton, who graduated with a 4.0 grade-point average, was recommended by P.E.O. Chapter CI of Twin Falls.

Amanda Duffy is the 2023 recipient of the Joseph T. Rasch Memorial Scholarship, presented annually by Hospice Visions, LLC and Visions Home Health & Visions Home Care, LLC, to help individuals dedicated to the field of nursing. For more information about application, call 208-735-0121 or 208-732-5365, or go online to www.hospicevisions.org or www.visionshomecare.com

.

Chase Kidd of Declo has been selected as a new member of the American Angus Association

, the worlds largest beef breed association with more than 22,000 active adult and junior members.
Round and round we go, and we all know where this stops. Its Nov. 17, when Congress will face another chapter of tired talks about a government shutdown.

Theres no telling who will be Speaker of the House by then since Kevin McCarthy dared to rely on Democrats to push through a 45-day stopgap measure to keep the government operating. McCarthys possible ouster, along with Hunter Biden and the possible impeachment of President Joe Biden, will provide enough distractions from the job that Congress should be doing with appropriations.

In theory, the stopgap bill gives Congress time to work out differences with the budget. In practice with a divided government, theres a greater chance that nothing will be done. If were lucky, well get another stopgap measure on Nov. 17 that will keep the government running for another month or two.

Its a shame that it comes down to this. Whats amazing is there are those in Congress who think that shutting down the government is sound policy, as if all problems will be solved by refusing to sign off on a dozen appropriations bills. A lot of people get hurt by government shutdowns, but not members of Congress. They get paid regardless.

Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, favors a more sensible approach. As he wrote in a recent commentary, Letting the government shut down is neither good policy or good politics.

Quote The fiscal crisis will never be resolved until Congress approves relevant reforms for the next generations. Its as simple as that.

Hes entirely correct  although that attitude will never land him an invite to join the House Freedom Caucus (hes not interested, anyway). Fellow Idaho Rep. Russ Fulcher, who is part of the Freedom Caucus, predictably voted against the stopgap bill. Given the nature of his district, theres no question his job would be on the line if he voted otherwise.

Through this entire process, I have supported efforts to keep the government funded, control spending and end chaos at the Southern border, Fulcher said. Unfortunately, the most recent continuing resolution does not address these pressing matters my constituents want addressed.

House conservatives do have a point. Spending is out of control and has been for a long time. The national debt is more than $33 trillion with no signs of slowing down, and it continues to grow no matter what party controls the White House.

But in these shutdown debates, detractors are nibbling at the edges. The focus is on discretionary spending, the 25 to 30% of the budget that Congress can control. If all discretionary spending were eliminated, including national defense, wed still be drowning with the deficit. The problem is the 70 to 75% of the budget that Congress cannot touch  the so-called entitlement spending, which includes Social Security and Medicare.

The fiscal crisis will never be resolved until Congress approves relevant reforms for the next generations. Its as simple as that.

Ah, but theres so much juicy political theater that goes with these shutdown talks. Members of Congress can draw lines in the sand, point fingers, puff out their chests and show all their constituents back home how they are trying to bring spending under control. Who cares about the millions of people who get hurt in the process, such as military men and women, border agents and air-traffic controllers.

These political games have very real consequences for your friends and neighbors, Simpson wrote. To Idaho, a government shutdown means thousands of furloughs for government workers and contractors, no new vouchers to homeless veterans through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, a halt to U.S. Small Business Administration loans, and the closure of our national parks, just to name a few impacts.

Simpson isnt the only one in Idahos delegation who holds a dim view of government shutdowns. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch voted for the temporary resolution and issued a joint statement.

Government shutdowns hurt taxpayers, they said. This legislation will keep the governments lights on while ensuring our troops and border agents receive the pay they have earned. During this time, we will continue to advocate for a long-term funding solution that saves taxpayer dollars and serves the needs of Idahoans.

Good luck with that. Government operations are safe until Nov. 17, and there are no guarantees after that. Keep your expectations low as far as the ability of Congress to find a long-lasting solution to this fiscal mess.

After all, these are the honorable men who helped give us this $33 trillion debt in the first place.
The Idaho quote of last week: Idaho Falls attorney and state Republican Party official Bryan Smith saying, If Idaho gets ranked choice voting, were finished. Its that simple.

That could be true, depending on how you define we.

Smith could be referring to the Idaho Republican Party, but that wont work. Idaho simply has too many Republicans, and Republican-leaning voters, for any tactics like ranked choice or even gerrymandering to much change the picture.

But it could change which Republicans are in charge.

Lets game this out.

The system of primary elections, as Idaho has known it, would go away. Instead, in the primary (in the sense of first) election, all candidates for a given office  specifically, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, state legislature, statewide office, and county elective offices  would appear on the ballot, and voters could pick one candidate for each of them.

If only four or fewer people have filed for a specific office, they proceed to the November election directly; if more than four file, then the four top vote-getters continue to the general election.

Then in November, when voters select from among those (up to) four people, they get to make a nuanced choice: They pick a first preference, then a second (in case the first choice falls short of winning), and a third. If no candidate gets an outright majority among top-choice votes, then the second-place votes come into play, and maybe the third, until someone winds up with a majority of the vote. That would eliminate the idea of someone winning one of those offices with, say, 23% of the vote. Every winner will have had to get some level of support from a majority of voters.

In most contests, the decision would be made the way it always has: In any race with only two candidates, one always gets an outright majority. This change would only affect races with three or more candidates.

Where will this make a difference? Mainly in two places.

Quote It would allow voters to choose the elected officials, not the other way around. If some party leaders disapprove of that, pause a moment to consider why.

One is where two major-party candidates are in a competitive contest, and an independent or third-party candidate, or more than one, also is on the ballot. We do see a number of these for top-of-ballot offices like governor (less often locally, though it happens), and if the major party contenders are close, the minors can make a difference. (Consider Ralph Nader and the Florida election results in 2000.) Ranked choice would change that by asking people to mark their second choice, resulting in a more-acceptable result to a majority of voters.

The second place it matters is when a major, especially dominant, political party has a split between factions. In California, Alaska and Washington state, which have variations of this election system in place, some districts are so strongly Democratic or Republican that the top two choices in November sometimes belong to just one party.

And that works. Imagine a legislative district fairly typical in Idaho: Strongly Republican, with three candidates filing for a seat: A traditional conservative Republican, a Republican in the mold of the more extreme state party leadership, and a Democrat. All three would pass through the primary to November. Then, if the district is strongly Republican  as most in Idaho are  the two Republicans probably would wind up in first and second place, possibly with neither getting a majority. The Democratic voters would then be able to weigh in on one of the Republicans as a second choice.

That might  might  throw the election to the mainstream Republican, and that precisely is what has state party leaders like Smith and state GOP chair Dorothy Moon so concerned.

But consider what it also means: All of the voters will get to have a meaningful voice in who is elected to represent them, which is far from the situation now. All of the candidates would have an open shot at persuading voters to elect them. What would matter is what the voters choose.

It would allow voters to choose the elected officials, not the other way around. If some party leaders disapprove of that, pause a moment to consider why.
LONDONBritain has signed contracts worth 4 billion pounds ($4.8 billion) to finance a new phase of the SSN-AUKUS next-generation attack submarine project, according to government officials.

The deals, which involve British companies BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Babcock, are part of the AUKUS military alliance between the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom to counter China in the Asia-Pacific region.

(The) submarines will empower the Royal Navy to maintain our strategic advantage under the sea, UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said at the Conservative Partys annual conference in Manchester on Sunday.

AUKUS leaders unveiled the joint submarine project last March in a deal that will see Australia replace its diesel-powered submarines with nuclear-powered ones that have far greater stealth and range.

The plan involves Australia purchasing US nuclear-powered submarines, and then building a new model with US and British technology.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised it as the most important multilateral defense agreement for generations.
The Philippines launched its first export shipment of fresh avocados to South Korea on Sept. 30, 2023 in a ceremonial send off from the KTC Port Tibungco in Davao City.

The Department of Agricultures (DA) Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), through the National Plant Quarantine Services Division (NPQSD), exported the maiden batch of Philippine Hass avocados to Korea following a series of discussions on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) concerns and the sustainability of the fruits export volume.

The Philippines exported an initial shipment of 3,040 boxes of the fruit valued at $48,433, which are expected to arrive in Pyongtaek Port, South Korea on Oct. 8, 2023.

It took the Philippines 15 years before South Korea agreed to accommodate fresh Philippine avocados into its domestic fruit market.

The BPI expressed its intention to export fresh Hass avocado fruits to Korea on Sept. 25, 2009, on behalf of Dole Philippines. The DAs Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) of the Republic of Korea and BPI reached a historic agreement on June 19, 2023, which came into effect as of Sept. 8, 2023.

The Philippine government said it expects the milestone to be the start of a fruitful trade relationship between the two nations, complementing trade with fresh fruit exports.

The DA said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is committed to the acceleration of agricultural development by opening the countrys doors to Philippine fruit exports.

Under his leadership, the Philippines is continuously making progress in creating opportunities in the global market and solidifying its capability to trade top-quality agricultural products.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to announce his appointees to the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC), a corporate investment body that will manage the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), at least around the middle of October, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said over the weekend.

The advisory body of the fundcomposed of the heads of the Budget Department, the National Economic and Development Authority and the Bureau of the Treasuryclosed the application period for the positions of president and chief executive officer, two directors, and three independent directors in the MIC last Sept. 27.

The advisory body shall then transmit the final list of nominees to the Office of the President on or before October 12, 2023, after which the President of the Philippines shall appoint the best candidate for the respective positions, Diokno said.

To clarify it once again amid recent rumors that he might leave his DoF post and lead the MIC, Diokno said I did not apply, because you have to apply. I am the chairman of the Maharlika board, that is another position.

MIC is a nine-member board of directors which consists of the Secretary of Finance as the chairperson in an ex-officio capacity; president and CEO of MIC; president and CEO of the Land Bank of the Philippines; president and CEO of the Development Bank of the Philippines; two regular directors, appointed by the President for a term of three years; and three independent directors from the private sector, appointed by the President for a term of one year.

There is a two-stage process [for the selection], The technical team will bring the list to the advisory body consisting of DBM Secretary, NEDA Director General, and [the] National Treasurer the next stage is the Office of the President, Diokno said.

Diokno remained optimistic that the MIF would be fully operational by the end of 2023 and that the board has already met at least once.

Diokno said earlier that the success of the implementation of the MIF hinged on selection of the best people to oversee and manage the Fund and strict compliance with the provisions of the law.

MIC has an initial capitalization of P125 billion. LandBank and DBP have already transferred their contributions, as the founding government financial institutions, of P50 billion and P25 billion, respectively to the account of the Bureau of the Treasury. LandBank deposited their share on Sept. 14 while DBP remitted on Sept. 15.

The remaining P50 of MICs initial capitalization will be sourced from the national government. One of the sources is the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas dividend remittance. BSP has already remitted P31.859 billion for 2023.

Cognizant of all of this, the MIF is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2023, Diokno said.
By Azernews

Rena Murshud

Journalist Bella Lalayan published footage of warehouses in Khankendi filled with food and accused the leaders of the liquidated junta of abusing residents of Garabagh of Armenian nationality, Azernews reports.

She wrote about this on her Facebook page.

Immoral!

I dont know what to call you, and how the Armenians of Garabagh can pay for your enmity, the days of suffering and hell for taking so many innocent lives.

Monsters!

After this, how can you think that it wasnt you who blew up the gasoline tank?

Monsters, cannibals who devoured Garabagh! I dont know what to say to make my heart feel lighter, writes Bella Lalayan.

Let us note that this publication once again demonstrates that there was no blockade in the Garabagh economic region of Azerbaijan and that the separatist leaders deliberately lied about the hunger in order to slander and denigrate Azerbaijan.
Drills involving the naval personnel of the Philippines, the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, and Indonesia kicked off on Monday as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it could not commit to constant patrols in the West Philippine Sea unless it acquires more ships.

At the opening rites of Exercise Samasama on Monday, Philippine Navy (PN) chief Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. said the strong military bond between the Philippines and the United Statesand the capability of the PN to fight a war will be on full display in drills that run until Oct. 12.

Calling the drills a beacon of cooperation and readiness, Adaci said Exercise Samasama was aimed at enhancing interoperability and fostering regional cooperation among its participants.

From territorial defense to countering transnational crimes, Samasama [helps] us to face an array of threats together, Adaci said.

For the PN, Adaci said the exercise is a vital platform for capacity building and improving war-fighting capabilities in various dimensions of modern naval operations from anti-submarine warfare, to electronic warfare.

The drills enhance the Navys readiness to confront a spectrum of security challenges, Adaci noted.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) earlier said Exercise Samasama aims to further improve maritime integration and combined interoperability with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and the United Kingdoms Royal Navy (RN) through subject-matter expert exchanges (SMEEs) and humanitarian assistance and disaster response table-top events.

The exercises will be held at the Naval Forces Southern Luzon area.

It added that the French Navy and RAN will send personnel to join the SMEEs while the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and Indonesian Navy would join as observers.

Participating personnel for Exercise Samasama include 733 from the PN; 632 from the USN; 244 from the RCN; 169 from the JMSDF; 34 from the RN; seven from the French Navy; three from the RAN; two from the Indonesian Navy; and one from the RNZN.

Participating ships include the BRP Antonio Luna from the PN, USS Dewey and USNS Wally Schirra of the USN, RNs HMS Spey, RCNs HMCS Vancouver, and JMSDFs JS Akebono.

Earlier, the Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force completed a five-day interoperability exercise that stressed air-to-ground operations. The exercises ran from Sept. 25 to 30 at the 5th Infantry Division headquarters at Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz in barangay Upi in Gamu, Isabela.

Meanwhile, the PCG said it can commit to increased presence in areas of the West Philippine Sea like Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), but unless it acquires more ships, constant patrols would be unrealistic.

Speaking to Radyo 630s TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Commodore Jay Tarriela  PCGs spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea  said the Coast Guard can conduct regular but not constant patrols given its current fleet size.

He said Coast Guard Admiral Artemio Abu has committed the PCG to ensuring the safety of Filipino fishers at Bajo de Masinloc.

The presence of our vessels gives confidence to our fishermen to come here again, the PCG official added.

A fishers group, the Bigkis ng Mangingisda Federation condemned Chinese incursions into the traditional fishing ground.

We urge the government to level up its efforts in reclaiming what is rightfully ours by asserting Philippine sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, the group also said.

Tarriela said Monday that the Coast Guard fleet is too small to conduct round-the-clock patrols.

He said that the PCG currently only has three large offshore patrol vessels and 10 44-meter multi-role response vessels.

Ideally, he said, the Coast Guard should have at least four OPVs each to patrol Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and around three to five to keep an eye on the West Philippine Sea.

The PCG also needs smaller boats and support ships like buoy tenders, he said.

Apart from patrols in the West Philippine Sea, the Coast Guard also has to maintain a presence in the waters off the Zamboanga Peninsula, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi to protect sea lanes there.

There are a lot of areas that we have to cover, he said.

Tarriela added that the Coast Guard also needs more resources for its core functions, which include maritime safety, responding to maritime pollution, and maritime law enforcement.

House leaders last week said they would reallocate some confidential funds in the proposed national budget to the PCG and to other agencies watching over the West Philippine Sea.

Also on Monday, a coalition of advocates launched a Christmas donation drive to support fishers and frontliners in the West Philippine Sea affected by Chinese aggression there.

At a news conference in Quezon City, Edicio dela Torre, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) president, said the donation boxes would be put up in schools, churches, communities, and workplaces to collect needed resources, such as food, water, medical supplies and other necessities.

The donations will benefit the fishing communities in Zambales, Palawan, Mindoro and Batangas, he added.
Kyiv, Ukraine  Ukraine said Sunday it was working with Washington to ensure new wartime aid, after US lawmakers dropped additional funding for Kyiv in a last-minute deal to avoid a government shutdown.

The 11th-hour funding bill passed by Congress on Saturday will keep US federal agencies running for another 45 days, but left out new aid to Ukraine amid opposition from some hardline Republicans.

The Ukrainian government is now actively working with its American partners to ensure that the new US budget decision, which will be developed over the next 45 days, includes new funds to help Ukraine, Kyivs foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said.

Ukrainian defence chief Rustem Umerov later said he spoke with US counterpart Lloyd Austin to discuss further military aid after the decision.

Secretary Austin assured me that US support to Ukraine will continue. Ukraines warriors will continue to have a strong back-up on the battlefield, Umerov said on social media.

Kyiv has relied heavily on Western support since Russia invaded last year.

The United States has been the countrys biggest financial backer, providing it with over $40 billion in military assistance.

But the issue of funding for Ukraine has become increasingly politicised in Washington, where some Republican lawmakers have pushed for deep spending cuts.

Ukraine held a weapons forum this week to attract more manufacturers to build arms in Ukraine, amid concerns arms support from its Western allies may waver.
The problem of illegal drugs in the country is far from being solved, contrary to reports there are drug-free barangays nationwide

President Marcos Jr. is actually walking on a tightrope in dealing with the activities of China on the West Philippine Sea, Santa Banana!

PBBM knows well enough the provocative acts of Chinas Coast Guard and marine militia at the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and lately at the Scarborough Shoal, or the Bajo de Masinloc, both within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) will worsen the situation.

The Ayungin flashpoint at the West Philippine Sea and at Scarborough Shoal, which China claims its own and its sovereignty, also a flashpoint, are both critical.

And one misstep by BBM could lead to a China-Philippine conflict. However, so far so good for BBM, my gulay.

Marcos Jr. is fully aware that, with the presence of the rusty World War II vessel at the Ayungin Shoal west of Palawan and within our EEZ, what China is doing in blocking the Philippine Coast Guard vessel is actually taunting BBMs resolve.

Similarly, what has been happening at Scarborough Shoal which China claims to be its own in installing that 300-meter floating barrier to prevent Filipino fisherfolk from intruding is clearly an act of provocation.

And, Santa Banana, since BBM had no choice but to order the Philippine Coast Guard to remove the barrier, China warned the country to behave since from Chinas point of view, it is a challenge.

But, will China change its strategy of provoking the Philippines to commit acts that it considers a challenge to China?

I dont think it will and thats where the danger lies. With any misstep on the tightrope he is walking could lead to you know what.

The next $20 question, if and when BBM missteps on that tightrope he is walking on, will it lead to a confrontation between two superpowers, the United States and China?

And if theres a conflict between China and the Philippines will the US come to the protection of the Philippines as provided for in the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty?

Thats the biggest question of all. Since thats a speculative question, only God knows the answer, Santa Banana!

Sue for damages

With the frequent intrusion of China in the Philippines even to the extent of even intruding into the Exclusive Economic Zone of the country, there have been proposals for the Philippines to sue for damages, particularly with the devastation of corals at the Escoda Shoal and Rozul Reef and the recent installation of floating barriers at Scarborough Shoal within the EEZ off Zambales.

Why not? And the proper venue would be at the Arbitral Court at The Hague.

With the Chinese harvesting corals within the EEZ area off Palawan and the Scarborough Shoal, Filipino fishermen have been deprived of their livelihood. That means a big loss of money.

We can never underestimate the harm done by China with its frequent intrusion into Philippine waters.

The problem, however, is will China comply with whatever decision the Arbitral Court makes since China simply ignored the 2016 victory of the Philippines in that suit against the Nine-Dash Line claim of China at the South China Sea?

This is also a problem if the country will sue Chinas 10-dash Line claiming the whole China Sea. a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Will the Philippines just grin and bear everything?

CIF realignment

With all the increasing threats of China within the West Philippine Sea and into the countrys EEZ, Chinas bullying has become a sure threat to the countrys national security.

Ergo, it stands to reason why government agencies involved in the surveillance and monitoring of these threats have become important.

Among these threats, it is but logical for both chambers of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives, to provide government agencies involved in the countrys national security, like the National Intelligence Coordinating Council (NICC), the National Security Council (NSC), the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. adequate funding, especially the so-called CIF or Confidential Intelligence Funds.

Thus, when both chambers of Congress, in line with the 2024 National Budget, decide to realign the CIF to government agencies where the CIF are needed, its only logical for Congress as mandated by law to appropriate funds of government to where the CIF are needed most to the prejudice of other agencies like the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education which have allocated CIF.

The CIF for government agencies is needed most especially at this time considering how volatile Chinas continued threats and bullying are.

Declining support

A newspaper last week headlined that a polling firm called Publicus Asia had found that sentiments for President Marcos Jr. had declined and that support for the opposition had risen.

Those who opposed the Marcos administration grew from 18 percent in the first quarter to 23 percent in the third quarter this year.

Pro-administraton had slipped to 43 percent from 48 percent.

Publicus based its survey on pro and anti sentiments on whats happening and on the priorities of the Marcos administration.

This means the survey does not base its findings on the true sentiments of the people, which can change from quarter to quarter.

Nevertheless, the administration can tell what the people feel at the moment, but what the leadership of the administration should be concerned about is why theres a decline of support and dissatisfaction.

What I see is the people are feeling the impact of the increasing prices of all commodities, primarily the increased prices of the main staple, rice.

On headwinds like the continued rising prices of fuel and gasoline which are admittedly beyond the control of the administration, people are feeling dissatisfied.

Surprisingly, while the pro-administration sentiments of the people declined in most parts of the country, in Mindanao there is continuous support.

This simply means the decline of sympathy for the Marcos administration is not a sure indication of dissatisfaction of/for the Marcos administration.

Recall that President Marcos Jr. got the majority support of the people during the 2022 polls. But, there is a lot of dissatisfaction in the air.

Biggest shabu catch

That reported P3.6 billion seizure of shabu in a warehouse in Mexico, Pampanga was certainly the biggest catch under the Marcos administration.

A total 530 kilos worth that amount in street value raises, however, the question.

Was it smuggled?

Considering the amount seized, it can only imply the demand is still there.

If its true as suspected the shabu was smuggled through the Subic Freeport, its a sure indication it was the fault of Customs, and theres need to further investigate.

Santa Banana, if that amount of illegal drugs can be smuggled through a well known port, its a sure indication that shabu is still smuggled and that illegal drugs are still in demand nationwide.

This simply means that the problem of illegal drugs in the country is far from being solved, contrary to reports there are drug-free barangays nationwide.
Digital Pilipinas Festival (DPF), a week-long celebration of innovation and technology with industry leaders, government regulators, country partners, startup ecosystem investors, technologists, and founders; all championing 12 critical industries across ASEAN and various regions of the world, was officially launched by Digital Pilipinas recently.

The Department of Trade and Industry  Board of Investments, led by Secretary Alfredo Pascual, attended the launch with representatives from the industry and business leaders, together with twenty-eight (28) embassies and trade, and investment offices.

These included the Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to ASEAN, Ambassador Ambassador Hjayceelyn Mancenido Quintana; Singaporean Ambassador Constance See Sin Yuan; Thai Ambassador Vasin Ruangprateepsaeng; Cambodian Ambassador Phan Peuv; and Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino.

Envoys from Central Asia, Central East Asia, European Union, North America, and Oceania included Belgian Ambassador Michel Monique Parys, British Ambassador Laure Beaufils, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman, Hungarian Ambassador Titanilla Toth, Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss, Papua New Guinea Ambassador Betty Palaso, Romanian Ambassador Raduta Dana Matache, Spanish Ambassador Miguel Utray, and Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the Philippines Artem Tsinamdzgvrishvili.

The gathering reinforced the collaborative goal of positioning the Philippines as an investment hub and digital bridgeway to ASEAN and the world. It also offered a sneak peek into the activities that will take place at the five-day Digital Pilipinas Festival, happening from November 20 to 24, 2023, at SMX Aura in BGC.

Organized by Digital Pilipinas, now the largest private sector-led movement for creating an innovation and technology ecosystem, and is the pioneering ecosystem-builder in ASEAN that is actively engaged and synergized in a global digital economy, the Digital Pilipinas Festival (DPF) and Philippine Fintech Festival (PFF) Year 2, themed World, Meet ASEAN in a Digital Pilipinas, bring together diverse stakeholders from various ecosystems to commit to initiatives that drive the countrys tech and innovation ecosystems, provide educational masterclasses on innovation and technology, and give platforms to innovative projects through pitch fest and hackathon.

The DPF and PFF Year 2 serve as holistic hubs for ASEAN innovation and investments, fostering synergy among leading brands, government regulators, country partners, the public and private sectors, technologists, the start-up ecosystem of investors, and founders.

The event brings together industry leaders across the 12 key sectors  ESG & Green Finance, Logistics & Supply Chain, Mobility & Transport, Energy, InsurTech, HealthTech, FinTech, Smart Cities & PropTech, AgriTech, EduTech, WealthTech, Blockchain & Digital Assets.

Tracing back Digital Pilipinass commitment to collaborative initiatives that drive progress and national innovation, Amor Maclang, Convenor of Digital ASEAN, Digital Pilipinas, and the Philippine FinTech Festival, Co-founder of the One ASEAN Fintech Movement and GeiserMaclang, says, The Philippines has proven to be competitive in the digital economy among its ASEAN counterparts. The Digital Pilipinas Festival (DPF) and Philippine FinTech Festival (PFF) in November are Digital Pilipinas way of highlighting the countrys potential to be an industrial hub and change the tech game in the ASEAN region.

Maclang recognizes the crucial role of DTI-BOI in attracting foreign investments to the country, emphasizing, We stand united with DTI-BOI in championing the cause to draw in more investments to the country, underscoring the Philippines pivotal role as the gateway to investment and digital connectivity within the ASEAN region. With its strategic location, robust economy, and commitment to technological innovation, the Philippines provides a central access point for investors and digital pioneers to tap into the diverse opportunities across ASEAN nations.

Top Filipino and international leaders highlighted the Philippines thriving digital economy, trade and investment, and active multilateralism, which makes it a digital bridgeway to ASEAN and a leading investment destination and digital gateway to the rapidly growing ASEAN region.

With 2022 as the countrys proof of concept, the Philippine economy grew at 7.6%, the fastest among the major ASEAN economies.

Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to ASEAN Ambassador Quintana emphasizes that the Philippine Government is implementing several strategies to create the necessary environment to enable the creative industries, as well as information technology and business process management sectors to participate in the ASEAN and global value chains.

One way to make the countrys creative and digital sectors more attractive globally is to provide massive training to millions of young Filipino professionals, according to DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual.

To support this platform, we are putting up what we call the National Innovation Hub and there will be a physical hub. Were getting the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with significant funding, and this will house also the Center for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research that will work on the application of AI in the operations of our small to large businesses, Pascual adds.

Related to Secretary Pascuals emphasis on human resources, British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils emphasizes that the ideal digital bridgeway to the ASEAN region prioritizes people. The Philippines has such a young, English-speaking pool of talent that is really dynamic and tech-savvy, always stretching the boundaries on technology-related issues, Beaufils says.

Meanwhile, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman draws on the similarities between the Philippines and Canada in their adoption of digital assets and artificial intelligence, attributing it to one of the countrys strengths. The Philippine markets affinity for consuming and creating digital assets, as well as its boldness in exploring artificial intelligence, parallels Canadas initiatives as one of the first countries to launch a national AI strategy, investing $125M in research in 2017 and $443.8M in 2021. Canada sees exciting and emerging opportunities in the Philippines booming tech sectors, Hartman shares.

Hungarian Ambassador Titanilla Toth, on the other hand, emphasizes the Philippines important role in Hungarys international trade strategy, acknowledging its cordial relationship with the country for 50 years and viewing the Philippines as a key trading partner for Hungary among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Toth also states that Hungary is willing to take essential measures to strengthen trade relations with the Philippines.

Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss, coming from the side of the rising bilateral trade relationship of Israel and the Philippines through technological collaboration, advances that Israel aims to impart its learnings, from navigating its agriculture, food security, economy, trade, defense, and tourism sectors, and one of the best ways to do this is by strengthening its bilateral ties with the Philippines. Israel is known for its innovative start-ups per capita and a strong culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. The Philippines has great potential in all of these areas.

Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino stresses the countrys digitalization efforts, The Philippines stands at a crossroads in terms of digitalization.

Looking at how the Philippines has embarked on a plan to digitalize a lot of the platforms in the government and private sector shows that the Philippines is ready for growth. I think the digital revolution, especially in the trade and investment industries, brings about great benefits and opportunities for countries such as the Philippines and of course, ASEAN.

On the potential of the Philippines for government cooperation in the digital landscape, Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the Philippines Artem Tsinamdzgvrishvili states, The modern world offers us many opportunities for cooperation. Russia and the Philippines have great potential for bilateral cooperation in the digital field. By working together, we can achieve better results. We have a lot in common, and together we can achieve great things.

The festival provides a platform for people from different sectors to collaborate on responsible and sustainable government, stakeholder engagement, and the digitization of cities and provinces. It also champions multi-sectoral conversations to create relevant legislation and rally support.

Attendees of the DPF and PFF masterclasses will be awarded Global FinTech Institute (GFI) certifications. GFI is a Singapore-based global credentialing body that certifies FinTech professionals worldwide. These certifications are tied to exclusive C-suite masterclasses on frontier technologies that will be held during the festival.

The DPF and PFF will feature a variety of exclusive global activities to promote collaboration and innovation, such as the Global Investment Forum, ASEAN Digital Economies Summit, and international partnership programs.

It will also give a platform to world-class ideas and talent through the Tech Career Expo, while the Asia Digital Leader Awards by Spark Asia and the Voice of Digital Pilipinas  Digital Bayanihan Awards aim to honor the achievements of local and international digital leaders.

In 2022, Digital Pilipinas brought together more than 200 prominent ASEAN leaders from different sectors, including regulators, CEOs, CTOs, CIOs, venture capitalists, investors, tech and digital innovators, pioneering startup founders, entrepreneurs, and senior policymakers. Last years DPF was supported by Israel, Hungary, Hong Kong S.A.R., Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Cambodia.

The DPF and PFF will be held at SMX Aura in Taguig City, Philippines, and at various co-located innovation hubs across the country. It will be held immediately after the Singapore Fintech Festival and concurrently with Philippine Startup Week. To learn more about how to get involved, please visit https://digitalpilipinas.ph (https://digitalpilipinas.ph/) and register for the Digital Pilipinas Festival and Philippine Fintech Festival Year 2.
Earlier this year, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that use of the word thug and using a slogan from former President Donald Trump were insufficient to demonstrate a racially hostile work environment.

Kenneth Robinson and Christopher Hall, both Black, resigned from their jobs at Priority Automotive Honda dealership after their new boss, James Beckley, allegedly engaged in racially motivated actions toward them.

Robinson and Hall alleged that they experienced racial discrimination during Beckleys first week as their new boss.

Shortly after Beckley began his job as the manager at the dealership, he implemented significant operational and structural changes, including moving sales managers to the front of the store into a sales tower and centralized sales operations. Robinson and Hall were both sales managers and decided not to move to the sales tower.

Not being in the sales tower made it more difficult for them to make sales and this impacted their pay.

According to the case, when Beckley started with the new company, he gave a speech in which he told the sales staff that he wanted to make Priority Honda great again. The employees alleged that paraphrasing President Trumps campaign slogan is racist and discriminatory toward minority employees.

The employees also alleged that Beckley told another employee to stop hanging around with those thugs, when referencing a mixed-race group that included Robinson and Hall, and to start hanging around sales managers.

The employees also alleged that a non-management employee said to another to come over to the white side, but this was hotly disputed and she claimed to have said right side.

The plaintiffs alleged the reason they stopped receiving deals from sales associates was because they are Black.

On Beckleys fifth day, the plaintiffs filed multiple racial discrimination internal complaints. Hall resigned. When Beckley met with Robinson to try to resolve the conflict, Beckley apologized for the comments. Beckley then changed Robinsons pay plan, which Robinson rejected, and he left the company.

Robinson and Hall brought North Carolina state law claims and alleged federal claims to include violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and 42 U.S.C.  1981, alleging a hostile work environment and disparate treatment.

The 4th Circuit upheld the dismissal of the federal claims on summary judgment.

Citing prior case law, the court noted that a hostile work environment exists only when the workplace is so permeated with discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, and insult, that it would reasonably be perceived, and is perceived, as hostile or abusive. The test is four-prong:

The employee must experience unwelcome harassment.

The harassment must be because of the employees race.

The harassment must be so severe or pervasive that it alters the conditions of their employment and creates an abusive atmosphere.

The harassment must be imputable to their employer.

The court held that a reasonable person could not find  based on the record  that it occurred because Plaintiffs are Black.

As to the term thugs, the court held that while the plaintiffs were subjectively offended, they must also show that a reasonable person would find the term race-based. The court held, Some believe that thugs is racially charged when directed at Black individuals. Yet thugs is often used non-racially to express disapproval of group behavior. For example, the last three U.S. presidents have used the term to refer to non-Black people and mixed-race groups. Race is thus not always the reason a person uses thugs. And there is nothing in the record, beyond Plaintiffs unsupported belief, suggesting that their race was the reason here.

The court added, The comment was directed at a group  not at Plaintiffs in particular  that included non-Black employees. So whether or not it would violate someones subjective sensibilities or defy etiquette ideals, Beckleys one-time use of thugs fails to support an objective inference of racial harassment  never mind severe or pervasive racial harassment, citing case law to conclude that the statement is not discriminatory on its face.

As for the statement attributable to that made by former President Donald Trump, the court held, Likewise, there is nothing to suggest to a reasonable person that Beckley said he wanted to make Priority Honda great again because Plaintiffs are Black. Paraphrasing this campaign slogan is not objectively racist. And Plaintiffs subjective discomfort  whether based on possible political preferences or on perceived animus  is not grounds for a federal racial discrimination claim.

The court agreed that referring to the white side would be to a reasonable person race-based, but that statement alone did not create a severe or pervasive hostile work environment. The court added, Even the utterance of an ethnic or racial epithet which engenders offensive feelings in an employee is generally not severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile work environment.

This case illustrates the complexity of legally actionable hostile work environment claims, but it should not give license to employers to tolerate race-based language or any slurs.

However, this case also illustrates that the court will rely only on terms that are truly immutable to a race, gender, national origin, etc.

Employers should create a safe, civil and respectful workplace and, where conflict like this arises, address it immediately.
On Thursday, fourth-grade students from all over McDowell County visited Historic Carson House and learned about life during the American Revolution.

Every autumn, reenactors with the Overmountain Victory Trail Association recreate the journey of the Overmountain Men.

This annual event commemorates the September 1780 passage of an army of patriots from the surrounding mountain region who were fighting for independence. They left their homes on the frontier and made their way to fight the British-led forces at the Battle of Kings Mountain. The journey of these Overmountain Men, as they were called, through the mountain gaps in this area, turned the tide of the American Revolution.

On Thursday, fourth-grade students from McDowell County schools visited Historic Carson House and learned more about this chapter in history. An evening program took place later Thursday evening at Historic Carson House.

The OVTA events will continue in Burke, Rutherford and Polk counties from late September through early October. They will come to a conclusion with the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at Kings Mountain National Military Park on Saturday, Oct. 7, the anniversary of the historic battle.
But doctors still cant reliably determine which pregnancies are at risk for premature delivery. Even when they know a mom is at risk  because shes previously had a premature delivery, for example  they still dont have great treatments to extend the pregnancy closer to the due date. Developing medications that could do this would be complex, in part because of ethical concerns regarding testing drugs that might harm the fetus.



If researchers can identify sleep and activity patterns that lower prematurity risk, they can design interventions to help expectant mothers adopt better sleep and exercise habits, a potentially low-risk way of reducing preterm births, Aghaeepour said.

Focusing on at-risk moms

The Stanford Medicine team collaborated with scientists at Washington University in St. Louis, who collected the sleep and physical activity data from 1,083 pregnant women treated there. More than half of the cohort (706 participants) were Black. In the United States, the rate of premature birth is about 50% higher in Black women than in white women.

Our patient population experiences a lot of adversity, and our preterm birth rates are much higher than at Stanford, said study coauthor Sarah England, PhD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The study participants included women experiencing a variety of stressors linked with higher rates of preterm birth, such as racism, low socioeconomic status and living in areas with higher crime rates, England said, adding that it is important for studies of preterm birth to include populations with the greatest need. Typically, Black women and women of color have not been included in many large cohort studies, she said.

The participants wore actigraphy devices similar to smartwatches to collect once-a-minute measurements of physical activity and light exposure starting in the first trimester of pregnancy and continuing until their babies were born. The researchers also had data from participants electronic medical records on gestational age, or how far along each pregnancy was; maternal medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and depression; pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and infections; and information about the birth, including duration of the pregnancy, the babys birth weight and newborn medical complications.

I tell everyone who is pregnant, I hope you keep a regular sleep schedule.'

With the movement and light exposure data, the research team developed a machine learning model of activity and sleep during pregnancy. The model shows that patterns of sleep and physical activity change over the course of pregnancy, which generally is associated with more sleep disruption and less physical activity as pregnancy progresses.

Anecdotally, lots of women will say, Of course! said study coauthor Erik Herzog, PhD, professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis, adding that, for example, women experience more sleep disruptions as the baby gets larger and more active. But, surprisingly, the literature has not had a real consensus about what exactly happens to sleep in pregnancy, he said. Using imprecise methods to measure sleep habits, such as questionnaires, has not provided adequate answers.

The researchers were surprised at how strongly deviations from the normal pattern of sleep and physical activity could predict preterm birth. If the machine-learning model classified a woman as sleeping better and being more physically active than usual for her stage of pregnancy, this was linked with a 48% reduction in risk for preterm delivery. Conversely, if the model classified a woman as sleeping worse and being less physically active than usual for her stage of pregnancy, her risk for preterm delivery was 44% higher than for pregnant women with typical sleep and activity patterns.

Strong clues for preventing prematurity

This is exciting preliminary data, Aghaeepour said. The results suggest that scientists should run studies to test whether tracking and modifying pregnant womens sleep or physical activity could their lower prematurity risk, he said, adding, Its telling us where to go for future interventions.

The circadian clock regulates several other biological pathways implicated in premature birth, such as those regulating inflammation and the immune response, the scientists said. They plan to test whether improving sleep and physical activity in pregnancy could modify other key pathways, such as those controlling inflammation.



Our feeling is that if we look at this overarching regulator, we may be able to control individual systems that lead to preterm birth, England said.

Although the findings are at an early stage, and more work is needed to understand their implications for preventing prematurity, theres little risk in advising pregnant women to maintain good sleep habits now, she added. For instance, women should try to maintain consistent bedtimes and wake-up times, get enough sleep, and get some natural light during the day to help regulate their body clock.

I tell everyone who is pregnant, I hope you keep a regular sleep schedule, England said.

If we can use sleep and physical activity to modulate biology in the right direction, it could be a great intervention for reducing the rate of preterm birth, Aghaeepour added.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (grants R35GM138353, R01HD105256, P01HD106414, 1R01HL139844, 19PABHI34580007, R61NS114926, R01AG058417 and P30AG066515), the American Heart Association, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the March of Dimes, the Robertson Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Alfred E. Mann Family Foundation.
Sources close to the family indicate that the wife of the former President John Agyekum Kufuor passed away at home on Sunday, October 1.

An official announcement of the sad event is expected to be made this Monday, October 2. Mrs Kufuor held the position of Ghanas First Lady from January 7, 2001, to January 6, 2009.

Her tenure began when her husband, John Agyekum Kufuor, assumed the presidency, succeeding Jerry John Rawlings.

During her time as First Lady, she established the Mother to Child Community Development Foundation, which aimed to promote the healthy development of children and prevent the transmission of diseases from mothers to their offspring. Theresa married John Kufuor when he was at age 23 after they met at a Republic Day Anniversary Dance in London in 1961.

They got married in 1962. She has five children with John Kufuor. One of the most enduring legacies of Mrs. Kufuors life was her commitment to improving healthcare in Ghana. She played a pivotal role in initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare services, particularly in the areas of maternal and child health. Her efforts led to significant advancements in access to healthcare and a reduction in maternal and child mortality rates in the country.

As news of Mrs. Kufuors passing spread across Ghana, the nation came together to mourn the loss of a remarkable woman who had touched the lives of many. Condolences and tributes poured in from political leaders, public figures, and ordinary citizens, all acknowledging the profound impact she had on Ghanaian society.
The UBS Group on Sunday October 1st, reached an agreement with Mozambique over Credit Suisses role in ship financing, on the eve of the trial.

The agreement also covers the remaining creditors, the group said in a statement, without giving further details on the amount involved. On Saturday September 30, Bloomberg reported that the UBS Group was offering up to 100 million dollars to drop the lawsuit against the bank.

The parties have released each other from any liabilities and claims related to the transactions, said the bank, which was bought in June 2023 by the group.

The start of the trial of Mozambiques hidden debts case in the British courts this Monday October 2 in London is uncertain due to the appeal over President Filipe Nyusis immunity and the possibility of an out-of-court settlement. The Republic of Mozambique claims that the guarantees given for bank loans for the purchase of maritime security ships, tuna fishing boats and other equipment should not be considered valid because they were obtained through the corruption of senior state officials.

The loans were endorsed secretly by the government of the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) when Armando Guebuza was still Head of State, without the knowledge of Parliament and the Administrative Court.

Mozambique wants to cancel its debts of millions of dollars to Credit Suisse, as well as obtain financial compensation for the macro-financial damage caused.

Former President of the Republic Armando Guebuza, his eldest son Armando Ndambi Guebuza, former Mozambican Finance Minister Manuel Chang, former SISE Director of Economic Intelligence Antonio Carlos do Rosario and former Director of the State Information and Security Services (SISE) Gregorio Leao are also defendants in the case.

The scandal led to the suspension of international support, including from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which only resumed financial aid to the country years later.
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: Christian Ottolini

By genetically testing nearly 1,000 embryos, scientists have provided the most detailed analysis of embryo fate following human in vitro fertilization.

Nearly half the embryos studied underwent developmental arrest because of genetic mishaps in early developmenta revealing insight that suggests more IVF babies could come to term with changes in the fertility treatment process. The unique combination of data from arrested embryos also sheds new light on the still largely mysterious earliest stages of pregnancy through natural means.

"We think this also happens in natural conception, and it's why it takes on average several or more months to get pregnant," said author Rajiv McCoy, an assistant professor of biology at Johns Hopkins University.

"It is very surprising that most of these embryo arrests are coming not from errors in egg formation, but from errors happening in cell divisions after fertilization. The fact that these errors don't come from the egg suggests that maybe they could be mitigated by changing the way IVF is done."

The research is scheduled to be published in Genome Medicine. A time lapse clip of a common type of abnormal cell division where an embryo cleaves directly from a single-celled zygote into three (rather than two) cells. The new research shows such abnormal division is strongly associated with chromosome abnormalities and embryo arrest. Credit: Christian Ottolini

Johns Hopkins and London Women's Clinic researchers in the U.K. compared IVF embryos that failed to develop within a few days of fertilization with embryos that survived, looking for genetic differences.

"Genetic testing is typically only done on IVF embryos that survive in order to decide which embryo to transfer to the uterus," McCoy said. "But from a biology standpoint, if we want to understand what's allowing these embryos to survive, then we have to test all other embryos too."

The findings reveal how some embryos start growing properly while the maternal genetic material pre-loaded into the egg control cell division, only to falter and stall when the embryo's genes take over.

Human cells typically receive 46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent. The team discovered nonviable embryos started with the 46-chromosome set, but then passed down incorrect numbers of chromosomes as cells divided.

"It doesn't really matter if you have extra missing chromosomes in the very beginning because the maternal machinery is controlling things," McCoy said. "When the embryo's genome turns on, that's when things go wrong."

Human embryos experience unusually high rates of chromosome gain and loss, known as aneuploidy, in early development. Scientists have studied aneuploidy for decades by screening IVF embryos, and these mishaps are well understood to be the cause of pregnancy loss in humans. Because aneuploidy is rare in many other species, McCoy said, the findings could help explain why pregnancy loss and miscarriage are so common in humans.

"Aneuploidy is an example of an extremely strong type of natural selection that's going on every generation in humans," McCoy said. "It might just be a feature of human reproduction and development, but it has implications for IVF. So in the long term, we hope that we can improve genetic testing and improve IVF outcomes."

The researchers plan to run additional tests on specific cells from arrested embryos to trace the chromosomes' origins and see whether abnormal cell divisions are linked to maternal or paternal genetics. They also want to better understand if factors such as the chemical composition in the dish where the embryos are grown could improve chances for survival.

"We could potentially correct a lot of these things by understanding more about the machinery that causes embryo arrest," said co-author Michael Summers, a Senior Consultant in reproductive medicine at London Women's Clinic.

"The problem could be be that the chemical composition of the culture medium that are commonly used will not allow all embryos to grow, that the abnormal cell divisions are due to stresses on the egg and early embryo that causes the abnormal divisions associated with chromosome abnormalities."

More information: Meiotic and mitotic aneuploidies drive arrest of in vitro fertilized human preimplantation embryos, Genome Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s13073-023-01231-1 Journal information: Genome Medicine
It was in the 1950s that the U.S. adopted the "Operation Mockingbird", a plan that recruited American journalists to turn journalism into fiction so as to serve the Central Intelligence Agency's purposes. Even some well-known journalists were found on the CIA's payroll.

Just within decades then-U.S. secretary of State Collin Powell held a tube of white powder to justify their war on Iraq, which was mocked by all as "washing powder".

So how shameless is the U.S. government in issuing a report that blames China for "foreign information manipulation"? What made them so confident as to blame a victim of their disinformation as "spreading disinformation"?

Maybe it's rather a convenient tool because the U.S. does not need to check the facts. All it needs is to list what it has done and put China at the name of the doer. That the report was released by the State Department's Global Engagement Center further makes it untrustworthy because everyone knows that the U.S. global engagement means, namely chaos, lies, and misfortune.

No matter how many lies one tells, that doesn't change the fact and turn black into white and white into black. It's time the U.S. government got to know that.
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Inuit hunting and fishing camp. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Dr. Anna Banerji's ties to the Arctic run deep. She visited for the first time in 1995 to research respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Inuit babies. In 2004, she adopted an Inuit son and developed a close relationship with his foster and biological families. As a tropical disease specialist, infectious disease physician and pediatrician, she was originally looking into RSV vaccine access, but over time and more than 50 visits, another glaring issue in Northern communities became obvious: the lack of food security so many familiesand particularly childrenface.

"Food security in children means having enough food for growth and development," says Banerji, who works at St. Joseph's Health Center. "Severe food insecurity, which is happening in Indigenous communities across the country, means children are going full days or more without food."

Banerji recently authored a paper published in PLOS Global Public Health about the prevalence and consequences of food insecurity for children in Indigenous communities. The paper examines how a number of factors, namely poverty, fuel food insecurity. Colonization, which altered hunting and gathering practices, and in some cases outlawed cultural traditions like feasts and ceremonies, played a significant role.

"It's important to recognize that this is a crisis," says Banerji. "Children are starving to a point where some children are not growing."

Healthy foods tend to be more expensive than less healthy options, which can lead to a number of health concerns. The study shows that dental issues, iron and nutrient deficiencies and obesity are some of the many outcomes. The hunger that comes with food insecurity can also make it challenging for students to focus in school, furthering cycles of poverty and unemployment. Limited access to food has also been associated with risk of psychological distress and thoughts of suicide in adolescents.

Banerji, who won the Peter Henderson Award for her advocacy for Indigenous health, stresses that solutions have to be led by Indigenous communities and be guided by an understanding of history, culture and geography. Different communities prefer different foods, and while some communities have become adept at applying for government grants and funding to get support, others aren't able to access these programs. Even when applications are successful, government subsidies often go straight to stores instead of consumers, she says.

To support children living without food security, Banerji says school-based nutrition programs are integral.

"We need Canadians to understand that this is an important issue that affects many people," says Banerji. "We have to address basic things like food and water security, otherwise we're continuing the Colonization."

Banerji is returning to the Arctic again soon. She is working on a documentary about her son, who died five years ago, and the necessity of working to prevent suicide in Indigenous communities. She helped to establish the Nathan Banerji-Kearney Award for Indigenous Students in honor of her son to support Indigenous medical students, and The Nathan Banerji-Kearney Memorial Award for Indigenous Students, which recognizes fourth-year, graduating Indigenous students who demonstrate excellence in working with Indigenous communities.

More information: Anna Banerji et al, Food insecurity and its consequences in indigenous children and youth in Canada, PLOS Global Public Health (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002406 Journal information: PLOS Global Public Health
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

New research presented at the Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), Hamburg (26 Oct), suggests that exposure to low doses of radiation may contribute to an increased risk of diabetes.

The study by Dr. Huan Hu and Dr. Toshiteru Ohkubo from the Japanese National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health involved more than 6,000 out of around 20,000 emergency workers who responded to the radiation accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which was hit by a huge tsunami in March 2011.

Substantial amounts of radioactive materials were released into the environment following explosions at the nuclear plant.

In 2014, the Epidemiological Study of Health Effects in Fukushima Emergency Workers (NEWS) was established to clarify the long-term health effects of radiation among emergency workers.

Few human studies have examined the impact of radiation exposure on diabetes development, particularly at low doses. To find out more, researchers examined the association between low-dose radiation exposure and risk of diabetes in 5,326 male emergency workers (average age 46 years) taking part in the NEWS study.

Between March and December 2011, individual emergency worker's radiation exposure was measured using a pocket alarm dosemeter for external exposure and a whole-body counter for internal exposure.

Study participants underwent regular health examinations involving more than 70 components, including blood sugar, lipids, urine tests, inflammation biomarkers, thyroid function tests, and eye examinations.

Between 2012 and 2021, 392 participants developed diabetesdefined as a fast plasma glucose level of at least 126 mg/dL, an HbA1c level of at least 6.5%, or self-reported diagnosis of diabetes.

The researchers assessed the association between incident diabetes and cumulative radiation exposure after adjusting for a wide range of potential confounders including age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, leisure-time physical activity, employment at the nuclear power plant, dyslipidemia (abnormally high levels of fats in the blood), and high blood pressure.

The analysis found that compared with the lowest cumulative low-dose radiation exposure (04 millisieverts [mSv]), the risk of developing diabetes was 6% higher for workers exposed to 59 mSv, and 47% and 33% greater for those exposed to 1019 mSv and 2049 mSv, respectively.

However, no elevated risk was detected in those exposed to radiation doses of 50 mSv or higher, likely due to the small sample size in this group.

"Our findings suggest an increased risk of diabetes among nuclear emergency workers from low levels of radiation. While the potential mechanisms remain somewhat unclear, reports suggest that radiation can adversely affect pancreatic cells responsible for insulin production, potentially contributing to diabetes. Additionally, there is an association between radiation exposure and heightened inflammation, a well-known factor in insulin resistance and the development of diabetes," explains lead author Dr. Hu.

He adds, "Ongoing follow-up of NEWS participants will provide an even clearer picture of diabetes risk at low radiation doses. As more diabetes cases emerge within our study group, our expanded dataset will enable more robust analyses, allowing researchers to better assess the link between radiation exposure and diabetes risk.".

In Europe, average background radiation exposure from natural sources including radon gas in homes and cosmic rays from outer space by country ranges from about 2.7 mSv over a year in the UK to more than 7 mSv annually for some groups of people in Finland. In comparison, a single chest X-ray exposes a patient to about 0.1 mSv of radiation, and a single mammogram to 0.4 mSv. Some other imaging tests have higher exposures, including a CT scan of the whole spine (10 mSv) and a PET scan (25 mSv).

The authors note that the findings show observational associations rather than cause and effect and point to several limitations, including the absence of data on diabetes types, potential residual confounding from unaccounted factors or measurement inaccuracies affecting the diabetes-risk and radiation-exposure link.

Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of considering selection bias due to the participation of only 30% of emergency workers in the NEWS study. The retrospective design also introduces factors such as information bias, which should be considered when interpreting the results.

Finally, the authors offer their "sincere thanks to the emergency workers who coped with the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant incident, both for their heroic efforts in minimizing risks and for their voluntary participation in the NEWS study, which contributes to our understanding of radiation's health effects and public safety."
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Military veterans with Gulf War illness may face a higher risk for heart disease, stroke and several risk factors, a new study suggests.

Gulf War illness is a chronic condition with many symptoms that affects about a third of the 700,000 U.S. military personnel who served during the Gulf War in the early 1990s. The study found that veterans with the illness were more than twice as likely to self-report atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or issues related to plaque buildup that blocks arteries, as veterans who did not have symptoms related to the condition.

The illness also was associated with more than double the odds of being diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the study, which was published Friday in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Senior study author Dr. Drew Helmer, deputy director of the IQuESt center at Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, said he hadn't expected to see "such a clear, strong association" between Gulf War illness and cardiovascular issues.

"There are some limitations to the study, no doubt about it," said Helmer, who also is a professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. "But this is a pretty large signal."

For people with Gulf War illness, he said, "I think this sends a pretty clear message to the clinical community and to the veteran community that, hey, we probably need to get serious about assessing your risk of cardiovascular disease."

Gulf War veterans were exposed to a variety of chemicals, including pesticides, that are thought to be related to Gulf War illness, which is defined by a collection of long-lasting symptoms, including chronic fatigue, cognitive difficulties and widespread pain.

Dr. Sarah Ahmed, the study's lead author and a research specialist at both DeBakey and Baylor, said there has been no study exclusively looking at cardiovascular risk among deployed Gulf War veterans with the illness.

For their analysis, the research team drew from a national sample of Gulf War-era veterans from a Veterans Affairs research program. The study is based on 942 veterans who served during the Gulf War from August 1990 to July 1991.

Overall, 78% of the group was men; 64% were white; 18% were Black; and 9% were Hispanic of any race.

The 942 veterans completed a mailed survey between 2014 and 2016 in which they reported symptoms and health conditions. Researchers were able to match 669 of the veterans in that group with electronic health records in the Veterans Health Administration.

Gulf War illness does not have a diagnostic code, Ahmed said, and was determined from survey responses using a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention case definition.

Based on the survey results, 58% of those with Gulf War illness had high cholesterol compared to 51% without it. High blood pressure was reported by 56% of those with the illness compared to 45% without. The odds for reporting atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which included heart attack, coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral artery disease, were higher among those with Gulf War illness.

Among the subset of veterans who had electronic health records, diabetes had been diagnosed in 25% of those with Gulf War illness compared to 12% of those without. High blood pressure also was more common among those with Gulf War illness: 54% compared to 30%. The odds of having high cholesterol and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were higher in the group with Gulf War illness, but the associations were not statistically significant. That's possibly because the sample size was too small, Ahmed said.

The study was not designed to look for why Gulf War illness and heart risks might be linked. But the researchers said that chemicals veterans were exposed to may be associated with cardiovascular problems.

Dr. Lillian Khor, a cardiologist at the VA medical center in Salt Lake City, said the nature of the study meant it could not prove cause and effect. "However, a higher correlation with cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes and high blood pressure would make sense in veterans whose physical activity is limited," she said. Chronic fatigue and pain are among the activity-limiting symptoms related to Gulf War illness.

"This study is useful because it highlights the potential increased risk," said Khor, who was not involved in the new research. "Both veterans and their health care providers should pay attention to physical inactivity, which increases the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes."

The researchers acknowledged limitations of self-reported data. They noted that less than 13% of the veterans contacted for the national survey replied. Those who responded may be more engaged or sicker.

Khor also noted that electronic health records can be medically inaccurate and that although the researchers adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, and post-traumatic stress disorder, they did not adjust for obesity, a key risk factor for heart disease, or physical activity differences. "Data on physical activity could suggest a mechanism behind the difference in prevalence of high blood pressure and diabetes and would have been useful for guiding therapeutic research on Gulf War illness," Khor said.

The researchers said many veterans receive care outside the VA system, which means some conditions could have been missed or not reported.

But while acknowledging such limits and the need to confirm the data in a larger group, Helmer expects the findings to hold up. "Even if it ends up being a smaller number, it seems like there's a real signal there," he said.

To him, the findings suggest that physicians might want to pay closer attention to cardiovascular risk factors in patients who are Gulf War veterans and think, "maybe I'm going to be a little more assertive in my recommendation for evaluation, or I'm going to be a little more attentive to a new complaint about some vague sort of chest pain or nausea with exertion," he said.

The study also sends a message to veterans that researchers are listening to them, he said. "One of the challenges of trying to help veterans with Gulf War illness is they often don't feel like they're getting the help and the attention that they need."

Ahmed said she heard that directly from veterans when she sat with advisory groups who asked about heart attacks, heart disease and diabetes.

"Gulf War veterans are very concerned about these conditions," she said. Their questions are part of what inspired the study and her ongoing research.

Helmer said such questions are important.

"People don't die of Gulf War illness, but people do die of cardiovascular disease," he said. "So, addressing the elevated risk of cardiovascular disease is going to be really important for this population."

More information: Sarah T. Ahmed et al, Association of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, Hypertension, Diabetes, and Hyperlipidemia With Gulf War Illness Among Gulf War Veterans, Journal of the American Heart Association (2023). DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.123.029575 Journal information: Journal of the American Heart Association
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The hippocampus is a region of the brain largely responsible for memory formation. Credit: Salk Institute

Let's say you typically eat eggs for breakfast but were running late and ate cereal. As you crunched on a spoonful of Raisin Bran, other contextual similarities remained: You ate at the same table, at the same time, preparing to go to the same job. When someone asks later what you had for breakfast, you incorrectly remember eating eggs.

This would be a real-world example of a false memory. But what happens in your brain before recalling eggs, compared to what would happen if you correctly recalled cereal?

In a paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, University of Pennsylvania neuroscientists show for the first time that electrical signals in the human hippocampus differ immediately before recollection of true and false memories. They also found that low-frequency activity in the hippocampus decreases as a function of contextual similarity between a falsely recalled word and the target word.

"Whereas prior studies established the role of the hippocampus in event memory, we did not know that electrical signals generated in this region would distinguish the imminent recall of true from false memories," says psychology professor Michael Jacob Kahana, director of the Computational Memory Lab and the study's senior author. He says this shows that the hippocampus stores information about an item with the context in which it was presented.

Researchers also found that, relative to correct recalls, the brain exhibited lower theta and high-frequency oscillations and higher alpha/beta oscillations ahead of false memories. The findings came from recording neural activity in epilepsy patients who were already undergoing invasive monitoring to pinpoint the source of their seizures.

Noa Herz, lead author and a postdoctoral fellow in Kahana's lab at the time of the research, explains that the monitoring was done through intracranial electrodes, the methodology researchers wanted to use for this study. She says that, compared to scalp electrodes, this method "allowed us to more precisely, and directly, measure the neural signals that were generated in deep brain structures, so the activity we are getting is much more localized."

Subjects studied a list of unrelated words and were distracted before being asked to remember words, says Herz, now an assistant professor of neurology at Thomas Jefferson University, in Philadelphia. Researchers analyzed patterns of electricity generated in the hippocampus, capturing brain activity leading up to correct or false recall.

Beyond the distinction between true and false memories, researchers predicted that activity in the hippocampus would reflect the degree of similarity between the correct and false memory. They indeed found that a notable reduction in low-frequency activity was associated with greater similarity between the contexts in which false and correct items were learned.

A similar context in this study meant a patient recalling a word from a prior list in the experiment instead of the target list, whereas a different context is recalling a word that was never part of the experiment.

"The words were presented when the patient was sitting in the same room, looking at the same computer, having the same experimenter next to him," Herz says, "and these words were also presented more recently in time, so all of these different factors mean that prior list intrusions should be more similar, in terms of the context in which they were presented, to the correct target list."

This was a way of testing hippocampal response to different words presented from similar source contexts, but what happens in the brain when someone recalls a word that is incorrect but semantically similar to the right word? Researchers tested this, too.

They showed patients words in three categories, such as flowers, fruits, and insects. As an example, Herz says if the list includes "rose" and "lily" but a person recalls "sunflower," that is semantically similar whereas saying "clock" is not. But perhaps "clock" was on a prior word list in the study; the paper notes a recalled word tends to be similar in at least one context, either source or semantic.

As hypothesized, researchers found the same brain pattern with semantic similarity as they did with source similarity: a reduction in hippocampal low-frequency activity.

Herz says the overall findings deepen the understanding of how the brain enables memory retrieval, and the authors note that predicting false memories at a single-subject level is particularly important when false recalls cause distress.

"Individuals suffering from stress-related psychopathology, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, often experience memory intrusions of their traumatic experiences under contexts that are safe and dissimilar to the traumatic incident. Targeted interventions that disrupt retrieval of intrusive memories could spawn novel therapies for such clinical conditions," the researchers write.

More information: Noa Herz et al, Hippocampal activity predicts contextual misattribution of false memories, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305292120 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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Katalin Kariko, speaks after receiving, together with six other scientists, the Princess of Asturias Award for Technical & Scientific Research 2021 from Spain's Princess of Asturias Leonor, at a ceremony in Oviedo, northern Spain, Friday Oct. 22, 2021. THe Nobel Prize in medicine awarded to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for enabling development of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines , it was announced on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File

Katalin Kariko, who won the Nobel Medicine Prize for work on messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, paving the way for COVID-19 vaccines, told Swedish media on Monday winning felt "unbelievable".

Kariko, 68, told Swedish Radio that even though she had received recognition in recent years, she had struggled for a long time.

Her mother had faith, however, and would always listen to the Nobel Prize announcements.

"She listened when I was not even a professor, like 10 years ago," Kariko told the broadcaster.

"She always listened, saying: 'Maybe your name will be said'," the Hungarian researcher recalled.

"I was just laughing because I never get a grant and never had a team. I was not even a professor because I was demoted. So I just left it. I said, 'No way'," Kariko explained

She added that her mother had now passed away and might be "listening from above".

Thomas Perlmann, secretary-general of the Nobel Assembly, also noted that Kariko had remained committed even when her research was met with skepticism.

"She struggled and didn't get recognition for the importance of her vision," Perlmann told a press conference, at which he announced that Kariko and Drew Weissman of the United States were the winners of this year's Nobel Medicine Prize.

"This is an extraordinary and unusual scientist... who was very passionate about this idea of mRNA and using it therapeutically," Perlmann said.

Fellow winner Weissmann, 64, also said he found it hard to believe he had won the prestigious award.

"I heard it from Katie first because they called her first and didn't have my number," he told Swedish Radio.

"We weren't sure if somebody was playing a prank on us," Weissman said, adding he was not a big celebrator but would probably go out with his family for a "nice dinner".

The pair will receive their Nobel prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of the death in 1896 of scientist Alfred Nobel who created the prizes in his last will and testament.

The prize consists of a diploma, a gold medal and a check for $1.0 million.

 2023 AFP
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In this undated image provided by Penn Medicine, Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman pose for a photo at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Kariko and Weissman won the Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, for discoveries that enabled the creation of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 and that could be used to develop other shots in the future. Credit: Peggy Peterson Photography/Penn Medicine via AP

Two scientists won the Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for discoveries that enabled the creation of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 that were critical in slowing the pandemictechnology that's also being studied to fight cancer and other diseases.

Hungarian-American Katalin Kariko and American Drew Weissman were cited for contributing "to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health," according to the panel that awarded the prize in Stockholm.

WHAT IS THE NOBEL FOR?

The panel said the pair's "groundbreaking findings ... fundamentally changed our understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system."

Traditionally, making vaccines required growing viruses or pieces of viruses and then purifying them before next steps. The messenger RNA approach starts with a snippet of genetic code carrying instructions for making proteins. Pick the right virus protein to target, and the body turns into a mini vaccine factory.

But in early experiments with animals, simply injecting lab-grown mRNA triggered a reaction that usually destroyed it. Kariko, a professor at Szeged University in Hungary and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and Weissman, of the University of Pennsylvania, figured out a tiny modification to the building blocks of RNA that made it stealthy enough to slip past immune defenses.

Kariko, 68, is the 13th woman to win the Nobel Prize in medicine. She was a senior vice president at BioNTech, which partnered with Pfizer to make one of the COVID-19 vaccines. Kariko and Weissman, 64, met by chance in the 1990s while photocopying research papers, Kariko told The Associated Press.

Japan Prize 2022 laureates Hungarian-American biochemist Katalin Kariko, left, and American physician-scientist Drew Weissman, right, pose with their trophies during the Japan Prize presentation ceremony Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Tokyo. The Nobel Prize in medicine awarded to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for enabling development of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, it was announced on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool, File

WHY DO MRNA VACCINES MATTER?

Dr. Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at Britain's University of East Anglia, described the mRNA vaccines made by BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna Inc. as a "game changer" in shutting down the coronavirus pandemic, crediting the shots with saving millions of lives.

"We would likely only now be coming out of the depths of COVID without the mRNA vaccines," Hunter said.

John Tregoning, of Imperial College London, called Kariko "one of the most inspirational scientists I have met." Her work together with Weissmann "shows the importance of basic, fundamental research in the path to solutions to the most pressing societal needs," he said in a statement.

The duo's pivotal mRNA research was combined with two other earlier scientific discoveries to create the COVID-19 vaccines. Researchers in Canada had developed a fatty coating to help mRNA get inside cells to do its work. And studies with prior vaccines at the U.S. National Institutes of Health showed how to stabilize the coronavirus spike protein that the new mRNA shots needed to deliver.

Katalin Kariko, speaks after receiving, together with six other scientists, the Princess of Asturias Award for Technical & Scientific Research 2021 from Spain's Princess of Asturias Leonor, at a ceremony in Oviedo, northern Spain, Friday Oct. 22, 2021. THe Nobel Prize in medicine awarded to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for enabling development of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines , it was announced on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File

Dr. Bharat Pankhania, an infectious diseases expert at Exeter University, predicted the technology used in the vaccines could be used to refine vaccines for other diseases like Ebola, malaria and dengue, and might also be used to create shots that immunize people against certain types of cancer or auto-immune diseases including lupus.

Peter Maybarduk, at the Washington advocacy group Public Citizen, welcomed the recognition of mRNA vaccines, but said the award should also be deeply embarrassing for Western countries.

"This is a technology that should have been available to all of humanity but it was almost exclusively available only in the richest countries in the world," he said, adding that much of the funding that led to the development of mRNA technology came from U.S. public funds.

Thomas Perlmann, secretary of the Nobel Assembly, right, announces the winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman, seen on screen, at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Monday Oct. 2, 2023. The Nobel Prize in medicine has been awarded to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for discoveries that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.Credit: Jessica Gow/TT News Agency via AP

HOW DID KARIKO AND WEISSMAN REACT?

"The future is just so incredible," Weissman said. "We've been thinking for years about everything that we could do with RNA, and now it's here."

Kariko said her husband was the first to pick up the early morning call, handing it to her to hear the news. She then watched the announcement to make sure she wasn't being pranked.

"I was very much surprised. But I am very happy."

Kariko said she was the one to break the news to Weissman, since she got in touch before the Nobel committee could reach him.

The two have collaborated for decades, with Kariko focusing on the RNA side and Weissman handling the immunology: "We educated each other," she said.

Before COVID-19, mRNA vaccines were already being tested for other diseases like Zika, influenza and rabiesbut the pandemic brought more attention to this approach, Kariko said. It's also being tested for cancer immunotherapy.

Japan Prize 2022 laureate, American physician-scientist Drew Weissman poses with his trophy during the Japan Prize presentation ceremony Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Tokyo. Two scientists have won the Nobel Prize in medicine for discoveries that enabled the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. The award was given to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman. Kariko is a professor at Sagans University in Hungary and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Credit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool, File

Hungarian biochemist Katalin Kariko poses for a photo in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 3, 2023. Two scientists have won the Nobel Prize in medicine for discoveries that enabled the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. The award was given to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman. Kariko is a professor at Sagans University in Hungary and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Credit: Robert Hegedus/MTI via AP, FIle

Hungarian biochemist Katalin Kariko poses for a photo in Budapest, Hungary, May 27, 2021. Two scientists have won the Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 for discoveries that enabled the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. The award was given to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman. Kariko is a professor at Sagans University in Hungary and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Credit: Csilla Cseke/MTI via AP, File

Nobel committee member Rickard Sandberg speaks during a press conference at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Monday Oct. 2, 2023. The Nobel Prize in medicine has been awarded to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for discoveries that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. Credit: Jessica Gow/TT News Agency via AP

Hungarian biochemist Katalin Kariko receives the highest state honour, the Grand Cross of the Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen from Hungarian President Katalin Novak, second right, in the Esztergom Basilica in Esztergom, northern Hungary, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. Two scientists have won the Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 for discoveries that enabled the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. The award was given to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman. Kariko is a professor at Sagans University in Hungary and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Credit: Noemi Bruzak/MTI via AP, File

Hungarian biochemist Katalin Kariko attends the Semmelweis Ignac Award in Budapest, Hungary, May 25, 2021. Two scientists have won the Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 for discoveries that enabled the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. The award was given to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman. Kariko is a professor at Sagans University in Hungary and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Credit: (Zoltan Balogh/MTI via AP, File

"There was already clinical trials before COVID, but people were not aware," she said.

Kariko's family are no strangers to high honors. Her daughter, Susan Francia, is a double Olympic gold medalist in rowing, competing for the United States.

The prize carries a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million)from a bequest left by the prize's creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. The laureates are invited to receive their awards at ceremonies on Dec. 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death.

Nobel announcements continue with the physics prize on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday and literature on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Friday and the economics award on Oct. 9.

The Nobel Committee announcement:

The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has today decided to award the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to

Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman

for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.

The discoveries by the two Nobel Laureates were critical for developing effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 during the pandemic that began in early 2020. Through their groundbreaking findings, which have fundamentally changed our understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system, the laureates contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times.

Vaccines before the pandemic

Vaccination stimulates the formation of an immune response to a particular pathogen. This gives the body a head start in the fight against disease in the event of a later exposure. Vaccines based on killed or weakened viruses have long been available, exemplified by the vaccines against polio, measles, and yellow fever. In 1951, Max Theiler was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for developing the yellow fever vaccine.

Thanks to the progress in molecular biology in recent decades, vaccines based on individual viral components, rather than whole viruses, have been developed. Parts of the viral genetic code, usually encoding proteins found on the virus surface, are used to make proteins that stimulate the formation of virus-blocking antibodies. Examples are the vaccines against the hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus. Alternatively, parts of the viral genetic code can be moved to a harmless carrier virus, a "vector." This method is used in vaccines against the Ebola virus. When vector vaccines are injected, the selected viral protein is produced in our cells, stimulating an immune response against the targeted virus.

Producing whole virus-, protein- and vector-based vaccines requires large-scale cell culture. This resource-intensive process limits the possibilities for rapid vaccine production in response to outbreaks and pandemics. Therefore, researchers have long attempted to develop vaccine technologies independent of cell culture, but this proved challenging.

mRNA vaccines: A promising idea

In our cells, genetic information encoded in DNA is transferred to messenger RNA (mRNA), which is used as a template for protein production. During the 1980s, efficient methods for producing mRNA without cell culture were introduced, called in vitro transcription. This decisive step accelerated the development of molecular biology applications in several fields. Ideas of using mRNA technologies for vaccine and therapeutic purposes also took off, but roadblocks lay ahead. In vitro transcribed mRNA was considered unstable and challenging to deliver, requiring the development of sophisticated carrier lipid systems to encapsulate the mRNA. Moreover, in vitro-produced mRNA gave rise to inflammatory reactions. Enthusiasm for developing the mRNA technology for clinical purposes was, therefore, initially limited.

These obstacles did not discourage the Hungarian biochemist Katalin Kariko, who was devoted to developing methods to use mRNA for therapy. During the early 1990s, when she was an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania, she remained true to her vision of realizing mRNA as a therapeutic despite encountering difficulties in convincing research funders of the significance of her project. A new colleague of Kariko at her university was the immunologist Drew Weissman. He was interested in dendritic cells, which have important functions in immune surveillance and the activation of vaccine-induced immune responses. Spurred by new ideas, a fruitful collaboration between the two soon began, focusing on how different RNA types interact with the immune system.

The breakthrough

Kariko and Weissman noticed that dendritic cells recognize in vitro transcribed mRNA as a foreign substance, which leads to their activation and the release of inflammatory signaling molecules. They wondered why the in vitro transcribed mRNA was recognized as foreign while mRNA from mammalian cells did not give rise to the same reaction. Kariko and Weissman realized that some critical properties must distinguish the different types of mRNA.

RNA contains four bases, abbreviated A, U, G, and C, corresponding to A, T, G, and C in DNA, the letters of the genetic code. Kariko and Weissman knew that bases in RNA from mammalian cells are frequently chemically modified, while in vitro transcribed mRNA is not. They wondered if the absence of altered bases in the in vitro transcribed RNA could explain the unwanted inflammatory reaction. To investigate this, they produced different variants of mRNA, each with unique chemical alterations in their bases, which they delivered to dendritic cells. The results were striking: The inflammatory response was almost abolished when base modifications were included in the mRNA. This was a paradigm change in our understanding of how cells recognize and respond to different forms of mRNA. Kariko and Weissman immediately understood that their discovery had profound significance for using mRNA as therapy. These seminal results were published in 2005, fifteen years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In further studies published in 2008 and 2010, Kariko and Weissman showed that the delivery of mRNA generated with base modifications markedly increased protein production compared to unmodified mRNA. The effect was due to the reduced activation of an enzyme that regulates protein production. Through their discoveries that base modifications both reduced inflammatory responses and increased protein production, Kariko and Weissman had eliminated critical obstacles on the way to clinical applications of mRNA.

mRNA vaccines realized their potential

Interest in mRNA technology began to pick up, and in 2010, several companies were working on developing the method. Vaccines against Zika virus and MERS-CoV were pursued; the latter is closely related to SARS-CoV-2. After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, two base-modified mRNA vaccines encoding the SARS-CoV-2 surface protein were developed at record speed. Protective effects of around 95% were reported, and both vaccines were approved as early as December 2020.

The impressive flexibility and speed with which mRNA vaccines can be developed pave the way for using the new platform also for vaccines against other infectious diseases. In the future, the technology may also be used to deliver therapeutic proteins and treat some cancer types.

Several other vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, based on different methodologies, were also rapidly introduced, and together, more than 13 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given globally. The vaccines have saved millions of lives and prevented severe disease in many more, allowing societies to open and return to normal conditions. Through their fundamental discoveries of the importance of base modifications in mRNA, this year's Nobel laureates critically contributed to this transformative development during one of the biggest health crises of our time.

Key publications

Kariko, K., Buckstein, M., Ni, H. and Weissman, D. Suppression of RNA Recognition by Toll-like Receptors: The impact of nucleoside modification and the evolutionary origin of RNA. Immunity 23, 165175 (2005).

Kariko, K., Muramatsu, H., Welsh, F.A., Ludwig, J., Kato, H., Akira, S. and Weissman, D. Incorporation of pseudouridine into mRNA yields superior nonimmunogenic vector with increased translational capacity and biological stability. Mol Ther 16, 18331840 (2008).

Anderson, B.R., Muramatsu, H., Nallagatla, S.R., Bevilacqua, P.C., Sansing, L.H., Weissman, D. and Kariko, K. Incorporation of pseudouridine into mRNA enhances translation by diminishing PKR activation. Nucleic Acids Res. 38, 58845892 (2010).

Katalin Kariko was born in 1955 in Szolnok, Hungary. She received her Ph.D. from Szeged's University in 1982 and performed postdoctoral research at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Szeged until 1985. She then conducted postdoctoral research at Temple University, Philadelphia, and the University of Health Science, Bethesda. In 1989, she was appointed Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, where she remained until 2013. After that, she became vice president and later senior vice president at BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals. Since 2021, she has been a Professor at Szeged University and an Adjunct Professor at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Drew Weissman was born in 1959 in Lexington, Massachusetts, U.S.. He received his MD, Ph.D. degrees from Boston University in 1987. He did his clinical training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School and postdoctoral research at the National Institutes of Health. In 1997, Weissman established his research group at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research and Director of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovations.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Credit: Wikipedia

Narcolepsy, cancer or mRNA vaccine research could win the Nobel Medicine Prize on Monday when a week of announcements kick off, but experts see no clear frontrunner for the Peace Prize.

The awards, first handed out in 1901, were created by Swedish inventor and philanthropist Alfred Nobel in his 1895 will to celebrate those who have "conferred the greatest benefit on mankind."

The Medicine Prize is first out, and will be announced in Stockholm on Monday around 11:30 am (0930 GMT), followed by the awards for physics on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday and literature on Thursday.

The Peace Prize, the most highly-anticipated Nobel and the only one announced in Oslo, will follow on Friday, before the Economics Prize rounds things off on October 9.

The Medicine Prize has over the years crowned groundbreaking discoveries like the X-ray, penicillin, insulin and DNAas well as now-disgraced awards for the lobotomy and the insecticide DDT.

Several Nobel watchers have suggested this year's prize could go to research into narcolepsy and the discovery of orexin, a neuropeptide that helps regulate sleep.

It could also go to Hungarian-born Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman of the United States for research that led directly to the first mRNA vaccines to fight COVID-19, made by Pfizer and Moderna.

Their discovery has already won a slew of major medicine prizes, but the Nobel committee nowadays often waits decades to bestow its laurels to ensure the research stands the test of time.

"Maybe the Academy thinks it needs to look into it more, but someday they should win," predicted Annika Ostman, science reporter at Swedish public radio SR.

Gene engineering and IceCube telescope

But Ostman said her guess for this year was on Kevan Shokat, an American biologist who figured out how to block the KRAS cancer gene behind a third of cancers, including challenging-to-treat lung, colon, and pancreatic tumors.

T-cell therapy for cancer treatment and work on the human microbiome could also be contenders, said David Pendlebury, head of the Clarivate analytics group which identifies Nobel-worthy research.

"There are more people deserving of a Nobel Prize than there are Nobels to go around," he told AFP.

Lars Brostrom, Ostman's colleague at SR, singled out two American biologists, Stanislas Leibler and Michael Elowitz, for their work on synthetic gene circuits which established the field of synthetic biology.

It enables scientists to redesign organisms by engineering them to have new abilities.

But Brostrom noted the field could be seen as controversial, raising "ethical questions about where to draw the line in creating life".

For the Physics Prize, twisted graphene or the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica were seen as possible winners, as well as the development of high-density data storage in the field of spintronics.

Peace Prize to Iranian women?

For Wednesday's Chemistry Prize, Pendlebury suggested next-generation DNA sequencing could get the nod, or research into how to target and deliver drugs to genes.

Brostrom said he would love to see it go to US-based chemist Omar Yaghi for his work into porous materials known as MOFs, which can absorb poisonous gases or harvest water from desert air, and is an "important field for the future" with enormous potential for the environment.

Criticism over a lack of gender and geographical diversity has plagued the Nobels over the years.

US-based men have dominated the science fields, while women account for just six percent of overall laureatessomething the various award committees insist they are addressing.

Among the names making the rounds for Thursday's Literature Prize are Russian author and outspoken Putin critic Lyudmila Ulitskaya, Chinese avant-garde writer Can Xue, British author Salman Rushdie, Caribbean-American writer Jamaica Kincaid and Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse.

But for the Peace Prize, experts have been scratching their heads over possible winners, as conflicts rage around the globe.

Some have pointed to the Iranian women protesting since the death in custody a year ago of Mahsa Amini, arrested for violating Iran's strict dress code imposed on women.

Others suggest organizations documenting war crimes in Ukraine, or the International Criminal Court, which could one day be called upon to judge them.

"I think that climate change is a really good focus for the Peace Prize this year," Dan Smith, the head of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, told AFP after a year of extreme weather around the world.

For the Economics Prize, research on income and wealth inequality could be honored.

Recent winners of the Nobel Medicine Prize

Here is a list of the winners of the Nobel Medicine Prize in the past 10 years:

2022: Swedish paleogeneticist Svante Paabo for his discoveries on the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution.

2021: US duo David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian for discoveries on human receptors responsible for our ability to sense temperature and touch.

2020: Americans Harvey Alter and Charles Rice, together with Briton Michael Houghton, for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus, leading to the development of sensitive blood tests and antiviral drugs.

2019: William Kaelin and Gregg Semenza of the US and Britain's Peter Ratcliffe for establishing the basis of our understanding of how cells react and adapt to different oxygen levels.

2018: Immunologists James Allison of the US and Tasuku Honjo of Japan, for figuring out how to release the immune system's brakes to allow it to attack cancer cells more efficiently.

2017: US geneticists Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael Young for their discoveries on the internal biological clock that governs the wake-sleep cycles of most living things.

2016: Yoshinori Ohsumi of Japan for his work on autophagya process whereby cells "eat themselves"which when disrupted can cause Parkinson's and diabetes.

2015: William Campbell, an Irish-US citizen, Satoshi Omura of Japan and Tu Youyou of China for unlocking treatments for malaria and roundworm.

2014: American-born Briton John O'Keefe, May-Britt Moser and Edvard I. Moser of Norway for discovering how the brain navigates with an "inner GPS".

2013: Thomas C. Sudhof, a US citizen born in Germany, and James E. Rothman and Randy W. Schekman of the US for work on how the cell organizes its transport system.

 2023 AFP
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The brain waveforms show when neurons are firing. Credit: Christian Burkert/Volkswagen-Stiftung/University of Bonn

When two, three or four apples are placed in front of us, we are able to recognize the number of apples very quickly. However, we need significantly more time if there are five or more apples and we often also guess the wrong number. In fact, the brain does actually register smaller numbers of things differently than larger ones. This has been demonstrated in a recent study by the University of Tubingen, University of Bonn and the University Hospital Bonn. The results were published in Nature Human Behaviour.

Imagine that somebody shows us a photo of a string quartet and asks us to say how many people there are in the picture. There is not enough time to count them but we can all answer like a shot: "Four!" The next picture shows a septet and again we are only given enough time to take a quick look. We hesitate and are not quite so confident this time: "Eight." The correct number is actually seven but we were very close.

There seems to be two distinctive ways in which we as humans tend to process numbers of things: We are usually able to detect small numbers of things very quickly and correctly. This is also described as "subitizing" in research circles. However, this method changes suddenly when there are five elements or more: We need more and more time to answer and our answers become increasingly imprecise.

Some researchers have thus speculated that there are two different processing methods in the braina precise one for small numbers and an estimation mechanism for larger numbers of things. "However, this idea has been disputed up to now," explains Prof. Florian Mormann from the Department of Epileptology at the University Hospital Bonn, who carries out research at the University of Bonn. "It could also be that our brain always makes an estimate but the error rates for smaller numbers of things are so low that they simply go unnoticed."

Using ultrafine electrodes implanted in the temporal lobes of epilepsy patients, researchers can visualize the activity of single neurons in different brain regions. Credit: Christian Burkert/Volkswagen Foundation/University of Bonn

The neurons for smaller numbers of things are more selective

The recent study actually indicates, however, that we do indeed process small and large numbers of things differently. The research groups involved in the project were able to demonstrate some years ago that the brain has nerve cells responsible for each number. Some neurons fire, for example, primarily for two elements, other for four elements and again others for seven elements.

"However, the neurons also fire in response to slight variations in the number," explains Prof. Andreas Nieder from the University of Tubingen, who was the other main author of the study alongside Mormann. "A brain cell for a number of 'seven' elements thus also fires for six and eight elements but more weakly. The same cell is still activated but even less so for five or nine elements."

Nieder has already been able to demonstrate this "numerical distance effect" in experiments on monkeys. Interestingly, this effect only appears to occur in humans at higher numbers. "There seems to be an additional mechanism for numbers of around less than five elements that makes these neurons more precise," says the neurobiologist.

When a brain cell for a number of three things fires, it simultaneously inhibits the brain cells for the numbers two and four. This reduces the risk that these cells will also incorrectly fire for the number three. However, this mechanism does not exist for the neurons activated for numbers five, six or eight. This is why there is a higher error rate for these numbers.

Observing individual brain cells at work

A special feature of the University Hospital Bonn benefited the researchers in their study: The Department of Epileptology at the hospital specializes in brain surgery. The doctors there try to treat epilepsy by carrying out operations to remove the diseased nerve tissue. In order to identify the location of the epileptogenic focus, they sometimes first insert electrodes into the affected person's brain.

Seventeen patients participated in the latest study. In preparation for their operations, microelectrodes as fine as a human hair were inserted into the temporal lobe. "We were able to use them to measure the reaction of individual nerve cells to visual stimuli," explains Esther Kutter, who carried out a large proportion of the experiments for her doctorate in the research group headed by Prof. Mormann.

The study participants saw a set of dots on the screen in front of them for half a second. After a short pause they had to indicate whether the number had been even or odd. If the number of dots was less than five, they usually gave the correct answer without hesitation. Above that, both response time and error rate steadily increased. Credit: Figure: AG Mormann/University of Bonn

The test subjects were seated in front of a computer screen on which different numbers of dots appeared for half a second. The participants were then asked to state whether they had seen an even or odd number of dots. They were able to respond very quickly and made practically no mistakes up to a number of four dots. After that, the number of errors increased with the number of dots, as did the amount of thinking time that the participants needed to complete their task.

This work will open up new insights into how numbers are processed in the human brain. In the long term, the findings could lead to a better understanding of dyscalculia, a developmental disorder associated with a poor understanding of numbers.

More information: Distinct neuronal representation of small and large numbers in the human medial temporal lobe, Nature Human Behaviour (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01709-3 Journal information: Nature Human Behaviour
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The well-being of new parents is potentially being threatened due to the emphasis placed on direct breastfeeding, a study shows.

Research by linguistics experts at Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham, has found that women who use expressed breastmilk to feed their babies are unnecessarily marginalized in some online health care advice.

Parents or caregivers can feed an infant with breastmilk that has been expressed by the mothereither by hand or pumpand saved for a later feed.

It is a common method of feeding which enables mothers and parents to return to work while allowing their babies to receive breastmilk. The technique can also enable mothers and parents to provide breastmilk to a baby which does not latch onto the breast.

But the studywhich is published in Discourse, Context & Mediaamong a number of findings shows that some literature implies that mothers and parents who use expressed breastmilk may miss out on the same close relationship with their babies as those mothers and parents who direct breastfeed.

The research examined various online infant feeding advice materials, with a particular focus on literature produced by La Leche League Great Britain (LLLGB) and the UK National Health Service (NHS).

Examples cited in the research include:

"Breastmilk is not just about getting food into a baby, it is part of the mothering relationship. It is the natural way to be close to a baby and helps with bonding." (La Leche League)

"..breastfeeding can build a strong emotional bond between you and your baby." (NHS)

"New mothers and parents can feel like failures if they do not exclusively direct breastfeed," says Dr. Laura Coffey-Glover, from the School of Arts and Humanities at Nottingham Trent University.

"There is no evidence to suggest that the way someone feeds their baby can determine how close the relationship between them is. Statements such as this are reductive for mothers and parents and marginalize other caregivers too," says Dr. Laura Coffey-Glover, Senior Lecturer in Linguistics, Nottingham Trent University.

"We need a recognition of expressed breastmilk as a form of breastfeeding, and a better understanding of the linguistic and cultural practices associated with it, including how infant feeding advice is negotiated by health care professionals and new parents," says Dr. Victoria Howard, Research Fellow, University of Nottingham

Dr. Coffey-Glover explains, "Our research clearly shows that some advice implies that using expressed breastmilk is 'second best' to the 'ideal' of direct breastfeeding. Instead it should be recognized that expressed breastmilk is a legitimate feeding option, with all the same nutritional benefits of direct breastfeeding. Parents who make the decision to use expressed breastmilkeither partially or exclusivelycan be left feeling unsupported, and this should be changed."

More information: Laura Coffey-Glover et al, At the breast is best?' A corpus-informed feminist critical discourse analysis of the marginalisation of expressing human milk in online infant feeding promotional discourse, Discourse, Context & Media (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.dcm.2023.100730
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Colorized transmission electron micrograph of mpox virus particles (red) cultivated and purified from cell culture. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID

An article published in Nature Communications on the pilot study carried out in Catalonia to evaluate the self-collection of biological samples reveals the high acceptability of the proposal and the key role of diagnosis in people without symptoms of mpox.

In July 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Faced with a rising number of people affected by this zoonotic virus, the scientific community has initiated various studies aimed at curbing its spread among the population.

A pilot study led by researchers from the Centre for Epidemiological Studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections and AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), in collaboration with IrsiCaixa and the Department of Microbiology of the Clinical Laboratory of the Metropolitana NordGermans Trias i Pujol University Hospital (Can Ruti Campus), has been published in Nature Communications. The study demonstrates the importance of self-sampling in diagnosing asymptomatic or atypical cases of mpox.

The project, called Stop MPox, led by Dr. Cristina Agusti and Dr. Jordi Casabona of CEEISCAT, a research group of the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), evaluated a screening strategy for the virus causing mpox through self-collected biological samples among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, as well as transgender women who are potentially exposed to the virus. The community-based association Stop contributed to the fieldwork of this study carried out in Barcelona.

The intervention was designed in the context of the July 2022 outbreak of mpox-a disease usually transmitted through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity-where Spain was the third most affected country outside the African continent. Diagnosis is a key factor for containing the spread of the virus, yet many cases went undetected due to a lack of symptoms or because these symptoms were not associated with the infection.

Therefore, the study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a community-based self-sampling strategy as a means to facilitate access to diagnosis and treatment for asymptomatic individuals or those with mild, unrecognized symptoms among the most at-risk exposed populations.

According to Cristina Agusti, the findings of Stop MPox prove that limiting testing solely to symptomatic individuals is insufficient for addressing potential outbreaks, as it excludes many others who could be infected and could transmit the virus.

"Our intervention has been able to isolate viruses with replicative and infectious capacities within the studied population. That is, even participants who were asymptomatic or had low viral loads had viable viruses capable of infecting others," she clarifies. In fact, the scientific evidence and recommendations generated by the study are regaining relevance these days due to a new outbreak of mpox declared in Barcelona by the Public Health Agency.

With six confirmed cases between July and August of this year, the incidence is not expected to be as high as it was in the summer of 2022 (more than 2,000 cases registered until September 2022 in Catalonia), thanks primarily to the awareness campaigns and vaccination drives promoted by the Department of Health of the Government of Catalonia.

A total of 113 volunteers participated in the study, all of whom were recruited through the NGO Stop and took both anal and pharyngeal samples. Following laboratory analysis, all the participants were informed of their diagnosis. Those who tested positive were asked about the appearance of symptoms in the three weeks following their positive mpox result.

There were seven positive cases, all of whom were cisgender gay men; three reported being asymptomatic, and the other four had non-specific clinical presentations of the virus. "To confirm or rule out the positive cases, we conducted PCR tests based on the genetic material from the biological samples," explains the study's lead researcher from IrsiCaixa, Nuria Izquierdo-Useros.

"For the samples that tested positive, we applied a second test that analyzed the virus's capacity to infect cells in culture. This infectious capacity reflects their potential to be transmissible to other people," she adds.

The estimated prevalence of the infection from the study was 6.19%, and specifically, 7.87% among cisgender gay men. Likewise, participants were surveyed about their satisfaction with the self-sampling methodology, confirming a high degree of acceptance due to its ease and effectiveness.

The research team believes that the study's findings could contribute to improving prevention and control policies for potential new outbreaks of this infection, suggesting the need to provide diagnostic tests to all individuals who are potentially exposed, regardless of their clinical symptoms.

More information: Cristina Agusti et al, Self-sampling monkeypox virus testing in high-risk populations, asymptomatic or with unrecognized Mpox, in Spain, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40490-9 Journal information: Nature Communications

Provided by Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute
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China's invitation for the Republic of the Congo to the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation shows the "excellence" of Congo-China relations, Congolese Minister of International Cooperation and the Promotion of Public-Private Partnership Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso said on Friday evening.

He made the remarks at the reception held in the capital of Brazzaville, celebrating the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

"This invitation shows the excellence of the relations between the two countries," he said, expressing his high expectations for this event scheduled for October.

Noting the upcoming 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2024, the Congolese minister said the Congo-China comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership has enabled the realization of numerous projects beneficial to the country's development.

"In the future, we hope that this cooperation will continue, strengthen, and above all diversify," he said.

For her part, Chinese Ambassador Li Yan affirmed that the traditional friendship between China and Congo continues and is further consolidated.

"Those who make friends by sincerity gain eternal friendship. China and Congo set a good example of people-to-people cooperation," she said.
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TCRFLT3D/Y cells specifically recognize mutated peptide with high sensitivity in an HLA-A2-restricted manner and do not show off-target reactivity. a, Schematic illustration of FLT3. TKD, tyrosine kinase domain. b, Naive CD8+ T cells co-cultured with autologous HLA-A2+ mRNA-transfected moDCs stained with FLT3D/Y pMHC multimers. c, CD8+ T cells transduced to express TCRFLT3D/Y stained with FLT3D/Y pMHC multimers (Gating strategy in Extended Data Fig. 3b). d, Parallel reaction-monitoring analysis, targeting the FLT3D835Y peptide (m/z = 1,091.43891+) in primary AML cells from two patient samples and the B721.221 cell line transduced to express FLT3D835Y and HLA-A2. NL = normalization level. e, Off-rates for FLT3WT or FLT3D/Y peptide binding to HLA-A2 measured by flow cytometry. Vertical lines indicate calculated half-lives in each experiment. Dots represent mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) values of intact pMHC complexes on fluorescent particles at the indicated time points (h) (one replicate per experiment, n = 3 independent experiments). f, Activation of TCRFLT3D/Y cells (CD137+) co-incubated with peptide-pulsed K562 cells. Data points are from n = 4 donors transduced to express TCR in n = 3 independent experiments, with each circle representing the mean of three technical replicates per donor, shown as mean  s.e.m. g, Activation of CD8+ TCRFLT3D/Y cells co-incubated with HLA-A2+ cell lines with or without FLT3D/Y peptide. Results are from one experiment representative of n = 4 (BV173, CHP-212, EBV-LCL, K562, Daoy, RS4;11), n = 3 (HaCaT, U-2 OS, FM6, U-87 MG, HeLa, MV-4-11, EoL-1, MOLM-13) or, for the remaining cell lines, n = 2 independent experiments using different T cell donors; data points represent n = 3 technical replicates. The suffix + A2 denotes that cell lines were transduced with HLA-A*02:01, whereas remaining cell lines naturally express it. Connecting lines in f and bars in g show mean. The dashed line in g shows the highest level of activation by cell lines alone. hj, IFN- produced by TCRFLT3D/Y cells co-incubated with K562 cells loaded with peptides from the mimotope library (h) or pulsed with the peptides that were predicted as potentially cross-reactive from the in silico search (i) or transfected with mRNA constructs encoding 3032-mer peptides with the candidate cross-reactive peptide inducing reactivity (shown in i) in the middle, flanked by its naturally occurring sequence, or transfected with mRNA encoding the FLT3D/Y epitope or FLT3WT (j). White circles in h, amino acids of the FLT3D/Y peptide. Positive reaction for IFN-, 5,00035,000 pg ml1. LZTR1, leucine zipper-like post-translational regulator 1; MED1, mediator complex subunit 1; PRADC1, protease-associated domain-containing protein 1. Data in hj are from one of n = 2 independent experiments, and individual data points represent one (h,i) or three (j) technical replicates. Credit: Nature Cancer (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00642-8

New research has identified a novel immunotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia. The study, published in Nature Cancer, describes a T-cell receptor that recognizes a mutation shared between a subgroup of patients with the disease. The results provide hope for new and effective treatment using T cells equipped with the therapeutic T cell receptor, "programmed" to kill the leukemia cells.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most frequent form of leukemia in adults. The disease develops very rapidly, and has a very poor prognosis, with an average overall 5-year survival rate of 29% with standard therapy. Immunotherapy has led to significant advances in the treatment of several types of cancer in later years. However, there is currently no approved immunotherapy for AML except for stem cell transplantation, which is a treatment with potentially life-threatening side effects.

The research group of Professor Johanna Olweus at the University of Oslo (UiO) and Oslo University Hospital (OUS), in collaboration with Professor Sten Eirik Jacobsen's and researcher Petter Woll's research groups at Karolinska Institutet (KI) in Stockholm, has now identified a possible target for the treatment of AML.

The researchers have provided important proof-of-concept that T-cell receptor (TCR) T cells targeted to mutations shared between patients, can be an attractive therapeutic option in AML. "This provides hope that we can develop a new and effective treatment for acute myeloid leukemia, with likely relevance also for other cancer types," says Professor Johanna Olweus.

Recent research has provided hope that immunotherapy can be targeted to mutations, as mutations are specific for cancer cells and are a necessary part of cancer development. However, the results have been discouraging so far.

"Almost all mutations are unique to the individual cancer tumor and patient, and targeted treatment must therefore be tailored to each individual patient. We also know that many mutations exist only in some cancer cells, which allows other cancer cells to escape treatment. In addition, only few mutations are recognized by the immune cells, Professor Olweus explains.

However, certain rare mutations are shared between subgroups of patients. The authors of the study were interested in exploring the potential of utilizing such mutations as targets for immunotherapy. One gene that often is mutated in AML is FLT3, which can contribute to disease acceleration. Using technology developed in Olweus' group, postdoc Eirini Giannakopoulou and colleagues identified a T-cell receptor that recognizes the mutation. Giannakopoulou, first author of the study, describes the discovery as "finding a needle in a haystack."

The researchers' then demonstrated that the T-cell receptor was safe. Next, they showed that the T-cell receptor effectively eliminated leukemia cells in multiple disease-relevant models. Such data for TCR-T cells or CAR-T cells are rare in the field.

"Here, the expertise on AML models in the groups of Woll and Jacobsen was crucial. The animal studies in advanced models where leukemia cells from patients were transplanted into mice, were conducted at KI in collaboration between the groups," Olweus says.

The treatment proved to be highly effective in eliminating mutated leukemia cells in just two weeks. "An important finding was that we were able to show that TCR-T cells could also kill cells with characteristics of leukemia stem cells," says doctoral candidate Madeleine Lehander, second author and a central contributor to the study, and supervised by Woll and Jacobsen.

Numerous members of the UiO/OUS group and the KI groups are co-authors on the article, which Olweus describes as "a fantastic collaboration that has spanned many years, where the groups complement each other's expertise perfectly." This is the second major collaboration project between the groupsthe first was published in Nature Biotechnology in 2022.

More information: Giannakopoulou, E. et al, A T cell receptor targeting a recurrent driver mutation in FLT3 mediates elimination of primary human acute myeloid leukemia in vivo, Nature Cancer (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00642-8 www.nature.com/articles/s43018-023-00642-8 Journal information: Nature Biotechnology , Nature Cancer
Susie Little Light spends about four hours every day commuting to and from her place of work. That kind of travel time would be a deal-breaker for most, but in rural Montana, its not unusual for essential workers to make substantial daily commutes.

Little Light is the director of human resources at Awe Kualawaache Care Center in Crow Agency, one of two nursing homes located on Montana reservations. Her work is largely focused on one of the most challenging and important roles in health care at the moment  recruitment and retention.

With demand for health care workers at an all-time high, Montanas long-term care administrators have struggled to compete with urban hospitals for qualified health care providers in the years since the pandemic. In 2022, 11 rural nursing homes in the state closed permanently along with more than 850 long-term care beds largely due to the workforce shortage.

The remoteness of the Crow care center has always created a barrier to hiring staff. Even Little Light was hesitant to take the job when she got the offer a year ago, saying it would take time away from her family. Little Light has six children, and if it wasnt for her strong support system and her husband, she wouldnt be able to work for the facility.

It took a year-and-a-half to hire a director of nursing, but Little Light has finally managed to recruit an experienced registered nurse from Wolf Point to work at the 40-bed facility. He will be living in Billings, about an hour drive from Crow Agency.

Leadership at the facility worked to increase starting wages to a competitive rate, but still, RNs are hard to come by.

Thats why Little Light has serious concerns about the looming staffing mandates the Biden administration proposed in early September that would create a federal floor for staffing levels in long-term care facilities around the country.

The mandate would be the first of its kind and comes after nursing home residents were the first fatalities of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Susan Reinhard, senior vice president of AARP Public Policy Institute.

COVID-19 tested our long-term care systems, and they failed, Reinhard said.

Numerous studies have shown that quality of care and safety increases with staffing levels in nursing homes and in hospitals, but three of Montanas four congressmen are pushing back on mandated staffing for long-term care in Montana.

In a bipartisan letter to the CMS administrator, Sen. Steve Daines and Sen. Jon Tester expressed concerns that a one-size-fits-all approach to long-term care will further hinder rural access to essential services for seniors and disabled people.

Rep. Matt Rosendale also drafted a letter, calling for CMS leadership to resist the mandate.

When a facility cant meet the new staffing requirements, nursing home administrators will have to limit the number of residents they can take or close down altogether, said Rose Hughes, executive director for the Montana Health Care Association.

Nursing homes across the state are already limiting the number of Medicaid patients they will accept due to inadequate reimbursement from the State of Montana. Instead, they're favoring private payers. As a result, more seniors are experiencing homelessness in Montana than ever before or they're relying on family to provide caregiving support.

You cant mandate staffing without addressing the workforce, Hughes said. There are shortages up and down the line.

The new requirements

The new standard outlined in the proposal would require an RN onsite 24-hours a day, posing a big problem for a lot of small facilities, said Marie Weasel, the administrator of the Crow care center.

A federally funded tool called Care Compare compiles data from nursing home inspection reports to generate a star-rating for every nursing home in the country. Care Compare draws from three data sources to generate an overall rating  health inspections, staffing and quality measures.

The Crow care center has an overall one-star rating, performing the worst under staffing. The centers most recent state inspection flagged staffing deficiencies when an RN was not onsite for the required 8-hours a day, Weasel said.

Currently, CMS does not specify the types of staff that must be onsite, although they do require an RN for at least 8-hours a day. Other staffing guidance is vague, asking that administrators staff sufficiently to meet the needs of the residents.

That part is tough enough. I cant even imagine what well have to do to have an RN 24-hours a day, Weasel said, adding that the lack of childcare in the area contributes to their staffing woes as workers call out on days when their care plans fall through.

As it stands, nearly every nursing home in the country, 94%, are not currently meeting the new staffing requirements, according to an analysis by the American Healthcare Foundation.

It's estimated that the federal staffing mandate would require 100,000 more nurses and CNAs to enter the workforce full-time. And if nursing homes are unable to increase staffing to meet the requirements, more than 208,000 nursing home residents could be displaced.

With only two nursing homes located on Montana reservations, one in Crow Agency and one in Browning, the facility provides important access to culturally safe health care for Native Americans in the state.

While the center welcomes all residents who need care, preference is given to those of Native American descent.

We have traditions and cultures, different ways of thinking about things, and it affects how we do things here, Little Light said.

Little Light also strives to hire Native Americans to work at the care center. Shared cultural knowledge and experiences helps breakdown barriers that exist when people of different cultures access Western health care systems, according to previous reporting by the Missoulian.

Gwen Heser, an RN who worked at the facility through COVID, is non-Native, and has seen firsthand how some patients respond differently when they receive care in their native Apsaalooke language.

There are some people who may not take medications from me as much, but a nurse who can speak to them in their own language they just have a better connection. Just because of that connection it can improve the quality of care, Heser said.

Having a long-term care facility on the reservation also keeps residents participating in cultural traditions, Heser said, including the Crow Nation buffalo hunt. Nursing staff members facilitate transportation, which is provided by the tribe, and support the residents in the community.

In order to hire locally, Little Light started a program where certified nursing assistants can get their training and certification while working at the care center, but turnover continues to be high.

Across the state, long-term care facilities struggle to retain their employees. The nursing staff turnover rate in Montana is 63.2%, higher than the national average of 53.9%.

The gaps that are left behind contribute to persistent problems in delivering care, according to the most recent AARP Scorecard.

A balancing act

For years, Montana nursing home administrators have used an array of different provider types to deliver care to residents, said Hughes with the Montana Healthcare Association. Licensed practical nurses (LPN), for example, are extremely important to long-term care operations.

LPNs provide basic clinical care and are responsible for keeping patients comfortable. They also assist in passing medications, a job that could take an RN all day to do. LPNs arent mentioned in the federal proposal for staffing mandates, and with the increase in RNs, these roles would become obsolete.

Nurse aides or CNAs provide support for activities of daily living such as getting dressed, toileting and washing. This provider type typically spends the most time with residents.

Staffing levels of each provider type also vary by nursing home characteristics.

It matters how your facility is laid out, how big it is, how many residents there are, the acuity level of the patients is huge. Staffing is a real balancing act and I think we need to let them do it, Hughes said. We use all sorts of layers and all the people we can get to get the job done.

And Hughes isnt convinced that the increased staffing will result in enhanced care.

One study commissioned by CMS to identify ideal staffing levels, found there is no staffing level that assures quality care.

Proponents

Representatives from AARP and Montanas Nurse Association have spoken out as strong proponents for established staffing requirements, saying that it would create a safer workplace for employees and patients.

Last year, CMS issued a survey to long-term care leaders across the country, seeking feedback on proposed rules.

In a June 2022 response from AARP, David Certner, legislative counsel and legislative policy director, encouraged CMS to hold nursing homes accountable for staffing, saying that AARP has been disappointed with the departments inaction in the past.

Nursing homes lead with nursing in their nomenclature because they depend on RNs and nursing care teams to deliver safe care to their residents. Without an adequate nursing staff, including licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants led by a registered professional nurse around the clock, safe care is not possible, Certner wrote.

Vicky Byrd, CEO of the Montana Nurses Association, implores state and federal leadership to include frontline nurses in the conversations about mandated staffing.

Byrd deals mostly in hospital level nursing, but supports the CMS proposal, saying that health systems should be held accountable, putting patients over profits.

The nursing profession needs greater investment across the board, from expanding faculty to teach at universities to developing high school programs to get kids interested in health care to pay and benefits, Byrd said.

Knowing that its not the magic wand, why not try some staffing ratios and then re-evaluate. When we dont invest in nurses who are at the table, how can we expect young people to be interested in the profession, Byrd said.
An upcoming presentation will feature a revolutionary notable Morganton citizen.

The History Museum of Burke County will welcome cousins Joe Avery and Mary Lou Furr, both descendants of Col. Waightstill Avery, at 10 a.m. Thursday to speak about their ancestor as part of its Coffee at the Museum series. The museum describes Avery and Furr as long-time family historians and noted that Furr grew up on the Avery family home place, Swan Ponds.

Col. Avery had an interesting and varied life: son, student, college graduate, lawyer, Regulator, participant in the Revolutionary War, attorney general, property owner, slave owner, duelist and the list goes on, a news release on the event reads. This presentation will also include some show-and-tell of items relevant to that time period.

Avery (1741-1821) was a lawyer who fought in the Revolutionary War, according to his biography. He served in the colonial assembly and the North Carolina Provincial Congresses, where he helped to draft the first Constitution of North Carolina in 1776. He served as North Carolinas first attorney general before joining in the fight for Americas independence from Great Britain, attaining the rank of colonel. Following the war, he served in the North Carolina General Assembly. His biography notes that Avery County is named for him.

Avery also is known for being challenged to a duel in 1788 by former US president Andrew Jackson, who at the time was a young lawyer. The disagreement between the two arose over a practical joke.

Avery, already one of the states most prominent lawyers, would often proclaim, I refer to Bacon, meaning The Elements of the Common Laws of England, by Francis Bacon, when making a point, Averys biography reads. One day, it is said that Jackson surreptitiously replaced the volume with an actual side of bacon in Averys saddlebags. Embarrassed when Avery scolded him for levity in the courtroom, Old Hickory is supposed to have issued the challenge.

The biography notes that the two intentionally missed when shooting at each other during the duel and left fast friends.

The presentation Thursday is free and open to the community, and refreshments will be served.

Come join us for this fascinating look into one of Burke Countys founding fathers, museum representatives said.

For more information, contact the museum at 828-437-1777.
Wet, wet hay

Just after 6 a.m. Monday, a driver of a truck thought the vehicle needed some cleaning and decided to go through the Rocky Mountain Car Wash.

However, the driver must have forgotten he was hauling hay, stacked high, in the back of the truck and drove into the car wash bay anyway, causing some damage to the inside.

Hunched down

On Friday, officers were checking the area around Emma and Second streets when they saw a suspicious vehicle with a passenger hunched down, appearing to hide.

That person turned out to be Joshua D. Allen, 39, of Butte, who had a warrant out for his arrest from Adult Probation & Parole. He was taken into custody.

Assault alleged

Dwayne D. Clark, 37, of Butte was arrested Thursday for partner or family member assault (second offense).

Clark is accused of pushing a woman up against a wall near the intersection of Second and Main streets and slapping her.

Arrest warrant

Officers assisted Adult Probation & Parole in the arrest Friday of Jeremy L. Murinko, 42, of Butte.

Murinko had an outstanding warrant from Lewis & Clark County.

Car break-in

Officers went to investigate a call about a break-in to a vehicle that was parked at 56 E. Broadway St.

Allee M. Forsman, 26, of Anaconda is accused of breaking into the car and causing approximately $300 in damage. She also had suspected methamphetamine in her wallet and was jailed for criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal trespass to a vehicle, and criminal mischief.

Riled up and arrested



Krystal D. Nixon-Miller, 45, of Billings was reportedly in a dispute with a man at the Town Pump at Rocker. The argument got heated, so police were called.

During the interview, officers learned Nixon-Miller was on probation. She also was in possession of suspected methamphetamines and hallucinogenic mushrooms.

She was arrested on two counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

First offense

Charles C. Hass, 31, of Butte is accused of restricting a womans breathing ability during an argument Friday while in the 2700 block of Argyle Street. He was arrested for strangulation of partner or family member (first offense).

Routine stops

Julia M. Gardner, 40, of Butte was arrested Thursday during a Montana Street traffic stop. She had warrants out for her arrest for city contempt (four counts) and driving with a suspended or revoked drivers license, and was taken into custody.

During a traffic stop near the intersection of Oregon and Cobban, Stephen R. Stafford, 45, of Butte was arrested Friday on a warrant for violation of protective order (third offense).

During a routine traffic stop Sunday on Second Street, Lacey R. Howell, 36, of Rocker was taken into custody as she had a $7,500 warrant out her arrest issued by the City of Laurel.

More reports

Someone stole the steering wheel of a Jeep parked at Silver Bow Homes. Also taken were the steering column and two front windows.

Two cars were broken into while parked at the Star Lanes. Items taken included loose change, a pair of sunglasses, and reading glasses.

A mountain bike was stolen from a porch in the 2000 block of Garrison.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand  Starting in October, workers at the main United States base in Antarctica will no longer be able to walk into a bar and order a beer, after the U.S. federal agency that oversees the research program decided to stop serving alcohol.

McMurdo Station will not be going entirely dry, the National Science Foundation confirmed. Researchers and support staff will still be able to buy a weekly ration of alcohol from the station store. But the policy shift could prove significant because the bars have been central to social life in the isolated environment.

The changes come as concerns grow that sexual misconduct has been allowed to flourish at McMurdo. An investigation by The Associated Press uncovered a pattern of women who said their claims of harassment or assault were minimized by their employers, often leading to them or others being put in further danger.

In some of the cases outlined by the AP, alcohol played a role. But the NSF said the changes involving alcohol were related to morale and welfare at the base, and were not aimed at preventing sexual harassment or assault.

Under the new rules, workers will be able to order only alcohol-free drinks at McMurdo's two main bars, Southern Exposure and Gallaghers. They will still be able to bring their own alcohol to drink at the bars. A third venue that also served alcohol, the Coffee House, will become entirely alcohol-free but will now stay open for workers to visit any time of the day or night.

The current alcohol ration allows Antarctic workers to buy up to the equivalent of 18 beers each week, or three bottles of wine, or a 25-ounce bottle of spirits.

We will not rest until we are confident that every member of the Antarctic community feels safe and supported.  National Science Foundation CEO Karen Marrongelle

The NSF said it's also instituting several new measures during the current southern hemisphere spring and upcoming summer that are aimed at preventing sexual harassment and assault at the base, where typically around 70% of workers are men. These include enhanced training, a new survey to collect data and monitor trends, and visits to the ice from experts.

Karen Marrongelle, the NSF's chief operating officer, said it was committed to ensuring a safe environment wherever science or education was conducted.

We will not rest until we are confident that every member of the Antarctic community feels safe and supported, she said in a statement.

The NSF published a report in 2022 in which 59% of women said theyd experienced harassment or assault while on the ice, and 72% of women said such behavior was a problem in Antarctica. Last year, the NSF created an office to deal with such complaints, provided a confidential victims advocate, and established a 24-hour helpline.

The AP investigation found a pattern of problems at McMurdo. One woman who reported a colleague had groped her was made to work alongside him again. Another woman who told her employer she was sexually assaulted was fired two months later. Another woman said bosses at the base downgraded her allegations from rape to harassment.

After the AP published its investigation, the NSF sent a message to U.S. Antarctic Program workers.

We know that it can be difficult to hear these accounts. It is for us, the NSF wrote in the email. These are not experiences we want anyone to have within the USAP (or anywhere else in the world).

The email outlined the new anti-harassment measures the NSF planned to implement and offered resources for support.

Jennifer Sorensen, who told the AP she was raped at McMurdo in 2015, said the NSF had tried unsuccessfully before to blame alcohol for the high rates of sexual misconduct at the base.

They know full well that all the rationing or denial of alcohol sales being forced on us isn't going to do a damn thing, she said.

If the NSF and lead contractor Leidos were serious about stopping sexual misconduct, they should start believing survivors and ensure they aren't retaliated against, she said. They should also stop rehiring perpetrators, she added.

Alcohol can obviously blur the lines of consent, there's that issue at play, but overwhelmingly, sexual assault has occurred even when neither party has been consuming alcohol, as was the case with me, Sorensen said. So it's definitely not going to eliminate the problem."

Sorensen said that if the NSF wants to reduce drinking, it should provide alternative diversions, such as the bowling alley, ceramic studio and greenhouse which used to be features at McMurdo but have disappeared due to budget cutbacks.

Britt Barquist, who said she was groped at McMurdo in 2017, said in an email it was positive that the NSF was making an effort to improve the culture at the base. But she remained concerned that incidents were still being swept under the rug when it put a contracting company's primary objectives at risk.

For example, my incident took place during work hours, at a job site, no alcohol involved, and was corroborated and reported through official channels, Barquist wrote. I was later told by my companys HR that I would have to work with the perpetrator again because his job was mission-critical and there was no one else to fill his role. None of these new policies implemented by the NSF would prevent that from happening again.

Most Americans experience a traumatic event by the age of 16here are common symptoms Most Americans experience a traumatic event by the age of 16here are common symptoms Preschool-age children Elementary school-age children Middle school- and high school-age youth Childhood trauma in adults
WASHINGTON  Giant pandas are everywhere at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Three live in the zoos $50 million Asia Trail. T-shirts, trucker hats and refrigerator magnets bear their image. A 24-hour panda-cam broadcasts the trios every move. Even the QR code to reserve zoo tickets features a panda silhouette.

Now, after more than 50 years, Washingtons pandas are going away  and maybe for good.

The zoos three pandas are set to return to China by December with the expiration of a three-year agreement with Chinas wildlife agency. Its not just the U.S. capital. The three other U.S. zoos that have Chinese pandas  Atlanta, San Diego and Memphis  have all either turned over their pandas or will see them return to China by the end of next year.

Although both sides deny politics are at play, China has long used Panda Diplomacy to curry favor, reward friends and punish adversaries. And the loss of Americas last pandas comes at a moment when ties between the U.S. and China have hit a historic low, with most avenues of cooperation cut off.

In the same vein, any hope that Washington will get new pandas rests on recent signs that ties might be getting a little better  or, at the very least, not getting worse.

Theres some significance to the fact that all of the pandas in the United States will be back in China by next year, said Elena Songster, a professor at Saint Marys College of California and author of Panda Nation, a book about Chinas panda policy. They have a plan. They know what theyre doing.

The push-and-pull over pandas reflects in part the quirky way they show up in zoos around the world. Zoos dont get full custody of pandas. Instead, they rent them, signing contracts to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars every year to China.

After years of renewing those contracts, the Smithsonian Institution, which oversees Washingtons zoo, wasnt able to do so again. Earlier this year, the Memphis Zoos panda, Ya Ya, got swept up in a nationalist fervor back home  including accusations of mistreatment  after images showed it looking emaciated and its fur mangy. The animal, which the U.S. and China said was healthy, went home in April.

The U.S. was rewarded with its first pandas after former President Richard Nixon normalized ties in 1972 and many other nations followed. A 2013 study found a correlation between uranium deals and panda loans to Canada and France. In 2018, China loaned out pandas to Finland to mark a centennial of Finnish independence.

From the goodwill gestures of Nixon-era diplomacy, theyve evolved into todays emblems of discord, said Lizzi C. Lee, a fellow at the Chinese Economy program at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Pandas have become canvases for narratives of distrust and rivalry.

There are plenty of non-political reasons the pandas may be going home now. One explanation is that the pandas leaving U.S. zoos are all reaching the age when they would go home anyway. Some pandas departure was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which also slowed Chinas loan system.

With pandas no longer classified as endangered, China is building its own network of national parks, and may not feel the need to send them abroad to be conserved and bred.

Its unclear what comes next for the Washington zoo. The move could be temporary, as happened in 1999 when the zoo went without pandas for a year, given that the pandas are approaching the age when theyd return home anyway. Or China may offer them as a reward in some future diplomatic negotiation.

Both China and the U.S. have kept open the door to a possible return. Thats in keeping with tentative signs that relations may be reversing their dramatic slide.

President Joe Bidens goal remains a face-to-face meeting with President Xi Jinping, something that hasnt happened in almost a year. Xi is expected to attend this years Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in San Francisco, and its possible he could bring with him the promise of more pandas for American zoos.

A National Zoo spokeswoman declined to comment on whether new talks were underway. But one person familiar with the Biden administrations thinking said the U.S. plans to discuss the issue with China between now and the time Washingtons pandas go home.

Chinas embassy in Washington also left open the possibility of a happy outcome.

Many good results have been achieved on breeding, disease prevention and control, technical exchanges and public awareness, embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said. He said the two sides are communicating on future collaboration on giant panda conservation and research.

People visiting the zoo had a more straightforward response to the pandas imminent departure. Among them was Elizabeth Thoms, a stay-at-home mom from Silver Spring, Maryland, who brought her son and daughter to the zoo for the second time in a month this week after learning the pandas would go home.

My daughter says theyre the most specialest thing in the zoo  and from a 4-year-old, thats quite the compliment, said Thoms.

Her daughter, Nat, giggled as she watched the National Zoos youngest panda, Xiao Qi Ji, try  and fail  to climb a tree.

Theyre goofballs, she said.
Each year, Tyson Foods uses its Community Giving Program to improve the quality of life in many of the communities where it operates. One way the program does this is by assuring its employees and others who live near its facilities have access to food.

Last week, it was announced that Tyson Foods in Columbus Junction had awarded a $20,000 grant to the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) 317 Food Pantry in order to support the pantry and the continuation of the organization's advocacy efforts within the community.

In a public statement, Tim Grailer, senior director of social impact, Tyson Foods said, We are thrilled to be able to provide this investment in Columbus Junction and to assist in improving the lives of our neighbors. We take seriously the responsibility we have as a community member to help scale the good work being done by our nonprofit partners.

Im really honored to receive this grant from Tyson, Araceli Vasquez, who serves as a LULAC Community Advocate said. Its really going to make a difference in the community because were going to be able to continue doing our program.

Being the largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States, LULAC aims to provide support as well as education and economic advancements for the local Hispanic population. Within Columbus Junction, Vasquez explained that the group is focused on providing a full-time community advocate who can manage other programs within Louisa County that cater to its underserved populations.

We have a lot of programs going on, including the food pantry, Vasquez continued. We also do vaccination clinics and Hispanic meals for the elderly (60+) population We also do a lot of citizenship classes where we prepare people to become citizens. So we are going to try and use the money for all the programs that we run.

As stated by Tyson Foods, its Community Giving Program grants are awarded quarterly to community organizations and directly fund various programs related to food insecurity, disaster response, educational programs, health and human services, homelessness and employment services. For more information on Tyson and its other programs, residents can visit https://www.tysonfoods.com/.
Nairobi is poised to become the focal point of the modeling world as it gears up to host the highly anticipated Africas Next Super Model 2023. Taking place on October 28, 2023, at the iconic Radisson Blu Upper Hill in Nairobi, this event is set to be one of Africas premier beauty pageants.

Featuring substantial prizes, including approximately Ksh.700,000, and offering participants the chance to pursue significant aspirations, this prestigious occasion is expected to be a one-of-a-kind spectacle. It will bring together top models and designers from around the globe.

According to the organizers, Africas Next Super Model goes beyond being a mere runway show; it serves as a celebration of African diversity and creativity.

Four Kenyan talentsNelly Atabo, Wilkister Chepkoech, Nancy Njoki, and Agnes Wakoyuwill grace the stage, captivating audiences with an electrifying blend of fashion, culture, and talent.

This event stands out by showcasing diverse talent from across Africa, including models from various regions, such as the Kakuma refugee camp and other East African camps. It aims to spotlight the rich and varied pool of talent present throughout the continent.

During her address in Nairobi, Joan Okorodudu, the Nigerian-born and Africa-focused CEO of Isis Models International, a renowned agency dedicated to identifying, developing, and sustaining the careers of beautiful black models, expressed her enthusiasm for this years competition.

She revealed that over 31 agents have already registered for Africas Next Super Model 2023. Participants from various countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, are set to represent their diverse talent in this prestigious event.

Okorodudu emphasized that this years event is poised to be a melting pot of cultures and a celebration of the continents modeling prowess.

Models are expected to start arriving on October 20 for what is anticipated to be a highly competitive competition. With a substantial number of models registered, the contest is set to be intense, providing the top 20 models with the opportunity to showcase their talent on the runway.

The debut edition of Africas Next Super Model was held in Kigali, Rwanda, in November 2022, establishing the foundation for the ongoing success and expansion of the modeling competition.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday called for unity in the Mt Kenya region.

Speaking in Meru, Gachagua underscored that the region, through unity, could enhance its negotiating strength. He said that to achieve this goal, maintaining a continuous presence in the government for the next 100 years is essential.

The Deputy President argued that individuals from the Mt Kenya region are astute, emphasizing that it is inconceivable for them to be in the Opposition.

This region is one, lets live like a community. Our negotiation power is enhanced, our relevance in Kenyan politics is steady and this region must stay in government for the next 100 years.

We will be careful to be in government, nobody will be able to take us to the opposition. We are smart and we know how to decide, Gachagua said.

The Deputy President observed that the Mt Kenya region was divided leading up to the previous years general elections, but he emphasized that such divisions no longer exist. He stated that his current mission is to foster unity in the region, rallying its support firmly behind President William Ruto.

Gachagua mentioned that he has gone to the lengths of seeking individuals who initially supported Azimio to encourage them to back the Kenya Kwanza administration.

I want to unite this region behind President William Ruto. I want all of us from this region to unite. During elections we were divided, 87 percent backed Ruto, and 13 percent threw away their votes, he said.

I have looked for all those who were in Azimio, I want this region to be one under President William Ruto.

DP Gachagua cautioned that moving forward, he would prefer not to hear discussions about individuals from the region accusing others of collaborating with the Opposition. He declared that the region is now united and operates as a cohesive entity.

Maneno ya nani alipigia Azimio ifike mwisho. We dont want that topic again, Gachagua said.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has successfully reclaimed government land spanning five acres and valued at Sh345 million. This prime parcel, situated in the central business district of Nakuru City, was seized by a former Commissioner of Lands and a Member of Parliament.

The property, which holds 20 two-bedroom houses, was fraudulently acquired through companies and proxies, as per information disclosed by the agency to the media. Notably, this valuable land is officially owned by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

Godfrey Oyugi, the South Rift Regional Manager of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), stated that the land had originally been earmarked and utilized for government housing purposes.

He mentioned, The government residential quarters, commonly referred to as St. Xavier Estate, are situated off Oginga Odinga Avenue, along Gusii Road.

While speaking during a site visit to the property on Sunday, Mr. Oyugi disclosed that the agency has successfully recovered assets exceeding Sh7 billion in Nakuru County alone. He said the commission won a case against former Commissioner of Lands Wilson Gachanja and two private entities, namely Pembeni Limited and Liberty Assurance Limited, which were associated with a former Aldai MP.

The commission also sued Saleh Chepkole and Titus Kipkemboi who were also involved in the land transfer fraud with Gachanja, said Oyugi.

Oyugi revealed that Gachanja engaged in fraudulent practices by allocating the land to Chepkole and Kipkemboi, who later transferred it to Pembeni and Liberty Assurance. Furthermore, he noted that the Lands Court, in its ruling, invalidated all transactions that contributed to the illegal transfer of the land.

The court ordered the land to be registered in the name of the Permanent Secretary (PS) Treasury, in trust, on behalf of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, said the South Rift Regional EACC Manager.

According to Oyugi, civil servants currently inhabit the property and have been fulfilling their rent obligations to the government. He emphasized that the primary concern was the property being registered under the companys name instead of the governments.

Since the civil servants have not bought the land but only occupy the houses as tenants, they will not be evicted. The only process will be rectification of the titles for the land, said Oyugi.

Oyugi issued a stern warning to government officials implicated in land fraud, asserting that the commission was vigilant and prepared to take decisive action against any individual, without bias. He advised those unlawfully occupying government land and possessing titles to promptly surrender them to the government, emphasizing the futility of engaging in prolonged and expensive legal processes that would ultimately result in their defeat.

Do not fight a losing battle in court. Surrender the land. EACC has the mandate to negotiate with those who surrender the land under the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework, he said.
The government is inking numerous labor agreements with more than nineteen countries, enabling thousands of Kenyans to secure job opportunities overseas, Geoffrey Kaituko, the Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development has said.

During a radio interview, Geoffrey Kaituko said that by increasing the number of citizens working abroad, Kenya could potentially alleviate the unemployment rate.

We want qualified Kenyans who are unemployed to get employment in other parts of the country and if they come back after a period of time, they are absorbed in such a way that they can share skills acquired through training and mentorship, said Kaituko.

The PS said Kenya plans to engage in labor negotiations with various countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia.

Individuals who prefer not to work abroad will be mandated to undergo a skill development program. This initiative aims to prepare them for their desired jobs by imparting necessary skills beyond those acquired in formal education.

Kaituko explained that the government plans to broaden both the duration and capacity of internship and apprenticeship programs. This expansion aims to include a larger number of Kenyan youths, facilitating skill development and enhancing opportunities for practical training.

Additionally, the Labour Principal Secretary emphasized that the government is in the process of reassessing current labor frameworks, particularly with nations like Saudi Arabia.

This effort aims to guarantee that Kenyans working abroad receive support and protection from both governments. As part of these reforms, mechanisms have been implemented to track Kenyans abroad in case they go missing.

In the event of someone being reported missing, both the government of the host country and the Kenyan government will collaborate to locate the individual and ensure their safe return if they are alive. If the person is found deceased, the two governments will work together to repatriate the body and hold any culprits accountable, as explained by Kaituko.

Furthermore, recruitment agents are required to undergo vetting by the Labour Committee, a measure introduced to weed out fraudsters exploiting job-seeking Kenyans.

To combat the high unemployment rate, which currently stands at 12.2%, the government is also implementing various amendments and strategies aimed at reducing joblessness in the country.
Pastor Dorcas Rigathi has proposed the establishment of a rehabilitation and recovery hospital in each ward across Kenya to assist individuals struggling with addiction to substances like alcohol and drugs.

She made the suggestion during a church service at Abundant New Life Church in Nyeri, where she was accompanied by 62 men who graduated from the boy child program in her office. These men underwent rehabilitation in Timau, Meru County.

I came here with 62 of our graduates so they can also see what I do as a Pastor in my daily life, she said.

We are working to see those who dropped out of school and university go back, skilling others and also connecting them to jobs. They can pick up their lives where they left off, pastor Dorcas added.

The 62 graduates electrified the Sunday service as they led the congregation in praise and worship.

Pastor Dorcas urged the congregation and all Kenyans to assist individuals grappling with addiction and homelessness, emphasizing that the transformation of such individuals is visibly achievable.

The children you see outside, and it does not bother you that someone is out there without a meal and living on the streets, let us change our ways and help one another, said Pastor Dorcas.

Pastor Dorcas expressed gratitude to the partners collaborating with her office to reach thousands dealing with addictions.

The church Bishop, Paul Wanjohi, acknowledged the success of the Boy Child program, highlighting the newfound sobriety of the men present in his church.

The men were given the opportunity to choose their paths post-rehabilitation. Some opted to return to university or high school after dropping out due to addiction. Others requested Pastor Dorcas to assist them in connecting to opportunities such as driving courses, welding, masonry, computer and IT courses, among other options.

This group commenced their rehabilitation journey on May 8, 2023, during a church event in Mathira Constituency.

The graduation ceremony took place at the official residence of the Deputy President in Nairobi on September 8, 2023. Currently, they are undergoing skill development at the Ngorano Vocational Training Center, among other initiatives.

The groups spokesperson, Godfrey Mwago, expressed gratitude for the selfless efforts of the Deputy Presidents spouse in facilitating their life transformations.

Among the group, some had battled addiction to alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana for several years. Others had experienced separation from their families, marital discord, school dropout, and loss of employment as teachers and officers in various institutions, all stemming from substance addictions.
A federal judge has ordered two restaurant franchisees and an assistant to sell off or shut down 14 Subway eateries  including three in Napa  to settle allegations of illegal child labor, dangerous working conditions, wage violations, and threats against whistleblowers.

The consent judgment, signed Friday by Judge Vincent Chhabria in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, requires John Meza, his wife Jessica Leyva Meza and Hamza (Mike) Ayesh to pay $1.12 million in back wages and damages to current and former workers at their sandwich shops. The defendants, who also hold Subway franchises in Sonoma, Solano and Contra Costa counties, also must either sell or close all of their businesses no later than Nov. 27.

Thanks to some very brave young people who stood up to their employers exploitation and attempts to intimidate them, the Department of Labor and a federal court are holding these business owners accountable, Ruben Rosalez, a regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, said in a statement Friday.  These employers are facing the consequences for endangering the safety and well-being of children and violating federal law.

The injunction resulted from a complaint filed April 10 by the Labor Department, which alleged that the Subways hired teenagers as young as 14 in violation of child labor laws and had them using dangerous equipment such as industrial ovens and toasters, trash compactors and cardboard balers. In addition, employees were denied customer tips and overtime pay, were forced to work longer hours than federal law allows for minors, and sometimes were paid with bounced checks or not at all, according to the complaint.

Workers younger than 16 suffered severe burns while operating Subway ovens and toasters, and a 15-year-old employee injured his foot after falling from a ladder while fetching a bucket on the ceiling that was catching rainwater, the Labor Department alleged.

The agency accused the defendants of coercing workers to not cooperate in its investigation, and of threatening teen employees who tried to complain about violations or exercise their labor rights. The violations included threatening one employee who complained about receiving a bounced paycheck, according to the agency.

Fridays order requires franchise holders John and Jessica Meza and their associate Ayesh  who operate their restaurants through two limited-liability companies, Crave Brands and MZS Enterprises  to pay 184 employees $475,000 in wages, overtime and tips, and the same amount in liquidated damages.

The three also must pay a $150,000 civil penalty along with $12,000 in punitive damages. (On Sept. 25, all three said under oath they were unable to produce more than $12,000, according to court documents.)

The defendants were given 60 days to sell the businesses or wind them down. After a sale, the order requires them to deposit the proceeds with the Labor Department within 15 days. The Mezas also will be forbidden from owning or starting Subways or other food franchises for three years.

Subways that would be shuttered or sold under the order include the Napa restaurants at 2375 California Blvd., 902 Enterprise Way and 3214 Jefferson St. The Mezas and Ayesh also hold franchises in San Pablo, Antioch, Clayton, Concord, Vallejo, Petaluma, Windsor, Cotati and Santa Rosa.

John and Jessica Meza did not admit to threatening or coercing employees, their attorney Arkady Itkin told The Associated Press. Itkin said the couple did admit issuing bad checks and violating some labor standards.

He added that Ayesh did not admit to threatening an employee, but agreed to settle what Itkin called a he-said, she-said situation" to put it to rest.

Itkin described the Mezas as people of modest means who are unlikely to be able to pay the sum agreed to in the court order. The settlement agreement might make it look like they're just going to cough up a million dollars, he said. It's not going to happen.

The child labor complaint is at least the second court case involving John and Jessica Meza.

In 2011, the couple were convicted in Contra Costa Superior Court of income tax evasion for not reporting $800,000 of income and using faked Social Security numbers to hide earnings, the San Jose Mercury News reported at the time. John received a 120-day jail term and Jessica was sentenced to probation.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

PHOTOS: Protest at Napa Jack in the Box Jack in the Box protest 3 Jack in the Box protest 1 Jack in the Box protest 2 Jack in the Box protest 4 Jack in the Box protest 5 Jack in the Box protest 6 Jack in the Box protest 7 Jack in the Box protest 8 Jack in the Box protest 9 Jack in the Box protest 10 Jack in the Box protest 11 Jack in the Box protest 12 Jack in the Box protest 13
Last month I was fortunate to attend an extremely educational seminar and tasting centered on Sauvignon Blanc and hosted by Tom Gamble  third generation farmer/proprietor of Gamble Family Vineyards  whose family has been farming in the Napa Valley since 1916. The event was arranged by Kiernan Spencer and Katherine Jarvis of Jarvis Communications and held at Toms Yountville vineyard where he has 20 planted acres of Sauvignon Blanc.

A bit of history here. Sauvignon Blanc (aka its nickname Sauvignon) originated in the Loire Valley in the early 16th century, but through state-of-the-art genetic research only one-half of its parentage (Savagnin from Frances Jura region) is known. It has also been traced genetically as the sibling of many European white varieties such as Gruner Veltner, Verdelho, Chenin Blanc and several others.

From the Loire, the grape migrated to Bordeaux where, in the mid-18th Century, it is thought to have spontaneously crossed with Cabernet Franc in the creation of Cabernet Sauvignon. This discovery by UC Davis Professor Emerita and retired Napa vintner Carole Meredith contradicted the widely accepted notion that a white grape could not parent a red variety, thus opening a broader field of genetic research.

Worldwide, Sauvignon Blanc is the tenth most widely planted wine grape with 300,000 acres and the second most planted white variety in California. Its domestic plantings date back to 1882 and Charles Wetmores Livermore Valley Cresta Blanca Vineyard. When Wetmore decided to plant the variety, he went to its native France and is said to have brought back cuttings from Bordeauxs legendary Chateau dYquem of Sauternes.

Gamble Family Vineyards 20 acres are comprised of six Sauvignon Blanc clones (Musque, Preston, 530, 14, 22 and 316) along with three others recently planted but not yet in production. Fruit from the vineyard is used for Toms two Sauvignon bottlings and also sold to 13 other prestigious producers. Several of those winemakers and vintners joined in the tasting to share their experiences with Gamble Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc while also leading the discussion about their individual wines.

The seminar began on the patio overlooking the vineyard with a refreshing glass of rose as Tom discussed the familys farming background and details on his vineyard holdings covering four Napa Valley AVAs  Oakville, Yountville, Mt. Veeder and Rutherford. In all Gamble Family Vineyards produces 3,500 cases under their brand, farms 175 planted acres across the four AVAs and sells roughly 98% of its fruit.

Until Tom visited France in the early 1980s, he disparaged most Napa Valley Sauvignon Blancs with their more insipid flavor profiles and inconsistent stylistic message. However, during that fateful visit he discovered what the grape is capable of expressing while tasting examples from the Loire Valley and Bordeaux.

It took my French adventure to appreciate the often fog enshrouded low lying lands bounded by Napa River and Conn Creek near my familys farm. The site reminded me of Bordeauxs region between its great rivers the Dordogne and Garonne. So, when the time came in 1998 for my friends to sell their property, I was able to pursue my vision of establishing Sauvignon Blanc to the stature it has in Bordeaux as its great white wine.

After our informal introduction, we ventured inside to sample berries from clusters of the various clones, some picked a week or so before while others were picked that day. With this exercise conducted by Tom, we experienced first-hand not only the different personalities of the clones but also the effect of hang-time on the vine. What a difference a week or so can make as harvest nears!

We then moved to the tasting table where we sampled six different Sauvignons (from five producers) all emanating from Gamble Vineyards with the winemakers/vintners for each. This selection comprised an overview of different clones, blends and vintages. A thorough tasting and discussion of each wine concluded with a delectable box lunch from Yountvilles Bouchon Bakery to accent Sauvignon Blancs French roots.

The tasting began with Winemaker Tony Biagi introducing his 2021 Hourglass Estate Sauvignon Blanc that included 9% Semillon (in the Bordelais fashion) from a very small Gamble Vineyard block. The nose was explosive with notes of melon and pitted fruit followed by a mineral rich palate accented by apple and lemongrass with a long, layered finish mirroring the palate expression.

We then sampled Vintner Dean Grays 2022 Riverain Sauvignon Blanc Riverbound Vineyard (the labeled vineyard designation for all Gamble Vineyard Sauvignons other than those of Gambel Family Vineyards). The nose was redolent with bright citrus accents that were reflected on the palate accompanied by bold notes of apple and melon. A combination of power and elegance with charming textural appeal.

Noted Winemaker Julien Fayard introduced his 2022 Nicholson Jones Sauvignon Blanc that is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, 100% from Gamble Ranch and 100% Clone 22. Again, a combination of power and grace with tropical and citrus aromatics, leading to a rich and balanced palate and finish focused on extended impressions of citrus and bright acidity.

Tom and Winemaker Philippe Melka then introduced their multi-clonal blend of 2022 Gamble Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc. Here, Sauvignon Musques textbook tropical notes of mango, papaya and white orchid led in the nose and palate that balanced the firm citrus driven acidity of the Preston clone. A rich, bold and balanced wine displaying the integral role of several clones coming together in creating a total expression greater than the sum of its parts. As Tom reflected, Our style has not changed, but continues to evolve as we learn more about Sauvignon Blanc, the character of its clones and their individual expressions.

Tom and Philippe together presented the 2022 Realm The Bard Riverbound White Wine, a blend of the Prestion (vibrant acidity and structure) and Musque (tropical notes and textural influences) clones. The clonal blend again stressed the lively character of Preston with the mouthwatering tropical nature of Musque to yield a rich nose, palate and finish accenting textbook balance and texture.

Concluding our experience was a tasting of 2018 Gamble Heart Block, sourced from a unique vineyard block in the center of the Gamble Vineyard and also a blend of Preston and Musque clones. This is the ultimate expression of the vineyard and is Gambles Sauvignon Blanc flagship bottling. It was made by Founding Winemaker Jim Close with then Assistant Winemaker (and now Winemaker) Jaime Medina. A true expression of balance, power and elegance continuing to develop with a few years in bottle.

While each of the wines tasted expressed the individual personality of the winemaker, clonal blend, barrel/tank regimen, harvest timing and other personal decisions, the core Gamble Vineyard character was reflected in each sample and recognized as the common denominator throughout.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Sunday evening that he has selected Laphonza Butler, a former labor leader and now president of a highly influential womens political group, to replace the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the Senate.

Butler, who has never held public office, will serve until Feinsteins term ends in January 2025. Her appointment, first reported by Politico, fulfills a promise by Newsom to name a Black woman to the seat without interfering with the highly competitive race already underway.

In the 44-year-old Butler, Newsom has selected a consummate Democratic insider. She heads the national political organization EMILYs List, which raises money to elect more Democratic women who support abortion rights. Shes also a longtime political organizer and adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris as well as a former partner at the San Francisco-based consulting firm now known as Bearstar Strategies, run by Newsoms top advisers.

An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and shell represent us proudly in the United States Senate, Newsom said in a statement Sunday night. ... Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C.

Napa Valley leaders remember Sen. Dianne Feinsteins imprint on county The death of Dianne Feinstein has given rise to numerous memories and tributes to Californias longest-serving U.S. senator  including expressions of gratitude from state and local leaders in the Napa Valley.

Butler will be the only Black woman in the U.S. Senate and the first Black lesbian to serve openly in Congress.

She could take office immediately, allowing Democrats to control 51 of the Senates 100 seats.

In a statement Monday morning, Butler said she was honored to accept Newsoms nomination and humbled by the governors trust.

Sen. Dianne Feinsteins leadership and legacy are immeasurable, she said. I will do my best to honor her by devoting my time and energy to serving the people of California and the people of this great nation.

The race to replace Feinstein

Newsoms announcement caps a dramatic 72 hours in California politics that began with the death of Feinstein, a Democratic icon and the states longest-serving U.S. senator, in the early hours of Friday. Her funeral will be held in San Francisco on Thursday.

Feinstein announced earlier this year that she would retire when her term ended in 2025. Three Democratic members of Congress quickly launched campaigns to fill her seat: Reps. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, and Katie Porter, D-Irvine, and Barabara Lee, D-Oakland.

Newsom, who took heat from Black Democrats for replacing Harris  the chambers only Black woman  with Alex Padilla, pledged that he would name a Black woman to the Senate should a vacancy occur. But last month, the governor stirred controversy when he said the replacement would be an interim appointment only, someone who would not seek a full term next year.

That excluded Lee, the only Black elected official vying for the seat.

Lee was furious that Newsom would name what he called caretaker. Newsom later backed off that standard, which means Butler could choose to run in 2024. Should she decide to enter the race, she would have some ground to make up in terms of fundraising and polls.

Lee signaled Sunday night that she was ready to move past the issue. On X, formally known as Twitter, she said:

I wish (Butler) well and look forward to working closely with her to deliver for the Golden State. I am singularly focused on winning my campaign for Senate. CA deserves an experienced Senator who will deliver on progressive priorities. Thats exactly what Im running to do.

Butler, a longtime California resident and homeowner, currently lives in Maryland. The U.S. Constitution requires those elected to the Senate to live in the state they represent. The governors office said Butler, who still owns a home in California, will switch her voter registration before she is sworn in.

While some groups cheered the governors selection, others blasted Newsom for appointing Marylands 3rd US Senator.

Out of 40 million California residents, Gavin Newsom seriously couldnt find one to serve in the Senate? California Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher of Yuba City said in a statement. Californians deserve real representation, not a political favor for a well-connected campaign operative who doesnt even live here.

Who is Laphonza Butler?

Over the course of her career, Butler has held several executive positions, including director for public policy and campaigns at Airbnb, and a partner in SCRB Strategies, which advises Democratic political campaigns.

Butlers political involvement includes helping lead Harris 2020 presidential campaign and as a senior adviser to Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign in California.

She has strong roots in the labor movement and sits on several prominent boards.

Shes a member of the University of California Board of Regents and the board of directors for the Childrens Defense Fund and BLACK PAC. She was also previously president of SEIU Local 2015, Californias largest union.

Butler grew up in Magnolia, Mississippi, and lives with her partner Neneki Lee and their daughter Nylah, according to EMILYs List.

Tony Hoang, of Equality California, said in a statement Sunday that Butler was eminently qualified to represent California.

This historic appointment by Governor Newsom will give our LGBTQ+ community another voice in Congress at a time when our rights and freedoms are under attack across the country, Hoang said. We look forward to working with Laphonza as she steps into this new role and continues her lifelong fight for our shared values of equity, freedom and justice for all.
As a result of the Azerbaijani attack on the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19 and the forced exodus that followed it, this region will soon be empty of Armeniansfor the first time in more than two millennia. Svante Lundgren, a researcher at Lund University, noted this in his article published in The Conversation.

This was a tragedy that could have been avoided. The New York Times recently wrote about whats now happening in Nagorno-Karabakh that almost no one saw it coming. Nothing could be more wrong. Armenians, as well as those who have followed the conflict, have warned for a long time that this was coming, the researcher added.

The global community and its institutions, including the EU, arguably let Azerbaijan get away with its military adventures, which only spurred the country on, Lundgren stressed.

In the summer of 2022, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, visited Baku and concluded an agreement on gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Europe. She has several times since then praised the country as the EUs reliable energy partner.

Bolstered by this backing, a few months later Azerbaijan launched an attack, not on Nagorno-Karabakh but on several areas inside Armenia itself. Since then, Azerbaijan has occupied more than 100 square kilometres of Armenias uncontested and internationally recognised territory.

The EU could only appeal for restraint and was relieved when the fighting stopped after two days, the researcher noted.

In December 2022, Azerbaijan began a blockade of the Lachin corridor, the only connection between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, Lundgren recalled.

During the more-than-nine months that the blockade lasted, western leaders condemned it and demanded that Azerbaijan lift it. But no measures of force whatsoever were put behind this demand and there were no sanctions, or even threats of sanctions.

The government of Azerbaijan understood the signals. You can bring down a humanitarian crisis on more than a 100,000 people, even to the brink of genocide, without suffering anything but verbal condemnations, he wrote.

After the latest escalation, various prominent EU representatives have once again condemned the use of force and made various appeals. It is as if they dont see whats in front of them: the aggressive plans of authoritarian states are not stopped by condemnations and appeals. Much sharper measures are required, Lundgren wrote.

Azerbaijan claims that they were not forced to do this, they fled voluntarily. On a superficial level, that is correct as no Azerbaijani soldiers forcibly removed them.

But they are not fleeing voluntarily. Instead they have been put in a situation where they have no other choice, the researcher added.

Five days before the Azerbaijani attack on the enclave a representative of the US government said that the USA would not tolerate the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh. Now it has happened and Washington seems to tolerate it, if the lack of sanctions on Azerbaijan are any indication, he recalled.

There is reason to remain concerned about Azerbaijans plans. After the suppression of the Karabakh Armenians, the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, reiterated what he has said before that he sees what he calls Western Armenia as historical Azerbaijani territory that Azerbaijan therefore has the right to reclaim.

By this he means Armenia. In these plans, he has the full backing of Turkey. The first target will be the southern part of Armenia, the province of Syunik, which Azerbaijan calls Zangezur.

Resolute action from the west is needed to ensure that the aggressive Azeri regime does not, in its current victory rush, embark on new military adventures. The EU could introduce sanctions against this regime, something that more than 60 MEPs from different party groups have already recently called for.

Azerbaijans assault on Nagorno-Karabakh must have consequences. Should the regime in Baku get away with this with impunity, it will be inspired to continue its aggression against Armenians. This would be a dangerous signal to leaders of other authoritarian states.

The lesson of the tragedy now unfolding in Nagorno-Karabakh is that verbal condemnations and appeals do not stop the aggression of authoritarian states. Only sharp measures can do that, Svante Lundgren concluded.
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Abandoning Armenia would be a disgrace for France and a shame for Europe. The time has come to declare decisively and convincingly that its borders are sacred, said former French President Francois Hollande.

"When I was the president, I participated in mediation efforts to find a solution to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. That experience forces me to issue a warning. Today, justice and honor require France to do everything possible to help Armenians," Hollande said.

In his opinion, by turning its back on Armenia, Russia pursues several goals.

"First, it will enable [Russian President] Putin to neutralize [Turkish President] Erdogan, whose role has increased after the invasion of Ukraine. Second, to sign an alliance with Azerbaijan regarding [natural] gas. Thirdly, to punish Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for leaving Moscow and getting closer to Europe. The result of that cynical turn is terrible at the humanitarian level. 120,000 Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians are desperately trying to flee to their homeland, and the vast majority of them have already gone there [to Armenia]. Others are hungry; they are persecuted and threatened [by Azerbaijan]. Their houses are abandoned or burned, their churchesdestroyed. Ethnic cleansing continues. There is a danger to the lives of many of them... But the worst is ahead because the territorial integrity of Armenia may suffer.

"Vladimir Putin contributes to all this; having failed in Ukraine, he intends to take revenge in the Caucasus. He is determined to show that Armenia is in danger of disappearing without Russian control. Erdogan, who has not given up on his Ottoman dream, pushes Azerbaijan to go as far as possible in its action.

"As for the Europeans, they are sparing Baku so as not to lose the new source of supplies. The Americans do a lot to help Ukraine, but they may consider that the Caucasus is too far from them.

"Therefore, the time has come to declare decisively and convincingly that the borders of Armenia are sacred and they must be guaranteed. France should be at the forefront," said former French President Francois Hollande.
In less than a week, well over 100,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh -- almost the entire estimated population of the territory -- have poured into neighbouring Armenia, triggering a humanitarian crisis with acute health needs. WHO is working urgently to support the Ministry of Health of Armenia, under the wider government-led response, both now and in the months ahead.

As the exodus began, I swiftly deployed my Special Envoy Robb Butler to help assess the situation and strategize with the Armenian Ministry of Health on a comprehensive health emergency plan. We have already mobilized health supplies and international expertise to assist a health system dealing with a sudden, massive influx of refugees, many of whom have specific medical needs, noted Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, Regional Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

WHO had already pre-positioned trauma supplies to Armenia. Following the dramatic explosion of a fuel depot along the route taken by those entering Armenia, WHO is dispatching burns kits to support the advanced care need for severe burns patients. To support the general health needs of the displaced population, WHO is also sending medicines for non-communicable diseases, that will cover 3 months of treatments for up to 50,000 persons.

Weve activated our emergency systems and will be sending experts to the country across a range of disciplines including mental health, burns management, essential health services, and emergency coordination following a full assessment of the needs. The challenges are truly enormous, and were there to do all we can.

According to WHOs website, Robb Butler, the Regional Directors Special Envoy, has met with Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan to reiterate WHOs full and unwavering support. Based on his discussions and field mission to a critical refugee registration point, WHO/Europe and WHO/Armenia have agreed with the Ministry of Health on the following:

Immediately mobilizing burns experts from Israel, Belgium and Lebanon, and supplies to treat the injured;

Assessing and addressing the refugees immunisation needs;

Deploying a mental and psychosocial health team;

Setting up modular prefabricated clinics in remote areas; and

Supporting the government to integrate health workers, including  so far  almost 300 doctors and 1200 nurses, arriving from the Karabakh region into primary healthcare and hospital settings inside Armenia.

My visit to Goris, near the border crossing-point, where I met with officials, local non-governmental organizations and humanitarian responders and beneficiaries of health and other essential services, filled me with sadness but also hope, said Mr Butler.

At the first major town the refugees are fleeing to, I saw an immense outpouring of solidarity from the local Armenian community and volunteers, who are doing all they can to provide food, water and shelter. But you see the despair on many of the faces of the displaced. They have left everything behind, their homes, their belongings, the graves of their loved ones. There are children, the elderly, women and girls with specific sexual and reproductive health needs. Its clear that the mental and emotional scars the refugees carry will take time to heal. But its also obvious that the staggering speed with which this crisis is unfolding requires all hands on-deck  WHO, our UN partners, civil society organisations  to complement and support the governments efforts. I thank Minister Avanesyan for spelling out the immediate and longer-term health priorities which WHO has been requested to partner on.

Another critical need is equipment, supplies and experts to help treat moderate to severe burns injuries, following the massive fuel depot explosion on September 25 amid the exodus. The blast killed at least 170 people and injured 200 more, many with grievous burns.

Its heart-breaking to witness this degree of suffering, said Mr Butler after visiting the National Burns Unit in Yerevan where some of the survivors are being treated. Every single bed in this 80-bed hospital is occupied with a survivor from the explosion in Karabakh. Health workers here are working hard to treat and rehabilitate them, but this is a small country with limited capacity, and the needs are immense.

This is just the beginning of WHOs assistance to Armenia at this time of need, said Dr Kluge. Unfortunately, this humanitarian challenge will take a long while to resolve. I commend the Armenian Ministry of Health and all health workers who are doing so much to ensure health is at the heart of the response. WHO and our partners on the ground are there for the long haul.
The children of former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, who was unlawfully detained by Azerbaijani authorities while attempting to leave Artsakh (Nagodno-Karabakh), are making an urgent appeal to world leaders for assistance in securing the release of their father.

The family of Ruben Vardanyan is seeking international support and intervention to ensure his safe return and release from detention. They are urging world leaders to take immediate action to address this matter and help reunite their family.

As the four children of Ruben Vardanyan we respectfully call upon the world leaders, advocates for human rights, and the media to urgent help to free our father from illegal detention in Azerbaijan. We are concerned about his health and arbitrary treatment and have not been able to communicate with him since his capture. We fear for his wellbeing and risk to his life.

Over a year ago, our father made the difficult decision to live with the people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) exactly because he wanted to protect their safety and their rights. He felt so strongly about it that he left everything behind and lived in hardship alongside them under blockade, siege and war.

After the last aggression by the Azerbaijani government on September 19, resulting in mass forced displacement and humanitarian disaster, he was specially singled out and detained.

We do not want him to become yet another victim of the political tension in the region, especially as his mission has always been to reduce this exact same tension and find a peaceful solution to a long-term conflict.

Our father is a humanitarian and has never been involved in any military activities. He co-founded the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, one of the biggest humanitarian foundations, exactly to promote peace and human rights around the world. For this same reason he invested heavily in education and cultural preservation for the region over the past decades, including the restoration of churches and a mosque in Shushi. As an active and visible Armenian humanitarian leader he now finds himself victim of a long-term political conflict and an opaque justice system.

We are extremely worried for his health and we fear for his safety.

We are encouraged by the support of many who have reached out but cannot rest until our father and other Armenian prisoners are released. With every day that goes by the risk that he might never join our family again increases exponentially.

As his children we call upon you to stand for the rights of our father, and all wrongfully detained Armenians and to call for his urgent, safe, and unconditional release. No people should be detained or prosecuted for their beliefs, religion, or nationality. We pray for our fathers safe return to us and urgently ask for your help, the children say in their statement.
A consultation was held Monday in the Armenian government chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, during which the humanitarian aid programs and further steps for the Armenians who were forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh were discussed, the PMs office informed.

Summarizing the discussions, the Prime Minister noted. "Dear colleagues, we discussed the process of providing humanitarian support to our sisters and brothers who were forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh, the work done and what to do next. First of all, I would like to thank the Humanitarian Center, which worked under the coordination of Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan, all the Cabinet members, departments, non-governmental organizations, local self-government bodies, regional administrations, volunteers, for organizing the reception and urgent accommodation of our compatriots who were forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh at the appropriate level.

Of course, it is understandable that not everything was perfect in those crisis conditions, naturally, there will be some drawbacks, but in general, I think both the public reaction, our observations, and the fact that, in fact, we don't have an extreme crisis situation anywhere, it was the most important support, a crisis situation in humanitarian terms, apart from what is already a crisis in itself, we don't have a more aggravated situation than that."

Referring to the medium-term tasks, Nikol Pashinyan noted that the most important decision among them is to provide monetary support for the basic needs of our forcibly displaced brothers and sisters.

"You know that a decision was made and it was announced that each forcibly displaced person from Nagorno-Karabakh, this refers to both children and adults, will be given a one-time monetary support of 100,000 AMD per person. We have a task to bring that support to our brothers and sisters as quickly as possible. We also need their support in this matter, and I want to ask that our forcibly displaced brothers and sisters, those who do not have bank or card accounts, should approach the nearest, most convenient bank and open a card account there in order to receive a bank card later", said the Prime Minister, adding that, of course, getting a bank card may take some time, but the accounts will be opened quickly, and the Government will transfer 100 thousand AMD to those accounts at once, and people will already have access to them using their passports.

And for those who have bank cards, the Government will transfer the money to the accounts and cards in the coming week. "Of course we know that there are a large number of people who do not have documents. In such cases, it is necessary to obtain a relevant reference from the Unified Social Service, and through this reference it will be possible to have a bank account, card account, or in some other way the money will be available to our forcibly displaced sisters, brothers and children. In the case of children, of course, their data will be attached to their mothers' names and the mothers will receive the children's money in their accounts as well.

The next decision we made is about accommodation, housing support. We have decided that each forcibly displaced person will be given 40,000 AMD as compensation for housing expenses, plus 10,000 AMD for utility expenses. It is very important that our forcibly displaced brothers and sisters approach the bank and open accounts as soon as possible to be able to make use of this program, so that we can transfer the money as soon as possible.

But even before the transfer of money, we can actually record that, for example, in the case of a family of 5, in October they will receive 750,000 AMD of support from the state, the government. Also, I think that with this money they can also carry out certain actions. In particular, those who are in temporary accommodation should start looking for rental apartments or residential premises. Of course, the local self-government bodies, regional administrations are also instructed to support them in this matter. It is very important that our many volunteers can make it so that potential tenants and providers of residential premises for rent meet each other and reach agreements," said the Prime Minister.

Nikol Pashinyan also highlighted the solution to the problem of ensuring the employment of our brothers and sisters forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh.

"We are also taking measures so that, for example, specialists in the field of general education are involved, employed in the field of general education, in schools, workers in the health sector are employed in the field of health care. It is also very important that ministries actively disseminate information about vacancies.

Of course, there are certain hiring procedures, tenders, etc., these procedures will not be nullified, but on the other hand, we will simplify as much as possible so that existing educators have the opportunity to get hired with simplified procedures, it also applies to healthcare professionals, and other fields as well. Appropriate instructions have been given in this regard," said the Prime Minister.

At today's meeting, the issue of involving our compatriots in the vacant positions in the contractor companies engaged in the implementation of state capital investments was also touched upon.

"We will establish contact and collect information about their demand for vacancies, and we will also distribute this information during the broadcasts of the humanitarian center. This is an important moment, because if, for example, a citizen forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh sees, let's say, there is a vacancy for a teacher in a settlement of Shirak region, and he can be employed in that place, this information should be delivered to him as soon as possible, because he has already to plan to rent a residential area or apartment in that settlement, etc.

We have to do everything to help people to spend those 750 thousand, or 1.5 million AMD in the case of a family of 10, effectively, because the problem is not only having money, it is also a problem to spend that money effectively. In particular, if a person is to be settled in X village of Shirak Province and is currently located, for example, in a settlement of Kotayk Province, he should also plan when spending this money. That's why, I think, the humanitarian center, its public communication should work very actively in these matters, so that we can support people in this matter as much as possible.

Not to mention that other issues arise there, the issue of the child's school, in that case it would be more reasonable to immediately take the child to the school of the settlement where they should live for at least the next 6 months, so that the children are not subjected to double stress. Of course, the problem of students should be solved in the same way, so that they are integrated into our university system, that is, their education process is not interrupted. Also, we must take measures to provide as much support as possible in the education process, to promote high progress," said Nikol Pashinyan.

The next important problem, according to the Prime Minister, concerns the large number of pensioners forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh.

"The good news is that most of them have bank cards and we will not have much difficulty in accessing them while supporting them. Financially, our approach is that they continue to receive their pensions in the Republic of Armenia. Here, however, we have a purely legal issue, linked with their forcibly displaced and refugee status. Our approach is that we will transfer the money and solve the issue of this money as soon as possible. If by then we have final solutions to legal issues, it is very good, if we do not have final solutions, we will ensure the minimum social needs of people, we will solve legal problems at the same time, without depriving our compatriots of access to any support.

Summing up, let me say that the most important issue today is the following. Our compatriots forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh should open bank accounts in the nearest banks. The Central Bank has already discussed with the banks that these accounts should be opened free of charge and as soon as possible. Of course, we also have to monitor the situation, if we see queues forming anywhere, we should also direct our volunteers to manage the queues and help people to have the opportunity to carry out these activities in a better environment and the normal work of the banks should not be disrupted in any way, concluded Nikol Pashinyan.
Numerous Armenians living in Australia have traveled from across the country to the capital Canberra to speak out about the ongoing humanitarian crisis after more than 100,000 Armenians were forced by Azerbaijan to flee to Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh due to Azerbaijans most recent military aggression against Karabakh.

A United Nations delegation made its first visit to the region in three decades. It arrived there on Sunday, and described the ongoing crisis as a difficult and delicate geopolitical situation.

In a statement to SBS News, a spokesperson for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the department was deeply concerned and was closely monitoring the developing humanitarian situation.

And Australian foreign minister Penny Wong has publicly called on Azerbaijan to stop its military escalation and called on all parties to engage in dialogue and commit to a just and lasting peace.
Anton Hofreiter, Chairman of the Committee on European Union Affairs of the German Bundestag (parliament, has called on the European Union (EU) to impose sanctions against Azerbaijan.

"The [natural] gas supply contracts with Azerbaijan should be reviewed immediately," Hofreiter told the Table.Media portal.

According to him, the EU must quickly make a decision on punitive measures against Azerbaijan.

"We must not repeat the mistakes of our relations with Russia and become dependent on autocracy only to stand aside until the autocracy brutally attacks the people," the German MP said, referring to the natural gas supplies agreed with Azerbaijan.

Also, Anton Hofreiter called to increase the EU mission on location in order to protect the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians.
Nazeli Baghdasaryan, the press secretary of the RA Prime Minister, announced that there is an agreement with the Central Bank to open bank accounts free of charge for those forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. The distribution process of 100,000 drams will commence during the week.

For those who do not possess a bank card, the process involves opening a bank account and submitting the account information to the Unified Social Services, which operates around the clock. Baghdasaryan noted that even though card issuance usually takes seven to ten days, card accounts are opened quickly and on the spot in this case.

Once the accounts are set up, the allocated money will be transferred to the card accounts, allowing beneficiaries to withdraw cash. Additionally, these cards can be used to withdraw other social benefits from any ATM once they are issued.

Baghdasaryan addressed a common question regarding whether it is possible to transfer the money due to all family members to a single family member's bank account. She clarified that each family member should have their own card, and the allocated amount will be transferred to their individual accounts. An exception applies to children, who can have one of their parents, typically the mother, present their account details for money transfer if they are minors. If the mother is unavailable, the father or another family member can receive the funds on their behalf.

Baghdasaryan also mentioned that it is common for people of retirement age to have bank cards in Armenia.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reported receiving hundreds of calls daily from people from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) searching for their missing relatives. Zara Amatuni, Communication and Prevention Program Manager of the ICRC Armenia office, made this announcement in response to inquiries from the media outlet Azatutyun.

ICRC representatives continue their efforts in Nagorno-Karabakh and are prepared to facilitate the transportation of vulnerable citizens to Armenia. However, the ICRC did not provide specific figures regarding the number of alerts received or the total number of people considered missing.

In addition to assisting in the search for missing persons, the ICRC is involved in the retrieval of remains from Artsakh. Zara Amatuni reported that the organization transported 33 sets of remains to Armenia on the previous day.
Jurgen Trittin, the foreign policy representative of the Green faction of the German Bundestag (parliament), has called on Europe to help the Armenian refugees of Nagorno-Karabakh and to take measures against Azerbaijan to prevent the continuation of military aggression against Armenia. He announced this to the Rheinische Post newspaper.

"It is necessary to stop the [natural] gas contracts [with Azerbaijan] and double the EU mission. We must not turn our backs on the 100,000 refugees of Nagorno-Karabakh. Otherwise, Azerbaijan will continue its work in Armenia.

"Germany should be the leader here, and we have proved that it is possible. It is now necessary to double the EU mission to monitor the situation on the ground. Human rights are non-negotiable. And I fear that Azerbaijan will not stop until Europe, especially now, understands that it has to pay dearly for it.

"The blind policy of the President of the European Commission, [Ursula] von der Leyen, only inspired the Azerbaijani president Aliyev; it was a big mistake. Unfortunately, there are EU countries, such as Italy and Hungary, which block tougher measures, such as sanctions against those guilty in Azerbaijan," Trittin said.
The decision that Karabakh must become part of Azerbaijan was made with the direct participation of the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said.

It is a lie when [political] figures in Yerevan said that by signing an agreement to end the war in November 2020, Putin forced Pashinyan to give Karabakh to Azerbaijan. In this agreement, dated November 10, 2020, it is written that Karabakh is an area of the responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and there was a common understanding that the dialogue on the final status of Karabakh would continue.

However, when a year or a year and a half later, Prime Minister Pashinyan, at some regular European summit in Prague, signed a document that states that Armenia and Azerbaijan recognize each other within the borders of 1991, in accordance with the Alma-Ata Declaration, the issue was closed. He subsequently used the term again in Brussels. Moreover, in the document in question, which was distributed by the EU, it does not say that Armenia is concerned about the fate of the Armenians who lived in Karabakh, and that and that everyone needs to somehow deal with their fate so that they dont have to suffer, Lavrov said.
The number of ethnic Armenians left in Nagorno-Karabakh may range from 50 to 1,000, UN Secretary-General's representative Stephane Dujarric said at a briefing.

"The UN team heard from representatives of local communities that 50-1,000 ethnic Armenians remained in Karabakh," he said.

He added that during the one-day visit to the region, during which the UN representatives visited Stepanakert, they did not find any signs of destruction of civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, cultural and religious infrastructures, although all shops were closed.

"Local residents or other persons did not present to the delegation evidence of violence against the civilian population as a result of the last ceasefire.

The UN delegation did not encounter damage to agricultural infrastructures or killed animals," he added.

More than 100,000 people were forcibly displace from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia since the Azerbaijans military aggression on September 19.
Armenia has submitted about 10 demands to the International Court, one of them requiring that Azerbaijan refrain from punitive actions against current and former officials of Nagorno-Karabakh. Yeghishe Kirakosyan, representative of Armenia on International Legal Affairs, said in an interview with Public TV.

"A figure has been mentioned, but we already have cases of illegal deprivation of liberty. The steps taken by Armenia in this regard was our demand submitted to the International Court of Justice. When Ruben Vardanyan was detained illegally, we submitted a separate request to the European Court of Human Rights for him as well. In this regard, we are also considering submitting a claim to the European Court or with any other judicial processes regarding the scope of individual persons. Unfortunately, this is not the first time a person has been kidnapped or captured. We have captured compatriots who are still in Baku prisons. The persons who were captured all faced the same fate, that is, they were charged with different articles," said Kirakosyan.

Kirakosyan said that it is expected that the court will apply a measure that will prohibit the implementation of such unilateral punitive actions. "Because this is obviously the implementation of arbitrarily punitive function by the will of Azerbaijan, to decide who is guilty and who is not. This has already become unmanageable, it can have much deeper consequences," he said.

Asked should Armenia have objective expectations from the court, Yeghishe Kirakosyan said. "The probability of release is small, I have no similar basis that the court will make such a decision. I am not only talking about the International Court of Justice, but also about the ECHR. Unfortunately, the courts do not interfere with Azerbaijan or oblige it to release. The only option that remains is to submit a demand to guarantee the rights of these persons and curb illegal processes as much as possible."

Referring to the news that Azerbaijans prosecutor as put 300 Karabakh citizens on an international wanted list and asked whether these persons can be directly handed over to Azerbaijan if they leave for another country, Kirakosyan did not rule it out.

"It is not excluded that some states that will cooperate with Azerbaijan will simply take that step, that is to say, that risk exists. Citizens should definitely be careful, because nothing can be ruled out," he explained.

Kirakosyan also referred to the issue related to the rights of Armenians remaining in Artsakh, and noted that steps have been taken in this regard as well.

"The first of the claims submitted to the International Court of Justice refers to the guarantee of the rights of ethnic Armenians within the framework of the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination  We demanded that they should not be discriminated against, the demand also included not restricting the free movement of people. We have also included the right of return in our demands, because here we are talking about the indigenous people, the right of return is also a very important legal concept," he said.

Kirakosyan added that Artsakh's cultural heritage is also included in the demands.
After the complete depopulation of Artsakh, with the permission of the Azerbaijani authorities, Al Jazeeras film crew was the first among international media that was allowed to enter Nagorno-Karabakh and visited the capital Stepanakert, presenting the situation there in a live broadcast from the Renaissance Square.

In the opening speech, the anchor of the TV channel introduced Artsakh as the "Karabakh region of Azerbaijan", noting that 120,000 Armenians living there left for Armenia. Both the anchor and the reporter working from Stepanakert, mostly use the name Khankendi when talking about the city (which is how the Azerbaijani call it).

The correspondent regularly quoted Azerbaijani theses in his speech. Showing the chaotic situation in Renaissance Square, he noted that people left, as they could not trust the assurances of the Azerbaijani government that they would not be prosecuted.

He also reported that there are no people left in the city, except for a number of elderly people, people with mobility problems, as well as representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The reporter says that although 120,000 people left Nagorno-Karabakh, the authorities of Azerbaijan are preparing to resettle the settlements completely emptied of Armenians.

Marko Succi, the Manager of the Rapid Deployment Standing Team of the ICRC in Stepanakert, said live on the TV channel that the majority of the population left their settlements.

"The streets are empty, the hospitals are also empty, all the personnel have left, the director of the morgue has also left. Of course, our main concern and goal is to find the most vulnerable people and, in particular, to help the wounded, to provide them with medical care and to organize their evacuation," said Succi.

The ICRC representative noted that mostly old people, disabled people, who are alone and have no family and relatives, remained in Stepanakert.

"These are the people we are mainly looking for. We have several teams that are searching house by house, trying to find these people, to understand if and what kind of help they need," said Succi, adding that their main concern is that the most vulnerable groups are not left without behind.

The ICRC representative found it difficult to estimate how many people remained in the city.

What we can see touring in the city is self-explanatory. May be a few hundred people have left with the social services still working for the time being but the healthcare system completely not collapsing but without any personnel. This, of course, represents a major need for the population remaining here. Also the need to connect those who left, who are left in the city, in the region with their family, relatives, thats another major need, so re-establishing family links  the food provision, medicine, medical supplies for those remaining are, of course, among the priorities, he said.
PRNewswire New Delhi [India], October 2: Focusing on fostering innovation and development for the future of India, the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), in collaboration with the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), recently organized a two-day conference titled "Innovate India Vision 2047 - Aushadhi Vigyaan Aur Anusandhaan, Badhte Bharat ki Shaan." Day 1 of the conference brought together esteemed experts from the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and social impact ventures, facilitating engaging discussions and insightful deliberations on a wide range of topics related to innovation in healthcare. The conference in association with Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) created an environment for knowledge exchange, deliberation, and collaboration. The Indian pharmaceutical industry has a storied history of serving the nation for over a century, earning the well-deserved title of the 'Pharmacy of the World.' With over 60 per cent of vaccine demand and 20 per cent of the global drug supply, India played a pivotal role in providing diagnostic and therapeutic vaccines to more than 150 countries during the pandemic. Guided by the vision of India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the pharmaceutical industry has risen to the challenge and is poised to become the world's most favoured pharmaceutical market. Building upon this legacy, the conference delved into a wide range of topics, including India's aspirations in new drug development, insights from global innovation hubs, cutting-edge advancements in research and development, upcoming innovative therapies, financing strategies, access roadmaps, and the transformative role of organizations in driving clinical research in India. Suresh Pattathil, President of OPPI, underscored the significance of collaboration and visionary leadership in driving innovation. He stated, "Innovation is a collective pursuit, requiring visionary leadership, unwavering commitment, and a dream of a healthier world. Innovation thrives when diverse minds collaborate. Global pharmaceutical companies in India have been actively fostering collaborations with academia, startups, and research institutions. These partnerships enable the exchange of ideas, the pooling of resources, and the acceleration of drug discovery. Such collaborative efforts have borne fruit in the form of innovative treatments and therapies. OPPI looks forward to fostering active engagement between industry and academia, identifying, and capitalizing on growth opportunities, and strengthening India's position as a hub for pioneering research and innovation on a global scale. We extend our congratulations to the government on launching the Scheme for the Promotion of Research and Innovation in the Pharma MedTech Sector (PRIP). We have full confidence that this initiative will propel India to become a prominent global player in the pharmaceutical industry, meeting the quality, accessibility, and affordability goals." He further added, "OPPI's renewed mission & vision, 'Bharat Ke Liye', gave the idea of the innovation conference. It underscores OPPI's unwavering dedication to India's well-being, focusing on pharmaceutical R&D, upholding industry quality standards, manufacturing, supply chain, patient care, and more, all aimed at fostering a healthier India through innovation." During a scientific roundtable discussion on Enabling the R&D Ecosystem in the Country, panellists emphasized the crucial role of a robust research and development ecosystem in a nation's progress. The panel discussed the importance of sustained government support, funding, and favourable policies to create a conducive environment for research and development. They also highlighted the need for greater clarity on government norms and guidelines and explored ways to streamline bureaucratic processes and incentivize investments in research and development. Manoj Saxena, President-Elect, OPPI and MD, Bayer Pharma, said "India has ensured an uninterrupted supply of medicines to all countries and will continue to pursue the same to achieve Universal Healthcare (UHC) by providing good quality medicines at affordable prices. Modern technologies such as AI, machine learning, and big data analytics play a pivotal role in expediting research and development for new products and therapies. These cutting-edge technologies have significantly reduced the time required for drug discovery and development, facilitating quicker access to innovative healthcare solutions. Digitization in clinical research and drug development, along with cross-sectoral partnerships, would not only bolster India's pharmaceutical sector but also enhance the safety of patients." He further added, "At OPPI, we envision the pharmaceutical sector to flourish over the next few years with a strong focus on innovation, patient-centricity, and global collaboration." During the conference,OPPI Clinical Research Awardswere presented to recognize entities in the field of clinical research. The awardees included Sanofi India as the winner, with Novartis India and Roche Products (India) as the runners-up. The distinguished jury panel that played a key role in evaluating the awards comprised Shoibal Mukherjee, Consultant Clinical Pharmacology and Drug Development, Dr Manish Diwan, Head of Strategic Partnership & Entrepreneurship Development, and Mission In-charge at BIRAC, and Sanish Davis, President of ISCR. Additionally, Vikrant Shrotriya, Corporate Vice President, and Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India, served as an observer during the judging process. Eminent spokespeople present at the event included S. Aparna, Secretary in the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP); Vikrant Shrotriya, Corporate Vice President & Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India; Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance; Amitabh Dube, Country President of Novartis India; Meenakshi Nevatia, Country President of Pfizer India; and Amit Mookim, Managing Director of IQVIA South Asia. The insightful discussions and interactions during the first day of the conference have set a promising tone for the remainder of the event. The collective vision of advancing innovation in healthcare for the benefit of all remains at the forefront. Photo:https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2235373/OPPI_Innovate_India.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], October 2: NSICconducted a Shram Daan activity on 01 Oct 2023 at 10 am across the country at various public places and cleaned the area. The initiative was carried out under the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign observed by NSIC from 15th September 2023 to 2nd October 2023. Employees from all field offices enthusiastically participated at their respective locations and collected plastic waste, litter and debris, segregated and handed it over to the local Municipal team. Motivating employees to adopt cleanliness and hygiene as a way of life, Shri Gaurav Gulati, Director (Finance), NSIC stated that NSIC is committed to vision of clean and beautiful India and has been an active participant of Swachh Bharat Mission. On this occasion, Shri Gaurav Gulati, Director (Fin) NSIC along with P. Ravi Kumar, CGM & Manoj Lal, CGM, NSIC planted saplings marking NSIC efforts in creating a calm and healthy environment. The Trees ensure that we have fresh air to breath and mitigate climate change and each one must make a effort in this direction. The National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC), is an ISO 9001-2015 certified Government of India Enterprise under Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). NSIC has been working to promote, aid and foster the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises in the country. NSIC operates through countrywide network of offices and Technical Centres in the Country. In addition, NSIC has set up Training cum Incubation Centre managed by professional manpower.NSIC facilitates Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises with a set of specially tailored scheme to enhance their competitiveness. NSIC provides integrated support services under Marketing, Technology, Finance and other Support Services. For more information, please visitwww.nsic.co.inorwww.nsicspronline.com. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Chandigarh [India], October 2: In an age where the world is rapidly evolving, marked by the convergence of creativity and technology, Chitkara University has emerged as a hub for innovative thinkers and aspiring visionaries. As the marketing landscape undergoes transformative changes propelled by social media, online content, and e-commerce, the demand for adept leaders who can seamlessly integrate marketing strategy with the ever-evolving digital realm has never been greater. Chitkara University acknowledges the need to equip its students with the insights necessary to navigate the scientific, ethical, and societal challenges posed by these innovations. Chitkara Universitys UGC entitled 2-yearOnline MBA programin International Business with Global Immersion Tracks is a rewarding educational experience that combines the flexibility of online learning with hands-on international exposure. Consistently ranked among the top Universities in India, the academic rigour along with regular interaction with professionals from the industry ensures that the scholars are guided to harness their potential with intensive curriculum and visionary faculty. It equips the students to master industry-relevant skills to respond to customer expectations, develop strategies to place their companies at the forefront of their sectors and propel their career in the digital marketing domain. The online streamlined MBA curriculum at Chitkara University, which has been endorsed by CXOs of top Digital Brands, gives the freedom of flexibility to earn a world-class UGC entitled MBA which is designed to fit into ones business schedule and aligns well with ones career aspirations. The curriculum is based on the framework of strategic competitiveness, which teaches the concepts of creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability, leadership and decision making. This program caters to a diverse audience, including working professionals, aspiring entrepreneurs, career switchers, and recent graduates allowing students to specialise in Marketing, Finance, Business Analytics, or HR, all while building a robust foundation in global business concepts. Moreover, Chitkara University maintains close links and associations with leading blue-chip companies to deliver the academic program and ensures that the courses are relevant, practical and deliver the skills in demand. This MBA programs unique feature is the 1-week Global Immersion Track offered each semester in Bangkok, Singapore, Dubai and Kuala Lampur, providing students with an opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge in practical international business settings. This dual approach of online learning and global experiences will equip graduates with a competitive edge in the dynamic global business arena. As a part of this Global Immersion Track, one will reside on campus in a university setting for five days, receive instructions from globally renowned professors and thus, enrich the learning experience. This program marks a departure from traditional education, offering a distinctive educational journey. With direct mentorship from industry experts, students undergo a significant transformation, emerging as effective leaders. They cultivate a cross-border network of relationships that serves as a lifelong resource, providing access to opportunities, mentorship, and a wealth of global possibilities. Throughout its illustrious journey of providing an exceptional educational experience designed to help students explore their potential, Chitkara University has achieved numerous milestones including the prestigious ranking of A+ by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which places it among the 5 per cent of higher education institutions (HEIs) in India to be granted such a coveted grade. It is also the first university in India to have been awarded the coveted Platinum rating by QS I-GAUGE, a comprehensive and independent rating system for Indias universities and colleges. Through the establishment Chitkara University Research and Innovation Network (CURIN), Chitkara University has been at the forefront of groundbreaking research and innovation. Various projects have been launched that encourage diverse learning by fostering creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship through pedagogy and vision. The Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED) is engaged with more than 155 start-ups and students are encouraged to dive in the world of research and accelerate entrepreneurial talent. The idea is to encourage innovation, by providing tools and an office space where the students can brainstorm and work on novel ideas. Chitkara University, situated near Chandigarh, has emerged as the most vibrant and high-ranking University in North India. It is ranked among the top 5 per cent of higher education institutions in India. The University is awarded NAAC A+ accreditation and has also been ranked by NIRF (National Institute Ranking Framework). The University offers courses in Engineering and Technology, Business Management, Planning; Architecture, Art & Design, Mass Communication, Sales and Marketing, Hospitality Management, Pharmacy, Health Sciences, Law, Psychology, and Education. Students studying at Chitkara get the best start-up support, world-class research excellence, and many internationally renowned opportunities. For more information, please visit:www.chitkara.edu.in. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], October 2: Apollo Micro Systems Limited, a leading company in the Indian Defence sector for electronic manufacturing, hardware designing, weapon integration, and platform integration is planning to set up a state-of-the-art defence equipment manufacturing facility in Hardware Park, Hyderabad. The company intends to perform Bhumi Pooja for the plant during upcoming Dusshera and plans to complete within nine months. Company has estimated total investment in the upcoming ventures to be around Rs 150 crores. The new units will add an additional infrastructure of 3,00,000 Sq ft to its existing infrastructure and will be a defence electronics and electro-mechanical manufacturing facility which can handle bulk production. The new units will consists of clean room for productionization of Inertial Systems, RF Systems and for Space Applications and will be equipped with complete Environmental Test Facilities including EMI-EMC facility which will be accredited with NABL Laboratories. This facility will also equip itself with exclusive Test Facility for testing and calibration of Navigational Systems Like INS, IMU, AHRS and many more. Highlights:- * The Total investment that will be done in these upcoming ventures would be around Rs 150 Crores. * New units will add an additional infrastructure of 3,00,000 Sq ft to its existing infrastructure of 55,000 sq ft. * Company is in talks with many international companies who wish to manufacture their products under Make in India In order to develop far reaching technologies and create an entire defence ecosystem we have recently incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary - APOLLO DEFENCE INDUSTRIES PRIVATE LIMITED. This subsidiary will focus on creating alliances and technological partnerships with various international companies to provide cutting edge defence solutions and serve the nation. Company has also signed multiple Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreements with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Sharing more details of the companys future projects at annual general meeting, Mr. Baddam Karunakar Reddy, Founder and Managing Director, Apollo Micro Systems Ltd said, Company has entered into significant agreements with the Defence Research and Development Organisation. These agreements mark a significant milestone in our ongoing partnership with DRDO and signify our commitment to excellence in technology and innovation in defense-related projects. Company is gradually scaling up to be a Weapon Design, Development and manufacturing company for which the Weapon Integration facilities are being commissioned. Established in 1985, Apollo Micro Systems is a pioneer in Design, Development and assembly of Custom Built Electronics and Electro-mechanical solutions. Company offers solutions based on state-of-the-art technologies for Aerospace, Defense & Space as primary customers and also caters solutions for Railways, Automotive and Home Land Security markets. Its wide spectrum of technological solutions and end to end design, assembly & testing capabilities gives it an edge over the competition. Companys products are used across multiple industries including Aerospace Systems, Ground Defence, Space, Avionics Systems, Homeland Security, and Transportation. Company present facility is occupied by Design and manufacturing teams spread across 55,000 Sft will split into three units with different activities carried in multiple locations. Company has a team of 300+ employees, including 150+ employees in R&D. The Government allocated Rs. 5.95 lakh crore for the Ministry of Defence in the Budget 2023-24. During the year the Government notified fourth Positive Indigenization List consisting of 101 items for which there would be an embargo on the imports. This represents a great opportunity for the Indian defence industry to manufacture these items using indigenous design and development capabilities to meet the demand of the armed forces. The company is in discussion with various international companies who wish to manufacture their products under Make in India and this facility would be utilised to meet their manufacturing requirements, said Baddam Karunakar Reddy. The details of the agreements with DRDO are as follows: 1. Transfer of Technology (ToT) Agreement for Guidance and Navigation Technology: This agreement pertains to significant technology which has immense potential in both domestic and international markets. The technology is used to convert conventional non guided weapons to Guided Weapon. The company has been working closely with DRDO on this technology and has now been selected as a ToT Partner through a Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology. 2. ToT Agreement for Weaponisation of Hand-Held Thermal Imager with LRF (WHHTI): This cutting-edge technology involves the weaponization of a Hand-Held Thermal Imager with Laser Range Finder (LRF). WHHTI is state of art weaponization platform featuring an Electro-Optical System which not only meets the requirement of monitoring of border area/ sensitive area but also intends to provide remotely operated counter measure to neutralize the threat under all conditions. The system has capability of surveillance and engagement of potential threats remotely. Its technical features are enhancement of existing HHTI's role, observation & engagement with soldier in protected location & Soldier stays in controlled environment increasing the operational efficiency. The system eliminates the need of two soldiers to carry out surveillance and threat neutralizing activities thus reducing the chances of miscommunication or human error. 3. ToT Agreement for Rotary Electro Mechanical Actuator: This agreement represents the Company's collaboration with DRDO in developing Linear and Rotary Electro Mechanical Actuators for various capacities. The Company has now been selected as a ToT Partner through a Licensing Agreement for the Transfer of Technology. 4. ToT Agreement for Unified Avionics Computer: The Unified Avionics Computer is a complex On-Board subsystem which plays a critical role in the Weapon and has all control guidance and navigational algorithms. The company has been working closely with DRDO on this technology and it has now been selected as a ToT Partner through a Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology. Apollo Micro Systems Ltd. https://apollo-micro.com/ Apollo Micro Systems (AMS), established in 1985, is a pioneer in Design, Development and assembly of Custom Built Electronics and Electro-mechanical solutions. AMS offer solutions based on state-of-the-art technologies for Aerospace, Defense & Space as primary customers and also caters solutions for Railways, Automotive and Home Land Security markets. Its wide spectrum of technological solutions and end to end design, assembly & testing capabilities gives it an edge over the competition. The company offers End-to-End Design, assembly and testing services. It has a pool of engineers who demonstrate their design, engineering capabilities and offer Product Life Cycle Support. Its Engineering Services team offers Build to Specifications (BTS) and Build to Print Services(BTP). The companys vision is To emerge as a world-class company and a unique solution provider with Total Solutions Under One Roof. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Rising Star Communication New Delhi [India], October 2: In a glittering ceremony attended by prominent figures from the real estate industry and beyond, Honeyy Group was bestowed with the prestigious Times of India Award for Best Quality in Construction for the year 2023 by Indian Actress Sriya Saran on the 29th September, 2023. This recognition stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of Honeyy Group in delivering superior quality homes that redefine luxury living. The Times of India Awards are highly coveted in the real estate sector and are known for acknowledging excellence, innovation, and dedication to quality in the construction industry. Honeyy Group's latest accolade solidifies its position as a pioneering force in the real estate landscape. A Legacy of Excellence Honeyy Group, founded by visionary entrepreneur Mukka Obul Reddy, has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence since its inception. With a portfolio of projects that seamlessly blend aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability, the group has set a new benchmark for quality in the construction industry. Quality Assurance at Every Step One of the distinguishing features of Honeyy Group's approach is its rigorous quality control measures. From the selection of premium construction materials to the implementation of cutting-edge construction techniques, every aspect of their projects undergoes meticulous scrutiny to ensure that the highest standards are met. A Visionary Leader Mukka Obul Reddy, the driving force behind the group, has been instrumental in shaping its ethos of quality and innovation. Her leadership and unwavering commitment to providing affordable luxury homes without compromising on quality have not only earned the admiration of industry peers but have also made a positive impact on the lives of countless homeowners. Community-Centric Development Honeyy Group's projects aren't just about buildings; they are about creating vibrant communities. Each development is strategically located to offer residents easy access to essential amenities, schools, transportation hubs, and green spaces. This holistic approach to community-centric development has resonated with homebuyers. A Bright Future Ahead As Honeyy Group basks in the glory of the Times of India Award for Best Quality in Construction, it is clear that they are poised for even greater achievements in the years ahead. Mukka Obul Reddys vision of making luxury living accessible to a wider audience without compromising on quality continues to shape the future of the real estate industry. In a world where quality and affordability often seem like opposing forces, Honeyy Group's success story is a beacon of hope. They have not only demonstrated that it is possible to achieve the highest standards of quality in construction but also that these standards can be accessible to a broader demographic. The Times of India Award for Best Quality in Construction for 2023 is a well-deserved recognition of their dedication to excellence. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by Rising Star Communication. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Finally the wait is over as actor Akshay Kumar on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri announced the release date of his upcoming film Sky Force. To mark this day, the OMG 2 actor shared an intriguing announcement video. https://www.instagram.com/akshaykumar/ The video begins with a speech of Muhammad Ayub Khan, President of Pakistan as a voiceover and the text reads 6th September 1965. India - Pakistan War. Then, a clip of Lal Bahadur Shastri addressing his people. Sharing the video, he wrote, Today on the day of Gandhi-Shastri Jayanti, the whole country is saying - Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Science, Jai Research. No better day than today to announce the incredible story of#SkyForce: Our untold story of Indias first and deadliest airstrike.Give it love, please. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat. Presented by Jio Studios and Dinesh Vijan, Sky Force takes flight in cinemas on 2nd October, 2024. The video introduced Veer Pahariya, whowill debut with a pivotal role. As soon as the announcement was made, fans and followers chimed into Akshay's comment section. One of the users wrote, "Can't Wait" Khushi Kapoor reacted with clapping hands emojis for Veer Pahariya. 2 October is the birth anniversary ofMahatma Gandhias well as the birth anniversary of our former PMLal Bahadur Shastriand the film is set during his tenure. SkyForce is an untold true story that captures the bravery, emotion, and patriotism of all those men in uniform involved in Indias first and deadliest airstrike against Pakistan, against all odds. The film is directed bySandeep KelwaniandAbhishek Kapur. It is produced by Dinesh Vijan, Jyoti Deshpande and Amar Kaushik. Apart from this, Akshay will be seen in the drama film Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue. He will also be seen in the Hindi remake of the Tamil drama 'Soorarai Pottru' which is all set to hit the theatres on February 16, 2024. He also has an action thriller film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan alongside Tiger Shroff and a comedy film Housefull 5 in his kitty. (ANI)
Scientists have offered the most in-depth analysis of what happens to embryos after human in vitro fertilisation by genetically examining almost a thousand embryos. Nearly half the embryos studied underwent developmental arrest because of genetic mishaps in early development a revealing insight that suggests more IVF babies could come to terms with changes in the fertility treatment process. The unique combination of data from arrested embryos also sheds new light on the still largely mysterious earliest stages of pregnancy through natural means. We think this also happens in natural conception, and its why it takes on average several or more months to get pregnant, said author Rajiv McCoy, an assistant professor of biology at Johns Hopkins University. It is very surprising that most of these embryo arrests are coming not from errors in egg formation, but from errors happening in cell divisions after fertilization. The fact that these errors dont come from the egg suggests that maybe they could be mitigated by changing the way IVF is done. The research is set to be published in Genome Medicine. Johns Hopkins and London Womens Clinic researchers in the UK compared IVF embryos that failed to develop within a few days of fertilization with embryos that survived, looking for genetic differences. Genetic testing is typically only done on IVF embryos that survive in order to decide which embryo to transfer to the uterus, McCoy said. But from a biology standpoint, if we want to understand what's allowing these embryos to survive, then we have to test all other embryos too. The findings reveal how some embryos start growing properly while the maternal genetic material is pre-loaded into the egg control cell division, only to falter and stall when the embryos genes take over. Human cells typically receive 46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent. The team discovered nonviable embryos started with the 46-chromosome set, but then passed down incorrect numbers of chromosomes as cells divided. It doesnt really matter if you have extra missing chromosomes in the very beginning because the maternal machinery is controlling things, McCoy said. When the embryos genome turns on, thats when things go wrong. Human embryos experience unusually high rates of chromosome gain and loss, known as aneuploidy, in early development. Scientists have studied aneuploidy for decades by screening IVF embryos, and these mishaps are well understood to be the cause of pregnancy loss in humans. Because aneuploidy is rare in many other species, McCoy said, the findings could help explain why pregnancy loss and miscarriage are so common in humans. Aneuploidy is an example of an extremely strong type of natural selection thats going on every generation in humans, McCoy said. It might just be a feature of human reproduction and development, but it has implications for IVF. So in the long term, we hope that we can improve genetic testing and improve IVF outcomes. The researchers plan to run additional tests on specific cells from arrested embryos to trace the chromosomes origins and see whether abnormal cell divisions are linked to maternal or paternal genetics. They also want to better understand if factors such as the chemical composition in the dish where the embryos are grown could improve chances for survival. We could potentially correct a lot of these things by understanding more about the machinery that causes embryo arrest, said co-author Michael Summers, a cin reproductive Medicine[ at London Womens Clinic. The problem could be that the chemical composition of the culture medium that is commonly used will not allow all embryos to grow, that the abnormal cell divisions are due to stresses on the egg and early embryo that cause the abnormal divisions associated with chromosome abnormalities. (ANI)
"I extend my greetings to everyone on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. Gandhi ji will be remembered for centuries... Our country should be proud that our Gandhi ji is one of the greatest leaders of the world and is remembered in every corner. People should take inspiration from his life," CM Gehlot said.

Earlier today, Congress national president and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge paid tributes to Gandhi at Rajghat.

Moreover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, said PM Modi in a post on X, today while also urging to work towards fulfilling Gandhi's dreams.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Delhi Lieutenant Governor LG Saxena also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

On Sunday, on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, President Droupadi Murmu extended her greetings to citizens and appealed to people to follow his values and teachings in their thoughts, speech, and actions, dedicating themselves to the welfare of the country.

Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against colonial British rule.

This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947. Fondly known as Bapu, his unwavering belief in 'Swaraj' (self-governance) and 'Ahimsa' (non-violence) won him accolades across the world.

Globally, Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, while remembering former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary said that his iconic call for 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' resonates even today. PM Modi today paid tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri at Delhi's Vijay Ghat on the occasion of Shastri Jayanti. "Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji on his Jayanti. His simplicity, dedication to the nation, and iconic call for 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' resonate even today, inspiring generations. His unwavering commitment to India's progress and his leadership during challenging times remain exemplary. May we always work to realise his vision for a strong India," PM Modi said in a post on X. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar also paid tribute to former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat on his birth anniversary. Paying homage to Shastri, Congress national president and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that the simplicity of Shastri will always be an inspiration to all. "From land reforms to laying the foundation of milk and green revolution, from abolishing the third class in railways to providing seats for women in buses, from the 1965 war to serving the country with our Gandhian ideas our ideals, We remember the unprecedented contribution of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri ji. The simplicity and simple life of Shastri ji, who was rich in high thoughts, will always be an inspiration for us.'Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan'," Kharge said in a post on X. Born in Uttar Pradesh in 1904, Lal Bahadur Shastri was the second Prime Minister of India and served from 1964 to 1966. He died in Tashkent on January 11, 1966, at the age of 61, soon after signing the Tashkent Pact with Pakistan. Former PM Shastri was a great visionary leader, who understood people's language and who led the country towards progress. Shastri Ji was deeply influenced by the political teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. (ANI)
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami garlanded the statue of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 154th birth anniversary at Dehradun's Gandhi Park on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. 'Long live Mahatma Gandhi, Long live India', slogans were raised during the occasion. "Long live India, Long live Mahatma Gandhi, Long live Lal Bahadur Shashtri. On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti & Lal Bahadur Shastri's birth anniversary, I give my best wishes to each one of you. We always remember these freedom fighters who gave their lives for the country, we will keep taking inspiration from these people" said the Uttrakhand Chief Minister "Like, yesterday we also initiated the work of Swacchata in bus stations, railways stations, and Taxi stands under the 'Seva Pakhwada' campaign, in Uttarakhand as well as the country", Pushkar Singh Dhami said while addressing the people. Dhami also remembered Lal Bahadur Shastri and the famous slogan given by him 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, on his birth anniversary. "The India, Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri dreamt of is being fulfilled under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Today India is heard by the world" he added. Uttarakhand CM also urged the students to walk on the pathway of renowned leader and Former Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri. "Greetings on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti! Come, let us all take a pledge to spread awareness about cleanliness today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi lets us make sure to contribute in making the 'Clean India Campaign", Dhami posted on X Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also garlanded the paintings of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Late Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversary at the CM's residence in Dehradun. Tributes from across the country poured in on the occasion of 154th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Several leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the 'Father of the Nation' at Rajghat. (ANI)
Extending wishes on Gandhi Jayanti, CM Biren Singh emphasized working to keep not only the state neat and clean but 'hearts' as well.

"I want to extend my greetings for Gandhi Jayanti to the people of the state. We should work not only to keep the state neat and clean but our heart as well," CM Biren said while speaking to ANI today in Imphal.

Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in Imphal on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Delhi's Rajghat on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, said PM Modi in a post on X, today while also urging to work towards fulfilling Gandhi's dreams.

Congress national president and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Delhi Lieutenant Governor LG Saxena also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against colonial British rule.

This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947. Fondly known as Bapu, his unwavering belief in 'Swaraj' (self-governance) and 'Ahimsa' (non-violence) won him accolades across the world. (ANI)
Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Vinai Kumar Saxena paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi. Delhi L-G VK Saxena also took to X to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. "On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, a humble tribute to the Father of the Nation, the man of the era, Mahatma Gandhi. Pujya Bapu's entire life was dedicated to truth, non-violence and love. Bapu's thoughts and ideals will always remain a source of inspiration for humanity and will pave the way for the welfare of the world" he wrote on X. Delhi L-G VK Saxena also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Of India Late Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat on his 119th birth anniversary. "A heartfelt tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri ji on his birth anniversary. His slogan of 'Jai-Jawan, Jai-Kisan' infused new energy into the country and India moved forward on the path of progress with full confidence. My tribute to these great children of Mother India" he posted on X. Several other leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid their heartfelt tributes to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and second Prime Minister of India Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversary. Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated every year to mark the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who is also known to be the 'Father of the nation'. The whole nation pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on this day and it is marked as a national holiday. Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against colonial British rule with utmost patience. This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947. (ANI)
The Congress MP will also participate in volunteer service at the Sachkhand Shri Harmandir Sahib.

Earlier today, Punjab Congress president Raja Waring said that Rahul Gandhi is on his personal, spiritual visit.

"Rahul Gandhi ji is coming to Amritsar Sahib to pay obeisance at Sachkhand Shri Harmandir Sahib. This is his personal, spiritual visit, lets respect his privacy. Request all party workers to not be physically present for this visit. You all can show your support in spirit and meet him the next time," the Punjab Congress president posted on X (Formerly Twitter).

Rahul Gandhi's visit to Punjab comes after the arrest of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in connection with a 2015 drugs case as a 'political vendetta'.

A Punjab court on Saturday sent Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira to 14-day judicial custody in connection with a 2015 drugs case.

"The police demanded a 7-day remand. After seeing the police's evidence, the judge turned down their request. The court sent him to judicial remand of 14 days," the counsel said.

Congress MLA Khaira was arrested from his Chandigarh residence on Thursday morning in connection with an old case registered in 2015 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The Aam Aadmi Party and Congress-- members of the opposition's INDIA bloc-- have been at loggerheads in the border state over the arrest of Khaira.

While the Congress is calling it vindictive politics of AAP, the ruling party is terming the development as part of their "zero-tolerance policy" against drugs.

Earlier in 2015, there were two cases originated with the unearthing of a cross-border drug smuggling network in Fazilka, Punjab, leading to the seizure of heroin, gold biscuits, weapons, cartridges, and Pakistani SIM cards and the second of a fake passport racket being run in Delhi.

On February 16, 2023, a Supreme Court bench of Justices BR Gavai and Vikram Nath quashed the summoning order against Khaira in the drugs case. (ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office at Bengaluru on the occasion of their birth anniversary. CM Siddaramaiah said that both Gandhi and Shastri are role models adding that Gandhis model of development is still the greatest today while Shastri was an exemplary leader. It was Mahatma Gandhi who gave us the simple and scientific economic policy that the growth and development of villages is the real development of the country. Gandhi's model of development is still the greatest today. His aim was that even the most marginalized person in society should live with dignity and respect. Thus, he used to dress semi-naked like a person from the lower end of society. Gandhi's life was to walk as he spoke, the Chief Minister said in a post on X. He further said, Mahatma Gandhi was a rare saint. His non-violent freedom movement was different. Gandhi was not in Delhi on the day Nehru was sworn in as Prime Minister. In Kolkata, he was wiping the tears of people suffering from the calamities caused by the partition of the country. Rabindranath Tagore called Gandhi Mahatma. Every step of Gandhi's life on the path of truth, his search for truth led Tagore to call him the Mahatma. CM Siddaramaiah added that former Prime Minister D Lal Bahadur Shastri was a sincere leader who fully embodied the simplicity and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. He was an exemplary leader who resigned taking responsibility for the train accident. Thus both Gandhi and Shastri are role models for us, he added. CM Siddaramaiah participated in Mahatma Gandhi's 154th birth anniversary program organized at the KPCC office. KPCC President and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa, Chief Whip of the Legislative Council Saleem Ahmed, and Chief Minister's Political Secretary Naseer Ahmed were present at the event. (ANI)
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu's wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari joined party workers on a hunger strike at Rajamahendravaram in East Godavari district against Naidu's arrest. Nara Bhuvaneshwari paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti before starting her day-long hunger strike. A largenumber of women from across Andhra Pradesh have also joined the strike extending their support for Nara Bhuvaneswari. TDP is staging a hunger strike across the state against the arrest of the former CM. TDP national general secretary and Naidu's son Nara Lokesh have joined the protest in Delhi. The hunger strike in Delhi comes one day ahead of the Supreme Court hearing which is scheduled on Tuesday in which the SC will hear a plea of TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu challenging the Andhra Pradesh High Court order in dismissing a petition for quashing the FIR against him in the Andhra Pradesh skill development scam which was filed by Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Andhra Pradesh based on the complaint filed by the ruling YSR Congress MLA A Ramakrishna Reddy. Chandrababu Naidu approached the Supreme Court against the High Court order which declined to quash the FIR last week. He sought the quashing of the FIR registered by AP-CID in the alleged Rs 371 crore skill development scam on the ground that the police did not obtain prior sanction from the Governor as mandated under the Preventionof Corruption (PC) Act. In his plea, Naidu contended that the Andhra Pradesh High Court had rejected his petition by ignoring his pleading that under Section 17A of the PC Act, which came into force on July 26, 2018, no FIR against a public servant could be registered without prior sanction of the appropriate authority. The FIR against Naidu was registered on December 9, 2021, and he was added as accused number 37 in the case. on September 7, 2023. Section 17 A of the PC Act was not complied with as "no permission was obtained fromthe competent authority", the plea stated. Naidu, presently the Leader of the Opposition, the national president of the Telugu Desam Party called the action against him "an orchestrated campaign of regime revenge and to derail the largest opposition in the state. Naidu was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on September 9 in connection with the multi-crore skill development scam case. (ANI)
Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh on Monday said a caste-based census would be done here if Congress is voted to power in the state in the forthcoming assembly polls slated later this year. Reacting to the caste-based census report released by Bihar Government, Singh told ANI, I have always supported this. If we come to power here, we will also get a caste-based census done in Madhya Pradesh. The Bihar government on Monday released caste survey data, with the figures that have ramifications for the Lok Sabha polls next year, showing that Other Backward Caste (OBC) and Extremely Backward Class (EBC) together account for 63 per cent of the states population. Speaking about Sanatan row, Singh said, We follow Sanatan Dharma, there is no hatred in Sanatan Dharma which they (BJP) spread. When asked about Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhans statement people will miss him when he is gone, the former CM said, Because he has accepted his defeat (referring to in the upcoming assembly polls). the Congress leader also said that only brokers would remember him (CM Chouhan) and nobody else would remember him. Notably, CM Chouhan made the remark while addressing a program in Sehore district on Sunday evening. He said, Will never find a brother like this, you (referring to women in the program) will miss me when I am gone. Earlier in a post on X Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan claimed that the BJP would return to power and work for the people with greater vigour. "I will give development in the state a new vigour, I will give your faith a new strength, this is my promise toyou. With the blessings of Maa Jageshwari and the blessings of the people the BJP (/topic/bjp) will again formthe government in Madhya Prasesh and the state will move forward with a new resolve" the Chief Ministerposted on X Madhya Pradesh is scheduled to go for the assembly polls later this year. Through the polls, the state will elect legislators from 230 Assembly constituencies. The last state assembly polls in 2018 saw the Congress coming to power, with veteran leader Kamal Nath taking oath as the Chief Minister. Nonetheless, a political upheaval rocked the state in 2020, after the then Congressman Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with 22 loyalist MLAs, switched over to the saffron camp. The Congress government fell after being reduced to a minority and the BJP formed the government, with Shivraj Singh Chouhan returning as chief minister. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversary on Monday. Governor Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhu paid floral tribute to the Father of the Nation at his statue at The Ridge Shimla, today. Governor Shukla reflected on the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. He highlighted Gandhijis commitment to truth and non-violence. The Governor praised Gandhiji for his deep-rooted connection to Indian traditions, marked by integrity and simplicity. He stressed how Mahatma Gandhi's principles of Swadeshi, Swaraj, self-reliance and cleanliness continue to inspire us all. Chief Minister Sukhu, in his message, emphasized the impact of Gandhijis non-violent approach to the freedom struggle. He underlined how Gandhijis leadership and dedication to non-violence played a pivotal role in India's struggle for independence. The Chief Minister called upon the citizens to draw inspiration from Gandhijis ideals and incorporate them into their lives.The Governor and the Chief Minister also visited the photo exhibition based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Later, the Governor and the Chief Minister also paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at CTO Chowk on his birth anniversary.Shastri Ji inspired the country to make it self-reliant by giving the slogan Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan. Shastri Ji's integrity, humility and simplicity will always inspire all the countrymen, said Shukla. When there was a shortage of food in the country, Shastri ji gave the slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' and inspired us to move towards self-reliance. He was an embodiment of simplicity who gave the message of duty to the country, said the Chief Minister. Patriotic songs and bhajans were also recited on the occasion. "Today in Shimla, along with Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla ji, paid floral tributes to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversary. Today, on this auspicious occasion, I call upon all the people of the state to imbibe the values of truth, non-violence, love and cleanliness and work to contribute to the development of the society". Himachal CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu posted on X. Several leaders from across the country paid homage to Gandhi ji and Late Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries. (ANI)
Rena Murshud

Azerbaijan has always shown its strength in both the military and political spheres, as well as its peacefulness and humanity to the whole world. Azerbaijan opened a new page after its victory in the 44-day war, followed by a complete victory over the separatists as a result of 23 hours of anti-terrorist measures. Because the struggle with the separatists in Garabagh is over, and Azerbaijan sees only the economic development of the region as its goal. In these steps, we cannot forget the efforts of our brotherly country - Turkiye, which has always been a supporter of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan's current commitment is the process of reintegration of Armenians living in Garabagh. However, it is known that many Armenians left the territories of their own free will without any pressure from the other side. The reason is their desire not to live together with Azerbaijanis under the flag of Azerbaijan. However, the information leaked from the foreign media says that both the Armenian authorities and the separatist regime in Garabagh exerted pressure on the Armenians who left Azerbaijan. Allegedly, the Armenians in Garabagh are betraying their country by staying there. I wonder if the forces exerting such pressure will meet all the needs of the population who left those areas? Or is the reason why Armenians are so unusually discreetly leaving the territories because they demand so-called "refugee" status from their patrons in the future?

"The ceasefire agreement signed after the 44-day war revealed the road map in the Garabagh conflict. The failure of the Armenian administration to fulfill its obligations related to the peace agreement for various reasons caused the process to be prolonged. The opposition of the Armenian diaspora and some political parties to peace, Russia's attempt to overthrow Pashinyan's government, as well as the West's position in favor of Armenia to strengthen its influence in the region completely blocked the processes. However, in the end, with the diplomatic support of Turkiye, anti-terrorist measures were implemented and the status of an 'autonomous region of Karabakh' from the USSR era was canceled once and for all."

This was told by a professor at Kocaeli University Irfan Kaya Ulger in his comment to AZERNEWS on the processes taking place in Azerbaijan's Garabagh. According to him, everything that happened took place against the background of Azerbaijan strengthening its sovereignty within its borders. Turkiye has strongly supported this whole process from the beginning.

During the meeting between President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev last week in Nakhchivan, the professor spoke about the special nature of the Nakhchivan-Igdir Memorandum, which shows Turkiye-Azerbaijan cooperation and alliance to friends and enemies, as well as the Shusha Declaration. The expert noted that the only issue between the two countries is the Zangazur Corridor, which is expected to be opened soon.

"The President of Turkiye has stated that if the administration of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan obstructs this issue, the Iranian option will also be brought up. Thus, a land route will be created between Nakhchivan and Azerbaijan and Turkiye will open its arms to the Turkish World through Azerbaijan. I believe that the Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance will open the door to greater developments in the economic and political spheres in the coming years. Also, increasingly close relations between the two states may lead to the creation of a Confederation. In the confederation model, state parties maintain their own international legal structures on the one hand, and cooperate on defense or other issues on the other. The parties included in the Confederation established by an international agreement retain the status of independent states in terms of their foreign relations. I believe that Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation can gradually turn into a Confederation model," the professor added.

Later, Irfan Kaya spoke about the Armenians who left the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan. According to him, a consensus was reached between the representatives of Azerbaijan and the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh regarding the termination of the "autonomy of Nagorno-Karabakh" inherited from the USSR. It has been announced that Armenians living in Garabagh will be granted the right to citizenship. Nevertheless, the majority of Armenians living in the region left to move to Armenia. The professor also explained the reasons why Armenians took such a step.

"First of all, we should not forget that Armenians living in the region were under the influence of intensive propaganda. Second, the negative psychology caused by the Khojaly massacre and other war crimes in the 1990s may cause people living in the region to emigrate. I believe that there is great pressure and influence from the diaspora against Armenians who want to remain citizens of Azerbaijan. As a result, it is clear that the Armenians living in Garabagh left the region for various reasons without the pressure of Azerbaijan. Despite all these facts, we are witnessing that in some media organizations, some circles accuse Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing and a new type of genocide. This is a complete distortion of the truth," the Turkish expert added.

Furthermore, Irfan Kaya said that it is not Pashinyan's government, but rather the Armenian diaspora that is to blame for the migration of Armenians.

"There is no doubt that ultra-nationalist propaganda against Azerbaijan played an important role in the migration of Armenians living in Garabagh. It has reached such a point that those who did not emigrate, but remained in the region, are secretly and openly accused of treason. From this point of view, they forced the masses to migrate. I think that the Pashinyan administration seems more moderate in this matter," the expert noted.

In the end, Professor Ulger, talking about the Armenians who left Azerbaijan, noted that most of them will live in Armenia. Some will be granted citizenship, while others will try to migrate to Western countries. A campaign was launched against Turkiye and Azerbaijan in connection with this migration. This campaign may become more intensive in the future. The first sign for this was given by Australian actor Mel Gibson. He openly accused Turkiye and Azerbaijan of committing a new type of genocide. In the following years, this category of accusations will continue to increase. But from the point of view of international law, it is impossible to blame Azerbaijan in any way. The anti-terrorist measures is legal. From the perspective of international law, what is happening is the internal affairs of Azerbaijan.
Telangana Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao (KTR), while participating in the launch of silt carting vehicles under the Dalit Bandhu scheme in Hyderabad, hit out at the Swachh Bharat Mission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. BRS Minister KTR said, "On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, today some leaders are sitting in Delhi and giving slogans of Swachh Bharat, Swachh this and Swachh that. But there won't be much work related to it. There will be only programs for clicking pictures and remembering Gandhiji here and there for namesake." "However, keeping Gandhi's views of Swachta in mind, we have taken up Swachh Telangana," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier on Friday called upon people across the country to take part in a cleanliness drive on October 1 beginning at 10 am and said that Swachh Bharat is a shared responsibility, and every effort counts. The Prime Minister himself also participated in the Swach Bharat campaign and met social media sensation Ankit Baiyanpuriya, who had started a 75-day hard challenge to imbibe the culture of fitness among the youth. They discussed fitness and cleanliness as they participated in the Swachh Bharat initiative, a video released by PM Modi on his X timeline showed. Today, as the nation focuses on Swachhata, Ankit Baiyanpuriya and I did the same! Beyond just cleanliness, we blended fitness and well-being also into the mix. It is all about that Swachh and Swasth Bharat vibe! the video captioned. PM Modi said Swachh Bharat is the collective responsibility of all citizens of the country and that public participation is very important in this direction. He had asked everyone to take an hour on Sunday at 10 am to maintain cleanliness and help build a brighter future for the country. Leaders from across the country took part in the 'Shramdaan for Cleanliness' program as part of the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' campaign on October 1. (ANI)
The suspended police officers were posted at Padmanabham police station where they allegedly committed the crime, said officials.

The victim Bandevapuram Papu was brought to the police station after a complaint of stealing a fighting rooster was filed against him. He was then subjected to alleged custodial torture which resulted in the fracture of his right leg.

The victim was admitted to hospital on Sunday. After the news of it spread, the people in the village where the victim lives protested and took out a protest march in front of the police station. This led to the declaration of an inquiry by Commissioner of Police A Ravi Shankar, Visakhapatnam, into this alleged torture.

The commissioner asked the DCP (crime) Naganna to conduct an inquiry into this.

The DCP prima facie found out that third-degree methods were committed on the victim. It was based on the DCP's report that the suspension order was issued by the commissioner.

A charge memo was also issued against the inspector of the police station Sanyasi Naidu.

The suspended police personnel were sub-inspector of crime wing K Malleswara Rao, and constables Katta Srinivasa Rao and K Satish, said an official. (ANI)
As the AAP and Congress, members of the INDIA bloc, are at loggerheads in Punjab over the arrest of MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in a drug case, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that his party is not against any leader but the 'drug menace' and urged "all parties" to join them in the campaign. The Aam Aadmi Party national convenor was speaking at an event, organised to launch health-related projects worth Rs 550 crore in Punjab's Patiala. During his address, Kejriwal said that after the Punjab Police arrested the Congress MLA in connection with a 2015 drug case, all these parties abused the state Chief Minister and his fellow party leader Bhagwant Mann. Without taking any name, the Delhi Chief Minister said, "Just three days ago, a very big man was arrested who is accused of drug smuggling. All these party people are abusing Bhagwant Mann why did you do this?... I want to say to all these party people that our fight is with not any other party or leaders. We are not against any leader. We are against the drug menace. Drug menace has spoiled our youth..." "I appeal to all the parties that if any leader of your party is doing any kind of drug menace then throw him out of the party," he added. Punjab Police arrested Khaira from his Chandigarh residence on Thursday morning in connection with an eight-year-old case registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The Congress leader was sent to 14-day judicial custody on Saturday. While the Congress is calling it vindictive politics of AAP, the ruling party is terming the development as part of their "zero-tolerance policy" against drugs. Earlier in 2015, there were two cases originated with the unearthing of a cross-border drug smuggling network in Fazilka, Punjab, leading to the seizure of heroin, gold biscuits, weapons, cartridges, and Pakistani SIM cards and the second of a fake passport racket being run in Delhi. As the trial went on, nine smugglers, including Gurdev Singh, Manjit Singh, Harbans Singh, and Subhash Chander, were sentenced in October 2017 in connection with the Fazilka case. As per the chargesheet, Khaira was closely associated with Gurdev Singh, the leader of the Fazilka drug smuggling racket, and is accused of having sheltered him. The primary accusations against Khaira include supporting an international gang of smugglers, having sheltered him and receiving financial benefits from drug traffickers, and enjoying the proceeds of crime. On February 16, 2023, a Supreme Court bench of Justices BR Gavai and Vikram Nath quashed the summoning order against Khaira in the drugs case. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Annamalai called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi on Monday. "Shri @annamalai_k, State President - @BJP4TamilNadu, calls on Smt @nsitharaman," Sitharaman's office said in a post on 'X'. Sitharaman will be in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore on Tuesday for some pre-planned meeting, Annamalai said in a post on 'X' after the meeting. The state BJP chief submitted memorandums to seek her intervention on requests from industries in Tamil Nadu. "Had the opportunity to meet our Hon FM Smt @nsitharaman avl today and submitted various memorandums seeking her kind intervention on requests from industries in TN. Our Hon FM has always been very supportive and considerate of the issues TN industries face. She will be in Coimbatore tomorrow to attend various pre-planned meetings," Annamalai posted on 'X'. The meeting comes a week after the BJP lost a major ally in Tamil Nadu when the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) snapped ties with the saffron party on September 25. The AIADMK apparently holds Annamalai responsible for the souring of ties between the two parties. Earlier on Sunday, Annamalai said that elections are very far away and that there are senior leaders sitting in Delhi who will take a call. "My Delhi visit is a very routine visit. I keep going after every yatra. I have to brief my senior leadership on what the Yatra is happening, especially in phase 2. There are many senior leaders who are supposed to participate in the yatra. I have to go and get their dates also, Annamalai said. Elections are very far away. There are senior leaders sitting in Delhi who will take a call... There is no need to comment when we have positive things to do. The NDA alliance is formed by the BJP, there is an NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu. BJP heads the NDA alliance in India. Of course, there is an NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu," he said. (ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, addressing the Mahatma Gandhi Seva Award 2023 ceremony, emphasized the timeless relevance of Mahatma Gandhi's ideology and hailed it as a guiding light for the government's pro-people initiatives. Siddaramaiah said that Mahatma Gandhi's ideology is relevant for all times and his thoughts are the inspiration for the government's pro-people programmes. According to an official statement, he was speaking at the Mahatma Gandhi Seva Award 2023 ceremony organized by the Department of Information and Public Relations on Monday. During his tenure in 2014, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah instituted the Gandhi Seva Award, bestowed on individuals and organizations exemplifying Gandhiji's ideals. He said, When I was Chief Minister in 2014, it was decided to award the Gandhi Seva Award on Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti and an order was issued to give this Award to individuals or organizations who walk the path of Gandhi Ji's ideals. Those eligible for the award should be believers in the principles of Gandhiji. This year's recipient, Garaga Kshetriya Seva Sangh from Dharwad, was lauded for their commendable work in Khadi production and crafting the national flag. He congratulated the recipient of the Mahatma Gandhi Seva Award and thanked the selection committee for the award. Reflecting on Mahatma Gandhi's humble beginnings, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recounted Gandhiji's transformation from a lawyer facing discrimination in South Africa to the leader of India's freedom struggle. Embracing a frugal lifestyle, Gandhi traversed India in third-class train compartments, seeking to understand the social system and people's lives in India. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah underscored Gandhi's unwavering commitment to truth and non-violence in leading the fight for India's independence. There was no difference in Gandhiji's words and actions. He led the freedom struggle by following the path of truth and non-violence. India is a country that walked on the path of non-violence to get freedom. Gandhi was a great humanitarian. By cultivating the nature of man's love for man, true respect is paid to Gandhiji. It was Rabindranath Tagore who gave him the title of Mahatma. Subhash Chandra Bose called him the Father of the Nation. He worked for peace and harmony in the country till the end of his life. But he died because of the fanaticism of Nathoram Godse. It is regrettable that there are people who worship Nathuram in this country. We should be aware of such people, the CM said. Stressing the pivotal role of villages in India's progress, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah advocated for decentralized power structures. India is a country of villages. The country can develop only with the independence of the villages. Small industries should come to our country instead of big industries and the power should go from village to Delhi and not from Delhi to village, he added. CM further said that the Decentralization of power should be at four levels i.e., country, state, district, and village. Gandhiji's thoughts are the inspiration for our government's pro-people programs. He was deeply committed to women's freedom and empowerment of the women. The development of the country is possible with the development of women. The government has prioritized women's empowerment. The economic empowerment of women through the Shakti scheme and Grilahakshmi and Annabhagya schemes are based on Gandhian principles. Today is Lal Bahadur Shastri's birth anniversary and it is being celebrated with great enthusiasm in the whole country. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the most honest politician India has ever seen, lived as a freedom fighter and a Gandhian, he said. Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office in Bengaluru on the occasion of their birth anniversary. CM said that both Gandhi and Shastri are role models adding that Gandhis model of development is still the greatest today while Shastri was an exemplary leader. (ANI)
According to police, a case has been registered at Nagara Palem police station in Andhra's Guntur district.

Police registered a case for his remarks against CM Jagan and another for making comments on Minister RK Roja.

"A case has been registered under sections 41 (A), 41 (B), 153, 294, 504, and 505 of CrPC," police said.

Officials said that when the police came from Guntur to give notice to Bandaru and arrest him, Bandaru kept a watch on the door without taking notice for a long time.

The police had to break the door open and took Bandaru into custody. The TDP leader is being taken to Guntur.

Meanwhile, Bandaru has filed an anticipatory bail petition in the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Bandaru made several personal comments against Roja. Rojas husband Selvamani responded strongly to his comments saying that the remarks made by the leader were too personal.Selvamani further asked Bandari to show proof of his allegations and reveal all the details.

Meanwhile, TDP leader and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's son Nara Lokesh condemned the arrest citing discrimination in the treatment of political leaders from the ruling party and the opposition.

"One law for the YSRCP government and another law for the opposition...," Lokesh said.

Last month, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu was arrested in connection with an alleged skill development scam case. (ANI)
Democratic Progressive Azad Party chief Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is a member of the high-level committee formed to explore the feasibility of simultaneous polls in the country, on Monday said there is no "haste" and all political parties will be consulted on One nation, One election. "Preliminary meeting has taken place. I don't think there is any haste. Many were saying this will be implemented soon but I dont think so because national parties, recognised parties and regional parties have to be called (to discuss). It is also incorrect to think that we will take the decision all by ourselves. It will not be done like that, everyone will be spoken to," Azad said. The High-Level Committee constituted recently to examine the issue of holding simultaneous elections in the country and make recommendations thereon held its preliminary meeting here on September 23 under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Minister of State (Independent Charge) from the Ministry of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, former Rajya Sabha leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission NK Singh, former Lok Sabha Secretary General Subhash Kashyap, former Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari attended the meeting. Senior Advocate Harish Salve had joined the meeting virtually. (ANI)
Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai accused Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar of misleading the people regarding the inflow of the Cauvery water. While speaking to reporters, he said that Shivakumar had said that there had been a heavy inflow of water. However, when they got information from the authorities, they said that the inflow was around 2,000 cusecs of water. "Why is Shivakumar misleading people? Why he was speaking so lightly on this serious issue? It was not enough for the Dy CM to always talk about Brand Bangalore, but Cauvery water should be saved for Bangalore. Otherwise, it will be a 'Bad Bangalore'," he said. Asked about a distress formula, the former CM said that before 2018, there was no such situation to implement the distress formula. After the establishment of CWMA, the problem of water has now come. So, it was necessary to implement the distress formula. Further talking about the prevailing law and order situation Shivamogga Bommai said the stone palters and troublemakers have no fear for law in the incumbent Congress Government. It is unfortunate that Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar has described the Shivamogga incident as small. Houses have been stoned in Shivamogga. A similar incident has happened in Kolar also. The government was indirectly supporting such elements. The home minister's statement has been childish. Due to this kind of attitude, the gamblers, anti-social elements, and rioters were roaming freely, said Bommai. According to the police, a group of miscreants pelted stones at some vehicles and houses during the Eid Milad procession in the Shantinagar-Ragigudda area. (ANI)
Slamming the Eknath Shinde government over the death of 24 people, including 12 newborns in 24 hours, National Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar asserted that the incident highlights the failure of government systems and called for a serious response to ensure the safety of patients in the future. Sharad Pawar took to X and said The unfortunate incident of death of 24 people including 12 newborns in 24 hours in a government hospital in Nanded is literally shocking." The incident was reported at Shankarao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital here due to the alleged scarcity of medicines. Recalling a similar incident in which 18 people died in Kalwa Hospital of Thane Municipal Corporation, Pawar said, "Just two months ago, there was an unfortunate incident where 18 people died in a single night in Kalwa Hospital of Thane Municipal Corporation. However, due to not taking this incident seriously, such a very serious incident was repeated in the government hospital in Nanded. This shows the failure of government systems. Pawar noted that the government's failure to address the seriousness of that incident led to a similar tragedy in Nanded's government hospital. Pawar urged the state government to take immediate and concrete steps to prevent such incidents from recurring, emphasizing the need to save the lives of innocent patients. At least considering the seriousness of these unfortunate incidents, the state government needs to ensure that concrete steps are taken so that these incidents are not repeated and the lives of innocent patients are saved, Sharad Pawar added. Dr Shyamrao Wakode, in charge dean of the Medical College, said that the deceased were suffering from various ailments including snake bites, arsenic and phosphorus poisoning etc. "Around 12 children died in the last 24 hours and 12 adults also died due to various ailments (snake bites, arsenic and phosphorus poisoning etc.). Due to transfers of various staff, there was some difficulty for us. We were supposed to buy medicines from the Haffkine Institute but that also didn't happen. Also, patients come from far off to this hospital and there were many patients whose sanctioned budget also got disturbed," Dr Shyamrao Wakode said. Ex-CM and senior Congress leader from Nanded, Ashok Chavan, said that besides these deaths, another 70 patients, referred from other private hospitals in the district, are reported to be critical. "Around 24 people's death has been reported at the Dr Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital and therefore I have come here and met the Dean. The situation is concerning and serious. The government should take this up and provide immediate help...Around 70 other people are critical. Replacement of a lot of nurses who were transferred has not been given, Chavan said. (ANI)
The accident took place early on Sunday in the Mexican state of Chiapas near the border with Guatemala.

The truck was irregularly transporting 27 Cuban nationals on the Pijijiapan-Tonal highway in the southern state of Chiapas when the accident occurred, CNN reported citing a statement from Mexicos National Migration Institute (INM).

The officials said initial reports suggested the driver had been speeding and lost control of the unit, fleeing the scene after it overturned.

The 10 victims were female and included a minor, and all the injured are being treated in hospital, as per the authorities.

The INM will establish communication with the consular authorities to initiate the administrative process for the repatriation of the bodies to their country of origin and is aware of the evolution of the health status of those seriously injured, CNN quoted the statement.

Meanwhile, it was the second fatal crash in less than a week involving migrants in Mexico. Earlier on Thursday, two migrants died when a truck overturned in the municipality of Mezcalapa, also in Chiapas state, Al Jazeera reported.

Notably, the migrants from Central America and the Caribbean sometimes travel through Mexico in trucks and trailers in the hope of reaching the United States.

In 2021, 55 people were killed and more than 100 were injured when a truck also believed to be carrying migrants overturned in Chiapas state, which borders Guatemala, CNN reported. (ANI)
Lahore Police have arrested the gang involved in illegal kidney transplantation, the Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday, ARY News reported. Addressing a press conference, the caretaker CM informed that Doctor Fawad Mukhtar and all persons of his gang have been apprehended. He also announced that the police team that made the arrest would be awarded Pakistani Rupees 5,00,000 Punjab CM claimed that Dr Fawad Mukhtar by unlawfully stealing, duping and grabbing money extracted kidneys and performed transplant on 328 people. The CM said the assistant of Dr Fawad gang doing operations was basically a motor mechanic and the same motor mechanic used to perform duties of administering anaesthesia to the people., ARY News reported. He further said the gang was more active in Lahore and Taxila and used to perform kidney transplantation at homes instead of operation theaters. They [the gang] used to extort PKR 3 million from Pakistani patients while PKR 10 million from the patients coming from abroad, he added. Mohsin Naqvi apprised that the accused has confessed to perform 328 operations and this number could exceed as well. Money was extorted from a patient in Jinnah Hospital and later by committing fraud his healthy kidney was extracted. When that patient went to another doctor then he came to know that his one kidney is missing, ARY News quoted Naqvi as saying. The CM said the accused Dr Fawad Mukhtar had been arrested five times and used to commit the same notorious crime every time after getting released. He further added that the Chief Secretary and his team was working and the prosecution has been directed to submit a strong challan. The police team conniving the release of Doctor Fawad has been suspended, ARY News reported. To a query, Naqvi said that the Healthcare Commission would have to become fully proactive, adding Claws are in place and we do not have any scope of making change. We will make the rules more effective to the maximum possible extent. (ANI)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], October 2 (ANI/WAM): PresidentSheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyanheld a telephone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today to express UAE's solidarity with Trkiye and its people following the terrorist attack in the Turkish capital Ankara, which resulted in injuries to a number of security personnel. He also expressed his wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the UAE's condemnation of all forms of violence and terrorism, and stressed the need for international cooperation to combat terrorism in all its forms, which aims to destabilize nations and threaten the security of their peoples. He also wished Turkiye and its people continued security, stability, and peace. For his part, the Turkish President Erdogan thanked him for his sincere sentiments expressed towards Turkiye and its people. He also affirmed the strength of the ties between the two nations and their peoples, wishing the UAE continued security and stability. (ANI/WAM)
A large number of Sindhi, Baloch, and other human rights advocates from across the UK joined the protest.

On September 28, Pakistan Rangers and the Police fired indiscriminately at innocent villagers in Marhi Jalbani, Sakrand, Sindh, resulting in many casualties. The participants chanted slogans condemning the Marhi Jalbani massacre.

The speakers emphasized that Pakistan operates as a security state devoid of a functional parliament, judiciary, or governance. They further stated that the state of Pakistan employs fascist tactics against the Sindhi and Baloch populations, culminating in acts of genocide.

The participants urged the international community to take serious notice and exert pressure on Pakistan to halt these crimes against humanity.

They called upon the entire Sindhi nation to rise, unite, and mount a sustained resistance against these assaults, as it represents the sole path to the survival of the Sindhi nation. (ANI)
His remark came in wake of a recent order of the Canada government which makes it compulsory for online streaming services to formally register with the government for regulatory controls.

Musk was responding to a post by journalist and author Glenn Greenwald who was commenting on the ruling.

The Canadian government, armed with one of the world's most repressive online censorship schemes, announces that all "online streaming services that offer podcasts" must formally register with the government to permit regulatory controls, Greenwald posted on X (formerly Twitter)

Responding to this, Elon Musk stated, Trudeau is trying to crush free speech in Canada. Shameful.

https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1708583842905211225?s=20

Notably, this is not the first time the Trudeau government is being accused of acting against free speech.

In February 2022, Trudeau invoked emergency powers for the first time in countrys history to arm his government with more power to respond to the trucker protests, who were opposing the vaccine mandates at that time.

Meanwhile, Canadian PM created an uproar after he alleged Indias role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

However, India has outrightly rejected the claims, calling it absurd and motivated.

Notably, Canada has yet to provide any public evidence to support the claim about the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India has suspended its visa services in Canada, following Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations of Indian involvement in the killing.

Amid strained ties, India issued an advisory for its citizens and those who are travelling to Canada to exercise utmost caution in view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence" in the country. (ANI)
The Vice President of The Dominican Republic, Raquel Pea Rodrguez will visit India from October 3-5, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The Dominican Republic Vice President is set to visit India at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Jagdeep Dhankhar. This will be the first-ever visit of the Vice President of the Dominican Republic to India. "The visit is significant as it takes place at a time when India-Dominican Republic bilateral relationship is entering its 25th year. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 04 May 1999," the MEA said in an official release. During her visit, Vice President Raquel Pea Rodrguez will call on President Droupadi Murmu. She will also hold discussions with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and other Indian dignitaries, and will also deliver a lecture on India- Dominican Republic relations at the Indian Council for World Affairs. Diplomatic relations between India and Dominican Republic were established in May, 1999. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in May 2001 in Santo Domingo to hold regular Foreign Office consultations. Dominican Republic is an important partner of India in the Latin America and Caribbean region. The visit of the Vice President of the Dominican Republic comes closely on the heels of that of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to that country in April 2023, the MEA release added. Indias exports to the Dominican Republic are small but growing. Training and exchange of good practices have constituted the two main axes of the cooperation between India and the Dominican Republic. Both nations have expressed their willingness to continue working together and to identify new initiatives. Within the framework of the ITEC program, Dominican professionals have been receiving training since 1999 in Indian institutions in various disciplines. A centre of Excellence for Information Technologies set up in 2011 in Santiago, with the support of the Indian government, operated with three Indian instructors for a period of two years. The visit of the Dominican Republic Vice President Raquel Pea Rodrguez to India will present an additional chance to carry on important conversations to further develop and widen the mutually beneficial partnership between the two nations. (ANI)
The Central Tibetan administration organised an official ceremony on the occasion of the 154th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in Dharamshala on Monday. The ministers of Tibetan government in exile and staff members of central Tibetan administration (CTA) gathered at Gangkyi Park at the headquarters of exile government here in the North Indian hill town Dharamshala. They offered tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and prayed for peace in Tibet. Education minister of Tibetan government in-exile, Dolma Tharlam, noted Mahatma Gandhi's path of non-violence and truth and said, "his thoughts are more relevant than ever." "Gandhi ji has done a lot by adopting the path of non violence and truth and I think this has set a great example for we Tibetans like how we can regain our country," she added. Tharlam further expressed hope that someday China will also learn that no matter what policies they adopt, Tibetan spirit cannot be count down easily. "Hopefully time will come and China will definitely learn and they will also understand that no matter what oppressive suppressive policies they adopt but Tibetan spirit cannot be count down easily," she said. The Deputy Speaker of Tibetan parliament in Tibetan-in-exile, Dolma Tsering, emphasized that Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated all over the world as nonviolence day. "Its very significant day for the Tibetans and the world over because this day is celebrated internationally as non-violence day and non-violence means not just physical non-violence by speech or by virtue of your thinking also towards others so it is very significant," she said. Stressing that Mahatma Gandhi symbolises truth, she said, "When you are talking about truth and nonviolence, the main thing that we need to inculcate is tolerance among humanity. There are differences among humanity and we need to acknowledge the differences and we need to move forward" Expressing concern about the ongoing China-Tibet issue, she said that China needs to learn a lot from Mahatma Gandhi. "Recently I saw Chinese personnel going abroad teaching peace, giving speech on peace so when you are violating the international law and violating the human rights. How can you teach peace to the World? They need to first rectify whats going on in Tibet, in Uyghur, in Taiwan and Hongkong and then only they will have the legitimacy to talk about peace," she said. Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against colonial British rule. This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947. Fondly known as Bapu, his unwavering belief in 'Swaraj' (self-governance) and 'Ahimsa' (non-violence) won him accolades across the world. Globally, Gandhi's birth anniversary is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence. (ANI)
The incident happened on Friday night, said Parks Canada.

A family member of one of the deceased said that the people who died were common-law partners.

Moreover, their dog, who was also with them at the time of attack, was also killed, CBC News reported.

"They were long-term partners who loved the outdoors and were inseparable," a family member noted.

"They lived for being in the backcountry and were two of the most cautious people I know. They knew bear protocol and followed it to a tee," he added.

Natalie Fay, external relations manager for the Banff field unit said, Perks Canada received an alert from a GPS devise in the Red Deer River Valley west of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch around 8 pm on Friday, indicating a bear attack, according to CBC News.

Fay added that a team specially trained in wildlife attacks was immediately mobilized, however, their response time was hindered due to weather conditions.

"Weather conditions at the time did not allow for helicopter use, and the response team travelled through the night to the location by the ground," she said.

"The response team arrived on-site at 1 a.m. and discovered two deceased individuals."

Meanwhile, Fay said that the response time encountered a grizzly bear showing aggressive behaviour, which forced them to destroy the animal on-site for public safety, CBC News reported.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrived at the incident site at 5 am to shift the victims to Sundres, she added.

"This is a tragic incident and Parks Canada wishes to express its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims," the statement read. (ANI)
Ukraines Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba on Monday welcomed European Union Foreign Ministers for the historic meeting in the war hit Ukraine and also reaffirmed his country demand for inclusion as permanent EU member. Taking to X, Ukraine Foreign Affairs Minister Kuleba shared about the unannounced meeting saying, Glad to welcome EU foreign ministers at the historic meeting in Ukraine. For the first time in history, outside current EU borders. But also within its future borders. I am grateful to the European Union and personally to @JosepBorrellF for the unwavering EU support for Ukraine. The foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) have arrived in Kyiv for the first meeting of the 27 member states ever held outside the EU, Euronews reported. "We are convening a historic meeting of EU Foreign Ministers here in Ukraine, candidate country and future member of the EU.We are here to express our solidarity and support to the Ukrainian people." the EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, posted on the social network X. The event wasn't announced until the moment it began for security reasons. Earlier the European Council President Charles Michel announced that the European Union intends to begin discussions on admitting Ukraine and several other countries as early as October, Russia Today reported. He said, As we prepare the EUs next strategic agenda, we must set ourselves a clear goal. I believe we must be ready, on both sides, by 2030 to enlarge, Michel said. This is ambitious, but necessary. It shows that we are serious. According to Russia Today, the Council President said that the bloc leaders will discuss enlargement at the next European Council meeting and said, will take a stand on the opening of negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. That meeting is scheduled for October. He also recognised that the aspiring members need to adopt the fundamental EU values and called for full implementation of the rule of law in full respect of the EUs diversity.Earlier in February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his war-torn country deserved to start European Union accession talks 'this year', CNN reported. Zelenskyy said he had reached an important mutual understanding with EU President Ursula von der Leyen regarding Ukraine's bid for accession into the European Union. Earlier, in January, Zelenskyy held talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Leyen for European Union's support. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is waiting for the first tranche of macro-finance aid in January. He tweeted, "Glad to start the year talking to @vonderleyen. Thanked for the EU support. Waiting for the 1st tranche of macro-fin aid in Jan, the 1st batch of LED lamps, school buses, generators & modular houses. Coordinated steps on Ukraine European Union Summit. We feel supported & will win together." (ANI)
The Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Rawalpindi police, directing them to present Pakistan's former interior minister and Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed in court, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. The court announced the decisionduring a hearing related to a petition challenging the arrest of Sheik Rasheed who was apprehended by "individuals in plain clothes" from a housing society in Rawalpindi on September 17, according to Geo News report. Rasheed's lawyer Sardar Abdul Razzak said that his client was taken into custody at a rented residence within the housing society and his nephew was also detained. After Rasheed's arrest, his lawyer said no case was lodged against the AML chief in the limits of Punjab. He said that Rasheed was nominated in a case registered at Kohsar police station in connection with a protest rally held by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over the arrest of former Pakistan Prime Minister on May 10. Rasheed's lawyer said, "We do not know the whereabouts of Rasheed so far. Efforts are being made to trace him." Meanwhile, the court asked Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer (RPO) Syed Khurram Ali regarding the whereabouts of Sheikh Rasheed and those arrested with him, Geo News reported. Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan asked whether the police would present the AML chief or write a letter to the court. In response, the police officer requested the court to grant an additional 15 days of time. The court said, "Fifteen days are a lot. This is not an ordinary matter," noting that even a two-day extension would be too much. After the request of Rasheed's lawyer, the court gave an additional seven-day time to the police. Justice Khan said, "If Sheikh Rasheed is not presented within a week, the court will issue orders for the registration of a first information report (FIR)." The court also asked about the two individuals arrested along with AML Chief. During the hearing, Sheikh Rasheed's lawyer spoke about possessing evidence regarding the Rawalpindi police arresting his client, after which the court postponed the hearing of the case for a week, Geo News reported. On September 21, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) sealed theLal Haveli residence of Rasheed. Speaking to reporters, ETPB deputy administrator Asif Khan said the former interior ministers residence has been completely sealed as the documents submitted by Rasheed were not valid. (ANI)
Khalistan supporters gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London to stage a protest on Monday.There was a heavy presence of British security forces at the High Commission and the protestors were restricted to the opposite side of the High Commission. Khalistan supporters claimed that they were staging the protest over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was killed outside a gurdwara in Canada's Surrey on June 18. The protest by Khalistan supporters comes days after the planned interaction of Indian High Commissioner to Britain Vikram Doraiswami by Gurudwara Committee in Glasgow was deliberately disrupted by three persons- all from areas outside Scotland. The Indian High Commission in London issued a statement on Saturday and said the interaction was to discuss community and consular issues. On September 29, 2023, three persons- all from areas outside Scotland-deliberately disrupted a planned interaction organised by the Gurudwara Committee for the community, the High Commissioner and the Consul General of India. The organizers included senior community leaders, ladies and Committee members, and a member of the Scottish Parliament, the statement said. They were threatened and abused by these elements. In an effort to prevent any potential altercation, the HC and CG decided to leave the premises shortly upon their arrival," it added. The Indian High Commission said it reported the incident to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Metropolitan Police. It said multiple community organisations, including the organisers, have formally regretted the incident and have urged the authorities to take action against the culprits. "One of the non-local extremist elements attempted to violently force open the HC's car door - a matter that will require suitable police consideration. It is due to the quick reaction of one of the organizers, who physically intervened at the car door, that a bigger incident was avoided," the statement said. The statement was released after social media videos showed Doraiswami being accosted near the parking area of the Gurudwara, located on Albert Drive in Glasgow, by pro-Khalistani elements, who blocked the Indian envoy from entering the gurudwara. Police said it responded to a report of a disturbance in the Albert Drive area of Glasgow around 1:05 pm (local time) on Friday, adding that an inquiry is ongoing to establish the full circumstances around the incident. Glasgow Gurdwara strongly condemned the incident. An incident occurred on September 29, 2023 at Glasgow Gurdwara where the Indian High Commissioner was on a personal visit, facilitated by a member of Scottish Parliament. Certain unknown individuals from outside the Glasgow area attempted to disrupt this visit, following which the visiting party decided to leave the premises, Glasgow Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib Sikh Sabha said in a statement. It further said that the unruly individuals continued to disturb the congregation, adding that the Scotland Police has taken cognizance in the matter. Glasgow Gurdwara strongly condemns such disorderly behaviour to disrupt the peaceful proceedings of a Sikh place of worship. The Gurdwara is open to people from all communities and backgrounds, and we welcome everyone openly as per our principles of faith, the statement added. (ANI)
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday took a test drive in a Hydrogen Bus by Skoda in Prague. Sharing a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Office of Nitin Gadkari stated, "Union Minister Shri @nitin_gadkari Ji took a test drive in a Hydrogen Bus by Skoda in Prague, Czech Republic today, showcasing India's commitment to exploring sustainable and eco-friendly mobility solutions." In another post on X, Office of Nitin Gadkari wrote, "Hydrogen buses hold significant promise in reducing carbon emissions and addressing environmental concerns, contributing to a cleaner and greener future." In January this year, Union Cabinet approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission, aiming to make India a global hub for such technologies' production, utilization, and export. The green hydrogen mission will gradually lead to the decarbonization of industrial, transport, and energy sectors, and a reduction in dependence on imported fossil fuels, among others. Notably, Nitin Gadkari arrived in Prague on Sunday. During his visit, he attended 27th World Road Congress in Prague. Gadkari said that India has the second largest road network in the world. He also stated that India is the third largest automobile manufacturing hub in the world. While addressing the 27th World Road Congress in Prague, Gadkari called accidents a big challenge for India. He also spoke about the measures taken by India to reduce road accidents. "We are the second largest road network in the world and now at the same time, we are the third largest automobile manufacturing hub in the world. These are the two strength. But at the same time, we are facing highest number of accidents and that is to be a big challenge for the country," Gadkari said. Taking to X, Nitin Gadkari stated, "Addressed the Ministerial Session at the 27th World Road Congress in Prague, Czech Republic, focusing on Road Safety. Emphasized adopting a holistic approach to minimize road crashes and fatalities by stakeholders at all levels. Reiterated Bharat's special focus on spreading awareness to effect behavioral change and ensuring flawless enforcement of rules." He further stated, "Further, apprised the gathering of the strides India has been taking in the field of automobile safety with flagship programs such as BHARAT NCAP and reiterated our commitment to achieving the global road safety targets set in the Stockholm Declaration." During the 27th World Road Congress, Gadkari interacted with Malaysia's Minister of Works Alexander Nanta Linggi.Czech Republic's Transport Minister Martin Kupka received Gadkari at World Road Congress. During his visit to Czech Republic, he also interacted with the Indian diaspora in Prague. He made an announcement about the upcoming Urban Extension Road 2. Urban Extension Road 2, a ring road will be opened in 2-3 months, normally, if you (people) come to Delhi and then go to the airport it will take 2 hours but after this road opens, you can reach the airport in 20 minutes", said Gadkari. During his address, Gadkari shared news about the imminent opening of Urban Extension Road 2, a major ring road project in Delhi. He stated that the road would be inaugurated within the next 2-3 months, potentially revolutionizing travel times in the city. (ANI)
Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande on Monday met Tanzanian Defence Minister Stregomena Lawerence Tax and Chief of Defence Force General Jacob John Mkunda. The two sides held discussions on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation and strengthening bonds of friendship between the armies of India and Tanzania. General Manoj Pande also laid a wreath at the Commonwealth War Memorial in Dar-es-Salaam and paid obeisance to the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during the First World War. In a post shared on X, Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of MoD stated, "On arrival in #Tanzania, General Manoj Pande #COAS laid a wreath at Commonwealth War Memorial in Dar-es-Salaam and paid obeisance to the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during WW-I. General Manoj Pande #COAS was also presented an impressive Guard of Honour by the Tanzania People's Defence Forces." In another post on X, Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of MoD stated, "General Manoj Pande #COAS called on Tanzanian Defence Minister Honble Dr. Stregomena Lawerence Tax and General Jacob John Mkunda, Chief of Defence Force #CDF, #TPDF. Discussions on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation and strengthening Bonds of Friendship between the two Armies were carried out. #COAS also gifted #MadeinIndia Infantry Simulator and Bullet Proof Jackets to Tanzania People's Defence Forces #TPDF during the meeting." General Manoj Pande is on an official visit to Tanzania from October 2-5. During his visit, General Pande is likely to call on Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Ministry of Defence, said in a press release. General Pande will also be visiting Zanzibar and call on Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi. Furthermore, he will have interaction with the Commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade General Saidi Hamisi Saidi. General Manoj Pande will also be addressing the National Defence College and interacting with Major General Wilbert Augustine Ibuge Commandant and the faculty. A meeting with Brigadier General Stephen Justice Mnkande, Commandant of the Command and Staff College, Duluti is also planned during the visit. The visit also coincides with the 2ndIndia Tanzania Mini DEFEXPO being conducted at Dar-es-Salaam which will showcase the growing prowess of the Indigenous defence industry complex of India. Ministry of Defence in the press release said, "The bilateral defence relationship between India and Tanzania has been robust and thriving. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation in October 2003 laid a strong foundation. This cooperation was further underscored by the second meeting of the India-Tanzania Joint Defence Cooperation Committee held in Arusha, Tanzania on 28th and 29th June this year." The two armies offer vacancies for each other in professional military courses. This has helped the personnel from both nations build strong bonds, exchange ideas and share best practices. "The Tanzanian Army has been consistently participating in the UN Peacekeeping training in India over the last five years. Similarly, a Training Team of the Indian Army has been deployed at Command and Staff College, Duluti since the year 2017," the Ministry of Defence said in the press release. Tanzanian military delegations have been regularly visiting India symbolising the deep military cooperation between both countries, according to the press release. "In the recent past, Tanzanian delegations made a notable presence at Aero India 23, Indo Africa Army Chiefs Conclave-23 and AFINDEX-23. Senior military leaders from Tanzania also visited India during Def Expo 22 and recently concluded the 13th IPACC, 47th IPAMS and 9th SELF 23," the Ministry of Defence said in the press release. This visit of General Manoj Pande consolidates the high-level bilateral defence engagements and close defence ties shared between India and Tanzania. The visit promises to celebrate the existing collaborations and pave the way for a stronger future partnership. (ANI)
To mark the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the Chief Justice of India, Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud and Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue installed at the centre of Tavistock Square here. A bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi by Fredda Brilliant was unveiled in 1968 at the centre of Tavistock Square in London, to mark the impending centenary of Gandhi's birth in 1869. Mahatma Gandhi had studied law at University College London nearby from 1888 to 1891, before being called to the bar at the Inner Temple. While paying tribute, CJI Chandrachud also highlighted Mahatma Gandhis teachings and his love for humankind. Mahatma Gandhi a name which is known to everyone in the world, a name which stands for the principle of truth and non-violence, a name which calls for universal peace, a name which inspires hope that we shall make our world a better place than it was before, said the Chief Justice of India. He also said that in India, Mahatma Gandhi is lovingly referred to as Bapu which means father. In a spiritual sense, he is a guiding light for all of us. His ideas have persisted over time as a tool of social change, non-violent ways of life and humanism, he added. Bapus life has left an indelible mark on humanity His belief in Vasudev Kutumbakam, (which means the entire world is one family) encourages us to believe that we all are citizens of one world, and that we must remain conscious of global issues, CJI Chandrachud also said. As we remember and pay our tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary, let us re-dedicate ourselves to upholding his principles and working towards a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tributes toMahatma Gandhiat Delhi's Rajghat. In a post shared on X, PM Modi statedMahatma Gandhi's impact is global and his "timeless teachings will continue to illuminate our path." PM Modi on X posted, "I bow toMahatma Gandhion the special occasion ofGandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path.Mahatma Gandhi's impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion. May we always work towards fulfilling his dreams. May his thoughts enable every youngster be the agent of change he dreamt of, fostering unity and harmony all over." External Affairs MinisterS Jaishankaralso paid tribute toMahatma Gandhion his birth anniversary. Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "Pay my reverential homage to Bapu on his 154th birth anniversary. His vision of equality, sustainability and social justice continues to inspire the world." (ANI)
The two men previously met in Brussels in June and before that in March during Austins visit to Israel.

The past meetings focused primarily on countering the Iranian threat, expanding the Abraham Accords and strengthening US-Israel military cooperation.

During the visit, Minister Gallant will meet with additional senior US officials to discuss security challenges and opportunities in the Middle East, his office said on Sunday.

Gallant traveled to the United States in August for meetings at the United Nations in New York, including with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, US Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf and National Security Council Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk.

Gallants trip to Washington will mark the effective end to an unofficial ban on ministers traveling to D.C. that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu imposed because he had not been invited to the White House.

Nine months after assuming office, Netanyahu met with US President Joe Biden last month on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly annual general debate.

The two leaders discussed a prospective Israel-Saudi normalization deal, Irans drive to obtain nuclear weapons, the strength and resilience of Israels democracy and enhancing bilateral ties.

Biden invited Netanyahu to visit Washington sometime by the end of the year. (ANI/TPS)
FILE PHOTO: Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Chile's President Gabriel Boric (not pictured) deliver a statement to the media at La Moneda government palace in Santiago, Chile, September 10, 2023. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado/

FILE PHOTO: Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Chile's President Gabriel Boric (not pictured) deliver a statement to the media at La Moneda government palace in Santiago, Chile, September 10, 2023. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado/

By Jose Cortes and Lizbeth Diaz

JUCHITAN, Mexico, Mexico (Reuters) -Several hundred migrants in southern Mexico awaited buses north on Monday under a new government program meant to help manage the numbers arriving, as Mexico's president said 10,000 people have been reaching the northern border with the U.S. daily.

Thousands of migrants have crossed into the U.S. from Mexico in recent weeks, alarming officials in U.S. border cities and prompting delays to trade.

In the northern city of Tijuana on Monday, opposite San Diego, California, several dozen people scrambled over a part of the U.S. border wall that cuts across the beach at the Pacific Ocean in a video seen by Reuters.

More than 3,000 km (1,864 miles) south, at a bus terminal in the city of Juchitan in Oaxaca state, some migrants said they would enter the U.S. with appointments secured via a U.S. government app, CBP One, and request asylum.

"Let's wait for the appointment, because we've suffered so much just to get this far," said Victor Salma, from Venezuela.

Salma was among about 400 people, including families with small children, awaiting buses headed to the state capital or Mexico City.

Oaxaca officials opened the site last week in an effort to reduce risks for migrants, who had been gathering in large numbers at local bus terminals while trying to buy bus tickets north.

Jesus Gonzalez, a representative of the local civil protection agency, said 800 to 1,000 migrants pass through the Juchitan site per day.

Migrants must pay their own fares, ranging from 386 to 1,500 pesos (about $22-$85), and some people said they were awaiting money transfers from relatives, or seeking work, to raise funds.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador at his morning news conference on Monday said about 6,000 people are entering southern Mexico daily, and that last week 10,000 migrants reached the U.S.-Mexico border every day.

In September, the number of migrants encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border was on pace to approach, or surpass, previous monthly highs.

Lopez Obrador called for countries to address root causes driving migration and lamented the deaths of 10 Cuban migrants in a traffic accident in southern Mexico on Sunday.

Many migrants have been undeterred by the challenges of the journey. Last week at the border in Ciudad Juarez, opposite Texas, a man crawled beneath coils of barbed wire as a young boy followed behind crying, "Papa, Papa."

According to four videos of the incident seen by Reuters, an armed man in Texas National Guard uniform then stepped in the man's path, and yelled, "I have no mercy, animals. Why did you send a baby? Why did you send a boy?"

Texas officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In response to questions from Reuters, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said maintenance was underway at the border where migrants crossed from Tijuana, and that smugglers look to take advantage of "temporary gaps in border infrastructure due to maintenance."

CBP added that it had taken steps to improve security and border infrastructure in the area.

The agency previously said it would impose consequences, including deportation, on migrants without a legal basis to stay in the U.S.

($1 = 17.6672 Mexican pesos)

(Reporting by Jose Cortes in Juchitan, Lizbeth Diaz in Tijuana; Additional reporting by Laura Gottesdiener in Monterrey and Raul Cortes in Mexico City; Writing by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Aurora Ellis, Gerry Doyle & Simon Cameron-Moore)
The ancient Roman playwright Titus Maccius Plautus is credited for first delivering the adage You have to spend money to make money.

Community leaders of Gaelic Park in Oak Forest are testing Plautus hypothesis by investing over half a million dollars into building a home in Chicagos Mount Greenwood neighborhood that will be raffled off with the proceeds going to Gaelic Park Charities.

We are taking a risk, no two ways about that, said John Devitt, a contractor and a volunteer director of Gaelic Park. If we dont sell 6,000 tickets we are going to lose in this deal.

The group is only one-sixth of the way there but has until March 2024. Thats when one person who purchased a $100 raffle ticket will get the keys to a new, three-story, four-bedroom home on Sawyer Avenue between West 104th and West 105th streets, just off Kedzie Avenue in Mount Greenwood.

Often, high-value raffle prizes such as homes or cars are donated by an individual or organization. But in this case, leaders in Oak Forests Gaelic Park community pooled resources to purchase the land for $170,000 and pay for the construction, which is quoted at $425,000 and will  hopefully  be finished by March, according to Devitt.

Devitt clarified that while almost a quarter of the Gaelic Park leadership works in construction and contracting, they are not the ones being paid to build the home. Instead, they are lending their expertise  and daring spirit  to oversee the project for free.

Risk taking is in our blood, Devitt said.

The paid work is going to several companies, some from within the community, that will handle various parts of the homebuilding process, said community leader, volunteer and professional housing contractor John Barrett.

The funds raised after the first 6,000 tickets are sold will go to the Gaelic Park Charity, which is focused on furthering community projects, maintaining public spaces and fostering Irish culture according to Devitt, Barrett and Chicago Gaelic Park Chicagos website.

Still, the obvious question remains: why not skip the hassle of building a home and donate the $600,000, or just hold a large cash raffle for a few hundred thousand dollars?

Devitt says he, too, asked these questions early on in the planning.

The community leaders say they are taking a page out of downtown Chicagos playbook and leaning heavily into one of humans great vices.

I think we can see the state of Illinois and every state in the union has taken on gambling as a form of taxation, Devitt said.

For Chicago, gambling looks like a new casino downtown with more on the way. For the Gaelic community, gambling means betting that they can turn $600,000 into much more.

Devitt said the community has done two cash raffles in past years. And while low six figures were returned both times, leadership hopes this house will act as a marketing tactic to deliver more of a buzz, drive more ticket purchases and ultimately provide greater returns.

Were putting a lot on the line, he said

One of the draws of the home is that the land, purchased by Gaelic Park leaders in spring 2022, is within Chicago city limits. Chicago firefighters and police officers are required to live within city limits. Gaelic Parks leadership hopes to tap into their Irish roots and advertise the Chicago-based home to the large number of Chicagos public servants who share Irish heritage.

The Irish roots to the Gaelic community are integral to the formation of this raffle. Both Barrett and Devitt explained home raffles have a long history of success back home in Ireland. In fact, while high stakes raffles in the U.S. are often for charity, in Ireland, people raffle off their homes as a technique to increase the sale price.

In a 2021 story in The Irish Times, a home in County Mayo, Ireland worth $100,000 was raffled off by the owners and generated more than $1 million in earnings. The Times article tells multiple stories like this one in which private sellers vastly beat their homes market value by promising their home to some lucky person for less than a hundred euros in a raffle.

Still, the hope of a windfall gain is matched with the chance that this could also be a massive amount of work for minimal gain. Or, it could even cause the community to suffer a loss. But Barrett expressed little fear as the only thing to do now is finish construction, continue promotion and wait for March.

Weve never done one of these things before, he said. You cant be in this game if youre nervous.
An 11-year-old Port Orange girl who texted 911 operators to falsely report that her friend had been kidnapped by an armed man pled no contest to two misdemeanor charges Monday and will likely face probation.

The 11-year-old Port Orange prankster who led police on a lengthy and expensive wild goose chase by texting to 911 that her friend was abducted by an armed kidnapper pled no contest to two misdemeanors in a Daytona Beach courtroom on Monday morning.

She was initially charged with making a false police report concerning using a firearm in a violent manner, which is a felony. Ultimately, she was charged with filing a false report of a crime and misuse of the 911 system and will likely receive probation.

The case became a media sensation and sent law enforcement scrambling on July 26 when the girl reported that her 14-year-old friend had been taken by an armed kidnapper driving a white van traveling south on Interstate 95 in Oak Hill, the sheriffs office stated.

More: Port Orange girl, 11, arrested for falsely reporting to 911 that her friend was kidnapped

The child told deputies she got the idea to prank 911 through a YouTube challenge and thought it would be funny."

The 11-year-old girl was accompanied by her parents Amanda and Michael Langone, in the courtroom and asked by Circuit Judge A. Kathleen McNeilly if she understood the charges and the consequences of her plea.

McNeilly said she would order a recommendation from the Department of Juvenile Justice on the girl's punishment. She said probation will likely consist of a requirement that she attend school every day, make her parents aware of her whereabouts at all times, and follow a 7 p.m. curfew.

"I'm fully aware that you've never been in trouble before and that you made a mistake in judgment, a serious mistake in judgment on this day," she said.

In addition to the probation, the family may have to pay for the cost of the investigation.

The incident involved multiple deputies along with police from Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange. A sheriffs helicopter also joined the search for the non-existent van.

The sheriff's office has stated previously that it will seek restitution for the cost of the resources used in the response to her texts. Spokesman Andrew Gant wrote that the rate for Air One, the helicopter, is $625.29 an hour. The sheriff's office will seek $1,246.29 for all costs, including the helicopter.

The family declined to comment following the hearing.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida 911 prankster, 11, pleads no contest, faces probation
A sixth lawsuit has been filed against a former Johnson County teacher and choir director who pleaded guilty of sexually exploiting students at the Catholic school where he worked for more than two decades.

On Friday, 13 victims and their parents filed a joint lawsuit against Joseph Heidesch, 47, who in December pleaded guilty to secretly filming students changing at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, which was also named as a defendant.

In June, a Johnson County District Court judge sentenced Heidesch to five years and eight months in prison after Heidesch pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation and 25 counts of breaching privacy.

Between 2016 and October 2021  when Heidesch was arrested and charged  he recorded and saved hundreds of videos that showed at least 25 victims either getting undressed, or in some cases, nude, court documents show.

The suit accuses Heidesch, who worked at the school for 22 years, of a continuing and pervasive scheme for the purpose of his own sexual arousal and gratification as a child sexual predator.

Heidesch is currently being held at Winfield Correctional Facility in south-central Kansas.

Neither the school nor attorneys for the plaintiffs or defendants could immediately be reached for comment Monday.

The latest lawsuit

The victims listed in Fridays lawsuit span Johnson and Leavenworth counties in Kansas and Jackson County, Missouri. All are female. All were minors at the time of the crime, and all were members of the school choir when it was under Heideschs direction.

The victims and their parents in the lawsuit said Heidesch, as an educator, was trusted to provide a safe educational environment.

Instead, Heidesch required all students to change into choir robes in his private office as part of his choir class. Unbeknownst to the students, he also installed a video camera in his office where he recorded students undressing for his own sexual arousal and gratification, according to Fridays lawsuit.

All 13 students in Fridays lawsuit were recorded on various occasions without their consent, according to the suit. Heidesch then saved and sorted the recordings into files labeled with each students name on a hard drive. Its not known if Heidesch uploaded the sexually explicit videos to the internet.

The lawsuit goes on to accuse the school of failing to stop Heidesch from contacting students on their personal phones or from changing in his private office, which are known signs of grooming by child sexual predators.

In all, the suit accuses the teacher and school of negligence, negligent failure to train and supervise, invasion of privacy, outrageous conduct causing severe emotional distress, agency liability, breach of fiduciary duty, premises liability, unjust enrichment and violation of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act.

Heideschs conduct as a trusted teacher and choir director toward minor students was so extreme and outrageous in character that it goes beyond the bounds of decency, the suit reads.

Multiple lawsuits filed against Heidesch and St. Thomas Aquinas High School are still pending in Johnson County District Court.

Other victims who previously came forward to accuse Heidesch in lawsuits alleged he made of girls change their clothes in his office under the guise of trying on new sizes, even when they said they didnt want to. Some also accused school personnel of knowing Heidesch was asking students to change in his office and communicating with them through his cellphone, court documents said.
A 16-year-old honor student died and two others were injured when the car they were in crashed into a tree, South Carolina cops told news outlets.

Taylor Madison Britt died in the crash Sept. 30, WPDE reported. The Darlington County coroner pronounced her dead on the scene, and two passengers in her car were taken to a hospital, officials told the station.

South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, which occurred near Darlington, WMBF reported.

Taylor had a sweet, free spirit, her family wrote in her obituary. She was outgoing, smart, talented, and forever more beautiful.

Britt was a student at Darlington High School.

It is with tremendous sadness that we share the passing of a Darlington High School student, Taylor Britt, over the weekend, a spokesperson for the Darlington County School District said in a statement shared with McClatchy News. We offer our sincerest condolences and prayers to Taylors family and friends.

School is not in session for fall break, but counselors will be available for students when classes resume, the spokesperson said.

McClatchy News could not immediately reach the Darlington County Coroners Office or the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Britts family described her as an honor student in the early college program who loved to sing and eat macaroni and cheese.

A simple paragraph cannot sum of the life of this wonderful child, her obituary says. Simply put, she was a great person in every way, shape, and form.

A former teacher mourned her loss on social media.

She was definitely someone you would want to be around, she brightened up everyones day, the teacher wrote. Had such a bright future. Praying for the family, friends, and all her classmates and students at DHigh. This isnt fair.

Another teacher asked the community for support, saying our hearts are breaking.

Darlington is about 80 miles northeast of Columbia.

Chaos at stadium leaves 1 dead, 2 hit by car on high school game night, NC cops say

Homecoming queen hopeful collapses on football field and later dies, Ohio school says

14-year-old boy biking to school is run over and killed in crosswalk, Texas cops say

16-year-old with contagious smile found dead in car engulfed in flames, GA cops say
Police arrested two people in connection with a deadly north Charlotte shooting in December.

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department investigators, on Dec. 17, 2022, 20-year-old Ceyonna Morris was shot on Valeview Lane. She was taken to the hospital where she later died, police said.

On Monday, police said they identified two suspects in the case. Michael Fulwiley, 20, was found on Friday and arrested in Columbia, South Carolina. He has been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

PREVIOUS: Woman killed in north Charlotte shooting, CMPD says

Detectives said Saniya Heard, 20, turned herself in to CMPD headquarters on Saturday. Shes been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and accessory after the fact of murder.

Police said the investigation is still ongoing.

Anyone with information can call 704-432-TIPS. Det. James is the lead detective on the case. You can also leave information anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or by clicking here.

(WATCH BELOW: Taco Bell employee shot multiple times by customer, officials say)
A father and his two young children were among five killed in a multi-vehicle crash in Illinois involving a semi-truck transporting potentially toxic anhydrous ammonia, police said.

At about 9:25 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, police responded to a crash on U.S. Highway 40 near Teutopolis, Illinois, which is located about 2 hours southeast of Springfield. The semi-truck started leaking anhydrous ammonia after rolling over into a ditch, Illinois State Police said.

Approximately 500 people from the surrounding area have been evacuated due to the leak, and were expected to return to their homes the morning of Sunday, Oct. 1, according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes said Saturday, Sept. 30 that five people were killed and five more were airlifted to area hospitals following the crash and spill.

The coroner later confirmed that a father and his two children, both under age 12, were among those dead. The identities of the family members, and the other victims in the crash, were not provided, but Rhodes said two were from out of state.

The cause of death is still under investigation, police said.

Anhydrous ammonia is a clear, colorless gas with a "very characteristic odor" that can cause severe damage to the eyes and lungs, and lead to death, according to the North Dakota State University Department of Agriculture.

The chemical is considered to be "one of the most dangerous" substances used in agriculture in the modern day, the department noted.

"At a concentration of only 50 parts per million (ppm), one sniff tells what is in the air. Normally, the odor will drive a person away from the area," the university reported. "A concentration of more than 5,000 ppm will disable a person so that escape is impossible and suffocation results."

According to the Illinois EPA, the truck was carrying approximately 7,500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia at the time of the accident with about 4,000 gallons released during the leak. Officials say the leak has been partially patched.

A 15-person team, including "motor carrier, hazmat and survival factors investigators," were expected to arrive to the scene Saturday night, NTSB spokesperson Jennifer Gabris said.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
The U.S. Department of Education recently recognized more than 350 schools for their performance, including 20 in Illinois and one in St. Clair County, with Blue Ribbon awards.

The recognition is based on a schools overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments, the U.S. Department of Education wrote in a Sept. 19 press release.

Along with a St. Clair County school, an institution in southern Illinois also made the list. This is the 40th year the federal department has given the award, and up to 420 schools can be nominated each year.

National Blue Ribbon Schools state-by-state

There are two award designations. Exemplary high-performing schools perform among the best in their state for state assessments or nationally normed tests, the department says.

Exemplary achievement gap-closing schools are among the top institutions in their state for closing achievement gaps between a schools student groups and all students. Schools nominated for this award must complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent and community involvement.

Heres what to know about the schools in St. Clair County and southern Illinois that won in this years Blue Ribbon awards:

Lebanon Elementary School

Lebanon Elementary School received a Blue Ribbon award in the Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools category.

The institution has 275 students enrolled, according to the Illinois Report Card, with a 96% retention rate. The chronic absenteeism rate is 16%.

Congratulations to Lebanon Elementary School on winning the Blue Ribbon School Award! This prestigious recognition is awarded to schools that demonstrate excellence in education, Allison Gaubatz, president of the board, wrote in an emailed statement to the News-Democrat. Winning this award is a testament to the districts commitment to providing high-quality education and fostering a positive learning environment.

Lebanon Elementary School now serves as a model of effective and innovative school practices for state and district educators throughout the nation, Gaubatz continued. Attaining the Blue Ribbon Award is an affirmation and validation of the hard work of the students, educators, families, and community striving for exemplary achievement. There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to the educators for the invaluable contributions and their unwavering commitment to education. This is a great day to be a Greyhound!

Heres how Lebanon Elementary School performed in proficiency assessments in 2022:

English language arts: 46% proficiency rate (compared to 29.9% statewide)

Science: 76% (compared to 50% statewide)

Math: 43% (compared to 25.8% statewide)

Franklin Elementary School

Metropolis Franklin Elementary School received a Blue Ribbon award in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category.

Franklin Elementary School was named an exemplary school by the Illinois Report Card as it ranked in the top 10% of schools statewide, with no underperforming student groups.

The school has 121 students, with a retention rate of 91% and an 11% chronic absenteeism rate.

Franklin Elementary is honored to be recognized as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School. We strive to instill high standards in our students everyday through our teaching from academics to social-emotional skills. This award has proven that hard work by all our students, staff and parents each day equals success. The students are greeted as soon as they step out of the car or off the bus and feel at home when they walk in the doors, and I feel that our school culture plays an important role in our high attendance rate. Franklin Elementary is so proud to have this recognition in our small community, Candace Armstrong, principal of Franklin and Jefferson elementary schools, wrote in an emailed statement to the News-Democrat.

Heres how Franklin Elementary School performed in proficiency assessments in 2022:

English language arts: 71.2% proficiency rate

Science: 74%

Math: 63.9%

Illinois Blue Ribbon schools

Here are the 20 Illinois institutions recognized in this years Blue Ribbon awards:

Arnett C. Lines Elementary School (Barrington)

Ellsworth Elementary School (Naperville)

Forest Hills Elementary School (Western Springs)

Franklin Elementary School (Metropolis)

Geneva Community High School (Geneva)

Glenbrook North High School (Northbrook)

Hiawatha Elementary School (Kirkland)

Lebanon Elementary School (Lebanon)

Northbrook Junior High School (Northbrook)

Oak Ridge Elementary School (Palos Hills)

Pleasantdale Elementary School (La Grange)

Prairie Hills Elementary School (South Beloit)

Prospect High School (Mt. Prospect)

Romona Elementary School (Wilmette)

Rondout Elementary School (Lake Forest)

Saint Francis High School (Wheaton)

Saint Joan of Arc School (Lisle)

School of Saints Faith, Hope and Charity (Winnetka)

St. Isaac Jogues Elementary School (Hinsdale)

Teutopolis Junior High School (Teutopolis)
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Fall is around the corner, and everyone around ArkLaTex has plenty of options for seasonal events and activities. Whether youre looking for a pumpkin patch, corn maze, haunted house, or a ghost tour near you, here are some of the best-known seasonal fun and frights in the ArkLaTex for all ages!

Check back for the latest information. These events are confirmed, but as more cities and event venues release their plans for 2023, we will add them to the list below.

Jump to: Haunted Houses / Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, & Fall Fun / City Trick or Treat Times / Neighborhood Trick or Treat Maps

Ghost Tours

Famous haunted locations around the ArkLaTex offer ghost tours, where you can learn local history and possibly spot something spooky.

Shreveport, LA

Oakland Cemetery at Dusk

1100 Milam St., Shreveport, LA 71101

Oct 27, 29 5:30 p.m.  6:30 p.m.

Admission $20

Washington, AR

Washington After Dark

Washington State Park

Oct 21, 28 7:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.

$15 admission

Registration required. Call (870) 983-3684 to register.



Jefferson, TX

Historic Jefferson Ghost Walk

123 W. Austin St. Jefferson, TX 75657

Meet in front of the Kahn Hotel

Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 p.m.  10:00 p.m.

Adults $20, Children 6  11, $10 Children under 5 Free

Can purchase tickets online or at 7:30 before the tour in person.

NBC 6 and FOX 33s favorite Halloween movies to watch this fall

Jump to: Ghost Tours / Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, & Fall Fun / City Trick or Treat Times / Neighborhood Trick or Treat Maps

Haunted Houses

Monsters and more wait to meet you in the dark; these are not for the faint of heart.

Bossier City, LA

Necro Manor Haunted House: Funhouse of Fear

505 Boardwalk Blvd., Bossier City LA 71111 beneath the Texas St. Bridge

Sept 29  Oct 31

Fridays 7:00 p.m.  12 a.m.

Saturdays 6:00 p.m.  12 a.m.

Sundays 6:00 p.m.  10 p.m.

Halloween 6:00 p.m.  12:00 a.m.

Adults $15.00, Children 12 and under $10, first responder and military discounts available when purchased at the booth

Haughton, LA

The Devils Knot: Blood Bath Kill, Kill, Kill

2663 Mayflower Rd. Haughton, LA 71037

Oct 13-Oct 28

Fridays & Saturdays 7:30 p.m.  12:00 a.m.

No Scare Night Sundays 5:30 p.m.  9:30 p.m.

$30 admission $65 fast pass

No scare night: Adults $20 Children 10 and under $10

Waiver required to enter. 16 and under must be with an adult.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Cash needed for merchandise and food trucks.

Monroe, LA

Evil Visions Haunted House

Closed for the 2023 season, reopening in 2024 in a new location.

Natchitoches, LA

Dark Woods Haunted Attraction

4343 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA 71457

Oct 1-Oct 31

Fridays & Saturdays 7:30 p.m.  11:00 p.m.

Halloween 7:30 p.m.  11:00 p.m.

$35 general admission, $45 fast pass

One year and younger are not permitted. Older children are at the discretion of the parents.

Ruston, LA

Screaming Woods

285 Jed Rd. Ruston, LA 71270

Drought and heat caused significant damage to the trees on the trail, will be closed for 2023 season.

El Dorado, AR

El Dorado Haunt: Deadtime Stories

2974-2984 Haynesville Highway El Dorado, AR 71730

at the ballfields in Parkers Chapel off Highway 15 if the weather permits.

Oct 13-15, 20-22. 27-29, 31 7:00 p.m.  no closing time listed

$15 general admission

Marshall, TX

Trail of Terror: Haunted Hall

2501 E. End Blvd. S. Marshall, TX 75672

Marshall Convention Center

Closed for 2023 season.

Talco, TX

The Asylum Haunted House

205 N Broad St, Talco, TX 75487

Oct 6-28, 31

Fridays & Saturdays 7:30 p.m.  10:30 p.m.

Halloween 7:30  11:30 p.m.

$20 general admission $30 general admission with fast pass

Shreveport-Bossier homes dressed to kill for Halloween

Jump to: Ghost Tours / Haunted Houses / City Trick or Treat Times / Neighborhood Trick or Treat Maps

Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches, & Fall Fun

With pumpkins, hayrides, corn mazes, barnyard animals and more, these places are great places for family fun. Many have special activities for children, take reservations for groups or classes, and nighttime spooky events. Offerings and events vary, so be sure to check the websites of the location you plan to visit!

Shreveport, LA

DixieMaze Farms

9596 Sentell Rd, Shreveport, LA 71107

Sept 23  Oct 31

Wednesdays & Thursdays 2:00 p.m.  7:00 p.m.

Fridays & Saturdays 10:00 a.m.  11:00 p.m.

Sundays 10:00 a.m.  7:00 p.m.

$14.71 farm adventure pass

$26.88 farm season pass

$28.41 Fright Nights

$42.28 Fright Nights speed pass

$41.36 Fright Nights season pass

$55.15 Fright Nights season pass with speed pass

Shreveport, LA

Pumpkin Shine On-Line

Betty Virginia Park

3901 Fairfield Ave, Shreveport, LA 71106

Oct 17

4:00 p.m.  8:00 p.m.

iShuttle provided at Searss 4:00  8:00 p.m.

(Mall St. Vincent)

Admission is free

*Rain date is Oct 18

Shreveport, LA

JLSB Pumpkin Patch at Provenance

1968 Bridgewater Ave. Shreveport, LA 71106

Sept 26  Oct 27

Tuesdays  Thursdays 4:00 p.m.  7:00 p.m.

Fridays 4:00  8:00 p.m.

Saturdays 10:00 a.m.  8:00 p.m.

Sunday 12:00 p.m.  7:00 p.m.

$1 to $35 depending on size and variety of pumpkin. All ages are welcome to walk around the patch. Various activities on Saturdays and Sundays.

Shreveport, LA

Shreveport Aquarium Pirate Adventure

601 Clyde Fant Pkwy. Shreveport, LA 71101

Oct 1  Oct 31

Meet Captain Bones

Mondays  Fridays 1:00 p.m.  3:00 p.m.

Saturdays & Sundays 11:00 a.m.  4:00 p.m.

Meet a mermaid

Sundays 1:00 p.m.  3:00 p.m.

Add Mutiny Pirate Passport package to general admission for $3

Shreveport, LA

St. Lukes Pumpkin Patch

6012 Youree Dr in Shreveport, LA 71105

Oct 1  Oct 31

Mondays  Saturdays 10:00 a.m.  7:00 p.m.

Sundays 12:00 p.m.  7:00 p.m.

No pets or professional photography allowed.

Contact St. Lukes for field trip info for teachers and daycares.

Bossier City, LA

SBC Zombie Walk

600 block of Barksdale Blvd. Bossier City, LA

Oct 14 4:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.

Costume contest, door prizes, live music, dance competition, games, vendors, and food trucks.

Bossier City, LA

Hoodoos

630 Barksdale Blvd. Bossier City, LA 71111

East Bank Theatre

Oct 13 5:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.

Many, LA

Fall Fest on Main

Main St. and Common Square, Many, LA 71449

Oct 28 3:00 p.m.  7:00 p.m.

Minden, LA

Witches Ride & Block Party

1001 Gleason St., Minden, LA 71055

Oct 19 6:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.

Whimsical bike ride down Main St. benefitting the community and local charities.

Minden, LA

Minden FUMC Pumpkin Patch

1001 Recreation Dr. Minden, LA 71055

Oct 8  Oct 31

Mondays  Saturdays 11:00 a.m.  7:00 p.m.

Fouke, AR

Dancing Ranch Farm

490 Miller County Rd. 218 Fouke, AR 71837

Oct 1  Oct 31

Fridays & Saturdays 7:00 p.m.  11:00 p.m.

Pumpkin patch, corn maze, haunted house and hayrides.

Admission for 3 years and up $15. Age 2 and younger free.

Texarkana, TX

Fall Festival & Spooky Trail

600 Martin Lake Rd., Marshall, TX 75672

Piney Park

Sept 29  Oct 28 5:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.

Booths will pass out candy and set up games, and there will be a haunted house.

Marshall, TX

Fall Festival & Spooky Trail

600 Martin Lake Rd., Marshall, TX 75672

Piney Park

Sept 29  Oct 28 5:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.

Booths will pass out candy and set up games, and there will be a haunted house.

De Berry, TX

Panola Orchard Pumpkin Patch

1413 FM 1186, De Berry, TX 75639

Sept 9-Oct 31

Thursdays  Saturdays 10:00 a.m.  5:00 p.m.

Pumpkins between 0-19 lbs are 75 cents per lb.

Pumpkins 20+ lbs are 50 per lb.

Halloween house for sale in Southern California

Jump to: Ghost Tours / Haunted Houses / Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, & Fall Fun / Neighborhood Trick or Treat Maps

City Trick or Treat Times

Louisiana

This information will be updated as cities release it.

Arcadia

Blanchard

City-wide  Oct 31, No set hours

Bossier

No city-wide event: Nextdoors Treat Map

Greenwood

Homer

Logansport

Many

Minden

Shreveport

Vivian

Zwolle

Arkansas

This information will be updated as cities release it.

De Queen

Hope

Prescott

Texarkana

No city-wide event: Nextdoors Treat Map

Texas

This information will be updated as cities release it.

Carthage

Daingerfield

Linden

Mt. Pleasant

No city-wide event: Nextdoors Treat Map

New Boston

Texarkana

Oklahoma

This information will be updated as cities release it.

Broken Bow

Idabel

City-wide  Oct 31, No set hours

Neighborhood Trick-or-Treat Maps

Nextdoors Treat Map is an interactive local guide for neighbors to share if they will be handing out treats, decorating or both.

Jump to: Ghost Tours / Haunted Houses / Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, & Fall Fun / City Trick or Treat Times / Neighborhood Trick or Treat Maps

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
One person was taken to an area hospital and three people were arrested after a large fight broke out in the Oregon District Sunday, Dayton Police Department Major Jason Hall.

>> He hasnt come up; Good Samaritan jumps into river after witnessing man fall, not resurface

Original reports said no injuries were reported and no medics were called to the scene but the Dayton Police updated those reports by saying one person was taken to the hospital but refused treatment.

Dayton Police were dispatched to the 400 block of East Fifth Street in response to a fight.

Upon arrival, officers requested additional assistance, a signal 99, after a large crowd had multiple fights happen, Hall said.

These fights broke out at different times in different areas of the street.

>> Man dead after motorcycle crash on State Route 4 in Fairfield Twp

During these fights, officers had to utilize their TASERs in two separate incidents, Hall said.

Responding officers were able to clear the street and break up the fights.

Three arrests were made and multiple misdemeanor citations were issued, Hall said.




Gavin Newsom and Laphonza Butler take a selfie in 2018 before Butler speaks at Greater Zion Church in Compton. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The news jolted California on Friday morning: The state's legendary senator, Dianne Feinstein , had died at age 90.

Her death launched an outpouring of mourning and memories for the towering figure.

But it also created a more basic political quandary: Whom would Gov. Gavin Newsom pick to replace her?

This was the question with which Newsom had been grappling for more than a year as Feinstein's health dramatically deteriorated and some called for her to step down.

Read more: Newsom's pick to replace Feinstein could run in the 2024 Senate election

With several prominent Democrats already vying to win Feinstein's seat in 2024, Newsom made a choice that would dictate his list of candidates.

Here is a look at how the 72 momentous hours following the senator's death went, from reporting in The Times.

Who were Newsom's choices?

Newsom's decision on a potential appointment has some history.

Three years ago, he promised to appoint a Black woman to the U.S. Senate if a vacancy opened.

The 100-member Senate does not include a Black woman, a void left when Californias Kamala Harris vacated her seat in 2021 to become vice president and Newsom tapped then-Secretary of State Alex Padilla to the coveted post.

Padilla, a longtime political ally, made history as Californias first Latino senator. At the time, Newsom faced criticism for not selecting a Black person, so he pledged the next opening would go to a Black woman.

Read more: Column: Newsoms cynical pitch: Hey, you there, Black woman. Can you keep Feinstein's seat warm?

What role did the Senate race play?

Newsom also was under pressure to not unduly influence the hotly contested 2024 U.S. Senate race. He later announced no successor would be from among the candidates running to replace Feinstein.

Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland is the only Black woman among several high-profile candidates vying to take Feinsteins seat in 2024.

In the wake of Feinstein's death, some called on Newsom to change his stance and tap Lee.

Read more: Whom will Newsom pick to replace Dianne Feinstein? Here are some possibilities

The most qualified person on day one to fill the legacy of Sen. Dianne Feinstein is none other than Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Steven Horsford said Sunday in an interview with MSNBC.

The caucus also sent Newsom a letter making the case for Lee, and Horsford said he had talked to Newsom about it by phone and in person.

Were asking him to understand the moment of this appointment not only for the people of California, but for the people of the United States, Horsford said.

As the weekend wore on, Newsom faced more criticism for his decision to appoint a short-term caretaker. Times columnist Erika Smith on Saturday described his pitch to Black candidates this way: Hey, you there, Black woman. Can you keep this seat warm for a few months? Vote and do Senate stuff. You know, just until we elect a white person to replace you?

A UC Berkeley poll in September found Democrats Reps. Adam B. Schiff of Burbank and Katie Porter of Irvine are neck and neck, with support from 20% and 17% of likely voters, respectively. The two have sizable leads over Lee, who sits at 7%.

Despite several months of campaigning, Lee remains less well-known, with half of likely voters having no opinion of her. Although she is the only Black candidate in the race, she trails among likely Black voters, with 16% support, behind Schiffs 30% and Porters 21%. Newsom hasnt endorsed anyone in the Senate race.

Political observers said the stakes were high for the governor.

Newsom is in a pickle here, said Steven Smith, a professor of political science at Washington University in St. Louis.

Did Newsom's stance change?

On Sunday, Newsom's office did offer a clarification, saying whomever he selected would be free to run for the seat in 2024.

If that person decides she wants to seek a full term in 2024, then she is free to do so. There is absolutely no litmus test, no promise, Newsom spokesman Anthony York told The Times.

However, mounting a successful statewide campaign just six months before the March primary, when other candidates have been fundraising all year, would be a formidable challenge. While incumbency is a powerful force in elections, there is no guarantee that Newsoms appointee would be a viable candidate.

Read more: Newsom taps Laphonza Butler for Feinstein's Senate seat

How did the choice come down?

With Democrats slim majority in the Senate, Newsom was under pressure to name his pick quickly.

So on Sunday night, he announced that Laphonza Butler, a Democratic strategist who rose to prominence in the labor movement and who is also the president of Emily's List, would fill the void.

Butler, a lesbian, will be the first out person of color to serve in the Senate and the first LGBTQ+ senator from California.

Read more: Who is Laphonza Butler? What to know about Newsom's pick for Feinstein's Senate seat

An advocate for women and girls, a second-generation fighter for working people, and a trusted adviser to Vice President Harris, Laphonza Butler represents the best of California, and shell represent us proudly in the United States Senate, Newsom said in a statement.

As we mourn the enormous loss of Senator Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for  reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence  have never been under greater assault. Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington, D.C.

Little is known about Newsom's process in selecting Butler.

Some names that sparked speculation included California Secretary of State Shirley Weber; San Francisco Mayor London Breed; civil rights leader Angela Glover Blackwell; and human rights activist Lateefah Simon, who is running to replace Lee in Congress.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell and U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) said they are not interested. A representative for L.A. Mayor Karen Bass shot down speculation earlier this year that she might consider the job.

Read more: Column: A solid Senate pick and a craven move by Gavin Newsom

Who is Laphonza Butler?

Before joining Emilys List  a political organization dedicated to electing women to political office  Butler served as director of public policy and campaigns at Airbnb. She also partnered at the political consulting firm SCRB Strategies (now Bearstar Strategies), whose clients included Newsom, former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and then-Sen. Kamala Harris. The firm is run by the governors veteran strategists Ace Smith, Sean Clegg and Juan Rodriguez.

Butler also served for more than a decade as president of Service Employees International Union Local 2015, which represents more than 325,000 nursing home and home-care workers throughout California. SEIU Local 2015 is the largest union in California and the largest local representing long-term care workers in the country.

She also was a senior advisor on Harris presidential campaign.

In 2018, Butler was appointed as a UC regent by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, a post she held until 2021. She has served on the board of the Childrens Defense Fund, a national child advocacy organization; political action committee BlackPAC; and the Bay Area Economic Council Institute think tank. Shes a former director for the board of governors of the Los Angeles branch of the Federal Reserve System.

Butler was born in Magnolia, Miss. Her father died after a series of heart attacks when she was 16, leaving her mother to work as many as three jobs at once to support her three children.

She received her bachelors degree in political science from Jackson State University  a historically Black college  where, she told The Times Mark Z. Barabak in 2021 that she was inspired by her instructors, many of whom were veterans of the civil rights movement. They instilled in her a bent toward activism and a commitment to social justice, she said.

What are you doing for freedom? That was always the question, Butler told Barabak. What are you doing for freedom today?

Butler moved to California in 2009 after serving as a labor organizer for nurses in Baltimore and Milwaukee, janitors in Philadelphia and hospital workers in New Haven, Conn.

Read more: Sen. Dianne Feinstein to lie in state at San Francisco City Hall

What is next?

Mourners can pay their respects to Feinstein this week when her body lies in state at San Francisco City Hall, where her political career began.

The public can gather Wednesday to say goodbye to the long-term California senator as well as sign a condolence book from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., her office said.

The late senators funeral will be a private affair Thursday at the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center in the Herbst Theatre. It will be livestreamed and broadcast for public viewing at San Francisco City Hall.

Meanwhile, Butler could be sworn in as early as this week.

Times staff writers Laurel Rosenhall, Hannah Wiley, Taryn Luna, Kevin Rector, Susanne Rust, Noah Goldberg and Sarah Wire contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Roughly 40% of Kaiser Permanente workers will begin a three-day strike in seven states starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday, but company negotiators said they are continuing to negotiate a tentative contract.

In the Sacramento region, Kaiser workers will set up picket lines at the companys three local medical centers at 1600 Eureka Road in Roseville, 2025 Morse Ave. in Sacramento and 6600 Bruceville Road in south Sacramento. The union contract expired Saturday.

Kaiser executives are refusing to listen to us and are bargaining in bad faith over the solutions we need to end the Kaiser short-staffing crisis, said Jessica Cruz, a licensed vocational nurse at Kaiser Los Angeles Medical Center. I see my patients frustrations when I have to rush them and hurry on to my next patient. Thats not the care I want to give. Were burning ourselves out trying to do the jobs of two or three people, and our patients suffer when they cant get the care they need due to Kaisers short-staffing.

Kaiser leaders said they reached agreement with the coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions on four key areas  travel for continuing education, the use of temporary workers such as traveling nurses, tracking of staffing vacancies, and dispute resolution  and continued to work toward making a tentative deal.

Despite the acute shortage of health care workers nationally, we have been able to hire more than 50,000 frontline employees in the last two years: 29,000 people in 2022, and another 22,000 so far this year, Kaiser executives said in a statement sent to The Bee. Included in this years new hires are more than 9,800 people hired into jobs represented by the coalition.

The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions represents roughly 88,000 workers in nearly a dozen union locals. They work in many fields, including as clinical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, optometrists, medical assistants, medical social workers, phlebotomists, information technology workers, licensed vocational nurses, physical therapy assistants and some registered nurses.

While Kaiser members may not see picket lines outside the companys local outpatient facilities, many of the staff are union members and will converge on Kaiser hospitals for picketing.

The two sides have not negotiated a new labor contract since before the COVID-19 pandemic began, with bargaining starting up in April. The Kaiser unions say the pandemic worsened working conditions and exacerbated a healthcare staffing crisis.

Understaffing is boosting Kaisers profits but hurting patients, union members have said. In a recent survey of 33,000 employees, two-thirds of the respondents said they had seen care delayed or denied due to short staffing. The coalitions have said Kaiser needs to boost minimum pay levels to attract and retain workers.

Kaiser officials said the company leads on total compensation in nearly every market in which it operates. The company has proposed across-the-board wage increases; a $23 minimum wage starting in 2024 in California; and a $21 minimum wage in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Hawaii, Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia starting in 2024.

Leaders of the health care giant also noted that Kaisers attrition rate of 7% is about a third of the industry average and that it continues to fall, stressing that these achievements are possible because job applicants consider Kaiser to be a leading health care employer.

Kaiser Permanente and the Coalition agreed in April to a goal of hiring 10,000 new people for Coalition-represented jobs by the end of 2023, company leaders said in their statement. We expect to reach the 10,000 new hire goal by the end of October, if not sooner, and we wont stop there. We are committed to addressing every area of staffing that is still challenging.

The coalition also has filed a dozen charges of unfair labor practices against Kaiser with the National Labor Relations Board. Among the allegations, the unions has said that Kaiser has not provided regional operating margins and other information that would assist in evaluating mandatory bargaining issues and that company negotiators tried to force the coalition to limit the size of its bargaining team.

Under federal regulations, the union is required to give the company a 10-day notice of a strike to allow the company to come up with a contingency plan to continue to serve patients. Kaiser said it had ensured that members would continue to receive safe, high-quality care for the duration of the strike.

Hospitals and emergency departments will remain open, Kaiser leaders assured, and information on appointments and pharmaceuticals can be found at kp.org.
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If youre considering assisted living, theres no place like Lawrence, KS, to take this major life leap; the city has a welcoming ambiance thats unmistakably midwestern. A typical college town situated between Kansas City and Topeka, Lawrence is home to charming shops, restaurants and attractions with an affordable cost of living and a sizable population of retirees.

Designed for seniors who want to maintain active lifestyles, todays assisted living communities combine state-of-the-art amenities with vibrant social calendars and around-the-clock care tailored to residents needs and interests. A great way to stay involved in local life while receiving support with tasks, such as bathing, dressing and managing medications, these top-rated communities offer something for everyone. Weve narrowed down the best assisted living communities in Lawrence to help simplify your long-term care search.

Speak to a family advisor

Monterey Village Senior Living - Best Continuing Care Community

Key Features:

Offers independent living, assisted living and memory care

Diverse activity schedule

Flexible meal offerings

Located in a peaceful residential neighborhood, Monterey Village Senior Living offers a full spectrum of care for older adults. Experienced caregivers lend a hand 24 hours a day, including helping with bathing, dressing and medication management. A maintenance-free lifestyle ensures that you can relax without the stress of cooking, cleaning or laundry.

At Monterey Village, you enjoy access to a robust schedule of life-enrichment activities, including pet therapy, chair exercises, Bible studies and movie nights. Fresh, made-to-order meals are served daily in the community dining room, and the always available menu features an impressive selection. Reviewers complement the communitys easy-to-navigate layout, compassionate staff members, social ambiance and diverse selection of activities.

Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living - Best Medium-Sized Community

Key Features:

Convenient central location

Nurse on call

Three home-cooked meals daily

This 60-bed community is the ideal middle ground between small homes and expansive, resort-style assisted living. If you want to receive discrete support with personal tasks such as bathing, getting dressed and managing medications, a team of certified staff members is available to help. Diabetic care and incontinence management are also available. Licensed nurses are on call 24/7 to meet your health needs, and the around-the-clock emergency communication system puts you in rapid contact with staff.

Each day, you can enjoy three meals prepared fresh from scratch. An active calendar includes options for learning, exploring your hobbies and connecting with peers. Reviewers frequently compliment the friendliness, helpful and encouraging attitude, and professionalism of the staff.

Lawrence Presbyterian Manor - Best Faith-Based Community

Key Features:

Continuing care community

Spiritual values and programming

Wide range of activities and event options

If youre seeking a faith-based community that honors your values, consider Lawrence Presbyterian Manor. This continuing care community offers a full spectrum of support, so you can remain on campus as your needs change. Seniors enjoy an active lifestyle filled with spiritual programming, cultural opportunities, educational lessons and day trips.

Scheduled transportation helps you stay active, with convenient shopping and dining located within minutes. Useful amenities include a chapel with worship services, a bumper pool table and an ice cream machine. Seniors also have use of a library, fitness center, and arts and crafts room. Reviewers appreciate the communitys faith-based approach to care, vibrant programming, weekly chapel services and lively atmosphere.

Brandon Woods at Alvamar - Best Ambiance

Key Features:

Lush 30-acre property

Heated indoor pool

Restaurant-quality dining

Nestled within a lush 30-acre campus, Brandon Woods at Alvamar offers senior care in a striking setting. Three restaurant-style meal choices are served daily, and youll have access to a 24/7 front desk concierge, nursing staff and medical resources tailored to your needs. Staff encourages residents to stay engaged through trips to cultural attractions, happy hours, community events and watch parties.

Amenities include a fitness center, beauty salon/barber shop, and an agility gym that offers speech, physical and occupational therapies. Reviewers enjoy the wide range of on-site activities, including physical therapy, music on Fridays, holiday parties and exercise classes.

The Windsor of Lawrence - Best Location

Key Features:

Central location

Intentional design features

On-site salon and spa

The Windsor at Lawrence is conveniently located between Kansas City and Topeka, putting you within close proximity to the states biggest cities. Care is highly personalized, with staff tailoring service plans around every residents distinct needs and preferences 24/7. Every feature within the community was designed to maximize independence and decrease falls, from intentional color selection to non-glare lighting and low-pile carpet.

Programs, trips and activities are scheduled throughout the week, and youll access upscale amenities including a bistro, enclosed courtyard, salon and spa. Reviewers appreciate the attentive staff, the personalized care given to every resident, and the close-knit ambiance where everyone knows everyone.

The Bottom Line

If you want to experience the best that Lawrence has to offer while receiving assistance with your daily routine, consider giving one of these assisted living communities a go. Not only are they conveniently located for easy access to city amenities, but they offer everything from indoor swimming pools to spas, active social calendars and engaging events directly on-site.

Speak to a family advisor

Daniel Cobb began his career as a freelance writer over 10 years ago writing for websites such as TheSimpleDollar.com and Reviews.com. Since then, he has specialized in writing, editing, and managing the content team for Caring.com and other senior living websites. Over the last five years, hes developed a deep understanding of the senior living industry and has enjoyed creating exceptional content that reaches millions of visitors every month. He can be reached at editorial@caring.com.
The Education Department is moving forward with its new plan for broad student-debt relief.

It released a paper outlining what it will discuss during upcoming negotiations.

It singled out five categories of borrowers experiencing different types of repayment challenges.

President Joe Biden's Education Department is moving forward with its broad student-debt cancellation plan  and it signaled the categories of borrowers it's keeping an eye on as it crafts the new relief.

Last week, the Education Department released new details on the process to cancel student debt using the Higher Education Act of 1965. Unlike Biden's first plan to cancel student debt that the Supreme Court struck down at the end of June, the Higher Education Act requires the administration undergo negotiated rulemaking  a lengthy process that includes multiple negotiation sessions and periods of public comment.

The latest update from the department was the announcement of negotiators who had been selected to participate in the session, along with a paper outlining what the sessions will look like, the first of which will be on October 10 and 11.

The paper included a five distinct categories of borrowers the department is looking to discuss with the negotiation committee:

Borrowers whose balances have grown due to unpaid interest, leaving them with larger balances than their original principal Borrowers who are eligible for relief under programs like income-driven repayment but did not apply for those programs Borrowers who attended schools that left them with too much debt compared to post-graduation earnings Borrowers who entered repayment before new benefits became available Borrowers experiencing financial hardship "in ways that the current student loan system does not adequately address"

These are the first details the department has released so far, and the discussions could be further tailored or changed as the negotiations continue. However, it indicates how Biden is thinking about his new plan for relief by targeting borrowers who have struggled with repayment to no fault of their own.

Additionally, there is no guarantee borrowers who qualified for Biden's first debt relief plan will qualify this time around. The first plan was debt cancellation of up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients making under $125,000 a year, and up to $10,000 for other federal borrowers under the same income cap. The amounts of relief, along with whether there will be an income cap, for the new plan are unclear at this point.

The progress toward new debt relief comes as millions of federal borrowers are entering repayment after an over three-year pause. On Sunday, pandemic relief for borrowers officially ended  it marked the first day bills could start becoming due. While Biden announced a series of measures to ease the transition, like a 12-month "on-ramp" period during which missed payments would not be reported to credit agencies, borrowers are still struggling to foot the extra monthly expense.

Even so, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez previously told borrowers not to give up hope on broad relief just yet.

"There is absolutely still a chance of cancellation," she said last month. "When the Supreme Court struck it down, they said that the administration couldn't use a specific avenue, namely the HEROES Act, but there are alternative avenues that we have pursued. They are going to be laying out that program over the course of the next year."

Read the original article on Business Insider
In this photo provided by Bomberos/ayuntamiento de Murcia, part of the burned-out interior a nightclub which caught fire is pictured in Murcia, south-eastern Spain, Sunday Oct. 1, 2023. At least 13 people were killed in a fire in a Spanish nightclub on Sunday morning, authorities said, with fears the toll could still rise as rescue workers sift through the debris. The fire broke out in the two-storey "Teatre" nightclub, also called "Fonda Milagros", in the city of Murcia in southeastern Spain in early hours of the morning. (Bomberos/ayuntamiento de Murcia, via AP)

MADRID (AP)  Authorities in the southern Spanish city of Murcia said Monday that two people believed to have been in a nightclub where 13 others died in a fire are still missing and that the club was operating without a permit.

The town hall's announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter, came after Francisco Jimenez, the central government's official for the region, earlier said all the missing had been located and no more bodies had been found. Jimenez later said there had been confusion in the figures for the missing.

Jimenez said the dead included the nationals of Spain, Colombia, Ecuador and Nicaragua. It was not known how many people were in the club when the fire broke out at 6 a.m. Sunday.

It was the deadliest nightclub blaze in Spain since 43 people were killed in Zaragoza in 1990.

On Monday, firefighters and police continued to assess damage before beginning to search for clues as to how the fire started.

The blaze started in one nightclub and spread to two others nearby, Spanish state news agency EFE said. All the bodies were found in the first nightclub. Twenty-four people were injured but none was hospitalized.

Murcia town hall reported that authorities had rejected permit renewals for the two nightclubs and ordered them closed in 2022. The city said it would investigate how the clubs had continued operating.

Representatives of the clubs denied on Spanish national television that they had been operating illegally.

The city council declared three days of mourning with flags flown at half-staff on public buildings. A minute's silence was held outside Murcias town hall at noon Monday.
The government did not shut down Sunday, surprising just about everyone.

Instead, lawmakers rallied around a 47-day clean stopgap measure that did nothing to support Ukraine or deal with the border crisis.

The result is that the House and Senate will have to figure out a way to keep the government open again in a little more than a month if they want to prevent a Thanksgiving shutdown.

Theyll also have to prevent a closure as Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) works under repeated threats to his job.

Here are five takeaways.

McCarthy escapes again  but trouble is around the corner

McCarthys ability to surprise  repeatedly snatching a semblance of political victory from the jaws of defeat  is becoming something to behold.

Throughout last week, it seemed certain that the government would close and that he would get the blame.

That this didnt happen made it a pretty good outcome for the Speaker, even though Democrats got much of what they wanted from the new funding law.

The Speakers reward will be continued attacks from Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who on Sunday promised he will bring a motion this week to vacate the chair against McCarthy. This is essentially a motion to toss McCarthy as House Speaker.

I do intend to file a motion to vacate against Speaker McCarthy this week. I think we need to rip off the Band-Aid. I think we need to move on with leadership thats trustworthy, Gaetz said Sunday.

Its unclear whether McCarthy can survive the vote. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) told Fox News that the Speaker is in trouble, and Gaetz insisted he had enough votes to unseat him  unless Democrats ride to his rescue.

McCarthy brushed off the trouble, saying Gaetz should bring it and that it was a personal thing with the Florida lawmaker.

Its clear McCarthy cant bend the GOP conference to his will, but its questionable whether anyone could.

Democrats on Sunday said it was clear hed lost control of the GOP conference.

The next week is likely to be juicy for fans of House procedure and political chess matches.

House Democrats have a choice to make

Democrats basically won the weekend shutdown fight, even as they largely watched the GOPs internal battles as bystanders.

Still, you couldnt blame them if they didnt feel like winners, considering that while the shutdown was avoided, it came at the price of aid to Ukraine, a top priority for Democratic leaders and the Biden administration.

Now the big decision for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), the Democratic leader in the House, is how to handle the unfolding McCarthy vs. Gaetz mess.

Democrats have some leverage. McCarthy can only afford a handful of GOP defections and hang on to his job if Democrats vote to unseat him.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Sunday said they should use it. It comes at a price, you dont just vote for a Republican Speaker for nothing, she told CNNs Jake Tapper.

McCarthy in an interview on CBSs Face the Nation said he had no idea what Jeffries and Democrats would do, while former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) dodged questions on how shed vote, urging the caucus to follow the lead of Jeffries.

Democrats got most of what they wanted in terms of a clean continuing resolution (CR) because they ended up being the ones who provided the majority of the House yes votes.

They will want some more gifts if McCarthy cant get out of his GOP jam on his own.

Putin won a victory, and Ukraine pressure will grow

The fact that Congress passed a stopgap funding measure by stripping Ukraine aid at the last minute is undoubtedly a victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

That Congress did so a week after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys visit to Washington, where he asked for additional help, just magnifies the win for Russia and Putin.

This weeks shutdown drama has given momentum to the forces in Washington that want to end U.S. support for Ukraine, with increasing numbers of House GOP lawmakers voting against support for Ukraine and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) holding up a package in the Senate and forcing Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), a fierce advocate for Ukraine, to retreat.

This will lead to new pressure to take action on Ukraine.

The Biden administration is vowing to dig in on the fight, and pro-Ukraine Republicans such as McConnell and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also vow support from the U.S. Congress will continue.

Border issues will grow as a shutdown issue

McCarthy insisted Sunday that he wants to provide aid to Ukraine. But he also went out of his way to say securing the border is his priority.

The GOP Speaker secured his shutdown victory with a surprise move to bring to the floor a clean CR that included no spending cuts  but also no money for Ukraine.

That effectively dared Democrats to vote against a CR theyd largely support just because of the loss of Ukraine funding. This would have led to Republicans arguing that Democrats had sided with Ukraine over America  and ending a shutdown.

The next GOP argument is likely to be that a measure to secure the border must be a part of a new measure to fund the government, and that any effort to address Ukraine first would be putting that countrys needs over Americas.

Its a potentially dangerous political argument for Biden and Democrats given polls that suggest some U.S. voter fatigue with support for the war in Ukraine.

McCarthy wasnt subtle in setting the stage Sunday.

The priority for me is America and our borders, McCarthy said when pressed during an interview on CBSs Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan about Ukraine. Now, I support being able to make sure Ukraine has the weapons that they need, but I firmly support the border first. So weve got to find a way that we can do this together.

Thanksgiving is in jeopardy

Yes, Thanksgiving will take place, but with a new shutdown deadline of Nov. 17, lawmakers are on the clock if they want to go home and spend the holiday with their families while keeping the government open.

Nov. 17 is the Friday before Thanksgiving, and leaders likely decided on that date to put the pressure on their rank and file.

The events over the weekend showed that predictions of an inevitable shutdown were wrong and that congressional leaders and lawmakers are full of surprises.

But they also suggest getting a deal in November will be highly difficult. That funding for the border and Ukraine  two incredibly divisive issues  are likely to be in the mix will just make it tougher.

Christmas will be just around the corner. Dont be surprised if Congress punts a new deadline to that holiday in November.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Seventy-two people have been charged nearly a week after mobs of people went on a looting spree across Philadelphia, the district attorneys office announced Monday.

Scores of people robbed multiple stores on Tuesdayand Wednesday nights of last week, with many participants and observers posting about it online.

Sixty-seven adults and five minors are now facing various misdemeanor and felony charges including burglary, conspiracy and criminal mischief in connection with the looting, Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Clint Orem said at a press conference on Monday. There is also at least one weapon charge.

The Philadelphia Police Department confirmed to HuffPost that at least 62 people have been arrested in connection with the looting.

The looting took place after a peaceful protest on Tuesday prompted by a judges decision to drop charges against a Philadelphia police officer who killed Eddie Irizarry, though authorities say the looting was not connected to the protest.

The DAs office, the Philadelphia Police Department and the Philadelphia Sheriffs Office are investigating the case.

More arrests are expected as the investigation into the looting spree continues, Orem said.

We have been very actively pursuing contact with some of the affected businesses, their owners, and their employees, District Attorney Larry Krasner said at the press conference. We are very interested in bringing justice to people who view it as their task to encourage others to join them in breaking the law.

At least 18 liquor stores were robbed and closed in the area due to the looting. Many other stores were also targeted, including Foot Locker, Lululemon and Apple. Pharmacies, a hair salon and a phone store were also looted.

The bad apples who decided to so called protest with the act of looting were, in fact, stealing, Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal said at the press conference. Folk were stealing while peaceful protesters were walking with the families. The thieves werent walking with the family in support. Rather, they were too busy stealing.

The Philadelphia District Attorneys Office and the Philadelphia Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to HuffPosts requests for comment.

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A young boy just a month away from this 10th birthday was fatally hit while riding his bike to a friends house after school, Florida deputies said.

Andres Martinez, 9, was a fourth grader at Lewis Anna Woodbury Elementary School in Fort Meade when he came home from school on Sept. 29 and wanted to go over to a friends house, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news conference.

Andres got onto his bicycle and backed out of his driveway, turning to head down the road, Judd said.

As he entered the road, he was hit from behind by a red, four-door Chevrolet Silverado truck, according to a news release from the Polk County Sheriffs Office.

Andres bike was torn in half, Judd said, and the boy died at the scene.

The driver of the pickup truck sped away, Judd said.

It is beyond comprehension that anyone could hit another person with their vehicle and not stop to render aid, to help, to report what happened, Judd said in the news conference. But thats even a thousand times a thousand times worse when its a child, a little 9-year-old boy. He was doing what little boys do after school. He was going to one of his friends to play.

The Polk County Sheriffs Office shared a video of surveillance footage that captured the red truck speeding away.

This is video & photos of the suspect vehicle - a 2015-2018 red four-door Chevrolet Silverado with a hitch and tinted windows. The driver of this truck struck and killed a 9-year-old boy who was riding his bicycle east on Hutchins Road in Fort Meade. @heartlandcs is offering a https://t.co/ezinCnadrd pic.twitter.com/S5sCcAU1St  Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd (@PolkCoSheriff) September 30, 2023

Later that night, 45-year-old Gilbert Almaguer called the neighboring Hardee County Sheriffs Office and told deputies he was a passenger in the truck that struck Andres, WOFL reported.

He told deputies he was riding in the truck, registered to his mother, when he thought the driver hit a mailbox or post, according to the outlet.

Only later when he saw on Facebook that a child had been hit did he tell deputies he had actually been the driver, WOFL reported.

Almaguer was taken into custody, according to the Polk County Sheriffs Office.

Almaguer was charged with felony leaving the scene of a crime involving a death, the sheriffs office said.

In a video taken during a memorial for Andres and shared on Facebook, one of his family members said spending time with his friends and riding around was what made Andres happy.

His family member said Andres would have turned 10 in October.

Fort Meade is about 50 miles southeast of Tampa.

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Dentist  a father of 5  dies in crash driving home from work, Michigan family says
RAY COUNTY, Mo.  A man who escaped Phelps County Jail late Friday evening is back in police custody late Sunday afternoon.

Jonathan ODell was arrested in Ray County, Missouri, around 5 p.m., according to FBI spokeswoman Rebecca Wu. Members of the Ray County Sheriffs Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and FBI were involved in ODells capture.

Missouri high school teacher on leave after officials find OnlyFans account

The FBI did not identify the exact location of ODells arrest, only to say he was taken into custody without incident.

ODell and a second inmate, Steven Scott, escaped the jail by compromising the structural integrity of their cell. Scott surrendered to the authorities shortly after the escape.

In a statement announcing the escape, the Phelps County Sheriffs Office said ODell had been jailed on numerous weapons charges.

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ODell also faces a federal indictment alleging he and another man planned to travel to Texas in fall 2022 to shoot at illegal immigrants crossing the United States-Mexico border. The indictment also stated he planned to murder officers and employees of the U.S. Border Patrol who would attempt to stop them.

ODell and the other man were arrested on Oct. 7, 2022, at ODells home in Warsaw, Missouri.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
OLATHE, Kan.  Health officials have identified a case of active tuberculosis in an Olathe Northwest High School student.

The Johnson County Health Department said the student is complying with isolation precautions and is receiving medication for the illness.

Kansas City group hosting free flu vaccine clinics across metro

Symptoms of tuberculosis include a cough lasting longer than three weeks, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, chills, fever and coughing up blood.

Tuberculosis is spread through the air by coughing, sneezing, laughing or singing, but the only way to contract the disease is through frequent or close contact with someone who has an active case.

It cant be spread by touching someones clothing, glass or utensils, hands or other surfaces.

Health officials have already started identifying people the student has been in contact with and are working to make sure any others are identified and treated.

The Johnson County Health Department will be holding tuberculosis testing clinics at Olathe Northwest for those who are identified as contacts. Letters were sent to staff and students parents on Monday.

Robots at Overland Park hospital able to perform heart procedure

There will also be a forum for Olathe Northwest students and parents with tuberculosis experts from the health department to answer questions.

Health officials noted that tuberculosis is preventable and treatable. The disease is usually treated with antibiotics for 6-9 months, and a patient will usually no longer be contagious after a few days or weeks of treatment.

The Johnson County Health Department stressed that it closely follows and treats all active tuberculosis cases.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Selma Blair said the countrys laws must show that the lives of disabled people are not of lesser value, as the Legally Blonde actor introduced President Biden at an event celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Im Selma Blair, and Im here before you today as a proud, disabled woman with my cane and my service dog, Scout, by my side, the performer said Monday at the White Houses gathering, timed to the kickoff of Disability Pride Month.

Although Id had symptoms since the age of 7, it took a lifetime of self-advocacy to finally lead me to a diagnosis at age 46, Blair said. In 2018, Blair revealed she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

In my own disability advocacy, I have realized that these historic pieces of legislation were vital steps towards fairness, Blair, 51, said of the ADA, which was signed in 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, but the push towards equity continues.

Our laws and policies must reflect that our disabled lives are not of lesser value, she said, praising the Biden administration for working to do just that.

Blair called it an honor to introduce Biden, whom she described as a friend to the disability community.

Biden lauded Blair, saying her advocacy has given people hope and changed peoples lives.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
An Inwood woman who twice denied donating $2,000 to Mayor Adams 2021 campaign  in spite of campaign finance records that state otherwise  changed her story early Monday morning, hours after the Daily News reported on the initial discrepancy.

Mayra Gonzalez, whos listed in city Campaign Finance Board records as making a $2,000 donation in July 2021, responded no when first asked by The News this summer whether she made the donation and backed up that claim by also stating she doesnt give political donations as a rule.

Days later, in August, Gonzalez doubled down during a conversation among herself, her husband and a reporter from The News, reiterating at the time that: we dont donate to campaigns.

But Monday  just hours after The News reported online that law enforcement and election watchdogs have taken an interest in the discrepancy between public records and her initial statements, as well as other donations to Adams  Gonzalez did an about-face, saying in a 1:40 a.m. email that she did in fact make the contribution.

I went back and checked my credit card statements and found I did make that $2,000.00 contribution, she wrote. What I do with my money is my right.

According to campaign finance records, Gonzalez is employed as an office manager for Academy Medical Care in Inwood, an entity helmed by Dr. Ramon Tallaj, who is also chairman of SOMOS Community Care.

In 2021, SOMOS inked a $100 million contract with the city. Tallaj, who served on Adams 2021 transition committee, has not responded directly to messages from The News. A spokeswoman for Tallaj could not say for certain Monday whether or not Tallaj asked Gonzalez to make the donation to Adams.

Gonzalezs donation is one of three The News examined in a recent story. The other two are listed as being from Cosmin Zamboni and Eugene Gorman. Both men said they didnt recall making the donations, even though theyre listed as being relatively large amounts  $5,000 and $5,100, respectively.

The News examination of those donations  and the conflicting statements about them  began days after an indictment unsealed in July alleged that six individuals, including a retired NYPD inspector whos friendly with Adams, donated to the mayor in the names of others to unlawfully increase the amount of money that went to his campaign through the citys Matching Funds Program.

Neither Adams nor anyone working for his campaign are implicated in the alleged straw donor scheme, which is being prosecuted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Asked about the three donations identified by the News, Vito Pitta, a lawyer for Adams campaign, said the campaign followed every rule and best practice in vetting the contributions.

According to the law enforcement and elections sources who spoke to The News, the Gonzalez, Zamboni and Gorman donations raise red flags for several reasons.

Aside from the fact that their statements conflict with the public record of donations listed under their names, they all involve people with little track record of participating in campaigns or even voting.

All three individuals also have some sort of connection to people associated with Adams or the campaign, though none appear to have direct ties to the mayor.

The law enforcement and elections watchdogs who spoke to The News did not name Adams as a target in anything having to do with the Gonzalez, Zamboni and Gorman donations.

Gonzalezs lawyer, Philip Kuszel, sent an email 20 minutes after Gonzalez sent hers, describing The News pursuit of clarity in the situation as improper. But he would not say who, if anyone else, had access to Gonzalezs credit card, or whether the donation was made with a personal card or one she has access to use.

Instead, he said his email was not an invite to engage in any conversation and suggested that the timing of the communications from himself and Gonzalez were not in response to The News reporting.
Two people are dead and a grizzly bear has been euthanized after an attack in Banff National Park.

Parks Canada said staff received a bear attack alert Friday night, and a response team mobilized.

The team arrived to find an "aggressive" grizzly bear they immediately euthanized.

Two people were killed by a grizzly bear in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, this weekend, prompting a response team to euthanize the animal on-site, according to Parks Canada.

The federal agency said in a statement on Sunday that authorities received a bear attack alert from a GPS device on Friday evening. Though Parks Canada's Wildlife Human Attack Response Team mobilized immediately, weather conditions prevented them from using a helicopter and the team had to travel by ground.

Hours later, when the response team arrived on-site, they found two people dead, the statement said. Parks Canada did not identify the victims.

"While in the area, the response team encountered a grizzly bear that displayed aggressive behavior, leading Parks Canada staff to euthanize the bear on-site to ensure public safety," the statement said.

Banff National Park, located in Alberta's Rocky Mountains, is known for its grizzly bears and black bears. Parks Canada advises hikers to carry bear spray, make noise, and travel in large groups. In the event of a bear encounter, Parks Canada says people should remain calm, refrain from running, and make themselves appear big.

Another grizzly encounter made news in Banff last week after a 650-pound bear known as The Boss  it once ate a black bear and survived being hit by a train  crept into multiple backyards to gorge itself on apples.

Town officials are now pleading with homeowners in the area to replace their fruit trees with ones that don't attract bears, according to CBC News.

Read the original article on Insider
The stalwart E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System plane flew its last operational mission Sept. 21, capping a three-decade career as a military eye in the sky in conflicts from Operation Desert Storm to the war in Ukraine.

The sortie is a stepping stone on the airframes journey into retirement, as the Air Force reshapes its inventory for the demands of modern combat.

Its bittersweet, 116th Air Control Wing boss Col. Christopher Dunlap said in a release Monday. Ive been flying this mission on this aircraft since the spring of 2003. Theres been a lot of changes over the years.

U.S. airmen with the 116th Air Control Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, sign an engine of an E-8C Joint STARS for its last mission at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, Sept. 21. (Master Sgt. Jeff Rice/Air National Guard)

JSTARS is a modified Boeing 707 that uses a long sensor on the belly of the jet to track the movement of ground forces around a region and share that information with other aircraft and troops below. Combat units rely on the fleet to highlight potential targets and stop friendly forces from veering into harms way.

Its final mission departed from Ramstein Air Base in Germany, a hub for U.S. military operations across Europe and points farther south. The Air Force declined to answer where the sortie took place or what it entailed.

The aircrafts sensors provided invaluable intelligence, guiding strategic decisions on the ground and enhancing operational effectiveness, the service said in the release.

The fleets exit from military operations signals the end of an era in battlefield intelligence.

E-8Cs have flown in military operations from Desert Storm in 1991 to Iraq and Afghanistan a decade later, to the surveillance of Russian troops amassed at Ukraines border. They have also assisted in noncombat missions like transnational drug busts.

The fleet withdrew from U.S. Central Command in 2019 after an 18-year deployment supporting counterterror operations.

The E-8C JSTARS has played a vital role in countless operations, supporting troops and safeguarding nations, the Air Force said on Facebook.

The fleet, which included 16 operational jets when retirement began, has been managed by two Air Force units: the active duty 461st Air Control Wing and the Georgia Air National Guards 116th ACW, both at Robins Air Force Base.

Together, they have flown more than 14,000 sorties since 2002, when they merged as the services first blended wing, the service said. The 461st ACW logged its last operational sortie in June.

U.S. airmen with the 116th Air Control Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, pose in front an E-8C Joint STARS for its last mission at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 18. (Master Sgt. Jeff Rice/Air National Guard)

Plans to sunset the JSTARS fleet have gradually come to fruition over the past several years.

The Air Force briefly launched an effort to solicit another aircraft to replace JSTARS but abandoned that program in fiscal 2019. After sparring with Congress over the fate of the fleet, the service began retiring E-8Cs in February 2022.

Instead of maintaining a vast inventory of jets that are purpose-built for highly specialized missions, the Air Force now wants to use a network of satellites, aircraft sensors and ground radars to collect the same targeting and tracking data.

The service hopes that approach will make it more resilient against potential attacks on its command-and-control enterprise, save money on aircraft maintenance and use its airmen more effectively.

Two of the original 16 aircraft remain at Robins, according to the Air Force release. The last JSTARS is slated to depart for the Air Forces graveyard of retired aircraft at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, during the first week of November.

Airmen may still use the jet for flight proficiency training until it is formally retired, Air Force spokesperson Capt. Dustin Cole said.

As its centerpiece fleet dwindles, Robins has started taking on new missions that the Air Force views as more relevant in future wars.

Nine E-11A airborne communications relay planes will be based at the central Georgia installation, as well as a command-and-control squadron, a group focused on electromagnetic spectrum warfare, and an office to handle the Air Forces acquisition of future communications technologies known as the Advanced Battle Management System.

Some airmen are already working to open those units, while others are in training to staff them.

You cant expect a wing who has a long history of excellence to sit around and do nothing when there is plenty of work left to do, Dunlap said in an emailed statement. It is not in our DNA.
Someone shot through an open window of a Cuyahoga Falls apartment in May 2022.

A man inside was fatally shot, while a woman was struck in the leg but survived.

The man police say was responsible in the double shooting is now on trial.

Deair Wrays trial began with opening statements and the start of testimony Monday morning in Summit County Common Pleas Judge Kathryn Michaels courtroom. His trial is expected to last through Thursday.

Summit County Common Pleas Judge Kathryn Michael

Wray, 29, of Akron, who also goes by Deair Johnson, is charged with murder, felonious assault and improperly discharging a firearm into a habitation. All the charges include gun specifications that carry with them additional prison time.

Attorneys John Greven and Nathan Ray are representing Wray.

Two people are shot but one survives

Wray is accused in a shooting that happened shortly before midnight May 26, 2022, at an apartment at 1376 Forest Glen Drive in Cuyahoga Falls. This is part of an apartment complex sandwiched between Front Street and Glens Trail and the Cuyahoga River.

More: 911 recording released in Cuyahoga Falls double shooting that killed Akron man

Police said Wray fired 9 mm rounds into a window of the apartment, striking Giovanni Stanford, 23, of Akron, in the torso and head.

A woman in the apartment was shot in the leg and treated at an area hospital, police said.

Police said Stanford, 23, of Akron, was unresponsive when they arrived. He was taken to Summa Akron City Hospital and died there from his injuries at 11:24 p.m., according to the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office.

Wray says he has an alibi

Wray insists he is innocent and says he has an alibi.

Greven filed a notice with the court in March that said Wray was at a home in Akron at the time of the shooting and that he has a witness who would testify to this.

Prosecutors wont be able to present CyberCheck evidence about Wrays whereabouts. This is a new law enforcement tool that tracks a persons location based on their smartphone use.

Greven and Ray claimed CyberCheck evidence shouldnt be permitted in the trial unless they were provided with the companys software to independently check the results.

Thomas Pokorny, a visiting judge, agreed and ruled that the CyberCheck information couldnt be presented unless the information requested by the defense was provided. The company has been unwilling to provide this information, claiming it is proprietary.

This is the latest of several challenges defense attorneys have made to the use of CyberCheck evidence being presented in trials.

Two other men also charged in shooting

Wray is one of three men charged in the Falls double shooting and the first to go on trial.

Durell McDowell, 33, of Canton, and Jameir McDowell, 33, of Akron, are scheduled to enter a plea and be sentenced Oct. 12.

Durell is charged with obstructing justice, while Jameir faces the same charges as Wray, plus obstructing justice.

Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com, 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Deair Wray goes on trial in Summit County court for double shooting
Think about how much you use electricity each day: every time you flip a light switch, use the microwave to heat-up dinner, boot up your laptop for work, or power on your TV at night to watch some Netflix before bed. Its a lotand youd probably lose track after a while. At the end of the year, though, the average U.S. household will use roughly 10.6 MWh of electricity.

Thats a lot of energy that goes into powering our day-to-day lives. But if you were, say, a Big Tech company operating one of the most powerful and popular chatbots in the world, youre going to use far more energy than that. Thats because these models require a lot of energy-intensive hardware like GPUs, which are the chips and circuits that are used to actually train and perform the computations necessary for AI. These units are incredibly powerfulbut also require a lot of power to operate.

While artificial intelligence companies like OpenAI and Google are highly secretive about how much energy their models are gobbling up each day, some researchers estimate that just the training of ChatGPTs underlying model GPT-3 required 1,287 MWh of energy. Thats the equivalent of what a little more than 120 U.S. households use in an entire year just to create the model. One researcher from the University of Washington estimated that queries in ChatGPT add up to about 1,000 MWh each daywhich amounts to the energy usage of nearly 34,000 households each year.

The Social Media Panicmongers Have Pivoted to AI

This energy usage doesnt come without its costsboth monetarily and otherwise. In a paper published in the Journal of Machine Learning Research in June 2023, the authors estimated that training GPT-3 resulted in roughly 500 metric tons of carbon emissionsor the equivalent of driving a million miles by car. To keep it running each day for every single query, results in exponentially more emissions.

Thats arguably a very small portion of the impact too.

Its not so much just about energy consumption, co-author Sasha Luccioni, the climate lead at Hugging Face and founding member of Climate Change AI, told The Daily Beast. Its also the size of the model, how long it took to train, and what kind of hardware was used.

Perhaps thats why its not too surprising that the likes of OpenAI and Microsoft have begun to look into new ways to power their current and future AI projects. However, the precise method theyre exploring might raise a few eyebrows: nuclear power. This week, Microsoft posted a job listing for a principal program manager of nuclear technology who will lead project initiatives for all aspects of nuclear energy infrastructure that its AI models and cloud infrastructure will reside on.

Specifically, the project manager will be in charge of implementing a framework for small modular reactors (SMRs). These are nuclear reactors that are designed to be a fraction of the size of typical reactors. In theory, this will allow them to be easier and cheaper to build and manageall while creating a relatively cleaner form of energy. (While the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved an SMR design earlier this year, the technology has yet to be actually deployed in the field.)

How We Might Finally Get Over Our Fear of Nuclear Power

Microsoft isnt the only AI company doing so either. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has a few irons in the proverbial fire when it comes to alternative energy, including Oklo, a nuclear energy startup he took public for $500 billion in July 2023, and Helion Energy, a nuclear fusion startup hes invested $375 million in. Microsoft also inked a deal to start purchasing energy from the latter company in 2028.

Its still too early to tell how these investments will ultimately shake out, but its clear that these companies are signaling to the world that they know how much energy and resources their AI models need to run. To make sure theyre best-positioned in the future, then, theyre starting to make big bets on alternative forms of energyeven if they might be a little controversial, as is the case with nuclear power.

Nuclear energy is really debatable in terms of sustainability, Luccioni explained. Nuclear is not renewable. Theres also a whole big can of worms when it comes to dealing with nuclear waste. If you really want to be sustainable or beneficial for the planet, you can heavily invest into solar or wind.

That isnt to say that there arent undeniable benefits when it comes to nuclear energy. However, when coupled with the thought of private companies having powerful reactors at their disposal, it does become very alarming very quickly.

An AI Chatbot Solved Analogy Problems Better Than Humans

Of course, there are ways to address the growing energy needs of AI without resorting to nuclear energy. If you reduce your energy consumption, then your carbon impact is going to reducetheres no way around it, Mosharaf Chowdhury, an associate professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Michigan, told The Daily Beast.

Chowdhury helped develop a software called Zeus that analyzes the energy efficiency of training AI. In a paper he co-authored on his study, the team found that the software could potentially help reduce energy consumption in these models by as much as 75 percent.

Ever since the beginning of deep learning, people have realized that the larger and deeper they make neural networks, the better it performs, co-author Jae-Won Chung, a computer science and engineering PhD candidate at UM, told The Daily Beast. So people have been making them larger and larger.

As they become larger, that increases the need for GPUs. Extrapolate this even further with the growing number of tech companies looking to make bigger and badder AI models, and it becomes an unwieldy environmental nightmare. This is what motivates my research, Chung said. We hope to make [AI training] more efficient.

I Promoted AI for Years and Automated Myself Out of a Job

One of the best and simplest ways to ensure that these companies and startups are using energy as efficiently as possible, though, is through transparency, according to Luccioni. By recording and reporting the energy consumption data, it gives both users and regulators a clear picture of what models are eating up the most energy and what should be done about it.

Maintaining transparency was something that these AI companies used to do a relatively decent job atthough that all changed with the launch of ChatGPT. That moment saw companies that used to champion transparency and open source coding like OpenAI and Google do away with their former practices in favor of hiding trade secrets from competitors.

Doing so doesnt just pose a risk to the environment. It also has the potential to cause other forms of real-world harm.

I look at energy consumption but theres also people who look at bias, Luccioni explained. There are people who do audits and robustness. There are people who do important work with these models but now, with this rat race, you cant do this work anymore.

You dont know how big it is, she added. Now its become not only black boxes, but black boxes inside of black boxes. Thats whats really frustrating.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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While traveling to an Alabama state park in search of scenic waterfalls, a Florida couple pulled over to help a woman accused of faking car troubles.

Thats when the encounter turned deadly on Aug. 14, 2022, federal prosecutors in Alabama said.

The Florida college students were on their way to hike in Cheaha State Park when Yasmine Marie Adel Hider waved them down to jump start her broken down car in the nearby Talladega National Forest, according to court documents and prosecutors.

After the couple tried using jumper cables and sought advice from YouTube videos to help, Hiders vehicle still wouldnt start, according to a trial brief.

Suddenly, Hider pulled out a gun and forced 22-year-old Adam Simjee and his girlfriend, Mikayla Paulus, 20, into the woods, according to authorities, McClatchy News previously reported. They were both from Apopka, Florida.

Hider robbed the couple and fatally shot (Simjee) as he attempted to defend himself and (Paulus), prosecutors said.

As the shooting unfolded, another woman accused of planning the robbery, Krystal Diane Pinkins, was watching in the nearby woods, according to prosecutors who said she gave Hider the weapon used to kill Simjee.

A federal jury has found Pinkins, 37, of Memphis, Tennessee guilty of murder, robbery and unlawful use of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with Simjees death, the U.S Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Alabama announced in a Sept. 29 news release.

Hider, who has since testified in Pinkins trial, has agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder and other charges on Oct. 4, according to court records.

McClatchy News contacted a defense attorney representing Pinkins and federal public defenders representing Hider for comment on Oct. 2 and didnt receive immediate responses.

After Simjee was shot, he died as Paulus tried giving him chest compressions as directed by a 911 operator on the phone, court documents say.

My life was changed forever, Paulus wrote on Aug. 14, one year after Simjees death. I woke up excited to travel and make new memories with the love of my life, but i went to sleep a widow.

I took his whole life away

Days after Hider killed Simjee, she told investigators I didnt want to hurt anybody, according to a trial brief.

I took his whole life away, now he cant tell his story, Hider said, per court documents.

When Hider shot Simjee, Simjee, who had a pistol, fired back at her in self defense, according to Hiders plea agreement.

Afterward, Hider spotted Pinkins in the woods and called out to her saying what do you want me to do?, the plea agreement says.

Ultimately, Pinkins disappeared into the woods before authorities tracked her down six hours later at a campsite, prosecutors said.

According to the Clay County Sheriffs Office in Alabama, Pinkins 5-year-old son emerged from the woods with a loaded shotgun as officers apprehended her, McClatchy News previously reported. He ultimately put down the weapon, authorities said.

Pinkins was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and the boy was transferred to the custody of the state, according to authorities.

She is facing up to life in federal prison, prosecutors said.

We had our entire lives ahead of us

One day after Simjees death, Paulus described him as her soulmate, my life partner, the future father of my children, in a Facebook post.

We had our entire lives ahead of us, Paulus wrote. Adam is the best person ive ever met on the face of this entire planet. he was the most pure soul and he made sure i knew i would be safe when i was with him. it comforts me to say he passed in one of his favorite places, the forest in the mountains.

Simjee studied at the University of Central Florida and Paulus studied at the University of Florida, according to their Facebook pages.

On Aug. 14, Paulus wrote this is just the first year of many without (Simjee), but i see him everywhere as long as i pay close enough attention.

There is never a moment that goes by where hes not on my mind. the rest of my life will be a love letter to him. i miss you and love you forever sweet boy.

Apopka is about 20 miles northwest of Orlando.

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By Krisztina Than and Jan Lopatka

BUDAPEST/PRAGUE (Reuters) - Robert Fico 's election win in Slovakia after he had campaigned to end military aid to Ukraine shows creeping discontent in Central Europe over the war with Russia, but analysts do not expect a major policy turn-around by Bratislava or Warsaw.

Leaders in the region, which was once under Soviet rule, have been whipping up nationalist sentiment in Hungary, Slovakia and even traditionally anti-Russian Poland, with support for Ukraine falling victim to short-term political manoeuvring to win votes.

Fico's victory in Saturday's election prompted concerns that his new government would see NATO-member Slovakia joining Hungary in challenging the European Union's consensus on support for Ukraine.

Ahead of the vote, Fico pledged to end military supplies to Ukraine and strive for peace talks. This is a line close to that of Hungarian leader Viktor Orban but rejected by Ukraine and its allies, who say this would only encourage Russia.

However, analysts do not see a big policy switch regarding Ukraine in Slovakia and Poland.

Roger Hilton, a defence fellow at GLOBSEC, said the current rifts are about short-term political gains, while the long-term security interest of the region remains anchored in NATO, with the conflict in Ukraine seen as an existential threat.

"I don't believe the ascent of a single government in CEE, like that of Fico, will be the catalyst that leads to the collapse of support for Ukraine across the region," he said.

In Poland, where backing for Ukraine has been the strongest, the ruling government is under pressure from the far right to take a tougher stance on Ukraine before elections on Oct. 15.

A dispute with Ukraine over grains shipments and the extension of an import ban on Ukrainian grains by Poland, Hungary and Slovakia last month added to friction.

MODERATING EFFECT

In Slovakia, Fico's SMER-SSD party won the election with 23% of the vote. The liberal Progressive Slovakia followed with 18% and the HLAS (Voice) party - led by Fico's former colleague Peter Pellegrini - came in third with 14.7%.

The most likely coalition appeared to be of SMER-SSD with HLAS, a more centre-left and pro-European party that split away from SMER-SSD in 2020, and the pro-Russian nationalistic but small SNS.

This is a more middle-of-the-road group than a pre-election scenario of SMER plus SNS and Republika, a far-right party that failed to win any seats.

Samuel Abraham, head of the BISLA liberal arts college in Bratislava, said the presence of HLAS would be a significant moderating factor when it comes to Fico's policies on Ukraine.

Pellegrini has backed continuation of commercial arms supplies including to Ukraine, saying it was good for jobs, and he reiterated that stance on Sunday.

"He (Fico) is cynical and pragmatic enough and knows that if he pressed too much against the EU, if he wanted to cancel sanctions on Russia, he would hit the wall there in the form of Pellegrini," Abraham said.

"He will try to secure a pro-European line, he will push pro-Ukrainian line. It is the only way to legitimise himself, in the eyes of his voters who did not want to go with Fico."

Fico, 59, three-time prime minister, is a seasoned politician well-versed in Brussels politics. He is likely to tread carefully when it comes to support for Ukraine or other issues within the EU as Slovakia strongly benefits from the bloc's development funds.

His obvious ally is Orban, who was one of the first to congratulate him on his win. Orban's government has refused to send weapons to Ukraine and opposed EU sanctions against Russia, even though it never blocked them in the end.

Orban has used support for Ukraine in Brussels as leverage in talks about other issues.

MOMENT OF TRUTH

A key moment to test Central Europe's support for Ukraine could come in December, when the EU may decide to start membership talks with Ukraine. This would require the unanimous backing of all 27 EU countries.

"We are convinced it is illusory to deal with this question at a time when a sharp military conflict goes on in Ukraine," Fico told Reuters last week when asked if he supported Ukraine's EU membership and the opening of entry talks this year.

But Fico did not specifically say he would oppose the start of talks.

Orban said on Friday that "very difficult questions" would need to be answered before the EU could even start membership talks with Ukraine. He did not say Budapest would block the process either.

Poland's ruling nationalist government, which leads polls ahead of the election, has expressed its support for Ukraine's membership, although relations with Kyiv cooled lately.

However, once the Polish election is over and policymakers sit down for talks in Brussels, unity is likely to form behind Ukraine, said Mujtaba Rahman, managing director for Europe at think tank Eurasia group.

"Ultimately what will happen is that Slovakia and Hungary will get on board with the European consensus because many issues are linked in Europe," Rahman said.

"The bigger challenges are not Slovakia, or Hungary but the U.S. election cycle and the impact that has on support for Ukraine."

(Writing by Krisztina Than, Additional reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
The media has reported that one more Estonian soldier was killed near the city of Lyman, Donetsk Oblast.

Source: Postimees, referring to its sources

Details: Postimees said Tanel Kriggul (went by the alias Stinger), who fought in the Ukrainian International Legion (also known as the Foreign Legion) since last year, was killed near the city of Lyman, Donetsk oblast.

Three sources who are fighting in the same legion confirmed Krigguls death.

"A small private house where Kriggull lived with his brother in arms was hit by a Russian military drone on Saturday evening," Postimees said.

Background: In March, Ivo Jurak, a former officer of the Estonian Defence Forces, was killed near Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast as a result of artillery shelling.

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!
Another government shutdown is looming. Here's what needs to happen so Americans don't face the consequences.

President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speak as walk out of the U.S. Capitol on Saint Patrick's Day, March 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Congress passed a last-minute deal to avoid a government shutdown on Saturday.

It will continue funding until November 17, at which point another bill is needed to avert a shutdown.

The short-term resolution did not include Ukraine aid, a funding sticking point.

Get ready to face another government shutdown standoff next month.

With just hours to spare on Saturday, Congress managed to pass a short-term continuing resolution to keep the government funded through November 17. That leaves lawmakers with another 46 days to come to a longer-term agreement on government funding  and the fight has already begun.

The bill contained $16 billion in disaster relief, along with funds to keep the Federal Aviation Administration operational. However, it did not include more aid for Ukraine, which Republicans did not want to include  and prompted Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet to put a hold on the Saturday vote to attempt to get more money for Ukraine included in the short-term legislation.

"I objected tonight to proceeding to the Continuing Resolution because it failed to provide additional money for Ukraine,'" Bennet said in a statement. "Senate Leadership needed to reaffirm our bipartisan commitment to sustain funding for Ukraine. The Senate Leadership has released such a statement, and, as a result, I voted to keep the government open."

Biden also urged Republicans to include aid for Ukraine in the next funding package.

"I did not believe we could let millions of Americans go through the pain of a government shutdown," Biden said in Sunday remarks.



"But let's be clear: I hope my friends on the other side keep their word about support for Ukraine," he continued. "They said they were going to support Ukraine in a separate vote. We cannot under any circumstance allow America's support for Ukraine to be interrupted."

The bill also continues to fund federal wages, SNAP, and programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have a range of policies they want to see included in the upcoming funding package, and they're on the clock once again. Here's what comes next in the government shutdown battle.

Next steps to keep the government funded

The current short-term continuing resolution Biden signed into law will remain in effect until November 17. That means lawmakers need to craft additional legislation to prevent a shutdown after that date, and discussions have already begun.

By a vote of 335 to 91  with 209 Democrats and 126 Republicans voting in favor  the short-term bill passed Congress. Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley, the only Democrat who voted against the resolution, said he did so because it did not include Ukraine funding. "This bill is a victory for Putin and Putin sympathizers everywhere," he said.

Meanwhile, House Republicans have demanded steep funding cuts for Ukraine, along with strengthened border security. Given the disagreements over Ukraine funding, some senators might try to accomplish it in a standalone bill  Politico reported that Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen thinks there could be bipartisan support for that effort.

As those efforts play out over the next month, Congress still will need to pass 12 appropriations bills to fund federal agencies. On top of that, House conservatives are threatening Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy's leadership  after McCarthy worked with Democrats to fund the government, GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz said that "this agreement that he made with Democrats to really blow past a lot of the spending guardrails we set up is a last straw."

"I do intend to file a motion to vacate against Speaker McCarthy this week," Gaetz said on CNN. "I think we need to rip off the Band-Aid. I think we need to move on with new leadership that will be trustworthy."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Antisemitic messages distributed to State College homes, including one owned by a Jewish man running for a spot on Borough Council, drew a rebuke Monday from the political veteran and other community members.

The Centre Daily Times viewed at least four messages that espoused hatred for Jews, including one that called a sacred Jewish text satanic. Each were placed inside zip-close bags that contained rice.

State College Borough Council candidate and former council president Evan Myers said the manner in which the messages were delivered  it appeared as if someone threw the bags out of a window as they drove by  led him to believe it was a well-thought-out distribution.

I certainly wont be intimidated by this. It certainly is extremely troublesome; these were vile messages. I can only believe they were meant to intimidate people. In some ways, its not unexpected, Myers said. ... Theres no mistake that its part of a larger pattern of hate, racism and homophobia and Islamophobia and misogyny and anti-immigration thoughts.

Myers said he and some of his neighbors received the messages Sunday. They were reported to the boroughs police department. The CDT left messages with two officers that werent returned as of Monday afternoon. Its unclear how many people received the bags.

Its dangerous. At some point, unfortunately, words sometimes translate into action and unless people do point it out, call it out, say Its wrong, sometimes some people think its OK, Myers said. And its definitely not OK.

The antisemitic material was made public Sunday in a Facebook post by State College Area School District board member Peter Buck.

To call them disgusting is an understatement, Buck wrote. The sickness of hatred mus(t) be fought every day by all of us.

Similar messages contained in bags with rice were found in August in a small town about 70 miles west of Boston. After consultation with the Anti-Defamation League of New England, the towns police department said it believed the messages were distributed by a neo-Nazi extremist group that operates nationally.

The group is a loose network of people connected by virulent antisemitism, the ADL wrote on its website. It has thousands of followers online. The group, the ADL wrote, engages in antisemitic stunts and schemes to troll or otherwise harass Jews.

Josh Wretzel, the vice president of social action at Congregation Brit Shalom, said Monday its members were left feeling distraught and angry, but resilient after learning about the messages. He and Myers said its at least the second time in less than a month that community members received such messages. Others were distributed on Sept. 11.

Wretzel encouraged anyone who may harbor animosity toward Jews to learn more about the religion, adding, We have more similarities than differences and can find common ground on which to relate.

The tendency that I think we have  if I can generalize  is to stay quiet and is to let these things pass in silence. Were reticent to speak out because we dont have the best history of things going well for us when we call attention to ourselves, Wretzel said. I think there was some of that impulse when we were made aware of the first round of materials. After this happening again within a very short span, I think theres a little bit more urgency that we feel.

We know that were a part of this community and we know that we belong and we know that theres a lot of people in the community who agree with that. We want to make sure that the voices that welcome us overpower the voices that do not.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says it would be wild for House Republicans to expel renegade Matt Gaetz after they refused to take action against criminally indicted congressman George Santos .

The GOP is reportedly seeking to take enact revenge on Mr Gaetz after he led a far-right coalition that rebelled against efforts by House speaker Kevin McCarthy to reach a spending deal on Saturday.

Mr Gaetz has been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee since 2021 over claims he violated sex trafficking laws, accepted a bribe, and spent campaign funds for personal use.

The committee is in the final stages of completing its report, and if it returns guilty findings, Republicans are said to be planning to hold a vote to expel Mr Gaetz.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez weighed into the escalating feud with an unexpected defence of the far-right Florida congressman on Sunday.

The idea that Republicans would expel Gaetz over creating political headaches for themselves but not Santos over indictment on 13 Federal charges, including 7 counts of wire fraud and 2 counts of lying to Congress, seems wild, she wrote on X.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has emerged as an unlikely defender of Matt Gaetz (Twitter/Olivia Julliana)

GOP created this problem for themselves by setting the bar for protecting grave misconduct: they did NOT vote to censure or expel their member over violent images of killing another member of Congress & are currently protecting a member from expulsion despite 13 fed indictments.

Mr Santos was indicted in May on charges of embezzling money from his campaign, falsely receiving unemployment funds and lying to Congress about his finances.

He has denied the charges.

Mr McCarthy said at the time he would only call for the New York Congressman to resign if he were convicted or found to have broken the law by the House Ethics Committee.

On Saturday, the House speaker infuriated members of the far-right House Freedom Caucus when he struck a last-minute deal with the support of Democrats to avert a government shutdown.

Mr Gaetz has since declared war on Mr McCarthy, telling several Sunday shows that he will offer a motion this week to vacate the House chair this week.

Mr McCarthy may require the support of House Democrats to survive the vote to oust him.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez said on Sunday progressives in the party would seek significant concessions in return for saving Mr McCarthys job.

I think Kevin McCarthy is a very weak speaker. He clearly has lost control of his caucus, she told CNN.

He has brought the United States and millions of Americans to the brink waiting until the final hour to keep the government open and even then only issuing a 45-day extension. So were going to be right back in this place in November.
An Atlanta federal appeals court has suspended a grants program for Black women-run businesses.

According to ABC News, the program addressed corporate diversity policies and their impact on Black women.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision on Saturday will temporarily stop the Fearless Fund, which invests in businesses led by women of color needing pre-seed, seed level or series A financing, from running its Striver Grant Contest. The contest awards $20,000 to companies at least 51% owned by Black women and meet other requirements.

Fearless Fund shared a statement on Sunday, saying it plans to comply with the courts decision and is confident it wont detriment its mission.

We strongly disagree with the decision and remain resolute in our mission and commitment to address the unacceptable disparities that exist for Black women and other women of color in the venture capital space, the Fearless Fund said.

The case was brought to court by the American Alliance for Equal Rights. The group, run by conservative activist Edward Blum, argued the fund violates a section of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 that bars racial discrimination in contracts.

The decision reversed a ruling made on Sept. 26 by U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, which denied the American Alliances request to stop the program. The new decision by the majority of the three-judge panel deemed the fund racially exclusionary.

The members of the American Alliance for Equal Rights are gratified that the 11th Circuit has recognized the likelihood that the Fearless Strivers Grant Contest is illegal, Blum said in a statement. We look forward to the final resolution of this lawsuit.

The Fearless Fund, founded in 2019, has procured the services of several civil rights lawyers, including Ben Crump, to handle its defense.
Unlike almost any other archaeologist on earth, Jessi Halligan does her digging underwater.

Halligan, an associate professor of anthropology at Florida State University, studies the first people who came to Florida about 15,000 years ago, when sea levels were 300 feet lower than they are today. These days, many of Floridas oldest settlements, hunting grounds and ceremonial mounds are at the bottom of rivers or the Gulf of Mexico.

Florida is one of the global epicenters for a little-known field called submerged landscape archaeology. There are only about a dozen full-time scientists working in the field in the U.S. They tend to focus on Florida because the state has lost half its landmass to sea level rise since humans started living here. Scientists have found evidence of ancient shell mounds as far as 20 miles into the Gulf, one of thousands of preserved archaeological sites hidden under the states gentle rivers and along the wide, shallow continental shelf that stretches 200 miles off the states west coast.

The stories that archaeologists like Halligan unearth from the depths offer lessons for modern Floridians who are now facing sea level rise once again.

Jessi Halligan, an associate professor of anthropology at Florida State University, prepares to dive in the Aucilla River in search of artifacts from the first people who occupied Florida.

Across space and time in human history, water always wins. So we have to learn to accept that and be creative with it, said Halligan. Flexibility is the watchword. You have to build structures that can move and can bend  or be willing to say goodbye to them.

For cities like Miami and St. Pete and Jacksonville, thats going to come to a pretty major reckoning, said Morgan Smith, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga who studies underwater sites in the Apalachee Bay in North Florida. Native peoples had to adapt, and they were able to do it because they had that flexibility in their lifestyle Were going to have to do it also, and its going to be a lot more complicated.

Studying artifacts found underwater in Florida has already rewritten the history of human migration in North America. In 2016, Halligan led a team of researchers that found a stone knife buried under 13 feet of sediment at the bottom of the Aucilla River, which drains into Apalachee Bay. It provided evidence that people were living in Florida 14,500 years ago  a millennium earlier than scientists previously assumed the first people arrived in the Americas.

Morgan Smith (left), an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and Michael R. Waters, an archaeology professor at Texas A&M University, examine a 14,500-year-old stone knife discovered in the Aucilla River by Smith and his dive buddy John Albertson.

So far, Halligan, Smith, and other scientists have identified about 50 underwater archaeological sites in Florida. Soon, some of these sites may become the first submerged landscapes to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. But the researchers have only surveyed about 1 percent of the Gulf, and they suspect there are thousands of Florida sites left to find.

Imagine having a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle and you have like 10 pieces and none of them are corners, said Matthew Newton, an anthropology PhD student at the University of Florida who studies underwater archaeology. Thats archaeology, and thats especially how offshore archaeology is. Its a huge ocean.

Diving into the past

Theres something eerie about diving underwater to dig up the remains of ancient homes and hearths.

Last summer, Smith and his team dove in the Gulf of Mexico 15 miles off the coast of Tallahassee, at a site that once served as a campsite. There, on the sandy seafloor, he found a stone spearpoint lying more or less where someone had left it 8,000 years earlier.

Underwater archaeologists excavate a site in Apalachee Bay.

When you take something like that out of the ground, youre all of a sudden slapped in the face with the reality that everything there was dry land, and youre under 20 feet of water right now, he said. That was a landscape, you know? There were springs and ponds and forests and people hunting and gathering and hanging out and kids running around and dogs barking.

Then you come up and you look all around you and you cant see land, he said.

The evidence of these ancient landscapes is still down there beneath the sea and sand. Riverbeds and sinkholes that once fed ponds and springs are carved into the limestone, running between humps of stone that were once high ground. Divers will occasionally find a tree stump that marks where a forest once stood. Its basically like a mirror image of whats on land out there, Smith said.

Jessica Cook Hale prepares to dive during a 2019 mastodon excavation in Wakulla Springs, Florida.

Things get even stranger in the deep muck of the Aucilla River, where Halligan spends most of her time. The tannic water there is cold and dark with the decomposing remains of foliage rotting in North Floridas cypress swamps. Its like diving in really dark iced tea most of the year, Halligan said. Without a dive light it is completely blackYou could be teleported into space and you wouldnt know.

Some divers find that unnerving. The water is home to catfish, turtles and alligators, and its so dark youd never know if any of them were lurking over your shoulder. But Halligan says the gators have never given her any trouble. Well see them swimming on the surface but they tend to stay away from us, she said.

Jessi Halligan excavates the mud at the bottom of the Aucilla River in 2015.

That leaves Halligan and her colleagues free to sink to the bottom, 30 feet beneath the surface, breathing from long tubes connected to hookah rig air compressors on pontoon boats docked near the shore. Then, working by the glow of dive lights, they use hand trowels to carefully excavate the riverbed.

They dig for hours, sinking farther and farther into an underwater hole as much as nine feet deep, the walls of river muck rising above their heads. As they dig, the archaeologists might find stone fragments of ancient tools, the remains of drowned firepits, or the bones and droppings of extinct mammoths, mastodons, bison and paleo-llamas. Youre just down there in the dark, underwater, and youre like, This was a landscape that peoples feet were on, Halligan said. It is a really unique thing.

Lessons from Floridas flooded history

Just like modern Floridians, ancient people tended to build their homes along the coasts, according to Jessica Cook Hale, a seismic mapping research assistant at the University of Bradfords Submerged Landscapes Research Center.

But as sea levels rose  sometimes gradually, at an average rate of about three feet per century, and sometimes in quick pulses of about a dozen feet per century  ancient Floridians were forced to adapt.

Jessica Cook Hale collects samples from a 5,000-year-old shell midden now submerged beneath the sea in Apalachee Bay.

Cook Hale has found evidence of this in the shell mounds native people build along the coast near Apalachee Bay. There are shell middens on land along the modern coastline  but Cook Hale has also dived on middens as far as five miles off the coast and seen evidence of shell mounds 20 miles off the coast.

As the coastline encroached, they pulled back, Cook Hale said. You can sort of follow these shellfish middens from the shore seaward.

Sea levels have risen 300 feet in Florida since people first arrived 15,000 years ago, shrinking the states landmass by half. This map, based on an analysis by archaeologist Shawn Joy, shows how Floridas coastline changed over the years.

Even for hunter-gatherers, that kind of change was disruptive. The prehistoric people who were adapted to this landscape probably had to reshape their entire decision-making strategy, said Smith. It was like, That hunting ground was dry land and now its marsh and I cant go there anymore.

Underwater archaeologists excavate a knife in the Gulf of Mexico.

For modern Floridians, adapting to a changing coastline will be even harder. People could pick up and move 10,000 years ago, said Cook Hale. They didnt have a Miami or an I-95 or an I-75 to worry about. So we have a lot more of a challenge to overcome in terms of the rigidity of our coastal infrastructure.

Halligan suggested we could learn from the attitudes of the Floridians who came before us. They werent putting billions of dollars into sea walls and concrete and asphalt roads, she said. Instead they were responding flexibly and saying, Okay, well, the world is dynamic. It changes all the time. The coastlines change. We also need to adapt to that.

These lessons are going to be really hard to employ, she added.

University of Bradford researchers Simon Fitch and Jessica Cook Hale analyze data. Although underwater excavations are exciting, most of underwater archaeologists work happens back in the lab.

Cook Hale sees some parallels between modern Floridians who rebuild beach houses leveled by hurricanes and their ancient predecessors who kept building coastal shell mounds even as they kept getting swallowed up by the sea. We have ties to the landscape, and those people did, too, she said. Theyre meaningful and theyre important to us culturally.

Although she agrees that Floridians will eventually have to accept and adapt to sea level rise, Cook Hale said it isnt realistic to expect people to easily give up on their homes  the places where they grew up, developed their lifestyles and buried their dead.

When we talk about how to cope with climate change and sea level rise, I think its really important to go beyond just that linear logic, she said. If you cant appreciate how people may feel attached to their landscape, its going to be really difficult, I think, as a culture, to respond effectively.

This climate report is funded by Florida International University and the David and Christina Martin Family Foundation in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald retains editorial control of all content.
By Andrew Gray

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Armenia urged the European Union on Monday to sanction Azerbaijan for its military operation in the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave and warned that Baku could soon attack Armenia itself unless the West takes firm action.

Tigran Balayan, Armenia's envoy to the EU, listed possible measures such as a price cap on Azerbaijani oil and gas and the suspension of EU talks on closer relations with Baku. He also urged the West to deliver "bold" security assistance to Armenia.

"It's not only the opinion of the Armenian government, but also of many experts - also some of the EU member states - that an attack on Armenia proper is imminent," Balayan told Reuters in an interview in Brussels.

Azerbaijani forces took control of Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave on its territory populated by ethnic Armenians, in a lightning operation last month, triggering an exodus of more than 100,000 Armenians in less than a week.

Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing - a charge denied by Baku, which has insisted the enclave's Armenians were welcome to remain in the territory. Baku has also insisted it has no intention of attacking Armenia itself.

But Balayan said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev 's assurances could not be trusted, noting European officials have declared he broke promises not to attack Nagorno-Karabakh.

He said the EU had many tools to pressure Aliyev - and Nagorno-Karabakh had paid a heavy price because it had not used any of them so far.

"The failure of ... employing this toolbox resulted in the ethnic cleansing of 100,000 to 120,000 of the indigenous Armenian population, including my own family, from their ancestral lands," said Balayan, Armenia's ambassador-designate to the EU.

Senior EU officials, and leaders of many of the bloc's member countries, have condemned Azerbaijan's actions. But the EU has so far taken little in the way of concrete measures in response to the crisis, beyond allocating humanitarian aid.

Diplomats say EU members are struggling to find a consensus. Some, such as France and the Netherlands, want to at least consider tough measures, while others such as Hungary and Romania are reluctant, they say.

The EU's search for a response is complicated by its moves to rely more on Azerbaijani oil and gas as it has pivoted away from Russian energy due to Moscow's war in Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Aliyev in Baku last year to sign a memorandum of understanding on energy, and declared Azerbaijan to be a "crucial partner".

But Balayan insisted the EU had real leverage on energy, as Baku relies heavily on European countries as customers.

GRANADA MEETING

He said a meeting expected this week at a summit in Granada, Spain, between Armenian Prime Minister Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Aliyev, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Council President Charles Michel would only yield results if the EU was tough with Aliyev.

"Unless there are certain red lines put in front of Aliyev personally for not keeping his word ... it will be in vain again," he said.

Balayan voiced fears that Azerbaijan would use force to establish a land corridor through Armenian territory to the exclave of Nakhchivan, which would also provide a link to Turkey, Baku's ally.

Azerbaijan insisted last week it did not intend to take any such action.

But Balayan said Azerbaijan's military goals could extend even beyond Nakhchivan, noting Aliyev had made comments that asserted Armenian territory was formerly part of Azerbaijan.

He said Armenia had been left exposed in security terms as its traditional ally Russia had not delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in weapons orders.

"We are in a very vulnerable position," he said.

Balayan declined to specify what kind of security assistance Aremenia wanted, saying that was a matter of technical experts.

(Reporting by Andrew Gray; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Azerbaijani servicemen guard the Lachin checkpoint on the in Azerbaijan, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. Astsetrayn was one of the last residents of Nagorno-Karabakh to drive out of the region in his own vehicle as part of a grueling weeklong exodus of over 100,000 people  more than 80% of the residents  after Azerbaijan reclaimed the area in a lightning military operation. (AP Photo/Aziz Karimov)

The last bus carrying ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh left the region Monday, completing a grueling weeklong exodus of over 100,000 people  more than 80% of its residents  after Azerbaijan reclaimed the area in a lightning military operation.

The bus that entered Armenia carried 15 passengers with serious illnesses and mobility problems, said Gegham Stepanyan, a human rights ombudsman for the former breakaway region that Azerbaijan calls Karabakh. He called for information about any other residents who want to leave but have had trouble doing so.

In a 24-hour campaign that began Sept. 19, the Azerbaijani army routed the region's undermanned and outgunned Armenian forces, forcing them to capitulate. The separatist government then agreed to disband itself by the end of the year, but Azerbaijani authorities are already in charge of the region.

Azerbaijan Interior Ministry spokesman Elshad Hajiyev told The Associated Press on Monday the countrys police have established control of the entire region.

Work is conducted to enforce law and order in the entire Karabakh region, he said, adding that Azerbaijani police have moved to protect the rights and ensure security of the Armenian population in accordance with Azerbaijans law.

While Baku has pledged to respect the rights of ethnic Armenians, most of them hastily fled the region, fearing reprisals or losing the freedom to use their language and practice their religion and customs.

The Armenian government said Monday that 100,514 of the regions estimated 120,000 residents have crossed into Armenia.

Armenian Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan said some people had died during the exhausting and slow journey over the single mountain road into Armenia that took as long as 40 hours. The exodus followed a nine-month Azerbaijani blockade of the region that left many suffering from malnutrition and lack of medicine.

Armenia alleged the closure denied basic food and fuel supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh, but Azerbaijan rejected the accusation, saying the Armenian government was using it for weapons shipments and argued the region could receive supplies through the Azerbaijani city of Aghdam  a solution long resisted by Nagorno-Karabakh authorities.

Sergey Astsetryan, 40, one of the last Nagorno-Karabakh residents to leave in his own vehicle Sunday, said some elderly people decided to stay, adding that others might return if they see its safe for ethnic Armenians under Azerbaijani rule.

My father told me that he will return when he has the opportunity, Astsetryan told reporters at a checkpoint on the Armenian border.

Azerbaijani authorities have arrested several former members of the separatist government and encouraged ethnic Azerbaijani residents who fled the area amid a war three decades ago to start moving back.

The streets of the regional capital, which is called Khankendi by Azerbaijan and Stepanakert by the Armenians, appeared empty and littered with trash, with doors of deserted businesses flung open.

The sign with the citys Azerbaijani name was placed at one entrance and Azerbaijani police checkpoints were set up on the outskirts, with officers checking the trunks of cars.

Just outside the city, a herd of cows grazed in an abandoned orchard, and a small dog, which appeared to have been left behind by its owners, silently watched passing vehicles.

Russian peacekeeping troops could be seen on a balcony of one building in the city, and others were at their base outside it, where their vehicles were parked.

On Sunday, Azerbaijan prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for former Nagorno-Karabakh leader Arayik Harutyunyan, who led the region before stepping down at the beginning of September. Azerbaijani police arrested one of Harutyunyans former prime ministers, Ruben Vardanyan, on Wednesday as he tried to cross into Armenia.

We put an end to the conflict," Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a speech Monday. We protected our dignity, we restored justice and international law.

He added that "our agenda is peace in the Caucasus, peace in the region, cooperation, shared benefits, and today, we demonstrate that.

After six years of separatist fighting ended in 1994 following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Nagorno-Karabakh came under the control of ethnic Armenian forces, backed by Armenia, turning about 1 million of its Azerbaijani residents into refugees. After a six-week war in 2020, Azerbaijan took back back parts of the region in the south Caucasus Mountains, along with surrounding territory that Armenian forces had captured earlier.

Armenian authorities have accused the Russian peacekeepers, who were deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh after the 2020 war, of standing idle and failing to stop the Azerbaijani onslaught. The accusations were rejected by Moscow, which argued that its troops didn't have a mandate to intervene.

The mutual accusations have further strained the relations between Armenia and its longtime ally Russia, which has accused the Armenian government of a pro-Western tilt.

Allegations of shooting on both sides resumed Monday for the first time since a Sept. 20 cease-fire.

Russian Defense Ministry alleged Monday that its patrol in the region's capital, conducted jointly with Azerbaijani forces, was fired at by a sniper, although it added that it wasn't clear who was behind the attack.

Armenia's and Azerbaijan' defense ministries, in turn, traded accusations of cross-border shooting. The Armenian military accused Azerbaijan of shooting at one of its vehicles, killing one soldier and wounding two more in an area near the Armenia-Azerbaijani border in the Gegharkunik region of Armenia. The ministry said a car carrying food for soldiers came under fire, along with an ambulance. Azerbaijani forces said the Armenian military opened fire at their positions in the Kalbajar region, which lies between the north of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan alleged Thursday that the exodus of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh amounted to a direct act of ethnic cleansing and depriving people of their motherland.

Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry strongly rejected Pashinyans accusations, arguing their departure was their personal and individual decision and has nothing to do with forced relocation.

Speaking to the AP in Lachin, the Azerbaijani town that had been controlled by separatists for nearly three decades until Baku's forces reclaimed it in 2020, Solmaz Abbasova, 67, said returning home was a dream that sustained her family since the earlier exodus.

It was a boundless happiness to come back home after 31 years and see the things which were so dear -- the land, the river, the forest and the lake, Abbasova said, adding that her husband and son were with her but their daughter died before she could return.

She said the Armenians are leaving the region safely by their own choice, unlike her family and other Azerbaijani refugees, adding that many were killed as they tried to leave.

I feel sorry for simple Armenians leaving Karabakh now, but there is a big difference: They and their children aren't being hunted and killed as they killed our refugees, she said. They have a choice whether to stay or leave calmly.

Azerbaijan's presidential office said the country has presented a plan for the reintegration of ethnic Armenians in the region, noting that the equality of rights and freedoms, including security, is guaranteed to everyone regardless of their ethnic, religious or linguistic affiliation.

It said the plan envisages improving infrastructure to bring it line with the rest of the country and offers tax exemptions, subsidies, low-interest loans and other incentives. The statement added Azerbaijani authorities have held three rounds of talks with representatives of the region's ethnic Armenian population and will continue the discussions.

___

Associated Press writers Aida Sultanova in Shusha, Azerbaijan, and Avet Demourian in Yerevan, Armenia, contributed.
FILE - In this image from Windsor, Va., police body camera footage, U.S. Army Lt. Caron Nazario is helped by an EMT after he was pepper-sprayed by Windsor police during a traffic stop in Windsor, Dec. 20, 2020. In a legal brief filed in the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, Nazario argues that a U.S. District Court judge was wrong when he found in a ruling before the trial that officers Joe Gutierrez and Daniel Crocker had probable cause to believe Nazario committed the crimes of eluding police, obstruction of justice and failure to obey an order from a police officer. (Windsor Police via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  A U.S. Army lieutenant who was struck, pepper-sprayed and handcuffed during a traffic stop in Virginia asked a federal appeals court on Monday to overturn rulings by a trial judge after jurors found mostly in favor of the two police officers he sued.

Video of the December 2020 encounter between Lt. Caron Nazario and Windsor police officers was viewed millions of times and highlighted Black drivers' fears of police mistreatment.

In a legal brief filed Monday, Nazario argues that the court erred when it found in a pretrial ruling that Officers Joe Gutierrez and Daniel Crocker had probable cause to believe Nazario committed the crimes of eluding police, obstruction of justice and failure to obey an order.

Nazario also contends that the court erred when it dismissed his claims of unreasonable seizure, excessive force and First Amendment retaliation. He also claims the court gave two erroneous jury instructions and is asking for a new trial. He filed his appeal with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond.

We believe that the jurys verdict was in part influenced by some of the rulings the trial court made, and we are asking the 4th Circuit to review those rulings, said Jonathan Arthur, Nazarios lawyer.

Anne Lahren, one of Crocker's attorneys, said the trial court was correct in its rulings on every issue that is now up on appeal.

The Judge and the jury saw the videos, heard witnesses, and overwhelmingly ruled in favor of the officers, Lahren said in a statement.

The Associated Press sent emails seeking comment to attorneys representing Gutierrez.

In January, a federal jury in Richmond largely sided with the police officers, finding in favor of Gutierrez on Nazario's claims of battery, false imprisonment and an illegal search. The jury also found in favor of Crocker on claims of assault and battery and false imprisonment.

The jury did find Gutierrez liable for assault and awarded Nazario $2,685 in compensatory damages. Jurors also found that Crocker had illegally searched Nazario's SUV and awarded Nazario $1,000 in punitive damages.

Nazario, who had sought $1 million in damages, asked for a new trial, but U.S. District Judge Roderick Young rejected that request in May, finding that Nazario had not shown "that the jury's findings were not within their discretion."

The confrontation between police and Nazario began on Dec. 5, 2020, when officers pulled Nazario over in Windsor, a rural town of about 3,000 in southeast Virginia. The officers said Nazario's Chevrolet Tahoe did not have a rear license plate. Nazario's lawyers said the car dealer had placed temporary tags in the upper right-hand corner inside the rear window.

Video showed Crocker and Gutierrez pointing handguns at a uniformed Nazario, who sat behind the wheel of his SUV while parked at a gas station. The officers repeatedly ordered Nazario to get out of his vehicle, with Gutierrez warning at one point that Nazario was fixing to ride the lightning when he didnt get out.

Nazario, who is Black and Latino, held his hands in the air outside the drivers side window and repeatedly asked why he was being stopped.

Gutierrez went on to pepper-spray him through the open window. Once Nazario got out of the vehicle, the officers ordered him to get on the ground, with Gutierrez using his knees to strike Nazarios legs, Nazario's lawsuit states.

Nazario has developed anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to his lawsuit.

Crocker is still on the force, but Gutierrez was fired in April 2021.

Last month, in a separate settlement with Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, the town of Windsor agreed to independent reviews of any misconduct allegations against its police force and additional officer training. The Attorney Generals Office said its investigation found that while about 22% of Windsors population is Black, it accounted for about 42% of the departments traffic stops between July 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021. The department also searched more vehicles driven by Black motorists than by white drivers.

The Town of Windsor has worked diligently within its police force to enhance training, improve policies and procedures, and ensure the public that its law enforcement operates without prejudice and within the law, the town said in a statement after the settlement was announced.
An Army Reserve veteran at the center of a Capitol Hill fight over burn pit benefits and a Supreme Court case over veterans employment rights was awarded $2.49 million from a Texas jury last week after a 12-year battle with state police officials.

Le Roy Torres, one of the founders of the advocacy group Burn Pits 360 and a well-known figure in national veterans advocacy efforts, had been arguing in court for the last six years that he was improperly forced out of his job as a Texas state trooper in 2011 after complaining of health problems related to earlier military deployments in Iraq.

Torres served in the Army Reserve and developed severe breathing problems linked to the toxic smoke from burn pits around the bases where he was stationed. Since then, he has been diagnosed with lung disease and toxic brain injuries.

He sued the Texas Department of Public Safety after supervisors there failed to make accommodations for his injuries, as required under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which protects reservists from job discrimination based on their military service.

Supreme Court upholds state government work protections for reservists

But Texas state attorneys argued that Torres did not have standing to sue the state, eventually leading to arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. In June 2022, the justices ruled 5-4 to allow his lawsuit to proceed.

The jury behind last Fridays decision unanimously voted to award Torres 11 years of back pay. State officials have not yet said if they will appeal the verdict.

Along with the employment lawsuit, Torres and his wife, Rosie, have been active figures in the Capitol Hill debates surrounding benefits for veterans suffering from burn pit-related conditions.

The pair were frequently highlighted before and after the passage of the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act  better known as the PACT Act  in August 2022. That legislation in part mandated expanded disability benefits for 12 types of cancer and 12 other respiratory illnesses linked to burn pit smoke exposure in Iraq, Afghanistan and other overseas combat zones.

Rosie Torres told Military Times the couple were pleased and overwhelmed by Fridays decision by the jury, given the lengthy wait for resolution to the legal fight.
An attempted robbery of an armored vehicle outside the Country Club Hills Walmart Monday turned into a shoot out, police officials said.

At 10:24 a.m., Country Club Hills police say they responded to a call of an active shooter at Walmart, 4005 W. 168th Place. The preliminary investigation found the shots were fired during an attempted armed robbery of an armored vehicle, according to a police news release.

A FBI spokeswoman said the suspected offenders quickly drove a Sudan vehicle up to the armored vehicle and began shooting. The armored vehicle workers and Walmart security returned fire, she said.

The offenders then jumped out of their car and stole the vehicle of an elderly person nearby and drove off, the spokeswoman said.

There were no reported injuries.

Walmart spokesman Joe Pennington said no store associates were injured and directed questions about the attempted robbery to police and the FBI. Pennington said Monday night the store was still closed as law enforcement conducted its investigation.

Were waiting for law enforcement to conclude its investigation to determine when its safe to reopen, he said.

The FBI also responded to a bank robbery at U.S. Bank, 4350 Lincoln Highway, in Matteson earlier in the day, according to the spokeswoman. Shots were fired in that robbery, but no one was injured, she said.

The FBI spokeswoman said its unclear if the robberies are related.

The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this or other armored vehicle robberies and attempts, the spokeswoman said.

Country Club police ask anyone with information regarding this attempted robbery to call 708-798-3191 or the Chicago FBI office at 312-421-6700.
RICHMOND, Mo.  The Missouri State Auditors Office found nearly $3,000 in missing money and over $5,000 in questionable purchases at the Ray County Sheriffs Office in a new audit.

State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick released the audit Monday, giving the local sheriffs office a poor rating.

Missouri high school teacher on leave after officials find OnlyFans account

The regularly scheduled audit examined spending from 2018 to 2020 when Garry Bush was sheriff. Scott Childers has since taken over after winning the 2020 election.

The states audit found sheriffs office personnel didnt transmit over $2,500 in conceal carry weapon permit fees and over $400 in sex offender registry fees to the county treasurer.

This missing money happened under Bushs administration, according to the audit. Fitzpatricks office has recommended Childers work with the county commission and other law enforcement to investigate and seek restitution.

Questionable purchases

Additionally, the audit found the sheriffs office spent at least $5,543 on unsupported and/or questionable purchases under Bushs leadership.

According to the audit, the sheriffs office purchased 15 TVs on a Walmart credit card for over $1,700, as well as $850 on items like cigarettes, beer, barbecue seasonings, and beauty items.

Warrensburg lottery player wins $100K on new Scratchers game

The report also found the sheriffs office purchased 76 hams for over $1,700.

Fitzpatricks office has recommended the Ray County Sheriffs Office require adequate documentation for all payments and ensure they are all necessary uses of public money.

Accounting problems

The audit also found the sheriffs office needs to improve its controls and procedures, including accounting duties and better procedures receipting, recording, depositing, and transmitting money.

The state also discovered the Ray County Sheriffs Office did not retain many financial records, failed to pay bills in a timely manner and didnt monitor bank balances.

KC Junior League plans final Holiday Mart, moving to new location

That led to over $400 in late fees and finance charges in 2020 due to late credit card payments and $140 in overdraft fees in 2021.

Other county offices

But the problems arent just in the sheriffs office, according to the audit. The state has recommended improving procedures at the Ray County Prosecutors Office.

The audit found the prosecutors office doesnt have adequately segregated accounting duties or documented supervisory reviews and needs to improve accounting procedures.

Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android

Fitzpatricks office also found the Ray County Commission does not adequately comply with Missouris Sunshine Law on open records requests and failed to consistently follow personnel policies.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
An Australian-made anti-drone gun called the Slinger is heading to Ukraine.

At around $1,000 a shot, it is meant to make shooting down Russian drones vastly cheaper.

Russia has ramped up drone production for its barrages of Ukrainian infrastructure.

An Australian defense company has developed a new weapon dubbed the "drone killer" that could help Ukraine face Russia's suicide drone barrages at a low cost.

The lightweight Slinger 30mm cannon can take down drones at a distance of nearly half a mile away, according to its maker, Electro Optic Systems.

The weapon can be mounted on a truck and operated with a joystick and a screen, Australia's ABC News reported. Ten of them have been included in a US aid package to Ukraine and should be there by the end of the year, per ABC.

"It's very quick and easy to learn," EOS test engineer Charlotte Capper told the outlet. "You don't have to know much about the technology. It's easy to see what each thing does and how it does it."

Russia has regularly bombarded Ukrainian targets, both military and civilian, with loitering munitions such as the Iranian-made Shahed-136.

It also ramped up production this fall, and a massive future expansion of its drone attacks is predicted, as Insider's Jake Epstein reported. That's a particular concern into the winter, where Russia will likely be hoping to take out Ukrainian energy networks in a repeat of the winter of 2022.

Ukraine regularly intercepts large numbers of drones with the help of Western air-defense systems, but it's an expensive activity that arguably favors Russia.

It can cost millions of dollars to take out a drone that cost between $20-30,000, draining Ukraine's resources even when it stops a strike. The US-supplied NASAM missile system, sent to Ukraine last winter, costs around $500,000 to fire.

"Sometimes those missiles cost millions," Ukraine's ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko said, per ABC. "And you hit the drones, which cost $20,000, right? And it's all about the cost."

The Slinger could cut that price tag dramatically. According to ABC, the cost of shooting down a drone with it is estimated to be between $100 and $1,000.

EOS is also developing a laser-based anti-drone system, named Titanis, which in a recent demonstration took out quadcopter drones at a distance of more than 3,000 feet, Australian Defense Magazine reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider
People hold posters picturing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and lightened candles during a gathering outside the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul, on October 25, 2018. Credit - Yasin AKGULAFP via Getty Images

It has been five years since the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi , and not much has changed. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is believed to have ordered his brutal killing, continues to be feted around the world. Calls for an independent investigation into the killing have been ignored. The kingdoms crackdown on dissent continues apace.

Meanwhile, transnational repression continues elsewhere. Last month, the Canadian government announced that it was investigating credible allegations that the Indian government was behind the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh activist and Canadian citizen. The allegations sparked a diplomatic firestorm. Canada, after all, was accusing a fellow (albeit flawed) democracy of engineering an extraterritorial killing on its soil in a clear violation of Canadian sovereignty, to say nothing of international human-rights law. India has vehemently denied responsibility, and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in retaliation.

Indias culpability remains to be seen (the Canadian government has not publicized the intelligence supporting its claim). But that the allegations have been leveled at all reflects a grim new trend: one in which repressive states seek to silence dissenting diasporic voicesamong them journalists, human rights activists, and minority groupsusing tactics of intimidation, kidnapping, and worse.

From 2014 to 2022, the democracy watchdog Freedom House recorded 854 incidents of transnational repression perpetrated by 38 governments across 91 countries. (Their database, which is updated annually, will incorporate cases from 2023 later this year.) Detention, in which individuals are held for more than 12 hours at the request of their country of origin, is the most common tactic of transnational repression, accounting for roughly 40% of Freedom Houses recorded cases. Unlawful deportation, which entails the forcible return of an individual to their country of origin where they are liable to be subject to persecution, is the second-most common (21%). Violent attacks, including assassinations and attempted assassinations, are more rare, accounting for just 10% of cases.

What is transnational repression?

While transnational repression is a relatively new term, the phenomenon it describes is not. As long as there have been political exiles, governments have tried to track them down, says Yana Gorokhovskaia, the research director for strategy and design at Freedom House and an expert on transnational repression. Indeed, transnational repression stretches back decades, from the 1940 assassination of Leon Trotsky in Mexico on the orders of Joseph Stalin to the Pinochet regimes 1973 murder of former Chilean diplomat Orlando Letelier in a car bombing in Washington, D.C. But the reach and scale of transnational repression has grown in the last decade plus, aided and abetted by new tactics and technologies that make it easier for repressive states to reach exiles residing in even the safest and most remote of countries.

Of the most prolific perpetrators of transnational repression, China stands in a league of its own. Roughly a quarter of the cases recorded by Freedom House originate from China and incorporate a wide variety of tactics, from rendition (which involves an individual being forcibly repatriated to their country of origin without a legal process) and detention to digital surveillance and coercion by proxy (in which an individuals family or loved ones who reside in their country of origin is targeted by the state). Its the most comprehensive and wide-ranging campaign of transnational oppression, Gorokhovskaia says. While much of Beijings efforts focus on individualsamong them journalists and pro-democracy activists as well as their familiesentire communities such as Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Hong Kongers have also been targeted. That mirrors whats happening at home, Gorokhovskaia adds, noting that typically the group that we see repressed at home are also the group that are targeted abroad.

While the aforementioned tactics are ubiquitous, its often the more extreme forms of transnational repression that attract the most attention and condemnation. Recall, for example, the Kremlins poisoning of Russian defectors Alexander Litvinenko and, less successfully, Sergei Skripal in Britain. Perhaps the most high-profile example of transnational repression in recent years was the assassination of Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbula murder that stood out for its brutality, as well as its brazenness. Khashoggi had long been a cautious critic of his native Saudi Arabias government policies in the Western press. As much as his killing was meant to silence his criticisms, it also served as a warning to others.

Every individual act [of transnational repression] obviously impacts the person and their families, but it also sends a message, Gorokhovskaia says. It says that youre vulnerable, you can be silenced, you can be reached; that this is the price that you pay.

What democracies can do

Five years on from Khashoggis death, and two years since the U.S. released its intelligence assessment that MBS had approved Khashoggis killing (a verdict that the Saudi government rejects), U.S. President Joe Bidens pledge to turn Saudi Arabia into a pariah remains unfulfilled. Other state-sponsors of transnational repression, such as China and Turkey, continue to enjoy diplomatic and trading relationships with Western democracies while simultaneously targeting their diasporas within those countries.

There isn't a lot of accountability for these acts, Gorokhovskaia says, noting that even if the Canadian governments accusations against the Indian government were proven to be true, it would unlikely amount to any kind of repercussions, especially given New Delhis status as an important strategic and trading partner to many countries, as well as a bulwark against China.

But democracies are not without leverage, and some are already demonstrating ways in which their governments can respond. In the U.S., for example, the FBI has adopted a definition of transnational repression in an effort to better track and prosecute the phenomenon, and even created a website for victims of transnational repression to report efforts by foreign governments to stalk, intimidate, or assault people within the U.S. Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill that, if passed, would make it U.S. policy to hold foreign governments and individuals who stalk, intimidate, or assault people across borders, including in the United States accountable and would establish countering transnational repression a foreign policy priority.

Read More: U.S. Charges Chinese Operatives With Transnational Repression: What to Know

Meanwhile, in the U.K., the British government established its Defending Democracy Taskforce last year, which among other things is tasked with addressing foreign efforts to stifle free expression in the U.K.s diaspora communities. Last year, it was revealed that the Chinese government had begun establishing overseas police stations in Britain and across many other Western democracies in an apparent effort to monitor and exert control over its nationals residing overseas.

But so long as democracies continue to foster close relationships with the perpetrators of transnational repression, exiles living within their societies may never feel completely safe. Its definitely a national security issue, but this is also a human rights issue, Gorokhovskaia says, noting that targeted diaspora communities are not able to enjoy all the freedoms and rights that other people living in a democracy are able to enjoy. We need to move past just this national security response and really think about human rights obligations that governments owe to people who live in their countries.

Write to Yasmeen Serhan at yasmeen.serhan@time.com.
Credit - Polly Klass

On October 1, 1993, a 12-year-old girl was kidnapped at knifepoint from her bedroom in Petaluma, California, during a sleepover with two friends, while her mother slept soundly in the room next door. This rarest of all kidnappingsa stranger abduction from the hometriggered one of the largest manhunts in FBI history.

Her namePolly Klaasevokes the 1990s, a decade when Americas Most Wanted engaged the public to catch criminals and Soul Asylums Runaway Train video on MTV helped bring home missing kids. Americans of a certain age will remember Polly's dimpled face, which appeared on national news every night, on the cover of People magazine, and on more than 8 million flyers distributed as far as China.

The two-month manhunt unfolded at the dawn of the internet age, the first time a Missing Person flyer was posted online, not just stapled to telephone poles and Scotch-taped to storefront windows. This crime shocked the conscience of the nation and violated the sanctity of home, hastening the end of free-range childhood and the escalation of stranger danger culture.

After responding to 60,000 tips and investigating 12,000 leads, Petaluma Police and the FBI were still searching for a prime suspect. Then on November 27, 1993, Sonoma chef Dana Jaffe found suspicious items during a hike on her remote, wooded property off Pythian Road in Sonoma, California. Having watched the daily news coverage of the search for Polly Klaas, Jaffe instinctively saw a possible connection to Polly.

The crime scene

On November 28, 1993, flashbulbs popped and whined in the darkening woods off. Pythian Road, illuminating the falling rain. Forensic technicians Tony Maxwell and Frank Doyle, two members of the FBIs first Evidence Response Team (ERT), were searching for trace evidence and photographing the soggy crime scene.

The black sweatshirt, red tights, and white ligatures that Jaffe had found while walking in the woods near her home had been gathered by Sonoma County Deputy Mike McManus that morning. To mark the spot where the evidence lay hed left behind a condom and its wrapper, also found at the scene.

After photographing the dripping trees and the fallen leaves disturbed on the ground where the evidence had been lying, agents Maxwell and Doyle bagged and tagged the evidence for an overnight trip to the FBI lab in Washington, D.C.

FBI forensic technician Tony Maxwell, a member of the FBI's first Evidence Response Team (ERT) in the nation, lifted the latent print from Polly's bed frame and later processed evidence at the Pythian Road crime scene. Tony Maxwell

At the FBI office in Santa Rosa, ERT member David Alford was packing for a redeye flight to handdeliver another batch of evidencerelated to another suspectto Chris Allen in the FBI lab. On his drive from Santa Rosa to the San Francisco airport, Alford swung by Pythian Road. Case agent Eddie Freyer and Sergeant Mike Meese gave him the latest evidence, still damp from the morning rain. It was placed in new luggage, secured with locks. Tony Maxwell packed up his camera gear, grabbed an overnight bag, and joined Alford.

At the airport, they realized their luggage would exceed the carryon limit. They identified themselves as FBI and requested permission to place the bags of evidence in the seat between them to maintain chain of custody. But the flight was full, so that wasnt possible. The airline crew allowed Alford to walk on the tarmac and personally load the evidence in the cargo hold of the planelast bags in. He sealed the cargo door with crime scene tape. On the other end, he would unpeel the tape and carefully unload the bags of evidence.

The palm print

Courtesy Tony Maxwell and Greg Jacobs

As the evidence began its 3,000-mile journey to Washington, D.C., Petaluma detective Andy Mazzanti drove to the Petaluma police station to begin a full workup on Richard Allen Davis, a parolee with an outstanding warrant for a recent DUI and a failure to check in with his parole officer. The FBI had officially named him a subject in the kidnapping of Polly Klaas.

Mazzanti worked the phones late into the night, calling every law enforcement agency listed on Richard Allen Daviss rap sheet. He wanted everything in the filesbooking sheets, mug shots, police reports, records of any and all contact.

There was one particular item he needed more than anything: a palm print. The fingerprints found in Pollys room after her disappearance were all accounted for. They had been matched with elimination prints taken from Pollys family and friends, and therefore ruled out as related to the kidnapping.

All but one.

It was the palm print found on the upper rail of Pollys wooden bunk bedone of the fortyeight latent prints that Tony Maxwell lifted in the dark with Redwop powder and the alternate light source (ALS)technology so new at the time that the FBI didnt even own it. He had borrowed a unit, tested it in his living room, and was using it for the first time in a major investigation.

Something about it had made Maxwell gasp and scribble the word Bingo next to entry A6 in the fingerprint log. David Alford had handdelivered it to the FBI lab on October 5. There it sat for two months, of little use without a suspect.

Now that they had a suspect, investigators needed his palm print. They already had a set of inked prints from Davis, but it didnt include his palm. Authorities usually rolled only the fingers. Palm prints were less common, typically reserved for more serious feloniesbank robberies, kidnappings, violent crimesat the discretion of investigators.

Mazzanti called the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Napa State Hospital, the California Highway Patrol, and a number of police departments that had booked Davis at some point. None of them had what he needed.

Around midnight, Mazzanti called the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Office in Modesto, California, where Daviss rap sheet noted he had been charged with robbery. That was back in the spring of 1985, when Davis and his twentyfouryearold girlfriend, Susan Edwards, had teamed up on a series of robberies.

As Mazzanti made those latenight calls, he saw the opportunity to retrieve a palm print rapidly shrinking. He was working his way down the list of kidnappings, robberies, and assaults, yet not one of those case files contained what the FBI refers to as major case printsa set with the palms, full fingers, and sides of each palm.

The offense that would ultimately yield the palm print was a broken taillight.

The crime spree

The 1985 Modesto robberies were the grand finale of a crime spree that consummated the threeyear romance of Davis and Edwards.

They had gotten together not long after Davis got out of prison in 1982 for kidnapping a woman named Frances Mays. Sue Edwards was 21 the mother of two young boys, and a wife in an unstable marriage.

One of their first joint ventures would eventually send him to jail: the kidnapping of Selina Varich, an acquaintance and the exgirlfriend of Edwardss sister.

On the morning of November 30, 1984, Davis and Edwards forced their way into Varichs Redwood City, California, apartment and threatened to kill her, along with her father and daughter, if she didnt give them $6,000. When the terrified Varich tried to run away, Davis pulled her back inside and pistolwhipped her in the head several times, gashing her scalp and splattering blood. They made her shower to wash the blood out of her hair, then drove her to the bank and forced her to withdraw the money. Varich, who needed five sutures to close her head wound, later described Davis as evil, with scary eyes and gloating expressions.

After escaping with the money, Davis and Edwards decided they had better get out of San Mateo, where Varich could identify them. Between December 1984 and 1985, they drifted from town to town in California, Oregon, and Washington, supporting themselves by selling drugs and stealing.

They might never have been caught had they not returned to Modesto. A week or two after their Modesto robberies in the first weeks of March 1985, it appeared they had gotten away with it all. Then on March 21, 1985, a cop noticed a defective taillight on their pickup truck and pulled them over.

The records check flagged outstanding warrants for their brutal attack on Selina Varich. Davis was arrested and booked in Stanislaus County, where deputies rolled inked fingerprintsincluding both of his palms.

Detective Andy Mazzanti didnt know any of this as he searched for a palm print years later. He didnt know hed hit the jackpot when he called the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Office to ask for records. It was late, and most folks had gone home for the night, so he left a message requesting files.

Mazzanti left the police department several hours after midnight and went home with a heavy heart. He had just learned that Poppy, his eighty nineyearold grandfather, had died of cancer.

Hours later, on the morning of Monday, November 29, 1993, 43 pages of records from Stanislaus County scrolled out of the fax machine in the Petaluma command center. They included a set of major case printsten fingers, both palms, and the blade of each hand. The prints were dated March 22, 1985when Davis was stopped for his broken taillight. Detective Andy Mazzanti wasnt there to grab the fax. He was out for two days on bereavement leave to attend Poppys funeral. He would not knowfor twentynine yearsthat he was the one who found the inked palm print.

A break in the case

The inked print was sent to the FBI Lab in Washington, D.C., where a fingerprint specialist confirmed it was identical to the latent print lifted from Pollys bed frame. The development made national news.

The news caught the attention of a Bay Area resident named Marvin White, who hired exconvicts to help them transition from prison back into society. White saw Daviss mug shot on TV and the wheels of his mind started turning. Could he help bring Polly home? He decided to pay Davis a visit.

On the morning of Saturday, December 1, White drove to Mendocino County Jail, where Davis was being held in isolation. In the visiting room, they spoke facetoface for about half an hour. At some point, White leaned close, pointed an index finger at his open hand, and mouthed the words: They found a palm print.

Davis shrugged and nodded in acknowledgment but said nothing.

Later that day, Davis requested to speak with investigators. In a videotaped interview, Petaluma Detective Mike Meese offered him coffee and his favorite brand of cigarettes (Camels) then leaned in and asked the question that America was desperate to know.

Is she alive?

Cigarette poised, eyes glued to the table, Davis slowly shook his head. Shes not alive.

Sixtyfive days into the search, five minutes and fortyfour seconds into the interview, they finally had the answer. The answer nobody wanted. Do you know where she is now?

Yeah.

Can you tell me?

Ill show you, Davis said.

This is an adapted excerpt from the book "In Light of All Darkness: Inside the Polly Klaas Kidnapping and the Search for America's Child."

Contact us at letters@time.com.
By Ruma Paul

DHAKA (Reuters) - The death toll from Bangladesh's worst dengue outbreak on record has topped 1,000 this year, official data showed, with hospitals struggling to make space for patients as the disease spreads rapidly in the densely-populated country.

At least 1,017 people have died so far in 2023 and nearly 209,000 infected, the data showed, making this the deadliest year since the first recorded epidemic in 2000.

The current death toll is nearly four times more than the whole of last year, when Bangladesh recorded 281 dengue-related deaths.

Hospitals are struggling to find space for the large number of patients suffering high fever, joint pain and vomiting while there is a shortage of intravenous fluids, health officials said.

I dont know how my son was infected  suddenly he became feverish. I rushed him here and then doctors found out that he has dengue, Sanwar Hossain told Reuters as he watched his son in Mugda General Hospital in the capital Dhaka.

The hospitals administrator, who goes by the single name Niatuzzaman, said that although patients from Dhaka have decreased in recent days, the number of people being admitted from rural areas of the country have increased, calling it a "concerning" sign.

There is no vaccine or drug that specifically treats dengue, which is common in South Asia during the June-to-September monsoon season as the Aedes aegypti mosquito which spreads the disease thrives in stagnant water.

Entomologists and epidemiologists say rising temperatures and longer monsoon seasons are providing ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.

The surge in cases has prompted the government to step up its anti-dengue campaign, from raising awareness to efforts to kill mosquito larvae following a spell of rains, officials said.

However, a lack of proper prevention measures has allowed the dengue-carrying mosquito to spread all over Bangladesh, said Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist and zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University.

From 2000 to 2018, dengue is only happening in Dhaka city, but in 2019 it is transferred into different cities. This year it is transferred into the rural areas also.

Renowned Bangladeshi physician ABM Abdullah told Reuters that early detection and access to proper medical care can reduce deaths to fewer than 1% of sufferers.

(Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who is set to go on trial this week over fraud and money laundering charges, explored the legality of paying former President Trump not to run for reelection, according to a new book.

An excerpt from Michael Lewiss Going Infinite: the Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon was published in The Washington Post on Monday and details Bankman-Frieds last year in the crypto industry. It includes insights into how he allegedly looked into paying Trump and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to stop the former president and his supporters from running for election.

The excerpt describes a conversation between Lewis and Bankman-Fried as he was on his way to 2022 dinner between McConnell and the FTX founder, who was planning to give $15 million to $30 million to the longtime GOP leader to defeat the Trumpier candidates in the Senate races.

[I]n McConnell, Sam had found someone as interested as he was in another existential threat to humanity: Donald Trump, the excerpt reads. Trumps assault on the government, and on the integrity of U.S. elections, belonged, to Sams way of thinking, on the same list as pandemics and artificial intelligence and climate change.

The conversation took place on a plane headed to Washington, D.C., where Bankman-Fried was scheduled to meet with McConnell. He also revealed to Lewis he was considering paying Trump to not run for reelection and suggested the price for doing so was $5 billion.

His team had somehow created a back channel into the Trump operation and returned with the not terribly Earth-shattering news that Donald Trump might indeed have his price: $5 billion. Or so Sam was told by his team, the excerpt states.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed the allegations in a statement to The Hill on Monday.

Isnt Sam Bankman-Fried a liar who has been outed as a fraudster and someone that cant be trusted? Sounds like Sam Bankman-Fried is back to his conning ways and trying to deceive people, Cheung said.

The book noted Bankman-Fried was President Bidens second or third biggest donor, donating $5.2 million to his presidential campaign in 2020.

Bankman-Fried is now slated to face trial this week as prosecutors will argue he stole billions of dollars in FTX customer deposits and allegedly used the money to boost his hedge fund, invest in real estate and make illegal campaign donations.

The Hill has reached out to McConnells campaign for comment.

Updated at 3:14 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Banned Books Week, an annual event first established in 1982, has arrived amid a tumultuous time for reading in America as both schools and libraries try to fend off rising campaigns to remove titles from shelves.

Numbers released by free speech group PEN America show a 33 percent spike in attempted book bans in the 2022-2023 school year compared with the one prior.

The debate over what books should be allowed in classrooms is growing louder and louder, permeating forums from local school board meetings to Senate hearings.

I think [Banned Books Week] is especially important right now, given the intensity of the banning of books all across the United States. This is a relatively recent phenomenon that is continuing to pick up steam because of political or politicized attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, said Shaun Harper, professor of education and business at the University of Southern California.

Banned Books Week was started by First Amendment and library activist Judith Krug with the help of the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of American Publishers.

More than 40 years later, its message is more relevant than ever with the theme of the week titled Let Freedom Read.

This is a dangerous time for readers and the public servants who provide access to reading materials. Readers, particularly students, are losing access to critical information, and librarians and teachers are under attack for doing their jobs, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom.

Banning books has become a top issue around the country, with many Republican states making it easier for parents to challenge whats available on school shelves while Democratic states try to do the opposite.

But its not just schools facing challenges. Data released by the ALA shows that last year, only 16 percent of book challenges were in public libraries, but in the first eight months of 2023, that number has jumped up to almost 50 percent.

Expanding beyond their well-organized attempts to sanitize school libraries, groups with a political agenda have turned their crusade to public libraries, the very embodiment of the First Amendment in our society. This places politics over the well-being and education of young people and everyones right to access and use the public library, Caldwell-Stone said.

Harper said the bans have become a political talking point by presidential candidates during the current 2024 GOP primary, making this years Banned Books Week especially timely, especially intense, and, I would argue, especially consequential for our democracy.

Republicans have gone after books that they feel are inappropriate for classroom settings. Last month, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled Book Bans: Examining How Censorship Limits Liberty and Literature, conservatives read multiple sex scenes into the congressional record in an attempt to make their point that the titles in question are unfit for children.

Advocates, however, argue conservatives are disingenuously saying the only books that have been banned are pornographic material.

Ailen Arreaza, managing editor of Parents Together, a nonprofit that works to deliver news relevant to families, says they have found that schools and teachers are in fact providing age-appropriate books that align with their curriculum for students.

I think that if a parent is concerned about a book in a library, for example, and they dont want their child to take it out, that the child doesnt have to take it out. Thats a decision that parents can make and families can make individually, said Arreaza.

While some Republicans say they disagree with the decision to ban certain books, they believe it should be a local issue free of federal interference.

In Burbank, California, some school district banned Huckleberry Finn, To Kill a Mockingbird. I dont agree with that, but that was your right to make that decision, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said at the September hearing.

A poll released Monday from Ipsos and We Believe shows 78 percent of Americans are less likely to support a candidate in 2024 who favors book bans.

There is a marked partisan divide, however, on laws that would prohibit book banning. While 64 percent of Democrats would support such a law, only 46 percent of Republicans feel the same, according to the survey.

Republicans and Democrats in the poll line up more closely in how book bans should be decided. Ninety-six percent of Democrats and 87 percent of Republicans agreed with the statement that teachers, school board members, parents, students and experts should be consulted when deciding to ban a book.

Only 2 percent of Democrats and 11 percent of Republicans agree with the idea that books should be removed on the basis of a single parents objection, the survey found.

We know that most parents, most Americans dont support book bans, that this is not a thing that matters to them. And it is something that is being used as a political pawn and a way to distract parents, Arreaza said.

This Banned Books Week, the Writers Guild Initiative, PEN America and Unite Against Book Bans are teaming up for a day of action Saturday.

They say actors, writers and artists will band together to help spread the word about banned books through efforts such as a social media campaign that day. The groups want people to share videos on social media with their favorite book that has been banned and use the hashtags #LetFreedomRead and #BannedBooksWeek.

They also created a list of five ways individuals can fight against book bans, such as voting locally, speaking out, signing an open letter to lawmakers, supporting organizations fighting the bans and buying a banned book.

My expectation is that over the next 13 and a half months at this point, basically up until the 2024 election, this is going to continue to be a problem. My sense is that and my hope is that it will it will die down after the election, Harper said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Social media reports and anonymous tips helped lead to the arrest of a man accused of poaching and dumping bears in Colorado, rangers say.

Wildlife officers responded to the tips and discovered the bodies of a mother bear and her two cubs on state trust land southeast of Salida on Friday, Sept. 29, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in an Oct. 2 news release.

The slain bears had been dumped there, officials said.

Through a search warrant, authorities said they found evidence suggesting the bears had been shot early Monday, Sept. 25 near a home about 10 miles southeast in Howard.

Wildlife officers did not disclose details about the evidence.

Authorities arrested a 52-year-old man on a felony charge of illegal destruction of wildlife, as well as several misdemeanors including unlawful killing of wildlife without a license, unlawful possession and waste of game meat, officials said in the release.

Officers took the man to Fremont County Jail, where he was later released on a $10,000 bond until hes formally charged, officials said.

Because this is an ongoing investigation, CPW will have no further comment on this case, the release said.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, someone commented they were happy to see charges related to the case.

Saddened my heart, the person said.

CPW announces the arrest of a Howard man after anonymous tips lead to discovery of three dead bears on state lands.https://t.co/I5V7a4pLgZ  CPW SE Region (@CPW_SE) October 2, 2023

Colorado Parks and Wildlife asks anyone with information about the incident to contact the Salida office at 719-530-5520.

Anyone who wants to give information anonymously  about this or any wildlife violation  can contact Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648 or via email at game.thief@state.co.us. Rewards are available if the information leads to an arrest or citation, officials said.

Anyone illegally injuring or killing wildlife could face misdemeanor charges including harassment of wildlife, hunting big game without a license, illegal taking of wildlife and reckless endangerment among other charges, officials said in the release. Convictions could result in fines and surcharges ranging from $750 to $13,000 and up to 6 months in jail, depending on the charge.

Howard is about 60 miles southwest of Colorado Springs.

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A 73-year-old was airlifted to the hospital after she was attacked by a bear in Montana, officials said.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks crews got a call Oct. 1 that a woman had been attacked along the bank of Trail Creek in Flathead County, according to a news release by wildlife officials.

The woman was out in national forestland near the U.S.-Canada border with her dog and husband when a bear came out of thick brush and went after her, officials said.

The womans husband used bear spray, which made the bear move away. They went back to their car to drive to an area to call for medical attention, the release said.

The woman was airlifted to Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell, officials said.

The Trail Creek, known as Bubble ups, remained closed as of Oct. 2, and the bear hadnt been found, officials said.

Officials didnt disclose the womans current condition.

Officials want the public to remember Montana is bear country, and bears are eating more as they prepare for hibernation which overlaps with fall recreation activities, the release said.

What to do if you see a bear

Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.

There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.

Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize youre a human and nonthreatening.

Stay calm: Bears usually dont want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.

Dont scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.

Pick up small children: Dont let kids run away from the bear. It could think theyre small prey.

Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.

Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Dont make any sudden movements.

Dont drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.

Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.

Again, dont run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.

Dont climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.

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Last month, the Biden administration sent letters to 16 governors telling them their states had underfunded their historically Black land-grant universities. The letter to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said the state had underfunded Tennessee State University by $2.1 billion, more than any other state.

The letters noted the success of these historically Black universities despite their relative lack of funding. And the federal government offered to work with states like Tennessee to better fund these schools in the future.

How did the federal government calculate the underfunding? Why do states owe money to historically Black land-grant schools? Our explainer answers these questions.

Tennessee State University is a historically Black land-grant school located in Nashville.

What is a land-grant university?

In 1862, Congress passed the Morrill Act to create public colleges focused on agriculture and mechanical arts. The U.S. government gave states federal lands, which could be sold to fund the new schools. More than 10 million of the acres given to states were lands taken from Native Americans.

Today, many of these land-grant schools are flagship state universities. The University of Tennessee is a land-grant school. Although the schools now teach a broad range of subjects, most still have strong agriculture programs and receive federal support for agricultural research and extension services.

Why is there a separate land-grant system for historically Black universities?

In 1890, a second Morrill Act was passed. The law gave states a choice: admit Black students to their land-grant colleges or create separate schools for Black students. In the South, states chose to create separate schools for Black students. These schools are often called 1890 universities because of the year the law was passed.

Although these schools were funded directly with federal money and not grants of land, they are still called land grants.

More: Tennessee community colleges see slight enrollment bump after pandemic decline

In 1994, Congress provided money for land-grant schools that serve Native American students.

Tennessee State University is an 1890 land-grant school.

What do states owe land-grant universities?

The original Morrill Act requires states that chose to create a new college for Black students rather than integrate their existing land-grant school to provide just and equitable funding to both institutions.

We found over time there was no just and equitable distribution of monies because of the ambiguity in the legislation, said Denise A. Smith, senior fellow and deputy director of higher education policy at The Century Foundation, a progressive think tank.

Land-grant schools also receive money for research and community extension work from the federal government. Today, those funds are allocated by the Farm Bill.

Dual enrollment: Two Nashville schools launch college-level classes from Stanford, Howard universities

No ambiguity exists about states obligations with these grants. The schools should get a one-to-one match from the state in order to receive those federal funds.

Few states provide that one-to-one match to historically Black land-grant schools. Smith, based on U.S. Department of Agriculture records, found that between 2018 and 2021 Tennessee State University received no matching funds from the state for research and extension services.

Black land-grant schools can request a waiver so they can still receive federal research grants without matching state funds. Waivers do not exist for the original, historically white land-grant schools because states provide them with matching funds.

How much has Tennessee underfunded TSU?

In 2021, Tennessees Office of Legislative Budget Analysis found the state failure to match federal research funds for TSU shortchanged the school by $151 million to $544 million since 1957. The state responded by allocating $250 million to TSU for infrastructure.

The Biden administration, in the letter it sent to the governor, said that over the last 30 years Tennessee has underfunded TSU by $2.1 billion.

"There are different buckets of funding that go to them, said state Rep. Harold Love Jr., D-Nashville, who led the 2021 effort to calculate the underfunding of TSU.

Love looked at the matching funds that Tennessee did not provide for federal grants. The Biden administration, using data from the National Center for Education Statistics, compared how much money Tennessee spent per student at the University of Tennessee and compared it to what was provided to TSU. (If the table fails to load automatically below, it can be found at this link.)

Todd A. Price is a regional reporter for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at taprice@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee State has been underfunded. Here's what that means.
In a win for wild lands and wildlife, President Joe Biden recently moved to protect more than 10 million acres of Alaskas North Slope from oil development. The action permanently bans drilling across large swaths of this region.

In a separate move, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland also canceled drilling leases, which were issued under the Trump administration, inside the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

These new policies didnt come without criticisms from some lawmakers, like Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, who threatened to sue.

On the other end of the spectrum, some environmentalists said the new protections were not enough to erase the administrations March approval of the controversial ConocoPhillips Willow project, which is predicted to produce 576 million barrels of oil over the next 30 years.

This remote landscape in Alaskas far north is home to polar bears, a porcupine caribou herd that is 200,000 strong, at least 36 types of fish, and more than 400 species of plants.

The Arctic Refuge is also a traditional territory for the Gwichin, Athabaskan, and Inupiat people. The Gwichin call the refuges coastal plain The Sacred Place Where Life Begins and rely on its caribou herd for clothing and food, as well as to maintain a spiritual connection to the land, according to the environmental group Protect the Arctic.

Drilling and climate change threaten the future of these vibrant communities and the environment they rely on, notes the groups website.

By and large, environmentalists praised the administrations recent actions.

Conservation is a very long game and takes decades, Chris Wood, president of the conservation group Trout Unlimited, told The Washington Post. Its rare to have these big-stroke opportunities. So its terrific and heartening to see the administration demonstrate they have a bit of a bold streak when it comes to protecting our lands and waters.

Jamie Williams, president of the Wilderness Society, told AP News, It is nearly impossible to overstate the importance of todays announcements for Arctic conservation. Once again, the Arctic Refuge is free of oil leases. Our climate is a bit safer and there is renewed hope for permanently protecting one of the last great wild landscapes in America.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
President Joe Biden has warned Congress to stop playing games and keep American aid flowing to Ukraine after spending on the war-hit nation was axed from the 11th-hour stopgap bill passed by the US Senate.

We cannot under any circumstances allow Americas support for Ukraine to be interrupted, the president said in remarks from the Roosevelt Room on Sunday.

We have time, not much time, and theres an overwhelming sense of urgency, he said, noting that the stopgap funding bill lasts only until mid-November.

Congress narrowly escaped a government shutdown by passing a short-term funding package late on Saturday but only after it dropped additional assistance for Ukraine in its battle against Russia.

Mr Biden signed the bill into law moments later, but is urging Congress to negotiate an aid package as soon as possible.

The vast majority of both parties  Democrats and Republicans, Senate and House  support helping Ukraine and the brutal aggression that is being thrust upon them by Russia, Mr Biden said. Stop playing games, get this done.

Washington is currently at a rare crossroads situation as Republican resistance to aid to Ukraine is gaining momentum.

After Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began a process to potentially consider legislation providing additional aid to Ukraine, House Speaker and Republican leader Kevin McCarthy faced an uphill task in keeping this commitment over the objections of nearly half of his GOP majority.

He has said that his priority was security at the US-Mexico border while he supported being able to make sure Ukraine has the weapons they need.

I firmly support the border first. So weve got to find a way that we can do this together, he told CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday.

Joe Biden urges Congress to continue aid to Ukraine (Getty Images)

Mr McCarthy halted immediate aid clearance for Kyiv in a bid to avoid the shutdown but this cost the White House a Senate package that would have offered $6bn to Ukraine in an additional tranche.

Both the House and Senate overwhelmingly approved the stopgap measure, with members of both parties abandoning the increased aid in favour of avoiding a costly government shutdown.

However, Mr Biden is now working to reassure US allies that there will be more funds for Ukraine.

Look at me, he said, turning his face to the cameras Sundays briefing at the White House.

Were going to get it done. I cant believe those who voted for supporting Ukraine  overwhelming majority in the House and Senate, Democrat and Republican  will for pure political reasons let more people die needlessly in Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials are also seeking to downplay the potential threat of the stopgap bill, with top diplomat Dmytro Kuleba insisting that Washingtons support for Kyiv is not weakening.

Mr Kuleba told reporters on Monday that Kyiv is currently in talks with both Republicans and Democrats and that the drama around the stopgap bill was merely an incident rather than something systemic.

We dont feel that the US support has been shattered ... because the United States understands that what is at stake in Ukraine is much bigger than just Ukraine, the foreign minister said as he greeted European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell before a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv.

Its about the stability and predictability of the world and therefore I believe we will be able to find necessary solutions.

(With additional reporting by agencies)
Support slipped for President Biden in a hypothetical 2024 rematch against former President Trump, according to a Monmouth University poll. It showed Trump with a 1 point edge over Biden among registered voters.

Just 42 percent of registered voters said theyd back Biden against Trump  31 percent who said theyll definitely do so and 11 percent who said theyll probably cast their ballots for him. That figure is down 5 points from July, when 47 percent said theyd vote for the incumbent against the former president.

In the latest poll, 31 percent said theyd definitely support Trump and 12 percent said they probably would, for a combined 43 percent. Thats up from July, when 40 percent said theyd vote for Trump over Biden.

Majorities said theyll definitely or probably not vote for the leading candidates  57 percent for Biden and 56 percent for Trump.

The Monmouth University report notes Bidens decline in backing is due mainly to a significant slip in support among Black, Latino and Asian voters, while Trump has seen improvement with those demographics.

Biden is running for reelection despite concerns about his age  at 80  but his campaign and supporters have largely shrugged off the presidents poor poll numbers, pointing to the incumbents record and accomplishments.

Trump is seeking a return to the Oval Office as he faces ongoing legal battles, including multiple criminal indictments. As the clear front-runner in the Republican primary race, hes skipped his partys first and second debates.

The Monmouth University poll was conducted Sept. 19-24 among 737 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The states three Black Lives Matter chapters are merging to form a single statewide nonprofit: Black Lives Matter New Hampshire.

The consolidation, leaders say, will allow the organization to build its collective power, as well as boost organizing and outreach efforts throughout New Hampshire. The chapters in Manchester, Nashua, and the Seacoast region have already been frequent collaborators and share much of the same mission, though there are nuances in their different communities.

The message is that were still here and were now bigger than before, said Tanisha Johnson, of Exeter, co-founder and board chair of Black Lives Matter Seacoast. Were still working on causes in a greater demand and the initiatives are not just when something happens and were being reactive about it. We are taking a proactive approach, and now were doing that statewide.

Ronelle Tshiela is a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Manchester, which is merging with other chapters in the state to create Black Lives Matter New Hampshire.

Ronelle Tshiela, who co-founded Black Lives Matter Manchester and served on the states Commission on Law Enforcement Accountability, Community, and Transparency, said the chapters work has shifted since 2020, when organizers across the country took to the streets in protest after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Black Lives Matter was front and center in political conversations then. In June 2020, Black Lives Matter Manchester, Nashua, and Seacoast put out seven demands for gubernatorial candidates in response to the killing of Floyd. Those included requiring implicit bias training for all state and government employees, creating a new racial equity task force, and prohibiting the use of rubber bullets and tear gas by police.

In 2021, the chapters were also active in advocating against the divisive concepts bill that is now state law, as well as legislation they deemed anti-bail reform that could disproportionately impact people of color.

More recently, Tshiela said, the chapters are shifting their focus to real-time community needs, rather than testifying at the State House, for example, which used to be at the forefront of their mission.

Those more immediate needs include youth education and scholarships, Black maternal health, diversity and inclusion training, and mutual aid support for people of color.

Theyre also celebrating Black joy and success, too, and creating gathering spaces for communities. The Seacoast chapter holds an annual Black Excellence Gala and a Black Excellence Weekend at the University of New Hampshire, where they honor award winners in business, art, community impact, and academics.

New Hampshires Black Lives Matter chapters are merging into one. Pictured are members of Black Lives Matter Seacoast. From right, Clifton West Jr., co-founder and executive director; Tanisha Johnson, co-founder and board chair, and Jamie Grogan, board secretary.

I think people still want that energy from 2020 to continue, and they still want these Black organizations to thrive and for Black people to have these spaces where they feel valued, said Clifton West. Jr., of Barrington, executive director and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Seacoast. We definitely still get that feeling. Its still needed.

Now is the perfect time

Discussions about merging the chapters began last winter. Logistically, Black Lives Matter Seacoast, a standalone registered nonprofit that formed in the summer of 2020, is changing its name to Black Lives Matter New Hampshire. Their work is funded entirely by grants and donations.

Talking to the other leaders, it was just like, now is the perfect time, said West Jr.

The chapter leaders said while there are certainly differences among their communities  from demographics to geographic location to socioeconomic status  they were doing much of the same work with aligning missions.

Tshiela sees the merger as cementing the longevity of a movement she helped launch in New Hampshire back in 2016, as a teenager in the states largest city.

The new Black Lives Matter New Hampshire logo.

It also means this is an opportunity to make it even more sustainable and make sure it lasts beyond our involvement in the organization, she said.

Johnson is most excited about expanding the organizations board, seeing it double in size to include members from across the state with new perspectives and thoughts.

Mutual aid, youth, and Black maternal health

Mutual aid has become a staple of the Black Lives Matter movement in New Hampshire, and the demand for assistance is expected to grow as the new statewide organization expands its reach. Mutual aid, Johnson described, is funding given to those in need without any question, without any barriers or restrictions.

Both the Seacoast and Manchester chapters have robust mutual aid programs. Last year, the Seacoast chapter doled out more than $60,000 to help neighbors with everyday needs across Strafford and Rockingham counties in New Hampshire, York County in Maine, and Essex County in Massachusetts.

Manchesters mutual aid relief fund primarily helps Black households in the city who need help paying utility or wifi bills, rent, or car payments.

To meet the expected increase in mutual aid fund requests, West Jr. said the new organization will launch with a monthly donor drive  if they gain 50 new monthly donors, the Resource Organizing Project will provide a $5,000 match.

Saniyah Bolton, an Exeter High School student who is a member of the Black Lives Matter Seacoast youth division.

Black Lives Matter New Hampshire anticipates expanding its youth division, which connects biweekly to discuss current events, personal lives, and create safe spaces for youth. Participants have, for example, addressed a lack of inclusion and equity within libraries for youth, held supply drives and created fun social spaces, and served as a resource for students looking to have their voices heard by administrators and teachers.

Initiatives around Black maternal health are also expected to be a major focus. The U.S. maternal mortality rate has gotten worse in recent years, and according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, maternal death rates remain the highest among Black women.

Last April, Black Lives Matter Seacoast, Reproductive Freedom Fund of New Hampshire, and Lovering Health Center held an event at UNH titled, Beyond Roe: Black Abortion and Maternal Health Experiences.

Tshiela was a panelist and Johnson moderated the event, which featured a keynote speech from Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, the Julia A. Okoro Professor of Black Maternal Health in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine and founder of the Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice.

One of the new ventures we are really working towards is programming in regards to Black maternal health and resources, Johnson said.

This story was originally published by New Hampshire Bulletin

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: New Hampshire Black Lives Matter chapters merge